[7thsea] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

GM cues theme music.

[7thsea] Gert says, "(However, Perry is just a normal account, so you open a new window of your MUD client, log him in, and start logging.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "ah"

GM says, "We begin with Cat today."

[7thsea] Gert exclaims, "Yay Cat!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh yeah, Players last session get 3xp for rescuing the Pervenches and Mlle Guillot from Bois-Franc"

[7thsea] Gert exclaims, "Yay XP!"

GM says (to Cat), "It's past nightfall as your carriage makes the turn at the Schaedelbrecher pass and proceeds into Helvetica. Your driver is urging the horses on as quickly as he can, because nobody likes being caught out in the woods after dark."

GM says, "(Especially since the Schaedelbrecher is reputedly covered with wolves this time of year.)"

[7thsea] Cat says, "I have a carriage? man, I'm doing better than I thought"

[7thsea] GM asks, "You need a carriage to get you into town. I presumed that you hired one. Or would you prefer to walk?"

[7thsea] Cat says, "I thought that I was riding"

[7thsea] Cat says, "but a carriage works"

[7thsea] GM says, "Yeah, gives you a chance to bring luggage. Sorry for making assumptions, there."

Cat rummages through her luggage, searching for a tolerably clean dress

Cat considers throwing a Phrygian cap out of the window, then stuffs it back just in case

GM says, "As you arrive in Geneva, you pass two crazy horsemen galloping off in the direction you just came from. You catch a glimpse of flaming red hair on the second, slightly-slower rider."

[Crows-Nest] Hans says, "I just now noticed: all the PC's and Villains on the PG and GMG covers are dual-wielding."

[7thsea] Cat says (to GM), "you're the GM! if you don't make assumptions nobody will"

GM says, "And then you arrive at the Inn. The carriage driver, at least, intends to spend the night here."

Cat checks her money-belt, comes up with two dead moths and a musket-ball

Cat says, "Ah well. No time like the present, then."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "hee hee"

Cat assumes her most dowagerly gown and marches up to the Academy.

GM says, "Up you go to the Academy. It's gotten a boys' school attached to it since you were here last."

GM says, "Just at the gates, another three crazy horsemen come charging out, right past you."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Whoops, totally forgot it was all-girls back in the day."

GM says, "(Er, two crazy horses with three people on them)"

Gert asks (of Cat), "Did you see two kids on horses go this way? One with red hair?"

[7thsea] Cat says, "sigh. yes. one had to make do with *town* boys"

Cat exclaims (at Gert), "GERTIE!!!"

Gert exclaims, "Cat!"

Gert asks, "We'll chat later! Kids?"

Cat says, "They were headed that way."

Gert exclaims, "Thanks! You want to... no, never mind. See you later!"

Gert gallop gallop gallop.

GM says, "And off they go."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Inviting her along might mess with the space-time continuum."

GM says, "Geneva College."

Cat says, "*Well*. Some of us haven't picked up any manners in the last decade."

Cat *knock* *knock*

GM says, "The door is answered by a very handsome young man of the exotic southern variety."

Cat draws herself up. "I trust the *sniff* Baron is in receipt of my letter of last June?"

GM says, "Handsome young man shrugs and stands aside to let you in."

Cat pretends to assume that everybody knows who she is and strides in, beaming

GM says, "HYM has no idea who you are."

GM says, "He takes you up to Headmistress Von Pinn's study."

GM says, "figuring that she should know what to do, even if he doesn't."

[Crows-Nest] Hans uploads an updated sheet to http://www.grunk.org/rpgs/charsheets/hans.txt (including spending 10 XP on knacks).

(From GM) HYM says, "A visitor, Senora von Pinn." and withdraws.

Cat says, "Oh, gosh, that old harpy hasn't autodigested in her own bile ye- ahem. Good *evening*, Frau von Pinn."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Good evening... Ah, Fraulein Catherine Matravers, of course I remember you."

GM says, "She sticks on a monocle and gives you the critical once-over. "Very presentable. I must say you took to your lessons in decorum very well.""

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Please, come in, and have a seat. And do tell me what brings you back here."

Cat beams venomously at the 'Fraulein', but doesn't miss a beat. "I owe so much to you and this noble establishment, Maria. I truly do."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "One is always pleased when a student turns out well."

Cat says, "I apologise for arriving somewhat later than my letter of June last may have suggested, but travel in the Continent is perfectly wretched at present; you understand, I am sure."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Indeed. The Montaigne situation is most improper."

Cat says, "Do you know when the Headmaster will next be available to discuss possibilities for an endowment? I *do* so want to do this as properly as can be done."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Of course. The Baron will be here in the morning -- he is spending more time here, now that his daughter is a student."

Cat says, "Wonderful."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "In the meantime, if you have not already made arrangements at the inn, there are rooms prepared for you here at the school."

Cat says, "You are too kind, Headmistress. After the voluptuous luxuries of Montaigne inns it will be good to rest on narrow, lumpy beds once again."

Cat trots off to unpack, then scampers down to the canteen for the double helpings her alumnus status *clearly* entitles her to

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Such things build character, Fraulein Matravers."

Cat says, "Oh, they did, Maria, they did."

(From GM) Maria von Pinn says, "Shall I have someone send you up some supper?"

[7thsea] GM says, "oop, missed the 'trots off to unpack' bit."

[7thsea] Cat asks, "what? stay in my room when I have an opportunity to catch up on ten years of gossip?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Heh"

Catena goes home.

[7thsea] Cat says, "also, I'm hoping that Tuesdays are still rostigraben and goat sausage night"

GM says, "You part from Fraulein Maria von Pinn, (who reminds you politely that a lady never refers to another person's bile out loud) and find your way to the dining hall / kitchens."

Cat sits herself down at high table and sets about depleting the wine cellar, the pantry and the staff's collection of anecdotes

GM says, "There is food available from the pantry. One of the maids, Elena, seems quite interested in talking to you about this, that and the other."

Cat asks (of Elena), "so is Seven-fingered Frida still the duelling master, or did somebody finally bump the old bag off?"

(From GM) Elena says, "Oh, she was before my time, I think. But I think I heard that the old duelling mistress went off to get married to someone up in Vendel who had only three fingers on his left hand.

Cat says, "Gosh. Imagine the children."

Cat says, "They are certain to have no fingers whatsoever. It's cruelty plain and simple."

GM says, "Elena tells you about Hans, who teaches heavy weapons, and Albert des Amis, who teaches fencing."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "hee hee"

GM says, "She also tells you about Gert's engagement to Hans."

Cat says, "Ooh. Of course, there are boys in the school now. What a waste that they took so long about it."

Cat sighs deeply

GM says, "...also about Edgardo, the fellow who let you in, and his wife Lucia, whom people rarely ever see."

(From GM) Elena says, "Well ... what with the old legend about the waterfall, I suppose it would have been just asking for more trouble.

Cat pays for all this with some veiled and terrible rumours about goings-on in the Avalon court

Cat says (to Elena), "Waterfall? Was that after my time? Oh, you know you're getting old when you predate geographical features."

(From GM) Elena says, "Oh, didn't anyone tell you when you were here? I suppose the Headmistress didn't like it known. But you know, if you visit the waterfall, just inside the woods south of the school, at the time of a full moon, just at sunset ... if you sit down and take a nap, you might dream of your future husband. If you are lucky, you might even meet him right then!"

(From GM) Elena says, "Ssh, don't tell anyone I told you this."

Cat says, "What an awful thought! I'm so glad I never took constitutionals; I might have accidentally wandered there and been stuck with some frightful oik."

Cat says, "Although in fact, that might have explained quite a few marriages while I was here..."

(From GM) Elena says, "Oh, the gentlemen one might meet are rarely frightful ... there are, you know, quite handsome noblemen on the run from the revolution."

[7thsea] Gert says, "...oh"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

(From GM) Elena says, "...I must go. The Headmistress doesn't like it when I spend too much time gossiping. Good night, signorina."

GM says, "Elena jumps up and runs off."

Cat realises that she is actually somewhat exhausted, and having satisfied her gossiping urges for the moment, makes for bed

GM says, "Bed is more comfortable than its narrow lumpiness might lead you to expect. You must be tired."

GM exclaims, "Next morning!"

Gert *WHAM WHAM WHAM*

Gert asks, "Cat! They told me you were sleeping here! Are you awake?"

Cat says, "No."

Cat says, "Do fuck off, Gertie, there's a dear."

[7thsea] GM says, "hee"

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "I thought Gert was exhausted and was going to bed herself in the morning!"

Gert says, "But you won't *believe* the night we had last night! Aren"

Gert asks, "...Aren't you the least bit curious?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Cat's a late sleeper."

Cat yanks open the door in her nightgown, pulls Gert inside, shuts and bolts door. "Tell me tell me."

Gert, complete with expansive hand gestures that knock a lantern off the end table, regales Cat with the tale of last night.

Cat asks, "I'm still confused - what are you doing here, again?"

Cat asks, "and what's this about you and the new Seven-Fingered Frida?"

Gert says, "Here? Oh! I'm the groundskeeper, and I just started teaching some Riding classes."

Gert exclaims, "Who? Oh, Hans!"

Gert exclaims, "You *have* to meet him!"

Gert says, "And you have to be in the wedding! *DO* tell me you'll be in the wedding! It wouldn't be the same without you."

Cat says, "I had better. I have some dire threats that I want to issue concerning your future happiness."

Cat says, "Also, is he one of the Braunschwieg Kleinbergs? I am reasonably confident that one of my distant ancestors burned down one of his distant ancestors' castles by accident during the Second Crusade. We never did got around to apologising for that."

Gert laughs. "Oh, you're such a dear. As if I couldn't take care of myself. You taught me that."

Gert exclaims, "Well, now's the perfect time! Come on, let's go!"

Cat throws on a man's long coat in lieu of a dressing-gown and follows

GM says (to Arvid), "Meanwhile, Master Bergen wants your opinion on the recent murder of the wagon driver at the inn."

Gert also tells Cat about the murder as they go to meet Hans.

Arvid is grumpy about having been woken up.

Arvid says, "I don't see why you couldn't have let me sleep -- it's not like he was going anywhere"

Hans's snores are clearly audible even on the other side of the door.

(From GM) Bergen says, "Of that, I'm not entirely sure. Tell me what you make of this."

Gert *WHAM WHAM WHAM*

[Crows-Nest] (from Hans) Arvid :fashions it into a crude hat.

Gert exclaims, "Haaaaaaaannnns!"

Hans asks, "Wha huh who Gert?"

Hans stumbles out of bed and opens the door, blinking.

Arvid says, "well, let's see it, now that I'm here -- I heard the man was completely bloodless"

Cat looks Hans up and down. Mostly down.

Hans exclaims, "Ack!"

(From GM) Bergen takes out a small box and opens it. There's what appears to be a scrap of black cloth in it. Then he moves it over to the light from the window. The black sizzles and evaporates into nothingness.

Gert embraces Hans and gives him a big kiss.

Hans slams the door, rummages around until he finds some trousers, then returns and opens it again.

Gert asks, "This is Cat! My best friend from when I was a student here! Well, by the end of it, at least. She's.... er, what *are* you doing here?"

(From GM) Bergen says, "Yes, that is one curiosity."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(We should possibly reverse the order of those two lines.)"

Arvid says, "and there's another, I see"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Arvid asks, "where was that piece of cloth from?"

Cat says (to Gert), "oh, I got in some hot water in Montaigne and I need a place to crash until Father extracts his head from his rear. The Baron thinks I'm here to endow a chair or some scholarships or something."

(From GM) Bergen says, "The body was lying on a whole man-shaped sheet of this. I'm of the opinion that it covered the dead man from head to toe until the morning sunlight burnt away whatever was not under him."

Hans bows to Cat. "Good morning, madam."

Cat says, "Lord Hans Kleinberg? Enchanted, I'm sure."

Hans says, "Miss... Matravers, I believe? Gert has told me about you."

Arvid asks, "a reasonable deduction -- so was the body found outside, then? or by a window?"

(From GM) Bergen says, "In bed."

[Crows-Nest] (from Gert) Arvid says, "I like that fortune-cookie modification game too, but now is not the time."

(From GM) Bergen says, "Well, are you coming to take a look or not?"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "hee hee"

Arvid says, "yes, yes, lead on"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Hmm. I guess actually Lady Matravers, now that I look at her sheet?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Fortuantely, I have no ranks at all in Courtier."

[7thsea] Cat says, "ayup"

Cat asks, "If you treat Gertie poorly I will see to it that you never walk again. Shall we take breakfast?"

Hans says, "Or was it Lady Matravers? I can never remember who has titles and who doesn't these days."

Arvid stops a small boy as they walk and sends him to take a message to Gert and Hans.

GM says, "Bergen takes Arvid down to a basement room, where Stefan Kramer is waiting with the dead body."

Gert asks, "So, I want to help find the youngest Pervenche. She can't be *too* far away; the wardrobe made it, after all. Anyone see Arvid this morning?"

Hans says (to Cat), "I sincerely doubt that. But if I treat Gertie poorly, I am sure that she shall see to it herself, so there is nothing to worry about."

GM says (to EveryoneElse), "speaking of Arvid, a small boy comes running up with a message from him."

Hans asks (of Boy), "What is it?"

Arvid says, "ah, Stefan -- I see you've begun a preliminary inspection"

Cat says (to Hans), "also, I suppose it falls to me to apologise for the whole Castle Schtuppenjager incident, even if it was four hundred years ago. Old Bohemond was never very good at directions, bless him."

Cat asks, "You built a new one, I hope?"

(From GM) Stefan gulps and says, "no, no, not at all ... I was waiting for you."

(From Arvid) boy says (to Hans) "Sir, Professor Kjellsen says to say he's been woken up to look at the body and doesn't see why he should suffer alone"

Arvid sighs and shakes his head. "Take some initiative, man!"

[7thsea] GM throws drama die at Arvid

[7thsea] Arvid says, "yay"

Hans says (to Cat), "Ah, well. That is easily enough forgiven. It is no more than some of my own great cousins have done during more boisterous times."

Gert says, "Ha ha."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "also, ha ha Schtuppenjager"

Arvid says, "well, let me see then"

Arvid starts prodding at the thing for some kind of preliminary diagnosis.

Gert exclaims, "Well, let's go, then!"

Gert exclaims (at boy), "Thank you!"

GM says, "The dead man's face is frozen in fear. He's pale from blood loss."

Hans says, "If you'll permit me to finish dressing, I'll join you in a moment."

Gert leads on, stopping by the lobby on the way up to have some breakfast sent up.

GM says, "No signs of how the blood was extracted, though."

Arvid says, "mysterious"

Hans puts on some nice casual armor, along with the rest of his gear. It can't hurt to impress Gert's old friends a bit.

Arvid says, "now, if you were butchering a hog, you'd slit its throat and hang it upside down to let the blood drain out"

(From GM) Bergen says (to Arvid), "We were hoping that you might know something about this sort of thing from your travels."

Arvid says, "but clearly the incision here must be a little smaller"

Cat asks (of Gertie), "where on earth did you find him?"

Arvid says, "well, naturally there are always rumors, but I consider myself a man of science"

Arvid says, "still, I suppose we should at least inspect the neck .."

GM says, "Stefan gives a sudden bark of laughter, then shuts up and looks embarrassed."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(Assuming she's the sort to be impressed by a man who walks around bristling with weapons and armor for no particular reason.)"

Gert says (to Cat), "Right here! He arrived on a lame horse from riding it too hard, so I yelled at him about it, and, well, that was that."

Hans follows shortly after, clinking a bit.

Cat says, "So tell me about the proposal."

GM says (to Hans), "you meet Antoinette Guillot on your way down."

Arvid exclaims (at Stefan), "and the first rule of science is to collect all the evidence before accepting or rejecting any proposition!"

(From GM) Stefan says "....of course."

Hans says (to Antoinette), "Good morning, my dear."

Cat says, "Were his parents dreadfully miffed about it? Because, you know."

Cat looks down for a moment, frowning.

(From GM) Antoinette says, "g-good morning. Herr Kleinberg, I think it was? I must thank you for your efforts last night."

GM says (to Arvid), "you do find a wood splinter in the man's neck."

[7thsea] Hans knows exactly how he expects Hans would have proposed to Gert...

Catena arrives, looking for booty.

[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "Do you? Go for it."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Only here."

Hans says (to Antoinette), "You are quite welcome. It was no less than honor demanded."

[7thsea] Gert says, "I dunno about your folks either, but I suspect they are the reasonable type."

(From GM) Antoinette says, "I've spent much of my time working with criminals. It's a refreshing change to meet a man of honour."

[7thsea] Hans says (to Gert), "I figure that once Hans decided that he was potentially interested in Gert, he would start trying to talk her into duelling him."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(With padded weapons and such, of course.)"

Arvid extracts the splinter with a set of tweezers.

[7thsea] Hans says, "So that he could secretly judge if she was skilled enough to carry on the Kleinberg name."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Hee"

(From GM) Bergen says, "What's that?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "And the first time she defeated him fairly... out would come the ring."

Arvid says, "well, it's hardly a tooth"

Arvid says, "unless it is someone with false teeth, that is"

Arvid says, "but I suppose in theory it could be a portion of a tube inserted into a main vein"

Arvid inspects it dubiously for bloodstains

Hans says (to Antoinette), "Unfortunately, we are not free from crime here, either. You may have heard about the death that occurred just last night."

Gert, telling Cat all about the duel at which Hans proposed, enters the room where Arvid is.

Hans says, "I was just on my way to see what Arvid has learned of it."

Gert sees the dead body, flinches.

Arvid says, "ah, Gert"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Also, if you have met Hans' mother, I wouldn't be surprised if she also challenged you."

Cat says (to Gert), "(sotto voce) Oh, is this the Guillot woman? I saw one of her contraptions in Nice. It was really quite terrific. The fellow's head must have gone twenty yards. I wonder if it would work on Father; he has such a very thick neck."

GM says (to Arvid), "It's pretty tiny, and black. You'd need special lenses for a closer look. But you think you do spot some hint of red on it."

(From GM) Antoinette says, "It's horrible! You will do something about it, of course?"

Hans says, "Of course."

Arvid asks (of Stefan), "don't you have some sort of lens for doing a closer inspection of butterfly wings?"

Gert pokes around the room.

GM says, "Stefan fumbles and finally comes up with a powerful magnifying glass."

Hans finally arrives. "Arvid!" he interrupts. "What have you found?"

Arvid says (to Gert), "you'll note the cloth he's lying on was quite interesting -- highly photo-sensitive"

[7thsea] GM says, "They've moved the body to one of the basement classrooms at the school, remember."

Arvid says, "I've found ... THIS"

Arvid brandishes the splinter

[7thsea] Gert says, "Oh, oops, I hadn't."

[7thsea] Hans says, "I hadn't either, but I assume the boy who fetched us knew."

Arvid inspects it through the glass.

[7thsea] Gert says, "So we're still on the school grounds? Gotcha."

Arvid says, "aha, just as I suspected"

(From GM) Antoinette looks at the body, looks away, whispers to Hans: "Horrible. I'll catch you later, I hope." and quickly slips away.

Gert asks (of Cat), "You used to tell me weird stories about strange materials--did you ever hear anything about cloth that would burn up in sunlight?"

Hans says, "Not much of a weapon, by the looks of it."

GM says (to Arvid), "there's blood, yes. There's also some sort of green colouring."

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "Oh no. Bugs!"

Arvid says, "hrmmm"

Arvid asks, "dye? or some other chemical?"

Hans asks, "Leaves?"

Cat says (to Gert), "There's a material that one can use if, ahem, one wants to duplicate a document without this being readily apparent to the original owner. Or so I am told."

Arvid says, "leaves? well, possibly"

Arvid says, "I don't see how they would drain all the blood out, though"

Cat asks, "This might be something like that, I suppose. Did the school finally get a chymic master, or are they still determined to live in the Dark Ages?"

(From GM) Bergen says, "Leaves? I suppose that might be expected ... no wood without trees, after all."

Hans says (to Arvid), "I don't really know much about all the things doctors can do with bark and herbs and things either."

(From GM) Bergen coughs and glances at Cat. "That would be myself, Fraulein."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Is there a chymic master?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Heh, timing."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ok, I don't really know where to go from here"

[7thsea] Gert says, ">GET CLUES"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "there's the photosensitive cloth and the splinter in the guy's neck, but I don't think I know enough to analyze either"

Cat asks, "Gertie, can you remind me why we're standing around in the basement with a dead person when we could be having breakfast?"

(From GM) Bergen says, "The splinter might be nothing. He was delivering furniture, after all."

Arvid says, "I suppose, but the color seems a little unusual"

Arvid says, "unless some of the furniture is green"

[7thsea] Hans says, "I didn't see clearly what happened before we got to the room."

GM says, "(Some of it was.)"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "This was the guy who delivered the furniture, right?"

Cat asks, "Did you check his pockets?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "basically, 1) the guy was lying on some cloth that dissolves in sunlight 2) he has a splinter in his neck that has both blood and green color on it"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Can someone do a lore check on the cloth?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "ANd he was found in bed?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "(I'd do it myself, but, well, Wits 1."

Arvid asks (of Bergen), "I don't know, did you?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Does that mean the cloth was on his bed?"

[7thsea] Cat asks, "do people here not have curtains?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Which like a sheet or blanket?"

GM says, "Bergen gestures to a table. There's a revolutionary cockade, a pamphlet from the revolutionary government, a few coins, and a snuffbox."

Cat pokes in the snuffbox

[7thsea] Gert says, "The photosensitive cloth was in a man shape under him; the hypothesis is that he was completely wrapped up in it until the morning sun burned the exposed bit away."

GM says (to Cat), "very cheap snuff."

Arvid says, "well, it's clear where his sympathies lie, but we learned that the other day just from talking to him"

Cat says, "Ugh. He would have been dead soon enough anyway, snorting *this*."

Gert looks where the coins are from.

Cat scans the pamphlet.

Hans says, "We already know *why* he was killed."

Hans says, "Even if we don't know how."

GM says (to Gert), "Montaigne coins, mostly. A couple of Eisen pfennigs as well."

[7thsea] Cat says, "hoping it'll reveal something about a particular revolutionary faction, or something"

Gert asks (of Hans), "We do?"

Hans says, "If the murderer went to all this trouble with the cloth and everything, then they must be someone who thinks they're sneaky."

Hans exclaims (at Gert), "Because of the wardrobe!"

GM says (to Cat), "It's written by an Armand Chevalier, a representative from the Revolutionary Council who's due to take a position in the province's capital, Mont-St-Gabriyon, within a couple of days."

Hans says, "And Lucille."

(From GM) Bergen says, "Wardrobe?"

[7thsea] Cat asks, "does it show any particular political leanings, or is it just standard-issue revolutionary stuff?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Are we hiding the whole matter with the Pervenches from Bergen?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Or are we generally trusting the rest of the Helvetica staff?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "well, someone on campus is a killer"

[7thsea] Gert says, "I assume not, since the whole family arrived to some fanfare last night."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "but I guess they already know abotu the pervenches"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "good point"

[7thsea] Hans asks (of Arvid), "I dunno. If someone on campus were a killer, then why didn't they just stab him?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Chevalier seems to be a bit of an extremists. He warns that the aristos will attempt to flee from the motherland like rats, and that the faithful people should be especially alert at those towns known to be possible escape routes. Bois-Franc is one of those listed as possible aristo escape routes."

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "I dunno, because they're a cloth vampire?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Hee hee"

Hans asks, "What happens if you put the cloth on something with blood in sunlight?"

Arvid says, "a good question"

Arvid says, "or even not in sunlight"

Hans says, "This is a basement. There must be a rat someplace."

Hans says, "There were last summer."

Arvid says, "I believe Stefan has some for experimental subjects"

Hans asks, "Is this not an experimental?"

(From GM) Bergen shrugs and goes to a box at the darkest part of the room.

Hans says, "I do not know if you need to stick a sliver in the rat too."

(From GM) Stefan says, "no, I hate the sight of blood. Hate it."

Hans says, "For I am no philosopher of natural sorcery."

Cat says, "Hmm. One of the fears of people in Montaigne at the moment is a counter-revolution led by returning nobility; they've made angry demands to Avalon about it. Would it be inconceivable that they're entering Geneva to try and capture escaped nobles? Geneva would be an easy target."

(From GM) Bergen says, "Here's what little of the cloth we could salvage from the scene."

Arvid says (to Cat), "no, not at all"

Arvid says, "and frankly, I can hardly blame them after last night"

Hans slaps his hand to his sword hilt. "An easy target!?"

Cat asks, "Is the school taking precautions?"

Arvid gestures vaguely

Arvid says, "well, strangers would tend to stand out"

(From GM) Bergen says, "(to Cat) That is a matter you must take up with the Baron. I can assure you he's been worrying about it for a long time."

Hans asks, "So was there anything in this man's room that was green and made of wood?"

Hans asks, "And were there any marks on the bed where this cloth had burned away?"

Cat says, "Merely curious. If the Baron has the matter in hand, I have perfect trust in his judgement."

Gert says (to Hans), "We can check the furniture he delivered here."

Hans asks, "And is someone going to bring us some breakfast here or not?"

Cat says, "(Because it has been so very effective thus far.)"

Hans asks, "And do we even know this man's name? Or who his family is? Have they been told?"

Hans asks, "And has anyone looked at the wardrobe since it arrived? Or at the blankets that were inside of it?"

Gert says, "Well, we checked it for secret compartments."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Was the wardrobe partly green?"

Arvid says, "I imagine his family, if they exist, are in montaigne"

Hans asks, "And did anyone try to contact Lady du Sices yet?"

Arvid says, "we missed a chance to leave a note"

(From GM) Bergen says, "The name he gave at the inn was Eduoard L'Amour. He's apparently a friend of the innkeeper's; his wife runs a patisserie in Bois-Franc and always sends a couple of pies up with him."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Cat says, "Does his stomach contain pie? We should find out."

Arvid says, "clearly we really did miss a chance to leave a note for her, then"

Hans exclaims, "L'Amour!"

Cat says, "He may have been murdered for his pies."

Cat says, "I know I would murder for pie right about now."

[7thsea] GM says, "Yes ... It was painted in white, with green trim."

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "A-ha!"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Was the sliver in his hand?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "In his neck."

[7thsea] GM says, "There was an apple motif, and the inside backing was painted to look like a meadow."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Hmm."

[7thsea] Hans says, "So it would be unusual for him to accidentally get a sliver from the wardrobe in his neck."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Would we have noticed the sliver if he'd had it yesterday?"

Gert says, "OK, let's wrap this creature in the cloth, then grab some breakfast and look at that furniture again."

[7thsea] GM says (to Hans), "no, unlikely."

Cat takes the stairs three at a time

[7thsea] Arvid says, "presumably it's large enough he would have found it a pain himself"

Arvid says, "right"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Arvid), "Unless it was enchanted or something."

Arvid handles step 1 and goes on to step 2

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Anything happen with the rat once wrapped?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Nope. It just lies there. Ratlike."

Gert says, "Hmm."

Gert says (to Bergen), "Well, let us know if anything changes."

[7thsea] Hans asks (of GM), "And what does the cloth look like when it disintegrates? Does it burn, or just dissolve into smoke, or...?"

Gert exclaims (at Cat), "Wait up!"

Cat says, "Mr. Kjellsen, do please stop playing with that dead rat at table."

[7thsea] GM says, "It sort of sublimates. Disappears entirely, no traces left behind."

Arvid says, "I'd be happy to, as soon as the sausages arrive"

Cat says, "then at least be good enough to share"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "hee hee"

GM says, "Bergen stays behind to study body further. Stefan Kramer follows you all up."

Hans says, "They say that when supplies are low..."

Hans says, "Well. Just don't ask what's in the sausage."

GM exclaims, "The sausages arrive!"

Arvid says, "and not a moment too soon"

Arvid says, "here, Stefan, you take this"

Hans asks (of Server), "And where are the cabbages?"

Cat says, "I had rat in Paris once. The grain supplies were disrupted as usual. They put too much garlic on it."

Gert munches on a sausage and goes to inspect the furniture, looking this time for blood stains near green bits.

Hans says, "So. If there was no blood in his body, and there were no large wounds..."

Hans munch munch munch

Hans asks, "...then how did the blood get out? Is there a natural way, or can we assume it was unnatural?"

[7thsea] GM asks, "I'm assuming you're going after the wardrobe first?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Right."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "yeah"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Also, I assume there were no puncture wounds anywhere? Body generally unblemished?"

Cat says, "Oh, the coffee is every bit as bad as I remember. This is so great."

[7thsea] Cat says, "and too soon for the blood to have clotted in the veins, I suppose"

GM says, "The wardrobe is currently in one of the school workshops. Andre-Nicolas Valois is at the other end, surrounded by pieces of the grappling gun he'd shown you all the day before. Edgardo is by the wardrobe, a can of green paint and a paintbrush in hand."

[7thsea] GM says, "right"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Had he started painting it?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Only just ... the wardrobe doors are wide open and he's working on the interior. The exterior seems completely unchanged from when you saw it last."

Gert asks, "What... why are you painting that?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "He's slathering paint over the pastoral scene that was there before?"

GM says, "Edgardo looks up and points to part of the inside backing of the wardrobe. The meadow scene is all faded, and you can see the wood grain through the paint."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "perhaps it turned out to be a dirty picture"

Cat asks, "What a vile piece of furniture. If it's an accessory to a crime, shouldn't we burn it?"

Arvid says, "that's unusual"

Arvid asks, "you mean to say the picture's faded since yesterday?"

GM says, "Edgardo shrugs and nods."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "I assume... right, was it faded more since the other day, or the same?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Or nods and shrugs, rather."

[7thsea] GM says, "yes, significantly more faded."

Hans asks, "Is there paint that can do that?"

Gert asks, "That doesn't make any sense--why would it fade that much in a single day?"

Cat says, "I would say that this points to a common source."

[7thsea] GM says (to Arvid), "Wits+Natural Philosophy, TN 25"

[7thsea] Arvid rolls 5k4: 4 8 6 4 7 | 25

Arvid scratches his head

[7thsea] GM says, "snrk."

Arvid says, "let's see"

Gert asks (of Edgardo), "Well, don't paint it any more until we figure out what went on with Lucille and the salesman, OK?"

Arvid says (to Gert), "honestly, I don't think you should be telling dirty stories in front of Andre"

Gert searches for blood stains near green bits.

[7thsea] GM says (to Arvid), "That pattern of wood grain looks a little familiar. It looks like blackwood, from the heart of the Schwarzenwalder. There's supposed to be all sorts of superstition surrounding it."

[7thsea] Gert says, "(and recruits help, since she'd never make that roll herself)"

Arvid says, "hmm"

[7thsea] Gert says, "aiee"

Arvid says, "you know, this is an unusual choice of material -- normally people avoid making furniture out of blackwood"

Hans asks, "This is blackwood?"

Hans thumps the back of the wardrobe.

Arvid says, "precisely -- notice the rich grain there, and the deep hue"

Hans exclaims, "I should have recognized it -- we have a whole room full of blackwood furniture at home!"

Hans says, "Of course, it is an attic room, and it is locked, and nobody ever goes up there."

Hans says, "But still."

Gert says, "But last night when the guy died, the wardrobe was here on campus."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha ha"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "man, I hope this turns out to be a werewardrobe"

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "Weredrobe!"

[7thsea] Cat says, "you go inside looking for a magical fantasy land, and it goes NOM NOM NOM and you're never seen again"

Arvid says, "true"

Arvid says, "but as you recall that isn't the first incident in connection with this wardrobe"

Gert asks (of Arvid), "What about the rest of the furniture that was sent here? Any of it made of blackwood?"

Hans asks, "Where are the blankets that were in here?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Arvid took the blankets, as I recall."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I did? weird"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I'm sure I had a good reason"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "maybe I was tired"

[7thsea] (from Hans) Arvid says, "but whatever it was, they're gone now"

[7thsea] Cat says, "you're an old man and the cold gets into your bones"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "nom nom nom"

Arvid looks around at the other furniture to see if he can identify other blackwood pieces.

Arvid asks (of Hans), "I don't suppose you remember any of the specific stories about blackwood?"

Arvid asks, "I seem to recall something about returning pieces to the Schwarzenwalder -- doesn't the wagon route here go through there?"

Cat asks, "oh dear. did someone unleash a vengeful tree-ghost?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Hans), "Monsters made up entirely of shadows are reputed to make their homes in blackwood trees."

[7thsea] GM says (to Arvid), "Yes, the road to Karnstein runs along the edge of the Schwarzen."

Hans says (to Arvid), "There is the story about my great, great, great, great uncle Adolf."

Arvid asks, "oh yes?"

Hans says, "When he died, it was his wish that he would be buried in a coffin made entirely of blackwood."

Hans says, "For three years after that, the surrounding countryside had terrible winters and worse summers, and the villagers nearly starved."

Arvid says, "my goodness"

Cat asks, "That's not normal for Eisen?"

Arvid eyes the wardrobe warily

Hans says, "Blaming uncle Adolf, they went back to dig up his coffin and burn it. But instead, they found that a new blackwood tree had grwon up where he was buried."

Hans says (to Cat), "Oh, it is, but you have to blame *something*."

Hans says, "They say that his sprirt had been trapped by the blackwood coffin, and that it was inhabiting the tree -- restless, angry, and poisoning the ground."

Hans says, "So they chopped it down and burned it."

Cat says, "aw. I was hoping you'd say they chopped him down and turned him into a wardrobe"

Arvid says, "clearly he should have been careful what he asked for"

Hans says, "The next year? Bountiful harvest."

Arvid says, "interesting"

Arvid asks, "I don't suppose his spirit preyed on living creatures as well as poisoning the land?"

Hans says, "But there are other stories like that, about spirits and shadows and shapeless formless beings of darkness living in or trapped in blackwood trees."

Cat asks, "So you say that someone was transported inside this thing? Who was it, again?"

Gert says, "The youngest daughter of the Pervenches--Lucille."

Hans says (to Arvid), "There are different versions of the story -- it is impossible to know which are true, and which have come with the second and third and twenty-third telling..."

Cat asks, "Shouldn't we be worried about her health? Where is she?"

Arvid says, "they were attempting to smuggle her out of Montaigne to end up here -- and somewhere along the way she disappeared"

Arvid asks (of Hans), "darkness, eh?"

Hans nods.

Arvid says, "I suppose they'd dissolve mysteriously in sunlight"

Cat asks, "And who decided it'd be a good idea to put her in a blackwood wardrobe?"

Hans says, "Could be. There is not a great deal of that in the Black Woods."

Hans asks (of Cat), "Some Montaigne who didn't know what it was?"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "So was there other blackwood furniture?"

[7thsea] GM says, "No."

Cat says, "Well, if the wardrobe turns into a tree, we can reasonably assume that her spirit is inhabiting it."

Arvid says, "hmm"

Cat asks, "Does anyone have a watering-can?"

[7thsea] GM says, "They're made from a similar sort of wood ... but not actual blackwood."

Arvid reinspects that pastoral scene again

GM says (to Arvid), "Yeah, typical bucolic scene. Meadow, sky, birds, flowers, faun hurrying by with cornucopia, that sort of thing."

Cat says, "I just remembered - I was supposed to meet with the Baron this morning. Oh well, it's nothing that can't wait."

Arvid says, "no people, though"

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "Everyone knows that fauns live in the woods!"

GM says (to Cat), "Edgardo holds up a watering can."

Arvid shrugs.

Cat grins wickedly

Cat says, "Thank you, young man."

[7thsea] GM says (to Hans), "Oh yeah, good story. Have a drama die."

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "Thanks!"

Cat sprinkles the wardrobe's roots, more to cover for Edgardo's taking a joke seriously than out of any real hope of results

GM says (to Cat), "...it gets wet."

Cat says, "ah yes, she has transformed magically into a slightly damper wardrobe. A terrifying curse, indeed."

Hans says (to Cat), "That seems a bit foolish."

Hans says, "It hasn't even been buried yet."

Cat asks, "Has anybody thought to, I don't know, search the woods along the route?"

Gert says, "Well, it's a long route."

Arvid says, "we only found out she was missing in montaigne"

Hans says, "And we were in a hurry at the time."

Arvid says, "since then we've been busy sleeping and investigating this body"

Cat says, "The poor girl may have become distracted and fled the wardrobe at some point. Or possibly she was discovered by the waggoner."

Arvid says, "possibly"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I am confused about where this guy's sympathies lie"

Hans asks, "And he said nothing of it when he arrived?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "I think he was anti-noble."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "The wagonner's?"

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "who was the one who hid her in the wardrobe? was it her family?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "yeah"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Yeah, he was anti-noble, and didn't know there was a noble kid in the wardrobe."

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "because his wife was reasonably pro-noble, wasn't she? or was she just not pro killing little kids?"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Arvid), "Or possible du S or whatever her name was."

Cat says, "He would hardly want to draw attention to it if he had lost her. Or killed her. Or made improper advances. Or, indeed, taken any course of action other than return her safely."

Arvid says, "I seem to recall him being all for the revolution"

Cat waggles the pamphlet around

Arvid says, "exactly"

[7thsea] GM says (to Arvid), "You haven't met his wife yet ... Louise was the wife of the barber who lived upstairs from them."

Gert says, "He didn't act like he knew about the girl at all, and the family certainly didn't tell him."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "oh! whoops"

Hans says, "We should talk to Lady du Sices."

Gert says, "Lucille herself would probably have heard his ranting, and kept hidden."

Arvid says, "I suppose we could try putting that scrap of cloth into the wardrobe"

Hans asks (of Arvid), "You knew her, didn't you?"

Gert says, "And if she was transformed into some shadow creature, she might have killed him herself."

[7thsea] GM says, "(Besides, why would I ever name an NPC 'Louise L'Amour'? The horrors.)"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Hans says, "I pray that she was not."

Hans says, "From what I am told, Adolf had a bit of the shadow to him even before he passed on."

Gert asks, "Well, shall we inspect the wagonner's room at the inn?"

Hans says, "It is no normal man who demands to be buried in a blackwood coffin in the middle of the woods."

Arvid says, "true enough"

[7thsea] Gert says (to GM), "(I assume we found no bloodstains on the wardrobe?)"

[7thsea] (from GM) Hans says, "He had this tiny black moustache...."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "So do we know anything at all about Lady du Sices?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "I don't think so."

[7thsea] GM says, "No bloodstains in the wardrobe."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Was she the original owner, or the original buyer?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Not even where she lives?"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Gert), "She was the original buyer."

[7thsea] Gert says, "I think that means it's safe to say she is relatively uninvolved."

[7thsea] Hans says, "But it seems not unlikely that she is involved in some part of this scheme."

[7thsea] GM says (to Hans), "Lady du Sices was a famous court wit who could ruin a man's reputation with five minutes of funny dialogue. She disappeared near the beginning of the revolution, probably gone into hiding."

[7thsea] Hans says (to GM), "Ah."

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Do we know anything about the original owner/maker?"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Is this newly-minted furniture, or old?"

Arvid tracks down Stefan and the rat, retrieves the piece of black cloth, and tucks it inside the wardrobe, then shuts the doors.

[7thsea] Hans says, "I was figuring that as the original buyer, she'd have been responsible for selecting a wardrobe specifically made of blackwood."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Hmm, could be."

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "we don't know she was the original buyer, do we?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Gert), "newly minted. It was probably made in one of the furniture shops in Bois-Franc."

Hans asks (of Arvid), "Should you have a scantily-clad damsel gesturing about as you do this?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "That's what the wagonner said back at the beginning of session 1."

Arvid gestures to Cat and Gert

[7thsea] Gert says, "Aha."

Arvid says, "take your pick"

Cat says (to Hans), "oh, sorry. I'll go and put on some shoes"

[7thsea] Hans | Gert asks, "Who's the original owners?"
[7thsea] Hans | Gert asks, "Er, original buyers?"
[7thsea] Hans | GM says, "Wagon-driver: Lady du Sices. (he spits)"
[7thsea] Hans | Arvid says, "Lady du Sices? Let's see, the name sounds a trifle familiar"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "oh, right, I forgot they ended up here because she'd ordered them and then didn't want them"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I was thinking we'd just bought them off her"

Cat says, "it's just so tiresome to have to dress for breakfast"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Arvid), "Well, 'not being able to take 'em no more'."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Which I guess could be because she went into hiding before they got delivered."

[7thsea] Gert says, "So, minted in Bois-Franc, then sat around not going to her because she disappeared, then bought by Geneva college on the cheap, but had Lucille stowed in it at the last minute."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Do we know they were made in Bois-Franc?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Well ... you don't, actually. But it's a safe assumption. The town's economy seems based on woodcutting and carpentry."

[7thsea] Gert says (to Hans), "Our characters don't know that, but as players, having the GM say so is fair game to imbue our characters with sufficient intuition to think so."

[7thsea] Hans says (to GM), "Ah, OK."

[7thsea] Hans says (to Gert), "I'd missed him saying that, and thought you were deducing it from the wagon-driver being from there."

[7thsea] Gert says, "In a pinch, the Pervenches could tell us they hid her whilst in Bois-Franc."

[7thsea] Gert nods.

Arvid asks, "well, shall we inspect his room?"

Arvid says, "we can check on this cloth later"

Gert exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

[7thsea] Cat says, "well, if she's in hiding we'll need to track her down to find out any more"

Gert tromp tromp tromp.

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Lucille?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Oh, duSices."

[7thsea] Hans says, "So they probably never even tried to deliver it to du Sices, and, yeah, she was probably hidden before the stuff even got a mile away from the workshop where it was made."

Hans says, "I wonder if the elders Pervenches are fully rested."

Hans says, "We should talk to them about this."

[7thsea] Cat says, "in no way do I want to find her merely to acquire barbed-wit tips"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Hee"

Hans, if no one else is coming, goes off to find them alone.

[7thsea] GM asks, "Gert's going to investigate the inn, and Hans is off looking for the rest of the Pervenches?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Looks that way."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I am with Gert"

[7thsea] Cat says, "I don't know the Pervenches from Adam, so I guess I'm sticking with Gert"

GM says, "Inn people get to the inn. Everybody's either gossiping about what happened upstairs, or about what happened in Bois-Franc."

[7thsea] Cat says, "unless I think it would be amusing to start a rumour that the fencing master is two-timing his fiancee"

Gert searches the room for other furniture pieces that the guy may have kept from the set. She also looks for signs that a little girl may have been there.

[7thsea] Gert says, "Heh."

Cat sits down at a table, puts her newly-booted feet on it, orders an early lunch, and starts gossiping

[7thsea] Hans says, "Fencing? That's for weaklings who can't carry a real sword."

GM says (to Hans), "you, meanwhile, find Suzanne Pervenche closeted in conversation with the maid, Elena...."

GM says (to Cat), "In the middle of the tavern area, Sir Galahad Locksley -- you may have heard of him from court gossip -- is retelling the story of the Pervenches' escape, as told to him earlier today by Pierre Pervenche."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Oh yeah. Even if we had been keeping things secret, I guess there's no reason to expect that the kids would have."

GM says (to Gert), "The guy hasn't kept any furniture pieces. There's still a bit of a mess where things were knocked over ... he may not have been (visibly) wounded, but clearly he put up something of a struggle."

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne is begging Elena to do something to help find Lucille. She seems to think Elena is the only person who can help them. And Elena is trying to put her off."

Arvid says, "interesting"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Hmm. I had actually meant to look for her parents."

Arvid inspects the bedroom window to see if it's open or anything.

Arvid says, "it seems like the first question is how they got in"

GM says (to Arvid), "There are a couple of strands of long, blonde hair caught in the window hinge."

[7thsea] Cat says, "I presume that trying to bottle the rumour up is futile at this point"

Arvid exclaims, "!"

[7thsea] GM says (to Cat), "Oh yeah."

Arvid exclaims (at Gert), "look at this!"

Hans says (to Suzanne), "I, too, wish to help find your sister."

Hans asks, "Is there anything you know that might...?"

GM says (to Cat), "...Sir Galahad, whatever else you may have heard of him, has a distinctly annoying laugh."

Gert examines the hair.

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne jumps and turns white. Elena says "Oh my look at the time so sorry must run duties" and dashes off."

Arvid says, "though why Lucille's hair would be here, of all places"

[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "We won't know it's Lucille's for sure until the DNA test comes back."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Man. I walk up wearing full armor, and they still don't hear me until I speak?"

Cat slides over to Locksley. "Gal, you incorrigible cad. Finished that indigestible epic poem yet, or are you still publishing a couplet at a time and taking your genius on credit?"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "hee hee"

(From GM) Sir Galahad says, "They sought them here, they sought them there ... they ... ah, I need a rhyme for Pervenche. 'Pervenche' is Montaigne for 'periwinkle', isn't it?"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid slips his sunglasses on.

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says (to GM), "yay"

Hans says, "I apologize; I did not mean to startle you."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "you cannot slip your sunglasses on... (slips on sunglasses) ...without a murder."

[7thsea] Gert asks (of GM), "Any sign of her having lived/slept here? Extra plates, girl's clothes, stuff in the bath?"

Cat says, "And going on the quality of those couplets, I suggest 'blancmange'."

(From GM) Sir Galahad says, "My dear lady, what a pleasant surprise! I'm afraid my epic must wait; the muse cannot be hurried, you know."

[7thsea] Hans asks (of Arvid), "Also, do we know that Lucille had blond hair?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Gert), "no, it's clearly a one-person room."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(Although it can be guessed from Andre's dream...)"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I guess we haven't -- right"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "you can check that out when you talk to the parents, I guess"

[7thsea] Gert says, "I know it's *meant* to be a one-person room; I was wondering if there were signs of the girl having been stowed away here."

Cat says, "Interesting approach. You should try applying it to other ladies sometime."

[7thsea] Gert says, "(We could say that the parents already told us off-camera)"

Arvid carefully extracts the hairs from the window and ties them in a loop for safekeeping.

[7thsea] GM says (to Gert), "right, and no, all signs indicate the wagon-driver expected to spend the night alone."

Hans says (to Suzanne), "If you know something, it is safe to tell me. I was one of the ones who helped your parents leave Bois-Franc last night. I wish to help."

[Crows-Nest] Gert asks, "Did Cat just make a 1600's version of the 'That's what *she* said!' joke?"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Arvid says, "hmm"

Arvid inspects the bed next.

[7thsea] Gert says, "Cool."

Arvid says, "though with the removed body it's hard to tell if anything of note will be left here"

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne says, 'I don't know anything. I thought ... no, I don't know anything.'"

Hans says, "...what did you think? Anything that might even suggest a *possibility* of a way to help your sister..."

GM says (to Arvid), "under the bed, you find a crochet hook."

Arvid says, "aha, a secret hobby"

Arvid asks, "but who was he making scarves for .. AND WHY?"

GM says (to Cat), "Sir Galahad says, 'To the ladies? Ah, but my dear, I doubt if my wife would appreciate that ... I am a married man now, you know. So you see, you have nothing to fear from me.""

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne glances back the way Elena went, and says, 'Herr Kleinberg, can you swear, on your honour as an Eisen gentleman, that you will tell no-one else what I am about to tell you?""

[Crows-Nest] (from Gert) Hans says, "Sure! Well, excepting the other PCs, of course."

GM says (to Cat), "Sir Galahad says, 'How are your parents, incidentally?'"

Cat says, "So I heard. It's nice that you found someone to correct your grammar."

Cat asks (of Galahad), "Alive. Need I add anything?"

GM says (to Cat), "Sir Galahad says, 'A find the addition of a little salt usually does wonders. But probably not in this case.'"

Hans places his hand on his sword. "I swear that I will only use it in the best interests of that lost child, and I will only tell those whom I trust absolutely to seek the same. I cannot swear more than that: honor would not permit me to keep this secret if I thought doing so allow harm to befall her."

Cat says, "Daddy is extraordinarily well-preserved, but I suspect through pickling rather than salting."

GM says (to Arvid), "There are, howver, no signs of any wool or thread or yarn to which the hook might be applied."

Gert opens the window and looks down to see how high up they are.

Arvid says, "hmm"

Arvid says, "I suppose it could have been used to force a catch on the window or something"

Arvid asks, "do you see any scratches on the outside?"

Gert looks.

Gert asks (of Arvid), "Hey, you tracked the boys--could you track someone through the window, maybe?"

Cat asks, "It's a tiresome subject; I'll take your delicate, gentlemanly changing of the subject as read. Do you know anything about du Sices, by any chance?"

Arvid says, "conceivably, though going across a busy campus is more difficult than a sparsely-used road"

[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "(we're at the inn in town, I believe)"

[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "(only on #7th)"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "oh, in town? whoops"

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne hesitates, then lowers her voice. 'Elena is a fate witch -- you know, one of those mysterious Vodacce women who can twist fate around. She admitted it to small handful of us girls, and we promised not to tell. She *can* help us, I just know it! but she keeps making excuses. I don't know how to convince her.'"

GM says (to Gert), "it's a sheer drop down to a dark alley."

GM says (to Gert), "also, no scratches."

[7thsea] Hans says, "There's *always* a secret fate witch."

Gert says, "The 'Lucille was transformed into a shadow monster' theory is gaining traction."

[7thsea] Hans says, "If there isn't, that just means you haven't found out yet."

[7thsea] Cat says, "waterfall dungeon! break out your 20-ft pole"

Arvid asks, "but a shadow monster with blonde hair?"

Hans says, "Hmm."

GM says (to Cat), "Sir Galahad says, 'Lady du Sices? Ah, another emigre -- I met her once, you know, and she almost cut me to pieces with that demmed wit of hers. I think she's still somewhere in Montaigne, though. Lying low. Keeping those pretty hands of hers disguised."

Gert asks, "Maybe she made friends with one?"

Hans says, "If she is keeping it a secret, then there must be someone she is hiding from."

Gert says, "Neither theory does us any good, though, since I can't think of a way to actually track a shadow monster."

Hans says, "Perhaps there is some way we can help her."

Gert asks, "Maybe one of those Alsatians can track her by smell?"

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne says, 'of course there is! She's hiding from Vodacce -- they don't like their fate witches getting loose!'"

Arvid says, "I'm not sure what a shadow smells like, but I suppose they can at least smell the hair"

[7thsea] Cat says, "okay, so now I have an Elena-is-secretly-du-Sices hunch"

Gert says, "Yeah, I was thinking of Lucille."

[7thsea] Cat says, "but a) it is utterly unsubstantiated and b) I have little idea how I would test this idea"

Gert says, "The Pervenches may have some of her clothes, or the wardrobe itself may still smell like her..."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "give her a chance to be witty"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "like tell her she fights like a cow"

[7thsea] Cat says, "well, it's entirely based upon the idea that du Sices was trying to buy up blackwood for some witchy purpose"

Hans says, "I thought that no one in Vodacce dared to cross a fate witch."

[7thsea] Cat says, "so if Elena tries to get at the wardrobe, maybe"

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne says, 'I don't know. Vodacce are strange.'"

[7thsea] Cat asks, "also, the girls obviously rely heavily on Elena for advice: might she have suggested the whole smuggle-inside furniture gambit?"

[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "#apropos-of-nothing For some reason, I'm getting a Hound of the Baskervilles vibe from this."

Hans nods. "Too true."

Hans . o O ( The Montaignes, too. )

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I think they decided that in the other city, before they came here"

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "but she *is* pushing the waterfall thing heavily, isn't she?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "to you and also in session 1"

[7thsea] Cat says, "mmhmm"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Well, they *did* meet a guy the last time they tried it."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Yeah, the waterfall thing made me think she's being nefarious."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Just as promised."

[7thsea] Arvid asks (of GM), "I forget, is the waterfall in the schwarzenwhatsit?"

Gert asks (of Arvid), "Anything in his paperwork?"

Gert looks around to see if the guy kept a journal.

GM asks (of Cat), "Sir Galahad says, 'You know how to spot a Montaigne noble, of course? Half of them had red-stained hands from their Porte magic. Of course, not all of them do, but half is better than none, eh?"

GM says (to Gert), "no journal."

Arvid says, "nothing else here that I see"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Arvid), "I don't remember either,"

Gert looks to see if the original order for the furniture is around somewhere.

[7thsea] GM says (to Arvid), "No, it isn't. But the forest eventually joins up with the Schwarzen."

[7thsea] GM says, "Somewhere."

[7thsea] Gert says, "(an outside chance, but hey)"

Cat says, "I wouldn't know. Most of the Montaigne nobles I've encountered lately had red-stained necks; I didn't think to check the hands."

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "nice"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Anything else that anyone thinks Suzanne might be able to tell me while I'm here?"

Gert says, "Well, if you don't have any other ideas, let's see if we can borrow a dog."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ask for a description of her sister"

Hans asks (of Suzanne), "About Lucille... I've never met her, myself. How will I recognize her if I find her?"

[7thsea] Cat says, "okay, I kind of need to be taking off"

[7thsea] (from Hans) Suzanne says, "Just ask Andre. He was painting a picture of her just the other day."

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne says, 'Oh that's easy. She looks just like me, only she's 10 years old and has very pale blonde hair.'"

[7thsea] GM says (to Cat), "okay. Shouldn't take much longer, I think."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Has anyone but Arvid heard about the dream?"

Hans asks, "Do you know where your parents are right now?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I guess when we meet up I'll mention it, since Lucille seems to be tied in with all this"

[7thsea] GM says (to Cat), "We'll say Sir Galahad keeps you occupied until the cliffhanger, if I can work one in."

[7thsea] Cat says, "sounds fine to me"

GM says (to Hans), "Suzanne says, 'They're up at the castle.'"

Hans says, "Thank you. I should speak to them as well."

[7thsea] Cat says, "although I plan to walk out and leave him with my bill, employing Mooch to good effect"

[7thsea] GM says, "Yay. I think that's a drama-die worthy attempt."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Hans pats Suzanne's hand. "We will find Lucille."

GM says, "Meanwhile, Arvid and Gert make it up to the monastery, where they find Brother Etienne Robert attaching a little keg to Cujo's collar."

Hans goes to find the Count and Countess.

GM says, "Er wait, no"

[7thsea] maga says, "don't forget to rename OriginalCat"

[7thsea] maga says, "thanks all"

[7thsea] Gert wave!

GM asks (of Gert), "Sorry, I thought you were heading up to find Cujo? Or still poking around?"

[7thsea] Arvid exclaims, "see you next time!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at maga), "'later!"

Gert says (to GM), "Nope, that's perfect."

GM says, "Okay."

GM says, "Meanwhile, Arvid and Gert make it up to the monastery, where they find Brother Etienne Robert attaching a little keg to Cujo's collar."

[7thsea] Hans says (to maga), "THanks."

Gert says, "Brother Robert! I was wondering if we might borrow Cujo--a girl's gone missing in town, and we thought he might be able to track her down."

(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Ah, of course. This is precisely the sort of thing he's been bred and trained for.

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Gert beams. "Great!"

Gert asks, "Are a couple hairs enough for him to get the scent? Or would he need more?"

GM says, "Brother Etienne thinks and says "More, I think....""

GM says (to Hans), "and you arrive at the castle."

Gert says (to Arvid), "Well, let's try the wardrobe itself first, and then maybe the blankets you have in your room, then."

Hans asks (of Doorkeeper), "I would like to speak with the Count and Countess. Are they in?"

Arvid says, "and the crochet hook"

Arvid says, "though perhaps that isn't hers"

Gert says, "Oh, hmm."

Gert says, "Well, tracking it might be helpful, whoever's it is."

GM says (to Hans), "The doorkeeper, a venerable old soldier by the name of Sapt, nods and lets you in."

Gert says, "Since you kept that with you, let's see if he can smell anything on it."

GM says, "Brother Etienne thinks and says "A crochet hook would probably be a better starting point than a couple of strands of hair.""

Hans finds their rooms and knocks politely on the door.

Gert lets Cujo smell the hook.

GM says (to Hans), "Someone calls for you to enter. Inside, you find the Count and Countess, and young Edmond. Edmond is sound asleep, but the parents look like they haven't slept a wink."

GM says (to Gert), "Cujo snuffles it all over and goes into tracking mode."

Gert exclaims, "Yay!"

Gert exclaims (at the_other_two), "Let's go!"

GM says (to Hans), "The Count comes over to shake your hand. 'Herr Kleinberg! Monsieur, we are deeply indebted to you and your friends.'"

Arvid hurries to keep up with Gert and the others

Hans bows. "Count and Countess Pervenche. I am just glad that we were in the right place at the right time to assist."

[7thsea] Gert says, "(that's right; they were keeping Edmond awake for a day or two, weren't they?)"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Yeah."

GM says (to Hans), "The Count says, 'I wish that our dear friend Philippe could have survived. I had to bear the sad news to little Arielle this morning. She was grief-stricken.'"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Probably fell asleep on the horse on the way home."

Hans nods. "Indeed."

Gert, assuming Cujo won't smell anything here, leads the way back to the inn, and takes him to the alley first, assuming he doesn't pick up anything else along the way.

Hans says, "We were distressed when we learned how Lucille had gone missing... we would like to do what we can to help you find her again."

Hans says, "To that end, anything that you can tell us about the circumstances surrounding her departure would be most welcome."

GM says (to Gert&Arvid), "Cujo goes right past the inn and heads up the street in the direction of the school."

Arvid exclaims, "hmm!"

Gert follows.

GM says (to Hans), "The Count says, 'After Philippe St-Seraphine was shot, we scattered. My wife and I intended to lead the ruffians off and give Edmond and Lucille a chance to get out of the town. Edmond tells me they found a shipment of furniture destined for the school. Lucille climbed into the wardrobe, taking a pair of blankets with her, and Edmond closed the wardrobe doors for her since she couldn't very well do that from inside. He was about to climb into a grandfather clock when he was caught.'"

[7thsea] Hans says (to Arvid), "So if you can find those blankets, Cujo might be able to smell her on them."

GM says (to Gert&Arvid), "Cujo stops suddenly outside a little cottage just outside of the school grounds. He paws at the door and barks."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "good point"

Arvid says, "I wonder who lives here"

Gert shrugs, and knocks on the door.

Arvid says, "I suppose there's only one way to find out"

Hans asks, "And when the shipment left the town, she was still inside the wardrobe?"

GM says (to Gert&Arvid), "There's a pause. Then the door opens."

GM says (to Gert&Arvid), "And there's Lucia, Edgardo's seamstress wife. In one hand is another crochet hook, and in the other is the lace for Gert's wedding dress."

Hans asks, "Is there anyone who might have known she was there, besides the four of you?"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "excellent"

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "and what color is her hair?"

GM says (to Hans), "The Count shakes his head. 'I can think of no-one.'"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "also, hey wait a minute"

[7thsea] GM says, "Her hair is black."

Hans asks, "Do you know anything about where the furniture came from, or why it was originally ordered?"

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "she's too old to be Lucille in disguise, right?"

[7thsea] GM says, "right"

Arvid says, "I believe we have something that belongs to you, madam"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Not to mention that it would be pretty impressive for her to have married Edgardo before Lucille went missing."

GM says (to Hans), "The Count doesn't know. Neither does his wife."

Arvid hangs over the crochet hook

Hans nods.

[7thsea] Arvid says, "well, I was suddenly unsure how long she'd been around for"

Arvid says, "(er, hands)"

Hans says, "I assume you heard what happened to the wagon-driver."

Gert exclaims (at Lucia), "Oh, it looks lovely!"

GM says (to Arvid), "Lucia bows her head and accepts the crochet hook."

GM says (to Gert), "Lucia bobs her head and says 'Gracias'. She has an odd way of never looking anyone in the eye."

[7thsea] Hans says, "It occurs to me... Lucille might have moved from the wardrobe to some other piece of furniture in transit. Maybe she was actually in the clock when they arrived, and she sneaked out during the night."

Arvid asks, "...now, perhaps you can explain what it was doing in the room of a murdered man?"

GM says (to Arvid), "Lucia looks suddenly frightened and shakes her head."

Gert asks (of Lucia), "It's OK, it's OK. Did you lose one recently?"

GM says, "Lucia hesitates, then nods slowly."

Gert asks, "When? And how?"

GM says, "Lucia shrugs. 'I don't know.'"

Gert sighs.

Gert asks, "May we come in?"

Hans asks (of Count), "Do you know anything about him? Anything that might explain who has done that?"

Arvid asks, "or would you prefer we take this to the baron?"

GM says, "Lucia looks warily at the lot of you, then lets you in."

Gert attempts to put Lucia more at ease by chatting a bit about the dress first.

(From GM) The Count shrugs. "I'm afraid I know nothing about this ghastly affair. I wish I knew more. If I thought he'd laid a finger on my daughter, I'd have quite happily killed him myself."

[7thsea] GM says, "I think this is where we break."

Hans nods.

Gert then explains that a young girl's life may be in danger, and that one man had died already, and that any information she might have would be very helpful, particularly if she had seen any sign of a young girl with blond hair.

[7thsea] Arvid says, "sounds good"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Sure thing."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Next time, I want to ask him a bit more about Lucille, and to find out if porte might be involved."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(I am just saying this now so that I'll remember when I see it in the transcript.)"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Are we able to do the same time next week?"

[7thsea] GM says, "I think I might. Must check with maga, though. If today is anything to go by, we might even be able to start earlier."

[7thsea] (from Hans) inky falls over.

[7thsea] Gert says, "Hee"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Any further conjectures?"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "about?"

[7thsea] GM says, "What's going on."

[7thsea] Gert says, "My guess was that Lucille ditched the cart just before it reached the cottage and is hiding with Lucia."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "oh, also for transcript storage, I should check on the cloth in the cabinet"

[7thsea] Arvid asks, "how does that tie in with the vampire?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Yeah, and let Cujo track the blanket scent."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Are you suggesting that Lucille snuck *into* the wagon-driver's room?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Right, with the help of her new shadow friend."

[7thsea] Gert says, "Or something."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "hmm"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Interesting."

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Presumably it would then be the shadow which killed him?"

[7thsea] Gert says, "Right."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "it's not clear why she'd sneak in in that case"

[7thsea] GM says, "Because it knows what lurks in the hearts of men."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Maybe it's a real shadow."

[7thsea] Hans says, "So it can only go where she goes."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "interesting"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "that case the cloth isn't it, of course"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "maybe the cloth he was wrapped in was a shadow blanket"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Heh."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "anyway, it seems like she can't just be hiding in the town or campus somewhere"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "since otherwise she would presumably come find her family"

[7thsea] Hans says, "I dunno; I still think that the wagon-driver was killed by someone with complicated plans."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "so she must be either transformed or captive or something"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Since that cloth seems like it could only have been justified if it's part of organized sneakiness."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Or at least premiditated."

[7thsea] Hans says, "Premeditated."

[7thsea] GM says, "....I so very much want to move on to The Next Day now."

[7thsea] Arvid says (to Hans), "not if it's a natural part of whatever the weird monster is"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Assuming there is a weird monster."

[7thsea] Hans says, "And not just someone using perfectly ordinary sorcerery in a creative way."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "true"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "Hmm. Is there a secret Eisen sorcery?"

[7thsea] Hans asks, "And as a noble, would I be likely to have heard rumors about it?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "(I bet uncle Adolf probably dabbled...)"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "of course there is"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "I think it's time magic"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Hrm. Doesn't sound relevant."

[7thsea] (from GM) All the clockmakers in Geneva look up and say, "What?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Except, uh, for the big grandfather clock we just got..."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "well, I think it's specifically making things get older more quickly"

[7thsea] Arvid says, "rusting stuff and so on"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Hey, maybe Lucy's old enough for Andre now."

[7thsea] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[7thsea] Gert asks, "Making pictures fade faster?"

[7thsea] Hans exclaims, "Oho!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Wait, is PerrySimm still logging?"

[7thsea] Hans says, "Yes."

maga's studied dalliance with his venal muses is little to our taste.

[7thsea] Hans says, "I suppose it can be stopped now."

[7thsea] Hans says, "(But if Lucille is aged, it can't be long before she dyes her hair black...)"