Arc rummages around Cormorant House, looking for useful junk.

GM says (to Arc), "Most of the personal possessions and items of value have obviously been removed; there are still drapes on furniture in some of the rooms"

GM says (to Arc), "as previously noted, the major exceptions are the armoury and the pantry, although someone has had the foresight to lock the wine cellar"

Arc goes to take a look in the armoury.

GM says (to Arc), "it's about as well-equipped as you might desire; nothing particularly fancy, exotic or high-quality, but enough to conduct a robust defence of the place"

Mendova looks around the room quickly, in every direction, as if trying to spy a microscopic insect flying around his head. "Where am I?"

GM says, "various battle honours and banners drape the walls, some of them ancient; the Ricker family clearly have a hefty military tradition"

Mendova instinctively reaches to his side and clutches the brown sack hanging there. After he keeping there for a moment, he removes it, and continues staring about the room.

[pointyhats] GM asks (of Mendova), "you've read the intro page, right?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I have."

[pointyhats] GM says, "good good."

Arc asks (of Mendova), "Hey, what's in the sack?"

Mendova spins toward Arc.

Mendova says, "Merely my devices. My devices, that's all. Nothing more."

Arc asks, "Anything interesting? Mind if I have a look?"

Mendova very subtly turns so the sack is as far away from Arc as possible.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "There's nothing to look at. Nothing that would interest you in here."

Mendova says, "There's nothing to look at. Nothing that would interest you in here."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "ILAMRR."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "How much is it assumed we already know each other?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you're strangers, although you may have spent a little time in each others' company on the boat journey here"

Arc says, "If we are to be comrades, Mendova, we should learn to, well, trust each other."

Mendova says, "I never said I didn't trust you."

[Crows-Nest] Arc wonders if he can try out his thievery skills

Mendova paces.

Mendova asks, "Has there been any word from our hostess?"

Arc says, "It will still be days, it seems, before she arrives."

Mendova exclaims, "And where are the others? We were told to be up and ready at precisely this time. Precisely this time!"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "heh"

Mendova paces.

Arc asks, "Discover anything interesting, then, in you meanderings around this mansion?"

Mendova says, "Nothing of any use to me."

Arc asks, "Any secret passageways? Caches of foul magic? Stashes of alcohol?"

Mendova says, "Nothing of any use to me."

Arc asks, "So, what are you? I hear that you are a heumonicist by trade?"

Mendova rolls his eyes, almost imperceptibly, and sighs shallowly.

[pointyhats] GM says, "hmm. how long do we give baf? Three I could deal with, just about, but I'm reluctant to run a first session with just two"

Mendova says, "It is pronounced HUE-monicist. Hue. Not heu. That accent, while predominant in this part of the kingdom, is not correct. I will thank you to pronounce it correctly in the future."

Mendova says, "And before you ask, my name is Mendova. Pronounced men-dova, spelled precisely as it sounds."

Arc asks, "I guess teaching linguistics would be a hobby of yours, then?"

Mendova says, "No, merely correct imbe...."

Mendova says, "The ignorant."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks, "wait, what is being played?"

[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "maga's pointy hats game"

[pointyhats] * Gunther has joined the channel.

Arc says, "Well, I'm Arc Bradac. I suppose that I have something of an interest in the way one speaks, as well. Though applied to rather more practical ends."

Gunther has arrived.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "or it will be, when enough people show up"

K-Y has arrived.

Mendova says (to Arc), "Well met."

Mendova resumes pacing.

[pointyhats] * K-Y has joined the channel.

Arc says, "So, what's your discipline? I hear HUE-monicism is divided into many disciplines, or something"

Mendova reaches up and brushes a strand of hair away from his forehead.

Mendova says (to Arc), "It is not wise to believe everything you hear."

GM says, "there is a faint sigh of disappointment from a nearby ajar door, as if a pair of housemaids have been denied the spectacle of an all-out magical argument"

Mendova spins toward the door and reaches for his sack as he does so.

GM says (to Mendova), "you are rewarded by a squeak of terror and a patter of rapidly departing feet"

Mendova asks, "Where is our hostess?"

Mendova says, "I don't trust this place, or the people in it."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "So, as a hypothetical question, how woul you rank social standing, stats, skills and karma?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "*would"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova asks (of Arc), "Are you talking to me?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "actually, erm, do you have your character sheet up?"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "Are we supposed to put them up? I can do that really quick."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "I don't know about supposed to, but it'd help"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "it's not obligatory, but - yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova asks, "Does anyone else have them up yet?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "just me, it seems"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "I think baf mentioned his"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova asks, "What's the link?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "But I lost the url"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "See list of dramatis personae"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "baf: http://wurb.com/~carl/maledictor/payne.php"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Jota: http://grunk.org/pointy.txt"

Mendova resumes pacing. Again.

[pointyhats] GM says, "I think we need a decision at the top of the hour"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "if we don't have either baf or Jota by then, do people want to forge on, or put this off until next week?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "My preference is to forge on, and let them join in when they arrive"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I guess that'd be my vote, too."

[pointyhats] GM says, "personally I'd really like a full party on the first session, but I don't want to have wasted people's time; I'll assume they're turning up later and forge on."

Arc runs a quick appraising eye over the smaller and more concealable weapons on the room's racks.

Mendova wanders over toward one corner and stands staring up at the ceiling, mumbling to himself.

GM says, "plenty of knives, coshes, hand-claws, that kind of thing"

GM says, "pistols as well, although those tend to be rather too bulky for easy concealment"

Arc looks through the knives for anything old yet highly polished.

GM says (to Arc), "most of the stuff here looks no more than a decade old; it's all of a fairly uniform quality, as if made by the same smith or workshop"

Arc shakes his head. "This doesn't look very promising."

GM says, "in other words, it's standard garrison equipment; anything of exceptional quality or value must have moved with the family"

GM says, "the war trophies look considerably older"

Arc goes to look at the war trophies.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Okay, my character sheet is up: http://www.matthewmurray.net/Mendova.html"

GM says, "most of them feature the Ricker symbols of wolf and cormorant prominently; they're mostly banners, but a few older ones include spears with filthy scraps of cloth or fur bound about the head end"

Mendova starts walking slowly around the perimeter of the room, his gaze never leaving the place where the ceiling meets the walls.

Arc checks to see if any of them could still be useable.

[pointyhats] GM says (to Arc), "your knowledge of weaponry is good enough to know that those scraps are parts of dissolution sacrifices performed before battle; in former times Altak warriors kept these as battle honours"

[pointyhats] * two-star has left the channel.

Mendova continues circling the room.

GM says (to Arc), "they're mostly soft pig-iron, and the shafts haven't been replaced; they'd be a little more useful in a fight than a pointy stick, but it'd be a close-run thing"

GM says, "you are interrupted by the sound of a bugle at the front door"

GM says, "a few moments later, the herald who visited you earlier struts into the armoury"

Arc says, "Hello."

Mendova gasps and spins around.

Mendova asks, "You there, what now? What now?"

GM says, "He sniffs at you. "Lady Ricker shall be here in a few minutes. I suggest that you dress appropriately, and meet her at the jetty.""

Mendova stares at the herald.

Arc asks, "Will we be departing immediately?"

Arc asks, "Or are we merely meeting her at the jetty, and escorting her inside?"

GM says, ""No; there will be a dinner after the swearing-in. I have been instructed to tell you to use the informal mode when addressing her." He doesn't look as if he thinks you deserve it."

Arc asks, "Thank you. You are dimissed... unless... Mendova, do you have anything to ask?"

GM says, ""As Houseguards you are permitted to bear weapons at table, but not until the formal swearing-in." He continues to reel off a long list of etiquette points, most of which he reluctantly admits you're not actually bound to"

GM says, "and then departs."

Mendova stares after the herald.

Arc asks (of Mendova), "Well, then, I'm about as ready as I'll ever be. How about we go?"

Arc says, "Also, in many places, it is considered rude to stare. Don't do it tonight."

Mendova says, "What happens in many places is not my concern. I suggest you don't make it yours."

GM says, "it's getting dark outside, and there's a cold wind cutting through the trees as you make your way down the steps to the river"

GM says, "a good-sized riverboat is in the final stages of mooring up; there are no lights on the vessel, and you can't get a good look at the crew"

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

Gunther has arrived.

Mendova draws his cape around him to shield his body from the wind.

Arc shivers.

GM says, "as you approach the jetty, however, you see two figures emerging from the boat; one is clearly the herald"

Mendova instinctively grabs the sack at his side.

Arc looks to the other

GM says, "the other is a woman in her mid-forties, a head and a half shorter than the herald behind her; she's a little stocky, perhaps, but moves with a great deal of elegance"

Arc walks forward quickly to bow at the lady's feet.

Mendova stays near the rear and just watches.

GM says, ""Ah, sir Bradac; and the Violet Mendoza. I am delighted to finally meet you.""

Mendova mumbles in reply, 'The same.'

Arc says, "I am honoured to be in your prescence, my Lady."

GM says, ""We have some silly formalities to get through, I'm afraid, but it's really too cold; I suggest we head inside and conduct them over dinner.""

Arc follows Lady Ricker inside.

Mendova follows as well, but near the rear.

GM says, "You are swept inside, seated at a table intended for fifty, and served food with just enough meat in it to make you feel a little guilty, while still being technically proper."

Arc says, "How was your journey, my Lady? I had been told that it would be many days before your arrival."

Mendova stares at his food, frequently poking it with his fork and shoving food around the plate.

Arc whispers (to Mendova), "Don't be afraid. *It* isn't going to bite *you*."

GM says, "Lady Ricker makes you repeat a long list of ancient, blood-curdling oaths of absolute loyalty unto death, all the while smiling and assuring you that this is all just a few technicalities"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Can we assume the others are here, too? Or is it really just Mendova and Arc?"

GM says, "by the time all this is done, you're about halfway through the main course"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I assume everyone's here"

[pointyhats] GM says, "I'd rather assume that they're here, although that'll become difficult if they don't show"

Mendova swings his head around quickly to look behind him. Seeing no one, he returns to his plate.

Arc wolfs the food down.

GM says (to Mendova), "you think you see someone ducking back into a doorway, but you can't be sure"

GM says, "Lady Ricker sighs in gratitude that all that nonsense is done with, and turns to you brightly. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I need you in the first place.""

Mendova scratches his head furiously for about five seconds.

Arc says, "I had a number of guesses, but I'd like to hear your explanation, yes."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Did Jota and/or baf happen to mention exactly how late they would be?"

LadyRicker says, "Well, the way we run things in Arrona - ""

LadyRicker nods at Mendova

Mendova turns his head slowly toward Lady Ricker.

Mendova asks, "Yes?"

LadyRicker says, "The Lord runs the military side of things, and the Lady deals with domestic issues. It's a good system, for the most part, but sometimes there are inconvenient overlaps."

LadyRicker says, "These become more troublesome when my husband is away. At present he's off on the western borders; there may be a war coming with the Twenty Herds, or something of the sort."

Mendova cricks his neck.

LadyRicker says, "So sometimes I may need a way to handle situations myself."

Mendova says, "What sort of sit..."

Mendova says, "...uations."

Arc says, "Of course, my lady."

LadyRicker says, "For instance, ever since the end of the Foundling War, there's been trouble with bandits and so forth; a lot of people deserted at the end, formed freebands, rove around the country causing trouble. You know how it is."

LadyRicker says, "Some of them my husband has hunted down, or hired as mercenaries; usually they don't pose a real threat."

Mendova focuses intently on Lady Ricker.

Arc asks, "Until now?"

LadyRicker says, "Well, usually the freebands run out of munitions fairly quickly, and after that it's easy to clean them up. But one band hasn't. I have strong suspicions that somebody's been supplying them."

Mendova coughs.

Mendova asks, "Who?"

Arc asks, "Interesting. Who would want to do that?"

LadyRicker says, "I have several ideas about that."

LadyRicker says, "I want you to investigate on particularly sensitive possibility."

LadyRicker says, "The Holt family are an offshoot of the original Ricker line; our relations down the years have been generally amicable, though there have been some questions of succession and so forth."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Time to bash heads for justice"

LadyRicker says, "Of course, what with the newly-reopened trade with Catela, trade along the river has picked up again, and if it becomes known that Ricker's waters are dangerous, boatmen may prefer to hurry past to Whittier... a silly thought, no doubt."

Arc says, "But, it's a motive, at least"

LadyRicker asks, "You are all intelligent people; what would you do about this suspicion?"

Arc asks (of Mendova), "Ideas?"

Mendova closes his eyes and breathes deeply.

Arc says, "Investigating Holt directly, would, in my opinion, be too insensitive"

Arc says, "I would suggest that we begin with the bandits"

Mendova opens his eyes and nods in agreement.

LadyRicker says, "The difficulty, of course, lies in finding them. They move quickly, and occupy the hills."

[pointyhats] baf says, "hello"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Hey bag"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "*baf"

[pointyhats] Arc exclaims, "Get down here!"

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "yay. we're in the Miskatonic"

[pointyhats] baf asks, "Where?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Walk the plank, s"

Payne has arrived.

Payne says, "Sorry"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "We are getting our quest explained"

Mendova says (to Payne), "It's not your fault they occupy the hills."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Some bandits may or more not be getting support from a rival family"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "We're being asked about how to deal with this"

Arc asks, "How do these bandits operate?"

Payne asks, "Bandits, eh?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "deserters turned bandits, really"

LadyRicker says, "They attack a remote village, take it over for a few days, and empty its stores; then they lie low for a while"

Arc asks, "And to attack these villages, they would need spies to know what is worth taking in each, wouldn't they?"

Gunther is doom, so ragnarock with him.

Mendova taps his fingers on the table in thought.

LadyRicker says, "on occasion they harass river traffic, and at least two boats have been sunk - though, again, I am not entirely sure about that"

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "(lagging quite a lot here)"

Gunther has arrived.

Arc asks, "Perhaps we can pose as such spies, leak out information of a big target, a target that might need something special that only Holt can provide?"

LadyRicker says, "since if Holt is supplying them, he is most likely to do so by river"

Payne walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Payne has arrived.

Arc says, "Or perhaps we can try to impersonate the bandits themselves"

Mendova says, "Hmm."

Arc says, "Attack Holt's transports, pretending to be the bandits. If we find the munitions, then that'd be evidence. At the very least, it would drive a wedge between the two."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Yes, this is how a karma -4 character plans"

Mendova takes a very deliberate bite of his food.

Mendova says, "Impersonating the bandits sounds... too risky."

Arc says, "Why so? If Holt are responsible, they wouldn't be expecting to be attacked by their own bandits."

Arc says, "As long as we hide our identity, and since it's our first job, no one should know about our employment, we should be fine."

LadyRicker has disconnected.

LadyRicker goes home.

[Crows-Nest] Arc exclaims, "Oh no, they've killed the Lady!"

LadyRicker has arrived.

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "grr. slain by lag"

Arc pokes Payne. "Any suggestions from you?"

LadyRicker says (to Arc), "the trouble is that, since there may be war with the Twenty Herds soon, the Sharpwater is full of boats transporting men and supplies for quite legitimate reasons"

inky hollers, "I have no idea why the mud network is lagging so badly, but I guess people could switch to ebmud.nitfol.com 4000 if they feel like it"

Mendova walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Mendova has arrived.

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Did I miss anything?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Ah, so I'm not the only one having problems."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Maybe we can decamp to ebmud?"

LadyRicker says, "At least two of Holt's vessels have been sunk - this may be piracy, or it may have been pre-arranged"

Mendova leans back in his chair, lost in thought.

Arc says, "That makes it more complicated, then"

[Crows-Nest] LadyRicker says, "sure, although I don't know it"

[Crows-Nest] LadyRicker says, "and of course now that that's been suggested, the lag clears up"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "The lag doesn't seem that bad anymore. Maybe we... right."

Arc asks, "How many bandits are there? Do we have any idea?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Payne?"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "baf."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "I mean, is Payne still with us?"

LadyRicker says, "They are somewhat larger than the usual freeband; I have heard estimates of up to a hundred, though I expect the true number is a good deal less"

Payne says, "Sure, I have a suggestion. Let's reschedule for a day when the internet isn't borken."

Mendova exclaims, "A hundred!"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks (of Payne), "Still having lag trouble?"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "It's totally gone for me."

LadyRicker says, "I should point out that I am not expecting you to root them out, or anything like that"

Mendova says, "Then what do you..."

Mendova coughs.

Mendova asks, "...expect?"

[pointyhats] Payne exclaims, "Hey, sudden responsiveness!"

LadyRicker says, "That side of things can be dealt with by my husband, or one of my sons, when they return. What I want from you is proof."

Arc asks, "Are these bandits taking recruits?"

LadyRicker says, "Not proof that will convince the royals, perhaps, but good enough to convince me that Holt is involved."

Payne asks, "So, if I understand correctly, there's a group of bandits, and we have been hired to prevent them from attacking your estate?"

Payne asks, "Who is Holt?"

Arc says (to Payne), "No, our job is to find out if they are connected to a rival family, Holt."

Payne says, "Hm."

LadyRicker says (to Payne), "Lord Holt is a distant relative of my husband, a noble Lord in his own right, and, regrettably, something of an economic competitor."

Payne asks, "This Holt, is he a godly man?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Oh dear, Holt is doomed."

[pointyhats] * olethros has joined the channel.

LadyRicker asks, "He prays before battle, supports Church projects, and invariably observes festivals. Just as every sensible lord does. Beyond that, who knows?"

LadyRicker says, "He has no great sins to his name, if that is your meaning. At least, none I've dug up yet."

Payne says, "Employing bandits to undo your rivals would be a sin, of course."

Payne says, "OK. Seems to me there are two ways to approach this:"

Payne says, "Investigate the bandits, or investigate Holt."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Yeah"

Payne says, "The latter is probably easier. For one thing, we can probably approach Holt without risk to our lives."

Arc says, "But with great risk to the reputation of the house of Ricker."

LadyRicker says, "Yes. If you need an excuse to visit him, I can furnish it, but on the whole it would be best if you didn't mention any connection to me."

Mendova says, "Then it would seem best to begin with the bandits."

LadyRicker says, "That also goes for my husband, I should point out; he is a man of great honour, which might be offended if I suggested that a branch of his family might be less than completely virtuous."

Arc says, "I still like my first idea: Leak information that one of Holt's transports is carrying something expensive, and see if the bandits go for the bait"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Who is everyone? Is there a collection of character sheets somewhere?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc == Fang

[pointyhats] Arc == Fang

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Mine is at http://www.matthewmurray.net/Mendova.html"

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "x dramatis personae"

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "er, or >x list of dramatis"

Mendova signed List of dramatis personae.

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Mine is at http://www.wurb.com/~carl/maledictor/payne.php"

Payne signed List of dramatis personae.

LadyRicker asks, "How would you release this rumour, Arc?"

Arc says, "I am familiar, in a way, with the politics of rural communities. Surely we can find someone that has contact with such a band"

Arc says, "We present ourselves as minor miscreants with lucky info, and offer them this in exchange for a fair share in the winnings"

LadyRicker says, "The villagers are the prey of the freebands; if such contacts exist, they will be well-hidden."

Payne says, "We could always just try to capture a bandit and lean on him until he squeals."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Heh, that's certainly direct"

Mendova says, "All these options seem. Dangerous."

LadyRicker says, "Well, if you wish to find them, I suggest that you start at the village of Copen, the site of their last attack."

LadyRicker says (to Mendova), "I hope to use you for tasks more dangerous than this."

Arc says, "yes, perhaps we can capture a bandit, and use him to get us in contact their leader"

Payne scoffs at danger

Payne says, "Mere ruffians are nothing next to the Catelans."

LadyRicker says, "If you fear for your lives, I could arrange for a small escort, but that might make discretion more difficult."

Arc says, "An escort would compromise our anonymity"

Mendova says, "I fear that's correct."

Payne says, "How anonymous do we have to be? I'm at my most effective when people know what I do."

LadyRicker says (to Payne), "I would merely prefer that you keep your connection with *me* secret."

Arc says, "So, I guess, we go to the site of the last attack, and try to get in contact with the bandits. Perhaps with the end of a blackjack."

Payne says, "Sounds good to me."

Mendova says, "Yes."

Arc says, "And then, depending on how high upwe get, we see if we try to wring information out of him, or use him to get us in contact with the rest"

LadyRicker says, "Very well. I shall spend the night here, and in the morning I'll have the barge put you off on the road to Copen."

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Ooh, we're on a barge?"

LadyRicker says, "And now you simply *must* try this delightful Eucatian dessert wine."

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "no, in Cormorant House still"

Arc takes a tiny little bite.

Arc exclaims, "Arrragh! It burns!"

LadyRicker says, "the cook scurries around with bottles, and the rest of the evening is taken up mostly with pleasant small-talk"

[pointyhats] LadyRicker says, "(unless there's anything else you're desperate to ask)"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Does the House have any allies or agents in the area?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "ilac"

Arc asks, "Does the House have any allies or agents in the area?"

GM says, ""Around Copen? Well, the district is controlled by Lieutenant Boladi, but Copen is a little remote and she doesn't visit often.""

Arc says, "So, that's all I need to know. With your permission, I'd like to retire for the journey ahead.""

GM says, ""I believe we have one retainer in the village, an innkeeper - sun knows why, I'm sure it's been centuries since a Ricker visited the place""

Payne asks, "Hm. What say the rest of you - would it be useful for us to contact this innkeeper?"

Payne says, "If so, we could probably use a letter of introduction."

Arc says, "Perhaps a password of some kind would be better"

Mendova says, "It sounds like an avenue worth pursuing."

Payne says, "But no - it would be risky to carry such a thing."

Payne says, "If someone were to find it, that would be her Ladyship's connection to us exposed."

GM says (to Payne), "yes. I am disinclined to trust a retainer I have never met; doubtless his loyalty is to his village first."

Arc says (to Payne), "I suggest that we contact him only in an emergency"

GM says, "okay. you retire to your rooms, and are roused at the crack of dawn to get onto the riverboat"

Arc yawns, and gets into the boat.

Mendova arrives for the boat, pressing against the side of his head with one hand, grasping the sack at his side with the other.

GM says, "it's a quite brief journey, and the morning mist is still hanging around the river by the time you're let off at a pitiful-looking jetty"

Arc walks quickly off the jetty, being uncertain at the thing's stability.

Mendova gets out of the boat, still holding his head with one hand and his sack with the other.

GM says, "the path beyond it heads southwest, is just about wide enough for two men on foot, and is adorned by a sign declaring 'BATTLE MARSH 20 miles'"

Payne says, "OK. I'm going to go attract some attention, I think."

Arc asks, "I had not realised that Copen would be so close. Bandits in such lands? What has the world come to?"

Payne says, "Well, wait."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Hurrah for clear signposting"

GM says, "Lady Ricker waves you off, suggesting that Copen is beyond the marsh somewhere"

Payne says, "OK, I see. We still have a journey ahead of you."

Payne says, "Er, us."

Arc asks, "Well, what are we waiting for?"

Payne says, "20 miles is a good day's trek. We can be there by evening."

Payne asks, "I wonder why they call it Battle Marsh?"

Mendova moans, "Then we'd best... get started..."

Arc says, "Should have asked for a cart"

Arc shoulders his pack (and the leather case in which the rest of his heirlooms are kept) and enters the marsh.

GM says (to Arc), "it's not really the sort of track a cart would do too well on, as it turns out"

Arc asks (of Payne), "I suppose a battle was fought here?"

GM says, "it's not exactly marshy yet, although the farmland you pass through is muddy enough at this time of year"

Arc squish squish

Payne says, "Come to think of it, the sign said it was 20 miles to the marsh, not 20 miles through it."

Arc says, "You are full of good news, aren't you, Payne."

GM says, "you spend most of the day walking through empty fields, getting progressively muddier, colder and more dispirited"

Payne says, "It's at times like that that I wish I knew a form of magic that's useful for travelling quickly rather than one that's only good for hurting people."

GM says, "occasionally you pass a muddy, cold peasant"

Arc splosh splosh.

Arc asks, "Maybe we can ride a peasant?"

Payne says, "If I get mad enough at him, I could try to turn him into a horse."

Mendova rolls his eyes and shakes his head as he walks.

GM says, "as it gets towards sundown, the land is getting noticeably flatter, and there are more and more patches of scrubby trees and fewer fields"

Payne asks, "What ho, peasant! How far to Copen?"

Arc asks, "Do you own a horse?"

MuddyPeasant says, "Beggin' yer pardon, sur, you'll not make it tonight, most like."

Arc asks, "Or do you know anyone who owns a horse?"

MuddyPeasant stares at Arc, not sure if that was some sort of horrible joke, or an accusation

MuddyPeasant says, "No sur. Nobody round here's took no horses, sur. We're law-abiding folk."

Mendova stands silently, staring off in the general direction of the approaching sunset.

Payne is klnd of embarassed about Arc's upper-class out-of-touchness

Arc asks, "Or a cow, or mule, or any sort of animal large enough to be ridden?"

MuddyPeasant says, "Well, if'n you head a few miles back and take a left, there's the village of Uply. They've got an ox for ploughing, or so's I hear"

Mendova says, "It would be quicker to continue our present course."

Arc says, "Ah, now this sounds promising"

MuddyPeasant says, "If you're heading to Copen, though, I don't think it could make it on the marsh road."

Payne asks, "Oh?"

Arc curses.

MuddyPeasant says, "If you'll be 'scusing me, surs, I'm getting home. 'Taint safe out."

Arc asks, "Aint safe? How so?"

MuddyPeasant pulls his hat over his face and hurries past

Payne says, "Thanks for the help."

Arc asks, "Now what?"

[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "that always means werewolves"

GM says, "and with that, it starts to rain"

Mendova continues staring at the sunset, but speaks to his cohorts. "We should continue on. And quickly."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "We've come too far."

Mendova says, "We've come too far."

Mendova says, "Too far."

Mendova says, "Too far already."

Arc says, "We'll never make it through the marsh in the dark and in the rain"

Payne says, "I have to be alone for a while."

Payne says, "This is ideal brooding weather. I'd be a fool to waste it."

[Crows-Nest] Arc votes to lynch Payne as a werewolf

Arc says, "Maybe we can try and stay with that peasant"

Gunther is doom, so ragnarock with him.

Payne says, "He was going the wrong direction for us, though."

Arc says, "Or I suppose, we can camp out on the road then."

GM says, "all of a sudden, there's a crash off in the woods, and a muffled yell"

Mendova spins around in the direction of the sound.

GM says, "this is almost immediately followed by an irregular crack of musket-fire, and clods of dirt are thrown up around you"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Ok, I use psychometry"

Mendova falls to his knees.

Payne bellows, 'Show yourselves!'

[pointyhats] GM asks, "a little more specific?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Go for the max on pistols, and a medium level of woodcraft"

GM says, "A thin voice from the woods yells "Hold it... hold it... almost done...""

[pointyhats] GM says, "that'll take a minute or two, if you don't have them set up already"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Well, I start doing it discretely"

GM says, "there's a pause"

GM says, "and then the sharp yelp of a dog in pain"

GM says, "which is immediately followed by the sound of men charging through the woods towards you"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Hmm, werewolves"

[pointyhats] Payne wonders if he should consider 'getting shot at' to be an offense that provides resentment even if it didn't hit

Mendova reaches for the drawstring on the sack at his side.

[pointyhats] GM says, "not a huge one; you've been in wars"

Arc focuses on gettting the psychometry done on the pistols

GM says, "then six or seven men, slobbering at the mouth, burst out of the woods with drawn weapons"

Payne continues to bellow defiantlty

Mendova reaches into the sack and pulls out something.

Arc focus focus focus.

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "How does this work? Do I just pose this?"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Fang), "you've got the pistols almost done; it won't be perfect, but they're ready"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Mendova), "tell me what you want to try and do, on this channel"

Payne exclaims, "In the name of the Great Sun, halt!"

Arc takes aim, still trying to focus more with the pistols.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I want to try to disrupt their approach by causing their legs to do something else."

Arc exclaims, "Stop, or die!"

Mendova closes his hand tightly around something, then shuts his eyes and starts mumbling to himself.

GM says, "they're wild-eyed, seemingly beyond reason"

Payne says, "Oh man. I bet they're Dissolutionists."

Arc fires.

GM says (to Payne), "as an old soldier, you recognise this; it's the look of men who've been affected by a sloppy Dissolution"

Payne says, "They just killed a mad dog and now they've all got its attributes."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Do I just keep at it, or am I waiting for your go-ahead?"

Payne says, "Nothing for it but to fight, then. I square off against the nearest one with my fists."

GM says, "before they reach you, two men start trying to do the lambada with their legs and the Charleston with their upper bodies, and promptly run into trees"

Mendova opens his eyes upon hearing a strange, slamming sound.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "He stares in the direction of the sound, and then down into his hand, where his gaze remains."

Mendova He stares in the direction of the sound, and then down into his hand, where his gaze remains.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "ILAMRR."

GM says, "another goes down with Arc's pistol-ball in the chest; you may have grazed another, but he keeps coming"

Arc reloads.

[pointyhats] GM says (to Arc), "they're right on top of you by this point; reloading is going to be difficult"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "I do have quick reload though?"

Mendova holds a tiny, transparent object up in the air, staring at it in the vague direction of the light that still exists.

[pointyhats] GM asks (of Mendova), "trying something new, or the same trick?"

Payne tries to wrest a weapon away from one.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Oh, this is just flavor posing right now. I'll let you know. :)"

Arc seeks out some echo of a battlefield long past, of a soldier struggling to reload as the hordes charged towards him.

GM says (to Payne), "you leap out to grapple with the front man; he's strong, but clumsy, and you easily grapple the sword out of his hand. The momentum knocks you both down, however, and you scrabble about in the mud."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "How many are still heading for us?"

GM says (to Arc), "you get a distant image of your father muttering 'shitshitshitshitshit' as an entire flock of ducks flies overhead and escapes, as he fumbles with his powder-horn"

Arc gets behind Payne, to get more time to reload.

Arc says, "Damn, he was lying about winning it on the battlefield."

[pointyhats] GM says, "there are two left"

Mendova shakes his head quickly, and seems to remember where he is. He holds his arm out, in the direction of the two remaining figures, closes his eyes very tightly and starts muttering to himself.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Okay, now I want to try to trip them."

GM says (to Payne), "the man's stronger than you are, but his fighting style's rather useless; he bites onto your arm and worries it, giving you an excellent opportunity to wallop him repeatedly with the other arm"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Have I managed to reload yet?"

GM says (to Mendova), "you're having trouble getting it to work; their gait becomes a little woozy, but you're only slowing them down"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you've got one pistol ready to go"

Arc takes aim, and fires at the head of the man grappling with Payne.

Mendova shuts his eyes and grips the object in his hand even tighter.

Mendova stands there, one arm outstretched, holding--something--his entire body shaking.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I want to keep trying."

Payne is a blur of fists!

GM says (to Payne), "Arc's bullet, fired from right above you, smacks into the man's neck. You are now covered in blood, slobber and powder-burns."

Arc says, "Sorry"

Arc resumes reloading the other gun.

Payne goes after the remaining guy

GM says (to Mendova), "The two men stumble and sit down heavily, but the other two are clambering to their feet"

Arc exclaims, "We need one alive!"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Keep trying..."

Payne says, "OK, I'll try to knock one out."

GM says, "the closer two make haphazard attempts to fend off Azrael's wild punches, but they're obviously pretty frightened as well as uncoordinated"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Azrael?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Oh right"

GM says, "the two who got knocked down first seem to be recovering, however; one is pulling a musket from his back"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Have I reloaded yet?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "another pistol"

Arc shoots him.

GM says, "it's a bit further than you'd like for a pistol shot, but you wing him; he drops musket and powder-horn, and drops to the ground"

GM says, "his buddy decides that enough is enough, and runs off"

Arc runs after him.

Arc exclaims (at Mendova), "Stop him!"

GM says, "which just leaves two dizzy bastards being beaten up by a cranky old man"

Payne snarls

Arc exclaims, "We can't let him get away!"

Mendova is shaking fiercely, but starts aiming the object in his hand in the direction of the running figure.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'm definitely trying to stop him--by any means necessary."

GM says (to Arc), "you didn't really have time to absorb the woodcraft skill, and so it's as much hindrance as help; you keep trying things you can't quite manage, and end up stumbling over a root and falling into a mudhole"

Arc says, "damn damn damn"

GM says, "your quarry isn't doing much better, however"

GM says, "he doesn't seem like a woodsman, but you don't have much chance of catching him until you can straighten your head out"

GM says, "you do, however, have two severely bruised prisoners"

GM says, "and one guy shot in the shoulder, who doesn't look as if he's going to last long"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So does Mendova's spell not work?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you need line of sight for that to work; he's running off into the woods, and the light's not great"

[pointyhats] GM says, "if you want to chase him, go for it"

Payne starts shouting 'Who sent you?' in the face of the guy he's currently opummeling.

[pointyhats] * Gunther has left the channel.

Arc slows down, and stops. He walks back to the others.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "might as well finish off with the woodcraft psychometry"

Arc says, "I think he's gone. We aren't going to catch him."

Mendova crumples to the ground.

[pointyhats] GM says, "okay. Your thoughts are a little scrambled, so it'll be about half an hour of quiet."

Arc says (to Payne), "Tie up our prisoners. We need what rest we can get."

GM says (to Payne), "he throws up, trying to cough out an answer"

Arc says, "You seem to be in best shape out of all of us"

Arc says, "They aren't going to give a sensible answer until the dissolution wears off"

GM says, "both of them look nauseous, disoriented and miserable"

GM says, "one of them mumbles something about not being allowed to talk"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I would like to try to compel him."

[pointyhats] GM asks, "explain how?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Let's deal with them separately"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Cast a temporary 'truth' spell."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Or maybe, compell the wounded one"

Mendova sits up and shakes his head, rolling something around in his hand.

[pointyhats] GM says (to Mendova), "That's a little way outside your normal realm; it's more like a pure Blue type of spell. You could try it, but it'd be difficult, and could easily backfire."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Do you really think that's blue?"

Arc says (to Mendova), "Don't. Let's rest for the night, and deal with these two later"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "It's possible to curse away someone's ability to liek, but that's way beyond what I can do to these guys for all they did to me."

GM says, "you're getting into the last minutes of twilight now; the air's freezing. The winged man has stopped groaning."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Ability to lie"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "When yousay 'winged man', you mean the guy we winged, right?"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Have I finished with the woodcraft?"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "blue is harmony and so forth. how does truth-telling relate to violet, directly?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "As opposed to a man with wings."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Arc), "sure"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Payne), "yes"

Arc tries to use his newly found woodcraft ability to set up camp.

GM says (to Arc), "okay; you can set up a rough shelter to keep you out of the mud, and keep the worst of the wind and rain off"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "For some reason, communication spells seem more along the lines of a Violet than a blue. Forcibly extracting information from another seems a bit too violent to be Blue-like."

[pointyhats] GM asks, "hmm. so you're thinking more of invasive brain-surgery than getting them all calm and talkative?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Yeah, definitely."

GM says, "on closer inspection, the men look like standard conscripts: young peasants in ill-fitting, mismatched military uniforms. As the nausea wears off they start looking more terrified than anything."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "My rule of thumb for a lot of spells of this kind is, If it's something that a king could conceivably ask a jester to do in court, it's probably something a violet can do."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Anyway, I was involved in physically fighting these guys, and if they were fighting back at all, I should get a couple of Resentment points out of it (Violence without lasting physical consequence)."

[pointyhats] GM says, "they were pretty ineffective, since Mendoza was screwing with their brains"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'd rather we get these guys to help us willingly"

Payne asks, "Are their uniforms ata ll recognizable?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you could get some points for the whole group, since the first guy bit your arm pretty viciously; you were lucky he missed the artery"

Payne says, "(Not that I ahve any skill points in Heraldry or anything)"

Arc says, "These seem to be our guys"

GM says (to Payne), "it could be any Arronan unit; uniforms aren't very standardised"

Mendova starts rolling the object in his hand more quickly, and mumbling strange syllables just under his breath.

Payne says, "Well, well. Wakey wakey."

Arc says, "How many other deserter groups would be in operation in this same area."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Ok, we need to figure out our approach for this"

GM says, ""Please don't turn me into a newt Mr. Wizard sir""

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "I suggest that we divide them up, and try a different tact with each"

Payne asks, "If you dont' want to be turned into an animal, why did you let them turn your mind into a dog?"

GM says, ""Well, Bozey *said* he was a master dissolver. How was we to know he was just some hack?""

Arc asks, "Bozey?"

Mendova closes his eyes lightly, and keeps rolling the object and mumbling.

GM says, "He nods in the direction of the dying man"

Arc asks, "So, is this Bozey your leader, then? Do you all follow his orders?"

[pointyhats] GM asks (of Mendova), "what are you trying to find out, precisely?"

GM says, ""Well, I s'pose he used to be""

Arc asks, "What made him the boss of you?"

GM says, ""I mean, me and the boys wasn't going to stick with him long once that mastiff was gone, but we didn't stand much chance without him, right enough""

Arc says, "Didn't stand much chance with him, either."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'm trying to get him to say anything specific as much as I'm trying to put him under suggestion, so when he's asked a question he'll answer truthfully. (Sorry, I should have made that more clear.)"

Arc asks, "Did Bozey have a boss, then? Was it really just the group of you alone?"

GM says, "suddenly, the other man grabs his head and gives an ungodly scream"

GM says, ""Can't tell you can't tell you can't tell you don't want to rot can't tell you""

Mendova falls over backwards.

Arc says, "Listen, kid, or you'll be next. We hear there's a band of tough people in these hills, with strong weapons and strong will. We need the aid of such people."

GM says, "his companion looks wide-eyed."

GM says, ""We don't know nothing about that. It was just us, sirs, honest.""

Mendova shakes for a moment, then seems to come to his senses. He sits up, holds up a tiny, opaque object that he was holding in his hand, stares at it for a moment, and then tosses it nonchalantly over his right shoulder.

Arc says, "While you may have entered into this idiotic situation, there's still a chance of you getting out of it alive and _human_."

GM says, "He looks nervously over his shoulder, and makes a hand-sign to ward off the evil eye"

Arc says, "If you put us in contact with your leaders, we will give them the opportunity for a profitable encounter. They might even reward you"

GM says, "I can't tell you who sent us, sirs. I'd die first."

Arc says, "If you don't, my friend there will do something to you which is very much worse than death, and very much worse than what your leaders can manage."

GM says, "this does not sound like a particularly brave utterance; he seems more afraid"

Arc says, "Hell, if you convince us to let you go, you might even get away. But you aren't getting away from my friend Mendova"

GM says, ""I'll do anything sirs, but I can't betray nobody. It's against the terms.""

Arc says, "You won't be betraying anybody. Just take us to them."

Arc says, "We'll be coming alone, and us few can surely not do any harm to you"

Arc says, "r leaders"

GM says, "he makes the curse-warding sign again. "No. Can't. Against the terms.""

Arc asks, "What are these damneded terms?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Also, I assume that Lady Ricker provided us with details on an appropiate Holt transport for bait?"

GM says, "He's signing himself constantly now. "Can't say. Not allowed. I'd rot.""

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "no, but she gave you the impression that Holt vessels are going down the river pretty regularly"

GM says, "the other guy is half-asleep now, whimpering softly to himself"

Mendova stands up, and seems clear-eyed for the first time all day.

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "damn, I wish I knew how to do waterboarding"

GM says, "the guy is clearly scared of you, but seems a lot more scared of something else"

Arc asks, "What is your name?"

GM says, ""M'names Brack, sir.""

Arc asks, "How will you rot, Brack, if you say anything?"

GM says, "His eyes are darting everywhere now. "Contract curse.""

Arc asks, "Like from a maledictor?"

GM says, ""Can't say.""

Arc says, "I'll take that as a yes."

Arc asks (of Payne), "Do you think you can undo such a curse?"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Payne), "you have a pretty good idea about contract curses; they're usually placed on spies and so forth, to ensure their loyalty"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says (to Payne), "This is not a good time to tell the truth, if you can't"

Payne says, "No"

[Crows-Nest] Arc:-(

[Crows-Nest] Arc punches Payne.

[pointyhats] GM says, "they're typically timed to expire once a particular duty or mission has been carried out"

Payne says, "All I could do really is put a worse curse on him contingent on his *not* betraying his mission."

Arc says (to Payne), "Well, I leave this to you, then"

GM says, "He starts to thrash about in his bonds, and only succeeds in falling over"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Can I try psychometry on one of their weapons, and see if I can discover anythingg?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you certainly could"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "any weapon in particular?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Their leader's"

Mendova starts ambling around the field of battle, looking at the ground, searching for whatever might have been lost or dropped during the fight.

GM says, "okay; you venture out of the shelter, and find the fallen musket. There's a frost forming on the ground; you're tired from your day's walk, and should probably rest if you want to press on in the morning"

GM says, "also in the leader's possession, shoved in a belt, you notice a long, blood-encrusted knife of the type usually carried by dissolutionists"

GM says, "a little further back in the woods there's a dead mastiff"

Arc keeps the knife, and asks if either of the others want the musket.

Mendova searches the mastiff for clues.

Arc decides to rest for the night.

GM says (to Mendova), "well, it's been killed by a single stab down to the heart, which is standard sacrificial practise; the wound looks a bit clumsy, though"

GM says, "you don't know much about dogs, so you can't really tell a whole lot else. It looks pretty healthy, which is more than you can say about its former owners"

Mendova bends close down to the mastiff, and stares at the wound.

Arc zzz.

GM asks, "okay, are people resting for the night?"

Payne says, "Yeah."

Mendova says (to GM), "Once I see if there's anything interesting about that wound."

GM says (to Mendova), "it just looks like a clumsy stab wound. Presumably that's how the leader sacrificed it."

Mendova frowns and stands up erect. He then joins the others to sleep for the night.

GM says, "all right; you rise early the next morning, stiff, cold and hungry. The prisoners are sluggish and unresponsive; you don't look forward to herding them all day."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says (to Payne), "Maybe you can feel resentment on behalf of the dog."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "again, he's an old soldier; animals get sacrificed all the time in war"

Arc sits cross-legged in the middle of the shelter, cradling the bloody knife.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'd certainly love to try to make them walk on their own."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Let's seen if this gives me anything"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "*see"

GM says (to Arc), "you're beginning to get some flashes of recollection... the easiest is a scene of men lying in ambush in the woods immediately above you; a dog's panting."

Arc frowns, and try to go further back.

GM says, "It's begun to rain; you'd better attack while the powder's dry."

GM says, "Further back, you get vague impressions of stalking after a group of travellers, down a familiar path; it's not very pleasant to see the back of your own head in this manner."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Is anyone taking the musket?"

Arc tries to go further back.

GM says, "Before that, not much for a while; the knife hasn't been used for some time. What impressions you get are of fear, desperation, guilt."

Arc tries to get what glimpses he can before that.

GM says, "Then a scene somewhere in the north, southern Catela or Ennau, maybe; a knife plunges into a horse's neck, a handful of men charge fleet-footed away from a guarded camp. The thunder of hooves underfoot, the massive pumping of an oversized in your chest, the fear of pursuit."

GM says, "er, an oversized heart"

Arc asks, "How big a handful?"

GM says, "ten, maybe"

Arc memorises the faces of the other men, and emerges from the trance.

Arc says, "Shit, nothing."

GM says (to Arc), "two of those faces, bruised and sullen, look up at you"

Arc goes outside to talk to the other two.

Arc asks (of Mendova), "How about we let them go?"

Mendova waves his hand, but says nothing.

Arc says, "We can try to follow them, perhaps"

Arc says, "These people are not woodsmen. They wouldn't know if they were being followed"

Arc says, "I think it's the best chance we have"

Mendova says, "Perhaps..."

Arc asks, "Payne? Your thoughts?"

Arc prods Payne.

Arc exclaims, "Wake up, Payne!"

GM says, "the morning's wearing on; a couple of peasants pass along the track, see the bodies by the road and hurry on without looking at you"

[Crows-Nest] Arc exclaims, "Payne's dead! NOOOO!"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "erm, so, what?"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "how are people doing for time, by the way?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Well, if baf's gone, maybe we should call it a day"

[pointyhats] GM says, "yeah, I guess we can wrap things up for this week"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Okay."

[pointyhats] GM says, "sorry things didn't progress very much; had to spend quite a lot of time just establishing what was going on"