No such channel: 'perry'.

[pointyhats] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Eolo says, "as far as I know"

Daran says, "I hope so."

Payne has arrived.

Payne has left.

GM has arrived.

Payne has arrived.

[pointyhats] GM says, "okay, all here except Fang"

Mendova asks, "Is Jota here?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Hmm. I neglected to list any of my equipment outisde of the artifacts."

[pointyhats] GM says, "if you want any basic weapons gear, you can have picked it up at the mansion, or else had it along formerly"

Fang has arrived.

Daran asks, "Didn't you just ask that?"

Daran says, "But yes."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "What did I miss?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I didn't list equipment either, but since Maga didn't mention it in the character generation instructions, I assume we're glossing over it."

[pointyhats] GM says, "aaand that's everyone"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Yeah, I'm assuming that I have ammo and stuff for my weapons, and not much else"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I'll just assume a backpack of standard gear+tools, plus a small grasshopper cage."

[Crows-Nest] * Daran has joined the channel.

[pointyhats] GM says (to Payne), "for the most part, yeah. I thought it'd overcomplicate things"

[Crows-Nest] Daran says, "Whoops. How'd I not have this character here."

Ghogg has arrived.

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Oh hmm, so Daran has hunting?"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Who's Daran?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Jota"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I presume"

GM says, "As you may or may not recall, last week your new patron Lady Maric Ricker asked you to investigate the possibility that a neighbouring lord may be supplying bandits in Ricker lands"

GM says, "our heroes decided to go and have a look at the last place attacked by bandits, the remote village of Copen"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Yes."

GM says, "on the way they were subjected to a fairly pitiful ambush, took a couple of captives and spent the rest of the time trying to extract information with them, with limited success"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So, how does Daran join the party? Was he there all along, or something?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I think this is where hands are waved."

Payne says, "I'm going to spend some time brooding on how unfair it was that those fellows fought back when I punched them."

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Did 'we' learn why this gang attacked us specifically?"

GM says, "it's now morning, and you're going to have to deal with your prisoners before crossing Battle Marsh to reach Copen"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "We learnt that soe one put a curse of them so that they won't tell"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "*some"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "But the suggestion is that they are bandits"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "We don't know for sure, though."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "yeah"

GM says (to Payne), "at that point, they mostly just groaned and ineffectually held up arms across their faces. The guy who mauled your arm got killed."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "One more thing was that there was a bandit which got away"

Payne says, "I allocated the resentment for the mauling to the group. I think I can still use it."

GM says (to Payne), "okay, easily done"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So I guess Daran can try tracking that?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you could try, certainly"

Payne asks, "How many captives do we have?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Two"

Mendova scratches the back of his head frantically for a few seconds.

Arc says, "Two, though I'm not sure what Mendova's done to one of them."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "That is a good idea."

Daran inspects the local area, looking for signs of either where the runner fled to, or else where the group came from in the first place.

GM says, "The ground's soft and covered in leaves, and the rain has eased back into a merely irritating drizzle; not bad tracking weather."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So, should we take the captives with us, or free them, or kill them?"

[Crows-Nest] * Jacqueline has joined the channel.

[pointyhats] * Jacqueline has joined the channel.

Arc asks (of Daran), "It's been a day. Do you think we can track the other one down, with these two prisoners?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Killing them would be murder."

[pointyhats] * Ghogg has joined the channel.

GM says, "The tracks approaching here - six or seven men, with a big dog - run parallel to the path you took to reach here"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Is there any nerby authority we can turn them in to? Other than us, I mean."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Not without blowing our cover"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "OK, so I have 4 on the group plus 8/2 = 4 general resentment, giving me 8, and since there are two left, that's a maximum cost of 4. That's not even enoguh to make them itch."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Since we are trying to hide our relationship to Ricker"

Daran says (to Arc), "This area looks like it takes a trail well -- look here at the obvious course they took on their way here. I wouldn't be at all surprised."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "If we killed one of them, I could cast a much more effective curse on the other."

GM says, "the scene of the fight is a mess, but you know approximately where the fleeing guy was last seen, and he was running hard and awkwardly; it's an easy trail"

Arc asks (of Mendova), "How's the other man? What *did* you do to him?"

Mendova instinctively clutches the sack at his side before turning to arc. "Did what to whom?"

Arc points at one of the captives.

Daran points. "Do you see that depression in the grass there? It's a footprint. And the branches ahead are broken. Shall we follow?"

Mendova asks (of Arc), "What about him?"

Arc asks, "That scream earlier was pretty disconcerting. Will he be able to come with us?"

Daran says, "If he can, then I think we should take him. He might prove useful at some point."

GM says, "The captives do not look in good shape: terrified, bruised, cold and exhausted, they seem to expect to die - or worse - at any moment"

Arc says, "Maybe we should just take the more healthy one. Brack, or whatever his name was"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Whoops, didn't realize we had several."

Arc says, "And leave the other one, since he'll just slow us behind."

Daran asks (of Weak Captive), "If we let you free, where will you go?"

GM says, "He shrugs. "I don't know sir, but I swear to God I'll never bother you again.""

Daran says, "That's good enough for me."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Any objections?"

Arc cuts the man's ties.

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I'm thinking I should give him an extra motivation to keep his word."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Well, go ahead, then"

Mendova stares, extremely intently, on the prisoner Arc just freed, all while rolling something around in his outstretched hand.

GM says, "He bows and scrapes for a couple of seconds, gets unsteadily to his feet, then takes one look at Mendova and flees down the path in the direction of the river"

[pointyhats] Arc asks (of GM), "Hmm, how much mental capacity do I have left, anyways?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "well, you've got the Pistol echo, and you cleared out your woodscraft"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Enh. Let him go. He's scared. I'll save my juice for the guy we've got with us."

[pointyhats] maga says, "that leaves you with 20 points"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "ok, then"

Arc asks (of Daran), "Well, shall we get going?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "(Whoops, lost connection weirdly.)"

Daran nods. "This way, then."

Daran leads the way through the brush.

Mendova wraps his cloak around him and follows, near the rear.

GM says, "Your other prisoner now seems convinced that he's been reserved for some particularly unpleasant dark ritual, and is sluggish and unresponsive"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "so you're tracking the guy who fled?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Yeah."

Daran asks (of Prisoner), "So, are you from around this area?"

Arc says (to Brack), "Move on, or I swear Daran will sacrifice you to make a speed boost spell"

[pointyhats] GM says, "the path is through scrubby, dense, marshy woodland; it's going to be hard going, even without an unenthusiastic prisoner on a rope"

Payne scowls

[pointyhats] Daran says, "On the other hand, the fact that it's scrubby, dense, marshy woodland probably makes it that much easier to follow the trail."

GM says, "You bash along the trail for a while; it's still easy to follow. Your quarry was evidently no woodsman, and in a great hurry to get away"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "SO it probably balances out to some degree."

Arc says, "Dammit, we'd be going faster if we just knock this guy out and carry him"

Payne knocks the guy out and carries him.

Daran says (to Prisoner), "You know, if you were in the hands of whoever sent-- ah. Never mind."

GM says, "after about an hour of thoroughly unpleasant trail-breaking, you emerge at the edge of a rice paddy"

Arc helps Payne carry the prisoner.

GM says, "you can see a small farm from here, and evidently the runaway did too; his tracks become more careful and measured, skirting the paddies and making their way towards a cluster of run-down farm buildings"

Daran says, "It looks like he was headed for one of those buildings."

Arc says, "We need to be careful, lest we run into another ambush."

Daran says (to Arc), "Yes. It'd be terribly inconvenient to be forced to deal with even more prisoners."

GM says, "as you consider this, there's a puff of smoke from the buildings, followed by a sharp retort; mud and water splashes up to your left"

GM says, "this is followed by some shouting, but it's too far off to be very distinct"

Payne says, "Well, if they're firing at us, stealth will be useless."

Arc says, "Let's hold Brack out, so that they know we have a hostage"

Payne says, "Let me have him. If they shoot anyway, I can use the injury sgainst them."

Arc shouts (at the shooters), "Stop shooting! We just want to talk!"

Payne grabs Barack from behind and advances, shouting 'I am Azrael Payne, defender of the Church. Who fires at us?'

GM says, "off in another portion of the field you see a couple of peasants scurrying back towards the farm"

Daran tears a sheet of drawing paper from his belt, shredding it in the process.

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Did we keep that musket?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I'm destroying my drawing of a raven against the night sky, in order to make the members of our party more difficult to see."

GM says, "A head pops up from behind a low stone wall. "Make off, freeband scum!""

[pointyhats] GM says, "okay."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Oops"

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

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Freeband. That sounds familiar."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Hm"

[pointyhats] GM says, "'freeband' is the generic term for a group of mercenaries/deserters/bandits, of the sort you're here to investigate"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "What now?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "That's a crafting time of five, making it power 7, IIRC. I'm just going for a basic camo, not invisibility or anything, so I figure that's a level 2 effect."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "If we say we aren't freeband, we might blow our cover"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Fortunately Brack is unconscious"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Several targets, so I think it should be good for ten minutes."

[pointyhats] Payne says, ""You mistake us. We are simple travellers. We were attacked on the road, but only this man remains of our attackers. We wish to bring him to justice."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "okay"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "(5+2 = 2+1+4)"

Arc shouts (at the shooters), "There was a man who ran to your house. We want him, that is all!"

Daran, once he's camouflaged, runs toward the farm.

GM says, ""We got the bastard!""

Arc shouts, "Is that a lethal got, or a captured and tied up got?"

Payne asks, "Good on you! Want the one we caught as well?"

GM says, "The man waves an arm behind him, to where you can just make out something swinging from a pole"

Arc stares at the pole.

GM says (to Daran), "with the shouted discussion, it's fairly easy to circle around and approach the farm from another direction"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Erm, does Daran have any combat abilities?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Nope."

GM says, "as you get closer, you can make out a hastily-assembled gallows at the centre of the buildings, and what's left of your quarry hanging from it"

Arc swears.

Daran surveys what they're up against.

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "How well are they armed?"

GM says (to Daran), "you can also see four or five peasants, with two muskets between them, hunkered down behind the wall"

GM says, "two of them are old men, and another can't be older than fifteen"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "easy prey, then. If we want to fight"

Mendova reaches into his sack, pulls out something, and clasps his hand around it.

GM says, "there might be more marksmen hidden in the buildings, but you rather doubt it"

Daran hides. Then he says, "We have you surrounded. Lay down your arms. We have no intention of hurting or robbing you."

Jacqueline has arrived.

[pointyhats] Daran says, "That will be using Bluff, if necessary."

GM says, "One of the gunmen wheels around and fires in Daran's general direction; he's forgotten to remove the ramrod, however, and fires it into a shack"

Arc runs forward.

Payne was hoping to befirend the peasants, but 'we've got you surrounded' kind of precludes that.

GM says, "the other fires at Arc, but his match has fizzled out so nothing happens"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Well, I guess that didn't exactly work."

Arc runs runs runs.

GM says (to Arc), "you can reach the farm without further impediment; the peasants are trying to get themselves ready for a last stand"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Given the level of modern technology, does this imply that they're both effectively disarmed unless they can reload quickly under pressure? (ha ha ha)"

Payne drops Barack and follows, bringing up the rear.

Arc points the gun at them. "Surrender, unless you want a bullet in your chest.

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "effectively, yes"

Daran says (to Peasants), "I repeat, we do not wish to harm or rob you. Stop shooting your buildings."

Arc says, "Drop your weapons."

Mendova shifts his glance toward Daran briefly, and smirks.

GM says, "the boy flees for cover; the others cower, dropping their sharp farm implements"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "So, this is one of *those* adventuring parties."

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Are we going to burn the barn down when we're done?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I am personally hoping not."

Arc asks, "Now, is this all of you?"

GM says, "The leader, the man who shouted at you earlier, steps forward"

GM says, ""Yeah. We moved the women to the Boladi estate, and your lot already took all the stores, so there's nothing for you here.""

Mendova rolls something around in his hand.

Daran asks (of Leader), "Idiot. How many times do I have to tell you that we are not robbers?"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Erm, aren't we pretending to be?"

Daran comes out of hiding and (with some degree of distaste) piles the weapons out of the way.

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "We are?"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "I dunno, are we?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I thought we were just trying to not get shot at."

GM says, ""Then I don't know rightly what you are.""

[pointyhats] Mendova exclaims, "Okay, fess up: Who cast Confusion?!"

Daran asks (of Leader), "Then why the hells are you shooting at us?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I honestly don't know what, if anything, our overall plan is at this point. If we're trying to build up bandit cred, we're doing a bang-up job."

GM says, ""If you're from the Lieutenant, it's a funny way to go sneaking around like that.""

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "To verify: we were being shot at well before we started any sneaking, right?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "That was probably classifiable as a warning shot."

GM says, ""And you're not from 'round here. We strung a freebander up last night, and we reckoned you were friends of his.""

Arc looks around, looking for anything of use.

GM says, ""We heard what happened in Copen, and we're not taking any chances.""

Daran says, "We were here hunting *him* down. His band ambushed us just yesterday, and my friends here *don't* take well to unprovoked attacks."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Anyone have any ideas here? It seems like we could get information from these guys, if we have questions we want to ask."

Mendova cricks his neck twice, loudly.

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I was hoping they might ultimately feel bad about shooting at us, but it looks like that's not going to happen."

Payne says, "This is just like Iraq."

Arc asks, "Where?"

GM says, ""Well that's as may be, but you looked a whole lot like bandits, sir.""

Payne says, "(sorry,"

Payne says, "meant that for ooc channel"

[Crows-Nest] Arc exclaims, "You two, Gitmo, now!"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "Seriously, guys. I would really like to keep real-world politics out of this."

Arc asks, "Do you know anything about these bandits, then, where we can find more of their kind?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "We should probably be asking about the Lieutenant and Copen, I assume."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Those are the words that would have been highlighted in red if this were Ultime 4, yes."

GM says, ""Well, they're everywhere these days. Never know when or where they're going to crop up.""

Arc asks, "Have you been attacked before?"

GM says, ""Are you from Boladi? Is she finally doing something about this?""

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "What is our level of secrecy, BTW?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Do we recognise Boladi?>"

[pointyhats] Arc says (to Daran), "well, we must never give away our connection to Ricker"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Ah, here we go:"

[pointyhats] Daran | Arc asks, "Does the House have any allies or agents in the area?"

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

[pointyhats] Arc says, "and I guess, we should lie where neccessary to avoid too many fights with bandits"

[pointyhats] GM says, "yeah; a Lieutenant is basically lord of the manor, tax collector and police chief rolled into one"

Daran says, "Not exactly. But we are interested in helping, if it means clearing out scum like them." He punctuates this by gesturing curtly at both the hanged man and their unconscious prisoner.

Arc says, "We've bounty hunters, sort of."

Arc says, "*we're"

GM says, "It doesn't look as if this has earned you much respect. "So, someone else's freeband, hmm?""

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Lieutenant of Nottingham."

Arc asks, "Hey, where's the all the gratefulness from not being shot gone?"

GM says, ""Well, if you clear out the dog pack, I'll be grateful I'm sure, but if you stick around here when you're done..""

Arc says, "And rob stinking poor peasants like you? You think too highly of yourself"

GM says, ""We're honest folk here. We don't like trouble.""

Mendova says, "We... don't like..."

Mendova says, "...trouble either."

Mendova clinks the sack at his side.

Daran says, "If you can give us a lead as to where we can track them down, we'll be more than happy to get out of your way."

GM says, ""Nobody knows where they are. Last place they came up was Copen, but they'll be long gone by now.""

Arc points at the hanged man. "And did he say anything?"

GM says, ""No. Screamed a bit, though.""

[pointyhats] Daran says, "So if we left our prisoner here, I suppose he'd just be hanged as well."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I suppose these guys don't have horses or anything like that"

[pointyhats] Daran says (to Arc), "If they did, we'd probably need to show our Ricker-cred in order to make them give them up."

GM says, ""We caught him snooping around the henhouse. One less of 'em, eh?" His grin is a bit forced."

Arc says, "Guy was probably starving"

Daran shakes his head sadly.

Arc asks, "Have you been attacked before?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I guess what we can do now is release our second prisoner, and track *him*"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Hopefully, he won't run into another village"

GM says, ""Not us, no. Lots of places nearby have had to deal with a handful of 'em, but the big gang - the dog pack - well, not much anyone can do about that.""

[pointyhats] Daran says, "It's looking like these guys might not have any place in particular to go."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Possibly, yeah"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Especially if they're being coerced into it with malediction."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So, let's just make for Copen?"

Payne says, "The 'dog pack', eh? I suppose they get that name from the use of dissolution on dogs to make them fierce."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Yeah, probably the best idea."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I agree."

GM says, ""It's what they say, sir. Word don't get around too good these days.""

Arc says, "A word of advice to you... Your defenses suck."

Arc says, "If you get attacked in future, just run away."

Arc says, "If you can't band together and defend yourself effectively, stop wasting your time trying. Next time, you might come across someone less forgiving"

Payne says, "Hire some samurai or something."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Heh"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Are their muskets worth taking?"

GM says, ""We've been thinking about moving down to Habrun village. Might be best.""

[pointyhats] Daran says, "C'mon, they're poor peasants."

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Is there anything we could do as a gesture of goodwill before leaving?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "one of them is of the same type as you took from your attackers; the other one is a rusty, battered thing at least fifty years old"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Hmm, so maybe one's from the hanged man, and one's theirs"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I wonder if their old musket mgiht be useful for psychometry."

Arc asks, "Where did you get those muskets from?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "If so, I guess we could offer to trade the one we got from the bandits for it."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Indeed"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Both doing a good deed and helping ourselves in the process, the proper outcome for any good sidequest."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "hehe"

GM says, ""My uncle served in Ennau, sir. And this other one we got off the freebander.""

Arc says, "We'll swap you this one for that rusty old one. Maybe you'll make a better show of protecting yourself with something in better condition."

GM says, "He looks suspicious, and inspects the new musket very carefully before agreeing to the trade."

Arc says, "Not that you have a choice, anyways, being at gunpoint."

Arc checks that both guns are unloaded. "Let's go, then."

Payne says, "OK"

Daran asks (of Peasants), "Next time you meet a stranger, might I recommend you ask who he is before unloading your barrels at him?"

[pointyhats] GM asks (of Arc), "you want to do your psychometry thing on the rusty weapon?"

Mendova says, "To do otherwise would be... unwise."

GM says, "they nod, but not in a manner that suggests enthusiastic agreement"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "sure"

Arc says, "And if you unload your barrels at him, take proper aim first."

[pointyhats] GM says, "for about forty or so years it's been handed from one peasant to another, mostly to shoot gamebirds"

[Crows-Nest] Daran says, "Hmm. I seem to have forgotten to set my rname or description."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "I sure hope we fight some evil birds or something, since all of my guns are great at hitting airborne targets"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So, what does that translate to, skillwise?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "before that there's some very hazy scenes of the early Foundling War; fragments of a battle. None of the echoes are very strong; 8 or 9 at most"

Arc decides to hold onto the gun, but not do anything with it yet.

[pointyhats] GM says, "say, Musket 8 (+Hunting), or Musket 9 (fast reload) at a higher cost"

GM asks, "so where now?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Copen."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "We can dump our prisoner with the Lieutenant."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "If he's hanged then, at least it'll be by an officer of the state."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "heh"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Yeah, let's go to copen"

GM says, "okay. You trudge back through the woods and fields, making it back to the path around midday"

GM says, "continuing onward, the path gets progressively narrower and the surrounding country damper and less cultivated"

Arc hums a tune as he walks.

Mendova says, "STOP."

Mendova says (to Arc), "If you are going to hum that, PLEASE hum it in tune."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Before we encounter anyone else, maybe we should solidify our overall plan."

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Long-term or short-term?"

Arc defaintly hums louder.

GM says, "soon you're walking through swampy thickets, single-file"

Mendova says, "Those of us with perfect pitch--who don't include you--don't much take to off-key warbling of that particular nature unless we're inebriated."

Mendova says, "Which, alas, I am not."

Arc says, "er, defiantly"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Like, are we trying to infiltrate the bandits?"

Daran says (to Mendova), "Perhaps we can find a bottle of brandy in the next village."

Mendova says (to Daran), "We shan't arrive there soon enough."

GM says, "someone has shored up the path with cordwood, but it's still rather damp going"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I was hoping to get some more info on them before doing long-term planning like that."

GM says, "the ground's mostly flat, but the path winds crazily to skirt big pools or cross streams at a certain point"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "We have some good data on their modus operandi, at least."

[pointyhats] Arc says (to Daran), "I don't know if we can get any good information without infiltrating them"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I suppose we can ask around in the taverns and so on"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I don't know if people would want to talk, though"

GM says, "for all that it's an obscure, narrow trail through a barren swamp, it's pretty well-used and maintained, and you make reasonable progress, arriving in Copen before dark"

Payne says, "hooray"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "So we're not planning to meet up with the Lieutenant?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I guess if that's the case, infiltration is probably a reasonable goal."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm personally against it. I don't think that he would know anything"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Also, he isn't in Copen?"

GM says, "the ground rises somewhat out of the swamp, and the town is surrounded by rice-paddies and fields. The first building you pass, a little way outside Copen proper, has every sign of being a tavern"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "The Lieutenant doesn't get out here much, apparently."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Woo, ale and whores"

Daran asks, "Let's go in. What do we do with him, meanwhile?"

Daran jabs his thumb at the prisoner.

Arc asks, "How are we doing monetarily?"

Mendova says, "I could... restrain him."

GM says (to Arc), "you've been given your first pay in advance, which is rather more generous than you might reasonably desire"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Woo, ale and whores"

Daran heads inside.

[Crows-Nest] Miseri says, "Oow, hail and ores"

[Crows-Nest] Miseri is something of a miser.

[Crows-Nest] Miseri says, "channel"

Arc says, "We can just take him with us. And leave him in our room when we are done"

GM says, "the inn has a single small, low-roofed room, smoky and grubby even for a rural tavern; there are no whores, and if there *were* any you doubt you'd want 'em"

Arc says, "If he's smart enough, he'll know to keep quiet"

Mendova says, "Somehow, I'm not willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Mendova says, "But it's certainly possible to make him keep quiet, if necessary."

GM says, "at this time of day it is occupied largely by grouchy old men, who glare at you with unconcealed suspicion"

Arc says (to Mendova), "Well, up to you, then"

Payne says, "Maybe we should ask people if they recognize him."

Arc says, "I'm a little too thirsty to think"

Arc heads inside after Daran.

Daran says (to Barkeeper), "Ale for me."

Arc says, "Me too."

GM says, "the exception to this is a gaunt but genial peasant in his forties, who introduces himself as Hulin"

Payne says, "Tepid water for me."

Payne greets Hulin

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Is he the barkeep?"

GM says, "the local ale is dark, peaty and overpriced. Hulin apologises about this last, complaining of depleted stocks"

Daran asks (of Hulin), "Been getting a lot of business lately?"

Hulin says (to Daran), "Not so much business as theft, I'm afraid. We've had some bad luck lately; but surely you've heard."

Hulin asks, "What brings you fine gentlemen out to the sticks, anyway?"

Daran nods. "I've heard vague rumors. But not much more."

Arc asks, "The sticks?"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says (to Arc), "Slang meaning 'the middle of nowhere.'"

[Crows-Nest] Mendova says, "Or 'the edge of nowhere,' if you prefer."

[Crows-Nest] Daran says, "Or perhaps even about a third of the way in from the rim of nowhere."

Hulin says, "Terrible time, sirs, terrible. Give praise you didn't arrive a fortnight ago."

Arc asks, "Was that when they attacked?"

Hulin says, "Round about, yes. Held the place near on a week before they took off."

Arc asks, "Anyone seen where they went?"

Hulin frowns, and a couple of old codgers pointedly get up and leave

Hulin asks, "You're awfully interested, it'd appear. Boladi's guard, hmm? Or the Lord's?"

Daran says, "We've got a bit of a personal grudge against them."

Daran glances at Payne.

Hulin says, "Well, don't we all."

Hulin seems a little mollified, but not much

Arc says, "You see, a bunch of us attacked us on our way, and we're figuring that we can bash them a bit as a bit of justice."

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

Arc says, "Er, a bunch of them"

Hulin says, "Hunf. Where was this? Don't see why they'd be coming back."

Payne says, "In Battle Marsh."

Hulin says, "They've got all they can take from us, and we didn't make 'em too welcome."

Hulin says, "You were attacked in the Marsh? Doesn't sound like 'em. They wouldn't go into the Marsh."

Arc asks, "Why's that?"

Hulin says, "Oh, a lot of folks are scared of the place. Old legends, that kind of thing. The old Rickers won all their battles fighting in swamp, you know."

Hulin says, "So I suppose if the Lord ever decided to hunt them down, the last place they'd want to get caught was in the marsh."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Interesting. Supports the 'Lord Ricker is in on it' theory."

Arc asks, "Where would be a good place to hide then?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "er, Ricker is our patron. At least, Lady Ricker is"

Hulin says, "Oh, they hide out in the hills. Hundred places they could be. Come out where it pleases 'em."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Right right. Holt is the suspect. Still."

Daran asks, "Anyone around here talk much with them?"

Hulin says, "Well, they didn't treat us too kindly. We weren't on chatting terms. They got a handle on Bricar pretty quick, though - that's our headman."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "You know, from what we've seen of them, these bandits aren't too impressive"

Hulin says, "Used him to throw out their orders, so they wouldn't have to do the shouting themselves."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "If these villagers really had the weapons and the motivation, they can probably wipe them out themselves"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Also, seven samurai to lead them"

Hulin says, "He's a good man, don't get me wrong, excellent farm planner, community spirit. Not much he could have done."

(From Hulin) Grumpy murmuring from the remaining locals.

Arc asks, "These bandits, did they leave anything behind?"

Hulin says, "Why'd they do a thing like that? They took us for everything we had."

Arc says, "Well, all right then. Do you have a room where we can stay for the night?""

Hulin says, "No. You can kip down in the town hall most likely, though."

Arc says, "I guess it'll be good to sleep with a roof over one's head"

Hulin asks, "Another round, sirs?"

Payne says, "No thanks. I think the one I have is going to my head."

Arc asks, "Shall we go visit Bricar?"

Payne says, "(Yes, I did order tepid water. Why do you ask?)"

[pointyhats] Hulin asks, "you *want* a horrible water-borne disease, don't you?"

Daran says (to Arc), "That seems logical."

Daran says (to Hulin), "But one more for me, first."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "If I can blame the villagers for it..."

Hulin slides another mug across the table

[pointyhats] Hulin asks, "so off to see Bricar, then?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Aye."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Sounds good."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Hmm, maybe I should stick behind"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Why?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "and use village politics to see if I can pick up any gossip"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Also, I need the WC"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "(So, until I'm back, just use psychometry for village politics and gossip hunt, ok?)"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Like I said, use r = (1/theta) + 1, and the ratio between r in successive iterations will approach 1."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "ilac"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I don't know that spell."

GM says, "You wander into town, which looks in poor shape; a couple of buildings lie in piles of ash. The only stone building in the village, the town hall / church, stands over the town square."

GM says, "Groups of peasants are clearing wreckage away."

Mendova watches the peasants sadly.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Perhaps we should..."

Daran joins in to help with the clearing.

Mendova says, "Perhaps we should help them."

GM says, "you find it fairly easy to identify Bricar, a man of fifty or so who's scuttling about directing the work"

Daran says (to Bricar), "Our condolences for your recent hardship."

Bricar asks, "Thank you. Who gives them?"

Mendova asks, "What can we do to help?"

Daran says (to Bricar), "My name is Daran. My friends are called Mendova and Payne."

Bricar says, "Now the thing is, there's a lot of worry in Copen about spies."

Payne asks, "Are you calling us spies?"

Bricar says, "Hanging about, sending word to the freeband when we're ripe for picking again. Now I'm sure that you're all honourable men, but some folks may not see it that way."

Bricar says, "So if you're just innocent travellers, it might be best to keep moving. If you've got a purpose here, it'd be best if we all knew whose."

Daran says, "We're hunting bandits, to be honest."

Bricar asks, "On whose authority?"

Bricar says, "I don't see any pins."

Payne says, "We don't need no stinkin' pins."

Daran says, "These bandits have caused us to be attacked twice in just the last few days."

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

Bricar looks unconvinced.

Bricar says, "Talk. Just talk. I'm sorry, but you understand."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "back"

Daran says, "We don't need any information about you, or about your town."

Bricar says, "People lost a lot here. People died, were dishonoured, we might not make it through winter. They're angry."

Daran says, "We only want to know anything you can tell us that would help us find the people who did this."

Bricar says, "What I'm saying is, it might not be safe to stay long here."

Mendova says, "We shan't tarry long."

Bricar says, "If you want to find them... well, they're in the hills somewhere, no doubt. We're just thankful they're gone."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Do I pick up any useful gossip?"

Bricar says (to Arc), "meanwhile, you settle into your gossipy-peasant role, buy a few drinks, and try and wangle out some rumours"

Mendova asks (of Bricar), "What would most help you rebuild the town?"

Bricar says (to Arc), "the locals are understandably tight-lipped and gloomy, but you pick up an undercurrent of... resentment, maybe even triumph, among the inn's regulars"

Bricar says (to Arc), "it is apparent, at least, that Bricar is not thought of very highly by many villagers any more"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "triumph?"

Daran keeps doing what he can to help to clean up, and at the same time scans the debris for any clues that might tell us anything about the bandits.

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I'll use Scavenging for that."

Bricar (to Mendova) goes off on a lengthy explanation of potato harvests, drainage and tax exemptions

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "We have money of some sort, right?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Maybe they left some trash that they'd brought in with them, or some graffiti that might tell us about their origins, or whatever."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Or rather, I have money of some sort, right?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says (to Arc), "yes; it's as if they won a victory somehow"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Sure, we got paid by Lady Ricker."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "hmm"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Do they think that they beat off the bandits, then?"

Bricar asks (of Daran), "the ruins have bits and pieces of typical peasant belongings in them, lots of burned-up wood, and... wait a minute, a crossbow?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says (to Arc), "they certainly don't say so"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Is this just some sort of symbolic surviving=victory?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "could be"

Arc leaves to join the others.

Daran picks up the bow and examines it.

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "this is all just guesses on your part, however - village politics tends to be complicated, and not revealed lightly to strangers"

Daran asks (of Bricar), "Does this belong to anyone in the village?"

Bricar says (to Daran), "you're no expert on weapons; it's heavily charred, stringless, and old-looking"

Bricar says (to Daran), "No. It must be a bandit's."

Arc says, "Let me have a look at it."

Daran hands it over.

Bricar says, "Possibly one of them got trapped inside while setting the fires."

Arc says, "Kinda stupid of them"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Guess I'll use psychometry on the thing, to see if I can find out anything about the last attack"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Were there pieces of charred corpse near the crossbow?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says (to Arc), "it's at least a hundred years old, possibly more; crossbows haven't been in general military use since before the Foundling War"

[pointyhats] Bricar says (to Daran), "no, but the peasants have probably already recovered any bodies"

[pointyhats] Bricar says (to Arc), "the weapon's mostly wood, and it's badly damaged"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'll give it a go, anyways. Just to see if I find out anything about the attack"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "You get a fleeting image: you're firing the crossbow out into the street; the bolt slams into a man, and he goes down, his musket going off as he falls. People are running up and down the street, there's general chaos"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Interesting. Looks like these people went down fighting"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "then the window's abruptly filled with fire"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Hmm. I wonder if we should read anything into the choice of weapons."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "The people who attacked us were using muskets; the wielder of this was up *against* people with muskets."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Did the guy that got shot look like a bandit?"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Or a villager?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Also, this kinda goes against the Holt connection, because these bandits are pretty badly armed"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "the light wasn't good, but he looked young and in pretty good shape, which doesn't say 'peasant' to you"

Payne says, "OK. I'm kind of suspicious of what's going on in this town, so I want to collect some abuse from the villagers."

Payne says, "To that end, I'm going to do some late-night trumpet practice."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

Arc asks (of Bricar), "So, the bandits must have been pretty overwhelming, then?"

GM asks, "it's early evening now; do you want to set up for the night?"

Payne says, "I'll wait until midnight or thereabouts. I merely declare my intent ahead of time."

Daran will try to get a separate room from Payne's.

Bricar says, "Yes. We're just villagers, and there were so many of them. They surrounded the village so quickly, and posted guards; no choice but to do as they said."

Bricar says, "If the lieutenant had been informed sooner..."

Arc says, "I guess you, a small peaceful village, wouldn't have much of a chance at fighting them."

Arc asks, "Oh, did the Lieutenant come to your aid, then?"

Bricar says, "We sent notice as soon as they left. He turned up a couple of days later."

Arc says, "So no one tried to fight them. Not that I blame you, for not wanting to go up against armed, trained men"

Bricar says, "More disappointed about hardship exemptions than catching the dog pack, I'll bet."

Bricar says, "Well, a few people, of course - I mean, if it was your wife - but they made some examples early on."

Bricar says, "I was concerned about getting my people out of this alive, not futile gestures."

Daran asks, "Can you tell us anything about the leaders?"

Daran asks, "Face, accent, style of dress, identifying marks?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "This guy is being awfully evasive"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Yeah."

Bricar says, "They were good soldiers, too. Well-armed. Disciplined. Not your usual thieving freebanders. They had dog-carts, so they could take all they could."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Shall I try to persuade him?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Can you do it without permanent brain damage and unsightly screamly and brain-explodyness"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "*screaming"

[pointyhats] Mendova exclaims, "Well, if you're going to tie my hands!"

Bricar says, "There was a leader. Normal freeband type."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Also, yes, of course."

Mendova begins pacing about the village square in a wide circle.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "ok"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I think"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "So, I guess I'm going to try to make him more... willing to answer our questions."

Daran goes to inspect the rest of the village. In particular, he'll look for cart tracks leading away.

[pointyhats] Bricar asks, "just loosening him up a bit? or hauling the answers out of his brain?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says (to Bricar), "I want to make him more receptive to our questions."

Arc asks, "What sort of things were they armed with?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I don't want to yank answers out of his head if I don't have to."

(From Mendova) As Mendova circles the square, you see him tossing something up in the air and catching it, over and over again. From here, you can't tell what it is.

Bricar says, "Guns. Mastiffs. I'm no soldier."

Arc asks, "How many were there, approximately?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "he's edgy and nervy, and it shouldn't take much to exaggerate this into a manic, talkative state"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Excellent."

Bricar says (to Arc), "Sixty, seventy. Hard to count. They always had guards posted, and patrols, so you couldn't tell."

Arc says, "That many, huh. Must have been terrifying"

(From Mendova) Mendova stops circling and stops tossing whatever he's tossing. He's standing about 10-15 feet or so behind Bricar, with one hand outstretched at about eye level.

Arc says, "I mean, I'd do anything to get them away"

(From Mendova) Mendova seems to be holding something in his outstretched hand, but you can't tell what.

Arc asks, "So, what did you do, Bricar?"

Bricar says, "And you must really leave. At once. Oh god what if you're spies? You've got to be spies, they're coming back."

Bricar says, "There could be no question of resistance, none at all, they were crazy to suggest it and look what happened."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Hmm, what if I were to use impersonation and pretend to be spies?"

[pointyhats] Bricar says, "you notice a good number of peasants giving Mendova odd looks"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm not very good at it, but he's close to believing it anyways"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "and maybe he's too scared to do anything about it aggressively"

[pointyhats] Bricar asks, "you want to try that?"

Mendova does not seem to be moving. At all.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm not sure what information we'd extract from him if we can, though"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Should I try that, guys?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'm busy, and can't answer you. But whatever you're going to do, doing it very soon would be wise."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I dunno. I suppose. If it's what you want to try, I can try to support you with Bluff."

Bricar says, "So yes anyway we have nothing left, nothing, and if you would leave now things would be so much better. Please."

Arc whispers (to Bricar), "In fact, we are. But I wouldn't tell anyone about it, if I were you. If you don't want to have a bullet through your heart."

Bricar says, "Glurk."

Payne leers at Bricar

Daran stands nearby, watching and projecting an attitude.

Bricar lowers his voice to a frantic hiss

Arc whispers (to Bricar), "Do you still remember the terms of our deal? Do you? Tell me what it was again."

Bricar says, "You're not coming back? I did everything I could but you can't - gah - you -"

Mendova seems to be swaying side to side, but it's almost imperceptible.

Bricar says, "It wasn't a deal. It wasn't. You bastards, I did everything I could to stop anyone getting hurt and I didn't do it for your sake."

Bricar says, "You're not coming back right? Boladi will be ready this time I swear. You're not getting anything back."

Bricar raises his voice to a yell

Bricar exclaims, "SPIES!"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "oh crap"

Mendova screams, "SPIES!"

Mendova falls to the ground.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "..."

Mendova starts twitching violently.

Bricar turns one way, then the other, then scuttles in the direction of the town hall. All the other villagers have dropped everything, and are running off too.

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Huh, 'getting anything back'?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "So I suppose we won't be spending the night."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Yeah."

Mendova stops twitching and stands up. He brushes himself off, then joins the others.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "In fact, I think we should be getting the hell out of here"

Payne asks, "So... they're all just running away? No one's attacking us?"

Mendova says, "When subtlety fails, blunt obviousness is usually the best course of action."

GM says, "Within a few moments the square's deserted. You think you see a vague movement scuttling across a roofline, and clattering and clumping within houses"

Arc says, "I think they are, well, running for their weapons"

Arc says, "Maybe if we leave Brack behind, that'll slow them down enough for us to get away"

GM says, "indeed, a small but resolute-looking mob is forming at one corner of the square"

Payne shouts, "Oh deary me, I seem to have been found out! And me completely unarmed and helpless!"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks (of GM), "What time of day is it now?"

GM says, "an arrow whines past you, clattering against the cobbles"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Mendova), "around dusk"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "night"

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

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "How light is it out?"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "I mean, are we still on the light side of it, or is it darker?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "This is all your fault for encouraging me"

[pointyhats] GM says, "the light's getting worse; the sky's overcast, and there's maybe half an hour left until night"

Daran shakes his head sadly.

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Okay, well, I'm going to try to hold off the mob so the others can get away."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Or at least some of them."

GM says, "mobs are beginning to form up at the other corners, too"

Daran says, "This does not seem to be working out very well."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'm hoping there's enough light for me to at least... uh oh."

[Crows-Nest] K-Y says, "I'm not in the room, but I just get a vibe of things getting steadily worse somehow"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "You know, less talking more running would be good"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Maybe some magical defenses would be useful."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "If you'd like."

[pointyhats] Mendova says (to Daran), "I'm thinking, YES."

Daran rips another sheet of paper into shreds.

[pointyhats] GM asks, "which?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Stone fortress, to give the party toughened skin, to resist arrows."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "At level four, for four minutes."

[pointyhats] GM says, "okay. this will turn a poorly-aimed arrow, but it's unlikely to save you from a crossbow bolt or musket-ball"

Daran says, "Let's go now. Before this wears off."

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Wait, do we want to check for that 'anything' Birac mentioned?"

[pointyhats] Daran says (to Arc), "We are being shot at."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "It is a bit late to go searching or interrogating."

GM says, "okay. there are some side-streets still devoid of mobs"

Arc starts running.

Daran looks for a way out.

GM says, "you make a break for one of these"

Mendova starts running, too, holding the sack at his side with one hand as he does. It looks like he's still holding something in his other hand.

Payne follows, reluctantly.

GM says, "you duck down the narrow street, just as the first musket goes off"

Arc runs runs runs.

GM says, "this takes you through an empty pigsty, over a low wall and out into the fields, which look rather exposed"

Payne waits by the entrance to the side street

Arc says, "Ah crap."

GM says (to Payne), "the mob close in on you"

Arc asks (of Payne), "Are you suicidal?"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks (of GM), "How far ahead of Payne are we?"

GM says, "they look a little hesitant to pounce, though, as if they're expecting you to pull a surprise on them"

Daran circles the village, looking for a better direction for flight.

[pointyhats] GM says, "you can be over the wall and a little way into the fields by now"

Payne puts on his best imperious manner. 'You shall not pass!'

GM says (to Daran), "another mob's circling around from the west, which makes your best line of escape back in the direction of the inn"

GM says (to Payne), "for a moment, the crowd pauses, and a couple of them make the sign to ward off bad luck and curses"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "Does that sign work at all?"

[pointyhats] Daran says (to GM), "I'm trying to circle the village around the outside."

GM says, "then, from the rooftop, something furry and clawed hurls itself down at you"

[pointyhats] GM says, "nope"

[pointyhats] Daran says (to GM), "Assuming the mobs are generally inside."

Payne asks, "Furry and clawed? OK. Is it hurting me?"

Arc takes aim at the furry clawed thing.

GM says, "you try to duck out of the way, but it attaches itself firmly to your face and scrabbles furiously, drawing blood and blinding you for a moment"

Payne exclaims, "I blame Bricar!"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "Can I shoot it without killing Payne?"

GM says (to Arc), "it'd be some trick shot to shoot it right off his face"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Can I shoot it without killing Payne?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you wouldn't bet on it"

[pointyhats] GM says, "people with furry clawed things in their faces don't usually hold still"

Payne says, "Also, I try to fight it off."

[pointyhats] Mendova exclaims (at GM), "Don't I know it!"

Arc tries to figure out what the hell that is

Mendova looks around the field for something, anything, that might help them.

GM says (to Payne), "you manage to hurl it away, but the crowd is surging forwards"

GM says (to Mendova), "potatoes, dirt, mud, stones"

Arc shoots it.

Payne says, "OK. Time for me to run."

Mendova asks (of GM), "No farming implements of any kind?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I suppose I should have taken that 'running from angry mobs' skill that Maga suggested."

GM says (to Arc), "you get off a shot, but you don't think you hit - it moved fast, like a cat or a weasel"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "haha"

Arc turns tail and starts running.

[pointyhats] maga says, "I should point out that I didn't plan this, but you made it so easy"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Hee hee."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "If I'm lucky, maybe the crowd will capture me without killing me immediately."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Yeah, I guess I'm wrong about Bricar's allegiance"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "While our course of action may not have worked out well, I'll admit to having had trouble thinking of anything else to do to that might have yielded any leads to follow."

Miseri has arrived.

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Yeah"

[pointyhats] GM says, "oops, window confusions"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I'm thinking that the weasel attack counts as 'minor injury', worth 3-5 points."

Mendova waves frantically to the horsemen.

GM says (to Payne), "you make a good head start on them; the crowd's slowed by being forced into the narrow alley"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Horsemen?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says (to Arc), "See the Lounge."

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

Payne says, "OK, good."

[pointyhats] GM | maga says (to Mendova), "it's then that you notice, just at the edge of the fields, a line of horsemen moving towards town, bearing the Ricker standard"

Arc has arrived.

Mendova waves frantically to the horsemen. Again.

[pointyhats] GM says, "sorry 'bout that; juggling a bunch of windows here"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Er, Mendova, don't do that"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "These guys are here to kill us"

GM says (to Mendova), "they turn in your direction, and keep coming, albeit slowly"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Though hmm, they did get here rather fast"

GM says, "the western mob has also spotted them, and is doing its best to retreat back into the village"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Unless they're responding to the plea for help from two weeks ago."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "heh"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Wait, what the hell?"

Payne asks, "Is the western mob the one chasing me?"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Why's the mob running away from the horsemen?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I don't know. The way I see it, I'm still skirting the shadows outside the village, trying to stay out of sight of the mobs or the horsemen."

GM says (to Payne), "no, it's the one circling round the outside of the village to cut off escape. or it was"

Arc tries to keep away from both the horsemen and the villagers.

Payne says, "Good enough."

GM says (to Arc), "okay, that probably means heading north towards the inn and the marsh"

GM says (to Payne), "the mob behind you likewise seems to have evaporated"

Mendova waves to the horsemen again. "HAIL," he shouts.

Arc heads in that direction.

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Is anyone still chasing me?"

GM says, "There are four horsemen, and they're approaching faster now. One raises his hand at Mendova"

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

[pointyhats] GM asks (of Payne), "are you sneaking off with Arc and Daran, or meeting the horsemen with Mendova?"

Arc tries to move to a position where he has a good view of the horsemen.

Jacqueline waves and makes an isquiesque departure for home.

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I'm heading to the horsemen."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "But where he can't be obviously seen"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Also, I'm taking the Musket 9."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Sort of off to the horsemen's side."

GM says, "The lead horseman pulls up in front of Mendova. "We heard shots. Have the freeband returned?""

[pointyhats] Payne says, "1"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Ok, these guys are pretty dumb"

GM says, "He's looking around nervously; the horses are agitated and dancing about"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Maybe we can steal their horses"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "What's the light situation like now?"

[pointyhats] Payne asks, "How badly was I hurt? Shall I assume a 4-point offense (middle of range for 'minor injury'?"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks (of Arc), "who says the spirit of D&D is dead?"

[Crows-Nest] Daran asks, "So your theory is that Lady Ricker hired us to steal her horses?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "hehe"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Mendova), "night's pretty much fallen"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Well, I mean, these horses are clearly more of use with us than with these buffoons"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "for the greater good, or whatever"

Mendova exclaims (at Horsemen), "Quick, in the town square! Something's going on!"

[pointyhats] GM says (to Payne), "that works. you've got some nasty scratches, but nothing that'll scar"

[Crows-Nest] Daran says, "I am not entirely clear on why you are judging them to be less intelligent than the group who accidentally caused the mobs in the first place."

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "If we offer to ride to send a message to Bricola, we might be able to get a horse out of it"

GM says (to Mendova), """How many? We may need to go for the main troop""

Mendova exclaims (at Horsemen), "A mob!"

[Crows-Nest] Arc says, "Also, if we don't steal their horses, they may be able to chase us down"

GM says, "The lead horseman looks confused. "The whole band, then?""

Mendova says (to Horsemen), "I don't know... I didn't get a clear look. I just ran as fast as I could."

Mendova says, "I heard Bricar shout spies, so I shouted spies to try to warn the others, and... then this."

GM says, "Oh, spies, hmm? For a moment I thought... very well. Thank you. We'll see they get justice."

GM says, "and with that, they ride past you and into the village"

Arc resumes running away.

Payne follows

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Where's Payne at this point?"

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Is he still in the village?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "with you"

Mendova asks (of Payne), "What shall we do?"

GM asks, "with no mobs in evidence and the horsemen in the village, your movements are unimpeded; where are you headed?"

[Crows-Nest] Arc asks, "I assume we join back together again?"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Do we know of any other places in this region?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yeah; you hadn't got too far apart"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "How far to the hills?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "Copen backs onto them"

[pointyhats] GM says, "it's a pretty big range, though"

[pointyhats] GM says, "you and the freeband could wander around them for years without running into each other"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Run for the hills may be cliched, but it might make them break off pursuit if they start trying to track us down"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "If we're lucky, we might run into the freeband out there."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Let's do it while the doing's good."

[pointyhats] Arc exclaims, "Yes, let's abandon plans and rely on luck! We tried to do a plan once, and look where it's left us!"

[pointyhats] Daran asks (of Arc), "What plan are we abandoning here exactly?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I seem to have missed the spot where we actually have a plan to abandon."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Let's stop arguing about not having a plan, and just execute the one we don't have."

[pointyhats] GM asks, "so the non-plan is just to run into the hills and hope you run into a bandit?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "hehe"

[pointyhats] Daran says (to GM), "Heck, it worked in the first session."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Well, any better ideas?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I thought the non-plan was mroe to head out to the hills where no one's trying to kill us and make camp for the night."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "NO, let's just go."

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "OK, so is there any other village, town, or city in the area that we actually know about?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Copen is the only village I've heard of."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "it's kind of an isolated area; there's other villages on the other side of the swamp"

[pointyhats] GM says, "if you cross the hills you'll eventually get into northern Dunar, which is fairly well-populated"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Where is the Lieutenant headquartered?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I get the impression that the only reason Copen exists is that the people on this side of the swamp want a marketplace where they can trade with one another without crossing the swamp."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "skirting around the swamp to the north-west, two or three days' journey away"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Here's my plan:"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "1. Spend the night camped out in the hills. If we get mauled by wild animals, so much the better."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "2. Brood on my injuries."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "So it sounds like the only places we have to pick from are Dunar, the Lieutenant's territory, and the wilderness."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "3. Sneak back into town and have a talk with Bricar, backed up with magically-enforcable threats."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Threatening the victims doesn't seem like a very nice thing to do."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "or you could head back through the swamp and make investigations in places where you're not universally loathed"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Are you sure the Leutenant's entire army won't be there waiting for us?"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Victims? He has some kind of arrangement with the bandits. You heard what he was saying."

[pointyhats] Payne says, "I don't know what's happened here, but the whole thing stinks."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm more interested 'you won't get anything back'"

[pointyhats] Payne says, "Also, I'm not a nice person. I put curses on people, in case you haven't heard."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "*in"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I'm with Payne."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Alright, whatever."

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I mean, I want to find out what this thing is"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "But how are we going to sneak back in?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I dunno. Let's go try to get attacked in the woods first and figure that out in the morning."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Good plan."

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "So, hills?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Sure."

GM says, "You make off into the wooded hills a little way, and (with appropriate woodcraft skills) find a place to camp that hopefully won't be found to easily"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "Yes, nothing can go wrong with this plan"

GM says, "s/to/too"

[pointyhats] Arc asks, "Are there any tracks or signs of human activity in this area?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "how are people doing for time? this seems like a reasonable breaking-point"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm ok"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Actually, it occurs to me that someone might be expecting me around 7:30."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "So I could do a little more, but not a lot more."

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "I think this would be a good place to stop, yeah."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Arc), "none obvious, but it's hard to tell at night"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "I'm ok to stop then"

[pointyhats] GM asks, "all right. same time next week?"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "So that we don't mess up even more"

[pointyhats] Arc says, "yeah"

[pointyhats] Matthew says, "Next weekend doesn't work for me."

[pointyhats] Matthew says, "Well, er, next Sunday doesn't."

[pointyhats] Daran says, "I might be busy Saturday."

[pointyhats] GM asks, "hmm. fortnight's time, then?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "Sounds fair. Unless we wanted to run either Sat or Sun with one person short."

[pointyhats] Mendova asks, "Maybe we can see what happens with Jota and Saturday?"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Heard anything from DW?"

[pointyhats] Mendova says, "Saturday's good for me if it ends up working for him."

[pointyhats] Daran says (to Mendova), "I probably won't know until Saturday."

[pointyhats] GM asks, "is lpsmith's thing next week, or yesterday?"

[pointyhats] Daran says, "But I'm willing to gamble on it if you want."

[pointyhats] Daran says (to GM), "Yesterday."

[pointyhats] GM says (to Daran), "let's assume a fortnight, then"

[pointyhats] GM says, "thanks for playing, all"

[pointyhats] Daran asks, "Shall I kill off Perry?"

[pointyhats] GM says, "sure"