[ussura] GM says, "Well, hey, since the two of you are here, and we know the others are probably going to be late, let's go ahead and start with you two."
[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "alrighty!"
[ussura] Era says, "yay! this'll be fun. :-)"
[ussura] Vasili says, "I'd like to up Footwork (4), Knife Attack (3) and Parry (2). I'm fairly certain I have more than enough XP for all that."
[ussura] GM says (to V), "OK, sure."
[ussura] Era says, "those pictures really add depth to the setting. way to go GM."
GM says, "So, the next morning after the ballet, preparations for the negotiations begin in earnest."
Sebastien lays out his outfit for the nth time.
Alixandre says, "The bathing alone takes hours."
GM says, "A suitable place is found, and all the parties are assembled. One of the first things to be negotiated is that no Porte sorcerors are allowed into the building--no blooded items, even."
Sebastien says, "or maybe I should go with the blue"
Gaspard says (to Montegue), "It's alright, sir. I'll wait for you with the group outside the city."
[ussura] Vasili says, "for a moment I thought Gaspard meant he was going to hang out with us."
Sebastien says, "never fear, we'll take care of him"
[ussura] Alixandre says, "heh"
Montegue and Gaspard exchange a knowing look. "You know what to do if anything happens," Montegue tells him.
Sebastien says, "at least, assuming what he needs is a handkerchief"
Alixandre says, "We also have sympathetic ears available as needed."
Gaspard exclaims (at Sebastien), "You are too kind, sir. Most of my handkerchiefs have been soiled long ago!"
Sebastien says, "the costs of these long campaigns are high for us all"
Alixandre says (to Gaspard), "Alas, that is nearly unavoidable here."
Sebastien glances around as the people arrive, keeping an eye out for those he recognizes.
[ussura] Pyotr says, "hi! we're not fully here yet, but we're working on it"
GM exclaims (at Alixandre&Sebastien), "As the two of you enter, you are announced by the porter. "Alixandre Leuridan and Sebastien Delecambre, diplomats of Montaigne!"
Gunther arrives, looking for booty.
Pyotr arrives, looking for booty.
Sebastien regards the porter approvingly through his monocle.
Alixandre watches for others' reactions to their entry.
GM says (to Alixandre), "As you cross the threshold, you get an uneasy sensation for a moment, though it's probably just nerves."
GM says (to Alix), "A reasonable one. The Kniases who are there sort of nod, but some of the soldiers are obviously impressed with your finery."
[ussura] Alixandre says, "the transition from rustic to sophisticated can unsettle the unprepared stomach"
GM says, "In fact, the two of you are probably the most fashionably dressed ones here, what with a) you being Montaignian, and b) the other Montaignians there having been fighting for months."
K-Y arrives, looking for booty.
Sebastien asks, "what about Jean Lande? did he weasel his way in?"
GM says, "The various parties are announced and file in to take their places around a large table in the center of a long oval room. Montegue and two of his aides are seated at one end of the table, and the Gaius Ilya sits at the other, with the Kniases Staver and Alexsi to his sides."
GM exclaims (at Sebastien), "No Lande!"
Alixandre says, "Oho."
Sebastien asks, "is Tamara here?"
GM says, "Borin is also here, looking blustery. Knowing, as you do, that he's not the real Borin, you see the bluster is a veneer that covers utter terror."
GM says, "Conspicuously absent are Tamara and Koshchei, the remaining two members of the Douma. Although there's only one empty seat."
[ussura] Alixandre says, "Pyotr can have that affect on people"
[ussura] GM says, "Heh."
Sebastien says, "well, surely they won't make a lady stand"
Alixandre works through the math, hopes they will not be playing chaise d'musique.
[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"
GM says, "Surrounding the room are guards, some Ussuran and some Montaignian. They all wear their finery, and stand firmly at attention at their stations, as if daring each other to be the first to shuffle his feet."
[ussura] GM says (to Alix), "Hee"
[ussura] Era says, "hehehe"
[ussura] Ilya_ says, "Whoops, there's already an 'Ilya'."
Ilya_ says, "Welcome, everyone! It gives me great pleasure to meet with you all here today. Montegue, you have been a fine opponent. But today we meet to see how best you might leave us."
Ilya_ grins.
[ussura] Pyotr says, "(I am here now, duchess is still busy for a bit)"
Sebastien . o O ( surely with this many guards nothing will go wrong at the negotiations )
[ussura] Alixandre says, "hee hee"
Montegue stands and bows. "The resolve of the Ussuran people has impressed me. And were it not for these two gentlemen, we would still be at odds. [he gestures to the two of you] But they have revealed to me that I must take my army and return to Montaigne.
[ussura] GM says (to Seb), "Heh."
Ilya_ exclaims, "Well, then! To Sebastien and Alixandre!"
Alixandre nods in a way that connotes acceptance of a fact without overweening pride but a soupcon of satisfaction at a job well done.
Sebastien polishes his monocle modestly.
[ussura] Alixandre says, "and *that* is what diplomatic training is for."
[ussura] GM says, "Hee"
Ilya_ asks (of you_two), "Do you have anything to say before we begin?"
Alixandre says, "Not at all."
[ussura] GM says, "Heh."
Sebastien says, "merely that I commend the willingness of all to come to the negotiating table, and my best wishes are that things will be accomplished smoothly and swiftly"
Ilya_ exclaims, "Well, then. To business!"
[Crows-Nest] Vasili raises his glass. "To business!"
[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "yay"
GM says, "And with that, negotiations begin. The two of you are called upon a time or two to for your expertise in certain matters, but in the main, it's Ilya and Montegue. Ilya is clearly at ease and supremely confident, and Montegue is outranked, but he maintains his end of things with a calm resolve and never gives up much ground."
GM says, "The first real argument concerns Porte."
[ussura] Vasili says, "uh-oh"
Ilya_ exclaims, "No! You *must* agree to not use Porte while inside the borders of Ussura! It is expressly forbidden by Matushka!"
Montegue exclaims, "Then how would you have me feed my men, Gaius? We *rely* on Porte for supplies!"
[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "I now have 'to life, to life, l'chaim' running through my head"
GM says, "[more arguments]"
Sebastien says, "if you will excuse the interference, surely it is in the power of the Gaius to arrange for food shipments to be delivered to the army as it retreats"
Sebastien says, "this still leaves the question of messengers open, but perhaps enough fast horses may be found among the army to suffice"
Ilya_ says, "Hmm, that might work..."
Alexsi leaps out of his chair, his eyes blazing. "What? Feed our enemy from the backs of my people? You must be joking!"
[ussura] Sebastien says, "awright"
[ussura] GM says, "(Alexsi, you will remember, is the Knias of Rurik, the province you are in now, and has been leading the war effort against Montegue. It's clear he doesn't like Ilya.)"
Sebastien glances at Alixandre.
Alixandre spreads his hands. "The Montaigne army can feed itself, but only through Porte. Would Matushka truly want that?"
[ussura] Sebastien says, "you guys have related names so I figure he will understand you"
[ussura] Alixandre says, "yay"
Ilya_ stands as well. "Sit down! Indeed! Matushka has forbidden Porte!"
[Crows-Nest] Gunther says (to Sebastien), "believe it or not, the book I am reading right now features a joke about that"
[Crows-Nest] Sebastien asks, "?!?"
Alexsi asks, "And where is Matushka here? Shall we offend her oh-so-precious sensibilities by making her people slaves to our enemy?"
[Crows-Nest] Gunther says (to Sebastien), "a guy's called such-and-such, and someone asks "with how many s's do you write that""
[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "That guy's begging to get eaten by an egg."
[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "yay"
[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "because the only homonym with fewer s's, in Russian, means "spy""
[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "wow, excellent"
[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "(or traitor)"
Sebastien says, "armies that are unfed will take their food from the people they pass -- surely no one would want that"
Sebastien says, "though I admit it seems unfair to me for Rurik to bear the entire burden of providing food"
Alixandre says, "In addition, I believe it would not be slavery to your enemy, but a gift -- a limited one, in fact -- to Matushka."
Alexsi shouts, "Let them try! We will burn the fields before allowing Ussuran food to be eaten by Montaignian swine!"
[Crows-Nest] (from Gunther) Rain falls suddenly
Ilya_ roars, "Silence! Montegue! Will you agree to your countrymen's plan, and rely on our food in exchange for refraining from using Porte?"
Sebastien looks around to try to get an idea of which Knias support Alexsi.
Montegue eyes you, and Ilya and Alexsi. You can almost see the calculations churning behind his eyes. Slowly, he says, "Yes, I believe that will be acceptable."
GM says (to Sebastien), "Borin is pretty much staying out of things, and Staver seems to be deliberately refraining from taking sides."
Alexsi exclaims, "Why am I even here! Between the two of you, you would destroy my people!"
Alixandre says, "Better an arrangement that makes no one completely happy than a protracted war that harms everyone."
Alexsi says (to Alixandre), "And what do you know of war, *diplomat* [he makes it sound like a curse] Your boots aren't even dirty."
Alexsi exclaims, "Fine! Make your negotiations without me!"
Alixandre exclaims, "A good horsehair brush can remove even the most stubborn mud!"
Alexsi storms away from the table. As he passes Alixandre, Alix catches a flash in Alexsi's eyes that almost looks like--triumph?
Ilya_ laughs. "Leave, then! Fortunately, I am Gaius, and the people will obey *me*!"
[ussura] GM says, "And! <scene change>"
GM tosses a drama die to Alix and Sebastien.
[ussura] GM asks, "Is Raelynn ready yet?"
[ussura] Alixandre says, "ooo"
[ussura] Pyotr says, "Alim is getting ready for bed"
[ussura] Pyotr says, "it'll be another 10-15 minutes"
[ussura] Alixandre says, "stupid kids"
[ussura] Pyotr says, "or, I can log her in and relay her typing"
[ussura] GM says, "Alrighty. Nah, let's go for the other group, then."
[ussura] GM exclaims, "Charles, Pyotr, Vasili!"
Pyotr looks at his axe sadly. "I can't believe the size of this knick!"
Pyotr asks (of Vasili), "Do you know any blacksmiths in this town?"
[ussura] GM says, "Oh, right--I'm going to declare that enough time has passed for the two of you that you are both now 'familiar' with Pavtlow."
Vasili says, "Not really, but the west market might be a good place to look."
[ussura] GM says, "As far as your Streetwise knacks go."
[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay"
Pyotr asks, "Right! Want to come with me?"
Vasili says, "Sure thing."
Pyotr heads out, looking for anyone else who wants to go.
Pyotr asks, "Hmm, Alix and Sebastien had that meeting thing, where are the girls?"
Blacksmith says, "Sure, I can fix that for you! Slow day today, too. Give me an hour."
Vasili asks, "Didn't they have that other meeting thing?"
Pyotr asks (of Blacksmith), "All right. Oh, and I need a dagger. Do you have any?"
Pyotr says (to vasili), "Oh, right."
[ussura] Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "when we have our first IC break, I wanted to chat. If you want, we can do that on #backstage"
[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, that'd be fine. We'll say the group breaks up a bit to stretch."
[ussura] Pyotr says, "I am glad we just sort of gloss over money in this game"
Blacksmith asks, "Sure! Long, short, straight, curved, what's your pleasure?"
[ussura] Blacksmith says, "Heh, yeah."
[ussura] Pyotr says, "since I can't think a backwoods barbarian has much"
Pyotr says, "Oh, a bit longish...that one will do."
Pyotr says, "I'll be back for the axe in an hour, now."
Pyotr straps the new dagger onto his belt.
Blacksmith exclaims, "See you then!"
[backstage] Sebastien says, "yeah"
Uptime: 83d01; pollster: inky; Users: 1; Online: 61
End of List.
Pyotr says, "I was watching Charles do some knife fighting, maybe he can teach me a few moves sometime."
[backstage] Sebastien sips some wine during a break in the negotiations
Vasili surveys the nearby shops and the booths up where the alley opens up.
[backstage] Alixandre draws Sebastien aside at the first break. "Did you notice Alexsi's demeanor when he made his exit? The entire event felt like a staged drama with a foregone conclusion."
Vasili says, "Moves? You just swing and stab."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "I didn't have the change to observe him as closely as you did, but it did seem a trifle overdramatic"
Pyotr says, "I'm okay on the swinging, I bet, but you can't really stab with an axe, so."
[backstage] Sebastien asks, "but what purpose do you think it served? mere political posturing?"
Pyotr says, "Anyway, a little practice, and I bet I'm fine."
[ussura] GM says, "(I'm assuming Charles is awake here?)"
Vasili pulls out a knife. "Now there's an idea."
[backstage] Alixandre says, "It felt as if he was establishing cause for something he had already decided to do. Continue the war, perhaps, or vie for Gaius."
Pyotr exclaims, "Okay!"
GM says, "So the three of you wander around the shops, practice knife fighting, and stop in at a tavern or two."
[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "it's a pity we won't invent the term 'casus belli' for another 150 years or so."
[ussura] Pyotr says, "let me know when I've spent 10 XP"
GM asks, "As you leave one tavern and head back to the blacksmith, Vasili notices that a young man gets up and leaves just behind you all. This wouldn't be too weird in and of itself but... didn't you see him in the *last* tavern you were in, too?"
[backstage] Sebastien says, "hrm"
[ussura] GM says, "Sure, that's fine; we can say you were practicing on the road to and from Montegue, too."
[ussura] Pyotr says, "yay"
Vasili says, "Hmm. Think we're being followed."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "I know there are stories that the current Gaius disappeared, perhaps abducted, and was only freed relatively recently to take the throne"
Pyotr asks, "Lose him, or catch him?"
[ussura] Vasili says, "Wits+Shadowing to figure out if he's really shadowing and fairly good or bad at it."
[backstage] Alixandre says, "Interesting how many people in this country vanish, only to re-appear later."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "perhaps Alexsi was one of those who had attempted to keep him captive, and this is a new try for power"
[7thsea] Vasili rolls 7k4: 2 8 8 7 8 7 2 | 31
[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "hee hee"
GM says, "The young man is slightly Montaignian in appearance, with a mop of brown hair, and looks kind of scrawny."
[ussura] GM says (to He), "is actually following you, and isn't very good at it."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "hrm"
Pyotr says (to Vasili), "I'll slip away and hide, you keep going, I'll appraoch from behind."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "I wonder if there is any risk of the negotiations themselves being attacked"
Pyotr ducks behind some barrels while the hunter isn't looking.
[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "having just read 'Kushiel's Dart', which is 7th-sea-alternate-europe plus S&M, I am having trouble keeping my fake country names in line"
Vasili asks, "You can hide?"
Vasili says, "Guess that'll work."
[backstage] Sebastien says, "it seems unlikely within the capitol city itself, but if so, it would be convenient for him to be absent"
[ussura] Pyotr says, "wits+stealth, adding a drama"
New default channel: games/roleplaying/backstage
[backstage] GM says, "The timing of that is that it was Alexsi's father who was in power at the time, and when Ilya was freed by Tamara, he had him (Nicolai) killed."
[backstage] Alixandre says, "It would indeed."
[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 5k3: 10+3 3 8 3 9 | 30
New default channel: games/roleplaying/ussura
(Current channel set to #games/roleplaying/ussura)
[backstage] Sebastien asks, "Alexsi's father was the previous Gaius? or was the previous Knias in Alexsi's realm?"
Vasili strolls on to a toy tinker
GM says (to Pyotr), "You see him look around confusedly for a bit, then shrug and follow Vasili."
New default channel: games/roleplaying/backstage
[backstage] GM says, "No, Alexsi's father was the previous Knias of Rurik."
[backstage] GM says, "The latter, right."
[backstage] Alixandre says, "I can also imagine situations that would make the negotiations useless, such as an atrocity from one side or the other -- whether true or faked."
[backstage] GM says, "(and Charles, we hope)"
[backstage] GM says, "whoops, ilac"
New default channel: games/roleplaying/ussura
(Current channel set to #games/roleplaying/ussura)
[ussura] GM says, "(and Charles, we hope)"
[ussura] Vasili says, "he seems idle, so I guess he's just tagging along, yeah."
[ussura] GM says, "Sometimes he has net problems, too."
Uptime: 83d01; pollster: inky; Users: 1; Online: 60
End of List.
[ussura] Vasili says, "yeah"
Uptime: 83d01; pollster: inky; Users: 1; Online: 60
End of List.
Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.
[ussura] GM exclaims, "Yay raelynn!"
[backstage] Sebastien says, "hmm, yes -- and if he could be first on the scene to something like that he had arranged, he could likely cause a riot before word of it reached the negitators"
[ussura] Raelynn says, "a few moreminutes, but yay"