[ussura] Pyotr says, "question"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "how many drama dice did we start with?"

[ussura] inky says, "I believe you start with 2x lowest stat, or highest stat"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "then I have more than I thought I did"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "the highest of those or the lowest?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm 3/3/3/2/3. very boring"

[ussura] inky says, "highest"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "awesome. thanks"

[ussura] Pyotr *cha-ching* doubled drama dice pool

[ussura] Pyotr says, "raelynn will be late"

[ussura] GM says, "OK."

[ussura] Vasili says, "On the morning drive to work, schep always sees the backside of some construction signs, stenciled 'RAE-LYN' and a phone number."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ha ha"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "Might some kind soul give me a brief recap of the previous session?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "yay"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, recap."

[ussura] Vasili says, "they beat up a robot"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I saw the modron reference"

[ussura] GM says, "You all studied the bug some, and Charles got a lead on a village near a mountain where there are stories about 'em."

[ussura] GM says, "Then you headed towards Pavtlow through Veche, met up with a group of Fhideli going your way."

[ussura] GM says, "Then when you got to a village, it was being terrorized by a mechanical man, who you fought off."

[ussura] GM says, "You then tracked where it came from to a frozen river, but lost its tracks on the ice, and had decided to come back."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I was very gusy."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "busy, even."

[ussura] GM says, "Heh."

[ussura] GM asks, "Any other questions? XP?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "XP would be useful"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I think I would also like to start learning Fhideli."

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, right, so did Raelynn."

[ussura] Era says, "Era is happy to help everyone learn conversational Fhideli."

[ussura] GM says, "Lemme look up the cost for that."

[ussura] GM says, "Looks like it's 4 points regardless of nationality."

[ussura] GM says, "Er, 4HP."

[ussura] GM says, "-> 12 XP."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "whew, pricey!"

[ussura] GM says, "However, as you spend XP towards it, you get better at it, until by 12 you can speak it fluently."

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, and Linguist makes it 1HP/3XP cheaper."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "'my oxencart is full of eels'"

[ussura] GM says, "(The way languages work in 7th sea doesn't quite work, but hey)"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "is it fine to learn it somewhat, then just stop spending XP and leave it there?"

[ussura] GM says, "Also, Era speaks Fhideli fluently, so you can learn it better later from her if you wish."

[ussura] GM says (to Vasili), "Yeah, that's fine."

[ussura] GM says, "Spend it in 3XP chunks, and we'll go from there."

[ussura] GM asks, "Anything else?"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, Perry."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "Let the melee begin!"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "There we go!"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Roll initiative!"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, wait."

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 3 dice: 8 7 3

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee, sorry."

[ussura] Era says, "bad gm"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "it's okay, not a great roll"

Pyotr practices with his axe, sort of like shadowboxing but with sharper edges.

GM says, "As you start trudging back towards the village, it starts to get darker."

[ussura] GM says, "(back from the river)"

GM says, "And as you get closer, an evening fog rolls in and soon it's hard to see more than 10 feet in front of you."

Pyotr asks, "Anyone bring a torch?"

Pyotr asks, "Or a, whatdoyacallit, a lamp?"

Eolo says, "I thought you were supposed to be the woodsman"

Pyotr looks for a tree branch to make a torch from.

[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "whoops!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says (to Eolo), "You have dressed incorrectly for dinner"

Pyotr says, "Luckily, we can follow our own prints back to the village, since it isn't snowing yet."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "Vodacce cuts are so out of fashion this season, too"

npc1 has connected.

Sebastien asks, "even with this fog?"

npc2 has connected.

Pyotr exclaims (at Sebastien), "We just keep looking down as we go!"

Alixandre says, "I fear I am not so well prepared for the woods."

Pyotr says, "Except for Alix and Era, who should keep an eye out for wolves or bears or something."

GM rolls an uncertain (but small) number of dice.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "npcs connecting are like hte GM rolling dice behind his screen and chuckling"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "see??"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "Too true."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ha ha"

[7thsea] Era rolls 8k4: 5 2 7 1 3 9 5 1 | 26

Era is now sporting brown slitted eyes.

[ussura] Era says, "never mind about the slitted, just brown."

Alixandre says (to Era), "That is somewhat disturbing. I had no idea that was possible."

Era says (to Alixandre), "It is recently acquired."

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "oh noes you have lost your magic green eyes"

Alixandre says, "Hopefully I will not wake up one morning with one hand become a paw."

Vasili asks, "A set of ears wouldn't be more helpful in this fog?"

Alixandre says, "Though one notable Montaigne general had the habit of keeping one hand inside his clothes at all times, so perhaps even then I could adopt that practice."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Era says (to Vasili), "I considered having furry ears, but I think fog is more likely to obscure vision than sound."

GM says (to Pyotr), "As you lead the group back (your tracks are pretty clear), you and Era are looking at the mist in front of you when in the spot between two trees it seems to *twist* for a moment."

Pyotr exclaims, "Everybody stop!"

Pyotr asks, "Anyone else see that?"

Alixandre asks, "Eh?"

Vasili stops. "See what?"

Era says (to Pyotr), "I saw it - not sure what it was, though."

Pyotr says, "It looks...familiar."

Sebastien turns his head away from admiring a nearby tree branch.

Pyotr says, "Um."

Era exclaims, "Arm up!"

Sebastien asks, "you can see anything in the mist?"

Era says, "Just to be prepared."

Pyotr says, "Now, I forget. Anyway, Era's right, get out the sharp things."

Era points at her baby browns.

deep_voice says (to Pyotr), "Heh heh heh"

Pyotr says, "There's something over there between those trees."

Pyotr asks, "See?"

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Era), "at some point I'll want to talk to you about partial transformations."

Pyotr brandishes his axe over his head and races between the trees.

Pyotr also races towards the voice, if they're separate.

Alixandre notches an arrow, sad that he might have to dispense diplomacy in pointy-ended form.

Vasili follows, at a walking pace.

Era looks more closely at the *twist* spot.

GM says, "As the rest of you stand there with your weapons ready, Pyotr charges between the trees and though you can hear him crashing through the underbrush, he soon disappears into the fog."

Alixandre exclaims, "I say! Pytor!"

Sebastien says, "well, no doubt he's used to living on his own, eating nuts and berries and small birds raw, that kind of thing"

Pyotr exclaims, "Aaaaahhhhhhhh!"

Sebastien says, "oh dear"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "more a battle cry sound, fading towards the end"

Sebastien says, "perhaps the small birds have retaliated"

Vasili rushes forward as well.

Alixandre says, "I suppose we must charge after him, or at least saunter carefully."

Sebastien says, "perhaps as more of a group formation"

Sebastien says, "so that we shall all be lost together"

Alixandre exclaims, "Agreed!"

[7thsea] Era rolls 6k2: 8 1 3 4 9 6 | 17

[ussura] GM says, "(that was a vision roll for Era)"

GM says (to Era), "You think you can vaguely see a large outline of fog-on-fog moving through the trees right where Pyotr just charged through."

[ussura] Era says, "hmm, only a partial epiphany was forthcoming."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "one eye works *very well*"

GM says (to Pyotr), "You charge forward, but meet no resistance but for the trees."

[Crows-Nest] (from Sebastien) BONK

Pyotr stops, spins around, and looks for something to fight.

Era approaches more carefully, sword drawn and eyes sharp.

Alixandre follows along.

Alixandre exclaims, "If you have injured yourself on a branch, I have a handkerchief!"

Pyotr exclaims, "Over here!"

Pyotr says, "I don't see anything."

Pyotr says, "Drat."

distant_voice exclaims, "ee--ooooohh--errr!"

Sebastien exclaims, "those are valuable handkerchiefs! be careful what you use them on!"

Pyotr looks to see where the voice is coming from, this me.

Alixandre says, "Or, well, it is more of a flannel, but beggars cannot be choosers, unless they are better off than your average beggar."

Alixandre says (to Sebastien (sotto voce)), "No, no, not the *good* handkerchief."

GM says (to Pyotr), "This one is coming from where you came from originally."

GM says, "As in, back towards the village."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr asks, "wait, did he just call me a beggar?"

[ussura] GM says (to Alix), "Hee"

Era swipes her sword through some fog.

Pyotr says, "Sounds like it's moving towards the village."

Sebastien mops his forehead in relief with his third-best handkerchief

deep_voice says (to Era), "Heh heh heh"

Pyotr says, "This is the unluckiest village in this province, I swear."

[ussura] Era says, "hehehe"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "I was thinking of me, but if the bowl fits in your hands..."

Vasili says, "Just where we were heading anyway."

deep_voice's voice fades away.

Sebastien says, "how kind of it to lead us back"

distant_voice exclaims, "ooooohh--er!"

Pyotr follows, more slowly, and with the rest of the group.

Vasili says, "Huh."

Vasili swings a knife through some more fog, experimentally.

Alixandre says, "You know, this reminds me of the time I was trapped inside a Porte hole."

Alixandre says, "That was the day."

Pyotr says (to Alix), "I hope we're not in a Porte hole."

GM says (to Vasili), "Your blade glistens with moisture, but encounters no resistance."

Sebastien says, "the voice seems continually surprised"

Sebastien says, "perhaps it's worried we'll step on it"

Pyotr exclaims, "Hello! Come and talk like a man! Or like whatever hideous monster you might be!"

distant_voice asks, "ee--ooh-er? aah ooo?"

Vasili wipes both blades on his shirt and keeps them ready, moving with the group.

Sebastien says, "perhaps it has something in its mouth"

Sebastien says, "or doesn't have teeth"

distant_voice, as it comes closer becomes more distinct.

Alixandre asks, "Do you recall the season that marble-gargling was popular at the court?"

distant_voice asks, "Pyoohher?"

Era asks (of Alixandre), "I must have been traveling that season. What is marble-gargling?"

Pyotr exclaims, "Hello? I am Pyotr, come out and meet me!"

Rue emerges at last from the fog bank. "Pyotr! I found you!"

Alixandre exclaims (at Era), "You place these small spheres, normally used for childrens' games, in your mouth and -- aha, greetings!"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay, trying to remember. first campaign, we were in the woods, camping, something weird happened during the night on guard duty"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "And indeed!"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I forget what and specifically when and to whom, but this reminds me of it with the weird voices"

[ussura] GM says, "http://strackenz.spod-central.org/~lpsmith/rpg/transcripts/ussura/season1/ussura4.html"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I believe there was some sort of *twist* in the air, which was never explained."

[ussura] GM says, "3/4 of the way down, at 'heh heh heh'."

Pyotr asks (of Rue), "What are you doing out here?"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "oh, I'd forgotten"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "there we go"

Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.

[ussura] Alixandre says, "channel, but enh"

Rue exclaims, "Some men caught up with us, looking for you!"

Pyotr asks, "Who?"

Rue exclaims, "Big men! With axes and swords!"

Pyotr says, "Also, um, did they say why? Maybe I'll just stay out in these nice snowy demon-infested woods."

Alixandre says, "Never fear, Pyotr will make them rue -- rather, let me say, regret -- the day."

Pyotr says, "Right, you all have a good night."

Pyotr says, "I'll just sleep here."

Vasili says, "I hope they aren't otherwise making a nuisance of themselves."

Sebastien says, "perhaps we should go investigate"

Sebastien says, "no doubt it is some easily-cleared-up misunderstanding"

Alixandre says, "Sebastien and I could certainly negotiate with them for you if needed."

Vasili asks (of Pyotr), "If you think so. Need anything for covering your tracks? Where should we meet?"

Pyotr says, "Sure, okay, just don't admit you know me."

Pyotr says (to Vasili), "I'll head over and keep an eye on the road out of town. Just leave like usual tomorrow morning and I'll either join you or follow."

Rue asks (of Pyotr), "Are mom and dad going to be OK?"

Pyotr says, "If it's not safe, hang a red sheet out where I'll see it."

Pyotr says (to Rue), "They'll be fine, I'm sure."

Vasili asks (of Rue), "What did they do with your mom and dad?"

Pyotr asks, "I;m just going to camp out here, cause I don't like sleeping in beds much. You head back, okay?"

Rue says, "They were yelling at them when I slipped away. They wouldn't tell them where you were."

Pyotr says (to Rue), "Well, once you all get back, no one will know where I am"

Pyotr says, "So it'll be okay."

Rue says, "OK."

Vasili says, "Let's go."

Alixandre says (to Pyotr, Rue), "Could you give us more information on what is going on? I find that such background can only help negotiations."

Pyotr plans, after the group leaves, to head back closer to the village, head off to the east making lots of tracks, and then to slip around to the west later.

Era asks (of Pyotr), "Any idea why these heavily armed gents want you?"

Pyotr says (to Alix,Era), "Probably the reward money. It usually is."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "I think we came from the east and are heading west, right?"

[ussura] GM says, "Right."

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "maybe its to be an underwear model."

[Crows-Nest] GM falls over.

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "ha ha eeagh"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "only if it's fur-lined"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "if this man can wear it, so can you"

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "lessons in manliness."

Pyotr says, "Anyway, get going before they start burning. If you want, be real reluctant then mention I headed back to seek shelter in Breslau."

Era asks, "Shall we dissuade them?"

Pyotr says, "No need to get a reward set for yourself."

Sebastien says, "we should at least investigate"

Sebastien says, "and proceed onwards once we know what the situation is"

Pyotr says, "This happens pretty much all the time when you're a wanted criminal."

Era asks (of Rue), "Did they look like locals, or are they from a ways away?"

Rue says (to Era), "They're Ussuran. Hmm."

Rue thinks.

Rue says, "I think they might be from Somojez."

Era says (to Pyotr), "We can certainly try stealth if you like."

Pyotr says (to Era), "You guys go back, I'll catch up tomorrow."

Era asks (of Rue), "How many, and how heavily armed?"

Pyotr says, "After I lay down a false trail."

Era says, "Hmmm."

Pyotr says, "It's worked a few times before."

Alixandre says, "Perhaps let Sebastien and I talk to them and the others of you skulk about in shadows."

Pyotr says (to Era), "(whisper) No need to get the authorities mad at this village or the fhidelhi for harboring a fugitive."

Era says (to Pyotr), "I agreee, but don't go too far. If these are just more criminals out to catch another criminal, I'd rather have backup nearby."

Pyotr says (to Era), "Sure, no problem."

Rue says (to Era), "There are three main big guys with axes, leading a couple group of other guys with swords and clubs."

[ussura] Vasili asks, "oh, is this the same kid who had the automaton figured out before we arrived last time?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "urk, lag"

[ussura] GM says, "No, that's a different kid."

[ussura] GM says, "This is the Fhideli kid of Piorgi, the caravan leader."

Era waves goodbye to Pyotr, and starts trudging back to the village.

[ussura] Vasili says, "ah, okay"

Sebastien goes on with Era and the others back to the village

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay, Operation: Lay Fake Trail Then Sneak Back To West is a go"

Rue goes back with you, then slips away as you get closer so he can re-join the caravan on his own.

Rue exclaims (at group), "Good luck!"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "is this tracking, stealth, or what?"

[ussura] GM says, "Either would be fine."

Pyotr drags his feet through the snow and stumbles against several large trees.

[ussura] GM asks, "Do you want to do it as one roll?"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "wits+?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hat's up to you. I'm happy to RP it a bit, but it'll probably be boring for everyone else :)"

[ussura] GM says, "Let's say Panache ;-)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay"

[pointyhats] Fang asks, "Hmm, so is maga going to be back for sunday?"

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 5k3: 2 4 9 2 9 | 22

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "this is your 5-minute Eli warning"

Pyotr makes a trail back to the main road, then starts sneaking back around the village to the west.

[ussura] Pyotr says, "let's say one roll for each half, if you like that"

[pointyhats] inky says, "I assume he would have scheduled something if he was going to be around"

[pointyhats] inky says, "unless you guys have a regular playtime established"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "You'll be gone for 5-10 minutes or so?"

[ussura] GM says, "Sure."

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 5k3: 2 6 10+9 8 2 | 33

[ussura] GM exclaims (at Pyotr), "Woo!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "10, yeah"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay, glad the more important part got the esplosion"

[pointyhats] Fang says, "I remember him mentioning this sunday"

[ussura] Era says, "nice"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "#tangent I had a hard time explaining at work why the script to open up a jar/war file is called esplode-all.sh"

GM says, "So, the group of you make it to the village; Rue told you that the Fhideli are staying just outside to the east, and have your horses, etc."

[pointyhats] Fang | In the second session, the group is attacked under the mistaken belief that they are bandits. And then arranges to be attacked again under the mistaken belief that they are bandits.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee"

GM says, "It's still quite foggy, so shapes loom up at you and then turn out to be houses, etc."

[pointyhats] Fang says, "Oh, here we go"

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

Vasili says, "Lessee, I think I spotted the inn before we left."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Inn or go meet these people?"

[ussura] GM says, "Only asked here."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "inn"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "they can come find us"

[ussura] Vasili says, "oh, I figured at least some of them would be at the inn"

Raelynn says (to vasili), "let's get indoors"

[ussura] Era says, "inn-side"

Pyotr climbs a tree near the west road, but not too near, and prepares to sleep.

GM says, "As you enter the inn, a warm blast of air greets you, along with the sounds of folk music."

Innkeeper exclaims, "There they are!"

Sebastien exclaims, "just in time, as always!"

GM says, "And with that, everyone turns to look at you, and cheers."

Vasili bows.

Era curtsies.

Raelynn asks, "do we get freerooms?"

Era says (to Raelynn), "Not sure about the rooms, but I bet some folks would buy us drinks. And maybe dinner."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "aw, I was looking forward to being a hero of the town for a night. maybe finding a friendly barmaid or two"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee/aww."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "(my wife is calling me a pig now)"

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

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "aww"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "she should have exercised more veto over your character concept at the beginning"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr exclaims, "we weren't even dating then!"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "see, no planning skills"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "'marry me, marry my RPG characters too'"

Sebastien slaps backs and allows people to buy him drinks.

Raelynn talks to the innkeeper to get some rooms and food

GM says, "And indeed, drinks are pressed into your hands, and warm food is also prepared."

Wilem asks, "Hey, where's the guy with the axe?"

[ussura] GM says, "(Wilem being a random guy in the inn)"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "we chopped him up and fed him to the wolves"

Vasili joins a couple of talkative-looking blokes. "Ever seen anything like that machine before?"

Sebastien says, "we had to split up -- he was going back east, I think"

Vasili says (to Wilem), "Oh, he split for some reason."

Wilem says, "Aww, I wanted to buy him a drink."

Raelynn says (to wilem), "send that beer to Pyotr, Random Street Corner, Breslau"

Raelynn says, "he will get it"

Vasili says, "yeah, can't imagine why he went off again."

scruffians, who had been sitting quietly at a table to the side, look at each other, get up, and head out of the inn.

[ussura] GM says, "(scruffians being scruffy ruffians, of course)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Sebastien asks (of Wilem), "hunh, who are those guys?"

Era asks (of Wilem), "Do you know the gentleman that came wandering around here earlier today?"

Vasili asks, "(to the guys at his table) huh, what's their deal?"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "i really really wanted to say, "oh him? he's waiting west of town" but katre just looked sad at me and whined that i didn't like pyotr"

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

Wilem says (to Sebastien), "Enh? Uh, hadn't seen them before. I assumed they came in with the Fhideli."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "of course, the funny bit is we just told them to go east, and Pyotr was going to go east and fake some tracks"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee"

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "hehehe"

Fang arrives, looking for booty.

Pyotr, in his tree, pulls his emergency flask out and takes a sip, to keep himself warm.

Era asks (of Group), "<sotto voce> Those scruffians wouldn't be the same heavily-armed gents after Pyotr, do you think?"

[ussura] GM asks, "So, is everyone staying here still?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "no, I think we're making excuses and going after them"

Sebastien says, "hmm, interesting -- one of them looked familiar, I think"

Sebastien says, "perhaps I will go have a word"

Vasili says (to Era), "Some of their lackeys, I'd say."

Sebastien makes an excuse and goes after them

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i thought we weren't going to get in a fight with them because we don't want them getting revenge on the village"

Era says (to Sebastian), "Bad guys are bad enough, but bad guys with lackeys are worse."

[ussura] GM asks (of Sebastien), "Do you have shadowing or something like it?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah, I have shadowing"

[ussura] GM says, "Cool, give me shadowing/Wits, then."

[ussura] Era says, "I kinda thought that was Pyotr's goal. Maybe we should just try to warn Pyotr, and keep things low-key."

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 6k4: 1 6 3 9 7 7 | 29

[7thsea] scruffians rolls 3k3: 6 9 2 | 17

[ussura] Sebastien says, "well, I figured if they don't think the village ratted them out there won't be a problem"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'm confused. Seems like so far everything's going as planned."

GM says (to Sebastien), "The fog actually makes it tricky, since it's hard to know whether you're the right distance away, but you manage to follow them without them noticing."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "should we get sebastien back before he starts a fight?"

[ussura] GM says, "Pyotr's part of the plan was to make fake tracks east, then double back west. he did that."

[ussura] Vasili says, "nah, he's diplomatic. He can chat, find out a bit, and everything's still fine for now."

Pyotr grunts a bit, and bends back a branch that was poking him.

[ussura] GM says, "The rest of you were heading back to the village, possibly after some more info on the group following him, maybe trying to be diplomatic or the lik.e"

Sebastien follows them to see where they're going, and what they decide to do next

[ussura] GM asks, "Anyone following Seb, or are you letting him do this part alone?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(if they find the tracks and say "great, he went on east!" then I will just go back to the inn)"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i am staying indoors"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(I have about 20 minutes more, so probably either someone should come with me to take over, or we should wrap it up)"

[ussura] Vasili says, "man, what a choice. Sneak around through the fog, or enjoy the hot food, vodka, and women."

[ussura] Vasili says, "oh, okay, I'll go."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[ussura] GM says, "(I'm fine with Sebastien being on his own)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "well, I could also just sneak off-stage and the GM could handle it as a plot thingy"

[ussura] Era says, "I'm staying with Raelynn, enjoying the hot food, vodka, and women."

[ussura] Era says, "or something. :-)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Vasili catches up with Sebastien and waves silently, then nods at the group making their way through the village.

GM says, "Fortunately, Vasili stays back far enough that the men don't notice him, either."

Era flirts a little bit with some of the locals.

[ussura] Vasili says, "that and my insane Shadowing / Stealth rolls."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "(late) I've always had my suspicions about Era"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "very butch, member of an all-girl organization, only guy she ever mentions is her brother..."

GM says, "A little bit out of town, more objects loom out of the shadows, which resolve into caravan wagons."

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "Its the military hair cut and Birks that give it away though."

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

GM says, "Things are much quieter than they normally are in the evenings--there's a tension in the air that's muted by the thick fog."

Sebastien . o O ( odd )

scruffians says (to someone), "Yeah, they said... east, back to... I dunno."

Era buys a round of drinks for everyone, as a 'thank you' for the drink and food she's had offered this evening.

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "back"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to alix), "pyotr's in a tree, sebby and vasili are sneaking in the fog, and the rest of us are warm and cozy inside an inn"

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "Drinking."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "do these look like the fhideli caravans?"

GM says, "The sound of cursing fills the air, and you move a bit closer to see the outline of a large man near a campfire, talking with the scruffians. Other figures stand or crouch near the wagons."

[ussura] GM says, "(yeah)"

Kobyiz says, "Fine, we move east."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "maybe I misunderstood the deal with Rue earlier -- does it seem like the ruffians harassed and interrogated the fhideli about us? or were they talking to the villagers?"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "let me take care of Pytor's drink for him."

[ussura] GM says, "They were talking with the Fhideli, not the villagers."

Vasili smiles and hurries on back to the inn.

[ussura] GM says, "And yeah, there was harassment, but Rue slipped away before much happened."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "do we see any Fhideli visible here now?"

Era asks for more stew at the bar.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(I'm just trying to figure out if we need to mount a rescue mission or what)"

[ussura] GM says, "You're pretty sure you recognize Piorgi tending the fire, and Renate (his wife) by one of the caravans."

Alixandre relaxes, trusting that Sebastien and Vasilli will be fine.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ok, I have to split, but I would suggest Vasilli try to get closer and talk to Renate and find out more about these guys"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "oh hm"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "if we need, I'd be up for retconning me having gone along"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(sorry to jet out suddenly)"

Eolo has disconnected.

[ussura] Vasili says, "I was just wondering if there are scruffians near her."

Kobyiz says, "Ganus, you stay here with the first group, and make sure none of these Fhid'ers warn the rest of his group. Dak, you're with me and the rest."

Vasili . o O ( grr )

Kobyiz says, "Everyone, take what you need from here, and let's move out. If we hurry, we can catch him tonight."

Piorgi stands up. "Normally, we would be happy to sell you..."

Kobyiz says (to Piorgi), "Shut up! As if you deserved payment."

Kobyiz hollers, "15 minutes! Take what you want, and we move!"

Piorgi says (to Kobyiz), "I would not do that, if I were you."

Kobyiz laughs and ignores him.

Vasili takes this as a sign of enough chaos to blend in, and skirts around the fire toward Renate.

Renate's eyes widen, but she says nothing as she continues to fold the day's travelling clothes.

Renate (out of the side of her mouth) "What are you doing here? You should go."

Vasili stage-whispers, "Who are they?"

Vasili says, "... Pyotr is safe. I'm not so sure about your family."

Renate says, "They claim to be the Somojez military. Kobyiz there has an emblem of the Tyomny, though I don't know if it's genuine."

Vasili asks, "Anything you want snuck out of the camp immediately?"

Renate sighs. "It's nothing more that we haven't experienced before."

Era says (to Wilam/Inkeep), "We'd like two rooms for the evening please."

Renate shakes her head. "We travel light, and have nothing these mouth-breathers would find valuable. They'll get angry about that and break things, I shouldn't wonder."

Renate says, "Oh, but Chavi might have some healing materials in her wagon."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "oh, this is going to end well"

Renate exclaims, "Oh, and your fine horses!"

Vasili says, "Which wagon? And don't let Piorgi do anything stupid."

Vasili winces. The horses.

Renate's head inclines towards the third wagon down.

Vasili sets off, stopping by Chavi's wagon only if scruffians aren't already looting it.

Chavi asks, "Stop! That's for pregnant women! What possible use could you have for that?"

Vasili . o O ( *sigh* )

Vasili finds his way quickly back to the inn.

GM says, "And Sebastien sticks around to count men and see what else he can do."

GM says, "<fast-forward to V back at the inn>"

Vasili rushes in the door. "Some other men from out of town are robbing the Fhideli caravan! And we have about ten minutes to claim our horses before they do!"

Raelynn says, "we can't let them see us, though, or they will follow us when we get to pyotr tomorrow"

[ussura] Era says, "GM taking an Ellric break. Ellric sad."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "aw"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "poor ellric"

Alixandre asks, "How many men?"

[ussura] Era says, "he says we can go ahead with whatever, though."

Vasili huddles with the adventuring team. "Okay, so option 1: steal the horses before they leave."

Era says, "Stealing the horses is a good idea. Those are good horses."

Vasili says, "Option 2: say we heard there were some other people staying with the caravan and decided to go get our horses, just in case."

Era asks, "Panicing all the horses is a good idea, come to think of it. Are the men riding?"

[ussura] GM says, "In 7th Sea terms, there's a villain, two henchmen, and a few brute squads."

[ussura] GM says (to Era), "Yeah, there were extra horses around."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "confusion to the enemy!"

Alixandre says, "We have a good way to make horses panic, I would think."

Vasili says, "Probably too many for us to pick a fight right now. But after they're done packing up, only about a third are staying behind."

Era says (to Alix), "Excellent point. I'm on it."

Vasili says (to Era), "Now there's a good idea. What's a good way ... aha, great."

Era says (to Alixandre), "Let's do it together . . .Two wolves implies a whole pack."

Raelynn asks, "we will stay in the woods to recapture the horses?"

Alixandre says (to Era), "Indeed."

Vasili says, "I'll sneak along to ... hmm, they know about the medical stuff by now, so that wouldn't work. Or hey, my turn to enjoy the local hospitality."

Vasili says (to Raelynn), "How do you catch a frightened horse? Either they come back here, or they run back to Breslau, I'd figure."

Vasili says, "Unless somebody can talk to them afterwards, of course."

Era says, "Wherever they go, they'll probably stay together. Horses are pack animals at heart."

[ussura] Era says, "attempting to shift -"

[7thsea] Era rolls 8k4: 9 4 3 1 8 1 2 9 | 30

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Surprisingly, you succeed!"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, maybe not so surprisingly."

Era shimmers into her furry grey herd-wolf form.

[ussura] GM asks, "So the plan is to harry the group and generally sow discontent?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'm having a heck of a time trying to think whether this scene is in the common room, a private room, or just outside."

[7thsea] Alixandre rolls 7k4: 2 6 10+5 2 10+1 7 7 | 40

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I hope they stepped outside first"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "(for my shift, and pbbbth)"

[ussura] GM asks (of V), "It can be any--do you want to try to recruit local help?"

[ussura] Era says, "and if they don't take the hint and leave, we move to stronger measures (as long as we think we can win)."

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Pyotr), "a fop is always discreet"

[ussura] Era says, "I thought we were out at the Fhideli camps."

[ussura] GM says, "You're at least on your way there, yeah; I just wanted to know what the plan was."

[ussura] Vasili says, "I think I'd just as soon leave this part to wolves not obviously associated with us or Pyotr, who also have the best chance of tracking the horses and talking to them."

[ussura] GM says, "Here's a rough layout of the townward side of the caravan: http://strackenz.spod-central.org/~lpsmith/rpg/transcripts/ussura/season2/camp.png"

[ussura] GM says, "'Group1' and 'Group2' are now more intermingled within the caravan."

[ussura] Vasili says, "this is really weird. I have a minute or two of delay between right-clicking a URL and the menu coming up."

[ussura] GM says, "(The green and black things are trees)"

[ussura] GM says, "That's a long time."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I'm going to avoid the red mountain range in the middle of camp"

Era saunters into the woods, her tongue hanging out.

[ussura] Era says, "hehe"

Alixandre lope lope lope.

[ussura] GM says, "The rest of you are hanging out a bit to the west, obscured by fog."

[ussura] GM says, "OK, go ahead and rp something ;-)"

Era heads a little bit into the cover of trees near the horses, points her nose at the sky, and lets out a long, baying howl.

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Era), "I'll follow your lead."

GM says, "(general consternation from the camp)"

Alixandre moves to another part of the trees and, a moment after Era, howls himself.

Era moves southwest a couple dozen yards, and howls again, but a bit lower this time.

[ussura] Era says, "trying to sound like a whole pack, not just two of us."

Kobyiz exclaims, "Damn wolves! Dak! Tell them to leave!"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "whoops"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "uh oh"

[ussura] Era says, "nuts"

Dak says (in creature-speak, into the forest) "Noble creatures! We wish you good hunting, but this area is ours. Leave us!"

[ussura] Vasili says, "you could play insane"

Alixandre growls, "Need food, poor hunting, many people drive off game, SMELL FOOD"

[ussura] Vasili says, "or, you know, compelled by a magical bowl."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Era asks, "I'm guessing nobody IRL wants a fight, right?"

Dak says (to Kobyiz), "They're, uh, really hungry."

Alixandre HOOOOOWL!

Dak says (to forest), ""There's a whole herd of elk just to the north! We passed them on the way in!""

[ussura] Vasili says, "not an all-out fight, but a little skirmishing seems okay"

Era asks (of Dak), ""Hunt with us?"

GM says, "There's a lot less commotion from the camp now, except that the horses are all pretty antsy."

Dak says (to forest), "Err. Uh."

Dak says (to Kobyiz), "They want me to hunt with them. I told them there were elk to the north."

Era says (to Dak), "Good weapons, many hunters. Is good."

Vasili slips around to the south, behind Chavi's wagon, trying to see how the horses are tied up.

Kobyiz says (to Dak), "Well, go on, then! We'll see you tomorrow."

Dak mutter mutter mutter.

[ussura] Era says, "cripes."

[ussura] Vasili says, "well, you asked"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "Matruska should be more careful with her gifts, I'm just sayin'"

[ussura] Era exclaims, "yeah, I did. hey!"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "giving them to the bad guys? that's not fair."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "oh!"

GM says (to Vasili), "Roll a stealth or the like, with Finesse."

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 7k3: 9 8 4 5 10+7 3 7 | 34

[ussura] Alixandre says, "now we both turn into birds and fly away before he arrives"

GM says (to Vasili), "You slip undetected in the middle of the horses, where they're all tied loosely to a fallen tree."

[ussura] Era says (to Alix), "good plan."

[ussura] GM says, "(this was your own horses; the others are elsewhere)"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "after hiding this ability for most of a game, it's more fun to be able to use it"

Dak asks (of forest), "Hunt with fox?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "lead him off first, otherwise he'll find Vasili"

Vasili . o O ( Heh, good thing nobody's paying attention to the camp right now. )

[ussura] Alixandre says, "if nothing else, I'll have some nice elk to go with the vodka"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "from the inn"

Era says (to Dak), "Fox? Hunt elk? Teeth too small, legs too small. Not good."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha ha"

Kobyiz exclaims, "The rest of you! Get back to work!"

[ussura] Era says, "whew! nice gm."

[ussura] GM says, "Well, geez, *everyone* can't be a wolf."

Dak says (to forest), "No, is good! I'll chase them around and you get them."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "glad he's not a bear"

Dak sighs.

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "if he's only a fox, why can't wolves kill him?"

Vasili pulls apart the loosest knots and cuts the tighter ones with his knife to save time.

[ussura] Era says (to Raelynn), "Brilliant plan."

Dak says (to Kobyiz), "Fine, but I better get another share."

[ussura] Vasili says, "yeah, I was thinking they could disable him easy enough"

Dak lays down his axe, and *twists* into a fox.

Dak runs into the forest, calling, "This way! I show you elk!"

Alixandre exclaims, "Elk! Elk!"

Alixandre rumbles (to Era), "I follow, you stay?"

Era says, "Okay, I'll stay. Good luck."

Alixandre runs after Dak.

Dak exclaims, "This way!"

Alixandre exclaims, "I come!"

Dak's yipping and Alixandre's howling eventually fade, and the camp breathes a sigh of relief. The horses calm a bit, too.

Era leaps into the middle of the horses.

Kobyiz exclaims, "What the...!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "'WOLFIE'S HOME!'"

Era growls, snaps and lunges (but doesn't hurt any of them).

GM exclaims, "And with that, the horses scatter to the four winds!"

Vasili runs for it as well.

GM says (to Vasili), "Era lands just about on top of you, which is a bit disconcerting."

GM says (to Era), "You hear a low whistle from Sebastien to the east."

Era darts back into the woods, and heads towards Seb.

Kobyiz shouts commands to his people.

Era almost barrels into Sebastian, but dodges at the last second.

GM says (to Era), "You loop around and find that Sebastien has loosened the horses from the guys that rode in."

[ussura] Vasili says, "bwa-ha"

[ussura] Vasili says, "best idler's action ever"

Dak asks, "What was that? You have more friends?"

Kobyiz, inspecting the tree where the horses were tied up, exclaims, "Hey! Which of you cut these harnesses?"

Alixandre exclaims, "I am a lone wolf! I only follow those who provide food!"

Dak says (to Alix), "There's only you? Sheesh, I gotta go back and get the others."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr exclaims, "that is the signal for attack!"

Dak says (to Alix), "Wait here, elk soon."

Alixandre asks, "What? Wait! Elk! ...Elk?"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "No elk? Then fox!"

Dak exclaims, "Elk, uh, north! Er, directions, right. That way! I follow!"

Alixandre says, "You are tricking me."

Alixandre grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Dak says, "nnnooo. No, look."

Alixandre asks, "rrrRRR?"

Dak exclaims, "Elk that way. Go look! Elk! Really!"

Alixandre sits.

Kobyiz exclaims (at Fhideli), "You! You cut those ropes!"

Alixandre says, "You haven't seen elk."

Dak says, "Er, wow, you're pretty articular for a wolf."

Dak says, "Aretuclar Articular."

[ussura] Dak says, "Whoops, I did indeed have it right the first time."

Kobyiz grabs the guy by the collar.

Alixandre asks, "Er, arr? Aroo?"

[ussura] Era says, "inquisitive scooby noise."

Alixandre says, "Right, listen: I'm supposed to keep you away from camp for a bit. The easy way is that we sit here for some time. The hard way is that we have a terrible fight and one or both of us limp away with matted, unkempt fur."

(From GM) second_fhideli steps forward, "It was me."

Dak says, "Oh."

Alixandre asks, "It's not like you're being paid enough money to make it worth fighting, surely?"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says (to alix), "yay"

Dak says, "Man, no wonder Pyotr hasn't been caught yet."

Alixandre says, "You go back in a while and say that you distracted me and showed me the elk, and are all surprised at the commotion you missed."

Alixandre says, "He's a tricky one, true."

Alixandre asks, "How did you end up with Kobyiz anyway?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "was it my bright idea for me to sit out this session? sheesh"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "it made so much in-character sense"

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

[ussura] Vasili asks, "you mean you haven't been on an #interludes quest with a talking songbird?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "only on this channel"

Dak sighs. "I wanted to join the Tyomny. Kobyiz said that if we succeeded, he's sponsor us joining."

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "do we have a line on the Tyomny?"

[ussura] Dak asks, "A line how?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "He doesn't seem like a bad sort, and I wouldn't mind helping him out"

[ussura] Dak says, "You're going to meet with all the Kniases in Pavtlow."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "oh yeah"

[ussura] Dak says, "Borin v'Pscov should be there, and he's the official head of the Somojez Tyomny, I think."

[ussura] Dak says, "And if he wasn't before, he is now ;-)"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "hee hee"

Kobyiz drops the first man and advances on the second one, brandishing his axe.

[ussura] Vasili says, "or maybe Tamara could do something else for him"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "who said diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggy, nice doggy' until you find a big stick?"

Kobyiz says (to second_man), "Fine. You pay for your mistake, then."

Vasili calls out from behind a wagon. "No, I did it!"

Kobyiz spins around. "What?"

Alixandre says (to Dak), "I can make no promises, but I and my compatriots may be able to help. I know we'll do at least as well as Kobyiz."

(From GM) third_fhideli says, "No, it was me!"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha"

Dak asks, "And you're Pyotr's friend?"

Kobyiz growls.

Alixandre says, "'Friend' is such a freighted word, but I believe it will do in this case."

Kobyiz exclaims, "Fine, we're done here. Everyone! Let's go!"

Alixandre says, "Yes, I'm Pytor's friend."

[ussura] Vasili holds the 'I was trying to steal them since they're ours anyway when that wolf jumped at me' in that case

Dak says, "Which means the likelihood of Kobyiz catching him is pretty low, which means he won't sponsor me. Fine, I'll go with you."

Alixandre exclaims, "It is a deal!"

[ussura] Vasili says, "yay Alix, way to charm the NPC instead of kill it."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "and the fop gains a pet"

Alixandre says, "Er, I would shake to seal our arrangement, but this form makes that impossible."

GM says, "With that, the somewhat spooked group of scruffians emerge from the wagons and from around, try to load up their horses, many of which are scattered, and start heading east."

[ussura] GM says, "o noes another louis"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "aren't we picking up a tad bit too many strays?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "good thing we left Louis behind, one forgettable NPC is enough"

Alixandre asks, "Do you need to gather your belongings from camp?"

Dak says, "Oh, hmm, that would be nice."

Era lopes up to Alix and Dak.

Dak says, "But I'd rather not see anyone from that group again. I assume they'll just think I died."

Dak exclaims (at Era), "Elk! North!"

Era flops on the ground.

Alixandre says, "It's okay, she's with me. Us, now."

Dak asks, "Wow, you got one to follow you?"

Era says, "We could arrange your death for real, but that would take too much effort. I pulled a muscle in my leg spooking those horses. Owe."

Alixandre says, "Era, meet Dak. He's interested in joining the Tyomny, only he chose a poor sponsor."

Dak says, "Oh er"

Dak says, "Hi Era."

Era says, "Greetings."

Alixandre says, "We're going to be more helpful than Kobyiz, I trust."

Dak mutters, "That wouldn't be too hard."

Era says, "Let's get back, shall we? I want some linement."

Alixandre says, "Though, er, we need to retrieve his things from camp without his former compatriots finding out he's still alive."

GM says, "So, the majority of the scruffians head east, leaving a contingent behind with the Fhideli. No doubt they'd be irksome and obnoxious normally, but the wolves had them a bit spooked, so they're relatively calm."

Era asks, "That shouldn't be too hard. We'll just dash in . .. Er, wait. My dashing is a bit short-changed at the moment. Could you dash in and grab?"

Alixandre says, "If I must. Let's meet up with the others."

Era says, "I'll stay four-footed for now. Its easier to limp on three legs."

[ussura] Vasili says, "you didn't even take a flesh wound!"

Vasili asks, "... what was that? You need something stolen?"

[ussura] GM says, "Ha! Nice."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "sweet!"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh--go ahead and roll a stealth/panache."

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 7k3: 8 10+3 8 3 8 10+8 8 | 39

[ussura] GM exclaims, "You barely make it!"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, wait."

[ussura] GM says, "You succeed admirably--go ahead and rp."

Vasili wanders through the camp looking scruffier than usual, and slings up a sack that was left behind near where the man became a fox. Also, a bottle of vodka from the sack next to it.

Dak asks (of Vasili), "Thanks! Er, you aren't Vasili, are you?"

Vasili says, "Uh, nope, never heard of him."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha"

Dak peers at your face.

Vasili asks, "Why?"

Dak rummages around in his retrieved sack.

Dak hands you a piece of paper with your face on it. "Theyre after you, too."

GM says, "and </scene>"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I hope if I ever get a mug shot it's of me as a wolf"

[ussura] Vasili says, "awesome"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "also, yay, that's excellent"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "Not excellent for Vasili, but excellent for the story"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Yay, everyone!"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh."

[ussura] Era says, "Now they can both sleep in trees together."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yay"

[ussura] Vasili says, "yeah, and the whole session was lots of fun."

[ussura] Vasili says, "I think I'll take a separate tree, no offense."

[ussura] GM says, "Hopefully those of you who didn't get to do much had fun watching at least."

[ussura] GM says, "Vasili and Pyotr, sittin' in a tree..."

[ussura] Era says, "eeewwww"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ick"

[ussura] Era says, "see you guys next week1"

[ussura] Era exclaims, "wave!"

Era has disconnected.

[ussura] Alixandre exclaims, "thanks, this was fun!"