[ussura] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Era has connected.

[ussura] Era says, "(Sara isn't actually here, but I'll log her in for scrollback)"

Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.

Raelynn waves

GM exclaims, "Greetings!"

[ussura] Sebastien says (to Raelynn), "wait, I thought you weren't going to make it"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I was, apparently, misinformed"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "woot"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh."

[ussura] GM says, "And yay"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to sebastien), "kid went to sleep easier than expected, and i am actually feeling less squirrelly"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "(aka, the baby fell asleep faster than expected)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "aha"

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "You're no Pyeryem master, that's for sure."

[ussura] GM says, "(ba-dum tish)"

[ussura] GM pokes schep.

[ussura] GM says, "So we're missing Vasili, Era, and Alix for now, all of whom should show up at some point."

[ussura] (from Raelynn) schep pokes the GM back

[ussura] Charles says, "Still reading last week's... laughing at 'Well, go on, then! We'll see you tomorrow.'"

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Yay"

Vasili has connected.

[ussura] Vasili says, "Arrr."

[ussura] GM says, "W00t."

[ussura] GM says, "That's everyone that said they'd be here now, then--I'll recap."

GM says, "You are all on your way to Pavtlow (the capitol) to meet the Knias Douma (i.e. the general meeting of all the province rulers in Ussura) for a few different reasons."

GM says, "On the way, you met up with the Vitzi Balsude, a Fhideli caravan."

GM says, "A band of scruffians led by a guy in the... crap I forget, just a sec."

Vasili says, "the one military group, right"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "that's a weird name for the cops"

GM says, "Tyomny! That's it."

GM says, "(the Tyomny are the religious/military/militia folks from Somojez, Pyotr's home province)"

GM says, "At any rate, they came here looking for Pyotr, Rue (a Fhideli kid) warned you, and Pyotr hid while some of the rest of you harried the group to keep them from harassing the Fhideli too much."

GM says, "Alix managed to get a Pyeryem guy who was in the scruffian gang to switch allegiances (Dak)."

GM says, "And 2/3 of the scruffians headed east after Pyotr, while a third hung out to make sure the Fhideli didn't try to warn the rest of you."

GM exclaims, "I think that's about it!"

[ussura] Vasili says, "Dak, aka Louis-2"

[ussura] GM says, "I need to remember to write those up beforehand again)"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "so I looked at the transcript but don't remember where we're at morally -- should we get rid of the rest of the scruffians, or assume the Fhideli will be ok and ditch them and go on to the meeting?"

GM says, "The Fhideli had planned to stay in the town for a day or so before continuing west to restock supplies and barter and stuff."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "also, is Pyotr going to the meeting to get a pardon?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm trying to"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i thought we were ditching the caravan"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "oh, some of them stayed despite all the wolf trouble?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'll probably have to prove my worth or something"

[ussura] GM says, "You don't think the Fhideli will be annoyed if you head out--they'll understand."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "did anyone recatch our horses?"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "or, did they gallop past my tree and now I'm after them?"

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr), "We'll say you did."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "excellent"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee, or that"

Sebastien eventually meets up with the others someplace

[ussura] Raelynn says, "but he didn't roll a Catch the Horse Roll!"

Sebastien says, "I guess it's safe for us to stay in town"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I took twenty...oh wait"

Sebastien says, "except for Dak"

Sebastien says, "but I rather we should rejoin Pyotr and head on to the meeting -- it seems like his past keeps catching up with him at the most inconvenient of times"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "er, rather think"

Vasili says, "It seems like the Fhideli are gonna be okay now, at least."

[ussura] GM says, "(Oh, the other thing you were thinking of doing along the way was to find that village Charles was asking about)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "oh yeah"

Vasili says, "So, we set out in the morning."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm good with that"

Sebastien asks (of Charles), "where was that village you wanted to stop by?"

[ussura] GM flip flip flip

[ussura] GM says, "The village of Kuniew, near Mount Ostrog"

[ussura] GM says, "(I guess Charles is still reading transcript?)"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "are we together as a group? and is dak tagging along?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yes"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "have you reclaimed me yet?"

[ussura] Charles finishes reading.

[ussura] GM says, "At this point, yeah, you're all together again + Dak."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "we promised Dak an introduction or something"

Pyotr stretches, his muscles ache from sleeping in the tree.

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, duh, and Dak had info that Vasili was wanted as well."

Sebastien says, "really, I begin to think you prefer that to a bed"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "oh yeah"

Raelynn asks, "(aloud, to no one in particular) Yet another scruffian? Why can't we pick up debonair, clean, stylish companions?"

Charles looks Dak over, then nods approval.

Sebastien says, "next you will tell me you prefer a large leaf to a clean handkerchief"

Dak says (to Raelynn), "I assure you, my lady, that when I haven't been riding for several weeks, I do manage to keep myself cleaner than you now see me."

[Crows-Nest] (from Raelynn) Pyotr asks, "Handkerchief? What's that? The sleeves of me coat do just fune, thank you."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "er fine"

Vasili waves a flyer at Pyotr when he shows up on the road. "Check it out, we can start a collection."

Pyotr says (to Vasili), "Hey now, don't get any ideas"

Pyotr says, "I know you're always looking for a way to get ahead, but come on."

Sebastien says (to Dak), "why is Vasili also wanted? I thought he was cleared through our diligent efforts"

Raelynn looks at the flyer. "Is the reward really that high? Hm."

Vasili says, "Hey!"

Vasili rips off the part with the monetary reward.

Pyotr says, "Anyway, I tend not to carry around evidence that I'm a wanted man."

Dak says (to Sebastien), "Hmm, we were only told the three were wanted for crimes against the Tyomny."

Vasili says, "I'm not planning on keeping it. ... Long. Just gotta work on this evil glare they drew on me."

Charles says, "I suppose if we're ever especially short on funds, we could could in -- and make arrangements to rescue -- the both of you."

Charles says, "Could turn in, I mean."

Pyotr asks, "Three? Who else?"

Dak says, "Hmm? Oh, right."

Pyotr says (to Charles), "I think not."

Dak digs around in his pack.

Charles asks (of Pyotr), "You would object to a good jailbreak?"

Dak pulls out another flyer for a man named Filist.

Sebastien rubs his chin speculatively

Pyotr reads.

Sebastien says, "given their track record I am not sure if we should trust the accuracy of this warrant either"

Sebastien says, "but I suppose we have no need to evaluate it unless we meet the man ourselves"

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr&Vasili), "You both know Filist. In fact, he was also there the night the boyar died."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ah ha"

Vasili says (to Charles), "They might not dispense the reward until it's a bit late for rescues."

Pyotr asks, "That's the usual system, isn't it?"

Charles says (to Vasili), "Hmm. Good point."

Pyotr says, "First the hanging, then the rewarding."

[ussura] GM says, "Hey, that sounds good."

Charles says, "So we'll save that plan for when we're really, *really* short on funds."

Pyotr asks, "Anyway, how do we get to this village, and is it on the way to Pavtlow?"

[ussura] GM says, "It is; we can fast-forward some, or we can chat here some more if people want to ask Dak more."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm done and ready for a FF"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "me too"

[ussura] GM says, "<fzzzzt>"

Charles says, "I had the impression that it wasn't far off of the pass used by traders and other travellers passing through this part of the mountains."

[ussura] Charles says, "Likewise."

Charles says, "Somewhere right around here, I would wager."

GM says, "Three days later, your travelling has taken you further up into the mountains."

Sebastien says, "it is, if possible, even colder up here than it was down there"

[ussura] Charles pulls up http://www.tlucretius.net/7thSea/Maps/Map_Ussura.htm and tries to remember where we were now.

Pyotr says, "Mmm, now this is what I call nice weather."

[ussura] Vasili says, "by a montain"

GM says, "The weather has been decent, but the snow is thick, and not many have come before you this season to pack it down yet."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] GM says, "You're near the 'a' in 'Sorivdgrastov'."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "we're going straight west from Breslau and then turning north, right?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "so, yeah, somewhere in those mountains"

[ussura] GM says, "Right."

GM says, "One day, about noon, the clouds finally part, and you see blue sky for an hour or two."

Raelynn says, "oh, so the sky *is* blue. i was beginning to think it was a fairy tale"

Charles says, "The way those clouds are moving, I suspect the winds will set in by nightfall."

GM says, "And just before the clouds roll back in again, it clears enough to see the mountains. And there to the north, towering above all the other mountains, is the largest mountain you've seen in your life."

Raelynn says, "Matushka! Nothing can be that big!"

GM says, "Then the clouds roll back in and it's back to fog and light snow."

GM says, "That evening, you make it to a small village."

GM says, "Which, judging from your maps, must be Kuniew."

Pyotr exclaims, "Hello the village!"

Pyotr asks, "Anyone home?"

Sebastien says, "we have gazed on the spine of the world itself"

Raelynn says, "inn, bed, bath!"

Raelynn says, "inn, bed, bath!"

Sebastien says, "and now I, for one, am ready for a hot meal"

Raelynn says, "inn, bed, bath!"

Pyotr says, "Village this small, this far out, we'll be lucky if it has an inn."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "a popular thean traveller's game is to add 'inn bed' to the end of things they say"

Pyotr exclaims, "We'll be lucky if we can sleep in someone's barn!"

Charles says, "And in this country, we'll be lucky if it has a bed."

Charles says, "I think the 'bath' part is probably right out."

Sebastien says, "perhaps they can melt some snow or something"

GM says, "Most of the houses here are small, but there is a large building in the center with a sign out front reading, "The Crossed Bones Inn""

Sebastien says, "or I believe Pyotr has previously suggested just rolling around in the snow directly"

Pyotr says, "A bath here, this time of year, is taking off your clothes and jumping in a snowbank."

Sebastien says, "now there's a hospitable-sounding place"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

Pyotr says, "Oh, see? Bigger than I thought"

Charles says (to Sebatient), "Also useful for putting out any fires that have caught in your beard."

Raelynn says, "the name is a little ..."

Sebastien goes up to the door and knocks.

Raelynn says, "ominous"

Charles says (to Raelynn), "It sounds rather homey to me."

GM says, "The door opens and a blast of warmth hits you."

Pyotr asks, "Maybe the owner sailed the seas before coming here?"

Sebastien says, "ahhh"

Sebastien steps inside to let the others feel it also.

Pyotr heads inside, and yells out "Any ale for a weary traveller?"

Charles kicks the snow off his boots and goes in.

Vasili asks, "or several weary travellers?"

Zatche exclaims, "Aha! See, Marta! I knew the weather was light enough to allow travellers! Come in! Come in!"

Charles exclaims, "Ahoy!"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "zatche what I like to hear"

Zatche invites you all in and soon you are clustered around a large common table with food and drink.

Pyotr asks, "We're looking for Kuniew. This is it?"

Raelynn says, "finally, a place in this country that doesn't automatically assume drink means ale"

Zatche says, "You've found it! But I must say, this isn't a destination for most."

Sebastien says, "quite a name for an inn so far from the sea"

Pyotr nods to Charles.

Raelynn says, "Although this is really good Montaigne wine. I didn't expect to find this here of all places"

Charles says, "We've heard that you have good stories here."

Vasili says, "We're also looking for this table with food and drink, strangely enough."

Vasili takes a seat.

Zatche says, "Stories! I suppose I have some of those."

Charles asks, "Any about the monsters from the mountains?"

Zatche blinks. "Oh, well, hmm."

Zatche says, "There's the, uh, I guess there's always the story of the ice queen."

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "You should enjoy this one."

Sebastien says, "that sounds promising"

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

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "mm, nice soft restuffed couch"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "i was just about to take in his dinner. I think it's getting dumped instead"

Raelynn asks (of Charles), "(in a whisper) I have sketches of the monster i made...do you want to use them?"

Zatche says, "Well, you know of Snow Maidens and Snow Youths, of course."

Sebastien says, "clearly our education has been sadly neglected"

Pyotr says (to Zatche), "Some of my friends are from outside Ussura, so you'd better start before the beginning."

Zatche says, "Their dances in the middle of winter, where the music entices the unwary to join in their festivities."

Alixandre has connected.

Charles says (to Raelynn), "Perhaps, aye -- but let's hear his version first."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "Pardon my delay. I was indulging in Cathay cuisine with compatriots."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Charles says, "I wonder if Zatche and Zachare are related."

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "What has transpired in my absence?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "we are up in the mountains in a small town talking to some guy who is telling us stories about the snow queen"

Zatche says, "And the usual story is that they get enchanted, take off their warm clothes, and end up freezing to death."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "Dak is along somewhere"

Dak *pop*

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Sebastien says, "goodness"

[ussura] Dak says, "(Vaarsuvius ref)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yay"

[ussura] Charles says, "Hee."

[ussura] Vasili says (to Dak), "no, we don't really need you right now"

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "oh, yes, I had a fox follow me home"

Zatche says, "But some say that far to the north, where summer never reaches, there lives the ice queen, ruler of all snow maidens and snow youths."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Charles says, "See, Dak should have just told you to shout his name and stomp three times."

[ussura] Vasili says, "AFK to fetch laundry"

Zatche says, "She has a castle made entirely of ice. Some say that once, she desired a child, so had a snow youth steal one from a nearby village."

Zatche says, "The baby's mother found nothing but ice in the baby's crib the next morning."

Zatche says, "But, undaunted, she wrapped herself in her cloak, and made her way to the ice queen's castle to get her child back."

Sebastien exclaims, "the true heroic spirit!"

Charles says, "These stories remind me of those told of the Sidhe."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "someone's been reading East of the sun and West of the moon"

Zatche says, "The queen's wrath raged against the woman, but the creatures of the forest helped her survive and make it to the castle itself."

Miseri arrives, looking for booty.

Zatche says, "Once there, she pulled out a feather that had been in her family for three generations--the feather of the firebird."

Raelynn listens raptly

Charles says, "That is quite an heirloom."

Zatche says, "She waved it three times, and the firebird appeared."

Zatche says, "The heat from its wings melted a hole in the ice castle's wall, and the woman ran in, grabbed her child (who was still asleep) and ran back home as fast as she could."

Alixandre has disconnected.

Alixandre has connected.

Raelynn says, "wow!"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "bah"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "anyway, can someone give me a little more in-depth overview?"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "did you see that we're in a village in the mountain looking for stories about the weird bug creature?"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "about our quest, or the courageous mother?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "and instead this guy is telling us a story about the snow queen"

Sebastien says, "that is quite a tale"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to alix), "we abandoned the fhidelhi, no hard feelings, met up with pyotr, fast forward, and now we are in a mountain village listening to the snow queen story"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "we really haven't done much yet"

Charles asks, "Do the stories of the ice folk ever talk of them changing their appearance?"

Sebastien says, "but I admit the specific creature we were hoping to find out about is not so much of a snow maiden"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "and in a surprise twist, the baby is Zatche!"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "aha"

Zatche says (to Charles), "Only insofar as they appear beautiful at first, but horrific when they turn on their victims. Gaping mouths, sharp teeth, that kind of thing."

Sebastien says, "hrm"

Alixandre says, "Goodness."

Charles says, "Mmm. Have you heard of any creatures like --"

Charles nods to Raelynn.

Raelynn flips open her sketchbook

Raelynn asks, "like this one?"

Zatche blinks.

Raelynn says, "this is with the monster, front view, top to bottom"

Raelynn asks, "he was what... how tall was he? bigger than charles, right?"

Zatche asks, "Great Matushka preserve us, where did you see *that*?"

Vasili says, "Huge."

[Crows-Nest] (from Charles) Zatche says, "That is the very same woman whose baby was saved!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee"

Charles says (to Raelynn), "At times -- at one point, it was exactly my height."

Zatche asks, "You've--you've seen a living one of these?"

Alixandre says, "At the time it was living, yes."

Charles says, "Aye, near <wherever the heck we were at the time>. Not living for long, though."

Pyotr says, "It's not now."

Zatche sits down heavily in the chair next to you.

Charles says, "A man in Breslau said that there are stories of such things near Mount Ostrog."

Zatche says, "He was well-informed. They've asked us not to tell those stories."

Zatche says, "But if you've seen a living one, you need to know."

Charles asks, "'They'?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I like how we all made the whistling-innocently-oh-by-the-way-it-was-alive comment"

Raelynn asks, "and why can't you talk about it?"

Zatche says, "A combination of Matushka, the Gaius, and various Boyars."

Zatche says, "Don't want to scare people, I guess."

Alixandre says, "That is an interesting combination."

Zatche says, "But, well."

Sebastien says, "Matushka? my"

Vasili asks, "So that's why Matushka hates Porte?"

Zatche says, "Mount Ostrog is the largest mountain for miles around. Some say it's the largest mountain on Theah."

Sebastien says, "I can well believe that"

Pyotr says, "I've never seen the like"

[ussura] Raelynn asks (of vasili), "huh?"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "To echo Raelynn, huh?"

Zatche says, "There have been odd findings in that area. Ancient bones of weird creatures."

[ussura] Vasili says, "Ask IC. :) Later, if you like. Of course, I could be way off."

[ussura] Charles says, "I think I can guess what he's theorizing."

Raelynn looks at Vasili oddly

Zatche says, "When this very inn was being built, two skeletons of -- something -- were found as they dug the foundation."

Charles asks, "This sort of something, or other sorts of something?"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Did the bug even have an internal skeleton?"

Zatche says, "I never saw the skeletons myself--it was before my time--but the stories were of bug-like creatures."

Pyotr says, "Huh."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "well, exoskeleton, maybe"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Hmm. I don't suppose the valley that we defended resembled anything near Ostrog, did it?"

[ussura] Zatche says, "Yeah, your bug had an exoskeleton with internal chitin-ish support."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "oho"

Palech, coming down the stairs, adds, "There are some who say that Mount Ostrog was the site of an ancient battle between these bug creatures and--someone else."

[ussura] Pyotr exclaims, "!"

Charles says, "Do they indeed! Good to see you again."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "the monk?"

Pyotr exclaims, "Palech!"

[ussura] GM says, "(Palech is the monk who you met at the monastery who turned up again at the bug battle)"

Palech says, "My friends! It's good to see you again."

Sebastien says, "Theus, a reunion"

[ussura] Charles exclaims, "Huh? I thought he was the monk who was at the bug battle, then later met us again at the monastery!"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Vasili says, "ha"

Alixandre says, "How unexpected."

Zatche asks (of Palech), "You know these people?"

Alixandre says, "Today is truly a day for surprises."

Palech says, "Sure! They were instrumental in saving the v'Rissanova from an assassination plot."

Palech says, "Seeing them show up at my monastery was what prompted me to seek out this place myself."

Sebastien asks, "oh really?"

Vasili asks, "Not the monastery you all visited just before coming to Breslau?"

Palech says, "As no doubt you have put together, you met me at the battlefield as a youth. Seeing you again made me remember that I had always wanted to find where that place was, but I had never gotted around to it."

Charles says (to Palech), "Perhaps we should compare notes on what we've discovered."

Pyotr says, "Yeah, that one."

Pyotr asks, "How did you get there originally?"

Palech says, "I had desired a favor of Matushka, so ventured into the thrice-tenth kingdom."

Pyotr says, "That'll get you every time."

Pyotr says, "Gets you something good, usually, of course."

Pyotr says, "If, like me, you're pure of heart."

Raelynn rolls eyes

Palech says, "While there, I found a great house that walked on chicken legs. I entered, and it took me to, I believe, Mount Ostrog. A Montaignian there seemed to be in charge, who sent me to defend a valley."

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "your heart's pure ... pickled with ale"

Charles says, "That must be what laid the egg."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "hee hee"

Palech laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "now we know which came first. not the egg"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Was it Palech who told us how to reach the 3X in the first place?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yes"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "yeah"

Charles asks, "Are those skeletons really all that's been seen of those things since ancient times, before now?"

Sebastien says, "Vasili seems to connect them to Porte somehow"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "We did discover this last one by investigating what seemed to be a Porte-gap."

Vasili says, "Seems like Porte sometimes lets them out. Or in, whatever. Here."

Palech says, "As far as I know, that is true. Some tell of stories of seeing the actual creatures, of course, but at least most are made up based on their remains."

Sebastien asks, "interesting -- caused by that artifact of Fleur's?"

Alixandre says, "Or Porte creates them."

Sebastien says, "do we know anything about that artifact? perhaps it is some leftover from earlier times when the creatures were more frequent"

Charles says (to Alixandre), "Perhaps they are related to the voices that you told us about."

Raelynn says, "wait wait wait."

Alixandre says, "If only we knew someone who knows Porte"

Raelynn asks, "you are telling me that you all think these bugs travel by porte?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Charles) Raelynn says, "quit dissin the porte yo"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "That's Right!"

Raelynn crosses her arms. "Next you will speculate the bugs are Montaigne!

Charles says, "Maybe they invented it."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "montaiginian?"

Sebastien says, "on the contrary, it appears they originate here"

[ussura] GM says, "I think either might work."

Charles says (to Raelynn), "Hmm! I hadn't considered that, but you make a good argument."

Pyotr says, "Yeah, if they were generically created by Porte, they'd be all over Montaigne"

Alixandre says, "I expect they would be welcome at court regardless."

Pyotr says, "And I never heard about big bugs when I was there"

Sebastien says, "it's true a shapeshifter would always have the most up-to-date fashions"

Sebastien looks speculative.

Raelynn gets cross

Alixandre says, "Instead they appear to be created by porte's use in Ussura."

Alixandre says, "Very intriguing."

Raelynn says, "you know we can test this"

Vasili says, "or it could have to do with that knife."

Vasili asks (of Raelynn), "Oh?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "no wait. i don't know how to do active porte yet, do i? (checks)"

[ussura] GM says, "No, you don't."

[ussura] Vasili says, "you could do a Bring or Pocket and see if a claw reaches out"

Charles says, "If they haven't been seen since ancient times, then it may be that this was the first one on Thean soil since then."

[ussura] Vasili says, "oh, oops"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "that's why we are going to the assembly thing because there's a guy that can teach me. right. sorry."

Palech says, "That's been the subject of some of my research."

Palech says, "Most of the stories can be dismissed as fantasy, but perhaps not all."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "drat."

Charles asks (of Palech), "Are there any patterns to the more likely ones?"

[ussura] Charles says, "It occurs to me that there's a possibility that it's my own fault this one got out."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "a HA"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "what, just now?"

[ussura] Charles says, "Since I was poking around at the hole that Fleur jumped through."

Palech says, "I have found some stories of a warlord or disliked petty monarch who rose to power, and when they were finally brought down, their human form dissolved around them, revealing a bug-like man in their place."

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "oh, come on, we already took care of this in #shadowrun"

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

Sebastien says, "interesting"

Sebastien says, "you don't think --"

Charles asks, "That's disturbing. Are these stories in Ussura, or across Theah?"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Hrm."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "yay"

Palech says, "Again, some stories are obviously just re-writing history so the previous monarch was really bad."

Alixandre asks, "Have you confirmed any of these reports?"

Vasili pauses in munching on a roll.

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "in about 5 minutes I'm going to go bathe Eli and put him to bed"

Palech says, "Anything modern? No."

Alixandre asks, "No exoskeletons stashed in the monarch's closet?"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "No, we've been in the monarch's closet, and there was nothing there but Louis."

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

Miseri takes the biscuit.

Palech says, "Nothing that I've seen, at any rate."

Palech says, "Hmm."

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "idling"

[ussura] Vasili says (to Miseri), "Hey!"

Palech says, "The only thing I've ever heard of in modern times of someone turning out to be something he was not was from correspondance from a friend of mine."

Pyotr asks, "Oh?"

Charles listens intently.

Palech says, "He was a priest in Numa, and we used to write to each other about our respective faiths. And would try to get the other to see the light, of course."

[ussura] GM asks, "Er, whoops, what's the Thean equivalent of the pope?"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "Heirarch?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "Heirophant"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Heirophant, I think?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "that"

[ussura] GM says, "That's it, thanks."

[ussura] Charles says, "You should know, you killed him."

[ussura] Charles asks, "Also, remind me, where is Numa located?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "it's Rome, I think"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "so probably mainland vodacce"

Palech says, "In one of his letters, he wrote that a man in the Heirophant's court had been revealed to be something he was not. That was not long before the Heirophant travelled to Montaigne where he got sick. We didn't write of that again."

[ussura] GM exclaims (at Charles), "Ha!"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "It wasn't me! It was Whizzard!"

Charles says, "That is somewhat disturbing."

Sebastien says, "indeed"

Vasili asks, "but nothing specific about what he actually was?"

Sebastien says, "political-religious relations are complex enough without insect creatures getting involved"

[ussura] Charles says, "Pfft. He's too busy stealing grapes to be killing off major religious leaders."

Palech says, "No. At the time, I assumed he meant the man was an Objectionist, and he may well have been, but when I asked about it in later letters, he never replied to that part of the letter."

Sebastien says, "unusual"

Vasili says, "I'm not sure that counts as a bug story."

Sebastien says, "it might be mere caution, or it might be something more"

Palech shrugs.

Vasili asks, "So how did you know about the whole assassination thing?"

Palech says, "It's the only modern tale I know that's anything like the ones I've found of bugs in ancient times."

Charles says, "I don't imagine he gave any identifying details about the man."

Palech asks (of Vasili), "Assassination?"

Vasili says, "Of the v'Rissanova."

Palech says (to Charles), "No, just that he had been dealt with."

Palech says, "Oh! The same network that let me know of the impending attack let me know of its conclusion, and your role in it."

Palech says, "The monastery is fairly well cut off, but we do have hardy birds trained to brave the snow and bring us news of outside."

Vasili says (to Charles), "You can go investigate the highest levels of the Vaticine after we're done in Pavtlow, I'm sure."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "hmm, we didn't hear anything about a sudden change in the Hierophant's staff at court, did we?"

[ussura] GM says, "Back in the day? Hmm."

Charles says (to Vasili), "I'll pencil it in for a week from next Thursday."

[ussura] GM says, "Want to roll, or want me to just decide."

[ussura] GM asks, "?"

[ussura] Charles says, "That depends on whether you'll decide 'yes' or not."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "it looks like I could roll diplomacy or history, but don't have gossip or anything"

[ussura] GM says, "Go for diplomacy with wits."

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 5k4: 3 6 3 5 7 | 21

[ussura] GM says, "(despite not wanting wits to be the generic all-non-combat-stuff, it actually is appropriate here ;-)"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(if sebastien is not high enough, i can try theology, but my roll luck sucks)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "you have theology? good deal"

[ussura] GM says (to Sebastien), "You do recall that there was a certain amount of reshuffling in the Heirophant's entourage not long before his visit to Montaigne; at the time, it was told that one of the former members had died of blood poisoning from a nasty cut."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I can do the same as Sebastien. Hang on"

[ussura] GM says, "I think theology is more 'what it would mean to the church to have X happen' than it is 'what's happening in church politics'"

[ussura] Charles says, "So if we're wondering about the official Vaticine stance on bug monsters in the clergy..."

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "But if you're interested in something along those lines, feel free to roll for it."

Sebastien says, "interesting -- well, I do recall that there was some change in the Hierophant's entourage before his arrival, though they said it was because someone had passed away unexpectedly"

[ussura] Charles says, "(I'm guessing it's 'Opposed'.)"

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 4k3: 9 4 5 6 | 20

Charles asks (of Sebastien), "Any idea who?"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "That's a good guess!"

[ussura] Sebastien says (to Charles), "unless the clergy is entirely made up of bug monsters"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "now"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "that would explain so much"

[ussura] Charles says (to Sebastien), "Note that I said 'official'."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "like their natty matte-black dress"

[ussura] GM asks (of Raelynn), "OK, what sort of thing are you interested in here?"

[ussura] GM says, "(You could make up something yourself, actually, if you wanted)"

[ussura] GM says, "20's a good solid above-average roll."

[ussura] Sebastien says (to Charles), "good point"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to gm), "well about succession, actualy. was there talk about a new hierophant? was the bug-cardinal in running? that kind of thing"

[ussura] GM says, "Aha! OK."

Pyotr asks (of Palech), "Oh, hey, you're pretty well travelled. Ever hear about huge walking giants made out of clocks?"

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "Show im that picture you made."

[ussura] GM says, "Well, so, the big thing about the heirophant succession is that all the cardinals need to vote to replace the heirophant, but they're missing."

Raelynn flips the sketchbook to a different page and shows it to Palech

Vasili says, "Man, we make awesome dinner conversation."

[ussura] GM says, "Before the last heirophant died, there was no talk of succession--he was in reasonable health, and not too old."

Vasili asks, "Speaking of which, isn't anybody else going to try the roast?"

Pyotr says (to Vasili), "Hmm, good idea."

Pyotr munch munch.

[ussura] GM says, "The members of his court/entourage are possibilities that people bring up when speculating about who might be the next heirophant."

[ussura] GM says, "Usually it's a cardinal, but not always."

Charles says (to Vasili), "I was considering it, but first I was trying to figure out roast *what*."

Raelynn says (to sebastien), "you know, the entourage is usually considered as candidates for the new heirophant"

Alixandre says, "That is true."

[ussura] GM says, "If the bug-guy was dispatched before the heirophant died, the highest it could have risen would have been to cardinal."

Palech looks at Raelynn's sketch.

Alixandre says, "It is a pity our information about maneuvering among the Heirophant's entourage is so out of date"

Vasili peers at his next bite. "Well, it's a darn good roast."

Raelynn says, "i know some of the cardinals are missing, i forget why. but without all the cardinals, you can't have a new heirophant"

Raelynn says, "so if the bug guy was here to become the new heirophant, he wouldn't have succeeded. the highest he would have become would be a cardinal, if even that"

Raelynn asks, "i guess we can assume the bugs failed there?"

Palech says, "I'm afraid I don't---"

Zatche says, "Woah, that looks like something out of Siev Castle."

Pyotr asks (of Zatche), "Siev Castle? Where's that?"

Zatche says, "Staver's been holed up there for years, and weird, clockwork things have emerged at times."

[ussura] Vasili says, "(Siev is actually on our web-map.)"

[ussura] GM says, "Siev is the capitol of Veche, which you are currently still in, near the border."

Charles asks, "That would be in Veche?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "Ah ha"

Zatche nods.

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "wasn't there a logo on the thing too?"

Zatche says, "Staver went on some expedition to the Crescent Empire years ago, and when he came back, he was never quite the same. Well, some would say he's been pretty much bonkers."

[ussura] Charles says, "'staver inside'."

[ussura] Vasili says, "boo-doo-do-DOO"

Zatche says, "Sometimes he emerges and passes a sane law or two, and then he retreats underneath the castle and people hear weird noises."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha ha"

Sebastien says, "how .. peculiar"

Charles says, "This is ordinary 'eccentric ruler' strange, not 'replaced by bugs' strange, I trust."

Vasili asks, "And he's also heading to the Knias conference?"

Zatche says, "Every five years or so, a blue-turbaned emissary from Crescent arrive at his castle, talks with Staver, and then commits suicide."

Pyotr says, "Creepy."

Zatche says, "Yeah, he usually manages to make himself sane for the Knias Douma."

Pyotr says, "Maybe if we see him we can ask him what's up."

Sebastien says, "well, I, for one, look forward to getting a look at him"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "Is it true you built that machine that tried to kill us because you're absolutely nuts?"

Alixandre says, "I, for another, do not intend to wear a blue turban when we meet with him."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee hee"

Alixandre says, "And not only because it is such a poor choice given my complexion."

[ussura] Charles says, "'No, Mr. Bond! I expect you to die!'"

[ussura] GM laughs.

Sebastien says, "well, perhaps we should postpone some of this discussion until tomorrow -- I would personally like to get some sleep and then go and find this battlefield"

Vasili asks, "What, the mountain?"

Sebastien says, "it seems like this has taken on additional significance given the reappearance of these creatures"

Alixandre says, "I concur."

Pyotr says, "Sounds good."

Charles says, "A reasonable plan."

Sebastien says (to Vasili), "well, Palech seems to think it is around here someplace"

[ussura] Charles says, "Did any handkerchiefs get dropped during the fight? This could be a chance to recover them."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "great scott, we'd better leave tonight"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'm sure somebody from somewhen dropped a linen or two"

Vasili says, "Well, can't argue with the sleeping part of the plan."

GM says, "With that, talk turns to lighter banter, as you all finish your meals, and arrange for sleeping quarters for the night."

GM says, "<zzzzzip>"

GM says, "The next morning, after an invigorating breakfast, you head out again."

[ussura] GM asks, "The plan is to head for the mountain to see what you can see?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yeah"

Raelynn says, "i want cotton to muffle vasili and pyotr's snores"

Raelynn asks, "how can anyone sleep with that racket?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah"

Pyotr asks (of Raelynn), "How do you know you're sleeping well if people can't hear you?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ah"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I guess it's the same principle as belching after a meal"

Vasili says, "Pff. I don't snore."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn sings, the bear went over the mountain to see what he can see?

Charles says, "We probably stand a good chance of finding the valley, I bet."

Sebastien says, "it depends how much time has passed"

Sebastien says, "but I imagine the explosion must have made a distinct impression"

Charles says, "Well, compared to anyone who might have come to loot it since then. Since we'd actually know what to look for."

Charles looks around at the skyline.

Palech says, "I've been looking for the place myself, and of the list I made up, there are three possibilities left."

Pyotr says, "Let's go."

Sebastien says, "perhaps Pyotr can use his outdoors skills to, uh, outdoors his way to the site"

Pyotr says, "Sure, follow me."

Vasili says, "As long as the plan doesn't involve sticking knives in strange invisible things."

[ussura] GM says, "OK, everyone give me a perception roll with Resolve instead of Wits. i.e. Resolve + keen senses, if you have 'em, or other perception-type bonuses."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "or actually, doesn't charles have some kind of navigation thingy?"

Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "(sotto voce) I become more concerned about what we have learned about the Hierophant."

[7thsea] Alixandre rolls 5k4: 10+8 1 5 9 4 | 36

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 4k3: 10+7 8 2 9 | 34

[ussura] GM says, "Wow, nice."

[7thsea] Charles rolls 5k4: 7 1 7 10+5 7 | 36

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 3k3: 6 9 1 | 16

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 4k3: 1 5 10+10+6 6 | 37

Alixandre asks (of Sebastien), "If others learned of this, how long would we live?"

Sebastien says (to Alixandre), "it is true this seems to complicate our position somewhat"

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "Also, learn to keep your eyes open."

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 2k2: 3 10+3 | 16

[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "you're distracting me!"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "man i need keen senses"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "hee hee"

[ussura] GM says, "That's a funny biphasic distribution ;-)"

[ussura] Charles says, "Raelynn successfully finds... Sebastien, napping under a tree."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] (from Vasili) GM says (to Vasili), "You notice a region that looks exactly like a place you've never been."

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, right, I guess Vasili hasn't seen the place before."

[ussura] GM says, "Heh, timing."

[ussura] Charles says, "We just described it to him really, really well."

Sebastien says (to Alixandre), "the fact that we have no real evidence for it may help us little if it is true"

Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "Still, I feel further and further adrift with every passing day."

Sebastien eyes Alixandre with concern.

Charles says (to Seb&Alix), "Cheer up: maybe you'll be the ones who get to unmask the imposter who stole the Emperor's throne."

Sebastien says, "this country is having a strange effect on you"

Sebastien says, "...this country and our companions"

Charles says, "I'm sure that must be worth a few points in whatever game your courtly folks play."

GM says, "At any rate, the group of you are heading to the second site that Palech has chosen, when:"

Alixandre says (to Charles), "In events such as these, people stop keeping track of points in their heads and start keeping track of points with knives."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

Sebastien says, "I had hoped to ascend swiftly in my diplomatic career, but not propelled by a musket-ball"

[ussura] Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "yay"

(From GM) Alixandre says, "Wait, that outcropping over there. Doesn't it..." Pyotr says, "look like the top of the ridge..." Charles says, "That I blew up?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hooray"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "...and on which are standing three bugs?"

Sebastien says, "no, no, I don't think it looks the same at all"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Dun dun duuuuuh!!!"

[ussura] Alixandre exclaims, "ha!"

[ussura] Vasili says, "that would have been my line"

Sebastien says, "oh *that* ridge"

Sebastien says, "well, perhaps we should take a closer look"

Palech stops. "Gracious. This isn't even a pass."

Pyotr says, "Not anymore."

Sebastien says, "er, if there's some way to get there"

Charles says, "I guess you missed that part."

Charles says, "After the impalement."

[ussura] Palech says, "Er, or a valley."

Palech asks, "Oh?"

Charles says (to Palech), "We discovered that their pistols were better than a full powder keg, when it comes to blasting hillsides apart."

Palech says, "Well, then."

Palech says, "No doubt that Montaigne gentleman was pleased."

Sebastien asks, "the one you encountered recently had no pistol, correct?"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Correct -- to my slight surprise."

Alixandre says, "Yes."

Sebastien says, "I wonder what that means -- perhaps it was from a group distinct from the ones we previously encountered"

Pyotr says, "Maybe they just keep their muskets at the depot, like the montaignian army between battles."

[ussura] Vasili asks, "So I'm confused, is there a surprising crater, or surprising lack of crater?"

Palech says, "Wait, are you sure? I can see how an explosion there [he gestures] might have filled in the lower part of the valley, but if that really was the same valley, the upper part is half-filled as well."

Charles says, "Maybe theire resources were diminished after they failed that invasion campaign."

Sebastien says (to Charles), "let us hope so, if we must oppose them again"

Alixandre says, "On the other hand, if they appear around porte holes, we could open porte holes in mid-air, above lakes, and the like."

Charles trudges in to take a closer look.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "the pranks are endless"

Sebastien goes in with Charles.

Alixandre follows as well.

Sebastien picks his way gingerly across the rough ground.

Alixandre says, "If we need, aerial scouting is available."

Sebastien says, "I suppose there could have been an earthquake or somesuch later"

Pyotr sticks with Charles.

Pyotr says, "Maybe someone else used the gun like we did."

Charles picks through, looking for evidence of a second rockfall.

Vasili says, "Or ... yeah."

GM says (to Charles), "Looking again, you confirm that the top of the ridge does indeed look the same as the one you blew up. But what you left as ragged edges have been greatly weathered to smooth edges. And while you brought down the edge of the cliff to fill the valley maybe a third of the way deep, it's now at least 2/3rds filled. With snow, at least."

Sebastien says, "perhaps we have just been away longer than I thought"

Charles says, "It's hard to judge, with all the snow here."

Charles climbs down into the valley.

GM says (to Charles), "No particular evidence of a second rockfall. And indeed your original rockfall is completely covered, too."

[ussura] GM says, "This might be a bit more realistic if I was actually familiar with the sorts of changes that happen at different timescales."

[ussura] Charles says, "I take it that clearing enough snow/whatever to get a good view would be more than an afternoon's work."

Alixandre says, "And perhaps Matruska's hand has moved across the valley."

[ussura] GM says, "Fortunately, since none of you are archaeologists, I can say whatever I want ;-)"

[ussura] Charles asks (of GM), "Is it the sort of change that should seem surprising to someone with only a small amount of geological knowledge?"

[ussura] Charles says, "I can roll Natural Philosophy, if that helps."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "'hand of matruska' hand wave hand wave"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, people can roll Natural Philosophy with Wits to estimate how many years have passed since you last were here."

[7thsea] Charles rolls 4k3: 9 3 6 5 | 20

Charles trudges out, sinking first knee and then almost ankle deep into the snow before turning around.

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "It's clearly been at least hundreds of years ago. Could be thousands or more."

Charles says, "We'd probably have hundreds of years of dirt to dig through if we wanted to find anything."

Palech says, "Hmm."

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'm sure something will happen soon. After all, we're ignoring an old man's cryptic warning."

Pyotr says, "Seems not worth it."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ha ha ha"

Palech asks, "It's been too long for me--do you remember the technology level of the people we were working with?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "though I'm not sure if Charles mentioned that warning to anyone else"

Charles says (to Palech), "Our allies? They had rifles that were better than any muskets I've seen."

Vasili says, "Well, the Montaigne general was none other than Montegue."

Palech says, "Oh, my."

[ussura] Charles says, "It seems we could take it as a given."

Sebastien says, "hmm"

[ussura] Charles says, "(The warning, if not the mentioning.)"

Sebastien says, "I wonder what favor he wanted from Matushka, that caused him to enter her kingdom"

[ussura] GM asks, "Wait, did I say there were rifles there?"

[ussura] GM says, "(at the time)"

[ussura] Charles says, "Um. You mentioned sniping."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] GM read read read.

Vasili says, "There could be other ways to wind up there. But yes, it's unexpected he'd ever be allied with Matushka."

[ussura] Charles says, "Which, now that you mention it, probably caused me to make the same mistake then."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "it looks like -- yes"

[ussura] Sebastien | [ussura] GM asks, "Hmm, rifles haven't been made yet, have they?"
[ussura] Sebastien |
[ussura] Sebastien | [ussura] Charles says, "Oh, whoops."
[ussura] Sebastien |
[ussura] Sebastien | [ussura] Pyotr says, "bowmen, he meant"
[ussura] Sebastien |
[ussura] Sebastien | [ussura] Ghogg says, "but rifling through bags has"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, I was a bit confused at the time mysel."

[ussura] GM says, "f"

[ussura] Charles says, "In any case, I assume his firearms were more advanced than current ones."

[ussura] Charles says, "If he's from the future."

[ussura] Charles says, "(Although I guess I might meet him again/the first time in another visit to the past.)"

[ussura] GM says, "At any rate, while you saw a fair number of people with stuff like you had, and maybe an equally large number of people with stuff worse than you had, you didn't see anything you remember as being noticably better than your own stuff."

[ussura] Vasili says, "alas, the last true age of Adventure"

Charles says, "But I guess not *that* much better."

GM asks, "As you pick about in the valley, you are startled to hear... music?"

Sebastien blinks.

Sebastien asks, "did you hear that?"

Charles asks, "Hear what?"

Vasili says, "Huh."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "is it familiar?"

Alixandre says, "Odd."

Pyotr says, "Hmmm."

Vasili asks, "This I gotta see. But make sure I don't take my scarf off, alright?"

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr), "It sounds like really old folk music, sort of."

Charles asks (of Vasili), "What about your pants?"

Sebastien says, "Fhideli music, perhaps? it doesn't sound quite like that, though"

Vasili starts trudging toward the sound, calling back "Especially those!"

Sebastien says, "and surely their caravans don't come up this high"

Raelynn says, "it's the snow maidens and youths dancing!"

Pyotr says, "I'm curious, too."

Raelynn says, "come back! you might get stolen away to the land of the ice queen!"

Pyotr heads towards the music.

Charles says, "Maybe we'll find out if they are like the Sidhe."

Charles follows.

Raelynn says, "MEN!"

Raelynn hffs

[ussura] Vasili says, "I think you just got three Hubrises in one try."

[ussura] Charles asks, "Did anyone bring some wax?"

Sebastien says, "well, clearly we had better go along to keep them out of trouble"

Alixandre exclaims, "Indeed!"

Sebastien says, "perhaps following far enough behind to see them get in trouble first"

Raelynn stomps her feet.

Raelynn says, "COME BACK HERE!"

GM says, "At least some of you trudge over a nearby ridge, where you can see the flickering light of a campfire somewhere in the trees below you."

(From Raelynn) with the deep snow, when she stomped her feet, she sank in to the snow up to her chest

Vasili says, "Oh, we'll be right back, if you don't want to come."

GM says, "The music is definitely louder here."

[ussura] Sebastien says (to Raelynn), "hee hee"

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "Ha"

Charles exclaims (at Campfire), "Halllooooo!"

Pyotr says, "Let's go see who (or what) that is."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "it's charles' fault for saying the snow was so deep"

[ussura] Charles says, "That's the danger of No Myth."

[ussura] GM laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "aw"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "duchess is crying because we've all left her"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien exclaims, "Alix and I haven't!"

[Crows-Nest] Charles exclaims, "She still has Era!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre exclaims, "we are tarrying!"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "we're waiting for her to come along, though"

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

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "you all are going to the land of the ice queen by some magic and leave me behind in the prosaic reality"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "and Dak"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to sebastien), "dig me out, then"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Do I have to have Palech come to her rescue?"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "oh, she wasn't kidding"

Alixandre offers Raelynn his hand. "Here, let me."

Sebastien says, "oh, dear, this snow is no end of trouble"

Raelynn grumbles. "Thank you."

Sebastien grabs Raelynn's other hand, and pulls

Raelynn shakes the snow off

Raelynn asks, "didn't you all listen to the story of the dancing maidens?"

Sebastien says, "*I* did"

Sebastien says, "but apparently they didn't"

GM says (to Charles), "You can hear the sound of laughter from the trees. It's very perky laughter."

Sebastien says, "still, as long as we leave our pants on I'm sure we'll be ok"

Sebastien says, "as is so often the case in life"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili asks, "pff. Why do you think we rushed off so quick?"

Raelynn asks, "so what are we going to do? follow at a distance?"

Sebastien says, "that is what I think"

Alixandre says, "That would be my suggestion, yes."

[Crows-Nest] Charles asks, "Do women travelling in these parts wear trousers?"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "I suppose if they are going to be sinking into snowdrifts like that, they'd better."

Raelynn says, "sigh. okay."

[ussura] GM asks (of Charles&co), "You all are progressing closer?"

Raelynn says, "let's go."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "she wears a daring divided skirt"

Charles heads down towards the fire.

Alixandre says, "Do not fear, my quiver is full and my bow is notched."

Alixandre says, "Which, on reflection, sounds less reassuring and more as if I am going to follow pell-mell after Charles and the others."

Vasili moves closer trying to get a look at the scene.

lovely_lady says (to Charles), "There you are!", as she springs out from behind a tree."

Pyotr goes into the woods.

Raelynn says, "let's get closer, though. i don't want to have the group split when they get zapped into another reality"

lovely_lady dances up to Charles and gives him a big kiss.

Vasili says, "Yup, here we are!"

Sebastien says, "one trip through the thrice-tenth kingdom and you've gotten so cynical"

Charles exclaims (at Lady), "You know how to make a traveller feel welcome!"

lovely_lady exclaims, "Come! Dance with us!"

Charles . o O ( Well, *this* is certainly too good to be true. )

lovely_lady takes Charles' hand to lead him back to the fire.

Charles . o O ( But hey, might as well enjoy it for now. )

Charles goes willingly.

Vasili sticks close to Charles. To keep an eye on him, of course.

another_lady also emerges from the woods, and gives Vasili a kiss. She says nothing, but her eyes sparkle.

[ussura] GM asks (of Pyotr), "And where are you?"

Pyotr stamps along behind Charles and Vasili, but he doesn't plan to dance.

Charles asks (of Lady), "What brings you and your sisters so far out into these snowy mountains?"

Vasili says, "Oh, hi."

lovely_lady exclaims, "It is festival day!"

Vasili asks, "What are you celebrating?"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "can we see these women from where we are?"

Vasili says, "I love a good party."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "cause if this is dancing, the fops should be showing off"

[ussura] Charles says, "Y'know, I bet they have boys too, if you get closer."

lovely_lady exclaims, "Today is the day of the first plantings! Well, a bit lower down the mountain. But it's been so dark for so long, we can't help but celebrate!"

lovely_lady leads you all into the clearing, where a score of young men and women dance and cavort around a bonfire in the center.

Pyotr stands around the edge, and tries to chat with one of the men.

GM says, "A group of musicians with wooden instruments play lively music to one side."

Sebastien says, "you know, I certainly hope these don't turn out to be the same as the bug creatures"

Pyotr asks, "So, where do you guys come from? Live on the mountain?"

Sebastien says, "since we are by way of being somewhat outnumbered"

Alixandre says, "Perhaps we can dance in, cut our members from their partners, and dance out with them again."

[ussura] Vasili says, "hey, if anybody's dancing out with another_lady, it's me"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

GM says (to Pyotr), "Sadly, none of the people in the clearing are not dancing."

Pyotr says, "Sigh."

Pyotr sulks under the trees.

GM says (to Pyotr), "Two women, alike enough to be twins, break out of the circle, and try to entice Pyotr to join the dance."

[ussura] Charles asks, "What is Palech doing?"

Vasili asks (of another_lady), "Do you have many of these festivals?"

Sebastien says (to Raelynn), "oh, dear, Pyotr appears to be lacking a partner"

[ussura] another_lady says, "Palech is hanging back with Raelynn."

another_lady exclaims (at Vasili), "Not nearly enough!"

Alixandre says, "His deficit has been addressed twice over."

Sebastien says, "one partner for each left foot, I suppose"

Charles asks (of lovely_lady), "Do you have a village near here, or do you live between the trees and the stones?"

Vasili says (to lady), "So what's your name? I'm Vasili."

Pyotr waves off the women.

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn sticks her tongue out at Sebastien

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I guess Vasili has the most real-world experience making chit-chat at dancing sessions"

[ussura] Vasili says, "Vasili and schep both"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "but how far back are we? are we close enough to see the dancing? see people? hear what's going on?"

another_lady's eyes twinkle as she twirls. "I'm Daniele!"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I assume we can get closer if you want"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I am personally a little curious about the fire in the center if they're really snow-creatures"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, I assume you all have made it into the woods and can hear the music and dancing and singing."

[ussura] Charles says (to Sebastien), "I am guessing it's an illusion of some sort."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "but I think someone else will have to check that one out"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah, I guess so"

[ussura] Charles says, "To lure us into thinking we're warm."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hmm"

Vasili asks (of Daniele), "A pleasure. Do you all farm, then? Way up here on the mountainside?"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to sebastien), "you don't have to stay with me if you want to check out the fire"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "if these are faerie-type things, they might be immortal"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "also, i am using my lip reading knack to just read conversations from where i am standing, if you please"

Daniele says, "No, silly."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "in which case they might know about the battle site"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(assuming i can)"

[ussura] Charles says, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking too."

Daniele exclaims, "Oh, wait, I love this song!"

Daniele says, "Sing it with me! I'll teach you."

[Crows-Nest] (from Alixandre) Daniele says, "We harvest BRAAANES."

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

Charles asks (of lovely_lady), "How long have your people lived here?"

Daniele bursts into a song with words that sound mostly Ussuran, but sort of archaic. As if Ussuran wasn't archaic enough to begin with.

lovely_lady says (to Charles), "Oh, forever so long."

[ussura] GM asks (of Pyotr), "So, did you refuse to dance, or did the twins convince you?"

Charles asks (of lovely_lady), "Then you know of the valley, just yonder that way?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm refusing"

Pyotr asks (of Ladies), "So, you guys ever see a battle up here?"

Vasili asks (of Daniele), "Beautiful. What does it mean?"

Pyotr stands his ground at the edge of the clearing.

[ussura] GM says, "OK, hang on a sec while I look up something."

[ussura] Charles asks, "How are they dressed?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "uhoh, here come the magic powers"

[ussura] Pyotr gets his Resolve ready

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "this is totally Pyotr's idea of small talk"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, let's see."

[ussura] GM says, "So, you all are trying to get them to reveal information, and they're trying to get you to dance."

[ussura] Charles says, "Sounds about right."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hey, this sounds like game design theory in action"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "yup. We're like that hologram which greeted Riker before things tried to kill everyone."

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

[ussura] GM says, "If you want to dance *and* get information, that can just happen."

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "The crazy thing is that I think I know this episode."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I will continue to refuse to dance"

[ussura] Charles says, "I am willing to dance if it looks like it'll make the information flow."

Era has disconnected.

[ussura] Charles says, "I've always got Rae, Seb, and Alix to bail me out when things go terribly wrong."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I can always put an arrow through your foot to pin it in place and stop your dancing."

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'd try joining Daniele's chorus, or dancing a bit by the sidelines, but not going to the middle of the action."

[ussura] GM says, "If you want to not dance, we'll do a contested roll with wits to see which happens."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh, man, it would be wits"

[ussura] Charles says, "Hee."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "let's go"

[ussura] Charles says, "And snakes."

[ussura] GM says, "OK, so, hmm, on the theory that they haven't told you much yet, we'll start now."

[ussura] GM says, "Round 1: Charles, then Pyotr, then Vasili. We'll go alphabetically."

[ussura] GM asks, "Charles wants to dance and get info, right? About the valley?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "you know, if dancing is going to make information flow, i do have a 2 in dancing"

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "You could challenge one of them. But they seem like fairly fantastic dancers."

[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "well go dance!"

[ussura] Charles says, "And if dancing is going to make Raelynn strip..."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "let's have a dance-off"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I do not wish to be served"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "unless it is by actual servants."

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "*thwap*"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha ha"

lovely_lady says (to Charles), "Oh, you do dance so divinely."

[ussura] Raelynn says (to sebastien), "after all that about don't dance! i can't just jump in. i need a gorgeous magicky guy to come and convince me"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ok, let's walk a little closer then"

Sebastien and Raelynn ease their way closer to the dance to watch what's happening

Raelynn edges a little closer to get a look at the dancing

Charles asks (of Lady), "Thank you -- it is lucky that we met you." He does his best not to trip over anyone's feet while being whirled about the clearing. "My friends and I were just visiting that valley there. Do you know it well?"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "Uh-oh. What gender approaches Sebastien?"

lovely_lady asks, "The valley? Oh, the thing that used to be a valley? It's ben that way ever since my people got here. Did you see the part where the cliff face looked like it fell right off?"

[ussura] lovely_lady says, "er, 'been'"

[ussura] Charles says (to Vasili), "You make it sounds like a calculus problem."

Alixandre follows as well, glad that he has at least a 1 in dancing.

Charles asks (of Lady), "Yes?"

lovely_lady's eyes go wide. "Very impressive. It must have been a spectacular avalanche.

[ussura] GM says, "And, moving to Vasili."

[ussura] GM says, "Er, Pyotr."

[ussura] GM asks (of Pyotr), "What sort of technique do you want to use to get information from these fine folks?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "with an axe of course"

Pyotr keeps trying to talk to the ladies, while staying away from the dancing.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "you are talking to pyotr, duh"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee."

[ussura] Pyotr says (to raelynn), "I'm not that barbaric. unless they insist too hard on the dancing"

[ussura] GM says, "No, like, what knack to use with your wits roll."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh um"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "mumbling 2"

[ussura] Pyotr exclaims, "Socializing!"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i think he should use footwork"

[ussura] Vasili says, "right on"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "then he can stay upright and not stumble and make a fool out of himself"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "are you sure you want him playing footsie with them?"

Pyotr asks, "So, I was at this great dockside bar the other day, and I heard a story about an avalanche. You know any?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "he might get cold feet"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Alixandre exclaims, "ha!"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee he"

[ussura] GM says, "e"

[ussura] Pyotr exclaims, "this is what you get with Wits 2, people!"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "so I roll my Wits+Socializing?"

[ussura] Charles says, "This is not remarkably different from Wits 1."

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr), "Right."

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 4k2: 5 8 3 10+2 | 20

the_twins roll Seduction.

[7thsea] the_twins rolls 10k3: 9 7 4 7 5 10+9 1 9 8 3 | 37

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ooh"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "that's still good for a wits 2, but oooh la la"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "pretty darn seductive"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "wow"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "slinky"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "that pretty much beats my purple eyes any day"

the_twins's laughter convinces you that what you really need to do is dance with them, and that asking them for more information can wait.

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Vasili!"

Pyotr dance dance trip. Dance dance trip trip.

[ussura] Vasili asks, "she was trying to get me to sing, right?"

[ussura] GM says, "Right."

[ussura] GM says, "You can go along with that and also ask questions, or you can try to not sing but get her to answer your questions."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "considering that sebastien, alixandre, and i are the ones more likely to dance, since we go to court, and we are on the sidelines, and the three toughies are in the middle of the party...what a switch"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "KOMEDY"

[ussura] Vasili says, "Then I will try singing along without any skill for a while, and try to shift conversation to asking about her and her friends."

[ussura] GM says, "(er, it's later than we said we'd go--I didn't expect this to turn out this way. Are folks OK with continuing? Anyone need to leave?)"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "we are ok"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I'm okay for now"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah, I am still amused"

[ussura] GM asks (of V), "So, option 1?"

Vasili asks, "Was that song passed down through your family? When did you learn it?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "yes, agree to sing"

[ussura] Charles says, "I'm good for another half hour, I think."

[ussura] GM says, "Got it."

Daniele says, "We've known that song for a long time. Many generations."

Vasili asks, "I don't see many older people here. Where do your parents live?"

Daniele says, "I heard that people in my own village once heard the song sung by different people from a nearby village, and were so entranced, they came in and sang it together."

Vasili says, "Just like us!"

Vasili winks.

Daniele exclaims, "Indeed!"

Daniele kisses Vasili again.

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "this is G-rating, right?"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee"

[ussura] Vasili says, "well, their aim is to get our pants off, but we still think we can prevent that."

[ussura] Charles says, "Even though we've now seen their seduction rolls, we are still stupid enough to assume we'll be fine."

Daniele says, "My parents died last summer."

Daniele's eyes fall.

Daniele exclaims, "But we danced in their memory just last week!"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "wait. like literally? out of her head?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "oh. just, looking sad. okay"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ah"

Daniele says, "So they will not be forgotten."

Vasili asks, "Oh, I'm sorry. What happened?"

Daniele puts a finger over Vasili's lips and twirls him around the fire once more.

Vasili says, "Whoa."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Charles says, "I wonder if it'd be useful for someone to test the fire with a tree branch."

strapping_youth steps out of the forest, and takes Raelynn's hand.

strapping_youth asks (of Raelynn), "Will you dance with us, lovely violet-eyed lady?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ooh la la"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "once duchess stops laughing she'll respond"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "it might be a while"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha"

[ussura] Charles says, "Watch out for that strap."

[ussura] GM laughs.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay."

Raelynn looks at the strapping_youth. "Er, I don't know you. I can't dance with strangers," she stammers

strapping_youth exclaims, "But your friends are already dancing! You would be dancing with friends!"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "RaelynnMom says, "And remember, never accept cancans from strangers.""

[ussura] Raelynn says, "the diplomats are the only ones not under a spell, so they should try. maybe alix can shoot arrow into the fire"

Raelynn says (to strapping-youth), "(coquettishly) if you tell me your name, we won't be strangers"

[ussura] Charles exclaims, "I am under no spell! I am dancing purely of my own free will!"

[ussura] Vasili says, "hey, only Pyotr failed a seduction."

[ussura] Vasili says, "I'm clearly succeeding brilliantly."

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

Nemka bows before you. "Nemka, my lady."

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "'dancing with your friends' is the saddest reality show of all"

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

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "next to 'american singing in the shower'"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "hee"

[ussura] GM says, "Man, this game would be about 5000X harder without this Russian Names list."

Raelynn looks at Alixandre and Sebastien. "Don't let me be magicked away!"

Raelynn agrees to dance with Nemka

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "'dancing with your friends next to american singing in the shower' sounds like the end of some kind of wild pharmaceutically-enhanced festival."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I agree to dance, but only if all twelve of the musicians tell me their names"

Alixandre says, "Never fear! We will stand guard over your virtue and shall not report of the quality of your dancing."

[ussura] GM asks (of Raelynn), "So, again, do you want to go ahead and dance + get information, or do a contested roll to do one or the other?"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "oh, dear, looks like it's only a 7.5 from the castillian judge"

[ussura] GM says, "Or try to get into contested Dancing rolls to try to avoid the high Seduction ;-)"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i want to do a dance-off. and if i manage to somehow win (unlikely, considering the GMs bag of drama), i want some kind of a boon"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "oh yeah, we have drama dice"

[ussura] GM asks, "What sort of boon?"

[ussura] GM asks, "Like a promise from the guy to help you?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "a promise to give us real information without any more seduction and killing us"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "or just a promise that regardless of what they do, they don't kill us"

[ussura] Vasili says, "come on, these people would never kill us.... directly."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay, no tricking us in to taking off our clothes"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "telling him he has to help us seems like it would cover most of that"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "and give the GM a little latitude"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay."

[ussura] Vasili says, "then the fangs and claws come out and we'll wish for the first again."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(all this is going to be moot when i roll only 1s)"

[ussura] Charles says, "That's when you trip and fall in the fire, and we all see that it's fake, breaking the spell and making the maidens and youths flee and vanish into the night."

[ussura] GM says, "OK, how about this: you both dance. If he wins, he gets a point, if you win, you get a point. When he gets as many points as you have resolve, what he would like to happen happens. If the reverse, he will agree to leave you alone. If you continue and you get 2X his resolve, he'll actively help."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "deal"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "wits+dancing keep wits?"

[ussura] GM says, "Then roll! Let's go with Finesse."

[ussura] Charles says, "Sneaky GM quietly avoids mentioning his resolve."

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 5k3: 1 5 7 6 10+4 | 27

[7thsea] Nemka rolls 8k3: 3 2 9 10+7 1 2 6 2 | 32

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "he's all snowy, how much resolve could he have?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "I don't think you can ever roll Wits+Dancing, possibly unless analyzing a choreography description."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "he can't even keep from melting in summer"

[ussura] Vasili asks, "what summer?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "oof"

[ussura] GM asks, "That's 5--drama?"

[ussura] GM says, "(I mean, a difference of 5)"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "how many drama dice does she have? like 4?"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to sebastien), "2. i used two in my last session"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i will lose this point and go on into the next one"

[ussura] GM says, "I will let other people donate drama dice as well if you want."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "ooh"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Oh yeah, don't donated drama become story dice?"

[ussura] GM says, "Since they are dancing too, they can make you look good."

[ussura] Charles asks, "Or something?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'll give one"

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 1 die: 1

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ow"

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Normally, though that's ususally when it's awarded."

Pyotr trips over Raelynn's feet.

[ussura] Charles says (to GM), "Ah, right."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "that was a waste. sorry"

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

Raelynn concentrates on keeping up with Nemka and tries to work in some flashy moves, while watching Nemka to get a sense of his style

[ussura] Charles says, "I'd give one if it were closer, but I'd rather not risk doing what Pyotr just did."

[ussura] GM says, "Hrm hrm hrm."

[ussura] GM says, "We'll say donated dice are either 5 or can be rolled."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh"

[ussura] Charles says, "Also, drama dice work better if they come in before the roll."

[ussura] GM says, "Slightly, yes."

[ussura] Charles says (to GM), "Yay, generosity."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i plan on using my drama die for the next contested point, since i have only a resolve of 2"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to gm), "also, wow. thanks"

[ussura] GM says, "Hey, I like the plan ;-)"

[ussura] GM asks, "Anyway, that'd be a tie--any more dice?"

[ussura] Charles says, "Sure."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "yay"

[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "we can't all help on the first roll! that's not dramatic!"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, with one from Pyotr and one from Charles, you manage to make Raelynn look really good! Go ahead and rp."

[ussura] GM says (to Seb), "They need a few more, still ;-)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "true dat"

Charles claps in time with the music, to help keep Raelynn in step.

Raelynn spins in a circle a few times as her feet flash in time to music. her wrists flutter designs in the air as she arches her back and bends backwards, her feet still moving quickly in intricate patterns.

[ussura] GM says, "As we move into round 2, Charles, Pyotr, and Vasili are glad they're beginning to work up a sweat, because it's really cold out here."

[ussura] GM says, "Hey, that's right."

[ussura] GM says, "Round 2! Same options, same order: Charles, Pyotr, Vasili, Raelynn."

[ussura] GM says, "(assuming the fops are trying to stay away from the dance in general?)"

Charles dances and talks with the lovely_lady. "Is your village nearby? I hadn't thought any humans lived this far up the mountain."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "It seems like there's enough dancing going on."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i still think alix should do something with the fire"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "if you lose we can cheat and break up the match before they extract their penalty"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "otherwise why not let it go on"

Nemka says (to Charles), "We... move around a lot. Sort of like the Fhideli! We stopped by [insert village name here], but they were rude to us! So we came out here."

[ussura] lovely_lady says, "Er, except me."

[ussura] lovely_lady says, "Also, brain freeze on GM's part about village name]"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Kuniew?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "good point"

lovely_lady says, "Nobody lives up the mountain, though. Not even us."

lovely_lady's eyes wander to the slopes.

lovely_lady whispers in Charles' ear, "Matushka keeps us away." Then she nips his earlobe and spins him around in another roundelle.

[ussura] GM says, "Pyotr"

Pyotr dances and dances. "So, any good hunting up on this mountain? Looks pretty wild up there."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "Pyotr Just Galumphing Where Life Takes Him"

Pyotr trip fall flat-on-face.

[ussura] GM asks, "So no contested this time?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "no"

[ussura] Pyotr exclaims, "I'll lose!"

the_twins laugh.

[ussura] Charles says, "Poor Pyotr."

the_twins exclaims, "But of course!"

[ussura] Charles says, "Forced to be romanced by beautiful women."

the_twins says, "There are elk that frequent a lake to the south, and beaver, too."

[ussura] Vasili says, "There is two of us...."

the_twins make other smalltalk about other hunting prospects in the area.

the_twins exclaims, "But the best hunting is right here!"

the_twins laugh and spin Pyotr around again.

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn chokes on juice

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

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Vasili!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre exclaims, "ha!"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "that is awesome"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "I approve of this scene"

Vasili says (to Daniele), "Let's take a break, to just watch and talk."

[ussura] GM asks, "Contested, then?"

[ussura] Vasili says, "Socializing."

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 6k4: 4 4 2 9 9 2 | 26

[ussura] GM says, "Sounds good. Roll for it."

[7thsea] the_twins rolls 10k3: 7 6 9 8 6 9 3 8 4 4 | 26

[ussura] the_twins says, "Wrong person, but hey, tie."

[ussura] GM asks, "Re-roll, or drama?"

[ussura] Charles says, "Kinky."

[ussura] Vasili says, "hm. I was lucky she didn't esplode. Sure."

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[ussura] GM says, "You win! rp your question."

Daniele says, "Oh, all right."

Daniele says, "Sit next to me, here. I'm so cold."

Vasili says, "So what sort of things do you do? In between festivals, I mean."

Vasili sits close to her.

Daniele snuggles in underneath Vasili's arm, and is indeed quite cold.

Daniele says, "We follow the snow."

Vasili says, "oof. Maybe you could use a bit more sunshine."

Daniele says, "Sometimes we collect things for the queen."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "ding ding ding!"

Daniele says, "Oh, the sun sparkling off the snow-capped mountains is indeed beautiful."

Vasili asks, "No, I mean, why not take a vacation somewhere warmer?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "Castille is very nice this time of year"

Daniele says, "Oh, gracious, I could never leave my home."

Vasili says, "But you said you're always travelling around!"

Daniele says, "Travelling, yes, but we don't leave Ussura."

Daniele says, "And normally we stay in these mountains."

Vasili says, "Well, your loss."

[ussura] GM exclaims, "And, Raelynn!"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay, i am using one of my drama to this"

Nemka exclaims, "That was pretty good! But try this!

Nemka does handsprings around the fire, to the appreciation of those around.

[7thsea] Nemka rolls 8k3: 3 1 6 6 5 2 8 2 | 20

[ussura] Nemka says, "Wow, that was pitiful."

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 6k4: 1 9 1 3 3 10+3 | 28

[ussura] Alixandre says, "you should accidentally trip him during his handsprings"

[ussura] Charles exclaims, "Woo!"

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

Raelynn rolls her eyes. "You think that's impressive? Watch this!"

Raelynn does a cartwheel, jumps up, a twist three times in the air, lands, twirls in a circle with her arms up in the air (fluttering again), and does a handspring. She repeats this sequence all around the fire

Vasili cheers!

Charles applauds.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i knew watching all the figure skaing competitions will come in handy someday"

Nemka clutches his heart and falls over laughing in the snow. "Alas! I am slain!"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "XYZZY-RPG"

Nemka stands up to dance more with determination in his eyes.

[ussura] GM exclaims, "But before that: round 3!"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "so he has a resolve of two?"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, no, not yet."

Raelynn gasps and catches her breath, but she is laughing

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Charles!"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, and at the end of round 2, Charles and Pyotr are dancing faster and faster because they're *really* cold now."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hmm"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "that sounds ominous"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I guess Alixandre and I could try to cut you guys out"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hopefully Raelynn can dance us out"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "but maybe you would rather stick it out until Raelynn wins"

[ussura] GM asks (of Charles), "Dance + info again? Or contested?"

Charles, inspired by Raelynn's performance, tries to take the lead. "Tell me, mysterious nameless dancer, whyever would Matushka want to keep a beautiful snowflake like you away?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "it is reminiscent of the sound an iced-over lake makes when you're in an action/horror movie and you're in the middle and there is this *crack*"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "nice"

lovely_lady's eyes twinkle.

[ussura] Raelynn asks (of seb), "thank you for the vote of confidnce. no pressure, right?"

lovely_lady says, "Well, some people say different things."

lovely_lady says, "Some say it is the site where she suffered much pain and loss once, and that she refuses anyone else access out of grief."

[ussura] Charles says, "Between us, we should have enough dice to keep Raelynn on her feet."

Charles says (to Lady), "But surely, for you, it could be nothing so simple..."

[ussura] GM says, "I didn't quite parse that."

lovely_lady says, "Some say that that place is the one place in the world where she can truly be alone."

lovely_lady says, "And some say she keeps something precious to her up there."

lovely_lady says, "An artifact..."

lovely_lady says, "An ally..."

lovely_lady says, "Or maybe"

lovely_lady leans in close and her breath crystallizes around you. "her daughter," she breathes.

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Vasili!"

[ussura] Charles says, "My question was whether or not her people were limited/restricted/unwelcome in any way that was different from anyone else."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay, that's a theology roll for later, unless the ussurans in this group know anything about her daughter"

[ussura] Charles says, "But I found the answer you were giving sufficiently interesting to not pursue it."

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

Vasili asks, "So when was the last time you saw strangers? Do people ever join up with you?"

[ussura] GM says (to V), "Is this contested again? Or are you going with it? This time she's just trying to snuggle closer."

Vasili shivers and tries to slide away a bit.

[7thsea] Vasili rolls 6k4: 1 4 1 3 2 1 | 10

[7thsea] Daniele rolls 10k3: 5 6 2 1 5 8 1 2 7 9 | 24

[ussura] Charles says, "Man."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "oof"

Vasili finds himself putting an arm around her, though.

Daniele silences Vasili's question with a kiss that almost takes his breath away. She grins. "Nobody has ever joined me. You'd love my home."

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Raelynn!"

Nemka springs up.

Nemka exclaims, "And now, my friends!"

Nemka leaps into the air, and underneath him, two maidens join their hands together. He lands with one foot in their hands, and they fling him into the air, where he spins, and spins, and spins before landing in the snow with a final pirouette.

[ussura] Nemka says, "(also adding a drama die)"

[7thsea] Nemka rolls 9k4: 3 6 3 5 2 3 1 10+9 5 | 35

[ussura] Raelynn says, "another drama die (my last one)"

[ussura] Charles says, "Oh dear. In order to beat that, Raelynn is going to have to dance on Pyotr's head."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'll give another drama"

Sebastien calls out "Wait, Raelynn! You cannot only dance with your mind and feet -- to truly dance, you must also dance .. with your heart."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(and I will contribute a die)"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to seb), "YAY"

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(no pressure right? vasili is not going to turn into a ice sculpture like the Ice Queen story by Hans Christian Anderson, is he?)"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to Seb), "ha ha ha"

[ussura] GM asks, "noooo, of *course* not! Why would you think that?"

Alixandre says, "That is quite touching."

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 8k6: 10+3 4 2 7 8 10+8 4 5 | 55

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "Something tells me that A) I'm the only one here not to have seen this movie, and B) Sebastien is turning Raelynn into a penguin."

[ussura] GM exclaims, "Yee-ha!"

[ussura] Charles exclaims, "Woo!"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "duchess is lying on the floor giggling again"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Tell her to get back here and rp ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "I also have not seen it. Unless it's one of the dancing movies I've seen but not heard."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "it is from every dancing movie"

[Crows-Nest] Vasili says, "well, okay"

Raelynn looks at Sebastien and nods. She closes her eyes and visibly relaxes.

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "next he will shout out 'Toe-pick!'"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "hooray"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "i LOVE that movie"

Raelynn starts with a simple ballet first position and glides into a twirl, bends backwards in a dip, and then pirouettes and leaps in the air. She twists once, lands on one leg, the other arched over her head, and spins slowly in the air before straightening and finishing off with a few steps from the rumba

[ussura] GM says, "(BTW, I just realized I skipped Pyotr. Pyotr, are you OK with finishing up after this bit, or you want one last round?)"

[ussura] Charles asks (of GM), "You're sure Raelynn doesn't want to finish the contest?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm fine to skip, since I was just going to try to stop dancing"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "but if Rae wins, I'll get to stop anyway, so yay"

[ussura] Charles says, "I mean, going for the double win."

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Well, we'd need to go pretty late for that. I think I'm going to call it a wrap with this one, if that's OK."

[ussura] Charles says, "Mmm. Good point."

[ussura] GM says, "Unless everyone wants to pick up from right here after New Year's."

[ussura] Vasili says, "it would be thematic"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I'm fine to start next session zipped into the "wow what did we do last night?" hangover back at the inn"

[ussura] GM asks (of R), "I assume you don't have more text waiting?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "nope"

[ussura] GM says, "Alrighty:"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i was going for heart more than dramatic this time anyway"

Nemka holds up his hands. The music stops, and, oddly, the fire dies down a bit.

[ussura] Alixandre says, "we shall cut away, leaving you frozen in mid-air"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Literally?"

Nemka exclaims, "Friends! Never have I seen such dancing!"

Raelynn is breathing slightly heavily. It's been a while since those muscles have been used.

Nemka bows before Raelynn. "Lovely lady with the violet eyes, you have won my heart. But you are creatures of heat, while we are creatures of cold. Truly, we would destroy one another.

Nemka says, "I shall practice my dances, and when we meet again, we shall see who wins the other forever."

Raelynn says, "No no no. We won't destroy each other. Heat and cold ... you get steam!""

[ussura] Sebastien exclaims, "nice!"

Nemka grins.

Nemka says, "Perhaps. If you win, I shall surely hope for that."

Nemka says, "But for now..."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "are we settling for a tie, or can i ask for the help?"

Nemka snaps his fingers. At that, the fire flickers and disappears, and the dancers leap into the woods, dissolving into snow as they go. The last to disappear is Daniele, who looks sadly at Vasili before she, too, disappears.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "aww"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "drat."

GM says, "And at that point, the cold really hits Charles, Pyotr, and Vasili, who all find themselves with frostbite."

Vasili says, "Right, uh. Let's get to town and double the wood on the fire."

Pyotr exclaims, "Brrr!"

Charles shudders.

Raelynn says, "come on let's go"

Pyotr says, "Yeah, hurry it up."

Pyotr stamps off.

Raelynn asks, "you guys had to come out and see the music, didn't you?"

Vasili manages a shaky grin.

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "Nice dancing."

[ussura] GM says, "(and the cold equivalent of 2 dramatic wounds for Pyotr and Vasili, and 3 for Charles)"

Charles says (to Raelynn), "Wouldn't miss that show for the world."

Raelynn says, "seb and alix has more brains than the lot of you"

Vasili says (to Raelynn), "Great job, and thanks."

[ussura] GM exclaims, "And, arr, I gotta go eat dinner with the fambily. Fun session, everyone!"

Charles says, "It's a shame I can't feel my hands, though."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "how do you heal wounds again?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "late dinner"

Alixandre says, "That was most entertaining."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah, this was cool"

[ussura] Vasili says (to Seb), "har"

[ussura] Charles says (to Sebastien), "Boo."

[ussura] Raelynn says (to gm), "yay. i will just note all the questions i wanted to get to for the next session."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "and thanks"

Raelynn mothers the boys back at the inn. Making sure they are drinking warm stuff, covered in blankets

(From Raelynn) Pyotr gets a warm bath!

Pyotr exclaims, "This is hot....water? Nooooo! I need ale!"

Vasili asks, "She rescued us just to smother us?"

Charles sits in front of the fire practicing how he'll tell this story when he's back in Avalon.

Pyotr says (to Charles), "Leave out the frostbite part."

Raelynn makes sketches of Pyotr stumbling in the snow while dancing, Charles trying to keep up with the mysterious lady with the bright eyes.

Raelynn makes a rough sketch of Daniele and gives it to Vasili. "Here, you might want to keep this."

Vasili says, "Aww. Thanks, I think."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "so question. wh