December 14, 2002
Logfile from Malakai
Eclipse puts on his dragon medallion.
Tsharing pages: "One other thing is that I was thinking about bringing the PC's past lives into play at some point, after talking with Joe about it. I was wondering if you had any ideas in that direction?"
[OOC] Typheous chuckles.
You say, "When last we left Hell's Errand Children, they had just spent the night in Ironridge, having suffered the screams of demons (or their victims?) for the long dark hours of early winter. Typheous and Psyche indeed have hangovers, and Typheous's is actually worse than usual."
Tsharing comes down, looking a bit tired. The stress of last night seems to be telling, a little.
Typheous is sitting on the floor next to Psyche's bed face buried in his hands.
Psyche wakes up, steps over Typheous as if he's mostly just a log in the way, finds a private place to brush her hair, and comes downstairs. -She- looks sulky, tired, and generally ill-tempered. Which is nothing more than usual.
Typheous follows Psyche slowly, hand shielding his eyes. . o O ( Fuck... that's what that feels like.... Remind me never to inflict this on you again expect for a really good reason.)
Psyche . o O ( There is no good reason. Fuck. Leave me alone. )
Typheous pages: "Would it be possible to use Life 2 to heal the hangover? Or would that take some Mind too?"
Tsharing says, "Are you both feeling well?"
Typheous has received your page: "Life 2 could do it."
Typheous pages: "Cool... and with Concentration, I wouldn't take penalties to try?"
Typheous has received your page: "Correct."
Typheous chuckles, his hand falling from shading his face. "Just what happens from avoiding the screams last night." . o O ( Come here... I have an idea and I need to touch you to do it... )
From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 5, 4, 8, 3, 8, 7, 3, 1 ** 1 success (diff 8) **
Psyche shifts uncomfortably away from Typheous. "I'm fine, thank you."
Tsharing pages: "There's a Do special ability in Akashic Brotherhood Revised that lets the user use their Do advantages with one type of Melee weapon per Melee dot. Bashing weapons can do lethal if the user wishes, and attacks are at -1Df. Could I take that now I have a second point?"
Tsharing pages: "It still uses Melee as the ability to use the weapon."
Typheous sighs softly as Psyche moves away. . o O ( Dammit, do you want to feel like this all day? Shit, with your help if I can heal my guts spilled out all over the floor I better fucking well be able to heal this headache.)
Psyche . o O ( I don't feel like vomiting. My stomach's too queasy. Let me get something to calm it down first. )
Typheous . o O ( *sighs* I could shield you from the effect first, or will your way work just as fast? )
Tsharing has received your page: "Sure."
Psyche . o O ( Yes. )
Typheous says, "Let's head out as soon as we can. I have no desire to be stuck here another night."
Psyche asks the bartender for a cup of hot water.
You say, "Mr. Silver has hangover cures of all kinds lined up on the bar like a buffet line. He gets you a cup of hot water."
Tsharing pages: "Can I select the staff as my first weapon and leave the other one blank for now?"
Tsharing has received your page: "Yes."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Where were we going from here? And what's the terrain like between here and there?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "Theusleh and no idea. mainly road, I think."
Psyche makes herself a cup of tea with an air that says she's done this entirely too many times for her tastes, grimaces, and drinks it as fast as it's possible to drink a cup of hot tea. Then turns to look at Typheous. . o O ( Okay. )
[OOC] Psyche says, "Road with Random Encounter paving."
Eclipse [to Tsharing]: There are about 10 miles of road along the river leading straight to Theusleh. The terrain is hilly, but its all downhill from here.
[OOC] Typheous says, "You had to put it that way."
Tsharing says, "Is there anything we need to get before we depart?"
Typheous places a hand on Psyche's arm in a nonchalant way, his other hand going to the three stones he keeps in his pouch. (Life 2 effect to cure my hangover and Psyche's at once, unless I have to do us sperately.)
[OOC] Typheous says, "Umm.... 2 successes be enough to clear both of us? Diff 4 w/ foci?"
[OOC] You say, "Should be, yes."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Don't you need Life 3 to affect someone else?"
[OOC] Psyche says, "Twin Souls: we count as target self to each other when touching."
[OOC] Psyche says, "Says the GM's ruling."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 5, 7 ** 2 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Ah."
Typheous sighs softly, the hangover visiblely lifting from himself and his hands shift to begin looking over the bar. "I would think we would want to make sure we have travelling supplies."
[OOC] Typheous releases the spell on Psyche too.
Psyche flinches at the touch, but the pain lines around her eyes ease somewhat at Typheous's sigh. She moves away from him as smoothly as possible. "How are our provisions?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "How are our probvisions?"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Would you want to eat food grown in this sort of earth, though?"
[OOC] You say, "You packed for the full journey, so you should be fine unless you encounter three or four days of delays."
[OOC] Typheous says, "Ok, cool."
[OOC] Psyche says, "Hey, it's high in iron :)"
[OOC] Typheous says, "And Evil."
[OOC] You say, "And fortified with Evil."
[OOC] You say, "Dangit. Beat me."
[OOC] Typheous chuckles.
[OOC] Psyche says, "New Kellogg's Frosted Stakes: Fortified with Evil."
[OOC] You say, "Could be worse. Could be milk-craving satanic flying kittens..."
Typheous picks up a cup of coffee. "I believe we have enough food. Is there anything else we would want to look for while we're out?"
[OOC] Typheous grins. Kittens.
[OOC] Psyche says, "Kittens."
Psyche reaches back to pat her pack, as if checking. "We have provisions. If we linger to take in the sights, it may get dark before we know it."
Tsharing says, "Can either of you ride? We may be able to find riding animals here."
Typheous chuckles. "I haven't had time to pick it up yet, but I think I could stay on an animal, if you'd like, but I don't think we have all that far left to go."
Tsharing says, "Then we can walk. In any case, the animals here may be....unreliable."
Psyche arches a brow. "Wouldn't hurt to learn. But I'd rather learn when we weren't pressed..."
Tsharing says, "Then we are walking?"
Typheous nods. "Yes, let's head out." . o O ( Thank you for letting me try that. )
Tsharing heads out,. then.
Mr.Silver, "Thank ye for saying at the Ironridge Inn, lad and lasses. I trust everything was suitably comfortable?"
Tsharing says, "Everything you could help was satisfactory, yes."
Typheous smiles, bowing. "As comfortable as the situation allowed, my good sir."
Mr.Silver, "Have a safe journey, then. May the road refrain from beating you on your way to your destination, arrr."
Typheous chuckles. "And may you prosper, sir." He heads out.
Muttering_woman, "Road... Beat... I hate it when it does that..."
[OOC] You say, "Everyone give me a Stamina + Athletics check, dif 6."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Stamina (2) and Athletics (0) (2d10): 3, 9 ** 1 success (diff 6) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Stamina (3) and Athletics (2) (5d10): 9, 9, 2, 7, 9 ** 4 successes (diff 6) **
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Stamina (2) and Athletics (0) (2d10): 9, 6 ** 2 successes (diff 6) **
You say, "Psyche and Typheous are not nearly as used to long, overland travel as Tsharing clearly is. Typheous, especially, proves to be the limiting factor in the day's march, and the sun has already set by the time the darkening stone wall of Theusleh come into sight two or three miles to the south."
Typheous looks down the road to the city. . o O ( Why are cities so far apart? ) "Let's hope they don't think we're Fae."
Tsharing says, "Shall we carry on, or make camp here?"
[OOC] Psyche comes back from the phone.
Psyche glances around. "Camp here, unless you -really- want to make a stir by trying to enter the gates at night."
Typheous frowns. "It's probably only an hour or so more before we're there. I'd rather stay in a bed, if I could. And before we get there, let's try not to mention where we come from as the name of school might attract attention."
Psyche . o O ( [retrospectively about a screen]: Mmmph. Welcome, I guess. )
Tsharing says, "All right."
Tsharing presses on.
Psyche mutters something under her breath about people overly concerned with comfort.
Typheous keeps going.
Psyche follows quietly.
You say, "The north gate stands open, visible in the dim light of the full indigo moon overhead. Actually, the gate isn't merely open. It's actually missing, seemingly ripped off its hinges long enough ago that the hinges have been frozen with rust. The city ahead does not even look inhabited, as far as you can see in the dim light, with no street lamps along the roads or candles in the windows. The road continues through the gate, but it also branches to the left and right, curving around the stark, crumbling stone walls of Theusleh."
Tsharing says, "Finding a bed may be harder than you thought."
Psyche's steps slow the closer they get to Theuslah. . o O ( Something's... ) A beat. "Shall we scan for life?" she murmurs softly.
Typheous's music is as dark as his face. "I think we've missed more than what we were told." . o O ( And this might explain the ward on Wizdin.... )
Tsharing says, "Shall we go in?"
Psyche says, "I'd rather see the lay of the land first...."
Typheous says, "Let me try a scan first. I would like to know what we're getting into."
Tsharing says, "Then go ahead."
Typheous pages: "Corr 2 effect with Life 1, Mind 1 to search for any life with/without intelligence. Diff 4 with foci, right? And how many successes would I need for the whole city and a bit of the surrounding area?"
[OOC] Psyche minimaps.
Typheous has received your page: "You couldn't get the entire city, but you could get a sizeable chunk of it with 5 successes."
Psyche kneels, sketching seemingly abstract shapes in the dirt, murmuring under her breath.
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 5, 7 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 10, 8 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **
Typheous pages: "What the range on Corr 2?"
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 5, 6 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 10, 9 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **
[OOC] Psyche says, "1 into effect, 3 into range, 4 into duration."
Typheous pulls his main gauche and slowly sweeps it across the city, his eyes focused down the blade. (Corr 2/Life 1/Mind 1 to scan for life with and without intellegence as far as I can.)
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 2, 10, 2 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 4, 2, 1 ** 0 successes (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 7, 9 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 6, 9 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
Typheous has received your page: "Any area regardless of distance, but even with Mind 1 to process the info, it can only have a 1/2 mile viewing radius at a time."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 4, 8, 3 ** 2 successes (diff 4) **
(remotely) Typheous nodsnods.
Tsharing pages: "= Glancing across the Gauntlet. Df2."
Tsharing places a hand to the circlet on her head, and bows her head in meditation.
[OOC] Typheous says, "5 into range, 2 into effect (for precision or some such, unless only 1's needed) and the rest into duration (which would be 2 or 3, depending.)"
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 8, 2, 10 ** 3 successes (diff 2) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 8, 8 ** 3 successes (diff 2) **
[OOC] Tsharing says, "4 power, 2 duration."
Psyche has received your page: "The city is largely intact, but the northern quarter appears to have been abandoned quite some years ago, though there are plenty of people and buildings at the heart of the city."
Typheous has received your page: "The city is largely intact, but the northern quarter appears to have been abandoned quite some years ago, though there are plenty of people and buildings at the heart of the city."
Tsharing pages: "Essentially, supplementing my ongoing hearing sense with Spirit. Does this count as a seperate ongoing Effect, or can I roll it into the existing one?"
Psyche . o O ( Maybe it's just this quarter... )
Psyche pages: "Nothing of particular good or evil import within range?"
Typheous pages: "Nothing odd about them?"
Typheous frowns. "I might be just here.... but odd that this part would be so decrepid..." . o O ( Maybe... Shall we go in, or go around to a more habitable side? )
Tsharing has received your page: "(It's a separate Effect) Aside from the usual object and place spirits, there are several hundred ghosts wandering the Shadowlands just beyond the Gauntlet, and those are just the ones you can "see" from here. It is almost as though the city is just as alive as it was before the Ultimatum War, except, of course, they aren't."
Psyche and Typheous have received your page: "There seems to be a Resonance of sudden, massive death."
Tsharing says, "There are ghosts. Many, too many."
Tsharing says, "Shall I try and talk with one of them and ask what happened here?"
Psyche murmurs. "Death...sudden, massive death..."
Psyche says, "Please do."
Typheous pages: "Do I hear the ghosts?"
Tsharing says, "One moment."
Typheous has received your page: "No."
Psyche . o O ( *with the overdone air of a child trying to gain compliments* I said -please- even... )
Tsharing sets up a basic mental defence, and then sits down and begins the spell.
Typheous scans the area slowly, his music still dark. . o O ( Yes, very well done, Psyche. )
Tsharing pages: "Mind 1, a basic barrier to intrusion and suchlike. Df4."
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 5, 6, 7 No diff given.
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 4, 2, 5 No diff given.
Tsharing pages: "1 duration, 3 effect."
(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods.
Tsharing says, "Ancestor, I am a peaceful traveller in your land, and am shocked to see such calamity here. Pray tell me, what caused this?"
Tsharing pages: "Df5 for this one (I'm including the +1 for having running effects)"
Psyche's immediate vicinity is as chilly as ever. . o O ( *A hint of humour, mingled with sarcasm* Do I get a cookie? )
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 3, 2 ** BOTCH 1 (diff 5) **
*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Or not."
[OOC] Eclipse hmms.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "And a backlash. Karma just pimp-slapped me."
Typheous listens carefully incase something he can hear says something. . o O ( I don't think you'd like what I normally reward attractive women with. )
[OOC] Typheous chuckles.
[OOC] You say, "That was a Spirit 2 Effect, yes?"
[OOC] Psyche giggles.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Yes, to talk to a nearby wraith."
[OOC] Psyche says, "Spirit world says 'Peaceful, my ass!'"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Aw, forgot the -1 for a unique focus. What the hell, the result would have been the same."
[OOC] Typheous says, "that was a particularly nasty roll...."
You say, "Thirteen ghosts materialize directly in front of you, though they do not attempt to pass through the remains of the gates."
[OOC] Typheous facepalms.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Thirteen ghosts, huh?"
Tsharing bows her head and waits to see what the answer will be.
Ghost1, "So many things unfinished. Help us. Help us all..."
Ghost2, "You choose an inauspicious time to talk to the dead. That is not like you."
Psyche leans against some sort of nearby object, waiting for Tsharing to relay what she finds. . o O ( *immediate tensing up* No. )
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Can everyone see / hear the ghosts?"
Ghost3, "So warm the blood. To suck, so sweet. Yes...
[OOC] You say, "Yes. Botch/Backlash weakened the Gauntlet enough for them to cross over."
Tsharing says, "I apologise for any intrusion. I merely seek to find out what has happened here. If this is a bad time, we will leave. "
[OOC] Psyche says, "No more Jordan for you."
Ghost3, "Come in, and savor our hospitality. Your marrow will make a fine wine."
Typheous's hands move instictively to his blades, his music begining to have hints of danger in it. . o O ( Well, I don't have any cookies right now. I suppose I could tell you a story... but some other time... )
Ghost2, "I am not half so mad as my bretheren. What is it you ask of us on such a dark night as this?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "I was thinking no more movies for Z."
Tsharing says, "I ask to know what happened here. For so many unquiet dead to be released at once is a terrible thing."
Psyche straightens at the appearance of the ghosts, brows arching at the ghosts' words. . o O ( Yes. Death is corrupted in these... ) The chill around her intensifies as her own hand moves for her knife.
Typheous forces his hands to relax and move from his blades, letting Tsharing speak for now. . o O ( What could have happened.... )
Ghost2, "For so many to die so suddenly and without warning, this, too, is a terrible thing. An Ultimatum did this to us. In a fit of desperation, a mage snuffed out a quarter of Theusleh's population to strike down an enemy hiding here. One moment, it was a normal day. The next..."
Ghost4, "Oblivion!"
Tsharing says, "What has happened to the other three quarters?"
Typheous's face darkens, the danger chaging to intrigue in his music.
Psyche doesn't take her hand off her blade, but her grip is unusual,more likely to cut herself than to enable her to draw the knife. . o O ( An Ultimatum...? Fuck... )
Typheous . o O ( Who.... And why are we still around if that power is known again... )
Ghost2, "Most of the people of Theusleh died during the War or in the Chaos of its aftermath, but not so suddenly or surprisingly as we did. Once, Theusleh was home to 150,000 people. Now, I do not know for certain, but I know it is far less. The living seldom enter the north quarter of the ruin."
Ghost1, "Far less! So sudden..."
Ghost3, "Enter. Yes, enter..."
Tsharing says, "Who was it who did this, and where are they now?"
Ghost2, "No one knows. Most of those who dared to wield Ultimatum perished in the War and its aftermath. Perhaps some survived, but we don't know."
Tsharing says, "And how long ago did it happen?"
Ghost1, "Don't know what happened to me... Aila, where are you?"
Typheous . o O ( Could.... why would... Hmmm.. How does this relate to Caine and his... plans... )
Ghost2, "Time passes strangely beyond the Shroud, but it has not yet been a century, yet more than a decade."
Ghost1, "No peace for us. Give us peace..."
[OOC] Typheous performs a Sending?
Ghost3, "Find peace within these walls. We keep great treasures lost in the War..."
Psyche flinches at the ghost's words. . o O ( *hidden anguish* Suffering beyond death even.... )
Ghost4, "Oblivion!"
Typheous glances toward Psyche, his music softening slightly. . o O ( I don't know how we could help them... )
Ghost5, "Where is my dog? Have you seen my little dog? He was just here a minute ago..."
[OOC] Psyche says, "Only if you wear the dress, Typh."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Is ghost 4 like one of those sound effects on radio stations?"
[OOC] You say, "Nah. He's just not terribly articulate..."
[OOC] Typheous chuckles. Hmm.... There are guy summoners.
[OOC] Psyche says, "Withdraw."
From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 8, 1, 8, 5, 6, 9, 4, 1 ** 1 success (diff 8) **
Psyche closes her eyes, biting her lip, hard enough to draw blood. . o O ( Nothing, yet. This is too much... )
[OOC] You say, "Especially considering the FF X grid lets everyone be pretty much everything..."
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 7, 3 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 8, 2 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 10, 4 ** 2 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Typheous says, "The only thing only one person has are summons."
[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 2, 7 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
[OOC] Typheous says, "And overdrives..."
Tsharing says, "We will leave you in peace, now. Thank you for your assistance."
[OOC] Psyche says, "1 into effect, 4 into duration."
Psyche . o O ( *blankout* )
Ghost6, "I know where he is. I just saw him a little while ago. He's in..."
Ghost4, "Oblivion!"
Typheous bows to the spirits silently, turning to walk out of hearing distance. "We have much to think about...."
Ghost3, "Come back anytime. We will discuss treasure over a cup of warm blood and marrow..."
Tsharing says, "Perhaps."
Typheous . o O ( Does every where we go have to be screwed up? )
Psyche turns away from the spirits without a word, following Typheous, her expression curiously blank - empty, emotionless. . o O ( *nothing* )
[OOC] You say, "This is what happens when you leave college. You have to deal with the real world..."
[OOC] Typheous says, "And the real world is full of daemons and ghosts?"
[OOC] You say, "This one is, yes."
[OOC] Typheous says, "Ahh..."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Promise me you're game isn't going to go the way of season 6 of Buffy...."
[OOC] Eclipse hasn't seen Buffy.
Typheous stops far enough that the ghosts shouldn't be able to hear. "This is unexpected...."
Tsharing pages: "Dropping the spirit sight, and the ward."
(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods.
Tsharing says, "I have not heard very much about the Ultimatum. It was before my times. What do you know about it?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "Do I know anything about it? Any stories that Drapheous would have taught me?"
Tsharing pages: "Actually, has a story passed for the purpose of recharging Legend and Destiny?"
[OOC] Psyche says, "Likewise - what do I know?"
[OOC] You say, "Actually, the War happened in such recent memory that EVERYONE has heard of it. Certainly, it is a subject taught at the Academy, so you should have a basic understanding of the concepts and capabilities."
Tsharing has received your page: "Okay. Yes."
Typheous's face darkens. "They were last used to destroy the world. A source of ultimate power..."
Tsharing says, "Let us find the living inhabitants."
Psyche speaks softly, her voice as flat as her affect. "We can't go in through the north, that much is clear...."
Tsharing sets off around the walls.
Typheous nods slowly. "Yes.... so, do we try to walk around at night, or camp here?"
Tsharing says, "Settle down camp in the cold, near the dead? If you wish. I will go in."
Psyche says calmly, "Another gate. This one isn't safe, but neither is camping here."
Typheous chuckles softly. "Well, put that way, I suppose we had better go in." His music lightens slightly.
Psyche's cold aura matches her emotions: absent.
User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`
Eclipse 1h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90
Psyche 2h 1m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...
Typheous 3h 1m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...
Tsharing 12m 2m IC PC
--[Sat May 10 20:03:57 2655]--------------------------------[4 users; 0s lag]--
Tsharing is going to another gate, then.
Psyche is too.
Typheous follows along.
[OOC] You say, "Which gate? East or west?"
[OOC] Psyche says, "The same one as Tsharing, preferably."
[OOC] Typheous follows the women.
[OOC] You say, "As usual?"
[OOC] Typheous grins.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "We have a bitch. ;-)"
[OOC] Psyche says, "Typheous spends his life chasing tail."
[OOC] You say, "All we need is a leash, and you can have yourself a "favorite pet"."
[OOC] Typheous chuckles....
[OOC] Psyche says, "Typheous...I'll dance with you if you'll wear this...."
[OOC] You say, "brb"
[OOC] Typheous chuckles. I don't know if he would or not, though.... Me might require a kiss too.
Psyche keeps the magical effect up as they travel, flat, unreadable to mind, expression, and aura.
I don't understand that.
[OOC] You say, "back"
Typheous seems lost in thought as they walk, his music providing decent, if dark travelling music.
[OOC] You say, "Psst. Which gate are you going to? East or west?"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Whichever's closest?"
[Roll]: Typheous rolled 1d2: 2; totalling 2.
[OOC] Eclipse coughs. "They're equidistant, or close enough as makes no difference..."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "East?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "Sure"
Psyche says, "***finished***"
[OOC] Psyche says, "NM that."
Tsharing goes to the east gate, then.
Typheous follows.
You say, "You reach the east gate an hour later. Bright lights with no visible source illuminate the area outside the walls. You can just make out shadows on one of the towers."
[OOC] Typheous says, "Gate open or closed?"
Guard, "Halt. Who goes there?"
[OOC] You say, "Closed."
Psyche lets the effect drop as they approach.
[OOC] Psyche says, "Minimap come up with anything disturbing here?"
Typheous bows slightly to the gate. "Merely three travellers seeking to enter the city."
Eclipse [to Psyche]: No. The area is far more populated, though, at least within six blocks of the road leading from the east gate to the west gate.
Psyche keeps her mouth shut for the moment, moving to stand behind Typheous slightly. . o O ( Grab my or something if I start to get us in trouble. I'll be too distracted by trying not to vomit to keep talking. )
[OOC] Psyche says, "Thanks."
Guard, "Are you sure you can't think of anything better than that? We get that all the time around here. It gets old, after a while..."
[OOC] Psyche says, "Grab my -hand-"
Typheous chuckles loud enough for the guard to hear. "Would a travelling performer be better? I might be able to come up with a ballad or two." . o O ( I'll keep that in mind... )
Guard, "I know. How about 'We're a hoard of barbarians come to invade Theusleh'? I don't think I've heard that one, yet."
Psyche glances from Tsharing to Typheous. "Three persons, no matter how travel-weary, does not make a very good horde...." she observes in the guard's direction.
Typheous glances to Psyche and then to Tsharing. "I'm afraid we're not much of a horde, no."
Guard, "Nah, we get travelling performers all the time. Are you sure you're not all-powerful sorcerers come to demand the surrender of the city?"
[OOC] Psyche says, "Do not make :P"
Tsharing says, "Would you prefer that?"
From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 5, 3, 8, 10, 6, 7, 4, 1 ** 1 success (diff 8) **
Typheous chuckles softly. "I might be talked into that if you do not put up much of a fight, but I fear our journey has made us a bit travel weary."
[OOC] Psyche learns the fine art of keeping her mouth shut and letting someone else answer, in lieu of having to tell the truth.
Guard, "Of course. Not much of a job, gate watchman. Not a lot of variety of experience. "See the world," they said. "Meet interesting people and kill them," they said. No, I get stuck up here on graveyard shift asking people their business. And then it's all "just a few wanderers" or "travelling entertainers" or even "merchants". Never a barbarian horde or all-powerful sorcerers. No, sir."
Psyche . o O ( After all, I want to survive long enough to finish my studies and do a little good. )
Typheous chuckles. "I offer my appoligies that we aren't more interesting than the others that come through this gate."
Psyche lifts her shoulders. "Not everyone can be everything. We would be lying to pretend we were something other than what we are...and you don't want to admit liars, do you?"
Guard, "
[OOC] Psyche says, "Speechles."
Guard, "Well, if you aren't barbarians, do you think you could introduce yourselves. I'm Alexander, and while I've always been certain I was destined for greatness, you can see where that has gotten me."
[OOC] Psyche smacks Clippy around a bit.
[OOC] Eclipse grins. "What?
[OOC] You say, "Could be worse. Could have been Julius or Augustus..."
Typheous bows deeply. "I am Typheous, and I too aspire. Don't give up, good sir, you might yet find your fame."
Tsharing says, "My name is Seng and I come from the monastary in my mountains. My sensei is the august and wise Master Gama."
Psyche looks up at the guard. "Psyche." No small talk with that.
Alexander, "Ah, I see. You ARE all-powerful sorcerers. You're just travelling incognito, is that it? Can't say that I blame you, what with all that's been happening on the road from here to Wyzdin."
Tsharing says, "We have met the shades, yes."
Typheous raises his eyebrow. "I beg your pardon sir, we have been travelling from the north and only came here as the north gate is in a bit of disrepair."
From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 4, 6, 9, 4, 9, 1, 4, 6 ** 1 success (diff 8) **
Psyche steps back slightly, behind Typheous once more. . o O ( How does -he- know that? ) She keeps her mouth determinedly shut.
Typheous . o O ( If Caine is in charge of the city... )
Psyche . o O ( Then we're dead already. )
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Then he'd probably know already."
Typheous . o O ( Not if he doesn't know why we came... )
Alexander, "Woah. That IS clever, I must say. Caine Berlion sent soldiers to watch the east, but he never thought the dangerous fugitive sorcerers would come from the north. Good show. Shall I open the gate for you, now, or do you want to dominate me into submission with your magic, first?"
Psyche . o O ( True. He...ahh, fuck it all. This guy's hiding some kind of strange herbs in his guardroom... )
[OOC] You say, "Sleep deprivation is a terrible, terrible thing..."
Psyche furrows her brows. "Dominate...what?"
Typheous chuckles, his music light. "I'm afraid I am not the all powerful sorceror you think I am. Many have confused me with such a person, though. If you could open the gates, we would be most gratious." His hand begins to reach for Psyche's.
Alexander_waves_his_fingers, "Dominate. You know. Like Caine always does. I hear he's really good at it."
Psyche turns amber eyes toward Typheous. . o O ( * a little sulkily* What'd I say? )
Alexander, "Okay, right. Will you be offended if I tell my friends on dayshift that you dominated me into submission? They'll be SO jealous."
Typheous frowns. "Again, I fear you have us confused with someone else. I don't really care for too much attention, though." . o O ( Let's not draw attention by acting too inquisitive of the guard. I don't want to have to kill him. )
Alexander, "Maybe, but THEY don't know that, do they?"
Psyche sighs softly, closing her eyes and shaking her head in disgust. . o O ( Fuck...what -is- he smoking...? )
Typheous nods, his music light. "Yes, but I don't want to fend off over zealous guards trying to make a name for themselves..." . o O ( Hmm... that might be of some use.... He's high on something? )
Typheous pages: "Could I use Mind to increase the effects of whatever he's smoking so he thinks this whole thing is a bad trip/memory/dream? "
Psyche shrugs. . o O ( He could just be stupid. I haven't tried checking. )
Typheous has received your page: "If he were on a drug, you could amplify the emotional effects, which might be enough to blur the memory."
Typheous pages: "Unless he's not stoned... could I tell with my scan? and is that still active?"
Typheous pages: "And would checking be Life or Mind?"
Typheous has received your page: "It was just for a scene, right? Life would find the drugs in his system. Mind would recognize the effects on his mind."
Typheous pages: "It was 2 or 3 into duration, depending on if putting extra into effect would have increased the resolution."
Typheous has received your page: "Then it's still active. He doesn't appear to be on any drugs, but it would seem he hasn't slept more than an hour or two a night in five days, for some reason. His mental state is less than sound."
Typheous pages: "Would I be able to manipulate him enough into thinking later that this whole thing was just a sleep deprived halucination?"
Typheous has received your page: "If you can get him to open and close the gate, it should be an easy matter to put him to sleep. It is unlikely he'll have any strong memory of the night's events."
Typheous chuckles softly. "So, will you be kind enough to open the gates, sir?"
Typheous pages: "And can I use this conversation as the focus?"
Alexander, "Okay. I'm the slave of your power, master."
You say, "He opens the gate."
Typheous has received your page: "Yes."
Tsharing goes in.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "And if that failed, I'd make us invisible and fly us in."
Typheous goes in as well. "Thank you, so much good sir."
Psyche follows Typheous, giving the guard a 'what-are-you-on' look as she passes.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Use the conversation as the focus and then try to put him to sleep as soon as the gate is closed."
Typheous . o O ( Give me a moment.... I'm making sure he doesn't remember us... )
You say, "The gate closes behind you."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 5, 10, 6 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Typheous says, "diff 4, right? And do I think 3 success will be enough?"
Psyche touches Tsharing's arm. "Wait a moment..." she murmurs softly.
[OOC] You say, "Definitely. He's extremely sleep-deprived."
Tsharing waits.
Psyche . o O ( Waiting for you. )
Typheous releases his spell, his music briefly almost lulaby like. "Then have a good evening, my good guard." . o O ( There... that should do it.)
Psyche nods, removing her hand from Tsharing's arm. "A place for the night, then?"
You say, "Alexander doesn't answer."
Psyche . o O ( Good idea. )
Typheous turns back to the women. His voice and his music are softer now. "Yes, let's find a place fairly inconspicuous." . o O ( As I said, he seemed to know too much about us. ) "And we might want to not give our names out... it seems we're expected."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "BRB"
User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`
Eclipse 2h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90
Tsharing 57m 1m IC PC
Typheous 3h 1m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...
Psyche 3h 2m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...
--[Sat May 10 22:18:45 2655]--------------------------------[4 users; 0s lag]--
Psyche considers Typheous's words. "I suppose you're right...fugitive sorcerers and all that..." . o O ( I can't lie worth a good godsdamn, Typh...you know that. Ask me to give a false name, and you might as well give us away. )
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Back"
Typheous . o O ( Then just don't give a name and I'll just introduce you. Anything you want to be known as? )
Tsharing says, "If we have aliases, we should set up false images of their truth in our minds."
Psyche . o O ( How likely is he to know our full names...? )
You say, "The main street is lined with quite a number of inns, pubs, and other accommodations for travelers' various needs. Theusleh is clearly an old city, and if it is not exactly ancient, it is certainly older than any other community in the entire bubble of Order. The traffic on the road at this time of night is very light, mostly handfuls of merchants' hirelings staggering from one pub to the next."
Typheous frowns. "I don't think we need to totally conceal ourselves. But three people with our names together would probabaly be enough." . o O ( I wouldn't put it past him to get a full roster. Anything the school knows, he might. )
Psyche . o O ( Fuck. Um.... )
Typheous frowns slightly. "Well.... new names? Or chance our own?"
Tsharing says, "New names. And false mental fronts to foil mind reading."
Typheous nods. "Probably best... For names... perhaps... Aaron, Miriam, and Tzipporah? Those are significantly different than our own." . o O ( Just be very quiet in public... You'll be fine. Leave the talking to me. )
[OOC] Psyche BATS.
Tsharing says, "Miriam sounds good as my new name."
Typheous turns to Psyche. "Then am I or you Tzipporah?"
Psyche takes a deep breath. "Only if someone can impose that front on me. Any deception I attempt to undergo will crumble, given a very short amount of time." She lifts her shoulders, sighing softly.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Will Mind 2 allow me to do that?"
Tsharing says, "Should we also have different backgrounds or professions?"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Should do."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "It's the same as a standard ward, but if it holds, the enquiry yields false information."
Typheous chuckles. "We are merely travellers from the north, visiting a friend in the city. We need not be too convoluted in our endeavor."
Tsharing pages: "Setting up a false front so any mental enquiries about name will give that one instead. 3 duration, 3 concealment + effect. Df3."
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 3, 10 ** 1 success (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 8, 2, 4 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 9, 10 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 1, 8 ** 1 success (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 9, 4 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 3, 8 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **
Tsharing pages: "7 effect."
Tsharing says, "I am ready."
Psyche studies Typheous for a long moment, closing her eyes. . o O ( Can't you think of something...shorter? )
[OOC] You say, "Mind 2 can create false fronts. Normally, they can only protect yourself (short of Mind 4), but I'll let it go this time because of Twin Souls and the situation, though you'll need to touch, again."
[OOC] You say, "Delilah?"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Al says hi. He also suggested we invite Caine out to have a couple of drunks."
(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods.
Tsharing says, "I am ready."
Typheous . o O ( Perhaps.... Angela? Or something less... divine? )
[OOC] Typheous says, "And would I need anything into targets? 2 for Psyche?"
[OOC] You say, "Yes. She is still an additional target."
Typheous moves closer to Psyche, reaching a hand for her arm again. . o O ( I'm going to have to touch you again.... Esther?
[OOC] Typheous says, "And I don't suppose I can use this conversation as the focus. :)"
Psyche tenses, holding out her hand to Typheous. "Gala will do," she says quietly, resignedly. "Might as well bandy her name around somewhere." . o O ( Little tree-hugging bitch. )
Typheous takes Psyche's hand. . o O ( Who was Gala, if I might ask? And indulge me somehow please, I need the focus. )
Eclipse [to Typheous]: Not this time. Doesn't seem to fit.
[OOC] Typheous didn't think so.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Let me know when I can get rolls in."
Tsharing says, "There is an additional layer of protection I can call."
Psyche . o O ( Gala...was someone I knew when I was a child. )
Typheous turns to Tsharing. "Oh?" . o O ( A friend? )
Tsharing assumes the posture of a humble bystander, shoulders slack, eyes looking down. "Do the same."
Tsharing pages: "= Using Mind 2 to evoke a 'nothing to see here' effect, similar to Arcane. Should be Df5. 2 targets, 3 duration, 3 effect."
Typheous has received your page: "Anytime you're ready. It isn't that difficult to arrange a focus. Just pose accordingly."
Typheous chuckles, shifting to fit in better. "Ahh...."
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 1, 4 ** 0 successes (diff 5) **
*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 8, 4 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
Psyche . o O ( Not exactly. More like my antithesis. We could have been mirror images. )
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 4, 2, 1 ** BOTCH 1 (diff 5) **
Psyche shifts as Typheous does.
[OOC] Tsharing says, "WP into that."
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 8, 8 ** 1 success (diff 5) **
*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 10, 10 ** 2 successes (diff 5) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 4, 3 ** 1 success (diff 5) **
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 8, 8 ** 3 successes (diff 5) **
Typheous . o O ( Oh? How so? A sister perhaps? Or just someone who hung out and was annoying? )
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 2, 9 ** 2 successes (diff 5) **
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Got it."
[Roll]: Tsharing rolled dice (1d10): 5 No diff given.
[OOC] Eclipse nods.
Typheous pages: "And 1 success into target, 4-5 into duration, and as many as I feel safe doing into effect?"
Tsharing says, "Unless you are ostentatious, then you will be less noticable."
Typheous has received your page: "That should be fine."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 7, 4 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***
Typheous pages: "Eek.... Anything I can do? or is this a non-backlash effect?"
Typheous has received your page: "This is not a Backlash effect."
Typheous pages: "cool..."
Tsharing says, "That may be hard to avoid for you, true, but it will help."
Psyche . o O ( My little sister's best friend. )
Psyche lifts her shoulders. "I can be less than ostentatious..."
Typheous chuckles. "True..." . o O ( Oh? She must have been around a lot..."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 2, 4 ** 0 successes (diff 4) **
Tsharing says, "I was referring to the cold."
Typheous frowns, his music hitting an inopportune cadence. "And my... gift..."
Tsharing says, "As well."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 3, 9 ** 0 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Typheous prods his dice....
Tsharing says, "Perhaps you could claim to be travelling entertainers."
[OOC] You say, "This is going to be like Sir Robin and his minstrels trying to sneak up on the evil bunny, isn't it?"
Typheous chuckles. "The guard didn't seem to believe that one..."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 5, 7 ** 2 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] You say, "I play music. She plays havoc on thermostats."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "You know, maybe I should just become invisible...."
Psyche coughs softly. "Ahh, yes...the cold..." A sigh. "Can't do anything about it without adding -another- magical effect...."
Typheous . o O ( and too much magic would be just the same.... perhaps we can hope they won't notice..... )
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 8, 4 ** 1 success (diff 4) **
Tsharing says, "So take effort to conceal your magic, as I have."
Tsharing pages: "Come to think of it, can I have moved one success from duration and one from effect to give 2 concealment?"
Typheous pages: "Anyone probing us has to overcome the number of successes into effect, right? And concealing themagic would eat how many successes?"
Tsharing has received your page: "Sure."
Typheous has received your page: "Concealing the magic would cancel successes on magic detection on a 1-for-1 basis. A simple Effect would probably overlook you, but a concentrated effort could penetrate the illusion. People tend not to look for something that does not appear to be there unless they have reason to supect something is there, so a success or two would probably be enough."
Psyche studies Tsharing for a moment. "No. The effect handicaps me too much...not to mention it in itself makes me seem suspicious."
Typheous . o O ( So what about this Gala annoyed you so much? )
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 1, 2, 5 ** 0 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Typheous says, "Slaps his dice around... I don't want to be here all night!"
[OOC] You say, "If you want, you can just roll a bunch of checks and pray you don't botch any of them..."
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 9, 5 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 9, 6, 7 ** 3 successes (diff 4) **
[Roll]: Typheous rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 4, 2 ** 2 successes (diff 4) **
[OOC] Psyche laughs!
[OOC] Typheous eyes his dice.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Good dice."
Psyche . o O ( Mmmh. Think of all things Elven. )
[OOC] Typheous says, "Ok, 1 to target Psyche, 5 into duration, 2 into concealment, and 7 into effect/strength."
[OOC] Eclipse nods.
Tsharing says, "Now, we should find somewhere to stay for tonight."
[OOC] Typheous says, "And this puts a fake resonace on us, right? Do I get to choose?"
[OOC] You say, "If you want, yes."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Already at +1Df, and I can't put up any running effects without making it +2....."
[OOC] You say, "Fun..."
[OOC] Typheous says, "Hmmm.... *ponders Romantic or some such for both of them, just to annoy Psyche*"
Typheous releases his spell, his music briefly almost lulaby like. "Then have a good evening, my good guard." . o O ( There... that should do it. They should recognise us now...) (OOC: I will go with the romantic resonance on us both.)
[OOC] Eclipse chuckles.
[OOC] Psyche says, "Good guard?"
[OOC] Typheous says, "Ack... it pulled the wrong things."
You say, "The name of the nearest inn, which is quite small, is The Prancing Pony. The next one down is Four Kings. Across the street from that one is The City Orchard. The fourth one, which you can barely make out at this distance, appears to be called The Husky Mutt."
Typheous releases the spell, letting it settle onto himself and Psyche. . o O ( There, that should do it. They shouldn't recognise us now. ) "Yes, a place to stay..."
[OOC] Typheous slaps Eclipse.
[OOC] Eclipse grins.
Tsharing goes to the nearest, then.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Although I don't recognise the last two."
[OOC] You say, "They're brothels in the book I'm currently writing the second draft of... The City Orchard is also a vague reference to a certain submarine scene in The Illuminatus Trilogy involving unmentionable acts involving an apple..."
[OOC] Typheous says, "Ahh..... I see...."
Tsharing avoids the halflings waiting for a mage, and quietly enquires with the innkeeper about some rooms for tonight.
[OOC] Psyche laughs.
[OOC] Typheous hopes no wraiths show up tonigth.
You say, "The Prancing Pony is clean, relaxed, and reasonably priced. A trio of musicians entertains the patrons."
Typheous listens to the music, his own matching it. (ooc: any tunes his knows?)
[OOC] Tsharing says, ""Oblivion!""
Eclipse [to Tsharing]: There are rooms available.
Psyche requests three rooms, in a quiet voice unnaturally subdued for her. (since I have all the money).
Eclipse [to Typheous]: Interestingly, they're playing an upbeat version of one of Drapheous's ballads, at the moment. Think Scarborough Fair done by Metallica, except with less electricity.
Typheous starts to hum softly along, eyeing the crowd for anyone he might know.
Eclipse [to Psyche]: The innkeeper doesn't seem to react unusually to your presence.
Psyche pays without really arguing the price of the rooms, trying to act both natural and inconspicuous.
Eclipse [to Typheous]: You don't recognize anyone, but then, the crowd isn't very large tonight.
[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (5d10): 3, 6, 3, 9, 5 No diff given.
[OOC] You say, "I'm really sorry, but my eyes are literally closing of their own accord, right now. Do you mind stopping here? I just couldn't sleep last night, and now I'm suffering. I'm really sorry."
[OOC] Typheous says, "I'm ok with it... Don't want anything too bizzare happening."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "That's fine."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "But isn't it meant to be me who says that? ;-)"
Tsharing pages: "Rp vote / abstain, or one each if that's possible."
(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods.
[OOC] You say, "RP votes?"
User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`
Eclipse 3h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90
Tsharing 1h 29s IC PC
Typheous 4h 1m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...
Psyche 4h 3m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...
--[Sun May 11 00:53:27 2655]--------------------------------[4 users; 0s lag]--
*** Added 3 XP to Tsharing's Experience ***
*** Added 3 XP to Typheous's Experience ***
Typheous pages: "Tsharing"
*** Added 3 XP to Psyche's Experience ***
[OOC] Psyche hugs Eclipse.
Psyche pages: "Mind if we finish that conversation about Gala on our own time, just for kicks?"
[OOC] Tsharing says, "The problem with big purchases is little things tempt you along the way. Spirit 3 or WP 6....."
Psyche pages: "Typh"
[OOC] Eclipse sighs. "Doesn't happen very often on a Saturday night, but I'm moving beyond weird and into uninspired, and that just isn't cool."
[OOC] You say, "Typheous gets the RP point"
[OOC] Typheous grins. Thanks.
*** Added 1 XP to Typheous's Experience ***
[OOC] Typheous says, "And we get wp back each session, right? or no?"
Tsharing has received your page: "I basically just counted your vote as a tie-breaker."
[OOC] You say, "1 WP, yes."
Psyche has received your page: "Go ahead."
[OOC] Typheous has been forgetting that, methinks... :)
Psyche pages: "Sankoo."
[OOC] You say, "Now, I really must get some sleep. I'm on the verge of spending the night with my head on my keyboard, at the moment. See you later."
[OOC] Tsharing says, "Later."
[OOC] Psyche snugs.
[OOC] Typheous says, "Nightnight"