[7thsea] GM says, "That's particularly effective for 0-level knacks, since they only cost 2 xp and they make a big difference in your odds of rolling well."
[7thsea] Bert says, "Log on."
Talbert says, "Everyone comes looking for booty, but in the end what they really needed was beauty"
[7thsea] GM says, "(i.e. 4k3 is significantly better than 3k3; moreso than the difference between 4k3 and 5k3)"
GM asks, "Why choose?"
Talbert says, "Why indeed"
GM exclaims, "So, welcome!"
GM asks, "Any questions before the recap?"
Talbert says, "I feel like I would have questions *after*"
Talbert says, "the recap"
GM says, "Fair enough ;-)"
GM exclaims, "When last we left our intrepid adventurers!"
DonMiguel asks, "Which side are we on again?"
inky arrives, looking for booty.
Talbert says (to DonMiguel), "The a side, hence all the monologues"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "Boo!"
GM says, "Talbert was confined to the infirmary on the orders of Captain Raimond, who reacted poorly (and oddly) to Talbert mentioning that gee there sure were a lot of odd transfers to the prison guard the night it got attacked."
GM says, "Don and Penelope interrogated the lookout at the prison break, and discovered she was part of a group getting orders from an unknown entity or entities, asking her to do stuff. Getting recruited into the group seemed to involve asking about the tide."
GM says, "In consultation with El Vago (local chapter), they talked to Father Penlaver, who did not notice the tide comment, but who gave Don a sheet of paper from a sorcerograph."
GM says, "Then they talked to Guillermo (who had been held at knifepoint in the caves on Storm Night), and while he didn't respond to the tide comment, his husband Benito did."
GM says, "(despite not being on The List.)"
GM says, "The guy the group broke out of prison is a ne'er-do-well named "Fulgencio de la Mora"
GM exclaims, "And I think that's the basics!"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "We need to exorcise the daimond out of Raimond! I mean, the demon out of Remond!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Can we assume we're no longer having lunc with Benito and Guillermo, and can speak freely?"
GM says, "So my plan for today is to start with a scene with Talbert, then have a scene with Don and Penelope, then embrace the chaos of a split party and have you all on parallel quests, before finally bringing everyone together again."
GM says, "But yes, feel free to chat in character first, wherever you want to be."
DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "Well, now that we've made contact, I suppose the only next step regarding this mysterious organization is to wait for them to come to us."
Penelope nods thoughtfully.
DonMiguel says, "In the meantime, I'd like to study the records from the Padre's device -- and maybe see if I can learn anything about the object that appeared to be at the heart of it."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(E.g., possibly stuff my character can be doing in the background during Talbert's scenes.)"
[7thsea] GM says, "(Oh, good, that's what I was going to assume you were going to do ;-)"
DonMiguel says, "But that said... I'm a little concerned that we haven't heard from Talbert lately."
DonMiguel says, "I do hope that he's alright."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "coo coo secret message coo coo"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "coo as per end of last session coo coo"
GM exclaims, "And, SCREEN WIPE to Talbert in the infirmary!"
GM says, "Talbert, you're stuck there under orders from Raimond Faucheux, along with some others in 'group four' who seem better but are still under strict orders to not leave."
GM says, "Bored, you're idly watching maneuver exercises in the courtyard out the window, when you feel your heart flutter. Your pulse increases, and you feel slightly feverish."
[7thsea] GM says, "And, <scene begins>"
Talbert was drawing a sketch of soldiers in action when this happened. The pencil's tip pokes a hole in the paper, and he puts it down, passing a hand over his brow.
[7thsea] GM says, "Nice."
Talbert takes a deep breath!
GM says (to Talbert), "The air in your lungs feels good, but you're still jittery."
Talbert keeps an ear out for voices in his head. The sensation reminds him of his grueling trip through the Porte portal, somehow.
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "My first thought about this is probably mistaken."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "(That is, if Talbert somehow subconscously recognized a certain mistress of disguise...)"
GM exclaims (at Talbert), "You are correct; it does. You reach out with your mind, listening, and feel drawn to something out the window. Perception (Wits), TN 10!"
[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Is Perception a knack I can take somehow?"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "I think it's straight Wits unless you have the Keen Senses advantage."
[7thsea] GM asks, "You can get Keen Senses, but it's not a knack. But I think you can buy it anyway?"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ilac."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Pretty sure it's just a straight wits roll. There is no Perception-- yeah. What they said."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "I think the book doesn't give rules for buying advantages. Which means it's up to the GM."
[7thsea] Talbert says, "OK, no worries"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Straight wits!"
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 5 7 | 12
[7thsea] Talbert says, "Success"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yay!"
GM says (to Talbert), "There's a figure outside across the courtyard, casually leaning on the gate. The figure is dressed as a man, but your heart can't be fooled--it's Floriana."
[7thsea] Talbert says, "That's so much better than what I thought, haha"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "I was expecting to be possessed by Legion"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "There's still time!"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "eep"
[7thsea] GM says, "hee hee"
GM says, "You've seen Floriana before and haven't had a physical reaction like this, even since the lighthouse. As you watch more closely, she seems to be doing something with her fingers."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ha, I *was* right."
GM says, "Eventually, you see her stretch casually with her fists clenched, then open her right hand with a slight flick-and a spark drifts away from her, floating towards you. She turns to face your direction, but stares intently at the forest beyond your building. The spark continues its journey, a little erratically but persistently, and floats up to your window."
GM says, "(which is currently closed)"
Talbert makes a point of languidly wiping sweat off his brow and opening the window ostensibly for fresh air.
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I gamed with another friend in grad school who also just thought like me all too often. At one point, I gave them key cards with little lights at the top, and he immediately said, "Hunh, maybe it's binary." It was binary."
GM says, "The spark enters the room and hovers just inside the window."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "It's like being Elan from OotS."
Talbert leans in, one hand underneath it with palm facing up
GM says, "The spark hovers just above the palm of your hand, now moving in sync with it as you experimentally move your hand back and forth."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "(Who isn't the most logical person, but has an innate sense of Narrative.)"
Talbert gently tests if he can close his hand on it, like catching a firefly
GM says, "You can! And with your hand now surrounding it, you can feel like it has *potential*, as if it's waiting to be unlocked."
[7thsea] GM says, "(you can roll for a clue if you like, but you're doing great so far)"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "Dodecahedron!"
Talbert ponders. What turns a spark into a flame?
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "OK, I'll roll for a clue because my train of thought was completely derailed by a joke answer to that question which would be an innuendo"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha."
GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Fuel!"
[7thsea] GM says, "(never mind about rolling ;-)"
Talbert will see if the spark accepts a bit of paper from his sketchbook?
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Also this continues the trend of having every character I play commit arson at some point"
GM says, "You release the spark over a blank page from your sketchbook, and it immediately splits and lands on the paper, burning lines into it:"
GM | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wSBF2sz949xuX93NP1AFtTUpGnySisf0/view?usp=sharing
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "yay"
[7thsea] GM says, "(For the archives; 'DON NEEDS PORTE SCHEDULE')"
GM exclaims, "And as you ponder how you might do that, scene change!"
GM says, "3 HOURS EARLIER: DON MIGUEL'S STUDY, WITH DON, PENELOPE, AND FLORIANA."
GM says, "Floriana looks a little haggard, but seems to have mostly recovered from her ordeal at the lighthouse. She's eager to return to her duties; she feels like the stakes in protecting the town have gone up, and she wants to be there to help."
GM says, "Don, you're using the tools in your study to try to analyze the socerograph readout from Father Penlaver, but are having problems. Give me a Natural Philosophy/Wits roll to figure out what you need the most. You need three things, and you'll be able to carefully figure out one of them on a TN 15, two with a raise, and three with a second raise. A successful roll means anything you figured out on that roll will make your subsequent deciphering attempt easier, and everything you didn't figure out will still be necessary, but won't help. A failed roll means by the time you've figured out all three, you've damaged the paper enough that you'll have a penalty instead of any bonuses on your deciphering roll."
GM says, "(So, i.e. if you attempt and succeed at a TN 15 roll, you'll get a single bonus later after having gathering all the things you need. If you attempt and succeed at a TN 20 roll, that's two bonuses. A failed roll means a penalty instead of any bonuses.)"
GM says, "What exact bonus you get depends on how well you all are able to gather the information."
GM says, "Oh, and:"
GM tosses Talbert a drama die for neatly figuring stuff out.
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "whee"
[7thsea] GM asks (of Don), "Was that clear enough?"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Hmm. I don't think I want to spend a drama die yet. I'd *like* to take a raise, but I don't know if I want to risk it."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "I can gift you one!"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Take my giftable DD!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "And I am (Over)confident in my abilities, so with Talbert's DD, I'll take two raises!"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "woo!"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "TN 25!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Hmm, I forget what my Intuitive virtue was supposed to do; I wonder if I've ever used it...)"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 5k4: 6 6 10+1 2 8 | 31
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"
[7thsea] GM says, "Well, there you go then; nice."
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at Talbert), "Thank you!"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "you're welcome :)"
GM says, "The three things you figure would be most helpful are:"
GM says, "1) Any information you can get on when Porte happens at the Montaignian HQ. You know they regularly send and receive messages from the capital; you assume that happens on a schedule."
GM says, "2) A set of fine measuring devices. Precision calipers would be ideal, and a high-quality magnifier."
GM says, "3) Measurements, as precise as you can get them, of the distance and angle from the Father's laboratory to the places you know had sorcery: the lighthouse flame (for both Floriana and Forte's original portal), and halfway down the cliff (for Forte's second portal)."
Floriana says, "I can get a message to Talbert! I'd kind of like to see him anyway."
GM asks (of Penelope), "You remember that your frenemy Gianetta is a jewelery appraiser. Maybe she has tools?"
DonMiguel says (to Floriana), "Oh, good! I'd been hoping to hear how he was doing as well."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Incidentally, where is Tristand these days? (I didn't 100% pay attention to Talbert's scene last time, except that they were talking to each other briefly)"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "He is also in group 4 in the infirmary!"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Great"
DonMiguel says, "I wonder if the salvage from the ship included any of their navigation tools. A good sextant would be rather useful right now."
Penelope asks, "Oh! Could you maybe check in on Tristand for me? I'd really appreciate it. Also, Don, I think I can get you tools?"
DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "Fantastic! Which ones?"
Floriana says (to Penelope), "Absolutely. I understand."
Penelope says, "Well, I have this friend who appraises jewelry, so I imagine she's at least got a magnifier!"
DonMiguel says, "Excellent. Then I'll work on the surveying tools."
Penelope says, "I could probably talk her into letting me borrow it."
[7thsea] GM says, "OK! So, everyone has their quests; I'm going to try to run them in parallel; wish me luck."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Good luck. We're all counting on you."
[7thsea] GM says, "If you feel like you're waiting for me, do ping me; sometimes I read too quickly and miss when it's something you want a response to vs. generally roleplaying."
[7thsea] GM says, "Talbert, you're in the infirmary, and Floriana is outside. Penelope, Gianetta lives in the center of town, and you might have to fortify yourself for the traditional trading of insults that always starts off your conversations. Don, you're off in pursuit of a sextant; you might be able to buy/borrow one at the docks, there might be one in your Stash, or there might be one in the flotsam at the beach."
[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'm sure Penelope could find a sextant"
[7thsea] GM says, "ba-dum tish"
[7thsea] GM says, "Just for variety, let's have Talbert on #interludes, Don on #interludes2, and Penelope in the main room."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Need to unload groceries, so hold off on my part."
[interludes] Talbert says, "ludes"
[7thsea] GM says, "No problem."
[interludes2] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK!"
[interludes] * GM has added the synonym #games/roleplaying/i1 to the channel.
[interludes2] * GM has added the synonym #games/roleplaying/i2 to the channel.
[7thsea] GM says, "(otherwise I have to type them out in there entirety)"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Thinking IC, the simplest options would be to check my stash first, and then the docks second."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(Also, I am realizing slightly late that a sextant and a theodolite are technically not the same thing, but I assume that won't matter here.)"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Back!"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "theodolite? no, theodorant"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "for when your theology gets hot and devilish"
[Setting the zoned flag.]
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "It seems likely enough that at some point in history, someone has tried to survey the estate to figure out acreage and stuff."
Penelope heads to Gianetta's house, bringing a nice enough bottle of wine as a gift.
[interludes2] GM says, "Sounds good. I think the opposition here is trying to avoid the Montaignian soldiers wandering around, and also making sense of your ancestors terrible organization system."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Makes sense."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Also, handwriting."
[Crows-Nest] (from Talbert) DonM challenges the GM to a duel! Honor oblige.
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(But I hope they at least knew how to spell.)"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Oh, as an aside: I'm not sure if you are under the impression that 'Don' is my name."
[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "I wasn't clear if it was a title or a name"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says (to DonMiguel), "Oh, Talbert's not that stupid. Johann, now...."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "(if you're reading this transcript, Tale, we love you)"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Since the records and stash are probably in the main building (possibly in sub-sub-basements or attics or such), I think that sneaking past the soldiers is probably less a matter of disguise and more a matter of knowing all the little-known passages and backways around my own home."
GM says (to Penelope), "Gianetta answers the door, and exclaims, "Ah, Penelope! That makes sense; it must have been the reflection from that garish lipstick reflecting in my window for the last five minutes."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Fortunately, I group up here, playing and seek and exploring where I wasn't supposed to be."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "Oh, it was addressed more at the GM, because of Floriana's note to you."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "(It's a title, like Lord Miguel or Sir Miguel.)"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "'Don' is the best code name though"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "since it's completely non specific"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Yeah, I know; she didn't want to waste letters ;-)"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Fair."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "like having a spy called Milady"
[interludes2] npc2 asks, "So, let's say an insight (wits/history?) to figure out where best to start looking, TN 15, then a sneak (stealth/finesse) to avoid soldiers on the way?"
Penelope grins. "Always a pleasure, Gianetta." I am not nearly as witty as my character probably is, so let's say some says something appropriate in reponse.
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k3: 4 5 9 3 | 18
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "Just made it!"
GM asks (of Penelope), "Heh. Do you want to roll your wits to come up with something?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(That was 'Wits/History'.)"
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Is the sneaking Opposed?"
[interludes] Floriana nods to you as you return to the window, and your heart rate returns to normal.
[interludes2] npc2 says, "Hmm, sure."
[7thsea] npc2 rolls 4k2: 4 10+4 4 9 | 23
Penelope asks, "Sure. Can I use oratory, since in theory I *am* good at making shit up on the fly, haha?"
GM exclaims (at Penelope), "Absolutely!"
[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k3: 4 6 4 7 1 | 17
GM exclaims, "A solid retort!"
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Taking a raise on my stealth roll. To, uh... maybe find some additional useful stuff as well along the way?"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 3 7 8 6 1 9 9 | 33
Penelope, after that goes on for a while, offers up the wine. "Shall we?"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "Sure!"
GM says (to Penelope), "'Of course!' Ah, the '18. A good, solid year.'"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(We can decide what that stuff is later when it becomes relevant, if you want.)"
[interludes2] npc2 says, "So, TN 28."
[interludes2] DonMiguel | [7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 3 7 8 6 1 9 9 | 33
GM says (to Penelope), "'So, give me allll the gossip. I heard you've been seen around town with a...Tristand, I believe?'"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "Whoops, ha, good job. You succeed!"
Penelope smiles and her eyes probably sparkle a little. She offers up some appropriately juicy details that would make Tristand blush and hopefully not mind terribly that she's talking about him.
[interludes2] DonMiguel cracks open the trapdoor in the ceiling and climbs up the ladder to a dusty old loft that he barely remembered even existed. Inside, he finds the 'treasure' chests that he discovered in his youth, filled with old books, medieval clothing, and -- aha! -- a complete set of surveying tools!
GM says, "Gianetta fans herself a bit, and smiles."
[interludes] Floriana says (to Talbert), "[nudge nudge]"
[interludes] Talbert says, "Right"
[interludes] Talbert says, "Hmm, where to get the schedule"
GM asks, "Well, we haven't been seen around town as much, but have you heard who's been asking for *me* more and more, recently?"
[interludes] Talbert asks, "Am I in the infirmary indefinitely or have I got a date set for release?"
[7thsea] Penelope asks, "gossip plus.. I dunno, wits? to see if I have in fact?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Sure! TN 25; it's not well known at all."
[7thsea] GM says, "(except here)"
[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 2 3 7 2 | 12
Penelope leans in. "No! Who?!? Tell me everything.
[interludes] GM says (to Talbert), "You are here at least for another week, according to the doctor, who told you this sort of shame-facedly and then scurried off soemthwere else the last time you asked."
Gianetta smiles and leans back. "Let's just say that the area he hails from is known for its sausages. And the man does not disappoint."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel asks, "So *that's* what that dentist has been doing all this time?"
Penelope snerks.
GM says (to Penelope), "Wait, the Vicomte de Andouille? Hunh."
[7thsea] GM says, "(in your head)"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Though now I want it to be Johann)"
[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "hehe"
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "So, with your raise, you also noticed that on your trip through the house, there were areas that are normally unused that have been entered."
[7thsea] GM says, "(The Vicomte is the guy in charge of everything in the occupying army)"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "I got that :)"
[interludes2] DonMiguel can't help but investigate.
[7thsea] GM says, "OK, good ;-)"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Too many names!"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Is it useful to us for me to go down that thread of information right now? (asking the group more than the GM)"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Or should I move on to asking about jewelry"
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "Considering your options, there are people here in the infirmary that might know something; you might be able to escape; you might be able to get a message to Floriana; you might be able to ask someone else who's freer to come and go to do something."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "If you think you can get something interesting from it, go for it."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm not sure, honestly."
[7thsea] GM says, "I should say that in general, my plan was for all of you to discover extra things on your quests; feel free to get distracted when you uncover interesting threads."
[7thsea] GM says, "(not everything is earth-shaking, but can at least be noted)"
Penelope files that tidbit away to tell the others, and continues to make small talk, steering the conversation away as if out of respect to her privacy.
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims (at DonM), "Give me some sort of investigation roll, TN 20!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "You said it was a sorcerograph, not a seismograph."
[7thsea] GM says, "Snrk"
[interludes] Talbert says, "I think it'll be most fun to escape briefly and return! Tristand can help relay a message to Floriana afterwards."
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Wits +... is this a case where Examiner would be relevant?"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "Sure!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 5k3: 10+9 7 3 3 1 | 29
GM says (to Penelope), "OK, give me a wits-or-panache roll, with oratory or gossip or the like, TN 15 to get her into the right mood to ask a favor."
[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k3: 7 1 9 6 4 | 22
[interludes2] npc2 asks (of Don), "You succeed! Anything in particular you were after?"
[interludes] npc1 exclaims, "Great!"
[interludes] npc1 says, "Give me your plan, and I'll give you a roll/TN."
GM says (to Penelope), "You also succeed! The gossip and insults and wine have flowed freely."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "If these places have been entered by someone other than me (or people under my direction), then presumably they're Montaigne soldiers... so it's plausible that there's something they were looking for."
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "And if they found what they were looking for, then whatever it is will be missing now. So what I'm most likely to find is not the things themselves, but rather the knowledge of their absence: Evidence of a Montaigne Plot?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(I don't know if that fits in with your plans or not; I'm happy to change it if not.)"
Penelope says, "So, Gianetta. I have a friend who needs to measure something rather small."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "Ha ha ha ha ha."
[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "Yeah :D That's why I paused there"
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "Looking at the pattern of footprints in the dust, and empty spots on shelves, you realize that a piece of art that looked valuable but was actually inexpensive is missing from one wall, and that a couple books of adventure stories are missing from one shelf. And actually, it looks like that shelf has been plundered but replaced a few times--other books look used."
Gianetta chokes on her wine.
Gianetta exclaims, "Not *that* friend, I hope!"
Penelope says, "Oh, not *that*! Your mind is always in the gutter."
Gianetta sticks her tongue out at Penelope.
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Ooh. Is there a pattern to those books? Perhaps some old, possibly-true story they might have been researching in the hopes of finding a long lost treasure?"
Penelope asks, "Anyway... I was wondering if we could borrow some of your tools? Like calipers and a magnifier?"
[interludes] Talbert asks, "My plan is to create a diversion by drawing a pinup and having Tristand pass it around, creating eventually a small crowd of patients and staff away from where I am, allowing me to stuff my blanket while their backs are turned, and then to slip out?"
[interludes] Talbert says, "(Thank you Penelope for setting the tone :D )"
[interludes] npc1 says, "Distracting people with porn is hilarious."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Hey, it makes sense, I have the Knack for drawing"
[interludes] Talbert says, "Panache/Drawing"
[interludes] Talbert says, "(awaiting TN)"
Gianetta says (to Penelope), "Oh, sure, I haven't had to use my jeweler's tools since Elias almost bankrupted himself on those rings. Not a lot of high-value stuff coming through town any more."
[interludes] npc1 exclaims, "TN 15!"
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k3: 5 3 2 3 9 | 17
[interludes] Talbert says, "oo la la"
Penelope says, "Thank you!" and steers the conversation back to something salacious.
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "Hmm, give me I guess a Notice roll? TN 15."
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 5 3 7 | 15
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "As requested."
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "Ha. You recall a particular soldier off on his own sometimes, nose in a book more often than not. You think you might have recognized one of the books you saw him with, now that you see this shelf; one of the returned ones."
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "OK, stealth/finesse, TN 10 to slip away."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 3 8 3 9 6 | 26
Gianetta and Penelope spend a delightful hour, at the end of which Gianetta retrieves the calipers and magnifying glass-they look perfect.
Gianetta says, "I'll need them back before the Montaignians leave town! Or before the next influx of cash into the local economy, whichever comes first."
[interludes2] DonMiguel picks it up to bring with him to look through when he has a free moment.
[interludes] Talbert times the creak of the door with the sound of one of the staff whistling appreciatively
[interludes] npc1 exclaims (at Talbert), "And, you're out!"
Penelope says, "I'm sure I can get them back to you much sooner than that!"
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "Not many people know you're supposed to be in the infirmary, other than Raimond, the doctor, and (you assume) some of the upper leadership."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Right"
Gianetta says, "Theus, I hope it's sooner than we think. Anyway, good luck with your new toy."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(If I have spare time IC after I wrap this up but before the others do, then I'll probably start actually using the surveying gear to take the measurements I need.)"
[interludes] Talbert asks, "Is Raimond the most likely person to have the schedule?"
[interludes] npc1 says, "Fortunately, no! You know where the messages come and go from, so you assume it's there, though that's a bit better guarded. Other leaders may also have or know the schedule, including your own lieutentant (the leader of the squad you're in). You assume he's been informed of your own whereabouts, but don't know how much he knows. He's always been a good sort, though."
[interludes2] npc2 asks, "Sounds good! Off to the lighthouse?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel exclaims, "Alright!"
GM asks (of Penelope), "You leave Gianettas, very slightly tipsy, and start to make your way back to the estate. As you walk by an alley, you pause. You hear the sound of kids at play, but that sounded like the ting of metal?"
Penelope flattens her back against the wall and peers into the alley.
[interludes2] npc2 asks, "Let's assume that actually taking measurements are relatively straightforward; do you chat with the Bracas when there?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Yeah, I think I'd like to warn them about the sorcerograph."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "And about the Padre's suspicions."
GM says (to Penelope), "There's a young girl, maybe 10, wearing a mask, with an actual sword she's using to play fight with her friends."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "I don't think I have any particular information I'm trying to get from them right now, unless they volunteer anything that might help with what I'm doing."
Ximena exclaims, "ha-HA! Take that! And that! El Vago never loses!"
[7thsea] GM says, "(other kids mock scream, scatter.)"
GM says, "(other kids mock scream, scatter.)"
GM says (to Penelope), "This is cute and all, but posession of a weapon in town by Castillians is punishable by death."
Penelope puts on her best talking-to-kids smile and approaches them. She claps quietly as she walks.
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Uh, in like a "yay!" way, not a weird clap."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "The Nick Fury clap"
Penelope asks, "Well done! You nearly had *me* fooled. More seriously, though. It's not safe for you to be playing with that. Where did you get it?"
Ximena asks, "Oh! It's the, um. My lady! You are rescued! I pray you are not hurt?"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh, hm."
[7thsea] Ximena says, "whoops, timing"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah, maybe skip what I said and I'll play along first."
[interludes] Talbert says, "So, I think I'm going to be a sensible spy and not spill any beans to the lieutenant."
[7thsea] Ximena says, "Spent too long with @name me= ;-)"
[7thsea] Ximena says, "Sure, sounds good."
Penelope curtsies. "I'm safe now, thanks to you!"
Penelope asks, "That's a rather fear-inspiring sword, El Vago. Wherever did you get it?"
Ximena's friends exclaim, "Bye, Xemia! See you tomorrow!" and scatter.
Ximena exclaims, "It was a contest of skill!"
Penelope asks, "Ah! And you won, of course! But what sort of skill?"
[interludes] npc1 says, "OK, sneak TN 15 to get to the messages room without being seen."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 2 9 5 9 8 | 31
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Hmm. Does the whole 'possession of a weapon in town by Castillians' apply to the nobility as well?"
Ximena exclaims, "I held my breath for *two minutes* and got the weird thing out of the box at the wreck! I almost *died*!"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "What."
[7thsea] npc2 asks (of DonM), "That's a good question! Do you have a preference?"
[7thsea] npc2 asks, "Maybe you're allowed a ceremonial sword and they don't actually check to see if it's real?"
Ximena, seeing your confusion, tells the tale with much embellishment and much jumping around on boxes in the alley:
[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Given that so far, I've been assuming Don Miguel has been walking around with his sword in clear view on his hip, I think it's reasonable to suggest that they made an exception for me, out of a token display of 'respect' to maintain my cooperation."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "That works too."
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Trick hilt which has a mechanism to release the sword!"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "and which otherwise cannot be pulled out, thus appearing to be non functional and for display only"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "That sounds fun."
Penelope watches with great amusement.
[interludes] npc1 says, "You're there! After waiting for a bit, you see someone exit the room with the tell-tale 'I have to use the loo' walk, leaving the door slightly ajar."
[7thsea] Talbert is like a ghost.
[7thsea] Talbert says, "(Minus the jangling of chains and the moaning)"
Ximena exclaims (at Penelope), "So, a bunch of us have been diving for scraps at the wreck, and the people in town give us stuff for them. But this one guy came by with this *awesome sword* and said that there was a special thing in one of the boxes that would be making *bubbles*, and that he would give us his *sword* for it! So I swam out past the... uh, don't tell my mom, OK? I swam past the second black rock that we're not supposed to swim past, and saw bubbles coming from the bottom of the ocean! And I swam down and held my breath and, uh, fought an octopus, and punched a shark, and opened the box and got the bubble thing!"
Penelope asks, "You punched a shark?!?"
Ximena exclaims, "Yeah!!!"
[7thsea] Marie says (to DonM), "Ah, hmm. Thank you for the warning. I'll let the kids know that's *another* reason to not use sorcery."
Penelope asks, "I don't suppose you could describe the... bubble thing?"
[7thsea] Marie says, "i2"
[7thsea] Marie says (to DonM), "Ah, hmm. Thank you for the warning. I'll let the kids know that's *another* reason to not use sorcery."
[interludes2] Marie says (to DonM), "Ah, hmm. Thank you for the warning. I'll let the kids know that's *another* reason to not use sorcery."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "This franchise has punched the shark"
[interludes2] Marie says, "(sheesh)"
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "I guess Notice again, TN 15, but with a free raise if you succeed because you're familiar with Montaignian army procedures."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 5 7 | 12
[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Drama die!"
Ximena says, "It was like two things coming up from another thing and old and grey and green and the two pointy bits almost touched and made bubbles between them and it was *so heavy* but I *made it*."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 2 | 2
[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Second drama die!"
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 2 | 2
[interludes] Talbert says, "Still have two drama dice left, nice"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says (to Marie), "If my research bears fruit, it's possible that there might be some way we can hide it from the device. But it's too early to say."
[interludes] Talbert says, "So 16 total"
[interludes] Talbert says, "plus a free raise"
Penelope asks, "Wow. You must be so strong! And such a great swimmer! What did the man look like who wanted it?"
[interludes2] Marie says, "Thank you; we all appreciate all you do for us."
[interludes] npc1 says, "Success! You quickly scan the walls where you know things are posted, and find the current schedule. Now, armed with what to look for, you rifle through the drawer of archives, and find the previous schedule, already copied and sent off, and abscond with it. Nobody will notice it's missing for months."
Ximena says, "He was kind of tall, and had a big bushy beard and a woven hat."
Ximena says, "I'd seen him before at the beach; I think he tried to find it himself."
Ximena says, "But I haven't seen him in town."
[interludes] npc1 exclaims, "One more stealth, TN 10, to escape before the guy comes back!"
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 4 9 5 4 5 | 23
Penelope nods. (Do I know anyone by that description?) "Ximena, this is important, so please listen to me. It's not safe for you to be playing with that sword. You know the rules. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble. Is there a place you can stash it?""
Ximena kind of deflates. "Aww."
Penelope asks, "I'm not saying you can't *keep* it. Just.. keep it hidden, ok?"
Ximena asks, "But how will I practice with it to drive out the Montaignians if it's in a box somewhere?"
[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Are wooden toys allowed? Or do I hae to recommend a stick?"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Like wooden swords, I mean"
[7thsea] Ximena says, "Yeah, an obviously-wooden kids sword would work. I mean, there are still jerks in the army who might pester her, but she wouldn't be in violation of the rules."
[interludes2] Marie says (to DonM), "So, getting the measurements from the lighthouse top is easy enough; getting measurements to the second portal is going to require Climbing/Finesse, TN 20. Unless you have some other method you want to employ."
[interludes] npc1 says, "Success! Rp, and then tell me how you want to try to get it to Floriana."
Penelope asks, "Do you have any wooden swords?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Do the harnesses and lines from the lighthouse help with climbing down here at all?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(I'm pretty sure I'll be fine even without them, though.)"
[interludes2] Marie asks, "The lines aren't positioned in a great place, but you could try to rig up something with a harness and different ropes or something?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Enh, I'll just do it straight."
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 6k4: 6 6 4 6 1 4 | 22
Ximena looks offended. "Of *course* I do."
[interludes2] Marie exclaims (at DonM), "Surprise Notice check, TN 15!"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Oooh."
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 5 8 6 | 19
[interludes2] DonMiguel has climbed around here before, and that was during a storm, so doing it this time is eas-- hey, wait, what's that?
[interludes2] Marie exclaims (at DonM), "As you're climbing down, you've almost reached the spot, when you almost fall into a narrow crevasse!"
[interludes] Talbert slips out, and seeks out a quiet spot to encode the information on a page of his sketchbook. (If Floriana is still loitering somewhere, maybe paperplane it?
[interludes2] DonMiguel. o O ( Was that there before? )
Penelope says, "Well then."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Once the cipher is done, I'd destroy the original by using it as toilet paper."
[interludes2] Marie says (to DonM), "You'd never have seen it were you not right on top of it."
[interludes] npc1 says, "Ha."
[interludes] npc1 asks (of Talbert), "You're out of the infirmary right now; do you go back in and toss it out the window, or find a spot near her, or...?"
[interludes2] DonMiguel. o O ( This seems like it would be a good hiding spot for things. I should remember where it is. )
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(And, of course, check if there's anything hidden there already as I pass. Because I might not be the first person to have that thought.)"
[interludes] Talbert says, "I'll find a spot closer to her"
Ximena asks, "So, just keep using the wooden sword?"
Ximena sighs.
[interludes] Talbert says, "Also my cipher is hidden in drawings of soldiers playing trumpets out of their [censored]"
Ximena says, "It's such an *awesome sword*. It needs to be *stabbing bad guys*. And sharks! I guess I can wait."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Very Voynich"
[interludes] npc1 exclaims, "Ha!"
Penelope says, "It *is* an awesome sword. But I don't want you to get in trouble."
[interludes] Talbert says, "The word 'dirty' is right there on my character sheet"
[interludes2] Marie says (to DonM), "The crevasse is thin, but long; you go in a little to see if there's anything hidden, and don't find anything, but you do realize it sort of angles down and into the hill."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Tous Pres? More like Too Much"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Like if it might lead into a hidden cave, sort of thing? If so, then I should definitely explore it."
Ximena suddenly gives you a big hug, and whispers, "I just want my mom to be safe."
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "It could be a back door into wherever that door we're not allowed to open leads... or into those other caves under the town that we used back at the start of the story. Or both."
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "Another climbing roll, TN 20!"
[interludes] npc1 says, "OK! This doesn't seem like it needs a roll; just rp what you do."
Penelope squeezes back and nods reassuringly.
Ximena releases you and says, "You're a lot nicer than, uh, I mean, you're super nice! Thank you for not taking my sword away. I'll go hide it, I promise."
Penelope smiles, and pretends not to notice the slip.
Ximena, with a flourish, sweeps the sword under her cloak and takes off down the alley.
[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Who's been talking shit about me?"
[interludes] Talbert, having drawn his cipher in caricatures, goes up to a higher window overlooking where Floriana still loiters, and with a flick of the wrists and the blessing of the winds of fate, the encoded missive drifts in spiralling arcs around her, like a paper bird.
[7thsea] Ximena says, "The mothers in the town don't exactly love your profession, though they do try to be civil. And like the priest, they know things could be worse under occupation were you not there."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ah!"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(Whoops, I missed your response, sorry!)"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 6k4: 8 1 1 5 10+10+8 2 | 43
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "We've found my secret super power: I am ClimberMan."
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "El Escalada Prodigio, one of the lesser known schools of Sorcery"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "The most advanced ability of theirs... is flight!"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Or I guess technically just levitation"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "You expertly slither down into the crevasse. It never gets much wider, but it at least continues. You keep an ear out for those jumping rodents you encountered the last time you were underground but hear nothing. The light from the opening gets further away, and as it turns, it's not long before you're mostly feeling your way forward. Then it narrows again, preventing you from moving further in. You search around for anything that might have been left here, and find nothing; you're about to turn around when you see a faint light from a crack in the wall above you. Using your free raise, you jimmy youself up between the walls to where you can see through it!"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "Woo."
GM exclaims (at Penelope), "With that, you make it back to the estate without further incident. Despite your hour-long chat with Gianetta, you seem to have made it back before the others. You idly look at the paper with the squiggles on it, and something twigs your suspicions. Notice/keen senses, TN 15!"
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "(I'm having flashbacks to Kestrel almost drowning underneath an ancient ruin.)"
[7thsea] GM says, "Hey, turnabout is fair play."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(here4)"
[interludes] Floriana casually picks up the paper from the clump of grass where it lands, and secrets it under her cloak. Then, when nobody is watching, she turns and flashes you a huge smile, and gently places her hand on her heart.
[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 8 9 1 7 | 24
[interludes2] DonMiguel peers through the the crack, grateful that he's on the darkened side of it, and thus unlikely to be seen by whoever might be on the lit side.
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "You're in a sort of uncomfortable position, and will have to make endurance checks (or something) to remain for any length of time. Let's do the first one now, TN 10. Let's say climbing applies, unless you want to try something else, so climbing/endurance."
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Resolve, I assume?"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k2: 3 6 6 4 | 12
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(This could get tricky quickly.)"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "Right!"
GM says (to Penelope), "You turn the paper over in your hand, and gently rub your fingers over the back. There's slight dimples, as if the paper was lying under something else that was written on."
[interludes] Floriana says (to Talbert), "And another Notice, TN 10."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 2 8 | 10
[interludes] Floriana asks (of Talbert), "Wait, the person walking down the street--he's obscurely cloaked, but can't hide his huge frame. Is that Fulgencio?"
Penelope looks around for something like a pencil to write with...
GM says (to Penelope), "Yup, there's a pencil right there."
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "You find a comfortable-ish spot, and watch and listen. Soon, you can make out two voices, one Castillian and one Montaignian, though the echoes in the place make them unrecognizable beyond that:"
[interludes2] npc2 | Montaignian: So, do we have a deal?
[interludes2] npc2 | Castillian: Unlikely, traitor. Your information isn't that valuable.
Penelope puts a blank sheet of paper over this one, and rubs the pencil lead across the indentations.
[interludes2] npc2 | M: But I found you a demolitions expert!
[interludes2] npc2 | C: And that's why I don't simply burn you to a crisp where you stand. You tread on dangerous ground, Montaignian.
GM exclaims (at penelope), "Give me some sort of spy/finesse roll!"
[interludes2] npc2 | M: He'll prove his worth tonight, I promise!
[interludes2] npc2 | C: Then we can talk again after tonight. We'll see. Wait here.
[interludes2] npc2 | "At that moment, the light dances into view, and in the narrow slit you can see through, you see a hand come forward, holdingyour artifact!
[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k4: 1 9 3 5 | 18
[interludes2] npc2 | ;:| https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U9KKoIqNh15hlaeSnRtPH5zfUusSg_3espesUGN2TYs/edit?usp=sharing
[interludes2] DonMiguel asks, "Can I try to move to a spot where I could see their faces?"
[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "AFK for a moment!"
[interludes] Talbert says, "AFK"
GM says (to Penelope), "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CV_DGEKdESJCNBM2qKa8PCxDdCFReDu9/view?usp=sharing"
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "(I assume the crack is too narrow to pass through?)"
[interludes2] npc2 says (to DonM), "It's hard enough just being here; if you move at all, you'll block your view down the long narrow crack you're looking through."
[interludes2] npc2 says, "However:"
npc2 tosses DonM a drama die for the situation being annoyingly on rails ;-)
[interludes2] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "And, another Resolve/climbing, TN 10 again!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k2: 6 5 10+2 4 | 18
[interludes2] DonMiguel says, "As long as I can hold out, and they're still there and talking, I'll keep watching and listening."
[interludes2] npc2 says, "You stay in place, and watch as the inserts it into the wall just past like a key, twists it counterclockwise, and with an unearthly grinding noise, the key moves with the wall out of your sight to your left. A hooded figure that had held the artifact darts in where the wall had been."
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "You hear the footsteps of the other figure approaching, hesitantly. A hand stretches past your view again to where the key would have moved to and then the Castillian re-emerges. Give me a perception (wits/keen senses) roll, TN 15!"
Penelope reads the letter, her face tightening at the greeting.
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 4 10+6 8 | 28
[interludes2] npc2 says, "You catch a glimpse of what he's now carrying that he wasn't before--it's some sort of metal disc, maybe two feet across, and made of the same metal as your key."
[interludes2] npc2 says, "And one more Resolve, TN 15 this time."
[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k2: 8 10+3 9 1 | 22
[interludes2] DonMiguel exclaims, "Apparently the longer I stay here, the more resolute I become!"
[interludes2] npc2 exclaims, "You're solid!"
[interludes2] npc2 | C: You move against me? After trying to make a deal?
[interludes2] npc2 | M: No! Just-that artifact, it's so strange, but I feel like I've seen
[interludes2] npc2 | C: The artifact is none of your concern, traitor. We'll see how this 'expert' of yours performs tonight. I will return.
[interludes2] npc2 | M: Great! That's that's great.
[interludes2] npc2 says, "And with that, the Castillian's footsteps retreat, and you hear quiet mumbled cursing under the breath of the Montaignian, who waits a bit, and then moves on himself. The light dies down, and eventually you can see nothing once more."
[interludes2] npc2 says, "(whoops, my ellipses didn't copy over. Imagine them back between the two that's, and wherever else they would make sense ;-)"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK, five minute bio break!"
[interludes2] DonMiguel eases his aching, stiff joints into motion again and returns to complete his measurements and return to the estate, his mind still half on what he's just witnessed.
[7thsea] GM says, "Talk amongst yourselves, at this point Penelope and Don can meet back at his estate."
[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "back!"
DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "I have the measurements from the lighthouse. But I've witnessed something concerning."
DonMiguel tells Penelope about the two men in the caves below the lighthouse, with the artifacts, discussing a demolitionist.
Penelope responds by giving him the letter, pointing at the mention of "explosives"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I don't remember what we know about Fulgencio already."
DonMiguel says, "So we can make a good guess at who the demolitionist is. But we don't know who's trying to hire him or why. But whoever it is seems like they might be from an old noble bloodline... like the Brasa family."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Apparently he's a tailor? And a particularly shitty client to have."
[7thsea] Penelope says, "That feels like... most of what we know."
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Oh, right, he was the one the weirdos were rescuing, right?"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yup!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So presumably the fireguy in the caves is connected to that group. Makes sense."
[interludes] Floriana says (to Talbert), "So, to recap:"
[interludes] npc1 asks (of Talbert), "Wait, the person walking down the street--he's obscurely cloaked, but can't hide his huge frame. Is that Fulgencio?"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So it seems unlikely that the weirdos are with the Inquisition or the Montaignes. Which seems like they *should* be on our side. But... somehow it doesn't feel that way."
Floriana enters, cipher in hand. "Talbert got the schedule! And he made sure to mention that Tristand is fully recovered, and talks about you often, Penelope."
DonMiguel exclaims, "Perfect!"
Penelope lets out a little cheer.
[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "There was a Tristand head in a corner with a speech bubble containing a rough sketch of Penelope :d"
Floriana grins at you.
[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "Ha"
DonMiguel says, "...but before we work on that, there's something I think you should know about."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Deciding that I should be able to trust Floriana here..."
DonMiguel explains what he saw and heard.
[interludes] Talbert says, "I don't think it'd be wise to follow Fulgencio, but on the other hand it is Reckless"
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "You can follow up on Fulgencio from out here, or you can try to get back into the infirmary. It's getting later, and your ruse won't last much longer."
DonMiguel asks, "Do you have any idea who that might have been?"
[interludes] Talbert says, "Dammit, I may be reckless but I'm not stupif, hmm"
Floriana puts her hand over her mouth. "Oh, no."
Floriana says, "But.. but who could it be? Felipe didn't get the gift; it was just me. And Estela, but she's 12. I don't think you saw her."
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Hmm. Were the voices male, or was that just my unconscious assumption?"
[7thsea] GM says, "They were! I mean, as far as you could tell in an echoey cave."
[7thsea] GM says, "Definitely not a 12-year-old's hand, though."
[7thsea] DonMiguel nods.
DonMiguel asks, "Perhaps an illegitimate side lineage?"
DonMiguel asks, "Or an heir of someone who went missing in your family's past?"
Floriana says, "It could be. And we aren't the only family to keep the gift; there are rumors of holdouts all over Castille."
[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims (at Floriana), "Yes, but narrative conservation, Floriana!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Can we get a reminder of what we know about the people involved in the big forest fire from X generations ago?"
Floriana exhales. "Phew. That... wouldn't be good."
[interludes2] Floriana says, "Yes! let me see if there's something I can copy/paste."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Did I lose my connection, or is everyone else just quiet right now?)"
[7thsea] GM says, "(typing; sorry)"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Cool."
Floriana tells you her version of the story, which is actually a bit more detailed than her mother's: the Brasas have long been divided over whether their sorcery is a blessing or a curse, and how to use it. It doesn't help that some people with the gift are visited in thier dreams by voices who encourage them to take power for themselves. 'La Vena Porta' was talked about at times in hushed whispers. Eventually, a mother and son devised a scheme to set the Aldana forest ablaze with their powers. The Aldana guards responded faster than they expected, and the mother was caught, but the son rode a great firebird away from the blaze and, she believes, back to the lighthouse. She doesn't know what happened, but the father was home that night, and never spoke of it to anyone, even remaining silent at his wife's trial. After the trial, he boarded up the door to the caves, and, as you now know, gave the artifact to Don's great-something-grandfather for safekeeping.
[interludes] npc1 says (to Talbert), "Final answer? ;-)"
DonMiguel asks, "And the son?"
[interludes] Talbert says, "Talbert will not follow Fulgencio because although he's reckless, he does need a proper motivation behind his reckless acts; he doesn't know that Fulgencio is crucial IC"
Floriana says, "He was never seen again."
DonMiguel asks, "How many years ago was that?"
[interludes] npc1 exclaims, "Got it. Stealth, TN 10 to get back into the infirmary without being noticed!"
[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "I keep changing my mind! Don't pin me down, man."
[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 6 10+8 5 3 7 | 36
[interludes] Talbert says, "These rolls"
Floriana says, "Several generations--the son was born over a hundred years ago."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "The only real answer I'm looking for at this point is 'short enough ago that the son could plausibly still be alive?'"
[interludes] npc1 asks (of Talbert), "Anything you want to do with your free raise?"
DonMiguel nods. "So there's no chance that it could be him. But if he survived and went into hiding, he could still have heirs out there who inherited his gift."
GM says, "It would be very unnatural if he was still alive, but these are unnatural circumstances."
[interludes] Talbert says, "Hmmm"
Floriana says (to DonM), "True."
DonMiguel says, "True. And whatever the case..." He looks down at the scribblings from the sorcerograph. "*This* could be the key to finding out."
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Time for a DATA ANLYSIS montage!"
[interludes] npc1 asks, "I have an idea if you want to give it to Floriana?"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "The best kind of montage!"
[interludes] Talbert says, "If you can think of something good, then yes, otherwise I'm uninspired"
[interludes] npc1 says, "perfect! Hang on, we're wrapping up here anyway."
[7thsea] GM says, "I was going to have you roll, but I feel like at this point a roll would be anticlimactic. You made your original roll, giving you full bonuses from all the parts, which, to recap were:"
[7thsea] GM says, "Talbert's schedule. He got the actual official schedule from the message office itself, which is about as accurate as you can imagine."
[7thsea] GM says, "Gianetta's tools: both the calipers and the glass, due to excellent schmoozing on Penelope's part."
[7thsea] GM says, "Lighthouse location: well measured with the appropriate tool for the job."
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Good job, everyone!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Wheee!"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yay"
[7thsea] (from Talbert) Soldiers plays their trumpets out of their [censored]
GM says, "So! Don Miguel spends a long time, with everyone's help, taking measurements and doing Fourier Transformations on sine waves in a super exciting way."
GM says, "It's basically punching a shark, but with SCIENCE"
GM says, "He eventually is able to discern that there are indeed two types of sorcery going on in range of the sorcerograph: Porte and El Fuego Adentro"
[7thsea] GM says, "(sp)"
GM says, "Porte is mostly being used as expected, for messages to/from Montaigne, at scheduled times. From what you can gather, paper is blooded by someone at the capital and by someone local, then retrieved back and forth with new messages written on them."
GM says, "El Fuego Adentro is being used sporadically, in small bursts, seemingly at random but mostly at night, at various distances from the church."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And I assume Floriana can help us filter out any usages that she knows are coming from her family."
GM says, "The night of the storm, the signal from both El Fuego and Porte decayed much more slowly than the other uses. It takes some digging, but two things emerge from this finding: if both are used at the same time in the same place, they both last longer. And everything around the lighthouse lasts longer than anything anywhere else."
DonMiguel has some maps unrolled on the table where he's making markings about these findings.
[7thsea] Talbert says, "Nobody eat the lobster"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So, the stray magic uses... it sounds like we can calculate distances, so we can presumably draw some circles around the church."
[7thsea] (from Talbert) Wilem Dafoe explodes through a wall
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Do those circles intersect any interesting places where it would make sense to investigate further?"
GM says, "By taking *extremely* precise readings, Don Miguel is able to notice 'signatures', as it were, in different uses. The Porte signatures are all quite different from each other. And the signatures from Floriana's use at the lighthouse, since it was so huge, are relatively straightforward to record. Whoever's using El Fuego around town is a different signature... but one that's more similar to Floriana's than the Porte signatures are from each other."
GM says, "And, finally, one more thing:"
GM says, "It's faint, but every thirteen days over the month of recordings you have access to, at some distance from town, is a sustained use of El Fuego. With the same signature as the random blips closer in."
GM says, "If the pattern holds, the next time would be three days from now."
DonMiguel says, "...is *when* we need to look. Now we have three days to figure out exactly *where*."
[7thsea] GM says, "(and that's the last of the general things, though you can look up specific bits or ask more specific questions if you like!)"
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "So we have a distance but not a direction, right? I.e., we have a circle that we know this signal is somewhere on?"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Correct!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Are there any *obvious* locations on that circle that we should be thinking about first?"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Let me get back to you on that!"
[7thsea] GM says, "And finish with this:"
[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "And how long would it take to take some horses and ride along the perimeter, looking for scorch marks?"
[7thsea] GM says, "Not super long; that seems doable."
[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Sounds good! These questions are all fine to be 'next session' things."
Floriana, using Talbert's free raise, suddenly sits up, worried.
Floriana says, "Wait--we know something's supposed to happen with the 'demolitionist' tonight, right? And I think I saw him near the infirmary. And there's a bunch of really nice people there, being held longer than they should be..."
Floriana asks, "Do you think this group plans to blow it up?"
GM exclaims, "And, </scene>!"
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Yay!"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Suspense!"
[7thsea] Penelope says, "Eek"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Good session. Lots of nice hint-dropping. I like how all the groups' pieces of extra info fit together there."
[7thsea] Talbert says, "Likewise :)"
[7thsea] GM says, "Thanks, everyone! From my side of things, the three parallel stories went about as well as I could have imagined, but I'll be glad to have you all together again next time ;-)"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "Also I'm enjoying adding new layers to Talbert's personality as I go along"
[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Soon Talbert will be an ogre."
[7thsea] GM says, "Ha."
[7thsea] Talbert says, "heheh"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Thank you for this game!"
[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You're welcome!"
[7thsea] Talbert says, "goofnight :)"
[7thsea] GM says, "Hope you enjoyed the handouts ;-)"
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Yes!"
[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "they were a nice touch!"
Talbert hops into the DeLorean and heads off to the future.
npc2 goes home.
npc2 has disconnected.
genericgeekgirl is running away.
npc1 goes home.
npc1 has disconnected.
[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at GM), "And as he said, thanks!"