[7thsea] Bert says, "Log on."

Talbert says, "Bert used to be Qbert but then they had a nasty fall and lost the Q"

Penelope arrives, looking for booty.

Talbert says, "Hello hello"

DonMiguel asks (of Talbert), "Man, you're showing up an hour late now?"

GM exclaims, "Greetings!"

Penelope waves

GM exclaims, "So, when last we left our intrepid adventurers!"

GM says, "They had discovered the culmination of months of rituals in the woods, leading to an attack on the Montaignian headquarters by explosions and poorly-armed civilians during an ever-increasing storm. While effective, it seemed to have been designed to cause the most destruction to the highest number of people, regardless of who they were or which side of the conflict they were on."

GM says, "Our Heroes managed to negate the worst of the carnage, though Don Miguel did dispatch a number of Montaignians himself."

GM says, "As people perished, a strange black smoke was seen emerging from their mouths and eyes, and swirling towards the forest. Penelope headed into the forest to investigate, and after things settled down in the fighting, the others headed after her."

[7thsea] GM says, "Also, I noticed that I was apparently terrible at remembering to add in weather descriptions during the battle scene, so please retroactively imagine increasing rain and wind during the fight ;-)"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Everyone gets 2 XP from last time! Any questions?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "How did we leave the kid and her mother?"

[7thsea] josh_g says, "just got in the car and drove away, you monster"

[7thsea] GM says, "Good question! The kid and mother are reunited in the woods. The mother is all 'where did you get that sword'"

Ximenia says, "Um."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I imagine I told Ximena to meet us somewhere in the future and get some training"

Ximenia says, "This guy traded it to me for a bubbling thing I got by diving... diving into really shallow water."

[7thsea] GM says, "The story to the mother may be *slightly* different than the story she gave Penelope."

[7thsea] GM says, "Wherein she punched a shark and almost died."

[7thsea] Talbert says (to Penelope), "Training in non-sword fighting and shark punching"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "courtesy of Talberto the definitely non Montaignian"

GM says, "Also, the other kid is Estela, Floriana's younger sister, who is still on Floriana's horse with her."

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Oh yeah, Estela!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(She's still 'out cold', right?)"

[7thsea] GM says, "snrk"

[7thsea] GM says, "I will say she's slightly awake at this point."

[7thsea] GM says, "Still cold, but clinging to Floriana for warmth under her cloak, and staring to feel better despite the rain."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I think I'm good to follow Penelope into the woods."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[7thsea] GM says, "So, switching to Penelope:"

GM says (to Penelope), "You scramble through the forest, over fallen logs and under drooping wet tree canopies, trying to keep up with the roiling smoke. Fortunately for you (though unfortunately for others) every time you lose one, another comes along, and you follow the new trail, as they all seem to have a single destination: Don Miguel is busy, back at the headquarters, making things easier for you out here."

GM says (to Penelope), "As you follow the smoke, you realize that the rising wind isn't affecting it at all. In fact, the smoke seems to be interacting with the world very little, if at all: it coils along the ground, but moves through leaves, bushes and trees as if they weren't there."

GM says (to Penelope), "Suddenly, instinctively, you stop. A second later, lighting flashes across the way, outlining three figures: the central one holding aloft a large globe or disc, and the two side figures with swords drawn. You back up against a tree, hiding your own outline, and wondering if coming out here alone was indeed the most clever thing you could have done."

Penelope well, fuck.

GM asks (of Penelope), "Nobody seems to have noticed you for now; do you want to hang tight; retreat; advance; seduce the globe; ...?"

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "I seduce the darkness, bending it to my will."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "That'd be a perfectly reasonable thing to do in a Nobilis game."

Penelope peers around the tree, twisting her body so she can't be seen easily, and watches to see what happens.

Felipe laughs as the disc he's holding flashes green. "Ha! It worked!" he exclaims.

Penelope . o O ( Did I mention: Well, fuck. )

guard says (to Felipe), "Sir, Los Vagos was seen in the fighting."

Felipe says, "Hijo de puta! Hopefully they'll be busy helping people or something until I'm done. OK, you and you, follow me. The rest of you, fan out, but keep in contact, and stop them if they, help, show up."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "I'm now imagining the post-breakup scene where you buy a bunch of nightlights just so you don't keep running into each other all the time."

guard asks, "Um, what?"

Felipe says, "Stop them if they show up! Don't let them follow! Come on, this isn't complicated. And you, prepare the Tiburon, in case the first room doesn't work."

GM says, "(more thunder and lightning, and the wind continues to pick up.)"

Penelope hm.

guard asks, "In this weather?"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "In this economy?"

Felipe asks, "Yes, in this weather! Did the new guys ever clear out those sirens?"

guard says, "Uh, no sir."

Felipe says, "Well, stash some explosives, help, in there, then."

guard asks, "What?"

Felipe exclaims, "Add. Explosives. To. The. Storage. Oy! You guys are supposed to be the smarter ones! Go, go! Sound off, and go!"

GM says, "With that, there's some commotion and movement, and you realize that there's more people out here than just the three you saw the outline of."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So, uh, I think maybe we might need to rescue Felipe from something."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Noted"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "But I'm in no condition to do that right this second :)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Yeah."

GM says (to Penelope), "More reconaissance? There's activity and stuff at the moment, or this might be a good time to slip away."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I wanna see an epic showdown between Floriana and whatever is... possessing?... Felipe"

[7thsea] GM says, "Noted ;-)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Probably I should stick around and gather more intel."

Penelope sinks back into the darkness, a little further away from the activity, but continues to watch and listen.

[7thsea] GM says, "OK, give me a stealth roll, TN 15."

[7thsea] GM says, "Finesse or Wits."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k4: 10+7 5 10+8 9 | 49

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yay"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Wow, nice!"

GM says (to Penelope), "As the guards move out, you start to hear bird calls in the forest, which seems a little odd in this weather. Then one steps right in front of you, and pulls out a whistle from a string around her neck, and blows, producing a rather good owl hoot. Answering calls from different birds echo through the forest, hard to hear over the din of the wind."

GM says, "You also saw Felipe moving away west, towards the coast."

GM says, "The guard moves on, never even imagining seeing you."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Was Felipe accompanied by guards?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "He was!"

Penelope makes her way quietly westward, not following them directly, but staying back and clinging to the shadows.

[Crows-Nest] Penelope grumbles about the cell phone not having been invented yet.

[7thsea] GM says, "Sounds good! From there, we'll switch to the rest of the group."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha"

inky goes south.

Floriana says (to Talbert), "My instinct is to get Estella to the lighthouse, but I worry that that's where Felipe is going."

Floriana says, "But I have to follow him."

[7thsea] GM says, "Any preferences? Declarations of love? ;-)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Trying to think"

[7thsea] GM says, "In general, the Castillians are heading back to the town."

[7thsea] GM says, "And battening down the hatches"

Talbert says (to Floriana), "If I ride ahead with Estella to the lighthouse while you follow Felipe..."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "my voice is intentionally trailing off btw"

Floriana says, "Please. Get her to my mother."

[7thsea] GM says, "And, I've managed to split the party into *three* groups and there's only three of you, but hey."

[7thsea] GM says, "But Floriana and Don Miguel head into the woods, while Talbert gallops around to the lighthouse, and Penelope stealths her way through the forest."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I like how you made sure to get Penelope moving away from the potential meeting-up point before anyone else might have caught up with her."

[7thsea] GM says, "Let's have a Ride from Talbert, another Stealth from Penelope, and a Notice from Don Miguel, all TN 15."

[7thsea] GM says, "I actually thought she'd return to you all. I'm... not sure why I thought that, though."

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 7 6 3 1 1 | 17

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Bad rolls, but success nonetheless"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 2 8 6 | 16

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Hee."

Talbert *tagada tagada*

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Estella eats a Tagada"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k4: 3 8 10+8 4 | 33

GM says (to DonMiguel), "You see the guard before she sees you! She's in one place, on a hill, watching the forest."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "But that's not how you say 'coconut' in Castilian!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "You make good time to the lighthouse!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks (of GM), "This is a guard who's guarding the place where all the wisps were heading toward?"

GM says (to Penelope), "And you continue to follow the three of them, close enough to hear, hmm, something interesting, give me a moment."

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "Yeah, she's between you and that general direction."

Marie says (to Talbert), "Come in, come in! Terrible night tonight; there's something in the air."

Marie exclaims, "Is that... is that Estella? Oh no!"

Talbert brings her inside.

DonMiguel dismounts, trusting his horse to remain there until called for, so that he can try to make his way stealthily past the guard.

GM asks (of Talbert), "Do you explain?"

Talbert says (to GM), "As much as I feel allowed to"

GM says (to DonM), "So, there are other guards around that you didn't see. Let's have a Stealth TN 15 for the one you can see, and a Notice TN 20 to see someone else in time."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Can I roll the Notice first?"

GM says (to Talbert), "I mean, *I'm* not stopping you. You can explain everything if you like, or not. I guess the main question is whether you say anything about Felipe."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 1 6 1 | 8

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "I do not notice them!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Now that said, can I take a raise on the Stealth to be stealthy enough that I get past them even *without* realizing they're there?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You can, with two raises!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK! TN 30!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 8 10+9 10+4 5 2 10+5 7 | 56

[7thsea] GM says, "Wow, OK."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I know where my strengths lie :) )"

[7thsea] GM says, "You are SUPER SNEAKY"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

Talbert says (to GM), "I think I have to, in case he comes here"

DonMiguel knows how to make use of the darkness, the movement of the foliage in the wind, and the sounds of the storm to completely conceal his own movements from both eye and ear.

Marie bundles up Estella by the fire, as she listens in shock to your story.

[Setting the zoned flag.]

DonMiguel passes without notice by the guard that he saw, and moves almost directly in front of the guards he *didn't* see, but is still completely unnoticed by them as he makes his way further toward the mysteries in the forest.

GM says (to Penelope), "You hear snatches of conversation as the group travels. "...height of the storm..." "...out of here for good..." "...try the room where the disc was, in case..." "...lor's rest.""

GM says, "Then they disappear into the one of the side caves at the base of the north cliffs."

GM says, "And then Don Miguel and the other NPCs come up behind you."

Tristand exclaims, "Penelope! You're safe!"

Penelope hugs Tristand, suddenly weary.

Penelope relates quietly what she's seen and heard.

Tristand nods seriously.

DonMiguel says, "It sounds like the 'voices' may have gotten to Felipe."

DonMiguel says, "We probably don't want to just wait around for them to finish their plan, whatever it is."

Floriana says, "Those caves they went in will be hard to follow them through. The echoes are loud, and there'd be lots of opportunities for ambushes once they heard us."

DonMiguel asks, "Do we have much choice?"

Floriana says, "I've been trying to figure out where that room is you saw, and there might be a different way? It's risky though, and a tight fit. I haven't been in since I was small."

DonMiguel says, "If you think it's a better route than following them directly, then I'm willing to risk it."

Floriana frets. "I don't know, but it might be."

DonMiguel asks, "Should we leave someone here to watch this entrance, in case they return?"

[7thsea] GM says, "You do have a whole passel of NPCs with you ;-)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ricco, Floriana, and Tristand."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Yeah. Presumably Floriana will be leading the way, so it's up to Penelope if she wants to leave Tristand or Ricco here."

Penelope turns to Ricco and looks at him questioningly?

[7thsea] GM asks, "Also, question: I can imagine giving Talbert a different way in, courtesy of Marie, but that would mean keep the party apart longer--Talbert, do you want your own exploration for a bit, or to rejoin the party?"

Ricco says (to Penelope), "As you wish. Do take care of yourself."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'd like to Recklessly go in by a different route! Once I'm sure Estella's okay"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "A different route it is!"

Marie says (to Talbert), "If what you're saying is true, then the door Sergio boarded up is no longer keeping out what it was meant to keep out."

Marie grabs the poker from the fireplace and hands it to Talbert.

Marie says, "Open it up again. See if you can find him, and stop him."

[7thsea] Marie is referencing the boarded-up door in the cellar, which Talbert remembers but is fine if no player does ;-)

[7thsea] Talbert says, "It's been a while"

Talbert says (to Marie), "Thank you *takes the poker* I'll do everything I can."

Talbert says, "And more, if it comes to it."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I do remember it!"

GM says, "In the meantime, Floriana leads you to a rocky hill in the cliffside. Behind a boulder is a rocky patch with a hole in it barely wide enough to fit through. A rivulet of water rushes down the hill and straight into it."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks (of GM), "This is the one that we specifically asked Marie for permission to open around the time that she told us about the great fire, right?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Indeed!"

Floriana says, "Oh, crap. I hope that water doesn't fill that passageway."

DonMiguel says, "There's only one way to find out."

DonMiguel says (to Floriana), "I know that you're the one who knows the way, but for your safety, I feel I should go first."

GM says (to Talbert), "OK, you need three Might successes to pry all the boards off of the door. (plus Athletics if you have that). TN 15, raises mean you get it done faster."

DonMiguel squeezes himself into the hole.

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims (at Talbert), "If only you had brought a dentist with you!"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Athletics isn't the same as Athlte?"

Floriana says (to DonMiguel), "There's only one passage for the first bit. Then it gets to what Felipe and I called 'the Well', which is a pit with seawater at the bottom. We used to jump down it, at high tide when we wouldn't be crushed on the rocks. My *hope* is that somewhere in the Well's walls is a passage to the room you saw."

[7thsea] GM says, "I didn't check! If you have Athlete, any of the knacks for that would work."

[Crows-Nest] (from DonMiguel) Talbert says, "Rolling Sprinting."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Throwing requires a good arm, I guess"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3k2: 9 10+9 7 | 28

GM says (to DonMiguel), "Water cascades over you as you squeeze down."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "boom"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Feet first or head first?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "I remember we were comparing the tides tables when we planned out our expedition, but I don't remember whether or not it's supposed to be high tide right now."

GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Your first attempt to pry off the boards are met with success!"

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "It's an exceptionally *low* tide right now."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Ah, so... the walls of the well will be nice and dry for climbing down!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Might as well look at the silver lining.)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3k2: 1 2 2 | 4

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Please don't remind me about the stream flowing down into it that I'm being drenched by as we speak.)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Hahahaha"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Also that second roll was terrible"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "(mine)"

GM says (to Talbert), "Sadly, you seem to have gotten all the low-hanging fruit, as it were, with your first pass. After that, things are much more tightly sealed, and you can't seem to find purchase for the end of the poker."

DonMiguel continues carefully along the passage, feeling for any place where the ground drops away into 'the well'.

[7thsea] Talbert asks (of GM), "Do I keep rolling?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Yup!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Can I try Kicking it now that some of the boards are off, or is that off-limits"

GM says (to DonM), "The passage quickly narrows to where you'll have to crawl, either feet- or head-first."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

DonMiguel goes feet first. It's not as though there's enough light to see by here anyway.

[7thsea] Talbert says, "The idea is that it's about finesse rather than strength, if that makes sense (So actually a straight Finesse since I don't see Kick as a knack)"

GM says (to DonM), "It's slow going, but you push through! Let's have a climbing/might roll, TN 15."

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k2: 9 1 8 10+10+6 | 35

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 4k4: 9 10+5 10+1 5 | 40

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "That was surprisingly lucky."

[7thsea] GM says, "w00t"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "That's enough to open the door! rp!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "It's like that fable of the engineer who fixed a huge machine by tapping it with a tiny hammer in the right spot"

GM says (to DonM), "You push through, finding good hand and footholds, which you call out to the others following you. In some cases, you can even help place a foot of, hmm, I guess Floriana who's next in line."

Talbert aims for the weakest part of the partially exposed structure of wooden boards, and kicks it down by picking the right angle!

GM says (to Talbert), "*shatter!*"

Talbert says, "You can always count on a boot in the right spot."

GM says (to Talbert), "Freed of its shackles, the door swings inward, revealing ancient wooden stairs down into a narrow cavern."

Talbert glances down for but an instant before heading down!

GM says (to DonM), "Things are going great until you get to where the water's backed up. You feel around with your foot, and think it must change from going down to going upwards again, trapping slowly-rising water in the bend."

GM says (to Penelope), "A climbing/might roll for you, TN 10, since DonM led the way."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Might?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I may have made a mistake."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "Brawn, I assumed."

[7thsea] GM says, "Whoops, yes."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I figured, but wanted to confirm :)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Thanks for keeping me honest ;-)"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[7thsea] Penelope says, "ha"

[7thsea] Penelope breaks her neck

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I don't suppose we can somehow use stunt here instead of climbing? :D"

[7thsea] GM says, "Sure, why not."

[7thsea] GM says, "Just means you have to rp why it's relevant ;-)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "If Penelope falls, does she land on Floriana?"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 2k0: Arr.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh, I thought that would work :D"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 3k1: 3 4 6 | 6

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Nevermind"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I guess I can drama die this"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Since it's "onlY" a 10"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 10+6 | 16

[7thsea] Penelope D :D :D

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Penelope), "You make it! RP!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Lara Croft, Castillian Edition"

GM2 says (to Talbert), "You light a torch, and head down the passageway. There are old shelves here with decaying goods on them, and layers of dust on everything."

Penelope makes her way down, using the exact hand and footholds that DM did, but a little faster and a little, dare I say it... fancier.

GM2 says, "You squeeze through an exit at the other end of the room, and make your way into the next 'room'. You go partway through, when you hear a roar from your left. You turn, and see a small passageway."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "We're going on a bear hunt."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "(The roar made me think: Oh shit, a bear.)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "That was a fav of mine as a kid"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "So, for our group: am I about to hit a point where I essentially need to do a handstand to continue climbing?"

Tristand asks (of Penelope), "Wow. How do you manage to make 'disheveled woman climbing rocks' look so alluring?"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Also, who hears the roar? Me or Penelope?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "I think you, since we haven't reached any place big enough to call a 'room'."

[7thsea] GM says (to Talbert), "Yeah, you."

Penelope smiles and winks at Tristand.

[7thsea] GM says, "Should I use #interludes? I should use #interludes."

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You squeeze through an exit at the other end of the room, and make your way into the next 'room'. You go partway through, when you hear a roar from your left. You turn, and see a small passageway."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Maybe Talbert can ask the bear for directions."

[interludes] Talbert attempts to stealth closer down that way to investigate.

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "(Talbear?)"

GM says (to DonM), "It's not quite handstand-level climbing--it's been a slope so far, maybe 30 degrees or something? And consulting with Floriana, it's the same going up on the other side of the curve."

DonMiguel says (to Others), "It feels like the slope is changing. There's a point ahead where we might need to hold our breath, if the water has pooled deep enough."

DonMiguel continues on.

[interludes] GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "You get closer and listen. It's a periodic roar; you're not sure you've heard something like it before. Natural History/Wits, TN 20 to gain some sort of insight!"

GM exclaims (at DonM), "You take a deep breath, and push yourself backwards into the water!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Climbing/Endurance! TN 20."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel asks, "Aka Resolve?"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 1 10+1 | 12

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 6k3: 3 8 3 2 9 1 | 20

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Drama die!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "On the dot!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ilac."

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

[7thsea] GM says, "Sigh, yes."

[interludes] Talbert asks, "Ugh. Should I spend my last DD? Or can someone gift me one?"

[interludes] DonMiguel says, "I will."

[interludes] Talbert says, "Yay"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

[interludes] Talbert says, "That's a 27"

[interludes] Talbert says, "total"

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "wheeee!"

[interludes] Talbert says, "(I like to think I remembered a conversation with Don and that's why I got the DD)"

[interludes] DonMiguel says, "I like it."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel wonders which game uses Endurance and Might as stats.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Is it FATE? It's either that or D&D or some combination thereof."

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You recall taking a trip with Don Miguel along the coast to the north, accompanied by Montaignian guards on some errand for the town. On the way, Miguel pointed out a rocky outcrop where he pointed out where the Calling Tortoises nest for the winter, and heard their calls over the pounding of the surf."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Physique, in Fate. And D&D has Strength and Constitution."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope asks, "Have you played something called Forbidden Lands?"

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "(I'm just Googling)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Oh! That's it! That's the other game I'm GMing ;-)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Haha"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ha."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "Except here: ha!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I've been found out ;-)"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "So!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "I made my roll to continue climbing, but just barely!"

GM says (to DonM), "You hold your breath for as long as you can, pushing backwards, until you finally feel your feet clear the water, and crawl back into an air pocket, gasping at the fresh air."

DonMiguel asks (of Others), "I made it! Can you hear me from here?"

GM says, ".."

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

GM says (to DonM), "*dripping sounds*"

DonMiguel continues backing up, to make room for those following after.

GM asks (of DonM), "Do you try to do anything to help those coming after you? Or just assist once they get close?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Are there any looks rocks here?"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Loose?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Ones that I could pick up?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I assume the entire passage is made of rock.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Yes! Also pretty rocks that are real lookers."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Oh, I typed 'looks'. Whoops."

[7thsea] GM says, "(Not that you can see them, I guess.)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Oi, stop fondling those rocks"

DonMiguel picks up a rock and raps on the ground with it. He taps out the Los Vagos code for 'situation as planned: proceed'.

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh, I like it."

GM tosses DonMiguel a drama die.

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"

Floriana takes a breath, nods to Penelope, and ducks under the water.

GM says (to Penelope), "After a bit, you hear the rapping from DonMiguel again."

Penelope takes a deep breath and follows suit. (stunt and/or climbing with resolve, I think it was?)

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yup!"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k3: 9 6 10+2 1 2 | 27

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You know that the tortoises are slow, but their bite can be nasty."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sucess, and rp!"

[interludes] Talbert says, "Alright! I'll try to Sprint past them."

[interludes] Talbert says, "(DonM's joke from earlier influenced me a little)"

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "Hee"

Penelope emerges on the other side, none the worse for wear. She's great at holding her breath for long periods of time. (Take that however you wish.)

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Turle parkour? Turtle power!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Snrk snort"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "You make your way through the narrow passage to where it opens up again, and the occasional roar is louder. Then, Recklessly, you take off at a dead sprint across the room, hoping there's somewhere on the other side to enter again!"

GM2 tosses Talbert a drama die, because there is nothing obvious, and he runs straight into a wall!

[interludes] GM2 says, "*tortoise roar*"

Talbert exclaims, "Ow!"

GM says, "Meanwhile, the four of you make it otherwise unmolested through the passageway to the Well, which is pretty much what it sounded like: a deep rocky pit, roughly circular in size. You hear a couple 'clinks' and then a 'splash' from rocks you dislodged as you emerged."

[interludes] GM2 asks (of Talbert), "You can either face the tortoise, or search for a way out--which would you like?"

[interludes] GM2 says, "(or retreat, probably)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Do we have room to gather here before we descend?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You do!"

DonMiguel asks (of Floriana), "Alright. So this is where you believe the passage we need could be? Somewhere along the walls of this pit?"

Floriana says, "The room you saw should be over there-ish. She points across the pit and up to the left a bit, in the soft glow of Penelope's spiders."

[interludes] Talbert says, "I'll search for a way out, trying to dodge the tortoise"

[interludes] DonMiguel asks, "Did you bring a red cape?"

[interludes] Talbert says, "Hah"

[interludes] GM2 says, "OK, Notice, TN 20 to search, and sprinting/finesse TN 15 to avoid the tortoise. Which I should describe; hang on."

DonMiguel tries, by the faint light, to look at the walls. Does it look like it should be possible to climb around the outskirts of the pit to where Floriana was pointing without having to climb down?

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "And can I assume we had the foresight to bring rope?"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 3 1 | 4

[interludes] Talbert says, "Well I guess even spending 2 DDs won't fix this bad roll"

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You take a second to look around, and see the thing roaring at you... and there's no way you would have guessed it was a tortoise from the way it looks, but knowing what you know, you can see it must actually be one. But its shell is completely black, and has... something, protruding from it. Bent spikes, perhaps? Also black, but with faintly glowing edges."

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 10+1 2 6 1 10+2 | 31

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You can try again; you'll just need to avoid the tortoise while you do so."

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "I dodge the tortoise this round!"

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Parkouring off between wall and shell!"

GM says (to DonMiguel), "You think you can! Another climbing roll, though others might be able to help this time, with rope or advice or something."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope knows ALL ABOUT rope. Not so much about climbing, though.

DonMiguel ties one end of the rope to himelf and gives the other end to Floriana, Penelope and Tristand. "If I fall, hopefully this will keep me from landing on the rocks below."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "But I'm sure you're great with knots!"

[interludes] GM2 says, "The second round, the Notice is easier as you've already eliminated some locations, but the tortoise is harder to avoid: 15 for Notice, 20 for the Tortoise."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "And with, uh, crafting a safe 'harness'."

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 9 5 | 14

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "DD!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 10+8 | 18

DonMiguel says, "Wish me luck!" as he set out around the wall of the put.

[interludes] Talbert says, "Wow, do those raises get me anything"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims, "Sure, that's a free raise on your Tortoise Avoidance roll!"

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Woo!"

[interludes] GM2 says, "(auto +5)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 2 3 2 6 3 | 14

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "I nearly took escapologist when I was creating Penelope, because knotwork felt like a thing she should have :D But alas."

GM says (to DonM), "Climbing/Finesse or Brawn or whatever, TN 20! And then a Notice, TN 20."

[interludes] Talbert says, "I could use my last DD or Penelope could gift me one. (I wonder what she taught me that helps dodge tortoises)"

[7thsea] GM says, "And a +1k0 for the rope."

[interludes] Penelope says, "Take mine, yeah"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "If the Notice is related to the climbing, then can I take a raise on the one to get a free raise on the other?"

[interludes] Talbert says, "Thank you :)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 10+2 | 12

[7thsea] GM says, "Yes."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Then I will!"

[interludes] Talbert says, "What is it with exploding dice on rolls that would have been fine with a 1"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 3 10+10+8 10+4 10+2 2 9 6 | 63

[interludes] Penelope says, "Tortoises dislike it when you [insert something here that Penelope once read in a book and thought it was an interesting fact.]"

[interludes] GM2 asks (of Talbert), "Didn't you roll 5k4 the last time?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 10+9 3 2 | 24

[interludes] Talbert says (to GM2), "I did, that was a 14"

[interludes] Talbert says, "This is Penelope's DD that added 12 to that"

[interludes] GM2 says, "Oh, got it--carry on."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "I think that's pretty clear that you zero in on the hidden passage on the other side of the well! RP!"

[interludes] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "I misread that at first as 'Tortoises dislike it when you insert something here', which indeed sounded like the sort of thing Penelope would have read in a book and thought was interesting."

[interludes] Penelope says, "Hehe"

GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "Penelope's advice to 'always look up' comes in handy: just above the tortoise is a small hole that you're sure continues on from here. You dodge around, leaping off a stalactite, and roll/land in the passage!"

Talbert says, "Woo."

[interludes] GM2 says, "*annoyed roar behind you*"

Talbert says, "Egg off, will you"

Talbert begins to make his way ('Makinmyway')

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "You squeeze your way down the passage, dousing your torch to do so, and switching to a small lantern. Until you see lights up ahead."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Whoops, I missed the GM's reply to me.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Forgot to ..DonM; sorry."

DonMiguel hops from foothold to foothold like a mountain goat, with the rope trailing behind him like a streamer, ending up in a stable spot on the other side, which he realizes after stopping to rest is actually the very passage he was looking for.

DonMiguel exclaims, "Here it is! It's easy: just <explanation of where the best hand and footholds are>!"

GM exclaims (at DonM_&_co), "You all make it across the Well and into the passage, which is similarly tight, but this one's dry. You finally emerge into a larger room, and hold up Penelope's spiders to help see. At first you see nothing but a dead end... but then, with a cry, DonMiguel's face lights up: it's his key, discarded in a corner!"

[interludes] GM2 asks (of Talbert), "Do you douse your lantern? Leave it on? Listen? Crawl ahead? Nap?"

[interludes] Talbert says, "I'll douse my lantern and get closer sneakily"

[interludes] GM2 says, "Then roll sneakiness! Wits or finesse."

DonMiguel asks, "They just threw it away!?"

DonMiguel collects it immediately!

GM exclaims (at DonMiguel), "It's Figure With Hands Covering Face!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Since I can't be trusted to know the actual abilities, I'll just make up new ones and you can interpret as you like."

DonMiguel exclaims (at Figure), "Welcome home!"

GM says (to DonMiguel), "Looking around, you think this may well be the place you saw the key used."

DonMiguel looks for the keyhole.

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Notice, TN 10!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 9 2 3 | 14

[7thsea] GM says, "(except here)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 4 1 1 4 2 | 11

[interludes] Talbert says, "...was the TN 10? I guess not"

[interludes] GM2 says, "Whoops, I didn't say the TN, but default is 15."

[interludes] Talbert says, "Last drama die it is"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Boom!"

[interludes] Talbert says, "Well, almost"

[interludes] Talbert says, "But successful"

GM says, "You insert the key and turn it. As before, with a low rumbling, the entire rock wall slides over, disappearing into a recess."

DonMiguel reminds the party of what he told them before: about that day when he was searching the caves, and he overheard these two men discussing the plan to bomb the medical unit at the Montaigne camp, and how he believes one of them used this key to open a secret passage.

GM says, "This time, you can see what lies behind it: a precisely-carved five-sided room with smooth walls, floors, and ceiling, with ancient but pristine Syrneth artifacts everywhere--along the walls, recessed into the ceiling and floors, and free standing. As the door finishes opening, soft lights from the ceiling begin to glow, bathing the room in a dusky purple light."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I recall that they were a Castillian voice and a Montaigne voice, but... were they too distorted to recognize them in the future?"

inky arrives, looking for booty.

DonMiguel whistles in admiration.

Penelope ooohs.

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "Ah, it's the fabled Spectral Figurine In Obsidian, known to collectors as 'inky'!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I assume we don't see anyone else here?"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "You climb forward, and from a spot fairly high up in the wall, you see three figures with lanterns, moving quickly. The two on the sides have drawn swords, and the central one has a large disc strapped to his back. As he turns to climb down a ladder, you see his face--it's Floriana! Wait, no, similar but not nearly as gorgeous. It's Felipe!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Hee."

[7thsea] GM says, "Indeed, nobody else is in the room."

GM says, "The artifacts seem to be made from some sort of hard stone or metal (or both), with smooth rounded edges everywhere, many with strange indentations."

GM says, "Wet footprints on the floor and some wet handprints on the wall reveal that someone's been here very recently. They seem to be centered around one particular artifact, a sort of slanted desk-like thing embedded in the north wall."

DonMiguel steps slowly into the room, taking everything in.

[interludes] Talbert had not anticipated finding Felipe before Floriana did, and hesitates for a moment, thinking...

DonMiguel approaches the desk, examining it and trying to work out its significance.

GM says (to DonM), "The most obvious features of the desk is that there's a sort of large curved pocket on the wall above it, and that there seem to have been protrusions coming off from the side that have been crudely smashed off."

GM asks (of Penelope), "Are you looking through the rest of the room, I assume?"

DonMiguel cringes at the vandalism.

Penelope is walking around, kind of in awe.

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "As you hesitate, Felipe's face disappears down what seems to be a rope ladder. After a couple seconds, the first guard also begins climbing down."

[interludes] Talbert will wait until the last guard is alone to try and silently take him out.

DonMiguel looks at the broken parts, trying to guess what could have been there and why anyone would have wanted to break them like this.

DonMiguel asks (of Tristand), "Can you watch the entrance and make sure no one takes us by surprise?"

GM says (to Penelope), "You're tracing your hands over one of the artifacts as you circle it, awed at how *smooth* it is, when you suddenly see a skeleton, huddled in the corner, traces of old clothes rotting around it."

[interludes] Talbert asks, "Some sort of Throat Strike from behind?"

Penelope oh!

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "Some sort of Wits roll, TN 20! Actually, Natural Philosopy (or whatever it is) will work."

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k3: 4 6 8 8 | 22

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Natural Philosophy it is!"

[interludes] GM2 says (to Talbert), "The second guard is quite watchful. There'll be a scant moment when she has to turn around to get on the ladder where you might be able to approach with surprise."

[interludes] Talbert says, "Whoops, I assumed a gender in the heat of the moment"

GM says (to DonM), "You realize that the pocket is exactly the right size to house that disc you saw being carried out o the room."

[interludes] Talbert says, "To be fair it is very dark, but I could have gone with 'them'"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Did I see the disc?"

[interludes] Talbert asks, "Will it be a roll to catch them by surprise and then a roll (TN increased by 15 because Throat Strike) for the automatic Dramatic Wound?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Also, is the disc the broken-off piece? If so, I might have misimagined what you were describing.)"

[interludes] GM2 asks, "Let's see. How about a surprise roll with Finesse to get down from your perch quickly enough, and if successful, a TN 20 (total) for the Throat Strike. If not successful, it'll be TN 30. In both cases, it'll push her off the ledge she's standing at the top off, unless you want something else to happen, which you can do with a raise. Seem reasonable?"

[7thsea] GM says, "You did! At least, I think you did. The day in the cave when you first saw this room."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ah! I had forgotten that part."

[7thsea] GM says, "The disc looks like it would set into the pocket on the wall above the desk; the desk itself has protrusions off the side of it that were smashed."

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "Perfect!"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims, "With TN 15 for the surprise roll!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 4k4: 7 10+3 3 8 | 31

DonMiguel tells the others about the disc he saw.

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "I get a free raise!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Was I able to figure out anything about the protrusions?"

[interludes] Talbert says, "Because I'm Batma- I'm El Vago now"

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "Hang on a sec; I'll leave you examining them for the nonce..."

[7thsea] GM asks (of Penelope), "Do you investigate the skeleton?"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "w00t!"

Penelope does!

Penelope, after her initial shock, peers more closely at the skeleton.

[interludes] Talbert says, "Can I spend that free raise right away to try to do my Throat strike without knocking her off the ledge? It's more intimidating"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 6 3 7 2 5 | 21

[interludes] Talbert says, "And I succeed at my Throat strike without any need for a raise, so hey"

GM says (to Penelope), "The skeleton is huddled in the corner, leaning against a sort of leg of another artifact, with its hands wrapped around its knees. It's wearing the remains of what look like fashionable clothes... from several generations ago. The edges are worn and singed in places. Then you see that in one hand is a crumpled piece of paper."

[interludes] Talbert says, "(I imagine that the free raise from leaping down was being well-positioned to take her out without her falling)"

[interludes] GM2 says, "Perfect--rp away! You can use the free raise to have her fall where you like."

Penelope pries back the fingers in an attempt to retrieve the paper without destroying it.

GM says (to Penelope), "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2ZfDGUkRq86u1vOeBcWAuW0mgxdy82_/view?usp=sharing"

Penelope reads. Whelp.

Penelope hands it to DonM.

DonMiguel reads it as well. "Ah. Well, that answers some questions. And raises others."

Talbert leaves his perch and becomes one with the shadows. There is no time to react as he appears from behind and throat punches the guard, catching her as she falls so as not to alert the others.

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "This seems like a good time to recap what we remember about the stories about the great fire."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "I hear it was pretty great"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Do you want a recap from me, or is it more fun to piece it together yourselves?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I remember there was a boy/young man who seemed to be implied to be the cause of the fire? Does his age roughly match the fashion of the skeleton's clothes?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "It does!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "I'm probably going to attempt to regardless, but I would appreciate having any gaps in my memory filled in."

[7thsea] GM says, "Perfect; go for it."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And in the story, the boy's father -- some ancestor of Floriana/Felipe/Maria -- did block the door in the lighthouse basement."

[interludes] GM2 exclaims (at Talbert), "The throat strike leaves the guard temporarily winded, but she's made of sterner stuff than some of the others you've fought before. Gasping, she tries to stagger back, pushing against your embrace!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And lots of people died in the fire, which would be consistent with the idea of someone trying to use souls to power an evil magical device."

[interludes] GM2 says, "Let's do a contested Brawn roll here:"

[7thsea] Guard rolls 2k2: 1 2 | 3

[interludes] GM2 says, "Ha ha ha"

[interludes] GM2 spends a couple drama dice, for the first time in the game!

[7thsea] Guard rolls 2k2: 5 10+8 | 23

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "But I don't remember anyone in the story mentioning a strange creature. So either A) the creature was itself possessing the boy in the story and only became visible once he was freed from it, or B) the creature remained in the caves the whole time?"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 6 1 | 7

[interludes] Talbert says, "Well well"

[7thsea] GM says, "There indeed wasn't a strange creature in the story you heard, only stories of 'whispers'."

[interludes] Talbert says, "that did not go as planned"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I think that's all I can recall from the story. I assume some of these people had names, and probably more specific relationships than just 'ancestors', although I remember there was some early confusion about how long ago this took place."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Oh, and the 'father' from the story, was he the one who put the key in my family's possession for safekeeping?"

[7thsea] GM says, "The other bit of the story is that a bit later, the father in the story took the key to you own ancestor, and gave it to him for safekeeping."

[7thsea] GM says, "(timing!)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And presumably after the key was stolen, it somehow came into someone's possession who used it to open this chamber again."

[7thsea] GM says, "The confusion was mostly on my end; I just settled on 'a few generations back'."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And presumably became possessed and is now recreating the attempt to open the 'portal'."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(And is also most likely Felipe.)"

DonMiguel talks through the connections between the story and the note.

[interludes] Guard staggers back, raising her sword and trying to get her voice back.

DonMiguel says, "Although if breaking the desk prevented the creature from using the 'portal', I wonder what makes them believe that it would work this time."

[interludes] GM2 exclaims, "....Talbert Her action that round was to break free; it's now your turn!"

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "A second Throat Strike!"

[interludes] GM2 exclaims, "TN 30!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 8 1 9 8 1 | 26

DonMiguel asks, "And did that creature survive all these decades here, just waiting for another suitable person to take control over?"

[interludes] Talbert says, "boo"

[interludes] Talbert says, "I accept this failure"

DonMiguel asks, "...is *this* the fate that would have awaited Talbert if he hadn't escaped from that other 'portal' with his self intact?"

[interludes] Guard dodges around your attack, raises her sword, finally gets her voice back, and yells, "Felipe! Los Vagos is here! Jump!"

[interludes] Guard then lashes out with her sword, hitting---the ladder! You hear curses frow below, and an 'ooof!" as the ladder immediately snakes over the ledge and disappears.

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "AFK a moment."

Floriana says, "Oh, my. I wonder if seeing the key was what prompted Felipe to ask me to take his place."

[interludes] Talbert says, "Could I try and catch the ladder, or is it too late"

[interludes] Talbert says, "(I'm okay if so)"

[interludes] Guard says, "It's a bit late, but you can throw yourself ineffectively at the disappearing cords for a drama die ;-)"

[interludes] Talbert exclaims, "I shall!"

[interludes] GM2 says, "RP! You'll still be at the top of the ledge when you're done."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Back."

[interludes] Talbert lunges for the ladder but it slips through his fingers!

DonMiguel, in light of this new information -- and the implications about the purpose of this room -- takes another look around at the other other objects here.

Floriana says, "Wasn't the key stolen in early Quartus of last year? It was a week after we switched."

GM2 tosses Talbert a drama die!

[interludes] Guard exclaims (at Talbert), "Vagos! Why you do try to stop him! He's working to evict this city of the Montaignians!"

[7thsea] Floriana says (to DonM), "Let's have another Notice, TN 15."

DonMiguel asks (of Floriana), "Do you think Felipe might have been involved with the theft? Or would it have fallen into his hands later?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Heh, too few windows for all the names I want.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Would any of my Scholar knacks potentially apply to that roll?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(History, Math, Philosophy, Research, Law, Natural Philosophy, Theology.)"

Floriana says (to DonM), "Given what we know, I fear as much. Maybe living with you and the key started the whispers for him."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k3: 3 8 6 3 | 17

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "I'm going to say that was natural philosopy, because:"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Conveniently, they were all at the same rank.)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "I don't have the oratory skills to persuade her that Felipe is possessed, right?"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Seems a little implausible"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "I think I'll speak WITH MY FISTS"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Wow, that's a Tale-ism"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "just needs an ellipsis"

GM says (to DonM), "In another corner of the room, the floor seems to be slightly discolored, and in the center of it, you find what you think you recognize as bits of some sort of crustacean shell, but one that doesn't match any creature you know of. It's faded, but it seems to have been black with red lines across it."

GM says, "As you pick it up, it flakes apart and disintigrates."

DonMiguel points. "Perhaps that's the 'ear' we read about."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I didn't mention it, but I assume I passed the note to Floriana after reading it.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Since it would be awfully odd not to have.)"

Tristand sticks his head back in the room. "Uh, guys? There's yelling from lower down in the caves.

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "I was suddenly reminded of the fight scene from They Live while trying to figure out how to deal with this Castillian guard situation"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Except I don't have glasses I can give her to see Felipe for the possessed being he is right now"

DonMiguel looks uncertain for a moment, then says, "...it's going to be Talbert, isn't it?"

[interludes] Guard advances and attacks!

[7thsea] Guard rolls 4k3: 4 6 3 9 | 19

[interludes] Guard asks, "I think that's enough to hit your passive defense?"

[interludes] Guard says, "You can do an active defense with Wits if you like."

DonMiguel says, "I don't want to just leave this here, but if it is Talbert, he might need our help."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "2k2 is unlikely to beat a 19"

[7thsea] GM says, "Bah, why do I have fights when I can't remember the rules ;-)"

DonMiguel asks, "If we take the key with us, hopefully that should at least stop anyone else from getting in here to finish carrying out their plans with the disc?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I assume there must be some way to close the door, since it was closed when we arrived."

[7thsea] GM says, "Right! Roll weapon damage, it's that many flesh wounds."

[7thsea] Guard rolls 2k2: 6 5 | 11

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "Would Lightning Reflexes help?"

DonMiguel wraps the key in a piece of cloth to protect it -- and does the same for the piece of shell -- and packs them away as safely as possible.

DonMiguel asks, "Does everyone else agree?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "No, that's just a wound check with Brawn vs. 11 to see if it turns into a dramatic wound."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Ah okay"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 7 5 | 12

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "No dramatic wound!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "But I keep track of the flesh wounds, right?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Correct."

[7thsea] GM says, "So you still have 11; if you get hit again you'll do a wound check vs. the new total."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "But it's your turn!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(not doing init this time, just letting you take turns.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "('Everyone else' being Penelope, since I assume the NPC's will go along with whatever we decide.)"

Penelope nods.

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "And yes, you can turn the key again to get the door to close, and take it with you."

DonMiguel exclaims, "Let's go!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Trying to decide between a (Sparta!) kick and another Throat Strike."

DonMiguel tries to close the door once everyone's out, then goes off in the direction of the shouting!

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "It doesn't say in the description of Kick that it moves someone"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "So Throat Strike it is"

GM says, "And off you all go! There's a different exit from this spot you didn't see on your way in, that's more obvious now that there's sound coming from that way. That, and it's the direction DonMiguel saw the figures moving off towards when he was spying on them."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Or I guess we could dramatically wrestle in an opposed BRawn check and one of us rolls off (or both!)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "Ah, she's armed, that doesn't work. Throat strike!"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Any of those are fine with me!"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "TN 30!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Throaaaaaat Striiiiike"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 7 8 2 6 2 | 23

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Well poopy mcpoop"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "noooo"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh no"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You have your single drama die from the ladder, I think? Unless you spent that already."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "she's actually the coolest Castillian, we should recruit her"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert exclaims, "Oh right DD!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 1 | 1

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Oof."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "The dice have been blowing hot and cold for me tonight"

[interludes] GM says, "Moving from #interludes to the main room again:"

Guard exclaims, "What are you--ack!--doing? Just leave him alone!"

Guard takes a defensive stance at the top of the ledge, glaring at you.

[interludes] Guard says, "(and not taking an attack; instead her defensive TN is now increased by 5.)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Ah, so now my Throat Strike TN is 35. yay."

GM exclaims, "The two of you glare at each other, when the guard starts and looks up and behind you. You chance a quick look back--and there's your friends, climbing down a different rope ladder from above!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "(Don't worry, I'm still having fun)"

[interludes] GM exclaims, "And you're all here now, and anyone can Do A Thing if you like!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(except here)"

DonMiguel asks (of Talbert), "Need a hand?"

Guard exclaims, "More of you!"

Penelope waves with a smile.

Talbert asks (of DonMiguel), "I've been doing my best to not outright murder this deluded person. They're pretty tough though! Maybe a potential recruit?"

DonMiguel asks, "Oh? What's her delusion?"

Talbert says, "That whatever's gotten into Felipe has good intentions for the city"

DonMiguel says, "Ah -- in that case, maybe *this* will change your mind. We just found it in the caves. It's from about <X> years ago."

DonMiguel shows the note to the guard.

Esperanza, for that is her name, cautiously looks at the note.

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "*Hope*fully it'll convince her."

Esperanza asks, "I... don't understand why you're showing me this. Where did you get it?"

DonMiguel says, "In the room where Felipe is trying to bring that disc."

DonMiguel says, "The thing that writer of the note says he's 'free' of? We believe it now has Felipe."

Esperanza blanches.

DonMiguel asks, "What has he told you he plans to do with that disc?"

Esperanza asks, "That note was in the room up there?"

DonMiguel says, "The one with the purple light? Yes."

Esperanza says, "He already put the disc in the wall, but it didn't work, just like he guessed. Something was broken. So the... power he was going to get from it..."

Esperanza hesitates.

DonMiguel listens.

[7thsea] GM asks, "OK, she still needs a bit of convincing from a roll, but you've gotten the TN down to 10. Perhaps Penelope, would you like to do the honors, with something/panache?"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Oratory?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Perfect."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k3: 1 3 7 6 8 | 21

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "success! Rp!"

Penelope tells Esperanza the story about the fire and everything from the *last time this happened* and how devastating it was, and also points at Floriana and leans hard on the "that's her brother, and he's not like this, and she wants him back".

Esperanza says, "Oh, Theus. Oh, no."

Esperanza says, "He's heading to Sailor's Rest, where he says there's another device. One that wasn't broken, and should still work."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Oh right, what did that note say?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Is that the siren island?"

Esperanza says, "He has some sort of... underwater boat? But there's only one of it."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "We never investigated, I think, because other things came up."

[7thsea] Esperanza says, "Indeed--it's the mostly-bare rock off the coast where sirens hang out."

[7thsea] Esperanza says, "Also, Penelope may recall that Felipe asked the guards if 'the new guys cleared out the sirens' and when told you did not, requested additional explosives."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And was the note something about... killing sirens? I don't remember quite where it came from or whom it was originally meant for."

[7thsea] Esperanza says, "It was a recruitment task for the Tide."

[7thsea] GM says, "And I'm using my NPC as the GM again, whoops."

DonMiguel says, "I suppose that's where we'll be going as well."

GM exclaims, "Zoom in dramatically on Don Miguel's face, then a cut to outside, where the storm rages! The camera zooms in on Felipe, piloting a strange underwater vessel towards Sailor's Resk. Dramatic chord, and fade to black!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Woo"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "We're finally finding out what's really going on!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at GM), "Thank you for the session!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Is anything still confusing? My hope was that you'd have all the info you needed to piece everything together at this point. I think DonM mostly outlined everything?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I'm still unclear on what the sorcery they were doing out in the woods was, but if that doesn't get explained in-story, we can bug you about it afterwards."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Hehe"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "This was fun!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Good!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(And of course, we don't know where the portal leads to, if it's connected with Porte, if that Montaigne officer with the twitch is also possessed, etc. But I assume we're not supposed to know those things yet.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "I'm actually happy in the end you went a different way, because it meant I could use a different idea I had had which I didn't think I had time for."

[7thsea] GM says, "(the tortoise room)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Different from what?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Timing."

[7thsea] GM says, "Talbert staying split from the party instead of re-joining."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "I'm just happy that the door got opened!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(With permission, even.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh, and that, too! That was a nice payoff."

inky disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "If there's a locked door on the mantelpiece in Act II..."

[7thsea] GM says, "I feel like my 'leave several theads hanging and generally know What's Going On elsewhere, so you can bring them in when you need them' has worked reasonably well for this campaign."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Yeah."