[ I AM THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ. Well, I have brackets anyway. ] [ Last time, you dealt with Mark's complete inability to volunteer information, met some creepy people, walked up a long tower, and at the top found Phillip the Magister quite dead, presumably at the hands of a surprised- looking and dagger-wielding Luca. ] [ He's surprised! You're surprised! I'm surprised you're still playing in this rotten game! Which, coincidentally, starts now! ] * Theodore has a forced even-ness to his tone as he casually moves to open his briefcase and put away his notes. "What happened?" * Khyra is far less casual. Her eyes are wide with horror as she cries out. "What have you *done*?!" * Magellan surveys the tower top. "Ach... nae good can come o' this," he mutters quietly. * Mark rubs his glasses on his shirt and looks through them again, just to make sure the red stains are what he thinks they are. * Maimun has put his hands in his robe, and is looking at Luca as if he were a wild animal. Which could well be accurate. (Khyra has more than enough moral outrage for all of us!) [ The lithe man in black stands up, carefully; he does look a little feral, as if he might pounce on any of you at any given moment. It's pretty obvious whose blood is on his curious dagger, which is made of shaped, jagged obsidian and wrapped with cord for a 'hilt'. "It's none of your concern, even if you did somehow make it in here." ] 'fraid yer wrong, lad. A dead Magister be the business o' all of us, 'specially as we're like as not te take the blame fer it. * Theodore pauses, keeping his right hand in his briefcase while his left hand holds it. He continues to keep that forced even tone. "So I think it would be best if you explained yourself." (Aha! There's Phil's last name. but I only gave it to Theo. That's why nobody knew it.) * Khyra flexes her wrists slightly. "I agree." * Mark nods. [ The youth raises an eyebrow; he doesn't seem particularly concerned. "I could spend a year explaining and you would never understand." ] Give it your best try. Try for the short version. [ He actually laughs, and it's clear that whatever emotionless guise he was wearing when you first met him was just that. "There is no 'short version'." He backs up another step, though 'to where' is a good question. "The old saying that the truth will set you free is a horrendous fallacy. The truth is shackles and chains that weigh you down every day." ] So what does that have to do with all this? * Maimun smiles in a hint of a faint and grim amusement. [ "What it means is that I have nothing to say to you." ] Oh, come on! You really expect us to believe that? * Theodore flits his eyes between his fellows. "I don't believe we're prepared to accept that." He keeps his right hand in his briefcase. [ He smirks. "It's no less or more believable than the truth. If I told you I loved Phillip... loved ALL of them... as brothers, would you believe me?" He inches back again. ] * Maimun says in a very dry tone, "You have a strange way of treating your breathren." * Theodore eyes behind Luca, to see if he's go anywhere to escape to. (Perception check!) I've heard of families like that. * Magellan casts an eye on Luca. "Dinnae ye be doin' anythin' rash, lad... well, anything else rash..." (Just Theo.) Don't think I'd ever try that to a sibling. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Theodore (2d6) and gets 9. (Nope) (Well, or anyone watching him closely thus.) Fratricide's a common element in many tales. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Magellan (2d6) and gets 10. (Hell no.) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maimun (2d6-4) and gets -1. [ Luca can't help but chuckle. "Thank you all for proving my point." ] (That's a huge yes if HA comes into play. Just a yes if not.) What, that we wouldn't belive you? I am quite willing to believe you, love can cause people to do complicated dangerous things. * Maimun narrows his eyes slightly as he watches Luca. [ He just shakes his head. "Truth is more complicated than you think. The difference between this world and the next is as thin as the air of a spoken word. Go home. Forget all of this." ] (Anyone *not* watching Luca, or watching the room in general, percep roll.) Forget? You expect us to just forget? 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khyra (2d6-2) and gets 6. (Yes.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mark (2d6) and gets 9. (nope) There be nae a way te explain how we left in th' company o' a Magister and his friend, and come back less both o' ye. * Khyra turns her head to the side for a moment. * Mark shrugs, "I can't go home yet, and there's somebody who seems to have been quite insistant that I come." * Theodore settles into a more business like tone, as if he's gotten a surer grip on his barings. "I'm quite prepared to believe the barrier between worlds is thin, we saw convincing evidence of people drifting between the two earlier. We need to know more." [ He actually looks angry now. "You know nothing! Your being here is a fluke; a mistake. You're lucky you're not among the others who swarmed here. Their fate is considerably more terrible than having to try and live a normal life after seeing something you're not involved in." ] * Khyra licks her lips nervously and continues gazing off to the side. * Theodore sneers. "A fluke? We were sent here by a rather mysterious fortune teller who nonetheless seemed to have a firm grip on where we were going. I doubt she believes she's mistaken." Somebody is putting a lot of work into this mistake. (BRB) (/me holds his followup until Luca's responded, wouldn't due to give a monologue. :P) (Run, runner, run! >:O) (Sorry. I'm trying to do this and stuff for tomorrow all at once.) [ Luca actually appears interested. "Fortune teller?" ] (Luca was there for the discussion of Tarot cards, yes?) * Khyra slowly turns her head back towards Luca. (I think so, but I don't think Teros was mentioned except in broad strokes, and he seemed preoccupied with Phil besides) Was mysterious, passed out bits of paper. I'll let the storytellers do the story telling. * Theodore smirks. "Yes, she even predicted Phillip's troubles, I'll say more, but only if you elaborate first." * Theodore's right hand is still in his briefcase. Perhaps it's his security blanket. (Psh. Inside it he's got a subpoena.) (Magical restraining order!) * Khyra blinks once at the mention of storytellers. [ Luca smirks. "I don't deal, sorry." He also takes another inching step backwards. "Teros, huh..." He frowns a moment, looking displeased, but it doesn't last long. "This has been entertaining, but I don't have any more time. If you want to live a long life, leave and forget." ] [ And then, with no further ceremony, he falls backward out a window and out of sight. ] * Khyra takes a step forward. "No!" * Magellan sighs. "Nae te do..." (just to double check, he is the one who walked down the side of the mountain right?) * Theodore drops lowers his briefcase revealing the pistol in his right hand as he rushes forward after Luca, prepared to chase him over the ledge if it seems practical. (Walked down the side of the mountain? Ah, with the daggers on his feet? Yes.) * Maimun untenses, because he was tensed, and says, "Is he visible?" [ That said, looking out the window reveals nothing. ] * Theodore takes a quick step outside, dropping the briefcase and holding a backpack of some sort in his left hand, the pistol in his right. * Mark runs a few steps twords the window that Luca just jumped out of and then remembers the mountain side, so he walks back to the elevator, "Nah, he's probibly faster than this thing." * Theodore drops the briefcase on the inside of the sill, just to be safe. * Khyra runs over to where Phillip is lying. [ Now everyone can notice it, provided they look: Phil's body is getting less and less substantial as it turns into green motes of light that are slowly floating around the room. He deteriorated a lot since you last looked, Khyra. ] No, no, no! This is all *wrong*! * Magellan blinks. * Maimun lets his hands come out of his robe again and looks down at the Phillip, or, rather, the Phillip-motes and says quietly, "What...?" * Khyra kneels down next to him and reaches out to touch one of the motes. What the devil be this? ( Theo see anything from outside?) (The city. ^_^ he's literally disappeared.) * Mark stares at the body, "Magic makes my head hurt." * Theodore walks back in from the window ledge. "Blast, I should have predicted he'd used the window." He stops to organize his possessions, putting the backpack back in the suitcase. * Maimun shrugs slightly as he looks at the motes. "It was the only escape." He glances over at the kneeling Khyra. "Do the lights hold any significance you know of?" [ Phil does not answer Magellan. What *is* happening is that the motes are slowly making a magic circle on the floor, though it's completely unintelligbile. ] Aside from the fact that he's disappearing into them? No. Wait... They're forming something, aren't they? * Theodore looks at the circle, and tries to sketch it, never know, good help. He also tries to figure out if it's the same one he saw before at the valley entrance. (It's not.) * Magellan sighs, a big heaving whoof. "I dinnae like any of this, lads.... especially nae that." * Mark tries to back away so he's not standing in the circle, "Did he know this was going to happen?" * Theodore keeps trying to sketch it anyways. [ Phil's quite nearly gone. The circle continues to grow. ] I... don't know. Is his spirit doing this? * Theodore also keeps a tight hold on his possessions. "I would recommend everyone brace themselves, I do not know what will happen when the circle finishes. How the devil are we te know, lass? He dinnae leave a note. * Khyra sighs. "We *could* just leave here before it finishes." Mind you, she's not making any motion to do so. * Mark looks up at the ceiling, "Nah, we'd just get the woman talking in my head again." * Maimun tries to stay outside of the growing circle, for at least as long as it's reasonable. "I'm afraid I know no more than any of you, myself." I fear the elevator won't be enough to save us. [ You'd be right. The circle finishes. ] [ It glows briefly for a second, and then there is the distinct sound in everybody's ears of a key being turned in a lock. And then... nothing. Phil's body is completely gone. ] * Magellan releases a held wince. "... that be it?" * Khyra stands up. "I don't know." [ That be it. ] So far. Anticlimactic, ye might say. The barrier between the worlds might have just closed. ::He looks down at his notes to see if he can take them to an arcane consultant:: I hope we ended up on the correct side, then. * Maimun pales slightly, and he adds, "As do I." ...Yeaaah. ( There's no way to reproduce this circle. It's so complex you might get a headache looking at it too closely. IN fact, Body roll, Theo.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Theodore (2d6) and gets 2, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "I hate these guys. Give 'em one for me." (Theo resists the headache! And feels... refreshed! I guess.) (On second thought, maybe he does manage to copy down something usefull @_@) * Theodore sighs. "Too complex, I suppose speculation will be all we have. Let us get going before any after shocks of the locking or unlocking hit." * Maimun decides to go and look out the window. That should clue him in! Aye. And hope we not be arrested once we enter town. * Mark nods and peers at the circle for a bit, "This part..." What about it? * Theodore puts his pistol in his briefcase and walks a bit towards the elevator before turning to Mark. * Mark points at the very center, "Dunno, makes me think of the word "earth" Must've seen it somewhere before." * Mark scratches at his chin. * Magellan hoists his wrench and walks. (It is absolutely not recognizable to any of you in any way except Mark.) * Khyra examines it. "I don't see anything. Then again, you're the one with the voices. Let's go." She heads for the elevator. (So, does the window, if there still _is_ a window, show new weirdness or old weirdness?) (Same weirdness.) * Theodore nods and looks over the pattern, "Perhaps your recognizing your part in it." * Magellan blinks, and stops as he nears the elevator. "Eh...?" ...The rest of you heard her too at the end right? * Theodore heads to the elevator, he gets out some notes from before and is going to concentrate on the world map, using both the upper and lower versions so that he has more time. * Khyra looks back and shakes her head. "I heard nothing." * Magellan plunks the wrench down, and digs a hand into his pocket. * Theodore looks back to Mark with a slight grin. "Perhaps if you could make a habit of being slightly less cryptic Mr. Stephenson." * Maimun mms and walks elevator-ward. "I am afraid not. At least the city looks unchanged." * Magellan pulls an emerald out of his pocket ... not too large, but it looks brilliant. [ It's not a long walk to the elevator. It's where you left it. ] * Mark shrugs again, "Not any good at explaining things." * Magellan goggles at it, barely managing to spit out an "Ach!" * Theodore looks over to Magellan and his eyes widen a moment, but he keeps it under control. He then looks to Mark. "So then, what did she say?" (The emerald is beyond brilliant. The word 'unreal' comes to mind.) * Khyra stares at Magellan. "Where did you get *that*?" If I knew, lass, I'd nae be here right now. Kept calling me pactma... Where'd that come from? * Maimun turns on hearing the Ach and looks at the emerald, his eyes widening. "It is amazing..." * Theodore looks back to Magellan with a bit of grin. "You'd be at a superb workshop living a leisurely life of inventing instead?" Aye, 'struth. But it was in my pocket and I did nae notice till I moved. 'Tis a fair bit of shine, though, isn't it? It's beautiful. * Magellan holds it up to the light. (Assuming there is light.) (There's the 'fake light' from the we don't know what. It's INSANE. It's raw essence of emerald.) I cannae even begin te guess what this be worth. You mean it appeared just now? After the circle went off? (If we find the other six do we get Super Mags?) Aye. (Weren't there eight Chaos Emeralds?) (Six.) (Well, twelve + the master.) (Thought it was seven ^^;;;) (Irrelevant!) * Theodore casually checks through his pockets, you never know. But I suppose we should stop admiring it and proceed with finding out exactly what's waiting for us. (Is it seven? Eh, whatever.) * Theodore nods. "So Mark she kept saying 'pactmaker' or 'pactkeeper'? Anything else of note? And when exactly was this? * Theodore heads to the elevator again, prepared to try to draw the map. He'll try to get the area around the known world first, if he can't get the rest so be it. * Magellan follows Theodore, still gazing through the emerald. * Khyra straightens her traveling pack over her shoulder and proceeds to the elevator. (Nobody has anything but Mags.) Pactmaker, and between the time I woke up and took the dome down. She wanted me to come, and say that poemspell thing, but I don't know what else. [ The elevator ride is as smooth as before, but the tour no longer lights up. ] * Maimun follows along, murmuring, "It is not Celestium, but is impressive nontheless." But what did she say at the end? Anyone have a light? She said Pactkeeper and Pactmaker, we both did hear that bit Khyra. He was refering to just before the dome went down I believe. Ah. I thought he was talking about right now. Nah, haven't heard a word out of her since. (So are the walls visible or too dark to see?) And back on the truck. (Too dark to see. This is a pretty big tower.) Well, stuff to make light with anyway. Blast, anyone else? Nae with me, lad. I have a flint stone, but we'd need something to light. * Maimun shakes his head slightly in response. Which is most likely not helpful. * Theodore shakes his head. "Could light paper, but we'd need a lense to focus light, or so much fire as to be dangerous." [ The point quickly becomes moot as the elevator hits the ground floor and the cage opens up. ] (Was one of the maps on the floor?) (No.) (They were all on the walls.) (Dang, must be misremembering.) Well, it doesn't seem to matter now. [ Feel free to exit through the now-open wooden doors. Also, don't trip over the dead bodies on the floor. ] * Theodore sighs. "I don not suppose anyone cares to wait while I walk up to get a closer look at one of those maps." (...the what?) (Dead bodies.) * Magellan walks out, stuffing the emerald back in his pocket. And blinks. * Mark starts to nod and freezes partway through it, "...He's been buisy." * Khyra shakes her head. "I wouldn't mi-" Her voice abruptly cuts off as she sees the bodies. I hope this does nae become a new theme for us. Oh, god. Oh, *god*. Wait, where did he find the people? Were no one else here afore. * Maimun looks down at the bodies and just tries to get a count/ID. He murmurs something under his breath. [ They are, on casual inspection, the people you saw walking around. The doubling effect is gone, and they're in "this world" clothing. They don't show signs of violent trauma. ] * Khyra swallows. "It's... all those missing people. The ones we saw before." * Theodore looks down and blanches. After a few moments he looks to Khyra. "I don't suppose that offer still stands?" (They still chained together?) (No.) * Khyra says, quietly, "I think I want to get out of here now. As quickly as possible." Aye. A town of death, fer true. * Maimun shakes his head, and says, "Maybe they're at peace, now. Wandering no longer." He closes his eyes for a second. (Has anyone stepped outside yet? Lemme know when you do.) * Mark points at the door, "that way's out." * Khyra nods and heads for the outside. (Okay, going out.) * Theodore nods and takes his pistol out of his suitcase. "I'm loath to think of the value of what I'm giving up, but it's no use to me if I'm dead." Theodore heads out. * Magellan follows. Baaa. * Mark follows the others out, and tries not to step on any former people. [ As for outside... ] [ Welcome to the land of the dead. The barely-preserved nature of the city from before? Gone. It is a RUIN, it was just impossible to see from that high up. The dead are the only inhabitants, in states from barely even bones to people who can't have been here more than a week. ] * Maimun lets the other people leave and continues to look at the bodies from near the elevator. * Khyra lets out a choked cry. The hell? Let's move, we can mourn them after we've left. * Magellan frowns, and nods. * Theodore sets a quick pace towards the bridge. * Khyra swallows and nods. (Lemme know if you wanna FF through the city, I have no big stuff planned inside it.) Very very good idea. * Khyra follows, also moving quickly. * Maimun isn't actually following at the moment. He IS checking one of the bodies, however, inside the tower. Stands te reason these be the others Luca did mention. But how... why... * Khyra shakes her head and keeps moving. * Theodore glances back and notices Maimun's delay. * Mark walks away from the tower, trying not to step on bodies, "Don't know." (FF is fine by me.) Be no why to it, lass. Magic hae very little why. (Oh, all the people are in garb from our world, right?) (Yes.) * Maimun leaves the tower, if anyone is still nearby, and follows after. He won't catch up unless people slow down, though. * Theodore does make sure he Maimun can catch up. (FF, sure) [ The trip is long, and gruesome, but uneventful. The bodies don't extend past the bridge, and it's easy for Theo and Magellan to recognize some prominent magisters who disappeared looking for supposed Selenium. ] (And their coteries.) [ You find yourself at the cliff leading up to the mine shaft. The forest is quiet. ] Theo, me lad, I hope ye know people who'll take ye at yer word, or we're in for a lot of trouble. * Theodore tracks the names of the Magisters he recognizes and the counts of the people with them. Someone might want to know what happened to the missing. * Khyra had been staring straight ahead the entire trip, focusing on Theo's back and *not* on the bodies. There be naught but our words for any o' this. * Khyra nods at Magellan's statement. "Yes." Then she sighs. "And I suppose that letter of recommendation will be worth nothing now." * Theodore nods. "I believe I do, but we shall see. I'll get in contact immediately to make sure our side is heard before anyone does anything rash." Just tell 'em there's another dead city back here. Good. I dinnae relish relinquishing my new twist of fate. * Magellan pats his pocket and grins. * Maimun has been looking around a bit the whole time, but hasn't lagged behind. "This trip has left nobody satisfied, and everyone troubled." He looks over at Magellan and smiles faintly, then looks up and takes a deep breath. "Shall we leave?" [ The cliff remains cliffy. Cliffity cliffcliff. ] I'm ready. Do you have enough power to get us up there? * Theodore takes a few steps up the cliff. "I'd advise no one speak of this until I've had the chance to manage things." My lips are sealed. Not going to be a problem. * Maimun smiles slightly when Khyra speaks, and watches Theo. "I do, but you will all have to be careful. The ground is a far easier place to land than a cave opening." * Khyra looks at Maimun. "I shall be careful." Is there anything I can do to help from the top? If you had a rope, I would recommend lowering it. As is, it would probably be safest, for those of you not inclined to flight... * Maimun glances over at Khyra, and then chuckles. "To just follow the cliff face up slowly." I do not have a rope, but if anyone else does I would be happy to hold it. * Maimun looks back... up, at Theo. "A rope would be a good guide." * Mark looks up, "Could rig something to pull everybody up...probibly take to long to drag everything through the mines." My rope is back with my horses, I'm afraid. * Maimun nods slightly and says, "Well, as I said. If you want to be safe, you can follow the cliff face up. It should not be too hard." He looks around. "Who is first?" I'll go. Well then, I could just walk up with each person, and try to catch them if they have any trouble. I can't hold some of you, but I think I'm a good deal better than nothing. I don't know anything about mountain climbing. (So, do you want to roleplay this out for character sake, or just assume you agree on something and move on?) That's most kind of you. Thank you. (Either way.) (Either is okay by me.) (Move on, please.) (Agreeing and moving on is fine.) (I have no opinion at this time) * Maimun nods slightly at Theo, then smiles at Khyra. "Somehow, I expected that." He reaches out for the transfer! (And yeah, we can fast-forward, unless we want to play through the summer-camp-esque trust exercise that is going up a cliff. ^_^;) (FF. :P) [ Having agreed to use Maimun like the pack mule he is, everyone makes it up the cliff and through the mines! The secret door shuts behind you the second the last person is through and the stones lose their glow; looks like going back will be tough. ] ... ach. [ The time appears to be late afternoon, coloring the expansive view of the Swordedges blood red. The mine lift you took up here is still here. There are no gazebos. ] * Khyra shudders when the door closes. * Maimun, being last, jumps forward slightly when the door closes, and looks back at it with a tinge of annoyance. He looks tired again, from all the flying. * Theodore looks pensive. Let's not do that again. If we can help it, nae. * Khyra shakes her head rapidly and starts heading for the way out. * Maimun nods slightly. "I do not want to revisit anywhere that seems to... twist time as that place did." He follows Khyra out. * Magellan follows Khyra. * Mark follows Mags. * Theodore looks pensive as he goes. If we're noticed, we say we have an important report and aren't free to discuss the details. It's true, and people may not question it as magisters are involved. Ayy. *nods* * Mark shrugs. Yes. (Magellan is the Fonz?) ("Aayyyyyyyyyyy!") (*snerk*) * Theodore makes one last glance back at the door as he goes away. "I wonder if explosives would... But not a matter for now." (HA!) (Cannot type!) [ The lift does not put you in it and then run off with you. Nature- minded types can tell it's probably around 6pm. ] * Maimun frowns slightly, and says, "Does that... we must visit Stromgarde?" * Magellan gets in the lift. * Theodore gets in the lift, ready to go down. "Eventually, that's quite likely." * Mark follows people in, "Not like I've got anywhere better to go." * Maimun puts his hood up and sighs slightly, saying, "I eagerly look forward to it," in a very not-eager tone. He also gets in the cart, pulls up his hood, and hopes that the sides of the cart like to be leaned against. * Khyra gets on the lift. "If it's necessary..." * Theodore glances back at Mark. "Out of curiosity, what do you want Mr. Stephenson?" [ It doesn't. Maimun is killed and eaten. ] (Damn! x_x) [ Actually, the ride down is fairly uneventful, like last time. You are treated to a view of the sunset over the plains from a height where the expansive beauty of it is unimaginable, and perhaps a much-needed tonic after all that death. ] * Mark snorts, "My parents heard this wild rumor about a new kind of engine that doesn't run on steam or magic and said I couldn't come back untill I found one." * Khyra relaxes quite a bit once they're outside again. * Theodore does settle slightly as he looks over the landscape. "So are you an inventor, or did you just seek one out?" * Mark shrugs, "My parents are teachers, I just fix broken things." * Maimun smiles slightly at the landscape when it comes into view, but soon closes his eyes for this part of the trip. Perhaps all of it. * Theodore nods. "Teachers of engineering? Seems odd that a teacher would give you such a mission." It's not like they have any free time for this. * Khyra stares out at the horizon. She's probably listening to Mark and Theo's conversation as well, even if she's not looking at them. Yes, and sending progeny on such missions is fairly common, but why this mission? * Magellan watches the sunset. They wanted one? [ You're almost to Heidelstrass, which seems unmolested. Darkness has fallen. ] * Theodore chuckles and concentrates on looking outside. (Unless anyone has something further to add...) (Nein) The offer of funding your work still stands Mr. Droog. It appears we may be entwined for some time, and while you now possess great wealth, I doubt you'd want to seperate it, and I'm afraid that your gem would be greatly diminished by dividing it. (I hate to say this, but it's Drogg. You keep saying Droog. ^_^) (::Fixes on his sheet::) [ The mine lift grinds to a halt. There is not a soul in sight except for a few boys with torches lighting street lamps, as Heidelstrass is too small to boast electricity to waste on such things. ] * Maimun opens his eyes when they stop and says softly, "I am sure we are all tired, but maybe staying in the town is more trouble than it is worth. This is the only place, at the moment, that knows that we went. If we show our faces to people, that will most likely change. Quickly." I need to retrieve my horses and the rest of my possessions, though. ...Need to get the truck back out too. And my cart. * Theodore nods. "And I do need to check in with the office." * Maimun grimaces slightly under the hood. [ You gather your things! It doesn't take long. It's late and the Godspeed office is closed and locked, but the tavern where you were staying is open, if empty. Nobody seems to give you much notice. ] [ Mark and Magellan, percep rolls. ] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mark (2d6) and gets 7. * Maimun seems pleased that things are gathered, although he had nothing _to_ gather, other than his horse, who he seems happy to see. The horse is certainly happy to see him. (That's a no) (Magellan is killed by an orbital cow.) [ Mark finds his truck! It is in reasonable working order. He pops into the driver's seat and finds someone smiling at him. "Hello!" it says in heavily- accented Mullenwaldian. ] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Magellan (2d6) and gets 5. (made) (Where are the rest of us?) (Where would youllike to be?) [ Magellan noticed him! But he might not have cared to mention it. His cart is where he left it. ] * Theodore stares at the locked Godspeed door and heads up to his room to organize his stuff, quite thoughtfully. * Mark blinks at the smiling face, "Hi?" (Maimun? We still at the tavern getting horses?) (Sure!) * Khyra retrieves her horses from the stable and checks to make sure all her posessions (that she didn't carry with her) are there, which they likely are. [ The figure is a Lockrider, as you can tell pretty clearly from his not wearing white and carrying a cutlass. "Pleasure to meeting you! This is your truck, yes?" ] * Maimun takes his horse from where he left him and says, "Yes, I know you didn't like this place, Imad, but we are leaving now. I'm sure that pleases you." He looks over at Khyra and nods once. "Are you prepared?" Yes, yes it is...Do you want something? I'm ready. Where are we meeting the others? * Magellan notices the figure and walks over to the truck, slowly. [ He -- and it's a he, you can tell at close range -- keeps smiling. "Ah, I am wondering... you are ones who go with Magister into the mine, yesno?" ] * Maimun walks towards the out. "I assume that we will know when we hear that... loud, noisy machine that Mark seems to like." He strokes Imad's head and neck as he says that. (Imad does not grow into a beautiful woman and return Maimun's love. He remains a freak.) * Theodore wheels his trunk in a bit, leaving money if need be to cover the room. He writes out a note once he's down he writes a note saying to expect important correspondance regarding his mission by mail. * Mark steps on a floor button, but nothing happens yet. Do you remember where he left it? (Do I remember where he left it?) Lots of Magisters have been going up into the mines, and none have come back yet. Personaly I'd hate to find out what was going on back there. (Do you remember where you left what?) (Where Mark's truck was.) (Since it's right outside the inn, I'd assume yes. c.c You can probably see it from where you are.) (Ehe.) (Oh. Right. ^^;) [ He grins a little wider. It's toothy. "Ah, you are good liar! I appreciate. But Mother Teros want to meet you, so I supposed to get you." ] * Theodore wheels his trunk out into the street and slips the note under the door of the Godspeed office. * Maimun comes outside and sees the truck! And Mark. And possibly the Lockrider. "Ah, there it is. Of course." * Mark scratches his stubble, "I'm not going to be able to go anywhere for a bit." * Khyra follows. "Ah, yes." Then she frowns. "Is he talking to someone?" (Perception checks to find out!) (Mags, you can hear all this, I should point out.) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maimun (2d6-4) and gets 4. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Theodore (2d6) and gets 6. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khyra (2d6-2) and gets 5. (By HA, that's a yes by... 2 on mind.) * Theodore turns over to look at the car once he leaves the note. (Khyra and Maimun notice the Lockrider! Glintysmile.) (Theo notice? He's outside and made the roll) [ The grin nods. He pulls out a gold coin. "Ah, you are thinking, they wonder why magister no come back, yes? No worries. I use Mishel's special memory coin. Nobody remember you ever here." ] (Then yes.) * Theodore walks over to the car. I suppose that's good. * Maimun nods slightly, and says, "Yes, he is." He walks all the way over. * Khyra follows. "I know it's a very long shot, but you don't happen to know him, do you?" [ He rubs the coin in his fingers and it disappears. "Is very expensive. But, Khem is generous, and only charge you ten marks for service." He beams. "Material cost." ] * Mark squints at a dial as various noises that sound remarkable like an old coffee maker come from behind him. (The truck have not yet started to move.) Isn't ...what did you say her name was? Mother Tero? Paying you? * Maimun shakes his head at Khyra's question. Well, I wonder what he wants. * Theodore looks up to the man. He came in late to the conversation so is still picking up what's going on. [ Khem grins. "Mother Teros pay me? Haha, is good joke! She ask, I do. Is the way of things. You pay me Marks later. But best to be leaving before coin spell wear off." He looks around, and wavlies his fingers to everyone else as they approach. ] * Khyra eyes him suspiciously. * Theodore nods. "Mind if I load up my trunk in the cart? It can move on its own, steam-powered, but may be faster this way." (YO CHAM, EARTH TO CHAM.) * Maimun waves back at the weird man. Ahh, but unless we want to push this, or wake up the entire town up while I find a harness, we're going to have to wait a bit longer. Where does she want us to go anyway? [ The man hmms. "Noise is no problem, but I spend another coin, so cost go to 11 marks." He grins again. "She want you to go to City of Lights." ] (That the city with the lighthouse?) (No, that's Lucia.) (Well, City of Lights = Lucia.) (Do we know that?) (Oh yes. Lucia's world-famous.) (... impromptu nap. My bad.) (There a good place to drop off a mailing on the way?) (Coincidentally, people not in the truck can hear this. It's not like he soundproofed it.) * Magellan nods to Theo. "Load it up, lad." * Maimun smiles faintly. "I have not been there for a while. It would be an interesting place to be, for certain." A chuckle. "Moreso than Stromgarde." * Theodore loads up the trunk, it's a bit heavy so he does it one end at a time unless he gets help. * Magellan helps! * Khyra muses. "Well, I've been meaning to head there for a while. Although I was hoping to be a bit better-known by then... in all honesty, now that's going to be working in my favor." * Theodore grunts as it gets on. "Thank you Mr. Drogg. Well then what do we need to get this cart moving?" * Mark shrugs, "Sounds like everybody else thinks it's a good idea." * Maimun chuckles. "I am not sure that is... a way of being known that you'd like." * Magellan chuckles. "The cart? I pick up the end o' it and pull." (... hate you Mecha.) * Khyra shakes her head. "Right now? Definitely not." Really now? * Mark listens to the boiler for a moment and checks the dials again. [ Khem seems pleased. "Ah, all set! We leave nowish? I will use coin." He leans out the 'window'. "Bearded one! Can walk fast with cart? Otherwise, we should find faster way for you." ] Nae so bad, but I cannae keep up with a horse. If ye can swing me one of them, I'd be obliged. * Khyra mounts her riding horse and makes sure that her packhorse's lead is secure. [ The Lockrider actually frowns. "No have spare horse..." He looks at Mark. "Maybe big wagon pull cart?" ] * Magellan looks to Mark. "Can ye swing it, lad?" * Mark nods, "Give me a bit." (How many wheels on the cart?) (Two. Standard handcart. * Mark climbs out of the truck and and up into the back, where he starts to rumage around, "Works better if pull." * Khyra is ready to go. Horses are easy compared to all this strange newfangled stuff. * Maimun continues to pet Imad as the cart is being attached. * Magellan maneuvers the cart to the back and waits to help Mark. Well if we aren't moving very fast I can just keep the lugagge off the cart and ride on that, it's quite capable of keeping up with a conventional wagon. * Khyra laughs softly. [ Mark and Magellan put their heads together and concoct the world's first trailer hitch! For them, it's a piece of cake. Seeing them work is actually quite impressive; there is something nearly supernatural about it. Khem wanders off with the coin and comes back shortly after the hitch is finished. "All ready, yes?" ] Aye. Sure. * Maimun nods once. * Theodore seems slightly puzzled by this entire endevour and sits in the cart. "Yes." [ Khem actually bows to Magellan. "Venerable bearded one, ride with young master. Khem ride with junk." He leaps up into the back of the truck easily. ] * Magellan blinks, but does so. He looks taken aback. * Mark gets in the front of the truck, it's making all sorts of gurgling noises now, but there doesn't seem to be any steam or smoke billowing out of it. [ Khem settles in, putting a rather thick bedroll over some reasonably clear space and settling in. He's asleep practically instantly. ] Shall we be off, then? * Theodore settles in by Khem. "Let's." He watches the truck with great interest. * Maimun sshs at Imad and then gets up on the horse. He chuckles at Khem, then says, "Yes." [ And so, having defeated Queen Beryl, the Sailor Soldiers headed home to start in a great number of orgy lemons. ] (Woo! Bearded lemons!) [ Also, our heroes started down the trade roads to Lucia, City of Lights! With a strange man, and also with Khem. Session end! ]