Getting a souvenier gargoyle from some tourist planet.

it might not be the same... i still need to know what An learned

hmm.. And how will we get it offworld..?

besides, i can improv a trip to BZII a hell of a lot easier than to Istakhr

May the Pancreator bless and keep you all. What a second. I'm not in character yet.

lol Lee...

Hey guys.

Hey Man. :)

okay, everyone take 3 exp since you guys didnt really do a whole lot besides argue <g>

But... there was so much character development...:-)

LOL but that was fun..!

OK

and thats why you got points at all.. you certainly didnt get any for heroic actions and great ideas :)

Thanks

But we did see how our characters acted under pressure... :)

so's anyone wanna spend exp before the game/confess to Tien/either

um.. hold on...

<--- already confessed, sorta

Ruiz and I have done some alrady

i'd like to know the details :)

Want to tell him, Lee, or me..?

What is a greater sin, to fail to follow your lord, or to wage war?

This story is pretty long Lee.. i'll read it later, cool?

OK. Yea, I strated to get long and detailed as I was writting. And it needs a rewrite.

k... exp expenditures?

Are we stricted to developing one point per story?

one point in any one thing. but yo can get several things

Right. That also applies to paths and rituals as well, correct?

if you've got enough exp for more than one of those, go for it

I really need to develop skills, which I do not think that I can do in the short amount of down time.

lol man, you're telling me.. :)

it's going to be a couple weeks at least

Can I get Engage, Stephen? (Lvl 1 Jox Kai Von Martial Maneuver)

is JoxKV the path you decided on?

Are we jumping forward to the destination? In that case, I need to increase the following:

Yeah, it is. :)

okay.. 2 pts.. who are you practicing it on? yeah, we can jump to the destination if you want

Empathy, Focus, Physick, Stoic Mind

Any volunteers? ::grin:: Promise I won't hurt ya.. Too much.. :)

where are you going? I strongly suggest BZII, since i actually have setting for that

I'll spar with him

what does engage do btw? it just lowers diff by one or something right?

Thanks, little father. :)

Originally I was going to ask Fizz about getting a gargoyle. Charioteer contacts and all.

Yeah.. Adds 1 to the Goal #, subtracts 1 from defense goal...

Katas are good for the mind as well as the body.

You could say that Fizz said to check BZII first.

i'll give you any three of those abilities on the trip Tien

4, for 8 exp total

right, i'll let you study any 3, but 4 is a bit excessive

OK. First three, I'll wait on Stoic Mind

and you already raised your physick to 2.. so it will be 8 for the 3 that made sense right?

You told me that I could not raise it soem time ago. So I did not raise it nor spent EXP... I raised Remedy

yeah, i had both of those at 2 on your sheet

OK. I'll mark mine, then. Mark them as 2, that is

k.. for the record your physick is now 3 and you have 6 exp left

OK. Will do

i think you raised it the first space trip after killing the guy... okay.. anyone else? Ric, you've got a huge chunk of exp unspent

OK. It is now a three.

Yes, he used Remedy to kill the fanatic.

lmao hey, now.. Wasn't his fault..!

::shrugs:: either way.. if it's my mistake it's in his favor so it dont matter

The Pancreater deamed taht he should die....

yeah.. you keep talking like that Tien.. watch your theurgy dry up

LOL lmao..

LOL

"if i wasnt supposed to murder him, the pancreator wouldnt have let me" okay, anybody else pregame?

lmao the Free Will Paradox..

But right will alway overcome wrong.

Let's get rollin'

I concur.

Engage

okay, last thing... The Dice system... The more I think about Lee's fix that he mailed the list with, the more i like it... it's simple, and it accounts for the fact that skills cost nearly as much as characteristics....for those not knowing what i'm talking about, it's just that skills add double to goals

I vote that we try it tonight and see how it works

I won't be averse to trying tonight.. :)

::finishes the matrix and throws in Merlin as he waits::

I don't think the system's broke, but I'm game to try if we can get going.

okay then, we all set?

make it so

set here. :)

Yes.

Bueno.

~~~ IC ~~~

::The trip towards Aragon's jumpgate takes a little under a week, and is more or less uneventful... a few ships pass a good distance off, and a few wait in line at the gate but you're able to pass with no hassle with some other ships going lightward to BII ::

::it is determined that BII at least necessitates a stopover, with the possibility of going on towards criticorum or istakhr after::

::speaking to Lord Ric:: My Lord, what is your plan once we go planetside?

::sits in his room and converse's with Gustav::

I think we should let An direct us for the time being. This is mostly League stuff anyway.

::you hurtle through space at a phenominal rate, and make it to Byzantium less than two weeks from your departure from Aragon::

If that is what you wish, Lord.

::With consummate skill, Fizz sets down the ship in the Veridian Spaceport and takes off telling you he'll check back later.. he's obviously burnt out from two weeks with you all::

((Consummate skill? Fizz? You must be kidding!))

((LOL don't let him hear that.. WE almost died before.))

((hey, bet you cant do a better job))

For a pilot, he does not appear to endure the riggers of travel.

((Sure I can. Hire a different Charioteer))

((LMAO))

::to the Group:: So, where to first?

::tall buildings spiral upwards, and the temperature is much more moist and cool than Aragon, obviously in a different season here::

::Sitting in his room, contemplating how the new travelers will fit into his vision.::

::the smell of the ocean is strong, barely purifying the rot prevalent in the air...

I know not much of these other places, I will leave the traveling to you.

a flitter jets past overhead, momentarily drowning out the conversations of the bustle of the starport::

::signs point to shuttles to either the imperial city or the agora::

I would suggest the Agora. Would you not agree, An?

Sounds good to me. ::Nods to gustav::

::falls in step to the right of Ric::

((okay, here's the thing.. gustav and elena still have no stats... they'll stay with the ship if you'll let them))

((Ok))

((Elena should stay to make sure the ship gets the proper fuels, etc.))

::gustav and elena see to the safety of the ship::

::falls in behind them::

::Hearing the others leaving the ship, Tien follows. :: A new world to explore.

::you walk towards the sign that says Agora, pushing past the crowd of travelers:;

::eyes open for any threat to the Don::

::Eyes open. looking at all the wonderous buildings and people.::

::a series of cars and ships lines a short walk outside of the hanger you're in... your attention drawn to a large Scraver man, scars lining his egyptian face::

Hey! Noble and crew.. I have transportation that none of these fops can beat

A six legged beast?

::Looks to the scraver:: Really? How much? And in what condition is it?

::walks toward the Scraver::

::eyes him up and down, then turns to Ric::

::he thumps his heavy fist against the side of a large groundcar:: It depends on how far you're going and how long you need a driver, but my rates are very reasonable compared to the others here

Ok, how about to the agora?

Lord, do you wish transportation?

::Whispers to the group:: he must be confused. he is not a pilot.

And you're what ::squints:: Hazat? You ever been here before? Lots to see and confuse... Agora's where I like to go.. the 4 of you?

::whispering to Tien:: You don't trust his skills?

Yes

::does some calculations in his head::

I had been told that only the charioteers were allowed to drive such craft.

No, friend, the charioteers fly the spaceships.. they dont have time to do groundwork... I'll take you to the Agora for a crest... further negotiations upon arrival

Lord, do you wish Transportation to the agora?

I agree to your terms.

Let An take the lead. This is more in line with his work.

Walking is good for the soul, my lord.

::nods and bows his heavy torso to the group:: Pleased to have you aboard... You may call me Skorpios

::goes to shake his hand::

::nods to the "driver", then waits for Ric to enter::

::mumbles:: Lovely.

::kinda looks at his hand:: I have no hidden weapons sir

::waiting for a door to be opened for him::

I believe this is just to secure our agreement.

((Dang.. Stephen went into the history of handshakes just now.. LOL))

::opening door for lord Ric::

::gets the door open on the huge machine and kicks down the steps::

::walks up the steps into the 'huge machine'::

:;Whisper:: Pancrator preserve us as we use this creation of technology.

((if you have 2nd ed, it's the picture on p 224, or similar))

::gets into the vehical.::

((lovely))

::steps into the machine as Ric enters::

((big, multiwheeled, open, high truck))

::gets in::

::moves over to a crank and spins it several times, until the vehical starts to whirr, then kicks up the steps and closes the door, and swings up into the drivers seat:: Alright, let's do it ::puts the beast into gear and backs out, turning to the SE and heading off::

::the ride goes for a bit, then he yells back to you all over the din of the engine:: So... You here for business or pleasure?

We're here. That's all you need know.

A mix of both. I am here for my guild the others wished to see the universe.

Well, I know the area, if you're looking for something in specific i can find it faster and cheaper than you can on your own

Actually, seen any good looking women lately? Where can we find a place to get a stiff drink?

Or a temple?

Either.

::his smirk is lost to you as he drives, then casts back:: Lots of places.. any specifics?

Someplace perhaps with running water for a shower.

The Holy City. How far is it?

Well... you can go to the agora.. or you can go way to the holy city.... Since my car doesnt float, I cant take you to the Holy City

Oh. That's alright.

Lets go to the agora. ::looks back to the rest:: Allright with you?

::nods::

::nods and waves his hand::

Do you know the Emperor?

::laughs::

::Looks at the Don::

::to driver:: So, how long you lived here?

Couple years, long enough to get to know the continent pretty well...

Good, seems like we got the right person for the job.

::as you journey you notice that the road you drive on is paved, with lamp posts embossed in gold evenly spaced, though they are not on in the light of mid afternoon::

::looks out, studying the sky and thinking about Obelia:

::Not getting an answer, Tien sits back and watchs the world go by.::

::you travel for about half an hour, soon approaching a huge bridge which leads to a veritable city supported over the ocean on trestles of ceramsteel... maxicrete buildings spill almost into the ocean, and the agora seems to have several layers beneath the topmost, which itself has buildings stretching to the sky... you hit the bridge and see the vast drop off of a cliff into the roaring salt spray below::

((Nice imaging))

((Yes, VERY nice))

((i like having most of the description for something done, gives me room to embellish))

::you drive off of the bridge and into something you've never seen before on most worlds... vehical traffic...

((LOL omg. A traffic Jam))

What do you think of the Capitol now, Tien?

cars stand several feet apart, having to wait for the pedestrians that mill about to get out

Most wonderous. Never have I seen such before.

of the way before going... now you see why the cars are so high off the ground, as tourists

Yes very interesting.

like yourselves are unable to reach into them::

Great, midday rush.. so do you want to go to a hotel first or do some looking?

Hotel please. I can't stand the smell of myself.

((Is that a pick-up line?))

((lol))

((lol))

::shrugs, then shouts to the ground:: MOVE FREAKS!

((Hey, a couple of weeks without showers does that.))

I had been told that the street move by themselves. Is somethign wrong?

::cowed by the huge man, the road ahead of you clears and skorpios pulls off to go up an alleyway::

((heh, imagine when the ship was used as a flying barracks with tons of unwashed soldiers))

((LOL thanks for the descriptive nastiness.. lmao))

Move.. by themselves? Yeah.. and then the building you want walks to meet you

::grins a little::

Really. Most wonderous

::grins::

::drives up behind a large building that seems to face out to the other side::

::it's made entirely of concrete, and seems to be several stories::

::looks up towards the top of the building::

okay.. this is the Grand Gargoyle.. it's not the nicest hotel, but it's one of the few on this side of the city that sports running water

::perks up:: We'll take it.

::looks back to An and starts laughing::

But how? It is too big.

Great... okay.. so, am I waiting here for you or is our business finished?

Can you come back after several hours?

I suppose... should I be looking for something for you in the interim?

Lets make it 4 hours. Find that bar we talked about earlier, somewhere we can get a drink, perhaps talk around.

That all?

Yes, yes.. ::looks to Tien:: Tien, may I speak with you after we are settled?

Yes, thanks ::hands him a firebird::

Yes, Ruiz. Anytime.

Hey, perhaps you could look up some info about gargoyles while your out there. ::gets out of the vehicle::

::sighs, then exits::

::takes in and smiles:: I'll be back right here in 4 hours.. which should be about sunset

::exits car and examines building::

::clambers down from the metal beast::

::he drives off::

::starts to enter the building;:

::the back of the building sports a small kitchen door, made of steel, which opens as a young man brings out a pail of garbage and dumps it in a refuse heap::

This iis not a Ur construct. It is made of simple concrete

::waits for Ric to enter, then falls in step behind him::

::he jumps when he notices you:: Oh, hullo l..lords.. c..can I sh..show you inside?

please do. ::looking at the man, then the heap, then the man again::

::grins at the man::

::the sandy headed teenager bows awkwardly then proceeds up a side alley that seems to lead to daylight:: I.. if you'll j..just f..f..follow me

::Brings up the rear::

After you ::follows where he leads::

::follows An::

::walks to the right of the Don::

::you come out onto another busy street like the one you came in on, buildings lining either side, and turn to face the Grand Gargoyle, an obvious 2nd repulic remnant building... with a 2 meter square wooden plaque on the front engraved with a smiling gargoyle with arms outstretched to passersby.. it could use some paint, and is quite rounded with age::

::double doors stand at the front, propped open::

Let's hope that this is an omen.

Yes, lets.

Perhaps. ::looks the buidling face over::

Lord, should we enter?

An will lead the way.

It does look sound, if not well maintained.

::nods::

::enters::

::follows::

::enters behind Ric::

::Brings up the rear::

::the low ceilinged lobby is walled in faux wood that is in the same disrepair as the facade but yet is still quite solid, the floor is cold concrete, covered with threadbare rugs displaying scenes of battles and heroism::

::a desk sits not too far away, with doors and stairs behind it::

::walks to the desk::

::a middle aged dusky skinned woman with light hair sits behind the desk and looks up as you approach, the boy scurries back to the kitchen::

::the desk wench smiles:: May I help you?

::waits for An to conduct business::

::nods to the lady:: Yes, I need 4 rooms. Each with a bath.

Suite or normal?

::Is busy looking at the rugs for scenses about the Prophet::

What are the prices of each?

5 Talons for a regular room, a Firebird for a suite

::looks to Ruiz:: So, my friend will you be staying with your noble or do you require your own room?

::turning to Ric:: Do you require protection w/in your room, Lord?

::looks around the hotel:: Perhaps wisdom should indicate caution.

I will take a suite, a regular room for the priest, and a suite for the nobleman and body servant.

::nods::

::she nods, waiting to see if the noble's going to countermand you::

::squints but says nothing::

That will be 2 firebirds and 5 talons ((2 and 5/8 firebird basically))

::looks to see if the priest is satisfied::

::hands over the money::

::Tien is in the far coner looking at the rug::

::takes it and pulls out three short metal rods, about a foot in length and an inch in diameter, with strange raised and lowered portions at one end, and three different colors at the other end in a band around them:: The suites are on the top floor, and the regular room is on the second match the colors to your room, put the bar into the hole in the door and turn.... You'll have to take the stairs ::she motions:: an inquisitor broke our elevator a while back

I see. ::takes his key and procedes up the stairs::

Lord Ric?

::takes a key and hands it to Ruiz::

::waits for Ric to move, then follows to the room, baggage in tow::

::resolutely stomps up the stairs::

::wishes gustav was here, he needs to have a nice long talk with him::

::opens the door for Ric::

::the door opens without a hitch, the turning of the bar opening the catch::

::enters his room::

::inside the suites contain two beds with linen covers, and a bathroom off to the side... it actually looks a lot like any motel bedroom you'd find in the 20th century... tien's room is similar, but with only one bed::

::looks around and sees that the group is gone. Moves over to the desk::

::the desk wench hands him his key::

::plops down on the bed, being careful about landing wrong on his back::

:: looks for his room::

::moves intot he room, sets baggage down, gets comfortable::

Well, it is slightly more comforting than barracks.

::Tien wanders for a minute or two, then finds his room and manages to open it::

::stands and goes to take a warm bath::

::starts running the water::

::the water, surprisingly, comes out perfect temperature::

M'Lord, may I have your leave?

::Strips and begins to wash his clothing. Then takes a hot bath. Hangs his tunic and ..

((baggage, Ruiz? what the hell'd you take?))

::slips out of his clothing and into the tub, leaving the door to the room open so he can see in::

robes in the bathroom to dry. Wraps a sheet around himself and meditates.::

((AFK BRB ASAP you SOB))

My leave to do what?

to go see Tien, Lord...

Yes, go ahead.

thank you, m'Lord. ::leaves to see Tien::

::locks the door and then goes and takes a hot bath::

Little Father? ::knocks on Tien's Door::

Enter. The door is unlocked.

Father, I need to talk to you..

Please have a seat. :;motions to the bed::

::sitting:: I feel a need for your counsel..

::adopting a formal tone:: Speak my son...

I have some quandries which require your speacialty..

((Stephen, should this be done in IM?))

((Back))

((wb))

((Sorry. Tried to create a new chat))

::your baths kill about an hour An and Ric, either of you wanna explore while Ruiz and Tien chat?::

::soaks in the water and lets his muscles relax::

::gets out dries and clothes himself::

::goes down to the desk to see what the hotel has in regards to food::

::goes downstairs::

::another woman is at the desk, this one is much younger, in her early twenties, with red...

::looks for any form of bar/pub attachment::

hair that hangs just below her eyes, very thin and fairly short...

::looks to the don and nods::

she regards you both with a bored expression::

::looks to the desk diva and nods::

What food do you have from your kitchen?

::she just kinda looks at you for a minute, then replies tiredly:: They'll probly fix whatever you want

Thats nice to know, and in the way of drinks?

::another pause:: Probly better in some of the bars down the street

Ok, thankyou. ::starts to head out and down the street::

((Are there tables down here or is there a dining area?))

((not in the lobby, maybe in the door behind the desk where the boy went::

::heads towards the kitchen::

::there's a small cluster of three tables and a door back to the kitchen proper... the lights in here are dim, and you here clattering in the kitchen::

::goes to the door to the kitchen:: May I be served?

:::the same young man rushes out:: Oh.. s..s..s..sorry mi'lord.. what c.c.can I g.get you?

::looks for a good bar::

Whatever you have that is the freshest. I have grown tired of space rations.

::he blanches, obviously having no idea what's appropriate for a noble::

::there are a few bars on the street, and one or two that arent full to capacity::

::finds the emptiest one and enters::

What is the freshest meat you have?

::it's a bar, much like many other bars, there are a good number of patrons from the fact...

::walks to the bar and looks for an empty seat::

of all the tourism... a short skinny bald black man serves drinks behind the bar::

::sits and waits for the bartender::

ummm... I t.th..think it's th.the Whitefish?

Fine. Bake it in a butter sauce and then steam the freshest vegetables you have.

::he slides down to the bar, looking at you under a single continuous eyebrow:: What can I do you for?

::he nods and bows, kowtowing into the kitchen::

::sits at one of the tables::

Yes, I'd like something not to strong, and with nice flavor to it, what do you suggest? ::looks down the bar for any prospective women::

Fermented fruit or distilled grain beverage?

Fruit. ::decides to try something outside his nature:: And send it to the girl. ::points to the most attractive, boyfriend or not::

::there are no women worth looking at in a seedy bar in the afternoon::

::scrath that:: Fruit. Please.

How about the Shaprutian Pomegranate Mead?

((for the record guys, this game will include more than the endless hunt for female companionship, just so you know))

((Hey, I'm just trying to kill time))

((there are laws against that))

((Not in my world. ))

::the tender plunks down a glass of a purple liquid::

::sips it slowly, killing time and watching the bar:: So, what have you heard about gargoyles?

((Are Tien and Ruiz close to being done?))

((almost))

::he shrugs:: Hotel down the way

((lol))

Tourists try to buy them periodically.. not many for sale s'far as i know.. never seen a real one

Yeah, I was looking for one.

::nods:: Souveneer of your first trip off planet?

Yeah, ::sips his drink and smiles::

::the drink has a very rich taste, with just a hint of rot and death in the aftertaste::

::likes it::

((Getting there. Stephen, I'll email you the transcript.))

((k))

::eventually a platter is brought out by the young boy and placed in front ot the Don::

::it contains a large white filet of braised fish surrounded by shredded green vegetable matter... it seems they got this right::

Bring something to drink. Anything not sour.

::thinks about recent revelations about Gustav over his drink, become lost in thought::

::he nods and scurries back, returning in a bit with a bottle of white wine and placing it on the table, then bowing out again::

::eats and drinks::

((back))

((Back))

((reads the log)) THE LOG

Thanks to you, Brother Tien. ::proffers hand::

::Shakes hand:: We are brothers in the eyes of the Pancreator. And it is my duty to give guidance in these matters.

((damn.. okay everyone, Tien is much more cool to confess to and get penance from than an orthodox priest))

Your wisdom belies your age, little Father.

((LOL it's because he's so calm and collected))

I have much to learn, still. Perhaps we can learn this together.

((He does haave his monetary lapses of weirdness))

((Momentary))

((okay, i'm getting tired.. i'm going to pull a final cliffhanger then let you go))

((actually I like the monetary better))

((gotcha))

((hit us Big Man))

::four hours pass and you all gather to meet Skorpios again in the alley behind the hotel::

::he calmly waits for you all, leaning against the truck::

::Looks to him::

::examines the surroundings::

So... you were looking for a lead on gargoyles right?

Yes

Well, I did some checking... and I found out where there are two gargoyles in easy flitter distance from here... interested?

::perks up::

Yes...Yes. Where are they?

But you don't have a flitter.

I can get one

Yes, I am interested.

Are they available for sale?

I'm not sure.. but they're likely the only real gargoyles you'll find on the planet... and where two gargoyles are, there could be more undiscovered and unclaimed nearby

Only if there is great danger in accessing the Gargoyles.

Interesting theory. And when can we go to them?

::keeps silent, watching the conversation::

whenever you want.. tomorrow at the earliest

Yes, lets leave tommorrow.

::he regards the others in the group for a response::

Where are they? Tell me of the location.

::nods::

Okay.. I'll meet you back here tomorrow and book flitter passage....

to the center of the Ghast Desert

~~~OOC~~~

<g>

one cliff hanger, yours

That was the quickest dropping of the OOC curtain I've ever seen.

OK. Was I too lax in my penitance?

::grins::

lmao

have to drop the curtain before the characters can spoil the moment

LOL

This is getting interesting..

Yes, I used the gargoyle in the Ghast Desert in my first game.