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The last thread was getting insanely long. There's no break here, just a continuation. As it stands:
Vagrant - Gone from common room
Lekchock - Talking to a parrot
Faliol - Left the room, came back looking wet(?), after Vance left
Riccoco - Being approached by a dog
Celeste - Left the room, came back looking wet. Returned again a bit cleaned up.
Cas - Talking with Beka and Vance, the latter of whom has left the room.
Beka - Talked to Vance
Nuyok - Talking to Yosemite

[EDITED on Thu July 22, 2004 @4:51 PM (PDT)]

Just a recap/scorecard:

The common room is crowded. Not only are the members of Hamilton, Kent, Riccoco, and Bergen there, there are quite a few new faces. Beyond the four tables normally used in the common room, the staff has added four more tables, leaving the room between fairly cozy.

In attendance:

Vagrant, Lekchock, Faliol, Riccoco, Cas, Beka, Nuyok
Vagrant is currently gone from the room,
Celeste and Faliol are on the verge of returning
Kent, Peaches, Jareek, Angilak
Bergen, Umbra, Konnur, Dashel
Cadbury, Wickersticks

Vance has retired, along with Two large Doberman dogs and a human guide/scout
A single dobie remains, and is talking to Riccoco

Two trader/merchant types in Tallonite garb;
Five guard/guide types apparently attached to them

Sal and Tip (Two otters, one old, one young; not military
A Bulldog
Yosemite (A lean, weathered-looking adept, in sailor gear);
Maia (A youngish woman with black hair tied in pirate headband-fashion, also in sailor gear)

Two officers of the Tallonite Navy, one has a large parrot.

This is about three dozen people. Cori and Jame are hopping, and apparently have temporary help: a girl and a boy that you have seen about the civilian areas of the fort. They are in their early-mid teens.

Although the outside tables are still there, they seem to have been appropriated by a navy crew, about a dozen sailors.

[EDITED on Thu July 22, 2004 @4:58 PM (PDT)]

The dog stands and approaches you. "Good Evening" he says in a low voice. "Your name is Riccoco, innit? You came in with Miss Beka and the Bergen lot?"

OOC: Just in case you missed this. Technically, it takes place before Vance leaves the room, but we'll play it by ear.

Ricco glances into his mug when the dobey rises, hiding the fear that is creeping into his belly.

His eyes flicker for some sort of escape, but nothing appears. The crowd is large and the common room is filled to the eaves. nothing left for it to sit and wait. Looking up, the 'coon is almost startled to see the Dog so close.

When he speaks, Riccoco can do little more than nod, forcing a weak smile.

The dog comes closer, close enough that you can feel his breath. He sniffs. "You trade in the city much? Or are you mostly a Farmlands operator? Just askin, 'cause I don't thinks I've ever noticed you in the Market Square."

Ricco pushes to his feet. He'll not have some mongrel sniffing over him. The plucky 'coon offers a knowing grins as he begins to respond, "Some o' both an' a little o' nei...WHOAH!" Loosing a handle on his mug of Berry Ale, he lets it spill out on the Dog's sniffer!

Dex/Sleight of hand
3d6: 12 Tue July 27, 2004 @1:46 PM (CDT)

3d6: 12 Tue July 27, 2004 @1:46 PM (CDT)

If the dog's nose is higher than would normally be plausible to spill on, Ricco will slosh into the dog, hoping it flops up on the critter's nose!

OOC: It seems like I might not be on vis for some posting action. If so, was that on purpose?

A lot of folks have been having private encounters or out of the room and recently returned. Also I wanted you to at least have a two-post exchange with the dog before being joined. I'll bring you together in a mo.

Vagrant sadly finishes his last drag and puts out the cigarette. With a sigh he pushes himself off the railing and moves towards the Inn door. He meekly opens the door slips into the the Inn. He returns to the caravan's table. With curiousity he looks to see if Faliol and Celeste are chatting. Regardless, he'll take a seat near them and request a Golden from Cori.

Cori hands you another Golden without question. Apparently Vance is good to his word. The amount of food and drink the ten or so of you are consuming is worth a tidy sum. Yet although he has retired, his tab continues.
Odd? Maybe...
At any rate, Celeste is sitting by herself in a corner, while Faliol is going towards Riccoco, who is conversing with one of Vance's dobermans*.

OOC: The latter is in a holding pattern, since Riccoco has been slow in posting responses

OOC: *Dober-men?

OOC: Post like the wind, Jason! If I get bored, things could get ugly!

Vagrant looks at Nuyok a few times and sees that he continues to be tied up with Yosemite. He gives up and starts to monitor the rest of the room. He finally gets up and approaches the merchants.

"Good evening. I am wondering if you fellows deal in artifacts. I have some posters from the old times that I am interested in selling. Any interest?"

"That depends," says one of the merchants, who greets you with a cautious eye. "Exactly how old are we talking? And in what kind of condition?" The guards of the merchants are also wary. It's a problem you have had in the past. Few people immediately warm to a mysterious cloaked stranger.

"Movie Posters from the 20th century. You know before the demon kings and what not. They are in decent shape and compliment the times quite nicely. If you deal in such things I'd love to give you a look. Perhaps, in the morning?"

OOC: I haven't slowed! Everyone else has sped up!

Seriously, I didn't see keith's response to my last post, even though it was only a few hours after my own.

I'll do better.

I promise.

OOC: Are you accusing Vagrant of posting too much?

OOC: The Bozimus forgives thee!

OOC: Still in limbo, Jason! I warned you not to let me get bored...

OOC: Thank you Jason! Picking a bar fight is the perfect tonic for bored Bozimites! Now let us kick doggie ass!



Yip! Yip! Yip!

OOC: I was wondering why you hadn't been talking to Yosemite, so I looked up the last post. Eeps! I had composed and posted a response, but it seems to have evaporated. Maybe there was a crash or something, but the post is nowhere to be found. Sorry for the delay.
Since Lekchock's discussion with the parrot seems to have sputtered, I am including our favorite mutant and Nuyok's pal in the visibility. Hi Lekchock!
Yosemite sonsiders your question. "Vance has made the trip to Adala many times in the past, but not for over a year lately. Don't know what he trades now, for sure, but he seems to be pretty well connected with Hamilton, who is one of the top three silk traders in Tallon. He always seemed keen to look for new markets."
He looks about to see if anyone suspicious is eavesdropping. "Between you and me, I thinks he's far more than he seems. Rumor has it he spent a lot of time at the Hall of Art, learning psychic defense. Some non-adepts can learn it, but it's pretty hard. I've never gotten a decent reading off him. Not that I'm a psychist, I'm barely more than Sighted."

Looking around inconspicuously himself, "That's very interesting, because I also have heard he is more than he seems, that he may be involved in certain prohibited trade goods, certainly opens up new markets...I have no details and do not want to spread rumors, but obtaining psychic defense may be to help him cover up suspicious activities..."

"Why woul' someone do dat?" Lekchock tries to play if off that he has some clue about the man just said but he ispretty confused. He thinks he knows what psychic is, so he figures Vance is trying to keep people out of his thoughts...which can only mean trouble.

"Someone can want those defenses to limit undesired intrusions, and that training can be for legitimate reasons, but not always..." Nuyok trails off, with a brief scowl of suspicion fading back into his normal reserved facade.

Yosemite nods at the forest man. "It's a very valuable skill for a merchant. If a man has the aptitude and the money, he usually learns the skills. Having your emotions on display is very bad for business."
He frowns. "I don't like to ask prying questions, but I dislike violence in crowded rooms even more. So answer the next question camly and don't turn around. Does either of you have any idea why a Tallonite officer might be showing a great deal of interest in either of you? One of them is likley to bore holes in someone over here with his eyes, and I don't think he's looking at any of my folk."

"I ne'er met one 'fore. Don' tink dey be lookin' fer me?" Lek casts a curious look at Nuyok. Not accusing, just wondering."

"They seem to take unusual interest in people for less than just reasons, from my experience. I have even run afoul of them personally, from a misunderstanding when I was last in Tallon. Well Yosemite, thank you for the conversation, but I think I might need to turn in after the long days on the trail."

Nuyok leans in to whisper to Lekchock, "perhaps you could do me a great favor, and head toward them to distract them, and if they inquire, you were just talking to new people in the bar and do not know me."

Nuyok will attempt to Detect Hostile Intent, and regardless, try to head inconspicuously toward the kitchen or location with a rear exit, ideally trying to intercept Cori along the way and seek her assistance with such.

Detect Hostile Intent, 11-
3d6: 3, 3, 5 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Sat July 24, 2004 @5:35 PM (EDT)

Stealth, 12-
3d6: 1, 1, 3 (STUN: 5, BODY: 1) Sat July 24, 2004 @5:35 PM (EDT)

Nuyok is operating under the assumption that they are looking for him, but just in case as well as to best evade the situation, Nuyok will try to disappear in the crowd, get to Cori if along the way, and try to get out the back, Detecting for Hostile Intent and using Spirit Sense throughout to track if others might be outside a rear entrance waiting for him.

If he cannot get away, and the guards are after him, he will try some leap through window daring move, and flee (with evasive action) for Yosemite's ship, to stow away to return to Tallon, hoping to get a message to someone along the way, but not if that risks him.

If he is caught, well, he'll look for a way to escape along the return trip to Tallon (presumably it would be by boat), but if he can secure a way, he will wait until closer to Tallon so he isn't lost in the middle of nowhere.

If he sneaks out but the guards seem after him (at least at a low level), he will seek out a party member (Beka, Lekchock, Vagrant, Celeste, or whoever is available) to inform them that he has trouble, and see if he can hide himself in Beka's goods to escape detection, else he will try for Yosemite's ship as above.

Hopefully that will be enough to tide Nuyok over for a few days?!

Nuyok, you make excuses and rise. As you make your way to the back, you notice that Leckchock has indeed engaged the officers in conversation, but one of them has left the table to head over to the Columbia crew. Your spirit senses detect no hostility, but they are a poor guide for mere susipcion. Cori allows you to vanish from the building easily enough, but you get the feeling that she wouldn't exactly stand up to interrogation if an officer were to ask her where you went. She does work in a military fort, after all.
A quick circuit of the inn shows no familiar faces outside. In fact, there is a brief nerve-wracking moment as you pass by the two tables of common sailors in the yard.
If I don't hear back from you soon, I'll assume you are laying low.

Seeing as he was able to clear the room, Nuyok will try to get ahold of whichever party member is out of the main room, e.g., in our rooms, and inform them that he needs to disappear for a while. When approaching the rooms, he will have Spirit Sense and Detect Hostile Intent active for threats lurking outside watching the rooms or in the rooms themselves.

Spirit Sense, 13-
3d6: 3, 3, 6 (STUN: 12, BODY: 4) Mon July 26, 2004 @10:48 PM (EDT)

Detect Hostile Intent, 11-
3d6: 1, 4, 5 (STUN: 10, BODY: 2) Mon July 26, 2004 @10:48 PM (EDT)

Nuyok has left the common room and made his way up the stair s to the rooms. To your surprise, you see Vance at the top of the stairs. He is calmly watching the beginning of the fight below from the shelter of the landing. There is no trigger of your danger sense, but it you are still visible from the room below.
You will need to get past the merchant, yet not seem suspicious about it.
He is obviously aware of you.

I had Vance at the top of the stairs already.I didn't run this encounter yet, since we were both on iffy schedules, and I wasn't sure at first which way you were going to head.

Nuyok will look straight at Vance, nod as in typical for acknowledging another's existence, and pass without speaking unless Vance moves to intercept or speaks.

Vance does not move, other than to nod at you in passing. His scrutiny does seem a little more than normal for a person passing by, but he does not speak. Indeed, he turns back to observe the growing fracas. As you continue down the hall, his two other dobermans (dobermen?) join him. They do not go down to fight or play.

If you continue to your room, you will find only Jareek there. He is too weak at the moment for carousing, much to his lamentation.

Nuyok will try to think if Vance could have been observing when he dodged out to avoid the guards, but continue on to the room. Once there, he will tell Jareek somewhat jovially "Jareek, old fox, you are missing out on some tavern fun below," and continues in a more conspiratorial tone "I may have a few...troubles here in town, if you can pass word to the others that I might be out of sight while here and may or may not be with the caravan for the remainder of the trip back to Tallon, but will meet up there regardless? I would appreciate it."

"Stones, Master Nuyok. If there's some trouble, ye've got friends enough to meet it. Still, ye know your own affairs best, I suspect. Is there something an old fox can do te help ye? Ye need a distraction, maybe? Or an alibi o' some sort? You say the word; I'd be dead if'n it weren't for you."

OOC: Weird, just saw this post come up today?!

"Thank you, but I will be fine. Tell Beka we should leave soon." Nuyok will gather his things, and seek to leave the establishment unseen if at all possible, and camp out in the caravan wagon to avoid Tallon guards.

"See wha' I kin do."

Lekchock nods to Yosemite and heads to the talon guards, "'Ey ms aimee, talkin' to da fine feathered friend o'er der, I'd say you come from Tallon, no? I hear dat da place to go ta be scout, yeah? I kin make a livin doin' dat?"

One of them responds, but the other actually cranes his head suddenly, as if trying to catch Nuyok, who is doing a quick evaporation maneuver.
"Yes, you might make a living a a scout. Requires an apprenticeship, though.
"That man you were sitting with, who is-- was he?" He changes tense as the other one nudges him in the ribs to indicate the disappearance.

Though I realize Lekchock has no idea of the diffrerence, for RP clarity, these are not guards, but naval officers.

"How 'bout doin' dat? Dat man? Don' remember da name 'zactly. Some merchant or other...When you headin' back to Tallon, I can go with you, yeah?"

Nuyok has been removed from the visibility
"Go with us?" The naval officer nudges his companion in the direction of your old table, but remains sitting and talking to you.
"Lad, we're a military vessel. We don't take passengers and we aren't in need of scouts. You want to hook up with a merchant. How did you get here, anyway?"
The other officer has risen and gone to the table of the Columbia sailors.

"Der was, whatchu call, Caravan, comin' dis way, ne're been here 'fore so here I am. Dey say Tallon might need some scouts and I fit right in wit dem.."

"Then see if they want you to continue with them to the city." He seems to only be half aware of you, scanning the crowd carefully. Above, you can see the parrot has taken a perch in the beams of the room, where she has a (excuse, please) bird's eye view. Suddenly, she swoops and glides from the room, causing a few people to duck and complain.

As Ricco makes his trip through the common room (hey you did it), "Uh oh look like der gonna be some trouble. Maybe someone shoul do sumptin' yeah."

The officer does not rise from his seat. "Unless someone draws steel, it's just street theater." Nevertheless, his attention (and everyone else's) is suitably distracted. Nuyok may just get away without incident.

Faliol will return about the same time Celeste descends with hair fixed and falchion girded.
Let me know where each of you would like to go, and I will insert you at the dramatically appropriate point.

Faliol looks over at Celeste, considers going to talk with her and sees Ricco talking to a Dobie! He changes course and sits down beside Ricco to listen and lend moral support.

I'll throw you in as soon as possible, but Ricco hasn't even replied to the dog's greeting yet.

After I made a fool of myself on the General Messages page!

Like you needed any help from me.

OOC: Keith, a thought came unbidden to my teeny little brain. Am I out of the visibility loop for Ricco's messages? I haven't seen Jason post anything except for that apology for not posting...

He just asked the same thing about you. I wanted him to at least have a two-post exchange with the dog since You guys did mucho earlier in the evening. I'll bring you together in a mo.

rubs paws together

OOC: bar fight = fun!

Celeste came back in, ordered 'ouiski' (whiskey) or the closest equivalent, took the bottle (on Vances tab) (however she is not going to get drunk) she chose a spot where she could observe the comings and goings of the room, and is nursing her chosen poison a sip at a time. She is thinking about the way things turned out. She's actually not mad at anyone except herself. Considering inquiring about hiring passage back to the Shattered Isles where at least she fit in better with the Kislani, but is reticent to think about leaving her newfound friends and family behind. She feels torn between the two, knowing that , like Vagrant, she doesn't quite fit in here either. Honor demands that she eventually return if she is able, if nothing else but to tell the tale of what happened to the Sea Dog and it's crew. As far as she knows, all perished. Perhaps she will approach the sailors later to see if they have heard anything about a great sea battle....or whatever.

As the tall pirate woman leans back against a wall, she observes the ebb and flow of social intercourse. Eventually she becomes aware that a couple of the naval officers are discussing something intently. One of them is staring hard at Nuyok? Lekchock? One of the strangers at their table?

Celeste will subtly attempt to discern just who the sailor is staring at. Do any of them have their backs turned to the sailors? Does Nuyok seem to be aware he is being watched?
Perception
3d6: 6, 2, 1 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Sat July 24, 2004 @1:13 AM (PDT)

It is impossible to tell at this point. Once the other characters have had a chance to react, it may become more obvious.

Nuyok has risen and disappeared into the crowd. You can no longer see him. Leckchock has gone over to the two naval officers and is attempting to engage them in conversation. One of them rises and goes to the table where Nuyok and the merchant sailors had been.
What do you want to do?

Just continue from this point. Cas is talking to Beka. One of the dogs has remained and is talking to Riccoco, but Jason hasn't had a chance to respond to the subthread.

Vagrant sighs as the familiar taste and smell envelop him. It's not exactly the same, but it's close enough. It is somehow a link, a continuation from the time before. It might occur to him that his choice in dealing in artifacts is less due to his special knowledge and more to a desparate need to somehow connect.
Whatever.
Fire good.
Tobacco good.

Gaah!

sailor bubba.JPG

This probably belongs on the Campaign Message Board. I am therefore permanently deducting one post from Faliol's total for XP purposes.
< Vader>I have altered my side of the bargain. Pray I do not alter it further. < /Vader>

OOC I tried to put it there, but a player cannot post files in Campaign Messages! Besides, you never (to my knowledge) gave me the results of my LAST exp! Faliol is still the point level he had at the start of this game!

OOC Faliol is one point LESS than starting cost! You could award me 1,000 exp but if I can't use them, what good are they?

There is a whoop and a splashing noise as Riccoco apparently trips and sends his berry ale sloshing into the face of the dog he was speaking to. The lithe and muscular doberman stands there, red liquid dripping down his muzzle, still as a statue. Those close enough to witness (or familiar enough with the particiapants, ie. the PCs), might have a moment to react before the dog moves.

Faliol thanks Prometheus (funny how having your sire miraculously recover from certain death makes a kit religious) for this opportunity to beat on a mutt and not get blamed!

half move to Ricco's side and hold the other half to block Fido

(Smile with lots and lots of pearly white teeth) Whispering so only Ricco and the mutt can hear, the kit with the seldom-used brain says, "I think the temptation presented by the proximity of prime raccoon flesh has tempted your numerous fleas into moving towards better accommodations."

Ricco glances over at Faliol, surprise evident on his features, with perhaps some sort of calculated glimmer hidden deep in slightly unfocused eyes. "What be this?" As if recalling what just happened to the Dobey, Ricco reaches towards the Dog holding up the edge of his leather vest.

"Let ol' Riccoco be helpin' ya with this bit o' trouble." Quickly, he points an accuing finger at Faliol, "Don' be causin' a bit o' trouble now, Red. The good Mister Dobey jus' be bein' a bit friendly, now."

He gives both the dripping Dog and Faliol a knowing grin.

Faliol's toothy smile disappears.

.oO(I thought Ricco was starting a fight, but it looks like it was an accident afterall...more is the pity.)

"Uh....okay. Lemme get a napkin or something to help mop up that spill. Ricco gets several berry ales in him and his paws get to flying hither and yon..."

Faliol hands the pooch the dirtiest, rankest, napkin from the table. Hopefully drooled on by Konnur.

Anyone who knows the fox kit can tell he is not at all happy with a peaceful resolution.

That's OK, I'm going to have to disallow the action. (I was composing at the same time you were and ties go to the guy behind the dice screen. ) However, I'll assume this was what you were attempting to do when the dog reacts with his return "accident".

BTW, the whole inn is collectively holding its breath. Some of the more adventurours types are half out of their seats, reaching for platters or mugs.

The dog hesitates during this quick interchange, then says, "I'm certain that was an accident. Accidents happen quite easily." He gestures grandly, which of course empties the contents of his golden brown over Riccoco (and incidentally, Faliol).

Vagrant is distracted from his indepth conversation with the merchants to see the exchange of drinks.

He watches the malted liquid matt into Faliol's once perfectly groomed tail and laughs out loud, "That kit always manages to be in and around everything that is going wrong."

He turns back to the merchants and looks as if to excuse himself, "Tomorrow then? Around 10am?"

Faliol sees the wave of golden brown descend upon his perfectly groomed tail....

.oO(Noooooooooooooooooooooo!)

He cannot make his hind legs jump fast enough to evade the deluge.

His muzzle turns to the dobbie...

Ego roll (11 or less)
3d6: 7 Wed July 28, 2004 @11:38 AM (CDT)

His common sense stifles the urge to beat the mutt with the nearest giant turkey leg.

"Accidents, they happen all the time. Here, have a napkin to clean up...."

Sleight of hand (12-less) - attempt to drench napkin in gravy BEFORE casually tossing to Fido
3d6: 13 Wed July 28, 2004 @11:41 AM (CDT)

Sigh.

OOC: Surely, there would be penalties to that EGO roll with both the Psych lims being played, right?

Either way, Ricco didn't make his. Dobies are quickly rising on his Top 5 Least-liked Beasts.

OOC: Jason, which two psych lims? It isn't listed, but Faliol has a 1 point Quirk - "hates dogs". I always envisioned it as genetic memory of fox hunts past....

OOC: Jason, you are indeed correct. I have another 1 point quirk about the tail. When the dog drenched the tail, he triggered both! Good catch!

Whiskers twitching, even the plucky 'coon is hard-pressed to keep his knowing grin. With Faliol nearby and an increasing dislike for all things mongrel, Riccoco glances into his mug. "It be seemin' like Ol' Bandit be all outta the Berry. This'll have to do!"

Whack this endlessly tiresome Dobey in the muzzle!
To Hit
3d6: 4 Wed July 28, 2004 @3:13 PM (CDT)

Further actions:

Do his very best to be wherever any angry bar-brawling participants aren't!

OOC: I'd envisioned Ricco using the now-empty mug, but if you think I might be cheating cause of the awesome roll, I wouldn't blame you. The intent was to use the mug to whack the offending critter, but I forgot to put that into the action.

OOC: I'm not the GM but when I read that I knew you meant the mug. I didn't realize you didn't specify until you posted that you didn't. So if it means anything to you I believe you