Session Start: Sat Apr 07 18:55:56 2007
Session Ident: #castlevania
* Logging for #castlevania started
<GM> [The intrepid party drags the mysterious stone into the center
of town, stopping in front of the Inn.  The sun is about to set.]
<Siobhan> Any idea where we want to put this?
<Nyyx> Who do you think might have good advice as to what to do with
it? Kleppen?
<Siobhan> Maybe.  I was thinking about putting it in the church
though.  It might offer some protection from prying eyes and fingers.
* Nyyx nods. "Sure. I'd rather not put the priests in danger if the
stone draws Pyotr to them, but I suppose there's no such thing as
being safe anymore, anyway."
* Nyyx helps Siobhan carry the heavy stone to the church of Pelor.
She looks very tired.
* Nyyx looks around for a member of the clergy as soon as they step
into the church.
<GM> [The senior sister intercepts them soon after they enter the
church.]  "By Pelor's light!  Where have you been?"
* Skip tries to help carry the stone, but seems to only get in the
way. "I'll go tell the mayor what has happened. He'll want to see
this."
<Nyyx> Thank you, Skip.
<Siobhan> Trust me sister, you don't want to know.
* Skip runs off in search of the town's mayor.
* Nyyx glances down grimly at the stone they're carrying with some
difficulty. "We've been inside -that-, if you'd believe it."
<GM> Sister: "For a month?"
* Nyyx blinks. "What?"
<GM> Sister: "You've been missing for a month."
* Nyyx frowns. "It was only a few days, as far as we could tell."
<Nyyx> What's gone on in town while we were gone?
<GM> Sister: "Some new arrivals at the Inn.  Little otherwise.  We
thought you were lost."
* Nyyx raises her pale eyebrows. "New arrivals? Who are they?"
<GM> Sister: "You are better seeing for yourself."
<Siobhan> Alright, you guys go ahead and meet these new folks.  I'll
wait here until Kleppen shows up and we can figure out what to do
with this thing.
* Nyyx nods. "We'll do that. Would it be too much of a burden to ask
you the favor of watching over this stone while we're gone?"
<GM> Sister: "Alright.  What is it?"
<Nyyx> It's...apparently what remains of the place we were trapped in
for what you say was a month.
<GM> Sister: "Alright."
<Nyyx> Thank you, Sister. We don't know how dangerous it is, but
Gregor...Pyotr...whatever his name is...may be after it. Please take
care. We'll do our best to keep you out of danger if anything
happens.
* Nyyx turns to Siobhan. "You're staying here until the Mayor
arrives?"
<GM> [Skip runs to the mayor's house and pounds on the door.  After a
few seconds, Kleppen answers.]
<Siobhan> "I thought it might be a good idea to leave someone to
watch it, but if the Sister feels safe with it, that's fine by me."
* Nyyx nods. "I'll stay and wait for a few moments, but we should
probably see who these newcomers to town are."
* Skip pants and coughs as he catches his breath. "Mayor Kleppen.
Church. Gregor. Stone." Skip coughs furiously, "Come with me."
Feeling the burn, Skip turns and runs back toward the church.
<GM> [Kleppen follows.]
<GM> Kleppen: "What's going on here?  Where have you been?"
* Skip looks over his shoulder as he runs, "We went away, to some
other world or place, in search of a man and his research. We barely
made it out alive. But please, just follow, and all will be
explained."
* Nyyx , meanwhile, asks of the sister, "Where should we put the
stone? Do you have a safe place we could keep it inside the church?"
<GM> Sister: "The best I can do is 'out of the way.'  We have some
cloisters in the back."
* Nyyx nods. "Thank you. We'll take it back there for safekeeping, if
you don't mind."
<GM> Sister: "Of course."
<GM> [Skip and Kleppen enter the church.]
* Nyyx stops and turns to look at the door when she notices it
opening. "Mayor Kleppen. Thank you for coming."
* Skip rushes up to his comrades, "Kleppen. Explanation. Tired." Skip
collapses onto a bench.
<Nyyx> We've been told that we've been gone an entire month inside
this thing.
* Nyyx gestures to the stone with a nod of her head.
<Nyyx> It only felt like a few days to us, but we apparently spent
much longer inside the Core than we thought.
<GM> Kleppen: "Inside?"
* Nyyx continues and summarizes their trip to the Core, being trapped
inside the demiplane, their chance exit, and their meeting and
discussion with Gregor/Pyotr.
<GM> Kleppen: "This is all a bit much.... What does this mean for our
town?"
<Nyyx> I'm honestly not sure, though he mentioned needing
"sacrifices."
<Skip> He's also going to want that stone, but we can't let him have
it.
<GM> Kleppen: "That certainly fits his treatment of life so far."
<GM> Kleppen: "And you say the stone is a demiplane?"
<Nyyx> He said he needed more deaths to feed this "afterlife" he
wants to create. I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning to use
Kronenburg for the purpose.
* Nyyx nods.
<Siobhan> "Probably not just Kronenburg though, I got the impression
that he needed a lot more than just the people here."
<GM> Sister: "This is overwhelming.  Piotyr was a hero of this entire
region in generations past.  To think that he is now a beast...."
* Nyyx nods grimly. "We've seen his statue in town. We even met him
at his church and trusted him at the time." She clenches her hands.
<GM> Sister: "What is this 'Shadow Siphon?''
<GM> Sister: "You understand that much of what you have repeated here
is deepest heresy, yes?"
* Nyyx hesitates for a moment and speaks softly. "Yes, I don't doubt
it."
<GM> Sister: "Do you have any proof that any of what Gregor said was
true?"
<Nyyx> The stone, and Hassad's research with Perdo's notes, are all
we have.
<GM> Sister: "
<GM> Is there any proof that Gregor or Piotyr.... still has Pelor's
blessing?"
<Skip> And the plague. It did originate in the castle. Like Nyyx
said, he needs 'sacrifices.' They're swelling the number of dead
throughout the world to feed this other realm.
<GM> Kleppen: "The more we learn, the more horrible everything
becomes."
<Siobhan> "Well, remember that most of the information we have at the
moment does come from someone who is evil.  He may be telling the
truth, but he also probably isn't telling us the whole story."
<Skip> I wouldn't think so, Sister. But if we don't stop them,
Gregor's Blessing will be the new power in this land.
<GM> Sister: "I have been unclear.  CAN GREGOR STILL CHANNEL THE
DIVINE POWER OF MY LORD?"
* Skip blinks. "Umm...maybe? I don't think any of us could possibly
know for sure."
* Skip turns to Siobhan, "Any idea?"
<Siobhan> "Sister, as I said, he was evil.  He cannot channel the
power of Pelor and be evil at the same time."
<GM> Sister: "You said that you met him at his church....?"
<Siobhan> "Yes, there is a church in the castle, and I'm not
completely sure what was going on there.  I will say that whatever
was going on there Pelor has a reason for it."
<Skip> There was a church in the castle. The ghouls and ghosts
and...otherworldly residents of the castle gathered for...um,
services.
<GM> Sister: "Wonderful."
<GM> Kleppen: "We can't let this happen."
<Siobhan> "No, we can't, but how do you suggest we fight it?"
<Siobhan> "Its fairly obvious that we need to keep this stone from
Gregor, but where can we keep it?"
<GM> Kleppen: "We protect the stone.  We call for help.  We attack
Gregor as a group."
<Skip> We're going to need a lot more brave, stupid souls if we're to
have any chance; his power is vast.
<GM> Kleppen: "This isn't some stupid vampire lord's game anymore
where we can buy time.  He will kill or subvert us all.  It's better
to try to fight him."
<Siobhan> "Right, but how do we protect the stone and take the fight
to him at the same time?
<Siobhan> "Who do we call for help?"
<GM> Kleppen: "I have no idea.  Move it away from him?  My wards
can't stop him.  Can we alter the stone?"
<Siobhan> "I have no idea."
* Biff says in a firm, deep bass voice from behind Siobhan, "You
could stuff it in a portable hole."
<GM> Sister: "I am going to risk a sending to my superiors out west."
* Siobhan turns around quickly in surprise.
<Biff> * Behind Siobhan is a largish black cat, with dark brown
tiger-stripes, calmly licking his left paw.
<Siobhan> "And you are...?"
<GM> Kleppen: "The cat.  And I quit drinking this month."
* Skip springs to his feet and puts himself between the cat and the
stone. "Friend or foe?"
<Biff> Biff.  Biff Mouser.
<Biff> I'm a familiar for hire.
<Biff> So, uh.  Why -don't- you track down a portable hole?  That
way, you could just keep it in your pocket.
<Skip> I think the local general store is all out.
<Biff> That's too bad.
<Skip> And we're prisoners, in a sense, so we can't really go
searching for one. I'm Murdoc Mudskipper, by the way. 
<Biff> Heck of a name you got, there.
<Skip> Call me Skip.
<Biff> Sure.
<Skip> You said you were for hire. What's your price?
<Biff> Oh, share of treasure, someone to do all the buckles on my
equipment, some fish whenever we've got it.  The usual.
<Siobhan> Well, unfortunately we're pretty low on treasure these
days, but you're welcome to stay.
<Siobhan> In fact at this point, you're sort of obligated.
* Skip nods, "Great, you're hired." Skip points to each in turn,
"Siobhan, Nyyx, Kleppen - the Mayor-, and the good Sister. The rest
of our crew went back to the inn to rest." Skip looks over the cat
with a glance, "In the jungle, we say cats have 12 lives, one for
every new moon. I hope you brought them all."
<Biff> One for each new moon?  You jungle people need to update your
lore.  I get one for EVERY moon.
* Skip is caught off guard, "Well, we. That is to say." He sighs,
"Yes, we are a primitive people."
<Biff> fft
<Biff> Now you're in the right frame of mind, Skip.
<Biff> So why exactly am I obligated, here?
<GM> Kleppen: "Those in this town are obligated to either stay or
enter the castle lest the town be slaughtered."
<GM> Kleppen: "We have been held hostage by Gregor for over two
years."
<Biff> Fun.  You ever consider putting up signs about that?
<Siobhan> Also, if they're willing to slaughter an entire town if you
leave, do you think you just get to walk away?
* Nyyx coughs. "Don't tempt him."
<GM> Kleppen: "I honestly thought that the contingent from the Church
of Pelor and the periodic adventuring party would stop a simple
vampire lord given time...."
<Nyyx> He doesn't seem so simple a vampire lord. He claims he's not
even undead.
<Biff> Well, that's good.  I can't say I'm fond of undead.
<GM> Kleppen: "Yes, the situation has changed."
* Nyyx finds herself smiling. "Well, it's good we've got something in
common."
<Siobhan> "Right, but again, we're dealing with someone we can't
trust by his nature.  Anything he tells us is suspect."
<GM> Kleppen: "Your adventures in the stone are enough to tell us
something unique is happening."
<Nyyx> Of course. I've come to find that "undead" isn't a concept
that's necessarily black or white, though.
<Nyyx> In any case, I've never heard of someone trying to create his
own replacement afterlife. Has anything of the sort been attempted as
far as you know, Mayor Kleppen?
<GM> Kleppen: "I'll have the families prepare packs if the town needs
to run.  He may get most of us, but some should get away.  Beyond
that, Jordan and I will need to get involved directly.  It's time we
made you some gear."
<GM> Kleppen: "I have heard of personal demiplanes, but nothing on
this scale."
<Nyyx> Hm. And the afterlife...do you know if it's true that the gods
have abandoned it and are causing this mass rising of the dead?
<GM> Kleppen: "No.  That would explain the state of the world
though."
<GM> [Sister winces.]
* Nyyx frowns. "It's hard for me to believe that the gods would do
something like that without good reason."
<Nyyx> And...not that I'm entertaining the thought of helping Gregor
in any way...but what will happen if an afterlife such as the one
he's seeking to create isn't created to replace the one that no
longer exists for us?
<Biff> Gods are like cats.  If they don't tell you their reasons,
there's no guessing.  Instead of wasting time trying, just stop this
guy and be done with it.  Which I'm sure you've tried, mind, but
apparently not hard enough.
<GM> Kleppen: "Answering that would require an understanding of the
world well beyond my experience.  You mentioned some notes?"
* Nyyx nods. "Yes, research notes from Gregor's master Hassad, as
well as Perdo's annotations." She finds the research materials and
hands them over.
<GM> Kleppen: "I'll read through these."
<Nyyx> I hope they're helpful.
<Skip> It might be wise to stay together from here on out. One of us
could easily vanish if left alone.
* Skip turns to Kleppen, "That means you too, Mayor."
<GM> Kleppen: "What do you suggest?"
<Biff> Get everybody in one or two big dens.
* Nyyx nods. "It's probably safer. Perhaps the church could serve as
one of them."
<Biff> Nobody goes anywhere unless they go in a group.  Three people,
at least.
<Nyyx> That sounds like a good idea.
<Nyyx> We also have Theodore's barn and the Inn as possible shelters.
What do you think?
<Siobhan> "The inn is probably sturdier than that barn."
<Skip> We need a space to accommodate the entire town. Mayor, how
many people are there, exactly?
<GM> Kleppen: "I think people will be unwilling to suddenly and
permanetely leave their homes."
<Nyyx> That's understandable, but it'll be difficult to try to
protect the entire town if everyone is spread out.
<Skip> Well, they should at least be warned.
<GM> Kleppen: "True."
<GM> Kleppen: "What are you planning on doing now?"
<Nyyx> Well, Gregor - or Piotyr, whichever the case may be - told us
that we'd continue the game until one side was dead, and that he'd
wait for us in the tower.
<Siobhan> "So I guess we need to go to the tower and root him out
* Nyyx nods. "Along the way, we may be able to figure out better what
we need to be prepared to fight him effectively."
<Nyyx> And, Biff, I'm sorry that it may still take me some time to
get used to talking to a cat, but we're glad to have you.
<Biff> Not really, but you will be.
* Skip yawns, "So, who wants first watch?"
<Siobhan> "I'll take it."
<Nyyx> If you need company, I'll go too.
<GM> Kleppen: "So, that's the plan?  What else do we need to do?"
<Nyyx> Do you have any suggestions for our preparations? I'm afraid
that about all we know is what we've told you tonight.
<Biff> What do you expect to face in the castle?
<GM> Kleppen: "Just to think it through.  See if there is anyone else
we could call on for help or information."
* Nyyx thinks. "So far, we've faced skeletons, vampires, witches,
minotaurs, glass golems of some sort, doglike creatures that shoot
with bows in midflight. I'm not sure if we can really expect anything
for certain."
<Biff> So, you've already got a good stockpile of holy water, right?
<Skip> Don't forget the liches, ghouls, and zombies. Plus bitter cold
temperatures, gigantic librarians, and living statues.
<Nyyx> Father Lucas normally creates a supply for us.
<Biff> How about acid, rustwater, alchemist's fire?
<Biff> In other words, does the town have a competent alchemist?
<GM> Kleppen: "Right here."
* Nyyx nods. "The mayor is the one you want. I dabble, but I'm not an
expert by any means."
<Biff> Good!
<Biff> First good news I've heard all day.
<Nyyx> As always, Mayor Kleppen, I'm at your disposal if you need any
help with any of your alchemical work.
<Biff> So, Mayor Kleppen.  You know how to make glass-eating acid,
right?  Stone and metal, too?
<GM> Kleppen: "What do you have in mind?"
<Biff> The basic stuff, really.  Fill vials with nasty substances,
fling at enemies until they fall down.
<GM> Kleppen: "That shouldn't be too hard."
<Siobhan> Really?  You can throw things?
<Nyyx> He can talk. I'm not sure I'd be surprised that he could also
throw things.
<Skip> I can throw ANYTHING.
<Biff> Not really, but you guys can.  And I can manage things,
sometimes.
<Siobhan> Oh, sorry.
<Biff> ffs.  I'm amazing, but I'm not -that- amazing.
* Nyyx laughs.
<Biff> Wait'll you see me pull a bear out of my pants.
* Nyyx looks at the cat, unsure whether he's joking.
* Biff could be joking, could be serious.
<Biff> I do a -great- avatar of Pelor impression, too.
<Skip> If you don't need me for anything else, I'm going to turn in.
It sounds like tomorrow, and every day from now on, is going to be a
full day.
<Biff> Have a good nap.
<Nyyx> Thank you in advance for your help with our equipment, Mayor.
I'd like to look into possible improvements to my gear tomorrow.
<Nyyx> Good night, Skip.
<GM> [End of Session.]
Session Close: Sat Apr 07 22:18:22 2007