Session Start: Sat Jun 16 16:47:18 2007
Session Ident: #castlevania
* Logging for #castlevania started
<GM> [Start Chapter 2]
<GM> [The party has collected itself in the Kronnenburg Inn to settle
a crucial matter.  Will they go West or become outlaws?]
<Theodore> "I don't see a real option.  I think we have to go."
* Nyyx sits at her usual table looking more grim than usual.
<Biff> If they think they can take away MY free will, they've got
another think coming.
* Charlotte is sitting at the table and waves softly at the others
* Nyyx sips joylessly from a mug held in her remaining hand. The
stump of her right arm - now terminating just past the elbow - rests
against the tabletop. "They still owe me half an arm."
<Charlotte> How're you feeling?
* Skip is leaning against a shadowy wall. He looks at Nyyx's severed
arm and frowns, "What else will they try to take if we refuse them?"
* Nyyx looks up at Charlotte and shrugs. "As well as can be expected,
I suppose." She grimaces.
<Biff> FFT.
<Biff> Fffffine.  We stay with them long enough to get your hand
back, and no longer?
* Nyyx nods toward Biff. "I'd rather not stay longer than necessary,
either, for probably about the same reasons."
<Charlotte> I dunno why you guys are so uneasy around them, but you
seem to have the world's best intentions in mind, so I won't pry.
* Biff glares a cat glare at Charlotte. "Ffffind me a cat who enjoys
being coerced and I'll show you a DOG."
<Skip> I agree with Biff.I don't like this. We're being tossed around
by devils and angels. I didn't leave the jungle to be used by strange
gods.
* Nyyx finds herself chuckling.
<Charlotte> Coerced? I'm not sure what you mean, but then, they
didn't really tell me anything.
<Theodore> "Well they are going to try to track us if we don't just
go with them.  Might as well.  Maybe get a reward out of it too."
<Biff> If we do not go with them, they will declare us outlaw, hunt
us down with DOGS.
<Biff> Detestable creatures, you can't trust anyone who allies with
them.
<Skip> Maybe they should meet the master of the castle. I bet they'd
get along great.
<Nyyx> Speaking of the master of the castle, he's apparently flown.
Where to, I've no idea, but I expect he'll be back.
<Biff> We'll meet him again.
<Biff> I guarantee it.
<Charlotte> They came to me, said they needed my help, so I guessed
they were decent people, since they're really into Pelor too...
<Biff> We're resolved, then.
<Biff> Let's go.
<GM> [Having made its decision, the party whiles away the hours until
noon the next day, when the return gate is planned.]
<GM> [The party gathers with the Inquisition forces outside of the
Inn just before noon the next day.]
<GM> Commander: "Is everything ready for the gate?"
<Theodore> Gate?
<Charlotte> Gate?
<Biff> ...like the one they came through to get here?
<GM> Commander: "Yes.  A teleportation gate.  It will be here in a
few minutes."
<Theodore> "Using what spell?"
<GM> Commander: "Mirian, your aide will be here within the month.
Good luck to you."
* Skip remarks to Nyyx out of the side of his mouth. "Well, at least
this will be a new experience to write home about."
<GM> Commander: "Spell, Theodore?  A divine ritual."
<Theodore> "Oh boy."
* Nyyx nods idly.
<GM> Commander: "One of the advantages of the magically inclined
cooperating for the common good."
<Theodore> "I'm sure."
<Charlotte> Ooh. Never went through one of these before. This'll be
fun
<GM> [After someone reminds Charlotte that the gate is how she got
here from Rictenburg, everyone waits the few remaining minutes.  At
noon, at sudden white glow erupts from the center of the group.
Soon, a rushing wind buries all other noise.]
<GM> [When the noise and glow subside, the group is in the middle of
a town about three times the size of Kronnenburg.]
* Charlotte looks around, a bit disoriented. @_@
<GM> Commander: "Alright, most of you, return to your divisions.
Thank you for your service.  Oberon, Charlotte, Biff, Skip, Nyyx,
Theodore, Siobhan, please be back here in one hour."
* Skip gives a sarcastic salute.
<Biff> fft
* Nyyx gives a slight nod.
<Charlotte> Uh... okay
<GM> Commander: "Oh, and welcome to Richtenburg."
<Biff> I feel so welcome.
<Biff> We need to arrange rooms for ourselves.
* Biff hops up onto Nyyx's shoulder. "I'll room with you."
<Nyyx> Sure.
<Skip> They could have at least given us a map.
* Nyyx shrugs the shoulder that isn't occupied by a cat. "I think
I'll take a stroll and have a look around."
<Nyyx> You're welcome to come along, if you like.
<Skip> I'll tag along.
* Nyyx takes a walk to get a feel of the layout of the city.
<GM> [Richtenburg is layed out along two streets.  One east-west.
The other northwest-southeast.]
* Nyyx makes a survey of what sort of establishments are along both
streets.
* Charlotte hangs around Nyyx and Skip
<GM> [Nyyx spies several shops for common goods like baskets and
produce, a carpenter, a weapon shop, a fortune teller, and other
random shops.]
<GM> [Theodore and Biff find a small magic shop near the fortune
teller.]
<Biff> We've got some weapons we need to pawn off on somebody, and a
magic rifle to get rid of.
<GM> [Inside the shop, Theodore and Biff see numerous spell
components, real and fake magical exhibits and tomes, and a wizzened
old maid behind the counter.]
<Charlotte> I don't think I need anything. I just stocked up before I
left...
<Biff> Theo, reach in my pack, here, and grab out that rifle,
wouldja?  See if she's interested.
<Theodore> "Sure." 
<GM> [Theodore drops the rifle and 25 rounds on the counter.]
<GM> Shopkeeper: "Rifle, eh?  Where did'ya get this, then?"
<Theodore> "Off a zombie sniper."
<GM> [She handles the gun expertly.]  "Good sight.  Magically
enhanced.  Fine craftswork.  Southen pirate style."
<GM> "Zombie sniper?  Alright.  What do you want for it?"
<Biff> Fifteen hundred.
<Theodore> "I have learned never to argue with a cat.  Nasty cuts."
<GM> "Hah."
<GM> "Twelve hundred.  I have learned never to argue with old women."
<Theodore> "Also a good rule.  Though you tend to bleed less from
arguing with old women."
<Biff> Done.
<GM> "I don't know which old women you spend time with, but that rule
doesn't hold for those buying rifles.  Twelve hundred."
<Theodore> "We agreed to the 1,200, my good woman."
<GM> "Done.  Anything else, then."  [You make the exchange.  She pays
you with gold pieces.]
<Biff> You know where we can find a weapons dealer?
<GM> "Blacksmith is down th' way, gents."
<Theodore> "I'll stay here and look around, if you don't mind."
<Biff> Fine, I can handle the nonmagical stuff myself.  Well, if he
doesn't freak out about the whole talking cat bit.
* Biff turns and heads out.
<Theodore> "Oh, this seems like a big town.  If you have any trouble,
you know where to find me."
* Biff heads "down the road" to the blacksmith.
<GM> [The blacksmith is a dirty brick building with an open face in
front.  An soot-covered man works the bellows.]
* Biff walks in and says loudly, "Hey, Blacksmith!"
<GM> "What?" [The smith doesn't look up.]
<Biff> I've got some high quality weapons, if you're willing to buy,
for scrap or sale.
<GM> [The smith turns around.]  "What?  A talking cat?"
<Biff> You're a sharp one.
<Biff> Most people don't guess that until I speak at LEAST four
times.
<GM> "Cute.  What do you want?"
<Biff> I'm an adventurer.  You can call me Biff.  I've got a load of
weapons for someone who's got cash and an eye for quality.
* Biff reaches up with one paw, flips his haversack open, and weapon
after weapon comes floating out to array themselves on whatever table
happens to be handy.
<GM> "Handy trick.  What's all this then?"
* Biff keeps piling up weapons, a half dozen longswords, a greataxe,
and a quartet of longbows.
<Biff> Loot from a castle full of vampires.  Certified not evil by
the Inquisition itself.
<GM> "Excellent.  1,400 for the lot."
<Biff> Done.
<GM> [You make the exchange.  He pays in gold pieces.]
<Biff> Pleasure doing business with you.
* Biff leaves, tail high.
<GM> [The smith returns to his work.]
<Theodore> "4,000 gp for the headband you said?  I don't suppose you
would consider a small reduction for a man who has been stuck in a
small town killing undead for the last year and is now being hauled
before the Inquisition?"
* Nyyx is meanwhile looking for a place the group can stay for the
night in the event that housing isn't provided.
<GM> Shopkeeper: "Not really."
<Theodore> "Not even 3,900?"
<GM> Shopkeeper: "It wouldn't be a hard bargain if it wasn't."
<Theodore> "I suppose that's true.  Well I had to try."
<GM> Shopkeeper: "I understand."
* Theodore gives the old woman 4,000 gp for a headband of intellect
+2
<GM> [Theodore makes the purchase for the headband of intellect +2
and don the headband.  Everything is clearer now.]
* Biff heads back to the square an hour later, and divides treasure
among the four important people in the group.
* Skip stares at the large bag of gold being handed to him. "I've
never had this much before. In the jungle I was cared for by the
tribe. I didn't really need an money." He looks up at the group.
"What do I do with all this?"
<Biff> You give it back to me for safekeeping.
* Biff whistles, but being a cat, he's pretty bad at it.
<Nyyx> Thanks, Biff.
* Nyyx pockets the gold. "Looks like you did a decent job bargaining,
too."
<Biff> It was easy.  I just asked for half again as much as I wanted,
and took their first offer.
* Nyyx laughs.
<Charlotte> How did you get all that stuff, anywya/
* Nyyx raises an eyebrow. "From the castle. Where else?"
<Biff> Yeah, I looted it before you guys ever got there.
* Skip takes his cut of the gold. "I'll hold on to it, thanks. I'm
sure I'll manage."
<Charlotte> Oooh
<Biff> Our hour should be up any time now.
<Charlotte> Go ahead and feel free to regale mw ith the tales of your
glory anytime
<GM> [At the end of the hour, the Commander collects everyone in the
town square.]  "Are we ready?"
<Biff> Quite.
<Charlotte> Yep
<GM> Commander: "Alright."
<GM> [As one o'clock passes, the party is consumed in the same white
glow and rushing current.]
<Charlotte> woah
<GM> [When the light fades, the party finds itself in a small hamlet
on a wide plain.]  Commander: 'Alright, prepare to march, we're
almost there."
<Theodore> "March?  Commander, we are not your soldiers to command.
We are here voluntarily.  And as civilians."
<GM> Commander: "My apologies."
<Theodore> "Quite alright."
<GM> Commander: "Providence is about a mile to the north.  We'll put
you up there."
<Theodore> "Providence?"
<GM> Commander: "The center of the Pelorian Church."
<Charlotte> Oh, wow...
<Charlotte> I always wanted to go there
<GM> Commander: "We have traveled the better part of a thousand miles
today people.  And cat."
<Theodore> Where are we geographically?
<Skip> This magic is amazing.
<Biff> fft
<GM> Commander: "We are about nine hundred miles west of Kronnenburg,
twenty miles from the sea."
<Theodore> "Interesting."
<Charlotte> Nice
<GM> Commander: "Well.  Shall we?"
* Nyyx nods. "Lead on."
<Charlotte> Sure!
* Biff hops up on Nyyx's shoulder again.
<GM> [The party walks north out of the hamlet and reaches the base of
a large plateau after about one mile.  The landscape stretches out in
all directions with farmland and scattered forests.  Providence looms
at the top of the plateau.]
<GM> [The plateau inclines at a gently slope up to the front gate of
the city.  High walls of granite greet the travelers.]
<Biff> I don't know about you, Nyyx, but I've never found gigantic
stone walls particularly welcoming.
<GM> [The Commander gets the party through the main gate with little
effort.  Once through, the main stretch of the city is visible.
Broad, clean roads reach from one end of the plateau to the other.]
<GM> [A palace can be seen at the far end of the city.]
* Charlotte admires the city
<GM> Commander: "Our goal is the temple at the far end of the city."
<Skip> What can we expect there, commander? Is there some kind of
trouble?
* Nyyx seems to share Biff's concerns as she eyes the walls
uncertainly, but she continues to walk behind the commander toward
the temple.
<GM> Commander: "No trouble.  You will have a place to rest, we will
see to Nyyx's arm, and then there will likely be a few meetings.  It
is beyond my authority to know more.  I'm sorry."
<Charlotte> Aw
<Charlotte> Can you refer us to anyone who might?
<GM> Commander: "That is my intention.  Let's go."
<Charlotte> Thanks
* Nyyx continues on wordlessly.
<GM> [The party proceeds down the main thoroughfare towards the
palace.]
<GM> [The Commander leads the party into a spralling temple connected
to the palace.]
* Charlotte waaalks
<GM> [The Commander hands the party off to a senior cleric at the
temple gate and submits his goodbyes.]  "Good luck to all of you."
<Nyyx> Thank you, Commander.
<GM> Cleric: "I'll show you to your quarters."
* Biff mutters softly, "We'll need more than luck."
* Nyyx follows the cleric.
* Biff is borne along on Nyyx's shoulder.
<GM> [After the party is settled into their quarters, Nyyx is
approached privately.]
<GM> "Natalia, we are ready for you."
* Nyyx nods and stands.
<GM> "Are you ready?"
<Charlotte> Good luck in there!
<Nyyx> Yes, I'm ready.
<GM> [Nyyx is led off into a small chapel and after perhaps an hour
of ceremony, her hand is restored.]
* Nyyx inspects her new hand and curls and uncurls her fingers a few
times.
<Nyyx> Thank you.
<GM> Cleric: "You can return to your quarters to rest if you wish.
You and your friends will meet with the Contact tomorrow."
* Nyyx nods.
<Nyyx> Thank you. I will retire for now, then.
* Nyyx bows and takes her leave.
<GM> [The rest of the day and the night pass slowly.  Dinner is
provided.  In the morning, breakfast is provided along with a chance
to clean up and participate in morning prayers.]
<GM> [Everyone is provided robes to wear for their meeting with the
Contact.  No weapons or armor is allowed.]
* Biff looks really, really silly in robes.
* Nyyx dons her robe without complaint.
* Charlotte looks... uncofmortable in robes
<GM> [Oberon robes up.  He enjoys it.]
* Skip wears robes, but feels out of place.
<GM> [The party is led deep into the temple complex.  Finally, they
are admonished against the use of magic in the presence of the
Contact and ushered into a large chamber with a dais at one end.
Amazing frescos and sculpture line the chamber.]
<GM> [The vaulted ceiling is supported by two rows of vast pillars.]
* Nyyx absently admires the artwork and architecture as she enters
the chamber.
* Charlotte follows, soaking in the chamber.
<GM> [After a few minutes, a figure appears through a secret passage
on the dais.  He is clothed in simple red and white robes.  He has
white hair and might be older than Theodore.]
<GM> Man: "Hello.  I am the Contact."  [His voice is resonant and
hollow at the same time.]
<Nyyx> Hello.
* Nyyx studies the Contact carefully.
<GM> Contact: "You likely know why you are here."
* Charlotte nods..
<Theodore> "Not exactly, no."
<GM> Contact: "I have some requests to make of you.  Hopefully, they
will not be too much."
* Charlotte nods and listens. o.o
<GM> Contact: "First, I ask that you associate yourselves with at
least one of the Seven Temples of this region.  Of course, the Church
of Pelor would be my first choice."
<GM> Contact: "Second, I ask that you stay together for the time
being."
<GM> Contact: "Do these two things and we will have no conflict with
you.  But, perhaps, you will do more."
<Charlotte> No problem here... laready got the first taken care of
<GM> Contact: "You likely know that Gregor the Red has left Castle
Kronnenburg for parts unknown."
* Nyyx nods impassively.
<GM> Contact: "What you do not know is that we cannot track him."
<GM> Contact: "He is immune to our divinations for some reason."
<Theodore> "It is not that hard to avoid being detected.  It takes
some skill, but it is not unknown to wizardry."
<GM> Contact: "Surpassing our detections very nearly is."
<GM> Contact: "Additionally, you are also immune to our scrying.  We
have theorized that the effect is linked."
<Nyyx> Do you know any possible explanations for the phenomenon?
<GM> Contact: "Your time in the demiplane is the only reason that
individuals of your power could have such ability."
<GM> Contact: "Unless a deity is actively screening you, but that
would be very disproportionate to your powers."
<Nyyx> I see.
<Charlotte> Weird...
<Nyyx> Any ideas, Theodore?
<Theodore> "Not really.  For him to escape the notice of the
semi-divine would be fairly remarkable.  For us to be undetectable is
incredible."
* Nyyx grimaces. "Does this mean Gregor himself has become a god?"
<Biff> It could.
<Theodore> "I would think that Pelor and his Contact would notice a
new god."
<Biff> We cats have a saying.  Nothing is impossible, only
improbable, inadvisable, or infeasible.
<Charlotte> That's kinda creepy
* Nyyx looks to the Contact for any sort of confirmation or
otherwise.
<GM> Contact: "While Gregor may want divinity, he has not attained it
yet.  That, we would have seen.  If not, then at least one of the
other Temples would have noticed."
* Nyyx nods. "I think that's a relief."
<Biff> Even a tiny fraction of divine power could accomplish that
sort of shielding.  It needn't be full godhead.
<Nyyx> Does he have the support of a deity, then?
<Nyyx> Hm.
<GM> Contact: "None that we know of."
<GM> Contact: "And I can sense no divine link to any of you, either."
<Biff> A sliver of godhead could let him overpower any magic short of
actual divine intervention.  A demigod, you might say.  The first
step on the path.
<Biff> Barring that, he could have taken himself, and possibly us,
partially outside reality.
<Theodore> "Outside reality?"
<Biff> That sort of thing happens when you muck about with
demiplanes.
<GM> Contact: "For the record, we have full divine force on our side.
Only the aid of a greater deity would be enough to stop us."
<Theodore> "Greater then Pelor?"
<GM> Contact: "At least equal in power."
<Theodore> "That leaves only a handful of gods... not that I see how
that helps us figure out which one might be at work here."
<GM> Contact: "That is our problem.  We cannot find him, but we
cannot let him be either."
<Biff> Which is why you want us.
<Biff> You want us to be Pelor's paw.
<GM> Contact: "Hence, our request: We want you to investigate these
'anomalies' he mentioned."
<GM> Exactly.
<Theodore> "How can we be of help?  We are no match for Gregor."
<GM> Contact: "You do not need to be a match for him.  You just need
to find him."
<GM> Contact: "This interest in you and these 
<GM> 'anomalies' should cause him to approach you again."
* Nyyx nods. "That wouldn't surprise me."
<Theodore> "And hopefully you swoop in in time to prevent us from
being killed?"
<GM> Contact: "If you stay here, or break off the search, the chances
of new contact are far less."
<GM> Contact: "That is the plan Theodore."
* Charlotte nods
<GM> Contact: "We need to find out more of what Gregor is up to and
what he knows about our world.  If these 'anomalies' exist, they must
also be dealt with."
<Nyyx> So what do you suggest we do? What happens when we find him?
<GM> Contact: "Stop him if you can.  Otherwise, retreat and contact
us."
* Nyyx nods.
<Theodore> I don't suppose you have any support you can offer to help
us find him?
<Charlotte> Well, I'm here...
<GM> Contact: "You will have Oberon, Charlotte and a third agent who
will meet up with you later."
<GM> Contact: "Additionally, we will use our relationships with other
faiths to give you access to libraries in the south to research
Gregor's background."
<Theodore> "That sounds useful."
* Charlotte smiles
<GM> Contact: "Do you accept our terms."
<Nyyx> Your terms were to associate with a temple and stay together?
<Theodore> "I don't think there was much of an option, was there?"
<Skip> Would it be best if we each associated with a different
temple? Or does that matter?
<GM> Contact: "Yes, one of the Seven Temples of this region.
Further, your scrying screen appears stronger when you are together.
So, yes, you should stay together for mutual protection.  We should
not make it too easy for Gregor to reach you."
<Biff> I have no intention of turning away from my Goddess.
<GM> Contact: "While I feel you should all associate with the Church
of Pelor, that decision is left to your conscience."
<GM> Contact: "And which Goddess is that?"
<Biff> The Lady of Secrets.
<GM> Contact: "And who would that be?"
* Biff blinks.
<Biff> The Lady of Secrets.
<GM> Contact: "Fair enough.  We in the west do not force our beliefs
on others, but you will follow our laws while here, regardless of
faith."
* Biff sniffs a sniff of feline assent.
<GM> Contact: "Your association will help keep you safe and help us
track you as you travel."
<GM> Contact: "Are these terms acceptable?"
<Biff> Quite.
* Nyyx nods. "I can go along with that, I think."
<Skip> I agree.
<GM> Contact: "Fair enough.  Gregor's planes are quite unsettling and
we need to get to the bottom of this as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your help."
<Nyyx> Thank you for restoring my arm.
<GM> Contact: "You will each be provided with 5,000 GP before you
leave Providence.  I suggest you begin by following up on the
anomalies that Gregor mentioned."
<GM> Contact: "You are welcome, Natalia."
<Theodore> "Very well."
<Charlotte> What are these anomolies like?
<GM> Contact: "We do not know.  They are similarly shielded."
<GM> Contact: "We have only heard of a few anomalies."
<GM> Contact: "The man who cannot die in the North.  The plague in
the South.  Some referrence to a monster in the East.  And Alexandre
duPre."
* Charlotte nods...
<Nyyx> Alexander du Pre? He was in Kronenburg. What can you tell us
about him?
<Biff> Didn't we already get the guy responsible for the plague?
<Nyyx> Graycloak? If it's the same plague, yes...
<GM> Contact: "We are referring to the plague itself."
<GM> Contact: "Yes, du Pre was in Kronnenburg.  He evaded our patrols
and is also immunized to our scrying.  We don't know why."
<Nyyx> I suppose it would've been too optimistic to believe that the
plague would necessarily end with Graycloak's death.
* Nyyx glances over at Skip.
* Skip nods. "You can't stop something like that once it's been set
loose."
* Nyyx turns back to the Contact. "And I guess I was wrong guessing
that du Pre had anything to do with the Church of Pelor. I'd thought
since he said he was returning to the West immediately previous to
the Inquisitors' arrival that he may have been affiliated."
<GM> Contact: "No one we have reached has any record of du Pre."
<Nyyx> Mm. We should have made a larger effort to stop him when he
was leaving town.
<GM> Contact: "It is better that you did not.  We have no idea how
powerful he is.  You need to take care of yourselves."
* Nyyx nods. "Point well taken."
<GM> Contact: "Alright.  Good luck to you.  I'll have the gold
brought to your quarters."  [He turns to leave.]
<GM> [END OF SESSION.]
Session Close: Sat Jun 16 22:25:44 2007