Session Start: Sat Jun 30 17:52:24 2007
Session Ident: #castlevania
* Logging for #castlevania started
<GM> [The intrepid party is standing in the street of Providence,
deciding what to do.  The early consenus was to head to Stovogard
with all due haste.]
* Rudyard is now known as Skip
* Nyyx glowers under the shade of her wide-brimmed hat.
<Brute> We voted to go west, yes? Better than standing here.
<Nyyx> West toward the plague? I think not.
<Nyyx> I don't know about you, but I don't plan on rotting away from
disease just yet.
<Oberon> We had this conversation already.  It may or may not be
plague.
<Theodore> What is the alternative?  We either go west or do what?
* Nyyx shrugs and turns toward Oberon. "What did you do to make Biff
leave?"
<Oberon> Chose not to knuckle my forhead to the good master.
<Nyyx> What are you talking about?
<Oberon> Not my fault if he can't take a joke.
<Nyyx> What did he ask you to get rid of?
<Oberon> Nothing dangerous.
<Nyyx> What was it?
<Oberon> In fact it probably would have done him a world of good.
Gotten him to relax a little
<Nyyx> What was it?
<Oberon> Oh fine.  Here.
* Nyyx holds out a gloved hand.
* Oberon opens his pack and removes the bag of catnip he bought.
* Oberon tosses it over to Nyyx
<Oberon> Happy now?
* Nyyx catches it and examines the bag.
<Oberon> If we could attend to more important matters, the reason the
quarantine might be a good idea to check out is that if the plague is
spreading and is not just in the south maybe it needs to be addressed
sooner
<Oberon> If it is the plague and it looks like something that we
can't handle then we can pass the word back to the church, who
classified it as an unknown threat, and then move on to other tasks
<Skip> Plagues aren't for us to 'address.' If there is a plague to
investigate or cure, it should be the work of a team of clerics and
priests, NOT a small group of warriors.
* Nyyx glares at Oberon. "Biff told you to get rid of this and you
didn't, and you're telling me that it's not an important matter that
you directly forced one of our allies to desert our cause?"
<Oberon> "Excuse me.  Like I said, if he can't take a joke, that's
not my fault."
<Oberon> "I'm not going to have my actions dictated to me by some
high handed feline."
<Nyyx> For a cat, catnip can a formidable drug. It's not a joking
matter.
<Oberon> So can ale for humans, but you wouldn't be reprimanding me
if I bought you a pint now would you?
<Nyyx> It wasn't Biff bringing his own catnip.
<Oberon> Neither would it be you bringing your own drink should I buy
you one.
<Skip> She would kill you in a second if you tried to pour it down
her throat. You weren't planning on letting Biff make the decision to
use that, now were you?
<Oberon> Who says I was even planning on giving it to him?
<Oberon> I was just keeping it around because the little furball had
it in his head he could make people do what he wanted, with never a
care for their concerns.
<Nyyx> Listen. Biff is a member of our team. If he tells you to get
rid of it, you get rid of it.
<Oberon> I just wondered how he would like it if he couldn't.
<Oberon> It seems that's a moot point now
<Nyyx> And through whose actions?
<Oberon> The cats.
* Nyyx glares at Oberon icily. "I can see that we're not going to get
along. I suggest you return to your master and tell him we have no
need of your help."
<Oberon> Like I said, I just wanted to make sure there was an
understanding between us.  I was following where he was going, but it
was my own choice, and not because he decided to walk off and leave
us with a choice to tuck tail and follow or leave him to his own.
* Oberon glares back just as coldly.  "I'm my own master, and I'll
thank you to remember that."
<Nyyx> He is our ally, and I think his decision was wise to avoid the
plague until we are better equipped. If you think otherwise, you may
go to the plaguelands on your own."
<Oberon> Aren't you listening, whether or not there is a plague to
the west is something we don't know.
<Skip> And something I don't care to find out.
<Nyyx> It's a gamble I would rather not make.
<Oberon> What happens if it is then?  What if the south isn't the
only place affected?
<Skip> What are you going to do against a plague?
<Oberon> Doesn't ignoring that become a bigger gamble then?
<Nyyx> Who said we would be ignoring it? We go later, when we have
taken the proper precautions and have a cleric or two with us.
<Oberon> I already said, if it is we can leave it be, but at least we
can inform the Church that the plague has spread beyond the south.
* Brute removes his helm and scratches his head. "How close would we
have to get to find out if plague is to the west? Not so close to
catch it maybe?
<Oberon> "The big man sees my point"
<Brute> "I dun think that is an answer to my question. I dun want to
get too close."
<Oberon> "No, the point is we can find out what's there and then
decide if it's something that we can handle or not."
<Brute> "But if we get too close, and get sick, we can't come back
until we're not sick, because of the qua...err...the thing that stops
us from coming back."
<Nyyx> I vote to start by going north.
<Oberon> "That's only if we go in the city.  We should be able to
tell why the city is blocked off without doing that. 
* Skip nods. "I'm going north."
<Oberon> "Do you not at least see my point?"
* Nyyx turns back to Oberon, unimpressed. "By the time you know
you've found the plague, you're likely too late."
<Oberon> "We go north and deal with the Immortal.  Great job
everyone.  Nice work.  The only problem is that upon our triumphant
return we find the plague spread to a point where even a couple of
priests wouldn't help us."
<Oberon> "It's not about impressing you, it's about trying to take a
pie out of the oven while your house is on fire."
<Nyyx> You go stop the plague, then.
* Nyyx starts walking north.
* Skip starts to follow, but stops in front of Brute. 'You coming,
big guy?"
<Oberon> "Look, I'm not saying we have to go west, but isn't that a
possibility to be considered?"
* Skip ignores Oberon, "And you too, Theo. You've been a good
friend."
<Oberon> "Well fine, You don't want me, I'll leave."
* Oberon walks back to town.
* Brute nods toward Skip, and then turns to Oberon. He opens his
mouth, closes it, and then rifles through the book attached to his
belt.  After a couple of seconds, he recites, poorly. "You know,
Brute, we're not the only people fighting on the front line. We're
not fighting an army alone."
* Brute looks up from the book. "I guess it doesn't mean what I think
it means. I'll ask my old captain what he meant by it, next time I
see him."
* Brute follows Skip, heading north.
* Skip shakes his head and starts the long journey north.
* Nyyx continues walking briskly with her jaw set and seems intent on
walking off her anger.
* Skip keeps his distance from Nyyx, choosing instead to walk next to
his new comrade, Brute. The tiny halfing strains his neck to make eye
contact, "Is Brute the name you prefer?"
* Brute nods and shows him the inside cover of his journal. "It's
better than Servant, yes?"
<Brute> "And they dun let me use Pelor, I think."
* Skip is taken aback, "Servant? Whom did you serve?"
* Brute taps the inside cover again.  "See, that's my name." It
reads, 'Brute Servant of Pelor, Redeemed of All Evil by the Holy
Church, Ward in the Care of Priests of the Church on Nine Storms in
the Eastern Lands'.
<Brute> "Very long name. Simple is better, so Brute is ok.
<Skip> I see. Well, welcome to the group.
* Brute points to Theodore and Nyyx. "You three unlike most soldiers
of Pelor. In trouble with the Church, like me?"
<Theodore> "You could say that, I guess."
* Brute wraps his arm around Theo and smiles. "Well! We will get out
of trouble together!"
* Skip smiles at the sight.
* Nyyx slows, stops, and turns around. She appears to have regained
most of her composure.
<Nyyx> I'm sorry. I let my anger interfere with my manners.
<Brute> "So, where north are we going? Will it be cold?"
<Nyyx> To tell the truth, I'm not sure. We will have to investigate.
Perhaps someone in town will know more about this undying man.
<Nyyx> In any case, I'm Nyyx. Natalia. Whichever name you would
prefer. My identity isn't much worth keeping quiet about anymore.
* Nyyx extends her hand to Brute.
* Brute takes her hand and shakes it vigorously. "I dun understand.
If I'm shaking your hand, you're not leader."
<Nyyx> ...Leader?
<Brute> "Does that mean Theodore is leader?"
* Brute he turns uncertainly, sizing up Theo's phsyical form. "Salute
you, then?"
<Nyyx> We travel and work together as a group, Brute. I'm not sure
we've particularly assigned a leader.
<Theodore> "I don't think we have a true leader... we act as a
group."
<Skip> We let the situation determine who is best to lead at any
particular time. Everyone here is an equal.
* Nyyx nods.
* Brute picks up his journal and thumbs through it. "Nothing in here
for finding people to the north." He hums, flipping all the way to
the back. "When all else fails...err...when all else fails, nothing?
I dun think my captain finished this one." Disappointed, he closes
the book. "Where should we go for information, Theodore?"
<Theodore> "Well, I suppose we should start by finding an inn.  We
will need a place to spend the night.  Plus, innkeepers are good
sources of information."
* Brute smiles. "Good sources of food, too."
* Brute pauses a moment, then bursts out laughing, and jabs Theo in
the ribs. "Good joke, yes?"
<Theodore> "Quite true... though I fear between us, we could eat
ourselves poor."
<GM> [The party finds a clean-looking tavern two blocks away at the
end of a narrow road.]
<Theodore> "Maybe you should wait here for a sec and just let me go
in."
<GM> [Everyone settles in around a table and orders drinks.  If they
want several rooms, they will be available this evening.]
* Brute waits outside, as per Theo's suggestion.
* Theodore enters the inn and reserves and pays for the proper number
of rooms
* Theodore also asks about the undying man
<GM> "Undying man?  Everybody dies, sir?  What are you talking
about?"
<Theodore> "A rumor I suspect.  We were sent to track him down.
Don't worry about it."
<GM> "Rumor?  Alright."
<Nyyx> What can you tell us about the region north of here?
<GM> "Well, five of the seven temples are to the north of here along
with various villages and hamlets.  Mostly farmland and fishing
villages until the cold makes it impossible and the forests take
over."
<Theodore> "Wait now, there are exactly 7 temples?"
<GM> "Yes, one to each of the Seven Gods of this region.  And a
different city surrounds each temple."
<Theodore> "Ah, and who are the Gods?"
* Nyyx listens attentively.
<GM> "You really aren't from around here, are you?  The Seven Gods
are Pelor, Heironeous, Hextor, Boccob, Wee Jas, Kord and Nerull."
<Theodore> "Ah good.  Always a good sign when I recognize the gods."
<Theodore> "And have even said a few prayers before."
<GM> "Okay."
<Nyyx> Which five are north of here?
<GM> "All but Pelor and Wee Jas."
<GM> "If you are really looking into that rumor, I'd go to the Misted
Vale, Boccob's chosen city."
* Nyyx nods. "Thanks."
<Nyyx> What's the best way to the Misted Vale?
* Skip continues to wait outside with Brute. "I hope everything's all
right in there."
* Brute pauses, then answers, "I dun hear any fighting. Always was a
good sign for me."
<GM> "It is just to the North-Northwest along the coastline about 150
miles."
<Nyyx> Is there anything we should watch out for along the way?
Anything dangerous?
<GM> "Not really if you stick to the highway."
<Nyyx> Good to know. Thank you for your help.
<GM> "No problem.  Drink up."
* Nyyx smiles and finishes up the rest of her drink in one gulp.
* Skip gets impatient, "Brute, hold down the fort. I'll be right
back." Skip enters the inn and looks for Nyyx and Theo.
* Nyyx stands up when she sees Skip enter the inn. "Something up?"
<Skip> No, just wondering if we can join you.
<Theodore> "Of course.  we were just about to come get you."
* Skip smiles. "Oh, good. I'll go get Brute."
* Skip steps out of the inn. "It' all right to go in now. Let's get
some food."
* Skip holds the door open for Brute.
* Brute lumbers inside, utterly failing his attempt to appear
inconspicuous. He seats himself at the party's table.
* Skip looks back at Liverwurst. "You too. We're all in this party
together." He motions for the kobold to go inside.
* Nyyx makes room for everybody joining the table.
<GM> [Liverwurst hops up into a chair and waits expectanly for a
drink.]
<Nyyx> Well, it looks like we're heading north to the Misted Vale as
soon as we'll all ready to leave town.
* Skip finds an open seat. "Misted Vale?"
<Nyyx> The barkeep says it's a town built up around a temple to
Boccob. He says they'd probably know more about this rumor about the
undying man.
<Brute> "But if it's a secret house, how will we find it?"
* Skip motions for the barkeep to bring over some pints. "We'll just
have to ask around, Brute. But this Boccob, I'm not familiar with
him....or her. It. Does anyone know about this god?"
<Theodore> "God of magic."
<Nyyx> The town's north-northwest along the coastline, about 150
miles, the barkeep said.
<Skip> Magic. Hopefully he will look kindly on you, Theo. I know
little of magic.
<Nyyx> You and me both, Skip.
<Nyyx> All I know about this god is that he's fairly neutral and
deals in secrets and magic.
<Brute> "He won't like me then; I'm no good with either."
* Skip looks at Brute, "Duly noted."
<GM> [The barkeep serves up a fresh round.]
* Skip goes to pay for the drinks and is surprised by the weight of
his coinpurse. "I almost forgot about this. I should spend some of
this before we leave." He turns to the barkeep and hands him the
appropriate amount, "Any good places near here to buy armor and
weapons?"
<GM> "Sure the merchantile district should be able to meet any of
your clearly adventuring needs."
<GM> "Or you could buy a keg of beer..."
* Skip sips his ale. "Tempting, but will it protect me from golems,
plagues, and the undead?"
<Theodore> "Depends how much you drink of it."
* Nyyx laughs.
* Skip smiles, "You're an enjoyable sort. Care to pull up a stool and
talk for a few?"
<GM> "Sure, what not?"
<Skip> We're new to these parts and don't really know what to make of
it all yet. Is there any information or advice you would give to
someone not in the know?
<GM> "Well, about what exactly?"
<Skip> Well, we've been hearing about strange things all around.
Plagues and quarantines and such. And basic things, like where to go
and where to avoid. Is there anything of distinct interest in these
regions?
<GM> "Well, the Seven Temples are the biggest attraction."
<GM> "I would avoid Lifebreak and Obelisk, the cities of Nerull and
Hextor.  And the northern wilderness can get kind of rough."
<Nyyx> Do you, by any chance, have a map of the region we could have?
<GM> "I can get one for you, yes."
<Nyyx> That would be very helpful. Thank you.
<Skip> Do the cities reflect the character of the deities they serve?
<GM> "Yes, usually.  Although each city allows worshipers from the
other cities to reside and that throws the favor off a bit."
<GM> [The party settles in for a nice dinner and a few rounds.  Then
off to bed upstairs.]
<GM> [END OF SESSION.]
Session Close: Sat Jun 30 22:15:48 2007