Session Start: Sat Sep 29 16:57:14 2007
Session Ident: #castlevania
<Holmes> [The party has stopped about one mile north of the entrance
to Misted Vale to gather its thoughts.]
* Skip gathers his thoughts. It is a depressingly small bounty. "What
do you think they will do to the undying man?"
* Nyyx shrugs. "Question him, no doubt."
<Roland> Study.  Find out what makes him regenerate.
<Nyyx> Roland, did you discover anything new from studying those
journals and books we found?
* Skip nods. "I know. But will they experiment on him, I wonder. Will
they try to uncover his secret and....and use it?"
<Charlotte> I hope not.
<Roland> Ah, that reminds me.
* Roland reaches into a small pouch taken off one of the earlier
enemies and pulls out a small campfire, placing it carefully in a
clearing.
* Roland pulls out a small bundle of books, half used, half new, and
tosses them into the fire. "Evil prayerbooks. Nothing special, we've
already got copies."
<Skip> In the jungle, we were at war with a tribe from the east.
During the night, they would sneak into our camp and try to capture
our spirit leaders - shaman, druids, animal whisperers. They would
experiment on them and try to 'extract' their magics. It was
horrible.
* Skip is now known as RudAFK
* Nyyx nods. "Well, that's a bit disappointing, but I guess it's all
right."
<Nyyx> Nothing else?
<Charlotte> That's pretty creepy...
<Roland> ( I'd answer, but I'm waiting on the DM. )
<Nyyx> ( Sure. I'll wait too. :3 )
<Charlotte> I'm wondering what they'll do to keep him from getting
loose
<Roland> There's a journal, but it's encoded.  I can decipher scraps
of celestial and infernal, but I'll need more work to unravel the
rest.
* Nyyx nods.
<Charlotte> Any idea what the rest is in?
<Roland> It's encoded.
<Roland> We'll find someone good with ciphers when we get back to the
church.
<Roland> It won't be difficult, it's a popular field of study.
<Roland> We should be off soon.
<Charlotte> Right.
* Nyyx nods. "Let's go then. No use putting it off."
<GM> [The intrepid party loads up and continues its march to the
city.  Soon, the north gates of Misted Vale stand before them.  A
pair of guards casually bar the path.]  "State your business please."
<Nyyx> We're here to see the Contact on temple business.
<Brute> "Adventurers."
<GM> Guard: "See the Contact is it."
<Nyyx> Yes, that's right.
<GM> Guard: "You understand that that is not a common tourist
destination.  You have anything to back up your claim?"
* Roland steps forward and lowers his hood. "Seer Roland and Lady
Natalia, here with a parcel for the Contact, guard."
<GM> [The guard looks back at a nearby tower.  After a brief moment,
he nods, turns to the party and continues...] "Alright, that will do,
come on through, please."
<Nyyx> Thank you.
* Nyyx nudges her horse forward after the guard.
<GM> [The party proceeds through the gates and into town.]
* Roland pulls his hood back up and kicks Hotbun after Nyyx.
<GM> [After several minutes negotiating the cobbled streets, the
party finds itself at a large intersection and evaluates its
options.]
<Roland> It's probably best to take our guest straight to the
Contact.
<Skip> Lead on, Seer Roland.
<Nyyx> I agree. Let's go.
<Charlotte> Yeah.
<GM> [The party rides forth to the monolithic Library at the center
of town.  After some minutes, the dark stone of the edifice stands
before them.]
<GM> [A guard advances when she sees the party stop in front of the
library.]  "May I help you?"
<Roland> Seer Roland and Lady Natalia, here with a delivery for the
Contact.
<GM> Guard: "Delivery?"
<Roland> A prisoner, to be specific.
<GM> Guard: "I see.  I will send for a detachment."  [She steps to
the gate for a moment and whispers commands through the door.]
<Charlotte> Thanks!
* Charlotte glances behind her
<GM> [Charlotte notices several robed figures at an outside cafe
pretending to converse studiously, but always keeping an eye on the
party.]
* Nyyx eyes the audience with an expression of curiosity.
* Nyyx gets Roland's attention and whispers, "Those aren't members of
your order, are they?"
<GM> [After a few minutes, a detachment of a dozen guards emerges
from the gate and approaches the party.]
<GM> Guard: "So, where is the prisoner?"
* Roland points to the corpse.
* Nyyx turns her horse slightly to better display the body.
<GM> Guard: "That is a corpse.  What is the catch?"
<Nyyx> If we wait here long enough, he will come back to life, but I
doubt we want to wait to see that happen.
<Skip> He is very fast. And probably very angry.
<GM> Guard: "Okay... Well, any special handling instructions?"
<Roland> See that knife in his back?
<GM> Guard: "Yes."
<Roland> Every few minutes, pull it out, jab it in, and give it a
good twist or two.
<Roland> If he wakes up, he's probably going to murder every guard he
can get his hands on.  We were barely able to subdue him ourselves.
<Charlotte> He can kill with a touch.
<Roland> You should probably chain him down as best you can, as well.
It might not work, but it will slow him down if he wakes up.
<Skip> He seems to have the blessings of the Gods of Evil. Take all
precautions you can.
<GM> Guard: "I think I have the picture."  [The guard motions to the
others.  They approach, lift the monk bodily, check the ropes and the
knife and hustle him indoors.]
* Skip looks watches them leave, then looks to Roland. "So....are we
done here? I'm confused."
<Charlotte> You guys had other things to investigate too, right? A
plague?
* Skip frowns at the mention of the plague.
<Skip> I think we should go east, first. There's a cult to
investigate.
<Nyyx> A plague, and a man who fled Kronenburg when the Inquisition
came to town.
<Nyyx> Yes, and the cult of the Damacine Golem.
<Roland> We should see if the Contact wishes to speak with us. After
that... well.
<Nyyx> The Contact did promise us information in return for this
undying man.
* Charlotte nods.
<Charlotte> Well, that should make it easier to decide wher eto go
next
* Skip whispers to Charlotte, "Are we still being watched?"
* Nyyx glances at the watchers out of the corner of her eye and scans
them for any recognizable symbols of allegiance.
<Charlotte> yep.
<Charlotte> Let's take this conversation elsewhere, shall we?
<Skip> Exactly what I was thinking.
* Skip begins walking straight at the lurking peepers.
* Nyyx says quietly, "Roland, are you familiar with those robed men?
They're not Boccobites, are they?"
* Roland looks them over as he walks slowly after Skip.
* Nyyx dismounts and walks after Roland and Skip.
* Skip walks to an empty table, grabs a chair, and carries it over
the robed figures. Chair in place, Skip sits with them, looking each
in the eyes in turn.
<GM> [The figures sit stock still.  I cans alliterate.]
<GM> Figure: "Hello?"
* Skip speaks in the jungle-halfling tongue, "Good day, sir."
* Nyyx remains standing and stays a slight distance away from Skip,
keeping an eye on his safety.
<GM> Figure: "I must apologize, but I do not speak your language.
Perhaps you could continue in Common, if you can."
* Brute stands near Nyyx, reading himself to grab his axe if
necessary.
<Skip> I thought it would be easier for you and your companions to
keep an eye on us if we came over here.
<GM> Figure: "There you go.  Now what do you need?"
* Nyyx maintains an impassive expression and says absolutely nothing.
<Skip> I need to know why four strange figures in robes were spying
on my friends and me.
* Roland walks up behind Skip. "They're not so strange. They serve
the Lady of Secrets."
<Nyyx> Wee Jas? Ah. What brings you to Boccob's town?
* Nyyx speaks pleasantly, politely.
* Skip stands from his seat and joins his comrades, glad to have the
company.
<GM> Figure: "Why, we live here young lady.  We are here for lunch
and a healthy beverage."
<Nyyx> I see. A pleasure to make your acquaintence. I apologize for
my young halfling friend's forwardness. He can get a bit anxious at
times.
<GM> Figure: "But I am remiss.  I am Sir Percy Jansen, or simply Sir
Jansen.  Who might you be?"
<Charlotte> I wa sa little nervous too. Didn't know if you were in
league with... whatever nasty stuff was out there
<Charlotte> I'm Charlotte Dorin.
<Charlotte> Priestess of Pelor.
* Skip seems to shrink at Nyyx's words. "Perhaps I am a bit
sensitive. But too much has been lost on account of strange, lurking
men in dark robes."
<Nyyx> Natalia Ruthven, Sir Jansen. A pleasure.
* Nyyx pats Skip reassuringly on the shoulder.
<GM> Sir Jansen: "And the rest of you?"
* Roland bows slightly. "Roland of Boccob, Seer."
<Brute> "Brute Se..." He pauses. "Just, Brute...of Pelor."
<GM> Sir Jansen: "Well, the rest are holding your peace.  Not that I
can disagree with such a tactic.  Silence is golden after all.  In
any event, well met."
<Skip> Can you tell us why you were so interested in our visit with
the guards, or do I have to spend my time in Misted Vale glancing
over my shoulder?
<GM> Sir Jansen: "I for one spend a great measure of my time looking
over my shoulder in cities dedicated to Gods and Magic.  As for why
we took an interest in you.  Well, you were there, bringing a large,
man-shaped package to the center of the faith of Boccob.  Wouldn't
you be interested?"
<Roland> I'm not surprised at your interest.
* Nyyx nods. "Nor am I."
<GM> Sir Jansen: "All the same, we have other appointments today as I
am certain you do as well.  Good luck to all of you in your travels
and give the Boccobites my best."
<GM> [The figures rise and prepare to leave.]
* Nyyx nods. "Thank you. Good luck to you, as well."
<GM> [The figures leave.]
<Charlotte> Thanks
* Nyyx returns to her horse, who has been waiting by the temple.
* Skip watches them leave. He mumbles to his friends, "Sorry about
all that."
* Skip follows Nyyx to the temple and has a seat on a nearby bench.
<Roland> It was wise to investigate now.
<Charlotte> Hey, no problem
* Nyyx approaches the guard they spoke to earlier. "Excuse me."
<GM> Guard: "Yes?"
* Skip turns to Roland, "Do you have knowledge of this Sir Jansen in
your Boccobite library?"
<Nyyx> Do you know if the Contact will want to see us at some point?
<GM> Guard: "Well, that is not my department unless you are on my
appointment list.  Let me check."  [She opens a large book at her
belt.]  "Yes, here it is.  Mages and there toys I guess, couldn't
have just sent someone downstairs to see me.  You're slated in for
about six hours from now."
<Charlotte> Six hours?
<Nyyx> I see. We will return in six hours, then. Thank you.
<Roland> He's a native of the city, actually.  His entire family
follows the Lady of Secrets.
<Roland> A bit of a socialite, but more of a politician.
<Charlotte> So, what do you wanna do until then?
<Roland> I will see about dealing with these items we have no need
for.
* Nyyx nods. "A good idea."
<GM> [The party wanders off to go shopping.]
* Brute departs from the group for a short time, and returns sporting
stylin' black leather boots, shining steel bracers, a runed silver
brooch, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses whose lens fade between
soot black and snow white.  His coin purse, however, seems noticably
lighter.
* Nyyx returns with a pair of new, sturdy-looking gauntlets.
* Charlotte returns with a headband. :D
<Charlotte> Hey everyone.
<Charlotte> I got this great new headband. I'tll let me see in the
dark. 
<Charlotte> Though with a few restrictions.
<Charlotte> What fun new toys did you get?
<Nyyx> A pair of new gauntlets. They should help me hit a little
harder.
* Nyyx shrugs. "You?"
* Brute grins impishly, and stands in front of Charlotte.  "I got
something fun." He clicks his heels and disappears.
<Brute> "Behind you!"
* Nyyx turns. "Ah. Very good."
* Brute appears to be approximately 20 feet behind Charlotte, and
returns on foot.
* Charlotte turns. "Ooh, nice."
<Brute> "I got other things, too, but I'd have to hurt you to show
how they work, and I dun think that's a good idea."
<Charlotte> Yeah....
<Charlotte> It's good that we have this stuff now, though. I can
sneak around just fine, but if I can't see anything, then there's not
much point
Session Close: Sat Sep 29 22:33:38 2007