Difference between revisions of "Holes/Session 9"

A fragment of the Garden of Remembering
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<pre>
{{holes nav
|top=true
|previous=Holes/Session 8
|next=Holes/Session 10
}}
 
<screenplay>
EXT. Coffle - day
 
The city is much bigger than anything they've seen before on this particular world, nestled around a harbour and possibly something of a trading hub, or what passes for one in these parts. Low meaningless walls line the perimeter, holes filled in with fencing, from the look of it largely only intended to keep out wildlife.
 
The buildings are fairly uninteresting, but the city's lamps appear to be somewhat advanced - either magical or electrical.
 
The party comes in on a main road. It's a short walk into the gates. A guy passes on something that might be a horse on the way in, but he's in too much of a hurry to acknowledge them.
 
RHU
(muttering)
Egotistical city person, thinks he's too good for everybody...
 
Two guards stand by the gate and give the party strange looks, but don't say or do anything else.
 
RHU
(to the guards)
Hello! Do you know where we are?
 
GUARD ANDRE KELSOF
No! I have no idea!
 
Kelsof backs away slightly. The other guard looks at him suspiciously.
 
AMADI
(muttering)
I know where we are.
 
RHU
Ah, well. Same here, I suppose. Is there a good inn in town?
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
This is Coffle, seat of Deslan. Which I'm sure you've never heard of.
 
GUARD ANDRE KELSOF
Ugh, more?
 
RHU
Pleased to meet you, Seat of Deslan. My name is Rhu, and I am a servant of Hazz'ridan the Magnificent. My companions and I are from normal places via Sarathi, which is full of holes.
 
Kelsof gives Rhu one look, groans, and leaves.
 
AMADI
I'm not from there. I'm from elsewhere.
 
RADEK
Well, I'm sure you've never heard of electrical power, so perhaps we can both be disappointed.
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Coffle is the seat of the country. Deslan is the country. Ignore him. He's tired of visitors... like you.
 
GREIBEL
Why does a country need to sit down?
 
RHU
Oh! My apologies. Why so? Have there been a lot of visitors lately?
 
THE GRAVEDIGGER
(muttering)
Hrmph. Visitors have a choice.
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Not so many. Just enough to try the nerves with these questions. Each time, always the same. 'How do I get home?' 'Where is this?' 'Do you have a gate?' 'Excuse me, but where's the terminal?'
 
AMADI
Questions are important. You shouldn't... should...
Questions. Ask questions.
 
RADEK
Oh? Interesting.
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
We actually did have a gate, you know. Went down shortly before you lot started coming in. Fancy that.
 
AMADI
What time is it?!


Apheori (GM): So y'all are in a roofless farmhouse or some such. Radek just demagicked a thingy and let a ghost go.
And I am awake.
Frezak (GM): So what are we about to enter this town /for/ ?
(From Ellemerr): Am I present?
Apheori (GM): It's a much bigger thing, a city by the coast, possibly something of a trading hub, though hell if I know if any of you would realise that.
Gaurav: Awakedness is overrated.
After two days of hanging out in a village, *any* city would seem pretty big and impressive to us I think.
Apheori (GM): This would be a place to go to try to get more information - from folks such as wizards, priests, or madmen on the streets, or possibly even more. There may be more.
Gaurav: Did we land CAR? Or is it still hovering in mid-air about the ghost?
Apheori (GM): Car is landed in the house.
The ghost is gone. Radek let it go.
Gaurav: The recently re-departed.
Apheori (GM): The others may still be sitting in the car, but Radek and Amadi are by the door.
To the house.
On the ground.
Gaurav: Frezak: I think we just got tired of the village and the tree mostly :P But also we're hoping to (1) get off of this planet, (2) figure out what this planet is named, (3) report our Sarathi findings to HQ and find out what the latest is, (4) figure out what time and place we've arrived at and if the Sarathi quest even makes sense any more
(To Ellemerr): Amadi doesn't remember who anyone is and is basically acting bemused and interested, like everything is curious and new. She has also been flirting with the others for some reason. You can continue that or not if you'd like.
Gaurav: DM: ah! for some reason, I thought both had leaped from a flying car in their quest for ghostly justice. I like your version better. Fewer broken bones.
Ganelon: I would never do something as reckless as rely on my ability to survive a fall.
Of any significant distance.
Apheori (GM): Anything more than, oh, 15cm?
Rhu turns off CAR, locks it, takes the keys out of the ignition &c.
Apheori (GM): I just found an octopus beak in my sandwich.
Ganelon: Anything greater than the length from my feet to my knees, more like.
Rhu: DM: make a wish!
Bear Soup Guy: XD
Gaurav: Gan: phew. I was a little worried that the first large step we discovered might knock you out of commission.
Apheori (GM): >.>
(From Ellemerr): I like that she forgets who people are. Because I do too.
Apheori (GM): Heheh, indeed.
Ghah, wrong window.
(To Ellemerr): Er, that was to you.
Ellemerr: It happens.
Frezak (GM): Sooooo.
(From Ellemerr): For me? Really? I shall cherish it forever.
Frezak (GM): Off to town we go?
Apheori (GM): Off! I hope.
Rhu: Yes. Civilization! Paved streets! Internet access! I can't wait.
Frezak (GM): Let's go be friendly.
Ganelon: Internet access. Pff, sure.
Apheori (GM): It's about a five minute walk to the road, and from there not much further to the city. A guy passes you all on a horse on the way in, but he's in too much of a hurry to acknowledge you.
Two guards stand by the gate and give you strange looks, but don't say or do anything else.
Rhu mutters "egotistical city person, thinks he's too good for everybody ..."
Frezak (GM): Someone eloquent and non-monstrous should ask them what the town is called >.>
Apheori (GM): Like Amadi?
Gaurav: Do they not react to Gravy?
Ganelon: Look at our party and tell me if that's an even slightly reasonable expectation to have.
Apheori (GM): They give him weird looks.
Frezak (GM): Rave: would YOU fuck with Gravy?
Ellemerr: You could ask Amadi to ask, but I do not promise you any eloquence.
Frezak (GM): "Hey, you, giant horned muscly guy. Don't.... uh... nevermind."
Rhu is the most normal person here.
Comparatively.
Apheori (GM): XD
Frezak (GM): Since it's not obvious he talks to people that aren't there.
Gaurav: The villagers seemed to not know what he was; Im wondering if the city has had horned visitors before/regulaly
Rhu: (to guards) Hello! Do you know where we are?
Frezak (GM): Town guards better know where and what their city is >.>
Apheori (GM): From their reactions, it appears they don't normally see quite this, but they're also not entirely put off by it...
Guard: No! I have no idea!
Amadi mutters to herself, "I know where we are."
Guard backs away slightly.
Guard looks at his companion suspiciously.
Rhu: Ah, well. Same here, I suppose. Is there a good inn in town?
Apheori (GM): Hmm, maybe I should differentiate between the guards.
Ellemerr: Guard and Guard companion? xD
Gaurav: Casimir and Pulaski
Other guard rolls his eyes and says, "Yeah, there's a few."
Frezak (GM): Hebert and Hebret.
Other guard: This is Coffle, by the way.
Seat of Deslan.
Which I'm sure you've never heard of.
Frezak (GM): GUYS
GUYS GUYS GUYS
LOOK FOR A LAMP-POST
Guard: Ugh, more?
Frezak (GM): I WANT SOME TURKISH DELIGHT
Apheori (GM): What.
Rhu: Pleased to meet you, Seat of Deslan. My name is Rhu, and I am a servant of Hazz'ridan the Magnificent. My companions and I are from normal places via Sarathi, which is full of holes.
Ellemerr: I want summer, not winter. And pizza.
Radek: Well, I'm sure you've never heard of electrical power, so perhaps we can both be disappointed.
Amadi chimes in, "I'm not from there. I'm from elsewhere."
Apheori (GM): There are lamp posts! The lamps appear to be somewhat advanced - either magical or electrical.
Guard groans and leaves.
Ganelon: Huh.
Well they don't have flying cars.
Rhu watches the guard walk away
Other guard: Coffle is the seat of the country. Deslan is the country
Ignore him. He's tired of visitors... like you.
Rhu: Oh! My apologies.
Why so? Have there been a lot of visitors lately?
Greibel: Why does a country need to sit down?
Other guard: Not so many. Just enough to try the nerves with these questions.
The Gravedigger mutters. "Hrmph. Visitors have a choice."
Other guard: Each time, always the same. 'How do I get home?' 'Where is this?' 'Do you have a gate?' 'Excuse me, but where'ś the terminal?'
Amadi: Questions are important. You shouldn't... should... Questions. Ask questions.
Radek: Oh? Interesting.
Amadi: What time is it?!
Other guard: We actually did have a gate, you know. Went down shortly before you lot started coming in. Fancy that.
Amadi fidgets.
Amadi fidgets.
Rhu: When did "we lot" start coming in?
 
And, err
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Other guard: 20 to seven, my lady.
20 to seven, my lady.
Amadi: Oh.
 
Rhu: where _is_ the terminal? Do you have a satellite uplink around these parts?
AMADI
Gaurav: Amadi: time to get a new watch
Oh.
Amadi turns from the guard, sullenly.
 
The Gravedigger: They don't have one.
Amadi turns from the guard sullenly.
Wrong world.
 
Apheori (GM): Did I ever say when the cataclysm was?
RHU
It was around then. 3 years?
When did 'we lot' start coming in? And, err... where ''is'' the terminal? Do you have a satellite uplink around these parts?
I dunno.
 
The Gravedigger: We're at the other end of the cosmic drain.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Radek: Does that mean you've never encountered outsiders who seemed... less than educated?
They don't have one. Wrong world. We're at the other end of the cosmic drain.
Other guard: Woah, slow down, will you?
 
This was about three years ago, and if I even KNEW what a terminal was...
RADEK
Satellite, now there's a new one.
Does that mean you've never encountered outsiders who seemed... less than educated?
Gaurav: DM: yup, three years! Although I've just realized we don't know what a "year" is on this planet. I wouldn't expect these hicks to use standard galactic time.
 
Other guard: 'Less than educated'? You could work for the council.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
It's like some had lost their minds, others never even had them...
Woah, slow down, will you? This was about three years ago, and if I even ''knew'' what a terminal was... satellite, now there's a new one. As for 'less than educated', you could work for the council. And yeah, there's been a few. That's why we got so many guards here, mostly. It's like some had lost their minds, others never even had them...  
Radek: Not surprising.
 
Other guard: Why, we got a guy just last week who seemed convinced he was a dog. Mighty hairy, too.
RADEK
Maybe he was a dog!
Not surprising.
Rhu: Any cats?
 
Amadi mutters to herself, "Tastes like burning. Minds wandering off, answers without questions... There's the taste. Burnt. Cut off the tongue."
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Other guard: My lady, are you quite okay?
Why, we got a guy just last week who seemed convinced he was a dog. Mighty hairy, too. Maybe he was a dog!
Amadi turns her head to the guard, asks dryly, "Are you?" and turns back.
 
Radek: Would you say that you've never seen someone like us who was impressed by whatever passes for high technology in this, er... "city"?
RHU
Other guard: Hah.
Any cats?
High technology? And what might that be?
 
(To Rhu): Mind the present. There's something here.
AMADI
Frezak (GM): I want to ask them about Ambaric power :P
(muttering to herself)
Radek: How should I know what you consider advanced? I arrived here yesterday.
Tastes like burning. Minds wandering off, answers without questions... There's the taste. Burnt. Cut off the tongue.
(To Rhu): (if that even worked. Can gods whisper?)
 
Other guard: And I'm a guard, not a technologist.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
They pay me to look pretty and drink.
My lady, are you quite okay?
Rhu looks around
 
Rhu: Who said that?
Amadi turns her head to the guard.
Radek sighs. "Do they all ask about 'terminals' and 'computers'?"
 
(To Rhu): You know. You have always known.
AMADI
Other guard: Some.
(dryly)
Radek: And the others?
Are you?
Rhu looks astonished, and his eye go wide
 
Other guard: Quite a few on about 'proxies' and 'avatars', too.
And then she turns back.
Amadi: (to Rhu) Voice. Did you ask a question?
 
Rhu: What? Sorry? No. Yes. Hang on.
RADEK
Other guard: Usually it's just home or passages.
Would you say that you've never seen someone like us who was impressed by whatever passes for high technology in this, er... "city"?
Rhu: I think I just heard Hazz'ridan's voice inside my head.
 
He said "Mind the present. There's something here."
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Rhu looks at Othor Guard again
Hah. High technology? And what might that be?
Rhu: He must mean you
 
(To Amadi): Mortals... useless, the lot of them.
RADEK
Amadi: I can hang. Swing. Ropes and ladders and air and dancing.
How should I know what you consider advanced? I arrived here yesterday.
Amadi giggles.
 
Amadi: But they're fun!
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Rhu: Tell us more about yourself, Sir ... ? Are you a native of this town?
I'm a guard, not a technologist. They pay me to look pretty and drink.
Amadi: Wouldn't be half so fun if they knew everything. Questions are... answers. Important.
 
(To Amadi): Try not to have too much fun with these, dear sister.
RADEK
(From Ellemerr): Did Ama use another name for Hazz, or is my memory screwed again=
(he sighs)
(To Ellemerr): Called him Hazz, but she might call him all sorts of things. Folks here call him Vitoi, elsewhere he's... other things...
Do they all ask about 'terminals' and 'computers'?
Ellemerr: It's not my fault! I... was dreaming... Now I'm here.
 
Amadi: It's not my fault! I... was dreaming... Now I'm here.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Rhu does a perception check of the area to see if we've missed something apart from the gate and the guard.
Some.
Other guard: No, I'm a native of the moon.
 
Rhu:
RADEK
rolling 1d20+12
And the others?
(
 
13
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
)
Quite a few on about 'proxies' and 'avatars', too. Usually it's just home or passages.
+12
 
=
HAZZ'RIDAN
25
(such that only Rhu can hear him)
Other guard looks at Rhu suspiciously.
''Mind the present. There's something here.
(From Ellemerr): 'Twas Vitoi I was thinking of. Thanks.
 
Rhu: (not really paying attention, since he's distracted by his search) Mmhmm, is that right? Which moon would that be?
Rhu looks around.
Apheori (GM): You've missed mostly just the rest of the city/town. Some folks are watching, others doing... city folk things. there's a guy with a pigeon on his head standing in the middle of he road further down.
 
Other guard: Brains, you heard of them?
RHU
Greibel: Ouch. Burn!
Who said that?
 
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Rhu can hear him)
''You know. You have always known.
 
Rhu looks astonished, and his eye go wide.
 
AMADI
(to Rhu)
Voice. Did you ask a question?
 
RHU
What? Sorry? No. Yes. Hang on. I think I just heard Hazz'ridan's voice inside my head. He said "Mind the present. There's something here."
(Rhu looks at the guard again)
He must mean you.
 
AMADI
I can hang. Swing. Ropes and ladders and air and dancing.
 
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Amadi can hear him)
''Mortals... useless, the lot of them.
 
AMADI
(she giggles)
But they're fun!
Wouldn't be half so fun if they knew everything. Questions are... answers. Important.
 
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Amadi can hear him)
''Try not to have too much fun with these, dear sister.
 
AMADI
It's not my fault! I... was dreaming... Now I'm here.
 
RHU
Tell us more about yourself, Sir...? Are you a native of this town?
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
No, I'm a native of the moon.
 
Versouss looks at Rhu suspiciously. Rhu looks around to see if there's anything important that they missed. ''(rolled 25 perception)'' It's mostly just normal city. Some folks are watching, others doing... city folk things. There's a guy with a pigeon on his head standing in the middle of the road further down.
 
RHU
(not really paying attention, since he's distracted by his search)
Mhmm, is that right? Which moon would that be?
 
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Brains, you heard of them?
 
GREIBEL
Ouch. Burn!
 
Rhu keeps looking around, although every once in a while his eyes drift back to the pigeon man.
Rhu keeps looking around, although every once in a while his eyes drift back to the pigeon man.
The Gravedigger: Excuse him.
 
He's a little insane and people can live on moons where we come from.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Is there anyone that can tell us about the Cataclysm?
Excuse him. He's a little insane and people can live on moons where we come from. Is there anyone that can tell us about the Cataclysm? Scholars or magisters?
Scholars or magisters?
 
Rhu: Ah, yes. What? Sorry? Oh. Not right now, please. Yes, you're clearly not who Hazz'ridan is talking about. Thank you all the same.
RHU
Amadi: Shouldn't live on moons. Bad dreams.
Ah, yes. What? Sorry? Oh. Not right now, please. Yes, you're clearly not who Hazz'ridan is talking about. Thank you all the same.
Other guard looks up at Gravy, startles slightly, and then nods gratefully.
 
Other guard: You can try the temples, or the College. Philosophers might know more, but they're generally pretty... well...
AMADI
Other guard looks at the guy with the pigeon on his head.
Shouldn't live on moons. Bad dreams.
Other guard: Loony?
 
Amadi: Asking questions. Always. Nothing good can come of it. Knowledge is bad for you.
Versouss looks up at Gravy, startles slightly at the sight of his head, and then nods gratefully.
Other guard: There's also Nadrine - a newcomer like yourselves, who speaks of wayfarers and rarely makes much sense.
 
But she's still alive, if you want to give her a try.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
The Gravedigger: Thanks.
You can try the temples, or the College. Philosophers might know more, but they're generally pretty... well...
Frezak (GM): College, philosphers or yet another crazy lady?
(he looks skeptically at the guy with the pigeon on his head)
Rhu: (to Amadi, not taking his eyes off pigeon man) Knowledge is good for you. An unknown path is just a road. You can't discover the dead end until you know the whole road.
Loony?
(To Amadi): God addled.
 
Gaurav: I am a fan of crazy ladies, but I understand I might be in a minority here.
AMADI
Other guard nods and turns to yell at the guy with the pigeon on his head, who runs off.
Asking questions. Always. Nothing good can come of it. Knowledge is bad for you.
Ellemerr: You're not. Trust me on this one.
 
I'm less certain of the characters, though.
RHU
(to Amadi, not taking his eyes off pigeon man)
Knowledge is good for you. An unknown path is just a road. You can't discover the dead end until you know the whole road.
 
Amadi shakes her head sadly at Rhu.
Amadi shakes her head sadly at Rhu.
Radek: We have a diverse selection of madmen at our disposal. Of what consequence is another to add to our collection?
 
Amadi: You don't know. Be glad.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Apheori (GM): A pigeon lands on Greibel's head.
There's also Nadrine - a newcomer like yourselves, who speaks of wayfarers and rarely makes much sense. But she's still alive, if you want to give her a try.
Rhu shouts at the fleeing pigeon man: "WAIT!"
 
Greibel looks up cautiously
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Greibel: PIGEON HEAD! YEAH!
Thanks.
The pigeon leans foward.
 
The pigeon pecks at the porridge.
Versouss nods again and turns to yell at the guy with the pigeon on his head, who runs off into an alley.
Greibel strokes its beak
 
Greibel: Hey now, you guys play nice.
RHU
Radek: You're not turning me off knowledge, girl.
(shouting after the fleeing pigeon man)
Just the company of lunatics.
WAIT!
 
RADEK
We have a diverse selection of madmen at our disposal. Of what consequence is another to add to our collection?
 
AMADI
You don't know. Be glad.
 
RADEK
You're not turning me off knowledge, girl. Just the company of lunatics.
 
A pigeon lands on Greibel's head. He looks up cautiously.
 
GREIBEL
PIGEON HEAD! YEAH!
 
Greibel strokes its beak.
 
The pigeon leans foward and pecks at the porridge.
 
GREIBEL
Hey now, you guys play nice.
 
The porridge opens up and eats the pigeon.
The porridge opens up and eats the pigeon.
Greibel: Hmmm....
 
Hungry little fella
GREIBEL
Frezak (GM): NO surprise there.
Hmmm... hungry little fella.
Amadi gives the porridge a smile. "Tastes like burning."
 
Pigeon philosopher runs into an alley.
Amadi
Rhu: I think we should go after that guy!
(smiling at the porridge)
Tastes like burning.
 
The porridge beams at Amadi without eyes.
 
RHU
I think we should go after that guy!
 
The Gravedigger shrugs.
The Gravedigger shrugs.
The Gravedigger: Then you better get running.
 
The porridge beams at Amadi without eyes.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Rhu: Okay. Don't leave without me!
Then you better get running.
Rhu takes off after the pigeon guy
 
Apheori (GM): Rhu follows the guy into an alley and finds that he's cornered.
RHU
The guy, that is.
Okay. Don't leave without me!
Gaurav: yay! so often it is the other way around.
 
Apheori (GM): He's standing at the end staring at a dead end.
Rhu takes off after the pigeon guy and chases him into an alley.
Ganelon: Aw, and we were so close to him getting ambushed by thugs.
 
Gaurav: WOAH
The others follow after Rhu at a walk.
Apheori (GM): More pigeons are landing around him.
 
Rhu: ... excuse me?
Amadi frowns, and nods to Greibel and the porridge on his shoulder.
Apheori (GM): It's a bit dark because the buildings are pretty close together.
 
Rhu: Sir?
AMADI
Apheori (GM): The guy doesn't respond. Then a pigeon lands on Rhu's head as well.
Your friend has the gist of it, you know.
Pigeon philosopher screams, "HEAD PIGEONS!" and starts trying to claw through the wall.
 
Amadi frowns, and nods to Greibel and the bit of food on his shoulder. "Your friend has the gist of it, you know."
The porridge jiggles.
Rhu: Excuse me. I ... I think you might be important to my ques-- hey!
 
 
EXT. Dead end alley - day
 
Rhu corners the pigeon guy at the end of an alley. It's a bit dark because the buildings are pretty close together here.
 
The guy is just sort of staring at the wall, with pigeons landing all around him.
 
RHU
...excuse me? Sir?
 
The guy doesn't respond. Then a pigeon lands on Rhu's head as well.
 
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
(screaming)
HEAD PIGEONS!
 
RHU
Excuse me. I... I think you might be important to my ques-
 
The guy suddenly starts trying to claw through the wall.
 
RHU
Hey!
(yelling)
GUYS! A LITTLE HELP HERE!
GUYS! A LITTLE HELP HERE!
Rhu tries to restrain pigeon guy
 
Guard pushes past Rhu and grabs the guy, pulling him away from the wall.
Rhu tries to restrain pigeon guy.
Guard: Again, Freidel? Really?
 
You know the mushrooms aren't good for you...
A guard pushes past Rhu and grabs the guy, pulling him away from the wall.
Rhu: Hey! Be gentle! He's ... important!
 
Guard: Sure, sure, he is. He's also due for a nice lie in the dungeons to sleep it all off.
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
Guard pulls the guy past Rhu.
Again, Freidel? Really? You know the mushrooms aren't good for you...
The porridge jiggles.
 
Rhu: Where are the dungeons?
RHU
What's his name?
Hey! Be gentle! He's... important!
Who are you?
 
Guard ignores Rhu and heads off, half pulling, half-dragging the guy.
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
Pigeon philosopher mumbles about pidgeons and holes and the nature of spinach.
Sure, sure, he is. He's also due for a nice lie in the dungeons to sleep it all off.
Greibel: Pigeon head guy!
 
Shame, we had so much in common
The guard pulls the guy past Rhu.
Pigeon philosopher: Waffle head moose!
 
Rhu: Holes! He said holes! Something about holes!
RHU
Pigeon philosopher waves at Greibel.
Where are the dungeons? What's his name? Who are you?
Greibel smiles
 
Pigeon philosopher: Ooooo, that sky. What a sky. What a...
The guard ignores Rhu and heads off, half pulling, half-dragging the guy.
Rhu follows the guard/pigeon guy combo to the end of the street and sees which direction they head off in.
 
Apheori (GM): At this point you could follow the guard/stoned guy or ignore them.
The pigeon philosopher mumbles about pidgeons and holes and the nature of spinach.
 
The rest of the party catches up.
 
GREIBEL
(after the philosopher being dragged away)
Pigeon head guy! Shame, we had so much in common.
 
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
Waffle head moose!
 
He waves at Greibel.
 
Greibel smiles.
 
RHU
Holes! He said holes! Something about holes!
 
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
Ooooo, that sky. What a sky. What a...
 
Rhu follows the guard/pigeon guy combo to the end of the street.
 
Amadi yawns.
Amadi yawns.
Frezak (GM): I doubt he's going anywhere.
 
College?
RHU
We might someone that doesn't talk to people who aren't there or rant about spinach for no reason.
I think we should follow the guy! I think he's important!
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You now know where the guardhouse is (dungeon in the basement).
 
Rhu: I think we should follow the guy! I think he's important!
The porridge gurgles.
The porridge gurgles.
Amadi: He had head-pigeons. If I gave advices I'd... flowers? Why isn't this a dream?
 
Frezak (GM): So we're gonna follow voices in your head?
AMADI
The Gravedigger: So we're gonna follow voices in your head?
He had head-pigeons. If I gave advices I'd... flowers? Why isn't this a dream?
Eh, whatever.
 
Let's go talk to the guy with pigeon-poop hair, then.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Frezak (GM): To the dungeons?
So we're gonna follow voices in your head? Eh, whatever. Let's go talk to the guy with pigeon-poop hair, then.
Rhu: To the dungeons!
 
Greibel: Espionage!
RHU
Radek: Surely this will be productive!
To the dungeons!
 
GREIBEL
Espionage!
 
RADEK
Surely this will be productive!
 
Radek grumbles.
Radek grumbles.
Gaurav: To be fair, it probably makes more sense to wait and see if pigeon guy is a little saner later and head to hte college first. But Rhu has no impulse control.
 
Apheori (GM): Aiight, y'all head that way. Hawkers try to hawk random baubles and food and crap at you, a woman bumps into Radek and then hastily moves away with a quick 'excuse me!', and there are no cats.
The party heads after the guard and the pigeon philosopher guy regardless. Hawkers try to hawk random baubles and food and crap at them. There are no cats.
Amadi frowns, watches the others going, turns to start in the other direction... And then comes along after all.
 
Frezak (GM): WAIT.
Amadi frowns, watches the others going, turns to start in the other direction... and then comes along after all.
Preception on the lady that bumped into Radek.
 
Because thieves.
Then a woman bumps into Radek and then hastily moves away.
Activating Eagle Eyes.
 
rolling 1D20+20
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
(
Excuse me!
19
 
)
The Gravedigger turns his soulful gaze to the woman and notices she seemed to be messing with Radek's bag. ''(rolled 39 perception)'' Somehow she managed to put something in it, even past the chrome stuff.
+20
 
=
The Gravedigger grabs her and picks her up. ''(rolled 17 vs reflex)'' She tries to twist away, then punches Gravy in the eye. This hardly hurts him, but she is clearly very annoyed.
39
 
Ganelon: What's she going to steal, my chrome?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Frezak (GM): YOUR AMGIC SHIZZLE
Do that again and I'm gonna put this shovel to use. Explain yourself.
Apheori (GM): Frezak: She put something in his bag.
 
Frezak (GM): *magic stuffs.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Ganelon: Actually I'm not even sure how I store crap.
What in the hells do you want?! Are you trying to get yourselves killed? Release me!
Apheori (GM): It got a bunch of silver coated on it, though.
 
Ganelon: I have a bag, sure, but is it also chrome?
RADEK
Apheori (GM): Yup.
What's wrong?
Gaurav: Your precious bodily fluids.
 
Frezak (GM): Gonna grab the woman.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
RAIN WATER AND GRAIN ALCOHOL.
She put something in your bag. Check your stuff.
rolling 1D20+5
 
(
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
12
I did nothing! You clearly are ahead of yourself. Now if you do not put me down...
)
 
+5
Radek checks his bag and finds a small paper-wrapped package. It's covered in chrome, though the chrome seems to be getting... thinner. He opens it. Inside he finds a small stone with a mask symbol carved into it.
=
 
17
Amadi strolls slowly up to Gravy and the lady with a wistful smile.
Greibel begins haggling with a merchant for a weird used hat to put on the porridge
 
Apheori (GM): You grab the woman. She tries to twist away, then punches Gravy in the eye.
AMADI
For basically no damage, but she's clearly annoyed.
I think I'm ahead of myself... but I'll probably catch up someday.
The Gravedigger: Do that again and I'm gonna put this shovel to use.
 
Explain yourself.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
The woman: What in the hells do you want?! Are you trying to get yourselves killed? Release me!
What?
Radek: What's wrong?
 
The Gravedigger: She put something in your bag.
Check your stuff.
The woman: I did nothing! You clearly are ahead of yourself.
Ganelon: Sure, I'll check my stuff.
The woman: Now if you do not put me down...
Apheori (GM): It's a small package wrapped in paper.
And chrome.
But mostly paper.
You also realise the chrome is getting... thinner.
On you, and on it.
Amadi strolls slowly up to Gravy and the lady and proclaims with a wistful smile that "I think I'm ahead of myself... but I'll probably catch up someday."
Apheori (GM): Greibel: What do you even have to haggle with? Supposing this could get interesting...
The woman: What?
Bear Soup Guy: I have....herbs?
The woman stops struggling and stares at Amadi.
The woman stops struggling and stares at Amadi.
The woman: You...
 
No, this is impossible.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Bear Soup Guy: Rare nature herbs!
You... no, this is impossible.
Apheori (GM): RAHB: He wants a hallucinogenic but doesn't want to call it that.
 
Bear Soup Guy: Are my rare herbs hallucinogenic?
Amadi narrows here eyes on the woman, staring long and hard.
Amadi narrows here eyes on the woman, staring long and hard. Finally she says, with utter certainty, "Apple pie."
 
Frezak (GM): WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE YOUNG LADY.
AMADI
Bear Soup Guy: XD
(with utter certainty)
Ganelon: So what's in the package?
Apple pie.
Also, damn. I'm running out of chrome and I have no idea how to get it back.
 
Other than walking through walls.
The woman looks at Amadi for a long moment.
Apheori (GM): RAHB: Probably. He certainly seems to think so, though he won't say it, instead insisting on various euphamism...
 
s
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
The woman looks at Amadi for a long moment, and then said, finally, "Oh."
Oh.
Greibel plays along with the various euphemisms
 
Greibel: You can definitely uh...become enriched and...enlightened by these, uh....materials. Man.
Amadi suddenly breaks out in uncontrollable giggles.
Amadi suddenly breaks out in uncontrollable giggles.
Apheori (GM): The guy becomes more insistent that these are not so extraordinary, and that there is utterly nothing wrong with wanting them.
 
Gaurav: Griebel: hehe. If the guy is being secretive about it, it might be illegal around these parts, keep an eye out for guards!
Meanwhile Greibel begins haggling with a merchant for a weird used hat to put on the porridge. He offers herbs, and the guy nods.
Bear Soup Guy: Probably but they seem to be having their fill with crazy people :)
 
Greibel: Yes, this is a transaction that may mutually benefit us.
HAT MERCHANT
Gaurav: BSG: fair point
Yes, yes, something like that would be great, but do you have... well, you know. Good for the dreams, nice... herbs. Not ones that put you to sleep, though. You know what I mean?
Apheori (GM): Greibel: You finally manage to make the transaction after the man finally turns bright red with embarrassment, and hastily waves for you to go away, this never happened, shoo.
 
Bear Soup Guy: HAT GET
Greibel nods and gets out some specific ones.
Greibel walks away, putting the hat lovingly atop Rasputin's non-head
 
Apheori (GM): Gravy and Greibel: You notice there's a woman with her hands on her hips staring at Greibel's... well, the guy he was dealing with... disappointedly.
GREIBEL
Frezak (GM): I doubt that;
You can definitely uh... become enriched and... enlightened by these, uh... materials. Man.
I'm still looking at the woman i'm grabbing.
 
Greibel: Hmmm
HAT MERCHANT
Frezak (GM): While I wait to see what Radek found.
No, no, these aren't so extraordinary, just simple herbs, absolutely nothing wrong with wanting them, of course.
Apheori (GM): You've got mad perception. You may not have noticed the context, but you saw here.
 
Bear Soup Guy: Well then
GREIBEL
Ganelon: Yes, this is a thing I must be told.
Yes, this is a transaction that may mutually benefit us.
Apheori (GM): Whereas Greibel saw here but may nto put it togethere.
 
Bear Soup Guy: Ah
HAT MERCHANT
Apheori (GM): Did you open the package?
They're just for... well, you know...
Oh, that was what you found in your stuff.
 
I could have been clearer on that.
He turns bright red with embarassment, hastily makes the trade, and shoos Greibel away with the hat.
A small paper-wrapped package.
 
Oh, you did open it.
Greibel walks back to the others, putting the hat lovingly atop Rasputin's non-head.
Sorry, too much stuff.
 
Apheori (GM): It contains... a rock.
Meanwhile a random woman who may or may not be the guy's wife puts her hands on her hips and stares disapprovingly at Greibel.
Ganelon: No worries.
 
...An ordinary rock?
GREIBEL
Apheori (GM): A round black one. Like a river rock. It has something carved into it.
Hmmm.
(From Amadi): So... do I actually have any idea why the woman reacted to me? xD
 
Ganelon: A magic rune, perhaps?
RADEK
I mean, it's either that or the image of a rubber duckling. Those are my guesses.
(holding the stone)
(To Amadi): At this point I don't even know why. Or what the rock is or what she wasdoing or anything. I mean, she probably recognised you as Eapherod, but... how or why, I have no idea.
What's the meaning of this?
Rhu looks at the rune to see if he can make any religious sense of it
 
Apheori (GM): Could be magic. Looks more like a symbol for something.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Rhu:
It's a rock. Let me go!
rolling 1d20+8 religion check
 
(
The Gravedigger lifts the woman, leaving her legs dangling in the air, and says nothing.
11
 
)
Some random passersby stop and watch.
+8
 
=
RADEK
19
It's a rock you wrapped in paper and put in my bag.
Apheori (GM): A stylised mask? Doesn't mean anything to you, though.
 
Radek: What's the meaning of this?
Amadi stops giggling just long enough to look at the symbol on the stone, then breaks into even harder laughter.
Ganelon: To the woman who put it there, of course.
 
The woman: It's a rock. Let me go!
The woman says nothing as well and just glares at Gravy.
Frezak (GM): I'll just lift her.
 
Legs dangling in the air.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
And say nothing.
Listen. I'm tired of all the crazy. My guys are either on drugs, talking to voices in their head, or talking gibberish. So if I don't have some clear answers for once I'm gonna take it out on you.
Apheori (GM): Some other folks have noticed this as well. But they're staying out of it. So far.
 
Radek: It's a rock you wrapped in paper and put in my bag.
The Gravedigger starts walking out of town, still holding the woman up off the ground. Two guards follow at a distance.
Amadi stops giggling just long enough to look at the image, then breaks into even harder laughter.
 
Apheori (GM): The woman says nothing as well and just glares at Gravy.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Frezak (GM): Does anyone have a good intimidate?
That's great. Really. But I don't have them.
Ganelon: I think we're all pretty thoroughly unlikable people.
 
At least as far as the stats are concerned.
RADEK
Gaurav: +0. I couldn't scare a toad.
Just because you're an uneducated rube doesn't mean I'm talking gibberish!
Ganelon: If the stats reflected things more accurately, Radek's charisma would not be as high as 10.
 
Frezak (GM): If I use Str for intimidate I'm still only +5.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Ganelon: Weird, considering who you are.
Shut it, Radek. So you don't know why you put this... whatever it is in his bag? It just seemed like a good idea or a slug was controlling your mind?
The Gravedigger: Listen.
 
I'm tired of all the crazy. my guys are either on drugs, talking to voices in their head, or talking gibberish.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
So if I don't have some clear answers for once I'm gonna take it out on you.
If you would put me down, perhaps we can talk. Or, if you would simply learn how to read...
The woman: That's great. Really.
 
But I don't have them.
Radek checks the paper to see if it had anything written on it, but it's completely wrecked by the chrome substance.
Radek: Just because you're an uneducated rube doesn't mean I'm talking gibberish!
 
The Gravedigger: Shut it, Radek.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
So you don't know why you put this.. whatever it is in his bag?
You're clearly fully able to talk up here. Start now or see what happens when I run out of patience.
It just seemed like a good idea or a slug was controlling your mind?
 
The woman: If you would put me down, perhaps we can talk.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Or, if you would simply learn how to read...
You mean like you getting arrested, for one?
Apheori (GM): Radek: The paper appears to have been a note, but it got wrecked.
 
The Gravedigger: You're clearly fully able to talk up here.
RADEK
Start now or see what happens when I run out of patience.
(holding what may or may not have even been a note)
The woman: You mean like you getting arrested, for one?
This is absolutely illegible.
Ganelon: Wrecked to the point that it's impossible to read?
 
Frezak (GM): I'm gonna start walking out of town, still holding the woman up there.
The guards draw some sort of magic rods from their holsters.
Apheori (GM): A pair of guards have been watching, it seems, but given that all Gravy has done so far is pick the woman up, they haven't really done anything...
 
But now they start moving, drawing... sticks, apparently, from their holsters...
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Frezak (GM): Sticks?
(to the guards)
Apheori (GM): The note is illegible, yeah. The chrome wrecked it.
Don't mind me. Just doing your job for you.
Rods.
 
Frezak (GM): Do they look like whacking rods or magic focus rods?
The guards hesitate slightly.
Apheori (GM): Probably magic.
 
A bit short for whacking, though it'd work.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Radek: This is absolutely illegible.
Will you just put me down?
The Gravedigger: Don't mind me. Just doing your job for you.
 
Frezak (GM): That was directed at them.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
The woman: Will you just put me down?
Nope, not interested anymore.
Apheori (GM): The guards hesitate slightly.
 
The Gravedigger: Nope, not interested anymore.
The Gravedigger keeps walking.
Frezak (GM): Gonna keep walking.
 
Dammit, I thought giant horned guys were scary.
RHU
Rhu: Maybe we should take this to a bar or somewhere. Somewhere less quiet but less threatening.
Maybe we should take this to a bar or somewhere. Somewhere less quiet but less threatening. May... be... the dungeons? There's a man I want to see about a pigeon.
Apheori (GM): This is probably why they're only following at this point...
 
Rhu: May .. be .. the dungeons? There's a man I want to see about a pigeon.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
The Gravedigger: I'm gonna need open space for this.
I'm gonna need open space for this. A nice big open patch of dirt...
A nice big open patch of dirt...
 
Apheori (GM): Okay, how do you do an encounter in a street full of people?
Amadi lies down on the street, laughing. She calms slowly, still shaking a little. And then she disappears.
Well, not encounter.
 
Battle-thing.
The guards raise their rods. At first one points his at Radek and the other at the Gravedigger, then both point them at Radek.
Fight. Blasting.
 
Lasers!
'''''Gaurav''' (Rhu): Some hostage.
Ganelon: That's what 4E calls an encounter.
 
Apheori (GM): Oh.
'''''Ganelon''' (Radek): Ooh, big mistake. Nobody likes Radek.
Okay.
 
Frezak (GM): Make a street.
GUARD AMARIN STREL
Just.. draw some lines.
Stop now.
Ganelon: And you just... do it. People roll initiative, there are enemies. If there are obstacles, you'll want to draw them on the map layer.
 
I recommend using the "Draw Shape" tool since it makes nice boxes. Or circles.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Also, holding shift snaps them to the grid.
Sure. As soon as the lady says why she was messing with his stuff.
Ellemerr: Amadi has lay down on the street, laughing. She calms slowly, still shaking a little. And then she disappears.
 
And I'll brb.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Frezak (GM): HAH
Oh, for the light, will you all stop this!
Ganelon: Those boxes are not grid-aligned, but they are boxes.
 
You can also use the polygon/line tool to make... still-straight but non-box shapes.
RADEK
Right click "finishes" the line.
What are those, wands?
Ctrl-z lets you undo steps in one.
 
If there are no meaningful obstacles, none of this is necessary.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Apheori (GM): Blargh.
(to the guards)
Ganelon: Though this map size would make for a really big street.
Put those away! I'm with the Order! In the name of the Council of Ancients, I command you to stand down!
Pfft, this is nothing. You should see all the nonsense I've drawn for my campaign.
 
Frezak has his pretty pictures while I just have lines.
The guards hastily put their rods away.
Apheori (GM): I'm just too tired to sort it out.
 
Meh, nevermind.
RHU
Bear Soup Guy: IS IT TIME TO FIGHT GUARDS
What is a breakfast?
Apheori (GM): Almost.
 
Bear Soup Guy: :D
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Apheori (GM): They raise their weapons and point them at Radek.
I was delivering a message. A warning. I don't know what it is and I don't know why, but that is what it is. Now. Put me down.
Frezak (GM): What?
 
That doesn't make any sense >.>
The Gravedigger lets out a long, drawn-own sign and then puts her down.
Apheori (GM): You have a hostage.
 
Guard: Stop now.
As soon as he lets go, she vanishes.
Apheori (GM): Now they have one too.
 
Maybe.
The guards make warding gestures as soon as she does.
Gaurav: Some hostage.
 
Ganelon: Ooh, big mistake. Nobody likes Radek.
RHU
The Gravedigger: Sure.
(to guards, pointing at the space hitherto occupied by the woman)
As soon as the lady says why she was messing with his stuff.
Does she do that often?
Frezak (GM): Yeah.
 
The woman: Oh, for the light, will you all stop this!
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
Frezak (GM): The guards have just hired Greibel :p
The Order... they... do as they do.
Radek: What are those, wands?
 
Apheori (GM): Hired?
The woman: (to the guards) Put those away!
In the name of the Council of Ancients, I command you to stand down!
Apheori (GM): The guards hastily put their rods away.
Frezak (GM): Oh, great.
Rhu:
rolling 1d20+3 history check to see if I know what a "Council of Ancients" is
(
3
)
+3
=
6
Bear Soup Guy: Rhu can't remember breakfast
Apheori (GM): Rhu: It makes you think of butter for some reason.
Frezak (GM): IT WAS PORRIDGE
Bear Soup Guy: XD
Ganelon: "What did we have for breakfast?"
"Nutrients."
Rhu: What is a breakfast?
The woman: (to Gravy) I was delivering a message. A warning. I don't know what it is and I don't know why, butthat is what it is.
Now.
Put me down.
Frezak (GM): Long, drawn out sigh.
And I'll put her down.
Apheori (GM): Do you also let go?
Frezak (GM): yeah
Apheori (GM): She vanishes as soon as you do.
Ganelon: And on the first of February, 2014, Frezak experienced the joys of a healthy grab-based playstyle, if only for a few minutes.
Apheori (GM): The guards make warding gestures when this happens.
Ganelon: Except not really.
Rhu: (to guards, pointing at the space hitherto occupied by the woman) Does she do that often?
Ganelon: I assume you mean like, religious "lord protect me" warding gestures?
Apheori (GM): Looks like.
Ganelon: I'll approach a guard.
Guard: She was a mystic! They... do as they do.
Apheori (GM): There's a hole in my ankle.
A guard watches Radek.
Ganelon: That sounds like a terrible place for a hole to me.
Be*
Radek points at the guard's rod.
Radek points at the guard's rod.
Radek: That's a weapon, right?
 
Who made it?
RADEK
Guard: Rorik.
That's a weapon, right? Who made it?
Or his sons.
 
Radek: Magical in nature?
GUARD AMARIN STREL
Guard: Standard two-length quickshot.
Rorik. Or his sons.
Shoot magic. Does that make it magic?
 
Look, I'm sorry, okay?
RADEK
It's your friend you should worry about.
Magical in nature?
Radek: No, no, I don't even care about that. Tell me where I can find this Rorik.
 
Apheori (GM): A pigeon lands on Radek's head.
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
Guard: Down Enth Street. There's a really big sign.
(calming down)
Ganelon: I'll grab at it, try to throw it off.
Standard two-length quickshot, shoots magic. Does that make it magic?
Guard: Between that and the odd explosions, you can't miss it.
Look, I'm sorry, okay? It's your friend you should worry about.
Apheori (GM): The pigeon falls off on its own and hits the ground, ded.
 
dead
RADEK
Rhu: Huh.
No, no, I don't even care about that. Tell me where I can find this Rorik.
Don't touch it, it might be sick.
 
Radek: Blasted vermin.
A pigeon lands on Radek's head.
The woman appears again out of nowhere, hands Rhu a package instead, and disappears again, muttering to herself irritatedly.
 
Rhu: Thank you.
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
Rhu looks down at package.
Down Enth Street. There's a really big sign. Between that and the odd explosions, you can't miss it.
Bear Soup Guy picks up the dead pigeon to feed it to Rasputin
 
Bear Soup Guy: errr
They guards eye Radek and especially the Gravedigger worriedly, but then they leave them alone.
Apheori (GM): It's another letter-wrapped rock.
 
Greibel: does that
Radek tries to grab at the pigeon and throw it off, but then it just tumbles off and hits the cobbles, dead.
Greibel does that
 
Bear Soup Guy: I KNOW HOW TO THINGS
RHU
Rhu unwraps it careful, in case that helps the paper not to get crumpled.
Huh. Don't touch it, it might be sick.
The porridge eats most of the pigeon except for the feet, which it breaks off with a crunch and spits on the ground.
 
Apheori (GM): This rock has a slightly different symbol on it - some sort of bird, and an extra little note stuck to it that says 'extra, not sure what this goes to'.
RADEK
Rhu shows it to everybody, then puts it away.
Blasted vermin.
Apheori (GM): The larger note/letter thing appears to be a set of instructions, saying to be careful, don't stand out, don't get noticed, go to a place, and some bad poetry.
 
Frezak (GM): I DEMAND TO HEAR THE POETRY
Greibel picks up the dead pigeon and feeds it to Rasputin. The porridge eats most of the pigeon except for the feet, which it breaks off with a crunch and spits out on the ground.
Bear Soup Guy: ^
 
Gaurav: Any information on hwat sort of place we should go to?
The mysterious woman reappears out of nowhere, hands Rhu a package instead, and disappears again, muttering to herself irritatedly.
Apheori (GM): Oh dear.
 
It's a street address. Apparently in the city.
RHU
Rhu: Oooooh.
Thank you.
Apheori (GM): http://wiki.zaori.org/compendium/Repeats_of_the_world
 
That.
Rhu looks down at package. It's another letter-wrapped stone. He unwraps it carefully.
That's at the bottom of the note.
 
Rhu: I still think we should head to the dungeons first.
This rock has a slightly different symbol on it - some sort of bird, and an extra little note stuck to it that says 'extra, not sure what this goes to'.
Apheori (GM): It may not even be poetry.
 
The shoulders in the sand on the repeats of the world...
Rhu shows it to everybody, then puts the rock away.
There's a blisters of something memory...
 
Look at the characters whip thy bum...
The larger note appears to be a set of instructions with what may or may not be bad poetry at the bottom:
Kumquats devouring mundial smiley-faces.
 
Frezak (GM): Sure, let's go to the dungeons.
: ''To progress:
Greibel is enraptured by the poetry and ponders at its layers of significance
 
Gaurav: We should totally go to this mysterious address first! Rhu has an awful taste in places to go.
: ''&bull; Take closest care.
Apheori (GM): Y'all head to the dungeons!
: ''&bull; Do not stand out, or get noticed.
Also you notice Amadi is gone. Do you care?
: ''&bull; Go to the juncture of 5th and Salma, and the way will open.
Ganelon: Radek would probably rather just talk to someone who can make magic tools.
 
Well, she comes and goes.
: ''The shoulders in the sand on the repeats of the world...
He still follows these clowns, though.
: ''There's a blisters of something memory...
Apheori (GM): Quite.
: ''Look at the characters whip thy bum...
Ellemerr: I am back. Amadi is not. Maybe she will be.
 
Gaurav: Rhu totally hasn't noticed yet. It's been an exciting few minutes! DId we ever figure out what happend with htat woman who was checking Griebel out?
: ''Kumquats devouring mundial smiley-faces.
Apheori (GM): You head into the building and there's a bunch of guards at a table. A couple glare, another smiles amiably, and the one from before sighs and asks if you're hear about the pigeon philosopher.
 
here
RHU
Gaurav: Nothing with that woman, no.
Oooooh.
Rhu: Yes! Him. The guy with the ... *makes a pigeon-on-head gesture*
I still think we should head to the dungeons first.
Guard: Down there. Just... don't let him out. Or anyone else. Or do anything stupid.
 
Please.
Greibel is enraptured by the poetry and ponders at its layers of significance.
 
 
INT. Coffle constabulary no.2 - day
 
The place is full of a guards. There's a desk at front with one asleep with his feet up on it. Another bunch of guards are at a table. Several others are loitering around. They all seem to be quite bored.
 
A couple look annoyed at the intrusion, another smiles amiably, and the one from the pigeon philosopher incident just sighs.
 
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
You here for Freidel?
 
RHU
Yes! Him. The guy with the...
 
Rhu gestures over his head.
 
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
(indicating a hallway)
Down there. Just... don't let him out. Or anyone else. Or do anything stupid. Please.
I don't want to get up.
I don't want to get up.
Radek: I refuse to be held accountable if any of these three do something stupid.
 
Rhu: I fully understand.
RADEK
Guard snorts.
I refuse to be held accountable if any of these three do something stupid.
Apheori (GM): A couple of the others now look slightly concerned.
 
Rhu walks down corridors pigeon-philosopher-wards
RHU
Ganelon: Radek isn't too concerned about Gravy doing stupid things, but it's best to cover all the bases.
I fully understand.
Apheori (GM): The guy is passed out face-down in a cell.
 
The door isn't even locked, just shut.
Karekov snorts. A couple of the others now look slightly concerned, but clearly they don't actually want to get up either.
Rhu: Hullo? Mister? Pigeon-guy?
 
Apheori (GM): He's passed out.
The party heads down the hall into the prison.
Gaurav: HULLO?
 
oops
The philosopher is passed out face-down in a cell. The cell door isn't even locked, just shut.
Rhu: HULLO?
 
Apheori (GM): He's still passed out.
RHU
Rhu: ... maybe we should go check out that mysterious address until he wakes up. Now that we know where he is.
Hullo? Mister? Pigeon-guy?
Frezak (GM): Sure.
 
Radek: What exactly makes you believe his insight is valuable?
The pigeon philosopher fails to respond on account of being passed out.
Rhu: Hazz'ridan spoke to me earlier and said that there was something important around somewhere. I think it might be him. I'm not sure.
 
Also: pigeons. I wonder if he's a druid; if so, he might know something about the little tree on the big tree above the rift, which might tell us something about the rift.
RHU
Radek: ...This is why I don't deal with druids and priests.
HULLO?
Ganelon: Visions and pigeons.
 
Rhu: Look at this man in this cage, and tell me that Hazz'ridan has not lead us to a glorious dead end.
The philosopher continues to be passed out.
 
RHU
...maybe we should go check out that mysterious address until he wakes up. Now that we know where he is.
 
RADEK
What exactly makes you believe his insight is valuable?
 
RHU
Hazz'ridan spoke to me earlier and said that there was something important around somewhere. I think it might be him. I'm not sure. Also... I wonder if he's a druid? If so, he might know something about the little tree on the big tree above the rift, which might tell us something about the rift.
 
RADEK
...This is why I don't deal with druids and priests.
 
'''''Ganelon''' (Radek): Visions and pigeons.
 
RHU
Look at this man in this cage, and tell me that Hazz'ridan has not lead us to a glorious dead end.
 
The Gravedigger sighs.
The Gravedigger sighs.
Greibel: Well...no arguments there.
 
Gaurav: So: to the mysterious address?
GREIBEL
Ganelon: Yeah.
Well... no arguments there.
Apheori (GM): I think I need a nap. Or a break or something. I'm too tired to continue properly. >.<
 
Ganelon: Alright.
 
Gaurav: I'm okay with coming back later today or taking a break to Tuesday. I'm probably just headed to my lab to work next.
EXT. The Garden - Nightmare
(From Amadi): The dream is of the moon. Or a moon, anyhow. Or something that would look like a moon at a distance - a crescent moon, to be exact. Some lady is sitting on it, dangling her feet over a black pond that is full of stars (unless they're not stars). She's dressed in a white fur. She speaks in a language I do not understand, or perhaps she's just making up nonsense words, since there's no language I don't know. Black birds with eyes in their talons circle around us, making me aware that I'm actually present. I'm standing on the lake. I must be, since there's nothing else. I feel naked, with the stars watching me from below, and small, very small. "I chose this," I tell the lady on the moon. She looks at me with pink eyes and answers with her gibberish words. Frustrated, I repeat myself: "I chose this!" One of the birds land on her head, crushing the eyes against her skull, spilling vitreous humour into her hair. I flinch away as another one comes for my own head.
 
(From Ellemerr): *shifty eyes* And I keep forgetting Frezak gets these as well.
Amadi Dreams.
(To Ellemerr): Oh dear.
 
Bear Soup Guy: I probably can't be back today if I go and start doing stuff
: ''The dream is of the moon. Or a moon, anyhow. Or something that would look like a moon at a distance - a crescent moon, to be exact. Some lady is sitting on it, dangling her feet over a black pond that is full of stars (unless they're not stars). She's dressed in a white fur. She speaks in a language I do not understand, or perhaps she's just making up nonsense words, since there's no language I don't know.
But works for me
 
(From Ellemerr): I was in a mood. Sorry. xD
: ''Black birds with eyes in their talons circle around us, making me aware that I'm actually present. I'm standing on the lake. I must be, since there's nothing else. I feel naked, with the stars watching me from below, and small, very small.
Bear Soup Guy: I committed to way too much stuff today >_<
 
(To Ellemerr): No need to be sorry.
: ''"I chose this," I tell the lady on the moon. She looks at me with pink eyes and answers with her gibberish words. Frustrated, I repeat myself: "I chose this!"
Gaurav: BSG: What are you up to?
 
Ellemerr: I might be going to bed at any moment.
: ''One of the birds lands on her head, crushing the eyes against her skull, spilling vitreous humour into her hair.
Bear Soup Guy: Grocery shopping, then working on a computer and a streaming device, doing music, other odds and ends
 
Ellemerr: And for more than a nap.
: ''I flinch away as another one comes for my own head.
(From Ellemerr): I might be making it longer. I have no idea what I'm doing with it, but it doesn't feel even half-finished. If you want to put things in it, you're welcome, naturally. :3
</screenplay>
Apheori (GM): I'm too tired.
 
Ellemerr: Dream, dearest.
{{holes nav
Bear Soup Guy: drea-ee-ee-ee-eem
|previous=Holes/Session 8
Apheori (GM): When next? Tuesday? Do we need to discontinue the saturdays and move to tuesdays? Or possibly fridays. I have no idea.
|next=Holes/Session 10
The world is a nice blob of fuzz.
}}
Gaurav: mm, fuzz
Fridays are trickier for me. Saturdays are perfect, Tuesday are fine apart from the whole running-away-when-class-starts thing
Frezak (GM): I'm gonna have to claim busyness on saturdays from now on >.>
Ellemerr: I'm getting my mother over next weekend and can't do anything. You are always free to continue without me. Tuesdays depend muchly on the "when", since I work, but I'm assuming it's later than that.
Saturdays I'm supposed to be busy with Frezak, when I'm not having mums and suchs over. :3
Sundays likewise.
Fridays are good. I think.
Gaurav: Ellemerr: Tuesdays is 1800 UTC I think, if that's after work?
Bear Soup Guy: Tuesdays work good for me
Most Fridays too I guess
Ellemerr: What does UTC mean? >.< Can Gan or Frezak translate for me (since they know my time and maths and stuff)?
Gaurav: UTC = GMT I think
Ellemerr: Oh
O_o
Why are there two names?!
Apheori (GM): DST
Gaurav: the french
or atomic clocks
one or the other
Bear Soup Guy: atomic French
Gaurav: french clocks
with little berets
Bear Soup Guy: ^_^
Apheori (GM): Cows.
Gaurav: Okay. So see you all at 1800 GMT/UTC/whatevers or 1pm ET or 11am MT or 10am PT on Tuesday then?
Bear Soup Guy: All of those!
Gaurav: each and every one :) all the best with your busy day, BSG!
Bear Soup Guy: Thanks, adios all : )
Ellemerr: Be well and eat pancakes.
Gaurav: I will try. Bye, everybody! Sleep well, DM!
Apheori (GM): Woof.
I'll probably just sit here zoning out and spouting nonsense on IRC.
Blargh.
Ellemerr: Silly girl.
Apheori (GM): Than kyou.
Ellemerr: You're very welcome, m'dear. ^___^
</pre>

Latest revision as of 21:32, 24 July 2015

≪ PreviousNext ≫
Session 9 (raw log) (Overview)
EXT. Coffle - day
The city is much bigger than anything they've seen before on this particular world, nestled around a harbour and possibly something of a trading hub, or what passes for one in these parts. Low meaningless walls line the perimeter, holes filled in with fencing, from the look of it largely only intended to keep out wildlife.
The buildings are fairly uninteresting, but the city's lamps appear to be somewhat advanced - either magical or electrical.
The party comes in on a main road. It's a short walk into the gates. A guy passes on something that might be a horse on the way in, but he's in too much of a hurry to acknowledge them.
RHU
(muttering)
Egotistical city person, thinks he's too good for everybody...
Two guards stand by the gate and give the party strange looks, but don't say or do anything else.
RHU
(to the guards)
Hello! Do you know where we are?
GUARD ANDRE KELSOF
No! I have no idea!
Kelsof backs away slightly. The other guard looks at him suspiciously.
AMADI
(muttering)
I know where we are.
RHU
Ah, well. Same here, I suppose. Is there a good inn in town?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
This is Coffle, seat of Deslan. Which I'm sure you've never heard of.
GUARD ANDRE KELSOF
Ugh, more?
RHU
Pleased to meet you, Seat of Deslan. My name is Rhu, and I am a servant of Hazz'ridan the Magnificent. My companions and I are from normal places via Sarathi, which is full of holes.
Kelsof gives Rhu one look, groans, and leaves.
AMADI
I'm not from there. I'm from elsewhere.
RADEK
Well, I'm sure you've never heard of electrical power, so perhaps we can both be disappointed.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Coffle is the seat of the country. Deslan is the country. Ignore him. He's tired of visitors... like you.
GREIBEL
Why does a country need to sit down?
RHU
Oh! My apologies. Why so? Have there been a lot of visitors lately?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
(muttering)
Hrmph. Visitors have a choice.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Not so many. Just enough to try the nerves with these questions. Each time, always the same. 'How do I get home?' 'Where is this?' 'Do you have a gate?' 'Excuse me, but where's the terminal?'
AMADI
Questions are important. You shouldn't... should...
Questions. Ask questions.
RADEK
Oh? Interesting.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
We actually did have a gate, you know. Went down shortly before you lot started coming in. Fancy that.
AMADI
What time is it?!
Amadi fidgets.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
20 to seven, my lady.
AMADI
Oh.
Amadi turns from the guard sullenly.
RHU
When did 'we lot' start coming in? And, err... where is the terminal? Do you have a satellite uplink around these parts?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
They don't have one. Wrong world. We're at the other end of the cosmic drain.
RADEK
Does that mean you've never encountered outsiders who seemed... less than educated?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Woah, slow down, will you? This was about three years ago, and if I even knew what a terminal was... satellite, now there's a new one. As for 'less than educated', you could work for the council. And yeah, there's been a few. That's why we got so many guards here, mostly. It's like some had lost their minds, others never even had them...
RADEK
Not surprising.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Why, we got a guy just last week who seemed convinced he was a dog. Mighty hairy, too. Maybe he was a dog!
RHU
Any cats?
AMADI
(muttering to herself)
Tastes like burning. Minds wandering off, answers without questions... There's the taste. Burnt. Cut off the tongue.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
My lady, are you quite okay?
Amadi turns her head to the guard.
AMADI
(dryly)
Are you?
And then she turns back.
RADEK
Would you say that you've never seen someone like us who was impressed by whatever passes for high technology in this, er... "city"?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Hah. High technology? And what might that be?
RADEK
How should I know what you consider advanced? I arrived here yesterday.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
I'm a guard, not a technologist. They pay me to look pretty and drink.
RADEK
(he sighs)
Do they all ask about 'terminals' and 'computers'?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Some.
RADEK
And the others?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Quite a few on about 'proxies' and 'avatars', too. Usually it's just home or passages.
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Rhu can hear him)
Mind the present. There's something here.
Rhu looks around.
RHU
Who said that?
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Rhu can hear him)
You know. You have always known.
Rhu looks astonished, and his eye go wide.
AMADI
(to Rhu)
Voice. Did you ask a question?
RHU
What? Sorry? No. Yes. Hang on. I think I just heard Hazz'ridan's voice inside my head. He said "Mind the present. There's something here."
(Rhu looks at the guard again)
He must mean you.
AMADI
I can hang. Swing. Ropes and ladders and air and dancing.
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Amadi can hear him)
Mortals... useless, the lot of them.
AMADI
(she giggles)
But they're fun!
Wouldn't be half so fun if they knew everything. Questions are... answers. Important.
HAZZ'RIDAN
(such that only Amadi can hear him)
Try not to have too much fun with these, dear sister.
AMADI
It's not my fault! I... was dreaming... Now I'm here.
RHU
Tell us more about yourself, Sir...? Are you a native of this town?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
No, I'm a native of the moon.
Versouss looks at Rhu suspiciously. Rhu looks around to see if there's anything important that they missed. (rolled 25 perception) It's mostly just normal city. Some folks are watching, others doing... city folk things. There's a guy with a pigeon on his head standing in the middle of the road further down.
RHU
(not really paying attention, since he's distracted by his search)
Mhmm, is that right? Which moon would that be?
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
Brains, you heard of them?
GREIBEL
Ouch. Burn!
Rhu keeps looking around, although every once in a while his eyes drift back to the pigeon man.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Excuse him. He's a little insane and people can live on moons where we come from. Is there anyone that can tell us about the Cataclysm? Scholars or magisters?
RHU
Ah, yes. What? Sorry? Oh. Not right now, please. Yes, you're clearly not who Hazz'ridan is talking about. Thank you all the same.
AMADI
Shouldn't live on moons. Bad dreams.
Versouss looks up at Gravy, startles slightly at the sight of his head, and then nods gratefully.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
You can try the temples, or the College. Philosophers might know more, but they're generally pretty... well...
(he looks skeptically at the guy with the pigeon on his head)
Loony?
AMADI
Asking questions. Always. Nothing good can come of it. Knowledge is bad for you.
RHU
(to Amadi, not taking his eyes off pigeon man)
Knowledge is good for you. An unknown path is just a road. You can't discover the dead end until you know the whole road.
Amadi shakes her head sadly at Rhu.
GUARD DARIEN VERSOUSS
There's also Nadrine - a newcomer like yourselves, who speaks of wayfarers and rarely makes much sense. But she's still alive, if you want to give her a try.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Thanks.
Versouss nods again and turns to yell at the guy with the pigeon on his head, who runs off into an alley.
RHU
(shouting after the fleeing pigeon man)
WAIT!
RADEK
We have a diverse selection of madmen at our disposal. Of what consequence is another to add to our collection?
AMADI
You don't know. Be glad.
RADEK
You're not turning me off knowledge, girl. Just the company of lunatics.
A pigeon lands on Greibel's head. He looks up cautiously.
GREIBEL
PIGEON HEAD! YEAH!
Greibel strokes its beak.
The pigeon leans foward and pecks at the porridge.
GREIBEL
Hey now, you guys play nice.
The porridge opens up and eats the pigeon.
GREIBEL
Hmmm... hungry little fella.
Amadi

(smiling at the porridge)

Tastes like burning.
The porridge beams at Amadi without eyes.
RHU
I think we should go after that guy!
The Gravedigger shrugs.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Then you better get running.
RHU
Okay. Don't leave without me!
Rhu takes off after the pigeon guy and chases him into an alley.
The others follow after Rhu at a walk.
Amadi frowns, and nods to Greibel and the porridge on his shoulder.
AMADI
Your friend has the gist of it, you know.
The porridge jiggles.


EXT. Dead end alley - day
Rhu corners the pigeon guy at the end of an alley. It's a bit dark because the buildings are pretty close together here.
The guy is just sort of staring at the wall, with pigeons landing all around him.
RHU
...excuse me? Sir?
The guy doesn't respond. Then a pigeon lands on Rhu's head as well.
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
(screaming)
HEAD PIGEONS!
RHU
Excuse me. I... I think you might be important to my ques-
The guy suddenly starts trying to claw through the wall.
RHU
Hey!
(yelling)
GUYS! A LITTLE HELP HERE!
Rhu tries to restrain pigeon guy.
A guard pushes past Rhu and grabs the guy, pulling him away from the wall.
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
Again, Freidel? Really? You know the mushrooms aren't good for you...
RHU
Hey! Be gentle! He's... important!
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
Sure, sure, he is. He's also due for a nice lie in the dungeons to sleep it all off.
The guard pulls the guy past Rhu.
RHU
Where are the dungeons? What's his name? Who are you?
The guard ignores Rhu and heads off, half pulling, half-dragging the guy.
The pigeon philosopher mumbles about pidgeons and holes and the nature of spinach.
The rest of the party catches up.
GREIBEL
(after the philosopher being dragged away)
Pigeon head guy! Shame, we had so much in common.
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
Waffle head moose!
He waves at Greibel.
Greibel smiles.
RHU
Holes! He said holes! Something about holes!
PIGEON PHILOSOPHER
Ooooo, that sky. What a sky. What a...
Rhu follows the guard/pigeon guy combo to the end of the street.
Amadi yawns.
RHU
I think we should follow the guy! I think he's important!
The porridge gurgles.
AMADI
He had head-pigeons. If I gave advices I'd... flowers? Why isn't this a dream?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
So we're gonna follow voices in your head? Eh, whatever. Let's go talk to the guy with pigeon-poop hair, then.
RHU
To the dungeons!
GREIBEL
Espionage!
RADEK
Surely this will be productive!
Radek grumbles.
The party heads after the guard and the pigeon philosopher guy regardless. Hawkers try to hawk random baubles and food and crap at them. There are no cats.
Amadi frowns, watches the others going, turns to start in the other direction... and then comes along after all.
Then a woman bumps into Radek and then hastily moves away.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Excuse me!
The Gravedigger turns his soulful gaze to the woman and notices she seemed to be messing with Radek's bag. (rolled 39 perception) Somehow she managed to put something in it, even past the chrome stuff.
The Gravedigger grabs her and picks her up. (rolled 17 vs reflex) She tries to twist away, then punches Gravy in the eye. This hardly hurts him, but she is clearly very annoyed.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Do that again and I'm gonna put this shovel to use. Explain yourself.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
What in the hells do you want?! Are you trying to get yourselves killed? Release me!
RADEK
What's wrong?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
She put something in your bag. Check your stuff.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
I did nothing! You clearly are ahead of yourself. Now if you do not put me down...
Radek checks his bag and finds a small paper-wrapped package. It's covered in chrome, though the chrome seems to be getting... thinner. He opens it. Inside he finds a small stone with a mask symbol carved into it.
Amadi strolls slowly up to Gravy and the lady with a wistful smile.
AMADI
I think I'm ahead of myself... but I'll probably catch up someday.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
What?
The woman stops struggling and stares at Amadi.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
You... no, this is impossible.
Amadi narrows here eyes on the woman, staring long and hard.
AMADI
(with utter certainty)
Apple pie.
The woman looks at Amadi for a long moment.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Oh.
Amadi suddenly breaks out in uncontrollable giggles.
Meanwhile Greibel begins haggling with a merchant for a weird used hat to put on the porridge. He offers herbs, and the guy nods.
HAT MERCHANT
Yes, yes, something like that would be great, but do you have... well, you know. Good for the dreams, nice... herbs. Not ones that put you to sleep, though. You know what I mean?
Greibel nods and gets out some specific ones.
GREIBEL
You can definitely uh... become enriched and... enlightened by these, uh... materials. Man.
HAT MERCHANT
No, no, these aren't so extraordinary, just simple herbs, absolutely nothing wrong with wanting them, of course.
GREIBEL
Yes, this is a transaction that may mutually benefit us.
HAT MERCHANT
They're just for... well, you know...
He turns bright red with embarassment, hastily makes the trade, and shoos Greibel away with the hat.
Greibel walks back to the others, putting the hat lovingly atop Rasputin's non-head.
Meanwhile a random woman who may or may not be the guy's wife puts her hands on her hips and stares disapprovingly at Greibel.
GREIBEL
Hmmm.
RADEK
(holding the stone)
What's the meaning of this?
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
It's a rock. Let me go!
The Gravedigger lifts the woman, leaving her legs dangling in the air, and says nothing.
Some random passersby stop and watch.
RADEK
It's a rock you wrapped in paper and put in my bag.
Amadi stops giggling just long enough to look at the symbol on the stone, then breaks into even harder laughter.
The woman says nothing as well and just glares at Gravy.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Listen. I'm tired of all the crazy. My guys are either on drugs, talking to voices in their head, or talking gibberish. So if I don't have some clear answers for once I'm gonna take it out on you.
The Gravedigger starts walking out of town, still holding the woman up off the ground. Two guards follow at a distance.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
That's great. Really. But I don't have them.
RADEK
Just because you're an uneducated rube doesn't mean I'm talking gibberish!
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Shut it, Radek. So you don't know why you put this... whatever it is in his bag? It just seemed like a good idea or a slug was controlling your mind?
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
If you would put me down, perhaps we can talk. Or, if you would simply learn how to read...
Radek checks the paper to see if it had anything written on it, but it's completely wrecked by the chrome substance.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
You're clearly fully able to talk up here. Start now or see what happens when I run out of patience.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
You mean like you getting arrested, for one?
RADEK
(holding what may or may not have even been a note)
This is absolutely illegible.
The guards draw some sort of magic rods from their holsters.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
(to the guards)
Don't mind me. Just doing your job for you.
The guards hesitate slightly.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Will you just put me down?
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Nope, not interested anymore.
The Gravedigger keeps walking.
RHU
Maybe we should take this to a bar or somewhere. Somewhere less quiet but less threatening. May... be... the dungeons? There's a man I want to see about a pigeon.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
I'm gonna need open space for this. A nice big open patch of dirt...
Amadi lies down on the street, laughing. She calms slowly, still shaking a little. And then she disappears.
The guards raise their rods. At first one points his at Radek and the other at the Gravedigger, then both point them at Radek.
Gaurav (Rhu): Some hostage.
Ganelon (Radek): Ooh, big mistake. Nobody likes Radek.
GUARD AMARIN STREL
Stop now.
THE GRAVEDIGGER
Sure. As soon as the lady says why she was messing with his stuff.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
Oh, for the light, will you all stop this!
RADEK
What are those, wands?
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
(to the guards)
Put those away! I'm with the Order! In the name of the Council of Ancients, I command you to stand down!
The guards hastily put their rods away.
RHU
What is a breakfast?
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN
I was delivering a message. A warning. I don't know what it is and I don't know why, but that is what it is. Now. Put me down.
The Gravedigger lets out a long, drawn-own sign and then puts her down.
As soon as he lets go, she vanishes.
The guards make warding gestures as soon as she does.
RHU
(to guards, pointing at the space hitherto occupied by the woman)
Does she do that often?
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
The Order... they... do as they do.
Radek points at the guard's rod.
RADEK
That's a weapon, right? Who made it?
GUARD AMARIN STREL
Rorik. Or his sons.
RADEK
Magical in nature?
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
(calming down)
Standard two-length quickshot, shoots magic. Does that make it magic?
Look, I'm sorry, okay? It's your friend you should worry about.
RADEK
No, no, I don't even care about that. Tell me where I can find this Rorik.
A pigeon lands on Radek's head.
GUARD TELMIN SMITH
Down Enth Street. There's a really big sign. Between that and the odd explosions, you can't miss it.
They guards eye Radek and especially the Gravedigger worriedly, but then they leave them alone.
Radek tries to grab at the pigeon and throw it off, but then it just tumbles off and hits the cobbles, dead.
RHU
Huh. Don't touch it, it might be sick.
RADEK
Blasted vermin.
Greibel picks up the dead pigeon and feeds it to Rasputin. The porridge eats most of the pigeon except for the feet, which it breaks off with a crunch and spits out on the ground.
The mysterious woman reappears out of nowhere, hands Rhu a package instead, and disappears again, muttering to herself irritatedly.
RHU
Thank you.
Rhu looks down at package. It's another letter-wrapped stone. He unwraps it carefully.
This rock has a slightly different symbol on it - some sort of bird, and an extra little note stuck to it that says 'extra, not sure what this goes to'.
Rhu shows it to everybody, then puts the rock away.
The larger note appears to be a set of instructions with what may or may not be bad poetry at the bottom:
: To progress:
: • Take closest care.
• Do not stand out, or get noticed.
• Go to the juncture of 5th and Salma, and the way will open.
: The shoulders in the sand on the repeats of the world...
There's a blisters of something memory...
Look at the characters whip thy bum...
: Kumquats devouring mundial smiley-faces.
RHU
Oooooh.
I still think we should head to the dungeons first.
Greibel is enraptured by the poetry and ponders at its layers of significance.


INT. Coffle constabulary no.2 - day
The place is full of a guards. There's a desk at front with one asleep with his feet up on it. Another bunch of guards are at a table. Several others are loitering around. They all seem to be quite bored.
A couple look annoyed at the intrusion, another smiles amiably, and the one from the pigeon philosopher incident just sighs.
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
You here for Freidel?
RHU
Yes! Him. The guy with the...
Rhu gestures over his head.
GUARD ALEX KAREKOV
(indicating a hallway)
Down there. Just... don't let him out. Or anyone else. Or do anything stupid. Please.
I don't want to get up.
RADEK
I refuse to be held accountable if any of these three do something stupid.
RHU
I fully understand.
Karekov snorts. A couple of the others now look slightly concerned, but clearly they don't actually want to get up either.
The party heads down the hall into the prison.
The philosopher is passed out face-down in a cell. The cell door isn't even locked, just shut.
RHU
Hullo? Mister? Pigeon-guy?
The pigeon philosopher fails to respond on account of being passed out.
RHU
HULLO?
The philosopher continues to be passed out.
RHU
...maybe we should go check out that mysterious address until he wakes up. Now that we know where he is.
RADEK
What exactly makes you believe his insight is valuable?
RHU
Hazz'ridan spoke to me earlier and said that there was something important around somewhere. I think it might be him. I'm not sure. Also... I wonder if he's a druid? If so, he might know something about the little tree on the big tree above the rift, which might tell us something about the rift.
RADEK
...This is why I don't deal with druids and priests.
Ganelon (Radek): Visions and pigeons.
RHU
Look at this man in this cage, and tell me that Hazz'ridan has not lead us to a glorious dead end.
The Gravedigger sighs.
GREIBEL
Well... no arguments there.


EXT. The Garden - Nightmare
Amadi Dreams.
: The dream is of the moon. Or a moon, anyhow. Or something that would look like a moon at a distance - a crescent moon, to be exact. Some lady is sitting on it, dangling her feet over a black pond that is full of stars (unless they're not stars). She's dressed in a white fur. She speaks in a language I do not understand, or perhaps she's just making up nonsense words, since there's no language I don't know.
: Black birds with eyes in their talons circle around us, making me aware that I'm actually present. I'm standing on the lake. I must be, since there's nothing else. I feel naked, with the stars watching me from below, and small, very small.
: "I chose this," I tell the lady on the moon. She looks at me with pink eyes and answers with her gibberish words. Frustrated, I repeat myself: "I chose this!"
: One of the birds lands on her head, crushing the eyes against her skull, spilling vitreous humour into her hair.
: I flinch away as another one comes for my own head.


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Session 9 (Overview)
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The richer you are, the less you have in your fridge.