19/6/16

Hide Whispers Endrite (GM): How much was the adventure worth, 7 XP? Boy R. (GM): 8 Endrite (GM): AIght. I'm naming the Parma Magica tract. Boy R. (GM): thank you Ildebrando: Rolling Aging. rolling 1d10! + 4 + 2 ( 10 + 7 ) +4+2 = 23 Crisis! Are we also putting Decrepitude on the Abilities as Arts scale? Well anyway. rolling 1d10 + 4 + 2 ( 10 ) +4+2 = 16 Ildebrando: Serious Illness! Boy R. (GM): yes, I believe so Decrepitude: characters become frail at 10 decrepitude and die shortly after reaching 12. RIP Ildebrando Ildebrando: Alright. rolling 1d10 ( 2 ) = 2 Dead. Boy R. (GM): woah how old was he Endrite (GM): 42 Boy R. (GM): and don't you benefit from medicine in a crisis? Endrite (GM): You can. Boy R. (GM): Lavinia would certainly attend him if he got sick Endrite (GM): I have no idea how it works for fake made up magical theories. Boy R. (GM): ? Endrite (GM): It just requires CrCo 25 in the book. Boy R. (GM): oh you can resolve it with a ritual sure but doesn't the roll to survive crisis benefit from a physician's medicine. Endrite (GM): Yes. Boy R. (GM): ah yes I see it now just the man we need what's lavinia's medicine? i'm sure she automatically passes on int+med 10+ johns (GM): rolling 1d10!+15+2 ( 9 ) +15+2 = 26 Endrite (GM): Huzzah. johns (GM): An Int + Medicine roll of 6+ allows the character to add the attendant’s Medicine score to the roll to survive the crisis. Endrite (GM): Illdebrando makes it! johns (GM): so add 15 Boy R. (GM): shit I guess the crisis table needs to be redone I didn't expect this to come up for a year or so Endrite (GM): Owned. johns (GM): crisis table is fine imo do you mean the ease factor for surviving them? Endrite (GM): What's the loyalty bump for saving a grog? Boy R. (GM): no the results table johns (GM): oh yeah now I see Endrite (GM): Hmm. johns (GM): +15 to loyalty if i read this right Endrite (GM): Where are you seeing that? johns (GM): Direct acts of altruism towards covenfolk increase their devotion. These need to be performed personally by the magi — ordering a companion to heal a grog will not help! However, personally assisting with the healing of a wound causes a johns (GM): Loyalty Point gain equal to the equivalent penalty if the magus had inflicted the wound in the first place. and the wound penalty for causing a death is -15 Endrite (GM): Hmm. Alright. So that's +15 to his Loyalty Trait, right? johns (GM): total loyalty (still using ability scale) is now +2 nah the bonuses work like XP for an ability Boy R. (GM): mmm I don't know if the difficulty for stamina rolls required by illness should be altered they may or may not be improved by medicine. it would make things more lethal for anyone without a doctor johns (GM): what happened to the Ship Captain gent agent someone deleted him? nevermind i was getting that weird roll20 glitch Endrite: How do you make these item cards? I need to make one for Proclus' Numerology Book. Boy R. (GM): johns did them all cunningly preempting my scheme to make all weapons basically the same Endrite: I see. Boy R. (GM): you have GM privs now so you should be able to add a card to the loot deck and there are surely a bunch of make your own magic card apps out there Endrite: I just want to make sure we have a coherent style guide. cthinker (GM): cumthinkers magus here Endrite: What up? Boy R. (GM): rolling d10!+2 ( 9 ) +2 = 11 fuck aging Endrite: Wow how old is your man? Boy R. (GM): all of 35 Endrite: Wow should have made a Longevity Ritual. Boy R. (GM): alas, he can only make shirts and scarves and things Endrite: Also this is as good a time as any to mention that we should drain the poisonous swamp outside Rome. johns (GM): if claudius couldn't do it, how can we Endrite: That lead weight that destroys water. Boy R. (GM): boundary spell to purify water Endrite: A Rego Terram ritual that turns it into a giant lake. cthinker (GM): cast the inaq spell that lets you talk to a body of water and politely ask it to leave burn a couple pawns of faerie vis while you do it. foolproof johns: wondrous items!! hell yeah Boy R. (GM): my changes to the rules about how often you can use magic items are kicking my ass because effect frequency is a much bigger component of the crafting difficulty for wondrous items than it is in the hermetic lab johns: hoist by your own petard Boy R.: as will you be, with your charm of flying somewhere and waiting for the sun to set to get down again johns (GM): i love loot Boy R.: ok pop quiz: if you had to choose between altering all the weapon cards so they did an extra +5 damage, or going back to passive soak vs weapons and rolled soak vs spells, which would you choose? johns (GM): the latter Boy R.: very good johns (GM): how's this for ferris' scarf http://g02.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB179PLIXXXXXcdXXXXq6xXFXXXf/Black-Red-Orange-women-scarf-Spider-Web-designer-ladies-scarves-2015-xale-Rayon-bufanda-mujer-fashion.jpg Endrite: Alright where's Pringy? Boy R. (GM): classy he's been known to get held up johns (GM): busy with his trot council meetings Endrite: Well he is in Sweden so I'm sure mugging is a common occurrence. johns (GM): hail darvin Darvin (GM): Greetings Boy R. (GM): howdy Endrite: What's up? Boy R. (GM): oh btw I gave everyone GM privileges in accordance with the Troupe Style ethos, so don't forget to relog as player when prinny appears and puts on the GM hat Endrite: The Storyguide still isn't here!!!! cthinker (GM): how do i do that Boy R. (GM): in the settings tab, at the bottom Endrite: Go to the gear page and scroll to the bottom. cthinker (GM): oh, there it is Endrite: Click the button that says "Rejoin as Player." cthinker: cthinker's magus here. Endrite: What's the plan B if Prinny doesn't show up? johns (GM): take a nap Endrite: Hmm. cthinker: i like it (To johns): ok so currently the Rally roll is Stam 6+, which I'm not entirely happy with. In the original SW rules it uses "Spirit" but Ars doesn't have a Willpower type stat. How about if it was just 6+ on a simple die, but if you're fighting as part of a trained group then you can add the leader's Pre? Darvin (GM): Nap sounds pretty nice actually (From johns): Sure (From johns): I like that, gives trained groups a purpose without making it complicated (To johns): as another wrinkle, maybe it's 4+ for trained fighters, 7+ for people without Martial abilities Endrite: I'm still extremely triggered that the well is in the wrong plac. e I'm just gonna fix it. Boy R. (GM): worrying about the architecture is your job Endrite (GM): Argh it's grouped. johns (GM): mwahahaha Boy R. (GM): if it bothers you that the building plans aren't physically possible, maybe you're not cut out for the mage life Endrite: Alright, that's better. I'm mad now. What's with the Heavy Arbalest card? It looks like it's linked to all of Lavinia's wards for some reason. Argh. johns (GM): Let's murder Prinny Endrite: Way ahead of you. Boy R. (GM): tbh this delay suits me, I have a couple of kilos of onions that need slicing Endrite: I have nothing that I need to do because I properly budget my time. johns (GM): lol Endrite: Well, what kind of adventure are you looking forward to Cthinker? I think this is a good time to talk about the kinds of things we want to see from the campaign going forward. Since most of us are here and WE HAVE ALL THIS FREE TIME. johns (GM): he's playing crypt of the necrodancer atm Endrite: Fuck. johns (GM): at some point lavinia needs to dig up augustan texts if she's ever going to improve her abilities/arts so thats my story Endrite: Italy is probably the best place to do that. Boy R. (GM): I have 0 objectives for Lodewig, which bothers me a little, but I prefer playing Giacopo anyway Darvin: Ferris wants to basically wants a spider army and a torture chamber for getting information out of people. Endrite: I don't want Proclus to totally take over the SaGa because everyone else just wants to hang out reading books. johns (GM): i had an idea for adapting one of the premade atlas stories to fit giacopo Endrite: The one about holding the whole world on your back is best suited to Heroic Companions, IMO. Boy R.: heh I think I have a game I could run on short notice if we're stuck Endrite: I'd like to try my hand at GMing here but I honestly have no idea what kind of standard is appropriate. Boy R.: it's pretty lax hereabouts johns (GM): you certainly can't do worse than today's GM Endrite: I mean I love to kill player characters more than anything else in the world. Almost. Boy R.: actually that's what we need more of in ars Darvin: Player death is the best Endrite: I love to Game with Honor the ost. Boy R.: I always choke when it comes time to deliver the deathblow to think I could have slaughtered johns AND prinny's mages on their first adventure, and they both went on to becomes powerhouses johns (GM): hehe Endrite: The last thing I GMed was Warhammer 40k: Only War and I was very unhappy with the mere 9 PC deaths I scored in the year we played. Darvin: In the one game I DM they are all carebears and would be very upset if they permanently died. So when I kill them I just give them penalties to come back to life. johns (GM): in last campaign if a character died their ghost/corpse was enslaved for eternity by the resident necromancer Boy R.: they were mostly ok with it, probably Darvin: That sounds pretty great Endrite: Oh yeah, one of the things I want to do is find out what Venator's deal is. Boy R.: hmm johns (GM): i have that on my list of stories to drag out over the next several years Endrite: Nice. johns (GM): i have a real list of potential stories to cover every year between here and the black death i didn't prep anything for today though because prinny said he would :/ Boy R.: ok I'm torrenting an adventure compilation I had on my old laptop who's up for a game where you spend the whole session on the inn screen? johns (GM): Me. Endrite: Aight. johns (GM): can we get a new song in the BGM at some point though Endrite: Heh heh, this is what happens when you make me a GM. I set EVERYTHING to repeat. Everyone is cool that I swapped my Major Hermetic Flaw, right? Boy R. (GM): I am what even was your necessary condition anyway anyway sorry this is taking a little longer than I'd hoped so, this is a story that happens on the way to a place Endrite: I had to make a little triangle with my hands. Boy R. (GM): Let's say, in this the summer of 1319, the covenant has gotten wind of a potentially useful contact - a bookseller in Milan with many esoteric suppliers and few qualms about who he does business with johns (GM): Ok Proclus of Rome: I was thinking we should head to that magic bird nest and confront the guy who is stealing our vis. johns (GM): "in this the summer of 1319, the covenant has gotten wind of a potentially useful contact - a bookseller in Milan with many esoteric suppliers and few qualms about who he does business with" Proclus of Rome: Good one punchy. Boy R. (GM): he does insist on meeting clients in person though, just to be sure you're not the sort of people to accuse a man of witch craft Proclus of Rome: We've all been there. Boy R. (GM): ah shit this is going to need me to convert a bunch of pseudo german names to bad Italian on the fly Proclus of Rome: Are Ferris and Aristocritus here? Boy R. (GM): and there's nothing harder than inventing italian names Darvin: Yep Proclus of Rome: Mario. Boy R. (GM): Anyway. This is a substantial journey. You'll need to put together an Expedition. and probably get a ship somewhere Lavinia of Jerbiton: just put an I or an O at the end of the name Boy R. (GM): what's the port west of Rome again? Lavinia of Jerbiton: Ostia Boy R. (GM): cheers Proclus of Rome: It should be in the archives. Can you have more than one archive folder? You should be able to, in my opinion. Boy R. (GM): so it is Ferris of Trianoma: What are they all looking at? Lavinia of Jerbiton: i will join the expedition the wizards in the corner Boy R. (GM): Very good. Who else is coming? (this will feature a lot of mundane interaction) Ferris of Trianoma: Uh, I think I'm going to run out my Folk Witch finally Boy R. (GM): Well, I guess Proclus, Ferris, Aristocritus Proclus of Rome: I either don't know or don't care about the Gift Social Interaction Penalty. Boy R. (GM): Ah ok, he's Gentle Gifted right? Potom Flos: Yepo Boy R. (GM): where do you get these names? Proclus of Rome: It's Slof Motop backwards. Couldn't be simpler. Potom Flos: Tweaking english to latin translations Boy R. (GM): Anyway, Potom has quietly become a valued member of the covenant. It's so refreshing to find a hedge wizard that knows his place, volunteers Lodewig Lavinia of Jerbiton: Please welcome our newest companion, Blomby Plape Potom Flos: Potom~Poison/Love, Flos~Flower Lavinia of Jerbiton: I know where Lodewig's place is. It's the circus. Boy R. (GM): Alright, so, a learned man, but not one that aspires to be called magus because of his gentle gift it's easy to forget he's a magician anyway Potom Flos: I don't do anything magical outside of my witch kitchen. cthinker: im here scrolling through the backlog Boy R. (GM): It's been a long day's travel and the sun is just beginning to go down as you reach Ostia. Fortunately all the arrangements for your passage have been made, so you only need to retire to the inn for a night. Although it's been so many years since any of you came this way, the jaunty painted sign with three blue feathers is visible from anywhere along the waterfront. Proclus of Rome: You know it's a good place because we almost got thrown out last time. Boy R. (GM): It appears to be unusually busy this evening. An ornate litter is resting outside, and lackeys, some of them in livery, are busying themselves with trunks and chests as a bevy of men-at-arms look on Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Lavinia of Jerbiton: Do they have a coat of arms? Proclus of Rome: Well, that's interesting. Lavinia of Jerbiton: Hell I'll just ask a lackey, "Whose litter is this?" Boy R. (GM): sorry I was trying to look up plausible titles but I'll just wing it Proclus of Rome: I'll correct you if it's wrong or I get bored. Boy R. (GM): "This? Contessa Maria di Sapienza. Anyone who's anyone would recognise that" Proclus of Rome: Does Area Lore: Rome apply here? Boy R. (GM): there is a coat of arms it's uh... a tall ship, argent, on a field, gules it does not! Proclus of Rome: Ok. cthinker: as a sapiophile, Boy R. (GM): if you have organization lore italian nobility, feel free to roll Proclus of Rome: Ok. rolling 1d10+0 ( 5 ) +0 = 5 Boy R. (GM): you don't know the family Lavinia of Jerbiton: hey endrite remember when you asked if there were universities in rome and I said no im wrong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapienza_University_of_Rome (1303 ad) Boy R. (GM): wow that's exactly what I wasn't going for Proclus of Rome: You fucker! Boy R. (GM): Anyway, strange as it may seem, this is the only inn in town Proclus of Rome: I guess all the other ones are full. Potom Flos: Maybe they don't get many tourists Proclus of Rome: So wait the University of Rome doesn't contain all 4 schools? Boy R. (GM): well, inns are still a fairly new concept, especially as places a noble would be caught dead Proclus of Rome: It's the port for Rome. Lavinia of Jerbiton: To the lackey I said, "The Contessa, of course. What brings her to Ostia?" Boy R. (GM): "You haven't heard? It's the scandal of the season! She's been challenged to a duel!" the lackey is clearly delighted to have someone who hasn't heard the gossip Lavinia of Jerbiton: endrite at the moment I assume it's purely ecclesiastical and wouldn't teach anything but theology Proclus of Rome: Wow! Yeah makes sense. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "A woman challenged to a duel? That sounds bizarre.." Potom Flos: "And unsafe!" Proclus of Rome: "A woman challenged to a duel, that's a new one but also I need to remember that it's possible." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I hope you're not getting any strange ideas, Proclus." Boy R. (GM): "I know, isn't it delicious. Of course it's the lady di T--- who challenged her, because she blames my lady for her brother's death" "of course they're using champions. It's a game really, my lady's spent all year finding the strongest brute of a mercenary she could" Proclus of Rome: What is this, a 19th century gossip column? Boy R. (GM): potentially! Lavinia of Jerbiton: "As she should if her honor is on the line." Potom Flos: "Are duels typical between their families?" Boy R. (GM): "and of course their families won;t countenance anything of this nature, which is why they're taking ship for parts remote" actually perhaps duelling is entirely acceptable in Rome but probably not for women Proclus of Rome: Probably. Probably. Boy R. (GM): "Oh there's been bad blood there for years. It's only after all their menfolk killed each other that they have to resort to gimmicks like this" "Anyway, that's basically the story. Oh, but keep in mind it's a secret, right?" "Her ladyship was hoping to travel incognito" Proclus of Rome: "I'm very good at keeping secrets, you don't have to worry." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Is Lady di T--- also going to be passing through here, then?" Proclus of Rome: Tybaldi maybe. Potom Flos: (We are here to visit a merchant, right?) Boy R. (GM): "Oh no. I certainly hope not!" Proclus of Rome: We're heading to Milan. Boy R. (GM): this is an incident on a journey you're making to visit a merchant anyway, you can still try to get a room Proclus of Rome: And luckily the Goat That Has a Crummy Tummy isn't here so we can take a ship. "Who did the Contessa pick to be her champion?" Boy R. (GM): "Some brute named Bruno. He's inside. You won't miss him." Proclus of Rome: Brutno. Lavinia of Jerbiton: I head inside Aristocritus of Trianoma: et tu, bruno Boy R. (GM): very good you don't miss him Potom Flos: Does he look brutish? Boy R. (GM): A large, possibly giant-blooded man with a lot of missing teeth is seated at a table, arm-wrestling one of the men-at-arms presumably for the coins that are on the table between them A crowd of patrons and loitering servants surround them, shouting encouragement The innkeeper is visible as well among the crowd. He's arguing with an officious looking old gent who might be a chamberlain or valet or something Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Well, this is the perfect time to try to get a room. Lavinia of Jerbiton: i listen in Boy R. (GM): They're having a protracted argument about the price of everything, replete with forceful gestures. The old guy is keen that the Countess' entourage be crammed into as few rooms as possible, and that they not be charged per head The innkeeper seizes on Lavinia approaching as a chance to extricate himself "Yes madam, how can I help you?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I need rooms for myself and my companions. What is available?" Boy R. (GM): "How many in your party?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: did we bring any grogs Boy R. (GM): now's the time to decide! how self sufficient are you? Proclus of Rome: What grogs do we even have? Ildebrando can't travel this season. Boy R. (GM): the official count is Some Potom Flos: I assume we still have those mercs we went spider hunting with Lavinia of Jerbiton: I'll hire a mercenary for the season Boy R. (GM): That's a bold assumption you have them if you want to hire them again, sure Proclus of Rome: There's the Turb Captain, Giacopo, the Steward, the Baker, and the Chamberlain (who I've never heard of). Boy R. (GM): we spent some time hiring him Aristocritus of Trianoma: was the chamberlain the guy whose wife was ruining his business Lavinia of Jerbiton: Yeah Boy R. (GM): there are a couple of nameless grogs who keep the place running, doing the laundry and such I'm mainly interested in whether you see yourselves as the class of people who travel with servants Aristocritus of Trianoma: and then we did something horrible to the wife, i think Proclus of Rome: Actually there's a box that we put clothes in and they come out clean. Boy R. (GM): And somebody has to do that Aristocritus of Trianoma: well we don't actually do that ourselves. the servants put the clothes in the box Proclus of Rome: I wasn't aware we even had servants. Lavinia of Jerbiton: I'd take a servant for a long trip yeah Proclus of Rome: So that means I didn't bring one. Lavinia of Jerbiton: i cant be expected to carry my own bags Boy R. (GM): Very good. If she needs a name feel free to give her one So let's say, 6? Aristocritus of Trianoma: i suppose aristocritus is haughty enough to have a servant Potom Flos: Grog servant 6 carries the bags inside Boy R. (GM): "I can accomodate you, but it's one room for the lot. Money down now, if you please, and leave whenever you please" "yes, you gentlemen there. Chamber for three isn't it?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: Sofia the Servant and Marco the Mercenary Boy R. (GM): This to a party of three silent cloaked figures who entered behind you Proclus of Rome: Ok. How much does the room cost? Lavinia of Jerbiton: I size them up. how do their cloaks compare to ours Boy R. (GM): They're not as impressive. They're plain and black and look cut from the one cloth. Proclus of Rome: Wow. Aristocritus of Trianoma: Probably nothing to worry about. Boy R. (GM): These travellers secure one of the last rooms, order a meal, and go sit quietly at a table by themselves. The innkeeper entirely approves such undemanding clientele Meanwhile a potboy shows you to your room as you're leaving another roar goes up from the arm-wrestlers. The Countess' champion has won again Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Boy R. (GM): At which point a liveried servant tries to lead him away, but he's having none of it Anyway, your accomodations are sufficient. It's kind of cramped, and they have to fetch more bedding It's about 9 in the evening, whatever that is in ecclesiastical offices Lavinia of Jerbiton: Nones Boy R. (GM): really? I thought that was noon Lavinia of Jerbiton: n/m Boy R. (GM): well anyway, the common room is filling up with regular revellers and card sharps as well as extra guests how do you plan to pass your evening? Proclus of Rome: There's a list of offices in the Church book. Hmm. Lavinia of Jerbiton: monks retire at 6:30pm compline Proclus of Rome: I plan to do what I usually do and spend hours talking about geometry to anyone who is listening. Potom Flos: I plan on asking around the tavern if people are traveling and why. Just trying to learn more about the people in the only inn in the city. Boy R. (GM): very good Potom Flos: Nothing specific, just seeing if anything interesting comes up. Lavinia of Jerbiton: ill tag along potom flos Boy R. (GM): Proclus finds himself talking to a trio of priests, who attracted his attention when they got in an argument with the landlord about being allowed to keep the body they're escorting for burial in their room. The coffin needs to be prayed over all evening, apparently Aristocritus of Trianoma: aristocritus is keeping an ear out for stories of sea monsters and lost ships Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Have they tried putting it in a perfectly cubic room? Boy R. (GM): the one you corner assures you they would, if such were available Proclus of Rome: Oh well then, have I got a deal for them! What's the Aura here? Boy R. (GM): Lavinia and Potom make the acquaintance of - you think they're newlyweds but they're a little evasive - anyway a man and a woman travelling together. They've just come from Napoli to see the city it's Infernal 1 Proclus of Rome: Ok. That's -1 to the Casting Total, right? Boy R. (GM): yep Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Rome is fine but pales in comparison to the glory of Naples, in my humble opinion." Boy R. (GM): "o... oh, you know Naples? What a wonderful coincidence" Proclus of Rome: I'll ask them which room they're staying in. "I'm an architect, I can make sure that your room is appropriate for prayer." Boy R. (GM): the priest "ah.. I'm afraid our vigil cannot be interrupted, sir. Thank you so much for your concern" Proclus of Rome: Oh well. Boy R. (GM): Aristocritus finds a one-eyed ruffian is always at his elbow, trying to entice him into a game of dice Lavinia of Jerbiton: i gush about naples for as long as they're willing to hear me Proclus of Rome: You should play. Potom Flos: I take down notes as Lavinia is talking Boy R. (GM): roll folk ken + perception Lavinia of Jerbiton: me? rolling 1d10!+6+2 ( 5 ) +6+2 = 13 Boy R. (GM): they agree unreservedly, then make some excuse to head for their room Lavinia of Jerbiton: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEE4AC439AB0E751 Boy R. (GM): oh thank god anyway you get the impression these people have never actually been to Naples Proclus of Rome: Freaky. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Curiouser and curiouser" Boy R. (GM): the plot thickens, probably, in time Aristocritus of Trianoma: aristocritus agrees to play a game after only a small amount of pestering Boy R. (GM): oh ok do you have carouse at all? Aristocritus of Trianoma: i do not. Boy R. (GM): roll per+carouse, even if it's 0 in fact Proclus of Rome: I think we should just make that an Etiquette. Before anyone foolishly takes it. Aristocritus of Trianoma: lemme look up my perception (From Lavinia of Jerbiton): he's got Luck virtue if that helps Boy R. (GM): oh if you have luck that's worth +3 as well there's only one etiquette I think it's ok to have different abilities to cover different social strata Proclus of Rome: But there isn't. There's Etiquette and Carouse. Aristocritus of Trianoma: ok. i found it Boy R. (GM): right. and they apply in quite distinct circumstances Aristocritus of Trianoma: rolling 1d10!+1+3 ( 6 ) +1+3 = 10 Boy R. (GM): good shit rolling d10!+12 ( 3 ) +12 = 15 It seems the dice go against you you lose 15 shillings. do you care to wager further? perhaps that's a lot to bet actually. well whatever. anyway this is a game of pure chance, which usually you do quite well at, so feel free to get suspicious Lavinia of Jerbiton: WWKD (what would Kaiji do) Aristocritus of Trianoma: well, you know Proclus of Rome: You should always be suspicious of one armed men who pester you to play dice and then win. Aristocritus of Trianoma: might have to lose a few pounds before i get suspicious. rolling 1d10!+4 ( 2 ) +4 = 6 fuck! Boy R. (GM): In the meantime a woman travelling alone, dressed in man's clothing and wearing a sword, has discovered that all the rooms are taken but settled in the common room regardless, attracting curious glances. Proclus of Rome: What a weirdo. Is Lucatiel doing anything? Boy R. (GM): After a couple of rounds the Contessa's chamberlain appears on the stairs and orders all her servants upstairs, which clears the place out considerably In the general confusion Lavinia and Potom notice the young man from before, who had come down to buy a bottle of wine, engaged in a heated argument with one of those same servants But anyway, they break up, ordered upstairs with the rest Potom Flos: Try to shuffle closer to listen into the argument Boy R. (GM): hmm dex+stealth I think, if you're trying to be unobtrusive Potom Flos: rolling 1d10! + 0 + 0 ( 4 ) +0+0 = 4 Proclus of Rome: Nice. Boy R. (GM): Lucatiel, for the record, has taken a seat in the shadows facing the door and seems to be watching everyone who passes by closely Proclus of Rome: Hmm. What about those three guys in the cloaks? Boy R. (GM): Flos catches these words from the young man ( who gave his name as Signore Albano) "for god's sake keep your voice down. Any fool could hear us. Enough. I'll seek you out later." Proclus of Rome: Can you use Ceremonial Casting with Formulaic effects? Potom Flos: I'll ask the servant, "Is that man giving you trouble? Want me to grab the inn keeper?" Boy R. (GM): Yes, but only because you have Mercurian Magic which has been modified for exactly that advantage "Eh? Oh no, no. We know each other from way back, that's all" Proclus of Rome: Heh. Ok sorry for the interruption. Lavinia of Jerbiton: this feels like the setup for Murder on the Orient Express Aristocritus of Trianoma: aristocritus is growing despondent as his losses accumulate Boy R. (GM): You really can't catch a break! Your luck used to be so good. Is this down to the mystic resonances of living in a crypt? Have you offend a local spirit? It's unaccountable. oh and the three guys in cloaks are drinking quietly by themselves A couple of minutes later, the Countess' champion Bruno appears again, sneaking downstairs with exaggerated caution he orders more wine and tries to interest any of the remaining drinkers in an arm-wrestle Most people have seen him win too much to take him up on this But failing any of the noodle-armed magi taking him on, eventually the mysterious woman rises to the challenge, and loses, but gives him a surprisingly good run for his moneyu Proclus of Rome: Well, I was checking my strength. It's +0. Lavinia of Jerbiton: I golf clap Proclus of Rome: I bet I could try it. Boy R. (GM): you could Proclus of Rome: Let's do it Bruno. Boy R. (GM): do you wish to? Proclus of Rome: Yes. Boy R. (GM): alright, how much do you want to wager? Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Well, how about 5 shillings? Boy R. (GM): "A confident man! Alright, put it there Aristotle or whatever your name was" ok, so you have strength 0 he has strength 5. he wins Proclus of Rome: "I warn you, I'm much stronger than most of my fellows." Ha ha ha. Well, fair enough. Boy R. (GM): running this scenario in the past I've let people roll, but it led to some weird results Aristocritus of Trianoma: "Come have a look at these dice if you're done over there, Proclus." Potom Flos: Fair enough Boy R. (GM): like when nihnoz's ex-housewife character overthrew the champion wrestler Proclus of Rome: Heh. "Oh, why?" Boy R. (GM): Bruno is proving good for business, so the innkeeper gives his table a free round for the house * on the house pick a number, proclus, and anyone who was watching the match that is, if you want a free drink between 1 and 10 Proclus of Rome: Oh. Hmm. Lavinia of Jerbiton: rolling 1d10 ( 4 ) = 4 Potom Flos: rolling 1d10 ( 7 ) = 7 Aristocritus of Trianoma: you can tell if something is imperfect, right Proclus of Rome: Well that's obvious, 2 "Yes." No. Aristocritus of Trianoma: I think these dice are loaded. Boy R. (GM): rolling d10 ( 8 ) = 8 Proclus of Rome: "Did you ask your companion if they're loaded?" Boy R. (GM): It's pretty cheap wine, but it's free! Lavinia of Jerbiton: hooray Boy R. (GM): After taking a hearty swig, another gambling enthusiast at your table droops his head and slides out of his chair asleep Bruno laughs heartily at his expense. Some people just can't hold their liquor. Aristocritus of Trianoma: Better to have you inspect them before I start making accusations. Boy R. (GM): are you having this discussion in front of your opponent? Aristocritus of Trianoma: yes, but in hushed latin Proclus of Rome: I'm not much of a whisperer, but I love Latin. Boy R. (GM): "Well, good game friend. Time I was taking my leave" "The wife will be wondering where I've got to, ho ho" This leaves Lavinia to observe one of those priests who were escorting the coffin has come downstairs again. He discusses something quietly with the landlord, and money changes hands. But then that's how people usually deal with tradesmen. Aristocritus of Trianoma curses the man in Greek as he departs. Boy R. (GM): Shortly after the countess' chamberlain comes down again and perfunctorily orders Bruno to his bed Proclus of Rome: "Well, I hope you learned an important lesson about gambling." Boy R. (GM): The quiet men in cloaks also seem to think it's time to retire Aristocritus of Trianoma: "Yes, thank you, Aesop of Rome." Boy R. (GM): It lacks perhaps an hour of midnight at this point, but your boat doesn't leave too early Proclus of Rome: "You could always make dice that always win." Well, if it's that late we should probably go to bed. Potom Flos: "I believe that would be cheating" Proclus of Rome: "Oh?" "Well then, I don't recommend it." Boy R. (GM): that would in fact be cheating, good catch Potom Flos: So, should we retire for the night? Proclus of Rome: I do. Boy R. (GM): Proclus and Potom retire to the room Potom Flos: (pats self on the back self-righteously) Lavinia of Jerbiton: i retire Aristocritus of Trianoma: does parma last until midnight or sunset Boy R. (GM): sunset the sun has set. you can all refresh whatever effects you think are necessary in private Proclus of Rome: Since we aren't idiots I assume that we refreshed it as soon as the sun went down. Boy R. (GM): returning to your room, you're surprised to find someone lying in bed ahead of you it's one of those guys that got a room just after you! the ones with nondescript cloaks Proclus of Rome: "Excuse me, this is our room." Boy R. (GM): Sofia the lady's maid approaches to shake him awake, but discovers him stiff and unresponsive. And no wonder! Rolling the body over reveals his eyes are starting from their sockets, his tongue lolling from his mouth, and an ugly purple bruise blooming on his neck also, he seems to be dead Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Good lord" Proclus of Rome: I'm no doctor but I think that being dead is fatal. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Let's fetch the innkeeper." Proclus of Rome: "Good idea." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Sofia stay and watch the dead body." Boy R. (GM): "ah... of course" Proclus of Rome: Said in the Dark Souls voice. Boy R. (GM): you run into that aristocratic young gent on the stairs again, Signor Albano Recognising Potom from earlier, he says "sir, a moment, could you help me out?" Potom Flos: "Of course, glad to be of service!" Boy R. (GM): "I'm looking for one of the countess's servants, a fellow named Emilio. Could you tell him Albano wants to see him? He knows where my room is. Thanks" he slips you a 2-shilling bit Proclus of Rome: Wow! Boy R. (GM): I guess actually he doesn't call you sir Potom Flos: I'll pocket the change and just keep an ear out for the name Emilio but make zero effort to look. Boy R. (GM): that's fair Potom Flos: Also, does his shillings count as an AC? Boy R. (GM): for a short time you can find the innkeeper without any fuss, a few people are still up and drinking Potom Flos: brb, need to go curse someone with infertility. Boy R. (GM): "Yes? Can I help you... people" Proclus of Rome: "Someone has put a corpse in our room." Boy R. (GM): his expression sours on taking in Proclus "you'd best be joking" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Do we look amused?" Proclus of Rome: "That would be in very bad taste, since a man has just died." Boy R. (GM): "Alright! Alright, just keep your voices down. I'll be happy to come and see what the problem is" Proclus of Rome: AFK a sec. Boy R. (GM): He comes with you. It's definitely a corpse the armed lady at this moment leaves the inn, to check on her horse, she says "anyway," says the innkeeper upstairs, mopping his brow "is this fellow... known to you?" "Have you told his companions?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I don't know his companions. Who are they?" Boy R. (GM): "Oh, they have the room two down. I'm buggered if I know them from Adam. Excuse my language, doctor." "Alright well, accidents happen. Travelling is a risky business. If I have your word on it you don't know anything about this, I'll take this poor sod somewhere cold while we work out what to do, and I'll inform what I have to assume are his next of kin" "no need to make a fuss, eh?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I'll need to inspect the body before you hide it away somewhere." Boy R. (GM): "eh? Why?" "You're not into that, are you?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I haven't a clue what you're implying." Boy R. (GM): "well what do you want to go inspecting a corpse for? you get diseases that way" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I'm a doctor, don't presume to lecture me about health. I need to know how he died." Potom Flos: "How else do you learn about preventing death than inspecting the dead?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "If you like, I can simply report to the magistrate you're trafficking in diseased corpses and have this whole building sealed up and condemned." Boy R. (GM): "I don't know if it's proper. I mean, begging your pardon, but with this fellow found in your room it's a bit odd that you want to use him for whatever it is you're doing" "But hey now there's no need to talk about trafficking. Nothing was ever trafficked here." "Look we'll put him in the cellar, and you can have a look. But have some respect, alright?" "And I'll talk to his friends" Proclus of Rome: Ok I'm back. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Very well" Boy R. (GM): The innkeeper is as good as his word. You only need the most perfunctory glance to see that this guy's been garroted do you want to do a full forensic examination? Lavinia of Jerbiton: Sure Boy R. (GM): the rest of you are staying in the room? Lavinia of Jerbiton: I never pass up a chance to poke at dead bodies Proclus of Rome: No. There's a corpse in there. Boy R. (GM): the corpse is removed, by inn staff Potom Flos: "I'll watch the body poking." Proclus of Rome: Still, someone died in there. Boy R. (GM): fair enough. the servants feel the same way Proclus of Rome: As a murderer who lives in a crypt this shouldn't bother me, but it does. Potom Flos: people die everywhere, eventually Boy R. (GM): apart from the neck wounds and being dead this guy seems to be in pretty good health he has a slightly odd tattoo on the inside of his wrist though anyone got any good lores? Lavinia of Jerbiton: I got a bit of OoH, +4 Potom Flos: Folk Witch, Rome, and Church Aristocritus of Trianoma: greece lore here. Lavinia of Jerbiton: & augustan ofc Potom Flos: cross out Church, whoops, only 1 rank Boy R. (GM): interesting it's an odd little squiggle of a sigil. none of you have the slightest idea what it means Proclus of Rome: I have Area Lore: Rome (Supernatural). Lavinia of Jerbiton: I take a lock of hair as an AC just in case Anything interesting in the guy's clothes Boy R. (GM): he carries a knife and some spare change, like any urban male oh he wears a little bracelet you recognise as a ligature Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Boy R. (GM): which, you all know, uses philosophical methods to boost one's fortune or innate ability for a particular undertaking Lavinia of Jerbiton: "A scholar or natural philosopher no doubt" Proclus of Rome: "What was he trying to do when he was killed?" "That's the real question we need to answer." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "I'm a doctor not a necromancer, Proclus" Boy R. (GM): as you're pondering this someone starts raising a ruckus Proclus of Rome: So wait this guy doesn't have any other distinguishing physical characteristics? Boy R. (GM): a great hammering and kicking comes at the door of the inn, which has been barred for the night "Frangipane! I know you're in there! Open the damn door!" Proclus of Rome: Oh shit. Boy R. (GM): it is the voice of a young man, angry and probably drunk Proclus of Rome: I don't need Area Lore: Rome to know who the Frangipanes are. Frangipanis? Whatever. Lavinia of Jerbiton: we got a merc bodygaurd right? Boy R. (GM): sure Lavinia of Jerbiton: then let's let the guy in Boy R. (GM): he's right here by your side Proclus of Rome: I'll open the door. "Hello, I'm Proclus of Rome. Who are you looking for?" Boy R. (GM): the innkeeper was wondering whether he dared keep him out, but defers to you people who are keeping remarkably calm Proclus of Rome: Well, I'm phlegmatic. Boy R. (GM): "Are you the owner?" It's the same young man, who you see now carries a bullwhip and walks with an escort of armed men Lavinia of Jerbiton: which young man was this Boy R. (GM): The one whose voice you heard just now sorry you've never seen him before "Look, I'm looking for Giacomo Frangipane. Can you take me to him?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: The cast of characters keeps growing Proclus of Rome: "No, he is." I point to the innkeeper. Boy R. (GM): "Good. Bring him down here" the innkeeper insists there is nobody by that name staying here Potom Flos: "It seems your man isn't here." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "What does Giacomo look like?" Boy R. (GM): "Don't piss about man, his horse is in your stables. I'd know that beast anywhere. Giacomo Frangipane is here with my woman and I'll burn this house down if that's what it takes to get him out here" "Pale, weedy, wears too much velvet. Talks to everyone like their a servant. You'd know him" This guy is also pretty ostentatiously dressed, for what it's worth Proclus of Rome: "Well, I suppose you could just ask everyone here if they've seen him. We were just about to try and find out who killed the man in our room ourselves and that should be much more difficult." Lavinia of Jerbiton: have I seen any pale weedy people here tonight like perhaps the fake neopolitans? Potom Flos: "Ah, I think I did see him. He asked me to look for name I've forgetten, sorry." Proclus of Rome: I assume that means that you character has also forgotten. Boy R. (GM): "Good. Take me to him." Proclus of Rome: Since you did mention that you didn't care about his request. Potom Flos: "He asked me to look for a friend of his, but I've forgotten his name." Boy R. (GM): "I don't care. Where is he?" you did get an impression of where the young couple are staying Potom Flos: "He was walking downstairs when I saw him last. Your guess is as good as mine." cthinker: brb Boy R. (GM): the new guy swears, and goes upstairs with his thugs to start kicking in doors Proclus of Rome: This might make it more difficult to conduct our investigation. Lavinia of Jerbiton: "No need for that, I can point out the right direction" "Just stop kicking doors" Boy R. (GM): The inn is already roused, leading to general screams and outraged remonstrations Proclus of Rome: Well, there has been a murder. Boy R. (GM): if you show him in the right direction, then he finds the guy who is indeed frangipane, and makes a point of horsewhipping him in the inn's common room Proclus of Rome: So it's just as well. Boy R. (GM): sure but nobody knows about that Proclus of Rome: Oh well then, I'll tell them. Lavinia of Jerbiton: i ask the innkeeper why he doesn't keep bouncers around for this sort of thing Proclus of Rome: "Did anyone here murder the man we found in our room?" Boy R. (GM): he's not used to entertaining quality roll presence+leadership proclus Proclus of Rome: rolling 1d10! + 1 + 0 -5 ( 8 ) +1+0-5 = 4 Boy R. (GM): your question is lost in the general hubbub Proclus of Rome: Oh wait +3. For the cloak. Boy R. (GM): meanwhile Frangipane and the other guy, who you gather is one of the Savelli, are finally separated by the men at arms of the Contessa di Sapienza Contessa: her voice cuts through the uproar, instinctively quieting most of her servants and a lot of the general rabble. "Desist! This is no time for this foolishness. There has been a murder" Boy R. (GM): to underscore her point, Bruno the burly champion comes downstairs at that moment, carrying in his arms the lifeless body of the countess' grey-haired chamberlain Potom Flos: "Oh, another murder." Boy R. (GM): "Master of the house, you will account for this! How is my loyal servant murdered in his bed?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: was the chamberlain the one who asked Flos to find another guy? Potom Flos: The chamberlain was talking with this guy. Boy R. (GM): Afraid not. Let's recap. Proclus of Rome: Are the men with black cloaks here? Lavinia of Jerbiton: i have been taking notes Potom Flos: This guy = Frang Boy R. (GM): They are not Lavinia of Jerbiton: I forgot to record that exchange though Boy R. (GM): lol thank you Proclus of Rome: Hmm interesting. Boy R. (GM): the guy who sent flos on an errand was frangipane, who was being whipped until a moment ago the guy who was not neapolitan the two surviving men with black cloaks aren't visible in the general assembly Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Boy R. (GM): nor are the priests, or the swordswoman Proclus of Rome: Well, I'll ask the Innkeeper which room they were staying in. Boy R. (GM): sure. he said it was two doors down from you it came up when that guy was murdered Proclus of Rome: Ah. Well, I'll go and tell them that their companion is dead, then. Boy R. (GM): going back upstairs will mean asking the countess to get out of the way Potom Flos: "I saw this one (pointing at Frang) conversing with your chambermaid last evening. Sounded almost like conspiring." Proclus of Rome: Ok, I'll do so. "Excuse me madam, I have to inform some men that their companion is dead." Boy R. (GM): do you mean chamberlain, or chambermaid? Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Contessa, pardon me. You are certain the man is dead? What has killed him?" Boy R. (GM): (he was actually conversing with the servant he asked you to send to his room) Prinny D. (GM): hello, I slept too long while taking a nap Boy R. (GM): it's too late, everyone's stuck in a murder mystery now Potom Flos: (I am too confused at this point and have a heat stroke) Boy R. (GM): ok a few things happen. Bruno lays the old guy out on a table and everyone can see the stab wound in his belly The countess asks proclus what he's talking about, but I assume you give her a full and honest acccounting of what you've witnessed. She has no difficulty processing a second murder, it's the level of service she's come to expect from this establishment Proclus of Rome: It's a real dump. Boy R. (GM): you're welcome to proceed to the apartment of the Cloaked Men, but it seems to have been vacated Lavinia of Jerbiton: here are my notes prinny http://imgur.com/SrJloQP Potom Flos: I can understand why nobility keeps out of inns. Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Anything in the room? Boy R. (GM): Nothing at all. The beds don't look slept in Proclus of Rome: Hmm. How did they leave? Boy R. (GM): the window is barred from this side, as are most on this floor shit should there be glass windows? Proclus of Rome: Yes. You can see them in the back of the inn. Boy R. (GM): I'm trying to edit this from a much more modern setting, but it's probably a lost cause ok. this is a classy establishment. glass windows it is Proclus of Rome: Well, it WAS. Lavinia of Jerbiton: glass windows are fine as long as they're colored glass I ask the Innkeeper if he knew anything about the cloaked men cthinker: cthinker's magus here Boy R. (GM): ok. Every other door on this floor is open, except that of the priests who said they mustn't be disturbed. The chamberlain's private room has been broken open, beacause it was clearly barred form the inside The innkeeper shrugs. Their money was good. Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Lavinia of Jerbiton: Did they pay with Roman coins? Boy R. (GM): greetings cthinker's magus. Weren't you here already? Proclus of Rome: Well, I'll knock on the priest's door. Boy R. (GM): hmm. coins from different cities should be interchangeable? Proclus of Rome: Maybe? Boy R. (GM): lets assume they all use the same weights Lavinia of Jerbiton: moneychanging is typically the business of innkeepers Boy R. (GM): well you get lots of foreign money in a port. The innkeep remembered they payed with bolognese coin. Which fits, they seemed like poor scholars. Lavinia of Jerbiton: Intredasting Boy R. (GM): In light of the murder, young Savelli thinks better of mutilating Frangipane further Proclus of Rome: Do the priest's answer the knock at the door? Boy R. (GM): he does however, attempt to leave with the young woman oh sorry They don't respond initially, and then call for silence. Their meditations cannot be disturbed! Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Well I'll tell them about the murder and then leave. Boy R. (GM): there's a pause "may god have mercy on his soul" Proclus of Rome: "Should I bring the body here so you can pray for him?" Aristocritus of Trianoma: too bad we left the guy who can see through walls at home Boy R. (GM): his voice sound a little strained. "alas, brother, it is our solemn duty to keep vigil over this one poor soul who has been entrusted to our care" I guess he would call you his son, actually any of you can see through walls, it's an easy spell well, it's level 5 and proclus and lavinia can't spont normally of course Proclus of Rome: It'd take me a while. Maybe you should do it Aristocritus. Aristocritus of Trianoma: oh, what's the spell Potom Flos: Prying Eyes I think yea InIm Proclus of Rome: Private Eyes by Hall and Oates. Boy R. (GM): brb Proclus of Rome: Don't forget you get -1 from being in an Infernal Aura. Aristocritus of Trianoma: i actually probably can't spont that Proclus of Rome: Why not? Aristocritus of Trianoma: deficient imaginem Boy R. (GM): that's rough Proclus of Rome: If I do it it'll take a while. Boy R. (GM): still, don't let it stop you thinking of ways to shortcircuit frustrating mysteries with magic Proclus of Rome: What is it, 2 minutes per level? Boy R. (GM): well, it'll take exactly a minute Aristocritus of Trianoma: well. i could blow up the wall Boy R. (GM): because as a mercurian, you take 1 minute per magnitude for rituals and ceremonies Aristocritus of Trianoma: that would probably be bad though Proclus of Rome: Oh I know what you could do, you could try Muto Terram and make a small part of the wall clear. Then peep in on them. Boy R. (GM): intriguing Aristocritus of Trianoma: nice Potom Flos: That's pretty cool Boy R. (GM): johns used to have a spell that made a one-way window, I forget what he used Lavinia of Jerbiton: 1 sec Prinny D. (GM): sounds like imaginem Lavinia of Jerbiton: L10 mute WINDOW OF SINGULAR DIRECTION R: Touch, D: Ring, T: Ind, Level 10 This spell, created by the Architects of Tremere, makes a circle of wall transparent, from one side only. Boy R. (GM): yeah Proclus of Rome: There you go. Boy R. (GM): a perdo imag would do it as well. I feel like that ought to require part target, but w/e Proclus of Rome: Crystals are in the Terram family, right? Boy R. (GM): yep Potom Flos: yeah Boy R. (GM): as are all solid objects, for certain purposes Proclus of Rome: Bonisangus' theory is really fucked up in that regard. Aristocritus of Trianoma: all right, i'll try a muto terram spont and see how strong an effect i can get out of that Proclus of Rome: Window of Singular Direction seems like the perfect thing to copy here. Boy R. (GM): you can't go wrong Aristocritus of Trianoma: rolling 1d10!+16+1-1 ( 5 ) +16+1-1 = 21 Lavinia of Jerbiton: you should try casting ceremonially for added bonus well that works too Proclus of Rome: That makes it take more time. Aristocritus of Trianoma: we're in a hurry here, i guess Boy R. (GM): not really Aristocritus of Trianoma: so, 10 Proclus of Rome: In fact, longer than if I did it. Boy R. (GM): though it would take aristocritus half an hour to ceremonially cast this spell but 6 seconds is fine Aristocritus of Trianoma: imagine how embarrassing it would be if proclus took 60 seconds to cast this spell and the priests walked out into the hallway to see what all the mumbling was about Boy R. (GM): the wall turns transparent. though you have to scratch a circle on it, you vandal also take a short-term fatigue level Aristocritus of Trianoma: nice Boy R. (GM): ok, on the other side of hte wall you see 2 priests sitting on a third, who seems to have something jammed in his mouth Proclus of Rome: Hmm. That's weird. Boy R. (GM): a fourth paces back and forth anxiously Proclus of Rome: Wait a fourth? (From Lavinia of Jerbiton): you said this was adapted from a modern story, does that mean it is strange people would leave the tavern and hit the roads in the dark of night? Proclus of Rome: The game is afoot! I invented that saying. Aristocritus of Trianoma: Hello in there! (To johns): the originally setting is: fantasy HRE, roughly 16th century, a coaching inn in the middle of nowhere Proclus of Rome: You keep watching and I'll get our companions. Boy R. (GM): ok. you can get your companions, unless they have something else they're doing Lavinia of Jerbiton: I point out it would be hard for the cloaked men to get far in the middle of the night if they really escaped this place apropos of nothing Proclus of Rome: Well, I assume you can find these guys wherever they run. Lavinia of Jerbiton: I inform the Contessa about this since I assume her servants are better equipped to track down people Proclus of Rome: About what? Oh that. Lavinia of Jerbiton: that the cloaked men disappeared Proclus of Rome: Not the strange thing the priests are doing. Lavinia of Jerbiton: yes I leave that matter to you Proclus of Rome: Ok. Boy R. (GM): she agrees, with some hesitation, and delegates a couple of men at arms to scour the town Proclus of Rome: What about you Potom? Boy R. (GM): speaking of, roll per+awareness potom Proclus of Rome: Can't you do a divination and find them, Lavinia? Boy R. (GM): (To GM) rolling d10!+10 ( 3 ) +10 = 13 Potom Flos: rolling 1d10! + 1 + 0 ( 10 + 4 ) +1+0 = 15 Lavinia of Jerbiton: i'd need an arcane connection Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Aristocritus of Trianoma: dust for fingerprints. obviously Proclus of Rome: Well, we have their companion's corpse. Lavinia of Jerbiton: Can I trade roman coins for their bolognese coins and use those as AC? Proclus of Rome: And the cloaks are all cut from the same cloth. Aristocritus of Trianoma: weren't they drinking? their mugs might work Boy R. (GM): the common room clears out after the brawl has been settled. I guess nobody tries to stop Savelli leaving with the woman he came for Proclus of Rome: Well, I mean it seems like SOMEONE should, but I'm busy. Lavinia of Jerbiton: She deserves whatever happens for denigrating the proud Neapolitan people Boy R. (GM): Potom Flos notices that he's lost his belt knife in the general confusion. What a nuisance and yes the innkeeper is fine with trading coins Potom Flos: Humpfh Villains, all of them. Boy R. (GM): should coins be an AC? for now let's say yes, but the connection is probably too transient for general purposes Lavinia of Jerbiton: Alright I'll retire to my room and attempt a divination, it'll take 36 minutes and spend a conf Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Ok. Lavinia of Jerbiton: rolling 1d10!+10+2-1+5 ( 1 ) +10+2-1+5 = 17 Boy R. (GM): very good Lavinia of Jerbiton: and I fail Boy R. (GM): what are the rest of you doing about the priests? and, how long does this wall stay transparent? because a lot of people will walk by here Potom Flos: I feel like we should probably chat with the priests. Aristocritus of Trianoma: well if it's the spell that was pasted in here then it's ring duration Lavinia of Jerbiton: (To GM) rolling 2d10 botch on divination ( 5 + 4 ) = 9 Boy R. (GM): you cast it, so it's that spell if you say it is! Proclus of Rome: I agree. Boy R. (GM): at ring duration you can scratch it out at any moment handy Proclus of Rome: We should definitely just walk in on them and ask what they're doing. Boy R. (GM): they have something against the door, roll str+athletics to force it Prinny D. (GM): you should murder some churchmen Proclus of Rome: Hmm. OR! Aristocritus of Trianoma: we could just destroy the door still probably a bad idea though Proclus of Rome: Oh no, that would be wrong. Potom Flos: We could knock? Where are they going to go? Boy R. (GM): now you're thinking with vis they tell you to go away if you knock they've been quite clear Aristocritus of Trianoma: could you describe the scene inside again Proclus of Rome: I'm thinking Perdo Herbam to make the door insubstantial. Aristocritus of Trianoma: oh it's still in the backlog Boy R. (GM): ok everyone clear? making a door insubstantial is much more complex than just destroying it Proclus of Rome: Yes, but more considerate. How much more difficult is it? Lavinia of Jerbiton: try Rego'ing your foot through the door Potom Flos: Could anyone just scare them out? Lavinia of Jerbiton: or just slip em a piece of paper that says "open up or I tell everyone about the 4th person in there" Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Potom Flos: ^ Proclus of Rome: Now THAT's a good idea. I'll do that. Aristocritus of Trianoma: or just shout through the door asking them about it Proclus of Rome: That would be much less discrete. Boy R. (GM): good call Aristocritus of Trianoma: magus here. Boy R. (GM): I can't find the spell I'm looking for so I'm glad we don't need it Proclus of Rome: I make sure to sign it with my name. Boy R. (GM): alright, from your vantage point you see the priests fetch the note, read it, have an argument they try to pass off as prayer and chanting, then manhandle the guy they're restraining back into his coffin Proclus of Rome: Classic priest argument style. Are you sure these guys aren't Jews? Boy R. (GM): one of them answers the door with a bland smile "My friend, I'm sure there has been some misunderstanding" Proclus of Rome: "Why would you need to keep a living person in a coffin?" "Are you Jewish?" Boy R. (GM): "Nothing of the sort, my child. Speaking... speaking purely in hypothetical terms, which I'm sure as a philosopher you understand, a living person might wish to travel in a coffin if they were afraid of being alive. whoops * of being discovered alive Lavinia of Jerbiton: lol Proclus of Rome: "Ah, well, I can certainly understand the fear of life." Potom Flos: "Good point." Proclus of Rome: Whoops Potom Flos: (I will have to leave in a few minutes by the way, apologies) Boy R. (GM): "This is just idle speculation of course, to satisfy what is no doubt mere intellectual curiosity on your part" Proclus of Rome: "Is that why he's been restrained?" Boy R. (GM): "But how..." Proclus of Rome: "I'm a philosopher." Aristocritus are you here? Aristocritus of Trianoma: Hello. Boy R. (GM): "Look, if I tell you, will you go away and not make trouble? There is really nothing here to worry about" Aristocritus of Trianoma: It's true, he is a philosopher. Potom Flos: "If there is nothing to worry about, we will be fine of course." Proclus of Rome: "Probably." Boy R. (GM): "I am relieved. Consider this then. For a living man to travel as a corpse would require him to affect the nature of a corpse for a very long time. This is possible, with certain philosophical preparations. Proclus of Rome: "Fascinating." Boy R. (GM): "Sometimes however they are not as efficacious as one might expect, and this can be very disorienting. It can be distressing to see someone in such a state, which is why they should be restrained if at all possible. They would have little consciousness of their surroundings or dangers they might be in" Proclus of Rome: "Ah, of course!" "That's very interesting. Have you ever met Venator ex Miscellenae?" Boy R. (GM): "I don't know who you're talking about" Proclus of Rome: "I know that he has done a few experiments along these lines." "I can't say I'm too surprised, he isn't very sociable." Boy R. (GM): "Oh? That is a shame. Perhaps I'll look for his writings" Proclus of Rome: "You wouldn't happen to know anything about the murders that happened tonight, would you?" Boy R. (GM): "I could heartily wish they hadn't happened. All we desire is a night of peaceful contemplation" Proclus of Rome: "Can I ask your companion in the coffin if he knows anything?" Boy R. (GM): "one sees very little, from within a coffin" Potom Flos: "At the very least to confirm your experiment." Boy R. (GM): Well if you're not going to leave him with any choice you all file inside>? Lavinia of Jerbiton: sure Aristocritus of Trianoma: it's time to get murdered Boy R. (GM): the priests are happy to unwrap their charge, who seems unharmed, if delirious and half-conscious Proclus of Rome: "Hello, I'm Proclus of Rome, pleased to meet you." Boy R. (GM): he looks about frantically and mutters something incoherent Proclus of Rome: "Excuse me, I didn't catch that." Boy R. (GM): he's entirely incapable of carrying on a conversation, and the priests seem alarmed that at any moment he'll make a noise that'll bring the inn down on them but wait that's a great setup Proclus of Rome: But wait, there's more (problems)! Boy R. (GM): as you're gathered around the non-corpse, a voice from behind says "no, but I'm going to" It's the woman with the sword! And she's drawn it Proclus of Rome: Tikes! Lavinia of Jerbiton: oh my Proclus of Rome: I mean Yikes! Aristocritus of Trianoma: i knew it was the woman with the sword! Proclus of Rome: I mean ""Yikes!"" Boy R. (GM): "Excuse me magi, but I've been charged with delivering this one alive to Vervain ex Tremere" "I trust you have no interest in him? He's hardly a magical power" Potom Flos: (Is this the woman talking?) Boy R. (GM): it is Proclus of Rome: Do I know who that is? Boy R. (GM): roll order of hermes lore! Proclus of Rome: Ok. Lavinia of Jerbiton: rolling 1d10+4 ( 3 ) +4 = 7 Proclus of Rome: rolling 1d10 + 0 ( 9 ) +0 = 9 Aristocritus of Trianoma: rolling 1d10+2 ( 9 ) +2 = 11 Proclus of Rome: Wait is that +int? Lavinia of Jerbiton: It's better to be lucky than good Boy R. (GM): sure, but if you have no ranks don't roll Proclus of Rome: Oh ok. Potom Flos: rolling 1d10 + 0 ( 4 ) +0 = 4 Aristocritus of Trianoma: oh, +3 int Boy R. (GM): is that a trained roll from aristocritus? ok cool yeah you're pretty sure Vervain is the name of some bigwig in Transylvania Potom Flos: Sorry, didn't see the don't roll message Proclus of Rome: That's quite a ways from here. "He seems to be involved with these men of the cloth." Speaking of, what kind of sword does she have? Boy R. (GM): "These aren't men of the cloth any more than that's a corpse" It's an arming sword. It's a little lighter than most Proclus of Rome: "Oh? Well, I wish they'd told me." Boy R. (GM): looks quite well made Proclus of Rome: "Who are you gentlemen?" Boy R. (GM): "Look, this fellow's on the run from the justice of the Order and dozens more besides. But he has just enough favours to call in to get someone to go through this whole charade to smuggle him out of the city" the first priest sighs heavily "I guess there's no use trying to conceal it... "We're the Chandlers' Guild" "don't ask me why the Masters thought this guy was worth going to all this trouble. I'm not paid to ask questions" Proclus of Rome: "What does smuggling a man in a coffin have to do with candles?" Prinny D. (GM): could we BE any more suspicious? Proclus of Rome: Heh. Boy R. (GM): "Well we've got good contacts with the carpenters and joiners through the funerary angle, you know. Easy to collaborate on this sort of project" roll Rome Lore, Proclus Proclus of Rome: Supernatural or not? Boy R. (GM): not Proclus of Rome: Ok. rolling 1d10 + 2 + 7 ( 2 ) +2+7 = 11 I'll conf this. Darvin: (Sorry, I have to head out. Thanks for the session :D) Proclus of Rome: Bye. Boy R. (GM): lol no worries, we're running late Proclus of Rome: Glad to have you here. Lavinia of Jerbiton: cheers! Boy R. (GM): you don;t know anything about chandlers but it's not that far-fetched. organized crime and organized trades often go hand in hand. Proclus of Rome: Sounds fine to me. Hmm. Well it seems like the cat is out of the bag. Boy R. (GM): "So," says the adventurer lady, "There's no problem with me taking this one then?" "I appreciate that they've gone to the trouble of sedating him" Proclus of Rome: "Not if they don't object." Boy R. (GM): Well, she has a weapon and they don't so they seem happy to give it up as a lost cause Proclus of Rome: "On the other hand, I wish that we had been informed of this issue." Boy R. (GM): "Hmm? Why's that magus?" said while hogtying man for transport Proclus of Rome: "It is a serious breach of courtesy to not tell the Covenant of Rome about this." "After all, we would have been more than happy to help." Boy R. (GM): "I'll let the boss now" * know "Word to the wizard though, if you want to be taken seriously you migth start scrubbing your scrying windows instead of leaving them where any passer-by can notice" Proclus of Rome: "We can take charge of this man. Your master can collect him if he wishes." Boy R. (GM): "Ehhhhh?" "That's not my mission at all" "Listen, what grounds have you got for custody here? If you're the covenant of Rome this isn't even your turf" Proclus of Rome: "Well, after all, you could be anyone. If you had thought to contact us through the proper channels, then I'm sure the Covenant of Rome might have been more than happy to let you carry out your mission. But as it stands, this man and yourself could be anyone." Lavinia of Jerbiton: (To GM) rolling 1d10!+2+5 int + code of hermes ( 5 ) +2+5 = 12 Proclus of Rome: "I believe that Ostia is a part of the Roman Hinterlands and would therefore fall under our jurisdiction." (To johns): you can't really think of any applicable rulings. Any magus can deliver arbitrary justice to this guy, because he's outside the code. Violence against the woman, if she's acting on a magus' orders, would be a crime in most jurisdictions Lavinia of Jerbiton: I whisper something to Proclus Boy R. (GM): she looks completely nonplussed "Hinterlands? Are you lords of the land now?" Proclus of Rome: It's important to mention that I know almost nothing at all about the Order of Hermes or the Code of Hermes beyond the Oath. Boy R. (GM): "I apologise that I didn't have time to make a formal introduction, I've been riding hard for days" Proclus of Rome: I thought you were doing a divination, Lavinia. Lavinia of Jerbiton: it didnt' pan out Proclus of Rome: Alright then. Boy R. (GM): at this point I'm not certain how much time has passed Proclus of Rome: I'll take your advice under advisement. Feel free to interject. Boy R. (GM): "Look, let this one go, and I'll let put in a word to my boss about how helpful you were. She's a quaesitor, and has a lot of friends in this tribunal" Aristocritus of Trianoma: "No reason to make any new enemies here, Proclus." Proclus of Rome: Well, I'm no fan of the cops. On the other hand, I feel like we need to stand strong here or the other Covenants in the Tribunal will just walk all over us. They didn't even tell us about a fugitive, after all. I assume Lucatiel doesn't mind us conferring. Boy R. (GM): no, she's used to this sort of thing Proclus of Rome: I can imagine. Well, what do you my sodales think? Lavinia of Jerbiton: "You should turn him over." Proclus of Rome: "Oh, do you know anything about the two murders that occurred at this inn tonight?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "If she is telling the truth we gain nothing interfering with a wizard's march. If she is lying, we still gain nothing by helping these men." Boy R. (GM): "No, except that they've been bothering me" Proclus of Rome: "Oh, why?" Oh of course, I just figured out the perfect person to ask about the murder. The room. Boy R. (GM): "You don't just get this many unrelated murders, smugglings and elopements in one place at the same time!" "of course I bet it was those quiet fuckers that did it, they were definitely up to something" insert period swears as appropriate Proclus of Rome: Anyway, I guess we can allow this to go. Aristocritus of Trianoma: god's wounds Proclus of Rome: However, I don't want to cause any trouble with the Chandler's Guild. Boy R. (GM): that;/s a good one Proclus of Rome: Where were they supposed to deliver the body? I mean the man. Aristocritus of Trianoma: "The chandler's guild is beneath us." Boy R. (GM): "We see the captain of the Blue Bird out of Ravenna takes charge of it in the morning, and our part is done" Proclus of Rome: "Hmm." "We could help you intercede at that point, madam." Boy R. (GM): "But hey, we didn't see any of you people, how about that? We got beat by some thugs, and we didn't catch any names" Proclus of Rome: "Oh no, I'd hate for you to have to lie." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "These men are well accustomed to lying." Boy R. (GM): "it's a living" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Leave them to what they do best, Proclus." Proclus of Rome: "Well, I'm not happy about it, but it seems like the floor has turned against me. Ha ha ha." Lavinia of Jerbiton: "Chandlers. Some suspicious men in cloaks were here earlier and seem to have fled. It would be easy enough to blame them for your troubles." "And if anyone raises a fuss and asks about, they will hear about what has happened and presume your story true." Boy R. (GM): "Oh those guys! Well there you go, problem solved. Shifty looking bastards those were" "ah right, all the dying" Proclus of Rome: "Well, it has been a strange night." Lavinia of Jerbiton: I suppose we should investigate the murder now that this issue seems solved Boy R. (GM): All's well that ends well, I say. great, the woman who might as well be called lucatiel rides off with her prey If yo uwant to investigate further you can Proclus of Rome: So would talking to the room be Intellego Herbam or Terram? Or... BOTH!? Boy R. (GM): I think Terram Lavinia of Jerbiton: who had a chance to steal potom's knife Aristocritus of Trianoma: would it be an herbam requisite Boy R. (GM): the building is primarily stone and plaster the room was crowded, so it could have been almost anybody Aristocritus of Trianoma: or is dead wood just terram Proclus of Rome: You could ask his belt. Lavinia of Jerbiton: the frangipani guy specificially stopped him earlier Boy R. (GM): dead wood is herbam, but I don't think the requisite is necessary Lavinia of Jerbiton: what the hell, i'll try divining the knife's location Boy R. (GM): frangipani is laid up having his wounds salved go for it Lavinia of Jerbiton: rolling 1d10!+10+2-1 ( 7 ) +10+2-1 = 18 conf "Learn one visible property of a stone, earth, or metal object (a property that someone with appropriate skills could determine just by looking)" Boy R. (GM): does that work? Aristocritus of Trianoma: if the blame falls on the guys with the gift then we probably can't stay at the only inn in town. way more important than whoever that was Boy R. (GM): Hmm. Is a location a visible property of an object? Proclus of Rome: So that'd be Stone Tell of the Mind that Sits? I'd say so. Wait maybe not. Lavinia of Jerbiton: I argue that it is a valid property Proclus of Rome: Since you can't say where something is just by looking at it. Lavinia of Jerbiton: as Locate a Plant and Locate a Person are the same ease factor Proclus of Rome: You also need to be able to see it's surroundings. Boy R. (GM): ok good enough It's not far away, in fact it's in the hands of someone in a room across the way Lavinia of Jerbiton: this takes another half hour and i'm at -1 from fatigue now Boy R. (GM): One occupied by the countess' retinue Proclus of Rome: Dun dun dun! Lavinia of Jerbiton: is it the chamberlain's room? Boy R. (GM): no, he had a private room and it is now empty Lavinia of Jerbiton: neat should we inform the Contessa then Boy R. (GM): It's about half 12 if you want to do something, do it now Proclus of Rome: Hmm. Boy R. (GM): or you can let it go I'd just as soon wrap things up Proclus of Rome: I'd need to roll a 15 if I wanted to talk to stone. Boy R. (GM): seems like a stretch Proclus of Rome: I could ask the table. Boy R. (GM): sure Aristocritus of Trianoma: i have pretty good intellego and terram Proclus of Rome: Nah that'd be just as tough for me. Well, almost. Boy R. (GM): so are you going to confront the thief or wake the contessa up to tell her she has a thief in her household or just let it go? Lavinia of Jerbiton: tell the contessa we don't want to be the target of suspicion ourselves Proclus of Rome: We should tell her while Aristocritus interrogates the furniture. Aristocritus of Trianoma: what did you even want to learn from the walls Contessa: "What the devil is it? Is someone else dead?" Lavinia of Jerbiton: "That armed lady who just left-- before she did, she told us that she saw a member of your retinue lifting a knife from our comrade Potom Flos." "A trifling matter normally but given tonight's events.." Proclus of Rome: Well, I wanted to know who murdered the man in black and left him in our room. Contessa: she looks at you somewhat suspiciously "alright, alright." Aristocritus of Trianoma: what kind of level are we lookin at here Contessa: let's resolve this spell first Proclus of Rome: It's level 25 to talk to an alive plant. Probably similar to talk to furniture. Contessa: call it 30 probably Proclus of Rome: Maybe. That'll take a LONG time though. Contessa: most of the examples are to talk to natural phenomena Proclus of Rome: 450 minutes. Contessa: I think it';s out of your reach tbh Aristocritus of Trianoma: yeah i can reach 25 easily but probably not twice that Proclus of Rome: It'll only take me 30 minutes but my InTe is only 12. +8, but still. Contessa: spells 30+ are not usually practical to spont Proclus of Rome: It is what it is. Contessa: Alright, the lady grouchily goes around all the rooms her retinue are occupying Aristocritus of Trianoma: too bad it wouldn't be period-accurate for someone to have a glass of water on a nightstand Contessa: "has anyone seen a weapon that was stolen, to put this woman's mind at ease, god knows why I'm humouring her etc etc Aristocritus of Trianoma: i can definitely talk to glasses of water. Contessa: finally: "you see, nothing to worry abou- the light streaming from the hallway falls across Bruno's bed, where he lies with his throat cut and Potom Flos' bloodied dagger left across him Proclus of Rome: This has been quite the night. Contessa: See now ordinarily this is where your troubles would just be starting But I was sort of hoping to let that slide since Darvin took off let's gloss over the ending Proclus of Rome: lol Aristocritus of Trianoma: love to gloss Boy R. (GM): "That was quite the night" you comment as your boat pulls away from the dock Proclus of Rome: And on his body, YOUR DAGGER! Yadda yadda yadda it's all fine. Boy R. (GM): It's just as well the murderer's plot was too brazenly amateurish Still those mind games you pulled to force a confession, knowing that one of the contessa's staff was the culprit, was quite a coup Aristocritus of Trianoma: "unfortunately, the real killer escaped while proclus was lecturing the red herring" Boy R. (GM): of course it only worked because they were in awe of your magical powers Proclus of Rome: I don't think I can go to Milan at this point. Boy R. (GM): Well, there's that, but it's nice that you were able to prove he was the real killer Proclus of Rome: I need to yell at Venator about other Magi just walking all over us. I'm usually pretty even keeled but I'm really upset about this! Boy R. (GM): well, what do you want him to do? You could always remain in Ostia to hunt down the satanic cult that murdered the contessa's chamberlain Proclus of Rome: Sounds like an open plot hook. Boy R. (GM): but a cursory investigation reveals the victim had the same weird tattoo, so do you really want to interfere with weird cults killing their own? Proclus of Rome: Yes. There shouldn't be any weird cult that we don't know about. Boy R. (GM): A fair point Aristocritus of Trianoma: imagine all the infernal vis they presumably have Boy R. (GM): For surviving A Rough Night at the Three Feathers, without a witch hunt being called on you, take 7xp sorry I don't have a better way to wrap things up Lavinia of Jerbiton: Hoorah do you want to just continue it next session? Proclus of Rome: Actually you mean there are now a lot of interesting plot threads left hanging! Boy R. (GM): Well we could but then we'd be off the rails alright it's worth a shot Lavinia of Jerbiton: Rails are meant to be destroyed Proclus of Rome: I mean there's a lot of stuff going on! Lavinia of Jerbiton: The Milanese can wait Boy R. (GM): I have to say this scenario runs a little smoother when the PCs are a wandering group of hardened killers, and the kind of people that a random person would hire to commit murder Proclus of Rome: Heh. Owned Atlas. Lavinia of Jerbiton: What game is it adapted from? Proclus of Rome: Shrug this off! Boy R. (GM): Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st editon Proclus of Rome: Oh. I assume it ends with the inn burning down. Boy R. (GM): it usually ends with the strongest looking PC being pressed into serving as the Gravin's replacement champion because she has a trial by combat to fight, which I'm fairly sure didn't usually happen in the real world Proclus of Rome: I mean Trial By Combat is a real thing but the Church in particular hates it. I know this from Pendragon. Boy R. (GM): I have no idea whether it's appropriate to this place and time and didn't want to waste time on it would be good to know for the future though Endrite: It is. Aristocritus of Trianoma: seems like it's more of a german thing Endrite: Italian families are likely to settle things with a duel of some kind. Aristocritus of Trianoma: germanic Endrite: Since I mean what king is going to stop them? Aristocritus of Trianoma: i guess italians loved to kill each other too though yeah Boy R. (GM): god bless em Endrite: Anyway we can talk about it more in the thread. Boy R. (GM): I'm very excited to build on the many criminal enterprises of the chandlers' guild Endrite: Yeah it looks cool. Boy R. (GM): alright anyway, goodnigth Endrite: See ya. Lavinia of Jerbiton: goodnight! Aristocritus of Trianoma: gg