GM says, "I'm not sure how the lag'll affect things, but I guess we'll see how it goes"

Squee says, "Universal Aspect"

Tesher arrives from the east.

GM says, "good, good"

Garue has arrived.

Squee says, "Tesher, searching the galaxy... FOR LUUURVE"

GM says, "let's see, still need Touchy and Iain"

Garue asks, "Who's Lurve?"

GM says, "captain Raqi, last we checked"

Garue aHa!

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "lpsmith is on his way after he convinces the children to eat their cereal *while sitting in their chairs* instead of wandering around the living room"

[Crows-Nest] inky says, "ha ha"

Eolo has arrived.

[rpg] GM says, "perhaps I will start off with a recap"

[rpg] GM says, "last session, our heroes stumbled on the trail of something called The Abacus, which apparently has to do with droids and is a structure way out in space, past the official boundaries of the empire"

[rpg] GM says, "the main person who knows about it is Professor Trevorno, who's disappeared"

[rpg] GM says, "one person who seems to be on her trail, or at least have her portrait, is Captain Raqi, who has also disappeared, probably due to the actions of a mysterious person in black armor"

Reig has arrived.

Zagor has arrived.

Zagor says, "Greetings."

[rpg] GM says, "Captain Raqi is also the former driver of the Cobra, which was ferrying Durok around"

[rpg] Touchy says, "whoops"

[rpg] Touchy says, "late"

[rpg] GM says, "Durok being Count Durok, a noble in House Gwyne -- but that said, the Cobra was registered with House Reeft, Gwyne's enemy"

[rpg] GM says, "when we last left off, you guys had broken into the Cobra, sabotaged the engines, stole a mysterious crystal mobile and a PDA from Durok's cabin, and read their next destination: Xaxak, an unpleasant steppes-heavy planet dotted with radiation mines"

Zagor has disconnected.

Zagor has connected.

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Don't step on the mine! It'll kill you in 20-25 years."

Garue says, "Radiation mines? Worse than heavy-metal mines. Metal just kills ya. Radiation warps ya."

Eolo has disconnected.

Eolo has connected.

[Crows-Nest] Heron asks, "argh what is the game location again?"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "'dtt'"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

Heron has arrived.

Reig examines the PDA!

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "(and will probably hand it off to someone, since I don't have anything great/superb relevant.)"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Didn't someone have something they wanted to do before we left for Xaxak?"

[rpg] GM says, "(hang on, sorting out the logging one sec)"

[rpg] GM says, "(or trying to)"

[rpg] Squee says (to Tesher), "I can't think of anything."

Eolo has disconnected.

Eolo has connected.

[rpg] Tesher says, "Oh, it was Reig investigationing."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Which is already in progress."

[rpg] GM says, "weird"

Zagor has disconnected.

Zagor has connected.

[rpg] Tesher says, "As soon as we figure out who is good at investigation."

[rpg] GM exclaims, "ok, anyway!"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Crazy lag here, sorry."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor asks, "Although it may be gone now...?"

[rpg] Garue says, "I have fair investigation"

[rpg] Garue says, "and crazy lag"

[rpg] Heron says, "I have no investigation but superb lag."

GM says, "I think it is an investigation roll to investigate the pda, difficulty good (so 'fudge fair' if you have fair investigation)"

[rpg] Heron says, "Strike that, legendary lag."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Hee."

Reig rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Average (1)

Garue rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

Tesher pages: Meanwhile, I'd like to send an encrypted message to my Facilitation contacts to let them know what's up and to see if they have any useful advice on this.

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "HA!"

Garue says, "It looks like a standard PDA."

Garue says, "But I can't turn it on."

[rpg] Tesher says, "This might also be a time to consider aspects and fate points and tagging."

[Crows-Nest] Reig asks, "Anyone else have Investigation?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, none of my Aspects are relevant."

You paged Tesher: ok, you should get a response back about the time you arrive at Xaxak

GM says, "ok, perhaps you guys will save it to show to the professor, the"

[rpg] Heron says, "I suppose we could all roll and see if anybody gets lucky."

GM says, "n"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yes, do that."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "This came out of Durok's closet, right?"

GM says, "I assume since you sabotaged the Cobra's engines, you are intending to leave for Xaxak immediately and beat them there"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Does the GM think it makes sense?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yes."

[rpg] Reig says, "(to Tesher)"

Tesher rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Average (1)

Tesher says (to GM), "I assume that as well."

GM says, "so the journey there is a couple days"

Zagor has disconnected.

Zagor has connected.

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, right, Zagor has Good investigation."

[rpg] Reig says, "And he is probably all lagged out."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'm fading in and out"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Very sci-fi of me"

GM says, "when you get close you're contacted by an automatic transponder, telling you to queue for a customs inspection on landing"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "What are we investigating?"

[rpg] Reig exclaims (at Zagor), "Investigate this PDA!"

[rpg] Reig says, "(target Good)"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I may be psychic but I need *something* to go on."

[rpg] GM says, "there's also the mysterious crystal mobile"

Zagor rolls ??? (food) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Terrible-1 (-3)

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "DELICIOUS FOOD"

Heron rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[rpg] Zagor says, "This public display of affection is terrible!"

[rpg] Reig says, "FUDGE IS FOOD"

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

Tesher says, "Requesting priority clearance, on a 54-b tag. Perishable produce."

Zagor says, "Space travel and I never seem to agree."

Zagor says, "Or perhaps it was that extragalactic fudge."

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "why don't you roll Bureaucracy"

Heron asks (of Tesher), "Do we have anything to worry about with this customs inspection?"

Tesher says, "We've already been inspected on departure, and we can forward you our logs to show that there's been no tampering with the cargo mid-flight."

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "I was thinking the same thing myself!"

Tesher rolls Good (3) +2 + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Epic (7)

[rpg] GM says, "dang dude"

GM says (to Tesher), "ok, obviously you are intimately familiar with Xaxak's system"

Tesher has obviously done this a hundred times before. It's totally routine, no point in inspecting him at all.

GM says, "well"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "You don't need to see his identification. He can go about his business."

GM says, "unfortunately one of the things you are familiar with is that they are hyper-paranoid about people trying to smuggle weapons in and so they inspect everyone"

Squee says, "Maybe we could all cram in the Sensor Error and hide, using all those shifts to help."

Zagor asks, "What weapons are we hiding?"

Garue says, "Taser-mace"

Gunther has arrived.

Garue says, "But that's close range only, nothing to worry about."

Tesher says, "*I'm* not actually hiding any weapons, as it turns out."

Tesher says, "I don't know about you guys."

Zagor says, "Hmm, I normally disguise mine as shaving gear. Claiming that for a mace is tricky."

GM says, "basically the rundown on the planet is it used to be all nomads, and then this guy discovered the radiation minerals and sent in some mercenary troops to set up shop"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Did I at least get us past the queue?"

Garue asks, "Oh, and a couple of blasters. But who cares about them?"

GM says, "when their workers died, they started grabbing nomads to work in the mines"

Reig says, "If anyone wants to smuggle something, I can get it for you. They rarely check cats, anyway.l"

[rpg] Heron says, "these are unpleasant people.."

GM says, "which means the whole planet is in a seething state of rebellion much of the time"

Garue says, "That ain't right."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "And does an open-carried sidearm count as a smuggled weapon, or are they mainly concerned with crates of rifles and concussion grenades?"

GM says, "kept down in the one big city by troops, and elsewhere by guards at the mines themselves"

Heron holds his rifle next to Reig to see if it might fit anywhere.

[rpg] Zagor asks, "How about if we carry our rifles and grenades openly too?"

GM says, "but yeah, you skillfully selected one of their more in-demand import products -- they don't grow much here"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor asks, "Planet of little guys, eh?"

GM says, "(they aren't worried about personal weapons so much as people mass-equipping the natives)"

Reig says, "Ah, OK."

Garue hides his mace in a cabbage

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Yay."

[rpg] Heron says, "Cabbage on a stick..."

[rpg] Heron says, "Pour some syrup on it, too."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I missed the intro, so I'm just following you guys for the next step."

GM says, "anyway, with Tesher's guidance you zip through the customs web and ahead in the queue, and down to the planet for inspection"

GM says, "are you doing anything special with the pda or the mobile? since those seem like your main potentially-contraband things"

GM says, "and it sounds like Garue is hiding his unusual weapon"

Heron says, "These are contraband? Well, Tesher would know what to do obviously."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I can try to pocket one of them."

Reig pockets the PDA.

[Crows-Nest] Reig asks, "What's the mobile?"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Reig), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Olds is Mobile."

GM says (to Heron), "well, they're stolen; you might not consider that contraband"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Oh, the mobile."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "it's the crystal thing in the large case -- it's like three feet long"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "The crystal MacGuffin."

Reig also pockets a crystal from a mobile, assuming it's reversibly detachable.

GM asks, "okey doke -- are you leaving it on the ship or carrying it around?"

Zagor asks (of Tesher), "Do you have somewhere we can hide this box in reasonable safety?"

Reig says, "I'm carrying around two crystals and the PDA."

Tesher asks (of Zago), "On the ship? Or do you want to me to carry it for you, inconspicuously?"

Heron says (to Zagor), "You could hide this ship in itself..."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "(rolling for hiding them:)"

Reig rolls Superb (5) +2 + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

Tesher rolls Superb (5) +2 + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Fantastic (6)

Zagor says, "I was thinking on the ship, but if you want to try bluffing it..."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Gosh"

[rpg] Heron says, "jeez"

[rpg] Heron says, "you guys are on fire"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Now we'll never find them either"

[rpg] Tesher says, "My roll was for finding a place to put the rest on the ship."

[rpg] Reig says (to Heron), "This is also What I Do."

GM says, "right then"

Zagor says, "Xaxax! Fabled land of... mainly mines and slavery, apparently."

GM says, "the guards -- bored-looking mercenaries (humanoids, with heads like anteaters) inspect the ship and supervise the unloading (and Tesher has to bribe them) but it comes off without incident, and they don't find anything you don't want them to find"

[rpg] Heron says, "xaxakadu"

GM says, "so here you are in beautiful Xaxakia"

Zagor says, "I've seen worse."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "'Oh, look, how did that credit chip get in my pocket? Well, you'd better *confiscate* that!'"

Garue gulps a couple of anti-radiation pills.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Not sure where we get started here."

[rpg] Tesher says, "You make a good point."

[rpg] Reig says (to Zagor), "you could Investigate us a lead."

[rpg] GM says, "I think it'd be socializing if you want to ask around for something in particular"

[rpg] GM says, "but let me run down the city a sec first"

Zagor says, "It'd be interesting to know whether Durok has"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Er"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Been here before."

[rpg] Reig says, "I'm pretty sure it comes that way."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Did Zagor learn anything from the PDA?"

[rpg] Reig says, "No, he rolled low."

[rpg] Zagor says, "After fudging good I only rolled fair."

GM says, "the city is a combination of temporary and permanent structures -- there's a "palace" which is obviously a fortified thing in its own right, some barracks and storage houses, a big shipyard"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Fudging food, even. Can't even type my typos correctly."

GM says, "and then a whole sea of tents"

GM says, "some of which are full of native workers, some of which are full of people here to sell stuff to the guards or shipyard workers"

[rpg] Reig asks, "What kind of Droid presence is there on this planet?"

Garue says, "Looks ripe for a fire. Hope they have a decent supression system or this whole town could go up in flames 'cause some poor bastard knocks over a kiro-lamp."

Tesher eyes Garue suspiciously.

[rpg] GM says, "good question -- it's super-minimal from your initial glances"

Garue says, "Ahm just sayin'"

[rpg] Zagor says, "And what do we know about the rulers? And/or whoever's in the palace."

Eolo goes home.

Eolo has disconnected.

[rpg] GM says, "which might be because the environment (radiation and dust) isn't too conducive, or might be because forced work by the natives is cheaper than droids"

[rpg] GM says, "oh yeah"

[rpg] GM says, "Tesher knows the head guy is Xax"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ha"

[rpg] Heron asks, "How's security handled here? How strong is the rebellion? Is that drunkards talk or are they organized can be contacted?"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher asks, "Er, was Eolo logging?"

[rpg] GM says, "he's the guy who set the operation up about fifty years ago"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yes, but not well"

Zagor says, "I wonder if we'd generate some interest if we tried selling one of the crystals in the market."

Zagor says, "*Somebody* must know what it's for."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks, "you can recap #dtt now, can't you?"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "So you still have the log under control? OK."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yeah, I think so"

Tesher says, "I am curious if anyone knows about Durok's comings and goings around here."

Heron says (to Tesher), "I wonder if anybody has seen your pretty acquaintance."

Tesher says, "Or... any other suspicious arrivals and departures, for that matter."

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[rpg] Reig asks, "So, possible leads: Durok, crystal, PDA?"

Zagor says, "Either the spaceport logs or the palace, then."

Gunther has arrived.

GM says (to Tesher), "the barracks/storage houses is where the sort of "offworld but not important" workers stay, and the palace is where the "offworld and important" people are"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "(dang, no room echo on #dtt)"

[rpg] Tesher says, "That sounds about right."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "recap isn't working there?"

[rpg] Garue asks, "is there tavern-like places to mingle unobtrusively?"

Recapping 3 of 116 lines from rooms/dtt:

[dtt]/001 Zagor says, "Either the spaceport logs or the palace, then."

[dtt]/002 Gunther has arrived.

[dtt]/003 GM says (to Tesher), "the barracks/storage houses is where the sort of "offworld but not important" workers stay, and the palace is where the "offworld and important" people are"

Recapped 3 of 116 lines from rooms/dtt.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Also The Abacus itself."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hmm. I wonder if Doctor What's-her-face has been here."

[rpg] Garue says, "are, rather"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Garue), "Man, always about the taverns."

[rpg] GM asks, "Professor Trevorno?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "If they brought her here to research stuff in secret, then someone might have seen her around."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Yeah, Trevorno."

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, and someone with Bureaucracy could find out who's expecting the Cobra."

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "yeah, there isn't much for the offworlders to spend money on here except drinking"

Tesher says (to Reig), "True."

[rpg] Tesher says, "OK, so we should come up with a plan or few:"

[rpg] Garue asks, "shall we find a tavern-like-tent near the barracks?"

[rpg] Heron says, "Alright, so I'd like to roll bureaucracy to ask if any of the players have been seen."

[rpg] Reig says, "I could head for the Palace and wander around."

[rpg] Tesher says, "One possible plan is to go hang around the spaceports and chat up the people working there, maybe get some info about Durok and/or the Cobra."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Tavern tent."

[rpg] GM says, "(basically, working on Xaxak is like working as a non-military person on an army base; you get paid a super-high salary but you have to stay on base most of the time and there's nothing to do in your off-time; also there's some danger from outside if you go out of bounds)"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I wonder if we should try something a little bolder."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Maybe impersonate Durok himself, or hawk the crystals around the black market."

[rpg] GM asks (of Garue), "do you want a tavern that the offworlders hang out in, or a tavern that the natives do?"

[rpg] Garue says, "natives seem like the more explosive population, more interested in causing trouble, right? that sounds perfect."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "So it looks like we have four possible directions: spaceport (to get info on Durok/Cobra), Palace, Workers' Tavern, and Market?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Sounds about right."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am personally thinking spaceport. (Er, shipyards, I guess I mean.)"

[rpg] GM says, "also, getting into the palace or doing stuff on the black market is totally doable, but it'll take a little work to make contact with either"

[rpg] Tesher says, "But failing that, I could potentially be useful at the Palace."

[rpg] Heron says, "I'm with Tesher."

[rpg] Squee says, "Spaceports often have droids, and that's good with me."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Sure, let's start there."

[rpg] Squee says, "Also, we're probably already there."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "So that's three for the spaceport. Are we all going there, or are we splitting the party?"

[rpg] Heron asks (of Squee), "Should we split?"

GM says, "ok, you are poking around the spaceport"

[rpg] Reig says, "I'm happy either way; sort of depends on inky."

GM asks, "what are you poking around for?"

[rpg] Squee says (to Heron), "If you like."

[rpg] Garue says, "spaceport sounds fine"

Zagor asks (of Tesher), "Did I hear you describe yourself as a 'master of disguise'?"

[rpg] GM says, "it seems like maybe we should just throw out ideas about what you're doing in general and make some rolls until you start picking up leads, and then focus on one"

Heron says, "Alright, I'm trying to use bureaucracy to find out if anybody has been seen."

Tesher says (to Zagor), "Nope. That must have been someone else you heard describing me as that."

Tesher says, "Not that I'm disagreeing with them."

GM asks (of Heron), "anyone in specific? anyone unusual?"

Heron says, "Anybody = {Durok, Trevorno, Dude}"

Tesher asks (of Zagor), "Have you gotten bored with the goatee already?"

Zagor asks, "What say we kidnap that rather autocratic chap over there, and use his ID to get into the overseer's offices?"

[rpg] Heron asks, "What was that fancy captain's name again?"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess, right, real masters of diguise wouldn't be known as that"

[rpg] GM asks, "raqi?"

Tesher says, "Ah, not a bad idea..."

Heron says, "Right, Raqi too."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Yeah, it's a tough career that way."

Tesher says, "Except for the kidnapping part, of course."

Garue says, "Maybe we can "persuade" someone to help us out"

GM says (to Heron), "I think this is a socializing roll"

Garue says, "If we're real convincing-like"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is pickpocketing 'stealth'?"

Heron rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Mediocre (0)

[rpg] Heron says, "meh"

[rpg] Tesher says, "If so, it seems like we could reasonably get that random autocrat out of the way and lift his ID without resorting to kidnapping."

[rpg] Squee says, "Quick, someone distract that aristrocrat with abs."

GM says (to Heron), "there are occasional unusual foreigners that come in, but nobody wants to talk -- obviously Xax has them all on a short leash"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I guess I just don't like the way he holds that clipboard. A little kidnapping is just what he needs."

[rpg] GM says, "hmm, I think it's probably burglary, not stealth"

[rpg] GM says, "but stealth would probably help"

[rpg] Tesher says, "OK."

[rpg] Tesher asks (of Ghogg), "Do you want to give this a shot?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "It occurs to me that there are different styles when it comes to committing crimes."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hang on, I'll distract him."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "It always starts with sneaking around, then pickpocketing, and before you know it you're on to kidnapping, extortion, and murder."

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "also, in theory you've got some kind of telepathy thing"

Heron takes off his shirt.

[rpg] GM says, "I'm not sure if you could use that to steal from the guy"

[rpg] Squee says (to Heron), "Haha."

[rpg] GM says, "ditto Heron"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "There are the people who carefully sneak into the art gallery and replace the priceless masterpiece with a perfect replica, so that no one will ever realize any crime was even committed."

Zagor says (to clipboard guy), "I say, excuse me! I believe this vehicle here is parked outside its zone. Could you come and take a look?"

[rpg] Squee says, "The resultant Wanted posters are going to be great."

[rpg] GM says, "lovingly detailed abs"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "And then there are those who light set off a few pipe bombs in the main lobby on their way out, to cover their escape."

Zagor says, "Look, the running board is over the parking line by several inches at least!"

GM says (to Zagor), "let's see, is this guy a captain of the guards kind of guy, a native worker supervisor kind of guy, an offworlder worker supervisor kind of guy, or an bureaucrat kind of guy"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Also, I have lost track of who is working together with whom right now."

Zagor says, "Conveniently enough, he seems to be kind of a quality supervisor kind of guy."

[rpg] GM says, "everyone is all together"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is Heron flashing the same guy that Zagor is talking to?"

[rpg] Heron says, "We are all together, I think."

[rpg] Squee says, "I didn't wander off."

[rpg] GM says, "he's flashin' everybody"

[rpg] Heron says, "I'm not flashing anybody. Sounds too dirty."

GM exclaims (at Zagor), "ok then!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "And is someone (possibly me?) supposed to be trying to pick this same guy's pocket? Or was that someone else?"

[rpg] Squee says, "All together in the same radiation-poisoning boat."

GM says, ""What?" he says. "It must be Genet -- I told him it'd be the arena for him if he went over the line again -- where is he?""

[rpg] Garue says, "trying to kidnap some poor unsuspecting off-world overlord"

Zagor rolls his eyes, points at the guy's pockets as surreptitiously as possible.

[rpg] Tesher asks, "OK, so how can I (mechanically) use Stealth to assist my Burglary?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'll assist with Deceit if possible."

[rpg] Squee says, "We should get our guy on the inside to shapechange into a Pocket Weasel"

[rpg] Tesher asks (of Zagor), "How about if I do the Deceit, and you do the Burglary?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I've never burgled in my life!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Are we burglarifying the guy or kidnapping him?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Since I have awesome Deceit, but no Burglary."

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, that's right, nobody has Burglary."

[rpg] GM exclaims, "this is no time to stick to union regulations!"

[rpg] Zagor says, "We have the skills the confuse him a whole lot."

[rpg] Garue asks, "how 'bout I whap him over the head, and while he's out cold, you pick his pocket?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "A PLAN"

[rpg] Heron asks (of GM), "Can I use telekinesis for burgling?"

[rpg] GM says, "it does seem like you guys should stick to what you're good at, yeah"

Tesher brushes past Zagor and the Guy hurriedly, on route to wherever he is going.

[rpg] Reig asks, "I have it Average; anyone else have it at all?"

Tesher rolls ??? (deceit) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Squee says, "As usual, violence is the answer to this one."

Tesher rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 0 +1 | Epic (7)

[rpg] Tesher says, "OK, that is my Deceit roll to distract him."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I have bumped. Someone else take advantage of it to Grab."

Zagor is distracted too.

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "yes, but this is one of those cases where you'd need to roll burglarly anyway"

[rpg] Garue says, "he's gonna be distracted for days"

[rpg] Reig says, "If you all put, um, aspects on this guy, I will tag them when I burgle him."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ah"

[rpg] GM says, "aspects, awesome"

[rpg] Reig says, "Is it aspects? I'm forgetting the term."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Blinded by abs"

[rpg] GM says, "yes"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Oh yeah. Does my Deceit roll count as 'placing an aspect?'"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "let's say it does!"

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "OK!"

[rpg] GM asks, "would anyone else like to try to distract the guy?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "This is the sort that gets a free tag, right?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Right."

[rpg] GM says, "right"

[rpg] GM says, "(since you used an action to place it)"

[rpg] Zagor says (to GM), "I'll get him super angry about that Genet guy, as that's what I'm good at."

[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Also, dub my aspect 'Bumped By The Best'."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "also, it seems like there would be some way to use telekinesis to distract the guy"

Zagor says (to mark), "Genet, you said? That's funny, I saw him in the tavern tent not an hour ago."

Zagor says, "He was talking about how easy it was to bribe some official."

GM says, ""What? When he was supposed to be on duty??""

[rpg] Heron asks, "Seriously now, how are our chances if we just knock him out? Are there people around?"

Zagor says, "No, it can't have been."

Zagor asks, "If he was on duty he wouldn't have been roaring drunk, would he?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Fantastic (6)

Reig saunters up and rubs against the guy's legs, and goes 'mrow?' like he wants to be picked up.

[rpg] Zagor says, "(attack roll)"

GM says, ""Why -- you -- hey, kitten""

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher says, "If we knock him out, he'll know we just knocked him out."

[rpg] Tesher says, "If we just steal his ID, he won't know we stole his ID."

[Crows-Nest] Squee exclaims, "No time for kittens now -- look at those abs!"

[rpg] GM says, "there are people around but you could lead him to an unpopulated place if you wanted"

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, might as well tag 'oh how cute!' for a re-roll."

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher says, "He'll eventually discover it's missing, but he won't know if he lost it, and he won't konw that we were involved."

[rpg] Reig says, "wtf."

[rpg] Squee says, "Dude just doesn't like cats, man."

[rpg] Zagor says, "That PDA is ruining the line of your clothes."

[rpg] Squee says, "And then we can steal his car."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Er, skin."

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee."

[rpg] Heron says, "Alright, I'm going to roll telekinesis for distraction."

[rpg] Squee says, "Maybe the aardvark people traditionally eat cats."

Heron rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Reig asks, "So, does this guy have two aspects I can tag?"

Heron says, "Look, levitating screwdriver."

[rpg] Reig says, "(3 with telekinesis)"

inky is not logged in.

[rpg] Reig says, "(if that works)"

GM says, ""Aren't you the pretty kitty!" he says. "I'm going to take you back to my living unit.""

GM says, "He grabs a firm arm around Reig and starts to walk off."

[rpg] GM says, "uh"

[rpg] Zagor says, "He's so confused and angry that he needs something cute to hold onto."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "And they both lived happily ever after."

[rpg] Squee says, "Confused, angry, and aroused."

[rpg] Heron says, "I would like to try to roll the screwdriver under his feet."

[rpg] GM says, "I'm losing a little track of the rolls here; if you didn't have any luck using their aspects, then you can tag some other aspects instead, but those will cost you fate points"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Or can I just make him stumble?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "At what point does someone actually remove the ID card from his pocket?"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, right, good point"

[rpg] Squee says, "When we tire of toying with him."

[rpg] Heron says, "haha"

[rpg] Reig says, "I haven't tagged anything yet; I spent one fate point to no effect."

[rpg] Reig says, "That is my next target, but I'm not sure how many aspects we put on him that I can tag."

GM says, "I should point out: while he's doing this, Reig has extracted the id card"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Ha ha."

GM says, "but unfortunately Reig is gripped solidly around the middle"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "Oh, I was going to actually roll Burglary at some point. But that works!"

[rpg] GM asks, "wait, what? what were those superb rolls?"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "I'm so confused!"

[rpg] GM says, "BUT WE WILL PRESS ON"

[rpg] Zagor says (to GM), "Here, take this cat."

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "They were Rapport to get him to pick me up. Sorry!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Placing aspects on him for Reig to tag when he rolled Burglary."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, I see"

[rpg] Tesher says, "But we'll just say he rolled, and because he had so many great aspects to tag for free, he succeeded easily."

[rpg] Reig says, "(I was going to then tag 'being held by target' to help the Burglary thing)"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think we're just going to run with this"

[rpg] Heron says, "I want to make him stumble using telekinesis."

[rpg] Reig says, "Sure."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "right, sounds good -- I think that would be an athletics roll"

[rpg] Heron says, "athletics? mkay"

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 0 | Average (1)

[rpg] Heron sighs.

[rpg] Tesher says, "If you have a relevant aspect, you can tag it to reroll."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, you might want to spend a fate point here"

[rpg] Heron says, "uhm...I don't think I have any relevant aspects"

[rpg] Squee says, "The dice giveth, and the dice taketh away."

[rpg] GM says, "ok then"

[rpg] Squee says, "You can use up one of those free tag aspects, I think."

[rpg] Reig says, "If I have the card, I'm just going to try to squirm away."

GM says, "The guy stumbles a bit as he walks off with Reig, but catches himself and is soon around the corner"

Squee says, "Hunh. Maybe we should go after them."

Heron says, "OK, screw this mindcrap."

Heron runs after them.

[rpg] GM says, "he's holding you pretty tight, but you could try to bite him or something"

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

GM says, "The guy stumbles a bit as he walks off with Reig, but catches himself and is"

GM says, "(er)"

Squee says, ""Hey, that guy stole my cat!""

[rpg] Reig says, "Well, I can morph."

[rpg] GM says, "oh, good point"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Into another, much uglier cat."

[rpg] GM says, "I guess make an athletics roll if you want to ooze out of his arms"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Who appears to have a skin disease of some sort."

[rpg] Squee says, "Man, usually that only happens after I've sobered up."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "Wow, that'll really make his day complete."

Reig tries to ooze out of his arms!

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Garue says, "way to gross-out the makr"

[rpg] Garue says, "er, mark"

GM says, "ok! as the guy (whose name, you will eventually discover from his id, is Frognoz) walks away, Reig squishes out of his arms and to the ground"

Reig says "mrow!" offendedly and stalks off.

GM says, ""Stupid cat!" says Frognoz. "Well, Genet's still in trouble. Just wait til I find him.""

[rpg] Tesher says, "OK, it seems like the logical next course of action would be to grab a jacket that someone left lying on the back of a chair, slip into the restroom, and disguise myself as Frognoz."

Zagor says, "There, all accomplished so smoothly that he barely even noticed."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says (to Zagor), "Ha ha."

[rpg] Squee says, "I still think we should steal Frognoz's car here."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Perhaps someone else should tail Frognoz to the tavern and make sure he gets into trouble."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says (to GM), "Super-belatedly, I was thinking I'd see dtt recap on #dtt as if people were talking if I wan't in the room"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Poor guy."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "oh, right"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yeah, the only thing it does is add to the recap"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "that'd be a good idea though ;)"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "Anyway, go for it. And hopefully he has clearance to look at all the logs."

Tesher rolls Superb (5) +2 + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+2 (10)

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "You can edit the transcript you get ;-)"

Squee asks, "What are we doing with this id again?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Anything we want, apparently."

Garue says, "Trying to look at logs"

GM says, "ok, Tesher disguises himself in fancy manner"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "no, I mean in general, but that's for another time and channel"

GM asks, "and, yeah, what are you looking for?"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "We're looking for stuff about the Cobra--when it's due in and where it plans to go--what its contacts are on-planet."

Frognoz comes back and walks up to Zagor. "Hey, did you see the guy who just took my ID card? It's about this big and has my picture on it."

[rpg] Reig says, "(also, here)"

Zagor says, "We're rumbled! Quick, somebody kill this guy!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

Zagor says, "...oh, very funny."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "anyway"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Still people around?"

Frognoz says, "Right. So you needed to requisition some information from our records..."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that sounds like an investigate roll, though with a pretty low difficulty since you have bluffed your way into his office"

Login name: Frognoz In real life: Tesher Bendros

Location: Dire Trilobite Tavern Gender: Male

Member since: 23-Feb-01 22:30:52

Currently logged in. Previous login: 10-Jul-10 17:53:59

Plan: To be an RPG character played by Jota.

[rpg] Squee is confused.

[rpg] Garue says, "should be easy to find the Cobra in the docklogs and the repair logs since they probably limped in."

[rpg] Frognoz says (to Squee), "We have used a disguise and a fake ID to gain access to the spaceport's logs."

[rpg] Squee says, "Oh wait, I gets it."

[rpg] Reig says, "They aren't here yet."

[rpg] Squee says, "Good thing I didn't shoot your face off."

Zagor says, "Yes, let's see..."

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Zagor says, "(investigation)"

Zagor says, "Bah, Frognoz may be an efficient parking inspector, but I don't understand his bookkeeping system at all."

[rpg] Frognoz asks, "Has anyone taken an story aspects other than me?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] Heron says, "I don't think anybody did."

GM says, "luckily this is still good enough, given that you're a registered user"

GM says, "the Cobra is due in 48 hours -- says "delayed due to mechanical issue""

GM says, "they're to be given maximum queue priority, but then delayed three hours and Xax to be notified"

GM says, "then escorted to the palace"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oho"

Reig, perched on Tesher's shoulder, asks, "Anywhere particular in the palace?"

GM says, "the super-private luxury receiving room"

Zagor says, "Certainly sounds like it's worth us getting ourselves in there."

Squee says, "Giving us just enough time to track down the Professor."

Reig asks, "Is there a map of the palace in that system somewhere?"

GM says, "a basic map, yeah"

GM says, "Xax is the sort of guy who has secret passages and stuff in his palace"

Heron says, "Cool."

GM says, "(which don't show up on this map)"

[Crows-Nest] Frognoz says, "Just look for a painting with the eyes cut out."

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Maybe I missed something -- is the professor here?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Here on the planet somewhere, I think."

[rpg] Frognoz says (to Zagor), "We don't know."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Wait, really?"

[rpg] Garue says, "let's go storm the palace"

[rpg] GM says, "I'm not sure there is any evidence for that; the main thing you've seen is that Raqi had a picture of the professor"

Reig says, "Hey, check the logs to see if the professor arrived here any time recently."

Reig says, "and/or left again."

[rpg] Squee says, "I thought this is where he came after he got exiled in disgrace, but I may be misremembering. Maybe he just disappeared."

Garue hunts around for a doomsday cloak

[rpg] Frognoz says, "We know that the Professor knows about the Abacus, and she was presumably abducted by or convinced to join someone, and that people interested in the Abacus are coming here."

Zagor says, "It would be interesting to somehow get ourselves employed at the palace in time for Durok's arrival and 'reception'."

[rpg] Frognoz says, "So there is a good chance that she might either be here or on her way here. But that's just conjecture."

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "ha ha"

Zagor says, "See what Xax knows about him."

Garue whispers, "yay! someone got my reference! :-)"

Squee says, "Those radiation-scrubbing droids are always breaking down. We could go in as repairfolk."

Frognoz asks (of Zagor), "As caterers?"

GM says (to Reig), "there's no evidence of the professor arriving, but if she was, say, kidnapped, she wouldn't have shown up on the passenger manifest"

Garue asks, "Guards?"

Zagor says, "My skills don't run in the direction of food preparation, but that's true of most caterers in this part of the galaxy."

Frognoz says (to Squee), "That's a good point -- if humans are cheaper than droids out here, then it's practically guaranteed that the palace will employ high-quality droids rather than low-quality laborers wherever they can."

Reig says, "I could probably sneak into the palace myself, but that wouldn't help the rest of you."

Frognoz says, "Remember the story of Prince Jarbeen."

Frognoz says, "Who was so rich that he replaced all of his food with diamond replicas."

Squee says, "They're also less revolting. And less likely to rebel."

Frognoz says, "And then died four days later from internal bleeding."

Squee says, "It might be more plausible if there happened to also be a huge radiation release right next to the palace."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

Zagor says, "Now you're talking."

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, it sounds like you want to sneak into the palace?"

[rpg] Frognoz says, "Sounds fun."

[rpg] Squee says, "Eventually, yes."

[rpg] Heron says, "Yes."

[rpg] Garue says, "sounds like a plan"

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, it's pretty fortified; what are you going to do to make it easier to get in?"

[rpg] Frognoz says, "There is the droid repairman disguise."

[rpg] Squee says, "We're going to go hijack a tanker full of radioactive waste and crash it beside the main palace air intakes."

[rpg] Reig asks, "To sneak *in*?"

[rpg] Squee says, "And then come in to decontaminate the area, and not leave."

[rpg] Squee says, "Oh, it probably happens every week."

[rpg] Heron says, "I don't like it. People could get hurt."

[rpg] Squee says, "Only bad people."

[rpg] Heron says, "And if people get hurt it better be because I punch them in the face."

[rpg] Squee says, "Alright... maybe we can find some waste that's non-toxic but very stinky."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, your hand will be slightly radioactive."

[rpg] Squee rolls eyes.

Zagor says, "We could try selling something illegal in the market and get ourselves arrested."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Squee), "Can't you just remotely break a few of their droids?"

Frognoz says, "That seems like it would make it even more difficult to access the VIP reception area."

Zagor says, "Admittedly that would get us into the *dungeon* of the palace, but..."

[rpg] Heron asks, "You must have a vial of robot smallpox somewhere, right?"

Squee says, "Alright, let me call up the palace droids on The Tubes."

[rpg] Frognoz says, "Ah, botpox."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

Squee does some Engineering droid contacting.

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Great (4)

GM says, "in general the droids don't leave the palace, but there are a few places where they do interact with the outside world (requisition supplies, pass on orders, that kind of thing), and you locate one of them"

[rpg] Garue asks, "how about we try to get hired as cheap muscle?"

Squee says, "Greetings, Palace Droid Unit! You're looking very operational today."

[rpg] Garue says, "that way we sneak in in plain sight"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "By taking out the current guards?"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Hey, yeah, could each of us individually roll something to be in the palace when they arrive?"

GM asks, "01011 0010111 1001?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, if you want to get in separate ways, that would be fine too"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Like, Garue gets himself hired as a guard, I sneak in and get adopted by a staff member, etc?"

Squee says, "Yes yes, quite so."

[rpg] Reig asks, "We have two days?"

[rpg] GM says, "sounds right"

[rpg] Zagor says, "It's pretty Return of the Jedi-y, so I like it."

[rpg] Squee exclaims, "I thought we had three hours!"

[rpg] Reig says, "Three hours post-arrival."

[rpg] Zagor asks (of Squee), "And you wanted to hijack a tanker full of radioactive waste?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, totally like sneaking into Jabba's palace."

[rpg] Garue says, "I've even got references on my muscle-for-hire CV."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[rpg] Frognoz says, "Hmm. I wonder if the spaceport would send an official to inspect the reception area before he arrives."

[rpg] GM says, "in that case, somebody needs a thermal detonator"

[rpg] Frognoz says, "Admittedly, it might not be a parking inspector, per se."

Squee says, "You know, you're looking a little, dare I say it, obsolete. I'd hate to see a fine unit like you re-assigned to the radiation mines. Can I interest your work unit subgroup in a complementary upgrade to Shazbot coprocessors? Special time limited offer."

[rpg] Frognoz says, "Hmm, actually, when it comes time to sneak in, I'm going to just trigger my Master of Disguise thing."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Garue), "OK, somebody with good escape artist skills should start a fight in the tavern. You wade in and help sort it out."

GM says, ""011110?" it says (in an interested manner)"

GM says, "a panel slides back, revealing a port"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Wow, on the first date?"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "i hope that was '69'"

[rpg] GM says, "he's putting in on the first date"

[rpg] Heron says, "hah"

[rpg] Gunther says, "I believe it's called "the first data""

Frognoz pages: In the meantime, was there any response to my message?

You paged Frognoz: oh, right!

[rpg] Reig says, "OK, I am going to spend my two days worming my way into the affections of various palace staff, until I find someone whose job involves working in/around the super-exclusive receiving room."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Palace droids are so easy. Open their ports for any sailor."

Squee interfaces.

[rpg] Squee says, "So basically I guess I need to use my leet Engineering skills to prove to this droid that he should invite me back to his place."

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

You paged Frognoz: when you were in the landing queue, you got a message (disguised as static on the communicator), just a short one. "SITUATION UNSTABLE X PARANOID ASSIST OTHER OPERATIVE LOCATE TREVORNO"

[rpg] Heron asks, "What happened to the botpox?"

[rpg] Garue asks (of Zagor), "do you have escape skills?"

Squee says, "There you go, my metallic chum. You should notice an immediate improvement in cognitive processing."

GM says, ""11101!""

[rpg] Zagor says, "Meanwhile I will hang around various bars and gambling-tents, looking for somebody who works at the palace but *really dislikes* Xax."

Frognoz pages: Oho.

[rpg] Squee says, "Once I've infiltrated, I can degrade them if it becomes required."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "h33"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Garue), "Sadly no."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "er, hee."

GM says (to Zagor), "that isn't difficult"

[rpg] Heron says, "It's a big place there's bound to be bar with a good brawl once it's passed midnight."

Frognoz pages: Assuming Tesher has seen more messages like this than I have, does that imply that Trevorno *is* the other operative, or that I would be assisting some unknown operative by finding her?

GM says, "well"

[rpg] Squee says, "I can probably swing an 'assistant' if someone else needs a ride in."

GM says, "it isn't difficult with telepathy"

GM says, "most people who work at the palace are pretty close-mouthed about what goes on"

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Baby you must be tired; you've been running through my telepathic mind all night."

Garue looks around for an easily-insitable bar fight to stop

Zagor says, "That fellow there, for example. Look at the vicious look he gives when the King turns up unexpectedly and costs him his stake."

GM says, "nice"

[rpg] Garue says, "I'm perfectly willing to host a few rounds to get people feeling less inhibited"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Can I telekinetically drop a few classes in people's laps?"

Frognoz pages: Or is that intentionally ambiguous?

[rpg] Heron says, "I want to go with Garue in case it's not obvious."

You paged Frognoz: well, it's all the information you got!

You paged Frognoz: (this is an unusually sparse message, probably because of the tight rein Xax has on the planet)

[rpg] GM says, "right, ok"

Frognoz (paging you) nods.

[rpg] GM says, "I think perhaps Heron should roll resolve and Garue should roll intimidation"

[rpg] Heron says, "Let's see if I can't botch this one, too.."

Garue rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

Heron rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Good (3)

GM asks (of Zagor), "meanwhile, what are you working on?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I was going to tap this guy as a potential traitor, but it looks like he might be tapped on the head instead."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, there are plenty to go round."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "I was assuming you were at a different tavern"

[rpg] GM says, "the more high-class one where the palace folks hang out"

Zagor quickly establishes a Rapport with 'potential traitor #2' over the dice table.

Garue puts the kibosh on the brawlers in record time.

Zagor asks, "Dash it, double-X again. Don't you just hate that letter?"

GM says, "Garue manages to talk people into a brawl (assisted by some telekinetically-flung drinks)"

GM says, "and then in the process of the brawl, Garue and Heron manage to knock out a couple guards, rendering them short-handed and in need of assistance for the big reception in a few days"

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "sweet!"

[rpg] Heron says, "thank god.."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

GM says, "and, conveniently, the two of you showed off by stopping the fight, so .."

[rpg] Heron says, "If I had had to roll anything the whole planet would have gone up in flames..."

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "I am enjoying this but I can't tell what you're going for here"

[rpg] GM asks, "are you trying to find someone willing to smuggle you in?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "If you're cutting a long story short, I'd like to convince this insider that I'm an auditor, who needs a sneaky look at Xax's books."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Strictly off the record."

[rpg] GM says, "hmmmmmm okj"

[rpg] GM says, "I think you should roll deceit then"

Zagor asks (of mark), "...you're right, you *don't* get paid nearly enough. What do you think the boss does with all his money, anyway?"

Zagor rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

GM says, "ok, you're in luck -- this guy just had one of his fellow servants get sent to the arena for dropping a plate while serving Xax"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ha"

GM says, "if you agree to get him off-planet he'll let you into the palace by a back way and give you a servant outfit"

Zagor says, "Off-planet? Yes, I think that can be arranged. I know of a vessel leaving in, oh, three days or so..."

GM says, "(I think there is no particular governmental organization that would be interested in Xax's books, but he thinks you're a spy from some corporate entity Xax does business with)"

Dire Trilobite Tavern

The Dire Trilobite tavern be full o' goblins and type H treasure. (Type H Treasure is opening tonight for Wandering Monster Table).

You can see: fudge dice

Players: Squee, Tesher, Garue, Reig, Zagor, Heron, Gunther

Visible Exits: east, south

GM says, "ok, so let's see"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Want me to roll something?"

[rpg] GM says, "seems like you should roll Rapport"

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Reig says, "sheesh."

[rpg] Reig says, "If that's not good enough, I'll call in 'Oh, how cute!'"

Not a valid command. Try typing 'help'.

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think you should"

[rpg] Reig says, "I will! For just a +2 this time."

GM says, "and then a servant picks you up and carries you off to their cot"

Reig purr purr.

GM says, "so you're getting in that way, Zagor via the servant's entrance also, Squee via the droid's entrance, Garue and Heron as guards, and Tesher pays a fate point to disappear into the crowds"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "Oho!"

[rpg] Garue says, "I spend my time establishing my rep as a fair and reliable bad-ass."

GM asks, "anything you want to do beforehand?"

[rpg] Heron says, "I spend my time reluctantly being Garue's sidekick."

GM says, "the palace is sort of your standard-issue luxury palace"

Reig tries to find any secret passages whilst being carried from place to place (and while wandering)

Zagor says, "He didn't go for the superior-issue? This guy has no class."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Which is probably Investigation?"

inky is not logged in.

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think so"

Reig rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Heron asks, "Are we told about any secret passages or are we dumb kind of guard?"

GM says, "it's got greenspace and a pool, various luxury areas, musicians and singers and dancers and so on, masseuse people, various VIPs (mostly members of corportate entities) staying in different rooms"

GM says, "and a big gladiatorial arena in which people die for Xax's amusement"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, you're the new guys, you don't get much, sorry"

[rpg] GM says, "(nor does Reig notice much of anything)"

Zagor pushes his catering trolley.

Zagor says, "Dammit, I was supposed to be an auditor, not a chef!"

GM says, "also Xax has some private areas that you don't manage to get an idea of, but no doubt they include even more luxury suites and probably an awesome treasure room"

GM exclaims, "the big day is approaching!!"

Heron says (to Zagor), ""You are a chef!""

GM says, "the servants and guards are getting worked extra-hard; I guess Xax is having a big feast tonight"

[rpg] Reig says, "You're probably preparing the very food we brought in."

GM says, "though Durok's visit is apparently incognito again, since you don't hear his name being mentioned"

Squee works on building a secret secure communications channel under the droid control signals.

[rpg] Tesher says, "Mmm, Kyperion Capon."

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Can I kind of telepath around and see who knows about Durok?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "The name must cross their minds, at least."

Garue chats up the other hired muscle about shipping, political issues and any recent weirdness, under the guise of 'learning the ropes'.

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "sure, hmm, roll empathy"

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] Heron asks, "Can I temper with the other guards weapons to add a remote disabling function?"

Zagor. o O { This silly hat is cramping my style a little. }

GM says, "ok, here is what you guys pick up in your different social circles"

GM says, "by the morning of the thin"

GM says, "g"

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "hmm, conceivably, but hang on a sec"

GM says, "1) Hardly anyone except a few high-level functionaries know Durok by name, but more servants are aware there's a guy who's going to be staying with Xax for a while"

GM says, "2) The nomads have been getting more and more restless for a while -- there's rumors of them attacking the city"

GM says, "3) The day before you guys arrived, two people were caught trying to sneak into the palace and are scheduled to fight in the arena tonight"

GM says, "(the banquet tables are going to be set up on the edge of the arena for everyone's amusement)"

GM asks, "so what do you want to do today?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Oh boy, some of us are going to end up in the arena, aren't we?"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "only if you get caught! or jump in!"

[rpg] Garue says, "lurk around the arena and try to learn more about the sneakers sentenced to fight"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "This is still before the Cobra has arrived, right?"

[rpg] GM says, "it's arriving midday today, so this is morning-of"

Zagor says, "Today, I am spreading a rumour of a plot to assassinate Xax."

Zagor says, "Just to keep him on his toes."

[rpg] GM says, "then he's taken to meet Xax in the private room, then he's taken to his room to freshen up, then he is (presumably) attending the feast tonight"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Is it too suspicious to go to the holding cells and ask those guys what they were up to?"

GM says, "good, good"

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "well, yes and no"

[rpg] Heron says, "Hm..I guess Zagor should do that anyway"

[rpg] Heron says, "He could serve them and read them..."

Tesher wanders around the markets asking if anyone has seen his aunt who was supposed to have been staying around here. He has a photo, if anyone's interested. (The one that came from Raqi's room, in fact.)

GM says (to Heron), "see, you can't really talk to them without suspicion, but you can get a look at them -- and one of them is Captain Raqi"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Bah, my food is much too refined for prisoners!"

GM asks (of Tesher), "hmm, the markets outside the palace?"

[rpg] Heron says, "oh my"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "dun dun duuuun!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Yeah."

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "Raqi fighting in the arena tonight?!"

GM says, "(the other is a guy you can't identify)"

[rpg] Garue says, "the plot, it doth thicken"

GM says (to Tesher), "ok, socializing roll"

Tesher rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Fair (2)

Heron says (to Garue), "They came in together and their plan is to have them fight each other? That's just going to be an execution because they are not going to fight anyway."

Reig, if he can get down to the prisoner holding areas, tries to get to Raqi.

[rpg] Tesher says, "(If it's more convenient, we can pretend I did this yesterday.)"

GM says (to Heron), "oh, no, they don't fight each other, they fight the steppes-claws"

[rpg] Tesher says, "(Since that might make more sense plot-wise.)"

Reig takes a Cricket blaster with him.

[rpg] GM says, "let's see, let me deal with Tesher first for a sec"

[rpg] GM says, "but Reig will have to roll stealth"

[rpg] Reig says, "np"

GM says (to Tesher), "you show the picture around -- most people aren't helpful, but a few of them are maybe going to say something, then clam up"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Ooh."

GM says, "(the latter being mostly nomads)"

[rpg] Tesher says, "That's why I call a lead."

Tesher says (to Shopkeeper), "I'm a little worried she might be in trouble..."

GM says, "then you step into a tent and the lights go out, and next thing you know you're in a room somewhere"

[rpg] Zagor says, "And that's what I call being slugged."

[rpg] Squee says, "They were about to say "Dude, your aunt is hot" but then realized how funny that'd sound."

Tesher looks around the room.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Could be worse -- could be Wrath of Khan instead of Return of the Jedi."

GM says, "it's hard to see -- they've got a light shining in your face that's ruining your vision into the shadows, where you can see two people are standing"

GM says, "(also you're tied to the chair)"

Tesher says, "Uh. Hi."

GM says, "but it's probably the storeroom behind somewhere -- you see some crates"

[Crows-Nest] Reig exclaims (at Tesher), "'tango'!"

Tesher asks, "Am I being mugged?"

[Crows-Nest] Squee exclaims, "SILENCE!"

GM says, ""What are you asking about this woman for?" a man's voice asks. "Who are you with?""

Tesher says, "OK. I was lying about the aunt thing."

[rpg] Zagor says, "She's actually a cousin once removed."

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "That's an aunt!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Tesher says, "I got a lead that there could be some profitable, secret business around here and that she could lead me to it."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Feh, mere semantics."

Tesher whispers, "Let us say that 'make it easier for everybody' is a Facilitation code phrase."

Tesher says, "But I thought using a cover story about family would make it easier for everybody, especially if she was trying to stay hidden."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, ""I thought you might have been worried... about the security... of your shit.""

Tesher pages: Just in case these guys are actually on my side.

You paged Tesher: right, hmm

[rpg] Squee says, "Also Tesher should get a Fate Point if this is you compelling his Raqi aspect."

[rpg] GM asks, "wait, this isn't Raqi he was asking about, right?"

[rpg] Reig says, "I think the picture is of the professor, not Raqi."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Right, it's Trevorno."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, good"

[rpg] Squee says, "I thought Trevorno was a dude."

GM says, ""So you're going to claim you're not with Xax's secret police, then? Prove it.""

[rpg] GM says, "Trevorno is also a lady"

[rpg] Squee says, "Oh, hunh. All you fleshy humanoids look alike to me."

[rpg] Reig says, "(even so, it wouldn't really count as a compel, since he went looking for her on his own)"

[rpg] Reig says, "(at least, imo)"

Tesher says, "Entrapment clause 42, subsection B: if directly asked, any member of Xax's secret police must deny membership in the secret police force. Admission of membership in the secret police force will be grounds for immediate execution."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Tesher says, "So: 'I am a member of Xax's secret police force.'"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Brave."

Tesher asks, "Is that good enough proof for you?"

GM says, "The guy lifts a fist and you think he's about to slug you, but the figure behind him puts a hand on his shoulder"

GM says, "Then she steps forward. "I don't think members of Xax's secret police have a sense of humor.""

GM says, ""So, Captain Tesher, you're looking for me -- well, what do you want?""

[rpg] Reig says, "That'd be a good place to end the session if we didn't have hours left to go."

[rpg] Garue says, "It's a requirement, read the job description. "No Sense of Humor" right there at the top."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I want -- the cow creamer, aunt!"

Tesher says, "Ah, Professor. We hear you're interested in something called 'the Abacus'."

Tesher says, "So are we."

GM says, "(and the camera pans up to her face, and we see it is indeed Professor Trevorno, but with a horribly mutilated face, and scars running down to her neck)"

GM says, "and then we cut back to Reig sneaking into the cell"

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Zoinks"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Okay, maybe not so hot."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Reig), "You're sneaking her a weapon, right?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah."

GM says, "at a shift in the guards, Reig slips into the cell"

[rpg] Heron says, "Good."

GM says, "Raqi is staring disconsolately at the wall, while the man beside her (who looks vaguely familiar) stares furiously into space"

Reig slips up to Raqi and butts her arm with his head.

[rpg] Squee says, "Whoops; still Ugly Cat."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "She looks up. "What--" she almost says loudly, then catches herself. "What are *you* doing here?""

Reig then looks around and puts a finger up to his lips.

Reig whispers "So, I'm not actually a cat; I'm a Jarou"

Reig says, "I brought this for you."

[rpg] Heron says, "Very, very cool."

Reig pulls out the Cricket blaster.

GM says, ""Well, I thought you seemed unusually smart when you jumped on me before, but ..""

[rpg] Heron asks, "Is that the MIB kind of cricket?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Tesher) Raqi says, "Wait. You mean when I was putting you? And you were sitting in my lap? And... you... you creep! <SLAP>"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, that was what I was reffing ;-)"

[rpg] Reig says, "(the GM can say how actually powerful it is)"

Reig grins.

GM says, ""Ie!" she says, and the man turns around."

Reig asks, "Who's your friend?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "How do you pronounce that?"

GM says, ""Look!" she says. "Help! These -- some friends of mine, they must be nearby.""

[rpg] Reig says, "'aiee!' I assume."

[rpg] Garue says, "seems apprapos"

[rpg] GM says, "but shorter"

[rpg] Reig says, "Either that or 'internet explorer'"

GM says, "He inspects the blaster thoughtfully. "Well," he says slowly, "This should make it easier for everybody.""

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Then he shoots Raqi in the face."

Tesher pages: Ha ha ha.

GM says, ""You've got to get us out of here!" Raqi says."

Reig says, "I also have these, which I'm interested in your opinion on, but don't know if they'll help."

Reig produces the PDA and a crystal.

[rpg] Heron says, "A sneaking, purring, smuggling machine."

GM says, "I think now I am going to summarize the conversations Reig and Tesher have with their respective contacts"

Reig says, "Do you want to try to sneak away now, or do you think it'd be better if you got help in the arena? It's just me here, but the others would be nearby during the fight."

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, sure."

GM says, "it appears the deal is that Xax and Durok are meeting here because they're both interesting in the abacus"

[rpg] Tesher says, "SOunds good."

GM says, "er, interested"

Tesher pages: (By the way, will these whispers make it into the log?)

GM says, "and they each have something the other wants -- Durok has the mobile and some materials, and Xax has Professor Trevorno"

You paged Tesher: unless you want me to strip them

GM says, "except of course neither actually does, so it's an elaborate bluff on each side"

Tesher pages: No, no, I want them there.

[rpg] Reig says, "Ha."

GM says, "apparently the professor was kidnapped by Xax, played dumb and eventually he thought she didn't know anything useful, so he sent her to die in the arena"

GM says, "she was horribly scarred and left for dead by the steppes-claws, but her body was recovered"

GM says, "and she made her way into the nomad's resistance movement"

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "I sense a daring rescue about to commence!"

GM says, "then when Durok contacted him, Xax decided to pretend he still had her"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Left for dead? They must be feeding those things too well."

[rpg] (from Zagor) Zagor says, "I can fix that!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Does Raqi explain to Reig why she had the picture?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Tesher had the pictue."

GM says, "meanwhile, Ie (who was the guy in black armor back on Alto) kidnapped Raqi but then talked her into helping him out, when it turned out he was looking to rescue Trevorno"

[rpg] Reig says, "Wait, sorry."

GM says, "while *she* knew Trevorno -- because Trevorno is her mother"

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "I knew it!"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "dun dun duuuun!"

GM says, "the two of them infiltrated the palace here, only to find out 1) Trevorno wasn't there any more and 2) Xax's security was better than they thought"

[rpg] Zagor says, "So she's nobody's aunt but depending on how this game goes she could be somebody's mother-in-law."

GM says, "meanwhile Trevorno has managed to talk the nomads into assaulting the palace during the feast"

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee."

GM says, "I think that is all the relevant backstory"

[rpg] Squee says (to Tesher), "But what you didn't know is... Raqi is YOUR SISTER dunh dunh dunh ewwwww dunh"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Do they know what the mobile/crystals are?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "It would be really embarrassing for Raqi if it turned out that she'd been hallucinating, and she just told all that to an actual cat."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

GM exclaims, "oh, right!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Fortunately, I am already fairly confident on my family history, so I think that's relatively unlikely unless there are considerably plot twists involving secret babies stolen and raised by adoptive parents and such."

[rpg] Tesher says (to Zagor), "Ha ha."

[rpg] Reig says, "*I* might be her brother, though."

GM says, "Trevorno tells you that The Abacus is a pre-empire artifact that is a super-efficient manufacturing plant"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Ha ha ha."

GM says, "designed to produce troops that are some kind of human-machine hybrid"

GM says, "the crystals are essentially the 'programs' for it"

GM says, "obviously, anyone (like Xax or Durok) who gets their hands on this could form their own private army, and The Abacus is far enough outside the boundary of the empire that they could set up a small empire of their own"

GM says, "and, with enough delay on the part of the empire, grow it to a larger empire"

[rpg] Garue says, "unscrupulous bastards, aspiring to be evil-overlords"

GM says, "so, yeah, you got two hours (real time) to take this stuff down, let's do it"

Tesher says, "So we need to keep it from falling into their hands."

Zagor says, "Wait, we have all the stuff already!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "We don't have Raqi and the other prisoner yet."

[rpg] Heron says, "I would like to, now more then ever, sabotage the weapons of the guards."

Garue exclaims, "And overthrow their rule on this planet, freeing the natives!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Although we do have Trevorno and the mobile."

[rpg] Zagor says, "That's true."

Zagor says, "Sure why not!"

GM says (to Zagor), "yeah, the problem is Trevorno isn't sure if this mobile is all the extant programs out there for the abacus"

[rpg] Tesher says, "But, yeah, revolution would not be a bad thing here."

Reig exclaims (at Raqi), "OK, I think we better time this to be the fight, then. I'll let the others know. We'll be there for you when it starts!"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Are there any other gladiators tonight?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Human-machine hybrid, eh."

Reig slips away the crystals and PDA again (unless Ie or Raqi want it?) and heads back to the others.

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "yeah, there are six nomads sentenced for various offenses ranging from rebellion to failure to seal a radiation leak when ordered, and two servants in there for dish-dropping"

[rpg] Squee says, "For the crime of insufficient abs development, you are hereby sentenced to arena."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'm just thinking it would be shame if they were all to break loose together. But ten people isn't a huge crowd."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Plan B, rampaging steppe-claws."

[rpg] Garue asks, "any way to get a message to the natives about a planned upprising in a couple of hours?"

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "Trevorno is totally taking care of that"

[rpg] Garue asks, "and maybe a couple of thermal detonators?"

[rpg] GM asks, "oh, you mean the prisoners?"

[rpg] Reig says, "I would like to try to get back into the reception room with the big glass windows over the arena, and use my claws to weaken the seals around the windows so they can be busted out at a moment's notice."

[rpg] Garue says, "excellent"

[rpg] Squee says, "Or possibly take the form of some sort of acid-secreting slug"

[rpg] Zagor says, "No more slugging."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee hee"

[rpg] Reig says, "I probably *do* secrete acid, at that."

[rpg] Reig says, "But it might take more than a couple hours to get that set up."

[rpg] Zagor says, "And I'm in charge of the food. Hmmm."

[rpg] Squee says, "Look at that S car go"

GM says, "so, ok, I think you guys should tel me what prep you are going to try to make for this"

GM says, "and then we should cut to the feast"

Zagor says, "Letting the nomads in should be our main priority."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Well, I am obviously disguising myself so well that even I don't know who I am yet."

Squee says, "I am planting a deep but subtle virus thoughout the droid network that, when triggered, will swap their recognition of humans and steppes-claws."

Zagor says, "That'll mean disabling the loyal guards -- both of them -- and maybe some guard-drones."

[rpg] GM says (to Squee), "ha ha"

Garue attempts to gain friends and influence people to aid in the uprising. Likely local-gaurd-muscle types itching for action.

GM says, "(also, I should mention that Durok is coming in incognito, but apparently not incognito enough that he's doing without an honor guard of a half-dozen stonefaced and burly guys)"

Squee says, "Excepting me, who they will think is a droid (if they don't already)."

Garue might even use his Voice of Authority to sway potential rebels to actual rebel-dom.

[rpg] GM asks (of Squee), "it seems like what this will mostly do is make the droids freak out whenever they see a human -- is that what you want to do?"

[rpg] GM says, "there are also some guard-droids but most of the guards in the palace are humans"

[rpg] Squee says, "Yeah, I'm aiming for general freakout"

[rpg] Squee says, "Except when they get into the safety of the arena, of course."

GM asks (of Zagor), "ok, what are you doing? are you still spreading assassination rumors?"

Zagor says, "Too much of that and he might start actually believing them."

Zagor says, "I'll try to spike the food of the most loyal of the guards."

Zagor says, "Make sure that most of the guards fit for duty will be those of shaky loyalty at best."

GM says, "ok, sounds good"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Do you want us to roll for stuff?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah but not yet"

GM says, "ok, hmm"

[rpg] Reig says, "Gotcha."

GM says, "I would say the first thing that happens is Xax and Durok meet up and have a private conference which consists of vicious verbal fencing but accomplishes very little"

GM says, "and then they retire to their apartments to prepare for the feast"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Vicious verbal fencing, but the erotic tension is clear."

GM says, "not that any of you guys are in a position to eat any of the food, but let me tell you, it's awesome"

Zagor says, "It's not *that* awesome, really."

GM says, "roasted animals from across the galaxy, exotic sauces, candied weasels"

GM says, "crushed gemstones just to show you are rich enough to afford to eat them"

GM exclaims, "and after the feast, the entertainment!"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[rpg] GM asks, "oh, yeah, are you guys going to signal the nomads or anything? or are they just attacking on schedule?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I'm the only one who knows about the nomads."

[rpg] Tesher says, "In the party."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Aren't I?"

[rpg] Garue says, "someone should signal the natives for maximum effectiveness"

GM says, "singers, dancers, acrobats"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Or did we have a chance to reconvene and share stories?"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "You didn't get inside the palace?"

[rpg] Squee says, "You and their rival gang, The Warriors"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "hmm, I was assuming you guys had -- yeah"

[rpg] Heron says, "So apart from sabotaging weapons I would like to make sure I can take of my guard outfit quickly if need be.."

[rpg] Heron says, "Don't want to be taken out by friendlies."

[rpg] Zagor says, "If only we had phones!"

[rpg] Tesher asks (of GM), "Aha. So I know all about Reig's conversation as well?"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "plus abs"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "I think so"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Zagor), "We can't even figure out how to use a PDA between us."

[rpg] Squee says, "The nomads should attack when they see a bunch of droids fleeing the palace"

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "A rankor beast cleverly hidden under the floor."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, we need to save the gladiators, then get the nomads in."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Or the opposite order if that works."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Squee), "Heh."

GM says, "and then the arena fight"

[rpg] Heron exclaims, "Obviously we are on guard duty there!"

[rpg] Squee says, "The traditional fight music is played over the loudspeakers"

Zagor coils a rope under one of the trays on his serving cart. Might be handy.

GM says, "they're ordered in order of unusual-ness and how much fight they expect to give up, so first it's the two servants"

[rpg] Tesher says, "The arena fight seems like good cover for the attack."

GM asks, "is somebody going to try to get the gates open?"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Squee), "If only there were someone whose shirt could get ripped in the fight..."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Wait, I'm serving food and drinks here? I just realised which RotJ character I am."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I guess it's better than being chained to Xax."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Zagor), "Ha ha ha."

[Crows-Nest] Reig exclaims, "Ha!"

[rpg] Heron says, "Can't blow my cover now. When the servants are fighting I just watch."

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Who's on gates?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Does this make Squee R2?"

[rpg] GM says, "(the gates, so we're clear, are separate from the arena, so it'll take a little bit to get from one to the other)"

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "I'm on the gates"

[rpg] Squee says, "I'm just waiting for the stepmonsters to show up."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Yay."

[rpg] Heron says, "Ah, I though you were talking about the gates to the arena."

[rpg] Garue says, "I'm on the gates"

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "ok, you should probably roll intimidate to talk to the other gate-guards"

GM says, "meanwhile, the steppe-claws are emerging from their cages"

[rpg] Zagor says, "The disloyal, stomach-ache-free ones."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "And I'm on the windows ;-)"

GM says, "they're like giant nasty lizards but with these long prehensile whip tentacles on their heads"

Squee hovers his hand just above The Big Red Button.

[rpg] Reig says, "(except mentioned here)"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Who has a gun, by the way?"

Garue rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Garue says, "I have a couple of blasters"

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "yeah, so probably you should roll something for poisoning them"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Are all the steppe-claws being released into the arena, or is this only a small selection of his full bestiary?"

[rpg] Zagor asks (of GM), "I dunno, deceit? For sneaking it past the head chef?"

[rpg] GM says, "it's not all of them, since it's a hassle to get them back in their cages when they see something to eat"

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "sure"

Zagor rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "and the servants aren't expected to present a huge challenge; probably these are two out of like a dozen"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'm not much for guns, but I've got some knives handy, and I'll endeavour to stay close to the two bosses."

[rpg] Heron says (to Zagor), "Don't be where the shooting is..."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Not *that* close."

GM says (to Garue), "ok, so the guard contingent is at about half-strength, effectively, between the two of you -- some are disloyal, some are sick, some are cowardly, some are more than one"

GM says, "there's basically four guards you'll need to take out before you can open the gates"

GM says, "ok, the servants are basically going to be torn to pieces here unless you do something"

Squee does something.

[rpg] Reig asks (of GM), "Am I disturbed whilst weakening the windows?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Ha."

Squee pushes the Big Red Button.

[rpg] Squee says, "(I don't think I rolled to see how well I succeeded in setting this up.)"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "well then, let's roll now!"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Average (1)

Squee says, "Good thing I was Raised by Droids."

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "that's more like it"

GM says, "ok, the droid security system starts going off, but you get it under control"

GM says, "and moments after you withdraw your probe from the port, there are electronic bleeps of alarm and droids are rushing everywhere"

[Crows-Nest] Squee asks, "On*Star, what is your droid-related emergency?"

Garue leads the disloyal guards to disable the loyal ones and open the gates. (commences VoA, charging, swinging, rolling, etc.)

[rpg] Reig asks, "Is the reception going on already?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "This is also the signal to the nomads, right?"

GM says, "orders are shouted but not obeyed, since, like, they aren't programmed to take orders from steppes-claws"

[rpg] GM exclaims (at Tesher), "apparently so!"

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee hee"

[rpg] GM says (to Reig), "yeah, the feast etc is over, the entertainment is going on (started with the arena)"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oddly, one robot starts serving a round of drinks for the steppe-claws."

GM says, "some droids smash their way towards the arena"

GM says, "which I guess means we need to see how well Reig weakened the glass"

Garue rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Tesher says, "I believe that I am a steppe-claw handler."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Primitive Weapons?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, sounds good"

Reig rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "Ha!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "And that I may well be releasing the rest of the steppe-claws, not into the area, but instead into the stands."

Garue exclaims, "Viva la revolucion!!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

GM says, "ok um this is going to be a little insane-o"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Initiative?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, why doesn't everyone roll alertness"

[rpg] Squee says, "When we crash a party, we REALLY crash a party"

Zagor rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

Reig rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Heron says, "OK, since this seems to be my appointed task I'm going to free the other captives."

Squee rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Also, have we yet done anything that would actually save the lives of the servants about to get eaten?"

Garue charges the gates, yelling maniacly, swinging his taser-mace

Garue rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Average (1)

Tesher rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Good (3)

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "well, some droids are jumping in, but otherwise not really"

Zagor wakes up suddenly from a deep snooze.

[rpg] Heron asks, "Ahem...Initiative?"

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "roll alertness"

[rpg] GM says, "(and then we'll go in order)"

Heron rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Tesher says, "OK. It's a good thing beast-handlers have ready access to the arena, then."

[rpg] Zagor asks, "I thought somebody was going to break the window open?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I've got a rope ready here."

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "yeah, but you're looking down on them"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "oh yes!"

GM says, "ok, let's see -- Reig, Tesher, Squee, Garue, Heron, Zagor"

GM asks (of Reig), "what are you doing?"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Or wait, is this one the shape-changer a l'orange?"

Reig asks, "What is the situation?"

GM says, "at the gates, Garue is charging the loyalist guards"

GM says, "in the arena, the glass has been smashed, there are two steppes-claws in the arena with some servants and others running into the stands (Tesher is down there)"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Reig), "The droids are going mad, the gates are opening, the nomads are attacking, there are steppe-claws everywhere, and two nearly-innocent servants are about to get mauled in the arena below."

GM says, "above the arena, the feast is going on, with a bunch of freaking-out guards and freaking out (for other reasons) droids"

GM says, "while Xax and Durok are trying to figure out what is going on"

Reig asks, "Is it at all reasonable that I would be able to jump on and control a steppes-claw?"

GM says, "I'm not sure where the rest of you are, but probably up above or down below the arena"

GM says, "I believe that would be a survival roll"

Zagor is hovering near Xax and Durok with his cart of delights.

GM says, "and yeah, they're obviously controllable to some extent since they're here"

Reig says, "Sure, why not."

Reig rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher asks (of GM), "Not unlike lions?"

GM says, "first step would be an athletics roll to jump on"

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, OK."

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Zagor says, "You want us to ride lions? We're not the old spice guy."

[rpg] Heron asks, "Excuse me?"

GM says, "that'll be just barely enough, but you won't be in a particularly *safe* spot"

[rpg] Heron takes his shirt off.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, we're not *all*."

Reig leaps at a steppes-claw and is about to miss, so lets loose with a flap of skin to catch an air current and re-adjust.

[rpg] Reig says, "(re-rolling athletics)"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)

GM says, "ok, that's more like it -- right between the tentacles, where it can't get you with them"

GM asks, "Tesher?"

Reig exclaims, "a-HA!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Have I already released the rest of the beasts into the feast area, or am I about to?"

[rpg] GM says, "I think you have done so moments before"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I'm imagining they look like http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=EB&Date=20100707&Category=REVIEWS&ArtNo=100709982&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&Maxw=366"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "holy crap, they do now"

[rpg] Tesher says, "In that case, I will trust whoever is up there with a rope to help the servants escape."

[rpg] Tesher says, "And meanwhile, I will try to release the rest of the prisoners."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "only some of the ones on their head are prehensile, not bony"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor asks, "Ebert noted a design flaw -- how do they eat things with all those spikes in the way?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Problem solved!"

GM says (to Tesher), "ok, unsurprisingly there are some guards who disagree with you letting out the prisoners"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Excellent! Have they met my blaster?"

[rpg] Heron says, "Since I think I'm one of those I will assist."

GM asks (of Tesher), "what are you going to do to convince them?"

[Crows-Nest] Reig asks, "We haven't even finished writing the script, and Ebert is reviewing us already?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Persuasion in the 40 gigawatt range"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Oh, I guess I'll let them live."

GM says, "there are six guards -- three on each cage, but the ones from the other cage will run over if you get into a fight"

GM says, "(one of the guards is Heron, though)"

Tesher exclaims, "Xax has demanded that all the beasts and prisoners must fight at once!"

Garue exclaims, "Maximum chaos!"

[Crows-Nest] Squee exclaims, "And all the droids too!"

Tesher exclaims, "The steppe-claws have already been released. Quickly, get the prisoners' cages open before the monsters eat each other!"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Xax is crazzzzy like that"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I can roll deceit for that if you like."

[rpg] GM says, "this seems pretty crazy but on the other hand, the guards don't really care if the prisoners die earlier"

[rpg] GM says, "I think you had better, try for a great"

Tesher rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Good (3)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oooh"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Of course, Raqi is one of the prisoners."

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "Tag!"

[rpg] GM says, "how true"

GM says, ""It's all the same to me," one of the guards shrugs. He keys something into his control and the cages slide open."

GM says, "...Of course, now some of the steppes-lizards see food coming out, and turn around, but we'll deal with that in a sec"

GM asks, "Squee?"

Squee asks, "Okay, so, this big glass window between us and the arena that Reig was jiggering -- did it fall out yet?"

GM says, "parts of it have been smashed by a droid, but not all of it"

Reig leapt out of it, too, and glided down to the arena (he decides partially retroactively)

Squee says, "Okay. I'm taking one of these big serving carts full of delicious food and ramming the window with it, to knock out the window and to create a trail of delicious food from this room into the arena."

Squee says, "So let's say Athletics (or Might; they're both Average for me.)"

GM asks, "sure; to do what? lure steppes-lizards back in?"

Squee says, "To lure the steppes-lizards up to the viewing area where the VIPs and me are."

Squee says, "(Unless I got my architecture wrong.)"

GM says, "ok, sounds good, roll it -- it's probably like difficulty good"

Squee rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Mediocre (0)

Squee says, "But, let's see, I get a free tag for the window sabotage, and I'd also like to tag The Food, It's Awesome"

GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "I will buy that"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

GM says, "ok, with your trail, a bunch of lizards are going this way"

GM says, "er, steppes-claws"

GM says, "(I thought that seemed wrong)"

GM says, "this causes Xax and Durok to freak out even more"

GM says, ""Treachery! I should have known!" shouts Xax"

GM says, ""Gun them down!""

GM says, "meanwhile Durok's guards are hustling him to a defensible position at the other side of the feast-hall"

GM says, "and meanwhile, out at the gate, Garue is cracking heads"

[Crows-Nest] Reig asks, "garue is afk a sec; I'll get her or you can go to the next?"

GM asks (of Garue), "one of the guards is trying to get away to raise the alarm -- do you want to stop him, or continue dealing with the ones here?"

GM says, "ok, Heron, back on the prisoners"

GM says (to Heron), "so the deal is, three or four steppes-claws are coming back your way; you and the other five guards, plus Tesher, plus the prisoners are here"

Heron says, "Well, blasters then..."

Heron rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Great (4)

GM says, "ok -- if you want to blast a steppes-claw, roll it"

[rpg] Heron says, "Take out guards or steppes-claws whatever s more urgent"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "He's just shooting at everything"

[rpg] Reig says, "Raqi and IE are also here."

[rpg] Heron says, "And naked..."

[rpg] GM says, "well, the guards are (at least for the moment) not attacking you, Tesher has them bluffed"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "In heroic slow motion, though."

[rpg] Heron says, "OK, steppes-claws then.."

GM says, "so your shot sizzles out and blasts the horns off the back of one of the steppes-claws -- it snorts furiously and charges at you"

[rpg] Garue says, "back"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "A few steppes-doves fly across the scene"

[rpg] Heron says, "motherf..."

GM says (to Heron), "roll athletics against superb to dodge that"

[rpg] GM asks (of Garue), "you're up in a sec; the deal is, one of the guards is trying to get away to raise the alarm -- do you want to stop him, or continue dealing with the ones here?"

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[rpg] Squee says, "Woowoo"

GM exclaims, "very impressive!"

[rpg] Heron says, "I am Antonio Awesome."

GM says, "it seems like you leap straight into the air, climbing up onto one of the cages, and its charge bashes its head into the bars just below"

GM asks (of Garue), "and now, situation as outlined, what do you do?"

GM says, "(meanwhile back at the gate)"

Garue swings at the fleeing guard!

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)

GM says, "clonk, he goes down"

GM says, "but the other three are jumping at you"

GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

Garue exclaims, "OPEN THE GATES! OPEN THE GATES!"

GM says, "(you can roll your weapons again to dodge that)"

[rpg] Garue says, "I'll keep swinging, and yelling (trying to invoke voice of authority)"

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)

GM asks, "ok, you take a minor consequence of your choice -- what would you like it to be?"

[rpg] Garue asks, "can I spend a fate point to improve dodge or invoke VoA so someone else tries to block the blow?"

inky is not logged in.

GM exclaims, "sure, sounds good -- I guess a disloyal guard steps in just and pushes one of the guys away just in time!"

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "nice!"

Dire Trilobite Tavern

The Dire Trilobite tavern be full o' goblins and type H treasure. (Type H Treasure is opening tonight for Wandering Monster Table).

You can see: fudge dice

Players: Squee, Tesher, Garue, Reig, Zagor, Heron, Gunther

Visible Exits: east, south

GM exclaims, "and finally Zagor!"

[rpg] Reig says, "I didn't know we were going alphabetically."

[Crows-Nest] Squee respects his authoritah.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Guess I'm on rope duty!"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Shame, as it blows my cover."

[rpg] GM says, "I should point out Squee is luring the lizards up here"

[rpg] GM says, "so it might not actually be totally safe for them to come up"

[rpg] Zagor says, "That's true."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'll stick close to my employer, Xax."

[rpg] GM asks, "to do what? read his mind? get him to do something? attack him?"

Zagor says (to Xax), "It's a trap! He must have infiltrated the guards, the steppe-claw handlers, the robots and the acrobats! Everybody except the chefs!"

[rpg] GM asks, "foment more dissent with Durok?"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "you could roll Resolve to get him to do something about that, I think"

[rpg] GM says, "(if you want to use a telepathy push)"

Zagor says, "How can we tell friend from enemy? Any of the guards might be traitors!!"

[rpg] Squee says, "Haha"

[rpg] Tesher says, "It occurs to me that we should probably figure out our ultimate goals here, so we can tell when we've won."

[rpg] Tesher says, "We want to A) help the prisoners escape."

[rpg] Squee says, "You can tell I'm not a traitor because The Food, It's Awesome."

Zagor says, "(hint hint send away your personal guard and run for the secret exit)"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is B) overthrow Xax and Durok so the rebels can take over the palace?"

Zagor rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Dang."

[rpg] GM says, "it seems like you want to use an aspect here"

[rpg] Squee says, "I think the overthrow is nice, but we're trying to make our eventual way to The Abacus (whither the two might well flee)"

[rpg] Tesher says, "And is there a C? (Possibly 'escape with our lives'.)"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Squee), "Yeah, but Trevorno is the person who knows the most about where that is."

[rpg] Tesher says, "She's already on our side."

[rpg] Zagor asks (of GM), "I guess I can get him really riled up at his own guards?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure"

Zagor says (to Xax), "And look, that guard has a moustache! He can't possibly be trusted!"

GM says, ""You useless fools!" he says to the guard. "Especially you, the mustachioed one!""

[rpg] Tesher says (to Zagor), "Wait, I thought bad guys had goa-- ah. Never mind."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

[rpg] Garue asks, "I like A and B, and C might come around for the next one-off?"

GM says (to Zagor), ""Come with me! You're the only one I can trust!""

Zagor says, "Yessir!"

GM says, "he yanks a convenient lever and a section of the wall opens up and he rushes through"

Zagor kicks open the tray with the rope, and follows.

GM says, "meanwhile, down in the arena, Reig is totally on the back of one of the two steppes-claws and about to make a roll to control it"

[rpg] Reig asks, "And you said that was Survival?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] Reig asks, "With what target?"

[rpg] GM says, "great, but I guess you can get a +2 since you landed so well"

Reig rolls Fair (2) +2 + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "Whew!"

[rpg] GM says, "nice work"

[rpg] GM asks, "you totally have this guy under control -- what do you want to do?"

[rpg] GM says, "I assume there is some avatar-style control thing with the tentacles"

Reig, as he's scrambling for a handhold, notices that when he pulls horn #2, the beast turns that way. Some more experimenting, and he gets the beast under control!

[rpg] Zagor says, "Eww"

[rpg] Reig says, "Ha ha."

[rpg] Reig says, "1) is Raqi threatened? and if not, 2) I attack the closer of the two bad guys."

[rpg] Garue says, "afk again, washing Allie's hair"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Bad guys == Xax + Durok?"

[rpg] GM says (to Reig), "in your immediate area, the deal is the two steppes-claws (one of which you're riding) are trying to eat the two servants"

[rpg] Reig says, "Right."

[rpg] Squee says, "Mmmhmm"

[rpg] GM says, "Xax and Durok are up above"

[rpg] GM says, "you could ride up and get to that area"

[rpg] GM says, "Raqi and the other prisoners are on the way"

[rpg] Tesher says (to GM), "Fortunately, there's a convenient trail of food."

Reig makes his steppes-claw (which he names 'Spot') leap in front of the other steppes-claw, between him and the servants.

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Reig exclaims, "Ie! Shoot the other one!"

GM says, "The other steppes-claw nearly slams into Spot, then backs off and snarls loudly"

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 0 | Great (4)

Reig snarls back in a perfect imitation of the snarl.

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Being called 'Ie' must be really confusing in this kind of situation."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is Ie close enough for Reig to shout to at this point?"

GM says, "then a blaster bolt slams into the side of his body, flipping him head over heels"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I wasn't sure if they were being held right on the edge of the arena, or a little ways away."

Reig exclaims, "Thanks!"

GM says, "he comes up badly scorched and not in a good mood"

GM says, "then over to Tesher, who is basically on the edge of the arena (Reig is more in the middle)"

GM says, "as you recall, more steppes-lizards are charging towards you"

[rpg] Garue says, "back"

Tesher exclaims (at Guards), "Get those steppe-claws back into the middle of the arena!"

Tesher exclaims, "If they eat the prisoners off-stage, no one will be able to see it, and Xax will put *us* in the arena next time for screwing up the event!"

GM says, "hmm, ok"

[rpg] Tesher says, "My goal is basically to pit the guards agains tthe steppe-claws, so that neither of them is paying attention to the prisoners."

GM says, "two of the guards with stun-stick kind of deals nervously try to herd some of these steppes-claws into the arena (which is going to cause Reig grief later, but that's life)"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Tesher says, "Reig is good at thinking on his feet. I'm not worried."

GM says, "they get two of them going in that direction, but then the third (the one Heron shot) suddenly snaps and takes off one of their arms"

GM says, "the other guards shout and start shooting"

GM asks, "Squee?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Excellent. And meanwhile, the prisoners?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "(Or possibly ex-prisoners now.)"

Squee says, "I'll try to dive through the newly-opened secret escape route before it closes"

[rpg] GM says, "I think the prisoners are not sure what the hell to do, given that steppes-claws are going in *both* directions"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Who's on Durok?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Drat."

Squee rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Poor (-1)

inky is not logged in.

[rpg] Squee says, "Whuhoh"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "I think they might be hanging out here until the coast is more or less clear"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I guess I should have try winking at Raqi and gesturing theatrically at the side door I left open."

GM says, "it's not closing that fast, but you aren't reacting that fast either -- you get through and up the stairs, but Xax and Zagor are getting ahead of you"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "oh, sorry -- Raqi and Ie are doing their own thing here"

[rpg] Squee says, "This character seems to hate walking, and apparently for good reason"

[rpg] GM says, "they are dutifully sneaking off except Ie stayed behind to help Reig"

GM says (to Squee), "you stop at one end of a long corridor; it's got one of those gun turrents mounted in the ceiling, which swivels round to aim at you"

GM asks, "Heron?"

[rpg] Tesher says (to GM), "Oh, OK."

[rpg] GM says, "(and Garue coming up after -- is she there?)"

[rpg] Heron says, "Help with the fighting..."

[rpg] Heron asks, "What's the situation down there?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Did anyone ever throw down the rope?"

[rpg] GM says, "guards and lizards are fighting; some lizards are heading into the arena which is going to cause problems for Reig and the servants"

[rpg] Garue says, "yep, I'm at the gate inspiring mayhem and trying to get them open"

[rpg] Squee asks, "It may have been knocked over when I rammed the window; it was hidden under food, wasn't it?"

[rpg] GM says, "helping Reig and the servants, or perhaps the prisoners here, or going elsewhere, seem like they might be the sensible things"

[rpg] Heron says, "So then I'm helping Reig."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "Um, it's sitting out in the open, but not actually thrown down yet."

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "ok, you're up next"

[rpg] Zagor says, "There was a secret passage! I got distracted!"

[rpg] GM asks (of Heron), "helping like shooting at the steppes-claws coming towards him? or helping like trying to get him and the servants out of there somehow?"

[rpg] Heron says, "I'm just going to zap the closest steppe-claw"

[rpg] Garue swings, yells, inspires!

[rpg] Heron says, "closest to reigh that is"

[rpg] Tesher says, "What was the demographic makeup of the prisoners, again? Aside from the servants and Raqi and Ie."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "hmm, maybe you could use telekinesis somehow"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "ok, sounds good! roll it!"

Heron rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Heron says, "Telekinesis is a good idea though"

GM says, "you get the attention of one of the steppes-claws, and it turns around and comes back in your direction -- less for Reig to deal with later, more for you"

GM says, "now back to Garue, who has a chance to crack more heads"

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

GM exclaims, "that is a lot of heads!"

[rpg] Heron says, "holy..."

Garue gets crackin'!

[rpg] Garue gets Kracken?

GM says, "you smash one of the three remaining guys into one of the others, and the two both collapse, leaving just one guy backing away from you hastily"

GM exclaims, "next round you'll be able to open the gate!"

GM exclaims, "but next, Zagor!"

Dire Trilobite Tavern

The Dire Trilobite tavern be full o' goblins and type H treasure. (Type H Treasure is opening tonight for Wandering Monster Table).

You can see: fudge dice

Players: Squee, Tesher, Garue, Reig, Zagor, Heron, Gunther

Visible Exits: east, south

Zagor says (to Xax), "Don't worry, I'm right with you!"

GM says, "ah yes"

Zagor follow follow

GM says, "Xax and you head down the corridor (after which he arms the sentry-gun) and into his treasure vault"

GM says, ""Take this!" he says, shoving a large locked case into your arms. "And follow me!""

Zagor says, "Actually, I'll try to read where he's -- oho, treasure vault."

GM says, "at the other end of the corridor a door opens, revealing a small hanger with a single shuttlecraft"

GM asks, "whatcha gonna do?"

Zagor says, "It's cruel, but I think it's time for a knife in the back."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "I attach the hanger to the shuttlecraft and transport all my stuff in it"

Zagor says, "Sometimes life isn't fair."

GM says, "ok, let's see it"

Zagor says, "Especially when you preside over steppe-claws rippin' prisoners apart."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Especially when you're the despotic ruler of a forced-labor planet."

[rpg] GM says, "IU hope this story ends as a massive double-cross by Zagor"

Zagor rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ha ha."

GM asks, "got anything to add to that?"

Zagor says, "Urr, my only weapon is the element of surprise. And this knife. And, hmmm..."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "And a fate point?"

Zagor says (to Xax), "That's from Durok, you poor fool! Muahaha!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "And a brand-new story aspect that you haven't bothered to declare yet?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Knife, surprise, ruthless efficiency... I'll come in again."

[rpg] GM says, "oh yeah, free story aspect, your choice"

[rpg] Squee says, "You're a Chef! (and hence good with knives)"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I guess I might be tempted to flee the scene with all the treasure."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, right, but I can't tell if you're adding a bonus ot that roll or not"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Er, what would a story aspect cover?"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Like this story specifically?"

[rpg] GM says, "basically, you can add a new aspect that just lasts for this session"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yes."

Zagor says (to Xax), "That's from Durok... MY BROTHER"

Zagor says, "(I mean you, not him.)"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha ha ha"

[rpg] Heron says, "haha"

Zagor twists the knife!

GM exclaims, "ok then!"

GM says, "your knife goes into his back and he collapses"

GM exclaims, "meanwhile, Reig!"

GM says, "riding on one steppes-claw, confronted by one hurt one and another one"

[rpg] Heron says, "Nicely done."

Zagor takes out a small book, turns to page 2, crosses out a name.

Reig attempts to get the two of them to leap at him at once, twisting out of the way at the last second to get them to crash into each other instead!

[rpg] Garue says, "twist & shout"

[rpg] GM says, "that'll be another survival roll, I think, difficulty good, since they're already cranky"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "OK!"

Reig rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Good (3)

[rpg] Reig says, "boo-ya"

GM says, "the steppes-claws collapse into a huge, angry pile of steppes-claw"

GM says, "this'll keep them all busy, at least for now"

GM exclaims, "Tesher!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Did we find out who the rest of the prisoners were?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Like, were they rebels, or just random nomads who spoke bad about Xax, or what?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah; plate droppers and nomads."

[rpg] GM says, "I think they're about half and half (the servants aren't rebels, just sloppy)"

Tesher helps the prisoners escape out of a side door while the guards are distracted with fighting steppe-claws.

[rpg] Tesher says, "Because they are clearly too stupid to run for their lives without prompting."

[rpg] GM exclaims (at Tesher), "they saw you send a bunch of steppes-claws that direction!"

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "The *other* side door!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Surely there must be more than two rooms in the palace."

[rpg] GM says, "the other side door leads to the dungeony basement part of the palace"

[rpg] Zagor says, "This impenetrable fortress sure has a lot of doors!"

[rpg] GM says, "but I guess it's better than staying here"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "There isn't, like, a kitchen? Or servants' quarters? Or a VIP reception area?"

GM asks, "ok, and then where are you heading?"

GM asks, "with them or elsewhere?"

[rpg] GM exclaims (at Tesher), "not connected to the arena!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Well, if they're going into a dungeony basement, I guess I'd better go with them."

[rpg] Squee says, "Meanwhile, droids scurry about."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, droids are going around freaking out everywhere"

GM says (to Squee), "ok, so you're at the end of this corridor, sentry-gun pointed at you"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I kinda feel bad for the droids, actually."

GM says, "up ahead (though you don't know it for sure) are Zagor and Xax"

[rpg] Tesher says, "'Agh, steppe-claw! Run away! AGH! Another twelve steppe-claws! OH NO THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!!!'"

[rpg] Zagor says, "And outside, an army of steppe-claws, some of them riding humans!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "'Look, a human, maybe he will save u-- <CRUNCH> <SMASH>'"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Squee says, "I'd better shoot out that sentry gun with my finger blaster"

GM says, "also, you figure the gates will be opening for the nomads any minute now"

GM says, "good plan"

Squee rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

GM says, "that's enough to get by now for, though it won't take it out for good"

Squee says, "Maybe too slow to prevent it from getting a shot off at me"

GM says, "(if you want to shoot and run)"

Squee says, "Okay, well that's good."

Squee says, "Yes; I hear some girlish screams ahead, so I'd better run."

GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "you probably arrive just as Zagor is making a mark in his book"

GM says, "and then it is Heron's turn"

GM says (to Heron), "basically guards and lizards are all distracted now"

[rpg] Heron says, "Alright how much will we have to deal with? Reig and me I mean..."

[Crows-Nest] (from Tesher) Zagor says (to Squee), "Well *you* try using a knife like this without chipping a nail."

[rpg] GM says, "probably you want to get out of the arena somehow"

[rpg] GM says, "either via the dungeons with Tesher or some other way"

[rpg] Tesher says, "They could climb up to the dining and spectation area, which is full of servants and VIP guests. And also more steppe-claws."

[rpg] Heron asks, "After Tesher. Can I take Reig, too?"

[rpg] GM says, "pick him up? sure, what the hell"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Isn't Reig still on Spot?"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "I'm riding a steppes-claw!"

[rpg] GM says, "(assuming he is ok with it)"

[rpg] Reig says, "I can follow you on it, though."

[rpg] GM exclaims, "you said you leapt free!"

[rpg] Squee says, "Okay Spot, gently pick him up in your jaws..."

[rpg] Heron says, "OK, that sounds reasonable, unless he would rather go upstairs see if we can follow the others.."

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, I meant that I wanted Spot to twist free at the last second."

[rpg] Reig says, "But we can go with that if need be."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Reig), "You gave him a name?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think I am going to say you leapt free, since he won't fit in the dungeons anyway"

[rpg] Heron exclaims, "We're not taking him home just so you know!"

[rpg] Reig says, "Sure."

GM says, "so, uh, Heron and Reig and servants run into the dungeons"

[rpg] Heron says, "I'll shoot anything that tries to follow..."

GM exclaims, "and now Garue at last has a chance to unseal the gates!"

[rpg] Reig says, "But he doesn't bite! Uh, well, I mean, he does, but... oh, well."

[rpg] Heron says, "Anything that has tentacles or a uniform..."

[rpg] Heron exclaims (at Reig), "He's not spaceship trained!"

[rpg] Garue says, "do they open by bashing, or is there a switch, pully, button, . . ."

[rpg] GM says, "I think there is probably a big lever"

[rpg] Garue says, "sounds like might"

Garue rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

GM says, "dang"

[rpg] Zagor says, "There WAS a big lever."

GM says, "ok, Garue moves a lever it normally takes three guards to shift"

GM says, "and the huge front gates creak open, revealing a horde of nomads, right on schedule"

GM says, "they charge shouting into the palace"

Garue's mighty muscles overpower the lever and the gates slowly open . .

[rpg] Tesher wonders what Durok is doing at this point.

[rpg] GM says, "nobody's in the room to see, but it's a good question"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "Durok, Tinosaur hunter"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Yeah I was wondering that."

GM says, "meanwhile, I am wondering what Zagor is doing, and then I think we will wrap up"

Zagor says (to Squee), "Oh, hello there."

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Zagor says, "Hmm, let's see what's in this box that was so important."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Are we going to go into a third session, or will we just summarize the conclusion?"

[rpg] GM says, "my schedule isn't conducive for a third session this month, so I think we are going to wrap things up here"

Zagor opens the case!

GM says, "the case has a large amount of loot taken from the planet -- stored in the form of deposits on other places, small but ultra-precious gems, shares in corporations, etc"

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "OK. Remember that we do still have the extra fifteen minutes we saved from last week!"

GM says, "plus it has a very small crystal of the kind matching the ones on the mobile"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Zagor asks, "My goodness, Xax has been naughty, hasn't he?"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says (to Zagor), "Nay; twas BEAUTY killed the BEAST."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee hee."

GM says, "so, hmm"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Or possibly your knife in his back"

GM says, "basically things are now in crazy chaos"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Later, we're all awarded medals in a big ceremony."

Zagor says, "I'd say this belongs to the people outside, but you can't split stocks and shares between a raving mob."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Heron |Yeah, nothing you can do but take it to safety...

Zagor says, "Liquidating all this is going to be a tough job, but somebody has to do it!"

Squee says, "Yes; that'd be best for the people."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I think they'd rather have a democratic parilament under a figurehead Imperial liason."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is there one of those in the box?"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

[rpg] GM says, "if any of you guys want a job .."

GM says, "it seems like everyone manages to join up again and compare notes"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, ahem, I am technically heir to the despotism."

[rpg] Tesher asks (of GM), "Including Raqi and Ie and Trevorno?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] Heron says, "woohoo"

[rpg] Squee says, "Big marriage scene between Raqi and Tesh"

Tesher says, "It sounds like the Abacus could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands."

GM says, "with Xax gone obviously his government crumbles"

GM says, "like, today"

Tesher says, "But I think I have some friends who could keep it safe."

Squee says, "Ah, a glorious workers' republic. Very efficient, like the sort of government droids would use."

Zagor. o O { Only Yaztromo to remove, and finally I'm the sole remaining heir! }

Garue decides to head up the new figurehead Imperial liason's guard force.

Tesher says (to Trevorno), "Given what you know, it's probably not safe for you to appear in public. It might make it easier for everybody if you went into hiding, maybe took a new name, a new identity."

Tesher asks (of Ie), "Do you think you could help with that?"

Heron says, "She might want to have plastic anyway..."

inky is not logged in.

GM says, ""No doubt," says Ie. "I could probably help arrange something ...""

GM says, "and I think from there the camera cuts to Durok at the spaceport, blasting off. "Did you get the necessary data from Xax's network?" he asks one of his guards. "Enough to reconstruct what you need, sir -- given time.""

Squee proceeds along on his quest to become a human-machine hybrid.

[rpg] Heron says, "I really think we should go to the abacus and get ourselves upgraded to half-machine super-soldiers."

[rpg] Squee says, "Half-machine, ALL MAN"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Or, in Squee's case, half-human."

[rpg] GM asks, "and I think that's a wrap, guys -- any loose ends you want to follow up on before I close things out?"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "I think we're good!"

[rpg] Squee says, "You know who should get to be next planetary leader? Frognutz"

[rpg] Garue says, "great ending"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, Durok! But I guess his time will come another day."

[rpg] Squee says, "I concur"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Squee), "Hee hee."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I guess since there are no specific plans to have a next episode, I might as well share these:"

[rpg] GM says, "thanks for playing, everyone, and especially for putting up with the lag today"

[rpg] Squee says, "Good times all around, and that last scene sets a new bar for over-the-top"

[rpg] Tesher says, "http://grunk.org/rpgs/weasel_poppies.txt"

[rpg] Tesher says, "http://grunk.org/rpgs/charsheets/tesher_secret.txt"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oho!"

[rpg] Squee says, "Hunh"

[rpg] GM says, "Tesher's secret background stuff didn't come up much in game but there are a few pages between him and me you should look at in the transcript"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Nice."