Chuubo-1:2

<@Luthien> we were chasing after me going the wrong way to find graysomethingorother?
<@Random_Nerd> Correct.
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien had one up on the roof to look for the rat duchy.
<@Random_Nerd> Well, Barony.
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron and the rest of the PCs followed.
<@Random_Nerd> Any questions before we begin?
<@deMontreal> well, some questions on my inventions...
<@Random_Nerd> Yes?
<@deMontreal> well, I was wondering if my spiderbot actually works.
<@Random_Nerd> Well, since you haven't made it under the terms of your powers, I'm mostly viewing it as background color at this point.
<@Luthien> I could claim it as a Treasure, and then it would work!
<@Lili> I could fix him, if you wanted.  :)
<@Luthien> it would be an awesome spiderbot!
<@deMontreal> I've built it with nightmare parts.
<@Soun_Shounen> and I can make it one of my minions!
<@deMontreal> The engine is the relentless pursuer...
<@deMontreal> the spider form is ... well, do I even need to say?
<@deMontreal> The stuff that lets it stick to walls is the mire you get trapped in when pursued
<@deMontreal> et cetera, et cetera. :)
<@Random_Nerd> Okay, shall that be your new device for the current Nightmare Engine period?
<@Lili> Chibi eyes?
<@Soun_Shounen> btw IF you feel angry to Soun please show that ... is my xp triggering condition! :-)
<@Random_Nerd> Let's see. It fits the rules. It's at least marginally sentient, and can siphon people's sins.
<@deMontreal> I'm angry at everyone. Kind of a low seethe. :)
<@Random_Nerd> But be aware that its uses have different effects.
<@deMontreal> what do you mean?
<@Mrs_Senko> (oh yeah, could everyone remind me what their character's emote is?)
<@Natalia> You haven't been annoying enough yet, Angelo. Although I admit that Mrs. S. is tough competition.
<@Random_Nerd> If it's used "to discover, to learn, to study, to travel, or to bridge the gaps between two things" then it's just really good supertech.
<@Soun_Shounen> fist shaking toward Soun
<@Random_Nerd> If it's used "to create, to destroy, or to transform", it makes the world more nightmarish around it.
<@Luthien> ("Oh no! Luthien!")
<@deMontreal> IIRC, Senko gets XP with -_0, while I get O_O
<@Lili> (Mine is having confidence in me. You're up or you'll do your best or such.)
<@deMontreal> RN: does that include sucking up sin?>
<@Natalia> (Ah, mine is sympathy pity or pathos... When Natalia's despair or isolation tugs at the heartstrings.)
<@Random_Nerd> See the "What can you make?" sidebar, page 136.
<@Random_Nerd> Depends on the details.
<@Random_Nerd> If you're just sucking up ambient sin for later use, that's probably okay.
<@Random_Nerd> Using it to taste the sins of various people for research purposes is definitely okay.
<@deMontreal> ah, there's no entry for 'to collect', so it doesn't make things nightmarish. yet.
<@Random_Nerd> Using it to take someone's sins to turn them into a different person...
<@Random_Nerd> ...that makes bad things happen.
<@Random_Nerd> So, if it reaches the point of "transforming" someone, then you're in dangerous territory.
<@Random_Nerd> Otherwise, you're probably okay.
<@deMontreal> well, it's collecting sin to feed to Alvin later.
<@Random_Nerd> That's fine.
<@Soun_Shounen> who alvin is?
<@deMontreal> my robot butler
<@Random_Nerd> His robot-butler.
<@Random_Nerd> Runs on sin.
<@Soun_Shounen> ohhh
<@Luthien> of course
<@Random_Nerd> Technically it's the Ritually Impure Manservant Device.
<@Random_Nerd> Oh, also remember that you can use your devices to do weird things with the Properties of a region.
<@Random_Nerd> For instance, how Alvin works with Old Moulder's dirtiness rules.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Don't be silly, Mr. de Montreal. Singing chipmunks don't eat sin."
<@Luthien> ?_?
<@Lili> (They also don't want hula hoops.)
<@deMontreal> "Where exactly do singing chipmunks come into play?"
<@Random_Nerd> Heh. I bet the bit about The Nighmare Engine is quoting Senko.
<@Random_Nerd> "Evolution knows no telos, whimpers the world. Impurity, for a robot, is an irrelevant conceit. Time is not a fluid, Leonardo. Compasses can’t point to truth. Ball bearings have nothing to do with getting your bearings in the wilderness, and a machine, for the love of God, cannot know what it means to sin. For the love of God. For the love of God, de Montreal!"
<@Mrs_Senko> "What else is an Alvin but a singing chipmunk?"
<@Luthien> (I'd say that's a Speechless to Senko, but we're not actually playing atm)
<@Random_Nerd> Or, at least, someone Senkoish.
<@Random_Nerd> So, are we ready to start?
<@deMontreal> (OK)
<@Mrs_Senko> I think so.
<@Luthien> (sure)
<@Natalia> (I'm up for it.)

START

<@Random_Nerd> Okay You're on the roof of a building near the Kakeru Hut.
<@deMontreal> (Should we do that 'what do you want/wish for this scene' thing?)
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien is scampering across into the distance, followed by a rat dressed in the "gentleman fallen on hard times" fashion, with a somewhat tattered waistcoat and so forth.
<@Mrs_Senko> "It is very improper for children to run on rooftops!"
<@Luthien> "Yeah, but I'm a cat, so there!"
<@deMontreal> "Would you have us Riverdance?"
<@Lili> "The game is afoot, Senko! The hunt calls you!" *follows Luthi, Gracefully*
<@Random_Nerd> (Oh, and Senko, you think that Luthien's last name is Cartaign. You're not sure of her middle name, if she even has any. But clearly her mother is showing lamentable lack of discipline!)
<@Mrs_Senko> "You are part child, so please abide by the rules of being such!"
<@Mrs_Senko> (thanks!)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron von Greyroofshire: "It's not even this way!"
<@deMontreal> (Would it be a problem is I had a 'Bug Senko' quest? :D )
<@Lili> (*shifty look* I'm a new method of child rearing. Letting them think they're a cat and run feral. And have a bunny that shoots laser beams.)
<@Random_Nerd> He scampers, his shoes skidding slightly on the roof tiles.
<@Luthien> "Are you sure it's not this way? I'm sure we'll find it this direction!"
<@deMontreal> (Now, we're working on clearing the roaches from his 'kingdom', right?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "You will never find it in that direction."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "That's not impossible, but you'll surely reach the Far Roofs first."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "And it's not that far. Far enough that the roofs probably aren't over actual buildings, but near enough to not be fully in the domain of the Mysteries."
<@deMontreal> "The 'Far roofs'?"

• @deMontreal sends his spider ahead.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Ah! Clearly your education is lacking, human child!"
<@Random_Nerd> (He does not know how stupid it is to say that to Leo.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "And what direction are the cockroaches in question?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "It's not about directions. Not up here, madame. But there's a route."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "And the first step is, we have to head to the roof with a chimney that is painted blue. And I saw one back that way."
<@Natalia> (Can I be keeping an eye on the others from the street below? Or, how would that work with the Near Roofs being a different region and all?)
<@Random_Nerd> (You can, for now.)
<@Random_Nerd> (But if they get much deeper, watching them from the street won't work.)

• @Natalia is keeping an eye on the others from the street below, keeping as far back as she can without losing sight. She's still worried about Luthien, but doesn't want to complicate things by catching Mrs. Senko's attention.
  

<@Random_Nerd> (They're still in the part where it's basically just that they are standing on the roof of some particular building.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Miss Cartaign! Please divert your trajectory to...this way!"
<@Luthien> "I'm sure it'll be interesting!"
<@Random_Nerd> (But when they're more in The Roofs, then there won't be anywhere to look from.)
<@Natalia> (To keep up with them when that happens, what level of Aspect would I need?)

• @deMontreal heads for the blue chimney...
  

<@Random_Nerd> It's just three roofs over to the right.
<@Random_Nerd> Between roofs is a bit of a jump. Not enough that you can't make it, but enough to be... undignified.
<@Soun_Shounen> (I'm on the roof or with Natalia?)
<@Random_Nerd> (You tell me!)
<@Lili> (Nat's on the street.)
<@Lili> (Oops, diregard, misread.)
<@Soun_Shounen> (Down with Nat then ^_^)
<@Random_Nerd> The baron gets a running start, and leaps from rooftop to rooftop.
<@Lili> "Luthi, this way! The clues are this way!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "You see the other Natalia?"
<@deMontreal> "Clues to what?"

• @Lili will leap! (Superior Grace) Will roll and come up from the roll with my hair attractively mussed.
  
• @deMontreal makes sure both he and his spider make the jumps... better than Chuubo.
  

<@Lili> "The clues, man! Boy. deMontreal!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "There! The blue chimney! Now, we must look for a roof with red and white tiles, alternating..."

• @Mrs_Senko makes sure no one aside from the group is watching as she hops to the next roof.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo follows in a competent yet undistinguished manner.
<@Luthien> "Oh? Clues? But there's new stuff this way! ... um..." *tries to leap across*
<@Lili> "We must figure out why the roaches are taking over the baron's place! This may just be the vanguard for an eventual cockroachian invasion!"
<@Natalia> "Up there." She points. "Ssh, I want to hear what they're shouting..."
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you have suddenly lost track of where Leo, Lili, and the Baron are.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ugh!"
<@Random_Nerd> They don't seem to be on any of the roofs you can see from where you are.

• @deMontreal emotes 0?0 at Lili
  

<@Soun_Shounen> "Where where? I can't see them!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Aha! There's one now!"
<@Natalia> "Wait, where did they..."
<@Lili> "Baron, we must wait for our group!"
<@Random_Nerd> He points his walking stick at a rooftop, and then clutches it in his teeth as he runs on all fours in preparation for a jump.
<@Lili> (Did Luthi make it?)
<@Random_Nerd> (She did!)
<@Lili> (Good. Would be bad to have her fall onto Shounen.  :) )

• @deMontreal grabs a tether attached to the spider...
  

<@Soun_Shounen> "OK, time for the hero to save the day! *grin* Grab my hand Nat"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Ah... trouble!"
<@Random_Nerd> He stops on a rooftop two jumps away from the red and white one.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Do you see? A toll collector."

• @Natalia narrows her eyes, but takes Shounen's hand anyway.
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "Trouble? Toy collector?"
<@deMontreal> Do we see it?
<@Luthien> (>_< @ Soun, stealing Luthien's Heroic acts! :p)
<@Random_Nerd> And sure enough, there's a large rat in dark clothes, sitting with his back to the chimney. Above him on the chimney is a sign: "Passage: Ten Dollars."
<@Random_Nerd> It's absurd, of course.
<@Luthien> (or, intending to, anyway)
<@Random_Nerd> There's nowhere that you could reach from that roof that you couldn't get to by other roofs.
<@Random_Nerd> But the Baron seems worried.
<@Lili> (Indeed! $10? It should only be a quarter!)
<@Natalia> (I think he's more flirting, although I wouldn't mind being wrong.)

• @Soun_Shounen use what the heart dream off "Soun Shounen is the end of journey" to travel to the ratroftopshire with Natalia
  

<@Random_Nerd> (Highway robbery!)
<@Lili> "That price is highway robbery!"
<@Lili> (...dear.)
<@Random_Nerd> It totally works. Next to the chimney, for no apparent reason, is Shounen and Natalia.
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, that just felt weird.
<@Luthien> "Why is the mouse wanting ten dollars?"
<@deMontreal> to the Baron: "Why not go around?"
<@Random_Nerd> Tax Collector: "Hey! No passing without paying your way!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Because this is the route."

• @Natalia lets go of Shounen's hand, suddenly. "What was that?" she mumbles under her breath.
  
• @Soun_Shounen blink "Natalia... remember I'm magical ;-)"
  

<@Luthien> *hisses at the mouse in a "you're prey" kind of way*
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I don't tell you how to... build a printing press or whatever it is you humans do."
<@Lili> "Remember, it's the journey, not the destination. Unless you're going home."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Mr. Soun! What were you doing to Miss Koutolika?"
<@Random_Nerd> The rat in the suit jumps when he hears Luthien's hiss.
<@Random_Nerd> He reaches behind the chimney and pulls out a large truncheon.
<@Random_Nerd> Well, by "large" I mean that it's nearly five inches long!
<@Soun_Shounen> "I was helping her!"
<@Random_Nerd> But for a rat, it's huge.
<@Natalia> "Oh, Mrs. Senko, it's okay! Soun was just helping me keep my balance here..."
<@Random_Nerd> Toll Rat: "Cat! Cat!"
<@Mrs_Senko> "..."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Okay, then."

• @Soun_Shounen nod nod
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Surely you were just pretending, right? You're a human. You were with other humans. The ears are just decoration, right?"
<@Mrs_Senko> to Toll Rat. "No. It's, 'Student! Student!'"
<@Luthien> "Mrrow? ... *prrs at the Baron*"
<@Random_Nerd> Toll Rat: "She's not a cat?"
<@Random_Nerd> He looks at Luthien suspiciously.
<@Soun_Shounen> "She is totally a cat"
<@Lili> "You know humans and their preoccupation with being something else."
<@Mrs_Senko> "She's my student. She has fallen in with the roleplaying crowd."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Bad stuff."

• @Soun_Shounen whisper to the toll collector: "The ears are true"
  

<@Random_Nerd> The Toll-Rat looks between Shounen and Senko, unsure who to believe.
<@Lili> (I'd believe Shounen! He tings!)

• @deMontreal has his spider collecting the rat's avarice...
  

<@Soun_Shounen> (right!)
<@deMontreal> "Who is this money going to?"
<@Random_Nerd> The baron seems worried, like a man who just realized that the casual acquaintance who he took to show the vault where he works at the bank appears to be carrying a gun.
<@Mrs_Senko> "I wouldn't teach a cat. It's not practical."
<@deMontreal> "You barely teach."
<@Random_Nerd> Sadly, the rat is relatively lacking in avarice! He doesn't even get a percentage of the tolls, just an hourly wage!
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course I teach, Mr. de Montreal. It's my job. Teachers teach."
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "To my boss. Everyone using this road has to pay a toll to the boss."
<@Luthien> "Well, who's the boss?"
<@Mrs_Senko> "And what is the toll?"
<@deMontreal> (Tony Danza.)
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "The Baron. This is the border of his lands!"
<@Luthien> (sadly, Luthien has no claws. Also ... did you say Tiny Dancer?)
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron draws himself up to his full eight-inch height and stares in incredulity.
<@Luthien> *looks at the Baron questioningly*

• @deMontreal points. "This is the Baron."
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "What the devil are you talking about? These are my ancestral lands!"
<@Natalia> (Ah, irony.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (All rats look the same. He just got confused.)
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "I don't know you. You're not the Baron. You do look a little like him, though."

• @Soun_Shounen use Delinquent to fell if there is something under this story like the real fact
  

<@Luthien> "Well, we have a dispute! We have to find the other baron and settle it!"
<@deMontreal> to the Toll-Rat: "If I'm right, and this is the Baron, then your actions are directly serving a usurper.
<@Luthien> (... apparently Luthien talks in exclamations. Sorry -_-;)
<@Soun_Shounen> "Right Luthi!"
<@Soun_Shounen> (and soun too)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron, whispering, to Luthien: "I'm not saying you're a cat. I'd never invite a cat to visit my home, after all. But if you wanted to, in a sheerly human fashion, pounce on him and pin him beneath one of the beclawed paws that you as a human surely don't have, I won't tell if you won't."
<@deMontreal> "Do you recall what happens to those ... rats, when things get straightened out?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Who was that directed to, deMontreal?)
<@deMontreal> the Toll-Rat
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "Which rats? The few of us working for the Baron?"
<@Luthien> whispering to the Baron "I'm also not a cat. Catgirl has 'girl' at the end of it, after all..."
<@deMontreal> "This is the Baron!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "And where we can find your other baroooon?"
<@Soun_Shounen> (was to the tollrat)
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "My Baron lives in the ancestral manse of the Grayroofshire clan, and has uniformed servants to do his bidding."
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "Your baron appears to be in dire need of a tailor."
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "Mine's clearly better."
<@Luthien> "Well, then, we'll just have to go there and see. Do you want to get in my way?"
<@Soun_Shounen> "OK, then escort us to your baron."
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron doesn't actually turn red with rage. Because he's a rat. But if he wasn't, then he would.
<@Soun_Shounen> "We need to straight these thing out"
<@Luthien> (*totally trying to be heroic, 'cause that's what catgirl detectives do!*)
<@Lili> "What a case!" *happy sparkles*

• @Soun_Shounen sparkle!
  

<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "Gladly! Ten dollars each, please."
<@Random_Nerd> He looks at Luthien, as if comparing her to a mental image of a cat.
<@Luthien> "... no. *growl*"
<@Mrs_Senko> "We will pay the student rate. For the students, anyway."
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "The... student rate?"
<@Lili> "What if we pay you if our Baron is not the right Baron?"
<@Luthien> "Even talking rats are food, right?"
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "What would you accept as proof?"
<@Lili> (Okay, so who has Principal Entropy's charge card?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course! Do you really expect students to pay a full rate? No one expects such an absurd thing these days."
<@Random_Nerd> The Toll-Rat is increasingly starting to believe that this is a problem that's over his pay grade.
<@Luthien> *starts preening. Perhaps prematurely*

• @deMontreal makes sure his spider doesn't eat the rat's shirking...
  

<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "Well... okay. Five dollars is the student rate, which we definitely have. But the Cat Rate is fifteen, plus having to wear a bell."
<@Mrs_Senko> "She is also a student."
<@Luthien> "..." *raises a "paw", ready to bat the toll-rat off the roof*
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat has a headache.
<@Soun_Shounen> "and we want to talk to your boss if him is the boss we will pay then"
<@Lili> "Students don't wear bells! That's against the dress code!"
<@deMontreal> "Tell me, have you ever had a dream in which you were .... trapped?
<@Soun_Shounen> "uhm... but can enhance her cuteness.. I'm for the bell"
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rate: "Ten dollars for her, then. But the bell is non-negotiable unless she promises to not be a cat."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Fifteen divided by five is three, if you were having trouble with the math."
<@deMontreal> to Toll-rat, while the spider looks him over
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "And will you be needing a stable for your... hideous... mechanical... spider?"
<@Luthien> *test-bats at the toll-rat*

• @deMontreal has his spider web the rat into his booth
  
• @Soun_Shounen give Luthisn a cute collar with a bell
  

<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat, being webbed to the booth: "Your foul spider violates the lawfully delegated authority of the Baron!"
<@deMontreal> "No such thing."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "There is so!"
<@deMontreal> "As we'll show on our way out.
<@Luthien> *puts on the collar and becomes cute*
<@Natalia> "Well that's one way to resolve things..." (under her breath)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "It's just that he doesn't have it. And I... I appoint this spider my Sergeant at Arms, to deal with unlawful pretenders and their capering lackeys!"
<@deMontreal> "Do have fun."
<@Luthien> (maybe I will claim it. Hm. I'll have to think about that. Cats should totally have bells!)
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "I never caper!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Non-capering lackeys are a grey area."
<@Soun_Shounen> toLuthi: "Awww how cute!"
<@Random_Nerd> Oh, and there is a bell in the booth.
<@Lili> "What is your favorite dance?"
<@Random_Nerd> A little one that appears to be made of silver.

• @deMontreal takes the bell
  

<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "The... the electric slide! But I fail to see the relevance!"
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "It certainly cannot be fairly described as capering!"
<@deMontreal> "We'll be moving along."
<@Soun_Shounen> (cut to the baron)
<@Luthien> *will wait until after all the others have gone, and then gives the Toll-rat one last hiss. Then catches up with the group*
<@Soun_Shounen> (?)
<@Random_Nerd> Toll-Rat: "You'll never get away with this! Unless, of course, you are the lawful baron! In which case I always supported you secretly, undermining the usurper's organization from within!"
<@Lili> (Viva la Resistance!)
<@deMontreal> to the Baron: "You'll be sure to remember that, right?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (hehe)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "And from here, we only have to look for the chimney with smoke that smells of cinnamon...."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Oh, I'll remember him, all right."
<@Random_Nerd> He smiles a snarky little rat smile.
<@Soun_Shounen> "So Baron, where we go?"
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron sniffs the air.

• @Mrs_Senko sniffs the air.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Do you smell it?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (do we smell it?)
<@Random_Nerd> No cinnamon.
<@Random_Nerd> Instead, there's a smell of rotting meat.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "This isn't right."
<@Luthien> "Are you SURE this was the right direction?"
<@Soun_Shounen> (bleargh!)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Perhaps someone is just cooking the wrong thing."
<@Lili> "There is a certain...picquantness to it...but it was definitely not herbal.."
<@Luthien> "Mine was just fine! No toll-rats or rotting meat or anything!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I memorized the directions flawlessly! My father would make me recite them to him almost daily!"
<@Natalia> "So, does that mean you've never been this way before?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "And the blue chimney was there, and the red-and-white roof..."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Not... as such. The dispossession happened during my father's tenure."
<@Soun_Shounen> "Are you really the baron of that place?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "But I am his firstborn son."

• @Soun_Shounen facepalm
  

<@deMontreal> "Any chance this 'usurper' is actually your father?"
<@Soun_Shounen> "Or his secret son?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Only if he's a foul remnant crawled back from the grave to rule unjustly."
<@Lili> "Or your uncle who has married your mother?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "And we're not nearly so far out on the Roofs to expect that."
<@Mrs_Senko> "That would explain the smell."
<@deMontreal> "I have a theory.
<@Luthien> (... o_o point to Senko)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I'm his secret son! Well, it wasn't a secret, but we didn't have that much publicity, what with being cast out by invading roaches."
<@Soun_Shounen> "Oh, what theory?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Do I smell a Science, Faith, or Sorcery scene?)
<@Natalia> (Imagining Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters breaking out in song.)
<@deMontreal> "Well, due to some corruption, or simply the removal of the source of cinnamon...
<@Random_Nerd> (Oh, and I'm calling up until now an Exploration scene. I think the toll-rat is "neat, scary, or mysterious.")
<@deMontreal> "It may be that we need to locate that rotting meat smell to find your barony."
<@Luthien> ("It could be bunnies!" ... sorry...)
<@Random_Nerd> (So that's... ten destiny, because everyone was involved in that.)
<@deMontreal> (Woo!)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "But rotting meat is not, I repeat not, cinnamon!"
<@Mrs_Senko> (It's always bunnies....*shakes fist at bunnies*)
<@deMontreal> "I seem to recall spices were used to disguise the taste of rotting meat...
<@Luthien> "The old guys probably moved out or died or something. It could be their carcasses stinking up the place!"
<@deMontreal> "considering it was in abundance."
<@Soun_Shounen> (noo you shake fist at soun :-P)
<@Luthien> (... mrr, I think I just pulled a Senko. Sigh.)
<@deMontreal> can we localize the rotting meat smell?
<@deMontreal> (Luth: sounds painful. :) )
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Well... I'll try. But if we end up finding ourselves on a foul charnel Hell-Roof with no way home, I'm blaming you."
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia definitely could, with her superhuman senses.
<@Mrs_Senko> (If Soun sublimates into bunnies.)
<@Random_Nerd> The rest of you would find it tricky.
<@Random_Nerd> Unless you have some clever idea.
<@Soun_Shounen> (nope SEnko)
<@deMontreal> "Where's that smell coming from?"
<@Random_Nerd> It's definitely somewhere over to the east... north...
<@Luthien> (sort of. Follow the Baron.)

• @Lili twirls around sniffing.
  

<@Natalia> "I'm going to do a bit of scouting."
<@Random_Nerd> You're actually not sure which direction is which, let alone where the smell is coming from.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Something we probably shouldn't touch. Does everyone still have their gloves?"
<@Luthien> (... could I put a sticker on the Baron? that would be odd)
<@Random_Nerd> (...what does the sticker say?)

• @Soun_Shounen nod
  

<@Luthien> "I never got any gloves *sadface*" (Gold star! Helps him be better!)
<@Random_Nerd> (I'm throwing Senko a bonus XP for remembering about the gloves.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Eee!)

• @Natalia steps off to the northeast and tries to get a better sense of the smell. (Using Aspect 3, but nothing beyond that for now.)
  

<@Random_Nerd> (Which ability are you using with the sticker?)
<@deMontreal> (Actually... I'd like to invoke my Glorious power on the Baron to see if he's being honest with us, and why.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yeah, you've spent five minutes with him.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "You can use my gloves then, Miss Cartaign. I will wash my hands when we're done."
<@deMontreal> "I have more."
<@Random_Nerd> (He's being honest with you. He genuinely believes that he is the rightful Baron of Greyroofshire.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Or Mr. de Montreal's gloves."
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo squints, as if trying to figure out a way that this issue could be resolved easily with a wish.
<@deMontreal> any gray roofs around?
<@Luthien> (I will use the Level 4 power for 1 MP, to make him magically more helpful!)
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you're pretty sure that the smell is coming from north by northeast of you, and you've narrowed it down to one of three roofs.
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron rises on his hind legs and sniffs the air.

• @Soun_Shounen watch Natalia Expectantly
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Well, the rotting meat smell is coming from over there..."
<@Random_Nerd> Some of the roofs are greyish, but none look particularly... baronial.
<@Luthien> *puts a sticker on the Baron's coat*

• @deMontreal turns up the gain on his spider so it looks for power-lust and lies
  

<@deMontreal> ... and then point it away from our merry band
<@Lili> (*has sudden urge to smack Chuubo*)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Let's go this way!"

• @Natalia heads back, to report to the others. "I found the source of the smell."
  

<@Random_Nerd> He goes down on all fours...
<@Random_Nerd> Then looks disappointedly when he hears that Natalia's already ahead of him.
<@Luthien> *follows the Baron!*
<@Random_Nerd> Sad rat is sad.
<@Random_Nerd> Sad rat jumps! Jump, sad rat! Jump!
<@deMontreal> "Where?"
<@Soun_Shounen> "Follow Nat!"
<@Random_Nerd> It is, in fact, in the same direction that Natalia thinks the smell is coming from.
<@Luthien> *puts a happy-heart sticker on the sad rat to make him mundanely happy*
<@Natalia> "Over here. It's one of that row of houses..."
<@Random_Nerd> Too late! He's already leaping!
<@Luthien> (noooo! Sad rat won't make it!)
<@deMontreal> to Nat: "That way?" indicating the Baron
<@Random_Nerd> When Natalia mentions the houses, any of you who looks down at them below the roofs sees that the walls of the houses looks... indistinct. Vague, sketched in.
<@Random_Nerd> And the ground vanishes in the darkness below.
<@deMontreal> (So, we're _in_ Greyroofshire)
<@Soun_Shounen> "teacher Senko... take a look at the houses under these roofs"

• @Lili will follow the sad rat.
  
• @Soun_Shounen follow too
  

<@Natalia> "That's right.." She squints at the fog under the roofs. It figures.

• @deMontreal follows the Baron
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "Mr. Soun! Everyone knows not to look down when you are in a high place! It entices one to fall."
<@Random_Nerd> (You're at least in the Roofs.)
<@Soun_Shounen> "But is weird"

• @Natalia goes along with the others and tries to get a good look at the Baron again.
  

<@Random_Nerd> The Baron is sniffing the air and preparing for another jump.
<@Mrs_Senko> "That is one of the many tricks of high places, Mr. Soun. Do not succumb to them."
<@Luthien> *puts the happy sticker on before the jump!*
<@Random_Nerd> Somewhere in the direction you're heading, you see lights, and one of the roofs seems to have some big thing on it.

• @Soun_Shounen shrug
  

<@deMontreal> "Something's over there."
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron, sticker-decorated, makes his jump.
<@Random_Nerd> And when he lands on the roof, the roaches come out of the shadows.
<@Luthien> (oh! He needs a butterfly sticker too!)
<@Soun_Shounen> "Roaches!"
<@Luthien> (but ... uh oh!)
<@deMontreal> "Paydirt."
<@Luthien> *leaps and pounces on one of the roaches*
<@Random_Nerd> Six inches long each and scuttling like horseshoe crabs, they swarm him.

• @Natalia rushes to the Baron's side.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, Natalia, what do you do?

• @deMontreal picks the Baron up out of the roaches
  

<@Luthien> um. Pounce on a roach. Then put on my cloak and hide!

• @Mrs_Senko hops after the Baron and attempts to kick roaches off the roof.
  

<@deMontreal> (You know cats eat roaches, right?)
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, the roaches paw at your legs with their disgusting roach feet.
<@Mrs_Senko> (Mrs. Senko has expressly prohibited the eating of roaches.)
<@Random_Nerd> They're trying to either climb you, or knock you down.
<@Random_Nerd> Neither is working.

• @Lili leaps onto the roof and does a leg sweep toward the roaches nearby!
  

<@Soun_Shounen> "Stop fighting roaches! Start admire me!" (+shine + leadership + heart of wishes (Soun shounen motivate you)
<@deMontreal> "Please. You haven't seen my lab."
<@Luthien> (... I've pictured radroaches a la Fallout. World shift happened!)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Don't put me down! If you keep those things away from me, I'll give you... a knighthood! No lands, though."
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches stop.
<@Random_Nerd> Climbing deMontreal is hard.

• @Soun_Shounen sparkle!
  

<@Random_Nerd> But admiring Shounen... that's easy. It's the easiest thing in the world!
<@deMontreal> (Now, do we know IC that Soun did something?)
<@Random_Nerd> (He posed dramatically, and looked really cool, and all the roaches reacted.)
<@Luthien> (also, I should remember to point out Luthien's Shine 4. Everyone's 4 better when helping Luthi!)
<@Soun_Shounen> (I say to the roaches to admire me)
<@Random_Nerd> (And it's not easy to look really cool when you're on a dark roof surrounded by roaches.)
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches approach you, shyly.
<@Random_Nerd> They don't actually ask for your autograph.
<@Random_Nerd> After all, they're roaches.
<@Random_Nerd> But they give the impression that if they could, they would be trying to work up the nerve to do so.
<@Lili> (Tiny little hearts of adoration, though?)

• @Soun_Shounen pet one one the carapace
  

<@Luthien> "Do we want to squish them now?"
<@Random_Nerd> It beams, and makes happy roach noises.
<@Random_Nerd> They... don't actually sound very pleasant.

• @Natalia attacks those roaches that dare approach the Baron in a kung fu flurry of kick-seeming stomps and two or three gloved punches.
  

<@deMontreal> (Roach roach roach?)
<@Random_Nerd> But still.
<@Luthien> (... "roach roach"?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Do not bring them back to the school, Mr. Soun."
<@Natalia> (Using "Push Yourself," for Aspect 4.)
<@Soun_Shounen> "came on, form a line I'll give every one some love"
<@Lili> (Like the happy bricks!)
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches go flying across the roof!

• @deMontreal sets the Baron down on the spider-bot
  

<@Random_Nerd> Shounen's Roach Fan Club scuttle behind him for protection.
<@Soun_Shounen> (lol!)
<@deMontreal> "Hang on to that, it should keep them away through sheer intimidation."
<@Soun_Shounen> (bwaaaa I'm the king of roaches!)
<@Random_Nerd> The one roach that he touched looks up at him beseechingly, with sad roach eyes, begging for protection with all its inarticulate roach abilities.
<@Natalia> "Maybe that was overdoing it..."
<@Random_Nerd> (And take one point of It Never Stops, Shounen.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Nonsense! You showed those carapaced ruffians what for!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "That roach, all these roach are under my protection now"
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach hugs Shounen's leg with its forelimbs.
<@Mrs_Senko> "So long as you keep your pets under control, Mr. Soun."
<@deMontreal> "You're ... protecting ... roaches."
<@Natalia> "I'm glad you're safe, Lord Baron." She's not quite sure herself whether this is deadpan or serious.
<@deMontreal> (What's Soun's emote-thing again?)
<@Soun_Shounen> "They are now harmless and my friends"
<@Random_Nerd> (Shounen, take a bonus XP for your Play To The Fans quest.)
<@Soun_Shounen> (shake fist against soun)
<@Lili> "You are a shining sun in the darkness, Shounen!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "The spider is out of luck. You, strangely accented human child, are my new Sergeant-At-Arms."
<@deMontreal> (so, he does something annoying as opposed to just goofy)

• @Soun_Shounen blink to Lili
  
• @Lili murmurs, "How finicky!"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Although..." He turns to look at Shounen. "Can you ask them to show us where their false baron is?"
<@deMontreal> "Let's find the usurper-baron before we all wind up Lords of Shingles."
<@Luthien> *whispers to the Baron* "You know you could have a Sergeant-at-arms and a MASTER-at-arms? Also, you'll need a master detective!"

• @Soun_Shounen ask the sad roach where the baron is
  

<@Luthien> *puts the butterfly sticker on the Baron. He is now mundanely pretty, as well as mundanely happy, and magically competent*
<@Soun_Shounen> (btw how many the roaches are?)
<@Random_Nerd> (About sixteen of them.)
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach points with one leg.

• @Mrs_Senko wonders if the Bleak Academy accepts roaches.
  

<@Random_Nerd> He's pointing at the roof with the light coming from it.
<@Natalia> (Is that the source of the smell?)
<@deMontreal> (o/~ Sad roach says so much... o/~)
<@Soun_Shounen> "Thankyou" to the others "That way"
<@deMontreal> (BTW, is it dark?)
<@Random_Nerd> (It is, Natalia.)
<@Random_Nerd> (It's getting increasingly dark as you progress. It's practically nightfall, in fact.)

• Retrieving #Nobilis modes...
  

<@deMontreal> (Natalia?)

• @Soun_Shounen march with the roaches surrounding me
  

<@Random_Nerd> The baron goes to the edge of the roof to leap...
<@Natalia> "The bad meat smell seems to be coming from there... Let's be careful, everyone."
<@Random_Nerd> But there's a bridge.
<@deMontreal> (and he's riding my spider)
<@Random_Nerd> A crude one, mostly wood and wire, but a bridge none the less.
<@Lili> "How...accommodating? Helpful? Creepy? There's a word I want.."
<@deMontreal> How sturdy is it?
<@Random_Nerd> It would definitely support the weight of a rat or a giant roach.
<@Random_Nerd> Almost certainly, Luthien's weight.
<@Random_Nerd> Others... dubious.
<@Soun_Shounen> (can we jump?)

• @Natalia looks for a fire escape or some other means of access.
  

<@Soun_Shounen> (or can the roaches transport us one at time?)
<@Random_Nerd> (You can. This is a relatively short jump, compared to the others.)
<@Luthien> "We should sneak across. They won't know what ... *looks at Soun* ... I'll see you there!" *puts on her cloak and mundanely disappears, then scampers over the bridge toward the castle*
<@Random_Nerd> There are no fire escapes.

• @deMontreal directs the spider and the Baron across the bridge, then jumps across
  

<@Random_Nerd> These are not roofs such as occupy the tops of human habitations. They are roofs which are what this world is made of.

• @Soun_Shounen jump across the roofs
  
• @Lili will do a flippy jump across the roof.
  

<@Random_Nerd> And as you get closer, the big structure on the roof becomes clear.

• @Mrs_Senko hops to the next roof.
  

<@Natalia> "This place..."
<@Mrs_Senko> "No..."
<@Random_Nerd> It's... a castle. Not a huge castle, even by rat standards. It's more a castle-themed largish house, built to half scale.
<@Random_Nerd> But it is made of stone, and it has candlelight visible from the windows.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "This is it! The Barony of Greyroofshire!"
<@Luthien> *luthi arrives at the castle and has a sweatdrop moment as she realizes it really is small and not off in the distance*
<@deMontreal> "Hm. How does that stay on a roof?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "You were right, strange arrogant human!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Pardon? Why would it fly away?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "It's a building, not a crow."
<@deMontreal> "Not up, down."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Support from underneath, Mr. de Montreal."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Where would it go? It's standing directly on the roof."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "There's nowhere to go down from here."
<@deMontreal> "... of course."
<@deMontreal> (BTW, do I get anything for being right?)
<@Lili> "So, do we go for a show of force or neutrality?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes. This completes the scene. But since there wasn't much at stake, it's a minor scene. Three destiny go in the pool.)
<@Soun_Shounen> "We can talk forst"
<@Soun_Shounen> *first
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach follows Soun, but the other ones are going back home.
<@deMontreal> "Your fan club's disbanded."

• @Soun_Shounen wish good luck to the other roaches
  

<@Soun_Shounen> "well nothing is forever but my coolness"
<@Natalia> "No sense in making enemies. We're here to resolve matters, not aggravate them."
<@deMontreal> can we peek in a window?
<@Luthien> (sorry guys, I'm falling asleep at the keyboard x_x)
<@Random_Nerd> You totally can.
<@Random_Nerd> And the great doorway of the castle stands before you, a mighty four feet high!

• @deMontreal does so
  
• @Soun_Shounen knock on the castle
  

<@Lili> (Sleepy kitty speed bump!)
<@Random_Nerd> (Mind if we keep going without you, Laz?)
<@Luthien> (go ahead. Luthi's done her vanishing act.)
<@Luthien> (have a good night!)
<@Soun_Shounen> (night laz!)
<@deMontreal> (g'night laz)

• @Luthien (~mmacmarti@MagicStar-42BC4042.storm.ca) Quit
  

<@Mrs_Senko> (good...missed!)
<@deMontreal> (It's good that you missed?)
<@Soun_Shounen> (is a good miss)
<@Lili> (She's a Mrs. though.)
<@Random_Nerd> The doors are opened by two roaches in... uniform? Well, the uniforms appear to have been painted on. But they do look vaguely official.
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach looks awkward, unsure of his place.
<@Mrs_Senko> (hehe)

• @Soun_Shounen reassure Sad Roach
  

<@Soun_Shounen> ""We are here to confer to the baron"
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches look up as if they'd totally disagree with you, except that roaches can't talk.
<@Random_Nerd> One of them scuttles off inside.
<@Random_Nerd> It returns with a rat dressed in the same grey-and-blue uniform that the roaches have, but in cloth rather than paint.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron, to this rat: "What is the meaning of this?"
<@Lili> (Ran out of cloth.)
<@Lili> (Also harder to paint rats.)
<@Random_Nerd> Rat: "Hmm? Who the hell're you?"

• @Soun_Shounen crouch and pet sad roach
  

<@Random_Nerd> Sad roach purrs.
<@Soun_Shounen> (awww)
<@Random_Nerd> The rats look up nervously for a moment, but then see that it's just a giant roach.

• @deMontreal tunes the spider to pick up deception
  

<@Soun_Shounen> "we want to talk to your baron because we have our baron that say he is the right baron"
<@Random_Nerd> The spider starts soaking up ambient falsehood, which seems to emanate from some source nearby.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Indeed! I, and I alone, am the rightful Baron of Greyroofshire!"
<@Random_Nerd> Uniformed Rat: "Sez you!"
<@Soun_Shounen> (sez?)
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron raises a paw, and slaps him across the face.
<@Random_Nerd> (Unless someone stops him.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Grammar!"
<@deMontreal> (Anyone got popcorn?)
<@Lili> (Sez is slang for 'says'.)

• @deMontreal tries to localize the falsehood source...
  

<@Soun_Shounen> (thank you Lili)
<@Lili> (Can I just suddenly have popcorn to share?)
<@Soun_Shounen> "calm down! we want to iron out that issue pacifically"
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes. The popcorn will not be able to affect the plot, but it is there, because of genre.)
<@Random_Nerd> Uniformed Rat raises his fists menacingly.
<@Natalia> (I could stop him, but it feels more scene-appropriate not to intervene.)
<@Random_Nerd> The falsehood source seems to be deeper in the castle. But the spider can hardly fit, and you'd have to go on hands and knees to go in.
<@Random_Nerd> While the halls and rooms are big by rat standards, for a human, it's a tight fit.
<@Mrs_Senko> "How foresightful to bring food to keep the children sated, Ms. Cartaign!"

• @Lili will hand deMontreal and Chuubo popcorn. Because she's helpful.
  

<@deMontreal> How are the roaches reacting to the spider, BTW?
<@Random_Nerd> Baron von Greyroofshire twists his walking stick and withdraws a narrow steel blade, which he flourishes.
<@Lili> "Be insightful, like the Boy Hunters say."
<@Random_Nerd> The uniformed rat gulps nervously, then runs away on all fours.
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches don't even seem to acknowledge the existence of the spider.
<@Random_Nerd> It's like it's a chair.
<@Random_Nerd> They step around it, but don't find it worthy of actually looking at.

• @deMontreal extracts the mini-spider from the big spider, looks up a camera arm (formerly an all-seeing eye in a nightmare), and sends it off to find the source.
  
• @Soun_Shounen ponder... how we can enter the castle?
  

<@Random_Nerd> On hands and knees, or by some clever means I haven't thought of, or not at all.
<@Soun_Shounen> "Leo.. did you have any - -strange ... invention ... that let us enter the castle ?"
<@Random_Nerd> Mini-spider scurries off.
<@Random_Nerd> Sadly, the Glorious Nightmarish Castle-Enlarger exists only in the form of blueprints as of yet!
<@Soun_Shounen> (damn)
<@deMontreal> "Yes. It's called a hammer. May leave the castle somewhat worse for wear."
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo: "Don't smash their castle, Leonardo! That would be wrong!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "Baron is a reasonable solution?"
<@Lili> (Hmm...I could Shapeshift my arm into a metal tentacle like Doc Oct and capture someone inside once we have a target.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "No! That's my castle! I've never laid eyes on it before, but it's still mine!"
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, your spider stops. It has reached an area of peak wrongness.
<@Soun_Shounen> "Came on! don't be so attached to material possession"
<@deMontreal> "You realize there's a font of falsehood deep within it, right?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "This is not a material possession. It is my family's home."
<@deMontreal> what's the spider see?
<@Natalia> "Then let's just go one at a time and watch our heads. With your permission, Lord Baron?"
<@Random_Nerd> The spider is, apparently, perched on the head of some kind of Fortitude rat.
<@deMontreal> "Hold on..."

• @Soun_Shounen shroug and follow Natalia
  
• @deMontreal looks at the rat...
  
• @Natalia is waiting for the Baron's ok before entering.
  

<@Random_Nerd> A rat-arm lifts up to pick up the mini-spider.
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron nods at Natalia.
<@Soun_Shounen> (But the minispider is spring powered or sin powered?)

• @deMontreal has the spider skitter out of reach
  

<@deMontreal> (It's powered by nightmare)

• @Natalia then stoops down on her hands and knees, and carefully enters.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you hear/feel an ultrasonic sound from the direction you're heading in.
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron turns his head sharply.

• @Soun_Shounen follow Natalia, totally not looking at Nat bottom
  

<@deMontreal> (figures Luth would be a big help...)

• @Natalia furrows her brow, concerned by the noise.
  
• @deMontreal follows the others, since they'll probably NEED me at some point...
  

<@Random_Nerd> The Baron: "He's called for his guards!"
<@Random_Nerd> (Which one of you is at the front of the line of crawling humans?)
<@deMontreal> (Natalia)
<@Natalia> "Lovely."
<@Natalia> (Yep.)
<@Soun_Shounen> (then soun)

• @deMontreal has the spider web up the entrances we won't be using
  

<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you come out into a large throne room, with a ceiling high enough that you can sit down without your head scraping the ceiling!
<@Random_Nerd> Sitting on the throne is... well, it looks something like a rat.
<@Soun_Shounen> (is there room for two?)
<@Random_Nerd> It looks like what you would get if you gave someone a bunch of sketches of the Baron, and then told them to make an exact duplicate of him out of bits of fur, chitin, dust, and less pleasant substances.
<@Soun_Shounen> (the undead rat baron?)
<@Random_Nerd> It's not just a rat, it looks specifically like him. Only made of trash.

• @Natalia crawls to the right, to make room for the others to emerge, while keeping a careful eye on the creature on the throne.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Well, I wasn't expecting that."
<@Natalia> "Some sort of homunculus..?"
<@Soun_Shounen> "Seem like your father is ruling here ..."
<@Random_Nerd> He raises his narrow sword in the air.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "That's not my father. He was taller, and also not a hideous abomination."
<@Mrs_Senko> "How roomy is it in there?"
<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "There must always be a baron of Greyroofshire."
<@Soun_Shounen> "One other can squeeze in"
<@Random_Nerd> He reaches into an umbrella-stand next to his throne, and pulls out a medieval-style sword.
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, Shounen, so far you're the two inside.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Comfortably or constrictively?"
<@deMontreal> anyone behind me?
<@Random_Nerd> Do you do anything? You don't really have much room to move around, but you have some.
<@Soun_Shounen> "not comfortably"
<@Soun_Shounen> (I'm looking at my sheet)
<@Soun_Shounen> "OK, are you a evil trash made lord?"+

• @deMontreal points to the trash-Baron. "Who are you?"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "I am the Baron of Greyroofshire!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Lies!"
<@Random_Nerd> He impales the trash-baron with his sword.
<@Random_Nerd> It passes all the way through, and stops at the throne.
<@Lili> *calls into the castle* "Usually titles transfer upon death!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "OK ,that bring my simpaties to you, you fight and reach the top you are the fitting leader here .. but are you evil?"
<@Random_Nerd> The Trash-Baron smiles at him exactly the way the Baron smiled about the Toll-Rat.
<@deMontreal> "And your argument is invalid on its face.
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron recoils, almost dropping his sword.
<@Random_Nerd> The Trash-Baron continues smiling, and raises his.

• @Soun_Shounen bestow cool on our baron
  
• @Natalia reaches forward to shield the Baron with her cupped hand.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "Evil? I am necessary. He didn't return to claim his place, so I arose."
<@deMontreal> "By definition a Baron is a living being, chosen from among those he rules by fate to bear authority.
<@Random_Nerd> The Trash-Baron swings his sword. Natalia, if you do nothing, it will cut into your arm.
<@Soun_Shounen> (our baron is under my shine 3 now)
<@deMontreal> "You are not of this place, and not alive, therefore your claim of nobility is invalid. QEB."
<@Random_Nerd> (Shine only applies if he's doing it for you, doesn't it?)
<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "I am of this place! I and this land are one!"
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, what do you do?
<@Lili> (QEB?)
<@deMontreal> "This land is not a barely ambulatory trash-heap."

• @Natalia swiftly moves to grasp it between her thumb and forefinger. (Using 2 MP for Legendary Master, as long as that can apply to more than just the single move..)
  

<@deMontreal> (Quite Elementary Bullshit. :) )
<@Lili> (Ah.  :) )
<@Random_Nerd> (Sure.)
<@deMontreal> (And I suspect I've been out of the sun for 5 minutes plus, ne?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Heartless Perfection?)
<@deMontreal> "Also, you're an active font of falsehood, the land isn't."
<@deMontreal> (Yep.)
<@deMontreal> "or ... are you?"
<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "Your logic is self-defeating. The land gave rise to me. If I am a creature of falsehood, the land is a fount of falsehood."

• @deMontreal sets the spider to maximum gain.
  

<@Random_Nerd> The baron changes tactics, and swings his sword instead of impaling.
<@Random_Nerd> It doesn't bite very deep. It wasn't designed for this.
<@Random_Nerd> The spider continues to draw falsehood in.
<@deMontreal> any effect on Baron von Junque?
<@Random_Nerd> None visible yet.
<@Random_Nerd> The Trash-Baron continues to try to pull his sword away from between Natalia's fingers.
<@Random_Nerd> No luck.
<@deMontreal> "Hm. OK, theory:
<@Natalia> "Please withdraw, Lord Baron. This pretender will not be defeated by force of arms."
<@Lili> *calls into the castle* "Is someone dead yet?"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Very well, Sergeant."
<@Soun_Shounen> "None, not even the evil baron!"
<@Random_Nerd> Baron, to Lili: "Working on it!"
<@deMontreal> "Baron, I suspect your absence combined with some imperative that the land have a leader created this ... thing.
<@Soun_Shounen> "So he can fix that retaking his place?"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Just don't bleed to much if you get poked!"
<@deMontreal> "It's spewing falsehood like a broken pipe."
<@Random_Nerd> (Correct! The Barony of Greyroofshire has a property: "The Barony Must Have A Baron.")
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Then what do I do?"
<@Lili> *to Senko* "Have they had their tetnus shots?"
<@deMontreal> "I think he needs to somehow prove that he deserves this barony."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Prove it? I am the rightful baron!"
<@Soun_Shounen> "A trial! like the grail one!"
<@deMontreal> "Not through battle, though."
<@Lili> (How long did he wait till after his dad died?)
<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "Yet you never came. You knew the way, but you stayed away. Leaving the land alone. Like a coward!"
<@Random_Nerd> (Years.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I... my father..."
<@Mrs_Senko> "They're records claim so."
<@deMontreal> (Did his statement affect the flow of falsehood?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Now the falsehood is stronger near the living Baron than the Trash one.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I... I am only one rat! I tried to raise an army to take back my land, but no one would join me!"
<@deMontreal> "Found the trouble."
<@Random_Nerd> Trash-Baron: "And a true Baron is a leader of men. Or rats, at least."
<@deMontreal> to Baron: "The roaches kept you out?"
<@Random_Nerd> He shrugs at the rest of you.
<@Lili> (If he and the land are one, the roaches would have let him through.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "My father told me how numerous and strong they were. I dared not come alone."
<@deMontreal> "Maybe the roaches should lead."

• @Natalia keeps her grip on the false Baron's sword. "And yet my lord came with retainers. I have been entrusted to keep order in this realm. If what you say is true, then how may my lord Baron prove himself?"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "The roaches? The roaches! I am the Baron of Greyroofshire, and no insect can stand between me and it!"
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach looks sad.
<@Soun_Shounen> "my dear roach accept this as the rightful baron of this land, did you do that for me? and then spread the work to your sibling"
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach looks happy.
<@Random_Nerd> He would totally accept the Baron as the rightful lord, if that would make Shounen happy.
<@Mrs_Senko> calls in: "I don't think they allow rats at the school, Mr. Baron, but you could always try flipping burgers for a living."
<@Lili> (Man, Shounen, you're dangerous. ^^ )
<@Random_Nerd> He scurries off to do Shounen's bidding.
<@Soun_Shounen> "Yes that will make me happy"
<@Soun_Shounen> ( /me bow to löili)

• @deMontreal boggles at Senko...
  

<@Random_Nerd> A moment later, a dozen roaches scurry in, past where Senko and Lili sit.
<@Random_Nerd> They head into the throne room.
<@Natalia> (löili?)
<@Random_Nerd> It's not actually easy for a roach to bow. But they try!
<@Soun_Shounen> (I have ö and l near)
<@Natalia> (Oh, of course. Sorry.)
<@Random_Nerd> The roaches bend the knee to the Baron.

• @Soun_Shounen look pleased by the roaches action
  

<@Mrs_Senko> calls in: "Please tell me these roaches aren't overpowering anyone in there."
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron looks uncertain for a moment, but then takes his sword and touches each side of Sad Roach's shell.
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I dub thee Sir Roach, first knight of my realm."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Or that they are. Either way, let me know!"
<@Random_Nerd> And with that, the Trash Baron starts to dissolve.

• @Soun_Shounen thumb up the roach!
  

<@Random_Nerd> As he falls apart to pieces of dirt and fur, he smiles.
<@Natalia> "It's fine, Mrs. Senko, don't worry!"
<@Random_Nerd> Trash Baron: "Finally."
<@deMontreal> "...huh."

• @Soun_Shounen bestow a pat on Sad roach carapace "you made me proud"
  

<@Lili> "What's going on?"
<@Random_Nerd> Sad Roach dances a happy little roach dance.
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen's proud of him, plus, he's a knight!
<@Random_Nerd> Best. Day. Ever.
<@deMontreal> (And if I had a heart...)

• @Soun_Shounen sparkle!
  
• @deMontreal directs the spider to remove his webbing along with any residual sin
  

<@Random_Nerd> The spider does so!
<@Mrs_Senko> calls in: "Nobody's wishing in there, are they?"
<@Soun_Shounen> "Let's go outside, we have friend we are neglecting there"
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo, also sitting in the front, to Senko: "Nope."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Good."
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo: "Uh, I imagine. Merely guessing. As I am a perfectly ordinary child."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course."
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron sweeps the dirt of the Trash-Baron aside, and sits on the throne.
<@deMontreal> to Chuubo: "Yes... one who waited out there rather than do anything useful, I'd like to point out."

• @Mrs_Senko makes a note.
  

<@Random_Nerd> The roaches of his court circle around him.
<@Natalia> "Lord Baron, I am afraid I must leave your service, for I must return to my native land."

• @Lili will look innocent for Chuubo's sake.
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "That's because you are never useful, Mr. Chuubo."
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "You will always have a seat at my table, Sergeant-At-Arms. It is a small seat, and a small table, but it is yours."

• @deMontreal is really happy he's acclimated to filth...
  

<@deMontreal> (Senko: That's my line!)
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo: "I am useful! I helped clean the hall yesterday, and I brought some soup to Mrs. Rosewood, and..."
<@Soun_Shounen> toKnightRoach "You now have responsibility but remember that I'll be ever there if you need help. Now sad as it is I have to go with my friends"
<@Random_Nerd> Sir Roach sniffs away a roachy tear. He will miss Shounen, but he will work hard at being a good knight, and make him proud.

• @Natalia smiles, for just a moment. Then she half-bows, as best she can from a sitting position, and starts to make her way to the crawlspace exit.
  
• @deMontreal crawls out.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "This land will need much setting in order. Some of that is the fault of the usurper, but some is that of my father, and some is probably mine, at least indirectly."

• @Soun_Shounen crawls out too
  

<@deMontreal> (using Heartless Perfection not to knock anything over or look stupid... :) )
<@Random_Nerd> (It works!)
<@Mrs_Senko> "The cinnamon smell needs to be reinstated."
<@Random_Nerd> (However, since the other two going out are Soun and Natalia, you look relatively stupid. But they totally cheat.)
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Agreed."
<@Soun_Shounen> (lol!)
<@Random_Nerd> And as he says that, a slight scent of cinnamon surrounds the air around him.
<@Natalia> (It's not my fault! Cool works whether I want it or not.)
<@Soun_Shounen> (we have such a burden Nat)
<@Random_Nerd> (But on the plus side, if Chuubo had been crawling out? He would have looked more stupid.)

• @deMontreal retrieves the spider and drains its tank
  

<@Random_Nerd> (Of course, he didn't crawl in at all. That accursed Chuubo, always robbing you of your justly earned victories.)
<@Random_Nerd> The spider has nearly filled its tank with falsehood, which is good, because there isn't much left.
<@Soun_Shounen> "well, veni vidi vici :-) "
<@deMontreal> (we didn't really 'vici' all that much...)
<@Soun_Shounen> (don't steal the cool)
<@Lili> (We came, we saw, we hung out?)
<@Soun_Shounen> (lol yep lili)
<@Natalia> (So what if it was an NPC who did the conquering. We got cool scenes!)
<@Soun_Shounen> (definitely)
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, this all counts as a Faith, Science, or Sorcery scene. You guys came up with a theory on what it would take to get rif of the golem-Baron, tested it under dangerous circumstances, and it worked. And multiple players were involved. Another ten destiny.)
<@Natalia> (Ah, nice!)
<@deMontreal> (23 total, for everyone?)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Yay!)
<@Soun_Shounen> (who is keeping count?)
<@deMontreal> (well, except laz?)
<@Random_Nerd> (23 total.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes.)
<@Random_Nerd> (So, one of you gets an XP.)
<@deMontreal> (So, an XP applied wherever we want +8 Destiny?)
<@Soun_Shounen> (ah, btw IF the evilBaron was a normal title tief not an undead abomination soun will have sided with him)
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, Soun gets the first one. The next will go to de Montreal.)
<@Natalia> (Remember, the 23 Destiny is for the group, not for each person.)
<@deMontreal> oh.
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes. Destiny pools until it's 15, and then whoever's turn it is, gets an XP.)
<@Natalia> (That's why it's "round robin.")
<@Mrs_Senko> (I see!)
<@Soun_Shounen> (well rule say that at story end all other player receive an xp to complete the round robin xp assignment)
<@deMontreal> (deliberately there to encourage group cohesiveness & cooperation?)
<@deMontreal> (huh?)
<@Random_Nerd> (So, this seems as good a place as any to stop. What do you guys think?)
<@deMontreal> (We have no problem getting home, right?)
<@Mrs_Senko> (We'll use the Bleak Method)
<@Random_Nerd> (Right.)
<@Soun_Shounen> (I think that Soun is way cooler that I believe possible!
<@Soun_Shounen> )
<@Natalia> (That's true, but I'm not sure that the story has ended yet... Isn't a 'story' a bit broader of an arc?)
<@Natalia> (And sure, we can stop here for the night.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yeah. I see a story as being something at least somewhat larger than this.)
<@deMontreal> (OK to stop here...)
<@Soun_Shounen> (Yep for stop here)

STOP

<@Mrs_Senko> (Stopping = yes)
<@Random_Nerd> So, what did you guys think of Chuubo tonight?

• deMontreal is now known as Knockwood
  
• Soun_Shounen is now known as Angelo
  

<@Angelo> Was really good!

• Natalia is now known as Etheric
  

<@Angelo> and fun
<@Knockwood> I think it'd be better with a little more soy sauce
<@Knockwood> :P

• Lili is now known as BethE
  
• Mrs_Senko is now known as Verithe
  

<@Etheric> I think it flowed a lot better. Had a bit of trouble getting into it at the start, but by the time we got to the castle, I felt like I was in the story.
<@BethE> Interesting, although the splitting up was a bit awkward.
<@Verithe> I enjoyed it.
<@Angelo> and I believe I was Chuubo's Dante for a bit
<@Random_Nerd> Yeah, I probably should have made a bigger throne room.
<@Verithe> I agree about the splitting up.
<@Angelo> yep the split was awkward!
<@Random_Nerd> But I wanted one where it would be cramped enough that it would be plausibly difficult to just steamroll the golem-Baron with superior size.
<@Knockwood> Well, it's always awkward to split the party
<@Angelo> lol I mused to stomp it with a foot
<@Knockwood> Who all got situational XP this time around?
<@Random_Nerd> Hmm.
<@Random_Nerd> Senko got one, I know.
<@Etheric> Can I get two more XP for the "Investigate Town" quest? From the tollbooth scene and the finding-castle scene.
<@Random_Nerd> Hmm.
<@Random_Nerd> Yes, this ties into your Quest there.
<@Etheric> Alright, thanks.
<@Angelo> I had my first play the fan xp :-)
<@Random_Nerd> Leo probably... how does the XP condition on your Showing Them quest work?
<@Verithe> My one was for the gloves, right? Or is this another one?
<@Knockwood> Oh, I could get something for 'Showing up Chuubo'
<@Angelo> ah, my White River quest leave me cold so please don't bring it in game
<@Random_Nerd> Yeah, you got reluctantly dragged into other people's problems, Knock.
<@Random_Nerd> That's a bonus XP for your Show Up Chuubo quest.
<@Knockwood> I got dragged into someone else's petty problems
<@Random_Nerd> Ha!
<@Knockwood> makes up for the lack of explanations
<@Knockwood> and for no one asking how my stuff works
<@Etheric> You don't need to wait for us to ask, you know.  :)
<@Random_Nerd> Laz should get an XP for Solve Cases.
<@Knockwood> OK, so, I have...
<@Knockwood> 1 XP from boggling people last session, and one for Showing up Chuubo this session...
<@BethE> I also have Solve Cases.
<@Random_Nerd> Yeah, Lili gets one for her Solve Cases.
<@Angelo> afk (making milk and ready hup kids for school. Bye .. we see in 3 weeks, right?
<@Angelo> )
<@Verithe> (take care, Angelo!)
<@Knockwood> cya Angelo
<@BethE> Night, Angelo! *HUG*
<@Random_Nerd> Three weeks, yes.
<@Random_Nerd> And then will be Amyra.
<@Verithe> Yay!)
<@Knockwood> let's see, I have 2 quests, Precious Nightmares and Showing Up Chuubo...
<@Knockwood> not sure about the Sanity Conundrum yet...
<@Knockwood> so, I can pick up a couple quests from somewhere a la numerous adventure games then, right?
<@Random_Nerd> Yeah.
<@Knockwood> assuming 'Annoy Senko' doesn't count... :)
<@Verithe> "Annoy Senko is too easy.)
<@Random_Nerd> That's like the quest Eat A Sandwich.
<@Random_Nerd> Too petty in scale.

• @Verithe eats the accessory punctuation.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Not befitting the grand ambition of Leonardo de Montreal!
<@Knockwood> Why not? I could eat the hell out of that sandwich!
<@Random_Nerd> So, after playing them a bit, what do you guys think of your characters?
<@Knockwood> hm... interesting so far...
<@Knockwood> (maybe a quest "Destroy Billy Sovereign")
<@Verithe> Mrs. Senko is challenging as a character, but I enjoy her.
<@BethE> Lili seems caught between being like the kids and being responsible.
<@Knockwood> she's a big sister?
<@Etheric> I think that I still have yet to really get to the heart of Natalia's character. Which is fine for now... She's kind of reticent by inclination.
<@Knockwood> I still need to settle just how much of a bastard to make LdM...
<@Etheric> But sooner or later I'm going to want to start opening up, and that'll help me feel out the character a bit more deeply.
<@Random_Nerd> She seemed oddly blase about talking rats and roach-doormen.
<@Random_Nerd> Was this deliberate?
<@Etheric> Kind of not? I had been intending to play up her discomfort with that, but, it didn't feel right to do so when we got to the scenes.
<@Etheric> Instead I just kind of got swept up in the atmosphere.
<@Random_Nerd> Fair enough.
<@Random_Nerd> Okay. So, see you guys in three weeks, after a two week hiatus?
<@BethE> Big sister, surrogate mom..not sure.
<@Verithe> Yes!
<@Knockwood> That'll work... should probably send email reminders, tho
<@BethE> I'll try to remind him.
<@Etheric> See you then.
<@Verithe> Take care!
<@BethE> Good night and happy holidays! *HUGS*
<@Knockwood> Same to you two!
<@Random_Nerd> Goodnight, all.