Session 258

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Chancel_Amyra
Chapter 36

Thanks to Verithe for the gamelog!



=-= User mode for Verithe is now +ix

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=-= Verithe has changed the topic to ``Praise be to the Lord of Limelight!

-->| lazarus (~mmacmarti@MagicStar-D2126C50.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #Nobilis

<lazarus> hey V

-->| Random_Nerd (~scree-fic@MagicStar-13A3B9AE.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined #Nobilis

<Random_Nerd> Hey.

<Verithe> Hi!

<lazarus> hey

<Verithe> So, I won't be around next week.

<Random_Nerd> Ah. Beth and I had been trying to recall if it was this week or not.

-->| BethE (~BethL@MagicStar-13A3B9AE.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined #Nobilis

<BethE> Hi guys!

<lazarus> I got home about an hour and a half ago -_-; Another 11 hour day at work.

<Verithe> Well, the time I mentioned before was last week.

<Random_Nerd> Ah.

<Verithe> Last week, I was on an airplane.

<Verithe> Next week, we're having an infestation of family.

<lazarus> Next week, I hope to be working normal hours again :)

<Random_Nerd> Hope so too!

<BethE> Eww, infestations. Can you bug bomb them?

<Random_Nerd> Gotta get 'em before they lay eggs in the walls.

<BethE> Oooh! Trap them with a line of chalk!

<Random_Nerd> Isn't that ghosts?

<lazarus> that's circles, isn't it?

<BethE> I thought it was ants. No, wait, that's using boric acid. Salt for slugs...

<Verithe> I'll try the chalk!

<Random_Nerd> So, since this is an Amyra week, we wait for Knock, Angelo, and Etheric.

<Random_Nerd> Anything about the game to discuss while we wait?

<BethE> You could draw a chalk line for them to follow and by the time they come to the end of the line, it's time for them to go home.

<BethE> If the goat demon is an actual demon, do we have enough firepower to get rid of it?

<BethE> Oh! And you need to tell V the stuff you said last week about The End.

<Verithe> ?!

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<Knockwood> Hiyo

<Random_Nerd> Oh, talking about the fact that by the current plan, this game will end in a year or two of realtime, with the end of the Age and a brief epilogue.

<BethE> Hi Knock!

<Random_Nerd> So I was asking if you guys had issues, plotlines, and so on that you wanted to address before then.

<Random_Nerd> Characters you want to come back.

<Random_Nerd> That kind of thing.

<lazarus> oh, huh, we've got an end time. Earlier than I was expecing.

<BethE> Oh and we had a picture of a place that was very Assembly-ish..let me find the link...

<Random_Nerd> Might be two and a half. We'll see.

<Knockwood> That's still 10 years

<BethE> (We also explained Brian Blessed to Angelo.)

<lazarus> still, I think it's probably the longest running Nobilis campaign.

<lazarus> (AH!)

<Random_Nerd> Yeah, a decade's about long enough.

<Verithe> I would like to resolve Kite's project for making Vulcan more like the non-god Imperators if possible.

<Verithe> But he's only completed one project-step of that, so if it's not possible, that's okay.

<lazarus> The only real plotline that I want to see resolved is Brian's wish to see Outside, and Outside and Creation cooperating. I suspect, though, that that's all primary plotline.

<Random_Nerd> Well, I'll try to bring in stuff like that, V.

<Random_Nerd> Yeah, that stuff is going to be addressed heavily at the peace summit thing.

<Random_Nerd> Which is probably one or two arcs away after this.

<Knockwood> damn, Dante's kinda had his head down this whole time...

<Random_Nerd> Oh, that reminds me. Have I, yet, had Vulcan ask Ftisk and Kite a question regarding the mini-world to be used for the meeting?

<Verithe> I don't recall him doing so.

<Knockwood> We'll tell him racing stripes are OK, just don't be too garish. :)

<BethE> For V - http://forum. rpg. net/showthread.php?700127-NSFW-Images-All-singing-all-dancing-all-new-thread-of-imagey-doom!-(Muahahaha)&p=17150461#post17150461

<BethE> (Post 281 of the thread.)

<Random_Nerd> Okay.

<Random_Nerd> I need to have him do that early next story arc, then.

<Knockwood> ah yeah, images from the latest Burning Man. :)

<Verithe> Yay!

<Knockwood> Oh... there's that thing about Kudzu's past and our past selves.

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<Knockwood> Hi Eth

<Etheric> Hey.

<BethE> Hi Eth!

<Random_Nerd> Hey, Etheric.

<Random_Nerd> Now we're just short Angelo.

<Random_Nerd> Since this would normally be Chuubo week, and he may have missed the email, I'll start in 5-10 minutes either way.

<Random_Nerd> Oh? What about that do you want to address, Knock?

<BethE> Well, I had asked for more Kudzu backstory.

<Knockwood> Mainly that. Plus, I'd like to know what out past selves were doing. And the whole mystery of past-Kudzu's Chancel.

<Random_Nerd> When you say "past selves", what do you mean?

<Random_Nerd> I mean, you found out the backstory with Blades and Kudzu a while back, do you mean something related to that?

<Knockwood> Well, there was that little moment on breach day.

<BethE> You mean the stuff from the Cult that had like a giant tree for Theresa?

<Random_Nerd> Ah, that.

<Random_Nerd> We will be addressing what that meant.

<Knockwood> I remember wanting a crown of Creation material...

<Knockwood> oh yeah, and where the Cult came from

<Verithe> Give yourself a crown of sporks.

<Random_Nerd> The cult thing is currently wrapped up in... Jamesness.

<Random_Nerd> If one of you is specifically interested, we can address it, but that whole situation got messed up by me having to retcon it a few times due to successive Jameses and the activity of the Curse.

<BethE> Perhaps we should name Herb's Ninja as a James.

<Knockwood> Or audition the Aides. :)

<Etheric> So when you say Curse, it doesn't actually mean the way that James tends to get dropped as a PC?

<Etheric> I thought it was an OOC thing...

<Random_Nerd> No, that's what I mean.

<Random_Nerd> I had to rework James-related stuff a couple times due to that.

<Random_Nerd> And it's kinda a mess right now.

<Etheric> Ah, okay. I misread -- thought you said there's an IC Curse.

<Random_Nerd> I may go that way, if I bring that stuff back.

<Random_Nerd> Like, he's an Actual or something and distorts reality around himself!

<Random_Nerd> Unless that's too meta.

<Knockwood> Don't be silly. We all do that.

<Etheric> I wouldn't call it meta exactly, but I have a feeling it would be good to leave it vague for now.

<Etheric> See, what I just said, THAT was meta.

<Random_Nerd> *nod*

<Random_Nerd> It's just that for most of this stuff, I worked out years ago what's supposed to be going on there.

<Random_Nerd> But the James stuff is a mess.

<Random_Nerd> So if it doesn't get addressed... eh.

<BethE> Perhaps James is narrating this whole thing to the next Creation.

<Etheric> What's life without a little mystery?

<lazarus> A little Amberish that way

=-= BethE is now known as Theresa

<Random_Nerd> Maybe the estate of urbanization is just a weird enigma, like the Estate of Trails in second edition.

<Knockwood> Aides, remember,

=-= Knockwood is now known as AideWilliam

=-= Theresa is now known as John

=-= lazarus is now known as Sam

=-= Etheric is now known as MrsWinters

<John> I'm not an Aide, I'm Royalty! ^^

=-= YOU are now known as Gil

<MrsWinters> I say tomato, you say tomato.

<Random_Nerd> So! You'd put Evelyn in the Spiritual Panic Room, and tested its effects on Sam, Gil, and Gnomely.

<AideWilliam> OK, remind me where we were?

<Gil> Gil did not like the effects.

<John> Also tested it on Lesson.

<Random_Nerd> The last scene took place in the palace, in the old wing that isn't used much these days because it has rooms built according to what seemed like a good idea to some half-drunk king a hundred and fifty years ago.

<Random_Nerd> Yes, also Lesson.

<Random_Nerd> You still have the conspiracy theorists and the robotkin to worry about.

<Random_Nerd> Any questions before we start?

<AideWilliam> what time is it IC?

<John> So, how do we work out the Robotoics thing or the goat demon thing? Oh, another thing we found out. My ancestor was being stalked by a nimblejack!

<Random_Nerd> Evening.

<Random_Nerd> Or at least thought he was, and knew what one looked like.

<Gil> We tell them the world went weird and the conspiracy theorists think the world went weirder....

<John> Which, I mean, for most mortals, the only time they know what one looks like is the few seconds before they die...

<Random_Nerd> So, should we start?

<AideWilliam> if he's there to kill him.

<AideWilliam> If he's there to _watch_ him...

<Gil> We should definitely start.

<Random_Nerd> Yeah, most nimblejacks move fast enough that you don't get a good look at them unless they /want/ you to.

<Random_Nerd> ______________________START________________________

<John> (Shall we be in my lounge? We have many beverages.)

<AideWilliam> (Sure)

<Sam> (Sam will imbibe a beverage. Kind of.)

<AideWilliam> (I think I asked for info on the conspirators & groups)

<Gil> (Gil will also....imbibe a thing)

<John> "So, these people believe that I have been replaced by a robot. Did they happen to state this time how I am supposed to interact with the Treasures in this way, or is impending doom from Them on the plate as well?"

<John> (Yes, Reginald and my head of security will be handling that info.)

<Random_Nerd> Gil, suddenly the world is very strange. Everything around you fades out, replaced by the interior of some massive piece of clockwork, ticking and turning, with loud sounds that could be hammer-blows or just the workings of gears the size of houses.

<Random_Nerd> Everyone else, Gil suddenly just seemed to space out.

<Random_Nerd> Loud voice, to Gil: "Gilbert, servant of my child Chytosideron."

<AideWilliam> (Hm... William would know of old demon, witch or werewolf scares from way back when, right?)

<Random_Nerd> "I have words that I would have you convey to him, when he is no longer occupied. I expect to be busy at that time, and unable to discuss the matter myself."

<Gil> "Yes, ah....er....Lord Vulcan?"

<Random_Nerd> (In Amyra, you mean? Yeah, you can.)

<AideWilliam> (In general)

<Random_Nerd> "It is a matter of failsafes. I am finishing construction of a small world to use in his meeting."

<Random_Nerd> "Which is to stand between here, and the Outside, in a gap in the Wall."

<Random_Nerd> "But it must be decided... what if it is a ruse, or there is an unrelated attack at that point of weakness? So there must be a failsafe. A trigger."

<John> (...please don't let Ftisk near the trigger. We already have Baelhermon...)

<Random_Nerd> "This will be given to Chytosideron. It will cause one of two things. Either this world and all in it, including him and the Enemy that are meeting him, will be swept into Creation."

<Random_Nerd> "Or into the Outside."

<Random_Nerd> "Ask him to choose, and contact me when he has done so."

<AideWilliam> (Gee, I wonder where that will lead...)

<Gil> "Yes, sir."

<Random_Nerd> Then Gil is returned to his previous location, and/or stops staring blankly into space.

  • Gil jolts

<AideWilliam> "This does rather resemble a werewolf scare in some ways."

<Gil> "What does?"

<AideWilliam> "The robot-replacement rumors...

<Random_Nerd> William, you think you have some books regarding that sort of thing in your office in the clock tower.

<John> "Every society has a werewolf scare. Same with vampires. Some even have getting werewolves _from_ vampires!"

<Gil> (Gypsies have stories about vampire watermelons!)

<AideWilliam> "Indeed. Robots are simply the modern version. That or lizard-men from space."

<Random_Nerd> (John, you know that two of your ancestors or close offshoots from the line of succession were rumored to be werewolves, and one to be a vampire.)

<Random_Nerd> (Sam, you know that the lizard-men from space haven't been seen on Earth since the lost centuries were stolen.)

<Sam> (...)

<John> (...was the ancestor staked?)

<AideWilliam> ( http://boingboing. net/2013/04/15/12-million-americans-believe-l.html )

<Random_Nerd> (No, but he vanished under mysterious circumstances.)

<Random_Nerd> (Possibly related to the less-mysterious circumstance of his brother subsequently inheriting the kingdom.)

<John> (Oh. _That_ family tradition.()

<John> (Was he nicknamed Ivor the Immortal, by the way?)

<Random_Nerd> (Still, the "vampire" probably did at least practice occultism.)

<Random_Nerd> An officer of the Crown Security stops by, carrying a binder, and waits for John to address him.

<John> "Yes?"

<AideWilliam> "The real questions are whether there's deliberate action behind it and, if so, what they want to accomplish."

<Random_Nerd> "It was requested that a copy of the summary of the information regarding those who regard your Highness as an imposter or pretended be brought."

<John> "Probably, me off of the throne, more insanely, the Treasures blowing the entire kingdom sky high."

<John> "Ah, thank you. Please hand it to the red-haired gentleman, if you please."

<Random_Nerd> He nods, and hands it to William. It's rather heavy and thick.

<AideWilliam> "Let's see... was there much controversy over your initial coronation?"

<John> "These groups always have someone they prefer much better to me. Although, to be honest, most people in the kingdom couldn't pick my heir out of a lineup."

<Sam> "Or your hair."

<John> "My parents had both died. It was a bit of a rush job."

<Random_Nerd> According to the materials, the rate of paranoia more than doubled when Amyra was Enchanceled.

<Random_Nerd> Before that, most of it related to the fact that John is unmarried, and his nephew is his heir.

<AideWilliam> (Gee, I wonder why...)

<John> *to Sam* "It's a traditional style. You can see it in the gallery. Doing the rituals so often, you go with a style that does not leave residue and can be fixed easily after fireballs."

<AideWilliam> "Heh... they included a 'Pick the Queen!' event flyer.

<John> (Can paranoia be cured by courage or does courage just change paranoia to stupidity?)

<Random_Nerd> John's relatively well liked, with higher approval ratings than any of the PCs other than Brian. But there are some crazies. And a kingdom getting absorbed into a magical jungle/wasteland and a twentieth of the people turning into mythical creatures makes some folks edgy.

<Random_Nerd> (Depends on the kind of paranoia.)

<Random_Nerd> (Generally, it's not a great idea to take someone who thinks the government is spying on him through his dentures, and make him be not afraid of anything.)

  • John grimaces. "There was a run on glass shoes in the fashion stores that month."

<Random_Nerd> Oh, there's also a section on women and men who are in one way or another trying to stalk John.

<AideWilliam> "Not long before the enChanceling, I believe..."

<AideWilliam> (Do they include their motivations?)

<Random_Nerd> (Largely romantic/obsessive.)

<John> "If there has been a popular fairy tale about a common girl becoming a princess, at least ten girls have tried some form of it in Amyra. My housekeeper has to go through the ads carefully to find anyone competent."

<Random_Nerd> (There's a portion of Amyra's gay subculture who thinks that the reason John still isn't married is that he's in the closet.)

<John> (*shifty*)

<Sam> (Hee)

<AideWilliam> "Let's see, we can probably eliminate the erotomaniacs..."

<John> (I _have_ to wear tights, darn it!)

<John> (It's part of the gear!)

<Sam> (Yes, but they don't have to be tie-dye)

<AideWilliam> (Now we all have to check out that movie.)

<Random_Nerd> Oh, William, you notice something else interesting. In the crossover betweeen paranoid and romantically obsessed, two different people mention John "consorting with a skinless demoness."

<John> (Amyra is a kingdom that supports equality!)

<Random_Nerd> The phrase is the same in both.

<AideWilliam> "Whoops, someone saw you with Martyrs."

<Gil> "Huh."

<AideWilliam> The account corresponds to a visit from her, right?

  • John flushes a little. "Rachel enjoys looking through the kingdom's relics, identifying true relics from phonies."

<Random_Nerd> Probably. They're both from about a month and a half ago, from well after John and Martyrs became acquainted.

<AideWilliam> "How much of them were fake?"

<Random_Nerd> But it's unclear which specific visit they're referring to.

<John> "As they are stored in public places, both she and I cannot hide and I respect her viewpoint on her appearance."

<AideWilliam> "I should ask Lord Dante about introducing her to the populace."

<John> "Given that we have enough pieces of the True Cross to build a new bridge across the Nile, most of them are fake."

<John> "However, we do have the largest collection of _true_ pieces of the Cross."

<Random_Nerd> William, your cellphone rings.

<AideWilliam> "More than the Vatican?"

  • AideWilliam answers.

<Random_Nerd> It's a security system you set off. Something's triggered the motion detector in your office.

<AideWilliam> "Hm. Something's in my office...

<John> "We are the main repository for the Vatican. I believe that one of my ancestors dared a Pope to 'come and take it, if he had the balls' and there were at least two Crusades in the making, but we worked out a deal."

<Sam> "Is it the Imp again?"

<Gil> "The Vatican still has connections here?"

<AideWilliam> "Can't tell from here, unfortunately."

<Sam> "Want backup?"

<John> "I am not sure, after the enChancelling, but before that, we were much like..the United States and Russia."

<AideWilliam> "Probably the imp, but we should check.

<Sam> "Please excuse us, John."

<John> "They do not send assassins, I do not unleash the Ark of the Covenant upon them."

<AideWilliam> "And when the Nobles get back we should ask them about physical security for the Clock tower.

<John> "Of course. More tea, Mrs. Winters?"

<Gil> "Ah....those are two Earth civilizations?"

<Sam> "Right, of course, Wil."

<John> "Two superpowers, who held to a 'cold war' for many years, as they could not attack the other and safely survive."

<Gil> "Perhaps it is best that the Vatican is no longer aware of you."

<Random_Nerd> (Part of it's that Amyran Christianity has been separate since before the days of Prester John, and when contact was reestablished with Europe, the Kings of Amyra chose to remain head of their own branch which they considered to be not subordinate to the Pope.)

<Random_Nerd> (The Pope... disagreed.)

  • AideWilliam heads back to the Batcave...

<Random_Nerd> (How many of you are heading over?)

<John> "Perhaps. But I feel sad that the miracles of God's power have been removed from _their_ world. How more dull it must be. How scary to not have concrete proof of a Creator and divine grace?"

<Sam> (Me and William, only, I think)

<Random_Nerd> (Okay.)

<AideWilliam> (Gil?)

<John> (So, yes, technically we're...what, Orthodox? Protestant? Protodox?)

<Gil> (It's your office. He'll let you deal with it.))

<Random_Nerd> (You're your own thing.)

<Random_Nerd> (Closer to Eastern Orthodox.)

<Gil> (There are many, many branches of Christianity.)

<John> (Ooo, I have a link somewhere that shows all of the branches... I forget where I saw it, though.)

<Random_Nerd> (Theologically speaking, you're probably Nestorian.)

<Gil> (Does it have the ones that used to attack armed people in the hopes of being martyred? Those ones are fun.)

<Random_Nerd> (You totally had some of those.)

<Random_Nerd> (That's how you got some of the cooler relics.)

<Random_Nerd> Sam, William, you arrive at the office.

<Random_Nerd> William, the desk is not at all as you left it.

<John> (Aha! http://funki. com. ua/ru/portfolio/lab/world-religions-tree/ )

<Random_Nerd> One of your binders, one relating to Angels and Powers of Hell, is open on the desk, along with several related pieces of notepaper.

<Random_Nerd> A page turns.

  • AideWilliam checks out the notepaper...

<John> "What is your opinion on all of this, Mrs. Winters? As one who is out among the public so often, you may have some insight that I am missing."

<Random_Nerd> It's your notes on the Giant, and some material related to the Watchers.

<AideWilliam> Are the pages still turning?

<John> "And yourself, Mr. Gil? Any opinions?"

<Random_Nerd> Another turns.

<Random_Nerd> There's a stink in the air of unwashed animals and burnt hair. It was faint, at first, but it's rising.

<AideWilliam> "Would you kindly show yourself?"

<John> (Uh oh. Not that I know what that means but uh oh.)

<Random_Nerd> The smell rises, and William's hair catches fire.

  • AideWilliam puts it out...

<John> (Big mistake. Not the hair. Never the hair.)

<Random_Nerd> It's surprisingly hard to extinguish, but you're making progress.

<Sam> "Um. Hair doesn't normally do that, right?"

<AideWilliam> "No!"

<Random_Nerd> Then one of your paperweights rockets over and hits the window, shattering it.

<Gil> "Well, obviously they misinterpreted your meetings with Martyrs. Perhaps they have been seeing robots as well?"

<Sam> "That clearly doesn't happen. Hang on." *calls Gil*

<Random_Nerd> Fortunately, the heavy wind from outside helps extinguish your hair.

<Gil> "Or were you still talking about the Vatican? Hold on, I have to take this."

<Random_Nerd> Unfortunately, some of the notes start to seem to be blown out the window, in spite of the fact that the breeze is blowing /inside/.

<Gil> to phone: "Yes, this is Gilbert."

<Random_Nerd> And then William's cell phone rings.

  • AideWilliam grabs for the notes...

<Sam> "We seem to got a poltergeist in Wil's office. Come and observe. Or help. Either way."

<AideWilliam> "Good thing we have training in everything happening at once..."

  • AideWilliam answers his phone.

<Random_Nerd> It's Theresa.

<Gil> "I'm on my way."

  • Gil hangs up.

<Random_Nerd> She called to ask what you know about people who were Ennobled, but then tried to back out.

<John> "I shall join you." *grabs spare bag for blessings*

<Sam> (How much does Sam know about poltergeists? Poltergeist, lots, but the non-movie versions?)

<Random_Nerd> (Oh, you have them on Dionyl. More basic wind-and-inertia creatures, related to Dionyl in the same way that monkeys are related to humans.)

<Gil> "Do you know anything about poltergeists, King John?"

<Random_Nerd> (But you didn't think they had them here, and they don't set things on fire.)

<AideWilliam> "We know of a few. Pardon the distraction, there's a poltergeist in my office..."

<Random_Nerd> William, you successfully grab about two-thirds of the sheets of notes, while answering Theresa's question.

<Random_Nerd> Only missed two or three.

<John> "A little. Usually it is just part of a mental illness being suffered by a target. But sometimes, there is a psychic component. Ghosts are not as often seen and the ability to actually _move_ objects is rare."

<John> (Huh. A pyrogeist.)

<Sam> (I'll try speaking to it in Dionyl?) "Hello?"

<Random_Nerd> They don't set things on fire, though, Sam.

<AideWilliam> (You don’t need me to type out the convo, do you?)

<Sam> (I know. but.)

<Random_Nerd> Which dionyl language do you use? You know several.

<Random_Nerd> (Nah.)

<Sam> (all of them. In succession.)

<Random_Nerd> (Just wanted you to know what William would hear.)

<Random_Nerd> It responds in none of the languages, but in a language that you don't recognize.

<Random_Nerd> William, however, does. Latin.

<Sam> "I don't recognize that language."

<Random_Nerd> Latin Voice: "What are you, creature? You do not smell of kin, nor of beast."

<Gil> "That's....not the sort of poltergeist I am used to, but let's go!"

<AideWilliam> to Sam: "That's Latin."

<Sam> "I've been meaning to learn that one."

<AideWilliam> in Latin: "We are Aides to Nobles. Who or what are you?"

<Sam> "But I've heard of differing schools of thought on the pronunciation. What school is he using?"

<Random_Nerd> Latin: "I do not wish to speak to the cattle. What is the other creature?"

<Random_Nerd> (It's a latin dialect you aren't familiar with.)

<John> (Oh, great. One of those guys. Bah. Wonder if it's our goat.)

<AideWilliam> to Sam: "Tell Gil to tell John that the Giant may be in danger."

<Sam> *calls Gil again*

<Random_Nerd> (But the accent reminds you of the language Lesson occasionally speaks when he is upset.)

<Gil> (How close am I?)

<Random_Nerd> (To the clocktower, or the Giant?)

<Random_Nerd> (Or to John?)

<Gil> (To the clocktower/Sam)

<Random_Nerd> (A bit under half a mile.)

<AideWilliam> Latin: "The Nobles are away, but we have their ears."

  • Gil answers phone

<Random_Nerd> Latin Voice: "Give me back my pet, and I will not destroy you before your masters return."

<Gil> "Yes, this is Gilbert."

<Sam> "William thinks the Giant is in danger. The voice is speaking Latin."

<AideWilliam> Latin: "What pet?"

<Sam> "Do you have King John with you?"

<Gil> "Poltergeists speak Latin?"

<Random_Nerd> (Yes.)

<Gil> "I do."

<Sam> "Good. Need all the Latin we can get. Remind me to learn it."

<Sam> "And this one does."

  • John is travelling with Gil.

<Random_Nerd> Latin Voice: "The sheep-woman that was taken from me. Return it, and I will not put any significant effort into making you suffer, beast."

<Gil> "Which giant, by the way? Red or the other one?"

<Random_Nerd> (The other one.)

<Gil> "Or the other-other one?"

<Sam> "The other one."

<John> (*narrows eyes* My subject! Mine!)

<Random_Nerd> (The Peri.)

<Random_Nerd> William, the stink of animal and burning is overpowering, to the point where you keep expecting your hair to catch fire again.

<Sam> "Does John have an exorcism kit with him? Or something that can be turned into a makeshift one?"

<Gil> "King John, William thinks the giant that is not a tree and does not have the head of a jackal might be in danger."

<John> (Yes. But true exorcisms take a long time, if you go via the Catholic route.)

<AideWilliam> "She is not ours to return to you."

<John> (*mentally rolls up his sleeves* I'll need an old priest and a young priest...)

<AideWilliam> to Sam: "Tell John to bring his Ghostbusting kit."

<Sam> "Just did."

<Random_Nerd> (And the Amyran rite is different, but no less long.)

<Gil> "We're already on our way!"

<Random_Nerd> Latin Voice: "Then burn, fool!"

  • AideWilliam motions to Sam to hand over the phone.

  • John is murmuring blessings and St. Patrick's Breastplate and St. Damian's Sword and St. Bridget's Tongue Lashing.

<Random_Nerd> Your suit catches fire, and the aura of stink sweeps out the window.

<Sam> "Woah."

  • AideWilliam sheds the suit...

<Random_Nerd> You /liked/ that suit.

<Gil> "If William burns to death before I beat him at poker, I'm going to kill him!"

<John> "I believe. That his. Fiance'. Will be upset. As well."

<AideWilliam> "Gil. Tell John that his subject's demon is real, and here."

<AideWilliam> "I need a ward, fast."

<Random_Nerd> Gil, you pull up outside the clock tower.

<John> (That's an entirely different exorcism!)

<Sam> "We need wards. Seems to be a demon. Run."

<Random_Nerd> Sam and William are on the third floor.

<Gil> to John: "It appears William found [lady's name]'s demon."

<Random_Nerd> The Horse neighs.

<Random_Nerd> (Fortunately, Gnomely is guarding it.)

<John> "Oh dear. Are they battling it?"

<John> (*snort*)

<Gil> "They need wards. They say it's real."

<Random_Nerd> William, you have only relatively minor burns, and your shirt and tie are scorched.

<Random_Nerd> The smell is pretty much gone.

<AideWilliam> (Fortunately he's OK at channeling Dante. :p )

<John> "What area do they need warded? A room? The entire tower? Lesson will not be able to cross, if I do this right. And I need to be able to ward an area in completeness."

<John> "And is it still there?"

<AideWilliam> (Did it bug off?)

<Random_Nerd> John, if this had happened a month ago, you wouldn't know what to do. But you've been studying the wards used on the demon-storage room, and more recently on the panic room.

<Random_Nerd> (As far as you can tell, it headed out.)

<Random_Nerd> (But there's nothing to stop it returning at this point.)

<Gil> "Sam, what area do you need warded?"

<Sam> "Wil's office. The area around the demon. These are ... no longer the same places."

  • John mutters. "I shall need to restock on silver iodide...."

<AideWilliam> Have they arrived?

<Random_Nerd> Yes.

<Random_Nerd> Just now.

<Random_Nerd> You guys have /really fast/ elevators.

<Random_Nerd> Side benefit of being friends with the Power of Machinery.

<AideWilliam> "Invisible demon was going through my notes. Set my suit on fire while I was wearing it."

<John> "That window will need to be replaced for an effective ward."

<John> "But I can start on the rest of the work."

<AideWilliam> "It was looking at notes on the Giant and the Watchers."

<Random_Nerd> If you want a good one, the best way would be to when making a window, set certain patterns in it in silver and gold wires, while reciting certain prayers.

<Sam> "I'll handle that." *calls up a contractor we've used before, and explains that Brian needs a window replaced in the Clocktower*

<John> "Notes on what? And Gil said that this was Elaine's stalking goat demon?"

<Random_Nerd> Contractor: "Moderate priority, high, or emergency?"

<AideWilliam> "Said the 'sheep-woman' was hers and wanted her back."

<Sam> "Moderate-high. The King apparently has some suggestions for design he would want to go over with you."

<AideWilliam> "If it is Elaine, that means your wards there are working."

<Random_Nerd> Contractor: "...I'll be there in ten minutes or less."

<Sam> (Or your pizza's free!)

<John> "Hmm. As her king, I have prior claim on her. As her religious leader, I am in charge of guarding her soul. This demon shall. Not. Win."

<AideWilliam> (The Wolf will be there immediately.)

<John> (Heh.)

<AideWilliam> "It is invisible, and likes setting things on fire."

<Random_Nerd> Okay, William, you can tell that only two pages are missing.

<AideWilliam> "Speaking of which, I need to change."

<John> "But I am also mildly happy that my ancestor's work has annoyed the demon."

<Random_Nerd> Your sketches and notes on the giant's apparent physiology, and on the blessing against weapons he seems to have inherited from his father.

<Random_Nerd> William, you have an entire closet full of suits, right here.

<AideWilliam> "It has my notes on the Giant, and his weapon invulnerability."

<John> (...uh oh.)

<AideWilliam> "I don't know if he's vulnerable to fire...."

<John> (Knowing someone's description of invulnerability and how and he's interested in Pure people...)

<AideWilliam> Any strangeness to the fire? We can examine my scorched clothing...

  • AideWilliam tells John what the poltergeist said while he changes.

<Random_Nerd> The ashes smell wrong.

<AideWilliam> ("By the way, the Powerpuff Girls boxers were a gift." :D )

<Random_Nerd> They smell a bit like the smell Lesson makes when he physically exerts himself.

<Random_Nerd> Which isn't very nice.

  • AideWilliam returns one minor nervous breakdown later.

<Random_Nerd> So...

<Random_Nerd> Ah.

<Random_Nerd> William, for reference, that is the seventh most surprising and unpleasant thing to happen to you this month.

  • John will have begun scratching runes into the doorways.

<Random_Nerd> Not the top, sure, but it made top ten, which is impressive enough.

<Random_Nerd> (John, do you want to use your skill and some will for it, or not?)

<John> (Ah, the Superior Holiness? Yes.)

<AideWilliam> "Careful, they invite Lesson to the conference room periodically.

<John> (I have a level of 3 at the moment. How well will that ward this room?)

<AideWilliam> "Am I missing an eyebrow?"

<Random_Nerd> (Okay, what's your skill, and how much will are you using?)

<Random_Nerd> (It will work as per the usual intention system.)

<John> (Then I will spend 2 Will. I want to Ward this room to the best of my ability and components, especially against demons of multiple levels.)

<John> "Then. They will have to make sure that Lesson and Dante's little friend know not to come into here. Because once this room is warded, it will be permanent to some extent. And I do not wish them harm."

<Random_Nerd> (Okay. Your attempt will make your life better, move you toward your goals, impress people around you, have a tangible impact on the world, and make you happy.)

<AideWilliam> "Where is that imp? Anyone seen him?"

<Random_Nerd> When John carves the final word, the lingering smoke and smell of demon presence are swept out the window by a sudden breeze.

<Random_Nerd> The imp's usually somewhere on this floor or the next one.

<Gil> ("Wow, King John!")

<Random_Nerd> He has a little office in what used to be a janitor's closet, where he polishes people's shoes and the like.

<John> (*Priest-King flex*)

<Sam> (We need a Chibi Priest King Flex picture)

<John> (But I have no talent!)

<Random_Nerd> Oh, by the way, John, did you base these wards on the safe room?

<John> "What can be done with the information that you have lost? And do we know where the ancient Giant is?"

<John> (Yes. And my other demon room research....why?)

<John> (If there's a 'one room only' clause on these, I'm going to throw a royal fit.)

<Random_Nerd> You have a realization as you do the warding, then. Some of the wards aren't specifically intended for demons, but for other things.

<John> (Can I tell what the 'other things' are? I'm guessing nimblejack.)

<AideWilliam> "It was notes on his physiology and his weapon invulnerability. I hadn't come to any particular conclusions, but given that he specifically took those..."

<John> (Poor Ftisk will be crushed that he can't store his new anchor in Will's office.)

<Random_Nerd> Not for sure. And your ancestor probably thought of them all as "demons."

<Random_Nerd> But in the sense of creatures native to hell, they're not the subject of all of those.

<John> (Yes, but my ancestor possibly also thought of bacteria and other disease causing things as demons as well.)

<Random_Nerd> (True.)

<Random_Nerd> Do you include those elements in this ward?

<John> (Will does not have to wash his hands while in here.)

<John> (Yes. Because I don't know enough to take out the bits that _aren't_ demon and make sure that it all still works.)

<Random_Nerd> Gil, Sam, you both get a bit... itchy.

<AideWilliam> (Careful... if the wards extend to Outside that might affect Ftisk/Conrad)

<John> (Can deal with that later.)

<John> (And oops.)

<Sam> "I'm going to ... stand over there. Outside the doorway."

<Random_Nerd> It isn't as strong as the safe room, but it's definitely noticeable.

<Gil> "Me too...."

<John> *looks sad* "My apologies. My studies have not progressed far enough."

<Gil> "I didn't like how those wards made me feel, last time."

<John> (Although...Will is possibly willing to kiss John because now he has a _Sam-proof room_.)

<Random_Nerd> (Heh.)

<Sam> (*laugh*)

<Random_Nerd> (But that means when he wants to talk to Sam, he'll have to do it in /Sam's/ office.)

<Random_Nerd> (Which is just /tacky/)

<Sam> (/fashionable/)

<Sam> (/all the fashionable/)

<AideWilliam> (Well, we do movie night elsewhere anyway. :) )

<John> (That's what phones are for? Will Thinking: *Can I possbily move the wife in here...*)

<John> (Nah, it's tacky because he is the Senior Aide. But then again, Sam is an Anchor...)

<John> "Then we must locate the Giant and warn him. I do not know what a demon could do to someone like him, especially with the blood fixation."

<AideWilliam> "We have a guess..."

  • AideWilliam indicates his singed hair.

<AideWilliam> "Maybe we should bring a hose."

<John> "Holy water."

<AideWilliam> "Even better.

<Random_Nerd> The Giant lives on the outskirts of Amyra, in what used to be a farm that William arranged for the Nobles to buy, and where he gets regular shipments of livestock to eat.

<AideWilliam> "Still... that thing seemed to have some kind of connection to Ms. Evelyn.

<AideWilliam> "If that is who it was referring to.

<John> "What did he say about her?"

<AideWilliam> "'Give me back my pet'... 'The sheep-woman that was taken from me'"

<Gil> "Why 'sheep-woman', I wonder...."

<John> "Well." *pause* "The short answer is _no_. The long answer is _Mine_."

<AideWilliam> "I'm guessing the even longer version is "Get out of my Kingdom'?"

<John> "Given his words about purity of blood, I believe it is a notion that humans are now no better than livestock in the purity of their blood, as compared to 'pure' humans from the time of Adam and Eve."

<John> "The longer versions involve Latin, gestures and possibly a new box in my demon storage unit."

<AideWilliam> "... hm. Maybe the Giant _isn't_ in danger...

<Gil> "Oh. That."

<John> "Depends on what the demon wants to do with the blood."

<AideWilliam> "Either way, the Giant is probably involved in the next chapter of this.

<John> "I admit some curiosity on how different we humans would be if we were still as pure as our closer-to-divine ancestors. But the human race had to continue in some manner."

<AideWilliam> "Assuming Evelyn is safe, we should go talk to him."

  • John will call his security on the phone.

<Random_Nerd> They pick up.

<Random_Nerd> Oh, and there's a sound you can hear from the broken window of a car pulling into the parking lot at high speed.

<John> "Hello, gentlemen. John here. Has there been any change in the status at the palace? And is there any change with my guest in the King Leon's Room?"

<Random_Nerd> Crown Guard: "No change. The... demon sits in his hammock, and reads, and says that there has been no sign of the... other... demon."

  • Gil glances out a window.

<Random_Nerd> Two men holding a large rectangular thing wrapped in brown paper go to the door. Sam's phone rings.

<Sam> "Sam. Go."

<Random_Nerd> "Window's ready. We're downstairs, can you buzz us in?"

<John> "Ah, quite good. Please inform him that the other demon has been at the Tower, has set William's garments and hair on fire and has taken information on the topic of the Giant out at Northhampton Farms. We will be heading to there soon. The other demon is upset over the taking of his...ahem. Pet."

<Sam> "Sure." *buzz*

<Sam> "Room 302"

<Random_Nerd> They scurry in, and the window is being installed surprisingly soon.

<Sam> "John, would you care to set up your wards with the window?"

  • John will add some wires in patterns along the window.

<Random_Nerd> CG: "Tower... garments and hair.. giant... farm... pet. Okay."

<John> *to phone* "Thank you."

<John> (Do I need to add more Will and do the wards again?)

<Random_Nerd> (Nah.)

<John> (Thank you.)

<Random_Nerd> (I figure it's the same Intention.)

<John> *to the glaziers* "Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate your speed and dedication."

<Random_Nerd> (So, cut to you guys visiting the giant, continue this scene, or call it a night?)

<John> (I'm okay with the first or third.)

<AideWilliam> (Same here)

<Sam> (Prefer calling it a night. Midnight here, and I've been doing 10+ hour days.)

<Gil> (agreed on first or third)

<AideWilliam> (Call it a session, then?)

<John> (Sounds okay to me.)

<Gil> (Sure)

<Random_Nerd> ____________STOP________________

=-= Sam is now known as lazarus

-->| Ayushipxs (~Ayushipxs@4438E544.7FC87A1D.27A2AFB2.IP) has joined #Nobilis

=-= YOU are now known as Verithe

=-= AideWilliam is now known as Knockwood

=-= John is now known as BethE

<BethE> Hello, Ayu?

<Knockwood> OK, we know Evelyn's not nuts...

<BethE> Nope, she's not!

<Knockwood> we also know she's Important

<Verithe> At least to the poltergeist.

<Random_Nerd> She might /also/ be nuts.

<Knockwood> point

|<-- Ayushipxs has left irc2.magicstar.net (Client exited)

<Verithe> mysteryyyyyyy~

<BethE> Kind of, kind of not? I mean, it'd be like if you took someone's dog. Some people would be upset because it's a member of the family. Others would be upset because it's their property, their plaything.

<Random_Nerd> So, do you think the poltergeist is a demon?

<Random_Nerd> Why or why not?"

<BethE> It's also a pyrogeist.

<Knockwood> well, it smells like Lesson

<Verithe> I think....maybe it's a demon/Dionyl hybrid.

<Verithe> Or something like that.

<BethE> John is possessive of his subjects. He's had it knocked into him enough that his first duty is to his subjects./kingdom/Treasures. Do not mess with the King.

<lazarus> going to go to bed now. g'night.

<Knockwood> g'night laz

<Random_Nerd> So, are you guys having fun with the Minons Arc?

|<-- lazarus has left irc2.magicstar.net (Disintegrated: lazarus)

<Verithe> Yes!

<Knockwood> SO far. Keep having to remember that 'I' don't have Aspect or Miracles.

<BethE> Yep! I always wanted to find out more about John and now I even get to make that stuff up!

<Random_Nerd> But, on the other hand, you're dealing with an issue that your normal PCs could probably resolve in about thirty seconds.

<Random_Nerd> But, hey, they're off dealing with two flower rites.

<BethE> Like how he deals with the kingdom being changed and how he feels about his subjects and how his subjects feel about him and the stuff with Martyrs and how he's working with the weirdness added to the kingdom, like Lesson and the Aides.

<Knockwood> Sounds goofy... we're dealing with murderous demon poltergeists while _they're_ out picking flowers...

<Random_Nerd> Heh.

<Random_Nerd> We could switch.

<Random_Nerd> You could have William go into a restroom and get jumped by a nimblejack!

<Knockwood> That happens anyway. :)

<Verithe> The normal PCs would not deal with this in thirty seconds. They would discuss it for days.

<BethE> Have the Aides developed nimblejack-variety-pepper spray?

|<-- MrsWinters has left irc2.magicstar.net (Disintegrated: )

<BethE> Hmm...if it's in Amyra, then Theresa would have someone create a circle, then Move the demon into the containment circle.

<BethE> (Things of Amyra.)

<Knockwood> well, she's not here, so we'll just have to go with the nuclear accelerators.

<Random_Nerd> Anyway, see you guys next week for Chuubo.

<Verithe> Take care!

<Knockwood> Yep, we can try out my new perk. :p

[INFO] Disconnecting from IRC. Click close again to exit now.

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Chancel_Amyra
Chapter 36