Glru is a large, burly wilding feline with mountainlion markings, mostly tawny, white muzzle and black mustache-ey 'tearlines'

Alexis_Hase introduces himself. "Umm... Hi. My name's Alexis, I'm a Rabbitfolk Wizard specialising in Illusion magic. I'm normally quite quiet, but my familiar, Dusk the raven, is always by my side. *to Dusk* Isn't that right?"

Glru: pronunciation guide: glru rhymes with 'glue' but dissolve the L into a throaty rolling R.

Alexis_Hase is a small, scrawny looking Rabbitfolk with light brown fur and lop-ears. He usually wears a light blue robe, and a pair of sandals designed for rough terrain.

Glru watches the raven, tailtip flitflits.

DM_Hallu: (and a kilt!)

Alexis_Hase: (Yes, a kilt XD)

Alexis_Hase thanks the DM for not calling it a skirt.

Ika_Yorri is very outgoing, energetic, and adorable for a Rabbitfolk, clad in leather armor of the finest quality. "Pleased to meetch'all," she says, "I'm Ika, from Mirshore. Fine place, if you like dull. And I don't like dull..."

Ika_Yorri has green eyes and soft, white fur. Her ears rise high above her head, and dart around almost as much as her eyes.

Glru wears workpants or bib overalls. when working he will don a heavy leather apron. his 'toolbelt of much stuff' (tm) is always at his waist, with a regular sized mechnik wrench on each hip, one MW, one regular.

Lina_Alesia: Greetings; I am Lina Alesia, a sworn healer to House Haurvatat. I refuse to resort to violence, but I understand the necessities of the world and will not be offended by it, within reason. I'm currently on leave from the house to research ecological issues.

Tobias says "Hi! My names Tobias, but you can call me Toby. I was working as a mercenary for a while, but that didn't work out so well, so now I'm an adventurer."

Glru waves a heavy, calloused paw to Ika and Tobias and Lina.

Lina_Alesia waves back demurely.

Tobias is a human with lightly tanned skin and brown eyes. He has brown hair that has been tied back, and he wears fullplate armor. He looks very friendly and tends to smile.

Glru: ooc so we have Glru the bodger, Alexis the illusionist, Lina the healer, what are Tobias and Ika?

Tobias: ((oh right))

Tobias is also a fighter.

Glru: Any Paladin is a Pal o mine.

Ika_Yorri: ((You'll find out, when the time comes...))

Tobias: ((XD))

Ika_Yorri: (Ika's a Bard, but doesn't advertise that right away)

DM_Hallu: It is a beautiful, bright, clear, mild morning in Beachhead as the four of you (minus Alexis) gather. You've all been signed up for a particular government project and told to meet with one Jove Mason at Beachhead City Hall. Pigeons chirp on the lawn as you congregate, and a few passers-by look over curiously as you introduce yourselves, unused to the sight of an adventuring party this deep in the city.

DM_Hallu: Beachhead City Hall, for its part, is a broad, shining expanse of stonemasonry in a particularly old architectural style, which makes sense given that it was the first city in Santhil and everything.

Ika_Yorri hums an energetic and cheerful tune.

DM_Hallu: As you enter the building, an uncial snow leopard receptionist nods to you. "And you'd be Jove Mason's adventurers, yes? Very good, right this way."

DM_Hallu: He points you down the hall to an office that looks just like several others.

Lina_Alesia thanks the leopard and goes.

Ika_Yorri follows as instructed.

Tobias walks cheerfully alongside the others.

Glru brings up the rear, cheerfully bouncing his namesake on his shoulder.

DM_Hallu: A large, clean, rather excited looking man comes out to greet you. "Hello, hello! Come right in. I'm Jove. I've got tons to fill you in on. I expect you'd be..." He looks across you and points, in entirely the wrong order. "Lina, Tobias, Ika, and Akavi?"

Alexis_Hase: ((By Jove! XD))

Tobias: ((XD))

Lina_Alesia smiles. "Close enough. I'm Lina. What can we do for you today?"

Ika_Yorri: �Close enough... Fill us in.�

Glru thumps his chest. "Am Glru.�

Glru: "Not to forget Glru.�

DM_Hallu: Jove fidgets with his hands. He is a very happy and nervous man today. "Sorry, sorry. I'm terribly bad with names. Anyway, yes, come in." He ushers you into his office and shuts the door behind you. "Now, I expect you've all been reading the newspapers, yeah? You know, the big projects the city's been working on..." He looks across at all of you meaningfully, clearly expecting everybody to be just as excited about it as he is.

Ika_Yorri feigns his level of excitement.

Ika_Yorri: I know! Isn't it marvelous!

Lina_Alesia: �By all accounts, this will be quite the feather in your cap, will it not?�

Glru: "many things to build.�

DM_Hallu: Jove beams. "Yes. Well, the job is exactly what you think it is. And, in return for your services, I've managed to wrangle it so you all get free seats! Plus, you know, a salary as usual."

Ika_Yorri: �Free seats! Ha ha! Outstanding, Jove.�

Ika_Yorri: �When should we get to our seats, by the way? And where, exactly?�

Glru blinks politely confused, her perks his ears and listens for more information, honestly knowing little more than his teacher said it would be an excellent journeyman project.

Tobias: �This is great! We'll get to help out and ride a... er...what's it called again?�

DM_Hallu: He goes to his desk and gets out some papers. They appear to be schematics of some sort of vehicle. "Oh, yes, I forgot to mention, but please do call me Jove." He looks over at Glru and Tobias. "It's called a passenger train. An extremely momentous invention. The steam engine's been around for years and years, of course, but not until now have we actually managed to exploit it for sustainable transport... The inaugural voyage leaves tomorrow.�

Glru ahhhs and nods enthusiastically and explains to Tobias. "Is like steamjack, only very large and very fast, with many many round feet."

Ika_Yorri: �And you'll be riding with us, won't you? I don't imagine you'd risk missing such a milestone in the city's history.�

DM_Hallu: Jove beams even wider, bustling around his desk. "I, friends, will be the engineer! Now, I really wish I could have gotten to you earlier. There was so much red tape. We petitioned House Aletheia, gave them our best march-of-progress-and-science speech, and then they took three months to get back to us and decided we were only worth one adventurer... I had to scramble to get the rest of you in. Speaking of that, which one of you is Akavi?"

Ika_Yorri: �We have an Akavi?�

Ika_Yorri looks over the group again.

Lina_Alesia raises an eyebrow.

DM_Hallu: Jove's face creases with worry. He looks at the four of you again, counts to himself, then suddenly realizes there are only four of you.

*** Akavi has joined #AVENdnd

Glru looks around "That is Ikabunny, that is Tobias human, that is Lina human... And this is Glru. We are not having a Kavit.�

Ika_Yorri: �This Akavi wouldn't happen to be invisible, would they...?�

DM_Hallu: "Just like Aletheia," he mutters. "Anyway, I'm sure he'll turn up."

Ika_Yorri: ((Oh!))

Glru: Perhaps that is a Kavi.

DM_Hallu: ((Akavi! Hello!))

Alexis_Hase: ((Here he is now as a matter of fact ^^))

Akavi: ((Hi!))

Tobias: ((XD how fitting))

Glru: ooc how do we get the little ooc brackets?

Akavi: ((Speak of the devil))

Alexis_Hase: ((Think you were an hour late, but we haven't quite started just yet))

Alexis_Hase: ((Just do two brackets at either end))

Akavi: ((I thought we were on Central time, sorry))

DM_Hallu: ((A guy by the name of Jove Miller has been explaining things to the rest of the party. It'd be great if you could stumble in dramatically late and give a basic physical description of yourself. ))

Lina_Alesia: ((Glru - manually. =P))

Glru: ((complex!))

Akavi: ((Let me just scroll back and read up quickly))

DM_Hallu: ((np))

Glru: ((as long as we are waiting, take pity on a mentally challenged cat and tell him where to find the friggin greatcoat.))

Glru: ((pretty please with fuzzy bunnyfeet on it))

Ika_Yorri: ((Iron Kingdom, right?))

Alexis_Hase: ((No! you're not getting my feet for it! XD))

Glru: ((yesyes)

Lina_Alesia: ((Iron Kingdoms Character Guide... I'll check for page number))

Glru: ((I'll use Ika's feet when she's not looking))

Ika_Yorri: ((coincidentally, I'm about to go afk for a minute...))

Akavi: A finely clothed, dark-haired elf bursts into the room and surveys the room, grinning sheepishly. "Akavi, of House Aletheia, at your service. Specializing in extraplanar dynamics, lingusitics, and the arcane arts. Not, unfortunately, cartography. My apologies for my tardiness."

Tobias: ((XD nice.))

Glru: ((Ah! elf is a Kavi.))

Akavi: ((We can't all be competent))

DM_Hallu: Jove Mason smiles at you. "And now we're all here! Akavi, I expect the House told you a little about this train business?"

Glru: ((*nods*))

Tobias: ((quite so))

DM_Hallu: ((glru: it's page 196))

Glru: ((thankie!))

Akavi: "Indeed. Have you gone over the security measures that the railroad has taken, or specific threats you've received?"

Lina_Alesia: ((page 19...... shoot, ninja'd by Hallu! :O))

Tobias looks confused. "Threats? Why would anyone threaten a train?"

Glru: Trains is large and noisy. wery scary if you never see before.

Ika_Yorri: ((back!))

DM_Hallu: "I was just getting to that. We had a couple security threats and attacks while we were building the railway... nothing humongous, just kids with pranks, mostly. We dealt with those using Beachhead and Shuteye's own police forces. Thing is... never had a train voyage before... not sure exactly what kind of stuff could show up on one. That's why we needed some adventurers."

Lina_Alesia: �Troubleshooters, then.�

Glru: �Was any trouble had by Rail Layng crews?�

DM_Hallu: "I was hoping I could get you a little earlier so that we'd have time to come up with a comprehensive security plan. But this way you've got a day, at least. I'll show you around the passenger car if you like. It's really cool!"

Akavi: Akavi smiles and nods. "A tour would be wonderful."

Ika_Yorri nods.

Lina_Alesia: �Indeed, Akavi.�

Tobias: �Yeah, let's see the train!�

DM_Hallu: Jove tilts his head. "A little trouble... but like I said, just kids. Some people get scared of progress. Anyway, to the train!"

Alexis_Hase: ((*cue "To The Batmobile!" music))

Alexis_Hase: ((Possible "Q Gadgets" sequence optional))

DM_Hallu: He leads you out of the city hall and down the street to a fresh new little building next to some train tracks. He unlocks the gate and leads you up to an enormous passenger railway car, attached to an enormous steam engine and coal scuttle.

Glru mutters quietly "no building, no fixing, but perhaps kids to hit with wrench."

Tobias looks impressed.

Akavi: "An impressive device, to be sure."

DM_Hallu: He unlocks the door of the railway car and climbs the stairs inside, motioning for you to follow. The car is filled with many seats of different sizes - enough to hold maybe eighty people.

Glru grounds the end of his wrench and looks at the train, by far the largest Mechanika he's seen. his fur poofles a little.

Ika_Yorri embarks.

Lina_Alesia looks around, not really comprehending the mechanical side of things, but duly appreciative of the scope of the project.

Glru: ((impressed that Ika is fluent in canine, a tough language for a bunny))

Akavi: Akavi scans the station, then boards the train.

Glru straggles just a little bit looking at what mechanical parts are immediately visible, once more bringing up the rear.

Lina_Alesia: ((Glru - .....that's pretty "Quack-worthy". =P ))

Glru: ((do we have a whisper function?)

Ika_Yorri: ((despite the joke, I actually AM fluent in Canid))

Akavi: ((As am I, actually))

Glru: ((quackworthy?))

DM_Hallu: "Now, this was my idea. Interchangeable seat sizes! Four Medium seats take up the same space as nine Small seats, and six Medium seats take up the same space as two Large seats. According to the needs of the moment we can take some seats out and put other seats in. Now, this up here is where you'll be sitting... " He looks down at Ika_Yorri. "Afraid we put just Medium seats here, we weren't sure how big you'd all be."

Lina_Alesia: ((On the Mibbit server, you have to register your nick to PM people I think...))

Akavi: "Forgive my ignorance, but I'm no engineer: is the train at all powered by magic?"

Alexis_Hase: ((Woah, eebil red text))

Ika_Yorri: �Like I'm gonna complain about having room to lie meself down. Ha!�

Akavi: ((Whoops. Mouse got away from me. XD))

DM_Hallu: Jove grins. "Not the engine - the engine is pure steam. There's some other auxiliary bits that are magic. The lights, for instance." He motions to the ceiling, where a few appropriate Continual Flame spells have been cast.

DM_Hallu: He motions to two rows of seats in the front (that makes eight seats, two on each side). These are set aside for the adventurers. Behind them are a large clump of Small-size seats, and the rest of the train is largely Medium, except for two of the Large seats in the back. Glru nods approvingly. Akavi: "That will make monitoring for magical-foul play much easier." Akavi nodded.

Glru subtly inspects the seats, curious about the mechanism for removal and replacement.

Ika_Yorri examines the lights more closely.

Ika_Yorri: "Beats my lights, I see." Akavi: ((How do we do the fainter, "action" text?))

Alexis_Hase: ((Type /me (action) ))

Lina_Alesia: (( "/me does action text" ))

Akavi: ((Sweet. Thanks))

DM_Hallu: "Now, up here in front of the passenger car, we've got the coal scuttle and the engine... if you want something from me or my copilot, you just get out and walk on past the coal scuttle to reach us. There's also washrooms in all three sizes. Not so vital for this voyage, but on long, cross-country trips, you're gonna need it. Also a luggage area, and this very important lever..."

DM_Hallu: Glru, you can see that the seats are installed with an ingeniously simple mechanism. The lights are normal Continual Flame-type lights.

Lina_Alesia: ((If you're on mIRC, ctrl+k brings up a thingy for controlling font colour, useful for quotes on the same line as actions))

Ika_Yorri: �This voyage? How long is this voyage, then?�

Akavi raises and eye brow, and awaits an elaboration.

DM_Hallu: "This voyage? It'll be about an hour and a half."

Lina_Alesia: (( /me says [ctrl+k 1]"blahblahblah" ))

Tobias looking interested when Jove mentions the lever. "What's that do?"

DM_Hallu: "This here is the emergency brake. If there's ever an emergency and the train's just gotta stop, you break the glass and yank on it. That'll disconnect the working parts of the steam engine and stop the wheels turning, and we can figure out what to do from there. Some of the windows also pop open if you need them to."

Glru asks jove casually "is last minute planting taking place around the station, for showing of train?"

Lina_Alesia says "How many passengers do you expect for your first trip?"

DM_Hallu: Jove blinks. "Planting? I don't think so, but I'm not the one in charge of the grounds around here. Why do you ask?"

Glru: do not look too directly, but Glru has noticed wolf skulking in bushes...and has been there too long for relieving of bowels.

DM_Hallu: Jove smiles widely. "Apart from the section set off for you guys, we've got the whole train filled. Eighty people. I arranged it specially so there'd be a balance of all the different races - sounds silly, but that's important to me, you know. All going together into the future. We even got two of every kind of Wildling."

DM_Hallu: His smile disappears at Glru's comment...

Glru: ((rolled a 22 on his spot check ))

Akavi smiles graciously. "Not to violate the privacy of your guests, but would it be possible to see a guest list?"

DM_Hallu: "Certainly! I've got one back at the office."

Ika_Yorri: �Can I have a seat at the end? One next to a window?�

Akavi: "Many thanks. Not, of course, that I expect any guests to be an issue."

DM_Hallu: "You folks can divide up your reserved seating however you like... but don't you think that skulking wolf is a little more of an issue? I mean, I'm no adventurer, but..."

Glru: "Glru thinks if wolf had honest business, wolf would not be hiding, no?"

Ika_Yorri: �Wolf? Wolfkin, or just wolf?�

Akavi: "I'd tend to concur with Glru" Akavi smiles plesantly, flexing his fingers.

Glru: "wolfkin... look slowly out window, not all at once at bush (hallu, where was the bush in question?)

DM_Hallu: ((It was just outside the train station, near the gate.))

Akavi: ((Distance estimate?))

Glru: ((is it line of sight from the window seat?))

DM_Hallu: ((Maybe forty feet away from the train tracks. It's line of sight from the door, and the window seat is reasonably close to that.))

Glru: �If you test comphy window seat and casually look out window, bush with wolf is beside gate.�

Akavi: "Can you see any others, Glru?"

DM_Hallu: ((Okay, anyone who tries to casually look out the window is gonna have to make a Bluff check to make it look like they're not looking for a wolf.))

Lina_Alesia: "I'll go greet our guest, if there's no complaints" *looks around at the others*

Akavi: ((I'll try- are you rolling our checks, or do we?))

Glru: �Glru has seen only one, but did not look for more. Could be. Could be not.�

DM_Hallu: ((mind you, you get an unspecified bonus from being behind a blurry train window forty feet away. But it's still a check. You can roll it, if I roll a check I'll be doing it in secret.))

Akavi: ((Ok, hang on a minute...))

DM_Hallu: Jove spreads his hands. "I've no complaints - you guys know this whole security thing better than me."

Ika_Yorri pretends to admire the window-seat, while looking out to see the wolf.

Akavi: ((Bluff: 27)) Akavi glances towards the window.

Ika_Yorri: ((Spot: 14, Bluff: 26))

Glru pats the head of his wrench meaningfully into his palm "Lina, you are small. Wolf, if he means trouble, will break you. Take please someone good for hitting.�

DM_Hallu: ((Ika_Yorri, you don't see anybody.))

DM_Hallu: ((Akavi, roll Spot?))

Akavi: ((Spot:14))

Akavi: ((Well, I can guess))

DM_Hallu: ((You see the corner of something vaguely furry that *might* be a Wolfkin.))

Glru attempts to aid the spot check be describing the bush in question so they know where to look.

Tobias: �Yeah, I'm with Giru on this one... we should be careful.�

Tobias: ((Spot 19))

Lina_Alesia looks over at Glru. "I'm well protected, but I would appreciate if you were ready to come to my rescue if necessary."

Glru: ((Tobias GLRU not GIRU))

Akavi: ((Or a cotton bush, I suppose)) Akavi turns back to the group. "If you're sure, Glru. At this range, I can't be of directs help, save summoning something."

DM_Hallu: Tobias, you see a Wolfkin in the bushes. ((Roll Bluff, please, Tobias?))

Tobias: ((ah, sorry))

Tobias: ((Bluff 14))

DM_Hallu: ((The wolfkin hasn't a clue.))

Lina_Alesia: Tobias... that goes for you as well. I am least likely to scare them into violence, but if necessary I'd like you to be ready.

Akavi: "If you'd like to sort that out, I can cut off an escape through the station."

Akavi: "Otherwise, I can be of magical assistance if we get closer."

DM_Hallu: ((Akavi: The wolf is just outside the gate, not just inside. She won't be trying to escape through the station.))

Akavi: ((Ok, then. If you promise.))

Lina_Alesia: ((Akavi - you don't have heavy armor or obvious weapons, right?))

Tobias: �Alright, we'll wait here then. Give us a shout if you need help though.�

Glru has big wrench and belt full o' tools.

Ika_Yorri walks away from the window.

Akavi: ((Correct- Bracers hold the cuffs of my garment, and there's a mithril buckers concealed on my back by a cloak, and a dagger hidden at my waistband))

Lina_Alesia: Akavi, will you join me? *extends a hand*

Akavi: "It would be my pleasure."

Glru could easily be mistaken for a rail worker if no one inspects the wrench close enough to see it's quality, chances are wolfie ain't doing an appraisal check on it.

Glru: �Glru is coming, or standing beside train looking like he is working on it?�

Lina_Alesia: ((Glru is also, by my estimation, one tough-looking mofo))

Akavi: "Too many of us could alarm him, but I wouldn't mind some muscle. Lina?"

Tobias sulks slightly, as he's very obviously a fighter.

Lina_Alesia: "I like the idea of you working on the train, let's use that."

Akavi: ((Lina, what race are you?))

Glru has the sort of dense musculature one gets from blacksmithing or hitting things with other things.

Lina_Alesia: ((Human))

Ika_Yorri is the epitome of non-threatening.

Lina_Alesia: ((Does Ika wish to join us?))

Ika_Yorri nods.

Akavi: "Well, shall we approach?"

Ika_Yorri: �I didn't see 'em, and I would like to.�

Glru pads out the door, not looking towards the gate, but instead inspecting something under the lip of the train (might as well spot to see if anything is obviously out of place there)

Lina_Alesia extends her other hand to Ika, then disembarks.

DM_Hallu: Glru, there are many fascinating bits of machinery under the lip of the train.

Ika_Yorri leaves her rapier with Jove.

DM_Hallu: Jove blinks at the rapier, not sure how to hold it, and stands there awkwardly.

Glru: ((18 bluff 16 spot))

Akavi disembarks after the two, falling into pace and walking briskly.

Ika_Yorri falls in line after Lina.

Tobias: ((what's Ika's race?))

DM_Hallu: As the wolfkin sees you coming, she emerges from the bushes and runs away.

Ika_Yorri: ((Rabbitfolk))

Lina_Alesia approaches the Wolfkin slowly with arms wide in a sign of peace (but if they edge off I'll try to get within 20' for my Calm Emotions aura to kick in)

Glru: ((str 17 btw :D)

Lina_Alesia: ((Ooo.... one strong Catfolk! =O))

Akavi calls out after the Wolfkin (if she's still around) "Wait! Do you want tickets to the train? My companions and I can't go!" ((Bluff 30))

Lina_Alesia: ((Will DC 18 on the Calm Emotions))

DM_Hallu: The Wolfkin slows and looks up at you, puzzled. "I can't take your tickets to the train - they've already got two Wolfkin! You gotta go find an elf."

Akavi: "'Nonsense, friend! We were just taking a quick tour, but we've got a little pull, if you get my drift." He smiles, and beckons the wolf closer. ((Bluff 25))

Glru prepares to give chase, so as not to be caught flat footed if wolfgirl runs Glru: ((21 bluff, being all casual)

DM_Hallu: "A pull?" The wolfkin appears to be just as scared as she was before the Calm Emotions started. "No, I don't get your drift. Leave me alone!"

DM_Hallu: "I don't want to go on your stupid train."

Lina_Alesia: "Oh? Why not?" ((Diplomacy 21 to try and calm her down then. =P))

Akavi backs off, smiling, with his palms up. "Forgive me, it's an expression. I meant that I don't think the station will object." ((Bluff 26))

Tobias: ((can we hear all this from inside the train?))

DM_Hallu: ((make a Listen check if you're inside the train.))

Glru shoulders his wrench and saunters along the train in the direction towards the gate, , but not walking towards the gate, clearly walking along the train.

Tobias: ((4 ><))

Glru: ((23 spot for other wolves and/or suspiciosity))

DM_Hallu: "Oh..." The Wolfkin seems slightly reassured by this latest bluff check. "Well... that's kind of you I guess. But I can't go on the train. I have other plans that day. Sorry."

DM_Hallu: ((Tobias, you can't quite hear what's going on.))

DM_Hallu: ((Glru, you don't see anything else suspicious in the vicinity.))

Lina_Alesia: ((Sence Motive 26 for any improper intent?))

Lina_Alesia: ((Or lie....))

DM_Hallu: ((The Wolfkin's not lying, but she seems to be hiding something.))

Akavi: "Oh. Well, that's too bad. Still, would you like to take a closer look?" ((Bluff 22 to indicate to Lina that we could get her into the station and disable her))

Akavi: ((Secret message, use, that one))

Ika_Yorri: �Aw, sorry to hear that. It looks like you were admiring it just now. It's pretty, huh? All weird and... different.� ((Diplomacy: 24))

DM_Hallu: "Yeah," the Wolfkin smiles a little. "Yeah, seen it before, but... yeah. Anyway, you guys are great, but I gotta go... people waiting..."

Akavi: *Waits for Lina or Ika to respond*

Lina_Alesia: "Ah well, it was nice meeting you..... I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name..." ((Diplo 22))

DM_Hallu: The Wolfkin mumbles. She's clearly not one of those alpha wolves you sometimes hear about. " 'M Rienna... 'bye." She turns and hurries away.

Lina_Alesia: (( GO TEAM DIPLOMANCER!!! ))

Akavi: ((W00t!))

Tobias: ((heh))

Ika_Yorri: ((a semi-victory for Talky Team!))

Glru thinks he should have chased her. Is kid. kids cause problems.

Akavi: ((If she's at a safe distance now, we can discuss...?))

DM_Hallu: ((Yes, she's out of sight / hearing now. ))

Glru strolls casually past Akavi and Ika "not capturing spy?"

Akavi looks at him. "She said she had seen the train before."

Lina_Alesia: "We also got a name, and can conduct investigations on that front."

Ika_Yorri: �Didn't seem necessary. Check for sabotage, and hope she doesn't return.�

Akavi turns toward the station and shouts "Jove? Could you join us out here"

DM_Hallu: Jove hops out of the train.

DM_Hallu: "Yeah? How did things go?"

Tobias pokes his head out. "What about me?"

Ika_Yorri retrieves her rapier from Jove.

Akavi: �Have any wolfkin somehow left the railway or been fired during construction? Yes, Tobias, you too.�

Glru nods sagely "Spy probably did not give real name, if spy she was."

Lina_Alesia smiles at Tobias. "Thank you for being ready to protect me, even if it wasn't necessary this time. It made me feel much better."

DM_Hallu: Jove thinks. "I don't think so... of course I don't remember off the top of my head everyone who left or got fired. Lots of workers, you know. I could check in the records..."

Akavi smiles. "I'd appreciate that. And, of course, the guest list as well."

Glru: "Timid little bitch...."

Glru: ((what? it's grammatically correct.))

Akavi: ((Valid.))

DM_Hallu: As you are discussing, a dark-skinned man and a curly-haired woman step out of the train station, engaged in some kind of technical discussion. Jove waves to them. "Hey, guys! This is Rob Halstead and Rita Schoenberg. They're two of my best workers here... Rob's going to be my copilot, so you should all know him."

Tobias: "Huh? Oh, of course. Anytime." He smiles too.

Tobias looks toward the two new people.

DM_Hallu: The two humans walk over. The woman greets you politely, but the man looks pained. He looks over at Jove and says "Is this all you could get?"

Lina_Alesia goes out to meet Rob and Rita, all smiles and handshakes and praise.

Ika_Yorri: �Hi, Rob!�

DM_Hallu: "What are you talking about?" says Jove. "These are the finest adventurers here."

Akavi walks over and extends his hand to Rob. "Akavi, of House Aletheia. It's a pleasure."

Ika_Yorri: �Very finest!�

DM_Hallu: Rob shakes Lina's hand, and shakes Akavi's hand as well, but he looks over at Glru and Ika with some suspicion.

Ika_Yorri tilts her head to one side. "Problem?" she says, somewhat accusingly.

Glru grounds his wrench like a rifleman "Glru is fine adventurer. Strong, Smart and clever."

DM_Hallu: "Jove?" he says, tilting his head to point over in another direction. "Can we talk a minute?"

DM_Hallu: Jove looks confused, but follows him over.

Glru casually cocks an ear in the direction, eavesdropping.

Ika_Yorri: ((Do they really think a little distance will bar my HUGE ears?))

Glru: ((rolls only an 11 for his listen :P))

DM_Hallu: Rita crosses her arms. "I apologize for him," she says. "He's set in his ways. Listen, I've got tickets - I'm gonna be at the back of the train. He gives you any trouble, you just comes to me, I'll put him in line."

Akavi turms to the wildlings. "Would you mind if I ran a little gambit at your expense? I'd love to know if Rob has a reason for his bigotry."

Ika_Yorri: ((Rob's going to have a problem with furry guards, and then I'm going to vividly imagine stabbing him...))

Tobias: ((listen 21))

Ika_Yorri: ((Listen: 26))

Glru: ((love them bunny ears))

Akavi: ((Listen 7. In golf, I win))

Ika_Yorri shrugs at Akavi.

Lina_Alesia: ((Listen 3! I hear the ceiling fan!))

Alexis_Hase: ((XD))

Akavi: ((What? I can't hear you.))

Alexis_Hase: ((I'm still alive here. Just waiting to see when I appear ^^))

DM_Hallu: The Listen checks turn out to be completely unnecessary, as Rob is the sort of bigot who doesn't bother to lower his voice nearly enough. "First you pack them onto the train," he says, "then you pack them into the guard! What the hell is next? You know where those attacks on the rail workers were coming from."

Glru cocks head at Akavi "gambit?"

Tobias: "Attacks?"

Akavi decides he's waited long enough, and, winking at Glru, walks over to Rob and takes him conspiratorially by the shoulder.

DM_Hallu: Rob whirls his head around at Tobias's comment, realizing the adventurers can hear him.

Tobias: ((XD))

DM_Hallu: He looks rather embarrassed, and frowns at Akavi.

Akavi: "Between you and me, Aletheia tells us to keep a close eye on them. Is there anything that I should know about?" ((Bluff 24 or Diplomacy 18))

Akavi: ((That was whispered, of course))

Lina_Alesia: ((Aletheia != Alesia?))

DM_Hallu: Rob's eyes widen. Then he remembers Tobias hearing, and says "Nah... but let's talk a little this evening."

DM_Hallu: ((House Aletheia, dear.))

Ika_Yorri: �Oh, Rob! That was hilarious! I love how you make jokes about things that, when said seriously, get people turned into Glru's breakfast meals!�

Akavi: "It would be my pleasure," Akavi said, with a little bow.

Akavi: ((Lina, we all know you secretly hate wildlings. Give it up. Xp))

Glru picks his teeth with a pointy claw.

DM_Hallu: "Uh huh," says Rob, looking over at Ika uncomfortably. "Listen, Rita and I are gonna go check over the engine. You guys do your security thing, and... yeah." He walks off. Rita scowls at him, but follows.

Lina_Alesia: ((I have no idea what you're talking about O=D ))

Akavi returns to the others. "Well, what now? Beyond checking the train quickly for magical auras, I'm prepared to get to know you all a little better."

Ika_Yorri turns to Jove.

Ika_Yorri: �I won't touch Rob, since he is one of the pilots. Just note that I may protect him much, much less than others...�

DM_Hallu: Jove hurries back over to you. "I'm sorry about him!" he says, obviously mortified by his copilot's behavior. "We really do have a policy of inclusion here. Some people just... forget about it. I knew what I was doing when I hired you guys, Wildlings or not. That's the point of the train system. All of us traveling together into the future."

Glru pats Ika on the shoulder "Bunny thinks Glru eats people. Funny Bunny."

Akavi smiled thinly at Jove. "Yes, as your report said."

Ika_Yorri: �Exactly!�

Lina_Alesia: "Good idea, Akavi. Shall we all meet for a drink tonight?"

Tobias: "So what was that we heard about attacks?"

Glru: �yes, 'attacks' is not troublesome kids.�

DM_Hallu: Jove shifts uncomfortably. "Well, like I said... there've been some kids. You know, vandals. Rob takes it too seriously."

Akavi: "What was the nature of the vandalism?"

Glru: "Vandal is breaks propperty, attacks is breaks people."

Akavi: ((Very nice, Glru))

Tobias: "Yeah, so uh... no people were broken, were they?"

DM_Hallu: "Well, you know... pulled stakes out of the ground, broke things, blew things up. No fatalities. A couple of workers got hurt a little."

Glru: ((thank you, thank you, he speaks human imperfectly, but he has a very agile brain))

Lina_Alesia: "Have all the workers been properly treated?"

DM_Hallu: Jove blinks at Lina's question. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't they?"

Ika_Yorri: �Lina thinks we all leave our wounded in caves to die.�

Ika_Yorri smirks at Lina.

Glru: "some thing blow up... small blow up like lunchbox, or large blow up like steamjack?"

DM_Hallu: "Err... one or two steamjacks."

Tobias: "Aw, come on. You know that's not true. I bet she just wanted to help."

Glru: "steamjack cost more than most pipple make in year. maybe many year. This is not small thing."

Lina_Alesia: "Indeed. If any still require treatment, I'd like to offer my expert services free of charge."

DM_Hallu: "I think they're okay now, but I'll check in my files. And I know, I'm not saying we shouldn't take it seriously when property's destroyed. It's just... well, Rob thinks everything's a conspiracy, and every conspiracy's about Wildlings."

Alexis_Hase: ((Is this ending in 40 mins, or are we going overtime? *hopes for overtime for fear he won't be introduced by 1am XD*))

DM_Hallu: ((aaaack, sorry Alexis!))

Alexis_Hase: ((Folks be askin too many questions XD it's cool though))

DM_Hallu: Okay, so, you guys go back to Jove's office and he gives you the papers you require. Lina, there are no medical cases that require your attention. Can everyone else remind me what they're doing for the rest of the day?

Glru: (there will be two bunnies! glee!)

Akavi claps his hands briskly. "Before we go, I'd like to examine the train for any magic that seems out of place." (Hallu- because I get to rest before tomorrow, I'm willing to spend as many Detect Magics as it takes to thoroughly examine the train: undercarrage, inside and outside. Want to fast forward and tell me what I find?))

Akavi: ((Also, quick synopsis of my subsequent chat with Rob.))

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you find no magic on the train except for the Continual Flame lights and a few general-purpose spells to make the seats extra soft and the snacks extra good and so on (prestidigitation ftw).

Glru tells lina that she can take a thorn out of his paw later if it makes her happier.

Lina_Alesia thanks Glru for the offer but declines.

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you meet up again with Rob at the station later. He nods to you, then asks "Is any of the rest of your party here?"

Akavi: ((Well, party? Are you?))

Ika_Yorri: ((I'm probably hanging with my new associates, getting to know them better))

Tobias: ((yeah, me too))

Lina_Alesia: ((I'd like to ask each of the party members to promise to avoid unnecessary killing when possible, if things go badly.))

Akavi: "No. What was it you wanted to talk about?"

Ika_Yorri: ((...and obviously not going to meet Rob))

Akavi: ((Lina, can we pledge peace and happiness over dinner, if we get to that?))

Tobias: (("lets get to know each other through communal eavesdropping!" XD))

Lina_Alesia: ((Indeed))

Glru likes the noisy bunny, and will probably hang with her if there is not possibility of tinkering with trainbits.

DM_Hallu: Rob makes a gesture, as if ridding his hands of something unpleasant. "Okay. Wildlings. Yeah. Jove hasn't told you anything about the attacks, has he?"

Akavi: "Not much, no."

Glru: ((Is lina asking the group, or each peron one-on-one?))

DM_Hallu: "Vandalism and sabotage against the rail lines... couple of employees hurt. Nobody killed, thank St. Cuthbert... thing is, *everysingletime*, the perpetrators were Wildlings. And when they weren't Wildlings, they were rebellious teenagers who said they were in league with the Wildlings. Wildlings don't want this train trip to happen, and that's a fact."

Akavi: "Hmm. Interesting. Did they ever get to question any of these people?"

Lina_Alesia: ((I was planning on asking the group before they disperse))

Ika_Yorri: ((I always avoid unnecessary killing. I usually avoid savage beatings, too, unless I'm the one doling them out))

DM_Hallu: "Yeah, a few. A lot of 'em were pretty vocal about it."

Akavi: ((Whoops. Sorry. Protracted discussion about that issue might behoove getting to know each other, though))

Lina_Alesia: ((The promise to me magically forces a small penalty onto you if you kill a helpless or surrendered opponent; killing in the course of a normal fight is fine))

Akavi: ((hallu- I want to keep it brief so we can get back to the group. I ask rob about any specific demographic or group that engineered the attacks, then thank him pleasantly and promises to keep my eyes out.))

Ika_Yorri: ((I gladly make that promise))

Glru: ((Glru likes the word 'unnecessary' it's so cute and optimistic and easily interpreted and re-interpreted.))

Akavi: ((Akavi concurs with Glru))

Tobias: ((Tobias also promises without hesitation))

Lina_Alesia: ((Indeed. But the promise is magically binding, and "helpless" and "surrendered" are not so easily fudged))

DM_Hallu: ((Okay. Rob thinks the Wildlings have been attacking because they are afraid that once railroads get built they will make it easier for colonists to invade Wildling territory at a faster pace. That's about all he says that's of interest.))

Alexis_Hase: ((Alexis will promise when he joins the group XD))

Akavi: ((Sweet. Rudyard Kipling would be so proud. Okay, back to group))

Glru: ((we'll get to that conversation when it happens))

DM_Hallu: ((sorry chaz... I get carried away...))

Alexis_Hase: ((Tis okay ^^))

Akavi: "Would you elaborate on that, Lina?"

Lina_Alesia: "I myself practice nonviolence. I don't ask that of you, but I would ask that we spare the life of anyone we are forced to fight, whenever there is a choice."

Ika_Yorri: �Aye. I don't take killing lightly meself. Certainly haven't killed unnecessarily before. Don't intend to.�

Lina_Alesia: "Accidents happen, but I would appreciate if you promise to show some degree of mercy to those we fight."

Glru laughs heartily "non violence is easy. to be violent correctly requires practice. Do not worry little flower eaters, Glru will be violent for you."

Akavi: "Ah. The House promises that its agents will go to all necessary lengths to complete a contract, but I see no harm in promising that I, myself, will avoid landing a killing blow on a helpless adversary."

Lina_Alesia: "I must warn you, if you make this promise to me and break it, there may be consequences even if nobody else knows."

Akavi: "My hands will be free of innocent blood."

Ika_Yorri: "How spooky. Sign in blood, or will the word suffice?"

Lina_Alesia: �Word suffices.�

Lina_Alesia: ((breaking it makes you feel horribly guilty even if you wouldn't otherwise, and you take a -1 to attack rolls for 3 hours... nothing major))

Ika_Yorri: "I swear it to you, then, that I will never kill someone I don't have to."

Akavi: ((On that note, can unarmed creatures perform coups de grace?))

DM_Hallu: ((Only if they have Improved Unarmed Strike.))

Akavi: ((Duly noted.))

Lina_Alesia: "I appreciate that very much, all of you. In return, I will use the utmost limits of my art to heal and restore you whenever necessary."

DM_Hallu: Now, those of you who said you wanted the guest list and whatever else, can you quickly explain to me what you were going to do with them?

Lina_Alesia: ((You can CDG with Gauntlets too.... actually, I think you can with fists, it just deals auto-crit nonlethal damage))

Glru patpats Lina and in a voice that tries not to be condescending, but fails, say "You will do what is right for you, and Glru will do what is right for Glru."

Akavi: ((Mostly wondering for my summons. My promise was very carefully worded. I was just going to check the list for any last-minute changes, and run Knowledge (nobility) checks for my own interest.))

DM_Hallu: There have not been any last-minute changes on the list. Roll Knowledge (nobility).

Akavi: ((14))

Akavi: ((Ouch))

Alexis_Hase: ((Least you didn't roll a 1 and find the Earl of Ceiling Fan on the list. XD))

Tobias: ((XD))

Akavi: ((We'll have to wait and see. XD))

Tobias: ((that's someone I'd want to meet))

Ika_Yorri: ((Akavi wins at bureaucratic sidestepping, on the promise))

Glru: ((glru is amused by the idea of promising not to kill and as such, he doesn't make suck a promise, just making that clear here oocly))

Akavi: ((Heh. I have victory.))

DM_Hallu: You recognize a few people... most notably, Calthea Solak, the current head of House Solak, will be on the train, along with her rather sizeable family. You also recognize a famous singer, a famous actor, and a gnomish basketball star.

Alexis_Hase: ((... gnomish... basketball... *brain asplode*))

Akavi: ((Gnomish basketball star? Ok.))

Glru: ((you're silly, you know that hallu?))

Lina_Alesia: ((I noticed the lack of promise... although the effect is automatic if you're in my area whether you promise or not; that goes for NPCs too))

Akavi: ((That's all I needed.))

Tobias: ((I'm not sure which part to laugh at more: that this place has basketball or that the star is a gnome XD))

Glru: ((am I going to feel bad about my sandwich?))

DM_Hallu: ((see, they make a smaller-sized court for the little people to play in...))

Akavi: ((And Lina, even if it has no practical effect, it makes me feel better.))

Alexis_Hase: ((And to think, if he'd rolled higher he would've found out that the basketball star in question is also good at pole vaulting, and also multitasks perfectly.))

Tobias: ((XD))

Glru gets a restraining order against lina around mealtime.

Alexis_Hase: ((*imagines a gnome polevaulting and slamdunking XD*))

Lina_Alesia: ((If your sandwich is alive and helpless and/or surrendered....?))

Akavi: ((As long as your lunch is still running when you kill it, I see no problem))

Glru: ((he polevaults so that he *can* slamdunk))

Alexis_Hase: ((Exactly))

Tobias: ((I think we've gotten off-topic ^^;))

Alexis_Hase: ((Yes. XD))

Glru: ((has a bag of live puppies for lunch))

DM_Hallu: ((I think so too. Okay, fifteen minutes left, wanna fast forward to the train departure?))

Alexis_Hase: ((Sure ^^))

Akavi: ((A bit. I propose a cut to the nearest tavern, and a subtitle that reads "Later that eveining..."))

Ika_Yorri: ((Ready for FF))

DM_Hallu: Okay. Later that evening... ((What are you doing at the tavern?))

Akavi: ((Cue party sharing a meal around a table, chatting))

Glru looks up at the floating word and taptapts Akavi and points "The 'LATER' is back..."

Akavi: ((Color Spray on the subtitle, DC 14 or erased))

Lina_Alesia has a few light drinks and engages in light conversation.

Akavi: �I just thought we could introduce ourselves more properly, if we were going to be working together.�

Ika_Yorri climbs onto the table.

Alexis_Hase: ((Just as a question, who in here is favour of overtime if it's needed? *raises hand, as Hallu mentioned my appearance was going to be a secret and I want to know what it's gonna be XD*))

Tobias: ((meeee!))

DM_Hallu: ((I'm okay with overtime, but only if everyone else is. The second someone has to leave, we stop.))

Alexis_Hase: ((is in favour*))

Ika_Yorri: ((I like overtime. It's only 5pm here))

Glru licks beerfoam off of his whiskers "Glru is Bodger. Fix things, break things, learn about things. Am now journeyman. Master thought this would be good opportunity.�

Lina_Alesia: ((I'm good for another hour or two))

Akavi: ((Given that I entered late... *sheepish face* Aye.))

Glru: (ditto)

Alexis_Hase: ((Well it's 10 minutes to 1am, so I guess another hour of overtime wouldn't hurt))

DM_Hallu: ((okay, that's all in favour... but you go to bed if you need to, okay chaz?))

Alexis_Hase: ((Okay XD))

Glru watches bunnygirl climbing onto the table, tries to peek up her skirt if applicable.

DM_Hallu: (('cause, like, the game will still behere next week.))

Ika_Yorri doesn't wear a skirt.

Glru darns.

Tobias: ((wait, isn't Ika a guy?))

Ika_Yorri clears her throat.

Ika_Yorri: ((Nope))

Ika_Yorri: "Ahem..."

Tobias: ((alright, I was just confused then))

Ika_Yorri:

(Spoken)

There's something - one thing - in this world,
That carries me along.
It's nothing instrumental
But it helps with every song.
As noble as it's lowly,
It brings the gift of cheer.
As devilish as holy...
...That one thing is a beer!

Lina_Alesia: ((Immanuel Kant was a real pissant?))

Alexis_Hase: ((*immediately thinks of Weird Al Yankovic's Beer Song*))

Ika_Yorri:

(Sung)

Oh...
I take my Port at starb'rd,
And I Wine, but don't complain.
I'm rarely short a Stout.
Sherry-picking in the rain.

Akavi claps politely.

Glru winces.

Ika_Yorri: "Oh..."

Ika_Yorri: "Oh...?"

DM_Hallu: A couple of off-duty waitresses are watching the amusing singing bunny from the side of the tavern.

Ika_Yorri: "Well, the song's not finished yet, but you get the picture, aye?"

Akavi: ((Can I get a Perform/singing check to know if I ought to be appalled by the singing bunny? XD))

Ika_Yorri returns to her seat.

Lina_Alesia claps enthusiastically.

Lina_Alesia: To Glru - "As a Healer, I fix things as well, but living things instead of machines. I'll leave the gadgets to you."

Ika_Yorri: ((Perform: 28))

Akavi: "And I'll leave the fixing to both of you. I studied conjuration and linguistics at the Aletherian Academy, and have worked supporting contracts with my spellcraft ever since."

DM_Hallu: The off-duty waitresses clap very enthusiastically.

Akavi: ((Snap, Ika! Akavi claps less politly, with more enthusiasm))

Glru applauds, then doffs his cap, holding it out to nearby tables for coins.

Tobias laughs and claps as well. "Nice job. I'm sure you'll finish it soon enough."

Glru drops a few silver into the hat first to make sure others get the idea.

Ika_Yorri stands on her seat, and bows to the audience.

DM_Hallu: Glru, the other tavern patrons give you a total of two silver pieces. (The Perform table gives you how much you'd get for a whole day of performing, so I adjusted it downward. The patrons are still very impressed.))

Ika_Yorri: ((I think I've outed myself as a Bard...))

Ika_Yorri: (( :D ))

Akavi: ((Here, let me do it officially then))

Glru slips the handful of copper pieces into the bunny's hand with a flourish, then puts his hat back on.

Akavi holds out a hand to help Ika down. "Bard, then?"

Glru: ((i'm assuming it was 2 silver worth of copper))

DM_Hallu: ((yes.))

Ika_Yorri: "I've been called that, yes. And I rather like the title, I suppose. Bard I am."

Glru has also been barred, but it was a misunderstanding and he didn't want to go back there anyway.

Akavi: "You should cozy up to Lady Solak tomorrow, then, if commercialism is your thing"

Ika_Yorri: "Commercialism? Would I have certain hours I have to sing, and... Well, that's pretty much it for my concerns."

Akavi: "As far as I know, they like to pretend that their artists have free reign... I can't speak to the reality of that claim, though."

Ika_Yorri: "Seems like pointless bog-down-ery to me."

Akavi: "Ah, well. I'm partial to gold myself."

Ika_Yorri: "Gold is not worth my freedom, or even the chance of losing freedoms. Not by a long shot."

Akavi smiled and nodded, then looked to the rest of the group.

Akavi: ((As in, someone else can go.))

Lina_Alesia: ((can go?))

Glru pokes the human flower eater, "why are you here?"

Akavi: ((Speak, type: I open the floor))

Alexis_Hase: ((He's awaiting someone else's move, unless you're all ready to skip to next day XD))

Akavi: ((Alexis is prepared to move on? I just wanted a basic idea of the party as it stands now.))

Lina_Alesia: "You mean, here on the mission?"

Glru is referring to peaceful little lina.

Alexis_Hase: ((I've still to be introduced))

Glru: "yes."

Akavi: ((I'�ve got it for the moment, so we can move on whenever))

Alexis_Hase: ((So really I have no say on whether I'm prepared to move on XD))

Akavi: ((I was teasing))

Glru: "you are here *thumps table* for drinks, and for meeting teammates."

Lina_Alesia: "I suppose... well, a few reasons."

Lina_Alesia: "If things go wrong, many people might be hurt and I might be needed... I need money to continue research... and when finished, this will be a good way to visit the country for more studies."

Ika_Yorri: "Research? On what?"

Lina_Alesia: "Not terribly interesting reasons I'll admit, but it's enough for me."

Lina_Alesia: "Oh.... well, do you know about the Farming Imbalance, Ika?"

Ika_Yorri: "There's a Farming Imbalance?"

Tobias looks up, interested.

Glru asides to Ika "The earth, she does not much like the smoothies."

Lina_Alesia: "Yes... us Colonial races are almost unable to produce crops from this soil, no matter what we try, but Wildlings do it with ease."

DM_Hallu: ((*makes Glru a strawberry smoothie*))

Akavi rolls his eyes. "Fickle dirt."

Glru: "elves, dwarfs, humans, land does not like them so much as you or me.�

Lina_Alesia: "If we could only figure out why, we could change the face of agriculture here and back in our homelands."

Glru: (( glru raspberries a smoothie pppphpt!))

Ika_Yorri: "You'll get it eventually... Or you'll leave. Either way."

Glru raises his hand "Kvestion."

Ika_Yorri: "Aye, Glru?"

Lina_Alesia: "Yes?"

Glru: "why farm if you are bad at it? If you must eat plants, why not buy from those good at growing them?" he gestures to bard, and any other non-predatory wildings about.

Lina_Alesia: "That's what we do now... but if we could solve this, there would be many more people able and willing to farm, and food prices would drop."

Glru: ((sips his strawberry smoothie. mmmmm, strawberries))

Akavi smiles. "I know I, at least, am a disciple of mutability: I seek to change. I suppose that goes for most Colonial races"

Lina_Alesia: "As the city expands, it becomes harder and harder to feed everyone, so we must act quickly on this."

Lina_Alesia: "Disciple of Mutability? Can you explain?"

Glru: "mebbie land does not want city any bigger?"

Glru: "has anyone asked her?"

Ika_Yorri: "The city could always stop expanding. Too many people in one place for too long, it gets to them. In bad ways."

Alexis_Hase: ((Who wants to bet we won't get to the train by half past? XD *is waiting patiently, but is beginning to tire of the large amount of exposition at one time, admittedly*))

Lina_Alesia: "I'm afraid the pace of progress will continue regardless of what the land wants, Glru. It is the only way we know to do things."

Akavi: to Lina- "Simply that the joy of our sentience is our ability to grow and expand our horizons. I've always enjoyed things that are non-static."

Akavi: "far less boring."

Glru nods to Ika, raises his tankard "make new city, further away, grow there."

Tobias: "Besides, it's hard to go out and settle in new places when the land doesn't like you."

Glru: "Glru agrees with Akavi. Statick is bad. it breaks mechanika and causes Glru's fur to go all poofley.�

Akavi grins and translates "Static" into Canid for his benefit.

Glru shrugs "when you do what land does not want, she makes it clear she is unhappy, sometimes she stops you. Sometimes she hurts you."

Glru: ((voting to wrap up the discussion so t'other bunneh can play. Glue has shown himself to be amused by and tolerant of smoothies, but sees their culture and somewhat childlike))

Lina_Alesia: "I'm afraid most of my people won't listen until it's too late."

DM_Hallu: ((okay, that's two people voting for fast-forward.))

DM_Hallu: ((we're gonna fast-forward.))

Akavi: ((Agreed. Sorry Alexis))

Ika_Yorri: ((FF))

Alexis_Hase: ((No prob ^^))

Lina_Alesia: ((second the vote. Lina has communicated her purpose and general calmness))

Akavi: "Well, I'll need to rest to be at my peak for tomorrow."

DM_Hallu: You guys go to sleep in some hotel or something that has been set aside for the purpose.

Glru: "who is peeking? *guilty look*

Alexis_Hase: ((Next time, easy on the exposition ;) throwing way too much of that into the beginning of a plot, you spoil the story XD))

Glru: ((yay! roomservice!))

Akavi: ((I'm sure there will be plenty to keep us busy))

Glru: ((too many brews spoils the witch))

DM_Hallu: ((sorry for spoiling the story...))

Alexis_Hase: ((It's cool, as long as we're at the train now everything's cool XD))

Glru: ((wait, what? I think the story has been pretty excellent thus far.))

DM_Hallu: Okay, the next day you wake up and get on the train early enough to watch all the rest of the passengers file in. Now, in the midst of all this exposition, has anyone come up with any coherent plans for how to guard stuff on the train?

Lina_Alesia: ((You know.... that's pretty much the best PC-led exposition I can remember. =D))

DM_Hallu: It's fine if you haven't, but if you have, you should discuss them now. Also, everybody make Knowledge (nobility and royalty) checks.

Tobias: ((how many cars are there?))

Akavi: ((Keep a sharp watch over anyone not in their seats, Detect magic))

DM_Hallu: just the one, Tobias.

Lina_Alesia: ((Can use untrained Know Noble?))

Ika_Yorri: ((can I substitute Bardic Knowledge, there?))

DM_Hallu: ((Some of this stuff is DC 10.))

Glru watches the crows, standing on a crate, watching for yesterday's bitch.

DM_Hallu: ((And yes, yes you can!))

Tobias: ((9))

Akavi: ((17! I redeem my earlier failure))

Glru: ((search or spot?))

DM_Hallu: Glru, you do not see yesterday's bitch.

Lina_Alesia: ((Know Noble 16, untrained))

Ika_Yorri: ((Bardic Knowledge: 8))

Glru: (wait, they're the same. 24 on search or spot))

Akavi: ((Also, recall that I'm in courtier's garments, with jewelry, so I have no penalty interacting with nobles))

DM_Hallu: Tobias, Ika, you don't recognize anyone. It is just a sea of multiracial faces to you. There are a good number of every major colonist race on the train, and two of every kind of Wildling. All of them are dressed up nice for the trip. There are also a surprising number of children. You see Rita near the back of the train with her husband and children crowded around her, and a few halflings and elves doing the same.

Lina_Alesia is wearing a white greatcoat marked with the sigil of the House Haurvatat.

Ika_Yorri: ((my streak of awesome rolls finally failed me on Bardic Knowledge... I got 8. That's after my +6 modifier!))

Lina_Alesia: ((Ika - better than my Listen 3!))

Tobias smiles, enjoying the atmosphere while keeping an eye out for trouble.

Akavi: ((The metal in the train is interfering with your super-Bard powers.))

DM_Hallu: Lina, you recognize about the same number of people that Akavi recognized yesterday. Calthea Solak has her hair done up abominably fancy and is surrounded with small hafling children.

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you recognize about a dozen people: besides Calthea Solak, there's a few successful artists and performers, a few politicians, some writers, a supermodel, a newspaper columnist, an obnoxious featherkin evangelist, and a half-orc professor (the latter having made the news a couple of times simply by virtue of the novelty of being a half-orc professor). You figure everyone on this train has got to be fairly well off, but most are probably not quite so famous as the ones you've recognized.

Tobias: ((or my listen 4))

Akavi: ((Alright.))

DM_Hallu: Alexis, you'd be getting on the train about now. Feel free to make your own Knowledge (nobility) check, if you have it.

Alexis_Hase: ((It can be taken untrained, yes?))

Alexis_Hase: ((Otherwise I don't make the check :D))

DM_Hallu: ((yes, but only up to DC 10.))

Glru: ((knowledge nobility, phear my 2!))

Alexis_Hase: ((Would a modifier apply, by the way? Absent Minded gives me a +1 if that affects anything XD))

Tobias: ((lord of ceiling fans! XD))

DM_Hallu: Glru, meet the Earl of Ceiling Fan.

Ika_Yorri: ((by the way, I'm getting a window-seat, and willing to break my promise to Lina for one! Grrrr! (not really)))

Alexis_Hase: ((Huh. How about that. I rolled a 20 without modifiers XD))

DM_Hallu: ((yes, the modifier would apply.))

Glru: ((you can't fool me! ceiling fan is a dutchy!))

DM_Hallu: You recognize Calthea Solak, the gnomish basketball star, and one or two other people.

Alexis_Hase: ((with modifiers, that'd be *counts* 24))

DM_Hallu: ((alas that you are untrained...))

Akavi: ((Earl of Fan: "It's a pleasure to meet you sir." "*fwup fwup fwup fwup*"))

Alexis_Hase quietly gets on the train, and takes any available small seat.

Lina_Alesia: ((Uh oh, sounds like the dutchy is unbalanced!))

DM_Hallu: Alexis, you would've gotten an exact seating assignment with your ticket. You're at the front, right behind the adventurers' seats, in an aisle seat.

Alexis_Hase: ((Alright ^^))

Glru: ((*dips the dutchie in coffee, nibbles the edge till it balances*))

Ika_Yorri: ((. . .))

DM_Hallu: Jove comes to the front of the passenger car and makes a big, enthusiastic, forgettable speech to the assembled passengers about everybody moving forward together into the future.

Glru: ((is the train in motion or still loading? I'll be standing by the door in armored greatcoat, looking large and impressive, watching the crowd until 'all aboard' is called))

Lina_Alesia quietly uses her Calm Emotions aura, which should cover the whole car and somewhat outside it.

Akavi turns to the others. "Well, let's keep an eye out the windows and on the passengers. I'll be looking for magical auras."

DM_Hallu: After this, "All aboard!" is called, and the train begins to close up (waiting for Glru to get on board, of course).

Akavi: ((Akavi casts Detect Magic and faces the majority of the car, concentrating the necessary rounds.))

DM_Hallu: ((Lina, what's the DC on that aura?))

Glru: ((re-enacts the scene from 'league of their own', chasing the train, throwing luggage on, jumping aboard at the last second))

Akavi: ((13))

Akavi: ((Whoops, not me))

Lina_Alesia: ((DC 18))

Glru saunters up the aisle, looking friendly-yet-serious, looking for anything suspicious.

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you just see the Continual Flame and Prestidigitation that I already mentioned... a couple of minor personal magic items... the supermodel has a glamour on to keep her hair shiny, things like that. Nothing that would pose a threat.

Ika_Yorri keeps her ears open.

Glru: ((pheh. spot 14. 4 ranks and an 18 intelligence and I get 14)

Akavi: ((OK))

Glru casually checks out the other felines.

DM_Hallu: You hear the sound of the train's steam engine starting up. Slowly, with cheers from the passengers, the train begins to move, faster and faster, soon gliding reasonably smoothly down the rails.

Glru grins as the engine gets under way, almost bouncing with enthusiasm, tail aswish with delight.

Alexis_Hase feels quite nervous, and keeps an eye on his familiar to make sure she's okay.

DM_Hallu: Glru, there are two feline passengers besides yourself, both in aisle seats about halfway down the train. One is a young male lion with a scraggly mane, and the other is a female jaguar in a rather severe business suit.

Akavi surveys the passengers calmly.

DM_Hallu: The lion looks unimpressed with the ride so far, but the jaguar is looking at everything with interest.

Tobias looks over those in the car before taking his seat. ((spot 17))

DM_Hallu: ((spot 17 for anything in particular, or just spot 17?))

Lina_Alesia tends to her doves; the raven is at home.

Glru spends a portion of his time watching the bird on alexis's shoulder with a look akin to someone wondering what flavour the last jelly donut is.

Tobias: ((just spot 17, looking for anything unusual, I guess))

Lina_Alesia: ((Sorry - only one dove is here))

DM_Hallu: You do not see anything particularly unusual.

Akavi: ((What's the length of the car again?))

Glru looks for anyone that doesn't look happy to be here, the lion in particular.

DM_Hallu: A couple of human children in the back - Rita's - look frightened and begin to cry at the noise and motion of the train. Rita attempts to comfort them, but has difficulty; after a minute or two, the half-orc professor across the aisle leans over and begins to tell them a funny story, which cheers them up.

DM_Hallu: The car is big enough for about 80 people.

Glru: ((hah! 25 spot this time.))

DM_Hallu: I'd say 60 feet long...

DM_Hallu: ((And your sense motive please?))

Ika_Yorri: ((any Rabbitfolk children about?))

DM_Hallu: ((Nope, just two grownup rabbitfolk... one is Alexis, the other one is an athletic-looking female.))

DM_Hallu: Glru, the lion seems restless, as though he is waiting for something.

Lina_Alesia waits, hands crossed in her lap.

Akavi regards Lina's dove and continues to wait.

Alexis_Hase talks to his Raven Familiar, in Infernal. "No worries, Dusk, the trip should be okay."

Akavi: ((Listen 15)) to hear the comment.

DM_Hallu: People blink at Alexis, wondering what language he is speaking...

Akavi: ((Akavi speaks infernal)))

Lina_Alesia: ((Would I be able to recognize that? o.0))

Alexis_Hase looks around at everyone on the train, then turns back to Dusk, talking to her again in Infernal. "A lot of the folks here seem to be very well off."

DM_Hallu: A human woman leans out of her seat, angling for a better look at Alexis.

Glru: ((I still haven't picked my last bonus language, bad me.))

Akavi: ((How near to Alexis am I? Near enough to converse?))

Lina_Alesia comments to her Dove in Celestial to keep an eye out for trouble.

Lina_Alesia: ((Couldn't resist. :P))

DM_Hallu: ((Alexis is right behind the PC section. You could easily go and converse with him if you wish.))

Glru: ((has feline and common, then canid, dwarvish and elvish but still needs one more.))

Ika_Yorri keeps her ears perked as she looks out the window.

DM_Hallu: ((well, not fair to pick Infernal now...))

Glru: ((I didn't know it was an option, and couldn't see how I'd learn it :) ))

Akavi stands and, shooting a smile to the concerned woman, leans over into Alexis' ear and whispers in Infernal "Excuse me, but I think you're making some people nervous."

DM_Hallu: The woman's eyes widen as she watches both of you.

Glru glides over to Tobias and mentions quietly that the lion looks suspicious, Alexis_Hase gasps and claps a hand over his mouth. He responds, in Infernal "I... I didn't mean to..." then tries to stop talking before he makes anything worse.

Glru also shares his suspicions with the others, but as less thumpy sorts, they are slightly lower priority, and the offensive spellcaster is occupied.

Tobias looks over toward the lion. ((sense motive 16))

DM_Hallu: You see about the same thing that Glru did. He's restless, he's waiting for something.

Akavi smiles and switches to common. "Not at all. But it's not a particularly pretty language, though I say that with all fondness."

DM_Hallu: The woman walks up to Akavi and puts a hand on his arm. "Excuse me, sir."

Ika_Yorri: "What's not a pretty language? All that 'blich-lak-mikhan' you were on about?"

Glru: ((Glru chooses in-fern-al, and chats with fronds.))

Akavi: "Yes?" Akavi says, flashing his most brilliant smile.

Tobias: ((XD))

DM_Hallu: "Sir, do you know who that man is?" says the woman quietly, motioning to Alexis.

Alexis_Hase shrinks back in his seat a little, growing more nervous by the minute.

Akavi: "Not personally, ma'am, but I assure you, don't be concerned by how he talks. It's just an extraplanar language."

Glru is now suspicious of both the lion and the rabbit with the bird.

Akavi: ((Sense motive 16 to examine Alexis))

DM_Hallu: "Sir, that man is a devil!"

Glru: "Am pretty sure those are bunny ears, not horns.�

Ika_Yorri looks over her seat at Alexis.

Alexis_Hase gasps, and looks around, beginning to panic at this accusation but unsure what to do.

Akavi: "Hold on for a moment, Ma'am" Cast detect magic straight on Alexis, concentrating three rounds.

Glru realizes he said that out loud, koffs into his fist.

Ika_Yorri: (in Lapin) "You're not really a devil, are you?"

Akavi: ((damn it, can't type))

Tobias: ((man, none of this can be making Alexis feel comfortable XD))

DM_Hallu: The woman ignores you. "You see? He knows it's true. I know this man, sir. He makes a practice of stalking honest individuals and destroying their livelihood. Why was he allowed onto this train?"

Alexis_Hase stays silent, almost frozen in panic.

Akavi: "I'm an expert in disguise, ma'am, and there's nothing unusual about this person whatsoever"

Akavi: ((I'll assume detect magic yielded nothing))

Glru: "glru thinks bird on shoulder wittle unusual.."

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you do see a faint magical aura around Alexis.

DM_Hallu: Also his bird.

Akavi: ((WELL, F&*^K))

Akavi: ((I stand by my statement.))

DM_Hallu: ((*blinks*))

DM_Hallu: ((You could make a Spellcraft check to try to identify the kind of aura...))

Akavi puts a hand on the woman's shoulder and raises his voice slightly to Lina. "Are you capable of detecting evil?"

Akavi: ((Oh, right. I'll do that too.))

Akavi: ((Spellcraft 24))

Glru: ((oocly we're looking for suspicious folk, and the bunny chatting in devil with a raven doesn't ring any alarm bells?))

Akavi: ((He's a wizard! Probably. Maybe.))

Tobias perks up at the activity. "Everything alright?"

Akavi: ((I hope))

Alexis_Hase speaks to his familiar in Infernal again. "I don't think coming here was a good idea..."

Lina_Alesia: "No, sorry... I could tell if he was undead, but not demonic."

DM_Hallu: Most of the magic is a bond between the rabbit and his familiar. He also appears to have some spellcasting capability.

Glru shifts his grip on his wrench in case he might need to use it.

Lina_Alesia: (( not technically true; my dove can Smite Evil, but that's bending my vows farther than I'd like))

Glru: ((is there a cleric in the house?))

Lina_Alesia: (To the lady) "Ma'am, can you tell us how you know this man?"

Glru: (( so smite evil, and if he doesn't say 'ow' then he's okay))

Akavi: "I don't think we�re at risk for that." Cringing at what this might make the woman do he turns to Alexis and speaks more forcefully that he might have liked. In Infernal: "Sir, unless you can speak common I'd ask you to stay quiet until this idiot goes away." In Common: "There's no problem ma'am."

DM_Hallu: The woman stares at both of you. "You're both devils! You're in league with each other!"

Akavi: ((What type of check do I roll to keep her off the crazy path?))

DM_Hallu: The woman looks to Alesia. "Ma'am, it was my brother. The rabbit man didn't kill him, but he did everything else he could..."

DM_Hall: ((Dunno, what do you feel like rolling? I'm afraid she already made her Will save against the Calming Aura...))

DM_Hallu: ((natural 20, it was really spectacular.))

Akavi: ((can I roll Bluff without lying?))

Alexis_Hase quickly fumbles about in his pouch and finds a small parchment rolled up into a cone.

DM_Hallu: ((Sure, why not? Or else there's Diplomacy, or Intimidate, but Intimidate is probably a really really bad idea on this crowded train.))

Glru drifts closer, ready to grab with or swing his wrench, but is unsure if it's the woman or the bunny he needs to clobber.

DM_Hallu: The woman makes a grab for Alexis' arm as he fumbles, suspecting him of being about to cast a spell.

DM_Hallu: ((Alexis, AC, please?))

DM_Hallu: ((oh wait, I have your character sheet...))

Alexis_Hase: ((It's slightly different though XD))

Alexis_Hase: ((13 because of the new dex modifier))

DM_Hallu: ((Also, Strength check?))

Alexis_Hase: ((11))

Akavi: "Ma'am, I'm an agent of House Aletheia, specially tasked with the protection of these passengers. Trust me, I know what I'm doing." ((Bluff 25, Diplomacy 14))

Lina_Alesia: ((Assuming this works out... will you allow "Protection from Evil" to detect it?))

DM_Hallu: ((Yes.))

DM_Hallu: The woman grabs Alexis' arm quite deftly, but can't quite manage to hold on.

DM_Hallu: ((In other words, she stopped you before you could fumble, but you're not in a full-fledged grapple.))

Lina_Alesia steps between the two, then casts Protection from Evil on herself.

Alexis_Hase yelps as his arm is grabbed, but is relieved when he is freed.

Akavi steps backwards swiftly from Lina.

DM_Hallu: The woman looks at Akavi with distrust, but his words and Lina's intervention at least make her pause a moment.

Ika_Yorri walks to Alexis' seat.

DM_Hallu: Lina... you now have a fuzzy sense of where the evil is on this train.

Lina_Alesia: "You, sir, take my hand!" *holds out her left hand, hoping he'll have a visible reaction to contacting it if he's evil*

DM_Hallu: You know there are several evil creatures on this train, but you wouldn't be able to detect them unless they got right up in your personal space... however, one or two people are currently there at the moment.

Glru positions himself to clobber either the human or the rabbit, interposing the length of his wrench between them "please do not touch each other, this will be clarified soon." he also watches the lion out of the corner of his eye in case what the lion has been waiting for is a distraction.

DM_Hallu: Alexis is in close proximity to you, and you aren't getting any evil vibes from him.

Lina_Alesia: "Ma'am, please take my other hand" *offers it to her*

DM_Hallu: Akavi, however, is seriously radiating them.

DM_Hallu: The woman distrustfully takes your hand.

Tobias: ((dun dun DUN))

DM_Hallu: She does not give you evil vibes.

Alexis_Hase shakily takes the healer's hand.

Akavi: "I'm sure that if we all calm down this can be resolved with a minimum of fuss." ((Bluff 26 to pass the secret message "Now is not the time to take this up."))

Lina_Alesia holds both hands tight and concentrates for a moment, more for show than anything else.

Akavi: ((You enjoyed that, didn't you, Hallu?))

DM_Hallu: ((I totally did.))

Akavi: ((I could tell from the separate posts.))

Akavi: ((Very dramatic))

DM_Hallu: ((thank you, dear.))

Lina_Alesia: "Ma'am, I can assure you this man, whatever he may have done, is not registering as Evil in any way. Neither of you are. I'd appreciate if you attempt to resolve any difficulties quietly when this ride is finished."

Glru: ((dun Dun DU?NNNNNNNNNNNN))

Glru: ((cut to commercial))

DM_Hallu: The woman bites her lip and hesitates, but then she nods. "Fine."

Alexis_Hase shrinks back in his seat, giving a quick shudder.

DM_Hallu: She returns to her seat.

Ika_Yorri returns to her seat, too.

DM_Hallu: Glru, the lion has been watching this scene with about the same interest level as the rest of the passengers. Whatever he's been waiting for, this does not appear to have been it.

Akavi returns to his seat, as far away from the paranoid woman as possible, fully expecting to have to talk with Lina.

Lina_Alesia sits quietly next to Akavi and murmers "I suppose you have some explaining to do?"

Alexis_Hase leans over to the seats in front of him where the rest of the party are, and whispers a "Thanks." in common, before shrinking back into his seat and trying to calm down.

Akavi: "I suppose I do. Well? Does your promise keep your from smiting me where I stand?"

Alexis_Hase looks visibly embarrassed by the altercation, and tries to hide his face.

Akavi, takes of break from focusing on Lina and smiles kindly at him.

Lina_Alesia: "I have no intention of smiting you, or of talking to anyone else, as long as you don't cause trouble. I would like an explanation though, if you have one."

Alexis_Hase rummages in his pocket again, and pulls out the cone of parchment he had before. Quickly making sure he wasn't noticed by the woman, he silently casts Ventriloquism.

Glru returns to the end of the car, taking an aisle seat where he can watch the train if one is available, other wise he stands, leaning his back on the forward wall.

Alexis_Hase: ((Time for a little revenge, Alexis style XD))

Akavi: "I like gold, have a penchant for channeling negative energy, summon fiendish creature to do my bidding with callous disregard for the safety of those around me, and lie through my teeth. I think that covers it." Akavi hisses, his eyes narrowed defensively.

Akavi: ((How convenient that we're distracted))

Alexis_Hase: (Ventriloquism, behind the woman) (Basically incoherent chanting in Infernal, in an attempt to frighten her)

DM_Hallu: The woman leaps out of her seat visibly.

DM_Hallu: ((Glru, are you at the front or back of the train?))

Glru wonders if a 23 spot notices the bunny doing magic? granted, the bunny is only his second favorite for the roll of troublemaker, after the lion and narrowly before the human.

Alexis_Hase: (Ventriloquism again, same position, this time in common) "That's how you made me feel just now."

Glru: ((human woman that accused him))

DM_Hallu: "How dare you?" the woman hisses.

Akavi: ((Fine, that undoes the distraction. Spellcraft 23 to figure out what happened.))

Glru is at the front, where the PC seats are.

DM_Hallu: ((Alexis, make some kind of role to have done that secretly.))

Lina_Alesia: "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. Is positive energy harmful to you then?"

Alexis_Hase: ((To have done what secretly?))

DM_Hallu: ((The ventriloquism.))

Akavi returns his attention to Lina. "No. I appreciate your consideration."

Alexis_Hase: ((If you're talking about the actual casting, then I made sure the Ventriloquism was a silenced, and took one slot higher than normal.))

Alexis_Hase: ((If you mean the pulling out of the component, then sure, I'll roll whatever would be relevant.))

Alexis_Hase: ((Sleight of hand would probably do for the Focus thing XD))

Akavi: ((Does my spellcraft tell me what happened?))

DM_Hallu: ((Okay, roll sleight of hand.))

Alexis_Hase: ((It's trained only, so I pretty much auto-fail XD))

Alexis_Hase: ((*must remember to take "Jack Of All Trades" as next feat. XD))

DM_Hallu: Akavi, you noticed him doing something with his spell components.

DM_Hallu: Roll Spellcraft.

Akavi: ((I did earlier. 23))

DM_Hallu: Oh right...

DM_Hallu: He cast Ventriloquism.

Alexis_Hase is currently smiling to himself, knowing that he had served his own form of justice, in a way.

Akavi gives lina a quick smile and says "I'll talk more later. My contract needs me." Standing, the elf puts an authoritative hand on Alexis' shoulder without saying anything.

Alexis_Hase gasps and almost leaps out of his seat.

Akavi: Leaning down, he makes cold eye contact. "Nice. Wizard or sorceror?"

Alexis_Hase: Trembling, Alexis replies, "W-Wizard. Focused Sp-Specialist, Illusion."

Akavi: "Fine. Sorceror. Focused specialist, keeping anything stupid from happening here. Are you done?"

Akavi: ((If you need me to, I'll roll for intimidation, but I'm not really doing anything besides talking tough.))

Alexis_Hase nods shakily.

Akavi smiles and lifts his hand, patting him on the shoulder. "Good. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the trick. But I have some stake in the peacefulness of this train ride." Turning, he returns to his seat.