[12:06] Okay, let's skip ahead to the next morning after a poor night's sleep for everyone. [12:06] You're still hunted by some now very angry cultists [12:06] There's something bizarre happening that ties into the works of Lewis Caroll [12:06] And of course, there's signs of a terrible evil conspiracy [12:07] And I'm on the wrong chat client [12:07] That's better [12:07] ooc lol [12:07] That was pretty unsettling. [12:07] So, what are your plans [12:07] Someone was mentioning going to talk to some lady whose son did some wierd paintings [12:08] Go to Disneyland? [12:08] Doesn't exist yet [12:08] The woman with the strange shadow, I believe. [12:08] aw [12:08] That's the one, Early [12:08] Old Mrs. Shipley? [12:08] Well, I already talked to her and I think she's suspicious of me now [12:08] I think Nick is the only one she doesn't know. [12:09] Why is it we wear out our welcome everywhere we go? [12:09] Because everyone is evil? [12:09] * Nick nods knowingly [12:09] We haven't burned down a building in days! Don't we get some credit for that? [12:09] Must be. Certainly couldn't be our fault. [12:10] no we burned down a building last night. [12:10] Damn. It's so hard to remember. [12:10] Alex's apartment building to be precise [12:10] I see. That was last night. [12:10] and the night before that Gavigan's Estate [12:10] It's all coming back to me, now. [12:11] We were just entertained by the hookers from the bar. [12:11] Hookers? [12:11] Well, I don't think we actually hired them, but the bartender kept mentioning them. [12:12] Oh I remember that now [12:13] And how about those fish... dinners we had? [12:13] * Nick looks a little pale [12:13] Quite representative of our cuisine on this journey thus far. [12:13] * Eric wonders where we are [12:13] Some pub [12:13] Sort of a hole in the wall type of place [12:14] So why do I need to go talk to this Shipley lady again? [12:14] She may know where Penhew is. [12:15] How so? I never got a good account of what was going on with her anyway [12:15] Well, when Chris and I braced her she mentioned a customer had commisioned the painting of Gavigan's Estate. [12:15] I don't know. Wasn't she acting as a go-between for Gavigan and Penhew? [12:15] A Mr. Whenep, obviously an anagram of Penhew. [12:16] Wait, didn't someone see a picutre of the esate burning down, and then it happened? [12:16] Well, I believe he actually painted it shortly after our visit to Mr. Gavigan's estate. [12:17] And her son is the painter, correct? [12:17] Actually, he started the painting before it happened, because we saw it in the paper after we got back. [12:17] right [12:17] Either that or he's a very fast painter. [12:18] * Eric has to go afk for a bit, sorry [12:18] So you think there is some sort of tie-in between the painting and the burning? [12:19] I think that he is able to see the future... [12:19] But I think it is also possible that his painting act as some sort of focus for magic [12:19] Was that green flame thingy present at Gavigan's estate by chance? [12:19] No, that was just us. [12:19] Everyone roll [12:19] I don't think Miles knows what his scenes represent, necessarily. [12:19] d100 [12:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 68. [12:19] d100 [12:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 16. [12:19] Gavigan was trying to bring a monster into our world at the estate, so Shipley's painting may have been commisioned to aid that process. [12:19] d100 [12:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 83. [12:20] d100 [12:20] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 38. [12:20] d100 [12:20] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Eric (d100) and gets 28. [12:20] Bizzare. [12:20] I can only assume whatever he was summoning was better left whereever it is [12:20] I think his mind is just open on some odd wavelength. [12:20] Does anyone smell that? [12:20] Smell what? [12:20] * Early sniffs the air [12:20] I smell ozone [12:20] No. [12:20] * Roland gets up and looks around. [12:21] * Nick tries to tell where the smell is comming from [12:21] I think we should be leaving now gentlemen. [12:21] Probably a good idea [12:21] * Nick nods [12:21] Then let's go. [12:21] Everyone feels the hairs on their arms standing up [12:21] * Roland heads for the door [12:21] "Oh dear" [12:21] * Early follows. [12:21] * Nick follows Roland [12:21] * Alexander follows Roland [12:21] * Eric follows [12:21] As Roland touches the doorknob he recoils from getting a shock [12:22] Ah! [12:22] What the devil? [12:22] What was it? [12:22] Roland? You all right? [12:22] "What happened? Was the knob hot?" [12:22] I felt electricity. [12:22] Everyone roll [12:22] d100 [12:22] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 57. [12:22] d100 [12:22] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 20. [12:22] * Alexander touches the knob with a fingertip [12:22] d100 [12:22] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 87. [12:22] Keeper: Are there cloth napkins here? [12:22] d100 [12:22] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 49. [12:23] A small blue arc leaps from the handle to Alex's finger making him jump [12:23] Sparks are now arcing from all the metalic objects in the room [12:23] Someone break the door down! [12:23] "Uhhh, this can't be good" [12:23] "Okay. We should leave, fast." [12:23] "Bartender, do you have a dry towel?" [12:23] One of the patrons jumps up and tears his belt off which is sparking [12:24] He tosses a rag to Nick [12:24] * Nick triest to open the door with the rag to insulate [12:24] Nick opens the door to the cool early morning fog [12:24] * Nick looks around and hurries outside [12:24] * Roland runs out [12:24] The rail that leads up to the street is sparking as well [12:24] * Alexander leaves [12:25] "Don't touch the rail" [12:25] * Early gets out without touching the rail. [12:25] * Roland gets away from anything metal [12:25] Standing across the street is the man you saw in Alex's apartment before [12:26] the wabe guy? [12:27] The wabe guy [12:27] No, sundial in the middle of the street, though [12:27] wabe guy? [12:27] Is he staring down Alex again? [12:27] No, he's watching the group [12:27] BTW, he also just exitted the bar behind you [12:27] * Roland walks up to him [12:27] * Early waves at him. [12:27] "Why are you doing this to us!?" [12:28] * Alexander approaches [12:28] So he's now standing at the bottom of the steps and across the street [12:28] "This is indeed a disturbing development" [12:28] (to the guy in the doorway) "What's going on, here?" [12:28] So are there two? [12:29] Yes [12:29] How are they dressed? [12:30] Both of them speak in unison. "You're actions are irrelivent. Give me what I need and you may continue your fool's errand." [12:30] They're dressed in suits that are twenty years out of style, late Victorian outfits... [12:31] "And . . . er . . . what is it that you need?" [12:31] "What do you want?" [12:32] There's a sound like a massive machine running amok and a third one steps out of the fog to your left [12:32] "Wha? [12:32] "What's going on here?" [12:32] * Nick mutters to himself "Now there is something you don't see everyday" [12:32] * Roland examines them closely for any differences. [12:32] All three of them speak: "We need the vorpol sword to be prepared for the days to come." [12:32] Roland can roll [12:33] "What in the days to come will require a vorpol sword?" [12:33] "Better yet, what is a vorpol sword exactly?" [12:33] "You would never be able to understand." [12:33] d100 [12:33] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 23. [12:33] "You'd be surprised. . . " [12:33] "It's what was used to kill the Jabberwock in the poem Jabberwocky." [12:33] "I see" [12:34] "How are we supposed to get a vorpal sword if you do not tell us what it is, pray tell?" [12:34] "I've got a pocket knife. Will that do?" [12:34] "It was taken from the White King and he will be needing it in the days to come." [12:35] "Who took it?" [12:35] "And why come to us about it?" [12:35] "A fool who thought she could prevent the dreams from ending." [12:35] not spoken aloud - did one of us take a knife from the temple? [12:35] "They remind me of women. They want something but they refuse to tell us what it is and get mad at us for not knowing already." [12:35] yes we did [12:36] "Where is she now?" [12:36] "I assume you're referring to Alice Liddel?" [12:36] "She passed the sword on and Justice took her." [12:36] * Eric wonders if Alice gave Chris anything [12:36] "To whom was the sword passed?" [12:37] A new one slowly levitates himself to the ground to stand in the middle of the street about ten feet away from you. [12:38] "That one." They all point at Chris. [12:38] "They're falling out of the woodwork, apparently." [12:38] * Nick turns and looks at Chris [12:38] "How many of you should we expect?" [12:38] "We can exist at all space and time now." [12:38] ooc who is Chris exactly? [12:38] "Chris, did she give you anything in the asylum?" [12:38] Chris does not remember being given anything [12:38] ooc the player isn't here right now [12:39] ooc he was a prisoner at Gavigan's estate but we helped him escape so he joined us [12:39] ooc ok [12:39] "Just who is this white king? What are his intentions?" [12:40] "He is the dreamer who gives form to the world. Soon it will be his time again." [12:40] "What will happen when it is his time again?" [12:41] "All the gates shall be openned." [12:41] "Gates to where exactly?" [12:41] "That sounds potentially dangerous, doesn't it?" [12:41] "Everywhen." [12:41] * Eric nods [12:41] "What if some gates are better left shut?" [12:42] "Tell you what guys. We'll keep our eyes open, and if we find a vorpal sword, we'll be sure to let you know. Is there a number where we can reach you?" [12:42] "The gears begin to turn again. We shall meet twice more." [12:42] The men vanish in the order they appeared, disolving into what appear to be soap bubbles that blow away [12:43] "OK. I'm going to rule out the Alexander-in-the-future theory regarding these guys." [12:43] "Well, that was bizzare. I don't like the sound of gates opened to everywhen" [12:43] "Weren't they always staring at Chris?" [12:43] I'd kind of like to hear this theory [12:43] "Alexander-in-the-future?" [12:43] "I agree. If we do find a vorpal sword I think we should endeavor to keep it away from them." [12:44] When these guys first arrived (actually it was just one), we thought it was Alexander coming back from the future." [12:44] "What worries me Roland is can we stop them from taking it?" [12:44] "Would anyone know a vorpal sword if they saw it?" [12:44] "And why can't they just fetch it themselves?" [12:44] * Eric thinks about it [12:44] "It may not be literal. Perhaps Alice somehow passed something to Chris spiritually." [12:44] "It may not even be recognizable as a sword." [12:45] "Out of morbid curiosity, what made you think it was Alexander from the future?" [12:45] "I'd have to say that either Early or Alex has it right, I seriously doubt we are actually looking for a sword" [12:45] "He was following Nick. Keeping equidistant from the sundial, but on the other side." [12:45] "Me?" [12:45] replace Nick with Alex [12:45] oh, heh [12:46] That was with Chris [12:46] ooc yeah [12:46] Cthulhu speaks! [12:46] "If it was me in the future, I should hope I'd have better manners." [12:46] That's what I get for checking my refrence materials [12:46] Swap all that Alex stuff with Chris, then. [12:46] * Eric turns to Chris, "what did Alice say when you saw her?" [12:46] Chris only remembers bumping into her for a moment as she tried to escape [12:47] "By the way, I don't think we should keep standing here in the street." [12:47] "Where should we go?" [12:47] "Where can we go?" [12:47] "Are you sure she didn't pass anything to you when she bumped into you?" [12:47] * Eric shrugs [12:47] Chris is certain that nothing got passed [12:48] "What did she say?" [12:48] "Did she say anything that seems relevant?" [12:50] Chris says that she didn't say anything to him [12:50] "She said something..." [12:50] I would look it up in the log... but I don't think they're posted [12:50] * Keeper keeper digs into the old logs... [12:51] [FLASHBACK!]"It's you who have it." [12:51] [FLASHBACK!]"Hast thou slain the..." [12:52] oj [12:52] OJ Simpson? [12:52] I found it actually... But yeah [12:52] I meant oh. [12:53] Chris searches his pockets and doesn't turn up anything more interesting than lint [12:53] "What she said seems to suggest that Chris is carrying around a vorpal sword." [12:53] "But what the hell does that mean? Is it a metaphor for something?" [12:53] "So do we assume this is some sort of metaphysical thing?" [12:53] "Maybe it means he is destined to perform some action." [12:53] Everyone can roll [12:53] d100 [12:53] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 5. [12:53] ARG! [12:53] Slay the jabberwock? [12:53] d100 [12:53] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Eric (d100) and gets 29. [12:53] d100 [12:53] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 81. [12:53] d100 [12:53] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 99. [12:54] Critical failure! [12:54] And success [12:54] Woooooo! [12:54] d100 [12:54] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 55. [12:54] oops [12:55] "Come to think of it, what does a Jabberwock look like?" [12:55] A dragon, basically. [12:56] Someone had a link to a picture before. [12:56] "Ok, this is definately metaphor at work" [12:56] all you know from the poem is "jaws that bite" and "claws that catch" [12:56] "Carrol's work is supposed to be filled with anagrams and metaphors" [12:56] and that it burbles, I think [12:57] "Many of his poems were supposed to have much deeper hidden meanings" [12:57] "I thought it was all a bunch of tripe." [12:57] "The anagrams themselves are said to contain the hidden meanins as well" [12:57] "Guys, I think it's pretty obvious that we're dealing with some sort of magical sword. I'm guessing that guy was Merlin, and he's trying to get Excalibur back." [12:58] "We're in the right part of the world for it, you know." [12:58] "I think if there is a tie in, its more complicated than that" [12:58] "I mean, it still may not be a sword." [12:58] * Keeper can't help but note that such a plan would involve a trip to Cornwall. ;) [12:58] "Litterally." [12:58] Yes! [12:59] lol [12:59] OOC Careful, there might be corn there. [12:59] "No, I'm pretty sure it's Excalibur." [12:59] "What makes you think that, Early?" [12:59] "I don't see what that has to do with Carrol's works though." [12:59] "I think that's where the key lies, obviously." [12:59] "neither do I" [13:00] "But how could we be carrying around Excalibur and not notice it?" [13:00] It' obvious! We're in England. We're looking for a "magical vorpal blade". We've got some sort of magician at work." [13:00] "So the vorpal sword and the Jabberwock are metaphors for. . .something." [13:00] "And Chris is somehow involved." [13:00] "And Mr. I can coexist in all times and spaces at once." [13:01] "You know, some people have asserted that there are anagrams in some of Carroll's poems revealing him to be Jack the Ripper." [13:01] "A bit far fetched, I think, but there might be something else deep down." [13:02] "Well, Chris, what do you think makes you so special? We do not yet know much about you." [13:02] "Did Alice whisper where Excalibur is being kept? Is that why you don't have it?" [13:02] "Early, I really think you are interpreting things too literally." [13:03] Chris is completely lost; he avoided lit classes in school [13:03] "Sure. It's some mysterious spiritual sword, and not the famed Excalibur. You're not taking things literally enough." [13:03] [Keeper looks up from the CoC manual] Geez, it's 1d100 SAN loss to see this guy? Hmm... guess you guys better be careful... [13:03] * Nick groans [13:03] ;) [13:04] Considder that your official warning. :) [13:04] Bloody hell [13:05] "Well, then, what could a vorpal sword represent?" [13:05] "Early don't be silly. Its not a sword a tall, obviously." [13:05] * Nick shrugs [13:05] "Some sort of power focus, perhaps?" [13:05] "Well, what's long and hard? And Pointy, I mean!" [13:05] "I think it represents a sword. Let's not try to outthink ourselves." [13:06] "For that matter, what distinguishes a vorpal sword from a normal sword?" [13:06] "Well, obviously it's many vorpal qualities!" [13:06] "In poem, is the Jabberwock supposed to be hard to kill?" [13:06] Early as an editor would know there's no such word as "vorpal" [13:06] "It kills Jabberwocks? It goes 'Snicker-Snack'?" [13:07] "Vorpal is an Anglo term, I believe. It's not in the English language, but it can be roughly translated to mean "really sharp"." [13:08] "Or it could just mean nothing, and Carroll liked the sound of the word." [13:08] "I don't think the word matters, though." [13:08] "The poem's not exactly logical." [13:09] "I think that we are not going to understand this tonight. We need to decide what to do now." [13:09] * Nick nods [13:09] "It may be something we cannot figure out until we meet Mr. Space-Time again, in any case." [13:10] * Alexander checks the time [13:10] It's 4am [13:10] "I wonder what the odds of getting a bit of shut-eye are right now." [13:10] "Everytime we seem to settle in, something happens." [13:10] "Odd, isn't it?" [13:10] * Nick nods [13:10] "Well, just about every building we've slept in has burned down." [13:11] Hey, that's only when you settle in and aren't doing anything. ;) [13:11] * Alexander grumbles about his flat [13:12] Well, what are you going to do other than stand in the fog waiting for another monster to show up? [13:12] "We should go sleep somewhere for awhile. Lets find a hotel." [13:13] "Let's find a cheap flophouse and crash." [13:13] Go for a midnight swim in the channel ;) [13:13] "You know what we should do? Find some monster zoo representative, then let him follow us around and catch any monsters that come after us. That way we would be safe and get paid." [13:13] That's not a bad idea . . . . [13:14] So that's it? A flophouse then? [13:14] "Let's see if we can find a fairly non-flammable place to get some shuteye." [13:14] nod [13:14] "Okay." [13:15] Well, you manage to find a quiet place nearby, pay your shilling a peice (you're getting ripped off but at this hour it's all you can do) and sleep in til ten in the morning [13:15] Did I every get any non-hooker related info from the bartender on where to stay? [13:15] never mind [13:16] "urgh [13:16] " [13:16] So, it's now the morning. The place has just about cleared out though theres a few people who work the nights still asleep [13:17] * Roland goes to the lobby to wait for the others. [13:17] "Hey! The place didn't burn down." [13:17] * Nick heads down to the lobby [13:17] * Eric thanks god and heads down to the lobby [13:17] * Alexander heads on down [13:17] * Early heads to lobby. [13:17] * Alexander sniffs the air for smoke [13:17] Just the usually smoke from the London factories [13:18] "Something's wrong. The building's still here." [13:18] "I need to go to the museum and get another copy of the tablet for my notes." [13:18] "Okay, then. What leads do we have to follow up on?" [13:18] "Anyone else want to come?" [13:18] "I will." [13:18] "Nick, should you go visit the old lady instead?" [13:19] "Oh, I suppose so. Someone is going to have to prep me for the visit, though." [13:19] Everyone roll, highest score looses [13:19] "I'll need the details of the last encounter with her. Don't want to make any mistakes." [13:19] d100 [13:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 59. [13:19] "I'll go with Roland" [13:19] d100 [13:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 51. [13:19] d100 [13:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Eric (d100) and gets 50. [13:19] d100 [13:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 61. [13:19] saved! [13:19] grr [13:19] d100 [13:19] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 27. [13:19] looses what praytell? [13:20] "I suppose I'll go with Roland to the museum." [13:20] His soul [13:20] Oh, I figured it was just self-respect [13:20] He has to go with me? [13:21] Maybe I don't want to go to the museum anymore... [13:21] * Eric starts to slowly back away from alexander [13:21] "What information do we want Nick to try to get from Shipley's mom?" [13:21] Well, I think hanging on to your soul could only be a liability here [13:21] "And what shouldn't I mention to her?" [13:22] "He needs to find out any information about Penhew who is going under the alias Whenep." [13:22] "It is possible that the Shipley woman knows precisely who Penhew is in which case she will be very tight lipped." [13:22] "Should I even bother mentioning Whenep? Should I say I know they are one and the same?" [13:22] Did we ever find out what that covered painting was? [13:22] "Easier said than done. Any ideas on an approach tactic that won't upset her?" [13:23] "I feel as if I'm heading blindly into a delicate situation." [13:23] "Be complimentary about the art, and if she asks you to closely examine a picture, fake it." [13:23] "Ok." [13:23] "Close examination has dire effects I take it?" [13:23] "Don't say you're from the magazine - she already knows we're here." [13:23] "One would assume." [13:23] "Make up a fake name." [13:23] "Should I claim to be from an art gallery or something?" [13:24] "Fake name? I'll be Bernard Trembley" [13:24] "In America" [13:24] ;) [13:24] lol [13:24] "Fine, I'm from a Gallery in NY. I've heard of her sons incredible work then?" [13:24] "And how can I approach the subject of Penhew?" [13:24] "If you can find the estate painting, tell her you want to buy it." [13:25] "Should I actually buy it if she agrees?" [13:25] "Hopefully she'll say it's commissioned, and you can try to get the person who commissioned it's name to buy it from him." [13:25] "I see." [13:25] "I don't think she'll sell it. Penhew commissioned it." [13:25] "Exactly. And say the gallery is willing to exceed any price Penhew can offer for it. But do not reference Penhew by name or as Whenep since you should not know about him yet." [13:25] (Didn't he?) [13:25] "Sounds like a decent enough plan, though." [13:26] "Wow, we actually have a plan this time." [13:26] "I'm sure you'll be able to screw it up somehow." ;-) [13:26] "Maybe I should take a molotov cocktail just in case. . ." ;) [13:27] "Ok, when I am done, where should I meet everyone?" [13:27] Oh, come on, it's just an old woman... She's not even a cleaning lady [13:27] Can we assume I know the name of a gallery in NY? [13:27] Well, you might not [13:27] * Early is suddenly glad Alexander "lost" the roll. [13:28] Being a private detective you didn't get out to them much [13:28] Surely someone in the group knows the name of a gallery though [13:28] "Someone think of a gallery name in NY." [13:28] * Eric thinks [13:28] "Roland, any galleries in NY, or should we make one up?" [13:28] "The Palace" [13:28] "Is that real?" [13:28] "I'm not from New York." [13:28] "No, I just made it up. Sound palatial, though." [13:28] "But you're the arty type." ;) [13:29] "Does anyone know the name of a galery in the US at all? If not I'll have to go with the Palace." [13:29] "I'm really only interested in the art of dead cultures. Anything less than 2000 years old bores me." [13:29] "I'm not sure 'The Palace' sounds like a gallery." [13:29] ooc does anyone actually know a gallery in NY? [13:29] "Just use the "Franklin Gallery" or something like that." [13:30] There's a rule of thumb about making stuff like this up, just use a last name [13:30] "Oooh, that sounds good." [13:30] "How about 'The Smith-Windham Collection' ?" [13:30] heh, ILB beat you to the punch [13:30] "Franklin Gallery it is." [13:30] Associated with the Franklin Mint, of course. [13:31] "Should the rest of us go to the library, or are there other leads to follow?" [13:31] "So where should I meet everyone when I am done?" [13:32] "The library sounds good. You can research vorpal swords and White Kings and wabes." [13:32] "We can always just pick him up at the sanitarium." [13:32] "Meet us at the library." [13:32] * Nick nods [13:32] "Okay, I am off for the musuem. Goodbye all." [13:33] "Where is MRs Shipley anyway? I'll take a cab there." [13:33] Okay, Museum goers in Channel #Museum [13:33] * Early gives address. [13:33] * Roland goes out and heads for the library. [13:33] * Nick reads it and nods [13:33] Nick in channel #Shipley [13:33] Does museum = libary? [13:33] I thought you guys were going to the British Museum for the tablet stuff, but yes [13:33] library, that is. [13:33] It will work [13:34] "Has Nick left yet?" [13:34] * Nick goes outside to get a cab [13:34] Make sure you use the pound sign in the Channel name [13:34] it's /join #museum guys [13:35] * Eric follows nick, "here," gives Nick his gun so that no one can see it, "you might need it." [13:35] * Eric then goes with the rest of the group [13:35] * Nick "Thanks." [13:35] * Nick secures the weapon [13:58] *** Early has quit IRC (error 10054_) [13:59] *** Early has joined #MainGame [15:10] *** Eric has quit IRC (error 10054_) [15:25] *** Eric has joined #maingame [15:25] we're still in museum [15:36] *** Nick has left #maingame (Nick_) [15:37] *** Early has quit IRC [15:37] *** Alexander has quit IRC [15:37] *** Eric has quit IRC [15:39] *** Disconnected Session Close: Sat Jan 13 15:39:49 2001 Session Start: Sat Jan 13 13:31:45 2001 [13:31] *** Now talking in #Shipley [13:31] *** Keeper sets mode: +o Keeper [13:32] *** Cthulhu has joined #Shipley [13:33] *** Nick has joined #shipley [13:34] * Nick hails a cab [13:35] Nick quickley gets a cab to take him to the heart of Soho. [13:35] You've got Eric's gun BTW [13:35] Okay, didn't know if you had seen it [13:35] Roger that [13:36] Ooooh soho [13:36] The cab stops in front of a small brownstone [13:36] As you get out a man exits the brownstone and sees you cab and hurries over to it. [13:37] He has a wild, upturned mustache and is muttering in French [13:37] * Nick examines him closely [13:37] do I know what penhew looks like? [13:37] No [13:37] I'll let you roll to see if you can ID him since he was in the papers quite a bit at this point [13:37] d100 [13:37] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 65. [13:37] You've got no clue [13:37] as per usuall [13:38] * Nick goes inside the building [13:38] Well, it's a private home [13:38] Most people knock [13:38] * Nick knocks on the door [13:38] whoops ;) [13:38] A little old woman holding a knitting bag answers the door. "Oh. Another visitor? It's a busy day. How can I help you young man?" [13:39] "My name is Bernard Trembley, and I am looking for Mrs Shipley." [13:39] "Are you a salesman?" [13:39] "Oh no. I am with an art gallery in the United States. The Franklin Gallery." [13:39] "I heard your son was an excellent painter." [13:39] "I was hoping to see his work." [13:40] "Miles will be so happy to hear that. Some people just don't care for his images." [13:40] "We have many different styles of art at our Gallery. We love to get things people don't consider 'conventional'." [13:41] She opens the door to let you in [13:41] * Nick follows her in [13:41] "Can I get you some tea? Would you care for a scone?" [13:41] "No thank you." [13:41] The interior of the house is stifflingly warm, but also rather dim as the curtains are drawn tightly. [13:42] * Nick looks around [13:42] It's clean and rather conventional. A half made sweater is sitting on the chair in the living room. [13:42] "I think Miles is upstairs. I'll go get him for you." [13:43] * Nick smiles [13:43] "Thank you." [13:43] She heads up a set of stairs in the foyer and vanishes from sight. [13:45] A dishevelled man wearing a painter's smock emerges from a door that's across from you. [13:45] * Nick examines the man [13:45] He spots you and approaches. [13:46] He's got thinning black hair and his eyes dart around wildly. His hands seem to be shaking. [13:46] "Hello. Hello. Hello. You must be here... to see me, I guess. I mean, everyone wants to see me I suppose." [13:47] "You must be Miles then. My name is Bernard Trembley, I'm from the Franklin Gallery in the USA." [13:47] "I've heard wonderful things about your paintings." [13:48] "Yes... that's what everyone says. What everyone says it must be. I'm an artist, you know. Would you like to see my work. No, not my work, my art." [13:48] "I'd love to, if you don't mind." [13:49] "It's in my studio. It's all in my studio. All of it." [13:49] "Lead the way then." [13:51] Shipley walks upstairs and opens the door at the top of them. Inside is a large painter's studio. [13:51] There's earlier works sitting on the floor, leaning up against a wall. An easil in the middle of the room is holding his current work which he appears to have just started [13:51] * Nick follows in [13:51] * Nick glances about at the paintings [13:51] There's also a closet that's closed off to one side and a skylight that's been painted over [13:52] They're all facing away from you [13:53] "May I have a look then?" [13:53] "I had this vision last night. Of everything. Everything that ever was, is, and will be. And I'm going to put it all on that canvas." [13:53] "Look, look, look as much as you like. There are many things in there." [13:54] "So are your paintings normally inspired by these visions?" [13:54] * Nick walks over to the nearest painting and takes a look [13:54] Roll [13:54] d100 [13:54] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 87. [13:55] And you black out [13:55] Oh dear [13:56] You recover downstairs with Mrs. Shipley standing over you [13:56] "Oh, what happened?" [13:56] There's a wet washcloth pressed against your head and of course the last thing you remember is getting in the taxi to come over here [13:56] "And who might you be?" [13:57] "Erma Shipley, dear. We met a few minutes ago. Are you feeling well?" [13:58] "Oh brother. Mrs Shipley, My name is Bernard Trembley. I'm afraid that I've just had a small blackout spell." [13:58] "I remember getting in a cab to come here, but that's it. Funny thing really, but I fell and hit my head a few days ago, and I've been having problems like this ever since." [13:59] "Perhaps you should go to a hospital" [13:59] "Oh I have. They've run tests, and they are due to run a few more, and then we'll see I suppose." [13:59] "I hope I haven't caused any alarm. They don't happen with much frequency." [14:00] "I can only assume, then, that I've told you where I'm from and that I'm here to see your son's paintings." [14:00] "That's right. Perhaps you've had too much excitement." [14:00] "Quite possibly." [14:00] * Nick smiles [14:00] "I'll be fine though, don't worry about me." [14:01] "If you don't mind me asking, exactly where did I pass out?" [14:01] "Upstairs while you were looking through the paintings." [14:02] * Nick sighs [14:02] "I take it I met Miles then? I hope I didn't scare him." [14:02] "You know, the doctors suspect it is a severe concussion, and I am told these little spells will pass in time." [14:03] "Miles does not scare easily. Shall I call you a taxi?" [14:03] "Well, I would still like to see some of his work. Despite my passing out, I can assure you that it is a rare thing." [14:04] "And to tell you the truth, I am here in London for my Gallery on a sort of buying trip." [14:04] "I don't know. I wouldn't want you hurting yourself." [14:04] "Well, why don't I take a look at a different painting then, to be on the safe side." [14:05] * Nick smiles warmly [14:06] "Well, all right then. Why don't you head up and I'll tell Miles that you're okay." [14:06] "Ok" [14:06] "Uh, which door is it?" [14:07] "The one at the top of the stairs." [14:07] "Thanks" [14:07] * Nick heads up to the Gallery [14:08] Miles Shipley is not in his studio, though a pallette has been left infront of the painting. [14:08] Just the one painting? [14:09] There's still the ones along the walls, but he's only working on one at the moment [14:10] * Nick goes to look at the paintings on the walls that aren't blocked [14:10] * Nick tries to examine them without looking directly at them [14:12] You have to flip them over to look at them, otherwise you just see the blank back side [14:13] * Nick flips them over carefully [14:13] Roll Nick [14:13] d100 [14:13] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 51. [14:14] You see a painting of a mountain in Africa with dark clouds descending onto it [14:14] Is it possible to just glance at the edges and tell what one of the paintings is about? [14:14] * Nick returns the painting to its original position [14:15] No, you got to get a solid look at it to be able to examine it [14:15] right [14:15] * Nick looks at the next painting [14:16] roll again [14:16] d100 [14:16] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Nick (d100) and gets 85. [14:17] You pass out again [14:17] doh. . . [14:18] You wake up again lying on a couch with an old woman standing over you. [14:18] "Oh dear." [14:18] * Nick sits up [14:19] "And you are?" [14:19] "You passed out again." [14:19] "So I take it we've been introduced. Mrs Shippley? [14:20] "I really think it would be for the best if you leave. You're clearly in no condition to do anything." [14:20] "Again? That's not good. I can only assume we've been through this whole conversation before." [14:20] "Yes well these little spells rarely come close together, perhaps I should go see the doctors again." [14:20] "I've already called for a taxi. [14:20] "I'm sorry to have inconvienced you. Perhaps in a few days when I'm feeling better I could call on you again?" [14:21] "I can schedule an appointment for you then if you like." [14:21] "I'll be in touch then. and again, sorry to have caused trouble.' [14:21] * Nick waits for the cab [14:23] The taxi has arrived. "Where you heading?" [14:23] * Nick tells the driver the name of the library he is meeting the gang at [14:23] Join the Museum channel Session Close: Sat Jan 13 14:24:02 2001 Session Start: Sat Jan 13 13:32:16 2001 [13:32] *** Now talking in #Museum [13:32] *** Keeper sets mode: +o Keeper [13:32] *** Cthulhu has joined #Museum [13:33] *** Roland has joined #museum [13:34] *** Early has joined #Museum [13:34] wasn't there someone else? [13:34] I think Alexander is probably coming. [13:34] Eric, too. [13:34] I thought everyone except Nick was joining [13:34] maybe they don't remember how? [13:35] *** Alexander has joined #Museum [13:35] *** Eric has joined #museum [13:35] Alright then [13:36] You were headed to the library [13:36] Yeeha! A library! [13:36] * Eric really hopes we don't end up burning down the british museum [13:36] No, I really wanted to go to the museum [13:36] Is the library there too? [13:36] "Yes, do be careful. Libraries tend to be flammable." [13:37] When we get there I'm going to try to find linguistics and get a new copy of the tablet. [13:37] "I'll go with you." [13:38] "I'm going to do some research into possible connections between Carroll's works and Arthurian legends." [13:38] "And I'll look up some interpretations of Jabberwocky" [13:39] Okay, so you're headed over to the British Museum? [13:40] yeah [13:40] Yes [13:40] * Eric nods [13:40] It's a bit of a ride from where you are and you pass the burned out shell of one of your previous hotels on the way over [13:41] "That brings back memories." [13:42] You arrive at the British Museum shortly after that and manage to get downstairs to the linguistics department without too much trouble [13:43] Inside there are still people pouring over old documents in a variety of languages [13:43] * Roland tries to find someone who is working with the tablet. [13:44] In the back one person has a copy of the tablet inscription and is comparing it to what appear to be seven or eight rubbings from a variety of sources [13:45] "Hello. Any luck deciphering that document? [13:45] "I can't even identify the language group, let alone the language. It doesn't seem to be connected with any other surviving tongue." [13:46] "Strange. Well, the notebook containing my original copy of that document was stolen. Would you mind if I copied this one?" [13:46] ooc can someone remind me where this tablet is from? [13:47] Found on the ship [13:47] ooc in the grey people's room? [13:47] "Why don't I get you one of our spare copies. We've got six of them made up at this point and we can make more easilly." [13:47] "Oh, that would be excellent, thank you." [13:48] He gets up and pulls open a document drawer. "Here you go. The museum does remember it's benefactors." [13:49] * Roland takes the copy and looks it over to make sure it's theright thing. [13:50] It's a very precise copy of your work. [13:50] * Roland says "Thanks again" and heads off to meet them in the library. [13:51] * Eric follows [13:51] "So to begin with, what do we know about Jabberwocky?" [13:52] I'll need to know exacly what people are going to be researching [13:52] "We know its a fairly nonsensical poem written by Lewis Carroll." [13:52] I was researching connections between Carroll's work and Arthurian legends. [13:53] ooc is Chris with us? [13:53] * Alexander looks up the poem as it originally appears in Carroll's work, and various interpretations of it. [13:54] Yes [13:54] Chris is with you for safety reasons [13:54] Alex and Early roll [13:54] d100 [13:54] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 50. [13:54] d100 [13:54] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 66. [13:54] ooc sorry, ggot to go afk again [13:56] d100 [13:56] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 85. [13:56] Alexander finds a work of criticism on Caroll's books [13:57] Early can't find anything on both Arthur and Caroll but he can find summeries of each to compare points [13:57] Roland fails to find any information on his subject [13:57] Must not be important enough for them to have kept it [13:58] * Alexander skims through the book of criticism [13:58] You find a chapter on various interpretations of Jabberwocky [13:58] * Roland tries again [13:58] Go ahead and roll for that then [13:58] *** Early has quit IRC (error 10054) [13:59] * Alexander reads the interpretations, paying particular attention to anything about vorpal swords. [13:59] d100 [13:59] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 88. [13:59] blech [13:59] Same results [13:59] can I take 20 or something? [13:59] You see both the "vorpal is sharp" and "vorpal is nonsense" explanations. Some people think that the poem referred to the political situation at the time [13:59] *** Early has joined #Museum [14:00] Lost my connection [14:01] "Hmm. Perhaps it needs the right context." [14:01] Jabberwocky was in "Through the Looking-Glass", correct? [14:01] There's also several who think that Jabberwocky is an anagram and that it proves that Lewis Caroll was Jack the Ripper, royalty, a traitor passing secrets, a wizard that taught Allister Crowley, or all of the above. [14:01] Yes. [14:02] "That's an impressive career." [14:02] Actually, he was Crowely, who was a royal, and he passed secrets to Jack the Ripper. [14:02] * Alexander rereads the Crowley's teacher interpretation [14:03] * Early reads summaries, and decides that the vorpal blade is probably not Excalibur, after all. [14:04] * Roland researched Wittgenstein, the asylum doctor, not the philospher. [14:05] * Keeper curses players who catch his refrences too easily [14:05] Roll for that [14:05] d100 [14:05] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 48. [14:06] He was from a distinguished family, graduated third in his class at the medical school. He's widely regarded as England's foremost expert on the human mind [14:08] Has he written any papers I could read, hopefully mentioning Alice? [14:08] He's written many case histories and a few books on psychology. It's unlikely that he'll call her by name in the papers but you might be able to read between the lines. [14:09] Roll to be able to find those [14:09] * Roland tries to find any patients in his case histories that might match Alice [14:09] d100 [14:09] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 28. [14:10] Well, it takes a bit of work but you find a likely match in one of his papers on schizophrenia [14:10] It mentions a woman who lost the ability to distinguish between the fantasy world of a book and the real world [14:11] She was also paranoid that not just the book's characters were trying to harm her, but that the book's author was out to get her [14:11] She went through periods where she feared that he would rewrite her and other periods where she was concerned about "mythical beasts" [14:11] I would like to research Jabberwocky outside of Carroll, and see if I can find any references other than movies to be made in the future by then-former Monty Python members. [14:12] Roll for it early [14:12] d100 [14:12] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 49. [14:12] * Roland tries to find any references to Carrol's reactions to Alice's condition and any work he may have written after she went insane [14:13] In the same paper it says that her condition occurred after the author's death [14:13] Early finds several pulp works that use the name of the beast but appear to be unconnected [14:13] * Alexander checks to see if the library has any letters or papers by Carroll in which he offers any explanation for the poem. [14:13] * Early looks for a picture of Lewis Carroll. [14:14] Early can find one easily but he'll need to roll for something else [14:14] d100 [14:14] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 83. [14:14] ouch [14:14] Early finds an photo of him taken in the 1870's. It's blurry and indistinct [14:15] Alex can roll as well [14:15] d100 [14:15] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 43. [14:15] "I wonder if that visitor we've seen was Carroll. Help me look for a better picture." [14:16] * Roland will research any strange events that might have occures twenty years ago, possibly related to the wabe guy [14:16] * Early continues his search for a clear picture of Carroll. [14:16] In one of the books of criticism, right after the chapter on Carroll the mathematician and how numerology tied into the works there's a set of letters that talk about the words being chosen for rhyme and rythmn [14:17] any explanation for "vorpal"? [14:17] Nothing clear [14:17] Roll again Early [14:17] d100 [14:17] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 91. [14:18] Roland, do you mean in the paper you were researching or in general? [14:18] These dice are broken! [14:18] * Eric decides to help out Early [14:18] in general [14:18] d100 [14:18] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Roland (d100) and gets 23. [14:19] Roland has better luck than Early [14:19] He finds a story on the ghost of Carroll [14:19] And a photo [14:19] I think Cthulhu just has it in for me. [14:19] And yes, it's the wabe guy [14:19] ooc I always do good on research rolls, but the rolls to keep me from getting eaten never go so well [14:20] "Eureka! Carroll is the man who had been haunting us." [14:20] ooc Easy solution- research ways to not get eaten [14:20] ooc lol [14:20] ooc ha [14:21] "So we're being followed by Lewis Carroll, who is now one with all time and space?" [14:21] "What does the story say?" [14:21] * Early looks around warily for American McGee. [14:22] The story is just about how people around Carroll's home were seeing him occasionally shortly after his death [14:22] He would just turn up and vanish [14:22] "Is there any mystery surrounding his death?" [14:22] * Keeper is pround of making an "edgier" Alice. ;) [14:22] Old Man Murry would be proud, too. [14:24] *** Nick has joined #museum [14:24] * Nick enters the museum [14:24] "Nick! How did it go?" [14:24] "Hey nick, how did it go? [14:24] "Err, well, not so good." [14:24] "Any luck?" [14:24] "Que pasa? [14:24] * Nick sighs [14:24] * Roland frowns [14:24] * Nick shrugs [14:25] "I got into the taxi to go there, and I woke up on the floor. Twice apparently." [14:25] lol [14:25] "She bought the story hook line and sinker, from what I can tell. But apparently I passed out, twice, looking at Miles' paintings." [14:25] Did you see and sea mon... keys? [14:25] Note to self: Don't let Nick go out alone. [14:25] "I have no idea what the paintings were of, naturally." [14:25] * Nick sighs [14:25] No word on Penhew, I suppose. [14:26] "didn't we say fake looking at them?" [14:26] "I tried" [14:26] "I guess this made her suspicious?" [14:26] oh [14:26] ooc couldn't fake look and tell what they were [14:26] "Well, she seemed receptive to another meeting if I scheduled an appointment. I made up a story about a blow to the head a few days ago, and said I'd be seeing the doctors again soon." [14:27] "But I don't see the use. If I can't look at a painting without collapsing, what good am I?" [14:27] "Maybe Dr. Wittgenstein could cure Nick." [14:27] "Dr. who?" [14:27] "No. He's not invented yet." [14:28] "Did you guys have any luck?" [14:28] "Hey... We could have Nick committed!" [14:28] "Then he could talk to Alice for us." [14:28] * Nick shoots Roland a flat look [14:28] "We found out that we're being stalked by the ghost of Lewis Carroll." [14:28] "BTW, the wabe man is Lewis Carroll's ghost." [14:28] "Is that who Mr. Time Space is?" [14:28] "Ahhh." [14:29] "did anyone else ever pass out when they looked at Miles' paintings?" [14:29] "I still have a couple of things to check on..." [14:29] "He had been stalking Alice, which apparently drove her mad. She passed the "vopal blade" to Chris, though, so I'm guessing he'll leave Alice alone now." [14:29] "And begin to bug Crhis, then." [14:29] "And, by extension, us." [14:30] "Naturally." [14:30] "No luck on what, exactly, the vorpal blade is, however." [14:30] "Still, Alice might know more about this - will she talk, though?" [14:30] Chris points out that it's unlikely since she died [14:31] ooc was about to point that out too [14:31] "Anyone got a Ouija board?" [14:31] "When did she die?" [14:31] "Did she fall on her Vorpal Blade?" [14:31] Chris mentions that she died as a result of the beating he and Roland saw. [14:32] "Who provided this beating?" [14:32] "Oh, I missed that." [14:32] "Other inmates?" [14:32] "no I don't think so, when she was trying to escape [14:32] Chris says that she was trying to escape when she bumped into him and thats when the orderlies got her [14:33] "Maybe we shouldn't let Nick go there, then." [14:33] "Yeah maybe not." [14:33] * Nick snorts [14:33] "Well if she is dead then we do not need a man inside." [14:34] ooc When did we learn she died? I know Chris and I tried to sneak in to see her one time... [14:34] ooc We wouldn't have done that if we thought she was dead [14:34] "I'm thinking we shouldn't let Carroll have this blade, whatever it is. Alice did a good job of keeping it from him for years, so we should do the same." [14:34] "Right, only its kind of hard when we don't know what it is exactly." [14:35] "Well, we know Chris has it, so we need to protect him." [14:35] "On the other hand, what if he needs it for a good reason?" [14:35] "Like opening the gates to anywhen?" [14:35] "I'd rather not have that happen." [14:36] "That just sounds really creepy to me." [14:36] "The question is, why is the ghost of Carroll serving this White King?" [14:36] "'Gates' are usually there for protection, in my observation." [14:36] "I tend to agree with Early here." [14:36] * Early researches "White King". [14:37] "Granted. Just playing devil's advocate." [14:37] "Discovering who the White King is might be wise. I'm sure its more metaphor." [14:37] * Keeper is nervous he got the White King and Red King backwards [14:37] "Well Alexander, its definately worth considering. There seem to be several forces beyond comprehension here. I just hope we don't get crushed between them." [14:38] "Most of the interpretations I've read regard Carroll's work as being largely metaphors for politics of his day." [14:38] "However, considering we're being followed by a dead man at one with time and space, there's probably more to it than that." [14:38] ooc heh, good assumption ;) [14:39] Hang on guys [14:39] I screwed up [14:39] I did get the Red King and White King backwards [14:39] It's not possible! [14:39] * Nick goes completely insane [14:39] I didn't even know there was a Red King [14:39] * Early researches the "Red King", then. [14:39] Replace all refrences to White to Red in your memory ;) [14:40] The book refers to Red and White pieces. [14:40] That should make more sense for those who have read Carroll as well [14:40] Remember, I wasn't around for all the earlier stuff though. . . [14:40] Early looks up Chapter 4 of Through the Looking Glass [14:40] That's what i meant when I said I didn't know there was a read ;) [14:40] err Red [14:41] The Red King is sleeping while Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb are fighting. [14:41] The Red King sleeps in the forest near Tweedledum and Tweedledee [14:41] Are we part of the Red King's dream is the operative question. [14:41] * Early is glad I pulled out my copy of Carroll for today's game. [14:42] "'If that there King was to wake,' added Tweedledum, `you'd go out -- bang! -- just like a candle!'" [14:42] "Apparently, Carroll thinks the sword will awaken the Red King." [14:42] "Ending his dream - and us!" [14:43] "Let's guard that vorpal sword well, shall we?" [14:43] "Whatever it may be" [14:43] "And Carroll wants to awaken the king, correct?" [14:43] "But didn't he say that the king was already wakening, and that he only needed the sword afterwards?" [14:45] * Keeper here's people digging out their own copies of TTLG and reading over Chapter 4... [14:45] hears even [14:46] Testing... is this thing on? [14:46] yeah, heh [14:46] hi [14:46] I was waiting for someone to say something [14:46] something [14:47] ok [14:47] * Eric doesn't have a copy of TTLG :( [14:47] It's available as a text file somewhere on the internet, but I can't remember where. [14:47] What? Everyone has to have copies of every important work ever published handy [14:47] * Nick doesn't either, though he could have sworn he had one from given to him by godparents once upon a time. . . [14:47] Get a copy of the complete Lewis Carroll at your local B&N. They're always in the bargain section for about $10 [14:47] You never know when you're going to need it [14:48] "Okay, remembering what Carroll said, Alice apparantly stole the sword to keep the dreams from ending." [14:48] B&N actually has their own published version for $5 (with illustrations) [14:48] it includes all of Carroll's pedophiliac drawings and everything [14:48] "Judging by what we know, I declare the dreams ending to be a 'bad thing' ." [14:48] I get all my classic lit from used book stores; there's always students dumping them [14:48] Tenniel's drawings [14:48] Carroll had pedophiliac photos, not drawings [14:48] * Keeper has said too much [14:48] "I'd have to agree with Alexander. That sounds really bad." [14:49] actually, there are lots of his drawings that are just naked little girls running around and stuff [14:50] Really, I've always seen it refrenced as photos (included Liddel) [14:50] Well, he may have had photos but those were not, unfortunately, included in the edition I have [14:51] * Nick ponders the question of whether the photos or drawings would be more disturbing [14:51] Anyhow... what are you going to do about this? [14:51] Well, we probably need to figure out what the sword is and then what? Hide it? Go on the run? [14:52] Run from someone who's at one with time and space? [14:52] "Guard it, hide it, or possibly destroy it." [14:52] Well, if he's so special, why can't he just nab the thing himself? [14:52] There may be something to carroll's ghost that we can take advantage of [14:53] "I wonder if we could destroy it, or if its possible to do so without hurting Chris." [14:54] "Let's see. There seemed to be the rumble of a machine in the background whenever a new version of him appeared. And when he left, he said the gears were turning." [14:54] "Also, Carroll seems convinced that we are going to meet again twice. I suppose he knows these things given the situation." [14:54] "Like we need this. First a crazed cult is trying to kill us. Now a children's author is trying to destroy the world." [14:54] "What sort of machine would that be?" [14:54] "Also, the electricity that was in the air when he appeared." [14:54] "Clock?" [14:55] Maybe Big Ben? [14:56] "Are regular people allowed to view Big Ben?" [14:56] Sure, it's pretty obvious on the skyline [14:56] ooc where is the Tardus when we need it. . . [14:56] "You think he is linked there somehow?" [14:56] However, it's actually inside Parliment [14:56] So you can get into the machinery [14:56] "I meant the insder..." [14:57] "Maybe we could just burn it down..." [14:57] "Sure why not?" [14:57] Blow it up with gunpowder [14:57] "Let's start making the Molotovs" [14:58] * Nick nods [14:58] All we'd have to do is sleep there. [14:58] "Surely parliment will understand when we tell them that Lewis Carroll's ghost is trying to destroy the world." [14:59] "Seriously, so we should check out Big Ben then?" [15:00] "Either that or clock shops." [15:00] "I'm not sure that Big Ben is necessarily the connection." [15:00] "It just happens to be the biggest clock around, which makes it obvious." [15:01] "Though our train of throught with clocks might be misguided" [15:02] "What if the sword is a clock or watch of some sort?" [15:02] "How do you kill a Jabberwock with a clock?" [15:03] "Obviously, you snicker-snack it." [15:03] "Maybe it turns into a pumpkin at midnight." [15:05] * Roland will research any strange occurances involving Big Ben or clocks since Carroll's death. [15:05] "So, do we have anything to follow up on, other than Big Ben?" [15:06] ooc - according to m-w.com, "Molotov cocktail" came into use in 1939. We'll have to come up with our own name. A Nick cocktail? [15:06] "Doesn't look like it. I don't think I can accomplish anything with Shipley, and in any case I'd need to wait to try again." [15:06] A bright, pencil thin beam of light shoots out of the corner of the room and you hear a groaning sound like the building is shifting [15:07] * Roland runs out of the building! [15:07] Uh oh. We're breaking the museum. [15:07] "I knew it was a bad idea to stay here." [15:07] "Perhaps we should exit?" [15:07] "Let's go, then!" [15:07] Blue smoke starts pouring out of the corner [15:07] * Nick leaves the museum [15:07] * Eric runs [15:07] * Early follows. [15:08] * Early but can't resist looking back at the corner. [15:08] * Alexander leaves [15:08] Early, roll [15:08] d100 [15:08] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 77. [15:08] ooc Early is turned into a pillar of salt! [15:08] * Alexander also looks back. [15:08] Now roll a d6 [15:08] with my rolling today, I really shouldn't be taking these risks. [15:08] d6 [15:08] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d6) and gets 6. [15:08] Alex roll d100 as well [15:08] d100 [15:08] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Alexander (d100) and gets 58. [15:09] ooc I could have told you not to look back ;) [15:09] Early's face is burned for six points of damage in a line straight down one side that's a quarter of an inche wide [15:09] He didn't see anything [15:09] ooc I want to see what's chasing us [15:09] ooc - I guess maybe we could call them Flaming Cocktails [15:09] ooc I'm not going to get eaten from behind [15:10] * Roland will keep on running down the street [15:10] ooc - or Nick's Flaming Cocktails [15:10] ooc-do you know what my hit points are at? I assume I recovered the ones from earlier. [15:10] * Nick is still exiting the building [15:10] Flaming Moes? [15:10] hehehe ;-) [15:10] *** Eric has quit IRC (error 10054) [15:10] It got Eric!!! [15:10] It killed Eric!!!! [15:11] Eric, we hardly knew ye [15:11] Yes, you have six points left. Whatever burned you didn't feel hot, your skin just started blistering and charring [15:11] This is definitely going to leave a scar [15:11] Chicks dig scars. [15:11] Can I see what's back there? [15:12] No, you only saw what I just told you that you saw [15:12] Did Chris run out with the rest of us? [15:12] "Early, I think we should follow the example of the others, and run like hell." [15:12] Yes, he did [15:12] "I am running!" [15:12] "Good!" [15:13] * Alexander runs like hell. [15:13] * Early runs like heck (not quite as fast as Alexander). [15:13] * Keeper since Early was trying to look at it, this wouldn't be unreasonable to expect that he would loose and eye in the process but that would result in two one eyed characters from the first session... [15:13] Who else lost an eye? [15:13] * Nick coughs [15:14] OH - I forgot. [15:14] ooc the better to not see sea monsters with [15:14] ooc just don't bring it up [15:14] I'm glad he didn't say that out loud, or we'd be carrying Nick away. [15:14] Nick, are you wearing an eye patch? [15:14] yes [15:14] ooc so... Where does one get a laser in 1920's london? [15:15] Arggh, matey! [15:15] * Keeper notes that his threats seem to have resulted in a strong sense of self preservation [15:15] Early, roll [15:15] d100 [15:15] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Early (d100) and gets 33. [15:15] sure - now I roll low [15:16] Well, you don't want to botch a San roll, and you never know when you have to make a San roll [15:16] Trust me, that was an important roll [15:16] btw, can I assume I am now outside? [15:16] "Guys, I don't feel so good." [15:16] That was a "Do you die from complications check." [15:17] "Hey guys, did we just destroy the British Museum?" [15:17] Yes, everyone made it out of the building safely [15:17] "I hope not. . ." [15:17] relatively speaking . . . . [15:17] You don't see any unusual activity other than how you ran out [15:17] "Early, are you ok? We better get him to a doctor." [15:17] "That's probably a good idea." [15:17] "My face hurts." [15:18] * Roland shoots from down the road, "We should leave this area! They are probably still after us." [15:18] Lesions are starting to break out on Early's face; they're clustered around teh burn mark for now [15:18] * Nick hails a cab [15:18] "Good point. We need to get away from here, and to a doctor." [15:19] * Roland tries to hail a cab. [15:19] One pulls up next to Roland [15:19] * Roland waves everyone over and gets into the cab [15:20] * Nick helps Early into the cab [15:20] * Alexander gets into the cab [15:21] As Nick helps Early get into the cab he notices that clumps of Early's hair are falling out [15:21] "Take us to the nearest doctor!" [15:21] ooc need some Rad-Away for this [15:22] Next time don't stare directly into the sources of hard radiation [15:22] Anyone have any Anti-Rad Hypos from their last ss2 game? [15:22] * Nick dropped all of his for some grenades instead [15:22] The taxi stops in front of a hospital [15:22] * Nick helps Early get inside [15:22] * Alexander helps Early in [15:23] * Roland tries to get Early inside [15:23] "My face! My beautiful face!" [15:23] A doctor seeing how bad off Early is rushes over to help him [15:23] d100 [15:23] * Cthulhu unleashes his terrible power against Keeper (d100) and gets 45. [15:23] You're in luck, you found the one compitant doctor in the campaign [15:23] heh [15:23] I'm glad that Edward Scissor hands that almost killed Bernard isn't here [15:24] Dr. Speight's gonna be angry when he hears that. [15:24] Early's rushed off for treatment [15:25] It takes several hours but eventually the doctor emerges again to let you know that he'll be okay, though the burn is going to leave a massive scar [15:25] *** Eric has joined #museum [15:25] "Won't matter, he wasn't much for the Ladies anyway." [15:25] Eric missed all the fun [15:25] ooc we were just attacked by some radiation beam [15:25] ooc I had my own fun, I had to reboot 4 times [15:25] "I've never seen a wound like that before, doctor. Do you know what it might have been?" [15:25] ooc somehow, the Museum is intact though [15:25] Hey, that wasn't the attack, that was the side effect [15:26] The attack was worse [15:26] ooc did someone decipher the tablet? [15:26] No [15:26] "It appears to be some kind of burn, but he also seemed to have a kind of blood toxin. We had to give him four pints in a transfusion." [15:27] ooc who's injured? [15:27] who do you think? [15:27] ooc Early looked into the radiation [15:27] oh right [15:27] Early emerges, weak but standing. His head has been shaved and half his face is covered by bandages [15:27] "Wow." [15:28] "I need a Scotch" [15:28] "How 'bout some water?" [15:28] "Can you mix some Scotch in with it?" [15:28] "No alchohol until those bandages can come off. We don't want to tax your liver and more than we have to." [15:28] * Early sighs. [15:28] "Water it is, then." [15:30] * Eric looks for some water for Early [15:30] So the beam wasnt aimed at anyone? What was it aimed at, the tablet? [15:30] There's a water cooler nearby [15:30] The tablet wasn't in the room [15:30] * Eric gets some water and gives it to Early [15:30] You don't have the tablet anymore; just copies [15:30] * Early Early drinks the water and parks himself next to the water cooler. [15:31] * Eric is glad he could do his part [15:31] "Can anyone figure out what happened? We're sitting around, and then a beam of light shoots out of the corner." [15:32] "I can't think of an explanation." [15:32] "Me neither." [15:32] "I thought the building was simply collapsing and the light was coming in from a crack. [15:32] "Perhaps something else happened elsewhere in the museum, which just happened to fire off a ray in our direction?" [15:34] How about here for a place to stop for today?