Session Log 1/7/2001 Log
-- Start log: Sunday, January 7, 2001 9:16:33 am LunaSoft MOO time --
GM says, "*** START SESSION ***"
GM says, "ok... so to recap the previous session"
GM says, "you were brought to a public trial for treason against the Regnum Burgundiorum"
Caralchis has arrived.
GM says, "you've met up with Garomach and Portia, and have gotten info from Garomach about what's really been going on"
GM [to Caralchis]: hi there, we just got started
Caralchis says, "ok"
GM says, "Euric is the advocatus for the state, and your defense advocatus is Phaedron... Lord Gelbach presides"
GM says, "[Gelbach] Lord Euric, you may question the accused."
GM says, "[Euric] thank you, Lord Gelbach."
GM says, "Euric moves out from behind his table and begins to stroll over towards the defense table"
GM says, "[Euric] let us begin with the accomplices."
Bodoni tries hard not to grind his teeth too loudly
GM says, "[Euric] Corin... it is a shame that a youth such as yourself would be caught up in such dirty deeds as this."
Corin says, "(I am on trial? Am I not in the crowd?)"
GM says, "ack! sorry."
GM says, "scratch that."
Renard says, "d'oh!"
GM gets out steel wool and works out some rust
Corin says, "(heh)"
Joseph says, "It's ok, it's been a long time for everybody"
GM says, "[Euric] Joseph... it is a shame that a youth such as yourself would be caught up in such dirty deeds as this."
GM says, "(hehe, easily modifed to cover the OTHER youth...)"
Corin says, "(da two yutes.)"
GM says, "[Euric] Joseph, please tell the court who you are and where you are from"
Bodoni (What's 'yute?' Hehehe)
Joseph says, "(figuring that the truth is easier to remember than a lie) I am Joseph, son of Bodoni. I come from the town of Praesus"
GM says, "[Euric] and who is the baron of Praesus?"
Joseph looks at Bodoni and Renard for some sign as to what to say
Renard nods to continue
GM says, "[Euric] answer the court, lad!"
Bodoni looks like he's having a bit of anger control
Renard holds a proud and upright stance during the trial
Joseph says, "ah... uh... Lord Garomach"
GM says, "[Euric] ah, Lord Garomach... the same one we see before us here?"
GM says, "(the word 'Lord' is spoken with a heavy sneer)"
Joseph wishes the ground would open up and swallow him right now.
Joseph says, "that's correct"
Caralchis is looking at Euric with distaste
GM says, "[Euric] i see... and you, Joseph, what is your position in Garomach's court?"
Joseph says, "I'm not in his 'court' I'm the son of the town blacksmith"
GM says, "[Euric] how did you come to be one of his accomplices in his crimes, then?"
Corin remembers his mother back in Praesus, and hopes she's ok.
Joseph says, "we haven't committed any crimes."
GM says, "[Euric] that is for the court to determine, not you. you must answer the question."
Joseph says, "M'lord Euric, you know us. We were at your party. We were protecting the Lady Portia."
Bodoni (testing)
GM says, "[Gelbach] boy, the court requires an answer to the question. what Lord Euric knows or does not know is not relevant to this proceeding!"
Joseph says, "but, begging your pardon, I can't answer your qestion because it is based on incorrect assumptions."
Bodoni barely supresses a smile at Joseph's words
Corin hopes the crowd doesnt start chanting for a lynching.
GM says, "[Euric] oho! the boy thinks to set a trap, learned no doubt from the monks and the priests!"
Joseph says, "the truth, sir, is no trap."
GM says, "[Euric] Lord Gelbach, in the interest of saving time i will rephrase the question, but i request that you keep the boy's recalcitrance in mind when passing judgment at the proper time."
GM says, "[Euric] Joseph, how did you come to be in Garomach's company, if you are but a simple blacksmith's son."
Corin says, "(wheres my dictionary? ....racalcitrance...)"
Joseph says, "well, M'lord it is a long story.. The cattle in our village were being stolen..."
Caralchis ( Marked by stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance)
Corin says, "(heh..thanks)"
GM [to Joseph]: ooc: you start going through the whole story?
Joseph says, "Lord Garomach asked us to help. We found the witch responsible and delt with her. But then Lord Garomach told us she had a realitive south of here. We planed to stay a few days in this city before heading south."
Joseph says, "(ooc) short enough?"
GM says, "ooc: sure :) i was just wondering whether, in the trial, you go through it in excrutiating detail (continuing the passive resistance, you know), or summarized to get to the point."
Joseph says, "ooc: oh I dragged it out as long as I could (lots of villiage trivia, etc.) without mentioning anything about the military aspects of our mission or Faisilde."
GM says, "ooc: gotcha"
GM says, "Joseph, make an IQ roll"
Joseph rolls 3 + 0.
Result [5 4 2] = 11 + 0 = 11.
GM says, "Lord Euric gets impatient with you a few times, and gets you to skip ahead a bit in your story. you delay the proceeding a bit with your story, but aren't quite as successful as you would have liked to be."
GM says, "finally you finish..."
GM says, "[Euric] so the baron of your own town, your lord and protector Garomach, lied to you?"
Joseph says, "I don't know that he did."
GM says, "[Euric] well, DID this Miraguntha have a relative, a daughter i believe you said, in Cavillonum?"
GM says, "(not Cavillonum, dammit... Lugdunum)"
Joseph says, "no. the daughter was in Tolosa"
Joseph says, "was = is"
GM says, "[Euric] and you never made it there so that is why you don't know that he lied to you?"
Joseph says, "we were just supposed to rest in Lugdunum a few days and head south."
GM says, "Euric pauses, considering where next to proceed."
GM says, "[Euric] what did you do when you arrived in Lugdunum?"
Joseph says, "found a room at an inn. There we met Portia."
GM says, "[Euric] what events led up to your appearance at Lord Gelbach's banquet?"
Joseph says, "Portia asked us to escort her through the town. She met your ... protege? Darius. We went with her to your party. And it was a good thing we did, because... well you know what happened."
GM says, "[Euric] (smiling slightly) yes. and thus you were in the company of many of the nobles and patricians of this fine city. tell me, Joseph, what were Garomach's orders to you for the banquet?"
Joseph says, "no orders"
GM says, "[Euric] really? with the vitals of the city open to you, he gave you no targets to poison or spy upon?"
Bodoni sighs audibly
Joseph says, "no nothing like that. Just look after Lady Portia."
Joseph says, "He didn't come with us to the banquet. It was the following morning that we grew concerened because we hadn't seen him for a whole day. that's when I came to you for help."
GM says, "[Euric] Joseph, are you aware that the day after the banquet, three of those who had attended were gripped by illness?"
Joseph says, "I didn't know that."
GM says, "[Euric] you didn't know the precise number?"
Joseph says, "I didn't hear anything about people being ill, I don't know how they became ill."
GM says, "[Euric] you claim, then, that the fact that their illness coincided with your mission was mere *coincidence*?"
Joseph says, "in a word, yes."
GM says, "[Euric] thank you, Joseph, that will do for now."
Joseph tries to look stoic, but feels he didn't accomplish much.
GM says, "Euric proceeds to question the others in roughly similar manner. anyone try a different strategy?"
Renard - I'm not as articulate, but tell the truth in the driest most straight-forward way
Bodoni (aside from attempting to keep my contempt for the man's strategy at a low level, no.)
GM says, "heh"
Bodoni (ie: Tell it like it is...)
Caralchis (I'll probably speak up for Garomach briefly, but not make a big deal of it)
GM says, "Garomach stands through all this questioning with head bowed, looking at no one."
GM says, "[Euric] Lord Gelbach, i will now question the girl, Portia, and then Garomach."
GM says, "[Gelbach] that will be fine, Lord Euric."
GM says, "[Euric] Portia, who are you and where are you from?"
GM says, "[Portia] i am Portia, only daughter of Lucretius, who operates a salt mine in the Alpes"
GM says, "[Euric] and what are you doing in Lugdunum?"
GM says, "[Portia] just visiting, milord Euric. i am to marry soon."
GM says, "[Euric] an unfortunate choice for a vacation, milady! how did you meet these vagabonds?"
Corin tenses; he did not know Portia was to be married.
Bodoni sputters at Euric's claim that we are nothing more than mere 'vagabonds', but maintains his composure
GM says, "[Portia] they are not vagabonds - they have acted with the utmost honor since i have known them. i was staying at the inn they chose when they came to town, and the innkeeper, a friend of my father's, asked them to keep watch over me."
GM says, "[Euric] you have know them only a few days, then?"
GM says, "[Portia] yes."
GM says, "[Euric] how did you come to be at Lord Gelbach's banquet?"
GM says, "[Portia] i was invited to attend by Darius."
Joseph says, "who"
GM says, "[Euric] and what did you know of Garomach's actions during your stay here?"
GM says, "[Portia] actually, milord, i saw him only briefly, when we first met. it was soon after that that he went missing, and i did not see him again until this trial began."
GM says, "brb"
GM says, "sorry, phone call"
GM says, "[Euric] whose idea was it to send a carruca full of armed men to my villa?"
Corin says, "(ouch...dont blame Corin)"
Bodoni (I forget...who was that? Hehehe....)
GM says, "[Portia] *pausing, glancing at the others* er... i can't really remember exactly..."
Renard [to GM]: he didn't ask about this episode while any of us were on the stand?
Bodoni (That's it! We hand over Corin! We won't have any problems..! :D)
GM says, "[Euric] was it YOUR idea, Milady Portia, or were you just going along with it?"
GM [to Renard]: nope, didn't bring it up.
Renard raises his hand, "Oh, oh - me, me!" ;)
GM says, "[Portia] it wasn't my idea, no."
Corin says, "(carrying arms is legal, tell him so)"
GM says, "[Euric] thank you, that will be all."
GM says, "[Euric] now Garomach, do not think we have forgotten about you!"
GM says, "[Euric] who are you and where are you from?"
GM says, "[Garomach] i am Lord Garomach, Baron of Praesus, and a proud Frank."
Bodoni (I am from a dead planet called Krypton... I was brought here by a spaceship as a baby..er...sorry...wrong story... :D)
GM says, "[Euric] were you sent on a mission by your king?"
GM says, "[Garomach] yes."
GM says, "[Euric] what was that mission?"
GM says, "[Garomach] to identify and capture a particular Visigothic girl in Tolosa."
GM says, "[Euric] were you aware of a similar mission taking place in Lugdunum?"
GM says, "[Garomach] ........ yes."
GM says, "[Euric] did you know of the target of this mission?"
GM says, "[Garomach] no."
GM says, "[Euric] what did you do in Lugdunum to aid the mission?"
GM says, "[Garomach] i spent my time in Lugdunum gathering information, but i was mostly unsuccessful."
GM says, "[Euric] what..."
GM says, "[Garomach] (interrupting) if it please the court, i have a request."
GM says, "[Garomach] i exercise my right to forego further questioning in lieu of accepting the judgment of the court, and wish to make a statement on the behalf of my fellow accused."
GM says, "[Gelbach] very well, proceed."
GM says, "[Garomach] i brought them with me because they had proved themselves in battle. they have strong arms and quick minds and have served me well. but i did not burden them with the details of my mission, and they knew nothing of it. they are innocent; i am the only guilty one here. i urge the court to have mercy for them."
Caralchis is shocked
GM says, "[Gelbach] *raising his eyebrows* very well, Lord Gelbach, the court has heard your statement. Lord Euric, no further questions. *raising his voice to address the crowd* does anyone in attendance here today have anything to say in defense of the accused?"
Bodoni is suddenly at a loss for words
Corin looks around, wondering if anyone will speak.
Joseph says, "wonders how we are going to get Garomach out of this."
Corin says, "(what was that crazy scientist's name?)"
Caralchis says, "modag"
Corin says, "(modag said he would speak?)"
GM says, "a voice sounds out from the crowd, "I!" and another voice "And I as well!""
GM says, "[Gelbach] come forward and address the court."
GM says, "you recognize the voices as belonging to Modag and Faustulus, and they begin fighting their way through the crowd"
Bodoni brightens a bit at the sight of his old friend
GM says, "[Modag] i am Modag, sometimes known as The Arcane. i have known the accused since Lord Gelbach's banquet and have not known them to commit any crimes."
GM says, "[Faustulus] i am Faustulus, an innkeeper. i have known this man (indicating Bodoni) for many years, and he has been a faithful friend. i have known Portia since she was but an infant, and she has been the ideal of womanhood. i have not known the other accused for long, but have not known them to commit any crimes."
GM says, "[Gelbach] thank you, Modag and Faustulus, you may step aside now. Phaedron, the floor is yours for closing remarks."
Corin cowers behind a tall man, and yells over the crowd, "They are innocent! Set them free!"
Corin quickly moves away from where he was.
GM says, "the tall man looks around, and a bunch of people in the crowd look where your voice came from, with angry looks on their faces"
Bodoni (Suddenly the crowd part, exposing Corin! Oh no! :D)
Corin says, "(shhh Bodoni!_"
Corin turns and looks behind himself also.
GM says, "Corin, roll something... hmmm, what would be good here?"
Corin says, "(a 3?)"
GM says, "ah, let's just make it IQ"
Corin rolls 3 + 0.
Result [4 2 4] = 10 + 0 = 10.
GM says, "whew! you manage to cover for yourself, but your remark is obviously not at all popular with the crowd. luckily, everyone is interested enough in the trial that they don't pursue the matter."
Corin decides to be quiet from now on.
GM says, "[Phaedron] Lord Gelbach, with all due respect to Lord Euric... nothing that has been presented here today proves either criminal behavior or criminal intent by any of the accused."
GM says, "[Phaedron] they have been the victims of coincidence and unfortunate association, not the perpetrators of treason! i ask that they be shown mercy by this court."
GM says, "he continues in the vein for a bit. then Euric is given a chance to speak again, and he sums up the arguments made previously and runs over the testimony again. finally, Lord Gelbach is satisfied."
Bodoni (Is this where we get railroaded? Oh, wait....nevermind...already been happening.. ;D)
Renard "in the vein", hopefully not "in vain"
Bodoni (I'm sure it's all in vain... ;D)
GM says, "[Gelbach] i have heard the testimony of the accused, and the arguments of the advocati. ancient custom has been followed. i am now ready to judge."
GM says, "the crowd tenses, stepping forward slightly."
Bodoni (TranslationL: "Now that we've despensed with ceremony...let's have us a hanging!" ;D)
Corin says, "(Maybe they'll allow me a congital (sp?) visit with Portia?)"
Bodoni (Ah, good ol' Corin.. always with the priorities.. :P)
Corin says, "(heh)"
Corin says, "(its not my neck on the line)"
GM says, "[Gelbach] the Lady Portia has indeed been the victim of poor fortune, and has made poor choices. she must pay for her mistakes, but she is no threat to the people of Lugdunum or the Burgundians. Portia is hereby fine two solidi (ooc: $2000). she will be remanded to prison until payment is procured."
Renard [to GM]: how are we all chained and where are we standing?
GM says, "[Gelbach] Joseph, Bodoni, Caralchis, Renard, and Johan, however, while also innocent of treason, are nonetheless inextricably involved with the plot of Garomach and Marshal Hrothgar."
Caralchis takes a deep breath to calm himself
Bodoni (Uh..oh...Renard's asking 'placement' questions... this can't be good... ;D)
GM [to Renard]: let's see, i gave a marching order last time... one sec
Corin says, "(lol)"
Corin hopes his friends from the docks are ready to make their move.
GM [to Renard]: Joseph, Johan, Renard, Bodoni, Caralchis
Bodoni (So that means when Renard rushes the guards, I'll be killed in the cross fire being next to him. Hm.. :P ;D)
GM says, "[Gelbach] The court therefore finds them guilty of acts of war against Regnum Burgundiorum and commands that they be sold into slavery. They will be remanded to prison until their transfer to a suitable handler."
Corin gasps.
Renard says, "woohoo"
Bodoni (Caralchis faints! LOL!)
Renard [to GM]: so how are we chained? iron wrists, ankles, what?
Corin searches the crowd for the dock men.
Caralchis glances around to see if Bodoni'd gone purple with rage yet
Bodoni looks on the verge of getting ready to explode
GM [to Renard]: oh, and the placement of everyone else: it's a circular arena, with everyone around the edges. Gelbach is behind a marble table. the accused are standing behind a wooden table, along with Phaedron and guards. Lord Euric and some others are standing behind another wooden table. you can assume that you form an inscribed equilateral triangle in the arena. :)
Corin says, "(I scramble for my Geometry book.)"
Bodoni (*Chuckles*)
GM [to Renard]: ankles chained together. wrists bound together and you're tied to each other in the order i gave
GM [to Renard]: wrists bound by rope, i mean to say
Corin says, "(bad news, how they hell can they escape?)"
Bodoni (Well...I see Bodoni's getting a new quirk: "Intensely distrusts the nobility..." heh. :D)
Bodoni (GM: "they can't.." "Roll up new characters, guys..." };->)
GM says, "[Gelbach] (continuing) Garomach had full knowledge of his mission and that of Marshal Hrothgar, and is guilty not of treason, as we originally thought might be the case, but rather of an act of war against the Regnum Burgundiorum and also of spying. He will be executed by the sword tomorrow at noon."
Corin braces himself angrily.
Bodoni (Looks like we're gonna be needin' a new patron...)
GM says, "a man in priestly vestments rushes up and whisper briefly to Gelbach"
GM says, "[Gelbach] One moment! Tomorrow being the Sabbath, Garomach's execution will take place not then but the *following* day."
Corin says, "(role-playing a slave can be fun *grin* )"
Caralchis glances over at Garomach
GM says, "Garomach is looking grim."
Bodoni (easy for the freeman to say... :D)
GM says, "but resigned to his fate"
Corin says, "(Maybe Modag will buy you?)"
Corin says, "(Where's George Washington when you need him, to rule out slavery?)"
Corin says, "(or was it Abe? heh)"
Bodoni (abe...and I doubt the 13th amendment has much power here.. ;D)
Bodoni (seeing as how it won't come about for....um...what's the date..?)
GM says, "slavery's a pretty well established institution here :)"
Renard has disconnected.
Corin says, "(450 AD?)"
GM says, "500 AD"
Bodoni (Pft...! A REALLY long ass time! :D)
Corin says, "(If you can survive 1250 years, we'll get you out.)"
Bodoni (Roughly 1300 years...)
GM says, "actually, the Church is starting to feel a little ancy about enslaving fellow Christians, but not to the point of actually abolishing it yet"
GM wonders what Renard wanted to do
Bodoni (It's obvious... he wanted to rush the guards... and break our chains..giving us a chance to escape, while he heroically sacrifices his life so we can get way..)
Bodoni (*Heh...*)
GM says, "the next day being the Sabbath, chances are pretty good that the accused won't be given over to slave dealers until the day of Garomach's execution"
GM says, "Corin's probably going to want to figure out what to tell his hired thugs, since the outcome of the case wasn't entirely clear"
The housekeeper arrives to cart Renard off to bed.
Corin says, "(Can I get to them?)"
Corin says, "(Whats the consensus? Want them to attack anyway?)"
Bodoni (Only if we want to roll up all new characters.. Heh. :D)
Corin says, "(think its too dangerous?)"
Renard has arrived.
Renard says, "ahem."
Corin hurries through the crowd towards the dock foreman.
Renard [to GM]: I missed everything since after my last question
Bodoni (well...there's the crowd plus the guards, that will eventually kill us and anyone helping us... hm.... ;D)
GM [to Renard]: everything since 'so how are we chained?'
Corin says, "(Renard, Garomach will be executed tomorrow at noon.)"
Renard [to GM]: right
Renard [to Corin]: tee-hee
GM [to Renard]: actually, garomach is being executed not tomorrow, but the following day, at noon
Corin says, "(note the comma, and not the word and *grin*)"
Corin says, "(Can I get to the foreman ok?)"
GM [to Corin]: you've been keeping track of the hired thug leader (did he have a name?), and he's sort of standing around wondering what to do
Corin whispers to the Foreman, "Call off the attack. They will not be killed. I will try to buy them out of their slavery. Keep the money as payment for your time."
GM says, "[foreman] hey, you're the boss! nice doing bidness with ya."
Corin nods. "Thanks for the help."
GM says, "he heads off happily, gesturing to his men."
Corin looks at his friends in chains, wondering what to do.
GM says, "the crowd was getting displeased by the first few verdicts, but the announcement of Garomach's execution helped - they're excited now"
GM says, "everyone's talking about it, making sure they can make it the day after tomorrow. the guards start to move the accused back towards the jail."
Corin says, "(can I see any keys on the guards?)"
GM says, "this is a pretty good stopping point unless someone's going to do something unexpected..."
GM says, "i can always count on corin :)"
GM says, "no, can't see any keys. locks aren't really used much."
Corin says, "(how are the chains fastened?)"
Renard - that's what I've been trying to ask...
Corin says, "(bolts like or something?)"
GM says, "yeah, some sort of simple mechanical deal."
GM [to Renard]: sorry, i never heard you ask that question
Corin says, "(do the prisoners have to be pushed thru the crowd?"
GM [to Corin]: the guards do a pretty good job of clearing the crowd away, so no one gets within a few feets of them
Corin says, "(heh....ok. I do nothing but watch helplessly then.)"
GM [to Corin]: it'd be easy for someone to dart in there, but the guards would be all over you in no time.
Renard says, "I won't go there; I am afraid of the wolves. I saw them there last night; they seemd extreemly evil. They might even have eaten the guards by now."
Renard says, " (a little fantasy dada courtesy of my wife)"
GM says, "hi anya!"
Renard [to GM]: so what keeps us from unlocking each other from our chains, if there's no key?
Bodoni waves
Bodoni (Nothing except a sword to the gullet I'd imagine?)
GM [to Renard]: other than the fact that the chains are at your ankles, your wrists are tied, you're walking, and there are five armored guards around you... nothing
Renard [to GM]: it was a question that was only relevant if those dockhands had actually attacked, or if Marshall Hrothgar rides in with the cavalry
GM [to Renard]: gotcha. well, it would take several seconds to undo the mechanism, if it comes up in the future.
Corin says, "(stopping here then?)"
GM says, "yep, good a place as any. we'll pick it up next week with everyone back in jail and Corin still free to act, but with a pretty definite deadline in place. ifyaknowwhatimean, hehe."
GM says, "*** END SESSION ***"
-- End log: Sunday, January 7, 2001 11:54:36 am LunaSoft MOO time --