Session Log 1/21/2001 Log
-- Start log: Sunday, January 21, 2001 9:17:08 am LunaSoft MOO time --
GM says, "*** START SESSION ***"
GM says, "last session we held the auction at which you were sold into slavery. Corin, of course, is still free, and is currently with Modag in the crowd. Joseph has been sold to Euric; the rest of you to a mysterious newcomer named Augax."
GM says, "noontime approaches, and Garomach has been led into the square, looking haggard and beaten."
GM says, "you are within earshot of him as the slave factor comes over to you with a wax tablet, followed by an assistant carrying a torch and a set of thin metal sticks"
Corin says, "(you being who?)"
Caralchis barely manages to maintain his calm as he watches his friend, he strains to listen
GM says, "(sorry) "you" being the slaves"
Corin says, "np"
GM [to Corin]: although if wanted to be a little conspicuous, you could shout to Garomach from the edge of the crowd
Corin says, "(brb..coffee is ready)"
GM [to Caralchis]: Garomach's not saying anything, actually - i'm just describing relative distances here
GM says, "[factor] congratulations, you five - especially you, Joseph, eight solidi! - you've made me a tidy profit. not bad for a morning's work, if i do say so myself."
GM says, "he gestures to his assistant, points to caralchis, and says, "two thousand four hundred eighteen""
GM [to Caralchis]: make a Vision roll
GM [to Caralchis]: it's 'roll 3d with dice'
Caralchis rolls 3 + 0.
Result [6 2 3] = 11 + 0 = 11.
Corin says, "(b)"
GM says, "ok, as the assistant walks up to you, you notice that the metal sticks end in half-inch-high letters. you see an 'M' and a 'I' and several others."
GM says, "[assistant] (to caralchis) left or right?"
Caralchis (branding time...)
Caralchis (to GM) would I have a thingie from being in the Roman army?
Corin imitates Bodoni's voice as best he can, and yells to Garomach as he passes, "Lord of Praesus! Be strong!"
GM [to Caralchis]: what sort of a thingie?
Corin says, "(a hymen = thingie)"
Caralchis (like tattoo or branding or wahtever they did)
GM [to Caralchis]: oh, no, they didn't brand the soldiers
GM [to Caralchis]: and tattoos were mostly unknown
Caralchis (ok.. i was just thinking of ther spqr thing from gladiator and wondering if everyone had one)
GM [to Corin]: roll your imitation skill
Corin rolls 3 + 0.
Result [4 6 6] = 16 + 0 = 16.
Corin says, "(bad miss...by 6)"
Caralchis says, "left"
GM [to Corin]: your voice cracks in midstream; it's obvious to all that Bodoni didn't say anything. you get a few curious looks from the crowd.
Corin coughs and turns, mingling in the crowd.
Corin says, "(Garomach react?)"
GM [to Caralchis]: the assistant holds the 'M' in the torch until it turns red, then says, "hold still" and presses it into the flesh behind your left shoulder
GM [to Corin]: Garomach raises his head to look around, but his facial expression remains grim
Corin says, "(hey, maybe I can be employed by your slave holder. So I'll be with you guys.)"
Caralchis (that's a good idea.. talk to him a little bit at least)
GM [to Caralchis]: he follows up with another 'M', a 'C', a 'D', an 'X', a 'V', and three 'I's - nine letters branded into your left shoulder
Corin says, "(who was the one that got lost to Euric?)"
GM [to Corin]: joseph was bought by Euric
Caralchis (what's that, 2163?)
Corin looks at Modag, "You must save Joseph from Euric. Buy him or something!"
Caralchis (wait 2168)
GM [to Caralchis]: (hopefully, it's 2418 unless i'm screwing up my roman numerals) meanwhile, the factor marks something down on his tablet
GM [to Caralchis]: oh wait, you're right... D is 50
GM [to Caralchis]: no, *i* was right... L is 50, D is 500
GM says, "in any case, the factor repeats the process for each slave, proceeding through 2419, 2420, 2421, and 2422"
GM says, "each of you is marked down in his tablet as you are branded"
GM says, "you all take 1 hit of damage unless you have Toughness, in which case the wound is purely superficial"
GM says, "[Modag] buy him? i couldn't compete with the eight solidi Euric bought him for not an hour ago. how am i supposed to buy him now?"
Corin says, "well, its no longer an auction. He just paid that to save face. He probably has no strong interest in Joseph.""
GM says, "[Modag] maybe... maybe. if that's the case then we'd have to approach him in private about buying him back. but i cannot afford much."
Corin nods. "Please try. Its in the stars to help us."
GM says, "[Modag] what difference will it make? the stars say that the world is ending."
Corin says, "Modag, please....you have to help us! You must talk to Euric!""
GM says, "[Modag] i will talk to him, but i can guarantee nothing."
Corin says, "fair enuf.""
GM says, "after the factor and his assistant are finished, Euric comes over to collect Joseph. he has several guards with him."
GM says, "[Euric] leave him chained and tied. i don't want to take any chances. take him back to the villa and put him in the slaves' barracks."
GM says, "the guards approach to lead Joseph away"
Corin elbows Modag, "now's your chance!"
GM says, "[Modag] hush! and get lost, Euric knows you!"
GM says, "he walks over towards Euric"
Corin nods, and slinks down, slipping deep into the crowd.
GM says, "the guards lead Joseph away through the crowd"
Corin says, "(how many guards on Joseph?)"
GM says, "meanwhile, Augax approaches the remaining four (only one of which is actually present today, darnit)"
GM [to Corin]: four
GM says, "Augax has pale, pockmarked skin with a heavy overlay of freckles. his long, tangled hair is auburn, with a darker, thick beard."
Corin tries to get within earshot of Augax while remaining unseen.
GM says, "although he is obviously well-heeled from the money he just paid out, you wouldn't know it from his dress, which consists of rugged traveling clothes"
GM says, "he speaks Gothic with an odd sort of accent that you can't quite place"
GM [to Corin]: roll Stealth
Corin rolls 3 + 0.
Result [6 1 2] = 9 + 0 = 9.
GM says, "you find a knot of people not too far from Augax who aren't talking too loud, and stand near them, trying to be inconspicuous"
GM says, "[Augax] (to the city guards) you may unshackle and untie them now, they won't run away."
GM says, "the city guards begin to do as he asked as he continues to speak."
Caralchis (do I acttually know his name at this point?)
Corin is wary, but thinks he may like this stranger.
GM says, "[Augax] i am Augax, your new owner. i have a particular task in mind for you, which i will explain later."
GM says, "[Augax] i know you are unused to the condition of slavery, and will grant you some leeway, but do not press too hard. i paid good money for you and intend for my investment to pay off."
Caralchis says, "You don't look like you're from around here.""
GM says, "[Augax] remember that if you run, you will be hunted men the rest of your lives. so don't."
GM says, "[Augax] no, i have traveled widely, although i am very familiar with the Gallic provinces."
GM says, "brb"
GM says, "back"
GM says, "(Caralchis, are you continuing the conversation?)"
Caralchis says, "would you care to elaborate on your plans for us?"
GM says, "[Augax] later. in private."
Caralchis nods. you have a house here? or where are we headed?
GM says, "[Augax] i'm staying at an inn."
GM says, "the guards finish untying you"
GM says, "[Augax] follow me, please. i have no interest in the grisly spectacle they have planned at noon."
Corin looks over at Garomach when he hears these words.
Caralchis (how old does this guy look?)
GM [to Caralchis]: early 40s, maybe
Corin says, "((geez, middle of a blizzard here, outside looks bad))"
GM says, "((got some snow here, too... must be really bad in Boston))"
Caralchis says, "((really? here the sun's shining and the snow melting))"
GM says, "a brilliantly caparisoned knight has entered the square, with a huge ceremonial two-handed sword at his belt. the crowd noise rises as they notice his entrance."
Corin knows where Joseph is, and decides to follow the others if they move.
GM says, "Augax leads the four of you away, Corin tagging along behind."
Caralchis has trouble watching this, but more trouble not glancing over at Garomach
Corin sadly thinks of Garomach as he follows them.
GM says, "the crowd noise drops as the charges against Garomach and read once again"
GM says, "shouts of 'kill him!' and 'shorten the Frankish spy!' ring out as the verdict is read again as well"
Corin grimaces, and roughly, but accidently of course, bumps a particularly outspoken man in the crowd as he moves.
GM says, "glancing back, you see Garomach kneeling in the market, the ceremonial knight standing behind him holding his sword high. Garomach is looking in your direction, a calmly resigned look in his eye."
Caralchis clenches his fists and takes a deep breath
GM says, "you are nearly out of the square, and the crowd surges and screams as the sword flashes in the midday sun."
Caralchis closes his eyes
GM says, "[Augax] terrible sight, really. they should do such things in private if they must do them."
Corin realizes he has been holding his breath, and releases it with a loud sigh.
Corin sets his jaw, and vows to revenge to the death of his Lord if he can.
GM says, "(would anyone have a problem with stopping here? i know it's early, but we're a small group today and this is a natural breakpoint...)"
Caralchis says, "hmmmmm"
Corin says, "(np here...i have to shovel *grin* No Renard huh)"
Joseph says, "we can stop if you like, we really need the others here to go on further."
GM says, "guess not - he said he'd just be 'late', but i think he's not showing up"
Corin says, "its better having a full turn out"
GM says, "ok then"
GM says, "*** END SESSION ***"
-- End log: Sunday, January 21, 2001 10:30:14 am LunaSoft MOO time --