Scene Two
Scene Three
Scene Four
Scene Five
Chapter Three: Viva Las Vegas
Scene One: Ambush Site
mgrasso> One thing I neglected to mention last time: the Countess arranged for your real-world luggage to be waiting for you in your suites at the Excalibur. :)
Sam> nice.
mgrasso> So you don't have to go around all stinky and without new clothes all weekend. :)
Mandy> thats good
Julia> She's a peach. :)
mgrasso> To recap: we were traveling through the Dreaming to get a gambler named "Knack" to the Barony of the Golden Wheel (Las Vegas) for the annual Kingdom of the Burning Sun poker tourney.
mgrasso> We had paid a toll, saw a UFO, and dispatched three fae desperadoes.
mgrasso> When we left off, Rolando had valiantly dispatched their leader and accepted his honorable surrender.
Sam> (and luckily not off-ed the guy)
mgrasso> To the victor go the spoils: 2 crossbows, 32 bolts, and 54 gold Firebird crowns.
mgrasso> (all chimerical)
mgrasso> All right, let's continue our journey.
mgrasso> Into character with ye.
*** Julia is now known as Artemisia
*** Erica is now known as Solangia
*** Sam is now known as Rolando
*** Mandy is now known as Aranth
*** mgrasso is now known as MG-GM
*** mgrasso is now known as MG-GM
MG-GM> All righty then.
MG-GM> Rolando, are you going to let the two redcaps slink off into the Dreaming, sans weapons and money?
MG-GM> Or are you taking them prisoner, or what?
Rolando> Does the lady Artemisia wish me to question them first?
Rolando> Or are we just assuming they're common highway robbers?
MG-GM> They can tell you as much.
Aranth> never ass-u-me
Artemisia> Perhaps we should ask them if they are robbers or otherwise.
Solangia> I could torture it out of them if they refuse to cooperate.
* Solangia rubs her hands together
* Rolando grabs the leader by the lapels and hoists him up.
MG-GM> The redcap leader chews some tobacco and spits it out. "Whaddayou think?"
Artemisia> Hopefully that won't be necessary, Solangia.
MG-GM> Rolando, Str + Intimidation, diff. 5
Rolando> !dice 6 5
* DiceWell Rolando rolls 6d10 at difficulty 5. S/He gets 1 success.
Rolando> is that right?
* DiceWell 10 6 1 1 9 3
MG-GM> There you go. A little lag.
Rolando> (d'oh!)
MG-GM> But one success. He scowls back at you, silently appraising your copper-blue stony face.
MG-GM> Although you can detect he's a little frightened, he's not cowering, to be sure.
Rolando> (Does he look like he'll answer a few questions?)
MG-GM> (Give it a try, sure)
Rolando> So why did you attack us, "friend?"
MG-GM> Can everyone check in? I feel like there's lag. -> [Aranth] PING
Artemisia> (here) -> [Artemisia] PING
Aranth> (here) -> [DiceWell] PING -> [MG-GM] PING -> [Rolando] PING -> [Solangia] PING
Rolando> Was it just for gold...or was there something else?
MG-GM> "That's what we do. Rob." The redcap closes his veiny, dust-encrusted eyes. "We don't kill, though. Too expensive."
Rolando> Who do you work for?
MG-GM> "No one's ever come out against us before. Most of the time it's peaceful travelers or stray chimera."
MG-GM> "Ourselves, ya dumb blue rock." -Solangia- here
Rolando> I hope you're telling the truth...
Aranth> oh, I I'll have to remember that one...
Rolando> ...or I might have to hand you over to the cat and the Nocker here.
MG-GM> "Yeah, well... why would I lie? Do I *look* like I work for someone else?" He glances at his dusty leather accoutrements.
MG-GM> "Ooooh, I'm *real* scared of those two."
* Rolando drops him on his butt in the dirt.
MG-GM> "That cat doesn't look like she gets away from the milk saucer too often. And the nocker's a good advertisement for contraception."
Aranth> You better be you furkin stank ass bastard
MG-GM> The redcaps smirks... absent of anyone to terrorize, he'll just annoy people. :)
Aranth> hey, rolando, I don't suppose you could crush his head in a little?, not that he'd have to worry about braindamage or anything...
Rolando> Hmmm...
Solangia> Yes, Rolando... Can't we hurt him just a wee bit?
* Solangia 's tail twitches
Rolando> I'd rather not, but...
MG-GM> (I see some "good cop/bad cop" being played here) :)
Rolando> ...if he's going to be uncooperative what choice do we have?
* Rolando shrugs.
MG-GM> The redcap's demeanor doesn't change very much while Aranth and Solangia lobby for pain.
* Solangia smirks at the redcap
Aranth> you could cut off his balls and make him wear 'em as a neclace... if you could find them.
MG-GM> However, when Rolando shrugs, and seems to let them loose, he quivers a bit.
Rolando> What about it, little fellow? You have something to tell us?
Aranth> (sorry, I'm still a little hyped up, violence wise, from werewolf)
MG-GM> (heh! cool.)
MG-GM> "I swear!" he stammers. "It's just me, and my buddy here, and our nocker, who ran away? The little guy in the sombrero? He made our weapons."
Rolando> Gotta love those nockers...
Aranth> your knocker?
Artemisia> He seems to be telling the truth, as much as such a foul creature can.
MG-GM> He worked for us, and lurked in the shadows when we'd ambush, slinging cantrips at the people we'd rob.
Rolando> I agree...I don't think he knows much of interest to us.
MG-GM> ""
Solangia> What a shame.
Artemisia> Redcap, what dangers lie ahead for us on the trod, since you came from that direction?
MG-GM> "Just us. And the Chasm. But I'd assume that big bad travelers like you know not to go into the Great Chasm."
Artemisia> Yes, we know better.
* Artemisia smiles.
MG-GM> OK, are we off again?
MG-GM> Leaving the redcaps without money or weapons?
Artemisia> Shall we be rid of this foul thing and be off?
Rolando> I think so.
Artemisia> Do we leave them penniless, with no weapons?
Solangia> But of course!
* Aranth in his best snood-bag accent "Rather"
Solangia> I can't believe you even have to ask that.
MG-GM> Of course. I assumed we already took their crossbows, ammo, and money.
Artemisia> All right.
Scene Two: Knack's Cottage
MG-GM> All right, traveling on.
MG-GM> You leave the redcaps, literally, behind in the dust.
MG-GM> The scrubland gives way to a high plateau land, and the air gets a little less dry.
MG-GM> Cacti and brush gives way to tall, strong, pines, first in small bunches, and eventually, in towering walls of waving foliage.
MG-GM> The trod cuts a path through the woods, and, at one point, emerges from the woods, where you see a great huge canyon to your right.
MG-GM> Its about the size of the real world's Grand Canyon, but the bottom is not visible; it's hidden under a white swirling mist.
MG-GM> The trod goes for another half-league alongside the Great Chasm, and then crests a hill.
MG-GM> When you get over the hill, you see a small wood cottage sitting by a marvelously crystalline lake.
MG-GM> Smoke comes from the chimney; this cottage is obviously inhabited.
MG-GM> A stack of firewood sits in a stand outside the front door.
MG-GM> Propped up against it is a stout axe.
MG-GM> (whew, done)
MG-GM> Whatcha gonna do?
Rolando> Well, is this the home of the gambler Knack?
Aranth> looks like a furking boggan home or sumthin
MG-GM> I guess there's only one way to find out. :)
Artemisia> This must be. It is as described by Lady Sharon.
Rolando> Shall I do the honors?
* Rolando knocks stoutly at the door.
MG-GM> Walking up to the door, you see the glass in the front window is frosted, so you can't see in.
Artemisia> Perhaps I should approach him? Jack, you ar rather... intimidating.
Rolando> As you wish my Lady.
Artemisia> Stay here by the door, though, please.
Artemisia> Near that axe, just in case.
Rolando> All right.
* Artemisia knocks at the door again.
MG-GM> About 30 seconds after knocking, a fae comes to the door. He is old, tanned, with a long black ponytail. His pointed ears peek out from underneath his jet-black hair. He wears a natty red-brown bathrobe and wears a pair of torn moccasins on his feet.
MG-GM> "Who the hell are you?" he says, with a deep southern drawl (probably Texan).
Artemisia> Hello, kind sir. My name is Artemisia, and these are my traveling companions.
MG-GM> He gestures with his hand. "And...?"
Artemisia> Might you be the gambler known as Kanck?
Artemisia> Knack?
Artemisia> (hehe)
MG-GM> "Yeah, but no one's called me Knack in nigh on 12 years now." He sighs. "Who sent you?"
Artemisia> We are from the duchy of the Firebird, on our way through to the Kingdom of the Burning Sun.
MG-GM> (You're in the Kingdom of the Burning Sun already. You'r eon your way to Vegas, or the Barony of the Golden Wheel)
Artemisia> We have heard of your gambling prowess and have stopped to pay our respects.
MG-GM> (They're all part of the same kingdom.)
Artemisia> (Ah, I can never keep that straight.)
MG-GM> "Hmm, have you, now?" He eyes Artemisia strangely. "I didn't think your kind approved of gambling."
Artemisia> Whatever gave you that idea, sir?
Aranth> *Cough* bullshit *cough*
MG-GM> "Because all the sidhe I've ever played have been godawful poker players." He smiles the kind of smile you see on the most confident of winners.
* Rolando raises an eyebrow.
MG-GM> "Listen, come on in, you obviously need to take a load off."
MG-GM> He opens the door for Artemisia.
Artemisia> Touche, my dear Knack. Or would you prefer another name?
MG-GM> "Knack's fine, darlin'." He ushers you into his two room cottage.
Aranth> so why are you settled?
Artemisia> Thank you for your hospitality, Knack.
MG-GM> Inside, you see a room filled to the brim with chimerical works of art. Mostly done in gold and silver, trophies adorn the racks on the walls.
MG-GM> There are also a couple of framed parchments on the walls near the fireplace.
MG-GM> There's a cauldron sitting on the fire right now as well.
MG-GM> A simple kitchen table and four chairs sit near the back window.
Artemisia> Well, I can see why you stopped gambling. No more room for awards!
* Artemisia laughs.
MG-GM> Artemisia, give me a Charisma + Carousing roll.
MG-GM> Diff. 6.
MG-GM> Reroll tens.
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 4 successes.
Artemisia> !dice 5 6
* DiceWell 6 7 4 7 6
MG-GM> Cripes.
MG-GM> "You're just a charmin' little noble, there, ain't ya?" Knack smiles at Artemisia again.
MG-GM> "Compliments mean a lot more than all these things." He gestures at the awards.
MG-GM> (anyone doing anything different?)
* Solangia is inspecting the parchments on the walls
* Artemisia blushes lightly.
* Aranth is making himself comfortable
* Solangia looks over at Artemisia, rolls her eyes, then goes back to looking at the parchments
* Rolando hang back and tries not to knock anything over.
Rolando> hangs back
MG-GM> "All right, lady," he says with just a microscopic bit of respect in his voice, "you've gotta have another reason for coming here. What is it?"
Artemisia> Well, I must say it is an honor to be in the presence of such a great talent.
Aranth> quit the bs. Art, level with the man
MG-GM> Knack laughs quite loudly at Aranth.
Artemisia> But, to be perfectly honest, Knack, we have come to ask you to accompany us to the Poker Tournament and play again.
MG-GM> "The Poker Tournament. I assume the one in Vegas? The one they ask me to do every year?"
Artemisia> Yes, that's the one.
* Artemisia smiles sweetly.
MG-GM> "Man, can't a man retire to Arizona without people thinking he owes them something for living here?"
Aranth> the one you turn down every year I assume?
MG-GM> "I owe no allegiance to Duchess Rachael. Why would she send you, she knows I'm not going to do it."
Artemisia> You say "Arizona" and "Vegas", yet you live entirely in the Dreaming? Why is that?
Artemisia> And Rachel did not send us.
MG-GM> "Why do I live here? I don't think that's any of yer business, sweetheart."
MG-GM> "Wait, Rachael didn't send you? Who did?"
Artemisia> No, I mean, why do you refer to the non-Dreaming names. But that's not important right now.
Artemisia> We were sent by Lady Sharon, Baroness of the Black Mountain.
MG-GM> "Because, darlin', when you're a gambler, Vegas is Vegas."
Artemisia> Ah.
* Artemisia smiles again.
MG-GM> "Rachael's sis? Now why is she trying to get my old carcass to Vegas?"
MG-GM> "I tell you, you sidhe are deeper than a Monte Carlo ante."
Artemisia> I don't recall her mentioning that to us, actually.
MG-GM> OK, Artemisia, now's the time to convince him.
MG-GM> I need a first Charisma + Persuasion roll, diff. 8.
MG-GM> Reroll 10s.
Artemisia> We were just charged - rather irresistably - with convincing you to accompany us.
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 3 successes.
Artemisia> !dice 6 8
* DiceWell 9 5 9 4 7 10
MG-GM> reroll that 10, type d10
Artemisia> d10
* DiceWell throws the bones for Artemisia (d10) and gets 10.
MG-GM> Again!
Artemisia> wow.
* DiceWell throws the bones for Artemisia (d10) and gets 1.
Artemisia> d10
MG-GM> D'oh!
Artemisia> d'oh.
MG-GM> Heh.
Artemisia> (Oh sure, re-roll those tens. :)
MG-GM> OK, you sit him down at the table, and outline why it would be so wonderful for him to join you. Another Cha + Persuasion roll.
MG-GM> Diff. 8 again.
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success.
Artemisia> !dice 6 8
* DiceWell 10 2 1 5 5 9
MG-GM> Reroll the 10?
* DiceWell throws the bones for Artemisia (d10) and gets 8.
Artemisia> d10
MG-GM> Cool. OK, 2 more successes.
MG-GM> He scratches the back of his head, after Artemisia talks with him for about 10 minutes. "Jeez, well, you know, I think it'd be good to see how much the world's changed in these last 12 years or so."
* Artemisia flashes Knack a dazzling smile.
MG-GM> "Cripes, I hope I have some real non-chimerical clothes on when I exit the Dreaming!" He smiles.
Aranth> shit. That was easier than I anticipated... now what are we going to use the fifty feet of chimerical rope for?
MG-GM> Can everyone give me their Glamour - Banality? Permanent scores.
Solangia> I'm sure I can come up wiht a few ideas, Aranth...
Solangia> Later, of course.
Artemisia> 5 Glamour, 4 Banality
Aranth> ooo... sounds kinky
MG-GM> Glamour minus Banality, I meant.
Rolando> 1 for me.
Aranth> 1
MG-GM> So, that's one for Art. :)
Artemisia> Oh. 1.
Solangia> 2
MG-GM> Great. Thanks.
MG-GM> OK, so Knack packs up a whole bunch of chimerical clothing, and a few decks of beautiful chimerical cards that look like they came from the old west; beautiful painted pictures of kings queens and jacks on them.
MG-GM> Dice made from gemstones, ivory, ebonwood, crystal...
MG-GM> And a tiny little knife that he tucks into his sleeve.
MG-GM> He also dresses to the nines; a far cry from his appearance when you met with him.
MG-GM> He puts on a deep red crushed velvet suit jacket, a bolo tie with golden clasp, and smooth red-brown slacks. He seems to prefer the earth tones.
Rolando> (sweet)
MG-GM> He ties his hair back with a strap of leather and gathers together a moderate amount of chimerical gold and silver.
MG-GM> "I'm ready." This whole thing only takes him 30 minutes. Wits + Intuition, Diff. 9, everyone.
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 4d10 at difficulty 9. S/He gets 1 success.
Artemisia> !dice 4 9
* DiceWell 9 4 2 4
Aranth> ! 5 9
Aranth> oops!
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 5d10 at difficulty 9. S/He botches the roll.
Aranth> !dice 5 9
* DiceWell 8 1 1 9 4
MG-GM> Sol? Rol?
MG-GM> (Don't bother looking too hard for Intuition; I don't think you guys have it :) )
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 3d10 at difficulty 9. S/He gets 1 success.
Solangia> !dice 3 9
* DiceWell 7 10 6
* DiceWell Rolando rolls 3d10 at difficulty 9. S/He gets 1 success.
Rolando> !dice 3 9
* DiceWell 2 5 10
MG-GM> OK, cool, thanks.
Solangia> (::glares at milligrams::)
MG-GM> (hey! what'd i do?)
MG-GM> OK, he's all packed up and ready to leave.
MG-GM> He locks the door to his cottage with a heavy brass key.
MG-GM> "Let's be off! Wow, the open road."
MG-GM> He looks at the trod. Perception + Empathy, Diff. 7.
Aranth> ever miss it?
MG-GM> Aranth, your roll is Diff. 6.
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 6d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 2 successes.
Aranth> !dice 6 6
* DiceWell 5 1 9 6 8 2
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 5 successes.
Artemisia> !dice 5 6
* DiceWell 6 6 8 6 8
MG-GM> Everyone can roll at 7.
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 3d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 2 successes.
Solangia> !dice 3 6
* DiceWell 7 7 4
Rolando> !die 3 7
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 3d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 1 success.
Solangia> !dice 3 7
* DiceWell 5 3 10
* DiceWell Rolando rolls 3d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 1 success.
Rolando> !dice 3 7
* DiceWell 2 5 9
Artemisia> (!Die, lmao )
MG-GM> Wow, OK. You all can see he's definitely getting misty-eyed.
Rolando> (heehee)
Solangia> (i'm so confused all of a sudden)
MG-GM> In fact, he *very* quickly wipes away a tear.
MG-GM> "Dammit. I'm too old for this. Anyway, let's go to Vegas."
MG-GM> He takes a small piece of paper out of his pack, and starts folding it.
MG-GM> Soon, he's got a tiny paper airplane, and he flings in forward, in front of you, on the trod.
MG-GM> (flings *it* forward)
MG-GM> He immediately chases after it, running and whooping. He gestures for you to follow.
MG-GM> "Come on, guys! The airplane's going to take us there!"
* Rolando glances at the others.
* Aranth is baffled
* Solangia shrugs at Rolando
MG-GM> He's running really fast. I need everyone to make a Stamina + Athletics roll, diff. 6
Rolando> !dice 6
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 1d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
Aranth> !dice 1 6
* DiceWell 4
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
Solangia> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell 5 7
* DiceWell Rolando rolls 6d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
Rolando> !dice 6 6
* DiceWell 5 5 10 7 4 1
Rolando> (damn return key)
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He botches the roll.
Artemisia> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell 4 1
Artemisia> damn.
MG-GM> Spend a point of Willpower, Aranth or Artemisia?
Aranth> good idea
MG-GM> Feel free. It's a prime situation for using WP.
Artemisia> I guess so.
MG-GM> Solangia, Rolando, and Aranth chase after Knack, huffing and puffing. I need those three to make another Str + Ath roll, Diff. 5. Artemisia, yours is Diff. 6.
MG-GM> Anyone want to spend WP? Let me know.
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
Artemisia> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell 5 3
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 5. S/He gets 1 success.
Solangia> !dice 2 5
* DiceWell 4 5
Artemisia> damn it!
* DiceWell Rolando rolls 6d10 at difficulty 5. S/He gets 2 successes.
Rolando> !dice 6 5
* DiceWell 2 5 3 7 1 6
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 1d10 at difficulty 5. S/He gets 1 success.
Aranth> !dice 1 5
* DiceWell 7
MG-GM> Rolando catches up to Knack, and Solangia, Artemisia, and Aranth can see them kinda like doppler shift into the distance; their forms get all stretchy and stuff, and it looks like they're about to like space-warp or something.
MG-GM> OK, last round to catch them. If you have Willpower left, I'd say use it. :)
Rolando> Whoaaaa...
MG-GM> Diff. 4 for Aranth and Solangia, 5 for Artemisia.
Artemisia> All right. But I'm really low now.
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 1d10 at difficulty 4. S/He gets 1 success.
Aranth> !dice 1 4
* DiceWell 6
MG-GM> (Hey, a good night's sleep does wonders. :) )
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 4. S/He botches the roll.
Solangia> !dice 2 4
* DiceWell 2 1
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 5. S/He fails the roll!
Artemisia> !dice 2 5
* DiceWell 2 4
MG-GM> Spend a point, Sol, Art?
Solangia> sure
Artemisia> I already said yes
MG-GM> OK.
Aranth> being @ o doesn't mean anything othere than you have none, right?
MG-GM> You all find yourselves warping through the space of the Dreaming. Miles and miles of countryside stretch around you. Your perceptions are strangely altered, making the whole trod seem to envelop you as the outside scenery wraps around you like a bubble.
MG-GM> being @?
MG-GM> at zero?
MG-GM> WP?
MG-GM> (Sorry, I needed a translation. :) )
Aranth> yeah
MG-GM> Yeah, that's it. Although it means you're more susceptible to stuff that will take away Willpower.
Aranth> k
MG-GM> You pop out with an audible sucking sound, and find yourselves standing before a pair of golden gates.
Artemisia> Wow, you sure travel in style, Knack.
Scene Three: Gateway to Vegas
MG-GM> They stand in the middle of the desert, unguarded. Beyond them, you can see the aisles of a Seven-Eleven. A Slurpee machine sloshes happily in the background.
MG-GM> The 7-11 only appears *through* the gate.
MG-GM> All around you, is more and more desert.
Rolando> 9(nice one, Mike)
* Aranth 's stomach growles
Solangia> Ooh, slurpees...
MG-GM> Knack says, "I know all the highways and byways of the Dreaming, darlin'."
MG-GM> (thanks, Sam. A little somethin' for nostalgia's sake :) )
Rolando> (:) )
MG-GM> So, are we walking through?
Artemisia> Yes, please!
Rolando> Certainly.
MG-GM> All right. You all walk through the gate, and into the convenience store.
MG-GM> You are all *highly* disoriented.
MG-GM> "How did I get here?" you all think.
Aranth> I'm gonna check and see if Knack is naked, then buy a slurpee
MG-GM> "Last I remember, I was in the freehold."
Aranth> that bad?
MG-GM> "I seem to remember traveling on a journey, but it all seems like a dream."
Rolando> Wow...
MG-GM> Yep.
MG-GM> You do remember Knack; it seems like you've known him for a while.
MG-GM> You also remember the poker tournament.
MG-GM> Everything having to do with the Dreaming just kind of fades away.
Artemisia> Hey... is that a slurpee machine?
MG-GM> (Of course, you still carry the chimerical gold and crossbows, and you're like, "How did they get here?")
Artemisia> (Are we still in the Dreaming, then?)
* Solangia wanders over to the slurpee machine in the hopes that stealing a few lids will stir her memory
MG-GM> As Artemisia, Solangia, and Aranth go towards the slurpee machine, two really big guys block their way.
MG-GM> (no, we're in Vegas) :)
Rolando> (not too far off though)
MG-GM> These "really big guys," both bald, white, and wearing sunglasses, are actually trolls in their fae mien.
Artemisia> (Can we still have chimerical stuff?)
MG-GM> (Yes. Of course.)
Rolando> Seelie trolls?
MG-GM> (They're just not "attached" to anything material. they're like imaginary toys :) )
Aranth> hey guys, I just want a slurpee
MG-GM> Well, they see Rolando, and nod to him gruffly, and say, "State your business."
MG-GM> (By the way, Knack is clothed in one of those Colonel Sanders ties and a black suit. He looks the same as his fae mien, except for no pointed ears.) :)
* Solangia sighs in frustration
Rolando> I seem to remember we are here as guests of the Duchess Rachael...
MG-GM> "No slurpees till you tell us how the hell you got in here."
Solangia> The door, perhaps?
MG-GM> "Oh," the troll says, "you're here for the poker tournament? Why didn't you say so? Brains a little scrambled from the trip, huh?" The trolls laugh to each other.
Rolando> Seems that way.
* Solangia glares at the trolls
* Artemisia looks up at the trolls. "May I have a Slurpee now, please?"
* Rolando suppresses a chuckle.
Artemisia> If you are quite satisfied?
MG-GM> One of the trolls grabs a cell phone from his pocket, and dials a number on speed dial. "Yeah, Burt, can you send a limo around to the Seven-Eleven? One of the poker participants is here."
MG-GM> The Slurpee machine is open for business. :)
Solangia> (finally! sol needs sugar)
MG-GM> There's pina colada, strawberry, and grape.
Aranth> yes... blue tounge here I come!
* Rolando goes for a pina colada/strawberry medley.
* Artemisia goes for pina colada!
Aranth> well then, purple toung
MG-GM> "The limo will be here in about 10 minutes."
* Solangia pours herself a strawberry slurpee and furtively pockets a few extra lids
MG-GM> Aranth, Perception + Computers.
MG-GM> Diff. 4.
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 6d10 at difficulty 4. S/He fails the roll!
Aranth> !dice 6 4
* DiceWell 2 7 1 1 10 2
MG-GM> D'oh!
Aranth> ouch
MG-GM> The trolls explain, while you wait for the limo, that this 7-11 is a small freehold that they protect and which is run by a knight of Baron Nick's court (who isn't here right now) and which is the exit point for the trods leading to Las Vegas.
MG-GM> So, this is where everyone tumbles into reality after exiting the Dreaming.
Artemisia> And has slurpees.
Rolando> Nice touch.
MG-GM> By the way, it's 1:30 pm, only about 5 hours after you left Tucson.
*** Artemisia is now known as Ingrid
MG-GM> The Dreaming trip is forgotten now.
MG-GM> (Thanks, Julia)
*** Aranth is now known as James
*** Rolando is now known as Jack
*** Solangia is now known as Gemma
MG-GM> Awesome. Here comes the limo. Just a plain mundane one, unfortunately: no fae mien. :)
MG-GM> Black, stretch. You all pile in back. The trolls wish Knack good luck and good gaming.
MG-GM> You're in Las Vegas! The limo tools down the strip and towards the Excalibur.
* Ingrid opens the moon roof.
MG-GM> Knack just gazes at Vegas.
MG-GM> "They did all this... in 12 years?"
MG-GM> "Good lord."
MG-GM> "It's... it's like Disneyland."
MG-GM> Perception + Empathy, Diff. 8, everyone.
Ingrid> Hah! You should see Times Square.
* DiceWell Jack rolls 3d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 2 successes.
Jack> !dice 3 8
* DiceWell 9 6 9
* DiceWell Ingrid rolls 5d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 3 successes.
Ingrid> !dice 5 8
* DiceWell 8 9 3 10 4
* DiceWell James rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 2 successes.
James> !dice 6 8
* DiceWell 10 3 9 1 9 4
* Ingrid looks at Knack a little more closely.
MG-GM> Gemma, you there? -> [Gemma] PING
* Jack puts a sympathetic hand on Knack's shoulder.
Ingrid> You okay, Knack?
MG-GM> It's... where have I been? Living in a cottage? I... I need to lie down.
James> don't stress man! It's just change.
Jack> Take it easy, Knack...
Ingrid> Here, lie down on the seat.
MG-GM> Knack lies down, and just zones out.
Scene Four: The Lobby of the Excalibur
MG-GM> The Excalibur is a horrific thing; a huge gigantic cartoonish castle with huge towers and pennants flying; it's tucked among the new theme hotels, like the Luxor and the rest of the new Las Vegas.
MG-GM> The limo drops you off at the front door of the hotel. The lobby beckons within.
* Jack looks around and just shakes his head.
* DiceWell Gemma rolls 3d10 at difficulty 8. S/He fails the roll!
Gemma> !dice 3 8
* DiceWell 10 1 4
Gemma> (sorry!)
MG-GM> (hold on one sec, is everyone here?)
MG-GM> (Ah, there we are)
Jack> (check)
Ingrid> Well, let's go take a look at the inside of this monstrosity.
James> ()
MG-GM> You walk into the lobby.
MG-GM> Check-in is absolutely *mobbed*.
MG-GM> The line has to be at least 10 people long at each station.
MG-GM> There are tons of those little baggage trains sitting in the back of the lobby.
MG-GM> So, what's up?
Jack> Any familiar looking luggage on the carts?
James> lets get our shit... provided it isn't half way to boston right now.
MG-GM> Nope on the luggage.
Ingrid> All right. There has to be some way to get past this. I mean, we're escorting *Knack* for heaven's sake.
MG-GM> It'll probably get sent up to the room.
Jack> Guess we'd better find somebody in charge...
* Ingrid looks around for anyone resembling a manager.
James> or we could wait in line like everyone else
* James gets in line
MG-GM> (heh, the mighty warriors have to tackle an everyday problem!)
Ingrid> No way, James. A Sidhe doesn't wait in line.
MG-GM> James gets in line, and waits patiently. The rest of you?
James> snood.
Gemma> Oh, please, honey.
* Gemma waits in line with James
* Jack scans around for the mythical "manager."
MG-GM> There are a number of concierges taking care of people at the desks, but no one who is obviously a manager.
* Jack sighs.
MG-GM> (gimme one second, folks)
Jack> (sure.)
* DiceWell Ingrid rolls 4d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
Ingrid> !dice 4 6
* DiceWell 8 1 3 8
MG-GM> (ok, back)
MG-GM> (Btw, http://www.excaliburcasino.com/)
Gemma> !dice 7 10
* DiceWell Gemma rolls 7d10 at difficulty 10. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 1 8 4 7 2 5 6
Jack> (nice)
MG-GM> You can all see Gemma try to weasel her way to the front of the line. An especially pissed-off tourist with three whiny children in tow pulls her by her arm and says, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing!"
MG-GM> Gemma, take 2 Temp. Banality, James, take 1 Temp. Banality.
James> hey lady, who the hell do you think you are?
MG-GM> She starts haranguing Gemma and tells her to wait in line like everyone else.
* DiceWell Ingrid rolls 3d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success.
Ingrid> !dice 3 8
* DiceWell 9 3 2
James> just because your brats have ruined your life, doesn't mean you have to ruin everyone elses
MG-GM> (oh, jeez)
Ingrid> James. shut UP.
MG-GM> James, Wits + Empathy, Diff. 6
* DiceWell James rolls 9d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes.
James> !dice 9 6
* DiceWell 7 2 4 3 5 1 9 9 9
* Jack heads over to try and restore calm...
Ingrid> Okay, I think I have a plan.
MG-GM> You can see James just egging the woman on in an increasingly heated argument.
Ingrid> I'm going to faint, and you guys make a really big fuss, okay?
Ingrid> Then maybe we can get a manager over here.
Ingrid> And James, stop it NOW.
Jack> Uh, well...if you say so.
* Jack moves to catch Ingrid if she really does faint.
James> hell no. I'm giving her a piece of my mind, and I'll stop hen I'm done
James> when
* DiceWell James rolls 3d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
James> !dice 3 6
* DiceWell 2 3 7
MG-GM> You can see James take the woman to her breaking point, whereupon the woman cries right in front of her children. Oddly, none of the other people in line seems to notice or care much.
Ingrid> Unless anyone has a better idea?
MG-GM> The line, meanwhile, has moved quite considerably.
Jack> Excuse me. Dammit James, knock it off right now!
MG-GM> In fact, Gemma and James are only a couple of people away.
* Ingrid sighs.
Ingrid> I guess we may as well wait now.
Ingrid> James, are you feeling any better?
MG-GM> You get to the front, all 5 of you.
* Ingrid gives James a look.
James> Furk you... she went ape shit on gem, and I don't take that shit mr honor and glory my ass
James> oh much beter Ingrid, thanks for asking
MG-GM> The friendly concierge (how she still manages to be friendly after all the customers coming in and ranting at her is beyond you) says, "Hello, and welcome to the Excalibur, my name
Ingrid> Yes, I thought so.
MG-GM> 's Miranda, how can I help you?"
Ingrid> Hello, Miranda. We have rooms waiting.
MG-GM> "All right, what's the name?"
James> James goldstien, maybe... they were booked for us
Ingrid> Look under Knack, or Ingrid Kane.
MG-GM> "Hmm... yes, I have a reservation for five suites for a party of five."
MG-GM> "Uh... unfortunately..."
MG-GM> Miranda starts to hem and haw.
Ingrid> What is it?
James> unfortunately?
MG-GM> "Well, we've overbooked, so I've had to bump you down to two doubles."
Ingrid> I'm sorry, that is unacceptable.
MG-GM> "Perhaps if you were willing to wait a day, we could see what opens up and give you a voucher for free gaming and food?"
MG-GM> "In the meantime?"
MG-GM> "We do want to keep our customers happy, of course."
James> what her nibs means to say, is 2 doubles will be fine.
Ingrid> No, I'm sorry, that won't do at all.
MG-GM> Miranda the clerk looks to James, and then to Ingrid.
James> although a voucher for free food is great.
Ingrid> I'd like to speak to the manager, please.
MG-GM> "I can get him for you straight away, just one moment."
MG-GM> Meanwhile, the people behind you in line are getting nasty.
* Jack looks apologetically at the people in line.
James> damn it, did you learn to be so snobby or were you breast fed off a silver tit?
MG-GM> Miranda walks back to the office in back and gets a bald-headed, smiling functionary who walks up to you, "Yes, my name is Mr. Polsky, what seems to be the problem?"
Ingrid> Don't try your fights with me, James. They'll profit you nothing.
MG-GM> (heh, mandy)
MG-GM> Mr. Polsky looks to Ingrid.
Ingrid> Mr. Polsky, apparently there's been a mistake. My friends and I had booked a suite for five, and Miranda here says we've been knocked down to two doubles.
Ingrid> She's offered inducements for us to take it, but I would rather not.
MG-GM> "Yes, unfortunately, we are having a bit of an accommodations crunch. Tell you what, though, what we usually do in a situation like this is provide an all-you-can-eat credit voucher for the weekend and 100 dollars in chips per suite, compliments of the house."
MG-GM> "Your rooms are paid for, so the refund would go to the cardholder, as well."
James> sounds great mr. Polsky... free food, free money.
MG-GM> All right, great, then. Is that acceptable, Ms. Kane?
Ingrid> Yes, I understand what you usually do, but we have come a long way, with reservations made well in advance, and I want that suite!
* Ingrid is clearly getting angry.
MG-GM> Ah, apparently not. Well, it's all I have for you, unfortunately. We can definitely get you into those suites tomorrow.
James> Can I get a key to one of the doubles mr. P, so that I can get settled in?
Ingrid> No, James. Wait.
MG-GM> Sure, Mr. Goldstein, here you are, and your voucher, and your chip voucher. Welcome to Excalibur!
Ingrid> No!
James> Thank you. Hey Gem, Wanna go check out the rooms?
* Ingrid intercepts Plotsky.
Gemma> Sure, James!
MG-GM> Mr. Polsky looks taken aback. "Yes, Ms. Kane?"
MG-GM> Are James and Gemma leaving?
* Jack resignedly moves to back up Ingrid.
Ingrid> I simply will not accept this. We have an important person in our party and will not be treated like the masses!
James> Ingrid, Give me the key.
James> You are the masses
Ingrid> Excuse me a moment.
James> you arn't royalty here, and they've never even heard of your little tv job.
* Ingrid makes to recapture her composure, straightening her clothes, smoothing back her hair.
* Jack shoots James a look.
James> they have high rollers like the guy from hustler in here spending millions on a hand... they don't give a flying furk aboutus
James> and your little witchy ways won't work either... if they don't have a room they don't have a room.
* DiceWell Ingrid rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 3 successes.
Ingrid> !dice 6 8
* DiceWell 10 7 10 7 5 9
MG-GM> Completely entranced by Ingrid, Mr. Polsky says in a dead monotone, "Miranda, get Ms. Kane her suite. Please. Bump someone."
* Jack looks relieved.
James> mr. Polsky, thats really not necissary...
MG-GM> Of course, they only give you one key to one suite.
Ingrid> Thank you so much, Mr Plotsky. I will not forget your kindness.
* James glares at ingrid
MG-GM> That's for Ingrid.
Ingrid> Wait a minute, this was for five.
MG-GM> "Oh," Miranda says, "there's a message for you here." She gives an envelope to Ingrid.
MG-GM> (He only cares for you, Ingrid, you and no one else. :) )
* Ingrid takes the envelope.
James> pampered little priss gets her own furking way, again.
Ingrid> Please honor our reservations as they were made, Mr Plotsky. I would be most grateful.
MG-GM> "I will... I will do so. But it will take more time.
* Ingrid casually opens the envelope, confident Mr P will o her bidding.
MG-GM> "Take the two doubles and the suite for now, and we will rectify everything, Ms. Kane."
Ingrid> That will be fine, sir. Please call us in Penthouse Five when they are ready.
MG-GM> OK, each of you now has an all-you-can-eat voucher, and 100 bucks in chips.
Ingrid> Let's go, everyone.
* James stands stubbornly
Ingrid> What is it, James?
James> I'm coming... but not cause you said to.
* Jack rolls his eyes at James.
Ingrid> Of course not, James.
MG-GM> OK, let's go to Penthouse 5 and finish this up.
MG-GM> "What's in Penthouse Five, Ingrid," Knack says.
Ingrid> The Baron!
James> what? mr. high and mighty? she just winned untill she got her way...that is so reagal
Ingrid> He has invited us to meet him.
MG-GM> "Ah, excellent. Old Nicky. What a guy."
* Ingrid smiles at James sweetly.
MG-GM> "I think he'll remember back in '79, when I almost broke the bank at that rinky-dink casino down on the Strip."
* James heads towards the elevators in disgust
MG-GM> (mellie? you there?) -> [Gemma] PING
Scene Five: The Freehold of Baron Nicolas
MG-GM> Well, you ride up the elevator to the top floor.
MG-GM> You knock on the door to Penthouse Five, and a man answers the door.
MG-GM> He's obviously a waiter who works for the Excalibur. Inside the Penthouse, you see a conversation pit, and decor that actually breaks with the medieval theme in the rest of the hotel.
MG-GM> It's way more "Old Vegas," lots of gleaming chrome, those funky 60s "hi-tech" lamps, plush leather furniture, and a shag rug.
MG-GM> "Ah, the folks from 'Zona! Come on in!" At the bar is a silver-haired, suave and debonair older man. He's wearing a suit that could've come straight out of Goodfellas - the sharp, tight collar, sharkskin suit, shoes shined to a high polish, you can see as he steps out from behind the bar. "I'm Nicky, welcome to my town! Welcome to Las Vegas, the town that dreams built!"
MG-GM> In his fae mien, Nicky looks quite the same, except his silver hair is a little more curly, and his ears are pointed.
Ingrid> Well this is more like it! Thank you, Nicky.
* Ingrid smiles.
Ingrid> I'm Ingrid, and this is Jack, James, and Gemma. And I believe you know Knack.
MG-GM> You notice the walls are COVERED in photos. You see photos of a really young Nicky with Frank, with Dean-o, with Sammy, with every comedian, singer, or entertainer to come through Vegas, ever. The whole place is suffused with the warm Glamour of Hollywood starlets, six-martini dinners, and swinging cats and chicks of yesterday. As such, Nicky's freehold is tinged with a little bit of sadness and nostalgia.
MG-GM> "Great, great, hey, Knack, where've you been, you old dog?" He slaps Knack on the back.
MG-GM> Knack says, "Around and about. Actually, retired."
MG-GM> Nicky goes back behind the bar and starts shaking a cocktail mixer. "Sidecars, anyone?"
Ingrid> Yes, please!
James> when in Rome.
MG-GM> "I hold this tournament every year as a sort of goodwill thing for the Kingdom; you know, we're the second-biggest kingdom in Concordia, and I think we need more ways to keep in touch with each other, you know, keep the communication flowing. So about 10 years ago, I petitioned King Greyhawk to hold this event every year at Carnival. I'm proud to say, the Nevada player has won 6 out of the 9 tourneys so far." Nicky smiles that impeccable smile of his, pouring sidecars for everyone.
MG-GM> Nick says, "Any trouble with the cats downstairs?"
* Ingrid collapses onto a big plush sofa.
Ingrid> How did you know?
* Ingrid smiles ruefully.
James> only trouble downstairs was ingrid.
MG-GM> "It's a mob scene down there. I figured they'd be a little bit of trouble. I hope I can fix any problems you might've had."
MG-GM> The waiter dude (who's not fae, but probably enchanted) brings over your sidecars in martini glasses.
Ingrid> Well, I think I've um... convinced Mr. Plotsky to honor our original reservations.
MG-GM> "Anyway, Knack, the first round is tonight at 8."
MG-GM> Nicky smiles, "You mean Polsky. Good man."
MG-GM> Knack nods, and says, "I need a nap, I'm going to my room.
Ingrid> Oh, yes, I'm sorry. I'm a little tired, I suppose.
MG-GM> (Who's rooming otgether for now?)
Ingrid> Well, Gemma and I can share a suite.
MG-GM> Ingrid in the one suite, James and Gemma in one room, Jack and Knack in the other?
James> yEAH, THAT WORKS
sewood> Sounds fine.
Ingrid> Okay, that's fine.