**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Sun May 3 08:44:05 2026 May 03 08:44:05 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined May 03 14:32:59 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.101) has joined May 03 14:34:48 Thank you May 03 14:34:48 * Ned lets him in, handing him the key. She makes sure her fingers brush his May 03 14:34:48 * Morgan takes it, moving into the room to look around May 03 14:34:48 *It’s been hastily cleaned, a little dusty in some places, but has a bed that looks freshly made May 03 14:34:48 Perfect, thank you May 03 14:34:53 *She nods* It should be a large enough bed, though you do seem quite big, Lord May 03 14:34:55 I've slept on worse, I'll manage May 03 14:34:57 *She giggles * yes, Lord May 03 14:34:59 Where will I find my associate? May 03 14:35:01 Next door left May 03 14:35:03 * Morgan nods May 03 14:35:05 Good, thank you May 03 14:35:07 *She nods, leaving* May 03 14:35:09 * Morgan closes the door before going to check the window May 03 14:35:11 *it’s not got a lock* May 03 14:35:13 * Morgan opens the window, sticking his head out to look at the walls and any drainpipes May 03 14:35:15 *with his climbing skills, he’s easily going to be able to get in and out* May 03 14:35:17 * Morgan nods, closing the window May 03 14:37:18 * Morgan goes to find Mainz May 03 14:38:39 * Molly is now known as Mainz May 03 14:38:46 * Mainz is found in his room May 03 14:38:55 Friendly lot round here May 03 14:41:06 * Mainz smiles May 03 14:41:18 You’ve met the girls then May 03 14:42:16 I was being sarcastic, but yes, I met them May 03 14:44:02 * Mainz nods “I think I might wedge the chair under my door handle tonight” May 03 14:44:13 * Morgan nods May 03 14:44:18 Persistent aren't they May 03 14:45:16 * Mainz nods May 03 14:46:25 You know how it is though. There’s not much happening here, their choices are limited for husbands. Getting taken away to live as your mistress would be good for them May 03 14:47:10 Aye, I suppose so May 03 14:48:16 Any joy finding out about the idol? May 03 14:49:44 Its complicated. One of the boys fell ill and feverish and had a 'vision' that this idol would save them from the bockdaemon... says he's had a vision of himself stood next to it with the bockdaemon dead in front of it May 03 14:52:16 * Mainz nods “A bit different than them all suddenly worshipping a pagan goddess then” May 03 14:52:33 Entirely... some of them follow the old ways and won't be happy about it coming down, mind May 03 14:54:12 * Mainz nods, rubbing his bald head May 03 14:56:29 Maybe there’s a way around it... May 03 14:56:34 Such as? May 03 14:56:55 Not sure, actually May 03 14:57:17 * Morgan nods May 03 14:57:23 You've heard of the bockdaemon... May 03 14:59:58 * Mainz nods “Vagely. Monster stories all over the place in Eisen though” May 03 15:01:44 * Morgan nods May 03 15:02:09 When you go into the woodland, its like there's a perimeter where there's dead goats... May 03 15:04:39 * Mainz nods “There are a lot of wild goats hereabouts, and wolves, foxes, boar... could be coincidence “ May 03 15:07:13 Oh it could be... or... someone preying on the superstitious... though they have had disappearances... May 03 15:08:33 * Mainz nods May 03 15:09:07 You could use it as a way to commit crimes at night May 03 15:09:14 * Morgan nods May 03 15:09:21 And people would be too scared to try to intervene May 03 15:09:34 And no-one would come to help because its jus some backwater superstition... May 03 15:10:47 * Mainz nods May 03 15:13:14 We’d need to know if anything goes missing May 03 15:13:54 Good idea. Don't think they like me enough to tell me May 03 15:17:23 * Mainz smiles “People out this way are not used to many visitors, especially noblemen” May 03 15:17:34 * Morgan nods May 03 15:17:50 We can only be coming out here to take advantage or disrupt their lives May 03 15:18:55 * Mainz nods May 03 15:19:08 They get suspicious easily May 03 15:19:37 * Morgan nods May 03 15:19:44 They've not really been given reason to think otherwise May 03 15:22:22 * Mainz nods May 03 15:23:17 Either we try to ask around, or go looking later May 03 15:23:43 * Morgan smiles May 03 15:23:50 Lets go do some asking shall we May 03 15:25:10 * Mainz nods May 03 15:31:09 how do you want to do it? May 03 15:35:58 You can take the lead... they've less reason to trust me and I can barely understand them May 03 15:36:50 * Mainz nods May 03 15:37:14 I’ll do that. What about the Mayor? May 03 15:37:35 His son was the one with the 'vision' May 03 15:38:50 * Mainz nods May 03 15:39:00 He could be the ring leader then May 03 15:39:47 Not the impression I got... but possibly May 03 15:41:19 * Mainz nods May 03 15:41:44 worth keeping in mind May 03 15:42:36 * Morgan nods May 03 15:42:38 definitely May 03 15:43:22 He should know if there’s been thefts or attacks May 03 15:44:01 * Morgan nods May 03 15:44:03 Definitely May 03 15:45:29 * Mainz nods May 03 15:45:45 Any churchmen too May 03 15:46:17 * Morgan nods May 03 15:46:19 Good idea May 03 15:47:29 * Mainz nods “I’ll take the locals then” May 03 15:49:19 * Morgan nods, moving to the door May 03 15:50:05 * Mainz follows him May 03 15:50:36 * Morgan opens it, heading downstairs May 03 15:52:00 *outside there are more people than before, in small groups and trying to look like they aren’t just waiting to watch what the newcomers are doing May 03 15:56:37 popular already May 03 15:56:56 * Morgan nods May 03 15:57:02 Saves us going to find them... May 03 15:58:24 * Mainz nods “Meet back at the inn?” May 03 16:00:11 * Morgan nods, looking around for anything resembling a church May 03 16:01:52 *there’s a stone building on the other side of the green, and that’s when he can see the sculpture, not far from the church May 03 16:02:58 * Morgan heads off toward it May 03 16:06:09 *he’s not interrupted. The sculpture is about Morgan’s height, the goddess Volla sat on a pile of neatly carved fruit. He’s seen and spoken to her in this guise, and even without hearing her name he’d have recognised her double plaits, soft face, and large bosom May 03 16:10:06 What're you up to, hmm? May 03 16:11:26 *there’s no answer* May 03 16:11:58 * Morgan sighs, going looking for a priest May 03 16:13:19 *the church looks vaticine, smaller than some rooms in Morgan’s house May 03 16:14:28 * Morgan tries the door May 03 16:14:34 *it opens May 03 16:16:52 * Morgan goes inside, calling out "hello..." May 03 16:18:37 *there’s a very old priest who comes out of a back room* May 03 16:18:42 * Mainz is now known as priest May 03 16:18:46 Yes? May 03 16:20:11 Sorry to bother you. I was hoping you'd be able to give me some information on whats been going on lately May 03 16:21:06 * priest hobbles to the front pew. It creaks when he sits. At some point, this church must have been well-taken care of, but it’s looking dated now May 03 16:22:28 * Morgan moves to sit somewhere May 03 16:23:42 what do you need to know? May 03 16:24:14 I notice the idol near the green... May 03 16:25:08 * priest frowns May 03 16:25:16 that shouldn’t be there May 03 16:25:34 Why's that May 03 16:28:41 it’s both blasphemous and indecent May 03 16:30:42 Of course... I hear there's been a few disappearances... May 03 16:31:47 * priest nods May 03 16:32:41 There have but they were men you might expect to leave anyway for work elsewhere May 03 16:33:32 And I hear tell of some monstrous thing coming each night... May 03 16:35:15 People do believe in that May 03 16:35:44 Either something comes each night or it doesn't... May 03 16:38:10 I haven’t seen it or heard it May 03 16:40:19 * Morgan nods, looking around the building May 03 16:40:43 why are you asking? May 03 16:41:41 * Morgan smiles a little May 03 16:42:01 I heard about the idol... thought I'd come see whats going on in the hopes I can stop the inquisition taking an interest May 03 16:43:19 I’d be surprised if they even knew we existed here May 03 16:43:49 * Morgan shrugs May 03 16:44:10 I heard the place had erected idols to the old ways, that rumours going to get about May 03 16:44:42 * priest nods May 03 16:44:51 It should be ripped down then May 03 16:48:08 You get much of a congregation in here? May 03 16:48:47 most of the village May 03 16:49:51 * Morgan nods May 03 16:49:55 Could do with a lick of paint... May 03 16:50:26 * priest nods May 03 16:50:56 We aren’t getting any funding from the diocese, we are too small May 03 16:51:34 That seems... unfair. May 03 16:52:18 It is part of the consequences of the war May 03 16:53:12 * Morgan shrugs May 03 16:53:52 The church is either responsible for their flock or it isn't, that shouldn't depend on how big a congregation is or how far out of the way it is May 03 16:55:35 There are bigger churches with bigger needs, and less money to do it with May 03 16:57:04 Perhaps. Maybe some help can be forthcoming May 03 16:57:33 Maybe May 03 16:58:08 We can hope May 03 16:58:25 * priest nods “We always can” May 03 17:00:04 How much work does it need? May 03 17:00:36 a hundred guilders, I suppose May 03 17:02:08 * Morgan nods May 03 17:02:12 Fair bit of work then May 03 17:03:22 The roof leaks when it rains, the pews are rotting, there’s a lot of mould May 03 17:04:17 Roof first then I reckon, fixing anything else first is pointless if the waters getting in May 03 17:05:01 * priest nods May 03 17:05:28 indeed May 03 17:05:57 * Morgan nods May 03 17:06:06 Is there an objectionist church anywhere? May 03 17:07:10 Not for miles and miles May 03 17:07:46 * Morgan nods May 03 17:07:54 I won't go looking for a priest from one then May 03 17:08:21 * priest nods “I wouldn’t “ May 03 17:09:12 * Morgan nods May 03 17:09:16 Thank you for your time May 03 17:10:16 * priest nods, standing up “Blessings upon you” May 03 17:10:51 * Morgan inclines his head May 03 17:10:56 And upon you May 03 17:11:02 * Morgan quietly heads for the door May 03 17:18:10 *there’s no one waiting outside May 03 17:18:46 * Morgan heads back toward the inn May 03 17:21:50 *He sees Mainz heading into a small building not far from the inn. People are still watching him. There are a lot of goats milling around the green and chewing the grass May 03 17:27:02 * Morgan wanders in their general direction slowly May 03 17:38:56 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) May 03 18:00:59 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined May 03 18:01:16 * priest has quit (Read error: EOF from client) May 03 18:04:22 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.101) has joined May 03 18:05:58 * Morgan wanders in their general direction slowly May 03 18:22:46 * Molly has quit (Read error: EOF from client) May 03 18:26:26 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.101) has joined May 03 18:26:55 * Morgan wanders in their general direction slowly May 03 18:31:22 * Molly has quit (Read error: EOF from client) May 03 18:31:52 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.101) has joined May 03 18:32:36 * Morgan wanders in their general direction slowly May 03 18:34:19 *he can hear Mainz talking in that dialect, but it’s quite hard to work out what’s being said. It smells like a tavern though May 03 18:34:51 * Morgan looks the place over May 03 18:37:31 *it looks tidy enough, not very big though, and could conceivably just be someone’s house. He feels a nipping on his shin* May 03 18:37:41 * Morgan looks down May 03 18:39:11 *a small white goat is trying to chew his trousers* May 03 18:39:21 * Morgan leans down to pet it May 03 18:39:25 Would you mind not doing that May 03 18:41:43 *it gets startled by his movement, and falls over rigid* May 03 18:41:55 Oh you're weird little creatures May 03 18:43:38 *it rouses after a few moments, standing back up* May 03 18:43:59 There we go... May 03 18:44:55 *it bleats, watching him* May 03 18:45:15 I've got nothing for you May 03 18:46:54 *he feels like he’s being watched* May 03 18:47:20 * Morgan holds his hand out to the goat, glancing around May 03 18:53:26 *Ned is approaching* May 03 18:53:49 * Morgan stays put May 03 18:54:35 * Molly is now known as Ned May 03 18:54:45 * Ned comes, picking up the goat May 03 18:55:39 * Morgan straightens up May 03 18:57:47 Wondered where she’d gone May 03 18:58:10 Trying ti eat my trousers May 03 18:59:24 * Ned nods May 03 18:59:30 She does that May 03 18:59:46 * Morgan nods May 03 18:59:57 These people who've gone missing... are they the sort to have just left perhaps? May 03 19:01:06 Could be, yes May 03 19:03:40 * Morgan nods May 03 19:03:51 And no-one goes outside when the things here? May 03 19:06:35 No May 03 19:07:38 * Morgan nods May 03 19:07:39 alright May 03 19:09:12 * Ned nods “What are you going to do about the sculpture?” May 03 19:12:00 For now, nothing. I'll think about it tonight May 03 19:12:24 * Ned nods May 03 19:14:24 You can find me at home if you need me May 03 19:14:46 Except after dark May 03 19:14:49 * Morgan smiles a little May 03 19:16:42 I’ll be at home then May 03 19:17:16 * Morgan nods, moving away May 03 19:21:48 *the sun tells him that it’s after six, Varick and Emil are probably in bed now, but dinner won’t yet be ready May 03 19:23:46 * Morgan sighs, heading back toward the inn May 03 19:25:06 *one of the girls is waiting with a smile* You weren’t there when I took your coffee up May 03 19:25:45 Sorry, thought of someone I wanted to speak to May 03 19:28:34 I could bring it to you now? May 03 19:29:05 please May 03 19:32:53 *he’s been in his room about a quarter hour before she appears with it, a cup and little jug of milk May 03 19:34:22 Ah lovely, thank you May 03 19:34:48 *she lingers in his doorway * do you need anything else? May 03 19:35:07 * Morgan smiles May 03 19:35:09 No thank you May 03 19:35:27 *she nods* if you change your mind... May 03 19:35:53 I won't, but thank you anyway May 03 19:36:26 *she looks a bit disappointed, but goes* May 03 19:36:47 * Morgan drinks the coffee, looking out the window May 03 19:37:23 there’s a few little houses and then the woods May 03 19:38:41 * Morgan checks his mirror May 03 19:41:47 *it says* Two o’clock: I miss you. A nap in quiet hour, even with lurid dreams of you, is just not quite the same alone. The boys are fine, though Varick is sulking a little now that he has seen we were indeed serious about having a tutor! I have not given anyone any answer after your note earlier, though I was surprised that a known-quantity did not appeal. My love, M xx May 03 19:43:05 "We'll discuss it when I return. Things here are strange, no-one is trusting and I can barely understand most of the locals. I miss you. My love" May 03 19:44:53 *just as he’s about to cover it, the paper on hers moves off* May 03 19:45:34 * Morgan waits May 03 19:45:42 * Morgan waits, uncovering his May 03 19:47:40 * Ned is now known as Molly May 03 19:47:49 * Molly looks surprised May 03 19:47:58 Oh! I wasn’t expecting you May 03 19:48:35 No, I was just packing the mirror away May 03 19:49:54 * Molly moves to sit with it on the bed May 03 19:49:58 How are you? May 03 19:50:08 * Morgan shrugs May 03 19:50:19 I'm alright. Missing you all. May 03 19:51:56 * Molly nods “we miss you too” May 03 19:52:34 What of the tutors? May 03 19:53:42 none particularly stood out for me. there were three, plus Horatio May 03 19:55:40 * Morgan nods May 03 19:55:43 I'm surprised he turned up May 03 19:55:53 * Molly smiles May 03 19:55:58 As was I! May 03 19:57:56 So he just turned up at Lady Torrington's and decided to travel all the way here? May 03 19:58:51 He’s been travelling looking for his daughter still May 03 20:00:10 * Morgan frowns May 03 20:00:31 But he thinks he can stand to stay in on place now... May 03 20:00:58 * Molly nods “I think he’s starting to give up hope” May 03 20:02:22 * Morgan nods May 03 20:02:24 I see May 03 20:03:37 * Molly nods, smiling “he was very impressed with the house” May 03 20:04:21 Send him to Sudlachenburg, that'd blow his mind May 03 20:04:58 * Molly nods May 03 20:05:23 it would. he sent his congratulations on my pregnancy May 03 20:05:33 * Morgan nods May 03 20:09:38 I was planning on inviting him for dinner, but your note gave the impression that I shouldn’t May 03 20:10:23 It bothers me. I've had plenty of nightmares involving him May 03 20:12:02 * Molly frowns May 03 20:12:09 You’ve not mentioned them May 03 20:13:33 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:13:35 We've been busy May 03 20:14:29 * Molly nods May 03 20:14:38 Are the boys in danger? May 03 20:16:22 Not so far as I know May 03 20:16:55 * Molly nods May 03 20:17:00 what happened? May 03 20:18:37 You chose him May 03 20:19:06 Oh... I don’t think that was ever likely May 03 20:20:06 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:20:15 He turned up and saved you in the pool, and that was that May 03 20:21:47 You’re worried that will happen if he’s here? May 03 20:22:27 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:22:34 Just seems a bit coincidental, timing wise May 03 20:22:58 * Molly nods May 03 20:23:17 I can appreciate that, but you have no need to worry May 03 20:24:23 * Morgan nods May 03 20:25:29 who were you with? May 03 20:26:40 How do you mean? May 03 20:27:31 if I was with him, who were you involved with? May 03 20:30:20 No-one. I pushed him away, you asked me to give you away and I said no and pushed you away too. I was totally alone May 03 20:33:19 Oh my love... May 03 20:35:12 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:36:21 It is what it is May 03 20:38:23 Has it finished? May 03 20:38:36 * Morgan sighs May 03 20:38:36 No May 03 20:40:29 * Molly nods sadly May 03 20:41:02 I’m not sure what could happen though, it sounds like there’s nowhere to go May 03 20:41:21 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:41:26 I don't see the point of it yet May 03 20:43:28 * Molly nods May 03 20:43:59 Sometimes there seems to be no reason. Though as you say, an interesting coincidence May 03 20:44:33 * Morgan nods May 03 20:44:34 aye May 03 20:46:24 * Molly nods “I will tell all candidates that you’ll wish to meet them before making a decision?” May 03 20:46:45 Probably a good idea May 03 20:48:52 * Molly nods “I’ll concentrate my efforts upon working on the translation with Uinise” May 03 20:49:25 * Morgan nods May 03 20:49:26 Alright love May 03 20:50:06 have you made progress there? May 03 20:50:36 Still gathering information here... May 03 20:52:00 what is it like there? May 03 20:53:27 Well, we aren't welcome I'd say. The dialect is so strange I cant understand it, and there's goats -everywhere- May 03 20:54:08 * Molly smiles May 03 20:54:18 it sounds dreadful! May 03 20:55:43 Its not the worst place really... and they're just suspicious May 03 20:57:29 * Molly nods May 03 20:57:53 will they listen to you telling them they mustn’t worship an idol? May 03 20:58:40 * Morgan shrugs May 03 20:58:55 I'm not sure yet. Its not quite what we'd heard May 03 21:00:11 Oh? *she fidgets a little* May 03 21:00:52 The mayors son had an infection and thinks it was a vision May 03 21:02:08 * Molly nods “It’s not uncommon to be delirious with a fever” May 03 21:04:52 * Morgan nods May 03 21:05:24 Saw the goddess Volla... then saw himself stood by a statue of her with some local superstition dead in front of him May 03 21:05:57 * Molly nods slowly May 03 21:06:02 That’s interesting May 03 21:08:10 Uh huh May 03 21:09:47 what are you thinking? May 03 21:10:12 It'd be easy for someone to take advantage of their superstitions here May 03 21:12:35 how so? *she moves a little, rubbing her bump* May 03 21:13:00 Knowing what people fear, yo could play on that quite easily May 03 21:15:10 to what end though? May 03 21:15:29 Still working on finding out if anything gets taken May 03 21:16:53 gets taken when, and by who? May 03 21:17:50 In the evenings, they think something called the bockdaemon comes... screaming noises, everyone stays indoors. May 03 21:20:01 * Molly tilts her head May 03 21:20:25 I think there’s something about it in my grandfather’s books May 03 21:20:37 * Morgan nods May 03 21:20:40 Probably May 03 21:21:42 * Molly watches him May 03 21:21:56 You won’t be here at bedtime, will you? May 03 21:22:09 No, I won't May 03 21:22:30 do I need to ask you to be careful? May 03 21:23:25 No, I've no intention of doing anything perilous. I'm fairly convinced its someone taking advantage of a superstition May 03 21:25:33 * Molly nods May 03 21:25:52 I suppose I could make myself useful to you and look for the books... May 03 21:26:47 I would appreciate that May 03 21:32:35 * Molly smiles “I’ll get my reward when you come home, hmm?” May 03 21:33:04 * Morgan nods May 03 21:33:05 Aye May 03 21:34:30 You’ve been too busy to be frustrated? May 03 21:35:05 * Morgan nods May 03 21:35:05 Much May 03 21:37:27 Are you relieved about that? May 03 21:40:14 If I'm honest, aye. I've been far too busy for it May 03 21:41:29 * Molly nods May 03 21:41:44 That’s often how it is when you’re away May 03 21:41:55 * Morgan nods May 03 21:41:59 Its mostly just been nightmares May 03 21:44:03 * Molly nods May 03 21:44:29 it’s a shame you’ve had to be away May 03 21:44:48 * Morgan nods May 03 21:44:51 Aye, it is May 03 21:47:05 Your Father will be back soon, and it won’t be long before the Rosenkrantzs arrive, though you should be home before then May 03 21:48:02 * Morgan nods May 03 21:48:10 I hope so May 03 21:50:01 * Molly nods “You do know no one is a threat to you, don’t you?” May 03 21:50:35 Logically, yes... but its difficult when I see it over and over May 03 21:52:20 * Molly nods sadly May 03 21:52:46 something different tonight, with any luck May 03 21:52:53 I hope so May 03 21:56:12 but not too salacious, hmm? May 03 21:56:47 Just something easy May 03 21:57:57 * Molly nods May 03 21:58:07 that would be unusual! May 03 21:59:00 * Morgan nods May 03 21:59:02 sadly May 03 22:00:18 * Molly nods May 03 22:00:29 I don’t even get to hold you May 03 22:02:46 * Morgan nods May 03 22:02:50 Not for a few days at least May 03 22:04:13 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) May 03 22:06:43 * Molly has quit (Read error: EOF from client)