In which Mike stops being a shut-in and Thom goes to jail

<aberrantArtificer> Thom, the guards continue walking you straight ahead and you eventually leave the atrium and enter a hallway similar to the one you came from but on the opposite side and on the first floor.
<aberrantArtificer> Mike, you see the guards escorting the "Dersian" down the hall.
<Mike_Sardon> "Assault me? You're the criminal here!"
<aberrantArtificer> Mike, you are caught off guard by the fact that this "Dersian" somehow knows your name.
<aberrantArtificer> Thom, you see Mike following the group of you and the guards down the hall at a distance
<Mike_Sardon> "And what are you doing here?"
<Thom_Webber> Turning to face Mike again, Thom tries to get accross a message without piquing the guard's suspicion. "Be quiet dude! The guards'll nab you if you're not careful."
<Mike_Sardon> "They're not nabbing me, they're supposed to protect me from Dersians and other enemies of Prospit!"
<Thom_Webber> roll d20+3 for stealth
<`DM> Thom_Webber rolled d20+3 for stealth [ 1d20=12 ]{15}
<aberrantArtificer> The guards do not seem to notice you.
<aberrantArtificer> ==>
<Thom_Webber> "And I'm no enemy of Prospit, Mike. The Queen just took badly to the purple pjs I'm stuck with since I woke up. The worse crime I committed was resisting arrest."
<Thom_Webber> "Anyway, how did you get here?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I don't know. I just woke up here one day, and then I went to a party and you got carried off and now we're here."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards take Thom around a corner out of sight and start climbing some spiral stairs.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues following around the corner.
<Mike_Sardon> "And waking up here involved falling asleep on my planet where my house is now...it's a long story."
<aberrantArtificer> One of the rear guards looks over his shoulder down the stairs at Mike.
<aberrantArtificer> "Sir, I must ask you to return to the atrium at once! This is a potentially dangerous political prisoner and her majesty has mandated your protection."
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to placate the guard. "I mean him no harm. I'm his server player, if anything I'd be likely to help him."
<Mike_Sardon> "I'm going to stay here a while. You guys seem to have him under control. I have a few questions to ask him."
<Mike_Sardon> "Wait...server player?"
<Mike_Sardon> "titaniumArmada?"
<aberrantArtificer> "You know this Dersian, sir?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I think I might."
<Thom_Webber> "Shit, yeah. Figures you wouldn't recognize me. Anonymity online and all."
<Mike_Sardon> "We met when we first entered this game. He broke my bedroom floor and put down some machines and then I got here."
<Thom_Webber> "But yeah, I'm your server player. Saw you talking to some weird old man, over a book about royalty or something, before I ended up flying over the solar system to give Prospit's queen a message."
<aberrantArtificer> "We've got this Dersian pretty restrained, sir, but if you want ta' hang around I'm going to have to respectfully ask you to keep your distance."
<Mike_Sardon> "I'll have you know that that 'weird old man' is a combination of a poem that my family lived by for generations, and the greatest philosopher to ever walk the earth."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards take Thom around a corner at the top of the stairs and down another hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues following down the hallway.
<Thom_Webber> "Well, I guess I went past the realm of weird when I combined Saphira from the Inheritance series with a broken pinata."
<Mike_Sardon> "That sounds fun."
<Thom_Webber> "Pinata dragons are either the stupidest idea ever, or the greatest. I'm still yet to see which."
<Mike_Sardon> "At first, I thought it would be a good idea to put a philosopher and a prophetic poem into the sprite-thing, but so far he hasn't helped me with much except to give me cryptic riddles that I'm supposed to solve, most of which don't make sense."
<Mike_Sardon> "Once, I asked him what purpose this game has, and he just told me that Freud was right and this game is one big metaphor for sex.:
<Mike_Sardon> "*
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to crane his head around, to get a better look at Mike. "Well, your prophetic scroll thing in the face of a meteor was way cooler than what I did."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards turn a corner, heading down another hallway lined with terraces looking out over Prospit (you're quite high up now, you think) that seems to lead to another staircase.
<Thom_Webber> "I basically fell down some stairs, broken a pinata I was holding, and threw it into a glowing sphere, all in the middle of the apocalypse."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards are firm in their grip and do not move to allow you any more movement than you already have. You can't really look at Mike while you're walking.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow Thom through the hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> He looks out at the terraces for brief glimpses, making sure he doesn't lose track of the guard squad carrying Thom.
<Thom_Webber> Thom is quick to show his disapproval at this treatment, addressing the guards. "What happened to 'VIP Lounge' and 'not wanting to hurt me'? How does my view of Mike provide any security risk?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Calm down, Dersian. We're still on our way. You can talk to his honor when you reach your cell."
<Mike_Sardon> "What's a Dersian?"
<Thom_Webber> "I'd like to know that myself, seeing as last time I checked, I was a human being."
<Mike_Sardon> "Apparently, I'm royalty here on Prospit."
<aberrantArtificer> One of the guards in front responds without looking back at you, "A Dersian is an associate of Derse, that foul kingdom of darkness that only seeks the destruction of her majesty's marvelous kingdom here."
<Mike_Sardon> "That makes sense."
<aberrantArtificer> "He claims he's got different goals than that, so that's what we're gonna find out for sure."
<Thom_Webber> Thom rolls his eyes at the guard's spiel, fed up already with the constant badmouthing of himself.
<aberrantArtificer> A different guard pipes up, glancing at Mike, "Yes, or course, sir! You have always been a member of the Royal Court."
<Mike_Sardon> "Always...?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I thought I've only been here for about two days or so."
<Mike_Sardon> "It's hard to keep track of time here."
<aberrantArtificer> "You have been asleep here for a long time! 'Least that's what the papers said."
<Mike_Sardon> "What happened before I woke up here for the first time?"
<Mike_Sardon> "Oh. I've been asleep? Why would you make me royalty when I'm asleep for the whole time?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Orders of her majesty. No questions asked."
<Mike_Sardon> "Strange."
<Thom_Webber> "Papers, huh? Guess I might have given them a visit earlier on. I'm guessing I'm going to be infamous pretty quickly here, huh?"
<Mike_Sardon> "How did I get up here?"
<Mike_Sardon> "It's hard to imagine sleep-flying up to that tower."
<aberrantArtificer> "You've been there 's long as I can remember."
<Mike_Sardon> "Do you have human measurements of time, such as years, months, and days?"
<aberrantArtificer> "No idea whatchur talkin' about"
<Mike_Sardon> "How do you measure time?"
<aberrantArtificer> "The eclipses."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards begin climbing yet another spiral staircase.
<Mike_Sardon> "How often do eclipses happen?"
<aberrantArtificer> "....... each eclipse."
<Mike_Sardon> "...ok."
<Mike_Sardon> "Do they tend to happen often? Have Prospitians derived a method to measure when the next eclipse will happen?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Pchhh, it's how we measure time! Of course we have!"
<Mike_Sardon> "Will the next one happen soon?"
<aberrantArtificer> "We're 'bout halfway to the next eclipse."
<Mike_Sardon> Mike attempts to summon his phone. It worked with his notebook, so it must work with his phone too.
<aberrantArtificer> ((roll a wisdom check))
<aberrantArtificer> The guards reach the top of the stairs and begin walking down a narrow hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> roll 1d20+2
<`DM> Mike_Sardon rolled 1d20+2 [ 1d20=5 ]{7}
<Mike_Sardon> Mike wonders why he can't get his phone.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow the guards through a narrow hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> He hopes that he figures out how to summon his phone soon, because he figured out a way to measure the length of an unfamiliar time measurement.
<Thom_Webber> "So Mike, what was your land like before you woke up here. Was it dank and dreary like mine, or was it snowy and frosty like my server's?"
<Mike_Sardon> He also hopes that Prospitians have memory lengths longer than 15 years.
<Mike_Sardon> "My land is called the Land of Tomes and Jade, apparently."
<Mike_Sardon> "It has books everywhere, tons of non-Euclidean geometric landscapes, and reminds me of Apocrypha from Skyrim."
<Mike_Sardon> "It would be amazing if not for the monsters that roam about everywhere."
<Mike_Sardon> "When I kill them, they drop "build grist", so that's useful."
<Thom_Webber> "Build grist, huh? So that's the stuff that dropped from that weird wolf thing."
<Thom_Webber> "My place has monsters too, it's just that it's dark, and wet, and filled with rock structures everywhere."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards turn right at a T and at the end of the hallway you see a very hefty looking golden metal door.
<Mike_Sardon> "Don't put him in jail yet! I still have to speak to him!"
<aberrantArtificer> "We must put him in his cell."
<Mike_Sardon> "Can I still talk to him there?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Not that long ago, another Dersian like him arrived at the castle and committed grand larceny against her majesty herself! Until the queen orders otherwise, he must be confined."
<Thom_Webber> "Is there any way I could still talk with Mike? I haven't even been able to tell him my name."
<aberrantArtificer> "You're free to talk with him once you get to your cell, I'll just have ta' keep guard."
<Thom_Webber> "Besides, I did no such 'grand larceny'. The only unlawful thing I did was defending myself when your queen set you on me."
<aberrantArtificer> " 'S precisely why you're up here 'n not down there in the dungeons."
<Thom_Webber> "You had halberds pointed at me. Why wouldn't I resist? I was fending for my life!"
<aberrantArtificer> "You haven't done anythin' illegal yet."
<Thom_Webber> "For all I knew, you were going to have my head on a pike, on the spires of this very castle!"
<aberrantArtificer> "Two Dersians show up at the castle almost at tha' same time. One performs a great heist, the other says one of the queen's high agents wants ta' betray her. Our queen's gonna be suspicious."
<aberrantArtificer> "She don' mean you no harm. Unless you start doin' illegal things."
<Mike_Sardon> "There were two Dersians?"
<aberrantArtificer> "The entire castle's on high alert, sir."
<aberrantArtificer> "All royalty 's bein' evacuated to safety."
<Thom_Webber> "Mike, there were posters all up in the palace, of this guy's face, with a caption reading "Wanted"."
<Thom_Webber> "I don't know how you missed them>"
<Mike_Sardon> "I don't know how I missed them, either."
<Mike_Sardon> "What did the other Dersian do?"
<Thom_Webber> "He stole jewelry from the queen, or at least, that's what the queen told me."
<aberrantArtificer> "The Royal Jewels at that."
<aberrantArtificer> "If the Black Queen gets her vile hands on those, Prospit's got no chance in tha' war."
<aberrantArtificer> "Hund'rds of thousands of Prospitians will die."
<Thom_Webber> "Wait, since when did royal jewelry mean so much? What are they gonna do with it, wear it?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Yup."
<Mike_Sardon> "How can jewelry have that power?"
<Thom_Webber> "Well, that was informative. What would wearing it cause?"
<aberrantArtificer> "You didn' see her majesty in her full majestic form! She's usually much more majestic than that."
<aberrantArtificer> "Royal jewels let her transform, 'n without them she's as you saw her."
<aberrantArtificer> The guard chuckles lightly
<aberrantArtificer> "Still packs a whallop of a sword strike even now though."
<Mike_Sardon> "Sounds amazing."
<aberrantArtificer> The group of guards stops in front of the door, and one of the guards in front pulls out a key ring chained to the inside of his armor.
<Mike_Sardon> "What does she look like when transformed?"
<aberrantArtificer> The guard sticks two keys in two separate key holes and opens the door with a loud *THUNK*.
<Thom_Webber> "Halberds, medieval time-systems, and now transformations. I really have stepped into a fantasy novel."
<Mike_Sardon> "This isn't a fantasy novel. This is apparently one big metaphor for sex."
<aberrantArtificer> "She's really a sight to behold, I can't even find tha' words ta' describe it. You'll have ta' see her for yourself, if she can get them back."
<aberrantArtificer> The front guard heaves the door with great effort, and it slowly grinds open. The guard gestures for you to enter.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike enters the door.
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to enter through the door.
<aberrantArtificer> The guard blocks Mike's way.
<aberrantArtificer> "No entry."
<aberrantArtificer> Thom enters the cell.
<aberrantArtificer> The cell seems to be VERY large for a prison cell, and looks almost like an old-fashioned parlor. There are tapestries on the wall, ornate rugs, and a pair each of embroidered couches and chairs. There is one window in the cell, but it is covered by a large set of bars.
<aberrantArtificer> Thom, the guards continue walking you straight ahead and you eventually leave the atrium and enter a hallway similar to the one you came from but on the opposite side and on the first floor.
<aberrantArtificer> Mike, you see the guards escorting the "Dersian" down the hall.
<Mike_Sardon> "Assault me? You're the criminal here!"
<aberrantArtificer> Mike, you are caught off guard by the fact that this "Dersian" somehow knows your name.
<aberrantArtificer> Thom, you see Mike following the group of you and the guards down the hall at a distance
<Mike_Sardon> "And what are you doing here?"
<Thom_Webber> Turning to face Mike again, Thom tries to get accross a message without piquing the guard's suspicion. "Be quiet dude! The guards'll nab you if you're not careful."
<Mike_Sardon> "They're not nabbing me, they're supposed to protect me from Dersians and other enemies of Prospit!"
<Thom_Webber> roll d20+3 for stealth
<`DM> Thom_Webber rolled d20+3 for stealth [ 1d20=12 ]{15}
<aberrantArtificer> The guards do not seem to notice you.
<aberrantArtificer> ==>
<Thom_Webber> "And I'm no enemy of Prospit, Mike. The Queen just took badly to the purple pjs I'm stuck with since I woke up. The worse crime I committed was resisting arrest."
<Thom_Webber> "Anyway, how did you get here?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I don't know. I just woke up here one day, and then I went to a party and you got carried off and now we're here."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards take Thom around a corner out of sight and start climbing some spiral stairs.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues following around the corner.
<Mike_Sardon> "And waking up here involved falling asleep on my planet where my house is now...it's a long story."
<aberrantArtificer> One of the rear guards looks over his shoulder down the stairs at Mike.
<aberrantArtificer> "Sir, I must ask you to return to the atrium at once! This is a potentially dangerous political prisoner and her majesty has mandated your protection."
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to placate the guard. "I mean him no harm. I'm his server player, if anything I'd be likely to help him."
<Mike_Sardon> "I'm going to stay here a while. You guys seem to have him under control. I have a few questions to ask him."
<Mike_Sardon> "Wait...server player?"
<Mike_Sardon> "titaniumArmada?"
<aberrantArtificer> "You know this Dersian, sir?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I think I might."
<Thom_Webber> "Shit, yeah. Figures you wouldn't recognize me. Anonymity online and all."
<Mike_Sardon> "We met when we first entered this game. He broke my bedroom floor and put down some machines and then I got here."
<Thom_Webber> "But yeah, I'm your server player. Saw you talking to some weird old man, over a book about royalty or something, before I ended up flying over the solar system to give Prospit's queen a message."
<aberrantArtificer> "We've got this Dersian pretty restrained, sir, but if you want ta' hang around I'm going to have to respectfully ask you to keep your distance."
<Mike_Sardon> "I'll have you know that that 'weird old man' is a combination of a poem that my family lived by for generations, and the greatest philosopher to ever walk the earth."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards take Thom around a corner at the top of the stairs and down another hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues following down the hallway.
<Thom_Webber> "Well, I guess I went past the realm of weird when I combined Saphira from the Inheritance series with a broken pinata."
<Mike_Sardon> "That sounds fun."
<Thom_Webber> "Pinata dragons are either the stupidest idea ever, or the greatest. I'm still yet to see which."
<Mike_Sardon> "At first, I thought it would be a good idea to put a philosopher and a prophetic poem into the sprite-thing, but so far he hasn't helped me with much except to give me cryptic riddles that I'm supposed to solve, most of which don't make sense."
<Mike_Sardon> "Once, I asked him what purpose this game has, and he just told me that Freud was right and this game is one big metaphor for sex."
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to crane his head around, to get a better look at Mike. "Well, your prophetic scroll thing in the face of a meteor was way cooler than what I did."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards turn a corner, heading down another hallway lined with terraces looking out over Prospit (you're quite high up now, you think) that seems to lead to another staircase.
<Thom_Webber> "I basically fell down some stairs, broken a pinata I was holding, and threw it into a glowing sphere, all in the middle of the apocalypse."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards are firm in their grip and do not move to allow you any more movement than you already have. You can't really look at Mike while you're walking.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow Thom through the hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> He looks out at the terraces for brief glimpses, making sure he doesn't lose track of the guard squad carrying Thom.
<Thom_Webber> Thom is quick to show his disapproval at this treatment, addressing the guards. "What happened to 'VIP Lounge' and 'not wanting to hurt me'? How does my view of Mike provide any security risk?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Calm down, Dersian. We're still on our way. You can talk to his honor when you reach your cell."
<Mike_Sardon> "What's a Dersian?"
<Thom_Webber> "I'd like to know that myself, seeing as last time I checked, I was a human being."
<Mike_Sardon> "Apparently, I'm royalty here on Prospit."
<aberrantArtificer> One of the guards in front responds without looking back at you, "A Dersian is an associate of Derse, that foul kingdom of darkness that only seeks the destruction of her majesty's marvelous kingdom here."
<Mike_Sardon> "That makes sense."
<aberrantArtificer> "He claims he's got different goals than that, so that's what we're gonna find out for sure."
<Thom_Webber> Thom rolls his eyes at the guard's spiel, fed up already with the constant badmouthing of himself.
<aberrantArtificer> A different guard pipes up, glancing at Mike, "Yes, or course, sir! You have always been a member of the Royal Court."
<Mike_Sardon> "Always...?"
<Mike_Sardon> "I thought I've only been here for about two days or so."
<Mike_Sardon> "It's hard to keep track of time here."
<aberrantArtificer> "You have been asleep here for a long time! 'Least that's what the papers said."
<Mike_Sardon> "What happened before I woke up here for the first time?"
<Mike_Sardon> "Oh. I've been asleep? Why would you make me royalty when I'm asleep for the whole time?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Orders of her majesty. No questions asked."
<Mike_Sardon> "Strange."
<Thom_Webber> "Papers, huh? Guess I might have given them a visit earlier on. I'm guessing I'm going to be infamous pretty quickly here, huh?"
<Mike_Sardon> "How did I get up here?"
<Mike_Sardon> "It's hard to imagine sleep-flying up to that tower."
<aberrantArtificer> "You've been there 's long as I can remember."
<Mike_Sardon> "Do you have human measurements of time, such as years, months, and days?"
<aberrantArtificer> "No idea whatchur talkin' about"
<Mike_Sardon> "How do you measure time?"
<aberrantArtificer> "The eclipses."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards begin climbing yet another spiral staircase.
<Mike_Sardon> "How often do eclipses happen?"
<aberrantArtificer> "....... each eclipse."
<Mike_Sardon> "...ok."
<Mike_Sardon> "Do they tend to happen often? Have Prospitians derived a method to measure when the next eclipse will happen?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Pchhh, it's how we measure time! Of course we have!"
<Mike_Sardon> "Will the next one happen soon?"
<aberrantArtificer> "We're 'bout halfway to the next eclipse."
<Mike_Sardon> Mike attempts to summon his phone. It worked with his notebook, so it must work with his phone too.
<aberrantArtificer> ((roll a wisdom check))
<aberrantArtificer> The guards reach the top of the stairs and begin walking down a narrow hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> roll 1d20+2
<`DM> Mike_Sardon rolled 1d20+2 [ 1d20=5 ]{7}
<Mike_Sardon> Mike wonders why he can't get his phone.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow the guards through a narrow hallway.
<Mike_Sardon> He hopes that he figures out how to summon his phone soon, because he figured out a way to measure the length of an unfamiliar time measurement.
<Thom_Webber> "So Mike, what was your land like before you woke up here. Was it dank and dreary like mine, or was it snowy and frosty like my server's?"
<Mike_Sardon> He also hopes that Prospitians have memory lengths longer than 15 years.
<Mike_Sardon> "My land is called the Land of Tomes and Jade, apparently."
<Mike_Sardon> "It has books everywhere, tons of non-Euclidean geometric landscapes, and reminds me of Apocrypha from Skyrim."
<Mike_Sardon> "It would be amazing if not for the monsters that roam about everywhere."
<Mike_Sardon> "When I kill them, they drop "build grist", so that's useful."
<Thom_Webber> "Build grist, huh? So that's the stuff that dropped from that weird wolf thing."
<Thom_Webber> "My place has monsters too, it's just that it's dark, and wet, and filled with rock structures everywhere."
<aberrantArtificer> The guards turn right at a T and at the end of the hallway you see a very hefty looking golden metal door.
<Mike_Sardon> "Don't put him in jail yet! I still have to speak to him!"
<aberrantArtificer> "We must put him in his cell."
<Mike_Sardon> "Can I still talk to him there?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Not that long ago, another Dersian like him arrived at the castle and committed grand larceny against her majesty herself! Until the queen orders otherwise, he must be confined."
<Thom_Webber> "Is there any way I could still talk with Mike? I haven't even been able to tell him my name."
<aberrantArtificer> "You're free to talk with him once you get to your cell, I'll just have ta' keep guard."
<Thom_Webber> "Besides, I did no such 'grand larceny'. The only unlawful thing I did was defending myself when your queen set you on me."
<aberrantArtificer> " 'S precisely why you're up here 'n not down there in the dungeons."
<Thom_Webber> "You had halberds pointed at me. Why wouldn't I resist? I was fending for my life!"
<aberrantArtificer> "You haven't done anythin' illegal yet."
<Thom_Webber> "For all I knew, you were going to have my head on a pike, on the spires of this very castle!"
<aberrantArtificer> "Two Dersians show up at the castle almost at tha' same time. One performs a great heist, the other says one of the queen's high agents wants ta' betray her. Our queen's gonna be suspicious."
<aberrantArtificer> "She don' mean you no harm. Unless you start doin' illegal things."
<Mike_Sardon> "There were two Dersians?"
<aberrantArtificer> "The entire castle's on high alert, sir."
<aberrantArtificer> "All royalty 's bein' evacuated to safety."
<Thom_Webber> "Mike, there were posters all up in the palace, of this guy's face, with a caption reading "Wanted"."
<Thom_Webber> "I don't know how you missed them>"
<Mike_Sardon> "I don't know how I missed them, either."
<Mike_Sardon> "What did the other Dersian do?"
<Thom_Webber> "He stole jewelry from the queen, or at least, that's what the queen told me."
<aberrantArtificer> "The Royal Jewels at that."
<aberrantArtificer> "If the Black Queen gets her vile hands on those, Prospit's got no chance in tha' war."
<aberrantArtificer> "Hund'rds of thousands of Prospitians will die."
<Thom_Webber> "Wait, since when did royal jewelry mean so much? What are they gonna do with it, wear it?"
<aberrantArtificer> "Yup."
<Mike_Sardon> "How can jewelry have that power?"
<Thom_Webber> "Well, that was informative. What would wearing it cause?"
<aberrantArtificer> "You didn' see her majesty in her full majestic form! She's usually much more majestic than that."
<aberrantArtificer> "Royal jewels let her transform, 'n without them she's as you saw her."
<aberrantArtificer> The guard chuckles lightly
<aberrantArtificer> "Still packs a whallop of a sword strike even now though."
<Mike_Sardon> "Sounds amazing."
<aberrantArtificer> The group of guards stops in front of the door, and one of the guards in front pulls out a key ring chained to the inside of his armor.
<Mike_Sardon> "What does she look like when transformed?"
<aberrantArtificer> The guard sticks two keys in two separate key holes and opens the door with a loud *THUNK*.
<Thom_Webber> "Halberds, medieval time-systems, and now transformations. I really have stepped into a fantasy novel."
<Mike_Sardon> "This isn't a fantasy novel. This is apparently one big metaphor for sex."
<aberrantArtificer> "She's really a sight to behold, I can't even find tha' words ta' describe it. You'll have ta' see her for yourself, if she can get them back."
<aberrantArtificer> The front guard heaves the door with great effort, and it slowly grinds open. The guard gestures for you to enter.
<Mike_Sardon> Mike enters the door.
<Thom_Webber> Thom tries to enter through the door.
<aberrantArtificer> The guard blocks Mike's way.
<aberrantArtificer> "No entry."
<aberrantArtificer> Thom enters the cell.
<aberrantArtificer> The cell seems to be VERY large for a prison cell, and looks almost like an old-fashioned parlor. There are tapestries on the wall, ornate rugs, and a pair each of embroidered couches and chairs. There is one window in the cell, but it is covered by a large set of bars.
[12:47] <Mike_Sardon> "This is quite a prison cell."
[12:47] <@aberrantArtificer> "One of tha' finest in Prospit."
[12:48] <Mike_Sardon> "Shouldn't it be-" Mike cuts himself off before he starts describing a "real" prison cell. He doesn't want to bring harm to his server player. "Nevermind."
[12:48] <Thom_Webber> "But why isn't Mike allowed entry? Are you still suspicious that I'm going to procure a knife out of nowhere, or something?"
[12:49] <Mike_Sardon> "Thom, have there been any references to nobility in this game? If so, do you have any information about it?"
[12:49] <@aberrantArtificer> The two guards who followed Thom into the cell begin undoing the manacles attaching them to Thom.
[12:50] <@aberrantArtificer> "Ya' got solitary confinement here, Dersian. Her Majesty's orders."
[12:50] <Thom_Webber> "Nobility, huh? Well, I was told I have a title or something. CD called me "The Thief", whatever that means. Why, do you have a title too or something?"
[12:51] <Mike_Sardon> "No..."
[12:51] <Mike_Sardon> Mike turns to the guard.
[12:51] <Mike_Sardon> "Do I?"
[12:51] <@aberrantArtificer> The guard looks at your rather puzzled.
[12:51] <@aberrantArtificer> "You're an honored membah' of the Royal Court, sir."
[12:53] <Mike_Sardon> "In the game, my sprite implied that I have some sort of connection to or power over 'mind'."
[12:54] <@aberrantArtificer> The two guards inside, having released themselves from Thom, return to the outside of the cell and the third and fourth guards close the door.
[12:55] <Mike_Sardon> "Have you gotten anything similar?"
[12:57] <Thom_Webber> Thom tries to look around the room, annoyed there's no visible means of viewing Mike or the guards. "So far as I know, I don't seem to have any 'powers', though that would be really cool."
[12:58] <Mike_Sardon> "I don't have any powers either."
[12:58] <@aberrantArtificer> The guards work at the locks on the exterior of the door, and you hear several metallic THUNKS from inside the door.
[12:59] <Thom_Webber> Thom pushes his hands against the door, trying to test it's strength."Then what do you mean, power over 'mind'? That heavily suggests either telepathy or telekinesis, unless you have a better explanation?"
[13:00] <@aberrantArtificer> One of the guards grabs a small handle on the outside of the door and slides it to the side, revealing a circular opening about 6 inches across, covered by a screen so you can see through.
[13:00] <Mike_Sardon> "I don't know yet. Maybe I don't have any powers at all and I misinterpreted it."
[13:01] <@aberrantArtificer> ((the door seems to made of very thick metal, and kind of has an appearance similar to this door, but rectangular. http://preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/07/08__20_50_52/Submarine_Door1_Thumbnail2.jpg9b101c02-b1f6-4461-a7f5-b267061111c0Original.jpg))
[13:02] <@aberrantArtificer> One of the guards turns to Mike. "Sir, our work is done so we shall return to Her Majesty."
[13:02] <@aberrantArtificer> Two of the guards bow slightly to Mike and turn and leave down the hall.
[13:02] <@aberrantArtificer> The other two remain posted on either side of the door.
[13:03] <Mike_Sardon> "Wait! Can you ask her more information about my position? I want to know what goes on here!"
[13:05] <Thom_Webber> Thom tries to peek through the small opening to get a better view of the hallway outside the door,
[13:06] <@aberrantArtificer> The two guards pause in the hallway, looking at you in confusion.
[13:06] <@aberrantArtificer> "What do you mean, sir?"
[13:07] <Mike_Sardon> "Like if I have some kind of title, and what my position as a member of the royal court means, and my duties and responsibilities."
[13:09] <@aberrantArtificer> "Her Majesty inducted all five of ya' into the Royal Court as distinguished guests. If ya' want ta' know what duties you have, talk to one of tha' receptionists in the atrium. I dunno how that politics works."
[13:11] <Mike_Sardon> "Alright."
[13:11] <@aberrantArtificer> The two guards turn and continue down the hallway.
[13:12] <Mike_Sardon> "What now?"
[13:12] <Mike_Sardon> "Wait, I just remembered."
[13:12] <Mike_Sardon> "I still need to get my phone."
[13:12] <@aberrantArtificer> Thom, you see and hear all of that clearly. The opening does not restrict your vision very much.
[13:12] <Thom_Webber> "Hey, Mike. You wouldn't happen to know how I might be able to get back to my land again? It's just, cells, however garnished, are not fun, and I sort of need to build your house up."
[13:13] <Mike_Sardon> "I don't know. This is your dream self, right? I think you just go to sleep and then you wake up as your regular self again."
[13:14] <Thom_Webber> "That would certainly explain why the person who woke me up asked CD for somewhere to sleep."
[13:14] <Mike_Sardon> "If you want to, good night I guess. Or good morning? Afternoon? I'm still figuring out how time works here."
[13:15] <Mike_Sardon> "Who woke you up?"
[13:15] <Thom_Webber> "Somebody named Alex. Said her title was 'The Mage'."
[13:15] <Mike_Sardon> "Do you know her Esper handle?"
[13:17] <Thom_Webber> "She told me it was uncannysuicide. Do you know her?"
[13:17] <Mike_Sardon> "I do know her, she's my client player."
[13:18] <Mike_Sardon> "I built up her house almost to the gate, but I think that if she jumps through, she'll land at my first gate, which is still really high up."
[13:18] <Thom_Webber> "So, you mean to say, the gates are portals?"
[13:18] <Mike_Sardon> "It was implied."
[13:20] <Thom_Webber> "Before I try and get back to adventuring in the darkest, dankest caves, how did you find a phone here? You said you need to 'get your phone', but so far I've only seen medieval era stuff."
[13:21] <Thom_Webber> "Is there like some stash of technology somewhere or something?"
[13:21] <Mike_Sardon> "I can summon stuff from my regular sylladex, but it's harder to summon things here for some reason."
[13:21] <Mike_Sardon> "I have some kind of tower with a replica of my bedroom, summoning stuff is easy back there."
[13:23] <Thom_Webber> "So, it's like your tower is a wand that boosts your summoning power, or something? Or is it like a hotspot for sylladex shenanigans?"
[13:23] <Mike_Sardon> "I haven't figured it out yet."
[13:23] <Mike_Sardon> "Maybe the first time was bad luck. Let me try it again."
[13:24] <Mike_Sardon> Mike tries to summon his phone again.
[13:24] <Thom_Webber> "So I guess I'm not doing any summoning, seeing as I'm several planets away from anything that might be a tower of mine."
[13:25] <Thom_Webber> "Shame, my knife might have been able to pick the doors lock, or at least knock the bars out the window."
[13:26] <Mike_Sardon> ((i got 18 on a wisdom roll in the main chat if it's necessary))
[13:27] <@aberrantArtificer> You see a shimmer in your hand as you concentrate, but it doesn't quite materialize.
[13:28] <Mike_Sardon> "It almost worked..."
[13:28] <Mike_Sardon> "I'm going to try again later."
[13:28] <@aberrantArtificer> "Don' even try an' pick that lock, Dersian. It's not gonna work, and then you'll get thrown in the dungeons for illegal activity" says one of the posted guards.
[13:29] <@aberrantArtificer> "Her Majesty said you not gonna be here long if what ya' say is true."
[13:29] <Mike_Sardon> "Don't pick the lock, Thom. I don't want you to be here for longer than you need to."
[13:29] <Thom_Webber> "Don't worry dude. I have nothing to pick it with anyway, unless you think I'm going to pick it with my fingers or something."
[13:35] <Mike_Sardon> "Alright, there's not much else for me to say I guess."
[13:35] <Thom_Webber> "Nor I. If you need anything else, message me on esperchum, or come find me, I guess."
[13:36] <@aberrantArtificer> "Sir, would ya' like us to letcha know if Her Majesty releases the Dersian?"
[13:36] <Mike_Sardon> "Gotcha. Have a good day/night."
[13:36] <Mike_Sardon> "Yes, please."
[13:36] <@aberrantArtificer> You notice a pair of guards coming down the hallway towards you
[13:36] <Thom_Webber> "Make sure to kill imps for me. can't build you stuff without grist!"
[13:37] <Mike_Sardon> "Will do."
[13:37] <@aberrantArtificer> One of the guards coming towards you addresses Mike. "Sir! There you are. Her Majesty thought we might find ya' up here."
[13:38] <Mike_Sardon> Mike turns to the guards.
[13:38] <Mike_Sardon> "Yes?"
[13:38] <@aberrantArtificer> "Her Majesty demands an audience."
[13:38] <Mike_Sardon> "I shall be present. Where do I go?"
[13:38] <@aberrantArtificer> "Follow us."
[13:38] <@aberrantArtificer> "We shall escort you."
[13:39] <Mike_Sardon> Mike follows the guards, off to wherever they're going.
[13:39] <@aberrantArtificer> Thom sees the group of three head down the hallway, the two guards posted by the door remaining in their position
[13:40] <Thom_Webber> Thom tries to lie down on one of the couches, to attempt to sleep, and hopefully wake up in a cave.
[13:41] <@aberrantArtificer> One of the guards outside slides cover on the opening to the door shut, and you lay down on the couch.
[13:41] <@aberrantArtificer> The couch is much more comfortable than you were expecting it would be.
[13:42] <@aberrantArtificer> As you try to get comfortable you here a rather strange noise from behind you: a sort of strange combination of a whoosh and a little twinkle jingle.
[13:42] <@aberrantArtificer> Mike, the guards escort you down the hallway, around the corner, and back towards the stairs.
[13:44] <Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow.
[13:44] <Mike_Sardon> He hopes that this isn't going to land him in jail for talking with the enemy or something.
[13:46] <@aberrantArtificer> One of the guards addresses Mike, "Apologies for interrupting sir, but Her Majesty bid us make haste."
[13:47] <Mike_Sardon> "I can keep up."
[13:47] <Mike_Sardon> Mike starts to levitate. Flying is faster than walking.
[13:49] <@aberrantArtificer> "Thank you for understanding, sir."
[13:49] <Thom_Webber> Irritated that a little bell-like noise is keeping him from staring at endless caverns, Thom tries to lift himself up from the couch, and looks around, seeking the source of the sound.
[13:50] <@aberrantArtificer> After looking around, you see about 4 feet behind the back of the couch, against the wall, is a small golden platform with a strange pattern carved on it.
[13:50] <@aberrantArtificer> ((http://i.imgur.com/nhJnj.jpg))
[13:50] <@aberrantArtificer> Atop it rests a golden plate with various foods on it, along with a set of utensils. It is steaming slightly, so you'd presume it's still hot.
[13:51] <Thom_Webber> Confused at the foods sudden presence, Thom attempts to retrieve the plate and cutlery, going back to his couch to examine his loot.
[13:52] <@aberrantArtificer> The guards continue to escort Mike down the sets of stairs and hallways that they took to ascend to Thom's cell in the first place.
[13:52] <@aberrantArtificer> You pick up the plate and bring it back to the couch. It seems to have some mashed potatoes and gravy, some carrots and beans, some hot bread and butter, and a little bowl of applesauce.
[13:53] <@aberrantArtificer> Little wisps of steam are coming off of the food, and it smells quite delicious.
[13:53] <Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow the guards.
[13:55] <@aberrantArtificer> Eventually, the guards and you reach the atrium of the castle. The high arches and bustling castle life greet you again.
[13:55] <@aberrantArtificer> Oh, will you look at that. There are those wanted posters Thom was talking about.
[13:56] <Mike_Sardon> Mike looks at the person in the wanted poster.
[13:57] <@aberrantArtificer> You see large banners hanging from the vaulted archways high above. The banners are probably a good 10-15 feet tall. How could you have missed these before?
[13:58] <Thom_Webber> Well, at least they aren't skimping on the food, though there seems to be an absence of meat. Thom examines the cutlery, in case any of it could be useful.
[13:59] <@aberrantArtificer> The banners bear the face of a boy in purple pajamas like Thom's, with the word "WANTED" in large letters below it. "Wanted for felony against Her Majesty. Royal reward if captured."
[14:00] <@aberrantArtificer> There appears to be a fork and a spoon made out of some sort of golden metal.
[14:00] <Thom_Webber> Thom attempts to test the strength of the spoon by jabbing it into the floor.
[14:01] <Mike_Sardon> Mike continues to follow the guards to wherever they're going.
[14:01] <Mike_Sardon> Meeting the queen sounds cool.
[14:03] <@aberrantArtificer> The guards gesture up towards the large set of stairs and arches that used to be covered by a large set of doors and portcullises. The ones you saw open when you first encountered Thom.
[14:03] <@aberrantArtificer> "Just up there, sir."
[14:03] <Mike_Sardon> Mike goes up the stairs, into the room at the end of it.
[14:03] <@aberrantArtificer> The spoon doesn't break or immediately bend, but the end of the spoon that hit the floor pretty easily deforms. You wonder if the spoon is actual gold.