Today: Two-Thirds Less Imp Per Castle

Gabriel performed arcane rituals all through the night. Did I say everyone slept all night? And you believed me? He and Aedan went to the docks early in the morning. Gabriel performed a Trump Scrye. Amberites who resonated with the scrye: Random, Martin, Benedict, Osric, and Mandor (White-haired Man Trump). Gabriel Trumped in Martin, who scoured the castle for signs of his father, and Carl, who rode off and figured very little in the rest of this session's chronicle.

After many GM prompts, people noticed that the Castle was less woodsy, and that there were noticeably fewer fae about. In fact, things seemed to be getting back to normal, although Aedan had to make his own breakfast (cold cereal on toast in case you were wondering). So he got the kitchen staff whipped into shape and dinner better be up to the usual, royal standards, or I’ma bust out the serious Hell, so y’all watchout!

Giselle and Gregory didn't find the Inn at the Crossroads, so they decided to look for the Dagda instead. The forty Sidhe rangers tagged along, as did various other fey things, including "Lord Tall, Dark, and Pointy," a Knight of the Unseelie. Gregory was driving, and he noticed that the group was shunted around Ygg. Hmmm. Some speculation as to why. Answer: summer construction detours; nothing to be concerned about. Eventually, the group could see their destination: a city of some kind, a ways off. Between here and there was a herd of Not Horses. Three armored, uniformed, and constipated-looking men rode up and said that this was Sovereign Hendrake Land. Dramatic pause.

Aedan and Magni interrogated Gerard, in a friendly, non-confrontational sort of way. Okay, so Magni poked the big guy, and called him a coward numerous times, but Big "G" didn't respond. In fact, he was more bland than soggy cabbage. He was packing to leave and taking his Big Sword back to its maker. Aedan twisted Gerard's ear until he confessed that the sword's maker was Benedict's older brother Osric. Gerard also described the Unicorn Scene in the Pattern Room, as detailed below.

GM's Commentary

in which you will find some references to the actual events that occurred in the game -- usually less amusing (or flattering to Todd's character) than the Chronicler's version...

The Unicorn Makes A Scene (combination Gerard-Corwin version)

Gerard was angry because Brand was in the Pattern Room. He went there, and Corwin and Flora went too. When they got there, Brand was allegedly only observing the big, writhing monster on the Pattern. Gerard was so angry that he decided to walk the Pattern—no, it didn't make sense to me either1. Julian and the Unicorn burst through the door, neither one riding the other. Corwin tried to shoot himself and missed, hitting Flora in the face2. Julian ran through the damaged parts of the Pattern and slide-tackled Gerard off the Cosmic Doodle. Julian apparently died, but Gerard lived to annoy us further. The Unicorn pranced around, pausing at various elders. Benedict had mysteriously arrived when no one was looking, but apparently did nothing at any point except what we'll find out later and wonder how anyone could have possibly overlooked that at the time.

1. Gerard said he was angry and he was drawn to the Beast in the center of the Pattern. Two things.

2. Flora tried to prevent Corwin from shooting himself, and the bullet hit her in the face.

The Half-Truths Section

Aedan and Magni spoke with Corwin, who suggested a family meeting. Corwin had lost thirty pounds overnight, and he was sober and somewhat coherent. Magni stole Grayswandir, but the GM didn't notice. Be sure and remind her later, right before we all get killed. Corwin told his version of The Unicorn Scene.

Gregory, Giselle, and their entourage had the Hendrake Lands pushed aside so they could continue toward the Dagda and the city. They rode through the Fire Gate, which spoke to them in a deep whisper and said "Trust Not Captain Skeevooooohhhhh…"3 They entered the city, made their way through its crowded streets, and saved one of the rangers from being gargoyled. Their path led them to this great blue-black building with many niches and a gigantic stone serpent statue surmounting the whole thing. Most of the fae accompanying them skittered away at this point and now they're Chaos's problem. Gregory and Giselle met a man with white hair, and went through an arch into a sunny meadow where they had a nice picnic.

Gabriel accompanied Brand toward the Font of Power. They went by rocketship, past the moon, through the giant space amoeba, and nowhere near the Robot Whorehouse, a.k.a., the "Borgdello." Brand's only son and heir learned a few things, overheard too much, and soon will sleep with the fishes. I kissa you both cheeks. Addio, mi amico.

Raj went to Rebma. No longer floating on top of the ocean, it had mysteriously sunk to the bottom of the sea! He arm-wrestled the Queen, yodeled sea chanteys, and redrew the Rebman Pattern using a cold slice of pizza. Note to James: I hope you're feeling better.

Aedan and Magni checked on the Pattern. It looked like it was back to normal. However, neither of these guys is an Advanced Pattern Master, so they want to know, "Was it always purple?" They looked in on Martin redecorating the King's Quarters: making the bed, throwing away old gin bottles, and looking quite dapper in a three-piece suit and tie.

3. ahem.

4. Yep, Raj went to Rebma. Ignore the rest of this paragraph.

The Pre-Meeting Meeting

Gregory and Giselle returned to Amber. They orchestrated a Meeting before the Dinner Meeting. Giselle spoke with Flora, trying to convince her that the "shot in the face" look was all the rage this season. Gabriel arrived barely in time to give an accounting of his actions before he was condemned for flooding the Pie Market with expensive, delicious pies. The court might have been swayed by the presence of several of said pies in the evidence refrigerator. Aedan said that he had tried to Trump nearly everyone, including Dalt, Delwin, Sand, and Dr. Habbadakkas, despite the fact that nobody had ever heard of any of these people. Benedict was the only person who answered. He looked cranky.

The Pre-Meeting Meeting brought some information to light. Speculation speculated that the Pattern was not static, and this was reflected in the Universe. Somehow, Oberon's children affected stuff. Oberon had maintained the tension by setting his kids against each other, and by giving them each roles to fulfill. Then he died. Random attempted the same thing, but failed. So he and Fiona tried more drastic measures and became rug stains.

Giselle and Gregory revealed that Chaos wanted a Formal Envoy from Amber. Oh, and King Swayvill is quite deceased. Giselle mentioned that Caine was known to be on that side of Ygg, but then she suddenly got quiet as an arrow appeared sticking out of her esophagus. She recovered, but she never slandered Caine again. She and Gregory also mentioned that riding through Shadow was easier, perhaps because there was less of it. The man with white hair called himself Mandor. Yes, he had been impersonating the Dagda because he got laid more often disguised as an old letch than he did as his own handsome self. Apparently, chicks dig letches.

Aedan separated his Trump deck into "cold" and "not cold" categories as follows:

Not Cold, but Not Necessarily Dead, Perhaps.

Bleys, but his card has gone "not cold" in the past and he was still alive (supposedly).
Brand, who, according to Gabriel, has been "fixed."
Caine
Carl, whom nobody has seen since he returned with Martin. I think he left the castle.
Deirdre
Eric
Finndo
Fiona
Julian
Llewella
Oberon
Osric
Random
The Young, Brown-Haired Man identified as Corwin's Son Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned but is probably not "Isabelle."

 

Things Not Omitted from this Chronicle On Purpose

Corwin shot at Magni (who was sitting on the Throne at the time).

Julian had many personal compacts with the Fae Lords, but Benedict doesn't. There was never no High-Falutin' Treaty between Feyville and Amber.

Oberon was King of the Fae Lands Once Upon a Time.

The symbol of the Unseelie Court is a big, black bird (GM's fiat).

The Statue of the Woman holding Finvarra's hand is wearing a dress with a slightly different design than Deirdre's classic symbol. The statue has a crescent moon symbol, while Deirdre was more fond of the "circle-within-a-circle" lunar look.

The royal regalia (crown, scepter, jewel-encrusted jockstrap of power) is missing.

Fiona was well-known to have bad gas, although she always blamed "that smell" on servants.