http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/tags/live Gaming Outpost Discussions » Tag: live - Recent Posts en-US Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:07:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/search.php http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22741 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:49:00 +0000 M. J. Young 22741@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Let her suspect. She knows that she has the real queen and that you're an imposter; she knows she can't call your bluff without revealing her own treason. She can't stop us from watching. Knowing Michelle, she'll probably stand on the battlements watching back, gloating that we can't get her prisoner, and thinking her position unassailable. And when we figure out how to assail that position, we will have her."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22703 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:12:37 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22703@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>The particular location, cause I figured it might still be too much of a risk to even be in the lake where she might draw suspicion. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22695 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:24:41 +0000 M. J. Young 22695@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>I'm assuming that you are somehow expressing your confusion.</p> <p>For one thing, the lake at Zenda is the obvious place for you to swim and boat. It is on the edge of the Royal Game Preserve, and technically part of the royal properties; it is also secluded and relatively private, and the queen can take her recreation there without the peasantry or even the uninvited nobility impinging on her solitude. Secondly, while she is there, it gives opportunity to observe the castle at Zenda--not perhaps as closely as Sapt might like, as it would look somewhat suspicious to be staring at the gates with opera glasses, but sufficiently to mark comings and goings and get some sense of how many people might be there and what travels they make. Finally, while he has no illusions that he can turn you into a champion swimmer and boater (not to mention fencer and marksman) in the few months before some plan is launched, your skill in these areas might be useful when a rescue is mounted--and it is a place where you can practice where no one will compare your ability to memories of the queen, in any aspect.</p> <p>Were you questioning the reasoning behind training you in those skills, or behind doing so at that particular location?</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22669 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:38:53 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22669@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>I'm a bit confused as to why he wants me swimming and boating in that lake. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22660 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:51:04 +0000 M. J. Young 22660@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt smiles.</p> <p>"Then of course we'll have to have you train in the lake. The water should be warm enough by now--it's June, after all. We'll also get a row boat and work on rowing, too. Michelle won't be able to complain about you having people with you at the lake if you're obviously there for a reason. Frieda, find a woman who can teach her majesty swimming and boating. We'll add that to her list.</p> <p>"I assume you agree?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22599 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:14:01 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22599@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I try...I'm a very weak swimmer...I love to swim, but I never had proper lessons so I've never been very good at it..." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22568 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:46:01 +0000 M. J. Young 22568@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt nods thoughtfully, then says, "Right. Well, tomorrow we will have another day of training, and then it's back to Strelsau for more diplomatic meetings on Monday and Tuesday, and back here for a day of work on Wednesday. We'll have you shooting like a recruit, at least, before you know it."</p> <p>Suddenly he looks at you and says, "Does your majesty swim?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22500 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:12:32 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22500@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"You said yourself Sapt, we're at a stalemate with Michelle right now. We'll find someone, or some people. We just need to not rule anything out, but not act hastily either." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22498 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:52:20 +0000 M. J. Young 22498@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt, who has gone from standing to pacing, suddenly sits and throws up his hands.</p> <p>"I'm not young anymore," he says. "We need a hero."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22397 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:28:14 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22397@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I was not suggesting it was impossible, I never rule anything as impossible."</p> <p>"Whoever, and whatever we send need to be able to keep a secret well enough to not show it at all..." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22395 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:57:04 +0000 M. J. Young 22395@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt frowns; Frieda looks worried.</p> <p>"It does appear to be quite a challenge," Sapt says. "But let's not rule it out as impossible. The weak point would appear to be the drawbridge. They have to lower it to bring food to their prisoner and to the men guarding her, and when they do the gates are open at both ends. Someone would have to be waiting below the gate such that they were hidden--perhaps on the far side of the old tower, low to the water and against the wall. Also, since the bridge opens from the old tower side, it has to be opened by the men inside when they expect someone to come. Their view outside will be limited--just enough, I should think, that they can see who is on the causeway. They will also have to close it, which is enough of a job that they're not going to close it behind the person bringing their food, but are going to leave it open until that person leaves again.</p> <p>"We would have to have someone waiting who could remain hidden until the bridge was down, and then climb to the level of the bridge, and then swiftly dispatch whoever is guarding the entry. They would then have to get to the queen before the other guard was able to kill her and dispose of her body.</p> <p>"Then the question is whether to get the queen out across the lake, or attempt to take the castle through the back door.</p> <p>"For the moment, I'll post men in the woods to watch their movements, with special attention to movement between the two buildings. They won't know why, so they won't be able to answer if questioned. We'll tell them that we have reason to believe Michelle is plotting something--which is certainly the truth--and that we want to know every detail of movement in the castle that they can observe.</p> <p>"I'm not sure who we get to do the rescue, though. We could order men to storm the castle on the assurance that a dear friend of the queen is being held prisoner; but whoever is sent to rescue the queen would probably have to know that it was the queen he was rescuing. Any thoughts on that?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22318 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:50:46 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22318@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"You mean besides this is next to impossible." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22293 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:02:27 +0000 M. J. Young 22293@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>The next morning you are still at the lodge, and you have a long day of practice and training slated. However, at breakfast, Sapt says, "All right, we saw the Castle last night. Shall we start by stating the obvious? Who wants to go first?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22247 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:27:02 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22247@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>If I am that tired, I'll most likely try and make detailed notes and a laid out representation of what we saw and what we think before getting ready for bed. Most likely sleeping with the notes and map. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22244 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:02:00 +0000 M. J. Young 22244@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Good thinking," Sapt says. "Back to the lodge, and rest up for tomorrow's practice, and then we'll work on our plans."</p> <p>Food is waiting at the lodge, and you manage to eat despite the grueling workout you've had again today. You're torn between physical exhaustion and a mind reeling with the problem of a hoped rescue attempt. Sapt seems to be lost in thought as he puffs on his pipe; Frieda looks pretty tired herself. What next for you?</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22222 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:20:04 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22222@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"We'll figure this out. In the mean time, it's already a risk being here. We better head back and note what we've seen. Better to discuss a solution in closed doors." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22205 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:23:45 +0000 M. J. Young 22205@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt and Frieda agree, suggesting that since you'll be on the game preserve overnight it will be good to get within sight of the castle at dusk, and observe it from there.</p> <p>The next day you again get the early start by train to Zenda, then by horse to the lodge. You spend the day practicing your weapon skills and horseback riding, and in the evening you go for a hike, easily over a mile, to the edge of a lake. In the fading light you get your first look at Zenda.</p> <p>The castle itself is built in a lake. The main entrance is about twenty yards from a high point on the shore, with a drawbridge that lowers from the castle to the shore. You are there in time to see it being raised for the night. That section is fairly large, probably large enough to have a lower level room for arms practice as well as a stable for a score of horses; it also has two upper floors and crenelated battlements above that, with a tower overlooking the drawbridge providing good defensive positions.</p> <p>Toward the rear there is a smaller single-level area which is probably private rooms, and at the end of this there is a double row of pilings supporting an open causeway leading straight out farther into the lake. Thirty yards out stands the old fortress, a drawbridge drawn up which would complete the last ten yards of the causeway. The door is perhaps ten feet above the water. It appears that there are two levels, one above the door and the other below, plus battlements atop. The tower is circular, thirty yards in diameter. The upper level has several narrow windows. The windows of the lower level appear to be boarded up but for one. That one has been fitted with some sort of enclosed metal chute which passes down the outside of the building into the water.</p> <p>"Well," Sapt says, "I think we can guess where the queen is, and how Michelle will dispose of her if we assault in a frontal attack. They'll have a guard at the entry to the old tower, and another below watching the queen, and if the guard above sounds the alert, the guard below will kill her, attach weights to her body, and drop her down the chute into the lake.</p> <p>"Which means, we're going to have to get someone through that door before who can kill both of those guards before the alarm is sounded."</p> <p>"But Colonel," Frieda says, "the only way to that door is through the main castle, and the alarm will certainly be sounded if we have to assault the front gate."</p> <p>"I know. Well, at least we can see the problem; now we need the solution."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22177 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:42:21 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22177@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Most likely since I'd be better to have them around if I were to be caught, otherwise, 6 eyes are better then 2. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22166 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:23:44 +0000 M. J. Young 22166@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>You have two more days of diplomatic meetings, and then another trip to Zenda, this time for two days of training and practice. My previous post was entirely your own musings; are you going to make any suggestions to Frieda or Sapt in this connection?</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22124 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:24:36 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22124@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>We'll probably have to do it it quick in a random and rash decision in order for Michelle to not notice that we're within a few feet from there. Though I'm not likely to get any information there if I'm just stuck secluded on the outside. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22111 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:37:21 +0000 M. J. Young 22111@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>As you muse on the situation, it comes to you that Michelle has to keep Rudolpha secure without risking the possibility that anyone might discover this. That means she has only six people she might trust, and those six must rotate as guards. It also follows from this that there must be two guarding the queen at any given time, because one must be within sight of the queen and the other must be positioned where he can interact with other people in the castle without them becoming aware of who their prisoner is. That is, if Hentzau is watching the queen, Hentzau has to be close enough to see the queen; but that means no one can get close enough to Hentzau that they might also recognize the queen, and therefore someone like Lauengram must be in effect keeping people from getting through to Hentzau.</p> <p>The Queen is Michelle's only bargaining chip, and once she surrenders it she has no defense. Therefore Michelle is not likely to bargain for the release of the queen unless someone can offer her safety and clemency plus something that can be delivered as a sort of consolation prize for not receiving the kingdom. On the other hand, having the queen is itself sufficient basis for charges of treason. Therefore, Michelle must have some way of preventing anyone from proving she has Rudolpha. She can't kill the queen and claim the throne because you're in the way; she can't produce the queen and challenge your identity because that would implicate her in treason. But if it were to appear that the queen would be discovered in her custody, she would have to have a way of preventing that from happening--some way that the queen would never be found. That would be her stalemate position, because it would mean you would continue as queen and she could do nothing about that, but you could never prove her treason.</p> <p>That means that some plan has to be devised by which the queen can be rescued before Michelle realizes that something is happening, so that Michelle can't execute whatever plan she has to dispose of the queen.</p> <p>That also means you need a lot better information concerning where the queen is being held and what the security arrangements are.</p> <p>You could start by getting a look at the Castle at Zenda, which happens to be on a lake at the edge of the game preserve. In theory, a hunting trip would make good cover for such a view.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22078 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:14:08 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 22078@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>By that point I'd probably have the juice, thank Frieda and Sapt for helping me learn, and try and focus on figuring out what to do about Michelle with my moments of consciousness. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-22061 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:30:14 +0000 M. J. Young 22061@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>It's an early start, leaving the palace by carriage and boarding the royal rail car; arrangements have already been made for it to be drawn to Zenda with the first daylight run. Breakfast is served aboard the train, the cook staff from the palace having arranged for you to have some of the foods you enjoyed the past couple days, including those Scottish breakfast foods.</p> <p>It is about twenty minutes to Zenda, but since they disconnect your car and leave it on the siding you have time to finish your breakfast unhurried before disembarking. At this end, it's horses. You're still a bit sore from your overnight ride here and back a few nights ago, but Frieda reminds you that the queen rides and it's one of those things that will be expected of you. It takes some effort and some help to get you mounted and riding, but you manage to stay aboard for the short walk to the game preserve.</p> <p>They start with the guns, setting up some targets. Sapt takes his time showing you how to use a Winchester Repeating Rifle, and you pick it up quickly, being very comfortable with the gun and its design. You have less comfort with the Colt .45 revolver, which is large for one hand and hard to draw from the holster. You also fire a shotgun, which is similar to the rifle although the loading and the kick are distinct.</p> <p>Sapt also lets you run through your paces with the sword, noting your fencing style and commending you for the positive points, while helping you work on it. He says you've got potential there, and he's going to work with you on it. You're not as good with the bow, but he works with you on that as well.</p> <p>You spend some time training on the horse as well, both shooting and using the sword, but this is considerably more difficult.</p> <p>Overall it's a long day, and you're bone tired by the time you ride the horse back to the train and eat dinner as darkness closes around the rail car. You realize that it is late spring, and so it must be late in the day, but you're too tired to think much about it.</p> <p>Half an hour or so later, the carriage has carried you from the station to the palace, and you are returning to your rooms. The staff wants to know if you want anything else tonight, and Frieda suggests fruit juice, which they say they can have in a few minutes.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-21994 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:05:23 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 21994@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Most likely since I want to keep an eye on them, last thing I'd want is for someone to find my passport or anything else highly incriminating. </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/5#post-21992 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:54:53 +0000 M. J. Young 21992@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"That's fine. Of course, if we did hunt, whatever we killed would be dinner; but there's no reason to start with hunting."</p> <p>Over the next two days you meet with nearly a dozen representatives of various countries, over meals and between meals. You give assurances to them that Ruritania appreciates their continued friendship, and you compliment those whose native foods you are tasting on their cuisine, although they have varying opinions on how well your staff managed to duplicate their country's foods.</p> <p>The third day you are expecting to travel to the lodge. I'm guessing that you will take all your gear with you; correct me if I'm mistaken.</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/4#post-21941 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:30:23 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 21941@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I'd prefer not to hunt. I believe hunting should be more for survival, or food, rather then for sport or recreation." </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/4#post-21940 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:27:20 +0000 M. J. Young 21940@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>Sapt answers. "Ah, bow and arrow. That might be useful, too, so we'll train with that, and with the sword, as well as rifle and pistol. As to the game preserve, it's the best place to get privacy for shooting a gun. No one will bother us save Michelle and her emissaries, and they will be proper, I expect, if they do. If you want to hunt, we can hunt as well; but targets will be better practice, at least initially."</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/4#post-21885 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:21:48 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 21885@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I barely know how to hold a foil, I am more familiar with bows and arrows. As I said, last time, I hit the target, though not center, half the time. I just prefeered to be around those, still do.</p> <p>Game preserve? Meaning I'd be learning by hunting?" </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/4#post-21860 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:22:46 +0000 M. J. Young 21860@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"Good," Sapt says. "Unfortunately, the best place to teach you is in the game preserve at Zenda, and that means staying in the lodge."</p> <p>"We could shoot at my parents' lodge," Frieda says.</p> <p>"We could, and it would be more comfortable, certainly, with your parents' accommodations. But it would also call attention to the fact that our queen can't shoot. So let's plan two days of meetings, and then after dinner take the royal train to Zenda, spend the night at the lodge on the Royal Game Preserve, put time in the next day to learning to use several weapons, and return by evening train so that the next day we can put in more meetings, and after two more days we'll pop back out to the lodge for two days.</p> <p>"You mentioned something about the classic instruments. What skill do you have with swords? Knives? What else?"</p> <p>--M. J. Young </p> http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/ahmetia-travels-to-ruritania/page/4#post-21747 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:28:07 +0000 AhmetiaCampbell 21747@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <p>"I'm willing to learn, up till recently I thought of guns as a quick and brutish replacement to classic instruments. I don't think so anymore with a few exceptions where I've seen guns made with some form of class." </p>