The Wake of Portly Collins

First topic message reminder :

I figure this'll be a good space to get my quest written before it's officially posted. So far, I've just got the barest of ideas, but I know it'll be a sequel to Hand in the Sand.

--Randall G. Holmes

R: Oh, yes, hello, yes, hi there.

P: 1.1: Er...is there a problem? -2
---2.1: Good evening to you! +1
---3.1: Who are you? +3

R: 1.1: A problem? No, no problem. I was just eager to meet somebody new! But evidently you don't share my enthusiasm for that, do you, old bean?

---2.1: Good evening! And might I just say that it's absolutely a wonderful evening. Top hole, as it were. Now, who might you be?

---3.1: Me? Oh, oh, my! My name is Randall G. Holmes. I'm something of a socialite, you might say. I'm fairly new to the thing, having only just come into my wealth, but I've found adjusting to my new lifestyle to be wonderfully fascinating, haven't you?

P: 1.1a: I just thought you were saying "yes" a little bit too much. +1
---1.1b: I like meeting new people! 0

R: 1.1a: Well, I've found that people tend to like you a little bit more when you say "yes" a lot. It makes them think that you're agreeing with them even though they haven't said anything yet. Works marvelously, dear chap!

---1.1b: So you say, so you say. But I wonder, and here is the, by George, crux of the matter! Do you like meeting *me?*

P: 1.1a: You don't say?

R: 1.1a: I *do* say! I've said so many times, and I'll continue to say so!

P: 1.1ba: You seem pleasant enough. +5
---1.1bb: No, I don't think I like you at all. -5

R: 1.1ba: Ah, splendid! Perhaps you'll be so good as to tell your friends about me, then? And when you do, just make sure they know my name: Randall G. Holmes, that's with two "l"s. Can't have two many contacts, eh wot?

---1.1bb: Well, go jump in front of a boat, then! ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

-------------------------------------

P: 2.1: I am [name], a mighty adventurer!

R: 2.1: An adventurer, eh? Can't say I've run into too many of you types in my lounges. Tell me, have you ever met Mr. Arnold Plume?

P: 2.1: Can't say that I have.

R: 2.1: How about Mrs. Geraldine Fipps?

P: 2.1: Doesn't sound familiar...

R: 2.1: Blast! What about...Samson Roddeck? He's been known to get around.

P: 2.1a: I've met him! I killed his dragon! -3
---2.1b: I helped him out with a problem once. +3
---2.1c: He's had me run through a few hoops for him... +5

R: 2.1a: Oh, how horrid! I suppose maybe I *shouldn't* ask if you know anybody! I guess all adventurers are alike, unable to control their base impulse to kill everything in sight. I'm quite frankly surprised that you haven't run me through by now!

---2.1b: Ah, so he knows who you are! Splendid! I don't suppose that, when all this is said and done, you'd be so kind as to introduce me to him? Or maybe it's that you and he were acquainted too long ago to be of any real use...?

---2.1c: Oh, so you must be quite chummy! This *is* good news! After this whole dinner thing is over, you simply *must* introduce me to him! You won't believe the tales I've heard about Samson Roddeck! There was this one where the man had told me that Roddeck used to keep dragons! Can you believe that? A noble should never own anything more dangerous than, say, a small dog. Or a snake.

P: 2.1aa: Me too. -7
---2.1ab: I wouldn't do that! 0

R: 2.1aa: Oh, you monster! Get away from me! ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART/CAN'T TALK ON BOAT AFTERWARDS

---2.1ab: No, you do seem different than other adventurers...A touch of class, perhaps? Ah, never mind. Stick around me, and you'll see what happens. ENDS DIALOGUE

P: 2.1ba: I can introduce you. +4
---2.1bb: I'll think about it. +1
---2.1bc: Maybe some other time... -2

R: 2.1ba: Most excellent! I packed an entirely separate change of clothes for just such an occasion. Black is all well and good for a dinner such as this, but I find brown to be much better for meeting new people.

---2.1bb: Oh, do, please! These old men are simply the best way to get to know absolutely everybody! I beg you to introduce me, if only for a moment.

---2.1bc: Ah...I understand. You two probably need to do some catching up of your own first. Yes, I quite understand. No need for old Randall G. Holmes to get in the way, eh?

P: 2.1ba: Quite... ENDS DIALOGUE

---2.1bb: I'll think about it. ENDS DIALOGUE

---2.1bc: I'll see what I can do. ENDS DIALOGUE

----------------------

P: 2.1ca: A snake? That doesn't seem very harmless! 0
---2.1cb: Yes, I believe he *does* keep dragons. +2
---2.1cc: Why are you so eager to meet these people? -2 (CHAIN UNLOCKED WITH 75 FAVOR)

R: 2.1ca: Oh, snakes can be incredibly harmless! I keep several myself. The trick is to make sure they get their daily mouse, or else they become quite ravenous. Oh, some of the close calls I've had! But if you get them their mouse, they are some of the tamest, most demure creatures on the face of the planet.

---2.1cb: Really? So the rumors are true, then? Simply marvelous! I *must* tell everyone else when we return from this blasted dinner. This'll be quite a few days out of my schedule, you know, and for a complete unknown! This Mr. Richardson had better know how to throw a proper dinner after making us sail halfway across the sea! BACK TO 2.1c CHOICES

---2.1cc: Can't a chap wish to make acquaintances? Can't a man simply wish to know people? I'm young! I'm rising up in the world! I want to be somebody! That is all, sir!

P: 2.1ca: Is that so?

R: 2.1ca: Oh, absolutely! You can practically kiss them on their noses if they've had a good mouse! BACK TO 2.1c CHOICES

P: 2.1cc: So that's it?

R: 2.1cc: That is it! ENDS DIALOGUE

------------------------------------------

P: 3.1: Er...I suppose you are?

R: 3.1: I am, rather, aren't I? But you mustn't forget all the people, that's really the hardest part. So many names! And so many rumors to go with the names! I can never remember if it was Lady Belzemere who was pocketing her husband's money, or Lady Ashton. Or if it was her husband at all, and not some gardener!

P: 3.1: I can see where that would become challenging.

R: 3.1: It's a positive ordeal, sir! And I'm rapidly finding that I may lack the mental facilities to cope with it all! That's why I've taken to writing down everything important on small scraps of paper that I keep on my person at all times. Should I ever forget anything, I just look down and there's the facts, plain as day!

P: 3.1a: That's very helpful! +2
---3.1b: What sort of things do you write down? 0
---3.1c: Aren't you worried about losing them? 0

R: 3.1a: It is, isn't it? I just keep them in this pocket, usually, on my vest so I can easily reach it if I have to, and people are never the wiser! I've been trying to recommend it to people so that they'll spread the word, but it hasn't really caught on in many circles yet. BACK TO 3.1 CHOICES

---3.1b: Oh, mostly names, dates, that sort of thing. Sometimes I write down gossip I hear just so I know which person it goes with. You wouldn't believe how many people have so many secrets!

---3.1c: Not especially. My memory isn't *so* horrible that I absolutely *must* have the cards. BACK TO 3.1 CHOICES

P: 3.1b: Really? Like what?

R: 3.1b: Oh, well, there's nothing I really should be telling you, but...Well, do you know old Mrs. Masters? She's a bit of a wet blanket, truth be told, but she had her fun back in the day! I was talking to old Lord Scubbins the other evening, and he told me that he recalled a rumor from when *he* was young that she used to run with a band of hooligans! All poppycock if you ask me, but still, that's the sort of thing you get used to hearing. OPENS UP NEW DIALOGUE WITH MRS. MASTERS

P: 3.1b: It seems like a lot of rumor if you ask me.

R: 3.1b: Oh, it certainly is! But if you want to keep in high standing, you have to have all your rumors straightened out before you even so much as open your mouth.

P: 3.1b: Well, I suppose I'll go find other people to ask about rumors.

R: 3.1b: Ah, excellent idea. Good evening to you!

--Philliman Hax

H: Yes?

P: 1.1: Hi! -1
---2.1: Who are you? -1
---3.1: You're a little late, aren't you? -3

H: 1.1: Hello. BACK TO CHOICES

---2.1: My name is Philliman Hax. If you have to ask in order to know, then that is all you get to know. BACK TO CHOICES

---3.1: The boat is still in the dock, is it not? And judging by the fact that I am not wandering alone in an empty bar, I should say that I am right on time.

P: 3.1: Well, everyone else was still here before you!

H: So they were. But surely *someone* has to arrive last, correct? And is one person not more entitled to arrive last than some other person?

P: 1.1: Er... -1
---2.1: In that case, I suppose I should step out for a bit and come back in a few moments. +1
---3.1: You could try to get here earlier, though! -3

H: 1.1: The answer you're looking for is "Yes, Mr. Hax." I'll thank you to get out of my way so that I may see the captain about leaving. ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

---2.1: And why should you do that?

---3.1: I could, but then someone else would have to be the victim of your interrogations. Get out of my way, I'm going to see the captain. ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

P: 2.1a: So that I could be the last one in. +2
---2.1b: To make sure that the boat is still here and all of us aren't late. +1
---2.1c: Just to spite you. +3

H: 2.1a: Ah, clever. You seem to have the barest mental facilities needed to make a witty comeback. I applaud the effort and would truly stick around to talk some more if I wasn't in urgent need of the captain's presence. Good evening. ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

---2.1b: Hmm, just to see if my claim was correct. Well, I shall give you points for attempting to outsmart me, but seeing as I passed the docks on my way in, I have to say that you lacked some lateral thinking. Better luck next time. ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

---2.1c: Ah, so you're like me, then? Either that or you just dislike me. Either way, I can respect your answer and, if I were in your rather filthy shoes, would probably have said the same thing. Well, adventurer, perhaps I'll deign to speak to you again at some point, but for now, my attention must be placed elsewhere. Good evening. ENDS DIALOGUE/CAN'T RESTART

As the clock strikes 7:

Captain: Right, follow me, everyone! The boat is just this way.

The captain leads everyone out of the bar and across the darkened docks to where Richardson's ship, the Pax Gloria, is anchored. It's a marvelous ship, rather odd in appearance, but looks to be fully stocked with every modern amenity (or modern for Runescape.) After everyone is comfortable seated in the "common room," a large room in the middle of the ship furnished with plush chairs, tables, and even carpets, the captain leaves the room to supposedly prepare the ship for departure. Conversation ensues.

PEOPLE'S LOCATIONS DURING THE NIGHT (not including transit times)

-Jeremiah Haversmith
7:00 to 8:00 PM: In the common room, talking
8:00 to 8:15 PM: In the sick room, coping
8:15 to 8:30 PM: In his room, resting
8:30 to 8:42 PM: In the common room, socializing
8:42 to 9:15 PM: In Mrs. Masters' room
9:20 PM: In his own room, sleeping

-Portly Collins
7:00 to 8:51 PM: In the common room, doing various things
8:51 to 9:30 PM: In Miss Masters' room
9:30 to 9:45 PM: At the bow of the ship, staring off into the distance
9:45 to 10:15 PM: Scouring the ship for...something
10:20 PM: In his room, pacing
11:15 PM: In his room, sleeping

-Randall G. Holmes
7:00 to 8:55 PM: In the common room, doing things
8:55 to 9:45 PM: In his room, resting
9:45 to 9:48 PM: Knocking at Miss Masters' door
9:55 PM: In his room, sleeping

-Caravel Zonks
7:00 to 9:15 PM: In the common room, doing things
9:15 to 9:30 PM: In the back of the common room, huddling with Hax
9:30 to 10:00 PM: In the captain's room, speaking with the captain
10:10 PM: In his room, sleeping

-The Gonzonis
7:00 to 9:15 PM: In the common room, socializing
9:15 to 9:40 PM: In their room, arguing
9:40 to 10:10 PM: Russell - In the common room, venting to Hax
9:50 PM: Alice - In her room, sleeping
10:10 to 10:15 PM: Russell - Knocking at his door
10:15 to 10:25 PM: Russell - Searching the ship for the storage room
10:30 PM: Russell - In the storage room, sleeping under a blanket

-Mrs. Masters
7:00 to 8:20 PM: In the common room, socializing (kinda)
8:20 to 8:36 PM: In her room, talking to Hax
8:36 to 8:42 PM: In the common room, socializing
8:42 to 9:15 PM: In her room, with Jeremiah
9:15 to 9:30 PM: In her room, resting
9:30 to 10:00 PM: In her room, with Miss Masters
10:20 PM: In her room, sleeping

-Miss Masters
7:00 to 8:50 PM: In the common room, giggling
8:50 to 9:30 PM: In her room, with Portly
9:30 to 10:00 PM: In Mrs. Masters' room, sobbing
10:15 PM: In her room, sleeping

-Philliman Hax
7:00 to 8:20 PM: In the common room, lounging
8:20 to 8:36 PM: In Mrs. Masters' room
8:36 to 9:15 PM: In the common room, lounging some more
9:15 to 9:30 PM: In the back of the common room, huddling with Zonks
9:30 to 9:40 PM: In the common room, fiddling with something
9:40 to 10:10 PM: In the common room, listening to Russell
10:10 to 10:50 PM: In the common room, walking around, examining things, etc
11:00 PM: In his room, sleeping