roleplaying:munchausen:the_first_game
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+ | ====== The First Game ====== | ||
+ | //In which Dr. Van B. receives his guests, in order to ask of their | ||
+ | Adventures in foreign parts. Phineas is introduced to the company. | ||
+ | A brief Altercation.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The room in which we are gathered is a large one, with an oaken table | ||
+ | dominating its centre. Standing at its head is one Doctor Van | ||
+ | B., formerly of Amsterdam. The good Doctor is a large man, clean | ||
+ | shaven, and is wearing slightly worn academic robes, a large ruff and | ||
+ | a habitually worried expression. He welcomes each member of the | ||
+ | party with a small, nervous bow. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When all are gathered, he taps a glass to gain the attention of the | ||
+ | company and says, "I, ahem, I would like to welcome each and every | ||
+ | one of you to the Bear and Garter, and I thank you all very much for | ||
+ | responding to my invitation. It is indeed a pleasure for such a | ||
+ | humble scholar as myself to be in the company of such distinguished | ||
+ | adventurers and raconteurs. After we have eaten, and I must say that | ||
+ | the food here is excellent, far in excess of anything I have ever | ||
+ | been accustomed to, we will get down, as they say, to the business of | ||
+ | tales. I would like to introduce you to our landlord, Phineas," | ||
+ | which he gestures to that fine fellow, "who will, as is customary, | ||
+ | indulge us by providing us each with two silver pieces at the | ||
+ | beginning of each… excuse me?" Phineas leans to whisper something in | ||
+ | Dr. Van B.'s ear. The doctor turns so that his mouth is | ||
+ | obscured, and whispers back. Phineas' | ||
+ | the Doctor starts whispering with much more animation. " | ||
+ | ladies and gentlemen, mine host and I will just need to step | ||
+ | outside," | ||
+ | room. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Returning, Van B. starts again from where he left off. "As I was | ||
+ | saying, Phineas will indulge us by providing two silver pieces from | ||
+ | my own purse which will be added to my account at the beginning of | ||
+ | each tale, and will exchange two of these silver pieces for gold any | ||
+ | time you request it of him." Phineas glowers. "He will also be more | ||
+ | than happy to provide you with any drink that you request from his | ||
+ | magnificent and well-stocked cellar." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Phineas leaves to prepare the meal (an excellent repast of roast | ||
+ | meats and exotic vegetables), | ||
+ | themselves. Shortly, Sally comes up to blush prettily and take drink | ||
+ | orders. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Duke's table === | ||
+ | //In which the Duke is introduced, and his proclivities in provisions are | ||
+ | discovered.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Seated to the right of the good doctor is a tall, expensively dressed young | ||
+ | man. Of regal bearing and somewhat rogueish manner. The somewhat unkempt | ||
+ | nature of beard and sideburns adding little in the way of austerity. | ||
+ | Looking up from his repast or roast beef and diverse vegetables, he glances | ||
+ | around the gentlemen and ladies present as he holds the last piece of turnip on | ||
+ | a fork. As yet there has been nary a drop or mark fallen by mischance onto his | ||
+ | silk waistcoat, nor his velvet frockcoat. He is obviously trying hard not to | ||
+ | look impudently at the Frenchman present, but old habits die hard - even when | ||
+ | diced thinly and thrown overboard. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Somewhat surprised to find the rare delicacy of a potato on his plate, he | ||
+ | view's the Doctor with new respect for having chosen the place. For a | ||
+ | commoner, he has good taste. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Young lady!", | ||
+ | Sally turns her attention to him. | ||
+ | "I would like some ale, m' | ||
+ | The serving girl is quick to serve him his drink. There is something about his | ||
+ | natural commanding tones that demands it. Either that or her willingness to do | ||
+ | her occupation justice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Lady Kathryn Is Satisified === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Lady Kathryn sat resplendent in dark green velvet. A woman of some | ||
+ | stature, she had thoroughly enjoyed her meal. The potatoes in | ||
+ | particular had been a revelation. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 'I understand they are grown underground', | ||
+ | neighbour, the Countess Barbara. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now replete, she calmly surveyed those around her whilst picking her | ||
+ | teeth with the nail of her little finger, a habit she had - some say | ||
+ | unfortunately - picked up in Romania. | ||
+ | |||
+ | She smiled graciously at Sally as she approached and requested a | ||
+ | snifter of brandy. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 'And a saucer of warm milk for Gerald, if you please', | ||
+ | motioning to a small white rat that played about her ladyship' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sally, a credit to her profession, did not blink as Gerald settled | ||
+ | comfortably upon her ladyship' | ||
+ | === In which the Doctor taps his timepiece meaningfully === | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I had hoped the others would have arrived by now. They will miss | ||
+ | the potatoes. Perhaps someone should send a servant to the Marquis | ||
+ | and Lady Alyssa..." | ||
+ | |||
+ | === In which the Countess arrives fashionably late === | ||
+ | A footservant scurries into the room, looks up at the August assemblage, | ||
+ | and clears his throat. Bowing with a flourish, he speaks: "The Countess | ||
+ | of Tango" | ||
+ | black enters the room. " | ||
+ | looking expectantly at the seated (?) gentlemen. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === In which Lady Alyssa finally locates the establishment === | ||
+ | The door barely closes before it opens again and Lady Gray sweeps into the room. | ||
+ | She removes her heavy shawl and hands it to the young girl behind her. She briefly | ||
+ | pauses and then adds, "A small port if you wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Turning to survey the room, she moves towards the empty seat beside the Countess. | ||
+ | "No, no, Gentlemen please don't get up. I do apologise for my tardiness. The place | ||
+ | was a little difficult to find." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Taking her seat, she gratefully accepts the glass handed to her by the young girl. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The door barely closes before it opens again and Lady Gray sweeps | ||
+ | into the room. She removes her heavy shawl and hands it to the young | ||
+ | girl behind her. She briefly pauses and then adds, "A small port if you | ||
+ | wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Turning to survey the room, she moves towards the empty seat beside | ||
+ | the Countess. "No, no, Gentlemen please don't get up. I do apologise for | ||
+ | my tardiness. The place was a little difficult to find." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Taking her seat, she gratefully accepts the glass handed to her by the | ||
+ | young girl. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which the Doctor gets proceedings underway, and asks a tale of the Duke. . ===== | ||
+ | "Well, then, your Grace," | ||
+ | Peter, "After that excellent repast, I am quite sure that I am very | ||
+ | much in the mood to hear a tale of your adventures. Perhaps, then, | ||
+ | you could tell us of the time you discovered the potato, now so | ||
+ | popular upon our tables, and how you used its little known and | ||
+ | hitherto unsuspected properties to cause so much mayhem among the | ||
+ | primitive tribesfolk of the American Indies." | ||
+ | === In which the marquis stumbles up the stairs from the taproom. === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Marquis stumbles slightly across the threshold, and as he catches | ||
+ | himself, liquid splashes from his unusually large Toby jug, | ||
+ | undoubtedly full of ale. Fortunately, | ||
+ | enough to disguise any sign of spillage. Unfortunately, | ||
+ | cravat shows evidence of some minor previous messiness. Having been | ||
+ | lurking in the taproom downstairs, His Excellency actually arrived | ||
+ | well before the other guests, and now appears unaware of his lateness. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Moving to the last place at the large table, he turns to his left and | ||
+ | bows over the Lady Alyssa' | ||
+ | right, he thanks the Doctor for his kind invitation, and with an | ||
+ | inclination of his head and an expansive gesture, threatening further | ||
+ | spillage from his mug, greets the other guests. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ignoring the sidelong looks from the Duke over dinner, the Marquis | ||
+ | quickly clears his plate, lingering only slightly over the potatoes | ||
+ | which remind him of home. Sitting back, and after getting Sally to | ||
+ | refill his oversized receptacle, he looks toward the Doctor as he | ||
+ | begins to speak... | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which the Duke travels to America ===== | ||
+ | Cocking his head towards the doctor, the Duke raises an | ||
+ | eyebrow. "' | ||
+ | smiles wryly, "as I was just recalling the facts of my strange | ||
+ | adventures concerning the [[potato]] ". | ||
+ | * [[potato|Duke Peter' | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Hon. Clare Thimblebelly actually appears === | ||
+ | The door suddenly opens, and Miss Clare Thimblebelly sweeps in accompanied | ||
+ | by a great sound of tinkling. A rather large woman, she is dressed in a | ||
+ | voluminous silk dress of an unfortunate shade of orange, from which one's | ||
+ | attention is only diverted by her elaborate pile of hair which is a surely | ||
+ | artificial and positively, er, *breathtaking* red. | ||
+ | |||
+ | She pauses a mere moment to catch her breath, then proclaims "oh, my | ||
+ | darlings!" | ||
+ | around the table, cooing such things as "Your Grace!" | ||
+ | arrives between Marquis Terry and Doctor van B. A chair arrives and | ||
+ | she wedges herself into it, muttering loudly behind her hand, | ||
+ | "I *do* so hope I'm not interrupting anything, Doctor!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Leaning over the table, she exclaims " | ||
+ | |||
+ | She nudges the Marquis' | ||
+ | silver flask, from which she sips while she listens. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Duke finishes his tale === | ||
+ | "Why, Duke Peter," | ||
+ | at such a wonderful, educational and indeed inspirational tale. I | ||
+ | shall never fail to think of it every time I consume a [[potato]]." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Doctor looks with some surprise into his empty glass, and summons | ||
+ | Phineas, saying "More wine for myself and my guests, my good man! | ||
+ | And indeed, more ale, too! As a point of fact, if you would be so | ||
+ | good as to fry some potatoes, we should be forever in your debt!" At | ||
+ | the last comment, Phineas mumbles something darkly under his breath, | ||
+ | causing the doctor to pale visibly. "Of course, sir, I had not | ||
+ | forgotten the matter. Let us talk of it anon." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lady Kathryn echoes the Doctor' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | people over the Bubl' | ||
+ | in the matter. Oh Gerald! What *are* you doing there?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Finally noticing Gerald' | ||
+ | him back with cheese and other delicacies. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | of the young maidens - no doubt insisting on taking the time to sketch | ||
+ | their portraits in your hut - that you were caught, but you ultimately | ||
+ | triumphed! What a fine tale, Duke. Perhaps you can show us the portraits | ||
+ | later." | ||
+ | === The Duke asks a story of the Lady Kathryn === | ||
+ | "I must first have them framed properly, dear Countess. With pieces | ||
+ | of art – often it is the setting that makes it memorable, I find. | ||
+ | There is a fellow on Chadwick street, blind, deaf and dumb – but in | ||
+ | possession of the most remarkable seeing-eye duck who would do a | ||
+ | marvellous job of mounting my sketches of the dusky maidens of the | ||
+ | tribe, Bubl' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Duke Peter, wiping his beard after his quaff of ale turns to the | ||
+ | lovely Lady Kathryn seated to his right. | ||
+ | "Lady Kathryn, it would be an honour if you could enlighten us as to | ||
+ | the circumstances of your having a rat name Gerald. And how it was | ||
+ | that with nothing but his help you lifted the Great Siege of Antioch?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which Lady Kathryn sets the scene ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | "[[The Great Siege of Antioch]]? Why, that occurred during my Ottoman | ||
+ | Adventures whilst gathering material for my", she laughs as if | ||
+ | embarrassed, | ||
+ | XVIII. The Ottoman Empire' | ||
+ | * [[The Great Siege of Antioch|Lady Kathryn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "But that, my friends, is another story." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Exhausted, Lady Kathryn slumps back in need of sustenance. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A most remarkable story, dear lady, indeed!", | ||
+ | mug in her direction. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | quite vigorously with his enthusiasm, "I am mossst impresssed wiz your | ||
+ | rezzzourcefulness and brevery!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A neat solution," | ||
+ | glance. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Doctor applauds heartily. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Most admirable, dear lady, most admirable. I shall not hesitate to | ||
+ | make copious loud noises should my path ever again cross von | ||
+ | Mouchtenstein' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | relation of yours whom I believe to be the very same Cousin Fergus. He | ||
+ | seemed altogether unaffected by his brief foray into the rodent world... | ||
+ | except for the twitching of course. And the peculiar high-pitched shrieking | ||
+ | which seemed to be his sole method of communication, | ||
+ | a side-effect of his rattish transmogrification, | ||
+ | occurred after the adventure in Antioch, since I fear it permanently put an | ||
+ | end to the fellow' | ||
+ | Better Known Ghost Rat of Asia Minor." | ||
+ | |||
+ | She takes a breath, and offers a pouch of fragrant green powder to the | ||
+ | Doctor, sitting next to her. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which Lady Kathryn asks a story of the Countess ===== | ||
+ | Lady Kathryn starts with surprise at Miss Thimblebelly' | ||
+ | "My good lady, you have described my cousin exactly! I was not aware | ||
+ | that you had met him." She sighs. "The twitching *was* a rather | ||
+ | unfortunate side affect of our Ottoman Adventures, but he began | ||
+ | shrieking at a very early age and has not yet given it up. It is most | ||
+ | trying." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Turning to her neighbour, she continues. " | ||
+ | you have travelled to all 5 corners of the globe and I have always | ||
+ | been most interested to learn more of your adventures in the Far | ||
+ | East. In particular, I have heard rumors that you were instrumental | ||
+ | in recovering the Grey Pearls of Pung Qing for his Excellency Qian | ||
+ | Long, Emperor of China. Is it true that you found them in a forgotten | ||
+ | room of the Imperial Palace?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Contessa Barbara smiled at the memories that Lady Kathryn' | ||
+ | brought to mind. "Ah, yes;" she mused, "The famed [[Grey Pearls of Pung Qing]]." | ||
+ | * [[Grey Pearls of Pung Qing|Contessa Barbara' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Draining her glass, the Contessa turned to Sally. "My dear, is there any | ||
+ | chance of some pudding?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Addressing Contessa Barbara, Duke Peter enthuses his pleasure, "Why, | ||
+ | how extraordinary!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | adventure!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Marquis, who has been sitting quietly with a very slight, somewhat | ||
+ | dreamy smile on his face as he listened to the part of the chronicle | ||
+ | involving Catherine the Great, noticeably returns to the present. He | ||
+ | shakes himself slightly and focuses intently on the Contessa as her | ||
+ | extraordinary tale comes to its climax. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Bravo madame! Your experiencez in overcoming ze wildz of ze | ||
+ | orient are muhst inspiring!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Countess asks the Lady of Essex to Tell Her Tale === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Countess' | ||
+ | swimming in custard, and she says no more for a few minutes as she | ||
+ | tucks in. Breaking her silence, she addresses Lady Alyssa: | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I have long been impressed by the extent of your travels, Lady Alyssa. | ||
+ | This is a good night for tales, so perhaps you could share with us the | ||
+ | tale of your journey to the Earth' | ||
+ | you found there to precipitate the downfall of the government of New | ||
+ | Zealand." | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Lady Alyssa Prepares to Tell Her Story === | ||
+ | Lady Alyssa laughs for several minutes before responding. "I must thank you, my dear Countess. I hadn't thought of that adventure in a very long time. However, before I begin, I must beg all present company," | ||
+ | |||
+ | She stops talking to motion to Sally for a jug of the house wine. "Oh, and do you, by any chance, have any Belgian chocolates?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Countess looks intrigued. "You have my word of honour that | ||
+ | I will not carry your tale past these walls." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Of course, my lady, you have my word as a scholar and a gentleman.", | ||
+ | |||
+ | "But of course, Madame!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Lady Alyssa and the Barrel of Ice ===== | ||
+ | * [[Lady Alyssa and the Barrel of Ice|Lady Alyssa' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The doctor is agog. He pushes forward a silver coin to join the gold | ||
+ | one already in front of Lady Alyssa. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "My... word..." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Bon Dieu! It all seems so unreal!", | ||
+ | |||
+ | Contessa Barbara bursts into spontaneous applause at the completion of the | ||
+ | tale (or is it at the arrival of Sally with a tray of flaming cocktails?) | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A most astounding tale, M'lady Alyssa!", | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Lady Alyssa asks the Marquis for a tale === | ||
+ | |||
+ | As she discreetly slips her hard-earned coins into a small red purse, | ||
+ | Lady Alyssa turns to the Marquis beside her and says, "Do tell us the | ||
+ | exhilarating tale of the time you went on safari in the North of | ||
+ | Africa and what you did there to ensure the survival of the last | ||
+ | known species of dinosaurs." | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which the Marquis takes much too long to set the scene, *or* In which the Marquis is expelled from a volcano into the deepest, darkest equatorial jungle and encounters a small people who make him their god. ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | "My esteemed peers, I must apologize for my quietness - your vivid | ||
+ | descriptions 'ave so distracted me! The very colours of this room 'ave | ||
+ | become so entrancing - the very surfaces seem to be breathing and | ||
+ | pulsing with the life of your stories - the colours! the burning | ||
+ | towers! the colours!..." | ||
+ | the swirling of his pupils seems to subside somewhat. He calls for | ||
+ | some throat lubricant and takes a quick swig. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[Dinosaur|The Marquis' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | poor de Silinami, of course. I have no idea what I shall tell his | ||
+ | widow, now left all alone amongst the vast treasures he had recovered | ||
+ | from parts unknown, but tell her, I clearly must." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lady Kathryn claps her hands delightedly and inadvertently secures | ||
+ | the attention of Sally. "Oh! Yes. Well, I'm sure Gerald would like | ||
+ | a little more cheese. He does particularly enjoy a bit of fresh | ||
+ | wensleydale at this time of night (as I documented in 'The Complete | ||
+ | Book of Cheese' | ||
+ | have it." | ||
+ | |||
+ | She returns her attention to the Marquis. "What a wonderfully | ||
+ | uplifting tale! I can almost hear the faint strains of this jungle | ||
+ | music as I sit here." | ||
+ | |||
+ | She stops to listen for a moment. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | downstairs. (I believe they do a very nice beetroot goulash here.) | ||
+ | Admittedly, the Jabberwock' | ||
+ | than that of the (rather curiously named) Rainbow Robin that the Ging | ||
+ | Gang Gooly were using during my stay. Still, I do believe their dull | ||
+ | brown and grey feathers are still very valuable on the European | ||
+ | market." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "What *were* the origin of these laundered feathers you speak of?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A fascinating, | ||
+ | Marquis", | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A most excellent tale, Marquis," | ||
+ | sharing it with us. I am sure, doctor," | ||
+ | him, "that you will be able to comfort the widow. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[Feathers|The Contessa digresses on feathers]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I returned home to my father and he never spoke again of my | ||
+ | eductation. So that was that." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "An enlightening tale, Contessa," | ||
+ | surreptitiously ensures the strength of the table separating himself | ||
+ | from the lady. "I must admit, I should very much like to meet your | ||
+ | po.. your dear father." | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The Marquis === | ||
+ | "Oui Madame - it has been most fascinating to hear of the continuing | ||
+ | value of feathers to our modern civilized society." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Marquis pauses to drain the dregs from his jug, then glances to | ||
+ | his right. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | substances of a more herbal or indeed pharmaceutical nature - Miss | ||
+ | Thimblebelly, | ||
+ | Spanish adventure leading to the discovery of your famous Preparation | ||
+ | Number 3?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which Miss T travels incognito in Spain ===== | ||
+ | " | ||
+ | should know that although I have often hinted at the extraordinary events | ||
+ | surrounding my discovery of the formula, never before have I told the full | ||
+ | story. | ||
+ | * [[Preparation Number 3|Miss Thimblebelly' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A marvellous tale," confirmed the Countess. " | ||
+ | next?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I confess to being curious myself, Contessa. Miss Thimblebelly - | ||
+ | what tale would you hear of me?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | === In which petit-fours are eaten === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Having devoured a number of petit-fours that promptly arrived courtesy of | ||
+ | Sally, Miss Thimblebelly looks over at Doctor von B., seated next to | ||
+ | her. "My dear Doctor, I would be eternally grateful if you would share with | ||
+ | us the story of how you discovered the Mask of Zorro in a remote part of | ||
+ | the Andes. I admit I have a personal interest in learning more about your | ||
+ | experiences, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lady Kathryn turns an attractive shade of pink. " | ||
+ | she splutters. "But Papa! And Betty. And Nancy. And Mary. And | ||
+ | Roger!!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | She sits still whist contemplating several new and unsettling trains | ||
+ | of thought. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I never thought the floors were *particularly* shiny" she mutters finally. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Whilst the Doctor gathers his thoughts, Miss Thimblebelly reaches over the | ||
+ | table to the attractively blushing and rather unsettled Lady Kathryn, and | ||
+ | pats her hand in a comforting manner, then takes the opportunity to scoop | ||
+ | Gerald up and conduct a brief, hushed, and possibly rather one-sided | ||
+ | conversation with him about explosives. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In which the young doctor secures a position aboard a ship and embarks on a voyage ===== | ||
+ | "Ah, yes, the Andes. It was my first voyage as Ship's Natural | ||
+ | Philosophy Officer, you know. I remember it like it was yesterday. | ||
+ | * [[the mask of zorro|The Doctor' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Contessa breaks into spontaneous applause. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | appreciatively at him, raising one eyebrow ever so slightly. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Duke Peter votes ==== | ||
+ | The Duke of Gloucester slumps backward in his chair as he ponders the | ||
+ | last story. | ||
+ | "It is a shame that I cannot split my coins amongst all the stories. | ||
+ | I would that I did not have to choose one only." | ||
+ | He sighs before continuing. | ||
+ | "Lady Alyssa' | ||
+ | entirely a barrel of fun. Contessa Barbara' | ||
+ | Pearls of Pung Qing, whilst perhaps besmirching the good character of | ||
+ | Catherine the Great, did make a good run of it. Lady Kathryn' | ||
+ | narrative on the origins of her rat were very definitive, and I have | ||
+ | learnt much about the dwellers of the city of Antioch. Miss | ||
+ | Thimblebelly' | ||
+ | certainly very captivating. The Marquis' | ||
+ | and shoulders above hunting tales. And needless to say, Doctor | ||
+ | B's Andes trip was wonderfully brazen." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I enjoyed them all, even though there was little in the way of | ||
+ | duels, bloodshed, derision for the French and commoners, present | ||
+ | company excluded, of course.." | ||
+ | He sniffs somewhat arrogantly. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "But based purely on the story told, I did enjoy the doctor' | ||
+ | most. Therefore I place my gold in his care." | ||
+ | Duke Peter slides his three gold coins left, in front of Dr. Van | ||
+ | B. | ||
+ | ==== Contessa Barbara votes ==== | ||
+ | "For sheer audacity, my money is with the Doctor' | ||
+ | the Contessa. " | ||
+ | stories we have heard tonight. Miss Thimblebelly' | ||
+ | Troupes deserves a particular mention." | ||
+ | ==== Lady Kathryn Decides ==== | ||
+ | "It is a tough choice indeed", | ||
+ | have to choose but one story yet feel that I must forward my paltry | ||
+ | sum to Miss Thimblebelly. I found her description of the halls of | ||
+ | Castillo Flamenco riveting - as only one who has also trod their | ||
+ | gloomy paths possibly could. Her description of how Preparation No. 3 | ||
+ | (floor polish *and* aphrodisiac!) was developed was truly | ||
+ | enlightening. I will certainly be discussing it with Papa when I | ||
+ | reach home." | ||
+ | ==== The Doctor casts his vote ==== | ||
+ | "A difficult decision, indeed. However, as I can only vote for one | ||
+ | story, it must be that of the Contessa de Tango." | ||
+ | his coins to the Contessa. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "The Empress of Russia is a most astounding woman, and most taken | ||
+ | with the earthworks and engineering projects of my native land, or so | ||
+ | I am told. Your tale has not tarnished my opinion of her in the | ||
+ | least, and your vivid description of Chinese court life was most | ||
+ | enlightening." | ||
+ | ==== Lady Alyssa Decides ==== | ||
+ | "I too must choose Lady Thimblebelly' | ||
+ | her description of the laundry shoot misadventure." | ||
+ | slides her coins discreetly across the table. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I agree - all of ze stories have been intriguing, ze choice is m'st | ||
+ | difficult! I 'ope I am not choosing style over substance, but I found | ||
+ | ze Lady Kathryn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Marquis slides a small pouch of coins toward the Lady of | ||
+ | Basingstoke. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Miss Thimblebelly is slumped over the table after perhaps overindulging in | ||
+ | the garlic icecream. She mumbles "Um, the, um, potatoes, I think" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Why, I'm honoured," | ||
+ | ===== At the sign of the Bear and Garter ===== | ||
+ | " | ||
+ | had a finer night' | ||
+ | Amsterdam. But it is getting late, and there comes a time when even | ||
+ | the finest night must become morning, and I think I would rather be | ||
+ | in bed before that happens." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sally stifles a yawn as she clears the table. Finishing their | ||
+ | drinks, sweets and potatoes, the company makes its way slowly down to | ||
+ | the common room, which is now all but deserted. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "It has been my pleasure to serve you all," says Phineas. "Have a | ||
+ | pleasant and safe journey home, my ladies and gentlemen, and I thank | ||
+ | you most warmly for you patronage." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The doctor farewells each member of the company as they head out into | ||
+ | the darkness of the night. "Ah, your grace, do keep well, won't | ||
+ | you? Milady Kathryn, I do so look forward to reading your next | ||
+ | work. Contessa, commend me to Ali next time you see him, won't you? | ||
+ | I do miss the lad." The doctor kisses Lady Alyssa' | ||
+ | courtly if slightly wobbly manner, and proffers his most winning | ||
+ | smile. " | ||
+ | just over the channel, after all, persistence is the key. And | ||
+ | Mistress Thimblebelly, | ||
+ | Cannonboroughbury in order to discuss herbs and unguents with you at | ||
+ | some length. Goodnight, all, and I hope to see you all again in the | ||
+ | near future. Safe travels, all (and especially you, Marquis!)" | ||
+ | |||
+ | As the members of the company gradually make their way to their | ||
+ | carriages, chattering and laughing, the Doctor discreetly passes his | ||
+ | purse of winnings to Phineas. " | ||
+ | says, "but too mercenary by half. Why, there are people all over the | ||
+ | world that would consider the tales told tonight to be more than | ||
+ | adequate payment for that fine if rather workmanlike repast... no, | ||
+ | Phineas, I was not trying to recover my purse, merely preventing the | ||
+ | gold coins from escaping... oh, look, see how I caught that one, | ||
+ | here, have it back... why, Phineas, I'm shocked at the very | ||
+ | suggestion! Come, come now, there' | ||
+ | a gold coin or two between friends... well, of course we are friends, | ||
+ | my dear man, you are easily the equal of any of my friends and | ||
+ | companions of yore... Yes, Phineas, as you say. Good night, and | ||
+ | pleasant dreams. Oh, and thank Sally for the port." | ||
+ | |||
+ | And a short time later, the lights of the House at the sign of the | ||
+ | Bear and Garter are extinguished, | ||
+ | once more. | ||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | Go back to [[at_the_sign_of_the_bear_and_garter|The Bear and Garter]] |
roleplaying/munchausen/the_first_game.txt · Last modified: 2008/08/27 18:51 by 127.0.0.1