In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg #277):

After only a few minutes in back, the bartender came out.

He poured a new pitcher for Linus and brought it over. Unhooking the aluminum keg, he took it in back, returning a short time later with another which he proceeded to hook up to the taps for draught beer.



"I don't have the money to get offworld. I'll be dead before I do," replied Lin as he coughed, then poured himself another.

Out back in the alley, Neva saw nothing untowards save Blake having a smoke.


GM Note: Sorry if this was unclear, the bartender has been out and about. He was in back about long enough to get a keg. I was just more concentrating on Lin's story to make it clear what he was doing!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:11, Sat 05 May 2012.

In reply to GM (msg #279):

Neva stayed where she was even though her survival skills weren't screaming danger so far.  From her position she could see the door to the bar so when her group left she'd be able to see them and rejoin them if she didn't before that.  She also wanted to see what this new guy was about.  She did give him credit for coming out to watch the back alleyway so that moved him up her ladder a little bit.

Neva didn't know how long she would be in the alley but it wouldn't be the first time that she had stayed for hours outside in the rain.  As alley's go, this one wasn't half bad.  She could have lived quite nicely in it for a long time but that was in the past.

Ken pours another beer for Old Lin.  "So everyone on the expedition were off worlders?  Why didn't they use locals?  Were they trying to hide something?"

"As for that diary, what does it cover?  Is it your own notes?"

Lost in thought for a moment, Lin rubbed his mouth as he stared into the beer, then took another drink.

"I dunno why. Ah, I think Messandi was worried about the locals blabbing? Lots of problems with smugglers here. Corrupt government, too. Word gets out, the site gets stripped before you turn around."

"It's my diary. Notes, thoughts, sketches. A map of our route. Some theories on who was backing Messandi."
This message was last updated by the GM at 23:55, Sun 06 May 2012.

Ken glances at Linus and then back at the old man.  "Lin, how about 250 credits for the diary and we have Lorain give you passage offworld when the rest of us leave after our expedition?" He thinks for a moment;  "You should come and meet Lorain.  I'm sure she'd like to speak to one of the last people to hear from her father."

<ooc> Did we establish how Lin came to be here and not lost with the rest of the expedition? </ooc>

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg #283):

He perked up at the offer, tapping on the table.

"Ahhh... yeah, that sounds like a great deal! Depends on where you're goin' of course. How about 250 now, then if you're not going my way, another 50 tomorrow.

"I'd sure like to meet Messandi's daughter. Talked a lot about her."

"So... 250 down, I'll let you have all my stuff now. I owe someone and they'll be happy to hear I got the money. See you tomorrow? Maybe here at 1500?"


OOC: He didn't mention how come he's not disappeared along with the rest of the expedition.

"OK," said Linus, dipping into party funds.

"Now then, Lin... what happened on the expedition? How did you end up here in Val Prezar?"

Outside in the Alley

Blake and Neva were in the dimly-lit alley. Nothing and no one of any interest presented themselves. The rear door was locked.

A warm light rain showered down, not altogether unpleasant.

Ken listened for the answer to Linus' question.  He wasn't entirely comfortable letting the old drunk off with their 250 credits.  "Why don't we go with you to recover the diary with you Lin?  I know Lorain would like to read something like that right away."

"I got sick. They had to leave me upriver. Never got over it, but got well enough for them to take me to a trading station. It's all in the book."


He coughed, but not for dramatic effect.

Ken listened for the answer to Linus' question.  He wasn't entirely comfortable letting the old drunk off with their 250 credits.  "Why don't we go with you to recover the diary with you Lin?  I know Lorain would like to read something like that right away."


"Let's see the colour of your credits first, chief."

(Linus has got the cash out already...)

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg #289):

OOC: Oh, right. Ha ha. You already had the money out.

Realising that Linus was holding up the requested money, Lin pulled out a weatherbeaten notebook, stained by water and jungle-rot. Not unlike his own weathered face.

"Oh, right. Ha ha. You already had the money out. Didn't notice. Here you go."

He riffled through the notes, put them in a pocket. "Thanks. You don't know how much this means to me."
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:35, Thu 10 May 2012.

Ken took the book with a nod and a glance at Linus.  "Well, hopefully the diary and talking to you will help us in our mission to track down Lorain's father."  Pouring more beer for the older man he continues;  "I'm sure Lorain is still up Lin.  Would you like to come back to the hotel with us?  We can put you up for the night and get you a good meal or two."

He looked undecided, then checked his watch.

"Sure, why not? If you pay for a tuk-tuk or pedicab home, I guess I have time."

Lin drank up in preparation to leaving.

"All right," said Linus, likewise finishing his drink.

Old Lin, Ken and Linus drank up, paid up and began to leave the bar. They mey Neva and Blake coming in from the alley, soggy from the warm rain.

Green Park Village Hotel

A short tuk-tuk ride later, they were back at the hotel. Lorain was somewhat skeptical to see the old man, although she didn't question the expense outright.

Ken ushered the old drunk into the large suite.  "Lorain, this is Lin.  He was a member of your father's expedition."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg #295):

Introductions out of the way, Lorain is initially skeptical, but Lin is able to describe her father in convincing enough detail.

He described their route in general terms, and indeed it sounded like Messandi's expedition had gone up the Nahananir river basin. They made frequent stops along the way to examine sites that held some archaeological interest. Messandi seemed to find some kind of evidence that somehow indicated they were on the right track. Lin figured the frequent stops also served to throw off possible pursuit by rivals or tomb-raiders.

Lorain got the map out to quiz him in detail, but Lin begged off.

"Look, Miss Messandi, wish I could go into more detail right now. Gotta go meet some people. I'll be here tomrorrow. Noon. We can go into detail then."

This being the first real lead the team had turned up, Lorain was reluctant to let him go until she'd pumped him for every scrap of information, and she'd barely scratched the surface.

Ken offered Lin a glass of whiskey. "Why not stay and chat some more with us Lin?  Your friends can wait a little bit, can't they?"  As the man spoke he took careful notes for future reference, the book safely stowed away in the little safe in the room for now.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg #297):

He grabbed the drink. "One for the road!" he said, downing it in short order. It was hard to tell if the alcohol he'd consumed was affecting him.

"Ah, no. These are the kinds of people you don't want to keep waiting. Let me get the number here, I'll ring you tomorrow."

Lin grabbed his coat and hat, making for the door.

"You were going to call me a cab?"

"I was indeed. Look, let me tag along. Protect our investment, so to speak," said Linus, getting up and heading out as well.

"Thanks, but I really can't. It's nothing life-threatening or anything like that, just paying off someone I owe. Kind of embarrassing, really. Promise, I'll call tomorrow and go over the book some more.

"Come to think of it, I will have another for the road..."

"OK, Lin. You have your drink whilst I sort out your ride," said Linus, and went off to see if he could get a rental.

Ken poured another drink for the old man while Linus arranged a cab.  "Lin, do you remember anything about the expedition backers?  I know Lorain has help from her friends and the university on this expedition but were the elder Messandi's backers academics or more interested in the Sky Raiders treasure?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg #302):

"Much obliged."

Lin sipped the drink as they waited for the transport.

"Backers? Not much to say. Never saw any suits. Security was tight. Messandi said they were concerned about smugglers and thieves. Rumours going around said it was an Imperial university from the Marches, a rich private collector based in the League, even renegade Zhodani scientists."

"Hey, looks like your friend found me a pedicab. Good evening, gents!"

He drank up, then headed out the front gate.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:55, Sun 13 May 2012.