"Aye, standing here looking at it is only going to get us so far," Connor concurred as he rubbed his furry chin for a moment, somewhat relieved to see that the sphere was only a small one, although even a small dynasphere could be hazardous due to all the lightning it was chucking about, "You want to ring the doorbell, or should I?"

Grimsby replied, "I doubt the castle has a doorbell, but unless matters are badly amiss, I expect it has some sort of guard are gatekeeper. We shall have to see if he will admit us. If I find him, I will offer my credentials." He strode up to the gate of the castle, looking around for such as sentry as he had described -- or for that matter, for anyone else.

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 224):

Dash looks over at Grimsby,

"Hmm, maybe." Dash said to Grimsby, "Your credentials will probably get us in the gate, but I doubt they'll get us up to the roof in any kind of quick time..."

Dash suddenly broke into a wide grin and stepped over next to Bellgrove, draping his arm over the man's shoulder in a jovial, familiar manner.

"This, however..." Dash said, pointing at Bellgrove's face, "...will likely get us an almost immediate audience!" Dash wiggled his eyebrows and gave everyone a knowing look.

"As I have said, many times now," Dash explained, "I know very little about this nation of Graustark. But, the small bit I do know comes from Society gossip back in Boston; and that is that one Grenfall Lorry -- of the New York Lorry's, mind you! -- had been known to be associating with the Princess Yetive when she was travelling in America. A few Society wags even claimed that Grenfall had made exclamations of love for the young Princess."

Dash faced Bellgrove and gave him a friendly shake, "I do believe that the Princess would just love a visit by an American Journalist. You did say you worked for the New York Herald, didn't you Belly, old boy?"

Bellgrove's face maintained the same look of horror throughout Dash's speech; however, towards the end of it, as the words sunk in, and seemingly, he grew used to the Bostonian's close proximity, the look of discomfort modified somewhat. "Yes. I suppose... Well, yes, I am with the Herald.", he mumbled finally.

Regaining himself he continues, "But something tells me that our man Grimsby's credentials might get us rather better access. Whatever the case, we ought to find a door and present ourselves if we are going to determine what will work best."

Grimsby starts to exclaim,"If the princess is so besotted with an American that a Yankee journalist will mean more to her than an accredited representative of the British Empire ---" He interrupts himself and continues with visible restraint, "Then so be it. We can count ourselves fortunate that Mr. Wander may possess the qualifications to gain admission. Meanwhile, we still need to find someone to admit us, for whatever reason." He goes on looking around the castle for an entrance and someone in charge of it.

In a lot of the remodeled or rebuilt castles, the primary entrance was now an obvious, easily-accessed 'front door' arrangement, since it was more about fancy processions than defense. Modern cannons can render just about any castle a pile of rumble in mere hours.

Both the British Embassy and the pub were on the inside of the outer wall, but along the outer wall. The embassy had been to the left of the entrance, while the pub had been to the right. The 'new' main entrance to the castle proper was directly opposite the gates of the outer wall.

The highest part of the castle--the main hall and the two main towers--were off to the left of this entrance. The inner wall, the inner garden, and watchtowers were off to the right. The dynasphere is floating over the inner garden area.

Going up to the main door--grand two-story arched doors--there are no guards visible, but the doors are closed. Both doors have a large brass doorknocker in the center.

Trying the doors indicates they are locked. When you use the doorknocker, a panel in the door that you didn't notice before swings inward and a face appears that swiftly appraises you.

"Ah, the visitors from the flying ship!" the man says pleasantly enough. "What can I do for you gentlemen... and lady," he adds when he spots Mercy.

Grimsby announces formally, "I am Grimsby Baskerville of Her Britannic Majesty's Colonial Service, presently on detached duty in pursuit of malefactors believed hostile to the Crown of Graustark whom I have reason to believe may have penetrated this castle. I request permission to enter and continue my pursuit of these villains. My associates are all reputable persons, but they are quite capable of explaining their own qualifications." 

"Please, come on in," the factotum replies, opening the door, apparently impressed with Grimby's credentials even as he gives the others a suspicious glance.

"We are mostly concerned with teenage vandals and destructive children running loose within the castle," he explains as the group enters. "Otherwise, the days of nefarious culprits are long past. We run daily tours if needed, but otherwise the castle is open to everyone. Not that I don't believe your claims, Mr. Grimsby, but perhaps you should see the Sergeant-at-Arms."

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 230):

Grimsby replied, "Very well. Please direct me to the Sergeant at Arms. I may assure you that these villain are far more dangerous than youthful vandals." He refrained from correcting the factotum's use of his first name, as he wished to remain on good terms with the fellow at the moment.

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 231):

Dash surreptitiously nudged Bellgrove with an elbow, and whispered from the corner of his mouth,

"Reporter...Dynasphere over castle...Story!!" he whispered to Bellgrove.

When nudged by Dash Bellgrove turns and looks. He really looks. A look to indicate that one ought not to be nudged. And turns away without responding.

He does not otherwise indicate why, but he clearly does not agree with Dash's approach and is happy to let Mr. Baskerville's credentials lead their way.

"You go check with the sargent-at-arms," Mercy calls out as she heads down the first cross hallway. "I'm going up to the roof!"


She heads down the hallway on the right. She only vaguely remembered the aerial layout of the castle, but she was sure there must be a flight of stairs somewhere down this way.

Grimsby watches Mercy's departure with a certain bemusement and remarks, "Perhaps one of the gentleman should follow Miss Kincaid. Would you undertake it, Mr. Hawksbury?"

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 235):

Dash's jaw had literally dropped, as Mercy simply walked off into the castle. When Grimsby spoke, Dash turned to him with a stunned look.

"This is a European castle, right? It's the residence of a European monarch and Head of State, right?" Dash asks his British friend, "What happened to 'the Balkans are a political powderkeg'? And yet, you want me to just go traipsing off through a Princess' castle?"

"Honestly?"

"I ask you, how long would I get away with that behavior if I did that in Buckingham Palace? Are you trying to get me beat up....or even killed?"

Dash's demeanor suddenly becomes calmer, and he shrugs his shoulders,

"Yeah, sure, I'll go with Mercy..." he says, before walking after the young woman.

Connor had his own ideas on how to get into the castle, producing one of the business cards he used for his engineering firm from his pocket and showing it to one of the guards, "I'm Mr. Holmes, here to check up on the flux capacitors that were ordered from my firm, they're still under warranty, which means free inspection and repairs, as per the contract."

It wasn't a lie, either, he had received a few orders from Graustark for pieces of equipment, although Connor didn't exactly remember whether it had been for the palace or for some other enterprise, if the latter he could always claim the wrong address if he was called out on it and walk away before breaking in somewhere else, although there could always be a chance that the guards would buy it and let him in if they didn't know any better.

Bellgrove too is taken off guard by events. He knows Mercy less than Connor, so when the cat-man steps forward he follows. To date despite the Irishcat has shown himself to be unexpectedly subtle, so the New Yorker assumes that whatever he has up his sleeve will be compelling.

When he offers his card Bellgrove is standing behind him in the manner of a secretary or assistant.

The factotum directed Grimsby down to an office on the left where a gold plaque on the door read Sargent-at-Arms. You get a better sense of the layout of the castle because the wall on the right is nothing but high windows looking out onto a courtyard. The courtyard has been truncated over the years by the addition of rooms at the opposite end. You can see a number of people up on the roof, and even the bottom half of the dynasphere is visible.

The main part of the castle is therefore to your right.

The door was open, and inside was a desk with a man in red and black military dress sitting behind it. He was going through a stack of papers on his desk.

He looks up as Grimsby enters.

"Hello, there! Sargent Arnaud DeCostas at your service. What can I do for you today?" he asks as he stands up.


Connor's identification apparently gives the factotum the impression that he (and Bellgrove) are not with Grimsby.

"Certainly," the man answers. "I believe the Triad is expecting you. As you have probably surmised, they are up on the roof of the Grand Gallery. Take the side hall on the right and go down to the stairs at the end."


Dash hurries after Mercy, who he's come to realize doesn't conform to the idea of any woman he knows. As she goes down the side hall, she stops and tries opening every door she passes. Whatever she was looking for, she doesn't seem to find, but she doesn't stop until she reaches the end of the hall, and suddenly vanishes out of sight to the right.

Upon reaching that area, Dash sees the circular flight of stairs, clearly in the corner tower, and he hears Mercy's footsteps up the stairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Fri 09 Jan 2015.

In reply to Denholm Hawkesbury (msg # 236):

Grimsby replies coolly, "If this castle is as dangerous as you believe, Mr. Hawksbury, surely Miss Kincaid should not be left to wander it alone. If you can persuade her to return and proceed more conventionally under such protection as my position may provide, I would be grateful. Meanwhile, I am bound to see this sergeant at arms."

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 240):

"Bully!" Dash shouted back, over his shoulder, raising his right arm as if he clenched his old cavalry sabre while leading a charge, and followed Mercy down the passageway.

After following along as she tried each-and-every door, Dash turned the corner and found himself at the foot of a stone spiral stairway.

"If you had just asked, Miss Mercy," Dash called out, starting up the stone stair after the younger woman, "I could have told you we'd find the staircase in the tower, here. It's a fairly standard architectural design concept; towers have staircases. This one should go all the way up. Just remember that the tower is taller than the castle roof, you'll be looking for the next-to-last doorway."

Dash increased his pace, to try and catch up to Mercy.

Connor was inwardly pleased with himself that he'd gotten Bellgrove and himself into the castle with a bit of cleverness, although outwardly the white tiger felinoid's face was a mask of cool concentration, his ears perked up and listening carefully as he made his way down the hall towards the stairs, his walking stick held tensely in hiss handpaw since he was wary of any untoward surprises

"Be on your guard," he cautioned the human man, "With these sorts of places, not all is as it seems sometimes. If anyone asks, you're my assistant, so try to look intelligent and comprehending if the talk turns to technical matters, smile and nod, that sort of thing..." Hearing footsteps up ahead, Connor's eyes narrowed, but he went steadfastly ahead, wondering what was to come next...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 239):

Carrying on calmly as his comrades go elsewhere, Grimsby bowed politely to DeCostas and said, "Sargent DeCostas, I am Grimsby Baskerville of Her Britannic Majesty's Colonial Service, presently on detached duty in pursuit of the agents of a secret society who are apparently intended harm to Her Highness Yetive. I have reason to believe they may be attempting to infiltrate the castle, and I have come to ask if you have seen any sign of intruders, or indeed any strangers, however plausible, who might have sought entrance here of late."  As he speaks, he offers his identity card.

In reply to Connor Holmes (msg # 242):

Bellgrove replies to Conner in a low voice and with a wry smile as, "Right. The old 'smile and nod' it is. You might say it is one of my specialties."

"There are strangers here all the time," the Sargent replies to Grimsby. "I believe they are being called tourists these days."

"It does not strike me as reasonable that these agents you seek would be so conspicuous as to be clearly identifiable as such."

"However, at the present time, the only people here in the castle that might conceivable fall into that category are the two scientists, Iburra and Tindal. They are up on the roof with the Triad conducting an experiment."


Mercy had rapidly walked down the hall and then up the stairs to the next level. The steps continue upward but also open out onto two hallways going at right angles to each other. There are no visible doorways on the right-hand wall of the left passage, but there is one visible down the right passage.

As Mercy heads down that way, she sees that the left-hand wall is a series of tall arched windows that looks out onto the roof of the building. It's a rather narrow roof, since it only covers about half of the hallway and rooms. It's being used as some sort of patio, for there are a number of potted plants scattered around the roof, plus some wooden chairs.

Looking out through the windows, five people can be seen standing down by one corner. There is a winch to which is fastened the dynasphere. In the center of the windowed wall are a pair of French doors. They are closed.

It is just about now that the electrical charge stops.


Connor and Bellgrove wound up heading in the same direction as Mercy and Dash, pretty much following their footsteps.

As Mercy and Dash stop to look out the windows, Connor and Bellgrove catch up.

As Mercy reaches the next level on the stairs, she tosses a quip back over her should at Dash.

"Of course, I'm just an empty-headed woman that couldn't possibly have figured out that stairs would probably be found in the tower! If you must know, I was also snooping as I went," she says. "Besides, with this second level, there could have been additional stairs added along the way."

She looks out the window, studying first the dynasphere and then the people.

"That's about what I expected," she says, as if she's expecting Dash to understand. "They are using the wrong phase. It doesn't even look like they understand phase."

In reply to Mercy Kincaid (msg # 246):

"That's assuming they're using a polyphasic electrical power system and something like Mr. Tesla's AC power." Dash responded, "What makes you think they aren't using DC power? That sphere looks to be throwing around a lot of voltage, but very little amperage -- otherwise we'd have a lot more destruction out there."

Dash pauses, seeing the look that Mercy is giving him.

"What?" he asks her, "I went to college! I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusettes Institute of Technology. I know it's a small school, and not that well known, but the curriculum was excellent. Great things will happen there, one day, I know it."