After helping with the Vril agent Bellgrove joins Baskerville and the rest of the company. Given his recent arrival to this team he lets others speak. Instead he stand attentively listening to the exchange and looking forward to catching whatever background he can.

In reply to Bellgrove G. B. Wander (msg # 173):

As Grimsby deals with the career diplomat, Dash quietly steps back, gesturing for Bellgrove and Connor to follow him over to a corner.

"Okay, Boys," Dash says quietly to his two companions, "While Grimsby gets H.M.'s Government up to speed, let me do the same for you two. Let me start by apologizing; I'd meant to do this on the trip from Marseilles, but I ended up brooding over the fact that we were keeping somebody alive who really, really wanted to kill us!"

Dash pauses a moment and shakes his head, "Well, never mind that. Okay. You..." Dash points at Bellgrove, bringing his finger close to his fellow American's chest, "...Mister Reporter, we are trusting to print none of this, until it's all over!"

"Right, then. This all started back in London. With the exception of Miss Mulberry, we were all just unrelated customers of that famous establishment, The Gaslamp Club. While there, a pair of Vril thugs came into the place with the plan to assassinate a British Lord, who was also frequenting the establishment. That would be Lord Kentigern."

"Several of us became keen to what was transpiring and chose to intervene. The thugs produced a lightning pistol -- the very weapon Mercy Kincaid now carries -- charged powerfully enough to kill." Dash hooks a thumb over his shoulder, indicating his back, "I, myself, tackled Lord Kentigern to the floor and safety, but the lightning passed close enough to my back to give me those second-degree burns you may have seen over the past few days."

"The thugs were rendered unconscious and handed over to the Constables. Meanwhile, Lord Kentigern deduced that a gentleman who was giving him some legal problems over a mine site in Scotland must have been behind the attack in London. Several of us who had assisted in foiling the assassination volunteered our services to assist Lord Kentigern in going to Scotland and securing the mine into which he had sunk considerable investment -- as well as checking in with the scientist jasper who was supervising the site, a Professor Cavor."

"We sped north to Scotland in Lord Kentigerns personal zeppelin, only to arrive and find that several of the mine workers had taken control of the mine site a day-or-two earlier, and had evicted the supervisor Lord Kentigern had set to assist Professor Cavor. We all went out to the mine, crossing the moors in the early morning hours, and captured the miscreants -- who turned out to be in the employ of the Vril Society. However, despite our decisive actions, the majority of the extracted ore, as well as Professor Cavor himself, had been absconded with. We managed to garner the information that both the ore and the Professor were aboard a small, black zepp headed for Graustark."

"We also found a list of names which included Lord Kentigern -- upon whose life an attempt was made, remember -- as well as the Princess of Graustark and the Queen of Bourbony. As yet, we are not sure if the Princess is victim or conspirator, but as we were chasing Cavor here, we are hoping to discover which, while we are here."

Dash looks from one man to the other, "I think that covers the salient points. Any questions?"

In response to Dash's seeming threat Bellgrove asks, "Well, sure... But why do you give a damn? I have already given my word on this matter, but I am curious as to why an American is so sensitive to British secrets? Were I able to get something together and wired off to my Editor it would be days before it came out and several more days before anyone here would likely know anything about whatever it is I wrote."

As to the background that they are given he shrugs, "I can not say that anything comes to mind now, but it may later. It is good to have the back story to better understand the fore story, eh?"

In reply to Bellgrove G. B. Wander (msg # 175):

Dash leans in closer to Bellgrove, and lowers his voice even more.

"Actually, don't tell our friend Grimsby this, but I could give a flying fig less about Her Majesty's interests in this affair. My concern is that I made a personal promise to Lord Kentigern to keep this affair as quiet as possible."

"Now, I know that your business is just as cut-throat as mine, but I'm asking you, again, to hold off filing any stories until this affair is over. Especially since it may involve the heads of two sovereign nations. Just hold off until we know what's what. Please."

"I have a question," Connor said, figuring he'd do no harm and maybe it would head off any bickering between the two men, "What ore did the mine contain that made it worth all these...entanglements." The felinoid knew the hearts of men could lust after the treasures that came from the depths of the earth, and not just the obvious things like silver or gold, hence his question.

Bellgrove glances at Conner, apologetically, but continues ignoring his question for the moment and holding up his hands as he speaks, "As I said, I have given my word. Back in Marseilles. You were standing there at the time. [OOC: "Dash and Stella in Marseilles", Message #116] Given that one likes a complete story before one starts proffering vignettes, I have no problem waiting until all is done. And as I told Grimsby then, I am happy to give him a preview before I submit whatever I submit when the time comes.

"So, enough with this or one of us is going to take offense."

"I'm afraid I don't know this Lord Kentigern of whom you speak," the ambassador replies to Grimsby. "It does sound like one of those Scottish titles. Nor do I know anything about his situation. The Scots are still rather insular, and little of their affairs makes it into the news. I daresay this Hertz fellow may have the solution to that!"

"I've not heard of this Vril Society either. Are they more anarchists, wishing to tear down what they themselves are incapable of achieving? Or are they another nationalist party espousing independence for some obscure sect that no one else has ever heard of?"

"The Slavs want independence, the Croats want independence, the Serbs want independence, the Bulgars want independence, the Romani want independence! It's enough to drive an ambassador grey before his time. The absurd part is that they are all the same damn peoples, just living on different sides of the river... or different sides of the mountain!"

"I think maybe the strangest nation of all right now is Trans-Balkania! It is little more than a bunch of Muslim Slav city-states in the mountain valleys south of here. When the Turks were driven out, they didn't want to be part of any non-Muslim state and so declared independence. They exist because WE support them, and it would require far too many troops and supplies to invade each mountain city one by one."

Grimsby gets the distinct impression that the ambassador hasn't had anyone to discuss his opinions with for awhile now. Although his words weren't necessarily negative, it's obvious that he would be more tactful in public.

However, his words and vague gesture does call Grimsby's attention to the map on the wall behind his desk. It is a map of Europe and the nearby surrounding regions. The map is painted on wood and looks quite old. There are a number of areas where the paint has been scraped away and repainted; these are noticeable because the paint is newer and of a different color.

"Now, what's the story on this fellow you brought along with you? He doesn't really have a disease, does he?"

Grimsby frowns slightly and says, "It appears our colleagues in the Foreign Office have not transmitted to you as much news as I had expected about these events. Lord Kentigern had a mine on his property producing a newly discovered mineral, cavorite, which appears to have potentially valuable properties.  The Vril Society have, or claim to have, certain occult powers which they believe entitle them to rule those of us who lack them, and apparently they believe cavorite can help them attain their ambitions. What part they intend to play in the complicated game of Balkan politics you describe, I cannot say, but I believe whatever it may be, it will be in their interests and contrary to those of Her Majesty's Government.
As yet, the only Balkan state in which they have shown an interest is Graustark, which is why we are here. If, as I suspect, they mean harm to Her Highness Princess Yetive, we must do our best to thwart them.
Regarding the fellow we are turning over to you, as you supposed, he has no disease. He was an agent of the Vril who attacked us in Marseilles, and in the course of our defense  he received an injury which has kept him unconscious ever since. We do not know when or whether he may awake, but we ask that you arrange that he be cared for and securely watched. Please notify us at once if he regains consciousness or if any unauthorized person attempts to interfere with him."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Tue 25 Nov 2014.

"Well, it's official, time for a pint," Connor murmurred quietly to Dash and Bellgrove as he listened to the two Englishmen prattle on about politics, something the felinoid understood but never really had much enthusiasm for, "You think we'd be missed if we ran down to a public house for a few minutes? Or do we have to go straight back to feats of daring do and thwarting skullduggery?"

"The Foreign Office keeps most things close to the chest," the ambassador replies. "Here in the armpit of the Balkans, I'm sure they didn't feel the information was of any signficance. Need to know... that sort of thing."

"What exactly do you mean by 'harm to Her Highness'? Unless it was done by a blatant enemy of the country, it wouldn't have much of an effect."


Castle Grau looks a bit like a miniature version of Neuschwanstein, but not quite as fancy and certanly not as large. It is perched on top of a small mountain, though. It also appears to have been built in stages.

The city has grown up around the outside of the castle, but with the advent of modern artillery, the defensive effectiveness of the walls became rather moot, so the area inside the castle walls was no longer needed as a gathering area for the villagers in time of war. Instead, it slowly became its own little enclave... nearly a small town in its own right.

The embassies were put in that area, as well as certain shops that were either the favorite of the ruler or willing to pay a premium tax.

As Conor (and whoever is going with him) exit the embassy, he/they is met by Remi and Stella. At the mention of the pub, they go with you.

The pub that Conor finds is within the walls, and called The Prince of Ales.

When Connor entered the Prince of Ales with Remi, Stella, and anybody else who elected to come along on the brief interlude to adventuring so far, the felinoid quietly padded up to the bar, asking the barkeeper for a flagon of the best ale the place had, tugging the hood of his robes forward a little, figuring he'd see what would happen by letting the hood down a bit later, but not before he'd had a few drinks in case people didn't take too kindly to non-humans in these parts...

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 182):

Grimsby replied, "If Princess Yetive is the target of the Vril, I believe the harm intended will be fatal -- they seem to be a ruthless lot. Without knowing more of the politics of Graustark, I fear I cannot predict what the result would be. Unfortunately my specialty has been the tribes beyond the Northwest Frontier of our Indian empire, so I know little of the Balkans.  I have heard of the Graustark-Axphain War a few years ago that ended so disastrously for Graustark, and I know that Graustark is on bad terms with its other neighbor Ganlook, but that is about all. I do not even know who would be the heir to Graustark if Princess Yetive should meet an untimely end." Seeing his comrades depart, he added, "If you can offer a more educated opinion about what the Vril might gain by intervening here, I would be grateful.  Otherwise, I suppose I must join my companions and wait upon events."

"I, too, was consternated by the area's odd names when I first arrived here," responds the ambassador. "Ganlook was Yetive's father, and a small town of the same name has grown up around the statue where he was killed."

"Axphain is, indeed, Graustark's neighbor to the north, but it is Dawsbergen that lies to the south. Both countries are run by greedy rulers with territorial desires."

"There are no other heirs to Graustark's throne, at least none that are recognized. If Yetive was to die, claimant's would most likely plunge the country into civil war, making it ripe for picking by Axphain and Dawsbergen."

"That, in turn, could light the fuse of the Balkan powderkeg! The only time Axphain and Dawsbergen see eye to eye is when it involves annexing territory from Graustark. Otherwise, a dozen or more interlocking treaties with various countries come into play. For example, it is believed that Axphain has an agreement with Transylvania that would cede half of Graustark to Transylvania for their military help in Axphain invading Graustark."

"Dawsbergen probably has a similar agreement with Bavaria."

"Should both of those come into play, then Transylvania's ally Wallachia would also be dragged into the war."

"Essentially, most of the countries in the Balkans act like petulant children. They throw a tantrum if they can't get their way. On the other hand, no one really wants to start a war, but they are all afraid that they will be absorbed by the winning side."

"Great Britain and Germany and Austria enforce peace so far, but Russia and the Turks are still trying to gain territory here. Well, the Turks want back in, but their efforts lack the modern technology to accomplish that."

"Have you any idea who these Vril agents might be?"


No one in the pub seems overly concerned about Conor's appearance, but then Vampire Hunter is a legitimate occupation in the Balkans.

The ale that is brought to Conor is called Old Peculiar. It may not be Guinness, but it's pretty darn close.

Grimsby flushes --he is not accustomed to making political errors in his own sphere, but this is outside his regular line. He says in a more humble tone than usual, "I thank you for your further lesson in the complexities of Graustarkian
public life. Given that situation, what do you see as the most likely way the Vril might try to twist the situation to their advantage?"

Bellgrove nods and smiles appreciatively at Conner's invitation, but it is clear that he is rather interested in the give and take between Grimbsy the Diplomat. Accordingly he stays standing attentively and listening politely.

"I should be asking you that!" Neville replies to Grimsby. "It all depends on what they want to accomplish. Just because an event happens, even if it is the death of Princess Yetive, doesn't mean that it will set in motion some exotic chain of events."

"There are people, such as myself, that are in place to defuse such situations. I'd say, in general, two or three events would have to happen... in just the right place, at just the right time, and with just the right people for whatever they are trying to accomplish to actually happen."

"Not that I don't believe you, but are you sure you got it right?"

Grimsby replied doubtfully, "As you have lately demonstrated, you know more of the situation here than I do.  I can only say that if an understanding between Germany, Britain and Austria is maintaining the peace in these parts, anything that would tend to break that understanding could benefit the Vril. As Bavaria has attachments to Germany and Austria, any suggestion that Britain would move against Dawsbergen could mean trouble.  If the Vril conspiracy involved apparent threats to both Graustark and Dawsbergen, it might lead to such a suggestion, if Britain could be blamed somehow --possibly by a link to British cavorite..." His voice trailed off as he pondered.

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 189):

Dash, not actually being associated with H.M. government -- and not wanting to give the ambassador any reason to doubt Grimsby by revealing that Dash was American -- slowly followed Connor and the others out of the office.

He did pause in the outer office to ask the Ambassador's assistant/secretary to inform Mr. Baskerville that Mr. Baskervilles associates had gone to the nearest pub.

A thought had occurred to Dash -- following similar lines of reasoning as those being discussed by Grimsby and the Ambassador -- and he fell several steps behind the others on the way to the pub as he pondered. However, as he stepped into the pub and looked around, he made a decision, and walked over to where Connor was being handed a dark ale by the bartender.

"I say, Connor," Dash says in a confidential tone, gesturing at the barkeep to get him the same thing as he'd just given Connor, "As you seem to have a great affinity for languages, can you tell me -- what is it they speak, here in Graustark? German? Some Slavic language like Bulgarian or Russian? I suppose it would be too much to hope that the locals all have some fluency in English?"

Dash chuckles, "Even the heathen dialect you Irish accuse us Americans of speaking..."

"Graustark has its own language, sort of a cross between Slavic and German," Connor replied, taking a whiff of his ale in an almost suspicious manner before taking a taste and finding it to his liking, "Of course, there are regional differences, much like in the Alps you might find places that speak Swiss, French, German, or Italian, there are places here which speak in other tongues besides Graustarkian, but getting to the point, English is decidedly a minority here, probably the only places you might find fluent speakers are in hotels, government offices, and other sorts of places that are frequented by foreigners on a regular basis.

And so far as the Irish go, well all English is a second, foreign tongue to Ireland, brought by the English who invaded and oppressed its people for decades until the re-unification, and the Scots who came and married in after settling down, but that's another story. The native tongue of Ireland is Gaelic, just so you know. Gártha, mo chara,  Tá an babhta ar dom. (Cheers, my friend, this round's on me)."

After speaking the last in the old Irish tongue, the tiger-person smiled a little and took a deep swig of his ale, his long tail flicking slowly from side to side behind him as he enjoyed his drink and spoke with Dash and the others.

"I'm at a loss as to how to proceed," the ambassador answers Grimsby. "I only have a staff of two--my aid and my secretary, who happens to also be my wife."

"A favorite pasttime of people here is to make up outlandish rumors. It keeps the Policitat constantly busy tracking down the source and fining the perpetrator. While the court insists on a crackdown, especially after the one about Princess Yetive giving birth to quintuplets, the government gets a significant amount of its revenue from these fines. If the fines were increased, it might cause the rumors to stop, but then there'd be no income. Additionally, if the fines were so high that no one could pay them, then the ensuing debt could ruin the economy, not to mention the exorbitant police and legal costs entailed in collecting and enforcing the fees."

"I mention this becausel, without proof, your claim would fall into this category."

"Now, do you have any such proof? Or do you know who these Vril agents are?"



As Connor and Dash are enjoying the hospitalities of the pub, Remi walks in with Stella on one arm and Mercy on the other. Spotting the others, they come over and join you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Wed 03 Dec 2014.

"Ah, I have bee looking forward to sampling this country's famed ale," Remi says.

"Where are the others?" he than asks as he glances around while ordering the ale.

"I fear I have bad news. The black ship was here, but left just about an hour before our arrival. We cannot pursue it until we refuel and restock. Better we do that here than try to find some place en route."

"However, there is some good news. I talked to the workers at the... um, airfield. Visiting airships is a major source of income for the country, as well as a source of news. If the black ship crew had talked to them, they probably would never have noticed anything."

"They spotted a person that matches the description of Professor Cavor, but he was never allowed off the ship."

"Also two people from the castle met the ship, conversed with presumably the captain. Two of the workers, inconspicuously resting behind some of the resupply crates, overheard some of the conversation."

"The black ship is apparently heading on to Bourbony."

"Also, a chest was transferred to the Skyhawk. That's the other ship on the airfield. Supposedly it is heading for a place called Laksha-dweep, wherever that is. The Skyhawk is scheduled to depart in about two hours."

"They also talked about some event, and those from the castle said it would be done by the end of the day."

"I was able to elicit a description of the two people from the castle, but their names are known anyway. They are not liked much. The woman's name is Iburra, and the man's name is Tindal."

"Viktor is keeping watch on the other ship, as well as guarding ours."

"I still say it is none of my affair, but I do not like these Vril. They reek of bad mojo."

"So, what do you wish to do?"

"Oh, I saw the most marvelous device!" she exclaims as she orders an ale, too, and after Remi stops talking.

"It was bench with a wheel on either end and a steam engine underneath it! The driver sits at the right end of the bench and uses a lever to control motion. That way, two people can sit on the bench at the same time and go forward! It's like a miniature carriage!"

After that outburst, she lowers her voice before continuing.

"I saw them loading coal onto the Skyhawk. It didn't seem like much, so I think they may have an alternate power source, possibly kerosene, as I saw some kind of pipe sticking out the aft end of the ship. If that's the case, then they may be using the coal just for ballast or a reserve."

"They might be distilling the coal into distillate fuel and using internal combustion to turn the screws rather than a steam plant," Connor suggested as he drained the last of his drink, thinking about asking one of the barmaids or the barkeep for another before he added, "It's really quite simple to do, all you do is burn the coal and spray a fine mist of water over it. You have a collection funnel and tubing over the fire, the mist rises and condenses to form a liquid fuel that packs quite a punch.

Coal's easier to acquire most places than liquid fuels, since steam engines are so common, and often as not you have to have a local chemist whip up a batch of benzene, kerosene, or whatnot, and only then in small cans, so it would make sense to make the fuel on-board using what's already available if you're wanting to use internal combustion power. Anyway, that's my technical two cents on that, still prefer steam over those explosion engines myself, anybody fancy another round?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:06, Thu 04 Dec 2014.

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 192):

Grimsby replies a little impatiently, "Well, I do not know that I can offer definitive proof of the Vril's threat in Graustark, but the cumulative evidence is considerable.  You can see the tattoo on the wrist of the man we turned  over to you, which is supposed to the emblem of the society. I can, if you like, show you the remaining injuries from my encounter with that man in Marseilles, and my comrades can confirm that attack and our previous encounter with the Vril seeking Cavorite in Scotland. If you telegraph Lord Kentigern, I presume he can confirm the Scottish attack; if you telegraph Scotland Yard, the police could confirm an earlier episode at a London club that involved a Vril attack.   For the threat to Princess Yetive, we have only the document with her name, which unfortunately does not include the Vril's plans for her, but from all we know of the Vril, I am sure they mean her no good. Will that suffice?"

In reply to Grimsby Baskerville (msg # 196):

Dash listens to the reports, then drains about half of his ale, before setting the glass down and frowning.

"Well ain't that just ducky!" he growls lowly, "Now we have to figure out how to be in three places at once."

Dash drains off the remainder of his glass, then un-gentlemanly wipes his lips with the back of his free hand.

"Ah! Well, this is info that Grimsby should hear -- and probably before he takes his leave of that Brit Ambassador." Dash says, turning towards the door, "I'll go bring him up to speed, you all stay here. Oh! And could someone be a dear and cover that ale for me? I've yet to pick up any of the local specie. Thanks ever-so-much! Be back in a bit!" Dash grins as he waves and walks out the door.

Once outside, Dash heads straight back to the British consulate.

OOC: I'm not sure, but I think Dash and the others may be a couple of minutes further ahead in time than Grimsby. If Grimsby is still in with the Ambassador when Dash gets there, he'll present himself to the person in the outer office and ask for readmittance.