Introduction

Well tonight's session was very interesting and really seemed to gel. People are slowly getting the idea of what diceless roleplay is all about. Alan even remarked that "You two should really be careful, you're in danger of working together"
I had meant to introduce Sorcha tonight but things were going so well I forgot - still where we ended things makes an ideal point to throw another twist in next week.

On a hillside in Shadow

Camped by a small stream with the feint hint of a village round the next bend is where we find Charity, Alfred, and Allagahn at the end of last session. Alfred spends a few frustrating hours before managing to shift back into Gnome form. The three of them discuss, under the lengthening night, their best strategy for getting into Amber; although Allagahn still doesn't see why they are going there.

At midnight, they hear the bell and by the fifth stroke the world has frozen and Charity along with it!

Cue panic, especially when Allagahn's danger sense kicks in and Alfred spots the two demons, just before they spot him.

Cue confusion, as the demons race forward to be met by laser rifles that don't lase and shotguns that don't fire.

Cue pain and suffering as Alfred is pummled and clawed by one demon as Allagahn draws the Katana Cordellia let him have and kills the second demon.

Cue frustration, as the second demon, realising he's outgunned, beats a retreat and easily out distances Allagahn.

Cue intrigue and mystery as the world returns to normal to find our three compatriots just over a mile up the valley from where they were attacked, without horses, with Alfred nattily dressed in a 19th Century reproduction of a 15th century "slash" suit, and covered in now congealing talon inflicted cuts and scratches, and Charity wondering how she got there.

Cursing not picking up a first aid kit in Carnelian, Charity sets up a little probability manipulation so that come dawn a wandering herbalist of renown, stocked up with herbs for treating Alfred's injuries happens up the road. After a spot of medicinal brewing he departs one way and our heros depart the other with Allagahn at the helm.

10 hours of shadow walking follows without a great deal achieved other than Allagahn gaining some skill and a head ache - they've moved through shadow but not towards Amber. Somewhere in the distance, the hint of the sea on the wind, the feint glow of a port and an inn bekons.

Exchanging one of the gold Krurands, Charity was thoughtful enough to pick up, they get two rooms for the night, dinner, drinks, breakfast, and provisions for the next day. The natives wonder what strange demons in their wierd clothes with equally strange but appetizingly edible mounts, have come visiting.

The following morning they are on the road again with Allagahn leading. 8 hours of riding follow. Whilst they're travelling Charity is becomming frustrated. She extends her senses to determine the qualities of this shadow. They haven't come very far in the last two days.
Charity wants to take over but Allagahn wants to continue and does a little inadvertant hell riding, taking them in the wrong direction by making a forest appear just like that!
Its really strange, those blue trees with yellow and orange leaves under a red sky. Charity suggests a little more subtlety as they progress and the trees and sky become a little more earth like as it fades into night. A few hours more riding brings them to the sea and another port becons. Charity suggests that the denziens are a little more human this time, that they find some money on the way, and that the inn be just that little more hospitable.

Its a fair inn but unfortunately all the rooms are taken. Allagahn gains two rooms by offering a years wages for each one, barely leaving enough to pay for dinner, let alone breakfast.
He spends the evening drinking and wagering, making enough for breakfast, before retiring for the night.

Charity is up first keen to be on the road. As Allagahn opens the door to the room he shared with Alfred, they hear the bell toll again and the world freezes. Our quick thinking heros pick up Charity, moving her into their room and then stand their beds on end to block the doorway. They then force the frozen lock on the window so thay can make a quick exit out their 1^st floor window, should they need to; 11 feet up, 11 feet down, sound thinking huh? . When the world returns to normal there are more puzzling looks and exasperated questions from Charity.

With the distinct lack of progress Charity takes over the helm pushing the horses and going for distance. Along the way she acquires weapons for herself and Alfred. Having weighed the options she has decided to go for a land approach to Amber from the East, along the Great East road. She calculates that another 5 days of hard riding should see them there, rather than the four via a sea route - two days to finds a suitable port with a suitable ship and two days at sea - and then the consequences of having to deal with Captain and crew when they're not where they're supposed to be.

They ride along the beach for 10 hours, before Charity lets Allagahn take over for the last little bit as they locate a port and inn for the night.
The beach broardens and gives way to an inlet with a port beyond. As they ride through the outlying woods Allagahn remarks that a fishseller happens to making his way down the road - cue the Giant with his basket of giant fish, who wants to trade for rabbits!

Charity takes over again and the party make their way into town and their nice comfortable inn. After a comfortable nights rest they are on their way again, riding through town. As they near the city wall the bell sounds again, freezing the world and Charity with it. As Allagahn and Alfred dismount and head for the nearest alley, they run into the group of demons about to exit it.

Reacting first, Allagahan slashes the first demon, a debilitating blow from shoulder to waist, and it loses interest in continuing the fight. He hesitates, torn between backing up and the tactically better move of remaining where he is limiting the demons attack capability. The second demon advances, taking two slashes, one across the shoulder and the other across the leg before it too loses interest in contining.
The third demon's had a little time to prepare, rushing Allagahan knocking him backwards and causing him to lose his grip on his sword. Free to act the fourth demon rushes Alfred who manages to avoid the rush, diving past the demon and embeding his dagger in its leg.

Meanwhile Allagahn has retrieved his sword and slashes the wounded demon across the neck removing its will to continue anything. As he turns his attention to the third demon, the remaining demon advances on him. Dispatching the thrid demon his armoured space suit prevents him taking damage as the new arival rakes him across his back. Turning he slashes the demon to find the sword barely marks the torso of the new arrival. He backs off to consider the new threat.
Meanwhile Alfred has become brave, and slipped in behind the distracted demon. The blow aimed to goose him skids off the armoured hide. As the demon turns Alfred starts to scuttle away, the demon following. Seeing Allagahn closing in on the blindside he plays bait and takes a raking blow to the head, stunning him. Allagahn strikes but the blow glances off. The demon turns, sneers, then reaches down and plants it taloned fingers around Alfreds neck and lifts him clean off the ground. Allagahan changes the attack and strikes upwards with the point of the blade driving it into the demons back under the scales.
Screaming in pain the demon drops Alfred, and whirls wrenching the sword out of Allagahan's grip.

As the demon turns, Allagahan plants his foot on the demon's knee, reaches for its shouders and drops backwards intent on throwing it with the sword embedded. The demon has other ideas, grabs Allagan and using his momentum, somersaults, hurling Allagahn down the street where he lands in a bone crunching heap. Unfortunately the effort of the somersault and the twisting motion shift the sword, and the demon staggers a few steps before expiring. Allagahn struggles painfully to his feet.

By the time Allagahn hears the bell again, Alfred has regained consciousness, although he's severly wounded. The street is somewhat a mess. Two people have died, struck by demon claws during the fight. Nearly a dozen have wounds, some severe but not life threatening. One has a broken leg, broken arm, and broken ribs caused by a collision with the flying Allagahan, and several buildings and pieces of street furniture have taken damage. People begin to back away from the strangely dressed group.