The GM . o O ( Then you can e-mail equipment lists of anything outside of standard camping gear and what not. remember there will be no chance to resupply ammo once you leave. )

'Buff' Teatam says, "What about the merchant we met on the Krill? He seemed a nice fella. One of his boys might even make a good guide."

Emsworth says, "I've also decided to purchase a handgun."

Emsworth says, "Not a bad idea, Teatam. Even if they don't do much travelling on land themselves, they may be able to refer me to someone who does. But for now I'll try the name I just got. Some botanist named Parker."

The GM . o O ( what sort of hand gun? Heavy or light revolver? )

Hans [to Peracles]: Light.

Hans [to Peracles]: Correction, Heavy if possible.

The GM . o O ( here in Moeris lacus the pistol will be 3 pounds sterling )

'Buff' Teatam says, "I think I'm going to get a Sharps .50 while I can."

The GM . o O ( 4 pounds for full holster, cleaning kit and 200 rounds. )

The GM . o O ( a long hunting rifle will set you back 9 pounds )

'Buff' Teatam says, "<OOC> That'll leave me with how much from my advance? "

AllenPrice says, "How much for a few boxes of ammo for the Winchester rifle?"

Lieutenant Henry Rathwell says, "does Martian wildlife get that big then?"

Emsworth will pay 4 pounds for a revolver, holster, cleaning kit, and 200 rounds.

The GM . o O ( you also make contact with the garshdepuk family as they are well known in town and they indeed have a cousin that can be a guide. )

You say, "Bye"

Emsworth says, "Did someone take over the logging?"

Peracles [to Robert]: your advance was 5 pounds and you had about 8 pounds left. so you'd have 4 pounds left.

The GM . o O ( 2 shillings for 200 rounds )

Emsworth . o O ( WHAT!?! )

The GM . o O ( you find a more accurate price? )

Emsworth . o O ( On Earth 200 rounds of Winchester ammo would cost 3 pounds 5 shilling. )

The GM . o O ( then it would be 5 pounds here )

AllenPrice picks up a box of ammo - 200 rounds - and shells out the 5 pounds.

Emsworth . o O ( that is from GURPS Old West, IIRC. )

The GM . o O ( thanks for the info Hans. I don't have that one. )

Emsworth says, "Come to think of it, my revolver ammo would cost something around the same.. a little less."

The GM . o O ( pistol is 3 pounds by itself )

The GM . o O ( lets say 5 pounds for the pistol and 100 rounds )

Gijsbrecht Corneliszn Leeghwater wants to buy 200 rounds of ammo, a pick, notebooks, sketchbooks and a waterbottle.

Emsworth . o O ( I'll check out the price when I get home and add 50%? )

The GM . o O ( right plus 50% in moeris lacus )

Emsworth nods.

The GM . o O ( figure 3 pounds for the ammo for your light pistol JHG, the rest would be about 10 shillings combined. )

Gijsbrecht Corneliszn Leeghwater nds

The GM . o O ( I'm ready to go back IC if you are. )

Emsworth says, "I also want to buy three gashants. Two riding gashants and one pack gashant if there's a difference. Preferrably the pack gashant should be broken for riding too."

The GM . o O ( gashants are 5 pounds each )

Emsworth says, "Fine. And I've done my best to get the advice of someone knowledgable to avoid getting sold any puppies."

The GM . o O ( tack is 1-5 pounds for riding or pack rigs. )

JFZeigler [to Green Map]: Is Grimes providing gashants for the expedition, or should I be purchasing a string of my own?

The GM . o O ( grimes is providing mounts for all. )

Hans [to JFZeigler]: Grimes is providing gashants. Emsworth just likes to have his own.

AllenPrice says, "Fair enough."

The GM . o O ( figure two riding to trade off daily and at least one pack animal per person. )

Emsworth says, "In that case Emsworth will buy 6."

The GM . o O ( the tack gets expensive for fancy rigs. basic utilitarian rigs would be one pound each. so three mounts and rigs would be 18 pounds. )

JHG [to Green Map]: Doesn anyone in town sell mechanical toys?

The GM . o O ( then six would 36 pounds )

AllenPrice will spend another pounds on a couple of blank books, some pens, ink, and so on. He plans to start keeping a naturalist's notebook.

The GM . o O ( you can find a toy maker easy enough. most are simple carved soldiers, cloudships and the like. )

The GM . o O ( true mechanical toys are expensive at least 2 pounds each )

The GM . o O ( anything with liftwood is going to be 5 pounds )

Gijsbrecht Corneliszn Leeghwater buys 2 mechanical toys (for 4 pounds)

The GM . o O ( notebooks ink and pens would be about 5 shillings for a LOT of stuff. )

JFZeigler [to Green Map]: A very good one, then. With a supply of rice paper for tracings and pressing specimens.

The GM . o O ( martian mechanical toys use bamboo like wood springs to power them. )

The GM . o O ( then 10 shillings would be a very fine pen and nearly a ream of paper. )

You say, "OK. I just want to study the way the move. Power comes later"

The GM . o O ( you'll have to roll your machinist dice to figure out how the toys work. )

You say, "I'll let you know when I want to do that"

The GM . o O ( ok )

The GM . o O ( Any other questions? )

Lieutenant Henry Rathwell says, "well, I must say, I've never been on one of trips, so what should I be taking?"

Hans [to Pookie]: Are you coming too?

Peracles [to Pookie]: They Grimes are paying for the basic camping and travel equipment. He is paying 50 pounds to be split amoung you plus a year membership at the exploreres club

Lieutenant Henry Rathwell says, "well I can certainly offer my services as cartographer and navigator"

Peracles [to Pookie]: they trip is expected to to take a month to a max of six weeks

Emsworth says, "I would welcome your company, Lieutenant, but it's not up to me. You'll have to speak to the Grimeses."

Lieutenant Henry Rathwell says, "well since I appear to be at a loose end with the loss of the Firefly"

The GM . o O ( Time passes quickly as you take care of the details of equipment and packing. You return back to the club at 5pm and take up seats in the main lounge. )

Hans [to Peracles]: Small chronological discrepancy here. I'm not buying the gashants until I have the advice of someone who knows a gashant from a steppe tiger.

The GM says, "The club becomes busier as members come in for dinner, chat, reading, and card games."

Emsworth asks the headwaiter to inform him when Dr. Parker shows up.

Peracles [to Hans]: You can buy them from the stables grimes gets his from. so it's a reliable place.

Headwaiter says "Certainly sir."

Hans [to Peracles]: in that case you can skip meeting Dr. Parker if you think it'll just waste time.

Emsworth . o O ( 'skip the meeting WITH Dr. Parker', I mean. )

The GM says, "Think at almost precisely 5:05 the headwaiter comes over to inform you that Dr Parker has arrived and would be glad to speak to you."

Hans chuckles.

Emsworth joins Dr. Parker.

Gijsbrecht Corneliszn Leeghwater joins Dr. Parker

Emsworth says, "Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Parker. It is Dr., isn't it? I was told you were an eminent botanist."

Dr Parker stands to greet you. "Good evening."

Dr Parker smiles broadly. "Eminent? You are too kind. Most people think I'm daft for being too fond of the Martians."

Dr Parker. "How may I help you mister....?

AllenPrice . o O ( Is Price nearby? His ears would probably perk up at hearing the word 'botanist.' )

Emsworth says, "Oh, so you're an anthropologist too? Though I suppose you really need another term for the study of Martians. Strictly speaking, he he."

The GM . o O ( you can seem them, but they are too far away to hear clearly. )

Emsworth says, "Marthropology, perhaps?"

Dr Price. "No I'm not an anthropologist. I've just traveled with them on my excursions to study Martian plantlife.

AllenPrice . o O ( Ah, too bad. Another round, waiter. )

Lieutenant Henry Rathwell says, "what about Cerethropology from Ceres perhaps?"

Dr Price. "Let's have a seat...er..I didn't get your name?"

Emsworth says, "Oh, sorry. I thought you knew my name. Bertram Emsworth, at your service. I'm joining an expedition to the Nepenthes-Thoth Steppe and would like to ask you advice on equipment, and on buying gashants. I understand you've travelled a lot here on Mars?"

Dr Parker. "Hmm the equipment part is easy, just think of a desert safari and you will be fine. The steppes are easier than Martian deserts.

Dr Parker "Never travel to martian deserts without a true guide or you will die.

The GM . o O ( he refers you to a good stable and it's the same one grimes uses. )

Emsworth says, "Thank you very much. Have you published anything about your discoveries? II dabble a bit in botany myself. Strictly on an amateur level, you understand."

Dr Parker. "I am still collecting notes good sir. If you left me know where you are staying, I will be sure to get you a copy once it's published.

The GM . o O ( since it is getting late...I can fast forward to the dinner with Grimes. )

Emsworth says, "That's very good of you, Doctor. The Syrtis Savoy will find me eventually."

Hans [to Peracles]: OK.

Dr Parker positively beams. "Thank you Mister Emsworth, you are too kind."

The GM . o O ( Grimes arrives and you are taken to a private dining room he has reserved. )

The GM . o O ( Grimes takes in the presence of Rathwell and once explained that he wants to join the expedition, his expression softens and he smiles. )

Grimes. "Good to have a serving officer. Er we will be out of contact for 4-6 weeks. You sure this won't be a problem, Leftenant?"

The GM . o O ( If there are no objections. We can end here. Figure next time we meet we can begin the expedition proper. )