Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3
                               Chapter 1

Date: Tue, 08 Apr 1997 22:31:57
To: aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu
Subject: AAE3 - Recap
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/543

In the absence of dissenting opinions, I'm reposting the first two
posts of AAE3. I've made a few small mods in my stuff - I'll assume I
was, in fact, in the Place when Chaos walked in, rather than in
Arcadia. Simplifies things a bit.

So, we're sitting around Callahan's, discussing immortality and time
travel, when....
Driscoll (at 06:20 AM 4/3/97 -0500) and then Morgan (at 06:41 AM
4/3/97) wrote:
> A dashing figure in harlequin tights and studded leather comes in
>the door of Callahan's. But with only one problem, he has the head of
>a cat.

All of the members of the CAoL(*) look up at this apparition, look at
each other, and collectively shake their heads thinking their personal
equivalents of <*Oh, Light, not _him_ again.*>

(*) Callahanian Army of Light

> "Oh, I laughed, I cried, It was wonderful, just wonderful. I can't
>wait until the next one! Oh, and that death scene... What? No second
>howl from you Morgan? Has immortality already started to harden those
>feelings of yours? Good for you!"

"Hardened? No, just still a bit numb, and at least I got to say
'good-bye' to him this time."

"Speaking of _'good-bye'_. . . ."

> The harlequin body shifts into a Gorilla with kangaroo legs. "But I
>see not everyone is so joyful after a successfuly slaughter! Why not?
>Don't tell me it's Driss. You should know better than to mourn him
>already. You have a Time Lord in your very Midst. Driss lived a
>Thousand Years after he destroyed Quaren. You all have known him only
>a few days, Morgan a few months..."
> And with that Chaos begins to fade away.
> Another figure in studded leather and harlequin tights comes walking
>into Callahan's. This time, Roscoe is at his side. "Hello all, I
>appologize deeply for intruding on your festivities. I know you don't
>know me, but I need the aid of some beings not of Quaren. I was told
>I could find something called the Army of Light here?"

Morgan reaches out through the link to the Roscoe she knows, verifying
his presence, and sending a mental question mark. <OOC addition: He
had wandered into the Place earlier - is he still here, and if so in
what form, or has he returned to the Village?>

<Another addition:> While she awaits Roscoe's reply, she directs a wry
smile at Knytt. <*I'll "likely not have to deal with that", huh?*>
===========================
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 1997 11:43:52 -0400
From: caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: At the Celebration
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/549

Mischief seemed to regard the party as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Well, perhaps it wasn't the party so much as the formal clothes, and
everyone's good mood. There were cloaks to be climbed, trains to be
stalked, trailing sleeves to be pounced at, and all sorts of wonderful
food to be examined, sniffed at, and stolen.

Caprice, on the other hand, hung back against the wall. She had
changed out of her armour into what appearantly were her party
clothes. An iridescent grey fencer's shirt gave her outfit the
illusion of color. Her tights where also grey, though without sheen.
Black boots clad her feet, with the thick heels for riding and the
large cuffs that could be turned up to protect her clothing. Black
gloves covered her hands, which were devoid of rings or bracelets.
Black cavalier's hat with a bold grey plume was set at a slight angle,
making the white in her hair seem even brighter. She wore a dress
rapier at her side, and her hand strayed to it often.

While the others drank wine, she drank water. While they danced, she
watched. And when others spoke, she listened.

--
Caprice - trying to slip back into rp.
===========================
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 10:55:52 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: AAE3 - Recap
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/550

At 10:31 PM 4/8/97, Morgan wrote:
>So, we're sitting around Callahan's, discussing immortality and time
>travel, when....
>Driscoll (at 06:20 AM 4/3/97 -0500) and then Morgan (at 06:41 AM
>4/3/97) wrote:
>> A dashing figure in harlequin tights and studded leather comes in
>>the door of Callahan's. But with only one problem, he has the head
>>of a cat.

"Ah, Chaos, I see you've finally appeared in appropriate garb, that of
the Fool..." Knytt grumbles.

<snip>
>Morgan reaches out through the link to the Roscoe she knows,
>verifying his presence, and sending a mental question mark. <OOC
>addition: He had wandered into the Place earlier - is he still here,
>and if so in what form, or has he returned to the Village?>
>
><Another addition:> While she awaits Roscoe's reply, she directs a
>wry smile at Knytt. <*I'll "likely not have to deal with that",
>huh?*>

Knytt shrugs "Who knew?"
===========================
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 15:21:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: At the Celebration
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/551

On Wed, 9 Apr 1997, caprice wrote:
> Mischief seemed to regard the party as the opportunity of a
> lifetime. Well, perhaps it wasn't the party so much as the formal
> clothes, and everyone's good mood. There were cloaks to be climbed,
> trains to be stalked, trailing sleeves to be pounced at, and all
> sorts of wonderful food to be examined, sniffed at, and stolen.

/Ohh goody, TAG/ and away we go thru the Dancing Obsticles

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
From: gamer@mail.hvs.com
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 22:08:48 -0500
Subject: Aae3-entrances
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/557

 Roscoe by this time has made his way back to Arcadia to check on
Squee. Recieving Morgan's qwery about he and Driss entering
Callahan's, Roscoe is naturally very confused at first. [What do you
mean we just walked in there? I'm here and He is dead. You should know
us well enough...] But as he looks at the mental picture being sent
him by Morgan, his thoughts begin to shift. [I look.... Could it be...
The first...? Hmmm Oh my Gods... BYE!] And with that, Roscoe cuts
short his mental link with Morgan.
 A few minutes later, two Dwarves burst into Callahan's, one obviously
very young, the other seeming about middle aged. "I hear you need
heroes, so we are here. Let me introduce myself, "The older begins, "I
am Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Tree,
daughter of Stump."
 The younger pipes up at this energetically, "And I am Log, son of
Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son
of Log, son of Log son of... ummm Log, Ummm" he is stopped by the
elder clamping a hand over the boy's mouth. "Call him Junior."
 Then, privately sent to the AoL, [Hi, it's us, Morgan just made me
realize that I had to be here. I remembered a couple from the village
who wouldn't even speak to me on our first trip to Callahan's. Now I
know why. Boy this is wierd feeling looking at myself there.]
===========================
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 1997 23:29:58
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae3-entrances
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/560

At 10:08 PM 4/9/97 -0500, Roscoe wrote:
> The younger pipes up at this energetically, "And I am Log, son of
>Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son of Log, son
>of Log, son of Log son of... ummm Log, Ummm" he is stopped by the
>elder clamping a hand over the boy's mouth. "Call him Junior."

Outwardly, Morgan maintains wolf-like dignity. Within the link, her
comrads picture her with her face in her hand, shaking her head,
giggling, and muttering, "No no no no...."

> Then, privately sent to the AoL, [Hi, it's us, Morgan just made me
>realize that I had to be here. I remembered a couple from the village
>who wouldn't even speak to me on our first trip to Callahan's. Now I
>know why. Boy this is wierd feeling looking at myself there.]

<*OK, rule number one here. We do _NOT_ let these newcomers into the
link. There's too much we know that they can't.*>

Realizing Driscoll is still awaiting a reply, Morgan stands and
extends her hand in greeting <*I hope no one minds if I take point
here. This may be a different Dris, but it _is_ Dris.*> Her smile is
polite, if not particularly warm.

"We have been called the Army of Light. I am Morgan O'Daire
Fhaoilciarach [1], also called the Greywolf. Who are _you_, and why do
you seek us?"

As Driscoll takes her hand, a combination of joy and sorrow radiates
through the link. To her credit, neither show (much) in her eyes.

Morgan  /|\
[1] Pronunciation guide (since I assume none of you speak Gaelic <g>):
O'Daire: the O part is as usual for Irish names; 1st syllable of Daire
is accented and somewhere between DAH and DIE; 2nd syllable between
ray and reh.
Fhaoilciarach: FALL-key-are-ack, or the "are" could be more like
"err", and has a secondary accent.
===========================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 05:51:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: AAE-Entrances
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/561

On Wed, 9 Apr 1997, fuzzy wrote:
> On Wed, 9 Apr 1997, caprice wrote:
>> Mischief seemed to regard the party as the opportunity of a
>> lifetime. Well, perhaps it wasn't the party so much as the formal
>> clothes, and everyone's good mood. There were cloaks to be
>> climbed, trains to be stalked, trailing sleeves to be pounced at,
>> and all sorts of wonderful food to be examined, sniffed at, and
>> stolen.
>
> /Ohh goody, TAG/ and away we go thru the Dancing Obsticles

  Later, Fuzzy haveing lost the game of Tag to Mischief. Fuzzy pays
his forfeit by stalking and captureing a tray of Salmon 'Boned/Raw'.
  He 'and Mischief if this is OK caprice' are in the rafters overhead
listening in and eating the salmon.

Regards
  Fuzzy
---
 L
G*E
 C
===========================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 09:29:39 -0400
From: caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: AAE-Entrances
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/562

fuzzy wrote:
> /Ohh goody, TAG/ and away we go thru the Dancing Obsticles

Mischief giggles, an odd experience through telepathy... almost a
mental tickling. * can't catch me! nyahnyah! giggle! *

>   Later, Fuzzy haveing lost the game of Tag to Mischief. Fuzzy pays
> his forfeit by stalking and captureing a tray of Salmon 'Boned/Raw'.
>   He 'and Mischief if this is OK caprice' are in the rafters
> overhead listening in and eating the salmon.

Mischief purrs happily as she eats the salmon. * why do humans ruin
fish by cooking it? * She seems to have no trouble accepting Fuzzy as
a cat, but keeps an eye on him... After all, she knows what older cats
tend to do to kittens. And like all kittens, she tried to avoid that
greatest of indignities. A bath.
===========================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 08:39:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: AAE-Entrances
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/564

On Thu, 10 Apr 1997, caprice wrote:
> Mischief purrs happily as she eats the salmon. * why do humans ruin
> fish by cooking it? * She seems to have no trouble accepting Fuzzy
> as a cat, but keeps an eye on him... After all, she knows what older
> cats tend to do to kittens. And like all kittens, she tried to avoid
> that greatest of indignities. A bath.

 /Its not allway bad 'cooked' but it is different, Remember canned
tuna is cooked. Next time I lose the game remind me to share some
catnip rubbed steamed trout with you, Its tasty/
  /No bath this time I lost the game after all/

Regards
  Fuzzy
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 17:49:30 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/566

 Yes this is me, Driscoll. My other account just had their internet
take a nosedive AGAIN, so I'm posting from here. I don't think Rose
has signed this account up to the list yet, so I'm not going to get
replies until the problem on the other board gets fixed, so please CC
replies here until furthur notice. Thanx
 OK, on to the story.

 Driscoll nods at the incoming dwarves and is about to speak when
Morgan steps forward. Closing his mouth, he gives Morgan a quick
look-over, and then gives a deep bow and takes her hand to kiss.
 "Ah Mi'Lady. How one so fair could be a warrior as well not even a
God such as I can comprehend. Your eyes sparkle like emeralds, yet
there is a touch of sadness there as well. Is there anything I could
do to relieve it from you, or at least give you some joy to balance
it?" And with that, he gently kisses her hand, and turns his attention
on the rest of the people.
 "I come in need of help, but here is not the place to speak, where
unwanted ears may be listening and acting against us before we can
even begin."
 Driss gestures, and one of the walls of Callahan's pivots, making one
table and a very distressed parton vanish behind the wall, and an
X-window in a door frame appear in its place. Roscoe strides through
confidently as Driss adresses the patrons again, "All who believe in
justice and seek to re-uinite a fallen family, please step this way."
 And with that, he strides through. The dwarves are right behind him.
On the other side, appears to be another tavern, but this one
completely devoid of people. A fully stocked bar sits there with a
scruffy looking old man tending it, and a high stakes card game
appears to have been just abandoned, with two jewelled crowns, a
gilted sword and five or six fistfulls of coins in the pot. Driss
seats himself at ne of hte places and picks up the cards. Roscoe goes
over to the bar.
 As people enter, Driss bids them to find a chair and be confortable,
and welcomes them to Quaren.
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 01:03:32 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/567

At 05:49 PM 4/10/97 -0700, you wrote:
> Yes this is me, Driscoll. My other account just had their internet
>take a nosedive AGAIN, so I'm posting from here. I don't think Rose
>has signed this account up to the list yet, so I'm not going to get
>replies until the problem on the other board gets fixed, so please CC
>replies here until furthur notice. Thanx

Okie dokie.

> "Ah Mi'Lady. How one so fair could be a warrior as well not even a
>God such as I can comprehend. Your eyes sparkle like emeralds, yet
>there is a touch of sadness there as well. Is there anything I could
>do to relieve it from you, or at least give you some joy to balance
>it?" And with that, he gently kisses her hand, and turns his
>attention on the rest of the people.

Through the link, Knytt sends an image...sticking a finger down his
throat.
/Like, gag me.../  ;-)

> "I come in need of help, but here is not the place to speak, where
>unwanted ears may be listening and acting against us before we can
>even begin."

/Spies in Callahan's?/ Knytt sends, sounding unsold on the idea.

> Driss gestures, and one of the walls of Callahan's pivots, making
>one table and a very distressed parton vanish behind the wall, and an
>X-window in a door frame appear in its place. Roscoe strides through
>confidently as Driss adresses the patrons again, "All who believe in
>justice and seek to re-uinite a fallen family, please step this way."
> And with that, he strides through.

Knytt looks at Driscoll. /Rather melodramatic isn't he? I think I
liked him better before...er after...er nevermind.../

Suddenly there is a beeping from inside Knytt's backpack. He picks it
up from beside his chair. Reaching inside, he withdraws his copy of
the Guide(*) Opening it up, he reads the message and slips it back
into his pack.

"That was my alarm. I have a fossil dig I need to be on. I was going
to say 'I don't want to follow this guy into battle--'"

Behind Knytt, but visible to everyone else, another Knytt walks into
Callahan's. This Knytt is wearing a straw Panama hat, an oversized,
fishing style vest with about 20 pockets on it, a T-shirt reading
'Gneiss Guy', faded jeans, hiking boots, the same chile-red backpack
and carries a golden-rainbowed staff. This Knytt is covered head to
toe in dust. Silently mouthing something close to 'Oh spit!', he dives
behind the bar, where Mike is desperately trying to hold in a flood of
laughter at him.

"--but I think that would be a rash decision. So," Knytt continues,
"The dig is only three months long. I will think it over and be back
in no time."

As Knytt walks out of the bar, everyone waves and someone says "See
you soon." then is jabbed sharply in the ribs by another Patron. Once
everyone is sure Knytt is gone, the bar bursts out laughing as Knytt
#2 stands up from behind the bar.

"I guess I was early." And to the CAoL, "I decided, 'What the heck?'
Count me in."

> As people enter, Driss bids them to find a chair and be confortable,
>and welcomes them to Quaren.

Knytt walks through the portal and looks around. Taking a chair
opposite Driss, he flips it around backwards and straddles it, leaning
forward against the seatback. Taking the sword off the table he looks
at it idly, admiring the craftmanship.

"Very pretty," then staring at Driss, "So, friend, who are you two and
why do you need us? Beyond what you have already said. Which isn't
much."

Mentally to "Log Sr." /When does he grow out of this cocky stage?/

And to Morgan: /Sorry, M'Lady, if I am stepping on your toes, but
something about this Dris still bugs me./

--Knytt

(*) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
===========================
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 23:42:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/568

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote:

> At 05:49 PM 4/10/97 -0700, you wrote:
>> Yes this is me, Driscoll. My other account just had their internet
>>take a nosedive AGAIN, so I'm posting from here. I don't think Rose
>>has signed this account up to the list yet, so I'm not going to get
>>replies until the problem on the other board gets fixed, so please
>>CC replies here until furthur notice. Thanx
>
> Okie dokie.

 As needed, So shall it be done.

[snip]
> /Spies in Callahan's?/ Knytt sends, sounding unsold on the idea.

 /Who does he think he's kidding?/ from the rafter overhead.

[snip]
>>Driss adresses the patrons again, "All who believe in
>>justice and seek to re-uinite a fallen family, please step this
>>way."

\Lord, do you support this human sillyness?\ to pyewacket

 From the Callahans Side of the X-Window:
  "Justice is a word most used by those who wish to avoid the Price of
Vengence.
  I believe in the Balance of Choice and Price. Judgement is Not my
Task.
  'Seek to Re-Unite a fallen family'; With what, Each-other, or their
erstwhile postion?
  I would gladly assist them in finding each-other, however I suspect
that you mean the Quest to Regain Postion. That is a matter of Choice
and Price, Who is willing pay this time?"

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 01:32:46
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/569

At 01:03 AM 4/11/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight replied to Driscoll:
>Through the link, Knytt sends an image...sticking a finger down his
>throat.
>/Like, gag me.../  ;-)

Morgan politely ignores Knytt's commentary - she's too busy overriding
the stinging in her eyes, and the feeling that something just grabbed
her heart and squeezed it. <*Control....*>

She takes a quick, only slightly ragged breath, and replies in her
quiet brogue, "Ah thank ye, m'lord, 'tis only tha' ye remind me o'...
a dear friend but recently lost."

Through the link, her friends catch snippets of her reminding herself
of every time Driscoll flaked out on her, everything he'd ever done
that she'd been angry about or hurt by, and a memory of something he'd
'said' when she'd been with him at his death - "Now I understand why
you were so distant when I first met you." She'd thought he'd meant in
Scotland, centuries ago.

>/Spies in Callahan's?/ Knytt sends, sounding unsold on the idea.

<*And do you recall how the _Controller_ found out about us? Where he
watched our little outing on Oa from? 'Nuff said.*>

>Knytt walks through the portal and looks around. Taking a chair
>opposite Driss, he flips it around backwards and straddles it,
>leaning forward against the seatback. Taking the sword off the table
>he looks at it idly, admiring the craftmanship.

Morgan qucikly opens an x-window of her own, to Arcadia. She steps
through to her practice ground, where she apparently was just before
her trip to the Place. She retrieves her weapons and belt pouch,
whistles for Cutter and Leetah (they'd never forgive me if I left them
behind <g>), then passes through Callahans and into Quaren.

She takes a seat near Knytt, obviously trying to keep her distance
from this new Driscoll, and being as cool as she can manage without
crossing the line into rudeness.

One of her comrads puts a hand on her shoulder and asks, <*Are you
going to be all right?*> <*I'm... Yeah, it's just that he's always
managed to have this affect on me, even _after_ I'd known him well
enough to know better. I'll be fine. Just someone _please_ let me know
if I start behaving like a fool.*>

No one bothers to comment on the fact that she's caressing the spot
where his lips touched her hand....

>Mentally to "Log Sr." /When does he grow out of this cocky stage?/

Morgan smiles. <*Give it a few centuries. Take your typical humanoid
late-adolecent male, and then suddenly confer God-hood on him. Get the
picture?*>

>And to Morgan: /Sorry, M'Lady, if I am stepping on your toes, but
>something about this Dris still bugs me./

Morgan glances down to see if Knytt's boots are near her feet. With
her inwardly stomping emotional responses left and right, he can't
quite tell if she's joking. <*We're just more used to the mellowed
version. Remember what Roscoe said about how he was right after he
became immortal?*>

Then, to everyone, <*I don't recall him ever mentioning anything that
sounded like this. Of course, with me involved he wouldn't have. Let's
hear what he has to say and then decide whether it's something we want
to join. After all, maybe he came looking for the Army of Light and
got turned down.*>

Morgan  /|\
<Yeah, right ;-)>
===========================
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 97 06:48:19 +0100
From: Roland X <rolandx@ix.netcom.com>
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/570

>At 01:03 AM 4/11/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight replied to Driscoll:
>>Through the link, Knytt sends an image...sticking a finger down his
>>throat. /Like, gag me.../  ;-)

   *So _that's_ why I'm nauseous,* Roland Sends to Knytt in a fit of
adolescence.

>She takes a quick, only slightly ragged breath, and replies in her
>quiet brogue, "Ah thank ye, m'lord, 'tis only tha' ye remind me o'...
>a dear friend but recently lost."

   *Oh grife...Morgan, milady, are you going to be all right?*

>>/Spies in Callahan's?/ Knytt sends, sounding unsold on the idea.
>
><*And do you recall how the _Controller_ found out about us? Where he
>watched our little outing on Oa from? 'Nuff said.*>

   *True enough. IIRC, however, Mike did as he always does with
unwanted guests-i.e. ejected them handily (with a little help from us,
true, but still...)*

>She takes a seat near Knytt, obviously trying to keep her distance
>from this new Driscoll, and being as cool as she can manage without
>crossing the line into rudeness.

   /There she goes, falling all to pieces.../ Roland sighs, and
immediately follows.

>No one bothers to comment on the fact that she's caressing the spot
>where his lips touched her hand....

   *Believe me, Morgan, your reaction is understandable. But I don't
think you should be alone in this...or worse, alone with him. No
offense to either of you, but time paradoxes are a recipe for
disaster.*
   Roland cocks his head to the side for a moment. *What do you MEAN,
'who appointed me?!'* <G>

>Then, to everyone, <*I don't recall him ever mentioning anything that
>sounded like this. Of course, with me involved he wouldn't have.
>Let's hear what he has to say and then decide whether it's something
>we want to join. After all, maybe he came looking for the Army of
>Light and got turned down.*>

   *Maybe. But I stopped believing in coincidence a long time ago. He
just happened to walk in, right 'after' his death, looking to save a
fantasy realm under attack? At _Callahan's?_ The Place always has an
ulterior motive.*
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 05:44:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/571

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, Roland X wrote:
>    Roland cocks his head to the side for a moment. *What
> do you MEAN, 'who appointed me?!'* <G>

 /Now that's a good enough reason to but my head in this Beasts mouth/
 "For now I will wait to hear you out" as Fuzzy enters the realm of
Quaren and finds himself a set with its back to a solid wall.

Regards
  Fuzzy
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 11:16:35 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/572

> And with that, he gently kisses her hand, and turns his attention on
> the rest of the people.

Caprice comments mentally to the rest of the AoL, <Why do -I- never
invoke speeches like that?>

>  As people enter, Driss bids them to find a chair and be
> confortable, and welcomes them to Quaren.

Caprice steps through with the others, her dress clothes converting to
a practical set of grey leathers with a chainmail shirt over the rest.
A grey cloak now rests about her shoulders, almost hiding the bastard
sword once again slung on her back.
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 09:59:35
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/573

<BTW, folx, don't forget to cc Driscoll's "gamer@host.yab.com" address
'till he lets us know his subscription is back up.>

At 06:48 AM 4/11/97 +0100, Roland X wrote:
>   *True enough. IIRC, however, Mike did as he always does
>with unwanted guests-i.e. ejected them handily (with a
>little help from us, true, but still...)*

<*Agreed, Mike and Eddie handle those sorts well enough. _After_
they're discovered. It's what they hear _before_ they're discovered
that can be a problem. I'm not going to argue about the precautions.*>

>   /There she goes, falling all to pieces.../ Roland sighs,
>and immediately follows.

Morgan sends a mental smirk. <*When I go to pieces, believe me, you'll
_know_ it.*>

>   *Believe me, Morgan, your reaction is understandable.
>But I don't think you should be alone in this...or worse,
>alone with him. No offense to either of you, but time
>paradoxes are a recipe for disaster.*

<*That's part of what's got me bugged. When we first met, or at least
the first time _I_ met _him_, he... There's no way to put this
delicately, is there? I attributed the way he seemed to know just what
I liked to the way some men have of reading a woman, or to the
telepathy we started to develop. I'm beginning to wonder if there was
_another_ reason why he was so familiar with me.*> Now it's her turn
to blush.

<*So here's a dilema - would avoiding being alone with him prevent a
paradox, or _cause_ one?*> She looks over at the Logs. <*Roscoe is
being less than forthcoming, so he's not much help.*>

<*We know that in, I'm not sure exactly how long but maybe a few
hundred years from his point of view, sometime after he loses his
godhood, in medieval Scotland, he'll meet me again for (for me) the
first time. Now I know he'd at least _met_ me before. How well he
already knew me remains to be seen, but he managed to avoid giving
_me_ any hints of what he already knew. Like, he knew I'd travel out
of my original time and become an immortal, but I've been running over
memories and can't think of anything that might have been considered a
hint.*>

She stops, and blushes again. <*I'm rambling, aren't I? I think the
best thing for me to do is stop trying to reason things out, and
follow my feelings. I'll just have to be careful not to let him in on
anything he shouldn't know yet.*>

>   Roland cocks his head to the side for a moment. *What
>do you MEAN, 'who appointed me?!'* <G>

Inside the link, Morgan giggles. <*He appointed _himself_ my Knight
Protector somewhere back in Arcadia, remember?. Don't worry, folx, if
I think my sword-brother's getting over-protective, I'll let him know.
;-)*>

Sitting safely between Knytt and Roland, Morgan finishes 'grounding
and centering' herself (the others in the link get a faint image of an
oak tree surrounding her) and, along with the others, waits for their
old friend to introduce himself and explain his business.

>   *Maybe. But I stopped believing in coincidence a long
>time ago. He just happened to walk in, right 'after' his
>death, looking to save a fantasy realm under attack? At
>_Callahan's?_ The Place always has an ulterior motive.*

<*Doesn't it, though? ;-)*>

Morgan of the Oaks  /|\
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 17:01:45 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/574

At 11:16 AM 4/11/97 -0400, Caprice wrote:
>Caprice comments mentally to the rest of the AoL, <Why do -I- never
>invoke speeches like that?>

Knytt replies, /Maybe its the kitten you've had on your head...It is a
bit distracting.../
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 16:40:04 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/575

 Log is at the bar, busily trying to avoid looking at Roscoe while
getting a mug of Rum, [Umm if I remember right, he doesn't quite snap
out of it until after Quaren is destroyed]. Taking his mug of rum and
a glass of milk, he goes to sit down by Junior. Junior takes the milk,
and then sends to Mischeif [neah neah look what I've got and you
don't!]
 Driss drops the cards as everyone gets settled. Once that is done,
and the attention is on him, he rises from his seat and begins.
 "I am the youngest of hte Gods of Quaren, technically being a
Demi-god. Because of that, there is much resentment towards me from
the elder gods, who view my power as a lost weapon to smite each other
with. The worst of them though is Darath, god of the Moon and the
night.
 "You see, it was kind of from him that I got my power. His rival, the
Goddess of the Sun, Ligi sent me and a group of others to fetch a
magic gem from Darath's realm for her. I succeeded in getting the gem,
but Darath sent those of us who survived back to Quaren before we
could return to Ligi, so I decided to keep the gem for myself. I later
found out about it's power and accended to my rightful place here.
 "But, since the stone originally was Darath's, despite the fact he
didn't know what it was, he wants it, and my power back. The Gods have
decided he could issue a challange against me for it. I must fight him
12 battles on 4 different neutral fields. If either of us wins 3
combats in a row, we win the descision. if not, then a final battle is
fought to decide the victor.
 "Darath doesn't always play fair though. As I mentioned, I have only
been a God a short while. A decade at most. My family is still alive
on Quaren. Well, my two brothers are at least. Each God has a lesser
being as their Incarnation to do their work on Quaren. Mine is Roscoe.
Darath's is a fanatical nut who is currently warlord of the kingdom of
Misern. He even believe he _is_ Darath, in human form, and calls
himself Darath the Black.
 "When I took this form as a God, I became the harlequin God to hide
my identity and save my brothers some greif. Somehow Darath the Black
found out who I was and who they were. One day, they were where they
should be, the next day, Prisoners in Misern.
 "That's why I need you. I know, I know, you're saying, 'He's a God,
why can't he do it himself?' Two reasons. First, if I attack Darath's
Incarnation, I forfit the challange. Secondly, I don't know where my
Brothers are exactly. I'm not fully omnipotent. No God is. I know what
I can learn through my realm, Theives and spies and enertainers. I
find out snippets about my Brothers, but that is it.
 "It doesn't help that several years ago, Darath abolished the
Theive's Guild in Misern and started enforcing strict punishments for
theivery. first offense, loss of a hand. Second, Death. About the same
time, Misern began undergoing massive changes. A secret police made up
almost entirely of Drow showed up. As did...tech-no-lo-gy. Mages
became banned from the kingdom, along with Elves, hobbits, fairies,
and sprites. The Borders nearly completely close up, the armies of
soldiers and undead that once battled the bordering kingdom of Dorwil
now stand guard everywhere alongthe border, letting no one in or out.
 "I will send you to Misern during the day, when Darath is blind to my
movements. Darath the Black's spies my not be though and they are very
numerous. Meanwhile, Roscoe is going to recruit a party of mercenaries
and lead a second group as a diversion. After all...They _have_ to
expect _some_ kind of response from me don't they?"
 With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it of
hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there I
can give you to get it?"
===========================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:18:10 -0700
From: Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/576

gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  Driss gestures, and one of the walls of Callahan's pivots, making
> one table and a very distressed parton vanish behind the wall, and
> an X-window in a door frame appear in its place. Roscoe strides
> through confidently as Driss adresses the patrons again, "All who
> believe in justice and seek to re-uinite a fallen family, please
> step this way."

The Stranger gets up heavily and heads for the bar. He deposits his
empty glass there and takes fifty cents.

"There's a voice a calling Mike, I guess the Struggle wouldn't wait
any longer."

Over by the fire a large furry russet brown form uncoils and stretches
into a huge cat, four foot at the shoulders, it pads absolutely
silently over to the Stranger.

"Time to go?"

"Indeed."

The Stranger checks his swords, securely fastened to what can be seen
to be a yellow Utility Belt with a Bat logo under his long dark coat.
He adjusts his broad brimmed hat and takes a holdall from the bar
where Mike has just put it. It is cearly heavy, but the Stranger lifts
it without trouble.

Together man and cat stride through the X-window.

>  As people enter, Driss bids them to find a chair and be
> confortable, and welcomes them to Quaren.

The Stranger takes a seat and examines the cards.

"Poker?"

The CAoL is forming, he glances at Morgan, the look on her face and
the absent minded way she strokes her hand.

He sends to her through the link:

/* Morgan, one thing you must do, more than evey now you are immortal
and now you are in this _situation_. Trust in yourself, believe in
yourself, have faith in yourself. There is a world of doubt and
confusion here for you, but if you hold fast to that you will come
through. We will all be here if you need us, but it's your own self
belief that will ultimately make the difference */

his mental tone grows less insistant

/* take care of yourself, huh? */

He settles back, examining the cards and waits for the newcomer to
speak.

The Stranger
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:28:57 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/577

Michael Jon Knight wrote:
> At 11:16 AM 4/11/97 -0400, Caprice wrote:
>>Caprice comments mentally to the rest of the AoL, <Why do -I- never
>>invoke speeches like that?>
>
> Knytt replies, /Maybe its the kitten you've had on your head...It is
> a bit distracting.../

Caprice tries to keep a straight face. <I knew it, I knew it... go
into battle ONCE with a kitten on your head, and they never let you
live it down.>
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 21:11:38 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/579

gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  Log is at the bar, busily trying to avoid looking at Roscoe while
> getting a mug of Rum, [Umm if I remember right, he doesn't quite
> snap out of it until after Quaren is destroyed]. Taking his mug of
> rum and a glass of milk, he goes to sit down by Junior. Junior takes
> the milk, and then sends to Mischeif [neah neah look what I've got
> and you don't!]

It is not wise to taunt kittens.... as Mischief cutely, purringly
entwines around Junior's ankles, while Junior is still walking,
attempting to trip him.

*snip*

>  With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
> emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
> belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
> of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
> I can give you to get it?"

Caprice arches a single brow. "I for one, am not a common mercenary to
be paid in common coin."
===========================
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 97 22:40:49 +0100
From: Roland X <rolandx@ix.netcom.com>
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/580

Quoth Driscoll^1:
> Driss drops the cards as everyone gets settled. Once that is done,
>and the attention is on him, he rises from his seat and begins.
> "I am the youngest of hte Gods of Quaren, technically being a
>Demi-god. Because of that, there is much resentment towards me from
>the elder gods, who view my power as a lost weapon to smite each
>other with. The worst of them though is Darath, god of the Moon and
>the night.

   "Aha, the bad guy," Roland says with a nod-then stops cold. "The
bad guy is a GOD?
   "For this I left a warm seat in Calla-"
   Roland stops cold, remembering the man wh ofought so hard to avenge
his 'death.'
   *I gotta stop being so damn noble,* he 'mutters' under his normal
stream of thought.

> "But, since the stone originally was Darath's, despite the fact he
>didn't know what it was, he wants it, and my power back. The Gods
>have decided he could issue a challange against me for it. I must
>fight him 12 battles on 4 different neutral fields. If either of us
>wins 3 combats in a row, we win the descision. if not, then a final
>battle is fought to decide the victor.

   "Strange rules," Roland notes. "Under such circumstances, the
'winner' can have won fewer battles than the 'loser.' It sounds as if
someone's already trying to stack the deck..."
   *"Who makes these _rules?_" -Hercules <g>*

> "Darath doesn't always play fair though. As I mentioned, I have only
>been a God a short while. A decade at most. My family is still alive
>on Quaren. Well, my two brothers are at least. Each God has a lesser
>being as their Incarnation to do their work on Quaren. Mine is
>Roscoe. Darath's is a fanatical nut who is currently warlord of the
>kingdom of Misern. He even believe he _is_ Darath, in human form, and
>calls himself Darath the Black.

   "I wouldn't be too sure he _isn't._ I met 'myself' not too long
ago, and he may have been the deadliest enemy I ever faced."

> "That's why I need you. I know, I know, you're saying, 'He's a God,
>why can't he do it himself?' Two reasons. First, if I attack Darath's
>Incarnation, I forfit the challange. Secondly, I don't know where my
>Brothers are exactly. I'm not fully omnipotent. No God is. I know
>what I can learn through my realm, Theives and spies and enertainers.
>I find out snippets about my Brothers, but that is it.

   "Aha, a noble cause!" Roland smiles, clearly in his element once
more. "Innocents in danger from an honorless tyrant. Bullies usually
_are_ cowards."

> "It doesn't help that several years ago, Darath abolished the
>Theive's Guild in Misern and started enforcing strict punishments for
>theivery. first offense, loss of a hand. Second, Death. About the
>same time, Misern began undergoing massive changes. A secret police
>made up almost entirely of Drow showed up. As did...tech-no-lo-gy.
>Mages became banned from the kingdom, along with Elves, hobbits,
>fairies, and sprites. The Borders nearly completely close up, the
>armies of soldiers and undead that once battled the bordering kingdom
>of Dorwil now stand guard everywhere alongthe border, letting no one
>in or out.

   Roland's smile vanishes, remembering the horrors such paranoia
spawned on his own world...

> With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
>emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
>belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
>of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
>I can give you to get it?"

   Roland shakes his head. "I fight to protect the innocent. Your
brothers, and the people this Darath-avatar enslaves, are being deeply
wronged. I will do this because it is right."
   At this point, Roland turns, truly peeved, because some joker has
started playing Fozzie Bear singing 'America the Beautiful' in the
background. "10 octillion, 314 septillion dimensions and I get the
Muppets doing the soundtrack."
   (OOC: Yea, yea, yea, I _know_ I went over the top, so sue me. <G>
PS: Read Heinlein's Number of the Beast to get the obscure math joke
above. Assuming my calculations and terminology are correct. <G>)
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 21:38:54 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot! (Knytt's Price)
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/581

At 04:40 PM 4/11/97 -0700, gamer wrote:
> With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
>emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
>belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
>of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
>I can give you to get it?"

Still examining the sword, Knytt archs an eyebrow. He stands up and
looks at the sword for a few moments as he slowly paces. Turning to
face Driscoll, Knytt takes a black cylinder from his backpack and
presses a button. The black-light blade hums into life.

"This sword of yours is nice-"

As he brings the blade of the sword into the beam of the lightsaber,
sparks fly and the blade of the sword is melted by the lightsaber's
deep-violet energies.

"But I like mine better."

"However," Knytt continues, handing Driscoll the sword as he
deactivates the lightsaber, "Money *would* interest me." Driscoll
smiles knowingly. Knytt reachs into his bag and retrieves his Guide
and a small bubble-jet printer. Pressing a few buttons, he hands the
resulting hardcopy, several sheets in a small font with five columns a
page, to Driscoll. Knytt continues as Driscoll, looking a bit
confused, flips through the pages.

"This is a list of charities, in various fictions. Next to each you
will find a denomination in the local currency. You see? The Ferengi
Equal Rights League gets 50,000 bars of latinum. The Shadow War
Orphans Fund gets 10 million credits. I believe Quaren has a refugee
camp for elves and other fae? They get 5 fistfuls of gold coins per
person. Each man, woman and child. If Quaren has no such camp, you
will found one. All of it anonymous, of course."

Knytt leans across the poker table and looks into Driscoll's eyes.

"You see, my young friend, I work for causes, not money. And you are
in a position to do a..._wealth_...of good. Oh, and don't steal the
money you give to these charities. Earn it. Stolen things tend to have
a bad karma. They come back to haunt you..."

Knytt returns to his seat, smiling.

"You have _my_ price. If you are willing to pay it, my services are at
your disposal..."
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:32:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/582

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  "When I took this form as a God, I became the harlequin God to hide
> my identity and save my brothers some greif. Somehow Darath the
> Black found out who I was and who they were. One day, they were
> where they should be, the next day, Prisoners in Misern.

 "so even now your brothers pay part of the Price of your elevation."

>  With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
> emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
> belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
> of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
> I can give you to get it?"

 " I do what I Choose, Because I Choose, and for no other reason."
Swig of tea
 " The Price of which I speak is the Consequences that each and every
Choice invokes"
Swig of tea
 " Your elevation was a Consequence 'in part' of Ligi's Choice, Ligi
Chose to send you to retrieve the stone, this brought you and the
stone together, You Choose to keep the stone, the current situation is
in part the Consequence of that Choice"
Swig of tea
 " I demand no pay, though I will take what I Choose, Consider well
the Consequence that may result, then Choose and pay the Price..."

 " I ask again 'Will you pay the Price?'"

Regards
  Fuzzy
===========================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 01:12:39 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/584

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
> emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
> belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
> of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
> I can give you to get it?"

In a corner of the bar a blue shimmering appears in the air. It
resolves into a young man. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, and is
wearing a dark blue suit with purple highlights. His hair is tied back
into a ponytail, making his face look narrower than it really is.
Those who watch closely notice that his eyes glow blue for a moment
after he appears, then fade into a weird hazel color(for those with
sharp eyes, it's a color not usually found in humans, though fairly
common in cats.) He quickly glances around the room, then says, "Nice
speech. My help you have if your help you'll give."

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Roslowski                            pookie@pluto.njcc.com
              "Hey Blondie, isn't that Angeleyes?"
"That's like walking into a Cthulu temple calling yourself Vincent the
Invincible."
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 22:17:19
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/585

At 01:18 AM 4/12/97 -0700, Stranger wrote:
>Over by the fire a large furry russet brown form uncoils and
>stretches into a huge cat, four foot at the shoulders, it pads
>absolutely silently over to the Stranger.
<snip>
>Together man and cat stride through the X-window.

Morgan looks up as they enter the Quaren bar.

"Well, hi, Kitty. Been a while, hasn't it?"

<Had to go back to the old AAE-1 posts to confirm that reference, BTW
;-)>

>The CAoL is forming, he glances at Morgan, the look on her face and
>the absent minded way she strokes her hand.
>
>He sends to her through the link:
>
>/* Morgan, one thing you must do, more than evey now you are immortal
>and now you are in this _situation_. Trust in yourself, believe in
>yourself, have faith in yourself. There is a world of doubt and
>confusion here for you, but if you hold fast to that you will come
>through. We will all be here if you need us, but it's your own self
>belief that will ultimately make the difference */

She nods slightly, and wonders if Driscoll has any idea the amount of
conversation going on in the silent room.

>his mental tone grows less insistant
>
>/* take care of yourself, huh? */

A smile breaks out, and she considers how fortunate she is to have
friends like these.

Morgan  /|\
<who could use a little of Gareth's advice in RL, too :-)>
===========================
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 23:03:07
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/586

At 04:40 PM 4/11/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
> With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
>emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
>belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
>of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
>I can give you to get it?"

Morgan has been silent through this speach, and through Caprice,
Roland, Knytt, and Fuzzy's replies, as well as the entrance of the
newcomer in the nifty suit.

She frowns slightly and shakes her head. "You talk a good game,
m'lord, but as you can see offers of rewards are not by themselves
enough for this group to take on dangers such as you describe. True,
Darath's incarnation would appear to be worth eliminating, but an evil
servant doesn't necessarily mean an evil god, and you give me no
reason to involve myself in what ultimately appears to be a quarrel
between two gods of your world."

"One god sends you to steal something from another, you keep it for
yourself, and now that god is angry with you. Why should we risk
ourselves to save you from the consequences of your own deeds?"

Sensing some querying thoughts, she sends, <*I'm _not_ going to go
rushing off on something we wouldn't touch otherwise just because this
is Driscoll. You're all telling me to trust my instincts, and my
warning flags are up. If he's heard anything about us, he should know
better than to think we'll run off on a fools errand for a promise of
riches.*>

She looks up into the emerald green of his eyes, quickly re-centers,
and raises an eyebrow. "You haven't even bothered to introduce
yourself yet. Does the harlequin god of Quaren have a name?"

Morgan  /|\
<who figures we'd better get _him_ to say it before one of us slips
;-)>
===========================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 00:20:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/587

A mostly absent member of the Callahan's Army of Light listens with
great interest to the recent proceedings.

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> At 04:40 PM 4/11/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>> With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any
>>drinks emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with
>>riches beyond belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor
>>to go with it of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I
>>ask what is there I can give you to get it?"

A dark-winged bird glides above the heads, and mostly the notice of
those in the room. She perches on a rafter, and at this remark, well,
if a crow could be said to grin, this one did. She considers a
racauous caw of derision to reply to this 'offer', but waits for a
moment or two to see what reactions the others have first.

> "One god sends you to steal something from another, you keep it for
> yourself, and now that god is angry with you. Why should we risk
> ourselves to save you from the consequences of your own deeds?"

The ebon bird overhead nods solemnly.

> Sensing some querying thoughts, she sends, <*I'm _not_ going to go
> rushing off on something we wouldn't touch otherwise just because
> this is Driscoll. You're all telling me to trust my instincts, and
> my warning flags are up. If he's heard anything about us, he should
> know better than to think we'll run off on a fools errand for a
> promise of riches.*>

A quiet thought responds. <*Indeed, perhaps he is testing this group,
seeing if we are all that he has heard. And quite frankly, it is easy
to make promises now. After all, if we are to go and possibly confront
a god, would this one necessarily expect us to come back and be able
to claim our rewards? Perhaps I am being a touch cynical, but this one
is an unknown to me.*>

> Morgan  /|\
> <who figures we'd better get _him_ to say it before one of us slips
> ;-)>

<*A very good idea, m'Lady.*>

With that, the bird flutters down, landing at an empty space near the
table. Her form shifts, and suddenly Crow is standing there in her
usual dark brown dress. No sign of the sword she was carrying back
when she first tried to join up with the group. And the familiar of
the sword, Georgie, is also absent. At most, Crow seems armed with a
small, black-handled dagger.

Seeing the surprise on some faces, Crow grins easily. <*Sorry all. I
kind of ended up having to go after Georgie. When I sent him scouting,
he got caught by one of the nastier Fae in the region. He's now back,
safe and sound in the sword, and with the sword's original owner. Long
story. Important part is that I'm back, ready to help the group with
whatever I can.*>

Crow then turns to this harlequin god and nods. "Good day. I trust
there is yet room for one more in this group?"

<OOC: Well, I think this quarter RL will let me participate in AAE.
I'll try not to disappear abruptly again. At worst, I'll just let
y'all know things are getting to be too much, and that Crow gets to go
on another unexpected quest.>

-Kelley, aka Crow.
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 08:41:46 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/589

 Driss listens to everyone's comments and queries in silence. Then, "I
guess I knew some of this was coming, along with my Mortal identity
and that of my brothers. I am Driscoll of Braxton, son of Brock
silvertumb, a shipping merchant. My brothers and I are identicle
triplets. I don't know about your worlds, but in this one it is a very
rare adn special thing. My brother Sir Miles of Asharat looks the
least like me no, having become a Knight, he is very muscular and has
a beard to unsuccessfully try to hide a scar I gave him in a duel when
we were 16. Matt the Minstral however has always been a true twin to
me and was my closest freind as we grew up together. His talents lay
in realm of the bard, and so it is from him mostly I can get the
snippets, but Darath has been very careful to make sure my brothers do
not know where they are and to keep them blindfolded at all times.
 "but as for your worries that you are going to have to battle a God,
fear not. Darath is my foe, not yours. The challange begins tomarrow
and will last 12 or 13 days as tradition dictates. During that time,
neither of us can effect Quaren below, even if we wished to spare the
power to do so. This does give you a deadline however. Once the
challange is over, if I have lost, my brothers will most likely be
killed and I shall as well. If it is won, Darath will use them to
extort his stone from me.
 "You may have to battle Darath the Black however, though as Chaos
explained it to me, you are all immortals as well, so that should not
be too much of a threat to you. He has also been attended lately by
some other off-worlders, but Chaos would tell me nothing about them,
except that the one closest to Darath the Black is an Iron Golem
called...The Controller?" genuine confusion crosses Driscoll's face,
"which seems strange to me since Darath the Black has always been
skiddish if not completel paranoid about magic. To have a magical
construct as an adisor.... I'm sorry. Not the way for a God to act now
is it? Even a lowly god of Theives. But I have not been one long, and
Callahan's is the first world besides Quaren I have ever visited. I'd
like to find out more about all your worlds before this is over.
 "But the main reason I need you specifically, you are not from
Quaren. With the millions of creatures in Quaren, the addition of a
dozen will not be noticed for a time. The movements of natives however
is easier for a God to track.
 "I have little choice but to accept whatever terms you demand, I know
not who else to turn to. If Chaos hadn't appeared to advise me in
this, I don't know what I would have done. I may even have
surrendered." Looking back at Knytt's list, "Though I don't know of
almost all of these people or coins, I will do what I can. Dorwil has
many camps for refugees of all races from Misern. Though it it
believed that for every 5 that try to escape, 4 die. But I don't know
what to do about the funds. I am a God fo Thieves. All I have has been
stolen adn offered to me. Sometimes I think Gods are even more limited
than mortals. But you can do SO many nifty things!" With that, the
sword in his hand, unmelts, floats over to a treasure chest, and
deposits itself there. Driss claps his hands twice, and a large
curtain appears on one wall of hte tavern and rises. Behind it is a
stage with nearly 100 dancing girls of every race adn species it
seems. Driss seats himself and starts clapping in time with the
middle-eastern style music they dance to.
===========================
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 11:13:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/590

On Sat, 12 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  "You may have to battle Darath the Black however, though as Chaos
> explained it to me, you are all immortals as well, so that should
> not be too much of a threat to you.

 "Immortal?, Not I... That I know of."

  Through the Mind Link
 \Under limited circumstances, If I'm expecting it, I can make certain
preperations and decline to die, but the cost of those preperations is
such that I will only make them if I'm positive they will be needed.\

 " Remember that Chaos's goals are his own, and His Attributes do not
include Honesty unless it is convieniant"

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 97 00:21:16 +0100
From: Roland X <rolandx@ix.netcom.com>
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/598

Quoth Driscoll^1:
  <history snip>
> "but as for your worries that you are going to have to battle a God,
>fear not. Darath is my foe, not yours. The challange begins tomarrow
>and will last 12 or 13 days as tradition dictates. During that time,
>neither of us can effect Quaren below, even if we wished to spare the
>power to do so. This does give you a deadline however. Once the
>challange is over, if I have lost, my brothers will most likely be
>killed and I shall as well. If it is won, Darath will use them to
>extort his stone from me.

   "Wonderful. 'Good, I hate long waits.' - Han Solo
   "I hate deadlines."

> "You may have to battle Darath the Black however, though as Chaos
>explained it to me, you are all immortals as well, so that should not
>be too much of a threat to you. He has also been attended lately by
>some other off-worlders, but Chaos would tell me nothing about them,
>except that the one closest to Darath the Black is an Iron Golem
>called...The Controller?" genuine confusion crosses Driscoll's face,
>"which seems strange to me since Darath the Black has always been
>skiddish if not completel paranoid about magic. To have a magical
>construct as an adisor.... I'm sorry. Not the way for a God to act
>now is it? Even a lowly god of Theives. But I have not been one long,
>and Callahan's is the first world besides Quaren I have ever visited.
>I'd like to find out more about all your worlds before this is over.

   *Is anyone _else_ getting a bad feeling about this? We can't even
tell the Trickster-God here that the Controller isn't magickal. What
worries me most, though, is the possibility that this Controller is
not from the past like the rest of this mess.*
   "Other off-worlders?" Roland suddenly asks. "Does one of them, by
any chance, wield a sword seemingly made of bone?"
   /He's been beaten twice. He wouldn't dare./

> "But the main reason I need you specifically, you are not from
>Quaren. With the millions of creatures in Quaren, the addition of a
>dozen will not be noticed for a time. The movements of natives
>however is easier for a God to track.

   Roland nods. "We _are_ an unusual bunch. That could work against
us, though. You're a trickster-could you find a way to help us blend
in?"

> "I have little choice but to accept whatever terms you demand, I
>know not who else to turn to. If Chaos hadn't appeared to advise me
>in this, I don't know what I would have done. I may even have
>surrendered."

   Everyone suddenly feels Roland's blood run cold through the psiweb.
*This was CHAOS' idea? I don't like this, not one bit...*

>Sometimes I think Gods are even more limited than mortals. But you
>can do SO many nifty things!" With that, the sword in his hand,
>unmelts, floats over to a treasure chest, and deposits itself there.
>Driss claps his hands twice, and a large curtain appears on one wall
>of hte tavern and rises. Behind it is a stage with nearly 100 dancing
>girls of every race adn species it seems. Driss seats himself and
>starts clapping in time with the middle-eastern style music they
>dance to.

   Roland sighs and leans back to watch the show, removing his armor
stiffly. /Geez, I didn't even get a chance to get out of the suit
since the last little war.../
   "Well it's about time!" the suit says, stretching its arms. Roland
jumps about a foot into the air as a feminine laughter rings through
the room.
   As Roland (and anyone else who cares to look) watches in
astonishment, the Silver Phoenix armor changes, becomes more slender,
and takes on a feminine cast. (If you've seen Bubblegum Crisis, think
Sylia's updated armor. That's pretty much the look.)
   "You finally get a chance to take me along on one of your crusades,
and you forget me? Twice?" the armor shakes its head (helmet?) and a
holographic face appears inside the visor.
   Roland blushes. "Phoenix?"
   Silver Phoenix turns to Morgan, smiling broadly. "He's very good at
that, isn't he?"
   "Phoenix, what are you doing?"
   "Commandeering your armor. Besides, your immortal in this
metareality." Phoenix pats him on the shoulder and starts looking the
drinks over. "The fuel cells in this thing aren't the same as a living
throat, but beggars can't be choosers."
   Roland shakes his head, holding it as if staving off a headache of
epic proportions. "Folx, meet Phoenix. Or to be precise, a spirit
aspect of Phoenix, which up until just now has been a solely
immaterial advisor and friend-though it seems her sense of humor
hasn't changed," he says dryly as she pours some Red Wolf into the
flight pack.
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 00:54:38 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/599

At 12:21 AM 4/13/97 +0100, Roland X wrote:
>Quoth Driscoll^1:
>  <history snip>
>> "but as for your worries that you are going to have to battle a
>>God, fear not. Darath is my foe, not yours.

"No offense, Driss, but I will be surprised if we _don't_ find
ourselves squaring off against him. From your portrayal, he doesn't
sound like the type to lose gracefully. Or fairly."

<Challenge snipped>
>> "You may have to battle Darath the Black however, though as Chaos
>>explained it to me, you are all immortals as well, so that should
>>not be too much of a threat to you.

"That is not the case, and fighting immortals, or even nearly immortal
beings usually makes the job harder."

>   *Is anyone _else_ getting a bad feeling about this?
>We can't even tell the Trickster-God here that the
>Controller isn't magickal. What worries me most, though,
>is the possibility that this Controller is not from
>the past like the rest of this mess.*

Knytt mentally raises his hand, replying, /What is worse is, I can't
let the Controller stay here if he is from the future, but if he is
from the past...I can't interfere...Or what if he is from the future
but _supposed_ to be here? Oy, anybody got a semi full of
excederin...I have a haedache this big, and it has Chaos written _all
over_ it./

>   "Other off-worlders?" Roland suddenly asks. "Does
>one of them, by any chance, wield a sword seemingly made
>of bone?"
>   /He's been beaten twice. He wouldn't dare./

"Or a tall blonde man with a fetish for black clothing?" /I just
realized, if that reality generator I blew up on Arcadia had really
worked, I would have been Michael, not KnightShift...And once that
belt slipped off, that guy should have simply vanished, not
died...It's a slim possibility, but there none the less.../ With a
mental glance toward Roland, /To quote the bouncing, bubbly, bodacious
Beast, aka Hank McCoy of the X-men, 'Oh my stars and garters...'/

>   Everyone suddenly feels Roland's blood run cold
>through the psiweb. *This was CHAOS' idea? I don't
>like this, not one bit...*

/You getting that headache, too? I wonder if Quaren has invented
aspirin yet?/

>>Sometimes I think Gods are even more limited than mortals. But you
>>can do SO many nifty things!" With that, the sword in his hand,
>>unmelts, floats over to a treasure chest, and deposits itself there.
>>Driss claps his hands twice, and a large curtain appears on one wall
>>of hte tavern and rises. Behind it is a stage with nearly 100
>>dancing girls of every race adn species it seems. Driss seats
>>himself and starts clapping in time with the middle-eastern style
>>music they dance to.

/Are we sure he isn't the God of Puberty? Not that I'm _objecting!_
Perhaps questioning the _timing_.../

<snip of Roland's armor taking on a life of it's own>
>   Roland shakes his head, holding it as if staving
>off a headache of epic proportions. "Folx, meet
>Phoenix. Or to be precise, a spirit aspect of Phoenix,
>which up until just now has been a solely immaterial
>advisor and friend-though it seems her sense of humor
>hasn't changed," he says dryly as she pours some Red
>Wolf into the flight pack.

/Roland, I've heard of pants so stiff, they could be stood upright in
a corner, but _this_ takes the cake...and I thought the TARDIS was
unusual./
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 02:22:28
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/601

At 12:54 AM 4/13/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote:
>/You getting that headache, too? I wonder if Quaren has invented
>aspirin yet?/

Morgan sends out a mental picture of a robot wildly waving his arms,
shouting, "Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!" <g>

/|\
<All I have time for right now - see ya after sleep and heraldry :-)>
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 11:37:41 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/602

 "Yes, Darath is the type to try to use any advantage he can, and he
is hte better warrior, but as God of Theives and a former Mortal, I
think I have enough tricks up my sleeves to last the full thirteen
fights. In the challenge, we are both stripped fo our power for hte
most part. Having been Mortal, I'm more used to it than he will be.
And for the others you ask about, I do not know, they may be there,
they might not. The Golem is the only one I know much about. I guess I
_could_ try to summon Chaos to answer your questions more. I'm about
the only God who can do it because I'm no thunting him for his power
right now. I'm having too much fun with the power I have! Come now!
Drink up, the drinks are on me!"
 with that, three drinks get thrown at Driss, and as green flame
swirls around his body in fury, Someone, Somebody, and a Voice from
the Crowd go running back through the door to Callahan's dodging Chaos
bolts.
 Meanwhile, 'Junior' tries to dodge the kitten running through his
short legs, and finally fails, going sprawling on top of the poor
kitten and spilling the milk on both their heads. Driss notices this,
shakes his head and waves, and a saucer of milk and a fresh glass of
milk appear.
 Roscoe on the other hand is still trying to corner Log to find hte
answers to some questions he has. Log has given up all sublety of his
movement, and is now scrambling under a table to excape Roscoe. [Help!
Save me from myself! I don't remember being so damn curious or
persistant!]
 Fianlly, the Pheonix arrives, and Driss mutters to himself, "I had
hoped to cut down the number of suspects if any of this information
DID get leaked, but it's looking almost as crowded in here as in
there. I know..."
 He gestures as if swatting away a fly, and the tavern changes into a
huge ballroom. Tables fo fod and drinks are set along one wall, with
royally dressed servers standing watiting to help anyone. Dancing on
the dance floor seem to be a couple dozen ghostly figures dressed in
rags and leathers. Ghostly thieves and beggers and prostitutes dance
the night away to the sounds of an orchestra set up along the far
wall.
 "There, now it doesn't look quite as crowded," Driss comments with a
smile. Stepping over to Crow, he gives a deep bow and takes her hand.
Giving it a gentle kiss, he asks, "Would you care to dance m'lady? The
times ahead may be stressful enough, we shoudl enjoy ourselves while
we have the opportunity."
 Then, turning to the rest of the people, "Oh, and as for fitting in
in Misern, from what things I have seen you won't have much trouble.
Since the introduction of this tech-no-lo-gy magic, everyone there
seems to get stranger looking every day."
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 12:33:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Paul Campbell <xzerrion@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-Da plot!
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/603


On Fri, 11 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:

>  "You see, it was kind of from him that I got my power. His rival,
> the Goddess of the Sun, Ligi sent me and a group of others to fetch
> a magic gem from Darath's realm for her. I succeeded in getting the
> gem, but Darath sent those of us who survived back to Quaren before
> we could return to Ligi, so I decided to keep the gem for myself. I
> later found out about it's power and accended to my rightful place
> here.

Xzerrion raises and eyebrow. <*The crap I get into ... I thought I
left the underdark at least parlty to get AWAY from interpantheon
struggles and intolerant deities.*>

>  "When I took this form as a God, I became the harlequin God to hide
> my identity and save my brothers some greif. Somehow Darath the
> Black found out who I was and who they were. One day, they were
> where they should be, the next day, Prisoners in Misern.

<*Crap,*> Xzerrion sends to others in the CAoL. <*He WOULD have found
the way to guarantee my involvement. After what happened to my family
in Undraeth ... *>

>  With that he smiled broadly and with a gesture re-filled any drinks
> emptied during his long speech. "I can reward you with riches beyond
> belief. You like that sword? How about a set of armor to go with it
> of hte same craftsmanship? I need your help, now I ask what is there
> I can give you to get it?"

Xzerrion looks the harlequin god straight in the eye. `Riches beyond
belief? Those are useless to me. I have enough wealth to fulfill my
needs. As far as the sword you offer,' ... Xzerrion draws Frostbite,
`I have another of at least as good quality which has served me well.
Armor most often gets in my way, considering how I generally operate.
No, if I join you, it will be to help get your family free. I'm not
interested in your challenges, since you haven't shown me a reason to
be, but your family does not deserve to be punished for your own
shortsightedness.'
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 12:43:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Paul Campbell <xzerrion@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/604

On Sat, 12 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  "but as for your worries that you are going to have to battle a
> God, fear not. Darath is my foe, not yours. The challange begins
> tomarrow and will last 12 or 13 days as tradition dictates. During
> that time, neither of us can effect Quaren below, even if we wished
> to spare the power to do so. This does give you a deadline however.
> Once the challange is over, if I have lost, my brothers will most
> likely be killed and I shall as well. If it is won, Darath will use
> them to extort his stone from me.

<*Lovely, nothing like working under time pressure.*>

>  "You may have to battle Darath the Black however, though as Chaos
> explained it to me, you are all immortals as well, so that should
> not be too much of a threat to you.

Xzerrion looks up sharply. `I am? Somebody do something without
telling me?'

> He has also been attended lately by some other off-worlders, but
> Chaos would tell me nothing about them, except that the one closest
> to Darath the Black is an Iron Golem called...The Controller?"
> genuine confusion crosses Driscoll's face, "which seems strange to
> me since Darath the Black has always been skiddish if not completel
> paranoid about magic. To have a magical construct as an adisor....
> I'm sorry. Not the way for a God to act now is it? Even a lowly god
> of Theives. But I have not been one long, and Callahan's is the
> first world besides Quaren I have ever visited. I'd like to find out
> more about all your worlds before this is over.

<*So the Controller is there. I may be in for the whole thing after
all, I think we all have a score to settle with that one.*>

>  "I have little choice but to accept whatever terms you demand, I
> know not who else to turn to. If Chaos hadn't appeared to advise me
> in this, I don't know what I would have done. I may even have
> surrendered."

`Never surrender to such as these. If the will is strong enough, a
path exists. I have seen this before, in the underdark, and once again
on the surface.'

> Looking back at Knytt's list, "Though I don't know of almost all of
> these people or coins, I will do what I can. Dorwil has many camps
> for refugees of all races from Misern. Though it it believed that
> for every 5 that try to escape, 4 die. But I don't know what to do
> about the funds. I am a God fo Thieves. All I have has been stolen
> adn offered to me. Sometimes I think Gods are even more limited than
> mortals. But you can do SO many nifty things!" With that, the sword
> in his hand, unmelts, floats over to a treasure chest, and deposits
> itself there. Driss claps his hands twice, and a large curtain
> appears on one wall of hte tavern and rises. Behind it is a stage
> with nearly 100 dancing girls of every race adn species it seems.
> Driss seats himself and starts clapping in time with the
> middle-eastern style music they dance to.

Xzerrion sits back and watches, then ducks as (probably, sorry about
character assumptions) Crow throws something at him.
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 12:47:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/605

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, Paul Campbell wrote:
> Xzerrion sits back and watches, then ducks as (probably, sorry about
> character assumptions) Crow throws something at him.

Crow did indeed throw something at Xzerrion. A money pouch, and a
mental admonishion to enjoy himself, but tell her all about it later.

<OOC: So much for your character assumptions, dear. I'm a Goodwench,
remember? ;) >
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 13:02:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/606

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
> I'm having too much fun with the power I have! Come now! Drink up,
> the drinks are on me!"

Crow ponders this. <*A former mortal, fighting against a God who will
be nearly mortal during this duel. Y'know, he might have something
there. If this Darath has become dependant enough on his power over
the centuries, then it is possible that he'll have some fairly large
blind-spots without it. Then again, wasn't it Darath who issued this
challenge? Perhaps he's already aware of what might be involved in
this duel, limitations, vulnerabilities, and all.*>

>  with that, three drinks get thrown at Driss, and as green flame
> swirls around his body in fury, Someone, Somebody, and a Voice from
> the Crowd go running back through the door to Callahan's dodging
> Chaos bolts.

Crow just watches this and shakes her head in amusement.

>  "There, now it doesn't look quite as crowded," Driss comments with
> a smile. Stepping over to Crow, he gives a deep bow and takes her
> hand. Giving it a gentle kiss, he asks, "Would you care to dance
> m'lady? The times ahead may be stressful enough, we shoudl enjoy
> ourselves while we have the opportunity."

Crow smiles at Driss, looking utterly charmed. "Indeed. So, the
harlequin god of thieves subscribes to the old ideas of 'Eat, drink,
and be merry?'"

Meanwhile, <*Oh, cripes. One of the few times I *didn't* expect to be
noticed. Apologies, Lady Morgan!*> and <*Xzerrion, m'love, you've had
your fun. Though, if I have Lady Morgan's permission, I may just have
to indulge a whim for dancing. It has been quite a long time since
last I did so....*>

-Kelley, aka Crow. <OOC: Ok, now did I manage to *not* step on
anybody's toes with that one?>
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 15:16:25 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/607

<OOC: Xzerrion's post reminded me of something I meant to add, so here
it goes...>

>On Sat, 12 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>> Looking back at Knytt's list, "Though I don't know of almost all of
>> these people or coins, I will do what I can. Dorwil has many camps
>> for refugees of all races from Misern. Though it it believed that
>> for every 5 that try to escape, 4 die. But I don't know what to do
>> about the funds. I am a God fo Thieves. All I have has been stolen
>> adn offered to me.

"Well, now that I think on it, I think you have hit upon a more
pressing need...as the God of Thieves, you should naturally be an
adept theif. And, wouldn't you also have followers with the same, if
less god-like, skills? Therefore, you should be well equipped to
handle this task.

"That figure you quoted begs the question, why are you not stealing
these people away and delivering them to safety? Surely such folk,
though not theives per se, fall within your compassion, if not
jurisdiction?"

Knytt stands and turns to the bar. Then glancing back, he adds, "Food
for thought at least."
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 22:23:32 -0700
From: Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/608

The Stranger listens to the various prices that are asked, nodding
with approvement at Knytt's.

/* My instincts say to go with this */ he sends /* and I always trust
my instincts */

"My price, in addition to what has already been asked is a suit of
clothes and a set of weapons. Chosen by you, but payable in advance."

>  "I have little choice but to accept whatever terms you demand, I
> know not who else to turn to. If Chaos hadn't appeared to advise me
> in this,I don't know what I would have done. I may even have
> surrendered."

/* Uh-oh, if chaos is meddling in this then that could mean anything I
can't decide if I should destroy him or not */

> Driss seats himself and starts clapping in time with the
> middle-eastern style music they dance to.

/* Hmmmm */

The Stranger

[OOC: What now? ]
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 22:28:17 -0700
From: Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: Aae3-Help in Quaren
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/609

L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> At 01:18 AM 4/12/97 -0700, Stranger wrote:
>>Together man and cat stride through the X-window.
>
> Morgan looks up as they enter the Quaren bar.
>
> "Well, hi, Kitty. Been a while, hasn't it?"

"Hello Morgan."

Kitty slinks over to her and nuzzles her, which looks quite odd, given
how big she is, but she's furry and very gentle, so it's not
unpleasant.

"We're going to have to keep a close eye on that reprobate." she
indicates the Stranger "I mean, he deserts me on Oa without a word!"

The Stranger looks abashed.

"She's my consiounce <sp?> or so she says. Sure acts like it."

> <Had to go back to the old AAE-1 posts to confirm that reference,
> BTW ;-)>

<I'm hoping she and I will have a bigger role this time :->

The Stranger
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:46:09 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/611

Michael Jon Knight wrote:
> Knytt stands and turns to the bar. Then glancing back, he adds,
> "Food for thought at least."

<Unless it is a territorial conflict with the god of kidnapping...
yes, I'm serious... things like that happen.> Caprice's eyes never
leave Driss. <I'm in on this one guys... even though the one thing I
want, I doubt he could give me...>
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:50:55 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/612

[Move to ballroom snipped]
> Meanwhile, <*Oh, cripes. One of the few times I *didn't* expect to
> be noticed. Apologies, Lady Morgan!*> and <*Xzerrion, m'love, you've
> had your fun. Though, if I have Lady Morgan's permission, I may just
> have to indulge a whim for dancing. It has been quite a long time
> since last I did so....*>

Caprice mentally mutters, <Why do I never invoke reactions like that
from guys? Still, just as well. My idea of dancing is convincing large
numbers of people to trip over each other without blaming me...>
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 20:01:35 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/613

gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  Meanwhile, 'Junior' tries to dodge the kitten running through his
> short legs, and finally fails, going sprawling on top of the poor
> kitten and spilling the milk on both their heads. Driss notices
> this, shakes his head and waves, and a saucer of milk and a fresh
> glass of milk appear.

Mischief ignores the saucer for a moment, licking the milk out of her
fur with her best 'I meant to do that' expression. After that she
deigns to drink the saucer of milk that was provided for her. Junior
is ignored, as if he didn't exist.

Typical cat.
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:08:32 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/614

At 07:46 PM 4/13/97 -0400, Caprice wrote:
><Unless it is a territorial conflict with the god of kidnapping...
>yes, I'm serious... things like that happen.> Caprice's eyes never
>leave Driss. <I'm in on this one guys... even though the one thing I
>want, I doubt he could give me...>

/Well, I did intend for those being stolen to go willingly...more like
having Driss here aid their escape...a skill he has surely well
cultivated by now. But, your point is taken. There may be a God of
Refugees or something./
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 17:09:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/615

\and how...\ :)

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, Caprice wrote:
> Caprice mentally mutters, <Why do I never invoke reactions like that
> from guys? Still, just as well. My idea of dancing is convincing
> large numbers of people to trip over each other without blaming
> me...>

\Be careful what you wish for...\

<OOC: IMO: tripping over each other is what human dance is good for>

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:50:19 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/616

<ooc, one of the benefits of this Prog, I CAN quote single messages
with it. ;-)>
r 1997, Michael Jon Kn
> Knytt stands and turns to the bar. Then glancing back, he adds,
> "Food for thought at least."

 "many of these people are not theives, nor of the bardic arts, and
therefore hold no worship, nor even knowledge of me in some cases. As
I said before, in some ways, Gods are even more limited than mortals.
I can not help those I can not sense. And my omnipotence on Quaren
stretches only as far as my realm, which only streches as far as my
followers since I am not an elemental God. I have several gifted
thieves who serve me in Misern as resistance fighters, smuggling out
who they can and sabotaging what they can. But once the challenge
begins, even they will be devoid of my gifts until it is over. I can
manifest myself on Quaren to look around, but I can not affect any
part of Quaren or any of its inhabitents until the challenge is
decided. Thus is the law of the Gods."
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 19:59:29 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/617

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, Gareth L Owen wrote:
> "My price, in addition to what has already been asked is a suit of
> clothes and a set of weapons. Chosen by you, but payable in
> advance."

 At this request, Driss nods. The air shimmers about The Stranger, and
he finds himself dressed in baggy silken robes in the arabic style.
Light shimmers on the cloth for a minute or two as the cloth tries to
probe The Stranger's mind to decide on a color, and finally gives up
and settles for black and grey striped pants and a bright red shirt
under brown and black striped robes. A fachion appears tucked in a
leather belt, and when The Stranger hefts it for weight and balance,
it seems perfect and he feels charged while he weilds it, almost like
an adrennalin rush. Felling something in the small of his back, he
reaches back to find a throwing dagger and sheath. after examinint, he
attempts to return the dagger to teh sheath, only to find another one
has appear in its place.

> [OOC: What now? ]
 Just trying to get everyone on the band wagon for sure before going
on.
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 22:42:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/618

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  But once the challenge begins, even they will be devoid of my gifts
> until it is over. I can manifest myself on Quaren to look around,
> but I can not affect any part of Quaren or any of its inhabitents
> until the challenge is decided. Thus is the law of the Gods."

 "This implies that your opponents agents on Quaren will also be
suddenly berift of active deific grant."

with a gesture at Roscoe
 "In what way does this affect the lesser Incarnations of the
combatants?"

 "Also Harlequen, you have not yet even indicated that you heard my
question."

Link \Yes, I know it's a trick question, it's not linked to an offer
this time, so its not in boobytrap mode\

<OOC: Fuzzy is unlikely to directly commit to the task, He thinks he's
still thinking and listening, And tagging along to look after his new
friends.>

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 23:24:53
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/619

At 10:28 PM 4/13/97 -0700, Gareth L Owen wrote:
>The Stranger looks abashed.
>
>"She's my consiounce <sp?> or so she says. Sure acts like it."

<OOC: "conscience" (con-science, hmm) ;-)>

Morgan scratches the big cat's ears. <*He disappeared on all of us,
and we were quite worried about him for a while. I don't think he's
likely to take off again without a darn good reason.*> She sends a
warm mental smile at Stranger.

And at 01:02 PM 4/13/97 -0700, K. Ohanlon wrote:
>On Sun, 13 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>>  "There, now it doesn't look quite as crowded," Driss comments with
>> a smile. Stepping over to Crow, he gives a deep bow and takes her
>> hand. Giving it a gentle kiss, he asks, "Would you care to dance
>> m'lady? The times ahead may be stressful enough, we shoudl enjoy
>> ourselves while we have the opportunity."

Morgan watches Driscoll's flirtations with a bemused smile.

>Crow smiles at Driss, looking utterly charmed. "Indeed. So, the
>harlequin god of thieves subscribes to the old ideas of 'Eat, drink,
>and be merry?'"
>
>Meanwhile, <*Oh, cripes. One of the few times I *didn't* expect to be
>noticed. Apologies, Lady Morgan!*> and <*Xzerrion, m'love, you've had
>your fun. Though, if I have Lady Morgan's permission, I may just have
>to indulge a whim for dancing. It has been quite a long time since
>last I did so....*>

Morgan smiles through the link. <*No apologies necessary, Crow. Enjoy!
This isn't the Driscoll I knew, and I wasn't even particularly
possesive of _that_ one. And considering his dancing abilities when I
"first" met him, the only toes likely to be trod on are yours ;-).*>

At 07:50 PM 4/13/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
><ooc, one of the benefits of this Prog, I CAN quote single messages
>with it. ;-)>
>r 1997, Michael Jon Kn
^^                     ^^^
<OOC: Just not very well ;-).> <g,d,&rlh>

<OOC: If I've got all this straight, the bar is now a ballroom, and I
should still be sitting at a table with Roland, since he hasn't said
anything about getting up, which Knytt did. Oh, and SP now, I guess
;-).>

Morgan has been sitting quietly for the most part though all the talk
of prices, the dancing girls, the ballroom, and trying not to giggle
at Roscoe-Log trying to avoid Roscoe^1. She can't shake the feeling
that this is a fool's errand, that if it were anyone else but Driscoll
asking they'd most of them have returned to the Place by now, and that
even with Driscoll (well, _a_ Driscoll) asking, she wouldn't be
considering going on this gig if her comrads in the CAoL weren't
considering it.

At 07:59 PM 4/13/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
> At this request, Driss nods. The air shimmers about The Stranger,
>and he finds himself dressed in baggy silken robes in the arabic
>style. Light shimmers on the cloth for a minute or two as the cloth
>tries to probe The Stranger's mind to decide on a color, and finally
>gives up and settles for black and grey striped pants and a bright
>red shirt under brown and black striped robes. A fachion appears
>tucked in a leather belt, and when The Stranger hefts it for weight
>and balance, it seems perfect and he feels charged while he weilds
>it, almost like an adrennalin rush. Felling something in the small of
>his back, he reaches back to find a throwing dagger and sheath. after
>examinint, he attempts to return the dagger to teh sheath, only to
>find another one has appear in its place.

Morgan considers the Stranger's new garb. <*Nice,*> she sends. As she
"turns off" her "transmitter", the others "hear", <*Maybe _too_ nice.
I don't need this...,*> and catch a hint of the deep loneliness she's
been dealing with ever since gaining immortality and losing a dear
friend at virtually the same time.

>> [OOC: What now? ]
> Just trying to get everyone on the band wagon for sure before going
>on.

Morgan assumes that Driscoll's god-like powers should enable him to
hear important conversation even while he's dancing around the room.

"All right, I could use a diversion, and if my sword-brothers are
going then I go, too. As for a price, I'll ask a simple one. A boon to
be granted later. My choice, to be decided when this job is completed,
with no trickery on your part. We'll discuss it so we're both clear on
what I'm asking and what you're granting. No giving me something based
on an off-hand comment and then claiming it's my payment, no twisting
my request to grant the letter but not the intent."

"A big price, I'll admit, but my life has been through too many
changes lately, and I'm sure there will be more in the course of this
adventure, for me to decide something this important now. And surely
it's not too much for a god such as yourself?"

Morgan  /|\
<who was out all day and hopes this gets her caught up>
===========================
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 02:26:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/620

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  He gestures as if swatting away a fly, and the tavern changes into
> a huge ballroom. Tables fo fod and drinks are set along one wall,
> with royally dressed servers standing watiting to help anyone.
> Dancing on the dance floor seem to be a couple dozen ghostly figures
> dressed in rags and leathers. Ghostly thieves and beggers and
> prostitutes dance the night away to the sounds of an orchestra set
> up along the far wall.

Upon seeing the bar change to a banquet hall, the new guy in the nice 
suit sighs. Then there is a a blue twinkling around the area of his
hand  and a wolf's head cane appears. He proceeds to sit in the air,
about three feet off the ground. After crossing his legs underneath
him, he repeatedly taps the cane against his shoulder.

>  Then, turning to the rest of the people, "Oh, and as for fitting in
> in Misern, from what things I have seen you won't have much trouble.
> Since the introduction of this tech-no-lo-gy magic, everyone there
> seems to get stranger looking every day."

TNGitNS looks around at the assembled group and just smiles. As the 
dancing starts he begins to idly twirl the cane in his fingers.
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 16:53:16 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: Aae-Wheeling and dealing
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/623

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, fuzzy wrote:
> with a gesture at Roscoe
>  "In what way does this affect the lesser Incarnations of the
> combatants?"

 "The Incarnations will not be able to ask their gods for special help
that they would have been able to get before, but they are not
powerless. They have already been given a small amount of power for
themselves. They do not ask for the power each time they use it, only
if they need more than they can do themselves. Each Incarnation is
different. I do not know how much power or in what forms Darath has
given his Incarnation. Abilities Darath the Black has shown in the
past may have been his own, or htey may have been interventions from
Darath. While the challenge is going, all Incarnations are on their
own, No God will step in to aid the incarnation of another god."

>  "Also Harlequen, you have not yet even indicated that you heard my
> question."

 "I have already states the fact that I will pay the asks rewards as
best I can. Even yours which I would have no choice but face anyways.
Even the Gods are subject to the Balance and destiny."
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 17:01:45 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/624

> "A big price, I'll admit, but my life has been through too many
> changes lately, and I'm sure there will be more in the course of
> this adventure, for me to decide something this important now. And
> surely it's not too much for a god such as yourself?"
>
> Morgan  /|\
> <who was out all day and hopes this gets her caught up>

 Driss smiles over to Morgan as he waltzes Crow across the dance floor
and dips her gently, "As I have said, my powers are somewhat limited,
but if it is in my abilites, it will be granted." Letting Crow back
up, he continues on, swirling about the dance floor.
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 00:20:52 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/626

<OOC: Not sure if I am the only hold out on this adventure or not.
But, at any rate, Knytt definitely has personal reasons to go on this
expedition, so I better make it official...:-)>

Heading for the bar, Knytt suddenly finds himself in the middle of a
ballroom dance floor. He makes his way through the dancers, ducking
and weaving his way to the...wait, where is the bar? Finally locating
it in the opposite direction he was heading, he traces an erractic
path through the ghostly obstacles.

"Pardonmeexcusemepardonmepardonmeexcusemepardonmepardonmenicedresspard
onmeexcusemepardonmeexcusemeescusemepardonmepardonmeexcusemepardonmewh
oawatchthetoespardonmeexcusemepardonme...whew! Made it!"

Opting for a glass of water, Knytt retraces his way back to the table.
Finally getting to his seat, he flops in the chair, drains the glass
and stops himself just before he throws it into a fireplace in the
corner.

"Whoops, wrong Place," he smiles sheepishly, "Sorry, was giving this
payment a lot of thought....that and getting to the bar and back has
my head spinning."

Turning to face Driss, Knytt says, "Drisscoll, I believe there is
ultimately nothing you can do for me that would convince me to stay
and fight this battle. However, as my comrades seem to be willing to
fight for your family, if not your cause, I will as well. The holding
of your family seems a dishonest tactic, and if nothing else, I think
you should be allowed to fight on equal ground."

/There are also plenty of personal reasons to stay, most of which I
already listed. And the others are ones you all listed. Now that I
have committed myself, there is a question I want answered.../

Knytt turns and fixs Roscoe/Log with his most sinister glare.

/Roscoe. How did you know you were supposed to be here if you never
talked to your past self?/
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 01:22:45
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/628

At 12:20 AM 4/15/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote:
>"Whoops, wrong Place," he smiles sheepishly, "Sorry, was giving this
>payment a lot of thought....that and getting to the bar and back has
>my head spinning."

Morgan barely manages to stiffle a giggle. Outwardly, at least ;-).

>/There are also plenty of personal reasons to stay, most of which I
>already listed. And the others are ones you all listed. Now that I
>have committed myself, there is a question I want answered.../

<*We stayed and fought in Arcadia because we felt responsible for the
Shadow being there. Now we're going on this gig because we're
concerned if we're responsible for the Controller mucking around in
Quaren. Does anyone else notice a pattern forming here?*>

>/Roscoe. How did you know you were supposed to be here if you never
>talked to your past self?/

The look on the dwarf's face when confronted with Knytt's glare is the
last straw.

Morgan disolves into helpless gales of giggles. With all the stress of
dealing with the potential paradoxes represented by this new/old
Driscoll behind it, she laughs until tears roll down her face. Cutter
and Leetah feign disinterest in this display of human emotion, but
they, like the others, can hear the nervous edge to her laughter.

The Callahanians exchange glances, wondering if they should do
anything, or indeed _what_ to do. Before anyone intervenes, though,
the giggles start tapering off, and Morgan finally catches her breath
enough to speak.

"I'm ok, folks. I could use a glass of water, but I'll be fine." She
continues on the link, partly for privacy, and partly because she's
still having chuckle-aftershocks.

<*Really, I'm ok - now. I guess I really needed that. Now that I think
about it, I haven't laughed, _really_ laughed, since before....*> Her
thoughts are a collage of images from the battle in the Controller's
mountain, with her toruque and Drsicoll's death dominating the scene.

She greatfully accepts the glass offered by one of her comrads.
<*Well, if we've all decided we're going - _have_ we all decided? -
Then why are we still sitting around here?*> She mentally points to
the "new guy in the nice suit", who's been sitting and quietly smiling
at them through her outburst. <*And _who_ is that guy? Anyone seen him
around the Place before?*> She looks at Kitty and Pyewackett. <*Cats
are good judges of people - would one of you mind going over and
checking him out? No offence, Fuzzy, it just seems like the four-foots
would be more unobtrusive.*>

Morgan  /|\
<don't ask where _that_ came from - it just sort of happened :-)>
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 03:35:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/629

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> She greatfully accepts the glass offered by one of her comrads.
> <*Well, if we've all decided we're going - _have_ we all decided? -
> Then why are we still sitting around here?*> She mentally points to
> the "new guy in the nice suit", who's been sitting and quietly
> smiling at them through her outburst. <*And _who_ is that guy?
> Anyone seen him around the Place before?*> She looks at Kitty and
> Pyewackett. <*Cats are good judges of people - would one of you mind
> going over and checking him out? No offence, Fuzzy, it just seems
> like the four-foots would be more unobtrusive.*>

\ No offence, Truth Is, I've been hopeing to observe Harlequin's
reaction to that guy, We came on invitation thru the provided X-Window
from callahans, This other person came on his own from who knows
where, Harlequin is Host here and he says a god, Both Right of
Territory and Responsibilties of Host Indicate that this confrontation
is his to deal with, Sorry I'm paranoid, I trust Harlequin about as
far as Mischief can throw The Great Wall of China.\

Regards
  Fuzzy

 Fuzzy is always nuetral but the immediate tendacies tend to vary.
             ---
  L  |  C  |  L  |  C  |  G  |  E  |  G  |  E
 G*E | G*E | E*G | E*G | L*C | L*C | C*L | C*L
  C  |  L  |  C  |  L  |  E  |  G  |  E  |  G
Fuzzy Mode Select
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 06:51:39 -0500
From: Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@smartnet.net>
Subject: AAE 3 - Pyewackett's Note
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/630

<OOC: I am going to reread Morgan's last post this evening to see if
there is something I want to add, but she reminded me of this and I
figured I better pass it on.>

Knytt feels a tickling, furry sensation in the back of his mind. Then
it turns into a needlelike claw.

/Pyewackett!/ *Quit ignoring me, you dolt, and forward my message!*
/Oh! Sorry, I forgot. We've been kinda busy-/ *Like I care! Just do
it, then you can get back to your business!* /Well, I can see who
thinks he's boss in this relationship--/ *No thought required, I KNOW,
now get on with it.*

Opening up to the rest of the group, Knytt grins a bit and sends,
/Sorry, I had forgotten to send a message from Pyewackett- *Shut up
Knytt, and let me tell it...I am sitting this game out. I don't like
battles between gods, they are beneath me.  Unless this gets more
interesting than my can of tuna and warm bed on the TARDIS Time Rotor,
I won't involve myself. I know, I know, where can we get such sagely
advice and experienced guidance...Well, certainly not from Knytt*
Hey!!! *Shush, Knytt...Anyway, Fuzzy has shown an admirable amount of
intelligent for one who doesn't walk on four legs and purr...well,
much. After all, he did peg this as 'Human silliness'...I'll keep an
eye and ear open, in case you all get into trouble, but otherwise, I
want no part of this.* Well, Pyewackett, that was rather rude and
thoughtless. *I'm a God and a cat,,,I can say what I like in the
knowledge it is infinitely superior to anything you would think of,
Knytt.* Oh hush, Pernicious. *Now _there_ is a perfect example of an
intelligent feline...*/

At this point, Knytt snaps the link off.

/Somedays I wonder why I travel with him. Personally, I think he's
just chicken./ Suddenly, through Knytt, Pyewackett can be heard again.

/*I heard that. And bring home some chicken. :9*/

--Pyewackett <who in RL was sitting beside the keyboard while I typed
this. I guess he wanted to be sure he was represented fairly.>
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 07:43:32
From: "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/631

At 03:35 AM 4/15/97 -0700, fuzzy wrote:
>  Sorry I'm paranoid, I trust Harlequin about as far as Mischief can
> throw The Great Wall of China.

Morgan's giggles have finally subsided enough for her to be reasonably
serious. <*Well, to be fair - he came into Callahans looking for the
Army of Light. A bunch of Callahanians followed him in here. We're
linked - we _know_ who we are. He's apparently only heard of us by
reputation, and that from Chaos. Even from a God, it's a fair
assumption that if _we_ haven't said anything against the guy, we who
should know our own, he's not going to worry about it.*>

<*I'm not sure how far I trust this guy, either. Driscoll was always a
bit of a rogue. But as long as _I've_ know him his heart was good. He
may be arrogant, he may or may not be lacking in judgement, but at his
core he's a good man and I think we can trust him not to screw us
over. Not on purpose, anyway, and _that's_ what we really need to be
careful of. ;-) *>
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 10:49:09 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/632

> TNGitNS looks around at the assembled group and just smiles. As the
> dancing starts he begins to idly twirl the cane in his fingers.

Caprice sits, sipping her water, watching the stranger out of the
corner of her eye.
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 12:57:35 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/633

fuzzy wrote:
[snip]

>   Sorry I'm paranoid, I trust Harlequin about as far as Mischief can
> throw The Great Wall of China.

Mischief ponders this * i don't know about throwing, but i am good at
knocking over dishes... if that will help with this china wall thing?
*
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 12:38:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/634

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> Morgan smiles through the link. <*No apologies necessary, Crow.
> Enjoy! This isn't the Driscoll I knew, and I wasn't even
> particularly possesive of _that_ one. And considering his dancing
> abilities when I "first" met him, the only toes likely to be trod on
> are yours ;-).*>

Crow smiles in return. <*Thank you, Morgan. Just, I can't help picking
up a few things, and I knew that you and a Driscoll had been close.
Considering everything else that you've had to go through of late, I
was afraid of hurting you. As for getting trod on....* An evil grin
comes through the link. *I'll just adjust my dancing abilities to
match his. If he's graceful and careful, no worries. However, if he
trods on my feet, well, let's just say he'll end up with his feet
hurting worse'n mine.*>

-Kelley, aka Crow.
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 12:44:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Aae-the plot sickens
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/636

On Mon, 14 Apr 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>  Driss smiles over to Morgan as he waltzes Crow across the dance
> floor and dips her gently, "As I have said, my powers are somewhat
> limited, but if it is in my abilites, it will be granted." Letting
> Crow back up, he continues on, swirling about the dance floor.

As mental laughter and delight burbles through the link, <*Well, he
hasn't stepped on my toes yet, and this is rather fun. One of you lads
should ask Lady Morgan and Caprice to dance. Tisn't nice to leave them
standing around, fellows.*>

<OOC: I know, I know, we should move on to the main adventure. Still,
wish I could actually waltz in RL. The last time I tried doing so,
well, my dance partner and I tripped over each other's feet so much,
we decided to just sit on a couch and talk the rest of the night.>

-Kelley, aka Crow.
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 12:51:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/637

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> <*We stayed and fought in Arcadia because we felt responsible for
> the Shadow being there. Now we're going on this gig because we're
> concerned if we're responsible for the Controller mucking around in
> Quaren. Does anyone else notice a pattern forming here?*>

<*Oh, just a slight one.*>

> She greatfully accepts the glass offered by one of her comrads.
> <*Well, if we've all decided we're going - _have_ we all decided? -
> Then why are we still sitting around here?*> She mentally points to
> the "new guy in the nice suit", who's been sitting and quietly
> smiling at them through her outburst. <*And _who_ is that guy?
> Anyone seen him around the Place before?*> She looks at Kitty and
> Pyewackett. <*Cats are good judges of people - would one of you mind
> going over and checking him out? No offence, Fuzzy, it just seems
> like the four-foots would be more unobtrusive.*>

<*Well, if Xzerrion's going, then I am. And even if he decided against
it, I'd prolly still go. After all, Driss's brothers deserve saving,
no matter what Driss has done. About the only thing that worries me
about this is, when does/did Quaren get destroyed? And under what
circumstances?*>

Crow frowns softly. <*As for the individual in the suit. No, I don't
recognize him. And he's kind of tough to read.*> As Driss spins Crow
around the dance floor, <*Especially under these conditions.*> And she
smiles almost wryly at the Harlequin god.

-Kelley, aka Crow.
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 15:58:05 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/638

L.J. Wolfe wrote:
> She greatfully accepts the glass offered by one of her comrads.
> <*Well, if we've all decided we're going - _have_ we all decided? -
> Then why are we still sitting around here?*> She mentally points to
> the "new guy in the nice suit", who's been sitting and quietly
> smiling at them through her outburst. <*And _who_ is that guy?
> Anyone seen him around the Place before?*> She looks at Kitty and
> Pyewackett. <*Cats are good judges of people - would one of you mind
> going over and checking him out? No offence, Fuzzy, it just seems
> like the four-foots would be more unobtrusive.*>

Mischief bounds over to the New Guy, a cute, innocent ball of grey
fluff. She puts one paw up on his leg, leaning on it as she balances
on her hindpaws, looking at him adorably.

"mew?"
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 13:35:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/639

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, Caprice wrote:
> Mischief ponders this * i don't know about throwing, but i am good
> at knocking over dishes... if that will help with this china wall
> thing? *

/Image 'Kittens eye view of the great wall height, Kittens foot view
of the great wall length...'/

ttfn
  fuzzy
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 16:40:44 -0400
From: Caprice <caprice@southeast.net>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/640

fuzzy wrote:
> /Image 'Kittens eye view of the great wall height, Kittens foot view
> of the great wall length...'/

Mischief blinkblinks. * i didn't know there were that many dishes in
the whole -world-... and they made a wall that big of them? *
===========================
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 13:58:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/641

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, Caprice wrote:
> Mischief blinkblinks. * i didn't know there were that many dishes in
> the whole -world-... and they made a wall that big of them? *

  /Humans... 'Tail Twitch/Flik '/

<OOC: Tail Twitch/Flik = Human Shrug>

ttfn
  Fuzzy
===========================
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 1997 01:05:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com>
Subject: Re: AAE 3 - Moving on with the story...
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/643

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, Caprice wrote:
> Mischief bounds over to the New Guy, a cute, innocent ball of grey
> fluff. She puts one paw up on his leg, leaning on it as she balances
> on her hindpaws, looking at him adorably.
>
> "mew?"

TNGitNS stops twirling his cane and looks down at Mischief. The cane
disappears, and he tentatively reaches his hand down, ready to back
off if Mischief becomes alarmed. Quietly, he addresses the cat, "Hello
little one. How are you today? I'm John, though I doubt you can tell
me your name," at this he pauses, and scans the group quickly, "or can
you?"

He looks at the floor, which seems to be somewhat closer than
expected, and mutters, "I've really got to pay attention to stuff like
that. Oh well, I just hope I wasn't bobbing to the music."
===========================
From: gamer@host.yab.com
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 1997 06:02:21 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Aae-challenges await
X-Mailing-List: <aae@kestrel.scs.uiuc.edu> archive/latest/644

 Roscoe looks over to Knytt from behind a coatrack. [My people can
shift their shapes with varying degrees of ability, so we can't always
recognise each other by form, or even sound or smell, so we each give
off kind of a mental beacon that others from the village can pick up
and identify us. He..I mean I, know I'm from the village, but can't
figure out why I won't even say a word in response to him, me, it?
Help!]

 Another figure strides into the ballroom, but this time not from the
door to callahan's. He is an old man dressed in multi-colored robes
with a long yellow staff with a black swirling stripe along it.
"Driss, send your mortals off, I have come for you. The challenge is
to begin. The first battleground I have chosen is in the enchanted
forest of the Shadowrealm."
 Driss ends his dance with Crow and bows deeply to her, then gives her
a quick peck on the cheek and turns back to the rest of the group.
"everyone, meet Magi, god of Magic and keeper of the Balance."
 The old man gives Driss a reproachful look.
 "Ok OK OK Magi, I'll send them off., OK everyone, remember just a few
things. Magic is highly regulsted in Misern, if you get caught using
it without a liscence, it's death. I slipped some forged liscences in
your pockets. Also, there is a daytime curfew, anyone caught by the
secret police outside during the day are killed as traitors to Darath.
OK, out of time, I'll check in as soon as I can."
 Driss gestures adn Roscoe vanishes into a shadowy corner. He gestures
again, and it's like a curtain dropping and rising again. The group
re-appears in a much smaller room with no windows. the only exit
appears to be a small circular tunnel about halfway up the wall with
ladder rungs leading to it. A table is filled with hot food and a
small pile of silver coins is next to it.
===========================