Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3 Chapter 6 Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 14:33:55 -0700 From: Gareth L Owen Subject: AAE: Lets go do something gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > A few minutes later, a massive Human steps out of the shadows of an > alleyway. Bright red hair is cut short into a crew-cut, clashing > badly with the bright green and orange glowing tatoos on his face. > He wears a military style uniform with many patches and insignias. > On his hip is an empty holster. "Clothes I can do, weapons are a bit > harder. Hi-tech weapons are nearly impossible. I am Roscoe, formerly > a Star Captain and Mechwarrior for Clan Wolf. Now I am a bondsmadn > to Mechwarrior Richard Driscoll." [Hehehe I haven't used this one in > a while.. err _wont_ use this one for a while? hmmmm Well anyways, I > saw where they took John, I think. Should we go after him now when > they may be expecting us, or head somewhere to regroup and plan out > our next moves?] /* Agreed, where did they take him? */ The Stranger and Kitty emerge from their hiding place. /* I can provide transport if we need it */ KITTY: /* You? Ahem. He means _I_ can provide transport, similar sounding words are easily confused */ /* Er, yeah. Kitty can provide transport */ At that Kitty starts to morph, transforming into a Mars red five man speeder. /* Quo Vadis */ =========================== Date: Sun May 11 10:36:46 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) At 02:33 PM 5/11/97 -0700, The Stranger wrote: >At that Kitty starts to morph, transforming into a Mars red five man >speeder. > >/* Quo Vadis */ <*One moment.*> Morgan steps back into the shadows. She emerges a moment later, slightly changed. A little bit taller, skin less pale, not much of a physical change. The fact that she's dropped all semblence of brainlessness makes at least as much of a difference as any physical modifications. <*OK, I don't want to ruin "Buffy" as a cover, and this was a small enough change that I can go back quickly if I need to. Roland, the door, please?*> At his mental "Excuse me?", she replies, <*Well, there seems to be a heavy Drow influence around here, and they _are_ matriarchal ;-). So, instead of guarding a helpless possession, you're atttending a lady of some minor importance.*> <*Stranger, Roscoe, shall we?*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) Date: Sun, 11 May 97 16:34:10 +0100 From: Roland X Quoth Lady Morgan (ljwolfe@eee.org): >At 02:33 PM 5/11/97 -0700, The Stranger wrote: >>gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >>> Should we go after him now when they may be expecting us, or head >>>somewhere to regroup and plan out our next moves?] >> >>/* Agreed, where did they take him? */ *Um, agreed to what, follow or regroup?* >>At that Kitty starts to morph, transforming into a Mars red five man >>speeder. >> >>/* Quo Vadis */ *My latin's a little rusty...quo what?* ><*One moment.*> Morgan steps back into the shadows. She emerges a >moment later, slightly changed. A little bit taller, skin less pale, >not much of a physical change. The fact that she's dropped all >semblence of brainlessness makes at least as much of a difference as >any physical modifications. > ><*OK, I don't want to ruin "Buffy" as a cover, and this was a small >enough change that I can go back quickly if I need to. Roland, the >door, please?*> Roland smiles beneath the greathelm; he wouldn't have thought the warrior/druid the type to have doors held open for her. *Say again?* >At his mental "Excuse me?", she replies, <*Well, there seems to be a >heavy Drow influence around here, and they _are_ matriarchal ;-). So, >instead of guarding a helpless possession, you're atttending a lady >of some minor importance.*> *Better. More flexible.* Roland holds the door open and bows with a flourish. *It also allows me to be more competent.* ><*Stranger, Roscoe, shall we?*> *Now. Where are we going again?* =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 22:53:24 -0700 From: Gareth L Owen Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) Roland X wrote: > Quoth Lady Morgan (ljwolfe@eee.org): >>At 02:33 PM 5/11/97 -0700, The Stranger wrote: >>>gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >>>> Should we go after him now when they may be expecting us, or >>>>head somewhere to regroup and plan out our next moves?] >>> >>>/* Agreed, where did they take him? */ > > *Um, agreed to what, follow or regroup?* /* Why regroup and follow of course */ >>>At that Kitty starts to morph, transforming into a Mars red five >>>man speeder. >>> >>>/* Quo Vadis */ > > *My latin's a little rusty...quo what?* /* Which way */ > *Better. More flexible.* Roland holds the door open > and bows with a flourish. *It also allows me to be > more competent.* > >><*Stranger, Roscoe, shall we?*> > > *Now. Where are we going again?* (OOC: Are Crow and Roscoe with us? Do we need to 'extract' them? ) The stranger gets into the 'driving' seat. "Hey! Kitty there are no controls!" "Of course not" comes a voice from the stereo "You don't think I'm letting you drive do you?" The speeder lifts into the air. "Where too boss?" The Stranger =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 16:45:47 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE: Lets go do something On Sun, 11 May 1997, Gareth L Owen wrote: > At that Kitty starts to morph, transforming into a Mars red five man >speeder. > > /* Quo Vadis */ Roscoe leaps into the Speeder next to Stranger. [Head West by North-west 1.65 Kilometers, Quiaff?] To which Kitty responds with a mental {OOOOOOOOOOOOOK} before following his direction. At the end of his course was a three story heavy stone fortification, scarred black marks on the walls evidence of their ability to withstand attacks of even deuling immortals and Mages doing bad Godzilla impressions. Guards can be seen walking the battlements still, however they keep to cover as much as possible on their rounds and cling tightly to their shields. A group of ten orcs and three Ogres stand guard near a large doorway the skimmers presumably use. A smaller set of double doors on the south side of the building are guarded by two more orcs and two feline-looking creatures that look almost like they could eb the same race as the new John. [Bah, Orcs Ogres and Idiviya, not even a single freebirth Human much less a Trueborn warrior like myself.] growls Roscoe mentally as he jumps from the speeder adn runs towards the group by the large doors. [I shall open the way for you and show the superiority of the Clans.] "I demand an Honor Duel in a Circle of Equals for entrance into this place. Quiaff? Who will face me?" Four of the orcs charge him as the ogres barr the door solidly. "Freebirth scum! have you no honor? then die like the animals you are!!" screams Roscoe as he avoids the first orc's clumbsy swing and claps his hands together, one on either temple of the orc, causing the creatures skull to shatter and he to fall to the ground dead. Another swings an axe at Roscoe, but he grabs the arm as it swings, adn with a terrific yank, pulls the arm free of its socket. The orc howls in pain as Roscoe picks it up over his head and hurls the orc into another one, their heads meeting with a satisfying crunch. The fourth one swings its florentine swords at Roscoe, but he catches the orcs hands in his own, and then begins headbutting the creature until it is on the ground dead, its face unrecognisable. The Guards have gathered on the battlements over the door and a few fire crossbows at Roscoe, but he dodges them with amazing speed. The four orcs from the other door run around the corner, but balk as they see their dead brethern around a gore covered Roscoe just as one of the ogres moves to attack him. A hard roundhouse kick to the Ogre's solarplexus seems to do nothing as it swings its massive spiked club at Roscoe. Roscoe drops backwards onto his hands and feet in a crab position, then snaps out a boot-clan foot to crunch into the Ogre's groin. Whirling around, Roscoe manages to sweep the knees out from under the moster,a dn scramble around to its back. Straddling it, he wrappede his arms around the Ogre's head and straining greatly, he twisted until he heard the neck snap. Rising, he yells at the battlements, "How many more would you send against me? Let us make this a fight truly worth continuing! I challange you to a Trial of Possetion for this entire building! For my Bid, I Bid only mayself, how many warriors will you need to Bid against me? ANSWER ME!!" [Now is your chance to enter while I tear these lesser creatures apart with my bare hands! I can not lose for the Blood and genes of Kerensky himself are in this form!] =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 18:49:01 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE: Lets go do something At 04:45 PM 5/11/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Rising, he yells at the battlements, "How many more would you send >against me? Let us make this a fight truly worth continuing! I >challange you to a Trial of Possetion for this entire building! For >my Bid, I Bid only mayself, how many warriors will you need to Bid >against me? ANSWER ME!!" [Now is your chance to enter while I tear >these lesser creatures apart with my bare hands! I can not lose for >the Blood and genes of Kerensky himself are in this form!] From somewhere to the west comes 'Sean' Knytt's mental transmission... /Ugh! No more all-night Doom sessions for you, young man. ;-)/ The red Volvo speeds onward through the night. =========================== Date: Sun May 11 17:19:11 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) At 10:53 PM 5/11/97 -0700, Stranger wrote: >Roland X wrote: >>>At 02:33 PM 5/11/97 -0700, The Stranger wrote: >>>>/* Agreed, where did they take him? */ >> >> *Um, agreed to what, follow or regroup?* > >/* Why regroup and follow of course */ Morgan grins. "Good call, m'lord." >> Roland smiles beneath the greathelm; he wouldn't >> have thought the warrior/druid the type to have doors >> held open for her. *Say again?* >> >>>At his mental "Excuse me?", she replies, <*Well, there seems to be >>>a heavy Drow influence around here, and they _are_ matriarchal ;-). >>>So, instead of guarding a helpless possession, you're atttending a >>>lady of some minor importance.*> >> >> *Better. More flexible.* Roland holds the door open >> and bows with a flourish. *It also allows me to be >> more competent.* <*Besides, just because I'm a druid and a warrior doesn't mean I don't appreciate being treated like a lady. Hail, chivalry!*> <*Now, before anyone has to stumble over what to call me, I need a new handle.*> Morgan thinks for a moment. <*How about Alexandra, or Alex for short?*> >>><*Stranger, Roscoe, shall we?*> >> >> *Now. Where are we going again?* > >(OOC: Are Crow and Roscoe with us? Do we need to 'extract' them? ) >The speeder lifts into the air. > >"Where too boss?" Then at 04:45 PM 5/11/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Roscoe leaps into the Speeder next to Stranger. [Head West by >North-west 1.65 Kilometers, Quiaff?] To which Kitty responds with a >mental {OOOOOOOOOOOOOK} before following his direction. > [Bah, Orcs Ogres and Idiviya, not even a single freebirth Human much >less a Trueborn warrior like myself.] growls Roscoe mentally as he >jumps from the speeder adn runs towards the group by the large doors. >[I shall open the way for you and show the superiority of the Clans.] > "I demand an Honor Duel in a Circle of Equals for entrance into this >place. Quiaff? Who will face me?" Morgan sighs. <*So much for low key.*> > Rising, he yells at the battlements, "How many more would you send >against me? Let us make this a fight truly worth continuing! I >challange you to a Trial of Possetion for this entire building! For >my Bid, I Bid only mayself, how many warriors will you need to Bid >against me? ANSWER ME!!" [Now is your chance to enter while I tear >these lesser creatures apart with my bare hands! I can not lose for >the Blood and genes of Kerensky himself are in this form!] Alex hesitates. <*I'm willing to go in after John, if someone has or can get some clue just _exactly_ where in there he is. I don't care how pumped Roscoe Schwartzeneger there is, he can't take care of them _all_.*> Something in her mental tone, though, indicates she's wondering if maybe he _can_. Morgan/Alex /|\ =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 22:25:23 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) On Sun, 11 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > At 10:53 PM 5/11/97 -0700, Stranger wrote: >>Roland X wrote: >>>>At 02:33 PM 5/11/97 -0700, The Stranger wrote: >>> *Better. More flexible.* Roland holds the door open >>> and bows with a flourish. *It also allows me to be >>> more competent.* > > <*Besides, just because I'm a druid and a warrior doesn't mean I > don't appreciate being treated like a lady. Hail, chivalry!*> > > <*Now, before anyone has to stumble over what to call me, I need a > new handle.*> Morgan thinks for a moment. <*How about Alexandra, or > Alex for short?*> A rather groggy-looking Crow glances around. <*Ooh, where am I? I think I"ll request that next time Areya not channel quite so much power through me without a bit more warning first. She occasionally gets a bit enthusiastic.*> >>(OOC: Are Crow and Roscoe with us? Do we need to 'extract' them? ) > > Whether under her own power is her call. BTW, don't forget Cutter & > Leetah :-).> > Then at 04:45 PM 5/11/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >> Roscoe leaps into the Speeder next to Stranger. [Head West by >>North-west 1.65 Kilometers, Quiaff?] To which Kitty responds with a >>mental {OOOOOOOOOOOOOK} before following his direction. > >> [Bah, Orcs Ogres and Idiviya, not even a single freebirth Human >>much less a Trueborn warrior like myself.] growls Roscoe mentally as >>he jumps from the speeder adn runs towards the group by the large >>doors. [I shall open the way for you and show the superiority of the >>Clans.] >> "I demand an Honor Duel in a Circle of Equals for entrance into >>this place. Quiaff? Who will face me?" > > Morgan sighs. <*So much for low key.*> Crow's eyes are looking a bit wide and wild. <*Um, how long was I out, and what in 'ell happened?*> > Alex hesitates. <*I'm willing to go in after John, if someone has or > can get some clue just _exactly_ where in there he is. I don't care > how pumped Roscoe Schwartzeneger there is, he can't take care of > them _all_.*> Something in her mental tone, though, indicates she's > wondering if maybe he _can_. Crow looks grim. <*I'm going in too. Possibly I can track him, if he's conscious.*> With that, she holds out her hand, and suddenly a katana, silver-bladed with an intricately etched handle appears in her hand. > and Kitty. Otherwise, they're with us. Crow, if by the time you get > to this we've already gone in and you want to join us, you can ask > them to track me.> =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 22:41:50 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Wed, 7 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: > `You know how much trouble the CAoL has been to you in the past. > Now I admit we've had our differences in the past. You've tried to > kill me, I've tried to kill you, you had my house killed off, but > that's just the nature of drow politics. I could have saved myself > a lot of wasted time and effort if I had understood that long ago.' <*Wha....*> a startled gasp leaks through the link to the others in CAoL. > Xzerrion flinches away from the dagger. `It's really rather simple. > Seeing this Harlequinn God actually held in check because of his > family being held hostage just brings home the limitations of these > humans in caring for each other, and showed me that I had held the > same failings. I came here for two reasons. First, to convince you > that interfering in this struggle is beneath our people. And second, > to do something I realize now I should have done long before. To > accept your offer, if it is still open, to join your house in order > to train the new corp of illusionists.' Unsure what to think, Crow probes further, seeing what Drisonel replies... > Drisonel is silent for several moments, distrust warring with the > potential for greater power. > > `Accepted, for the moment. But know that my house Mage will be > watching you, as will I. If you betray me, you'll die a thousand > deaths before I'm through. Your first task is to bring the CAoL to > me - in chains!' The mental equivalent o a bansidhe's wail rises in the minds of CAoL and Xzerrion alike. <*Bastard! If you even *dare* consider this, be assured I'll hunt you down for the rest of your short days, and you'll die worse than Drisonel could ever devise!*> Crow turns down the amount of fury the rest of the group can pick up, but her mind fairly burns into Xzerrion's. <*I have trusted you, trickster. This had better be an amazingly stupidly clever ploy on your part, or you'll discover just how it feels to have your brain burned into cinders from the inside out!*> =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 01:09:03 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes At 10:41 PM 5/11/97 -0700, K. Ohanlon wrote: The CAoL's link had calmed to a murmur of background noise in Knytt's mind as he drove down a horse path in a tropical forest. >The mental equivalent o a bansidhe's wail rises in the minds of CaoL >and Xzerrion alike. <*Bastard! If you even *dare* consider this, be >assured I'll hunt you down for the rest of your short days, and >you'll die worse than Drisonel could ever devise!*> Crow turns down >the amount of fury the rest of the group can pick up, but her mind >fairly burns into Xzerrion's. "AUGH!" screamed Knytt. The wave of Crow's anger flowed over him, nearly causing him to collide with a giant tree. But he managed to brake in time. Cold sweat running down his face, he took a swig of water from a bottle in the passenger seat to relieve the sudden dry throat. He followed the water with a saltine to ease the slight nausea. "Ugh...it's okay, it's not directed at *me*. I am fine, the car is fine......Crow is *not* fine. And *Xzerrion*...OY! Bill was right. 'Hell hath *no* fury...'" ><*I have trusted you, trickster. This had better be an amazingly >stupidly clever ploy on your part, or you'll discover just how it >feels to have your brain burned into cinders from the inside out!*> > >going on with Xzerrion is because he's currently got parts of his >mind, and most of his emotions shielded from her. Plus, the House >emblem tends to radiate evil, no matter who is carrying it, and makes >the good that much more difficult to read. And the only reason why >she isn't, yet, burning through those shields is because that would >hurt a lot, and she doesn't want to do that to a non-enemy.> "I repeat, *Xzerrion*...OY!" Feeling better, Knytt continued his road trip... =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 23:20:04 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Sun, 11 May 1997, K. Ohanlon wrote: >> `You know how much trouble the CAoL has been to you in the past. >> Now I admit we've had our differences in the past. You've tried to >> kill me, I've tried to kill you, you had my house killed off, but >> that's just the nature of drow politics. I could have saved myself >> a lot of wasted time and effort if I had understood that long ago.' > > <*Wha....*> a startled gasp leaks through the link to the others in > CAoL. Xzerrion's face shows now change, but his voice through the link is colder than the blade of Frostbite. Drisonel looks at Xzerrion suspiciously. `Something wrong, young one?' `Not a problem, Matron. Nothing you need be concerned with. I know where my loyalties must lie here : with my people.' > Unsure what to think, Crow probes further, seeing what Drisonel > replies... >> `Accepted, for the moment. But know that my house Mage will be >> watching you, as will I. If you betray me, you'll die a thousand >> deaths before I'm through. Your first task is to bring the CAoL to >> me - in chains!' `As you command it, my Matron,' Xzerrion replies with a sweeping bow. `Now, if I may be so bold as to request the services of twenty of your warriors and two mages, I can arrange a suitable trap. Mages with at least some modicum of skill in illusion, please. That's always been your failing in dealing with the CAoL : taking them force on force just plain doesn't work.' Drisonel's eyes narrow. `That is a substantial fraction of my forces here. You are bold for one so newly recruited, and so recently converted from opposing me. Nonetheless, granted. But know my soldiers obey me alone.' > The mental equivalent o a bansidhe's wail rises in the minds of CaoL > and Xzerrion alike. <*Bastard! If you even *dare* consider this, be > assured I'll hunt you down for the rest of your short days, and > you'll die worse than Drisonel could ever devise!*> Crow turns down > the amount of fury the rest of the group can pick up, but her mind > fairly burns into Xzerrion's. > > <*I have trusted you, trickster. This had better be an amazingly > stupidly clever ploy on your part, or you'll discover just how it > feels to have your brain burned into cinders from the inside out!*> Xzerrion winces mentally, and fingers his house emblem. <*I'm sorry to have to do this right now, but ... *> A powerful mental shield slams into place. With another bow to Drisonel, Xzerrion departs, taking the squad of drow elves with him. Softly, he whispers into the night, `Forgive me for this, Crow, but it has to be done this way. I don't have a choice.' =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 23:34:40 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) On Sun, 11 May 1997, K. Ohanlon wrote: >> Alex hesitates. <*I'm willing to go in after John, if someone has >> or can get some clue just _exactly_ where in there he is. I don't >> care how pumped Roscoe Schwartzeneger there is, he can't take care >> of them _all_.*> Something in her mental tone, though, indicates >> she's wondering if maybe he _can_. > > Crow looks grim. <*I'm going in too. Possibly I can track him, if > he's conscious.*> With that, she holds out her hand, and suddenly a > katana, silver-bladed with an intricately etched handle appears in > her hand. > >> > and Kitty. Otherwise, they're with us. Crow, if by the time you get >> to this we've already gone in and you want to join us, you can ask >> them to track me.> > > more magics beyond her innate empathy/telepathy, and some healing. > Otherwise, she's not going to be able to stay on her feet for long.> Meanwhile, Xzerrion and his group of Drow slip into the building from another entrance, and enter the room where John is held. The guards holding him look up in surprise. `This isn't authorized ... what are you ...' Xzerrion cuts the officer off. `Try this for authorization : Matron Drisonel ordered *me* to set a trap for the intruders. You are relieved of this duty, and are to take inconspicuous flanking positions outside to make sure they don't get away. If you don't like it, ...' Xzerrion unsheath's his permanently envenomed dagger, `... you can discuss it with Cobra.' The officer pales and moves off. Xzerrion then deploys the troops. `You ten : in the room with me, guarding the prisoner! Five of you and one mage, take a position out of sight and around the corner until I call for you. Another five and one more mage, on the other side, same routine! Last mage, I want you invisible until the group is caught in a crossfire, then come in at their back. Remember, Drisonel wants them alive!' Cautiously, Xzerrion tries the conection through the House Sigils (not the ordinary link). <# Morgan, I'm setting up a position to try to get the group taken prisoner, as I suspect I can get us to the people we want to release that way. *Please*, try to stop the folks from flattening me. #> =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 23:36:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Thu, 8 May 1997, Caprice wrote: > Argent remains appearantly unconcious through Drisonel and > Xzerrion's discussion. Though she awakes part way through, she keeps > her breathing and position exactly the same. Namely flung in a > corner, face down. - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 23:50:25 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Sun, 11 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: >> <*I have trusted you, trickster. This had better be an amazingly >> stupidly clever ploy on your part, or you'll discover just how it >> feels to have your brain burned into cinders from the inside out!*> > > Xzerrion winces mentally, and fingers his house emblem. <*I'm sorry > to have to do this right now, but ... *> A powerful mental shield > slams into place. Crow gasps aloud, and staggers for a moment. She fights off a swoon, but her eyes look dazed, and more than a little lost. "Oh, goddess....," she groans. Befoe any of the others can move to her, she shakes her head. <* I'll be ok, I think. But we should probably move fast if we want to retrieve John.*> More to herself than anyone else, <*And if my fears prove correct, that drow will seriously regret ever leaving the Underdark and crossing my path......*> > With another bow to Drisonel, Xzerrion departs, taking the squad of > drow elves with him. > > Softly, he whispers into the night, `Forgive me for this, Crow, but > it has to be done this way. I don't have a choice.' =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 06:43:35 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Knyttmares (Part 1) 'Sean' Knytt continues his trek westward. The roads have become more hilly as a large mountain range appears on the horizon. "Video journal for the planet Quaren. Date unknown. Biologicly based date is 257 years, 5 months, 4 days, 23 hours and 27 minutes since birth. At least I can reference this to my internal clock. I arrived 12 hours ago and am currently in search of the brothers Driscol. So far, I have haggled with a God, shot at a flying suit of armor with a personality to rival Sparky...maybe I should match them up...put a satellite in orbit, and sent Sparky Version 0.045 to give an 'iron golem' by the name of The Controller a headache. All in all, an uneventful day. Unless you count my regeneration into the frame of a 65 year old man in the prime of his life. Oddly enough, I feel more at home in this form than my younger one. Ah well. "Hmmm...looks to be a new orogenous belt here. Wonder if there are any fault lines in the area? Perhaps even a volcano or two? Of the shield, Mt. St. Helens, variety. According to the GPS satellite we are at about 30 degrees north latitude. Judging by the satellite images, there is a desert to the west beyond this mountain range. This would indicate a predomenantly western airflow, with rain clouds butting up against the mountain range and dumping their precipitation, leaving dry air to sweep across the desert beyond. Geez, think I'll put another tape in, I'm even beginning to bore myself." Knytt inserts a tape in the Volvo's stereo. ['Oh my God!'..'Fer sure, fer sure!' She's a Valley Girl, and there is no cure-] Knytt stabs the eject button, and tosses the tape in the back seat. "No Frank Zappa. Let's see what else I have here..." [Ring-ding-diddle-iddle-i-dee-o! Ring-die-diddlie-i-o! I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt?] "Uh uh...ought to let Morgan hear that though...see how true to life it is..." [The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire...] " Not tonight." [Dead puppies...] "Eww, No way!" Reaching randomly into the large box of tapes on the passenger seat, Knytt shoves the first tape to touch his fingers into the tapedeck. A storm rolls in from the east as the song starts playing. Knytt hits the windsheild wipers as the first chords of 'The Ballad of William Robinson' bring a tear to his eye. The first verse was barely over when Knytt ejected the tape. A roadside tavern and inn appeared on the side of the road in the distance. Pulling the Volvo into the trees a safe distance from the inn, the road, and prying eyes, he stopped the car. Pulling out the tape, he stared at it for a few moments in the glow of the dome light. Knytt pulled a hankerchief from his back pocket and wrapped the tape in it. He then put the small parcel in the glove box. He got out of the car, and shut the door. The car chirped twice and vanished into thin air. Knytt then walked down the road and into the Tavern. =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 06:43:30 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Knyttmares (Part 2) Immediately on entering, he saw a slight man, with a boyish features being held under the arms, tow feet off the floor, by a large, ugly man in a turbin. The rest of the bar watched the two men, but no one moved to help the small man. Three other men, were near the pair, obviously part of the large man's group. They snickered and muttered amongest themselves, occasionally adding "Oooo, you're gonna get it now." and other such cliches. It seemed gangs everywhere had the same lack of creativity. "You think you can run a farm in these dangerous hills? You need protection. If you pay me, you will get protection." the large man rumbled. The slight man, despite his predicament, was not backing down. "Yes, Abraham, if I pay you, my farm will be safe. But if I don't pay, you and your men will wreck havoc on it. I will not pay to keep you away from my farm. If you and your men dare to set foot on my land, you will live to regret it." "Jacob, do not threaten me. You are in no position to negotiate. Your farm will stand as long as you pay me, and not a moment longer. And, there is *nothing* you can do to stop me." /Oh, Gods, he's gonna try./ Knytt thought as he stared at Jacob. Jacob suddenly revealed a small dagger and slashed at Abraham. To Jacob's credit, he made contact, slashing through the larger man's shirt and cutting the skin. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Abraham dropped the smaller man and hopped back out of reach. Abraham snarled as he drew a wicked blade from his belt. Lunging at Jacob, the large man slashed his opponent's wrist, causing the small man to drop the dagger. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Knytt shouted as a chair crashed over Abraham's head. The rest of Abraham's gang moved towards Knytt, who cracked one over the head with a chair leg and kicked the other in the stomach, sending him back into the third. Shaken, but not down, Abraham turned to face his opponent. Knytt spun round, hitting Abraham in the cheek with the broken chair leg, then kicked out with his back leg to send the first man, crashing backwards into a table. Abraham who had been sent tumbling into the bar, turned back to face Knytt. Suddenly, he gasped and fell forward, a dagger, Jacob's dagger, in his back. The other men, taken aback by the death of their leader, ran out the door. Jacob stood over the dead form of Abraham. He looked at Knytt. "I and my family thank you." "Don't be too hasty. You may wish you never met me." "Let me buy you a meal. That is the least I can do." "No. Go home to your family. His friends may yet get their courage up to return. Or, failing that, they may go for your farm. Take your family and stay with a neighbor for a few days." "But..." "Go. Now." Knytt picked up the knife Abraham had been using. It was fine craftmanship, not ornate, but well-made. He handed it, holding the blade, to the bartender. "This should cover the man's bill, plus damages." Laying a few coins on the bar, Knytt said "I need a room for the night, er day, plus a meal and a drink. Make that 'drinks'." Knytt took a table in a dark corner. A pretty girl, barely out of her teens, brought a bowl of stew and a large mug of ale. She turned to leave, then turned back. Timidly, she put the coins Knytt had laid on the bar on his table. "My father owns the Tavern, and is the man tending bar. He says you will always be welcome here, with no charge. Abraham and his men have done much damage to it in the past. You have probably saved him a years income by stepping into that fight when you did." To tired and hungry to argue, Knytt simply thanked the girl, and promised not to abuse their kindness. He finished the stew quickly, his first meal in 12 hours, and drank the ale. The girl brought more ale as he downed each glass. She and her father were being good hosts to an honored guest, but in Knytt's current frame of mind, it may have not been such a good thing. 10 mugs of ale later, Knytt passed out. =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 06:43:39 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Knyttmares (Part 3) The wind was bitterly cold, cutting through KnightShift's parka as he trudged over to the mess tent. Snagging a cup of coffee, he pulled a chair in front of the make-shift barrel-stove that pitifully tried to heat the large tent. As he sat there, sipping the foul excuse for java, the tent's sheet metal door swung open and in stomped a small man in a silver parka. From beneath the hood, Knytt could make out a bit of red hair from under the wool cap. The man in the silver parka also took a cup of coffee before joining KnightShift by the stove. he sipped, his boyish features grimacing. "Tastes like squirrel pee, doesn't it?" the red-head grinned. KnightShift smiled. "Since I've never drank squirrel pee, I will have to take your word for it. But, this is weak stuff, to be sure." Sticking out a gloved hand, the red-head remarked, "William Robinson, but my friends call me Will." "Good to meet you, Will. Name's Irwin Allen," KnightShift replied, shakng hands. "That name sounds familiar. Have we met?" "Nope." "Well, no offense, Irwin, but I think I better call you Allen. Not sure I can say 'Irwin' with a straight face." "That's ok, Will, most people do." "Didja just sign on, Irwin?" "Just this morning. They put me on the graveyard shift." "That's my shift too." "Great, you can show me the ropes. I've never worked a mine before." "Well, there's a pick, and a shovel, and not much else. It's simple work, but the pay is good." "That's all that matters." ---------------------------------------- "Look Allen, the conditions here are abysmal. We've lost fifteen good men in the past three weeks. These guys had families, hungry mouths to feed. We can't use this new digging gear. The Moledozer is dangerous. They overheat suddenly, the drill bits are shoddy and the fumes are overwhelming. Do you know what CO does in an enclosed area without proper ventillation?" "Will, I know. We've had these things for 3 monthes and we miners are dropping like flies. The company then just goes out and hires new ones. But, we've tried negotiating. What else is there?" "One word. Strike. I've been organising a union. But I need a guy I can trust to work with me. C'mon, Allen. I need you. We can't let the company get away with this." "Alright, let me think about it. I'm working the third tier tonight. Meet me in the scaffolding during break. I'll have an answer for you then." "Oooo...easy job, you lucky dog...Okay, but it will be a few minutes. I'm in the basement, riding the Moledozer, looking for new veins." "Will, be careful." "No worries, I can handle her." -------------------------------------- KnightShift was on the third tier, looking for any leftovers the first and second tiers missed. 120 feet up the side of a rock wall, looking out into open air, with a three foot wide sheet of plywood held up with an aluminum frame and a nylon rope railing being the only things keeping the miners from a long drop to the basement, where the Moledozers dug through the floor, creating an ever deepening pit. KnightShift was chipping at a small piece of ore someone had missed, when an explosion rocked the scaffolding. The sirens wailed as a man's voice announced, "Moledozer three has exploded. Moledozer three has exploded." "Will!" Knightshift screamed. He leaped over the rope railing and fell the 120 feet to the ground, landing in a pile of sand and rolling as he impacted. Bones broken and badly bruised, his regenerative energies kicked in, healing the damage as he stumbled over to the tunnel where Moledozer 3 had been digging. Smoke poured out of the tunnel. KnightShift ran in as three miners, none of them Will, ran out. "Will!" KnightShift yelled, coughing on the smoke. The smell of brimstone was overwhelming. "Al...len..." a voice croaked. KnightShift ran to the voice, and pulled Will out of the driver's seat of the burning digging machine. KnightShift carried Will out of the tunnel. Will was a dead weight in his arms. His call for 'Allen' was the last words he ever spoke. KnightShift carried the dead body of Will out of the mine. Ignoring the cold, he carried him three miles to the Jupiter 2. Don met him out front and took Will inside. The explosion had been heard even that far out. But, though they didn't travel as far, the sobs of the widowed Mrs. John Robinson and her daughter seemed far louder. As KnightShift turned to leave, the robot stopped him. "Mr. Allen. Thank you." "For what, robot?" "For being a friend to Will Robinson. I regret I was not there to protect him." "Robot, you couldn't have protected him from this.......But, there is something you can do...." "Yes?" the Robot inquired. KnightShift pointed to a star in the south-western sky. "You see that star? It is in a constellation they call 'the wayward traveller.' Orbitting that star is a planet called 'Earth.' Your home. Will told me where it was, and asked me to point your family to it with his dying breath. Take them home, Robot. They've been wandering for thirty-three years. Take them home." --------------------------------------- Knytt awoke in the bar, to the first rays of dawn streaming in from over the mountains. Pulling a compass out of his pocket, he glanced at the needle. The sun was rising in the west. "Just a small reminder how far from home you are...I'm sorry I didn't tell you when you were alive, Will. I was on the run even then. And afraid." Knytt glanced at the inside cover of the compass before closing it. It read: TO IRWIN ALLEN: MAY WE ALL FIND OUR WAY HOME. --WILLIAM ROBINSON. =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Mon, 12 May 97 10:31:23 +0100 From: Roland X >The mental equivalent o a bansidhe's wail rises in the minds of CaoL >and Xzerrion alike. <*Bastard! If you even *dare* consider this, be >assured I'll hunt you down for the rest of your short days, and >you'll die worse than Drisonel could ever devise!*> Crow turns down >the amount of fury the rest of the group can pick up, but her mind >fairly burns into Xzerrion's. *For the love of LIGHT!* Roland shakes off the anger... mostly. *Crow, I don't know about you, but I've been to hell and back with that fae. I trust him with my life. Now relax and get it together! We have enough problems without starting to doubt one another now!* For emphasis, Roland projects his abortive attempt at rescuing Stranger from the yellow tower in Arcadia, and Xzerrion's timely arrival. *Now here.* He concentrates, and a trickle of energy flows from him to the lady. *This should keep you on your feet, at least, for the moment.* >> Morgan sighs. <*So much for low key.*> > >Crow's eyes are looking a bit wide and wild. <*Um, how long was I >out, and what in 'ell happened?*> *VERY long story. Short form is, the group got scattered to the four winds, and now we're trying to get it together, finish our mission, and get the heck out of Dodge.* > (OOC: There ya go! Long form available via sensory immersion [full telepathic union] and at Morgan's website. ) >> Alex hesitates. <*I'm willing to go in after John, if someone has >> or can get some clue just _exactly_ where in there he is. I don't >> care how pumped Roscoe Schwartzeneger there is, he can't take care >> of them _all_.*> Something in her mental tone, though, indicates >> she's wondering if maybe he _can_. > >Crow looks grim. <*I'm going in too. Possibly I can track him, if >he's conscious.*> With that, she holds out her hand, and suddenly a >katana, silver-bladed with an intricately etched handle appears in >her hand. "Oh bloody nass," Roland sighs. *Morgan, you want me to stay with Crow while she finds her battle legs? She's looking a bit unsteady...* Then Roland blinks as his own sword emerges. "Nice blade," he says with a grin... =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 16:32:25 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll Caprice starts to respond to Xzerrion, then opening her eyes, she see's he's not there. Or She's not there. Or, the room's not there? The small room they had been in with Drisonel has changed into a huge extravegant dineing hall, at least 300 feet long and half that again wide. Tapestries and pictures of various ages adn makes line the walls, and the center of hte room is dominated by a large dining table filled with food. Gazing across it, it's hard to take in everything, but Caprice/Argent finds that as soon as she thinks of a particualr food, there it is. Standing next to her offering her a hand up is Driscoll, dressed in a light blue silk tunic with white hose. "Good evening, um Caprice I believe it is? Though I must say You've changed a bit since I last saw you. I was just sitting down to feast and celebrate my first victory over Darath when I felt the pangs of lonliness. Then I looked down and saw you just lying there, and thought you might enjoy a good meal and that we could provide a bit of company for each other. Would you care to eat, or have I taken you from something important?" =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 22:53:04 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) First off, Cut to a scene after we have last seen the controller, ie. moments after he either informs Drisonel Xzerrion has arrived or has been ordered from the room. A Drow guard rushes up to the Controller, "Golem, We have captured the golden-furred one known as John as per our orders. What are we to do with him?" The Controller responds, "Have him taken to the prepared chamber. Also, have Jadis contacted. Inform him that he must retrieve the house mage." OOC: If the Controller would respond in any other way, tack it on. In the chamber we see several guards surrounding a comatose John. A shimmering in the air announces the arrival of Jadis. With him is a house mage, the best on the planet at bindings and coercions. Jadis waves toward John, "That is your target. His magical resistance is very nearly gone, at the moment. You are to bind him to the service of Matron Drisonel and the... _Iron Golem_, in that order. Don't bother to affect the underlyng conciousness. Just ground the spell into this," he hands the house mage a small amulet, "and make him protect it at all costs." The house mage sets to work, and quickly has the spell in place. He wipes his brow, "If that is low magical resistance, I'd hate to see him at full power. He fought me every step of the way, if not for the sheer exhaustion I detected..." Jadis examines the house mages handiwork, "Adequate, I suppose, but it needs a little something..." His hands move in several complicated gestures. The house mage pales, "That spell... You do realize what will happen to him if he tries to remove the amulet himself, don't you? Anyone else will merely kill this man and himself but he..." The Drow leaves the words hanging as he watches a slow satisfied smile spread across Jadis's face. Jadis hisses a satisfied, "Yes", stares at John for another moment,reaches down to him and transfers power into John healing his exhaustion. He orders one of the guards to 'go tell Rusty that it's been done, and use those exact words, or you shall suffer the same fate as the last guard to change my words', grabs the mage, and leaves the same way he arrived. A guard approaches the Controller, and stammer's out Jadis's message. [Insert Controller's Reply] [Also, at this point Jadis informs Matron Drisonel of what the compulsion is] The Controller then goes to the chamber and looks in on the awakening John. He succinctly imprints upon John his terms of service, and adds that he will capture the CAoL, by whatever means neccesary, dead or alive, and bring them here. Throughout this John merely glares at the Controller, having found that he cannot attack him. The Controller the leaves. John raises an arm toward his neck, but is hit with convulsions, blue lightning running over his body. As the lightning fades, the guards hold John down. Just as John begins to recover... On Sun, 11 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: > Cautiously, Xzerrion tries the conection through the House Sigils > (not the ordinary link). <# Morgan, I'm setting up a position to try > to get the group taken prisoner, as I suspect I can get us to the > people we want to release that way. *Please*, try to stop the folks > from flattening me. #> John studies Xzerrion very carefully, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He speaks, "Very well. I'll take the front." He then shimmers out of sight. And appears on the battlements. He surveys the group, and speaks very carefully giving certain words extra meaning, "An Honor Duel in a Circle of Equals. Very well then, _I_ shall face you. For I have been _commanded_, nay _compelled_, to bring you all before the Golem. _Dead Or Alive_." He jumps down to the ground, landing lightly. "A circle you wanted, a circle you shall get." The ground erupts in an enormous circle in front of the doors. "Are you ready?" John stands lightly, facing Roscoe. {Anyone peeking at John's mental state finds him upset, outraged, somewhat pissed off, and very, very, controlled/compelled.} =========================== Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 23:56:31 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Standing next to her offering her a hand up is Driscoll, dressed in > a light blue silk tunic with white hose. "Good evening, um Caprice I > believe it is? Though I must say You've changed a bit since I last > saw you. I was just sitting down to feast and celebrate my first > victory over Darath when I felt the pangs of lonliness. Then I > looked down and saw you just lying there, and thought you might > enjoy a good meal and that we could provide a bit of company for > each other. Would you care to eat, or have I taken you from > something important?" Argent accepts the hand up, then arches a pale white brow. "My name is Argent, sir. The only thing of importance would be my contract with Xzerrion... if he decides that my being here is a dereliction of my duty, I will have a devilish time getting him to pay me." Argent then smiles, a cool expression that has nothing to do with friendship. "Bur I am certain that you could convince him that this... discussion is in the line of my duties. If so, I would be delighted to join you." Argent moves to sit at the table, allowing Drisonel to guide her to her place. [OOC: Caprice/Argent is having a slight problem in that the new personality native to this fiction has moved in and set up shop. Caprice has managed to fabricate a reason for Argent to work with the CAoL, but is currently taking backseat in the skull. Any deep probing into her mind/nature, let me know.] =========================== Date: Mon May 12 21:30:56 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Recap partly for my own benefit: Crow comes to in her 'normal' form in the car before Roscoe takes on the entire guard. She pick up on Xzerrion's conversation with Drisonel and goes balistic. At 11:20 PM 5/11/97 -0700, Xzerrion wrote: > At 11:34 PM 5/11/97 -0700, Xzerrion wrote: >Cautiously, Xzerrion tries the conection through the House Sigils >(not the ordinary link). <# Morgan, I'm setting up a position to try >to get the group taken prisoner, as I suspect I can get us to the >people we want to release that way. *Please*, try to stop the folks >from flattening me. #> Morgan finally regains her equilibrium from so much going on so fast. Through the sigil link, with a mental "cc" through the other CAoL links, she replies, <*Got it, Xzerrion. Folks, unless he's _real_ good at shielding his thoughts and emotions, he's still with _us_. He and I have had a little side discusison about part of this earlier.*> At 11:50 PM 5/11/97 -0700, K. Ohanlon wrote: >On Sun, 11 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: >> Xzerrion winces mentally, and fingers his house emblem. <*I'm sorry >> to have to do this right now, but ... *> A powerful mental shield >> slams into place. > >Crow gasps aloud, and staggers for a moment. She fights off a swoon, >but her eyes look dazed, and more than a little lost. "Oh, >goddess....," she groans. Befoe any of the others can move to her, >she shakes her head. <* I'll be ok, I think. But we should probably >move fast if we want to retrieve John.*> More to herself than anyone >else, <*And if my fears prove correct, that drow will seriously >regret ever leaving the Underdark and crossing my path......*> Morgan continues. <*Crow, please, I know how it feels to even consider being betrayed by one so close to you, but we need to play along with him for now.*> <*Roscoe!*> She mentally shouts with the forceful tone used by mothers to get the attention of a hysterical child. <*Roscoe, remember he's with us! Don't go getting either of you dead.*> Sensing no response, she hopes at least some of it got through. <*At least we know where John is now :-).*> At 10:31 AM 5/12/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: > *For the love of LIGHT!* Roland shakes off the anger... >mostly. *Crow, I don't know about you, but I've been to hell >and back with that fae. I trust him with my life. Now relax >and get it together! We have enough problems without >starting to doubt one another now!* For emphasis, Roland >projects his abortive attempt at rescuing Stranger from the >yellow tower in Arcadia, and Xzerrion's timely arrival. > *Now here.* He concentrates, and a trickle of energy >flows from him to the lady. *This should keep you on your >feet, at least, for the moment.* <*Thanks. That'll probably help her more that my healing skills at the moment. And I agree about trusting Xzerrion with my life.*> This last was also sent over the sigil-link. ;-) >> > > (OOC: There ya go! Long form available via sensory >immersion [full telepathic union] and at Morgan's >website. ) > "Oh bloody nass," Roland sighs. *Morgan, you want >me to stay with Crow while she finds her battle legs? >She's looking a bit unsteady...* > Then Roland blinks as his own sword emerges. "Nice >blade," he says with a grin... Leetah nuzzles up to Crow's hand, and Crow feels a slight flow of energy. Morgan smiles. <*She's good at that. Go ahead, Crow, she won't offer more than she can afford to spare.*> "Alex" draws her belt knife, which becomes a claidheamhor. <*Oh, that feels good! Come on, flies, there's a spider in there waiting for us. ;-)*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Mon May 12 21:56:13 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: AAE3 - Knyttmares (Part 1) At 06:43 AM 5/12/97 -0500, Knytt wrote: >['Oh my God!'..'Fer sure, fer sure!' She's a Valley Girl, >and there is no cure-] Aside from all the other hell breaking loose, Morgan still manages to trade the occasional quip with Knytt. <*Missing Buffy, Sean? *> >[Ring-ding-diddle-iddle-i-dee-o! Ring-die-diddlie-i-o! I >wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their >kilt?] > >"Uh uh...ought to let Morgan hear that though...see how true >to life it is..." Morgan giggles. <*Morgan has sung that song at more revels than she can remember. What's worn beneath the kilt? Nothing, it's in good working order ;-). And, in my admittedly limited experience with men of Scottish decent, the part about the blue ribbon is true, too .*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 07:31:07 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: OOC: Re: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll > Argent moves to sit at the table, allowing Drisonel to guide her to ^ OOC: changes this to Driscoll --| Sorry about that. I need to get more sleep I guess. Caprice =========================== Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:23:22 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) On Mon, 12 May 1997, Shadow wrote: > John studies Xzerrion very carefully, a hint of a smile tugging at > the corners of his mouth. He speaks, "Very well. I'll take the > front." He then shimmers out of sight. Xzerrion looks over at John. `Ah, I see they have shown you the truth of the cause already. Excellent, as you will then.' Hope I don't confuse anyone. > <#* We've got a problem : John seems to have been captured and compelled/programmed, similar to what was done with Driscoll. I might be able to get him to go along with me, as I'm acting like I'm with the other drow, but he'll need a good healer. *#> Xzerrion sits and waits, with the ambush set up, hoping for someone to walk into it. =========================== Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 22:30:29 -0700 From: Gareth L Owen Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) The Stranger prepares himself as Kitty speeds through the night, hearing Crow rouse behind him he shifts in his seat and checks her out. "Look at me, now watch my finger, keep your eye on my finger. good. Pulse OK, breathe deeply, OK, you'll be fine." he squeezes her hand "Take it easy, or at least don't take point for a bit." He turns back. Suddenly Crow goes frantic, The Stranger watches as others speak of Xzerrions trustworthyness. "I have a bad feeling about this. Hmmm, where's Caprice, I've lost her mind?" They arrive and Roscoe charges the guards. "Uh-oh, I think we're in trouble." The Callahanians emerge from Kitty, forming themselves up and drawing weapons, etc. Kitty morphs into her Steel Cat form, five feet at the shoulder and made of burnished red metal. Nearby Roscoe pummels the guards into the ground. "I really do have a bad feeling about this." Suddenly... Shadow wrote: > And appears on the battlements. He surveys the group, and speaks > very carefully giving certain words extra meaning, "An Honor Duel in > a Circle of Equals. Very well then, _I_ shall face you. For I have > been _commanded_, nay _compelled_, to bring you all before the > Golem. _Dead Or Alive_." He jumps down to the ground, landing > lightly. "A circle you wanted, a circle you shall get." The ground > erupts in an enormous circle in front of the doors. "Are you ready?" > John stands lightly, facing Roscoe. "Yeah, definite bad feeling." The Stranger draws his falchion, feeling the surge as the enchantment kicks in. He probes John with his mini-lens, > {Anyone peeking at John's mental state finds him upset, outraged, > somewhat pissed off, and very, very, controlled/compelled.} "Complications, always complications." John and Roscoe appear to be squaring off (unless I'm wrong, just looks that way to me). The Stranger drops into a guard position and checks his rear. "Here we go again..." =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Tue, 13 May 97 20:33:29 +0100 From: Roland X >"Alex" draws her belt knife, which becomes a claidheamhor. <*Oh, that >feels good! Come on, flies, there's a spider in there waiting for us. >;-)*> *Ah, you didn't answer my question, sword-sis-* "WHOUGH!" Roland grunts, as a Drider lands on him full force. "Driders," Roland sighs, performing a jumping axe kick to the Drider's head. "I hate these things." The Drider drops like a puppet with its strings cut as Roland takes a few steps back. *Morgan? Crow? Grife!* Roland spins around, looking for his friends. Then, quoth Xzerrion: ><#* We've got a problem : John seems to have been captured and >compelled/programmed, similar to what was done with Driscoll. I might >be able to get him to go along with me, as I'm acting like I'm with >the other drow, but he'll need a good healer. *#> Roland doesn't have a sigil, but has tapped into the sigil-link through those connected to both. *Note to those connected; my telepathic abilities have improved markedly, especially thanks to the mini-lens Dhyrclahnc was kind enough to provide. I can offer full contact with everyone in the group if necessary, though it will be-* Roland is knocked down again. *Distracting...* "Hello, champion of Phoenix," Gaunt says, smiling. Roland sighs heavily. "Aren't you getting tired of this? Besides, Drisonel must be _very_ unhappy with your master." "Destroyer and Drisonel have reached an...agreement. I am in her service, after a fashion, assigned to take you prisoner or at least keep you occupied." Roland smiles, drawing his sword. "And what makes you think this time will be any different?" Gaunt pulls out the Shadow Brand. It pulses with dark magicks. "Take a wild guess." Roland's smile dies as Gaunt's is born. *Oh Light...everyone, get as far away from us as possible. NOW!* Roland channels all his PK power into his blade, and the duel begins again... (OOC: Light, I love making things complicated. ) =========================== Date: Tue May 13 18:12:33 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes At 08:33 PM 5/13/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: > *Ah, you didn't answer my question, sword-sis-* > "WHOUGH!" Roland grunts, as a Drider lands on him >full force. <*What's a sis-wough?*> "Alex" grins, taking out another Drider with a single stroke of the elven blade. <*Leetah's helping Crow get back up for fighting, if she wants the assist. You look like you have enough on your hands right now.*> Cutter, meanwhile, is making sure no one threatens his mate until she and Crow are ready to defend themselves. > "Driders," Roland sighs, performing a jumping axe >kick to the Drider's head. "I hate these things." (OOC: When I said spider, I _was_ refering to Xzerrion. Must you always take things so literally? ) > The Drider drops like a puppet with its strings >cut as Roland takes a few steps back. *Morgan? Crow? >Grife!* Roland spins around, looking for his friends. <*Right here, brother.*> > "Hello, champion of Phoenix," Gaunt says, smiling. <*Him again? Why am I _not_ surprised?*> > Roland's smile dies as Gaunt's is born. > *Oh Light...everyone, get as far away from us as >possible. NOW!* > Roland channels all his PK power into his blade, >and the duel begins again... > (OOC: Light, I love making things complicated. ) <*Brother, remember the link gives you the equivalent of eyes in the back of your head.*> "Alex" is ready to move fast, whichever way Roland answers. <*We know Gaunt's not honorable - do you want someone to give you a hand, or just keep you two from being interupted?*> >>Xzerrion sits and waits, with the ambush set up, hoping for someone >>to walk into it. And Morgan is hoping the CAoL _lasts_ long enough to walk into it. Then a thought occurs. (OOC note: using <#*..*#> to denote lens and sigil links together) <#*Um, Xzerrion, the reason we were going in _there_ is now out _here_ squaring (circling? ) off with Roscoe. It seems your trap has lost it's bait. Now what?*#> Morgan /|\ =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Tue, 13 May 97 22:55:26 +0100 From: Roland X Quoth the Lady Morgan: >>>"Alex" draws her belt knife, which becomes a claidheamhor. <*Oh, >>>that feels good! Come on, flies, there's a spider in there waiting >>>for us. ;-)*> >> >> *Ah, you didn't answer my question, sword-sis-* >> "WHOUGH!" Roland grunts, as a Drider lands on him >>full force. > ><*What's a sis-wough?*> "Alex" grins, taking out another Drider with >a single stroke of the elven blade. <*Leetah's helping Crow get back >up for fighting, if she wants the assist. You look like you have >enough on your hands right now.*> Cutter, meanwhile, is making sure >no one threatens his mate until she and Crow are ready to defend >themselves. *Oh, very droll,* Roland sends back as he rises. >> "Driders," Roland sighs, performing a jumping axe >>kick to the Drider's head. "I hate these things." > >(OOC: When I said spider, I _was_ refering to Xzerrion. Must you >always take things so literally? ) (OOC: Who, ME? Let me put it this way. When we get back to Callahan's, drinks are on you. ) >> The Drider drops like a puppet with its strings >>cut as Roland takes a few steps back. *Morgan? Crow? >>Grife!* Roland spins around, looking for his friends. > ><*Right here, brother.*> > >> "Hello, champion of Phoenix," Gaunt says, smiling. > ><*Him again? Why am I _not_ surprised?*> *You and me both. I'll give him this much, at least- he doesn't give up.* >> Roland's smile dies as Gaunt's is born. >> *Oh Light...everyone, get as far away from us as >>possible. NOW!* >> Roland channels all his PK power into his blade, >>and the duel begins again... >> (OOC: Light, I love making things complicated. ) > ><*Brother, remember the link gives you the equivalent of eyes in the >back of your head.*> *I need to be focused, sister,* Roland says, parrying cleanly as the Brand scrapes along his own Phoenix Claw. The blade all but screams as the foul magicks on the Brand scrape metal from the Claw... >"Alex" is ready to move fast, whichever way Roland answers. <*We know >Gaunt's not honorable - do you want someone to give you a hand, or >just keep you two from being interupted?*> *NO! Stay back! Under _NO_ circumstances are any of you to approach-* "AAIEE!" Roland screams as the Brand slices through his armor as if it were tinfoil. Both speaking and projecting, he says, *"None of you...are a match...for the Shadow Brand...when it's fed..."* "So true," Gaunt says, laughing as he kicks the jagged, toxic-green slash. Roland cries out again and staggers back. "I fought children of Light before you were born, scion of Phoenix. Your defeat was inevitable." "Coward," Roland snarls, spitting blood. "Even your kind do not use magick. It is not our way." Gaunt laughs. "This? Drisonel was kind enough to... _provide_ me with an immortal to feed the Brand with. So what if it was one of her own kind?" Roland's eyes widen beind the helmet. "You _are_ insane..." Gaunt looks over at (what, IMO, must be) a raging Morgan. "Ah, yes. Now, as I recall, the dear boy was quite upset when I threatened you-" "EEYAH!" Roland screams, and with his remaining strength, sticks the remains of the violated Claw right through Gaunt's tainted heart. Gaunt looks down in surprise and fear. "Heh..." Roland says, falling over. (OOC: HALP! ) >(OOC note: using <#*..*#> to denote lens and sigil links together) ><#*Um, Xzerrion, the reason we were going in _there_ is now out >_here_ squaring (circling? ) off with Roscoe. It seems your trap >has lost it's bait. Now what?*#> *I volunteer,* Roland sends, chuckling, as he slips into merciful unconsciousness... =========================== Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 23:53:10 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes At 06:12 PM 5/13/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: ><*What's a sis-wough?*> "Alex" grins, taking out another Drider with >a single stroke of the elven blade. <*Leetah's helping Crow get back >up for fighting, if she wants the assist. You look like you have >enough on your hands right now.*> Cutter, meanwhile, is making sure >no one threatens his mate until she and Crow are ready to defend >themselves. A Drider leaps from the battlements towards Crow and the wolves. But, almost as soon as it is airborne, it bursts into flames then dissolves into ash. as a blast from behind the three hits the creature in the chest. A slight man with a mop of red hair steps out of the shadows towards Crow, Leetah, and Cutter. The black sleeveless t-shirt and dark blue slacks made him relatively invisible in the dark. A black leather holster hung off his right hip. The moon glinted off the large silver blaster he held in a two-handed grip in front of him. Noticing his proximity to Crow, he extended a hand as he flashed a grin that, with his boyish features, put him at no more than 20 years old. "Hi, I'm Will. Couldn't help noticing you needed some help. So, who are the bad guys?" =========================== Date: Wed May 14 00:01:53 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes At 10:55 PM 5/13/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: >Quoth the Lady Morgan: >>> "Driders," Roland sighs, performing a jumping axe >>>kick to the Drider's head. "I hate these things." >> >>(OOC: When I said spider, I _was_ refering to Xzerrion. Must you >>always take things so literally? ) > > (OOC: Who, ME? Let me put it this way. When we >get back to Callahan's, drinks are on you. ) (OOC: At times like this, it's worth the prospect of having the drinks be on me to have us all _get_ back to Callahans :-)!) >><*Him again? Why am I _not_ surprised?*> > > *You and me both. I'll give him this much, at least- >he doesn't give up.* <*...Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. ;-)*> >>"Alex" is ready to move fast, whichever way Roland answers. <*We >>know Gaunt's not honorable - do you want someone to give you a hand, >>or just keep you two from being interupted?*> > > *NO! Stay back! Under _NO_ circumstances are any of >you to approach-* > "AAIEE!" Roland screams as the Brand slices through >his armor as if it were tinfoil. Both speaking and >projecting, he says, *"None of you...are a match...for >the Shadow Brand...when it's fed..."* > "So true," Gaunt says, laughing as he kicks the jag- >ged, toxic-green slash. Roland cries out again and >staggers back. "I fought children of Light before you >were born, scion of Phoenix. Your defeat was inevitable." > "Coward," Roland snarls, spitting blood. "Even your >kind do not use magick. It is not our way." > Gaunt laughs. "This? Drisonel was kind enough to... >_provide_ me with an immortal to feed the Brand with. >So what if it was one of her own kind?" > Roland's eyes widen beind the helmet. "You _are_ >insane..." > Gaunt looks over at (what, IMO, must be) a raging >Morgan. "Ah, yes. Now, as I recall, the dear boy was >quite upset when I threatened you-" Not raging, but rather that quiet, eyes ablaze, "if looks could kill" sort of intensity that people want to stay _far_ clear of. > "EEYAH!" Roland screams, and with his remaining >strength, sticks the remains of the violated Claw right >through Gaunt's tainted heart. > Gaunt looks down in surprise and fear. > "Heh..." Roland says, falling over. > (OOC: HALP! ) More to herself than anyone else, but still "audible" through the link, Morgan muses, <*Great. "Stay back", "None of you are a match for him", "HALP"?*> >>(OOC note: using <#*..*#> to denote lens and sigil links together) <#*Um, >>Xzerrion, the reason we were going in _there_ is now out _here_ >>squaring (circling? ) off with Roscoe. It seems your trap has >>lost it's bait. Now what?*#> > > *I volunteer,* Roland sends, chuckling, as he slips >into merciful unconsciousness... "Alex" glares at the temporarily wounded Gaunt. <*If we're going to do anything about him, it's got to be _now_.*> Aloud, and in a very calm voice, she says, "I think we've had about enough of you." Keeping her distance, prepared to defend herself if necessary, and never taking her eyes off her sword-brother's enemy, she begins a low, soft chant. "Anail nathrack uthvass bethud...." The ground around Gaunt appears to come alive, but it isn't the ground. From everywhere swarm creepy-crawlies of every kind, converging on the immortal. A bite from any one of them would normally be of little consequence to one of his kind, but there are thousands. He brushes them off, squashes them, but they keep coming, keep biting and stinging. The cumulative effect is.... Morgan /|\ =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 06:02:06 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) (OOC: Anyone probing Roscoe either physically or mentally finds he is not quite human, he's a geneticly engeered being (Those familiar with the Battletech fictions, he's a crossbreed between a Clan Mechwarrior and an Elemental. Roscoe met such a prototype being when visiting the fiction and found the form easy to copy and very powerful for a humanoid.) Because of the chemical instability of this form, his Adrenal and Testosterone levels are currently quintiple normal human levels and rising. He won't answer any telepathys, but it's unknown whether he's ignoring, or not recieving.} Roscoe looks at John with no sign of recognition in his eyes. He bows deeply, then takes a martial arts on-guard stance. "I see you bring no weapons, that is good, I prefer it so. Let the trial now begin, for the honor of Kerensky and us both." Roscoe waits just a moment for John to be ready and then attacks. Running up to John, he leaps, but falls short, instead performing a prefect forward shoulder roll past John on his left side, then poping into a crouch just behind the feline-man and attempting a hard spear hand strike to the back of the knee in an attempt to cripple John early. =========================== Date: Wed May 14 06:42:37 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: AAE: Battles continue At 06:02 AM 5/14/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >He won't answer any telepathys, but it's unknown whether he's >ignoring, or not recieving.} > Roscoe waits just a moment for John to be ready and then attacks. >Running up to John, he leaps, but falls short, instead performing a >prefect forward shoulder roll past John on his left side, then poping >into a crouch just behind the feline-man and attempting a hard spear >hand strike to the back of the knee in an attempt to cripple John >early. Still involved with her spell, Morgan is able to spare a fragment of consciousness to notice this development. <*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. I can't hold this guy off forever.*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 07:24:20 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE: Battles continue On Wed, 14 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > <*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. > I can't hold this guy off forever.*> \From the looks of his energies this should be fairly effective\ As a stream of what appears to be pale blue sparks come from a nearby rooftop targeted on Guant. Fuzzy is fireing a needle gun loaded with Quan Iron needles. \When someone has a moment to share memories, I would appreciate the reminder, by my subjective time line I have been gone for almost 2 years.\ ttfn Fuzzy N N*N N =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 13:30:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) On Wed, 14 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > challenge.> > Roscoe looks at John with no sign of recognition in his eyes. He > bows deeply, then takes a martial arts on-guard stance. "I see you > bring no weapons, that is good, I prefer it so. Let the trial now > begin, for the honor of Kerensky and us both." John says, "Blow that for a lark. I don't care _what_ you prefer, and honor can go take a flying leap." And begins to glow a slight blue. > Roscoe waits just a moment for John to be ready and then attacks. > Running up to John, he leaps, but falls short, instead performing a > prefect forward shoulder roll past John on his left side, then > poping into a crouch just behind the feline-man and attempting a > hard spear hand strike to the back of the knee in an attempt to > cripple John early. John does a backflip, jumping back, coming down on one finger next to Roscoe, and flipping back again to land on his feet four feet away. As his finger hits the ground he yells, "Bakusai Tenketsu." Where his finger touched, the ground explodes, flinging earth and rock into Roscoe. As Roscoe gets up, John moves his hand in a circular motion. The ground inside the circle goes flat black, and Roscoe falls down to the ground. OOC: The ground is now entirely frictionless. Push against it, and you recieve no resistance. =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 13:51:26 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE: Battles continue On Wed, 14 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > Still involved with her spell, Morgan is able to spare a fragment of > consciousness to notice this development. > > <*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. > I can't hold this guy off forever.*> John, having finished his current spell in his battle against Roscoe, has a small breathing space. He looks around at the CAoL, "I need something to keep you all busy." His glow flares a little brighter for a moment, then several, (about 50) summoned shapes start to appear. They resolve into the shapes of... 13th century knights, who charge the remainder of the CAoL. Whenever a knight is incapacitated, however that may be, another takes it's place. As the knights start to battle the Callahanians, John's voice booms out over the battlefield, "Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated." OOC: There are 300 knights total, 50 will be present at all times, until such time as there aren't enough to replenish the supply. =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 22:45:00 -0700 From: Gareth L Owen Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes >> "EEYAH!" Roland screams, and with his remaining >>strength, sticks the remains of the violated Claw right >>through Gaunt's tainted heart. >> Gaunt looks down in surprise and fear. >> "Heh..." Roland says, falling over. >> (OOC: HALP! ) > > More to herself than anyone else, but still "audible" through the > link, Morgan muses, <*Great. "Stay back", "None of you are a match > for him", "HALP"?*> "Sod it!" The Stranger runs towards Roland. >> *I volunteer,* Roland sends, chuckling, as he slips >>into merciful unconsciousness... > > "Alex" glares at the temporarily wounded Gaunt. <*If we're going to > do anything about him, it's got to be _now_.*> Aloud, and in a very > calm voice, she says, "I think we've had about enough of you." The Stranger reaches Roland, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck with his left hand, his right hand bats away Gaunt's feebly outstretched claw with his falchion. He drags the stricken hero away from Gaunt as.... > Keeping her distance, prepared to defend herself if necessary, and > never taking her eyes off her sword-brother's enemy, she begins a > low, soft chant. "Anail nathrack uthvass bethud...." > > The ground around Gaunt appears to come alive, but it isn't the > ground. From everywhere swarm creepy-crawlies of every kind, > converging on the immortal. A bite from any one of them would > normally be of little consequence to one of his kind, but there are > thousands. He brushes them off, squashes them, but they keep coming, > keep biting and stinging. The cumulative effect is.... "Urgh. Didn't know you could do that." Clear of the Gaunt, The Stranger bends over Roland. /*Pulse, breathing, yes, lifeforce, he's still with us */ Behind the Stranger one of John's summoned knights approaches, sword raised high, about to bring it slicing down on his head when the knight is hit by half a ton of furious steel cat moving at high speed. Kitty wheels back towards the Stranger, tossing the broken corpse aside. "Thanks Kitty." The Stranger rises, planting one foot on either side of Roland and hefting his Falchion. Looking around he seems to be attracting a crowd. A ragged skirmish line of knights is approaching, Kitty places herself next to him, crouching and snarling. "Thin red line time, Kit" he whispers then he shouts at the approaching knights "Right you bastards! Who dies first!" They charge. The Stranger (OOC: I'm assuming these knights are not going to have any morale problems) =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 15:59:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Wed, 14 May 1997, Gareth L Owen wrote: > The Stranger rises, planting one foot on either side of Roland and > hefting his Falchion. Looking around he seems to be attracting a > crowd. A ragged skirmish line of knights is approaching, Kitty > places herself next to him, crouching and snarling. > > "Thin red line time, Kit" he whispers then he shouts at the > approaching knights > > "Right you bastards! Who dies first!" > > They charge. > > The Stranger > > (OOC: I'm assuming these knights are not going to have any morale > problems) Meanwhile, Xzerrion realizes that his original plan has just been overtaken by events, and begins redirecting the drow elven troops. `All right, reform into four groups. Five of your best warriors, stay with me. We're going up to the roof. Another five and the best wizard, out the front gate. The remaining two mages, go out the sides into flanking positions with five warriors, but don't show yourselves until I do. Got that? Good.' Xzerrion scrambles to the rooftops, where he surveys the battle taking place below. With typical drama, he steps forward, protected by the small group of drow soldiers and encased in glowing blue light. `It is the will of Matron Drisonel, that if you surrender at once, your lives will be spared! Resistance, however, will be met by deadly force. Know that the Matron wishes to have you alive, but is willing to accept the delivery of your bodies if necessary. Which is it to be?' At a gesture, the group of drow warriors level hand crossbows at the CaoL, and those with exceptional hearing note faint clicks from behind-left and behind-right as two groups of drow move into position with hand crossbows out. As he waits, Xzerrion momentarily opens the link and drops his mental shield. <*I can get us in close to Drisonel at the least, probably to the prison itself.*> =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 16:00:20 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE: Yeah, lets go do _something_ :-) On Wed, 14 May 1997, Shadow wrote: >snip< > John does a backflip, jumping back, coming down on one finger next > to Roscoe, and flipping back again to land on his feet four feet > away. As his finger hits the ground he yells, "Bakusai Tenketsu." > Where his finger touched, the ground explodes, flinging earth and > rock into Roscoe. As Roscoe gets up, John moves his hand in a > circular motion. The ground inside the circle goes flat black, and > Roscoe falls down to the ground. > > OOC: The ground is now entirely frictionless. Push against it, and > you recieve no resistance. Roscoe slips and slide for a moment, then pauses. Striking is hands straight down, he makes two handholds. Enough of holds at least to allow him to flip up and spring towards a startled John feet first. Boot strikes flesh and in a moment, both fighters are back on the ground sliding like a human pinball game. =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 16:19:21 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll On Mon, 12 May 1997, Caprice wrote: > Argent accepts the hand up, then arches a pale white brow. "My name > is Argent, sir. The only thing of importance would be my contract > with Xzerrion... if he decides that my being here is a dereliction > of my duty, I will have a devilish time getting him to pay me." > > Argent then smiles, a cool expression that has nothing to do with > friendship. "Bur I am certain that you could convince him that > this... discussion is in the line of my duties. If so, I would be > delighted to join you." Driscoll chuckles and a smirk appears on his lips, "Well, Argent, I believe that as Xzerrion's employer,Convincing him that I needed you here should not pose too great a task." > Argent moves to sit at the table, allowing Drisonel to guide her to > her place. ^^^^^^^^ I assume a typo unless you REALLY want Driss to bring her here... ;-) > [OOC: Caprice/Argent is having a slight problem in that the new > personality native to this fiction has moved in and set up shop. > Caprice has managed to fabricate a reason for Argent to work with > the CAoL, but is currently taking backseat in the skull. Any deep > probing into her mind/nature, let me know.] Driss looks at Argent's field garb for a moment, his hand stroking his chin in a very melodramitic thinking pose. "No, I just don't think you're quite Dressed for dinner just yet." He reaches into a bowl on the table and tosses what looks like a handful of tiny stars at Argent. They swirl about her, and as each one lands, the cloth underneath it changes, until she finds herself dressed in a scarlett satin ballgown. "Your normal clothing will return when you do so to Quaren. Personally I think the red goes perfectly with that beautiful white hair. If you like I can change it to any other color you liek though. I _am_ a God!" Soft music beings to play, thought no muscians seem to be present. Driss begins to sit down near Argent and a chair appears underneath him. He pours two crystal goblets with red wine and hands one to Argent, a wide smile across his lips, "See? It even matches the dress, so you don't even have to worry about spilling." He chuckles for a moment, then clinks his glass against Argent's. "To beauty and all its forms." Taking a sip from the wine, he licks a drop of it off his lips and sets down the glass, "So, Tell me everything. What's it like in your dimention? How did you come to decide to be a warrior? And why join this particular army? And how _is_ it doing incidently?" =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 16:19:43 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes On Wed, 14 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: > Xzerrion scrambles to the rooftops, where he surveys the battle > taking place below. With typical drama, he steps forward, protected > by the small group of drow soldiers and encased in glowing blue > light. Fuzzy ceased fire at the first sign of rooftop activity, to see what was happening without giving away his position. Specifically excluding Xzerrion \Who's Side is he on anyway?, Well since he hasn't noticed that I'm back yet, I'm going to take cover and remain in reserve, Advice: if he asks, Fuzzy was probably vaporized by some kind of miscast spell.\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Wed, 14 May 97 20:04:44 +0100 From: Roland X Quoth the Lady Morgan: >> Gaunt looks over at (what, IMO, must be) a raging >>Morgan. "Ah, yes. Now, as I recall, the dear boy was >>quite upset when I threatened you-" > >Not raging, but rather that quiet, eyes ablaze, "if looks could kill" >sort of intensity that people want to stay _far_ clear of. > >deliberatly _don't_ look like Morgan. Right now I'm "Alex", who's a >slightly taller, slightly darker complected, and much more >intelligent looking variant of "Buffy". This is a shape change, not >an illusion, so Gaunt shouldnt' be able to "see through" it. Of >course, that doesn't stop the fact that he knows he can get to you by >threatening your female companions ;-).> (OOC: You're right, he shouldn't. ) (OOC: Actually, that was my bad-I forgot. But he does have similar powers, including telepathy, and Roland's mind isn't in the best position to defend itself. ) >> "EEYAH!" Roland screams, and with his remaining >>strength, sticks the remains of the violated Claw right >>through Gaunt's tainted heart. >> Gaunt looks down in surprise and fear. >> "Heh..." Roland says, falling over. >> (OOC: HALP! ) > >More to herself than anyone else, but still "audible" through the >link, Morgan muses, <*Great. "Stay back", "None of you are a match >for him", "HALP"?*> (The 'HALP!' was an OOC joke. I knew you guys wouldn't stay out of this one after that. ) >>>(OOC note: using <#*..*#> to denote lens and sigil links together) >>><#*Um, Xzerrion, the reason we were going in _there_ is now out >>>_here_ squaring (circling? ) off with Roscoe. It seems your trap >>>has lost it's bait. Now what?*#> >> >> *I volunteer,* Roland sends, chuckling, as he slips >>into merciful unconsciousness... > >"Alex" glares at the temporarily wounded Gaunt. <*If we're going to >do anything about him, it's got to be _now_.*> Aloud, and in a very >calm voice, she says, "I think we've had about enough of you." > >Keeping her distance, prepared to defend herself if necessary, and >never taking her eyes off her sword-brother's enemy, she begins a >low, soft chant. "Anail nathrack uthvass bethud...." Gaunt snarls, trying to laugh at her, but he can't seem to find his voice. He clutches at the ruins of the sword in his heart, trying to remove it. At the same time, his Psion Aura flares in a way that makes it visible to everyone in the area. "I'll deal with you...in a moment..." >The ground around Gaunt appears to come alive, but it isn't the >ground. From everywhere swarm creepy-crawlies of every kind, >converging on the immortal. A bite from any one of them would >normally be of little consequence to one of his kind, but there are >thousands. He brushes them off, squashes them, but they keep coming, >keep biting and stinging. The cumulative effect is.... ...maddening. "Arrgh!" Gaunt cries, his aura flaring darkly. "Twice now you've cost me the brat! You'll pay for this, you witch!" Gaunt retreats to the position held by the Drow, channelling his bio-energies in an effort to heal himself. The sword, still in his heart, interferes with the effect, however, and the insects feast. >outright, even if I could, since you seem to enjoy bringing him back >every so often. So, how's he react to this?> (OOC: Like this. Thanks for the rescue. Now, if you want to 'borrow' Gaunt for your own nefarious purposes, let me know.) Later, also sayeth the Lady Morgan: ><*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. I >can't hold this guy off forever.*> Roland gasps, feeling his sword-sister's desperation. *My... sword...* The pain leaks through the telepathic link. *Morgan... leave me...he'll return, and when he does...* Roland tries to stand. Unsuccessfully. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE: Battles continue Date: Wed, 14 May 97 20:20:05 +0100 From: Roland X Sayeth the fuzzy mage: >On Wed, 14 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > >> <*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. >> I can't hold this guy off forever.*> > > \From the looks of his energies this should be fairly effective\ > >As a stream of what appears to be pale blue sparks come from a nearby >rooftop targeted on Guant. Fuzzy is fireing a needle gun loaded with >Quan Iron needles. > >other dark energies on contact, at the energy levels I suspect Guant >carries I expect the needles to explode as a secondary reaction, >minor but not fun if they are embedded in flesh at the time.> (OOC: The magickal energies are in the sword _only._ Actually being enchanted is anathema to my kind. Not that your character would know any of this. The explosions, however...) Gaunt actually seems to find relief in the iron needles, as they kill some of the bugs. Then they begin exploding. "Hnng-okay, another one I have to kill..." >\When someone has a moment to share memories, I would appreciate the >reminder, by my subjective time line I have been gone for almost 2 >years.\ Roland tries to reply, but cannot focus properly to send telepathically. If Fuzzy is capable of reading minds, however, Roland's mental shields are pretty much swiss cheese right now. =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Wed, 14 May 97 20:20:18 +0100 From: Roland X >The Stranger rises, planting one foot on either side of Roland and >hefting his Falchion. Looking around he seems to be attracting a >crowd. A ragged skirmish line of knights is approaching, Kitty places >herself next to him, crouching and snarling. > >"Thin red line time, Kit" he whispers then he shouts at the >approaching knights > >"Right you bastards! Who dies first!" > >They charge. Roland, unaware of his surroundings until now, looks across at his rescuer. "St-*cough*-stranger?" Roland rises shakily to his knees. "They can't kill me. I'm immortal. Get the hell out of here." Roland clutches at the sickly-green gash in his side, wincing. "I'll-" Roland falls over again. "oy...i think i'll just lie here and bleed for a while..." Meanwhile... "I will forbear, Matron," Gaunt says, as one of the Drow pulls the remains of the Phoenix Claw from his heart. "For the moment. But I can take nearly all of them, if you wish." He holds the Brand lightly, as the shadows around it reach out with monstrous tentacles. =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 17:34:38 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE: Battles continue On Wed, 14 May 1997, Roland X wrote: > Sayeth the fuzzy mage: > (OOC: The magickal energies are in the sword > _only._ Actually being enchanted is anathema to > my kind. Not that your character would know any > of this. The explosions, however...) > Gaunt actually seems to find relief in the > iron needles, as they kill some of the bugs. > Then they begin exploding. > "Hnng-okay, another one I have to kill..." > >>\When someone has a moment to share memories, I would appreciate the >>reminder, by my subjective time line I have been gone for almost 2 >>years.\ > > Roland tries to reply, but cannot focus properly > to send telepathically. If Fuzzy is capable of > reading minds, however, Roland's mental shields are > pretty much swiss cheese right now. And how, remember he was a telepath before he got his Lens. Begin Part 2: \It was on some world of this realm that I would find what I sought.\ \After a month of searching I finally found the Artifact I sought on a shattered ball of rock, When I held the LightSigil in one hand and the DarkSigil in the other, and drew on both of them at once they both detonated and, Each and every Alignment Combination of myself manifested physically with a matching Sigil, each one determined to dominate the whole.\ \In the resulting battle between the manifest aspects of self, I unfortuantly Doomed several Billion souls to quicker Oblivion by bringing life to the ball of shattered rock orbiting a small yellow star. before the battle ended in a draw that the base 'True Neutral' Aspect was able to absorb into a new personal balance, the Combination Residue from the Sigils is locked in a dynamic balance cycle that will automaticaly counter any external force that attempts to influence Fuzzy's alignment.\ \It took almost a year to find a way out of that realm, Where entropy tends toward a minimum , as I found it impossible to recharge the Chaos Gate Talismans there, and there were no Ficton Gate links that I could find from there to this side of the entropic slope. I did however during the search, learn many things about Ficton Gates, and thus I now have more control when I use them.\ \This side of The Gateway turns out to be deep in the stacks of the Library of The Unseen University in a city called Anhk-Morpork, on a peculiar round flat world that rests on the backs of four enormous elephants which in turn stand on the shell of the Great Space Turtle Atuin.\ \It took a few months of argueing to convince the wizards who study and teach there that I should be released to go my own way.\ \Since then I have been repairing, recharging, and building new equipment. With side trips to various Fictions to gather materials.\ \Both of my Chaos Gate Talismans are charged, my reserves are full, and I have a new weapon.\ His new 'Sword' is one form of a "Soft-Weapon" ie Hi-Tech Multi-Mode Multiple Shape weapon, the hilt is a Matrix Latice, and the pommel stone is an Octarine from the Diskworld which glows in the indescribably color of magic. The Sword is a Tech/Magic/Psi fusion. His Needle Gun Is a Hybrid that fires either a magnetically propelled Metal needle or a magneticlly bound plasma energy charge. \Anything like that Sigil with a biased alignment that I try to use now will work for only a fraction of a second before the balanceing flow disrupts it, and it goes poof. But for that fraction of a second both the Item and the Balancing flow are available. Unfortunatly, I doubt that any such artifact can exist without a bias.\ \Sorry I'm late, I wasn't sure just when I left so I was cautious... also I came in via a Ficton Gate as the energy release from a Chaos Gate is far to detectable a surge, even though it is not identifiable as Gate Energy.\ \Believe Me, you don't want to think to closely about where the latest crop of nightmares suffered in this realm lair. I drained that ficton gate as I came thru it which should reduce their vividness in this building at least.\ ttfn Fuzzy N N*N N =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 20:34:41 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll > Driss looks at Argent's field garb for a moment, his hand stroking > his chin in a very melodramitic thinking pose. "No, I just don't > think you're quite Dressed for dinner just yet." He reaches into a > bowl on the table and tosses what looks like a handful of tiny stars > at Argent. They swirl about her, and as each one lands, the cloth > underneath it changes, until she finds herself dressed in a scarlett > satin ballgown. "Your normal clothing will return when you do so to > Quaren. Personally I think the red goes perfectly with that > beautiful white hair. If you like I can change it to any other color > you liek though. I _am_ a God!" Argent looks shocked and frightened first at the change of garb. Then she caresses the skirt of the gown with an almost shy gesture. A small, timid smile appears on her lips. > Soft music beings to play, thought no muscians seem to be present. > Driss begins to sit down near Argent and a chair appears underneath > him. He pours two crystal goblets with red wine and hands one to > Argent, a wide smile across his lips, "See? It even matches the > dress, so you don't even have to worry about spilling." He chuckles > for a moment, then clinks his glass against Argent's. "To beauty and > all its forms." Argent blushes, something that shows up brilliantly against her pale skin. She returns the toast in a soft murmur. o O (Me? Beautiful? He can't mean...) > Taking a sip from the wine, he licks a drop of it off his lips and > sets down the glass, "So, Tell me everything. What's it like in your > dimention? How did you come to decide to be a warrior? And why join > this particular army? And how _is_ it doing incidently?" Argent looks confused at the first question, "My dimension? But I was born and raised in Quaren." She nibbles at a bite of fruit to cover her confusion. Argent continues, "As far as becoming a warrior... I had no desire to follow my mother in her profession, and she frankly concidered me a burden. I was about nine or so when I was apprenticed to the assassains guild." She pauses, sipping her wine, allowing Driscoll to react to that statement if he choses. She sits her glass down, with a slightly sad smile. "I was fifteen and a journeyman, well on my way to master, when a growth spurt hit... Who's ever heard of an assassian nearly seven feet tall, and with shoulders like an ox?" Her tone is very self depreciating, and she pauses before continuing. "So the guild let me go, and I became apprenticed to a swordsman and took up fighting. Since I know an assassain's tricks, I've been able to make a good living as a bodyguard. And it's amazing... if someone does die from an assassain's poison, no one ever questions the big lug with the broadsword." She gives Driscoll a clever, fey smile at that. Argent sips her wine to moisten her throat before continuing. "As far as this battle goes, Xzerrion had hired me as a bodyguard, so I got dragged in as a part of it. I believe he has a plan, though who can tell how a Drow's mind works?" >> [OOC: Caprice/Argent is having a slight problem in that the new >> personality native to this fiction has moved in and set up shop. >> Caprice has managed to fabricate a reason for Argent to work with >> the CAoL, but is currently taking backseat in the skull. Any deep >> probing into her mind/nature, let me know.] >> > probe the minds of non-Quarenians, but you're beinging a > Quarenian... Hmmm> [OOC: Argent you could read like a book. Caprice... you'd know she's down in there, but only be able to read her where she touches/overlaps Argent.] =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 20:30:21 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE-Dinner with Driscoll At 08:34 PM 5/14/97 -0400, Caprice wrote: >She sits her glass down, with a slightly sad smile. "I was fifteen >and a journeyman, well on my way to master, when a growth spurt >hit... Who's ever heard of an assassian nearly seven feet tall, and >with shoulders like an ox?" Her tone is very self depreciating, and >she pauses before continuing. =========================== Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 20:55:48 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes At 08:04 PM 5/14/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: >Later, also sayeth the Lady Morgan: >><*Ter-fraggin-riffic. Come _on_, Roland. Heal up enough to come to. >>I can't hold this guy off forever.*> > > Roland gasps, feeling his sword-sister's desperation. >*My...sword...* > The pain leaks through the telepathic link. *Morgan... >leave me...he'll return, and when he does...* Roland >tries to stand. Unsuccessfully. Will moves across the battlefield slowly but purposely. It's obvious he's been in this spot before. As his large silver blaster flashes, lighting up the battle field like a strobe light, he can be heard singing in time to the falling of the knights: "One little, two little, three little armed with tin...four little, five little, six little armed with tin...seven little, eight little, nine little armed with tin..." Will reaches Roland and is attempting to help him up, when unknown to Will, a knight is moving behind him to strike. As the knight raises his sword high to deliver a surely fatal blow, lightning arcs from the shadows, striking the knight in the chest. Will turns in time to see the knight fall dead. "Ten little armed with tin boys." "DANGER, Will Robinson! DANGER!" "No kidding, Robot. Protect the lady," indicating Crow, "with the two wolves I was just with. I'm going to try and get this guy out of the line of fire. C'mon, buddy, quit bleeding--Green!? That's different!--all over my boots and help me get you outta here..." =========================== Subject: Re: Re : Aae-night scenes Date: Wed, 14 May 97 23:18:06 +0100 From: Roland X Quoth the Knytt : >Will moves across the battlefield slowly but purposely. It's obvious >he's been in this spot before. As his large silver blaster flashes, >lighting up the battle field like a strobe light, he can be heard >singing in time to the falling of the knights: > >"One little, two little, three little armed with tin...four little, >five little, six little armed with tin...seven little, eight little, >nine little armed with tin..." "Now _that's_ cool..." Roland comments, a goofy smile lighting up his face. >Will reaches Roland and is attempting to help him up, when unknown to >Will, a knight is moving behind him to strike. As the knight raises >his sword high to deliver a surely fatal blow, lightning arcs from >the shadows, striking the knight in the chest. Will turns in time to >see the knight fall dead. > >"Ten little armed with tin boys." > >"DANGER, Will Robinson! DANGER!" Roland groans. "Oh no...can I go fight Gaunt some more? No robots named Robby, _please_..." >"No kidding, Robot. Protect the lady," indicating Crow, "with the >two wolves I was just with. I'm going to try and get this guy out of >the line of fire. C'mon, buddy, quit bleeding--Green!? That's >different!--all over my boots and help me get you outta here..." "Wish it _were_ blood, I could _heal_ that... quick, get it off you, it's a powerful poison that resists regeneration-and believe me *cough* I know what I'm talking about..." Roland tries to shamble away, fighting desperately not to be a liability to his friends, all the while feeling the gaze of Byron Gaunt boring into him... (OOC: I never though being torn to shreds could be this much fun! Oh, the pathos!) ===========================