Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3 Chapter 8 Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 17:22:38 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: OOC-Doh... On Sat, 17 May 1997, fuzzy wrote: > Fuzzy will hole up for the day, somewhere... Unless something comes > up. He will keep monitoring the Kids and be ready for Rescue or > Distraction duties should anyone call. > I figure a nice daylight walk, killing anything that challenges him > will provide a decent distraction if needed. Well other than keeping up the above monitoring and being ready, until daylight I will be creaping around planting un-energized tanglefoot spells in street intersections, the spells when energized will be specific to the chaser and not affect the chasee. If I encounter The Robot I will identify myself, and cite commen friends. then I will give The Robot the frequency and scramble code of my radio. ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 19:24:07 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE:Shifting sands At 01:38 PM 5/17/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > The Controller opens an x-window into a chamber known to nearly no >one else. Far under the sands of the Misernian Desert, it's easy to >see how he thinks of this place as a safe place for his inner sanctum >and the sheltering of valuables, two of which it's time to feed. > Touching a certain sequence on a nearby panel, two bowls of yellow >glop pours out into 2 bowls. Moving to the cages where the sleeping >figures lie, he places it inside without waking either human. > Leaving them, he moves into another room filled with computer >equipment. Checking various moniters dials and sensors, he notices >that there is indeed a 'visitor' in satellite 8, but that his Fly has >been spotted. "Hmm prehaps not as stupid as I thought. Oh well. I >don't feel like playing now." Pressing another button, he activeats a >remote bomb inside the sattelite, but seperate from the computer >system. A few Quarenians note a star flash into existance and >disappear as quickly in the quickly lightening dawn sky. > Moving into a third room, The Controller sits down on a Lazy-boy >recliner and uses his power to turn on the radio, and loses himself >in his thoughts and the music of the Bee-gees. "Yes and that was the Bee-gees on the All Bee-gees, All the Time Radio Network. But before we get back to the music, we bring you these few words from our sponsors.... "Has your turn-table turned on you? Your 8-track ate your favorite tunes? Then disco on down to Sparky's Sound Systems for a brand new hi-fidelity sound system. Want a woofer that won't put a bite on your wallet? Want a tweeter at a low-low price? Then get down to Sparky's Sound Systems. On the corner of Ligi and Darath in the downtown of the old capital city..... "Disco Darath's! Where polyester rules the night! Disco Darath's! Where bellbottoms are never out of style! Disco Darath's! The only source for white belts and shoes! Disco Darath's! 666 13th street, midtown! Disco Darath's! "Hey there, pinheads! Sparky your roving DJ here telling you that Disco is a tool of the government to put subliminal messages straight into your brains! Here, lemme show you. I'll play this record backwards and slow it down for you....there! Ya hear that? See? It says it right there. Controller! The government is trying to control you. Turn your brains to so much pureed bat guano. But you don't have to submit to it. You can fight back. Turn off the radio! Go read a book! Talk to your neighbors! Quit scarfing the Cheese nips and drinking Keystones and see what the world has to offer you! Get your iron butt outta the barca-lounger and do something for gosh darn sakes!!!..." ----- Michael Knight (Alias: Knytt), companion of the feline god, Pyewackett, Chronicler of the Musings of Zathras and Keeper of the Family Zathras Greeting Card List =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 01:27:01 -0700 From: Gareth L Owen Subject: Re: AAE: Roland's "departure" (was Re: AAE: Weaving threads of battle) L.J. Wolfe wrote: > If she heals the magically enhanced poison in his system, or > interferes with Byron's withdrawal of energy, it will just bring the > Gaunt back to repair his "battery". Every instict she has screams > against drawing from one as injured as Roland, but clearly he wanted > _her_ to draw on his energy rather than let Gaunt have it all. She > sits, gently stroking his forehead :-)>, and finally sighs. "As you wish, brother." Stranger watches in silence, nothing he can do for his comrade now. > "Now, on to our original job...." Morgan walks to the nearest wall > and lays the palms of her hands against the stone. The more > sensitive in the group can feel her reaching out, tapping in to the > "vertical earth" of the stone wall, trying to sense what the other > parts of the wall know. The Stranger makes himself busy, examining the door. /*Great! We've really go them where we want them now, we've infiltrated their prison and cunningly let them take our weapons from us. This had better work. When do we make our move? */ =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 07:44:54 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest fuzzy wrote: > \I may worry too much, but I Do know how to have Fun... 'snicker'\ > > \Let me know if you want a snack that doesn't give you such a > headache...\ Mischief perks her ears at this, and mews. *Food? I'm HUNGRY Uncle Fuzzy!* She bounds off in search of Fuzzy, telepathically mewing the whole time. *They didn't FEED me... I'm STARRRRRVING!* =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 07:56:26 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: AAE: A talk with myself gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Turning to Caprice, "I didn't realize how late it was, I guess that > spell took longer than I thought to cast. I enjoyed talking with you > adn wish to do it again soon." He takes her hand and tenderly kisses > it, "Until then, I shall send you back to Quaren. Ummm I'm not quite > sure where to send you, but because of your Quarinian side, I think > I can cast this so you can decide where to land." > Smoke seems to eminate from his fingertips and swirls around > Caprice until she can no longer see the room. Then the smake fades > awaya nd she finds herself... (OOC: I'll let you fill in the blank > here.) Unfortunately, it is her Quarinian side that betrays her, and Caprice finds herself in a small bedroom... face to face with Argent. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't scream for the other guards?" "Which of us would they kill?" "Why shouldn't -I- kill you?" "How would you like to help get the Drow out of here? And cause them a lot of pain?" Twin cold smiles shone at each other across the room. "Who are you?" "Let me explain..." -- Caprice - As I walked with myself, and talked with myself, myself said to me, "Look to thyself. Take care of thyself. For nobody cares for thee." Then did myself, answer myself, in the self-same repartee, "Look to thyself, or not to thyself, the self same thing shall be." - Traditional Nursery Rhyme =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 07:42:46 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest On Sun, 18 May 1997, Caprice wrote: > Mischief perks her ears at this, and mews. *Food? I'm HUNGRY Uncle > Fuzzy!* She bounds off in search of Fuzzy, telepathically mewing the > whole time. *They didn't FEED me... I'm STARRRRRVING!* Not much of a search, since Fuzzy is nearby and can give relative directions to a point half way. \Poor kitten, meet me 'here' I have an egg, some cream, and can of tuna with your name on it unless you want the can with Squee's name on it. ;) \ \Squee, I have some food for you as well whenever you are ready.\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 10:51:10 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest fuzzy wrote: > Not much of a search, since Fuzzy is nearby and can give relative > directions to a point half way. > > \Poor kitten, meet me 'here' I have an egg, some cream, and can of > tuna with your name on it unless you want the can with Squee's name > on it. ;) \ Mischief ponders that, *both!* > \Squee, I have some food for you as well whenever you are ready.\ Mischief shows up, and immediately begins twining around Fuzzy's legs in the way that humans usually take as being affectionate. Cats know better. The REAL reason is either to mark someone as your territory, or to trip them while still looking innocent. *i'm HUUUNGRY! meeeeew!* =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 08:04:17 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest On Sun, 18 May 1997, Caprice wrote: > fuzzy wrote: >> \Poor kitten, meet me 'here' I have an egg, some cream, and can of >> tuna with your name on it unless you want the can with Squee's name >> on it. ;) \ > > Mischief ponders that, *both!* \Well, if Squee doesn't show up soon, ... ;)\ >> \Squee, I have some food for you as well whenever you are ready.\ > > Mischief shows up, and immediately begins twining around Fuzzy's > legs in the way that humans usually take as being affectionate. Cats > know better. The REAL reason is either to mark someone as your > territory, or to trip them while still looking innocent. *i'm > HUUUNGRY! meeeeew!* Fuzzy picked a meeting point with a good 'blind' near by. "Right this way." And they settle down to eat. (OOC: I'm going to assume that Squee shows up in time. and tracks us into the 'blind'.) \Looks like you don't get his can of tuna, Here let me make it up to you, here is a bit of sausage for each of you.\ As planned, I should have both Kids in hand now. ttfn Fuzzy =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 15:07:30 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest On Sun, 18 May 1997, fuzzy wrote: > \Poor kitten, meet me 'here' I have an egg, some cream, and can of > tuna with your name on it unless you want the can with Squee's name > on it. ;) \ > > \Squee, I have some food for you as well whenever you are ready.\ Squee puffs up a bit mentally [I've already got some food and a whole kitchen more of it!] Then he settles down to watch the broom thwaping at the floor in front fo the hole and dozes off. =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 15:09:31 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest On Sun, 18 May 1997, fuzzy wrote: > (OOC: I'm going to assume that Squee shows up in time. and tracks us > into the 'blind'.) > > \Looks like you don't get his can of tuna, Here let me make it up to > you, here is a bit of sausage for each of you.\ > > As planned, I should have both Kids in hand now. Squee finally shows up after his nap, but it's an hour or so after dawn when he does. =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 15:41:31 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest On Sun, 18 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > On Sun, 18 May 1997, fuzzy wrote: >> (OOC: I'm going to assume that Squee shows up in time. and tracks >> us into the 'blind'.) [Reset] >> \Looks like you don't get his can of tuna, Here let me make it up >> to you, here is a bit of sausage for each of you.\ Wait until Mischief has finished her share of the meal, Pet and Scritch with a bit of Grooming, (She really shouldn't have room for the second can.) then trade her a piece of the sausage for Squee's can of tuna. =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 17:16:06 -0700 (MST) Subject: OOC: Dusk? OK I THINK we have everyone accounted for now, anyone mind if I fast forward to Dusk again? (Boy I feel like i'm in a Vampire:The Mascarade campaign! ;-) ) =========================== Date: Sun May 18 18:10:25 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 05:16 PM 5/18/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > OK I THINK we have everyone accounted for now, anyone mind if I fast >forward to Dusk again? (Boy I feel like i'm in a Vampire: The >Mascarade campaign! ;-) ) I'll answer that by responding to my sword-bro's last comments: At 07:59 PM 5/17/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: >Quoth the Lady Morgan: >>"Now, on to our original job...." Morgan walks to the nearest wall >>and lays the palms of her hands against the stone. The more >>sensitive in the group can feel her reaching out, tapping in to the >>"vertical earth" of the stone wall, trying to sense what the other >>parts of the wall know. > > Morgan feels a slight tug...as if some new sense >were simply waiting for her to 'open' her 'eyes.' After a time Morgan steps back from the wall and sits down, obviously fatigued. <*Anyone mind if I talk instead of send? I'm beginning to feel like I've forgotten how.*> (OOC: If anyone prefers I send, then the following is sent instead of spoken.) "Well, I didn't feel anything that would tell me Driscoll's brothers are here. Problem is, I can't be sure whether it's because they're _not_ here or because I just didn't _sense_ them for some reason." "We should probably take this opportunity to rest. Anyone up for first watch? I'd rather not have all of us asleep at the same time." She sighs wearily. "Then again, we also need to plan our next move. I know Xzerrion is still on our side, but I don't know what he's got planned. Even if I did, there's no way of knowing how Drisonel will figure into things. I'm kinda fried - anyone got any ideas?" And is the Godling going to have another battle today? Those happen during our daylight, don't they? ;-) Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 20:58:33 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 06:10 PM 5/18/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >After a time Morgan steps back from the wall and sits down, obviously >fatigued. > ><*Anyone mind if I talk instead of send? I'm beginning to feel like >I've forgotten how.*> (OOC: If anyone prefers I send, then the >following is sent instead of spoken.) I always sort of assumed it didn't matter whether it was sent or spoken. Whatever we want the others to know, they know. Kinda like the "eyes on the back of the head" bit. We get a total sensory experience for as long as we want, or the subject wants. >"Well, I didn't feel anything that would tell me Driscoll's brothers >are here. Problem is, I can't be sure whether it's because they're >_not_ here or because I just didn't _sense_ them for some reason." Knytt sends /That would seem to confirm my theory that they are nearer to Darath the Black./ > >And is the Godling going to have another battle today? Those happen >during our daylight, don't they? ;-) > Knytt may do a few things during the day, but that will probably be more on his own than anything. Will, thinking this the quietest bunch he has ever encountered, is startled by the sudden speech. He listens, then stands. "Can someone fill me in on what I have gotten myself into? And if you want to sleep, I will take the first watch." Knytt picks this up through the link. /WILL??? Oh boy.../ =========================== Date: Sun May 18 19:15:25 1997 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 08:58 PM 5/18/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote: >At 06:10 PM 5/18/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >><*Anyone mind if I talk instead of send? I'm beginning to feel like >>I've forgotten how.*> (OOC: If anyone prefers I send, then the >>following is sent instead of spoken.) > > I always sort of assumed it didn't matter whether it was sent >or spoken. Whatever we want the others to know, they know. Kinda like >the "eyes on the back of the head" bit. We get a total sensory >experience for as long as we want, or the subject wants. I was thinking that if anyone was worried about us being overheard by someone we don't _want_ overhearing us, we'd want to keep it on the psi-web. I'm still willing to backtrack and have the sensitive stuff (like which side Xzerrion's on) go on the link instead of aloud. >>"We should probably take this opportunity to rest. Anyone up for >>first watch? I'd rather not have all of us asleep at the same time." >>She sighs wearily. "Then again, we also need to plan our next move. >>I know Xzerrion is still on our side, but I don't know what he's got >>planned. Even if I did, there's no way of knowing how Drisonel will >>figure into things. I'm kinda fried - anyone got any ideas?" > >Will, thinking this the quietest bunch he has ever encountered, is >startled by the sudden speech. He listens, then stands. "Can someone >fill me in on what I have gotten myself into? And if you want to >sleep, I will take the first watch." > >Knytt picks this up through the link. /WILL??? Oh boy.../ Morgan is briefly startled. "Sorry about that. I'm... Alexandra will do for now." She extends a hand in greeting. "I'll let the others introduce themselves." <*So I don't mess up and use the wrong name on someone who still prefers an alias :-).*> "We're sometimes called the Callahanian Army of Light, and that's a long story for another time. We're adventurers from, well, not from Quaren, here on an errand for... I guess you could say an old friend. Sorry if that's kinda vague, but with all that we've been through it pays to be careful." She steps back and looks at her comrads. <*Next?*> Morgan /|\ =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 19:17:57 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAE: Driss's battle #2 No, I DIDN'T forget about the battle Morgan! ;-) OK here it is: The sun is barely halfway to its nexus point when Magi comes for Driscoll again. For the second battle, the turn out is not so great, spectators only number 4: Dwar, Ligi, Dargo, and of course Magi. Ligi scowls at Driscoll as he passes but says nothing. So looks so irritated he can't help but give her a bow and a sweet smile before moving on to his mark. "I will _not_ be tricked again Theif. This time it will be you who feels the pain of death, "snarls Darath, shifting the greatsword between hands. Magi gives the order for the battle to begin, and Driss gives Darath a bow. Darath returns the bow by trying to take off driscoll's head while he isn't looking, but Driscoll's Rapier seems to appear from nowhere to block it. Darath's greatsword seems to turn into a silvery blur as he assaults Driscoll, who works hard to try to find an opening to attack. Finally spotting a break in Darath's pattern, Driss's blade sneaks in, slicing into Darath's shoulder under the spauldron. Without even pausing to make an exclimation of pain, Darath swings the greatsword around. The flat fo it contacts with Driss's head and he stumbles back in confusion and pain. Only now does Darath take a moment to examine his wound. Almost as if the sight of his own blood gives him strength, he seems to draw himself up taller. Swinging the massive blade at the God of Thieves, Driss tries to parry again, but his head is still swimming from the clonk. Timing off by seconds causes his hand to leave his arm and a new wave of pain to flood his mind. Knowing he needs time to collect himself, Driss leaps for a nearby tree. Darath's sword flashes again and a large gash is opened up in Driss's leg. Grasping the branch with his one hand, he manages to pull himself up out of Darath's reach. Not to be bested so easily, Darath fells teh tree with one blow and it comes crashing down, Driscoll included. Driss lays there amongst the fallen leaves and broken branches as Darath walks towards him slowly and assuredly. Driss's hand snakes behind him, grasping the throwing knife in the small of his back, but as soon as he pulls it out, Darath chops that arm in two as well. Tears stream down Driscoll's face as Darath laughs above him. "You're not fit to be a man much less a God! You'll know much greater pain before this challenge is over Boy," darath mocks, then his sword comes crashing down, splitting Driss's head in two. Driss awakens in his own Realm, feeling sore adn drained as he's never felt before. "I-I-I lost!" =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 02:56:23 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 07:15 PM 5/18/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >Morgan is briefly startled. "Sorry about that. I'm... Alexandra will >do for now." She extends a hand in greeting. "I'll let the others >introduce themselves." <*So I don't mess up and use the wrong name on >someone who still prefers an alias :-).*> > >"We're sometimes called the Callahanian Army of Light, and that's a >long story for another time. We're adventurers from, well, not from >Quaren, here on an errand for... I guess you could say an old friend. >Sorry if that's kinda vague, but with all that we've been through it >pays to be careful." "Army of Light...not a name I would speak too loudly in Misern. And, yes, I thought you might not be. I haven't heard of any immortals on Quaren," nodding towards Roland. "Or telepaths," glancing at Alexandra. "So, when is your 'plant' letting us loose?" then to Crow, "And can I get my gun back please? I am rather uncomfortable without it." Through the link come a flurry of Gallifreyian curses. /This kid is too observant, but then again, he always was,/ Knytt sends. /Well, while Alexandra fends off the coming questions, can someone fill me in while I was passed out? I've got a lot of thinking to do./ >She steps back and looks at her comrads. <*Next?*> > >Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 07:18:54 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE-KidQuest >>> \Looks like you don't get his can of tuna, Here let me make it up >>> to you, here is a bit of sausage for each of you.\ > > Wait until Mischief has finished her share of the meal, Pet and > Scritch with a bit of Grooming, (She really shouldn't have room for > the second can.) then trade her a piece of the sausage for Squee's > can of tuna. Mischief accepts the trade, but makes it clear that it is ONLY because a second can of tuna would be boring, and she is in a mood for sausage. She allows herself to be groomed and fussed over, before finally finding a pocket or pouch big enough for her to climb into and nap. =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 06:56:41 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 02:56 AM 5/19/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote: >At 07:15 PM 5/18/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > >"So, when is your 'plant' letting us loose?" then to Crow, "And can I >get my gun back please? I am rather uncomfortable without it." "Good question. Excuse me a moment." Morgan reaches out on the sigil link, tentatively so as not to interupt Xzerrion in the middle of anything critical. <#Xzerrion? You've got a bunch of folks down here who'd like a clue as to what to expect next. And we've picked up a new guy who looks like he could be an asset. From the sound of it, he's an aquaintance of Knytt's.#> >Through the link come a flurry of Gallifreyian curses. > >/This kid is too observant, but then again, he always was,/ Knytt >sends. /Well, while Alexandra fends off the coming questions, can >someone fill me in while I was passed out? I've got a lot of thinking >to do./ consider yourself filled in ;-) Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 09:59:10 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 06:56 AM 5/19/97, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >At 02:56 AM 5/19/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote: >>Through the link come a flurry of Gallifreyian curses. >> >>/This kid is too observant, but then again, he always was,/ Knytt >>sends. /Well, while Alexandra fends off the coming questions, can >>someone fill me in while I was passed out? I've got a lot of >>thinking to do./ > > consider yourself filled in ;-) /Thanks...Will is an acquaintance alright. I spent...some time with him. But he won't know me now./ Knytt mentally smirks, /I think Will was a bit surprised by your reaction, Morgan. He used to say he loved watching the looks on people's faces when he revealed he knew more than they thought. Of course, he isn't the 'little genius' anymore. Just an intelligent adult. Almost to himself, Knytt muses "aloud" /Well, now that I think on it, I'm the only one who could ness up Will's timeline, and I can prevent that. Tell him what you want. He is trustworthy. /Funny, I don't remember him mentioning a 'Quaren'. But then, he had a wild youth. And outside of the battle last night, he may have not seen much action here./ /Well, while decisions are being made over there, is there any information I can provide?/ =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 08:47:32 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Dusk? On Mon, 19 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > At 02:56 AM 5/19/97 -0500, Michael Jon Knight wrote: >>Through the link come a flurry of Gallifreyian curses. >> >>/This kid is too observant, but then again, he always was,/ Knytt >>sends. /Well, while Alexandra fends off the coming questions, can >>someone fill me in while I was passed out? I've got a lot of >>thinking to do./ > > consider yourself filled in ;-) Fuzzy also seperatly fills Knytt in on the KidQuest and what he saw of the capture of the CAoL. \Knytt, I will also add your name to my list of 'Friends in commen' that I will give The Robot when I find him. The Robot is still loose in town. For your Reference the others are Captian Tucker and a Lost Boy Who is still trapped behind a mirror.\ =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 12:48:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Weaving threads of battle On Sat, 17 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >>... And sees a sopping wet, very angry, and very naked Matron >>Drisonel sit up from her bath. `WHAT?? I gave orders not to be >>disturbed! YOU should be flayed alive for the impertinence. Why do >>you dare?' During this outburst, Xzerrion did hear her, but also >>noticed that despite her over 500 years, Drisonel didn't look a day >>over 150. > > this sight? ;-)> - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 13:15:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? On Sun, 18 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > "We should probably take this opportunity to rest. Anyone up for > first watch? I'd rather not have all of us asleep at the same time." > She sighs wearily. "Then again, we also need to plan our next move. > I know Xzerrion is still on our side, but I don't know what he's got > planned. Even if I did, there's no way of knowing how Drisonel will > figure into things. I'm kinda fried - anyone got any ideas?" Ah yes, where Drisonel fits into things ... Xzerrion returns to find Drisonel toweling off her hair, but otherwise still undressed. He raises one eyebrow. `Matron, I realize I you intended for me to see more of you, but not *that* much more.' She glares back at him. `We have no time to waste here, now. Since you have, for the moment, shown your allegiance by taking the CAoL prisoner, you said you had some important information for me about why I should not involve my house in the affairs of Quaren.' Xzerrion pulls over a chair and drops into it. `Matron, it's quite simple, really. This whole involvement in Quaren is essentially a struggle between two dieties for domination of the region. Lloth, as you know better than I, is a jealous mistress, and service rendered to Darath could easily be seen as service taken from her. After all, a High Priestess, and a Matron Mother at that, is hardly likely to wish to serve a male god, and one not even of our own people.' Drisonel angrily tears the towel in half. `Don't toy with me now, young Rilynt'tar. Lloth herself has given sanction to my involvement here.' `Yes, but what did she tell you to do, Matron? Involve yourself with quarrels of the humans? Or to just take the CAoL as revenge for violating her previous plans?' Drisonel's eyes widen as Xzerrions last comments hit home. Seeing the advantage, Xzerrion continues. `Ambition is a dangerous thing in the first Matron. Our goddess is doubtless worried that you will establish your house here as well as in Undraeth, and then no longer need her as a basis for your power. She cannot allow a Matron Mother to do such a thing without becoming personally involved.' Drisonel reaches for her snake headed whip and snaps it at Xzerrion as he dives out of the chair and out of reach. `Don't lecture ME on our religion, young male! You said you had true information for me, not speculation!' Xzerrion smoothly rolls to his feet. `Oh, I do at that. Forces of Quaren resent your interference for the opposite reason. They fear your bringing the worship of Lloth among them, and are doubtless organizing to strike at your drow and undermine your authority. If I were to attempt such a thing, it would be a simple matter to, for example, desecrate your temple or conduct strike-and-run raids on your soldiers. Holding Quaren will become too expensive, and the other houses of Undraeth will take advantage of this to try to unseat you there, leaving you in a losing war on two fronts. Matron, I am well aware that you do not have the same power as was held by Matron Baenre in Menzoberranzen, and cannot easily hold the city while you direct your attention elsewhere.' <* Got that? I'm planning on driving Matron Drisonel away from Darath, by whatever means are available. *> Drisonel pauses, and turns to Xzerrion, her anger suddenly gone. `I ... see. This insight is why I wished you to join my house. Now that this topic has been dispensed with, young drow,' she purrs, `will you perhaps join me in a more relaxing pursuit?' <* Bloody hell ... Insatiable drow priestesses ... *> `Matron, I regret that tonight there are other things I must yet attend to. Sometime later, perhaps.' <* When hell freezes over and the devils all die of pneumonia. *> ===========================From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 17:21:34 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. The pale moonlight of the freshly risen moon shines in the window as The Controller bursts into Drisonel's room. "Where are they?!? Your little 'pet' promised the Army of Light, but brings us many strangers and only four members of that group; Roscoe, Crow, Roland, and The Stranger! Morgan, Caprice, Knightshift, Fuzzy, and The Lensdragon are not amongst our prisoners, I checked myself. This will not do Drisonel. I promised both revenge and power for your cooperation. Fail me and you will have _nothing!_" Drisonel (DOH! I keep wanting to write Driscoll. ;-) Seperated twins maybe? Maybe not!) screaches, "Fail _you_ contsruct? I think it is _you_ who have forgotten who you deal with!" Energy flows in her hands as she hurls a fireball at The Controller. He stands perfectly still and the flames seem to disipate as soon as they near him. The Controller raises a hand and a bolt of light shoots from it, striking Drisonel in the Upper thigh. "Had you forgotten Magics are useless against me? Attack me again, and you will feel no pain. You shall feel no life." Opening an X-window, The Controller steps through and vanishes as suddently as he came in, leaving an angry and hurt Drisonel behind. Appearing back in the secret tomb far under the desert sands, The Controller storms to his study to try to get a grip on his emotions again. Shock replaces his anger as he finds himself already sitting in the Lazyboy. "Hello Controller, yes I know what you are thinking, because I am you. A future you. I bring a plan for the future and a gift." Says Controller^2 "What? A future me? Do you knwo what can happen when the future meets the present? Are you mad?" replies Controlelr^1 still in shock. "No, not mad. Brilliant. In my timeline, I eventually captured all of the Army of Light, as well as this." Turning, Controller^2 gestures to a door that wasn't there previously. It opens automatically and reveals the insides of a Tardis. "I have already changed all teh codes and controls so it may only be used by me, or should I say us. By bringing it back in time to here, I created a Duplicity Paradox. This Tardis exists in two places on the same plane at the same time. Normally this can only be acomplished by creating a time loop, but you will _not_ return to this place and time in it. Thus the Paradox weill be created and the Tardis will be yours." Controller^1 moves to examine the Tardis closer, "Two Tardises, and two of us as well it should seem. I don't know if I wish to be involved in a paradox. The ramifications could be disasterous for me." Controller^2 laugh, "no, not disasterous, Glorious. That is the beauty of my new plan. Power beyond anything you could dream of. Much more power than Driscoll's meger share. Together we shall weild it, adn we shall rule the multiverse. Listen to my plana dn see if you don't agree on its genius..." Ok a Kick in the Pants to help Drisonel decide which is more worth it, revenge on the CaoL by working with The Controller, or ditching The Controller and having to wail longer for her chance at revenge. ;-) PLus a new plot twist for everyone to ponder. =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 22:23:38 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? [Snipp] > Xzerrion smoothly rolls to his feet. `Oh, I do at that. Forces of > Quaren resent your interference for the opposite reason. They fear > your bringing the worship of Lloth among them, and are doubtless > organizing to strike at your drow and undermine your authority. If I > were to attempt such a thing, it would be a simple matter to, for > example, desecrate your temple or conduct strike-and-run raids on > your soldiers. Holding Quaren will become too expensive, and the > other houses of Undraeth will take advantage of this to try to > unseat you there, leaving you in a losing war on two fronts. Matron, > I am well aware that you do not have the same power as was held by > Matron Baenre in Menzoberranzen, and cannot easily hold the city > while you direct your attention elsewhere.' Oddly enough, as I said in one of the dinner posts, the real Argent has a hobby... assassinating Drow. Drow have been dying, and no one has been able to figure out who or how... the deaths follow no political agenda... unless they were just aimed at any drow who made themselves an easy target. =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 21:30:40 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: OOC: Re: AAE: Weaving threads of battle At 12:48 PM 5/19/97 -0700, Xzerrion wrote: >On Sat, 17 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >> > this sight? ;-)> > >old drow elf is about the same as a 25 year old human. > OK, I stand corrected :-). Even so, the sight of a naked Drow Matron is not necessarily something I want in my head. And if it _were_, you'd have something to worry about ;-). Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 00:37:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. And John hands him a flower. On Mon, 19 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > The Controller raises a hand and a bolt of light shoots from it, > striking Drisonel in the Upper thigh. "Had you forgotten Magics are > useless against me? Attack me again, and you will feel no pain. You > shall feel no life." Opening an X-window, The Controller steps > through and vanishes as suddently as he came in, leaving an angry > and hurt Drisonel behind. Drisonel yells for a messenger, "Bring me the controlled one." The messenger runs off to find John. Bursting into John's room, he manages to spit out his message after being hit be a mild spell backwash from something John was attempting. John steps over the messenger, who is lying on the floor, half his body having started to flow like heated wax, and makes his way to Drisonel's chambers. Politely knocking and entering, he walks in and once again falls to one knee, head down. Any Empaths nearby feel a quickly suppressed wave of furious anger sweep through the keep. "You called for me, Matron?" Drisonel hisses out a yes, "I have received information, from one who should know, that most of the Army of Light is not here. In their places are a bunch of strangers. What do you know of their plans?" John holds up a hand, "One moment, then I will answer any questions you have." He closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment, then a globe emits from him and expands through the walls of the room. "There. Any listening devices nearby are fried. As for the CAoL, I do not know what their plans are, you have almost all of them in you're dungeons." The Matron interrupts, "WHAT? Do not seek to play games with me, boy, or I will have your blackened heart mounted on a stake." John continues after politely listening to her tirade, "If you would allow me to explain, some of the CAoL have changed their shape. A true change, with no illusion. The new female is most probably Morgan, the new male is most probably Knightshift, and the Lensdragon did not come on this mission. I do not know where Fuzzy is. I cannot assure that these new people are who I claim they are, but it is most likely. As for their plans, they are looking for the kin of the new God of Thieves, one Driscoll. Darath is holding them and this God has hired us to retreive them. That is ostensibly the reason why Xzerrion and Caprice..., "John trails off, "I almost forgot about her. She should be here, in this keep. She came with Xzerrion, as his _bodyguard_. They were to look answer your summons and look for the missing kinsfolk. I would suggest that you ask _him_ about her." Matron Drisonel digests all of this information. An icy glint is in her eye, "You are a mage who weilds powerful magic. Tell me, how would you attack that which is immune to all magic?" John laughs, "Nothing is immune to magic." Matron Drisonel's hand flies to her knife, "Do you dare to contradict my statement?" John sobers quickly, "No. No indeed. But a small demonstration, if you would allow it?" At Drisonel's nod he throws a beam of energy at a wall. Then he sits back, well satisfied. Drisonel waits for a moment, "Well? I have seen nothing that spectacular." John goes over to the wall and pulls out a very sharp knife. He brings it over to Drisonel and hands it to her. "One of my special knacks is matter creation. I don't know how I do it, but I can turn my energy into any non-magical object I wish, as long as it doesn't have many moving parts. This immune being had better be able to withstand being sliced when my blade forms three inches from it's chest. Or I blast the ceiling above it. Or the floor below it. If it can't be sliced or crushed, _then_ I will say that it is immune to magic, not before." John slips out of lecture mode and the fervor fades from his eyes. "Magic is a tool, but a versatile one. One just has to be creative. Of course, most people don't have the reserves I do. Do you have any more orders for me?" Matron Drisonel dismisses John. As he bows and scrapes his way out, she catches the look in his eyes. She thinks, "Yes, that one would be glad indeed to try out his _creativity_, should he ever escape his bonds alive." [major snip of the controller playing with time and confusing me] > Ok a Kick in the Pants to help Drisonel decide which is more worth > it, revenge on the CaoL by working with The Controller, or ditching > The Controller and having to wail longer for her chance at revenge. > ;-) PLus a new plot twist for everyone to ponder. Oh No!! John got his hands on the plot again. Luckilly it was rested from him quickly. Anyway, I've identified Morgan correctly, but misidentified Will as being Knytt. I just don't know any better. And of course, Matron Drisonel is now the most informed baddie of the lot. She also should have some questions for Xzerrion, right now, about Caprice. And perhaps some suspicions? Up to you, Xzerrion. =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 21:43:16 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? At 01:15 PM 5/19/97 -0700, Xzerrion wrote: >Ah yes, where Drisonel fits into things ... ><* Got that? I'm planning on driving Matron Drisonel away from >Darath, by whatever means are available. *> Morgan responds, keeping all links open. <#* Good enough. But how do _we_ figure into your plans? Like, do we need to stay put or can we start planning a jail break. I don't think Driscoll's brothers are in here. *#> >Drisonel pauses, and turns to Xzerrion, her anger suddenly gone. `I >... see. This insight is why I wished you to join my house. Now that >this topic has been dispensed with, young drow,' she purrs, `will you >perhaps join me in a more relaxing pursuit?' > ><* Bloody hell ... Insatiable drow priestesses ... *> ;-) >`Matron, I regret that tonight there are other things I must yet >attend to. Sometime later, perhaps.' > ><* When hell freezes over and the devils all die of pneumonia. *> On _just_ the sigil link: <# Yeah, and _I_ wouldn't want to be around Crow if you decided to indulge and didn't have all links shut down _tight_! #> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 21:49:41 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. At 05:21 PM 5/19/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > The pale moonlight of the freshly risen moon shines in the window as >The Controller bursts into Drisonel's room. "Where are they?!? Your >little 'pet' promised the Army of Light, but brings us many strangers >and only four members of that group; Roscoe, Crow, Roland, and The >Stranger! Morgan, Caprice, Knightshift, Fuzzy, and The Lensdragon are >not amongst our prisoners, I checked myself. This will not do >Drisonel. I promised both revenge and power for your cooperation. >Fail me and you will have _nothing!_" Assuming this happens _after_ Xzerrion extracates himself from the Matron's attentions? ;-) Anyway, considering that one of the five he's missing isn't even _in_ Quaren, and three of us have shape-shifted or otherwise changed forms, I think he's in for a disappointment :-(. Nice to know the cover i.d.'s are working . > Drisonel (DOH! I keep wanting to write Driscoll. ;-) You too, huh? >PLus a new plot twist for everyone to ponder. Blaaah! I'm going to severley ration pondering on this, lest I turn my brains to tapioca :-). Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 05:08:18 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Knytt's day... Ok, I am not ready for dusk yet, but that shouldn't mess up the story, as Knytt is on his own. Will, however, is very ready to get out of jail, so anyone wanting to see about that will find a willing accomplice. Misern, Quaren, +20:07 <8:07 am, the day after arrival> Knytt sits at his corner table, thumbing through the reports he is getting from his various players. The satellite Sparky was on is now so much space debris. Fortunately, he made it to the satellite broadcasting the Beegees just in time. Ah well, if the satellite parasite goes down, it is no real loss. He's just a pawn anyway. Weather data coming in. There's a storm well to the east. It ought to hit land in about a day to a day and a half. Ground troop movements appear about normal. Another quiet day in Misern. Knytt set the TARDIS computer to correlate the samples he gathered on the dig before he left for Quaren, set an alarm for just before dusk, and read his email. A soft sultry female voice filled his ears. A letter from his SO. He climbed the inn stairs to the second floor. As he walked down the hall, the young waitress passed him in the hallway, emerging from his room. As she passed by, a timid smile lit her face as she shyly glanced at Knytt before hurrying on, blushing brightly. Knytt smiled, watching her go down to the main floor. He remembered similar looks from a similar young woman, many lightyears from here. He sighed sadly as he opened the door to his room. The window was open as the morning sun shone in and a slight breeze toyed with the curtains. Fresh cut flowers sat in a vase in front of it. The bed had been turned down. A bath had recently been drawn in an old metal tub in the corner. Interesting, there was a crude water pump which when pumped, let water into the tub. Knytt touched the spout. Still warm. This planet's first interior plumbing? The tub even had a drain. Knytt let a bit of water out and heard a splashing sound from outside the window. Looking outside, there was a gutter that came out of the wall and piped the water through the exterior gutters. Fascinating. Availing himself of the opportunity, Knytt took a bath. He had the dirt and grime of two planets on him and this might be the last chance to remove it. Knytt sunk below the surface to wash his hair. Beneath the water he heard a muffled sound which, he realized, could only come from one thing. He sprayed water everywhere as he sat up. "Interesting little planet. They may be on the verge of a rennaisance. Continue with your bath. I can wait." A small man sat on the corner of the bed. His shoes barely touched the floor. His cream coat lay beside him, along with the question-mark-covered sweater vest. His white shirt was open at the collar, a paisley tie, badly knotted, hung loosely around his neck. A question-mark umbrella was held upright between his knees, his hands resting on the handle. The light scotttish...or was it irish...accent gave an utterly charming quality to his lilting voice. "Hello, Doctor. What can I do for you?" =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 07:39:06 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: AAE: Argent's day [OOC: If you can't tell which Argent is which, don't worry. The gods right now can't tell either.] Argent leaves the keep by a secret way, slipping into the morning streets of Quaren. Argent remains in her room, and has a light meal. Argent visits the guilds that have lost money to the Drow invasion, bringing them knowledge gained from living in the keep... and knowledge of home made explosives. Argent lays down to sleep in her room, still dressed in her leathers, sword laying on the bed beside her. Argent visits the temples of several gods not involved in this quarrel, bringing them gold, and a petition for prayers... That Lloth not establish her worship in Quaren. Argent awakes in her room, long enough to send a message. Argent pauses in her travels, to hide a small furry pouch in an alley. Argent falls to sleep in her room. Argent falls to sleep in a hidden room. Argent wakes before twilight, bathing then having a light meal. She dresses in full armour. Argent wakes after twilight, hiding in a secret passage of the castle. Argent takes up her nightly duty as bodyguard. Argent waits. =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 05:20:47 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAE: Breakfast with The Controller OK, this first line might be a migrane-maker, be warned! While The Controller discusses his plan with The Controller, The controller walks down the hallway towards the dungeons. As he enters, he sees three orc Guards armed with spears overseeing several goblins who are sliding bowls of greasy-looking cold stew through the bars to feed the prisoners. Once this task is done, one Orc and the goblins leave, and the other two take up their possitions by the door. The snap to attention as soon as The Controller makes his presense known. Ignoring them, he walks towards the bars, hands behind his back. "It's so nice to some of you here, but there are too many faces missing for my comfort. Therefore I come to give you a chance to reveal the location of the other members of the Army of Light, before I begin taking away your new members one by one to learn what I can about them." (OOC: I'm assuming no one tells him anything useful, and even if htey do, he's not one ot believe an enemy without some 'persuasion' first) He looks from 'Alex' to Will as if trying to decide. Then... "Guards!" Twenty Orcs armed with various weapons and in various armors from plate to nothing file into the room. "Bring that one to the interrogation room." He points directly to Alex. (I flipped a coin. You won. Lucky you! ;-) ) =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 14:01:20 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE: Breakfast with The Controller At 05:20 AM 5/20/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > He looks from 'Alex' to Will as if trying to decide. Then... >"Guards!" Twenty Orcs armed with various weapons and in various >armors from plate to nothing file into the room. "Bring that one to >the interrogation room." > He points directly to Alex. (I flipped a coin. You won. Lucky you! >;-) ) Uh huh, sure....Evil Overlords ALWAYS take the girl. ;) =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 15:05:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. And John hands him a flower. On Tue, 20 May 1997, Shadow wrote: > John goes over to the wall and pulls out a very sharp knife. He > brings it over to Drisonel and hands it to her. "One of my special > knacks is matter creation. I don't know how I do it, but I can turn > my energy into any non-magical object I wish, as long as it doesn't > have many moving parts. This immune being had better be able to > withstand being sliced when my blade forms three inches from it's > chest. Or I blast the ceiling above it. Or the floor below it. If it > can't be sliced or crushed, _then_ I will say that it is immune to > magic, not before." John slips out of lecture mode and the fervor > fades from his eyes. "Magic is a tool, but a versatile one. One just > has to be creative. Of course, most people don't have the reserves I > do. Do you have any more orders for me?" `Yes, I would like for you to meet my house mage in his work room. I have assigned him to research on directly countering the Controller's antimagic.' > Oh No!! John got his hands on the plot again. Luckilly it was rested > from him quickly. Anyway, I've identified Morgan correctly, but > misidentified Will as being Knytt. I just don't know any > better. And of course, Matron Drisonel is now the most informed > baddie of the lot. She also should have some questions for Xzerrion, > right now, about Caprice. And perhaps some suspicions? Up to you, > Xzerrion. - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 15:09:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? On Mon, 19 May 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > Morgan responds, keeping all links open. <#* Good enough. But how do > _we_ figure into your plans? Like, do we need to stay put or can we > start planning a jail break. I don't think Driscoll's brothers are > in here. *#> <# If they aren't there, you have no reason to stay. I'm not in Drisonel's reach at the moment, so you don't have to worry about my getting bent over a handy altar. #> >>`Matron, I regret that tonight there are other things I must yet >>attend to. Sometime later, perhaps.' >> >><* When hell freezes over and the devils all die of pneumonia. *> > > On _just_ the sigil link: <# Yeah, and _I_ wouldn't want to be > around Crow if you decided to indulge and didn't have all links shut > down _tight_! #> <# Precisely, I try to only get my lady angry at me *once* a day. #> - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 15:32:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: AAE - Xzerrion takes a trip After leaving Drisonel, Xzerrion exits the temple complex, nodding to the drow guards who salute him on the way out. He wanders the streets for a time, looking to see if any of the Controller's cameras are following him. After a moment's thought, he enters an inn which has been catering to the drow nobility. `And how may this humble establishment serve you, my lord?' asks the innkeeper. Xzerrion reaches into his belt pouch, producing ten gold coins. `Rooms for the night. The best available. See to it that I am not disturbed.' `But sir, you give me far too much ...' `Just be sure I am not disturbed, innkeeper. Keep the coins.' `Thank you, sir. The penthouse suite is available.' `That will do.' `Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?' `Yes, if a Mr. or Ms. Lumins turns up, alone or in company, admit them to the room at once.' `Yes, sir.' <* All right, we now have one temporary bolthole if needed, in the last place the CAoL would be expected. *> Xzerrion enters the room and closes and bolts the door, followed by closing the curtains. He then performs a complicated illusion trick so that an image of himself is now asleep on the bed, while Xzerrion is invisible and noncorporeal. He follows this up by slipping through the wall. Several blocks away, Xzerrion reappears, in the form of a middle-lower class human laborer, who begins walking to a crowded tavern. Xzerrion (who is going by the name of Leith if someone asks) purchases a mug of cheap ale and joins in a converation about local politics, assessing the opinion of the populace on drow and on Darath. =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 14:59:46 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. On Mon, 19 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > The Controller raises a hand and a bolt of light shoots from it, > striking Drisonel in the Upper thigh. "Had you forgotten Magics are > useless against me? Attack me again, and you will feel no pain. You > shall feel no life." Opening an X-window, The Controller steps > through and vanishes as suddently as he came in, leaving an angry > and hurt Drisonel behind. After the Controller leaves, Drisonel summons her house mage as well as her armsmaster. `This will not do at all. Xzerrion was right, this so-called Controller cannot be trusted, and must not be allowed to gain power over this dimension. I will not abandon our position just yet, though. Give me a plan : I want either the Controller's magic immunity countered or a way to penetrate his armor.' The house mage speaks up first. `Matron, to counter his antimagic directly, I need a sample of his shielding. However, it is possible to strike at him indirectly using magic. Someone is just as dead whether a magically created rock falls on them or they are caught in a natural rockslide. For that matter, magically enhanced weapons should still be effective.' The weaponsmaster steps forward. `I have just the agent to get a sample of the Controller's antimagic. She is in the employ of a minor drow noble, and should thus be answerable to your authority.' Drisonel nods. `Very well then. When your plans are prepared, inform me. Until I say otherwise, however, we will cooperate with the Controller.' They bow and exit. The weaponsmaster turns to a guard captain on his way out. `Be so good as to inform Argent that I wish to speak with her.' =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 19:08:54 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. > The weaponsmaster turns to a guard captain on his way out. `Be so > good as to inform Argent that I wish to speak with her.' > > she is their when the captain arrives.> Argent finds a guard to take her turn at duty, before reporting to the Weaponsmaster. She is clad in grey leather and shining chainmail. Her mane of white hair is pulled back behind her into a long white tail, making her sharp features seem even more severe. She waits to be admitted to the Weaponmaster's quarters before striding in and giving him a bow just a -breath- deeper than his rank actually demands. "You wished to speak with me, sir?" =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 17:08:50 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE - Xzerrion takes a trip On Tue, 20 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: > After leaving Drisonel, Xzerrion exits the temple complex, nodding > to the drow guards who salute him on the way out. He wanders the > streets for a time, looking to see if any of the Controller's > cameras are following him. After a moment's thought, he enters an > inn which has been catering to the drow nobility. > > `And how may this humble establishment serve you, my lord?' asks the > innkeeper. > > Xzerrion reaches into his belt pouch, producing ten gold coins. ^^^^ I'm changing this to Silver figuring a brain slip. Gold in Misern is grounds for execution, Drow or not. ;-) > Several blocks away, Xzerrion reappears, in the form of a > middle-lower class human laborer, who begins walking to a crowded > tavern. Xzerrion (who is going by the name of Leith if someone asks) > purchases a mug of cheap ale and joins in a converation about local > politics, assessing the opinion of the populace on drow and on > Darath. > > Most fo the laborers are tired and very grouchy. But their feelings of the current government is easy to assess. Dislike down to outright hate in some cases, but an overall fear as well. Darath has had over 20 reported assasination attempts, all failures, but a few were reported to be killing blows that didn't affect him. (Of course this could be normal embelishments too...) There is supposed to be a group of rebels fighting against Darath, but aside of his expense for public executions, the people don't think they're doing much good. The Drow are expecially hated, but they have the weapons, the magic, and the ruthlessness that no one dares to move against them, lest they lose their lives. =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 18:56:20 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: AAE: Breakfast with The Controller At 05:20 AM 5/20/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > He looks from 'Alex' to Will as if trying to decide. Then... >"Guards!" Twenty Orcs armed with various weapons and in various >armors from plate to nothing file into the room. "Bring that one to >the interrogation room." > He points directly to Alex. (I flipped a coin. You won. Lucky you! >;-) ) Then Xzerrion said: ><# If they aren't there, you have no reason to stay. I'm not in >Drisonel's reach at the moment, so you don't have to worry about my >getting bent over a handy altar. #> Morgan smiles grimly through the link, as the Controllers guards escort her from the cell. <#* A little late, I'm afraid. Stay in touch, my friend, I may be in need of some back up. *#> <#* I'm going to keep the links open, although I'll try to filter anything ... unpleasant. Cutter, Leetah, go meet up with Fuzzy. Fuzzy, don't worry when two strange dogs show up. They've altered their appearance to blend in. Oh, and don't try anything now, but I'm releasing the magical bonds. No reason the rest of you need to stay here. Besides, you "abandoning" "Alex" would play into my cover story. *#> As they continue down the halls, Alex prepares for what looks to be the most difficult "role" of her life. The others sense her becoming less "Morgan" and more "Alexandra Green". Alex came to Misern to fight the Drow invasion, and couldn't resist joining the battle she found raging outside the jail (or whatever that building is). Morgan, to her, is someone the others in this group have told her a bit about. She has a pair of remarkable wolves that "never" leave her side. Right now she's outside somewhere, disguised as a dumb blonde that no one is going to take seriously. She's also heard them refer to someone called "Knytt", who's out somewhere doing re-con. The other names the Controller will ask about will mean nothing to her. (She's got the links open, BTW, so everyone knows what she plans to say.) It is a widely accepted phenomena that, when you _stop_ mulling over a question, the answer will come to you. Morgan had, for a time, tried to figure out the tugging sensation she felt when she was "exploring" the dungeons. The Controller's arrival had put that on the back burner. Now, as she debated her options, considered how she might escape whatever the Controller had in mind undamaged, an image came to her. An image of Roland, locked in combat with the Destroyer, saying, "When an immortal willingly gives the Halo to a mortal, that mortal gains all the immortal's powers....." The tugging sensation became a flood light. She almost stopped dead in her tracks as the realization hit her. Tentatively, she reached out to the mind of one of the guards. She pulled back in distaste at the thoughts she found, but she _had_ read his thoughts. She tried again, mentally poking at a bit of debris in the hallway. It moved, just enough that there was no mistaking the effect. Her anxiety level dropped as she realized the new additions to her arsenal. Her musings now took off along a different track - trying to remember all the skills she'd seen Roland exhibit during their adventures. TBC.... Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 19:42:26 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? On Mon, 19 May 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > "So, when is your 'plant' letting us loose?" then to Crow, "And can > I get my gun back please? I am rather uncomfortable without it." Crow nods, and concentrates for a moment. The bag o' weapons that Xzerrion handed to her reappears in her hand. "The only problem is, me trying to retrieve your gun from the bag with my hands still shackled like this. If you can come over here and retrieve the gun yourself? I'm not sure that taking these things off is a good idea yet..." =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 19:47:19 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? On Mon, 19 May 1997, Paul Campbell wrote: > <* Got that? I'm planning on driving Matron Drisonel away from > Darath, by whatever means are available. *> Crow nods, mentally. <*A good plan. Let's hope she falls for it.*> > Drisonel pauses, and turns to Xzerrion, her anger suddenly gone. `I > ... see. This insight is why I wished you to join my house. Now that > this topic has been dispensed with, young drow,' she purrs, `will > you perhaps join me in a more relaxing pursuit?' > > <* Bloody hell ... Insatiable drow priestesses ... *> Instead of any blast of fury, folks on the link pick up helpless laughter from Crow. > `Matron, I regret that tonight there are other things I must yet > attend to. Sometime later, perhaps.' > > <* When hell freezes over and the devils all die of pneumonia. *> <*Not interested in gaining more of the Matron's favor, Xzerrion?*> Then Crow recalls some of the things Xzerrion's told her about drow ...peculiarities..., particularly those of High Priestesses and the like. <*Um, nevermind.*> =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 19:50:21 -0700 (PDT) From: "K. Ohanlon" Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. On Mon, 19 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > The pale moonlight of the freshly risen moon shines in the window > as The Controller bursts into Drisonel's room. "Where are they?!? > Your little 'pet' promised the Army of Light, but brings us many > strangers and only four members of that group; Roscoe, Crow, Roland, > and The Stranger! Morgan, Caprice, Knightshift, Fuzzy, and The > Lensdragon are not amongst our prisoners, I checked myself. This > will not do Drisonel. I promised both revenge and power for your > cooperation. Fail me and you will have _nothing!_" > Ok a Kick in the Pants to help Drisonel decide which is more worth > it, revenge on the CaoL by working with The Controller, or ditching > The Controller and having to wail longer for her chance at revenge. > ;-) PLus a new plot twist for everyone to ponder. IMNSHO, this plot already has more twists than a hyperdimensional pretzel. =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 22:03:00 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3: Knytt's Day, part 2 The Doctor looks at Knytt, who is settling back in the tub. "Weren't you younger the last time we met?" "Yes, I've regenerated." "Complete regeneration? Extraordinary!" The Doctor leaps off the bed and leans over the tub. Grasping Knytt by the chin, the Doctor turns Knytt's head right then left. Knytt knocks his hand away. "Doctor, I got enough of that on Gallifrey." The Doctor retakes his seat, "My humblest apologies. Is it permanant?" "I don't know." "KnightShift, if I take a DNA sample, I can run some tests and let you know." "It's Knytt now. I would appreciate that. Ace has my email account. Have her email me. And tell her the nitro-nine and nitro-nine-a worked brilliantly. But that I'm all out." The Doctor frowned, "I am sure she will have a fresh batch the next time she sees you." "Doctor, in responsible hands, weapons...never mind, we've been through this before. Take your sample, run your tests. have Ace email me. I am homesick and tired." "Have you been away long?" "Well, yes and no. I was on a dig for three months. But I haven't been to my home in at least 5. I miss my family and friends. And my girlfriend." "Why not take a short jaunt home?" "Because, I don't want to bring the TARDIS here. I came through a 'gate' of sorts. I may be a bit paranoid, but ot was recently commandeered by...a big nasty. I don't even want to discuss that. So the TARDIS is parked somewhere very safe." "I understand. I have felt a bit protective of the old girl myself." "How did you find me, anyway?" "A satellite broadcasting the Beegees with a DJ that sounded like Sparky." "Ah, yes, that's one of the enemies. Sparky is being a nuisance to him." While they were discussing this, the Doctor had drawn a blood sample. The Doctor had now moved over to the corner where his TARDIS had appeared. "Well, I will run some tests. Expect some email from Ace soon." "Alright, tell her hello for me." "I will. Good luck KnightShift..er, Knytt." The Doctor shut the door. Knytt got out of the tub and began drying off. As the TARDIS dematerialized, Knytt changed and fell back on the bed. He was asleep instantly. --------------------- The Doctor walked into the control room. The first thing he saw was Ace, biting her lower lip, eyes gleaming, standing by the monitor controls. The second thing he saw was Knytt drying off on the monitor. "Ace..." he said sternly. "Not bad for a senior citizen," she grinned. The Doctor shut off the monitor and the TARDIS dematerialized. =========================== Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 00:05:41 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE: DwtD (One last plot twist, hopefully) At 05:21 PM 5/19/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Controller^1 moves to examine the Tardis closer, "Two Tardises, and >two of us as well it should seem. I don't know if I wish to be >involved in a paradox. The ramifications could be disasterous for >me." > Controller^2 laugh, "no, not disasterous, Glorious. That is the >beauty of my new plan. Power beyond anything you could dream of. Much >more power than Driscoll's meger share. Together we shall weild it, >adn we shall rule the multiverse. Listen to my plana dn see if you >don't agree on its genius..." After a while of listening to the Controller^2, the figure in the darl corner can't stand it anymore and shouts. "You blasted idiot, that will never work!" As both Controllers turn toward the voice, the figure steps out into the light. He is tall and thin, with wild purple hair. Wearing green sunglasses behind which two eyeballs seems to float, he grins at them both. From beneath his black trenchcoat, he pulls a clear purple clipboard and a transparent neon yellow pen. He scribbles furiously on a sheet of translucent white paper. "KnightShift?" they both say at once. "Did you rehearse that? Yes, KnightShift, the one and only...here," he adds tearing the piece of paper off it's pad. "THIS is how you create a workable Paradox." The Controller^2 takes the sheet of paper and studies it. "This is exactly what I said." "Reread line 247, you Wizard of Oz reject." After a pause, the Controller from the future replies, "You are correct. This IS the proper way." Controller^1 lunges for KnightShift, but he grasps only thin air. "You fanatic fugitave from a furnace factory! Do you think I would actually let you catch me like that? I am not really here. This is all a fancy holographic simulation." As proof of this, the paper Controller^2 is holding dissolves into nothingness. Controller^2 remains more calm. "Why?" The future Controller asks. "You may do what you want with the CAoL, but the one called 'Knytt' is mine and mine alone." "And why should I save him for you?" "I have watched your movements on this planet from the start. I know every trick and trap you have planned. I know where and when and how the Army of Light will defeat you. You should know by now. I am from the future too. But, unlike this Vacuous Vault of Vacuum Tubes," gesturing dismissively towards the Controller^2, "I know ALL the possible outcomes." Controller^2 says, "A gesture of good faith would be in order." KnightShift rounds on the Controller^2. "You've had it! Without me, you two would have simply blown yourselves to atoms. Besides, I know what your idea of 'good faith' is. Your ploy to use Drisonel, for example. You can flounder here, letting the CAoL waltz all over you. OR......" KnightShift slips off his glasses. The eyesballs turn out to be holograms. Beneath them, his eyes glow with a rainbow static. "You can listen to me." Knytt is on the group link. KnightShift is not. This will all make sense eventually, trust me. =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 23:46:31 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. On Tue, 20 May 1997, Caprice wrote: > Argent finds a guard to take her turn at duty, before reporting to > the Weaponsmaster. She is clad in grey leather and shining > chainmail. Her mane of white hair is pulled back behind her into a > long white tail, making her sharp features seem even more severe. > > She waits to be admitted to the Weaponmaster's quarters before > striding in and giving him a bow just a -breath- deeper than his > rank actually demands. > > "You wished to speak with me, sir?" `Yes, Matron Drisonel has an assignment for one of your special skills, in a situation where a drow would be suspect.' The weaponsmaster explains for a few moments. `Drisonel has decided that the Controller may become expendable in the future, but his antimagic presents a problem. To this end, we would be interested in either a few flakes of his outer metal coating, or a diagram of how his antimagic is set up. A working sample would be better, but be do not expect you to arrange that. Assuming you accomplish this mission and survive, payment will be in silver, platinum, or mithral, as you prefer.' - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 23:48:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: OOC: Dusk? On Tue, 20 May 1997, K. Ohanlon wrote: > <*Not interested in gaining more of the Matron's favor, Xzerrion?*> > Then Crow recalls some of the things Xzerrion's told her about drow > ...peculiarities..., particularly those of High Priestesses and the > like. <*Um, nevermind.*> <* Um ... *blush* ... No, I am only interested in the favor of ladies. Besides, she might want to use that whip on me. *> - Xzerrion =========================== Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 00:05:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Campbell Subject: Re: AAE - Xzerrion takes a trip On Tue, 20 May 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >> Xzerrion reaches into his belt pouch, producing ten gold coins. > ^^^^ > I'm changing this to Silver figuring a brain slip. Gold in Misern > is grounds for execution, Drow or not. ;-) Either that or platinum. Sorry, been too long since I read that detail. > Most fo the laborers are tired and very grouchy. But their feelings > of the current government is easy to assess. Dislike down to > outright hate in some cases, but an overall fear as well. Darath has > had over 20 reported assasination attempts, all failures, but a few > were reported to be killing blows that didn't affect him. (Of course > this could be normal embelishments too...) > There is supposed to be a group of rebels fighting against Darath, > but aside of his expense for public executions, the people don't > think they're doing much good. > The Drow are expecially hated, but they have the weapons, the > magic, and the ruthlessness that no one dares to move against them, > lest they lose their lives. After observing for a while, Xzerrion picks out a likely worker and gets him a few drinks. After a while, he broaches the idea of contact with the group of rebels. `I'm not sure what you're talking about, Leith. You one of them secret po-lice them drows been recruitin'?' `Not that, friend, just a man looking for people to help him. You see, I'm no more fond of the drow or your lord than anyone else here. Besides, I have skills that could help you.' `Like what?' `I can get anyone you like into the palace. But in return, I need some information.' The man pulls out a small stilletto, it's blade darkened by poison. `Come with me. Keep your hands where I can see them, and no sudden moves.' Xzerrion is led into the back room of the tavern and down a dark set of stairs. * * * Meanwhile, the one of Drisonel's mages assigned to scry over Xzerrion is suffering from a case of terminal confusion. He has been watching the inn where Xzerrion took rooms for some hours, but nothing has changed, when suddenly an explanation hits him, and he takes a closer look. `He's not really there! I've lost him!' He immediately races to find Drisonel. `Matron Mother, Xzerrion is gone!' `Gone? What do you mean gone? Did you fall asleep, you incompetent fool?' `No, Matron. He did something, some form of illusion to confuse our scrying and it took hours of work to penetrate it. However, I cannot yet find him. I need more mages!' `Unfortunately, the anti-antimagic project has first priority, but I'll see what can be done. I want that renegade found. I don't trust him yet, not after what he's done in the past.' =========================== Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 06:04:08 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Lost In Space/What now, gang? The wooden spoon swung in time with the beat, as the man's face contorted as he mouthed the words to "Largo il Figaro." The singer's voice rattled small dishes near the reel-to-reel tape player. Scents of dried tomatoes, garlic and sausage wafted through the air. "Dr. Smith? Dr. Smith!" Penny Robinson walked into the large galley to see Dr. Smith conducting and mock-singing the opera. An utterly disarming smile lit her face. Will was right, Expanding the galley and stocking it with good food had kept the Doctor in good spirits. It turned out, with some practice, Dr. Smith was an excellent cook. Though he was well beyond eccentric, Dad and Don tolerated him far more, now that a use had been found for him. "Oh, Penny, dear," Dr. Smith smiled, motioning her over, as he turned down the opera, "taste this sauce and give me your thoughts." "Hmm..it needs something." "Yes, I thought so, too. Be a good girl and fetch me some of that alien oregano." "It's Na'tok'wah." "It's blue, and it tastes like oregano," Dr. Smith sniffed. "Oh, what I wouldn't give for some real oregano now." "Well, this will have to do," Penny said, soothingly, but implying she didn't wish to hear another whining session about Earth. Everyone wanted to get home, he knew that. Penny brought over a small pot with a blue plant. Stopping her at the entrance to the galley, Dr. Smith picked a few leaves and shooed her away. Penny shrugged, replaced the plant in the small hydroponics unit devoted to Dr. Smith's herb garden, and returned to her office, where she was doing the accounting for the familiy's last trade mission. She had just finished the last line, where she heard a horrified shriek. Running into the Galley, she found Dr. Smith, clutching his heart and pointing into the dining area. "Oh my, there was a face! Outside the window. I heard a tapping, and I went over to see what it was. Suddenly, there was a face right in front of me!" Just then, voices could be heard coming down the corridor. Don West ran in, in full space suit, followed by Judy, also in a space suit minus helmet, and hitting him furiously. "Don, that was the most childish and horrible display I have ever seen! You could have given Dr. Smith a heart attack!" "Indeed, Major! My delicate constitution does not take kindly to such brutish antics!" Dr. Smith added. Pulling off his helmet, Don replied, "Relax, Smith, you're fine...Say, that smells good. Spaghetti?" "Lasagna, actually. And see if you get any, you Neanderthal!" The noise had drawn Dr. Robinson into the galley from the engine room. "Alright, everyone calm down! Now what happened?" "Dr. Robinson, this obstraperous oaf nearly startled me to death," Smith replied. "John, he's over-reacting. It was a practical joke. Nothing serious," Don retorted. "John," this came from Maureen Robinson who had come from the flight deck, "Will hasn't checked in yet. He was supposed to call six hours ago." "Oh, Mom, Will's been late before," Judy said. "Sure, honey, he's been late calling in before, " John added. "I am certain, Mrs. Robinson, that wherever William is, he is having a wonderful time," Dr. Smith added. ------------------------- Will, having retrieved his laser pistol, which he slipped down the back of his shirt when he heard the approach of the Controller, was quite pleased to find his hands now freed as well. "That Tin Man that was just here, he's the same one Robot and I heard on the rooftop." Will then repeated what he heard, word for word. Drawing the laser pistol from the small of his back, Will asked, "So what now? Do we escape, rescue Alexandra, or something else entirely?" =========================== Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 07:28:38 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: AAE: Dancing with the Devil. Paul Campbell wrote: > `Yes, Matron Drisonel has an assignment for one of your special > skills, in a situation where a drow would be suspect.' The > weaponsmaster explains for a few moments. `Drisonel has decided that > the Controller may become expendable in the future, but his > antimagic presents a problem. To this end, we would be interested in > either a few flakes of his outer metal coating, or a diagram of how > his antimagic is set up. A working sample would be better, but be do > not expect you to arrange that. Assuming you accomplish this mission > and survive, payment will be in silver, platinum, or mithral, as you > prefer.' Argent listens thoughtfully, "I am honored by the assignment, and accept, of course. I will need some small amount of assistance. Simply to be assigned to a guard duty where I will encounter the Controller, preferably more than once. If you will but provide this, I will take care of the rest." ===========================