Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3
                              Chapter 29

Date: Sat, 30 Aug 1997 22:49:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 01:39:31 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001163
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 19:46:51 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001160
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
> << On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 09:31:54 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00001158
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 07:40:22 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001156
>> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>>
>>> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 00:01:25 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00001154
>>> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>  "Kuri, We can stop it from getting worse and in time cure it, but
>  it is not going to be quick"

Under his breath John mutters, "Yeah, and the virus _should_ have
posed no threat to the nanites." He continues to run scans on Iasun.

> The mental "voice" of The Stardragon chimes in /If this does not
> work, I could transform him into a Starspawn. Starspawn, like me,
> have no material bodies and therefore are not subject to such
> diseases. I would require that he accept a GEAS and swear to fight
> The Adversary for all time though./

John's eyes narrow as he watches Iasun, /Bloody hell. I'm glad there
are other options available. That sort of decision should require some
heavy thought, without the stress of knowing he's dying to color his
thinking./
===========================
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 1997 23:20:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 01:56:15 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001164
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 17:32:47 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001161
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
>  Kuri tries out the "magical" item Nemesis had given her.
> Experiementally she puts it up to her ear.
>  {I-Iasun? are you really there?}
>  For a moment there is nothing, then his voice, as plain as if he
> had been standing nex tto her, yet filled with pain responds.
>  <You don't think I'm going to let you get away that easily do you>
>  {Let me get away? And just WHO do you think has been keeping you
> alvie this long? Who has been sitting by your side filled with worry
> that you would die at any moment...}
>  In his mind, Iasun let out a blood curdling scream.

John, still monitoring Iasun's condition, jerks as the readings
change. /Oh shit. Fuzzy.. he's../

>  Turning around ot where Diswan had been moments before, Driss saw
> the room was empty of Death now. His work done and Diswan gone, he
> could return to his own realm until his power was needed again.

John eyes go unfocused as he stares at something only he can see.
/What!??!? His readings just returned to normal, with him cured. How?/

>  The heart attacks came ot an abrupt stop. Iasun's breathing
> returned to normal and his eyes opened just a crack. then both
> verbally and telepathically, he uttered a single word before lasping
> into Unconciousness and enjoying his first real sleep since hte
> battle.
> "Driss..."

/Alright, Driss, what's going on?/
===========================
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 01:05:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 02:39:58 -0500, in Message # 00001165
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 01:56:15 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001164
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
<snip>
>> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997 17:32:47 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001161
>> gamer@host.yab.com said:
<big snip>
>>  The heart attacks came ot an abrupt stop. Iasun's breathing
>> returned to normal and his eyes opened just a crack. then both
>> verbally and telepathically, he uttered a single word before
>> lasping into Unconciousness and enjoying his first real sleep since
>> hte battle.
>> "Driss..."
>
>/Alright, Driss, what's going on?/

Having slipped a couple centuries back through time, starting at the
sinking of the _Titianic_, and ending somewhere in the 1700s, Knytt
sped the HoverCyclone across the seemingly endless expanse of water
that was the Northern Atlantic. As they were pushing Mach 4, Knytt
knew they would be in the Highlands soon. He had felt a bit bad about
not being around at such a serious occassion, but he knew there was
nothing *he* could do for Iasun. So, continuing with his current task,
though admittedly frivolous, would keep him busy while he waited for
something to happen he *was* skilled for.

/Driss isn't on the link, John. We felt it would be safer, since we
already knew his future, not to risk his finding out. Time travel can
be a dangerous thing in untrained hands...like mine!/ he added with a
mental grin.

"So, what are we looking for in Scotland? A single good Highland
what?" Pyewackett inquired.

"A *good* *single malt* *scotch whiskey* (commonly simply called
*scotch*) produced in the *Highlands* of Scotland." Sensing the blank
look, Knytt went into detail.

"Scotch is made from barley, if memory serves. It is fermented in
barrels, like wine, and aged for a good deal of time. I think 12 years
is minimum. Scotch tends to have tastes that reflect the region from
whence it came, even differences in the way it was produced. Different
woods in the barrels can influence the whiskey inside. Blended Scotch
is where they take the best Scotches and mix them together to produce
a certain flavor combination. Like varietals in wines. Single Malt
scotches, on the other hand, are unblended. They are the Scotches
before blending. Think of it this way. Blended whiskey is like tuna,
egg, and cheese catfood. Single malt whiskey is like tuna catfood."

"Oh! I get it! So, why are we having all the trouble? You knew right
where to go for champagne."

"Dom Perignon is famous when it comes to champagne. But, I don't know
Scotch nearly as well. To compound matters, the one time I drank
scotch, it was a lousy blend that tasted like mineral oil. See, if I
want Canadian whiskey, I drink Crown Royal. If I want Irish whiskey, I
drink Bushmills. I have yet to find a good American whiskey, but some
that were palatable. And Scotch wasn't even that. Though, I may just
not be paying enough. I have been noticing the better whiskeys are
also the more expensive. Whiskey's aren't smooth, they are /$mooth./"
The jingle of a cash register accompanied the image of the word.

"But," Knytt continued, "It does give me something to do while I wait.
Though with our luck, we'll no sooner get the first glass down than
have to defend ourselves from some horrible new threat."

"With a buzz, no less." Pyewackett added.

The pair continued on, cracking jokes about fighting drunk, until they
stopped to admire the rocky windswept shores of Scotland in the
distance...
===========================
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 09:34:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Aae:Home grown politics

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 09:25:15 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001166
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

 Roscoe stood in teh center of the clearing for waht hseemed like an
eternity as the others made their way there and formed the circle
around him. Except for trying to round up the childern it didn't
actually take long at all. Not like it used to. Roscoe looked out
around the field, and could remember as a young adult, wriggling
around in a sea fo bodies, upset at having to be there and wanted to
be doing something else. ANYTHING else but sit there. Now he was many
centuries older, but the same feeling was still there.
 Finally they were in place and he began. [Brothers, Sisters, Cousins
and Kin. OUr kind has gone through many hardships already. The
cruelest blow having been struck at us during the Controllers invasion
by our own more distant kinfolk. But that blow was more cruel than any
of us realized. I have only now come to understand waht is happening,
but not what to do about it. That is why I have called on you.
 [Long ago, well before any of our memories, when Oberon first granted
us these wonderful powers, it was at a time of sorrow and tragedy.
Those he had entrusted with the power before hadbred like rabbits,
until they felt their power was now a match for Oberon himself. They
defied him. And he took back his gift. But the Gateways still needed
guardians and so he came to us. He offered and we accepted. But this
time to prevent the same from happening again, have gave a set amount
of power to be divided evenly amngst us all.
 [We, like many longlived races did not breed quickly and the power
did not change that in our hearts. We held hte power with honor and
all was well. But then came the invasion. The southerners, leagued
with some of the drow, the dopplegangers and some of The Controller's
weapondry, attacked and ambushed us in the village. Slaughtering women
and children, capturing and enslaving nearly all who did not die
fighting to take them back to the Controller to have their magic
stripped from them.
 [Now there are only us who remain, and that is the cause of the
trouble. The power block remains the same, but the shares are much
larger because there are fewer people taking them. What happened with
young Kelvin was an accident cause by having too much power and not
knowing how to use it, and his father not knowing how to use that much
either to be able to defend himself or teach his son.
 [On the Morrow I go to Oberon to ask his help in our time of need. We
can not adequately guard his gateways with power we do not know how to
use, and we can not keep letting the childern be a danger to
themselves by having this power unchecked. They are our future. So I
ask tonight what your opinions are about what should be done. I open
the field t whomever wishes to speak.]
 Roscoe foudn a place at the endge of the circle, next to Gall and his
mate Ronat. No one took the field. Finally Bresel, a young man of only
150 the same age as Roscoe when he left, stood and strode into the
field, bowing and turning to adress Roscoe. [We are young. We do not
even have full mastery over our power. We do not know enough about it
to pose suggestions abotu what to do. Oberon gave it to us, he would
be the best to decide. But we trust in him, and in you to make the
right choices for us Chief Roscoe.]
 Murmurs of agreement finally break the dead silence of the clearing.
Roscoe inclines his head respectfully ing thanks for the compliment,
while over the PSI web, [To quoth the Roland, OH GRIFE!]
 The discussion went on for another half an hour as people stood
mostly to vocalize their support of Rosoce and their trust in him. And
for all the compliments he had been showered with, when the clan
meeting broke up and they all returned to tehir homes, Rosoce felt
sicker than he had in a long time.
===========================
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 14:04:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae:Home grown politics

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 15:47:09 -0500, in Message # 00001167
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 09:25:15 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001166
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
<snip>
> Murmurs of agreement finally break the dead silence of the clearing.
>Roscoe inclines his head respectfully ing thanks for the compliment,
>while over the PSI web, [To quoth the Roland, OH GRIFE!]
> The discussion went on for another half an hour as people stood
>mostly to vocalize their support of Rosoce and their trust in him.
>And for all the compliments he had been showered with, when the clan
>meeting broke up and they all returned to tehir homes, Rosoce felt
>sicker than he had in a long time.

*You'll do fine,* Pyewackett sends from the back of the HoverCyclone,
*If Oberon is offended by your seeking his counsel on such an
important matter, then he is a fool and deserves whatever he gets as a
result. He is your King. And as such, he should be used to others
seeking his counsel on matters of military defense. He is 'Defender of
the Realm' and all that nonsense.*

*If nothing else, ask Queen Titania for help on how to approach him.
After all, whether males know it or not, it's the Queens who run
things in all societies.*

--Pyewackett
<OOC: Now that Knytt is back on the link, he should be able to allow
communication to everyone, no matter where or when. Assuming, of
course, that there are no blocks or other sorts of jamming going on.>
===========================
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 18:19:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Aae-Oberon

On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 18:30:54 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001168
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

 Roscoe deicided to take the long way to the Heart rather than a
portal. His excuse he had given was that he had been away from Arcadia
for a while and just wanted to take the scenic route. But his real
reason was he wanted as much time as possible to think. The others of
the CAoL had given him their support and tried to convince him that
his fears were unfounded, but they couldn't understand.
 Villages and groves flew by as Roscoe raced along, feeling the wind
in his face adn the sun on his back. It was times like this he wished
he had mastered flying. But sisnce he couldn't get the hang of
floating on the air currents to clear away his troubles, he had to do
the best he could.
 Oberon isn't just a king. it's hard to explain that to outsiders. It
was one of those things that you had to be raised here to understand.
From birth Arcadians are taught of Oberon's power, and how he does not
just rule Arcadia, he _is_ Arcadia. His power stems from every leaf,
every being, every rock and drop of water in Arcadia. He was more fo a
God than a king, but the inhabitants of Arcadia generally did not
believe in worshipping, only in Honoring. And Oberon and Titania were
the most honored beings in Arcadia. how else could they hold together
peace in a dimention where many of the races became mortal enemies
outside it?
 And to sum everything up, Roscoe; adventurer, Guardian, former
Incarnation of the God of Theives, adn current Chief of his clan, was
afraid of Oberon. Complete and utter unreasonable fear. And yet he had
to do this, he knew it and would not shirk his duty no matter how much
he wanted to just turn and run. And so he ran, not from his duty but
to it, trying to work up his courage.
 The Heart came into sight far before Roscoe was as confident as he
thought he should be. Elves tending to their daily business only gave
the quickest of glances to him as he raced to where he knew Oberon and
Titania would be having their court.
 When he arrived, he found that indeed Oberon adn Titania where there,
but the crowds Roscoe had expected to see where not. a few beings were
here and there tending to this or that, but essencially the court was
empty. Somehow this should have calmed Roscoe since he would not have
to face the rulers of Arcadia _and_ a crowd, but instead his courage
seemed to flee with the missing people. But he went on somehow.
 He shifted into his natural form and bowed low to the pair until they
motioned for him to approach. He swallowed hard and moved forward. "My
liege and Lady, I have business of the utmost urgency to discuss
concering the Guardians of the Gateways. You of course know the terms
of the great power you have bestowed upon us to perform our duties.
And I am also sure you are aware of the large numbers of casualties
The Controller inflicted on my kind during hte invasion. The
unfortunate result is that the power in each of us has soared to
levels that we are not trained enough to be able to control. One death
has already occured due to this condition and I fear there may be more
if it is not remedied."
 Oberon and Titania's attention was focused directly on him and Roscoe
was beginning to feel faint. He concentrated slightly, flexing his
newfound power and removed his knees to keep them from weakening on
him. "Our numbers are now so small, I fear that with the huge amount
of power bestowed on the childern that they begin to pose a danger to
themselves and others. The Adults are trying to learn the new limits
of their power as quickly and safely as they can, but they do not
possess the same reclesness of youth and So the childern can take
forms or affect minds accidentally in ways we have not delt with
before and may not know how to defend against or correct. We have
served you for many millenia loyally and wish to continue to do so in
the future."
 Oberon and Titana looked down at him and were silent for what seemed
liek an eternity. Roscoe thought he was going to throw up soon. The
only other time he had adressed the ruling pair was when he and Driss
came to volenteer their services to Arcadia and were refused. Passion
and patriotism had filled him then and in hindsight he had ranted like
a madman, but he wished he could regrasp some of that energy right
now.
 "You and your kind have served Us well and loyally and I see no
reason that should end. But you are correct about there being a
problem and one I had not forsaw when I elevated your race. You are
correct that a change needs to be made, but I can not allow the
mistakes of hte past to happen again either. And with great power
comes greater temptations to gain more. Therfore, your people shall be
stripped of all but the basest telepathy and the ability to shapeshift
into simple animals. As I have said, let it be."
 Roscoe felt ready to faint. He hadn't known what to expect, but
having almost all his power stripped form him had NOT been it! He
tried to figure out a polite protest. His shape shifted back slightly
to its natural form and he felt the power washign away from him
leaving him off balance like when a large load is suddenly taken away,
when Oberon continued.
 "But Your kind must still fofill their place as Guardians of the
Gateways, and so I shall divide the original block of power by
twenty." Oberon stretched out his hand and twenty glowing amulets
appeared in it. Each was a hair thin silver chain with a small pendent
that appeared to eb a clenched fist inside the pupil of an eye.
"Diviade these to who you see fit to act as Guardians. they shall
still have to learn to use their power efftively, but your worries
concering the childern shall be gone. As one Guardian dies, the
pendent shall move itself to the next most worthy wielder
automatically. Thus you will not have to worry about fluctuating power
anylonger and your clan may freely grow and prosper as much as they
wish."
 Oberon hands down the pendents to Roscoe, but then stops before
handing them to him. "Did I not stip you of your power a long wiht the
others of your clan?"
 Roscoe looked liek a paniced rabbit wondering where this question was
going. "Y-yes my liege, I can feel the emptiness where it was."
 Oberon opened his empty hand palm up and Roscoe floated off the
ground until he was eey to eye with Oberon. "You have power about you.
Power that is not mine, that is _beyond_ mine." Oberon studied Roscoe
closely, turnign him around in midair. "It comes from here..." Oberon
pushed back the hair on the back of Roscoe's hand and there on his
ringfinger is a tiny gold band wiht a glowing green stone. Roscoe
looked at his hand dumbfounded. "I.. I don't know that I've ever seen
that before. R-really!"
 Oberon let Roscoe down to the ground again and handed him the
pendents. "Curious. You are now excused from court, please take these
to your people quickly for there is no current Guardians until you
arrive."

 Roscoe exited the Portal from the heart adn was immediately
surrounded by members of his clan Anxious to know what was going on
with their power. Roscoe decided to hold the meeting then and there
and explained what had happened. He then began to call people up to
take Pendents.
 [Gall]
 [Ronat]
 [Maille]
 [Hiero]
 [Harold]
 [Eunan]
 [Milo]
 [Rowland]
 [Shiel]
 [Selia]
 [Celus]
 [Caffar]
 [Ambrose]
 [Forgael]
 [Fergus]
 [Zaira]
 [Senan]
 [Winfred]
 [Phadrig]
 [Kennith]
 As Kennith recieved his pendent and placed it around his neck,
Ambrose took a quick count and spoke up [But that's 20. I thought
Oberon only gave you twenty pendents. What about yourself? You are
clan chief.]
 Rosceo kind of shuffled his foot. [Yes, and that's why I decided not
to accept one myself. I am clan chief by duty, not choice. My home has
not been Arcadia for a long time and while I can still be easily
contacted by you if the need arrises, I do not see myself as staying
in Arcadia. Our numbers have just dropped yet again, now there are
only 20 of you, 1/10th of what there once was guarding these gates. I
could not lower that number yet more by taking power that is needed
more here.]
 Mental protests from the others come fast and furiously, but Roscoe
fended them all off. [My choice is made. now go alone now. You have a
lot of work to do to learn to use these new powerlevels.] Then back on
the link, wearily [Morgan? Roland? Nemesis? Squee? are you ready to
go? I think I'm done here.]
===========================
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 22:20:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 01:12:44 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001169
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 02:39:58 -0500, in Message # 00001165
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
>>On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 01:56:15 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001164
>> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
> <snip>
>>/Alright, Driss, what's going on?/
>
> /Driss isn't on the link, John. We felt it would be safer, since we
> already knew his future, not to risk his finding out. Time travel
> can be a dangerous thing in untrained hands...like mine!/ he added
> with a mental grin.

/Oops, I meant to say that out loud. After all, you can get the
attention of certain dieties that way, worth a shot. And since they're
both Driss, whoever healed Iasun is likely to be the one to notice.
And if no one replies.. <shrug>/

John repeats his statement, this time out loud, "Alright Driss, what's
going on?"
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:04:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:11:45 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001170
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 01:12:44 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001169
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
> John repeats his statement, this time out loud, "Alright Driss,
> what's going on?"

 At first nothing, but then a shadow shimmers and the Harlequin God
steps from it, shielding himself from sight of the natives, btu
wearing his mask non-the-less. "What do you mean what is going on? I
simply saved the lie of a dear freind and loyal follower who was in
need and about to die prematurely. It's not time for his soul to be
brought to me yet. I made sure of it."
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:20:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:10:33 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00001171
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 18:30:54 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001168
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
[snip]
> Then back on the link, wearily [Morgan? Roland? Nemesis? Squee? are
> you ready to go? I think I'm done here.]

\# I am read, give me a few moments and I will tag Squee and run for
the village.#\

ttfn
  Nemisis
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:34:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 03:31:32 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001172
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote:
>
>  At first nothing, but then a shadow shimmers and the Harlequin God
> steps from it, shielding himself from sight of the natives, btu
> wearing his mask non-the-less. "What do you mean what is going on? I
> simply saved the lie of a dear freind and loyal follower who was in
> need and about to die prematurely. It's not time for his soul to be
> brought to me yet. I made sure of it."

John speaks calmly, in a 'I was just wondering' tone of voice, "I
thought you couldn't give any help while the contest was in progress?
Or does that not extend to your fol..low...?"

Then it hits him, "Oh no. No No No No No No No. Don't say it's over."
He takes a breath, "It's over, isn't it?"
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 02:04:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 03:50:13 -0500, in Message # 00001173
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 03:31:32 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001172
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
>John speaks calmly, in a 'I was just wondering' tone of voice, "I
>thought you couldn't give any help while the contest was in progress?
>Or does that not extend to your fol..low...?"
>
>Then it hits him, "Oh no. No No No No No No No. Don't say it's over."
>He takes a breath, "It's over, isn't it?"

Knytt gets a sinking feeling as he pilots the HoverCyclone covertly
through the green valleys around him, disturbing little more than
sheep.

/Stranger, you guys better get a move on...Stranger? Caprice?
Xzerrion? Where's Stranger?/

<OOC: Hope that gives you a nice lead-in for part 2 of your little
excursion. :) >
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 08:40:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 08:49:15 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001174
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 03:31:32 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00001172
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
> John speaks calmly, in a 'I was just wondering' tone of voice, "I
> thought you couldn't give any help while the contest was in
> progress? Or does that not extend to your fol..low...?"
>
> Then it hits him, "Oh no. No No No No No No No. Don't say it's
> over." He takes a breath, "It's over, isn't it?"

 Driss's facial expressions are hidden behind his mask but his tone fo
voice almost seems appologetic. "It's over. A short time ago, Darath
claimed innocence in the abduction of my brothers and for honor's sake
did not see that he could win wihtout there being somequestion of
fairness, so he killed himself and forfitted the final battle to me."
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 13:35:31 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On Mon, 01 Sep 1997 13:16:49, in Message # 00001175
 "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org> said:

>On Fri, 29 Aug 1997 18:41:16 -0500, in Message # 00001145
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
>"Thank you, Brother." Knytt said selecting four sturdy looking
>bottles from the racks.
>
>Knytt returned to the hidden HoverCyclone, carrying a sack containing
>four bottles of Dom Perignon, 1692.

   *Wow. I'm impressed,* Roland sends.

<*Yeah, when he gets good champagne, he gets _good_ champagne!*>

   *Um...how are you aging it?*

>On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 18:30:54 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001168
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
> Mental protests from the others come fast and furiously, but Roscoe
>fended them all off. [My choice is made. now go alone now. You have a
>lot of work to do to learn to use these new powerlevels.] Then back
>on the link, wearily [Morgan? Roland? Nemesis? Squee? are you ready
>to go? I think I'm done here.]

   Roland walks out of the crystal 'hospital,' all but glowing with
happiness and newfound power. The magick is a part of him again. *I am
whole again, my friend. I am ready.* He turns to Morgan, the Light
itself shining from his eyes as he looks at her. *My love?*

Morgan sends to Roscoe, <*Ready when you are, Chief.*> She grins as
the others wince slightly.

<OOC: Yeah, we're back, and ready to rumble. As soon as everyone else
returns from ABEND, let the games begin. :-)>
===========================
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 1997 22:50:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On 1 Sep 1997 00:29:30 -0500 In Message # 00001180
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

> "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org> said:
>
>   *Wow. I'm impressed,* Roland sends.
>
><*Yeah, when he gets good champagne, he gets _good_ champagne!*>
>
>   *Um...how are you aging it?*

/Roland,/ Knytt grinned, /I'm a Time Lord! Aging is the EASY part!/

*Sheesh, the hard part is finding a good Scotch. Just get Glen
something or other. That's what half of these names are.*

Knytt sighs through the link. /Cats have NO patience when it comes to
web surfing./

*I prefer Super Mario Brothers.*

/He doesn't use the controller, just bats at the screen./

*I'll get that little runt out of the glass yet.* Pyewackett pauses,
looking at the laptop monitor levitatinging in front of him. *Hey,
what year is this?*

/1767. Why?/

*Bacause, here's a listing for a distillery in 1775.* The laptop
levitates forward into Knytt's view.

/Glenturret. What the heck, let's give it a shot./

*I wish I had some peanuts right now,* Pyewackett grumbles

/Crieff, here we come./
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 00:05:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On 1 Sep 1997 23:51:31 In Message # 00001183
 "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org> said:

> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
>*Sheesh, the hard part is finding a good Scotch. Just get Glen
>something or other. That's what half of these names are.*

<*Well, if ye'd like t' find one o' me favorites,*> Morgan adds, <*Try
th' Dalmore Distillery in Alness, Ross-shire. Ye'll ha' t' find it
already aged, though, unless ye' ha' some oak casks o' yer own.*>

   *Oh no, she's at the Hornsbys again,* Roland sends with a
mischievous grin. *There goes the brogue.*

*Ow!* he adds, as Morgan smacks him in the rear.

<OOC: try http://www.whiskyweb.com/search/, using "Dalmore" under
"name". That's what the Clan calls "The Good Stuff", and we've only
got the 12-year-old stuff. ;-)>

(/) Roland
Morgan /|\
Freelance Immortals: Worlds saved, paradigms refined, villains undone.
Send inquiries c/o Callahan's Place.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2255/aae-home.html
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 08:35:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On 2 Sep 1997 10:12:44 -0500 In Message # 00001186
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 1 Sep 1997 23:51:31 In Message # 00001183
> "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org> said:
>
><*Well, if ye'd like t' find one o' me favorites,*> Morgan adds,
><*Try th' Dalmore Distillery in Alness, Ross-shire. Ye'll ha' t' find
>it already aged, though, unless ye' ha' some oak casks o' yer own.*>

/No, no oak casks. Hmm, looks like I will have to zip ahead a few
decades. We'll try the autumn of 1865, the 25 year casks put up when
it opened should be in the bottle by then./

*Uh, there's one little problem...*

/What's that, Pyewackett?/

*Do you have any money?*

The "D'oh!" echoed quite nicely around the valley.

----98 years and 2 bottles of 1692 Dom Perignon later----

"That idiot of a sea dog has NO appreciation of fine wines. A french
captain, none the less! Two bottles of Dom for one bottle of whiskey."

"I think he had a fine appreciation of wine. He got the two bottles
out of you, didn't he?"

"Well, the joke is on him, those bottles weren't aged."

"That reminds me," the feline God continued, "Where are we going to
lay the other two bottles down?"

"I have the perfect place for them."

----Carlsbad Caverns, 2,000 BC----

Knytt set the two bottles of champagne and the bottle of whiskey down
on their sides and propped them up with rocks so they wouldn't roll
around. Knytt admired his handiwork by the headlight of the
HoverCyclone.

"What do you think? 25 years sound like enough time?"

"Don't you know?" Pyewackett asked.

"I have no idea. I don't care for champagne, myself."

*Well, Roland, it's your wine, how long shall we age it?*
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 16:35:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 3 Sep 1997 00:26:33 -0700 In Message # 00001187
 Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com> said:

> Knytt gets a sinking feeling as he pilots the HoverCyclone covertly
> through the green valleys around him, disturbing little more than
> sheep.
>
> /Stranger, you guys better get a move on...Stranger? Caprice?
> Xzerrion? Where's Stranger?/
>
> <OOC: Hope that gives you a nice lead-in for part 2 of your little
> excursion. :) >

<OOC: I was wondering when someone would notice :-) >

+++

Kitty had a problem. Stranger had just blinked out, she couldn't find
him with her mind, and that meant she was out of the loop as far as
the Army of Light was concerned.

Time to be a little proactive, she felt.

Seconds later, a russet brown housecat slipped out of Kitty's stall,
heading silently into the night, stopping her and there to sniff for
the only living scent she could find.

After a few minutes, she dropped into a dark alley that Stranger had
walked along hours before. His scent was growing very faint.
Unnaturally so. Something was seriously wrong. She took her time
trying to locate it, so she didn't notice the pack of skeletal cats
that had crept into the alley.

The fight was brief and one sided.

Kitty even let a few of them flee with all their limbs still attached.

"Christ, what a city!"

Onward, she had to find him.

+++

Elsewhere:

"WAKE UP!!"

An open handed slap landed on Strangers cheek, the whole room seemed
to resonate with the force of it.

"wathefug"

"WAKE UP!"

Another blow, Stranger started, suddenly thrown back to wakefulness.
He went to strike back, but his hands were bound to the back of the
chair he was sitting on, as were his feet. Rough ropes chafed at his
wrists. He was bound tightly and he could no longer feel his minilens
on his wrist.

A face smiled down at him. At least Stranger assumed it was a smile.
The corners curled and the teeth were bared. It didn't look friendly.

Stranger recognised it.

"You!"

"Who else?"

Stranger was at Gruber's mercy.

Stranger glanced around the room, taking it all in. He was in a very
old, dilapidated room, probably it had been abandoned years earlier.
His weapons lay on a table to one side. Apart from the table and the
chair he was bound to there were no other furnishings.

His mind pushed out, trying to find the Army of Light, but it hit a
wall of ice. Cold and hard, his thoughts could not penetrate it.

"Don't bother trying to find your friends, my new ally is far too good
to allow that."

From out of the shadows stepped a figure, clad all in black, a true
lens glittered and scintillated on his wrist.

"I found him in a charming little fiction." Gruber leaned forward and
whispered almost conspiratorially "you see, where he comes from,
Boskone and Eddoria won." Gruber grinned "Delightful, isn't it?"

Gruber laughed, but Stranger did not see the joke.

<OOC: That will do for now, I think>
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 20:50:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE : A plan of action

On 2 Sep 1997 20:45:01 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001189
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

As Stranger has been gone for quite some time on his scouting mission,
Xzerrion tests the link, and finds, to his shock, nothing.

<* Caprice, can you reach Stranger? *>

<OOC : Assuming negative response>

<* Shit. That means somebody knows we're here, and we aren't who we
say we are. We have to move fast, or the whole city will come down on
top of us. Can that spider of yourse find a path for us to get to
Miles, Sheila, and the young Morgan clone, preferably unnoticed? I'd
prefer to avoid profligate use of magic, but if I can't, well, we have
to get to them anyway. *>

Opening over the broader link :

<* We're going to need some backup in Misern. Someone or something
unknown has Stranger, and we still need to break out Miles and the
others. The advance team can't be in two places at once. Suggestions?
*>
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 21:50:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 2 Sep 1997 23:36:16 -0500 In Message # 00001190
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 2 Sep 1997 20:45:01 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001189
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
<snip>
><* We're going to need some backup in Misern. Someone or something
>unknown has Stranger, and we still need to break out Miles and the
>others. The advance team can't be in two places at once.
>Suggestions?*>

----Carlsbad Caverns, 2000 BC----

"C'mon, Pyewackett, we've got to go."

"What about the wine?"

"It'll keep. We were going to let it age anyway."

Knytt revs up the HoverCyclone.

/Anyone need a pickup on my way back to Dibis? Or, I can head straight
to Misern, if need be./
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 22:05:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 2 Sep 1997 21:58:50 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001191
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

>> On Sun, 24 Aug 1997 18:11:54 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00001026
>> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

\This is the current plan that I had been discussing with The Stranger

>>  A Nemisis Split can get to Caprice, via one of the other planes
>> Caprice can guide the Split to the Cells via her link to the
>> Spyder.
>>
>>  Nemisis can do your Goldeneye 'Whatever that is' to distract the
>> Controller.

We settled on a set of two Fusion and one Fission devices modified for
GammaLaser generation as a biproduct of the EMP's which are timed to
intersect in the heart of Misern moments before the Nemisis Split
arrives at your location. The GammaLasers will make sure there is no
hardware left in orbit over this hemisphere.

>>  I and a 'friend' have a Promise to keep in Crow's Name.
>> That should distract Darath the Black.

A second or two later Knytt and a Nemisis Split as HoverCyclone will
arrive to chase down and kill The Controller, While I call Darath the
Black out for personal combat outside the wall, offering to destroy
the city and everything in it if he refuses or take too long to
arrive.

John stands by to intercept Jadis, if he tries to get involved.

Sequence of events:
>
> On Tue, 26 Aug 1997 21:37:01 -0700, in Message # 00001074
> Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com> said:
>
> OK, so the Goldeneye hits and all hell breaks loose. We then have
> three teams going in.
>
> A strike team after the controller - Knytt and Nemisis split
>
> A strike team after Darath the Black - Fuzzy and his friend

\This will be outside the wall, With Lots of noise and demands that he
meet us in combat and Threats to send his city and everything in it to
Diswan<sp> if he is too much of a cowardly weakling to come out and
fight Right Now...\

>A snatch team after the prisoners - Caprice and a couple others I
>guess

Another Nemisis Split will be enroute to the Scout team ready to
supply transport and additional combat capabilities. The Scout team
should be consulted to assure coordination, they will be making
primary pickup on the hostages.

> So the rest of us stand ready in the Guildhall to give the snatch
> team a safe place to return to and act as a reserve should things go
> pear shaped.

As far as I know that is the plan I thought The Stranger had shared it
with you all there.

Any comments or modifcations?\
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 22:50:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Oberon

On 2 Sep 1997 22:37:37 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001192
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 00:10:33 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00001171
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>> On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 18:30:54 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001168
>> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
> [snip]
>
>> Then back on the link, wearily [Morgan? Roland? Nemesis? Squee? are
>> you ready to go? I think I'm done here.]
>
> \# I am read, give me a few moments and I will tag Squee and run for
> the village.#\

After various amounts of byplay a pack of youngsters comes charging
into the village chaseing an equal number of animals (Weasles,
Mongooses, And Otters) what shapes the youngsters are useing I don't
know.

The leading group flows into a single form

"Ready when you are, Lord Roscoe"

ttfn
 Heather
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 23:20:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 2 Sep 1997 01:10:30 -0500 In Message # 00001193
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 2 Sep 1997 21:58:50 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001191
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
<snip>
>As far as I know that is the plan I thought The Stranger had shared
>it with you all there.
>
>Any comments or modifcations?\

/Ready when you are,/ Knytt sent as he hovered above the Guildhall in
Dibis. /As soon as the EMP pulse hits, I will open a gate to the
castle and start after the Controller by taking out his lab. Then
we'll see what happens from there./

*#Pounce, bat, claw, bite, shred!#* Pyewackett sent.

/Yeah, that sounds about right. Perfect description of my plan./

Knytt revved the HoverCyclone engine.

"To quote Al Bundy," Knytt said, slipping on a pair of John Lennon
sunglasses with an evil grin, "'Let's rock.'"
===========================
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 23:50:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 2 Sep 1997 23:35:32 In Message # 00001194
 Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:

>On 2 Sep 1997 23:36:16 -0500 In Message # 00001190
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
>Knytt revs up the HoverCyclone.
>
>/Anyone need a pickup on my way back to Dibis? Or, I can head
>straight to Misern, if need be./

   Roland shines with a familiar glow.
   *I have got to get one of those to go with my Valkyrie,* he sends
with a chuckle. *No worries, Knytt, we're already back, and I can
bring anyone home...in a flash.* He spreads his arms wide, and his
belt returns to the state it was in during the War in Arcadia, the
symbols reappearing around his waist. He touches the lightning.
   Armor above the belt turns red, the circle-and-lightning shining
over his heart. His smile rivals the sun.
   *Let's rock.*

   (OOC: My love and I discussed this, and we're assuming that since
both we and Roscoe are done, we have already returned to Quaren. If
anyone has a problem with this, let us know and we'll retrofit our
return.)

   Those who can sense magick can 'see' it in Roland himself for the
first time...and are aware that what the armor's doing isn't under
it's own power.
   *Backup...has arrived. With a vengeance.*

Then, fuzzy said:
>> On Tue, 26 Aug 1997 21:37:01 -0700, in Message # 00001074
>> Gareth L Owen <pe21@dial.pipex.com> said:
   <snip>
>> OK, so the Goldeneye hits and all hell breaks loose. We then have
>> three teams going in.
>>
>> A strike team after the controller - Knytt and Nemisis split

   *There's likely to be more than one Controller split, and I imagine
Morgan would like to get her hands on one of them,* Roland sends, eyes
crackling.

<*Morgan has already taken out two. I'm perfectly willing to share the
joy,*> Morgan replies with an evil grin.

>> A strike team after Darath the Black - Fuzzy and his friend
>
>\This will be outside the wall, With Lots of noise and demands that
>he meet us in combat and Threats to send his city and everything in
>it to Diswan<sp> if he is too much of a cowardly weakling to come out
>and fight Right Now...\

   Roland smiles grimly. *Ooookay, since my lady fair has no
particular axe to grind with the Controller...Fuzzy, he's yours to
kill, but that gutless shadowboy owes me a rematch.*

>>A snatch team after the prisoners - Caprice and a couple others I
>>guess
>
>Another Nemisis Split will be enroute to the Scout team ready to
>supply transport and additional combat capabilities. The Scout team
>should be consulted to assure coordination, they will be making
>primary pickup on the hostages.

   *Needless to say, if things go south, I can be there _very_
quickly,* Roland notes dryly, reveling in his restored superspeed.

>> So the rest of us stand ready in the Guildhall to give the snatch
>> team a safe place to return to and act as a reserve should things
>> go pear shaped.
>
>As far as I know that is the plan I thought The Stranger had shared
>it with you all there.
>
>Any comments or modifcations?\

   *Yes. Roland, stop being so damn bloodthirsty,* Sil sends calmly.
Roland turns to Sil, shocked, as she continues. *I know you have a lot
of rage to spread around with these villains, but you know full well
that innocents come first. Especially to you.*
   Roland sighs. *Yes, mother...she does have a point, though.
Caprice, Xzerrion, give us a 'port lock when you need us.
   *And _this_ time, I am NOT leaving without Stranger.*
   (OOC: Someone who remembers how much trouble that caused _last_
time...)

Morgan runs a mental checklist. <*OK, I think I know who's going
where, and I have one question. Who's staying in the Guild Hall?*>
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 09:05:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 00:55:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001195
 "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:

On Tue, 2 Sep 1997, Roland X wrote:

> Morgan runs a mental checklist. <*OK, I think I know who's going
> where, and I have one question. Who's staying in the Guild Hall?*>

A familiar, yet infinitely weary voice sounds over the link, <*I will.
At the moment, that sounds like one of the best places to be. There or
the Hospital, anyways...*>

<OOC: Yes, it's Crow. Yes, I"m going to try and be back actively
posting now. And no, she's not gonna try and take out DtB. At the
moment, she's far too drained from the demands the Balance placed on
her. As I get time, I'll write out the story of what happened to her.
Though, she's now just a cleric/witch, approximately level 5 AD&D, and
still a shape shifter, but then she was born that way. As she gets her
strength back, she'll be stronger, but at the moment level 5 stuff is
the best she can handle. Hey, I couldn't stay away forever. :) You
guys might've decided to come after *me*. ;) >
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 09:05:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 07:02:00 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001196
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 2 Sep 1997 23:35:32 In Message # 00001194
> Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:
>
> Morgan runs a mental checklist. <*OK, I think I know who's going
> where, and I have one question. Who's staying in the Guild Hall?*>

 Roscoe speaks up. [I'll stay here with the kids. I'd be another worry
for all of you there without my powers.]
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 09:05:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 08:30:05 PDT In Message # 00001197
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

>On 2 Sep 1997 20:45:01 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001189
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>As Stranger has been gone for quite some time on his scouting
>mission, Xzerrion tests the link, and finds, to his shock, nothing.
>
><* Caprice, can you reach Stranger? *>

<*No... he just isn't there... *> She politely shields out her mental
cursing.

><* Shit. That means somebody knows we're here, and we aren't who we
>say we are. We have to move fast, or the whole city will come down on
>top of us. Can that spider of yourse find a path for us to get to
>Miles, Sheila, and the young Morgan clone, preferably unnoticed? I'd
>prefer to avoid profligate use of magic, but if I can't, well, we
>have to get to them anyway. *>

<* I can teleport us in... My teleportation is not magical... calling
it psionic comes close. We'll have to teleport in, open three cells,
grab the occupents, and out again... hopefully before the guards down
the hall come pouring in... *>

Those on the link feel an odd change in Caprice, as instead of a
union-mind, there is now over a dozen minds working in concert... One
mind controls the spider watching Darath, another mind controls the
spider watching Controller, a third the one watching the cells. The
seperation ensures the datafeed is not interrupted by anything that's
about to happen.

Legion looks at the vampire, still hidden behind her veils. "We've
been discovered, Stranger's been captured. Prepare to move out..."

Other minds in the link prepare for the teleport.
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 09:06:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 3 Sep 1997 08:34:27 PDT In Message # 00001198
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

With mommy gone, and the others distracted, Mischief gets easily
bored. Wings folded against her back, invisable against her grey fur,
she slips away from the others. Nose twitching, eyes bright, she goes
looking for things to stalk.
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:56:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 10:19:54 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001199
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 08:30:05 PDT In Message # 00001197
> "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:
>
> <* I can teleport us in... My teleportation is not magical...
> calling it psionic comes close. We'll have to teleport in, open
> three cells, grab the occupents, and out again... hopefully before
> the guards down the hall come pouring in... *>

\#My Split will remain outside of the distortion field generated by
your translocation, Call for Dorn if you have need.#\
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:56:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 10:22:10 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001200
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 00:55:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001195
> "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:
>
> A familiar, yet infinitely weary voice sounds over the link, <*I
> will. At the moment, that sounds like one of the best places to be.
> There or the Hospital, anyways...*>

\Welcome Back!\

> <OOC: Yes, it's Crow. Yes, I"m going to try and be back actively
> posting now. And no, she's not gonna try and take out DtB. At the
> moment, she's far too drained from the demands the Balance placed on
> her. As I get time, I'll write out the story of what happened to
> her. Though, she's now just a cleric/witch, approximately level 5
> AD&D, and still a shape shifter, but then she was born that way. As
> she gets her strength back, she'll be stronger, but at the moment
> level 5 stuff is the best she can handle. Hey, I couldn't stay away
> forever. :) You guys might've decided to come after *me*. ;) >

<OOC: that would be a safe bet... ;) >
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:57:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 3 Sep 1997 10:25:47 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001201
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 08:34:27 PDT In Message # 00001198
> "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:
>
> With mommy gone, and the others distracted, Mischief gets easily
> bored. Wings folded against her back, invisable against her grey
> fur, she slips away from the others. Nose twitching, eyes bright,
> she goes looking for things to stalk.

Buffy remains unobtrusivly nearby, incase something tries to turn the
tables on Mischief.

\#Heather and Buffy will keep track of the kids, until I recall
them.#\
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:57:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 10:28:17 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001202
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Wed, 3 Sep 1997, K. Ohanlon wrote:

> A familiar, yet infinitely weary voice sounds over the link, <*I
> will. At the moment, that sounds like one of the best places to be.
> There or the Hospital, anyways...*>

A mental blink comes in though the link. <* CROW??!! *>

- Xzerrion
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:57:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 10:32:05 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001203
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Wed, 3 Sep 1997, Caprice Davis wrote:

> <* I can teleport us in... My teleportation is not magical...
> calling it psionic comes close. We'll have to teleport in, open
> three cells, grab the occupents, and out again... hopefully before
> the guards down the hall come pouring in... *>

<* All right, let's move. Hopefully before things go any further down
the garderobe. *>

> Legion looks at the vampire, still hidden behind her veils. "We've
> been discovered, Stranger's been captured. Prepare to move out..."
>
> Other minds in the link prepare for the teleport.

Khoragh reaches into a belt pounch, and pulls out a set of lockpicks.
<*Once we're in, I can get them free in a hurry. Cover me. *>
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:57:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 3 Sep 1997 10:37:06 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001204
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 08:34:27 PDT In Message # 00001198
> "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:
>
> With mommy gone, and the others distracted, Mischief gets easily
> bored. Wings folded against her back, invisable against her grey
> fur, she slips away from the others. Nose twitching, eyes bright,
> she goes looking for things to stalk.

A small spider sits in the corner of the guildhall, resting on the
ceiling. Noting the potential danger of the kitten, it carefully
scuttles toward a crack in the wall.

<OOC : Drisonel can, through the spider, hear anything said aloud. She
currently, IIRC, `sees' Roland, Morgan, Crow, Roscoe, and Fuzzy. Any
modifications as to who's in the guildhall right now? >

- Xzerrion
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 10:57:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 10:38:44 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001205
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 07:02:00 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001196
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
>> Morgan runs a mental checklist. <*OK, I think I know who's going
>> where, and I have one question. Who's staying in the Guild Hall?*>
>>
>  Roscoe speaks up. [I'll stay here with the kids. I'd be another
> worry for all of you there without my powers.]

\Looks like at the Guildhall we have:
Roscoe
Crow
A Nemisis Split, Buffy watching Mischief
A Nemisis Split, Heather watching Squee
Maybe John, I'm not sure where he will be keeping watch from :)

any one I've missed?\

\A thought occures,\

Fuzzy starts a mind search for Kitty, after all Kitty seems feline and
he has felt the shape of Kitty's mind.
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 12:12:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 3 Sep 1997 11:39:01 PDT In Message # 00001206
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

>On 3 Sep 1997 10:37:06 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001204
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>A small spider sits in the corner of the guildhall, resting on the
>ceiling. Noting the potential danger of the kitten, it carefully
>scuttles toward a crack in the wall.

Mischief looks up at the spider scurrying across the ceiling. Things
that move are MUCH more interesting to stalk, and mommy taught her how
to hunt spiders.

Mischief's wings spread, and she launches herself up towards the
ceiling. She flips mid-air, and claws extended she bats at the spider,
trying to knock it off the ceiling and down onto the floor.

(OOC: Mischief is very quick, and tries to strike fast enough the
spider can't bite. On the other hand, with their exoskeltons and small
size, spiders can take a lot of batting around. Though her evilness
might get motion sick watching... <EG>)
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 14:35:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:45 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001207
 Dane0R0A@aol.com said:

In a message dated 97-09-03 12:35:46 EDT, fuzzy wrote:

<<
 A second or two later Knytt and a Nemisis Split as HoverCyclone will
arrive to chase down and kill The Controller, While I call Darath the
Black out for personal combat outside the wall, offering to destroy
the city and everything in it if he refuses or take too long to
arrive.
  >>

The Stardragon chimes in "I will see to it that NO sattelites work in
the whole star system. No problem. And I can easily make good your
promise to flatten the city and/or reduce it to slag. Anything you
want me to do? Like destroy a tower or two maybe?
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 16:07:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 3 Sep 1997 17:35:49 -0500 In Message # 00001208
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:45 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001207
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
>The Stardragon chimes in "I will see to it that NO sattelites work in
>the whole star system. No problem. And I can easily make good your
>promise to flatten the city and/or reduce it to slag. Anything you
>want me to do? Like destroy a tower or two maybe?

/Well, don't forget, we are only taking out those who threaten us.
These people may be undead, but they haven't been disturbing us for
the most part. So to honor the promise we made to Caprice, we'd better
just confine ourselves to that./
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 16:08:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 3 Sep 1997 15:48:00 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001211
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:45 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001207
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
> The Stardragon chimes in "I will see to it that NO sattelites work
> in the whole star system. No problem. And I can easily make good
> your promise to flatten the city and/or reduce it to slag. Anything
> you want me to do? Like destroy a tower or two maybe?

<OOC: His prior attempts to find his friends was via a connection that
Fuzzy was not Directly monitoring, And Fuzzy has never met him.>

\Who are you?

 A nice Glass crater where the Main City Gates are would be nice, But
don't do anything until the EMP Generators Detonate in orbit.

If he is slow about arriving, I may want a Glass road from the gate to
the castle, to give him a smoother more direct route...

I am Fuzzy a Cat-Changling, Esper/Mage and Techno by training.\

\Roland, I realize that you want to go another round with DtB. But I
don't want him scared off, and the Friend I mentioned has an old
grudge to avenge, Please don't interfere until after the battle has
started.\
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 17:35:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:22 In Message # 00001212
 Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:

>On 3 Sep 1997 10:28:17 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001202
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>A mental blink comes in though the link. <* CROW??!! *>

   Roland looks up. He remembers Crow leaving the field, but doesn't
remember her being this wasted. *Crow? Bloody nass, what happened to
you?* Power fills the Freelance Immortal as the newly minted mystic
calls on his combined powers. *If you need energy or healing, let me
know. At the moment, I have power to spare.*

   (OOC: Morgan would like to note [and I agree] that everything we've
'said' in this conversation has been on the link AFAWK, so all
Drisonel sees is a bunch of Callahanians staring at one another. <eg>)
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 17:50:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 3 Sep 1997 18:06:59 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001213
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 10:37:06 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001204
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
> A small spider sits in the corner of the guildhall, resting on the
> ceiling. Noting the potential danger of the kitten, it carefully
> scuttles toward a crack in the wall.
>
> <OOC : Drisonel can, through the spider, hear anything said aloud.
> She currently, IIRC, `sees' Roland, Morgan, Crow, Roscoe, and Fuzzy.
> Any modifications as to who's in the guildhall right now? >

 Just Squee if she's going to take any real notice of a young rat. BTW
Morgan, in finding your love you seem to have lost yoru wolves! ;-)
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 18:05:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 18:21:49 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001214
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 08:30:05 PDT In Message # 00001197
> "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:
>
> Legion looks at the vampire, still hidden behind her veils. "We've
> been discovered, Stranger's been captured. Prepare to move out..."
>
> Other minds in the link prepare for the teleport.

 Joe looks up from the .45 bullets he;s sorting. There's a rattleing
sound and suddenly everything except the silver .45 ACP rounds and
silver 10 guage Sabot slugs is gone from the table and Joe is opening
a half melted Zagnut bar. "So, the heat's on. We do a smash adn grab I
takes it since you guys AIN'T gonna be able to hide out in this burg
too long unless of course ya can mask them bright vivd livign auras,
stop them hearts from pounding like drums and mask the scent of fresh
blood about yas. So, The Stranger, is he with the other palookas or do
ya need to track him down too? Oh yeh, do you want some?"
 He pulls a couple more Zagnut bars from a coat pocket. "I love deese
things!"
===========================
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 22:10:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 3 Sep 1997 22:36:57 -0500 In Message # 00001215
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 3 Sep 1997 00:55:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001195
> "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>A familiar, yet infinitely weary voice sounds over the link, <*I
>will. At the moment, that sounds like one of the best places to be.
>There or the Hospital, anyways...*>

/Welcome back, Crow. Glad you could join the party!/

<OOC: Well, not only have Cutter and Leetah gone missing, so have
Dhyrclhanc and Synthea. But, I assume Martin has got caught up in the
real world again. Well, he hasn't hasn't been gone a month. No need to
worry yet. ;)>

--Knytt
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 01:05:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 4 Sep 1997 00:55:53 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001218
 "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 10:22:10 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001200
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>> On 3 Sep 1997 00:55:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001195
>> "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:
>>
>> A familiar, yet infinitely weary voice sounds over the link, <*I
>> will. At the moment, that sounds like one of the best places to be.
>> There or the Hospital, anyways...*>
>
> \Welcome Back!\

A tired grin can be felt across the link. <*Thanks... Looks like you
lot are in the middle of everything, par usual.*>

> <OOC: that would be a safe bet... ;) >

<OOC: Really? Jeez, i was kidding. :) >

-Kelley, aka Crow.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 01:05:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 4 Sep 1997 00:58:45 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001219
 "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 10:28:17 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001202
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
> A mental blink comes in though the link. <* CROW??!! *>

<* Hello, Xzerrion. I'll explain, later. For now, you'd better
concentrate on the business of rescuing. *> A mental hug also comes
across the link, and somehow Crow seems less... just less now.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 01:35:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 4 Sep 1997 01:20:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001220
 "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:22 In Message # 00001212
> Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:
>
>    Roland looks up. He remembers Crow leaving the field,
> but doesn't remember her being this wasted. *Crow? Bloody
> nass, what happened to you?* Power fills the Freelance
> Immortal as the newly minted mystic calls on his combined
> powers. *If you need energy or healing, let me know. At
> the moment, I have power to spare.*

<*What happened to me? Short version, restoring the Balance. Longer
version can wait til later, when the group doesn't have to concentrate
on a dozen different things at once as is. My thanks for the offer of
energy or healing, but for right now I think you'd better save that
for the upcoming confrontations.*>

<OOC: Also, I haven't quite figured out all the details on the stuff
I'm planning for Crow yet, so getting her healed again would
complicate things enormously.>

>    (OOC: Morgan would like to note [and I agree] that
> everything we've 'said' in this conversation has been
> on the link AFAWK, so all Drisonel sees is a bunch of
> Callahanians staring at one another. <eg>)

<OOC: Oh, right. Morgan and Roland are in the Guildhall, aren't they?
I'd better describe what they can see when they look at Crow. Hope I
get the details right. I'm doing this from memory...>

Crow is seated at a chair in a shadowy corner of the Guildhall. It's
tough to know how long she was sitting there, since she basically just
seemed to materialize out of the air. When last the other CAoL members
saw her she was garbed in silvery grey, with her hair and eyes also
silver. Her eyes are back to being green, and her hair is dark brown.
She is garbed in a dress of dark brown, and her belt that let her hold
weapons and other items in a pocket dimension when she changed forms
is still around her waist.

Her katana is gone, and so are any signs of the Grey One. (The
unicorn.) A mental scan would show someone who has basically had all
esper and magical pathways burned wide open, and then seriously
scarred. Though those are healing at a tremendous rate, it's uncertain
what abilities Crow will retain when the healing is done. Still a very
strong personal shield can be felt around Crow, and she winces
mentally when she tries to reach out to the link. Anyone looking
deeper would perceive that she's had some serious shocks, and gone
through a lot of pain.

On the surface, you can just see some faint lines of pain etched
around her eyes and mouth. And a weary expression seems to be all she
can summon, beyond the faintest of smiles at being reunited with her
comrades.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 01:35:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 4 Sep 1997 01:22:45 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001221
 "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:

> On 3 Sep 1997 22:36:57 -0500 In Message # 00001215
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
> /Welcome back, Crow. Glad you could join the party!/

<*Thank you, Knytt. Glad I was able to make it back...*>
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 11:05:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE - Missing Friends?

On 4 Sep 1997 10:55:41 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001222
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 4 Sep 1997 02:32:51 -0500 In Message # 00001217
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
>>On 3 Sep 1997 22:41:07 In Message # 00001216
>> "L.J. Wolfe" <ljwolfe@eee.org> said:
>>
>><OOC: I _haven't_ lost my wolves! :-) They just didn't follow us to
>>Arcadia. They've been hanging around the Guild Hall, waiting for the
>>silly humans (humanoids?) to decide what they're doing.>
>
> <OOC: Ok, so _we_ lost _them_. _They_ know exactly where they are.
> _We_ don't. Sounds normal to me. I _always_ lose track of animals,
> children and equipment. At least when I write. That's why Pyewackett
> and the HoverCyclone Nemisis split haven't left my side.>
>
> --Mike
> <Now, where did I left my ALICE pack? DOH!>

Possibly in the storage compartment under the Pyewackett, Since the
HoverCyclone now has a thick backrest with the Cat Seats at the top,
there is no reason for there not to be storage in it.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 17:05:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 4 Sep 1997 19:46:11 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001223
 Dane0R0A@aol.com said:

In a message dated 97-09-04 11:45:18 EDT, Knyt write:

<<
 /Well, don't forget, we are only taking out those who threaten us.
These people may be undead, but they haven't been disturbing us for
the most part. So to honor the promise we made to Caprice, we'd better
just confine ourselves to that./
  >>

A strangled "noise" comes from The Stardragon /*undead? Undead?
Un-Dead? UNDEAD!!!!!!!*/ The telepaths of the CAOL can feel the rising
rage that The Stardragon is feeling. /*Somebody has disturbed the
final rest of the inhabitants of this city? WHO? <ooc remember, The
Stardragon isn't on the link and nobody has mentioned undead, until
this post, since it returned> I'll DESTROY whoever did this EVIL
thing*/
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 18:05:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 4 Sep 1997 20:57:33 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001224
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On Mon, 1 Sep 1997 08:49:15 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00001174
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
>  Driss's facial expressions are hidden behind his mask but his tone
> fo voice almost seems appologetic. "It's over. A short time ago,
> Darath claimed innocence in the abduction of my brothers and for
> honor's sake did not see that he could win wihtout there being
> somequestion of fairness, so he killed himself and forfitted the
> final battle to me."

  John's face doesn't change expression, "How nice... and thank you
for informing us promptly," he adds in a dry tone. Over the link he
sounds worried, /Xzerrion, Stranger, Caprice, you guys get all that.
Darath the God is free to interfere. Watch your backs./
 He contemplates the Harlequin God for a moment, "If there is
_interference_ of a particular nature, will you be able to intervene
on our behalf? I, for one, would prefer to not be noticed in certain
circles."
  After hearing Driss's response he nods speaking and sending at the
same time, /"I will return to the guildhall, and assist in whatever
plans we make in light of this information."/
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 18:35:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 4 Sep 1997 21:24:38 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001225
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On 4 Sep 1997 01:20:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001220
> "K. Ohanlon" <bastet@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>> On 3 Sep 1997 17:17:22 In Message # 00001212
>> Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:
>>
>>    (OOC: Morgan would like to note [and I agree] that
>> everything we've 'said' in this conversation has been
>> on the link AFAWK, so all Drisonel sees is a bunch of
>> Callahanians staring at one another. <eg>)

And John, stepping through one of the walls to join the others as they
plan for the assault. The amulet used to control him is lying on the
outside of his robes, which are now a very dark blue.

> Crow is seated at a chair in a shadowy corner of the Guildhall. It's
> tough to know how long she was sitting there, since she basically
> just seemed to materialize out of the air. When last the other CaoL
> members saw her she was garbed in silvery grey, with her hair and
> eyes also silver. Her eyes are back to being green, and her hair is
> dark brown. She is garbed in a dress of dark brown, and her belt
> that let her hold weapons and other items in a pocket dimension when
> she changed forms is still around her waist.

John nods toward her, "Welcome back milady. I am glad you could return
to us. If you wish, I could bring us both to the feild of battle
should we be needed, as I will be waiting here as well."
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 18:50:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 4 Sep 1997 18:54:05 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001227
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 4 Sep 1997 20:57:33 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001224
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
>   John's face doesn't change expression, "How nice... and thank you
> for informing us promptly," he adds in a dry tone. Over the link he
> sounds worried, /Xzerrion, Stranger, Caprice, you guys get all that.
> Darath the God is free to interfere. Watch your backs./
>  He contemplates the Harlequin God for a moment, "If there is
> _interference_ of a particular nature, will you be able to intervene
> on our behalf? I, for one, would prefer to not be noticed in certain
> circles."

  "I will do waht I can of course however I am limited to my sphere of
power against him now that we are outside of the challenge. Deception
and theivery will most likely cover a large part of what is going to
happen but outside of that I can be little help short of taking you
from this dimention since you are mercenaries and not followers or
believers. But I doubt that Darath is going to interfeer just because
of how he has handled things thusfar. He has claimed no knowledge or
support of Miles' capture and to hinder it shall dishonor him greatly
in the eyes of hte pantheon. Also if he were inclined to have you all
destroyed he simply would have done it by now."
 And with that, Driss fades out of sight.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 19:05:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE: Jadis's actions.

On 4 Sep 1997 21:58:37 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001228
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

  Jadis sat forward as several alarms he had set went off
simultaneously. "What IS that?" Onscreen are several representations
of the Stardragon, with accompanying energy readings. He watches the
passive probes for a while, not daring to actively probe an unknown
entity yet. Seeing that it really isn't doing anything, he leaves the
passive probes running and conjures a doorway. Stepping through it, he
begins to walk through Darath's castle. Finally he stops an undead
servant, "Take me to the rooms of the Iron Golem."
  The servant ignores Jadis, trying to continue on his errand, only to
be stopped by Jadis's hand on his neck, "You WILL show me the way or I
will teach you pain the like of which you cannot even imagine." Undead
hands claw at Jadis's arms to no effect, then stiffen as Jadis sends a
flow of Power through the undead. "That is just a taste. Now show me
the way to it's rooms." Jadis releases the undead, now obviously in
fear of him, and follows it to the Controller's room. He knocks
breifly, then enters the room.
  The Controller watches Jadis enter, "What do you want?"
  Jadis smiles, "Why hello. I've detected something over Quaren.
Somehow I doubt it is yours. Do you know of it?" He quickly sketches
out what he could detect of the Stardragon.

OOC: This occurs right after the Stardragon appears. Jadis will be
gone by the time our strike teams arrive.. he feels no need to quibble
with DtB or anyone else right now. Perhaps the Controller can point
Jadis toward a line of inquiry into Stardragons nature? Jadis is
operating multidimensionally.
===========================
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 1997 19:20:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 4 Sep 1997 19:09:12 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001229
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 4 Sep 1997 20:57:33 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001224
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
>   After hearing Driss's response he nods speaking and sending at the
> same time, /"I will return to the guildhall, and assist in whatever
> plans we make in light of this information."/

\Find out how long it will take Darath to recover from that 'loss', I
believe that he should be at least reduced in effective power while he
heals\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 00:52:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 23:42:41 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001232
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 4 Sep 1997 19:46:11 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001223
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
> A strangled "noise" comes from The Stardragon /*undead? Undead?
> Un-Dead? UNDEAD!!!!!!!*/ The telepaths of the CAOL can feel the
> rising rage that The Stardragon is feeling. /*Somebody has disturbed
> the final rest of the inhabitants of this city? WHO? <ooc remember,
> The Stardragon isn't on the link and nobody has mentioned undead,
> until this post, since it returned> I'll DESTROY whoever did this
> EVIL thing*/

\Knytt, Roland, Morgan, Somebody

Who or what is that?

The sending is coming from a single source of nearly unbelivable
energy density.

As for Who did this, I am told that the Inhabitants of the city of
Misern and all life in the land around it were killed long ago by a
God having a snit, then several centuries ago they were raised as a
weapon by a high powered necromancer, after they had served his
purpose's he erased the memory of death from their minds and kept them
as citizens of his city. He still rules as High Priest and chosen
Avatar of the God of Night.

As for Destroying him, Get in Line!\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 01:26:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 01:05:56 In Message # 00001233
 Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:

>On 4 Sep 1997 18:54:05 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001227
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
   <snip>
>  "I will do waht I can of course however I am limited to my sphere
>of power against him now that we are outside of the challenge.
>Deception and theivery will most likely cover a large part of what is
>going to happen but outside of that I can be little help short of
>taking you from this dimention since you are mercenaries and not
>followers or believers.

   Roland and Morgan look up sharply at this point. "mercenaries?"
Roland asks softly, and Morgan adds, "Exsqueeze me?"

>But I doubt that Darath is going to interfeer just because of how he
>has handled things thusfar. He has claimed no knowledge or support of
>Miles' capture and to hinder it shall dishonor him greatly in the
>eyes of hte pantheon. Also if he were inclined to have you all
>destroyed he simply would have done it by now."

   "Mercenaries?" Roland asks again.

> And with that, Driss fades out of sight.

   "MERCENARIES?!" the Freelance Immortal rages. "He asks us to rescue
his brothers on nothing but a suggestion from you-know-who, and we do
it _as_a_favor,_ and he says we're MERCENARIES?!" Roland's eyes light
up with familiar lightning. "What are we, the hired help?"

Morgan's voice is even, yet slightly acerbic. "Aye, an' if we're
mercs, I'd like t' know what we're getting _paid_. I fer one ken we
deserve hazard pay fer this job."

   Roland's rant is suddenly cut off, and he has to smile. "Oh, yeah,
I'd take money to face off with a god, sure. Though with the dragons
more or less back, I'd put money on our side for that one."
   He sighs. *Okay, folx, at least it looks like divine intervention
is out for both sides. It's just us versus them, and for once it's
starting to look like the odds are in our favor.*

   Elsewhere, in Roland's home ficton...
   "Doctor Thorne! It's ready!" a young, thin man with a shaved head
and plain tan robes runs into a small chamber.
   A slightly taller man looks up. Sandy hair and blue- gray eyes
merge with sharp features to create a bookish appearance, the lie of
which is made obvious by the ease with which he holds the Shadow Brand
in one hand.
   "The enchantment will flow into me, and not the blade?"
   "So it shall be, Master." The acolyte bows.
   "It had better." Doctor Adrian Thorne looks up, smiles at the
hideous thing in his hand, and begins to chant.
   A portal begins to take form before him.
   Thorne chuckles softly. "It works..."

   The chamber of Darath the Black:
   As Darath broods, a swirling storm of darkness forms before His
Foulness. Through it steps a man seemingly clad in ribbons made of
shadows, and bearing a sword out of nightmare.
   "Forgive the intrusion, dark one, but time is of the essence...for
you. The one you know as 'Blaze' will be upon you soon." What can be
seen of the sorceror's face twists in hatred. "The interfering brat
can ruin the most intricate of plans. I can help you...for a price.
Say, a few of your magicks involving the animation of the dead?" Dr.
Thorne's eyes light up greedily...
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 02:05:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 05:02:05 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001235
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 01:05:56 In Message # 00001233
> Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:
>
> Morgan's voice is even, yet slightly acerbic. "Aye, an' if we're
> mercs, I'd like t' know what we're getting _paid_. I fer one ken we
> deserve hazard pay fer this job."

John's voice sounds dryly amused, /Let me think. Morgan, payment to be
received.. one unspecified boon from the Harlequin God. Roland,
payment asked.. None, because this is the right thing to do. Knytt is
receiving various monies to various charities in various fictions, and
I asked for help should I have need of it at any point in this little
adventure. I don't remember what the others asked but I do know that
we were hired for a specific job for which some of us are receiving
compensation. You can call it whatever you want, I'll say we came off
as mercenaries./ John mentally grins, /If we had failed to rescue the
brother's, could Dris have sued us for breach of contract? I wonder
what court that would be tried in? 'Our plaintiff: Driscol of Braxton,
Harlequin God of Theives. Suing the defendant for breach of contract
in the rescue of his brothers from Darath the Black. And now entering
the courtroom, our defendants: The Callahanian Army of Light. They
claim that Divine intervention caused the failure of their mission.
They've agreed to dismiss their lawyers and have their complaints
settled here in THE PEOPLE'S COURT. Honourable Judge Wapner
presiding.'

>    Roland's rant is suddenly cut off, and he has to smile. "Oh,
> yeah, I'd take money to face off with a god, sure. Though with the
> dragons more or less back, I'd put money on our side for that one."
>    He sighs. *Okay, folx, at least it looks like divine intervention
> is out for both sides. It's just us versus them, and for once it's
> starting to look like the odds are in our favor.*

OOC: How much do you wanna bet? <eg>
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 02:35:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 04:27:08 -0500 In Message # 00001236
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 23:42:41 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001232
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>\Knytt, Roland, Morgan, Somebody
>
>Who or what is that?
>
>The sending is coming from a single source of nearly unbelivable
>energy density.

/That..../ Knytt said slowly, /is the StarDragon. He can kill with a
touch, manipulate huge amounts of energy, devour entire planets. His
mind seems infintely old and amazingly young. Titania called him a
'harbringer<sp?> of destruction. What he is... I have no idea./

>As for Destroying him, Get in Line!\

/Yes, the "gentleman" in question is the one Fuzzy and his friend are
going to be calling out. I am sure they will be willing to share once
they have had their fun. Assuming there is anything left./

Excluding the StarDragon, Knytt sends to the rest of the group,
/Ladies and gentlemen, the cavalry has arrived. Armed with Vorlon
Planet Killers./ Knytt sounds very ill at ease.

<OOC: Knytt has seen the StarDragon at work and remembers the kind of
power he wielded. In light of his past associations, Knytt is very
nervous of such power. Nothing personal, Dane. I just hope there are
enough mecha around to keep you and Dhyrclhanc happy. Maybe a few
undead armies. :)>
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 03:05:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 04:55:36 -0500 In Message # 00001237
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 05:02:05 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001235
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
<snip>
>John's voice sounds dryly amused, /Let me think. Morgan, payment to
>be received.. one unspecified boon from the Harlequin God. Roland,
>payment asked.. None, because this is the right thing to do. Knytt is
>receiving various monies to various charities in various fictions,
>and I asked for help should I have need of it at any point in this
>little adventure. I don't remember what the others asked but I do
>know that we were hired for a specific job for which some of us are
>receiving compensation. You can call it whatever you want, I'll say
>we came off as mercenaries./

/No, the little whelp is getting my services for free as he has no
method of payment available. I am here because the rest of you are. If
I were a merc, and he could not pay, I would not be here. However, of
all the things I have been called, mercenary is certainly tame.

/In fact, I have paid more on this 'little trip', than all the amounts
I listed off to Driss. But, those are risks I always had to face. If
they didn't happen here, they would have happened somewhere.

/Remember, gang, this is not for Driss, at least not for me. This is
for two brothers who got caught up in the conflicts of the third. I
would not be here if it were Driss alone in trouble./

<snip>
>>    He sighs. *Okay, folx, at least it looks like divine
>> intervention is out for both sides. It's just us versus
>> them, and for once it's starting to look like the odds are
>> in our favor.*

/When I first got the memories of the appearance of Darath the God, I
thought Driss had misjudged him, that he was not as bad as portrayed.
Now, I think Driss is doing it again. If Darath the God doesn't show
up, wonderful, but I personally will not take Driss's word for it./

--Knytt
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 07:36:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan of action

On 5 Sep 1997 07:29:01 PDT In Message # 00001238
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

>On 3 Sep 1997 18:21:49 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001214
> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>
> Joe looks up from the .45 bullets he;s sorting. There's a rattleing
>sound and suddenly everything except the silver .45 ACP rounds and
>silver 10 guage Sabot slugs is gone from the table and Joe is opening
>a half melted Zagnut bar. "So, the heat's on. We do a smash adn grab
>I takes it since you guys AIN'T gonna be able to hide out in this
>burg too long unless of course ya can mask them bright vivd livign
>auras, stop them hearts from pounding like drums and mask the scent
>of fresh blood about yas. So, The Stranger, is he with the other
>palookas or do ya need to track him down too? Oh yeh, do you want
>some?"
> He pulls a couple more Zagnut bars from a coat pocket. "I love deese
>things!"

"We'll need to track him down, but later. We move now."

<* We're moving now *>

Caprice waits for any protests or last minute preperations. Then she
focuses.... To those in the teleport, it feels like nothing in
particular. One moment they are standing in the room, the next, in the
hall of the dungeons. There is no magical radition from the teleport
what so ever.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 10:05:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 5 Sep 1997 09:52:23 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001239
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Thu, 4 Sep 1997, Shadow wrote:
>
>   John's face doesn't change expression, "How nice... and thank you
> for informing us promptly," he adds in a dry tone. Over the link he
> sounds worried, /Xzerrion, Stranger, Caprice, you guys get all that.
> Darath the God is free to interfere. Watch your backs./

Xzerrion's response may make John doubt his sanity. <* Good. DtG is
*not* happy with his incarnation at the moment, and may weigh in on
our side. From my meeting with him, he seemed honorable, in some ways
more so than Driss, truth to tell. *>
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 10:39:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 13:14:40 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001240
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 04:55:36 -0500 In Message # 00001237
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
> /Remember, gang, this is not for Driss, at least not for me. This is
> for two brothers who got caught up in the conflicts of the third. I
> would not be here if it were Driss alone in trouble./

/Peace, Knytt. I was merely pointing out that the Harlequin God
approached and negotiated with us in a very mercenary manner, and we
did little to disabuse him of that. In his view, we can very validly
be called mercenaries./ John's voice goes sorrowful, and his sheilds
tighten to where nothing beyond that voice leaks out, /We have all
paid on this trip, and I fear we may yet pay even more before this is
over./

> <snip>
> /When I first got the memories of the appearance of Darath the God,
> I thought Driss had misjudged him, that he was not as bad as
> portrayed. Now, I think Driss is doing it again. If Darath the God
> doesn't show up, wonderful, but I personally will not take Driss's
> word for it./

/I agree. Everyone watch your backs./
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 10:39:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Aae-Showdown

On 5 Sep 1997 13:25:50 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001241
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 09:52:23 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001239
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
> Xzerrion's response may make John doubt his sanity. <* Good. DtG is
> *not* happy with his incarnation at the moment, and may weigh in on
> our side. From my meeting with him, he seemed honorable, in some
> ways more so than Driss, truth to tell. *>

John does doubt Xzerrions sanity, /As honorable as DtG is, the whole
purpose of that combat thing was to get Driss's godhood away from him,
as far as I could tell. Since that is also the Controller's goal, and
the Controller has a plan that might work, DtG might weigh in on our
side, only to put the big C's plan into effect himself. I for one am
not sanguine about any Gods weighing in anywhere. And frankly, Driss
hasn't impressed me much any which way, though I probably haven't
behaved much better./
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 11:05:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 13:46:10 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001242
 Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 04:27:08 -0500 In Message # 00001236
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
> /That..../ Knytt said slowly, /is the StarDragon. He can kill with a
> touch, manipulate huge amounts of energy, devour entire planets. His
> mind seems infintely old and amazingly young. Titania called him a
> 'harbringer<sp?> of destruction. What he is... I have no idea./

John chimes in, without including the Stardragon, /Hmmphh. As if we
don't cause enough destruction already. :^) And his Starweir idea for
Iasun was amazingly ill-conceived, I hesitate to think of what will
happen now that he is enraged./

> Excluding the StarDragon, Knytt sends to the rest of the group,
> /Ladies and gentlemen, the cavalry has arrived. Armed with Vorlon
> Planet Killers./ Knytt sounds very ill at ease.

John sends right back, /As if it's the planet that needs the killing
here./

> <OOC: Knytt has seen the StarDragon at work and remembers the kind
> of power he wielded. In light of his past associations, Knytt is
> very nervous of such power. Nothing personal, Dane. I just hope
> there are enough mecha around to keep you and Dhyrclhanc happy.
> Maybe a few undead armies. :)>

OOC: And John isn't happy about the Stardragon showing up entirely for
reasons of his own, espescially as the number of possible timelines
has increased beyond his ability to bring his goals to fruition in the
manner he'd prefer. Dhyrclhanc, time is running a little short here...
This scene in the guildhall sounds perfect to come back in.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 13:05:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE : A plan in action

On 5 Sep 1997 13:02:00 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001243
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 07:29:01 PDT In Message # 00001238
> "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:
>
>>On 3 Sep 1997 18:21:49 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001214
>> gamer@host.yab.com said:
>>
>> Joe looks up from the .45 bullets he;s sorting. There's a rattleing
>>sound and suddenly everything except the silver .45 ACP rounds and
>>silver 10 guage Sabot slugs is gone from the table and Joe is
>>opening a half melted Zagnut bar. "So, the heat's on. We do a smash
>>adn grab I takes it since you guys AIN'T gonna be able to hide out
>>in this burg too long unless of course ya can mask them bright vivd
>>livign auras, stop them hearts from pounding like drums and mask the
>>scent of fresh blood about yas. So, The Stranger, is he with the
>>other palookas or do ya need to track him down too? Oh yeh, do you
>>want some?"
>> He pulls a couple more Zagnut bars from a coat pocket. "I love
>>deese things!"
>
> "We'll need to track him down, but later. We move now."
>
> <* We're moving now *>

\30 Seconds countdown until the EMP, there will be a 5 second warning
and a last second warning as it might not be too healthy to be
touching metal when it happens.\

> Caprice waits for any protests or last minute preperations. Then she
> focuses.... To those in the teleport, it feels like nothing in
> particular. One moment they are standing in the room, the next, in
> the hall of the dungeons. There is no magical radition from the
> teleport what so ever.

Fuzzy and A Nemisis Split Teleport out

Arriving for a few seconds over Zag Fuzzy siphons the accumulated
Charge of Dream and Nightmare Fictons out of Zag leaving only the
area's the children use for play untouched.

Then to a Hillside far from habitation to prepair his option to
decline death.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 13:35:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 13:09:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001244
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 04:27:08 -0500 In Message # 00001236
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
> Excluding the StarDragon, Knytt sends to the rest of the group,
> /Ladies and gentlemen, the cavalry has arrived. Armed with Vorlon
> Planet Killers./ Knytt sounds very ill at ease.

<OOC: is it day or night? Assuming Night..., If it is daytime I doubt
DtB will come out.>

\StarDragon, Once combat has started, If you can do this, It would be
an awful Nasty suprise for my opponent to have Daylight Shining down
on him :), If you can supply that it would be a useful edge.\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 15:06:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Behind Closed Doors

On 5 Sep 1997 14:55:40 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001245
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Wed, 27 Aug 1997, Caprice Davis wrote:

> The Guildmaster gives Ak'hasta a measuring glance. "I have thought
> of several posiblities. And I am prepared to deal with whichever
> turns out to be true."`

Ak'hasta gives the Guildmaster a withering look. `So be it. None of
you have any reason to trust me, *perhaps* with reason. But if you do
not consider my suggestions as to your strategy, I take *no*
responsibility for your success or, more likely, your failure.'

> With that conversation turns back to strategy and how to somehow get
> their troops paid for doing this... Throughout the conversation a
> trend becomes visable....

Ak'hasta notes, `If you wish your troops paid, talk to the one known
as Xzerrion. He is sole heir to a noble house, and has some interest
here.'

> Anything Ak'hasta says is treated with skepticism.
>
> Anything Argent says is ignored, unless one of the others repeats
> the idea... then it is treated as if it was HIS idea, not Argent's.
>
> Throughout this Argent somehow manages to keep her temper, her
> expression never changing from the unreadable look that has earned
> her a reputation as such a cast-iron bitch.

Which is a bit more than can be said for Ak'hasta. Having been raised
in a matriarchal society, seeing a female treated with such obvious
disregard by males is a bit much.

`How, if such an outsider as myself could *possibly* presume to ask,'
Ak'hasta begins with icy sarcasm, `is precedence determined in this
guild? Certainly not by talent, or more than half of you have no
business here. Likewise, not by leadership ability, or you would
realize how to make better use of the talents of those who work for
you. Among my people, leadership is based on skill, and those who
cannot be successful are removed expeditiously. It seems we have an
edge over you humans there.'

<OOC : If nobody shuts him up, Ak'hasta will go into a full-fledeged
rant.>
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 15:06:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan in action

On 5 Sep 1997 15:02:57 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001246
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, fuzzy wrote:

> \30 Seconds countdown until the EMP, there will be a 5 second
> warning and a last second warning as it might not be too healthy to
> be touching metal when it happens.\

<*Damn it ... *> Finding the illusion too distracting at the second,
Xzerrion drops it, and starts working with his lockpicks. He probably
has never picked so many locks this fast before in his life, working
on any chains on the prisoners, then the cell door. The prison door
springs open at the five second warning.

Xzerrion turns to the prisoners. `Everybody out, right now! This place
could go up in seconds!'

If any don't respond, he starts shoving them out the door.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 15:36:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 5 Sep 1997 15:07:11 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001247
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Wed, 3 Sep 1997, Caprice Davis wrote:

> Mischief looks up at the spider scurrying across the ceiling. Things
> that move are MUCH more interesting to stalk, and mommy taught her
> how to hunt spiders.

Suddenly, it scurries *much* faster.

> Mischief's wings spread, and she launches herself up towards the
> ceiling. She flips mid-air, and claws extended she bats at the
> spider, trying to knock it off the ceiling and down onto the floor.

It curls into a ball and ricochets first off a wall, then rolls along
the floor. Regaining it's feet, it backs into a corner, it's eyes
glinting with malevelent rage.

> (OOC: Mischief is very quick, and tries to strike fast enough the
> spider can't bite. On the other hand, with their exoskeltons and
> small size, spiders can take a lot of batting around. Though her
> evilness might get motion sick watching... <EG>)

Meanwhile, Drisonel sees very little in her scrying other than the
face of a playful kitten rapidly filling her vision ...

- Drisonel and the spider
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 15:36:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 18:34:27 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001248
 Dane0R0A@aol.com said:

In a message dated 97-09-05 09:03:59 EDT, you write:

<<
 \Who are you?

 A nice Glass crater where the Main City Gates are would be nice, But
don't do anything until the EMP Generators Detonate in orbit.

 If he is slow about arriving, I may want a Glass road from the gate
to the castle, to give him a smoother more direct route...

 I am Fuzzy a Cat-Changling, Esper/Mage and Techno by training.\

 \Roland, I realize that you want to go another round with DtB. But I
don't want him scared off, and the Friend I mentioned has an old
grudge to avenge, Please don't interfere until after the battle has
started.\
  >>

I am The Stardragon. I am an entity of pure energy and force,
unkillable and under most NORMAL situations unharmable. I am NOT a
god, such status implies followers. But I do have a domain where I
rule supreme. Time and space, matter and energy are my domain. Some of
the CAOL have explained that I have eaten whole planets, now while
that is true, the planets of a star system are not my meal, the star
itself is. The planets are just an appetizer. By your lites I would be
considered a child. An immortal eternal child. How long is the
childhood of a being whose lifespan is litterally infinity. I have
lived through more universe bang-crunch cycles than I can remember.
Your life cycles can be closely aproximated by straight lines, mine is
closer to a hyperbolic curve. I can never reach the physiologic state
of puberty.

You want the gates to the city blasted? consider it done. And a glass
road from the fortress to the blasted gate? No problem. When the EMP
pulse hits me, I will magnify it and echo it throughout the
starsystem. I will shield the planet from the "echo" but every other
metal or electronic "stuff" in the star system will absorb destructive
amounts of energy. I will then blast the gates and burn a straight
path from it to the fortress gate.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:06:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Behind Closed Doors

On 5 Sep 1997 15:43:51 PDT In Message # 00001249
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 14:55:40 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001245
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>Ak'hasta gives the Guildmaster a withering look. `So be it. None of
>you have any reason to trust me, *perhaps* with reason. But if you do
>not consider my suggestions as to your strategy, I take *no*
>responsibility for your success or, more likely, your failure.'

The Guildmaster simply nods. "I will consider all suggestions, and
weigh them accordingly."

>Ak'hasta notes, `If you wish your troops paid, talk to the one known
>as Xzerrion. He is sole heir to a noble house, and has some interest
>here.'

Caprice inserts, "There's also someone outside who is intrested in
financing our defense of the city... and making medical treatment part
of the contract."

>`How, if such an outsider as myself could *possibly* presume to ask,'
>Ak'hasta begins with icy sarcasm, `is precedence determined in this
>guild? Certainly not by talent, or more than half of you have no
>business here. Likewise, not by leadership ability, or you would
>realize how to make better use of the talents of those who work for
>you. Among my people, leadership is based on skill, and those who
>cannot be successful are removed expeditiously. It seems we have an
>edge over you humans there.'

The captain in blue explains calmly, "In a company, promotions are
made by superior officers on the basis of merit. In the field,
however, lower ranked officers are often promoted when their superiors
are killed." He glances pointedly at the captain in red. "Sometimes
they are promoted further than they should have ever gotten on the
basis of merit."

The captain in red can't legitimately take insult, so he settles for
glaring daggers at the man in blue. "Of course, freelancers have no
such rank. Unless they are somehow elevated to a guild office, they
are of little account."

A quiet man in brown leathers adds, "Except, of course, for those who
others look to... despite rank or lack of it. Such as myself, and
Argent." The look he gives Argent clearly adds another line to the
politics in the room... not just male vs female, human vs. not human,
but company vs freelance.

The man in brown continues, "Argent mentioned that there was someone
willing to finance our struggles. Perhaps we should invite them in?"

The Guildmaster nods in agreement, and sends someone to fetch the
strange woman.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:06:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 17:43:32 -0500 In Message # 00001250
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 13:46:10 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001242
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
>On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote:
<snip>
>> Excluding the StarDragon, Knytt sends to the rest of the group,
>> /Ladies and gentlemen, the cavalry has arrived. Armed with Vorlon
>> Planet Killers./ Knytt sounds very ill at ease.
>
>John sends right back, /As if it's the planet that needs the killing
>here./

Still excluding the StarDragon, Knytt replies, /Exactly. I know he is
a good being, but he still makes me nervous./
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:07:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 17:43:28 -0500 In Message # 00001252
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 13:14:40 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001240
> Shadow <pookie@pluto.njcc.com> said:
>
>/Peace, Knytt. I was merely pointing out that the Harlequin God
>approached and negotiated with us in a very mercenary manner, and we
>did little to disabuse him of that. In his view, we can very validly
>be called mercenaries./ John's voice goes sorrowful, and his sheilds
>tighten to where nothing beyond that voice leaks out, /We have all
>paid on this trip, and I fear we may yet pay even more before this is
>over./

Knytt sends a mental grin to John. /Actually, I meant to simply remind
everyone that we came here mostly for Driss's brothers. So, what Driss
thinks of us is really unimportant./

/And, if there is anyone going to pay from here on out, it is going to
be Darath the Black and the Controller./

<OOC: Ok, so I am being a bit naive. Knytt is focusing on his part of
the plan, after all.>
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:07:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan in action

On 5 Sep 1997 17:43:35 -0500 In Message # 00001253
 Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 13:02:00 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001243
> fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:
>
>\30 Seconds countdown until the EMP, there will be a 5 second warning
>and a last second warning as it might not be too healthy to be
>touching metal when it happens.\

/Unless otherwise notified, I will teleport outside the Controller's
lab 5 seconds after that last warning. One second later, boom./

--Knytt
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:07:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Jadis's actions.

On 5 Sep 1997 18:58:22 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001254
 Dane0R0A@aol.com said:

In a message dated 97-09-04 23:40:08 EDT, Paul Roslowski wrote:
<<
   The Controller watches Jadis enter, "What do you want?"
   Jadis smiles, "Why hello. I've detected something over Quaren.
Somehow I doubt it is yours. Do you know of it?" He quickly sketches
out what he could detect of the Stardragon.

 OOC: This occurs right after the Stardragon appears. Jadis will be
gone by the time our strike teams arrive.. he feels no need to quibble
with DtB or anyone else right now. Perhaps the Controller can point
Jadis toward a line of inquiry into Stardragons nature? Jadis is
operating multidimensionally.
  >>

The Stardragon, feeling "something", possibly from another dimension,
absorbing energy from IT, sends a "pulse" of energy along the
connection. A small one, only a few thousand megatons worth (ooc:
megatons of tnt) of energy to warn and remind whoever is spying upon
it, that it doesn't like being spied upon and that it is not possible
to observe something without affecting it. Unfortuneately for John and
the CAOL Jadis is NOT with his equipment when the "pulse" hits, having
just stepped through to warn Darath the black. When he "returns" to
his "base" he finds a smoking hole in the ground where it was.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:07:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: A Plan of Action

On 5 Sep 1997 16:01:27 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001255
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 18:34:27 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001248
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
> You want the gates to the city blasted? consider it done. And a
> glass road from the fortress to the blasted gate? No problem. When
> the EMP pulse hits me, I will magnify it and echo it throughout the
> starsystem. I will shield the planet from the "echo" but every other
> metal or electronic "stuff" in the star system will absorb
> destructive amounts of energy. I will then blast the gates and burn
> a straight path from it to the fortress gate.

\Don't burn the path immediatly, We do not want to scare the rodent so
bad it will not come out of its hole, If we have to dig him out it is
very likely that most of the city will be destroyed, and one of our
number has requested we not harm the inhabitant of the If it can be
avoided.\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:07:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Jadis's actions.

On 5 Sep 1997 16:25:41 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001256
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

>   Jadis smiles, "Why hello. I've detected something over Quaren.
> Somehow I doubt it is yours. Do you know of it?" He quickly sketches
> out what he could detect of the Stardragon.

 The Controller lokos at it. "No it is not mine. I believe I saw it
once before, long ago, fighting alongside the Army of Light, but I
know little about it."
 UNspeakingly though the Controler is worried enough to bring some of
the drones to posts in the castle. The Stardragon sees the sattelites
re-alligning themselves bouncin singals as five Controller Drones are
X-windowed to the castle. Two in the Dungeon, one next to the
Controller, and the other two into the Throne room..
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 5 Sep 1997 16:10:00 PDT In Message # 00001257
 "Caprice Davis" <caprice@hotmail.com> said:

>On 5 Sep 1997 15:07:11 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001247
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
>Meanwhile, Drisonel sees very little in her scrying other than the
>face of a playful kitten rapidly filling her vision ...

Mischief's wings are bristling as she lands, her body tensed to
pounce. She has it cornered, and away from any cracks. Now comes the
tricky part. Little spiders are harder to kill than the big ones. She
feints a few bats at it, claws extended, to see what it will do.
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan in action

On 5 Sep 1997 16:15:29 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001258
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 17:43:35 -0500 In Message # 00001253
> Michael Jon Knight <mjknight@idir.net> said:
>
> /Unless otherwise notified, I will teleport outside the Controller's
> lab 5 seconds after that last warning. One second later, boom./

\It should be a minor issue, but with the StarDragon's involvment I
can not be sure of the exact amplitude of the EMP, I recommend
arriving one second later for safety.\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE III: Rants and Returns.

On 5 Sep 1997 16:40:04 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001259
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 01:05:56 In Message # 00001233
> Roland X <RolandX@eee.org> said:
>
>    "MERCENARIES?!" the Freelance Immortal rages. "He asks us
> to rescue his brothers on nothing but a suggestion from you-
> know-who, and we do it _as_a_favor,_ and he says we're MER-
> CENARIES?!" Roland's eyes light up with familiar lightning.
> "What are we, the hired help?"
>
> Morgan's voice is even, yet slightly acerbic. "Aye, an' if we're
> mercs, I'd like t' know what we're getting _paid_. I fer one ken we
> deserve hazard pay fer this job."

 OOC: I refer you to the very very start of AAE III for the above.
Driss offered everyone what they would want and ALWAYS refereed to it
in terms of payment for services rendered. Some people took it Some
people didn;t and Morgan took an IOU. He very much believes you all to
be mercenaries for good reason. <EG>

>    The chamber of Darath the Black:
>    As Darath broods, a swirling storm of darkness forms
> before His Foulness. Through it steps a man seemingly
> clad in ribbons made of shadows, and bearing a sword out
> of nightmare.
>    "Forgive the intrusion, dark one, but time is of the
> essence...for you. The one you know as 'Blaze' will be
> upon you soon." What can be seen of the sorceror's face
> twists in hatred. "The interfering brat can ruin the most
> intricate of plans. I can help you...for a price. Say,
> a few of your magicks involving the animation of the dead?"
> Dr. Thorne's eyes light up greedily...

 Darath the Black studies the man cautiously before speaking. "I must
admit things are happening beyond my control as of late and help could
be very beneficial, but are you sure of the price you ask before I
agree to pay it?"
 Darath removes his helm to show Dr. Thorne the rotting yet living
visage of his face. "I am the most powerful necromancer on Quaren. But
wiht the power comes a price. Being wiht the dead constantly gives me
much of that power and the power to resist the abilites of even the
most potent undead. It gives me the powers of the undead to call upon
when I need it, but it takes its toll on my humanity. It was a
struggle and a curse and caused my self exile but now I have the power
of a God here on Quaren. I can show you the road to that power and
guide you along it, but you must answer to yourself first, are you
willing the pay what price it may ask? From me, it asked the price of
hte flesh. Perhaps it will ask the same of you. Perhaps it will seek
your mind. Perhaps it will ask no price at all. That is the chance you
must take. are you willing?"
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE : A plan in action

On 5 Sep 1997 16:47:23 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00001260
 gamer@host.yab.com said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 15:02:57 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001246
> "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:
>
> Xzerrion turns to the prisoners. `Everybody out, right now! This
> place could go up in seconds!'
>
> If any don't respond, he starts shoving them out the door.

 Um you might be waiting a bit on this post... There ARE guards there
somewhat touched on my the spider. Just cuz they haven;t moves a
muscle doesn;t mean they're not htere. ;-)
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Jadis's actions.

On 5 Sep 1997 16:27:58 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001261
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

> On 5 Sep 1997 18:58:22 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00001254
> Dane0R0A@aol.com said:
>
> The Stardragon, feeling "something", possibly from another
> dimension, absorbing energy from IT, sends a "pulse" of energy along
> the connection. A small one, only a few thousand megatons worth
> (ooc: megatons of tnt) of energy to warn and remind whoever is
> spying upon it, that it doesn't like being spied upon and that it is
> not possible to observe something without affecting it.
> Unfortuneately for John and the CAOL Jadis is NOT with his equipment
> when the "pulse" hits, having just stepped through to warn Darath
> the black. When he "returns" to his "base" he finds a smoking hole
> in the ground where it was.

Fuzzy Tracks the energy pulse that passed by him over Zag

Exclude The StarDragon
\Can someone reassure me that the StarDragon is on our side?\

Direct to The StarDragon
\May I enquire what that City did to you?
 You have just vaporized an Inhabited City,
 I do not feel that the others need the distraction of worrying about
that, at this time.
To clarify:
 A glass crater the diameter of the Gates of Misern where the gates
are now and later if needed
 A Glass path between the Crater and the Castle Gates are no wider
than 15 meters.
 If your control is not fine enough for those specifications I will
make other arraingments.\
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:36:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Behind Closed Doors

On 5 Sep 1997 16:32:14 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001262
 fuzzy <fuzzy@wco.com> said:

On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Caprice Davis wrote:
[snip]
> The man in brown continues, "Argent mentioned that there was someone
> willing to finance our struggles. Perhaps we should invite them in?"
>
> The Guildmaster nods in agreement, and sends someone to fetch the
> strange woman.

Patrica Savage enters
"I Hope that I have finally reached someone who can bargain
reasonably?"
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:37:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Meanwhile, back at the kitten

On 5 Sep 1997 16:32:47 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001263
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Caprice Davis wrote:
>
> Mischief's wings are bristling as she lands, her body tensed to
> pounce. She has it cornered, and away from any cracks. Now comes the
> tricky part. Little spiders are harder to kill than the big ones.
> She feints a few bats at it, claws extended, to see what it will do.

The spider backs up at the first couple bats, then springs forward,
jumping at Mischief's nose.

- Drisonel and the spider
===========================
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 17:06:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE: Behind Closed Doors

On 5 Sep 1997 16:34:44 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00001264
 "P. Campbell" <xzerrion@u.washington.edu> said:

On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, fuzzy wrote:
>
> Patrica Savage enters
> "I Hope that I have finally reached someone who can bargain
>reasonably?"

Ak'hasta responds ironically, `That's debatable, but there are at
least a few in the room with sense.'
===========================