Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6d The Flask of Being - Chapter 2 Subject: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 09:26:16 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 16 Oct 2000 11:40:39 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008834 As the last of the stragglers filter into the briefing room, they notice something odd; a slide projector and screen have been set up. This is odd, in part, because the lighting clearly shows them to be (poorly done) holograms. (The other reason they're odd is because the projector is plugged into a socket that, quite frankly, isn't connected to a wall. The fact that the screen is transparent is also a subtle clue.) As Scott stands up, the lights turn down to a much darker shade. "Good morning, Mr. Phelps." Smoke starts to come from his hair. "Not yet! You're supposed to wait!" The smoke stops. "Er, sorry about that. Well, here we are. And here I am. And I know where the Flask of Being is. And I can't get it myself." Scott turns on the projector. The picture shown is completely black. "This is where we are going." He turns around. "There is nothing here. It is a null plane; a place where normally, nothing exists. It is, in the words of nobody in particular, an Empty World, or, as I shall call it, Emptyworld." "I said normally for a reason. In the recent cosmic reset of the Matrix Cosm, three things happened. First, Emptyworld became part of the Cosm, for reasons too complicated to go into here. Second, the handle of the Flask of being fell to the only logical place for it to go, namely, Emptyworld." The slide changes. It now shows a handle, unattached to anything visible, and yet strangely heavy with import. "Third, something dark got trapped here." The slide changes. The utter darkness is broken by something... darker then the surrounding black. The borders of the shadow are difficult to make out, but it looks somehow... chained. Looking closely, one realizes that the figure is *moving*. "All right, any questions so far?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 23:13:52 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 16 Oct 2000 22:57:23 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008835 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008834 > >"All right, any questions so far?" Rob raises his hand. "I can think of three questions, offhand." "One: Is there any air in Emptyworld?" "Two: Is there anything to stand on there?" "Three: Is there any background energy? Low-level radiation, cosmic rays, etcetera?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 00:50:13 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 03:12:15 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008836 >In a message dated 10/16/00 11:14:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >Rob raises his hand. "I can think of three questions, offhand." > >"One: Is there any air in Emptyworld?" "No, but I'll get to the reason why that's not really a problem later." >"Two: Is there anything to stand on there?" "Actually, yes, in a way. Although there's nothing in it, Emptyworld does have an edge. At least, it does currently. Long, boring, weird explanation there, trust me." >"Three: Is there any background energy? Low-level radiation, cosmic rays, etcetera?" "No, nothing. There's never been anything else besides Mr. Shadow, who eats light, and the handle of the flask, which, like all the Fuzzy pieces, has a very static electrochemical profile; for the non-engineers in the room, that means it's not going to emit any kind of radiation. Emptyworld seems to or exist within a neutralizing field, which prevents all quantum effects which would normally create radiation." Scott turns around, "Before you mention how that shouldn't work in the Cosm, I know. I don't understand it myself. Although I have heard some weird stories that might explain it, I really don't believe them." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 01:03:53 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 00:56:46 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008837 >On Mon, 16 Oct 2000 22:57:23 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008835 > >Rob raises his hand. "I can think of three questions, offhand." Harlock waits for the responses, then chimes in with a question or two of his own. "What, pray tell, is the Flask of Being? More to the point, what does it do?" "Has the Flask any defenders other than that darkling beast?" "How are we to arrive at this Emptyworld you speak of?" He seems ready to chip in another question, then stops and smiles slightly. ['Tis tradition, after all, for things to happen in threes. I wonder if anyone else will ask three questions.] He sits back and waits for the briefing to continue. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:27:36 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:06:38 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008838 >In a message dated 10/17/00 1:04:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >harlock writes: > >Harlock waits for the responses, then chimes in with a question or >two of his own. > >"What, pray tell, is the Flask of Being? More to the point, what does >it do?" "As far as I can tell, it's just a MacGuffin. You'd have to ask the computer what it does." >"Has the Flask any defenders other than that darkling beast?" "He's no defender. In fact, he'd destroy the handle if he realized it was there, but he won't." "To answer your question, no, there's nothing else there, so nothing else (beyond the nature of Emptyworld) poses a problem." >"How are we to arrive at this Emptyworld you speak of?" "I'm getting to that." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 08:21:10 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 18 Oct 2000 14:58:57 GMT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008840 >"Third, something dark got trapped here." > >The slide changes. The utter darkness is broken by something... >darker then the surrounding black. The borders of the shadow are >difficult to make out, but it looks somehow... chained. Looking >closely, one realizes that the figure is *moving*. > >"All right, any questions so far?" Oneeye Raises his hand "Why does this remind me of roman/greek mythology? Tatarus and the titans anyone?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 10:05:00 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 12:31:05 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008843 >On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:06:38 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008838 > >"He's no defender. In fact, he'd destroy the handle if he realized it >was there, but he won't." > >"To answer your question, no, there's nothing else there, so nothing >else (beyond the nature of Emptyworld) poses a problem." Rhia asks, "Is then this shadow creature a threat? Exactly what dangers and difficulties do we face here?" ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 12:44:17 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 15:33:06 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008844 >On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 12:31:05 -0400 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008843 > > Rhia asks, "Is then this shadow creature a threat? Exactly what >dangers and difficulties do we face here?" Scott pauses. "Well, now is a good a time as any to move on; I'm assuming nobody else has any questions? ... " "Okay, then, the 'shadow creature' as you called it." "I'll tell you what I can. He's big, he's dark, he's mean. He can't do much, because he's been chained. But he does have one set of methods that aren't barred to him. He can become a mirror of sorts, and create distortions from that. Note, he does not wish to drive you out; he wishes to eat you." "All right; any questions about Mr. Shadow before we move on to Emptyworld, and thence move in to Emptyworld?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 22:38:44 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 22:03:59 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008847 >On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 15:33:06 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008844 > >>>On Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:06:38 EDT >>>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008838 >>> >>>"To answer your question, no, there's nothing else there, so >>>nothing else (beyond the nature of Emptyworld) poses a problem." "You said that you'd tell us why breathing won't be a problem," Eric notes. He taps on a nearby console and sets up schematics for vacuum survival gear for those present. >"Okay, then, the 'shadow creature' as you called it." > >"I'll tell you what I can. He's big, he's dark, he's mean. He can't >do much, because he's been chained. "Sounds like the legend of Fenris." Eric pauses, his hand going to his chin. "Do we need a 'Tyr?'" >But he does have one set of methods that aren't barred to him. He can >become a mirror of sorts, and create distortions from that. Note, he >does not wish to drive you out; he wishes to eat you." Eric's almost-smile appears. He looks completely in his element for once. "Define 'distortions,' please." >"All right; any questions about Mr. Shadow before we move on to >Emptyworld, and thence move in to Emptyworld?" "Yes. If we know where the handle is, and the creature is incapable of (not to mention uninterested in) defending it physically, why can't we simply send a remote object to pick it up? Or, if technology won't work there, why can't someone be dropped 'on top' of it and transported back the moment the handle is grasped?" Eric adjusts his shades. "At the very least, this seems like a one-man--" he looks around. "--pardon me, one-being operation. As described, there is literally nothing there except the handle and 'Fenris.' The latter is immobilized. It seems to be a very simple op." Eric's smile finishes forming. "Of course, that's when you have to be the most careful." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 00:13:34 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 02:59:11 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008849 >On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 22:03:59 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008847 > > "You said that you'd tell us why breathing won't be a problem," >Eric notes. He taps on a nearby console and sets up schematics for >vacuum survival gear for those present. "I'm getting to that. No need to bother with researching vacuum survival equipment; even if it did survive for more then a few minutes, you'd die of suffocation regardless. Emptyworld, as I said, has a strange suppression field." > "Sounds like the legend of Fenris." Eric pauses, his hand going to >his chin. "Do we need a 'Tyr?'" Scott pauses for a second. "No, not if you mean someone to tame him. He'd bite off any would be Tyr's hand, and then their head. If you mean someone to bind him, already been done for us as far as it's going to go." >> But he does have one set of methods that aren't barred to him. He >>can become a mirror of sorts, and create distortions from that. >>Note, he does not wish to drive you out; he wishes to eat you." > > Eric's almost-smile appears. He looks completely in his element >for once. "Define 'distortions,' please." "Well, many things, all flowing from those around him. He can create the illusion of that which you hate; or that which you desire; almost indistinguishable from the real thing. He can also create a sort of distorted version whoever is nearby; but the process is imperfect by nature, and the more of them he creates, the weaker each becomes." > "Yes. If we know where the handle is, and the creature is >incapable of (not to mention uninterested in) defending it >physically, why can't we simply send a remote object to pick it up? >Or, if technology won't work there, why can't someone be dropped 'on >top' of it and transported back the moment the handle is grasped?" >Eric adjusts his shades. "At the very least, this seems like a >one-man--" he looks around. "--pardon me, one-being operation. As >described, there is literally nothing there except the handle and >'Fenris.' The latter is immobilized. It seems to be a very simple >op." > Eric's smile finishes forming. "Of course, that's when you have to >be the most careful." "The reason this isn't a one, er, creature job is simple; those imperfect duplications I mentioned earlier? Well, the imperfections show up more and more rapidly as more and more people show up; he can't do more then ten, but by that point, he'll have switched to another tactic. Six appears to be the optimum number of participants, but five will do almost as well. That's why I needed more then just Harlock, Rob, and OneEye." "And before anybody mentions Roger or Nemo, I'd like to mention that the reason the process is imperfect is because he has to pay attention to maintaining each unique distortion. Several Rogers aren't really unique, and 'Fenris' (thanks, Eric) would have a field day with a Nemo, even bound as he is." "You see, he still has the ability to travel through almost any portal nearby. And I'm not going to be responsible for unleashing that horror on the multiverse ag- against my friends." Scott looks at the shadow, again. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 11:36:57 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 10:45:30 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008852 >On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 02:59:11 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008849 > >>On Thu, 19 Oct 2000 22:03:59 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008847 >> >> "You said that you'd tell us why breathing won't be a problem," >>Eric notes. He taps on a nearby console and sets up schematics for >>vacuum survival gear for those present. > >"I'm getting to that. No need to bother with researching vacuum >survival equipment; even if it did survive for more then a few >minutes, you'd die of suffocation regardless. Emptyworld, as I said, >has a strange suppression field." "Suppression field. Hrm." Eric looks around. "Tech. Magic?" He glances over at Rob. "Chi?" >> Eric's almost-smile appears. He looks completely in his element >>for once. "Define 'distortions,' please." > >"Well, many things, all flowing from those around him. He can create >the illusion of that which you hate; or that which you desire; almost >indistinguishable from the real thing. He can also create a sort of >distorted version whoever is nearby; but the process is imperfect by >nature, and the more of them he creates, the weaker each becomes." "Hrm. One is an illusion. You say 'create' for the other. Are the latter potential physical threats?" Eric asks. >"The reason this isn't a one, er, creature job is simple; those >imperfect duplications I mentioned earlier? Well, the imperfections >show up more and more rapidly as more and more people show up; he >can't do more then ten, but by that point, he'll have switched to >another tactic. Six appears to be the optimum number of participants, >but five will do almost as well. That's why I needed more then just >Harlock, Rob, and OneEye." Eric looks thoughtful. "Then the replicas will come first, and then the illusions? The latter would seem a likelier first gambit. The two together--distract then attack--ought to be preferable to either, tactically speaking." >"And before anybody mentions Roger or Nemo, I'd like to mention that >the reason the process is imperfect is because he has to pay >attention to maintaining each unique distortion. Several Rogers >aren't really unique, and 'Fenris' (thanks, Eric) would have a field >day with a Nemo, even bound as he is." "Only if there were multiple Nemos," Eric replies. "Unless..." he frowns. "Would Fenris' replica be able to duplicate _itself,_ if the target can duplicate? Hrm. I can see why you didn't want the more powerful members to come on this op. Keep the boy scout as far away from that thing as you can." >"You see, he still has the ability to travel through almost any >portal nearby. And I'm not going to be responsible for unleashing >that horror on the multiverse ag- against my friends." Eric nods. "To quote Dr. Jones, 'We walk from here.' I take it, then, that 'Fenris' is on a long leash." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 13:50:29 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 16:28:49 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008853 >On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 10:45:30 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008852 > > "Suppression field. Hrm." Eric looks around. "Tech. Magic?" He >glances over at Rob. "Chi?" "None of the above. You travel the multiverse much? There's this little thing I've heard called 'Rules of the Land'; and as far as I can tell, Emptyworld pretty much has only anti-rules. The handle and 'Fenris' are immune to these, for different reasons. I have equipment stored in the storage bin over there-" Scott points at a waste disposal unit "-er, sorry, over there-" Scott points at a closet "-that can protect you from the effects of Emptyworld for a time, and supply limited life support. Don't open it just yet, however; the batteries start draining as soon as the box is opened." > "Hrm. One is an illusion. You say 'create' for the other. Are the >latter potential physical threats?" Eric asks. "Both are physical threats. But the illusions can be defeated by using the appropriate counter. I can't predict what the counter is, other then to point out that they *can* have a real aspect, physical, magical, psionic, or otherwise, so ignoring them may be a bad idea." "To answer your specific question, if you were to quantify threat, they would be less threatening then you are; how much varies according to how many unique duplicates he's using." > Eric looks thoughtful. "Then the replicas will come first, and >then the illusions? The latter would seem a likelier first gambit. >The two together--distract then attack--ought to be preferable to >either, tactically speaking." "I never claimed 'Fenris' had a mind for tactics, because I never claimed he had a mind in the first place. I use the word 'he' because 'Fenris' is in many ways a living, thinking thing; but only in the same way a complex computer program can be said to 'think', or a virus could be said to be 'alive'. He'll change tactics if they fail, but he'll do things for utterly no reason, act against his own long-term interests to little gain in the short term (and visa-versa), and just generally behave like a pure tactical analyzer that's gone completely haywire." Scott looks at the shadow again. "In addition, the duplicates are, in many ways, the distraction, rather then the attack. 'Fenris' wants you tired, so he can hit you with an emotional whammy of some kind; if he can distract you sufficiently, he can grab you. And let's not get into what will probably happen if he grabs you." Scott shivers. > "Only if there were multiple Nemos," Eric replies. "Unless..." he >frowns. "Would Fenris' replica be able to duplicate _itself,_ if the >target can duplicate? Hrm. I can see why you didn't want the more >powerful members to come on this op. Keep the boy scout as far away >from that thing as you can." "You understand my point exactly. And you can easily guess why I'll be staying here while you go." > Eric nods. "To quote Dr. Jones, 'We walk from here.' I take it, >then, that 'Fenris' is on a long leash." "'Fenris' is not quite so much on a leash as tightly bound inside a locked room. He can move around, he can create distorted reflections, but he cannot do much else. He's attracted to the handle, but at the same time repulsed by it. He senses it is a way out, but at the same time senses that it means utter oblivion to him. We can use this attraction to our advantage in placing you close to the handle while still outside his reach; but getting you out once you have the handle may be a touch uglier." "Hopefully, he'll either run away or attempt an outright attack. As I said, the handle means utter oblivion to him. Just let him touch it." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 19:15:01 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 19:05:01 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008854 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008853 > >"Hopefully, he'll either run away or attempt an outright attack. As I >said, the handle means utter oblivion to him. Just let him touch it." /*"Perhaps that may be an answer to the problem. If any of the team can create a strong enough illusion to mask the repulsion effect, he may be enticed to touch the handle. Then the team need merely stay out of his way as he rushes to his own death."*/ Aurora offers. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:23:54 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 02:43:23 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008855 >On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 19:05:01 -0700 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008854 > >/*"Perhaps that may be an answer to the problem. If any of the team >can create a strong enough illusion to mask the repulsion effect, he >may be enticed to touch the handle. Then the team need merely stay >out of his way as he rushes to his own death."*/ Aurora offers. "Won't work. Been tried; 'Fenris' sees through illusions. It's part of what he is." Scott stares at the shadow again. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:47:15 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:19:15 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008856 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 02:43:23 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008855 > >"Won't work. Been tried; 'Fenris' sees through illusions. It's part >of what he is." The Bard speaks up. "Am I to assume, then, that a 'Sympathy' spell would also have no effect? It, too, encourages people to pick up the affected item, although I assure you it is no illusion. Of course, given what you have said about this creature's mind (or lack thereof) I would be open to arguments either way." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 03:15:49 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:46:53 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008857 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 01:19:15 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008856 > >The Bard speaks up. "Am I to assume, then, that a 'Sympathy' spell >would also have no effect? It, too, encourages people to pick up the >affected item, although I assure you it is no illusion. Of course, >given what you have said about this creature's mind (or lack thereof) >I would be open to arguments either way." "Won't work. Been tried. 'Fenris' is immune to compulsion magics. It's part of what he is." "Yes, I am repeating myself." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:19:04 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:04:49 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008858 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:46:53 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008857 > >"Won't work. Been tried. 'Fenris' is immune to compulsion magics. >It's part of what he is." > >"Yes, I am repeating myself." Harlock shrugs. "'Twas but a thought. Are there any sorts of magic which he is vulnerable to, or does his current...ahh...enforced residence in Emptyworld render that a moot point?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 08:15:14 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 07:25:40 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008860 >On Sat, 21 Oct 2000 16:28:49 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008853 > >"None of the above. You travel the multiverse much? There's this >little thing I've heard called 'Rules of the Land'; and as far as I >can tell, Emptyworld pretty much has only anti-rules. The handle and >'Fenris'are immune to these, for different reasons. I have equipment >stored in the storage bin over there-" Scott points at a waste >disposal unit "-er, sorry, over there-" Scott points at a closet >"-that can protect you from the effects of Emptyworld for a time, and >supply limited life support. Don't open it just yet, however; the >batteries start draining as soon as the box is opened." Joe finishes his Zagnut bar he's been munching on, "Now how about dos of us..." he looks around and shrugs, "Ok, dos of ME that aren't alive to be startin with? Do I really gotta be worrying? I mean ya can't suffocate me. I don't breath ta begin with..." >"Both are physical threats. But the illusions can be defeated by >using the appropriate counter. I can't predict what the counter is, >other then to point out that they *can* have a real aspect, physical, >magical, psionic, or otherwise, so ignoring them may be a bad idea." > >"To answer your specific question, if you were to quantify threat, >they would be less threatening then you are; how much varies >according to how many unique duplicates he's using." Joe scartches his head contemplating, "OK is that the real reason you're not wantin the tougher mooks around? Now I mean lemme go puttin this outta the hoity toity fancy talk. He can amke a guy for his side a bit weaker than the toughest guy on our side so if we had someone too tough with us, the shadow guy's mook would mop up the floor with all the little guys before getting his skull bashed in by the strongarm?" >Scott looks at the shadow again. "In addition, the duplicates are, in >many ways, the distraction, rather then the attack. 'Fenris' wants >you tired, so he can hit you with an emotional whammy of some kind; >if he can distract you sufficiently, he can grab you. And let's not >get into what will probably happen if he grabs you." Scott shivers. Joe chuckles, "Wonder if he even know our kind ain't got like the full range of emotions ta begin with..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 13:59:01 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 15:27:48 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008861 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:04:49 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008858 > >Harlock shrugs. "'Twas but a thought. Are there any sorts of magic >which he is vulnerable to, or does his current...ahh...enforced >residence in Emptyworld render that a moot point?" "Both, actually. You can use magic in Emptyworld, but the effects taper off rather quickly; this fact isn't noticeable in melee, but anything more then 500 meters away, and you might as well be aiming at air. And if you're 500 meters from 'Fenris', you're at least a half a mile too close." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 13:59:06 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 16:04:58 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008862 >In a message dated 10/22/00 8:15:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >wuuga writes: > > Joe finishes his Zagnut bar he's been munching on, "Now how about >dos of us..." he looks around and shrugs, "Ok, dos of ME that aren't >alive to be startin with? Do I really gotta be worrying? I mean ya >can't suffocate me. I don't breath ta begin with..." "Yes, you do breathe, or else you wouldn't be able to talk. You mean you don't *need* to breathe." Scott pauses. "Sorry, that was a bit nitpicky. Anyway, you'd die without protection in less then an hour. Probably longer then everyone in this room but me, but still, not long enough to get the handle. The suppression field would, well, bleed out the forces that sustain you, no pun intended." > Joe scartches his head contemplating, "OK is that the real reason >you're not wantin the tougher mooks around? Now I mean lemme go >puttin this outta the hoity toity fancy talk. He can amke a guy for >his side a bit weaker than the toughest guy on our side so if we had >someone too tough with us, the shadow guy's mook would mop up the >floor with all the little guys before getting his skull bashed in by >the strongarm?" "Pretty much." > Joe chuckles, "Wonder if he even know our kind ain't got like the >full range of emotions ta begin with..." "'Fenris' can see that fact. He'll just use a different kind of kick in the gut or major distraction. He wants you not paying attention, because his grasp is not exactly gentle, and is rather easy to escape." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 20:19:17 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 23:09:40 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008863 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 16:04:58 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008862 > >>In a message dated 10/22/00 8:15:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >>wuuga writes: > >> Joe chuckles, "Wonder if he even know our kind ain't got like the >>full range of emotions ta begin with..." > >"'Fenris' can see that fact. He'll just use a different kind of kick >in the gut or major distraction. He wants you not paying attention, >because his grasp is not exactly gentle, and is rather easy to >escape." [Using illusion] >"Won't work. Been tried; 'Fenris' sees through illusions. It's part >of what he is." [using sympathy spell] >>>"Won't work. Been tried. 'Fenris' is immune to compulsion magics. >>>It's part of what he is." >>> >>>"Yes, I am repeating myself." > >>Harlock shrugs. "'Twas but a thought. Are there any sorts of magic >>which he is vulnerable to, or does his current...ahh...enforced >>residence in Emptyworld render that a moot point?" > >"Both, actually. You can use magic in Emptyworld, but the effects >taper off rather quickly; this fact isn't noticeable in melee, but >anything more then 500 meters away, and you might as well be aiming >at air. And if you're 500 meters from 'Fenris', you're at least a >half a mile too close." Rhia says, "Well, Scott, what _do_ you know? You've said that 'Fenris' is chained and pretty much all he can do is send illusions and other stuff at us, yet if he touches the Flask of Being he is destroyed. Touch in what way? How will he try to consume us? You've told us what doesn't work and you've told us we don't want to even get close to this thing. Are we sneaking in praying it doesn't notice us? Do you expect we'll have to mix it up with this thing personal-like or will be just dealing with it's sendings? What time frame are we looking at for this mission, since you've mentioned that prolonged exposure to 'Emptyworld' is fatal? You seem to have some information on this 'Fenris', what _does_ work against it, anything? Also, it's apparent from what information you've let dribble forth so far that getting into 'Emptyworld' will be relatively easy, it's getting out that's hard. What measures do we have to take to get extracted from what sounds like is going to be a godawful mess?" Rhiannon 'It's supposed to be a breifing, not 20 questions' Roslik ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 22:13:39 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:56:08 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008864 >In a message dated 10/22/00 8:19:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >pookie writes: > >Rhia says, "Well, Scott, what _do_ you know? You've said that >'Fenris' is chained and pretty much all he can do is send illusions >and other stuff at us, yet if he touches the Flask of Being he is >destroyed. Touch in what way? How will he try to consume us? You've >told us what doesn't work and you've told us we don't want to even >get close to this thing. Are we sneaking in praying it doesn't notice >us? Do you expect we'll have to mix it up with this thing personal- >like or will be just dealing with it's sendings? What time frame are >we looking at for this mission, since you've mentioned that prolonged >exposure to 'Emptyworld' is fatal? You seem to have some information >on this 'Fenris', what _does_ work against it, anything? Also, it's >apparent from what information you've let dribble forth so far that >getting into 'Emptyworld' will be relatively easy, it's getting out >that's hard. What measures do we have to take to get extracted from >what sounds like is going to be a godawful mess?" Scott inhales deeply. "In order: Most of what can be known about 'Fenris', and a lot about Emptyworld, including some rather odd stories I don't believe. I don't know how to explain it. I really don't want to explain it. No, we're storming in, walking up and taking the handle; 'Fenris' keeps far enough away from it that as long as we head towards it, he won't approach. Depends on what you mean by 'personal like'; with what he is, the distinction between his 'sendings' and himself can be rather complex. I don't know; you'll have to walk a little more then a mile, probably deal with what 'Fenris' has to send you, and, if he attacks, get him to touch the handle; but, as I said, I have survival equipment for Emptyworld in a bin over there; I guess less then a day, but I don't know the exact amount. Paradox; I know of little else that will touch him. Just wait; 'Fenris' will either attack or retreat; as long as you use the handle against him when he attacks, he should be defeated; as a side note the equipment I'll be giving you has some things about it that make a siege rather unpleasant for him." Scott inhales again. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2 Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:07:57 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 01:52:58 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008865 >From the various consoles around the room, there is a quiet beeping >to draw attention to them, then the following comes through: Rhia: Well, Scott, what _do_ you know? Scott: Most of what can be known about 'Fenris', and a lot about Emptyworld, including some rather odd stories I don't believe. Rhia: You've said that 'Fenris' is chained and pretty much all he can do is send illusions and other stuff at us, yet if he touches the Flask of Being he is destroyed. Touch in what way? Scott: I don't know how to explain it. Rhia: How will he try to consume us? Scott: I really don't want to explain it. Rhia: You've told us what doesn't work and you've told us we don't want to even get close to this thing. Are we sneaking in praying it doesn't notice us? Scott: No, we're storming in, walking up and taking the handle; 'Fenris' keeps far enough away from it that as long as we head towards it, he won't approach. Rhia: Do you expect we'll have to mix it up with this thing personal-like or will be just dealing with it's sendings? Scott: Depends on what you mean by 'personal like'; with what he is, the distinction between his 'sendings' and himself can be rather complex. Rhia: What time frame are we looking at for this mission, since you've mentioned that prolonged exposure to 'Emptyworld' is fatal? Scott: I don't know; you'll have to walk a little more then a mile, probably deal with what 'Fenris' has to send you, and, if he attacks, get him to touch the handle; but, as I said, I have survival equipment for Emptyworld in a bin over there; I guess less then a day, but I don't know the exact amount. Rhia: You seem to have some information on this 'Fenris', what _does_ work against it, anything? Scott: Paradox; I know of little else that will touch him. Rhia: Also, it's apparent from what information you've let dribble forth so far that getting into 'Emptyworld' will be relatively easy, it's getting out that's hard. What measures do we have to take to get extracted from what sounds like is going to be a godawful mess?" Scott: Just wait; 'Fenris' will either attack or retreat; as long as you use the handle against him when he attacks, he should be defeated; as a side note the equipment I'll be giving you has some things about it that make a siege rather unpleasant for him. In the bottom-right corner of the screen is a mouse pointer with a halo over it. Seth casually leans in the doorway and glances to Scott and Rhia, "All that said, I presume my services shan't be required for this quest? Beyond taking... dictation, is it?" -- Seth (Who has this sudden image of a lone figure on a white background attacking a giant dark blobish mass with shadoy teeth and claws and glowing white eyes and gaping white mouth with the handle broken off a coffee mug. Hmm, maybe with a caption, "Boy, someone made the coffee really strong today!") ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:08:03 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 14:06:39 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008866 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008852 > > "Suppression field. Hrm." Eric looks around. "Tech. Magic?" He >glances over at Rob. "Chi?" Rob blinks at this. [I've never heard of anybody using Chi to constrict what a universe allows...] Shaking his head slightly to organize his thoughts, he replies, "It's probably just the natural limitations of Emptyworld. If I understand correctly, mages in your world can't be too blatant with their effects, or they suffer a sort of backlash." After Eric nods in agreement, Rob continues, "Some universes wouldn't let them get that far. Nothing would happen at all. And I've been in one universe where I could break plexiglass by dropping a four-ounce rock on it from five feet up. It sounds like Emptyworld has stronger restrictions than anyplace I've been. On the bright side, I've never been anyplace where basic physics weren't a given, so hand-to-hand combat was always an option." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 02:19:38 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 04:48:01 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008867 >In a message dated 10/23/00 12:08:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >After Eric nods in agreement, Rob continues, "Some universes wouldn't >let them get that far. Nothing would happen at all. And I've been in >one universe where I could break plexiglass by dropping a four-ounce >rock on it from five feet up. It sounds like Emptyworld has stronger >restrictions than anyplace I've been. On the bright side, I've never >been anyplace where basic physics weren't a given, so hand-to-hand >combat was always an option." Scott blinks, and asks, "In that universe with the weak Plexiglas, did you happen to meet a policeman named Kevin Chan Ka Kui?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 09:02:49 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 08:28:42 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008868 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008867 > >Scott blinks, and asks, "In that universe with the weak Plexiglas, >did you happen to meet a policeman named Kevin Chan Ka Kui?" "Um...no. But I was in Pasco, Washington for most of the time I was there, so I might have missed him by being in the wrong place." "Returning to the subject of the Flask, though: Once we get the handle out, do you have a location of the rest of it, or is it going to all come together, by the nature of the thing?" "And I take it from other comments that magic does work, in a limited radius from the caster. Is there anything else that works, beyond Newton's Three, and related rules?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 13:16:04 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 15:50:31 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008869 >In a message dated 10/23/00 9:03:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >"Returning to the subject of the Flask, though: Once we get the >handle out, do you have a location of the rest of it, or is it going >to all come together, by the nature of the thing?" "The handle is the only part that you can get ahold of. Drag it, and you drag the flask." >"And I take it from other comments that magic does work, in a limited >radius from the caster. Is there anything else that works, beyond >Newton's Three, and related rules?" "Just about anything. There isn't anything that's blocked, but they are all effected by the drain of Emptyworld. Chi based techniques works out to about 200 yards. Arrows go out about 300 yards before disintegrating. Bullets go out around 600 yards before becoming worthless due to drag. Psionic powers go about 100 yards before the drainage makes most techniques worthless. And so on." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:50:43 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:37:58 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008870 >On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 16:04:58 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008862 > >>In a message dated 10/22/00 8:15:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >>wuuga writes: >> >> Joe chuckles, "Wonder if he even know our kind ain't got like the >>full range of emotions ta begin with..." > >"'Fenris' can see that fact. He'll just use a different kind of kick >in the gut or major distraction. He wants you not paying attention, >because his grasp is not exactly gentle, and is rather easy to >escape." Eric looks into the distance; his voice fades slightly. "Just because you're not afraid of anything doesn't mean that you don't _want_ anything. Some people are without fear; nothing incarnate is without desire. Even if it's something you can't have." His face hardens, and the shades seem to become even more concealing. Light glints across them in that anime-style again, "Especially if it's something you can't have." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 19:14:59 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:51:06 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008871 >On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 15:50:31 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008869 > >>In a message dated 10/23/00 9:03:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >>peng writes: >> >>"And I take it from other comments that magic does work, in a >>limited radius from the caster. Is there anything else that works, >>beyond Newton's Three, and related rules?" > >"Just about anything. There isn't anything that's blocked, but they >are all effected by the drain of Emptyworld. Chi based techniques >works out to about 200 yards. Arrows go out about 300 yards before >disintegrating. Bullets go out around 600 yards before becoming >worthless due to drag. Psionic powers go about 100 yards before the >drainage makes most techniques worthless. And so on." Eric smiles. It isn't a particularly pleasant smile; in nearly any other group of people, he'd be scaring the bejeezus out of everyone around him. "Two hundred yards. Hrm." He concentrates for a moment. Anyone with chi sight see his internal energies start to butcher themselves, then regenerate. (Before he met Mew, he just burned the chi directly from his life force and healed it naturally. Uuuuugly. Even now, it's one hell of a way to get chi energy.) "Not a problem." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 20:12:42 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 19:45:28 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008872 >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008866 > >On the bright side, I've never been anyplace where basic physics >weren't a given, so hand-to-hand combat was always an option." /*"I have. Trust me you DON'T want to go there. Oracle, with The Stardragon's help, got me out, just in time."*/ Aurora says. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Briefing, Part 2: The Darkling Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 23:19:41 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 22:59:30 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008873 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008872 > >/*"I have. Trust me, you DON'T want to go there. Oracle, with The >Stardragon's help, got me out, just in time."*/ Aurora says. Rob grimaces. "On the really bright side, I've never been anywhere where the basic laws of physics weren't a given. What little theory I've read suggests that somebody like me would die instantly in most cases." >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008869 > >"Just about anything. There isn't anything that's blocked, but they >are all affected by the drain of Emptyworld. Chi based techniques >works out to about 200 yards." [Two hundred yards? I'm still trying to get the first football field. Ryu's the only person I've seen beat two fields worth with offensive effects.] >"Arrows go out about 300 yards before disintegrating. Bullets go out >around 600 yards before becoming worthless due to drag. Psionic >powers go about 100 yards before the drainage makes most techniques >worthless. And so on." "And me with a six-foot range for my psi abilities. It looks like I won't notice the difference." Turning to the closet where the survival gear is stored, Rob pulls the door open, and pulls out a box marked "EmptyWorld Survival Equipment - One Outfit Enclosed." Setting it aside, he drags the rest of the boxes out, piling them to one side. After opening the first one that he took out, he dons the gear, then walks up to Scott. "It seems to be a CAoL tradition that somebody takes off before all the questions are answered, and I'm getting impatient. So, if you'll pardon the phrase..." "Beam me up, Scotty." ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 01:27:17 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 03:57:22 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008874 >In a message dated 10/23/00 11:20:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >"And me with a six-foot range for my psi abilities. It looks like I >won't notice the difference." "The suppression field stops long range attacks. Short range stuff isn't going to feel the effect, and medium range attacks are just going to have shortened range." >After opening the first one that he took out, he dons the gear, then >walks up to Scott. "It seems to be a CAoL tradition that somebody >takes off before all the questions are answered, and I'm getting >impatient. So, if you'll pardon the phrase..." > >"Beam me up, Scotty." "Er, I think that's the wrong box..." Scott wipes away the dust on the box. It reads "EmptyWorld Inc. Underwater Survival Equipment - One Outfit Enclosed". Scott pauses. "Don't look at me. I didn't stock that closet." "The storage bin I was referring to earlier is on the _lower_ shelf." Scott bends over, and pulls out an orange bin, about two yards long by three feet high by three feet wide; it's rather easy to notice that the bin is _vibrating_, as if heavy equipment were working overtime. "Battery charger, storage bin, and stasis field, all in one!" is inscribed on a worn sticker on the side of the box, along with "Just 299,999 Enercreds!" and in smaller print "Eradaaslich and Energy Supply not included." and various other pieces of sales-speak mixed with nonsense words. Scott sits on the bin, and asks "Anybody else got anything to ask before we begin?" Scott pauses. [Insert final questions here.] "All right, let's open this thing up." Scott opens the bin. Inside are about a dozen small black boxes, and a large quantity of belts, armbands, and wristbands of various sizes, as well as a large roll of duct tape, and a largish magnet, which Scott promptly removes. "What do you want? Armband, wristband, or belt?" Scott asks. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 03:02:47 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 02:17:40 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008875 >On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 03:57:22 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008874 > >"What do you want? Armband, wristband, or belt?" Scott asks. "Not exactly my colors," mutters The Bard as he scans the selection. He runs a quick scan of his gear, then says "Armband, if you please. Actually, wait a minute..." He takes off his belt and all of his pouches, then pulls a 10cm metal cube out of one of the pouches. Tapping one side of the cube in a complex pattern causes the opposite side to expand into a faintly glowing 1m square portal, through which Harlock shoves the gear that he has just removed. Another complex pattern of tapping closes the portal. "If these shadows are copies of ourselves, I'd just as soon deprive mine of certain advantages. I'll just keep this in my room for the duration, and I'll take one of those belts, if I may." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 08:53:32 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 08:21:24 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008876 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008874 > >"Er, I think that's the wrong box..." Scott wipes away the dust on >the box. It reads "EmptyWorld Inc. Underwater Survival Equipment - >One Outfit Enclosed". Scott pauses. "Don't look at me. I didn't stock >that closet." Rob pulls off the scuba gear, and hangs it up in the closet, muttering something about "@%##$$ Fibber McGee's closet..." >"What do you want? Armband, wristband, or belt?" Scott asks. "Belt, I think. I'd rather not have extra weight on one arm," Rob replies, "and I just like the idea of a 'life-support belt.'" Picking up a belt and pulling it on, he adds, "I think I read too many bad SF stories when I was a kid." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 11:30:16 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 11:17:53 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008877 >On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 03:57:22 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008874 > >"What do you want? Armband, wristband, or belt?" Scott asks. Joe looks then over, "What? you ain't got like a nice garder or anything? what's the sprockin difference to 'em before we go like pickin and if there ain't a difference, what does it matter?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 13:20:24 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 15:28:36 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008878 >In a message dated 10/24/00 11:31:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >wuuga writes: > > Joe looks then over, "What? you ain't got like a nice garder or >anything? what's the sprockin difference to 'em before we go like >pickin and if there ain't a difference, what does it matter?" "It matters where the weight is. You want a weight on your wrist, your arm, or your waist? And, no, I don't have a garter, but it should be easy to jury rig up." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 13:20:30 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 15:43:39 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008879 >In a message dated 10/24/00 8:53:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >Rob pulls off the scuba gear, and hangs it up in the closet, >muttering something about "@%##$$ Fibber McGee's closet..." "Could be worse; could be Jack Benny's cellar." >"Belt, I think. I'd rather not have extra weight on one arm," Rob >replies, "and I just like the idea of a 'life-support belt.'" Picking >up a belt and pulling it on, he adds, "I think I read too many bad SF >stories when I was a kid." Scott picks up one of the black boxes, and attaches it to the belt. The belt constricts, and then releases slightly. Rob feels a sudden pop, and then everything is back to normal, if a touch warmer. "That pop you just felt was the device pulling you into it's stabilizer field. This one should last..." Scott looks at the box "...Seventy-six hours, thirty-eight minutes, twenty-three seconds." "Everybody, put one of these on your chosen attachment." Scott holds up a black box. "The belts are just compatible; these boxes are the actual life support units." Scott then helps the others with their respective boxes. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 20:45:09 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 23:17:15 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008881 Rhia accepts a belt and attaches a life support unit to it. Looking around at everyone else she asks, "Everyone ready?" Then to Scott she says, "Alright, let's go." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 22:26:32 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 22:01:20 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008883 >On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 15:28:36 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008878 > >"It matters where the weight is. You want a weight on your wrist, >your arm, or your waist? And, no, I don't have a garter, but it >should be easy to jury rig up." Joe smirks, "I can wrestle a werewolf and benchpress a car, I don't think that little bit of weight is going to matter no matter where it is so go ahead and surprise me." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 00:59:02 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:40:59 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 >In a message dated 10/24/00 8:45:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >pookie writes: > > Rhia accepts a belt and attaches a life support unit to it. Looking >around at everyone else she asks, "Everyone ready?" Then to Scott she >says, "Alright, let's go." "One final thing before we leave. Weapons, ladies and gents. If they're not a core part of your fighting style, leave them on the table. Please. I don't want to give 'Fenris' any ideas." Scott waits. [OOC/GM Note: If anybody's leaving their extra weapons on the table, _please_ tell me *now*.] "Okay. We're ready, I assume. Mew, are you coming, or staying?" ... Upon hearing the answer, Scott walks up to a tapestry of a pit of snakes. "Welcome, if you step through this door, I'm sure the butler will be there to greet you shortly. The location of the handle should be fairly clear; it should be the only light you are able to see, beyond that cast by your survival equipment. The detection unit is one of the extras I ordered, along with a communicator and a poison seeper." Scott pauses, aware of his faux pass. "The seeper only bleeds outside the field. It should force the hand of 'Fenris'. The communicator is going to cause you more trouble; it was supposed to be a trustworthy method of communication, but..." Scott pauses. "Never mind. Just ignore whatever comes out of it. It may or may not be a lie, so it's completely worthless." Scott mutters, "Can't quite seem to figure out how to turn it off..." "Oh well. The communication should only be coming in from outside, so it poses no psionic danger. And that finishes the list of items you absolutely need to know." Throughout this speech, Scott has been searching a particularly complex panel next to the tapestry. [OOC/GM: This does not finish the stuff I thought you might want to know. Why didn't anybody ask me about the odd stories? Ah well.] "Here we are." Scott pushes a button, and the tapestry opens, to reveal a black portal. "Now, are you ready to leave?" Scott gestures at the portal. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 00:59:07 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:55:26 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008885 >In a message dated 10/24/00 10:27:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >wuuga writes: > > Joe smirks, "I can wrestle a werewolf and benchpress a car, I don't >think that little bit of weight is going to matter no matter where it >is so go ahead and surprise me." "Okay. Belt it is then." Scott tosses Joe a belt, and then, after Joe puts it on, attaches the black box. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 04:13:12 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 03:46:22 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008886 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:40:59 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 > >"One final thing before we leave. Weapons, ladies and gents. If >they're not a core part of your fighting style, leave them on the >table. Please. I don't want to give 'Fenris' any ideas." The Bard starts muttering under his breath as he grabs for his metal cube again. "Weapons? Ack! I knew I forgot something." Reaching into the expanded cube face, he pulls out a sheathed bastard sword, a bow, and a fairly large blunt object with the words "skeleton masher" carved into it. After a moment's thought, he pulls out a wooden stake, as well, then closes the cube and lets it rest on the table. [OOC: Darn. I was hoping to save that for a dramatically appropriate moment. ;P ] >"Now, are you ready to leave?" > >Scott gestures at the portal. Harlock bows grandly at Rhia and says "After you, Milady." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 09:26:00 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 07:41:01 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008887 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:40:59 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 > >"One final thing before we leave. Weapons, ladies and gents. If >they're not a core part of your fighting style, leave them on the >table. Please. I don't want to give 'Fenris' any ideas." Joe pauses thoughtfully after having put his armband and black box on. He then shrugs and sighs and reaches into his trenchcoat, removing his Thompson Sub Machinegun, a couple drugs of ammo for it, a sawed off shotgun, a couple dozen tracers and silver 12 gauge slugs for it, a half dozen stakes, a couple of silver bladed knives, a White Phospherous grenade, his brass knuckles, a .45 semi-auto, a couple of magazines for that, a couple sets of strange looking shackles, and a bullwhip, "Ok, I think that's everything..." >[OOC/GM: This does not finish the stuff I thought you might want to >know. Why didn't anybody ask me about the odd stories? Ah well.] ooc: I guess no one's used to having to perform an interrogation when we're supposed ot be getting briefed. if you wouldn't explain when you brought it up before it wasn't important. >"Now, are you ready to leave?" > >Scott gestures at the portal. Joe looks at the portal and shrugs, "Sure I guess. let's get movin... After all, we're on the clock ain't we?" he moves to the Portal. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 09:26:08 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 08:20:32 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008888 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 > >"One final thing before we leave. Weapons, ladies and gents. If >they're not a core part of your fighting style, leave them on the >table. Please. I don't want to give 'Fenris' any ideas." Rob pulls out a flashlight and a soda can with a picture of a donkey being beaten up, and places them on the table. >"The seeper only bleeds outside the field. It should force the hand >of 'Fenris'. The communicator is going to cause you more trouble; it >was supposed to be a trustworthy method of communication, but..." >Scott pauses. "Never mind. Just ignore whatever comes out of it. It >may or may not be a lie, so it's completely worthless." Scott >mutters, "Can't quite seem to figure out how to turn it off..." "And it doesn't have any batteries to remove, I suppose..." >[OOC/GM: This does not finish the stuff I thought you might want to >know. Why didn't anybody ask me about the odd stories? Ah well.] [OOC: Because I wanted some A, a little A, and a lot of E, so I forced your hand. And from Rob's POV, he was showing extraordinary patience by waiting as long as he did.] >"Now, are you ready to leave?" > >Scott gestures at the portal. Rob looks at the portal for a few seconds. [I hope this thing offers smoother landings than my own wormholes...] Then he steps through. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 11:20:18 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 10:50:43 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008889 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:40:59 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 > >>In a message dated 10/24/00 8:45:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >>pookie writes: >> >> Rhia accepts a belt and attaches a life support unit to it. Looking >>around at everyone else she asks, "Everyone ready?" Then to Scott >>she says, "Alright, let's go." Eric merely nods, putting an armband on just above his left elbow. He adjusts it twice before he's satisfied as to the weight distribution. >"One final thing before we leave. Weapons, ladies and gents. If >they're not a core part of your fighting style, leave them on the >table. Please. I don't want to give 'Fenris' any ideas." Eric steps up to the table and starts unloading. It takes a while. He pulls out guns, knives, smoke bombs, mini-grenades, the star-beam "flashlight" that Nemo gave him, a snub-nose holdout blaster, three bola-bombs (from Battlestar Galactica; used by the Nomen[?]), and a couple of the more unusual weapons of martial arts lore. He pauses for a moment, removing the lightsaber "claw" gloves and replacing them with more traditional bagh nakh (think brass knuckles with blades pointing forward). He reaches down to each boot, pulling a tiny .22 out of one and a silvery garrotte out of the other. He thinks for a moment, shrugs, and goes through his duster again. He adds a mess of shuriken--some silver, some iron, some wooden (!), some a steel alloy. He's left with his kusari-gama (the long chain), a variety of stakes, two long knives (almost short swords), the aforementioned bagh nakh, a few apparently harmless pieces of jade, and his shades. "I can throw the stakes," he warns the others. "They're not as balanced or as fast as shuriken, though, so if you're fast you should have time to get out of the way of them, even from a version of me throwing them. As for the remaining knives, if he's stupid enough to throw them that's the time to attack. Watch out for chi blasts, though--I can't unlearn that maneuver on short notice. It takes a moment to gather the energy, so you'll have time to see it coming if you're watching. Mr. Nishikawa, I presume you already know what to look for." He thinks for a moment. "Unless you're very, very good, don't let 'me' get in close. If he has the kusari-gama, stay out of its range. Hit from a distance and keep moving. He'll know all of this, of course, so the only other advice I can suggest is to be unpredictable. Don't fall into a pattern." >"Okay. We're ready, I assume. Mew, are you coming, or staying?" OOC-M: Mew isn't there. I know, back in post # 00008824 Scott tried having her reappear in the briefing room after Roland posted her leaving. I sent that bit to Roland to remind him, and he said to respond: (OOC-R: That didn't happen. Mew vanished.). >Upon hearing the answer, Scott walks up to a tapestry of a pit of >snakes. "Welcome, if you step through this door, I'm sure the butler >will be there to greet you shortly. "I like my tea black, two sugars, with one shortbread on the side if available," Eric says evenly. It doesn't _sound_ like he's joking... > The location of the handle should be fairly clear; it should be the >only light you are able to see, beyond that cast by your survival >equipment. The detection unit is one of the extras I ordered, along >with a communicator and a poison seeper." Scott pauses, aware of his >faux pass. Eric raises an eyebrow. "Poison?" he asks. >"The seeper only bleeds outside the field. It should force the hand >of 'Fenris'. The communicator is going to cause you more trouble; it >was supposed to be a trustworthy method of communication, but..." >Scott pauses. "Never mind. Just ignore whatever comes out of it. It >may or may not be a lie, so it's completely worthless." Scott >mutters, "Can't quite seem to figure out how to turn it off..." Eric actually _smiles,_ a warm, nostalgic, almost friendly smile. It's weird. "My father was career military. The one thing you can count on with standard-issue gear is that you can't count on it." >"Oh well. The communication should only be coming in from outside, so >it poses no psionic danger. And that finishes the list of items you >absolutely need to know." Throughout this speech, Scott has been >searching a particularly complex panel next to the tapestry. "Can we turn down the 'volume?' For that matter, can whatever is interfering with it turn it up? It would be...unfortunate...if someone shouted 'Hey, Fenris, over here!' through them," Eric notes even more dryly than usual. >"Now, are you ready to leave?" > >Scott gestures at the portal. Eric nods. "I'll take point." (OOC: If anyone objects, include the following.) "This is exactly the sort of mission that Phoenix wanted me along for." He chuckles wryly for a brief moment. "Maybe his psychic perceptions are starting to improve. At any rate," he continues, "I've trained my entire adult life for this sort of thing. It doesn't mean that I'm unbeatable--all it takes is one of those ten thousand bullets marked 'occupant' to get you, bulletproof company excepted--but unless someone has a compelling counter-argument...I'll take point." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 13:24:04 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:33:24 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008890 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 10:50:43 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008889 > > Eric steps up to the table and starts unloading. > > It takes a while. > > He pulls out guns, knives, smoke bombs, mini-grenades, the >star-beam "flashlight" that Nemo gave him, a snub-nose holdout >blaster, three bola-bombs (from Battlestar Galactica; used by the >Nomen[?]), and a couple of the more unusual weapons of martial arts >lore. He pauses for a moment, removing the lightsaber "claw" gloves >and replacing them with more traditional bagh nakh (think brass >knuckles with blades pointing forward). He reaches down to each boot, >pulling a tiny .22 out of one and a silvery garrotte out of the >other. He thinks for a moment, shrugs, and goes through his duster >again. He adds a mess of shuriken--some silver, some iron, some >wooden (!), some a steel alloy. He's left with his kusari-gama (the >long chain), a variety of stakes, two long knives (almost short >swords), the aforementioned bagh nakh, a few apparently harmless >pieces of jade, and his shades. Rhia watches him divest himself of all those weapons, then quirks an eyebrow at him when he's done, "I feel almost underdressed, after watching that," she says teasingly. She walks over to the table and puts down a small tube and a pink cube. Then she twists her wrist in a certain way and lays a sword next to them. Then she pinches what looks to be flesh on her lower arm and slowly starts peeling away a layer of clothing. Her outfit changes not in the least. Folding that and putting it next to the weapons she smiles at everyone, "Miniature photon torpedo launcher, vehicle and weapons bay, my sword, and the suit does.. many things." She looks at Scott for a long moment, then says, "Don't let anyone play with the cube. It would be.. unpleasant." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 13:24:09 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:33:24 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008891 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 03:46:22 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008886 > >>On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 01:40:59 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008884 >> >> "Now, are you ready to leave?" >> >>Scott gestures at the portal. > >Harlock bows grandly at Rhia and says "After you, Milady." Rhia smiles back at him, "Why thank you sir." She steps through the portal. OOC: I'm assuming that Eric went through first. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 14:14:06 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 13:33:39 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008892 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 10:50:43 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008889 Joe narrows his gaze, 'you sure that's smart?" > "This is exactly the sort of mission that Phoenix wanted me along >for." He chuckles wryly for a brief moment. "Maybe his psychic >perceptions are starting to improve. At any rate," he continues, >"I've trained my entire adult life for this sort of thing. It doesn't >mean that I'm unbeatable--all it takes is one of those ten thousand >bullets marked 'occupant' to get you, bulletproof company excepted >but unless someone has a compelling counter-argument...I'll take >point." Joe shrugs, 'Hey, fine you wanna do it then fine, great. just keep in mind. Things that eat thigns usually have ways of sensing what they eat... So keep yer eyes open to make sure you see him long before he sees you. I mean the last thing this haphazard group need is another martyr when they're trying to bring one back to life ya know?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 14:14:11 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:03:49 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008893 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 10:50:43 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008889 > >>"Oh well. The communication should only be coming in from outside, >>so it poses no psionic danger. And that finishes the list of items >>you absolutely need to know." Throughout this speech, Scott has been >>searching a particularly complex panel next to the tapestry. > > "Can we turn down the 'volume?' For that matter, can whatever is >interfering with it turn it up? It would be...unfortunate...if >someone shouted 'Hey, Fenris, over here!' through them," Eric notes >even more dryly than usual. "The volume is fixed, for good or ill, according to outside sound levels. The autovolume seeks to be audible, and go no higher then the audible point. There are a few bugs, but you won't be encountering them in Emptyworld. In addition," Scott voice starts to hiss as through static "only you can hear your communicator, and it sounds like this." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 21:46:14 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 21:31:38 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008894 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:33:24 -0400 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008890 > >>On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 10:50:43 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008889 >> >>He's left with his kusari-gama (the long chain), a variety of >>stakes, two long knives (almost short swords), the aforementioned >>bagh nakh, a few apparently harmless pieces of jade, and his shades. > > Rhia watches him divest himself of all those weapons, then quirks >an eyebrow at him when he's done, "I feel almost underdressed, after >watching that," she says teasingly. He looks at the outfit Rhia's almost wearing (she's in a skintight one-piece, right?) and smiles wryly, but otherwise says nothing. > She walks over to the table and puts down a small tube and a pink >cube. Then she twists her wrist in a certain way and lays a sword >next to them. Then she pinches what looks to be flesh on her lower >arm and slowly starts peeling away a layer of clothing. Her outfit >changes not in the least. Folding that and putting it next to the >weapons she smiles at everyone, "Miniature photon torpedo launcher, >vehicle and weapons bay, my sword, and the suit does.. many things." >She looks at Scott for a long moment, then says, "Don't let anyone >play with the cube. It would be.. unpleasant." Eric whistles. "I've heard of this...some wiseacres call it 'katana space,' right? I've got to get one of those." >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 13:33:39 -0700 (PDT) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008892 > > Joe shrugs, 'Hey, fine you wanna do it then fine, great. just keep >in mind. Things that eat thigns usually have ways of sensing what >they eat... So keep yer eyes open to make sure you see him long >before he sees you. Eric nods, and his shades glint briefly for a moment. > I mean the last thing this haphazard group need is another martyr >when they're trying to bring one back to life ya know?" Eric nods again. "While I have no fear of death, I no longer court it." He smiles slightly at that. "I wonder if my doppelganger will be a touch...archaic." With that, he strides forward, stopping at the portal and looking over his shoulder. "Ancient Egyptian blessing: 'May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk.' Thanks, Anya," he finishes quietly. Then he steps through. His first footfall landing in such a way that he's in a defensive stance, though to a casual observer (if there could be one in Emptyworld) he just looks like he's walking. He doesn't expect "Fenris" to fall for that, of course... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 23:43:56 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 02:29:11 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008895 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 21:31:38 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008894 > >> She walks over to the table and puts down a small tube and a pink >>cube. Then she twists her wrist in a certain way and lays a sword >>next to them. Then she pinches what looks to be flesh on her lower >>arm and slowly starts peeling away a layer of clothing. Her outfit >>changes not in the least. Folding that and putting it next to the >>weapons she smiles at everyone, "Miniature photon torpedo launcher, >>vehicle and weapons bay, my sword, and the suit does.. many things." >>She looks at Scott for a long moment, then says, "Don't let anyone >>play with the cube. It would be.. unpleasant." "Don't worry. Now that everyone has relieved themselves of their extra weapons..." Scott gestures and intones, "Close table." A barrier forms over the table. "Nobody can get at the equipment until you get back." > Eric whistles. "I've heard of this...some wiseacres call it >'katana space,' right? I've got to get one of those." "Ask me sometime after you come back about the three inch hilt. It'll save you a great deal of space." >> Joe shrugs, 'Hey, fine you wanna do it then fine, great. just keep >>in mind. Things that eat thigns usually have ways of sensing what >>they eat... So keep yer eyes open to make sure you see him long >>before he sees you. > > Eric nods, and his shades glint briefly for a moment. "You can't see 'Fenris'. As I said, he eats light, which makes him sort of hard to see directly, other then a slight bending and weakening of light. However, you should be able to feel him." > Then he steps through. > His first footfall landing in such a way that he's in a defensive >stance, though to a casual observer (if there could be one in >Emptyworld) he just looks like he's walking. > He doesn't expect "Fenris" to fall for that, of course... Expect the opening post in Emptyworld in a few hours... ================================= Subject: AAE6d: World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 00:12:58 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 02:57:15 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008896 As the last of the party goes through, the portal closes. And Emptyworld becomes clearer. Darkness surrounds the members of the CAoL; only two features besides a horizon can be made out. These two features form poles of the environment, of sorts. One is a light. Not a bright light, but in this place, it might be blinding, if not for the light that seems to be surrounding the party. The other pole is a distance away. It cannot be seen, but it is easy to recognize; it is the point at which the horizon suddenly skips when looked at from even a slight angle. The two poles are not at opposite points; they seem to be approximately 120 degrees apart. A voice whispers as if from the (nonexistent) wind. "They will suffer for this, and I shall be the cause of it. Vengeance shall be mine! Yes, yes, and the shadows shall eat the darkness, yes, and the snakes shall eat themselves, yes, and the darkness shall eat the shadows, no. I hunger. What is this, yes?" The skip in the horizon moves away from the light. The voice continues in a slightly louder tone, "Is this a thing, or is this food? Is this my vision blurred by that? What shall this do next? What shall this do next?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 01:46:30 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 00:50:27 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008897 >On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:33:24 -0400 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008891 > >>On Wed, 25 Oct 2000 03:46:22 -0700 >>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008886 >> >>Harlock bows grandly at Rhia and says "After you, Milady." > > Rhia smiles back at him, "Why thank you sir." She steps through the >portal. > >OOC: I'm assuming that Eric went through first. Somehow, without any discussion, Harlock winds up going through last. As he steps through, he draws his bastard sword and visibly assumes a guard attitude. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 01:46:35 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 01:02:25 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008898 >On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 02:57:15 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008896 > >A voice whispers as if from the (nonexistent) wind. "They will suffer >for this, and I shall be the cause of it. Vengeance shall be mine! >Yes, yes, and the shadows shall eat the darkness, yes, and the snakes >shall eat themselves, yes, and the darkness shall eat the shadows, >no. I hunger. What is this, yes?" The skip in the horizon moves away >from the light. > >The voice continues in a slightly louder tone, "Is this a thing, or >is this food? Is this my vision blurred by that? What shall this do >next? What shall this do next?" The Bard shakes his head as if to clear it. [Wonderful. The whispers of a madman. Methinks this darkling beast has been alone with its thoughts too long. Ah, well, all I need do is pull out my...Murphy! I've become o'er-fond of my pouches, belike. Nothing to do but live with it. So, when is the fun to begin?] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 08:44:58 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 08:29:20 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008899 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008896 > >The two poles are not at opposite points; they seem to be >approximately 120 degrees apart. "Two landmarks on an open plain," Rob notes. "So, do we wander in a general direction, or head for a landmark?" >The voice continues in a slightly louder tone, "Is this a thing, or >is this food? Is this my vision blurred by that? What shall this do >next? What shall this do next?" Reflexively, Rob whispers, "Nassty Baggins took my preciouss. Where iss my preciouss, gollum gollum?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 12:19:05 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 14:59:21 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008901 >In a message dated 10/26/00 8:45:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >peng writes: > >"Two landmarks on an open plain," Rob notes. "So, do we wander in a >general direction, or head for a landmark?" What was it that Scott said? "The location of the handle should be fairly clear; it should be the only light you are able to see, beyond that cast by your survival equipment." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 19:58:05 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 22:38:36 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008902 >On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 08:29:20 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008899 > >"Two landmarks on an open plain," Rob notes. "So, do we wander in a >general direction, or head for a landmark?" "We head for the light," Rhia says, "since the only two things here are the flask of being and 'Fenris'." >Reflexively, Rob whispers, "Nassty Baggins took my preciouss. Where >iss my preciouss, gollum gollum?" Rhia frowns at Rob, but says nothing. =================================