Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 7b
Chapter 2 (Faerun group, pt. 2)
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Sat, 04 Aug 2001 03:14:05 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010556
>On Fri, 03 Aug 2001 17:28:31 -0700
>Morgan Said As CAoL Message # 00010555
>
>Morgan's eyes change slightly, taking on a more feline or lupine
>appearance. "I should be able to see in the dark pretty well now.
>Well, not _complete_ darkness, but as well as any nocturnal animal.
>My peripheral vision will be better this way, too." She nods at
>Bazil. "If it gets _really_ dark, I may still want a pair, but this
>should be sufficient."
Harlock cocks an eyebrow at Morgan. "A useful ability, Milady, but
insufficient for the task, I fear. Once we get more than thirty yards
or so from the cave entrance, we shan't be able to see our own noses
without aid. It has been many a year since last I was here, but I
remember that detail quite clearly. Fortunately, I have three pendants
of True Sight available. Unfortunately, there are six of us, counting
Mischief. Even with the aid of Bazil's goggles, that leaves one person
effectively blind unless the good doctor has a solution."
The Bard turns to face Essex, a look of polite inquiry on his face.
Ever been on a cave tour where they take you in two or three chambers,
then douse the lights? Even in the middle of the day, you see
_nothing_ once the lights go out. I'm not scared of the dark, but
*dang* that's creepy!
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Mon, 6 Aug 2001 07:04:48 -0400
Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010558
>On Sat, 04 Aug 2001 03:14:05 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010556
>
>Harlock cocks an eyebrow at Morgan. "A useful ability, Milady, but
>insufficient for the task, I fear. Once we get more than thirty yards
>or so from the cave entrance, we shan't be able to see our own noses
>without aid. It has been many a year since last I was here, but I
>remember that detail quite clearly. Fortunately, I have three
>pendants of True Sight available. Unfortunately, there are six of us,
>counting Mischief. Even with the aid of Bazil's goggles, that leaves
>one person effectively blind unless the good doctor has a solution."
>
>The Bard turns to face Essex, a look of polite inquiry on his face.
Essex sets down his pack, and begins looking through it, only to have
Mischief hop in the top of the pack and nest in it. / I'll ride.
Little kittens need their naps. /
Essex mutters to himself, "Little kittens are also always in the way
of packing, or unpacking..." He does manage to locate a small pendant
shaped like a stylized bat and hang it about Mischief's neck. "So...
Amulets of True sight for you, Harlock, Morgan, and my lady... Bazil
and I will use the goggles. And Mischief has her amulet... if she
decides to wake up."
/Shhh... I'm asleep!/ and fake little kitten snores come from the top
of Essex's pack. He simply shakes his head, and reshoulders the pack.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Mon, 06 Aug 2001 23:21:56 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010561
>On Mon, 6 Aug 2001 07:04:48 -0400
>Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010558
>
>Essex sets down his pack, and begins looking through it, only to have
>Mischief hop in the top of the pack and nest in it. / I'll ride.
>Little kittens need their naps. /
>
>Essex mutters to himself, "Little kittens are also always in the way
>of packing, or unpacking..."
Harlock looks puzzled, but only momentarily.
>He does manage to locate a small pendant shaped like a stylized bat
>and hang it about Mischief's neck. "So... Amulets of True sight for
>you, Harlock, Morgan, and my lady... Bazil and I will use the
>goggles. And Mischief has her amulet... if she decides to wake up."
>
>/Shhh... I'm asleep!/ and fake little kitten snores come from the top
>of Essex's pack. He simply shakes his head, and reshoulders the pack.
The Bard bows at Essex. "Thank you. That will do nicely. Now then..."
He rummages through his pouches, finally pulling out a silver brooch
of questionable taste (not lewd, just...unlovely) and a gold-and-ruby
bracelet. "Ah. There they are. I shall leave it to you to decide who
will wear which. Mine is...already active. Given that I am the only one who has navigated
this passage before, I suppose I should take point."
With that, he scrambles up the moss-slick rocks and enters the cave,
motioning for the rest of the group to follow him.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Thu, 16 Aug 2001 20:56:20 -0700
Morgan Said As CAoL Message # 00010563
>On Mon, 06 Aug 2001 23:21:56 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010561
>
>The Bard bows at Essex. "Thank you. That will do nicely. Now then..."
> He rummages through his pouches, finally pulling out a silver brooch
>of questionable taste (not lewd, just...unlovely) and a gold-and-ruby
>bracelet. "Ah. There they are. I shall leave it to you to decide who
>will wear which. Mine is...already active. distribute the toys> Given that I am the only one who has navigated
>this passage before, I suppose I should take point."
>
>With that, he scrambles up the moss-slick rocks and enters the cave,
>motioning for the rest of the group to follow him.
Morgan takes an amulet, and follows into the cave with the rest of the
group. Though the shift to "wolf eyes" doesn't help long, she also has
her other senses tuned to far-better-than-normal-human, smelling and
listening for any approaching dangers.
OOC: Sorry that wasn't more "in character," but it's been one thing
after another around here and my brains feel semi-permanently fried
:-). Normal August temperatures (i.e. 90-100) with much higher than
normal humidity (this is _supposed_ to be a _desert_, damn it!) isn't
helping. Meanwhile, I'll see if I can nudge my other half to move his
portion of the plot along soon :-).
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Mon, 20 Aug 2001 00:34:57 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010571
>On Thu, 16 Aug 2001 20:56:20 -0700
>Morgan Said As CAoL Message # 00010563
>
>Morgan takes an amulet, and follows into the cave with the rest of
>the group. Though the shift to "wolf eyes" doesn't help long, she
>also has her other senses tuned to far-better-than-normal-human,
>smelling and listening for any approaching dangers.
Actually, the shift to "wolf eyes" is rendered irrelevant by the
whatsit of True Sight. True Sight allows vision in complete darkness,
magical or otherwise, within a 120' range. It also penetrates any
illusions, invisibility, etc. Which accounts for the fact that Morgan
and Legion/Argent now see several small stones orbiting Harlock's
head. For that matter, his clothes do an odd little palette swap when
the brooch/bracelet are donned. BTW, are you sure you want to turn
_up_ your sense of smell? We are wandering through a sewer, you know.
The cave twists and turns at irregular intervals, and side passages
crop up with increasing frequency as the party travels. Fortunately,
it's relatively easy (if somewhat stomach-churning) to find the proper
path: just follow the stench. At last the party comes to an
underground lake.
A steady, if thin, stream of sewage pours through a hole in the
ceiling. The Bard squints up at the opening, muttering under his
breath. Scowling, he turns to face the group.
"They've warded that hole against magic since I was here last. Any
suggestions?"
=================================
Subject: AAE 7b: Immortals
On Mon, 20 Aug 2001 22:52:14 -0500
Morgan Said As CAoL Message # 00010576
In the sewer in Darkhold, those with the perception to notice only saw
Morgan hesitate for a moment as the preceding conversation took place
(OOC: IIRC only Caprice might have heard any of it). "/Harlock,
Roland's in over his head, and it must be bad if he's calling _me_
into a hot zone that already has most of our heavy-hitters./" She
shrugs. "/Hopefully you four will be able to handle whatever's
upstairs without me, 'cause I gotta go./" She returns her sight-toy to
whoever gave it to her, and 'ports to Roland's side.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7b: Immortals
On Wed, 22 Aug 2001 01:11:29 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010581
>On Mon, 20 Aug 2001 22:52:14 -0500
>Morgan Said As CAoL Message # 00010576
>
>In the sewer in Darkhold, those with the perception to notice only
>saw Morgan hesitate for a moment as the preceding conversation took
>place (OOC: IIRC only Caprice might have heard any of it). "/Harlock,
>Roland's in over his head, and it must be bad if he's calling _me_
>into a hot zone that already has most of our heavy-hitters./" She
>shrugs. "/Hopefully you four will be able to handle whatever's
>upstairs without me, 'cause I gotta go./" She returns her sight-toy
>to whoever gave it to her, and 'ports to Roland's side.
Harlock declines to take it. "Keep it. It may come in handy for you,
and I can always commission another."
=================================
Subject: Re: re-post: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Mon, 29 Oct 2001 07:47:27 -0600
Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00010624
>On Mon, 22 Oct 2001 22:13:36 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010621
>
>> The cave twists and turns at irregular intervals, and side passages
>>crop up with increasing frequency as the party travels. Fortunately,
>>it's relatively easy (if somewhat stomach-churning) to find the
>>proper path: just follow the stench. At last the party comes to an
>>underground lake.
>> A steady, if thin, stream of sewage pours through a hole in the
>>ceiling. The Bard squints up at the opening, muttering under his
>>breath. Scowling, he turns to face the group.
>>
>> "They've warded that hole against magic since I was here last. Any
>>suggestions?"
Bazil smiles, as he digs a fistful of rods out of his backpack. "I
think I have the trick here..." he says, as he positions each rod,
pushing at one end before releasing it to hover mid-air, to form a
ladder. "Now, these are just some fancy sticks; I'm holding them in
place with my TK. Who's up first?"
=================================
Subject: AAE VII: Vacation's over...
On Tue, 30 Oct 2001 21:22:20 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010625
Michael Callahan is an amazing bartender, able to absorb surprises
that would leave most people completely boggled with no more effect on
his face than a raised eyebrow. So having a rainbow unfold into a door
and having somebody step through it is no problem. Sort of.
"Rob, could you get off the bar? I'm kinda using it here."
Rob blinks. "Sorry, Mike. No idea how I ended up here," he replies, as
he drops to the floor. "I knew I should have waited until Zia was free
to Trump me back."
"So how was your time away?"
"All right. Did Zia's hair, attended a dance, and got a six-hundred
dollar tour of Amber for free. The only complaint I have is that all
my photos of the Pattern came out overexposed. All's quiet with the
Army of Light, I assume?"
"Demons, Borg, and clones for one team, kobolds and sewer-walking for
another. Run of the mill, really. Check the X-window yourself."
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010571
>
> "They've warded that hole against magic since I was here last. Any
>suggestions?"
"Stuck with no way to climb up. And nobody brought rope."
"They'll figure it out, Rob. Unless you've got fifty yards or so of
rope hidden in your back pocket."
"No rope. On the other hand...Mike, do you have an old newspaper?"
"Just an old sports page. Will that do?"
"That's fine. I can use...huh? New York beats Seattle?"
"Something wrong, Rob?"
"No, just reminding myself that this isn't the universe I was born in.
Now I need to contact one of Harlock's group and get transferred
in..."
@Caprice, this is Rob Nishikawa. Would you mind arranging transport
for me? I may have a possible solution to the problem...@
>Xander Opal said as CAoL message #00008390
>
>Bazil smiles, as he digs a fistful of rods out of his backpack. "I
>think I have the trick here..." he says, as he positions each rod,
>pushing at one end before releasing it to hover mid-air, to form a
>ladder. "Now, these are just some fancy sticks; I'm holding them in
>place with my TK. Who's up first?"
@...but that one looks much better. Still, I would like to re-join the
group, if that isn't a problem.@
Rob pauses. [Damn. I can't remember if Caprice is on the lens-link.]
=================================
Subject: Re: re-post: AAE 7b: Something stinks in Darkhold
On Tue, 30 Oct 2001 23:59:59 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010626
>On Mon, 29 Oct 2001 07:47:27 -0600
>Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00010624
>
>Bazil smiles, as he digs a fistful of rods out of his backpack. "I
>think I have the trick here..." he says, as he positions each rod,
>pushing at one end before releasing it to hover mid-air, to form a
>ladder. "Now, these are just some fancy sticks; I'm holding them in
>place with my TK. Who's up first?"
Harlock spocks his right eyebrow, noting that the "ladder" currently
covers eight feet of the 30 or so needed to reach the hole. "An
impressive display, but how does one climb past the top rung?"
*****
Meanwhile...
"Milord? We seem to have lost them."
"Explain yourself, boy."
"Well, milord, just before they entered the cave system, Harlock
handed a pendant to the half-elf wench we had been scrying on,
and...well, it must have a non-detection spell woven into it."
"So? Scry on the woman with the extending sword."
"Aerik attempted to, milord, but the crystal drained so much energy
from him that he was driven into a severe state of shock. Our best
guess is that she is no longer on the Prime Material plane."
"Hmm. Aerik is in the sickroom, then?"
"Yes, milord."
"Good. Have you attempted to scry on the nobleman or the...thing with
the glowing sword?"
"Yes, milord. We can't get anything on the nobleman, and when we try
the swords...wielder, all we get is pitchy black."
*SMACK!* The young mage is backhanded casually into the wall. "Idiot!
Of course you see pitchy black! Didst think they would 'port to the
mouth of a cave just to march further into a blind canyon?"
"No, milord, but..."
"Silence! Have the scryers cast a darkvision or a true sight before
they scry. Have them scry on that bearded woman. There was something
familiar about that cave entrance, but the connection escapes me at
the moment." Glaring at the boy abasing himself at his feet, Manshoon
snaps out one final word. "Go!" The boy flees.
=================================
Subject: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Mon, 19 Nov 2001 09:40:36 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010628
When last we left our heros, they were staring up at a hole thirty
feet above them attempting to get through it without the use of magic.
Bazil, having managed to create a telekinisis ladder, was being chided
by Harlock that his ladder had only reached eight feet. Rob, in the
Place, gathered a newspaper and called Caprice for a transport.
Mike Callahan chuckled. "Just step through the x-window, Rob. Think I
can set it up so it won't blow your cover, just a sec."
Callahan fiddled with a pair of dials, then nodded, "Alright, whenever
you're ready."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Mon, 19 Nov 2001 12:18:24 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010632
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010630
>
>When last we left our heros, they were staring up at a hole thirty
>feet above them attempting to get through it without the use of
>magic. Bazil, having managed to create a telekinisis ladder, was
>being chided by Harlock that his ladder had only reached eight feet.
>Rob, in the Place, gathered a newspaper and called Caprice for a
>transport.
>
>Mike Callahan chuckled. "Just step through the x-window, Rob. Think I
>can set it up so it won't blow your cover, just a sec."
>
>Callahan fiddled with a pair of dials, then nodded, "Alright,
>whenever you're ready."
"Thanks, Mike. I'll see if I can give them a hand."
As he stepped into the underground cave, Rob's darksight took over,
allowing him to step around Bazil, rather than into hir. "Harlock,"
Rob notes, "it looks like the block against magic is only near the
entrance. It extends down...maybe five feet."
"Bazil, I'm assuming that your TK can lift at least two hundred
pounds, or the ladder wouldn't help. So with your help, I think we can
cover the other twenty-something feet."
Holding the newspaper against the cave wall with his left hand, Rob
closed his eyes for a moment, visualizing the necessary effect. Then
his right hand formed a fist, and Rob spoke. "Jun-Ken-Po." As his free
hand opened up, the newspaper came alive, each sheet carving into the
rock, and releasing a cube of stone wrapped in newsprint.
"Paper wraps stone."
=================================
Subject: AAE 7b: Molly's Call
On Tue, 27 Nov 2001 18:08:18 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010633
Molly knelt near the chalk circle drawn on the floor, sketchpad in
hand, drawing the strange shapes within its boundary. Behind her, near
the door, Tiara stood watching for any passers-by.
"Are you sure this is a good idea," Tiara asked the older woman,
"Crossing the police line and all? I'm fond of this world, it's been
rather homey, I'd rather not stir up trouble for myself here."
Molly shook her head, replying, "No, it's not a good idea if that's
all you're thinking about. But, this magic lets you cross dimensions
and call up strange beasts to kill people for you, remember? I'd like
to find out what it is and for that I need a copy. There are a few
people I might be able to show this to in order to find out where it
came from." She slipped her pencil behind her ear. "I'm finished now
anyway. C'mon, we need to get your 'art supplies,' I need you to draw
a trump for me for somewhere I've only read about."
^Molly.^
Molly stiffened, her eyes glazing over. It was the clearest mental
call she'd ever heard and yet it seemed very far away. She knew the
source instantly.
^Dad!^ came her mental shout, her own 'voice' trying to match that
strength of signal. ^I'd been wondering when you'd call!^
^Sorry to keep you waiting, I've... Well, I'll tell you later. We need
to talk, are you too busy or unable to come to Callahan's?^
^I wanted to come by anyway, got a question for you. But, I've got a
ride, I just need a mental image of the place you want me to land.^
Molly started again when the mental image of the parking lot seemed to
appear around her. "Tiara," she said, reaching out, "Take my hand. I
need to give you a mental picture of where we're going. I think it's
clear enough to act as a trump."
Tiara hesitated, then took Molly's hand and gasped. The room seemed to
vanish to be replaced with a dark lot filled with cars outside a bar.
The stars shone above, the pebbles crunched under her feet as Molly
stood, drawing her closer, then taking a few steps together, slowly,
the breeze mentally brushing against their skin. Tiara took a step,
then another. On the third the mental image was reality.
Molly smiled, breaking the mental contact with a ^Okay, we're here.^
and giving Tiara's hand a squeeze.
"How did you know that would work?" Tiara asked.
"In the Amber novels, drugs could sometimes induce the brain of an
Amberite or Chaosite to make things work like a trump. Random, staring
at a Jack in a hand of cards, managed to contact his brother, using
the card as a trump. Merlin once had a similar experience a mental
contact of a hallucination caused him to trump as he walked toward it.
I wasn't expecting my dad to call just then, but the mental image he
gave me was so clear and precise, I thought it might be worth a try if
I could let you see it. I knew it'd be a lot of trial and error
working on a trump the way I planned."
Tiara nodded. "Please warn me next time you plan on doing that,
though."
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Let's go see what Dad wanted.
That's why he called."
"Awww, Molly! First time meeting your family and you don't even give
me time to get myself pretty."
"Well, if you want to go back..."
"No, I'll just have to meet them in this old thing," Tiara said,
gesturing to her knotted emerald blouse and faded blue sarong.
"You look great," Molly said, giving her a peck on the cheek, "After
all, I'm just wearing cutoff jeans and a t-shirt, there's no dress
code."
Tiara sighed, "You just don't get it some days. Okay, let's go in."
As Molly and Tiara entered the bar, Michael Seven was just exiting the
lounge. He beamed as Tink turned and flew out of her seat with a
joyful "Aunt Molly!"
Molly offered the young girl a hug, then one for her father and anyone
else interested, then introduced everyone to Tiara.
"My girlfriend," she added.
Michael and Tink both just nodded, to which Molly muttered, "Can't
hide anything from you two," and introduced themselves with a shake of
the hand.
Flarn then came forward with Anna. Molly looked at the little girl
with some confusion and mentally prodded Michael for an explanation.
After a few moments, she nodded, then glanced at Tiara, giving her a
mental rundown. That conversation took a bit longer, but finally Tiara
seemed to win whatever debate had been going on between them.
Molly knelt and smiled at Anna, "Of course you can stay with me. I
think we've both earned a good mother-daughter relationship," then
muttered, "Just never thought it'd be me being the mom."
Anna beamed happily, hugging Molly, who introduced her to her "Aunt
Tiara."
"Auntie Tiara, thank you," Tiara corrected, "Aunt makes me sound old
and aloof."
Mike excused himself, heading back into the lounge to make more
connections with missing family while everyone else got settled in.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Wed, 28 Nov 2001 00:50:31 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010634
>On Mon, 19 Nov 2001 12:18:24 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010632
>
>As he stepped into the underground cave, Rob's darksight took over,
>allowing him to step around Bazil, rather than into hir. "Harlock,"
>Rob notes, "it looks like the block against magic is only near the
>entrance. It extends down...maybe five feet."
The Bard nods. "Aye. If that. I thought it were level with the ceiling
at first, but it shifts around a bit. An amulet suspended in the
stream, mayhap?"
>Holding the newspaper against the cave wall with his left hand, Rob
>closed his eyes for a moment, visualizing the necessary effect. Then
>his right hand formed a fist, and Rob spoke. "Jun-Ken-Po." As his
>free hand opened up, the newspaper came alive, each sheet carving
>into the rock, and releasing a cube of stone wrapped in newsprint.
>
>"Paper wraps stone."
Harlock's brows raise, but he makes no comment as he helps stack the
blocks into a crude staircase.
*****
"Milord? They seem to have found a way through the anti-magic field."
"How?"
"Essentially, they've used magic to carve stone blocks out of the cave
wall to form a staircase. The blocks, once free of the wall..."
"Don't lecture me about the limits of an anti-magic shell, whelp!"
"Sorry, Milord."
"Have Thanderius contact his pet. That accursed Bard is likely to go
up first. When he does, I want him silenced. If Thanderius can manage
to get his arms pinned, so much the better, but silencing him is the
first priority. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Milord."
*****
Not being privy to the above conversation, Harlock does, indeed,
insist on going first in order to get his bearings. As he sticks his
head through the hole, he has just enough time to think [What's that
_smell?_] before a powerful tentacle clamps itself over his mouth and
he is hauled, thrashing, through the hole.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Sun, 2 Dec 2001 18:51:01 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010635
>On Wed, 28 Nov 2001 00:50:31 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010634
>
>Not being privy to the above conversation, Harlock does, indeed,
>insist on going first in order to get his bearings. As he sticks his
>head through the hole, he has just enough time to think [What's that
>_smell?_] before a powerful tentacle clamps itself over his mouth and
>he is hauled, thrashing, through the hole.
The rest of the party, rushing up after the tangled troubadour,
discovers through the hole at the top of the stairway...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Mon, 03 Dec 2001 01:54:42 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010636
>On Sun, 2 Dec 2001 18:51:01 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010635
>
>The rest of the party, rushing up after the tangled troubadour,
>discovers through the hole at the top of the stairway...
>
>finals, folks?>
Through the hole, the cavern looks like it has actually been crudely
worked. Enough so that even the narrow spots are an armspan wide, at
least. Working its way slowly upstream on three stubby legs is a
pulsing mound of flesh roughly seven feet tall. Its movement is
hampered somewhat by the fact that it's trying to keep Harlock under
wraps. Fortunately for the party, it only has two tentacles to try to
manage the job. Unfortunately, it has a partner, possibly its mate,
standing between it and the hole.
*HUNGER! Prey. HUNGER! Much Prey. HUNGER! Fresh meat good. HUNGER!*
The more gifted psions in the party also pick up...
^Not prey. Bring to me.^
And, of course...
[Oww...bloody telepaths!]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerum): For Want of a Nail
On Mon, 3 Dec 2001 12:48:47 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010637
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010636
>
>Through the hole, the cavern looks like it has actually been crudely
>worked. Enough so that even the narrow spots are an armspan wide, at
>least. Working its way slowly upstream on three stubby legs is a
>pulsing mound of flesh roughly seven feet tall. Its movement is
>hampered somewhat by the fact that it's trying to keep Harlock under
>wraps. Fortunately for the party, it only has two tentacles to try to
>manage the job. Unfortunately, it has a partner, possibly its mate,
>standing between it and the hole.
Rob stares for a moment. [Eww. What the heck is _that_?]
>*HUNGER! Prey. HUNGER! Much Prey. HUNGER! Fresh meat good. HUNGER!*
Rob's psychic defenses have improved in his time with the CAoL. Much
of this is self-preservation, given that several of the members have
telepathic voices which sound to him like the stereotypical "Voice Of
God," nearly deafening unless carefully controlled.
Even so, he is nearly overwhelmed by the sheer single-mindedness of
this. [This is like the time I read a shark at the San Diego Aquarium.
"Food. Food food food."]
Shaking off his paralysis, he parries the tentacle that lashes at him,
only to have it wrap around his arm. Behind him, he hears the
SNAP-vmmm of a lightsaber.
Ignoring Bazil's handling of the other tentacle, Rob works at keeping
the tentacle on his arm busy. [Just like the old tug-of-war schtick.
Let them pull, fight the pull as much as you can, then stop
fighting...]
Rob's kick slams into the creature with no visible effect. Rob, on the
other hand, considers the possibility that kicking the wall would have
been more fun.
[This is not good...]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sat, 8 Dec 2001 18:57:04 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010640
Three years in the future...
Martin crept through the castle hallway, ducking into alcoves to
avoid the routine patrols. Sir Lawrence would not approve of 'his'
doing this alone, but the young squire was not going to allow Sir
Lawrence to die from Duke Reginald's poison arrow, nor lose anyone
else on a suicidal mission into Prince Gerald's castle for the
antidote. Sir Lawrence had raised Martin like his own child, Martin
would not lose the only father 'he'd' ever had.
Martin finally reached the chamber of the royal apothecary and
checked the door. Locked, naturally, Martin was no stranger to the
thieving arts, and deft fingers picked the simple mechanism easily.
Slipping inside, 'he' closed the door softly behind 'him'.
"Looking for this, boy?" a gruff voice snarled behind him. Martin
whirled, rapier in hand to see a man in black holding a small vial
hung around his neck on a cord.
"Duke Reginald, I should have known you'd be waiting for me. Give
me the antidote."
"I think not, whelp," the duke snarled, "Sir Reginald has been
the bane of my existance for far too long. Now that he is out of my
way, Prince Gerald and I shall rule this kingdom without the
interferance of that pesky do-gooder you've tailed after like a pup.
Besides, you're no match for me with that sword, boy."
"I beg to differ," Martin said, saluting with the weapon before
adopting an enguarde position.
There was a flash of white light and the mustachioed face of the
duke was replaced with another.
"Oh isn't this sweet, a little girl playing pretend."
Startled at the flash, Tink lowered the rapier on recognizing the
new face before her.
"Q."
"Ah, my fame precedes me!" the omnipotent being said with a
smile, "Not only known throughout the universe, my fame now extends to
other dimensions as well! Please, no autographs, though, it
embarrasses me. Oh why not, for you, I'll cope with the
embarrassment."
"So, what brings you here, Q?" Tinkerbell hazarded, "Is it that
time already?"
"Oh you time travellers are no fun at all. Here you have the
entirety of history within the palm of your hand and what do you do?
Play these silly games with your computer. Absolutely no craving for
action and excitement. No spirit of adventure."
Tink sheathed her sword. "I like to think of it as a more
interesting way to hone my skills."
"Bah, where's the challenge in that? There are safety devices,
his skills are already known to you, there's nothing outside your
range of experience here."
"Exactly, as I said, it's practice."
Q snorted, "For such a supposedly intelligent human, you don't
have much imagination. I thought girls your age were more spirited
than that."
It was Tink's turn to snort now. "I have plenty of spirit."
Q smiled, "Atta girl, now, let's give you a real challenge."
The world flashed and changed as Tink drew her sword expectantly.
[Knew it was coming eventually.]
Meanwhile, in the present...
>On Mon, 3 Dec 2001 12:48:47 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010637
>
>Rob's kick slams into the creature with no visible effect. Rob, on
>the other hand, considers the possibility that kicking the wall would
>have been more fun.
>
>[This is not good...]
A flash of white light brought a fifteen year old blonde girl in
red tunic and grey pants and boots, holding a beautifully crafted
rapier in her right hand before her. Tinkerbell looked around. It was
all just as she remembered it.
"That didn't just happen," the older Tink said to no one,
apparently, then moved to help Rob and company. "Hi guys, need an
extra sword?"
Meanwhile...
In the Place, Tinkerbell, age twelve, buried her head in her
hands at the sight of her older self. "Someone tell me that didn't
just happen."
"That didn't just happen," the older Tink said from the opposite
side of the X-window, seemingly for her younger self's benefit, then
went to help the others.
There was a flash of white light and Q, still dressed as Duke
Reginald, tutted to himself, "Only twelve and already lying to
yourself."
The door to the lounge opened and Michael Seven stepped out,
holding a very familar black cat. Pyewackett hissed as he saw Q near
Tink. Michael scowled.
"You didn't tell me he'd be here," Q grumbled, "Alright, I'm
leaving."
Q smiled at Tinkerbell, "Oh don't look so distraught, its all in
good fun," then burst into song, "Que sera sera, whatever will be,
will be, the future's not ours to see (Well, perhaps yours and mine)
Que sera sera!"
Q vanished.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 9 Dec 2001 23:31:14 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010643
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010640
>
> A flash of white light brought a fifteen year old blonde girl in
>red tunic and grey pants and boots, holding a beautifully crafted
>rapier in her right hand before her. Tinkerbell looked around. It was
>all just as she remembered it.
> "That didn't just happen," the older Tink said to no one,
>apparently, then moved to help Rob and company. "Hi guys, need an
>extra sword?"
"Who..." Rob says, briefly imitating an owl. "Tink?!"
Three years can be a long time in a person's life, especially if the
period starts somewhere between twelve and seventeen. Tink at fifteen
is more graceful than Tink at twelve, and has a slightly different
speech pattern, but there are enough similarities to make her
recognizable.
"Yes, I think we could use an extra sword," Rob adds, as the tentacle
releases his arm to go for an unfriendly hug. "But first..." Rob's
eyes slip out of focus for a moment. Then, the tentacle whips out, and
wraps around where Rob isn't.
"I think I understand how this thing 'sees,' and how to misdirect it."
Rob pulls a two-inch washer from his pocket. "It won't be fooled for
long, but I've spotted a nerve cluster that will paralyze its
tentacles for about two minutes."
"So, are you up for a quick course in acupuncture?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Mon, 10 Dec 2001 08:53:04 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010644
>On Sun, 9 Dec 2001 23:31:14 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010643
>
>Three years can be a long time in a person's life, especially if the
>period starts somewhere between twelve and seventeen. Tink at fifteen
>is more graceful than Tink at twelve, and has a slightly different
>speech pattern, but there are enough similarities to make her
>recognizable.
Tink does indeed look different at this age, having gained height
most noticably, but Rob has had the advantage of seeing her at sixteen
as well, albeit briefly.
The young Time Lady nods, "Hi Rob, had a slight disagreement with
a Q, the infamous one. Don't ask, I'm embarrassed I let it happen."
>"Yes, I think we could use an extra sword," Rob adds, as the tentacle
>releases his arm to go for an unfriendly hug. "But first..." Rob's
>eyes slip out of focus for a moment. Then, the tentacle whips out,
>and wraps around where Rob isn't.
>
>"I think I understand how this thing 'sees,' and how to misdirect
>it." Rob pulls a two-inch washer from his pocket. "It won't be fooled
>for long, but I've spotted a nerve cluster that will paralyze its
>tentacles for about two minutes."
>
>"So, are you up for a quick course in acupuncture?"
Tink the Elder nods, "I'll follow your lead."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 13:30:46 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010645
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010644
>
> Tink does indeed look different at this age, having gained
>height most noticably, but Rob has had the advantage of seeing her at
>sixteen as well, albeit briefly.
> The young Time Lady nods, "Hi Rob, had a slight disagreement
>with a Q, the infamous one. Don't ask, I'm embarrassed I let it
>happen."
Rob blinks, then shoves the questions aside. [I can ask questions
later. Right now...]
> Tink the Elder nods, "I'll follow your lead."
The washer *tings* off a stalactite, drawing the creature's attention.
Rob steps over to Tink while the whatever-it-is creates a pile of
gravel, and touches her shoulder.
*You need to hit (*) with a strong lunge. Other than that, I'll leave
the details up to you. But try to be quick. I'm going to go for a
dangerous distraction here.*
The tentacles re-orient, aiming at Rob and Tink, when Rob dashes away
from the target, and concentrates. [Come on, I'm putting up the 'Good
Eats Here' sign...]
The creature wraps its tentacles around Rob and begins to squeeze.
/Now that...I've...got...its attention.../
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 17:34:56 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010646
>On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 13:30:46 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010645
>
>*You need to hit (*) with a strong lunge. Other than that, I'll leave
>the details up to you. But try to be quick. I'm going to go for a
>dangerous distraction here.*
Tink nods, adjusting her grip on the rapier. It was going to take
her best move to strike that spot, and she couldn't be off by more
than a hair's breath with the tip of her blade.
>The tentacles re-orient, aiming at Rob and Tink, when Rob dashes away
>from the target, and concentrates. [Come on, I'm putting up the 'Good
>Eats Here' sign...]
>
>The creature wraps its tentacles around Rob and begins to squeeze.
>/Now that...I've...got...its attention.../
Tink side-steps, keeping out of the creature's sight then, at
about two paces behind the creature, lunges forward, dropping under a
swung back leg, her body now extremely low to the ground and resting
on her forward leg, with her back leg nearly lying against the floor,
sword arm thrusting forward fully as she adopts this classic fencing
position, up under the beast to strike the spot indicated with the tip
of her blade, forcing the tentacles to go slack as the pressure point
is activated.
"Yancha na shokushu!" Tink says, which translates from the
Japanese as 'naughty feeler tentacle'. (OOC: Assuming the author
worked out the vocabulary and grammar properly.)
^You alright?^ Tink asks quietly, resting a hand on Rob's
shoulder, then turning to look after the direction Harlock was drug
off in, adds, ^We'd better get out of here and catch up with Harlock.^
Assuming Rob is alright and the monster is suitably debilitated
long enough for them to escape its cavern, she'll run after Harlock.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Mon, 17 Dec 2001 14:01:35 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010647
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010646
>
> ^You alright?^ Tink asks quietly, resting a hand on Rob's
>shoulder, then turning to look after the direction Harlock was drug
>off in, adds, ^We'd better get out of here and catch up with
>Harlock.^
"F--fine." Rob takes a deep breath, and stands. "You go. I'll be along
in a minute."
As Tinkerbell rushes down the tunnel, Rob checks Bazil and Caprice.
Bazil is shaking off a blow to the head, and Caprice looks ill.
Mischief is licking Caprice's cheek and saying, *mommy? mommy?*
"Doctor, how is she?"
Essex looks up. "Her adaptation has taken a turn for the worse. I
should take her back to The Place, at the very least."
"Bazil?"
"'M seein' double, and the room's spinning..."
"Damn. Sounds like a concussion," Rob sighs.
Essex frowns. "I would tend to agree with you. Shall I take Bazil, as
well?"
"Please. If nothing else, Doc Webster can take care of Bazil while you
get Caprice whatever she needs." The tentacles stir. "And I think chat
time is over."
Turning his back, Rob only hears the dimensional transportation as he
sprints after Tinkerbell.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Wed, 19 Dec 2001 07:02:48 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010648
>On Mon, 17 Dec 2001 14:01:35 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010647
>
>"F--fine." Rob takes a deep breath, and stands. "You go. I'll be
>along in a minute."
>
>As Tinkerbell rushes down the tunnel, Rob checks Bazil and Caprice.
It isn't long before the not-so-junior Time Lady catches up with the
thing that's dragging the Bard. In the first place, the creature
doesn't look like it was built for speed, and in the second place,
Harlock has obviously been...uncooperative. Judging partially by the
unlovely shade of puce that Harlock's face is turning, Tink interprets
the look in his eyes to mean "a little help, here?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Wed, 19 Dec 2001 19:20:12 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010649
>On Wed, 19 Dec 2001 07:02:48 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010648
>
>It isn't long before the not-so-junior Time Lady catches up with the
>thing that's dragging the Bard. In the first place, the creature
>doesn't look like it was built for speed, and in the second place,
>Harlock has obviously been...uncooperative. Judging partially by the
>unlovely shade of puce that Harlock's face is turning, Tink
>interprets the look in his eyes to mean "a little help, here?"
Tink's sword comes into play again, using the same nerve cluster
point as before to free the bard from the tentacles.
"Hi Harlock, I'm Tink, just a few years older, dropping in
unexpectedly, long, embarrassing story there, we've not got long until
this guy's tentacles get working again, by the way what are they, even
less for the other one, so I really think we ought to move on, and we
just lost Caprice, Essex and Bazil temporarily, so it's just you, me
and Rob. Get all that?"
That run-on sentence out of the way, Tink waited for Rob to catch up
and for Harlock to catch his breath.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Wed, 19 Dec 2001 23:18:46 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010651
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010649
>
> That run-on sentence out of the way, Tink waited for Rob to catch
>up and for Harlock to catch his breath.
Rob skids to a stop next to Tink a few moments after she rushes
through the recap.
"Bad news. That nerve cluster isn't good for two minutes. More like a
minute and fifteen seconds. In other words, now would be a good time
to Run Like Crazy."
"Any suggestions on which way to go, or can we go straight to
panicing?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Thu, 20 Dec 2001 01:25:06 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010653
>On Wed, 19 Dec 2001 23:18:46 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010651
>
>"Any suggestions on which way to go, or can we go straight to
>panicing?"
Harlock, despite obvious efforts to swallow down nausea, manages to
grin slightly. Rummaging in the lining of his cloak, he rasps: "don't
panic." Then he pulls a small acorn out and throws it at the critter,
which promptly turns to stone. "Got that from a fellow named Ufgood a
few years back. I suppose with a little more thought, I could have
found a solution that used a renewable resource, but for now..."
The Bard starts walking upstream. "As long as we keep moving, the
second otyugh should not be able to catch us. By the by, did either of
you get wounded? Otyughs are known to carry any number of diseases,
living in sewage as they do."
*****
"Milord?"
"What is it, Thanderius?"
"They have destroyed my pet."
"I'm aware of this, Thanderius. How close do they need to be for you
to scan them?"
"A moment, Milord."
*****
Rob and Tink briefly feel probes against their mental defenses, then
watch in apprehension as Harlock collapses with a groan. A slight
nosebleed appears, then suddenly the Bard is surrounded by a brilliant
blue light.
*****
The psion's eyes go out of focus as he probes the sewers beneath him.
His first two casual probes are deflected, so he desists. His third
probe, however, is not deflected. As an added bonus, it is the person
that he's been told to search for _and_ he apparently gets headaches
from psionic contact. With a malicious grin, Thanderius increases the
strength of his probe, revelling in the anguish he's causing.
Suddenly a coruscating blue light surrounds his head for the briefest
of moments, and he collapses. Manshoon moves to his side, but
Thanderius was dead before he hit the ground, a massive nosebleed the
only outward sign of what happened.
*****
As the light fades, Harlock struggles to his feet. "Come, my friends.
The entrance to Darkhold proper is not far. I believe I know a way to
spirit Cedryk out of his cell, but it needs must be done soon, ere the
Zhents think to move him elsewhere."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Fri, 21 Dec 2001 17:04:35 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010654
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010653
>
>The Bard starts walking upstream. "As long as we keep moving, the
>second otyugh should not be able to catch us. By the by, did either
>of you get wounded? Otyughs are known to carry any number of
>diseases, living in sewage as they do."
Rob's face freezes. /Message to the Place: Tell Doc Webster that Bazil
may have some sort of disease./
"Bazil took a hit, but Doc Webster's on the case. As for me...well,
it's been a few years since I caught anything. One of the side
benefits of being in control of my life-force."
>Rob and Tink briefly feel probes against their mental defenses, then
>watch in apprehension as Harlock collapses with a groan. A slight
>nosebleed appears, then suddenly the Bard is surrounded by a
>brilliant blue light.
"Harlock?"
>As the light fades, Harlock struggles to his feet. "Come, my friends.
>The entrance to Darkhold proper is not far. I believe I know a way to
>spirit Cedryk out of his cell, but it needs must be done soon, ere
>the Zhents think to move him elsewhere."
"Lead the way, then", Rob replies. "And if you don't mind my asking,
what happened to you there?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Fri, 21 Dec 2001 23:59:21 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010655
>On Fri, 21 Dec 2001 17:04:35 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010654
>
>Rob's face freezes. /Message to the Place: Tell Doc Webster that
>Bazil may have some sort of disease./
>
>"Bazil took a hit, but Doc Webster's on the case. As for me...well,
>it's been a few years since I caught anything. One of the side
>benefits of being in control of my life-force."
Tink shakes her head in regard to being wounded, "I'm fine."
>"Harlock?"
Tink looks concerned as well. The probe was a surprise, but she
learned several years ago some Vulcan mental defense training, and
doesn't let out more than the thought that these sewers smelled
something awful, and that analytically Mother would surmise her Zen
training was still far from over. Though why this is important isn't
discerned by the listeners.
>"Lead the way, then", Rob replies. "And if you don't mind my asking,
>what happened to you there?"
Tink, though very curious, wasn't sure how to ask. She follows along,
keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings and an ear on Harlock,
should he choose to explain.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sat, 22 Dec 2001 02:18:30 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010656
>On Fri, 21 Dec 2001 23:59:21 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010655
>
>Tink shakes her head in regard to being wounded, "I'm fine."
Harlock smiles. "Ah, good. I've a curative potion or three in here
somewhere, but my source recently...dried up, so 'twere best if I were
sparing in their use."
>Tink looks concerned as well. The probe was a surprise, but she
>learned several years ago some Vulcan mental defense training, and
>doesn't let out more than
There is no response from the Bard. A tentative probe (should either
of them try one) reveals that the light is a shield of some sort,
though it doesn't seem to originate with Harlock.
>Tink, though very curious, wasn't sure how to ask. She follows along,
>keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings and an ear on Harlock,
>should he choose to explain.
The Bard looks somewhat bemused. "You may ask, but frankly I haven't
an inkling. I remember getting the headache telepathy usually gives
me, and I remember it intensifying rather sharply. The next thing I
remember was finding myself on hands and knees in the muck with a
nosebleed. I know not why, but methinks the situation was resolved."
Harlock leads the way through increasingly well-worked areas until he
stops at a spot with three holes in the ceiling. He smiles wryly.
"'Twould seem the jakes are unoccupied for the nonce. Up we go, then!"
Peeking out the latrine door reveals a corridor ending in a heavy iron
door that sparkles with magical energy. The door is flanked by two
alert-looking guards.
The Bard grins and pulls a miniature tape recorder out of one of his
pouches. "The Bards of Callahan's plane have managed to achieve some
startling effects without having magic of their own. I've tinkered a
bit to make certain effects somewhat more...compulsory." With that, he
fiddles with the controls, then hits "play" and slides it down the
hallway. The guards, who had snapped their heads around at the
movement, suddenly start doing the Macarena while Harlock strolls
unconcerned between them to study the wards on the door.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sat, 22 Dec 2001 12:35:01 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010657
>On Sat, 22 Dec 2001 02:18:30 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010656
>
>Harlock leads the way through increasingly well-worked areas until he
>stops at a spot with three holes in the ceiling. He smiles wryly.
>"'Twould seem the jakes are unoccupied for the nonce. Up we go,
>then!"
Tink archs an eyebrow, looking up, then realizes the implications.
"Oh, of course," she mutters to herself, "No indoor plumbing."
>Peeking out the latrine door reveals a corridor ending in a heavy
>iron door that sparkles with magical energy. The door is flanked by
>two alert-looking guards.
"How do we handle these two?" Tink asks in a whisper.
>The Bard grins and pulls a miniature tape recorder out of one of his
>pouches. "The Bards of Callahan's plane have managed to achieve some
>startling effects without having magic of their own. I've tinkered a
>bit to make certain effects somewhat more...compulsory." With that,
>he fiddles with the controls, then hits "play" and slides it down the
>hallway. The guards, who had snapped their heads around at the
>movement, suddenly start doing the Macarena while Harlock strolls
>unconcerned between them to study the wards on the door.
Tink steps warily out of the latrine, observing the guards a few
moments while Harlock examines the wards.
"Unless you've copied that song onto the tape more than once or done
something else to lengthen the effect, I'd assume we've got three or
four minutes, tops." Tinkerbell observes, ducking under the guards'
outhrust arms, giggling a bit at these burly men wiggling their hips
in time with the music, "The door's protected I take it?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sat, 22 Dec 2001 22:38:41 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010658
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010656
>
>The Bard grins and pulls a miniature tape recorder out of one of his
>pouches. "The Bards of Callahan's plane have managed to achieve some
>startling effects without having magic of their own. I've tinkered a
>bit to make certain effects somewhat more...compulsory." With that,
>he fiddles with the controls, then hits "play" and slides it down the
>hallway. The guards, who had snapped their heads around at the
>movement, suddenly start doing the Macarena while Harlock strolls
>unconcerned between them to study the wards on the door.
[Good thing there's no Geneva Convention in this universe...]
As Harlock studies the wards, Rob steps up to one of the dancing
guards, and closes his eyes. [The nice thing about your average
Faceless Minion is that they don't come with psi defenses.] Within
moments, he has the information he needs.
"They don't have a key for the door, and their relief comes in...about
twenty minutes."
>Michael Knight said as CAoL Message # 00010657
>
>"Unless you've copied that song onto the tape more than once or done
>something else to lengthen the effect, I'd assume we've got three or
>four minutes, tops." Tinkerbell observes, ducking under the guards'
>outhrust arms, giggling a bit at these burly men wiggling their hips
>in time with the music, "The door's protected I take it?"
Rob picks up the tape recorder and glances at it. "No problem, Tink.
It looks like a truncated tape, and the recorder's on Auto Reverse."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 23 Dec 2001 02:13:41 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010659
>On Sat, 22 Dec 2001 22:38:41 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010658
>
>"They don't have a key for the door, and their relief comes in...
>about twenty minutes."
Harlock glances up. "Eh? Twenty minutes? Methinks 'twere best an
I...ah...'played fast and loose' with the door, then. Kindly back away
from the door. Forty feet should suffice, assuming I am reading these
runes correctly." He shifts his gaze to the guards and sighs. "Them,
too, I suppose. Assuming that dance can be made to cover ground."
Once everybody has moved out of the blast radius, the Bard pulls a
scroll out of a pouch and reads it, resulting in a subtle glow
surrounding him. Then he steps closer to the door and all hell breaks
loose. When the smoke clears, Harlock is seen standing in the now open
doorway, shaking his head slightly. "Zhentarim. They will magically
ward a door nine ways to Shieldmeet, but ask them to put a single
physical trap in as a backup and they sneer at you. Come, my friends,
let us free the unhappy denizens of this accursed place!"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 23 Dec 2001 14:53:57 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010660
>On Sun, 23 Dec 2001 02:13:41 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010659
>
>Harlock glances up. "Eh? Twenty minutes? Methinks 'twere best an
>I...ah...'played fast and loose' with the door, then. Kindly back
>away from the door. Forty feet should suffice, assuming I am reading
>these runes correctly." He shifts his gaze to the guards and sighs.
>"Them, too, I suppose. Assuming that dance can be made to cover
>ground."
Tink pales a moment, then sets her jaw, saying, "This dance doesn't
travel. Fortunately, they don't look too heavy to drag."
Tink steps up behind one of the guards and reachs under his shoulder
armor and shirt. The guard freezes, his body suddenly goes slack, and
Tink guides him to the floor.
"Vulcan neck pinch. Rob, can you handle that guard or shall I?"
>Once everybody has moved out of the blast radius, the Bard pulls a
>scroll out of a pouch and reads it, resulting in a subtle glow
>surrounding him. Then he steps closer to the door and all hell breaks
>loose. When the smoke clears, Harlock is seen standing in the now
>open doorway, shaking his head slightly. "Zhentarim. They will
>magically ward a door nine ways to Shieldmeet, but ask them to put a
>single physical trap in as a backup and they sneer at you. Come, my
>friends, let us free the unhappy denizens of this accursed place!"
Tink nods at the physical trap comment, saying, "Lucky for us," before
falling into step with Harlock and Rob.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Sun, 23 Dec 2001 12:30:36 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010661
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010660
>
>Tink steps up behind one of the guards and reachs under his shoulder
>armor and shirt. The guard freezes, his body suddenly goes slack, and
>Tink guides him to the floor.
>
>"Vulcan neck pinch. Rob, can you handle that guard or shall I?"
Rob waits for the other guard to turn once, then kneels, and lifts.
Staggering forward, he carefully dodges pokes to the eyes and kicks in
the shin as his burden continues to dance, until he can set the
dancing fool down in the latrine.
>Tink nods at the physical trap comment, saying, "Lucky for us,"
>before falling into step with Harlock and Rob.
Rob just smiles at the comment, remembering an alarm system that was
disabled with a few small pieces of aluminum foil, and the second-rate
locks that were the only remaining defense.
[Incompetent security consultants are everywhere...]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Wait for the Q and Don't Miss the Mark.
On Mon, 24 Dec 2001 02:17:45 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010662
>On Sun, 23 Dec 2001 12:30:36 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010661
>
>Rob just smiles at the comment, remembering an alarm system that was
>disabled with a few small pieces of aluminum foil, and the
>second-rate locks that were the only remaining defense.
>
>[Incompetent security consultants are everywhere...]
Beyond the door is an obvious dungeon. Most of the doors are secured
by the simple expedient of a pair of iron bars set in brackets at
head- and knee-heights. Harlock pulls an old, rusty gauntlet out of
one of his pouches, then saunters casually down the corridor, touching
the iron bars as he goes. As the gauntlet touches the bars, the bars
rust away to nothing with supernatural speed. The Bard glances back at
Tink Sr. and Rob. "Try to convince them to head for the sewers. The
fortress proper is warded against unauthorized teleportation spells,
but the sewers are not. Above all, try to talk them out of immediately
striking back at the Zhents. I know not why Manshoon has not yet
intervened, but the noisier this gets, the more likely he is to put an
end to it personally."
*****
Manshoon broods over the image in the crystal. "That damnable Bard has
over-reached himself. All I need do is call in all the guard to
barricade him in the dungeon, and I shall be well rid of the annoying
pest, even if I have to kill him myself."
A voice pipes up from behind him. "I'd really rather you didn't. I
have...plans for that one."
Manshoon doesn't even bother to look around. "Sememmon. You have plans
for everybody, as I recall."
The voice sounds amused. "Everybody I know, at any rate. Still, I'm
afraid I really must insist."
"Oh, really? And you think to challenge me in my own stronghold, then,
_apprentice?_"
"Ah, but before you returned last year, it was _my_ stronghold, mentor
mine. Loxar Zhentil!" As Manshoon is suddenly frozen in the act of
lunging out of his chair, the voice continues calmly: "The effects
should wear off in an hour or so, by which time I shall be long gone."
Musingly: "I wonder what sort of favor Harlock will feel he owes me
for this. It could prove interesting to have a Harper in my debt."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Thu, 27 Dec 2001 21:07:09 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010663
>On Mon, 24 Dec 2001 02:17:45 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010662
>
>Beyond the door is an obvious dungeon. Most of the doors are secured
>by the simple expedient of a pair of iron bars set in brackets at
>head- and knee-heights. Harlock pulls an old, rusty gauntlet out of
>one of his pouches, then saunters casually down the corridor,
>touching the iron bars as he goes. As the gauntlet touches the bars,
>the bars rust away to nothing with supernatural speed. The Bard
>glances back at Tink Sr. and Rob. "Try to convince them to head for
>the sewers. The fortress proper is warded against unauthorized
>teleportation spells, but the sewers are not. Above all, try to talk
>them out of immediately striking back at the Zhents. I know not why
>Manshoon has not yet intervened, but the noisier this gets, the more
>likely he is to put an end to it personally."
Tink nods, opening doors (and keeping out of the way of their path in
case anyone gets any ideas on the other side of rushing the unlocked
door) then explains in the various Faerun tongues, thanks to her
mini-lens, in a quiet, calm tone.
"Hello, we are your rescuers this evening. Please exit your cells
quietly and make your way to the lavatories at the end of the hall and
into the sewers below. We ask that you not stop to take revenge on
your captors, at least until everyone has made a timely exodus from
the prison surrounding you, both for the safety of your fellow
prisoners, your rescuers, and yourselves. You will note the fortress
surrounding us is warded against teleportation spells, but the sewers
are not, should you not wish to take the trek to the end of the
caverns. Again we stress that the fortress above is warded against
teleportation spells, that a quiet exit is key to your own survival
and the survival of all, and that, should you still desire revenge
after seeing the forests, skys, cities, temples, caverns, trees,
friends, loved ones, and other various pleasures of our lovely Faerun,
that you not partake of it until everyone is free."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 04:49:57 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010664
>On Thu, 27 Dec 2001 21:07:09 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010663
>
>"Hello, we are your rescuers this evening. Please exit your cells
>quietly and make your way to the lavatories at the end of the hall
>and into the sewers below. We ask that you not stop to take revenge
>on your captors, at least until everyone has made a timely exodus
>from the prison surrounding you, both for the safety of your fellow
>prisoners, your rescuers, and yourselves. You will note the fortress
>surrounding us is warded against teleportation spells, but the sewers
>are not, should you not wish to take the trek to the end of the
>caverns. Again we stress that the fortress above is warded against
>teleportation spells, that a quiet exit is key to your own survival
>and the survival of all, and that, should you still desire revenge
>after seeing the forests, skys, cities, temples, caverns, trees,
>friends, loved ones, and other various pleasures of our lovely
>Faerun, that you not partake of it until everyone is free."
Most of the prisoners look distinctly non-plussed by this speech, but
most of them head quietly for the latrines. A few just huddle farther
back into the corner of their cells and moan slightly. Harlock, on the
other hand, is visibly suppressing laughter by the time he reaches the
end of the row. The door at the end, in contrast to the doors on the
sides, has no visible security at all. No bars, no lock, no keyhole...
Of course, the fact that it is glowing would indicate to the most
casual observer that this is no ordinary door.
The Bard mutters an incantation. Nothing happens. A second incantation
produces no better results, nor a third. Harlock mutters an
imprecation.
"Damnation. Cedryk is in there, and my spells are not potent enough to
breach the wards. Why this door be more strongly warded than the main
prison door, I have no inkling, but the fact remains that I need help
with this. Any suggestions?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 13:34:08 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010667
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010664
(snip In Which Prisoners are Released, and an Announcement is Made)
>"Damnation. Cedryk is in there, and my spells are not potent enough
>to breach the wards. Why this door be more strongly warded than the
>main prison door, I have no inkling, but the fact remains that I need
>help with this. Any suggestions?"
Rob looks at the door, and pauses. "That's odd..." Settling into
seiza, he studies the door again.
Mage-sight.
Life-sense.
Darksight.
Psi-scan.
All this takes about two minutes.
"It's a jar."
Nobody is confused by this - it isn't even good enough to warrant
peanuts.
"The door isn't a physical door, it's a melding of spell-wards,
magical force, psi-blocking, and I-don't-know-what, with some sort of
cushioning system that enhances any defense that needs it. The good
news is, there is somebody on the other side, and it's definitely
humanoid."
"The question is, do we go through it, or try to find a way around
it?" Rob stands up, looking for answers from Harlock or Tink.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Mon, 31 Dec 2001 11:17:32 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010669
>On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 13:34:08 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010667
>
>"The question is, do we go through it, or try to find a way around
>it?" Rob stands up, looking for answers from Harlock or Tink.
Tink frowns, putting her hands on her hips. "What would Aunt Molly
do... for that matter, what would Grumpa do?"
In the Place, Mike and Molly looked up at the X-window, Molly casting
her own magical sight at the X-window. Michael Seven summoning a
complex control panel to him which interfaced with the X-window.
"They'd scan it."
The pair conferred mentally. Michael gave his daughter a knowing
smile. Molly grinning as she saw the implications of what he was
suggesting. There was a shimmering and a set of lockpicks appeared on
the table top. Molly stood and cast a spell on them, touching each
pick in turn and slightly altering the repeated incantation for each.
When she was done, the tools shimmered out of existance again.
Tinkerbell, the young one in the Place, looked up from talking with
Flarn as the set of picks left, asking "Aren't those my...?"
"They'd find the right spell, technology or combination of spells and
technology and enchant or imbue an object they know I'm carrying with
it."
Tink (the elder one) pulls out her lockpicking set and smiles.
"Most importantly, that object would be a joke. Like using physical
lockpicks to break through a magical door."
Tink kneels in front of the doorway and pulls out her two best picks.
As the tips of the metal enter the field, there's a quiet crackling at
the contact point. She wiggles the picks around for several moments,
adding more picks as she goes, each new pair sitting in the energized
air as her hands leave them in their final position.
Finishing with the last ward, there's a crackling and rippling across
the door's surface, then with a snap of discharged electrons, the
entire door dissipates.
Tink's hair stands up slightly with the release of the static
discharge, but drops again as she picks up her picks, the electricity
popping as it discharges to ground.
"Thank you, you guys," Tink the elder says aloud with an impish grin.
"Okay, Harlock, let's get your friend and go."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Wed, 02 Jan 2002 00:56:59 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010670
>On Mon, 31 Dec 2001 11:17:32 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010669
>
>>On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 13:34:08 -0800 (PST)
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010667
>>
>>"The question is, do we go through it, or try to find a way around
>>it?" Rob stands up, looking for answers from Harlock or Tink.
Harlock looked startled at the news that the "door" was nothing of the
sort, then sat back for a while, deep in thought.
>Tink's hair stands up slightly with the release of the static
>discharge, but drops again as she picks up her picks, the electricity
>popping as it discharges to ground.
>
>"Thank you, you guys," Tink the elder says aloud with an impish grin.
>"Okay, Harlock, let's get your friend and go."
He is still pondering the problem of the door when an elderly
gentleman steps through the empty archway and glances around. The old
man smiles and walks over to the Bard, tapping him gently on the
shoulder. "Harlock? Ye came to rescue me from durance vile, yes?"
Harlock looks up, startled. "Cedryk? Then who...it matters not. Aye,
Cedryk, I and my boon companions have arrived from far off lands to
free you from this vile place. I make known to you Rob Nishikawa, a
fighting man of some skill, and the Lady Tinkerbell Seven, whose
talents are more varied than my own. But come, let us take our leave
of this wretched hive of scum and villainy ere the tenants take note
of our activities." With that, he heads off toward the latrines at a
brisk pace.
Once everybody is out, the Bard rounds up any stragglers and, with
Cedryk joining the chant, teleports them back to Berdusk. After the
few remaining gnolls have been chased out of town, Harlock explains
his quest. Cedryk agrees to help out after holding a closed-door
conference with Harlock, from which the Bard emerges looking very
thoughtful and somewhat disturbed. Within a week's time, Cedryk
promises, the spells shall be set in motion.
Thus endeth the Faerun portion of AAE7.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE7b(Faerun): Deprisoning.
On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:01:50 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010671
>On Wed, 02 Jan 2002 00:56:59 -0800
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010670
>
>He is still pondering the problem of the door when an elderly
>gentleman steps through the empty archway and glances around. The old
>man smiles and walks over to the Bard, tapping him gently on the
>shoulder. "Harlock? Ye came to rescue me from durance vile, yes?"
Tinkerbell grins mischieviously, slipping her picks away.
>Once everybody is out, the Bard rounds up any stragglers and, with
>Cedryk joining the chant, teleports them back to Berdusk. After the
>few remaining gnolls have been chased out of town, Harlock explains
>his quest. Cedryk agrees to help out after holding a closed-door
>conference with Harlock, from which the Bard emerges looking very
>thoughtful and somewhat disturbed. Within a week's time, Cedryk
>promises, the spells shall be set in motion.
Collecting the Faerun group and slipping ahead a week's Faerun time in
a few moments from the point of view of the Place, the spells are seen
cast and the results around the multiverse are:
Melissa awakens in a large bed in an apartment that looks like an Ikea
display. Waking up, she shakes off the remains of what seems to be a
bad dream, checks her e-mail on the iMac running BSD, then eats
breakfast and sips a cup of coffee at a bay window that looks out over
the town below as the morning Icelandic sun signals the start of a new
day.
Grep awakens on a futon matress in an ancient, abandoned Japanese
teahouse. Getting up, she routs the pair of bandits using the house as
a base for thievery on the roadway outside, pauses to once again
admire the view from the front of the house, then enters, fixing a
bowl of the rice the bandits neglected to take with them along with
some green tea, which she partakes of from a seat overlooking a unique
interior garden behind the teahouse.
Gary and Roberta Seven awaken with Isis curled up on the bed. All
three exchange a look, as if to say, "You wouldn't believe the dream I
just had." They compare notes over breakfast, coming to some startling
conclusions.
Mike's call reachs each of them as they finish their respective meals.
Each closes their home up and X-windows open to bring them all to the
Place.
And there was much rejoicing.
=================================