DM Jerry Monday July 19th, 1999 12:01:13 AM
It is a warm & sunny afternoon in Adorus. The salty breeze blows in from Peaseblossom Bay drying the sweat from those still doing their tasks and chores of the day. One by one, our heroes are gathering, as they seem to do everyday now, after their responsibilities are completed, to cook anything they've caught, smoke or chew anything they've found, and sit and talk, but never about Monk. They've been gathering more often lately as if to cherish the small amount of childhood they have left to them. It is about a month until "The Joining," when their childhoods and childhood friendships would end. They would become adults and be "One With Ga'al." Whatever that means. It would be the biggest joining ever in the small township of Adorus with so many coming of age. Each of our 13 year old heroes approach their secret den in the forgotten basement of the Golden Pepper Inn, being careful not to give the location of the den away to any other kids, or more importantly to any nosey adults. Let's watch secretly, O Reader, as our heroes begin to arrive.
Legs Monday July 19th, 1999 4:11:48 AM
The lanky boy steps quickly yet quietly down the inside stairs, having squeezed between the two broken-out slats in the side of the building behind the shrubs. He knew that if you come around the corner, and duck straight behind the now unkempt bushes, no one could see you from the facing street. Reaching the basement, he holds before him a knobby stick he found after delivering the sack of flour for woodcutter Anderless' wife, Aimaigai. "Hello," he says. "Am I the first one here again?" 'Legs,' known also as Agur, finds a crate by the door, and sits down to wait for his friends to arrive.
Tag Along Monday July 19th, 1999 5:49:57 AM
The son of a broken Slagg who never returned, Tag sneaks into the basement with the grace of a weasel. Most of you never wanted him hear, but he always managed to find himself a way in any way. A small weekling child, with blonde curls atop his head and always carrying a flute, he steps into the light with his ragged clothes. "Hey, Legs, where is everyone?" says the unsure youth. "Huh what we going to do today. I hope we dont play rough ball again, i never am able to play that game well. Ah legs where did you get that neat stick?"
Skippy Monday July 19th, 1999 2:09:08 PM
A beautiful girl ducked quickly behind the building. When she was sure no one was following, she wormed her way quickly down the hole, not noticing her dress getting dirty. It was a nice one, too, the storekeeper could afford nice dresses for his daughter. She clutched a handful of sour grass flowers all the way in. With a grin she sat in the back. Holding out a few sour stems, "Want some?" With a glint of mischief, she opened her hand all the way, revealing a lost honeybee crawling inside.
Ari Monday July 19th, 1999 2:16:21 PM
Ari does his best to get to the the den unnoticed. Once he is inside, he notices that not everyone is here. "Hello. How much longer do you think, until everyone is here? What a hot day. What did you do today? All I did was more practice." As Ari sits down and pulls out an ever present book from underneath his shirt.
Aacor "Catcher" Monday July 19th, 1999 6:15:01 PM
Catcher strides thru the opening, carrying with him the scent of the woodlands. He carries a string of scaled trout slung over his shoulder, which he promptly lays on the grating of the fire pit to cook for the group. "Hi Tag Along...I think I caught a glimpse of you earlier today out by Big Willow. That was you, wasn't it? Getting' better all the time at your stealth. Food will be ready in a minute, then we need to discuss you-know-what...." Aacor says with a hint of a smile.
DM Jerry Monday July 19th, 1999 10:02:39 PM
The glinting of the sun through the cracks and the wonderful smell of the fish make the afternoon perfect....except for the constant thought that keeps coming back that these wonderful times are soon to come to an end....at the joining.
Ari Monday July 19th, 1999 10:45:46 PM
"Catcher, did you see any new plants today? Mother says I should always be on the look out for ingredients for healing. I wonder how the priests do the healing?"
Aacor "Catcher" Monday July 19th, 1999 11:06:43 PM
"Well, here's something Dad calls Shuug's Moss, but I really don't know much about herbs and plants. Supposedly, it's good for treating dizziness. I'm sure the Holy One provides the priests with their healing abilities. But at what cost? That's what I want to talk about. For a hundred times, we've talked about Monk. All year long. Well, it's a month away, and all we do is talk. We have to act. Want to hear what I've been thinking?" Catcher begins passing out cooked fish to everyone.
Angus & Asbury (the sheepdog) Tuesday July 20th, 1999 12:22:15 AM
Grunting from the tight squeeze through the opening, a barrel chested boy steps in, quickly followed by his companion, the furry and fluffy, Asbury. "hello all, last one again I guess" shrugs. Moving over to see whats cooking "smells great.." he lays down some skins of water and berry juice.
Legs Tuesday July 20th, 1999 2:37:13 AM
"Hey, Taggy. Nah, we don't have to play that today. What, this here stick? Found it in some scraps over by Anderless' place." He stands up and makes some moves as though he were as swordsman. "Here, you can try it." He hands the stick to Tag Along. When Skippy arrives and shows what she hides in her hands, Legs sees the bee, and says, "Gosh." His respect for her went up a notch. To Ari, "Whaddidya practice? Whatcha readin'?" He greets the others as they arrive. And as Angus and Asbury come in, Legs is happy to see the boy and his dog. "Hey Asbury raspberry, howya doin'?" he scratches the dog's head. He wonders what idea Catcher has now.
Tag Along Tuesday July 20th, 1999 4:28:05 AM
At the mention of something needed to be discussed he picks up his flute and plays. A nervous looks crosses his face, you all know he has a great fear that he like his father will be rejected.
Skippy Tuesday July 20th, 1999 4:13:57 PM
The girl whose name was really Ashtar opened her hand and blew, so the honeybee flew away peacefully. "Hi Angus! Thanks, Catcher." She chewed a little sour before eating fish-it flavored better. "I guess...I heard my mom say that I'd be married off or something after You Know. I hate it. I wish I was a man!"
Catcher Tuesday July 20th, 1999 6:15:15 PM
Whistling in harmony with Tag Along's tune, Catcher says to Skippy, "There's nothing wrong with being a woman -- women always seem to have their heads screwed on straighter than most men. Women are tough." To Angus, "Alright, berry juice!" and takes a swig as it's passed around.
"Knuckles" or Aedrien Tuesday July 20th, 1999 7:39:07 PM
Knuckles (a good friend, but a bit of a bully) enters just then with his toy wooden long sword.
Legs Tuesday July 20th, 1999 7:57:52 PM
Legs walks over to where Tag Along dropped his stick. He picks it up and casually saunters over to Knuckles. Suddenly, with a flourish of the stick, held as a sword, he intones in as deep a voice as he can manage, "To your guard, invader!" He winks at Catcher, and says with mock sternness to Knuckles. "You'll get no dark secrets out of us!" His voice cracks on 'us'.
Aelwyndas (Wynd) Tuesday July 20th, 1999 8:33:57 PM
A scrappy tomboy of a girl scabbles into the den, she is dressed in good but well worn grey and brown pants and tunic, a sling tucked into her belt and she's one big bundle of energy. " Shhhhh, you two. Do you know how much racket your clacking of sticks are making?" " Do you want us to get found out?" " Hi Ari, Hi Legs." "Hey Ari, Father showed me some really cool plants and herbs today." " Hey that fish smells good. Anyone want some berries." Hey, why all the glum faces?" She sits, adjusts her pouch and sling, lays out three large handfuls of berries and helps herself to a little of the fish. Between mouthfuls she says, "Sorry i'm a bit late, but Father took me far into the forest today."
Catcher Tuesday July 20th, 1999 10:33:13 PM
Aacor smiles when Aelwyndas walks in.
Angus & Asbury (the sheepdog) Wednesday July 21st, 1999 10:53:38 AM
The much bigger Angus (the bulldog) Chuckles as 'knuckles' comes in and is confronted by 'legs' with the stick "go get him ..legs .. you can take him" winking wryly at bully. Asbury goes from legs attention to snuggly over by 'tags'.
Knuckles Wednesday July 21st, 1999 10:53:39 AM
Lifts his wooden sword with a snicker." I am here for all your gold. Give it up or I will take your head." Knuckles then takes a swing missing on purpose, but acting like he is really swinging.
Poison Wednesday July 21st, 1999 12:44:14 PM
The lithe girl sneaks up behind Knuckles, and twists his arm around behind his back. "You won't take anybodys ANYTHING if I have something to say about it." She whirls him around, whips out her wooden toy sword and takes up a slopy fighting stance. "E'ngarde you dirty pirate!!"
DM Jerry Wednesday July 21st, 1999 1:05:03 PM
The fish tastes wonderful. All cares are forgotten as you enjoy the moment.
Skippy Wednesday July 21st, 1999 3:05:42 PM
She just shook her head at Catcher. He didn't know anything about it.
Tag Along Wednesday July 21st, 1999 3:05:43 PM
As the mock battle begins, Tag begins to play a rousing little tune on his flute while tapping his feet. He gets a nice adventure song going giving the mock battle the feal of a grand battle between pirates and privateers. He even gets the dog angus howling to the song as he begins to stand and skip around a bit while the tune is whistled from the flute.
Catcher Wednesday July 21st, 1999 7:54:31 PM
Concerned that someone will reeeaally hear them, Catcher gets up and goes over to the entrance to see if anyone is outside.
Legs Wednesday July 21st, 1999 8:47:56 PM
Parrying, dodging, and trying to come close to but not actually hit Knuckles (nor be hit by him), the 5'10" 145 pound thirteen-year-old boy enjoys the play. As Poison swings Knuckles about, Legs dances over to a point equidistant from the two, alternatively striking his sword and hers, in time to Tag Along's tune. He makes silly faces, and waggles his eyebrows at his fellow combatants and friends. "Your enemy is my enemy!" he says to Poison. "Your enemy is my enemy!" he says to Knuckles. "Oh-oh, I am my own enemy!" he concludes, and stabs himself firmly under the left armpit, falling backward, 'dead' on the floor.
Legs Wednesday July 21st, 1999 8:52:31 PM
After a moment, he opens one eye and looks around. "Catcher - got a fish for me?" Legs closes his eye, and holds two hands open above his lower torso, hoping to receive therein a fish. His knobby 'sword' still lodges under his arm, now at an angle across his chest.
Wynd Wednesday July 21st, 1999 11:23:49 PM
Laughing at the antics of the others, Wynd almost chokes on a bit of fish. Then looking over at T.A. says, Hey your getting pretty good on that thing. and then laughs some more as Legs kills himself.
Angus Thursday July 22nd, 1999 12:44:19 PM
"shhh, ... keep it down .. we'll be overheard"
DM Jerry Thursday July 22nd, 1999 12:44:20 PM
The raucus joy of our two pirates is broken by the snap of a loud twig and the sound of leaves being pushed aside just outside the den. Catcher catches a glimpse of a tall thin figure rounding the corner of the building. (Perception check [that's Wis or Int-which is best for you] to notice. Catcher automatically notices)
Tag Along Thursday July 22nd, 1999 12:44:21 PM
Stops his music and moves to the shadows in the back of the room.
Poison d20=12 Thursday July 22nd, 1999 12:44:22 PM
Drops to one knee and rolls to the side of the entrance, she raises her play sword above her head and prepares to clober whoever is making all that noise.
Wynd d20=2 Thursday July 22nd, 1999 12:52:21 PM
Suddenly quiet and serious and with a look that says "I told you so," Wynd moves away from everyone loads her sling and gets ready to let fly.
Angus d20=16 Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:05 AM
(failed perception chk) motions to asbury (making sure he understands) to stay down and quiet, then becomes still as stone in the center of the room as he sees his friends reacting to something. calmly taking in the actions of all his friends inside.
Legs d20=18 Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:06 AM
Legs didn't hear the twig snap, nor see the person walking nearby. After a moment, though, he realizes no one is going to hand him a fish, so he jumps up and walks over to get one. He is about to make a comment, but sees his friends behaving oddly. "What's up, Wynd?" he whispers.
Catcher Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:07 AM
With his hand in the air behind him, preparing to signal, Catcher keeps watching the figure to see who it is and what it's up to.
The Stranger Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:08 AM
A sound of "Ouch!" and following sounds of someone falling down the steps into the basement with the accompanying ,"Ow! Woah.. Eeeh!Ouch!Oh!" reaches your ears just moments before a tall gangly man dressed in rags and wearing a long dark blond unkempt beard tumbles into the room landing with his seat in the fire and his face facing the fish. You recognize him instantly as a Slaag. Some of you have seen him around town the last couple of days singing stupid ditties and quoting poetry to the sky. (perception check to have seen him before.) "Oh My! Sorry." He gets to his feet and furiously patting his smoking seat sees all the weapons drawn on him. "Oops." He holds his hands up in surrender.
Wynd d20=12 Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:09 AM
Wynd has seen this slagg around but doesn't seem to recall what he is called, she relacxes a bit but still keeps he sling at the ready.
Legs d20=7 Friday July 23rd, 1999 5:59:10 AM
Legs had just taken a bite of fish when the slaag made his grand entry. With knobby stick in his left hand, and the nearly whole fish in his right, Legs challenges the intruder. "Who hath let thee into our castle, varlet? How didst thou find thine way past yon Guardians of the Bush? Speak! Knowest thou the word of passage? What is the name of this FISH!?!" he asks, flopping the fish before the slaag's face. He looks a bit closer. "Hey, you were singing in the square yesterday, weren't you?" he asks, backing up a step, and taking another bite out of the fish.
Ari d20=8 Friday July 23rd, 1999 7:58:03 AM
(test post, seem to have lost 2)"I've seen him around, but what are you doing here?"
Skippy d20=7 d20=15 Friday July 23rd, 1999 10:37:30 AM
She'd been quiet as a mouse watching Catcher, but gasped as the wierd guy came falling down. Not recognizing him, she looked at Legs with a frown and supported Ari. "Yeah!" She looked around and said, "Guys, we GOTTA keep it down or else somebody else is gonna show up!"
Tag Along d20=5 Friday July 23rd, 1999 10:37:31 AM
((Makes perception)) "Oh boy!" he says from the back corner and shadows. "What do you want down here, this is a place for kids not adults. Oh wait i forgot you are considered a kid by the town. Does that make him ok to be down her GUYs?" says Tag as he looks to the young faces of the group.
Poison Friday July 23rd, 1999 11:35:12 AM
Looking around agast at her friends. "Shhhhhhh you all don't bring the wrath down on us, be nice." She imedietly puts away her toy and goes to the fire to get her piece of fish. Everyone can hear her tummy grumble and they know she has probably gone a whole nother day without eating. She takes the choicest piece of fish she can and she crosses to the slag and hands it to him, siting in front of him politely and quietly.
"Knuckles" Friday July 23rd, 1999 9:32:44 PM
shakes his head and backs away from the slag. " Are you guys sure we should be talking to him?"
Bulldog (Angus) d20=16 Saturday July 24th, 1999 10:38:35 AM
Surprised at seeing a stranger tumbling through the entrance way, the sturdy little fellow stands his ground " ahhack, ... slaag ... get thee gone from here ... " shaking his fist menacingly at the outcast of social order.
Asbury (four footed and furry) Saturday July 24th, 1999 10:42:46 AM
stands onto all fours, taking a slight interest in the stranger, but seems really interested in the fish being passed out. sniffs. closer and closer.
The Stranger Saturday July 24th, 1999 10:42:47 AM
The Guardians of the Bush didst verily protect thee tripping me into the fires of discontent where I was saved by this holy fish. Worry thou not, no one has heard my ravings this day." He stops to think about this a moment and then continues. "Greetings holder of fish in many guises!" He then turns to Poison and whispers, "Ahh, another friendly holder of fish. Thank you and your fish but I am not hungry. I am lost and I am searching. The fox has it's hole, and the bird shelters in the great leafy oak, but the son of man has not where to lay his head??" He spins around taking in the place, seemingly serious for a moment. "Oh, and I've forgotten, what is the name of this fair village?" He plops down crossing his skinny white legs and smiles crookedly.
Legs Saturday July 24th, 1999 10:42:48 AM
"Adorus. And that's not a command," Legs explains. "'Adorus' is the name of this village. Are you the son of man who has not where to lay his head?" Legs asks. "Also, which bird shelters in the great leafy oak. And what color is the fox? And the fish isn't in many guises. It's in many scales, I should say."
Skippy Saturday July 24th, 1999 2:10:37 PM
"You do TOO have a place to lay your head. You sleep in the Slaag's House," she glared at the stranger.
Tag Along Saturday July 24th, 1999 2:10:38 PM
A fox in its den, goes after the hens. A bird in the tree, goes after the flea. A man with no home, Seems awful alone! So what is it you want stranger slag with no tag, a man on the roam with no place to call home. If we will continue to talk, because of your stumbled walk, we will nead a name, and we will give you the same. My name is Tag, whats yours stranger.
Catcher Saturday July 24th, 1999 5:42:30 PM
Catcher laughs at Tag Along's rhyme, shaking his head, and watches to see how the stranger responds.
Bulldog (Angus) Sunday July 25th, 1999 8:50:43 AM
"good one 'Tag' ..." still standing near the center of the room "we shouldn't be talking to him .. what if someone sees us..." he says to all.
Wynd Sunday July 25th, 1999 8:50:44 AM
Wind, sure she's seen this slag wandering thruogh the forest upon occasion, lowers he sling, listens intently to what he says and then slowly steps forward and serious states. Are we not all lost and searching for something?Some would say that man should lay his head with the fox and the bird in the freedom of the Wold.
Poison Monday July 26th, 1999 1:47:18 PM
Poison whirls around and glares at her friends. "SHUT UP, this could be us some day, would you want to be made fun of?" With that she takes a leaf from the outside tree and tries to slip the wraped up fish into the slags pocket with out him noticing. She then returns to sit in front of him again.
"Knuckles" Monday July 26th, 1999 2:54:03 PM
scratches his head," but the son of man has not where to lay his head?" scratches his head again," that sure sounds like something I have heard somewhere before."
Bulldog Tuesday July 27th, 1999 7:58:51 AM
"shut up yourself, Poison ! he's not blessed by Ga'al, the seed did not take him. So we should leave him to his own ends !"
Ozymandius Tuesday July 27th, 1999 7:58:52 AM
Adorus! Ahh....loveliest village of the plain! Here is no anguish, here no pain! His eyes light up almost showing sanity for a moment as his musings are answered in kind and he scrutinizes each of you very carefully as you speak. He selects Tagalong to focus on and suddenly takes on his quirkly look again. "Do you know me boy? I am the king of this land. My wife was a queen of a rainy country, but I left her weeping." He stands. "My name.....is Ozymandius. Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!" He very nearly shouts this last part causing a slight echo in the basement.
Catcher Tuesday July 27th, 1999 7:58:53 AM
Humoring him, Catcher says in a lowered voice, hoping to calm Ozymandius, "So what are your 'mighty works'?"
Tag Along Tuesday July 27th, 1999 7:58:54 AM
"Ozymandius, Ozymandius, the man that thought he was King was a Candyuss! A queen left in shame, why would you leave the queen of rain? You ask if you know this orphan tag, i was left by my father he was a slag." you all look at the two poets features and relize they are striking familiar. "Why come all this way with such bother. What is it you have to tell us father?" he finishes staring at the slag
Legs Tuesday July 27th, 1999 7:58:55 AM
Legs looks at Tag Along and Ozymandius. Back and forth a few times. "He's your father?" Legs asks Tag Along.
Wind Tuesday July 27th, 1999 10:34:56 AM
"Your father?.....but I....I mean....OH! and she sits down.
Poison Tuesday July 27th, 1999 12:07:44 PM
Ignores the local barking dog and focuses in on the poor man.
Ozymandius Tuesday July 27th, 1999 9:07:59 PM
To Catcher Ozymandius turns and says, "I am the holder of the torch and the keeper of the everlasting flame. And thus is my double life revealed." To Tagalong he then focuses his attention once again and for a moment he looks totally sane. "I am not your father although we two birds have flown the same coup. We are truly two birds of a feather and we have flocked together. I have eaten my candy and bothered and have been bothered. Indeed I have come as the early bird to catch the worms. You, Tagalong and your friends, are those worms. So, I am thus revealed. Who am I? Tell me that and you will know something true. And that truth shall set you free."
"Knuckles" Tuesday July 27th, 1999 9:29:47 PM
" When are we going to be done with this nut. We are going to get in trouble."
'Bulldog' d20=4 Wednesday July 28th, 1999 9:49:21 AM
"worms we are not slaag ... begone now or I'll make ya" yhe burly youn boy then steps forward and attempts to give the old 'slaag' a shove towards the door.
Skippy Wednesday July 28th, 1999 9:49:22 AM
"You're a Slaag is what you are. We never heard of Ozymandius! Where's your torch, flamekeeper?" she jeered, bored with the stupid rhymes.
Tag Along Wednesday July 28th, 1999 9:49:23 AM
If thou are the early bird come to claim, then we must be your worms all the same. A seed will soon be planted in the ground. And its target the worms it will try to expound. Should we go underground and take the seed? Or shall we stay above the earth and let the birds feed. I know who you are from your speech, a man come to take us away from the heartseeds reach. Enough ryhme for now, i will speak the truth. You are a man coming to offer us away out of the heart seeds. To grow up free as you slags stay, but to skip the maturity that adulthood will bring us. Monk is happy and so shall we be. I have been a outcast my whole life and soon i will fit in. If you come to feed before the heartseeds do you found the wrong group. Leave now or some of the big kids will make you.
Wynd Wednesday July 28th, 1999 9:49:24 AM
A bit unsure of herself, and even a little bit more confused, Wynd manages to squeak out, "Was that Worms or Wyems, as in dragons?"
Catcher Wednesday July 28th, 1999 9:49:25 AM
"You play a dangerous game, Ozymandius," Catcher says, holding back Bulldog's shove.
Legs Wednesday July 28th, 1999 11:10:43 AM
"Um, what do you mean by the torch and the eternal flame? And how will knowing the truth of who you are set us free?" Legs is puzzled. He gives Bulldog a dark look, as though as to say, 'Back off.'
Poison Wednesday July 28th, 1999 11:47:38 AM
Standing she places herself in between Bulldog and the Slag, "I don't want to have to teach you a lesson in manners, but if you keep pushing I will. I will say it again so you can understand. One day you will be heart seeded, if something goes wrong you will wind up just like him. Ga'al teaches that you reap what you sow, so in simple terms if you are mean to a slag you become one who people are mean to. So sit down and SHUT UP!"
"Knuckles" Wednesday July 28th, 1999 12:25:47 PM
" You SHUT UP Poison, I know we shouldn't be mean and that he is just as he should be, but the fact is we should not be assossiating with these kind of people. What would your parents say if they saw you with him? "
Ari Wednesday July 28th, 1999 11:32:28 PM
Ari watches with amusement as the bigger kids move to throw out the Slaag. "Hey guys, you're much too loud. Keep it down or we'll all be on the wrong end of a whip and what time we have left in this place will be history."
'Bulldog' Thursday July 29th, 1999 11:30:07 AM
As catcher blocks his shove 'bulldog' steps to the side but responds to 'Poison' "knuckles is right we shouldn't have anything to do with him, I can't see why your defending that slaag" points at the slaag "you Better leave .. and take your rhymes with you!." not trying to approach him. And ignoring 'Legs' stare.
Asbury Thursday July 29th, 1999 11:33:27 AM
"Grrrrrrrr" as all the comotion becomes energized.
Ozymandius Thursday July 29th, 1999 11:33:28 AM
Ozymandius remains seated and ignores the chaos around him. Then, he speaks to Catcher. No look of insanity shows as he stares at him and those standing around him. "Yes, my young friend, I do indeed play a dangerous game...far more dangerous than you can possibly imagine for..." and he looks at his attackers, "I am not a Slaag."
Legs Thursday July 29th, 1999 11:33:29 AM
The gangly boy puts his right foot ahead of and to the left of his left foot, and sinks to a cross-legged position, facing 'Ozymandius.' He leans his elbow on his right knee, and his chin in his right hand. His stick rests across his lap. "So, who are you really, then?"
Tag Along Thursday July 29th, 1999 11:33:30 AM
"You never took the heartseed? SO does that mean you are a barbarian from the other side?" says tag as he hides behind the bigger kids
Wynd Thursday July 29th, 1999 12:12:10 PM
Abruptly sitting back down, sling forgotten and hanging limply in her hand, and in a trembly voice, Wynd stutters, aaare yyyou wwhhatt FFather ccalls a cccccultist?
Skippy Thursday July 29th, 1999 12:18:36 PM
She eased up to stand. "We could be punished by the priests just for talking to you!" She paused, driven by unwilling curiousity. "How do you escape the culls and roundups?"
Poison Thursday July 29th, 1999 12:28:33 PM
She whips around and stares at the old crazy man.
Catcher Thursday July 29th, 1999 6:45:39 PM
Looking steadily back at Ozzy, Catcher responds, "And what is the purpose of this 'game'?"
"Knuckles" Thursday July 29th, 1999 7:19:25 PM
" Yes, barbarian, we know your kind eats children. You will not be eating us. "
Bulldog & Asbury Friday July 30th, 1999 9:11:54 AM
Stunned to silence by the last statement. The stout youngster stands along side 'knuckles' confrontationally towards the stranger with a quick nod towards 'Tags' as the little fellow moves behind the two toughies. Awaiting the next words, torn, knowing he shouldn't. Asbury brushes up along side of his master, but moves no father.
Ari Friday July 30th, 1999 9:11:55 AM
::plops down staring at the man in disbelief:: Then his face turns hard. "Then you're an adult. You've found us out."
Ozymandius Friday July 30th, 1999 9:11:56 AM
To Legs, he smiles his crooked smile. "What I am? That's a very complicated question. But I will try to explain." To Tag he says, "Your question is a good place to begin. No, I have been heartseeded. And I very nearly did become a Slaag. Close enough that my rhyming is actually a side-effect of that close call and not a talent I came by naturally." He then opens his shirt, something that is never done except in church or in the home, and shows the tentacle that always protrudes from the chest. It looks like the ones you may have seen on your parents or older siblings. "However, I was saved by a very wise and powerful man who treated me and introduced me to others who are like myself: heartseeded, yet unjoined with Ga'al. And yes, Wynd, I guess I could be called what you're father calls a cultist." To Skippy he says, "I have escaped the Sacrifice Sweeps and culls as you put them so far because I do have a heartseed. I have also been lucky in that no priest has ah succeeded in checking the health of my heartseed or in attempting to attune with it." He turns to Catcher. "The purpose of this game is to come here and talk with you. I was impressed that you have hidden this place from your elders for so many turns." then he sits up a bit straighter. "Now, let me ask you some questions. Have any of your friends here or older brothers and sisters gone on to become Joined? You are getting close to that age yourself? How do you feel about this? What do you know about joinings? What do you think will happen?"
Tag Along Friday July 30th, 1999 9:11:57 AM
"I will be joined and no longer considered the Tag Along of the village passed from house to house. They will give me a trade and tehy will treat me good for a change instead of like the slaags son i am. I cant wait to be joined with Ga'al and civalized. You offer false hope and confussion to us, why do you wish to make us unpure for the heartseeds?" he says with a wet teared face balling away
Catcher Friday July 30th, 1999 9:23:12 AM
Catcher decides to stand back and hear what the others have to say, confused about the openness of this adult.
Wynd Friday July 30th, 1999 4:08:59 PM
Hesitantly Wynd speaks. I am the oldest of the children in my family but my brother was taken by the preists, what happens to those children? I think we have all had friends who have been seeded, I can think of one right off, and that was Monk. But he seems alright and happy.
Legs Friday July 30th, 1999 5:46:39 PM
"Yes," adds Legs. "My younger brother was chosen," he says matter of factly. "It is an honor to be chosen, my mother taught me." A far away look appears on his face. "And my baby brother, well ... his hand...." The boy's head drops down. He mumbles, "It was one of the few times my father yelled at me, because, because..." His shoulders start to shake. He inhales quickly a few times, then noticeably works to slow his breathing. After two deep breaths, Legs, with face void of expression, whispers, "I asked why Ga'al needed my brother's life force. Didn't he have enough life force of his own?" Another two breaths. "My father almost struck me. 'One should never question the needs of Ga'al. Never.' That's what he told me" Another breath. With flat affect, Legs says, "His hand - I mean, my baby brother's - was missing a few fingers."
"Knuckles" Friday July 30th, 1999 7:38:25 PM
" Yes, we will become adults and Ga'al will guide us. I do not know what is wrong with you, but we do not want to be in your cult. "
Skippy Friday July 30th, 1999 7:38:36 PM
Her face wondering, she whispered, "But you've already lied...you could be a priest come to spy on us..." She covered her face, unseeable in the shadows. "My sister--Alystraea. She's gone to Ga'al. She came back...she's fine. But..she used to be so different! Father taught us all how to read, for the store! She liked to make up stories about distant places and adventures she'd do! But she says now that she should never have thought about wanting to be somewhere else! But that's not the way she was! Nobody talks about what happens...but it's like she's someone else now!"
Bulldog & Asbury Saturday July 31st, 1999 11:05:16 AM
"I am the oldest one in my family, I am the first to become heartseeded of us. ..... .... I know nothing of how it's done as those things go unspoken, but my father is a good, hard working person. ... And will be proud to be just like him, ..heartseeded to Ga'al in his glory. .... not barbaric like ......." Reaches down to stroke Asbury for comfort, as well as to comfort his friend.
Ari Saturday July 31st, 1999 11:05:17 AM
Ari sits back by Tagalong and just listens, afraid to do more for the moment.
Ozymandius Saturday July 31st, 1999 11:05:18 AM
He smiles a moment in sympathy with Tag and then turns to the others. "Think for yourselves. Why does Ga'al want you to be "joined" with him? Why at the age of 13? You mentioned, motioning at Skippy, that your sister is different now. Instantly an adult. She never again ever questions anything about her life, Ga'al, and her personality has changed. She is someone different. What about Monk? Has his personality changed? Why does Ga'al want to change people's personalities? Why does he demand the deaths of the old or the different. Use your minds. Voice the thoughts and questions you're bound to have. Your parents won't answer them. Ga'al won't let them. I will answer your questions the best I can. Yours too Tag."
Catcher Saturday July 31st, 1999 11:05:19 AM
"If the Joining is such a special experience, why can't the adults to us express it? Why does it have to be a secret?"
Wynd Saturday July 31st, 1999 1:10:56 PM
Is it so we are all obedient to G'aal and accept things as they are? Boys become men and do the jobs that men do and girls become women, and do the things that women do. I am afraid that because I'm a gir, that I won't be allowed to follow in Father's footsteps.
Bulldog & Asbury Sunday August 1st, 1999 11:46:40 AM
Steadily "there are many things about life that we are not yet ready to understand. .... My parents watch out for me and my sisters. They do the best they can. They show no fear of Ga'al, ... only respect for what the 'great one' does for us all. Your words are but hisses from snakes to scare us. ..........Why do you wish to set us against one another ....you see what he trying to do to us ... corrupt us ...." the last he said to his friends, brimming with anger.
Tag Along Sunday August 1st, 1999 11:46:41 AM
"Ah yeah i worry about that stuff too. They said i couldnt do poetry or play my flute once i got to bean adult. PLus some older adults i used to hear talking about how i would only be good for a sacrifice to Ga'al. That wouldnt be real good." he says with his heads peeking out from the bigkids.
Skippy Sunday August 1st, 1999 2:21:09 PM
"Do you know what the Heartseed actually DOES to us?" she said, hardly daring to hope.
Legs Sunday August 1st, 1999 5:59:29 PM
"Yeah, I'd say Monk changed. A while back he told us about visiting his aunt somewhere. He met some men without heart seeds from beyond the boundary. They told him me lands and places beyond where a guy could do whatever he wanted to. I remember he said, 'No one told them what to do. Everyone was free.' And he had kind of a light in his eyes when he talked about it." Legs rests his stick on his neck, and puts his arms over, dangling from his elbows on it. "Later, after he had bonded, well, it was still Monk, except... You know how a fire, when it's really hot, the coals glow bright? Well, it was sort of like Monk's coals cooled off. He thought that further talk about what it was like for people beyond was foolishness."
"Knuckles" Monday August 2nd, 1999 12:25:01 PM
" My father is a priest, and he is strict. I don't always like being told what to do. I would love to just keep doing whatever I want, but that is just because I am not an adult yet...right? "
Ozymandius Monday August 2nd, 1999 11:43:19 PM
Turning to Wynd, Ozymandius says, "Have you seen any stores, businesses or ventures run by women? Have you seen any women priests? Ga'al does not allow women to take on what he deems to be positions of importance." Then he turns to Bulldog. "It is up to you to believe my words or to believe what you've been taught. It is a hard thing to hear something different. Why do you think, son, that Ga'al does not allow such differences of opinion? As an example, if the people who are living outside of Aisildur are such savages and in need of what Ga'al offers, why does he not then help these people as well and take them into his fold? Why are people not allowed to speak freely against Ga'al if they so choose to? Is it not a person's right to state their opinions? Hoever, one word spoken in public against Ga'al is cause for death. Is this fair? Is it right? Is it just?" He turns to Tag. "Why shouldn't you be allowed to bring happiness to people through the playing of your flute? Why shouldn't you be encouraged to study with a master flute player to learn to play like a master and then become a performer as an adult making the lives of all who hear your flute joyous? Is it fair to kill your grandparents and later your parents just because they become old? Don't they still have something to offer their families such as their wisdom and love?" He then pauses and turns to Legs and slows the tempo of his voice as it almost becomes a sad whisper. "You are very observant, milady. Monk, your friend, told you the truth. There are lands 'out there' where people are free to do the very thing Monk said. And I met those strangers he mentioned. They were truthful, honorable, and very brave and good." He pauses again. "Monk changed. The heartseed changed him. Did he want to be different? Forget the thoughts he expressed to you? No. The heartseed of Ga'al changed him. The heartseed makes Monk think what Ga'al wants him to think about such matters. It..." He looks directly at Bulldog and a tear forms in his eyes as he seems to remember something from long ago... "...it now controls him." Another pause. "It gives him rules that he must obey whether he wants to or not." A longer pause. His eyes bore into Bulldog. "It has made him a slave." That last word spoken as a loud whisper seems to hang in the air. "I wish I could have met him before....before."
Bulldog & Asbury Tuesday August 3rd, 1999 12:45:56 PM
After listening. The young boy kneels down to stroke Asbury and quietly ponders the strangers words. Showing no emotion, and keeping the stranger in focus before him. He waits to hear from the others ... ................. but says nothing.?
Ari * Tuesday August 3rd, 1999 12:57:02 PM
A low whisper to the stranger "slaves, did you say that everyone here in town, ... the adults ... are just slaves in silence ... to Ga'al" looks about at those in the room.
Legs Tuesday August 3rd, 1999 12:57:03 PM
"Well, why didn't your heart seed bind you as it does others?" Legs asks. [OOC the boy is not 'milady' :)]
Wynd Tuesday August 3rd, 1999 12:57:04 PM
Listening to Oz and sitting quietly, A few tears appear at the corners of her eyes, Hastily she wipes them away and in a quiet, shaky voice says It shouldn't be that way. people should get to be what they want to be.
Knuckles Thursday August 5th, 1999 6:21:15 PM
looks as he is thinking and finally says, " You are starting to make sense. I am sorry I was so aggressive, but what you are saying scares me to be honest." Knuckles looks to all his friends," Now, don't laugh at me guys, I know I act like I am the tough guy, but now I don't know what to do. I mean, this guy is making sense, but I just don't know. What can we do without Ga'al? Actually, do we even have a choice? What do you think would happen if we said we didn't want the heartseed? Do you think that they would say that's fine? No, they would kill us. I have finally made it to nearly becomeing an adult. I do not want to die."
Catcher Thursday August 5th, 1999 6:27:36 PM
" I am not going to be a slave. My father has taught me how to survive and find food and water while others go hungry and thirst. I don't think my father would truly want me to be a slave. Why is he willingly a slave? Why does he not question as we are now? "
Ozymandius Friday August 6th, 1999 8:18:16 PM
Turning to Ari and putting his hand gently on his shoulder he nods, "Yes, everyone joined with Ga'al is in some respects a slave. He or she is forced to believe the things tha Ga'al teaches." He touches the tendril sticking out of his chest. "I was given a magical potion both before and after my heartseeding that prevented the seed from controlling me. I still have to take a yearly draught of the stuff. It....is very painful. The....um, magician that makes these draughts says that they are shortening my days each time I take them. I look an older man, yet I am only forty two turns old." He stops pondering things for a few minutes and then adds his agreement to Wynd's words. "Yes it shouldn't be that way." He lets the silence have it's way for awhile. "The adults do not realize that they are slaves. They just find upon joining with Ga'al that their opinions before were wrong and his are right. I happen to disagree with that. It is wrong to make people think a certain way. It is wrong to kill the sick, old, and those born with problems. It is wrong to want to control a people. But I didn't come here just to tell you about how unfair it all was. It would be wrong of me to tell all of you this and leave you to your doom. I have a way out.
Tag Along Saturday August 7th, 1999 8:20:31 AM
But im not good at anything else but playing the flute and making up stories. And they wont let me do that." says the lithe boy as he steps away from the others. "I wont make a good leader, and i fear what the people say, that i will only be good for a sacrifice. But what choice does that leave us? I have no ties here if i run away i lose nothing. But, they all have families brothers and homes." he says making a sweeping gesture towards the group. "If we take what you appear to be offering we will most likely never be allowed to see them again." he says as he approaches the man it appears his fear melting away. "So you offer us a sense of freedom. And i do wish to become a master story tellar and travel the wold to collect my stories. If you offer me a chance, I think i will take it. That way i indeed may meet my dad some day to ask him the same questions i have asked of you." he says suddenly he looks in the mans eyes and with a stern expression "What is it i must do to be free
Wynd Saturday August 7th, 1999 1:39:16 PM
quietly but very firmly Wynd akss, "So what exactly is this way out? Is it this potion you speak of? How much shorter does it make ones life? and why is it painful.
Bulldog & Asbury Sunday August 8th, 1999 7:53:48 AM
"What do you mean a way out .... you mean a way that we'll never see our mothers and fathers again,.. because we'll be outcast. ... come on guys .. do you really want to take this seriously." stands up to look about at everyone. "I know that there are somethings that are not told to us, but I am not ready to jump after this old man after just one short meeting. I mean what do you all really think about this" (stubborn ain't he)( as he friends should well know)
Legs Sunday August 8th, 1999 11:42:07 PM
"What if people are doing bad things? Is it wrong to try to control them? Should there be no leadership? And no way to punish bad people, and keep them from doing more bad things?" Legs rubs the side of his face with his hand. "Now, I think you are right that just because someone is sick or old or has problems, people shouldn't kill them. I think sometimes people do that because they don't care about them enough to help them, and it's just easier to have them go away." Legs thinks a little bit more, and asks, "It's not wrong to help people think the right way, though, is it? Is that different than controlling them, do you think? I mean, if I think that eating a certain plant is a good idea, but my father knows it will give me a stomach ache, it's good for him to teach me, and warn me not to eat it, right? I guess, to tell the truth is right, right? And to tell lies is wrong?"
Catcher Monday August 9th, 1999 9:52:33 AM
Catcher, hearing his questions already voiced, waits to hear Ozzy respond.
Ari Monday August 9th, 1999 6:16:20 PM
"May I look closer at your seed?"
Poison Monday August 9th, 1999 10:48:38 PM
Finally stands up. "I have no family but these, the rest don't count any longer. I will go where they go."
Legs Tuesday August 10th, 1999 1:49:56 AM
"Do people, or gods, try to force others to believe stuff, because they're afraid others won't believe unless they're forced or tricked? Isn't truth strong enough to stand alone?"
Ozymandius Tuesday August 10th, 1999 2:19:56 AM
Ozymandius nods at Tag's statement seriously and then quickly turns his attention to Wynd. "Yes, one way out is to take the potion. But it is painful. The heartseed is forced into compliance. It....hurts because it constantly has to be weakened. You constantly make yourself sick to keep it under control and unable to join with Ga'al. There is another way though too. You can travel a dangerous journey across the land and attempt to join a second group of those who oppose Ga'al: THE PIRATES OF JACK! They have no heartseeds and sail the seas attacking Ga'al and helping the people of Aisildur as they can. It is a hard and dangerous life, but it is exciting as well." Then Ozymandius sobers turning to Bulldog's question. He absently strokes Asbury. "Fine dog you have here. Very loyal. It is good that you challenge me young man. You think deep and you protect your friends with your fierce loyalty. And yes, it is very likely that you will not see your family again. But you could spend your life fighting again Ga'al for all the families of Aisildur...fighting to overthrow the one that took and continues each day to take the freedom of your family. It is not easy. If it was that would be the first sign that I was lying to you." Then to Legs, "Continue to search your beliefs good sir. But should not people be able to decide about their life and choices for themselves? Did not the creator make us to choose the paths of our lives? I offer you the chance to choose your future rather than just accept Ga'al's. Helping people is different than forcing them. If a father protects his young son by not letting him roam the forest alone he does good, but if he refuses to let his sun take a chance and learn how to handle himself with a wild animal as he grows, he does wrong because he does not allow the son to learn from his mistakes. So he watches and advises and prepares to rescue the son if necessary, but holds back to let the son learn. His heart breaks to let his son take the chance, yet he knows he must. Ga'al takes these choices from you. He closes off the Wold to protect you..or at least that's the reason he provides. In truth, he knows that if you saw the rest of The Wold you would realize that you didn't need this kind of protection because it robs you of your freedoms. He is trying to keep the people of Ailsidur his slaves, both in mind and body so that they can live and die giving him their power. For four centuries he has done this and now few challenge his right to do so. He has grown powerful. He has not grown so powerful, though that he cannot be opposed by free and brave men and women. He will be defeated. I offer you the chance to join those who will save our people from this tyrant and devil!"
Catcher Tuesday August 10th, 1999 8:57:14 AM
Hearing the analogy about the forest, Catcher states,"I would rather die strong than weak, strong in spirt, mind, and body."
Ari Tuesday August 10th, 1999 12:23:48 PM
Ari continues to listen.
Skippy Tuesday August 10th, 1999 4:11:23 PM
Her emerald eyes shining, she looked up abruptly, "It doesn't matter. I won't stay. I won't EVER be a slave. I don't care if it's good for me or not. I'm going to run away."
Poison Tuesday August 10th, 1999 5:30:33 PM
"Pirates, I always wanted to fight a pirate!"
Bulldog & Asbury Wednesday August 11th, 1999 6:28:53 AM
Listens to his friends making the choices to leave the homes, his face hardens as he looks from one to the next. He holds his silence as they choose. His eyes hold a moment on Ari as he awaits all of them. .......... one hand tenderly scratches his friend 'Asbury' for comfort.
Wynd Wednesday August 11th, 1999 6:28:54 AM
Watching Ozy and her friends very closely, Wynd looks down at her feet and says. Either way we cant say godbye to our parents can we? I mean they would have to stop us wouldn't they? ::looking up and at Ozy:: So, where and how do we find this Jack and his pirates?
Tag Along Wednesday August 11th, 1999 6:28:55 AM
"A pirate of Jack, a jack of all trades. To ride the waves and hijack, but not to loot and sack. To fight for freedom of friend, i shall do this if my current life I know must end. So who shall stay and who shall go. The answer is easy for Tag, as there is no family to fore go. For my compatriots, to either decide on breakiing they heart, or having the seed go in the heart. A puzzle of life we recieve. I hope Ozy does not try to decieve." he finishes his little poem. "I will go be a pirate. Is my father a pirate. Do pirates like singing and music. I would be good at climbinh and looking in the crows nest i bet." he says kinda looking excited at a chance to escape the life that GA'al had set for him.
Ozymandius Wednesday August 11th, 1999 6:28:56 AM
Ozymandius listens intently to the discussion. To Wynd he says, "I can't tell you that just yet. You must all agree to go and swear to keep the information secret before I may reveal any details to you. Otherwise it puts many people at risk. A risk we're willing to take to save you, but only if you are together on this."
Legs Wednesday August 11th, 1999 6:28:57 AM
"Ozymandius ... is there a god greater than Ga'al? Who is truly good? I cannot go if there is not. If there is ..." He leaves the thought unfinished.
Catcher Wednesday August 11th, 1999 8:31:01 AM
Looking around at his companions, and seeing uncertainty in some of their eyes, Catcher steps forward and states, "Count me in."
Ari Wednesday August 11th, 1999 5:07:01 PM
"How can so many people be wrong? What proof is there, other than your words?"
Wynd Wednesday August 11th, 1999 5:15:42 PM
well, I guess I understand that, but .... ahh well, To Lemtravex with it. I'll go as well.
Poison Wednesday August 11th, 1999 7:13:35 PM
"If I get to be around pirates count me in, I never liked Aunt Kassie anyway!"
Tag Along Wednesday August 11th, 1999 7:13:36 PM
"Well the good news is no adults ever listen to me anyway. And if they do it will just be a another story i have made up. But i wont say anything."
Bulldog & Asbury Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:53 AM
Nodding in agreement with Legs's and Ari's comments. "yeah ... what can ...?" stammers not knowing really what to add. " Pirates.... why ?" Stress shows on his face as he says "never to see my sisters and family again .... thats too much to ask ...isn't it ?"
Ozymandius Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:54 AM
Ozymandius turns towards Legs, but freezes as Wynd speaks. He whips around, faster than you thought he could move, takes two steps and grabs Wynd by the throat lifting him up high off of the ground in an incredible feat of strength and anger. His teeth grinding together and his eyes seem to jut out of their sockets as he spits out at him demanding, "Where did you hear that name? Tell me or I'll slay you where you stand!" His fingers begin to close "Tell me! Now!"
Catcher d20=10 Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:55 AM
Yelling, "Get him!" Catcher charges to tackle Ozzy, hoping the group with overbear him with shear numbers.
Legs d20=20 d6=5 d20=9 Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:56 AM
"Leave Aelwyndas alone! You can't treat her that way!" Legs whips his knobby stick around quickly, aiming (called shot) for the back of Ozymandius' knee, hoping to drop him so he'll drop her. (6hp dam, but not trying to kill him!)
Tag Along Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:57 AM
::runs to the corner and hides as he plays his flute out of being nervous::
Ari d20=3 Thursday August 12th, 1999 8:46:58 AM
Ari will chop for the crook of the elbow, in order to try to get Oz to drop Wynd. In the excitement of everyone's reaction, his will miss since his aiming is now off.
Bulldog & Asbury d20=16 Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:23 PM
will charge, along with catcher, to help his friend by going for a body tackle (linebacker style) to take down the old man. (rolled 16, hits) Asbury "GGrrrrrrrrr" will not attack, but try and stay out of everyones way.
Poison d20=1 d20=16 Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:24 PM
The girl pulls her wooden sword and slashes at the other knee. (called shot, oops missed the first time and droped my sword.)
Wynd Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:25 PM
Suprised and frightened, Wynd dangles from Ozy's hand gasping and wheezing for breath, while trying to loosen his grip with her tiny hands. She manages to squeeze out a few words. Ccaan't ::gasp:: taalk, yer ::cough:: choking me, ::wheeze:: found ::gasp:: old bbooook. story. :: gasp:: you mean ::cough:: it's true. ::wheeze gasp::
Skippy d20=14 Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:26 PM
Skippy jumped up, knowing who her friends were, and threw a punch at Ozzie, trying to get a neck hold (uppercut, D1). "Stop it! Let her go, or we'll run for the priests! You can't get us all!"
DM Jerry (Round 1-party action) Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:27 PM
Ozymandius throws off Catcher's charge as he bounces off of Ozymandius' lean frame. Legs, though, strikes him effectively in the back of the knee causing Ozymandius, and Wynd to tumble into the fire squirting sparks in each direction as a mostly burnt log breaks apart. Ari flies right by where the two of them just were and sails into the hiding form of Tagalong. Bulldog charging at the same time tumbles over Ozymandius and Wynd barrelling over to the stairs that make the entrance to the den (he hit AC6 and missed). Poison's sword flies over to the stairs slapping harmlessly against Bulldog's back with the flat of the blade. Skippy's uppercut finds air as her target falls into the fire.
Ozymandius Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:14:28 PM
Ozymandius quickly rolls out of the fire and begins using his robe to put out the flames on Wynd. When she appears uninjured, he rolls off of her groaning in pain and holding his knee. "AAAuuugh! They should call you stick. Ohhh my knee!!!" He rolls around in agony. "You read it in a book? What book? Did it have a picture of an apricot on the cover or two children carrying a bucket of water down a hill?" Holy Lem! AUUUGH, my leg!"
Wynd Thursday August 12th, 1999 9:27:55 PM
Shaken, scorcher and still a bit scared, Wynd looks over at Ozy, massages her throat and says. Well it was kind of hard to see what was on the cover cause of the scorch marks but it could have been two kids carrying sumfin. Though on the first page was hand written "As the thumb is cut off from our hand, so are we cut off from our brothers." It seemed to be a story about this brother and sister, Apricot and Asagriot or sumfin like that. But the story wasn't all there. The pages were real burnt up and they just met that Lemtrovex guy and that was all. Then I heard a veil wearer use the word to refer to someone they were searching for. They called him an uncouth, G'aal bedamned, Lemtrovex loving heathen. thats all i know really. it just seemed like a neat word to use when I didn't want to swear.
Bulldog & Asbury d20=13 Friday August 13th, 1999 11:23:45 AM
as the old man seperates from Wynd and painfully looks after his knee. Bulldog places himself a step off to the side and forward of of his shaken friend. " you ok 'Wynd'" after a quick glance to make sure, the stout young boy gives a kick at the downed old man for good measure (missing). "You watch it there mister !"
Tag Along Friday August 13th, 1999 11:23:46 AM
"Stop fighting. He is my only chance to live. I have over heard the adults talking they all say i am to week to take the seed and will be given as sacrfice. Please dont fight, i dont want to die soon." says the scrawny youngster with tears in his eyes and a quivering lip. His flute clatters to the floor as he falls down into a heep.
Legs Friday August 13th, 1999 11:23:47 AM
Legs stands for a moment rather amazed at the instantaneous whirlwind of motion, and quick resolution. He sees his friends are pretty much all right, and that Wynd is breathing. He looks at her for a moment, and listens to his friends, and to the stranger. "I didn't want to hurt you, sir, but I can't let people hurt my friends." He hears Tag Along's plea. "If we go away, our families might get in trouble. But if there is a good and worthy god, who doesn't kill people just because they are not strong, who can help make us free ... For Tag Along's sake I will go. For my country I will go. If it's the way to truth, I will go." He hands his stick to Ozymandius, and holds out a hand to help him up. "Maybe this will help you walk till your knee feels better."
Legs Friday August 13th, 1999 11:23:48 AM
"Oh, and my friends don't call me Stick, they call me Legs."
Skippy Friday August 13th, 1999 11:23:49 AM
She gave him a disbelieving look. "How can you talk about looking for another god? You know how Ga'al is--why bother?"
Catcher Friday August 13th, 1999 12:04:14 PM
To the group, Catcher says, "I don't trust him. Anyone with a temper like that is trouble. He's probably a slaver looking for easy pickins'"
Ari Friday August 13th, 1999 12:53:00 PM
"I say, if he wishes to talk further, he gets in that corner over there, and we stand in this opposite corner. There are still many questions, but I agree, I do not trust him any more. Maybe this is what comes from not believing in Ga'al's words. Maybe it's people like you, which is why my father wants to build this 'ultimate' weapon.
Poison Friday August 13th, 1999 5:17:22 PM
posion walks over and picks up her sword. Then takes up a guard position near the stairs. Her smile is gone and she watches everthing silintly.
Bulldog & Asbury Saturday August 14th, 1999 10:58:12 AM
motioning for Asbury to come to him. "good idea Ari, just sit over there old man ...." pointing to the opposite corner as he ponders on what questions to ask next.
Ozymandius Sunday August 15th, 1999 12:20:04 AM
"Thanks Legs." He tries to stand, but sits again rather quickly wincing in pain. "The story is of Apricot and Ascariot. If the priests got ahold of that book, they's kill your whold family and probably your friends here. Ga'al wants to destroy all copies of that book, because it's true. It tells the story of how the resistance momement against Ga'al, the group I am a member of, and the Pirates of Jack came to be. Sorry I reactied as I did. That name is not permitted by those joined with Ga'al. I thought you were setting me up and working for the priests for a few moments there." He pauses and rubs his knee. "Shall I tell you the story? It will tell you of another god, Lemtrovex, that helps the people of the resistance and The Pirates of Jack. Besides, I do want to help you. Otherwise, I'd never have risked contacting you. Also, I don't think I could leave right now if I wanted to."
Wynd Sunday August 15th, 1999 2:33:29 PM
I would like to hear the rest of the story, so yes please tell us. As for the burnt, partial, copy of the book I found, it is still where I found it, in the burnt ruins of a small shack in the forest that Father works.
Bulldog & Asbury Monday August 16th, 1999 7:36:12 AM
Watches as the old man sits down and then does likewise, with Asbury closely at his side. "Go on then tell us of this other ... God ? ... then ...... I ... uhhh .. WE are listening .." uncomfortably awaits.
Legs Monday August 16th, 1999 7:36:13 AM
To Skippy's question, Legs just shrugs his shoulders. As his friends decide, with caution, to listen further to this strange man, Legs sits on the other side of Asbury, and settles in for the story.
Catcher Monday August 16th, 1999 11:00:41 AM
Moving over to the entrance, Catcher keeps an eye out for any other intruders, and warily watches Ozzy.
Skippy Monday August 16th, 1999 11:23:28 AM
She kept to herself, sitting back. No matter what the outcome of her friends' decisions, SHE, at least, would be gone soon.
Ari Monday August 16th, 1999 12:31:50 PM
"You would kill the priests of Ga'al? What do they do that they deserve instant death? Would you like me to take a look at leg. If you are injured, I could try to make you comfortable, but I would require that you sit."
Tag Along Monday August 16th, 1999 12:31:51 PM
::wiping his eyes with a clentched fist tag looks around. "I like stories please do tell it." he says as he picks up his flute and plays accompanying musci
Ozymandius Monday August 16th, 1999 11:48:18 PM
"Very well. Here is the story of Apricot and Ascariot. There are a group of Aisildurians who were not conquered by The Heartspider. These people do not worship Ga'al, but worship the dragon god, Lemtravex. These people are loyal citizens of Aisildur, the nation, but not of its new cult god. When the cataclysm became imminent, the Gods of The Wold said it was coming to them because of faithlessness and they would be chastised for their unfaithful ways. Instead of repenting and begging for their lives, most people decided to make a run for it. Many struck out overland for Elenna, a naive country of farmers, sailors, and simple folk who were to be spared for their innocence and faith. Others sailed to Elenna via the sea. As they left the borders of the old country, all knowledge of how to pray to their gods, ask for spells, or even say their names were wiped from their memories. With no priests to lead them, they were vulnerable to the priestly forces of The Elennians. Just as it seemed that all was lost, Ga'al appeared to the defunct priestly leaders and offered survival and then victory. The price: adoption of Ga'al in its different manifestations* as the God of Aisildur and complete obedience. They accepted and with new found power and zeal quickly carved out the area south of Shadow Mountain and west of Blackbird Lake as the territory for a new empire. When the Gods of The Wold saw the utter wickedness and the mass exodus defying them, they drew to themselves a remnant of the faithful and told them that they too were to leave the homeland, for it was to be destroyed. The gods would be with them and guide them to their wicked brothers where they would dwell in secret. A friendly and brave god would then reveal itself to them and guide them through the dark times of the fifth age. So they did. And they forgot the old gods along with their true purpose and were welcomed in Aisildur. -------------------------------- After the war, the Aisildurians began to bury the dead and settle into their new empire. As with all god/mortal relationships, they drift apart when crises are over. Ga'al, though, reminded its priests of their promise: complete obedience. Since it was not being honored by choice, he would take it by right. Ga'al began with the priesthood and royalty, telling them they would be put to sleep and awaken wearing the Mark of Ga'al for all to see, and Heartseeds were installed. This, of course, took all free-will away from the recipients, at least as far as worshipping Ga'al was concerned. The spider also enabled Ga'al to instill in the recipient the tenants upon which Ga'al wished the Aisildurians to build their lives. As the royalty began to be called upon by the priests, two young grandchildren of Ayorsa the Conqueror, Ascariot and Apricot, decided to sneak into the temple to watch their father and grandfather receive the Mark of Ga'al. When the children were secure in their hiding place, they settled in to watch. Their sires entered and were placed on mats. Then they were given a potion to drink. Slowly they went into a hypnotic trance and began to speak strange words and praise Ga'al with voices other than their own. The priests then ripped open their tunics and carefully laid a small black pulsating egg on each man's chest. The egg began to expand and then burst sending black ichor everywhere raising a holy stench to Ga'al on high. Inside a small blackish plant quickly began to burrow with their teeth into the chest of the king and his heir. When Apricot saw her granddad scream in pain and torture, and blood spurt out of his chest, she screamed in terror only to find that her brother had covered her mouth with his hand and so no sound came out. He held her, letting her bite his thumb as a bridle in her mouth. Then their dad opened his eyes in surprise and saw what was going on and his children cowering in the balcony---the look on their faces caused him to begin to fight the drugs and the Heartseed. Several priests came running and held him down and administered another potion forcing it down his throat. The brave father of Ascariot and Apricot screamed out, "Run my children! Run for your live and the lives of my people. We are truly forsaken." He then collapsed into unconsciousness. The children ran, Apricot tripping over her own small feet. It was a short time later hiding in an alley that Ayorsa looked down at his throbbing hand only to faint with horror. His thumb was missing.....found in Apricot's mouth. They eventually made their way to the apartment of their tutor, me, Dr. Cornelius and told me breathlessly what had happened. I helped them escape and we began spreading the word of the evil Heartseeds. We began with the intelligencia and spread from there to the nobility and gentry. As the word spread, however, many refused to believe us and the clerical propaganda machine quickly labeled the "non-believers" as traitors to Aisildur and the Emperor quickly followed suit disowning the grandchildren and their followers. He arrested and killed their mother publicly executing her along with other sympathizers when they didn't turn themselves in. This continued for several months until all citizens were initiated with the Heartseeds and were joined with Ga'al. --------------------------------- The thumbless hand became the secret sign of recognition and the call-sign: As the thumb is cut off from the hand, So we are from our brothers. This also grew to be the standard beginning of punishments for those of The Dragon Cult who were caught by the Priesthood. Over the next few years, the children with Dr. Cornelius stayed on the run one step ahead of those who would pursue them. --------------------------------------- When Ayorsa and Apricot came of age, they expressed the need to visit their mother's unmarked grave in the Capital City. They made there way there in time to honor the site with their most trusted followers on the 10th anniversary of her death. Many rumors of Dragon Cult meetings were placed to increase the margin of safety. As the ceremony began, Apricot asked to enter the site alone and then to follow after a time. Apricot approached the unmarked grave and said, Dearest Mother, I cannot remember your face or your smile, but I do remember your laugh and your love for me as a child. I also remember watching you being carried to the executioners stand and how brave you were. I came here as the leader of the true people of Aisildur to honor your sacrifice. We have a symbol among us that is a signal and a sign of honor. I honor you, my dear mother in this way. When Ayorsa and the others entered, they saw Apricot weeping and holding her dismembered thumb. Slowly a wind began to blow cooling sweat and tears. One of the number closed the mausoleum door. The wind continued and increased. As it reached gale force, the resistance leaders huddled together in fear, afraid the Ga'al had caught up with them at last. Then out from behind the sarcophagus stepped a figure dressed in gold and white. The resistance leaders drew their swards and strategically withdrew a few steps. The figure, a man, handsome and wise of face, held out his hands in a gesture of peace and said, "My name is Lemtrovex. I have come to help." "How?" stated Ayorsa simply. "I wish to insure that you survive as a people and ultimately defeat the evil which controls your loved ones and killed Alice your mother." "Are you a god?" asked Apricot. "Yes." "Do we have to worship you?" challenged Ayorsa. "No." "Can we?" pressed Apricot. "If you choose." Ayorsa said, "If you would help us, there is an act of trust that you must submit to in order to prove your sincerity." "I understand," said the god. Lemtrovex stepped forward and placed his hand on the altar, fingers spread. Ayorsa stepped forward to do the deed, but Apricot stopped him and said to her brother, "Stop! You don't believe in him do you?" "I have my doubts," stated Ayorsa. "If you cut off his finger, will you believe him? Believe in him? Accept him as your god?" asked Apricot. "No," stated Ayorsa. "Then it accomplishes nothing except pain. Give me the knife." She took it from his unyielding hands with surprising force and said, "If you would worship Lemtrovex stand at my right hand and bare your finger before me, for how can we refuse to do what our savior god, Lemtrovex, is willing to do. You will become our priesthood." About half of the rebellion leaders moved to her right hand and bared their fingers. "Now," Apricot continued, "Those of you who would accept the help of Lemtrovex the God and let him assist us as we strive to save our country from Gall stand at my right hand. To defeat a god, we need the help of a god." All except Ayorsa stood at her right or left. She said, "Brother, where do you stand? At my right or at my left?" "Neither," said he. "There is no proof that this creature is a god even if his cut finger can prove his loyalty which it doesn't. Powerful mages could accomplish the same things that this being has. So could the vile priests of Ga'al." Lemtrovex said, "Are you Apricot's brother?" "Yes," answered Ayorsa. "Prove it," continued Lemtrovex. "Ayorsa thought for a moment and said, "I cannot." "Wisely reasoned," spoke Lemtrovex. "It takes trust and ultimately faith. Trust your sister. I will, however, in the interest of trust and honesty reveal to you another of my true forms. Perhaps it will help your faith." And with those words, Lemtrovex, with a blinding flash, burst open the sepulcher, laying the four walls flat, spinning the roof into the distance and showed his true form: a huge gold dragon. It seemed appropriate at that moment for the mortals of the resistance to fall to the ground and worship him. And led by Apricot, that is what they did. Thus began the worship of Lemtrovex as god of the resistance and god of the True Aisildurians who became known as the Dragon Cult. But Ayorsa remained standing and did not worship saying, "I believe you are a god and I accept your help, but I also know that you are not Aisildurian. This is our problem to be solved by us. I accept your help in dealing with Ga'al, but the rest must be done by us true Aisildurians. "Thus I will go out from amongst you and find others who think as I do. We will then take to the sea and the Westerly Islands where we will build up the strength to oppose Ga'al, his evil followers and his helpless worshippers--the true people of Aisildur!" Lemtrovex replied, "Well thought Ayorsa. You shall come to be known as Jack, King of Slaags. And each sibling standing before me, Ayorsa and Apricot, will lead their own way to victory." And this is the tale of the birth and evolution of the resistance groups known as The Dragon Cult and the Pirates of Jack. -------------------------------- Although ultimately, no thumbs other than Apricot's and Ayorsa's were cut off, this served as a symbol for the Dragon Cult. The Priesthood, though, still had a foolproof method of determining whether a person was a Cult member. They had no Heartseeds. The clerics and mages of the Culthood wrestled with this problem for decades to no avail. Then as one mage involved in the research was wondering a marketplace in search of a rare component, a Slaag approached him and said, "Anion?" Yes. I was sure it was still you. Anion had a problem and could not find the answer. After asking everyone he knew for help, he finally took the answer from his enemy." "What?" said Anion. "Yes exactly!" responded the Slaag. "And so I give it unto you! Jill, get your pail of water. The man must have his answer!" A rare female vagrant then approached with an actual pail. However, the contents looked to be blood. She pushed the pail into the mages grasp and both of them disappeared into the crown mumbling nonsense and singing, "We shall be one in heart, Even though we are of two hearts. The two shall be as one. The two shall be as one!" He returned to the Resistance Hold and began to examine the blood like substance in the pail. Sure enough it was magical in nature. Many weeks later, he along with the other researchers were still stumped. Yet something in Anion's subconscious told him that there was something to this pail of blood. Later, he found himself humming an old tune. His fellow researcher Aightar, Priest of Lemtrovex, said, "Anion, stop that humming, I can't concentrate!" "Humming?" "Yeah, humming!" Then something clicked in Anion's subconscious and made that huge leap into full consciousness. "That's it!" Anion said, standing and knocking over the vials the two had been mixing. "What?" asked Aightar. "Give me something to write on." Aightar turned to get some manuscript as Anion grabbed a pen and began writing on the desk they were working at... "We shall be one in heart, even though we are of two hearts. The two shall be as one. The two shall be as one!" Anion shouted out the last line. "What?" asked Aightar. "The two shall be as one! We've gone about this all wrong. We've tried to simulate plants that would look like the Heartseed. We've tried to install dead Heartseeds into animals. We've tried to negate the controlling properties of the Heartseed once it had been installed. However, there is one thing we have not tried. Using it prior to insertion of the Heartseed! If this stuff enabled us to survive the installation of the Heartseed with our sanity still intact and not under the control of Ga'al, we could live normal lives. Come out of hiding. We would be able to disguise ourselves as a normal family, or pose as Slaags and therefore be exempt from Sacrifice Sweeps and Holy Day Services!" "That's amazing!" said Aightar. The last augury I performed concerning our research said that the answer had something to do with the outcast. I assumed that it meant us, not the Jacks. Let's get to work." A few short weeks later, two brave 13 year olds personally underwent Heartseeding after taking the Blood Serum. The results were successful, but there was an unexpected side effect. The Heartseed was not controlling the recipient, however a Mania was developing in both recipients. Ascariot was becoming disposed toward saying everything backwards, while Aizard began predicting odd things of minimal importance that would come true a few minutes later. Both of them were experiencing a noticeable loss of intelligence. Research continued. Conditions did not improve. All the brave young men and women who volunteered to try the potion which was now being reproduced from scratch, kept their own minds, but still became Vagrants as far as being disposed towards a singular "mania" and a partial loss of intelligence. About this time, the Jack of Pirates succeeded in spreading a magical wasting disease throughout much of the aristocracy, priesthood, and Armed Forces. The Emperor took his vengeance out on the Dragon Cult. Several large Dragon Clans were located and captured. Things were looking grim. Apricot was fading from old age and a lifetime of running. Her daughter Ascariot, who was being prepped for leadership, decided that she must undergo the procedure to determine whether she would be able to lead the Dragon Cult after Heartseeding. She underwent the procedure in secret and survived. She seemed to undergo no ill-effects other than wanting to have everything extremely clean and organized...something she already had an affinity for before the Heartseeding. Apricot in a tearful ceremony, turned over the leadership to her daughter and all waited to see what Ascariot's first request would be. All bared and spread their hands in the time-honored fashion which said they would follow her leadership and die for the cause should that prove necessary. Ascariot then stood and said, "My people, I challenge you to a sacrifice greater than any you have yet given to the cause of freedom and yet no less than the sacrifice of those who have died amongst us for that same cause. I challenge each young man and woman to..." and she bared her chest, "submit to Heartseeding." No one spoke or said anything. She continued, "This will ensure our future as we will be able to pass among the people as Vagrants and the risk we take of being discovered will be lessened for future generations. We will continue to strive to remove the harmful side effects of Mania and Intelligence loss, but I feel that the sacrifice is worth what we would achieve. Those who are older will continue to live in hiding as before, but your hearts will be light knowing that your descendants are better protected from the enemy and better equipped to fight than any who have come before." The silence continued, then one by one every child of age 13 came forward and bared their chests before the assembly showing their willingness to enter a new age of resistance. And so the Dragon Cult exists until this day. Living in an insane world while trying to master their own personal mania seeking that most important of causes: freedom for them and their people.
Catcher Tuesday August 17th, 1999 7:31:57 AM
Impressed by the tale, Catcher says, "I have many parts of that tale, but it makes sense, taken as a whole. One question: You said the grandchildren came to you -- how long ago was this?"
Wynd Tuesday August 17th, 1999 8:08:05 AM
So thats how that story ended....Well, I'm still not sure about this Lem guy but I am all for not having something eating into my chest ::shudders:: and controling me for the rest of my life.
Bulldog & Asbury Tuesday August 17th, 1999 10:35:07 AM
Nods in agreement with Catcher question .. Awed with the story the young boy sits in silence for a moment before turning to 'Tags' and asks a question to all "If we must still be given to the heartseeding no matter what our choice comes to ....what will happen to "tags' here if they truly won't allow him the chance ... because he may be to weak to accept it ..." looks back at the old man for a moment then back to his friend 'Tags' "you did say It was all of us or none .. old man ?" a steady voice says as he turns back towards Ozzy " And you have now told us this story ... what if we still choose to reject you now ?"
Poison Tuesday August 17th, 1999 5:23:37 PM
Stands at guard.
Legs Tuesday August 17th, 1999 9:41:17 PM
He looks at the girl who earlier safely held a honeybee in her hand. "What do you think, Skippy?" Legs asks.
Skippy Tuesday August 17th, 1999 10:13:45 PM
She tossed her hair. "Well, they made up that part about those 'faithful' that the supposed Old Gods brought here..He just said nobody could remember, so how could they know? But Ozzie HAS a Heartseed. We KNOW what happened to everyone else who's got one. They go crazy like Slaags, or they become someone different. So what's the difference? Do you wanna be a slave or a crazy or a sacrifice? What kinda choice is that? Who cares if somebody else decided that's good? According to that story, we're already a bunch of bad worshippers to the Old Gods. At least Ozzie here, no matter what he might REALLY be, offers something different. A chance for US to find out how things are, and decide for ourselves! But if we wanna watch out, we gotta stick together and not let anybody tear us apart! I want to help my little sister, but if I try to take her with me now, she'll just slow me down. Maybe I can make it, and come back for her. Maybe I can find a way to help my mom..." Her green eyes filled again, as her mouth tightened and she wrapped her arms around her. "I know what I'm going to do..."
Tag Along Tuesday August 17th, 1999 10:13:46 PM
"If you decide to take the heart seed and ignore the help we are offerd i will be sacrificed to Ga'al at the time you are all given your heart seeds. But, if that is all of your desicions its fine with me, your the only family i ever have known." he says after Bulldogs question,.
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