"Der ain't no beyond da woods."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:03, Mon 08 Mar 2010.

Yana shakes her head.
It just sounds....awful.   I was planning to explore other worlds, but.....now I wonder if I'm really ready for it.

"Um...not that I know of...there was some rumors of mutated zombie animals, but not any I have seen so far." I say looking at this dragon thing. "By the by, what are you? I can hazard Aramendel is an elf, are you a kolbold or somesort of dragon? No offense."

In reply to Yana Whitlock (msg #2):

"Not really, I've seen some beautiful stuff out there."

In reply to Jesse (msg #4):

Yana looked at Jesse, her eyes dubious, after the "zombie story" but intrigued.

Oh?  Like what?

I have to admit, I've only seen just a small part of my own world, and this place.  I've yet to "avail" myself of the, um.... "travel options" of the Tavern.

He looks at this eastern human with out any real expression.  "I am Parker of the Dragon Borne."

In reply to Yana Whitlock (msg #5):

"I've seen monsters repent and give everything away to those less fortunate. Victims of un-inmaginable suffering forgive thier tormenters. Enemies of generations band together for a better life. Strangers seperated by culture, language, religion act together to help the dead, the dying, and the damned." Jesse explained with a smile.

"Of course if you thought I meant actual beauty, there's some of that too." He looked up, reminiscing. "Just because there is darkness does not mean light is absent. Yin and Yang."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Mon 27 July 2009.

Yana nods, most of the philosophy going over her head.

I don't know who "Yin' and "Yang" are, but I think I know what you mean.  I've seen people at their worst and best, too.  I guess people aren't really that different no matter where you go.

She grins.

In reply to Parker (msg #6):

"Greetings Parker of the Dragon Borne. I am Jesse(Crash), pleased to meet you." Jesse nodded.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Mon 27 July 2009.

The Professor approaches and says "I am the Professor, pleased to meet you all." he pops a gummi bear in his mouth from a small paper bag he pulls from his pocket.

In reply to Yana Whitlock (msg #8):

"Yin and Yang is a symbol actually." Jesse reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a piece cloth with a circle dyed onto it. It was split in an S curve with a white piece and black piece, there was a black dot in the white and a white dot in the black. "There needs to be darkness of light to exsist and vice versa. However there is also darkness in the light and light in the darkness. There is a 'real world' principle behind it, do you wish for me to explain."

Jesse turned to the newcomer. "Hello, Professor...?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Mon 27 July 2009.

Yana looked at the strange holy symbol the young man was holding.

Yes, please.  Could you tell me about it?

In reply to Yana Whitlock (msg #12):

"Well basicly it means that opposites must exist with one and other, and turn into one another, as well 'bleed' into each other." Jesse says as he puts the cloth on the table, it smells faintly of oil. "For example if you have a criminal you usually have a lawman. Of course circumstances may change and the criminal can turn into a security tradesman and the lawman into a assassin. The third part is these two dots here." He motions at the symbol as he speaks, pointing at the two sides and where they terminate into one another. "There is darkness in the light and light in the darkness. The lawman may be a tyrant who oversteps his bounds, the criminal might be trying to feed a starving familiy.  I am no expert, but it is usually interpreted like that.

Yana nods, clearly fascinated.

I suscribe to a somewhat similar belief system.  I believe in staying neutral in most things, though I send towards the "light" more often than not.  Mostly, I guess, because it's more fragile than the "darkness."

"True, but I don't believe that particular view. Light can just be as harsh and horrible as darkness; and darkness be just as soft and beautiful as light." Jesse replied with an thoughtful look. "The greatest evil is not done by demon or a devil, but by a saint. The greatest good is not done by a angel or holy spirt but by a monster." He caught Yana's look. "I'll explain!"

OCC: Waiting for an reaction from Yana
This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Mon 27 July 2009.

"I don't know what you mean by Esteedee, but the ones I have faced were raised with dark magic. They are usually powered by negative energy, giving them an unnatural life."

As the topic shifted to the philosophical, Aramen's interest did not wane.

"I have heard a few versions of similar examples. Everything needs a balance, I guess, but I don't know. Breaking laws and being evil are two different things. True evil is a detriment to all that work for betterment and should be quelled, but laws of mortals should all be taken with a grain of salt. They are to keep order, not benevolence."

In reply to Aramendel (msg #16):

"STD mean sexually transmited disease, it is a catagory of sickness that is characterized by sickness transfered though fuild, or in this case the fuilds tranfered during sex. The undead of my world was created by disease, the disease lived in the blood, saliva, and whatever else the zombies leaked. If it was able to spit blood into your eyes and mouth, they would be a high possiblity of infection." Jesse replied. "They were essentially dead, heart stopped, lungs do not draw air, such and such; but their brains and spines are still needed to transmit movement and desire to feed. If you were to sever the spine, depending on placement it could be unable to use its legs to be unable to move its body. I do not know much about dark magic undead, other then from mass media and games." He said with a questioning look.

"Um...That was just an example of opposites. If you wish for me to rephrase. Take a killer and a priest. I killer kills and priest does not. A killer may repent and become a priest, while a priest may fall and become a killer. A killer may kill for the sake of his familiy, destorying those that would threaten them. A priest may preach hate and bigotry against all that are different, he may spur the fires of hate untill it ends in the death of innocents." Jesse explained. "Light exists within darkness, darkness exists within light. They contrast and match; repel, and merge. One becomes the other, the other become one."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Mon 27 July 2009.

In reply to Jesse (msg #15):

Yana gives Jesse a very skeptical and amused look.
Well, I know that good or evil done by something that you don't expect to do it would SEEM more extreme and strange, but the evil and good, by itself, wouldn't be different.  Maybe people's reactions, I guess.  I'd feel a lot more "betrayed" by an evil saint then an evil demon, I guess.

"What I meant was the truest evil is not achieved by the men who think themselves the villain. The truest evil is done by the good man who does what he feels he must, and thus he does it without hesitation. The reverse also, The truest good is not achieved by the men who think themselves the hero. The truest good is done by the bad man who does good for he has done evil, and thus knows the cost of action. It is the contrast and match; repel and merge." Jesse finished. "...please tell me the truth, did I make a fool out of myself?" He asked with an embaressed smile as he scratched the back of his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:18, Mon 27 July 2009.

The dark haired lass laughs.

I'd LOVE to say "yes" to you, but I think you lost me about half way through.   

She snickers and grins at him.

Well, actually, I think I know what you're trying to say.  It's like the 'betrayal' thing that I mentioned.  If I stab a hated business rival, it's and evil act.  But if I stab you, especially after inviting you to sit here, it seems more evil.

As she nods, she stops suddenly.  Her face lights up with understanding.

OH!  Wait, I think I see.
You mean, like a good man doing something evil, but thinking that it's for a good cause.  It's more evil because he wouldn't THINK that it's evil, where an evil man might limit himself more, knowing that he's doing an evil thing?

"Yes and no, there are alot of situational conditions, but in the interest of moving on yes you mostly got it." Jesse give an embressed chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head. *gurgle* His stomach was protesting its emptiness.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Mon 27 July 2009.

Tori looked around the room and shook her head.  She needed to think for a bit.  She looked around and noticed that the young girl with purple hair had not returned, nor had the man that had escorted her.

She stood and went to try and find them.  It would at least give her some time to think as she did so.
<<side room 1>>

Yana seems to cock her head when Jesse's stomach gurgles.  She smiles a bit, but it she's embarrassed or disgusted, she hides it.

I'm sorry, I've kept you talking when you should be enjoying the food here at the Tavern.  I love the stew, but then again, I haven't tried too much yet.  Also, this coconut cake is DELICIOUS!!!

The young girl waves over a tavern server for Jesse's order.

"I'll try it." Jesse nods in thanks. "I havn't eaten all day...?" He looked unsure of the time past. "So what does one "do" around here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Mon 27 July 2009.

Yana takes another slice of cake and drinks some more milk.

Yes, I feel full of energy.  They say it's an ingrediant called "sugar".  I've seen it in expensive candy shops in large cities, but never knew you could BAKE with it.

She grins.

"Was it a white or brown grainy substance distilled from sweet plants?" Jesse asked. "Or was it developed from something called coca? Expensive shops, Ay? You must do very well for yourself." He smiled warmly.

Yana laughs a bit.

"Do WELL for myself"?  Well, if having to sneak into a Ogre's lair, and kill him to save some villagers, then have to root around in his filth for whatever possessions are actually worth something is "doing well", then I suppose I am. 

She smiles.
I guess I've done alright.  There are many evil creatures in the world that need "stopping" and they usually have plenty of gold that they don't need.

"Wow. Why you've done better then me!" Jesse said, amzaed. "I've mostly been trying to survive with bits of altruism and semi-kind-hearted mercenary work peppered in. You're one of those Bona-Fide Adventuring Heroes, am I right? Saving the day and getting paid well for the deed." He said.

Yana grinned, and blushed a bit at the look of amazement on Jesse's face.

Weeeeeeellllll....that's a "sort of" to both points.    We DID go after evil cults and the like, but most of our "pay' was robbing them once we killed them.  Um...well, I guess "looted" would be a more accurate word.

Still blushing shyly, she also grinned a bit at the memories.

"Oh?! A fellow looter." Jesse smiled brightly. "We need to compare looting statergies and we got to exchange stories!"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Mon 27 July 2009.

Excitedly, Yana begins related "treasure hunting" stories, about digging through an ogre's midden for his hidden gold and cutting open a giant slug for swallowed gems, seemingly oblivious to the fact that people are eating at the table.

Aramen slid the cake away from Yana when she wasn't looking, remembering how hyper she got last time she was indulging in the cake. 

"Money seemed to find us, I guess. I never really worked for coin, well not recently. Money just seems to fall into my lap for the same reason. No point in letting gold or goods go to waste of corpses.  Its hardly my motivation but I guess its a nice perk. As long as the work done is for the greater good, I think motivation really matters little."

Aramen listened to some of the stories, being a player in a few it was fun to hear from the outside. It was also nice to hear a few from when they parted ways.

Yana laughed and gave Aramendel an exasperated look.

"Never WORKED"?  Look, "O Great Sword Savant", killing goblins, ogres, and evil priests might have been boring to you, but SOME of us considered it "work"!

She laughed again, seeming much more amused than offended.

"Relax dear, I don't mean it wasn't work. I sweat same as you. I mean that I didn't do it for the gold. Knowing I was helping people out and controlling the goblin population was more of a reward to me than the shiny metal we got in return."

"There was this incident with a deranged survivor living in a small...market, if you will...I could tell there was nothing worth having there, no food, no water, no nothing; but he kept attacking me, I was forced to kill him least he draw every undead prick on the block. Found out he was guarding these." Jesse said, pulling out a kevlar bank bag from his backpack. He opened it to reveal jewelry and 50,000 cash bricks. "The madman hadn't bothered with food or water and taken this, I only took it as another reason to survive so I could spend it. Of course the authorities would have probably arrested me for doing that."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Mon 27 July 2009.

In reply to Aramendel (msg #34):

Yana gave a sheepish smile and shrugged.
Well.....keeping the gobs under control is a fine thing, and could be very enjoyable, but a girl's GOT to have nice things.   You know, like food and shelter.   

She chuckled a bit and blushed.
Annnnnnddd........maybe a few other things, like jewels, and magic weapons, and expensive clothes. 
Still smiling, she sighed.
Perhaps my motivations were a little less....altruistic than yours, my love, but I'm learning.  Besides, once I don't have to worry about money anymore, THEN I'll be able to do lots of good without worrying about such things.

Yana looks at Jesse, her eyes sparkling at the jewelry.  She looks at the cash questioningly, probably assuming that they're currency, but obviously not familiar with paper money.

Well, Jesse, there's an old saying on my world: "The dead don't need gold to stay dead".   If you defended  yourself, fair and square, I think that you're entitled to the spoils of war.

She nods encouragingly.

"Well the we have laws against that sort of thing. If I had just found this in the street and waited a month for the Police to find the owner, I would have been able to keep it if no owner was founded." Jesse shrugged. "But since I killed a man and took this of his corpse, even if it was self-defense, I would have probably be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Yana chuckled a bit, covertly dragging her plate full of cake back to her.

Yes, we have something similar in our civilized areas.  That's why we adventurers usually go to the wild lands to do our adventuring.  It's outside the magistrate's jurisdiction.  Then again, in a city, I'd have no compuction about keeping found money.  I suppose you could find the owner of a bag of coins, but the process would cost more money than what was probably in the bag.

"The police would actually handle that. There is just a law that states you must turn in lost valuables when the worth is at a certain number. There is nothing actually stopping you from keeping what you find. It is an unenforcable law." Jesse shrugged.

Yana giggles.
The "police" are like the town militia or city guard?   And they have a "law" that any citizen must "turn in" found valuables so that the authorities can find the "lawful owner"?   Yes, we have that scam in my world too, but our guards aren't quite so blantant about it.

"Actually they do return items to their lawful owner. Most people usually just complain that they're slow, brutal, racist, or incompentant. They are not militia, or guards. They enforce the law and maintian the peace. We have the ability to from malitias on our own, we also have the National Guard. Also we have federal agentcies and five mainline Military branches." Jesse said, thinking about how he would explain the USA.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Tue 28 July 2009.

Yana's brow crinkles in astonishment.

Wow!  You just have almost no crime except the zombies, eh?  That's a LOT of town guards.

"I guess when you live of the land you forget that most people need money to get buy. It was a lesson relearned with you and the others."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Yana." Responds Aramen with a wise nod.

"They probably need so many enforcers because of high levels of crime. If it was not such a problem, they would probably allocate their people to other things."

"There is loads of crime and lots of laws. The number of Police in Los Angeles is 1 officer for every 4 citizens. It is not perfect in any way. I could tell you of numerous examples of herorics and criminality of my countrymen. It would probably shock you."

Yana laughs nervously, giving Aramendel a look of someone who's terrified, but for someone else's sake.

Maybe I'll train a bit more before I wander away from my own world.  This "Earth" sounds like it's a bit...much.

"Don't worry, It isn't that dangerous. I lived there for eighteen years and the only criminal thing that happened to me was someone brock into my mother's car when I was like five. They stole a some small items. Plus as Adventuring Heroes, you'll probably be more compentant in the realm of combat if there decide to rob you. We have many freedoms and a good starndard of living that may seem very rich to you." Jesse waved off her fears. "Of course if I want to scare you I could tell you the statistics of crime that the US Deptment pf Justice collected. How many X per Y seconds; and all that. If I really want to scare you, I'll show you a scare movie. Like the 'Ring' or or 'Saw' or the first thirty minutes of 'Saving Private Ryan'. I got a Laptop with a video player and a ton of media in my bag. You want to see a screenplay?" He pulled out a white Apple I-Book.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Tue 28 July 2009.

Aramen rubs her shoulder a bit to comfort her. He was thinking the same thing, but did his best not to show it.

"I was thinking that maybe I would have Master Mason show me how to use one of those guns everyone from there seems so fond of before treading there. He seems to still use a blade, but everyone else seems to like them. I don't want to rule out exploring out something so different because of fear of crime. I am sure that whoever would take us would make sure we don't get in too much trouble."

When Jesse offers, the Ranger looks curiously at the man. "Umm, I'll pretend I understood what you just asked, and say okay."

"I could be your guide and I could teach you, I have access to a vast store of weaponry. I'm sure I can find something to your liking." Jesse offers as he starts up the I-Book. "What do you wish to see? A documentry, a comedy, a animation, historical, horror, um...hmm I need to think about your state of mind...Don't want to freak you out...Tell me what you wish to see."

"Umm, you might as well be speaking Draconic. I'll trust your judgment," he says with a smile.

"...really...?" Jesse looked unsure. "Let's start with something soft then." He smiled and selected Bambi. "What you are about to see was drawn by hand and recorded 67 years ago, it is considered one of the best children's films of all time. Hope it doesn't make my people look insane." He smiled as he selected fullscreen. "I'll show you Saving Private Ryan after this, that movie is a bit harder."

OOC: How do you embed pictures? Because I am going to want to post a picture of what handgun I am going to give you and Yana.

Yana gets up and cautiously approached the man and his strange box.
Is....is that like some kind of crystal ball, or something?   

"Or something. It is a device called a computer, it computes things and runs programs. I'll explain after the movie." Jesse says as the film begins.(Time skip?)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Tue 28 July 2009.

Aramen looks dumbfounded at the projection. The writing seemed look logical to him, but he finally spoke up.

"It is amazing, but. . . I can't understand a word they are saying. The deer is very cute though."

"...What do you mean? Do you mean whatever force that presumably translates our speech isn't working with the movie? I'll just put up the subtitles." Jesse nodded. "What do you think Yana?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:56, Tue 28 July 2009.

Yana looks at the screen, actually reaching out to touch it at one point.
I....don't understand.
 Are these some sort of....demonic creatures, or maybe something from the celestial realms?  They look like forest animals, but.....I.....I don't know what to think.   Are they speaking?  Are they people who've turned into demonic animals?  Can your people speak with animals, or at least demonic ones?

The young girl looks like she thinks she's hallucinating.  Her  voice is awed, and a little frightened.

"No! These are just hand drawn pictures. 67 years ago, a bunch of people decided they wanted to tell a story, so they drew these animals. They drew many, many, many, many pictures in sequence, so a moving image is formed. The voices are just of recorded men and women. Then you just add music and sync up everything. This is a children's story. Nothing sinster or malicious." Jesse said in an effort to calm her down. "This is a very beloved film back home. Shown to children. If you want I'll show you something with real people. Of course what I have in mind will either frighten you into never leaving this place again or interest you in my world's history...or I could think of a different movie to show..." He looked embressed for wierding his new friends out.

OH!!!
Yana seemed to have a "Eureka" moment.

I saw a bard once, who had a blank book.  On the lower right hand corner of the book, he'd drawn  a series of pictures of an archer, each slightly different.  So, then he flips through the pages really quickly, and it looks like the drawing of the archer is drawing an arrow and shooting it!  Is it like that?

She looks at the movie again.

That must have taken a LOT of books!

Now that there were subtitles, Aramen was able to follow along with the story. The text seemed to rearrange itself so he could comprehend. It was amazing to see such a way of storytelling. Those in his world would never believe him if he told them of this. Thank goodness Yana is here to verify it.

"Is that how it is done? That sounds like it would take a long time! But want about the real people you said? How do they do that? Oh look a skunk!"

To Yana

"Yes, each frame was hand drawn by master artists, I think it was somewhere like two dozen pictures equal one second. We also just record people acting out too; like watching a play. We call them screenplays." Jesse smiles. "We have comedies, documentries, re-enactments and dramatization of historical events, dramas, action stories, horrors, and all other sorts! The other movie I wish to show you is of a mother with four sons at war, three die and the generals decide to send eight men to retrive the last son alive. Are you interested? I must warn you, it will probably horrify you deeply." His smile drooped a little and he gave a nervous chukle.

In reply to Aramendel (msg #58):

"They draw a picture, then they draw a picture with a slight difference. Repeat till finished. With real people they just record them acting." Jesse nodded.

Yana looks at Jesse.

I'm....not sure that I WANT to see it, since you seem so keen that it's going to "horrify me".    I mean, I've seen a LOT of horrible things in my time.....

She gives Jesse a very dubious look, but seems apprehensive, as is he's asking to cast a spell on her, the effects of which she doesn't understand.

"I din't want to horrify you, it is just I want to make sure you don't think what is fake is real. Back home we have things called Special Effects, we can make it appear a gaint monster is destroying a city, the sun is raising even though it is night, take all color leaving black and white, or make a entire city appear even though they are filming in a small room. It is just the caliber of the illusion will appear just as real as you or me." Jesse explained. "Plus it is also the setting. The next film was set in the Second World War, a war that lasted eight years and was fought on three continents. The story will follow the actions of around a dozen men, but it is also what is happening around them that I am worried about. Please I want you to know it is just a play, it is fake, a story only. That it is not real, okay?"

The ranger was a career fighter. The only full out war he ever experienced though, was over 20 years ago. He was very rarely on the front lines, but it was horrible. It was  different type of terrible than what he has seen adventuring. Fields of wounded and dead leave more of an impression than the foulest creature.

"A thing like this of a war? Why would you want to watch that? It is one of the worst things I have seen in my life . . . people are entertained by it? Again, I will trust your judgment, but first I want to see what happens to the rabbit."

Yana nods with an Oooohhhh....

Yes, I know something about illusion.    She gives Jesse a grin that makes him think that there's an inside joke there.

Well, some of our best ballads and epic poems are about war.   I'd love to see it.   

She pulls up a chair and sits next to him, almost resting her head on his shoulder in an effort to see the screen better.

"No not the war, it is a retell of a event that happen in the war. A mother with four sons at war, three are killed in battle and the Generals are not such hard-hearted to send the last to die. It is about the men sent in to recuse tha last son who was airdroped behind enemy lines; and thier emotions and actions. Not about the war. Many veterans of that war say that they enjoyed it and it was a faithful depiction of their experiences." Jesse explained to Aramendel. "Don't you have stories or plays about great battles between armies, duels between heroes and villians, or things like that? It is just that, but with a recording that can be replayed. People just like a good stories, you know?" He said as he watched Aramendel enjoy Bambi.

The elf chuckles at the illusions reference and rubs his forehead a bit.

"Poems are one thing. To hear about a war is different then seeing it. I could be mistaken. I still really like the rabbit, though that's not not usually how they talk. . . they usually talk much faster."

HE gets a little jealous as she pulls up close and leans over. He knows it just her curiosity, but he cant help it as she leans up near the newcomer. He does his best to hide it, though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:27, Tue 28 July 2009.

To Yanna

"After this, I think Aramendel would like to see it though to the end. Just to warn you, this war was fought with weapons like mine, not swords, bows, catapults...but the descendents of those weapons...so yeah...I was worried about that." Jesse said with a nervous sigh. "I think your friend is uncomfortable with you leaning like this." He whispered to Yana. "I agree, it is a differnt thing to see something or hear he told."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Tue 28 July 2009.

Yana chuckled.  I see what you mean about the rabbit, Aramen.  He's hilarious!!  Their eyes are a little scary, though.  They still look like demon animals to me.

She sits up and looks at Jesse.
I think I agree with the handsome elf over there.  Telling tales of past heroes and great victories is great for the ignorant peasants, but real wars are messy, scary, and usually involve a lot of random fluid coming out of various parts of the body at various times.  Even I know how horrific a real war is, and I've never officially been in one.   And, friend Jesse, I'm sure you've seen great violence, you've already said as much.  Why do you want to see a story about war?

Yana giggles and stage-whispers back to Jesse,
My "friend" is the love of my life and isn't that possessive.  And he has VERY good hearing.

"Actually it will show men dying in horrible fashions and ways that seem hellish, but the story begins in a graveyard with a old man surrounded by his family, he is visting a grave; as of that point we know nothing. It is an outsider's view of some of his and his comrades' history. I will not spoil it, but I will say I like it because of the story, it is an emotion film...now that I think about it, it is probably watching films that helped me to survive." Jesse said with a thoughtful look. "And probably video games too."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:49, Tue 28 July 2009.

Aramendel looks plainly embarrassed at that last comment. With a scratch of his head he replies, "Am I really that transparent? Heh, its fine, she can lean over or on you. I don't mind. Well not enough that it matters, anyway."

"He won't murder me in my sleep and bury me in a field, will he?" He stage whipers back.

"No I got an idea, we will switch seats."

Yana looks  horrified.
What?!?  No!  Never!   Dig up a perfectly good field? when there are plenty of swamps nearby?  Don't be silly.

She grinned at him, but let him move so that she and Aramendel were sitting together.

Jesse sat down in his new seat and let the the two love birds be together.

Yana sat to watch the movie.   She was clearly transfixed.

Jesse tries to look like he isn't emotionally invested in the movie., but he is.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:33, Tue 28 July 2009.

Yana looks at Jesse briefly.
Did you say "World War Two"?  I think my friend Boone was in that war.  If you wanted, you could ask....
She looks around the tavern.
Whoops.  He was here a minute ago.  Oh well. He'll be back.    OH!  What are these wagons that the men are riding in?  Are they traveling on water?  Oh!  So they're boats then. 

Yana watches the soldiers get closer to the beach at Normandy.

"This is going be brutal." Jesse says as the Higgins Boats draw closer and Capt. Miller is trying to help his men cope.

As the butchery on the beaches begins, Yana gasps at the reality of it.
Then she starts to smile.

This is AMAZING!!!   It's so REAL!!!   Whoa!!!  THAT one just got blown to pieces by something!   It's... it's a little hard to follow what's going in, from this vantage point, though.

The brunnette seems more entranced by this than by Bambi.

OH!  Whoops, he almost made it!  Heh.  I'll bet he scouts around better NEXT time, am I right?

She seems to stop herself, on several occaisions, from yelling advice to the people on the screen.

The young woman claps excitedly as the men finally make it to cover.

Erythnul's Drool!  Now THAT was exciting!   I can't WAIT to see what happens next!

"..." Jesse eyes widen for a second before he relaxed and watched the movie. He wondered if Yana would cry at the ending.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:15, Tue 28 July 2009.

This one is MUCH better than the one about the magical demon animals.

She laughs and holds Aramendel's arm.

OOC:  I'm enjoying myself, but I need to sleep.  Good night!

Jesse wondered what Aramendel's reaction would be, the subtitles were on so everything was being told.

OOC: Good night, have a good rest.:)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Tue 28 July 2009.

"Hey, I like those magical demon animals."

Aramen found himself corrected when the other movie started. It was exhilarating to watch such a battle. Disgusting, but knowing that it was not real put it into a suspenseful light.  Seeing those 'guns' in full use was disturbing. They referred to them as a bunker, but they were able to do so much damage without moving. It was disgusting. Was this what war was to these people?

It was nice to see Yana enjoying the projection. The ranger was as well, but in a different way. While it wasn't the excitement and the gore drawing him in, it was the suspense and fascination with the battle. Seeing those large guns, though, and how they just shredded the brave men that charged against them, caused him to tense up.

"This is incredible! This is what war is in your world? I never thought those guns could be so destructive."

"No, this is war sixty-six years ago, we've improved in mobility and other areas...I'll explain our way of war after the film." Jesse said as Capt. Miller ordered a flamethrower be used on the bunker. "...And we've mostly stopped doing that..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 29 July 2009.

As the movie winds down, Boone comes in from outside. He sees what is going on and exclaims what is this? Movie night at the Wolf's Head Tavern? Hey, barkeep! Can you make a few buckets of popcorn for me and my friends? Buttered , of course. He sees what Jesse is using. Damn, wish I'd thought to bring a computer. Hey , buddy, does that thing have a USB port or input jack? Boone pulls out a small device from an inside pocket with a jack attached. But why are the subtitles o-  oh! Is it that the enchantment that allows us to understand written and spoken languages does not work with recorded languages? Pretty smart of you to think of that. I have a copy of 'The Court Jester', among other movies, that has been remastered with subtitles for the deaf. I think Aramendel and Yana would love it, if you'd be so kind as to play it.

"...Sure...?" Jesse said to the man in the cowboy outfit as he blinked owlishly. Gurgle. "You wouldn't know if they accept paper money would you? I got the total sum of a mad science HSA and a few months' worth of looting and I havn't eaten in like thirty hours now."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Wed 29 July 2009.

Yana grins at the large man in the long coat.  Hey, Boone!  Welcome back!  This man is Jesse, and I think he said was from one of the "Earths".   This illusionary play is about "World War Two".  Didn't you say that you were involved with something like that on your world?

OOC: I'll be bogged down with real life for a bit.  I'll post when I can .   :)

Boone turns to Jesse. Yep, that they do. Almost any form of currency. And their cook is absolutely terrific, too! He tosses a smile in Yana's direction. He is secretly pleased that she remembered. Yes, Yana, I did fight in my world's World War II. I fought the Nazi scourge for several years,  but only fought on the front lines for the last two.

"Oh, good to know there is a Nazi facepuncher here." Jesse said with a smirk. "So, how do I order?"

Hey, Barkeep! This guy's practically salivating here! Can you round up some grub for him? He looks at Jesse you're not a vegetarian, are you? He calls to the barkeep once more Get this guy a nice-sized porterhouse, and put it on my bill.

"Same as any tavern, ask and you shall receive. They seem to have quite a selection, as well . . . OH! . . . Goodman Jesse, What is that in the sky?" He says pointing to a P-51 Mustang that flies into the shot. He was fascinated by the flying machine as it went by, no matter how brief it was.

"Wow, Thanks! I definitly am going to let you use my laptop to watch movies now!" Jesse said at the thought of a porterhouse. "Please make it medium, with a cup of clam chowder and a baked potato. Sour cream and butter on that, and a Barqs^TM root beer. Oh, and a bottle of A1 if you have it." He added to the order. "If my HSA wasn't so possibly hazardous to my health, I'd setup a home theater wall projector with surround sound for you...screw it, I'll risk it." Jesse nodded with conviction. "Remind me after I'm done eating and I'll hook you up, Mr...?...Nazi Facepuncher?"

Boone. M'name's Boone. Grandson of Daniel. So, what exactly is an HSA, anyways?

In reply to Aramendel (msg #92):

"That'll be the P-51 Mustang Fighter Plane. Very fast thing, helped take out Nazi airpower." Jesse said as he tried to remember anything relevant. "Wait a sec." He fiddled with his HSA I-Phone, he looked for a E-Book in its vast library. "Let see here, Jane's Fighting Aircarft."

"The P-51 flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. It also saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War. The Mustang began the Korean War as the United Nations' main fighter, but was relegated to a ground attack role when superseded by jet fighters early in the conflict. Nevertheless, it remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s.

As well as being economical to produce, the Mustang was a fast, well-made, and highly durable aircraft. The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650, a two-stage two-speed supercharged version of the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, and was armed with six .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns.

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
Wing area: 235 ft² (21.83 m²)
Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg)
Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Packard V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,490 hp (1,111 kW) at 3,000 rpm;[81] 1,720 hp (1,282 kW) at WEP
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163
Drag area: 3.80 ft² (0.35 m²)
Aspect ratio: 5.83
Performance

Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h)
Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)
Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks
Service ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,770 m)
Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s)
Wing loading: 39 lb/ft² (192 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg)
Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6
Recommended Mach limit 0.8
Armament

6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns; 400 rounds per inboard gun; 270 per outboard gun
2 × hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs
10 × 5 in (127 mm) rockets "

He parroted from his e-book library. Jesse huffed a little as he took in breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Thu 30 July 2009.

<reply to Abraham Boone>

"It stands for 'Hyper Space Arsenal'. A thirteen year old mad scientist named Alice gave it to me after I gave her some ice cream...To give you a reason why I don't use it much, Alice fired me out of a air cannon after I promised to find her dad. FYI I found her dad...and ice cream...She then gave me HSA, told me what it could do and...fired me out of a 'modified' air cannon..."

Jesse got a far away look in his eye.  "This thing has a wierd non-OSHA compliant 'aura', maybe...? In the time I've had it, I have nearly been crushed by a M2 truck, drowned in MREs, and suffered minor brain injury when it turned on a ripoff of Fallout 3's VATS. It stopped working once when I fell in a pool, then it worked perfectly after I fall in a sewer. Hehehe. Plus I'm pretty sure it is why I usually wind up in 'hostile to normal people' dimensions...hahaha..."

He laughed a sad nervous laugh as he remembered incidents of his dimensional travels. "Sorry, sorry. Was a bit out of it right there, Mr. Boone.Fine now." He shook his head. "Basicly in D20 RPG terms, it is a faulty gaint bag of holding with a factory that misfires on 1s made by a thirteen year old mad scientist who loves sweet things...Don't even know what to fully expect from it, the instructions PDF is over 47,000 GBs. So far I found a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a statue of President Obama, and that it updates itself somehow..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Thu 30 July 2009.

Aramen just looked at him wide-eyed.

"Umm, more Draconic. . . "

He returned to the screen with a fascination of the big things that moved like birds and dragons.

It isn't much later when Mason and Vanessa come down the stairs.  Mason is dressed in a charcoal gray suit makes no attempt to hide the two pistols at his waist, one in a cross draw holster the other on his right hip.  He smiles slightly at the sight of the antiquated computer. "Aramandel, how is it going?"

The ranger was distracted by the images, but not enough to not notice the others come from upstairs.

"Oh, quite well. Master Mason have you ever seen this? I think its called a Saving Private Ryan. It its quite a spectacle! This boxy thing is something else too!"  He says these with a childish sense of wonder in his voice.

"You know I would of thought these two would of freaked out at the Landing Scene." Jesse said to Boone. "But they're very open-minded." He turned to the new tall man. "Hi?" He noted the modern handguns.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Thu 30 July 2009.

"Yeah, I remember seeing that one.  If you want, before we leave I will show you a recording I have with me." He moves past them and up to the bar.  "Give me a three eggs, over easy, wheat toast, bacon, and hash browns.  I'll take the room for the the foreseeable future.  Just put a few months on my bill." He looks at Vanessa and hands the man the small crystal.

Hmmm, don't know this movie. I don't think I've seen a movie from earth since about 1992. That's when I was sent to the alternate earth I'd helped create.

But I do have a few in my portable memory. I can watch them on a micro-screen whenever I get bored. Actually, if they are up for it, I'd love to show them "The Court Jester" - one of my favorite musical comedies. Have you ever heard of an actor named Danny Kaye?

In reply to Abraham Boone (msg #102):

"Honestly no, he probably exsists in my world. Sorry I havn't heard of him." Jesse said as he looked through his E-Books. "Danny Kaye (January 18, 1913 – March 3, 1987) was an American award-winning actor, singer and comedian." He went over his filmography. "...Oh, where are my manners. My name is Jesse(Crash) , Mr. Boone."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Thu 30 July 2009.

Jon returned to the tavern from the porch and took a seat at an empty table near Jesse and the others, setting his PKM and ruck on the ground next to him and dumping a pile of empty pistol magazines on the table in front of him.  The mags were a mixture of 10 and 13 round Glock .45 magazines, and single-stack sheet steel Tokarev magazines.  He reached into his ruck and dug around for a few seconds, and pulled out a box of Federal Ammunition .45 rounds and several smaller wax-paper wrapped cubes and began reloading his magazines, whistling quietly to himself.

In reply to Mason (msg #101):

"Oh, okay. I would like to see more. These are amazing. I can not believe you can just carry such things with you... "
his voice trails of a bit as he goes back to watching the movie. His attention was uncharacteristically drawn by it so much that he almost did not notice Ski returning to the building, and he missed most of the conversation as he tired to listen in and maybe learn a word or two of the strange tongue they were speaking.

In reply to Jonathan 'Ski' Boyarski(Msg 104)

"..." Jesse ignored the rumbling of his stomach and glanced over to the nieghboring table. "Is that a PKM and an orginal Tula TT-33?" Jesse asked to the PKM armed man.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Thu 30 July 2009.

Y'know, Jon I have my ammunition casting tools with me. Give me a day and I can replace all your spent ammo if you like.

"I've got loads of fims, shows, books, whatever entertainment one needs. You two have been good company." Jesse said with a smile. "Maybe you'd like to watch CSI or Law and Order. Those are shows about Law Enforcement Officers...Gotta love mad science." He smiled a bit before flinching at a memory.

Ski nodded.

"That's be awesome Mr. Boone.  I'm about at the end of my supply of .45s."

"Yeah, and a Glock 30.  The TT-33's not Tula though; it came off a Romanian officer.  It's probably from one of their plants." he said, ripping open one of the wax-paper cubes and pulling out the small, necked 7.62 Tokarev rounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:35, Thu 30 July 2009.

"Here. Name's Jesse(CRASH)." Jesse said as he plonked down a large ammo case case of PMC hollowpoints from his pack onto Ski's table. "Got loads of the stuff, so here. I've been told I got infinite ammo and stuff; I don't trust the source of that information, but it looks like it's true." He said with a far away look and scowl. "So what's your story; an American ROTC guy doing with an Romanian officer's pistol, a PKM, and a Glock?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:58, Thu 30 July 2009.

Eric took the case of ammo and started fitting it into his ruck.

"Thanks.  Good ammo like that's hard to find now since they started confiscating it; along with all the 5.56, .308, 9x19, 30.06, and pretty much any other ammo they could find."

He pulled out a few odds and ends to reorganize his pack, a hand-cranked radio; a GI L-neck flashlight; a can of orange spray paint; a camouflaged poncho; a Russian MRE; and an American Flag, folded in the 'cocked hat' and protectively wrapped in ceran wrap, repacking everything to fit the several hundred rounds of ammo.

"Anyway, name's Jonathan Boyarski, but everybody calls me 'Ski.  And uh.....you ever see that movie 'Red Dawn'?  It's sorta like that.  'Cept for me, Russians staged down in some of the Marxist countries in South America and came screamin' northward.  But apparently they ain't real good students of American history, 'cause they tried to send their main force up through Texas.  We couldn't stop'em all the way, but we slowed'em down, and made'em burn through a lotta their resources and manpower.  Bought enough time for the militray to wake up and get organized; stopped'em at the Mississippi and the Rockies.  So the Russians roll into town and we did the only thing we could live with.  about eight of us from my high school's JROTC armed up and started a partisan cell.  That was about three years ago I think; give or take a few months.  I sorta lost track of the exact date."

"Damn, if I remember my Social Studies class Yeltsin fu-screwed the Soviet economy back home during the late 80s and through the early 90s." Jesse said with a frown.

"You look around my age, you must be a badass; doing partisan work for three years. That means you were what fifteen when the Soviets invaded?" He looked Ski over.

"Listen, I got some Match grade .308 Remington if you want it." He dug the large ammo can out his pack, it had some dried brain matter on it. Jesse plonked that on Ski's table too.

"I think I can give you any ammo in any caliber for any weapon you need; but it depends if this mad science HSA would work here...probably kill me...? I could probably also spring you a tank or something and its manuel if you feel like gambling with your life. Maybe a case RPG-7s would be safer...or more .45ACP..." He thought out loud. He spotted the brain matter.

"I bleached that and the virus dies pretty quick, so don't worry it isn't infectious." He said, wiping at it with a rag.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:22, Thu 30 July 2009.

"Nah, we don't have anything in .308 anymore; pretty much everything we've got now is Soviet; we ditched the other stuff; it's not logistically feasible, especially when your supply chain depends almost exclusively on what you can steal and loot.  And tanks are pretty maintainance intensive; we don't have the fuel, parts or skill to keep one running.  Besides, we do a lotta fighting in the city, so a tank would probably be more of a liability.  Thanks for the offer."

"Okay. Interested in some RPG-7s? Got loads of those." Jesse offered aftered a moment's thought.

"You still need ammo, I could possibly supply you with alot of stuff. I want to help out with the Red problem and all that." He repacked the .308 ammo.

"Just curious...but have the Soviets unleashed a zombie virus yet?" Jesse asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Not that they did back home."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:40, Thu 30 July 2009.

"Nah, we got an RPG-7; even a few RPG-18s.  Plenty of ammo for it too; dead commies just leave their shit layin' around where anyone can just pick it up.  There hasn't been any zombies or anything though." he said, loading and stacking the Tokarev magazines.

"Good news for you then." Jesse said with a smile.

"Back home some sh@thead lab punk didn't tie his shoeless, over a million dead and I'm stuck with a Split Personality Patient named Viola/Tex. Seriously zombies are brothersome as hell." He said darkly.

"If you need anything, just ask...and I do mean anything...in a non-sexuel manner..." He brightened as his stomach growled, he sat down and waited for his food.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:06, Thu 30 July 2009.

[From Upstairs]

Nessa had come down with Mason, but hesitated in the tavern proper, looking about.  There were more people and ...they were watching a movie?  After a moment she followed Mason to the bar, trailing a hand over Aramen's shoulder in greeting as she passed.

She listened to Jesse, quite the character, she thought, with a glance to Mason.  She hadn't heard what he ordered, but it didn't matter. I'll have what he's having. She said to the bartender, just because it was easier and she had no doubt of his taste.  Returning to a table near Aramen and not far from others, she commented. Seems there has been much happening here...is Alice still here? She okay? She asked, glancing at Boone.  If a young woman was involved, she thought he'd know.

Sorry, 'Nessa. Don't know who this Alice gal is your asking about, but I did see Tori duck into the side room a few minutes ago. You might ask her. Boone sets his pack down and starts unpacking variuos materials and tools on a seperate table. He sets up a device to help him reclaim spent ammo. He also pulls out some ultradense metal bricks and a small heating unit. He sets up to 'refill' Jon's spent ammo. When Jesse is ready for it, he will hand him the little storage device that Boone has a few movies embedded in.

The bartender nods at the order from Mason and Vanessa and takes the certified cred stick.  It is not much later that he brings out the steak dinner for the young man.

Breaking his gaze from the movie, Aramen looks over to Vanessa.

"As far as I know, Miss Alice is still asleep in the side room there. The tattooed man is in there with her, as well as Miss Tori." He doesn't return to the movie though. Instead, he focuses on the firearms on Mason's person.

"Umm, Master Mason. Could you perhaps," he begins shyly, "show me how to use that type of weapon later?"

He looks at the elf for a moment.  "Yes I can.  Like any weapon they take time and practice to use effectively.  But why the sudden interest?"  He turns fully facing the young elf.  Young... that is definitely a relative term.

Aramen turned beet red with embarrassment when Mason asked him why, though he should have expected it. "Well, umm, I'm looking at this and seeing how effective they are a sword or bow would be close to useless against something so powerful.  I see that you use a blade on occasion, but with no experience against them, I think it would be suicide for me to try. . . " he paused and looked down sheepishly. "And if I ever get reckless, and knowing me I will, enough to go with someone to explore their plane a bit, I do not want to be completely unprepared should I get into trouble."

He shakes his head slightly and puts his hand on his shoulder.  "Guns do not carry the spirit of the wielder like an arrow or blade does.  They are less than effective against many supernatural creatures.  I will show you how to use a gun, but do not casually discount the weapons you know."  He moves towards a nearby table and sits down, waiting for his food.  "Come and sit down, we can talk about it."  He had trained more than a few people to shoot and didn't see much difficulty teaching the elf.  He had very good hand eye coordination and a good deal of skill with weapons already.

"True that. I've seen a knife wielder take down three 'amateur' gunmen in a heartbeat." Jesse piped up. "There is the 21 feet drill. If you are within 7 yards of a person with a holstered gun and are able to cross the distance in 1.5 seconds. There is a high chance you will win the fight, but there are close in gunfighting techniques that work at even grapling range; so be careful." He said. "Guns are tools, and tools are only limited by the user...how do arrows hold the spirt of the wielder? I've been able to put my intent in the shot before."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Thu 30 July 2009.

Looking at the young man without any emotional expression.  "It is about your chi, your life energy.  The blade or the arrow have a stronger connection to the wielder.  You physically touch them when you wield them and invest some of yourself into weapon.  They are better able to deliver the energy when wielded against an opponent who is more spirit than physical."

"I see." Jesse thought for a moment. "I've seen some pretty strange things done with guns...things I'm still pretty sure that were impossible."He shivered at a unspoken memory.

Aramen gets up and moves behind Yana, playfully putting his hands over her eyes for a second and sticks his tongue out at her when she throws a mini fit to push him out of the way.  He made his way near to Mason, in a position to see the screen as best he could.

"I don't know about guns, Jesse. I do know this though, every maneuver I do with my swords is part of me. Each becomes an extension of my body and in an essence, an extension of me. My bow as well, and maybe even more so. My bow was made by me, even though it was refitted and restrung by a better bowyer, but the initial crafting and etchings were my work. This may be just in my case, but the longbow is the favored weapon of my matron goddess. Every shot I use is with her favor."

With a smooth motion, the ranger drew the blade from his back. The shortblade was extremely polished, with almost no sign of wear. Its pommel was elegant, but sturdy. "Some blades have been crafted and enchanted such that hey seem to seem to give a semblance of life to them. Esper here has saved me from harm a few times partly on what seems to be is own accord."

In reply to Aramendel (msg #127):

"So is my Rifle, Aramendel. There is even a Rifleman's Creed." Jesse replied with a smile and a nod.

"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...." He unloaded his EBR and unchambered the round.

"My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit..." He assmued the low ready position.

"My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will..." He brought it up and mock aimed in a safe direction, finger off the trigger. He pulled the trigger. Click.

"Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace." Jesse smiled as he slid the .380 round into the chamber and reloaded the magazine. "Amen."

"Reflex. Muscle Memory. Training." Jesse smoothly drew the Colt and brought it up. He unloaded and unchambered.

"And a little bit of spirt. Stand and do untill you can do without thought." He in entered the Weaver Stance for a moment before holstering the empty pistol.

"Just because it is modern, doesn't mean it is unspirted." He batted away a unseen threat with his left hand, it assumed a position to protect his face, and stepped back with his right foot. Jesse drew his Colt at hip level and pulled the trigger in a safe direction. Click.

"Eight hundred years of war, history, tactics; leasons learned the hard way, in the heart of battle, the streets of lawless settlements, towns, cities, and countries...and in the face of death, by men like Jeff Cooper and Imi Lichtenfeld." Jesse rechambered the fat .45acp round, reloaded, and reholstered. He smiled. "It is all in one's intent, you know?"

"That is a very interesting creed, though I do have one problem with it. Why would you say that without your weapon you are nothing? A soldier should never do or say anything that may ever bring a moment of doubt to their ability. A moment of doubt could spell the end of even the most hardened fighter. While I trust my blades with with my life, I would never say that I am nothing without them."

Aramen sheathed the sword cleanly.

"My training, my skills and my experience make me a warrior, not the weapon I hold."

The elf turned back to Mason.

"I have no intention of disregarding my weapons, but I think it wold be a good experience to learn another weapon, at least the basics. I was also taught that the best way to learn to defend against a weapon is to know how to use it"

"I could teach you if you wish, Aramendel. I am not an expert, but I have survived misfortune, so that's got to count for something." Jesse offered.

"And there are instantces where soldiers are unarmed, but achive victory anyway. The creed is just to form a habit of not being without you primary weapon and caring for it; seriously it is like taking care of a pet. Government men and women and Self-Defense students are taught hand to hand, meelee weapons, martial arts, shooting and fighting from compromised positions like on your back or outnumbered ten to one." He shrugged.

Well, I consider myself an expert with guns, and I'd be willing to teach you if you wish. I, too feel a spirit, a oneness with my weapons of choice, probably because I built them myself. But I quite agree with you Aramen. I did not limit myself to only one weapon. I learned Martial arts at the hands of a master, a form called Boxing. I've learned the use of the lasso, and various bladed weapons as well. I'm even a fairly-good swordsman, but it's hard finding a blade that I can utilize my full strength with. Sure, I tend to rely on the weapon that I have mastered, but a warrior is dangerous, even without his weapons.
He turns a knowing smile in Jesse's direction. Hey Jesse, do you know the Marine's Credo?

This is my weapon.
This is my gun.
One is for shooting.
One is for fun.
Only Jesse is likely to get the reference. Boone looks to see if Jesse blushes over this comment.

Jesse blushes and turns away for a second.

"Was planing on joining up after university...I got some .22 pistols, a Mac-10 in .45acp, and a WitSec Remington 870 in my pack. If the HSA works here I could give Aramendel a personal weapon, he tests fires a few and picks out the ones he likes." He said after collecting himself.

"So what do you think Boone, start with the .22s and work our way up?" Jesse asked the gunman. "I got everything and anything imaginable."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Fri 31 July 2009.

Not really looking at Boone or the new guy, Mason keeps his eyes on the elf.  "Good reason.  Yes, after we finish breakfast, we can start on the basics." He looks over at Vanessa and gives a small smile.  He rises from the chair.  "I'll grab a couple of things from my room so we can get started."

Jesse stomach was grumbling and the steak was a good half an hour away.

"I'll get my gear." He said, he grabbed his pack and bag. "We teaching Aramendal and Yana now?"

"I think Aramendel will like a heavy game Remington Model 700 or the 870 with a nice revolver in .38 and .357. Yana, I think a she'd like a Mini-14 and maybe a good semi-auto in .45ACP or .38Super. What do you think Boone?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Fri 31 July 2009.

He glances at the young man.  "I'll teach them the basics after I am done eating.  For the initial lessons, I will teach them by myself.  More than one instructor confuses the process."  As he moves towards the stairs, his movements again take on an unnatural gait, as if walking at a normal speed is restrained.  He is only gone a few minute before returning with a small carry bag.

"Okay then, if you need any firearms just ask." Jesse shrigged as he sat back down.

Naw. Start Yana with a .22. Not much recoil with that one, and it will help condition her for targeting with heavier guns. As for Aramen, I'd start him with a longer-ranged weapon, maybe a .38 special or a 1911A .45 ACP. If he were burlier, I'd try him out on a .45 magnum, but it's always best to train for skill, rather than depend on firepower. And now that I think about it, you'd probably get better instruction from either Mason or Jesse here. Besides, I've already committed myself to helping By-Tor get to his destination. I'd best take care of my committments before taking on new ones.

Ness had been biting her tongue through this little exchange, she'd have bet a lot of money that she could out shoot most of these characters.  She had no intention to raise that, however. These boys seemed to have little appreciation of weaponry and that was not something she'd ever likily be able to teach them, if anyone could.

She took a deep breath, not liking the idea of arming Aramen.  But relaxed as she heard him speak.  Having now confidence that he would respect the weapon, both it's power and its limitations.  She appreciated Aramendal's thinking, it was sound even, but she still didn't like it.

As she listened to the on going conversation, she found her self biting down harder. With the taste of blood in her mouth, she leaned over to Boone with a whisper,   She met Mason's eyes as she heard Jesse's comment.

No. You are not giving her an semi automatic weapon. SHe snapped, unsure if he should be commended for considering the girl or chastized for not thinking about the weapon and his audience.  If Yana wants to learn, we'll find something more appropriate to learn with. She added, looking at the girl, hoping that Yana would understand her objection was not with arming her, but with their choices.

Looking at Jess, the Barkeep clears his throat.  "Hey your steak is getting cold here youngster."

"Thanks!" Jesse eye widened, he hadn't seen the food delievered to his table. He dug in. "This is awesome!"

Aramendel just put his head down,  realizing he just opened up a jar of bees by asking this in public.  Finally, he speaks up.

"Please, I mean no offense but I asked Master Mason for a reason. I would just prefer if he taught me for now. I have my reasons. . ."

Finally looking up, "And please, I know I do not know what you are talking about, but I am here. Please do not talk about me as if I am not. Explain the choices and let me choose, do not just choose for me."

In reply to Vanessa Greenfield (msg #138):

"I was thinking of starting with her of with a .22 handgun for the basics." Jesse flinched. "I have a few in my pack. The semi-auto was going to be a gift for later...I'm sorry?..."

In reply to Aramendel (msg #141):

"Sorry, I was a bit rude...okay tell me your preferances on ranged combat...and I help you out with that." Jesse rubbed the back of his head. "I was just thinking of what I know of you. You hunt undead things so I thought of something that would impeade thier movement...sorry."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Fri 31 July 2009.

As Mason sits back down next to Vanessa, he smiles at her last comment.  He opens the bag so she can see inside.    Looking at Aramandel and Yana, he gets their undivided attention for a minute.  "The biggest problem with a gun, is that is that anyone can pick one up and use it to kill.  But it requires skill and discipline to be used as an effective weapon.  Before you ever handle a gun, we will talk about the basic safety measures that need to be taken."

Jesse kept a ear open on the conversation. He ate as the situation develped.

Trying to go back to biting her tongue, Nessa glanced in the bag Mason opened and gave him a brief nod.

She looked at Yana, she hated the idea of giving her a gun, though more accurately, she hated the idea of her being in a place where one was warrented. With a soft smile at Aramen, she spoke to him, Aramen, to me, a gun is some times like a snake.  You look at it and think, that little, slow thing.  I can have control over that!  And some times you can, but sometimes you can't.  And some times it's harmless and some times it's deadly and it takes skill and observation to know which you are facing and even then some times you can't.  It was probably an odd analogy, but she rather thought if anyone would understand it, it was the elf.

In reply to Vanessa Greenfield (msg #146):

Jesse eyes widened as he chewed his steak. "That is actually very very accurate." He thought out loud. "You're a professional gun handler, Ms?"

Nessa studied Jesse for a second, I suppose so, in a fashion. She gave a non committal shrug.  I have been on both sides of them more than once. She smirked slightly at what was clearly understatement.

"You must be a baddass like Ski over there." Jesse said as sipped his root beer. "Name's Jesse(crash), zombie outbreak survivor." He held out a hand.

Vanessa Greenfield. She answered  offering Jessie a firm hand shake and neither confirming or disagreeing with his assessments. I'm from a version of late 20th century Earth, but... I've traveled some.

With a sigh, Aramen looked at Jesse with an appearance of relieving frustration.  "I'm sorry."

"I think I understand, Miss Vanessa. But it would be foolish to even go near a snake without knowing something about them. That is what I hope to accomplish. As for a preference with ranged combat, I like versatility. I prefer the recurve over a crossbow because of the speed and mobility I can have with it when close, but over a sling or throwing weapons because of its extensive range. I just prefer balance as with most things. I do not know though, my taste may change when I feel it for myself."

 

Spinning slowly in his seat he looked at all the others. "I do not wish this to be a big project, and I do not intend to bring such items to our plane. though, if Yana does it is her choice. Maybe it would be best to wait a bit more. But Master Mason," he says pointedly as he turns to face him. "If you would like to start the lesson now, I am more than willing."

"Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad Rifle, shorter then M1A so it could be handy in CQC, but still able to hit targets accurately at 800yards with optocs, 500yards without. Bit heavy at around 10 pounds with scope, semi-auto and magazine fed." Jesse said to Aramendel. "I use a M14, a fully automatic verson of the M1A."

"What do you think Ms. Greenfield?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Fri 31 July 2009.

"Aramandel, I wasn't planning on target shooting yet, but we can talk about the basics of gun safety.  The first thing, when you see a firearm, you always assume that it is loaded and ready to fire."

"Understood," he said with a nod.

Unlike a full dinner, a short order breakfast only takes a few minutes to make.  Soon enough the food is brought out to the table along with a couple of glasses of iced tea.  The wench smiles as she sets the plates down in front of the two people.

In reply to Vanessa Greenfield (msg #138):

In a low voice, Boone replies Relax, darlin', I'm just having a little fun with the boy. No need to get your pa-- no need to come unglued over it, ma'am. Boone nods over Mason's words, knowing that he is taking the right approach with Aramen. But he's worried about Jesse. Jesse, there's no need to trot out the catalogue. And keep it simple, okay? Single-shot weapons of low power to train on. There's no need to pull out an anti-tank bazooka to train a beginner on, right? Boone says in a sardonic tone of voice.

"...I didn't..." Jesse cocked an eyebrow.

Poof "Holy sh!t!" Jesse cursed as he spilled his root beer onto his jeans and something sparked. "OW!"He was shocked. "Damnit Alice." He pulled out a rag and wiped the soda off. "Sorry Aramendel, the HSA is toast."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Fri 31 July 2009.

Gee, I hope this isn't the same Alice we have in the side room...

"No, she's not. If she were I'd be shot out of a air cannon by now." Jesse replied. "Well not an air cannon persay, but she does use air to hurl me at things; and besides she's like thirteen and this is a bar. Plus she is a mad scientist, and I'm not in major pain."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:12, Fri 31 July 2009.

With a deep breath, Nessa answered Jessie, I think you are not thinking about either where these good people come from, what a weapon will mean or do to them or why you'd be teaching them anything.  I think you think it like a toy. She shrugged, her comment matter of fact and with no edge of malice, she then turned her attention to Boone, her look and tone far more icy, and her smile insincere  and her voice low also _{I'll make you a deal cowboy, I'll keep my panties straight if you keep your fun filled weapons out of the conversation.}

"And don't point it anything you don't intend to kill.  Also, always be sure of your backdrop; know what you stand to hit if you miss or over-penetrate."

ARamen keeps nodding, "just like any bow or crossbow. Well, with a few exceptions. . . " His hand wanders to his quiver as he flicks the fletching of a silver arrow that seem different than the surrounding.

"Heh.  I took archery merit badge once at scout camp; was horrible at it.  But that was back when I had a real life."

"Guns are not toys." Jesse said as he turned away. "They may be my hobby, but I know what they can do and what the implications are."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Fri 31 July 2009.

He lets out a little bit of a sigh.  Too many people trying to help.  All well meaning and all, but still, there is a reason he insisted on doing this alone.  "We will hold off on further discussion until after breakfast.  I don't like cold eggs."  He starts in on his food, looking at the woman next to him and giving a small smile.

Nessa gave a brief nod to Ski in agreement and was going to comment to Jessie that if he felt that way he should act like it, but decided there was little point.  It was certainly her experience that people rose to occassions, thus proving themselves or... didn't, thereby hanging themselves with the ropes freely offered.  She had some hope for him, but then there were always how boys behaved when others were around, she glanced at Boone with this thought.

Glancing at Mason as he spoke she wondered if there was a subtext for her, and returned the smile  and started to eat.

"This place have power?" Jesse asked as went back to his meal. "That I-Book probably has maybe 6, 7 hours left and Boone wants to start a movie night."

He steps up to the young man, blowing a puff of cigar smoke up into the air.  "Yeah, dis place has plenty of power.  But not the kine ya can plug yur toy inta."

"Dang...might as well enjoy it as long as you can then." Jesse shrugged. "Unless someone has a answer to this little problem."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Fri 31 July 2009.

In reply to Mason (msg #166):

"Maybe that would be wise,"  reluctantly agreed the elf. "When ever you want to continue I will be ready." With that he moved back to his seat next to Yana and rested his head as he watched the screen some more. He looked up over to Vanessa. "Miss Vanessa, I appreciate your concerns with us handling weapons, but we have been putting various arms to the test. A weapon may change someone who hasn't used them, but I do not think you need to fear that from us. If you want to talk about it more though, I will be glad to listen."

"A gun's not gonna change you anymore than a sword or a spear or a bow or a bat will.  Guns aren't evil or good; they're merely tools that reflect the user." he muttered.

"A weapon can change a person, and I do not mean something tainted by magic. A fool with a weapon may feel delusions of grandeur and feelings of power and authority. . . " his voice trailed off a bit, but then picked up. "There are also legends and stories about weapons that have the power to sway minds and effect thoughts. Some even have their own mind and wills that can impose their will onto the bearer. I have never crossed paths with one, but I do not doubt they exist."

"Like the One Ring and all those fantasy genre weapons, eh?" Jesse said before he could stop himself. "...What? I liked the movie."

Aramen just raised an eyebrow and looked at the man.

"The what?"

Jon snorted.

"A fool with a weapon has delusions because he is a fool, a pre-existing condition; not because of the weapon.  And my realm is one without magiks; but even so, if a man is weak enough to be swayed by the 'will' of his tools, then he didn't deserve to wield them."

In reply to Aramendel (msg #175):

"Oh it is a plot item of a story named "The Lord of the Rings". Basicly it was a ring that a very evil warlord created that would increase his power and corrupt others that wear it. Not nice thing to come across." Jesse explained as he finished off his meal. "And I agree with Ski over there. An fool that picks up a gun is just a fool that picked something up."

Yana looks up from her food, nodding.
A little like a fabled artifact called the Hand of Vecna, said to have been the actual hand of the wizard Vecna before he attained godhood.  It's a severed hand that when placed on a mortal's wrist, attaches itself and gives phenomenal magic power, but sages warn that it turns the possessor to evil, as well.

There's even rumors of a "Head of Vecna", but I haven't bothered to take those seriously.

She takes a big drink of milk.    She yawns, either from fatigue or from crashing from her sugar-buzz.

I disagree, Nessa looked up from her plate to Ski, annoyed with herself that she was not keeping her mouth shut. Swords, knives, even bats are up close and personal.  Harm someone with those things and you have to know what you've done.  A gun is not personal.  Not for the shooter or the victim.  It can be distant and clean.  I know, not always, but more so, always. She looked at Ski for a second before returning to her breakfast.

Looking up from his cigar, he laughs a bit.  "Yeah, I remember dat guy Tolkein.  He was a regular ere for a while."

Ski shook his head.  Killing with a gun was never clean.

"So you're arguement is that it's better to kill up close and personal?  That somehow, being there, seeing the light leave their eyes as they bleed out, that somehow being able to commit to that makes you a better person, causes less of a psychological change that watching them over the front sight post and squeezing the trigger?  I've done both, and I can tell you which changed me more."

He looks around at the people gathered.  "Any weapon can change your life in an instant.  Guns just make it much easier to kill.  I think we can all agree upon that.  If you want to talk about philosophy, that can wait until after we have had a chance to go through the basic lessons."

He is pretty much done with his food when he glances over at Yana and Aramandel.  "Yana, were you planning on joining us in this?"

Yana grinned.

I think of killing as something that, when I must do it, is just something that MUST be done to accomplish my goal, usually a goal of protecting a town or rescuing someone.
To that end, I'd rather kill my foes from afar, because it's safer and effects me less.

But if you compare the "after effects" of ranged versus hand to hand killing, then I agree with Vanessa.

For an average person, killing is a horrible thing that must be avoided.  If you kill someone from a distance, it's too easy to ....well, if you'll pardon the pun, to distance yourself from your actions.  If you have to stick a knife into them, though, you KNOW what you've done.  And you aren't going to kill them unless you REALLY need to.

I've taking many lives in my time, so I might be a bad example.  Perhaps my soul is already to hardened to feel anything anymore, but for other people, killing should NEVER be a casual thing.  If you want to kill someone, especially without a good reason, you should have to earn it by "getting your hands dirty".

She looks at Mason and shrugs.

I'm always up for learning something new.

"I've already earned every commie I've killed and ever will kill" he muttered, almost so quiet that no one could hear.

For a second he was thinking of something else, a heavy pain visible in his young eyes, but he quickly pushed it out and returned to the present.

In reply to Yana Whitlock (msg #183):

"Pulling the trigger is only easy in theory." Jesse replied, entering the discussion. "A 6LB trigger pull might as well be 6 tons sometimes...and guns are not clean things. They rip, punch though, they kill with devastating effect." He said. "The distance isn't that different compared to a blade of a bow."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Sat 01 Aug 2009.

Finishing the meal, he pushes the plate away and rises.  He motions towards one of the side rooms and speaks to the Bartender.  "There isn't a problem in using that room is there."  It is much more of a statement than a true question.  Mason picks up the bag and looks at Vanessa, Aramandel and Yana in turn.  "If no one has any objections, we can work on the basics now."  He picks up the bag and starts towards the door, opening it and waiting for the others to join him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Sat 01 Aug 2009.

The barkeep just shrugs and doesn't even look.  "No, no problem."

Aramendel stayed quiet for the recent exchange. This was not a debate that he wanted any real part of. There are always too many variables in deciding when an action would be easy or not, and it goes the same for killing.  Ranged, melee, there was no real way to predict your feelings after and each being experience will be different.

Frustrated and overwhelmed, the ranger just followed into the side room, not even his feet making any noise.

>>Side room 2>>

Jesse was curious and followed after he gathered his things. His meal done and enjoyed.

--->Side Room 2
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Sun 02 Aug 2009.

Yana snorted a laugh at Jesse.
I'll agree that your "guns" ARE pretty messy, more like mini Fireballs then a bolt from a crossbow, but I'll have to STRONGLY, if respectfully, disagree about the "distance" being different than a blade.  Being able to kill while standing out of reach is MUCH different than getting within arm's length of your enemy.

I don't know your combat history, certainly, but I've done both, and being close enough to an opponent to smell them makes ALL the difference in how you view the fight, trust me.

She then walks to Ski and puts a sympathetic hand on his arm.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to make light of killing.  Taking a life, especially another person, is always hard.  I'm more used to it than others, perhaps, due to my own background, but I don't mean to make light of your pain.

She'll give the man an impulsive hug, not knowing what else to say, than, realizing that she might have gone a bit far in invading his personal space, she'll awkwardly back off and join the others in the side room.


===============>   to Side room 2

As the young man whom he didn't know moved to come in.  He holds up a hand to stop him.  "This is a basic firearms class.  I don't need any extra opinions.  You can come in kid, you may well learn something, but I expect you to keep your mouth closed."  He turns and goes into the room.

<<<To Side Room 2>>>

Nessa nodded at Mason, but hesitated to follow.  She didn't wanted to sit through a lesson in gun basics, however, she also didn't want to remain where she was listening to this discussion.  She considered the front porch or back upstairs, but felt like she was abandoning ship with those options.

Finally, she followed Mason, Yana and Aramendel to the side room, engaging in a sick little fantasy about shooting someone across the room and driving a knife into anothers stomach and seeing which the general crowd found more distateful.  It was a sick amusement, but kept her mind occupied.

[To Side room 2]

Ski blushed a bit, but shook it off, returning to the task at hand; wondering if Ms. Yana had misunderstood what it was that he had drifted off to for a second.  His thoughts had gone back to his family; what the Russians had done to it; murdered everyone he loved.  From that day, it had never been anything but easy to put them down.  He settled back down and continued reloading, thinking back on the 'discussion'.

In truth, the whole thing now seemed absurd to him; that they had been arguing that it was somehow better or more spiritual or less psychologically damaging to kill with one weapon than another.  The bottom line was, killing was killing.  Period.  They tried to put the ease of the kill off onto the weapon, but in the end, even pulling a trigger isn't as easy as people who've never done it think.

Parker watches the exchange in silence.  He had seen these guns in action and didn't see the big deal about them.  Loud clumsy weapons.  What did that matter in comparison to a disintegration ray or calling down a swarm of meteors to smite your enemies, or even a swarm of magical missiles.  He puts a hand on Ski's shoulder.  "Don't worry lad.  They will have to sort it out for themselves.  Those guns you carry are just one of many ways to kill.  The end result of each is the same, someone is dead.  And that Vanessa, she is a strange one.  An interesting woman but much more than she appears."

Boone works away on the side table, loading and recasing cartridges. He looks around occasionally for By-tor, wondering when the diminuative fellow wants to head out.

The Professor continues to work on his little device trying to get it to work muttering. "Trans spacial distortions, Hmmm."

<<<From Side Room 2>>>

Mason exits from the room and goes up to the bartender.  Making a quiet request.  He stands there while the man disappears into the back room, returning later with a large sack which he hands across the bar.  Inside are what appear to be round or oval objects of varying sizes.  He gives a small nod to those assembled and moves towards the front porch.

<<<To Front Porch>>>

Mason, do you need any paper silhouette targets? I have some extras.

Mason looks over at Boone and shakes his head. "Thanks, but no." He holds up the large bag.  "I think it is more important for first time shooters to see a more dramatic effect from their shots."

<<< To Front Porch >>>

>> From Side Room 2 >>

Aramen emerges just in time to here Boone's offer.

"Umm, if you have any orc shaped ones I would be happy to buy them off of you, but I doubt you do."

======> From Side Room 2

Yana is grinning from ear to ear as she steps into the Tavern.  Normally she was a little overwhelmed by all the strange things and new information with which she is bombarded whenever she stepped foot inside the Wolf's Head.  Now, however, she was learning something useful.  Something that could protect her when she visited other worlds.

The prospect was exciting.

She gave Boone a little wave as she walked past, like a young girl going to ride her first pony, and followed Aramendel out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:02, Tue 04 Aug 2009.

Jesse scanned the room and asked.

"Where's Mason? He already outside?"

He shrugged and followed his new friends outside when they left.

--->Porch

Yana headed out to the porch


=====> to porch

Jon shrugged at Parker's response.

"Meh.  I don't really put a lotta truck into what other people think; especially people who haven't walked in my boots."

Jonathan looked up and watched the others leave the side room and exit through the front door, several gunshots followed a few minutes later.

'Sounds like some 'practical application' goin' on.  Might as well check it out.' he thought as he grabbed his PKM and walked towards the door.

--->To Porch

(From outside)

Nessa entered the more dim space, and headed straight to the bar, ordering a dark beer and slipping onto on one of the seats. With much going through her mind, she rubbed her eyes for a minute and sighed when her drink was placed before her.

Boone, working at his table, looks up in time to see Vanessa's shoulders slump a little. Fearing for the feisty young lady, he gets up and crosses over to her. Is everything all right, miss? he queries, a note of obvious concern in his voice. You seem to have the weight of a world on your shoulders. Is there anything I can do to help?

Nessa chuckled, and gave Boone a smile, I'm fine. Thank you... Just thinking.  It's why most people avoid it. She shrugged, holding up her glass in toast and then took a sip. Nothing you can do, but it was nice of you to ask.

Mason comes back into the bar still carrying the duffel bag, he moves up directly to Vanessa.  He orders a bottle of coke and turns to her.  "I am going to talk to Yana and Aramandel some more.  I would like your opinion on this."

Nessa smiled at the man as he approached, Sure. She answered when Mason spoke, and sat up a bit, looking at him curiously.  Wondering what was up, if he'd want her to follow him, or...

He gives a quick nod and picks up his drink, walking towards the side room again.

<<<To Side Room 2>>>

"Oh shush," he says playfully to Yana as they walk through the door. "So what if I like my bow more?" He leads her into the side room behind the others, curiousas to what Mason is going to say now.

Nessa picked up her drink as well and followed Mason, still curious.

[To Side Room]

=====>  From Porch

Yana giggles at Aramendel.
I'm not saying that it's a BAD thing, it just very cute, that's all.

Still laughing, she follows him, seeming to snuggle up to him as they walk.


------->  To side room 2

Now what might this be?" The professor said as he moved away from the bar and across the room looking intently at his multi tool a pen shaped device that would light up. His other hand remained in his pocket fiddling around with the contents inside.

[From Side Room]

She'd heard the last few exhanges in the side room and thought there was little point in speaking. She was glad Mason had, but doubted it was understood. She was rather surprised to sense him follow her. Now, pausing for him to come up behind her, she asked over her shoulder, Are you thinking head out soon or...

It was not that she had preference, it was that she wanted to know if she should settle at the bar or back into a corner or be ready to go. Either was she was a bit preoccupied thinking of the others and her own past experiences.

<---From The Porch

Ski returned from the outside, pausing for a second to dust off his clothes and shake the bits of dirt and grass from his hair before finally sitting down again.  He set his two pistols on the table and reached into his ruck, retrieving a cleaning kit before unloading, clearing and disassembling one of the firearms.

Mason gives a nod to Ski as he walks past.  It is good to see someone who takes care of their weapons.  He walks up to Vanessa and stands close.  "I don't think that my staying in there and talking would do any more good.  I do want to leave fairly soon."  Again there isn't any real emotion in his voice that can be picked out. 

He starts to move towards the stairs.  "I am going to drop some of this gear off and pick up a few other things."

She had been headed back to the bar, setting her now all but finished drink down, and her attention caught by Ski’s cleaning of his weapons.  She actually smiled a bit, watching him, pleased to see the young man’s actions and reluctantly switched her gaze from Ski to Mason.

Vanessa gave a nod of agreement and looked up at him her eyes squinting just a bit.   I’m ready when ever you are.  Hers is not the emotionally neutral tone.  It’s a bit terse and smoldering.  You need help carrying stuff? She offered.

With a small nod, he stops.  "We might be there a few days, it would probably be best if you grabbed a change of clothes." He moves up the stairs.

I might be able to figure that out. She answered him dryly, the vaguest hint of amusement coming back to her voice.  With one last look at how Ski was progressing, she pushed herself away from the bar to follow Mason upstairs.

[To upstairs]

After a few minutes more, Boone rises from his workbench and heads over to Jon. He hands the man a dozen clips, fully reloaded. Here you go, partner. Don't waste them all at once, you hear?

Parker steps over to the young man cleaning his weapons and looks at the clips of ammunition.  "Interesting, may I examine one of these.  I am curios as to how they work.  I have had two different 'guns' shot at me recently and I believe I might have a vested interest in learning a bit more.  I don't think they would really be an effective weapon for one of my size."  He shrinks down to his normal height and jumps up on the table. "Besides, even if I ran out of arcane energy, this seems to do pretty much the same thing."  He pulls out a small wooden stick decorated with carved symbols.

"Muchos gracias, Mr. Boone.  I can't promise that though; that's up to the commies." he said, taking the ammo and loading some of it into magazines and the stowing the rest into his ruck.

Ski scratched his chin, then snapped the Glock back together, again clearing it.

"Well.....the capabilities of the weapon varies depending on the type and caliber;  some of them are only good at relatively short range, like a shotgun, or a pistol, while some are good out to longer distances, like a rifle."

He picked up one of the magazines and thumbed a round out of it.

"All of'em operate on the same principle though.  Each shot fired, expends a round of ammunition, one of these." he said holding up a .45 caliber hollowpoint.

"Some weapons can fire more than one of these at a time or with the same pull of the trigger.  Ammo's kept in magazines or belts....." he said, slidding the round back into the magazine and motioning to both it and a belt from his PKM.
".....which make them quicker to reload than individual rounds."

"I really don't care for the randomness of the projectiles though.  That large fellow that was shooting a very large hand weapon at me earlier, just shot the projectiles off in my general direction."  He shakes his head at the memory of the "fight."  Never mind that he had never made a single attack against the giant, it could still be construed as a fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Fri 14 Aug 2009.

 She walked gracefully into the tavern, soft silvery hair in a waterfall down her back, her fey appearance making her seem almost magical as she looked around for a seat. She found one that seemed to be in a good position and made her way over to it and had a seat. Her silvergrey dress clung to her body almost as if carressing it, though she didn't seem to notice as she settled in and looked around for a serving wench. Once she got one's attention she ordered a glass of white wine then sat back to watch the other patrons in the bar.

Mason and Vanessa come down the stairs, each with a sling bag over their shoulder.  Mason gives a small smile to Parker, pleased that he has again taken his proper size.  He notes the new arrival, but turns to the bar tender.  "This should cover all of my charges.  Give the kid a room for a few days and take his meals out of it as well."  He hands the man a certified cred stick and hooks a thumb at Ski.

Parker watches the new comer with some interest.  Not an elf but an actual fey unless his guess was wrong.  "Excuse me Ski."  He moves under a table and over to where she is sitting.  With as much dignity as is possible with such an act, he hops up onto a chair and gives her a short bow.  "I am Parker, Dragon Borne.  May I be so bold as to ask your name Miss?"

Scanning the room, again it seemed one need not be gone long for new people to arrive.  She gave a brief nod of greeting to the new... being, a woman.  But what was she?  Vanessa had no real idea, but then, she waws getting used to that.

She gave a slight smile first at hearing Mason's request.  He of course would like a young man who tended to his weapons.  She felt bad for the circumstances of the world in which Ski came.  The though in contrast to Yana, the thoughts made the smile fade.  Not even watching Parker got it back.

She glanced at Mason, catching his eye and then to the side room. One of them should tell Aramen they were going.  She would go, but was hoping he'd offer.  She still didn't trust her tongue.

With the slightest nod, he moves to the side room.

<<< To Side Room 2 >>>

 Arafel raised an eyebrow as the small dragon shaped being scurried across to her table and jumped up upon a chair at her table. She smiled with amusement at his charismatic bow and pretty speach then answered his inquiry.
 "Hello Little One. I am Arafel. I am pleased to meet you Parker. Would you care to join me for a drink? Perhaps you can tell me about this place? It seems to be quite an interesting place."

Nessa gave Mason a small appreciative smile, watching him cross the room.  After a glance at those who remained, she ambled her way toward the front door, lingering there, by a window looking out.  She didn't want to actually step to the porch, but hadn't really wished to remain in the room either.  So she hovered, listening, but looking elsewhere.

 She glanced toward the dark haired woman who wandered toward the door as if hesitant to leave and hesitant to stay. She noted her beauty, but it was an early beauty, and seemed to clearly be human, though not of the iron bearing type. She smiled briefly and turned back to her draconic friend.

Parker stands on the chair and attracts the attention of one of the serving women circulating through the bar.  He orders another ale and turns back to the the fay woman.  "This is the Wolf's Head Tavern.  It exists at a junction of many worlds, in many times.  These people come from a plethora of places."  He looks at her and smiles again, not overly showing teeth.

 She offered coin for the ale and her wine, not sure if it would be accepted, but surely there must be some exchange rate of some sort here.

 "Hmmmmm. Yes, I can see many different styles here. I admit though that you are most intrigueing. You at least seem familiar to me. Do you have magical abilities? Those I am most familar with are usually so."

He nods his head.  "I am the inheritor of the arcane power of my draconic ancestor, the Great Wyrm Ardurset.  If I may ask, while you bear many similarities to an elf or other fey, you seem... different.  I am not sure what manner of creature you are."

 "I am of the Tuatha Dé Danann. I am the last of my kind still living in our adopted homeland, though My kin still live and reside near Brugh na Boinne. You know of other such people as me?"
 She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip, enjoying the sweet tartness of the asti. It had been awhile since she'd socialized, so she relished the taste even more. She had been alone for a very long time except for the occassional lost human who wandered into her wood.

"Nay good lady, I am not familiar with any of the names you have given." He looks at her and cocks his head to the side slightly.  "If you are the last of your kind in your world, I would ask why you would stay?"  With a bit if a smile he looks down for a second.  "There are other kobolds, but none... that are like me.  I understand loneliness."

 "I love my forest, and if I leave, then the magic there dies. And if the magic dies, so does the creatures that dwell there that are of a magical nature. The White Hart, the Fairie, the Pixies, the Dryads and Niads and the pookahs. Should I let my loneliness allow them all to perish, to be taken and tortured by the Iron men? Should I allow the glades and streams and pools be defiled? Nay, I could not allow it to perish before it's time. When My forest goes, so goes all magic left in the world, and with it goes hope for many folks."
 She smiled sadly at the poor Parker, for she could see that he did understand. She raised her glass to salute him.
 "Perhaps if you ever visited My forest someday, you might find other companionship. The Heart of the Forest sometimes can work magic if one is worthy enough."

Mason comes back from the side room and moves directly towards the door.  He glances back at those in the room and gives a half smile, a great public show of emotion for him.  Interesting people to say the least.  He puts a hand on Vanessa's shoulder and motions for the door.

<<< To Porch >>>

With Mason's touch, Nessa's focus returned and with a slight smile, she too goes into motion, following the man.  Exiting to the porch, she takes a last glance around the room.  There were enough people there she thought capable, she felt no complustion to stay.  Even if Nikki should return, those there would be better off without her presence, she reasoned.  Without futher thought of it, she followed Mason to the porch.

[To Porch]

Tuatha? Does that mean you are one of Lugh's people? He and I have been friends for over 30 years.

 She looked around with some surprise at the stranger who spoke, then answered him, though he had not introduced himself.

 "If you mean Lugh Lamfada also known by some as Lugh the Light Bringer, he is a cousin of mine. I haven't seen him for many many of your decades though. Perhaps even centuries. Time has no meaning to such as us, you know."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Sun 16 Aug 2009.

Yes, that's the man. Skilled in so many forms of art and craft both, as well as in combat. One of the most competant beings I've ever met. Pardon me for my lack of manners he says, rising and doffing his hat in her direction. My name is Boone. Pleasure to meet you.

She nodded and smiled briefly then raised her glass to him.
 "Well met Lord Boone. I am Arafel bint Sidhe. Would you care to join us?"

Parker continues to stand on his chair.  He doesn't know these beings that they are speaking about, truth be told, he has no idea even what they were.  From the explanation he understood them to be guardians of magic in their world.  "Yes Mr. Boone, I would hear more of this."  Without waiting for a response he turns back to the fey.  "I have heard about such beings as yourself, am I to understand you are an immortal guardian?"

 She thought about the question silently for a moment then spoke the reply softly as she chooses her words, trying to say it in a way he might understand. It would be hard to make them understand their natural connection to the land, even to the creatures of air and deep earth, water and even fire.

 "We are very long lived, it is true, and usually only die from misadventure. As for guardians, I am guardian of my forest, the last stand that I know in the world I live in. Of course, my people guard their land as well, but as far as being guardians in an official capacity... Just say that we all love our lands and protect them and it's creatures as a natural part of being. No one ever had to tell us to do this."

"Ahh, very interesting.  My race, is notoriously short lived but most kobold's die a violent death anyway.  Many would be heroes come to try and slaughter them when they get started in their new chosen carriers." His smile is still broad but there is a bit of anger in his voice. "I have negotiated some treaties with most of the human and dwarven settlements near to where my clan lives, but we still get an occasional wanna be hero."

 "As do I. There are always some youth or some mental defective or some Hero who decide the rumors are false or exagerated, and tries to enter my forest in search of treasure or fame. Usually they become lost, or disappear. Some find more than they bargain for. Some find death if they bring death or iron, and some find other places, perhaps some even find this place."

"I have my own tower, and foolish youths will occasionally come and try and 'slay the evil kobold sorcerer.'" Parker shakes his head and laughs.  "Most of the time, I let them go after a short stay as a guinea fowl."

 "How amusing! I do hope none are ever eaten for dinner by accident!" She laughed softly, her eyes shone with amusement, sparkling like diamonds.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Tue 18 Aug 2009.

Parker's smile is positively mischievous.  "I have never once eaten one by accident."

 "I like your sense of humor dragon borne. I hope those who were eaten weren't as tough and sour as their souls must have been! No doubt there were few brains in their heads to accost such as you. The youth of today have learned no respect for their elders and betters!"
 She glanced toward the human male and asked him his opinion, studying him closely as she awaited his reply.
"What think you of heroes and children Lord Boone? Are they as empty headed in your world as well?"

Sometimes on my world, they are one and the same. Some of the 'heroes' on my world have the power to shatter mountains, or ignite suns. I have even met those who can destroy worlds. But for the most part, their motivations are shallow or uninspired. And too many of the newer heroes are guided by anger or instinct. There are very few who respond to adverse situations with reason or understanding. He looks from the Sidhe to Parker my world is not a safe place, needless to say.

"Seems alotta worlds are like that." Ski said as he switched to cleaning his other pistol.

Boone starts putting away his ammo-loading gear, and repacks it into his backpack. He tells the others I'll be back, just putting my bags away. He goes to the bar to get his large valise [it has his bow-crafting tools inside, along with a dozen bowstaffs] and goes upstairs to his room to deposit his bags.

"Aye young mister Ski.  From what I understand, there seem to be very few worlds that are safe.  Come over here to clean your weapon and join us for a drink."  He turns back to the fey and smiles.  I avoid eating sentient beings, most of the time.  Every once in a while, it just seems the best way to get rid of a problem though.  Like that tentacled sewer monster earlier, rather than use destructive magic in an enclosed area, I just ate it.  It tasted like calamari."

Coming back down the stairs, Boone adds to Parker's remark yes, but if not for Wilford and I setting the creature on fire, I think you would have had a much harder time overcoming the creature. I think it was a bit surprised, to say the least, when it tried to quench the fire in the sewer water only to see the flames rise higher. Metallic Sulphur tends to be a nasty surprise to monsters.

 She listened to them talk as they manipulated their various tools and bits of iron. She frowned and leaned away as the taint of the iron in those things touched her.

"Calimari? What is that?"

=====> From side room 2

Yana comes out of the back room, hand and hand with Aramendel.  She's blushing a bit, but leading him towards the stairs to go up.

She nods shyly to the familiar faces in the Tavern.

In Yana's tow, Aramen follows sut towards teh stairs, but takes the chance to make note of the faces in the tavern proper.

Boone, noticing them go upstairs AND holding hands, colors and turns his head away.

Yana blushed a bit when  she sees Boone.  She felt guilty about how badly she treated him, but that couldn't be helped now.  Turning towards the stairs, she ascends.

========> To upstairs.

Parker understood that the inn translated the languages they spoke into what words the person would understand.  "It is an eight tentacled sea creature without bones.  They are very good in a butter sauce."

He turns to get the attention of one of the tavern wenches.  "My good woman, do you happen to have calamari in a butter sauce by chance?"

Looking back at the fay woman.  "I apologize in advance if you are a vegetarian, but if not, I would be honored if you would share a dish of this with me.  How about you Ski, Boone?  Either of you up for a big plate of calamari?"

Aramen is caught off guard as Yana heads up again, expecting her to pause and say something. Following her pull, he heads up stairs as well.

 She watched the interplay between the female human and Lord Boone with interest and amusement, smiling at the girl as she glanced her way, and nodding slightly. The girls blushing was quaint and charming. She was glad the girl was not past such charming traits.
 She turned back to Parker as he spoke. When the waitress came, she asked for another glass of wine as well.
 "May I have another glass of this fine wine please? In fact, bring the bottle if you wouldn't mind."

 "I have eaten sea creatures upon occassion, though My forest provides me with all I usually need. But still, it is an insult to refuse to at least taste a hosts dish if it not be something harmful. It is not an intelligent creature though is it? I would not like to eat a sentient being of course."
 "I have eaten a large crustation with butter and citrus fruit juice before that was rather tasty. And fish are also quite delicious cooked with walnuts or almonds."

Ski carefully packed up the pistol he was cleaning, ensuring none of the pieces got lost, and moved what he was doing over to the table.

"Calamari sounds great.  I'm JOnathan Boyarski, but everyone calls me Ski." he said to Arafel.

Parker watches to interplay between the young human woman and Boone, but turns back to the fey woman. "They are clever, but not sentient.  While I enjoy the flavor of some nuts, my teeth are those of a predator and I have trouble with the grinding needed for such foods." 

With the waitress still there, he adds to his order.  "Increase the size of the Calamari so there is enough to share.  And another ale for myself and another glass of wine for the lady.  And a cheese and fruit plate.  And some of those rolls from earlier."

 "Hello Lord Boyarski. Jonathan is similar to one of our names. Ski is an interesting appelation. What does it mean?" She winced slightly at the taint in the air, and tried to ignore it as best she could. It was hard to do though.
 "If I might ask without causing insult, could you please place your tools as far away from me as is safe for you? It is quite uncomfortable for me to be too near it."

Oh, I had forgotten. Fey beings do not like the presence of iron or steel, isn't that the case? Although the SERRA crew have a few mages that are learning a tolerance for the stuff so they can work on their race cars. At least they did the last time I saw them. Must have been about 30 years ago. Don't let my looks fool you madam. Although I appear to be a human in my early 20s, I am in fact over 80 years old.

And yes, I'd love to join you in consuming some calimari. Although it may cause me some difficulty the next time I encounter Captain Cthulhu. If he reads my surface thoughts, he might become mortally offended.

 She nodded slightly at Lord Boone's remarks.
 "It is true we do not like Iron, especially weapons, or axes that cut down our trees. The smell is slightly offputting. I suppose one can get used to anything if one puts one's mind to it, but it smells like mild carrion to me."

Marker cocks his head for a second thinking.  "In my world the fey are vulnerable to cold iron alone, not to steel or other metals.  I do not believe I have anything of iron on me.  A bit of gold and silver, but no iron.  Even my dagger lacks metal."  He pulls out the dagger which he showed such pride in earlier, large for his size, it is a carved from a large tooth and has a slight red tinge to it.  "Another gift from the Great Wyrm Ardurset."  This time his grin is positively wicked.

Hearing By-Tor's comment from outside, Boone addresses the group. Well, people, I'll be back. Got to escort the halfling to some sacred pool and keep him safe. But I will return. Boone dashes upstairs to his room to retrieve his backpack, but leaves his valise in his room. He returns down the stairs, picks up a few bottles of whiskey at the bar for $100, waves to the group, and heads out the door.


-------------->Porch

Ski smirked slightly.

"I'm not a lord or anything like that.  Just a normal guy.  And Ski's just a shortened form of my last name; it's a nickname that started in high school." he said as he moved over to the other table and removed all his weapons.

"Well then, young Mr. Ski.  If you would like, we are going to be served a large order of calamari, you are welcome to join us.  So Ski, these people you are fighting in your own world, tell us about them."  Parker has put the large dagger (more of a short sword for the small fellow) back away in it's sheath on his side.

 "That's some tooth! That creature must be large indeed."
 She smiled as Ski put his tools aside then sat down and started telling a bit about himself. She wasn't sure what a high school was, but that had to mean he had some education, unlike most humans of her world had. She nodded quietly and took another drink of her wine.

All hints of humor are gone from Parker.  "My ancestor was an ancient red dragon.  I inherited his power, but forsook his path.  With the guidance of Bahamut, I slew him and knocked his teeth out."  Suddenly the smile is back. "I have been carving the smallest teeth into weapons such as this."  He again pulls out the dagger.  "If made with care, they still hold the smallest piece of his fire inside of them."  He places the tip of the dagger into the last little bit of his ale.  In a matter of moments, the liquid starts to boil.  "Great for lighting cigars, starting fires and party tricks."

When the squid comes to the table, Slick seizes the opportunity and dashes out from behind a booth to grab a piece in a darting charge. The spiky ferret, scurries along before hopping up on another table and chowing down, thinking to himself how it is so much better raw.

Pushing open the dare carefully, Rhia stands to the side of the entrance with a hand in her mesh cloak. She wasn't exactly sure what to make of all this so far, but really it'd take more than an unexpected comfortable looking bar to spook her. Had they given her a bad stack of de-tox pills and she'd just caught jungle fever, leaving her body spaced out somewhere while her mind wandered? Didn't feel like a hallucination, but then how can you really tell?

A blocky case lighter coming out to spark her Lho-Stick up and she takes a drag exposing stained teeth as she enters the bar, letting the door swing too with a clatter and swerving the rifle slung across her back out of the way so it doesn't catch. Even standing tall her head barely cleared the bartop, so she hopped onto the foot rest of a stool and leaned on the top, bouncing a chewed up golden looking coin off it idly. "Can I get a drink? Spirits if you got it, don't much care which. Never stopped one place long enough to learn all the names" she says in a quiet, if slighty rasped voice.

"Sure thing.  Welcome to the Wolf's Head Tavern."  He opens a bottle and pours a glass of whiskey.  "Seeing as I never seen ya before, I'll tell ya, this place is protected against violence."  He glances over at Parker.  While he was actually quite a funny chap, many humans seemed to have an adverse reaction to the little fellow.

 She shook as Parker boiled his ale. That would surely be a foul taste afterwards. She was about to say so when the ferret suddenly dashed by and grabbed a bit of food from the dish. She laughed as he sat on a nearby table and chowed down.
 "My my, aren't you a brave little fellow. If you'll some sit in my lap, I may allow you another bite or two."
 Just then another person came into the tavern and went to the bar, speaking softly to the barkeep. She studied the girl for a moment then turned back to watch the ferret.

Rolling the lho-stick to the side of her mouth, it hangs there as she slugs back the shot and taps the edge of the glass on the top for a new one. Giving the keeper a half-grin she, her face is still caked in camo paint and a little wary but she's already relaxing as her voice comes up to a normal conversational tone "Fething strange as this place is, i've got no troubles here yet and as long as it stays that way i'm sure we'll be just fine. Speaking of which, what exactly is the dirt on this place? One minute i'm humping through a forest trying to dodge a few people I may have left in less than happy circumstance, then all of a sudden I'm running into here. Not that I'll complain mind you, just it itches my curiosity"

The spike baby moved over tentatively to the edge of the table, then hopped down for a better sniff. There was something that just smelt different than the others. Not bad, just different. He hopped up onto the table with the kobold and funny smell lady and sat calmly as he gnawed the squid ring.

Parker gives the ferret a hard look for a few seconds. "It is polite to wait to be invited or to ask."  He turns to the new comer and the bartender, smiling at his glance to him.  Not moving from his place at the table he raises his voice to be easily heard. "You are in the Wolf's Head Tavern like the man said.  It is a junction between many worlds, many times.  A powerful magic protects those inside to prevent harm from being done to those inside." He stops, narrowing his eyes for a second.  The cigarette, it smells the same as what the Space Marine smoked.  "You are welcome to sit and enjoy some food with us if you like."  He picks up some of the squid and pops it into his mouth, savoring the taste.

 She slowly offered her hand for the ferret to smell, warily because ferrets were known to bite without warning. She hoped it would sense that she wouldn't hurt it, and that she revered animals and protected them in her forest.
 "Hello there Small One. I hope you are enjoying your imprompto meal."
 She picked up another piece of calimari and offered it to him when he finished with the first one. She smiled over at Parker and the others to see if they thought the creature was as amusing as she found him.

Weld turns to thank the person even if it did sound a bit a stretch and... well what the hell was it? Taking her second shot with her, no more for the day, she approaches the table tentively before grabbing a seat. "I'll do that then. Decent of you to offer, names Weld. I'd shake hands, but honestly I still feel a bit out of my mind. You're not all brought on by promethium fumes right?"

She taps her welder to check just in case it was leaking, it did that now and then just to make her life that little bit harder.

Parker looks at the new comer and smiles.  Meeting people over plates of food is usually a good experience.  "I assure you I am not a drug induced hallucination.  I am Parker Dragon Borne Kobold and inheritor of arcane might.  I come from the world of Ratajan."

Jon shrugged.

"The Soviet Union?  It's a buncha states of smaller countries basically ran by Russia.  There's a lot of'em, but they're not as well trained as my country's army, especially the soldiers from the satellite countries.  But they're much better equiped and supported than us partisans.  They invaded my country, America, and took a good part of the country, but the Army's working on breaking through their lines to take it back.  So me'n the other partisans keep up the fight behind the lines.  We can't match them in a straight-up fight; so we pick our battles; fire a few rounds and break away.  And they're evil.  My country was founded on democracy; the people in power are elected by the people.  The Soviets maintain their rule through fear and murder and torture."

Jon watched the ferret-thing for a few seconds then slowly reached out to pet it, being mindful of the spikes.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Sat 22 Aug 2009.

Rhia was nothing if not adaptable. Every world had it's bizaree odities, this one was just currently winning is all. The food looked better than anything served up at the Volg, which didn't really tell her anything other than it didn't look intrinsincly poisonus. She takes a bite, it really wasn't that bad.

Reaching back she fiddles with the cover strap for her rifle and eventuall snaps it off, manouvering it down so it rests on the side of the table. It let her sit back a bit more comfortably, bunching up the tail ends of her cloak beneath her so she can raise herself up to the others.

"Mind if I call you Parker? Long names are for those that don't need introductions. I'm Weld myself, I guess you could call me a problem solver."

"You can call me Ski." Jon said, helping himself to some of the calamari; still ravenous despite his meal earlier.

'I outta slow down; too much food'll make me slow.'

"Nice, pleased to meet you Ski." Weld says giving a nod Said you were an insurgent? Don't envy you much there, always a hell of a slog. Got mixed in with some of that for a group called the Atoli a long while ago. Was burning out the charge packs by the end of the morning and ended up had to use a crossbow for much of it. Fighting with no like to a munititorium is rarely worth the pay but see if we don't get that every time we're pressed out."

Parker's smile has returned.  "You may call me Parker.  It is what I am called amongst humans.  My name amongst my own people would be difficult for you to pronounce."  Looking at the cheese and fruit tray, he selects a piece of cheese and pops it into his mouth.  "The life of a guerrilla fighter is not an enviable one."

He turns and looks at the one who calls herself Weld.  "You come from the world where a single emperor rules over humans from thousands of worlds?  And he has lived for thousands of years, fueled by the lives of his people?"

Ski shrugged and swallowed his mouthful before speaking again.  He'd never heard of any of the groups she mentioned, but then again, he was sitting here talking with a kobold, so he sort of expected it.

"AM an insurgent.  Been for almost three years; since I was sixteen.  Almost all our gear is captured, so ammunition's not that big a problem; especially since we try not to stand and slug it out with a real army.  We attack and dissappear; if we've been around long enough to need to change mags, we've screwed up."

Weld's blows a stream of smoke out and tilts her head at Parker "I'm going to assume you mean some other place to mine for that, we have a God made flesh watching over us. He's lived that long because of our faith and his power, keeping back those who'd want to kill us all and pick our worlds clean like maddened carrion birds."

She waves a hand dismissivel at Ski "Sorry, didn't mean to imply you're done. There's only two ends too it I find for those in it long enough, victory or death. Still raids never ended an occupation unless they're way over extended, hope you've got something coming down the pipe to clinch it."

Ski shrugged.

"No offense taken.  We're doin' what we can.  We keep'em on edge, sap their morale, tie up resources.  Troops that could be on the front line are instead deverted to guard their vital facilities and supply lines; supply lines that are stretched almost to the breaking point as it is.  They're far enough from home, and control a small enough portion with little coastal access that resupply and reinforcement are damn near impossible.  We're not gonna win the war, but we'll shorten it.  We do what we can now, but the real army's comin' and when they get here, we'll be right along side'em, working as guides and scouts."

"Not really for me that, never even liked my home world. Glad to be shot of the place, even if it came at a bit of a steep price." says Weld going for an apple next. Looking at it as if she had no idea in the world where to start before biting in with a crunch and a swallow, "Pretty good food here though, we all chipping in or....?"

<---Side Room 2

"Hey Ski, mind if I join you?" Jesse asked as he walked out into the common room.

 She goes quiet as she feeds the ferret creature, and listens to the imprompto party going on at her table. She wasn't used to so many people around, especially humans. She concentrated on Slick and Parker mostly.

Parker looks at Jesse and Weld.  "You can come join us, but I will ask both of you to remove metal objects.  You can set them on the table right there."  He points to the table next to them.  "As far as paying for the food, I ordered it so I will pay for it.  I inherited more than arcane power from my draconic ancestor, I also took his horde."

"Any reason for that?" Jesse asked curiously as he started to pile his thing on the a clear spot on the table. Weapons, supplies, equipment. He paused for a moment.

"All metallic items?" He asked as he considered his boots, zippers, and various other metallic items.

Rhia considers thatoutside of the cloak, underwear and some plastic knives , that'd include near everythung she has."Yeah that's not really happening my end, can I just sit a bit back?"

"Removal of large iron and steel objects will be fine.  Other metals are fine.  I understand if you have metal in your clothing.  Could you sit in those chairs please."  He points at the two chairs on the opposite side of the table from himself and Arafel.  He looks at the young human and smiles, this time showing all of his teeth.  "Are you allergic to any foods?  There are some of us from the more magically strong worlds have a tendency to be allergic to iron.  This inn turns attacks back on the attacker.  If you were to touch me with something I was allergic to, I believe you might suffer the reaction."

"Right, iron, iron...I don't have much plain iron on me." Jesse finished placing his things away.

Reminded of her aversion to metals, Ski unzipped his jacket and walked over to the rest of his weapons.  He felt.....uneasy without atleast one of his pistols; almost naked without the tools he'd carried and trusted for the last three years.  He tugged off the leather jacket, revealing several sets of crude, mildly inflamed sutures on his left arm, as well as an amateur tattoo of several names on the inside of his right arm.  He ignored the urge to scratch the stitches as he returned to the table and took his seat again; the stitches were painful to put in and he didn't want to have to redo them.

Rhia moves her rifle and the grapple gun to the far off table and pulling off a belt with a large bandolier of grenades held with leather backets. She then grabs a seat opposite the pair but doesn't bother to divulge herself of any of her other gear. There's plenty of metal on her left and her chest harness his big steel toggles on it "Wasn't planning to give you a hug. Sorry to hear you've got such a strange allergy."

 "I am sure we all have our own weaknesses Parker. I carry few weapons myself, but those I do carry are very strong. I do not carry anything made of iron though. I carry silver or adamantine, horn or wooden things. Are there any other allergies here I should know of?"
 She reached over and took a bite of calamari for herself, putting it in her mouth and chewing slowly as she relished the taste. It wasn't too bad actually, though a tiny bit chewy.
 "This is very good Parker. Thank you for introducing me to it."

"So what's going on?" Jesse wished to join the discussion. He had some time to burn when he waited for his friends, Aramendel and Yana. He ordered a iced cold root beer and looked at the spread of food.

With a shrug he waggles his head for a moment as if trying to remember something.  "Ahhh... the lower planes.  The few times I have had to descend to the lower planes I always had a bad reaction.  Stuffy head, runny nose, a slight cough.  I think it is something in the air down there.  And you are most welcome.  I particularly like this piece of fruit.  Does anyone know what it is?"  He holds up an orange piece of what appears to be a melon of some type.

He looks over at the young human and again shrugs. "We are eating and getting to know each other."

 She picked up the melon and tasted it. It was cool and delicious.
 "Cantaloupe? Casaba? It is very good too. I love fruits. I especially love peaches and nectarines and golden apples"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

"Feth if I know. Everything I used to eat when young either came cooked until near black or wrapped in Pitha leaves." says Weld, before realising that no one here has any idea what they were. "Pitha.. uh.. they grow up on the higher levels of where I was born. They soak up all the chems so you don't end up poisoning yourself too badly. De-tox pills or shots took care of the rest long as we could get them. Amazing I even can taste anything, most lost that after a year or two."

She seems more than happy with her apple, even the pips get eaten as she works her way to leaving nothing but the stem behind.

"I just got here" Weld says nodding to Jesse "Can stay a good while too if that's all right. Meant to be going to ground for three cycles and this place seems far safer than the place I'd been planning on humping over too"

All of this sounds strange to Parker.  He understood cities and how people lived on top of each other, but this sounded much worse.  Chemicals in the air??  "One thing you need to consider young lady, time does not move at the same speed in all places.  I was here before for about a day, but only a moment had passed in my own world.  I make no claim to know how time will pass in your world, but it is something you need to be aware of."

Parker actually has to jump up onto the table to grab another piece of the orange fleshed fruit: "Casaba?" He shrugs, jumps back to his chair and eats it.  With a gesture to the massive plates of food on the table he smiles at everyone.  "Please help yourself, there is a lot of food here."

"Thanks." Jesse said as he grabbed a piece of fried chicken.

"So these 'lower planes' are the underworlds of your reality, yes? They probably have a lot of particulate matter in the air, and you're probably allergic to one of them." He said between mouth fulls.

"Well that's not exactly comforting, but I'll hold on that it'll turn in right. An' call me Weld, I'm no young blood and definitely no lady." she says, turning the fruit in her hand as she takes bites.

"Nah, its all the demons, devils and demodands that I am allergic to, I really should stop eating them."  Between bites he looks over at Weld.  "Fair enough, but young is definitely a matter of perspective.  And I would never assume that a woman is not a lady."  Even with all the pointy teeth, the smile is warm.

Meriwether seemed almost in shock as he came from the Game room. Where was Aalyssa? Joe Vesper? That other intriguing lady... Alex... Alexis? He heard someone mention Lady at the bar. What a strange lot they were. Was he even in the same place? He had been to so many... yet in truth had he ever been anywhere? Was this all sort of a dream? Opium enhanced, as he once partook in China Town... San Fransisco? Or had he finally reached Bedlam, though unaware, & the Major now hovered above him with that sneer that had always seemed to say I told ye so son! Ye'd never amount to anything fine n' proper! Didn't I? Well didn't I?

He moved slowly to the bar, acknowledging the tapster with a curt nod "Tea if you may good keeper. I would be much obliged."

Then glancing sidelong at the those gathered nearby "My pardon. However, did I hear one mention a Lady then?"