You dream of desperately trying to surf a gigantic shockwave.

But it morphs into a gigantic soundwave, and the explosion sounds morph into the soothing strains of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree".  You see Ralphie singing the lead, with backup vocals by RL, UM, and Secretart...

Then the music morphs toward a pentatonic scale, and Ralphie morphs into an oak tree covered in yellow ribbons, and the backup vocalists morph into oriental figures wearing robes and wielding samurai swords.

The figure you still recognize as RL solemnly presents his sword to you, and you feel a surge of power as your hand clasps it.

But then you see Lilandra suddenly appear from behind the tree, her eyes blazing.  Quicker than you can blink, she breaks a branch off of the oak tree, whacks the sword out of your hand, and indignantly picks it up.

RL shrugs indifferently.

Then she uses the branch to whack a large oriental gong hanging from a yellow ribbon on another branch of the tree.

An audience, in which each person is dressed in a Frivolous Lawsuit, claps approval as a large hook comes out from Stage Left and yanks the rejected singers off of the stage...

Just before the hook disappears, you can see that it is actually the arm of the Ironic Golem.

You still hear the applause.  Or is that still the sound of nuclear explosions?

Finally, you decide that it is neither, but rather the sound of pounding surf.

You haven't opened your eyes yet, but it doesn't seem to be very bright where you are.

The air is somewhat humid.  You are lying on something comparatively warm and soft.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:03, Sun 28 May 2006.

::I sit up look around, and gather my equipment (should be on me since it was within 1 foot of me when playing the game), and finally try to feel other versers around, oh yeah and look for my god weapon::

Jhiaxus

You open your eyes and sit up to see a moonlit beach.

The air smells fresh and clean, free of the smog you are used to from your home world.

You see a familiar figure in silver armor already walking around the beach nearby, carrying her sword with one hand while retrieving the rest of her equipment.

Your own equipment is easy enough to locate in the surrounding sand.

Using your verser sense, you feel a verser in Lilandra's direction... and another verser away inland somewhere... and another somewhere behind you.

And at that moment, behind you, you hear a familiar voice.

"That was a wild ride, with some really weird dreams, boss.  Where are we, and how did we get here?"

Lilandra looks up as Siljonic speaks.  Her eyes narrow suspiciously as he mentions his dreams, and you can see her hand grip her sword a bit more tightly...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:43, Mon 29 May 2006.

::sighs::

That is called beign versed, and all I've every done is have some weird messed up dreams.

::looks between Lilandra and Siljonic::

If were stuck together, I am not going to deal with this constant tension. Siljonic can't lie, and since the eye is able to tell that, you can tell I am not lying.

::pauses and puts on the armor from the chinese guys, checks the automatic shotgun he got from them and his own and puts them in his backpack, puts the sabres on his belt, swaps out his dead deflection belt for one that's fine::

I don't know what your problem with me is, and it might have been my fault, I wasn't happy on that world, and the one before it on dreamwar, I died from a chinese assassin team, so I've been a little cranky. So are we still going to have problems, or can we be adults and just deal with issues without killing each other?

::sits down and sorts through all the guns from the chinese guys, putting aside a pair of skorpians and 9mm pistols, and 2 clips for each. Keeping the other 2 for himself and the rest of the clips for the pistols, putting one in his right boot with holster, and one at them small of his back::

You two can take those, I have what I need, and really, I already have enough weapons. If you want a crash coarse on the let me know. If either of you want the normal shotgun let me know as well. So are we good, cuz I'm not travelling if we still have a problem.

::sits up and grabs his axe stands up::
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Mon 29 May 2006.

Lilandra's eyebrow rises.

"You talk just like that dwarf did... and this drow called him 'boss' then, and you 'boss' now."

"This leads me to conclude that you are somehow that dwarf."

"Some would say that disguises and shapeshifting are themselves a form of deception..."

She gives you, and Siljonic, a long appraising glance, considering.  Finally, she sighs.

"Well, the Eye has brought us to this place together.  And survival is still uncertain here.  And it is unclear whether or not there are natives here that need to be converted.  And I admit that rage may have made me jump to conclusions... though drow are almost always evil, and this one did attempt to hinder me in fighting against evil."

"Very well.  I will stay my hand for now, while I keep you both under observation.  But remember well that my Eye is upon you."

She gives you both a final appraising glance, then resumes collecting the rest of her equipment.

Once she looks away, Siljonic silently looks at you, and gives an eloquent shrug.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:43, Mon 29 May 2006.

::smiles::

Well that's something, and maybe someday, we can talk like friends, and I can tell you how I know he isn't evil, but for now not worrying about fighting each other is enough. I was turned into the Dwarf to play the game against my will, so take that for what you will. Don't blame Siljonic, he only did a hold spell on you to stop you from killing our way out, if you blame anyone blame me. Do either of you want the weapons?

::looks around::

If we are by a ocean or sea, there usually is a village or harbor shipping or fishing, or we can head inland. I sence a verser inland so your call, I have no preference.

::fishes around and finds a hooded sweatshirt and a bandana::

No offense Siljonic, but the natives here might never have seen a Drow, or an Elf for that matter, might want to put this over your elven chain so in case we meet people, we don't automatically have a problem.

::gets his duffle and backpack and gets ready to journey::

Lilandra replies at she picks up her items.

"For now, I shall be content with sword and armor.  I suspect it to be the case that these should be sufficient for any foe we face here.  Or if not, then a foe that could stand against my sword and armor could probably just as easily stand against those firearms."

"And for now, I shall content myself with allowing you to choose our course of action, so that I may observe the choices you make, and gain insight into your thinking and priorities and inclinations and character."

Siljonic takes the offered items quietly.

"I may need some training in using this weapon, boss.  But I had better try, 'cause there is something strange about this place.  Kinda reminds me of a weird place in the Underdark I was trapped in once.  It was an anti-magic zone.  All I had to survive with were sword and wits alone."

And as he examines the sweatshirt and bandana, he looks at you with a quiet twinkle in his eye, and murmurs just loudly enough for you to hear.

^{"You sure about these, boss?  'Some would say that disguises are themselves a form of deception...'"}

::nods:: Well let's ask Lilandra. Do you think it's fair for Siljonic to hide his ears and face untill we know how the people will treat him. You know people and their inclination to dislike Drow. I will ask you what your feelings on the subject are.

::takes the weapons and shows Siljonic how to use them::

Well they have triggers like your crossbow, with the pistol, just pull back the the hammer, aim and fire. That little lever there releases the clip when your empty to reload. The Skorpian is the same, without the hammer, but it does have a saftey there

::lets head for the inland verser::

Jhiaxus

Lilandra considers.

"How shall I observe the choices you make if you ask me?  Although I grant that asking me is in itself a choice, and one not without merit."

"Disguises are a form of deception... but obvious withholding of information is not.  Of course, the very act of concealing his appearance may itself cause suspicion by those who view him.  But as long as he forsakes deception, and is obviously choosing to merely hide his appearance, then it is fair."

Siljonic examines the weapons, and takes a few practice shots.

"Hmmm.  This is louder than a crossbow, boss..."

You all pack your things, turn your backs to the sea, and start making your way inland.

At times it is a fairly steep climb.  The area is green and forested.

From time to time you encounter streams or bubbling springs.  In the moonlight, you can sometimes see steam rising from the water.

::looks around::

This looks like a good place to stop for tonight, we have water, and a warm place to wash up. Siljonic you have your adventuring gear so we can make a fire easily.

::roots around in his pack and gets some protein bars and sees if anyone else wants any::

::assuming a fire is going, will use his duster for a mat, and his backpack full of clothes for a pillow::

Siljonic you only need 4 hours of sleep a night, why don't you get some now, and then let me sleep when your rested.

::looks at the steaming water::

If either of you want to clean off first go ahead, if not I will try that water over there.

The water feels hot and soothing, like a natural hot spring.

Lilandra also shares of her provisions, and the three of you share a comfortable enough meal, before settling down for some rest.

Lilandra also insists upon taking her turn on watch.

And so the night passes, seemingly uneventfully, and morning comes.

Except...

Lilandra seems a bit preoccupied.  After awhile, she speaks.

"At one point during my watch, I had the feeling that we ourselves were being watched.  I got up, and looked around.  But I detected no one..."

::nods::

Probably some natives, I assume this hot spring isnt common, so we might not be the only fortunate people to have used it. Either way, if they wanted to attack, they would have been better off when only one of us was awake than all three. I find it best to not worry about things you don't have control over.

::puts his armor and duster on, puts his weapons and shield belt on as well, carried his axe, leaning it on his shoulder::

Then again let's not stay in one place too long, let's eat on the road....

::eager to get going on the same trail as before::

OOC Questions:
(*) How many days provision do you have with you?
(*) About how much stuff are you lugging around right now?
(*) Did you and Siljonic decide to have him conceal his appearance, or not?

You all pack up and set off.

It is a nice morning, though a bit on the warm and humid side.  The forest is green, and you can hear the sound of water in the distance from time to time.  The sunlight filters down from your right through the trees onto the trail before you.

You can see Siljonic visibly squinting on the less shady portions of the trail.  This increases progressively through the morning as the sun moves more directly overhead.

Lilandra walks on tirelessly, despite her heavy armor, regarding the beautiful scenery with a thoughtful expression.

At some point during the morning, you wonder whether or not you are being watched.  However, you don't see or hear anyone.

It now looks to be approaching noon, and you feel your stomach starting to rumble...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:15, Thu 01 June 2006.

::I haave a few boxes of those bars, figure 30 of each, I can eat 2 at a sitting, so figure 5 days worth::

::I am carrying about 150 lbs of crap, Siljonic is as strong as a Stone Giant without magic (20/00 str around), so if he carries some of my extra stuff, I will use my duster with a stick to keep the sun off of him::

::I figure he is wearing the hooded sheatshirt with the hood down, and his cloak drawn up around him, so he's pretty bundled up, me just wearing my armor with a duster on a stick::

::Siljonic has two weeks full of iron rations in his pack so we aren't in danger of starving, and come to think of it he has close to 100k in DnD terms in gems, gold pieces, platinum pieces, so he's got some weight on him too :P::

::at around noon, I find a shadey spot and ask Siljonic to break out iron rations for people, and seriously consider dumping all my role playing game books when I get the chance to scan em onto my laptop::

::as we eat I remark::

We were being watched, and maybe still are...

During the morning, you develop a keen appreciation for the strength of your companions, who are able to keep walking despite carrying a significant amount of weight.  You are thankful for help in carrying your own things, for your aching muscles tell you clearly that you never would have been able to carry all of your stuff any notable distance without significant assistance.

Siljonic's strength is obviously beyond the human norm -- perhaps approaching that of a stone giant.  Yet you get the impression that Lilandra's strength exceeds even that, and you wonder how that could be.  There must be an interesting story there somewhere...

On the other hand, you also have occasion to see some of your own strengths relative to Siljonic.  He gives a quiet but heartfelt "Thanks, boss..." as you try to shade him from the bright sunlight, which obviously bothers him.  And trying to march all morning through the increasing heat of the day while wearing a hooded sweatshirt and cloak doesn't look like very much fun.  You can see that he has been sweating a lot.

In response to your comment, Lilandra and Siljonic both nod.

"Yes, I felt it as well..."

Just as you finish eating, you hear the sound of galloping horses approaching from somewhere ahead along the trail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Fri 02 June 2006.

::nods::

Let's not get weapons out, the last few worlds have not been fun, and this one isn't bad so far, so I'm all for talking instead of fighting.

::I will sift through my duffel bag, and pair down all my clothes, to a set of 5 good t shirts, 5 pairs of carpenter jeans, 5 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks, to get down to about a more manageable 15 pounds of clothes. I do remember a lot of those clothes had holes or were getting old so, I will grab a sack from Siljonic and leave them by the road, disowning them, so someone else who may need them get have them::

::I will then do a quick encumberance audit of what I still have: all the tools and various things like shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, deoderant, I have all my dice and books in my backpack (which is about 50 lbs), my laptops in my roll around laptop bag, with my pda. that leaves the shotguns, which I would love to get leather satchel pockets in my duster for them eventually, but for now go into the clothes duffel bag with the ammo::

((I assume if the galloping was coming this way, they would reach at about this point))

Jhiaxus

The horsemen burst into view on the trail.  Each wears a gray robe.  As they get closer, you can observe that they each carry a pair of swords, one longer than the other, as well as a bow and arrows.  They all have dark hair and oriental features.

They rapidly converge on your position, surround you all, and come to a halt.

One speaks commandingly in a strange language.

When you don't comply with his command immediately, each of them places an arrow into his bow, and points it at the three of you.

He speaks commandingly once again, with a raised voice.

You observe that there are ten horsemen, but thirteen horses.

Lilandra glares, bristling.

Siljonic looks silently to you...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:10, Fri 02 June 2006.

::put my hands up::

I don't know Japanese, or Nippenese...

::motioning for the other two to do the same::

Siljonic sees your motioning and raises his hands.

You can almost hear Lilandra's teeth grinding as she glances around.

Slowly she raises her hands as well.

The speaker hears your incomprehensible tongue, and his eyes narrow.

Then he motions to you.  It seems pretty obvious that he wants you all to yield your weapons, and mount their spare horses.  It also seems pretty obvious that his directions are not a request, and that he expects immediate compliance...

::this should be amusing::

::I pull out the 4 swords on by belt, the pistol on my right leg, the pistol at the small of my back, the shotguns in my dufflebag, the skorpian and pistol in my pocket, the klingon dagger on my other boot, I'm sure Siljonic will be the same, since he has a lot of weapons too::

::I get on the horse::

Well at least we don't have to walk anymore

Your companions also give up their weapons, though the contrast in facial expressions is interesting.  Lilandra's face looks as dark as a thundercloud about to break forth, while Siljonic's dark face is quiet as he complies.

Interestingly enough, even with (or perhaps, especially with) the arrival of these horsemen, you still have the feeling that you are all being watched.

Once you are all mounted, the speaker leads, followed by the rest.  Each one of you has riders to either side of you, plus a rider directly behind.  You are all well aware of how quickly they can draw their bows, and have little doubt that attempting escape would be suicide.

The group seems to be attempting to make best speed toward somewhere, although they seem to be taking care to ensure that you are all able to stay mounted.

Your direction of travel seems to largely coincide with your sense of the location of the unknown verser you detected when you first arrived in this world.

Lilandra seems as much at home on horseback as the samurai.  Siljonic looks like a beginner, and the group's pace is held back by having to make sure he doesn't kill himself by falling off.  Your skills are somewhere between these two extremes.

The sights of the forest pass by more quickly than before.  Some muscles that ached previously get a bit of a rest, but you soon have new aches to take their place...

::If I feel I am being watched, I will scan the countryside as he pass by, it's worth a shot, and yeah horseback riding hurts, so I will just deal with it, and looking at Lilandra's face, she's in deperate need of an anger management class::

::looks at the various people, look like samurai to me, this world looks to be very interesting::

Jhiaxus

As you depart the area where you ate lunch, you scan the countryside.  At one point, you almost think that you catch a glimpse of someone watching your departure from within the branches of a tree.  But the figure (if there is one) is so stealthy and still, and blends in so well with his surroundings, that you can't be sure.  And if you hadn't been looking specifically, you never would have (perhaps) seen even that much.

The horsemen indeed look like samurai to you.

They wear breeches and clogs and light kimonos, all the same gray color.  All wear their hair the same way, with the top of the head shaved and the hair at the back and sides gathered into a queue, oiled, then doubled over the crown and tied neatly.

They also each wear two scabbarded swords stuck into their belts.  One is dagger-like.  The other is long and slightly curved -- a two-handed killing sword.  And of course, they each carry a bow and a quiver of arrows.

The forest continues on.  At times you hear the sounds of water, sometimes nearer, sometimes further away.

The water noise increases, becoming a dull roar.  And all at once, a river comes into view, with a waterfall feeding it, and a bridge spanning the river.

The riders stop to water the horses, and dismount to get water for themselves.  At their direction, you all dismount to do the same.

Once again, you have the feeling of being watched...
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:48, Sun 04 June 2006.

::gets off and gets watered and whatnot and again look into the forest into the direction of where I am being watched from if I can pinpoint the location::

::I will make sure I drink enough water to last, but not too much as to get sick. I dislike the feeling of being dehydrated and I begin to look for signs of where ambush points would be on the trail::

::No one watches for this long without having some action for when they are ready to reveal themselves::

Jhiaxus

Everything seems normal enough.  You don't hear anyone, or see anyone.  But somehow you still have this nagging feeling of being watched.

Exchanging glances with Siljonic and with Lilandra, it would seem that you aren't the only one who feels it.

Indeed, the samurai exchange meaningful glances, murmur amongst themselves a bit, and appear to be examining the area with more than the usual care.

But still, no one hears or sees anything unusual...

::I go along with the flow untill something happens or we reach our destination::

Jhiaxus

OOC: Hmmm...  You "go along with the flow"...  Funny that you should choose to phrase that just the way you did...  ROFL!  :D

After horses and riders have had the opportunity to slake their thirst, the samurai mount up, and the leader motions for you all to do the same.

You still do not see or hear anyone.  Just the roaring of the falls off to your right, and the tendrils of water mist wafting over the bridge.  But the nagging feeling of being watched persists.

The horse's hooves resound upon the wooden planks of the bridge spanning the river.  First the leader.  Then Siljonic, surrounded by his escort of three.  Then Lilandra, also surrounded.  Finally, you, also surrounded.

Without warning, the base of the middle two-thirds of the bridge falls away, hinged along the left side of the bridge, with the right side of the base swinging down to the vertical like a huge trap door suddenly opening.  The leader escapes, as does the samurai to the rear of you.  But the other eleven horses and riders, including you and Siljonic and Lilandra, fall into the water with a huge splash.

And as soon as the bridge booby-trap is sprung, arrows start flying toward the samurai from unseen archers...

::I hate water::

::my laptops destroyed, my ipod gone, who knows what else, I am beyond angry::

::I swim to shore, I know Siljonic can swim, so I'm not worried for him::

::seething with fury at this point::

((you dropped me in water destorying my equipment, may rats with bubonic plague feast apon your flesh and infection sets in, while staked down to a rock in the desert, with a loin cloth, rubbed down with baby oil and honey, so you roast and ants attack you, while scorpians and rattlesnakes poison you))

You swim to shore, your first response blinding fury over the loss of your valued possessions... until you realize that you weren't carrying them.  They were taken from you by the samurai, and divided up by your escort, so you could not use them to escape, or successfully escape with them.

And you breathe a sigh of partial relief when you remember that your strangest and most dangerous-looking gear (that is, your electronics and your weapons) were kept on the horse behind you, where it would be hardest for you to make a grab for them.  The same horse that was bringing up the rear, and that (as you can now see) avoided the booby-trap...

(OOC: I didn't previously specify where your possessions were stored, so I'm going with the most logical extrapolation, which happily enough makes the dunking somewhat less catastrophic for your most vulnerable stuff... :)

Meanwhile, you see that Lilandra, with an impressive display of horsemanship, has managed to remain atop her horse as it swims toward shore (which is probably a good thing, given the armor she is wearing).  On the way, she provides an impressive display of her strength when she grabs one of her escort that swims too near to her, picks him up by the neck, and flings him through the air and into another of her escort.

Siljonic doesn't fare so well in horsemanship, though he does leap clear of his horse to splash cleanly into the water.  His swimming stroke isn't particularly impressive either, but he does manage to make his way to shore, where he too flings one of his escort away.  While his foe doesn't fly as far through the air as Lilandra's, they both obviously exhibit strength beyond the human norm.

The arrows are still flying, but the battle is not yet over...

::anger ebbing, rage leaving, sitting on the shore, since this is not our battle, now if any samurai get in my way, well I don't have any weapons or any real martial arts skills, so I am pretty much useless::

::I am figuring to get some katanas out of the deal so most likely it will be a new set of captures, but hey gotta look at the bright side::

Jhiaxus

The attackers seem to be skilled and effective.

The two samurai who escaped the booby trap attempt to flee.  However, the leader is painfully unhorsed from an almost invisible cord stretched across the trail at a horseman's shoulder height, and the rearmost samurai is brought down with a volley of arrows.

Some of the samurai in the water try to make for shore, but the archers pick them off one by one.  Others try to evade the attack by swimming under the water up or down the river, but are brought up short by fishing nets, where the archers do their work.  It would seem that the attackers were well prepared indeed.

And all at once, the sounds of battle cease, and figures come out of hiding to gather the horses and strip the bodies.

Lilandra and Siljonic come over to join you.

"Well, boss, do you think we should try to ask them to give us our things back?"

Three of the group sees you all conferring, and walks toward you.

"It seems that we may well get the opportunity to ask now..."

One of the three starts speaking to you all in a strange language...

::looks around::

I know like three words of japanese, most of them from a movie....

::does the vulcan finger thing::

Konnichiwa

::I point to a katana::

Katana

::I point to a Wakishashi::

Wakishashi

::I point to both of them together::

Dashio

::looks at them and shakes his head::





::point to the small swords::

Ninja-To

::points to himself::

Jhiaxus

::points to Siljonic::

Siljonic

::points to Lilandra, and is tempted to say "bitch"

Lilandra

::pauses::

That's all I know of Japanese...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Mon 05 June 2006.

The speaker frowns, and confers with his companions.

It is obvious from their glances at the three of you that they find each one of you quite strange.  You seem to be more than strange enough, but a superhumanly strong drow, and an even stronger silver armored warrior princess?

Several more of their companions approach, carrying your belongings.  These are examined and conferred over as well...

Siljonic glances at you inquiringly.

Lilandra watches everyone attentively but silently, her thoughts currently her own...

::I point to the stuff they are looking at and point to us, for example I point to the axe and point to a tree or a man to see if they get that those were ours and not the Samurai's::

Sigh this language barrier is going to be a pain, and with Siljonic not able to cast magic, it looks like there is going to be no easy way to communicate. Well they say the best thing is to immerse yourself in the language....

::smiles::

They watch you pointing at the stuff, and at you, and at an axe, and at a tree or man... and they frown, conferring further.

You aren't sure if they understand but disagree, or if they didn't follow what you were trying to gesture.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, Lilandra gestures as well... and speaks to them, albeit somewhat haltingly, in their language!

Their speaker exchanges surprised glances with his companions, and begins slowly conversing together with Lilandra, as Siljonic looks on in quiet amazement...
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:24, Thu 08 June 2006.

((under no circumstances will I look on in amazement))

::rolls his eyes::

You gotta be kidding me, whatever, I just want my stuff back. You talk about me making choices but when you have an ability and it is needed and you don't volunteer it, your doing all of us a disservice. Before you come back with I didn't ask you; you didn't make any indication that you understood them.

::very annoyed at this point::

OOC: Boy, the GE rolls really saved your sorry rear end this time... ;)

At first Lilandra looks at you with barely disguised regal distain and contempt.  But then she sighs, and her face softens somewhat.

"I am not entirely fluent, but I have had some dealings with cultures similar to this before."

"Those who captured us initially were samurai, and they had nothing but contempt for those who in their eyes are 'barbarians' -- notwithstanding that the noble blood in my veins is something they could never aspire to or even understand, and notwithstanding their ignorance of the Eye.  It would have done no good to speak to them, or to return the utter contempt they deserved verbally... but it might well have been of strategic value to listen to them talk freely amongst themselves."

"However, these sanzoku -- bandit fighters -- that we have fallen in with at least do not put on airs, and they at least have respect for the bravery and fighting prowess that we, or at least some of us, displayed in the recent battle.  So it is now of more strategic value to converse with them than it would be to refrain from conversing."

"Do you therefore do well to be angry?  Think well on the choices that you make..."

"And speaking of choices, do you wish me to attempt to convey anything to our hosts?"

((OOC: I don't need luck I am Jhiaxus :P))

::dealing with the queen of the morons here::

I haven't insulted you once, yet you feel it necessary to do so repeatedly to us. I just thought I would point that out. Tell them thanks and that the foreign stuff if our equipment and weapons..

Jhiaxus

Lilandra looks at you in disbelief.

"You 'haven't insulted me once'?  You would do well to speak truth, for the Eye remembers well, as do I."

"I suppose that you don't think ordering a drow to attack me, or calling me a moron, or ordering me to sit down and shut up and think, or claiming I give good a bad name, or daring to presume why the Eye sent me to scrutinize you, or calling me a certifiable nutjob, or claiming that I am evil, or claiming that I am insane, count as insults?  Or even the insulting looks you dare to give me, such as the one you gave just now when you were trying to introduce us to our hosts?"

"Yes, a deceptive person could well claim that they haven't insulted me 'once', for you have insulted me more times than you can even keep track of."

"Now you did appear to desire to make amends when we reached this world, so I have stayed my hand against you thus far."

"But if you are going to exhibit the very same anger, or insulting behavior, or lack of volunteerism that you accuse me of... then you would indeed do well to think on your choices again."

She sighs, looking at you almost pityingly, before turning to converse with the natives.

Meanwhile, Siljonic quietly moves over to talk with you.

"Well boss, given what a short fuse she has, and that she could probably whip us both at once if she had a mind to, and that she is the only one who knows how to talk to the folks who hold our stuff, I guess that could have gone a lot worse..."

::shakes his head, sits there and waits::

Lilandra haltingly manages to converse with their speaker... at length...

Siljonic looks at you, and gives another eloquent shrug.

Finally, they move off to talk to their companions, and Lilandra turns back to talk to you and Siljonic.

"They describe themselves as sanzoku -- bandit fighters."

"They describe the current regime as corrupt at the top, and the samurai -- though noble and honorable -- as part of the problem, for they continue to support and fight for the established order in spite of its corruption."

"My impression is that they see themselves as something along the lines of Robin Hood -- defending the defenseless from oppression and corruption."

"They saw us long before we saw them.  And they knew that others had seen us as well, and that we were being pursued specifically."

"Indeed, I felt we were being watched, and it did seem a bit too convenient that the samurai not only rode directly to us, but also had the exact number of spare horses required to transport us."

"They say there is little doubt that if not for their intervention, we would have been taken to Osaka Castle."

"Well, they have agreed to give our belongings back to us.  And they have invited us to stay with them for a time, if we wish..."

Siljonic looks inquiringly at you...

::shrugs::

Well if they are giving us our belongings back, and the samurai being who they were. I don't see why we can't take their offer of hospitality.

Jhiaxus

The three of you seek out the speaker, and Lilandra haltingly thanks them for the rescue, and for the return of your belongings, and for their hospitality.

The speaker nods, and replies to Lilandra as he gestures toward the rest of the sanzoku.  You can see that some of them are practicing with ranged weapons, others are practicing with melee weapons, still others are practicing unarmed combat, and the rest are doing various training exercises.  They are obviously using some type of martial arts.

Lilandra turns back to you and Siljonic.

"This is one of their training sessions, and we have been invited to join them if we wish."

"They are aware that we are not familiar with their fighting styles, but seem willing to help us learn."

"I suspect that they are aware that we aren't exactly friends of the samurai, and see that we have potential, and are therefore only too happy to enable us to become more of a threat to them..."

::nods to Lilandra::

Well, since I know nothing, I hope they teach us more than fighting, like their language, because it is hard to teach something when you do not share a common language. Either way I will learn whatever they wish to teach.

Jhiaxus

Lilandra asks the speaker something, and turns back to you.

"We are free to join in whatever activities we wish.  Different people have different interests, and aptitudes, and previous experience.  They seem willing to teach us, starting from our current level, in order to increase our capabilities."

Lilandra ponders the various groups for a few moments, and moves off to join those practicing ranged weapons.

Siljonic ponders, watching Lilandra, then looks at you and shrugs.

"It looks like it is time to pick our poison, boss..."

After a bit more observing, Siljonic moves off to join those practicing unarmed combat...

::nods::

Well since I have little experience with any of them, I will do melee weapons first.

::walks over to the melee weapons group, but will be doing all three::

OOC: There are actually four different group choices:

(*) ranged weapons
(*) melee weapons
(*) unarmed combat
(*) training exercises

Is melee weapons still your choice for your initial group?  :)

If I have the choice of training excercises, then I will choose them, but in reality I need them all, since unlike Siljonic and Princess Peach, I have no ability which I excell at.

Jhiaxus

You walk over to the area where a number of sanzoku are doing various training exercises.

One of the men sees you, and approaches with a nod.  It seems he was briefed on the possibility of your company.

When he reaches you, he gives a slight bow...

::gives a slight bow and gets ready::

Jhiaxus

He smiles.

"Jaksus?", he says, gesturing to you.

"Goudan.", he says, gesturing to himself.

He adds another sentence that you can't follow, and gestures for you to follow him.  He walks over to the base of a nearby tree, and gestures to it.

"Ki."

The lowest branch is six feet off of the ground.  He climbs up effortlessly to around half the tree's height, stopping when he is some twenty feet above the ground.  He then climbs effortlessly back down.

"Kuraimingu."

He then gestures to you invitingly...

::nods as I watch him climb the tree, and when he climbs down and gestures to me to climb it I approach it, give it a good once over to look for suitable handholds and try to climb it as he did::

Jhiaxus

He watches as you ascend and descend the tree with respectable competence, and nods with satisfaction.

"Roku."

Then he brings you over to a nearby tree, where the trunk is a bit smoother, and the branches are a bit more widely spaced, and the lowest branch is about seven feet above ground level...

::looks at this tree at being hard and sets myself to climb up and climb down the tree guessing that Roku means good::

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:41, Fri 16 June 2006.

You spend the rest of the training session climbing trees of various difficulty.  Goudan spends some of his time observing you, some demonstrating how to climb in particularly tricky or challenging spots, and some climbing seemingly impossible trees to further his own training.

Your muscles are sore long before the shadows lengthen, long before it is time to stop for the day.  And you have the distinct feeling that you will be climbing more tomorrow...

But for now, you descend from your most recent tree to join the others as they assemble for dinner...

::goes slowly to dinner and doesn't each much more than a mouthful or two of rice and some water before he is done::

I really dislike you two right now, if I knew Siljonic was going to come to life, I would have made him a woman, no offense. I know why he is superhuman, you I don't know, but it stinks being regular.

::finds a place to sleep soon after::

Siljonic looks at you in somewhat weary amusement.

"Sorry, boss.  But why would my being a woman help?"

Lilandra also regards you with a bit of weariness.

"The Eye bestows gifts for a purpose.  Yet the real challenge, the true test, lies in what we do with whatever we have been given."

-=-

Later you sleep.

The next morning, you vaguely wonder if the rest of the camp slept the entire night, for you have a fleeting impression from your dreams of some possible activity.

The sun's rays filter through the trees not long after sunrise, but already most folks seem to be up and about.

Siljonic is among those still eating breakfast.  Lilandra is already practicing.

::sighs at Siljonic's statement as he is too tired to explain it::

::groggily gets up does his business and comes to eat breakfast whatever it consists of and gets ready for whatever training to happen today::

Jhiaxus

Trees.  And more trees.  Different sizes.  Different shapes.  Branches, closely spaced and widely spaced.  Bark, rough and smooth.

Muscles ache.

The sun rises in the sky.

Lunch comes and goes.

And after lunch, you are taken not to the trees... but to the steep walls of rock near the waterfall.

Steepness, less and more.  Toe holds, near and far.  Surfaces, rough and smooth, dry and slippery wet.

Muscles that you never knew you had ache.

The sun sets in the sky.

And at last, the time of dinner is at hand...

::eats dinner, sleeps, repeat or learn something new::

Jhiaxus

Another day of climbing walls, made more challenging by an hour of rain in the morning.

And at the end of the day, Goudan nods with satisfaction.

"Roku."

And the following day, Goudan leads you over to an area of trees alone, seemingly away from the others.

After watching you look around the area for a few moments, he smiles, and calls out.

"Shinobi?"

Seemingly out of nowhere, a figure appears nearby, and gives you a slight bow, gesturing first to you, then to himself.

"Jacksus?  Shinobi."

Grinning, Goudan comes up to you and covers your eyes for a few moments.

When he uncovers them, Shinobi has disappeared once again.

After watching you look around the area for a few more moments, Shinobi appears nearby once again.  It would seem that he is skilled at hiding himself.

Then with a grin, Goudan covers Shinobi's eyes, says something you don't understand, and gestures invitingly to you...

::nods and bows when introduced, showing him I understand that his name is Shinobi::

::I will quickly look around for the closest tree with good hiding potential in the branches and quietly and quickly climb it::

Jhiaxus

Goudan uncovers Shinobi's eyes, and he spots you with relative ease.

Still, you have the feeling that they think it was a respectable first attempt.

Goudan bows farewell, and moves off.

Then Shinobi starts working with you to refine your technique.

To observe suitable places where you may blend in...

To hold your position with absolute stillness...

With your aching muscles, the latter is the most challenging.

He works with you until lunch, and after lunch through the afternoon.

And as the afternoon progresses, you hear what sounds like a bird call, and suddenly the training of the different groups stops.

Within a few heartbeats, you see everyone simply melt into invisibility.  If you hadn't watched them assume their hiding places, you wouldn't have been able to spot them.

Shinobi motions for you to hide as well, before doing so himself.

And faintly in the far distance, you hear the sound of hoof beats...

::finds a dark place to stand absolutely still in, and hopefully it will be good enough to stay hidden as the hoofs belong to horses that samurai are likely riding, and are probably none too happy to lose a whole patrol::

Jhiaxus

Just a reminder, Siljonic has a slip away into shadows skill at 52% so it should translate into a 2@1 skill, since he is a low professional at it. I don't know how the Silver Bullet is going to hide, unless there is a silver mine behind her. :P

LOL.  Jhiaxus is right there.  Hiding is not Lilandra's strong suit.

Well, she could be captured, and then Jhiaxus would have to do a heroic rescue attempt into the Samurai's dungeons...

PT

You watch as Siljonic blends into the nearby shadows.

You also see Lilandra as she listens quickly to one of her training companions while he motions her over to a large fallen tree, and as she lays down behind it.  The clanking of her armor becomes still.

The sound of the hoof beats gets louder.

Indeed, as you suspected, it is a samurai patrol.  It is somewhat similar in appearance to the one you last saw.

However, each horseman of this group is wearing bamboo armor.

The patrol comes into visual range.

You all hold your positions, keeping as still and as quiet as possible.

A soft breeze picks up, helping dry the sweat running down your skin.

The same breeze gently moves the lighter branches and leaves of the trees.

The sunlight filters in and out, striking the ground now here, now there.

... And now bouncing off of Lilandra's armor, creating a strange intermittent reflection of light up into the higher tree branches above the road.

The leader of the patrol catches sight of the strange reflection as it winks into and out of existence, and abruptly raises his hand.

The patrol suddenly halts...

::mentally sighs, the silver bullet just gave away our position, and I am no where near my shotguns, I only have my pistols and armor on, being on a minimalist approach to training, and not near my axe, draws my pistols John Woo style, let's see their bamboo armor deal with bullets. Waits to see what the other ninja do before revealing myself and opening fire::

Jhiaxus

You see Shinobi's eyes flare in warning at you as you draw the pistols, and belatedly you freeze.

From the slight noise and the motion, the leader looks in your general direction, eyes narrowed.

As the breeze dies down, Lilandra's armor is once again out of the sunlight, and the reflection disappears.

But you see a few other reflections disappear and reappear, and you realize that those reflections are coming from the stream.

Suddenly, you hear a noise not far away from you, but with Shinobi's eyes still upon you, you thankfully remain frozen.

A bird flies up out of a nearby tree.

The leader observes the bird, and the intermittent reflections off of the river water, and relaxes after a few moments.

With a few words, he leads the patrol onward.

They pass over the bridge, down the path, and out of view.

The sound of hoof beats fades into the distance...

OOC: you were saved by a good GE roll once again... :)

::waits till the patrol is gone, and puts away his pistols, and puts 1 finger up to Shinobi and walks over to Lilandra::

Your armor is too shiney and out of place here to hide with. If not for us, think of these people, they are trying to hide, and we very nearly gave ourselves away. This is not a lecture, just someone who saw the sun reflecting off the armor, and the leader looking your way.

::whether she flips out, listens or not, will go back to stealth training with Shinobi::

Jhiaxus

Before Lilandra can reply, Shinobi speaks to her.

She turns to you and translates.

"Shinobi requests me to emphasize you than when attempting to hide, absolute stillness is essential, and that your movements almost caused us to be discovered."

"He also observes that Ishido seems to be taking an unusual interest in us."

"The patrol that originally captured us was without armor, so they were hastily assembled.  They came with an exact number of extra horses for us, so they already had specific information about us.  And when attacked, they seemed more intent to flee rather than fight, despite being samurai, so they must have been under strict orders to try to at least get information about us back to him."

"However, this patrol came armored, and particularly alert.  So it is suspected that we and/or their lost patrol are being specifically searched for, and that they are ready for battle when their search is successful."

"So Shinobi says that we are going to break camp, and go to somewhere a bit more remote until the pursuit is less intense."

You see the sanzoku already starting to break the camp.  Lilandra and Siljonic start gathering their possessions...

::nods::

I wouldn't have moved if the patrol leader didn't shine off your armor to your branches. Once again, I forgot that no good deed goed unpunished.

::gets his stuff ready to move::

Camp is broken, and you all make your way through the vegetation, moving generally upstream, and gaining somewhat in elevation.

After a time, you lose sight of the water, but you can hear the sound of the waterfall clearly.

With the humidity, you have cause to feel thankful that it is already later in the afternoon.

As you walk, Siljonic walks nearby, sometimes very haltingly attempting to communicate with the sanzoku, and sometimes walking with you.

At one point he asks, "How has your training been so far, boss?"

Eventually, you find yourself by the river again, and realize that you are now above the falls.

The sanzoku look as if they know the place well, and settle in smoothly...

::sighs::

It kinda sucks, you already have the stealth skills, and weapon skills, you are just getting hand to hand. Lilandra has her sword skills, I on the other hand have no stealth, no hand to hand, no weapon skills, so I have to learn everything, while you two don't.

::waits for training::

"That may be true, boss, but you also know a lot that we don't.  We would both be pretty lost in those worlds with 'technology', like that 'computer' of yours, right?"

"And besides, it is quicker to learn the basics of a skill than to improve one you already know, so you will progress more quickly than we will."

You continue to work on stealth with Shinobi the next day, and the next.

Learning to stay completely still for extended periods of time.

Finding good places to hide.

And for reinforcement and variety, you take breaks with Goudan, climbing both with and without the use of various climbing equipment.

And then...

Shinobi brings you to a place between trees with plenty of leaves on the ground, and demonstrates walking through the area almost soundlessly.

He then gestures invitingly to you, picks up a harmless pebble, and closes his eyes...

::looks at how Shinobi did what he did walking through the area::

::pauses and does a breathing excercise and attempt to walk through the area silently::

Jhiaxus

Keeping his eyes closed, Shinobi allows you to walk for several paces before flicking the pebble, which strikes you dead center in the chest.  You have cause to be thankful that he isn't hostile, and that the pebble isn't a weapon.

He opens his eyes and smiles.

Nonetheless, you get the impression that you made a respectable first attempt.

He then starts working with you to refine your technique...

During the lunch break, you find yourself not only eating with Siljonic but also with Lilandra.  She has spent more time mixing with the others during most mealtimes, since she can speak some of their language.

At one point over the meal, she regards the both of you.

"I know that you two must have been learning some words and phrases of their language."

"However, it would probably go faster if you had a translator."

"Do you want me to spend some time over meals to try to teach you what I know?"

Siljonic subtly glances at you inquiringly...

::nods::

If you are offering, I will accept, I won't be pretentious enough to speak for Siljonic, as it's his decision.

::waited for her to offer, since I sure as heck wasn't going to put myself in a position of asking for her help::

Jhiaxus

Siljonic nods as well.

"I could learn a lot more a lot faster if I could understand them better.  Thank you, Lilandra."

She regards you both, nods, and starts with the basics...

After lunch, more training.

At dinner, more language tutoring.

And once again that night, you are tired.

Yet at some point during the night, you are aware enough to get a sense of very quiet movement within the camp...

::I first open my eyes, and look around camp, if the form looks like it is not walking or looking at me, I will follow it turning my head, or if I need to sit up. If it gets out of range, or of I get the sense it shouldn't be here, I will grab a weapon, probably my shotgun since I would have the normal one within arms reach::

Jhiaxus

You have the vague sense of movement from more than one position, not very near to where you and Siljonic sleep.

As you look around, you see Siljonic with his eyes also open, also looking, and also listening.

Barely audible even right next to you, he quietly whispers.

^{_{"A few of the sanzoku are quietly leaving the camp.  Not the first night that I've seen it.  But the morning after, I haven't seen anyone missing..."}}

::nods::

::quietly whispers::

As long as it isn't enemies, I will go back to sleep, they will tell us in their own time.

::rolls over and goes back to sleep::

Jhiaxus

You sleep through the rest of the night.

Sure enough, the next morning comes and no one seems missing.

However, you can sense that the direction of the other unknown verser to the north is changing, slowly turning more toward the west.

At breakfast, you find yourself eating with Siljonic and Lilandra, learning more of the language, when Shinobi passes by, speaking some type of greeting.

But this time, instead of speculating on what he may have said, you actually recognize the words as Good morning...

::I will try and reply and continue eating and waiting for morning training::

Adam

Shinobi smiles and nods in response to your greeting.

"Nice job, boss."

Lilandra continues the language lesson during the rest of breakfast.

Then it is time for training once again.

More work with Shinobi on how to move quietly, with occasional breaks to practice hiding, and to practice climbing, lasting throughout the day.

Lunch and dinner, with more language lessons.

And throughout the day, you sense the unknown other verser circling from north toward the west, and then toward the south, and finally toward the east...

OOC: How fast do you want to run the coming days?  :)

((OOC: well unless there is a major event, or Lilandra falls for my boyish charms, you can run them one post for a month if uneventful :)))

::continues practicing my japanese, training and whatnot thinking Lilandra isn't that bad of a person, and not bad to look at, making sure to use Japanese when I can, since if they can actually talk to me, the training might go easier::

Jhiaxus

The days turn into weeks...

You notice that the direction of the other unknown verser seems to stabilize toward the east, with only minor variation thereafter.

Every so often, you notice some folks departing the camp during the middle of the night, but you don't see anyone missing the following day.

You continue working with Shinobi on Stealth (Hiding) and Stealth (Moving Unnoticed), and eventually branch out to Stealth (Stalking).

You continue working with Goudan on Climbing, and eventually branch out to Crawl at Walking Speeds.

You and Siljonic continue language lessons with Lilandra during various meals, usually one or two per day, and try to practice your language skills during your training.

You notice that the other meals Lilandra spends her time talking with the natives, and learning their language better.  At times they seem in deep discussion together.

You also notice that as time progresses, Lilandra seems a bit less tense, a bit more content perhaps.

However, she sometimes has down moments as well.  During one such time, you are able to gather that she had some type of falling out with her husband, before her emotional shields go up again.

There does seem more complexity to her than meets the eye, and you don't really quite see her with the same negativity you did initially.

And after a couple of weeks or so, there comes a time at the end of breakfast that the sanzoku leader talks of a mission -- something to do with finding out what has happened to a missing scout -- and asks for volunteers...

::listens and raises hand and tries to speak in japanese::

You have been teaching me stealth, and other hiding techniques. If this is a stealth mission to find a scout, I think Siljonic and myself can do it. I won't speak for Lilandra, since she is her own person. I unfortunatly will have to resort to my own weapons if caught, since I don't know yours at all. Is this acceptable?

The sanzoku look confused at your attempt to speak Japanese, so you relay your statement through Lilandra.

Siljonic looks at you and nods affirmatively.

The sanzoku leader nods as well, both at you and Siljonic, and at several other volunteers.  Goudan and Shinobi are among them, but Lilandra is not.

Shinobi comes over to you and Siljonic, and speaks in Japanese.  You think he is saying something to the effect that you should bring what you need, and gather for departure.

After he leaves, Siljonic looks at you.

"How well did you understand what he just said, boss?"

::nods::

I think he said bring what you need, you are pretty deadly with that crossbow, and weapons, I will take a ninja-tu, and my pistols and a couple ofclips, as well as shurikins, smoke egg shell grenades, and whatever tools and equipment they give me. At least I can put their black outfit over the armor, considering without it, I have no chance in one on one battle....

::gathers whatever items they give him and what he takes the above::

OOC: Those sound like ninja weapons.  You haven't seen any of those among these sanzoku...

These aren't ninja with names like Goudan and Shinobi :P, then I take a sabre, my pistols and whatever they give me.

OOC: Those names could well be bravado nicknames the sanzoku give themselves (like a playground tough guy calling himself "Killer" :p)...

As you and Siljonic bring your things to the place you are to meet the departing mission team, Lilandra detaches herself from the onlookers to come nearer.

"Walk under the Eye in truth, in wisdom, and in bravery... and return safely."

She speaks with an unreadable expression, then moves back to take her place among the crowd of sanzoku.

The leader addresses the departing group.  You think that he is saying something along the lines that Shinobi shall lead the group.  Then it sounds as if he might be asking if anyone has any last questions...

::shakes his head no and is ready to head off::

Yeah....this should be interesting.....

Horses are brought out for the departing group.  They seem somewhat familiar... and indeed, you and Siljonic both end up riding the same horses that you rode with the samurai previously.

The departing group, ten in all, mount up, and ride off silently toward the east.

You find yourself making your way through less traveled trails, rather than the main trail that brought you here with the samurai.  The heat and humidity increase as the morning progresses.

During the first rest stop for horses and riders, Shinobi quietly approaches you and Siljonic, speaking Japanese.  It is hard to make out all of what he is saying, but you think you have some idea...

"Your ??? speaks of a ??? named Iye.  She is ??? and ???, and ???.  Some sanzoku ??? ??? ??? listen.  Can you ??? me of this Iye?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:27, Thu 13 July 2006.

::strains to hear what he is saying and talks in English to Siljonic::

I think what Shinobi is asking if Lilandra speaks of here husband. She maybe very emotional when we aren't around. He wants us to describe him. I think that's the meaning, not sure. I only know they had a falling out, and she got almost to the verge of tears before putting the walls back up. I am going to respond, you may want to respond to in case I mess this up.

::pauses and tries to speak japanese::

Lilandra doesn't talk much to us about her former husband, I don't even know his name or what he looks like. I can try to talk with her about it when we come back.

Jhiaxus

Shinobi looks a bit startled for a moment.

"She and Iye are ??? ?"

He considers this with a thoughtful expression, looking a bit disturbed, before nodding to you and moving off.  You see him move over toward Goudan and confer quietly.

Siljonic looks at you and shrugs.

"Sorry boss -- I didn't get much of a chance to respond.  But if we are misunderstanding each other, I probably wouldn't help much.  Since we've been learning the language together for the most part, the holes in our incomplete vocabulary mostly coincide."

"What do you think of Lilandra these days, boss?  And what do you think they think of her?"

::shrugs::

I hope he understands we can barley speak the language....

::to Siljonic::

Ok I was wrong about her, she isn't nuts, just depressed and unable to voice her feelings. If you asking me if I like her, yeah I do. Them, well she's taller than most of them, stronger than most of them, speaks their language and is a hot redhead. They are probably drawing straws on who gets to woo her.

::grins::

I have a thing for Asian women myself, so I'm sure we can work something out. It's funny, but she is the only woman in camp that I've seen, so yeah guess she is the prize.

Jhiaxus

After the rest stop, you all mount up and set off once again.

The mounting heat and humidity is broken mid-morning by a rain shower.  All things considered, the journey is more pleasant in the rain than the heat.

The sun reappears before you all stop for lunch.

As you eat, you see Shinobi make a call like some type of wild bird...  Once...  Twice...  Thrice.

In the distance, you hear an answering call.

Soon a newcomer appears, and confers with Shinobi.

Meanwhile, Goudan comes over to sit with you and Siljonic as you eat.

"Your training hasn't ??? ??? weapons.  What weapons do you ???"

::nods::

::in Japanese::

I can use that Axe in camp, this sabre here, and this gun which is loud. I am very good with a bow and arrow, but I don't have any with me.

::points to Siljonic::

He is deadly with that crossbow, longsword, morningstar, scimitar, dagger and flail. He isn't too good hand to hand, but that's what he's been learning from you guys.

::smiles::

In any case, I am no match for a Samurai unless I have distance and use the gun, maybe with a bow and arrow as well.

Goudan nods, and moves off for a few moments.

Siljonic leans toward you and says, "Do you think he understood that, boss?"

Shinobi continues talking with the newcomer.

After a bit, Goudan returns, carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows.  The bow looks a bit different than what you are used to.

"You don't have a daikyu?  You can ??? this, if you ???."

He looks at you speculatively.

"??? how good are you?", he asks...

::I pick a target (a tree) and shoot some arrows into it::

::In Japanese::

Does that answer your question?

You pick up the unfamiliar style of bow, looking it over with interest, then take some experimental shots at a tree some distance away.

Your first shot goes wide right, and your second shot goes even wider left.

But your third shot hits the tree.

Goudan nods.

"You can ??? this, if you ???.  It ??? to your samurai."

He leaves the bow and arrows with you, and moves off.

Meanwhile, the newcomer finishes conferring with Shinobi, and departs...

::nods::

::in Japanese::

It is much more quiet than my gun, so I will use it. Thanks

::retreives my arrows and waits to move along::

Jhiaxus

You all mount up, and ride until mid-afternoon, with a rest stop or two along the way, as Shinobi confers with other scouts en route.

Finally, one scout stays with the group, guiding them to where the missing scout was last seen.

Shinobi has the group halt a short distance away, and dismount.

Siljonic looks toward the area that the scout indicates, his eyes narrowing as he examines the ground.

"I'd say that several horses passed this way recently, boss..."

::looks down at the tracks::

Well they know where they are going, so let's hope we get in an out quickly.

Jhiaxus

Shinobi and the scout confer as they look over the area.

Goudan and Siljonic also look over the area, eyes narrowed.  In time they also confer with Shinobi and the scout.

It appears that the tracks appear to move off toward the east, which causes no small amount of discussion amongst the group.

A few words drift over to your ears.

"Osaka?...  Ishido?...  Yedo?...  Toranaga?"

It seems like they are somewhat surprised to find that the tracks head east rather than northwest.

Finally, everyone mounts up, to see if these tracks can be followed, and if they indeed continue heading east, or double-back to the northwest...

::follows them since he has no other choice::

Jhiaxus

After a few minutes of riding, the trail leads to a stream and disappears.

After some searching and discussion, the group splits up, searching in different directions, as Shinobi approaches you.

"We ??? to find ???.  Look for one hour, then ??? here.

He then rides off, searching to pick up the trail again.

Siljonic looks at you.

"I suppose that we should stick together, boss.  Which direction shall we look?"

::looks around::

::picks random direction no one else went::

We go this way for a half hour or untill we find the trail, then we head back here. Be sure to leave a way to get back here, you have decent mapping skills and a photographic memory, we shouldn't get lost.

::starts walking in the direction he picked::

You and Siljonic head south, following the stream as it flows downstream.

Siljonic subtly marks your trail so you won't get lost.  However, his marks are the only signs of passing this way, plus or minus the occasional tracks of wild animals to and from the stream.

Slightly less than half an hour out, and Siljonic stops suddenly to whisper in your ear.

"Did you just hear anything, boss?  I thought I heard some rustling behind that bush over there..."

::nock an arrow and pull it back and point it at the bush::

::in japanese::

Come out with your hands up

There is silence for the span of several heartbeats, before you both hear more rustling...

::goes over to the bush to see what's behind it::

Jhiaxus

You peer behind the bush to see two small bear cubs, playing with one another by the bank of the stream.

They are black in color, with a small white marking on their breast in the shape of a new moon.  They look pretty cute, actually.

One of them looks up to see you and Siljonic peering through the bush, and does a curious double-take...

::backs away slowly::

::whispers::

Where there are bear cubs there is an angry momma, let's scoot post haste to the meeting point.

Before Siljonic can reply, you hear more rustling off to your right, away from the stream...

::runs back the direction I come grabbing him by the arm and getting out of there post haste::

Jhiaxus

You and Siljonic start running away from the new rustling noises.

You can still rustling.  Is it getting closer?  Hard to tell...

::keep running::

Jhiaxus

"I think it is... getting closer, boss..."

Sure enough, it sounds that way to your ears as well...

::finds a tree and pulls Siljonic to climb it with him::

I refuse to be mauled by a bear before I get some weapon and unarmed training in. What are you afraid of you killed frikken all sorts of creatures worse than a bear.

::smiles::

The rustling gets louder, as you and Siljonic scramble up the nearest tree, swaying a bit.  He looks at you ruefully.

"My evil brethren wouldn't think twice about it... but if I kill that bear, who is probably just being a protective mother, then what will become of the two cubs?"

The momma bear bursts into view with an angry roar, and lumbers over to the base of the tree.

She tries to reach up to you, unsuccessfully, leaning against the trunk of the tree with her front paws.

The tree wiggles.

She does a double-take, then pushes against the trunk of the tree again, harder.

The tree wiggles a bit more.

"Too bad we couldn't get to a sturdier tree, boss..."

::grins::

I knew I should have made you evil, and a woman then I wouldn't be having this problem. Either way the bear will remember about the cubs soon enough, if the tree goes down we run to another.

Jhiaxus

The bear tries to wiggle you and Siljonic down from the tree for several minutes.

The tree sways, at one point bordering on alarmingly, but you are both able to remain perched safely.

Then you hear more rustling in the distance.

Closer...  closer...

Finally, the two cubs burst into view, and happily romp over to Momma.

She gives you a final indignant look, then turns to her cubs affectionately.

You see Siljonic smiling at the cubs as the reunion takes place.

"So far, so good, boss..."

Then the trio starts nosing around for food... but still quite near your tree...

::sighs::

Hopefully she takes them far enough away we can sneak down and get far enough away to run without them hearing. You realize we are going to have to run back to make the deadline.

::looks at Siljonic::

Keep smiling hoss, I love nature too, but that was too close to "When Bears Attack" on TV....not that you know what TV is but in a world that has one I will show you....

Jhiaxus

The trio noses around for food, circling slowly.  So slowly...

They eventually wander to the nearest tree, a specimen even less sturdy than the one you and Siljonic are in, located just meters to the north.

Momma seems to find something of interest, and pushes against the tree a few times, as it sways even more than yours did.

"Um, boss?  Do you hear what I hear?"

Amongst the sounds of the forest, a natural background hum seems to be getting a bit louder, and more edged.

You see a couple of large insects starting to circle Momma, with orange and black markings.  Then a few more.  And several more...

A buzzing cloud forms and expands, with the fringes getting nearer to your tree...

::smiles::

On three we get down, we goto the water, the swarm will not go under water, the bears will have to deal with them and unless they are suicidal, she will take her cubs away. Either way it's the only shot....1...........2..........3

::gets down and goes into the water, lies down and starts swimming up the friggen stream::

Jhiaxus

You and Siljonic make your break for the stream.

Happily, the swarm and the bears seem mostly preoccupied with each other, though some buzzing sounds trailing after you persuade you to indeed submerge for a refreshing dip in the stream.

You make your way upstream for a bit, and when you both eventually come up for air, the buzzing noises are far in the distance.

Siljonic wipes the water out of his eyes and smiles at you, then looks past you with a thoughtful double-take.

"I didn't notice that before.  Which way now, boss?"

Following his gaze, you observe that another stream merges with this one, but you didn't notice on the way downstream because of obscuring vegetation from that direction.  The stream you are familiar with runs north-to-south, whereas the new stream comes from the northeast...

::grins::

That's why I had you mark our trail, use your mapless travel skill as part of your Cartography skill suite to get us back on track.

Barring that I have a good sense of direction, you know how you marked your way, so as soon as we find the trail, we doubletime it back to the meeting point.

::waits for Siljonic to do his thing::

Jhiaxud

You and Siljonic follow the new stream to the northeast, as Siljonic faithfully continues subtly marking your own trail.

As you pass by the obscuring vegetation, you see a broken branch or two, which gives you some hope.

Five minutes pass as you walk upstream to the northeast.  Then five more...

Siljonic looks at you.

"How much longer should we look for the trail, boss?  We'll have a hard time getting back in time, even if we start now..."

PM

PM

::turns Siljonic toward the trail they made and starts running::

We are going to be late for the meeting, if he came this way we aren't going to find him in time, and then more people will be missing.

You guys are pretty winded by the time you make it back to the meeting place.

The others are already assembled.

Shinobi comes over to you both, with an inquiring look on his face.

"What ??? you find?  ??? you find the ??? ?"

::shrugs::

::in japanese::

We found bears and wasps, if he is that way I don't suggust going that way again.

Jhiaxus

Siljonic turns to you and softly inquires in English.

"What about the other stream, boss?  And the broken branches?"

Meanwhile, Shinobi looks confused, and queries again.

"You found ??? and ??? ?  What ??? the ??? ?"

::sighs::

There was a another stream and broken branches, so he might have gone that way, we didn't have time to check it out.

::in Japanese::

Shinobi considers, and nods.

"They ??? have ??? the stream to ??? the ???.  ??? the ??? for us."

He looks at you and Siljonic expectantly...

::I shake my head as I don't quite understand::

::in japanese::

I'm only understanding every other word you are saying, all I am trying to tell you is that there is signs that someone may have gone the way we went.

::will use hand signals to reinforce what I am saying::

Shinobi looks as confused as you feel.

"Show us the ???."

He gestures back the way you just came...

::nods and starts walking back that way::

Jhiaxus

... but in the blink of an eye (at least, to an external observer), you reappear where you were.

The dark circle changes color slightly as you watch, turning slightly darker.  It now looks like a piece of cloth that can be picked up...

OOC: We now resume your regularly scheduled Oak world... :D

::leans down and picks up the cloth and folds it and puts it in a pouch, checking himself and Siljonic for the Bazooka and Raygun to see if they came with::

Well that was interesting....

::if no one says anymore he continues leading the rest to where they wanted him to take them::

Jhiaxus

There is no sign of the bazooka or ray gun.  The only physical reminder you have of your recent side adventure is the remnant of the portal that you have just pocketed.

The others don't seem to notice that anything out of the ordinary has taken place.

Siljonic nods at your comment.

"Do 'versers' experience that kind of thing often?"

As you resume your walk, you start to hear a faint buzzing noise somewhere ahead of you, rising above the background hum of the forest...

::looks to Siljonic::

Dunno yet, but I kinda prefer not dealing with others. I don't like to be preached to, nor deal with elitist attitudes, which is mostly what I have encountered.

::gets the ninja's attention::

::in japanese::

That way is bees and bears, we need to go this way

::points while doing buzzing noises and growls to show them the danger ahead::

Shinobi considers, and listens to the buzzing.

"Show us the ???.  Do not go too ??? to the ??? and ???."

::nods::

Walks as close as he dares, sneaking around to get to the area with the broken twigs and disturbance.

You start trying to go around the area where the buzzing noises are coming from.

Then Siljonic stops, listening intently.

"Um, boss?  Did you just hear a rustling noise somewhere behind us?"

::annoyed::

Why can't we go from point A to point B, without getting moronic interruptions.

::pulls out his 9mm and levels it at the rustling::

Go ahead....make my day....

Since you are at the head of the group, leading the way to show the others which way to go, the others are all behind you, between you and the rustling.

They look somewhat surprised when you pull out your weapon and point it in their general direction.

Since they are in the way, you realize that you have no way to get a clear shot at whatever may be behind them, unless you want to risk shooting one or more of them.

Shinobi's eyebrow rises.

"??? are you ??? ?  ??? have you ??? ?"

::moves a motion with his free hand telling them to clear out from the area they are blocking::

::in japanese::

I heard movement in the bushes over there.

As you finish speaking, you all hear rustling this time.

Then you hear the flapping of wings, and see a bird fly out of one of the nearby bushes.

"Sorry, boss.  Looks like a false alarm..."

::puts the gun away and continues forward::

Jhiaxus

You lead the way around the buzzing noise as best you can, and make it to the river without any further rustling.

"So far, so good, boss.  But those bears still have to be around here somewhere..."

However, the route you took to get to the river this time was a bit different, due to bee bypassing.

"This doesn't look so familiar, boss, although it could be that we're just coming here a different angle, with a bit different lighting."

"Do you think we need to head upstream or downstream?"

Shinobi looks at you questioningly as well...

::looks up and downstream::

Well it's either 5 minutes up or downsteak, so we will try down first, then back here then back up.

::in Japanese::

You turn to start leading the others downstream.

Then suddenly, you hear an angry roar, with the sound of branches breaking.

Momma Bear bursts into view...

... followed closely by her cubs...

... followed closely by a large swarm of buzzing bees!

A calmer part of your mind suspects that she might only be headed for the water.  But since you all are in between, it is hard to tell.

And of course, the rest of the party is still spread out behind you.  They start scattering out of the way as best they can, but they would still make any shooting attempts somewhat of a "friendly fire" incident risk.

Neither Momma, nor cubbies, nor bees look particularly happy right just now...

::I have had it about up to hear with bees, and bears::

::will clear out of their path if any bee or bear so much as twitches, I am going to light them up, my fuse is short and it has blown about 2 worlds ago::

::waits for someone or something to set him off::

PM

PM
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 15:54, Fri 13 Oct 2006.

Shinobi and the others scatter out of the way of the charging bears.

Momma and cubs both "beeline" their way straight to the river, and jump in, slightly upstream of you.

The swarm starts to engulf you, and you feel a sting... then another... and another.

Shinobi and the others start diving into the river as well, downstream of the bears...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 21:06, Sat 14 Oct 2006.

::toss the guns on the ground and dive in the river with the others::

And no I am not allergic to bee stings in the least.

::toss the guns on the ground and dive in the river with the others::

And no I am not allergic to bee stings in the least.

The swarm follows everyone to the river, but the water keeps them away.

By snatching quick breaths, you are able to avoid most of the other bees, although if you linger above the surface too long, sometimes you get another sting.

Thankfully, the river is deep enough for you to keep your entire body submerged.

Unfortunately, Momma isn't in quite as good a shape, for it is hard for her to keep totally submerged.  She rolls around to avoid the bees as best she can, but periodic additional stings do nothing to improve her mood.

During one of your snatched breaths, you see Siljonic glancing around with a look of recognition, quickly getting his bearings.

"I think we need to head upstream..."

As you dip under the water again, you realize that of course, the bears are upstream of you, and inconveniently in your way...

::between breaths::

We wait for them to clear out, I refuse to deal with bears again.

Three quick breaths later... and when you come up for air, you glimpse the bear getting stung right on the nose.

Even back under the water, you hear the ROAR!!!!!

Then you hear something large starting to thrash through the water... and getting closer!

You feel an urgent nudge from Siljonic's direction...

::jump out the water, go to the pistols and murdering these bears::

THAT'S IT I'VE HAD IT, EVERY ONE OF THESE MFing BEARS DIE, I AM IN THE <insert explitive here> TWLIGHT ZONE. IF SOMETHING IS STUPID ENOUGH TO KEEP FING WITH ME, WHEN I GO OUT OF MY WAY TO LEAVE IT ALONE, IT DESERVES TO DIE.

PM

PM

PM

<quote Oak>
PM

As you run back to get your guns, yelling in a rage, you hear splashing behind you for several moments, followed by a few branches breaking.

The sounds fade to the relative silence of buzzing bees, and the relatively small splashes of your companions.

By the time you have covered the distance to where your weapons were dropped, pick them up, and turn back around, the bears are no longer anywhere to be seen.

But most of the bees certainly are.  And more than a few have followed you.  The additional new sting you have been getting every few seconds does little to improve your mood...

The bees continue to swarm you, and in your rage, it takes a bit too much time for you to realize the danger.

The first moment or two of earnest stinging gets your attention.

You start heading back for the stream, urged on by the pain and by your companions, but the bees are everywhere, and the poison from the numerous stings starts to make you feel sick, and you start to realize that you are in serious peril.

Time starts slowing down, just as your mind tells you that you must speed up to save yourself.

You struggle forward, running toward the water... then walking... then crawling.

And all around you, the bees... and then darkness...

=================================================================================