You're at home after work, sitting down in front of your TV just trying to relax.  It was just raining, so on your way inside, you managed to get soaked from head to toe.  After half-drying yourself, you sat down.

The TV's old, but you have a new universal remote.  Looking down for a moment, the back has a label that says "Scriff Enabled".  They're supposed to cut down on battery use, so you decided to get one.

You rub your wet hair for a moment, trying to fix it just a little, then grasp the remote and press Power.  Just then, you get a stinging sensation in your hand, and a jolt through your body.  Everything goes black.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can feel the uncomfortable morning grass on your back, and see that there's light through your eyelids.  Everything you have on you is in your pockets or lying on your body.

The air smells very fresh, more fresh than you've ever experienced, even on the nicest of days.  It's very relaxing, but you feel some vibrations in the ground, and you can here the footsteps of horses approaching.

Grass?  How did I get outside?  I sit up, adjusting my glasses and examining my surroundings.  Well, wherever this is, at least I've got duct tape...

The sun glares down heavily as a cloud passes by.  You're partially blinded, and don't remember the sun being so bright.  You see that you're on the side of a road, and a covered wagon, led by horses, approaches.  There's a cloaked man in the head, leading the horses, and you can see movement underneath the wagon's cover.

He's too far away to notice you at the moment, and you can't make out any special features of his at the moment.

What's this, Oregon Trail 3D?  Maybe this guy can tell me where--or WHEN--I am...
I start making my way towards the wagon, pocketing my posessions and attempting to attract the driver's attention.  "Oi!  Over here!"

Their hood flys back when you call, and two pointed orange ears become visible, as well as their furry face and wiskers.  He looks around, looking at you, but then past you.  Finally, he stops the wagon, and looks at you.

He seems confused that you're calling him, and studders, "W-who-What do you want?"  You can tell that the voice is male, and he looks you up and down curiously.

OOC: How old is Alex?

OOC: Alex is 18.

I take a moment to compose myself.  It's not every day that one meets anthromorphic wagon-driving cats, after all.

"Please, sir, could you tell me where I am?  This doesn't look like any place I've ever been.  Or heard of, for that matter."

He is still awestruck, but manages to continue in reply, "It's the final stretch on a secondary road to Cumae."

For a moment, he seems weary of the situation, but then grunts out, "Do you need a ride to the city?"

Well, I guess someone in the city might be able to help...Not that I'd enjoy hitchhiking with strange cat-people, but it doesn't look like I've got much of a choice.

"Why yes, thank you.  A ride would be very much appreciated," I reply, climbing up into the wagon.  "My name is Alex, by the way.  I'm...er...not from around here.  Wherever 'here' is."

He just nods when you say your name, and doesn't say anything in reply at first.  Then, after looking at you for a moment.  "You must be a foreigner then.  You must be Asian...at least you don't have the scent of a barbarian.  We're on our way to Cumae, in Hesperia.  It's one of Hesperia's major cities-a good place to find work...  Did you come all the way here alone?"

The two of you are alone for a long time in the wagon, not talking.  The cat person seems very uncomfortable sitting next to you.

"Asian?  Hesperia?  I...I don't even know how I got here.  One minute I was sitting down after a long day at work and the next I'm lying face-up in the middle of a field, so I guess you could say I'm alone.  I feel like I've entered The Twilight Zone or something."

I look at my host for a moment and realize his discomfort.  "Am I sitting too close?  I can move over if you'd like."  Another possibility enters my head.  "..or, um, are there not very many humans around here?  I mean, I, er, don't recall having seen anyone quite like you before."

"I don't recognize that word-'human'.  Is it slang for an, no offense, ugly Asian?  I mean, I heard that Asians had less hair, but I never heard anything about only having it on their heads.  In truth, though, you look like an ape, but I've never heard of any that could speak.

Still, I've only lived in small towns, so I don't really see any apes.  Maybe someone in Cumae will know more about them."

He seems to be a little more comfortable with you now that he's spoken about what you might be.  He still seems a little uneasy; however, he is also content.

You see a sign up ahead, with decorative writing at a fork in the road.  Cumae is written in one direction, and the cat person says, "We're almost there now.  We should get there within the hour."

You think you see something out of the corner of your eye, but it moved too fast for you to make out.  The wagon you're on is on a now dark dirt road with semi-thick woods on both sides.

"I'm not from Asia.  I've never even been there before.  I'm from Michigan, in the United States.  Although I don't suppose you've heard of that either."  My head droops as I realize I'm 'not in Kansas anymore'.

"With any luck, there'll be someone in this city who can explain what's happened to me and why I'm here instead of at home napping on my couch."

He's about to answer you when his ears pirk up, and he raises his nose to the air.  You can see a look of fear in his eyes, then you suddenly see another figure in front of the wagon, with its hand on the horse's chest, stopping movement.

The creature's about five feet tall, with long, brown ears, a large snout.  It greatly resembles a basset hound, except that it has a look that could kill towards the cat next to you.  The cat-person next to you gives a pathetic roar that comes out more like a loud hiss, and the dog leaps.  It clears the horse, and lands on your cat-like companion.

Holy crap!  This cat-man may be my only ticket into the city, so there's no sense in standing here and letting him get mauled.

Screaming my battle-cry of "LEEEEROOOOOOY JENKINS!!!" I leap into the fray, attempting to wrestle the dog off my new travelling companion.

You manage to get a good grip under the dog, and throw him off of the wagon.

It lands on its back and whines some, but then looks up at the two of you, barking menacingly.  The cat-person next to you takes the reigns and gets the horse moving at a run.

You can hear the dog keep barking, but it doesn't follow you.  Soon, you see that the sun is setting ahead of you, over the entrance of a city.  There's a guard post at the entrance of the gates.

"What was that all about?  I'm afraid I don't know what just happened."

"What do you mean?"  He looks at you genuinely confused now.  "Don't you have those savages where you come from, too?"

Over the next ten minutes, he explains that there are groups of dog-people in the country.  There are a few big names for their clans, but usually they just go around in small packs and ambush wandering cats.

Past the gates, there's a large, paved area with small vendors along the walls, as well as a place to house horses.  There are a few narrow streets to lead into the city.

The cat-person stops the wagon in the open space and says to you, "Well, this is as far as anything bigger than a person can go in the city.  Where do you think you'll be heading to now that you're here?"

I scratch my chin pensively.  "I'll probably look for a library or some other place I can get information...I want to figure out how I got here and, if possible, how I can get back to my own world.  Thank you for the ride, by the way."

The cat-person smiles to you and says, "I didn't realize that you could read.  You interest me greatly.  If you do find anything out and still need a place to stay, don't be afraid to find me.  I'm Cedric Elkwool, and I'll be staying at an inn near here."

I nod appreciatively.  "Thank you for all your help, Cedric.  I expect I'll be seeking you out soon, since you know the customs of this world better than I.  Until we meet again."  Taking leave of Cedric, I begin my search for a library.  Are there any guards/police-types around I can ask?

You quickly find four guards talking at the gates.  They seem to be deep in conversation about something serious.

There is also one guard on each side of the gate.  Those two are on duty and standing straight up, while looking at people passing through the gates.  Cedric goes his own way down a road, leaving his empty wagon and horse stabled.

I ask one of the guards not engaged in conversation.  "Excuse me, sir.  Could you direct me to the nearest library?  I seem to be very lost."

The guard has black fur, and seems to have the general shape of a panther.  He looks at you for a moment, but then around you to try and locate the noise.  Finally, his eyes rest on you again.  "Did you say that?"  He gets a screwed up face for a moment, but replies, pointing down a road.

He gives you directions to the only library in town, which is near the center of the town.  He also gives you the location of an inn near it.

"Thank you, sir."  It seems Cedric wasn't exaggerating.  I must be pretty freakin' ugly to these cat-people.  I haven't seen anyone make a face like that since I left a sandwich in my locker for a month.  I set off towards the library.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some answers there and, if not, the name of someone who has them.

OOC: Just like Avahur's thread...  You get really, really good dice rolls right now, because I'm in a really, really, really good mood, lol.  This is only happening this once (and any other time I feel this great, lol).  Every other time it'll be fair.

You make your way to the library and get there without any trouble.  Only a few people give you awkward looks.  Once you reach the library, you notice that the librarian at the front desk isn't looking directly at you.  Then, you realize that the man's blind.

Still, he greets you friendly, smelling the air.  "Interesting.  Hello, Learchus.  I have that book that you'd ordered on the nonnes of last month.  Sorry it took so long to get in."  You see him groping around inside a desk drawer for a book.

Hmmm...An interesting twist of fate.  Perhaps this book is exactly what I'm looking for.  If not, I'll just explain to him that he's mistaken me for someone else.  Although, if it does happen to help, perhaps I should seek this Learchus out...  Waiting for the librarian to retrieve the book, I peer anxiously at the cover, trying to read the title.

The book looks like it's pretty old, but at least it's written in english.  At least the cover is.

The book cover looks like it's misty, with two green eyes looking out of the mist.  Its title reads: "Seven Feral Moons".  You don't see the name of an author on the cover.

I'm mildly disappointed as I read the cover.  Seven Feral Moons?  That doesn't sound very promising.  So much for that idea.  "I'm sorry sir, but you seem to have mistaken me for someone else.  I am in need of some assistance, though.  Do you have any books in stock about time travel or dimensional travel?"  I cross my fingers and hope against all hope that, as ridiculous as my request seems, the old librarian will say 'yes'.  I suppose that failing this, I could just look up any theoretical physics texts they might have...It'd probably be way above my level, but I only need to know the basics.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Fri 09 Nov 2007.

He raises his head some, and smells the air again.  "I suppose that scent is slightly different.  I must have made an assumption-Learchus is the only one that I know who doesn't smell like most cats."

When you ask him about time and dimensional travel, he says, "We don't carry much fiction work in this library, but you'll find some on the second floor, to the far right wall from the stairs.  You can only read for an hour without paying, though, unless you work here."

"I was actually looking for something more along the lines of a reference text, or an explanation of the principles behind those methods of travel.  I've become involved in a very strange sequence of events that I can't explain if phenomena like time travel and alternate dimensions exist only in fiction.  Is anything like that available?"

It seems like this isn't going to go anywhere, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask.  I'll probably want to find this Learchus, though.  If he's the only other person who doesn't smell like a cat, there's a chance he's also human, and probably arrived here in the same manner I did.

"You're either playing a dangerous game, or you're telling the truth.  Trust me, I wouldn't believe you right now if it weren't for the fact that I've seen this before."

He proceeds to explain, and you notice that no one is around while he does this, "There will be no practical or even theoretical knowledge in such aspects, because it is blasphemy here.  There is the One that the world is, created by the Three."

He returns to a bit more normal of a complection when you see someone else walk into the library.  "I'm sure that I can arrange a meeting with Learchus.  He's due to come here for a book.  You can either wait here and help me take care of this place, or maybe I can send someone to contact you if he arrives.  It's your choice."

Blasphemy?  Thank God I didn't go parading around asking for the nearest interdimensional train or whatever...At least my library idea worked out.

"I'd be happy to stay and assist you.  It's the least I can do to repay you."

"Of course.  It's actually getting late for this place to be open.  If you could, just go and lock the front door for me.  Your work can start tomorrow at some point."

He hands you some keys to lock up, and says, "By the way, can you read and write?  It makes a difference for the jobs I'll want you to perform."

"What time should I report in for work tomorrow?" I ask, taking the keys.

"I'm very proficient at both reading and writing, but I suspect you might use a different writing system than the one I'm used to.  I'm a quick learner though, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem if that's the case."

"You can stay here if you'd like.  I have an extra room in the back with a bed in it; however, you should probably start now.  I'll show you to your room now, and the first part of your work."

The librarian locks the front door, putting the key around his neck.  Then, he takes you to 'your room'.  It's filled with books, with a matress on the ground also covered with piles of books.  There's a small place in the corner that you might be able to fit comfortably to sleep in.  "These are new books.  My entire library is organized alphabetically by title.  You can either start this now, or tomorrow."  At that, he leaves the room and enters his own, larger and spacious room.  It has what appears to be a comfortable bed on it, with warm covers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Wed 21 Nov 2007.

Well, the sooner I get this done, the sooner I can catch some sleep.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I begin sorting the books and placing them in the correct order.

After about five hours, you're able to sort half of the room into alphabetical order, but haven't put any on the shelves in the actual library yet.

You're starting to get a little tired, when you pick up a book, about the size of a novella, that was directly under a makeshift pillow on your mattress.  You know that it wasn't there when you'd last checked.  The cover is blank.  When you pick it up, gawdy brass letters appear on the cover-The Starry Tale of Alex.

Stretching and yawning, I decide to call it a night.  Upon dicovery of the book, I wonder, How very strange...I don't remember this being here...  I turn the book over in my hands.  The title has my interest piqued, so I turn the page to see what's written.

As you quickly flip through the pages, you notice that they're all blank.

Then, you open it once more, and find two pages written.  One of them is a letter that begins Salutations Alex!.

The letter continues:

You've become something very special, Alex, and it's to my knowledge that you have no idea what is going on.  Don't be afraid, my immortal friend.  What you've seen up until now is the beginning of all of the amazing things that can happen!  Fill up this book as best you can, young one.  The more interesting it is, the happier I be-I may even reward you.  If you have any questions, write them down on the inside of the back cover of this book.  When the book's finished, I'll read them and respond in kind.

Yours Truly,
S.T.

The next page that you see describes what you've done from the moment you found yourself in this strange world, to where the dog attacked you and your cat friend, all the way to the present.  The book, however, omits you finding it.

It looks like I'm on the right track.  Now, time for some sleep.  Exhausted, I tuck book into one of my deeper pockets and climb into my makeshift bed, dreaming of the endless questions I have for the author.

You hear someone come into the room, and it wakes you up; however, immediately when you open your eyes, a book falls on your face.

The librarian is standing over you, and drops four more on you.  "These were just checked in today.  They have priority, but if you don't get the rest of these books in their proper places by the end of the day, you're out of a job and a bed."

"Y-Yes sir!  I'll get on it right away!"  Springing out of bed, I check to make sure that the book is still in my pocket.  That done, I sort the new books and pick up a stack to return to the shelves.  Leaving the little room, I look around for the right section.  I hope it doesn't take too long to put these back in their places... Now, where are the 'A's...?

It seems to take you about an hour per letter, and you are unsure about if you can even finish it in time.

When you're finally on the G section, which seems like less work than the others, you drop all of your books at an awkward angle, and the book about you falls open on the ground.  You notice that there are more words written in it than when you last looked.

What?!  I thought I put you in my pocket...  Curious, I pick up the book and give the new text a precursory glance before stacking the others and resuming my work.

Only a few lines were added, but you make out the word "Laertes" immediately.

And the young man, Alex, began to stack the books one by one and take them to their rightful places amongst the good librarian's shelves.  However, when reaching 'G', he tumbled slightly.  The small crash of books made a sound that drew the eyes of a man.  Laertes saw Alex for the first time.

Upon reading the book, you start to realize a sensation that's been in your stomache.  It's a natural pull towards something on the first floor of the library (btw, the library has two floors, and you're on the second).

Tucking the book away in my pocket again, I follow this inexplicable, instinctual pull to the first floor of the library.

You go down a set of stairs to the floor below, and another man's already walking towards you.  He looks about your age, but his eyes seem to have decades more of experience in them.  He has blonde hair that goes down on both sides of his head to the bottom of his face; however, it parts in the middle, so it doesn't block his face.

His vibrant, almost glowing, blue eyes look into yours, and he smiles.  "I haven't seen another verser in a while-not a single one in this world.  My name's Malak, but I go by Laertes in this world.  You can call me either, but I'd prefer the latter in public."

Malak's wearing a silk white shirt, brown pants, and a purple cloak.  The librarian is behind him, still holding a book in his hand.  You recognize it as the book about the Feral Moons that Laertes had ordered.

I extend my hand with a friendly smile on my face.  "Pleased to meet you.  I'm Alex.  I was beginning to worry that I was either in some sort of nightmare or going insane, but thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case.  I'm curious as to what you mean by 'verser', but I assume it has something to do with how I wound up here, am I right?"

You see his smile get mildly larger, then recede to normal once again.  He moves beside you, putting his arm on your shoulder.  "I'm going to start it with the good news, Alex.  You're going to go on a never-ending journey with numerous chances to pick up skills, meet fabulous people, and things will get more and more interesting the further you go."

"I guess the only thing that could be considered 'bad' is that there is also the fact that there are dangerous places you'll undoubtedly encounter in time, because...you're now an immortal, friend."  He puts a finger and pokes a spot on your chest, where you get the tugging sensation towards him.  "That's evidence of our connection as immortals-you'll be able to feel others like you, and every item you come to own that verses with you."

"Now, I'm going to be staying here in town researching a project I'm working on in this world.  You can ask me anything you want to in time, but I'll let you question me at least a little right now, while I do today's studies.."

He walks towards the librarian, grabs the book and has a seat.  Before sitting, he tells the librarian, "Please, remember this time.  I'm Laertes, not Learchus.  Please, don't spread that name around."

The librarian simply nods before leaving the room.

"Immortal, you say?  That could come in handy.  I'm still sort of confused as to how I travelled bewtween worlds, though.  Is it something I can control, or does it just...happen?"

Malak laughs a little at your question, but replies.  "It's a little bit of both.  I'm sure that you usually won't control it, unless you jump off of a building or something.  Versers...well, we 'verse out' by dieing in a world.  Think back.  Do you remember anything falling on you, shocking you, or anything of the sort?  Do you remember being underwater or anything in your last world, just before appearing here?"

"So, you see, you could control it.  You'd just have to kill yourself; however, I suggest thoroughly exploring places, even if they're scary at first.  I've found that the scarier ones can be much more interesting than those that you're familiar with."  Malak proceeds to open the book in front of him.  He has a few more stacked on the table, with parchment and a quill on the table as well.  "I need some time alone now for these studies."

"Ah, okay.  I'll stop distracting you then.  I've got some work to get done myself..."  Heading back upstairs, I ponder Laertes' words.  So I'm dead, huh?  Well, I guess this beats any kind of afterlife...Who knows?  Maybe someday I'll end up versing back to my own world.  I resume the arduous task of sorting the library's books.  Being immortal doesn't mean I can be irresponsible, I suppose.  I've got plenty of time to explore anyways, so what's a few hours?

Malak continues his word feverishly.  You look down at him occasionally, and he's always deep into the book, flipping through and taking notes.

When you're at the end of 'P', you can see the light outside start to dim.  It must've been hours that you've been at this.  It's dusk.

When you turn around to pick up another book from a pile you've formed next to the shelves, Malak is looking you in the eyes, smiling his normal smile.  "I need your help, Alex.  It's something important-to save the world from its savage nature.  If we don't act now, the world itself could be drawn into a spiral of self destruction.  Will you help me?"

I just smile.  "Well, that's rather sudden, but count me in.  What are we up against?"

Malak looks behind him, and around.  You two see the librarian accross the room, holding a book at his desk.  He's out of earshot, and Malak lowers his voice almost to a wisper still.  "Along the way, we'll need to face forces supernatural by your standards.  We need to get a special scroll and a book that corresponds to it from the librarian here.  He's foolish in that he's not willing to even let me see it, let alone sell it to me.  I know it might be wrong, but I need you to steal it for me.  Are you up to the task?"

I shrug.  "I suppose I am... Although it's not like we have much of a choice.  I think it's only fair to warn you that I've never done anything like this before, so there may be complications.  Can you describe the book we're looking for?"

"The book should be with the scroll.  It will have a thick cover, and be a lengthy, large tome.  Rumor is that it has ivory borders on it.  Upon picking up the book, the scroll should reveal itself.  Of course, this is all speculation.  I've never seen either before, but if you bring the right things to me, I will show you how to do something very interesting."

He picks up some of the books for the section you're currently on, and helps you put them on the shelves.  "You should probably wait until night, when he's asleep.  He has a spell cast on this place that people can't break in during the night.  I noticed that you never came in through the front, so you must be sleeping here too.  The book and scroll are probably in the front desk.  I barely see him leave that spot during the day.

We still have a few hours to kill before the library closes and he goes to sleep."

"A protective spell?  In the world I'm from, magic of any kind was deemed an impossibilty.  I suppose it makes sense that somewhere in the multiverse magic would be a reality.  I, um, don't suppose you'd be willing to teach me any that you might know?  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  If we're going to be working together in this matter, we may as well get to know one another."

"I'm not sure if I can teach you any advanced magic right now, but if you do this for me, I can teach you very interesting things along the trip,"  He holds his hand out next to him, and a book flies from the bookshelves to his hand.  It stays in mid-air next to his hand, then returns to the shelves.  "You could learn things even more interesting in time.  I suppose I am willing to teach you a simple spell, though, one that wouldn't take too long that I could just tell you how to do while we put the books away."

He continues to put the books on the shelves where they belong, and asks you, "Well, what do you want to know?  Take into account that I don't know everything, and that anything too strong would take too long to teach effectively."

OOC: You can do it in a list format or whatever, and I can do a roll or two on if he has those types of abilities to teach quickly.  List them from most wanted to least.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:56, Sat 08 Dec 2007.

"Well, as the saying goes, you have to learn to crawl before you walk.  I'm content to learn the basics for now."

I guess the kinds of spells I'd be interested in learning are:

-- Telekinesis
-- Any variety of defensive spell
-- Elemental manipulation
-- Summoning
-- Illusions

While the two of you finish putting up the books, Malak explains to you, "Telekinesis is an interesting ability indeed.  I've attained it my own way, but perhaps I might be able to explain it to you.  It's like coupling your presence with that of an object.  You must believe that the object itself has a will of its own-even a conscience.  If you can couple your mind successfully with the object, it will move the way that you will it to."

He explains things in more detail as the two of you finish up putting the books in.  There are barely any for the 'Z' section.  Once you're finished, you see it's dark outside.  The librarian approaches you two and addresses Malak.  "It's getting late.  You should leave, because I need to close the library."

Malak nods humbly, and says, "As you will, good sir."  The librarian goes away, and Malak addresses you, "I do know some things about summoning-I have a book on it, but there's no time to explain it now.  I want you to come outside the library immediately upon getting the book and scroll, after the librarian's asleep.  Remember-it's in the reception desk most likely.  I'll be waiting with horses."

Malak brisks away quickly, grabbing the book on Feral Moons, and leaving the library.

I go to my room and feign sleep, waiting until the librarian is asleep.  Once I'm sure he's unconscious, I take off my shoes to quiet my footsteps and make my way to the reception desk as stealthily as I can.  I begin searching the reception desk for the book and scroll that Malak mentioned.

With your shoes off, you find that you're able to move very quietly.  Also, the place is cleaned up enough that you don't trip over anything on the way to the front desk.

Immediately, you look through everything, and in a drawer to your right, you see the insides glowing.  On the left, you're able to open a drawer.  You find a large book matching the book's description, as well as a scroll that also matches what Malak had said.

The light creeping from the drawer on your right glows brighter when you take the book and scroll out of their own drawer.

My curiosity is piqued.  I slowly and carefully attempt to open the drawer on the right.  (If it doesn't open, I go outside to meet Malak.)

Slowly, you open the drawer before you.  Upon opening it, you see two chains inside, one of which is silver and wrapped around a rolled up piece of paper.

to Alex is written on it so that you can see it clearly.  The other chain is gold and glowing vibrantly.

I unroll the piece of paper and read it before touching the gold one.  I've already pushed my luck quite a bit.  Better to err on the side of caution for now...

Hope is a salvation for any who are desperate; however, some hopes are full of challenges ahead, some even unseen.  Leave the note here, but take the silver chain with you.  I ask that you leave the golden one behind.  I've put a lot of work into it.

Alex, I want you to read the following lines aloud.  Trust me, it is in your best interests.  I wish you the greatest luck on your journey, and I trust that you'll do everything in good conscience.  Even though I'm blind, I can see much more than some believe.  Don't wake me.  I have to get up early tomorrow to work.

-The Humble Librarian

There are two lines that follow that have words in it you don't recognize.  It's phoenetic spelling, so you still think you'd be able to read it.

He must have overheard Malak and I talking.  The words here must be some sort of spell, so I guess I'll have to read it and find out what it does.  I slip the silver chain into a pocket and read the words aloud, vocalizing quietly enough that I don't wake the librarian.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Sun 09 Dec 2007.

Upon saying the words, the scroll and book both glow with a green light, which shoots into you.  For a moment you see a green flash.  Then, the note before you is in mid-air, burning.

Before you can do anything, it's ashes on the floor.  You don't feel any change about you, except that you felt a lot of energy for a moment, and you feel emotionally closer to the scroll and book.

Well, that's not something that happens every day.  I guess I'll figure out what that did sooner or later, but I don't want to keep Malak waiting.  I'd also better not mention the note to him...if the librarian virtually gave the book to me but kept Malak from even seeing it, the librarian must have some reason to distrust him.  Best to go to him and see what unfolds, I suppose.

I make my way to the front door, slip my shoes back on, and meet Malak outside.

Malak is standing outside next to two horses when you come out.  He must have been watching the door constantly, because he sees you immediately, and takes the two horses, meeting you half-way.

"Quickly, get on the horse.  We have to get a couple towns away before the man wakes up and finds it missing."  He sees the scroll and book in your hands and looks vibrantly interested.  "We can make it half way to my estate before the sun rises, even if we go slow.  Can you ride?"

"I've only ridden a horse once before, but I suppose I can do it again... What's the hurry to get away from this place?  I mean, granted, the librarian can use magic, but I'm failing to see the bigger picture here.  I also wish you'd tell me what's so important about the book and the scroll."

Malak looks at you with complete confusion for a moment.  He'd been reaching into his pack when you began speaking, but then he stopped to answer.  "Right, I shouldn't have asked you to come without first telling you about this."

"In this country, there are cats and dogs, if you haven't noticed.  The cats have been united under a large kingdom, while all of the dogs are scattered into tribes-including six families currently, by the way.  Also, this country is haunted by seven great ghosts.  They connive and plot-they influence every tribe and even the cat king into battles and pointless wars, killing everything in this country.  The world's in a spiral of destruction-much like,"  Malak looks down for a moment, and mumbles, "the world that I'm from..."

Then, he continues, looking you in the eyes, "I'm determined to stop that from happening.  We need the scroll to hopefully put these spirits at peace-but another possibility is that we need to confine them-or bind them to an object.  Alex, will you help me?"  Malak looks genuine the entire time he speaks.

"It sounds like a worthy cause.  I've already come this far, so turning back seems rather foolish, anyway.  I suppose the only question remaining is where to get started."  The plot thickens...I suppose it's possible that the librarian didn't know about these spirits, but if he's aware of them, there's likely more to them than Malak is telling me.  Once again, it seems best to wait and watch for the time being.

"First, we ride to my estate.  There, I have more books, and a planned journey for us.  Also, I have a book on summoning there.  I haven't read it, because I figure that I could always read it another time.  I'm skilled enough, if I have the scroll, to bring this place back into the light."

Malak looks ahead, and says, "If you're ready, we really need to leave soon.  Are you prepared to go?"

I nod.  "I'm ready.  I've brought all I need with me."  My mind drifts to the mysterious silver chain in my pocket.  It will reveal its purpose in time, I guess.

The two of you arrive at Malak's home a day and a half later.

After riding for so long, your legs rejoice at the fact that they can rest, while they hurt when you force them straight at first.

Malak's house is huge, and hidden from the road by a large, grassy hill.  Other than the hill, it has forests around it.  The home is two stories, but it is filled with large rooms.

Immediately upon entry, he offers you a place to lay down, and gives you a book on summoning.  He offers it to you while he reaches for the scroll that you have.

I hand him the scroll, not wanting to appear hesitant and tip him off to my suspicions.  That is, if he doesn't know some mind-reading spell already...hopefully I havn't just made some world-dooming mistake.  I find a quiet place to curl up with the new book, crack open the cover and start reading.

The book is suprisingly short.  It's less than 200 pages, and you sit down to read.

Malak, on the other hand, dives his own nose into the book that the scroll was coupled with, and begins doing research.

When you're around page 100, he gets the scroll out and begins to chant some magical words.  There's no effect, and this repeats.  You manage to finish the book, which was actually a very easy read.

Throughout, it talks about how to trap spirits in an object by 'seeing' them, which is defining their physical characteristics.  The spirits in question are said, by the book, to be a part of the user from their origin, but they lack definition.  Until the master claims them by picturing the invisible spirits, they are confused and often violent.

Spirits are generated and gain power from their master's emotional, spiritual, and physical qualities.  It only goes into detail on how to summon the 'first spirit' for a master.  On the final page, it finally goes into detail about the object in which to keep spirits in-a chain, preferably made of an expensive metal like silver or gold.  The book also says that additional gems must be put into the chain to hold additional spirits; however, it doesn't describe how to summon additional spirits.  It simply has a reference to look into spectral scroll magic.

Malak, once he sees you're finished, loses control and throws the scroll and book onto the floor, off of his desk.  "IT'S USELESS!  Nothing works!  IT'S ABSOLUTELY USELESS!"  He gets up, and you see that he's about to step on it.

"Malak, wait!  Let's not do anything hasty!  Surely there must be some way to get the magic to work..."  I do my best to calm him down.  In books and movies, destroying a powerful magical object usually results in something like summoning demons or giant explosions... bad idea.  Does this have something to do with the spell the librarian had me cast earlier?

Malak stays his foot, and doesn't step on the scroll.  He gains his composure once more, fixing the part in his hair.  "Right, thank you.  I need to have more restraint.  I'm just not understanding this fully, that's all.  Perhaps the cat put a decoy scroll in his desk or something of the like."

Trying to change the subject, he continues, "Um...  So, how was the book?  Did it have anything useful for you in it?"

"Yeah, I know enough to summon a spirit, but I'm going to need precious stones to store additional ones in if I want to summon more than one.  Would you like me to take a look at the scroll?  I know I have less experience than you with this sort of thing, but we may as well explore all our options."


OOC: I don't know if you've ever read them, but the method for summoning you described remids me of Dementia summoning from Magic: the Gathering novels.  Except you have to kill creatures with the physical traits you want, then you mix-and-match the body parts when you summon a creature from Dementia Space.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Fri 14 Dec 2007.

"Sure, go ahead."  He gestures towards it, and takes a seat on the couch.  Still, he watches you as you pick it up.

Immediately upon touch, you feel an energy flow into you.  You feel brighter, though you haven't physically changed.  It feels like a sort of confidence has entered you.  Malak notices a change and asks skeptically, "What's happening, Alex?  What's wrong?"

"I don't know... I feel different all of a sudden, but in a good way.  It's probably nothing..."  Cautiously, I open the scroll.

The scroll has four circles written in some runic language on it.  There's a fifth one that covers all of them.  The same runic language is written on the borders of the entire paper, as well as inside and around the circles in various spots.  You get the feeling that it is very old.

Malak cocks an eyebrow, then gets up and walks towards you.  He picks up the book from the floor, and says, after finding a spot in the book, "I want you to do something for me..."  He orally tells you a spell from the book, and its counterspell.  The counterspell, you find, is only a few words while the spell is a full line.

"Now..."  Malak steps away from you, then faces you.  His eyes are closed in deep concentration.  Then, you feel a breeze going on his direction.  His hair is raised some, as if a wind is blowing him violently, and he is an inch above the ground.  Also, his eyes are shining bright blue, even more than normal for him.  "I want you to recite those words, and point the scroll towards me.  If I start to scream or tell you 'Stop', then say the counterspell.  Can you do that for me?"

"Sure, I can do that."  I rase the scroll in Malak's direction and begin reciting the spell.  Everything tells me this is wrong, but I still don't know for sure who I can trust...

When you say the spell, a strong gust of wind blows Malak.  You don't feel it at all, but he holds himself still there for a moment.  Then, it's too much for him, and he's blown back.  "ALEX!!  Stop it!"

After you quickly say the counterspell, Malak stops flying away.  For a moment, he's still hovering above the ground, but then falls onto the floor-hard.  He's unconscious.

I check to see if he's breathing.  "Malak, can you hear me?  Are you okay?"

He's breathing normal as far as you can tell, and he has a pulse.  After a couple minutes, he opens his eyes.  They aren't glowing like they normally do.  "If I had expected it to work, it wouldn't have harmed me so much..."

He gets up on the couch, sitting up.  "It's clear that you can use the scroll, while I can't.  Still, you're new to this kind of thing, so we can't just start off saving this place."

He shows you a map from his desk.  The geography looks similar to that of Europe.  He points to a position on Italy and says, "This is where we are."  Then, he moves his finger a distance east to where a black X is drawn and says, "We should probably go here.  It's the farthest from us, and if we start traveling now, you should have plenty of time to master spirit binding.  I'm sorry to rush this on you, but I want to leave tomorrow, and I need you for this.  Is there anything you want to get done before we depart, or do you have any questions?"

"I can't imagine any reason to stay here if there's work to be done, so let's get moving as soon as possible."  That must have been the work of the librarian's spell...the scroll is bound to me, so I can use it, but Malak can't.  I suppose this could come in handy, although I'll need to figure out what kinds of powers the scroll has first...

You see Malak hold the top of his nose and close his eyes.  It's clear that he has a horrible migrain at the moment.  "It wasn't only for you to wait until tomorrow.  I need to rest as well."

Then, he changes the subject.  "I don't know if I have the power to do all of the fighting for us.  Did you learn anything useful in that summoning book?  I need you to be able to fight astral entities as well, and if you can summon a spirit, that would be helpful.  I mean, I can't expect you to master astral transformation in the time it'll take."  He finishes, laying down on the couch again, with his fingers on his nose.  "I can help walk you through things, but I can't actually do any actions until tomorrow."

"I think I understand the basics of summoning, I just need to put them into practice.  I could work on it while you're resting and put the time to good use."

Alex,

This is how summoning is going to work for the two of us, if you're going to try it.  You're going to post that you're attempting to summon your first spirit and bind it to your chain (neither of which require the scroll to be used, though you can look in that book if you wish for information).  You can do one of the following:

1. Choose what animal it will be.
2. Give me personality traits that belond to Alex and I can choose the animal.
3. I can choose for you without any information.

I'll explain the next part of the process after you post your choice.  Just post that you're attempting to do this if you wish to attempt it, then OOC the choice, 1-3.  If you pick 2, list some traits.

Krillis

I attempt to summon a spirit.

OOC: I'll go with choice 2, using intelligence and determination as my personality traits.

The book mentioned that upon summoning an animal spirit that represents you, it will take a specific animal form based on personal traits.  The first acts naturally from your strongest traits and will be one of your closest and strongest spiritual allies.  Depending on skill with summoning and general spirituality, it may take time to grow into its full form.

You recite a few lines of an unknown language that's in phoenetics with a candle lit and your silver chain in a circle around the candle.  Beneath it, it says that a raw translation is "I call upon a part of myself-my strongest part.  Come to me and I shall recognize you and cherish you as I would myself."

The fire grows larger, but it turns white as well.  Above it, the form of a snarling lizard takes shape, but it seems loose and loses its form.  You begin to feel drained, but another creature begins to form.  It's that of a small red fox, about two feet long, excluding the bushy tail.  It seems happy, and falls down through the candle.  The chain glows for a short time.  As the glowing receeds, you see that the chain shines brighter than usual.

The book says that all that's needed to summon the spirit is to think about the spirit's appearance and what it represents about you while you hold the chain.  It warns you that the dimmer the chain, the harder it is to summon.  It relates to the spirit's fatigue.

You see Malak on the couch simply nod, then fall asleep.

Hm, that didn't take as long as I thought it would.  With Malak asleep, I guess it wouldn't hurt to look around a little.  Besides, if I find any more spellbooks I can teach myself a bit more before we take off tomorrow.  If there's any fighting to be done, I'd rather use magic to do it and use my knife as a last resort.  Pocketing the chain once again, I start exploring the mansion a bit.

Up the nearby stairs, you find yourself on the second floor.  You look into some of the rooms before entering, and find that there are three bedrooms on the second floor, two modern bathrooms, and a library.  There's also a pull-down ladder on the ceiling.

Above you, near the pull-down ladder, you think that you hear footsteps.

Footsteps?  I thought Malak lived alone, although I suppose it could be some sort of guardian, or just an animal.  I guess I'll have to take my chances then, won't I?  I slide out the pull-down ladder as quietly as possible and climb up to see what's there.


OOC: I'll be out of town (and thus without internets) from the 26th to the 30th, just so you know.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Tue 25 Dec 2007.

You go up the stairs and find that there's cobwebs and dust around everywhere.  The place hasn't been kept for quite a while.  Other than that, the place is completely bare.

Still, you think that you see a hint of light, almost like smoke or mist, in the room.  It's about three feet tall and hovering in the air.  You get the feeling that it doesn't know you're there.

Well, the question remains as to whether this is some sort of guardian or an intruder.  If it attacks me, trying to hit or stab it probably won't work, since it doesn't look corporeal...although if it's cloud-like, maybe a gust of wind would disperse it.

I watch the mist-creature to see what it does, and look around the attic for something large I could use like a fan.

The closest thing to a fan you see is a blanket accross the attic, past the ghost-like figure.  There's also a chair behind you.  Other than that, there are just dusty chests.

You feel strange for a moment while analyzing, and then you feel a presence on your shoulder.  The same small fox is sitting there now.

The translucent figure moves towards you, and you feel the fox switch positions, ready to jump in front of you towards the ghost.

I try to call the blanket to myself using telekinesis.  Whatever that is, I hope it doesn't know I'm here just yet...

You mentally call out for the blanket, and it does move some.  The part closest to you jerks towards you, but the blanket falls on the floor, crumpled.  You see it still struggle to go towards you for a moment, but fails.

The image before you becomes more visible.  The light parts in the middle and you see two boney hands come out of what was apparently a cloak.  There are menacing eyes behind the cloak as well that look straight at you.  Its lower body isn't visible, and it starts to approach.

The fox moves some on your shoulder and growls at the apparation.

Okay, so much for that plan.  I doubt diplomacy is going to work, but it won't hurt to give it a shot.  Failing that, I guess I could wake Malak, but he's probably in no shape to fight this thing either...I wonder, could this be one of the ghosts he was talking about?

"Well, hello there.  Come here often?"  I ask, doing my best to hide my nervousness.

The appirition continues to draw closer, but quicker.  Now, it has its hands fully out and is thrashing around at the space between the two of you, but it will start hitting you soon if you don't do something quickly.

Okay.  Running time.  There's no way I'm taking this thing on by myself if I've got a say about it.  I leap off the ladder to the floor and dash back downstairs.  Shaking Malak's shoulder, bending over him.  "Hey, Malak?  Did you know you've got ghosts in your attic?"

Malak takes you back up to the attic with him.  He compliments the fact that you have your spirit fox out at the moment.  "It's useful that it's already out.  I suppose that means you either know how to summon it or you got lucky.  Anyways, I am not in the shape to fight, but this ghost is fairly weak.  I'm sure you and your fox can take it on.  Just give orders.  It should have abilities based on its species, gender, race, personality, et cetera."

The three of you are at the entrance to the attic and Malak leans against a wall, a hand still on his head.

"Alright then, let's see what it can do...  Spirit, attack!"

OOC: Sorry for the brevity/lack of posting.  School is getting pretty crazy. =/

The fox jumps from your shoulder and slashes the wraith in the face.  It touches the ground barely before jumping up and slashing it again.  It's at your feet now, and the red wounds on the wraith disappear.

Malak tells you, "I've heard some things about summonings.  They supposedly have some magic behind them.  Try giving it a more interesting command.  Think about its qualities-I think the physical and emotional qualities give away some of its powers."