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17:50, 2nd May 2024 (GMT+0)

Outta Time Tadeusz.

Posted by JohnA1nutFor group 0
JohnA1nut
player, 1190 posts
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 22:14
  • msg #1

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC: This is a placeholder for the new thread of Tadeusz, GMed by JohnA1nut.  :)
JohnA1nut
player, 1191 posts
Wed 26 Oct 2016
at 22:26
  • msg #2

Outta Time Tadeusz

So you're waking up from versing out of Verser World. You're outside laying on grass. The grass is multicolored. Reds, blues, greens, purples, everything. Nearby are some trees. They likewise are all different colors. The leaves, the wood. All different colors.

The sun does not stand still for a very long time. As you watch, it rises from a random point, stops, spins a circle in the sky, and sets again at a different random spot. All in a space of about 15 minutes. Twenty minutes later, it again rises in a random spot, stops, pinwheels, and goes back down. Never rising or setting with any consistency whatsoever.

All of your Chaos magic weapons feel energized. More powerful.

There's a river running nearby. Like the sun, it does not flow in one direction. Some parts flow up, some down. And it changes on a whim.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9238 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 01:43
  • msg #3

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 2):

"Chaos." I whisper.

I get up, and check to see if my body is behaving normally with no arms stretching out weirdly long or anything.

The bright colors could mean Oz or some place like it.

I check my mental skills, basic ones, like math and memory as well.

Looking at the wildly moving sun, feeling the gravity under my feet, I begin to suspect that whatever that ball of light in the sky is, it ain't a giant million times Earth size ball of fusion and gas.
JohnA1nut
player, 1192 posts
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 16:27
  • msg #4

Outta Time Tadeusz

Your body is behaving normally. You remember your wedding, 2+2 still equals 4. Everything about your body is completely normal.

Gravity feels about normal. The sun never stays still very long. It will never be visible in the sky for more than a few hours, tops. Constantly moving.

A small group of people come walking up behind you. They look like homeless people. Dirty, smell bad, haven't seen a bar of soap in a while. They're heading in the same general direction. You overhear some talking about the city that's up ahead.
Tadeusz
player, 9239 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 18:13
  • msg #5

Outta Time Tadeusz

I feel relief that I'm not in a Tooniverse, I think.  Dealing with Bugs Bunny could get quite old quite quickly, or I might find a way to do him in.

"Brothers, I understand you go to a city.  I am lost, and wonder what is there?"
JohnA1nut
player, 1193 posts
Thu 27 Oct 2016
at 18:27
  • msg #6

Outta Time Tadeusz

One of the guys turns around to face you. He's young, 25-30. He says rather jovially "Ah ya know Brother, it's just like every other city ya go to. Place to eat, place to sleep, place to get some work and put some coin in your pocket afore you move on to the next city. I'm just hoping it ain't too overpopulated. I could use an Indefinite Stay motel that lasted for more than 3 sleep cycles, ya dig what I'm saying?"

The rest of his party laughs. They dig what he's saying.

Hotel rooms are rented out in two categories. Per sleep cycle and Indefinite Stay. A sleep cycle is one awake rotation and one sleep rotation. Then you are expected to leave. Indefinite Stay means you pay once and you can stay for an undetermined number of sleep cycles. Minimum of 3. But as more people check in, those with more than 3 sleep cycles are asked to leave as the hotel gets more and more booked. But theoretically, if the hotel never got too overbooked, you could pay once and live in an Indefinite Stay Hotel until your Great Sleep Cycle.

You are welcome to join them. Two of the teens are playing with handheld video games whilst walking. A woman in the party asks if you've got any crossword puzzles she can do. Meaningless awake wasters like those are a valued commodity. She's got a newspaper. It's got two whole pages dedicated to nothing but crossword puzzles, Sudoku type puzzles, and the like. But she's done them all already.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Thu 27 Oct 2016.
Tadeusz
player, 9243 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 29 Oct 2016
at 22:14
  • msg #7

Outta Time Tadeusz

I join them, wondering what type of strange world this is.  But the people see okay, so that's good.

I see if they are interested in riddles.  I know a few, and while I'm bad at solving them, I can make them.
JohnA1nut
player, 1194 posts
Sun 30 Oct 2016
at 06:13
  • msg #8

Outta Time Tadeusz

They welcome you into their party. You find out that they didn't know each other for the most part before they started walking together. Safety in numbers though.

Looking at the woman's newspaper, you don't see any dates or times listed. The only thing even remotely resembling a measurement of time is a sleep cycle. Apparently, these people stay awake until they get tired. Then they sleep until their bodies decide to wake up. That's a sleep cycle. Through idle conversation, you learn that newspapers are printed when there is news to print. Movies start when there are enough people there to see them. Buses leave when there are enough passengers on them to justify going. Same with airplanes and pretty much everything. They do a lot of standing around waiting for things to start. Hence why crossword puzzles and the like are so valued. It's called Wasting the Awake. Businesses are open when the owner opens them. It's just hit or miss when things will be open. There's a high demand for unskilled labor. You get a job and you work until you decide to leave. Or until the owner decides to leave. When you leave, you get paid on the spot for how much work you did. For example, a hotel maid who cleans 50 rooms in her shift gets paid for 50 rooms. A hotel maid who cleans 10 rooms gets paid for 10 rooms. They tend to be hard workers. Work hard for this sleep cycle, and then you can afford to take the next two cycles off.

No schedules, no clocks, no calendars, no birthdays, no holidays of any kind. The people tend to be nomadic. To purchase property, you have to pay for it in full up front. No installment plans. So only the very wealthy tend to put down roots.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Sun 30 Oct 2016.
Tadeusz
player, 9246 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 1 Nov 2016
at 00:01
  • msg #9

Outta Time Tadeusz

This sounds very cool, in a way.  I tend to ignore days when I can, and I used to be, and still somewhat am, a very hard worker who is happy to get it done, and finished.  I suspect I can relearn how to do that.

I walk with them to the city, and get an IStay hotel, and then go to work.  I pitch myself into it enthusiastically, pressing myself to keep upgrading my speed as I get familiar with the work.
JohnA1nut
player, 1195 posts
Wed 2 Nov 2016
at 08:45
  • msg #10

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
This sounds very cool, in a way.


OOC) Something told me this world would appeal to you.

quote:
I tend to ignore days when I can


Perfect place for it. You work until you're tired. Then sleep until you wake up. The sun keeps moving around randomly. There's no way to tell when it will rise, set, or how long it will stay up. It's not even moving at a consistent speed. It might be going slow when it first rises, then accelerate to 10x normal speed before it sets right back where it came from. You get the feeling that the indigs would not notice if the sun stopped moving completely, unless it had been risen or set for several weeks. And even then it would be debated.

quote:
and I used to be, and still somewhat am, a very hard worker who is happy to get it done, and finished.  I suspect I can relearn how to do that.


Do you have any preferences? In the city, there's a vast array of choices. It's kind of a mishmash of late 20th century and 19th century tech. Cars driving alongside horse drawn wagons. An advanced metal shoppe right next to an old-timey blacksmith. There's no shortage of fast food places. Some of them have signs that say "Almost always open." A lot of businesses have signs like that. There's warehouses and a boat wharf on a large lake.

What work are you looking for?

quote:
I walk with them to the city, and get an IStay hotel, and then go to work.  I pitch myself into it enthusiastically, pressing myself to keep upgrading my speed as I get familiar with the work.


GE 7

The manager of the IStay hotel is happy to see you. The hotel is only at 25% capacity. It seems before he awoke from his last sleep cycle, there was a mass exodus from the city. That happens sometimes. You won't be asked to leave until it reaches at least 80% capacity. So you've probably got more than 3 sleep cycles.

The hotel manager also asks you and the members of your party if you would like to work as hotel maids. Seems the exodus left them short staffed. The woman with the crossword puzzles volunteers. Anyone else?

So you pay them with gold coins and get a funny look. But they give you the room keys.

The hotel room is small. There's a shower, waterless toilet, television, and a single bed. Waterless toilet doesn't need any water to flush. You are allotted 50 gallons of water and so many kilowatts of electricity for your initial payment. There are meters in the room which tell you how much you've got left. The utilities will shut off immediately and with no warning once they run out. If you want the utilities to stay on, you have to pay for more usage. (You pay once for the room. Utilities are extra.)

Paying for additional utilities is optional. If you're fine with them off, they will be left off at no charge to you. As a matter of fact, you can get the room somewhat less expensively if you request one with no utilities. And some people do.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 09:04, Wed 02 Nov 2016.
Tadeusz
player, 9251 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 2 Nov 2016
at 14:00
  • msg #11

Outta Time Tadeusz

I get a job at a warehouse, and start moving boxes and stuff with a dolly.  My muscles complain at first, but I tell them to quit whining.  I also make a point of either using the dolly, or lifting with my legs.

I thank the manager at the hotel, but skip that hotel maid job.

Curious, I watch the television at night, I was about to say, but at rest is correct, both for amusement, and to try to understand this new world.  Fast food is my eating, if my money holds up.
JohnA1nut
player, 1196 posts
Wed 2 Nov 2016
at 14:47
  • msg #12

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I get a job at a warehouse, and start moving boxes and stuff with a dolly.  My muscles complain at first, but I tell them to quit whining.  I also make a point of either using the dolly, or lifting with my legs.


You get a job at a pet warehouse. They don't sell pets, they sell all of the paraphernalia for them though. Cages, leashes, food, etc. (OOC) I worked at the PetsMart warehouse for almost 4 years)

It's hard work at first, but it's a no-brainer. You get the swing of things quickly. You're placed on the shipping dock. Stack boxes on wooden pallets, wrap with shrink wrap. You get paid for how many pallets you stack to their specifications. So many feet tall, so many feet square, etc.

And you keep going for a really long time. But you're the only one who realizes that. By the time you're ready to go home, you've got a fairly large wad of bills in your pocket. You could probably survive for a few sleep cycles without going back to work. Of course though, they ask if you are coming back.

quote:
I thank the manager at the hotel, but skip that hotel maid job.


Crossword puzzle girl comes by your room once and asks if you'd like it cleaned "Or any other perks" and flashes a fair bit of cleavage at you. The hotel maids also serve as prostitutes if they choose to. She's choosing to. What happens is between you and her.

The first visit from the maid for cleaning is on the house. If you want it cleaned after that, you have to let them know and pay an additional fee. So she won't bother you again unless you request it.

quote:
Curious, I watch the television at night, I was about to say, but at rest is correct, both for amusement, and to try to understand this new world.  Fast food is my eating, if my money holds up.


Your money will hold up. The dice say you've got enough gold coins to last you a while even if you don't work.

Since there are no times of day, there are no "appropriate" meals to eat at any given time. There's a guy eating pancakes with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. Somebody else is chowing down on a slab of meatloaf with a bowl of cornflakes to go with it.

You watch a nature documentary. The multicolored trees and grass are standard. Even the wood is multicolored. You get the feeling you could probably make some sweet wooden Chaos weapons from it.

The documentary shows that the landmass is one giant landmass. It's all under one ruling body. No countries. The landmass circumnavigates the world's equator and is roughly shaped like the zigzag pattern on the front of Charlie Brown's shirt. It covers roughly 50% of the planet surface. The north and south poles are oceans. You could realistically travel on foot completely around the circumference of the world.

You'd see furry animals and scaled animals. Hibernation isn't a thing. Or maybe they just don't realize it.

There are zero shows set in a future time or in outer space. Your assessment that the sun is not a giant star was correct. You gather from the TV that the entire universe is a single planet floating in the middle of a sphere of some sort, and the sun is a light and heat source of not quite understood nature. Might as well be in the middle of a huge planetarium.

You find the equivalent of a history channel. Except it's not called History. It's called "Stuff we dug out of the ground." Archeologists go around digging things out of the ground that people used. When it was used is irrelevant. It's presented sort of "Look at what we found. Isn't it cool?"

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9254 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 3 Nov 2016
at 13:42
  • msg #13

Outta Time Tadeusz

"I'll come back in two sleep cycles." I start to say, but then realize that I'm only slowing down getting used to the load.  "I'll be back tommorr....err, some time after my next sleep cycle."

Hot water shower that night.  Turn down the girl with a smile.

Bowl of cornflakes to start, then giant hamburger without the bun slathered in mushrooms, then veggies will do nicely.

That wood reminds me of something, and I wish I had wood skills to carve it because it could be astoundingly beautiful.  Then I realize that yeah, I could learn wood skills.  Still not up to it tonight, but I think next sleep cycle plus, I might.

I enjoy the casual wonder of the 'Stuff' show.

Next day I work hard, pressing myself despite my sore muscles, to keep going.  But when I notice most of the ones I started with are already gone, I pack it in, and go in search of a wood carver.
JohnA1nut
player, 1197 posts
Sat 5 Nov 2016
at 07:29
  • msg #14

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I'll come back in two sleep cycles." I start to say, but then realize that I'm only slowing down getting used to the load.  "I'll be back tommorr....err, some time after my next sleep cycle."


Your boss says "Sounds good. You're a decent worker."

quote:
Hot water shower that night.  Turn down the girl with a smile.


You use up 20 gallons of water with the shower. You've got 30 left. Utilities is where the IStay hotels make their money.

quote:
Bowl of cornflakes to start, then giant hamburger without the bun slathered in mushrooms, then veggies will do nicely.


OOC) That does sound like a good meal.

quote:
Next day I work hard, pressing myself despite my sore muscles, to keep going.  But when I notice most of the ones I started with are already gone, I pack it in, and go in search of a wood carver.


OOC) The first world where you met Magehammer. He normally teaches players woodworking and blacksmithing. I ran you a little differently than most players. And you ran a little differently from most players. But if you want to say that he taught you 1@3 blacksmithing and woodworking, that's cool with me.

IC) Your coworkers are used to working for 20-30 hours at a stretch. Then they sleep for about 12-18 hours. IOW, you're exhausted long before the ones you started with decide to leave.

You push it as long as you can, but eventually you decide to go to the hotel and sack out. The manager pays you.

Finding a woodworker willing to train you takes some legwork. Somebody tells you to go two blocks that way. The person there tells you the woodworker has left. Then that person tells you to go 2 blocks that way. Same story. But then, on your third attempt, you find the guy.

He's older. Doesn't mind being called Pops. He's not planning to go anywhere for many sleep cycles, and he will teach you. He likes having an apprentice.

And the sun still circles the sky at random.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9261 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 7 Nov 2016
at 13:27
  • msg #15

Outta Time Tadeusz

"Pops, I think that sounds good."

I begin to stack up wood, sweep the shop, and whatever until he tells me what to do.
JohnA1nut
player, 1198 posts
Wed 9 Nov 2016
at 00:35
  • msg #16

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) What kind of woodworking are you looking for? Wood carving? Building furniture? 1@1 whatever kind you want. Or are they all the same?

So he sets you to work cleaning up his shoppe. Once it's clean, it's time to make it dirty. He gives you a chisel and takes a bit of admiration at your blacksmithing hammer. He's never seen one like that before. He sets you carving wood.

The wood is multicolored. Reds, blues, greens, yellows, etc. Looks like a bad acid trip. But he's made some beautiful sculptures with it.
Tadeusz
player, 9269 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 9 Nov 2016
at 21:49
  • msg #17

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'll go for woodcarving.

I'll start with decorative staffs as that's probably one of the easier things to do, if I can.
JohnA1nut
player, 1199 posts
Fri 11 Nov 2016
at 16:15
  • msg #18

Outta Time Tadeusz

So you sit down and begin carving your staff. It's slow going as Pops is constantly interrupting you to clean or fetch or carry. You really only get to work on your staff for a matter of minutes at a time between his chores. And of course he's going to make you pay for the materials. But you've got more than enough cash to cover that.

But after quite a while and a lot of practice attempts, you produce a multicolored staff of good quality. The kind of thing you'd be proud to beat someone down with.

1@2 wood carving.

OOC) This world is really Chaotic. The other player I ran through here was able to make Chaos weapons like they were going out of style. Is that something you're after? If so, you just made a Chaos staff.
Tadeusz
player, 9272 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 11 Nov 2016
at 18:33
  • msg #19

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC: No, not what I was going for.  I want to make something beautiful and practical.

I put up the staff, if I can for sale, and start on another.
JohnA1nut
player, 1200 posts
Fri 11 Nov 2016
at 18:43
  • msg #20

Outta Time Tadeusz

Pops grins when he realizes what you're doing. "Walkin' sticks. High demand for those. I kinda got out of makin' em. Not enough money in em."

But he gets 50% commission on all sales and that will henceforth cover your wood expenses. If you quit or get fired, he keeps all the unsold walking sticks you've made.

Contract accepted? And he spits into his hand and offers it to shake.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Fri 11 Nov 2016.
Tadeusz
player, 9273 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 14 Nov 2016
at 20:49
  • msg #21

Outta Time Tadeusz

"I figure its the easiest thing to do that will be useful.  And hey, there are a lot of walkers so..."  I grin, and go back to work on my next one, trying to keep the cool bits, and add one or two.  After a while, I want to move on to some different styles, but I figure that will take some time.  For now, focus on displaying the varied colors, and tiny bits of decoration.

I spit on my hand, wincing inside, and shake.  Gross, but when in Rome do as the Romans do.
JohnA1nut
player, 1201 posts
Tue 15 Nov 2016
at 11:33
  • msg #22

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I figure its the easiest thing to do that will be useful.  And hey, there are a lot of walkers so..."  I grin, and go back to work on my next one, trying to keep the cool bits, and add one or two.  After a while, I want to move on to some different styles, but I figure that will take some time.  For now, focus on displaying the varied colors, and tiny bits of decoration.


GE 10

The first staff you put up for sale is gone almost immediately. Pops gives you your cut. The next staff you make is gone almost as quickly. You figure if business keeps up like this, you should be able to make a halfway decent life for yourself here. You're not gonna be drinking champagne with your caviar anytime soon, but a full stomach and a roof over your head looks feasible.

You get tired long before Pops is ready to quit work. It seems that with no set schedules, these people have pretty strong stamina. They work for what you would understand to be 25-30 hours or more without batting an eye over it. You'll just take some time to get acclimated.

Pops tells you to come back if you want to. If he's not here, just go ahead and get to work. He trusts you. He figures if the few coins you could get for stealing all of his tools is worth losing a steady income, there's nothing he could do about it anyway. The only catch is nothing gets sold if he's not here. These people like to dicker over prices and you don't know where the dickering lines are.

So make your walking sticks and he'll sell them when his sleep cycle is ended. You come back for your cut.

quote:
I spit on my hand, wincing inside, and shake.  Gross, but when in Rome do as the Romans do.


And with that you earned his respect. Then he immediately washes his hands. It is still a rather gross custom, if a respected one.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9277 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 17 Nov 2016
at 18:40
  • msg #23

Outta Time Tadeusz

I join him in washing off hands.

I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with these people.  After a certain amount of hours without sleep, I get clumsy.  So I put in fourteen hours, take a walk and an eat, and then go to bed.

Next day, I'm back at it.  I can't press so hard on working here, because I have to be careful with a knife, and there is an element of artistic judgment involved.  But I to keep at it.
JohnA1nut
player, 1202 posts
Fri 18 Nov 2016
at 01:39
  • msg #24

Outta Time Tadeusz

Accidental double posting.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Fri 18 Nov 2016.
JohnA1nut
player, 1203 posts
Fri 18 Nov 2016
at 01:48
  • msg #25

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I join him in washing off hands.


You get the feeling that the whole thing, from spitting to washing is an honored deal ritual among some. You now have a binding contract.

quote:
I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with these people.  After a certain amount of hours without sleep, I get clumsy.  So I put in fourteen hours, take a walk and an eat, and then go to bed.


First things first, it occurs to you to take off your watch and any other timepieces. At least while you're at work and out and about. What's the need for timepieces here anyway? Now you have no idea of the passage of time. You are as ignorant as they are.

Maybe you worked 14 hours. Maybe it was 20. Maybe it was only 10. Who can say? All you are sure of is that Pops is still up and ready to work when you decide to leave. You are at least 15 years his junior, so you should be able to catch up to him eventually.

OOC) Another function of this world is that without the time, you can get heavy bonuses on building stamina. You work until you get tired. How many times do you press on and keep working only to wake to full alertness 20 minutes later? Happens to me a lot.

quote:
Next day, I'm back at it.  I can't press so hard on working here, because I have to be careful with a knife, and there is an element of artistic judgment involved.  But I to keep at it.


Pops teaches you how to use power tools too. Lathes and whatnot.

So you work building your walking sticks and do the lion's share of the cleanup. Pops isn't really that demanding. He is a cantankerous coot, but you quickly get the hang of how to navigate around him. You get the feeling he was lonely and wanted the company more than the extra worker.

You get asked occasionally if you can make weaponized staffs. Put blades in them. Makes swords or nunchucks from them. Pops says it's totally up to you. Once it leaves the shoppe, it's out of your hands. You are not liable for it. He's made things like that before. It's good money. If your work is quality you can pretty much name your price. He still gets 50%

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Fri 18 Nov 2016.
JohnA1nut
player, 1204 posts
Fri 18 Nov 2016
at 02:49
  • msg #26

Outta Time Tadeusz

More than one post

Also, you are not expected to work on an empty stomach. You are free to leave to go down to McBurger and get a taco if you want to. Sometimes Pops gets hungry and makes sandwiches or stews for both of you. You have some interesting conversations about woodworking.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Fri 18 Nov 2016.
Tadeusz
player, 9280 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 18 Nov 2016
at 03:27
  • msg #27

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'm glad to take off my watch.  In a lot of ways, I try to ignore time when I can.  So that is a small bit of cheer in my life.  As the days go on, I do suspect that I am working a bit longer, and that's good news too.  But my sleep is still in the seven to nine hour range.

I learn the lathe and other tools, but for now, I prefer the carving knife.  I start trying some fancy designs, and whether they work or not, I keep on.  The failures I offer for the cost of the wood if Pops is okay with that, seeing as even poor folk need a stick, even if its ugly.

I shake my head at the idea of weapons.  I find myself happy to embrace peace, and this world seems to have much of that, which I like.  However, I sigh to myself, and began setting aside a little time to practise with my weapons.  The worlds being what they are, there is always  some evil or thug about somewhere.

OOC: Personally, I'm a bit more peaceful than I have been before.  I have a greater reluctance to start a war, and that bleeds into my writing, I guess.  Probably not all that peaceful.
JohnA1nut
player, 1205 posts
Fri 18 Nov 2016
at 04:05
  • msg #28

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I'm glad to take off my watch.  In a lot of ways, I try to ignore time when I can.  So that is a small bit of cheer in my life.  As the days go on, I do suspect that I am working a bit longer, and that's good news too.  But my sleep is still in the seven to nine hour range.


The hotel still has not asked you to leave. That party that you showed up with is still here. You run into them sometimes. They ask if you want to hang out.

The hotel is still not full. You are paying for utilities.

You keep working. Sometimes you work an entire shift and Pops never shows. He's sleeping or he's doing something else. But whenever you and he are there together, he's always still working when you leave. If he's there when you arrive, or if he arrives after you. You always leave first.

But then one shift, the unthinkable happens. You both arrive at roughly the same time. You work and you work. He makes soup and sandwiches. You work.

Then Pops passes out. When you go to him to make sure he's okay, he looks at you with a tired face and says:

"Man, I can't keep up with you anymore. How do you do it?"

It seems he was pushing himself beyond his limits to not appear weak to you. He was often working exhausted and praying for you to leave so he could sack out.

quote:
I learn the lathe and other tools, but for now, I prefer the carving knife.  I start trying some fancy designs, and whether they work or not, I keep on.  The failures I offer for the cost of the wood if Pops is okay with that, seeing as even poor folk need a stick, even if its ugly.


He's not okay with that. You still worked on it. You put your energy into it. You don't sell it for wood cost. But you do let him set the cost. He knows how to dicker with these folks. You still make a few coins from them.

quote:
I shake my head at the idea of weapons.  I find myself happy to embrace peace, and this world seems to have much of that, which I like.  However, I sigh to myself, and began setting aside a little time to practise with my weapons.  The worlds being what they are, there is always  some evil or thug about somewhere.


A walker shows up to buy a staff from you. He's not got much money and he offers to teach you to fight with them in exchange for one. Pops says it's okay with him if you just pay him for the wood.

quote:
OOC: Personally, I'm a bit more peaceful than I have been before.  I have a greater reluctance to start a war, and that bleeds into my writing, I guess.  Probably not all that peaceful.


OOC) Better a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war eh?

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9281 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 19 Nov 2016
at 18:56
  • msg #29

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'll take the walker up on the deal, and nod in agreement with Pop about both points.

I like quarterstaffs so this could be fun, of course my knuckles may not like this.
JohnA1nut
player, 1206 posts
Mon 21 Nov 2016
at 22:23
  • msg #30

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I'll take the walker up on the deal, and nod in agreement with Pop about both points.


So Pops decides to sack out. He's done trying to impress you. You've got free reign on his shoppe.

quote:
I like quarterstaffs so this could be fun, of course my knuckles may not like this.


Are you using your Order staff or one that you made?

Either way, the walker is just passing through. He wanted a good stick before he went any further. Thus he can only give you one lesson. He's really good at it though and he teaches you well. He can go until you get tired.

1@2 quarterstaff, or +1 to your Order staff. Whichever you pick.
Tadeusz
player, 9288 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 23 Nov 2016
at 16:38
  • msg #31

Outta Time Tadeusz

I consider using my Order staff, but this world is so Chaotic that I'm not sure thats a good idea.  So, I go with my regular staff, cross-blocking, doing side strikes....keeping in mind that the sphere of attack is a sphere or at least a half sphere.  Go for a side strike, and then a snap at the down at the calf, and then reverse and hit the other side high, and then bang my stick into his to force him back a step, and off balance, and keep on...

I don't know what's going to get thru, but my steady attack, and variety is going to get something thru, I hope.  Meanwhile try to defend and then as soon as possible go back to attack.
JohnA1nut
player, 1207 posts
Sat 26 Nov 2016
at 23:22
  • msg #32

Outta Time Tadeusz

The guy is really good. You can tell he's taking it easy on you. He teaches you some defenses and attacks. You train for a long time. He gets tired.

When you are ready to finish, he shakes your hand. No spitting though (haha!!) and tells you if he's ever back this way, he'll stop in and check on you. Perhaps train you some more.

1@2 quarterstaff.
Tadeusz
player, 9295 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 23:46
  • msg #33

Outta Time Tadeusz

Shower, food, and bed.

I don't remember hitting the bed.  Next morning, I wake up sore, and do some gentle stretches to get the muscles complaints down to a low moan.  I spend a couple of hours at a park with a notebook I bought, sketching ideas, and most particularly cool walking staff designs if I see one.  The sketches are more informative than pretty.
JohnA1nut
player, 1208 posts
Fri 2 Dec 2016
at 07:11
  • msg #34

Outta Time Tadeusz

GE 18

Whilst at the park, you run into the guy you showed up with here. The guy that was leading the walker party. He approaches you jovially enough. Asks how you're doing and what you're working on.

When you show him the staffs, he asks if you can make him one. He walks a lot. He planning to hit the road again. Maybe a couple more sleep cycles. It's never really a good idea to stay in one place.
Tadeusz
player, 9296 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 6 Dec 2016
at 03:41
  • msg #35

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 34):

"Be glad to man."  I ask him what, if any ideas he has for his staff, and then when I go back to work, I set to on this staff.  I try to put some extra effort into it, which might end up biting me if I overthink things, but hopefully will end up with a really nice staff.
JohnA1nut
player, 1209 posts
Mon 12 Dec 2016
at 22:55
  • msg #36

Outta Time Tadeusz

He wants to know if you can put "Like, a large, bulbous statue at one end of it maan."

You get the feeling he wants something with which he could beat someone. But he's good-natured and friendly enough and probably wants it for self-defense. He just wants to avoid telling you he wants a weapon.

And he's willing to pay a little bit extra.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9304 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 13 Dec 2016
at 02:14
  • msg #37

Outta Time Tadeusz

I nod, and try to make him his basher holding staff.  I ask him how heavy he wants it so that I can try to calculate a decent center of gravity for it, that would make swinging it easier.

I make sure to have several spots to grab it, one for walking, and another for swinging, and another for holding it out a good distance away like you were trying to fend off a superior opponent.
JohnA1nut
player, 1210 posts
Wed 14 Dec 2016
at 20:59
  • msg #38

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I nod, and try to make him his basher holding staff.  I ask him how heavy he wants it so that I can try to calculate a decent center of gravity for it, that would make swinging it easier.


To this he just nods and says "I trust ya maan. If you'd walk with it, that's good enough for me."

He wants you to make it your way. "Let the wood speak to ya maan."

quote:
I make sure to have several spots to grab it, one for walking, and another for swinging, and another for holding it out a good distance away like you were trying to fend off a superior opponent.


Pops asks if you want any help. That sounds like an interesting build. He wants to see it when you're finished.

OOC) Question. "He wants to see it when you're finished." Do you think "When" is a word these people would use? A concept they would understand? That's kinda got me puzzled.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Wed 14 Dec 2016.
JohnA1nut
player, 1211 posts
Wed 14 Dec 2016
at 21:15
  • msg #39

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

Would it be standard procedure for him to stand around and wait for you to finish it? Or would he leave and go get in line at the movies? He'll make sure to look for when you're there.

Do they understand "When"?

That's why I wanted to run you in this world. Your gamer brain seems to appreciate puzzles like this.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9307 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 14 Dec 2016
at 21:20
  • msg #40

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 39):

OOC: I think he would understand 'when'.  He might expect me to hang on to it until he gets around to seeing it a day or two later.  Pre-industrial people understood time, just not punctuality. It'd be a 'whenever' thing.


'Yeah, Pops, I could use your help."  So we work on it, trying to create a good weapon.
JohnA1nut
player, 1212 posts
Wed 21 Dec 2016
at 17:37
  • msg #41

Outta Time Tadeusz

Pops suggests carving a bird on the top of it. Like a falcon or something in a seated position. Gives it a touch of royalty.

Your carving skills are improving.
Tadeusz
player, 9311 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 28 Dec 2016
at 17:59
  • msg #42

Outta Time Tadeusz

I like falcons.  This sounds like a cool idea.  I grin, and look at the staff, and then put it down.

This could be tricky.  I pick up a scrub piece of wood, and began to try to practise it.  My first is way off, and so I settle down, and try to visualize what I'm aiming for instead of just intuiting my path.  That one is....better, but still, I pick up another scrub wood bit...

OOC: Sorry about missing time.

I've heard that some African children have very hard times guessing the amount of time that has passed, and some languages lack words.  So, I don't know...?
JohnA1nut
player, 1213 posts
Wed 28 Dec 2016
at 19:37
  • msg #43

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) Are you using your Order hammer or any of the Chaos blades for this? I would give a bonus if you were. You'd make stronger wood and better carvings.

Do you even still have those weapons. I think you had the Order hammer and staff and two Chaos swords. Do you still have them? I think you said you didn't like that kind of magic. That surprised me.

quote:
I've heard that some African children have very hard times guessing the amount of time that has passed, and some languages lack words.  So, I don't know...?


OOC) That's why I wanted to run you in this world. Maybe together we can figure it out. Your brain seems to enjoy puzzles like this one.

IC) But you work until you get tired. Pops leaves you in charge of the store. You're still working on it when he comes back from his sleep cycle.

The sun is still moving. It never stays still for more than a few minutes. If you do still have them, your Chaos weapons feel energetic. You think Chaos magic would probably be pretty heavily bonused in this world.

The dude that ordered the staff comes back periodically to check on your progress. He seems very patient and willing to wait. No rush. You can't really be in a rush in this world. He really likes the bird of prey motif. He thinks that will work.

But you're finished on it when you say you are.
Tadeusz
player, 9315 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 6 Jan 2017
at 22:30
  • msg #44

Outta Time Tadeusz

it takes me several times but it is is done.  i did not use magic, but i ask pa if i can...outside

the shop.  no need to blow up the shop.
JohnA1nut
player, 1214 posts
Mon 16 Jan 2017
at 04:06
  • msg #45

Outta Time Tadeusz

GE 8

Pops doesn't care if you do magic. You get the feeling he's thinking card tricks and pulling rabbits out of a hat though.

But you make a really good staff. The kid that requested it is impressed. He pays you more than was promised. Pops still gets half.

OOC) Sorry it took so long.
Tadeusz
player, 9321 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 19 Jan 2017
at 14:57
  • msg #46

Outta Time Tadeusz

I take a carefully selected good straight staff, and take it outside.  I measure it as close as I may to pi in its diameter, and shave it so gently as to reach that along its full length.  Then I spend my time smoothing it out further, rubbing in beeswax which might be expensive to make it smooth, and trying to create as Orderly a staff as may be.
JohnA1nut
player, 1215 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2017
at 18:03
  • msg #47

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) Are you trying to make an Order staff? If so, you will feel compelled to use your Chaos katana, left-handed to do it. I'm going with that assumption. We can always retcon.

So, you take your Chaos katana and start with a log you just cut from a tree. You just felt compelled to do it that way. And you shave the block of wood. And you look through the blade of the katana, and you see Chaos. And you shave the Chaos. And you look through the blade, and you see more Chaos. And you shave it.

And who knows how many hours go by. But you finish with a perfectly round, six foot staff which is completely black. From a wood which was multicolored. And it feels very Orderly. It's stronger, and has a minor black aura flowing from it.

Is that what you wanted to make? Also, looking through the tools is my version of sight. It creates a lens of sorts that lets you see Order and Chaos.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9322 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 20 Jan 2017
at 05:40
  • msg #48

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 47):

Good sound understanding of Modestit's magic.  I like it.
JohnA1nut
player, 1216 posts
Fri 20 Jan 2017
at 08:33
  • msg #49

Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) Good to know!!! It's just my interpretation of the magic from the game you were running.

So you've got this Order staff. The guy you made the eagle head staff for, he approaches you one final time. He tells you that he's about to leave. He wanted to say hi to you one more time. When he sees your staff, he says:

"Oh maan!! That's a bony staff!!! Why didn't ya make mine like that? Ah, no matter. What do you want for it?"

And he pulls out a thick wad of bills to make an offer to you.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9325 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 28 Jan 2017
at 04:18
  • msg #50

Outta Time Tadeusz

"OK." I say, and take what he offers.

Hmm, that was, interesting.  It brings up all sorts of questions, but I'll let those lie for now.  Instead, I'll feel my way forward by making another staff such as I just made.  See how that goes, if I get anymore information to make a decision on what to do about magic.
JohnA1nut
player, 1217 posts
Sat 28 Jan 2017
at 22:59
  • msg #51

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"OK." I say, and take what he offers.


He says "That is a bony staff. Here. What do you think of this?"

And he produces a black iron dagger. It's a woodcarving knife. Very similar to the one Pops uses. It's a Chaos weapon. Inscribed on one side are the words "Heat" and "Light" and on the other are "Healing" and "Remove Impurities."

"Trade ya straight out for this here knife. Don't remember where I got that."

He doesn't seem to know anything about magic with the knife.

The staff for a knife with which to carve them. Won't have to use the Katana anymore.

(Doing Therapy)
JohnA1nut
player, 1218 posts
Thu 2 Feb 2017
at 19:47
  • msg #52

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

I'm planning to leave for a road trip tomorrow (February 3) and I will not have internet access. In other words, I probably won't be posting until the beginning of March. At least, that's the plan. Will resume when I return.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9329 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 3 Feb 2017
at 19:23
  • msg #53

Outta Time Tadeusz

I take the trade.

Afterwards, I cautiously examine the thing.  I suspect I'm neutral on Order vs. Chaos, but this magic could twist the world, and people in unexpected ways.  I don't want to toy with it, but carefully experiment.

And just to be on the safe side, I pray for protection before I lay the knife next to a cup of milk.  I am wondering if it will curdle the milk.
JohnA1nut
player, 1219 posts
Fri 24 Feb 2017
at 14:40
  • msg #54

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I take the trade.


The guy takes the staff and begins to spin it around in his hands. Rapidly spinning it faster and faster. Then he makes a sort of throwing gesture with it. A solid wall of wind erupts from the staff and flies off in the direction he threw it. It knocks over several displays that other merchants have set up.

With wide eyes, the guy looks at you and just says "Yeah. Bony staff indeed."

And walks away quickly before you can respond or change your mind about the trade.

quote:
Afterwards, I cautiously examine the thing.  I suspect I'm neutral on Order vs. Chaos, but this magic could twist the world, and people in unexpected ways.  I don't want to toy with it, but carefully experiment.


OOC) Personally, I'd say you're pretty Orderly.

IC) The knife fits perfectly in your left hand. Not so perfectly in your right. It just doesn't feel proper in your right hand. But you do feel a power radiating from it.

quote:
And just to be on the safe side, I pray for protection before I lay the knife next to a cup of milk.  I am wondering if it will curdle the milk.


When you pray, you feel like God is telling you that the knife is a gift. It's for your protection.

It does not curdle the milk. On the contrary, you leave the knife and the milk at your hotel and go to work. When you return, the milk is still just as cold and fresh as it was when you left it. Tastes fine.

OOC) Remove impurities is written on the blade.
Tadeusz
player, 9336 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 27 Feb 2017
at 02:29
  • msg #55

Outta Time Tadeusz

Thoughtfully, I go looking for a knife rig.
JohnA1nut
player, 1220 posts
Mon 27 Feb 2017
at 06:29
  • msg #56

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'm assuming you mean a sheath? If not, please clarify.

In the area of Pop's wood shoppe, there is a shoppe which sells leather. The proprietor was outside when dude threw the Order tornado. Mr. Leather asks if you would make him a staff just like that. In return, he'll do his finest leather work. Make you whatever you want. Within reason, of course.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Mon 27 Feb 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9338 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 28 Feb 2017
at 16:30
  • msg #57

Outta Time Tadeusz

A sheath and a combined belt with straps to tie the end of the knife to the thigh as well.  Also, a set of strings to tie the knife in the sheathe if needed, as part of the belt.  This is a one piece item.

"So, ok. Can you make it of bullhide, and put my name in block letters on it, and a bunch of repeated trees...to look cool?"

"Oh, and if there is any shiny metal bits, I want them covered so that the sun doesn't reflect off them if I'm hunting."
JohnA1nut
player, 1221 posts
Wed 8 Mar 2017
at 21:54
  • msg #58

Outta Time Tadeusz

He shows you some blanks he's made. They're modifiable, already 80% made. One of them suits your requirements.

OOC) Here's the question. How is he going to express to you the concept of when it will be ready?

IC) "You'll have that (When? Just as soon as? What does he say here?) I have my staff."

They have no concept of time.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9344 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 11 Mar 2017
at 23:54
  • msg #59

Outta Time Tadeusz

Yeah. Good point.

"You say you'll bring it to me as soon as it gets finished, eh?  Sounds reasonable.  And I like this one..." I point to the one closest to what I want.  "Looks good, man.  I'll see you in a...." Few days I was going to say, but...instead I just lamely wave at  him, nod and walk off.

I sit back and try to absorb the lack of time.  Its a bit mindspinning.  Time is so engraved in us.  I wonder if they have a word for 'day', probably but it only means 'time of light' not any sort of steady period.

After shaking off my weird feelings, I go back, and start back working at staff making.
JohnA1nut
player, 1222 posts
Sat 18 Mar 2017
at 22:58
  • msg #60

Outta Time Tadeusz

So you find a suitable tree branch, and with one left-handed whack from the Chaos knife, you slice it off.

The wood is multi-colored. It's as Chaotic as the world you're in. And you sit down and shave it. And you look through the blade and see Chaos. And you shave the Chaos off. And the blade absorbs a white aura as you do do. And you look for Chaos, and you shave it.

When you're finished, you've got a midnight black staff. Hard, solid, with a light black aura flowing from it. It's an Order staff.
Tadeusz
player, 9350 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sun 19 Mar 2017
at 02:43
  • msg #61

Outta Time Tadeusz

I go and buy some hard wax, and polish it into the wood, several dozen times.  Then I see if I can find some iron caps for the ends.

Along the way, I try and see if the staff is balanced, although I will be greatly surprised if it is not. An Ordermaster staff, a blackstaff, would have to be balanced, I think.

The thrill of Order, of a thing done right and well, is seductive.  I'm going to regret giving up this staff, but, oh well.
JohnA1nut
player, 1223 posts
Sun 19 Mar 2017
at 10:18
  • msg #62

Outta Time Tadeusz

Pops has the polishing wax and the iron caps to use. Whilst you're looking for them in his shoppe, you absently hand the staff to him to hold. Pops is a good foot shorter than you are, and the staff shrinks in length to the perfect length for his size. When he hands it back to you, the staff expands back out to the perfect length for you.

Pops looks at it quizzically and says "Ain't never seen one do that....."

Yeah, the staff is balanced. You actually stand a coin on edge and balance the staff on top of that.

Mr. Leather is pleased. As promised, he's got your leather knife sheath ready. The staff shrinks in length to the perfect size for him.

OOC) I still haven't read that book you gave me yet. Give me some time. I gotta be in the mood to sit down and read a book.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Sun 19 Mar 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9352 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 20 Mar 2017
at 14:00
  • msg #63

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 62):

My eyes get wide as I see it change size.

"Me neither."  When I hand it over to Mr. Leather, I caution him that there might be unforeseen effects of the blackstaff.  He might find himself being compulsively honest.

Then I thank him for his leather work, get geared up, and check out my looks.  Yeah, I'm going to need some new clothes, some boots, and a blackstaff.  I set to work on the statt right now.
JohnA1nut
player, 1224 posts
Sat 25 Mar 2017
at 23:02
  • msg #64

Outta Time Tadeusz

Difficult intuition check 5

So you cut down another branch from a tree. And you shave it. You shave off the Chaos. You see the Chaos being absorbed into the knife blade. But there's something else happening. Something only you would notice. The sun, which was moving randomly in any direction seems to be stabilizing somewhat. It's not as erratic as it was when you first arrived. It's more Orderly.

But you finish your blackstaff. A quick spin and a throwing gesture launches a wall of wind.
Tadeusz
player, 9356 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 01:04
  • msg #65

Outta Time Tadeusz

I stop what I'm doing, and then with regret, break the staff.  Messing with a planetary system's sun sounds like waaaaaaaay over my pay grade.  I mean, I'm arrogant, but I'd be toying with  things that make nuclear bombs seem safe.
JohnA1nut
player, 1225 posts
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 02:10
  • msg #66

Outta Time Tadeusz

You try to break it, but a still small voice from somewhere you cannot identify tells you "Bring Order to Chaos."

Someone wants you to continue this.
Tadeusz
player, 9357 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 27 Mar 2017
at 20:19
  • msg #67

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 66):

Instinctively, I drop the staff, and take a step back.

I'm willing to change a world because of injustice or evil, but to change a society, worse, a world, without understanding, and one that seems functional and agreeable to me....I'm not enthused.

I pray a bit, seeking direction.

Then I ask the voice 'Who is Jesus?'.  And I listen closely, guarded and wary.
JohnA1nut
player, 1226 posts
Mon 27 Mar 2017
at 21:26
  • msg #68

Outta Time Tadeusz

You pray, and the world fades around you. It fades to gray. A perfect shade of gray. As if pure white and pure black were mixed perfectly. And standing before you are four chess pieces, all about your height. The black and white king and queen.

You can't tell which one is speaking, or if all of them are speaking, or if they're speaking at all. But you hear the same still small voice.

"We are the gods of Order and Chaos. Do you wish to become our servant?"
Tadeusz
player, 9359 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 29 Mar 2017
at 20:47
  • msg #69

Outta Time Tadeusz

"No, thank  you, Mighty Ones." I give a short bow.  Inside, I'm sweating it, but for I try to maintain a pleasantly, respectful demeanor rather than running around screaming like a headless chicken.
JohnA1nut
player, 1227 posts
Wed 29 Mar 2017
at 23:07
  • msg #70

Outta Time Tadeusz

That still small voice continues:

"Consider our offer carefully before refusing. Refusal of our offer will deactivate all of your magical weapons. They will become ordinary wood and metal. Acceptance of our offer will change nothing of your relationship with the Jesus god. You will still be free to serve him. We only wish to increase your power and abilities. We simply require a servant in this world."

It seems sincere. They're offering you the chance to become an Order mage.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Wed 29 Mar 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9362 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 1 Apr 2017
at 05:39
  • msg #71

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'm skeptical of the first point, although it could be true.  As to the second point, I'm not at all sure its a good idea.

Not trusting my voice, I shake my head 'no', and grip my hands tight waiting for them to do something awful to me.
JohnA1nut
player, 1228 posts
Sat 1 Apr 2017
at 06:25
  • msg #72

Outta Time Tadeusz

"Very well. Surrender your hammer to The Traveler."

Then the world fades from gray to normal. You're standing there at your place in Pop's shoppe. The blackstaff that you had is now multicolored wood, like the wood from which it was carved. All of your black iron weapons have been transmuted to normal iron.

You see Mr. Leather come out of his shoppe. He starts yelling at you. "What's the deal with this staff?" And his blackstaff is now also multicolored.

However, a few minutes later, the traveler, the kid whom you sold your first blackstaff to, shows up. His blackstaff is still black and radiating energy.

He says "Dude, I'm weirded out maan. I just had this trippy dippy dream. Four chess pieces told me I'm supposed to trade you this staff you made for a hammer that you have. I don't normally listen to dreams, but this was too real."

He of course means your formerly black iron blacksmithing hammer. Trade for his blackstaff.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sat 01 Apr 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9364 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 1 Apr 2017
at 23:10
  • msg #73

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 72):

"I'm sorry, I will try to make it up to you.  Perhaps I can work for you a few hours a day for a while, for free?" I say to the leatherworker.

"Yeah. Look, I'll do the trade, but we need to talk first.  Let me buy you some food, and we can talk."  I  hope to take him to a restaurant.
JohnA1nut
player, 1229 posts
Sat 1 Apr 2017
at 23:21
  • msg #74

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I'm sorry, I will try to make it up to you.  Perhaps I can work for you a few hours a day for a while, for free?" I say to the leatherworker.


Mr. Leather looks confused. "Hours? What are hours?" But then he says "Just pay me for it!!"

quote:
"Yeah. Look, I'll do the trade, but we need to talk first.  Let me buy you some food, and we can talk."  I  hope to take him to a restaurant.


The Traveler says "Sure dude. That sounds real bony. I could eat."

OOC) It's probably not the right time to narrate this part, but I just want to say it whilst it's in my head.

IC) When you do the trade, the blackstaff stays magical. You've got a magical blackstaff. However, when you hand him the hammer, the hammer starts to transmute back to black iron. The kid's body starts shaking. Vibrating. His eyes go completely black. After a few seconds, his eyes return to normal, he stops shaking, and he says "I know how to blacksmith. I, I, I know how to blacksmith. Maan, this is bony. I know how to blacksmith."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Sat 01 Apr 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9380 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 6 Apr 2017
at 02:13
  • msg #75

Outta Time Tadeusz

"Um, ok." If I have the money, I'll pay what he asks.  If not, I'll use most of my available money to pay him, and tell him I hope to get the rest soon.  If he yells at me, I let him, and wait until he runs out. Then I repeat my plan and leave.

Off to the cafe' with Traveller.  Once there I buy him and me some basic meals.

At the table, I take a drink, pray for help, and speak.

"Your dream was real...for certain values of real, I think.  Order and Chaos exist, and can and do grant power.  But they can be bloody-handed, and massively destructive.  You may find yourself changing, being unable to lie for example.  You may end up changing the world drastically, which I don't see that it needs, and then the world with rebound later...so if you make things more Orderly you might have a volcano later.

Worse, if you are Orderly, you will attract Chaos.  And the opposite.

Chaos does tend to be on the shorter side for life expectancy.

Think of Order as Form or Structure.  Chaos is Energy.  Total Order is death from unmoving pure form.  Total Chaos is an explosion, also death.

I refused this power you've been given.  You might want to as well."
JohnA1nut
player, 1230 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 18:01
  • msg #76

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"Um, ok." If I have the money, I'll pay what he asks.  If not, I'll use most of my available money to pay him, and tell him I hope to get the rest soon.  If he yells at me, I let him, and wait until he runs out. Then I repeat my plan and leave.


He says what's left of the multicolored staff is quality. He would pay a good price for this. But the leather belt is more valuable. So it's the price of the leather belt minus the lowered value of the staff.

Not very much. Price of what you would consider to be an expensive meal, maybe.

And he's very Orderly about it. Not upset, after his initial reaction. Not holding any grudges. It is what it is.

quote:
Off to the cafe' with Traveller.  Once there I buy him and me some basic meals.


He appreciates that. "Never refuse a free meal maan!!!"

quote:
At the table, I take a drink, pray for help, and speak.

"Your dream was real...for certain values of real, I think.  Order and Chaos exist, and can and do grant power.  But they can be bloody-handed, and massively destructive.  You may find yourself changing, being unable to lie for example.  You may end up changing the world drastically, which I don't see that it needs, and then the world with rebound later...so if you make things more Orderly you might have a volcano later.

Worse, if you are Orderly, you will attract Chaos.  And the opposite.

Chaos does tend to be on the shorter side for life expectancy.

Think of Order as Form or Structure.  Chaos is Energy.  Total Order is death from unmoving pure form.  Total Chaos is an explosion, also death.

I refused this power you've been given.  You might want to as well."


His jaw drops open as he listens to your warning. A few times he says "Seriously maan?" or "Wow"

But finally he decides to take it. He says it's probably nothing. It's just a "Baad dream maan!!" He doesn't really believe it's even real.

He does tell you though that he can reactivate your Chaos blade so it will work. The rest of them, not so much.

So you'd have an Order staff and the one Chaos woodcarving knife.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Sat 08 Apr 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1231 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 18:23
  • msg #77

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

The Traveler sticks out his hand to shake and says "My name is Tommy Chong maan!!!"

He's about what you would understand to be 20ish. Looks like 20ish Tommy Chong.

(But we'll still call him The Traveler if you prefer.)

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9392 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 10 Apr 2017
at 20:05
  • msg #78

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 77):

"Tommy, call me Tadeusz." I shake his hand, and wish him well.  "Feel free to visit, man."

I get up, pay the bill, and get back to work.  Now that I don't have magic to add to my staffs, I'll just have to use skill.

I begin measuring people's hands, and their heights to try to make them their ideal staff.  I also try other artistic designs, using the multi-colored wood with various deeply and shallowly cut carvings to bring out various effects while being a bit careful to not cut away too much to make the staff weak.

Still, this multi-colored wood makes it easy to make a staff look good.
JohnA1nut
player, 1232 posts
Mon 10 Apr 2017
at 22:20
  • msg #79

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I get up, pay the bill, and get back to work.  Now that I don't have magic to add to my staffs, I'll just have to use skill.


Didn't you see both posts? Tommy offered to reactivate your Chaos blade so it would make Order blackstaffs. If that's what you want, then that's what you've got.

As far as the sun is concerned, it appears to have been a fluke. The sun was still moving randomly, it just found a temporary pattern in its randomness. It is back to moving erratically with no discernible pattern.

Meanwhile, Tommy has set up a blacksmithing shoppe in the square where you are working. The first thing he tries to make are nails. Lots and lots of nails. Black iron nails.

(Doing Therapy)
JohnA1nut
player, 1233 posts
Mon 10 Apr 2017
at 23:45
  • msg #80

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

Tommy Chong also tells you that the chess pieces in the dream he had told him that the Black iron and Black wood that you're making will only become magical for certain, select people. You're making normal wooden, albeit black colored staffs and normal iron tools unless the gods of Order and Chaos see fit to activate them. And most weapons won't. And even if they do, it won't do much. Basic healing, creating heat and light for Chaos, and creating darkness and cold for Order. Pretty harmless stuff. Mostly.

So go ahead and make blackstaffs. You're not going to seriously introduce magic to very many people. You should also consider yourself fortunate to be one who can do magic with them.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9395 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 11 Apr 2017
at 17:01
  • msg #81

Outta Time Tadeusz

I just passed on Tommy's offer without replying.

I'm not going to make blackstaffs.  At least not here, not now.  Maybe in time.

I watch Tommy to see if his personality starts changing.

I see if the leatherworker wants some help too.  And it occurs to me that familiarity with simple weapons is good, so I get him to make me a slingshot.  Nice thing about staffwork and slingshotting is that it requires very little work to get basic weapons if you lose them.
JohnA1nut
player, 1234 posts
Tue 11 Apr 2017
at 21:54
  • msg #82

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I just passed on Tommy's offer without replying.

I'm not going to make blackstaffs.  At least not here, not now.  Maybe in time.


Well, unless you object, your knife is reactivated. You have the option of making blackstaffs if you should choose to.

quote:
I watch Tommy to see if his personality starts changing.


You don't see any changes in his personality, but after a time, he approaches you holding a six foot long black iron staff. The surface is rough, and twisted. It looks like a chain that's been welded into a staff. He leads you out into the woods and says "Maan, check this out."

He holds the black iron staff at arm's length and gives it a shake. The six foot staff falls apart into a chain about 16 feet long. He gives it another shake and it turns back into a metal staff.

"Pretty bony huh maan???"

He looks like he's seeking your approval of his creation.

quote:
I see if the leatherworker wants some help too.  And it occurs to me that familiarity with simple weapons is good, so I get him to make me a slingshot.  Nice thing about staffwork and slingshotting is that it requires very little work to get basic weapons if you lose them.


Mr. Leather appreciates your help. He teaches you basic leatherworking. He also knows how to use a slingshot and teaches you.
Tadeusz
player, 9403 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 12 Apr 2017
at 21:37
  • msg #83

Outta Time Tadeusz

I object.

Later...
"That is nice, Tommy.  Very nice indeed."

It may be unwise, but I ask Tommy if he can join me in staff and sling training.  I have the idea of learning how to hit someone (who is padded) with a slingstone, and learning how to block such a stone with a staff.  See if this works, or if its a bad idea...
JohnA1nut
player, 1235 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 03:25
  • msg #84

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I object.


OOC) Just wondering why you're objecting. All I'm doing is giving you the option of making them. Not saying you have to make them. You're just rejecting having the option of doing something. Having more options is (usually) a good thing.

quote:
Later...
"That is nice, Tommy.  Very nice indeed."


He says "Yeah maan. I know it could do more than that. I just know it. Don't know what else it could do....."

OOC) Seriously. Any suggestions? A Chaos chain is easy to come up with things it could do. But this is an Order weapon.

quote:
It may be unwise, but I ask Tommy if he can join me in staff and sling training.  I have the idea of learning how to hit someone (who is padded) with a slingstone, and learning how to block such a stone with a staff.  See if this works, or if its a bad idea...


GE 10

Tommy taught you how to use staffs before. He's willing to help you with that. Being on the road all the time like he was oftentimes means needing to hunt your own dinner so slings are something he's used. Not so sure about letting you throw them at him, but he's willing to throw them at you.
JohnA1nut
player, 1236 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 05:08
  • msg #85

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

The chain links are made from black iron nails, bent into chain links. Although they do have a larger head and sharper points, the nails are perfectly round and bent into smooth ovals.

He offers to make you one.

OOC) If a Chaos blade can make an Order weapon by removing Chaos, could an Order mage make Chaos weapons by removing Order? I always kinda figured it was one or the other. Until I let a player make an Order weapon with a Chaos blade.

OOC) Order creates darkness, can remove darkness, and manipulate light.

Chaos creates light, can remove darkness (just by a different means) and can also manipulate light. You could use both Order and Chaos to make a laser beam.

The difference is, though, that you would be removing Chaos from the light; or adding Order to it. So a Chaos laser is more of a pointer that you tease your cat with; and the Order laser is the one which will cut through 3 feet of steel.

Something like that?

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Thu 13 Apr 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1237 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 05:20
  • msg #86

Outta Time Tadeusz

Three Posts

Sorry man, my Facebook isn't working. BTW, check yours. I sent you something and I don't think you checked it.

I'm trying to define my classes of Order/Chaos magic users. There's three main categories:

Tool users (What you are.) Cannot make black iron. Can make weapons out of wood, crystal, other Orderly materials. Can do magic.

Mages, Magehammer is a mage. Must have or be given blacksmithing at 2@1. Can make black iron tools/weapons, and also from a great many other materials. Can do magic.

Priests, cannot make weapons. Can do magic. Can commune directly with the gods of Order and Chaos. That means at a time of his choosing, not theirs. Anyone can commune with them at a time of their choosing.

That's the basics, anyway. Tool users could be able to make Order or Chaos weapons with Chaos tools. Mages might not be able too. What else could priests do?

Thoughts?

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 13 Apr 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1238 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 05:43
  • msg #87

Outta Time Tadeusz

Multiple Posts. Sorry maan, you know what (Doing Therapy) means. Please, in your reply, tell me how many posts you read.

I was really hoping you would keep making weapons with the Chaos blade. I wanted to show you the Chaos bow. I think you'd really like it.

Maybe it removes one kind of Chaos and adds a different kind? Like say, removes brittleness Chaos and adds flexibility Chaos? So that brittle stick can be made into something with the strength and flexibility of a steel cable?

Thoughts?

(Doing Therapy)
JohnA1nut
player, 1239 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 06:03
  • msg #88

Outta Time Tadeusz

Multiple Posts. Sorry maan, you know what (Doing Therapy) means. Please, in your reply, tell me how many posts you read. I think it's five as of this writing.

The best part about this world though is that, unless you are actively trying to track how many sleep cycles it's been, or how long they are, you could have any amount of practice at any point in the game. You could have 1@3 or 3@10 and you'd never know it.

If you do want to know though, you hit 2@1 when you made your first blackstaff. A minimum of 2@1 skill working the material is required to make magic weapons.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Thu 13 Apr 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9407 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 21:04
  • msg #89

Outta Time Tadeusz

I read all your posts.

I object because I'm cautious about Beings I don't understand or trust.  Also, on a meta level, I'm not deeply interested in being an Order Mage.  I want to go in the direction I want to go, even if its not as cool as other directions.

"Tommy, the more Order you put into something, the stronger, and more durable it will be.  Also, its liable to burn those who are strongly Chaotic if they touch it.  I would not be surprised if you could learn to use this chain to flick a fly out of the air with as accuracy would be part of Order."

He's going this way, and I might as well help him.  He does seem like a nice guy.

===========

I laugh at him when he's skeptical of me throwing things at him, but I can see his point.  I agree, and we work on things.

===========

A laser beam would be Order controlling Chaos.  And it could be that cutting thru 3 feet of steel thing if the mage is strong enough.

I think an Order Mage could make a Chaos weapon, but it likely would be physically weaker.  It might be a touch corrupts weapon rather than a sword meant for battle.

Priests? Don't know.  Greater ability to curse or bless.  "You will, in the future, traitor, never betray anyone again, in any way!!"  If the person this curse is cast on is too fundamentally a traitor, he either casts it off if strong enough, or dies.  If not, he has a geas on him limiting his actions.

Str and flex of a steel cable would be Order.  Links of order throughout the whole substance hooked together.
JohnA1nut
player, 1240 posts
Thu 13 Apr 2017
at 22:57
  • msg #90

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I object because I'm cautious about Beings I don't understand or trust.  Also, on a meta level, I'm not deeply interested in being an Order Mage.  I want to go in the direction I want to go, even if its not as cool as other directions.


OOC) What direction do you want to go? Am I hindering you from going that direction? And don't tell me I'm doing fine if I'm really not. Tell me the truth. It's just, with most of my other players, when they were given a magical blacksmithing hammer, they generally did more magic than blacksmithing.

What kind of magic, if any, would you want to learn?

quote:
"Tommy, the more Order you put into something, the stronger, and more durable it will be.  Also, its liable to burn those who are strongly Chaotic if they touch it.  I would not be surprised if you could learn to use this chain to flick a fly out of the air with as accuracy would be part of Order."


"Maan, that's bony!! Hunh, wonder if it'll throw the wall of wind like that staff you gave me did."

And, as a staff, he spins around and makes the throwing gesture. Indeed, it throws a wall of wind. You've got a blackstaff. If you don't want it, Tommy will of course trade you for it or purchase it from you.

quote:
He's going this way, and I might as well help him.  He does seem like a nice guy.


OOC) Is helping him something that you would want to be doing? What do you want to be doing? I'm supposed to be making sure you have a good time playing.

quote:
I laugh at him when he's skeptical of me throwing things at him, but I can see his point.  I agree, and we work on things.


He's really good with the sling. Able to hit a moving target. Then he skins and cooks the rabbit over a campfire.

"Gotta learn how to do that on The Road maan."

He staff fights you with his chain staff vs your blackstaff. He's really good, but he seems like he's holding back. He says he's afraid he might accidentally "Magic you out of existence maan."

quote:
A laser beam would be Order controlling Chaos.  And it could be that cutting thru 3 feet of steel thing if the mage is strong enough.


Or Chaos controlling Chaos. Removing the Chaos from the flashlight and focusing it. I don't imagine it would be nearly as powerful, but a flashlight into a cat-teasing laser sounds reasonable.

quote:
I think an Order Mage could make a Chaos weapon, but it likely would be physically weaker.  It might be a touch corrupts weapon rather than a sword meant for battle.


OOC) Fixable.

Next time Tommy shows you his Order hammer, it's physically changed. You can tell it's the same hammer because of a little nick in the handle. But it's changed. One side of the hammer is perfectly round, the way you got it. The other side is a 23 sided polygon. Still more or less round, but it's got 23 flat, smooth sides. 23 is a Prime number.

"Had another trippy-dippy dream about the chess pieces maan. They told me I'm gonna be a Gray Mage. But I'm pretty sure it's just a shroom flashback maan."

So it's transmuting into an Order/Chaos hammer. But for the moment, he's still waaaaay more Orderly than Chaos.

So yes, he can make both.

He also knows a lot about edible plants. Shrooms are something you can find "Like every hundred or so sleeps, maan."

"Gotta know that on The Road maan."

He pronounces the capital letters.

quote:
Priests? Don't know.  Greater ability to curse or bless.  "You will, in the future, traitor, never betray anyone again, in any way!!"  If the person this curse is cast on is too fundamentally a traitor, he either casts it off if strong enough, or dies.  If not, he has a geas on him limiting his actions.


Good ideas!!

quote:
Str and flex of a steel cable would be Order.  Links of order throughout the whole substance hooked together.


Or removing Chaos. Or changing the Chaos. I think there's a lot of similar things they could do. Maybe one would do the thing much better than the other, but both similar.

Like the aforementioned Chaos laser. Removing Chaos producing a weaker laser. In this case, removing the brittleness Chaos for strength. But not a steel cable out of a brittle twig. Maybe like a piece of thread or something. The flexibility comes from Chaos. Order is things not moving. So you'd get more strength and rigidness from Order. But you could add strength Order and remove rigidness Order to make something flexible. But it would be more like a bow (and arrows) than a rope.

They could both turn loose sand into a solid wall. Removing Chaos produces sandstone, adding Order produces glass. See what I mean?

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9411 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 14 Apr 2017
at 01:43
  • msg #91

Outta Time Tadeusz

I'm happy with what I'm doing now, just bumbling along.  I might like to learn miracles and some DNDish magic eventually.

In healing someone there are two ways.  One is Order where you make them better.  The other is using Chaos like an antiseptic or like radiation.  Now I suppose you could use Chaos as a stimulant like the ambrosia in Percy Jackson.

Ambrosia will heal a demigod, but take too much and it can burn you up.

Now, I'm just telling you from the books, but the books were always coming up with different twists so there's that, and its your magic system in your game.  So tranforming one type of Chaos into another is something that happens in physics all the time....we take nuclear radiation to heat water to turn it into steam to turn a turbine to turn that into electricity.

More tommorrow.
JohnA1nut
player, 1241 posts
Fri 14 Apr 2017
at 16:19
  • msg #92

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
In healing someone there are two ways.  One is Order where you make them better.  The other is using Chaos like an antiseptic or like radiation.  Now I suppose you could use Chaos as a stimulant like the ambrosia in Percy Jackson.


I simplified this. I recall you in game once made reference to "Sickness Chaos." So, it made sense to me that if you removed the Sickness Chaos you would make the person better. So, Order healing is adding Order, Chaos healing is removing Chaos. Simple see?
Tadeusz
player, 9414 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 14 Apr 2017
at 17:32
  • msg #93

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 92):

I'll trade the staff, and try to learn how to cook rabbit.  Later, I'll ask if I can come on a rabbit hunt with my sling.
JohnA1nut
player, 1242 posts
Fri 14 Apr 2017
at 18:25
  • msg #94

Outta Time Tadeusz

When you ask Tommy about him teaching you to hunt and cook rabbit, he says "Maan, I gotta hit The Road. Sick a staying in one place."

OOC) It took me a while to determine how the hotel would decide when to evict someone. I figured it out last night.

The hotel room policy is that when you leave, you have to check in at the main office and turn in your key. When you return to the room, again, you check in to the office, and they give you your key back. If your room is still available, that is.

This time, returning to your room, the hotel manager tells you that you've had more than a thousand In and Outs. The hotel is booked. Your room has been rented to someone else. All of your belongings are currently in a storage locker. The room is occupied by someone else. You are expected to leave the hotel. That's all the warning you get about it.

So, time to hit The Road with Tommy?
JohnA1nut
player, 1243 posts
Sat 15 Apr 2017
at 11:10
  • msg #95

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

In exchange for your staff, Tommy offers you a hand-crafted pocket knife. Made from black iron. There's no energy aura from it. It's apparently non magical. It's a Swiss army type knife. Six blades. Two knife blades, a two sided file, a wood saw, can/bottle opener and a spoon. So a mini woodworking kit.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9422 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 18 Apr 2017
at 16:16
  • msg #96

Outta Time Tadeusz

I take my leave of my employers saying good-bye to them, and then set out on the Road with Tommy.  This should be interesting, I tell myself.

Enjoying the walking, I keep an eye out for a likely rabbit.
JohnA1nut
player, 1244 posts
Tue 18 Apr 2017
at 16:56
  • msg #97

Outta Time Tadeusz

Unless you ate lobster and steak every meal at the finest French bistro, you've got plenty of money to last for a while.

You and Tommy go out into the woods to get dinner. You do spot a rabbit standing still and tag it with your sling. Tommy chides you for it.

"That whadn't fair maan. You don't hit the rabbits when they're standing still. Ya gotta spook em first and make em run. Hit em when they're running away. Makes it more fair maan. If an animal gave me a fair chance, I wouldn't be upset if it beat me and ate me up."

So that's how he got so good at hitting them running.

He can also hit birds in flight. He tries to teach you that too. But most meals you're eating ones he hit.

There are little mom and pop stores and restaurants here and there where you can buy food. You're not gonna starve to death. But Tommy says it's 100 miles to the next major town.

The Road is mostly pedestrians. Occasionally a car or bus drives by. Tommy says he hitchhikes sometimes, and a lot of drivers actually do stop. He doesn't want to though.

Along with the mom and pop stores, there are also occasional hotels and camping sites. Pay to pitch a tent. But at least it's safe and guarded. Tommy prefers to just hang a hammock between two trees. It never rains or snows here. Temperate climate all the time. That's all over the world.

Tommy shows you a backpack. He's got a propane torch and a lot of simple tools. Multitools mostly.

"Ya gotta be ready for anything out here maan. I got me a mobile blacksmithing shoppe."

He asks you to teach him woodworking. Basically how to whittle sticks into staffs out on The Road. He'll teach you blacksmithing when you get somewhere where you can stay in one spot for more than one or two sleeps.

What are you doing?

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9427 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 18 Apr 2017
at 23:03
  • msg #98

Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 97):

I nod, and follow Tommy's hunting rules.  It makes it a lot harder, but I can feel the effort required as my brain tries to analyze everything, and control my emotions, and body, and let fly...

I show him how to do so, and smile to myself as I leave behind the one I made each night for some lucky traveller.

"When we get to town, maybe you can show me how to smith."
JohnA1nut
player, 1245 posts
Wed 19 Apr 2017
at 17:00
  • msg #99

Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I nod, and follow Tommy's hunting rules.  It makes it a lot harder, but I can feel the effort required as my brain tries to analyze everything, and control my emotions, and body, and let fly...


And the joy and sadness when you hit one. Which you do several times. Maybe 1 out of 7. Tommy only misses about 1 out of 2. You kind of get the feeling he might be missing on purpose.

But there's lots of rabbits. Lots and lots of them. Your belly stays full. Tommy says he wants to learn to preserve leather. He doesn't know how to preserve the pelts and whatnot. So you leave them in the woods. Something will eat them.

OOC) To me that kind of behavior just seems really Orderly. What do you think?

quote:
I show him how to do so, and smile to myself as I leave behind the one I made each night for some lucky traveller.


You mean every sleep? How many hours are you doing this? How many hours are yo doing that? Are you even trying to keep track anymore? You have no idea how long you're awake, asleep, how long you spend hunting. It turns out that when Tommy said "You find those about every hundred or so sleeps." That's actually an expression. Nobody really keeps track of how many sleeps anything's been. They might say "Two or three sleeps ago." But any more than that and it's "A hundred sleeps ago." or "Every hundred sleeps." You know you're getting close to town when you start hearing people say "Town is two or three sleeps away." But that could really be any distance. Maps are rare. Carrying one is rare. There's no such thing as "Lost". Are you happy where you are? Then you're where you need to be.

OOC) This is interesting trying to get into. I thought you of all people might appreciate it.

As far as the ones you leave behind, Tommy says "That's bony maan. Leaving behind your work to help someone in need."

Do you use the black iron knife he gave you? The staffs are multicolored wood. Tommy starts making them using his own black iron knife. He leaves behind blackstaffs.

One time when you're just standing around talking, Tommy zones out of a few seconds.

"The chess pieces told me those staffs might become magical. That's bony maan."

He says the chess pieces want him to continue. Good idea you had.

quote:
"When we get to town, maybe you can show me how to smith."


"That's the plan maan. About a hundred sleeps or so."

That's how long it's gonna be. But he is in no way keeping track.

Along The Road, there are also places where you can take showers. Pay for so many gallons of water and enjoy yourself. Tommy takes a shower when he feels dirty. Not too bad. If he hears more than one person or a cute girl complaining about it, he'll take a shower.

Are you spending money? Are you trying to make money? How much fast food are you buying? Showers? How draining are your costs?

Tommy makes money blacksmithing. Fixing things for people. Broken wheels and whatnot. If he can get it done in one wake cycle that is. Or if he's tired, he'll tell them "I'll get to it my next wake cycle maan." And if you don't see them again, the work never gets done, custom dictates that you must have at least three wake cycles of your own before you start any legal proceedings. But usually all that's needed is a friendly reminder and the person will drop everything and get to work on it. If you can find them, that is.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Wed 19 Apr 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1246 posts
Wed 19 Apr 2017
at 17:14
  • msg #100

Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

You and Tommy sync sleep patterns. You both get tired at the same time. You both wake up at the same time. He says that's a good omen in a road partner.

Custom dictates that you do not leave your sleeping road partner behind. That is, depending on how committed to it you are. Nothing wrong with it. They're the only one you'd have to answer to. Them and yourself, that is. To have a road partner who won't sync sleep patterns with you sucks.

(Doing Therapy)
JohnA1nut
player, 1247 posts
Wed 19 Apr 2017
at 17:46
  • msg #101

Outta Time Tadeusz

Three Posts

Tommy also shows you edible plants. But he says:

"A good rule-a thumb is if a rabbit can eat it, so can you. Then you have a nice salad while you eat the rabbit maan."

Lots of rabbits. Lots of edible plants. Not a whole lot of human-attacking predators. Except other humans, that is. It's the walkers who keep the rabbit and other pest animals down. Trees and wildlife seldom change though. There's not one spot on the world where any of them get any better sunlight.

Tommy shows you how to cook on a spit and a bunch of herbs to season the rabbit with. There's also ducks, wild grouse, squirrels, wild boar, not a lot of human attacking animals. But there are big cats and other animal predators here and there. It's only legal to kill them in self-defense.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9454 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 19 Apr 2017
at 18:40
  • msg #102

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

JohnA1nut:
quote:
I nod, and follow Tommy's hunting rules.  It makes it a lot harder, but I can feel the effort required as my brain tries to analyze everything, and control my emotions, and body, and let fly...


And the joy and sadness when you hit one. Which you do several times. Maybe 1 out of 7. Tommy only misses about 1 out of 2. You kind of get the feeling he might be missing on purpose.

==I accept Tommy's mercy without comment.  And I keep slinging, grinning happily when I do get a rare hit.

But there's lots of rabbits. Lots and lots of them. Your belly stays full. Tommy says he wants to learn to preserve leather. He doesn't know how to preserve the pelts and whatnot. So you leave them in the woods. Something will eat them.

OOC) To me that kind of behavior just seems really Orderly. What do you think?Y

==Its Orderly.

quote:
I show him how to do so, and smile to myself as I leave behind the one I made each night for some lucky traveller.


You mean every sleep?

==Yes.

 How many hours are you doing this?

==A couple hours as we relax at the end of a walk, and eat.

 How many hours are yo doing that? Are you even trying to keep track anymore?

==No.  I'm going with enjoying the days as they go.  Its a weight lifted off my chest.

 You have no idea how long you're awake, asleep, how long you spend hunting. It turns out that when Tommy said "You find those about every hundred or so sleeps." That's actually an expression. Nobody really keeps track of how many sleeps anything's been. They might say "Two or three sleeps ago." But any more than that and it's "A hundred sleeps ago." or "Every hundred sleeps." You know you're getting close to town when you start hearing people say "Town is two or three sleeps away." But that could really be any distance. Maps are rare. Carrying one is rare. There's no such thing as "Lost". Are you happy where you are? Then you're where you need to be.

==I like these people.

OOC) This is interesting trying to get into. I thought you of all people might appreciate it.

As far as the ones you leave behind, Tommy says "That's bony maan. Leaving behind your work to help someone in need."

Do you use the black iron knife he gave you? The staffs are multicolored wood. Tommy starts making them using his own black iron knife. He leaves behind blackstaffs.

One time when you're just standing around talking, Tommy zones out of a few seconds.

"The chess pieces told me those staffs might become magical. That's bony maan."

He says the chess pieces want him to continue. Good idea you had.

==I nod. I hope things go well, and take a moment to silently express that prayer.

quote:
"When we get to town, maybe you can show me how to smith."


"That's the plan maan. About a hundred sleeps or so."

That's how long it's gonna be. But he is in no way keeping track.

Along The Road, there are also places where you can take showers. Pay for so many gallons of water and enjoy yourself. Tommy takes a shower when he feels dirty. Not too bad. If he hears more than one person or a cute girl complaining about it, he'll take a shower.

Are you spending money? Are you trying to make money? How much fast food are you buying? Showers? How draining are your costs?

==I take opportunities to make money, but my expenses almost certainly exceed that.  I take showers like Tommy does.

Tommy makes money blacksmithing. Fixing things for people. Broken wheels and whatnot. If he can get it done in one wake cycle that is. Or if he's tired, he'll tell them "I'll get to it my next wake cycle maan." And if you don't see them again, the work never gets done, custom dictates that you must have at least three wake cycles of your own before you start any legal proceedings. But usually all that's needed is a friendly reminder and the person will drop everything and get to work on it. If you can find them, that is.

(Doing Therapy)

JohnA1nut
player, 1248 posts
Fri 21 Apr 2017
at 19:43
  • msg #103

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

You're not headed straight to a city. Viewed from the sky, the terrain might resemble the blood vessels in the human body. They go this way and that. Some go to these organs (cities) some go to these organs (cities) Cities are scattered and far apart. Except where they're tightly grouped together. They're large and they're small. You've gone through several places that might be called cities. Did it have more than one traffic light? More than 10 buildings? Mighta been a city!!! And who knows where that will be? Probably what you're used to living in, from what I saw there. It's lots and lots of unexplored forest with roads going through it. Like blood vessels. The roads are paved, sometimes they're dirt. There doesn't seem to be any kind of centralized government. It's anarchist for the most part. Cities have their own things, but on The Road, it's every man for himself. Temporary traveling companions are frequent. It's always good to part on good terms. You never know when you might see them again.

In fact, you run into one of Tommy's old traveling companions.

As you're walking, Tommy says "Hey look maan, there's Cheech."

And Cheech calls back "Hey Vato!!!" and the two hug.

Tommy says "This is my buddy Tadeusz. He's a city boy. Kind of a n00b to The Road. But he's pretty cool."

And Cheech hangs out with you for a sleep or two. Then he bids you farewell and walks off on his own. Him and Tommy's sleep patterns were still synced.

As you're walking, eventually you hear someone say "The ocean is 2 or 3 sleeps ahead."

Tommy gets kind of excited. He says "I hope we can get some budgies."

The ocean stretches north as far as the eye can see. It covers the entire northern hemisphere. 25% of the planet's surface. The southern ocean is the same. The land mass runs the equator of the planet. Shaped roughly like the design on Charlie Brown's tee shirt. In the ocean, one spot can be salty, one spot can be fresh. Different levels of it. You can tell by the color. Sometimes the tide is going in. Except when it's going out. And that can change in an instant. Water levers can unexpectedly rise drastically and without warning, but the risk of that is deemed on the level of shark attacks. Horrific when it happens, doesn't happen a lot. That's more like a one in 10,000 sleeps kind of event.

OOC) What do you think of that one in 10,000 sleeps kind of event? Is that a concept they would understand? The guy with the gray hair has had a lot more sleeps than you have.

But, off in the distance on the shore, you see a swarm of blackness. Tommy gets excited. "Budgies!!!"

And he pulls out a fine mesh net and runs into the cloud. He's barely visible, but you can see he's spinning that net around in a circle. Then he steps 10 feet closer to you. The net is full of small, gnat sized flying insects. Several pounds of them. But 10 feet away, the swarm is contained. Maybe moving slowly away from you. Tommy doesn't even have any on his clothes.

Tommy asks you to build a fire and he starts smashing the flies into patties and cooking them. Assuming you eat some, it's a nutty, meaty flavor. Like if beef and roasted peanuts had a baby.

"Tommy says "They're harmless. Only found near the ocean. Really tasty though huh?"

OOC) That's kind of based on an actual insect.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Fri 21 Apr 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9471 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Sat 22 Apr 2017
at 02:15
  • msg #104

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 103):

This is such a weird world, I muse to myself, with a grin.

I make an effort to be friendly to the new guy.

I eat the budgies reminding myself that as a world traveler, I can't limit myself to hamburgers and hot dogs even if I want too.  Surprisingly, they're pretty decent.

OOC:  Instead, 'a few times in your life, if you live on the ocean'.  Eh, I'm not sure.

The budgies idea was good.
JohnA1nut
player, 1249 posts
Sat 22 Apr 2017
at 03:07
  • msg #105

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

When you finish your meal of Budgie Burgers, Tommy points you off down the coast. There's a fairly large seaside town a few miles away. Perhaps akin or Orlando or Daytona beach Florida. But not so big.

"Well, maan, you wanted to hit a major city. What do you think of that one?"
JohnA1nut
player, 1250 posts
Sun 23 Apr 2017
at 19:06
  • msg #106

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

Let me ask you something. I just had a thought. What if the budgie swarms came by at regular intervals, and it would give them the means to tell time? You're the only one who would notice that. Would you point it out to anyone? Would you want someone else to notice it? Clocks would never catch on away from the coasts though. Here it's a tourist novelty. There it's a noisy, clunky thing you can't eat on The Road. Usually trade it to someone else. A city person, maybe. Probably become popular with bakers who no longer have to rely on the smell of the thing in the oven.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Sun 23 Apr 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9474 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Mon 24 Apr 2017
at 14:34
  • msg #107

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 106):

I'm not that good at noting things like that myself.  Bonna would be the one to notice that.

"Yeah, let's see the big city."  I'm hoping its not a medieval poop covered street mess, but probably not.  And it would be nice to see some other people.
JohnA1nut
player, 1251 posts
Tue 25 Apr 2017
at 14:57
  • msg #108

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I'm not that good at noting things like that myself.  Bonna would be the one to notice that.


OOC) After giving it some thought, I realized that giving them the concept of time would give someone the means to control the masses. And that's never a good thing. So just forget about that. You gotta admit though, that would be funny. Swarms of insects are the only regular event.

quote:
"Yeah, let's see the big city."  I'm hoping its not a medieval poop covered street mess, but probably not.  And it would be nice to see some other people.


You've seen lots of other people. Walkers, road vendors, all sorts of folks.

Between you and Tommy, you've got enough money for one of you to get an indefinite stay hotel or eight fast food meals. Tommy asks what you want to do.

There are shoppes where people live, and there's a flea market type of place. That's for travelers. Come in, set up, sells your wares and leave. But once you leave, anything you leave behind there is fair game for theft.

There are cars driving around, blacksmith shoppes, woodworking shoppes, you could set up at the flea market, all kinds of things to do.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9488 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Wed 26 Apr 2017
at 14:21
  • msg #109

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

At first I want to say indefinite hotel, but then that would leave Tommy out of luck.  Wincing internally, I beat down my selfishness with a good thump, and go get something to eat with him.

"I need to start making staffs for the flea market. How about we start with you bringing me staffs from the surrounding wood, and I making them.  Once we get some more cash, we can get some more options, and talk then?"
JohnA1nut
player, 1252 posts
Wed 26 Apr 2017
at 14:47
  • msg #110

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I need to start making staffs for the flea market. How about we start with you bringing me staffs from the surrounding wood, and I making them.  Once we get some more cash, we can get some more options, and talk then?"


Along The Road, Tommy was also teaching you staff fighting. You're very good at fighting with staffs.

Tommy says "Maan, didn't you want me to teach you to blacksmith?"

But aside from that, he'll go along with whatever you want to do. You're the city boy after all. This is your territory.

BTW, all the walking you've done has physically changed you. You've lost the pot belly and your legs are a lot more muscled.
Tadeusz
player, 9490 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 26 Apr 2017
at 15:21
  • msg #111

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 110):

"I do, Tommy, but we gotta make some cash first.  Get each of us an indefinite stay hotel room, and some food money."

I pause.

"Unless, you think we can get a job in a smithery to take care of that."

Its nice to be more fit. Gives me more energy.
JohnA1nut
player, 1253 posts
Thu 27 Apr 2017
at 01:17
  • msg #112

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I do, Tommy, but we gotta make some cash first.  Get each of us an indefinite stay hotel room, and some food money."


Tommy says "Just cuz we're in a city don't mean we gotta get a hotel room maan. We can still camp in the woods. Just saying maan."

quote:
"Unless, you think we can get a job in a smithery to take care of that."


In the flea market, you find a blacksmithing forge that someone built and left. Asking around, it's been used by many people. The original builder is long gone though. You're going to be competing with the town blacksmith, but you can set up a shoppe.

There's a lot of shoppes like that. Built and left behind for someone else to use.
Tadeusz
player, 9496 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Thu 27 Apr 2017
at 01:40
  • msg #113

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

I nod. We'll go with Tommy's plan.  It works.

We find a spot to set up with our new anvil.  I gather wood to burn to charcoal, and we're going to need a bellows and a fire pit.

We start to scavenging, and finding stones in the forrest, and loading them on a travois.  We'll also need scrap iron, I think.
JohnA1nut
player, 1254 posts
Thu 27 Apr 2017
at 13:50
  • msg #114

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
We find a spot to set up with our new anvil.  I gather wood to burn to charcoal, and we're going to need a bellows and a fire pit.


Bellows and a fire pit are there. It's a complete forge. You just need the tools. Tommy's got most of those. And he can make the ones he doesn't have.

quote:
We start to scavenging, and finding stones in the forrest, and loading them on a travois.  We'll also need scrap iron, I think.


Whilst you're looking for stones, Tommy goes and talks to the town blacksmith. There's an iron mine not too far from here. You could get a job there if you wanted. But Tommy also tells you that the town blacksmith does not make blades of any kind. He just doesn't. So you've got the market cornered there.

So Tommy spends the last of your money to get some iron for blades. And he teaches you how to make them. The blades he makes are black iron. They become most popular around the town.

So after about 10 sleeps you're out of the woods and in a hotel.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9503 posts
As you dimension dance...
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Thu 27 Apr 2017
at 20:41
  • msg #115

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

A shower is so much better than the stream.

I start making nails when we're not busy.  Just plain nails.  And if someone wants a horseshoe, I'll try that as well, making sure to have Tommy check it over before I sell it.

The blisters have gone away, and already I can see more muscles.  I have to trim my beard to keep it from catching fire from a spark.  And the feel of making something useful with sweat and muscle from junk is just grand.

I give a close lipped smile as I bring the hammer down again.
JohnA1nut
player, 1255 posts
Fri 28 Apr 2017
at 02:57
  • msg #116

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Tommy makes for you a set of black iron blacksmithing tools. When you get tired and decide to quit, you have to take with you everything you don't want stolen. But you're doing okay. You manage to stay in fast food and whatever else you need.

Set up across from you at the flea market is a young woman. She sells beaded necklaces and other jewelry. Her name is Carly Rae Jepsen. You oftentimes catch her making eyes at you whilst you're working. She must find you most attractive.

OOC) This is what she looks like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic

Then one sleep, you wake up and are about to head to the forge. You find, standing outside your door is a black iron chain staff. If you hold it right handed, it's a staff. If you hold it left handed, it breaks into a chain.

There's a note taped to it that says:

"Dude, it's been bony, but The Road is calling me. You've been a good companion."

Signed Tommy Chong.

So he's hit The Road and left you here.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Fri 28 Apr 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1256 posts
Fri 28 Apr 2017
at 20:06
  • msg #117

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

BTW, I think I said something about a Road Code about not leaving a sleeping partner. That's only on The Road. You're in a city. You're safe. You've got skills. You'll be fine. That's more or less accepted.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9510 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 28 Apr 2017
at 20:54
  • msg #118

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 117):

I sigh. On the one hand, I'll miss Tommy.  On the other hand, I can be a bit of a loner.  I shake my head at the chain staff as I take it in, and consider tossing it in the corner, but respect for the Powers, and probably the innate Orderliness of the staff have me put it up neatly in the corner.

There I ignore it as I ignore Carly.

I work on nails, and horseshoes, and try to branch out into repairing simple broken things.  I'll offer to do it at cost, but with no promises that the broken item will work.
JohnA1nut
player, 1257 posts
Fri 28 Apr 2017
at 21:14
  • msg #119

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I sigh. On the one hand, I'll miss Tommy.  On the other hand, I can be a bit of a loner.  I shake my head at the chain staff as I take it in, and consider tossing it in the corner, but respect for the Powers, and probably the innate Orderliness of the staff have me put it up neatly in the corner.


Just so you know, there's nothing in the Road Code about giving away, selling, trading, etc. gifts given by a road partner. Use it in whatever way it will improve your situation. So feel free to trade it or whatever.

BTW, there are walkers here and there that have blackstaffs. You might vaguely remember passing them on The Road. They picked up the ones Tommy made. So far, no magic has been reported to you. But you could certainly trade the chain for one. It's just a trick chain, as far as they're concerned. Might never figure out the trick, but that's all it is.

quote:
There I ignore it as I ignore Carly.


You try to ignore Carly. But she approaches you at the forge. She's kind of timid and mousy. She kind of looks up at you with her head bowed and says "Um, can you make iron beads? Those.... (clears throat) are really popular with the um.... walkers. They use them for fishing sinkers and stuff. Esp, esp, (stuttering) Especially!!!! If they're magnetic. Um, can you, can you make me some of those?"

It's apparently a lucrative business offer.

quote:
I work on nails, and horseshoes, and try to branch out into repairing simple broken things.  I'll offer to do it at cost, but with no promises that the broken item will work.


You do decent work at a much lower price than the town blacksmith. Quantity vs Quality and all of that. Tommy was legitimate competition for him. You're kind of like the budget blacksmith. Most people tip you. You might make a fast food lunch amount on your repairs.

One thing you notice quickly though is that your business has dropped significantly since you stopped selling the black iron blades. Tommy was selling those for what the chess pieces told him to sell them for. Apparently a huge markup. But you're not making nearly as much money. You don't think Tommy considered this when he left you.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9512 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sun 30 Apr 2017
at 01:02
  • msg #120

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 119):

I leave the staff where it is.  Its doubtful someone would steal it as the person likely to steal would not want to touch an Order touched weapon.  It can sit and gather dust.  I considered trying to break it, but Black Iron breaking might be energetic, like explosively so, and I have no need to amputate fingers today.

"Sure. Ah, not sure I can make them magnetic." I turn away, and go back to work.  I'm already planning on how to make them as little balls.
JohnA1nut
player, 1258 posts
Sun 30 Apr 2017
at 01:14
  • msg #121

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"Sure. Ah, not sure I can make them magnetic." I turn away, and go back to work.  I'm already planning on how to make them as little balls.


Carly Rae says "I'll pay you upon delivery."

And she returns to her stand.

At some point, you leave and go get something to eat. You pass by an outdoor archery range. There you see Carly Rae shooting at glass bottle with a slingshot. Not a sling, this is a Y stick with 2 rubber bands. She's pretty good with it.

After you eat, when you're returning, you again see Carly Rae at the archery range. She's shooting a compound bow. Most of her arrows are sticking in the 9-10 ring. Pretty good at that too. She doesn't seem to notice you either time.

But you're still at work when she returns to her shoppe. She's waiting for the beads. Not asking you about them.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9519 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sun 30 Apr 2017
at 02:20
  • msg #122

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

I try dropping them into hot oil.  If not, I try beating on them with a hammer.  I also try to make a wire and get a glob of hot metal on it, and then spin it.

See if any of these work to make little sinker balls.
JohnA1nut
player, 1259 posts
Sun 30 Apr 2017
at 04:09
  • msg #123

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) It seems neither of us has more than a passing understanding of blacksmithing. So we'll just say you find some way that works and leave it there.

+1 blacksmithing.

When you present these to Carly Rae, she looks them over and grins. Then she shows you the bracelets she's making with them. Have you ever seen those bracelets that are made out of woven paracord? It can be unwound into 30 feet of rope? I think I showed you one. Carly's bracelets are like that, except it's woven fishing line with some wooden beads, now some iron beads, and a cross charm made out of bent metal and held together with tight wire.

"So, um, what you've got here are woven fishing line, your iron sinkers, the um, wooden beads float. So they're um, they're um.... bobbers. The cross comes apart into fishhooks and snare wire. It's a, it's a, whole fishing kit you can wear on your wrist. Oughta, oughta be pretty pretty popular with the um, walkers huh?"

She looks at you like she's awaiting your approval.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9524 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 1 May 2017
at 23:09
  • msg #124

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 123):

"It does look good. I can take one of those in trade for some of these sinkers."  I do the trade, and take what money she gives me, and go back to work.
JohnA1nut
player, 1260 posts
Mon 1 May 2017
at 23:23
  • msg #125

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Carly Rae looks up at you and smiles. Really smiles. It's the first time you've seen her do it. But then her face turns bright red in embarrassment and she again lowers it and looks up at you. Submissive posture.

"Um, thank you. Um, so can we uh talk, talk about the p-p-price now?"

And you will come to an agreement which, if you continue this at your current rate, with all of your other work, will put you about 80% of where you were when Tommy was here. You were at about 50%. Tommy's work made more money, but you did just as much work and deserved an equal cut of the profits. So if you keep this up, you're 80% of where you were with Tommy.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9527 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 1 May 2017
at 23:25
  • msg #126

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

I carry on.
JohnA1nut
player, 1261 posts
Mon 1 May 2017
at 23:49
  • msg #127

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

And so you carry on. How many sleeps is it? Who can say? You're not trying to keep track, right? It's all a blur after a while anyway. (Welcome to my life.)

Your interactions with Carly Rae amount to selling her the beads. Her reactions to you gradually become her actually looking up and facing you whilst you're talking. Rather than head bowed and raising her eyes. She's more comfortable around you.

You pass by her several times at the archery range. She's either shooting a slingshot or a compound bow. If she notices you, she just tips you a nod or a friendly wave.

Are you still hunting with your sling at all? Or just relying on fast food? Because if you're still hunting, on one such trip, you will run into Carly Rae in the woods. She's sitting by a stream with a campfire built. She's cooking fish in a frying pan and has some other hooks in the water. Her bow is sitting nearby and she has the slingshot in a holster on her belt.

Unless you attempt to engage her in conversation, she will just pass you a friendly nod and wave and go back to cooking.

And this is your life.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9530 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 2 May 2017
at 16:19
  • msg #128

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 127):

I will keep on slinging after I get used to things.  I keep an eye out as I go thru the woods for iron ore.

Now that I've gotten better at repair, I try to make simple tools.  Do they garden here?  Do they use shovels?
JohnA1nut
player, 1262 posts
Tue 2 May 2017
at 16:28
  • msg #129

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I will keep on slinging after I get used to things.  I keep an eye out as I go thru the woods for iron ore.


You find some small quantities of it here and there. Not really enough to change anything with the iron mine. But every little bit helps.

quote:
Now that I've gotten better at repair, I try to make simple tools.  Do they garden here?  Do they use shovels?


Yeah, some of the more permanent residents garden and use shovels. Are you starting to sell those now?

One thing you notice, and you are the only person in the world who would notice this is that the sun begins to start spinning in more or less a straight line. It's never up or down for more than a few hours at a time. Sometimes not more than a few minutes. But for the time being, the sun is moving in a straight line, going directly over your head. It takes several hours to make a rotation, and it might seem to be speeding up.

One thing you are certain of though is that this is just a temporary pattern in the randomness. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the Order/Chaos weapons that have been made.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9535 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 3 May 2017
at 18:08
  • msg #130

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 129):

I keep on looking.  Some day I will probably find myself in a new world, and being able to start with zilch, and turn it into an eighteenth century level civilization would be a useful skill set.

I start making shovels and hoes.

I look a bit worried at the sun. That's weird.  I keep checking on it a couple times a day.
JohnA1nut
player, 1263 posts
Wed 3 May 2017
at 18:22
  • msg #131

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I start making shovels and hoes.


Okay, I need to set the stage here. The town you are in is on the coast. It's maybe 10 feet above sea level. You can see the ocean from the flea market stand where you are working. There are no building in this town that are taller than 3 stories. It's all made out of wood and glass. No concrete structures. Maybe 10,000 people live here. And this is a large city on this world.

Whilst you're doing that, two surfer dudes come out of the water. They're carrying surfboards and wearing shorts. They stop at Carly Rae's shoppe and buy her fishing bracelets.

One of them says "Maan, we got some bony waves out there. I ain't never surfed like this before."

And indeed, looking out at the ocean, the waves are high and mighty and perfect for surfing.

quote:
I look a bit worried at the sun. That's weird.  I keep checking on it a couple times a day.


The weird sun movement continues for a sleep or two. At some point, you go out into the woods to hunt with your sling. You run into Carly Rae. She's got her bow out and is hunting also. Here, you're maybe 20-25 feet above sea level, and the town is between you and the ocean.

You watch the sun move very quickly towards you in the sky. Then it just abruptly stops dead. Then the screaming begins. Coming from the town. 10,000 or so people screaming in terror. Then an inch tall wave of water washes over the ground at your feet.

Carly Rae's mouth drops open. She stares at you and says "The town flash flooded!!!!"

And then she just stares at you wide-eyed and mouth open like she's expecting you to tell her what to do.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Wed 03 May 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9538 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 4 May 2017
at 17:30
  • msg #132

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Hmmm, it would be a cool thing to learn how to surf.  Probably need to practice my balance first.  Visions of horrible endeavors with ice skates, roller skates, and skis slide through my mind.  I have just about concluded that God meant me to keep my feet on the ground.  But....surfing has soft water.  And I am different now...

I start practicing my balance with simple, and not high things to stand on.

Later, in the woods, when I see Carla, I hope to myself that she's not stalking me.  And then I hear the screams....

A great disturbance in the Force....runs through my mind, and my lip twitches inappropriately as I try to stifle a grin.  Then I shift over into another mode.

Cool, practical.

What do I need to do, or more precisely, how do I need to do it?

"Come with me." And I head toward the town looking for a high spot to see as much damage as I can without getting more than calf deep in the water, if I can.  Meanwhile, I look for wooden branches that are broken off, or other things that can float.
JohnA1nut
player, 1264 posts
Thu 4 May 2017
at 18:09
  • msg #133

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
But....surfing has soft water.  And I am different now...


Water also has sharks. Just saying.

quote:
I start practicing my balance with simple, and not high things to stand on.


So you do that. Balancing on 2x4s and whatnot.

quote:
Later, in the woods, when I see Carla, I hope to myself that she's not stalking me.  And then I hear the screams....


And Carly is probably thinking that she hopes you're not stalking her. Remember, every time you've run into her, she was stationary and you're the one who walked up on her.

quote:
"Come with me." And I head toward the town looking for a high spot to see as much damage as I can without getting more than calf deep in the water, if I can.  Meanwhile, I look for wooden branches that are broken off, or other things that can float.


She follows close behind you. Moving towards the town, the wave has already receded. It was a tsunami wave that hit the town. And you watch it go back out.

Most of the buildings are destroyed beyond repair. The hotel is still standing and you can go and get your gear. It'll just be waterlogged. But there's really nothing that you or anyone else can do here.

Some people have been swept out to sea, and other people are going after them. A lot of people are shaking their fists at God and saying "Why is there no warning when this happens?????" And you watched the sun move in a straight line for 2 sleeps. But you're the only one who would notice that. The sun has resumed its erratic behavior, BTW.

There's a handful of reports of people missing. But for the most part, the people are okay now.

One thing they are not going to do is rebuild. Within 100 sleeps, the ground will be irradiated by the ocean water and will be uninhabitable. It's time to hit The Road.

Carly Rae looks at you with longing, pleading eyes and says:

"Are you hitting The Road? Let me come with you. I'll do everything. I'll hunt, I'll fish. I'll cook, I'll do the dishes........"

Her pause and the expression on her face tell you that she would be willing to do more than that. She will take care of you on The Road. She feels safe alone in the woods with a weapon in her hand; but on The Road, a six foot four inch viking who can wield a blacksmithing hammer is what will make her feel safe.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Thu 04 May 2017.
JohnA1nut
player, 1265 posts
Thu 4 May 2017
at 20:30
  • msg #134

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

I just want to say this whilst it's in my head.

Assuming you go to the hotel to get your gear, the black iron chain staff will be laying on the ground underneath your door frame. Your room is completely dry. Not a drop of water anywhere. It's the only room that isn't waterlogged.

Also, someone explains to you that irradiated is not the right word. It's some chemical mixture of the dirt and the ocean water. It will turn into beach sand. Nothing will grow. It will stay like that until your grandson's grandson's grandson's grandson sees his first grandson. (How's that for how to tell long lengths of time with no concept of it?)

The shoppe owners are moving out. They are taking what they can carry. But the goods are more or less free. Most of them are ruined and in unsalable condition. But if you want it, it's there. And he can't take them anyway. If you want to make a donation for something that's up to you, but it's free. He's planning to hit The Road in two or three sleeps.

So there's all kinds of canned goods and whatnot that you could scavenge. Labels will be ripped off, but they're there.

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Thu 04 May 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9544 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 5 May 2017
at 22:51
  • msg #135

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 134):

I check around to see if there are people who need help, and try to help them.  Then I go to my hotel room, and stand still in shocked amazement in the doorway.  I give myself three days of food from storage, if I have that, and anything else, I give out to people who need it until I run out.

"No, Carly, I don't think that is a good idea." I say, nod, and walk away.  There is little point to talking about it as she will not understand, and I want to keep certain doors closed.

Coming back to the staff, I stare at it.  And then I take a shovel and the staff, and go find the center of the damage zone.  With my shovel, I dig a foot deep trench, and bury the staff.  Perhaps it will heal the land sooner.

Along the way, if I spot a charismatic guy, I will try to explain to him the idea of the Sun's motion.  The only way to get out info in this world is by word of mouth, and the best choice for speaker is the type of guy that everyone wants to hang around is my logic.  And I'm not eager to keep telling everyone.
JohnA1nut
player, 1266 posts
Sat 6 May 2017
at 00:46
  • msg #136

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I check around to see if there are people who need help, and try to help them.  Then I go to my hotel room, and stand still in shocked amazement in the doorway.  I give myself three days of food from storage, if I have that, and anything else, I give out to people who need it until I run out.


So you do that. Are you going scavenging through the town for goods?

quote:
"No, Carly, I don't think that is a good idea." I say, nod, and walk away.  There is little point to talking about it as she will not understand, and I want to keep certain doors closed.


Carly Rae immediately bursts into tears. She starts talking, babbling about all of the horrible, evil things that people like to do to pretty young girls such as herself on The Road. Things that would require an Adult site rating to list off. Finishing it with:

"Please, please, I'm begging you!!! Let me come with you!!!!"

She's absolutely desperate to not be alone out there.

quote:
Coming back to the staff, I stare at it.  And then I take a shovel and the staff, and go find the center of the damage zone.  With my shovel, I dig a foot deep trench, and bury the staff.  Perhaps it will heal the land sooner.


Regardless of what you say above, Carly Rae follows you like a lost puppy. She helps you dig the trench to bury the thing.

quote:
Along the way, if I spot a charismatic guy, I will try to explain to him the idea of the Sun's motion.  The only way to get out info in this world is by word of mouth, and the best choice for speaker is the type of guy that everyone wants to hang around is my logic.  And I'm not eager to keep telling everyone.


No matter who you explain it to, nobody understands what you're saying. They're like imbeciles when it comes to solar movement.
Tadeusz
player, 9557 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 9 May 2017
at 14:56
  • msg #137

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

I pick a tough looking woman, a matron type, and if I have to, I give her money to take care of Carly.

This bit of them 'just not getting it' is frustrating, but what can a man do?  I try several lines of argument, and a few different people, and end up shaking my head in dismay.

In the midst of a clear spot near the edge, I gather stones to form a two foot high for each letter message that as briefly as I can explains the disaster.  I can think of a couple reasons, such as overgrowth, or no one coming here that make this effort useless, but maybe someone will read and heed.

That done, I go into the woods, and get my sleep.  The next morning I make for the road with the half of the stuff I kept.
JohnA1nut
player, 1267 posts
Tue 9 May 2017
at 19:27
  • msg #138

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I pick a tough looking woman, a matron type, and if I have to, I give her money to take care of Carly.


The matronly woman gets excited when she sees you. She says in a starstruck voice "Oh Tadeusz!!! Can I have your autograph?"

And holds out a pen and a notebook for you to sign.

Nothing short of issuing her a terrible beating will get her to explain that to you.

quote:
In the midst of a clear spot near the edge, I gather stones to form a two foot high for each letter message that as briefly as I can explains the disaster.  I can think of a couple reasons, such as overgrowth, or no one coming here that make this effort useless, but maybe someone will read and heed.


So you do that. And you are nearly exhausted when you start heading to the woods to sleep.

quote:
That done, I go into the woods, and get my sleep.  The next morning I make for the road with the half of the stuff I kept.


But when you head to the woods, you are most shocked when you find Carly Rae. What's left of her. She's laying on the ground and has been stabbed multiple times. With her final, dying breaths she looks up at you and says "I begged you....... to let me....... come with you."

And then dies right before your eyes.
Tadeusz
player, 9565 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 12 May 2017
at 18:39
  • msg #139

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

JohnA1nut:
quote:
I pick a tough looking woman, a matron type, and if I have to, I give her money to take care of Carly.


The matronly woman gets excited when she sees you. She says in a starstruck voice "Oh Tadeusz!!! Can I have your autograph?"

And holds out a pen and a notebook for you to sign.

Nothing short of issuing her a terrible beating will get her to explain that to you.

=====After trying once to get an explanation, I stop.  After all, I am asking a favor of her, and this is in the midst of a disaster.  Not time to be too particular.  I give her the autograph she wants with a smile and a puzzled look.

quote:
In the midst of a clear spot near the edge, I gather stones to form a two foot high for each letter message that as briefly as I can explains the disaster.  I can think of a couple reasons, such as overgrowth, or no one coming here that make this effort useless, but maybe someone will read and heed.


So you do that. And you are nearly exhausted when you start heading to the woods to sleep.

=====Indeed.  I stumble on my way.

quote:
That done, I go into the woods, and get my sleep.  The next morning I make for the road with the half of the stuff I kept.


But when you head to the woods, you are most shocked when you find Carly Rae. What's left of her. She's laying on the ground and has been stabbed multiple times. With her final, dying breaths she looks up at you and says "I begged you....... to let me....... come with you."

And then dies right before your eyes.

====Exhausted, I just stare at her.  Afterwards, I wished I could have given her some comfort, but extreme tiredness makes my brain run slow.

I sigh, not sure what happened.  I consider leaving her there, but then decide to at least throw from fronds and branches over her.  Its not enough, but I'm having a hard time standing up.

I pray over her body a short bit, and then head off elsewhere to bed.

The next morning, saddened, I consider the situation of Carly.  I left her, I hoped, with a strong matron, and a father and some other folks to go with her.  At least that was my hope.  She got crazy for my company (why, I mean, I used to be 'almost handsome', but I'm not now), and chose to try to force her will upon me.  So she irresponsibly chose the bad path, and got eaten by the bear.

I apologize to God for my mistakes in this.  And I resolve that the next cute girl that tries to befriend me gets the Snarl and the 'Get Lost Now' treatment.

Saddened, I stand, shrug, and head out on the Road.

JohnA1nut
player, 1268 posts
Fri 12 May 2017
at 18:49
  • msg #140

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

After you see Carly, when you turn away to gather the fronds and whatnot, a guy snaps a director's clapboard in your face and says "Cut!! That's a print!!!"

From behind you, Carly Rae sits up, and in a manner more like Zsa Zsa Gabor than the girl you've known says "Oh puh-leeze!!! You didn't really buy that performance, did you dahling?"

And she stands up to show you that she's fine.

Then four guys come out from behind trees, all holding video cameras.

It turns out that, since entering the town, you have been the subject of a reality TV show. There were hidden cameras all over the place, except in your hotel room. Filming you live.

They have some paperwork for you to sign. If you do that, you will receive a sum of money which would be enough, if it was our world, to keep you and your family comfortable for the next two years. You have the chance to be interviewed and give your thoughts on camera to the entire world. (IE, you can tell them about the sun's movement) and there's a helicopter standing by to take you to Capital City. There, you will receive VIP treatment at the finest hotel in exchange for signing autographs.

This was all completely legal, per the laws of that town. Your legal rights are either sign the papers, do the interview and go to Capitol City, or don't and get nothing. But the show still aired.

OOC) You didn't really think I was going to leave you with her death on your conscience, did you?

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Fri 12 May 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9569 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 12 May 2017
at 22:18
  • msg #141

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 140):

OOC: Grateful, I am.  /Yoda off.

I stare bewildered at the guy, and then the notion of what's going on sinks into my brain.  By the time I realize what I'm doing, the punch is already heading toward the director's face.  And the second has just started toward his stomach.

I go with it.  I don't want to kill him, but leave him bloodied on the ground, yeah, seems like a good plan.
JohnA1nut
player, 1269 posts
Fri 12 May 2017
at 22:37
  • msg #142

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Skill check for punch 44, Difficult stamina check 26, GE 12

You swing at the director and land the hit squarely on his face. His nose shatters and explodes in a shower of sweet, satisfying blood.

Then you pass out from the exhaustion.

When you wake up, you are in a very expensive hotel room. Your right hand is bandaged, but otherwise you're fine. There's a hotel butler waiting for you to wake up. He says:

"Welcome back sir. Is there anything I can get you?"

You are in the Aldorf Wastoria hotel in Capitol City. They flew you here whilst you were passed out. It seems it's not the first time someone took a swing at the director. The butler also has the paperwork for you to sign. The deal is still on. Or you can forget the paperwork and leave. But you're still a celebrity.

Might as well sign it and collect.

BTW, they were filming and recording everything in that town, up to the tsunami wave. They've got that and the sun's movement on tape. And you can give an interview.

quote:
OOC: Grateful, I am.  /Yoda off.


OOC) What did you think of that though? Pretty creative huh?

(Doing Therapy)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Fri 12 May 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9572 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 13 May 2017
at 19:26
  • msg #143

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 142):

If something like coffee with cream exists, I'll take that.  If not, a sweet and tart juice along with meat and potatoes in plenty.

I look at the papers, and think about it.  The real killer is that I'll get to say my piece about the Sun.  I owe that to the dead, and the still yet living who might be saved by some knowledge.

I sign when the butler comes back with him as witness if needed.

Then I eat, shower, clothe, and go buy some new clothes.  In the process, I sight see.  I'm not a fan of living in big cities, but I do like to sight see in them, particularly the cool buildings.

Once, I'm back, I shower again, and dress up nice, and go looking for info on autograph signing.

OOC: Quite creative.
JohnA1nut
player, 1270 posts
Sat 13 May 2017
at 23:03
  • msg #144

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
If something like coffee with cream exists, I'll take that.  If not, a sweet and tart juice along with meat and potatoes in plenty.


They've got coffee and cream, juice, all kinds of meats and vegetables. You're going to eat like a king. The room is huge. Your whole house would fit inside it.

quote:
I look at the papers, and think about it.  The real killer is that I'll get to say my piece about the Sun.  I owe that to the dead, and the still yet living who might be saved by some knowledge.


You'll get your chance.

quote:
I sign when the butler comes back with him as witness if needed.


The butler sits and signs the papers with you. Then presents you with a briefcase full of paper cash. It would be equivalent to what you would see in two years if you were at home.

quote:
Then I eat, shower, clothe, and go buy some new clothes.  In the process, I sight see.  I'm not a fan of living in big cities, but I do like to sight see in them, particularly the cool buildings.


Capitol City is the largest city in the world. Home to about 50,000 people. The tallest building in the world is here. All 20 stories of it. People stand at the base and gawk at the size of it.

It's not on the ocean, but it is centralized. A lot of the main roads run to and from it. Walkers come and go constantly. There are little shanty towns set up here and there. Lot of shoppes selling tourist items.

You get some spiffy new threads. You're rather amazed at how much smaller they are compared to when you got here.

quote:
Once, I'm back, I shower again, and dress up nice, and go looking for info on autograph signing.


One of the hotel's primary attractions are a pair of magicians. You will recognize them. Cheech and Chong's Stand up and Magic show. Those two apparently got back together. Tommy creates ice and tells jokes, Cheech throws fireballs and tells jokes. That show always has a line to get in.

The autograph room is filled with tables. All kinds of celebrities. Carly Rae and The Director are at the table you're supposed to sit at. Carly Rae is a well-known actress. Here she's just about unrecognizable. Her natural hair is blonde, not brunette. She's also very stuck-up and Zsa Zsa Gabor-like. Far from the mousy girl that you knew.

The Director's nose is bandaged. When he sees you, he starts cowering and begging you not to hit him again. Carly Rae laughs at him and tells you "Dahling, that little tap you gave him earned you a spot on the Best Of video." and she laughs at that too.

To stay at the hotel, you are required to sign so many autographs and meet with so many fans. Failure to do that will result in being evicted. And that can be because there aren't enough fans for whom to sign autographs. But for the time being, you're good.

So you sit and sign autographs. You are asked if you want to give an interview about what it was like to be on the show. They show you videos of yourself working at the forge and interacting with Carly Rae. And of course, your punch of The Director and subsequent passing out is playing on a continuous loop. People are laughing at that. Apparently, this is a very popular reality show. Follow Average Joe for so many sleeps, then test his reaction to an insane circumstance. Carly Rae is a frequent actress. They show different videos of her working with other Average Joes. She's unrecognizable in all of them. Apparently she can change her appearance almost on a whim.

quote:
OOC: Quite creative.


OOC) Check your Facebook if you would. I asked something there I'd like answered if you don't mind.
Tadeusz
player, 9579 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 16 May 2017
at 17:00
  • msg #145

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

I smile at the gawkers, thinking of Sears Tower.  But, if I can, I climb to the top anyways for the view.

The magicians are not on my top list of things, but I might make time sometime.

I'm happy to have gotten into much better shape and increased my strength.  The new clothes make me smile again, more broadly.

"I won't." I say to the Director, and then turn away from him.  I ignore both of them as much as I can.  However, to any fans, I try to be gracious and friendly.
JohnA1nut
player, 1271 posts
Tue 16 May 2017
at 18:00
  • msg #146

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I smile at the gawkers, thinking of Sears Tower.  But, if I can, I climb to the top anyways for the view.


GE 23

They're not going to let you go in. It's a secure city government building. You'd have to join the city government to be allowed access.

quote:
The magicians are not on my top list of things, but I might make time sometime.


At some point whilst you're in the hotel lobby doing whatever, Tommy and Cheech finish their magic show and come out. They've got an entourage of fans and bodyguards following them. When Tommy sees you he says:

"Oh hey Tadeusz!!! Maan, this is bony ain't it? We're both big stars. I saw the way you decked that director dude!!!" Then throws a mock punch at the air.

But then he says "The chess pieces told me to come here maan. Everybody thinks it's some kinda trick we're doing. But me and you, we know better huh?" And gives you a wink.

He asks if you want to join him and Cheech in his private dining area.

quote:
I'm happy to have gotten into much better shape and increased my strength.  The new clothes make me smile again, more broadly.


You get a lot of looks from passersby on the street. People notice you.

quote:
"I won't." I say to the Director, and then turn away from him.  I ignore both of them as much as I can.  However, to any fans, I try to be gracious and friendly.


So you sit and sign autographs. The Director gives you a wide berth. During a lull in autograph signings, Carly Rae does ask you why you wouldn't let her come with you.

"It would not have mattered Dahling. You still would have found me stabbed to death."

She just wants to know why.

At some point, a camera crew approaches and asks if you're ready to give the interview.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9588 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 18 May 2017
at 22:51
  • msg #147

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 146):

Understandable about the security measures.  Oh well.

I smile at the cheerful Cheech, and then when he speaks about chess pieces, my stomach flops.

"Ah, sure, yeah, that would be, ah, neat."  I give him a good smile to make up for my awkwardness.  We set up a time.

I just give her a closed mouth smile, and turn aside, not answering.  When the camera crew comes, I rise gratefully.  Hopefully we need to go off to someplace quiet without all the chatter of the hotel main lobby.
JohnA1nut
player, 1272 posts
Thu 18 May 2017
at 23:12
  • msg #148

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"Ah, sure, yeah, that would be, ah, neat."  I give him a good smile to make up for my awkwardness.  We set up a time.


Tommy says "Time? What's time maan?"

And Cheech says "Hey Vato!! It's now or never bruh!!!"

quote:
I just give her a closed mouth smile, and turn aside, not answering.  When the camera crew comes, I rise gratefully.  Hopefully we need to go off to someplace quiet without all the chatter of the hotel main lobby.


As stated, you've been watching clips of yourself. The sun's movement can be seen in many of the clips. You've seen enough that you could piece together a steady clip of the sun's strange rotation prior to the tsunami wave. The sun stopping and the wave itself are also on tape.

But you go to a quiet area. You are asked if there's anything you'd like to have. Food, etc. You've got enough clout to request the tapes and a way to edit them.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9592 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 19 May 2017
at 20:02
  • msg #149

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

JohnA1nut:
quote:
"Ah, sure, yeah, that would be, ah, neat."  I give him a good smile to make up for my awkwardness.  We set up a time.


Tommy says "Time? What's time maan?"

And Cheech says "Hey Vato!! It's now or never bruh!!!"

=====Facepalm.  "Right. Sorry. Yeah, let's do it."



quote:
I just give her a closed mouth smile, and turn aside, not answering.  When the camera crew comes, I rise gratefully.  Hopefully we need to go off to someplace quiet without all the chatter of the hotel main lobby.


As stated, you've been watching clips of yourself. The sun's movement can be seen in many of the clips. You've seen enough that you could piece together a steady clip of the sun's strange rotation prior to the tsunami wave. The sun stopping and the wave itself are also on tape.

But you go to a quiet area. You are asked if there's anything you'd like to have. Food, etc. You've got enough clout to request the tapes and a way to edit them.

====I tell them some ice water would be good because I've been talking a lot, and I ask them to make that tape edit, and let me explain my theory with them as support.  I listen to their advice on how to present myself on camera as my on-air talent is minimal, at best.

(Doing Therapy)

JohnA1nut
player, 1273 posts
Sat 20 May 2017
at 16:57
  • msg #150

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
Facepalm.  "Right. Sorry. Yeah, let's do it."


Tommy says "Yeah maan. It's good to see ya."

And Cheech says "Hey Vato, they got this killer rabbit stew here."

But you follow them into their hotel suite. They're VIPs also so their room is just like yours. Not too far away from you actually.

And of course, they're both talking about the chess pieces. You get the feeling that Tommy is an Order mage and Cheech has been selected to be a Chaos mage. Tommy made him a knife that he throws fireballs with. Their stand up magic show is really popular here. People literally camp out to see it.

quote:
I tell them some ice water would be good because I've been talking a lot, and I ask them to make that tape edit, and let me explain my theory with them as support.  I listen to their advice on how to present myself on camera as my on-air talent is minimal, at best.


With the video clips and your explanation in concert, the editor starts to get what you're saying. So there's hope that maybe someone else will. The sun's movement correlates to the flooding. He helps you edit the tapes together.

But they help you put together a cohesive presentation. It will be broadcast live whenever you are ready.
Tadeusz
player, 9598 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 25 May 2017
at 01:20
  • msg #151

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 150):

I enjoy the time with the two funny guys.

Later, at the interview, I tell the editor to send it out now, while interest is high.  My fame, and the recent tsunami should hopefully get this a wide audience.
JohnA1nut
player, 1274 posts
Thu 25 May 2017
at 18:54
  • msg #152

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I enjoy the time with the two funny guys.


And they seem to enjoy the time with you. And the rabbit stew is every bit as tasty as Cheech claimed it was.

quote:
Later, at the interview, I tell the editor to send it out now, while interest is high.  My fame, and the recent tsunami should hopefully get this a wide audience.


GE19

You kind of stumble through it. It's not the perfect performance you gave in practice. But you're fairly certain you got the salient points across.

When you finish, as you're leaving, you run into a few people who were from the tsunami town. One of them lost his wife in the flood. He asks why you didn't try to warn them of it. He's placing irrational blame on you.

But you seem to have made your point. People seem to understand.
Tadeusz
player, 9599 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 26 May 2017
at 04:19
  • msg #153

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 152):

"I didn't know." I tell him softly.  And I let him rage, and cry, and occasionally try to murmur comfort along with a repeat of 'I didn't know.'
JohnA1nut
player, 1275 posts
Fri 26 May 2017
at 04:42
  • msg #154

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

The guy is in conflict. His rational mind knows and accepts that it wasn't your fault. His irrational mind clearly wants to strangle you for letting his wife die. In the end, his rational mind wins out. Maybe he's thinking clearly, maybe it's the fact that you outweigh him by over 100 pounds. Who can say?

In the end, he asks if you'd like to join him for dinner. He wants you to explain this sun movement to him in better detail. He swears he won't let this happen to anyone again. Once he understands what happened, that is.

OOC) You've not checked your Facebook messages in a while.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Fri 26 May 2017.
Tadeusz
player, 9602 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Fri 26 May 2017
at 23:13
  • msg #155

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 154):

I understand the conflict within him.  I've certainly felt that myself although not to his degree.  So, I don't judge him.  I just be patient, and kind, and behind that a little watchful as he's a bit of an unexploded grenade right now.

I take him to a nice, but quiet place for dinner, and I ask the waitress to make sure we are not bothered.  The bit of cash I give her helps I hope.

Then I explain, and answer questions until I think he's got it pretty good.  Then being cautious I ask him about how he met his wife.  Perhaps he's willing to talk about the good memories.  If not, I back off right away, and go back to explanations.
JohnA1nut
player, 1276 posts
Sat 27 May 2017
at 19:24
  • msg #156

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I take him to a nice, but quiet place for dinner, and I ask the waitress to make sure we are not bothered.  The bit of cash I give her helps I hope.


You give the waitress a week's pay, and she takes you to a section of the dining room that is closed down. Very private. It will just be you, him and her.

quote:
Then I explain, and answer questions until I think he's got it pretty good.  Then being cautious I ask him about how he met his wife.  Perhaps he's willing to talk about the good memories.  If not, I back off right away, and go back to explanations.


You draw some pictures on cocktail napkins and explain. He gets it. He's going to be watching the sky from now on.

As far as how he and his wife met, it was just like you and Carly Rae. They met in Tsunami Town. Decided to hit The Road together. And they agreed that if they made it back to Tsunami Town, they would settle down there. They circumnavigated the entire planet on foot together. Wound up back in Tsunami Town. And got married and stayed there.

He asks what you were doing there. He seems calmer now. The initial shock and everything has subsided.
Tadeusz
player, 9607 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 27 May 2017
at 19:34
  • msg #157

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

"Just wandering the Road.  Thought I'd learn some new skills from the locals."

I pay our dinner, and make sure he gets home.  With that done, I spend an hour sitting on my balcony looking out over the city, occasionally praying, and just letting myself relax.  Then its bed, another day, and more signing of autographs.  This could go to a man's head, I think silently with an inner laugh.
JohnA1nut
player, 1277 posts
Sat 27 May 2017
at 19:45
  • msg #158

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

GE 21

You wake up, order room service for breakfast, then go down to the autograph room. There you are mobbed by autograph seekers, scientists, astronomers, all manner of folks. You can't get a word in edgewise. They all want you to explain how the sun's movement affected the tides and caused the tsunami. You're trying to talk to 15 different people and sign 20 different autographs at once at any given time. It's exhausting.

Carly Rae quips to you "Welcome to famous life dahling."

OOC) Useless trivia. Zsa Zsa Gabor called everyone "Dahling" because she hated remembering names. So everyone is "Dahling."
Tadeusz
player, 9611 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 3 Jun 2017
at 13:38
  • msg #159

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 158):

I've ran games in person before, tho' not with that many people.  But I do know how to smile and say 'you, ask your question. You, wait.'  I'm good at imposing a rough order to such situations, and dealing quickly with questions with a smile.  I actually enjoy it, and find it a rush.  Its afterwards that I sit down, trembling, wiping drops of sweat off my face.

I did help in running a small weekly Larp, and half the players were under my judgeship despite some other judges not having anyone.

I might end up annoying the hotel by snagging and repurposing a sign for explanations.
JohnA1nut
player, 1278 posts
Sat 3 Jun 2017
at 13:52
  • msg #160

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Whilst you're signing autographs, several young women ask you to sign it 'To my beloved.....' a few ask you to sign their faces, and one lady tells you her room number and gestures for you to follow her whilst she's walking away.

But you handle it.

The hotel does give you a sign to post your explanation.

So what else are you doing?
Tadeusz
player, 9617 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 3 Jun 2017
at 17:17
  • msg #161

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 160):

Not signing 'to my beloved'.  For one reason, that might be all that's needed to get me legally tied.  I don't know the local customs, but I've read stories where if the girl gives you a cup of wine during a dance, you're hitched.  I just put in some bit like 'to the beauty in red' or some such thing.

I don't sign faces, and I force a fixed smile to my face at the room number girl. As soon as she walks away, I ....try not to say anything nasty to the folk still around me.  Say nothing, say nothing....I breathe in and out, and then I look up with a dark fury in my eyes, and a fake smile on my face to greet the next autograph seeker.

After that person jumps back, I apologize, and say I need a restroom break, and go off to the bar to get a Coke or something, and breathe, letting the inner fury out.  Once there, I make a decision.

I go back, be nice, and get a good meal after signing more.  Then I pack up, and leave a note for the hotel and the TV people.

"Thanks. Seeya'."

I grab my staff, slip out back, and hit the Road.
JohnA1nut
player, 1279 posts
Sat 3 Jun 2017
at 17:33
  • msg #162

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
I grab my staff, slip out back, and hit the Road.


OOC) I was wondering how long famous life was going to last you.

Okay, so your cash situation is you've got 21 months equivalent pay. Down from 24. The suits were expensive, and you ate out a lot. It's paper currency. Toilet paper in the next world.

When you slip out the back, you make it maybe a mile before a walker asks you for an autograph. He tells you "Maan, you're the biggest star since Mage Hammer."

And he walks away before you can ask him anything else.

But you make it to another small town before bedtime. You see a large group of ladies gathering around a guy in a black trenchcoat with a backpack. You might even recognize his face. His name is Mage Hammer. He's a legend on The Road. Amazing skills with all kinds of weapons and hunting techniques. Was a reality star like you. Held onto the fame. Not like you.

When he hears you're there though, he approaches with several of the ladies who were accompanying him. And just extends his hand to shake. He looks you directly in the eye and says very politely "What's up Tadeusz?"

Looking through the trenchcoat, you see he's got a large caliber revolver hanging from a toolbelt. It's not the first gun you've seen. Shotguns for hunting, pistols for defense, mostly.

OOC) Don't worry. He's not going to be a recurring character. Just for a post or two. Unless you want to hang out with him.

(Doing Therapy)
Tadeusz
player, 9621 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 5 Jun 2017
at 17:35
  • msg #163

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 162):

"I'll give you an autograph if you don't tell anyone you saw me come this way for two days? Deal?"

I push on, deliberately outpacing him.

I speak to Mage Hammer.

"A moment in private....?"  If he agrees, I say 'I'm trying to ditch the fame business.  Any suggestions?'
JohnA1nut
player, 1280 posts
Mon 5 Jun 2017
at 19:14
  • msg #164

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"I'll give you an autograph if you don't tell anyone you saw me come this way for two days? Deal?"


"What are days maan?"

No need to outpace him. He just walks down a different road.

quote:
"A moment in private....?"  If he agrees, I say 'I'm trying to ditch the fame business.  Any suggestions?'


Mage says "For starters, shave your beard. That'll help. I got a razor right here."

And draws a huge, heavy Bowie knife that would make Crocodile Dundee proud.

He does invite you to hang out with him. Him and the ladies were about to have a barbecue.
Tadeusz
player, 9626 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Wed 7 Jun 2017
at 20:08
  • msg #165

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 164):

"Never mind." I say, and walk on.

"Slice away, Mage Hammer." I stand very, very still.  After that's done, I thank him, and head on out.  If I see a clothing shoppe open, I'll see about getting some plainer clothing, and a duffel bag.

That way I can put my fancy and noticeable duds up, and dress normally.  And then leave town.
JohnA1nut
player, 1281 posts
Thu 8 Jun 2017
at 04:02
  • msg #166

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"Slice away, Mage Hammer." I stand very, very still.  After that's done, I thank him, and head on out.  If I see a clothing shoppe open, I'll see about getting some plainer clothing, and a duffel bag.


He gives you a shave that's as close as it could be. Doesn't draw blood once. All the ladies watching are impressed by his skill with this blade.

Then he shakes your hand and says "Good luck out there."

There is a small clothing shoppe that's open. You get some clothes. The clerk gives you a discount in exchange for an autograph. But then says "I wouldn't have recognized you if I hadn't seen you get your beard shaved."

So the disguise is working.

quote:
That way I can put my fancy and noticeable duds up, and dress normally.  And then leave town.


So you head out on The Road. Anywhere in particular you'd like to find yourself?
Tadeusz
player, 9631 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Thu 8 Jun 2017
at 16:31
  • msg #167

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 166):

"Better than I can do with a razor.  See you in another world, mate."

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

I think a bit, and decide it'd be nice to see some mountains.  I pick the nearest looking, and start heading that way.
JohnA1nut
player, 1282 posts
Thu 8 Jun 2017
at 20:41
  • msg #168

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
"Better than I can do with a razor.  See you in another world, mate."


"No problem."

He also tells you that not a lot of walkers watch TV. So if you don't want to be recognized, stick to The Road. It's in cities where you will be recognized.

quote:
I think a bit, and decide it'd be nice to see some mountains.  I pick the nearest looking, and start heading that way.


There aren't any mountains in view. But you start wandering.

Something you just begin to notice that has been happening for some time now is that, per waking cycle, you are eating as many times as you normally would in three or four days, and having bowel movements as many times as you would in two or three days.

This has been going on for some time, but you just began to notice it.
Tadeusz
player, 9635 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Sat 10 Jun 2017
at 01:21
  • msg #169

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 168):

I like eating so this does not particularly bother me.  I take note of it, and wait to see if any more facts change the picture.  Other than that, I keep walking, and occasionally running.

I follow Mage Hammer's advice to stay out of cities.
JohnA1nut
player, 1283 posts
Sat 10 Jun 2017
at 03:51
  • msg #170

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

OOC) Are you ready to verse out yet? I was trying to hold off on that until you at least spent all of your paper money. But let me know when you're ready to verse out.

IC) A few sleeps go by. Still no mountains. However, you do pass by Tsunami Town. What's left of it. As stated, the dirt is changing into beach sand. There's nobody living there. In the exact center of town, right where you buried the chain staff, is a six foot radius area where the grass is lush and green. It's surrounded by beach sand. So it seems the chain staff is healing the ground as you had hoped.

Asking around though, you are told that there is a mountainous region not too far from there.
JohnA1nut
player, 1284 posts
Sat 10 Jun 2017
at 10:04
  • msg #171

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Two Posts

Something else. With your beard shaved, assuming you shave it once per waking cycle, you will notice that, at the end of the waking cycle, before you go to sleep, you've got 3 or 4 day's growth of beard.
Tadeusz
player, 9641 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Mon 12 Jun 2017
at 16:41
  • msg #172

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

In reply to JohnA1nut (msg # 170):

OOC: Versing out now is fine.

I look at the green circle, and shrug.  Then I head toward the mountains.
JohnA1nut
player, 1285 posts
Tue 13 Jun 2017
at 01:23
  • msg #173

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
OOC: Versing out now is fine.


OOC) Not yet. I have your next world ready. I just have a few more things I want to show you first. What did you think of this world?

quote:
I look at the green circle, and shrug.  Then I head toward the mountains.


So it takes you a sleep or two to get to the mountains. There's a small town at the base of the mountain. It's not very steep. You could climb to the top on foot.

Going through the town though, nobody seems to recognize you with your beard shaved. However, you do see Carly Rae. She's talking to a woodworker. She doesn't seem to acknowledge you. But glancing around, you do see a hidden camera here and there. Apparently they're filming another episode of the show you were on.
Tadeusz
player, 9643 posts
As you dimension dance...
Crowbar or Towel?
Tue 13 Jun 2017
at 19:08
  • msg #174

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

Do my best to slip out of town, attracting no more attention than an uninteresting wanderer.  At the same time, I try to avoid people, but not in a suspicious looking way.

"Oh, Lord, let me be seen as boring." I pray.

Hopefully, I get beyond, and I start the climb.
JohnA1nut
player, 1287 posts
Tue 13 Jun 2017
at 20:00
  • msg #175

Re: Outta Time Tadeusz

quote:
Do my best to slip out of town, attracting no more attention than an uninteresting wanderer.  At the same time, I try to avoid people, but not in a suspicious looking way.


OOC) I just wanted to see what you would do if you ran into Carly Rae again. Time to verse out!!!!

quote:
"Oh, Lord, let me be seen as boring." I pray.


So you make it out of town. Nobody bothers you.

quote:
Hopefully, I get beyond, and I start the climb.


So you climb the mountain. It's exhausting. But you make it. At the top, the view is spectacular. You can see the ocean, you can see towns, The Road. It's beautiful.

There's another small town at the top of the mountain. Nobody here recognizes you either. But when you're finished doing what you came to do, you sleep. When you wake up, you go to a small coffee shoppe for breakfast and coffee.

And just as you are fully awake, a couple of guys run into the coffee shoppe with guns. It's a robbery. And before you can even think to take any action, one of the robbers decides to prove that he's serious and shoots a random customer.

That customer is you.

Thou Art Dead.
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