OOC: This thread begins the adventures of our newest player, Scord, GMed by Tadeusz.  Welcome aboard, Scord!  -- Oak  :)

OOC: It's great to be aboard! I'm excited to begin.

In reply to Scord (msg # 2):

You are sitting in a coffeeshoppe with some other customers at other tables when the wall explodes?? or collapses and some strange man in rough country gear comes to his feet from the center of the room where he had dove?? been thrown?  unsteadily but far faster than someone who just got pile driven through a wall should have.

He whips out a hammer going from left to right, and you don't know if you should be more appalled or astonished.  He has a sword through his chest, and blood on his arm is flung your way with some of it going into your dropped open mouth.  Ick.

Then fire blooms from his hammer, and a bone chilling laugh is heard from beyond the wall.  The eye hurting ball of fire hits something not visible, bounces back, and there is fire everywhere.

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

You wake, not hurting, feeling light, feeling like cool air is blowing on your face, and so you open your eyes as you lay on your back.

A Tree stands before you.  No, a TREE.

A quarter mile above you, you see a branch overhead, on which many houses sit.

And the trunk is a mile wide....

OOC: Nice verse-out!

IC:
Wow! Strange déjà Vu there. Is this a different universe, or am I in Heaven? While this Scord hasn't ever played Multiverser, this Scord's player has, and is given to understand that characters aren't supposed to have ever played before, so this Scord isn't familiar with Multiverser, but did play other multiverse related games and read such books.

The first thing I do is look for someone to talk to or an intuition to do a certain thing.

OOC: The scriff sense would seem like an intuition to Scord at first until he is more familiar with it.

IC:
I pray, Father, let me do Your will. If I'm in Heaven, please come to me. If not, help me understand where I am and what's happened.

OOC:
IRL my wife is alive, but my sole purpose would be to get back to my original universe and take care of her if she were still living in-game. Is it alright to say she died before I versed out?

In reply to Scord (msg # 4):

You feel something familiar off to your right.

Given that an Earth redwood would be a rather small sapling next to this TREE, its seems safe to say you're somewhere else.

You begin praying, and suddenly you hear a vicious voice in your head...

A follower of the Old Religion on Shaya.  Surprising.  And he's ripped the worldwalls right open.  Don't worry tasty, little morsel, I'm coming for you and everyone else real soon.

An impression of man sized teeth comes through.

Opening your eyes, you see a middle aged blonde woman in a tunic and skirt that look well made who is looking at you from a distance of ten feet.

"Where did you come from, sir?" She says, and at first it seems English, but then you realize its another language entirely.

OOC: Yes, that was a botch.

"I come from a place called earth. I am so sorry about all this, but I bring terrible news. A destroyer is coming to this place, and it is threatening to devour us all. It spoke of a place called Shaya, and of an Old Religion, as well as worldwalls. Do any of those things mean anything to you?"

I look off to my right in the direction that feels familiar.

EDIT:

I wonder how I understand her and if she understands me...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

In reply to Scord (msg # 6):

You realize that you can speak her language as well.

"Earth, oh you are a human.  Oh, well this is Shaya, or...." She points at the Tree.  "That is Shaya, or her dead body."

She walks closer.  "I am Mistress Acena.  I am a Shayan. As to the Old Religion, I hear you Humans worshipped someone called....Jesu or something.  Some of you still do." She helps you to your feet, and over her shoulder you see a city of small beaten down buildings, and beyond that grass and in a great curve beyond that, the grass ends and it looks like the Moon.  You seem to have awoken in something like a city park, but with little in the way of benches or jungle gyms, but you see some kids tossing a small ball very fast at each other.

Her skin is slightly golden as is every other person in your sight.

"Perhaps you should talk to a priest of Shaya.  But I would not worry.  The Emmissary will protect us.

The familiar feeling leads you toward a root that sticks out the ground ten stories tall, and is dotted with buildings a few hundred feet away on the other side of a street and more low buildings.

"Mistriss Acena, will you accompany me and walk in this direction for a few minutes?" I indicate the direction toward the root where I'm feeling drawn.

"Please forgive my ignorance, but who was Shaya?"
I plan on asking her where the humans are, how they got here, and who the Emmisary is.

In reply to Scord (msg # 8):

She nods, and you walk toward the housing be dangled root.  The feeling is still in front of you.

She is shocked, but covers it.

"A thousand years ago, the goddess Shaya with her great spear stood in the space above this planet with a fleet of spaceships of her people and a fleet of Humans from New Texas and Terra, the Terran Confederation.  And Krox, dark god, came with his dragons and they fought.  Krox overpowered Shaya and ate most of her.  Uncaring, he left.  And the Shayans and the Humans drove off the dragons.  And the first Emissary took the spear and drove it into Shaya, and threw it down to this planet as the ghost of Shaya told him too.  And from that spear was born the Tree.  And with her power, she made a space for life on this planet.  And now we care for Shaya hoping her to rise again, and the Tree cares for us."


You cross a road, watch a starship rise from the city, casting a wide shadow and then leap skyward becoming small against the upper branches until it goes out of sight, and you realize the 'feeling' must be on the other side of the root.

I continue around toward the other side.

"I have to say, I'm enchanted by this place. I love trees, and to see such a Tree... It is wonderful. From the sound of it, Krox and Shaya were very large. What kind of power does an Emissary, or a god have?"

After she answers that, "Where I come from, most people care about their families the most, and generally just enjoying whatever they can - therefore freedom and safety are widely accepted as the common good. What are the cultural values of the Shayans?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 10):

You go around and arrive at a larger than normal two story  house.  Its also a bit more well kept up than the ones on its right and left which are directly adjacent.

"A goddess or god can change their size.  They can be human, and some of them the legends from the Godswar say can be bigger than a planet.  Shaya, if she had not been struck down could have given life to this whole planet.  The Emmissary....remember that spaceship, he could have swatted it from the sky easily."

"We too, but we live in a dangerous universe with Wyrms and demons.  If you can learn to master magic, it is wise, and besides its much nicer up the tree than hear among the roots."

I walk around to try to figure out where the familiar feeling is leading me. If it's inside the house, I knock on the door.

"Magic!? I'd love to try to master magic. How does one do that? Also, what do folk use for money around here?"

I am feeling very grateful toward Mistress Acena, and I'll be looking for a way to repay her kindness if I can.

In reply to Scord (msg # 12):

OOC: sorry about the break.

You knock on the door.

Mistress Acena responds while you both wait.

"Ah, well, you can go to a Catalyst.  There is one in the Tree.  It would give you access to the spheres of power that Shaya favored.  And why are you knocking on the door of ..."

The door opens, and a gray haired, expensively dressed man stares grumpily out on his porch.

"Mistress Acena,..." And he looks at you questionly.

"Master Merchant Troff." She bows.

"Master Merchant Troff, I'm honoured to meet you. I arrived here just a few minutes ago, and I got the feeling I was meant to come here, so I did."

I think quickly about the Catalyst, and am eager to ask what it is.

EDIT: OOC: No worries about the delay, life happens all the time. Gaming is just extra.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Wed 08 Jan 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 14):

"I was in my basement doing my accounts, and then suddenly all about me were these objects...."

He invites you in and takes the both of you downstairs to the more spartan basement where a plain office exists.  On the ground all over the basement are a number of your items.  The total weight must be less than a hundred pounds, and they must be yours that were at your house.  List away....

How about this (copied and pasted from JohnA1nut's game):

Worn:
Clothes:
Jeans, t-shirt, suit, socks, underwear, sunglasses, shoes, boots,
Accessories:
black leather belt with steal buckle, titanium wedding ring, copper bracelet, cross necklace, vial of holy water, vial of holy oil, holy salt, blessed red brick dust made with bricks from the wreck of the Agnes G. Donahue in 1913
Assorted:
pencils, pocket knife, wallet w/ cards, $440, lockpick, wallet ninja, $4.40 in coins, keys, iPod, iPhone, water bottle with water, flint & steel, carbon filter straws

Other items:
1 lb of variety of high quality cannabis, joint papers, Pax 3, charger & cleaning kit, bag of cannabis seeds, 100 yards tin foil, Smudging stick, water-proof backpack, extra lighters, boxes of matches, solar charger, soldering rod, collapsible fishing rod, fishing line, hooks and lures, hammer backed utility hatchet, small tent, water filtration, iodine (for water purification, and disinfection), 5 emergency thermal sheets, 50' rope, small metal pan, shovel head, bullroarer, laptop, 10 64GB micro USB sticks, 3 changes of clothes, hiking boots, rubber boots, raincoat, sweater, picture of wife,

Compound bow
50 arrows

Backpack with assorted survival and toolkit items
bag of assorted imperishable trade goods
bag of assorted seeds
bag of assorted psychoactive plants & fungi
bag of assorted religious accoutrements
bag of assorted non-lethal crowd controlling items

Holy items:
Bottle of holy water, bottle of holy oil, 1 kg holy salt, .9 kg blessed red brick dust made with bricks from the wreck of the Agnes G. Donahue in 1913, cross & figurine of Jesus made from olive wood from Jerusalem, NIV Bible, NRSV Bible, the Message, Paintball World Bible, journals, cannabis pipe
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Wed 08 Jan 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 16):

Approved.

The Merchant is curious about how your stuff go in his basement.  He really seems to want an answer before letting you walk off with your stuff.

In the process of examining your stuff you ask about a Catalyst.

Troft responds.

"I've travelled a bit, and seen a few Catalysts, not just the one on Shaya.  They are frequently dangerous to enter as they spontaneously create life which often defends the Catalyst.  I've seen the Eye of Krox.  Demons inhabit it.  Its a good five hundred yards across.  Now, Shaya's Catalyst should be more friendly, but it is guarded inside the Tree.  They don't just let anyone at it.  However, if you join the Shayan Marines, there is a good chance you could become a Visitant, and many of them survive the visit to the Finger of Shaya and become Tech Mages."

Mistress Acena nods.

"Most survive.  In the old days they let anyone try and lots died or went insane or just vanished.  But now they have tests to make sure you are compatible before you go in."

"I would be happy to give you an answer, but the best I can say is that it must've gotten here the same way I did. What year is this? I am from a time when all humans lived on or in orbit around Earth - our home planet. It seems like that was a long time ago for you. The last thing I remember is being in a store and someone deflecting fire onto me. I thought I had died, but then I was here. Somehow my stuff seems to have come with me. The short answer is I just don't know."



"In that case, I might like to join the Shayan Marines. What are the ethics standards of the Shayan Marines, and how would I join?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 18):

He stares at you open mouthed in astonishment and then visibly tries to come up with an answer.

"Its, its 973 After the Godswar, but the Humans on New Texas say is 5438 in the Old Calendar, I think."  He rruffles through some papers, and checks.  "Yes. That's right.  Course, they mostly count from the Godswar as we do, or from the founding of New Texas or Terra.  Really, our calendars for interstellar traders can be a confusing mess."

"Courage, Obedience to Law, Preparation, and Love." Mistress Acena said.  "My uncle retired from the Marines."

As I have answered sincerely, I gently assume I have possession of my things (leaving room for objection), I respectfully turn to Master Merchant Troff and humbly say, "Master Merchant Troff, I thank you deeply for caring for my possessions in my absence. Since I am from another time and place, I am unfamiliar with any customs you may have concerning this kind of thing, but in my home I would be miserly if I didn't offer you a finder's reward."

I offer him a joint and a $100 bill. "This paper art-piece was our currency, and this is a cannabis joint which we smoke to enhance relaxation, socialization, pain relief, meal enjoyment, spiritual connection, prayers and sleep. I don't know if it will work with your physiology, but I consider it valuable, and my pleasure to offer to you for your generous kindness. I'm grateful for the time you have given me and I can't ask for any more of your generosity. May you be blessed as we leave." I sincerely pray that last sentence, making the sign of the cross with my hand in the 'benediction' pose.

If he refuses once, I say, "Are you certain you won't accept my gift of gratitude?" but I respect a 2nd rejection without further question.

I turn toward the door and look at Mistress Acena, "Mistress Acena, what is the law that must be obeyed? Is it statutory law or is it common law? Is it a law to be obeyed to the letter or to the spirit? And how might I join the Shayan Marines?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 20):

He seems amenable to the idea of a reward, and Mistress Acena chuckled.

"Merchants don't turn down free money, lad."

Troft snorts at Acena, and then he smiles at you as he accepts the gift.

"Its not all about the money."

And then as you do the benediction you hear perfectly harmonious singing all about you with voices ranging from contra-contrabass to ultra sophrano...

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. ...

Golden light seems to be leaking out of the walls.  Both the other two are looking about in extreme agitation.

OOC: It's been awhile so I'd need a refresher, but I did learn New Testament Greek as part of my M.Div. Would it be alright to say I can speak Biblical Greek?

"Well that's new. I intend the blessing to either lead you toward your salvation or for your household - all those under your care or employ - to prosper as One-Who-Is chooses."

"Mistress Acena, would you please walk with me a little further?"

After we're a little away, I turn to her, "You mentioned that Obedience to Law was one of the standards of the Marines. This is a noble thing, to be sure, but what is the law that must be obeyed? Where I come from there are 2 types of laws - laws that must be obeyed to the letter of the law and those for which the spirit of the law is more important. And how might I join the Shayan Marines?"

Establishing a ritual for prayer:
I make the sign of the cross while wearing my cross necklace, vial of holy water, vial of holy oil, and holy salt. I put on the full psycho-spiritual armour of God (fearlessness in humble honesty, satisfaction with innocence, confidence for service, fidelity of love for God and all, sincere joyful expression, scriptural WWJD intuition, connection with God for the good of others) and then I pray,
"Father set me on the right path to being a more effective friend. Spirit, I love you. Guide me along Your chosen path for me."
EDIT: OOC: I plan on putting the ritual part into a spoil-box to keep distraction down to a minimum.

The intended effect of my prayer is to help me move toward the goal of learning the magics of this world.

OOC: I'm curious about the stuff revealed in this quote:

I'm especially curious about what threats these people may be facing. But I'm also curious about any potential social disparities between those who live among the roots and those who live up the tree. Although my character's motivation is toward the wisdom of learning to master magic, I'm also enjoying the story.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sat 18 Jan 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 22):

OOC: That was Latin, I believe. As to Biblical Greek, yes.  But if you ever travel back to Grecian times  you're almost certain to have a weird accent.

The light fades as you walk off with Mistress Acena.  She is dumbfounded and follows silently.

She frowns, and then says "I don't really know how to answer that.  Its not something I think about.  As to the Marines, well that's easy. "  She points out into the town where a lone skinny tower stands two stories higher than its neighbours.

"The Tower of the Sword."

You pray and the lights and the singing is much louder, and you realize that going to the Shayan Marines is a good path to learning the magics of this world.  The lights fade, but much slower.

"Mistriss Acena, you have been an incalculably valuable acquaintance to me, and I barely know you. I am very grateful I met you. If it is possible to keep in touch with you, I'd like that. How might we contact eachorher?

"Before I leave, I'd like to pray for you if you don't mind. Is there anything in particular I could pray for?"

After this, Ill be heading for the Tower of the Sword.

In reply to Scord (msg # 24):

"I....the voices were so beautiful." A tear appears in her eyes. "I've never heard anything more beautiful in my life save for my babies. I wish I could hear them more."

She finds a bit of paper and gives you her address.  You can send mail to her or hire a kid on the street as a messenger.  She explains that unlike Terra, kids are expected to be willing to pitch in for adults who they are related to for free, and others for small coin.  It seems for whatever reason kids are safe from being bothered here.  Glancing at the TREE, you suspect that having a even dead incarnate goddess of Life hanging overhead might have something to do with that.  Its plausible in this world that the lightning bolt from on high might be a real thing.

---

Spoiler for prayer ritual & what I pray: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I make the sign of the cross while wearing my cross necklace, vial of holy water, vial of holy oil, and holy salt. I put on the full psycho-spiritual armour of God (fearlessness in humble honesty, satisfaction with innocence, confidence for service, fidelity of love for God and all, sincere joyful expression, scriptural WWJD intuition, connection with God for the good of others) and then I pray in Greek,

[You Who Are Who You Are, I love you with. Forgive me if I have treated Mistress Acena as a means to an end rather than as an end in herself. Thank you for sending her to me and gifting her with the willingness to help me. You have said that you would bless those who bless me. Jesus, she is very moved by the Singing Voices of Blessing. If you are willing, please bless her and open her ears to hear the Singing whenever it will benefit her and especially when it helps her to realize Your infinite value. Let Your will be done. Amen.]

---

Intended effect: Mistress Acena can hear the singing voices whenever it will benefit her, and maybe begin to realize the goodness of Yahweh.

After the blessing, I thank her once more, bid her farewell and head toward the Tower of the Sword.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:43, Wed 22 Jan 2020.

It works.

You walk down several streets, down a staircase with a foot thick root as a railing, and turn left to see the Tower of the Sword.  Framing its open entry are two black talons that are twenty feet long.

You walk under them, and enter a large circular domed room.  Mosaics of fights between Shayans and others dressed in a gray uniform that varies a bit fight against odd beasts, demonic bipedal creatures. other creatures, and a fifty foot long dragon.  Another ring of statues is inside that ring, and many of these have varied forms of power armor on.  Some of the armor is clearly more advanced than others.

Some people are wandering around looking at the exhibits, and you see a small group of ten kids led by their teacher.

In the center of the room is a desk.  Behind it is a pleasant looking brunette/gilded young lady, and  a man in the latest version of the black armor.  Behind them is a spiral staircase that leads up and down.

I approach the lady and the man with a smile. "Greetings! I was told by Mistriss Acena that this is the place I would go to become a Shayan Marine and learn magic. How might I go about doing this?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 28):

The man steps forward as the lady steps aside.

"I am Sergeant Wills, and a Tech Mage in the Shayan Marines.  We are glad to have  you inquire."

He leads you around the desk to a smaller side desk with a chair.  And you get to answer a hundred questions on who you are, what experience you have, etc..

He glances at it after you're done, and drop it into a chute.  Then  he says...

"Mr. Scord, please follow me."  And he takes the spiral staircase down asking as he goes.  "The lobby and the upper tower are a museum.  Down below is the Induction Center.  Do  you have any questions for me?"

I follow Sergeant Wills and I ask, "I had heard that Courage, Obedience to Law, Preparation, and Love are the ethical standards of the Shayan Marines, and I think that these are generally very good principles. But there are certain circumstances when obedience to law can contradict love and courage if the laws that are given are unjust. What is the law that must be obeyed? Is it a law to be obeyed to the letter or to the spirit? That is to say, if a law says, 'Never harvest to the edges of your field' in a culture that allowed the poor to glean, if obeyed to the letter of the law where I came from it wouldn't help anyone but wild animals, but if obeyed to the spirit it is telling me to provide meaningful labor to the unemployed and food to the needy. I'm sorry, I can be a bit wordy at times. But what is meant by 'Obedience to the Law'?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Sun 26 Jan 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 30):

He nods.

"Excellent question.  We spend quite a bit of time teaching young officers Judgment.  Lower level soldiers are not required to show as much judgement, but you cannot rise to high levels in the officer ranks without it.  Or so we try."  He shakes his head.  "I could tell you a few stories about Colonel Hansel.  He was good at coming up with excuses to do dumb things.Finally, it was pointedly suggested he retire by a general, or we would find a way to get him out."

You enter the next floor below.  Around you are medical stations, some few in use.

"Here, if you decide to go in, you would have  your physical abilities checked."

There is a continuing staircase down.

I continue following Sergeant Wills and ask about the stairs that go down, "Where does this lead?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Sat 01 Feb 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 32):

The next floor down is a circular firing range (with all targets on the exterior wall).  Energy weapons are being fired.

Sgt. Wills walks over to an empty booth, and checks in.  "Relax..." And he raises an arm and a bolt of fire streams from a popup gun on his shoulder.  Weird thing is you could feel it about to fire.

I ask, "Is is normal that I could feel when it was about to fire?"

Curiosity has gotten my mind pumping. My own prayers were far more directly effective here than where I came from, and there are forms of magic here as well. I begin wondering if there are unexplored magical possibilities. There is a particular kind of magic that I thought up for a story line, and I've always thought that in other universes, that magic might actually exist. In order to test this idea, I recall the sensation of floating one gets in dreams, and attempt to float by believing that I am doing so.

If that works, I stop because I figure it is better to learn from someone who is teaching magic than to try to make it happen on your own.

I say to Sergeant Wills, "I've never seen a gun like that before. Does it fire because you wanted it to without having to push any buttons or anything?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 34):

He gives you a brief smile.

"Its a good sign.  Most who can become Tech Mages can do it.  If you can't, well some still can become Tech Mages, but not as many."  He writes down a short note.

Sense Shayan Magic 1@1 Magic skill.

You feel something, but nothing happens.  The SGt. is staring at you.

"Yes.  I have been to the Hand of Dinis, and got fire magic that way.  Most of these others are just using laser and light plasma."  He turns back, and calls out 'Full fire.' Everyone else stops.  Then you feel a wave of power, and suddenly a bolt of flame reaches from his shoulder to the target, and shakes the room, heating the air ten degrees.

"What made you choose that particular path? And does everyone learn only one magic?"


"That felt impressive even before the bolt of flame! Does something like that tire you out?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 36):
"I led a group of Marines to stop raids coming from there.  And I've also gone to the Shayan catalyst.  And yes, its quite tiring."

"I assume each catalyst is associated with a different magic. I'm very excited to get started as a Marine. What do we do next?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 38):

He turns and studies you.  And you can see he is still tired and overheated from his very powerful plasma blast.

"This is a minimum two year committment.  But if you want, we can get started now.  And yes, there are eight different groups of magic.  Shaya was a goddess of Life and Light. Dinis was a god of fire."

If you want, he starts processing you in.  It takes several hours, and then you're lifted to Locan Base where you and a bunch of others learn how to run, march, shout, and shoot laser rifles.

Are you more interested in Scout, Heavy Weapons, or Regular Marine role?

Soon, you will be getting training in Treeclimbing and Defending of the Great Tree after which is being exposed to the Shayan Catalyst, and then a trip to space for zero go training followed by a final exam where your unit is in a wargame against more experienced troops.  Its said to be a metaphorical bloodbath at times.

At that point which is five months from now, you're a Shayan Marine.  If you got magic, you then get Tech Marine training.  If not, your first assignment.

Since I don't know when I'll see him again, I tell him the story of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus in short form, and I end it by praying that God "shine the light of His glory on Sergeant Wills" which means more than I understand, but at least means that God shows him whatever is needed to transform him into the kind of humble person who loves God, everyone, and all of creation. My expectation is that this not necessarily happen right away, but probably over time. I ask for his address so that I can correspond with him as well.


"I am excited to begin!"

I am more interested in the Scout role.


Before going to the Catalyst, I pray that God prepare me to receive whatever blessings He wants me to receive from the process, without any particular expectations (though if Life is the ability to make things grow, I know I'd like that).

While with the other trainees, I continue my regimen of daily prayer, praise and study of the Bible as much as I can, talking about God whenever appropriate. I also seek out a copy of a Bible from this world.

EDIT: I'd also correspond with Sgt. Wills and Mistress Acena about once a month.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:41, Sun 09 Feb 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 40):

Sgt. Wills listens for a bit, and then snaps.

"Look, I get you're an Old Believer, but you can't be bugging people about that all the time." He sighs.  He calms down a bit.  "Lets get you started."

OOC: Yes, that was a botch.

You're able to find a Bible.  It does have two books in it that you are not familiar with.


OOC: Your PM shows modifications to your char sheet from boot camp.

Your Scout training gains  you Stealth 1@7

As you walk into the Catalyst the sense of light and overwhelming power is shocking.  Then the light is all around you, and you feel a Great Mind that is sleeping.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Having just come from a reading of the Transfiguration of Christ as depicted in the Bible from this world, I feel affinity and little-brother-ly love for a guardian of life and light, so I gently whisper toward the Great Mind, "Greetings, Shaya. Your tree cares for many souls, and they patiently wait, hoping as they love you that you will rise again."I pray to Yahweh as I continue to whisper to the Great Mind,"May you rest well as you rest, and rise well when the time is right."

My intention in the prayer is to communicate love and peace to the Great Mind, and add a passive blessing toward Shaya rising at the right time.

In reply to Scord (msg # 42):

You think your prayer may be answered, but as you advance down the tunnel, the power is so overwhelming that your senses, both physical and spiritual are blinded.  And you feel information and understanding pour into you.

Seeing the galaxy from the viewpoint of a goddess who can step from star to star, who can look and see a man on a different planet in another star system.


Its intoxicating, and you feel as if you could fall into this forever.  But you remember your training.

"You have to get close enough to be burnt, but get too close, and you will not come back.  The power and wisdom and knowledge of a goddess is incredibly seductive." Your teacher, an older Shayan Marine sergeant with gray hair looks out at the crowd of a hundred listening to him.  "Stats from pass classes show that anywhere from two to five of you will succumb.  What that means, we don't really know."

Back when I heard this, I had prayed for guidance as to whether I should willingly succumb, or resist. But if I wasn't directly told to willingly succumb, I will resist.

You advance forward, blinded, surrounded by power, images flashing through your brain, of things and thoughts too vast for you to catch more than a glimpse.  And most are gone before you even begin to recognize them.  But you find a deeper understanding of photons and stars and are able to cling to that.

And then  you realize  your brain feels....burnt.  Its like you are a piece of bread, and  you're start to turn brown at the edges.

But so many glorious things are ahead, even now here, you can see wonders just out of reach.  And if you go on, t here are t hings that will make your current understanding as nothing.  You know this in your bones.

With all of my effort, remembering my God who withstood temptations in the dessert and in the garden, I return without seeking deeper knowledge or power for now.

In reply to Scord (msg # 46):

Chances are, you survive, you hope.  Only two or three out of a hundred fail, but will that be you?

You struggle greatly, and pull back, and walk back into the light of an ordinary day.  but you can see Light paths in the air, inside you can feel Light magic.

A smiling drill instructor meets you.

"Well, done, Tech Mage Scord, well done indeed.  You now have magic."

"Thank you drill instructor! I'm excited to begin Tech Marine training. I can see the paths of light in the air and feel light magic inside me. What can I expect to be able to do with this?"

Out of curiosity, I try to manipulate the paths of light in the air to refract some of the incoming sunlight into a rainbow pattern on the wall or floor.

"Whoa." He reaches out a hand, and you feel the magic stop obeying you.  "You are not a full fledged Mage, and even they need to follow the rules."  He explains that you will learn your skills in classes over the next days.

The next day, out of the hundred you had, you now have a class of fourteen Light based Tech mages.

"As Tech mages, you are the core of the Shayan marines.  You can hit harder, take more damage, communicate, and wear armor unlike True mages."

He pulls out a round disc of rune engraved amber encircles with power outlets in gray and black metal.

"You've seen the full body armor of a Tech Mage.  This is what powers it.  But what powers this?"

I think back on what I've heard about True mages over the last 2 years.

I look at the disk with my light-path sense, looking for energy flowing into or out of the disk. If no one ventures an answer, I raise my hand.

In reply to Scord (msg # 50):

Tech Mages.  True mages are somewhat considered a step above sort of and also off to the side, however they don't wear power armor like you will.

The DI nods at you.

"Tech Mage Scord, lets here your thoughts."  By now the instructors are a lot more gentle than they originally were.

Unless this contradicts something I'd have observed about the full body armour, and assuming I didn't see anything with my light-sense, I say, "To begin with, I have no idea. It could be any number of things, but my guess is that it is powered through the amber. Perhaps the amber takes energy from the wearer, light in the area, or some other source. My instinct is that it has something to do with light since we are Light based Tech mages, the amber is translucent and electricity is a form of energy closely related to light. But given that it is magic, anything is possible."

"A most thoughtful answer.  However, even if it is magic, not everything is possible.  Magic has its own rules.  But yes, you the wielder of Light magic power this device, and this device powers your armor."

He opens up a  box, and begins to pull out circles of amber, enough for each of you.

"Your first goal is to get it to glow."

This takes an hour, and all of you are able to succeed.  You can see a path of light emerging from your chest, and going into the amber.  At the same time,  you can feel the drain on  your energy.   Its a mix of concentration drain, and physical exertion, and something else.

Everyone is ranked, and currently you're number four.

"Now, the next step is to keep it powered all day.  I know, some of you are about ready to pass out.  but it can be done.  Keep in mind, some of this energy comes from you.  So when it comes time for supper...get a second plate.  I'm not kidding.  It does not look like much, but its the equivalent of toting a seventy pound bag of rocks around all day.  But you can do it.  Questions?

I ask, "Are there additional ways we can increase our endurance besides maintaining the magic all day?"

I try to keep the circle powered all day, and I have a second plate at supper.

In reply to Scord (msg # 54):

"All right, a sucker for punishment. I like it.' The instructor says as the rest of the class laughs.  "Yes,  you can cycle up and cycle down the power feed.  For the start, if you can manage it, try to go up high once per minute and down low for the next.  Hold the low and the high as steady as you can."

He holds his example circle and pulses it about ten times in the next minute.  After which he is sweating.

"It takes time to learn, to develop the mental muscles, and the connection to the light."

You practise, but you're having a hard time holding it for more t han thirty minutes, much less pulsing it.  And you and everyone else finishes your plates with some going for a third.  You hit the bed that night, and don't remember anymore until morning roll call.

That morning I ask God for the strength for the day that I'll need for His glory. After completing my required regular tasks, ASAP I pray for strength for the day to bring glory to God. ((asking to be given enough excess of physical, emotional and mental strength throughout the day as I would require in order to make God look good by my association with Him. This is something I ask for regularly and am blessed with. I have faced down my abusive boss with grace and peace when he nearly fired my ass. However, I've definitely never tried making a magical/technological hybrid object light up with my newfound magical powers.))

As I practice, I try each new technique one at a time in a focussed effort before I begin practicing it.

I plan on developing a regular practice to speed learning by pushing myself hard, but asking Holy Spirit to keep me from overexerting myself. ((asking to be prompted to slow down or increase my efforts if I'm losing optimal efficiency))

You feel the faintest touch of strength as  you pray the first time.  Later as you pray to bring glory to God, you feel a significant surge.  For a second, you think  you're glowing.

You work hard on your individual techniques, and get up to position #2.  You're able to hold for an hour three separate times that day.  And that night...you don't remember even hitting the bed.

Your small class is doing well.  No one has been cut for lack of talent, or had any sort of even semi serious accident.  You've had a few people 'fuzz' themselves for a couple minutes as they incorrectly redirect energy back into themselves.  It seems like getting hit with an electrical current and blissing out at the same time.  Its a known minor issue from incorrectly stopping the energy flow.

"Now, fuzzing or Energy Flow Incorrect Termination and Redirection, EFITR, is not a serious problem, if you were a civilian.  But, you are Shayan Marines.  Spend two minutes out of combat going goo ga, and you might have doomed your squad.  Get it right, People!!!"  The Instructor says.

If anyone asks me how I'm keeping this pace, I answer humbly that it's all for my God's glory, and I explain as much as they ask.

I continue my ((practicing if allowed)) prayers, and do my best to avoid fuzzing.


As training continues, I continue to try to maximize my efficiency with the aid of Yahweh, and generally seek Yahweh's will and desires.

In reply to Scord (msg # 58):

One of your fellow Tech Mages, Alan, asks you about it.  After a bit, he nods.  "Ah, an  Old Believer." And wanders off bored.

A day later, Jeff, asks you what you were doing as you pray, and he's very interested as you explain.

"I look at these gods, Krox, Shaya....and I'm awed.  And the Godswar and the Last Dragonflight, and I'm awed....but then I look at the stars, the galaxies, the many galaxies....and I feel like we're ants worshipping eagles.  Do you understand?"

"Completely! My God is bigger and beyond all of that, yet present in entirety in every subatomic particle. One of my regular practices is to remind myself of my smallness in comparison to my God. I visualize outward beginning with my own body, zooming out to the planet then the system, the galaxy, the cluster, the supercluster, the background radiation and beyond, then I remind myself that my God is so much bigger than all of that, that it would all fit into the tiniest crevice of space in my God's thumbprint. Yet my God's entire infinite heart is focused on me, pouring out love, forgiveness and understanding every moment of every day. So yeah, I feel like an aomeba worshipping the god who loves me as if I were God's own child. I am humbled partially because I am worthless by comparison and encouraged because I am loved beyond comprehension."

In reply to Scord (msg # 60):

"That is what I am saying." He smiles, and listens to you, and asks questions, and after a while you two are called to the next class.

Cool.

As long as I'm in training, my goal will be to be a good trainee. As always, my overarching goal will be to 'bring glory to God' which I take to mean: make God look good by my thoughts, words and deeds.

In reply to Scord (msg # 62):

A week later, and you're fetching materials from a supply room when the door slams behind  you, and the lock clicks.  The light in the room flickers....

With a quick but constant silent prayer for God's help and protection as much as is needed, I listen for footsteps outside of the room in case someone from the outside just locked me in. But I also carefully look around the room, using my amber to light my way if needed, and trying to sense the use of magic around me.

In reply to Scord (msg # 64):

You see a patch of darkness in the corner of the room which just won't go away despite your amber light.  And  you feel magic swelling, magic that feels wrong....

I pray for the strength and wisdom to do God's will, and His protection over me and the rest of the people from whatever this threat is. I recall the feeling and sensations of when the DI made the magic stop obeying me, and try to dampen the magic being used in that corner. Simultaneously, I get myself into a defensive stance and prepare for battle, remembering any advice I've been given about this kind of thing, and also attempt to raise the alarm and warn others.

So far in this world, I've only come across fire, light and life magics being used by "goodguys" and I've heard of other magics being used by "badguys", so I suspect an attack, possibly from that voice I heard back when I first entered the world and botched my prayer.

In reply to Scord (msg # 66):

A blazing light, a sense of joy in battle, fills you, and shines around you.

Gain !@3 Protection from Evil Dark Magic.
Gain 1@1 Widesspread Protection from EDM.

You push out trying to dampen the enemy, but magic surges back at you, overwhelming your attempt.  It carries malice and hunger but the joy in you leaps at it and shreds it.

You're seeing darkness like claws come at you, and a gorgeous fire leap out laughing from you.  You're not sure if this is a vision or material.

You bellow out a warning, and seconds later you hear pounding footsteps.

And a hand of shadow with talons on it extends to block the door shut.

You're pretty sure this is somehow connected to the voice you heard.

The talons look similar to the teeth you saw.

I pray, "Yahweh - You who are who You are, rescue us from our enemies." Intended effect of getting God's cooperative help in the positive resolution of this danger.

I recall the pertinent information that I would know by now about the Emissary and their role in protecting this planet and the Shayans. I say aloud and think hard, "Emissary, I am requesting your help."

With full faith I say, "I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven by the blood of the King of the Multiverse, I am loyal to Him alone and He is loyal to me. Beware. In my weakness, He is strong. Make peace or leave."

In reply to Scord (msg # 68):

"Peace?  Peace is a delusion of fools.  There is only hunger, the eaters and the eaten."

Nothing seems to happen in response to your prayers and it laughs at your warning.  The other cadets outside the door slam the door, and it opens a bit, and then shuts.  Another smaller, thinner arm with an end full of talons slashes you.  You feel cold and pain across your face and chest.

"Once Beloved, you eat by coersion, which is the way of darkness and death. If darkness and death remain your food, they will uterly consume you. I eat the fruit that never dies. Even if you kill me, I will never die. I offer you that fruit if you will hear me out. But I will attempt to stop you if you continue to attack me."

If it continues to attack me, I pour the love of God and light into a focused beam and push the beam of love and light into the center of the darkness.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Wed 08 Apr 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 70):

"I....." He flares into bright light.  "Understand."  And he's gone,  and the door slams open and your fellow cadets come crashing in, light flaring about one, and another having a sabre of light in his hands.

After I relay all the details of what happened, I ask the one with the Sabre and the one with light flaring to teach me how they're doing that (unless it's easy enough to figure out.

In reply to Scord (msg # 72):

You explain to the others, and then your superiors who show up.  You can tell  your superiors are a bit concerned.  One of them mumbles something about Umbral beings.  They say they will get back to you.

The two using the Light spells agree to teach you.  As the guy w ith the sabre says..."looks like you might need it if you get any more midnight visitors."

I accept the word of my superiors, and all where I can learn more about umbral beings.

To the guy with the Sabre, I respond, "Totally. It almost seems like my argument converted the being of darkness into a being of light, but I doubt that will work every time. So how does that Sabre work?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 74):

"Wow. Well yeah, yeah, dude. Um, lets go to the gym.  You want some space around you when you're learning a saber."

He starts teaching you how to make a rough shape about a foot long and two inches wide.  And you see what he means.  This light is so fast, so slippery, its very easy for it to lurch out of your hands and go spiralling off somewhere.  You even hit him, but he laughs.

"Expected.  I taught you a low power form just because.  Now what you need to do is to press this  Shard or Ingot into a longer form.  Then you need a basket hilt to keep  it steadier in your hand."

He pauses.  "I learned the Ingot technique.  I imagined I was a blacksmith and hammering out an ingot of metal.  There are other techniques.  The Shard requires visualizing an expansion, but it has to be smooth and precise.  I can now do both.  Shard is faster, but Ingot is easier and stronger."

"I find that easy things are often less valuable than difficult things, but I'll try to learn both of I can. I'll try the shard version first."

So I try the shard technique, then if I can, I also try the ingot technique.

In reply to Scord (msg # 76):

After a couple of minutes of careful thinking you're able to create a two yard long and two inch wide Shard.  Then the visualizing of the hammer strikes as a blacksmith making a sword forms the Ingot technique.  You don't seem to get that one as well, but it works.  And you can tell it will be stronger.  Possibly because its more detailed, more emotional energy invested into it.  It is noticeably different.

"Enough for now." You fellow student says, and then gives you a demo of making a sword both ways.  "Soon, you and I could do some practise saber duelling."  he looks hopeful.

"Sure!" And if I've nothing better to do, I practice with him.

"By the way, what can you tell me about Umbral beings?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Fri 28 Aug 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 78):

"Ah, well, um the Umbra exists next to us.  And its dark and usually pretty nasty, and some very powerful things in it would like to get here.  But rips in the fabric of the universe are rare.  And even if there is a rip they are self healing, and the things on the Other Side can't usually get to the rip in time.  We ah, we travel to other stars by going into the umbra or shadowside of a planet, opening a really quick gate, jumping through, and arriving a couple days later...like at New Texas.  There we open another gate back from the Umbra and into our Universe.  Its usually pretty safe as teh Umbra is like really huge, maybe bigger than our universe.  But sometimes you get unlucky and a starship gets eaten."

"Wow! A whole starship can get eaten!? How often does that happen?"

Reflecting on what was said to me when I first arrived about the worldwalls being ripped open and the umbral travel method, I say, "I'm worried there might be a rip into the Umbra that has remained open. When I entered this world I heard something that makes me think my arrival caused a rift."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 80):

"Something like one in a thousand trips I think for good ships.  Faster ships are better, and Shayan Marines have good ships.  You get a tramp freighter with its drive out of tune and slow and singing its distress all over the place....not so good."

And as you say those words about a rift, you feel a sickening twist all around you, and your sabre partner laughs scornfully.

You are now Cassandra.  Prophesy of my coming please.  Soon a starship will come full of moving bodies, but ther mind will be mine.  And I will show you my revenge.  You should not have stolen my Hungry One from me.

I think/speak back to the entity, I don't know Cassandra. Whom shall I say is coming? The Hungry One acted freely under no coercion. I merely informed it that eating by coersion is the way of darkness and death. If darkness and death remain your food, they will uterly consume you. If, instead, you eat the freely given love of the merciful One Who Is, you will live.

In reply to Scord (msg # 82):

You will learn of the curse of Cassandra.  Tell them Striglath the Dragoneater is coming if you like.  You believe the Great Liar.  He claims to be many things, but He lies!!!!  That last bit is shrieked in rage.

If you would accuse my God, Yahweh of lies, you name yourself the accuser - ha sah-tahn the father of lies, and therefore you call yourself greater than Yahweh.
If you have a complaint, tell the One Who Is about your grievance. I am a priest, a temple and an idol of my God who created me - Yahweh - the One Who Is. What you say to me, you may consider said to my god. What is your complaint?

In reply to Scord (msg # 84):

Your mind could not comprehend the tenth bit of my fury.  You have only touched the outer bits of the Light of Shaya.  Why would I seek to expalin myself to such a one as you?  No, I merely rejoice in your fear.  And I give warning, as is required, by Laws most ancient.  But I do so with cunning.

Foul laughter trails off and he is gone.

If I'm experiencing any fear, it's the fear you feel when you're in the presence of a hungry lion who wants to eat you but is caged and impotent. Worst case scenario, he could kill me, and that's not that bad. I've still got my God's love.

I find my superiors and report everything it said to me.

In reply to Scord (msg # 86):

And they laugh at you.

"Striglath Dragoneater?  He was killed twenty millennia ago before the spread of Humankind."

One of your supervisors suggests that perhaps you've had too much strain.  Perhaps you need to go to a nice vacation resort.  You can retry the Marines later.

"So my guess is that Cassandra warned people of an impending doom, but no one believed. Am I right?"

As for too much strain, "Maybe it's just an aftereffect of contact with the Umbral creature. But where might this vacation take me?"

If there's a library, I look up any plot sensitive information available on the curse of Cassandra and on the Dragoneater.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Thu 03 Sept 2020.

In reply to Scord (msg # 88):

There is a spot high up on the TREE where ill people can recuperate.  It is very pleasant.  But going there is a failure, and it means you'd have to retry out for the Marines later with at least a gray mark in your file.

You check out the curse of Cassandra.  Its ancient Earth history.  Cassandra was a woman of Troy who had the gift of prophecy from the gods, but the curse that no one would believe her.  She said 'no, no, you morons, don't bring in the Trojan  Horse given to us by the Greeks.  It is a trap."  They said 'ah shut up, ya' crazy girl'.  We all know how that ended.

Striglath Dragoneater was a dark god who made a habit of killing dragons.  It seems like some of the races that exist are Human, Shayan, Dragon, Demon, and that of the non Human, all have been created by gods.  And Dinis, god of fire, was a dragon god who killed Striglath, but died in the process.

I look up the story of Dinis and Striglath (as well as other Striglath stories) to search for clues on Striglath's possible weaknesses, blind spots, motivations, joys and fears. As much as my referee feels might help me deal with Striglath once it arrives since warning people is useless.

I also ask Sargeant Willis about Dinis and Striglath for his thoughts on those two.

In reply to Scord (msg # 90):

As you read the books in the library, you begin to learn the difference between one planet, with a unified and rather short history on the one hand.  And a galaxy where only part of it is known, but it is known more is out there.  And the history of many races reaching back ten and twenty thousand and a hundred thousand and more years.

The Last Dragonflight was ten thousand years ago, and the Godswar was maybe thirty thousand years ago.

There were human like creatures living then, but Earth was yet to go to the stars.

The Librarians guide you as they can, but most of the history section is centered around the Planet Shaya for the last ten thousand years.  And even that has large holes.

They do mention that other libraries might have other information, but there is no such thing as a general archive.

You do find one book about Striglath.  He used Shadow for Magic.  And instead of creating Demons to worship him, and thus boost his power as is common, he instead made a practise of ambushing dragons and eating them to boost his power.  He was said to be unusually good at this.  Finally, in rage, Dinis, one of the many dragon gods tracked him for many years and finally caught him and they duelled.  Both died about where the Hand of Dinis is now.

I pray for Yahweh to lead me and show me what I should do to help as many people as I can.

Reasoning to myself, I think, I don't have the power necessary to overcome a god, if Striglath is anywhere near as powerful as Shaya. I might be able to save a few, but even that is doubtful and depends on what Striglath would do.

I search for information about how Striglath fought, how to contact whatever remains of Dinis or a current Dragon god and also how to become a god myself.

If these are dead-ends, I'll go back to training with my light powers and focus on challenging others and encouraging them.

In reply to Scord (msg # 92):

You pray, and it occurs to  you that general bestiaries of dragons and demons might be of use.  It turns out that 'demons' is a bit of a misnomer.  Bipedal, vicious drones that increase in power and intelligence but are not innately evil although highly xenophobic, impatient, violence prone, and cultish are the demons.  Dragons are stronger by a wide margin, but have far fewer numbers.  And they can range in power from beasts that a dozen humans might be able to handle to things that have lived for twenty thousand years and could kill you just by looking hard at you.

Neither side likes the other.

You do read a couple books on fighting techniques.  There is just one suggestion of a 'Striglathian egg ambush', a hollow small asteroid that tumbles for a long time while the ambusher sleeps inside waiting to break out and attack a passerby.

You could try to go to the Hand of Dinis, or the Eye of Dinis (which is further away by two times).

Becoming a god.  It helps to absorb power. To visit sites where dead god body parts lay about.  And there is quite a long list of such in the nearby galaxy.

I look into:
-Are there any celestial bodies on a trajectory to come near Shaya? (Such that could be concealing Striglath)
-How long would it take to go to the Hand of Dinis, and how can I get there?
-How long for the Eye of Dinis?

If I don't find any asteroids or such, and it isn't too long, I'll head for the Hand of Dinis

In reply to Scord (msg # 94):

There are three.  One is the smallest and will be here in six months.  The others are two and three  years.

Merchant? Four months.  Military? 1.5 months. Tramp freighter? One year.

Double those times for the Eye.

Doing my full prayer ritual (OOC: I can type it out it it will help my chances) I pray, "Yahweh, my King, send me where You want me to go."
My intention is that I get to the Eye of Dinis ASAP - by miraculous teleport or mundane transfer or anything else - I'm open to God's will, whatever it may be.

Then I look into getting transferred out to the Eye immediately (or Hand if not the Eye).

In reply to Scord (msg # 96):

You get a definite sense of 'Yes', and thats it.

Next day, you're called to the chief trainer's office.

"Ah, we have an ambassador from New Texas.  He needs to go to the Hand of Dinis, and he asked if we had any Humans who could come with him.  I immediately thought of you.  This would put your Marine training on hold, but it would not be check against you.  In fact, its a benefit.  You'd be getting experience with higher levels of society and you could get fire magic to add to your light magic.  If  you do go, just remember your training to not get too toasty, and remember you represent the Shayan Marines, so do us proud."

"Thank you sir, I am very happy to accept this assignment! I will do my best to represent the Shayan Marines with utmost dignity."

In reply to Scord (msg # 98):

An hour later, you meet a man who has a green Stetson, black jeans, a belt buckle made of a dragon's talon, and shiny white boots.

"Howdy ya'll." He smiles.  "I am ambassador William Blake, call me Bill."

"Hi Bill! You've got quite the outfit. Is there a story behind that talon, or just your style?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 100):

He looks confused.

"This is what cowboys wore in Texas on Old Earth."

Anyways, you heading out with him to the shuttle which takes you up from a launch pad in the TREE to orbit.  You see several shuttles out the port window, and two in front of you. But they part, and let you through.

"Ambassadorial privilege." He chuckles.  At least that sounds right.

Once docked with a ship, you go down a near transparent tunnel to the Shayan Navy ship, Branch of Gold.  The XO greets you both.

I'm along for the ride, so I do as told so long as it does no harm. I remain confident, but open. I try to greet the XO appropriately.

In reply to Scord (msg # 102):

The XO, Jeff Williker, is stolid, but pays close attention to all about him, and as he passes other crewmen, he gives them quiet orders, or asks questions.  The three of you walk the ship, and he shows both of you the cafeteria, the workout room, and the areas you both are not allowed in (primarily ships weapons, and the reactor spaces, and for you specifically, Officer's Country, unless you are going to the aid of the ambassador who has his room there.)  Then he shows you the Shayan Marine detachment, and says you will be bunking with them.

There are ten tough looking guys who eyeball you when you walk into the Marine barracks room.  Some are working on weapons, and others are reading tablets, and a couple are doing handstands for exercise.  There are empty beds.

"Sergeant Colburn...ah, he's not here. Marines, this is a Shayan Marine trainee, Scord, he's the Ambassador's gopher."  The XO leaves the door, and you vaguely note he did not step into the room.

I set down my things in an empty space near a wall and say, "Hi folks, how are things?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 104):

"Few of light." one of them says after glancing at you from his place on his cot.  He goes back to working on his blaster with a screwdriver.

"Let's see what you got, trainee." Says one of them, and he starts giving you physical exercise tests like standing on your hands and reciting the drill book...

The other marines occasionally offer suggestions as to new tests.

Some of them exercise as well, and you can see that they can do your exercises, but with an ease that is embarrassing.

Seeing them complete the exercises with ease encourages me to work harder at my exercises, so I do.

"You guys are an inspiration for me to practice harder. I can see I have alot to learn and I'm lucky to be with Marines experienced like yourselves."

In reply to Scord (msg # 106):

It feels like you made the correct response as their attitude changes.  Now they are not testing you, but teaching you how to go beyond what  you thought possible.  its like  your school, but with individual tutors who rotate in and out.  Its much more intense, but at teh same time informal.  And you hear the men speak to each other, espousing this side or that of combat philosophy or which weapon is better for which problem.

Not only is your body taught new limits, but your brain is as well.

I take it all in, grateful for the opportunity to have hands-on learning in the field.

I keep my mind exercised also with my meditations and silent prayers.

I also remain responsive to the Ambassador's needs.

In reply to Scord (msg # 108):

The meditations and silent prayers turn out to help more with mental recovery from the stress.  Its a good stress, but it is stress.

The Ambassador has you do a few things, but mostly he's busy either eating with the Captain or going over papers to get himself fully up to speed.  He tells you...

"Once we get there, you'll have to get dressed in full dress uniform, and stand behind me for several meetings.  Primarily your duty will be to look imposing.  I may ask yo ua few questions.  If I do, be concise, and accurate and loud enough for everyone in the meeting to hear you."

"Yes, sir," I answer the ambassador, "do you know if I'll have a chance to see the Hand of Dinis?"

Next time I'm with the Marines, I ask about the Hand of Dinis

In reply to Scord (msg # 110):

"Oh yes. After the meeting, I shall go back, and I won't need your services anymore.  You could come with me, but I suspect you'd rather stay, go to the Hand, and find your own way back."

"Sounds great, I'm certain I'll want to go to the Hand. If there's nothing else for now, I'll return to practicing for now."

I go about my days practicing the light magic that I know, working on control, strength and endurance. Also I continue my spiritual disciplines.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Wed 06 Apr 2022.

In reply to Scord (msg # 112):

The Marines tell you that you will probably have to fight demons.  They describe bipedal creatures with hard shells, malevolent natures, who although they are eight feet tall because they bend over they are only a bit above five feet.  Most of them are melee fighters, but a few can shoot spikes from their tails, and some of the greatest can cast fire.

You'll have to find your path because the rock of the hand melts and cools and cracks all the time so that no stable path is known.

One of them has fire from the Hand as well as Light from the Tree of Shaya.

I ask if they have any pointers on how to get through to the Hand.

I tell the marines about my experiences in this world with the shadow thing and the voice I heard and what it said, but without lying, I talk about it as something I overheard and gauge their reactions.

"If you can avoid them, as long as possible, its for the best.  Come in loud, and you give them time to gather their forces. Once you taste of the fire, they will leave you alone."  Says a Marine who has been there.

The Marines all glance at each other, and you can tell they know something, but they don't say anything.

After seeing their knowing glances, I pressure them with my animal magnetism by my request, "Well, what do you think?"

In reply to Scord (msg # 116):

More shared looks, and then finally one Marine speaks.

"My wife has Dream. And she had a vision of me using a dead dragon's body as a bulwark to fire at an Umbral creature that was eating another dragon.  I was using my Light magic to an extreme to amplify my shots."

I pray to YHWH to help me get to the truth and find understanding. I use my dream interpretation to see what I can intuit from the dream the Marine's wife had and I tell him whatever I learn.

((Is it a him? Are these marines male, female or coed?))

Later on, I go sit to meditate, clearing my mind and embracing oneness with creation - I embrace that I am nothing without God, and that all I am is from and through YHWH. I go on a spiritual visualization journey to my inner sanctum and speak with YHWH there, telling God all that has happenned so far, and seeking wisdom.

Until the next stop and things change, I'll continue practicing Light magic, praying and ordinary routine, and befriending the Marines.

In reply to Scord (msg # 118):

You and these Marines should meet again, in the Future, and prepare for war by making sure to hav3e the heaviest attacks they can carry, and the most damage th ey can lay down because Striglath Dragoneater can chew up dragons, and you want to be 'loaded for bear' as it were.  Otherwise, he and his fellows (all guys) will not be going back home.

You realize as you pray that in order to win, you're going to have to take much deeper risks at the Hand, or you won't have enough firepower to face Striglath.  And you will need a way to combine light and fire magic as well for while Striglath is vulnerable to light, you  also need the raw power of fire.

((I'm having difficulty figuring out if I'm missing something that will help the story move along, or if this is the regular pace of things.))

I prepare myself to take extreme risks. Knowing that I seem to have died already, this is either a test or an extra life that I didn't earn - it makes perfect sense to be willing to risk everything to help save as many people as I can. I meditate on preparing myself to face death for the sake of others.

In reply to Scord (msg # 120):

OOC: Um, I don't know.

You arrive, and have to get dressed in your fanciest uniform which is starched and primped to the maximum. Every hair is in place after  you get a haircut.  Your teeth practically sparkle. Your shoes shine.

And then you stand behind the Ambassador for hours and hours of extraordinarily boring politesse.  The room is full of eight people at the table, not counting you. Six are on the other side, and the Ambassador has a local aide from his embassy which hands him papers.  You have not been called on.

And then you notice one of the people on the far side lean forward.  And he has a very slim blaster in his inner coat jacket.  And looking at him, with his trim black hair, and dark skin, you see a bead of sweat on his upper lip.  Everyone else is struggling mightily to stay awake, but he's very alert.

It seems apparent that this man is a potential threat to the life of the Ambassador, so I maneuver to protect the Ambassador - with my life if necessary, while I pray in tongues that God will prevent the shedding of blood in this place, and allow for a peaceful resolution. If I am close enough, I try to speak with the man and ask him how he's doing - he looks like he could use a cool drink of water.

My goal is to prevent harm to anyone - prioritizing myself just above anyone attacking me, but willing to die before taking anyone else's life. Arm? I'll be willing to literally dis-arm an attacker - I can always pray for healing as soon as their arm is disarmed. But a one-armed penitent is better than a murdered traitor. If I die, my sudden disappearance would cause enough confusion for any attackers that others might have more time to react.

In reply to Scord (msg # 122):

You step up alongside the ambassador, and begin to pray but you get a frog so to speak in your throat.  The Ambassador looks up at you, and you notice others in teh room becoming aware that something odd is happening.  And then tongues begin to spill from your lips.

The blasterman looks up at you startled, and you realize that whatever language you're speakingk, he can understand it, and you see sweat just pop out on his face.

You ask him if he needs water, and he replies in the other tongue.

"No, I need to do this.  I HAVE to do this."

With compassion and a willingness to listen, I say, "Why? Are you being forced by someone else? Did something terrible happen? I'm sure we can make this better."

I don't let him hurt anyone, and I silently pray that if he tries to hurt anyone, he feints before he can cause any harm.

In reply to Scord (msg # 124):

"My leader will use the authority and wealth gained from this deal to suppress his political and tribal enemies harshly.  Although this man by me has treated me well, he is of the ruling tribe, and if I slay him, the deal should fall through."

You realize that the would be and conflicted assassin is not intending to kill your ambassador at all, but the man he is in service too.

"thus a message will be sent.  Not only will the Ik go to the Hand, but so will the tarin."  And you see that the name of the group you are dealing with is called in their own tongue: 'the People of the Great Ik' with no reference to the tarin.

I pray that Yahweh highlight the truth and wisdom of what I'm about to say, while glazing over any missteps, also enhancing my charisma and my practiced skills as a conciliator, pastor, preacher and negotiator.

To the ambassadors, I say, "Sirs, I have a proposition to make. There are at least three peoples represented here - the Shayans, the Ik and the Tarin. But in truth, there is only one tribe represented here - the tribe of Life itself. Tribes gather together to support one another through difficulties and thereby increase everyone's chance of survival. Life honors those who care for their own. We all know the truth of this."

I pause for effect and to take three deep breaths as I silently pray, Holy One, reveal the truth of what I am about to reveal, "An Umbral creature will soon come to this universe to consume the body of a Dragon. The forces of Light and Fire united in true nobility, will face the entity to protect life. If we stand together, we will not fall. But if we fail to see that we are one as living inhabitants of this universe, I don't know what may happen. Let us open access to all who swear to give their lives in protection of the lives of all others. In this way, those whose hearts best stand a chance to survive the encounter will be given the abilities they need to face the true enemy and protect us all. Let this be open to anyone who proves true to this vow."

In reply to Scord (msg # 126):

The Ik emmissary snarls as you mention the Tarin.

"Be silent!" He yells at you, half standing, and raising an arm as if he might strike you.  Your ambassador is staring at you with an open question on his face.

OOC: Bad dice roll.

I compassionately look at the Tarin man, and in the same way I was speaking with him earlier, I say, "Tarin people will be known as equals, but violence will only delay that outcome. If you trust my God - the same one who is allowing me to speak with you as I am, the same one who Is, who Was and who always Will Be, if you trust this God of Love and Life, named Yahweh, you and your people will be saved without ever striking out in violence against another person - even this immature child who is your leader. But I personally won't be able to help your cause if you harm him. Even so, whatever you do, my God is on the side of the oppressed and downtrodden. Your cause will not be lost."

In reply to Scord (msg # 128):

The Ik emmissary pulls back his hand some more, and seems about to strike you when suddenly like a gunshot, the Shayan ambassador's hand slaps the table.

"You WILL not strike my attache', sir.  If you do, there will be highly unpleasant consequences. Not only for yourself, but for your nation. Do I make myself clear?"

At the same time, the would be assassin looks up at you, and then relaxes. He puts his hand away from the opening of his coat jacket.  And the others on the Ik side, pull down their emmissary with words, and soft hands encouraging him to sit down.  He's flushed and blotchy in the face and barely in control of himself.

My base instinct is to just go quiet now, and let the ambassador take over, explaining things when it's all over. But that's not what I'm going to do.

Instead I pray silently for insight into why the Ik emissary reacted in that way.

Checking my instinct & knowledge, I wonder if the Tarin have a history of violence against the Ik, or if the Ik merely consider the Tarin as sub-human because they can.

In reply to Scord (msg # 130):

You see a flash of history, a montage pass before your eyes.  The Tarin were herdsmen who lived quite well on their hilly lands.  They exported meat, hide, and protective animals (guardbeasts), and lived well.  The Ik ruled the lower lands, and built things in factories, but their life was harsher, and they worked harder, and had dirtier air.

Looking closer, you see that the Tarin of that time seem better than the Tarin you see now.

And then jealous of their greater wealth and ease, the Ik attacked the Tarin and burned well, anything that would burn, and put the survivors to work in farms.  And now the Ik live easier as they own the farms that they employ the Tarin to work on.

You see a final image of a fire being set by Iks which spreads for several hundreds of miles, and you see Tarins' with their faces in shadows talking to a being in shadow who promises them revenge in exchange for their worship.

"Worship me, and I shall give you a Great Burning that will m ake the first Burn look small."  And then suddenly you hear the voice. "Someone watches up from uptime. Go now. I shall deal with this intruder."

Speaking ((under what I believe to be the sincere influence of Yahweh)) to the Tarin, speaking in Tongues, I say, "I have a message for you to bring back to your people. Your enemy is the spirit of Judgement. The Ik were placed under the influence of the spirit of Judgement who lied to them and made you appear like filth to the eyes of the Ik. The Ik did what they thought right and tried to burn you away - they were obeying the lying spirit of Judgement. That same spirit is in the position to jump on you and burn your hearts and nobility down lower than the ashes. The spirit of Love offers you freedom from tyranny. If you boldly follow the spirit of Love and Forgiveness, you will be tested and the nobility of your spirits will be forged in fire - but you will emerge stronger than the hardest god-metal alloy. So that you may know that I speak the truth, you will be given visions of truth when you hear this message. Those who love you, know your pain as they learn the truth. Those who learn your pain through vengeance, heap piles of the excrement of judgement on your heads."

To the Ik ambassador, I speak in Tongues for him to hear, "The sins of your fathers have returned to condemn you. Those who let your people starve have been punished, but those who were the slaves have become the slavers. Justice will come and Yahweh has declared that you must repent - turn from your ways of fear and control and turn to the ways of trust and family. Turn to the spirit of Love and Forgiveness or the spirit of Judgement and Death will consume you and crush you. Let it be a sign of the truth of this proclamation that you see the Truth when this message is heard."

I say these things in absolute certainty that Yahweh is the one from whom this message was given, and that Yahweh will see to its fulfillment. I say them in a spirit of mercy and love, with my heart overflowing with compassion for both the Ik and the Tarin in their time of testing. EDIT: I say this with the knowledge of the pattern that Yahweh has throughout the scriptures of every faith and practice, and especially the Jewish and Christian scriptures of my home Verse.

EDIT2: A bit of background about me - I'm not a Process Theology proponent at all. I believe fully in the complete sovereignty of God - everything that happens is under his direction and part of the perfect plan. Traditional theology sees God as the writer of the script of reality. Process Theology treats God like Drew Carey on Whose Line Is It Anyway - affected by reality as much as affecting it. I see God as the perfect fractal that is the Omniverse - the Multiverse of Multiverses. Everything that happens in every reality or potential timeline is perfectly designed according to God's will and purpose.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Fri 13 May 2022.

As you speak in tongues to the Tarin of the past, the Shadow suddenly screams.

"BE SILENT!"  And you feel your throat catch, and blood fill your mouth, and something start dripping down your face, but spitting out the blood, you finish your oration.  The Tarin scream in terror and flee as soon as you are done.

"I have placed my curse on you. You will die in three days. You should not have crossed me." The spirit of Lying Judgement speaks.  More blood fills your mouth, and the vision of the past fades away.  You spit the blood into a handy cup on the table, and everyone draws back in fear and disgust.

Weary, you speak to the Ik amabassador.

"We were never slaves, but we feared they might enslave us." He shouts back.  "I will...." Something catches his eyes, and he thrusts it away.  "We do not give up our servants.  They are low men, unworthy."

"And now you die..." The man with the gun says as he reaches for his weapon.

I say, ((from Col 1:24)) "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body—for the sake of his body, the church—what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ." I give praise to God that he has allowed such a display, and ask that he hear the cry of the blood that has been spilled and bring justice through love and mutual protection against the greater evil until even that greater evil can be welcomed with loving arms into the Kingdom.

To the one who tried to silence me, I say, "May Yahweh bless you with an ever opening heart of love."



"If it is the will of Yahweh, then I welcome the fate." With gratitude, seeing the creature as a tool in the hands of my sovereign and loving God, I say, "Thank you for being the impetus that hastens me on."


I pay close attention to what that might be.



"The God of the entire multiverse emptied himself of all Godly power to become the most humble of people possible - the almighty God of the armies of Heaven loves the underdog and the lowly servant."



I pray that the gun malfunction as I stand in front of the weapon between the Ambassador and the Tarin, facing the Tarin and projecting all of my love toward him. I remember when my brother became very angry with my sister - she was making fun of him and humiliating and emasculating him until he couldn't handle it any more. He went into my parents bedroom and took the loaded rifle from the gun cabinet and cocked the rifle and told her he was coming for her. I stood between them and placed the barrel of the gun on my chest pointed at my heart as I poured my love for my brother and my sister into every word as I explained that I couldn't let him hurt himself by attacking her like that - I was willing to die to protect him from doing that to himself. He pulled the trigger, but the safety was on. After he pulled the trigger, his eyes changed as he realized what he had done and he put the gun down ((EDIT: I forgot, he let me take the gun from him)) and cried. This incident flashes through my memory as I see my little brother in the assassin.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Sat 14 May 2022.

In reply to Scord (msg # 134):

Your mouth continues to fill, and you fight through the throat burrs, as you did not pray for relief.  Instead the Shadow screams in utmost agony.

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

"Verser."  It snarls. "We will meet again. You will die again and again.  And each time as you cry in pain, I will laugh."

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

You're not sure what caught the eye of the ambassador.

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

"We are not Old Believers.  Your God is nothing against the Demons and Dragons which I can see with my own eye." He scoffs.  But then fear crosses his eye as the would be assassin who had been reconsidering changes his mind again to kill.

Then you step in front.

The assassin drops his gun weeping, and the Ik ambassador generates a sword of fire, but then suddenly the whole room is filled with Hard Light and the Shayan ambassador booms.

"DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!"  You find you can't move, and then you hear your ambassador say.  "Now, I know its not my jurisdiction, but I'm not going to stand for you murdering an unarmed man right in front of me.  And if you disagree, I'll be glad to challenge you to a duel.  Marine Scord, will you stand as my second?"  And now you can move.  But the room is still mostly filled with Hard Light with just enough room for people to move a bit around them.  The ambassador's eyes are blindingly bright, and you can feel power pouring off him.

"Then, though I will try to stop you, I will freely give you my pain as a gift of love."


OOC: That depends on a few things,
First, would I know what a duel is in this world?
What would the rules for a second be? If it is to ensure that the duel was carried out under honorable conditions, on a proper field of honor and with equally deadly weapons, then I would agree to be his second - and I would start praying to ensure that everything was honorable and honest.

In reply to Scord (msg # 136):

The Shadow screams in pain again, and is gone.

You've heard duelling mentioned in passing in class, and yes, that seems to be the gist of the deal.

To the ambassador, "Sir, I would be honored to stand as your second."

And I pay special attention to how he did that Hard Light magic, in case I don't get a chance to learn it from him or someone else directly.

Due to the Ik ambassador's comments and the contents of others, I begin to silently pray that, as in the time of Elijah, the Lord reveal the supremacy of faith in God over other sources of power in the coming years for everyone in this universe. I make this a prayer that I repeat silently every time I eat or drink, and upon waking and just before I sleep.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 137):

Sadly, the Ik ambassador refuses to duel, and rushes off with the rest of his entourage.

The Shayan ambassador from New Texas releases his Hard Light, and his eyes no longer blare.  He shrugs.

"Thanks for offering to stand second to me, Scord.  I think you can accompany me back to my ship as I'm pretty sure the negotiations have....'reached a pause' as we say in diplospeak.  After that, I can release you to go about your business, and I'll head back to New Texas."

The would be assassin is still there.

You've got some ideas about how the ambassador did the Hard Light thing.

"Thank you, sir. Sir, I think I should tell you what transpired back there in the silent spaces..." I tell him everything the Tarin told me, the contents of msg #131, 133, and I fill him in on information about the coming umbral creature and the shadow creature that attacked me earlier that I haven't already revealed to him. "I figured it would be best if you knew this - I don't know if it will help, but I wanted to let you know."



While I'm still with him, I ask the Ambassador, "If you have time, would you mind teaching me how you did that Hard Light thing?" I may be able to figure it out on my own, but it would probably be safer with a bit of help.

In reply to Scord (msg # 140):

"You've attracted the attention of something unpleasant indeed.  Let me check...."  His right hand glows, and he studies your body from sole to scalp in that light.  "I don't see a curse wound into you.  Now I could be wrong, or it could be of a type I'm ill equipped to stop like Dream.  But the creatures of Shadow are liars.  You would not be the first man who heard a false threat from one of them. And it would be highly difficult to do such if the being was trying to reach across time at the same time.  Complications can be multiplicative as to difficulty.  Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Lets go back to my ship first." He says after your request.  Once in his ship, he takes you to the cargo bay, and shows you how to make a looping matrix which resists change.  "Light must move.  So attempting to lock light in place without time magic should fail, or be extremely hard.  But you can bounce and bend light, and you can keep light on its course.  This matrix will resist being changed.  And so will lock about everyone you can see, or you can imagine."

He sighs.

"Now there are two more things.  One, if you imagine, and it does not match reality, you're going to be in trouble as your spell will backlash. Two, this is a powerful spell which takes considerable strength.  I doubt you can manage more than a second right now before it fades."

"Basically, but there's a few things I don't understand. For one, what you just did with your hand over my body - that's new to me and I'd also like to learn how to do that, if I'm not being too greedy with your time. I also don't know anything about Dream, other than ordinary dreams and an ancient form of dream interpretation involving Jungian therapy. I know a tiny bit about creatures of Shadow, but not much other than what I've seen and already told you. I'm pleased to learn that it was likely lying. It makes sense that cursing someone across time would be difficult to accomplish."



Before I begin, I explain what I'm about to do, just in case I've gotten some part wrong or misunderstood - better to avoid a botch if I can.

I've looked at my hand many times and even drawn it a number of times, sometimes with pencil, pen, paint and even clay sculptures, so I'm confident that I can imagine my hand with fair clarity. So I focus on a small area directly around my hand. I focus my mind, keeping the area in my imagination and in my sight, and try to bounce and bend and direct the matrix of light in the area to resist change.

Afterward, "Do I need to keep the area in my imagination if I can see it? Or just if I can't see it?"

He smiles gently.

"Patience, son. Patience.  While that spell does not take a lot of power, it does take a lot of skill.  You need a lot of practise before you're even ready to start learning how to examine someone's life field."  In other words, no.  "Dream is one of the eight areas of magic. Light, Fire, and so on."

A faint flicker of Hard Light blooms around your hand, and is gone in far less than a second.  And you stagger exhausted.  Catching your breath, you realize  you know how to d o it.  Just you need a lot of improvement.  In fact, you can already see ways to do better.

1@1 Hard Light. (Near minimal success roll).

"You got it.  As to your other question, only what you can't see.  Now, Mr. Scord, I'll drop a letter to your command, and brief them on your experiences and performance, which I found exemplary, btw, and now I have to say goodbye.  But feel free to come to New Texas.  I'll take you out to my ranch, and you can try to bull ride an aurochs if you like."

He offers a hand to shake, and then ushers you to the door.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Sat 25 June 2022.

"Thank you, Bill! If I get the chance, I will take you up on that offer."


I shake it and take my leave.

Having been freed from my duties to the Shayan Marines for this mission, ((unless I'm mistaken)) I make my way to the most logical place to begin to find transport to the Hand of Dinis - my fellow marines. I ask them how I could get there from here.

EDIT:
If they are reluctant or don't know, I make my way to a common area where locals and civilians could mingle, and I ask around (praying for God to lead me).
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Tue 19 July 2022.

In reply to Scord (msg # 144):

They make you tell them what happened as they heard something happened, but not what.  And then they take you to a shuttle pilot they know, and ask him to fit you in to a group going to the Hand.

He's a local, but a friend to the Marines.

"Eh, sure. I'll have him ride up here as copilot.  Its a simple trip.  At least for me.  For the magic seekers not so much."

There is a group of ten magic seekers in the back, and four guides.

So I fill them in on all the details that I can.

I also take stock of my inventory to get an idea of what I'll have to defend myself with when I get there.


((1@10 Soul Healing))
I thank the Marines for everything, and ask them if I can pray for them. If they accept my offer, I bless them with a prayer, "May the God of Peace bless you and give you God's peace. May you be well in mind body and spirit. May you be loved." Praying in tongues afterward as I feel lead.


"Thank you for the ride! I really appreciate this."


If possible, I chat up the seekers and the guides to get a better idea of how to prepare myself.

In reply to Scord (msg # 146):

The Marines appreciate the prayer, and you don't feel led to speak in tongues afterwards.

One of the guides repeats a mantra in a bored tone.

"This is dangerous. You may die, or be captured, or be seriously injured. You take these risks of your own free will.  The local beings, demons, are insectile bipedal in appearance, and have multi part skin armor.  This may be pierced at joining spots. On the average, an adult human in good condidtion is stronger physically and can run faster than a demon.  However, the danger is not one, but a thousand.  The ideal method is to get in, get empowered, and then run like crazy for the spaceship as a thousand demons chase you.  Hopefully you are not discovered getting in, which is why the shuttlecraft lands so far away.  You WILL be discovered when you contact the power field.  You may choose to back out at any moment until you set foot on the Hand and try another day.  After that, the shuttlecraft is closed except for returnees and dropouts.  You dropout, and you can try again, in five years. Any other questions?"

You can practically see his pain under thetone.  He's taken too many cargo shuttles full of  bright eyed seekers and returned with broken, battered returnees in a half empty shuttle.

Part of me wonders why the 'demons' are volatile. That part wonders if they are sentient, and if they could be reasoned with. But that is not my place or purpose at the moment. My purpose is to obtain this new power. Perhaps my purpose will change with the circumstances, but for now I proceed as planned.

"Should we stay separate to minimize our chances of being seen, or work together?"


1@10 Soul Healing
I silently pray for him, and if I get a chance, I mention, "Thank you for doing this. I know we are risking our lives, but we have made our choice and you are helping us to get what we need or want in as safe a way as you are able. I pray that my God will bless you and comfort you with the knowledge of how much good you are doing."

As we get closer to the drop-point, I pray with Faith that we will have God's protection and help - especially those who are destined to fight against EDM and the sources of evil in this universe.

In reply to Scord (msg # 148):

Their team leader quickly replies. "We've had some training together. You can't come with us. Sorry."

===========

You speak to the pilot and he thanks you, looking much healthier afterwards.

The ship lands, and the others bolt out silently as they can.

I wait and watch which way the other team departs. If they are silent, skilled and are eliminating threats as they go to clear their path, I'll follow at a distance to take advantage of the cleared path. If they are leaving the path dangerous, I'll make my own way, trying to stay well hidden, and avoid being surprised. As I begin, I pray for God's guidance and Holy Spirit to lead my every move, focusing on gratitude to my precious YHWH for bringing me to where I am.

If I come across a deadly creature, I'll prepare myself to either use the object-freezing light-locking ability or else shape hard-light into a razor-sharp disk that I can use like a mind-piloted mobile laser blade or something. I'll also make sure my weapon is ready to use.

My goal will be to avoid confrontation and minimize harm, even to the creatures.

In reply to Scord (msg # 150):

They are trying very hard to avoid threats so you go on your way.

You set out on your own path across the stony plain aiming toward the mountain with teh caves down to the source in the distance.  As you walk over a smooth curving rise, it suddenly cracks like a gun shot underneath you, and you drop about three inches.  You're startled, but not hurt.

Looking at it, it seems like a stone covered bubble with very thin stone.  Looking about you realize you're surrounded by these bubbles or blisters in stone.  But there are paths between them.  The problem now is you made a lot of noise.

As you pray, confusion seems to plague your thoughts.  Not helping is that the gravity seems to be about 3/5ths of what you're used too, and there are occasional moments when gravity seems to partially bend in odd directions like to the side....not wholly so you don't go flying, but about 1/10 of normal gravity.

You do not see anyone rushing toward you right now.

OOC: Bad scouting roll, botch on prayer, and due to this world spaceship and previous ones, you gain +@3 to walking as you've now experienced walking in different gravities.