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Episodes 2-4 Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next   (currently a favorite of )    Storygames Home -> -> Fabled Island - COMPLETE View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:25 pm    Post subject: Episodes 2-4 Kalanna Rai wrote: I personally want to go down to the docks and look for the old man selling secrets...maybe I can trick him into revealing something. Also call me Fir people...or Jenn...or Stokesy. For convenience, the old man's advice can be easily accessed at the FITH (Fabled Island Trading House) in the Market Bizarre. Just send the fables like before and pick three treasures you want clues to. If you want to try to trick him, I will put the option on the poll. That or I can write another chapter assuming you're on a fact finding mission, and well have a poll later. Just give me a general consensus. Donkeys are available at the FITH (click the F at the top of the thread), if you decide to buy one D or Cren. Sorry you didn't like the eyes gag, D-Lotus. Thought it might help to reiterate that the map's features are mostly exaggerated to characterize certain areas, and I was just fooling around. I was more worried what Cren would think about being portrayed so accurately. Anything that costs Fables is going to be in FITH. I'm constantly updating the lists, so keep an eye on it if you want the new stuff. Thanks for your speedy responses! You've helped the story truly launch. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Last edited by Lebrenth on Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:39 pm; edited 4 times in total Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:30 am    Post subject: I think that the best thing to do to start off with is to set up a base of operations. The church is my personal vote for headquarters, but that's up to consensus. A good solid place to coordinate from seems like a logical place to start, though. _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:54 am    Post subject: reply Great start Leb, I personally, as a scrounger, will buy a donkey and wander, while taking all my food and water off chia. We should do what china said, spread out. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:52 am    Post subject: Re: reply Smudger wrote: Great start Leb, I personally, as a scrounger, will buy a donkey and wander, while taking all my food and water off chia. We should do what china said, spread out. My ears are open to suggestions for individual actions, but I must emphasize that this game must be run on a group level. An action as distinct as stealing (ok, extended borrowing) from another participant is going to start other individual actions, such as retaliation, and next thing you know, we're playing an RPG that can't be allowed in the SG section. There's two things you have direct control of: your character's conversation between story segments, and purchasing or selling at FITH. Otherwise all actions need to be put to vote. I can't resist putting: "Let Lawrence take Chia's food and water" on the poll, but unless it gets a majority vote, it won't happen (and there's at least one person who won't like that idea, and might hold it against you). Realistically, if the group disagreed with Lawrence's action, they would put a stop to it anyway. In fact, while we're waiting for suggestions, why don't we take a quick inbetween poll about your character, Smudger? If I ever get a forum dedicated to this story it should be easier to give everyone more control, but we'll have to make do for now. Quote: I personally want to go down to the docks and look for the old man selling secrets...maybe I can trick him into revealing something. Also call me Fir people...or Jenn...or Stokesy. I think you've made a good balance of group decision and individual decision with your message Rai, as long as you realize that the group still makes all decisions together. If the vote goes in favor of spreading out for information, there's no conflict if you go to find the old man with the secrets. However, if the group votes "Focus on making a headquarters first", then your character is compelled to go with the will of the majority. One last word on "Spreading Out", it's cool if you do, and sensible. But if "spreading out" comes to "splitting up", I must stop you. It would be too confusing and time consuming to let the group go entirely different directions... say more than 2 miles from each other. Scooby Doo-ing sounds great though, so no worries yet. I hope this isn't getting too complicated.... This is a new way of SGing that might take some adaptation. I'll make a really clear and simple set of rules soon, and if there's any questions, please ask. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:54 pm    Post subject: voted, and winning! -edit-I give rai and chinaren permission to use the dkney Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:37 pm    Post subject: Second poll for FI Sorry Smudger, at 6 to 0 when I closed the poll, it seems there isn't any tolerance for borrowing. Ok, next poll! With either option I'll make sure you have more information to work with and I'll introduce the two new treasure hunters as well as a few hirelings. This poll is about what you're more worried about. Do you want to spend extra time on checking out the harbor city or more time on setting up the place you'll be sleeping and keeping your extra stuff? The next chapter is going to sweep you off your feet! I consider that last one a sort of introduction. If we can get a quick majority (just 5) we can move to the next chapter faster. ... Ah, the advantage to know exactly how many voters there are. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:22 pm    Post subject: I think we have enough to move on and be dazzled . I wouldn't make promises like that, though. Taste is too subjective. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:46 pm    Post subject: Fabled Island, episode 2 JINKIES “All right then, we’ll break up and see what we can learn here,” Thomas says. “I’ll go to The Blue Swashbuckler and ‘mingle’.” “Can you take me to the old man with the secrets for sale?” Jim asks Father Charles. “Of course.” “I’ll go with you,” Jenn says. “Maybe I can get a little extra out of him.” “I need a donkey,” Lawrence says and bites into a biscuit. “Hey where’d you get that?” Chia says. “I just took it from your chest, you don’t mind do you?” he says. “Larry, get over here!” Chia says point at a spot on the ground in front of her. Lawrence casually works over, a little confused. “Hold out your hand!” And he does and she smacks it. “Ow! Why’d you do that?” “You need to stay out of our stuff,” Thomas says. “You can get your own food like the rest of us.” “Come on now,” Lawrence says. “No!” Chia says, swiping her biscuit back, and throwing it in the trees. Lawrence sighs and stands there. “You deserved it.” “What about the others?” Ross says with his even brass voice. Everyone looks at each other. “Didn’t anyone remember to let them out?” Jim asks and everyone looks a little embarrassed, except Lawrence, who is too busy looking for the discarded biscuit. “I’ll get them,” Jenn says in frustration but in truth happy for the opportunity to use her skills. ****************************************** Back in the lava dome, Father Charles, Jim, and Jenn reboard the ship. As expected, no one has the key to the brig so Jenn takes the lockpicks from her hair and goes below deck. Ethan Gerry, the hunter and the one who gave the sailors the most trouble when getting locked up, stands beside Aspi the spearwoman, whose voice has gone hoarse from yelling to try to get attention. The other two treasure hunters lay pallidly on the ground. Jenn unlocks the door quickly. “You need to teach me that trick,” Ethan says in a low voice. “What’s with them?” Jim asks. “They’re dead,” Ethan says and passes them. “Dear God,” Father Charles says in shock and begins praying over them. “I wouldn’t get too close,” Ethan says. “The fever killed them. I guess this means the treasure goes 8 ways instead of 10.” “Was it really the fever that killed them?” Jenn asks accusingly. Ethan turns long enough to smile, then collects his things and goes up top. “Are you all right?” she asks Aspi, whose face is flushed and nervous. She’s sweating and looking down as she hesitantly nods. She takes a firm grip of her spear, breathing deeply and occasionally coughing. The father’s prayers cease. Father Charles takes it upon himself to arrange the funeral, telling the others where they can find the old man. Ethan leaves without pause or explanation. ~************************************~ Lawrence pats the neck of his donkey as he walks alongside him down the road. “You’re supposed to ride them,” Chia says brusquely as she passes him on her donkey, riding sidesaddle. “That’s ok, I want him to get used to me first,” he replies. “Did you find anything out?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Chia says smartly. In truth the islander who sold the donkey to her seemed to be immune to her charms, and besides upsetting her, she found out nothing from him except the donkey’s name is Koko. Lawrence didn’t get any information but he made a friend, Nasala, who gave him a nice harness for his donkey, lovingly named Slowpoke. ~*************~ Ross quickly makes a bed by a small alcove and tucks his things beside it before catching up with Thomas. Together they go to the Blue Swashbuckler. The somewhat small tavern is crowded but invitingly lively until Ross and Tom go inside. It quickly ices over, the patrons looking grim and challenging. Tom keeps walking, and knocks on the counter, though the bartender is clearly staring at him. Ross stays quiet and meets hostility with hostility, cracking his knuckles at his sides and daring anyone to come close enough to feel his iron fists. “Two beers,” Thomas says, not yet feeling threatened enough to be nervous. “And another of whatever this man is having.” The lean man beside him accepts with the smallest of nods. Ross drinks quickly and spits on the floor. Thomas takes his time, as though he really only came to the tavern to drink and nothing more. Eventually the room gets bored of staring at them and they start muttering. The muttering grows to talking and the talking rises to the former ruckus. “Another load of treasure hunters off the boat eh?” asks the lean man beside him, who wears an old military belt but has hair like Conan. “It’s true,” Thomas says disinterestedly. “They come and go. You’ll wish you never heard of Gadiri.” “It doesn’t seem so bad. Nice little tavern you have here.” “The tavern’s the good part of the island. You won’t get anywhere out there without help?” “You know where I can find help?” “I know a few things that will keep you alive, but I don’t give good advice for free.” “I’m listening.” “For 65 Fables I could show you myself what I mean.” “Is this for information or services.” “Services, and don’t offer me a cut of the treasure. If you don’t have the money, I don’t have any time to waste on you.” “Are you worth it?” “You can’t afford to not find out.” “All right, deal.” “Jeremy Fisher,” he says offering his hand and the deal is done. “Now how about that information?” Tom asks. Jeremy stands and goes outside with the treasure hunters, careful to keep his secrets as best as he can. As they walk, Jeremy’s voice deepens. “Have you heard of Bulletproof Juice?” “Only that it’s on the island.” “It’s a potion the natives used to make, made a man’s skin rock hard, even enough to stop a bullet. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and had it in my own pack. I was with the crew when we found it in an old native village north of Akala. We knew what it was and we left right away to try to take it back… but there’s something not right about that bamboo forest. “We didn’t believe it was haunted before, but we kept hearing voices… our compass kept changing direction. We could watch it spin back and forth as though following something beyond our sight. We kept trying to find our way… we looked for our tracks and tried to climb to see where we were, but nothing helped. We spent the entire day trying to find a way out, even though the bamboo forest is only a few square miles. “When night came and the rocs came out, our matches and our flint wouldn’t work. We couldn’t light our torches or shoot a bullet. We kept going in the dark and every few minutes we stopped and counted off to make sure we didn’t lose anyone. Except we did. About every half hour someone was missing. We started with 12 men and eventually there were only three of us. “I don’t know why, but suddenly we were let out. We found the Ogona trees and we knew we’d finally escaped. We lit a torch and tried to figure out where we were, and we found out all at once…. Do you know what a skiper mondey is?” “No.” “It’s about the size of an orangutan… do you know what that is?” “Actually I do.” “It’s strong enough to rip a man’s arm off, and it’s faster than a horse when it’s in the trees. They have three-foot-long claws that are barbed like harpoons. They use them to swing and to catch prey, and they aren’t below eating a man. Even a dead mondey can hold onto you if he gets his barbs on you. “When the mondeys came after us we knew we were in their territory, but after everything that happened, we couldn’t think straight. We ran like children and they tore the others apart. One of them jumped down on me and caught my pack. I had to take it off or I’d be dead with them. In the end, I just got lucky getting back alive. “I’ve thought about that night a lot and I’ve got a good idea where I was when I lost the juice. I haven’t been with a crew who wanted to go into skiper mondey territory, but if that’s what you want, I’ll show you where it is.” “We’ll have to talk to the others,” Thomas says ponderously. ~*************~ Finding the old man turns out to be a lot more difficult than Jim expected, since the directions included “a large tree” and there are many large trees. Luckily they find a man named Juan Marcos to help them. Juan Marcos a young man with dark eyes, quiet but also patient and accommodating. Jenn’s caustic personality doesn’t upset him in the least, besides that he knows his way around. She’s convinced he’s worth keeping around and hires him with a two-month advance. He takes them straight to the old man. “He should have said ‘Large DEAD tree,’” he says to himself. The tree isn’t really large as much as fat, and it is black and decaying. A bamboo ladder is propped up out of reach and requires the old man’s help in retrieving it. He comes out with sparse wispy hair on his dark head. Those that remain of his teeth are crocked and his eyes are blurry and askew from each other. His clothes are thread bare in many place, showing the wrinkled, blemished skin beneath. As they sit on an old hay-filled cushion inside the small tree hut, they notice he does not look at them or at anything. It is dark except for a single beam of light that shines on him. “5 Fables,” he says unevenly. Jim holds it out, but the man does not react, so he sets it on the small table loudly. The man fumbles and till he feels it in his hand. “What do you want to know?” Jim asks about the white skiper mondey, the cross of Malathaea, and Heart of Akala. The answers are brief and cryptic, but Jim commits them to memory by repeating them to himself, with Jenn’s help. Then they awkwardly leave the hut and return to see what the others learned. Chia greets them and immediately offers Jenn a room at the Inn in town, along with Thomas and the reclusive Ethan Gerry, but very pointedly not to Lawrence. Lawrence is unconcerned, deciding the jungle looks nice enough. She also decided to buy a rowboat, which waits for her on the docks. The group unites and exchanges information, including Lawrence who gives a brief explanation of the general features, starting in the northwest corner and looping back around: “This was a city called Paradise. A few years ago, raiders from another island came and killed and burned everything and now the natives say it’s cursed. A little girl named Sylvie was lost, and her mother thinks she’s still alive and offering a reward.” “Sylvie’s a cat,” Jeremy Fisher says. “You heard wrong.” “Well, the lady said it was a girl.” “Whoever told you is wrong,” Jeremy says strongly. “You want us to go around chasing a cat, if it’s even still alive?” “… Er, this is the bamboo forest. It’s haunted, but I guess you knew that? This is the skipper monday territory, where the big evil eyes are.” “Skiper mondey,” Jeremy corrects. “Over here is Lake Winiup, down here is the lava field, this ring and these little gate looking things are called ‘Sky Stones’, this cave is the harbor, that’s the lighthouse, that waterfall is called Noburu’s Veil, and that ship in the water is actually still there on the rocks. It was called the ‘Spice Runner’ and it’s supposed to have stuff in it still. OH, and that spot’s a cemetery, just south of Paradise.” “What’s this?” Thomas asks pointing to the fortress on Noburu’s shoulder. Jeremy jumps in. “Connelly Keep. It’s been abandon for over 20 years. It’s where the rocs have built their aeries.” “I see. Anything else?” Thomas asks. Ethan considers whether to speak. Aspi, still practically voiceless, watches him ponder, but no one else notices. He smirks at her and folds his arms determinedly, so the group begins the debate…. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Last edited by Lebrenth on Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:38 pm; edited 5 times in total Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:06 pm    Post subject: Well, I say we go to the city and try and find this girl/kitten. We need to explore anyway, and we may as well start where there is a possibility of a reward. What say ye comrades? Oh, and good chapter Lebs. You are really putting some work into this one! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:10 pm    Post subject: Hmmm, the introduction of the new characters is a bit choppy, but under the circumstances, its the best you could have done. I'm still having an uneasy time figuring out who the characters are, perhaps there wasn't enough description or depth in the introduction for me to have personalities associated to them in my mind. I think I have them all now, though. I can see that Lawrence, Ethan, Fisher, and Chia are developing personalities. The rest are somewhat ambigious. I think the best part of this story is the Decision point. So many choices, fellow adventurers! Ah, the quest for the treasure. Excitement pulses in my veins. Anyway, I think we should we should check out Noburu's veil. It might start us off in some clue, and anyway its in the direction of Paradise. If not, then we should search for the Heart of Akala in the "bloodlines", or what I think is the lava plains. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:42 am    Post subject: re Me & Lotus are agreed on the DP, waterfall and Spice Runners treasure. Great chapter Lebby, I like Lawrence and his loyal friend Slowpoke, quality name. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:15 am    Post subject: D-Lotus wrote: I'm still having an uneasy time figuring out who the characters are, perhaps there wasn't enough description or depth in the introduction for me to have personalities associated to them in my mind. I think I have them all now, though. I can see that Lawrence, Ethan, Fisher, and Chia are developing personalities. The rest are somewhat ambigious. I think the best part of this story is the Decision point. So I've been cornered at last. I must admit I've always been more wrapped up in the plot than the characters. I've realized the importance of their symbiosis and I continue to focus on improving my vignettes. This story is actually an excellent exercise for that with so many characters and limited space to describe them. I plan to continue developing the characters, as their characteristics become more apparent. I can't really go back and start over so I hope you'll bear with me. And let this be a warning! Anyone else who criticizes my writing will be carefully considered and replied to politely. I'm very interested in improving my writing and making this SG as entertaining as I can. Feedback is the best way for me to learn, so I might even thank you. In D-Lotus's case, we've got a history of being snooty to each other, so I'm not going to thank him for it. Thanks for the favorable comments everyone (even D-Lotus), now how long do we think we should take suggestions before moving to the next poll? I would honestly write another chapter right now if I could, but I don't want to leave anyone behind. How about 4 days? _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:53 pm    Post subject: I must say, I really like your writing. I mean theyre's always room for improvement, for everyone, even *dare I say it* GARTH NIX could be a better writer (blasphemous as that sounds) And about only some of he charactors being developed-Do you know everything about every charactor by the second chapter in books you read? I think it's GOOD to have to wait to figure them out. Of course, that doesnt mean you should keep us in the dark about the charactors. Just dont feel rushed to give them IMMEDIATE depth is all im saying. I think this story is going to be really good! Maybe it could be nominated for the golden bagel... Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:42 am    Post subject: Quote: Anyone else who criticizes my writing will be carefully considered and replied to politely. You monster. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 3:17 pm    Post subject: I thought the lava fields sounded interesting, but purely from a distance. Realistically speaking, searching for the catgirl sounds best. Plus, as someone mentioned, we need to explore more. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:07 pm    Post subject: i think that we should go for the cat thing. Back to top Author Kalanna Rai Assassin for Hire Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3102 Location: The Frozen North Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:20 am    Post subject: I am developing a character...I'm a sneaky sarcastic person with a heart of gold...that I keep locked in a safe incase Lawrence tries to scrounge it. Lets go fine Catgirl, I'm feeling up for an adventure. Nice touch with the lockpicks Lebby. _________________ "It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..." "Music makes you braver." Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:42 pm    Post subject: Poll for FABLED ISLAND Guess what! It's time for the poll for the next segment! As before, I will keep the poll running for a few days or until we have a clear majority, which is easy since we know the number of voters. IMPORTANT! If there's anything more you want to buy, better do it soon! When the treasure hunters leave Gadiri Harbor, the shop CLOSES. Purchases will not be accepted until the crew returns. Similarly! Treasures can only be sold in Gadiri Harbor, so there will be no payments until the shop opens again. The treasure doesn't just transform into Fables, it has to be sold. Thanks for your support! Happy hunting! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:14 pm    Post subject: looking foreward to it! Back to top Author Kalanna Rai Assassin for Hire Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3102 Location: The Frozen North Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:51 am    Post subject: I have the sneaking suspicion that 'Paradise' is going to be more like 'Purgatory'...Do I really have enought knives for this? _________________ "It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..." "Music makes you braver." Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:34 am    Post subject: FI, Ep. 3, Elusive Treasures Episode 3. Elusive Treasures “The catgirl is at least a somewhat solid lead and we need to explore,” Thomas says. A few don’t entirely agree, but no one opposes. “All right then, we should get going.” The crew breathes and checks their packs. Lawrence sighs at his pack which is empty of food except some sort of a beetle that climbed in. He crunches it in his mouth and swallows without relish. Ross collects his equipment as though the church was on fire and stands impatiently ready at the door. “Wait, aren’t we going to stay at the tavern tonight?” Chia asks. She’s responded with shrugs. She spent money on rooms, but the treasure hunters have spent enough time sleeping on the voyage to the island. It’s time to see some of that fabled treasure. “All right,” Thomas says when everyone is together. “We’re going to keep a head count to make sure we don’t lose anybody.” “1,” he starts, pointing at himself with one hand and hold his rifle with the other. “2,” he points at Jenn, who wears a sly smile. “3,” he points at Lawrence, the only person to be ready before Ross because he had nothing to pack. “4,” he points at Ross, who looks like he’s staring down an opponent at all times, even when sleeping, and who has already begun curling his pack to build his biceps while he’s waiting for everyone. “5,” he points at Jim, spread out on a pew like a blanket with his feet kicked up on the pew ahead. “6,” he points to the lovely Chia, who is currently deciding which outfit would look best in the jungle. “7,” he points to the temporarily mute Aspi with a spear taller than she is and a determined face that shows how badly she wants to use it. “… Where’s Ethan?” “He likes to disappear,” Jenn says indifferently. The doorway darkens as he returns. No one asks where he was. “That’s 8. Then we’ve got Jeremy here, he’s a veteran skirmisher who’s been on the island for a while. Our other quiet friend, Juan Marcos, knows the jungle better than the rest of us and no doubt will prove himself valuable. And Father Charles, our liaison and the host who is letting us stay in his church, will join us. So that makes 11 in all, plus two donkeys. Are we ready?” The crew finally assembles and ambles out of the door. An old road lined with lava rock shows the way. They pass the fields of sugarcane and flooded paddies of rice, all separated by flimsy bamboo fences, then the jungle swallows the treasure hunters and Gadiri Harbor’s scraps of civilization vanish. The sounds of the jungle buzz, click, murmur and howl all around. Juan takes the lead with a blade casually in hand. Every rustling leaf grabs the treasure hunters’ attention and the mystery of what lies just beyond the first row of trees tantalizes and frightens. The veterans know that it is only the beginning. Fallen trees and wild leafy plants try to reclaim the road to Paradise, but footprints and slashed branches suggest there are still a few people who are interested in taking the dangerous route. After several miles, Jim breaks the silence, “Shouldn’t we head west? We could see Noburu’s Veil on the way. We did say we wanted to explore, right?” “There is a path that is faster and safer than cutting through the jungle,” Juan Marcos says. “It can take you there, but it will take us longer to get to Paradise.” “We did say we wanted to explore,” Jim says. The adventurers generally agree with exploring, if not extensive searching, so they agree to take the long route. Tumbled lava rocks spread out on the right, thinning the jungle and letting the adventurers look up at the peak of Noburu, which looks like a broken tooth from this angle. Around the north slope the edge of the fortress appears and slowly grows. The road climbs, then dips. The trees shorten with their roots more exposed. The ground around the road becomes soggy with innumerous squirming things accompanying a light but ubiquitous smell of decay. Ahead, the road becomes a platform a few inches above a thin layer of water. When it goes back to the ground, there is a diverging path to the west. The signpost lies vandalized on the ground, but Juan Marcos does not hesitate to go west, nor does he waste words explaining why. The path is narrower and unlined. At some points it disappears altogether, then reappears for no apparent reason. Abruptly, you exit the jungle. The path has led you onto a shelf of solid lava rock. The cracked black rock has the patterns of a flowing river and only a few very thin grasses and flowers grow anywhere on it. You overlook a wide area from this vantage point. Below there is a lagoon, with many graceful and colorful birds gliding over its surface. Some of them dive suddenly into the water to catch fish, some of them swoop in tight circles catching insects, others only lazily drift from tree branch to tree branch eating nuts and fruits. You can hear Noburu’s Veil, but you can only see the river feeding it from here. You follow Juan who follows the waypoints of stacked rocks till it reaches the edge. There the path dives in tight switchbacks to the bottom. Leaving the donkeys up top, the adventurers literally climb down the craggy path to a platform below. The platform is 5 feet over the calm water clogged with water lilies and lotus plants. It takes the adventures a hundred and fifty yards into the lagoon and gives them an inspiring view of the cascading waterfall, its white water dashes against the rocks and sprinkles onto the lagoon. It’s beautiful, but there doesn’t seem to be anything there. The most obvious feature to look for, a cave behind the falls, doesn’t look possible from this angle, but might justify a closer look. “Pretty,” Chia says. “I knew I should have brought my boat.” “There’s nothing here but alligators,” Jeremy says, and as though waiting for a cue, a large splash occurs and an alligator plunges a crowned heron under the water. Suddenly it becomes clear that a lot of the ‘logs’ floating around in the lagoon are actually alligators trolling the waters. “There’s a boat out there,” Thomas says, seeing it as he gauges how likely it would be to shoot all of the alligators. The boat looks as though being held up by the water lilies around it. “Be my guest,” Lawrence says with a grin, welcoming him to swim out to it. “I’ll get it,” Ross says, stepping up to the edge. “Whoa! Hold it, we don’t have time right now. We’re going to find that girl cat, remember?” Thomas says grabbing hold of Ross’s shoulder. Ross’s severe look tells Thomas he should remove his hand. He does and prepares himself to shoot alligators, but Ross was persuaded and Thomas lets down his guard. “All right, so unless someone has something to say, I think it’s time we moved on.” “I think we should go see the Spice Runner instead,” Lawrence says. “We’re almost there!” “I think we’re done here,” Jenn says as though Lawrence said nothing. The group acts similarly. “Well I thought it was a good idea,” Lawrence says to himself. Backtracking doesn’t take long. The jungle makes the day into night as they venture deeper, and the sounds they’ve heard all day seem more malevolent. A few indulgent stops for resting and eating slow the pace somewhat, but make up for themselves with renewed energy. Lawrence stays ahead with Juan, constantly asking questions about the jungle, particularly about what’s edible, and every time the group stops, he borrows Juan’s attention for a minute to try to dig up something to feed his aching hunger. Surprisingly, the jungle darkens; surprising because it seemed too dark already. A few of the anxious hunters find the idea of sleeping in the jungle extremely unsettling, but they are relieved when they make it out again as dusk settles in. The remaining light is enough to see Paradise in its shattered state, but only vaguely at this distance. To the left, and much nearer, a stone enclosure… a cemetery. “We should camp,” Juan says at the brink of the jungle. He goes back into the trees and takes off his camp, with others following slowly, still taking in the view and feeling the warm breeze. So far, they’ve abided the temperature of the island fairly well, but with the shade of the jungle canopy they can’t claim to have seen the worst of it. “Ethan, where are you going?” Thomas asks. “There’s plenty of light. I’m going to see the cemetery.” “Take someone with you,” Thomas says, but Ethan is not listening. Regardless, Ross goes out too, but for his own reasons. Jenn unpacks and hurries to catch up. It’s best to not leave the scariest of the treasure hunters alone, she reasons. She notices the distance they keep from each other as they enter the cemetery. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:35 am    Post subject: Brace yourself, I have another one coming! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:37 am    Post subject: FI, Ep. 3.5, Paradise Found Episode 3.5, Paradise Found “I don’t need your help,” Ethan says at the open gate. “I’m not offering it,” Ross says without pause. They go opposite directions amongst the extravagant tombstones, monuments, and crypts. It takes several minutes for Jenn to enter behind them. With so many statues and structures, she can’t see more than a few yards, except for down the two crossing center aisles. Neither Ross nor Ethan can be seen from the center, so she begins wandering. The remaining light fails fast, so she lights one of her torches, which works better for looking inside the crypts anyway. Every single door in the cemetery was opened with rude force. She peers into the Wayne Family crypt and sees their coffins cracked open with their shriveled bodies cast upon the ground. They’re all like this, defiled without remorse, anything of value stripped away. There are a few open graves with broken coffins, but it seems the work of digging didn’t prove prosperous enough to be thorough. At least most of the graves are untouched. “Ross! Ethan!” she calls out. There is a gasp and a rustling. “Ross?” The rustling seems to be just a few yards away, but when she looks, there is nothing there… or is it farther up? She hurries to the next crypt. There is a blanket and a shovel just inside and she can hear someone running. Not knowing why, she chases after it, trying to get it within the sight of the torch. She dodges between the structures, keeping her ear turned to hear where it is going. It veers right when it reaches the wall. She’s falling behind. Ethan climbs a crypt, then perches on the shoulder of the angel statue on top. He heard Jenn, but didn’t care to join her till it seemed she found something. He can see her torch and the direction she’s running. If she’s chasing, he can get ahead of it, if she’s running away, he can hide as they pass, so he jumps down and runs to intercept, relying on his adjusted eyes to see the dim obstructions in the dark. A silhouette appears between Ethan and Jenn, and it is running frantically. Ethan draws his sword and waits like the statues around him. The silhouette seems to mistaken him as such, and Ethan easily kicks his leg out from under him, then steps down on his back to keep him from moving. Jenn soon catches up. “Ethan! What is it?” “It’s a man, I think. Hard to say since he was running from a woman.” She smacks Ethan’s back with the flat of her blade. He’s annoyed but he acts as if it was nothing. The figure on the ground breathes hard but doesn’t struggle. “Who are you?” Jenn says firmly. “No one to worry about,” he says. “I haven’t got anythin’ on me!” “Oh yeah?” Ethan says, deftly cutting the purse from the rope around the man’s waist. It has a few Fables in it, but nothing to get excited about so Jenn puts it back. “I’ll have that,” Ethan says seeing she has no interest. She ignores him. “What are you doing here?” Jenn asks. “What are you doing here?” the man answers. The meaning is understood. “Let him up,” Jenn says. Confident he could catch the man again if he wanted to, Ethan snatches the purse and steps back. The unarmed man stands. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be leavin’.” “Where’s your stash?” Ethan says. “Like I’d tell you, even if I had one. I haven’t found nothin’ worth keepin’, no rings or gold teeth or anythin’. The rich ones got fancy crypts, these daisy pushers got nothin’.” “Leave him alone, you see how he’s dressed. If he had treasure he wouldn’t be in rags.” “Thank you very much,” the man says indignantly. “He’s got something,” Ethan insists. “You’ve got all I have! You want my shoes too?” “Maybe.” “I’ve got nothin’ more to lose, so if you wants to keep me here, you’ll just have to tie me up, all right?” he says and walks away. Perhaps if Jenn wasn’t there, Ethan would literally do as suggested, but she stands between them defiantly. “Fine,” Ethan says lightly. “I think I’ll be going back now.” Jenn goes with him to make sure he does just as he says. The group is settled in with a few canvas sheets hanging over them in case it rains. Lawrence has taken Jenn’s things out and set up her bed and things carefully. She quickly checks to make sure nothing is missing, but every biscuit is accounted for. “What?” Lawrence says as she glares at him. He finishes chewing up a leaf Juan found for him. The taste isn’t any good, but the worse part is that it isn’t very filling. Thomas and Jeremy borrow the torch to find Ross, but they see him coming back before getting far. It doesn’t seem he found anything, but he doesn’t say so. He does a few rapid pushups before finding hard ground to sleep on. The roc’s shrill cries are especially loud on this side of the mountain, making it difficult to sleep, even with earplugs. One way or the other, the giant birds are above them, flying around looking for easy prey, and if you plug your ears, you won’t be able to hear other things that approach. Just a few hours after the rocs quiet down, Juan wakes everyone up. The city of Paradise, once an exotic getaway for the wealthy and influential, now only a treasure hunter’s paradise. The first year after it was burned and pillaged by island raiders, scavengers crawled through it like maggots. Many ships and soldiers were sent to deal with the raiders and to bring justice for the murder of many innocent lives, but no one was convinced the problem was taken care of. The nearby islands were burned and blood-soaked, but there was no sign of any of them having the means of causing the massacre. The ones who were truly to blame vanished, and with them every surviving citizen of Paradise. They didn’t care that they lost their homes and possessions; they never wanted to see the city, or even the island, ever again. And with nothing to defend, the Connelly Fortress was abandoned too, so every freebooter in the region tore through the place till it seemed only a few elusive prizes remained hidden. They gave up before finding them, but there are a few who know they still await discovery. To begin, the party goes in together. The main street must have been a sight in its day, but now the fountains no longer run and the gardens have been consumed by the native plants of many kinds but mostly vines with large thorns. The craftsmanship of the facades at Main Street speaks of masters working many long hours. The foundations stand proudly, though the buildings they represent have been gutted and fire licked. Off of Main Street, however, the buildings are a poorer stock for the working class. Farther in, right up to the beach to the north, the mansions and their massive estates spread the roads far apart. They too, it would appear, have been looted. “It looks like we’re a little late,” Thomas says, “but let’s spread out and see what we can, but make sure you take a partner.” He turns the comment towards Ethan and Ross, who are not listening. “Let’s meet back here at noon to check in.” Everyone wonders off in different directions. Lawrence is only concerned about food at this point and spends his time on the beach, shaking a coconut trees and throwing his net in the water to try to catch a fish. In passing, Jim gives Lawrence some tips, but they don’t quite catch. Jim continues down the beachfront with Father Charles, searching stores and such on his way to the tip of Gadiri. The rest pick different directions and investigate the mansions. An hour and a half after noon, with some waiting longer than others, the group reassemblies to report. “I didn’t catch anything,” Lawrence admits, “but I got a few coconuts!” He shares his load, which lightens the annoyance that he didn’t even try to find treasure. “I told you, you’ve got to bait the water,” Jim says. “I got nothing to bait it with!” “Use an urchin.” “A what now?” “I’ll show you later…. Oh, and we didn’t find any treasure, but we saw a sailboat on the docks.” “I know who it belongs to,” Ethan says. “They’re freebooters. Five of them. They were searching the west bank, one of them carried a box. They had muskets.” “I don’t know if we should cause trouble so soon,” Thomas says. No response just yet. “Well I found a secret door!” Chia says cheekily, Aspi gives her a cold look. “Oh, and Aspi helped.” “Which mansion?” Jeremy asks. “It said ‘Hampton’ at the gate.” “Was there anything in it?” Jim asks. “I don’t know. It’s locked and it has a little keyhole.” “Let’s go check it out,” Thomas says. The mansion looks like the rest: broken up, burned and looted. But for such an empty mansion, there are a lot of new tracks. Following them takes the treasure hunters through the cellar, to a pitted stone wall. There were once racks blocking it, but they have been torn down and now it is plain to see a keyhole and seams to a door. The small pits in the wall come from pickaxes, but the stone was unrelenting. “Let me handle this,” Jenn says, pulling out her lockpicks. The others watch as she works, but not quite as patiently as she. She does not get frustrated, but she’s having a very hard time understanding the mechanisms within as she feels around inside. After a half hour, the crew gets restless. At the turning of an hour, they start wandering the mansion. Aspi finds a torn portrait with a plaque that reads ‘Edgar Hampton’. The painter mercilessly painted hundreds of wrinkles on the old man, but the interesting parts of the painting are the strange metal amulet he wears and the cat with the silver collar in his arms. The amulet bears just enough resemblance to a key that it couldn't be a coincidence, though the angles are strange. The group takes turns looking at it. Thomas, with his keen eyes, seems to think he sees a faint inscription painted on the collar. “Sylvie,” he says to himself. No one else makes it out with as much certainty. “Keep looking around,” he says. The crew spreads out, except Jenn who continues with new hope, knowing what shape the key takes. In a few places, paw prints and dead rodents are found, but no one sees the cat itself after hours of searching. To break the tedium, and to get Lawrence to shut up about food, Jim takes Lawrence to go fishing. Father Charles goes with them, saying as he goes, “Perhaps on our way back we can see the church that once held the Cross of Malathaea.” “Good idea. You should have said something earlier.” Jenn gives her hands a rest. Though the painting gives her an idea what the key should look like, it doesn’t seem to make sense. Either it was painted wrong, or this is the wrong door… or it isn’t a key at all, just a strange ornament. In any case, she concludes that she doesn’t have the right tools for such an irregular lock and for that matter she doesn’t have as much practice with complicated locks. The end of the day comes with treasure hunters coming and going. Ethan continues to keep a close eye on the treasure hunters. Jim, Father Charles, and Lawrence come back with fish, but also speak of the church. The retable that used to hold the cross now only has an old and ruined painting in its place. The placement of the painting was deliberate, but isn’t very illuminating. It shows the scene of Malathaea carrying the cross at the head of the line of crusaders as they’re about to cross the Scera River to save the city of Gallanth. It’s in terrible condition and hardly a masterwork to boot so they left it in its place. “We might as well sleep here,” Thomas says, “but we should talk about what we should do tomorrow.” _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Last edited by Lebrenth on Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:18 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:22 pm    Post subject: Pretty good chapter. I liked it. I think we should find the freebooters and take whatever they found, or obtain info from them. Then steal their boat and sail over to the sunken ship. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author Kalanna Rai Assassin for Hire Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3102 Location: The Frozen North Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:12 pm    Post subject: Right well that door is frustrating but I'd like to see if someone can't bash it down instead of trying to pick the locks while another group trys to hunt down the cat girl...who it seems might have the key if the painting is correct. _________________ "It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..." "Music makes you braver." Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:45 pm    Post subject: I agree with both of those comments. The door obviously still holds something. Let Jenn keep working on it and the rest of is should ambush those others, both to get anything they have found and to stop them doing the same to us later. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:55 pm    Post subject: I want to ambush the freebooters. They may have something worth taking and they may not be there long. Chances are, if what's behind that door has waited this long, it can wait a few more hours. _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:16 am    Post subject: re I did have something to pack I'll let you know!!!! I bought a net!! Find the girl by the way, or cat, and find what's behined the door. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:12 am    Post subject: A bit of violence never hurt anyone, so I'd attack the freebooters. Or possibly try to hire them, and then attack them. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:04 am    Post subject: lordofthenight wrote: A bit of violence never hurt anyone, so I'd attack the freebooters. Or possibly try to hire them, and then attack them. Just for clarification, when you say "attack" do you mean kill or just subdue? More or less I'm asking if you want to murder them. Also a few details on the "how" aspect would be good for any of these propositions. There's so many ways you could go about attacking the freebooters, for instance. Lordy just suggested deceiving them before ambushing them, and I appreciate it. If you want me to just figure it out, I can do that too, but specific suggestions will at least save your characters time. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:41 am    Post subject: I want to hide in the bushes with my pistol and take shots at them from a distance. Shoot and move until all are dead. _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:08 am    Post subject: I was thinking of using Lawrence's net to trap them by entangling them in it, so that we can easily surround and disarm them. Then, we take anything they have and leave them tied up somewhere where there is some chance some one will come by. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:57 pm    Post subject: For instance, sending in some of the less aggressive party members - Lawrence, Chia - to engage in conversation. Quite possibly with an offer of hiring them as well. Worm some information out of them if they're good enough. Other party members - Ethan, Ross, Thomas ect circle round, and attack them. Probably killing a few, while leaving the leader alive to extract more information. And don't forget to take their gold/weapons as well. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:08 pm    Post subject: if my charactors supposed to be so beautiful then that could be helpful And lawrence could manage to steal some food from them and stop having to eat leaves Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:03 am    Post subject: A Day In Paradise The new Poll is up! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:42 pm    Post subject: I chose to send Lawrence and I to the boats because t would be the most fun to write/read. Not because it has my name in it, because of the.. situation? You know what Im trying to say? Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:47 pm    Post subject: Just wondering - is the '&q' at the end of the title deliberate? _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:49 pm    Post subject: i was kinda thinking that as well. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:17 pm    Post subject: lordofthenight wrote: Just wondering - is the '&q' at the end of the title deliberate? Nope, it's some sort of glitch with the second """. I can't get rid of it for some reason. But then I thought it might get extra attention so I stopped worrying about it. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:18 pm    Post subject: hey when can we expect a new chappy? BTW I pmd you money for my sister's entry just so she can vote cuz she kept whining about it Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:57 pm    Post subject: chiacutie wrote: hey when can we expect a new chappy? BTW I pmd you money for my sister's entry just so she can vote cuz she kept whining about it Excellent! Who is she sponsoring? Your character perhaps? I'll start the next chapter today and but probably won't be done until tomorrow. I'm so glad I finally have an extra participant to help me try out my experiment. Thanks Blue Duck! Now just pick a character to sponsor and whoever you pick will get half of your entry fee as a bonus! Also, feel free to comment and vote whenever you like now that you're in. Groovy _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:14 pm    Post subject: haha she picks me after all, im paying her way in. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:22 pm    Post subject: chiacutie wrote: haha she picks me after all, im paying her way in. Well then you can consider it a "half off" sale. 35 Fables going back to you! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:23 pm    Post subject: *does a little jig* oh dunno if i said this but nice chaappy the first chapter was still my fave tho Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:29 pm    Post subject: FI episode 4 Episode 4, Freebooter Ambush “We need to strike now,” Ross imposes. Thomas rubs his abrasive chin before replying, “We should, before they do the same to us.” “I know where they are,” Ethan says. “I want to help!” Chia says brightly. “Larry and I could go spy on them,” she continues, volunteering the least intimidating treasure hunter with her, “maybe trick them into an ambush or something.” “We should snipe them. I have a pistol,” Ross says. “If you’re going to snipe them, you’ll need a musket at least,” Thomas says directly, knowing the accuracy of simple pistols very well. “I have a crossbow,” Chia says. “You can borrow it if you promise not to shoot me while I’m talking to them.” “My pistol will work,” Ross says coldly. “There’s only five of them,” Ethan says with narrowed black hole eyes. “We could throw a net over them and finish them all before they could even draw their weapons. We could keep the leader alive for information.” “Can we please just talk to them first?” Chia asks in frustration. The lack of faith in her ability to beguile affronts her. Seeing her eyes fire up is enough to convince the hunters to let her have a chance to talk, but they furtively determine that there will be a massacre anyway. The rocs are crying when the crew leaves the mansion. Everyone except Jenn, Juan, and Father Charles go. Jenn keeps working at the secret door and it was determined that it would be best if Father Charles didn’t know about the ambush. The treasure hunters tell him to stay with Jenn and keep her safe while they ‘look around a little more’. He doesn’t seem to notice how they carry their weapons, like tools of destruction to be used, not merely as precautions to carry. Ethan has no challenge returning to the freebooters’ camp. His instincts in direction and distance have served him well before, and he doesn’t need to be in a forest to use them. A short plume smoke rises ahead, dyed orange by firelight, which spreads its color to the surrounding buildings with the stretched shadows of the freebooters making a puppet show on the walls. Ethan takes them to back street and peers around the corner of a small rough stone house. The others do the same in turn. Thomas and Jeremy immediately climb onto the flat roof of the house and Thomas sets his sights for the distance. Ethan, Ross, and Jim get much closer, but isolated from each other and everyone else. Aspi, still the quietest of the treasure hunters, doesn’t speak to or even nod at anyone. She gets in close enough to smell the cooking fish and see the beads of sweat on the cook’s forehead. She never considered it a talent to simply keep quiet and hidden, but she was talented anyway. Most of the treasure hunters already forgot she was even with them and have no idea where she went. “All right, don’t screw this up,” Chia says to Lawrence, handing him her pack and patting her hair. “How do I look?” “Like a flock of doves flying through a cloud,” he says pleasantly. She looks at him severely, trying to figure out if he was being nice or sarcastic, but decides he was being nice and smiles. “Ready? Now don’t say anything. You’re just my servant, ok?” “What?” “Just keep quiet.” Chia strolls like a white sailboat on calm waters while Lawrence plods along behind her like a carriage with lopsided wheels. The freebooters talk loudly and pass a jug around. The world around them doesn’t exist and they’re completely unaware of the plans against them. Chia could nearly touch one of them before they notice her, but the sight is not startling. She’s just a dream come to life, delicate and harmless. The goofy looking man following her is a little off putting, but he hardly looks dangerous. “Excuse me gentlemen,” she says in smooth unhurried voice, “but could I join you? The fish smells so nice and we’ve been walking a long time.” Being treated genteelly confuses all them and leaves them awkwardly stuttering their welcome. “You can sit,” she says to Lawrence, enjoying playing her part a little more than necessary. Lawrence plops down on a stone next to a large man. “Hi there,” Lawrence says quietly, the man nods back. The group seems pleased that he’s just a servant. Suddenly realizing a way to accommodate Chia, they slide apart and give her a place to sit. She touches their shoulders and smiles as she sits. It goes quiet, though Chia is at ease. The hunters in the darkness tap their fingers against their weapons impatiently. Thomas zeroes in on a target. “Would you like some fish?” the cook asks, a man with stains all over his vest, who’s already botched his task of keeping the fish from burning. “Yes thank you,” she says. “Jordan,” she says as a request, holding out her hand and looking at Lawrence. “Huh?” he says absently. “Knife,” she says. He gets into her things and finds her knife. He hobbles over and puts it in her hand. She slowly cuts the fish into small pieces and picks them up with her fingers as gracefully as if she were dining with nobles in a banquet hall. The freebooters watch her every move. “The fire is a little low,” she says, though it isn’t really. “Jordan, go get more wood.” A little pile of wood has already been made, but none of the freebooters would mind if he left. “It doesn’t look that low,” Lawrence says. “Just go get some firewood,” she says with a wink. Everyone saw it, but no one understood it, least of all Lawrence. Lawrence walks off, leaving the net with the pack. Chia hmphs as she sees his blunder, but decides it’s no big deal. “So have any of you seen Sylvie?” she asks. They laugh and the break in silence becomes a deluge. “The cat?” “Is it your cat, lady? Are you the one with the reward.” “What did you think she was? A lady like her doesn’t come out here for no reason.” “I think I saw the cat,” one of them says. “Sure you did, Donny, and you saw the albino mondey playing with the Heart of Akala at trading house too.” “I did see it,” Donny says. “It was white, wasn’t it? I seen it lurking around before sunset.” “Really? Where?” “It was just over there,” he says, pointing roughly in Thomas’s direction. The hunters notice him pointing in their direction and notice the sour faces everyone puts on after he does it, but most can’t hear what he’s saying. “Yeah, I think I saw it too,” one of the others says unconvincingly. He pulls out a torch and lights in the fire. “I bet I could find it if I gave it a look.” “That’s ok,” Chia says, suddenly nervous. The others are scrambling to get their torches. “I bet I could find it for you,” says yet another, checking his musket out of habit. “Sit down, you couldn’t find a cat if it was hanging from your nose!” Donny says hostilely, knowing that none of them saw it and that they’re all trying to impress Chia. Chia stands up, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll--” A spray of blood flecks on Chia’s face and Donny falls onto the fire with a hole in his head. An arrow sinks into the cook’s chest and another shot hits his arm and burrows through into his side. Before the other three can get their bearings, two more shots and a spear assault them from the darkness. The last of them drops everything and runs. Aspi grabs a torch and her spear and chases after him. Chia stands in shock in a whirlwind of death. Lawrence pulls out his pistol and tries to find a target when the last freebooter collides with him at full speed. They both go down, but the freebooter is already to weak to get up with a bullet in his belly. The pools of blood around the freebooters tell the story of their end, which is very abrupt. “Good job,” Ethan says as Donny’s hair and clothes catch fire and cast a terrible smell. “We were supposed to keep this one alive!” he says angrily, pointing at the first speared freebooter. Chia can’t force herself to speak. Ross and Ethan beginning going through the possessions, which is mostly dry food. They have no money on them at all and their only ‘treasure’ is a jug of fermented rice. “Nothing,” Ethan says seethingly. “You ruined everything,” he bores into Chia. “What do you mean, nothing?” Jim says, going to Chia’s defense. “We have 5 muskets and extra food, and now there won’t be any complaints when we take that sailboat.” Chia walks away quietly. Anything of value is taken and the rest is left where it lays, including the bodies. They decide to divide everything later and return to the mansion to sleep. Father Charles has a few urgent questions to ask about what happened, and they continue telling him stories to subdue his pesky morality. Jenn shows everyone her abused lockpicks, bent out of shape and snapped. Not only did she fail to get through, she no longer has a set of lockpicks. The treasure hunters, in general, are too tired to worry about it. They camp in the mansion, though most sleep in different rooms in the fair-sized building. Chia finds candles in her room which she uses to fend off the darkness. She drifts off suddenly, not realizing she left the door open and that something skulked in the hallway. Laying like she was fairy tale maiden in an enchanted sleep, the creature peered into the room sniffing the air. It licks its fangs and its clawed feet stealthily sneak to Chia’s side. Soon it is breathing over her, smelling the blood still spattered on her face, but she does not stir. It opens its mouth and starts to lick the blood. Chia awakes screaming and the cat flies backward. The white cat with a silver collar runs from the room before Chia is out of bed. She runs after it, but she’s way too late to even see which way it went. He breathing calms, and eventually, she sleeps again with a knife under her pillow just in case a real monster comes to visit her. Fortunately not. The crew gathers and looks at the booty, which seems a little lighter than before. Lawrence chews happily on a biscuit as the debate begins on who gets a musket, and where the crew will go next. With so much still to explore, it seems any direction could have possibilities, but what about the leads they already have? _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Last edited by Lebrenth on Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:21 pm; edited 2 times in total Back to top Author Kalanna Rai Assassin for Hire Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3102 Location: The Frozen North Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:59 pm    Post subject: Humm now I'm lockpick-less eh? No chance of finding a random replacement. Anyway I say take the sailboat and go see the spice runner. _________________ "It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..." "Music makes you braver." Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:47 pm    Post subject: oh well for one, I think that I or my charactor would probably be a bit traumatized by all that death... If you look at her personality shes a bit like a child. Not stupid, but a bit childish, so she would be easily shaken What if we went to go find the cat thing and found something much, much, MUCH scarier/more powerful than we ever expected? And you never know where youll find some spare lockpicks Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:30 pm    Post subject: Well, now that we know the cat is in the mansion, it would be stupid not to search for it. If the search gets complicated, we could split the group- one half to the spice runner and the other keeps searching for the cat. There were some minor mistakes, but the story was engaging. Here's one mistake: Quote: She never considered keeping quiet and hidden a talent You might want to reword that. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:34 pm    Post subject: ah, its okay but it could be better. Not that implortant to change (the sentecne not the chappy lolz) yes well what if they dont believe i saw it? Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:01 am    Post subject: re Yep, great chappy Lebrenth, very interesting. Putting the cat in at the end made it pretty obvious what we should do, search for it and give it to the old lady once we've got it. And if you haven't noticed your winning in SGotM, 1 ahead of China's Lords & Ladies. Hope you win . Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:26 pm    Post subject: D-Lotus wrote: Well, now that we know the cat is in the mansion, it would be stupid not to search for it. If the search gets complicated, we could split the group- one half to the spice runner and the other keeps searching for the cat. There were some minor mistakes, but the story was engaging. Here's one mistake: Quote: She never considered keeping quiet and hidden a talent You might want to reword that. I know that sentence... I did have to re-word it a bit, but I think you're right. It's too ambiguous. Thank you very much, D-Lotus. Very, very, very much. Hurray for SGotM! A forum would make this a lot easier to run.... _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:53 pm    Post subject: Quote: Thank you very much, D-Lotus. Very, very, very much. Well, the sentence stuck out like a thorn, so I felt I had to point it out- but I didn't think you'd be so grateful. Are you on something? _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:05 pm    Post subject: Ha! Good chapter Lebs. ~Polishes rifle~ A suitable amount of needless voilence, and we are allready starting to bag the booty. I would suggest we slit Father Charles' throat, or possibly Chia's, and wait until the cat is lured by the blood again. Set a trap for it. Mwahahahahaha! _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:07 pm    Post subject: Ooo, I like that plan. Can we? Please? _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:39 am    Post subject: As long as there is a majority vote, there is nothing in the rules against murder. It's on the poll! However, consider that if you start killing treasure hunters, it might be your own life that gets cut short next. Quote: If the search gets complicated, we could split the group- one half to the spice runner and the other keeps searching for the cat. I need to cut you off there. I don't mind spreading out, but for the sake of keeping the story manageable, I would really rather not have you split up to that extent. I could do it, of course, but I would need twice as much story and twice as many polls.... The polls being the main problem. I'm putting up the new poll now! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:50 am    Post subject: re Can't we just go get a fish or something and leave it for the cat to get while we wait? Killing someone is rather extreme. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:45 pm    Post subject: Whoops! I must be losing my eyesight, or be a bit too drowsy. I accidentally pinched on the first option instead of the second, and didn't notice until the vote was effectuated. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:46 pm    Post subject: chinaren wrote: Ha! Good chapter Lebs. ~Polishes rifle~ A suitable amount of needless voilence, and we are allready starting to bag the booty. I would suggest we slit Father Charles' throat, or possibly Chia's, and wait until the cat is lured by the blood again. Set a trap for it. Mwahahahahaha! why me? I couldve sworn I bought you something. And Im reading TOD. So be nice! lordofthemeanypants! wrote: Ooo, I like that plan. Can we? Please? Now, what did I do to you? Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:06 am    Post subject: You didn't have to do anything - I simply wanted to slit more throats. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:41 am    Post subject: Haha... Let's kill something... or some one... I say Lawrence (nothing personal, Smudge). But he's the most useless of the party and all he ever does is steal our crap. Let's just hurry up and waste his klepto a**. Chia's cuteness can at least be used as a good distraction, as already demonstrated. _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:34 pm    Post subject: Jack_D.Mented wrote: Haha... Let's kill something... or some one... I say Lawrence (nothing personal, Smudge). But he's the most useless of the party and all he ever does is steal our crap. Let's just hurry up and waste his klepto a**. Chia's cuteness can at least be used as a good distraction, as already demonstrated. yes. yay for jack. Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:48 pm    Post subject: Jack_D.Mented wrote: Haha... Let's kill something... or some one... I say Lawrence (nothing personal, Smudge). But he's the most useless of the party and all he ever does is steal our crap. Let's just hurry up and waste his klepto a**. Chia's cuteness can at least be used as a good distraction, as already demonstrated. Mmm, you have a point there Jack. ~Loads gun~ _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:30 pm    Post subject: Well that settles it; someone has to die. We're going to need another poll. So far, we have Chia, Lawrence, and Father Charles on the chopping block.... I think I'll put up the poll now, before this becomes a real mess. But isn't this sadly ironic? Someone is going to be voted off the island like some strange reality TV show! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:07 pm    Post subject: I object to murdering anyone. It is unreasonable, and I don't understand what this whole 'sacrifice' is about. China suggested it jokingly, and I don't think there is any good reason to do this. Especially when we could have just used the body of one of the freebooters, or something. Why would the cat be attracted to blood? I think its too early in the story to be voting or killing people off, more so when there is no plausible reason to do it. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:24 pm    Post subject: Well, I think Lawrence should die. Just question... Can I beat him horribly first? Gotta keep the brawlin skills in shape, you know? _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:44 am    Post subject: Jack_D.Mented wrote: Can I beat him horribly first? Gotta keep the brawlin skills in shape, you know? There there Jack. We can all beat him. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:42 am    Post subject: HOLD IT! Jezsharp? You aren't signed up! All you need to do is pay 70 fables and pick a character to sponsor and you can vote. It's really easy! I recommend sponsoring anyone but poor Lawrence. He's my favorite character, you know, but it's looking like curtains for him now. I'm going to have to move the story to the Horror forum. If you really decide you don't want to sign up, please tell me what you've voted because it isn't allowed to count. I'm afraid it wouldn't be fair to the others.... Come on! It's only 70 Fables! You've got plenty! _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:58 am    Post subject: re I've been screwed over!!! I payed good fables to be in this and I'm gonna die!! , poor Lawrence, tell you what, can't someone else kill him?? Like the thingy mondy, I won't let those evil murderers kill me....Let me at least go out that way Lebrenth, I do sleep in the jungle with Slowpoke, let us die by the jungle. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:23 pm    Post subject: Re: re Smudger wrote: I've been screwed over!!! I payed good fables to be in this and I'm gonna die!! , poor Lawrence, tell you what, can't someone else kill him?? Like the thingy mondy, I won't let those evil murderers kill me....Let me at least go out that way Lebrenth, I do sleep in the jungle with Slowpoke, let us die by the jungle. Yes well Im voting for father charles, goody two shoes that he is. I love murdering priests! I mean, ah... Forgive me father for I have... *stab*!!! Although, just so you know, he said you might be knocked off. Poor smudgey dear, Ill bury you with slowpoke... Or keep him alive. Your legacy will live on forever! Hey, lebrenth... Just a bit of injustice here! You cant only give me and lawrence specifically listed as paying members to be killed. Thats just a bit... unfair. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:50 pm    Post subject: Re: re chiacutie wrote: Hey, lebrenth... Just a bit of injustice here! You cant only give me and lawrence specifically listed as paying members to be killed. Thats just a bit... unfair. In traditional style, I took all suggestions and put them on a poll. I don't think I was obligated to even put "murder someone besides the above three" on the poll. I did that out of fairness. Honestly, if this poll was an argument between the the treasure hunters, they wouldn't stop and consider everyone in turn. They'd jump on the bandwagon as quick as they could against anyone but themselves. I'm just surprised that D-Lotus is the only one who objected to the murder at all. I have no personal interest in this murder. It kills characters I've been developing, reduces the options in the story, makes at least one participant bitter towards the story, scares new participants away and I don't save any money since I pay the same amount for recovered treasure (as if making Fables had anything to do my interest in the story). Additionally, it is my experience that a poll with too many options gets nothing done. You spread your votes out too thinly and you just get a bunch of ties. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to say my last goodbyes to Lawrence. It's not easy instrumenting a friend's death. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:10 pm    Post subject: Hm, yes well it would be better I think to have no murder at all if it was to be a main charactor, but father charles can be... replaced, if you will. Though he shouldnt be bitter to the story because it's an SG an although none of us want to get picked off, it could be helpful to the complexity of the story LATER ON. Maybe we should have waited a bit? Its too bad Lawrence gets killed though becuase he actually had some depth-more than chianrens charactor for instance. (im not picking on chin, or your skills, just stating facts. Besides we cant expect you to do everything at once...) Like I said, this could have been really good later on. But maybe it was too early for this..? Not that its your fault. Just looking back and thinkning. Hm, well weve got some kind of potential for the supernatural going here.... it says "murder" not take out of the story completely... you never know! Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:21 pm    Post subject: Well, we could raise him as a zombie or something later. That way he wouldn't need any food. Quote: nd I don't save any money since I pay the same amount for recovered treasure Ah, but the treasure hunters will! Treasure hunters should be greedy. I was just acting in character, honest. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:09 pm    Post subject: Comitting murder is NOT thinking like a character, or acting rationally, or giving and logic to the story. If your character wanted to be greedy, china, then why did he join the group in the first place? Instead of killing off everybody else one by one, wouldn't your character rather go off on his own? Nothing in the story ever implied that sacrificing someone and using their blood would attract the cat. Why would a cat be attracted to blood? Why would killing anybody be of any use? _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:13 pm    Post subject: Just like to point out - Ethan has already killed two of the characters. Murder's understandable for him. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:21 pm    Post subject: Hey, who voted to kill me? Maybe we should have killed Ethan, since hes costing more blood than hes got as it is. Anyways. Hes going to write this in, so No use argueing about the msitiming or unusefulness of killing off main charactors anymore I suppose. Really though. Who voted to kill me? I demand to know. Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:27 pm    Post subject: D-Lotus wrote: Comitting murder is NOT thinking like a character, or acting rationally, or giving and logic to the story. Seriously, I think it is. Treasure hunters (of this type) are often (thought of) as greedy and ruthless. I admit, I made the initial suggestion half jokingly, but my character is 'hard bitten' as they say. He wouldn't think too much of slitting someone's throat for his own ends, especially if that character is fairly defensless. Also: Several of the other characters are well capable of looking after themselves, so the risk of attacking them is too high. The others could be useful in gaining treasure, as Smudgey is now. D-Lotus wrote: If your character wanted to be greedy, china... Of course he is greedy! He is here for loot! He helped take down those other characters in the hope of gaining hard currency. Whilst they didn't have any treasure as such, they did have supplies and weapons, so worth using a couple of bullets. D-Lotus wrote: ....then why did he join the group in the first place? Instead of killing off everybody else one by one, wouldn't your character rather go off on his own? He is also extremely wary. Again, these charcters, whilst nasty, are not stupid, and they often take precautions against unnessacery* risks. Going on his own would be too dangerous, plus he may not have had the recourses to mount the expidition by himself. D-Lotus wrote: Nothing in the story ever implied that sacrificing someone and using their blood would attract the cat. Why would a cat be attracted to blood? Why would killing anybody be of any use? In the story wrote: Laying like she was fairy tale maiden in an enchanted sleep, the creature peered into the room sniffing the air. It licks its fangs and its clawed feet stealthily sneak to Chia’s side. Soon it is breathing over her, smelling the blood still spattered on her face, but she does not stir. It opens its mouth and starts to lick the blood. Admittedly, it is only a theory, but we don't lose much** by having a go. Really D, I think this quite likely is in character. Maybe not quite in the mold of the story Lebby was thinking of perhaps, but hey: That's SGaming for you! *I can never spell that. **Smudgey does of course, but what can you do? _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:41 pm    Post subject: re Quote: **Smudgey does of course, but what can you do? Well not kill me for a start....D had some very good points, I feel murdering me for a cat is stupid, we have like 7 dead freebooters near us!!! It's unneccessary, killing a character now just ruins what Lebby was doing, developing characters, he was focusing on Lawrence for humour and was one of the main characters in the first few chapters and now he's being killed for a cat.... Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:44 pm    Post subject: Re: re Smudger wrote: Quote: **Smudgey does of course, but what can you do? Well not kill me for a start....D had some very good points, I feel murdering me for a cat is stupid, we have like 7 dead freebooters near us!!! It's unneccessary, killing a character now just ruins what Lebby was doing, developing characters, he was focusing on Lawrence for humour and was one of the main characters in the first few chapters and now he's being killed for a cat.... Don't be silly Smudgey. He is not being killed for a cat. He is being killed for a reward for a cat. Oh! I just understood what you meant. You mean the blood of the freebooters! Good idea! Why didn't you mention it earlier? Ah well, too late now. _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:49 pm    Post subject: re That was one of Lebby's options!!! Use alternative source....Freebooters!!As I was taught by one of my friends, when you get screwed over, deal with it. My response to all this Lawrence hating is....Meh. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:52 pm    Post subject: Re: re Smudger wrote: Quote: **Smudgey does of course, but what can you do? Well not kill me for a start....D had some very good points, I feel murdering me for a cat is stupid, we have like 7 dead freebooters near us!!! It's unneccessary, killing a character now just ruins what Lebby was doing, developing characters, he was focusing on Lawrence for humour and was one of the main characters in the first few chapters and now he's being killed for a cat.... Im thinking the same way. Im still slightly irritated that oyu and I are two of the most developed charactors and yet we were the two main charactors that were put in the poll! I mean, we could do without father Lawrence but... Ill take care of slowpoke for you. Snugggles will miss him (snuggles is my donkey which for some reason even though I obught I never got) ALSO-I saw this coming. Look at my post in the shop. Something to the effect of "Keep this in mind when a DP comes along and one of the choices is to kill me" When I bought something for everyone but you (sorry smudgey dear ) and now look. Someone voted to kill me! Pah, backstabber! Who DID vote to murder me!?!?!?! I think it was Lordy. Just a guess. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:02 pm    Post subject: re Well, when I die guess I won't be able to take part anymore , dying sucks big time. Well, guess I'll have to buy a new character that won't be voted to be killed off. HA!! I'll still be here just give me time to save up all my little fableses.... Back to top Author LordoftheNight Revered IFian Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5276 Location: Hell Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:09 pm    Post subject: Actually Chia Quote: Lawrence pats the neck of his donkey as he walks alongside him down the road. “You’re supposed to ride them,” Chia says brusquely as she passes him on her donkey, riding sidesaddle. “That’s ok, I want him to get used to me first,” he replies. “Did you find anything out?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Chia says smartly. In truth the islander who sold the donkey to her seemed to be immune to her charms, and besides upsetting her, she found out nothing from him except the donkey’s name is Koko. You do have a donkey - named Koko. I voted to kill the person contributing the least actually. Now I think of it though, if you died we could have stolen your stuff. Maybe I should have voted for you. _________________ Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom. Ave Dominus Nox A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi Blood Bowl Scraping the Barrel A Tale of Four Swords Passion Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: re Smudger wrote: That was one of Lebby's options!!! Use alternative source....Freebooters!!As I was taught by one of my friends, when you get screwed over, deal with it. My response to all this Lawrence hating is....Meh. Ah, but it wasn't in the poll. I would likely have voted for it. And... nothing personal Smudgey. We all still love you, really. I mean, we will give you a decent burial* and everything. Quote: *Pushing someone into the sea is decent isn't it? _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author D-Lotus Venerable IFian Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4123 Location: Hollywood, USA Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:25 pm    Post subject: I accept your explanation, China. It was well elaborated, a real save. There were a number of 'other methods' that could have been used, and were mentioned before anybody but me had voted, but unfortunately, they weren't included in the poll. Smudger suggested, for example: Quote: Can't we just go get a fish or something and leave it for the cat to get while we wait? Quote: You mean the blood of the freebooters! Good idea! Why didn't you mention it earlier? Well, I mentioned it here before: Quote: Especially when we could have just used the body of one of the freebooters, or something. Anyway, besides all this, the point is that if everyone had voted the conscientuous option, then Lawrence would have been saved. And don't tell me all of your characters are bloody killers without scruples. Now there is going to be a great mistrust among all the characters in the story. After all, if Lawrence got wiped out, who's to say that that you won't be next? If Leb allowed it, I would most probably have my character and Father Charly run away from you loonies. Ah well, sorry Smudger. If you're interested, out of my great empathy, I'll refund your character. _________________ Chapter 5: The Rendezvous Last edited by D-Lotus on Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:29 pm; edited 1 time in total Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:25 pm    Post subject: lordofthenight wrote: Actually Chia Quote: Lawrence pats the neck of his donkey as he walks alongside him down the road. “You’re supposed to ride them,” Chia says brusquely as she passes him on her donkey, riding sidesaddle. “That’s ok, I want him to get used to me first,” he replies. “Did you find anything out?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Chia says smartly. In truth the islander who sold the donkey to her seemed to be immune to her charms, and besides upsetting her, she found out nothing from him except the donkey’s name is Koko. You do have a donkey - named Koko. I voted to kill the person contributing the least actually. Now I think of it though, if you died we could have stolen your stuff. Maybe I should have voted for you. Oh goody! I can be wrong! And I guessed that you had voted to kill me because.... Well, you seem to hate me with the passion of a thousand scones (havent heard me say that in a while, eh?) Smudgey dont worry ill make sure we bury you nice. *starts collecting lilies* Back to top Author Jack_D.Mented Respected Citizen Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 958 Location: Hiding out in the woods of Washington Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:17 pm    Post subject: Quote: bloody killers without scruples Umm... yes? You called? Remember, my character is a pit fighter. He beats people to death for a living, probably for a lot less than this cat is worth. Completely in character. Cold, calculating, oppurtunist deviod of consciene and remorse. I like him. _________________ Eadgar's Saga Chapter 2 POLL Abattoir Chapter 2! Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:55 am    Post subject: tre No worries D, from the amount of times I've posted on this I have been refunded anyway . Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:04 am    Post subject: Wow, that's a lot of commenting. I don't think I'll address everything, but just a few things I hope I have the credibility to express. I am absolutely committed to the integrity of my stories. I do not ignore polls to serve my vision of the story. Chinaren and Lordofthenight have followed my stories and they know that I do not back down from a difficult vote. Look what happened to Captain Taggert! (Please do, I would love more participants) I believe that the participants should have as much control of the story as I can give them because it is the interactivity that makes storygames superior to normal stories. And when I lose the respect of my players, they won't believe me when I write "The next move you make may end your life." Right now everyone in the story is feeling mortal because one of you has died. You also know that you have the power to take a life if you desire. Will there be consequences? Of course! But they are the consequences you chose for yourself. I even warned you that once you start killing each other, you may find yourself dead next. So be it. This is your story, you live it. I am impressed with everyone participating in this SG because they're all in character. Even the complaints are in character. Complaints are welcome, as are debate and wild decisions. The only thing I'm worried about now is civility. We're all just part of a storygame. As long as we remember that, we'll enjoy ourselves. Even getting killed can be an interesting experience. Maybe no one else has noticed, but the comments between characters is worthy of story, with D-Lotus taking the path of morality, Chinaren justifying hisself, Lordy and Jack smiling evilly, Chia inflammed with rantings while Smudger stands there like Eeyore taking all of the real abuse; all the while Kalanna Rai stands back and watches the fireworks. Everyone is giving me so much to work with; it's exciting seeing everyone's reactions. The next chapter is coming soon, ready or not. We're just getting started here and I'm looking forward to the next chapters. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:15 pm    Post subject: re Lebby.....Can I buy another character sometime or can I sponsor someone? I'll sponsor either D's or Lordy's character if I can't gte a new one. Back to top Author Chinaren Hallowed IFian Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 8879 Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:14 pm    Post subject: Quote: Smudger stands there like Eeyore taking all of the real abuse _________________ Neil Hartley Books. My Amazon page. Back to top Author Lebrenth Honored Citizen Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 1483 Location: Utah Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:16 pm    Post subject: Re: re Smudger wrote: Lebby.....Can I buy another character sometime or can I sponsor someone? I'll sponsor either D's or Lordy's character if I can't gte a new one. Yep, you can get right back in. Choose the one you want to sponsor and send 70 Fables. If only I could explain to everyone on the outside how easy it is to join. _________________ Welcome To Purgatory - current storygame Please visit my Library of completed works. Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:48 pm    Post subject: Well, I decided, for reasons beyond my knowing, to be *gasp* nice !!!!!!! The horror! I donated him 70 fables for his reentry. ANyways, I liked the way you worded that, btw "Inflamed rants" I think Ill get even more into charactor from now on.... Kinda fun! Just no one take it too far. In drama we have to wear our costumes around the school if we have a main part. Theentire day. To get in charactor. So dont do that. Bad idea, since i believemost of you work... Smudgey can be Eeyore!!! Yehhhhh!!! Back to top Author Kalanna Rai Assassin for Hire Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3102 Location: The Frozen North Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:33 am    Post subject: Well Smudge looks like I lied, you are going to die soon. Only I'm not the one killing you and it's not you being killed. Too bad but I am an assassin after all and must condone (shock, gasp) murder. Besides it makes it interesting although I'm going to have to keep a close eye on Jen from now on. Tisk tisk looking forward to seeing your new character re-join the party. Hopefully he won't incurr the hatred of the rest of us like Larwrence did. _________________ "It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..." "Music makes you braver." Back to top Author Smudger Citizen Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 382 Location: Writers Block R Us Items Legends Fables Strata-gems Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:40 am    Post subject: re No new character .....Sponsoring D's character instead . Wish I could have another character and maybe Lebby will leave an opportunity later but I like D's just now so I can wait and participate for now . Back to top Author chiacutie Guest Items Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:24 pm    Post subject: Meanypants! And Im the one who paid for it.. just teasing! 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