Goriel and beyond
- Graybeard
- The Heretical Admin
- Posts: 7180
- Joined: August 20th, 2007, 8:26 am
- Location: Nuevo Mexico y Colorado, Estados Unidos
Re: Goriel and beyond
"Do we know anything more abouuuut...what we'll face?"
Sister Rose pulled a face. "Not much." She sat down beside Tim; it would be in order for another Veracian priest and military man to know what she knew ... just in case.
"Goriel is one of the northern parts of the Confederacy," she continued. "Their economy is based mostly on mining. That's really why we maintain diplomatic relations with them; they are suppliers of some raw materials that we don't have in Veracia." A faint smile. "I hope that isn't too disillusioning." Rose knew that schoolchildren in Veracia were routinely taught that Luminosita had arranged it so the the Veracian countryside could supply their every need; her schoolteacher brother Aron had grumped about being forced to teach a thing they both knew wasn't true, the last time they'd seen each other. Teaching it, of course, didn't make it so, and the more educated Veracians figured it out sooner or later. Would Tim have figured it out? His reaction would be informative.
She went on. "Apart from their attitude toward women, they're just another Confederacy city-state, richer than some, poorer than others. They have a clan-based social structure, but if you were listening to that young crewman, you know as much about that part as I do. I don't know anything about their religious practices, except that our church has never made many converts there."
You're stalling, girl. Give him the answer to the part he really wants to know about, even if he's not going to like it. She took a deep breath and continued. "As for why Blaise would be running to there, I have nothing, nor is there anything about it in our orders. All I can think of is that it's about as far from Emerylon as you can get without venturing into troll territory or the northern wastes or the Southern Continent." Another deep breath. "I think he's running scared, Tim. But scared of what? I wish to Luminosita that I knew."
[OOC: The part about "troll territory" may need some exploration, and possibly retconning. We really don't know much about where, in the Poe-verse, the trolls mainly hang out. The episode with Ianilis makes it clear that at least isolated troll bands still exist in Veracia itself, which is why "Sonny" was an appropriate NPC. However, I have the impression that there's an area up north that's the main troll homeland. If anyone remembers things from Errant Story that say otherwise, this can be fixed. Anyway, all for the moment; Therese will have nothing more to say for a while, and Rip will only react to events aboard the Bonny Read, not initiate them -- at least for now.]
Sister Rose pulled a face. "Not much." She sat down beside Tim; it would be in order for another Veracian priest and military man to know what she knew ... just in case.
"Goriel is one of the northern parts of the Confederacy," she continued. "Their economy is based mostly on mining. That's really why we maintain diplomatic relations with them; they are suppliers of some raw materials that we don't have in Veracia." A faint smile. "I hope that isn't too disillusioning." Rose knew that schoolchildren in Veracia were routinely taught that Luminosita had arranged it so the the Veracian countryside could supply their every need; her schoolteacher brother Aron had grumped about being forced to teach a thing they both knew wasn't true, the last time they'd seen each other. Teaching it, of course, didn't make it so, and the more educated Veracians figured it out sooner or later. Would Tim have figured it out? His reaction would be informative.
She went on. "Apart from their attitude toward women, they're just another Confederacy city-state, richer than some, poorer than others. They have a clan-based social structure, but if you were listening to that young crewman, you know as much about that part as I do. I don't know anything about their religious practices, except that our church has never made many converts there."
You're stalling, girl. Give him the answer to the part he really wants to know about, even if he's not going to like it. She took a deep breath and continued. "As for why Blaise would be running to there, I have nothing, nor is there anything about it in our orders. All I can think of is that it's about as far from Emerylon as you can get without venturing into troll territory or the northern wastes or the Southern Continent." Another deep breath. "I think he's running scared, Tim. But scared of what? I wish to Luminosita that I knew."
[OOC: The part about "troll territory" may need some exploration, and possibly retconning. We really don't know much about where, in the Poe-verse, the trolls mainly hang out. The episode with Ianilis makes it clear that at least isolated troll bands still exist in Veracia itself, which is why "Sonny" was an appropriate NPC. However, I have the impression that there's an area up north that's the main troll homeland. If anyone remembers things from Errant Story that say otherwise, this can be fixed. Anyway, all for the moment; Therese will have nothing more to say for a while, and Rip will only react to events aboard the Bonny Read, not initiate them -- at least for now.]
Because old is wise, does good, and above all, kicks ass.
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- Noble Knight Protector
- Posts: 1892
- Joined: October 5th, 2008, 9:58 am
Re: Goriel and beyond
"Their economy is based mostly on mining. That's really why we maintain diplomatic relations with them; they are suppliers of some raw materials that we don't have in Veracia." A faint smile. "I hope that isn't too disillusioning."
Tim shook his head with a look of slight puzzlement. He didn't see why he'd find that disillusioning. But then, he hadn't interpreted the lessons the same way as Rose and her brother. Veracia had fertile soil, plentiful rain and fresh water, abundant timber, ample livestock, and long years of peace - all gifts of the Good Lord Luminosita, and more than enough to provision his people. The fact that they traded for things from abroad to make their lives even better, this did not bother him at all.
Neither did his country's relations with other peoples. Like anyone else who'd studied in Emerylon, he well knew that even the elves sent envoys to the Patriarch, who dealt with them as with other foreign powers. This simply showed the greatness of Luminosita, that he had advanced his people from slavery, to the point that their former captors had to treat with them like equals. If that was not a problem, why should trade and diplomacy with fellow humans? They might one day be convinced to adopt the faith and bring their souls to salvation.
Indeed, if he thought about it -- as he would later on, when the conversation was over -- this might be part of Lord Luminosita's ultimate plan, to bring the distant peoples into contact with Veracia that they might hear, see, and know. Isolation wasn't good for men - that was why it was important to bring them together, as a community, for services. It probably wasn't good for nations either.
"They have a clan-based social structure, but if you were listening to that young crewman, you know as much about that part as I do. I don't know anything about their religious practices, except that our church has never made many converts there."
Tim made a mental note to ask the man about it. He wanted to chat with him anyway. He suspected it would be a while before he met anyone else he could feel so much at home with.
"As for why Blaise would be running to there, I have nothing, nor is there anything about it in our orders. All I can think of is that it's about as far from Emerylon as you can get without venturing into troll territory or the northern wastes or the Southern Continent. I think he's running scared, Tim. But scared of what? I wish to Luminosita that I knew."
This part gladdened Tim's heart. It showed in his face. He hadn't been looking forward to chasing Blaise from place to place, arriving just soon enough to say the Rites over the bodies while their quarry went off to slay some more. He was eager to believe any sign that the man was desperate, and might turn to bay, or be swallowed by the evil he served. Tim was nowhere near back to trusting Rose fully, but by talking to him like this, and not confronting him, she'd calmed him down considerably.
And, hang it all, no matter what he wanted to hear from whom, she was the commander and she did have responsibility, and she was showing some trust in him, and he was going to meet her halfway. So he asked abruptly -
"What, ah, wwwwhat was it that Harker...used on me last night? And is he doing it again whenever he wants?"
Tim shook his head with a look of slight puzzlement. He didn't see why he'd find that disillusioning. But then, he hadn't interpreted the lessons the same way as Rose and her brother. Veracia had fertile soil, plentiful rain and fresh water, abundant timber, ample livestock, and long years of peace - all gifts of the Good Lord Luminosita, and more than enough to provision his people. The fact that they traded for things from abroad to make their lives even better, this did not bother him at all.
Neither did his country's relations with other peoples. Like anyone else who'd studied in Emerylon, he well knew that even the elves sent envoys to the Patriarch, who dealt with them as with other foreign powers. This simply showed the greatness of Luminosita, that he had advanced his people from slavery, to the point that their former captors had to treat with them like equals. If that was not a problem, why should trade and diplomacy with fellow humans? They might one day be convinced to adopt the faith and bring their souls to salvation.
Indeed, if he thought about it -- as he would later on, when the conversation was over -- this might be part of Lord Luminosita's ultimate plan, to bring the distant peoples into contact with Veracia that they might hear, see, and know. Isolation wasn't good for men - that was why it was important to bring them together, as a community, for services. It probably wasn't good for nations either.
"They have a clan-based social structure, but if you were listening to that young crewman, you know as much about that part as I do. I don't know anything about their religious practices, except that our church has never made many converts there."
Tim made a mental note to ask the man about it. He wanted to chat with him anyway. He suspected it would be a while before he met anyone else he could feel so much at home with.
"As for why Blaise would be running to there, I have nothing, nor is there anything about it in our orders. All I can think of is that it's about as far from Emerylon as you can get without venturing into troll territory or the northern wastes or the Southern Continent. I think he's running scared, Tim. But scared of what? I wish to Luminosita that I knew."
This part gladdened Tim's heart. It showed in his face. He hadn't been looking forward to chasing Blaise from place to place, arriving just soon enough to say the Rites over the bodies while their quarry went off to slay some more. He was eager to believe any sign that the man was desperate, and might turn to bay, or be swallowed by the evil he served. Tim was nowhere near back to trusting Rose fully, but by talking to him like this, and not confronting him, she'd calmed him down considerably.
And, hang it all, no matter what he wanted to hear from whom, she was the commander and she did have responsibility, and she was showing some trust in him, and he was going to meet her halfway. So he asked abruptly -
"What, ah, wwwwhat was it that Harker...used on me last night? And is he doing it again whenever he wants?"
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- Errant Scholar
- Posts: 132
- Joined: April 23rd, 2012, 8:00 am
Re: Goriel and beyond
Angrist reflected on the activities on the Bonny Read. While the crew was stuggling to pry Jamie away from the weaponry, he had tracked down Tamina for some magical assistance. Luckily, the adjustments turned out to be so simple that she didn't even need to understand the original spells. But communicating with her had been an interesting challenge. Udo seemed to be doing better physically. As for Jamie...Angrist wasn't sure if her current behavior was considered normal or not.
{I may not be one to judge} he thought as he let the fist slam into him.
Angrist had requested for a friendly sparring match. He needed a chance to check the effectiveness of the adjustments he'd had Tamina make.
{Alright. Letting him hit me was a good gauge. My speed and strength should match now}. The next punch he blocked, then he dodged. {Still a little faster and stronger than I wanted, but close enough} Now Angrist did a small counterattack, making sure his sparring partner had time to block. {Good, now it's almost purely a matter of technique} A light flurry of punches back and forth. {It feels good to have my mind so much faster than my body again} To finish, Angrist stepped forward while intercepting a punch, slid his other foot around, and with a slight shove, tripped his opponent backwards.
{That reminds me of the old days} Angrist thought as he helped his sparring partner back up. {Hmmm, I wonder if they have any books on here}
{I may not be one to judge} he thought as he let the fist slam into him.
Angrist had requested for a friendly sparring match. He needed a chance to check the effectiveness of the adjustments he'd had Tamina make.
{Alright. Letting him hit me was a good gauge. My speed and strength should match now}. The next punch he blocked, then he dodged. {Still a little faster and stronger than I wanted, but close enough} Now Angrist did a small counterattack, making sure his sparring partner had time to block. {Good, now it's almost purely a matter of technique} A light flurry of punches back and forth. {It feels good to have my mind so much faster than my body again} To finish, Angrist stepped forward while intercepting a punch, slid his other foot around, and with a slight shove, tripped his opponent backwards.
{That reminds me of the old days} Angrist thought as he helped his sparring partner back up. {Hmmm, I wonder if they have any books on here}
They kicked me out of the asylum. I miss the jello.
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- Noble Knight Protector
- Posts: 1892
- Joined: October 5th, 2008, 9:58 am
Re: Goriel and beyond
Udo was starting to develop some enthusiasm about sparring with Angrist. The man's silence probably helped. At first, Udo had tended to talk a lot about what were and weren't effective moves, dangerous gambles, and sure-fire winners. Angrist had let his body do the talking, and had proven Udo wrong several times...a fact that Udo was already forgetting as he readjusted his mind. So now he was travelling not only with a kobold, but a sensei! Naturally, he would be his greatest pupil.
Angrist probably saw that Udo's fighting style resembled basic Tsuirakuan Army combatives, with a focus on wrestling and strangulation moves -- if you got past arm's length from a battlemage, he had something other than his hands to use on you, or at least that was the theory. The forms were native, developed during the long centuries of Tsuiraku's isolation from the world. They were also less dangerous to the reproductive organs than the distinctive art of Jamie-fu...
Udo was nothing like the master he believed himself to be. But he was very slow to admit defeat, and he had staying power.
Angrist probably saw that Udo's fighting style resembled basic Tsuirakuan Army combatives, with a focus on wrestling and strangulation moves -- if you got past arm's length from a battlemage, he had something other than his hands to use on you, or at least that was the theory. The forms were native, developed during the long centuries of Tsuiraku's isolation from the world. They were also less dangerous to the reproductive organs than the distinctive art of Jamie-fu...
Udo was nothing like the master he believed himself to be. But he was very slow to admit defeat, and he had staying power.
- Drusia
- Veteran of the Errant War
- Posts: 1293
- Joined: September 7th, 2009, 9:53 pm
Re: Goriel and beyond
"I scared you." He said simply. "I see that. I could have left those men alone, I could have left them to the 'justice' system of the port, but I didn't, I burned them alive. And you've barely said two words to me since. Have I...?" He stopped, swallowing the question he wanted to ask. "They were bad people Desiree. They'd probably bribed the authorities to look the other way... and I put a stop to them. And it wasn't wrong. Can you see that?"
"It wasn't wrong to stop them, Eli," I reply slowly. "But... they were already stopped. You didn't stop them. You... killed them." I turn away, shaking my head.
"One of them wanted to rape me. Their leader forbade it. She protected me. And you burned her alive." I wipe tears from my eyes. "She was a slaver, and maybe she would have been executed, but... she was kind to me. She didn't deserve to die like that."
I turn back to Eli, tears shining in my eyes. "Yes, you scared me. But you also... you killed someone who helped me. You killed her along side the man who wanted to rape me, as if they were the same. And you didn't... care. That isn't Justice, Eli. That's murder."
-- Desiree
"It wasn't wrong to stop them, Eli," I reply slowly. "But... they were already stopped. You didn't stop them. You... killed them." I turn away, shaking my head.
"One of them wanted to rape me. Their leader forbade it. She protected me. And you burned her alive." I wipe tears from my eyes. "She was a slaver, and maybe she would have been executed, but... she was kind to me. She didn't deserve to die like that."
I turn back to Eli, tears shining in my eyes. "Yes, you scared me. But you also... you killed someone who helped me. You killed her along side the man who wanted to rape me, as if they were the same. And you didn't... care. That isn't Justice, Eli. That's murder."
-- Desiree
- Sareth
- RPG All-Star
- Posts: 2604
- Joined: August 23rd, 2007, 8:54 pm
Re: Goriel and beyond
Jamie came stomping into the cabin she'd been assigned to with Tamina and uttered an oath. By which I mean she spit out obscenities like some sort of profane Gatling gun. "One shot! That's all I wanted, was to fire the cannon once! Is that too damn much to ask? You'd think it was the first time they'd seen someone triple shot a gun."
Sighing, she flopped back onto her bunk. "Some people are just so boring. You know what I mean, Tami?" The girl rolled over and looked about. "Tamina?" She saw no one. "Now where did that girl get off too?"
Distracted from her ranting, Jamie stalked back out into the corridor in search of some tail. Well, a tail. The only one on the ship, in fact.
****
Lillith looked up from the work she was doing. Sewing was no difficulty for her. Santorial hadn't been a wealthy place, and she and her mother hadn't exactly been well off even for Santorial, so she had quickly learned how to reuse cloth for new outfits as the old ones wore out. She settled a far skimpier skirt than she expected Rose to like wearing onto the table.
"Father," she spoke softly towards Argus. "I don't want to push things or pry, but... where are you and Rose? Have you thought about the long term?" She bit her lip and looked down to the next garment to be worked on.
"Sweetheart," Brad quietly spoke as he was polishing up some of Argus' jewelery. "Are you sure you should be discussing this?"
***
"SHE WHAT?" Kattie roared.
Tiny winced. "Well, she kind of trippleshotted the gun. I mean we warned her that it'd explode if she actually fired that much at once, but she tried anyway, and we had to try to drag her away and lock her out of the gun deck. I told you she'd be bad luck, being a woman, not that you're bad luck or anything even though you are a woman, but her now..."
"TINY!"
Tiny haulted his rambling.
Kattie looked up at Tiny, her face a dark toned mask of irritation. "The other thing. What was that other thing she did?"
"Oh, you mean the bit where she removed all the ropes from the cannon so she could ride it around whenever turbulance bounced the ship?"
"Yes. That bit."
"I admit it was a bit reckless, but it was actually kind of fun to watch. She's a lot more limber than I expected, and she even figured out a way to kind of steer it after the second crash. Some of the boys were talking about trying it too maybe, and we have plenty of wood to repair the bulkheads, plus the other guns are so solid you could bang them together all da"
"Tiny!"
Tiny gulped. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Next time she even go near the guns, sit on her."
"Aye aye, ma'am."
Kattie stomped out of her cabin and down to the bridge. She walked over to the navigator. "So how's our progress? The sooner we get rid of this lot, the happier I'll be."
"We're right here, ma'am." The navigator jabbed a finger down on the chart.
Kattie glanced down. Her already stormy expression grew tornadic. "That's the Southern Continent."
"It is?" The navigator looked down. "Uh... Just a minute, I may need to recalculate our position."
Things went downhill from there.
Sighing, she flopped back onto her bunk. "Some people are just so boring. You know what I mean, Tami?" The girl rolled over and looked about. "Tamina?" She saw no one. "Now where did that girl get off too?"
Distracted from her ranting, Jamie stalked back out into the corridor in search of some tail. Well, a tail. The only one on the ship, in fact.
****
Lillith looked up from the work she was doing. Sewing was no difficulty for her. Santorial hadn't been a wealthy place, and she and her mother hadn't exactly been well off even for Santorial, so she had quickly learned how to reuse cloth for new outfits as the old ones wore out. She settled a far skimpier skirt than she expected Rose to like wearing onto the table.
"Father," she spoke softly towards Argus. "I don't want to push things or pry, but... where are you and Rose? Have you thought about the long term?" She bit her lip and looked down to the next garment to be worked on.
"Sweetheart," Brad quietly spoke as he was polishing up some of Argus' jewelery. "Are you sure you should be discussing this?"
***
"SHE WHAT?" Kattie roared.
Tiny winced. "Well, she kind of trippleshotted the gun. I mean we warned her that it'd explode if she actually fired that much at once, but she tried anyway, and we had to try to drag her away and lock her out of the gun deck. I told you she'd be bad luck, being a woman, not that you're bad luck or anything even though you are a woman, but her now..."
"TINY!"
Tiny haulted his rambling.
Kattie looked up at Tiny, her face a dark toned mask of irritation. "The other thing. What was that other thing she did?"
"Oh, you mean the bit where she removed all the ropes from the cannon so she could ride it around whenever turbulance bounced the ship?"
"Yes. That bit."
"I admit it was a bit reckless, but it was actually kind of fun to watch. She's a lot more limber than I expected, and she even figured out a way to kind of steer it after the second crash. Some of the boys were talking about trying it too maybe, and we have plenty of wood to repair the bulkheads, plus the other guns are so solid you could bang them together all da"
"Tiny!"
Tiny gulped. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Next time she even go near the guns, sit on her."
"Aye aye, ma'am."
Kattie stomped out of her cabin and down to the bridge. She walked over to the navigator. "So how's our progress? The sooner we get rid of this lot, the happier I'll be."
"We're right here, ma'am." The navigator jabbed a finger down on the chart.
Kattie glanced down. Her already stormy expression grew tornadic. "That's the Southern Continent."
"It is?" The navigator looked down. "Uh... Just a minute, I may need to recalculate our position."
Things went downhill from there.
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- Noble Knight Protector
- Posts: 1892
- Joined: October 5th, 2008, 9:58 am
Re: Goriel and beyond
[OOC: Jamie riding the big cannon! She's in good company there.]
- Drannin
- Prince of Space
- Posts: 1350
- Joined: August 15th, 2008, 2:46 pm
Re: Goriel and beyond
Argus paused what he was doing with a sigh. "Honestly? I don't know. I'm glad we finally made this step. But there's a lot the two of us have to work out. Assume things do progress to the point of marriage. Does she move to Tsuiraku? Do I move to Veracia? Then there's... certain concerns I have about the root of her faith, the kinds of things that really need to be addressed before a serious relationship can go very far." He took a breath.
"Basically? We just became an item last night. There's still... much... that has to be discussed between us. And I feel that Rose is as nervous about that as I am."
"Basically? We just became an item last night. There's still... much... that has to be discussed between us. And I feel that Rose is as nervous about that as I am."
- Sareth
- RPG All-Star
- Posts: 2604
- Joined: August 23rd, 2007, 8:54 pm
Re: Goriel and beyond
Lillith nodded. She put her hand on Brad's. "See? It's alright." She turned back to Argus. "Do you love her?"
- Drannin
- Prince of Space
- Posts: 1350
- Joined: August 15th, 2008, 2:46 pm
Re: Goriel and beyond
Argus was silent a moment. He considered the question carefully. DID he love Rose? "...Maybe," he said quietly. "It's confusing. I'm still trying to work that out. But... maybe."