*We will continue on the road until we reach Camelot*
Adam
Sir Adam and Lady Geneice
(683 posts) (4 voices)-
You follow the road and come to a village shortly after noon which is clearly not Camelot and probably not even really a town--no walls, some hilly cleared forest area for pasture for the sheep, and some pretty simple stone and thatch homes clustered together along the road.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jan 31 2008 5:06 am # -
You pass through that village and another in mid-afternoon.
As the sun sets, you are following the road through the woods. Dusk gets dark under the trees rather quickly.
--M. J. Young
Fri Feb 1 2008 4:39 am # -
You find a clearing, pitch the tent, and settle in.
Are you doing anything about dinner?
Are you taking any other precautions before going to sleep?
--M. J. Young
Sat Feb 2 2008 4:06 am # -
You rest in your tent.
In the middle of the night you think you hear something outside--something that might be nothing more than a squirrel exploring your campsite, or might be nothing at all.
--M. J. Young
Sun Feb 3 2008 9:45 pm # -
The woods are dark. There might be something or someone in the trees, but in this light you are guessing. Do you wish to do anything to facilitate your checking?
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 5 2008 3:39 am # -
The voice replies, "May you not die--or worse--in your sleep." It sounds like one of the forest people.
This is followed by silence, but for the chirp of tree frogs and sounds of the night.
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 5 2008 9:55 pm # -
The rest of the night passes without incident, and you are both fully rested by dawn.
Presumably you are continuing your journey along the road that may lead to Camelot. By late that afternoon you come within sight of a considerably larger castle, a walled fortification with a palatial inner keep and a banner of a rampant lion fluttering from the top parapet.
--M. J. Young
Thu Feb 7 2008 2:35 am # -
The castle is surrounded by a rather large town, with many wooden and stone buildings, busy streets, merchants and farm carts and plenty of bustle. It winds down as the sun sets.
It is dusk by the time you've reached the gate, but it is still light. Two armored knights stand behind the closed portcullis. They watch your approach, but wait for you to speak.
--M. J. Young
Fri Feb 8 2008 3:17 am # -
The guards look at each other.
"Well, welcome to the City of Camelot," one says. His gesture indicates that he means the town in which you are standing is Camelot; he is guarding the gate to the castle within that town.
--M. J. Young
Sat Feb 9 2008 4:44 am # -
The knight who appears to be the superior or senior nods in response. "I am certain that King Uther will be eager to meet with you tomorrow; however, he does not open the gates to his castle nor admit guests after sunset whom he has not first met in open daylight. Something to do with advice given him by Merlin. You will find a good inn with decent food and good mead three blocks south," his head gestures in that direction, "under the sign of the Red Gryphon. The owner will treat you right."
--M. J. Young
Sun Feb 10 2008 11:35 pm # -
Jhiaxus
Member*smiles*
"Well I guess we need to prove we aren't vampires my beloved. Let's get something to eat and a room at the inn. Thank you for the directions*
*slight bow of the head and heads toward the direction and looks for the sign of the Red Gryphon, once inside, order a large amount of mead, some food and a room, I will use a nugget of gold for payment if they accept it, if not I'm sure we have a jewel that will pay the bill between the both of us*
Adam
Mon Feb 11 2008 11:21 pm # -
The guards chuckle. "Yeah, right, vampires. Next you'll be telling me that there are werewolves in the woods."
At the inn, they think your gold nugget is a generous gesture by a noble knight and lady, and you are given fine accommodations, better food than one would expect in such an establishment, and a selection of mead, ale, and wine from the cellars.
The room is ruddier than that at the castle two nights back, but similarly appointed with bed, washstand, pitcher, and the chambermaid brings up clean linen and towels for you.
Geniece asks, "Do you think there are vampires and werewolves out there? I mean, you said everything was possible. Are those things possible?"
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 12 2008 6:03 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member*smiles* "They are possible, are they here, I don't know. If they are, they likely have some or all the strengths or weaknesses that various sources have reported them to have. If real magic exists here, then it is more than likely they are here as well. There probably is a Lady of the Lake, Excalibur, which are common in all Arthurian stories. I've personally have seen at least 4 adaptations of the King Arthur legend. This could be based on one of them, or it could be something new. If the last world is any indication, it will likely be based on one of them, or take a lot of cues for it."
*starts removing his armor*
"There probably are also probably the bad people of Arthurian legend. Mordrid and Morgan Le Fay who are often portrayed as enemies of Arthur likely exist as well. Who knows if she knows magic, but it's likely she exists. Either way we'll find out in the morning, till then, I do believe we are sleeping in a bed tonight, so I think it's my knightly duty to carry you to the bed and make sure your safe" *winks*
Adam
Tue Feb 12 2008 11:02 am # -
"Why of course, sire; I would not have it any other way," she teases playfully.
In the morning, you are called to breakfast in the dining room.
--M. J. Young
Mon Feb 18 2008 1:28 am # -
There are a number of people at breakfast. The innkeeper and his wife serve, assisted by a very young daughter. A nobleman and his lady are dining, and an elderly man who does not seem at all wealthy but to whom everyone seems at least a bit deferential. There are a number of persons who are apparently men-at-arms, and a knight traveling with the nobleman, and a few others.
The food is a cut above the usual porridge of such places, more a cold stew with meat and potatoes, and the others praise it; the innkeeper's wife is gracious in handling compliments. Meade and tea are offered.
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 19 2008 5:04 am # -
The nobleman seems to be in conversation alternately with his wife and his knight, but never with both at once. He talks with her a bit about meeting King Uther later in the day and presenting their suit to him at that time; he talks with the knight mostly about preparations for the journey home. He seems a bit miffed that they, too, were turned away from the castle late last night, but understands that Uther can be a bit superstitious and puts a lot of stock in the words of some old wiseman.
The old man smiles at that comment, but otherwise pays the threesome little attention. He speaks little, and only to the staff. However, he seems very attentive to the two of you, as if trying to understand who you are.
The tea is good.
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 19 2008 11:46 pm # -
Jhiaxus
Member*between bites*
"Well, you seem to be an important man in Camelot, as references by the way people reguard you, you aren't wearing armor, or carrying a visible sword, if I had to hazard a guess on who you were, it would be Merlin. I also noticed you were trying to get a read on who we are, as people who are quiet and attentive are usually gathering information. Is any of the above correct?"
*this is to the older man and not to the noble*
Adam
Wed Feb 20 2008 3:58 pm # -
The elderly man raises one eyebrow in surprise.
"Indeed, it is not often that I encounter someone who knows more about me than I about him. However, I do know that there is a couple here prepared to be my students for the next few years, and I have good reason to think it more likely to be you than his lordship. You have, I think, some experience at wizardry already, and you come from a land so distant you cannot easily return, and have much experience as a warrior against evil. It appears, too, that I must be careful not to underestimate your abilities."
--M. J. Young
Thu Feb 21 2008 3:03 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member*smiles*
"I have dabbled in magic, but have had no instructor, so it is self taught. As for other abilities, both my wife and myself were two of the greatest warriors of the land, and can take care of ourselves with weapons or unarmed. We've been sent here, for what reason I don't know, but I would assume it would be to learn and help this Camelot utopia that I have heard legends of. If you are offering to teach, we are wanting to learn Merlin."
Adam
Thu Feb 21 2008 11:13 am # -
"Are you more familiar with the inner or the outer--ah, but perhaps we should not bore present company with our conversation. After breakfast you can come back to my abode, so that you will know where I live, and then you can show me where you are staying. That way we will be able to find each other, at least until you have learned enough that you can find me without coming to me.
"The innkeeper here sets an excellent board, I must say. Please, enjoy your meal."
--M. J. Young
Fri Feb 22 2008 2:25 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member*nods*
"Inner or Outer Magic, hard to say, as I have never had to classify as that before. As for where we are staying, we don't have one. I was hoping to trade services for Uther for a room in the Castle. We are just about finished, but we shouldn't be rude to the others here"
*continues to eat his breakfast*
Adam
Fri Feb 22 2008 10:23 pm # -
"Oh Uther."
You hear a flash of unguarded disdain in his voice, but a hasty glance at the lord and lady and their knight brings him back to reticence.
"I would suggest you look for a more practical place to stay. Uther can be very, er, demanding of his guests. You might consider staying at this inn, if you can afford it, until we can arrange something else. But we can talk more about that later."
He takes another mouthful of the stew.
"As well as discussing the inner and outer powers, and just what you have learned."
--M. J. Young
Sat Feb 23 2008 4:33 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member*nods as he finishes his meal*
"We didn't know what passes for money in these lands, but we have many gems of value, perhaps we should inquire about purchasing a cottage in town, or buying some land to have one built, either way, we have the means to do it without needing other "assistance"."
*finishes up making small talk with the lord, lady and Merlin, and ready to go with him to start the journey*
Adam
Sun Feb 24 2008 3:16 pm # -
Merlin nods. "Then we will work out a place for you to stay after we have gotten started."
He finishes his breakfast, wiping his beard on the cloth napkin at the table, and waits for you. Then he leads the way out. To the innkeeper he says, "I expect my friends will return later this evening, at least to get their things, and can settle with you then if there is any outstanding debt."
Once in the road outside the inn, he turns his attention back to your discussion.
"Obviously, you have heard of me. What am I to call the two of you?"
"There are two ways to work magic--or three, perhaps, depending on how you think of it. The outer powers involve tapping into the realm of the gods, bringing to bear within the natural realm supernatural power. This can be done by asking the gods, or their minions, to do it for you; I do not deal much in such powers. The true wizard learns to draw that power through himself.
"The inner powers, though, come from the self, directly from the spirit of the wizard. Guided and empowered by the mind, this magic can do wonders without reaching the other world. That can be very valuable, as an enemy can sometimes cut you off from the supernatural world but cannot easily cut you off from yourself. It is also certainly true that some powers are much easier to do from your own inner power than by invoking supernatural assistance, while others are the other way around."
He is headed for the gate which leaves the city.
"We will definitely learn both; some of that, though, will depend on your own potential and background, what you can already do, and where your talents lie. So, tell me more about yourselves, and what powers you have already explored."
--M. J. Young
Mon Feb 25 2008 2:49 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member*finishes up and follows Merlin and after listening*
"I am Ashe Valerin of the Stonefist, my wife is Jade Bladesong of the same. I understand, what you call Outside magic to be Holy Magic, and I have called apon outsiders for healing, curing of diseases, and prayer before. What you call inside magic is what I call Arcane magic, and I have a lot of spells, but not a lot of ability, as I have been self taught. Jade has no knowledge, but I believe her to have unlimited capacity for learning either as I have.
*pause*
"As for powers, I have powers of the mind which may or may not work here, and I am a novice of them. My wife and I are trained in hand to hand combat, and combat with weapons, and are likely either matches or more than a match for even Uther's Circle. We are strong, and resiliant. Other than that, you'll find us to be around the peak in almost all human abilities. We also have technology not seen in this world, which may or may not work. I think that about covers it, aside from my hawk Horace who is a bit away, and the rest of our items, which are in the same place, we would like to learn how to teleport those things personal to us back to us to save us a long journey. I thank you for your welcome, we were thinking it was going to be a hard process getting an audience with you through Uther. Speaking of which, we should be presented, if not for paying respect for his kingdom, although I have a distrust of authority, I understand a certain amount of deference now solves problems that may come up later."
*waits for the response or further questions*
Adam
Mon Feb 25 2008 1:00 pm # -
"Ashe and Jade, welcome."
"No, I understand the distinction you are making between holy and arcane magics. Both of those are outside magic, as they draw power from beyond the universe. The inner powers come from yourself--as you say, the mind, the soul, the spirit. It sounds as if you have dabbled in these as well, but that you were taught different language--not surprising, as you apparently are foreigners, although your command of Anglish is remarkably good."
"The wolves might be able to help you with that better than I. They have a native ability to travel the space between the worlds. Teleportation, though, requires knowing where you are going--you do not want to wind up inside a rock, and once you have left the physical universe there's no telling where you'll find yourself when you return. Thus their advantage is that their tribes are all connected, so if you can win their friendship they might be able to take you to parts of the world I have never been, never seen, and could not easily reach. However, the wolves are a bit of a challenge--none are what I would call friendly, and some are quite hostile to humans, even, or perhaps especially, to wizards. I've had good relations with some over the generations, but at the moment they are not at all happy with Uther and his wars, and are being particularly hostile to everyone. So take it carefully--even a wary and skilled knight can be bested by an angry werewolf."
"Yes, of course, if you are presenting yourself as a nobleman, you should give him your propers, titles, lands, intentions, that sort of thing. I don't know that he'll care, but I think he will check them, or at least have one of his servants do so."
During this conversation he leads the way down the road and then off the road into the woods.
--M. J. Young
Tue Feb 26 2008 8:23 pm # -
Jhiaxus
Member*smiles*
"We want to learn about both the inner and outer magics, we have served as soldiers, and don't wish nor need to learn more about arms or body, if you have need for students, we won't make other plans. Of course, we can also teach you of technology and science. My wife if from an area around Rome, and I am from across the sea to the west from a nation that won't exist for around a thousand years or more. People in my nation speak English natively, her speak a offshoot of Latin called Italian. In any event, she is the linguist among us.
*pause*
"Well I'm a pretty likeable guy, and my items are very far away, perhaps I can use my natural connection to them to bring them here, or pinpoint where they are. I have no problem dealing with wearwolves, either way one thing at a time. I don't wish to present myself as a Lord or a Soldier for him to draft. We just got out of serving someone who gave us little choice on what we do, but the benefits just barely outweighed the lack of freedom, it also allowed me to meet my wife."
*looks around*
"If we are this deep in the woods, it shouldn't be too hard to make a log cabin, just would take hard work, some tools, and perhaps some magic, but might be better to stay out of Uther's direct sight. What is your connection with him, and can you help with introductions?"
*walks with him*
Adam
Tue Feb 26 2008 11:52 pm # -
"My connection to Uther?" He scrunches his face a moment. "Well, I don't know that I have any real formal connection. I knew his grandfather well, and foresaw that Uther's son will be important. He does not yet have that son, though, and such things are often a bit hazy. He does not know that his son will matter more than himself, and probably would be very offended at the notion--the sort of man who might kill his own offspring if he thought his throne was threatened, petty throne that it is. So I won't tell him what he does not need to know. In any case, I am still working through how that is going to happen.
"I visit Uther's court from time to time when it suits me, usually to bring word of something important. He does not particularly like to see me unless he wants me to do something for him, and thinks it outrageous that I, a wizard who has seen generations of petty monarchs like him rise and fall, do not think I must do whatever he commands. I think he would kill me if he did not think me immortal. On the other hand, I have done one or two things for him over the years, and he values my services, no matter how rarely given, too much to risk losing them entirely. He shouts and threatens, but it is all bluster, or mostly so. Not that I take no precautions when I visit him, but that I know he will not carry out his threats if he pauses long enough to think."
"We are not so far in the woods that Uther could not find a--what did you call it? Log cabin? I take it that this is some sort of shelter made of cut timber, such as a lean-to. He cannot find me, because my home cannot be recognized as a home if no one is in it and I do not invite people to visit me there whom I do not wish to have return. However, a shelter in the woods would probably not get much attention from him. He would assume you were hunters or trappers, and that the best way to tax you would be to tax your goods when you brought them to market."
Eventually you step into something of a clearing, a grove between higher ground surrounded by dense trees providing a three-quarter canopy overhead. There are scattered bushes which, with a bit of imagination, might separate the area into rooms. He sits on a low stump, and as he does so you realize that the four stumps surrounding a low flat rock are very like a kitchen set.
"Welcome to my home, my classroom, my base of operations. Memorize its appearance; you will want to be able to see it in your mind when you are not here. You will understand the reason for that eventually.
"So again, tell me: what have you already learned?"
--M. J. Young
Sun Mar 2 2008 9:56 pm # -
Jhiaxus
Member*nods*
"My wife and I are immortal, but not invulnerable, if that presents a problem years, decades or centuries down the line, we will deal with the results. I think the log cabin will work, and where I was born, was a common form of home a hundred or so years before I was born, construction is simple, and with a little bit of magic, probably better than I think.
I will tell him everything I can do (it's way too much to type from my sheet, and I will be honest with what I can do."
Adam
Mon Mar 3 2008 1:02 am # -
He asks many questions; the discussion goes for hours.
He asks where you got the ideas for a number of the skills, including the Jump, the force field, the find familiar, and the Jedi Mind Trick.
He asks you detailed questions about the worlds you've visited, and the people you mention.
He asks you to explain to him how you do the telekinesis, the mind reading, the microscopic vision, the disease cure, the language comprehension, thunderstorm creation.
He asks about the orcs, their culture, their society, and what you did with it. He seems very interested in what an orc is.
He asks many questions about starships, how they work and why men build them.
He asks for everything you know about the history of England from when you were in the future--it is evident that you have been to England twice in what is the future relative to him, and he is interested in what will, or perhaps might, happen.
He asks about the other versers you mention.
He asks what Geneice has already learned.
--M. J. Young
Wed Mar 5 2008 2:42 am # -
Jhiaxus
Member"Well most of them I got from books or movies, and I will explain the concept of both if need be. Most of the spells I got from a book which is a guide for mythical spells and formulas. Not much to it, in other worlds they worked fine, in some they work hardly at all.
Let's see, I tell him about the Tropical Island and Michael Di'Vars, then Starship Destiny, the missions and their crew, then Orc Rising tell them about what happened there, and then finally Why Spy, and the many people and things that were movies in my world, and about C.
Well most of the items, telekinesis, mind reading and the telescopic vision, I just will it to happen, and if it works it works, if not, it doesn't. The disease can be the same way, or I ask apon Odin to grant me the power, the thunderstorm, much the same, Odin is the God of Thunder in Norse religions. The language comprehension, I follow a set of instructions, say words and again, it either happens or it doesn't.
The orcs are very interesting demi humans, I give him a description, in my one book they are evil, but in this world, the humans, elves, and dwarves were more evil then them. I also explain what elves and dwarves are. I will explain how I tried to organize them into a society, so they could better defend themselves from the slavers and the evil orcs. Their culture was a nomadic one, I guess I may have changed them from nomads to settling in one community. I tried to teach them farming, and defending themselves, I never got to see if they were able to do anything with what I taught them.
Well starships are built with metal, use advanced science to move, they are hard for me to explain since for the most part they are just theory to me, I never got to build one, and I only grasped the most basic of concepts when I was on Destiny. As for why men build them, men are curious I guess. They conquered the planet, they wanted to conquer the universe. The stars do offer enticement of something more out there.
England, well I will tell him of the middle ages, the crusades, the split of the church, how England was the world power for centuries, how they founded hundreds of colonies, and The United States, I will tell them of Robin Hood, and of modern times.
Hmm Michael Di'Vars, from his own mouth he has been to thousands of worlds, and I think he lost of forgot who he was. He seemed to be a guy who was broken down, and hooked onto Odin as a god, and Ragnarok as a reason to go on. I'm sure he saw enough to make him lose touch, but he has a purpose. About C, he's English, and under the impression on he could save England. I played along with him to get the training and supplies to survive in future worlds, since before my last world, I wasn't really prepared for much in terms of combat and survival. I met my wife there, took a liking to her, I couldn't tell her who or what I really way, so I did somethings I didn't like to get her to spend time with me. In the end, I think it was worth it, and I am happier for it
Jade knows a lot about combat and technical skills. I didn't teach her magic or mind powers, she might not have been capable of it on her world, the Orcs weren't able to do it on theirs, now she should be able to do anything. I'm not too much ahead of her, I just experimented more."
Adam
Wed Mar 5 2008 11:58 pm # -
Merlin eventually says he'd better get you back to the inn so you can get settled before nightfall, but we'll continue this tomorrow. He says he will meet you in the morning.
He then walks over toward the exit, stops, and pronounces a string of words. A grey mist appears.
"Stay close to me," he says, and steps into the mist.
--M. J. Young
Thu Mar 6 2008 2:31 am #
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