An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world · Page 2

I smile joyfully as she is restored to strength.

"Don't thank me, dear sister in Christ. Give thanks and glory to the LORD for His mercy, through His Son Jesus Christ."

"May you use your restored strength to serve Him and bear witness of Him thankfully and joyfully."

I gently raise my hand in benediction.

"'The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.'"

My eyes fall upon the children, and I smile again.

"'Peace be to this house.'"

I nod in farewell, and exit the home.

When Stephen and Philip join me, I speak quietly to them.

"I need a few minutes before returning, in order to give thanks to the LORD. I'll be with you shortly..."

I go apart from them a short distance to a nearby tree, and sit beneath it, and bow my head in silent prayer for several minutes, giving thanks to the LORD. For I am well aware of the ten lepers, and how few of them returned to give praise to God when He had healed them.

Then I rise to rejoin them for the return trip to Robin's camp, full of thanksgiving for the LORD's mercy.

I'm sorry--you don't get that far. As you exit the home, there is a crowd waiting. Some are obviously sick themselves, and others immediately ask if you can come pray for their loved ones either here or in "nearby" villages.

--M. J. Young

OOC Questions:

1. How many are in the crowd?
2. How many of them are sick themselves?
3. How many are requesting me to come to which locations?

1. How many are in the crowd?

It's a small village; a crowd is twelve.

2. How many of them are sick themselves?

Five are either clearly sick themselves or asking you to heal them, personally.

3. How many are requesting me to come to which locations?

Four want you to heal family members in this village--two of them are for the same family member, so that means three here--and three want you to come with them to other villages, all in different directions.

--M. J. Young

I blink in surprise, and slowly nod.

"Friends and brethren, let us gather together, then, and worship the LORD, and pray for your healing."

I gather them into a nearby place where they can listen in relative comfort if available (reclining on nearby ground or grass, sheltered from sun or wind if they bring discomfort, etc.).

I open by singing a hymn...

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and bless'd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

"Now let us hear the Word of the LORD. I read from the Holy Bible, the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, as Jesus speaks within the synagogue."

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

But he passing through the midst of them went his way, And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

"Here then is our first lesson: God is Sovereign."

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

"... as Paul tells us in the ninth chapter of Romans."

"We are gathered together to worship the LORD, and to pray for your healing. But there may be reasons why the LORD deems it best for some to be healed at this time, and some not to be healed. We may not be able to understand those reasons. But we are called to fully place our trust in Him."

"For the Scripture even goes so far as to say, 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him', and 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'"

"We don't always like to reflect on the fact that the LORD is Sovereign. We are full of sinful rebellion against the LORD, desiring to go our own ways, rather then obey the LORD."

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

"... as Paul tells us in the third chapter or Romans."

"And for such rebellion against the rule of the Sovereign LORD God of all creation, we are all justly under the sentence of death. Our only hope is in the Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who chose to die in our place, that we might be pardoned."

"Hear again the Word of the LORD. I read again from the Holy Bible, the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew."

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

"Here then is our next lesson: we must have faith in the LORD, through the Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, since he is the only one who can save us from certain death. He is the only one who can heal our sin and corruption, not only within our bodies, but also within our souls."

"As Paul says to the Ephesians..."

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

"You come to the LORD to seek healing for your bodies... and you do well. But far more important than healing our bodies, we must come to the LORD to seek healing for our souls, lest we lose not just our earthly lives, but our eternal souls."

"And to seek him, we must turn away from our sins, and turn toward him. We must leave off our rebellion against the LORD, and seek the amnesty offered through the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ, who suffered the death sentence that we deserved."

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

"Hear again the Word of the LORD. I read from the Holy Bible, the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke."

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

"We seek the LORD's favor... but when then? Will you go your way, and forget the LORD? Or will you give thanks and worship and glory to the LORD?"

"Let us worship the LORD together. Feel free to join me in the part of the hymn that repeats, as the LORD moves you."

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, 'Let them come to Me.'

(Refrain)

Jesus loves me! Loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill,
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree.

(Refrain)

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

(Refrain)

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

(Refrain)

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

(Refrain)

"Let us pray."

"Dearest LORD, thank you for this time to worship you together."

"We pray for your healing for our bodies, if it be your will, by your grace and mercy alone, and to your glory alone."

"And even more importantly, we pray for your healing for our souls, that we would turn from our rebellous ways, and know your ways, and follow them faithfully."

"Thank you for hearing our humble prayers. We pray in the Holy Name of the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ your Son... Amen."

OOC: I am first petitioning for the entire group of those present and afflicted to be healed, using the example of Jesus and the ten lepers, plus appropriate words and gestures, reading from the Bible, and appropriate songs. I am also already in a suitable mind-set from having just come from a prayer and petition session for healing Stephen's sister, which may serve a similar purpose to having a quiet time of prepration. Is healing a group a new use, or a new skill?

Is healing a group a new use, or a new skill?

The skill description reads:

1@2 Cure Disease M+2@4 sing while caring for sick, anoint with oil, lay both hands on them and pray for final minute, 15:00TF, +14SM

I see two things which suggest that you are attempting a new skill:

1. You are not using that final minute to pray individually with laid on hands and anointing oil.
2. You are citing the example of Jesus curing the ten lepers at once--an example is beneficial for learning a new skill, not for using one you already know.

However, this is not conclusive. If you think it is a new use of the same skill, explain to me how you are doing the same thing differently (the oil and the hands matter to the skill as written, so if you are not using them this is not that skill). If you prefer for it to be a new skill, we'll go that way.

--M. J. Young

Hmmmm...

I was about to observe that the nature of my faith would make the specific actions I perform differ each time, which would doom me to having lots of slightly different skills for doing the same thing.

However, I then reflected upon James 5:13-15...

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Since I would indeed take such instructions into account, that means that it is in fact reasonable to assume that I actually would take that final minute for praying, laying on hands, and anointing with oil.

I think that this is in fact a new use, however. In the past, the preparation time was used to individually minister to the sick (wipe forehead with damp cloth, feed them broth, etc.) as I sang to them. However, this time the preparation time was used to lead them in a group worship service, singing and preaching the word to all of them at once.

It doesn't foul things up that all ten "final minutes" occur consecutively at the end?

(pardon the mechanics-interested observer)

I think that the question is more on the order of whether he then takes one final minute to lay hands on and quickly anoint all of them, or whether he takes a minute for each. My inclination is that the former would be the same skill but the latter probably would not, but to some degree we're working with fluid ritual here, and the question is really whether the skill as originally envisioned can be cast once on a group of subjects, or whether it has to be done for each of them individually--in which case, we're looking at a separate group healing skill here.

To some degree we're exploring how fluid our ritual can be. We've established that singing songs and reading scriptures relevant to the miracle can be considered part of a specific ritual even if the specific songs and scriptures change. We're working on the rest of it.

So John, I guess the question is, does your character see himself praying for each of them, or for all of them? If you understand that distinction, I think we can resolve the matter.

--M. J. Young

I'd say that my character sees himself praying for all of them.

They are all much improved as you finish praying for them; you can see in their faces that they believe a miracle has occurred.

Those whose loved ones are not present, however, are still asking you to come with them.

--M. J. Young

I bow my head, and pray.

"Dearest LORD, thank you for hearing our humble prayers. May these children of yours give you the praise, and glory, and thanks, and use their renewed health and strength to love and serve you, and their neighbors. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name... Amen."

I raise my head, and my hand in benediction at those who have been healed.

"Go in peace."

Then I turn to those remaining.

"Let us go, then, and minister to and pray for your loved ones now..."

I first go to those in the village, starting with the one represented by two family members.

With each, I minister to them in a similar fashion as I did to Stephen's sister...

You watch as the seemingly gangrenous leg of the next patient grows fresh skin and muscle, and the patient leaps from the bed, jumps up and down and stamps his feet several times, and shouts something which probably would be Hallelujah if it weren't for the thick accent.

"Thank you, your grace," he says. "How can I thank you?"

--M. J. Young

"You can give thanks and praise and glory to the LORD, for it is He that healed you. May you use your renewed health and strength to love and serve him, and your neighbor."

"Let us give thanks together..."

I lead him in a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication, and depart with a benediction.

And so, with an inward stunned sense of wonder, amazed not only with all the healings that have taken place but also at the immediate and dramatic nature of the latest one, I depart with those remaining to the next patient in the village...

The next healing is less dramatic but clearly successful, as the respiratory infection begins clearing up and the patient feels markedly improved and wanting something to eat.

The third is more dramatic, an infected injury clearing to a healing wound that will, if properly tended, scab over and finish healing in a week or so.

You have three persons following you who are eager to have you travel with them to other villages.

You came pretty much due south from the camp of the Merry Men. One of the three villages is southeast, one due west, and one northeast. It is difficult to get clear statements of the conditions of the patients, partly because their representatives here have not seen them for quite a while--presumably neither dead nor well, or word would have come, but thought to be dying. All are a couple hours away from here, which makes them farther from each other.

--M. J. Young

I give thanks in prayer with the healed to the LORD for his mercy.

Then I set off with the three for the west, southeast, and northeast villages, in that order.

And as we walk, I ask questions, getting to know them. And I find out more about their beliefs, and gently share of my own from the Word of the LORD...

In general they believe that one should attend Mass when it is possible, and that by receiving the holy sacraments one is blessed by God and forgiven of all the sins he can remember to confess, and that if you forget to confess something God will have to punish you for it, but as long as it isn't anything too bad you'll wind up in heaven in the end. It's all very muddled and sometimes contradictory, a sort of Roman Catholicism as explained by people who live near the church and are trying to figure out what their neighbors believe. They do believe, or at least say they believe, that Jesus was the Son of God, that God raised Him from the dead, and that there is a heaven for all the good people God receives for Himself.

It will take a couple hours to get to the next village.

--M. J. Young

When I am brought to the patient, I minister once again in a similar fashion as I did to Stephen's sister...

And so I do...

Simple things, really. Gently wiping a feverish forehead with a cool damp cloth. Spooning a bit of broth into her mouth. Anointing her with the oil I brought. Reading relevant passages of Scripture from the Bible I brought.

Each simple act of ministration accompanied by gentle, soothing songs of praise and petition to the LORD, and interspersed with intercessory prayer.

And after around half an hour total, a final word of prayer...

OOC: Did I read in the OOC thread that we were assuming 15 minute duration? I'm actually taking around 30 minutes, so we'll need to adjust the number crunching accordingly... :)

I think that the number crunching probably looks something like this. Either you are using this skill:

1@2 Cure Disease M+2@4 sing while caring for sick, anoint with oil, lay both hands on them and pray for final minute, 15:00TF, +14SM

and letting the time run long, or you are using this skill:

1@1 Cure Disease, multiple patients, M+2@4 sing and preach to the sick, anoint with oil, lay both hands on each and pray for them, 30:00TF, -16SM

and your multiple patients equals one. The differences between the two skills are minimal, and I am inclined to think that if you are ministering to one sick person you are more likely to use the skill designed for one sick person--not because it is designed for one, but because with one patient you are more likely to attend to physical needs while praying and singing, where with multiple patients you are more likely to preach to the group. That gets you a better chance for it to work. I would say you are doing it twice, but you are not because you are doing the anointing and hands only once, at the end.

Remember, part of what we need to do is distinguish when we are doing something different and when we mean to do the same thing. Since your rituals are so flexible, "different" is going to be based more on your intent than anything else.

Now, if you particularly want to design another skill, we'll go with that, but I am not inclined to treat it that differently. Besides, I don't think you brought a timer.

I'll await your response before proceeding.

--M. J. Young

OOC: My intent is indeed to simply minister to them (individually, in this case). My only thought was that if I was using twice the time, it makes more sense to have that incorporated into the SM bonus.

OOC, I would like to have the flexibility extend that far, rather than simply having to throw up our hands and say "oops, sorry, the game mechanics force us to create a different skill if the SM bonus is going to change". But that is a decision for GMs and game designers, not for humble healers like lil' ol' me... :)

A reasonable suggestion: the ritual, which includes ministering to the physical needs of the patient, takes fifteen minutes typically. Sometimes you take longer, but it is the same ritual. Thus sometimes you will do it in half an hour, but sometimes you will do it in five minutes (less than half the time), and as long as you are not abusing this "do it in five minutes" option but only using it thus when there are time pressures, the sit-mod will remain the same. ("Time pressures" does not include trying to heal multiple people individually instead of with the multiple patient version, unless you have to travel between them.)

It is near midday when you reach the western village. The patient here is clearly very sick, although might recover without intervention given rest and time. However, your prayers, as appreciated as they are, do not bring any evidence of immediate improvement to this patient.

On the bright side, none of the other villagers are asking you to pray for their sick loved ones.

--M. J. Young

Hmmmm... I had been thinking of flexibility in the sense that the same skill could accommodate different time periods used, and have the SM be variable depending upon the time interval. From an OOC standpoint, that is handy because it allows me to increase the probability of success if I am willing to spend more time.

However, what you counter-propose is a rather fascinating variation of that flexibility, where the SM stays the same, but the time can vary, as long as the average time is around the SM computed interval, and it isn't abused.

OOC, that gives me less control over probability, which is a drag. I can't do things to make my success a sure thing.

However, I have to admit that it does do a better job of giving a result that is a bit unpredictable (84% success, 14% or 15% no success, 1% or 2% botch, correct?), which reflects what one might expect from praying, since we don't know what His will might be. And it does capture better that the way He answers prayer isn't necessarily by requiring a certain length of praying in a time-pressure situation.

OK then. Let's go with your idea. :)

I nod to the patient, and to the person who brought me here.

"I will go apart for awhile, and pray further, and will certainly continue to lift you up in prayer. And I will look in on you once again before I depart."

"Peace be to this house."

I walk to a place slightly apart, where I can have a quiet time alone with the LORD. For I am well aware how important it is to protect that time with Him, especially when the needs of ministry press upon us. Our own might or power will not suffice... and in the midst of His ministry, Jesus consistently took time apart to pray.

And after a good quiet time, I return to look in on the patient again, and once again seek the LORD's healing hand...

Am I correct in assuming that the quiet time of preparation, like the quiet time I had prior to healing the first dozen in Robin's camp, may improve the probability of success for subsequent healing petitions? And that a quiet time of preparation would constitute a change of circumstance? :)

It occurred to me while reading your first paragraph what seems to have occurred to you by the time you reached your last: you do have the ability to change your chance of success by spending more time on it, because you also have this skill:

1@1 Bonus Healing Magic M+1@4 RS/5 bonus to all magic healing skills performed in the next RSx15 minutes, requires reading aloud from a bible and singing and praying with appropriate words for 1:00:00, +43SM

You don't have a fifteen minute version of that, but you could create one--if it were identical but shortened (halved twice), that would be a +23SM insteadn of +43, less likely to work. It could also be chained, that is, done repeatedly, although my preference would be for multiple castings to increase the duration not the effect.

And yes, the successful use of any skill which alters your chance of success is inherently a change in circumstances, because it has changed your chance of success. Of course, waiting an hour might also be a change in circumstances.

You pray and worship for an hour in preparation for healing, and feel the presence of God and the empowering of the Spirit within you.

You return to the patient and repeat your prayers and anointing. This time recovery is clearly beginning and progressing rapidly. Within a few minutes the patient is sitting up, breathing better, and conversing with family.

--M. J. Young

: Thank you, dearest LORD... :

I proceed to pray aloud, giving thanks to the LORD, dedicating and blessing the patient and household, and taking my leave.

And, unless there is further need of healing within the western village, I set off for the southeastern village...

You are soon on the road--or rather, pressing through the woods--toward the next town.

"So," one of your companions ventures, "Your Grace, if you don't mind me asking--well, it's just that, we don't get too many saints here in Nottinghamshire, and I wondered why you were here."

--M. J. Young

I give a good-natured grin.

"Why has the LORD brought me here? I don't know, friend. But I do know that wherever he brings me, I must serve him."

"And if I seek to follow my Lord, Jesus Christ, what did he say about why he was here?"

"He quoted from the sixty-first chapter of the prophet Isaiah:"

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

"Have you heard the word 'gospel' before, my friend? What do you think 'gospel' means?"

We have a linguistic matter to address, hopefully briefly.

It was determined early in our discussions that your linguistic abilities enable you to speak and understand English as they speak it. That is rather different in pronunciation, but fairly similar in vocabularly and syntax.

The word "gospel", however, does not exist as such; rather, it is still in the form "goodspiel", from which our abbreviated form derives. It is a common word that means "a good report" or "good news", that is, something spoken with some detail (a "spiel") which is desireable or encouraging or otherwise positive ("good").

The question is whether you are using the word "goodspiel" as the correct early form--in which case the answer would be yes, he uses that word all the time, such as in speaking of the goodspiel that his cousin's farm is producing well this year, or the goodspiel that his wife's health is improving--or whether you are using the modern word "gospel"--in which case, no, he has never heard that word.

It also is of less significance but worth asking whether you are pronouncing in in a manner which Chaucer would spell Gasspul (the closest you can get to the pronunciation fo the modern word GAHS-pl) or in a manner which you would probably spell Go-Spayl (the pronunciation of the letters you used).

In either case, you have his answer, but I'll want to know which answer that is.

--M. J. Young

I sound it out in what I understand is the pronunciation used here, "go-spayl".

When he doesn't recognize it, I give synonyms such as "good news" and "good tidings", and (I presume) we figure it out together... :)

Having attained a common understanding of "gospel", I continue...

"So then, Jesus Christ came preaching 'goodspiel'. What do you think this 'goodspiel' was?"

"Well, I reckon that it means if you can be good enough you can go to heaven, and if you slip up you can get a priest to forgive you, if you support the church right. So so long as you haven't done anything really terrible and unforgivable, you can get a clean slate and try again whenever you've got a bit for the collection plate."

--M. J. Young

I take in his words thoughtfully, and with interest.

"Why do you think Jesus died?"

"Oh, that's easy, isn't it? The Jews killed him. Nailed him to a cross, they did."

--M. J. Young

"Ah, but was it just because some people decided to do him violence?"

"Or did the LORD have a purpose behind it?"

"Well, don't the Lord have a purpose behind everything? I don't say as we knows what it is always, but we knows that it's there."

--M. J. Young

I nod in agreement, smiling.

"Yes, that is true. The LORD has a purpose behind everything."

"So what do you think was the LORD's purpose for having Jesus die?"

"Ah, that's the myst'ry, i'n'it? Who can know the mind o' th' Lord?"

--M. J. Young

"The LORD tells us of Himself and His purposes through His Word, the Holy Bible."

"And as it is written by the prophet Isaiah, in the fifty-third chapter:"

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

"So the good news is that though we deserve death for our sins and rebellion against the LORD, Jesus Christ paid the price in our place. As the apostle Paul says in the second chapter of Ephesians:"

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

"We are saved by grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. Not of works. Not of your works, such as giving money, or doing penance. Not of the works of some earthly 'priest'. But by the grace of God alone, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone."

"And *that*... is good news indeed, is it not?"

OOC: Feel free to fast-forward, if you wish... :)

I would be glad to fast forward, as soon as I manage to rewind sufficiently to recall where we are. A cursory reading suggests that you were making a tour of four villages where you had been asked to pray for the sick, and that you had left the second, west of the first (which is south of the camp of the Merry Men), and were journeying toward the third, southeast of the second. The fourth is northeast of the second.

We will jump to your arrival at the third village.

By the time you reach the southeastern village, the woods are growing dark.

--M. J. Young

I ask my companion about the patient we are to see (background information, etc.).

Then I proceed with the visit, and proceed in attempting to heal the patient, as I did in the first two villages...

OOC: Could you please post my current character sheet somewhere, so that I can also refresh my memory on what skills I have? :)

Bedridden, protracted illness, abdominal pain sometimes very severe. He has been unable to do any work for most of the past year, and his color looks bad. Eating makes him hurt more, it seems, so he's been wasting away, caught between the pain of hunger and the pain of eating.

You pray for him, and he improves immediately. He is still weak, but he says the pain is gone and he feels like he could eat something.

Name Dr. John Oakmaster
a.k.a. Professor Oakmaster
Dr. O
Oak

Attributes
Persuasion 2@1
Charisma 1@10
Animal Magnetism 2@2
Strength 1@10
Stamina 1@8
Resistance 1@9
Density 1@1
Flexibility 1@5
Agility 1@4
Hand/Eye 2@1
Intellect 2@2
Intuition 2@1
Education Level 2@6
Will Power 1@7

Averaged Attributes
Ranged Strike Value
Martial Strike Value
Target Value
Damage Value

Best Relevant Attributes
Tech 2@6
Psi 2@1
Mag 2@2
Bod 1@10

Bias
Tech
Psi 6@1
Mag
Bod

Weaknesses
Nearsighted, and wear soft contact lenses, allergies (must use preservative-free contact lens solutions as well as moisturizing gel on eyelids to prevent drying and cracking), backaches (always need a back rest when sitting), too much ear wax, acrophobia (fear of heights), susceptibility to procrastination, intolerance to cigarette smoke (instantly sense whenever someone lights up anywhere in the vicinity, and feel tingly/cold-sweaty), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), particularly when there is minimal external audio stimulation, susceptibility to motion sickness. Healed of all ailments in Sherwood Forest.
Description
6'2", 200 lbs, Balding, short haired, Brown with some gray, 45 years old, Blue eyes, Beard, Beard hair very sparse under the mouth (apparently a hair growth pattern specific to some region of southern Germany), Friendly face, a bit paunchy

Skills
Tech
1@3 Use Long Bow T2@1
1@3 Make Bow T2@1
1@1 Make Quarterstaff T3@1
1@1 Use Quarterstaff/striking lever weapons T3@1
1@3 Make Arrows T3@1
1@6 Use Distance Scope Devices (binoculars) T6@1
3@5 Computer Science T11@0
1@1 Gravity Generation Theory T11@0
3@5 Read/Write Program T11@1 Java, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, OpenGL, others
2@5 Create Computer Security T11@2
2@3 Bypass Computer Security T11@3
3@5 Math Theory T13@0
3@5 Math Applications T13@0

Psi
Familiarity: The Architect, Scott
1@3 Middle English speak/comprehend P0@0
2@9 Teaching P0@1
1@1 Read Surface Thoughts P1@1
1@1 Read Memories P1@1
1@3 Perfect Memory (read memories: self) P1@1 (+20SM for reading self)
1@2 Empathy P1@1
1@1 Tap Language Center P1@1
1@2 Observe Psionic Skill Pattern P1@1
1@1 Telepathy P1@3
1@1 Improved Psychic Focus P3@1 +RS/10 sitmod to next attempted psi skill, creates change of circumstance for second attempt
1@1 Clairaudience P3@5
1@1 Clairvoyance P3@6
1@1 Sight/Sound Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Full Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Sight/Sound/Smell Sensory Presence P3@10
1@1 Heal Damage to Self P6@1

Mag
2@5 Organ M0@0
2@2 Music Conducting M0@0
2@6 Singing M0@0
2@3 Religion: Calvinist/Baptist M0@1
1@3 Ceremony of Consecration to God's Will M1@1 silently pray intentions and then sing praise to God, 5:00 TF, creates response based on GE roll in which God may respond with power relative to the character's desires.
1@5 Bonus Intuition Checks M1@4
1@5 Bonus Will Power Checks M1@4
1@1 Bonus Healing Magic M+1@4 RS/5 bonus to all magic healing skills performed in the next RSx15 minutes, requires reading aloud from a bible and singing and praying with appropriate words for 1:00:00, +43SM
1@1 Protection through Guidance M+1@6 0:06TF pray "Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me, I pray", words only, brings to the character's mind one thing to do to keep safe immediately.
1@1 Remove Fatigue M2@1 say "Dearest LORD, give me your wisdom and strength, I pray" :06 TF, words only, self only, -19SM
1@2 Cure Disease M+2@4 sing while caring for sick, anoint with oil, lay both hands on them and pray for final minute, 15:00TF, +14SM
1@1 Cure Disease, multiple patients, M+2@4 sing and preach to the sick, anoint with oil, lay both hands on each and pray for them, 30:00TF, -16SM
1@3 Total Healing M+2@7 extended 1:00:00 ritual see post on 4/2/7 in An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest for details.
1@3 Hold Bible in both hands and bow head while saying "Dearest LORD, thank you for bringing me safely to this place. Please guide and protect me now, and show me how to be a blessing here, and how to faithfully proclaim true knowledge of you. And now, please put forth your hand to protect me from any creatures that might be inclined to attack me here. Thank you for hearing my prayer. I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen." self only, 0:30 TF, duration RSx10:00 unless interrupted by an aggressive action, +14SM
1@1 Magical Clairsentience, defined person, M+7@2, bible, singing, both hands, reading aloud and praying, see post of 4/13, +25SM
1@1 Request Divine Guidance M+7@7 10:00 TF requires extended reading aloud from a Bible, statement of need, both hands, answers what to do now, details in post 10 of An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, +28SM.
1@2 Hear Thoughts M+7@8 sing, read from bible, requires both hands, 0:18TF, includes surface thoughts, memories, and translation if necessary, -5 SM
1@1 Know Character M+7@9, prayer, singing, Bible, gestures, both hands, RF 10 minutes, +25SM
1@1 Summon Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest as an informer M11@5 appropriate speech, singing, bible, both hands, 12:00TF, +35SM, target gets will power check RS=S/D/N
1@1 Short Teleportive Hop M12@1, details posted April 6, 2007, requires both hands, reading from a bible, singing, will move self with equipment to point observed, +40SM
1@1 Teleport Self In M+12@5, details posted April 19, 2007, both hands, singing, bible, 20:00TF, +51SM

Bod
1@1 Stealth: Wilderness B0@6
1@1 Quick Stand B4@4
1@1 Oakido B7@1 martial arts style Slow Defensive Weapon-Utilizing, Grapple -15 def sit-mod, -10 def damage mod, Att: 1, +5 att sit-mod, Body Part: Hand, Bo Stick, Special Maneuvers to be determined

Equipment
Suitcases (2 Samsonite hard-sided, Dark gray, each has two big wheels on one side, two smaller ones and a big retracting handle on the other, in addition to the usual handle on top, so that they are easy to wheel around. They also have combination locks (three digits))
Laptop (Gateway M685, 80GB, Intel Centrino Duo, 1680x1050 resolution, with AC power cord, earphones, audio cords, carrying case) Laptop Data (MS Windows XP SP2, Linux, course materials, personal data, 50000+ family JPGs, 1000+ choir MP3s, various software)
Sneakers w/Velcro (2 pairs, no laces, Navy Blue)
Socks (14 pairs, white gym style)
Underwear (14 pairs white briefs)
Levi's Dockers Pants (2 gray, 1 black, 2 tan, 2 white)
Office Shirts (7, no ironing, assorted lighter colors, long sleeved)
T-Shirts (7, assorted, short sleeved)
Shorts (3, with pockets, assorted colors)
Swimsuit (1)
Thermal Underwear Bottoms (7, black, Eddie Bauer)
Sweatsuit Tops and Bottoms (4 gray, 3 navy blue)
Sweater (2, green)
Jacket (1, green, down)
Sleeping Bag (1, navy blue, down)
Laser Pointer (with batteries)
Flashlight/Radio (hand crank or batteries)
Keychain with Very Miniature Screwdriver Set & Miniature LED Flashlight
Assorted Keys
Miniature Screwdriver Set (in paperback-sized case)
Compass
Pens & Pad of Notebook Paper (spiral bound)
Wallet (black), containing: $158 in small bills (mostly 20s), 25 business cards (self), driver's license (California, the license itself with a previous address, and a separate card giving my updated address (just around the corner from the old one)), credit card, CPR training card, library cards, medical/dental cards, faculty ID card, LA Zoo membership card, Aquarium of the Pacific membership card, HSLDA membership card, AAA membership card, ATM card
Comb (1, cyan)
Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Deodorant
Razor
Disinfecting Alcohol Hand-Washing Gel (1 bottle)
Shampoo
Nail Scissors
Contact Lens Case (pocket storage)
Contact Lens Solution (12 bottles, preservative-free)
Contact Lens Disinfection Unit (sonic/ultraviolet, with AC power cord)
Prescription Glasses (2 pairs, with cases)
Sunglasses (1 pair, fits over glasses, screens peripheral vision as well)
Cell Phone (K10 Royale, with AC recharging cord)
Travel Alarm Clock (metallic case, about the size of 25 stacked business cards when closed)
Bible (full sized, MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV)
Bible (pocket sized, KJV, black leather cover with zipper on the three non-binding sides)
Hymnals (1 Hymnal, 1 Psalter)
Photos (half a dozen family photos, 5x7)
Digital Camera (Sony DSC-P200, with AC recharging cord, USB cord, memory sticks 128MB & 128MB & 64MB & 32MB, 2 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, carrying case)
Ziplock Storage Bags (various sizes, sufficient to protect vulnerable items from water damage)
Cutlery (knife, fork, spoon, cup)
Can Opener
Matches (1 box kitchen)
Leather belt (worn)
Tupperware beverage container (teal, green top, yellow cap, full of filtered water)
Wedding Ring, plain gold band inscribed with names and date
Kinetic Blaster
Moisturizing gel for cracked eyelids
Canteen, aluminum 4-quart
Swiss Army Knife, 8-blade (3" knife, 3" saw, awl, screwdriver/bottle opener, can opener, tweezers, scissors, cross-point screwdriver)
Tent (small enough to fit inside suitcase when collapsed), nylon with plastic collapsing pole frame and pegs, two-man 42"x80" rectangular base, 36" peak, nearly triangular from base to peak, zippered mosquito net doors and waterproof floor, all in one piece.
2 Space Blankets
Ronco Pocket Fisherman
Binoculars in case, 5x
Magnifying glass, 4" round with 6" handle, 3x
First Aid Kit fits in pocket, with a few bandaids, tape, gauze, and antibiotic ointment
Water proof poncho, good quality durable
Flint & Steel in canvas pouch
Box 200 waterproof strike anywhere matches
Cook kit, 4qt pot with frypan lid, 8 plates, 3qt pot with frypan lid, 2qt pot, all aluminum, 8 plastic cups calibrated
Parachute cord 500'
Qt. Chlorine bleach in plastic bottle
Glass shaving mirror in protective metal casing with cover
2 Plastic whistles with balls
4 pairs woolen socks
Fork/knife/spoon clip together set in plastic case
Cooking/cleaning knife
Whet stone
Cheap wind-up wristwatch
2 days food rations/concentrate, light and compact
Insect repellent spray can

Stage 2

World List B Monster Movie World

--M. J. Young

I give thanks to the LORD, and give my blessing to the household.

Then I ask the one who desires my presence in the fourth village how long it will take to travel there, and what are the circumstances and condition of the patient there...