PBEM Game: Yarnspinners 2 (Running)

[djo]

Check your PM...I pulled the whole list off your last status email.

(Why didn't I think of this yesterday?)

[edit]

And if anyone want to use a different email than was used on the last status email, tell Tauren!

[The_Tauren13]

Geeze thanks a bunch, djo.
Next turn should be coming out shortly.

[The_Tauren13]

Ugh, I sent back all the .2h files instead of the .trn files.
Sorry about that. Let me try again...

[puffyn]

(At some point I'm sure I'll get lazy and just post to the wiki, but for our loyal readers who have not yet found the wiki, here's my first turn, aka "Turn 3". To see Turn 0, you'll have to go to the wiki.

--- C'tis, Turn 3 ---

KEE-RACK

"Are you sure we should be in here?" The dank air hung closely around the two little lizards as they struggled to see, to find movement their eyes could latch onto. So far the darkness was winning.

"You scared, little egg-brother?" came the taunting reply. Laph's cohort had hatched a mere four days before his, and she wasn't about to let him forget it. Ruli ignored her, and focused on trying to find what they'd come for. It was his idea, after all.

KR-R-R-R-R...

There, by the shaft of warm air. A few photons, much battered after their long passage through tiny crevasses and barely perceptible cracks in the rock, were bouncing again, this time off of something vaguely off-white, on the far side of the cavern. And it was definitely moving.

"Found 'em!" said Laph, as Ruli opened his mouth to announce his discovery. She had sharper eyes than him, too. They skittered over to the weary dancing photons, eyes locked now on subtle movements they hadn't noticed before.

... ck

When the tiny lizard finally broke through, the final bit of eggshell popped off with an anticlimactic whisper. The hatchling took a hesitant step forward, stopped, then looked around wide-eyed, taking in the nest; already, cracks were forming on two other eggs, and three more were not far behind. His eyes moved next to the two slightly larger lizards hovering over him, one of them staring at him with great fascination... and the other busily scooping his discarded egg shell into a bag. The hatchling began to cry.

"Oh, now look what you've done, Ruli," said Laph, hastily scouring the floor for something.

"They have to be fresh," Ruli protested. "Great-grandfather says otherwise they don't have enough life force left for his incantations to work, and ..." And she wasn't listening to him, again.

But at least the hatchling was no longer crying. He was making happy gurgling sounds as he shook something that looked suspiciously like a falchion, but rattled. "I always knew the elite nurseries were well taken care of," said Laph, "but wow. Remember Crotalus?"

The legendary sacred serpent, from when Mother Gehyra was a hatchling, the one who drove the scale-leavers from the land, and spoke persuasively with a certain dragon about relocating his lair... He remembered the stories. "I think that rattle was his," said Laph.

"Oh," said Ruli. What lucky hatchlings. I bet Cole will take them on raids with him long before Laph or I get to go. He turned to leave. "Laph?" She had disappeared. "C'mon, stop playing games." He looked all around, but she had vanished. "If Cole finds us here..."

"He'll eat you for dinner, is that it?" There was a deep chuckle. Ruli jumped, then looked up, and saw Laph high above him, dangling by her tail. "Now why would I want to eat such enterprising and scrawny youngsters as yourselves, when the world is brimming with fat, lazy warm-blooded prey?"

The giant head bent slowly down, placing Laph gently on the ground. Her eyes shone with excitement; Ruli wondered idly why he was the only one whose first response, on meeting the huge carnivorous lizard up close, was a little healthy fear.

But do stop bothering the hatchlings, said Cole. They're no good to me terrified. He turned to the remaining five eggs, intently watching one whose cracks were beginning to grow.

Ruli grabbed his bag of eggshell, nudged Laph out of her reverie, and they skittered quickly toward the exit tunnel. "Did you see me?" said Laph, a little breathlessly. "I must've been nearly a thousand centimeters in the air!" They were almost out of the birthing cavern when they heard Cole's voice again.

"Do be patient, Ruli," he said. "There will be plenty of battles left for you when you are ready for them." The last thing Ruli and Laph heard as they scampered out of the cavern was the sound of a rattle shaking, and a very deep voice saying, "Coochie-coochie-coo."

---

[djo]

Here's Vanheim's turn 3 yarn. For turn 0, and all the rest, see the wiki (link in my sig).

Vanheim Turn 3

In which Vethru arrives and considers what he's arrived to, and Pherios finds himself with greater, more exciting responsibilities.


Vethru

There are many ways to begin...philosophical, historical, paradoxical, with excitement, with romance, with suspense, literally, literarily, literately, emotionally, intellectually, viscerally, whimsically...but let's try factually on for size.

I'm returning empty-handed from a distant land where, I kid you not, the people are ruled by baker-kings, when I meet the old man at a crossroads. We're in one of those synesthetic dimensions where you feel like you're walking on music, and every time you open your mouth, it looks like the dreams of an abstract expressionist. I wasn't having any trouble with it, but he looked very puzzled.

"Ho, traveler," he says, calling down from his horse. "Do you know this land? I seem to have lost my way."

Maybe it has something to do with the fact he's only got one eye. Before I can answer, he asks, "Is that a seagull on your shoulder?"

"Yes," I tell him. "He's a pet." I say this mostly because Ji hates being called a pet.

"Are you a sailor, then? I am searching for land of sailors."

"I was," I say. There's something wrong with the stranger beside his eye; his appearance is very uncertain, very shaky. In this dimension, it comes across like an indistinct mix of aromas from a dozen kitchens. (I still can't get that baker's land out of my mind!)

"A sailor, and a bird lover! Fate has brought me just the man I need. I, too, have birds. Usually, they guide me, but I cannot find them. Have you seen two ravens in your travels?"

I had, and they were delicious. "I saw them down the right fork," I tell him, because I'm sensing something very, very interesting down the left fork. "Not too far along, either."

"Excellent," he says. "Thank you, old sailor, and may the wind be at your back." He straightens in his saddle. "I must be going; they are waiting for me."

After he disappears down the right fork, I follow the prayers I hear down the left fork. Don't judge me. I really was a sailor, once. Besides, he would've done the same to me, if I'd given him the chance. You can't trust a god, ever.

It's a dark and stormy night when I finally arrive. It's a normal world, where light goes in your eyes, and sound comes out of your mouth. Everything looks very old, which is good for what I'm looking for. But as you'd expect, they summoned me to the newest, cleanest temple. The priests are just like that one eyed old man, tall, with that shimmering, wavy appearance. I walk out into the courtyard, and it's filled with humans and a few more of the tall ones.

It becomes apparent they feel some dire need to conduct military exercises for me, in the rain, at midnight. They're all very enthusiastic, very eager to pledge their loyalty and honor and lives to me. I accept, of course, with great dignity. I let them parade back and forth a couple times, then I send them home so I can get out of the rain.

A couple hours later, after being introduced to a passel of Vanherses and Vanjarls, I'm finally left alone.

"I don't know," I say. "They're a fine fighting force, but honor and purity of heart will only get you so far."

Ji squawks. "Yeah, boss, I don't think these guys are cut out for back-alley wet work."

I'm wondering if I shouldn't have let One-Eye have them when there's a noise of the door. A wild eyed human is there. He's dressed in brown, and he's got a scraggly beard. "Come with me, if you would," he says. "There's more to see." He gives me a wink and a grin and a nod, so I follow him.

Around the back of the castle, in a dark, overgrown courtyard, are another dozen like him. No mounts, no spears or javelins for them. Big swords and axes. Not a one of the men is unscarred.

"This land's light and dark," he says. "These're your folk, too."

He takes me out the gate. The rain's stopped, and the wind blows the clouds from the moon. A beam catches a group of men milling around the base of a tower belching thick smoke. They make the einhere look tame. No armor, only furs. They twitch in the moonlight, snuffle as I pass. My guide pulls open the tower's rotting door, and as I enter and descend, I hear howls behind me.

In the flickering firelight, dark shapes work. Clanging punctuates the flare and spark of hot metal being hammered. A tall shape among the small limps toward me. She's got the usual uncertain presence, but unlike the boys out front, with their shine and dazzle, her misdirection is all oily shadow.

She's not a pretty picture. Her head's tilted over to touch an ear to a shoulder. Her skin is waxy blue-grey. Her bloody eyes bulge. The edges of her mouth twist upward, baring her teeth. I choose to interpret it as a smile.

This, I can work with.




Pherios

The castle on Paistellus is the second highest point in the city. From here, you can see the surrounding mountains and badlands, the plains to the north, and the Black Gorge to the south. The land looks just like it did the first time I saw it, when I was a boy. It's not. Nothing's the same. Everything has changed.

Yesterday I was summoned before the Konella Koreia. I never thought I'd see them when I was so young. Someday, sure. Our House often sits on the council. Belletennares does right now. But I thought I'd be a few hundred years older before I had the chance to serve.

I was nervous, and excited, but I told them my dream, answered their questions, and offered my service to them.

"Vanheim accepts your service, Pherios of Alteion," their leader said. "This is what we require: Vethru has sent for you. Our orders to you are to serve him."

Later I learned that the Konella Koreia gave Vethru its approval to rule over Vanheim. But right then, they escorted me on wobbly knees to a library in the castle to meet Vethru.

I had been there when he arrived, of course. Belletennares had rushed us to Vanheim just in time for that. I didn't get a good look at him, on that dark night. Now, in person, Vethru was a paradox. He sat at a table with a pile of books in front of him, just a small, gray-faced old man, yet he radiated power like the greatest of Vanjarls. His violet eyes were clear and piercing.

"So you're the one who foresaw my arrival," he said.

"Yes, sir," I said. There was a gull standing on the table. It walked a few steps forward and tipped its head toward me.

"Have you seen anything more?" he asked. He seemed kind. His voice was grandfatherly, and he was almost smiling. "I'd pay well for accurate predictions of the future."

"Well...I see things, but I can't always tell what it means. I mean, I may see something that eventually might happen, but I can't always figure out the symbols until after. I may not even know the people involved until later, when I've heard what happened." The bird was definitely watching me. Birds are usually twitchy. Their heads always jerk from one side to another. This gull was staring right at me. "I could describe exactly what I see. Which may mean nothing. That's the best I can promise. And I don't need to be paid. I serve Vanheim. That's all the payment I need."

He laughed. "An honest seer! That's something I haven't seen in a long time." Then he studied me. I couldn't look away from his eyes. It seemed like he could see into my soul, and I was afraid of what he'd find--a Van too young to know what nonsense he was wasting a god's time with.

But then he did smile, a real smile. "I need your eyes," he said. And with that, he made me head of the seers. Which right now is only me, but he says there will be more. It's my job to watch the skies and record what I see. I'll get to look at all the reports of the armies and their scouts and spies, so I can recognize the significance of what I'm seeing.

"And keep studying magic," he said. "We've got a lot to do. I'll need you even more later."

So now I study magic and theology in the mornings, and I read reports and orders in the afternoon. In the evenings, I study more, or I train with the spear and the javelin with my uncle and my cousins, until I'm ready to fall asleep in the saddle.

In the moments in between, I come up to the high places and watch the skies. Everywhere I look, I see things. The spring skies are turbulent. The gulls are everywhere, chasing away the other birds. The winds sculpt the clouds into shapes that twists and battle in the air. I write it all down in my notebook.

Today, from my turret high in the castle, I saw someone on the slopes of Triastellus, someone who, like me, was watching the sunset. She was sketching the shifting columns of red and purple clouds. Now and then, she would gather her papers and fly to another spot for a better view. I wondered who this Valkyrie was. I waved to her, to try to get her attention, but she didn't see me.

I had been watching her for half an hour when birds began to flock around her. She didn't seem to notice. Gulls circled, and I caught flashes of a white bird, and a black one. They formed a maelstrom around her, then, moments later, I couldn't see her or the birds in the gathering twilight.

That night, I dreamed it again. Now she was a snowy egret flying with a flock of gulls and a few ravens. They flew far and wide across the countryside, often diving toward the ground, only to regain the sky and fly to another spot. Dark clouds gathered overhead. Lightning started to flash. The birds continued their search, I don’t know for what. The clouds billowed and the wind roared, but the bird flew on, ignoring the storm chasing them across the land. Then I woke.

She was in danger. I had to find her.

[The_Tauren13]

Sorry, but because I havent had a chance to get on during the last 30 hours, we are behind schedule.

Here is a screenshot of the map as seen by the eyes of god.

[The Panther]

The Kingdom of Man, Turn 3

I was royally pissed.

Hmm… I kind of like that word royally. It makes me feel special.

But enough of that. One thing about being the Queen of Man is that people instantly respond to your every command. I might actually get used to this! So…

“GET RALPH IN HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!”

I even managed to keep a stern face until AFTER my handsome young attendant ran off to obey me!

It did not take him long. Of course, I started on Ralph the instant he arrived inside my huge field tent in the mountains of Gryphon Spires.
“Uncle Ralph”, I said, using my iciest voice. “You told me they would bow before me. You said that my dominion already controlled this land. You even said your preaching is paying dividends inside all the borders of our so-called friendly neighbors. SO WHY ARE THERE 28 CORPSES ON THIS BATTLEFIELD?”

That darn man. He is always so very glib. He knows the proper words in any situation. I was therefore totally unable to faze him in the slightest. “Twenty eight, huh? That many…” he replied evenly.
“Yes, I personally counted them. Furthermore one of my own loyal spearmen is dead and three axemen are over in the medical tent being treated for injuries. Two of them have even lost an eye!”

Ralph paused for just a tiny moment before continuing, “Well, my dear niece,” he said lightly, “I did not expect to find the local Lord with such a large army. I suppose he took affront when I asked him to contribute gold to the rise of the Age of Man in your honor.”
“Asked, smasked, you slippery man you. I am sure it was more like you ordered him to pay up or else.”
“Perhaps, my dear, perhaps I did. You could be right.”
“I AM right.”
“Yes, my queen, your word is gospel.”
I stared at him in silence, letting him squirm under my glare.

But he was not squirming at all! In fact, he seemed highly amused. Darn that man! Why did my father have to die while Uncle Ralph continued to live?

I sighed deeply and said, “Well, uncle, I do admit I am very happy that I came along with you. That flying shard spell taught to me by the Royal Library was most effective indeed. I did not know I could do such things.” The memory of stones being conjured out of my hands and landing on the heads of the enemy was still fresh in my mind.

Ralph eventually replied, “Oh, I knew you could do many things, Selena. I have always known that you inherited much of the gypsy ways of my mother, your grandam. You have far more magic ability than your fair share, my young enchantress. Of that I am totally certain.”
“As do you, my dear uncle. What was that spell you kept casting to keep our axemen from running away when they engaged the enemy? Can you teach me that?”
Uncle Ralph answered, “I call it the ‘Sermon of Courage’. But I think you are not holy enough to try it as yet. I think you are better off attempting some other spells more suited to your style.”
“Like?”
“Well, I have heard of a splendid spell called ‘Quickness’. We will try to discover how it is done and teach it to you.”
“What would this new spell do for me?”
“It makes you move at twice the speed of most mortals.”
“Could I cast my spells faster?”
“Yes, twice as fast!”
“I see. Do it then.”
“Yes, my Queen. I hear and obey.”
And with that, Uncle Ralph turned and left my royal field tent without even a goodbye.

Darn that man!