Almund is a thriving township with a dark side. With houses made from the wooden bodies of decommissioned ships, there are many opportunities here, coupled with many dangers.
Kura covered her ears and shrieked in pain as the parrot shrieked. The pain was intense and after the cry faded, it took her a moment to recover. Then she saw, and smelled, the stinky chickens that had appeared in place of her flunny, and she guessed, other ghost animals. "Some strange fairy magic goin' on tonight." she muttered under her breath. Still, at least the chickens weren't another scary thing to add to the list. Just...really gross.
Then she heard Qit'ria ordering the damn parrot around again and groaned. "Qit, please leave the bird be. Last time you bossed it didn't turn out so well." she said, her tone calm, but blunt. Still, it was time to go tomb raiding, so she stepped towards the Tomb of Maveth, only to pause and roll her eyes at all the secret sharing going on. "While we're on the topic of things we normally keep to ourselves, I'm scared of squids and monsters." she said, her tone dry. Then she looked at the rapidly ghost-ifing Tio. "We need to get a handle on that. Otherwise you run the risk of turning into a mindless spectral monstrosity." she said, her tone concerned, but still blunt.
Then she frowned, realizing she was being a bit of a bitch. "Besides, we wouldn't want to lose you to the in-between of life and death. You'd probably become some kind of hairy monstrosity, obsessed with people named Mary, or somethin'." she said, grinning slightly at him. Then she looked down at the stinky chicken that had once been her ghostly flunny, now strutting around her feet. "Well hello. Are you mine now? I'm Kura." she said, her tone wry as she headed towards the crypt with the rest.
Word Count: 291
► Show Spoiler
Can't think of a better song than the one I posted in the Peg Leg chat. So instead, have the original version of the song and a cartoon to go with it. Song starts at about 1:35.
Tio was becoming a ghostly pirate captain and it felt goooooood. He even named his chicken Pash Junior, which caused a ghostly titter to come from one of the ghosts currently trying to paw at Kali and who Pash was stopping. However, ghost-hood was a short-lived good thing as he let out an enormous sneeze and then popped back into reality (about half way through your next post?) I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Tio completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! Megalomania is not over rated!!! unlocked. Tio has a new Personal Situation. In your next post, Tio finds that his only option is to speak in rhyme. Yes, all the time.
Qit'ria
Qit'ria commanded the parrot, assuming that she got more than one order - in which assumption she was wrong. So, the parrot squawked a very loud message and gave her the answer.... (cont'd below) I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Qit'ria completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! An ass out of you and me! unlocked. Qit'ria has commanded Chip. T Parrot and Chip wants none of it. Qit'ria has a new Personal Situation!. In your next post, a flock of ghostly birds attack you. You are the only person who sees them but you are physically pecked and it hurts!
Victor
Victor was keen to solve the situation and he was more than happy to stand forward. He seemed to be fine with sharing a secret and it must be said, he did it with a very useful secret! I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Victor completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! It's not what you know, it's who you know! unlocked. Victor has a new Personal Situation!. In your next post, Victor speaks entirely in rhyme
Arlo
When he apologised to her, Lyova was very quick to let him know that it wasn't her doing it, thank you very much. Arlo continued to feel an unutterably miserable itching right up until Tio sneezed, at which point the itching stopped. The glowing didn't, though and he offered his services as the group torch. I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Arlo completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! I don't like it..... unlocked. Arlo has a new Personal Situation!. In your next post, Arlo has attracted himself a ghostly companion. In life, she was married to a farmer, but she was rather unruly and so he killed her - before her ardent sexual demands killed him. She slathers herself all over him, has no concept of personal space, attempts to kiss him, pinches his behind etc.
Kali'rial
Kali'rial dealt with the ghostly perverts very well indeed, determinedly swatting them away, although the pinch to her behind felt like a pair of tweezers - in the morning, she would find that there was a small and perfect bruise on her left buttock. Then, with a frown and her lover's hand in hers, she too agreed that into the crypt they should go. I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Kali'rial completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! Assertive woman! unlocked. Kali'rial has a new Personal Situation!. Kali'rial must complete her next post in rhyme. It's a favourite of mine
Pash
The parrot was a pest, but at least he wasn't talking in rhyme any more. Still, the inebriated bard didn't like the ghostly hands all over his lady and he took hold of her hand, somewhat protectively. Did anyone hear his admittance of being an Empath? Maaaybe? I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Pash completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! Protective Partner unlocked. Pash has a new Personal Objective!. In your next post, Pash too has attracted the attention of a ghost or two - but not in a good way! He will get the shivers and chills, the feeling of someone 'walking over his grave' etc. He speaks through chattering teeth.
Kura
Well, there was blunt and there was blunt and Kura was Blunt! She pulled no punches in her words, but equally, she tried to temper them with some compassion. Her stinky chicken was the only one who responded and, when it did well.... it was somewhat surprising. I Want It All, I Want It Now!! unlocked. Kura completed all objectives and will receive additional loot at the end of the thread! Responsibility of Command! unlocked. Kura has a new Personal Objective. In your next post, Kura must make an inspirational speech of at least 100 words (you have 100 extra words to do this).
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All Players
"SQUAWK! UP YOURS, SNEAKY PUSSY!" it screeched at Qit'ria, which was obviously quite a rude way to talk to her panther. The parrot did not bring Qit'ria a hat and when the Sev'ryn pointed the sword (and cutting gaze) at the captain, there was a deep resonating chuckle from the undead man, accompanied with a chattering noise of amusement from the skeletons. "Fetch the fool a hat" the Dead Dread Pirate Captain said to the parrot. It did that, flying off Pash and on to Qit'ria. As the parrot landed / materialised on her shoulder, Qit'ria was suddenly wearing a jester's hat and on her shoes were ghostly bells. The tinkling was very audible though.
"Dance, fool," he said and there, for their amusement, delectation and delight, Qit'ria was faced with an overwhelming urge to dance.
"Ooops....?" unlocked. Qit'ria has annoyed a long dead and very powerful ghost. She has an overwhelming urge to dance throughout her next post. This can be resisted with discipline or meditation, but be warned, he won't like it if she doesn't do it. If she does dance, she's in control still of where she goes.
Meanwhile, Kura's stinky chicken answered her. "MA'AM, YES MA'AM!" it yelled. "MY NAME IS TINKY STINKY, WING COMMANDER OF THE SC FLIGHT AT YOUR SERVICE MA'AM!" Tinky had a strange, high pitched voice and very tense body posture. "GIT YER WINGS STRAIGHT SOLDIER!!!!!!", Tinky screeched at Arlo's stinky chicken, who obeyed. Undeterred, Tinky berated said chicken. "YER AN 'ORRIBLE LITTLE CHICKEN, WOT ARE YA?"
Arlo's chicken looked at Tinky and replied. "Cluck". Tinky, however, continued as a monologue throughout. "Tinky. T. Chicken!" unlocked. Kura's chicken will talk (and talk and talk) all through the next post. Please take that into account in your reply
Then, without further ado, they went into the crypt. Victor unlocked it for them, Arlo glowed all the way there, and really they worked well as a team.
There is no I in team unlocked. The group have worked well together and will attract a specific consequence at the end of the thread.
The door opened and before them was a large, but fairly unremarkable inside of a crypt. It was a low-ceiling building with two sarcophagi in there. Both made from stone and, presumably, with one of them containing the very betrayer the ghosts were seeking. Sitting atop one of the sarcophagi was possibly the most beautiful item any of them had seen, or at least in a good long while. It was a golden goblet, encrusted with diamonds, shimmering rubies and a range of other incredibly expensive stones. It was engravds with a delicate filigree otter, the symbol of House Maveth. Their words were etched beneath it "Slippery when wet". Otter resplendent, the goblet sat atop the sarcophagus and the ghostly pirates, the captain in the front, gathered around it.
"SQUARRRRRKKKKK! Roberts wants it back, Roberts wants it back...." the parrot screeched, mercifully for Pash the creature was now atop Qit'ria's head. The Captain looked at them and he spoke, his voice a whisper.
"It must be returned to us by the people. You are they. Brought here, brought here because you represent those who betrayed us. Return it to us. Your hands to ours. Lift it and give it to us."
Objectives!
You have a number of options here (please be aware, you can do something entirely different too!)
1. Give it to them, they've suffered enough!
2. Are you KIDDING me? That things worth a FORTUNE!?
Please note: You must all vote for ONE of these outcomes. ONE person's choice will be chosen at random. IF you vote to give it to them - please state very clearly if you would be willing to be the one to hand it to them.
To be clear: handing things to ghosts might well carry it's own risk with it.
Welcome to the Vhalar 717 All Hallows Eve Event!
The way it's going to work is:
1. This is a quirky adventure with a spooky theme - it will run for maximum five rounds of posting. This was round 4 - next one from me will be the conclusion / final post.
2. I will post again on the 7th November 2017. Apologies that this is a day late. The thread is now closed to new players.
Disclaimer
I am really, genuinely, flinging around words like "loot" and "consequences" in a very vague manner. Sometimes. Other times, less so. This is about fun - there is risk, but I'm not planning on killing anyone. There is the potential for long term consequence, though.
Objectives
I'm going to split your objectives into two types. Must-Do (or sometimes, Must-Not Do) and Can-Do. The first type are for all, the second are optional, if you want to.
For your next post:
Must Do Objectives
1. Keep your post to less than 500 words.
2. You must use (and be seen to use) your highest level skill in your next post. If you have more than one skill of the same level, you choose which one. Can-Do Objectives
1. Start every sentence with a word which begins with a vowel (not just speech, the whole post)
2. Find the movie / book reference.
3. Have your pc say something which is a quote from Shakespeare (please let me know which play etc, in an ooc)
Thanks!
I have to give thanks to the person who inspired this style of moderation for me. In a different place, he wrote some of the best adventures I ever took part in. Thanks, Stray. <3
An eerie chill clung to the air as the group descended down into the crypt, each person wrestling with their own highly unusual problems. Despite the creepiness surrounding the situation however Tio was clearly enjoying himself, and strode forward with a wide grin even as his body grew more and more spectral. Already his mind was filled with daydreams of all the treasure he could horde with an ethereal crew.
“I don't mean to boast, but being a ghost,
Makes me feel astoundingly grand.
It'll soon be my pleasure to hunt for some treasure,
And wear a big hook on my hand.”
It may have been the work of some unseen power, or perhaps it was mere coincidence, that at that moment a few specks of dust floating about the air caught his nose, and an uncontrollable urge to sneeze overwhelmed Tio. He did, loudly, and in an instant the ethereal infection spreading over him vanished, returning him to mortality once more. It took him a few moment to register what had just happened, but when it finally struck Tio that he'd lost his ghostly powers you could almost hear the sound of his dreams of grandeur shattering. He cried out silently in despair, but didn't have enough time to mourn his lost ambition properly and so continued the journey down with his head hung low.
“It's not over yet! My fortune is set!
I'll plan out a new stratagem!
Some are born great, some achieve greatness,
And some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Eventually they arrived in the base of the crypt, where two sarcophagi lay side by side. Atop one of them sat an item of such beauty and value that it had Tio watering at the mouth: a golden goblet imbued with diamonds, rubies and so many other expensive stones you could purchase a village with the funds made from selling it. It was, quite simply, the motherload of all treasures!
And there was no way that Tio wasn't at least going to try to steal it for himself. This goblet would make him financially set for life! The problem was that at least one member of this little group was going to insist that giving the treasure to the pirates was the ‘right thing to do’, despite the fact that the pirates would have only gotten a goblet like this by stealing it anyway, and object if he stated his intentions out loud. If he wanted to get away with his little plan he was going to need to use a touch of deception…
“Isn't it splendid! Isn't it golden!
This chalice of beauty and flair!
Allow me to hold it ‘till we rejoin the pirates,
It'll be safest in my care.”
And with that he reached out and, unless anything stopped him, took the goblet.
Off Topic
My quote, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Is from Twelfth Night.
The skill I used was deception. And my vote is for stealing the goblet.
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word count: 516
Fast Facts
Noticeable quirks your character can see when threading with Tio.
Floats
Tio floats in the air, usually just a foot off the ground.
Explodeibur
Tio wears a scary looking gauntlet on his right hand that is clearly magical. It creates explosions.
Administering a rub the spot on her behind that would most definitely be bruised in the morning, the unimpressed brunette held Pash’s hand tighter and shot him a concerned frown.
“Aìdá, be careful of saying things out loud.
Err on the side of caution speaking to the crowd.
I know I don’t care, not one little bit,
Others as you know, they might hate it.”
Ignoring her own peculiar way of talking, Kali drew closer to her pack mate with a shake of her head.
“Ever grateful for your support Kura my friend,
I know Qit’ria is bold, but she means well in the end.
And just our luck, no wolves by our side,
As we enter the crypt to seek what’s inside.”
Emphatically nodding to the fellow wolf-walker with a tawny gaze, the Sev’ryn huntress gasped as they saw the bounty before them, at the same time watching Tio fading from view with a feeling of concern before quite suddenly he sneezed and...
Allonsy, he was back!
It was only a moment of happy relief before Kali’rial watched the thief perform the exact same act that in her mind, had started their downfall in immortals tongue the first time. Orbiting her view around, she saw an old decrepit bow and a couple of arrows, dusty from years of laying on the crypt floor. Acting quickly, the huntress snatched up the antique to nock and draw with hopes it didn’t snap in her face.
“Ah now Bubbles, ‘tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.
Ever the thief, you’ve not changed at all.
Avast, halt, cease on this,
Or as you see, my arrows do not miss.”
Avoiding harming the blonde haired criminal, the southerner released her arrow, aiming for the goblet to knock it from his hands.
“I vote we hand it over, but it would not be me personally,
I’ve had enough of ghastly groping hands generally.
Everyone else however has a right to vote,
Anyone doing the same as Tio please take note.
I have another arrow, I’m not afraid to use it,
Understand me though, I would rather omit.”
Note:
Quote “tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.” Is from Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene i. Highest skill: Ranged Weapon (Shortbow)
(Word count 343)
Last edited by Kali'rial on Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:30 pm, edited 2 times in total. word count: 399
This is very unusual! Victor thought as Arlo started to glow from the top of his hat to his boot heels. He could not help but wonder whether the man was a Transmuter as well and had gone through a mutatation that made him glow in the dark. It was, he had to admit, quite a useful mutation unlike his own one that was, for the time being, mostly cosmetical!
Since there was a treasure waiting for them in the crypt, Victor gave Mary, the Scary Stinky Zombie Chicken and the transparent woman that had been so interested in him before a sign to follow him, stepped towards the door and touched the lock. He did not really unlock it, but rather concentrated hard on it and let a certain amount of ether flow into it. At first the lock merely showed a few signs of wear and tear, but eventually it would take on a melted appearance, and the door would swing open, allowing them to enter.
As a researcher Victor was used to paying attention to every detail. He walked around for a bit and took in the appearance of the room that they now found themselves in, the two sarcophagi and eventually the goblet. They would all serve to tell him more about what kind of crypt it was, how old it was and what had happened in it besides the obvious – that somebody had been buried there. A closer inspection of the crypt would hopefully also tell him if there were any other interesting items besides the goblet there.
In the few moments that his attention was on something else, Tio stepped forward and reached for the goblet. Under normal circumstances Victor might have reacted in much the same way and tried to secure the goblet for himself – he was a follower of Delroth and a somewhat greedy man after all – but since Kali’rial had her bow pointed straight at Tio and seemed to be ready to use it, he considered it to be more prudent to hand it over to the pirates:
“Look at her!”
“She’s going to use that thing, I swear!”
“You are going to die, you are going to fall.”
“And then you will have nothing at all.”
“The pirates are going to come when they call.”
He pointed at their companions who would without a doubt complain if Tio tried to steal the goblet and possibly alert the pirates of that fact and then he finished his somewhat peculiar speech with the words,
“We should hand it over.”
“Or we will go nowhere.”
► Show Spoiler
OOC: The skill that Victor used is “Research”, and I’m bad at rhyming!
Victor also used the Transmutation ability "Corrosion" to "unlock" the door.
word count: 460
Appearance
Due to one of his Awakenings, Victor's eyes glow with a soft silver light.
Items
Victor owns a Ring of Reversal. He's always wearing it, unless stated otherwise.
As Victor led the way into the crypt, Pash felt the ether move, and though he couldn’t place the magic, he placed the mage. It wasn’t the time to linger on curiosities, and so the inebriated Biqaj followed, hand in hand with his lover, the stench of zombie chickens wafting into all their senses. Although he thought he’d at least staked his claim in front of the rather flirtatious spirits, he was wrong. All he’d done is attract their ire, and he couldn’t help but shiver and wince as the incorporeal creatures taunted him in their incomprehensible form of wrath.
On down they went. Exasperated, Pash shook and hissed, unable to swat away at the ghostly harassment he endured. As they reached the bottom of the crypt, there before them was a pair of sarcophagi and a very beautiful chalice—
Of course Tio was the first to lurch for it!
"Oi!"Our salty bard shouted through grit teeth, sliding his lute off his shoulder, he placed himself bodily between the chalice and the blonde. As he strummed a tune, Pash began to glow an eerie golden light. Instead of speaking, his next words were set in song to the melody he played so masterfully, a moving tune that touched everyone’s hearts with a strange sense of conviction to agree with the tall Biqaj and his charming, sly smile. Although he stuttered and paused awkwardly, his hands didn’t slip on the lute even when his teeth chattered and his face twisted in discomfort from the undead chills that wracked his body:
"Aye, i-i-t’s lovely, b-but keep-p your handssss off!Ith-think someone other than y’self sh-sh-should b-be handin’ it o’er t’ our p-p-pirate friends, aye?Iknow well th-that lean and hungry look y’ have when ‘round things that glitterrrr an’ sh-shine, an’ I must s-say for th’ sake o’ all our s-s-souls, let someone else hand it over—I’ll volunteer should n’ one else want th’ t-t-task."
Eyes washed to his lover and the bow in her hands and he moved only once she'd made her shot, not wanting the arrow in himself by accident. A hope to keep things as peaceable as possible motivated Pash in his actions, and he worked hard to enforce it. And thus, he placed himself between his friends and the fallen chalice, making sure that Tio didn’t get his fingers on it unless he was willing to reach around the seafaring musician who continued to glow warm and faint until his melody was finished.
"Is—ow! stop that!—this ch-chalice th’ tr-treasure you’re sssseekin' or is there more? Allow me t’ offer it b-b-back if it’s jus’ mortal hands y’ need t’ complete th’ task. If no’, tell us q-q-quickly, an’ we’re herrrre t’ bring you rest under U’Frek’s brined d-domain."
Notes
All the vowels are highlighted in my post.
My vote is for #1: Give it to them! I'm not sure if they've exactly suffered enough, but that's not my place to judge. LOL
Word Count: 489
Highest Skill: Pash is a Master at lute and he has Mastered the Musical Enchantment (minor) ability granted him through Elithem.
Full Shakespeare reference:
"Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look,
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous."
From Julius Caesar Act 1, Scene 2, 190-195
Because of his Competency in Empathy magic, Pash exudes an aura of calm emotion that is always "on." While it's not strong enough to overcome extreme emotions and it also loses strength the more people he's around, it's still up to you how that affects your character in whatever situation we're in. PM with questions!
If Lyova said that she wasn't responsible for the glowing and itching, then Arlo believed her. As a matter of course, she'd never been a spiteful or temperamental creature. In fact she was anything but that. As it happened, Tio sneezed and the itching abruptly stopped. A shame though, that the glowing didn't and he hoped that eventually it would. It was useful though in this instance. It showed them all the way to go. A human torch, as it was. Unfortunately though, he'd attracted much more attention than he wanted, in the form of a non-corporeal, unruly housewife.
Ordinarily Arlo wouldn't have objected to the attentions of a pretty girl. Except this one was, well, she was dead. And besides that, her persistence was, well...It was no wonder that her husband had finally up and had enough. After much twisting, turning, ducking away to try and avoid her grasping, pinching hands, it was her grab for a prized article of clothing that led him to exclaim "Oh no you don't and keep your hands off the hat." It was trespass enough for him to take the extreme measure of trying to escape her, by turning a couple of very fine somersaults and flips through the dark passage. Outmaneuver her, so to speak.
It wasn't long before they'd happened across just what the pirates were looking for. And apparently, his newfound zombie chicken friend had come along for the stroll. A heck of a treasure it was too. A great deal of wealth wrapped up in such a small package could fund a luxurious lifetime, or two. Or three. It was only natural a debate might begin, whether to return the chalice to the pirates or keep it for themselves. After all, the pirates were dead. And what could they do with it anyway? It seemed like a waste. On the other hand, while Arlo wasn't sure he exactly trusted the one in their party who'd grabbed the chalice, he also found it a little premature and trigger happy to be threatening folks and firing off arrows.
And he said so, sort of, drawling...perhaps nonsensically, "If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?" At any rate, if they were taking votes, he'd add his own to the mix. "I say we save ourselves the trouble of...any more trouble and give the thing to the pirates." If a volunteer was required to do the actual handing over of the chalice, not him, as it seemed they already had one.
word count: 441: Skill: Acrobatics: Quote: The Merchant of Venice
All of the color from Qit'ria's face drained as her confidence was shaken. Attempting to command the parrot and captain had not gone in her favor in the least bit. And now she was adorned in the most ridiculous of accessories and feeling the urge to bust a move. Everywhere around her was swarming with birds, pecking at her, making her cry out in pain. All the doubt in the world could be felt in this woman's mind, had she done wrong, was this the end? An end without dignity, honor, or triumph?
A memory flooded into the huntress' mind, giving her respite from the ever growing yet foreign urge to dance at the captain's command. "A proper huntress slays her own demons first." It was her mother speaking, in her native Xanthean tongue, a sound more soothing than any other. All Sev'ryn were taught to search for inner peace, to calm the storms that brewed within.
And Qit'ria was no exception. Air that had been trapped in her lungs was exhaled, as she focused on centering her breathing, calling forth a powerful memory to mind. Each leg tried to shake in an independent dance of its own, but Qit'ria gritted her teeth as she sought her center. In her mind, all around her was the forest from back home. And in the middle of it were tiny Qit'ra, two other girls, one older than she, another younger, and finally a young brother. Eyes of these four were the same, and smiles were abound as they stood around a deer with a javelin sticking out of its torso.
Eldest sister spoke first, ruffling little Qit'ria's hair, "Amazing throw. Your first kill."
Auburn haired sister spoke second, beaming up at her big sister, through lisping gap of missing baby teeth,"Thuch a throng throw!"
And little brother could not be forgotten, for he was tsk-tsking just as their father would, as he took her callous covered hands and began applying ointment and bandages. "Eight days out here, alone? Are you insane?"
A shadow slid from the foliage, a beaming face the spitting image of Qit'ria's looked down at her as only the most thrilled of parents could. "I'm proud of you Qitqat."
Eyes deep, dark, and brown looked up at the captain through the swarms of angry birds. "I no dance! I hunter!"
In her native Xanthean, she muttered a saying from her mother. "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt." And attempt the huntress did. Away with the sword, strapping it to her thigh. Out came the javelin and along with it, her pride. And with a mighty snarl much like the forest cat, she hurled the javelin with all her might at the captain and his amazing hat.
Word Count: 470
Quote: Measure For Measure, Act 1 Scene 4
Skill: Meditation
Kura noticed the result that Qit got by trying to boss the parrot got her, and could only sigh in resignation. Then her chicken barked like a military officer and introduced itself and Kura could only smile and suppress a mad urge to laugh. She now had a battalion of undead, stinky chickens at her command and she wasn't entirely sure what to make of that. After a moment, she shrugged and fully gave into the absurdity of it.
"Commander Stinky!" she said, her tone suddenly formal. "You are to take command of the SC Flight Wing and ensure that none of the civilians in the area are brought to harm by the ghosts while we accomplish the mission that will finally allow them to rest. The care of the civilian populace is the utmost goal and honor of any military force, and I expect you and your troops to uphold that honor with precision, dignity, and courage. Remember, you are the SC Flight Wing, the most effective military force under my command, and I expect you to be able to perform your task without fail or mischance." she said, her tone formal. Tinky Stinky paused just long enough for her speech, and then talked and talked and talked and talked.
In fact, the undead barnyard fowl talked so much that Kura could barely pay any attention to the rest of the group, only taking notice when Kali addressed her directly on their way to the crypt. "Aye, would be handy to have Phelan and Sarkis with us." she said, frowning slightly. "Hell, I could for Teolar and his team right now as well." she said, her tone dry as they headed towards the crypt.
Distracted by Tinky's apparently inability to shut the hell up, she missed Tio actually reaching out for the goblet they had to retrieve until the others were commenting on it. "Hell is empty and all its devils are here. It would be unwise for us to try and cheat these spirits out of their prize this night." she said, her tone serious before she finally turned with a low growl to Tinky. "Commander Stinky, please do be silent for a moment, if you will." she asked, before turning back to the group with an internal sigh as Tinky simply did not shut up. "These spirits request that the goblet be given by the people. They may require a representative of the people of Scalvoris as a whole. If that's the case, it likely has to be me giving it to them, as my role on the council is to represent Scalvoris and its people to the world." she said, her tone showing she wasn't entirely pleased with that, but that she'd do it.
Speech size: 101 words
Post length: 458 words
Shakespeare quote: "Hell is empty and all its devils are here." The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 2
Skill used: Politics, for her final sentence.
As Tio spoke in lovely rhyme, he found he wasn't a ghost all the time. It might have made him a little sad, but then he saw things weren't so bad! As he put forward his argument of Pure Logic and Not At All Greed, he knew that there would be those who would oppose him. Alas, it was the case and an arrow ping'ed the goblet out of his hands from the hands of the very clever huntress Kali'rial, who could strike a fairy from a ten-foot away. It could be a confabulation, one might suppose, but no! Evidently, this was happening!
Unconcerned With Social Norms Qit'ria
It was not easy to resist the dancing, the compulsion was great. As Qit'ria turned her full and complete attention to the scary pirate captain. It was in no uncertain terms that she told him what she was, and was not. And then, she stowed her sword and threw her javelin.
And it flew, straight and true.
In that moment, one of the pirate ghosts behind the Pirate Captain shouted. A secret, long since held. "I'm afraid of pointy objects! Arrrrrr!" It seemed, it was a time for admissions of those secrets long held. In fairness, though, more focus was on the javelin than the confession..... (cont'd)
Ingenious & Logical Victor
It's always the quiet ones you have to watch, someone's mother had said. And that was certainly true with Victor as he began his search of the crypt. Out of all of them gathered there that fateful night, he was the only one who thought to do that and it paid off. It was a strange thing to hear the serious scholar speaking in rhyme. Uncomfortable, too. It was, though, what it was. I rummaged! unlocked. As Victor searched the place he found a small golden ring, encrusted with sparkling diamonds. It's pretty. Is it anything else? In his search he also found a hairy piece of candy which appears to have fossilized.
Acrobatic Arlo
It wasn't the glowing that got to the young follower of Cassion, it was the ghostly woman slathering over him. Ordinarily, he might quite like it, but she was dead and then, she committed the ultimate crime. In his eyes, anyhow. As ghostly fingers reached for his hat, he performed some very nimble moves to get out of there. "Arrrr, me salty lad!" Arlo's ghostly wench said, "I'll touch more than that! I see you've got another friend, too," It seemed she was talking about his stinky chicken. "I'm called Mary. Oh my! I'm seeing ghostly critters! Are you?" It seemed that she was hallucinating a swarm of scalvuffies. It was a shame, she was terrified of them. And so, with a screeching cackle, Arlo's lady friend was gone. It left him to cast his vote and it was to give the goblet back!
Everyone's Favourite Huntress, Kali'rial
Undoubtedly, talking in rhyme was not a simple thing for the Sev'ryn huntress. It might even make her feel a little foolish. Or, then again, she might feel rather proud of herself for her talent and consider that maybe a future as a poet was on the cards. Either way, Kali'rial found herself once more at odds with Tio, who seemed insistent on touching things! In spite of the warning given, she had to shoot an arrow to knock the goblet out of Tio's hands.
Ordinarily Optimistic Pash
Undeterred by the chattering of his teeth, Pash was quick to act in a way which did, indeed, make people more inclined towards a peaceful solution. If it worked was not yet clear. Obviously, he hoped that it was enough. In true spirit, Pash offered himself to give over the chalice.
It was not easy being the voice of reason and calm in such a situation, especially in the circumstance he was in, but Pash managed it well. It seemed likely that the outcome was less violent because of his actions that trial.
Articulate & Logical Kura
It was no surprise to anyone that Kura took command and with her SC Flight Wing. "Ay, MA'AM!" It seemed that her second-in-command was capable of keeping quiet and did so when commanded. It must be said, they took their role very seriously, clucking around everyone and trying to ensure that no one stepped on anything. Errant rocks, for example, could be very tricky and cause twisted ankles. Ankles would be protected on Tinky Stinky's watch, there was no doubt about it.
It was not a surprise that Kura offered to hand over the goblet. Indeed, there was a logic in what she said. As the representative of the Council, she was the representative of the people. It was appropriate and actually what her role on the council was, too. It was a lovely coincidence, that!
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All Players
"I require your presence," the ghostly captain ordered the parrot. It responded immediately, flying over to him. Obedience was ingrained, it seemed. As it did that, one of the pirates behind the captain could be seen, dancing a victory jig. Assured that they were about to get their treasure back, it seemed.
And for reasons which those assembled would never know (I, breaking the fourth wall and admitting a secret will tell you it's because of a dice I rolled in chat) the Dead Dread Pirate turned to Kali'rial. "I accept," he said to the woman who he had, previously, chosen as his prize. It made sense, in a way, that he then chose her. It would have been a fairly straightforward thing, for her to lift the goblet and give it to him. Except, as she said that she would rather not, it all became a rather moot point.
It did that, because Qit'ria flung a javelin at the Dead Dread Pirate. As plans go, it wasn't the best and the reason why became obvious as the javelin flew, straight and true. Arrow like and containing all of Qit'ria's pride it flew. Unfortunately, Qit'ria had not really considered something fairly straightforward about the nature of reality.
And so, the javelin flew straight through him. It wasn't any use because he was a ghost. Insubstantial, so to speak. And, most certainly, not able to be harmed by such a weapon.
All around the Dead Dread Pirate, silence fell. It was with silent steps that he strode to Qit'ria where she stood and he looked down at her. Eyes glowing red, his gaze held her locked in place. And all he did was lift his hand and touch her chest. Each of his fingertips, hand splayed out with the middle finger just below her throat.
And where he touched, Qit'ria felt a warm tingle. A little bit pleasant as a sensation. Although, once he had removed his hand, the burning started. If Qit'ria looked down, she would see five small, fingerprint sized wounds oozing pus. It seemed he was not happy.
As that happened, after it by a trill or two, the ghosts around them took on a much more solid form. As did their weapons.
"One, two of you volunteered to do this. I accept from you all" It was Pash and Kura that he spoke to then and he gestured to the goblet. If the two of them did as they'd said they would (and I'm going to assume so), then the other pirates moved to make sure that the others in the group were covered. As did the chickens, but they were more protective.
"I am First Mate Puck Aerson," one of the ghostly pirates said to Victor, Qit'ria, Arlo and Kali'rial. "I would advise you not interfere." In fact, they found themselves unable to move, not exactly paralysed so much as feeling like they were made of lead. Unwilling to risk another incident, it seemed, the Dead Dread Pirate had put some strangeness on the room. It did not impact Pash and Kura though and so those who had volunteered to give over the goblet themselves were able to move together.
And the moment they did, the very trill they touched the goblet, each one with the intent of giving it over, the place changed. It went from a dark and oppressive place and a sudden bright light burst out from the goblet. It was warm, pleasant and not at all scary. Each of them felt, fundamentally, content in that moment. Each of them who had been handing over the goblet felt a wave of calm hit them with that light.
Once the light had cleared, they stood in the same crypt and although the stinky chickens, ghostly panthers and parrots were gone, their ghostly companions were still with them. Or, more precisely, two of them were; the captain and the first mate. As the scene cleared and the assembled group realised that there was sunlight coming up on the horizon outside and that the fog was clearing, the Dead Dread Pirate Captain looked and spoke to them all. Except Qit'ria. It seemed he was ignoring her.
"I am known throughout the world, or I was when I was alive," he said. "I was the Dread Pirate Roberts, though now I am the Dead Dread Pirate Roberts." It was a bit of a come down, but it could be worse, in fairness. "I, and my men, have walked this earth a hundred hundred arcs, in torment and pain because of the wrongs done to us. It is because of you that we are able, finally, to move on. I thank you, each one." In what form that thanks was would become obvious later.
And then,the Captain nodded once to them and turned and walked out. As he did, the First Mate gave them each a much more cheery grin, lifted his bone finger in a salute and spoke. "If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended — that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream, gentles, do not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I am an honest Puck, if we have unearnèd luck now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue, we will make amends ere long. Else the Puck a liar call."
And with that, he too was gone and they were alone once more as dawn heralded the beginning of the 120th Vhalar.....
And... curtain!
And there, it ends. I will review this within the next day or two - no more posts from anyone, please. Any questions, drop me a pm.
I just want to say thank you, each and every one of you. Each of you have been incredibly good sports and have made this thread an absolute pleasure. I have to say, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a thread more.
If you're wondering, in this post I have met (or believe I have) all of the "Must Do" and "Can Do" objectives which were possible throughout the thread. I couldn't meet the word count ones, of course and some I needed to tweak. I have to say - the vowel one was tricky! I used a quote from Midsummer Night's Dream, there and I'll give the answers to all the "what's the movie" etc in the review.
Oh - the skill I used was, of course, storytelling.
