Karl Posts 101 - 135

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>  </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Lingsted"><U>Karl Lingsted</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Posts 20 40"><U>Karl Posts 20 - 40</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id148.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Posts 41 60"><U>Karl Posts 41 - 60</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id165.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl 61 80"><U>Karl 61 - 80</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id200.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl 81 100"><U>Karl 81 - 100</U></A>   |   <B>Karl Posts 101 - 135</B>   |   <A HREF="id268.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Posts 135200"><U>Karl Posts 135-200</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id296.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Posts 201250"><U>Karl Posts 201-250</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Karl Posts 101 - 135</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 101</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Turek nods in agreement.</div> <div> Ahead you can see Amanda is visibly excited, she is looking all about her,</div> <div> clearly reliving memories of her childhood. It has been quite some time since</div> <div> she last visited her home.</div> <bR> <div> The streets of Nygg are narrow and crowded. Though the town itself is not large</div> <div> and does not have a huge resident population, the crowds are swollen with</div> <div> garrison troops, their famlies and hanger ons, travelers, merchants and their</div> <div> drivers, teamsters, guards and laborers.  Even now, with the trading season</div> <div> over, there are still many merchants and caravan masters present, either getting</div> <div> a late start or simply trying to make one last deal.</div> <div> The saleable harvest has already left the Valley, bound for the desert cities</div> <div> that rely on the annual food caravans to help them through the barren months</div> <div> ahead. The trade that remains is now mostly finished goods or non perishable raw</div> <div> materials.  Everyone is anxious to unload the last of their inventories, or fill</div> <div> up the last bit of space remaining on the caravan. Their is an air of excitement</div> <div> and bustle that one associates with with the ending moments of a faire or</div> <div> celebration... This is a good time to make deals and find bargains, tho the</div> <div> selection of merchendise isn't as great as it was a few weeks ago.</div> <bR> <div> Amanda gives a squal of delight as you round a corner and she sees something</div> <div> that makes her abandon her horse and run, darting through the crowds, to</div> <div> disappear into a darkened doorway.</div> <bR> <div> "Guess she's home." Observes Turek</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 101</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>   Karl just smiles at Turek and follows Amanda through the</div> <div>  doorway.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 102</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <div>     Beyond the doorway there is a small hall with a door in front of you</div> <div>  and  steps going up, to your left.  The door is still open and swinging,</div> <div>  from  the gloom of the apartment interior you can hear feminine laughter and</div> <div>  a  man's voice yelling, "Mandy! Where did you come from!"</div> <div>  You have met Amanda's adoptive parents once, briefly, when they made a</div> <div>  visit to Drunmore to meet the man  that Amanda had married.  Amanda</div> <div>  refers to her guardians as Aunt Vassa and Uncle Drust.  Drust is big,</div> <div>  burly man, a brewer by trade, who has made a comfortable living for</div> <div>  himself and his family keeping the garrison in beer. His wife, Vassa,</div> <div>  is a short, bubbly woman who is a skilled seamstress and midwife.  They</div> <div>  came to have Amanda when Amanda's natural mother, a poor street waif,</div> <div>  named Belina, died during delivery. She never identified the father</div> <div>  and seemed to have no relatives herself, so Vassa brought the infant home.</div> <div>     That she already had seven children of her own made not the slightest</div> <div>  difference, Amanda was raised as one of the family.  Most of her</div> <div>   'siblings' have grown and gone off. But one of Drust's sons, Hue, a</div> <div>   slightly smaller image of his father, now works the brewery with his</div> <div>   dad.  The buisness is, as Amanda has told you, on the first floor, the</div> <div>   family lives on the second.</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 102</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        Karl climbs the stairs and greet whichever of Amandas adoptive</div> <div>  parents she is not currently hugging. "The acadamy sent me to town on business,</div> <div>  sp we thought we'd stop in and say hello."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 103</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Judging from the voices you hear, everyone is on the first floor, probably</div> <div>   helping out in the brewery.  Following the voices through what is a store</div> <div>  room you enter a long room with brewing vats and barrels. The air is full of</div> <div>  the slightly sour scent of the cooking mash and it is very warm from the</div> <div>  stoked burners that heat the process. There, in the center of the room is Amanda,</div> <div>   being lifted and spun around like a child by her Uncle, while her Aunt is</div> <div>   practicly in tears.</div> <div>   Vassa is the first to notice you and comes towards you with arms extended,</div> <div>   "Karl! It is so good to see you!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 103</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl hugs Vassa. "It's good to be here. The acadamy sent me here on</div> <div>  business for a few days, and we've been looking forward to seeing you for</div> <div>  the whole trip."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 104</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Of course you will stay with us." Vassa says. It is not a question, but rather</div> <div> a statement. "I shall go upstairs and start a celebration meal!" She gives you a</div> <div> squeeze and a kiss then hurries off to prepare the evening's meal.</div> <div> Drust has put Amanda down, but she is still clinging to one of his arms as he</div> <div> comes across to greet you, extending a hand as he approaches. "Good to see you</div> <div> Karl, good to see you! It looks like you've been keeping Mandy in fine fettle!</div> <div> If she gives you any trouble you just let me know!  Uncle Drust can tell you a</div> <div> thing or two about our Mandy!"</div> <div> Amanda blushes and punches him in the ribs.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div> PBEM Exchange</div> <div> Series 2 PC POST # 104</div> <div> Player : Ray</div> <div> Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     Karl smiles. "Oh, before I forget in the celebrations, we do have a</div> <div> pair of traveling companions, a student and a guard. I was wondering where</div> <div> you would recomend for them to stay."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 105</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Drust thinks for a moment, then nods. "There is a new inn two streets</div> <div> over. It's called the... uhm... `White Phoenix'  it's just opened this</div> <div> season. It's run by a man from one of the desert cities... I know it's</div> <div> popular with the caravan pople, but it's probably near empty now. I've</div> <div> eaten there, the food is good and I hear its clean, though I've never</div> <div> actually slept there or anything."  He will lead the way upstairs, an</div> <div> arm still around Amanda. "How long will you be staying?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 105</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>         A few days, perhaps as long as a week, depending on how business</div> <div>     works out. Let me tell Turk about the inn and I'll be right up." He steps</div> <div>     outside and tells Turek "There is a new inn two streets over called the White</div> <div>     Phoenix, apparently the food is very good. I'll meet the two of you</div> <div>     there in  the morning and we will go and check on the supplies we are buying."</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 106</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>    Turek nods, "We'll see you in the morning then." He waits a moment,</div> <div>  then  adds. "Err, we will need some money for the room, supper and so</div> <div>  forth."</div> <div>    </div> <div>     From upstairs you can hear laughter and a window opens and Amanda</div> <div>  leans out. "Do hurry up Karl!"  She waves to Turek and Ferral "You two stay</div> <div>  out of trouble!" She laughs.</div> <div>  Turek waves back with an absent grin, his attention on you. Ferral smiles briefly. "We will."</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 106</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>     Karl brings out enough money for the rooms and food for the two,</div> <div>  plus about 20% extra. "Have a good evening, gotta run. Ferral, I want you to</div> <div>  go over your alchemy material tonight, I expect you to assist me tomorrow."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 107</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Turek takes the money and says with a grin, "I'll see to it that he does</div> <div>  his studies." Ferral grunts at Turek's remark, obviously amused by the idea of</div> <div>  the semi literate fighter overseeing his studies. "I'll be ready sir."</div> <div>   Turek takes Amanda's kit and yours off the horses, passing them to you</div> <div>  before he leads the animals off in the direction of the inn.</div> <div>   Amanda has closed the window already and you are left to make your way out</div> <div>  of  the cold and up the stairs.</div> <div>   The stair way ends at a door that opens into the kitchen/dining area.</div> <div>  Everyone is here waiting for you. Amanda and her 'aunt' are working at a side</div> <div>  table,  having a whispered conversation that is full of rather girlish giggles.</div> <div>  From  the way they both looked over their shoulder as you came in, you guess its</div> <div>   about you. </div> <div>   Drust will come to help you with the bundles and will lead you to a</div> <div>  bedroom.  "This ere is Mandy's ole room." He continues raising his voice for</div> <div>  Amanda's  benefit, "We ain't got around to selling the junk yet, so I guess you two</div> <div>  can  bunk here!" Chuckling to himself he dumps the load and heads back to the</div> <div>   kitchen.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 107</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     Karl pulls out his papers from the university and looks over the names</div> <div>  of the traders he will need to see tomorrow, and asks Drust if he knows any</div> <div>  of them well.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 108</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Hmm, Rutus Dara... Yes I've met him. Never had much dealing with him though.</div> <div> Can't give you any personal experiences, but I've heard he's a canny sort who</div> <div> doesn't miss a trick when it comes to latchin onto an extra farthing. Never</div> <div> heard of him doin anything out and out illegal tho...."  Durst pours you some</div> <div> beer and sits himself, pushing a chair in your direction. "So, what is it ye do</div> <div> at the Academy?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 108</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>         "I'm junior faculty right now, in fact the most junior, which</div> <div>  means  that I have a few students to instruct, and I'm on the enchanting circle so</div> <div>  I  can  be called on for enchantment projects occassionally, I'm a qualified</div> <div>     alchemist so I do some potion brewing, and as the most junior member I</div> <div>     run special errands that requires a level of specialized training. For</div> <div>     example, while I'm in town I need to negotiate the purchase of several</div> <div>  alchemical  supplies for the labratories.</div> <div>         "Actually if we have time I have a student alchemist with me, I'd</div> <div>     like to have him look at your business, if you don't mind, so he can look</div> <div>     over a  large scale example of distillation, since he's mostly been mastering</div> <div>     identification and properties of materials used in alchemy so far.</div> <div>  With  your  permission of course."</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 108</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Drust laughs, "Sure, just don't turn any of my customers into toads or</div> <div>     what not! Bad for business!"</div> <div>    </div> <div>     It's not long after this that supper is laid on the table and everyone</div> <div>     gathers to eat.</div> <div>     It is a merry meal with much laughter, a lot of it at Amanda's expense</div> <div>     but she takes it with good humor. The food is good and plentiful and</div> <div>     the beer is available in copious amounts.  Drust is clearly an experienced</div> <div>     drinker, as are all of his family, and he is still pouring well past</div> <div>     the  point where you are beginning to doubt your ability to stand up.....</div> <div>     But no one seems to care whether you get a bit tipsy and you surmise that</div> <div>     this is a common scene in this household. Still, it is a relief when</div> <div>     Vassa orders Drust to "Put the brew away and let these young people</div> <div>     get some rest!"</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 108</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>     Karl embraces Amanda passionately (and drunkenly!) and kissses her,</div> <div>    folowed with "Yes, honey, let's get some REST" and he begins kissing her</div> <div>    neck as he awaits her reply.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 109</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Amanda laughs, giving you a half hearted push away.. "You'll be asleep as</div> <div>  soon as you hit the bed!" She complains in a mock whine "And I'm sure you'll</div> <div>  get plenty of rest... no one else will... with the way you snore!"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 109</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>   Karl leans over to whisper in Amandas ear, which being drunk he still</div> <div>  speaks too loud 'Then you'll just have to sit on my face to quiet me down."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 110</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Amanda eyes you icily. The room goes silent for a moment, then she says, "No,</div> <div> I'll use a pillow." And she pulls away and stalks out of the room into the</div> <div> bedroom.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 110</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl looks arround and follows Amanda to the bedroom. "I'm sorry, honey,</div> <div>  I drink I've had to much to think."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 111</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Hmmph!" Is her only response as she studiously ignores you while getting ready</div> <div> for bed.  Though the bed is not particularly large and should be very cozy, you</div> <div> are in for a rather frosty night. Fortunately you will quickly fall asleep</div> <div> thanks to the alcohol coursing through your veins.</div> <div> When you awake in the morning your head is pounding, the room is way too bright,</div> <div> the sounds from the street below are way too loud and the climate is still very</div> <div> frosty.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Exchange</div> <div>  Series 2 PC POST # 111</div> <div>  Player : Ray</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "Oh, who set the world on fire and why didn't they tell me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Exchange</div> <div>  Series 2 GM POST # 112</div> <div>  Player : Ray</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Amanda, who is already up and dressed, ignoring your remark and you,</div> <div> leaves the room bound for the kitchen area.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>          Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 PC POST # 112</div> <div>           Player : Ray</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>         </div> <div>              Karl pulls himself out of bed and dresses himself, with  his  head  throbbing.</div> <div>        </div> <div>        </div> <div>        </div> <div>          Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 GM POST # 113</div> <div>           Player : Ray</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>         Entering the kitchen area, you find Amanda and her Aunt</div> <div>  present,  working  over at a cutting board. Drust is nowhere to be seen.  There is a</div> <div>  bowl of  porridge and apples, a cup of tea and some bread and cheese placed at</div> <div>  the table  for  you.</div> <div>  Neither of the women so much as acknowledge your presence when  you</div> <div>  enter the room.</div> <div>        </div> <div>       </div> <div>      </div> <div>         Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 113</div> <div>          Player : Ray</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>       </div> <div>   Karl closes his eyes and holds his head. "Last night is  kinda</div> <div>   fuzzy,  could someone let me know what I am being punnished for at</div> <div>   least?"</div> <div>      </div> <div>      </div> <div>      </div> <div>         Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 GM POST # 114</div> <div>          Player : Ray</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>      </div> <div>      Simultaneously both women turn and stare at you. Now you know</div> <div>  where  Amanda  learned that whithering stare.  Amanda says, icily, "For being</div> <div>  crude,  rude and obnoxious."  They both return to their work.</div> <div>      </div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 114</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>      Karl nods, "I'm sorry." then slinks away to find Ferral and</div> <div>  Turek at  the inn.</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 115</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>     At the bottom of the steps you se that the outer door is closed</div> <div>  against  the  cold, but the inner door to the brewery is open. Drust is working</div> <div>  there,  he  hears you coming down the steps and waves and grins "How's yer head?"</div> <div>  He asks.</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 115</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>     Karl smiles weakly "I seem to have forgotten that nobody arround</div> <div>  here  can cure a hangover the way they can at the college."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 116</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Drust chuckles and holds up a leather tankard "How about a wee bit of the</div> <div>  dog   that bit ye? T'aint magic, but it'll do the trick."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 116</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Karl considers then shakes his head. "No, I need to go to this meeting</div> <div>  sober. I don't suppose there is a local alchemist? I know some versions of</div> <div>  the Janus elixir work with alcohol, including hangovers." Otherwise I think</div> <div>  I need a lot of water.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 117</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Sounds like you need a bit of Rhondac." Drust laughs.  "There's a herbalist</div> <div> down the street," He points "About five houses, green painted door with the</div> <div> sign, she'll fix ya up. Tell her who ye be and that I sent ye, she won't charge</div> <div> ye.. We have a deal, I give her beer, she takes care of the family."</div> <bR> <div> (Rhondac: A dark leafed, woody shrub. A tincture of which (tho foul tasting)</div> <div> will clear a hangover in minutes. Cost = $15.)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>         Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 117</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>             Karl nods "Aye, that should do the trick." He procedes to</div> <div>  look for the house with the green door."</div> <div>        </div> <div>        </div> <div>        </div> <div>         Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 118</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>         Out the door and down the street in the indicated direction.</div> <div>    Hanging above a door is weathered sign painted with a fading image of  a</div> <div>      bouquet of herbs and plants. The door itself is painted dark green and</div> <div>  has a heavy brass knocker on it.</div> <div>        </div> <div>       </div> <div>      </div> <div>        Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 118</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>       </div> <div>            Karl lifts the brass knocker and winces as he uses it to tap</div> <div>  on the door.</div> <div>      </div> <bR> <div>        Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 119</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>       Some time passes, then the door is opened by a sour faced, white</div> <div>    haired,  old woman in a stained and much patched robe with an equally stained</div> <div>  and patched shawl wrapped about her thin shoulders.  She is chewing something</div> <div>  as she opens the door. She regards you for a moment, swallows and saays,</div> <div>    "Bowels or beer?"</div> <div>      </div> <div>    </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 119</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     "Beer. I'm Drust's son in law, and I had a bit much last night."</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 120</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     The old woman snorts in derisive amusement, "Drinkin with Durst? Hah!</div> <div>    That'll do it! Come on in."  She turns away and shuffles down a short hall and</div> <div>    through a curtained door on the right. The hall extends further, to another</div> <div>    curtained door and what is obviously her living quarters.</div> <div>     "So, you married Mandy?  I heard about you... your a mage, right?" She</div> <div>    asks without looking back</div> <div>     The room you enter is her work area. it is an area about 12'x 12' and</div> <div>    dominated by a long work table filled with a collection of equipment that is</div> <div>    intimately familiar to you.  One wall has an enormous wooden cabinet that</div> <div>  consists entirely of  drawers, ranging from large to very small. There must be at  least</div> <div>    sixty all told.  Going to one of these, which she locates unhesitateingly, the</div> <div>  woman opens it and peers in. As she does so she says, "I'm Grelda.  Drust and I</div> <div>  have a buisnes arrangement."  She pulls out a small glass vial, shecks the</div> <div>  tag  tied to it and turns to you.  "What's your name again?"</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 120</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>          "Karl Lingsted. I'm an enchanter at the Acadamy, which means I</div> <div>  haven't developed some of the spectacular spellslinging effects some of the</div> <div>  other mages seem to focus on."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 121</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   She hands you the bottle. "Well Karl, here you go. Tincture of Rhondac.</div> <div>  Foul stuff but effective." She smiles almost evily, "If you can keep it down."</div> <div>  She pours some water from a decanter into a cup. "Here, you'll need it."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 121</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl nods, holds his nose, and throws down the tincture, followed by the</div> <div>  water. "Bleh. Still, it tastes better than what you get if you mix an elixer</div> <div>  of pan into water." He grins weakly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 122</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> The stuff really is foul! No wonder many drunks prefer the hang over.  The water</div> <div> helped, but not much.  The old woman laughs, "Kill em or cure em, that's what I</div> <div> always say!" She closes up the cabinet and says, "Tell Drust to send me over a</div> <div> pot of the usual, my daughter will be by for supper."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 122</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl nods. "Will do. To bad there's no potion to cure an upset wife."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 123</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The old woman laughs, "If there were, you don't think we'd tell you men about</div> <div> it!"  She starts herding you towards the door, "No be off with ye and let an old</div> <div> woman eat some porridge."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 123</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>       Karl proceeds to the inn to meet up with Ferral and Turek.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 124</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   The inn is several blocks away. By the time you get there you are</div> <div>   already starting to feel a bit more human. It my be the draught, or it</div> <div>   could be the cold, brisk air, but whatever the reason you feel as though</div> <div>   you can cope with the rest of the day.</div> <div>   Pushing through a heavy oak door you enter the common room of the</div> <div>   tavern. The place is pretty empty at this time of the day, the main</div> <div>   customers are those that spent the night and a handful of tradesmen that</div> <div>   stopped in for some breakfast.  Turek and Ferral are easy to spot, Turek</div> <div>   waves as you come in.  They have just begun eating their meals.</div> <div>   "Good morning," Turek grins. He peers at you, "Rough night with the</div> <div>   family eh?" He waves for the serving girl to come over. "Had breakfast?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Exchange</div> <div>  Series 2 PC POST # 124</div> <div>  Player : Ray</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl shakes his head. "Not any kind of breakfast you'd care to talk</div> <div>  about. Ferral, have you read about Rhondac yet in your alchemy texts? If</div> <div>  that is on the manifest today, I'd recomend not testing it by taste."</div> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Exchange</div> <div>  Series 2 GM POST # 125</div> <div>  Player : Ray</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Ferral smiles slightly, "I've never had it, but my father has used it from</div> <div> time to time, so I'm aware of its reputation."</div> <div> Turek grunts, "Aye, sometimes I think the hangover is better."</div> <div> The serving girl looks at you, "Would you like something to eat sir?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 125</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      "Most definitely. Some bread, and milk if you have any."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 126</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> She will return quickly with the food. As the three of you eat, Turek asks.</div> <div> "From here you go see the merchant, right?  I know you want Ferral with you, do</div> <div> you need me?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 126</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>      "Probably not, though if too many people know why we are here and have</div> <div>  strange ideas about the form of payment we are carrying I might need you on</div> <div>  the way there. Or back."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 127</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Ok, your the boss."</div> <div> You finish breakfast and pay the bill, ($2.50) and head on out.  Before you</div> <div> leave Turek will collect his armor and weapons.</div> <div> You spend a half hour finding the warehouse. It is a large two story building</div> <div> with an extensive corral to one side.  The big wagon doors are closed against</div> <div> the chill. You can see smoke rising from a chimney and there is a man door above</div> <div> which hangs a sign in a script and language that you cannot read. Under that, in</div> <div> Velitar is the name 'Rutus Dhara"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 127</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     "I wish Amanda were here. Oh well, lets get started." Karl knocks on</div> <div> the door.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 128</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A minute passes, from inside you can hear someone yelling stridently in,</div> <div> presumably, a Desert tounge.  The voice is now just on the other side of</div> <div> the door and the rant continues. Even as the door opens the voice, male,</div> <div> lectures someone in the recesses of the warehouse.</div> <div> The door reveals a short, thick, bullish looking man who is clearly of</div> <div> foriegn origin. He looks to be perhaps fifty, though it is difficult to</div> <div> judge.  His face is heavily lined with heavy jowls, but his eyes are</div> <div> bright and seem to be those of a younger man, full of humor and ready to</div> <div> laugh. He cuts off his tirade as you come into view, "Ah! Good morning</div> <div> to you sir! How may I be of service?"  He steps back and with a sweeping</div> <div> gesture indicates that you should enter.</div> <div> Beyond in an office area with tables, desks, chairs and a small</div> <div> fireplace that makes the area warm and cozy.  There are two other doors</div> <div> out of this area.  One is an actual door which is closed, the other is a</div> <div> doorway draped with a blanket.  That seems to open into the main floor</div> <div> of the warehouse.</div> <div> There are several boys and young men working in the office, they all</div> <div> look your way as you enter.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 128</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        Karl nods to the man, or extends his hand if it seems appropriate.</div> <div>    "Hello, my name is Karl Lingsted, I'm from the University, and I</div> <div>  understand  you have gathered some materials that we have an interest in."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 129</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The man beams with pleasure, "From the Academy? I have been expecting</div> <div>  you!" He  takes your hand for a brief grip, then bows slightly, touching his breast</div> <div>  in  some type of salute. "I am Rutus Dhara, welcome, please... Come in and</div> <div>  have a  seat by the fire."  To one of the boys he snaps an order in the desert</div> <div>   language, the boy hurries off. Rutus looks at your companions with a</div> <div>  smile,  "And who are these? Students?"</div> <div>   Turek gives a chuckle at that.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 129</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      "Turek here is our guard, enough people know why I am hee that I though</div> <div>  havin an escort on the street a decent precaution. Ferral is my student,</div> <div>  right now he is concentrating in alchemy and I felt this would be a good</div> <div>  learning experience for him."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 130</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Rutus nods his understanding and offers you a chair.</div> <div> "I have been looking forward to the arrival of the Academy's representitive with</div> <div> great enthusiasum."  He says as he sits down. "I have always enjoyed the</div> <div> buisness we have transacted in the past. And how is my good friend, Chancellor</div> <div> Soren? I trust he is well?  It has been many years since I have had the pleasure</div> <div> of his company."</div> <div> As you talk the boy returns carrying a tray with a pot of tea, cups and</div> <div> pastries.</div> <div> "Please," Rutus pours four cups. "It is our custom to take refreshment before</div> <div> and after transacting buisness."  He extends a cup to you personally, but the</div> <div> boy will pass cups to Turek and Ferral.</div> <div> "I trust your trip was pleasant?" Rutus asks while waiting for all to be served</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 130</div> <div>          Player : Ray</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>        "Soren is well, the trip was not unpleasant, except for a small</div> <div>  problem  that seems to be plaguing this area, some creature stealing cattle."</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 GM POST # 131</div> <div>          Player : Ray</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Rutus frowns, "Yes I am familiar with the problem, but only second hand,</div> <div>  having  no lands outside the town or owning any interest in livestock.  I trust</div> <div>  that the  problem was not severe or threatening?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 131</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>      "It woke us up, and we lost some time investigating, but nothing too</div> <div>  strenuous."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 132</div> <div>         Player : Ray</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div> Rutus smiles, "I am pleased that you suffered no harm." He sips his tea for a</div> <div> moment.  "The materials for the Academy are stored in our warhouse. I presume</div> <div> you wish to inspect them?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 132</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>         "Yes, Ferral and I will inspect them."</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 133</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Finishing your tea, Rutus leads you back into the warehouse area.</div> <div>     The warehouse comprises, as far as you can see, the rest of the</div> <div>     building.  It is one very large room.. For about half of the area the</div> <div>     ceiling is open to the roof in the center with a balcony running</div> <div>     around  the outside walls. But the back half of the building appears to have a</div> <div>     second story loft area over the main warehouse floor.</div> <div>     The main floor is crowded with merchandise to the point where there</div> <div>     are  narrow paths that wend their way through the piles and stacks.  There</div> <div>     are barrels and casks of wine and beer. Huge earthenware crocks of</div> <div>     oil,  vinegar and pickled fruits and vegetables.  Casks of salted, smoked or</div> <div>     pickled meats and fish... Barrels of dried and candied fruits....</div> <div>     Crocks of honey and preserves.... bales of wool, flax, leather, hides and</div> <div>     furs.... baskets of feathers, raw wool, nuts and seeds... even baskets</div> <div>     full of nested baskets... there are stacks of milled lumber, bundles</div> <div>     of shafts for arrows and spears.... coils or rope and twine... pyramids</div> <div>     of  iron and copper ingots.... And all this is mechandise bound for the</div> <div>     desert cities.... There are stacks of incoming goods as well....</div> <div>     Intricately woven rugs, tooled leather goods, bolts of silk, cases of</div> <div>     spices and tea brought across the desert from distant lands that are</div> <div>     unknown to all but a few scholars...  Craft goods of exotic desings</div> <div>     and styles, cwood carvings, statues of strange and colorful stone... There</div> <div>     are bow cases containg the valuable composite bows made by the</div> <div>     nomads...   Fine porcelin and crystal made by the desert craftsmen, colored</div> <div>     glassware made from rare earths found in inaccesible parts of the</div> <div>     desert... sacks of salt and of course the rare earths and minerals</div> <div>     themselves, which is the reason you are here.</div> <div>     Rutus winds his way through the piles till he reaches an area of</div> <div>    bulging sacks and tightly woven baskets. He gestures about him, "These, these,</div> <div>     thes... Those over there and there and that pile there.... are all for</div> <div>     the Academy."  He turns to one of the workmen and rattles off some</div> <div>     orders.  "A table will be put here for you.  There are scales in the</div> <div>     office, I will have them set up here.  I will have my nephew Dakla,</div> <div>     assist you. He speaks Velitar but has much to learn. If you need</div> <div>     anything else he will arrange it."</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 133</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Karl begins with some simple analysis for purity, having Ferral</div> <div>    asist  him, then has Ferral run some tests under his supervision.</div> <div>  </div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 134</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Rutus stands for a moment waiting any response, seeing that he is</div> <div>  dismissed he stalks away, saying something to one of his employees who passes him</div> <div>  carrying  the table.  A few minutes later a young man of perhaps 17 or 18, appears</div> <div>   carrying a large wooden case of polished mahogany and sets it on the</div> <div>  table. It  is a portable scales and assay kit.  "I am Dakla." He introduces himself</div> <div>  in  heavily accented Velitar. "I here to help."  He smiles brightly, his eyes</div> <div>   darting between you and Ferral, waiting for you to say something.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 134</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>  Karl asks for any extra things he might need (bottles, a candle, etc.)</div> <div>  then proceeds with his testing.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 135</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Dakla will scurry off to fetch the things you ask for, then you settle into the</div> <div> buisness at hand.  Ferral assisting and Dakla perched nearby watching and</div> <div> listening, occaissionaly hurrying forwards to assist as needed.  Several hours</div> <div> pass in this fashion and it isn't until close to noon that your work is</div> <div> disturbed... Your attention is drawn from your work by the sound of a voice... A</div> <div> familiar, feminine voice, though it is speaking the incomprehensible language of</div> <div> the desert folk.  It is Amanda and she is drawing closer, coming through the</div> <div> maze of the warehouse as she speaks to someone.  A few moments later she</div> <div> appears, accompanied by Rutus who is smiling and chatting amiably as he guides</div> <div> her to your work area.</div> <div> "Karl!" Amanda says when she sees you.</div> <div> Rutus, his smile gone, fades back and disappears.</div> <div> "It is time that you release Ferral to eat and to come back to the house."  She</div> <div> says something to Dakla who smiles broadly and bows several times.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>