Karl Posts 135-200

<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>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Karl Posts 101 135"><U>Karl Posts 101 - 135</U></A>   |   <B>Karl Posts 135-200</B>   |   <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 135-200</I></div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 135</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>     </div> <div>          "I must have lost track of the time. Ferral, do you have money,</div> <div>  or are you already taken care of at the inn?"</div> <bR> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>        Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 136</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Ferral has no money (Apprentices rarely do) and will gladly accept any</div> <div>  you give him.  He promises to be back within the hour and heads off to get some</div> <div>    food.  Dakla goes with him and the two are quickly lost to sight in the maze</div> <div>  of goods.</div> <div>     Once you are alone Amanda says, "What did you say to Rutus? Somehow</div> <div>  you managed to offend him! Really!" She says exasperated "You men!"</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 136</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        <P.S. When I wrote that karl would start the tests, I had assumed</div> <div>  that Rutus had left- if that was what offended him...</div> <div>        "I have no idea, maybe some local difference in customs. I'd feel a</div> <div>  lot more comfortable if you would accompany me in town."</div> <div>  </div> <div>       </div> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 137</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Amanda sighs and takes your arm. "You need a keeper." She says firmly.</div> <div>  "Don't worry about Rutus, I soothed his feathers for you."  She leads you out of</div> <div>  the warehouse, smiles and waves to Rutus, who smiles back, and takes you out</div> <div>  into the cold street. "I am hungry!" She announces  "Our dinner is waiting.  I</div> <div>  want  you to take everyone out to supper while we are here. Somewhere nice."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 137</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "Okay, since I don't know the town verry well are you going to make a</div> <div>  recomendation or do I need to ask your father or Rutus where they would</div> <div>  recomend?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 138</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Not to worry, I know the perfect place. But try not to drink so much!" She</div> <div> smiles, but there is something about the smile that tells you that all is not</div> <div> quite forgiven and you are now on probation!</div> <div> You arrive back at the house/brewery to find the meal being set out, they must</div> <div> have seen you coming up the street.  No mention is made of last night or this</div> <div> morning and the meal is mostly small talk about the town, what you have been</div> <div> doing etc</div> <div> After finishing up you have to head back to be on time for your student. Amanda</div> <div> apoligises for not staying to clean up, but explains that you are completely</div> <div> helpless without her constant advice.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 138</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "I'm sorry, your father is a brewer and I thought not drinking would be</div> <div>   rude."</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Karl shrugs "I pretty much grew up at the university, it's true."</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 139</div> <div>    Player : Ray</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Leaving the house you make your way back to Rutus' warehouse.</div> <div>   Things are pretty much as you left them, Ferral is lounging by the fire</div> <div>   chatting with Dakla and some of the workers, apparently making an effort</div> <div>   to pick up some of the desert language. There is no sign of Rutus.</div> <div>   Seeing you Dakla and Ferral get up, ready to go back to work. The four</div> <div>   of you make your way back to the work area and Amanda and Dakla sit on</div> <div>   stools and watch the two of you.</div> <div>  </div> <div>   After about a half hour Amanda is clearly getting restless and excuses</div> <div>   herself to "Look around."  She takes Dakla with her, promising to return</div> <div>   shortly.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 139</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      After we have verified the quality and purity of the samples, I let</div> <div>  Ferral get a bit more experience, unless it is too close to dinner time.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 140</div> <div>   Player : Ray</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> You still have a good hour and a half before supper.... Ferral seems a bright</div> <div> lad and has picked up the procedures quite readily.  You think you could leave</div> <div> him more or less unsupervised for the simpler stuff.</div> <div> As you stand watching him, you hear Amanda calling your name.</div> <div> "Karl!  Karl, can you come look at something for a moment?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 140</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        Karl Rushes to Amanda's side to she what it is.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 141</div> <div>      Player : Ray</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   You follow her voice deeper into the warehouse, finding her standing with</div> <div>  Rutus and Dakla looking at a pile of tarps.</div> <div>   You see that the tarps have been drawn back to reveal a large metal bowl</div> <div>  with a lid.  The bowl and lid appear to be of ancient bronze, worn and pitted</div> <div>  with time.  The bowl appears to be perhaps five foot in radius and maybe two</div> <div>  and a half in height. The lid, which is a dome shape without a handle, rises</div> <div>  another  foot at its apex.  The thick bronze has been folded down and hammered over</div> <div>  the edge of the lid, creating a tight seal to keep the lid on.  The outside of</div> <div>  the bowl shows faint traces of carvings and script, but time has worn them</div> <div>  into all but invisibility.</div> <div>   "What do you make of this?" Amanda asks</div> <div>   Rutus says, "A man with whom I sometimes trade, found it far out in the</div> <div>  desolate regions of that part of Nygg called "The Anvil of God"  He brought it to</div> <div>  me because it is known that I trade in antiquities and rare items from time</div> <div>  to time.  I have not opened it, waiting until someone from the Academy could</div> <div>  look upon it and decide if they would be interested."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 141</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl looks the piece over carefully. Do any of the symbols relate to any</div> <div>  magical theory he knows about? Were the edges hammered with a conventional</div> <div>  hammer (Jewelry would include at least some knowledge of bronze working).</div> <div>  What kind of strength and effort would it take to create such a seal?</div> <div>      While looking at the item Karl asks 'How long ago did you come by this</div> <div>  item?'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 142</div> <div>     Player : Ray</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> The symbols, the few that you can make out, are unknown to you. The edges appear</div> <div> to be hammered in a pattern consistent with a craftsman using conventional</div> <div> tools.  The strength needed would vary with the temperature of the metal. To do</div> <div> it cold would require considerable strength and effort, not super human, but a</div> <div> strong man working for a long time.  If the metal were heated, even slightly, it</div> <div> would be more malleable and the task would proceded more easily.  There is no</div> <div> indication that the seal has been tampered with.</div> <div> Rutus says, "Ah, it was delivered...uhmm, in early summer. I do not recall the</div> <div> exact day, though it is in my papers.  I have considered opening it on several</div> <div> occaissions, but I have resisted with the concern that such would lower its</div> <div> value to a prospective buyer."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 142</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        "I am certain ther would be somone at the University who would have</div> <div>  some degree of interest in it, but wha concerns me is the timing of this</div> <div>  issue. I am a little unsure of the timeframe of local events, did this thing</div> <div>  arrive arround the time these attacks on livestock began?"</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 143</div> <div>        Player : Ray</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>    Rutus frowns and scratches his head, "I am not certain... I don't believe</div> <div>  so."</div> <div>   Amanda says, "How could this have anything to do with that?  It clearly</div> <div>  hasn't  been opened in... well, ages."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 143</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      "There are a lot of possibilities. This thing may hold the soul of the</div> <div>  creature that is rampaging the countryside, or have some form of magical</div> <div>  link to it. The creature that is roaming may be some form of projection of</div> <div>  whatever is trapped inside. Also you will note that the symbols are becoming</div> <div>  quite worn, and whoever made this seems to have believed that bronze alone</div> <div>  was not suffient, and that the symbols were somehow necessary to it's</div> <div>  purpose. Of course this is just speculation, I'd have to take it to the</div> <div>  University to be examined to be certain."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 144</div> <div>       Player : Ray</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Amanda looks skeptical at this.</div> <div> Rutus says, "The makings could be anything. A makers mark, an inventory of</div> <div> contents, a delivery address, simple decorations.  Perhaps we should open it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 144</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>       "Decorations possibly, its a little complex for a makers mark. It is</div> <div>   obvious that someone went through a lot of effort to seal this thing</div> <div>   just  right. What can you tell me about the area called the Anvil of God? How</div> <div>   did  it get that name, for example?"</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 145</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   You have heard the name "Anvil of God" in reference to the desert, it</div> <div>   actually appears in the Velitar's histories of the Exodus and desert</div> <div>   crossing.</div> <div>   Rutus shrugs, "The Anvil of God is what it is...A stretch of desert so</div> <div>   barren, so brutal and unforgiving that it beats a man down as though he</div> <div>   were a bit of scrap on a mighty Anvil, thus its name.  It is uninhabited</div> <div>   and unexplored."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 145</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "Which begs the question of how this got there. Either somone wanted it</div> <div>  lost forever, or it is so ancient that it comes from a time when that area</div> <div>  was not desert. Either way I think opening it right now would be a really</div> <div>  bad idea. Like I said, I'm sure somebody at the university would be</div> <div>  interested in it, but I have no idea what the best price they would give for</div> <div>  it is. I would be uncomfortable opening it for two reasons, the first is as</div> <div>  I have said and the second is that if I am wrong it is probably more</div> <div>  valuable if we keep it sealed. On the other hand opening it may be the only</div> <div>  way to find out what it's real story is."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 146</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "There could be treasure in it." Amanda says, reaching out and running her hand</div> <div> across the aged bronze.</div> <div> "Or ashes." Dakla says suddenly.  "I have heard that some cultures burn their</div> <div> dead and put them in bottles."</div> <div> Rutus looks at him with a frown. "I cannot trade an enigma. I must know what is</div> <div> inside in order to determine what to do with it. I waited to open it, hoping</div> <div> that someone from the Academy could tell me more, but now I must know."  He</div> <div> looks at you. "Will you assist me? Your skills may be invaluable. I will pay you</div> <div> a finders fee of, two percent of the value of the contents, if there is</div> <div> treasure."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 146</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>      Karl nods. "Yes, but just as a precaution against the worst let us have</div> <div>  the guardsmen in here when we do this. I don't think we need to go hiring</div> <div>  new ones or anything, but we might as well use the precautions that are on</div> <div>  hand."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 147</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Rutus considers that, then nods in agreement.  He says something to Dakla who</div> <div> scurries off into the warehouse.</div> <div> "I shall bring some tools." Rutus says and he to goes off.</div> <div> Amanda, her eyes shining with excitement says, "I can't wait to see what is</div> <div> inside!  It could be a fabulous treasure!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 147</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>          Karl smiles "Possible, but it is pretty rare for somone to stick  a</div> <div>          valuable treasure in a sealed container in the middle of nowhere. It</div> <div>       really  sounds to me like somebody wanted to lose this thing, and they may</div> <div>      have had a pretty good reason. Hopefully if thats the case their reason won't</div> <div>      have quite so big an impact on us. I'd rather get this to a mage that</div> <div>  could look  inside without opening it, but I don't think Rutus would agree to</div> <div>  the delay."</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 148</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Rutus returns with some hammers, chisels and prybars.  A few minutes</div> <div>     later three tough looking desert men appear, lead by Dakla.  One man</div> <div>     has a spear, a second has a scimitar and small shield and the third has a</div> <div>     powerful crossbow and a long handled axe which he leans against a</div> <div>     convenient crate.  Dakla also has a spear and his uncles scimitar.</div> <div>     There is a brief discussion in the desert language and the men lay</div> <div>  aside  their weapons and take up the tools.  They examine the folded and</div> <div>  beaten  seal and locate a point where they can work the chisel edge underneath</div> <div>  a bit for an initial purchase.</div> <div>     The man with the hammer looks up at Rutus for the go ahead.  Rutus,</div> <div>  his  eyes shining with excitement, nods.  Amanda squeezes your hand, her</div> <div>  face  is also bright with excitement..... "BOOM...BOOM...BOOM....." The</div> <div>  great  bowl rings like a bell with each blow.</div> <div>     The ancient  bronze is tough and the progress is slow...</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 148</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>    </div> <div>        Karl adds his expertise "I think this would go a little faster if we</div> <div>    were to heat the bronze where we want to break the seal. In fact, if the</div> <div>  men would take up their weapons as a precaution, I might get a smal hole in</div> <div>  this quite a bit faster."</div> <div>        When everyone is in position Karl casts ignite on the spot they were</div> <div>    working, holding it for 2 seconds at full power (3 fat/sec, same as</div> <div>  burning magnesium). At the end of that time if there is no hole he will stop and</div> <div>  say  "Well, at least it should be softer now, but be carefull, it will be</div> <div>  hot."</div> <div>  </div> <div>      </div> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 149</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   At your suggestion they back off and pick up their weapons.  The men watch</div> <div>   intently as you work the spell...</div> <div>   Though the heat does not cause an actual hole, there is some deforming and</div> <div>  to your knowledgable eye the metal has been greatly softened.</div> <div>   Two men approach with tools, one, using a prybar, is able to lever up the</div> <div>   softened metal a bit and get a good purchase under it.  As he leans into</div> <div>  it the band bows upwards, sharply at first, in the area of the heating, then more</div> <div>   slowly as it meets resistence in the cooler parts.  Finally the prybar</div> <div>  reaches the maximum angle it can before loosing purchase, a section about eighteen</div> <div>   inches long has been pried up from the lid.</div> <div>   "Good!" Says Rutus rubbing his hands together. "If you can do that in a</div> <div>  couple more spots we will have this thing open quickly!"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 149</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>      "I'll need to rest before I can do that again, but if someone would</div> <div>  bring a latern over, I think the hole is big enough to at least get a look</div> <div>  now."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 150</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div> There isn't really a hole. Infact, though the sealing band has been bent back,</div> <div> the lid underneath is still intact, showing only scratches from the efforts.</div> <div> The contents, whatever they may be, are still tighly sealed.  It may be</div> <div> possible, through a combination of heat and a pointed chisel, to punch a hole</div> <div> through the lid near the edge, where the metal is presumably thinnest.</div> <bR> <div> (Sorry for the delay. Some family matters came up)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 150</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>      Karl stands back. "Someone went through a lot of trouble to seal this</div> <div>  really well. What do you say, shall we try to puncture it and get a quick</div> <div>  look, or do you want to be here all night?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 151</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div> Rutus barks some orders and one of the men runs and fetches a heavy steel</div> <div> punch.  Rutus says, Let us get a peek. If we see a glint of gold it will inspire</div> <div> our efforst." He nods to you to do your stuff and steps back out of the way.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 PC POST # 151</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>         Assuming at this point Karl has had enough rest to do this agin,</div> <div>  he  repeats the ignite spell and watches them punch through. If he doesn't</div> <div>     have  the fatigue he will let Rutus know "I can wait a bit and do it the</div> <div>  same  way,  or I can do it again now with less effect. Which would you prefer?"</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 GM POST # 152</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>        </div> <div>        "Take your time, do it when your ready. It has waited this long, a few</div> <div>     more minutes will nott matter." Rutus replies.</div> <div>     The men lay aside their weapons and tools until you signal your</div> <div>     readiness.</div> <div>     It is only a few more minutes before you feel fully recovered.  The</div> <div>  men  ready themselves and the man with the mallet and punch looks at you</div> <div>     expectantly. Amanda is almost beside herself with girlish excitement.</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 152</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>         </div> <div>        Karl points to the place he is heating, then again casts ignite at</div> <div>  full  strength, spending three fatigue for the most intense heat and holding</div> <div>  it  for three seconds before releasing it and nodding to the man with the</div> <div>  punch.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 GM POST # 153</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The man steps in, places the punch on the still glowing metal, and hammers</div> <div>  it  hard... Once...Twice.... On the third time the tip punches through.</div> <div>  Almost  simultaneously several things happen. There is a high pitched whistling</div> <div>  sound  and a fine mist jets up and out of the hole. It strikes the man full in</div> <div>  the face  and he screams, drops the hammer and punch, covers his eyes and staggers</div> <div>   backwards, still screaming in the desert language.  You notice a scent in</div> <div>  the  air, a sweet, pleasant smell, like flowers in the spring. You don't</div> <div>  recognise  it.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 153</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl calls to the man closest to the punch-man. "Get him out of here.</div> <div>  We'll salve that later, but I have a bad feeling about this. The rest of you</div> <div>  get ready for anything."</div> <div>      He then looks back to see if the jet of mist is abating or getting</div> <div>  stronger.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 154</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> It appears to be abating, though it takes a good thirty seconds to fade away.</div> <div> They drag the injured man back and everyone watches and waits... the tension is</div> <div> building... Amanda squeezes your hand "What is going to happen?" She whispers to</div> <div> you</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 154</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>      </div> <div>     </div> <div>          Karl looks at Rutus. "I'm assuming there was no reason to</div> <div>  suspect that  it was filled with liquid." Do we have a lamp or is there enough</div> <div>  natural  light for someone to look through the hole.?</div> <div>          Karl looks at Amanda. "If nothing else happens in the next 10</div> <div>    seconds,  somebody is going to look into that hole. If something does happen I</div> <div>    want you to head for the door and don't look back."</div> <div>    </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>              PBEM Exchange</div> <div>              Series 2 GM POST # 155</div> <div>              Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>     </div> <div>     Rutus shakes his head in answer to your question.  He says something</div> <div>  and his nephew to bring a lamp.  While he waits he looks at the injured man.</div> <div>     The boy returns about two minutes later with a lit bulls eye lantern.</div> <div>  He looks at you and to Rutus to see who wants it.</div> <div>    </div> <div>     (In answer to your question from the earlier posts. Yes, you have</div> <div>  finished crafting the ring. You can start the enchantment when you get back.)</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>              PBEM Exchange</div> <div>              Series 2 PC POST # 155</div> <div>              Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        Karl reaches for the lantern. "Go ahead and look after your man. If</div> <div>    something were going to jump through that hole after thousands of years</div> <div>    waiting it probably would have done so already." Karl moves up to the</div> <div>  hole and positions the lantern so he can look in and still shine the light</div> <div>  in.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>             PBEM Exchange</div> <div>             Series 2 GM POST # 156</div> <div>             Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The hole is not very large, you would have trouble putting the tip of your</div> <div>   little finger through it... When you aim the light into it you hear a</div> <div>  faint, but distinct 'Thump' from inside... Almost immediately you feel the metal</div> <div>  start to vibrate as though something were rubbing against the inside... A second</div> <div>  later  there is a loud and distinct 'Thump!' on the inside of the lid.</div> <div>   Rutus turns his attention from the injured man, "What was that?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Exchange</div> <div>            Series 2 PC POST # 156</div> <div>            Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "Something that reacts to light and has survived without food and water</div> <div>  for over a thousand years. Something that someone, over a thousand years ago</div> <div>  decided was so dangerous that it had to be sealed up in the container</div> <div>  without any air and dropped in a dessert that nobody can survive in.</div> <div>  Something that, in all probability should have been left alone."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Exchange</div> <div>            Series 2 GM POST # 157</div> <div>            Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> There is a powerful 'THUMP' from inside and a slight deformation appears in the</div> <div> bronze lid... There is another and another... With each blow from inside the</div> <div> thick metal shows more and more distress and deformation.. It is bulging upward</div> <div> at an alarming rate as what ever is trapped inside hammers its way to freedom.</div> <div> "What shall we do Karl!" Amanda asks, fear evident in her voice.</div> <div> Rutus is snapping orders and two men rush off.</div> <div> Amanda translates, "He has sent them for oil and a funnel."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 157</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     "Not a terribly bad idea, but if that steam didn't hurt it, I'm not</div> <div> sure fire will either. On the other hand it will probably take some time for</div> <div> it to escape, dragging this thing back out to the desert very quickly and</div> <div> watching from a distance might be a much better idea." He pauses. "If</div> <div> that thing can bend the metal now, and couldn't before, it is possible that</div> <div> the  heat I put into the metal may have strengthened it somehow, which would</div> <div> make fire a really bad idea. Of course when all else fails..."</div> <div>     Karl moves up to the hole and shouts 'hello in there!'</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 158</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Rutus looks at you like your insane. There is no discernable answer from</div> <div> inside, however the hammering from inside continue. The metal is</div> <div> beginning to show stress cracks... You judge that at the present rate,</div> <div> the lid will fail in considerably less then a minute.</div> <div> Rutus says, "That stuff didn't smell like steam... it was more like...</div> <div> flowers. Could it have been something to make,It, sleep?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 158</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        "Oh yeah. A sleeping potion in a sealed container with the subject.</div> <div>    Gotta remember that one. Anyone who has weapons get ready, I suspect</div> <div>  this  thing is going to be mad, and I'd guess it is not a genie."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 159</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Another massive blow causes a rent to appear in the metal and you catch a</div> <div>   brief glimpse of what looks like a thick band of undulating black and gold</div> <div>   scales... Like those of an immense serpant!</div> <div>   The next blow tears the lid even more... the shriek of over stressed metal</div> <div>   sends shivers down your spine... A serpant like coil, as thick around as a</div> <div>   man's waist, bulges upwards through the gaping hole... The shiny armor of</div> <div>  its scales seem impervious to the ragged edges of the torn metal....The</div> <div>  overall color is a deep black with spots of golden yellow scales forming a pattern</div> <div>  of bands winding around the body.</div> <div>   Rutus gasps at the size and power of the thing... Amanda shrieks in fear</div> <div>  and startled surprise.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 159</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl yells "Amanda, get out!" And steps back behind the warriors.</div> <div>  "Unfortunately I used up my magical energy getting that thing open. Perahps</div> <div>  we should make an opening in this room and let it out, unless you think you</div> <div>  can convince it to work security for you."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 160</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Amanda takes several hesitant steps backwards, but seems transfixed by</div> <div> events....</div> <bR> <div> The area your in is a cleared area perhaps 15' x 15' surrounded by crates,</div> <div> barrels, casks, bales etc... There are several gaps to allow someone to pass</div> <div> through the cleared area and move on.  All of this is on the main floor of the</div> <div> warehouse which is a wood and stone building. This area is maybe 45 or 50 feet</div> <div> wide and 80 to 100 feet long with a  ceiling that is perhaps 15 feet high.  The</div> <div> entire area is crammed with merchandise and goods interspersed with paths,</div> <div> aisles and cleared work areas similar to this one... Some of the stacks are ten</div> <div> or twelve feet in height.  It would be easy enough to open the main doors up</div> <div> front and there are a set of large side doors midway down the north wall. (The</div> <div> building runs East to West with the main doors and office area at the East end.)</div> <bR> <div> Through the gash torn in the bronze lid appears the creature's head.  The thing</div> <div> that strikes you first is that it is not a snake head. Rather it is almost human</div> <div> in it's features... There is no hair, the large scales of the main body extend</div> <div> up and encompass the area that in a human would be hair... There is no skin, in</div> <div> the human sense, rather it looks to be very fine scales that cover the face...</div> <div> The nose is flattened and the nostrils are serpant like slits... But its eyes</div> <div> are set forward and posistioned like a human's, though the pupils are serpant</div> <div> like... There are bulges where the ears should be, and the scales seem to</div> <div> transition in this area and it looks like some type of folded hood or crest in</div> <div> that area that reminds you of the ones on the great Cobra's that can be found in</div> <div> the desert and hereabouts... The mouth is human in shape and size, though the</div> <div> lips are scaled and blend into the face... There are fangs in that mouth, which</div> <div> opens and with a loud, piercing hiss that sends a shiver down your spine.. You</div> <div> see a serpant like tongue flick out briefly.  The coloration of the fine scales</div> <div> of the face is the yellow of the spots, the larger scales on top of the head are</div> <div> black.</div> <div> The creature turns it's head slowly, taking in it's surroundings and the people</div> <div> it sees... It gives out another hiss, softer this time, as it looks about.</div> <bR> <div> Rutus' men and Rutus himself, all seem frozen, perhaps in indeciscion, perhaps</div> <div> in fear. What ever the cause, no one has moved to attack, run or speak.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 160</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>       Karl holds up both of his hands in a sign of peace (see, no</div> <div>   weapons!) and says softly with projection "If you can speak our language and wish</div> <div>   to talk, we will do so. If you wish to leave, the way is open. We knew not</div> <div>   of your existance and mean you no harm."</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 161</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   It gazes from one person to another, pausing to stare at Amanda,</div> <div>   breaking it off when you speak. Now it stares at you.</div> <div>   It's tongue flicks in and out several times, then it speaks in a soft,</div> <div>   hissing voice... "ssssVheressss?" Is all it says</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 161</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl looks perplexed a second then points to himself "Karl".</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 162</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> From behind you, Amanda whispers, "I think it wants to know where it is."</div> <div> When she speaks the thing's attention switches from you to her.</div> <div> You hear Rutus whispering to his men, but it is impossible to make out the</div> <div> words. The creature doesn't divert his attention from Amanda at the sound of</div> <div> the voice.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 162</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "If you speak it's language, try to explain where it is, but keep it simple,</div> <div>  the geography may have changed since it was last free."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 163</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "It speaks our language," Amanda whispers in surprise, "It's just badly</div> <div> slurred."</div> <div> She pipes up, "You are in Velitrium."  She hesitates a second, the speaks in</div> <div> what you recognise as Jhensari, saying the old Jhensari name for the Valley,</div> <div> "Jhenama Khanar"</div> <div> The creature continues staring at Amanda and she falls silent.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 163</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl looks over at Amanda, "I've gotten so used to everybody speaking a</div> <div>  different language I assumed it was another tongue."</div> <div>      He then turns to the creature "Who are you, and why are you sealed in</div> <div>  this vessel?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 164</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Amanda has a distracted look on her face, as though she is concentrating on</div> <div> something else and she does not respond to your remark.</div> <bR> <div> The creature hisses, "Zulthhhhhh othhh ttthe Patthhlar."  Apparantly in answer</div> <div> to your question.</div> <div> The name 'Zulth" or the term 'Pathlar' mean nothing to you.</div> <bR> <div> Out of the corner of your eye you see one of Rutus' men pulling a heavy cargo</div> <div> net from behind some casks.  Rutus is whispering to another man.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 164</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Karl isn't sure he likes what is happening, but he isn't going to give</div> <div>   them away either.</div> <div>   "Zulth, is Patlar a place, or the name of your people? And who was it</div> <div>   that  put you in this vessel?"</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 165</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Zulth does not take his eyes off Amanda as he speaks in reply.</div> <div>   "Zulthhhhh othhhhh Pattthhlar," He repeats. "Zulthhhhh ithhh Patthhlar."</div> <div>   He states, as though that clears everything up.</div> <div>   Rutus' men are quietly and carefully, trying to stretch the net out to</div> <div>   allow it to be thrown over the creature and its former repository.</div> <div>   Zulth says, "Vy vake Zulthhhhh?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 165</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      "We didn't know you were in there, we were just trying to find out what</div> <div>  was in the container. Are you saying you put yourself in there, for a nap?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 166</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> "Vat Ageeeth isthhhhh ithhh?" Zulth asks.  His eyes are still fixed on Amanda,</div> <div> but some almost imperceptable clue makes you think that he is aware of what is</div> <div> happening behind him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 166</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>        Karl smiles and nods slightly, then says "You guys might as well</div> <div>    drop the net, he knows you're there. You wouldn't listen to me that there</div> <div>    might be something living in there, now at least have the common sense to</div> <div>    realize that anything that has lived in a desert for thousnads of yeards</div> <div>    without  food or water is not going to be captured with a net."</div> <div>        He then turns back to Zulth. "I'm not sure how you measure ages,</div> <div>    so I don't know what response would be appropriate. Honestly I'm quite</div> <div>    suprised you speak our language given how old the container you were in appears</div> <div>    to be."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 167</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Rutus and his men freeze at your words.</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Zulth's gaze remains fixed on Amanda, but something has clearly</div> <div>   happened. A pale mist begins to rise up and out of the bowl, cascading</div> <div>   slowly  over the sides and spilling to the floor where it begins to</div> <div>   spread out in all directions, though it seems to spread faster and more</div> <div>   thickly in the direction of Rutus and his men.  Even as this begins</div> <div>   Zulth speaks to you, "Zzzzultthh ssspeaksss ahlll tonguessss..."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 167</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>  "That does clear that up. Do you have some interest in my wife? Please</div> <div>  excuse these men, they are uncertain about the unknown, and react in fear. I</div> <div>  was wondering, do you plan to tell us about how you came to be in this</div> <div>  container? Did you simply choose it to sleep in or was there some other part</div> <div>  to the story?"</div> <bR> <div>  BTW, how long has Karl been resting while talking to this creature? If he is</div> <div>  going to do anything he will need a bit more fatigue back...</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 168</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> <It has been a bit less then 3 minutes since Zulth emerged</div> <bR> <div> The men drop the net and are backing away from the strange mist... The stuff</div> <div> seems almost sentient in it's behavior, moving to block the exits from this area</div> <div> and pin the men against a pile of bales and barrels.</div> <bR> <div> Zulth does not answer you and never takes his eyes from Amanda</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Exchange</div> <div>  Series 2 PC POST # 168</div> <div>  Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Since Zulth is not answering Karl turns to Amanda "Honey, are you okay?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 169</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Amanda looks a bit... strange. She is very pale, her eyes seem unnaturally large</div> <div> and glassy and she appears to be muttering to herself in an apparantly</div> <div> incomprehensible fashion as she stares at the creature.</div> <div> Your examination of Amanda is suddenly interrupted by bloodcurdling screams</div> <div> coming from Rutus and his men.</div> <bR> <div> Glancing that way you see that Rutus and his followers appear to be engulfed in</div> <div> the mist, which is twining its way up their bodies. As you watch the men's flesh</div> <div> seems to blister and begin to slough away in strings!  Rutus in particular is</div> <div> screaming horribly and clawing at his eyes!</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 169</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Karl moves to stand between Zulth and his wife, breaking the gaze</div> <div> and looking at Amanda. "Honey, are you allright?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 170</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Amanda does not answer you, she doesn't even seem to see you. Her gaze</div> <div> seems to be focused on some infinite vista, he lips still moving as she</div> <div> utters what almost sounds like an incantation.</div> <bR> <div>  Behind you the screams reach a crescendo and then are abruptly cut off.</div> <bR> <div>  Elsewhere in the warehouse you hear cries of alarm and many footsteps</div> <div> running in your direction.  From Zulth you hear a loud hiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 170</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     Karl steps forward and trys to guide Amanda out of the warehouse.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 171</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Amanda comes along easily enough when you take her arm, but she moves</div> <div> slowly and sedately as you  lead her through a gap in the piled goods</div> <div> and into an aisle leading away.</div> <div> Ferral and two of Rutus' men come around a bend ahead of you at a</div> <div> gallop.  Ferral cries, "Master Lingsted! What has happ.... Mitra!" He</div> <div> gasps, looking past you, his eyes as big as saucers.</div> <div> One of the foriegners begins a rapid, jumbled prayer to his heathen</div> <div> dieties and begins back pedalling hard, colliding with the man behind</div> <div> him, who is frozen in his tracks.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 171</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Karl keeps his voice calm as he says "Master Rutus chose to disregard my</div> <div>    advice about leaving ancient secrets alone, and has payed for his error</div> <div>  with  his life. I would recomend we leave this vicnity to ensure we do not</div> <div>  wind up  paying a portion of the same price. So far Zulth has only attacked those</div> <div>  who  have assaulted him, but had Amanda in some sort of a trance. I am taking</div> <div>  her  out of here to someplace safe and then I will try to discover what zulth</div> <div>    wants and how best to handle this situation."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 172</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>   Neither of Rutus' men seem inclined to listen to your calm words, instead</div> <div>  they  treat you to a view of their rapidly retreating backs as the spin around a</div> <div>  run  like hell.</div> <div>   Ferral has stopped infront of you, staring past you as you speak. Your not</div> <div>  sure  he's aware of your words either, but suddenly he yells, "Master! Look</div> <div>  out!"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 172</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>      Rather then wasting time looking Karl pushes Amanda to the side and</div> <div>  steps with her, spinning to see what might have hit him had he taken the</div> <div>  time to turn and look, or what might still be wiating if his reaction was</div> <div>  faster than it needed to e.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 173</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> You spin around in time to see Zulth, towering above the stack of bales and</div> <div> bundles, strike out at you, arching his body over the pile.  The giant serpant</div> <div> passes through the space that you, (or was it Amanda?) occupied a split second</div> <div> ago.  Instead of changing his direction or pulling back, Zulth continues his</div> <div> headlong lunge with apparent suicidal intent!  Just when his head should crash</div> <div> into the floor of the warehouse, his body turns to mist!  The long, coiling</div> <div> cloud seems to penetrate right into the flag stones of the floor and vanishes!</div> <div> Ferral gasps, "Mitra! What was that?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 173</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>       "Something that can apparently be held by copper, unless I missed</div> <div>   something earlier.  Wait that still doesn't make sense, if it can turn</div> <div>   to  mist it couls have come out earlier. Lets get out of here and we'll</div> <div>   figure  this out when if we have time!"</div> <div>       Karl continues to lead Amanda and ferral to the exit.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 174</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   There is no sign of any of Rutus' people as you make your way out. The</div> <div>   office door is swinging open in the cold winter air as you exit the</div> <div>   building.  There are a few people on the street, and some are looking</div> <div>   quizzicaly in your direction, their attention possibly drawn by the</div> <div>   fleeing men who proceded you out the door.</div> <div>   "What are you going to do, Master?"  Ferral asks as he helps you with</div> <div>   Amanda.</div> <div>   Amanda is still staring blankly ahead, mumbling something incoherrant.</div> <div>   You do get the feeling that she is repeating the samething over and</div> <div>   over.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 174</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "First we put some distance between us and what we just saw. Second we</div> <div>  try and find someone who understands what she is saying. Zulth was a little</div> <div>  less than completely forthcoming back there about what the situation was. I</div> <div>  want you to do two things- first go to the city council and tell them that</div> <div>  there may be some mystical serpent creature named Zulth roaming the city,</div> <div>  I'm not sure how hostile it is if you don't try and attack it first, but it</div> <div>  is very powerfull. Second see if there is anyone arround town who knows</div> <div>  about any legends of Zulth or the Pathlar. Meet me at Amanda's house this</div> <div>  evening, earlier if you find anything important. If you see that serpent</div> <div>  thing from in there, get away and do not draw its attention. Got it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 175</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Ferral listens raptly, "Yes Master, I understand..." He hesitates and points</div> <div> behind you. "I think they may want to talk to you."</div> <div> Coming down the street is a group of the Watch and a man you recognise, the</div> <div> Captain of the Rangers.  Two of the Watchmen are half leading, half dragging, a</div> <div> clearly reluctant employee of Rutus'.  Another Watchman, an officer from the</div> <div> looks of it, is speaking to the laborer in the desert language, seemingly</div> <div> trying to calm him while at the same time trying to get answers from him. They</div> <div> are headed in your direction, or at least to the warhouse which is behind you.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 175</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>    "I'll talk with them, you do as I've instructed."</div> <div>    Karl walks towards the guard, and away from the warehouse, leading</div> <div>  Amanda</div> <div>    "Hello there, do any of you speak my tounge? If you are headed to the</div> <div>    warehouse I would not recomend going in right now."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 GM POST # 176</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   (Except for the frightened employee of Rutus, who is from the Desert</div> <div>  lands,  everyone else is native Velitar, just like you. The Captain of the Rangers</div> <div>   certainly is, you already had an extensive conversation with him at your</div> <div>   arrival.)</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The Captain frowns at your words, clearly puzzled. "I know you," He says</div> <div>  "Your  from the Academy of Sorcery...uhm, Lungsted or Lingsted or something.  Why</div> <div>   shouldn't we go to the warehouse? What is going on there?  This idiot is</div> <div>   blithering about Demons and Djinn... What do YOU know about it?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 PC POST # 176</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  "About a tenth of what I would like to. I had just paid Rutus for the</div> <div>  merchandise I was sent to colect, and he told me he had something else he</div> <div>  wanted my opinion about. He had some sealed brass bowl in there that a</div> <div>  friend of his dragged out of the dessert where it had been sitting for what</div> <div>  I would estimate at a millenium or two, and said he was waiting for someone</div> <div>  from the Acadamy to look at it before he opened it. I looked at it, advised</div> <div>  him against opening it until we knew more about it, but he insisted on</div> <div>  opening it anyways. He opened it and this snake like magical creature</div> <div>  emerged that spoke Veltairian and claimed to speak all tongues. Rutus</div> <div>  decided that just because this thing had survived in the dessert for a</div> <div>  thousand years or so without food or water didn't mean a net wouldn't be</div> <div>  sufficient to capture it, and the entity killed Rutus and most of his men,</div> <div>  and was up to something rather peculiar with my wife who is not, as you may</div> <div>  note, very responsive to what is going on arround her right now. I would</div> <div>  presume the creature is still in the warehouse, but it has some strange</div> <div>  combination of capability and incapability of moevment that I haven't</div> <div>  exactly worked out just yet, so I wouldn't say for certain whether it is or</div> <div>  is not there. If you need to examine the scene then be sure to leave this</div> <div>  man outside, alone it might decide you are not hostile, but if he is with</div> <div>  you Zulth may decide to attack you for that reason alone. Oh yeah, the</div> <div>  things name is Zulth, it refers to itself as 'Zulth of Pathlar' and seemed</div> <div>  to claim that it put itself in the brass container, though I would have</div> <div>  reason to doubt that. I would like to get my wife to safety, my assistant is</div> <div>  already going to inform the desk bound authorities of the situation, and</div> <div>  then there is some serious research that needs to be done about what this</div> <div>  thing is and where it comes from." Karl pauses for breath "And I would doubt</div> <div>  that your weapons can harm it. It seems able to project some kind of solid</div> <div>  smoke that attacks people."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Exchange</div> <div>         Series 2 GM POST # 177</div> <div>         Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> The Captain and the Watchmen listen to your account in silence. When you finish</div> <div> the Watch Officer snaps some questions at the desert man who replies at length,</div> <div> ending in a shrug.  The Officer looks at the Captain, "He confirms that Rutus</div> <div> took delivery of a large bronze urn or bowl and that his Master was waiting for</div> <div> an Academy Mage to visit before opening it. That he anticipated something of</div> <div> great value would be inside. As for the rest of it, this man wasn't present</div> <div> during the opening."</div> <div> The Captain turns to you, "What kind of damage did this...'smoke' do?  Was it</div> <div> poison?"</div> <div> Before you can answer the Watch Officer says to one of his men, "Go get Varnak,</div> <div> tell him to be ready for battle. Tell him everything you've heard. On the</div> <div> double!"  The Watchman hurries off.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Exchange</div> <div>            Series 2 PC POST # 177</div> <div>            Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>   "More like a very strong acid, or perfaps a form of digestion. It can</div> <div>   move with an apparent intelligence, I would assume it was directed by the</div> <div>   creature. At one point the creature seemed to lunge at us and disolve</div> <div>   into smoke, but earlier it had to pound its way out of the container in a</div> <div>   solid form when there was a hole that a vapor could have escaped through. I</div> <div>   would  urge extreem caution in dealing with this creature, it is quite clearly</div> <div>   intelligent, but what its intentions are I could not discern. It may</div> <div>   have  felt it was acting in self defense, aside from whatever it did to my</div> <div>   wife. I would get her to a place of safety, and then if I am to be of any</div> <div>   assistance  in this fight I'm affraid I must rest first, though I don't know how</div> <div>   much  time I have to do so."</div> <div>   Can Karl make out what Amanda is saying, and is she still saying it?</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Exchange</div> <div>            Series 2 GM POST # 178</div> <div>            Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   When you speak of Amanda all eyes are turned to her. She still remains</div> <div>   blank eyed and she continues to mumble the strange syllabels.</div> <div>   The Watch Officer says, "I will have a man take her home, she is the</div> <div>   daughter of the brewer, yes?  We will come by later to have someone look</div> <div>   at her. Right now I would like you to show us where everything</div> <div>   occured."  The officer calls another Watchman forward to take Amanda's</div> <div>   arm.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 PC POST # 178</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Karl nods. "I can show you the warehouse at least, keep in mind that I</div> <div>  am quite tired. I don't mean this as a complaint, but you need to understand</div> <div>  that if you wish magical support I will need to rest first." He leads the</div> <div>  men to the warehouse.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 GM POST # 179</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The officer says, "I have sent for a battle mage. You are the only person who</div> <div> has witnessed these events and either survived or is capable of communicating</div> <div> them to us. Therefore your presence is essential."</div> <bR> <div> Entering the warehouse through the still open office door, you pass through the</div> <div> deserted front office and back into the warhouse proper.  The Captain, officer</div> <div> and the remaining two Watchmen have all drawn their swords or readied their</div> <div> crossbows. The desert man is nervously following along.</div> <div> You wend your way back through the collected goods, passing the work area where</div> <div> Ferral and you had been sorting and testing, coming at last to the scene of the</div> <div> events.</div> <div> All is as you left it, with the exception of three fleshless skeletons, clothed</div> <div> to thread bare, tattered rags, lying in a large pool of pinkish, oily looking</div> <div> foam.  All that remains of Rutus and his henchmen.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 179</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>        Is the brass container or Zulth still there?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 180</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The container remains, but there is no sign of Zulth.</div> <div>   The investigators poke around behind the various piles for a few minutes,</div> <div>  until  they are certain that the creature is not waiting in ambush.  They then</div> <div>   cautiously approach the bowl.  The Captain says, "Wait."  The Watch all</div> <div>  look at  him. "Wait till your mage gets here." The Captain suggests. To you he</div> <div>  asks,  "Where did the... Thing, go through the floor?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 180</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl thinks a bit and answers "I hope so, because the only other place</div> <div>  it could have gone is into my wife. I don't understand how it could go</div> <div>  through the floor and not a 6 inch hole in the container though."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 181</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> The Captain frowns at that. "Show us the exact spot he vanished at. Maybe there</div> <div> is something underneath."</div> <div> The Watch Officer also looks concerned, but for a different reason. "Into your</div> <div> wife? You mean that thing could be walking down the street even as we speak!"</div> <div> From the front of the warehouse you hear a voice call out, "Captain Rorse?</div> <div> Lieutenant Aslon?"</div> <div> The Captain calls, "Varnak! We are back here."</div> <div> A few minutes later the Watchman that had been sent to fetch the Watch's Mage</div> <div> appears, he is with a portly, balding, middle aged man who looks more like an</div> <div> inn keeper then a battle mage.</div> <div> The mage smiles, "And how have you gentlemen been, might I ask?  And what brings</div> <div> us to the establishment of Master Rutus?"</div> <div> The Captain grunts, "Rutus is that grease spot over yonder. Some creature came</div> <div> out of that big spittoon and did for him. This man, a fellow practitioner and</div> <div> instructer at the Academy, saw the whole thing. I'll let him tell you the</div> <div> details.  Varnak Golistan, Karl Lingsted."</div> <div> Varnak turns to you with a slight bow, "A member of the Faculty at the Academy?</div> <div> I am honored."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 181</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "A junior member, yes, and a bit tired at the moment.The creature called</div> <div>  itself Zulth, said it was of the Pathlar.  I had just bought some supplies</div> <div>  for the college when Rutus insisted we open the bronze bowl, despite my</div> <div>  suggestion of restraint. Once the container was pierced a sweet smelling</div> <div>  acidic vapor was released, followed by banging. Zulth broke through the</div> <div>  bronze and Rutus and hi men tried to capture it with a net. A sort of acid</div> <div>  fog enveloped them, you can see the results of that. My student warned me of</div> <div>  an attack from behind and I moved aside to see Zulth change to vapor and</div> <div>  melt into the floor. Since he didn't emerge from the container as vapor when</div> <div>  it had been easier to do so, and the container is not enchanted, I have to</div> <div>  think that he may have taken control of my wife."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 182</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Pathlar? Hmmm, not familiar with that one." Varnak muses. He walks over to the</div> <div> bowl, extending a wary hand before him. "Hmmm, no magic.... No life...." He</div> <div> murmurs</div> <div> The Watch Officer, appearing concerned, says, "You think that think may have</div> <div> taken control of your wife? I wish I had known that before I sent her off with</div> <div> my man!"  He heads towards the front door, waving for one of the watchmen to</div> <div> follow. "You stay with Varnak." He tells the other.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 182</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Karl nods slightly "He had her in some sort of trance when I broke eye</div> <div>   contact, and he did his disolving into smoke routine when he tried to</div> <div>   dive  through the space one of us had been standing in. I didn't want to say</div> <div>   anything in front of her, in case he is in control. If he is there and</div> <div>   doesn't know we suspect, that may be the only real advanatge we have in</div> <div>   this situation. That and I don't want him hurting my wife to preserve</div> <div>   himself."</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 183</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Varnak murmurs to you, "Perhaps you should go with them, wouldn't want</div> <div>   to alarm the family, hmmm?"</div> <div>   The Captain nods, "Yes, I agree. For her parents sake and for hers. It</div> <div>   would be best if you were there. Besides, your the best one to judge her</div> <div>   state."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 183</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  "I think that would be a good idea, as would a sleeping potion, if we can</div> <div>  get one quickly, for her nerves of course, because this was such a harsh</div> <div>  experience."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 184</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div> Varnak frowns, "A potion? Hmmm, not much time for that... but any good</div> <div> herbalist could get you some Pallis, or even Bodis. Either would do the</div> <div> trick."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>             PBEM Exchange</div> <div>             Series 2 PC POST # 184</div> <div>             Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>          Karl smiles "I keep forgeting that people outside the university</div> <div>    don't keep potions stocked. Very well, I hope they are strong enough if</div> <div>  Zulth has taken over."</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Exchange</div> <div>            Series 2 GM POST # 185</div> <div>            Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Varnak nods, "They should do it. Be careful with Bodis, you could kill</div> <div>    your wife if your not careful. Pallis is slower, but safer. Do you know any</div> <div>    herbalists in town?"</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 PC POST # 185</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>        "One, I had need of her services this morning after testing the</div> <div>  wares of  my father in law. I will stop there on the way."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 GM POST # 186</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   The lieutenant is tapping his foot impatient to go.  "Yes, yes, yes! We</div> <div>  will stop and get something to make her sleep! I am anxious to learn if my man</div> <div>  is still alive, or has he been turned into a puddle of grease and bones! If</div> <div>  your coming, then lets go!"</div> <div>   He leads the way out of the warehouse at a brisk pace. As you walk through</div> <div>  the streets he asks, "Assuming that... It... is still with your wife, then how</div> <div>  are we going to get her to take what ever we come up with?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 PC POST # 186</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      "By making it think we don't suspect, and that it will need to take the</div> <div>  herbs to protect its secret."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Exchange</div> <div>          Series 2 GM POST # 187</div> <div>          Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> He listens with a frown, then shrugs. "If you say so. She's your wife so I will</div> <div> leave that in your hands.  I just hope it doesn't degenerate into something</div> <div> ugly."</div> <div> You turn a corner and recognise the street of Amanda's family.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 PC POST # 187</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>      Have we already gotten the herbs?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Exchange</div> <div>           Series 2 GM POST # 188</div> <div>           Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div> <No, you have just arrived at the street where the brewery is, the Herbalist</div> <div> lives a bit down the street past the brewery.</div> <bR> <div> You turn the corner and you hear the lieutenant give an almost audible sigh. "I</div> <div> don't know what I was expecting," You hear him mutter. "Maybe the houses in</div> <div> flames and a demon rampaging through the streets."</div> <div> Fortunately all looks as it should on a cold, wintery day.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 188</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>       'Lets go get the herbs first.'</div> <div>       Karl could have kicked himself as he realized that he had herbs back</div> <div>   at  the warehouse he could have grabbed.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 189</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   You pass by the door to the brewery and go directly to Grelda's, which</div> <div>   is five doors down from the brewery. Hard knocking is rewarded with</div> <div>   Grelda. She stares at you a moment, "T'was beer this morning, bowels</div> <div>   now?" She asks</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 189</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    "Nope, demonic possesion, we need some Pallis."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 190</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Grelda seems taken aback by that. "Come again?" She says, even as she steps</div> <div> back to allw you and the lieutenant to enter. "Pallis? For Possession?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 190</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        Karl smiles. "Temporary measure. When the host falls aslepp in a</div> <div>  case of possesion, the demon is powerless to act."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 191</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "Really?" Grelda asks as she opens one of the small drawers and removes a</div> <div>  pouch of powder.</div> <div>   "So we hope." The Lieutenant says grimly.</div> <div>   Grelda measures out a quantity. "This will put any adult to sleep in about</div> <div>  ten minutes." She looks up sharply, "Its not a child I hope?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 191</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>      Karl shakes his head. "No, not a child. And in traditional possesions</div> <div>  what affects the host affects the rider, though there is a chance this is</div> <div>  not a typical possesion"</div> <div>  *the above is based off the description of the spell with the same name,</div> <div>  which is what Karl would know about*</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 192</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> The Lieutenant watches Grelda work. "Tell me," He asks "What do we do if the,</div> <div> errr, thing, leaves your wife and enters someone else?  I mean, is there</div> <div> anything we can do to protect ourselves or restrict its actions."</div> <div> "Your wife?" Grelda asks sharply "Amanda? Little Amanda possessed? Mitra</div> <div> preserve her!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 PC POST # 192</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>    Karl looks at the Lieutenant. "Know anyone who specializes in</div> <div>   necromancy? To be honest I'm not sure what this thing qualifies as. It</div> <div>  was apparently contained by unenchanted brass, and needed to bash its way</div> <div>  out of that, but appeared to be incorporeal when it pulled it's little manuver</div> <div>  on  Amanda. It was also doing something to her before that, maybe</div> <div>  preperation  for possesion maybe something else. Possession simply seems the most</div> <div>  liekly explination right now, but for all I know he could have some spell on</div> <div>  her and be trailing her and invisible. I'd go on about people listening to</div> <div>  the advice they ask for, but since he's already dead i don't suppose there's</div> <div>    much point."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Exchange</div> <div>    Series 2 GM POST # 193</div> <div>    Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "Necromancy?" The Lieutenant frowns.  "In an investigative capacity we use</div> <div>   Varnak, but he's hardly a master at it."</div> <div>   "It's illegal." Grelda reminds you.</div> <div>   "I'm sure Master Lingsted is aware of that." The Lieutenant says</div> <div>  witheringly</div> <div>   Grelda seems oblivious to the tone. "What you need is a Priest." She</div> <div>  declares. "They don't call Mitra 'Demon Slayer' for nothing."</div> <div>   Grelda hands you the drug.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 193</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Karl clears his throat. "Technically, in most areas at least, it is the</div> <div>  practice of necromancy, not the study which is illegal. I have not actually</div> <div>  studied any of it myself, but I do have enough overview of the theory to</div> <div>  know that there are some spells within the feild used for the containment</div> <div>  and protection against spirits of the deceased or demons. It has been</div> <div>  hypothesised that priests learn variations of these 'white necromancy'</div> <div>  spells..." He realizes that this is the wrong audience for 'lecture mode'</div> <div>  and promptly shuts his mouth.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 194</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Grelda frowns, "Priests learn necromantic spells? You mean the Miracles of</div> <div> Mitra?"</div> <div> The Lieutenant looks puzzled too, but he seems to put it aside. "Whatever, we</div> <div> need an expert. Grelda is right, the best choice is a Priest.  We can go to the</div> <div> Temple or go see what is happening with your wife.  Do you want to risk drugging</div> <div> her without one present?" He asks</div> <div> Grelda isn't quite ready to let the issue drop. "Priests aren't wizards." She</div> <div> says rather forcefully. "They don't get their powers from musty old spell books,</div> <div> they are granted by Mitra!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 PC POST # 194</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>     </div> <div>      Karl sighs. "Wizards don't get powers from book either, we get</div> <div>    knowledge. In terms of classification of supernatural phenominon, any act that is</div> <div>    produced by the will of a corporeal sentient being is termed a spell</div> <div>  regardless of the orrigin of the power, and spells having to do with the deceased</div> <div>  are classed as necromantic regardles of the intent or sanctity of the</div> <div>  act</div> <div>  Thus an act by a priest to move the soul of the deceased to a pleasent</div> <div>    afterlife is classified as a necromantic spell. Miracles are technically a</div> <div>      supernatural act performed by the will of a non corporeal being of</div> <div>      significant magnitude, and to anyone's knowledge only Mitra</div> <div>  qualifies.</div> <div>    But many of the so called lesser miracles are in fact energy of Mitra</div> <div>    channeled through a priest and shaped by the will of that priest, and are thus</div> <div>      classified as spells, frequently necromantic in nature as the realm</div> <div>  of the dead is pretty much exclusively Mitra's domain, at least as far as</div> <div>      legitimate casting goes. I did meet someone who was an expert in the</div> <div>    feild once, he was only allowed to study it because he had no magical</div> <div>  aptitude whatsoever and wanted to classify the varrious demons and monsters</div> <div>  that might be encountered by anyone trying to counter a thaumaturgical  necromancer."</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>        PBEM Exchange</div> <div>        Series 2 GM POST # 195</div> <div>        Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Grelda seems to be working through all this and from the darkening</div> <div>    expression on her face she doesn't seem to like where its going.</div> <div>     The Lieutenant says, rather hastily, "Errr, yes to all that. We need</div> <div>  to get a move on before things really get out of hand."  He starts for the</div> <div>  door, trying to keep himself between you and the old woman.</div> <div>     "Priests of Mitra are not Necromancers!" She says rather sharply</div> <div>  "Aiding and guiding a soul towards Paradise is no more necromantic then providing</div> <div>  the teaching that set that soul on the proper path in the first place!</div> <div>    Necromancy is an evil perversion!"</div> <div>    </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 PC POST # 195</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>    </div> <div>        Karl pauses a second then replies. "It depends on whether you are</div> <div>  using the legal term or the academic term. From an academic standpoint necro</div> <div>  means death, necromancy is any arcane or supernatural art which deals with the</div> <div>    dead. Outside of an academic environment however, the general parlence</div> <div>  would indicate a negative aspecting to the term necromancy. I seem to keep</div> <div>    forgetting that I am outside the university, having spent so much of my</div> <div>  life there. As there may well be a very malign entity in possesion of my</div> <div>  wife, however, I think we might save further discussions regarding vocabulary</div> <div>  for another time and get the priest."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Exchange</div> <div>       Series 2 GM POST # 196</div> <div>       Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   When you start your answer to Grelda, you hear the Lieutenant give an</div> <div>  audible sigh. When the woman opens her mouth to answer, but before a word can be</div> <div>   uttered, the Lieutenant says hastily, "Amen to that. Lets go Professor!"</div> <div>  He literaly takes you by the elbow and starts pulling you towards the door.</div> <div>   "Prie...." Grelda begins but the officer cuts her off "Don't you have a</div> <div>  pot to watch boil or something?" He growls. To you he says "Lets just see what is</div> <div>   happening with your wife, her family and my man, before we fetch a Priest.</div> <div>  By now that thing could have started a barbecue with the lot of them as the</div> <div>  main course!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 196</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>     "Yes of course, though that seems unlikely. What is the point of hiding</div> <div>  in somebody's body if you don't hide?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 197</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> He grunts as he yanks the door open and practicly pushes you out, shooting a</div> <div> warning glare back at grelda who seems reluctant to abandon the battle.</div> <div> "I hope your right, but I know that when I wake up in the morning I'm usually</div> <div> hungry and want some breakfast."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 197</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> Karl leaves, continuing the discussion in the street. "True, but the</div> <div> entity was fairly composed and in control back at the warehouse, and it did</div> <div> seem to digest the men in there fairly readilly, if that is what it eats. Which</div> <div> comes to the real problem which is that we don't know anything near</div> <div> enough about this thing. I really don't hold it's attack in the warehouse</div> <div> against it in terms of the men, they were trying to recapture it or attack it,</div> <div> and it defended itself. It left me alone when all I did was talk with it, so</div> <div> the question is why it did what it did to my wife. Heck if it was willing to</div> <div> release her unharmed and was interested I could probably get it a</div> <div> position at the University, provided it doesn't require a diet of sentient</div> <div> beings. After all, it certainly has historical knowledge that can rival any</div> <div> current professor."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 GM POST # 198</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> He looks at you a bit oddly and says, "Well, I'm glad YOU don't hold</div> <div> Rutus' death against it.  I'm not sure if the Crown will see it the same</div> <div> way. True, they were only Barbarians, but Rutus was an honest, law</div> <div> abiding, as far as I know, taxpaying merchant, so some one is bound to</div> <div> be annoyed over it.. As for your wife..." He shrugs "Who knows, maybe</div> <div> its a sex thing... Is IT male or female or couldn't you tell?"</div> <div> The brewery is only a few doors down. The outer door is open, which</div> <div> probably isn't unusual in warmer weather, but seems a bit odd in this</div> <div> bitter cold.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 PC POST # 198</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>        "I couldn't tell. As For Rutus, he was directing an attack against a</div> <div>    sentient being that had done nothing more than wake up in a bowl that</div> <div>  Rutus had purchased. Not just a sentient being but an obviously highly</div> <div>  intelligent and powerfull sentient being. You might notice it did not attack me, as</div> <div>  I was engaging it in conversation."</div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Exchange</div> <div>      Series 2 GM POST # 199</div> <div>      Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   The Lieutenant eyes you for a moment, "Yes, I did notice that."</div> <div>   He steps into the doorway carefully, his hand resting on the hilt of his</div> <div>  sword,he looks left, up the steps, then moves to the inneer door to the brewery</div> <div>   proper.</div> <div>   He pushes the door open a bit and calls, "Drust? You in here?"  There is</div> <div>  no answer and he turns to you and says, "Didn't really expect him to be, but</div> <div>  never hurts to check." He nods to the stairs. "Do you want to go first? They are</div> <div>  your family."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 PC POST # 199</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div>  Karl nods "Hello, I'm back!" as he strides in the door. He will look for the</div> <div>  first person he can find and if it is not Amanda ask if they know where she</div> <div>  is.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Exchange</div> <div>     Series 2 GM POST # 200</div> <div>     Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <bR> <div> You climb the stairs to the living quarters above the brewery. Entering the</div> <div> kitchen/eating area you find Drust, looking rather pale and drawn, and the</div> <div> Guardsman, sitting at the table. There is no sign of Amanda or Vassa.</div> <div> Drust looks up as you come in. "Karl! Thank Mitra! What has happened to Mandy?</div> <div> She's..... She's... She's just babbling like an idiot!"</div> <div> The Guardsman says to the Lieutenant, "The Lady and her Aunt are in yon</div> <div> bedroom." He nods towards Amanda's room."</div> <div> "Vassa's trying to comfort her." Drust explains</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Exchange</div> <div>   Series 2 PC POST # 200</div> <div>   Character: Karl Lingsted</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Karl nods. "I asked her to leave before we opened the container, but she</div> <div>   refused. Has she said anything intelligible?"</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>