Umeida VII

<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="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida"><U>Umeida</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida II"><U>Umeida II</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida III"><U>Umeida III</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id164.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida IV"><U>Umeida IV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id199.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida V"><U>Umeida V</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id267.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida VI"><U>Umeida VI</U></A>   |   <B>Umeida VII</B>   |   <A HREF="id309.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida IIX"><U>Umeida IIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id327.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Umeida IX"><U>Umeida IX</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>Umeida VII</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 PC POST 174</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Veleda: "I am well aware of that. I know that I will propably die in the</div> <div>    hands of the church eventually, but I'd like to accomplish something good</div> <div>    and worthwhile before that.. If I could save even one slave from the evil</div> <div>    ones, my life would not have been without meaning."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 GM POST 175</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>   Gallin frowns, "The King and the Church do not, from what I have heard, molest</div> <div>   the Eldred... The treaties are quite clear about that."  Gallin seems, both</div> <div>   from is demeanor and mode of speech, to be better educated then one would</div> <div>   expect a peasant farmer to be.</div> <div>   The Smyth shakes his head, "Khun Dhagra is a bad place to go, Mam. If I were</div> <div>   you I'd steer well clear of there. Even the King with his army and the</div> <div>   Avengers and all his knights, dare not pass the Gates of Blood!"</div> <div>   Drew nods his head vigorously, "Aye! There be a hunert thousand Goblin in the</div> <div>   Dark Land! Tis said that Treldar, King of Thanos an 'igh Priest of the Cult,</div> <div>   has twenny thousand fanatics ready ta die fer im! Ya dunna want ta bide there</div> <div>   about!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Series 2 PC POST 175</div> <div>         PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Veleda, says to Gallin: "Treaty is only a piece of paper, and fanatics might just</div> <div>  write me off as a slain demon. I am an outsider, I am nobody important, so the</div> <div>  treaty might not even apply in my case."</div> <bR> <div>  To Smyth and Drew she replies;</div> <div>  "I was there, under the mountains; I saw Road of Sorrows, Goblin</div> <div>  ruhts, gates of Thanos and stuff. If I had been better trained and equipped,</div> <div>  or had a little help, I could have saved some slaves. Just by defeating one</div> <div>  Talon, cult priest and mere couple dozen merc bastards I could have</div> <div>  rescued almost as many slaves, before they would have been taken</div> <div>  to Thanos.."</div> <bR> <div>  "Out there in the frontier, I never saw a single trace of any avenger</div> <div>  patrols - seems that these slaveraiders can attack farms almost all over</div> <div>  the frontier unhindered, they have hidden caves and tunnels coming</div> <div>  up amidst the woods, just like that cave I found, the evil ones called</div> <div>  it the 'Gateway'."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Series 2 GM POST 175</div> <div>         PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> Gallin listens to your description of what you saw, "Yes," He says when you finish.</div> <div> "The Mountains are said to be honeycombed with tunnels dug by Goblins, and who knows</div> <div> what else, stretching for hundreds of miles.  Only the Goblins are said to know their</div> <div> way about and that a man could wander lost for years without end.  Do not disparge</div> <div> the efforts of the Crown, it is a big Kingdom to defend and it is assaulted in all</div> <div> directions by one threat or another.  To the north are the Jhensari, to the east Khun</div> <div> Dhagra, to the south the desert and the barbarians, to the west more goblins, ogres</div> <div> and giants in a howling wilderness. Velitrium is truly a beacon of civilization</div> <div> surrounded by darkness."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 PC POST 175</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Yes, the King may be doing everything he can, but still the situation</div> <div>  does not look too good.. Those slaveraiders were doing horrible things to mere</div> <div>  children, they even ate one of their captives. I wish there was some way I could</div> <div>  save at least some of them.."</div> <bR> <div>  "Now that I think about it, I might be able to get right next to a captive, but for</div> <div>  getting away and rescuing the captive I would need a teleportation scroll or</div> <div>  spellstone. Any idea where I could find some?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 GM POST 176</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Gallin laughs, "Do we look like wizards? Your best bet for such a device is in one of the</div> <div> Cities. Perhps the capital."</div> <div> "Or Drunmore." Suggests the Smyth "That is where the Academy of Sorcery is."</div> <div> "True," Gallin nods in agreement. "There is the Academy.  They teach magic there."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Series 2 PC POST 176</div> <div>           PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>    Veleda, smiles: "No, but you seem to be very well educated indeed.. Yes, I think I'll take</div> <div>    the risk and check out the closest city when I can travel again. There is just one slight</div> <div>    problem, I can't use a scroll if I can't read it - Gallin, if you can read, would it be too</div> <div>    much to ask for you to teach me some basics?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>    "Oh, you don't look like healers either, so could you tell me where I could find master</div> <div>    Kohl? - I am all messy after my journey and I'd like to take a bath, but I am not sure</div> <div>    if that is okay with my bandages.."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>             PBEM Series 2 GM POST 177</div> <div>             PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Gallin looks a bit hesitant, "I do not mean to be... insulting. But that is a very odd request</div> <div>   for an Elf to make of an Initiate like myself."</div> <div>   The Smyth looks up from his work, "Gallin, how would she know of your status? She's only just</div> <div>   arrived."</div> <div>   "True." Gallin says slowly. "I apologise for any offence."  There is that about him though,</div> <div>   that makes you think he is not completely satisfied.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 PC POST 177</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "No offense taken - Gallin, if I have offended you with my ignorance,</div> <div>  I apologize. I am not from Minfolin, I am an outsider with very minimal</div> <div>  education - far less educated than you would expect of a young elf. Untill</div> <div>  someone is kind enough to explain me, I know next to nothing about your</div> <div>  ways, laws or organization.. What does it mean that you are an 'Initiate',</div> <div>  Gallin?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 GM POST 178</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div> The Smyth answers for him, "He's here to study under the Druids, one day to become a Druid himself."</div> <div> "So he canna read nor writ." Drew adds.</div> <div> "No Druid can." The Smyth looks annoyed at Drew's interruption</div> <div> "Surprised ye didna ken that." Drew appears impervious to the Smyth's annoyance. "Ye elves are of</div> <div> the same faith."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>               PBEM Series 2 PC POST 178</div> <div>               PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Veleda: "Oh, now I see.. No, not all elves share the same faith. I am an</div> <div>    outsider in that regard as well, I have no faith to speak of.. Who could</div> <div>    teach me to read, then?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>               PBEM Series 2 GM POST 179</div> <div>               PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Drew rubs his chin thoughtfully, "In this village....hmmm"  He trails off looking at Gallin</div> <div>   "Eeryone here are of the Faithful," Gallin says "Except you.... Probably not more then one in ten can read</div> <div>   and write even outside the Faith.: He adds.</div> <div>   The smyth says, "Except for them whose in the Church."</div> <div>   "True," Agrees Gallin. "The Church does teach all who have the desire and the time... The monks are</div> <div>   especially keen on that."</div> <div>   "That's no help to her!" Drew says scornfully</div> <div>   "Probably find some one in Neuchatal or Aurata." The Smyth says before returning to his hammering.</div> <div>   Gallin says, over the din, "Neuchatal is a town about thirty miles nor west of here, along the MonSodheil</div> <div>   river Auratus is another town, perhaps fifty miles sou west of here, along the Mingulay river."</div> <div>   Drew adds, follow the road from the mine west til ye come te the village of Dundee, turn nor for</div> <div>   neuchatal, sou for Auratus."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>              PBEM Series 2 PC POST 179</div> <div>              PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Thanks, I think I'll go check out these towns after my wounds</div> <div>  have healed.. But I guess I might need to earn some currency first, education</div> <div>  propably wont be free. Are there any job openings here?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>              PBEM Series 2 GM POST 180</div> <div>              PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> "A job? For coin?" Gallin shakes his head. "Hereabouts most work is barter, but up at the mine, or in Aurata or</div> <div> Neuchatal you can probably find something."</div> <div> "Or ask the Druids." The Smyth suggests. "They don't have a lot of coin either, but they might know some one who</div> <div> does."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>                 PBEM Series 2 PC POST 180</div> <div>                 PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>   Veleda: "I guess I could always try the mine, if I cannot find a job</div> <div>   from here. I do know a thing or two about how underground structures are built and how mining is done.. But of course</div> <div>   I would prefer if I could find a job from here, I'll ask the Druids about it."</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "Do you know where I could find master Kohl?"</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Series 2 GM POST 181</div> <div>   PC:: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Gallin points across the way to one of the tree houses. "That's where he</div> <div>   stays when he is visiting. If he isn't there, then he's out collecting."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>                PBEM Series 2 PC POST 181</div> <div>                PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> Veleda: "Thanks, I'll go see him.. It was nice to talk with you all."</div> <bR> <div>  Then she goes over to the tree house and knocks.</div> <div>  If Kohl is not there, she will wander around the villages edges a</div> <div>  bit more, to see if she can find Kohl or some of the druids.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>                PBEM Series 2 GM POST 182</div> <div>                PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Hanging down from the tree is a ladder/staircase of rope and timber that can</div> <div> be drawn upwards on a moments notice.  At present it is down.</div> <div> When you knock you hear Kohl's voice call, "Come on up."</div> <div> When you reach the deck about fifteen feet over head, you find him sitting at</div> <div> an outdoor table sorting a pile of herbs and roots.  He smiles as you appear</div> <div> "How is my patient today?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>                   PBEM Series 2 PC POST 182</div> <div>                   PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Veleda returns the smile, climbs up to the platform and says: "I am well rested</div> <div>    now, master Kohl. Not much pain to speak of.. But I am all messy after my</div> <div>    adventure, do you think I could take a bath with these bandages?"</div> <div>   </div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>                   PBEM Series 2 GM POST 183</div> <div>                   PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "The wounds will not have closed yet, at least not on a mortal, so there may be</div> <div>   some bleeding. The salves will need to be replenished and the bandages replaced,</div> <div>   though such should be done anyway. If it bothers you so much, and you can stand the</div> <div>   pain, then go ahead."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Series 2 PC POST 183</div> <div>   PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Thanks, I just wanted to be sure that bathing would not make your work</div> <div>  any more difficult. I have never let a little pain to cramp my style.." She looks at</div> <div>  the herbs and roots Kohl is sorting out; "Could I lend you a hand with those, master</div> <div>  Kohl?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Series 2 GM POST 184</div> <div>   PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> Kohl shakes his head, "I am almost finished." He pushes the pile aside and sits back a</div> <div> little.  "I must confess, treating a member of the.... err... one of the Dark Ones, as</div> <div> you are known.  Would you mind, err, chatting a bit?  I would really like to ask a few</div> <div> questions."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 PC POST 184</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>     Veleda, occupies seat facing Kohl and takes relaxed posture: "Oh, I wont mind, by all</div> <div>    means go ahead."</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 GM POST 185</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>   Kohl is full of questions.... "What is it like in the... Other World?  What was it like</div> <div>   crossing over to this world?  I'm no mage or Demonologist, but its my understanding that</div> <div>   Demons can only come into this world if they are summoned by a wizard, and even then they are</div> <div>   bound by obbligations of service and can only remain for a short time. This does not seem to</div> <div>   be the case with you."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 PC POST 185</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>  Veleda: "Other World or 'hell' is not a nice place: Flaming lakes, volcanoes, noxious</div> <div>  fumes, forests of black trees, eternal twilight and difficult rocky terrain, but I'd say that</div> <div>  it is the locals who are the worst feature - Without all those annoying demons, cursed</div> <div>  evil souls and monsters around, the place would be almost tolerable.. Laws of nature</div> <div>  are different in Other World - Locals are automatically resurrected in the Other World</div> <div>  if they die. If any outsider dies there, they are mostly resurrected like locals, but often</div> <div>  have their essence bound to the dimension in the process."</div> <bR> <div>  "Crossing over feels like suddenly without no warning you were torn away into darkness by</div> <div>  a powerful wind and then suddenly thrown into another world. It is very disorienting and</div> <div>  can feel quite annoying, I have heard that some of the weakest demons throw up on</div> <div>  arrival.. But usually the worst part is when an evil summoner forces his will upon me,</div> <div>  before I even realize what has happened."</div> <bR> <div>  "I think there are actually three ways in which a demon can enter this world.. First and</div> <div>  most common way is to be summoned by a necromancer - But this way demon cannot</div> <div>  stay for more than an hour and her actions are usually controlled by the summoner.</div> <div>  Second way is how demon warlocks usually enter - They make their own hellgates,</div> <div>  through which they can cross at will. Third way is the rarest - Sometimes some</div> <div>  wizard or summoner rips open the fabric of magic with a spell backfire</div> <div>  and brings forth a demon who can stay indefinitely, thats what happened to</div> <div>  me, I remain free here untill I die.. When I die, I am always instantly resurrected</div> <div>  in the Other World."</div> <bR> <div>  "Normally a demon has obligations to the Blar's Legion, but that does not concern</div> <div>  me, I am not on his side.. I am on your side, helping people is what I'd like to do."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 GM POST 186</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div> Kohl looks a bit confused, "I don't mean to offend, but how can that be?  A carnivore is a</div> <div> carnivore, it cannot change its nature. A wolf cannot eat as does a deer. It must, according to its</div> <div> very nature, eat the deer."  All these Druid types seem to have the same mindset!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Series 2 PC POST 186</div> <div>       PC: Umeida</div> <div>      </div> <div>       </div> <div>        Veleda: "Oh.. I did explain this once already, I'll try to keep it simple; Okay, so basic demon</div> <div>        nature is to be evil, but each demon is evil in a very individual way they can choose.. My</div> <div>        evilness is that of betraying the ancient traditions of my own kind, of doing the very things</div> <div>        which Blar forbids and is ashamed of - Doing good deeds, helping people and fighting</div> <div>        against the chaos of dark lore. I guess that this might not seem very evil from your point</div> <div>        of view, but from my point of view I am more evil than all the other demons who abide</div> <div>        by Blars traditions.."</div> <div>       </div> <div>        "But of course, there are.. um.. certain other aspects of my nature that I cannot deny." she</div> <div>        blushes, smiles very seductively and winks an eye; "I don't think you would have to be a</div> <div>        demonologist to get my meaning, master Kohl.."</div> <div>       </div> <div>      </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Series 2 GM POST 187</div> <div>       PC: Umeida</div> <div>      </div> <div>       Kohl smiles in answer but clearly has another question.  "Do you not find it, disturbing to know that</div> <div>       those very people whom you seek to help the most, the ancient ememies of your kind, would destroy you in</div> <div>       the blink of an eye despite your efforts to do good?  What you are doing, the course of action you are</div> <div>       pursuing, is quite suicidal.  It alienates you from your own kind, yet gains you no safety or benefit</div> <div>       from those who would seek to destroy you."</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 PC POST 187</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>      Veleda: "That those I seek to help would rather see me dead, I just find</div> <div>      it so sad - I have to lie to them and wear disguises.. Long time ago when I made my choice, I did not</div> <div>      make it with my reason, Imade it with all of my heart - My choice defines who I am. I am not</div> <div>      suicidal, but I know that my path is full of risks and danger, and that it won't be an easy one to walk,</div> <div>      that I might lack the right skills to make it through - If only I could find a mentor who would</div> <div>      teach me, my chances would be notably better. Also, I am always looking for someone to walk this path</div> <div>      with me, but so far I have had no luck.."</div> <div>     </div> <div>      "It can get so depressing when one thinks about it like that, that the</div> <div>      whole world is out to kill me, so most of the time I don't even think about it - I live one day at</div> <div>      a time and do the best I can.. For me, it matters not so much how long I live, it matters more</div> <div>      how I live."</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 GM POST 188</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     "A mentor? To teach you what?" Kohl asks</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 PC POST 188</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Veleda: "Well, I think that I need to learn several things, actually.</div> <div>    Things like; learning to read, learning how to properly behave in</div> <div>    various cultures like elven or yours, how to fight better, how to</div> <div>    use magic and how to heal people.."</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 GM POST 189</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "Hmmm, that is quite a list.  I am no Mage, so I can do nothing for you in that regard. My own reading and writing</div> <div>   is limited at best. Followers of the Old Faith often neglect such things. Nor am I great fighter who can teach you</div> <div>   battle tricks.  To be honest, I am but a country boy, so I cannot help you in adapting to Society, and i know</div> <div>   almost nothing of Elven culture.  But I do know healing, at least Herbalism.  Only the Druids and the Priest's of</div> <div>   Mitra can use Power to heal. To teach you to be a Healer as I am would take many, many years. But I can teach you</div> <div>   a few thing of value if you wish."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Series 2 PC POST 189</div> <div>    PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Out there, even a few things of value can mean the difference</div> <div>  between life and death. I'll be very grateful for anything you will teach me,</div> <div>  master Kohl.."</div> <bR> <div>  "But please do tell me, before I make a fool out of myself - Are you</div> <div>  married, or do you have a girlfriend?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Series 2 GM POST 190</div> <div>    PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> He laughs a little self consciously. "I have no wife, and no attachments at this time... But to be honest, and I mean no</div> <div> offense, though I find your...true nature to be fascinating, I am a little....ummm, put off by it. I'm truly sorry. I</div> <div> mean no offense!"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 PC POST 190</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Veleda, with a sad tone of voice: "Yeah, sure; had I been born an elf or a human, you</div> <div>  would no doubt feel otherwise. Really, that I am a demon is not my fault.. But it still</div> <div>  hurts me inside, worse than these wounds ever could, when you look at me like that."</div> <bR> <div>  Slowly she turns to leave.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 GM POST 191</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry to disappoint you." He says mildly. "Does this mean you don't want me to teach you anything about healing?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 PC POST 191</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <div>        </div> <div>       </div> <div>       Veleda, stops: "I don't want to trouble you with my presence anymore than I have to, I don't want to overstay my welcome.. Would you really</div> <div>       want to teach me? Why would you consider me worthy?"</div> <div>      </div> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 GM POST 192</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <div>        </div> <div>       </div> <div>       "Worthy? Why wouldn't you be worthy? You were Worthy enough to Heal, so</div> <div>       you should be Worthy enough to heal yourself in the future. And if your</div> <div>       new knowledge helps others, then so much the better. Now sit down and I</div> <div>       will show you the common beneficial herbs of Velitrium...."</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Series 2 PC POST 192</div> <div>           PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>      Veleda: "Oh.. Thank you, master Kohl.. If there is anything I can do for</div> <div>      you in return, let me know."</div> <div>     </div> <div>      Veleda sits down, and seems a bit relieved now that she thinks that</div> <div>      perhaps Kohl does not actually dislike her, perhaps he is just a bit scared</div> <div>      about her origin.. She makes genuine attempt at grasping the essentials about</div> <div>      the herbs, this stuff is no doubt very important if she is to heal</div> <div>      anyone.</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>      Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Series 2 GM POST 193</div> <div>           PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     "I am not going to attempt to teach you all of the herbs and their</div> <div>     properties, instead I will concentrate on a few of the most useful and</div> <div>     easiest to utilize or prepare.  First, the one that is the single most</div> <div>     important herb for those suffering physical injury." He holds up a bunch of</div> <div>     dark green, broadleafed grass.  "This is Healing Grass, also called 'Druid</div> <div>     Grass' because it is commonly grown here in the Groves. It is found in many</div> <div>     places around the Kingdom, if you know where to look.  It abhors wet earth,</div> <div>     direct sunlight and too much shade... it does not grow well around evergreens</div> <div>     or holly, instead favoring oak and ash for its shade. It can be chewed raw,</div> <div>     dried and smoked or steeped in hot water for a tea. Preserving the tea is a</div> <div>     much more complex issue, which I will not go into." He lays that aside and</div> <div>     picks up a habdful of large waxey looking leaves. "These are Jhodal leaves,</div> <div>     chew them to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning. No preperation is</div> <div>     required."  He opens a pouch and pours out some tannish powder. "This is</div> <div>     Jhensari Bark... It is the inner lining of a bark from a variety of water</div> <div>     tree, a willow, found primarily along the warm waters of the Varsol river and</div> <div>     the warmer parts of Lake Aldin. It is used as a fever reducer when brewed as</div> <div>     a tea. You can identify the proper willow by its smooth, silvery grey bark</div> <div>     and pale green leaf. It should be harvested in late summer or early fall.</div> <div>     Winter and early spring bark is too weak."  He puts that aside.  "There are</div> <div>     many more herbs, plants and substances of beneficial and, if misused,</div> <div>     potentially lethal, nature. However proper preperation and dosage is a</div> <div>     complex matter requiring many years of experience.  These three will treat</div> <div>     injury, most ingested poisons, and fever. Preperation is simple and dosing</div> <div>     very straight forward."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 PC POST 193</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Veleda: "These three are indeed lifesavers.. Is the healing grass most effective</div> <div>    when fresh and raw?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>    "Are there any harmful plants which I might accidentally mistake for any of</div> <div>    these three healing plants - and how can I tell them apart?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>    "What about 'healing herbs' I might find from a well equipped alchemy</div> <div>    shop in a town or a city, how could I tell the effective ones from</div> <div>    ineffective ones?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>     Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>          PBEM Series 2 GM POST 194</div> <div>          PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>   "To be chewed for effect the grass must be fresh, but dried out it can be smoked in</div> <div>   a pipe.  There are no dangerous plants that are easily mistaken for these three, a</div> <div>   number of inert and useless ones are similar, but they will cause no harm other then</div> <div>   their lack of effect.  We shall go for a walk in a few minutes and I will show you</div> <div>   the Druid Grass and the Jhodal bush so that you may more easily recognise them.</div> <div>   While you may by  raw,  partially prepared herbs and full preperations from</div> <div>   alchemists, I would reccomend that you only buy them from herbalists such as</div> <div>   myself.  The Alchemists are highly skilled at preparing the substances, and at times</div> <div>   I even purchase some from alchemists, they are not knowledgable about diagnosis,</div> <div>   dosage and applications.  For some remedies, such as the ones I have told you of,</div> <div>   exact dosage are not too important.  Giving an injured man to much tea from Druid</div> <div>   Grass will only result in a waste of tea.  It is almost impossible to overdo it with</div> <div>   Jhodal leaves, and once the belly is empty its effect is again wasted.  Jhensari</div> <div>   bark infusions, given in excess has no real effect, though  it may make children</div> <div>   drowsy.  Many of the other concoctions, Pallis and Bodis for example, can have</div> <div>   unpleasant side effects, even death, if misused. So if you need to obtain any of</div> <div>   these concoctions, purchase them from a reputable Healer."  He stands up, "Wait here</div> <div>   a moment." He says and goes inside for a minute. He returns carrying two 1 pint</div> <div>   earthen ware bottles sealed with wax. "These contain tea prepared from Druid Grass,</div> <div>   one dose each." He hands them to you. "Maybe they'll come in handy for you or</div> <div>   someone else."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Series 2 PC POST 194</div> <div>         PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>  Veleda, says with a friendly smile as she accepts the bottles: "Oh, thank you,</div> <div>  master Kohl, thats very thoughtful of you.."</div> <bR> <div>  "It looks like a quite nice day for a walk. I suppose I wont be needing my</div> <div>  weapons this time, there are not any dangerous creatures around?"</div> <bR> <div>  "Is there any suitable place nearby where I could swim a little and get myself</div> <div>  cleaned up without attracting any maneating fish or the like? Perhaps you could</div> <div>  also show me the surroundings of the village a bit while we take our walk?"</div> <bR> <div>  Umeida has not yet given up on Kohl fully, so she is still attempting to subtly</div> <div>  seduce him, with the idea that perhaps it will just take some days more time</div> <div>  to wear down his resistance - A meaningful look occasionally, subtle hints in</div> <div>  voice and behavior, very friendly and caring attitude, those kinds of things..</div> <div>  She is especially intrigued by Kohl because he is one of the very few men</div> <div>  who know her real nature, but yet do not seek to kill her.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>         PBEM Series 2 GM POST 195</div> <div>         PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> "Though it is not unusual to see large predators in the area of a Grove, they are</div> <div> generally there in service to the Druids and will cause you no harm as long as you cause</div> <div> none yourself.  As for a swim, I will show you the brook and the swimming hole there.  The</div> <div> children often use it in the summer, though it is a tad late in the year for them now and</div> <div> this time of day they are off helping their parents in the fields or at chores.  In this</div> <div> part of Velitrium there is little to fear in the water.  Maybe an occaisional Water Viper,</div> <div> but even they are rare in these cooler streams.  The Lake, the Varsol River and the Palood</div> <div> are a different matter.  Lake Aldin is fed by hot springs in its deepest depths, and the</div> <div> waters that flow out of the lake, down the Varsol and ultmately to the Palood, are warmer</div> <div> and richer then those of the rivers that flow into the lake.  In those waters are found</div> <div> some truly dangerous creatures."  He leads the way down to the ground as he is speaking</div> <div> and sets off towards the Grove, but on a pathe different then the one that took you into</div> <div> the Grove.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 PC POST 195</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <div>     </div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Hopefully the path wont go into the actual druid grove - Umeida was forbidden to enter it. If</div> <div>    she sees the wall of the holly trees ahead, she will stop and tell Kohl that she is not</div> <div>    allowed to enter the druid grove.. Otherwise, she follows Kohl and walks beside him.</div> <div>   </div> <div>    Veleda: "This seems like a very nice place to live, so close to the nature.. How long have</div> <div>    you been living here, master Kohl?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 GM POST 196</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <div>     </div> <div>  </div> <div>   You do not appear to be entering the Grove itself, you can see the perimeter trees but your path</div> <div>   skirts them by a fair bit.</div> <div>  </div> <div>   "It is a very pleasant place, if your the kind of person who does not mind the quiet life." He</div> <div>   says with a smile.  "I do not actually live here, though I have a house here.  I spend most of</div> <div>   the year traveling about Argentium and parts of Gemmatus. I return here in the fall to winter and</div> <div>   replenish my herbal stocks.  I only arrived here a few days ago."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Series 2 PC POST 196</div> <div>           PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Oh, I don't mind quiet life every once in a while - It is not easy to live</div> <div>  when both the cult and the mitrans are out to get me, this place is a very welcome</div> <div>  exception.." she smiles and goes on: "So, master Kohl, sounds like you are a well</div> <div>  travelled man. But what about your parents, do you have any relatives?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>           PBEM Series 2 GM POST 197</div> <div>           PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <bR> <div> "I am originally from Ferramentium, near Dwarfdale. My family is still in those parts." He explains.</div> <div> He leads you to the edge of a brook, perhaps thirty feet wide at this point. The path crosses the brook</div> <div> on the breast of a low dam made of carefully packed stream stones with large flat ones used as the</div> <div> causeway.  The water level upstream looks to be eight to ten feet deep, on the down stream side it is</div> <div> perhaps two or three feet. A thin sheet of water flows over the top of the dam, less then a half inch</div> <div> deep.  The bottom of the deep side appears smooth and sandy. You see a few small fish darting about in</div> <div> the shadows, but none appear much larger then your hand.  To your right, on the upstream side, a large</div> <div> old maple tree leans out over the water and you see a rope dangling from one of the branches, clearly</div> <div> for the amusement of the swimmers.</div> <div> "I won't vouch for the temperature." Kohl says with a smile "We've had some cold nights of late."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 PC POST 197</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Oh, thats allright, I am quite immune to temperatures. It's good for me as</div> <div>  long as the water is not actually frozen.. Back in the otherworld, I used to amuse</div> <div>  myself by scooping up molten lava and shaping things like small sculptures or other</div> <div>  items out of it with my bare hands.."</div> <bR> <div>  As she speaks, Umeida takes off her armor and clothes in a more or less subtly</div> <div>  seducing manner.</div> <bR> <div>  After she is done, she asks: "I wonder if I should take off the bandages before,</div> <div>  after or during the dip?"</div> <bR> <div>  Then, slowly and carefully she lowers herself into the water. Umeida tries to</div> <div>  relax and ignore the pain. She suspects that tensing her muscles might make</div> <div>  the wounds hurt worse, so it would be better to remain relaxed and move</div> <div>  slowly and carefully in the water.</div> <bR> <div>  If the pain does not incapacitate her, she proceeds to wash herself (carefully not</div> <div>  to reopen any wounds that may have closed), and then her clothes. As she bathes,</div> <div>  she talks to Kohl: "This is quite refreshing and I don't think the water would be</div> <div>  too cold, perhaps you might like to try it out too, master Kohl?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>            PBEM Series 2 GM POST 198</div> <div>            PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> Kohl leans back against the big maple, takes out a clay pipe and fills its bowl and lights it as he watches</div> <div> you disrobe with a bit more then professional interest.</div> <div> "Take the bandages off after." He answers your question after pausing to light the pipe with an odd little</div> <div> stick that he scrapes across the tree bark. It ignites a candle sized bit of flame on the end. He uses that</div> <div> to light the pipe, then blows the flame out and pockets the stone.</div> <div> He shakes his head at your invitation. "No thank you, I'm not up, err, interested in a swim right now.  Don't</div> <div> get too active, lest you reopen those cuts."</div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 PC POST 198</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Veleda: "Point taken, I'll just wash carefully instead of trying to amaze you with</div> <div>    any fancy moves.. I am pretty good swimmer - I used to live on the shores of a</div> <div>    flaming lake - but I guess you'll just have to take my word for that."</div> <div>   </div> <div>    After a while she laughs, and explains: "..Oh, the fish are tickling me.."</div> <div>   </div> <div>    After she is done washing herself up, she moves to sit up on one of the stones</div> <div>    on the edge of the pond and washes the inside of her armor as she dries in the</div> <div>    sun for a while. She seems happy as ever.</div> <div>   </div> <div>    Umeida smiles at Kohl and blushes as she starts to take off her bandages:</div> <div>    "Master Kohl, would you be so kind as to wrap me up with some new</div> <div>    bandages?"</div> <div>   </div> <div>    After she is again wearing her armor, she is ready to accompany Kohl into</div> <div>    the woods for the lesson on gathering herbs: "Thank you, I feel a lot cleaner</div> <div>    now. Lets go find some herbs."</div> <div>   </div> <div>    </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 GM POST 199</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>   Kohl uses bandages from a small satchel that he has slung across one shoulder. When you are ready he leads the way across the water and down the trail to a glade.</div> <div>   The area of the glade is perhaps a hundred foort across and is roughly circular. You see dozens of garden beds laid out in it. Each bed seems to be homogenous as to type of herb, the borders are carefully laid out with low stone walls and their are paths running between each bed. Some of the beds are aligned to give the plants full sun, others for partial and some are shaded all day long.</div> <div>   There is a small pool of water, formed where a spring gushes from a crack in a boulder. The bottom of the shallow pool is carefully packed and smoothed clay, the sides are built up with rounded river stones. The runoff is channeled to wend its way back and forth across the clearing before leading off towards the distant brook. There is a small wood and field stone shed near the pool and you can hear some movement coming from inside.</div> <div>   "Here is the Common Garden." Kohl says as you enter the glade. "It is tended by the villagers for their benefit and the benefit of certain select individuals, such as myself. The Druids maintain a similar plot inside the Grove for their benefit, though in fact there is much sharing between the two."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Series 2 PC POST 199</div> <div>    PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda: "Looks like a very neat garden, irrigation and all.. Many different kinds of plants,</div> <div>  it seems." she smiles and goes on: "But I couldn't tell a weed apart from most of the</div> <div>  useful plants, I just tend to prefer pretty flowers. Well, maybe I could recognize the plants</div> <div>  you just taught me about, lets see.." Then she goes around the garden beds, looking for</div> <div>  any familiar looking plants.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>    PBEM Series 2 GM POST 200</div> <div>    PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> Of the three he has told you of, you only find two. The Healing Grass, or Druid Grass and, along the edge pf the glade, low bushy shrubs of dark green, waxy looking leaves. The Jhodal leaves.</div> <div> As you are looking about an old woman comes out of the shed carrying a basket and a hoe. She smiles and nods to Kohl.</div> <div> "Back again eh?" She asks</div> <div> Kohl returns the greeting, "Yes Maya, but with a student."</div> <div> "Ah! A student?" She looks at you. "There isn't a better teacher in fifty miles." She assures you with a smile.</div> <div> Kohl says to you, "This is Maya, who despite her praise, has forgotten more about healing then I shall ever know."  Maya this is, Veleda."</div> <div> "Ah yes, I heard there was a visitor. It is a pleasure to meet you Veleda." This last is said in Elvish</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Series 2 PC POST 200</div> <div>   PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Veleda smiles and replies in native-quality elvish, with a friendly tone</div> <div>   of voice: "Maya, it is both a pleasure and a honor to meet you. May the</div> <div>   stars shine bright on your  path."</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Then she switches back to the local language: "I am glad I found master</div> <div>   Kohl - when it comes to plants and healing, I really have much to</div> <div>   learn."</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>   Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>   PBEM Series 2 GM POST 200</div> <div>   PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Maya seems pleased with your response but her demeanor leads you to</div> <div>   believe that she is anxious to move on with what ever it is she is</div> <div>   doing.</div> <div>   "It has been a pleasure Veleda and I hope we get to talk some more, but</div> <div>   I must go now." She nods her head respectfully and hurries on down the</div> <div>   path you just came up.</div> <div>   Kohl will bid her farewell, then take you around the garden pointing out</div> <div>   the various plants and telling you a little bit about each, but</div> <div>   repeatedly cautioning you not to try making the various preperations</div> <div>   because they can be very dangerous.  He ends the tour with the Healing</div> <div>   Grass.</div> <div>   "Well, no offense, but that is about all the knowledge I'm willing to</div> <div>   impart without a commitment of several years on your part. Knowing</div> <div>   anything more could cause you, or someone else, much harm."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Series 2 PC POST 200</div> <div>  PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div>  Veleda, nods in agreement: "I believe you, master Kohl. And I think</div> <div>  that perhaps it is the time for me to teach you something of value.."</div> <div>  she smiles in all at once friendly and both subtly seductive way and</div> <div>  goes on: "I take it that you haven't been going out on dates much</div> <div>  lately. Dates are a bit like my specialty, so I could offer you some</div> <div>  advice in these matters, things like what to wear, choice of location,</div> <div>  accessories, important small details and the like - well planned is</div> <div>  half done already.. You know what, the two of us could have a</div> <div>  date tonight, even if its just for educational purposes?"</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>  PBEM Series 2 GM POST 201</div> <div>  PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Errrr..." He seems somewhat at a loss for words at your suggestion. He</div> <div> actually blushes as he fumbles for the right words. "I, uh... Harrummph!</div> <div> Uhm.... Well I uh... I don't know what to say Veleda... I mean uhm... Your</div> <div> very attractive and uh..." He fidgets uncomfortably and turns redder. "I guess</div> <div> uhm... just... I ...uh." He falls into a bashful silence.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Series 2 PC POST 201</div> <div>       PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     </div> <div>      Veleda, smiles understandingly and says: "Worry not, sometimes a simple</div> <div>      question can be just so very difficult to answer. There is no reason to</div> <div>      be ashamed."</div> <div>     </div> <div>      She puts her hand on Kohl's shoulder in a friendly fashion and goes</div> <div>      on explaining: "Think it over for a while. I only wish you well, I</div> <div>      only wish for your happiness, not a single dark cloud do I wish upon</div> <div>      your horizons. If you so decide, you can ask me out for a date</div> <div>      anytime, educational or otherwise.." Veleda brushes Kohl's cheek</div> <div>      lightly with her fingers and for a moment meets his eyes with her</div> <div>      deep blue, her voice a gentle whisper filled with emotion: "..for</div> <div>      you are the kindest and cutest man I have ever seen."</div> <div>     </div> <div>      Then she turns away to leave.</div> <div>     </div> <div>      As she walks away, she hums a beautiful song in some long</div> <div>      forgotten language. She is fairly optimistic about there being</div> <div>      a date tonight..</div> <div>     </div> <div>    </div> <div>       Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>       PBEM Series 2 GM POST 202</div> <div>       PC: Umeida</div> <div>    </div> <div>     Kohl remains standing in the glade and has not moved when you lose sight of him.</div> <div>    </div> <div>     (Where are you going?)</div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 PC POST 202</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <div>    Thats weird.. Umeida has never before seen anyone freeze up</div> <div>    totally like that. Worried, she turns back.</div> <div>   </div> <div>    If she finds Kohl still 'frozen' when she returns, she</div> <div>    says: "Hey, master Kohl, are you okay?" If there is no</div> <div>    response, she proceeds to wave her hand in front of his</div> <div>    eyes.</div> <div>   </div> <div>    If this produces no notable response, she grabs Kohl by</div> <div>    the shoulders and shakes him, saying with worry in her</div> <div>    voice: "Wake up, whats the matter with you?! Come on,</div> <div>    snap out of it!"</div> <div>  </div> <div>    Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>      PBEM Series 2 GM POST 203</div> <div>      PC: Umeida</div> <div>  </div> <div>   When you turn to look back in concern you can see that he is not frozen, more like lost</div> <div>   in thought. (There is no reason for alarm, he appears to be able to move about just</div> <div>   fine.)</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 PC POST 203</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  In that case Umeida sighs with relief, and proceeds to the village,</div> <div>  picking up some pieces of softer variety of wood along the way.</div> <bR> <div>  She finds a nice spot to sit outside in the autumn sun (somewhere</div> <div>  where she is easy to find, should anyone look for her), just</div> <div>  enjoying the peaceful existence, surrounding nature and finding</div> <div>  shapes from within the wood pieces with her knife, carving</div> <div>  sculptures out of them; small figurine of herself in her elven</div> <div>  form, then the Scarlet Cult talon she saw, Vance the mercenary,</div> <div>  a representation of Gorthag the goblin and a gargoyle (in that</div> <div>  order, if she is interrupted before she is ready).</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  Velitrium Campaign</div> <div>     PBEM Series 2 GM POST 204</div> <div>     PC: Umeida</div> <bR> <div> There are several large, smooth boulders at the edge of the village glade that look perfect.</div> <div> Though you will see people going about their chores, all of whom smile and greet you</div> <div> pleasantly, no one disturbs you for some time (You get the first two carvings done) until</div> <div> some time before noon you see Gheenla approaching. She is acrrying a basket and a bottle. She</div> <div> smiles as she comes up and seats herself on one of the rocks. She begins unpacking the</div> <div> basket, which contains two cups and a selection of food items.</div> <div> "I saw you sitting out here and thought I'd join you. Maybe chat a bit, if you don't mind?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>