Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:09 am Post subject:

"That's a good suggestion, Father," Jones said with a nod. "And you might be a great help, especially if you have your books of prayers with you. Many monsters will flee from a prayer when they would not for a weapon."

"As for you," he turned to Dr Odom. "Your bravery does you credit, but it is folly to venture the dungeon crawl without experience." He looked at Dr Jewel and added with a rueful expression. "If I'd realised your venture outside was prompted only by a wish to explore, I'd have stopped you, miss. There are indeed creatures as incorporal as you appear to be. A Spirit Blade can slay them or a holy spell scatter them but no one must venture outside without a weapon."

Jessica and Juniper had returned from their tasks upstairs and Jack from taking his children to the saloon bar, Jennifer now stood at the kitchen door. All had shed the plain dress of bar staff for leather armour, to Jack had added a snowy white tabard and Jessica a twisted snake head ornament, and all carried weapons with an easy confidence that spoke of skill. Jennifer carried a crossbow, Jack a broadsword, Juniper a flail and Jessica a bardiche.

Also from upstairs, following the young women were Doctor Domenova and Captain Magpie. While the first stood a little apart from the company the second went quickly to the pirates and spoke to them in a low voice. His crew were brandishing a quantity of weapons of their own.

From a cupboard behind the bar Jones dragged out a heavy chest and unlocked it, opening it in such a way that the company could see a pile of cudgels, short swords, and other smaller weapons.
"This is my home and i intend to defend it," he said. "I see that some of you are already armed," Jones said. "But those that are weaponless may wish to use one of these. They are lesser weapons, but servicable. If any of you have the skill to handle a greater, I may be able to help you."

He glanced at Lady Violetta and added warningly. "But I do not advise that anyone bear a weapon they have not the skill to handle. And anything of strange design may or may not work against the monsters."

"In a moment myself, Jack and Jessica will venture outside. Jennifer and Juniper will remain here with the children. Those who come with us must be competant to defend themselves, those who remain behind should not attempt to leave at a later time. Any wishing to leave now and depart thios area may form a separate party but you must chose a leader from among yourselves."

He paused for breath and then said:
"The ones we know are present somewhere outside are Jareth, baby Jeb and my daughter Jane. It is possible that the young men Karl Groever and Larkin Quickgrip are also still within this patch. The lady Arnora may well still be here as well." He glanced at lady Violetta and added. "If we find your steed we will endeavour to bring it back with us but with at least six persons missing we cannot make it a priority."

"Now, does any of this company know of another person we should look for? And who wishes to accompany the search party?"

John Angelis · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:19 am Post subject:

John walked forward, and drew a shortsword of plain and deadly design from the chest. He twirled it around his hand, in a way reminiscent of a silver screen gladiator. He found the matching scabbard, and strapped it to his waist. He considered a moment, and withdrew a second, similar sword. He hefted this one for weight and balance.

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 73 Location: Chimera

Harlequin nervously raised a hand.

"Erm, if you have a kite, I'm happy to patrol from the air to spot your family," he said, looking far from happy. "Oh, and as I said, I think a cudgel will probably suit me."

He joined John at the weapons chest and found a short, narrow cudgel, more like a truncheon than a club.

Jones · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject:

"A kite?" Jones looked puzzled but he turned to Jennifer who shook her head.
"We don't have one," she told Harlequin. "But perhaps we could make one... We have blanets and sheets and string... " she paused. "It might give those of us waiting behind something to do besides fret."

While it was clear she didn't think of a kite as much protection she seemed to view the idea with some favour.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:42 pm Post subject:

Lady Violetta puffed herself up with indignation. Naturally this produced an effect rather more comical than intimidating, aided by the fact that she had to look up quite some considerable distance to address Jones. Nonetheless a certain resolution was plain in her face.

"I, Mr. Jones, am a Kingsley, and above all we Kingsleys rise to the occasion. I have watched my father fire this pistol on many occasions and am quite aware enough of its properties to cause any malefactors not inconsiderable distress. I shall be going to rescue Blackie from the stables. You may come with me or not as you prefer. I cannot help but feel that my quest would be considerably easier were you to accompany me, since I do not in fact know where the stables are.

"I am quite happy to aid you in the rescue of your family also, but one treats an animal with respect where I come from. I will not have the horse I have raised from a foal die alone if I can avoid it, she's as much family to me as any of my relatives."

Having reached a climax, Lady Violetta sagged again, and quietly added "better save a bullet for Blackie though, just in case" before heading to the chest and removing a sword which she tested the balance of in the manner that indicated that she may at least have held a blade before, albeit possibly only for fencing practice.

Jones · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 1:06 pm Post subject:

"Fine, come with the search party, then," Jones told Violetta, curtly. "But a moment later he relented. After all it was clear that Lady Violetta was rising to the occasion bravely if, in his opinion, foolishly.
"We'll certain rescue your horse if we can," he attempted to reassure her. "And our own donkey too. The pig however, will have to fend for themselves..."

As the search party formed up in front of the side door, judged by Jones to be the most suitable for their exit, he spoke in an undertone to John Angelis.
"You seem to know how to handle yourself, sir. Perhaps you'd keep an eye on the lady? I don't like to think of her charging off to rescue a horse... when the animal's most like as able as she is to take care of herself."

Amid the confusion of people brandishing weapons those who were to join the search sorted themselves out from the rest. They included Magpie and the pirates, delighted at the chance of a fight even if understandable wary of monstrous opponents. Meanwhile the navy doctor had come up to Jennifer after her mention of sheets and spoke to address the group at large:
"I am ship's surgeon on the HMS Justice and stand ready to render medical aid to any who seek it. If anyone is injured during the search or defence, I and Mrs Jones here will be manning a surgery in the kitchen here. I would come with those venturing outside but I think my skills are best suited to a defensible environment at present."

The three Jones came to the front of the group by the door as the heavy bolts were slowly drawn aside...

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 144 Location: Kerya

Father Michael · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 3:02 pm Post subject:

Michael walked over to the weapons chest. He rummaged for a second and came up with a small, slim object. There was a quiet snick as a blade appeared at the end of it. Michael nodded thoughtfully, re-folded the switchblade and tucked it into the sleeve of his habit.

Reaching into his pocket he took out a small breviary, and with his other hand took hold of the rosary at his belt. He turned to face the door as it opened.

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 73 Location: Chimera

Harlequin spotted the sheets and blankets being taken to the Saloon Bar, and, after wishing the search party good luck, went to help the children.

[OOC: Harlequin leaves to the Saloon Bar: Small Soldiers]

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 194 Location: The Zoo

Trubshawe, having reassured the company that of course he was armed and obviously he would be able to handle himself in a fight, had also taken his place in the search party, sticking close to Kalyndis and Lady Violetta.

The sight of Dr Jewel moving through a solid wall had rendered him speechless for a short while, but he'd managed to come to terms with it now. Her condition is unfortune, he thought to himself, but there's always a silver lining - at least it must have protected her from the wandering hands of that satyr Odom!

Jones · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:27 pm Post subject:

Juniper Jones stood by the door, ready to bolt it again as soon as the search party had left. It seemed almost everyone was going, and she turned to survey who, if anyone, was left in the bar.

ooc note: in the interests of clarity the search party now moves onwards in a separate thread 'Midnight at Midday'

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 297 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom still had little to no idea what was happening. He did see, though, that everyone seemed to believe there was some danger and that everyone seemed to be going out into it, leaving the building next to undefended. He discarded his piece of firewood in favor of a more balanced and less splintery mace from the chest after ruefully identifying the rest of the contents to himself and admitting to himself that he really had no idea how to use any of them.

As much as it galled him to appear weak by not joining the rescue party, he felt he would be irresponsible to leave the women and children alone here. He looked around to see who else might be staying, hoping there were enough he would not have to.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:12 pm Post subject:

"As I can't act as a scout safely, I won't be going out again." Jewel said. "I've never been weapon trained, so I would be more of a danger than a help."

She looked at Juniper.

"Is there anything here that a ghost could usefully do?" She asked.

Jones · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject:

Juniper finished closing up the door and bolted it securely before turning to Dr Jewel.
"Interesting question," she said, slinging her flail at her belt for the time being. "I admit nothing immediately occurs but I'll let you know if I do think of anything. Perhaps you'd like to come and see the store room or the cellars. My father-in-law has collected many items on his travels, like the Phantasm potion Jessica served you. Perhaps there is a weapon you might wield..."

She paused thoughtfully.
"A Spirit Blade has a corporal hilt," she said. "But the blade itself will wound a Phantom, Shadowbeast or Wraith. Perhaps if there was some way to remove the handle and an immaterial one could be fashioned instead..."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 297 Location: The Museum

"Now that is something I can do. If it has a reasonably standard hilt I can remove it so it can be replaced later and Dr. Jewel can wrap a sock or her belt or something around the tang." Dr. Odom would not have believed when he was fourteen that that year he had spent slaving away in Restoration could have proven useful.