Patchwork Universe

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Yggdrasil

Still not entirely sure what it was that had caused the change in the world around Jones' establishment Arnora decided her best plan at this moment was to head back to the tavern and discover how the occupants were coping. Hopefully she would also find Kao Sheng in the area, there were other hints of events she suspected he would know more about than she could currently glean. Without returning she couldn't work out what it was about Yggdrasil which now felt different but there was definitely something.

The darkness around the Tavern did not really pose much difficulty for her and so far the creatures she had encountered had either been something she could deal with or avoided. As she was treading her way carefully across the farm land trailing the hedgerows as best she could a bright flash of white light caught her attention. Something was indeed happening around the Tavern. Scanning the horizon she also caught the sight of a deep red glow signalling the presence of flames.

Arnora quickened her pace. As the white light faded away she caught site of the bulk obscuring her view, at least she could attempt to be of some assistance.

As soon as she was close enough to see the figures scatter and sense the presence of the roots and stems twisting the area she could act.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject:

It was shortly after this time that Lady Violetta cannoned out of the darkness into Arnora, one hand clutching her hat, the other wrapped around her newly found spell book (she appeared to have dropped the sword in the general confusion surrounding the flight). Raising the book in a desperate last ditch attempt to fight off this new menace that had descended upon her, she fortunately (it is uncertain for whom) managed to deflect her blow at the last minute, fanning Arnora with a cool pleasant breeze.

"Oh! You don't look much like a monster." Violetta removed her glasses, cleaned them efficiently and replaced them on her nose. "I really wouldn't suggest being out here you know. It seems more than a little dangerous. Have you seen a horse anywhere? She's black, about so high?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 6:37 pm Post subject:

It was barely a moment later when another figure became indistinctly visible, approaching through the darkness.

"O courageous adventurers," it said in an approximate compromise between a hail and a whisper, "might this inconspicuous traveller perhaps join your gathering for the briefest of moments?"

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Yggdrasil

Keeping one eye on the huge beast flailing around ahead Arnora considered her answers briefly.

Smiling first at Kao Sheng, "I would of course be happy for you to join us if the lady here as no objections".

She then turned to the rather flustered and disarrayed young woman. "in answer to your first point, I am at least a little capable of taking care of myself. As for your horse I am sure that we can find where she will end up but in the mean time i'm afraid we may have more pressing matters."

As she finished she focussed her attention completely on the Ograda and the small figures near it. She seemed to her companions strangely absent in some way...

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:17 pm Post subject:

"Excuse me a moment," said Lady Violetta, hastily opening her book and muttering a few phrases from a spell that seemed likely to do the job. The ambitious but rather stupid kobold who had been stalking the impromptu gathering was flung back against the wall of a nearby farm building with a satisfying "squish" sound.

"Where was I? Hello Mr. Sheng. I assume this is all perfectly normal and par for the course. I'm considering asking you what happens if we die, since we seem to be violating so many metaphyisical laws I don't see why that one should be any different but I'm not keen on the empirical approach to finding an answer. However, since the answer would be useful, I suppose you're constrained from giving it as per usual. Have you seen Blackie anywhere? With respect to this lady here, who now seems to be terribly busy staring into space (unless she can see something I can't, which I'll admit is a distinct possibility), I'm not suggesting you look for my horse, merely asking if you'd seen it. We all have our own agendas I'm sure, and while Blackie may not be a priority for anyone else, I assure you she is for ..."

Lady Violetta's scream cut off the end of her sentence as a small ball of freezing ice made contact with her left arn. Reflexively dropping the book on the ground, she turned to face the approaching man-sized Ice Snaike that was fast closing in on her. Lifting her skirts with her right hand she prepared to deliver a hefty kick. If she was in fact doomed, at least she'd go down fighting.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Yggdrasil

Satisfied that she had done what she could to assist, Arnora's attention returned to her immediate surroundings.

After a quick step back she noticed that a book was not the ideal weapon for the circumstances and turned slightly to ask the aid of the sheltering hedgerow.

A few moments later the icy snake was being enveloped and scratched by the shrubs and thorny brambles of the hedge. Aware that this would not hold one of its slippery nature for long Arnora turned questioningly to Kao Sheng - "Would you be permitted to interfere in these conflicts?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 12:36 pm Post subject:

"Personal intervention may be possible in a rather limited capacity," he replied, taking a moment to strike the constrained snake forcefully across the head with his walking staff. The blow appeared to stun it momentarily, though it showed no immediate signs of actually expiring.

"There a number of factors of which it is necessary to take account in such matters, but I fear the necessary explainations would consume rather more time than is presently available given our current circumstances. On a related point, Lady Violetta, rather than provide a more complete and undoubtedly more lengthy reply it may suffice to state that even here, death is something which is probably best avoided if the possibility presents itself." Somehow he managed to speak the entire sentence before the snake regained its senses, though its struggles began to show signs of renewed vigour.

"Would either of you happen to be carrying a weapon, ideally one which employs some manifestation of fire?"

Jones · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject:

ooc: from 'Pot Luck'

As the sage spoke a figure loomed out of the darkness. Fortunately those present identified the newcomer before they launched any serious attack.

It was Jones, the innkeeper, wearing a grim expression on his face.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

Lady Violetta seemed most surprised to still be alive. As Kao Sheng's control of the snake faded, she hurled herself to the right, wincing as the movement jolted her injured arm. As the snake took a moment to realign itself in order to be in a better position for squeezing the light out of the beleagured aristocrat, Lady Violetta crashed into a farm fence with some force, breaking off a sturdy length of branch from the structure. The branch had split at one end, and this clearly gave Lady Violetta an idea. Grabbing hold of the improvised weapon, she let the snake lunge at her, stepping out from underneath its grasp at the last moment, and bringing the brach over the snake so that its head was trapped between the ground and the two split pieces of branch.

"Aha!" Violetta cried triumphantly. "I read that in a book somewhere." She continued to apply a downward pressure, to the snake's quite considerable annoyance, and this is where things went quite badly wrong. The principle may have been sound for grass snakes, but large maneating snakes were a different proposition entirely. Nor was the branch as flexible as a smaller split twig might have been. The snake broke free with a resounding crack and instantly turned its icy breath upon the already weakened Violetta, covering her entire body in a coating of frost. Blown back by the force of the blast, Violetta fell to the ground unprotesting and unmoving. The snake reared high and hissed, ready to deliver a final strike to its incapacitated prey.

Jones · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject:

Taking in Lady Violetta's condition with alarm, Jones grabbed the scroll from his belt and began to gabble the words of a spell.

"Asa nisi masa, asa nisi masa, asa nisi masa..."

Jones · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:22 pm Post subject:

Still chanting his spell Jones raised his axe and advanced on the snaike, swinging it in a wide circle and lopping the monster's head off with a powerful blow. The two halves of the snake writhed on the ground as the inn-keeper dropped to his knees beside Violetta.

"...nisi masa. Asa nisi masa!" he concluded as the words faded, leaving a blank piece of paper in his hand. A shimmer crossed the air, like a heat haze, and slowly the frost began to melt from the lady's body. Dropping the paper Jones began to chafe her hands and arms, attempting to revive her from her swoon.

ooc: Jones' scroll has a 'dispell magic' effect. This effects everything in the near vicinity for the next five minutes of game time. All spells cast on people, objects or areas will fade or vanish during this period. Any spell-catsers will have to take again to strengthen or recast their spell.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:11 pm Post subject:

"Many thanks for a most timely intervention, O valiant Mister Jones," said Kao Sheng with unusual simplicity. "I hope the fair lady is unhurt?"

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:47 am Post subject:

Jones looked up angrily and for a moment seemed about to snarl a criticism at Kao Sheng. But instead his face set solidly into a mask of neutrality and he turned back to Violetta.

"Come on lass, wake up. You can do it," he said encouragingly.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:51 am Post subject:

With a faint shiver Lady Violetta began to move again, her eyelids fluttering, her eyes unfocused. Before many seconds had passed she was shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattering so badly that she was unable to speak. Then as she started to thaw, the pain returned, and her breath came in short hisses of agony. When she spoke, she lacked all of her usual verbosity.

"Can't be dead," she said. "Hurts too much."

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject:

"No, you're not dead, miss," Jones reassured her. "Just a bit chilled, is all."
Gently he helped her to stand, his gaze travelling to Kao Sheng for a monet before he spoke again, this time to himself.
"This has to be stopped," he said. "I can't stay to help you, lady. But I think you had best try to get back to the pub." Noticing Arnoras for the first time he looked relieved and said.
"This lady here can help you, I'm sure, but you must excuse me. I have to find out what's going on." He looked sharply at Kao Sheng before adding: "And the only way to do that is to go and look."