Road to Amber: Players

An Adventure of Sorts in which the heroes head to the first and last Lyonesse Shadowpath Node to take a look at the castle where Oberon once made his boasts and feasted. Demented Adorable Disney Animals attack the Intrepid Crew in the Forest and Malachi faces those Raccoons. A duel of sorts is had, Niklas has a snack, and the castle in question is run down and abandoned. Also, Celeste is attacked by masonry.

The team formulates some plans on how to repair the node and break to put those plans into motion. This log breaks until next week! It's a two-parter!

( Malachi looks over to Lucius, with an air of wondering if this is going to be another one of those 'Don't lick the eldritch power source' learning experiences. )

celeste_rta: IC Journal Entry - Hollow Woman
celeste_rta: Believe - The Bravery
fiamme_rta: Noble House Play ahoy! (OOC)

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(IC journal entry)

            If there's a suspicious gap here this journal isn't missing pages-I've simply have not made the time. One crisis to another, things have not improved. I still act as Proxy for the house and tend to duties that once terrified me and now nearly are a welcomed break from doom mongering and bleak reports and briefings. I am pleased to report that at least at the moment those within the house seem to flourish. We have been fortunate to acquire two new souls, which are not blood but are assets to the house. Einkil has shown devotion, commitment, and no little aptitude at just about everything I've demanded of him, much like Shane-who I now simply call my brother as it seems more fitting than cousin. Kirra came to us in sore need of a safe haven and has applied herself diligently to her duties at the hospital and has been training with Shane. Her spirit seems to improve and she's fiercely committed to the well being of Mandrake and those who wear Mandrake's colors. Speaking of Shane, Llewella, now the Regent by Julian's naming, has given Shane a most curious blade said to have once belonged to one of the elder Princes. He's seemingly become obsessed and I am keeping a close eye on him to gauge how concerned I should be by this. He finds time to be a pain in the ass, tend to lessons, and for the most part his duties so I will reserve comment for the moment.
         As I mentioned previously there's a snowballing cluster fuck, or even a number of them, rolling towards Amber. It's as if I'm in a nightmare which I cannot wake from. A nightmare where everyone I love, and everything I know, is in the path of obvious danger and no matter how much racket, or the method, they're all deaf to my warnings. To my pleas for assistance. Guidance. Insight. It's as if I'm a ghost forced to watch some horrible tragedy unfold, like some intangible specter. Indeed, it seems as if it should be some bad dream but I'm still dreaming.
         I never wished for duty, obligation, or responsibilities and now I've nearly half a dozen various responsibilities from matters of the House to building an official Ministry. Between these and others there's no few festering issues, troublesome pots of bubbling doom which every so often belch out something foul and keeps the sense of dread in my belly good and robust. Ironically in addition to these duties and concerns I've acquired a patron. I am told that I aspire to Knighthood. Who knew? Apparently not I. 
         Blessed horn, I'm tired. Exhausted. Spent. One problem to the next, and an increasing number of people looking for reassurance and something which resembles a plan. Each is given the trademarked Dragon peptalk and carefully measured arrogance balanced with logic, but it's as if I pay a toll for each one. My cousins, those I ask for assistance, those who bring concerns or errands which require attention. It's like I'm bartering my soul for some illusion that there's a reasonable chance to divert each one of these miniature dooms. There's been the taste of fear in my mouth for weeks and I can't taste anything anymore, and no amount of rest or tonic restores me. I continue to put one foot infront of the other out of nothing more than lack of a better plan. Do what I've always done, even if like a ghost I feel transparent and impotent in the face of what threatens everything I've come to care for. I'm not accustomed to sticking around to fight when there's actually something at stake and I DO NOT LIKE IT. The fact it leaves me wishing for shelter. For others it's a house head, a commanding officer, a father. Someone who at least creates the illusion of knowing better, of not quaking in the face of what frightens the rest of us.  Perhaps it's childish, and perhaps why I find myself no such indulgence.
        IF that's so, I'd better toughen up because there are still no few very real problems that need very real solutions and while everyone's standing around waiting for the other shoe to drop, there's a number who are just as eager to prevent it as I am. I might be an illusion trying to keep the flashflood at bay, but should it happen and the attempts I assist with fail, I will dissipate having spared no recourse or resource. To quote a wise man "we do what we can because we must".


Prayer 
Merciful unicorn, please open our eyes, our minds, inspire the conviction of a Kingdom to fight for all we hold dear. Also, Blessed Unicorn, should I die-keep the damned Feldanes at bay. Creepy sons of bitches. In the name of Order and righteousness. (ie: amen)
          

The faces all around me they don't smile they just crack
Waiting for our ship to come but our ships not coming back
We do have time like pennies in a jar
What are we saving for [x2]

There's a smell of stale fear that's reeking from our skins.
The drinking never stops because the drinks absolve our sins
We sit and grow our roots through the floor
But what are we waiting for? [x2]

[chorus]
So give me something to believe
Cause I am living just to breathe
And I need something more
To keep on breathing for
So give me something to believe

Something's always coming you can hear it in the ground
It swells into the air
With the rising
Rising sound
And never comes but shakes the boards and rattles all the doors
What are we waiting for [x2]

[chorus]

I am hiding from some beast
But the beast was always here
Watching without eyes
Because the beast is just my fear
That I am just nothing
Now its just what I've become
What am I waiting for
Its already done

Oh

[chorus]
So give me something to believe
Cause I am living just to breath
And I need something more
To keep on breathing for
So give me something to believe

So I'm working on something at the moment that is going to involved a lot of +mail and negotiation, but that I'm hoping will make one of the more invisible dimensions of Amber more visible.

All those nobles? When they're not duelling in the streets, seducing one another, working at day jobs or charging into battle, does that mean they're lolling about eating bonbons? No! They're gainfully employed in protecting their interests, ruining their rivals, and either oppressing or ministering to the poor, depending on personal inclination.

I'm hoping to get some stuff started via gossip which will give a sense of where the Order of Clarity fits into all this, but I've learned my lesson about trying to do it scene by scene. This, it turns out, is similar to trying to play a game of chess by posing individually "pawn to Knight 4", as opposed to the "look at the board" style where in a couple of poses you reveal you play masterfully, or appallingly, or unevenly, etc, without needing to know where your bishop is. Add to that, I've never yet had a scene go exactly how I've expected it to -- I've ended in some very unexpected hot water when I think I'm being Smooth, Urbane and Charming.

So, does this mean it's all going to be colour, without conflict? Depends really -- I've got a peculiar +sheet with all sorts of non-charging-the-enemy-with-a-lance skills that might be relevant, when it comes to "do I take a consequence?"

I may even be able to offer something tangible to people who cooperate. I guess what I'm wondering is, would this actually add to the game for anyone, or is everyone who wants this kind of stuff getting more than enough already?

fiamme_rta: IC Note - might be back!
nimue_rta: Making Friends
wardah_rta: Sailing Towards Monsters
kirra_rta: Changes
kirra_rta: Training

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Had some incorrect facts, so I may replace the note when it's less wrong. Move along! Nothing to see here! :)

The last several days have seen to favor me with new friends.

First, I get a letter of apology from the Prince Marshal for interrupting my conversation with his brother in the coffeehouse with the invitation to help me contact him again. And so I took him up on the offer, and surprised Caine by contacting him through a trump. It was an odd conversation, and in the end, I got him to agree to a meeting with me to pick up our conversation.

And what a conversation it was. I learned a lot about the man, this supposed enemy to Rebma. I have my own ideas of certain things. It is an enigma I seek to solve, to pick up the truth of things.

And after the meeting, I spoke once more with the Prince Marshal. To question him about a situation involving a sofa between he and his brother. More did I learn from him about his brother, about things going on. I took with me a new way of looking at a few pieces of information.

From him, I was given a letter introducing me to the acting Knight Commander, Fiamme Chantris of the Order of Clarity. I went to speak with her, and recognized it as being the place where Caine was when I spoke to him through his brother's trump. Intriguing, yes. As was the conversation with Dame Fiamme. I believe she thinks me naive and silly. Perhaps even stupid. I can't help the way I feel about the things that I have discovered. I know the danger. I know it quite will.

She gave me five letters of introduction as well to various others. I guess I will be meeting these other people in the days ahead.

I find myself on an interesting path. And I think there are those that will be pleased with it.

I find myself on a boat heading back towards Alhambra. Different than taking a caravan back home.

At least I have interesting company for the trip in the Captain of the ship that I am on. A very interesting woman. She and her crew have made me welcome, and I have repaid them with music and a tale that earned me applause and the promise of returning to sail with them any time I wished in the future.

The trip shall be short. The Captain says we should reach Alhambra tomorrow. And from there, we go to investigate rumors of monsters. Perhaps I might even get lucky with finding clues to finding the phoenix that I seek.

The entry is dated at the top, the entry's handwriting below fluid and neat.

I feel... wonderful. I feel.. energized.

I danced in the moonlight, ran within the forest, found myself.

I must take some time out and go hunting, do some training.

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

The entry is dated at the top, the entry's handwriting below fluid and neat.

I have been given gifts by the smith - one is of a beautiful blade that could be a long dagger, or a very short sword. It's the perfect length to match me from hip to knee, or perhaps better said to be the exact length of my thigh. The steel itself has a pattern etch into it, that of a wolf at a full run, tip of it's muzzle pointed along the length of the blade and it's tail to the hilt. It is /beautiful/. Along with it, I have also been given a proper practice sword of wood, the right length and weight for me to use.

With those gifts, I have finally started some training with the smith. I met him on the grounds the other afternoon for my first evaluation by him as to how I might do. He told me to pick up one of the practice swords, and then try and hit him. I think in the end, I surprised him. Even surprised myself by the fact that I managed to keep him from hitting me as well. Never fought with a blade before. Now the fun will begin.

Celeste has gone and gotten herself stabbed. I don't know what to say or do there. I spoke with the smith and he basically told me she's a big girl and can take care of herself, and figure out what she should do on her own. And yet.. I just.. want to growl. I will keep my nose out of it. But, she is self-destructing.. and it worries me greatly.

But, I am at least happy now. I accepted a marking, a claiming of sorts. It brings me happiness to wear it, to know that he cares enough to not only craft this beautiful design for the mark he gave me on my back. I've tried to sketch it, though looking in a mirror is not quite so easy to do!



The days ahead will bring some change though for us. Our lady of fire will be leaving us, to tend to business. I fear for her, uncertain what will happen. Our smith will not handle anything bad happening to her very well, and hopefully, I will be able to take care of him should.. something happen.

emma_rta: Dear diary,
benedict_rta: Should I eat him all at once, or let the other guests partake?
robin_rta: Where's Miranda?

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They called me Lady Reaper.  They asked me to pick one among them to be hunted to the death.  And now, I must find a way to bring death to Murder.  Vladimir really owes me, this time.  Of course, he did introduce me to Snowy... 

No.  Chudevic owes me.  Or maybe I'll owe him when all is said and done.  Either way, I think I'm going to need something stronger than wine.

I do miss Gil, though I know he's doing important work off in Shadow for the Crown. And what happens, I wonder, if he doesn't return?  Hopefully Llewella will make good on the request I made of her.  Hopefully Julian will, as well.  I wonder who's taking over the Hounds, though.

Redhand made a convenient reappearance.  At least he paid for dinner.  I just wish he looked less ... goodness, I don't know.  Healthy.

I've a roommate for a few days.  A rather unexpected roommate.  He's promised he'll behave, and that he'll even be nice to the cats as long as they don't pee on him.  I hope they don't.  I'm sure he'll return the gesture.  

Then there's Deirdre's son.  Mordred.  Nik hates him. I've mixed feelings.  He did take me to a carnival, though; he even won me a stuffed monster in the axe toss.  I'm afraid he's learned one of my guilty pleasures, though: cotton candy.

Still, on brighter notes, the work that we've done on the Blight seems to be working, albeit slowly.  I'm terribly proud of Uncle Artemus for it.  I'm also glad Cousin Irene has returned, even if she is almost insanely besotted with Anna.  I feel sorry for the servants - any baby is bound to cry.  Unicorn protect the servant that's holding the baby when she does, though!   This is yet another wonderful reason for me not to actually marry Gil any time soon and produce babies.  It'll rot my brain, I fear. 

And I suspect I'll need my wits about me for a while to come.  Murder's an utter psychopath, but he isn't stupid.  Curse him.

( Emma chooses a victim for the Hunt. Betrayal is plotted. An old god tells how he created the world by accident. )

A very good question.  It wouldn't really be true to the character, though, to give just one answer; so, instead, here are three equally valid possibilities.  Pick whichever appeals to you most.  You will probably not be far wrong.

( Read more... )

valentine_rta: [OOC] Heading Out

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It's been fun, but when RL has kept me so busy I haven't done a scene in two months, it's time for me to bow out. Valentine is off to the jungles of Cibola for the indefinite future, and probably permanently as game-time goes. If there are any lingering plot threads I have with anyone that need wrapping, please drop me +mail, and I'll check that over the next few weeks to work that out.

petruspitello: OOC Update and other nonsense
zhaoyi_rta: Private Notes On A Random Pile Of Scrolls
benedict_rta: "Caaaaaaaaaaaaaptain." This cannot be good.
benedict_rta: Faelin lowers her bow and waits a moment...

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I took on a new job recently and have been pretty busy. Also,my router is sucking pretty massively. I should find some more time to play as I slowly dig myself out of my hole.  I'm in the Eastern US timezone now.

On a completely unrelated note: I hate it when players make it known who is a staff PC.  Detest it.  With a passion. Please use more tact in referring to each other and/or yourselves with respect to that subject.

Edit: I'd also rather not know who is not a staff PC, if that's okay with folks.  Mostly, I'm just fed up with the fact that after a couple years I think people are slipping a little, and there may or may not be one or more specific incidents that have upset me.  If you need a crash course in what's wrong with letting information slip a little bit, let me know and I'll point you at a place that makes you appreciate the incredible objectivity and professionalism that staff at RTA practice.

Months of ship living is very bad for complexion.

...

Food is terrible in Amber. Must send words home for a boiler chicken. Someone thoughtfully sent me a bird. My ninja caught it when it came through the window. It is a bit skinny, but still delicious. It even has a piece of paper attached to it. I think it might be an invoice. Couldn't read the language, but ninja said it looks like Caine's chop at the end. Amber princes are so cheap. Burnt the invoice. I'm not paying.

...

Chantris promised to let me live in their house. Heard they are the most cultured of the lot. Very delighted.


...


Chantris ran into a serious case of pests on their premise. Won't be moving in after all. More ship living.

...

Tried to give presents to a Mandrake. She lectured on how bribery is not received nicely in Amber. Had the Voice knee and plead until she accepted it. No wonder Julian is having all those problems with his tiny city. No government body can function without exchange of gifts. Ran into Celeste later a few times. Does she think I don't understand their primitive language?

...

Gave gifts to Beatrice. Much nicer reception there. I am a little concerned over the identity of her husband. He looks awfully familiar somehow. Remind me of a story I heard. No, those can't be his bloodline. I will check with dad later.

...

Culver and his party. Dad threw a tantrum at me. I tossed the matter at my maid. She had to look up on the map. It is actually a graveyard, rather fitting for a Feldane party. No other sovereign power exists in the Most Holy Land of His Divinity.

...

After months of living on the junk, finally have a place to go! The rooms are up in the Royal Hallway. I'm very flattered.

...

Found out I can't go live there yet. I have to get my Formal Introduction first. The rooms are far too small. It barely fit all my slippers.

...

Sent words to Feldane too. They have a lot of properties. Should begin to look for a good place to settle the embassy.

...

There is no good tea in Amber.