Borderlands #9

Ambar & Hammer:

The loud commotion brings several members of the watch to the scene. Weapons drawn.

"What is going on here? We could hear you blocks away! What is this all about?"

Ambar quickly explains the situation and produces a document showing his legality in the situation.

Satisfied, the Watch departs warning you to conduct your business in a much quieter manner.

You both walk up to the front door and enter the mansion. All is dark and quiet, save an occasional noise from Achmed.

Beyond the front door is the main entrance hall. There is absolutely no furniture in the room! Several of the windows were broken before they were boarded up.

Hammer recalls that his Great many times removed Uncle was an incredible skinflint. Even by dwarven standards! Rumors would speculate that the dwarf spent perhaps 1 gold per month on goods! Many considered that amount to be on the high side.

Several doors lead out of the hall and there are stairs leading to the second floor.

As you consider what to do, a noise is heard and it's not Achmed! A low wail is heard followed by the sound of chains clanking! It appears to be coming from the door at the bottom of the stairs!

Now what?

SUBJ: Ambar FROM: Reveler 06/22/93 S#: 515523

Ambar brushed his hand down his sleeve and restored the document to its resting place. "Perchance you will be a little less hasty with such accusations in the future, hmmm?"

Ambar glided up the steps and opened the door, holding it wide and parodying a bow as the dwarf walked in.

Stepping up beside him, leaving Achmed in the rear, Ambar looked around. "Well, they've cleaned it out. Any idea where..."

His brain caught the rising wail and his mouth snapped shut. Clank? Oh, no...

Well, he thought to himself as his hands slipped into the gauntlets at his belt and then got his weaponry out, at least my hair can't go any whiter.

"Shall we, my short-statured friend? I'd hate to think of that wail as the swansong of your inheritance..."

SUBJ: Hammer the explorer... FROM: ShadowFoxx 06/23/93 S#: 395666

Hammer (surprisingly enuff to HIM) found himself back in possession of Percy's chains, as well as with an offer to check out the Estate in tandem with the Mysterious Elf...

Naturally, he HAD to accept... he sure wasn't letting the Looter/Assassin (maybe) in there ALONE with The Will... & what he suspected (& HOPED) he find Find (now that Great Grand Uncle Dorshak had conveniently absented hisself)...

He didn't Really seem a Bad Sort... for an Ambushin' Necromancin' Toad Sucker... (not that he Could-a been That Much of a Necromancer... as Hammer had Yet to see any Army of rotting slaves tottering into view)...

Since Ambar accepted Hammer's offer of the TWO Gold Pieces (drat the Luck - but a Deal's a Deal), but, to assist him in recovering The Will, as well, he couldn't be as Ignorant as he appeared)...

AND, his best feature, perhaps, he Talked Funny...

Hammer would just keep an EYE on him... & whatever else the Elf seemed to Talk to... a presence... one measly, puny, little Undead Critter, he reckoned...

Slightly amused the Elf actually considered the little stickery thing a useful weapon (in other than in it's capacity as a Death Wand), Hammer was content to let him do what he seemed to Do Best... Talk... when the Watch FINALLY answered his Alarm...

Just in Case... Hammer was ready to DENY EVERYthing... tell them HE had JUST arrived & had NO idea what was going on any more than THEY did (which, typical of watches everywhere was NONE)... but Ambar seemed to have everything under control... & the Watch looked satisfied (not that THAT proved anything - took them long enuff to GET there - the Sluggards!) that the Elf was, & was really engaged, in what he claimed...

As he tied Percy's reins firmly to the nearest solidly anchored object, the Dwarf decided the jury was still OUT on the Necromancing thing, after all, when the Spirit... Ghost... SOMEthing... tagged along as they entered the Manse...

Hammer couldn't really SEE anything, but continued to "feel" the SOMEthing lurking about... & Ambar Talked to it!...

"Er... Hey, Anwar... who's Akfred?...

:looking about again:

"He IS on OUR side, right?...

"And come to think about it... what's a 'Camel'?... or a 'lawn'?...

:pointing out the wretched state of the House sourly... as they stood in the foyer:

"Good Old Great Grand Uncle Dorshak didn't believe in a lot of clutter or... frills... the Old SkinFlint...

Just then... the wailing & clanking began... & Hammer asks... semi-hopefully...

"Not one-a Your friends... is it?...

Hoping for an Affirmative (somehow) answer... when he receives a negative shake of Amabr's head... Hammer shrugs on his Shield... gives his Axe an experimental swing or two to loosen him up..... &, at Ambar's nod... stumps off in the Lead...

"Just you try & keep Up there, Anwar... & keep little Ak-what-is-it outta me Way...

"Ain't no Haint gonna run ME off...

"I aims t' Find that Will... & mebbe a Stash o' Gems... or Three... Great Grand Uncle Tightwad bein' a Firm Believer in keepin' the Best Stuff handy...

"If it turns out yer make yerself useful a'tall... I might let yer Have one... a small one... mebbe...

"And WATCH that stickery Gnomish Wand thing!...

"Use it on whatever's moaning... NOT me Back Side...

Figuring the sooner they get rid of "the Maoner" (not being ENTIRELY convinced as yet that there AREN'T at least a few stray Looters about), the sooner they can get down to Bizness... Hammer stalks over & swings the door open wide... & strides into the room - ready to Hack anything intruding that looks Hackable...

He's Beginning to get Irritated at the fact HIS House is starting to look to be the Evil Twin of the Grand Central Market of Elcadan... on his first Night Back!...

SUBJ: Update FROM: GM Mad 06/23/93 S#: 522272

Shkai'ra:

The Bazaar is a large building with many smaller shops inside it. The place is heavily guarded. The merchandise tends towards the exotic and the expensive.

Looking for anything in particular?

The wine shop has many varieties of wine. The more popular ones include Arabellan Dry, Blood Wine, Fire Wine, Mean, Glowfire, Spiced Wine and Winter Wine.

While out shopping you catch a glimpse of an extremely handsome man making his way through the market. His clothing is of the finest quality and remarkably clean. More then a few women stare as he passes...

Now what?

Ambar & Hammer:

You carefully open the door and enter into what appears to be a small study. The room is 10 feet wide and 15 feet long.

Again there is no furniture. Shelves line the walls, but they are also empty.

The room is also empty. Not a soul in sight. Living or otherwise.

A large fireplace fills out the left hand wall.

Hammer will relate the Uncle Dorshak did not have much in the way of furnishings. What little he did have he would take from the local garbage dump.

(This man puts Uncle Scrooge to shame! ;)

Now what?

SUBJ: Ambar FROM: Reveler 06/24/93 S#: 484236

Ambar blinked. "You aren't from around here, are you?" He let out a soft sigh. "And that's the best insult in Dwarven I know. Ah, well..."

He continued on in the tongue, switching to a different accent. "A camel is remarkably sturdy beast, especially when it comes to not moving. Holding its ground with the best of them, the thing can support over three hundred weight without moving. It can spit incredibly accurately up to one hundred yards, and has been known to brain seagulls with cherry pits."

"Ahrim, my camel, is quite special. He is an expert in math. His work on n-dimensional interphases is apparently quite the talk of the Inner Planes. Or so he informs me on the rare occasions when he is inclined to talk."

He continued forward, hand caressing the hilt of his rapier unconsciously. "Achmed is my servant. A tiny demon from the Nether Hells, he accompanied me out when I had finished my business there. In exchange for not having to go home, he does my small errands."

Hammer's comments on the gems caused Ambar to emit a low chuckle. "Do you really think the Landowners Guild will let you keep what we find? Even if it IS in the will, they will," he paused, to relish the horrific sound of the word in Dwarven, "TAX it."

There was a slight gasp from behind them. Ambar smiled. "Relax, Achmed... I am merely making sure our Dwarven friend understands how things work in the big city."

He frowned at the empty room. "Any good at stone, Hammer? See if there's anything in that fireplace that conceals something we want. I'll check the book-shelves."

He opened the top of a long, thin belt pouch and drew out a small, cylindrical metal case. Sliding a small port on one end over, he shook out a wand about eight inches long, shining with silvery light. "Here, Hammer. This will let you take a closer look at the hearth." He tossed it to the dwarf, and shook out another one. Closing the container and slipping it back into its pouch, he thumbed it closed and slid the stick into a slot in the guard of his main gauche, laying the wand along the blade almost to the point. Carrying the light closer to the shelves, he began to inspect them closely

SUBJ: Shkai'ra FROM: RDI Minku 06/24/93 S#: 513773

Shkai'ra looks around the various shops in the Bazaar. She notices that most of the merchandise is exotic and expensive. Being born of a noble Kommanzan family, she is use to the finer things of life.

In one of the shops she sees a fancy gold satin cloak and must have it. She purchases the cloak and immediately dons it.

Shkai'ra then goes to the Wine Shop, and is intrigued by a couple of the wines, which she had not heard of. She purchases a bottle or skin of Fire wine and Glowfire.

Then as she continues to browse around the shops, she stops suddenly as she glimpses an extremely handsome man wearing clothing of fine quality and thinks he must be of noble birth as well as she continues to stare at him.

Shkai'ra feels her mouth go dry and her heart flutter as she sees him approach her and she tries to maintain an air of noble dignity.

SUBJ: Ambar, during the day (R) FROM: Reveler 06/26/93 S#: 507597

(NB: This is occurring during the day before Ambar met Hammer, as per Mad.)

Ambar wandered the market, taking an almost child-like delight in the stares he received. He tossed a couple of copper to a beggar, and then purchased a small bag of sweets, which were passed out to the children who seemed to be everywhere.

The bag was carried nonchalantly in his right hand, the silver of his ring standing out against it, the engraved garnet a further accent. His rapier's sheath was directly beneath that hand, his main gauche in a similar position on his other hip.

His silver embroidered leather boots gleamed in the sun almost as brilliantly as his bright silver hair did, and vied with the red silk jacket for the attention of the few on-lookers who had already managed to see past the fact that he was a Grey Elf!

Ambar nearly swallowed one of the sweets when he noticed the immense human. And female? How very fascinating... The gold cloak suits her, and sets off her hair well. She knows how to choose accents!

Having decided it would be a pleasure to speak with her, his feet turned him in that direction and carried him along, the sun glinting off the small gold heart on a chain at his throat, the symbol of the Goddess of love.

His soft, violet eyes caught her gray ones as he smiled warmly. "My lady... please permit me to introduce myself. I am Ambar Minyalante', but lately arrived in town."

SUBJ: Hammer... ghostbuster (R) FROM: ShadowFoxx 06/27/93 S#: 464179

When Hammer enters & sees Nothing IN the wailing room, he will ask Ambar...

"Hey, Anwar... you SURE that warn't... :twitching head in Achmed's general direction:... Him?...

Since there APPEARS to be nothing there Spooky (or Hackable), Hammer will take Ambar's proffered Light Source... & search the Fireplace with gusto...

"Oooooo... Fancy, this...

"Yeah,,, I'll take it apart if I have to... it LOOKS to be a Dandy Place fer the Old Goat to have stashed away somethin' Tasty...

AS he uses the wand/light... going over the FirePlace & mantle carefully - Twice - he will remark to the Elf...

"Never thought *I'D* be using some Wandish contraption to see me way about... "Mighty handy tho...

"Remind me to show you me own little thing-a-jig when we gets around to that Drinky...

As to the Landowner's Guild getting any of HAMMER'S Goodies...

"Get REAL, Anwar?... where YOU been livin'?...

"Who's gonna TELL 'em WHAT we find?... "Not ME... :chuckles:

:suspiciously:

"Sa-a-a-a-ay... YOU wouldn't be thinkin' of squealin' & sellin' me out ALREADY, would ye?...

"Just when I thought we was gettin' to be Friends, here, TOO...

If Ambar denies THAT...

"Ak-fred, there... :looking around: ... or wherever he is, wouldn't be no Flabby Lipped Lizard, would he?...

"Then HOW they gonna KNOW?... heh heh heh...

"Not to WORRY, Anwar... they hired you to recover the Deed... & InDEED we Will, you can Bet...

"When we find the Will... I'm IN like Flunn... & it'll be ALL MINE ANYway...

"So the way I sees it... it's None of their :beepin': Bizness... No Way...

:hesitation:

"You know... us bein' Pals 'n All... I could probly gives you as much as... er... um... aaahhh... urgh... :koff koff: ... 10%... mebbe... of what we find... fer helpin' me out...

"Yeah... I sure... :choke: ... could...

"But FIRSTS, we gotta FIND it...

"So Keep a-lookin'...

SUBJ: Evo SpellStrike... (R) FROM: HedgeWiz 06/27/93 S#: 510444

Early afternoon - along the Road to Elcadan...

A Lone Rider reins up at the top of the last rise before the city...

Elcadan, Hub of the Frontier, lies within reach...

The man looks back the way along the way he has come... & studies the scene intently for long moments...

Satisfied, he dismounts & walks his horse to the nearest copse, &, out of sight of the road, sits... while his horse rests... idly cropping grass...

After a time, he draws his Sword & holds it before him... staring into the depths of it's Blade... & begins to speak... as the animal flicks an ear... & watches...

Later...

A rough dressed man halts his mount before the first Inn he sights after entering the city... The High Road...

He smiles at the irony of the name...

Stepping down, he tethers the animal, gives it a pat, & goes in...

He strides to the counter, greets the Innkeeper & orders an ale... inquiring after a room... a private room...

Taking same (if available) for 2 days, he asks for his horse to be seen to & makes some small talk with the proprietor... dropping a pair of Platinum coins upon the counter...

"Yes, friend Innkeeper... Master... Galtman's your name?...

"Could you direct a Pilgrim then, Master Galtman, to the great open Bazaar of this city?...

"I need some animals... & other travel essentials... trade goods & what have you...

"I'm thinking of joining a Westering caravan & would appreciate locating where they form up, predatory to departing...

"I'd also like to, perhaps, hire a man... to assist me... a Guide... one familiar with the country West of here... the Great Desert...

"Can I assume that would also be the place to seek such a one?...

"You have a good cartographic establishment here in the Hub of the Frontier, too, do you not?... I might find that where?...

Upon learning that that which he seeks is mostly located across the River in the Old & New Town sections of the City...

"That will be all for now, Thank You, Friend Galtman... you've been most... informative...

"Again... my Thanks... & good day...

With that, the man... a merchant adventurer one might surmise from his look & stated intent... retires for the moment to inspect his room... taking up his gear easily as he swings up the stairs...

SUBJ: Ambar, that evening FROM: Reveler 06/27/93 S#: 510300

Ambar raised an silver eyebrow. "Are you in the habit of making friends so fast among thieves and necromancers? I should think that one of such habits as yourself would prefer to keep your pig in safety..."

"Do you relish the thought of entering the Outer Planes merely to avenge some insult thrown this way by the denizens of all the Hells? The Abyss yawns wide for those whose decisions are made too hastily!"

Ambar's eyes were alit with the laughter he wouldn't permit himself. "Being a friend of mine can be quite hazardous... but I do take care of those who ally themselves with me."

"I would suggest we see what we CAN find, and then give thought to its division among us. Achmed's small expenses are paid for out of my own pocket, so you need have no fear on that account. Ahrim lacks thumbs and has seen the advantages of someone who can manipulate things around him. I sometimes think he is merely humoring me, but I've no way to tell and it's devilish difficult to catch him out when he DOES speak."

Ambar smiled at the thought that Achmed might betray them. "Achmed only understands fragments of the common tongue, and he can't speak at all. He has been known to occasionally annoy a medium by adding knocks on doors, making yes's into no's... but he's basically a good soul, which you don't often find in the nether hells."

He laughed aloud at Hammer's unfamiliarity with the light stick. "You ARE a barbarian! Aren't the warm comfortable mines of home lit with glowsteels? I've occasionally made a pretty penny magicking up such things. Bright, long-lasting by a Grey Elf's standards, let alone those of a DWARF, easy to hang, easy to take down, and they don't add to the ambient heat in the caverns... the benefits are legion."

"These," he continued, "are wooden for ease of use. They can be wedged into a door, strapped to the head of an axe, or fired long distances tied to an arrow's shaft. With a few hours, I could make several arrows that glowed of themselves, although I've seen no reason yet to prepare so. They are light, and will not slip to the floor when thrust through a belt so that one may have both hands free."

SUBJ: Shkai'ra FROM: RDI Minku 06/27/93 S#: 469642

Shkai'ra watched as the handsome man approached. She returns a smile as she sees his violet eyes.

She sees that he is elven as he introduces himself as Ambar Minyalante, and says that he just recently arrived in town.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Ambar Minyalante. I am Shkai'ra Mek Kermak." she says in a sultry voice, heavy with a Kommanzan accent (similar to Conan's Cimmeran), "I too have just arrived in town. Last evening in fact."

SUBJ: Ambar, that afternoon FROM: Reveler 06/29/93 S#: 408305

Ambar smiled, tasting the name. "Shkai'ra," he said, trying to place the accent. "Might I invite you to luncheon tomorrow? I'm afraid present business presses me, but tomorrow afternoon I have no such concerns. Perhaps you would consider meeting with me in the common room of the Marksend Inn? The fare is quite good, although the entertainment leaves a bit to be desired..."

SUBJ: Shkai'ra FROM: RDI Minku 06/30/93 S#: 413104

"I would be honored to dine with you, Ambar." she said, "Tomorrow would be fine, as I have no business of any kind pressing me here. I am here to rest and relax after a grueling campaign, in which I helped to defend a realm against an evil horde. Until tomorrow then."

She smiled as she watched as he took her hand and kissed the back of it, then they part.

After they parted, Shkai'ra continued to look around town, before heading off to look for a place to pray to Jaiwun Allmate (the Kommanzan fertility goddess). Then she will look for the Fighter's Guild.

Borderlands #10

You search the room and find nothing. Hammer notes nothing unusual about the chimney while Ambar finds the shelves to be completely bare.

Then you hear another moan, this time from back out in the hallway.

Going back out the room again, you both immediately spot something at the top of the stairs.

Hovering there is what appears to be a dwarf, except you can see right through him! The dwarf glides down the stairs at you both, hands extending towards your necks!

"No one steals my treasure!", he screams in common.

Shkai'ra:

Returning to your room you note Evo's arrival. Retiring to your room you sample the wines you purchased.

Fire Wine is a thick, dark, almost black wine and named for the fire it ignites in one's belly. The wine is strong and spicy.

Glowfire on the other hand is a lighter wine. It is neither to sweet nor to dry. It has a taste reminiscent of summer breezes and pears. The wine is so named for it's faint luminescence.

Going to the Fighter's Guild, you see a large, one story wooden building. There is a training area visible through a fence. Inside many men and a few women train with a variety of weapons.

"Somethin' we can do for you, missy?"

Turning, you see a man a full foot shorter then you are. He is clean shaven and wears a hood. There is a patch over his left eye and carries many scars.

Evo Spellstrike:

Galtman assigns your room and your mount is stabled.

"Sorry, but there are no caravans to the west. There are no cities over that way, hence there is no trade."

"The great desert is a several hundred miles away to boot. I know of no scouts how have explored it personally. I doubt you could find any accurate maps."

"That direction is generally avoided as it leads you toward Old Elcadan and the terrors that now dwell there."

"But, do not let me discourage you. Perhaps a hearty soul fitting your needs will show up?"

SUBJ: GM Notes: FROM: GM Mad 07/02/93 S#: 424317

Here are some of the current happenings and rumors in Elcadan:

Veronica, a warrior and sorceress of some note is in Elcadan. It is said that she is seeking brave souls to aid in the fortifying of a new nation in the area north of the Broken Lands.

Queen Veronica as she is now called, is well known for her kindness and generosity. It is said that she judges people by their heart, not their appearance. Rumor has it that a powerful drow priest/assassin serves Veronica!

Rumor has it that an elven prince is in town seeking his princess. It is said that he cannot reveal his true identity.

Dar's expedition to a forgotten temple is still seeking a few more hardy souls to join up.

Rumor has it that a new expedition is in the works to plunder the Towers of the Archmage Gaz.

A merchant in the Northern Slums was robbed a night ago. It is said the thief used a blue glowing rapier.

Feel free to comment on these rumors. You may also plant rumors by e-mailing them to me. Enjoy! ;)

SUBJ: Shkai'ra FROM: RDI Minku 07/03/93 S#: 427968

As Shkai'ra returns to the Inn, she notes the arrival of another, and looks at him for a minute then hears a rumor about a Sorceress Queen, north of the Broken Lands is seeking brave souls to aid in fortifying her new nation.

'Sorceress Queen!? Magic, bah. A good sword is all one needs to fight villainy.' thinks Shkai'ra and shrugs, then retires to her room.

She tastes the glowfire wine and while finding it delectable, it is not what she expected. Then she tries the Fire wine and coughs as it hits her stomach.

::gasp:: "This is more like it." groans Shkai'ra to herself. Then takes another long drink, feeling the spicy liquid as it goes down.

Later, while at the Fighter's Guild and watching the training inside, she hears someone speak to her, and she turns.

"Yes there is." says Shkai as she looks casually at the shorter man. She sees that he wears a hood and notices the eye patch and wonders how he lost his eye, "And my name is not missy, it is Shkai'ra. Shkai'ra Mek Kermak. I am a Kommanzan noble and warrioress. I wish to join the Fighter's Guild."

SUBJ: Update: Shkai'ra FROM: GM Mad 07/04/93 S#: 431959

It should be noted that Veronica is one of the rare humans can combines warrior talents and magic. She can more then hold her own with a sword. ;)

"With a handle like that", the man with the eye patch says, "I think I'll stick with Missy. It doesn't hurt the mouth."

"You want to join the guild, aye? Follow me."

The man leads you into the guild, past the staring eyes of many warriors and out into the arena.

"Okay, Missy, let's see if you can use those blades or are they just for show."

The man draws a short sword and a long sword from their sheaths.

"This is a practice run, Missy. No lethal blows are to be landed."

The man proceeds to twirl both blades about in a blurring motion. Never have you seen anyone capable of doing that!

Now what?

SUBJ: Evo... (R) FROM: HedgeWiz 07/04/93 S#: 433976

Talking with Galtman...

Evo listens with some interest as Galtman answers his inquiries...

"Hmmmmm... Discourage me?...

"Not likely, Friend Innkeeper... although were that possible, I can think of no statements you could have made that might have accomplished that object better...

:smiles:

"I suppose had I the foresight to have made intelligent inquiries previous to reaching this point, I would have been aware of these facts & saved myself some little surprise &, I must admit ruefully, embarrassment...

"Ah, Well... C'est le Guerre, eh?...

"But, tell me, Master Galtman... you mention an 'Old Elcadan'...

"What might this place be... that it so avoided?... & in which direction does it lie?... westward?...

"Perhaps you can recommend the most efficient way I might seek someone familiar with the territory in that direction... some Guild hall, perhaps?... or hiring a Crier to make the Tavern Circuit?...

"I must admit I'm slightly at a loss to proceed, now that I have been appraised of the true state of affairs ...

"I hesitate to monopolize your time... I can see you have a fine establishment to run... but being a newcomer to your Bastion of the Frontier, I'm unfamiliar with how one goes about these things here...

He will also ask about a Mage's Guild... if it exists & directions... as well as, the same about a 'Main' Guild Hall, the Temple to Tymora, & the god's House (one he finds THAT is the situation about THAT)...

(I got all that Mad, just to save you a little repetition... ;> )

He will return downstairs from spending some little time in his room, carrying a 'board' (& all his other 'magic') & head out... nodding to the Inn Keep...

He will look over the patrons in the Inn as he leaves... if none catch his eye... Evo will be off to the Wizard's Guild...

(If Shkai'ra is still about... & makes eye contact... SHE might... LOL)

AND, if she is... & Does... he will nod in her direction thoughtfully... Respectfully... as he exits...

(nothing he would respect More than a woman who could obviously snap off his head & legs, shuck what's left, & use his spine for a toothpick... =X)

(See mail about the Mage's Guild)

Then he will stop by the Cartographer's place of business... looking for Maps to the country to the West...

Then to the Main Guild Hall to see about placing a notice seeking qualified assistance...

Then to the Temple of Tymora... (amount of offering later)...

Then to the god's House... slightly scandalized at THAT situation... (again, offering amount later)...

Then after a full day put in... Evo will return to The High Road to ponder what facts he has gleaned from an afternoon of seeking...

After a visit to the bath House (which he also inquired about... :X), he will sit in the Common Room... thinking... nursing along a simple Tankard of Ale, after an equally simple meal...

SUBJ: Hammer... ;> (R) FROM: ShadowFoxx 07/04/93 S#: 434788

All Ambar's 'insults' slide right over the Hammer's head... he sees nothing inconsistent at ALL in his behavior... & doesn't take offense at (or seriously) whatever an ELF says ANYway... besides... he's BUSY...

When they hear the moaning from OutSide the Room, Hammer will be exasperated at the interruption...

"NOW what!?...

"You SURE you or Ak-fred ain't got nothin' to do with this, Anwar?...

"If so... cut it out & SEARCH... we gots Work to do here...

"I mean, I like a Jolly as good as the next Fella & all... but this is gettin' just a Mite Old, don't yer know...

Stompin' out into the Hallway, Hammer will look up & a gamut of emotions will run across his face... & in his voice... ranging from disappointment ill concealed (meaning not at all)... to sly onsequiousness... to apprehension... to... ??? ... over the next few moments AS...

"Oh, :BEEP:!!!... It's Great Grand Uncle Dorshak... in the Flesh... almost!...

:to Ambar:

"ANWAR!... You Necromancin' House Lootin' ELF!... Git OUT Here!...

"He ain't just deCLARED dead... he IS... LOOKY!...

:pointing:

"DO Somethin'!...

:to GGUD (Great Grand Uncle Dorshak) with blatantly false bonhomie:

"He-e-e-eyyy!, UNCLE!... It's ME, Slag!... QuartzCrusher... Schista's Boy... YOU remember... don'tcha?... I wuz Here Oncst... we had us a Great Time... didn't we?...

When the apparition begins to descend... hands out... for their Necks... screeching about 'stealing'...

:to Ambar:

"Don't just STAND there, Elf... do your stuff... work OUT with that Gnomish Death Wand you keep waving around... Blast 'im to Smithereens!... sic Ak-fred the Demon on 'im... CONTROL 'im... or whatever it is you Necromancers do... Git BUSY!...

:to GGUD:

"Uncle!... Wait!... It's ME!... the Hammer!... yor Great Grand nephew!...pretty close... yor ONLY Living Relative!... probly... you can't Kill me!... can you?...

SUBJ: Hammer... more... ;> (R) FROM: ShadowFoxx 07/04/93 S#: 435054

"Steal!?... STEAL!?... Great GrabbaNocky!... Who, Uncle?... tell me Who!... WE'll Stop 'em... you can Count on it... right, Anwar?...

When Hammer realizes GGUD means THEM...

"US!?!?!... :Beep:, Nooooooooo... not US, Uncle... by Moradin's Anvil, WE come to set things Aright... ain't we, Anwar?...

Hammer will begin 'moonwalking' toward the Exit... readying his Axe...

:to GGUD:

"Now, Uncle... let's not be Hasty here... you needta git yer facts straight... yer just overwrought at bein' Dead & all... I understand...

"But yer gotta face it... BEIN' Dead... YOU can't use yer Gems & Gold no more... OR this here Place, fer that matter...

"*I'M* yer ONLY Blood Relation... far as I know...

"Don'tcher wannit to stay in the Fam'ly?...

"Be Sensible... me Favorite Old Uncle...

:to Ambar:

"You just gonna stand up there & let 'im GIT you?... I'd ZAP 'im... wuz *I* you... some Necromancer you turned out t'be...

At the Door... after opening it... & seeing Logic wasn't cutting it with Uncle... Hammer will rear back & send his Axe twirling toward the approaching Ghost...

"You Stingy Old Goat!... by Haela's Hairpins, this Place is MINE... & you KNOW it!...

"I aims to GIT it, TOO!... take THAT, you horsed-faced, buck-toothed, copper-squeezin' Old TightWad!... Git on Back to Hell, Blast & BeDevil you for the Old SkinFlint you are... wuz... WhatEVER!...

If there No Effect from the Axe Toss... he will holler "Flutter"... hoping Ambar didn't notice That... calling it back to him...

If Ambar runs... he'll be behind Hammer!...

If Ambar stands & Fights!...

(Have a Nice Day!... no... just Kidding!... LOL)

Hammer will judge from his Axe toss whether that's a Good Idea or not... if NOT...

:to Ambar:

"RUN fer it, Anwar!...

"This ain't gettin' it!...

Whether running First or Later... calling oit a Last Threat of...

"We'll be BACK, Uncle Nuthin'-There-

but-Air!... & Deal with YOU later... WON'T we, Anwar?...

On the OTHER Hand... If his Axe throw DID do something...

"GIT 'im, Anwar!... we Got 'im!...

"He's... pardon the expression, EX-Unlce Dorshak, you UnDead Miserly Old Bizzard... Dead Meat!... Ah-hah-hah

hah-hah-hah-haaaaaa...

"YEAH!... *I'M*... er... I mean... uh... :choke koff:... 'we're'... :koff gag:... IN the Money NOW!...

"Yeeeeeeee-HAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaa!...

He'll fling & call back first his Axe, then his Hammer (with the holler of 'Whap!') madly... standing by the door at all times, naturally... ready to Bolt at the first sign of something gone awry...

SUBJ: Evo... more things... FROM: HedgeWiz 07/04/93 S#: 435578

At the Mage's Guild... after some good natured haggling... irresistible to a Phelangee... he will accept the offer for his "board"... sounds eminently Fair to him, actually... for what it IS...

IF there is a Guild Mage who can cast the Illusion he wants, he'll want to know the asking price...

He'll ask the same Guild Mage what "cloaking" on that Illusion would run also...

After finding out, he'll make his decision to either come back on the morrow or not... & he'll tell the Mage which...

Later at the Main Guild Hall, he ask where he can find a excellent quality Light CrossBow at a reasonable price... (probably at the Exotic Weapons Shop?... if NOT let me know Where... LOL)... & stop there & look at some... if they ARE reasonable for an EXcellent one... he'll want it... & a hard quiver (holds 20 quarrels) & 20 quarrels...

At the Temple of Tymora & at the god's House... he will make an offering of 50 GPs to the cause of each of his gods (5)... with more to come later perhaps...

(that oughta do it... maybe... ;> )

SUBJ: Shkai'ra FROM: RDI Minku 07/06/93 S#: 440417

Shkai'ra is astonished as well as impressed by the skill the man displays as she tries to watch the movement of the blurring blades.

She wonders if she has the skill, though being very proficient herself, to defeat him in this practice run, but means to give it her best shot, as she nods and smiles.

She reaches back over her shoulders and draws both of her long swords. "I guarantee these long swords are not just for show. I have used them many times." says Shkai'ra.

She twirls them several times to indeed show him that she is very capable of using them, then moves in with a double-sword attack to begin the practice run.

SUBJ: Ambar (R) FROM: Reveler 07/06/93 S#: 443554

Ambar murmured as he retreated slowly, fingers twining around the hilt of his rapier as the Detect Magic went off around the apparition, which he was fairly sure was an illusion of some sort.

He roared in Dwarven, "For Moradin's sake, stop all that ballyhoo in Common, lawn ornament!" Maybe this Grand Uncle was a civilized sort... that insult had to apply to Someone.

"Hammer, perhaps t'were best if you were to circle our erstwhile foe... he may be an apparition sent by an all-too-mortal enemy, who seeks to keep us from your inheritance!"

SUBJ: Hammer... Ooooo... FROM: ShadowFoxx 07/06/93 S#: 443639

Hammer hears Ambar talking about Illusions...

"Illusions?... Ooooooooo...

"Be a :beep: if yer Wrong, Anwar...

"Maybe YOU better Circle round Uncle... think I'll stay here & hold the door open...