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The Menagerie play by post RPG would like to thank both Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson for their Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. They made the world that much more fantastic.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Reacquaintance « Thread Started on Jun 10, 2012, 7:21am »
Dom wandered. It's one of the things he did best, wandering. Sometimes it was to go somewhere, sometimes to retreat from something. This time it was memory as much as grassy fields he wandered through. It had been quite a while since he'd come out this way, reviving his memories of the town that had grown so much.
It was different, the track wider and the loose dirt having been packed and flattened. He wouldn't be surprised if they started paving out this far, considering how rapidly Wistvale was spreading its tendrils. He'd also come out here for a little time away from prying eyes.
Sitting beneath a tree he reaches into his knapsack, pulling out a rolled parchment. He'd met with some very interesting people while he was away, and they'd worked out something that made the blind singer even more useful than usual. The parchment was apparently blank, but a touch would show raised bumps and symbols. A code only he can read, making him quite the secure courier.
"Collect. Collate. Document." was all he muttered, the request a rather simple task, just to be alert for any problems and bring word if there were. Heck, he did that anyway. He idly pondered if the men who'd given him the blue cowl (at least they said it was blue) would mind their intelligence in ballad form.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #1 on Jun 10, 2012, 7:35am »
Kiko stuck her nose around the corner of a tree. She was silent, as usual, and in the shape of a wolf. It was her preferred method of travel. She certainly did not expect anyone in the meadow. But, perhaps she should have, at least today. She had recognized the bard the other night in the tavern, of course.
Kiko stood up, on two legs and stepped a little deeper into the meadow. She was not heavy footed, but she did make certain to give him plenty of time to realize she was there. Dominic had been Kiko's first choice for a Vanguard member. He was, quite frankly, the perfect spy.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #2 on Jun 10, 2012, 7:40am »
Dominic smiles, though doesn't turn his head when he fires back a greeting. "I'll take your word for it on that score...but it's nice and warm." He leans his head back against the tree, rolling up the parchment. He feels strangely content. He'd always wanted to know more, experience more, sing about it. Now that lust for knowledge was being put to productive use it was doubly gratifying. He taps a knuckle against Prudence.
"Come here for a song? Or is it just a co-incidence." He tilts his head "And one day you're gonna have to tell me how you get around so fast, and so quiet. I thought I heard a dog or something. You have a dog sled of some kind?"
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #3 on Jun 10, 2012, 7:49am »
Kiko laughed at the last comment.
A dog sled? Here? In the summertime? No. And as for how I get around so quickly... well, a woman is allowed some secrets, yes? It is good to see you Dominic.
Kiko crouched beside the Bard, turning her head to take in the area. The grass was not near as tall as it would be at the end of the summer. But, it was tall enough to coax a whole crowd of nectar searching butterflies and birds. She uttered a softer sigh and rocked back on her heels. Kiko put her back against the tree and relaxed.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #4 on Jun 10, 2012, 7:55am »
Idly plucking a tune to put some more sweetness in the air he makes conversation, simply to prompt the quite rare gift of her voice.
"I kept training, while I was away. Still got a long way to go, but I'm improving in tiny baby steps. I still remember the lumps you gave me." he grins again, turning his face toward her.
"I got jumped on a country road by bandits one time. Six of them. I thought I was done for, but the mouthiest one decided he wanted to taunt and poke fun. Well, his mouth made an incredibly loud, clear and inviting target." There's another short laugh, but his voice goes quiet "The rest fled...but I for that to have happened I will have had to have scared them good. I think..." his words become a mumble "...I think I killed someone."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #5 on Jun 10, 2012, 8:13am »
Kiko opened her eyes. She knew, better than anyone, that he could handle himself. She would have never suggested him as a member otherwise. Dominic was unfailingly good humored, he had an extensive knowledge of a dozen different cultures, and he was not afraid of change. They were all excellent qualities. The fact that he was a bard, well, that was just a bonus.
A lot of things had changed, a lot of people had changed; her included, but she never would have thought to hear the Bard sound ashamed. Kiko looked at him again without the kinder eyes of memory.
He looked haggard. Run down. Exhausted. And did his hands stutter over the guitar strings? Kiko frowned. She shifted positions, too. The years had not made it any easier for her to find the right words to say even with a friend.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #6 on Jun 10, 2012, 8:18am »
Putting his instrument aside, the music just not flowing for him, he sighs. He shrugs "I don't know. He didn't get back up, but I didn't check him or stick around. Maybe I just put him out cold but he made no sound, not a peep, after I got him. And the reactions..."
He shudders slightly. He wouldn't have as much of a problem with it if he thought his own life were in danger, but they'd probably just scarper with a few coins and leave him be. He just had to go and attack the guy and he'd just aimed at the sound.
"They cursed, swore they'd come for me, but their voices were so afraid...and young. Gods I feel old." he murmurs.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #7 on Jun 10, 2012, 8:33am »
Kiko was even more alarmed with those words. She saw the shudder, too. That did not fit the man she knew. She remembered a jovial fellow battling her in this very meadow. That fellow was excited at learning something new, that fellow was not hobbling around; even though he could have been, and that fellow had bucketful of guts.
Why didn't you check?
Dominic was not foolish man. Fear would not have been enough to make him bolt away from conflict.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #8 on Jun 10, 2012, 8:38am »
Dom looks a little stricken. "Because...I didn't care at the time. At that instant, knowing I'd just defeated someone with skill alone, and scared off a whole bunch of others...it felt good." He hangs his head.
"I felt...powerful. It's not really something I've experienced before now. Every scuffle has had me bonk some guy and send him reeling. But this time I just...acted." He opens his hands "A thrust to the centre of the face could hit the throat, eye, smash the nose, even hit them in the mouth. It's a killing shot."
"I'm afraid it'll happen again, and I'll like it again."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #9 on Jun 10, 2012, 9:09am »
Oh. Now she knew why he sounded ashamed.
Kiko leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. She recognized shame. It was an emotion she had lived in for years. Today the pain did not haunt her every waking thought, nevertheless, there was a time when it did. She knew what to say, hopefully.
When I was a girl, Bard? I was not... liked. The reason does not matter, honestly. But, well, I spent years trying to avoid fights. Oh, I wanted to fight them. I did. But, I was small and weak. I begged my grandfather to teach me the sword, just so I could stick the point in their chest and make them bleed. He refused.
I grew older. The fights became mobs. My grandfather taught me the sword. I disappeared for years into the woods around my village after that, watching and waiting for my tormentors to come out from behind the safety of the walls.
Kiko stopped talking for several minutes and then cleared her throat. She had never told anyone this story but the Wolf. She put a hand down on Dominic's shoulder.
It is not anything to be ashamed of you know. Everyone wants to feel powerful. What you have to remember is power uses you, too. Don't let the desire control your actions, Bard.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #10 on Jun 10, 2012, 9:13am »
Dom places a hand over hers, his fingertips hard calloused, eyes half-open in their sightlessness. He sighs a little, quiet for a good while, then finally speaks.
"Thank you...I guess I should just practice more, so that I am calmer...better." He goes quiet for a moment then tilts his head and the faintest ghost of his usual grin comes back.
"You were a little girl once? You were probably adorable." He laughs softly.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #11 on Jun 10, 2012, 9:20am »
Kiko grimaced at the word adorable.
Mmh. Yes. I was a girl, once. I did not spring forth from the earth as a fully armed legendary warrior, I am sad to say.
Kiko stood up. She brushed the bits of grass off her arms and legs, too. She took another look around the meadow. The birds had gone into hiding, or maybe they were just dozing in the sun, somewhere in the treetops.
As for practice. Well, there is no time like the present.
If she could distract his thoughts so much the better.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #12 on Jun 10, 2012, 11:26am »
Dom hauls himself to his feet, shrugging out of his coat and hat and taking up his staff. He looks more tired, sure, but whatever he's been doing has broadened his chest a little and given his arms a little cording of extra muscle. He takes up his staff, easing away from the tree and spinning the length of hardened wood in smooth circles and arcs, loosening his shoulders and arms.
He drops into a loose fighting stance, head slightly lowered and eyes closed. He tries to put thoughts of how it felt to crack that bandit in the face, concentrating instead on making sure he doesn't lose control again. "Whenever you're ready then, Kiko..."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Kiko Administrator [M:725:2029:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=378&page=1#8679] member is offline
[b]Walk on the edge and bleed.[/b][0:Running With The Pack][1:Wherever I May Roam]
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 2,126
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #13 on Jun 10, 2012, 11:38am »
Kiko turned away from the bard and quickly scanned the immediate area. The last time they did this there had been plenty of branches scattered among the trees. That did not seem to be the case today.
Well. You make do.
"Tell you what Dominic. I'll give you the reach of the staff, as there does not appear to be any decent wood about. But, I'm not going to be blindfolded today. Let's see you get past my guard with your weapon."
She probably could have searched a little longer and found something that would serve, but she was curious and she wanted to see what he would do when pushed.
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: Reacquaintance « Reply #14 on Jun 10, 2012, 11:45am »
Dom has trained with her and several others and he is not an expert fighter. Without his staff he'd be nigh useless, but at least he can handle the polearm well enough. He whirls the staff round without asking if she's ready or even giving her a salute. He's putting it all in to speed, rather than sticking his weight behind it. He just wants it to sting, and this is an excercise in control.
He keeps his ears perked, feels the wind, even tries to scent you, though that's incredibly difficult. His tongue is also clicking at the roof of his mouth and his head is tilting this way and that. The staff is snapped out in a sharp quarter circle at the horizontal, looking to take her across the arm. His senses are sharper than last time, though senses can still be fooled.
Welcome to The Menagerie. We are a free role playing game with less rules and more freedom. After many years, a couple of hosts and a few different game systems, we feel that less is more. Players get to be truly creative, which in turn leads to more enjoyment in game.
We invite you to join us in crafting our world and look forward to making friends. Should you have any questions, feel free to post in our chat box or ask any of our members or staff.
May you enjoy your stay.
It must be said that this game is the product of continued dedication and friendship.
Grayell: Game inventor and closet basement geek.
Yukiko: Admin and dream-weaver.
Marlena: Admin and promoter extraordinaire.
The Menagerie has enjoyed many incarnations, revamps, reimaginings and renovations and none of it would have been possible without the ongoing support of my friends, the players. Their unwavering loyalty and endless dedication to this project has been stellar.
I would like to thank all admin and staff past and present, in particular Tiberius.
I would like to thank friends and staff no longer with us, and to the few I hold most dear: John, Roland, Alex, Azriel and Jenkins.
Thank you all.
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Our 2nd site archive with: Total posts 70665, Total topics 1819 & Total Members 86.
...or our first site archive with: Total posts 69401, Total topics 1325 & Total members 145
...OR the very humble start of our game at our friends, www.Heroscapers.com.
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