CHAPTER 2

[Baerstolwef]: Rob, I want to find a place to ditch my cart.

[Baerstolwef]: I can't drag it into every place we go.

[Baerstolwef]: Who played Rogue?

[rob]: Were?

[rob]: didn't see

[rob]: only Mr X and Storm were anyone I new

[Baerstolwef]: I don't know. I don't think we want to pay for a room at an inn. But we need to think of something. Otherwise my shits gonna get stolen.

[Baerstolwef]: Looks like you're one horny motherfucker.

[rob]: Room or no room were outsiders we need to find a good hiding place

[Baerstolwef]: Well- let's go out of town for a bit- find a place to stash shit (I'm a ranger- I'm good at it) and decide what we're bringing back into town with us.

[rob]: yes

[Baerstolwef]: Mike, we're going back out of town (app. 1/2 mile) so I can find a decent place to stash our shit. [Mike]: Good idea.

[rob]: Kyle do you still swim?

[Baerstolwef]: Can I find a decent place to do this? So no one will find it?

[Mike]: Sure.

[Baerstolwef]: My character does.

[Mike]: Hiding your stuff is easy.

[Baerstolwef]: Rob- what do we want to take back with us?

[Mike]: You find a nice place in the forest off of the main path.

[Baerstolwef]: I'll just take a knife.

[Baerstolwef]: My spider.

[rob]: what ever I can Hide

[Baerstolwef]: But I'll keep it under my clothes.

[Mike]: It's obviously unused, and you use your tracking/hiding skills to cover up the cart.

[Baerstolwef]: Am I still too conspicuous wearing leather armor?

[rob]: mike can I hide his sword in my robe......

[Mike]: Leather armor will stand out.

[Baerstolwef]: Not with that penis in the way.

[Mike]: But it might not get you kicked out of places.

[Baerstolwef]: I'll stash my armor too, then.

[rob]: large aint it

[Baerstolwef]: Oh, then I want to wear my armor- I stick out just being me, you know.

[rob]: are we ever going to use the board?

[Mike]: Rob, your armor is not so noticeable with the robes

[Baerstolwef]: If it just makes me look freakish then I want to keep it.

[rob]: good

[Mike]: But the sword would show.

[Baerstolwef]: Ditch the sword, Rob and take your dagger.

[rob]: no sword

[rob]: sorry babe

[Mike]: Cool. So armor for everyone. Tiny blades for weapons.

[Mike]: Agreed?

[rob]: yea

[Baerstolwef]: Okay, we go back into town and we don't go to Henry's (too rough) or the place we already visited- we go to the third tavern.

[rob]: Kyle keep the armor .......no healer

[Baerstolwef]: I agree.

[Baerstolwef]: Good observation.

[Baerstolwef]: I think Rob's getting a bone.

[rob]: punk

[Mike]: Okay. Into the third tavern.

[Mike]: This one is out of the way.

[Baerstolwef]: Time of day and how crowded?

[Mike]: Henry's and the first one are both on the main road thru town.

[Baerstolwef]: I don't want to be here late in the night without weapons.

[Mike]: This third place is called Jake's Dog.

[Mike]: It also has rooms available.

[Mike]: It is now well into suppertime, and it is starting to get dark out.

[Mike]: By the way, it is autumn. About September or October. Chilly out but no snow.

[Baerstolwef]: Rob's frustrated because I set my character so that other players can't rename it.

[rob]: punk

[Baerstolwef]: Rob- maybe we should get a room instead of traveling back in the dark without weapons.

[Mike]: The bar is less than half full.

[Baerstolwef]: Rob- Do we want a room or not?

[rob]: I walk over to anyone to make conversation

[rob]: yes

[Mike]: There are several young men (about six) who all have a table together. They are all very young. Baerstolwef takes a seat at the bar.

[Mike]: With them are two older men with the young guys. One is obviously a priest of some type. The other has the look of a warrior.

[rob]: I walk over to the bar " are there any women around here

[Baerstolwef]: Rob- I'm just gonna sit at the bar and observe- you make the conversation.

[Mike]: The only other patrons of note are a table of three men and two women.

[rob]: I'm screwed

[Baerstolwef]: Mike- you know that Rob's specialty is languages.

[Mike]: All of them seem pretty drunk.

[rob]: good

[Mike]: There are maybe a half dozen other people in the bar--all keeping to themselves.

[rob]: I walk over to the table with the two guys and say hello

[Mike]: The innkeep is an enormously fat man in a bright purple shirt. Baerstolwef tries to get the barkeeps attention.

[Mike]: There is a girl serving. She is very young and plain.

[Baerstolwef]: Is this also an inn?

[Mike]: There is a boy who seems to be fetching and running stuff.

[Mike]: Yes, there are also rooms available.

[Mike]: Rob. Which two guys.

[rob]: do I get a response from the two men Baerstolwef subtlety lifts a hand and motions the obese bartender over.

[Mike]: The priest and warrior are with the young men.

[rob]: the ones with the girls

[Mike]: Ooooh. Those men.

[Mike]: There's three of them.

[Baerstolwef]: The drunk ones? Oh man- this is trouble.

[rob]: oh

[rob]: well

[Baerstolwef]: It's up to you, but I recommend the other group (eight sober men).

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The bartender comes over to see what Baer wants.

[Mike]: Too late.

[Mike]: Rob's going to the drunks. Baerstolwef orders an ale for herself and asks the barkeep about a room.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): I'm whispering.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Uh huh. What's up?

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The barkeep gives her a very large ale and a funny look.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): I'd stop him, but I'm already in with the barkeep.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): "Rooms are 15 silver a night."

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Rob doesn't see this?

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): "Just one for you and your...uh...companion?"

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): Right.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer says, "Yes. and throws the money at him for the room and ale." Baerstolwef turns from the barkeep saying, "Back in one minute." and moves towards Rob.

[rob]: hello [Mike]: One of the drunk men says, "Welcome, Elf. Buy yourself a drink."

[Mike]: The women laugh. Baerstolwef says, "Rob, I have urgent news for you over at the bar."

[rob]: " I go to the bar

[Mike]: The drunk man looks like he has money, but he is very rumpled and sweaty. Baerstolwef says, "The barkeep has a message for you from Gobar."

[Mike]: Like he's been partying a long time.

[Mike]: The man yells after Rob, "Bring us something back." Baerstolwef pulls Rob back to the bar without making eye contact with the drunks.

[rob]: do these women look like whores or regular women

[Mike]: You don't know much about human whores, but you'd guess these aren't. Baerstolwef whispers to Rob "The drunks will savage us in a second for being outsiders. We are nearly weaponless and want to avoid trouble."

[Mike]: Unless they are very expensive whores.

[Mike]: By the way. Everyone in the bar is human.

[rob]: Back to the bar Baerstolwef says, "No you may be right. Go talk to them. I'll get the room." Baerstolwef turns back to the barkeep to get her key. She gives Rob her ale.

[rob]: I drink the ale

[Mike]: One of the drunk women (a very pretty brunette) is laughing at the first man and trying to make him sit down.

[Mike]: The man brushes her off and says something like, "It'll be okay."

[rob]: Looking back at the table I walk over to one of the men whispering "were could an elf get company around here?"

[Mike]: Drunk man shouts at Rob, "Hello. You got those drinks?"

[Mike]: [[No whispering men here. Those were at the last bar.]]

[rob]: no but you can have my good friend

[Baerstolwef]: No, Mike, he wants to whisper it.

[Baerstolwef]: Sorry. [Mike]: Ooooooh. My bad.

[Baerstolwef]: Hey Rob- I found how to make the text bigger on your monitor.

[Baerstolwef]: Get a bigger monitor!

[Baerstolwef]: No, just kidding.

[Mike]: The man gives Rob a wink and a leer, "Company, eh? So this ain't what it looks like." He nods his head at Baerstolwef.

[Baerstolwef]: In the window to the right, scroll down until you see "My preferences." Do you see it?

[rob]: no

[rob]: okay

[Baerstolwef]: It's under "connected users"

[Mike]: It's right above where you saw your name.

[Baerstolwef]: Right above "Game Settings"

[Mike]: Now what?

[rob]: cool

[Baerstolwef]: Right click on "My preferences" and click on "view" then change the size of your font.

[Baerstolwef]: Can you do that, Rob?

[rob]: got it

[Baerstolwef]: Is that better?

[rob]: I can take out my contact now Baerstolwef takes a bow.

[Baerstolwef]: Did I get a key?

[rob]: were dose he refer me to ( for the whores

[Mike]: Wow. I'm thinking Paranoia is faster than this.

[Baerstolwef]: lol [Mike]: Yes--Baer gets a key.

[Baerstolwef]: I turn and watch the action with Rob.

[Baerstolwef]: Rob- he asked if you and I were "an item"

[Baerstolwef]: The drunk guy did.

[Baerstolwef]: Did Rob leave?

[rob]: no I'm looking for a good night

[Mike]: The drunk man says, "If yer needing special attention, you could always head over to Henry's." The pretty girl hits him lightly, and he adds, "I mean, that's what they say."

[Baerstolwef]: Oh gross- are you going to be doing that in the same room I'm trying to sleep in?

[rob]: thanks friend ( I walk to Kyle) Baerstolwef rolls her eyes at Rob and approaches the group of eight men.

[Mike]: As she gets closer, Baer can see that all six of the young men are dressed in nearly identical clothes.

[Mike]: They have tunics and breeches of rough, uncolored cloth.

[Baerstolwef]: Branch Davidians, eh? Baerstolwef nods cordially at the men.

[Mike]: (just about) All of them wear a circle-and-moon emblem on a chain that matches that of the priest. Baerstolwef observes any reaction to her gestured greeting.

[Mike]: The old priest says, "May I help you?" The warrior moves a hand to his side. No weapon is visible there though. Baerstolwef says, "Just saying hello."

[rob]: Kyle lets go to Henrys and see what happens

[Mike]: "No no, come join us. You seem troubled."

[Mike]: The warrior is obviously uncomfortable with that.

[rob]: who is that

[Mike]: The old priest spoke.

[rob]: troubled yes can you help me

[Mike]: Rob. He's talking to Baer.

[rob]: OOOOOh

[Mike]: You just left the drunks.

[Mike]: Baer?

[rob]: I will go and make the take with drunk guy Baerstolwef takes a seat near the old man and says, "Thank you. Not troubled, just awkward."

[rob]: Is this your lady sir? she is quite a beauty

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The priest says, "I see. Well, we're all a little out of phase. Some deal with it better than others. You are a traveler?"

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): /he says, "Do I look like I'm from here?"

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The warrior growls, "Ghost's bones, old man, they're damned bounty hunters like the rest."

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The priest ignores him,"Point well taken dear lady."

[rob]: what is going on?

[Mike]: Sorry rob.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer looks at warrior and says, "No. Just travelers looking for work to make it to next town."

[rob]: is he trying to charm the priest?

[Mike]: The drunk says, "You're getting a little bold there, Elf." He is smiling though.

[Mike]: His girl says, "Boral, I think I'm done. I want to go before dark."

[rob]: Sorry only wanted to complement the fine lady

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The priest says, "Well, there is little rest to be had, I see."

[rob]: wait don't go ( I wave to the barkeep ) another round for my friends

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer says, "How do you mean?"

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The warrior adds to the boys, "Finish up lads. Tomorrow isn't getting any shorter."

(rob whispered to Mike): should I do this when out of her sight

(Mike whispered to rob): The first drunk, Boral, puts his arm around the girl, "Well, I'm never one to pass up a free drink."

(Mike whispered to rob): The serving wench brings a round of ale.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer asks the priest, "Are you on a journey?"

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): The priest says, "Our journey ends here for now." [more...]

(rob whispered to Mike): I'm Rob and what is your good man? ( I turn quickly to see what that was and to see that Kyle is okay)

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): "We shall spend the morning in cleansing for the people of Barlow." [more...]

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): "But we hold little hope that the beast will be daunted."

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer asks, "Beast? I have not heard."

(Mike whispered to rob): "I'm Boral. I thank you for the drink."

(Mike whispered to rob): One of his friends, who has been very quiet, pushes his drink away.

(Mike whispered to rob): The quiet man says, "Keep your drink."

(rob whispered to Mike): Is there a problem ? would you prefer a different drink? ( dose Kyle seem safe?)

(Mike whispered to rob): Then he says to Boral, "Come on Boral. You could be talking to the killer right now. Look at the twisted thing he came in with."

(Mike whispered to rob): Kyle is sitting with the priest and his group.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): [I'm getting to it...]

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): You notice Rob looking your way.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): Checking to see how you're doing.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Like I'm gonna give him a big wink and a thumbs up. I pretend not to see him.

(rob whispered to Mike): I look confused with concern " what killer? "

(Mike whispered to rob): Boral says, "Sorry, Elf. Everyone wants to be home before dark. You understand. Your kind may not fear the boogeyman, be we do."

(Mike whispered to rob): They all start getting up to leave.

[Mike]: KNOCK THAT SHIT OFF!

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Sorry

[Mike]: Just kidding.

(rob whispered to Mike): well Boral I could protect you if you wish, for a small fee of course

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Good

(rob whispered to Mike): I think Kyle is getting board

[Mike]: The drunk man talking to Rob starts laughing uproariously. "No, sir, I think not. Certainly David wouldn't have you. But thank you." He and his friends begin leaving.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): Priest: "You have not heard?"

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Baer shakes her head.

(rob whispered to Mike): Well what could you fear to have you leave so early?

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): "I'm sorry. We assumed you were here for the bounty."

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): "No sir. We arrived today and no nothing."

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): "Is the town in danger? Am I in danger?"

[Mike]: The drunks are finally gone, so Rob stands close enough to Baer and her new friends to hear what they are discussing.

[Mike]: The old priest is saying, "There is a killer stalking the town of Barlow." Baerstolwef motions Rob to join the conversation, she says, "We may be in danger. This man is explaining how there is a killer in town"

[Mike]: "It seems to mostly be hunting the children, but even able-bodied men and women have fallen victim.

" [rob]: I walk over to the table to listen , of course I introduce my self as not to be rude [Baerstolwef]: What savage would do this? Is it at night? In the roads? Are we in danger if we leave?

[Mike]: "Every second or third night, someone will disappear. Usually after dark, but not always."

[Baerstolwef]: "Are we safe here at the inn?

[rob]: Is there a local sheriff to protect the town?

[Mike]: "People are always safe in groups. It goes after the stragglers. The loners."

[Mike]: "The constables around here have searched and patrolled but found nothing."

[rob]: has any one seen what this is

[Baerstolwef]: "During daylight?"

[Mike]: "Most seem to think it is a bear or wolf."

[rob]: what is it?

[Baerstolwef]: A bear or a bug is more like it.

[Baerstolwef]: just kidding Baerstolwef asks the priest again, gesturing Rob to stay quiet, "Where have these attacks taken place?"

[Mike]: The priest goes on, "The times that bodies have been found, they appear to have been mauled, as if by some great animal." Baerstolwef slowly creeps her hands up her milky thighs

[Baerstolwef]: sorry

[Mike]: "Often, great chunks of flesh have been torn from the bodies." Baerstolwef looks shocked, "These attacks happen here in town? In broad daylight? Yet no one has seen the attacker?"

[Mike]: "At first they suspected a forest beast, but none can be found." Baerstolwef listens attentively

[Mike]: "No some claim to have seen it."

[rob]: has any one tried to track this beast, my friend is a fine tracker

[Mike]: "But accounts vary. Most say it is a giant wolf. But Collatovin from the scribe's office claims to have seen it walk upright."

[Mike]: One of the younger men says, "Yeah, but Collatovin says it wore fire around its head like a mane."

[rob]: is there a reward for it's capture?

[rob]:

[Mike]: The warrior points to a nearby notice. "280 Crowns for it's carcass. Dead or alive." Baerstolwef says to the priest, "Are you hunting it? I'm not sure what kind of help we can be, but as my friend says, I am a skilled tracker."

[Mike]: Before Baer's question, the priest says, "The local trade council was able to post the bounty. They are anxious to be rid of the thing."

[Mike]: Then to Baer's question he says, "No no. We do not hunt it. We are simply fashioning prayers of cleansing and warding to protect against evil."

[Mike]: The warrior says, "Townsfolk seem to think the old witch has something to do with this."

[Mike]: "But no one's seen her in near twenty years." Baerstolwef says, "We would be interested in helping in any way we can. Can you tell me where these attacks took place?"

[rob]: witch? (with concern)

[Mike]: The priest says, "Usually the attacks are on the north side of time."

[Mike]: Warrior: "Aye, the same direction the witch always came from."

[rob]: time what time? [Mike]: "She was a nasty one. Bethyaga was her name."

[Mike]: Priest: "Any time of day, but usually at night."

[rob]: were can we find this witch?

[Baerstolwef]: No ones heard from her in 20 years?

[Mike]: Warrior: "She's not been seen in twenty years, lad."

[Mike]: Warrior: "Her home was somewhere in the north woods, but no one has ever found it."

[Baerstolwef]: "Sirs, is there any other advice you can give us? I think we'd like to try our hands at this."

[Mike]: Warrior: "After people started talking like she might be behind it, a party went out to find it. They all returned a week later--cold and hungry--but none the wiser."

[rob]: Kyle has never missed her target I bet she can find the witch

[Mike]: Warrior: "280 Crowns is a fine price. Others have tried and failed. Now it has been 3 weeks, and the town begins to lose hope."

[rob]: I would wont 500 Crowns for such an undertaking

[Baerstolwef]: Who's paying this bounty again?

[Mike]: Local trade council. Sort of the Barlow Chamber of Commerce

[Mike]: The priest says, "After 19 victims, there is no one in Barlow untouched by this."

[Baerstolwef]: How many were children? (sorry for delay- I had to pee.)

[rob]: I look at Kyle and say" we should meet with this council and make a bid for 500 crowns

[Mike]: One of the young ones pipes up with, "13 children, but none of them less than 7 summers old." Baerstolwef replies "Agreed, but a little scouting first, to show them what to do."

[Baerstolwef]: Hello?

[Mike]: The old priest begins rounding up his charges, "Enough for us, tonight. We have our own road ahead tomorrow. My thoughts will be with you, and Lonat's blessing will be upon you."

[Baerstolwef]: I think we should retire to our own room.

[rob]: we should leave and rest for the night and seek the council in the morning

[Mike]: As they are leaving, one of the younger men whispers, "I believe Collativin truly saw this beast. He may be able to help you."

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): She saw everything.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Sorry.

[Mike]: He looks like he wants to say more, but the priest shoos him along.

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): Who? Baerstolwef thanks the boy.

[rob]: how is this Collativin?

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): I'm feeding Rob this long line of shit about how mom walked in on me cramming it up jen's ass.

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): He's buying it.

[rob]: who Baerstolwef says to Rob, "We should ask the barkeep."

(Mike whispered to Baerstolwef): This is what you do when I'm creating a world for you?

(Baerstolwef whispered to Mike): Sorry, but it's really funny.

[Baerstolwef]: Hello?

[Baerstolwef]: Hello?

[rob]: Mike we want to talk to the city council , Kyle what do you think?

[Baerstolwef]: Hello?

[rob]: here we go again

[Mike]: No I'm here. [Sun Mar 05 00:09:08 CST 2000]

Continue to CHAPTER 3