Group Interactive Story Telling # 1

[Azariel]

Inspired by the questions put up by one of the newer members, VeteranOfThePsychicWars, on the idea of creating a story collectively as a group - [broken link] - I have decided to take initiative and get the motor running; might work, might not, but its worth the effort.

However, I feel that some rules should be in order, as too balance out the storytelling. For out test run of the idea, I've chosen to work with a 3rd person omnipresent, so it allows for a broader range of options for those with larger palettes, and still please those without. I ask that each post do not exceed 500 words, remember its a group effort! So have fun, get your thinking caps on and let's get to work! :D


STARTING LINES

Vejin was a man of conflicting desires—for as much as he prided himself of the long-line of fishermen from which he descended, and the courageousness of his native breeding, he despised these attributes that imbued the minds of his homeland with the natural instincts and bravery to hunt the denizens of the deep.

[lemec]

The sea extended for miles off to the west and south. Vejin longingly watched a wagon and it's team of mares cross the land bridge to the far north. He was irritated today by the fact that his nets were torn to shreds by some unknown ocean predator. He had spent all morning repairing them with bits of rope and animal sinew. Griorm was supposed to watch the mesh in Vejin's absence, but he was seen back at the settlement with some strange girl who traveled with her merchant parents from the city of Aeoffay.

[Grey Mouser]

'If you ever get tired of having your nets mauled Vejin, I still need a skilled boatman to take me out to the isle beyond the archituthean deeps of Kithar,' said Ascorian. He was a lean, well dressed scholar from the city, and an old aquaintance of Vejin who had often encouraged him to travel. Most recently he had gone among the shore dwellers in search of one with enough courage to travel as far as Kithar, but the shore dwellers were insular folk, not wont to travel much beyond familiar waters.
Vejin folded his net carefully. 'You are right Ascorian. I've been weary for a while of this. Show me that map again, and I will take you there if I can.'

[Whiskers]

It was the time of day when the smoke of the village rose into the air spreading the smells of grilled fish and roasted fowl across the pottery clad roofs, while men and women alike dropped anchor in the marina, vendors packed their wares and stalls, horses were stabled and the bustle of the town went in doors for the evening meal. From some nearby window came a pleasant violin and mandolin duet. The summer night was at least two hours away and there would be a wine fest in the streets and children would be running through the streets, chasing one another with enkindled candles to celebrate the longest day of the year.

"Let me buy your supper, Vejin, and we'll speak of this as we wander the streets, drinking the most delicious wines known in the world," said Ascorian.

The fisherman leapt onto the peer and followed Ascorian into the town of Pescahausen (one of several key fishing ports). Vejin knew a thing or two about the scholar and couldn't help but feel that any destination he took the man to would be a risk, one way or another, of his time and welfare. The gentleman scholar was given to vice: punktlos, a game of chance that had bankrupted the man twice and cheebal, a grain that is turned to a paste that can induce peace or madness when consumed. The other thing he knew was that when he'd decided to pursue something of value, he was sure to seek it to the world's end.

[lemec]

The academician unveiled a round tin receptacle. Ascorian unscrewed the emerald top and placed it on his napkin. He scooped a quarter dose of the ocher cheebal with his forefinger and spread the acetose paste under his tongue. The scholar's eyes closed as the flavour seeped up to his taste buds.
The 'Rusty Glaive' was a typical dark lodging house that stank of sweat and stale fermentation. Venjin eagerly devoured the peppered fowl that was set on the pewter dish at his place on the walnut table. The two men sat in the far corner, away from the other patrons, and looked at several key spots on the topographic map. A single blue candle burned in the center and a pitcher of 'Dranndell Honey' mead rests on a birch barrel off to the left side. Two goblets held down the edges of the chart.
The lanky intellectual did not partake in the dinner, but he quickly put his tin inside his inner jacket. "So, you see, we can sail from the outer portion of the archituhean deeps, where the jagged rocks meet the volcanic reefs. Once we traverse the first hundred nautical miles, we can adjust course when we see the 'Larmendey Star' rise, then we drop all canvas and pass through the corrider of 'Clericus Sonomus.' stated Ascorian in a matter-of-fact tone.
Venjin paled then inquired,"What about the maelstroms? What of the marauders?"

[Azariel]

"Storms sink ships, yet men still sail offshore, do they not?" asked Ascordian.
"Of course," replied Vejin; "but I don't have the kind of men who'll be mad enough to brave the sea and the cold steel of piracy. Perhaps a handful at best. My men are chiefly fisherman; natives mostly."
"Do not concern yourself with a crew," said the academician; "one is already being assembled. A crew can always be bought with gold - "
"Will it be a damn good crew that is," intruded Vejin. "I would trust my own men to the outer sea over that of common mercenaries."
"Very well, bring what men you can, sailor. Whatever will make you feel safer in this endeavor. I shall concern himself with hiring the rest of the work load, including the rowers. But first let us discuss the matter of the map."

[devilchicken]

"What of it?" Vejin inquired, trying yet failing miserably to disguise the apprehension in his voice.

Ascordian smiled thinly and leaned over the table, his voice little more than a whisper. "I would rather that we keep this matter strictly between ourselves" he began "It would not do to mention the map to anyone you don't 'completely' trust".

Vejin frowned. For all his apparent camaraderie, Ascordian was no friend. In fact, if the stories were to be believed the scholar was not the sort of man to attract friends. Rumour had it that disaster followed Ascordian like a cloud, a cloud that had a distinct tendency to strike down those closest to him.

"Where did you get it?" Vejin asked drily.

"That is not important. Let's just say that it fell into my hands at a most propicious moment".

Ascordian relaxed and leaned back in his seat but Vejin grabbed the front of the scholars robe, and held him close.

"Such violence is most unbecoming of you" Ascordian said sardonically, looking down at the white knuckled hand that gripped his robes.

"I may be a simple fisherman, but I am not a fool" Vejin growled. "You'll not set foot aboard my ship until I know everything. Did you think I would risk my life and the lives of my crew merely on a whim? Tell me your story scholar, and tell it to me straight."

[devilchicken]

Come on guys - I can't be the last one to post here.

I for one am curious to know what Ascordian's story is...

[lemec]

Come on guys - I can't be the last one to post here.

I for one am curious to know what Ascordian's story is...

Oh, I am enjoying it, and I will add another soon, I just wanted everyone to have a chance to add on , until I was ready to add my tiny part. :D

It's very cool. 8)

[lemec]

Ascordian motioned to Venjin who walked pass a ring of stone walls. They both entered a vegetable garden and sat down on a green marble bench. They were alone. The scholar whispered,"Alright, you whelp! I excavated a few graves in North Bregkrone."

"A few? How many?" Venjin asked scornfully.

"Sixty" replied Ascordian evenly.

"Vestiges of the Lost Demi-Gods!" exclaimed the young fishmonger.

"Calm your voice, it was only two family plots." Ascordian said innocently.

"Why?" inquired Venjin.

"The map is for the improvement of mankind, the new art, the knowledge of all-inclusive study. A gift that will allow all folk to understand the inner workings of the world." lied the academician skillfully. "Imagine a way of life that can improve upon the amount of food and trade settlement, your family will have much more of the things they need. I won't sit here and tell you there is no danger, but with a handful of trusted relatives or friends, we can sail to a new land and retrieve the artefacts listed on the back of the chart. I have enough gold and gems hidden near here to provide for such an undertaking."

"In my heart,I would love to go and see new soil, a distant wind on my face. I fear where your consciousness stands and where your mind could lead us, I'm not that naive, I've been to a couple soldier's taverns and I've heard more than one tale about your 'studies'." remarked Venjin.

[lemec]

A fine blade, thrusted outward by the assassin, poked it's deadly tip through the cloth,skin and flesh of Ascordian. An oily residue, orange in colour, covered the knife along it's fuller. The sage did not cry out, as the implement's poison dulled any pain that a normal dagger might cause, it was meant to incapacitate the victim rather than advance death. His lips moved slightly, then he crumpled to the ground. The cutthroat withdrew his steel and cleaned it on his fisherman's beige robe, today's disguise. Venjin spun then leaped back instead of forward. He looked deep into a killer's eyes, he knew he could not wildly attack or attempt to tackle this man.

[devilchicken]

Am I right in thinking that before the old forum crashed there were a few more parts to this story than there currently are?

Seem to remember a stand-off in a courtyard with a trio of assassins. But I could be wrong...

[lemec]

you are 100 percent correct, devilchicken, but I did not save those parts,haha. I was going to make a statement about that, but I thought maybe we could start again and branch it off from here, with the same general idea of before. We could always do a different story as well, or maybe if I think of it longer, I could remember more details of the old parts. I just thought it would be cool to get it going again. ;)

[devilchicken]

That's cool. We can start another one too. I'm actually thinking of posting the start of a piece I'm currently working on. Be interesting to see what others do with the characters and situation.

In the meantime:

The assassin smiled coldly at Vejin, and without paying further heed to him, reached down and grabbed the front of the scholars robe. With a sudden heave, that displayed the formidable muscularity of the assassin he hauled the unconcious man over his shoulder. With a brief pause to slide the stained knife with its dull blade back in its hidden sheath, he paused momentarily before the white faced fisherman.

"You would do well to forget anything you heard from this man" the assassin hissed quietly in a heavily accented voice. "The dead have few tales to tell".

So saying he tossed a handful of gold coins and Vejin's feet and was gone before

This had all happened in the space of a few seconds and by the time Vejin recovered from the initial shock - the assassin and his captive had vanished in the crowds that ringed the low walled garden.

[lemec]

That's cool. We can start another one too. I'm actually thinking of posting the start of a piece I'm currently working on. Be interesting to see what others do with the characters and situation.

In the meantime:

The assassin smiled coldly at Vejin, and without paying further heed to him, reached down and grabbed the front of the scholars robe. With a sudden heave, that displayed the formidable muscularity of the assassin. Hauling the unconcious man over his shoulder he paused momentarily before the white faced fisherman.

"You would do well to forget anything you heard from this man" the assassin hissed quietly in a heavily accented voice. "The dead have few tales to tell".

So saying he tossed a handful of gold coins and Vejin's feet and was gone before

This had all happened in the space of a few seconds and by the time Vejin recovered from the initial shock - the assassin and his captive had vanished in the crowds that ringed the low walled garden.

Bravo! that is splendid! Damn that's good, good way to connect the scene.I look forward to your your new story and characters as well. It sounds like it will be very interesting. :)