Would they hold him here forever? Or was it the Crystal for him.

Mahkana paced back and forth, if one could call it pacing. There was maybe a total of eight feet between the solid walls of his cell, and his glyphs lay painfully out of reach. He closed his eyes.

Twenty feet forwards, Thirteen to the right. Pick the lock, open the chest. Retrieve the pouch, daggers, and glyphs. Break free.

But what then? One escape and he would be marked for life, he was sure about it. No guards would forgive what he had done, and even if he wasn't to be crystalled by the end of this, an escape would seal his banishment permanently, of that he had no doubt.

So he sat, and laced his paws together gently in front of him, folding his knees up this chest and letting out a long, contemplative sigh. After a few moments, his head fell forwards, forehead landing on the backs of his hands and ears folding flat against his soft fur.

It wasn't supposed to go this way, was it? Maybe I ran on information that was incomplete. Maybe I expected too much of those around me.

Ever calculating, the menki remained in his hunched position for a few hours, ears flicking occasionally. The air inside of the cell turned from cool morning to sweltering afternoon under the crystal's light, and drops of sweat began to bead along his skin, quickly becoming sopped up by his fur, which turned damp and matted down. There wasn't much more he could do, at this point. They'd even taken his petty training glyphs that had been sewn into his clothing secretively. Truly, there would be no escape for Mahkana Ruuka.

The Diaboli girl, Lyelora. She had been such an easy target, so trusting of him. A few simple magic tricks and the help of his two Lemur friends, and she had bitten - swallowed the bait whole in fact. A simple bit of work had gathered the blood. The mage to channel had ever-so-conveniently come to him, through the contact of the Faceless in Ojaveda.

Mahkana's fist pounded against the side of the wall. Perhaps it was testing for weaknesses, perhaps it was out of frustration. The wall didn't budge, and it seemed that the well-cleaned interior of the prison mocked him. No motes of dust even danced in the harsh light seeping through the bars and windows.

One does not work their whole life for nothing. One failure does not determine me.

I am failure embodied. One goal was given, one task, and I have failed! Would it not be better for me to be crystalled?

Failure is for the weak. There are setbacks, to be sure, but the end goal remains the same.

There is no end goal! The end goal has perished! Dakkru herself has removed any chance of an end goal! He is dead, and I have failed!

Am I.....worthless?

I feel...like I have been taken on the strings of men I have never met, and forced to dance. This whole time, I thought the actions were mine. I was...I wanted to see him live. I wanted to receive the blessings, the prestige. So hard I have cultivated this person, this enkidukai others call Mahkana. Was this a creation of the expectations of the dead?

For cycles I have spent my life studying the Brown Way. Becoming at peace with who I am, with the earth, soil, dirt, rocks, and life around me.....

But perhaps I am not who I thought I was?

Tears streamed down the Enkidukai's face, mottling his complexion and matting his fur even further. His fests clenched tightly, and rough sobs wracked through his body, until a sound pricked his ears.

Pristinely he adjusted his torn clothing. With no thought to it, he wiped his tears and fluffed his fur, popping his neck and putting a smirk on his face.

The door opened, the fenki captain of the guard parsing into view, her cold gaze falling upon Mahkana Ruuka, prisoner of the Octarch.


"We've news for you, Mahkana. New information about your case. We're moving you to a larger cell, something more comfortable....."

Freedom.


I can taste the beginnings of freedom.

Just interested, what is considered a profane or exclamatory word in PlaneShift?
I've heard:
Gods
Dakkru
etc., and am interested to see what else there is. I can think of quite a few others, but what's considered IC and not?

Here's a little something Bovek and I were just chatting about, due to an RP that took place with him.

Item/Style: Main Gauche

Description:
A main gauche is a short sword, with more defensive capabilities, such as a wider hilt and a thicker blade, like a oversized dagger of sorts. It is capable of offensive stabs and is a good defensive blocker for any type of blade but an outright "LARGE" sword, I.E. Claymore, Broadsword. Here:


The Wikipedia definition:

The parrying dagger is a category of small hand-held weapons from the European late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. These weapons were used as off-hand weapons in conjunction with a single-handed sword. As the name implies they were designed to parry, or defend, more effectively than a simple dagger form, typically incorporating a wider guard, and often some other defensive features to better protect the hand, as well. The main-gauche (French for "left hand"; IPA: [mɛ˜ goʊʃ]) is used mainly to assist in parrying incoming thrusts, while the dominant hand wields a rapier or similar longer weapon intended for one-handed use. It may also be used for attack if an opportunity arises. The general category includes two more specific kinds of weapon: sword breakers and trident daggers[1].

The handles are usually curved, to catch and spin blades away from the opponent. However, since game mechanics cannot oblige to alot of the Gauche's properties, here's my suggestion for those who would think this is an interesting implementation.

Ingame Working:

The gauche would be used in the opposite hand of a saber, short sword, or typical one-handed blade. The gauche is a defensive as well as offensive weapon,so:

In the stance "Bloody" both the gauche and the opposite weapon are used to attack your opponent

In the stances "normal" "agressive" and "defensive", a the figurative ingame "dice" (or chance factor, if you will) is used to decide whether the gauche is used offensively, or as a defensive 'shield' type option. (Extra dice chance for defensive if set to "defensive", extra chance for offensive if set to "agressive", etc.)

In the stance "Fulldefensive" the gauche acts as a shield, with bonuses vs. sabers, short swords, and normal swords, and weakness vs. claymores, axes, and maces/polearms. Normal defensive stats for anything else.

My suggestion is that the higher quality the gauche, the better defensive and offensive properties it has, like any normal weapon. Perhaps varying types of gauches can be more geared towards offense or defense, depending on the user.

Learning the Gauche:
The Gauche would be harder to learn that typical sword, due to it being a complicated style. It would take more time with more PP and tria cost, due to its capabilities as both offensive and defensive. Another thought is, you could start learning Gauche as a split style from sword when you reach lvl 10-20 sword or so?

I don't think this would be too hard to implement into game, it'd be a job though, of course. Modeling, Coding, etc...it's a whole new style.

Thoughts, Ideas?

[Yep, I'm back to the pen. The lure of a good tale draws me ever to typing, and I'm a good fan of expression. Hopefully my skills have improved!]

Steel Genesis:

Index of chapters:-Chapter 1: Driven

Introduction:

The earliest nature of a soul to be displayed, even in infancy, is not the want to do wrong, or disobey. It is the drive, the overwhelming urge, to live beyond death. The soul thrives on recognition, and the need to be the best is paramount. Even stronger, built off of this primal dominance complex, is the urge to be immortal. Written words lives long after their author is dead, flowing script telling a tale. Souls yearn to live a hero, but even moreso, a soul yearns to die a Legend. ~Garris Shrike

Chapter 1: Driven

Driven to exhaustion - tongue hanging out - breath, shallow, ragged - pain wracks the body - finally, darkness and the fall.
A pain-induced seizure woke him up to a destitute world, one he'd rather not be in. He found himself covered with dried and crusted blood, rats scurrying around his prone body. He was naked, and his swords were gone. Events flashed back into his mind. They'd come for him, finally. He'd always known he was taking it one step too far, but he was on his own now and had no one to cover his back. This time, they got him. They drove him unmercilessly into the sewers, laughing as he stumbled beneath the blows of the whips, and the stinging cuts of the deadly swords. They'd left him there, to die, his blood smearing the grimy floors as the gobbles watched his breath leave his body. But he'd survived.

He pushed himself to his feet. He was a tall Enki, in his prime. You would guess him to be nearing middle age, but the years were keeping him well. Broad shoulders, ripped abdomens, and heavily muscled forearms and legs spoke to you of a brawler, but the way he moved spoke to you more of a dancer, albeit not quite as graceful. Emerald eyes surveyed the rats as they continued to scurry around him, gnawing at the inedible grime of the sewers. He kicked a couple, muttering an Enkian curse. The movement brought spasming ripples of pain to him, and he promptly sat down.

Grimacing, he mutters to himself "Laanx does not favor the outlaw, eh?" and stands up again, more slowly, and careful of his oozing wounds. He looks around, and sees the rickety latter he stumbled down yesterday...or was it days earlier? How long had Dakkru kept him? Limping to the ladder, he pulls himself up it painfully, agonizingly slowly. The wounds would heal. But the wounders would not.

He heard a female shriek as he hauled himself out of the pit of the sewers, and grimly laughed to himself. The ylian ran off, screaming something about bloody murder, and he coughed up some blood when he tried to laugh again. The world wasn't used to seeing what went on behind the scenes of a complacent Hydlaa. They would learn...oh yes. They would learn. He spied some rags on the body of a beggar, and hurriedly used them to compromise a makeshift outfit, and bandage some of the larger wounds. This would do until he could get ahold of his friends.

He looked around, gathering in his position. Behind Kada's, yes...he had been drunk, they'd taken advantage of that. So, he limped back into Kadas, drawing stares from the "finer" patrons. Many mutters of "Shrike, the fool..." and "Garris, what happened THIS time?" echoed throughout the bar. Shrugging them off, he slouched into a proferred drink.

(will write more later today. Any thoughts on the writing style?)

Garris slowly walks up to the Ojavedan square plaza, remembering the times spent here.....shaking off his memories, he casually pins a frayed notice to a nearby cart. printed, in bold letters:

Are you a mercenary, assassin, or generally shady character? Are you renowned for your stealth, fearlessness, and speed? The Pack has need of you. the Reaver Pack is now accepting applications for new members. Those who wish to be a Reaver must have a good attitude, renowned skills or character, and must know how to traverse the world at least fairly decently. Inquire with Garris or Lokter, Enkis.

[OOG]:
(website: http://reaverpack.weebly.com/index.html)

(Forums *Important for any Pack Member*: http://thereaverpack.forumup.com/index.php?mforum=thereaverpack)

The Reaver Pack is a family. It is loose knit and not officially a hardcore contracting guild, more of a we take what we get kind of deal, more of a gathering of players based on reputation as skilled characters. To be a Reaver I absolutely DEMAND that you have good character and roleplaying ability, and good loyalty.

The goal of the Pack is quite simple.

Reaver Pack Mission statement:

"To create a family of mercenaries, assassins, and warriors, and those with them. The Reaver Pack is a family, and as such, works like one. Those who become members of the Pack are allowed to bring in their wives, children, and acquired land into the Pack's holdings. The Pack will protect those within it as a brother would die for another brother. The Pack requries undying devotion. Reavers run together, not alone. Even if you are the wife or child of a Reaver Pack member, you are under the same protection as them. We are a family of friends."

So basically saying is, it's open to anyone with a good reputation, and you can bring those you know along with them. This is a very RP-ing guild, as I demand that those who become Reavers RP a Reaver character. Reaver clan work is based off of contracting:

Contracting with the Reavers:
The Reavers, to earn money, do odd jobs for those willing to pay. Now that we're pretty well established ingame, we should be able to pick up any work that needs done. If you need work done, contact a Reaver, you non-Reavers! We'll take part in any RP that you'd like, we're all actors.

Contracts can include anything within (or out of!) the law, provided it doesn't compromise your characters morals. The only rules we have on contracting currently are:
-the guild "Ways of Life" members cannot be harmed.
-Possible House of Purrty (?)

To join the Pack, post an application here or catch me online.

The Reaver Pack:

Founder: Garris Shrike

Leaders:
-Garris
-Lokter Tarvitz

Specialized members and their roles:
-Vannaka, Duelist
-Lokter and Catarina, Smiths
-Lutrimer, Steward
-Garris, Lazy Bum


Members that we need:
-Smith/s
-Miner/s
-Bakers
-Midwives
-Children
-Warriors
-Hunters
-Gatherers

In essence, those in every role of life.


Pack Members and their families:

Garris Shrike
Lokter Tarvitz
Vannaka (partial)
Tarthin
Weluna
Lutrimer
Itemi
Azilim
Unuldur
Csar
Laart
Illele
Woyas
Allola
Lyelia
Catarina
Anaros
Leumasocyw
Kayven
-you-

*Full Reaver and Reaver Pack Member Status:*
-Full Reaver: Those in the guild. They have full benefits, including applying for the war team for Guild vs. Guild wars, and are offered food and assistance whenever needed.
-Reaver Pack Member: Those who have applied to be a Reaver, but are in another Guild. You can be a Reaver and a Guild member with different guilds, so long as they do not interfere with your Reaver duties. The Reaver Pack members are offered food and assistance whenever needed and are accepted as part of the "family". They are not leeches on the Guild, as they must pay for what they take and give the family what it needs in time of duress. The system of supply and demand is in effect here.

P.S.
***Note!: Even if you aren't a warrior and feel you can contribute something to the guild, we have need of players of every RP type! Apply!***

Pack History (For those interested):

[as told by Garris Shrike:]

As you walk into Ojeveda and into the bar, you notice a lean, wiry Menki sitting at a table, surrounded by some other Enkis, chatting and playing various games, and carelessly playing with knives....
You sit down, and inquire about the Reaver Pack guild, and its history. The wiry Enki is only too happy to oblige....

"The pack was started when H'okyba Da Ojaveda was disbanded. The H'okyba was a mercenaries guild, one of the strongest in Yliakum. Led by Blayze and his wife Nefert, the H'okyba had won many legendary battles, including one against the cretins who had invaded Ojaveda and their leader.

But the H'okyba is no more. Only I am left. Now, to get onto things...

The Reaver Pack is an ancient way of life, really. Born from the same principles of the H'okyba, and countless other guilds before it. The Pack is family. Those in the Pack are those to protect. Reavers are not solitary animals, except in odd cases.
(For just a little bit of Reaver history/story: http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=1725.0)
Reavers are fierce creatures, and so the Pack must be fiercely protective of those within it.
The Reavers are nomads, and will travel to where they are needed. We can be mercenaries for hire in times of war, or workers for hire in times of peace. But we stick together.

I have great dreams for the pack, traveler....dreams of having a nomadic village, of those within us becoming great legends, and the rest of us being the unseen players supporting the Legends, only to be elevated to that status one day ourselves. The Pack is family. Family supports, builds up, and shares loss, no matter the pain.... we are born of necessity, of the way of life known to all." [conceptually, the Reavers are a new clan. We have no old "history", but we are willing to make it.]

Garris slowly stares at you, with piercing green eyes....

"Will you become one with the Pack?"

-Delving into the Reaver Backstory!
The Reaver leaders have developed a rather interesting backstory for those interested. Ask them ingame about it (Through RP, of course) and you may learn some interesting things. Also, if you would like to sign up on the forums and chat there, feel free to do so! We'll give you guest status and you can poke around.

-The Reavers have no set religious background. You're free to worship whomever you please, provided it doesn't interfere with Pack matters. Which some may.

-The Reavers do engage in some RP that may be considered mature (PG-13+ we take to groupchat), so if you expect a tame clanchat...don't join. I'll personally ask you ahead of time if you have any problems with that, and if you do, this may not be the guild for you.

-The Reavers try to appear professional (with the exception of myself  ), therefore, outside of your clan members, try and uphold the Reaver name!

More Technicalities:

System: Reavers are a family, family gives to the other members in time of need. *This requires FULL devotion to the clan. Those who are not willing to help a brother out should not join. Of course, this also means that you will receive aid when you are in need too. But you must be able to give when necessary, unless you are low on supplies yourself*

Hard? Yeah. Very hard. But if we were able to pull this off, it would be an incredible step in the right direction for PlaneShift RP.

I noted on one of my occasional returns to this incredible place, that many members of the development team have left, leaving us in a small quandary.
I have a small suggestion, that will probably be put down by questionable legality and other good arguments, but is a suggestion nonetheless.

Change the Development team limits from age to maturity and overall knowledge. I can GUARANTEE that that there are players here that have more RP, modding, and development knowledge than many of those far older than him. I don't know the average age of those here, but I will say I have RPed and modded for most of my teen life. This is not for me, however. This is for PlaneShift, to continue keeping it in development, and help Talad as much as possible.

/discuss.

.