YanYanGanaffi

The Temple of Shards looked normal from the outside, it's dark stone walls reaching high into the sky. As the assembled players make their way to the front door, they began to hear what sounded like old-time saloon music. As Wyvern reached to open the door, it flew open. Suprised, they see Yan Yan Ganaffi wearing a pair of Colt Peacemakers, a black cowboy hat, and Western-looking clothing. "Howdy," he said before spitting out a stream of tobacco juice,"Ya'll come on in." As each Pennite stepped through the doorway, their clothes instantly transform into Western attire. The inside of the Temple looked like a saloon out of Dodge City or Tombstone. There were other tables hosting card players and people up at a the bar ordering drinks. The alter area had been converted into a stage that had a couple of dancers on it. Yan Yan lead them off to their table, a large oak table with fresh green felt. In each seat was a slip of paper stating who sat there. In front of each seat was a pile of poker chips that totaled up to $15,000. As each took there seats, Yan Yan went over the rules. "Alright,here's how this are going to break down. The game will go into rounds. In the round are four turns for each play *one turn for each betting phase*. Whoever wins the round wins the money in the pot. After your cards are dealt, you can bet to match the blind *if you are after the blind bet*/call, raise the bet, fold, or 'cheat'. The cheating option is a percent chance of getting caught, but if you don't get caught cheating by the dealer or a folded player *folded players can state thathey want to watch for cheaters* If you are caught cheating, you will be kicked out of the game. For every person watching for a cheater, there is a 15% increase that you will get caught. If it's just the Dealer, there is only a 15% chance. As far as betting goes, this is a 'no limit' tourney, which means you can bet the minimum of the blind bet up to all the money in front of you. The top prize for the winner is a Staff of Weather summoning, second is a bag of blue rubies *very valueble on the black market for spell components*, and third is a deck of gold plated playing cards. If you need nay help with the betting rounds and values of ands, here is a little help from a previous thread..." In Texas Hold'em, you are dealt two cards face down. These are called your 'hole cards'. Ever hear the term 'ace in the hole'? This is where it comes from. Now, like in Seven Card Stud, you have an 'antie'. But unlike Seven Card Stud, only one or two people have to antie up. In Texas Hold'em, this is called a 'blind' or blind bet. This bet is to insure that something is in the pot at all times. The person sitting to the left of the 'blind' starts the betting round. Either they can call; which means match the existing bet, raise, or fold. The betting goes around the table until it gets back to the blind, who has the option to raise if the bet hasn't been raised already. Or they can 'check' or not bet, since they are already in the betting round anyway." "After the betting round is done, comes the 'flop'. The flop is the first three cards that come on the board. There are five 'board cards' in total. Agian, the betting round starts with the blind, since they were the first to start off the game with the blind. Again, they can check, bet, or fold. After this betting round is complete, the next card, the 'turn', is flopped over. Betting goes again and then the final card, the 'river' is flopped, begining the final betting round. After the betting round is over, the people remaining in the hand show what they have. Using only five cards total to build their hand from the two hole cards and the five board cards, the winner is determined by the best hand." High card: the highest card on the board if no other hands have a pair or better Pair: a pair such as two aces Two Pair: two pairs of cards. Three of a Kind: You have three of a certain card, such as three ings Straight: This is when you have five cards of any suit in a numarical sequence, like 2,3,4,5,6 of different suits, or 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. Flush: This is when you have five cards of the same suit. For instance, you have the Ace, 10, 7, 4, and 2 of diamonds. You have an 'ace high' flush. Full House: A full house is when you have three of one card and two of another. The strength it determined but the three cards. An example is having Three Jacks and two Aces. If someone else has a full house as well, the Jacks are the cards that would be counted. Four of a Kind: Four of a certain card. Straight Flush: This is when you have five cards of the same suit in numarical order. Royal Flush: This is the 'Holy Grail' of Poker. It is when you have a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit." This first hand is a practice hand to show you how the flow of the game goes. "Now, let's shuffle up and deal!" *I'll be PMing you your cards. PMme back your actions. When everyone PMs me their actions, or 24 hours are up *if you haven't PMed me after 24 hours of the post, you've automaticly folded* we will move on to the next phase. Blinds are $500 and SweetCherry is the first blind. It will go Sweetcherry, Wyvern, Patrcik, Gryph, Mynx, Parmenion, Peredhil, Regel, Deg, and Katzaniel as the blinds.

Okay here is who is on. Thankfully for a couple, I woke up at the crack of noon today, so they JUST made it onto the list. Here are the players: Deg Mynx Wyvern Peredhil Regel Parmenion Patrick Durham SweetCherry Gryphon Adn Katzaniel The Poker Tourney will be held in the Conservatory. I will list how the game will go. See you guess there. *Also setting up an OCC Poker thread*

Thank you, Parmeisan! I love the sig! You are awesome.

Magical Abilities Yan Yan has no magical powers on his homeworld, Scolf. However, while at the Pen, he has several powers. Among them are wind summoning, ghost-like stealth, nd the ability to mentally obscure himself from direct sight. He also has a mild ability of animal empathy, being able to communicate with animals on a very basic level.

I'll see about calling in. Hopefully the phone system you guys have doesn't go deaf on me again.

All I want is one of a warrior in black armor (or even my current avatar will work) and the words, Yan Yan Ganaffi; Pen Storyteller" or something along those lines

I just wanted to say that you're doing a great job on the gifts and I can't wait to see what you have in store for me. Reading everyone else's is just making things that much more suspenseful (sp?). Keep it up!

As I post and read on the boards, I notice all these nice pics as signatures. I want one too! If anyone can help me with this, I'd be much abliged. can wait until after my QQ is finished. Thanks! Yan Yan Ganaffi

Writer Stats Height: 5'11'' Weight: 195 lbs (down from 260 lbs seven months ago!) Hair: Light brown Eyes: brown with slight gold tint around pupils Age: 26 Tatooes/scars: a red wolf paw print on left upper arm/ Japanese character for Warrior on right upper arm. Job: Writer/warehouse worker Training/college: I year college, four years United States Marine Corps. Hobbies: Poker, hunting , gun/sword collecting, paintball, writing, reading, herbalism.

*OCC: If anyone has any questions about the rules, send your questions to me in PM. I'll answer them as quickly as possible.*

Warding/sigiling: Using magical writing protect an area or object. Universal Energy Flow: This is a magical theory which states that all energy; both physical and spiritual, are linked in one form or another. If one is in tune with the Univeral Energy Flow, they can sense events that would case 'ripples' in time and space. It is theorized that this is how pre-cognents and post-cognents are able to see the future/past; by 'reading' the ripples on a subconcious level. Vortexes/Nodes: Geological points that are connected by lay lines/vortex channels. A vortex/node is a large concentration of positive (nodes) or negative (votrexes) energy. Some that are 'gifted' with the use of either can perform feats of magic when near one. Node Stone: After a node has been collecting energy for a long amount of time, a physical form is created by the formation of a crystal, or node stone. A large node stone is said to have been placed into Aaron's staff before it was placed into the Ark of the Covenant. This later became known to mages as the 'Wandering Node'. The Dumbness: the 'Dumbness' is a spiritual being much like Death, save for it's primary function. The Dumbness will inact circumstances that are hard to pervent, but will completely spoil your plans. You will forget little details normally paid attention to, lose your car keys at the last possible second when you need them; finding them were you looked fifteen times before, or think one thing and say another durning a conversation, making yourself look really foolish. The Dumbness will not leave until it feels that it has cause enough chaos in your life and moves on to it's next victim.

Congrads! Hopefully I'll be there soon. Hold a spot for me until I do.

God-seed: The offspring of a God/Goddess and a mortal through a complex ritual Shatter-bolt: A four pronged crossbow bolt made of slate with tips dipped in lead or silver for stability. The bolt seperates into four jagged shards on contact with a lightly armored target. Sharpein: A member of a race of 'caniods' from Chasric 7. These dog-like beings can move on all four legs when running, or two any other time. Highly advanced with technology, they have set up an airbase outside the Pen. The average Sharpein is a little over 2 ft tall and about 500lbs due to very dense muscle structure developed by the high gravity of their home world. "As much fun as juggling chainsaws": Means that the activity in reference isn't exactly fun.

I laughed for five minutes over that. Sorry that your landlord is a lazy bastard, but the poem is very funny. I know how much of a pain to get something fixed by a land lord. My first apartment was like living in a shower the roof had so many leaks. I finally had to fix it myself. I would have sued the landlord, but didn't feel like drain all that time and money into it. However, I did find the carpentry skills my dad passed on to me came in very good use. Hope everything works out for you. By the way, did you know that there is a poker tourney going on at the Pen? The sign up is in the Caberate room. Can't miss it because it's stickied to that top of the page. Thanks!

Hammering is heard all around the Pen. New signs have popped up denoting that the sign up deadline has been pushed back a week and that the organizers of the tournement apologise for the inconvenience. In an added twist, the tournement is of a Western theme and that all players are to be dressed in Western attire in order to enter play in the tournement. Rules for the game were posted all around until almost even the most reluctent Pennite knew the basics of the game. Blackstar Airbase reported that every book and data pad that contained information on poker had been checked out by the Pennites. Maybe this time the tourneyment would go off without much of a hitch? (OOC: I'm not starting the tourney with less then six people aside from myself (who is the dealer). So if you're signed up and want to play, put a foot up one of your friend's rears and get them to play as well. I WILL NOT let this QQ go down in flames!*

Yan Yan finished off his third glass of wine as he sits alone in the Caberate room. The tournement, it seems, turned into a failure and all he wished to do was dull the memory in some nice, strong Elven wine. He would have choosen Dwarven ale, but he didn't like the effects the next day. Besides, the Elven wine had a very smooth after taste. As he tried to enjoy his wine, he saw Wyvern enter, decked out in a green visor, the 'hidden' decks of cards still visiable poking out from here and there. He wore a disappointed look on his face. Feeling the gaze of someone else, Wyvern instinctively looked up to see Yan Yan looking in his direction. The Almost Dragon santered over to Yan Yan's table. "What happened with the Tournement?" Yan Yan shrugged," Just as the poster said, lack of interest." "That'sss too bad," hissed Wyvern," I wass hoping to at least learn how to play..." "It's not that hard to learn," Yan Yan explained," In Texas Hold'em, you are dealt two cards face down. These are called your 'hole cards'. Ever hear the term 'ace in the hole'? This is where it comes from. Now, like in Seven Card Stud, you have an 'antie'. But unlike Seven Card Stud, only one or two people have to antie up. In Texas Hold'em, this is called a 'blind' or blind bet. This bet is to insure that something is in the pot at all times. The person sitting to the left of the 'blind' starts the betting round. Either they can call; which means match the existing bet, raise, or fold. The betting goes around the table until it gets back to the blind, who has the option to raise if the bet hasn't been raised already. Or they can 'check' or not bet, since they are already in the betting round anyway." "After the betting round is done, comes the 'flop'. The flop is the first three cards that come on the board. There are five 'board cards' in total. Agian, the betting round starts with the blind, since they were the first to start off the game with the blind. Again, they can check, bet, or fold. After this betting round is complete, the next card, the 'turn', is flopped over. Betting goes again and then the final card, the 'river' is flopped, begining the final betting round. After the betting round is over, the people remaining in the hand show what they have. Using only five cards total to build their hand from the two hole cards and the five board cards, the winner is determined by the best hand." Wyvern understood the rules fairly well," How do you get the best hand?" "Hands are ranked, so to speak. The order is this; High card: the highest card on the board if no other hands have a pair or better Pair: a pair such as two aces Two Pair: two pairs of cards. Three of a Kind: You have three of a certain card, such as three ings Straight: This is when you have five cards of any suit in a numarical sequence, like 2,3,4,5,6 of different suits, or 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. Flush: This is when you have five cards of the same suit. For instance, you have the Ace, 10, 7, 4, and 2 of diamonds. You have an 'ace high' flush. Full House: A full house is when you have three of one card and two of another. The strength it determined but the three cards. An example is having Three Jacks and two Aces. If someone else has a full house as well, the Jacks are the cards that would be counted. Four of a Kind: Four of a certain card. Straight Flush: This is when you have five cards of the same suit in numarical order. Royal Flush: This is the 'Holy Grail' of Poker. It is when you have a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit." "I underssstand now," hissed Wyvern. The Almost Dragon thought for a second," You know, Yan Yan, why don't you extend the deadline on the tournement and posssst up what you just told me. I'm sssure othersss would love to play, but just don't know how..." "That's not a bad idea," Yan Yan agreed,"Thanks."

At the end of tournement registration, Yan Yan looks at the list and is slightly disappointed. "Wow, only three people signed up," he sighs. He was hoping for at least a couple more. Shaking his headhe writes a message on a piece of parchment. In bold black letters, it reads," Tournement cancelled due to lack of interest." Collecting his tools, he goes back to the Temple of Shards to take down the decorations and break down the tables.

"First off," Yan Yan begins," there are no strip poker tables at this tourney, although one at the Summer carnival is being considered. Second, Pilocanci the Unholy will be a guest dealer and if he so much as SENSES that you are cheating he may just 'mafia toss' you off the top of the Pen's highest tower." Yan Yan smiled as he saw Wyvern look slightly shakened." Other then that, good luck at the tourney."

With the coming dawn approaching the Pen, the sounds of hammering can be heard all about, waking up many from their slumber. All around the walls of the Pen hang white signs with red lettering hand-painted on them. The signs read; Registration for the first Annual Mighty Pen Poker Invitational Tourney is now taking players! Top prize is a staff of weather summoning. All players are required to sign up. The entree fee for the event has been weaved to all players. So sign up today! The sign up sheet is in the Temple of Shards. *note: this will be run kind of like a WW game. You will be PMed your hands and bet accordingly. The game is Texas Hold'em. If you need any help with the rules, pm me and I'll let you know. The will be posted also on the actual thread once it gets up and running. The game starts on Tuesday. Also, we will be playing in character/as characters of the Pen*

I may call in again depending on what time I get knocked out of a poker tourney I'm going to tonight.

After a longer then expected pause, I've begun writing on the Seed of Hecate storyline again. I fixed a few things here and there, hopefully for the better. Let me know what you think.

This looks like the start of a really good story.

Moonlight streamed through the evening mists as swords flashed and screams were silenced by the violence of battle. Sarie Ganaffi, along with her syblings Yan Yan, Boslio, and Juna, attempted to route the Usia mercenaries hired by the vile Lord Koriki. Red eyes gleamed in the night, surrounding the brave warriors. Sarie, with a leaf-bladed short spear, drove the crysteline blade deep between the joint in the armor of one reptilain warrior, then kicked the creature in the chest as she removed the weapon from it's gut. Spinning swiftly, she turned to another attacker, jabbing the opponent twice in the chest with the spear before he know he'd been hit. Yan Yan fired a quick volley of shatter bolts into the approaching horde, felling several of the rushers. One broke through, swinging a wicked looking short sword, and closed in on Yan Yan. Drawing back for momentum, Yan Yan brought up the butt of his crossbow to the orc's jaw, jerking the monster's head back as he collapsed onto his back. Bringing up his leg, Yan Yan ended the orc's life with a heel stomp to his head. Juna parried repeated attacks from a large orge swinging a good sized tree branch. She ducked a wide swing from the drooling beast, unleasting a fury of jabs with her daggers, punchering the ogre's unprotected stomach. The creature teetered to the left, landing in a quivering heap. Juna planted a knee in the upper back of him as she drove the daggers home into the back of the orge's neck. Boslio was rushed by three goblin warriors, spear's set at a charge. Boslio strifed right to aviod the incoming attackers. With his short sword, he parried the closest spear to him, successfully dearming his opponent. The goblin was swiflty run though, vainly clasping it's hands to it's chest in an effort to fend off it's oncoming demise. Out of the corner of his eye, Boslio saw one of the goblins throw his spear at him. Dropping suddenly, the spear flew over him and into Sarie's back. She stumbled forward, dropping her spear. Going to her knees, she tried to gather her breath, but couldn't. Fright entered her mind as she realized where she'd been hit; the spear had pierced one of her lungs. Juna screamed Sarie's name and ran to her aid. Boslio and Yan Yan fought off the remaining mercenaries, who broke off the assualt in tatters. Yan Yan chambers another feeder box of shatter bolts, covering his brother and sister as they worked to save Sarie's life. Juna removed the spear as Boslio removed Sarie's armor. her breathing was very labored, blood seeping from the wound in her back. Taking out a waterskin, they cleaned the blood and grime from the gash. Boslio took a small bag containing fire algae, a powerful antiseptic. He put a small piece in his mouth, chewing it into a soft gum. The heat from the algae brought tears to Boslio's eyes due to the acid in the plant's cells reacting with the moisture in his mouth. Spitting out the chewwed mass into his hand, he placed it onto the wound. Sarie howled in pain, arching her back in reaction to the burning of the gum. She settled down as the algae numbed the pain in her back. A calming, sleepy feeling entered as the narcotic effects of the plant took hold. The last thing she remembered was the sensation of being lifted into the air by an unseen force before she passed out. A week later, Sarie awake in her bed, too sore to get up, though she tried twice. Her mother, Axia, was sitting by her bed. "Sarie," She cautioned," You need your rest." Axia gave Sarie a wooden cup filled with white willow bark tea to ease her pain. "You're lucky to be alive." "Where are the other's," Sarie asked. Axia smiled,"Down in the Summer Camp on the river. Yan Yan just left here with a message to General Gath." "They're alright?" "Yes, my dear," her mother informed her," They are fine. Get soon rest, please." Sarie nodded. This was the closest she'd been to death. Rest was needed for her to heal. Quietly, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of pleasentries far away from the waking world... Yan Yan Ganaffi expertly paddled the canoe down the foaming rapids of the Nistashi River while dodging rocks that barely jutted out of the icy water. The thin copperwood walls of the canoe occasionally scraped a rock, leaving small gashes in the craft's exterior. His black leather armor was soaked repeatedly as lashes of water struck him with fury. Despite the tranquil backdrop of mountain forests and azure sky, Yan Yan couldn't enjoy it as he struggled with the violent river. Yan Yan was a combat messenger for the Red Wolf Clan. The insignia of the clan; a red wolf's paw print on a black background, was the only color on his armor. His mission was simple; get the clan's marching orders to Gath Murlo, acting general of the Red Wolf's warriors. Yan Yan hoped that some day he would also join the rest of his syblings. At least he was allowed to carry weapons of his choosing from the armory. The repeating crank-action crossbow had been his older sister Juna's at the Battle of the Tines, when the Cloven Ones rebelled against a nieghboring regent. Yan Yan's attention was focused back to the river, which had calmed much. He let the river carry the canoe with the current , gently guilding it to keep from running aground. Two hours later, he was pulling the canoe onto the bank with the help of his brother, Boslio. "How was the trip," inquired Boslio. "Wet, cold, and far too long," answered Yan Yan,"Where's Gath?" "War council," the older brother replied," You scratched my canoe to hell and back." "Don't thank me, thank the rocks," Yan Yan retorted as he pulled out am oilskin pouch," I need to get this to Gath." Boslio took the oilskin and tucked it into a pocket fold in his armor. "I'll give it to him," he ordered Yan Yan," Go warm up and get some soup in you. Juna's at the Feast Hall." Yan Yan nodded as he walked toward the Feast Hall. He looked around at the cluster of wooden buildings and the bustle of warriors going about daily chores. The smell of roasting beef filled his nostrals, making his mouth water. He approached the doorway and pulled back the heavy wooven curtian. The hall had several long rough cut tables and chairs. A light smokey haze gave the place an almost sleepy feel. He saw his sister at the far corner of the room enjoying a slice of roasted pig. Yan Yan got a bowl of soup and warm cider from the chief cook before he took a seat across from his sister. He smiled, enjoying his meal. Tradition in their family dictated silence during meals, as it was seen as vulger to eat and converse at the same time. When they had both finished eating, Juna spoke first. "How was the trip?" Yan Yan, wiping his mouth with a piece of cloth, answered," I scratched up Boslio's canoe. Aside from that, not bad." "Yeah," his sister commented," I made the trip once in the winter. the water was really low and beat my boat to bits. I had to wade to shore and walk the rest of the way. I was half way frozen by the time I made it here. Mother was furious when I told her about the boat." "Wasn't it Father's before he was killed at Sulnac?" Juna nodded,"Yes. He'd built it himself. It was one of the only things that he had made. Mother treasured it. However, Father's boat wasn't as solidly made as we had hoped." "Father was a soldier, not a scout," Yan Yan reminded. "And a damned good one," she pointed at Yan Yan to stress her words," So was Mother." Yan Yan was about to comment when Gath entered the room. His tall, gaunt figure scanned the room then he announced," Gather your things, we are readying for war." The caravan of war wagons rumbled along at a steady pace toward the Golden Fields of Scolf. Yan Yan and his siblings shared driving duties while the others slept or readied their gear. The letter Yan Yan had delievered were a set of reports detailing a massing of troops on the border of Scolf. Rumor presisted that the leader of the unknown force was one of the Cloven Ones; an evil group of warrior priests that gave their spirits over to the dark god Jessari. Through vile magic, the Dark God transformed the priest's feet into cloven hooves to forever mark their alliegence to him. To further their sinister appearence, they often took animal like forms to unnerve their followers and enemies alike. Fear, they believed, was a powerful weapon for control and conquest. Boslio arched his back trying to get into a more comfortible position. Riding in the back of the wagon on wore animal hide mats while adjusting gear with two other people trying to sleep or do the same as you was cramped at best. Juna and Yan Yan had a small fire going in the middle of the wagon in the cooking area. A ceramic cauldren held the flames safely within as Juna melted lead in a dark steel pot the size of two fists held together. Yan Yan was adding the finishing touches on a four pronged slate crossbow bolt. Using great care, Yan Yan filed a delicate edge onto each prong. Known as 'shatter bolts, these highly prized crossbow bolts split into four razor sharp pieces of shrapnal upon impact with a target, shreading flesh and even soft bone. Lead could be added for extra force and higher duribility against lightly armored opponents. Utilizing a set of tongs and leather gloves, Juna dipped each of the thirty 4 inch long crossbow bolts into the melted lead an inch and a half deep. If you completely submerged the bolts, they wouldn't shatter, too little and they'd be useless against anyone wearing stronger then leather armor. It was almost an art to get the correct amount of lead onto the bolt's prongs. Driving the wagon was Tannle, an apprentice priestess from the Uliger Clan of healers. She wore the traditional robes of her healing order; soft white with metallic blue trim. Being the only one her order could spare for this upcoming battle, she asked the Ganaffis if she could ride to the battle field with them. They readily agreed, knowing Tannle for quite a while in their youth. She was one of the only children who had refrained from calling them the 'Copperhead Kids' because of their hair, which was a metallic copper. The young priestess, to the warrior's delight, turned out to be a wonderful cook and great company. she loved hearing of the clan's battles together while they enjoyed her vast knowledge of plants, animals, and tales of the heroes of her order. One the third morning of travel, the Golden Fields of Scolf were visible in the distance. Miles of golden wheat growing wild upon this plain had given it it's name. The field was like an ocean of gold as the wind created rippling waves across the shafts of wheat. The wheat itself was called 'Angel Wand' and when used as an additive for beer, created an almost heavenly taste in the brew. Unfortunately, the wheat did not keep well after being harvested, completely rotting in less then a week. The lead wagon pulled to a stop as the scouts dismounted and checked the area for ambushes in the wiast-high wheat. The rest of the carvan formed neat columns inwhich to easily set up camp. Gath's second, Lusari, ordered the wheat in and around the campsite to be cut to prevent a fire attack from destroying their camp. This took several hours using small sickles. Once cleared, the wheat was bundled up with hemp rope and soaked with pitch to be used in the catapults against the enemy army. It took the rest of the day for camp to be completely set up. Tired from cutting wheat and unloading the arms for catapults, Yan Yan stretched out on a fur mat behind their wagon for a nice rest. Tannle was cooking a small meal from a pheasent she had killed with a sling earlier in the day. She gave Yan Yan some in a bowl, smiling when he thankfully took it. Knowing the Ganaffis didn't talk while eating, she sat silently until he was finished, which took little time at all. "How'd it taste," Tannle asked. Yan Yan smiled," Absolutley wonderful. Where did you get the pheasent?" "I killed it with my sling," she answered. Yan Yan remembered Tannle telling them that her order was forbidden to use metal weapons, for they saw metal as sacred to the Goddess, Mythul; whom the order worshipped. However, the holy order was unmatched in the use of slings, staves, and bulslacks (a hard leather ball attacked to an elastic leather cord tied to the wrist, much like an ancient yo-yo). "What is that heavenly smell", Boslio asked as he rounded the corner of the wagon with Juna by his side. "Sorry, Boslio," Yan Yan replied," I already ate it all." "I wouldn't tease him to much, Yan Yan," Juna playfully cautioned," I'm sure he's hungry enough to roast and eat you if you're not careful.' "There's plenty left,"Tannle laughed,"help yourselves." "I don't know what we'd do without you, Tannle," Boslio thanked the priestess as he grabbed a bowl. "Probibily starve," Juna answered," Sarie is the only one of us that can cook, and she's back home." "What happened to her, Tannle inquired. "We got into an ambush by some raiders near the Bone Forest," yan Yan informed her," Sarie took a spear to the back." "That was my fault," Boslio recalled before eating," If I hadn't dodged the spear..." "Then you'd be laid up in bed or worse," Juna finished his statement," Things happen. Please stop blaming yourself, Boslio." Boslio looked into the bowl of food for a long minute, then set it down. Tannle gave him a concerned look. He gave a weak smile,"I'm not trying to insult you, Tannle. I just don't feel like eating now." "it's alright," she comforted," It will be waiting for you when you want it." "Thank you," Boslio nodded. He rose up." I'm going for a walk," he told the group. "Boslio, you shouldn't," Juna started before Yan Yan held up a hand to cut her off, shaking his head slightly. Sighing deeply, Boslio left them. Juna looked at Yan Yan in disbelief. "Why did you let him go like that," she demanded. 'Because he needs some time to himself," Yan Yan answered," He's been kicking himself ever since that night. Give him a little time to get his mind right." Juna huffed,"I suppose you're right." Gently blowing on the steaming pheasent, she began her meal... Boslio walked around the war camp gathering his thoughts. Though it had been weeks since Sarie was wounded, he still could not stop blaming himself. At the edge of the camp, he stared out into the approaching evening. The sky grew darker gradually while the sounds of siege machines being constructed along with makeshift battlements sounded in the distance. Just over the far horizon, the amber form of the moon began to emerge. With the sun now set, lightning bugs blinked neon green glimmers as though purposely glinting in strange, almost hypnotic patterns. Quickly, Boslio realized that the flight of the lightning bugs were actually being orchestrated. Their pattern had formed an almost humaniod form. A cold feeling overcame Boslio as the form walked toward his. He tried to cry out, but a heavy feeling over whelmed him before could. Paralized where he stood, he was helpless as the Cloven One stopped before him. In his mind, he heard a voice that wasn't his own. 'Though I can not kill you,' the voice said,' I can not have you alert the rest of your comrades to my persence. Sleep.' With that word, Boslio dropped into a heavy slumber while the spy began to gather information about the rival army... Across the Golden Fields, smoke billowed from cooking fires as all manner of gobliniods prepared for dawn's assualt. With a force of a few thousand, the army was confident in their chance of success. The stinch of the camp filled the lungs of Thri'Du, Lord of the Rift. As he meditated, he invisioned the adversary's camp. After dropping that lone wonderer with a strong sleeping spell, he observed the layout of battlements, what type of siege weapons they brought, and their number of forces. His form used to spy was a small cloud of lightning bugs. They were common enough in this region, so few would be suspecting them. As he focused, he noticed a group of three people sitting by a cooking fire. There were two women and one young man conversing to themselves, unaware of his presence. One of them looked familure, her white robes intriging him. That's when he realised she was a Priestess of Mythul. His blood ran cold as she looked up and noticed the form of dancing lights. Before he could safely pull himslef out of the trance, the priestess leapt up, hand outstetched toward him. "In the name of Mythul, and by her might, shatter!" Thri'Du's mind and soul screamed in searing pain as his spirit was begening to break apart. Using all his power, he pulled his spirit back to his body. he wake from the trance howling in pain. He clutched his aching head, his gastly form of a humaniod bear regreed into a normal human with cloven feet. Panting, he called for his commander. The large ogre lumbered into the war tent, dressed in a pelt of human skin, skulls lining his belt. "Yes, my lord," the ogre asked as he bowwed his head. The smells of the room began to finally register in his mind as well as his thoughts. Rising to his feet unsteadily, Thri'Du took a few more deep breaths before answering the Orge," They have..." he paused for a second," tell to army to build an alter in the middle of camp. Choose three to be sacrificed to the Dark Lord. We need His blessing." The ogre bowwed once more as he turned to leave. Thri'Du needed spiritual strength to win this battle as well as troops. 'If there are more followers of Mythul in their army,' he thought to himself,' we'll need all the help we can get." Are you sure," Gath questioned as he eyed the priestess. He was still a bit peeved at her order sparing but one of their number for this battle. However, if there was in fact a Cloven One leading the enemy, Gath knew his army was in trouble. They were very well prepared for swords and arrows, not magic. Definately not magic. "What of Boslio?" Tannle gave a weak smile," The good news is that he's alive," she reported," but he's under a very strong sleeping spell." "I see," Gath replied," What can we do to neutralize this threat?" "I have sent word to my order already," Tannle said," I don't know if they can do anything in time, though." Yan Yan and Juna looked on as the conversation unfolded inside the shadow draped command tent. Gath, dressed in full battle armor, looked over several reports on the small folding table before him. His second in command, Lusari; whom stood an impressive 6' 5", awaited any orders from his superior. With light blond hair, chisled face, and commanding demeaner, Lusari possessed natural leadership ability, proving himself on numerous occasions. "Lusari," Gath called. "Yes, sir," Lusari answered. "I want the men ready before sunrise. We march on the enemy at dawn." Meanwhile, the gobliniod camp was a flurry of activity. A huge balefire was built in the center of camp. Two kolbolds, both screaming in fear, were tried to large timbers erected in the center of the fire, flames licking at their feet. Thri'Du smiled as the sacrifices struggled and kicked in vain. Slowly, he felt a dark power well up inside of him. 'Ah,' he thought to himself,' the sweet taste of fear. It calls to you, my Lord.' The rest of the camp were engaged in a pre-battle ritual known as the Kulth, where one would strike another on both sides of the head with an open handed slap, breeding anger in the individual. Occasionally, bloodlust took hold, resulting in a fight among the two. Every once in a while, the end result was fatal. Another war tradition was the drinking of fermented deer blood, the receipe a secret among orcs. Though repulsive to most, the brew provided a numbing effect to injuries incured during battle if drunk the night before. The drink took several hours to take complete effect. Unfortunately, Thri'Du's forces didn't have that kind of time. One of the Cloven One's field officers approached him, a worried look on his face. "What," sneered the vile priest. "Our scouts on the Eastern flank haven't sent a runner to report to us in a few hours, my lord," the lizardmen answered. At first Thri'Du didn't give it much thought, enjoying the display of terror as the kobolds began to burn alive. Soon, he realized what the report implicated. Despite the dark power that started to coarse through his viens, his own fear began to well deep inside him. Quickly, he turned to the lizardman captian, about to give him orders to assemble the men and prepare for an attack. That's when all hell broke loose. low clouds from the East swiftly gathered, obscuring the moon's light. Unnatural flashes of red lightning pulsed inside the storm. Staring up in wonder at the storm, many in camp began to mumble in amazement. Could this be a sign from the Dark God Jessari, many of them asked. A rolling thunder, deep as the pits of Hell itself, sounded over the camp. Some grabbed weapons in fear, some simply stood in shock and awe, while a few dropped to their stomachs and prayed. At the edge of camp, a lone figure appeared wreathed in a whitish-purple aura. Arrayed in dark brown robes, several small demon skulls hung from the being's dark leather belt. In her hand was a staff of twisting black vine topped with the horned skull of a fanged ram. With pulsing red eyes, her face was shadowed by the crown of red leaves, the Lural of Blood. She was Mynalax, Grand Druid of the Golden Fields of Scolf and it's proctector. With a loud, booming voice filled with rage, she roared," You dare defile my home?" "Don't just stand there," Thri'Du commanded," Kill her now!" A score of armed creatures charged the High Druid. In a fluid arc, she brought about her staff, calling down a hail of red lightning upon her charging foes. Cries of pain and screams of agony erupted from the group of monsters as lightning rippled, acred, and obliterated them. A line of archers formed a little distance away, readying their longbows. Mynalax saw them and sent a strong gust of wind as they released the arrows. With the sudden wind change, the lethal wave of missiles rained on Thri'Du's auxilery force, dropping their number a bit. The archers prepared another volley until a hail of lightning fell upon them. All around the camp, war cries sounded as several hundred druids with their animal companions entered the fray. Thri'Du and his second in command were charged by a large bear. Thri'Du pointed a ringed hand at the beast, a lance of green fire impaling the animal. It dropped in it's tracks, a hole the size of a thumb nail in it's heart. "My lord," the ogre informed his master," We must depart before we are over run!' "Not we," Thri'Du smiled," Just me." As he waved his hand in the air, a red light traced a sigil in the air. With an audible 'pop', a magical gate of swirling light appeared. Smiling, Thri'Du dashed through it, leaving his quickly diminishing army to the whims of the druids.

Scoof-verb: to steal or snatch away at the last second. "He almost won the bid on E-bay, but I scoofed it from him at the last second."

*Yan Yan places a huge leather bound book onto a black oak podium. Next to the book is a quill and bottle of ink. With that done, he hangs a sign saying; Hear ye, Hear ye! In an effort to expand our Pennite culture, I have come up with the Pennite Dictonary of Words and Terms. Please feel free to add unusual or unique words or terms you use or have heard. Enteries can't be words used common English. For Example: Booble- To confuse others via the use of mammary glands. Please submit words and terms in this thread. After a period of time (a month or two from now, the book will be closed and will become an item that will go to the person with the most words.