Alternate Realities, Portal Xanadu

From: rip1@tank.uchicago.edu (The Armchair Ninja)

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 1989 18:17:53 +0000

For all of you who want to know why this is late, I had a horrible flu
for 2 1/2 weeks which has been replaced with bhroncitis/pneumonia.  I'm behind
in everything and shouldn't even be doing this right now, so there.

Those people that have not retired ( Captain Plume, Lady Fatima, and
Swifteagle left the dinner table earliest.) are treated to a choice of
desserts:  a creamy fruit gelatin, a rum-and-fruit-flavored shaved ice
concoction, and a mundane chocolate cake.  It seems that the shaved ice
concoction gets the most immediate attention.
     During this time, the irrepressible Magpie, Tarrin Sandwhitt is
compelled to burst into song, and burst he does.  It goes something like this.

Tarrin:
"Pardon, m`lady Alicia, be it possible that I can play something
of a song for thee?"

Empress Alicia:  "I believe I already mentioned my lack of desire for music."
She speaks matter-of-factly, but without menace.

Tarrin:
"Wouldst thou mind if I played softly to myself then, m'ilady?"
"Something light, and perhaps that to enhance the proper mood of
fine dining such as this, and if I mayst be so bold, to aid in the
digestion?  (this last bit said with a wink)"

Empress Alicia:  "Oh, if you must. (with a sigh.)"  Alicia mutters something
about not being able to resist beggars under her breath.

A 'verse' of the melody is played via instrument (recorder or lyre) then
followed with a sung verse.

"Feast your eyes, within this hall,
           Banish your troubles and woes...
            Talk with guests, and old comrades too,
             That's how a banquet goes.."
         "Laugh with us, and sing along,
             Here, you won't find foes...
                Be sure to have, the time of your life
                   That's how a banquet goes.."
         "Smile, and share a toast with your host,
             Her generosity truly shows..
               Smile, and drink a toast to the Empress,
                  That's how a banquet goes.."
         "Dine with us, as winter falls,
             The fire shall melt all the snows,
                And relax, and listen to the stories of bards,
                   That's how a banquet goes."

The Empress loosens up after the first verse, and enjoys the song and
music, as do most of the attendants at the dinner.  She grimaces
slightly at the third verse, however.  The domestique serving people
seem to be enjoying it quite a bit, and a small crowd can be seen
gathered by the corner of the hallway from which the food is coming
(presumably the kitchens are in that direction at the moment.).

Tarrin begins to start the song over, a bit louder and more
roisterously for the 'everyone join in' effect.  But, he receives a
glance from the Empress, and decides to end it up with a quick,
skilled instrumental.

Tarrin adds, after the song:  "A popular pastime when this song is
played is to go around the table and have each person add a line or
two to the song, and the "song" becomes the chorus."
     However, much of this is lost in his applause, and in any case,
it seems that the Empress has had her fill of music for the time being.

Dessert is finished, and all retire in various directions.
Prince Luagha and Empress Alicia go off together, as do Lady Minuet
and Buckminster (but in different directions).  Ralph #2 (the wolf),
in getting up, gets Sasha's chair for her, beating Thielvar to the punch.
Sasha seems somewhat scared of Ralph as she gets up and hurries from
the hall.  Almost undoubtedly, Shosharra and Dorian leave together.
     Everyone wanders through the castle, and quickly finds a door
that looks exactly like their previous one, even though different
routes were followed.  Everyone presumably freshens up, bathes if
necessary, and finds another set of clothes from the Fabricator.
These are far more formal than the previous festive garments worn for
dinner.  All of them include ceremonial weapons, usually sheathes for
the weapons already carried by whomever, but if none had are
appropriate, weapons are provided.  At this time, everyone should have
a primary weapon of some sort, whether or not they know how to use it
or can use it well (Melanie gets a short sword, for example).  In
addition, everyone will have a 'hidden' weapon of some sort, either a
boot knife or a dagger in a wrist sheath.  Missile weapons are given
out as deemed socially appropriate by the Fabricator, by some arcane
rules of thumb that he presumably knows.  Morgan receives a small,
powerful crossbow (bolts too), Ralph has a bandolier of begemmed
throwing daggers (6), Viento has a three-weighted bola, Dorian
receives a longbow, and Casha gets a runically engraved staff, about two
feet long.  Those of you who do not have their particular weapons of
choice now receive one of excellent quality from the armory.
     (Assuming of course that your weapn of choice is not anything
like an AK-47.)
     The clothes all receive are in somber, solid tones, with insignia
of various sizes in various locations as would best befit each of you.

The Court Room is large, with a high, vaulted ceiling.  There are
a few paintings on the walls, of Allynrud, Amalthea, Joo-sama, and
several others not immediately recognizable.  The table is large and
oval-shaped, and there is clearly a Throne at one end.  All who arrive
are seated by stewards, again, Nobility nearest the Empress, then Freeborn,
then Domestique, with one glaring exception.  Buckminster is seated
among the Nobility.  In addition, there are a few new arrivals who
were not at dinner, so, a complete list.
Prince Luagha.  Wearing a Commander's Ruby on his chest.  It is square-cut,
and the length of a side is about 2 inches, and it is at its thickest,
1 inch.  This states that he has the status of a Commander of the Imperial
Guard, a title equivalent to General of the Standing Army.
Captain Plume.  Also wears a Commander's Ruby, his Captain's status
means that he is above all the Commanders in the chain of command.
Creeg Martel, a red dragon.  His weapon is a thick steel quarterstaff,
and he is clearly a commander.
Buckminster is wearing a Commander's Ruby, so perhaps that is why he
is seated with the Nobility.
Harald, a pegasus, a Commander, and bears familial relationship to Yiliane.
His weapon is a large, two-handed maul.
Ptah-sen-re, a sphinx.  Also wears a commander's ruby.  He has a
lion's head, eagle's wings, and an eagle's feathered chest.  (Gryphons
have an eagle's head, eagle's wings, and a tawny lion's chest)  He has
a bastard sword as his weapon, and carries an oddly disjoint staff.
Octavious, green dragon, the Empress' Seer.  Has a 7 foot tall staff
with a crystal ball on the top, and he looks as if he'd like to crack
it over his knee and throw it in the fireplace so he wouldn't have to
deal with the ungainly thing.
Yiliane, pegasus, no commander's ruby..
Serroli, thunderbird
Princess Kajiko and Hachiro, Golden Dragons.
Casha, Couatl

Freeborn
Dorian, and Shosharra, ferrets, Shosharra is wearing a small ruby,
about 1/2 of an inch on a side.  It is similar in look to the commander's
rubies.
John, another ferret.  Wearing the insignia of a master blacksmith.
 Weapon, of course, is the hammer.
Tarrin, Magpie.  Strangely enough, he is not wearing any of his pouches.
His chosen weapon is a staff-sling-club sort of thing. :)
Swifteagle, eagle.
Ralph, Mouse.
Raplh #2, Wolf.  Wearing rapier, holding wand as missile weapon.
Morgan, mongoose
Fatima, Fox, a pair of shortswords.
Minuet, mink, a too short fencing foil, and some throwing daggers.
Sasha, Goshawk.  Seems to have some claw-attachments on her belt that
she could use while flying, and a small crossbow.  She looks extremely
embarrassed by the whole situation, and wishes that she could
disappear into a corner and curl up into a little ball.
Thielvar, Hawk, similar claw attachments.

Domestique
Viento Salvaje, Bull, two-handed sword in odd shoulder sheath, and bola.
Melanie, looks somewhat burdened by weaponry, but cuts the fetchingest
figure of all present before the meeting begins.
Ecrylion Farlasa, Dog, He has a longsword, and a sceptre.

The table holds properly chilled wines, water, fruit juices,
bread, and cheeses.

The Empress enters, and again, all rise.  She is wearing dress mail,
and over it a tabard prominently displaying the emblem of the Royal House.
She has a broadsword at her hip, the handle is all white, as if it were
ivory.  She reaches her throne, motions to everyone to sit, and takes a
stand at the table to speak.  Standing, she is only slightly taller than
Creeg Martel, Viento, and Casha, who are sitting.  She has the stern look of
a ruler who feels the actions that must be taken are unpleasant.
     "To business.  Lady Shosharra, the information you have will dictate the
nature of this meeting, therefore, you must speak first.  Are you prepared?"
Shosharra:  "Yes, your Highness."
Alicia:  "Then proceed."
Shosharra:  "As most of us are aware, the raiding upon our western border,
by a large band of brigands, has continued on and off for the past three years.
Diplomatic attempts to have Palisaad deal with the problem of the brigands
fleeing across the border have failed, as they claim that brigands being
brigands, and thus not bound by law, cannot be stopped by them at the border
successfully, though they claim to have made efforts in this regard.
The Imperial Guard, after the first raid, were able to halt much of the
destruction, but have never been able to cross the border in pursuit,
that being an act of war.  Neither could diplomatic permission for
pursuit be gained.  Most could see the writing on the wall at this point,
but confirmation had to be gained.
     And yes, your Highness, we have confirmation.  The youngest scion
of the basilisk line has been seen and heard giving the leader of the
brigands their orders, signed by the king of the basilisks.  It is
clear that this action of the brigands against us is unofficially
officially sanctioned by the ruling house."

Alicia:  "Thank you, Lady Shosharra, for the dilligent efforts of you and
your command in gaining us this information.
     As I must, (Captain Plume here leans forward, hanging on every word)
I consider this an act of war.  I do heretofore declare war upon the nation
of Palisaad."
     Captain Plume leans back in his chair with a satisfied air about him,
in the momentary pause that follows.

Alicia:  "I will now hear the report of the Master Blacksmith."

John rises, and fumbles with some notes.
     "As per the orders given twelve years ago to the prior Master
Blacksmith by Captain Plume, apprenticeships were increased threefold.
Due to a fortunate gathering of talent, most of the apprentices
finished within five years, instead of the usual seven.  Thus, we had an
abundance of skilled smiths, tanners, and the like.  Most were employed
by the Crown, and have been working to this date.  For these reasons,
at this time, the Imperial Guard is 150% 'overstocked' on equipment,
allowing for the rapid increase in enlistment that the, uh, upcoming war
will require.  The reports on the harvest will be more clear in a few days,
but all signs so far state that the land has been exceptionally fertile,
allowing for large food stores to be saved.  There is, as well, a similar
abundance of items in the 'special' armory, according to my reports
from the independent mages who have taken the Crown's commissions, and
those who work directly for the Crown."

Alicia:  "So, we are well prepared for what befalls us.  I thank you
for your hard work, and Captain Plume, for your forethought.
     As might be patently obvious, I plan a spring campaign, as
beginning a war just after harvest would be the work of a fool. I need now
to know the state of readiness of those fiefdoms within my realm, and
the type of aid that they are able to send on notice this short.
Princess Kajiko, Prince Martel?"
     The golden dragon and the red dragon glance at one another, not
knowing which to go first.  Princess Kajiko stands.
     "The Golden Realm stands always ready to obey, your Highness.  As we
are situated in the east, we are at least possible harm from the possibility
of invasion, and so require to retain little of our own forces.  The remainder
of fall and the winter is time enough for them to arrive in full.  We
can pledge twelve Warriors of the Golden Realm, including myself, and
twenty-four legions.  In addition, a small force of Kitsune will
accompany us."
     Prince Martel is next, and begins, speaking gruffly, but honestly
impressed.  He doesn't appear all that happy with himself.
     "An impressive force, your Highness.  Would that we could add so
much so directly, but our land directly abuts the land of Palisaad,
and it is likely that some of the battles in question will be fought
on our ground.  In that case, of course, our entire army will be
involved.  Our discretionary forces include myself and my three elder
brothers, our Guild of Mages, and approximately ten legions, who,
though well-trained, would benefit greatly from a loan of equipment,
as at last report, we were 15% understocked for full readiness."

Alicia, now with a lightening-up smile on her face, continues.
     "Don't feel inadequate, Creeg.  Your Guild of Mages more than
makes up for a slight loss in legions.  Have you a statement, Captain Plume?"

Captain Plume, standing tall and stiff as a board, with a glaring
intensity in his eagle's eye, speaks very coldly, and in a
straightforward manner.
     "Certainly.  Messages must be sent to those who could not today
be in attendance.  If their aid approximates that which we have heard
here today, we shall be an overwhelming force.
     However, there remains a problem to overcome.  An end must be
made to those who are raiding across the border.  A strike must be made
over the border in Palisaad.  However, to make such a strike with the
Imperial Guard would begin the war this fall, instead of next spring, when
our reinforcements will arrive.  We COULD wait until the next year,
but that I do not prefer, as the situation has gone on long enough,
and threatens to sap the strength of our border garrisons, who will be
sorely needed next year.
     It seems to me as if we have in this hall a number of volunteers
who have no official association with the Imperial Guard.  It is my
opinion that we could mount an unofficially officially sactioned
action of our own, in counter.  Do I hear assent?"
     Captain Plume speaks this last as if, if each and every one of
you did not pledge to undertake this mission immediately, he
would be personally astonished.  In addition, it seems much like an
order, as it comes from not only a member of the Nobility, but the
person with the highest military rank in the Empire.
--
Desperado:  Step into the street by sundown,
            Step into your last goodbye!
            You're a target, just by living,
            And twenty dollars will make you die!"