Published on January 14, 2004 By baali In PC Gaming

I arose early as I always do, and headed out into the day for a leisurely stroll to the meeting place. On the way I met and befriended many a refined lady. Obvioulsy their husbands and suitors knew not what they were doing, as I didn't even use my charms upon them and yet they were drawn to me. Well who can blame them, I am who I am.

The two guards at the door treated me badly in my opinion. But there was no need to show them who was best with a weapon, for I can live in the knowledge that I am not a genetic creation in which their brain was ignored for their physical stature. Wouldn't mind getting to know a female better however. Maybe one day.

I was to wait for the rest of the group, Ha Bibi was bringing two scholars. Scholars! By the stars! Was I going to have to defend them as well! Adventurer I may be, but certainly not a bodyguard. They had better pay me well for this. I want to buy myself a ship. Purchasing breakfast at a street stall, I recline with my back to the seller - mainly to avoid looking at that horrid wrinkled visage while eating.

Finally they came up the street. It was obvious by looking at them that they had no knowledge of the world. One of them was even dressed in such a way as to attract every vagabond to them. Ceremonial armour and weapon that obviously looked unused, probably passed down from father to son without seeing action. The other scholar showed a little promise. If he would let me arrange his wardrobe a little he'd make a fine looking pirate.

So with us all gathered, we were allowed inside the tower. The minute I was inside I started feeling claustrophobic. It was dark inside, and there was that old person smell. The smell that defies all logic and science, that hangs around the elderly like a cloud. I could sense those wrinkly people all around me, but couldn't see them. The stars be praised for that one gift to me.

The meeting was boorrrrrrrrrrrrrring! Talk about delivering some money in exchange for artefacts. Sounded like a perfectly easy task. Why would they need such a seasoned adventurer like myself? It was obviously more than just a delivery to me, but the silly scholars were so naive as to be blinded by the money and chance of recovering items of worth. I can just see that during the first sign of trouble I will have to protect them all. If I didn't desperately need money I wouldn't be getting involved. So with the meeting over and the scholars trying to impress the old people, we left to return on the morrow to pick up the money we would be carrying and our contracts.

As we were about to leave we were introduced to a beauty - a muse I believe. It was obvious from the start that she found me alluring, but of course she realised I was out of her league. She was to join us on our journey. Perhaps during our trip I would feel pity upon her and let her enjoy my company.

The stars only know I needed a drink that night. Of course the scholars ran off to their books and their dark halls. This is going to be fun! As fun as swimming with man-eating piranhas that is!


Comments
on Jan 15, 2004
I sat in the Lycaeum, as usual, poring over the paltry tomes I was granted access to. It seems, unsuprisingly, that they fear me and my kin.

In a way I can almost understand them. Mortals ever fear those above them.

I was approached by the young Desert boy, Hab. A pleasant enough fellow, I suppose, and I have given him some small portions of potentially valuable information that I have been able to glean from this place. It seems that, sadly, he has not struck his Luck as yet... though he seems resourceful, and it is only a matter of time I am sure. Young Hab mentioned that some friend of his - a Pirate from all descriptions - had been approached for a task that required people of scholarly pursuit. I accepted, readily enough - this place was not gleaning me any more useful information anyhow - and introduced Hab to an intellect that towers over even my own - Vagnum - though I suppose having two minds does rather bring you into a league beyond others.

Regardless, we three agreed to meet with the remaining member - this likely Pirate of whom I mentioned earlier - and set out the following day.

We came to the meeting place at the appointed time, and at first I mistook our comrade-to-be to be some kind of leering sideshow, dressed as he was. It soon turned out that he was in fact the fourth of our little troupe. My, what a mottley crew we were - a Pirate, a ragged though enthused Treasure Hunter, a Dual Brained Seeker of Secrets and myself, one of the Fallen of the Glorious People. All we need now is one of those pleasure seeking Muses and we had a full deck of misfits.

It seems I spoke too soon. After meeting our Contractor, we were introduced indeed to a Muse. They are nice enough, I suppose, though their rummaging through the minds of others does smack of privacy invasion. Hm. One will have to ensure that one is cautious. While I have no reason to distrust the Muse or the Pirate, I have yet a reason to TRUST them, either. Vagnum and Hab, however, I have had previous dealing with and while I may not yet call them friends, they are known to me and are dealt some modicum of trust.

This.. Pirate... fellow seems awfully interested in the fairer sex. While I have my interests in the shape and grace of women, my thought do at least reach beyond where I might find the next pair or arms - legs - bosom to lie in. Or indeed the next drink. I do beleive this fellow's idea of Heaven is to lie in the arms of buxom wenches and have rum poured over his face for all time.

Regardless, the preliminaries are complete, and it is time I did some more research in the hope that I might find something of interest before we leave.