{ALT} Roleplaying - Day Two

[Ward]

Summary
An intellect, both powerful and bored, looked over our world with hungry eyes.

They came in the night, the fabled Alien Space Bats. We thought them to be figments of our imagination, but they were real. By imposing their technology upon us, we had become aware of them, though we thought of them as fictional entities. Then they sought us out, and we knew the truth.

They came, they saw, they told us to select animal and load it with an allocated amount of weight in equipment. A few undetectable increments of time and we were being thrown five thousand years into the past, appearing in a wooded area that would one day might have become the site around the apartment complex Ian the Administrator of AH.com called home.

Imagine. Three thousand people, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, families, all connected to one individual that had sent them there, an AH.commer. All now standing in primeval woodland, with just barely enough of a clearing to see around them. Looming in the distance was an average apartment complex of amber stonework that would have been a common sight in the fringe of San Francisco. The people taken had livestock, animals they had chosen, mostly horses. They had modern weapons, rifles and other such martial tools. Food provisions. Seeds, including some that had never before been seen on the continent. Technology from the 21st century.

In 5,000 BC, three thousand, one hundred and eighty people; six hundred and ninety four large animals; and one million, one hundred fifty thousand and eight hundreds pounds of their selected equipment appeared thanks to omnipotent flying mammalians. Their splash in this ocean we call a history would cause tidal waves.

The First Day
The crowd was immense. People, animals, and tons and tons of miscellaneous items. Confusion was everywhere. What were they going to do? Would they live? Would they be able to keep their stuff? Would their clone wife really like them?

People banded together into tight family units, intent on hanging out until order came. Some left immediately, brandishing enough weaponry to raze a small village. People saw, but no actions were made. Others left the main group at a slower pace, no serious armory carried along, intent to fly solo in this new world.

Some moved towards the apartment complex, finding it empty of life, though it was definitely filled with the life of 21st century people. There was just enough water for people to use a toilet once, and then it was the last experience of that kind they would ever have again. People filled the rooms and decided to stay.

Conversations were made. Trading began. Order was attempted. Soon, medical personnel from all different occupations joined together, intent on creating an organization mimicking the Red Cross, just in case. In the large crowd, few injuries had been had. The animals were perfectly docile and much behaved, though they had been fabricated only minutes before. In fact, people were delighted to find that their genetic disabilities had been stripped away. People who had once been dead heard, hard of sight saw, who had syndromes and defective mental traits think and look like anybody else. People rejoiced as their sons and daughters who had never before seen or heard became perfectly normal.

Other people decided to organize themselves. They discovered they were all connected by blood to someone who was a registered member of AH.com. In this way, they identified each other. The family connected to the user ‘Ward’, for instance, became a powerful unit that called many other AH.commers to them. The beginnings of leadership appeared.

A herd camp established by a man by the username of Psychomeltdown began to gather livestock. Sheep, cattle, and horses were rounded up, as a sort of communal system began to develop. A general corral for pigs and other animals was concerted by a man by the username of DominusNovus, who was much more successful in his efforts.

Later, an expedition was prepared by a man, username MBarry, who gathered together scouts and ex-veterans to search for a location to set up the main colony.

Wood was cut, makeshift camps and wood fires set up, and work was done. To deal with the situation. And the day ended. The crowd was abuzz with talks of a move the next day, or a council, or fortifying Ian’s apartment, all during the night.

What would happen to this strange group of people planted back in the days of ancient history? Would they fail miserably, or be able to be remembered for great feats far in the future?

Day Two
Weather for the Day
60 degrees Fahrenheit
Mostly Cloudly
It will start raining as of 17:00 hours and end at 12:20 hours, winds will be 20 mph from the West.

Major Events for the Day
01:35 hrs a Bear will wounder up to the herd.
10:00 hrs a spark from a fire will start a grass fire
10:30 hrs the Grass fire will be lage enough that some one will spot it .

Remember that if you are not a herder you will not know about the bear until someone shoots at it. Also today we will start the debate of what we are going to do.

[Ward]

Day two

Early in the morning shots were fired .

Ward heard the shots and jump up from off the ground with a yell Gooks over the Wire . He was up and heading to the opening of the tent with his rifle in hand before he woke up . The old reflexs were working .
He ran into his son Frank who also was up and looking around .
Frank spoke Dad you might want to put your pants on .
Ward looked down and relized yes he in his altogether .
Son were did the shoots come from . Did you catch wich derection ?

Frank yes from were the herds are .

Well lets head over that direction son .

Mrs Ward James you old fart shut up you will wake the kids .

Ward got dressed and he and his son headed out in to the night towards the herds.

[jolo]

From the elevated grounds where my tent was erected I could overview the whole camp. There was already a lot of activity - people building fenced in areas for their animals, people riding around, people yelling commands, the one or other shot in the distance, a few hunting parties getting in and out of the camp, some cooking and some washing, people assembling carts, people unpacking and sorting through their goods, and a lot of talking going on.

With my telescope I looked for the shootings, but I couldn't see anything.

I went down to the central place where all the organisational work appears to happen, looked at my list of the people staying here and found it to have many more entries than I considered possible. Most of the names didn't ring any bells in me for contributing a lot to the settlement. I hope I didn't start something really bad.

I put up a sign to invite the ones who want to stay to a meeting in the afternoon. I also tried to get to know some of those people - the general shouldn't be too hard to find, nor many of the others. To make it easier for everyone, I put a big nametag on my jacket. Many people talked to me - only very few tried to talk me out of the settlement. One of them was Psychomeltdown, who got pretty enraged. But neither of us was willing to give in, and we departed.

I joined a few other people in putting up fences. After an hour or so, I needed a brake. I took a large piece of wood and dug a hole in the ground in a free spot south of Ian's home to build a solar clock. It was pretty exactly 9 a clock already, so I marked that time. I told a kid with a watch nearby to mark the other hours in the same way.

Realising that the same could be done on the house, there being visible for everyone, I went inside with a suitable branch, a rope, some ash, some glue, a few nails, and a hammer, made my way to a window on the top floor, and fixed the branch to the wall below the window. The branch was held in its place with the rope. Then I marked the shadow of the branch and painted the hour with glue, and made it visible with some of the ash. The remaining ash I stored in a bowl I could find in the apartment. I hoped the watch would be finished after a few days, knowing I'd probably not always be there in time to mark the hours.

I also made a small sketch of the camp ground and inserted a few places I would have liked to perform certain functions - a market place, a gathering place, and so on. After that, I went to everyone in those places to try to win their support, convincing some of them to build any housing, fences, or the likes in the right places. Some even volunteered to have their tents moved to another place, so that there was a little space in front of the house for gatherings and a market. It was partly made easy by all the people going in and out of the house to store all their things.

Realizing that too many heavy things on the top floors might make the floors break, I put up a sign asking people to put heavy equipment in the basement.

Then I looked through the house to find useful things, and to find out what would need to be done to make toilets, water, electricity, and so on, work again.

On top of the building, I built up my solar panels and made the electricity work. When I was finished, it was time to put up the next number on my sun dial. After doing that, I made a sign telling people where they could charge any batteries and get power for low-power equipment. I asked someone there I got to know and trust to watch for my things while I was going away with my wife.

[Flocculencio]

OOC: Dude- you do realise that any Natives are going to be so terrified by seeing a huge concentration of freaky looking people and animals appear that there'll be none anywhere near around.

In any case aren't events like native contact supposed to be worked out in the random encounters generator by the game master/moderator?

And you "went to the Bay" and back on the same day? That's approx 20 miles North of us- not exactly the easiest distance to traverse twice in a few hours with two people riding one horse. The ranger party has only gone a dozen or so miles and that's six men on six horses.

Sorry to be a whiner but can someone please reason with this guy and try to give him some idea of the limitations? I'm not even talking about the technology I simply mean the limitations on individual posts and plausibility. You can't just god-mod the whole thing.

EDIT: Darkest90 -> Consider it reasoned. Remember everybody, when you are writing a story, you can control everything around you. When you roleplay, you are cooperating to write a story. Do not assume people will do certain things, or assume that things will happen a certain way. Post what your character does, and the rest will fall into place.

[Ward]

OOC: Dude- you do realise that any Natives are going to be so terrified by seeing a huge concentration of freaky looking people and animals appear that there'll be none anywhere near around.

In any case aren't events like native contact supposed to be worked out in the random encounters generator by the game master/moderator?

And you "went to the Bay" and back on the same day? That's approx 20 miles North of us- not exactly the easiest distance to traverse twice in a few hours with two people riding one horse. The ranger party has only gone a dozen or so miles and that's six men on six horses.

Sorry to be a whiner but can someone please reason with this guy and try to give him some idea of the limitations? I'm not even talking about the technology I simply mean the limitations on individual posts and plausibility. You can't just god-mod the whole thing.


I have to agree here it states in my Fathers Cav Book it would take 7.1 hrs to traval 20 miles on a map . Due to the diffrent types of terain ,Counting going up and down hills .

[Flocculencio]

Flocc had drawn the straw to take the last two-hour guard shift and so as dawn began to break, he started waking the others.

"Anything interesting happen?" asked Matt, stretching himself with a wince. Flocc knew how he felt. Spending an entire day on horseback had left him saddlesore.

Oh well, he thought, Just something I'll have to get used to. He wondered how Vicky* was doing back at the campsite. Hopefully some semblance of organisation had been sorted out- he had a good feeling about it though.

Matt coughed pointedly, startling Flocc out of his musing.

"N-no, nothing out of the ordinary," replied Flocc, "We still heading North today, old chap?

"If we want to hit the sea and then head up to scout out the proposed route to Ianopolis, where else would we be heading?" replied Matt semi-sarcastically.

Flocc chuckled as he headed over to check on Betsy, his Waler mare. She was still in perfect condition- yesterday's ride had been merely a warm up for the tough little outback horse.

OOC: Thought I'd repost this with a little extra information including proper date/time/location info, just to keep things neat

*Flocette sounded a little clunky. I'll call her Vicky from now on.

[Dave Howery]

Dave sat straight up in his sleeping bag. He'd always been a light sleeper, and the gunshots woke him immediately. However, he was tired as never before, exhausted in fact. After a moment of contemplation, he realized that Michelle hadn't even stirred, obviously as tired as he was.. poor girl. Sleep beckoned irresistably, and he found himself lying flat with eyes closed without even realizing it....

hours later, the sounds of many people moving about woke him again. This time, the early dawn sunlight was peeking into the tent. Rousing Michelle, Dave struggled into his clothes and poked his head out of the tent. People everywhere looked like him... still rather tired, many sore muscles. "Damn," he thought to himself, "I'm too out of shape for this. I have to build up some muscle in a hurry". He looked around to see Michelle up and about, her youthful energy making her much more resilient than him. Grumbling a little, Dave opened the tent and stumbled out into the chill dawn. Massaging sore muscles, he looked around. It seemed all his gear was still in place, and there was still some firewood around. He helped Michelle make a quick breakfast, and while eating it, he pondered his options. Turning to Michelle, he said, "Well, today, we have to decided just what to do. I think our best bet is to trek north with the majority. We'll have more people around for defense, and the land is better up there.. more water, better soil, not so dry and hot. If we're going to get a farm up and running, it's our best bet." Michelle looked hesitant, and shot a glance at the apartment building. "You're probably right. Without power, that place isn't going to be much good. And it's probably going to be crowded too. Si, let's go north."
Dave looked around to see if anything was being done to organize the trek. He wandered over to where Ward was talking to a large group of people and listened in on the conversation....

[Gerard-ABC]

Gerard moved Sophie's arm off him, and get up.

This sleeping in a tent will take some getting used to, especially with the screaming kids from the tent on the other side of the path. "At least they're not mine", he thought.

After some hot food, he went out to see who wanted any construction work doing. His father's toolbox was old, but the tools were reliable. He always said that he could have built a house using them. Maybe someone will teach me how..... With those thoughts, he headed towards what looked like a command tent, and hoped to find who was in charge.

Maybe next time, I'll leave the tools in the tent until I know what I'm doing though, as he realised they were heavier than he remembered. This will take some effort, not like sitting in front of a computer.....

[Othniel]

The stiff cold of the morning awakend me. Using some of the twigs and branches I had grathered the day before I took out a match and started a fire. Luckily it had been kept dry. With the fire going I took out some cocco powder and made hot choclate for me and those surronding us, and some dried fruit, calling it a meager breakfast.

We postioned ourselves towards the Western edge of the encampment, though we made sure there were a few better armed people to the outside of us. One of neighbors, clearly European had a breed of cattle, known as a Zubron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BBubro%C5%84). Its stock seemed most intresting.

News in a group this small travels quite fast, though not as fast as some towns Katty had lived in, being from a town where even the horses outnumbered humans. I certainly have a lot to learn from her.

I checked over the cart and made sure that everything was in place. The thing was just big enough to carry our stuff, so we'd just guide Maggie, our Beefalo while leading him.

There had been talk of setting up a small expidition around a river which would give us good lands to raise our cattle. Katty had mention that she wasn't sure if a seditery lifestyle would be best, though a pastoral lifestyle might fit our needs a bit more once we gained the expirence we needed. I smiled and told her if that is what she wanted then we would have to learn quickly.

OCC: From what I have seen, in Precolumbian times there was no pastoral societies. There were Hunter-gathers, and Farmers...

[Hendryk]

"Wake up," a voice was urgently whispering in Hendryk's ear.
"Huh..." he groggily muttered, trying to get his bearings in the unfamiliar surroundings. "A tent," he thought. "Sleeping bags. Wendy next to me. The smell of damp earth. Oh, yeah. The ASBs, the mass transfer." It was all coming back to him now.
"I think I heard gunshots."
"Way to start the day. I hope a civil war hasn't already broken out, you never know with those guys." A little sarcasm could go a long way, he'd found out much earlier.
By the time he'd fumbled his way out of the tent, things seemed pretty much back to normal. Turning around, he saw Wendy, still in her PJs, casually shoving a magazine into a PLA-issue bolt-action rifle.
"Listen," he said, "I wasn't too hot about your bringing that thing in the first place. I don't care that you had your month-long training course before university, I just feel uncomfortable around firearms. Besides," he added, "they could at least have let you trained with assault rifles instead of those vintage guns."

The rest of the day was fortunately event-free, save for a small fire on the outskirts of the settlement. But, though they spent most of their time inventorying what was going to be communal property for the foreseeable future, Wendy insisted on keeping her rifle within reach.
"It feels funny doing everything with pen and paper," Hendryk observed at one point. "But we might as well get used to it. Though I'll have to ask the Council or whatever it's calling itself what the policy regarding computers is going to be in the short to medium term."

[Matt]

The group of Rangers stirred slowly. A morning mist still hung in the air, the sun not suffiecently strong enough to burn through it yet. The Veterens... Sion, Floc, and Matt went through their morning routine that was pounded into them through years of experence. The others watched, and then followed their example.

As morning chow was prepared, Matt started to disassemble his Lee-Enfield, hands effortlessly taking it apart. A good amount of dust collected on the weapon from the travel. Although the weapon was more durable then the M16 he carried in the Iraqi desert, the force of habit was much to strong to ignore it.

General_Paul sat down next to him and observed him for a few seconds.

"So why you cleaning it? It's not like you fired it or anything." Paul asked.

Flocc looked up from what he was doing, also cleaning his rifle and responded for Matt.

"We're not going hunting Paul. This is for real this time. This rifle." He lifted his own up, "Your rifle, has to work the first time, and everytime you pull the trigger."

Matt continued for him now "It's not a game anymore Paul. This is the real deal. Just watch what I am doing, then we'll eat."

"Okay."

Sion came back to the group, and plopped himself down. He grinned and spoke, "I couldn't find the head, so I just improvised. There's a hole over there. And I brought an empty ammo crate."

Matt grinned, "Good I hadn't thought of that. It's the little things you always over looked eh?"

"Something like that skipper," replied Flocc with a grin on his face "Rather Cap'n Barry."

Matt blushed when he heard that, "Look I'm just a simple junior NCO moonlighting right now."

"No, the scouts were your idea man. You devised the plan, and you're leading us. That makes you our officer."

Sending the bolt home and finishing with his rifle, Matt shrugged. "It was an accident, I swear. And if I'm an officer you're my god damned NCOs"

"Well then, 'sir'" Sion said with a smirk, "What's the plan of attack?"

"After chow we'll mount up. An hour on, and an hour off to save the mounts' energy. With some leeway, we'll be at the primary settlement site by noonish. Off course these maps aren't really worth a damn." Matt replied.

"I've been noting corrections as we find 'errors'." Paul noted. "There are alot though."

"Good... good. Like I said hopefully by noon. But who knows what well be in the way."

[Matt]

OOC: Dude- you do realise that any Natives are going to be so terrified by seeing a huge concentration of freaky looking people and animals appear that there'll be none anywhere near around.

In any case aren't events like native contact supposed to be worked out in the random encounters generator by the game master/moderator?

And you "went to the Bay" and back on the same day? That's approx 20 miles North of us- not exactly the easiest distance to traverse twice in a few hours with two people riding one horse. The ranger party has only gone a dozen or so miles and that's six men on six horses.

Sorry to be a whiner but can someone please reason with this guy and try to give him some idea of the limitations? I'm not even talking about the technology I simply mean the limitations on individual posts and plausibility. You can't just god-mod the whole thing.


No I agree. The Bay is 14 miles roughly, in a straight line. Taking the terrian into account its about a day's trip. The Rangers won't get there until sometime on the afternoon of the second day.

[Norbert]

The morning came to early, and Norbert was tired. He sighed, and thought 'I can rest when either the work is done or I am dead'. Carla, sensing the movement beside her, got up and was getting dressed. 'What do you want for breakfast?' 'Anything with carbs, I guess, I am going to need the energy.' Stiffley, I get dressed, and go outside. Getting out the tools, a touch up the saws and axes, then I decide that I ahd better loosen up, and try a few pushups, working the kinks out. 'Heck of a way to quit smoking', and after eating, I go and start passing the word to the wood-cutters and haulers to meet ay my tent (by Wards).

And thus, does another day begin in 3000 BCE.

[Forum Lurker]

Mmmwha? Too damn sunny out. Wait, why is there no ceiling? Oh. Right. Hey, at least I'm not sleeping alone. That pretty much makes it worth the rest.

And a Forum Lurker quietly crawls out of bed, a little after dawn, to go looking for useful things to be doing.

[jolo]

OOC: Dude- you do realise that any Natives are going to be so terrified by seeing a huge concentration of freaky looking people and animals appear that there'll be none anywhere near around.

In any case aren't events like native contact supposed to be worked out in the random encounters generator by the game master/moderator?

And you "went to the Bay" and back on the same day? That's approx 20 miles North of us- not exactly the easiest distance to traverse twice in a few hours with two people riding one horse. The ranger party has only gone a dozen or so miles and that's six men on six horses.

Sorry to be a whiner but can someone please reason with this guy and try to give him some idea of the limitations? I'm not even talking about the technology I simply mean the limitations on individual posts and plausibility. You can't just god-mod the whole thing.

Sorry, I believed to have read somewhere that it was only 10 miles. I also assumed that there'd be a lot of open land and Amerindian paths inbetween where we could ride faster. Let's consider the ride to the coast shortened to the next creek.

I also didn't know about the contact and random event rule - first time I do this. that's then also gone.

[Matt]

The Rangers made their way north in silence. Each man was left to his own thoughts. The hours of near solitude in the virgin lands of North America let ones mind drift easily.

Idly Matt pondered if he should have brought his iPod. Music would be missed he reflected, but how the hell would he charge it? He had that hand-cranked laptop from the UN....

Floc, on point, raised his hand in a fist. He reigned Homer to stop, and all the other Rangers followed suit. Matt pulled Homer aside Flocc.

"What do we have here Tonto?" he asked.

"I see people, Lone Ranger." Flocc replied in monotones.

Matt took binos from the case attached to the saddle. Sure enough there was a small community of amerindians... and if his landnav was correct, right at the spot they were planning to goto.

"A'right. Dismount guys. Sion take em to the tree line. Have one man say back to hold the horses. Flocc, we're going in..."

"Why me?" Flocc asked.

"Well, frankly, white folks might throw them into a fit. You're um... not so white."

The group approached the treeline. Flocc and Matt slung their rifles, and started approaching the community.

"Let's see how this goes."

[Flocculencio]

Flocc and Matt approached the natives carefully. Startled cries were already echoing through the encampment as the hunter-gatherers watched the oncoming strangers.

"Don't make any sudden moves," cautioned Matt.

"Damn straight," replied Flocc. When people are confronted with something new they sometimes lash out violently. Flocc was hoping that this wouldn't prove to be the case here.

The native women and children seemed to be clustered towards the rear of the encampment, nearer the sea while the men formed a line in front of them- most with spears in their hands, not raised yet but certainly at the ready.

Flocc raised his right hand in what he hoped was a semi-universal gesture of peace and smiled at an older man who, judging by the seashell ornaments he wore, might well be a chief or shaman.

"Well, kemosabe," he said softly to Matt, "What do we do now?"

[Ward]

Early morning At the Ward Camp site .

hanging from a rake is a Bear skin .
The smell of blood is in the air . The people that are up are trying to make as little noise a they can , Laying on 4 large plastic bags is most of the meat of one Bear . The fire is going as is the stove , Dr What is helping the women in stuffing sauages that are being made . He is a little shocked that the women are working in the nude but so is he . The older women had told him to stay that way also it would save on the clothing .
By the time that the sun came up that morning there was over 300 sauages made for large roasts were in the oven cooking ,

Well By the time Glen and Norbert woke up there was fresh bread being taken out of the oven and another large rost was being shoved in the oven .

Ward and Doug have a pan that they are carring and heading out to the herders . As the arrive there they hand the pan over to the acting leader of the Herders and tell's him heres your Breckfast . There is a 40lb of cooked bear meat along with 4 loafs of fresh bread .

Back at the Ward Camp site .
Mrs Ward and her Daughter in laws are Washing Up and Geting Dressed .

She Turned to Norbert when he Came out of his Tent , Nor when you head out to cut wood there is 40lbs of cooked meat for your wood Cuters .

[Flocculencio]

Approaching very cautiously, Flocc and Matt found themselves within ten feet of the village elder. A younger man, stepped in front, raising his spear presumably to protect his senior but the Elder stopped him with a gesture.

He was a wiry man, possibly in his fifties and around 5'8. This seemed to be about average height and build for most of the men present.

The elder or chief addressed the pair of uptimers but the complex, flowing speech was of course unintelligible to them. The tone of voice was strong though wary.

The majority of the tribesmen seemed to have their eyes fixed on Matt. Although Flocc was strange too, the American's blonde hair and pale skin were even more alien.

Matt stepped forward but now the murmuring intensified along with the glares from the young men and he stepped back again.

"You try it," he said to Flocc.

"Here goes nothing," said Flocc and slowly reached for his knife. Holding it in both hands, he raised it in front of him and slid the blade slightly out of the sheath. There was redoubled murmuring and whispering among the tribespeople as the sunlight flashed on the blade.

Sheathing it again, he approached the chief slowly. Noticing that the older man was wearing a knife made from flint, he pointed to it and then to his own, offering the knife to the elder.

The old man reached forward and took the offered knife gingerly, sliding it from the sheath as he had seen Flocc do. As his tribesmen broke into gasps of wonderment, he carefully ran his finger along the edge, exclaiming in amazement.

He turned back to Flocc and as the uptimer bowed, the elder returned the gesture bowing once to Flocc and again to Matt. Displaying the knife to his people he shouted something and almost immediately, the mood became more relaxed.

The chief said something to Flocc and when he saw that the uptimer still did not understand gestured for him and Matt to follow...

OOC: Based on an excellent suggestion from Dr. What

[Glen]

OOC: When you two get back to camp, I'm gonna skin you for breaking quarantine.

I know that we're likely to go with the interpretation that the ASBs decontaminated us, but I would have liked at least a week to confirm that.

Ah...such is life....

[Bulgaroktonos]

Waking up in my tent alone (except for Dog), as I didn't want a clone, and most of the women I might bring would eventually drive me even more insane, I greeted the new day happily.

After getting dressed, I stepped out side, Dog following close behind, and went in search of Glen.

After several minutes of searching and asking around, I was able to find him.

"Glen, I don't know if you've given it any thought, but we're gonna need to start getting organized. There's a lot that needs doing. For instance, the animals. Do you know if anybody is feeding them or looking for food?

I don't want us to start establishing a base camp until the scouts get back and can confirm that this a good spot, or tell us we should move, but I think we should start getting latrines dug or something, perhaps a group to find water and such."

[jolo]

The Rangers made their way north in silence. Each man was left to his own thoughts. The hours of near solitude in the virgin lands of North America let ones mind drift easily.

Idly Matt pondered if he should have brought his iPod. Music would be missed he reflected, but how the hell would he charge it? He had that hand-cranked laptop from the UN....

Floc, on point, raised his hand in a fist. He reigned Homer to stop, and all the other Rangers followed suit. Matt pulled Homer aside Flocc.

"What do we have here Tonto?" he asked.

"I see people, Lone Ranger." Flocc replied in monotones.

Matt took binos from the case attached to the saddle. Sure enough there was a small community of amerindians... and if his landnav was correct, right at the spot they were planning to goto.

"A'right. Dismount guys. Sion take em to the tree line. Have one man say back to hold the horses. Flocc, we're going in..."

"Why me?" Flocc asked.

"Well, frankly, white folks might throw them into a fit. You're um... not so white."

The group approached the treeline. Flocc and Matt slung their rifles, and started approaching the community.

"Let's see how this goes."

Bastard! :p

[Flocculencio]

The Elder led the two rangers to the central area of the camp where a rack of what seemed to be oysters stood. Taking one, the chief cracked it open and offered it to Flocc.

"Excellent," he smiled, taking the shellfish from the Elder and swallowing it with pleasure.

"Beats MREs," he told Matt who was looking a bit apprehensive.

"My allergy, remember," he said to Flocc, still grinning at the chief, "What happens if he offers me one?"

"Hmm...maybe you should fall back to the others?" said Flocc, accepting another oyster from the chief, "Besides it might calm the rest of them down. You were right- you do seem to freak them out more than me."

The elder had shooed most of the rest of the tribe back to work but five or so of the younger men were seated discreetly around the area, spears close to hand. They were all still looking at Matt apprehensively.

"Might be for the best," said Matt.

"We'll set up camp at the edge of the woods where they can see us but we won't approach unless they attack you or unless you call us over."

Matt bowed to the chief and slowly backed away. The five warriors followed him with their eyes but as it became clear that he was leaving the camp they relaxed somewhat.

The chief sat by the rack with Flocc and they started the laborious process of trying to work out a few sign gestures they could use to communicate.

There was some commotion when Matt and the four other rangers appeared at the edge of the woods but seeing that they were camping at a distance, the hubbub soon died down.

Having managed to tell the Elder his name, which the older man pronounced Flook he learned that the other's name was Helaku or something of the sort. Then again it might be his title or the name of the tribe. Upon hearing Flocc's rendering of it, the elder grinned and chuckled.

Bowing once more to the old man Flocc returned to the campsite trying to indicate that the rangers would not attack.

The five warriors took up watchful positions on the edge of their village but did not approach further.

"How'd it go?" asked Matt.

"So far, pretty good, boss," replied Flocc.

"What do you think? Stay here for another day or two so they get accustomed to seeing you palefaces?" he continued with a grin.

OOC: Sorry, Doc :) Also, I think I remember Matt saying something about a seafood allergy but I can't be sure, so sorry if I made a mistake! :o

[Flocculencio]

Bastard! :p

OOC: In our defence MBarry didn't do this out of sheer bastardry. Ward gave MBarry a random event calling for the rangers to run into a tribe. The whole thing about them being more comfortable with me comes from Matt's suggestion that an Indian might seem less alien than a White to the natives :)

[Matt]

Christ, what about the horses? Aren't the extinct in North America by this point? Hope they don't startle them.

[Flocculencio]

Well--when Cortez was making his way through Aztec territory, a lot of the natives were convinced that the mounted Spainards were some kind of half man/half beast creature--so, yeah--that would be a 'yes' until they get used to them.

But you guys were smart enough to keep the horses near the treeline so I would assume that they were too busy looking at Floc to notice the horses....

OOC: I've just set up a seperate thread where we can hash this out in detail without intruding on the RP thread.

[Glen]

Waking up in my tent alone (except for Dog), as I didn't want a clone, and most of the women I might bring would eventually drive me even more insane, I greeted the new day happily.

After getting dressed, I stepped out side, Dog following close behind, and went in search of Glen.

After several minutes of searching and asking around, I was able to find him.

"Glen, I don't know if you've given it any thought, but we're gonna need to start getting organized. There's a lot that needs doing. For instance, the animals. Do you know if anybody is feeding them or looking for food?

I don't want us to start establishing a base camp until the scouts get back and can confirm that this a good spot, or tell us we should move, but I think we should start getting latrines dug or something, perhaps a group to find water and such."

OOC: Bulg, we mentioned all this on day 1. Didn't you read that?

[Psychomeltdown]

Day Two

Psychomeltdown groaned and threw off the sleeping bag covering him.

"Damn it, it's cold!" squeaked an outraged voice next to him.

"Rise and shine, lovely. A whole new damned day for us to get dirty, tired, and saddlesore." He said, pulling on his boots.

Nizhoni was right, it was cold. He dug around the duffle bag they had brought and pulled out a light leather jacket and pulled it on.

"What are you doing?" Nizhone demanded.

"It's almost dawn." He said, pulling out a small leather bag. "A new morning, in a new world."

Nizhoni was quiet for a moment and nodded. "I'll get breakfast ready. Make sure the people on watch aren't sleeping."

Psycho nodded as he slipped out of the tent and into the chilled pre dawn air. The weather didn't seem all that different from Tempe in wintertime. Chilly, but not terribly cold. They said it was Feb and and winter, but there wasn't any snow on the ground. He hoped the summers weren't anything like Tempe.

The small Herder camp was beginning to stir, as he made his way eastward. He quickly glanced toward where the mixed herd of cattle and sheep were and saw that things seemed okay. He'd taken the middle watch and had made sure that those that had relieved him had been awake and alert. Hopefully they still were.

Psycho walked through the grass, coming to a small hill. He looked around, the main camp was also beginning to rise, fires being lit and people moving about. He sighed, looking at the near dawn sky, a wash of violets, oranges, and red. It was almost time. Taking another breath, Psycho knelt down in the grass.

A sudden memory filled his mind as he knelt there waiting. A time long ago when he was a child and his father had awaken him early in the morning, before sunrise. He had taken him outside, in the chill air and told him to kneel beside him in the dusty ground.

They had sat there for a moment then his father spoke.

"There are four things in life that are important. Horses, sheep, cattle, and a wife to love. If you have all four, then you're a rich man." He had said bluntly and without preamble. He hadn't said anything else, except putting his arm around him and then pulling out a leather bag.

Psycho smiled at the memory. Now his father and his whole family were thousands of years away.

Psycho put his hand into the leather pouch, feeling a powdery softness with in. Pinched between his forefinger and thumb was a yellow substance. Corn pollen, called Ta'dindiin among his people.

He placed a bit of the powder on his tongue, for clear speech, atop his head, for clear thought, and sprinkled the rest before him, for a clear path. With that he bowed his head and began praying, as the sun cast it's first light upon the awakening camp.

[Ward]

Ward Gets Back from the herdes camp looking at the sky Shaking his head

Glen were is that person who has the megaphone we need to get all the Seeds undrer cover Before the rain comes in .

Lets get some of these people moving .

[Psychomeltdown]

"Looks like rain." Nizhoni said, looking at the overcast sky.

Psycho nodded. It was all they needed now, rain. Bad enough it was chilly, he was still hungry, and already he was regretting the lost of 21st century hygiene facilities.

"Get the tarps and cover up the extra food stores. Maybe Ward can get us a wagon so we can shift it over to his camp. Best to keep it all together."

"I've already sent a runner and I'm having the others cover up the food."

Psycho grinned. "I knew there was a reason I married you." He said.

Nizhoni snorted. "ASBs remember."

"Right." Psycho muttered. "Keep this place tight. There was a bear the other day, who knows if there's any more. Keep the guns out, safeties on, and ready to shoot anything that doesn't look friendly, animal wise." He warned, getting back on his horse.

"Don't forget your rain slicker." She said, handing it to him. "They shot the bear last night, so no problem with that one." She grinned. "But we'll make sure things here are Safety First."

"See you tonight." He replied, heading off toward the herd animals and for another long day making sure they didn't run off or get eaten by something.

"We're having bear for dinner!" Nizhoni called out as he rode away.

[Norbert]

The woodcutters made their way to where they were working, and began to work. 'Lets see if we can manage to get enough fuel to last through tomorrow night, guys. Most of us are not in the best of condition, and I think being able to take a break from hard labor tomorrow could do all of us some good. It will also give us the oppurtunity to organize our gear, and have things ready to go when the big move takes place. It would also be nice to be able to see if we have something in our supplies to help the others out. But, the day after is going to be tough, as we need to get back to the hard work again.'

[Norbert]

Carla went up to Ward, and introduced herself. 'Mr Ward, Norbert has 9 space blankets (56"x84") that can be used, and if I can get some help, We can enclose the front of our tent to store perishibles in. It will be crowded for us, but with just the two of us and a big tent (20'x 10'8", 4 foot walls), we can spare the room, and since the spce blankets are plasticised, they can be used as tarps,. Also, we have three 1000 ft spools of paracord that can be use for tying things down.'

[Shadestorm]

Warren unzipped the tent slowly, the dew dripping off the tarp onto his hands.
It's damn cold out here.
His breath was visible among the cold morning. It had been a good night, though it had taken forever to set up camp. He considered himself incredibly lucky; they had found a wide cave in the a pink granite cliff wall at the bottom of a valley, with which they were able to set up camp. Their camoflauge tarp blended in quick nicely with the foliage that bordered the opening. It was a large indentation, nearly eight feet deep, and had enough room to somewhat hide Tatanka.
This is nice.
Warren was happier than he had been in a while.
Why not just stay here?
He ripped open an MRE found at the bottom of his large backpack, Peach Cobbler it read. He started making breakfast.

[Ward]

Carl Dear Thank you for your offer we will take you up on it .

All right people lets get the seed, and all the food under cover now .

Move it people .

[Psychomeltdown]

Nizhoni from the Herder's Camp says to Ward and Co.:

'We have seven horses that can be used to haul stuff back to your camp. We've got about 24 people, most from the night watch, willing to help. We just need a wagon to move the stuff in one go, before the rain comes.

"Everything's in plastic bags, in plastic totes. So it's as waterproof as we can get it. Plus we can give some tarps and the like if you need them. We'll be sending you all our food, except for a week's wroth for us, and much of our equipment for safe keeping.

"it's going to be difficult to watch out for our own stuff and the animals soon. So best we keep it with you and your family."

[Norbert]

Wood Detail, Day Two:

'I need a volunteer to go requisition a wagon and three or four people to load the wagon, and to unload it back at camp, and we can concentrate on our cutting.'

[Othniel]

Eastern Camp to Ward:

"Holding Up, putting some knoledge of Frontier society."

-Frontier Nevada Encampment

(OOC:Sorry, messed up on location in my earlier post, but the group I'm part of is about 15-30 famillies(we are still forming) on the eastern edge, running evenly with the Mountains. We are handling most everything we can think of, while being prepared to move on..)

[Darkest]

OOC: Othniel, are you part of the Deserters? How did you already get to the Rocky Mountains from the Bay Area? And how did you get a message to Ward? Or am I just confused?

[Flocculencio]

OOC: Othniel, are you part of the Deserters? How did you already get to the Rocky Mountains from the Bay Area? And how did you get a message to Ward? Or am I just confused?

OOC: I, too, was wondering this.

[Othniel]

OOC: Othniel, are you part of the Deserters? How did you already get to the Rocky Mountains from the Bay Area? And how did you get a message to Ward? Or am I just confused?
You are confused, I'm part of the main encampment, within a smaller camp. As a neighborhood is to a city.:)

OH and these are the Sierra Nevadas that are the local mountains, which I believe are visable from this point if you can get high enough.. just thought I'd clarify that...since that is my referance point...:rolleyes:

[Othniel]

OOC: I, too, was wondering this.
Inner communal division. I'm on the Eastern edge of the camp, when I had accidentally said earlier that I was on the western edge of the main encampment. Its all still part of the main encampment, but would be like the differance between the avenues and downtown...

[Gerard-ABC]

Gerard and 2 x NPCs find a group of trees at the edge of the camp.

He tells them to cut one down. They work, and Gerard sits down to figure out how much wood they'll need for a new cart, and how best to fix it together. Should be able to make small wheels by cutting a slice off an almost circular tree trunk, we got lucky here. Won't be a smooth ride, but the cargo won't care.

30 minutes later, one of the NPCs goes up to Gerard, and says that they're almost ready for the tree to come down.

Time to check that the tree will fall away from the camp.....
3 good axe blows, and it's Timber!!!! and a crash!! sees a tree fall to the ground.

I mark out what I think we need for the 6 wheels. 4 for the cart, and 2 spare. No point in removing the bark, just smooth them out a bit. The 2 NPCs start to saw the trunk.

They work, and I start on the second tree with the axe... this will take some time. It's not as thick as the first one, but I'm out of practice.

Suddenly, I see a movement in the grass, and move the axe towards it, while my other hand goes for a .45 pistol on my belt. Ahh... it's only a rabbit, no problem. I don't try to shoot it for food, would be a waste of a bullet at this range.

Back to the woodwork....


Regards,
Gerard

[Ward]

Nizhoni from the Herder's Camp says to Ward and Co.:

'We have seven horses that can be used to haul stuff back to your camp. We've got about 24 people, most from the night watch, willing to help. We just need a wagon to move the stuff in one go, before the rain comes.

"Everything's in plastic bags, in plastic totes. So it's as waterproof as we can get it. Plus we can give some tarps and the like if you need them. We'll be sending you all our food, except for a week's wroth for us, and much of our equipment for safe keeping.

"it's going to be difficult to watch out for our own stuff and the animals soon. So best we keep it with you and your family."


Ward to Nizhoni well the wagon is over here go ahead and use it Dear. But also we have an extra Tac Radio Take this back to your camp site we will listen on chanel 18 top and bottom of the hr . for your reports if something happens . As ward showers her how to use the radio .

[Ward]

Come on people take charge of somthing even if its nothing but getting the kids together to play jacks . Other wise it looks like I trying to be incharge of tomuch . And I don't want that .

[Psychomeltdown]

Ward to Nizhoni well the wagon is over here go ahead and use it Dear. But also we have an extra Tac Radio Take this back to your camp site we will listen on chanel 18 top and bottom of the hr . for your reports if something happens . As ward showers her how to use the radio .
Nizhoni "Cool. Thanks for the radio and the wagon. We'll bring the stuff as soon as we can. Can't leave it to men to do anything right, but I guess you're okay." :D


The clouds thicken as Nizhoni and the Herders begin loading up their stuff on the horses, their backs, and the wagon. Leaving behind only a few to guard the camp.

[Othniel]

Come on people take charge of somthing even if its nothing but getting the kids together to play jacks . Other wise it looks like I trying to be incharge of tomuch . And I don't want that .
I know I'm waiting for the scouts to return. We kinda wanna get going towards the main site. If any PCs are in the FNE then we can talk and treat them as part of this subcommunity, which deals with other subcommunities surronding us, but unless leadership finds me and gives me I'm following general consensus of the encampment, which basically means I'm listening for rumors and gosip and any floating orders.. I know so far my group has seen that unless we can have acess to our equipment and our food, its no good to us.

[Soyuz]

What a dull day, Soyuz thought. The sky was dark, the mood depressing, and the first fragile droplets hit his cheeks. Chaos. He had nothing to do during the day than tending his horse. The people smelled of disorganization, and he escaped it for a while, surveying the near landscape on horse. He couldn't get far though, he was constantly afraid to loose his belongings, and came back ever so often. And now it was almost nightfal again.

He covered his stuff with the nylon sheet. It was all in safe containers, but still... He chatted with some unknowns about the future political system. They disagreed, but he respected that.

His attention was suddenly drawn away by a large group of people, with more gathering. Soyuz jumped on his horse for a better view and started toward them. They had wagons. They had shelter. They had food. After a moment gathering himself, and overhearing that the apparent leader of the group is Ward, he introduced himself.

"Hello, everyone. My name is [Soyuz] [Soyuz]ovich [Soyuz]ov. But you better know me as Soyuz, so better call me that. I'd like to join your group if you're headed north. As you can see, I have a horse, and some stuff, and you have a wagon. Maybe we can link up, I can't stand being here too long. Oh, and if you need me for some odd jobs, I'd do them."

[Grimm Reaper]

Grimm(a heavy-set fellow with a trim goatee and winning attitude) got up early, to enjoy his first shot at fishing in such a pristine environment. After all, before this his commute got him up at 5:00 AM five days a week anyway. His only personal possessions, mostly books and a few special seedlings, were left in a chest he had locked.

It would be open soon, since he had included some very practical volumes. Everything else was tools and such which he considered to be part of the general property. Leaving his celebrity clone wife and loyal cats, he headed off to a spot he had noted the previous day...

As the sun's light reached full morning, Grimm was already at it. He would certainly join in on general projects after breakfast but few would mind some nice fresh fish on the menu, and a good catch would bolster his argument to start work on fishing boats. He sighed about the timing of the ISOT, as arriving in fall, during the salmon runs, would have proven his point beyond any doubt. He just hoped his pole and gear had been selected to take into account the size of these unfished waters...

Grimm headed back to camp in time for breakfast, still astounded. Even knowing history didn't change the facts that he had enough fish to feed more than a dozen grown men for a day before two hours had passed. He just hoped someone was better with trout fillets than he was...

[NapoleonXIV]

Pain....

Embers, smoke, stink and heat, wind and nausea, deep down, the smell of death.

Pain... heat and miserable pain.

Devils.....

Little devils. Ugly, mean, naked and brown. Little devils taking my stuff.

Little devils, taking me

[Bulgaroktonos]

OOC: Bulg, we mentioned all this on day 1. Didn't you read that?

I remember mentioning, it, but I don't recall anybody actually organizing groups to do it. If they did, then I just missed.

If it's getting done, excellent. I just wanted to make sure we actually had people doing it.

Always better safe than sorry.

[Dave Howery]

Dave wandered around the camp, hoping to see some sign of planning or preparation for the big move to the north everyone had talked about before the ISOT, but no one seemed to be doing anything about it. He finally managed to hear that there were scouts heading up that way. In the meantime? Dave wandered back to his tent, where Michelle had everything cleaned up. Looking up at the sky, he noticed it looked like rain. "Let's get everything under the tarps", he said. After a small tussle with the wind blown tarps, Dave and Michelle finally managed to get everything perishable out of the rain. The two spent several quiet hours in the tent as the rain storm blew its way through, looking through the books they had brought along and cleaning the firearms. Once the rain had passed, the two emerged from the tent. Shouldering the Sharps rifle, Dave looked around, but all he could see was that people were preparing campfires for the evening meals. "Well, hell, this isn't going like I thought... we're spending another night here, looks like. And the wagon I brought is still sitting here. Let's see if we can find Pscho, he's in charge of the horses... maybe he can get somebody assigned to actually use this wagon for something... or if he knows what the plan is for the next couple of days." "Uh.. how will you know who he is?", Michelle asked, "you've never actually met him or even seen a picture of him." Dave grinned. "I don't imagine there are too many Native Americans in our group with Navajo wives... come on, let's see if he's around someplace..."

[Psychomeltdown]

"Ah, you must be Dave." Psycho said getting off his horse and shaking the older gentlemen's hand.

"How did you know that?" Dave asked, mildly surprised.

Psycho nodded to Nizhoni who was talking with Michelle. "She told me when she was getting my rifle." he grinned. "Well what can you do?"

"I've herded animals before, but that was a long time ago. I guess I'll have to relearn how to do it." Dave replied.

"Well, that's a leg up on what I've got here. Most can just ride and point their horse in the right direction, but they're learning. " Psycho eyed his rifle. "Can you shoot that?"

Dave nodded. "Reasonably well." He responded.

"Cool. We've got guns, but what i've seen only piss poor aiming skills." Psycho said, glancing toward where the herds were grazing. "The main concern now is the wild life. I'm sure you heard about the bear the other day?"

"Yeah."

"We're in virgin territory, if there's locals around I doubt they've hunted out the big predators, so we need people who can keep an eye out for that. People who can shoot what they aim at too."

"I've got a wagon.' Dave said.

"Really?" Nizhoni suddenly walked up. "We've sent our things to Ward's camp for safe keeping. What we need we can probably carry on our own, for now. Just food, a little tools, and weapons. If you want we can hitch up your wagon with one of our horses and send it over to Ward's with your stuff. better to keep it in one place, than lug it about."

"What she said." Psycho added. "I'd get some sleep if I were you. Since you can shoot, You're up for night watch. 10 pm to 10 am."

[Dave Howery]

Dave and Michelle trudged back to their campsite. "Finally, someone seems to have a handle on things. At least our stuff is finally going to get hauled to someplace safe when we trek. But.. damn... the graveyard shift on the herd... oh well, has to be done, I guess." Dave glanced at his watch... damn, but he was going to miss it when it finally broke down. "Okay, I've got a few hours to get some sleep. I'm gonna sack out in the tent... why don't you pack up everything we don't absolutely need right now secure on the wagon... just leave out some food and our cookware for a while.. oh, and our packs too. Wake me up at 10, and then get some sleep yourself." Michelle nodded in agreement.
It seemed as if he had just laid down to sleep when Michelle woke him up. It was pitch dark outside. After grabbing some water and a quick meal, Dave walked out into the night, Sharps rifle in hand, heading over towards the herd pens...

[Psychomeltdown]

As Dave's walking by the Herder's camp, Psycho comes shambling along, A man following him.

"Hey, Dave. Nice night for a sit and stare, no?"

"Yeah." Dave yawned.

"Anyway, this is (whoever NPC) and he'll be sticking with you. You'll be watching over the sheep herds, near the woods. We gotta work in teams of two just in case, y'know. They'll be a rider coming by your position every half hour or so, just to check up on things. NPC's got a 30-06 and a .375 Mag. Best we all keep well armed, don't know what lurks in the dark." Psycho yawned again, gesturing vaguely toward the woods. "You kids go do your thing, I'm hitting the sack and hopefully come morning things are all right."

"If you'd like in the morning we can bring you tent over to our camp, get the rest of your stuff to Ward's." Nizhoni said. "Here's a thermos of tea, it should keep for a couple of hours. I don't know why Psycho's got you doing night watch, especially in this cold weather. I'll be sure to berate him when you're out of earshot." She said smiling. "You boys be careful and don't be trigger happy, you'll probably scare the animals more than the ones hunting them."

"Thanks." Dave said, accepting the thermos and shaking hands with the NPC.

[Dave Howery]

Dave and NPC walked off towards the distant sheep herd. Dave stopped when they got away from the campfires, and NPC stopped and looked at him, puzzled. "Let your eyes get adjusted to the dark. Nothing worse than a nearby campfire to ruin your night vision. Ever herd sheep before?" NPC shook his head. "Well, just be aware that they are one of the dumbest things God ever made, so don't startle them or touch them, you'll send them running off in no time. Ever handle a rifle much?" NPC again shook his head, a little sheepishly. "Well, the first rule is never point it at me or any other living thing, even by accident, unless you intend to shoot it. Never forget it's loaded, and keep it pointed at the ground and your finger off the trigger. Now, let's get over to the herd." The two walked over to the herd and relieved the tired men going off duty. Dave looked around. "Okay, let's walk in patrol around the herd.. but go slow, don't make a lot of noise, and keep your ears open. Don't forget to keep an eye on the sheep every so often too... dumb as they are, they can hear and smell things way before we'll have a clue. If you see them getting agitated, be alert. Right now, they're calm and bedded down for the night. Don't wander too close to them, or they'll probably spook. Stay close enough to see them, but no more. And for God's sake, don't shoot at noises... don't shoot at all unless you're sure what you're shooting at". Dave and NPC settled into a routine patrol, circling the herd steadily...

[DominusNovus]

OOC: Hey, what exactly are the herders doing today? Are we taking the animals out to graze them, and then bringing them back at night? The current fencing surely isn't enough for all the animals.

[Scarecrow]

Scarecrow awoke to the sound of roosters crowing. His whole body felt like one big bruse, and he ached as he climbed out of his warm sleeping bag, looked down at the sleeping body of Lucy Lu, and staggered out of his tent into the cold morning air.
“fu-uu-uck its cold.” He said to himself, and fished around in his pack for a lump of chocolate, and chewed it as we poked at the remains of his fire. Everywhere he looked he saw people emerging from tents, a few mumbled hellos as people passed each other on the path to the latrine, or others who were going of to milk the animals. The tents were arranged in a rough circle around Ian’s house and the animal pens, which Scarecrow along with the other loggers led by Norbert had chopped down several trees to construct. More wood would need to be chopped down today for the daily fires and also for any constructions that people were talking about. Maybe he could get some fishing in before Norbert called the logging team together after breakfast, mused Scarecrow, and turned back to his tent when he herd Lucy emerge.
“Good morning.” He said, and offered her a bit of the chocolate.
“Thanks.” She replied, and went back into the tent to bring out a plastic bucket.
“Do you think you could go and get some Milk from Daisy [our nanny goat]? I was talking to some of the other girls here, and one of them has some chickens, and said that she would give us some eggs for some goats milk.”
“Actualy I was thinking of going fishing. Its not that far, and some of the other guys are…”
“I want fried eggs for breakfast, and now!”
“Ok, ok I’ll go. I don’t think I will be so tired tonight, so perhaps we could…you know.”
“I’ll think about it. You do have some condoms?”
“You better believe it!” Scarecrow grabbed the bucket. “Where are the goats?” Lucy pointed. “And where do I get the eggs from?”
“The green tent two tents down.”
Do I get a kiss for good luck?” Scarecrow grinned sheepishly. Lucy sighed, but walked over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Accepting his fate, Scarecrow wandered of in the direction that Lucy had pointed, and as he neared the pen, he began to hear the sound of goats. Others had thought of the same idea and goats where in various stages of milking. Scarecrow found his goat Daisy, and it was then that it dawned on him. He had never milked a goat before. Or any other animal. Daisy fixed him with the glare.
“fuck!” he muttered, but climbed over the chickenwire fence and proceeded to attempt to milk the nanny goat. Once he had tied it up, he tried again. After he retrieved the bucket from the tent occupied by a supermodel in various stages of undress he tied down Daisies legs. And got…milk. Or what he assumed to be milk. It certainly couldn’t be anything else, unless…nope, Daisy was a female, so it had to be milk. Good thing he was trading it.
Carefully carrying the bucket so as not to spill it, Scarecrow walked over to the green tent, and knocked on the vestibule cover. A brunette greeted him. “Yes?”
“I got milk. And I wanna trade it for five eggs.”
“how much milk?”
“just a bucket load.” He showed it to the brunette.
“I will give you two eggs for it. It looks as if it has come straight from the teat.”
“Yep, still warm. I wont take no less then five. I have two people to feed, and it is an awful lot of milk.”
“but your leaving the processing of it up to me. I wont give you more then three.”
“how bout four. My last offer.”
Silence.
“fine.” She unzipped the flyscreen and handed four eggs out of a bucket, and took his bucket of milk, and poured it into a large tub, and handed him back his empty bucket.
“pleasure doing business with you.” He said, and walked back to his tent, eggs in arm.
Lucy had fired up the fire, and had the frying pan all ready as he split the eggs into the pan.

after eating the eggs, he her word from Norbert; the lumberjacks were going to work.

"i will be back at dinner time honey." Scarecrow said, taking his hat and gloves "why dont you go see Mrs Ward, i think she can find someting for you to do."

[Scarecrow]

Wood Detail, Day Two:

'I need a volunteer to go requisition a wagon and three or four people to load the wagon, and to unload it back at camp, and we can concentrate on our cutting.'
i volunteer to get a wagon

[Norbert]

The rain was a welcome relief to the hard working lumberjacks, as it settled the dust and helped cool them off. It slowed down the pace of the work, but a great deal was accomplished. Late in the day, Norbert yells at the crew to finish up what they were working on and get ready to haul the last load. Norbert thought to himself that even if we did not get all he wished accomplished, we made a big dent in the goal.
Returning with the crew, Norbert headed over to his tent to change into dry clothing, and was surprised that he could barely get into the tent.
'Carla, whats going on?'
'Why, I told Ward that they could store perishibles here to keep them dry!'
'Oh, Ok. Where is Ward anyway?'
'Don't know, you want me to find him?'
'No, I am sure I'll see him later. Whats for supper?'
'Bear Stew, with Cattail roots and wild leaks'
'Right. Can I sit down and relax? I am so tired I am starting to get the shakes from fatigue.'
'Sit, and I'll get you something to eat and drink, though maybe you should have something to drink first. I am afraid all we have is water'
'Waters fine. If you see Ward, tell him to stop by. I think we have enough wood to get through tommorrow, and most of tommorrow night, and I think he will have a better idea on whos doing the organizing around here than I do, I would like to give the fellows at least a few hours to work around camp tommorrow.

[pisces74]

Pisces got back from his morning beachcomb. "Jen a saw some seals down on the beach, they were neat." Jen smiled already sick unto death of tea, hardtack, and beef jerky. The things she did for her man. "Ok hun", Pisces said "I need you to go into town, find Ward, and get some women and children together to for a clam dig tomorrow morning. I got about 20 clams, 8 fish, and a crab that was too slow in the shallows today. Imagine what 20 to 50 people beachcombing the shallows could get." Jen replied with a sigh, "And what are you going to do while I'm gone?" "I'll get some sleep and take a night watch tonight, probably grab some more firewood." Pisces answered. Jen turned to go down the hill, lost in thought of all the friends and family she left behind, she stifled a chuckle upon guaging the statistics of Pisces becoming his own great to the 13th power grandpa. If she even mentioned that to him before the shift she'd bet he wouldn't come. the sand shifted a bit under her left foot, and down the rest of the hill she tumbled coming to a firm stop at the base of the sandhill. " You ok down there Grace?" Pisces said as he ran down the hill to help her up off the ground. "Yeah, I'm doing swimmingly." Jen choked back the pain as she was helped up. Pisces asked "can you move all your fingers?" Jen nodded in affirmation that she could. "Well get on then, you're cutting into my naptime, and those Chilluns you're going to be watching tomorrow need some direction. Try to not drown in the fords on the way to the main encampment, they may be a foot deep." Pisces gave his wife a hug, ran back to the tent to fetch some painkillers, and didn't even notice as she left the way she was cradling her wrist as she went to the main encampment.

About a 1/2 hour later on the way to the main camp Jen felt her wrist stiffen up as the arm started to swell. As she got to the main encampment all she could think about was getting to the doctor's hut. Ward and Pisces could wait another day for their introduction.

[Hendryk]

Psycho put his hand into the leather pouch, feeling a powdery softness with in. Pinched between his forefinger and thumb was a yellow substance. Corn pollen, called Ta'dindiin among his people.

He placed a bit of the powder on his tongue, for clear speech, atop his head, for clear thought, and sprinkled the rest before him, for a clear path. With that he bowed his head and began praying, as the sun cast it's first light upon the awakening camp.
OOC: Psychomeltdown, I hope you can spare the time at some point to give the rest of us a crash course in Native American religions. It may come in handy at some point, though I'm aware that there must be quite a bit of difference between the Diné religion and whatever the Pacific tribes were practicing in 3,000 BCE. Still, knowing the basics can't hurt, if only to avoid potentially embarrassing misunderstandings.
Plus... I dunno... In spiritual terms, it's fitting somehow.

"Well, frankly, white folks might throw them into a fit. You're um... not so white."
OOC: So the first of us who got to have contact with the "Indians" is an Indian :rolleyes:

[Flocculencio]

Sion and an NPC had headed further on to continue scouting the route and Matt was sending back two more of the Rangers to inform the base of the Contact.

"Remember," he said, giving them his message, "Flocc seems to be the only one they aren't really freaked out by so if the rest of the Board want to start moving you'll have to guide them around this area, not through it. We really don't want to spook them so my advice to whoever's in charge is that no one should approach the natives as yet, at least not until they're used to the sight of white people."

The two NPCs nodded and mounted their horses. As they cantered off, there was renewed movement down near the village. It appeared that Chief Helaku was approaching with an escort of the same five men. Halting about ten feet off, he pointed at the rapidly disappearing horsemen and then at the two tethered horses, waving his hands to indicate amazement.

Flocc rose and bowed again, inviting the Elder into the encampment. Helaku approached cautiously, eyeing Betsy and Traveller with apprehension. To reassure him, Flocc stroked and patted the mare and fished one of his precious carrots out of his saddlebag.
He ostentatiously took a nibble of the carrot to demonstrate to the chief that it was food of some sort and then fed the rest to the horse. Holding out another carrot to Helaku he invited the chief to do the same. The old man looked undecided but one of his rash young warriors, stepped forward to take the chiefs place, lest this be a trick to slay the elder.

Gingerly and cautiously, the warrior took the carrot and after sniffing it, took a bite. He then apprehensively extended his hand towards Betsy and Flocc showed him how to hold it flat. The mare snuffled appreciatively and took the proferred vegetable.

The young native chuckled and tentatively stroked the mare's muzzle. There were gasps of wonderment and respect from his compatriots who were looking distinctly less hostile now.

"Well," said MBarry, "At least they seem to be taking it quite well."

The warriors weren't quite as fixated on watching his every move now. Possibly when confronted by something as large as a horse that seemed to obey these humans even a yellow-haired pale faced human seemed somewhat less strange to the natives.

[Flocculencio]

Pisces got back from his morning beachcomb. "Jen a saw some seals down on the beach, they were neat." Jen smiled already sick unto death of tea, hardtack, and beef jerky. The things she did for her man. "Ok hun", Pisces said "I need you to go into town, find Ward, and get some women and children together to for a clam dig tomorrow morning. I got about 20 clams, 8 fish, and a crab that was too slow in the shallows today. Imagine what 20 to 50 people beachcombing the shallows could get." Jen replied with a sigh, "And what are you going to do while I'm gone?" "I'll get some sleep and take a night watch tonight, probably grab some more firewood." Pisces answered. Jen turned to go down the hill, lost in thought of all the friends and family she left behind, she stifled a chuckle upon guaging the statistics of Pisces becoming his own great to the 13th power grandpa. If she even mentioned that to him before the shift she'd bet he wouldn't come. the sand shifted a bit under her left foot, and down the rest of the hill she tumbled coming to a firm stop at the base of the sandhill. " You ok down there Grace?" Pisces said as he ran down the hill to help her up off the ground. "Yeah, I'm doing swimmingly." Jen choked back the pain as she was helped up. Pisces asked "can you move all your fingers?" Jen nodded in affirmation that she could. "Well get on then, you're cutting into my naptime, and those Chilluns you're going to be watching tomorrow need some direction. Try to not drown in the fords on the way to the main encampment, they may be a foot deep." Pisces gave his wife a hug, ran back to the tent to fetch some painkillers, and didn't even notice as she left the way she was cradling her wrist as she went to the main encampment.

About a 1/2 hour later on the way to the main camp Jen felt her wrist stiffen up as the arm started to swell. As she got to the main encampment all she could think about was getting to the doctor's hut. Ward and Pisces could wait another day for their introduction.


OOC: You guys are quite a ways inland Pices. It's roughly a 1 1/2 day ride to the beach.

[pisces74]

OOC: You guys are quite a ways inland Pices. It's roughly a 1 1/2 day ride to the beach.
ooc: I'm a little left of the red dot of the landing zone between the two rivers, and yeah I'm a lot farther from the beach then I originally thought. but there was no scale on the play map,and the original map had a big square for the LZ. Of course I think the scale is alot smaller then what the rest of you all are labouring under. The rivers are just exceptionally brackish in 3000 bc for the sake of argument.


Jeez I just saw theres a difference between (ian's apartment) and (probable first settlement) I'm way farther inland then I orginally thought.

[Matt]

Waking up the second time was alot harder. Matt unzipped the tent and realized the rain was continueing. Muttering a swear word under his breath, he dug out a leather jacket and a battered fedora.

Flocc sat up from the cot on other side of the tent. "Now Kemo Sabe looks like Indiana Jones."

"Shut up Tonto, you have the same outfit yourself I noticed," Matt replied with a grin. "Man I wish you were a woman right now."

"Thanks beautiful, you ain't so bad yourself." Flocc replied rolling his eyes and digging himself back into his sleeping bag.

[SionEwig]

Sion and an NPC had headed further on to continue scouting the route and Matt was sending back two more of the Rangers to inform the base of the Contact.


(OOC - Not complaining here, but I thought that all of the rest of us were going back while you 2 stayed. I really don't mind one way or the other but would like to know which of the 2 directions we should be going in.:confused:

Also, from what has been said so far, I am estimating that the First Contact was made at about the mouth of the Coyote River (yes I know that many of the smaller rivers etc. will be in somewhat different places but this will still give a visual).

Could a location be given for Ian's apartment - the city or major highways that it is bounded by. The resolution on the maps posted earlier is just small enough for me to not be able to make out where we started. And I am not complaining about those original maps, they are good and I appretiate the effoet that was put into making them.

Awaiting a response from either Matt or Floc.)

[Flocculencio]

(OOC - Not complaining here, but I thought that all of the rest of us were going back while you 2 stayed. I really don't mind one way or the other but would like to know which of the 2 directions we should be going in.:confused:

OOC: Sorry about the confusion- I thought I'd take on board your suggestion that the original mission profile should continue. So basically you're continuing North while 2 of the NPCs head back to the apartment.

Ian's apartment is in San Jose but I'm not sure about highways and the like- I posted an updated map in the chat thread an hour or so ago but the base map I used was one earlier in the thread which had the highways and stuff removed.

And yep- the Miwok settlement we've encountered in roughly on the North bank of the Coyote's mouth.

[SionEwig]

OOC: Sorry about the confusion- I thought I'd take on board your suggestion that the original mission profile should continue. So basically you're continuing North while 2 of the NPCs head back to the apartment.

Ian's apartment is in San Jose but I'm not sure about highways and the like- I posted an updated map in the chat thread an hour or so ago but the base map I used was one earlier in the thread which had the highways and stuff removed.

And yep- the Miwok settlement we've encountered in roughly on the North bank of the Coyote's mouth.

OOC: No Problem:) . I think that the mission should continue. If you 2 hadn't agreed, I was thinking about taking Phred the NPC and scouting where I wanted to.:D Will check the new map out, thanks for it and thanks for the answers.

[Ward]

Ward Having taken my daughter and Grand daughter and Grand kids down to the cattle Herds , we started the morning milking of the cows .

After heading back to the campsite we stop at a few of the other camp site were we see children and let the women know that in 1/2 an hr we will have milk ready to pass out for children . And that every day look for a blue flag flying from my camp site it will mean there is milk ready for the childen .


Ward gets back to the camp . His wife has about 20 other women there helping making breed , and a some large pots of bear stew going .
Mrs. Ward seeing Ward walk in the camp with the Gran kids and his Duaghter in law , James did you get the milk or not .
Ward of course we did so what do you want us to do with it .
What do you think you old shit head , start making some butter and get some of it over here so we can give it out to some famlies with children.
When you are done with that go help some other people milk there anamils .

[Glen]

The second day was as busy as the first.

The camp had been organized into some semblance of order, with the animals being taken to one section for grazing, rough lanes being established between tents, and latrines dug (and wasn't that fun) far from the water and food.

Enforcing hand washing was a trial.

On the plus side, it had been obvious from the beginning that the ASBs had tinkered with them. Eyesight restored was often the most obvious, but I was hoping it went deeper than that...much deeper. If only we could start out with a healthy population, and without communicable diseases for the natives, things would be much easier this first year...but I wasn't betting on it yet. Quarantine orders were still in force, and my motley crew of medic/med students were sweeping out, looking for any reports of illness.

The first snakebite was brought in the afternoon. I had brought a limited supply of antivenom, but we would have to start catching snakes and milking them soon...

[Bulgaroktonos]

Upon hearing of the snake bite in camp, I headed over to Glen's makeshift medical tent. Recognizing the value of snake venom in this situation, I thought it prudent to discuss the snake bite itself. Being California, and snakes being relatively unchanged in thousands of years, it was almost certain to be a rattlesnake.

"Hey, Glen, I heard about our snake bite. Do you know what kind of snake it was? Other than the relative certainty that it was a rattlesnake that is. I'm guessing a speckled rattlesnake, as the man isn't dead. The few poisonous ones we have around here are highly venomous. And I'm sure you've recognized the need to get venom for the anti-venin. Thus, I'm curious if you know what kind it was specifically so we know what we're up against and know where to look.

Also, do you know of any herpetologists in our strange collection of misfits? I'm a minor herpetologist, so I can probably find and catch some snakes, but I don't have too much experience milking them, so, I'll need some body who has done it before."

[Flocculencio]

Helaku looked around the gathering. All the men of his village had been summoned to discuss what should be done about these strangers.

"We do not know what they are," said Bodaway, one of the middle-aged men, qurelously, "One dark, one light...taller than any man I have ever seen. I have never heard of their like. It would be dangerous to invite their friendship."

He looked to the West where the campfire of the two uptimers glowed dimly.

"The dark one at least is a man; no more, no less," said Ahmik, one of the most promising young men of the tribe.

"And what of those animals- the great deer-with-no-horns they sit upon? Surely a creature not of this world!" growled Bodaway.

"It is nothing but an animal. From the words he said I think he called it "horz". I do not know how they control the horz but just because they can does not make them gods or demons. We have dogs but we saw none with them- does the fact that we can control dogs make us gods? Did not the dark one show me that the horz was not dangerous? Did I not feed it with my own hand?"

Helaku nodded approvingly and broke into the discussion. All other fell silent in deference to the Elder.

"Of the few we saw only one was dark," replied Bodaway, "These white ones are different. Remember...he left when you would have offered him good oysters- maybe he is not human if he fears our food."

"But did the dark one...Flok...not show his friendship by his gift? And accept our food in return?"

Once again all eyes fell on the knife. The Miwok had been amazed by its strength and sharpness and they all considered their Elder's words carefully.

"And the yellow-hair did not move to threaten any of us."

Again there was a thoughtful silence.

"I propose that we show friendship to this Flok. Whether or not the yellow-hairs are human the dark one has shown himself to be not an enemy. If there are more of these two kinds- dark and pale- he may prove a useful ally. If we can trade with them maybe we will be able to get more wonders like this knife."

Again a silence. but this time an accepting one. A consensus had been reached.

"Very well," concluded Helaku, "We will show friendship to the dark one and in time perhaps he will help us trade. You, Ahmik, will go to Flok tomorrow and try to learn more of these strangers."

There was a rumble of agreement. Even Bodaway looked like he was willing to accept the decision.

"It is settled."

[Norbert]

With the news of a snakebite, we need to reign in the kids into a cleared safe area, and keep them there. Also, I had not really thought of the snake problem, though I was stationed in southren California, I live in Michigan where the threat of poisonous snakes is quite rare. We also need to alert everyone to this threat, and point out what to look out for (holes/dens in the ground where snakes might have taken over, in the underbrush, tall grass, etc.). Also point out that before sitting on the ground or on a rock, to look three times at that branch there, it might actually be a snake lying still.

We do have a great weapon to use against rattlesnakes though. They are called 'Pigs'. Pigs will hunt, kill, and eat snakes; part of why there is not much threat of poisonous snakes in Michigan.

[Matt]

Flocc and Matt sat in their small, makeshift camp. The horses were completely unloaded now, with the exception of there saddles. The two had nothing to do but enjoy the small creature comforts they brought with them.

"What we do now?" asked Flocc.

"I'm pretty sure the ball is in their court Tonto. I can't be sure, since I didn't bring my Starfleet Guide To First Contact," Matt snickered "But yeah..."

"Wonder what's going on back in camp?" I hope things are getting organized."

"I'm sure they are. I mean us regulars had a few days to plan, so Glen and Ward and Bulg and em have a good idea what to do. But it ain't for us to say we're just soldiers now."

"Hurry up and wait then eh?" Flocc responded.

"Isn't that always the case? Who knew even officers had to do that?" Matt said with a smile on his face. "Hope my sister and my party are doing alright."

[Bulgaroktonos]

With the news of a snakebite, we need to reign in the kids into a cleared safe area, and keep them there. Also, I had not really thought of the snake problem, though I was stationed in southren California, I live in Michigan where the threat of poisonous snakes is quite rare. We also need to alert everyone to this threat, and point out what to look out for (holes/dens in the ground where snakes might have taken over, in the underbrush, tall grass, etc.). Also point out that before sitting on the ground or on a rock, to look three times at that branch there, it might actually be a snake lying still.

We do have a great weapon to use against rattlesnakes though. They are called 'Pigs'. Pigs will hunt, kill, and eat snakes; part of why there is not much threat of poisonous snakes in Michigan.

The poisonous snakes of California are all rattlesnakes, so, for the most part, we should be getting some warning that they we are near one, but yes, we should take precautions.

As to pigs, I for one am wholly against letting pigs go around eating stuff. They won't just eat snakes, they will wipe out a great deal of ground life, plant and animal.

[DominusNovus]

Chris stood, watching over the pigs and other assorted animals corraled into the makeshit pen. The pigs, as their species is inclined, had torn up pretty much all the ground, looking for stuff to eat. On the bright side, they were only shitting in one corner of the pen. Even better yet, it was the corner furthest from the settlement.

He turned his gaze to the bucket brigade bringing water from one of the local streams. "No, no no. Here, pour the bucket like this," he said as he tipped the bottom, rather then just tipping the top. "I know its not quite as clean, but its alot quicker, and we do have to get these animals watered." He went back to looking over the animals, when he noticed that one of the sows was going into labor.

"Awww, shit. Hey guys! Somebody! We're gonna need to move some fencing around quick!" He jumped in, and was quickly at the task of keeping all the other animals away from the expecting sow. "Somebody keep the others away while we set up a side pen."

Dammit! I've sworn since I was in grade school that the one thing I didn't wnat to do in life is handle pigs out in the middle of nowhere!

[NapoleonXIV]

OOC: Psychomeltdown, I hope you can spare the time at some point to give the rest of us a crash course in Native American religions. It may come in handy at some point, though I'm aware that there must be quite a bit of difference between the Diné religion and whatever the Pacific tribes were practicing in 3,000 BCE. Still, knowing the basics can't hurt, if only to avoid potentially embarrassing misunderstandings.
Plus... I dunno... In spiritual terms, it's fitting somehow.


OOC: So the first of us who got to have contact with the "Indians" is an Indian :rolleyes:

OOC: I second the request. Does any real idea of the specific tribes or even cultures that existed in this area at this time exist?

[Norbert]

OOC: I second the request. Does any real idea of the specific tribes or even cultures that existed in this area at this time exist?

I'd put in a third request for it, also. Even though I have studied legends and lore of the Pacific Northwest and the Plains, as well as those native to Michigan, I would find it most interesting.

(Amature Anthropology interest at heart)

[pisces74]

The poisonous snakes of California are all rattlesnakes, so, for the most part, we should be getting some warning that they we are near one, but yes, we should take precautions.

As to pigs, I for one am wholly against letting pigs go around eating stuff. They won't just eat snakes, they will wipe out a great deal of ground life, plant and animal.

Rattlesnake is good eaten. What does the pacific NW have in the flavor of roof rabbit?

[Darkest]

Brad (not my real-name, just to be safe...) Carpenter filled his canteen for what seemed like the thousandth time at his tent's water storage. Another day of logging. It was hard work, harder than anything he had ever done. Soccer, cross-country, track, crew... those sports he did every day back on the real day only lasted an hour or two. This, however, was the real deal.

He had just turned sixteen years old, and in a month, he would get to celebrate his birthday again. Sounded cool, time changes were weird. Brad was muscular all around, every year of his life spent playing sports had forged him into a young bronze god of sheer endurance and strength. Every year of getting straight As had earned him the right to use his abilities wisely.

And both of these things helped him very little.

The rest of his family didn't do much. It hurt him, the angry glares. He had joined that alternate history forum, he had signed his family away to a life of scraping an existance. His father was a few weeks away from selling his company, waiting for millions of dollars to roll into his hands. He had spent his entire life wasting away, a work-a-holic who stopped for nothing to earn his dream to live the high life. Only a few weeks until his father and the rest of Brad's family would be rich, living somewhere down in Orange County.

And now this.

Things weren't bad, however. Everyone was too overjoyed that their youngest sister and daughter had been cured of CHARGE syndrome. She could see, hear, move, and balance perfectly. Just like any other ten year old girl. The first day had been mainly obsessed with crying and emotional overload.

And, the ways things were working out, things wouldn't be so bad. They would survive. And think of the adventure!

"Hey guys, there is some talk in the other camps of getting a council of elders together to determine our plan of action." Brad said to the rest of his family. They smiled, but there was still that pained look.

"Well, you know how I hate politics." His dad said with a smile, wittling some wood for no reason. Brad loved politics.

"Assert yourself, Dad, these are the people you are going to live with. Give them your views, we all know you are smart. The CEO of a major company... you are meant to be up there with the rest!"

His father smiled and then went inside of their four-room all-weather tent, without a word. Brad Carpenter drank down his water, and just leaned against the water barrels.

This was his chance to make a difference, he wasn't going to let his family loiter around. He was in his element! All these years, Brad had been surrounded by people who were accustomed to the real world, while he had been yearning for another. Obviously, confusion and apathy was rampant around the large camp of a few thousand. But now, those people who had been dreaming of something else had there chance...

Very cool thoughts. And hey! It's all possible! Brad Carpenter could become a force in this new world, though age divided him from the rest. And so he went to bed that night with dreams of raising an army and forcing the creation of an empire, his empire, and conquering the world... Once, impossible, now all too probable.