Visibly still shaken by the evidence of how profound the Change will affect him and his life, Thomas shrugs, unsure and responds to George's brusqueness "Okay, I know I can prove my worth - both on the trail and on the water - and if that's what it takes to keep my boat, I'll do it. I've a bit of a talent for scrounging, so that'll help for you." To the Mayor, he answers "It seems fair enough, ma'am. You'll see. I'll show you that keeping me and my boat together is a wise decision. What's the errand?" After the conversation ends, he goes back aboard and spends some time filling a backpack with items he gathers from various places in the double hulls. Once satisfied at his packing, he comes back and asks George "Since we're now back to the Middle Ages, who do I need to see about a sword and armor?"
Looking for a shortsword and leather armour. Otherwise his gear is as listed on the character sheet. Also, I'm assuming no one has mentioned magic yet, just the disablement of technology.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Visibly still shaken by the evidence of how profound the Change will affect him and his life, Thomas shrugs, unsure and responds to George's brusqueness "Okay, I know I can prove my worth - both on the trail and on the water - and if that's what it takes to keep my boat, I'll do it. I've a bit of a talent for scrounging, so that'll help for you." To the Mayor, he answers "It seems fair enough, sir. You'll see. I'll show you that keeping me and my boat together is a wise decision. What's the errand?" After the conversation ends, he goes back aboard and spends some time filling a backpack with items he gathers from various places in the double hulls. Once satisfied at his packing, he comes back and asks George "Since we're now back to the Middle Ages, who do I need to see about a sword and armor?"
Looking for a shortsword and leather armour. Otherwise his gear is as listed on the character sheet. Also, I'm assuming no one has mentioned magic yet, just the disablement of technology.
The Mayor is a woman
The errand is to go up near Portland and collect some books. They have some weapons and armour you can use.
Gearing up with the armour and sword, Tom tries a few swings and finds himself rather fond of the feeling of it's motion. Shething the hopefully usable blade, he introduces himself to the excursion group. "Thomas, or Tom, Reirson, world explorer, scavenger and now squire it appears. If we're fighting other people affected by this Change thingie, can't we just talk to them instead of spilling entrails and all that? Would they really miss a few books if we traded for them?"
When wandering among the folk that call this place home, he wonders aloud "Couldn't we farm like they use to, with oxen and seeds and such? Did you know that our seeds today are over 20x more fertile than what they had in the Middle ages? We can feed a whole family of ten on a single acre of grain."His apparent knowledge of farming and natural production of food is a bit incongruous in one so young.
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“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Gearing up with the armour and sword, Tom tries a few swings and finds himself rather fond of the feeling of it's motion. Shething the hopefully usable blade, he introduces himself to the excursion group. "Thomas, or Tom, Reirson, world explorer, scavenger and now squire it appears. If we're fighting other people affected by this Change thingie, can't we just talk to them instead of spilling entrails and all that? Would they really miss a few books if we traded for them?"
When wandering among the folk that call this place home, he wonders aloud "Couldn't we farm like they use to, with oxen and seeds and such? Did you know that our seeds today are over 20x more fertile than what they had in the Middle ages? We can feed a whole family of ten on a single acre of grain."His apparent knowledge of farming and natural production of food is a bit incongruous in one so young.
"We are growing things" says the Mayor "and we have no wish to spill anyone's entrails but the world rarely gives people what they want. The books belong to our Doctor but they are at his home. We are sending a party to recover them."
Uthvern had also gone down see the sailor. And happened to walk in upon the growing stuff conversation, "Violence, while not being always welcomed, is becoming one of the few ways to talk to people nowadays." He kind of grins as he cracks his knuckles with his Brass knuckles showing. "Welcome to the New World, I guess you'd say."
Tomorrow I have to go out very early to leave my car for a service. I'm then spending most of the day running errands (and seeing Spider-Man: Far from Home). So, after I finish for today I probably won't be able to post until late (around now) tomorrow or maybe even the day after.
After hearing about a newcomer, who was supposedly a sailor, Juliette also joins the group to go see him. The "sailor part" immediately caught her attention, since in Juliette’s youthful mind a picture of a sailor was quite romanticized, with a great ship and a captain sailing the seas. She wasn’t too disappointed though, because at least this guy wasn’t calling for violence or trying to kill them, like some people they met.
"Nice to meet you, Thomas. And, like Uthvern said, welcome to the New World. Although it...isn’t too welcoming, to be fair"
George 'Seeds may be more productive - but we don't have any Oxen to work the fields. Or trucks. Or tractors. And we grow all of our food in the middle of the country - which might as well be the moon right now. Short version - there isn't enough food in walking distance to feed everyone until the first crops come in. That'll be enough to make an awful lot of desperate people - I've seen it happen'
George pulls his longbow out and looses an arrow at barrel 100 yards away.
'And without gunpowder, defense requires a lot more skill - skills that most people don't have. Even wearing armor like this takes practice.'
George gestures at their little crew
'We got lucky the last time we tried talking our way through a problem - nearly lost Eva and Max to that kindness. I'm not willing to let that happen again.'
A bit surprised at the growing attention as the stragglers come into the conversation, he says hi to each, and answers "I came from a port town in Nova Scotia originally, and my parents and grandparents were all about trying to be self-sustaining, so a lot of what they know they passed on to me. Fishing is by far the easiest way to feed people. You can get more food from the orchard of the ocean in a short time than you can from the land, but the land holds more variety. People get damn bored with fish, let me tell you! I guess the hard part is going to get enough people who know how to sail, or at least how to move on the water, to get your catches back home. This side of the continent doesn't see the storms I used to back home, so that's a bonus."
Seeing the skill at the bow shot, he answers "Does gunpowder completely not burn, or how has it changed? How basic have chemical reactions been altered? Even if gunpowder doesn't work, what about other reactions that quickly produce pressure as a substitute?" Getting a bit worked up again, Tom's voice gets a bit high "What the Hell changed the whole freaking UNIVERSE?!?! Did God suddenly decide to take an active role again?! This is ****ed up, man!" He's panting a bit at the last, upset and confused, but soon regains his calm with time.
Once he calms down again, he answers George's last statement. "I'm not a diplomat, by any stretch, but people should just realize that they aren't going to survive if we don't cooperate. People did without tech for thousands of years, and we can do it again, if we stop with all the selfish bullshit."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Uthvern grinds his teeth, "I'm down for giving something or someone a shot, but if and I mean if, they try to hurt anyone in the group," he slams his clenched fist into his open palm, "I will drag their ass through a sea of pain and brutality to the point where they realized they ****ed up and then end it for them." Uthvern takes a deep breath and shakes his head mumbling as he walks off to practice some more with a sword and shield.
George - 'We can do without tech just fine. We can't do without food. Or potable water. The last time the West Coast had to make do without the Internal Combustion Engine or electricity there were thousands of people living here - not millions. LA is likely already a deathland - and the survivors are almost certainly on the move.'
George gives Thomas one last hard look: 'Who you are and what you've done up until now doesn't matter much - you're starting with a clean slate here on this expedition - what you do with it is up to you.'
George turns to the Mayor and the Sherriff: 'We'll bring back the books and anything else we can gather on the way back. I can't say for certain Mr. Give-Peace-A-Chance here will be with us when we do'
With that, George turns from the docks and starts heading back into town to finish packing up the horses for the expedition.
Although Juliette didn’t exactly like Uthvern’s choice of words, what he said has helped her calm down before this expedition. It was just extremely reassuring to know that there was someone who would always have their backs. She would thank him for his determination, but the man walks away too fast for her to do so.
When George leaves, Juliette turns to the newcomer, Tom. "Don’t take it personal, everyone here is just really shaken up after what we’ve been through. I like your approach though. And I would love it if peace was always an option too..."
Juliette looks down, a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. "But that same approach from me almost cost us our lives. And I really don’t want anyone here to get hurt. If you’ll be joining us, that includes you too uhm....Tom". She smiled at the sailor.
Taken aback with the offered violence on one hand and the contempt for civilized behaviour on the other, Thomas is silent, thinking to himself *There's already been a lot of death, I'm certain. Billions possibly, since society runs on tech. Europe must be a Hellhole, the Middle East a charnel house. North America at least has the land to support millions, if we get together. Maybe there's more than just physical laws that this Change has changed. Psychology, too?*
At the kind words from Juliette, he answers "I'm not saying it's the only option, or even the first, but it shouldn't be discarded at every situation. I'm not ignorant - I know people will be dying by the desperate millions, all over the world, but if we can get it together, we can save more than just a small number. At the same time, maybe what's happened can be reversed if we find out the cause. Maybe something happened at Triumph or some other place, and it's just localized to our area?"
Vowing to keep his viewpoint, he follows the group. Seeing the horses, but unable to do much to help, he offers his hands where he is welcome, watching as well the people nearby for hints of changes beyond the required.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
I post the map again. If you go by the coast road it will be very difficult to avoid other people/towns. If you go inland you can cut across country for a lot of it and avoid most roads/towns. This of course will make the trip take longer.
'I've said my peace, but do think the idea of one way out and another back makes a lot of sense. I'll defer to Juliette on how she wants to proceed. I've made up Ghillie coats for all of us - even you Tom. They'll help break up your outline when we're not moving and give us a better chance if we have to sneak up or observe some baddies.'
'I'm ready to head out as soon as everyone else is'
Shrugging at the plan, Tom merely adds “You’ll know best, for sure. I may be able as a scout, if needed. Being inconspicuous is a bit of a talent. Other than that, I’m ready to go. “ touching his hand to the sword he continues “And if I need to use this, diplomacy won’t be involved. I like living. “
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Eva who has been quiet and watching the everyonetalks pipes in. “I think the best option is to stick to the most direct route but avoid any towns we come across.”
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Visibly still shaken by the evidence of how profound the Change will affect him and his life, Thomas shrugs, unsure and responds to George's brusqueness "Okay, I know I can prove my worth - both on the trail and on the water - and if that's what it takes to keep my boat, I'll do it. I've a bit of a talent for scrounging, so that'll help for you." To the Mayor, he answers "It seems fair enough, ma'am. You'll see. I'll show you that keeping me and my boat together is a wise decision. What's the errand?" After the conversation ends, he goes back aboard and spends some time filling a backpack with items he gathers from various places in the double hulls. Once satisfied at his packing, he comes back and asks George "Since we're now back to the Middle Ages, who do I need to see about a sword and armor?"
Looking for a shortsword and leather armour. Otherwise his gear is as listed on the character sheet. Also, I'm assuming no one has mentioned magic yet, just the disablement of technology.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
The Mayor is a woman
The errand is to go up near Portland and collect some books. They have some weapons and armour you can use.
Gearing up with the armour and sword, Tom tries a few swings and finds himself rather fond of the feeling of it's motion. Shething the hopefully usable blade, he introduces himself to the excursion group. "Thomas, or Tom, Reirson, world explorer, scavenger and now squire it appears. If we're fighting other people affected by this Change thingie, can't we just talk to them instead of spilling entrails and all that? Would they really miss a few books if we traded for them?"
When wandering among the folk that call this place home, he wonders aloud "Couldn't we farm like they use to, with oxen and seeds and such? Did you know that our seeds today are over 20x more fertile than what they had in the Middle ages? We can feed a whole family of ten on a single acre of grain." His apparent knowledge of farming and natural production of food is a bit incongruous in one so young.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
"We are growing things" says the Mayor "and we have no wish to spill anyone's entrails but the world rarely gives people what they want. The books belong to our Doctor but they are at his home. We are sending a party to recover them."
Uthvern had also gone down see the sailor. And happened to walk in upon the growing stuff conversation, "Violence, while not being always welcomed, is becoming one of the few ways to talk to people nowadays." He kind of grins as he cracks his knuckles with his Brass knuckles showing. "Welcome to the New World, I guess you'd say."
Tomorrow I have to go out very early to leave my car for a service. I'm then spending most of the day running errands (and seeing Spider-Man: Far from Home). So, after I finish for today I probably won't be able to post until late (around now) tomorrow or maybe even the day after.
Oooh, nice. I hope the movie's good
After hearing about a newcomer, who was supposedly a sailor, Juliette also joins the group to go see him. The "sailor part" immediately caught her attention, since in Juliette’s youthful mind a picture of a sailor was quite romanticized, with a great ship and a captain sailing the seas. She wasn’t too disappointed though, because at least this guy wasn’t calling for violence or trying to kill them, like some people they met.
"Nice to meet you, Thomas. And, like Uthvern said, welcome to the New World. Although it...isn’t too welcoming, to be fair"
Herman bears the sailor talking, he likes the guy, he would like him to join
,
George 'Seeds may be more productive - but we don't have any Oxen to work the fields. Or trucks. Or tractors. And we grow all of our food in the middle of the country - which might as well be the moon right now. Short version - there isn't enough food in walking distance to feed everyone until the first crops come in. That'll be enough to make an awful lot of desperate people - I've seen it happen'
George pulls his longbow out and looses an arrow at barrel 100 yards away.
'And without gunpowder, defense requires a lot more skill - skills that most people don't have. Even wearing armor like this takes practice.'
George gestures at their little crew
'We got lucky the last time we tried talking our way through a problem - nearly lost Eva and Max to that kindness. I'm not willing to let that happen again.'
A bit surprised at the growing attention as the stragglers come into the conversation, he says hi to each, and answers "I came from a port town in Nova Scotia originally, and my parents and grandparents were all about trying to be self-sustaining, so a lot of what they know they passed on to me. Fishing is by far the easiest way to feed people. You can get more food from the orchard of the ocean in a short time than you can from the land, but the land holds more variety. People get damn bored with fish, let me tell you! I guess the hard part is going to get enough people who know how to sail, or at least how to move on the water, to get your catches back home. This side of the continent doesn't see the storms I used to back home, so that's a bonus."
Seeing the skill at the bow shot, he answers "Does gunpowder completely not burn, or how has it changed? How basic have chemical reactions been altered? Even if gunpowder doesn't work, what about other reactions that quickly produce pressure as a substitute?" Getting a bit worked up again, Tom's voice gets a bit high "What the Hell changed the whole freaking UNIVERSE?!?! Did God suddenly decide to take an active role again?! This is ****ed up, man!" He's panting a bit at the last, upset and confused, but soon regains his calm with time.
Once he calms down again, he answers George's last statement. "I'm not a diplomat, by any stretch, but people should just realize that they aren't going to survive if we don't cooperate. People did without tech for thousands of years, and we can do it again, if we stop with all the selfish bullshit."
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Uthvern grinds his teeth, "I'm down for giving something or someone a shot, but if and I mean if, they try to hurt anyone in the group," he slams his clenched fist into his open palm, "I will drag their ass through a sea of pain and brutality to the point where they realized they ****ed up and then end it for them." Uthvern takes a deep breath and shakes his head mumbling as he walks off to practice some more with a sword and shield.
George - 'We can do without tech just fine. We can't do without food. Or potable water. The last time the West Coast had to make do without the Internal Combustion Engine or electricity there were thousands of people living here - not millions. LA is likely already a deathland - and the survivors are almost certainly on the move.'
George gives Thomas one last hard look: 'Who you are and what you've done up until now doesn't matter much - you're starting with a clean slate here on this expedition - what you do with it is up to you.'
George turns to the Mayor and the Sherriff: 'We'll bring back the books and anything else we can gather on the way back. I can't say for certain Mr. Give-Peace-A-Chance here will be with us when we do'
With that, George turns from the docks and starts heading back into town to finish packing up the horses for the expedition.
Although Juliette didn’t exactly like Uthvern’s choice of words, what he said has helped her calm down before this expedition. It was just extremely reassuring to know that there was someone who would always have their backs. She would thank him for his determination, but the man walks away too fast for her to do so.
When George leaves, Juliette turns to the newcomer, Tom. "Don’t take it personal, everyone here is just really shaken up after what we’ve been through. I like your approach though. And I would love it if peace was always an option too..."
Juliette looks down, a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. "But that same approach from me almost cost us our lives. And I really don’t want anyone here to get hurt. If you’ll be joining us, that includes you too uhm....Tom". She smiled at the sailor.
Taken aback with the offered violence on one hand and the contempt for civilized behaviour on the other, Thomas is silent, thinking to himself *There's already been a lot of death, I'm certain. Billions possibly, since society runs on tech. Europe must be a Hellhole, the Middle East a charnel house. North America at least has the land to support millions, if we get together. Maybe there's more than just physical laws that this Change has changed. Psychology, too?*
At the kind words from Juliette, he answers "I'm not saying it's the only option, or even the first, but it shouldn't be discarded at every situation. I'm not ignorant - I know people will be dying by the desperate millions, all over the world, but if we can get it together, we can save more than just a small number. At the same time, maybe what's happened can be reversed if we find out the cause. Maybe something happened at Triumph or some other place, and it's just localized to our area?"
Vowing to keep his viewpoint, he follows the group. Seeing the horses, but unable to do much to help, he offers his hands where he is welcome, watching as well the people nearby for hints of changes beyond the required.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Hi. I'm back. Spider-man is somewhere between very good and great depending on how you view awkward teenage romances (about 20% of the movie).
Back to business. You get your gear together.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yachats,+OR,+USA/Cherry+Grove,+Oregon,+USA/@44.8263884,-123.472247,9z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x54c1950a42f833e9:0x1d66e8d291907cb2!2m2!1d-124.1048418!2d44.3112312!1m5!1m1!1s0x5495232259d6e271:0xa412442171254839!2m2!1d-123.24222!2d45.44778!3e2
I post the map again. If you go by the coast road it will be very difficult to avoid other people/towns. If you go inland you can cut across country for a lot of it and avoid most roads/towns. This of course will make the trip take longer.
George:
'I've said my peace, but do think the idea of one way out and another back makes a lot of sense. I'll defer to Juliette on how she wants to proceed. I've made up Ghillie coats for all of us - even you Tom. They'll help break up your outline when we're not moving and give us a better chance if we have to sneak up or observe some baddies.'
'I'm ready to head out as soon as everyone else is'
Uthvern clings his sword and shield together, "As am I."
Shrugging at the plan, Tom merely adds “You’ll know best, for sure. I may be able as a scout, if needed. Being inconspicuous is a bit of a talent. Other than that, I’m ready to go. “ touching his hand to the sword he continues “And if I need to use this, diplomacy won’t be involved. I like living. “
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Eva who has been quiet and watching the everyonetalks pipes in. “I think the best option is to stick to the most direct route but avoid any towns we come across.”