SUDDEN DEATH LIFE STORIES

"I can teach you to love pain." - Bethame, oddly apropos

This is the first SUDDEN DEATH LIFE STORIES, from Goat Fest '02.

You recite: "Welcome to Sudden Death Life Stories, a new game."

You recite: "This is a game where each of us gets to tell the story of our life, our own personal history. Something almost everyone likes to do. However, since not everyone likes to listen to someone drone on and on about themselves, there are a couple catches."

You recite: "First, you only have a minute to tell it."

You recite: "Second, everyone else gets to act out your story during the telling."

You recite: "I will tell each of you when it's time to go. You start reciting the details of your life, as much as you can fit into a minute, while the rest of us go on like actors in a play you're narrating."

You recite: "When the minute is up, you will stop, and I'll go on to the next person. If you DON'T stop, you may or may not be killed, but you certainly will be disqualified. (I will be whispering time to you.)"

You recite: "Be creative with your storytelling and acting out! At the end of the game, we'll vote on our most entertaining performers."

You recite: "So here's an example of play: if I said, "I was born on a windy night on the dead plains," one of you might do this:"

(Juspera blows lots of air on Juspera.)

Xeldria says, "That's quite some talent."

(Tierus lies down on the floor and rasps, "Ah'm tha dead plain.")

You nod.

You say, "Or that."

You point at Tierus.

You recite: "I will give you five minutes now to write up some of your life details ahead of time. Whisper to me if you have any questions."

You say, "Only those who tell their life stories will be in the voting in the end, but everyone is welcome to watch and act out."

[Jastev Amphitheater]
Tiers of carved stone seats descend in orderly, semi-circular waves toward a stage at the lower end of the open-air amphitheater. Overhead, the sky provides a brilliant blue ceiling, studded with occasional passing clouds. Cerulean blue stage curtains as well as the stage itself are shielded from any inclement weather by an overhanging roof. You also see the Miseris disk and the Ratero disk.
Also here: Isselie, Lord Tierus, Lord Miseris, Lord Ratero, Myrafikiki, Nenime, Journeywoman Bethame, Lord Arkhaine, Lord Furnath, Lady Xeldria

Obvious paths: out.

You say, "Xeldria, go."

Xeldria says, "I was born, that much is obvious since I'm standing before you all. It was a dark and stormy night, with fear and anquish so tangible in the cool, damp air. "

You tremble.

Nenime gasps in terrified panic, trembling and flailing her arms about!

You shiver.

Xeldria says, "My parents feared for my safety from my mother's family, who were not the most understanding people in the world. A few hours old, I was whisked far away to a monastery, never to see my parents alive again."

You pull on Xeldria, trying to get her closer.

(Juspera whisks Xeldria!)

(Tierus makes a sound much like thunder, but it seems to be coming from within his stomach.)

(Miseris makes terrible wailing tanglbe noises of storminess fear, and anguish)

(Isselie attempts to shape a monastary with her arms and legs.)

(Nenime acts as Xeldria's parents and waves goodbye.)

Ratero kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Xeldria says, "Growing up among clergy was a boring life. Morning prayers, simple chores, yet more prayers, meals, and yet even more prayers.."

(Tierus falls down and holds up a little lily over his chest.)

Isselie kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Miseris kneels down.

Miseris continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

You say, "All right, I'll lengthen it to 3 minutes' time each."

Tierus kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Isselie sets about preparing Xeldria to be as presentable as possible.

Isselie continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

(Isselie eats)

Isselie continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

(Nenime sweeps the floor.)

(Tierus prays some more.)

(Tierus prays, yet again.)

(Nenime washes clothes.)

(Tierus glances about, still praying.)

Tierus gazes up into the heavens.

Xeldria says, "Needless to say, I longed to be elsewhere. But since I was essentially locked in that prison of a monastery, I was stuck there until I turned 25."

(Miseris holds up twenty-five fingers)

(Nenime rattles the bars of her cell.)

(Juspera holds her fingers in front of Xeldria's face like bars.)

Nenime wails!

Ratero deftly twirls an ivory-tipped dark vaalin lockpick between two fingers.

(Tierus holds his hands up, miming a wall in front of his face.)

Xeldria says, "The day I left was quite wonderful, the birds were chirping and the sun was shining, definitely a good omen."

Tierus warbles like a bird.

Miseris warbles like a bird.

Tierus whistles tunelessly to himself.

(Isselie attempts to lock herself into the monastary while she also reenacts her monastary.)

You bark!

A low chirping sound comes from within a yellow painted cricket box.

Ratero tucks in his arms and flaps them like a bird.

(Tierus tweets a few times, pecking at something in the ground.)

Isselie smiles and chirps.

Xeldria says, "Before I left, I received a letter from the head priest. I was told it arrived with me, all those years ago."

Tierus removes a stained scrap of parchment from in his spidersilk cloak.

Miseris marches up to Xeldria and gives her a crisp salute.

(Nenime gives a letter to Xeldria.)

Tierus gazes in awe at the parchment in his hand.

(Miseris hands xeldria a letter)

(Isselie picks up a letter, squints at it, then turns it right side up)

(Tierus turns his parchment quickly up-side down.)

Xeldria says, "The letter was from my mother and told of the tragic circumstances befalling herself and my father.."

Tierus coughs.

Tierus blushes a lovely shade of bright pink.

You sigh dramatically.

Xeldria says, "It was then I knew I had no where to go.. and roamed the lands until I came to Landing."

You exclaim, "Furnath go!"

(Isselie folds the letter and holds it to her breast)

Nenime gazes at Xeldria with a look of utter sorrow in her eyes.

(Tierus goes.)

Furnath says, "I was born in the landin and hunted too much. I moved ta the rest and made good freinds"

(Miseris enacts the tragic death of Xeldria's father)

Isselie wipes the sweat from her brow.

(Bethame sobs)

Miseris falls over.

Xeldria removes a galvorn-edged woodsman's hatchet from in her spidersilk satchel.

Furnath says, "I hunted the garrison naked and won a costumes contest the same. Fell in love with a Hoff and died when I met another"

(Tierus snores, loudly.)

Isselie exclaims, "YOU STOLE MY KILL!"

Xeldria falls over.

Isselie points at Furnath.

You laugh out loud!

Furnath says, "Move ta the nations and fell yet again. "

(Xeldria stops breathing for a moment.)

Ratero falls over.

(Tierus begins removing his clothes, then quickly replaces them with a reproachful look at Furnath.)

(Juspera strides east.)

Furnath says, "Moved back ta the rest and fell in love more an more. "

(Bethame hacks roltons to pieces)

(Juspera strides west.)

Isselie falls over.

Furnath says, "Learned ta fear katanas at the hands of a queen"

Tierus put a stained scrap of parchment in his spidersilk cloak.

Tierus removes an enruned ebonwood mirror from in his spidersilk cloak.

Tierus gazes in awe at the mirror in his hand.

Xeldria places a hand over her heart.

Xeldria sighs romanticism.

Isselie shrinks fearfully away from you!

(Bethame snuggles up to furnath and bats eyes)

(Tierus kisses his reflection in the mirror.)

Furnath says, "Now I am back and experiment again"

You laugh out loud!

Furnath says, "Always lookin fer volunteers and free ales "

(Tierus experiments with himself, seeing just how far he can pull his ears down.)

(Xeldria begins to poke everyone with her pointed stick.)

(Juspera taps her back.)

(Isselie attemps to mix rum and beer. Experimentation!)

Tierus raises his brandy decanter skyward!

(Bethame raises ale and salutes the pretty women)

Furnath says, "Fallin in love again now that I'm home"

Isselie falls over.

Ratero falls over.

Xeldria swoons.

Tierus catches your eye, smiles slowly, and begins flirting with you.

Xeldria exclaims, "I love you! No! I love you!"

(Tierus begins flirting with... well... anything that can steam a glass.)

Isselie places a hand over her heart.

Xeldria places a hand over her heart.

(Bethame swoons)

Furnath says, "I never kills, and only dies once a year"

Ratero slowly draws his finger across his throat meaningfully.

(Xeldria stands around looking bored. Suddenly she keels over.)

Ratero falls over.

(Isselie staggers around dramatically and dies.)

Xeldria falls over.

Isselie falls over.

Furnath says, "Though I enjoys gettin outhers inta trouble as much as posssblie"

(Tierus pulls a flower out of his cloak and lies there, looking very dead.)

(Bethame breaks her blade across her knees)

(Miseris falls back into a heap and dies.)

Furnath says, "And I killed Arkhaine once"

You glance at Arkhaine and slowly draw your finger across your throat meaningfully.

(Tierus reaches into Isselie's pockets, muttering something about trouble.)

Ratero hurls himself at Arkhaine!
Ratero flies a bit wide and lands in a heap on the ground.

Miseris hurls himself at Arkhaine!
Miseris flies a bit wide and lands in a heap on the ground.

You exclaim, "And... Bethame!"

(Bethame stabs arkhaine)

(Tierus boks Arkhaine with his longsword.)

(Xeldria slaps Arkhaine across the head with her hand, trying to knock his head off his shoulder's.)

(Xeldria does nothing for the moment.)

(Tierus stands stock-still, not doing anything at all.)

Bethame says, "i was born an Elf "

(Tierus points to himself, noting that he was also born an Elf.)

Isselie struts about.

(Xeldria points to her lovely pointed ears. My they're beautiful.)

Bethame says, "i was raised in Ta'Vaalor"

(Nenime mimics childbirth.)

Xeldria marches up to Bethame and gives her a crisp salute.

(Miseris is so glad not to be an elf)

Tierus marches back and forth, sharply turning at the end of each stride.

(Juspera squats down, then slowly sprouts upward.)

Bethame says, "where i had many friends and mentor"

Isselie hugs Furnath, who wraps her in a warm embrace.

Isselie hugs Xeldria with a smile.

Miseris and Bethame shake hands.

(Juspera puts her arms around you all.)

(Nenime looks up to her mentor.)

Isselie hugs you.

Xeldria says, "Enlighten me great one."

Xeldria begs.

(Tierus points to Xeldria, Furnath, and Arkhaine, stating, "Ye're me friends!")

Tierus points at you.

Bethame says, "i come from a long line of pipers and am one myself"

Tierus says, "Ye're me mentor."

(Furnath plays the pipe)

Tierus glances at a weathered bloodwood lute.

Tierus casts growled aspersions into mid-air.

(Isselie pipes.)

(Miseris pipers with the best of a long line of pipers)

Bethame says, "i fell for a devilish rougue who swept me off my feet"

(Xeldria covers her ears, then attempt to pull them off her face to stop the horrible noise..)

Ratero strikes a heroic pose.

>sweep Furnath
A calmness around you prevents that action.

(Tierus begins blowing into his pot of hot rum, making nothing but bubbles and a lot of spraying hot liquid.)

Nenime sets about preparing herself to be as presentable as possible.

Nenime winks.

(Furnath falls in love with Karly yet again)

Bethame says, "i took me away with him to the Landing"

You say, "A calmness around me prevents that action."

(Furnath sweep her off her feet)

(Xeldria mimes sweeping with a broom, managing to trip several people in the process.)

Tierus suddenly stumbles for no apparent reason.

Tierus glances at Xeldria.

You exclaim, "And... Nenime!"

Bethame says, "he then left me alone to fend for myself"

Nenime says, "I am the youngest daughter of a tone-deaf bard. She always wanted to have a doctor in the family, but my oldest sister chose a life of crime instead."

Tierus covers his ears.

Xeldria shrieks!

Furnath waves a hand at Bethame, dismissing her indifferently.

(Isselie lets go of Bethame suddenly.)

Miseris exclaims, "Hello? Hello? I can't hear you!"

Isselie stares darkly at Bethame then sticks her nose up and turns her head away from her with a snap.

Bethame says, "i survived and am happy again"

Xeldria removes a ceremonial golden eahnor parazonium from in her spidersilk satchel.

Xeldria grins happily.

Ratero bounces around happily.

Nenime says, "My sister kept the company of strange, dark men. She slept in alleyways and stole food from pauper's mouths."

(Tierus begins playing his lute... or, at least, that's what it seems he is trying to do. Traditionally, however, most people do not play the lute with their noses.)

Furnath says, "I think I know her"

Xeldria exclaims, "Give me that pickle!"

(Juspera grabs at Xeldria's tongue.)

(Miseris steals the food from other Pauper's Members)

Tierus says, "Why... ah'm a strange, dark man."

Nenime says, "She ran away one day. We think she was carrying the child of one of those strange, dark men."

(Isselie snatches the food from an old man in the audience.)

Tierus removes a massive Moomph dill pickle from in his soft leather trousers.

You hear someone weeping nearby.

Nenime says, "When I was old enough, I went to medical school to make me mum proud. I learned much of the arts of healing and the lore of the herbs."

(Bethame peers at group from shadows)

(Isselie sticks out her stomach and waddles downstage.)

Xeldria forages around briefly but doesn't seem to find anything useful.

(Tierus runs his longsword over the floor, muttering, "Oops!")

(Furnath falls graspin his leg)

Ratero takes a bite of his acantha leaf.

Nothing happens.

Nenime exclaims, "However, healing bored me, so I turned to locksmithing. Now I'm happily engaged and ready for a long life in my new career!"

Tierus exclaims, "Ah think ah killed this'un!"

(Bethame studies over her medical books)

(Miseris shouts 'Oh gosh it hurts, heal me nurse Nenime!')

Ratero deftly twirls an ivory-tipped dark vaalin lockpick between two fingers.

Nenime curtsies.

You exclaim, "Tell us more!"

(Isselie puts up an imaginary box and pretends to pick the lock.)

(Tierus mutters something that sounds like, " 'tleast ah opened 'im up! Why dun' ah become a locksmith?")

(Bethame picks locks and blows hand off)

Nenime shrugs.

(Xeldria falls overs, twitching in pain.)

Xeldria falls over.

Xeldria exclaims, "Medic!"

Nenime exclaims, "The rest has yet to be written!"

(Isselie gasps! Suddenly it bursts open and covers her with a flaming red goo!)

Isselie flails her arms about.

Tierus glances at a swept-hilt blued rolaren longsword.

Tierus says, "Ah'll 'elp ye."

(Miseris rolls the flaming 'smith)

(Juspera goes to write on her palm with an imaginary quill, then shakes her head and puts her quill away.)

You say, "Aaaaaand....."

You exclaim, "Miseris!"

Miseris recites: "I was born in a strange and dark alley! Filled with the voices of heros long dead!"

(Nenime shivers with anticipation.)

Furnath cowers.

You hear the voice of Ratero say, "hello"

Tierus chatters to himself, apparently engaged in a spirited debate with his alter ego.

You hear the voice of Ratero say, "i am dead"

(Xeldria booms, "I am Berr!")

(Bethame lays in daark alley)

Xeldria recites: "Keep the roltons away."

(Isselie says "Use DIR to help you move around!" in a friendly voice)

(Juspera moans, "I'm Despana! I'm a long-dead... oh wait.")

(Nenime makes herself big so as to cast a large shadow.)

Miseris recites: "They told me to find my destiny and seek advice and tours and things not much like long dead heros would say!"

(Tierus rings a finger around his ear, muttering something about hearing "dead people.")

Furnath searches around for a moment.

You exclaim, "You need to talk to Thrak!"

(Xeldria stumbles around, searching for things of value in the dark.)

Miseris recites: "I left from this alley and found myself in the wintery lands of icemule!"

(Bethame searches for destiny on the floor)

Isselie shivers.

Xeldria shivers.

Ratero shivers.

(Tierus mutters, "Go tae tha inn! Go tae tha gate! Go tae tha pawnshop! Go tae tha armory!")

You lick the imflass mail bodice.
It tastes metallic!

You exclaim, "My tongue is stuck to my bodice!"

You exclaim, "Nnggthh!"

Xeldria holds her breath until she looks like she's going to turn blue!

Tierus stands up.

Tierus falls over.

Tierus stands up.

Furnath glances at you.

Tierus makes a rude suggestion and you give him a firm punch for it.

Furnath says, "I'll help"

Xeldria exclaims, "It's so cold, I'm turning blue!"

Bethame says, "it's sooo cold"

Isselie glances at you and slowly exhales.

Tierus exclaims, "Gah! me tongue's stuck tae Juspera's bodice, too!"

(Furnath lears at Juspera)

Tierus says, "Nghhagh."

Ratero laughs!

You laugh out loud!

Nenime whispers, "I don't want to know why you're licking your bodice!"

Miseris recites: "I wandered about the town seeking DIRections from those who might give them to me, seeing many a strange penquin and wizenend gnome and so forth!"

Xeldria kneels down.

(Tierus walks right into a wall.)

Tierus falls over.

(Isselie waddles and flaps her arms.)

(Xeldria walks around on her knees.)

(Nenime takes out a map and gives it to Miseris.)

(Bethame wanders aimlessly)

Tierus wobbles, looking a bit faint.

Bethame says, "can you help me, i'm lost"

(Isselie hunches over and stumbles in to Miseris)

Ratero tucks in his arms and flaps them like a bird.

(Nenime points out the hunting areas.)

(Tierus begins doing a penguin-walk around.)

(Furnath studies his map)

Miseris recites: "But as I ented the Inn, I slipped! Then erm....fire! Yes, fire from the sky!"

Xeldria exclaims, "Squawk!"

Isselie falls over.

Nenime falls over.

Ratero falls over.

Furnath falls over.

Xeldria gazes up into the heavens.

Nenime exclaims, "Fire!"

Ratero ducks his head.

Nenime screams!

Isselie exclaims, "Roll!"

Isselie rolls around on the ground.

(Xeldria runs around in a panice.)

Furnath traces a sign that contorts in the air while he forcefully incants a dark invocation...

Furnath snaps his fingers.

Xeldria exclaims, "The sky is falling!"

Miseris recites: "And erm...a hord of terrible hill trolls poured out of the ratacombs!"

Myrafikiki snickers.

Nenime roars!

(Isselie swells up.)

Isselie snarls menacingly!

Nenime stamps her feet.

Ratero covers his nose tightly.

Miseris recites: "And uh uh...yes! I saved the day, naturally!"

Tierus growls ferociously!

(Xeldria hunches over and drags her arms on the ground.)

You exclaim, "And... Tierus!"

Nenime strikes a heroic pose.

(Tierus squeaks.)

Furnath strikes a heroic pose.

Ratero strikes a heroic pose.

Tierus recites: "Ah wis born in 'Mule, tae a stablemaid an' a daemon..."

Xeldria struts about proudly.

(Juspera tries to lift Miseris onto her shoulders, but fails miserably.)

Isselie blinks.

(Nenime mimics childbirth.)

Nenime pants.

Tierus recites: "Oh, wait. Tha' wis Laton's hist'ry."

You laugh out loud!

Ratero slaps himself on the forehead.

Tierus recites: "Ah wis born tae a fam'ly a dark-skinned Faendryl an' one sylph. Guess ye cin tell tha' e'erythin' werked out, me bein' so dark an' all. "

You feel the blood drain from your face.

(Xeldria prances around with her nose upturned.)

(Bethame dances with devil)

Tierus recites: "Anywiy, me early years wir borin'. Ah learned a whole bunch 'bout Sheru, bu' nae much 'bout anythin' else. 'Twas fer tha' reason tha' ah met me ferst lady friend at tha age o' fourty-five. "

(Miseris smirks excessively)

(Nenime studies her books.)

Isselie cackles!

(Xeldria flirts ridiculously with Juspera.)

(Nenime never has time for girls.)

Tierus recites: "Ye cin imagine why ah lef' Sheru, an' went o'er tae Ronan."

(Miseris's first word is 'Sheru!')

Xeldria yawns.

(Bethame studies and stays at home)

Xeldria closes her eyes for a moment.

You rub your eyes.

(Xeldria snores loudly.)

(Nenime growls mysteriously.)

(Ratero dismisses Sheru)

Xeldria says, "Mm.. "

Xeldria says, "Good dreams.."

Tierus recites: "Well, ah traveled tae 'Mule aftir those days, an' joined up wif tha camp o' tha Firemage, Thurfel."

(Isselie hols her arms outstrectched, much like Ronan.)

You kneel down.

You exclaim, "The liches must be stopped!"

You stand back up.

Tierus recites: "Now, Thurfel's awful fun tae be 'round. Especially if'n ye like barbecques."

(Bethame trudges through the snow and ice )

(Nenime rubs her feet after a long day traveling.)

Isselie takes a few steps to her left.

Xeldria says, "I like to play with fire."

Isselie takes a few steps to her right.

Nenime drools.

Xeldria lights a match by flicking it against her thumb.

Bethame says, "we must cleance the slopes"

(Miseris walks about on his hands and knees like an Olivi while gesturing mystically)

Nenime says, "Barbecue..."

Nenime sighs happily.

(Furnath prepares the firestorm spell)

Xeldria raises her burning match skyward!

Isselie exclaims, "Rolton's done!"

Bethame says, "fire is a mage's best friend"

Tierus recites: "'owe'er, 'e'snae much o' a ruler fer 'Mule, as ah'm sure mos' o' ye cin see. Aftir all, wha' sort o' good fellow burns doon 'is own city?"

Miseris asks, "Do you like fire?"

(Xeldria tosses the match carelessly aside. Oops.)

You exclaim, "Nevrek!"

You exclaim, "Don't vote for him for mayor!"

Nenime gasps.

Tierus recites: "Anywiy, ah came back tae Landin' a bit ago, only tae find tha' a Mularosian Pain Lord named Eryael'd developed a thing fer me."

You kick Tierus!

Nenime begins to flirt with Tierus.

Miseris exclaims, "Selling! Altered forest green brig!"

(Isselie draws a drink from a keg, then accidentaly drops a match in)

(Bethame blows on the fire to put out but expands the flames)

You exclaim, "And... Isselie!"

Xeldria says, "Let me make wonderful living art out of you.."

Isselie recites: "I was born! I don't know where, I don't know whn!"

(Tierus stumbles around, looking confused.)

Xeldria seems puzzled.

(Miseris drops out of the sky like Isselie)

Isselie recites: "Or to whom!"

(Nenime looks hopeless.)

(Xeldria looks rather surprised at being here.)

(Tierus points to Ratero and asks, "Are ye me mommy?")

(Nenime gazes around at the steps of the orphanage.)

Isselie recites: "The First thing I remember is scrubbing floors in a monastary "

Bethame asks, "is this were i was born?"

(Miseris appears suddenly looking a little confused and frightened.)

Ratero kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Isselie recites: "The second thing I remember is getting kicked out by the clerggy"

(Tierus scrubs at the ground, kissing someone's feet as he passes by them.)

(Nenime drags out a bucket of slop water.)

Nenime kicks Isselie!

Nenime exclaims, "Get out!"

Tierus starts jumping around like a twelve-year-old.

(Miseris says 'I can't remeber a thing. Must scrub floors!')

(Xeldria winds up and give a big kick to Isselie.)

Tierus exclaims, "ow!"

(Bethame kneels on floor scrubbing and looking up monks skirts)

A pained expression crosses Isselie's face.

(Tierus kicks himself in the rear, demonstrating extraordinary acrobatics.)

Isselie recites: "An elf named Stron took me in."

Isselie recites: "He was always drunk."

(Furnath holds Isselie close)

You suddenly lose your balance and stumble a bit to the left before righting yourself.

Ratero hiccups!

Nenime suddenly stumbles for no apparent reason.

Furnath shifts his weight.

Isselie recites: "But he fought well!"

Furnath hiccups!

Nenime hiccups!

Bethame says, "here lil one, i can take care of you"

(Miseris drinks to excess)

Tierus takes a drink from his brandy decanter.

You punch Xeldria!

Xeldria stares off into space.

Xeldria walks over and kicks you in the shin!

Isselie recites: "And so I learned how to battle."

(Nenime swings drunkenly at Miseris.)

(Tierus swings his longsword about in a circle, still drinking from his decanter.)

Furnath walks over and punches you!

Ratero clenches his fist.

Xeldria says, "Take that Stron! Oops."

Tierus sways back and forth.

Xeldria hauls off and slaps you up'side your head!

(Bethame brandishes her sword to defend Iss)

(Miseris says in the voice of Stron, "Will ye help me find ma kitty, young lass?")

Nenime exclaims, "Take that!"

Tierus falls over.

Isselie recites: "On a warm evening, while he was looking over the horizon and the summer breeze was blowing..."

Xeldria says, "Whoosh.."

Tierus glances at Isselie and slowly exhales.

(Bethame blows on strons neck)

Tierus takes a deep breath.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

(Xeldria flaps her arms like the wings of a bird.)

You glance at Isselie and slowly exhale.

Tierus glances at Isselie and slowly exhales.

Xeldria says, "It's so warm up here.."

Isselie recites: "A haggard old pirate came up to his house and started to attack him!"

Tierus exclaims, "Arrg!"

(Furnath blows in Isselies ear)

Ratero says, "yaaargh"

Xeldria exclaims, "Arrr!"

(Miseris says, "Arr dats a tough break matie!)

(Nenime covers one eye and staggers like a pirate.)

Xeldria exclaims, "I'll stab ye with me peg leg!"

(Tierus limps around, one hand over one eye.)

Tierus exclaims, "Ah want tarts!"

Bethame says, "ahoy i'm going to cut your throat "

Tierus says, "Wait. Tha's a Spitfire pirate."

(Xeldria hooks her hand and begins swinging wildly.)

Tierus frowns.

(Nenime runs up and attacks the pirates.)

Nenime glances at Xeldria and slowly draws her finger across her throat meaningfully.

(Miseris steps on Juspera's foot with his pegleg!)

Isselie recites: "Claimed he had an old debt to 'repay.' Stron and the pirate battled each other into the barn, which caught fire in the ruckus, and they both burned to death."

Xeldria exclaims, "Arrr. That's for calling me one eye!"

You say, "And... I'll do me last."

You exclaim, "Juspera!"

Xeldria removes a wooden matchbox from in her spidersilk satchel.

Isselie recites: "And here I am six hundred years later!"

You recite: "I was born in a hot dusty town to the south."

Tierus glances at you and slowly exhales.

You recite: "In the slums."

Nenime breaks out in a sweat.

(Tierus looks very dingy.)

Ratero fans himself.

Furnath asks, "Six hundered?"

Tierus breaks out in a sweat.

Nenime pants.

(Xeldria inhales the dust on the floor..)

Xeldria sneezes.

(Miseris struts about, slumming)

Tierus wipes the sweat from his brow.

You recite: "I was very unpopular since I was the only white kid."

Nenime's face turns slightly pale.

Isselie's face turns slightly pale.

Furnath turns away, ignoring you.

(Tierus points at his skin.)

Ratero pokes you in the ribs.

Xeldria ducks slightly and covers her head with her arms.

Xeldria exclaims, "No one loves me!"

Tierus asks, "Why doesnae any'un like me?"

Xeldria begins pouting.

Nenime stares darkly at you then sticks her nose up and turns her head away from you with a snap.

Ratero shoves futilely at you.

You recite: "One day I fell asleep in a cool merchant wagon, and by the time I awoke, they were on the road."

(Bethame puts dirt on skin to hide color)

Ratero falls over.

(Tierus glances at Miseris and asks, "Will ye be me friend?")

Isselie falls over.

Xeldria falls over.

(Miseris says in Juspera's voice, "I am so pale and sickly! No one will like me!")

(Isselie snores)

You laugh out loud!

Isselie blinks.

Xeldria closes her eyes for a moment.

Isselie rolls around on the ground.

Nenime asks, "Are we moving?"

Nenime blinks.

(Tierus rolls over to Juspera.)

Bethame asks, "oh where am i Toto?"

(Xeldria snores loudly and rolls to the far corner.)

You recite: "They wouldn't take me back, and I rode to the Landing."

Nenime asks, "What's going on?"

Tierus sniffs.

Furnath waves a hand at you, dismissing you indifferently.

Xeldria exclaims, "I need a horse to mount!"

Tierus exclaims, "This smells werse than tha ol' place!"

(Xeldria gallops in circles.)

You recite: "I lived on the streets for several years, until a family took me in."

(Bethame sits on back of wagon swinging her legs)

Isselie kneels down.

Isselie begs.

(Xeldria knocks an imaginary door for a moment, then barges in.)

(Miseris holds his crystal amulet and projects the thoughts, "Selling! FGB! 80mil flat!")

(Tierus glances at Ratero and Myrafikiki, asking, "Will ye be me mommy?")

Xeldria says, "You're my family now! Live with it."

You recite: "I ran away. Then I let another family take me in, then I ran away again."

Bethame says, "here you sweet thing, come live with us"

(Isselie runs away from Juspera!)

Furnath tries to pull you towards him.

You recite: "Then I let another family take me in, and I stayed with them awhile, but they made me hide my ears."

(Isselie runs towards Juspera!)

(Isselie runs away from Juspera!)

(Isselie runs towards Juspera!)

(Nenime runs frantically from house to house.)

You recite: "And not tell anyone I was an elf."

Ratero tries to pull you towards him.

(Tierus glances at other people in the room, asking his "Mommy" question. He begins adding in, "Cin ah get some silvers fer ale?")

You laugh out loud!

Furnath covers his ears.

Bethame says, "oh you are so precious and you can wear this cap to hide your ears"

(Isselie covers her ears.)

(Xeldria pulls her hair around her ears, tying it under ther chin.)

(Miseris places Juspera's ears under her pillow)

You recite: "Then I ran away and joined a... social club."

Xeldria says, "I'm a human. REally."

You recite: "And learned how to... open boxes."

(Tierus clasps a hand over his chest and mutters, "Ah love Caer!")

You laugh out loud!

You recite: "Then I left them and struck out on my own."

Tierus asks, "Cin ye teach me 'ow tae take off me clothes like tha'?"

(Xeldria bangs her head on an imaginary box.)

(Isselie starts hunting for ten orc sticks.)

You recite: "Then I married Caer."

You recite: "Then Caer said I never married him."

Tierus is hugging himself.

Xeldria exclaims, "Caer, you devilish bard!"

You recite: "The end."

(Bethame slips up behind tierus and empties his pockets)

(Miseris says in Juspera's voice, "Caer! You're the only one for me!")

Xeldria falls over.

Nenime applauds you.

(Xeldria pants, exhausted.)

The voting declared Xeldria the winner, Isselie in second and Bethame in third. Congratulations!