Villainous 2.0 (Play-By-Post)

The Sorceress QUINNTESSA has summoned you to her castle in the woodland region of EGRESS. It is a warm summer night and the moon is crescent matching the banner over the castle gate. Something is wrong however. She said someone would be waiting for you at the gate where is this person? This is unusual. You notice that the draw bridge chains seem to of been broken and the gate is smashed. You hear the sound of horses approaching it's the guard. Better think fast you cannot be caught.

Who are you and most important of all what will you do?

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Goals:
In an effort to keep my creative writing skills sharp, scratch my itch to run a role-playing game, and generate activity for AGN, I am continuing my own RPG in a play-by-post free-form format with weekly updates.
As the thread title suggests this particular RPG will be a evil PC fantasy rpg. Antiheroes, non-heroes, or villains. Be sure to note which is your preference in your first post.

Mechanics:
In short, this game will function similar to Sword & Sorcery except setting elaboration magic and dragons for example. The goal of the game is to tell a collective story and have fun. Every weekend, I'll post a scenario for you to react to and you'll post a response--in first person--explaining how your character reacts and what actions and reactions he or she takes and makes. As the week goes on I will provide Action-Tennis.

Each update will be segmented into sections, with each section pertaining to one or more players. The player(s) in question will be tagged by the forum, and the first paragraph of such a section will start with the name of that player's character. You will not be required to read the paragraphs of other players (Or even their replies to the thread). I will distill any important cross-character interaction into your next scenario. If you are joining late, links to each update can be found in the second post of this thread so that you can easily jump past the responses to the new scenario. They'll be listed in reverse chronological order and they will be numbered, dated, and collected by setting.
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Rule Clarifications:

General: Improvisation is a Staple
You are free and ENCOURAGED to ad-lib. If a fact hasn't been established, it's fair game. If you make too wild an assumption, I will gently reel you back into the narrative. Also, if there is a non-player character and I have not stated they are LOCKED, then they are fair game; you may make them do and say what you please. Other player characters are always LOCKED, you cannot control another player's character.

General: Summarized Conversations
When conducting conversation with an NPC or another player, do not feel that you have to write out the literal dialogue. Posting the gist of your conversational goals is sufficient.

General: The means through which new rules are dispensed
I'll introduce more rules as they become necessary. When rules are introduced, they'll appear at the top of the update. The game is free-form, though, so just have fun with it. For the most part, if you want to do something your character can do it. One warning, though; if you go Marty Stu expect consequences. Also, try not to get too vulgar, there are kids on the forum (This is not the Veldt). Also, if there's a lot of interest I may split the game (and thread) into two (or more) instances.

General: RPG Communication Mediums
This is strictly a forum game. There will be no IRC or Skype component to this endeavor. However, you may PM me anytime if you have concerns or questions. I tend to be quite talkative and am willing to compromise.

General: Creating Characters, Rebuilding, Retiring, Limits
When you create a character it is good to know your name, race, gender, class, equipment etc. Give as much or little information as you which (the information I listed is NOT required, but I will keep track of everything.)
Note that you can rebuild each character of yours Twice. (they will retain all memories).
You can also retire them and bring in a new character. Retired character can be brought back into the game at the beginning of a story arc which I will denote.
You can have only ONE active character for now, this is for my own sanity. Once I get a system going this will change.

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Setting Elaboration: Races
Humans
Eladrins
Elves / Dark Elves
Dwarves / Dark Dwarves
Gnomes
Orcs
Assimar (Fallen Angel Lineage Only)
Tiefling
Dragonborn
Vampire
Lizalfos
Gnolls
Kobolds
Orges
Trolls
Oni

Settiing Elaboration: Magic
General
Magic manifests why a magician utilizes the manasphere with their aspect and a implement if they choose to use one. Ritual Magic works the same way. This might seem strange, but this makes magic so flexible and ridiculous and wwe're going to have a lot of fun this way. Also you can change your aspect at anytime. Implement's must be purchased. (Hell just steal them.)

Aspects
These are how you manifest your magic. I am so damn flexible here, it's ridiculous. This can be as simple as using as staff to manifest Destruction Magic to the exotic use of voodoo dolls to entrall your enemies. In other words go wild with your Aspects. Where your magic comes from is up to you, it can be arcane knowledge or something out of Lovecraft (I've done this with Quintessa).

Implements
These add additional effects to spells. For example a Wand of Accuracy would increase the accuracy of disguising yourself to look like someone you've seen only once. Which is Illusion Magic. The most common implements are Staffs, Wands, Orbs, Tombs, Totems, Crystals, and Rods.

NOTE: Staffs can be both an aspect and a implement mind you.

Setting Elaboration: Seven Schools of Magic
Beast
Spells that transform the recipient physically or change its properties in a more subtle way. A beast magic specialist is called a shifter.
Subschools: Transmutation (objects)

Conjuration
Spells that bring creatures or materials to the caster. A conjuration specialist is called a summoner.
Subschools: Healing, Creation

Destruction
Spells that manipulate energy and life force. A destruction specialist is called an evoker.
Subschools: Necromancy (these are called Necromancers)

Enchantment
Spells that imbue the recipient with some property or grant the caster power over another being. An enchantment specialist is called an enchanter.
Subschools: Charm, Compulsion

Evasion
Spells that evade, protect, block, or banish. A evasion magic specialist is called an evadist.
Subschools: Teleportation

Illusion
Spells that alter perception or create false images. in Illusion specialist is called a Illusionist.
Subschools: Shadow (partially real illusions) these are called Nethermancers

Scrying
Spells that transfer and receive information. A scrying specialist is called a oracle.

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Locked characters
Here is a list of the currently locked characters and the players who have access to them:

Players
Quinntessa = Tamamo [Pronouns: Beast Mage Call Girl of Nyarlathotep "Beast"]
Eidos Kentarra = TheDarkOne [Pronouns: Blackguard "Unknown"]
Gai Nohn = King Aquamentus [Pronouns: Arcane Trickster "Creation and Illusion"]

NPCs
Taras =Eidos & Game Master [Pronouns: Shadow Druid "Beast"]
Alnur = Game Master [Pronouns: Dark Priest, "Ermac"]

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Character creation rules, guidelines, and limitations, please?

Prayer == channelling, and makes sense. Good.

Too bad you don't have a madness discipline. Nothing better than working with horrors of the old times, or from the outside.

@ZoriaRPG
1. You cannot be good but you can be non-evil if that's your choice.
2. In short, there are really no limitations here. I'm about to update Quintessa's information to give you an idea of how liberal I am with the rules. (I bend them so that we all have fun, and those abusing the game are punished)
3. Actually the mdness discipline would fall under channeling too and would lead to quite interesting character since they don't choose most of the time. They are chosen.
4. When you create a character it is good to know your name, race, gender, class, equipment etc. Give as much or little information as you wish. (the information I listed is NOT required, I also keep track of everything so don't worry.)

Also I lost the stuff you sent me for ZoriaRPG could you perhaps resend it. My kindle broke, need to get a new one come Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Added Quintessa too first post btw

A bolt of black lightning strikes the ground and a figure appears. He looks mostly human, but he is unusually tall and thin and his body casts no shadow. He has ice-blue eyes which almost glow. He wears dark red half-plate armor and a black cloak. He carries a platinum-hilted greatsword with a black blade, which he is currently holding skyward, with diminishing circles of black lightning swirling around it. He sheathes this sword and turns to regard the destroyed castle gate.

((My character's name in this is Eidos Kentarra, and he is a Blackguard, also known as an anti-paladin. His race is tiefling, look that up if you need more info))

(Read 11-2-15)
-T

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Rule Clarifications

Quote:

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I feel like I'm gonna choose something and then wish I'd gone with something else

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Today we are going to fix this today.
This is how, you can rebuild each character of yours Twice. (they will retain all memories)
You can also retire them and bring in a new character. Retired character can be brought back into the game at the beginning of a story arc which I will denote.
You can have only ONE active character for now, this is for my own sanity. Once I get a system going this will change.
==================================================

==================================================
Setting Elaboration: Magic
Magic manifests why a magician utilizes the manasphere with their aspect and a implement if they choose to use one. Ritual Magic works the same way. This might seem strange, but this makes magic so flexible and ridiculous and wwe're going to have a lot of fun this way. Also you can change your aspect at anytime. Implement's must be purchased. (Hell just steal them.)

Aspects
These are how you manifest your magic. I am so damn flexible here, it's ridiculous. This can be as simple as using as staff to manifest Destruction Magic to the exotic use of voodoo dolls to entrall your enemies. In other words go wild with your Aspects.

Implements
These add additional effects to spells. For example a Wand of Accuracy would increase the accuracy of disguising yourself to look like someone you've seen only once. Which is Illusion Magic. The most common implements are Staffs, Wands, Orbs, Tombs, Totems, Crystals, and Rods.

NOTE: Staffs can be both an aspect and a implement mind you.
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Example: Quinntessa use's her eyes as an aspect rolling them into the back of her head and speaks an ancient language that is in turn her communing with Nyarlathotep who turns her arms into tentacles.

The Oni, Gai Nohn, had been approaching the castle with a caravan of marching fruit-pies, but snaps her fingers when she sees the damage, and the pies all flatten with a fart noise. Hiding in the woods, she decides to wait and see what happens when the guards discover the damage. Gai snickers to herself, a grin seems to be perpetually glued to her face. "Looks like someone's tried to set me up. Funny, I didn't think anyone was still alive stupid enough to do it."



Gai Nohn - Oni
Magic - Illusionist and Conjurer
Sex - ...y? >v> (unknown, in truth, but appears to be a shapely female. whether this reflects any kind of truth or is just done out of perversion is not clear. Needless to say, "her" rack is ridiculous.)
Class - sub-deity (stripped of all the invincible perks, presumably as some past punishment)
allegiance - Chaotic

Gai Nohn just sees the world as her own toy. It is a toy she takes good care of, but rest assured she *will* play with it. As for being any kind of use, she may help you if it amuses or entertains her. Much of what she does only really works if it is funny, ironic, etc. She won't outright heal the sick, but may distract them from their trouble with a kitten or something. She has no known aspects, though is seen twirling a plain, wooden stick through the air sometimes. the stick has no power though, so one can reasonably presume she just uses her hands.

(Read 11-2-15)
-T

Action Tennis
Eidos, @TheDarkOne
As you examine the area around the castle gate you see fresh foot prints in the mud. On closer inspection something is odd about them, they appear to be pointing away from the castle in the direction of the village and they're space far a part and bare footed. This brings you to the conclusion that someone forced themselves out of the castle, rather then in. You'll need to find a way into the castle somehow, and this is the only entrance you know of. Perhaps if you get a running start you should be able to jump the moat as it's only a couple meters. (hint... hint...)

What do you do?

Gai, @King Aquamentus
In the distance you see your destination, the castle. The six guards heading towards it through the woods riding horses gallop pass you. Hmm, perhaps you should toy with them a bit the woods are easy to get lost in after all.

What do you do?

Important
I merged some of the schools of magic and included descriptions. There are now 7, making it even more flexible. Also added subschools.
Channeling is now a form of manifesting magic which means you get your powers from someone or something else. This was done to fit Quinntessa's character design. Psionic Magic falls under this as well.
Necromancy is now part of Destruction (since life force is a form of energy)
Nethermancy is now part of Illusion, (since they are partially real, this was a mistake on my part)

Gai frowns disappointedly. If those guards see the smashed drawbridge, all hell will break loose. With a snap of her fingers, she takes the form of a nude, greased-up Justin Beiber and rushes out in front of them. "Hahaha!!!! Catch me if you can!!!" she says in a high-pitched voice.

Gai disguising yourself as a naked greased up 18 year old boy you manage to ruffle the horses feathers causing them to freak out. Two of the guards are bucked off and land on there heads, they appear to be unconscious now. The others managed to hold on to their reins. The two horses seemed to of escaped. The leader addresses two of the men and has them send their horses with the injured back to the village. This should slow them down. One of them begins chasing you on horseback. You've managed to slow down the other three though.

(Read: 11-3-15)
-T

Action Tennis
Eidos, @TheDarkOne
You step back away from the gay and begin charging straight towards it and leap across the moat but you miss the landing and fall but someone grabs your arm. You upwards to find the Shadow Druid known as TARAS holding it with both hands and pulling it up with all her strength. With some work she pulls you up and begins explaining the situation.
TARAS: "I arrived about two hours ago. We've been betrayed it seems, and no sign of QUINN they most likely already captured her which makes no sense since this meeting was suppose to be a well kept secret of the BLACK LODGE. Still though I don't see any sign of a struggle so it seems odd. Have you found anything on your end that may be useful?"

How do you respond?

Gai, @King Aquamentus
You've managed to get the attention of one of the guards who is hot your trail. You seemingly attracted their attention and slowed them down.
You jump behind a tree and the horse stops and the guard starts looking around.
GUARD: "Come on out freak boy! I'm taking you in, you injured one of my friends with that stunt you pulled."
The horse is facing away from you, so you could possibly get the drop on him and the horse.

What do you do?

I think to myself why wouldn't Quinn be here? and it occurs to me that this might not be who she seems. While she turns to look towards the gate I take a look at her ear to see if the scar behind it is present. Only one who knew Taras well would know about the scar, If this woman is an impostor, as I suspect, the scar would not be there.

(EDIT: I want to clarify that Eidos is only looking at her ear, he does not actually touch it. With her head turned he can easily see behind her ear as most female druids keep the hair cut very short.

Eidos'
"Yup, sure enough it's the real Taras, you then realize that Quinn is her nickname for Quinntessa who happens to be the owner of the castle."

(read 11-5-15)
-T

Gai giggles, and slaps the horse's ass hard. "Godspeed, Rainbow Dash!!" she calls out as the horse suddenly bolts off with rider barely hanging on and screaming, a sparkly rainbow streaming out of the horse's butt.

(read 11-6-15)
-T

Action Tennis
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Gai, @King Aquamentus

With half of the guards gone.

The Cursed Ones who call themselves the Dark Priest Alnur form a body infront of you. Pebbles dancing around him in mid air charged with telekinesis
ALNUR: "Nice rodeo Gai, it has been a while since you and us have met. It seems you too we're called to the summit? Perhaps we should travel together. Safety in numbers so to say."

You've heard of Alnur not being one to often assistance and he couldn't of easily found you off the path and must have been following you from the beginning having another objective in mind. He's always been suspicious and shrouded in darkness. Should you really trust this guy?

What do you do?

ALNUR is LOCKED
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Eidos, @TheDarkOne

Taras sighs at your lack of response.
T: "I'll take that as a no. Search the castle I'll be back later, going to see if I can track down Quinn and see what happen."
She turns into a eagle and takes flight. You begin to look around their is a hall way and a staircase leading to a set of doors another set of doors to your immediate left underneath you the rug is pulled back where a trap door is. Wait a trapdoor? Quinntessa never mentioned any hiding places.

What do you Do?
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The update will be posted sunday evening

If Quinntessa didn't mention that trapdoor, then either she didn't put it there or she didn't know about it. I decide it's worth a look, but before opening it, I lean closer to it, using my heightened hearing (a tiefling trait) to see if I can detect any sound coming from below.

-Eidos, you put your ear to the Trapdoor and listen you can barely make out three voices two are a woman and child crying prefusely another is a man ratting the bars and screaming.

(read: 11-7-15)
-T

Gai is slightly disappointed, but slightly startled too. For once the force in her mind was actually a bit alarmed. "Whoa!!" she thinks, "Uh... I wasn't thinking about getting involved with these guys... um..."

Gai smiles. "k. Lead the way Beebo."

Gai he takes the lead and starts heading towards Quinntessa's castle.

(read 11-7-15)
-T

Summary since last update
Eido’s appeared discovered footprints jumped the moat missed the landing and was saved by Taras who explained that Quinntessa has gone missing and an experiment has escaped whatever that means. She also told him that the group has been betrayed. He also discovered Quinntessa’s darkest secret.
Gai used his magic to get rid of half of the guards searching for someone. The other half have been slowed down significantly. He met Alnur who guides him to Quinntessa’s castle.
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Eidos, @TheDarkOne
You listen in and make out people crying screaming and crying. My god this is a torture chamber. No she definitely knew about this. This is where she has been keeping the witches! The fact that she even puts up with you without prejudice is quite interesting.
Voice: "What are you doing! Get away from there it's dangerous!"
Alarmed you do a barrel roll and land on you feet and come face to face with Quinntessa who is simply smiling.
Quinntessa: "That's the Torture Chamber, its' where the witches and warlocks wind up. Thank you for coming Eidos is Taras back yet?"
RESPONSE
Quinntessa: "Let's head to the dining room it's just down the hall I wish to discuss some things about my experiments with you I think a man of your stature might enjoy them."
She covers the trapdoor up with a rug, but you can't help but feel there are dark secrets below. You are taken to the dining room and she pours you and her a glass of fine wine in front of you and she takes a sip and motions the other glass to you.

What do you do? You can converse as well.

Quinntessa's Portrait

Spoiler: show

http://i.imgur.com/5v76T1x.png?1

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Gai, @King Aquamentus
On your way to the cast you find TARAS who is injured.
Alnur: "TARAS! What happened to you?"
Taras: "The bitch got me, what do you think happened"
Alnur: "Has the experiment reach the witch hunt village?"
Taras: "Yes, but I ran into Quinntessa on my way back."
Alnur: "NWe best leave it to the local guard and book it. She'll simply come after us."
Taras: "NO! Eidos is there! I'm not leaving him behind!"
Alnur: "Then back to the castle I presume."

You arrive at the castle with Taras and Alnur and dark clouds swirl above. Taras turns into a lion and you climb onto her back with Alnur and she jumps the broken bridge. You find a trapdoor sprung open and a smell of fear and something else coming from within. You know what it is... Chaos and it makes you feel happy inside. You proceed down the stairs to find a vast dungeon two soldier have been torn apart by what is the question. Two aberrations hang from the ceiling with writhing tentacles surrounding a fanged maw. And last but not least are a child and woman embracing each other covered in weird grafts. What the hell has she been doing down here? You notice something else though. Witchcraft materials everywhere... Quinntessa is apparently one hell of a hypocrite and turns other witches if they're even that into experimental subjects.

How do you feel about this, and what do you do?

"Hey now, I only just met you!!!" Gai smiles, as she mounts the beast. "At least buy me dinner!!! Oh, very well. Let's go"

She clenches thighs around the creature (disturbingly) when she senses the chaos, and rests her arms on the top of the lion's head, looking around. "Quinn.... Quuuiiiiiiin... you have been a bad monkey"

I sit down but do not drink the wine. "Who is the traitor?" I feel that if anyone knows who betrayed the group, it would be Quintessa.

(I should point out that Eidos is a man of few words. He does not speak much, only when necessary)

Action Tennis
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Eidos @TheDarkOne "good move that wine was poisoned :P"
Quinntessa finishes her glass of wine and raises an eyebrow at your lack of dinner manners and let's out a sigh.
Q: "Ah yes that. Technically that would be me. Truth be told the witches I've been rounding up aren't witches at all, they're as mundane as they come. I on the other hand am a witch."
All of suddent her eyes roll into the back of her skull as her arms explode revealing strange tentacles.
You look at her but remain sitting.
Q: "Interesting, I must admit the fact you hold your ground when I reveal this form to you is impressive. Most men would runaway in fright. Very well I shall reveal the truth to you."
She reverts her arms back to normal and crosses her arms. And turns around.
Q: "The truth is I am the illegitimate child of a whore and the previous village lord. I was mocked and battered as a child. I ran away eventually and eventually discovered the power I show you, and now I'm back for revenge.
Unfortunately Alnur discovered the dungeon and has most likely informed Taras by this point which is why they are in the dungeon of course. I will deal with them later, but first... I SHALL DEAL WITH YOU!"

She spins around and launches her tentacles at you.
What do you do?

Note: The Table is set, and you are sitting down. She has more then one tentacle arm.

True Quintessa

Spoiler: show

http://i.imgur.com/WeWh2wF.png?1

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Gai, @King Aquamentus
The little girl screams as her body mutates and her mother you presume runs off screaming. It attaches itself to the ceiling and slowly turns into one of those tentacle maw things.
Taras: "Let me correct you there Gai, she's a mentally disturbed monkey. Experimenting on live subjects and turning them into this. This is a crime against nature!"
Alnur: "My souls are angered greatly by this. We put these creatures out of their misery."
Gai: "Bad monkies see bad things, do bad things. But this is just plain wrong."
Alnur throws a rock and it doesn't attack until it hits the ground making a sound.
Taras: "They're blind, but have very good hearing. Let's use that to our advantage"

What do you do? You control Taras and Alnur this round of Combat VS the 3 Hanging Abberations
=========================

"Taras?" Gai asks, "Lions eat monkeys, right?"

"What??" Taras asks, "No!! I mean... maybe.. I'm not eating a human girl... exorcist thing..."

"That's it!!" Gai squealed, and began spraying perfume at the girl. "The power of cheese compels you!!! THE POWER OF CHEESE COMPELS YOU!!!"

(read 11-10-15)
-T

Action Tennis
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Eidos @TheDarkOne
You wake up in another room, you've been stripped of your equipment and see it laying on one side you also notice your buttass naked and have been restrained to a wooden examine table. Quinntessa is looking over organs and surgical materials.
The last thing you remember was being in the dining room, wait how did you get here? What is she doing? No it can't be! She is the traitor...
Quinntessa: "Morning, looks like I'm missing the heart. Without that your body will reject the other aberration parts. I'll be right back don't go anywhere."
She leaves the room, not noticing her shadow isn't following her as she closes the door. It gathers up and takes the form of a female drow sorceress. You ask the woman who she is as she removes your restraints.
Drow: "Right now I'm the woman saving your ass, this is what she get's for framing an actual witch. You alone?"
Eidos: "No, two others are with me."
Drow: "Then we need to find them and get out of her, I've seen what that woman can do. And it ain't pretty."
Very well... Let's grab your stuff and see if we can find them.
You follow suit and come to a three paths she tells you that the path straight will lead you straight to Quinn so you best go left or right.

Which of the three paths do you take?
(She is a rogue/shadowdancer and illusionist)

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Gai @King Aquamentus

The smell didn't seem to do anything, but the substance itself seems to of dissolved them to nothing? Must of created Justin Beiber's new scent girlfriend by mistake.
Alnur and Taras stare at you.
Alnur: "What the hell was that stuff?"
Gai: "Perfume."
Taras: "I guess they hate perfume then."

You continue onwards coming to a crossroads allowing you to go left or right.

====================

Gai blinks in surprise. "Huh", she thinks to herself. "I guess if you pretend really REALLY hard, Eternity by Calvin Klein *can* be water blessed by a priest. I'll have to keep that in mind so I don't have to talk to any..."

she looks at her... allies... realizing they're still just staring at her and the the steaming mess on the ground. "...I didn't mean to do it!!" she says, talking like some little girl out of Kansas, "really I didn't!! It's just that he was on fire!!", pointing to nobody in particular.

(Read 11-14-15)
-T

I don't know enough about the layout of the castle to make a choice, but I have another option. I draw my greatsword, Dark Thunder, and hold it over my head, activating the teleportation ability. A bolt of black lightning strikes the blade of the sword and I am gone. Another bolt strikes the ground outside the castle (on the far side of the moat) and I reappear, same as I did when I first came to this castle.

(Read 11-14-15)
-T

Well, I guess this one has died.....

Nope, just been busy with the holidays.