Re: Merctown FULL MAP
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:25 pm
by RolandCorsair
For everyone who wanted this (please forgive any grammar spelling errors) History of Scott Maxwell & Roland Corsair as listed on the Merctown map my npcs
Name: Roland Corsair
Race: True Atlantis
Clan: Skellian (Rifts Arzno pg41)
Place of birth: Home world planet Atteria / Raised in Psyscape
Birth date: August 1, 44 P.A. (2330A.D.)
Relationship Status: Single
Siblings: Only child
Weight: 250 lbs.
Height 6' 4" (1.93 m)
Hair: Dark Brown dreadlocks
Eyes: Hazel
Abilities/specialties: Survival. Skilled in armed and unarmed close quarters combat. Comfortable and extremely accurate with a variety of firearms, even those he's seeing for the first time. Wilderness skills. Tracking. Senses of sight, hearing, and smell (at least) near the high end of acuity for normal humans.
Physical Appearance: Roland is 6'4", around 250 pounds, and the kind of muscular that's built by and for both brute force and endurance. The first thing most people notice in addition to his size, is his mane of long, thick dreadlocks. On the left side of his neck is a tattoo, the symbol of his home world. The other is on his right arm marking the massing time away from home. Leather bracers cover the rites of passage tattoos given to him as a True Atlantean. Roland wears a modified NG night stalker suit giving him a almost superhero assassin look and comments on the look being inspired by an ancient pre rifts comic book called Night wing. Outside of that various bits and pieces of armor – or softer skins and homespun cloth – usually for his shirts. Roland is fond of gun & sword play, spinning his pistol around rapidly. He also has several knives for use in emergencies, most of them hidden about his person.
Abilities/specialties: Survival. Skilled in armed and unarmed close quarters combat. Comfortable and extremely accurate with a variety of firearms, even those he's seeing for the first time. Wilderness skills. Tracking. Senses of sight, hearing, and smell (at least) near the high end of acuity for normal humans.
Personality: Driven & Loyal - Roland appears often primal but when he takes you into his trust (no small matter) he is as loyal as none alive today. His hard mannerisms are likely due to having almost completely devoid of normal human contact with in the year he was held captive in Soul harvest. It should be noted the only times that Roland has shown irrational, violent, and impulsive behavior is when confronted by the soul harvesters, or when he or a fellow team mate is threatened.
The Archetype: Roland most closely resembles is that of the pre rifts Vikings, that is if they had access to advanced weapons & armor. Since in addition to his at times bestial and warlike behavior, on a few occasions he is a unruly drunk whenever he is with fellow Psyscape warriors. Roland had while living in Psyscape, and at first, he comes across as brutal, primal, and even animistic at times, but anyone who believes that's all he is underestimates him. He has a strong sense of honor and rightness and is very protective of those he sees as needing protection. His impulsive, violent side will come out when he or anyone he cares about it threatened, but he does not resort to violence simply for the act itself. Once he finds his place, and the safety he has been lacking, Roland is fairly laid back and easygoing, with a quick wit of humor and an easy laugh. More than anything, Roland is looking for a place to belong. He so very much wants someone he can trust. And he needs a chance to rest, safe in the knowledge that there is not yet another Soul Harvesters at his back. But he is still a warrior, and if he finds that place and those people, he will do everything in his power to protect them. He gives loyalty where it is deserved and does not tolerate betrayal. Roland is not the type to want to die in his sleep, He wants to live. Which gets back to the root of him. Above all else, Roland is a survivor. Roland has proven himself extremely resistant to Soul harvester’s powers.
History Timeline:
50 P.A. - Roland was a native to his home world of Atteria, an industrialized planet tropical like south America. Which fell to a unknown military power in 50 P.A. during the fall the group of Roland's race (less than 10,000) came to rifts earth and many where collected by the people of Psyscape due to the races powerful psychic abilities. Some of the others made their way into the Midwest of America while others fled to South America. He was raised in Psyscape from 50 PA to 95PA.
52 P.A. - His Mother & father where both killed in front of him by soul harvesters during a failed attempt at bringing Nixla to earth when he was just a child. It is not know why they were along with their son & more importantly not in the city at this time. It seems they were part of a team investigating something what exactly is unknown.
55 P.A. - He started his training in a village called Potomkane to become a Psi-warrior. He had a grandfather Marcus Corsair, who was suffering from the Second Childhood living in Potomkane he was temporarily cured by a rare flower. After word, his grandfather taught him hand-to-hand combat tactics & Marcus saw to it that Roland be given the rite of heritage tattoos. He also instructed him of his people’s history. Roland also wrote poetry and did art when he was younger during this time as part of his studies. At this time Deral introduced him to his sister they shortly fell in love she to was from his home world called Milena.
58 P.A- Roland completes the art of Defense reaching his second level of training
59 P.A. - Marcus Corsair dies due to complications from the sickness called Second Childhood.
60 P.A.- Milena Reynolds & Roland Corsair had a small wedding in the City gardens in Psyscape with some of their close friends & fellow Atteriaens in attendance. Roland s friend Deral gives him a tattoo as per there peoples custom on his arm signifying his union with another. (Means family union joining)
63 P.A. - Roland & fellow towns people of Potomkane help him build a home for his new family which is completed in the year 63 P.A. A modest stone & wooden tutor style home (design was taken from photos from his home world) that friends of his there's Shelly & Deral live in wile he is away on long missions.
67 P.A. - Roland at this time reaches (thanks in part to his grandfather’s help) mastery over the Arts of Offense.
76 P.A.- After much work Roland obtains the level of understanding of opening of the mind’s eye. Milena gains understanding of psychic powers of Spirits. Her and Roland spend the next two dedicated years in Psyscape rather than there back and forth from the mist.
78 P.A. - More understanding of the mind’s eye occurs for Roland as he and his wife return to Potomkane.
79 P.A. - Roland starts to have visions of himself as a Warrior defending the weak & innocent, the dreams are strong and not just flights of fancy.
80 P.A. - Title of Defender of the weak is placed on him. Roland's becomes a member of the Psyscape military where he held the rank of Specialist. Milena asks him to draw and write him letters of what he sees when out in the wild, he promises her that he will do so. - Roland has Deral give him a tattoo on his neck mark of a warrior.
81 P.A.- First missions into the Magic Zone. (From Joy to uncertainty) Less than two week later he kills his first man, a necromancer by the name of Henry Tipall along with his Vyarect servants. This battle also cost him the lives of two of his friends and fellow classmates. As well as his journal to his wife, he took Tipall staff and whittled a small carving as a memento to tell the story of what happen wile on this adventure. This is the first time he had to deal with loss on this level. Roland makes Quick use of his wilderness skills from textbook to reality. After searching though Tipall things they learn of where his covet is residing. Roland along with his teammates totaling now of five members head to the Covet area across the magic zone. It was discovered that Tipall covet was led by a Demon Dragon mage the team was able to get the drop on them & defeat the covet. But in doing so lost their transportation (a team of well trained horses) there travel back home was long & with the bought of a thorn head demon here and there uneventful.
82 P.A.- First missions completed after a year in the magic zone. Gives Milena four wooden objects and with tearful eyes tells her of the mission into the wild.
84 P.A.-Greater understanding of psychic powers & of Spirits & the spirit world. Makes attempts to contact lost friends is not sure if successful but has consoling dreams where they forgive him. He takes that comfort but the bitter seeds of hate towards the soul harvesters and necromancy are already planted. Also, his love for Pre-Rifts music truly takes root.
85 P.A. - Second major mission into the magic zone & the grater area along the Ohio river. (Duty & Honor) Wile in the autumn of this year their team to a village in the magic zone (Clark-ton a fade town) that was under attack, the elders of the town had converted to true believers and where using the towns people that did not convert as vessels for the soulless. Roland enraged & angry blew up the towns fuel supply after failed attempts to help the innocent with in, killing many instantly while other men woman and children burned alive. After their return he was busted down from Sargent back to Specialist. This indecent hunt him from time to time with their screams. It reminds him that sometimes one cannot always win when going up ageist them. His overzealous nature it tempered somewhat not or at the very best he takes a moment before acting too rashly. Also, a matter of note this is when Roland started growing his dreadlocks as a reminder of what happens this year It reflects his memories of the mud blood & horrors. Team gets over run by federation of magic near the kingdom of City of Brass Necromancers & dark sorcerers capture and turn three members into zombies. Then turned them back upon Roland s team. One of the freshly made zombies was there Lieutenant Marry Cinder. Roland takes command after they fall back and after a devastating battle survives along with the remainder of the squad.
86 P.A. - Roland's squad finishes its assessment of the City of Brass Patrols around the city of City of Brass. They send back their data to Psyscape, while exploring the Ohio river they fight a horrible batting with the Corrupt near an abandon village located on the shores of the river. Roland's knowledge of the Tenn. & Ohio rivers grows rapidly as it’s the best means of travel in this area. The squad barely escapes with their lives. This was the squad’s first encounter with these beings they noted they were lead but one that differed from the rest. (This one was an Elite Corrupt). Many blame Roland for leading them into this death trap all but his second in command who back his decision for sticking to the rivers shore line the past few days.
87 P.A. - Finally, they reach the swamps and bogs that are the outlying towns and villages of some great evil. Whole towns are filled with undead Necromancers & other pure evil beings. Their mission at this point is observation only, and that they did watching the horrors & recording them. After passing south they swing around to the north to Grand Rivers then to the Tenn. River from there they traded some supplies at a trading post along the river for passage up the Ohio river to a place called Bay city (more of a **** village even by rifts earth standers) trading armor they cared they bought a team of horses from a travailing caravan crossed the river by ferry and made their home.
88 P.A.- After three years on the road and in the wilds at long last in June they returned from second mission with maps & information of the magic zone and outlying areas. (Roland is busted down in rank despite his many accomplishments) Dealing with the negative memories of his adventures in the Magic zone Roland spends his days happily with his wife in their home. He takes on a job as an ax man felling nearby trees around the village. He spends vast amounts of time meditating in the woods & hunting. His love for knifes truly begins. Both he & his wife start entering the ideal of having children & starting a family. However, they will both need to raise more money to do so. Milena starts looking for better work then her teaching job in the village. While Roland asks for a job to train other Psi-Warriors.
89 P.A. - At this time Roland reaches the level of dedicated warrior. Roland begins to train younger psi warriors in Potomkane. He finds he enjoys teaching very much but misses the adventure of the lands beyond Psyscape. Milena was able to find work...though not the work Roland was happy to hear about. She to join up with the Psyscape military as a travailing researcher / scholar. Milena promises that after her 4 year obligation that they will have children. Although the fight that night was the stuff of legions and compared to the stories of the ancient Blue Zones the night ended in lovemaking by the fire and all was right with the world by the first light of the new day.
90P.A. - Milena after 6months in the magic zone comes home with tales of adventure that win her many free meals & drinks in town. She had been as far north as Canada seeing the great city of Lazlo and all its wonders. Some of her unit stayed behind to live there and act as safe houses in case of other missions in that area. The bug of adventure is well planted now in her hart. Something both of them share, thoughts of children fade a bit.... just a bit. While this was going on Roland when not instructing his students they instruct him on Music coming from Psyscape and the surrounding area. A popular music night in town on Wednesday evenings are held in the town square. Roland becomes a drum player on old wooden cans making improve drums, the drum band is popular entertainment as music night is a group activity rather then set bands.
92P.A.-Milena trying to improve Roland s statue with in the Psyscape military asks Roland to please consider going on a recon mission. Roland very happy teaching & receiving respect from his fellow teachers let alone students finally agrees to Milena's requests. Milena still riding the fame from her earlier mission let alone other accolades gets Roland's name on the next expedition out. A exploratory mission with a total of 50 members from Psyscape embark on their mission into the West. One third of them are scholars & scientist. Travail is expected to be slow & dangers this is the first long term mission outside of the magic zone. Roland group meets the Devil Riders Psi stalker tribe on the out planes of Kentucky. There numbers where small and had many injured as they had just ended a battle that when very badly for them. Roland & his team helped the injured and sick they also gave the tribe copies of their names of the nearby area. While it almost seemed there would be a fight in fact this Tribe does not attack defenseless villages or towns and prefers to attack supernatural denizens of the magic zone. Without their help it’s doubtful the tribe would have survived. They now live in the grasslands of Kentucky (Devil riders Mercenary adventures pg 34)4 days later Roland's team encounters Cattle ranchers working for Allen food there Roland meets a Fennodi Cowhand by the name of Rick Hencheak they become fast friends. Rick teaches Roland some of his most beloved songs Rawhide & Ghost Rider in the sky. They exchange stories of the west for stories of the magic zone. They part ways just before Roland team heads across into IL & C.S. Lands. Travel across C.S. territory is perhaps more dangerous than in the magic zone at least there they are accustom to the encounters there. They battle and run from Spider crawlers and fully armed troops on patrol. Much of this area seems to be where the C.S. grows there food fast field of farms dotted with forests quickly fall from there view as a vast Plain good for cattle and grazing extends as far as the eye can see.
Roland sees his first Buffalo & Rio buffalo, there group dines on their meat after Roland is forced to make a net from scraps of rope & robe made from some of his Deadlocks he cuts off to finish the net.
93P.A. - By the start of this year they reach the Colorado Barony of Testament they turn back a mere month later reaching home by winter. Whatever blemishes that where on Roland's record is washed away by his experience and tactics that wile costly to learn payed off saving lives on the 92P.A. Mission
94P.A. - Much needed rest and time spent home & travailing to Psyscape its self from winter of 93 to the end of 95 P.A. Roland rejoins teaching his students. While Milena exchanges notes on her travels & research at the schools in Psyscape.
95 P.A. - Meets Charlie in Potomkane for the first time in a bar fight that Roland helps brake up they become fast friends.
101 P.A. - Roland after his redemption & successful mission west, is offered a mission to explore & recover data on the magic zone as well as the greater west. As far away as Kingsdale and to the Gulf. Also, they are to set up base camps along there rough. Seven of the members of the team will man the encampments. This mission will take at most three years! With the money they will make and fame from this last adventure, Roland & Milena promise each other that when they return they will have children. Roland will go back to teaching and she will become a happy school teacher and mother. Roland pulled some strings to make sure his wife & his friend are both in the same unit. Something not normally allowed. Milena, Charlie, Roland and 10 others head out in spring of 101 P.A.
102 P.A. -Late summer of 102 Milena Corsair dies on their way south at Cliffy Falls
(Merctown pg13)
In 102 P.A. A large scouting party from Psyscape is attacked Roland and Milena Corsair are jumped by Septumbran witch wolves most of which actively used Necromancy Milena dies in the opening attack while looking though the Pre-Rifts debris moments before the attack. The shot came from the darkness Roland only saw a silo wet of a person in western style clothing smoking a cigar. This person was not among the dead after the attack. While the battle rages the Psyscape group nearly escaping that battle chose to hold up in Pre-Rifts ruins. (The Cliffy INN) unfortunately this was a very bad choose on their part, for this was a base for a group of cut throat mercenary who used this opportunity to attack the weakened party. The remaining Psyscape scouting party dies killing of the Merc group except for Roland. Milena was put to rest on a small island at the base of the falls. Where the ley line ends giving the water a blue glow that is very peaceful. Far from the bodies of her attackers that where striped and piled in the back of the Ruins. Roland hand carves a wooden tome stone at the end of the pile of rocks that marks here grave. Devastated he does not return to Psyscape at this time.
104 P.A. Roland worked for the Gulf East company in their technology division as a guild and Guard. 2 1/2 years Worked as a guild and Guard along the Ohio & Tenn. Rivers in cities such as Kingsdale Wykin magic zone area - During this time an implant was place with in Roland while being held captive.
108 P.A. - Year on the run The Soul harvesters trying for years for him to return to Psyscape gave up their deceptive plans out of frustration. He was taken to soul harvest and tortured & held captive there. Roland was prepped for a powerful ritual to remove all his PPE this left marks on his body that despite his ability to bio regenerate are slowly healing over the course of months rather than moments. But when a Soul harvester attempted to feed him, something happens a explosion took place just outside of the stone prison he was in. He builds a sword out of what is around him and he made his escape. Late 108 PA joins Scott Maxwell’s group
109- to Current time – Traveling & adventuring from Merctown to Northern Gun territories.
Milena Corsair
Born on the Planet Atteria in 40 P.A. To a well-established family her life was without care until there planet fell under attack. After the ordeal of fleeing and becoming a refugee Milena & her surviving family consisting of only her elder brother Deral found their way to the loving arms of Psyscape. Many years later she met Roland by way of her brother Deral and Married Roland in 60 P.A. in the City gardens in Psyscape with some of their close friends & fellow Atteriaens in attendance. She trained in Potomkane to be a Psi-Warrior and was slightly ahead of Roland in skill and training. In addition, she is skilled in military strategy, martial arts, and diplomacy and displays knowledge of and proficiency with Pre-Rifts technology; she practices a form of stick-fighting (based on Eskrima) with Roland from time to time. Milena was very spiritual she venerates the Ancestors of their people and dedicate prayers to them. Her primary work was that of a School teacher in Potomkane until they needed more money to start a family of their own. In 89 P.A. She to join up with the Psyscape military as a travailing researcher / scholar. In 90P.A. Milena after 6months in the magic zone comes home with tales of adventure that win her many free meals & drinks in town. She had been as far north as Canada seeing the great city of Lazlo and all its wonders. Some of her unit stayed behind to live there and act as safe houses in case of other missions in that area. The bug of adventure is well planted now in her hart. In late summer of 102 Milena Corsair dies on their way south at Cliffy falls (Merctown pg13) Wile scouting they are jumped by Septumbran witch wolves most of which actively used Necromancy while the battle rage. Hurting some members, nearly escaping that battle they held up in Pre-Rifts ruins... unfortunately this was a very bad choose. For this was a base for a group of cut throat mercenary who used this opportunity to attack the weakened party. Milena dies in the opining attack while looking though the Pre-Rifts debris. Milena was placed to rest on a small island at the base of the falls. Far from the bodies of her attackers that where striped and piled in the back of the Ruins. Roland hand carves a wooden tome stone at the end of the pile of rocks that marks here grave. In the weeks to come there was much debate on turning back in was decided that they must go on to guild the other members to their appointed locations to start safe houses in the area.
Deral & Shelly Higgins – Longtime friends of Roland's. Both are fellow Atteriaens who escaped when their home world fell under attack. Deral many years later introduced Roland to his wife to be Milena. When Deral & Shelly's house burnt down after a lighting strike Roland & Milena insisted that they move into the guest room down stairs. Shelly who is a baker by trade transformed the spare room into a small home/ store front by extending the bay window in the room and adding a counter. Locals come to the make shift store front for some of the best honey glazed bread in town. Deral Higgins is a Master Tattoo artist. Often young students at the Psi-warrior compound request markings to denote their skills increasing or other youth just want a cool skin marking, in any event Deral is happy to oblige them.
Marcus Ōceanós Corsair Born on the Planet Atteria many hundreds of years ago. Marcus served in the ministry of defense for most of his life. While the planet has little to no contact with the outside world. It did have internal conflict from time to time with native pro to humans (early cave men type beginnings) and it was not uncommon for civil unrest as their community grew and took more of the pro-to-humans land. Some 80 years before Roland's birth Marcus was ordered by the governing body to remove the threat to their growing civilization. Many Atteriaens all of whom hail from Clan Skellian saw the past few hundred years of peace and growth on this planet as a true shine that this was manifest destiny. That not only their Clan but their race would have a new and permanent start on this planet! Marcus believed this as well.... until he saw the orders carried out. The sin of killing off one race of beings to cement another yet alone one that was alien to this world never left Marcus. Many years later the people of the atrocity pay for what they did.... many of their children as well. Marcus Corsair, made it to earth but from the time his foot landed on this world his fate was sealed. He landed face down in a patch of seemly harmless wild flowers one of which gave him a terrible illness. Marcus who was suffering from the Second Childhood living in Potomkane he was temporarily cured by a rare flower. After word, his grandfather taught him hand-to-hand combat tactics. Marcus dies in 59 P.A.
Zeus is a Andalusian horse born under the careful watch of the stable masters of Potomkane. Strongly built, and compact yet elegant, Andalusian have long, thick manes and tails. They are known for their intelligence & sensitivity. Zeus is a member of the Carthusian bloodlines a rare and considered by all superior bloodline of the breed. Zeus stands at 16.1 hands high he was given to Roland Corsair after his redemption in the eyes of his fellow Psi-warriors in 94 P.A. After returning home and commenting on the wonderful breeds in the far west when travailing to the Colorado territory. Roland saving the chiefs son of the Cherokee tribe in 93 P.A. Was given a horse along with a special hand woven bared for the horse main. This fetish enabled the horse to be a M.D.C. horse when attacked with a M.D.C. Weapon. Unfortunately for the fine animal it did not prevent it from being taken down at night by a pack of small dinosaur’s wile Roland's party slept. Roland took the magic fetish and sense adorned it to Zeus. Roland & Zeus traveled the wilderness of the surrounding lands of Potomkane for many years. Roland almost declined going on the mission when he told he could not bring Zeus when travailing south in 101 P.A. Roland it is amused traveled back to Potomkane to retrieve his friend in 103 or 104 P.A. For now, the two are nearly inseparable. Zeus Bloodline reach’s full adult development by age five and have an average lifespan of between 25 and 30 years.
Zeus Quick Stats 51 M.D.C. When attacked with a M.D.C. Weapon 25 S.D.C. When attacked with a S.D.C. Weapon 33 Hit points 6 P.P.E. 4 Attacks per Melee Great speed can run without exhaustion for 1 1/2 miles at full gallop. Bonuses: +4 on initiative, +2 to strike and parry, +3 to Dodge. +6 to save vs horror factor (+7 if Roland is in direct danger) Zeus came with a page from the Breeding masters book about Zeus's bloodline to which Zeus is the last found with in Potomkane.
The Skellian Clan (See Rifts Book Secrets of Atlantis pg40)
The True Atlantean Clan Skellian developed Monster Shaping Tattoos; have created an special force of warriors, similar to the undead Slayers. They are trained in the arts of subterfuge and espionage. They have infiltrated the inhuman cities bringing back vital information to the Clan about their enemies. The City of Manoa, legendary home of the Amazons who are in fact True Atlantean of Clan Skellian, is nearly torn apart when their mystic doorways flare to life. They relocate back to Earth which they left 500 years ago. Of all the Atlantean Clans, those who were closest to the Chiang-Ku Dragons were the Skellian. This Clan are the greatest of the Tattoo Magic Alchemists, as well as being excellent Stone Masters, artists, magicians, and philosophers. Although there has been no contact with any Chiang-Ku in centuries, should they reappear, the Skellian will doubtless be the first to be aware of it. The current Lord Protector of the Skellian is Lord Temarkhos Skellian XIV (although he rarely acknowledges the numeric title). Unlike other Clans, the Skellian tends to pass leadership down through a single family, much like a monarchy. Legendary home of the Amazons who are in fact True Atlantean of Clan Skellian, is nearly torn apart when their mystic doorways flare to life. They relic ... The Perez clan makes short work of defenders at Towerville. It had only 400 people living Lord Temarkhos Skellian XIV -- Current Lord Protector of Clan Skellian
Re: Merctown FULL MAP
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:29 pm
by RolandCorsair
Name: Scott Maxwell
True Name: Elam "Heronas" Thompson
Race: True Atlantis
Clan:
Place of birth: Earth
Birth date: 2100 A.D. June 27th
Relationship Status: Single
Siblings: Only child
Weight: 230
Height 6' 1"
Hair: Black/Graying
Eyes: Green
Abilities/specialties: Luck…..Psi Operator
Personality: Friendly, willing to make a deal. Strong, intelligent, driven, funny. Greedy (Think Star Trek Harry mud) Always trying to make the next big deal. Over all goes: Make a big score, Hurt the CS, Hurt the Fed of magic, Stay alive, and keep party happy & alive. Save the helpless. Take credits for any and all jobs that people don't want their name attached to (so long as said job is not evil)
Strengths - Maxwell charisma often helps him talk his way out of tough situations.
Weaknesses - Maxwell has a tenancy to: Reject authority, Go overboard on ______, which sometimes gets him into trouble.
Distinctive scars: Both legs where blown off in Mexico in a gun fight. They were replace with bio system legs. *look normal now*
Tattoo: two; on his back (upper right corner, near his shoulder blade) is a Chinese symbol that means "Never give up" which is one of his favorite mottos & under his right arm is a dragon which represents power, wisdom, & mystery
Maxwell style of dress: A long leather coat and normal street clothes * they are really MD clothing* Maxwell tends to dress well and more like a city dweller then a adventuring wilderness scout.
Maxwell armor: Naruni armor with 80 MDC and naurni medium force field (75 MDC) + 12MD under suite. Maxwell weapons: Side arm NG slp NE 50 PBR followed up by a Type 2 Fusion Block Maxwell personal goals: Make a name for himself across the America content. Be the father that he never had. Keep his party alive.
"In a world where everyone wants to be that mysterious figure lurking in the back ground moving people around like pawns or who just doesn't want his name to be tied with X there is Scott Maxwell watching and willing to put his name in the lime light for the right price"- Daniel Gill
* Found on a Vid disk behind the photo of an old mercenary group dated 109P.A.*
The man who adopted the persona of Scott Maxwell
by
That Man
The story of Scott Maxwell is muddled with confusing and often misleading information, which is one of many possible end results when lies have been told over top of lies. The real story is a convoluted tale of cover-up, intrigue and incredible irony. Which is what you should expect from someone who got his new last name from a pre-rift coffee container. The following is not "the true story" of the man who would become known as Scott Maxwell but rather a more accurate telling of his life available at this time. I have never been one to write things down nor to leave journals sitting out for my enemy's or nosy friends to pore over on a dark & stormy night. But I guess after recent events I am feeling...well I am feeling a lot of different ways right now. So I turn to the only person I can count on now.... and I look inward for strength & solace.
Our story beings in perhaps even a stranger setting for a world that has been shattered by Rips into other dimensions. It starts with a man named Eric Thompson, or more precisely, Private Eric Thompson... no he is not a soldier fighting on the front lines in a battle to save humanity from an evil menace pouring out of a trans dimensional portal; that is still many life time’s away... No our story starts with Private Thompson just your average Joe pilot who was lucky enough to be assigned to a safe location far from the enemy lines where only 4 months ago young boys not much older then he where dying like men. Eric who all of his buddy's referred to as "Tommy good luck" after a amazing air recovery when his plane did a nose dive that would have been fatal if he had met up with the water. Tommy spent countless hours hanging out with his buddy's drinking playing cards chasing the girls that is when they were not in flight class. The day started off like any other. "It's a nice day for flying," grumbled Robert. "Sure is", Tommy replied the planes had done their required preflight test and everything checked out in good working order. It was a routine two-hour mission but the planes were still fully fueled. The planes had extensive radio equipment to include ten different radio channels and homing devices that would show them the way home if something came up. "Well, this is my last flight today, tomorrow at this time I'll be civilian," just another day of flying the friendly sky's Tommy thought to himself as he lifted his TBF Avenger off the ground. The experienced crew had a route that would take them 160 miles east, 40 miles north and the 120 miles straight back to base. As they made their way over the oceans the water turned from shades of emerald green to deep blue. The sky's where clear; this would be a perfect day to drink a cold one at Rudy’s Crab Shack, Tommy mused as they made their way toward there assignment with a few bombing practice runs over Hen and Chickens Shoals. After the bomb runs they started back...minutes passed, something was wrong...Tommy could hear the chatter from his other pilots with the leader and LT. Taylor "Control tower this is an emergency. We seem to be off course. We seem to be lost. We can't make out where we are." The tower said "Head due west", but the flight did not know which way West was. "Everything looks wrong, even the ocean looks strange". "Were over the Keys." the LT. repeated for the third time. The tower was puzzled; even if the compasses were not working, the crew should have been able to fly west by following the sun (which was several hours from setting) Where are we??? The planes flew in one direction then another as balmy daylight turned to stormy seas in the darkness. Taylor asks everyone to check their compass readings, then starts to formulate a plan; the flight leader announced "We're not certain where we are. We must be 225 miles north east of base...it looks like we are..." and then silence. Tommy reports that two of the plane's fuel levels dipped below 10 pounds, all five planes were to ditch into the sea if they could not get their bearings. The sky started turning a strange blue; the sea changed from inviting blue to deep foreboding black. To make matters worse, a crash of light and sound ripped through the plane. Tommy screamed as he saw a mountaintop appear out of nowhere in the middle of the sky. He banked a hard left, but it was too late Tommy’s luck had run out.
The day December 5, 1945
The mission Flight 19
Tommy became part of the most famous aviation mystery in history. Tommy was still one of the lucky ones; he was found by the fleeing native inhabitants and lived. He even had a son in time that he told the amazing stories of his old life and old world before he came to be. He passed on his stories and passion for planes and last but not least, his luck. Eric Thompson "Tommy good luck" too many.... Father to me.
Notes of a different kind…
With Maxwell’s recent induction into the Black Market, he is exploring that membership to aid the Republicans, as well as his teammates, at this moment. He has been meeting as many members face-to-face as well as making an unofficial database of Black Market contacts and also the many people he has met over the years. Quite a few data packets have already been sent to and from contacts with the Republicans.
• All members know Maxwell and many more know him by his true name Elam "Heronas" Thompson
• Maxwell has had more than his fill of failure, which is a sick reflection of the Republicans to that end. He is once more able to relate to them and them to him (Each sharing their sob story over letters to each other.)
• Maxwell still knows the location of a few N.E.M.A. compounds that he has shared with the Republicans. (But not all locations) He is going to see how that is coming along.
• Maxwell thinking this is a one way trip dealing with the federation of magic he has removed his The APF (All parties found chip). Also the fear of Archie somehow finding him and using it played a bit part in it.
• Maxwell Hired Highly trained Merck to back him up in case the Delta Echoes where taken out or something went bad. Pre-Paid 500,000 credits in advance. (Hired Mayhem Marauders) Was team B / Plan B * comes out of company money please note Erin.
• Maxwell after the mess with Mad haven has sold his custom build APC for the Naruni Hover exploration vehicle. - The age and mess of wheel apc is over in his mind. Sold the old apc for 45 mill used that to buy / improve on the new Naruni transport.
• His last letter/contact with the republicans was just after Case and team left west. He updated them on events he feels would have been safe for them to know / events that they would care about in the area and about his missions. Hi, I am Scott Maxwell you might remember me from such vid disks as.... Maxwell's guild to getting your way, Maxwell's guild to five things NOT to do in chi town when you’re an outlaw. Maxwell's Guild to How to get away with it "expanded edition". The art of cutting the deal, making friends in any species, knowing when to run away. What to say to the merchant when he tells you it’s only a few credits more.... well you get the vid disks by now. You now hold in your hands one of the Maxwell Vid disks. Weather it was perchance or stolen or found in a hoard of other great treasures congrats! * Unlike Erin Tarn who gives great over views Maxwell's focus on shop to shop alley to alley what places you can make a "fair" deal at and what places are best avoided. "When it absolutely, positively must be destroyed on time and within a budget!!!" - Motto of Maxwell group “No stone unturned" - Other motto of Maxwell’s group "Hi, I am Scott Maxwell" - said in over the top manor. "But I am Scott Maxwell” when confronted with an obstacle or negative person “Ha relax I am Scott Maxwell" *evil grin
Notes
1. was responsible for the theft of $10 million in Credits in Chi Town or robbing the Black Vault you be the judge.
2. Relationships: Maxwell had a short (3 months) friendship with a DB named Ashley Elliot, as well as with a Human from Lazlo Lorain Templeton (9 months chi town).
3. Employers past present: Black Market, Kingsdale, Pecos Empire, and Naruni Enterprise
4. Maxwell has two adopted sons who started off as perches slaves from Mexico * partly bought to save their lives the other for cheap work*: Sam Maxwell who over time took up the trade as a Operator and later married. Kyle Maxwell who later took on the trade of a fighter hero. Kyle is believed to be dead was last seen in his death throws.
5. Maxwell contacts: Trader Joe (Naruni) Naruni of Merctown, Black Market members of Chi Town, Mexico, East Coast trading company Hobbies: Exercise, traveling, the outdoors, and hiking, watching Vid Disks (especially this old house) Active business included East Coast trading company as a investor and trader. Auto Body repair shops in Merc town and Mexico.
Brief overview: Scott Maxwell perhaps has an ego the size of the multi vers. This cannot be overstated! This is not to say he is stupid in the least, it’s just the horrors he's seen & hand to deal with and dealt out is what sets Maxwell apart from other marks. He has unbeatable luck which only fuels his ego....of no drought this luck of his only seems to work in the darkest hour. Great wealth has come and gone so many times it’s as familiar as the rising of the sun and setting of the moon. (For those who can afford it) He and his band charge a fair price to "save the day" but for those who cannot afford it Scott and company will still save the day.... Maxwell only requirement is a little hero worship while he is around, there are many small statues of Scott Maxwell most of coarse have fallen into disrepair shortly after Maxwell has departed a particular town. Scott Maxwell is part Operator, Part Smuggler, Part bank robber, almost all businessman / Promoter (mostly of himself but some times of towns trying to make a brake)And let’s forget author of a few Vid disks: Hi, I am Scott Maxwell you might remember me from such vid disks as.... Maxwell's guild to Arzno, Maxwell's guild to getting your way, Maxwell's guild to 5 things NOT to do in chi town when you’re a outlaw. Maxwell's Guild to How to get away with it "expanded edition". The art of cutting the deal, making friends in any species, knowing when to run away what to do with a fist full of credits. What to say to the merchant when he tells you it’s only a few credits more.... well you get the vid disks by now. You now hold in your hands one of the Maxwell Vid disks. Weather it was perchance or stolen or found in a hoard of other great treasures congrats!* Unlike Erin Tarn who gives great over views Maxwell's focus on shop to shop alley to alley what places you can make a "fair" deal at and what places are best avoided. The Rundown Veteran of the Juicer uprising & Tolkeen war. Scott Maxwell History overview: Vicky Maxwell wife of Sam Maxwell 22 Sam Maxwell 15 year old male human trained to be helper/operator *Now 20Kyle Maxwell 17 year old male human rouge * Now 22 before believe death Dean Clark 35 year old human con man * Former co-owner of Maxwell’s APC years later killed by Maxwell in a unbelievable gun fight. * Nat D20 roll*Fresno Sam 37 year old human Con man/bank robber * Friend who died during the CS raid of camp right before meeting case. I guess this next entry into my PC3000 should be about my mother but it’s not going to be, not really. It’s not that she isn’t worth writing about, hell, in fact, I think she was by far more interesting than my father or childhood friends that I had moving from place to place. No. I suppose the next thing that would be worth reading about would be a childhood memory one that may have baring some day on this authors life.
It starts off with a woman standing in the door way of a child's room. She is tall thin with raven black hair that races down her back like the closing moments of sunset. The lady looks thoughtfully into the room then steps in, "Elam" she says in a soft caring tone only your mother could ever manage. "Yes mother?" a child's voice answers. Come here and sit with me for a while I have something that you should hear. The lady sits down in a leather high backed chair the arm rests are made of carver oak. The boy sits down at his mother side, the boy is dress in a yellowed net cotton shirt and faded blue jeans. He looks up into his months eyes "What is it? She looks at him with distant eyes " I have to tell you more of my people in part your people....and your birth right" Elam learns of the history of a land he would probably never see, he learns of the terrible mistakes his forefathers made that set into motion the world events that still play out perhaps around them. She tells him of his people being spread across countless realities. She reviles as much of the history of Atlantes and its people to the young boy as possible in a single evening. The child who can barely grasp a fragment of its meaning stares in shock back at his mother.
She explains that “our best hope, your best hope is to blend in hear son, while you should never forget your birth right it would be best to accept your fathers heritages above my gift to you, the people here would misconstrue us as aliens other dimensional invaders rather than fellow humans of a heritage they themselves have forgotten“. With that she invites Gila Devon into the room he bids the child to take off his shirt and lay down. Devon begins the marking the boy, it is a painful and long process. Elam gains the rights of passage there meaning and more of the history of their lost world is recanted in a blear of incenses and pain. Then at the climax of added the last tattoo Devon uses a spell of ancient making, it cloaks the tattoos until needed. Devon asks to speak to Elam’s mother as the boy rests he could hear wishers between then something over his duty's & rights but the rest is lost in sleep & time. Over the years a few of the tattoos have shown themselves. Two tattoos over time one is on his back (upper right corner, near his shoulder blade) is a symbol that he takes the meaning of "Never give up" which became one of his favorite mottos. Under his right arm is a dragon which represents power, wisdom, & mystery. The main Rights of heritage have yet to appear. The time Elam (Maxwell) assumes will never be the right time.Some years had passed, I had learned the normal things a child learns walking, talking, laughing, crying and so forth.
It was one summer weekend away from entering my teens and there was, of course, like many that age, a love. The best way I can talk about myself is to talk about those around me. Heather. She was awesome! We were fast friends ever since we moved into town. Heather had an amazing smile that lit up the room when she entered it... Although I had read the words of many an author whom had furnished that old cliché on occasion; but I always thought it rang with a falsehood that made me uninterested in reading much further than the raunchy stuff. With her, it was true; for she was kind beyond measure. I had just gotten up the inner strength to ask her out. Yeah, I know if you the reader know me in the present then you have just jerked your head a few inches back from the monitor. Back then I was very thin & very shy, if you can believe it. I was not the embodiment of confidence or anything other than perhaps a poster child for the ‘sickly boy of the month magazine’. So there I was pulling back my stringy, greasy hair into a ponytail as I made my way down the hall to where Heather was waiting for me. This was the day I would ask her to be more than just friend's more than just pals chasing down Joey Bishops one-eyed dog scraps. This was one of the days that changed my life.... *hold on I got to get some coffee* I opened the door to the little courtyard—this is where we always met in the afternoon—it was a room with an atrium. Rich black soil with grey stones as old as time made the walk way toward the center. There, a fountain stood, carved, I was told, by ancient hands, in a place called Tuscany. Heather was sitting there bathed in light looking down at a letter. I walked up and sat beside her and asked how her day was. She smiled and looked at me. Her beauty as always, stunned me as she informed me that she was to be sent to station four. There are many words that might fit the pain that I felt… anyway… moving on… I guess by this time my parents and I had moved from place to place along with a man named Gil La Devon a Mage of great regard before the fall of Atlantis. You see, when my father’s plane crashed, the other two-crew members died on impact & my dad was at death’s doorstep and my mother and Devon came upon his wreckage. As a healer, she was able to save him and after a few days Devon was able to get the plane flying again. He had powered the plane with some sort of treasure that they procured while trying to flee the collapsing pocket dimension that held the continent of Atlantis. They decided to try to fly out once more, as the fabric that held their world together was being torn asunder. But, just as before, a Ley Line storm whipped up, only this time, as I am told, they were able to escape.
Only the world they found was on the brink of total destruction... It was the end of
2100 A.D. June 27th
A year passed, and I was born. Okay… now where I was. Right. Heather had just told me that she was being sent away. My father had passed on eight years prior at the hands of a device man help build. When this young shy kid found out that his true love was to be heading off to another bunker well over a hundred miles away. It might as well have been on another planet was the first thing that came to mind. The other was, “Oh my God she is kissing me.” We laughed & comforted each other throughout the night...it was my first time and it was by far the best night of my life. No, it was not for the reasons you might think; though that was great. But just being in the same bed, feeling the warmth of the woman who you love is more intoxicating than anything else you could ever try. It was true magic, truly of the White. During these bleak days the Great Cataclysm was in full swing. Rifts were opening weekly and the world was being torn apart on all levels. Some few were hidden in bunkers constructed long ago in case of war, built before the age of peace that fell over the Earth hundreds of years ago. A time I had only heard about growing up. The people who I grew up with came from that time—this "Golden Age". I ******* hate that term...I never saw it never would. Not really..... No, I just saw the reflections of the Golden Age shattered in the eyes of my parents, friends, teachers (what few that were) and the computers that could speak and reason. Though they too seemed to be sad, going mad as the constant thunders of God-knows-what shook the walls. Heather and I laid in bed as tiny little streams of sand petered out of the cracks in the ceiling caused by the ever-present concussions from above.... but we were elsewhere, in a field of wild flowers, laying on a blanket under an ancient oak tree....and if you the reader don't mind, I would very much like to leave her there in the innocence of youth that I shall never have again.
***********
Yes, here is just one of the great gaps that I might fill in one day...there is a lot to tell the love of adventure was in father's blood and he passed it on to me after all. If I get another biographer. My last one did not end up so well. But he did help get my name out there, a deed that I thank him for where ever his soul is now.
***********
My young life had already suffered many ups and downs, something that would in part reverberate, throughout my whole life. The books I grew up reading were adventure stories, bigger than life, but with characters you could understand and admire. As the old world fell apart and the few who remembered the “before time” grew old, they needed someone to continue their work in "reclaiming” that world, that life that they lived in and ruined... To that effect the hopes of the fathers are once more placed on their descendants. They placed such hopes and dreams on us, on me.... I had reached the age of 24 years;
It was the year 2122 A.D. (goes into sleep pod) -173 years
We had only contact with one other bunker at that point, and it was spotty at best. We were at constant war with a computer built by us to help us instead it had turned on us in our hour of need. Much like everything else it was broken, the world was upside down and needed someone to write it once more. It was the great hope of our forefathers that we too would enter a “sleep mode” in order to preserve something of the world while chaos above reigned and burned itself out. But unlike the trapped Army that would one day we all hope would save the world we would not be connected to that mad computer. Many took that option which was far better than the bleak hope of seeing the surface at that time. As luck would have it—well, as my luck would have it, which is by far greater and more malicious then the average luck—along with a few others, I had to travel down a escape tunnel to a underground railway.
The railway was one of the few things to last the opening of the great rifts, but it too was just about to fail and pass into legend. After traveling for some time (which was a untold distance) from the first bunker, we entered a back-up chamber. There, only railway tubes that were left unused and still in working order were located. It was no easy feat to get there, which was why in the end it had taken three lives and thirty-seven hours to reach that chamber. There were other worries, such being found by alien invaders or being somehow connected to the computer systems that where meant to awaken our fathers shortly after the worst had passed. To make sure that we too would not be trapped by a mad computer bent on killing its master we rigged up our own timer & sealed off the bunker. As we entered into the “Great Rest,” as we were told to call it (I thought of it as sleeping death), we took a detour on Old Man Time’s road.
Bored yet? If so I understand...but my life is kind of cool to look at so long as it’s just a commercial break from the feature Horror Vid Disk that is the saga of the Rifts that tare across Earth.
9 P.A. (2295 A.D.) (Comes out of sleep pod) - 173 years
August
The Ice Prince (story of how I woke up) Ethan & Angela where both noted children in the village of river cross for getting into trouble as well as for asking more questions than your typical ten year olds. Both where golden haired children with perfect completions unlike most of the other children & there parents who some still suffered from harsh rashes and warts left over’s from when the world that was ended. More however believe mostly the ones with the infections that it was not the end of the world that was that bright the illness but the rise of or as some say the return of magic to the world. The children’s minds wondered on this and many other topics in their late night gossip exchange before bed. They were only fueled by the elders of the village trying to warn and frighten the children from the horrors of the world. They warned the children not to wonder into the woods any time day or night. Yet the older children teased Ethan & Angela that if they thought they were so grown up then venture into the woods not far mind you for every one new even at that age doing so would be akin to asking someone to die. No just to the large oak tree which the top of could be seen from the center of the village. After many months of harassment by the older children then made their way out of the village when no one was looking hands locked together Ethan with his back pack stuffed with food and games to last them both until dusk. Well, as you can guess neither my friends nor I stayed put, nor am I writing this from a stasis tube. We got out after the power from the atomic slug failed after a cable broke during an earthquake. Eventually, we even made contact with our fellow Republicans. Yeah, that’s what our movement came to be known as just after our group had rejoined the waking world. While I was in down time, the movement took on new form and function. As one of the key bases, the one where my first love had gone, became the gathering point for a large group of human survivors. It was there that the seeds of what once was began to germinate once more. And the Mad Computer? While we were under it had committed great atrocities, the survivors after all the horrors of the cataclysm & suffering from a crazed computer where still able to build a seat of power for themselves when the Splugorth arrived. They held them off while the leaders with no other choose whet to ARCHIE-3 which was programmed to put humanity first and begged it to help. ARCHIE-3 denies their request and the “New Republic” falls in two days. My own mother being one of the people who fell in the attack. Well, it ******* chose not to do it!!!! Our own equipment ****** us. I guess that’s what you get for giving the job of building the piece of **** to the lowest bidder. It turned on the contacting team and massacred them all.
I, Scott Maxwell, knowing A.R.C.H.I.E. 3 had smashed our brothers and sisters, killing its human builders. Our people fled in all directions, many returned disheartened back to their undercover lives... so very many just gave up then and there, assuming their false identities with in the fledging communities of humanity as their real ones
However another danger to the new seeds of humanity we were told, were about to destroy this last vestige of democracy. A gathering of powerful magic-users had formed an army and was threatening to take over the American continent. You would come to know it as the Federation of Magic; though it was under the control of a different Lord Dunscon at the time. Hindsight being a ******* *****, it would have perhaps played out better if we had not taken him out. No one, not even us, could have known that the son was the real threat, not the father. It was that Star Wars, Qui-Gon Jinn mistake all over again… never mind. Anyway, so we ****** ourselves once more. After the slaying of Dunscon, it threw the Federation into a panic for enough time for the base to grow into… Chi-Town!
(109P.A. thinking about the past) He sat down, the leather creaked softly as he leaned back his eyes scanned the room then settled on the door knob. Nothing His eyes shifted to the lie on this finger one that had not only saved himself but his friends the lie being a ring a wedding ring. If not for some quick thinking on his part as well as his friends they would have been killed by the chi town police or worse discover as saboteurs. Still that was a few days ago there mission a success if you call starting yet another war between the federation of magic & the Coalition states. Both times it had been for the greater good both times it had been in the line of duty and both times he I had worn a ring…..
April 10th 2399 (13P.A.)
At that time Maxwell was known by his true name Elam "Heronas" Thompson. Elam had only been out of his cyro chamber for a few years he and his fellow team had went into deep freeze due to lack of supplies the truth was that the leaders feared that the mad computer would out smart them at last leaving no one left to tell their tale, after all what better time capsule to send to your decadence explaining who and what you were about then yourself. But after a while they managed to meet up with what was left of Nema and see what little remind of the world they knew. In that time Elam met fell in love & courted Sara .Sara full of life full of grace. The movement had over time regained in a way control no more like “influence” with in all the major forces ( that where human) still left on the north American continent. An impressive feet even before the apocalypses! There next work of contact & well places men / woman gave the movement the eye and ears they needed to know what this changing world was about and where it was heading. It’s dark in the city when the moon hides her face, but that is of no particular concern to a woman who has passed waking through the land of dreams. This one moved with great caution but little care; more certain of her footing than of her path.
She may have feared assault; the streets of Rezingi were notorious for their kidnappers and cutthroats. But it is difficult to halt one who passes unnoticed. Difficult, but not impossible, Idris reminded herself as her silent feet carried her in the direction of Theophilos’s palace.
Overconfidence was disaster; hesitation was doom. This night, she walked along the polished edge of a knife as sharp as the one strapped tightly to her right shin.
It was the thought of that weapon that weighed her step, not the blade itself, Idris told herself. It was a beautiful little thing, wrought of perfectly tempered steel and gilded with the purest silver. The slender, triangular blade was double-edged, with a small channel grooved into its center. It fit her small hand perfectly. But of course — it was made for her, made for this night.
There were people in the street ahead; a dangerous trio waiting just outside the circle of light that spilled from the open door of a noisy common room. These were no amateurs; they wore dark clothes below their creosote-painted faces and waited in calm stillness, not even heavy breaths betraying their presence. Even the blades of their weapons wore black. Mostly likely they waited for one of the revelers within, but Idris could not be sure. Whatever sense it was that told her of their presence was not so strong as to discern their thoughts and motives. She could not allow herself to be seen, regardless. She stepped from the shadows of the street into the shadows of their minds, into that gray region of uncertainty where dreams go to die as the sleeper awakens. One of the three shuddered; another thought suddenly of a dog she’d had in childhood. The third fought back a sneeze and Idris was past, her grey eyes sadly watching the street ahead.
This would be the last such witching-hour walk through the streets of the great capital, she assured herself. She would pay a high price for this night’s work, but freedom was her promised reward. No longer would she obey another’s compulsions; no more slipping through the grimy edges of hate-filled dreams. No more masters to demand the use of her body as well as her soul.
Provided she could get to Theophilos. Even for Idris, that was no certainty. Theophilos was no mere king; he was a powerful enchanter in his own right. Walls could be breached; guards could be — and had been — paid to look the other way. Nobles could be tempted into betrayal; the faithful few, slain. Even then, Theophilos would be far from defenseless. He would be expecting an assault. In his two years on the throne, he had done little to win the love of the city’s powerful street lords. What started as a mere contest of wills had grown into a small civil — and most uncivil — war. The assassin charged with removing the king’s closest ally had struck too soon; Lord Wiley had been found dead last dawn. Not even a fool would miss that warning sign. The street lords called Theophilos a fool; Idris was not so sure. The man was still alive after 27 months on the throne, which was a full year longer than any of his last ten predecessors. He had survived at least four attempts on his life. The lords called it luck. Idris knew of no such thing.
The squat black fortress at the center of town was called a palace out of stubborn habit. There had been a time when Rezingi was the crowning wonder of the world, with the great marble and gold palace its greatest jewel. But the marble had long since crumbled under the assault of countless war machines, and the gold had been stripped away to pay the great armies that turned the land fallow with the salt of their blood. Over the years, the palace had been conquered countless times by storm and siege; betrayal and brashness. Each time, its defenses had been redoubled until now, in its hideous gerontocracy, it was considered impenetrable. Idris walked in unchallenged. That was to be expected; walls stopped only those who believed in them. She did not know where to go once she was inside. Her masters’ ceaseless efforts to learn more about Theophilos’s inner defenses had been utterly fruitless. They might not have bothered; Idris could sense Theophilos’s presence the moment she passed the outer defenses. The king slept high up in an inner room of one of the palace’s greatest towers. She could almost taste his dream. It was an easy thing to pass by the guards who were most carefully not watching. Idris had been provided keys — copies bought from scheming servants — and promised they would open the most critical doors. She had discarded them as soon as she left her masters’ sight; their heavy iron solidity would only have betrayed her. Instead she coaxed the locks open with a slender steel pick and a few kind thoughts, the memory of oil and regular use. She sensed the magical defenses; they protected the king from spells and swords. They were useless against one who advanced as silently as thought. The sun, like Theophilos, was still fast asleep when Idris slipped through the massive door of the king’s sleeping chamber. That was where the swift certainty of her advance ended. There was no one to challenge her; the king did not stir. She had eluded his wards, evaded his every defense. She should have expected no less; she had never failed to go where her masters sent her. But this was different. Always before, she had been charged with taking battle plans, crowns, and secrets. She had never taken the life of a sleeping man. The sound of his quiet, even breaths shook her ears. She had killed once or twice, in street fights, and that had allowed her to fool herself into thinking this would be no different. It was entirely different. This was no angry assailant, no menacing lunatic. This was a well-groomed, bearded man not yet in his middle years, resting peacefully alone in his bed. Idris stood in the absolute dark of the windowless room, watching the king sleep. He was dreaming again; she could sense his eyes twitching under their closed lids. Of what did he dream? Conquest? Glory? She closed her own eyes, drew a deep breath, and looked. She saw a palace of marble and gold, streets filled with kindly, laughing people and carts brimming with food and riches. A bearded man in clean, plain clothing tossed her an apple. “It’s not what you expected, is it?” he asked, grinning. She froze, breathless. Theophilos laughed. “I watched you, you know. Those assassins you passed were my three best. I wanted to see how you’d handle them.” Idris did not answer. She had nothing to say. “The rest of us can’t dream walk, of course — that’s yours alone — but some of us mere mortals have lucid dreams. Surely you’ve encountered it before?” She nodded dumbly. “You’re not used to being noticed, much less expected, of course. I thought you’d look, if I was asleep. I didn’t have any other way of stopping you.” “You knew about me?” Idris managed to ask. Theophilos nodded. “Just stories, at first. I knew my enemies had acquired a tool they valued highly. I paid a high price to learn the terms of your captivity: Free will but never free.” Idris stared at him. “What are you going to do?” “Do? I’m sleeping. I can’t actually do anything.” “Then how are you going to stop me?” “I was hoping perhaps you’d stop yourself. You’re not really a murderer, are you?” “My masters bid me kill you.” “And you must obey?”
Idris sighed. “I cannot free myself any other way.” “They promised you freedom?” “The knife is enchanted; after it has tasted your blood, it may drink mine. None other would.”“You would choose that?” Theophilos demanded. “Anyone would, in my place.” “What if I offer another choice?” Idris laughed thinly. “A choice?” “Serve me, Idris. I cannot break the spell that binds you, but I can loosen it, let you choose your master. Look around; you see my dream. If I can defeat the street lords, I can make it real. You can be a part of it.” “As a slave.” “I don’t want slaves, Idris. I want freedom for my people. Would it be such a terrible thing to be part of a new hope?” “I want to dream my own dreams.” “You think that will happen once you pass into the void? You could help me build a new world!” Idris stared at him a long moment. “If I let you live, you think you can make this real?” “I can! With your help...” “Freedom built on slavery? No matter how good your intentions, Theophilos, as long as there is one slave no one is ever free.” “You’ll do what you will; I swear I will be different from all your other masters.”
Idris smiled softly. “Sweet dreams, my king,” she whispered, and it was more compulsion than suggestion. Theophilos dreamed again of the kingdom he would build: A vibrant land of justice and plenty. He walked the city streets, greeting all he passed in the vibrant marketplace. The king woke the next morning with a long, shallow gash down his left arm and the body of a small woman draped across the foot of his bloodstained bed. He cried.
25 P.A. (2311 A.D. )
May
I had been promoted to Head of Operations for the republicans by this point.
35 P.A. (2321 A.D.) Maxwell moves away from Republics bases & becomes a field operatives. Before the notice his lack of aging He claims to be his son and maintains contact with the republicans. Like the other failed attempts at freeing the sleeping NEMA members, Scott Maxwell and his allies are defeated once more. They disappear, living the lives of provided by their fake identities. It took years more before I ran into my fellows, the team that would become my family. We started on our adventures together, so many grand events that I could not even begin to write them down… but if you ever want to know about those times, all you need to do is find Astrid’s journals; but I doubt you would believe the fantastical tales held within. But fame still eluded me. It’s kind of hard with my "luck" and having my best friend be a constructed- paranoid –introvert; not that we hold that against him. I guess if I had “grown up” the way he did, I would be to.
106 P.A. (2392 A.D.) On the 6th,
The heat was beating down on them for at least four hours now. They had finished their last canteen well over an hour ago. Maxwell took off his shirt and wrapped it around his head before heading up the rickety wooden ladder. When he got to the top, he pushed aside the animal skin flap and climbed inside. By God it’s even hotter in here, he thought to himself. No relief from the heat even in the shade. I thought they build these things to keep the cool in. He swung his legs around and sat down. The room was very small and almost completely dark. In the center was a small pit of red coals across from which sat a shaman with Maxwell’s adopted sons on either side. “Are you sure you want to do this,” asked Sam. Maxwell looked at him and smiled. “Yes, very much so, Kyle." "This is great it means a lot to us." I know Maxwell said as he clapped him on his shoulder Kyle winst a little from the sunburn. Maxwell we are ready.... the shaman instructed them that they are not to leave here for 3 days there will be no water no food you will have a vision quest you will blend and become one you will share your soul & blood in the end you will be family by blood one of the same tribe. He placed roots and herbs on the red coals smoke started to envelope the room and with that the shaman left...and their journey began. After the quest and facing there demons together they were as one tribe one family one blood. I wasn't anything special as a father. But I loved them and they knew it.
108 PA
Middle of January
I have to admit now, that even I, one of the leaders of the movement, after long last, had given up hope. But then, out of the blue, while fighting to save the lives of my friends and many others from a civilization that I had indirectly helped to build came a note in a bottle, so to speak. This note was wrapped in a shiny, metallic body with glowing “to-helpful-to-be-a-good-thing” eyes.
The message in the bottle was able to do more than just rekindle the hope that I could help forge a better world; it affected me deeper then I could know at the time. Looking back it was the moment when a part of me that I thought had died reawakened. Case informed me that the robot said he was from Archie, this was while Case was battling in the mud trenches a few years back now. The next thing I heard from Case over the radio was about a robot with spider legs, which was programmed to help us in the name of Archie—that crazed computer who had crushed the world I had known. My fears were also playing out before my eyes in thinking that the computer knew who I really was/am and that it was just taking care of, an albeit lucky, but ineffective loose end. It was to my happiness that that was not the case. In fact, it was the first of many long distance messages from the remaining Republicans. They told me of their survival and their continued manipulations of North America. I told them of my adventures; each was amazed at what the other had told over more than a few face-to-face meetings & months more of messages. The movement however did not dominate my thoughts nor had actions like it in the past. I was very busy just trying to get my piece of the world together. If I could not help my friends who had gotten me this far, I definitely could not help the movement retake North America. When major events haven’t stopped me and they normally do, I have been sending large amounts of credits to help fund the rebuilding of the Republicans. Well over 50 million by now if my numbers are correct and they normally are. Of course they are in deeper need of money then I at the moment. I have over the years grown used to fortunes gained and lost in a matter of moments. Now dear reader you have learned one of my dirtiest little secrets. Why Scott Maxwell was so greedy for money, over the years before I knew that the Republicans where still active I had been sending money to bank rolled my retirement or in case I needed to rebuild my operations. After all between Case, Astrid, and crew we go through armor and equipment like ass paper.
The end? No, just another coffee break.
- We have moved to Merc town I jumped into city life connecting with a old friend of the movement Sci Richardson with his help we have been able to get on our feet and fast. With a little help from us Richardson has moved up into the realms of importance. Outside of Richardson I have spent most of my alone time building up the needed contact we will no drought need when our enemies find us or when we make new ones. I can hope that this time our friends will out weight our enemies, so far I am hopeful this time around Case / Astrid made a powerful friend alley in Crecy head of the Magic guild … and world famous in some salons I hear. Sorry dear reader I know it’s been a while. There has been a lot going on as of late. Astrid & I have been dealing with events that are piling up faster than one of my broke friends can dial my number. We have been tracking down any and all information we can get our hands on about Mad Haven…even in this metropolis, where knowledge, power and city life have managed to form without the Coalition, aid is hard to come by. We found out that this bum across the way was, in fact, the only surviving member of a team that has been to Mad Haven! I can’t express how very much this quest means to me, to finally be able to save Kyle, who has been in cryo-stasis for more than a few years now—a sleeping death that I had sent him to because of my rash actions. But thanks to the extended family that I have served with & the need to track down and follow up on Case’s injuries, we have been forced to head to Mad haven a little ahead of the initial plans. Astrid’s father seems to be the key to many a lock. I see the hunger in Astrid’s eyes and recognize it for what it truly is…..obsession. It is a driving force that I know all to well. Despite the rough outer shell she wears, I can see that she has been hurt by the loss of family… something that I can understand. The loss of family: pain, and the general nature of this world molds people in many different ways. Astrid is a part of the team / family and has been now for some time. During which she has placed herself on the forefront of battle and has earned my respect. Her greed for power & wealth is something that is not so becoming, but is understandable for I have/ had the same character flaw and can see it reflected in her actions. It has been a hard road, but we have bonded. No words can really sum Astrid up, none…. She is beautiful but that beauty hides a deep river of pain. I think that this new extended family has become her shore line, which is an equally beautiful thing. Sorry, I know this is meant to be about me and who I am, but I think I needed to express this for myself. The small clashes that I have with her sometimes are more akin to facing the facts of life. Sorry once more, it’s been about a week now - we are still here in Paducah. Case has just gone through another operation and is holding on, we need answers and we need them now. Astrid has been a great help with her dream insights and April and Johnny with their firepower and research respectively. We have learned that Astrid’s father and her former people of sorts are being hunted by Soul Harvesters. There is a cabal here in Paducah. Man, we could really use Case’s help now. Astrid has been pressing me, and rightfully so I guess, to let her mind probe Case in order to try and wake him and get some answers all other avenues seem to be blocked or are dead ends. I have a hard choice to make. On one hand, we need to know what the heck is going on and attempting to wake Case up from his coma might be our only shot. But on the other side of the coin, Case is my best and longest living friend; he takes his privacy seriously… his mind only thing anyone can truly have command over. If we violate that, what would that mean?
It was a hard choice, but in the end, I think Astrid & I made the right call or at least I hope. We entered Case’s mind and learned many things… some of which I think both Astrid & I would have rather not known. Our simple mercenary company, once a rag-tag band consisting of just seven people – not unlike a house of thieves, has grown into a massive being of its own right. Just in the past few weeks, dozens upon dozens of fresh, green, newly-fledged recruits have fallen into the fold. While I am just a simple mechanic, already several of the young men have taken to me like an apprentice to a master carpenter, studying my various crafts and skills. This bunch of whelp are generally kind and eager, but mostly ignorant; not that they are dumb, but that they have a child-like innocence to them. Most are the sons of men you will never be returning home from the war of Tolkien. I have already tagged a few as too green, doubting they will be able to bring themselves to kill another man despite their various proclamations to extract retribution on the Coalition States. It will be a sad time ahead, as I am sure a good many of these boys will not return alive. May the actions that we do in the months ahead not only benefit ourselves, but lead to a better time for all the many peoples of the Earth.
Mad Haven… words cannot …. It’s best to say that it is the worst thing that has ever happened to us. Yet, we lived, though not without a scrape. We got what we came for: we learned more about Astrid’s father. And we became even closer knit in our pain. We lost ourselves… to the madness and pain even if it was for a moment. That moment will be with me, and I think them, for the rest of our lives. NO…despite the pain I must at the very least say more about this time & place. While it is next to imposable to talk about it I will bring myself to write about it here and now. I have seen ruins of the past like countless others, but seeing the great city of my forefathers hearing there unanswerable cries in the night would drive anyone mad, it is for this along with the evil mutants that live there that most never return. I allowed my driving goal to take us there, despite our best efforts there is little information about this place for good reason, however there should be more about this terrible and sad place. The more we know about the past and our world of today the less likely we will be to repeat it. Mad haven for me was the last straw in a already strained physic. Poor intel / mad command dissentions outside of being countermanded and explaining every detail in excruciating painful detail on a nearly constant bases was not warring to abandoned this mission no I had to stomp on, In the opening minutes and hours we lost most of our expedition. There deaths are mine to bare. I had seen hard terrain but nothing like Mad haven, the time and cost in building a new APC was for little good in mad haven the city was more than just a ruin it was a city that survived a earthquake then was flushed down a toilet. I think it was later that did this massive mega damage city in at the end. Mutabile levels jumbled mess that cannot real be mapped. Never more have I wanted a hover type mobile transport why after all the years have I swayed away from it, I will not make that mistake after what we had to deal with in mad haven. The expense and costume work was not a total loss it did provide a basic and secure location form time to time. I look at the fallen city from a engineers eyes what can be built can be restored. To look at Mad haven as a place to pillage or to be concord is wrong. You would fail at any attempt to address it in those terms. Mad Haven is a place to see what once was, and to strive to reactive once more. We cannot just look at the happy moments of the past, even if tragedy is part of our daily lives we must know that it is and can be anywhere at any point in time. …… for me Mad haven was tragedy for me it was the last in a long line of mistakes.
--- Return to town ID loss of life & company to a point.
Here is a breakdown of the Maxwell’s Mercenary Company as listed in the Mercenaries Book of Company Creation; Please understand that this is the current stage thus far, and that this was NOT the way the Original Company was organized. * Just PCs*
13 People died they got 2000 a month for 12 months life benefit = 340,000cc we paid out.
10 that stayed in Merc Town 3 died in Mad Haven.
Group Brake Down :
Scott Maxwell Operator Owner Split of income
Case Cyber Knight Co-owner Split of income
Astrid Maguire Mind Melter Co-owner Split of income
April Cavanaugh Gunslinger Employee Good Salary
Johnny O'Connell Employee Good Salary
Victoria Maxwell none combat Employee Good Salary
1 Men Combat Ready Officer Good Salary + 10% of take
Final Report
The APF (All parties found chip) Maxwell’s company Security/Recognition Microchip Implant is a complete success. Final testing proved conclusively, that the security scanners, designed by Scott Maxwell and members, are functioning at peak proficiency and that they are reading the data streams, provided by the implant, flawlessly. Soldiers that volunteered for the program are reporting no pain or discomfort whatsoever from the implant and have returned to their duties at 100% operating proficiency as well. Security and Tactical analysis also report that the COMM-Dish on top of the Main base as well as the Dish onboard the main APC is receiving the Identification/Security/Tracking information properly under battlefield conditions. Provided is a sample of the tactical processing computers analysis, detailing the individual implant information of test subject.
Project Priority:
Project Security Classification:
Alpha 2Alpha A-1 Top Secret
COMM-Dish- On Line (Receiving Personnel Data) Processing... Decoding... transmitting...
Subject: Clark Sex: Male / Human ID #: 0009641 Company: Alpha 1 Security Clearance: Full (Recognized) Status: Current Station/Orders: Merck Town Recruitment Outpost - Security Detachment Current Location: 106o S - SE / 27o E Traveling: 4 Mph 41o N - NW from sector 18 NP. Bio-Monitoring Health Status: Excellent - BP: 124/60 - HR: 141bpm
