tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72720622024-02-08T05:34:00.761-08:00The Rogue Elephant Society LogThis is not real, but is in fact an online log for a roleplaying game (based on Atlas Game's Feng Shui). So nothing you read here is real. Here is an incomplete <a href="http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com/Characters.htm">list of the characters</a>. For those interested in the back story, you might check out <a href="http://netherworld.chimpshack.org/sf_story.html">this site</a>. Doesn't line up exactly but there is some interesting stuff there.Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1113251786477738792005-04-11T13:34:00.000-07:002005-04-11T13:36:26.480-07:00Field Notes - Johnny RoyaleJohnny Grease just provided the following account of his interaction with Johnny Royale. <blockquote><p>Johnny Royals' good people, least that's what Don Aiuppo said when he sent me to work for him in Philly. He's the face of the New Mafia: Educated, a dreamer, more schemes than an architect on speed, but still ruthless as ever.<br /><br />You see he says It aint about the locals so much. Their your family, you take care of em, but the ones who pay they get the goods. That prick afleck'd get whatever he wanted before royal's own mother'd get a penny.<br /><br />He took us into russia when the wall came down, tapped into the EU, Now he's got fealers in all the 'istans. run through a couple of guns, some designer drugs, and he's got friends for life. But here he keeps it upscale. That way his clientel is unbribable, least wise not with money. </p><p>Last off keep an eye on his gun hand, he'll get the first shot, but he'll probably miss. Relies more on shock value than accuracy. Hopes he'll get enough shots in before you figure out what he's doin to make sure you don't figure it out.<br /><br />I hear he took it hard when I left, must not have taken it too hard, I aint shot any of the neighborhood boys yet. I hope it stays that way.</p></blockquote>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1112633553033087352005-04-04T08:31:00.000-07:002005-04-05T08:05:55.536-07:00Recent Events in the Rogue Elephant Society<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#006600;">Hello this is Madrigella. Tayrn has asked me to discuss recent events in the Rogue Elephant Society because of my sparkling personality. I shall take as my starting date the recruitment of Johnny Grease and Barry Ho, as a number of new members joined around then (John Sexton, Genges, Gretel), and some long time agents took a new role in the society. I shall break it down into cases, as Molly suggested that that would be a a more exciting way to convey the information.<br /><br />I was not sure of the value of excitement, but Molly reminded me that the majority of us are still men, so allowances should be made.<br /><br /><b>The Case of Capturing Jack Munroe</b>. This was Johnny Grease and Barry Ho's first assignment for us, although Johnny had done some contract work for us previous to this. Jack Munroe had gone rogue and was taking some very inappropriate actions. Barry Ho and Johnny Grease captured him in the Orlando Airport, and brought him to have a discussion with the Duck, after which he was disposed of. They also encountered Julia Z, with whom we have tangled with on one other occasion.<br /><br /><b>The Case of the Savage Beast</b>. Johnny Grease and Barry Ho were sent to capture a site of mystical significance and ran off a motorcycle gang. They also encountered Agent's Starly and Millken of the FBI, who have since opened a file on them and on us. I do not find this extremely worrying, and both Darren Anderson and Lady Saturday have arranged for key evidence to be destroyed or modified.<br /><br />Gretal says that that last one wasn't named very well, as there was no mention of a savage beast.<br /><br /><b>The Case of the Missing Gretel</b> Not a joke, actually. Molly says that looks like a joke, but it is not. Gretel was kidnapped by the Emmental council. The gambit seems to have been to cause us to stir us up, which it did. After some detective work in West Texas and an attack in Paris, we found their headquarters and largely destroyed it. Joe joined the group during this adventure, and it began Tarkus and Johnny Grease's dislike of one another, although more on the Tarkus side of things than the Johnny Side of things.<br /><br /><b>The Case of the Fighting Tournament</b>Quon Jih-Eaux was killed by Jim Dandy shortly before this mission. Lao-Mao was a major crime figure in southeast asia and was holding a tournament at his private Island. The Rogue Elephant Society was brought in because it was felt that the Silent Mongoose Society would be recognized. Also during this time Barry Ho's sister went missing, and was later discovered on Lao Mao's island.<br /><br />There was a considerable amount of activity in this particular case. Barry Ho rescued his sister, Genges won the tournament, and SEATO destroyed Lao-Mao's base while they escaped in a U-Boat. They made a number of contacts in this adventure, including Jean Baptista and that Scottish oaf who have since joined the Rogue Elephant Society. Oh, and this was Diego's first mission for the society, and the first time Alistaire Traficant worked with a group.<br /><br />Molly says that is not nice to call people "oafs". I say it may not be nice, but it is accurate.<br /><br /><b>The Case of the Thousand Year Old Medusa</b>. This happened while most of the team was stuck in Southeast Asia, and so Vivek lead a team of three new agents to deal with a potential robbery. The three are Vivek, Johnny Appleseed, and Darren Anderson, and all three have done very well since then. This mission also gave us our first hint that the Emmental Council had reformed, and also involved run-ins with Julia Z and the Assassin sisters of Mai and Tai.<br /><br /><b>The Case of the Chess Tournament</b>. This happened about two months ago. Jim Dandy finally popped back on the scopes after getting off of Lao Mao's island previously. Alistaire Traficant and Johnny Grease were dispatched to the area to investigate and then everything became uncertain for about 64 hours. Traficant reported that he and Johnny were recruited to take part in sort of a living chess game, involving Jim Dandy and his father, Jean Baptista, Razuli, and various others. If Traficant's account is to be believed, it also involved two aliens, demonic monkeys and the return of Lao Mao (who later died, if accounts are to be believed). It ended with the Rogue Elephant Society firmly in control of Bangkok, or at least from our perspective.<br /><br />And that's it up to the moment. Of course since I didn't participate in any of these adventures (except the one involving Gretel, I may have missed some of the salient details. Anybody interested in filling in the gaps is welcome too.</span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1112627166743092112005-04-04T06:27:00.000-07:002005-04-04T12:55:59.646-07:00Agent Profile : John Sexton<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">I hate Bangkok. It's hot and sweaty and humid and ugly. If it weren't for the booze and prostitutes it wouldn't be worth coming to. As it is you can get plenty of booze in lands with a more hospitable climate.<br /><br />Still things could be worse, and our new digs are pretty comfortable, I guess. Anyway John Sexton.<br /><br />He's the private dick who's a love machine, or so I've been told. His past before becoming a dick is sketchy. I got one story that puts him in the LAPD and another that puts him in Oakland working for the Black Panthers. Hard to reconcile those two stories.<br /><br />Still he's been a PI for quite a while. Like many members of the Rogue Elephant Society he has a knack for making the right enemies. I know he's had offices in Chicago, Miami, New Orleans and Knoxville. There's rumors of him being in Hawaii as well, but that might be a hangover and old episodes of Magnum P.I. talking.<br /><br />Although if John Sexton had been in Magnum P.I., Higgins would have gotten a punch in the face pretty much every episodes. That would have been pretty cool.<br /><br />Anyway we contracted him to run down some addresses for us. Among them was Jack Munroe, who I really need to fill you in on sometime. But there was an older contact of Mr. Oliphaunts who had turned to some pretty evil stuff. Sexton saw what was going on, and, corrected the situation, which left Mr. Oliphaunts contact pretty well dead.<br /><br />We picked him up (no mean feat in itself, we had to call in Madrigella), and ascertained what he had done. Tayrn and Madrigella suggested sterilizing the situation, but Oliphaunt would have none of it (particularly after realizing what his old "friend" had been up to), and recruited Sexton on the spot. Sexton has been a valued member of the society ever since, although his politics do not always jibe with other members. In particular Baron Sang and he have passionate discussions on the value of "little people" (Sang's term), which often result in a little "blowing off steam" (Molly O'Shaunessy's term).<br /><br />I'm going to try to finish off the team with a good concerted effort, but an alternative plan involving booze and prostitutes is beginning to rear it's head.</span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1112386797067175642005-04-01T12:09:00.000-08:002005-04-04T12:49:32.416-07:00Back from the DeadHello all, this is Tayrn. I've decided to restart this website to provide an update on recent events.<br />The Silent Mongoose society has disbanded. <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/11/agent-profile-old-man-crow.html">Old Man Crow</a> retired to the Pacific Northwest, Quon Jih-Eaux is dead, and <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-vivek.html">Vivek</a> is quite busy with projects of his own. Lord Hoshi took Quon Jih-Eaux's death quite hard, and is staying with us in Bangkok. As for <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-danh-tu.html">Dahn Tu</a>, he remains available should we need him, but his nature does not lend itself to regular missions. The Mangey Unicorn society continues to operate, and are relatively busy with threats of a mystical nature. In particular, as Vivek reported some months back, the Emmental Council has reformed. They are still composed of Madrigella (Team Leader), <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-molly-o-shaunessay.html">Molly O'Shaunessay</a>, <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/06/agent-profile-gretal.html">Gretel</a>, <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/06/agent-profile-lady-saturday.html">Lady Saturday</a>, and Silver Slippers, although Madrigella reports they are approaching a few potential new members.<br /><br />Following events in Bangkok, the command staff of the Rogue Elephant has relocated to Bangkok. We are headquartered in a seedy motel, that Traficant informs me was a brothel prior to our occupancy. The command staff consists of myself, Mr. Oliphaunt, the Duck, and our technical expert.<br /><br />We have three operating teams (counting the Mangey Unicorn Society). Out of deference to the Silent Mongoose Society we are going with Rogue Elephant East for the Bangkok team and Rogue Elephant West for the Orlando Team. The local team consists of <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-ghengis.html">Genges</a>, Baron Sang, Danh Tu, Razuli, <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-tarkus.html">Tarkus</a>, the Car-Puchin, and <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-aremasu.html">Aremasu</a> (although the later three are on an extended mission), with Lord Hoshi and myself available if necessary. Currently <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/field-report-jean-baptista.html">Jean Baptista</a> and <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-vivek.html">Vivek</a> are acting as team leaders, although both are heavily committed elsewhere.<br /><br />Incidentally Jean Baptista's new restaurant in Bangkok opened last week to rave reviews, and is doing good business. His bouillabaisse is very good.<br /><br />Rogue Elephant West is lead by <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/07/agent-profile-johnny-grease.html">Johnny Grease</a> and Barry Ho, and consists of <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/10/new-recuits-1-johnny-appleseed.html">Johnny Appleseed</a>, <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/10/new-recruits-2-rufus.html">Rufus</a>, <a href="http://rogueelephantsociety.blogspot.com/2004/08/agent-profile-diego.html">Diego</a>, and John Sexton, with the Psychedelic and Alistaire Traficant available for back up, as necessary.<br /><br />We also have a number of prospects for recruitment, particularly for the Rogue Elephant Society East. But there are hints that both Diego and John Sexton would like to pursue personal interests, so we may be looking for people in the western branch as well.<br /><br />I should note there is increased chatter right now about some kind of economic warfare about to be launched. We don't know if this will effect us, or if it's even real, but we will keep our eyes open. And you should keep your eyes open as well.Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1101227811805936752004-11-23T06:53:00.000-08:002004-11-23T08:38:30.453-08:00Agent Profile - Old Man Crow<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">I'm back and I'm about the same really. Been running down an address in central Asia, which is not a friendly place to be for your favorite duck. Still it all worked out ok in the end.
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<br />I met Old Man Crow on a hillside overlooking the pacific ocean back before I had even had much contact with Mr. Oliphaunt. I had received an e-mail promising . . . well it doesn't matter what it promised me. He was sitting there, warming himself next to a fire. I asked him my question, and he nodded and said that he didn't know anything about it, but that he could see that my path and his would be entwined for some time.
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<br />Old Man Crow was one of the initial team, along with Jack Munroe, Madrigella, Tayrn and myself. He was our mystic, being a native American and a member of the Chinook Nation. He had served in World War 2 in the pacific theater and was as old as God. Damn good shot as well.
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<br />He stands about 6 feet tall, built for an old guy, with skin that looks like an old catchers mitt. Long white hair. His magic relates to the natural world, as you might expect. He is at home in any natural setting, and I do mean any. We got lost in the Gobi desert once after a gun trade went bad (due in large part to our efforts). We did just fine, although lizards aren't as tasty as they look. He also has some limited ability to sense the shape of the future.
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<br />If you work with him, let him take the lead on planning if he wants to. He's got a fine tactical mind and his view of nature. He will often be content to act as advisor however. In which case listen to his advice.</span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096990110284392572004-10-05T08:04:00.000-07:002004-10-05T08:28:30.286-07:00New Recruits 2 - Rufus<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#990000;">The Duck again. I've been trying to track down this Rufus and having not very much success. It turns out nobody at Rudy's out on Highway 1 has ever heard of him.
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<br />Kidding. I do real research sometimes too, but this is a tricky one. All I've found is that Rufus is some kind of ultra elite industrial espionage agent who operates out of Detroit, who moonlights as a photographer of the unusual and the absurd. The word ninja is thrown around a bit, and from what I've heard it seems accurate. I called up Traficant, who's just having a swell time in Southeast Asia, and he sent me the following.</span> <blockquote><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#009900;">Rufus is a good photographer and he's got some strong journalistic mojo. Some of the shots he's taken have been nothing short of amazing. He got both Donald Trump and the Trump bot in one shot, those proving it's existence. He also managed pull out documents and photographic evidence of Project Lazarus, and in fact, has a signed photo of Jimi Hendrix, taking in 1994.
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<br />He does work for competing newspapers regularly, and I don't know if his photographic evidence really matches up to the hard work that columnists do. Rufus is very good at showing you something you haven't seen before; but he's not as good at telling you what it means. That's more my stock in trade.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#990000;">Well professional rivalries aside; that should tell you what you need to know. He's good at getting where other people don't want him to be, and finding things other people don't want us to find. Strikes me he might come in handy.</span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096649391146637882004-10-01T09:34:00.000-07:002004-10-01T09:49:51.146-07:00New Recuits 1 - Johnny Appleseed<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#990000;">OK, let's get this done. Johnny Appleseed, he's just this guy, you know?
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<br />I think I used that once before, but it fits. This is the Duck, for those who haven't guessed.
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<br />He's ex-special forces. I have conflicting reports that put him in the Navy SEALs and the Army Rangers, and I'm not at all sure that it's possible to be in both. At any rate, the more complete records place him in a special unit in the Army Rangers. He's supposed to be involved in small unit combat on every continent (yeah, that includes Antartica).
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<br />It might have been in Antartica where it all started to go wrong. Reports on that mission are sketchy, but the mission was authorized by the NSA, and involved sketchy reports of an archeological dig gone wrong. He got back, with 16% of his unit. He retired, or was retired, immediately thereafter and resolutely refuses to talk about his past.
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<br />He's very good with many different styles of combat, and he's smart. He's been trained to effectively deal with unusual situations in the field without coming unglued, and whatever his other mental conditions, his mind still retains that ability. His services are available as a mercenary; we've used him, as an independent operator, on a few missions in the Yukon Territory, and he's done very well.
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<br />But he is a little off. In particular, he has an unnatural affection for apples (Tayrn has already sent me out to purchase some particularly good hard cider, in case he does join (Now that's the kind of mission I like. It goes without saying that, in order to get the right Cider, I have to have samples). Tayrn thinks it's probably the symbolic aspect of loving a "pure" America and therefore loving Apples as a symbol of that lost purity. Me, I think the guy probably just really likes apples.
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<br />Anyway that's him in a nutshell. He'll make a good field agent; particularly if we have to go out in the country or off the beaten path. </span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096576024137187692004-09-30T13:16:00.000-07:002004-09-30T13:27:04.136-07:00New RecruitsThis is Taryn. We are changing the way we do things a little. I have talked with Mr. Oliphaunt and he agrees that it's time we worked on a more open basis. We have several new recruits that we are considering for inclusion in the Rogue Elephant society. I've asked the Duck to take the next several days and do brief bios about each of these, and he has graciously agreed to do so.
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<br />While the final decision will be made by myself, Mr. Oliphaunt and The Duck, we welcome any information you might have about these individuals. Particularly their personal take on them. Please sign your name after your comment so we know who is speaking.
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096478152514780962004-09-29T10:15:00.000-07:002004-09-29T10:23:23.993-07:00Field Report - Photo of Julia ZWe managed to pull down a shot of Julia Z from an surveillance camera near a warehouse in Riverside. The resolution is ok, but not great and it's a little too tight around the face, but it should give you a visual of her.
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<br /><img src="http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com/mcbrydechastityel2.jpg" />
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096402296097877472004-09-28T13:47:00.000-07:002004-09-29T08:02:23.280-07:00From the News - "Depravity Isle"<span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#006600;">By Alistaire Traficant
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<br />As loyal readers know, I've been all over this mudball, and I've been in some pretty dark places. I've investigated Sanieria Cults deep in the Amazon. I've been the guest of cannibalistic tribes in the South Pacific. I've had lunch with Plastic Surgeons from Beverly Hills. I can't really say if where I've been the last couple of days is the worst place I've been; I'm too close to it. But it's pretty bad.
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<br />It's an Island in South East Asia. I could tell you exactly where it is, and I still doubt you'd be able to find it. It's that kind of place; a place God and all decent people forgot about long ago. And like all such places, dark thing grew there. In particular a crime lord named Lao Mao.
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<br />His criminal empire, christened the 97 chrysanthemums (although I suspect that is only a shell of his real interests) has a stranglehold on Southeast Asia, with tentacles reaching as far west as Turkey and as far east as San Francisco. The core of his power, however, is Southeast Asia.
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<br />Every ten years Lao Mao holds a tournament to find new talent. This year's tournament will surely be one he remembers, whether he wants to or not. I journeyed to his liar as the guest of two of the fighters, Diego and Genghiz. On our boat ride to the island we were attacked by pirates, hired by Lao Mao as some sort perverted test. We succeeded in defeating them (reminding me, once again, why I carry a Colt 45). Upon arriving at the isle we were greeted, warned to mind our own business and given comfortable lodgings. Comfortable in a physical sense only.
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<br />The Island had a tropical climate, with beautiful flowering trees. In daylight the floweres looked like happy pink blossoms, but as the sky darkened they become more sinister, darkening to a creepy blood red. The archictecture is a hodgepodge. Ancient temples stand next to modern warehouses and bungalows. The atmosphere seems heavy, as if a storm were contstantly about to break. Many did, in our visit.
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<br />It's the little signs of evil that are the most corrosive. I've known about Lao Mao's drugs and his extortion and weapons smuggling and so on and so forth. He spreads misery around the world, and in an intellectual way, I've recognized him for what he is, a 21st century monster. But only after looking into the eyes of one of his serving girls have I seen the eyes of the abyss itself.
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<br />Lao Mao "employs" hundreds of young nubile women, of all types and nationalities, as his servitors. Despite differences in skin color or hair style, all had one thing in common; dead, empty eyes. That part of the brain that created personality and will power had been removed completely. They could emulate a personality, and many did, usually an innocent school girl type or seductive vixen type. But it was clearly just a shell, there was nothing behind it.
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<br />I watched the other fighters and their retinues as they figured out the game. Many were disgusted; others enjoyed it. And as I watched, the corruptive nature of Lao Mao's gift became clear. Once you have the idea that a person isn't a person at all, but just a thing for your amusement . . . it is amazing the depths of evil men can do in a situation like that.
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<br />Of course while we were there, we had the occasion to witness large actions of depravity as well as small ones. I have it on good authority that the Green Viper Society, former allies of Lao Mao, were destroyed to a man during the tournament. Several hundred people, possibly thousands; wiped out in a moment. The Green Snakes territory was intended (I assume) for new allies of Lao Mao, the SSS, children of Hitler's madness. I do not know who will take their territory now; but I can only assume many many people will be interested.
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<br />The tournament ended with the victory of Genghiz, one of the fighters who invited me along. His victory felt pretty damn good, particularly since he had to defeat one of the leaders of the SSS to claim the prize. We left the island immediately thereafter, having been warned that Royal Air Force and SEATO had finally tracked down the island. The invasion, from what I could see, looked impressive. I have to admit, however, that I got the heck out almost immediately.
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<br />I'm given to understand that Lao Mao escaped as well. Reports are sketchy but he escaped with the remnants of his supporters. I hope that he does not remain free for long. </span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1096399015111895702004-09-28T13:07:00.000-07:002004-09-28T12:16:55.113-07:00Field Report - Julia Z in LATayrn here.
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<br />We are currently pursuing a contact in Los Angeles who claims to have spotted the elusive Julia Z. She served as a contact for the Jack Monroe, retired. He fed information to her, and she forwarded it to (we believe) the Producers. When we went to pull Monroe in, she interferred. Johnny Grease had an encounter with her, and here is his description of her. <blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;color:#990000;">Julia Z is perhaps one of the most dangerous people we've come up across so far, not because she is the most powerful, has the most fu, or oozes parasitic nanobots, but because she is the most beautifull woman in just about any room happens to be in. She nearly had my head back at the Orlando airport, and I think I got away primarily because I was an obstacle rather than the target. She made the mistake of coming after me with a gun, rather than a knife in the back on a crowded dance floor - not that I dance, but you get the picture. She's quick, she's sexy, and she's a cold hearted killer. So, under other circumstances not a bad catch.</span></blockquote>We don't know what her game is, but we can assume it's nothing good. Our contact is working for Autodynamics Research Institution, and should have more information shortly.
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1091549739590659902004-08-03T08:23:00.000-07:002004-08-03T09:15:39.590-07:00Agent Profile - Diego<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">The Duck here. Tayrn is out, so I figure now is as good a time as anyway to put up this exciting profile of Diego.
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<br />For those out in the field; kind of sucks not having you around. I mean the Car-Puchin is still here; but he's not what you would call a great conversationalist. Tarkus and John Sexton are out doing some kind of errand for Tayrn, who looks like she's aged about 15 years in the last two weeks. I don't even hard the heart to steal Mr. Oliphaunts liquor. I'm reduced to buying my own. Anyway take care of yourselves, sort out Mr. Lao Mao and get back home.
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<br />And bring Diego with you. I'm sure you all know that Diego is pretty young. Cuban kid who grew up in Miami. I don't get the impression his home life was all that wonderful, and he ended up running with some gangs for a while. Fortunately for him he tried to rip of a kung fu master.
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<br />In most cases this would be very bad luck; but in his case it turned out to be good luck in the long run. The kung fu master, who presented himself as Alanzo Fuego, soundly kicked Diego around, but recognized a bit of talent in the kid. So brought him back to his Dojo for further kicking around. Diego proved a talented student and studied happily with Fuego for a couple of years. Then one day (a couple of weeks ago actually) Fuego's Dojo was burned to the ground with Fuego inside. Kind of mysterious.
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<br />We'd already had our eye on Diego for various reasons, and so we made some contacts. When the tournament came on the horizon, we stepped up our recruiting. I don't know if the kid understands what the stakes are or why this important. Mostly I waved the $16 Million in his face, which seemed to work.
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<br />A couple of interesting points. The first record of Alanzo Fuego's existence was a drivers license application dated four days before he encountered Diego. As far as we know he sprung into existence at that point.
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<br />Secondly, his martial arts style is widely practiced by servants of the Fire Pagoda in the Netherworld. For those unaware, the world used to be ruled by four siblings who were powerful sorcerers. They were driven off, but have maintained an existence in the Netherworld, where they plot their return. The Fire Pagoda is the home of one of these siblings, an all around bad dude.
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<br />I'm not saying that any of this adds up to anything; we don't know. And there's no evidence of any connection between Diego and the Fire Pagoda. But it's something to be aware of. </span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1091479235624447072004-08-02T13:19:00.000-07:002004-08-02T13:41:26.956-07:00Field Report - The Value of Research<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">I have been doing some work on Molly O'Shaunessey's friend Jean-Christophe Reynard; although I'm told he is going by Jean Batista during the tournament. His cover identity is near flawless; you can't find anybody at his work or among his acquaintances who has a negative thing to say about him.
<br />
<br />On the other hand I have definite confirmation that he is a member of "Les Freres de Sainte-Acacius de Byzantium" or, in English, the Brothers of St. Acacius of Byzantium. St. Acacius is a martial Saint, having served as a roman legionnaire before his conversion and martyrdom. They are a secret society, obviously connected with the Catholic Church but not directed by the papal Seat. They have members in Italy, Switzerland and Spain as well as France.
<br />
<br />This is where things get interested; they were apparently founded sometime in the late 1840s by an a monk known as Fra Lipello from Turin and his aide, a Chinese convert to Catholicism named Li Seung who had traveled west. Li Seung apparently brought to Fra Lipello the idea of a "Righteousness Society" which was nothing more than a group of warriors to protect innocents and encourage proper behavior. Such organizations were one of the threads that eventually became the Tongs and Triads of China.
<br />
<br />However, many of these Righteousness Societies were also just what they claimed to be. Honest men who sought to teach righteousness and defend the innocent. These more benign societies were often under the thumb of the Guiding Hand. And as it turns out, Li Seung was also a member of a Golden Candle Society and was almost certainly a mole for the Guiding Hand.
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<br />For those who don't know much about the Guiding Hand, they are kung fu Confucianists from the 1850s. They are pretty good at what they do, and they genuinely hate the Architects of the New Flesh, the Lotus, and all the other nastys we come into contact with. On the other hand, in an ideal world, China would be the center of the world with all us other nations regulated to third world tributaries. A Woman's place would be in the home and impropriety like, say, drinking a lot would be harshly punished. So while we can ally against similar enemies, it's best to remember that we don't really get on with them.
<br />
<br />Anyway this doesn't mean that Jean Batista is openly an agent of the Guiding Hand; from all I've seen that seems unlikely. And it's clear that he would have just as much desire to destroy Lao Mao as we would. But it is something to be aware of.
<br />
<br />Madrigella</span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1091206239218555512004-07-30T09:43:00.000-07:002004-07-30T09:50:39.220-07:00Field Report - A Death in the Family<span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#000099;">This is Tayrn. For those who have not been informed, Quon Jih-Eaux of the Silent Mongoose society has been killed. I can assure you all that the gentleman who killed him will be sorted out.
<br />
<br />Our team toe enter the tournament of Lao Mao should have arrived at this point. The team includes Diego and Ghengis as combatants in the tournament. Alistaire Traficant, Baron Sang, Aremasu and Joe have also journeyed as their retinue. We will inform you if anything happens of interest there.
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<br />Old Man Crow, Vivek and Lord Hoshi will be returning Quon Jih-Eaux's body to his ancestors in Macao.</span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1091127158305893722004-07-29T11:29:00.000-07:002004-07-29T11:52:38.306-07:00Agent Profile - Danh Tu<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">OK, some of you were probably wondering whatever happened to that "monstrous Monster" we were talking about last time. Well we brought him back to the present, gave him the name Danh Tu, and threw him in the harbor outside of Kampong Saom, Cambodia.
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<br />Aren't you glad I cleared that up?
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<br />Actually though we weren't quite that capricious. Due to poor understanding of the netherworld and juncture travel we ended up in Vietnam when we came back with Tarkus and Danh Tu. Danh Tu was an abomination, or so the nomeculture goes. In his particular case that means he has webbed feat, pale gray skin, slit eyes, a rather hideously toothy mouth and bad breath. I suppose you might have guessed the bad breath on your own. On the other hand he is a charming person if you can stand to be around him. Upon returning it was quite clear that he had zero chance of fitting into society.
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<br />Madrigella had a waterproof computer made through some connections of hers, with a specially bright screen, and we jimmied a way for him to patch into a cable that runs from Bangkok to Kampon Soam. With that we have stayed in touch with him, and he has served as an ad hoc member of the Silent Mongoose society. Vivek has particularly befriend him, both of them feeling somewhat cut off from normal society I guess.
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<br />He's the Aquaman to Vivek's Batman I guess. Best not to think that way, since I am guessing I would end up as Woozy Winks in that analogy.
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<br />Anyway if you go to Asia you might encounter him, but for the most part he keeps his own company. He is sometimes hard to contact, as he does enjoy exploring and feels little need to stay at home all the time.</span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090860362953874612004-07-26T07:34:00.000-07:002004-07-26T09:46:02.953-07:00Agent Profile - Tarkus<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">Let me take you back, way back, to the age of the caveman. OK, maybe not that far. Just back the beginning of the Rogue Elephant Society when we were operating out of a cheap hotel in central Florida.
<br />
<br />Well, we still are operating out of that hotel. Mr. Oliphaunt isn't all that motivated. Anyway he recruited me and Tayrn first. Me and Oliphaunt knew somewhat about the other junctures, although not nearly as much as we know now. Anyway we did the recruitment thing, picking up the late (but not much lamented) Jack Munroe, Madrigella and Old Man Crow. So we had a team of sorts and we knew about the other junctures. Upon careful review and discussion and a certain amount of drinking it was determined that the 1850 juncture was probably the safest for us to visit.
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<br />So naturally we ended up in 2056.
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<br />Yeah, we didn't know as much as we thought we did.
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<br />2056 is not a good juncture for amateurs to visit. And its very hard to get a good drink there, unless you make it to Norway and you like mead (I did and I do, but that is not germane to the story).
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<br />At any rate, through a series of interesting encounters I found myself with Madrigella at the Captain Michael Eisenhower Correctional Facility. For a change I was on the pleasant side of the bars. We were investigating some sort of monstrous monster who had rebelled against the system. The nice thing about a system as stratified as that one is that they are afraid not to believe a superior.
<br />
<br />Anyway while there we encountered Tarkus, a young man with a distinctive style who was due for processing. Apparently, he had been caught transporting stolen goods. But what was fascinating was the long list of crimes he had apparently committed. Crimes in 2056 are a bit different than current crimes. And apparently one of his larger sins was that he had reconstructed over 20 cars from the 1950s to the 2015s, old gas guzzlers. This was of course an environmental crime. He also had some spotty involvement with the Dallas Rockets and he had been accused of being a Jammer (no big deal, that. Most criminals are accused of being tied to the Jammers. Hard to prove, and it makes the station look good).
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<br />Anyway we needed some muscle and a guide, so we busted him. It's not like we had to bribe him with much; just all of Oliphaunt's cars.
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<br />Tarkus is a driver; it's what he does. He's good at it. I don't know how much more I can say than that. He's good with firearms, but not spectacular. Oh, and he and Johnny Grease have something going on. I won't speculate, but it seems to involve glaring and swearing. He does get on with the Car-Puchin though.
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<br />Ok that's enough history for one day. Talk to you later. </span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090804725131271172004-07-25T18:17:00.000-07:002004-07-25T18:18:45.130-07:00Agent Profiles Tayrn here. Here is a <a href="http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com/Characters.htm">sheet</a> giving you a rundown of our rosters. It's a work in progress, and of course is incomplete but it has a lot to start with.Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090417579845040822004-07-21T05:53:00.000-07:002004-07-21T06:46:19.846-07:00Agent Profile - Ghengis<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">Hey, it's your friendly neighborhood Duck here. Anyway I'm here to write about Ghengis our kung fu hippy from gangsta city. Only he's not really from gangsta city.
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<br />Thousands of years ago there was a great empire on the Mongolian steppes of Mongolia. Did I mention that Tayrn didn't hide the key to the liquor cabinet very well today? Come and get it. Or, you know, what's left of it. Anyway Ghengis lived in this great empire in the year 67 or so by our reckoning. Don't bother looking in the history books for records of this empire. It's not there anymore. Ghengis saw to that, apparently.
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<br />Silver Slippers speculated that the empire was a Mageocracy, based on ancient pacts. If the palaces and castles of the ancient city were held together by magic, than what happens next might cause them to more or less wink out of existence, leaving no trace. Of course it's also possible that Ghengis and his allies caused a localized critical shift.
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<br />At any rate, Ghengis describes his home kingdom as pretty bad. Very repressive. He was part of a resistance group, the one that finally succeeded at entering the castle. The guards looked the other way while he and his allies fought a terrific battle with the priests of some heathen god from that part of the world (not that I have anything against heathen gods, of course). Ghengis kills the last one himself, after the battle has ended up with everything in the palace dead. Unfortunately the last priest had opened a door to another world; wherein Ghengis found himself trapped.
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<br />Ghengis stumbled around the netherworld for a bit; fighting demons and other types, until finally tumbling through into those caves at Lascaux, France. The ones with the cave paintings. He ended up pretty quickly in a French jail. Fortunately for him, Alistaire Traficant was in the area, investigated, and quickly figured out his back story (or at least this much). He paid his bill and brought him to Mr. Oliphaunt.
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<br />Ghengis isn't the most cheerful of fellows; he hates magic in all its forms. His passion for hating magic makes us Ascended look almost pro-magic. His outlook is a bit primitive but he is far from stupid. He gets on with the Karpucian, and he apparently believes that Barry Ho is some kind of reincarnated angel. The lest said about that the better.
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<br />Baron Sang stays in human form when around him, however, and the Psychedelic remained on the periphery of involvement precisely to stay away from him. He's never met Silver Slippers either, but he did meet Old Man Crow. Apparently Old Man Crows style of magic didn't bother him very much; on the contrary he treated him with a certain amount of deference.
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<br />Ghengis has got excellent kung fu as mentioned above. His hands move faster than the human eye. He claims that he used to be considerably more powerful, but that he was tainted by his journey through the netherworld or something like that. Anyway he's still pretty good in my book. Mr. Oliphaunt has been trying to convince him that as he fights the good fight, he can purify himself of the taint. I don't know about that, but I guess it's worth a shot. If you team up with him, use stealth; but once combat starts, let him get out front and do his thing, while you circle him, helping pick of enemies. Obviously never introduce him to a magi of any kind, unless you want him to kill that mage.
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<br />Anyway writing this has caused undesirable sobriety, so I'm off. Tune in later when I will be too drunk to type.</span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090354778245294392004-07-20T13:04:00.000-07:002005-04-01T12:35:26.096-08:00Field Report - Jean Baptista<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#006600;">Hey this is Molly. Thanks for the nice words, Duck. Just wanted to let you know that I might not be able to attend the Battle in Bangkok. We have got an unusual message from Silver Slippers, who was doing some follow up work on the Emmental Council.<br /><br />On the plus side, I do have an ally who will be attending. His name is Jean Baptista. He studies Savate and he's reasonably good at it. He's also a cook for Les Mets de Provence in Marseilles. Madrigella did a check on him, and found that he's well liked among the cooking community there in Marseilles. Apparently they are pretty protective of him. At any rate, he is going to be attending the fights, for reasons of his own. I suggest you make contact with him, assuming I am unable to attend. He may be of some use to you.<br /><br />I hope I see you there, but if not, good luck!</span>Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090337179575800022004-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:002004-07-20T08:26:19.576-07:00Agent Profile - Molly O' Shaunessay <span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">My admiration for the lovely ladies of the Mangey Unicorn Society knows no bounds despite the pain that each has inflicted on me. Silver Slippers turned me into a frog for a brief period of time, Gretal accidentally stabbed me shortly after we met, and Lady Saturday has barely noted my existence. And, in the greatest injury of all, Madrigella actually consented to go out with me for a brief period of time before breaking my heart. But none of them hurt me quite the same way Molly did. She hurt me with her fists. Repeatedly. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">I guess I should note that Ms. Molly is the only one who you can go out drinking with. I should also note that my comportment when I have been drinking is not always as . . . refined as I might wish it to be. At any rate, many is the morning I have woken up in an ally after having spoken some ill chosen words. Molly does always leave a bottle of aspirin in my pocket, and it's damned hard to stay angry with her. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">I guess that's Molly in a nutshell right there. She fights better than any three people and she's so personable that you don't hold a grudge. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">She was an acquaintance of Tayrns back in the old country (for those who don't know, Tayrn's past is pretty interesting, but I'm supposed to talk about it). Anyway when Tayrn left all that behind to work for Mr. Oliphaunt, the only person she stayed in touch with was a bare knuckle champion named Molly O'Shaunessey. We used her on a couple of European jobs as extra muscle, and noticed that people just liked talking to her. She has a natural gift for languages, fortunately. So when Madrigella was dispatched to form the Mangey Unicorn Society, Molly was her first recruit. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">And that's her story. If you end up working along side her, let her do the leg work. In combat she'll be a bit fearless. She is basically a boxer, but she has studied several other martial arts styles and is very limber and loose on her feet. She's tough too; in combat it's best to move around the edges picking off enemies while she goes up the middle.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">That's all for this edition; hopefully I can find that Genghiz guy and give you the lowdown on our other non Mongoose martial artist.</span> Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090255582288521832004-07-19T09:30:00.000-07:002004-07-19T09:46:22.286-07:00Agent Profile - Vivek<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">The Duck here. Since I did two from the American group, let's check in with the Mongeese. Oh, I had that drink I was talking about by the way. And a couple more. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">Anyway Vivek. He's got issues. Apparently his ancestry were connected with one of the Dakaiti. For those of you with big vocabularies like me you know that that word means gang of thugs. Unlike the other gangs of thugs known as the thuggees, the Dakaiti tended to be more interested in the money rather than with any sort of religious symbolism. Course there are those who say that the Dakaiti were just rebels anyway. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">Hey I do have a life outside of booze. A little reading never hurt anybody.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Anyway Vivek's grandpapa was a leader in a Dakaiti, but his dad didn't want anything to do with it. After giving his son plenty of opportunities to join, finally one of his lieutenants, thinking to curry favor with the old man, paid a little visit to Vivek's home in New Delhi. He killed his dad and his mom, being a particularly sloppy and stupid killer, and upon returning to the old man for his reward, he got it. Something involving crocidiles, I think. </span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;">Vivek was naturally a bit upset by this turn of events and he dissappeared for several years. His grandpapa spared no expense to round him up, but it was all in vain. Then a figure started appearing at the edges of organized crime. A very tough little figure with a whole lot of gadgets and firearms. He fought crime with two intricately carved gold plated firearms, dressed in the outfit of a temple guardian with an intricate golden mask. He destroyed his Grandfather's Gang, and continued fighting crime in India and Southeast Asia. And no I don't know if Vivek and his Grandfather ever met again; I think it's impressive how much I know anyway . </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;">His contacts in the Asian crime world are second to none, and he's a skilled gunman. We contacted him very circumspectly, and introduced him to Old Man Crow and Lord Hoshi. They got along well enough, although Vivek still spends a lot of time on his own agendas. Still he has remained loyal and extremely useful to the Rogue Elephant society, and if you need to know anything about crime in the Far East, he's your man. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#660000;">On the other hand if you ask him for a nearby half decent bar, and he'll look at you like you grew an extra head. And on that note, I'm off. </span>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1090166492332830212004-07-18T06:55:00.000-07:002004-07-19T11:22:18.716-07:00Field Report - Mr. Oliphaunt Returns from NYC<span style="color:#000066;">Mr. Oliphaunt has just returned from Manhattan. His exact words were "There exists an opportunity for us in the Far East." According to his information there is some sort of fighting tournament in the area of Bangkok that we might interesting.
<br />
<br />Truthfully, Mr. Oliphaunt has been less than communicative since returning from his trip. Most of what we know is sketchy. Vivek has made use of his contacts to determine that this fight is being conducted by a Mr. Lao Mao. He is involved in drugs and slaves as well as having a stake in several of the big far eastern Crime organizations, including, it is rumored the 97 Chrysanthiums.
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<br />According to Vivek, Lao Mao has an island where the fights are held. He has visited it once, where he rescued Lord Hoshi who was being held as a prisoner. While there he took part in the tournament under an assumed name. At any rate that eliminates Lord Hoshi as one of the contestants. Vivek says that he had better not attend either, although Quon Jih-Eaux may attend.
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<br />It is unclear right now what our best approach to this problem is, but I would advice all other Martial Artists, particularly Molly O'Shaunnessy and Genghiz to prepare themselves in case we need them to enter the tournament. Johnny Grease and Barry Ho were already planning on traveling to that area for personal reasons, and may be available to help in a support capacity. More details will be forthcoming as we gather more information.</span>
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<br /><em><span style="color:#330099;">Edited to add: Barry Ho is correct in his report of my error (the name is Lao Mao, not Lo Pan), but incorrect in his diagnosis of why I made it. In fact it is Mr. Oliphaunt who has, perhaps, viewed too much cinema. </span></em>
<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1089942428461042472004-07-15T16:50:00.000-07:002004-07-19T08:31:02.690-07:00Agent Profile - Johnny Grease <span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">OK here's another one of these profiles. Johnny Grease. He's just this guy, you know?
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<br />He's ex-Mafia from New York or New Jersey. I am not sure which but he's not too comfortable in either area. He's ok looking but not someone who jumps out at you, particularly the way he dresses. Usually in jeans, a black t-shirt and a duster of some sort. He goes everywhere heavily armed. He's equally good at up close in your face action and long range elimination. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">He did a few jobs early on for Oliphaunt. After recruiting a fair amount and realizing that he was going to need even more operatives, Oliphaunt figured he would use smaller missions to test candidates. Johnny Grease had a rep, but he was supposadly retired. Oliphaunt called him and arranged a few eliminations, which he carried out handily. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;">Johnny doesn't answer a lot of questions; so I don't have too much more to write. He's been partnered with Barry Ho, and the two get on well enough. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and doesn't stay at Oliphaunts hotels; he keeps his own places. I don't know what he does on his own time. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#660000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="color:#660000;">If you work with him, let him take care of any hired muscle, while you focus on the target. He's extremely good at that. OK that's enough, I'm going to go get a drink.</span> </span>
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<br />Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1089909830421523912004-07-15T09:25:00.000-07:002004-07-15T09:43:50.420-07:00Field Report - KentuckyOK here's the rundown. We suffered no casualties past minor scrapes and bruises. The Emmental Council suffered the following setbacks.
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<br /><blockquote>* Destruction of their base of operations, thanks to Blast Packs set by The Karpucian and Joe.
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<br />* Death of the Angry Duke, presumed death of the Darkest Soul (a body recovery mission returned inconclusive results).
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<br />* Capture of the Ashen Duchess. We are questioning her currently.
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<br />* Various other creatures destroyed.
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<br />* Recovery of various computer systems and records.</blockquote>This should leave the Emmental Councle crippled for the forseeable future.
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<br />There are few loose ends however.
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<br /><blockquote>* We were unable to recover the Gentle Doubt's children (of the Seat of Air).
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<br />* The Seat of Ice was not on the premises during our attack or possibly she exited the premises before the attack began (a clarification; initial reports suggested that the Mangey Unicorn Society had eliminated the Seat of Ice. It turns out that they eliminated her chief disciple).
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<br />* The Seat of Electricity has abandoned the Emmental Council, but Madrigella recommends letting him go.</blockquote>All in all a very successful outing.Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7272062.post-1089597362067405322004-07-11T18:39:00.000-07:002004-07-11T18:56:02.066-07:00Agent Profile - AremasuThe Duck here. Tayrn is picking on me for not keeping up on these so out of the goodness of my heart I am getting back at them (that, and she hid the key to the liquor cabinet). Today I am focusing on our Zen Archer Aremasu.
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<br />Aremasu was one of the greatest archers of the 1850 juncture. Truthfully his skill is said to rival that of Sun Chen, master archer of the Guiding Hand. But he is distinguished from his fellow bow stringer by two important characteristics. He's not an anal retentive Confucianist with a big old stick up his tuckus, and he is still living (meaning no disrespect to Sun Chen).
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<br />Aremasu's devotion to Buddhism caused him to come into conflict with the Guiding Hand and the Ascended. Also his desire to avoid entangling himself with the material world led him to leave himself exposed to his enemies. Fortunately for him, Tayrn sent me and Tarkus to the 1850s. I don't know how he managed it, but let me say you haven't seen 1850s Japan until you've seen it from a 1978 El Camino. We rescued Aremasu, filled him in on what few details he hadn't figured out for himself, and brought him back to the present.
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<br />He's quiet but polite. His demeanor might lead some to assume he lacks verve or skill. Allow me to dispel any such illusions. He's definitely got skills. He is, however, an intellectual pacifist. That doesn't mean he won't fight and even kill in combat, but he won't kill out of combat. Nor will he allow his companions to kill outside of combat. It's a trait that some may find annoying or impractical, which is why Tayrn and Oliphant have kept him in the back ground up until now. With things heating up, however, I don't think he'll be staying in the background.
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<br />Also, the obvious question, he does speak reasonably good English (learned it from some Cowboy who traveled to China seeking his fortune, apparently), but he does not have too much experience with modern machinery or devices; so expect him to ask a lot of questions. He is part of the Rogue Elephant society rather than the Mongoose, because apparently, it depresses him to see how materialist Japan has become.
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<br />Maybe I ought to try telling Tayrn it depresses me to see an empty glass.
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<br />OK, we'll be back later with some more insights into our little family of miscreants. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356055226606119829noreply@blogger.com0