Alice’s idea, sort of a cross between RRRs and RPGs with a touch of epistolary novel. Here’s how she described it:
Everyone makes up one character (made up, mind you!) and we decide on plot, time, etc. just like usual. Then we start. It would be in the form of letters or e-mails, and we would say at the top of our post who the letter was to.
Everyone would have to read all of the posts, though, to prevent conflicting plot twists, but their character wouldn’t know about whatever the letter said unless it was addressed to them.
Get it?
If not, then phooey. That was hard to explain.
I think I pretty much follow the whole thing. But I’m a bit confused about the email/letter form. Can you explain that a bit?
And do our characters have to be human? Like, can they be animals or ghosts or something like that?
Thanks, OEADs!
1- Yes, they can. I don’t mind. It would have to be fantasy, though. (Naturally! Fantasy’s the best kind.)
Okay, the e-mail/letter thing just makes more sense (to me) than having lots of characters all talking in short bursts of first-person, which would be a highly confusing sort of thing to read. Also, I’m reading Sorcery and Cecelia right now, which is in letter form and I quite enjoy it. And for three, in the recent past I’ve wondered how a book that was written entirely in blog comments would work.
So yeah. I hope that was an adequate explanation. I’m really bad at articulating my thoughts.
I will be Tutankhbastet, a 6000-year-old feline spirit who has been incarnated into the body of a kitten for purposes that he has not revealed. He is slightly arrogant, and refers to himself in the third person a lot. His titles include Steed of Freya and Ra’s Eye. He has unusual powers.
At the moment, he appears to be a young cat with midnight black fur. His only unusual feature is a streak of gold running from his nose, up his forehead, down his neck and along his back to the tip of his tail.
Okay, but hang on a second. What’s the setting for this book? Is it Egypt, or could Tutankhbastet have been incarnated into a cat that lives in cooler climes? I’m for the latter.
I’m Rhoda, the oldest of seven children (magic number). I am living in a small cottage with my not-quite-poor-as-dirt parents, and am on the verge of leaving to seek my fortune, since I don’t think I can stand being in the house with them, but due to a prophecy that says only the seventh child will ever succeed at what it does, I can’t. What I don’t realize is that it can be seventh child either way, not necessarily the youngest.
Oh! And I’m not supposed to know about the prophecy either, because my parents don’t want to discourage us older kids.
Another reason for it to be in letter form is that we shouldn’t be allowed to control other people’s characters.
And just so that I can have the satisfaction of posting four times in a row (not really, I just keep thinking of new things), there is the problem that cats can’t write. So maybe we should nix the letter-form. Or maybe PC has a plan? Maybe I should stop posting until some other people are here.
Yeah, that sounds like a plan.
Okay. I will be John Doe, a black guy who is a Secret Service Agent and whose job is to protect the president of the United States. He has special powers, like the Secret Ninja Death touch, which enables him to make people pass out when he squeezes one of their lymph nodes really hard.
(7) They could dictate.
I’ve been incarnated into a cat that lives in cooler climes. And remember, I’m intelligent.
Or are you talking about a physical inability to write? I’ve got that covered, too. I dip my tail in ink and write with that.
So, shall we start, or should we wait a bit longer? After all, this thread’s only been around for 2 hours.
10- Okay! Great! So . . . are we corresponding? What about a plot?
Oh, and one more thing! (Gee, I need to start thinking about what I post.) If we are corresponding, how did it come about? I mean, a cat (albeit an intelligent one), a Secret Service Agent, and a teenage girl connected to a prophecy all get acquainted and end up writing letters to each other?
Oh, and I can still seek my fortune if we live in the modern world, right? I was expecting something a tad more archaic when I wrote that.
11- Better wait till morning. More people might want to join, and we need to work out certain details.
14 – Okay. How about we wait until 6:00 this evening? Some people only come on MuseBlog in the mid-afternoon.
2-So is Dracula. Okay, Dracula’s just diary entries, with the occasional letter. Anyway, let’s make it either letter or diary form, but I think letter form would be better. Diary would cancel the reason for letters from post 6. I am a policeman/part-time archeoligist named John Smithsonian. On a recent archeoligical(?) trip to Egypt, I found a mysterious papyrus, which, when translated, reads, “In that year which shalt be called 2007 in that time, there shall be one called John Smithsonian, who shall find he has a great power, and using it, defeat the Evil One.” Weird…
Okay, so it’s vaguely Egyptian. Here’s a plot idea-thingy.
The mysterious papyrus is only part of a very big prophecy, involving everyone in this experiment. Tutankhbastet knows about it, but won’t tell anyone, I know about the part that involves me, John Doe doesn’t know about it at all, and John Smithsonian knows about his piece. We still don’t know why they’re corresponding, but I’m thinking maybe it’s a mistake, and the letters got switched at the post office. We’re going to try to defeat “The Evil One” or something similar.
Here’s one rule:
No one can control someone else’s character, but we can have as many NPCs (non-player characters) as we like.
(13) Not every character needs to correspond with every other character — some might not even know about the existence of some of the others, particularly in the beginning.
I don’t think you’ve addressed this yet, but you could really exploit the letter-writing format by letting characters write to “outsiders” who are not actually participants.
For example, Rhoda could have a favorite sibling or confidante back home to whom she writes. John Doe could send reports to another agent, Tutankhbastet might have a secret ally in whatever mysterious business he’s about, and so on.
Among other advantages, this would give you the opportunity to reveal information you don’t want other characters to know or introduce plot complications indirectly. Perhaps someone isn’t who s/he pretends to be or wants to voice opinions about other characters without their knowing.
Just some possibilities you might want to consider.
I am Maria Grace Green, a girl with a simple name but an intricate past. About 14-15, has some magical powers, not many of which have been discovered by her. So far she can talk in any language to anything, animal or humanoid. She can also urge people to do her wishes, without talking, kind of telepathic. Later on she’ll be able to actually talk w/her mind to other people and… some other stuff. She mainly writes to her adopted sister Colette nicknamed Collie.
More about Rhoda.
She is fourteen years old and has six younger siblings: Jack, Greta, Molly, Peter, Roger and Ellen. She corresponds with her penpal, Lucia. She has never run away from home, even though she wants to, because of the prophecy. She lives in a tiny but picturesque cottage and spends her spare time trying to find some peace and quiet or writing lengthy letters to Lucia. She has no magic powers whatsoever, despite the prophecy, which says something prophetic that I will make up later.
About Maria- I meant elaborate, not intrcate by the way. Though both kind of fit…. Anyway, Maria is kind of naive (I can’t get the dots to show up) and somewhat cluless but nosy and brainy at the same time. Ditsy! That’s the word.
I’ll be Fenn Brown, Irish Catholic revolutionary plotting to bomb Westminster Abbey, but I can’t do anything right, especially plant a bomb. I really mean well, but want to see action taken now against what I feel is a Protestant plot to control all of Ireland.
My character is going to be named Luna, and she is a ghost. She’s 12 years old and she can communicate with certain alive people. I think the character will work well with the tentative story-line, but once we get a better story-line, I may modify her a bit. She’s also in my Script Frenzy play, so I think it will be fun!
22, 23- So, both of you, who do you correspond with?
This sounds cool…
My character will be Rubea Hawken(Well, that’s her given name). Her nickname is Ruby Hawk. She is the only child of an Irish mother, Fionna and Scottish father, Matthew. She does have one close friend, Daniel Nestor, who will be her main correspondent. Rubea is very anti-establishment, but cunning as well, and can get information that she needs very easily.
One way that these are not like RRRs is that you have to be committed. You can’t just drop in and write a post or two, you have to stick with it.
Though I imagine we could just ignore those posts that don’t have anything to do with the story, or those posts whose author doesn’t come back.
And it would be cool if we sometimes wrote a letter from the POV of a NPC occasionally.
Forgot some…
Rubea is an atheist, a goth/punk and also a master archer. She’s 15. She has certain magical powers, including the ability to kill, heal or bring to life, all with just a touch of her hand(her “zapping powers”).
But wait, there’s more!…
She is a bird expert, especially on birds of prey. She is also generally very smart, and especially good at math. That’s all until the plot develops….
Pitseolak Yafuouk is an Inuit from Qaumansittiug. He has no heat sensory system, and he has lost one of his eyes from burns. He’s an alcoholic depressive but a brilliant mathematician, with a dark past he tells no one about.
Sounds interesting, but I’ll still have to decide on a character. This is making sense after I read the comments…Slowly, surely. Should be cool, if they’re all in the same general setting and eventually all meet, yes?
Okay, everyone ready?
I’m finding it soooo hard to wait till 6:00 MB time. Maybe I should just write the letter.
reading through this, I have to ask: Is there going to be a mary-sue filter anywhere? because it sounds like it’s going to be necessary.
Maybe the papyrus I found and the prophecy involving Rhoda, if you know what I mean, are connected…
(32),
Remember that panel from Sparklypoo? There can be only one.
30- They would have to meet, yes, and they can relate their adventures to their correspondents. Are you sick of that word yet?
But as for the same general setting . . . Hah! I’m thinking that they should mostly live in Ireland and the UK, since a few of them already seem to be there. Pitseolak Y. (be happy I could spell his first name!) would live in Greenland, and John Doe would live in the USA . . . so really, it looks as though they’re all over the place. They could still meet, though.
What’s a Mary Sue?
AAAGGHH. I keep forgetting things. Rubea can speak English, French, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, German and Gaelic. Short-temepered, usually depressed, and very pretty. must…stop…posting…here…………………..
33- Yes, I considered that.
The mysterious papyrus is only part of a very big prophecy, involving everyone in this experiment. Tutankhbastet knows about it, but won’t tell anyone, I know about the part that involves me, John Doe doesn’t know about it at all, and John Smithsonian knows about his piece. We still don’t know why they’re corresponding, but I’m thinking maybe it’s a mistake, and the letters got switched at the post office. We’re going to try to defeat “The Evil One” or something similar.
This may be a triple post.
Oops, they probably are connected… More about John Smithsonian, he has a brother in New York named Jim whom he writes letters to a lot. My first letter will be to this brother, but somehow, Rhoda gets it and they end up corresponding. He also has a freind named Micheal Smith, a palientoligist (?) that he met in Egypt, and Mike (as Johnn calls him) is the only other person to know about the papyrus. But I might take Rhoda into his confidence.
here is a character (you can add on whatever you want):
andrew hampton: private detective.
i actually made up this guy for a reading assignment…horror of horrors.
have fun!
Tutankhbastet corresponds with a secret ally known as “Bob,” who goes all over the world looking for people who are implicated in the prophecy. This will probably connect a lot of the characters.
32, 34: WOW. Just read entire Sparklypoo comic, plus other comics by same author, and also “150 Years of Mary Sue”. Amazing. Every word, amazing… I’ve thought of many of these things on my own because I am guilty of having written a great many Mary Sue stories. I had no idea this character type has been so heavily analyzed and spoofed. Major yay-ness.
bob? was that thy alter ego?
Salutations, Bob,
I hope you receive this before the Evil One carries out His plan. The President of the United States is threatened, for reasons probably connected with the Prophecy. Fortunately, one of the Empowered is in his bodyguard, going by the name of John Doe. I suspect that it is Nightwarrior, and it probably has no knowledge of the Prophecy in its current incarnation. I advise that you make all speed to America. Find the other Empowered and bring them over to your cause if possible. I have reason to believe that Jewelhawk*, Greenspeaker** and Oldseeker*** are incarnated as of now. Moonchild**** has come as well, but it may be trapped between Earth and Otherlife. I cannot aid you, as I must help to subdue a rising of the Corrupt Empowered that is taking place with unprecedented swiftness and ferocity. I wish you luck.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
*Rubea Hawken.
**Maria Grace Green.
***John Smithsonian.
****Luna.
hedge. hedge is a werewolf although he does not entirely know it yet. he lives in england alone with his pet hedgehog hedgie. he has such a connection with hedgehogs and they all flock to his garden when he comes outside. he lives alone although he is 13. he is an orphan. he writes to his friend edal who lives in canada. he lives in very rural england with lots of woods and small houses.
heres a letter to edal. if it hasnt started yet gapas edit this out
Edal, last night it happened again. i went to sleep before dark and woke up in the woods with blood all over my hands and body. I dont know whats happening to me. I think im going mad. Edal help me!
Ooooh! I’m a shadowy figure, who, as of right now, does not have a name, is an expert thief and who’s only companion is an intelligent raven called Scliifar. (I have a thing for thieves. Not that I a one…)
Namless(I’ll call him…Hanjjvar. If you want to know I pronounce it Hang Var. I just like Js.) can speak with birds.And no for something commpletly different!
PC, how old are you?
All right, lets START!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from: John Doe
to: Mr. mister
re: Daily report
~Mr. mister, can I have a new code name? My current one is kind of embarrasing.
As for the Daily Report, George Bush wants to go to Dallas. Should I let him do it? I thought I should check with you first.
We also recived a telephone call threatening the president’s life. We have traced the call to a pay phone in Wyoming. Police there are being sent to investigate.
I cannot wait until Dubya gets out of office. I’m worried sick some psycho is gonna shoot him for real. I have 564 more days on this job, right?~
Righto.
Would real-life locations be too weird, though? I dunno, I haven’t been to places like this.
Oh, and still no character, will get back on that either immediately after school tomorrow or on Thursday some time.
Dear Lucia,
I was sure that if I stayed in the house a moment longer I would go quite and utterly mad. So I am now sitting on the roof and hoping no one comes outside and wants to try it too, because if one of the kids get up here I’ll get in trouble.
Peter and Molly are fighting as usual, and even though Jack is trying to keep them apart, they’ll
proablyprobably wake Ellen up and I’ll have to go down and stop them.I want to get away but I’m scared of what might happen if I do. I wish I was the youngest.
Do you believe in prophecy? I do. When I was eight I heard my mom and dad talking about prophecy. I’ve believed in it ever since. I wish I didn’t, because there is a prophecy about our family that says none of the children will succeed at anything until the seventh child has defeated the Evil One. Of course, the sevnth child is Ellen and she’s far too young to defeat anything. I’m not supposed to have heard it though, so don’t tell. And please, please, don’t laugh at me. I’m serious!
To end this letter on a happier note (it’s been very depressing – sorry), my fourteenth birthday was two days ago.
– Rhoda
(Note: Don’t be alarmed, this is really how I write, only when I write it’s more stilted.)
Darn. Crud. Crap. Poop. ARGH!
Bob,
I have recently received intelligence stating that there are three more Empowered: Duskwolf*, Raventamer** and Elderseventh***. However, my attempts to locate them have been fruitless. Do your utmost to find them, Bob, for the fate of the Eight Worlds may depend on it.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
*Hedge
**Hanjjvar
***Rhoda
I (Fenn) could fall into the story accidentally, or be haunted by Luna? Should we have a semi-narrater to fill in gaps in action?
52- Do you have any supernatural powers? If so, you could be the one Empowered that Tutankhbastet doesn’t know about. If not, you could be haunted by Luna.
I really want to join this but I have no time right now PLEASE keep something open for me to do!
from: John Doe
to: Mr. mister
re: A possible warning
~I found this cool place called MuseBlog on the internet. A very official-looking cat-spirit called Tutankhbasket who says that an evil one is going to try and kill the president. I am going to investigate further.~
from: John Doe
to: Tutankhbasket
re: What do you mean?
~You have said that the evil one is trying to take the president of the United State’s life. Can you tell me more details? Does this have to do with the phone call we recived earlier today? Most of the police think it was a prank call, but now I’m not so convinced.~
54 – You can always hop in at any time.
Okay, so the Empowered are these:
Nightwarrior
Greenspeaker
Oldseeker
Jewelhawk
Moonchild
Duskwolf
Raventamer
Elderseventh
We’re going to have a hard time if we pay attention to “magic numbers” (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 99, 100, by the way), so let’s not.
I’m wondering some things.
One, is George Bush supposed to be a good guy? If part of the Evil One’s plan is to kill him, it would seem like it, but I cannot think of him as one.
Two, what sort of world is Hanjjvar in? I think this sort of supposed to be the real world, but Hanjjvar doesn’t really fit as a real-world character. Maybe he’s from an alternate reality that is just as affected by the Evil One as Earth.
Three, do all the Empowered have supernatural powers? If so, I’d better think of some for Rhoda.
And I do believe that’s all.
No! It isn’t! What’s a Mary Sue? Please tell me.
57 – Is George Bush a good guy? Not necesarily, but would you want the next prez of the United States to be Dick Cheney!?!?
Dear Lucia,
It’s not all that bad. Even Ellen was getting on my nerves when I wrote you that letter, and Ellen is always sweet.
I thought you might say that about the prophecy, but I still believe in it.
Greta saw me on the roof the other day (not when I wrote the letter, another time). You’d think she’d have more sense than to try to come up after me, but she tried to climb up. She nearly fell, but managed to catch herself in time. I’ll never be able to go up on the roof again. Nonetheless, I saw a nice tree by the stream that may do to write letters in. I am inordinately fond of high places.
Do you know, my aunt sent my some birthday money. What should I buy, do you think?
Well, Greta is coming out of the house, so I’d better go before she sees me. (I’m still on the roof.)
– Rhoda
58- Probably not, even though I have no idea who you’re talking about.
I’d rather not have a president at all, to be quite frank.
Maybe it’s John Doe (I mean Nightwarrior) that the Evil One wants to foil, and plans to do so by getting to him through the President.
Dear Bob,
Nightwarrior has contacted me through the same website that I correspond with you on. Please find him and tell him about his destiny. This is our highest priority at the moment. Try to teach him how to use his powers. Once you have found him, he may be able to sense the other Empowered. This will help you in your task.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
61 – Am I who you call “nightwarrior”?
I put this on a Word document with interesting font for everyone. Tutankhbastet, for example, has a font called “Papyrus”.
Edal, the other day when i sent you my last letter Mattie did not return to my garden. nor the next day. nor the next! On the third day i went into tghe forests and had not wandered far when i found mattie, most horriblie dead. Some great being had split her spikes when she was rolled in a ball and eaten the inside. I had never kmnown of a beast so powerful. I repeat please help me!
i shall be Tumeta. Tumeta is:
=a saiyajin
=very strong and fast
=as with all saiyajins, named after a vegetable
=only able to go Super Saiyan 1, so far.
blogging from school…can’t stay long..can’t write much
I just realized that I will have a problem keeping up with this over the weekend. I will not be able to access the blog Friday, Saturday, or most of Sunday. Either I can just catch up on posting here when I get back, or, if somebody wants to, they can post as me for the three days.
65- I have no idea what a sayajin is. Could you please explain? And if it is the kind of thing I think it is it’s probably from another reality, right?
Sorry about all these posts that don’t go with the story, but I feel like I really don’t want to go the way of the RPG, and more the way of a (successful) RRR.
57- see link to sparklypoo comic closer to beginning of page. A mary sue, basically, is the perfect, beautiful, super-strong, super-smart character who everyone wants to be like, idolizes, can do anything, etc etc etc, or the misunderstood genius who secretly is the reincarnation of some obscure “oriental” ruler with special superpowers etc etc ect. Basically it’s an over-used character cliche in which the author gives his/her character all the traits she/he finds desirable in real life, the character they want to be like, etc. They’re the best at everything, the most beautiful, the smartest, and everyone either likes them or is against them. It’s a pretty common character for amature or young writers to write, but they get really annoying really fast.
Okay, not sure if that will make any sense or not.
68- It made perfect sense. And it’s the opposite of my first serious character (before that they were all characterless and I didn’t write that kind of thing), who is snobby, rude, cold, unpleasant, faithless, and hated by practically everyone. She’s also the protagonist. And my second character, whom I will not go into detail about, suffice to say that she in the adventure merely by unhappy circumstance.
I don’t idolize anyone, nor do I want to be perfect, so that would explain why there aren’t any Mary Sues in my stories. Or at least not many. I try to balance out good talents with problems, or cut out the good talents at all.
Anyway. that is majorly* off topic, so I will simply say, do try to avoid characters like that.
Also, please, please, be as original as possible.
*Not a word, I know.
can we join at any time?
I really want to but I won’t start unless you tell me its ok.
from edal to hedge
Hedge, what you say puzzles me and i am going to as soon as i can afford it take an airplane to you in england. It may take about a montyh of saving pocket money bedfore i can come.
hope to see you soon,
Edal.
From: Rubea Hawken
To: Dan Nestor
Subject: Rumors
I found this really shweet website called Muse Blog. I have heard whispered rumors that there is an assassination threat against the president. Sounds interesting…I could try to find out more. I might even try to help with this assassination plot. Or, I would if I were not weakened for a day each time I use my powers to kill a person. I hate the President. I wish that I could use my powers against myself. Today was not a good day. But I can’t talk right now. Tell tou more later.
70- Of course! Just read the whole thing through beforehand, and make sure you go along with the plot.
I would write, but the truth is, Rhoda doesn’t have a very exciting life… yet. Maybe I can think of something.
Dear Lucia,
The tree is a very good place to write letters . . . and other things. I am writing a story, in fact. It is about Ellen vanquishing the Evil One, so that the rest of us can go about our lives. I would enclose part of it, but I find it hard to show my writing to other people, even you.
Yesterday I went swimming in the stream. I think it’s too early to swim, because it was very cold.
No, I don’t have a computer, which is too bad, because that sounds interesting. But I did find something the other day, engraved above our door. I can’t remember how it goes, but it was a sort of poem about an Egyptian cat and a wolf and a raven and some other people.
Speaking of wolves, Roger swears he heard dogs howling last night. Peter and Molly both say it was only one dog, and Jack says it was a wolf.
I thought I heard voices.I didn’t hear anything much.– Rhoda
P.S. We don’t have a CD player either. I bought this stationary.
Dear Jim,
Hello again. I think it is safe, so I am letting you into my confidence. I have a secret. I was in Egypt recently, and found a mysterios papyrus. It reads, “In the year which shall be called 2007 in that time, there shall be one called Johnn Smithsonian, who shall find he has a great power, and using it, defeat the evil one.” I think it might apply to me. It might… Smithsonian can’t be a common last name.
Yours truly,
Johnn
Note: this letter gets delivered to Rhoda by mistake, remember!
57 (Alice) – If this hasn’t already been explained, a Mary Sue is a character with no substance. It’s basically a character who is perfect in every way with no flaws.
I think all of the letters should be in italics. Then, it would be easier for everyone to tell the difference between the actual letters, and random commentary.
Ok, so I’m Luna, a.k.a. Moonchild to some people. I think I’m going to correspond with Tutankhbastet (PC), and Rhoda (Alice). I think it makes sense to correspond with Tut (as I’m calling you for short), because we’re both spirits. Well, I know he has a physical form, but we’re basically both spirits. And I want to communicate with Rhoda, well, because I think the character sounds interesting. And we’re only a few years apart (age), so Luna probably feels a connection there.
And I guess I can also haunt Fenn (Vendaval). I don’t want my character to necessarily be the scary type, but maybe while trying to communicate with Fenn, I scared him/her.
Dear Rhoda,
What is this I hear of a prophecy? I don’t remember hearing anything about a prophecy when I was still alive, but now I hear the wind whispering secrets in the misty glow of the ever-glimmering moonlight. How is your family? I sense unrest going on under your roof. Is everything alright?
Well, give my best to Jack, Molly, and the rest of your siblings. I hope this letter reaches you in good spirits!
–Luna
Wait…I think I may be confused. I’m reading back over the thread, and I know I just posted, but I think I may be getting something wrong. Are we not supposed to correspond with other characters in the story? Because then my letter was completely pointless. But I think it would be cool if we could communicate with each other…
Does Rhoda have my letter yet? Remember, Rhoda gets my letter to Jim!
Dear Dan,
Writing a letter to you from the shore. I came here to take a week’s vacation. I found a letter in a bottle(sorry about being cliched) It mentions a prophecy, involving strangers from all walks of life, all ages. And all of them have magical powers. Am I one of these people?
Rubea
Wait am i the wolf noises? does rhoda live in englann near me?
dear hedge, i will be able to come and see you the day of the next full moon. i have noticed what has happened has been happenning mostly on full moons. I think its lunar magic may be the source of these odd happenings.
See you soon,
Edal
76- Well, due to possible confusion, we were going to correspond with NPCs (Non-player characters, if you don’t know) mostly, until we could meet other players. But I could easily edit my letters a bit and make them to you. That would be fun. Here’s the edit:
Letter 1:
Dear Luna,
I was sure that if I stayed in the house a moment longer I would go quite and utterly mad. So I am now sitting on the roof and hoping no one comes outside and wants to try it too, because if one of the kids get up here I’ll get in trouble.
Peter and Molly are fighting as usual, and even though Jack is trying to keep them apart, they’ll probably wake Ellen up and I’ll have to go down and stop them.
I want to get away but I’m scared of what might happen if I do. I wish I was the youngest.
Do you believe in prophecy? I do. When I was eight I heard my mom and dad talking about prophecy. I’ve believed in it ever since. I wish I didn’t, because there is a prophecy about our family that says none of the children will succeed at anything until the seventh child has defeated the Evil One. Of course, the seventh child is Ellen and she’s far too young to defeat anything. I’m not supposed to have heard it though, so don’t tell. And please, please, don’t laugh at me. I’m serious!
To end this letter on a happier note (it’s been very depressing – sorry), my fourteenth birthday was two days ago.
– Rhoda
[Insert Luna’s letter here- we can skip letter 2; it’s just filler.]
Letter 3:
Dear Luna,
Everything’s fine, if you don’t count the usual squabbles between the kids. Better than usual, in fact.
This tree is a very good place to write letters . . . and other things. I am writing a story, in fact. It is about Ellen vanquishing the Evil One, so that the rest of us can go about our lives. I would enclose part of it, but I find it hard to show my writing to other people, even you.
Yesterday I went swimming in the stream. I think it’s too early to swim, because it was very cold.
I found something the other day, engraved above our door. I can’t remember how it goes, but it was a sort of poem about an Egyptian cat and a wolf and a raven and some other people.
Speaking of wolves, Roger swears he heard dogs howling last night. Peter and Molly both say it was only one dog, and Jack says it was a wolf. I thought I heard voices.
– Rhoda
It all right? I basically edited out stuff that was in response to something that Lucia might have said, but Luna wouldn’t have. I like the idea of corresponding with Luna better than the idea of corresponding with Lucia. It’ll be more fun.
And now I will respond to John Smithsonian’s letter to Jim.
Dear Mr. Smithsonian,
I am afraid that the letter you wrote to Jim was accidentally delivered to me. I opened it. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I am sending it back to you enclosed in this envelope.
I find it most interesting that you are connected to a prophecy, particularly one involving a being known as “the Evil One”, because so am I. Or rather, my youngest sister is supposed to defeat it before I or any of the other children can succeed at anything. It is a very odd coincidence.
Once again, my sincerest apologies,
Rhoda Gregory
To:Mikesmith@yahoo.com
Subject:Prophecy from Egypt
Hi. I’m thinking about the prophecy. I found a further message in invisible ink on the other side. “And Tutankhbastet, the cat, shall know of the Empowered and dwell on Earth, and the Empowered shall learn their identity, and the Evil One shall not kill their leader, as he conspires to do.” Know anything about it?
Johnn
79- Yeah, I think so. I know Jim lives in America, but perhaps some otherworldly force intercepted the letter? Sorry ’bout double post.
This next letter will be to Rubea’s boyfriend:
Codi,
I cannot tell you enough how sorry I am that I hurt you. During our fight, I was so angry, my powers were out of control. Please forgive me. You are my world, and if you do not forgive me, I will find a way to use my powers on myself. I am truly serioius in that threat. But I also need your help. I found a letter in a bottle down by the shore, and it mentions a prophecy. Several people with magical powers shall come together to defeat an evil one. And it mentioins the name Tutankhbastet. If you could please help me, we could find this Tutankhbastet, and ask him more about the prophecy. You might be part of this two, with your telepathic abilities. Please write back.
Rubea
er…
I have no time to read all of this
please explain it!
I’ll be Elinore Linwood
dear someone,
who should I write to? I don’t understand, how does this work? who is writing? who is what and what is who? PLEASE explain!
-Elinore
(this letter gets here day after full moon)
Dear Hedge,
I am sorry to inform you that your friend Edal was found in the foerests around where you live badly gashed and hurt. He is in the London hospital in a coma. He is badly injured and may not make it. He has a broken leg and arm in several places as if he was thrown and smashed into the ground. Enclosed is a railway ticket to London for when you feel ready to come and see Edal in this hospital.
Yours sincerely,
The president of the london, england hospital
(tut is having a catnap when he gets interrupted by an unconsious flying hedgehog landing on his head with this letter tied to a paw)
Edal,
I know oyu are in a comsa but when you wake up and sre in the state to i want you to read this. The night of the day you were su[pposed to come, i had the oddest dream. I was some sort of predator. I waas running through the woods and i could bsrely see anything. I ran into something or someone and bit and slashed them. I ran off again. Again I woke up covered in blood in the forest. I fell like I am truly going mad.
-Hedge
(This letter has a return adress so tut has somewhere to work from)
Dear Luna,
You may find this hard to believe, but I think that after becoming a ghost, not much will seem strange. You are one of many beings called the Empowered, who are sent from the Otherworld to defend the Eight Worlds against the Evil One. Your true name is Moonchild.
My name is Tutankhbastet, Eye of Ra and Freya’s Steed. I came into being 6000 years ago. I am a feline spirit of some power, given the task of guiding and helping the Empowered, though at the last, I will be powerless to help you in the final battle against the Evil One.
Nobody knows the Evil One’s true name. All that is known is that he is the most potent of the Empowered, and that he is also the most corrupt. Alone, none of the Empowered stands a chance against him. Together, they may be able to defeat him.
I have reason to believe that you are in contact with another of the Empowered, whose true name is Elderseventh. Please try to find out who he or she is.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Yes, I’m stealing Purple Panda’s name structure. I just realized that I really don’t want to have to explain to everyone who I am. Hope you don’t mind, Purple Panda. If you do say so and I’ll stop.
85- There is a big, big, prophecy saying that several people will vanquish the Evil One (so cliched, but who cares?). Tutankhbastet is trying to round them all up. Some of the characters correspond with Non-player characters, and some with actual characters. Most of the characters have other names.
Prarilius Canix = Tutankhbastet = corresponds with Bob, his ally
E2MB = John Doe = Nightwarrior = corresponds with his boss and Tut-bastet
Green Qween = Maria Grace Green = Greenspeaker = corresponds with adopted sister Collette
hedgehogboy5 = Hedge = Duskwolf = corresponded with Edal, until Edal was nearly killed. Werewolf
Traggle = Rubea Hawken = Jewelhawk = corresponds with her friend Dan and her boyfriend
Purple Panda = Luna = Moonchild = corresponds with Rhoda and Tut-bastet. Ghost. Possibly haunts Fenn Brown.
Lord Ragevuire = Hanjjvar = Raventamer = corresponds with ?
Koko du Pelle = John Smithsonian = Oldseeker = corresponds with Rhoda and his brother.
Vendeval = Fenn Brown = ?
Alice = Rhoda = Elderseventh = corresponds with Luna
That should pretty much cover it. You should tell more about Elinore.
Dear Rhoda,
The roof, you say? It sounds quite dangerous. But I suppose it is nicer to be in the open air, closer to the sky and the greater universe. Trees sound much safer if you ask me. Buried within layers of leaves and crumbly bark, swallowed up in bird melodies and peaceful rays of sun. I believe nature can protect you far better than brick and slate.
Dogs, you say? Wolves and voices…it does sound peculiar. Though certainly not out-of-the-ordinary, you know how things are changing these days. Especially with the animals. They sense something, you know. I only wish I knew what.
–Luna
P.S. Happy Birthday, Rhoda. I wish you many happy years to come.
I’ve noticed my character sounds too sophisticated for a twelve-year-old. And this is no way in offense to any 12-year-olds, and 12 is my favorite age by the way, I just thought it may seem a bit strange. So, anyway, I was thinking about this, and I’ve come to a conclusion. Luna died when she was 12, so she is 12, but she has been a ghost for such a long time, that she is actually much older than that. At least psychologically/mentally/etc. she is.
duskwolf… coolzor. so my guy transforms all full moons and at other times when the magic is strong right? tut send me s letter ive got noone to send letters to now edal in coma
I’m sorry to double-post. I seem to be doing this a lot on this thread (well, actually, this is only the 2nd time, but still…)
I am absolutely falling in *love* with this thread…it is absolutely fantastically awesome, great idea, Alice!
So I’ve been copying this into my beloved writing journal (omg I’m starting to talk like my character), because it is awesomely awesomely cool. I really, really like the letter format, and I think it will work really well.
[/”awesome” rant]
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Yes, I have definitely noticed that. Everything that was, well, odd, in the world has now become much more natural, and I have been accepting it into regular reality. What is this, that you speak of, the Evil One? I have been feeling unrest in the world, perhaps that is the movement of him. What is he doing, and what is his purpose? I know what I must do, but what is he trying to accomplish? Yes. I believe I have corresponded with Elderseventh. You can find her in the trees. I must go now, I can feel him on the move…
–Luna
Dear Luna,
You never think anything is out-of-the-ordinary. But you may be right about the animals. Sometimes they look at me so strangely . . . far more than is necessary, in fact.
My story is coming along well. Ellen is nearly to the vanquishing part, and then I will write about my normal life, which will be pure bliss. It’s odd. Most people might think that I have a normal life, but I feel like I am in a cage, because of the prophecy. But nothing bad has happened to me yet. I haven’t failed at anything except schoolwork.
You know, I have been trying to read the poem above my door. It says about a warrior, too, and the moon. I wish the moss hadn’t grown up around it so! It’s very hard to read.
– Rhoda
69- also try putting your character through a mary-sue litmus test; just google it. Or, if the gapas allow it, there’s a nice one that keeps track of points for you at : www . springhole. net / quizzes/ marysue.htm
from: John Doe
to: Mr. Mister
re: We have allies
~I have found that Tutankhbasket knows of someone called the Evil One, who is threatening all Eight worlds as well as the President’s life. He has several mysterious friends of seemingly random identities, but I sent an e-mail to him requesting help, assistance, and further information. Currently I am waiting a response.~
John Doe, you keep calling Tutankhbastet, Tutankhbasket. Bastet is an Egyptian cat goddess.
Dear Moonchild,
This is excellent news. One of your powers is to sense other Empowered and get a vague sense of their emotions and thoughts. This probably signifies an increase in your abilities.
I have found Elderseventh and will write to her presently. Thank you.
Nobody knows the Evil One’s motivation. He strikes at random times and places with no clear reason. The only clear purpose I have been able to discern is the destruction or corruption of other Empowered, but this could simply be an attempt to remove obstacles to his final aim.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Postscript; I am enclosing a copy of my letter to one of the most potent Empowered, named Nightwarrior. You may want to start corresponding with him, to find out more about each other’s abilities and lives. Cooperation and understanding will be vital in defeating the Evil One.
~~~
Dear John Doe,
I am enclosing a letter to one of the other Empowered. She may send a letter to you as well.
As you may have guessed from my enclosed correspondence, you are actually one of the Empowered, beings with more abilities than normal humans. Your true name is Nightwarrior.
The Evil One, a corrupt Empowered, may be plotting an attack on the President, but I strongly suspect that this is only a ruse to lure you out from the Veil and enable him to destroy you. Be cautious. Though you are one of the greatest Empowered, you cannot defeat the Evil One alone.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Postscript: The Veil is a shroud of mystic energy that conceals nascent Empowered from the sight of other, malignant Empowered. You are still Veiled, but if you use your powers before the appropriate time, your life isn’t worth a lame mouse in the Bubastis temple of sacred cats.
Post-postscript: Pardon the Bubastis temple joke. A little Egyptian colloquialism. It just slipped out.
96 – Thanks for letting me know.
I got my braces off!! W000000T!!!!
88-Freya is a Norse godess…
89-I correspond with another Otherworlder, one of the Nixie folk, who lives by the Grand Canal in venice.
I’ll write a letter later.
tutaanbasket.. i know i spelled that wrong. but i still want a letter from u tut!
99- I’m aware of that. Do you think I stayed in Egypt for 6000 years? A view of the Nile gets boring. So I went on a little jaunt to Scandinavia for a millennium or so. The cold air did me good.
pretty please right me a letter tut?
Is it okay with everybody if I say that Rubea’s boyfriend is working with the Evil One, but that none of the characters know that yet? Or is that too cliched?
103- That works. 102- I don’t even know where you are yet. The only ones I’ve found are Elderseventh, Moonchild and Nightwarrior.
103- All right with me. This whole STORY is cliched, if you ask me. And I love it. I mean, there is a prophecy that a bunch of people with magical talents are going to destroy the Evil One. Can you think of something better than that? Or more cliched? Call me strange, but I am ridiculously fond of that kind of thing.
And I really hope I didn’t offend anyone by saying that. I meant it in the best possible way.
Rubea’s boyfriend, Codi, is an NPC, so if anybody wants to write as him once or twice, they can.
Dan,
I believ that we(me, you, Codi), should start off on a quest to find this mysterious Egyptian cat, Tutankhbastet. i would go alone with Codi, but we seem to have reached a point where we do not trust each other to control our own powers. Along the way, I hope we can find other endowed people, who maybe will have more info about this prophecy.
Ruby
I ♥ this thread.
105- I don’t care if it’s cliche, I just like being an arrogant 6000-year-old cat.
Dear Nightwarrior, Elderseventh, and Moonchild,
Bob is dead. An informant of mine found a carbonized husk resembling him fused to a Washington DC street. I believe one of the Corrupt Empowered is aiming to strike at the President. I believe it’s Foxfire, but Drakesinger is also a possibility. Take all possible precautions. If it’s Drakesinger, you will probably be able to defeat him. If it’s Foxfire, you will not. Duskwolf is uniquely attuned to Foxfire’s powers, so it is imperative that I find him. I will contact him as soon as I have done so. In the meantime, be on your guard.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Dear Mr. Tutankhbastet,
I believe that you have made a mistake in your address. My name is Rhoda Gregory, and I know of no one by the name of Nightwarrior, Moonchild, Elderseventh, Duskwolf, Foxfire, Drakesinger or Bob.
However, I am sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Rhoda Gregory
Hmm. No one told me about this, so I don’t understand.
Dear Luna,
I am much more frightened than when I wrote the last letter. I think this time it is out-of-the-ordinary. The noises in the wood are getting louder, and I am afraid to go to the stream, even in daytime. I am writing this in the house, and I am miserable. Peter is trying to read over my shoulder, and Roger is on my lap. What’s more, I keep getting other people’s letters. Yesterday i got one that said there was going to be an attack on the President of the United States of America, and someone was killed! It was also full of strange names, and one of them was – this is the creepy part – Elderseventh.
I am very scared. Please write back soon.
– Rhoda
P.S. The other letter I received was a few weeks ago, and it had something to do with a prophecy. Is it coincidence, or something else?
Dear Moonchild,
Will you contact Elderseventh and help her? I think that the forces of the Evil One are closing in on her. If possible, explain her destiny.
The Eye of Ra wishes you good luck in these troubled times.
Tutankhbastet
from: John Doe
to: Tutankhbastet
re: Thank you for the warning
~My deepest condolences for you regarding your friend bob. I have given the President permission to go to Dallas, so if the Evil One is taking a strike at him in Washington DC, he will be unsecsessful. Thank you and I hope to speak with you again soon.~
from: John Doe
to: Tutankhbastet
re: postscript
~I will be extra-careful to cover my powers and keep within the veil.~
tut you got my letter with a return adress. dont you think you cuold understand I was duskwolf from that? ill repost i agsin for ye
(tut is having a catnap when he gets interrupted by an unconsious flying hedgehog landing on his head with this letter tied to a paw)
Edal,
I know oyu are in a comsa but when you wake up and sre in the state to i want you to read this. The night of the day you were su[pposed to come, i had the oddest dream. I was some sort of predator. I waas running through the woods and i could bsrely see anything. I ran into something or someone and bit and slashed them. I ran off again. Again I woke up covered in blood in the forest. I fell like I am truly going mad.
-Hedge
(This letter has a return adress so tut has somewhere to work from)
Dear hedgehodboy5,
Isn’t a return address so that if the address is invalid they can send it back?
You send your letters by flying hedgehog and yet you have a return address?
Sincerely but confused,
Alice
(Note: This is not part of the story. I just like writing in letter form.)
P.S.
Nobody minds if I correct spelling in my draft, do they?
– A.
115 – No, I don’t care.
Codi,
Dan will not be able to joinus on our quest. I think, though, that we should head to America first. I managed to intercept an e-mail from one John Doe to Tutankhbastet, saying that somebody named Bob died. Also, somebody named the Evil One is attempting to assassinate the president. We should head to Dallas, and find this John Doe, he could lead us to Tut. Those Secret Service people really need better internet security.
Ruby
Sorry I haven’t been on here in a while. Thanks for including me so far! There is a code involved, see if you can find it. Her secret is that she is empowered. Her grandfather knows ofthe prophecy, as does she, but she doesn’t know her part in it yet.
Dear Colette,
I am having a wonderful time in the city with grandfather! All of us are missing you and wish you would be here. My cats Ell and Merry are acting very strangely. Each of them is scratching at the door as we speak, and they usually don’t do this. Most of the time they eat, but the’ve been neglecting their appetite for some reason. Polly, my friend from school, has been acting strangely too. Our teacher assigned us a project to find out more about our partners, and I’m afraid she’ll find out about my secret. We, grandpa and I, have been trying to keep her from coming to the house, and I’ve been urging her away from that subject with my mind. Ell says to tell you hi, but she won’t tell me what’s wrong. Reason stands that she won’t tell me, but I fear that something bad is going to happen. Evil is a foot here, I can tell. Dad will be missing me, tell him I said hi.
Your affectionate sister,
Maria.
Dear Mary, I’m completely lost, and don’t know who else to turn to! I’m in London, and can’t find anything around here, it’s all so confusing. Not only that, but I’m having all of these strange dreams, how am I supposed to foil a plot to save the world when I feel like I’m being haunted by something, or just going crazy. I just want to join you back at home, but I have a job to do. Wait for me soon, Fenn
Mary, and the rest of the family are NPC
To Fenn Brown, soldier in the Eire Army. Why haven’t you written yet?! we need to do something now! The Queen will be here before you know it if we don’t give them a good scare, all of your homeland will be overrun. We need a big, dramatic explosion, soon. Good luck and may God’s grace be upon you, Your Lord Protector
I just wrote two letters to Luna in a row, I should wait till someone contacts me . . . I couldn’t find the code, Green Qween.
Dear Hedge,
I received your letter by accident. This is extremely good fortune, as I believe you are one of the Empowered, beings with unusual abilities. Yours is to transform into a wolf. Currently, unless I am completely inaccurate, you have control over neither the time of your transformation nor your actions in the transformed state. I can help you with both maladies. Please contact me at mariesuzanna @ scorchingmail.org.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Postscript: The email address is that of my human, who believes me to be a normal kitten, and not a 6000-year-old feline spirit, which is what I am.
121- Is that a real e-mail? I guess not, because otherwise the GAPAs wouldn’t have let it through. And “scorchingmail” is a play on hotmail, I guess. But it does bring up a Eudora window when I click on it.
(122) No, the format fools it into thinking the email is legit. It wouldn’t go anywhere, but I’ve defused the link to set all minds at ease.
114- well my parchment is labeled qwith my adress nstuff
To:mariesuzanna @ scorchingmail.org.
From: HedgehogLuver @ wayoo.com
Subject: About your letter
Can you help me make it possible to control my form? I don’t want to hurt more innosent people. And if you are a 600’s year old feline spirit do you have any powers of heling? I beleive vi nearly and may havew entirely killed my best friend Edal. I would go to the end of the world to do what you ask me to if you could rexstore him to perfect health.
————————-
Hedge
To: HedgehogLuver @ wayoo.com
Re: Answer
I believe some of the other Empowered have healing power, but not I. Immortality, psychic powers, speed and strength are my only abilities. I will try to contact a healer to help Edal. In the meantime, go to the Star Hotel in Dallas, Texas and ask for John Doe. When you get to his room, say, “Tutankhbastet sent me, Nightwarrior.” He will explain everything.
~~~
Dear Nightwarrior,
Foxfire may follow you to Dallas. I have sent another one of the Empowered to help you. His true name is Duskwolf, but he goes by Hedge. He is young and British. When he turns up outside your room, he will know my true name and yours. Trust him, and explain his destiny.
Rubea Hawken has the power to heal. I’ll contact her later.
To:mariesuzanna @ scorchingmail.org.
From: HedgehogLuver @ wayoo.com
re:re: Answer
I have bought a ticket to dallas. i will be there soon.
wait once i get to the place how do we do it when we are actually with people?
To:mariesuzanna @ scorchingmail.org.
From: HedgehogLuver @ wayoo.com
Subject: about my letter you got
Do you have my flying hedgehog? I only have one you see and i don’t like to trust normal mail.
Dear Luna,
The wolf noises have finally stopped. I have not heard them for a long time, since the full moon, in fact. I can go out to the stream again, and it’s the perfect temperature for swimming.
Oddly enough, since Ellen vanquished the Evil One (in my story), I have had a most horrible writer’s block. I had been so looking forward to writing about normal life, but it seems quite tedious now that I try.
– Rhoda
P.S. I have stopped getting other people’s mail, too. I can almost forget about the prophecy.
127- I imagine you continue to correspond with NPCs, or with other players, as the case may be. (For you and me and Tut, and maybe other people.)
127- You just describe the interaction between your character and theirs in a letter to someone else. Example: “Dear Bob, Today I met with Fred to discuss how to find Jewelhawk. He suggested that I leave it up to fate. Fred’s always been a bit prophetic, not to mention accurate, so I took his advice.”
ok but i dunno what will happen so can nightwarrior do the letter about wat happemnS?
To: dnest @ eul.com
From: rhawken @ lightning.net
Subject: In flight
Danny boy,
I’m on a plane to Dallas, for the reasons that I told you at the airport. Unfortunately, I have not been able to recieve any further e-mails. They must have realized that somebody was hacking. Codi and I have a reservation at the Star Hotel for a week. It is within walking distance of the airport, so we won’t have to rent a car. I will write again once we reach the hotel.
Ruby
Dear Rhoda,
Yes, often prophecies seem to cage you in. When prophecies are made, if the person in it knows about it, often they try to fulfill the prophecy, and therefore box-in that individyal.
Why don’t you try going to the stream with Jack, or Molly? If you are with them when you go, you might feel safer. And that will also help you if you’d like to do a little experiment — go to the stream with one of them, and see if you hear the voices. If you do, then you know that it is not just you. But if you don’t, you know there is something strange going on with just you. Then, try taking Ellen with you, to see if it has something to do with the Empowered. But, of course, you can only do that when the noises come back. Perhaps wait until the next full moon…
An attack on the President, you say? And Elderseventh. Hmm. Could it be the Evil One?
No more mail? Is this just because nobody sends it to you, or that you are being prevented from seeing it?
Best of luck to you, Rhoda,
–Luna
from: John Doe
to: Tutankhbastet
re: note
~I will be waiting for hedge.~
from: John Doe
to: Luna
re: Tutankhbastet told me to contact you
~I have been somewhat confused ever since I met you group of people. My job seems so complicated now – before it was just to make sure nobody dangerous was in the crowd around the president. Now people want me to fight the Evil One, whoever this may be. Do you know any further information? Tutankhbastet told me to get in touch with you.~
Dear Luna,
The full moon has come and gone, and there have been no more noises whatsoever. Perhaps they are gone completely? I hope so. They scared me.
You know what’s strange? You are talking about the “Empowered”, just like in the mistaken letter from Mr. Tutankhbastet. I am sure I didn’t mention that part . . .
I have been thinking since I wrote my last letter. Could “Elderseventh” mean me? Could the seventh child be me? Could I be the the one who is meant to vanquish the Evil One? I am not sure how I feel about that conclusion.
I managed to read the prophecy above the door. It isn’t a poem at all. It says:
The Empowered shall defeat the Evil One;
Nightwarrior,
Duskwolf,
Greenspeaker,
Oldseeker.
Jewelhawk and Moonchild,
Raventamer,
Elderseventh,
[inset more names as more people turn up, if they do]
And Tutankhbastet shall find them all.
That does not help greatly. I am still frightened, and still puzzled. But several weeks ago I received a letter from a man called Johnn Smithsonian, and he too, had a prophecy. From Egypt, that said a man named Johnn Smithsonian would defeat the Evil One in the year 2007. He must be one of the Empowered too, and the battle will happen soon. I will write to him again.
– Rhoda
P.S. Are you one of the Empowered as well? If so, which?
Now for the letter to Johnn Smithsonian, and then one to Tutankhbastet.
Dear Mr. Smithsonian,
You may have received a letter from one Rhoda Gregory some time ago, concerning a prophecy. I am Rhoda Gregory, and I have learned since that I too, am part of the prophecy. (Or so I believe. I have a friend who may know.) I believe you and I are among the Empowered, people who will fight the Evil One. The entire prophecy, such as I know, goes like this:
The Empowered shall defeat the Evil One;
Nightwarrior,
Duskwolf,
Greenspeaker,
Oldseeker.
Jewelhawk and Moonchild,
Raventamer,
Elderseventh,
[inset more names as more people turn up, if they do]
And Tutankhbastet shall find them all.
I am Elderseventh, I imagine. I am going to contact Tutankhbastet, and I suggest you do the same.
Sincerely,
Rhoda Gregory.
~~~~~~~
Dear Mr. Tutankhbastet,
Some time ago I received a letter from you. I believed at the time that it was a mistake, but I am no longer so sure, having found this prophecy carved above my door:
The Empowered shall defeat the Evil One;
Nightwarrior,
Duskwolf,
Greenspeaker,
Oldseeker.
Jewelhawk and Moonchild,
Raventamer,
Elderseventh,
[inset more names as more people turn up, if they do]
And Tutankhbastet shall find them all.
I think I am Elderseventh. Please contact me and explain.
Sincerely,
Rhoda Gregory
Dear Tutankhbastet,
If I will defeat the evil one, with the other Empowered, I must know my true name. Please, which Empowered am I, and what is my power?
John Smithsonian
Dear Rhoda,
I enclose a copy of my letter to Tutankhbastet, and I am enclosing a copy of this letter with my letter to him. I think I may be Oldseeker, because I am a seeker of old things, being a part-time archeoligist. I hope the combined powers of the Empowered can defeat the Evil One.
John Smithsonian
I’m sorry that this is so late, but I would like to join this now – if that’s OK. I am Miriam, a former slave (in Eygpt) However, I now am some sort of spirit thing, but I’m not sure really. I’m trapped in some sort of place that is not on Earth, I know that for sure. I have the power of Healing, (Unless somebody already has that one and wants to keep it to themself) I’m better at Pyscological (sp?) injuries though, and only passable at Physical. I write letters to my dead brother, but since he is dead I never get a reply. Is that OK?
138- Sure! Join! Are you from the past, then?
This is deeply connected with Egypt. Hmmm.
Dear Tutankhbastet,
I beleive that I am an Empowered, and have asked you which I am, though I think I am Oldseeker. You have not yet replied.
John Smithsonian
PC, please post an up-to-date list of the Empowered and their other names. And the blogger nicknames, too, maybe. PLEASE.
i think rhoda is a healer
Dear Rhoda,
Yes, you are one of the Empowered named Elderseventh. I am so sorry, I completely forgot you have not been informed about any of this. I have – literally – had my head in the clouds for awhile, so bothered about the prophecy and the Evil One. It has blinded me to everything else. That letter, for Elderseventh and the others, was for you, and is very important. Tutanknbastet is a 6,000-year-old feline spirit, who is responsible for gathering all of the Empowered to defeat the Evil One. Be on your guard, for I fear that the Evil One is closing in on you. Beware of the voices. When they are present, it is a sign of the Evil One. He sends spies and evil forces to do his bidding, and they are extremely dangerous. If you ever see one, you are in grave danger. However, your tree-climbing abilities may help you. I believe that the Evil One and his forces cannot sense you in trees, their veiling magic is the strongest of all.
Yes, I am one of the Empowered as well. My true name is Moonchild.
I have been having difficulty contacting Tutankhbastet and John Doe (Nightwarrior). Do you think you can help me? I believe the atmospheric forces and sinister spies from the Evil One have clouded my communication with them. Please help me! Let them know about my condition, and see if they know anything that can help me.
I made a decision soon after my death, that I do not know whether was good or bad. When I died, I was given the choice to either come back in another form, or to remain a ghost forever. I chose to remain a ghost, so I cannot ever take a physical form. I can appear to people, but I will never have a physical being. I am a spirit, similar to Tutankhbastet, except I can’t be reincarnated into anything. That may be a help, because it will be much harder for me to be destroyed by the Evil One, but it does make it easier for him to shut me out. Please help, Rhoda, Elderseventh…you’re my only hope.
–Luna, the Moonchild
140- I can do that.
Prarilius Canix = Tutankhbastet ally
E2MB = John Doe = Nightwarrior
Green Qween = Maria Grace Green = Greenspeaker
hedgehogboy5 = Hedge = Duskwolf
Traggle = Rubea Hawken = Jewelhawk
Purple Panda = Luna = Moonchild
Lord Ragevuire = Hanjjvar = Raventamer
Koko du Pelle = John Smithsonian = Oldseeker
Vendeval = Fenn Brown
Cinnamon Moon = Miriam = ?
Alice = Rhoda = Elderseventh
Not much has changed.
141- I’m not sure what I am. I think Ruby Hawk is a healer.
Dear John Smithsonian,
You are, in fact, an Empowered. Your true name is Oldseeker.
wats rhodas powerS? once we find the healer HEdge wants them to heal Edal ASAP. and when hedge is wolf can he have self healing? thats one thing i associante with werewolves
Dear Tutankhbastet,
I have received a letter from
LunaMoonchild. The Evil One is making it hard for her to contact you or Nightwarrior, and she needs help. Please try to contact her immediately! I believe she is in very grave danger.–
RhodaElderseventh~~~~~~~~~
Dear Nightwarrior,
Moonchild is having trouble contacting you. The Evil One is shutting her out. Please write to her before it’s too late!
– Elderseventh
Dear Elderseventh,
I will collect Moonchild immediately and take her to a safe place. Many of our allies are congregating at the Star Hotel in Dallas, Texas. I will try to get her there. I am grateful for your information.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Dear Tutankhbastet,
I’m not sure that I can get to Dallas. I will try, but my parents are unlikely to send me if I don’t have a plausible excuse, and I don’t have enough money to go on my own. Is there some sort of magic power that I have that will transport me there?
– Elderseventh
Dear Elderseventh,
You are relatively safe at the moment, because you have not used your powers, and therefore the Evil One cannot detect you. You do not have to go to Dallas.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Hello. I am unsure of what is going on. What is this danger? please aid me and tell me if I am it it.
Elinore.
Oh, and Tutankhbastet, what is this empowered thing? am I empowered?
Elinore
A note from e~a: I was writing a paper when this tread started and now that I’ve turned it in I want to do this but I have no clue what is going on…
wwats the eye of ra?
To: tutanbasket’s email i forgot
From: HedgehogLuver @ wayoo.con
RE: my flight
On my flight to dallas, when we were flying over new york on the way I felt great magical presence and nearly transformed. I had to use all my willpower to stop from transforming. My scenses grew conciderably and my teeth stgrated to sharpen. Once we passed out of new york it ceased and I was at ease. I beleive the Evil One is in New York and he either knows that the amount of magic emitting from him will unveil me of my disguise, or he is an amatuer at stopping the flow of magic from him.
err… scratch those last two letters. I now think I know what is going on. also, scratch the name elinore I think I’ll be called Merle Linwood. -e~a
———————-
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Hello. You do not know who I am. I am human yet I have the ablity of flight. No one knows this but me, and now you. I have had it since birth and it was only by happy accident that I learned that it was not normal to fly before I told anyone about my flights and wanderings in other realms. I was told to contact you by a bird that I encountered on one of my flights. Having never known that birds could speak to me, it rather startled me and I figured I should do this. So hence this letter.
Yours,
Merle Linwood
152- I think that The Eye Of Ra is Tutankhbastet. He’s also known as Freya’s Steed. (Who knew?)
This is REALLY late, but I want to join. I’m fAZE, and I send mysterious coded messages to everyone at one time, and you can’t reply because I don’t exist. I want to try to be a sort of an overseeing, omnipotent dude. You guyzez have to try and work the coded messages into the story. I don’t know what they say myself, you have to do that. And I won’t be on here a lot, so that’s why I’m a rarely-appearing character. And the fun thing about fAZE is that I don’t know what the coded messages mean, so YOU have to do the decoding and figure out what they mean and what their relevance is to the story.
_______
Lkakki shmae kolmar klake. Plmane okjaj klleri, mandda weitada. Laksfe shmae elmenta podafae, aslenn.Jaskidd laksday!! Laksday shmeel aheso, kasden elaemer. Alkesda.
fAZE
Kiki- That’s fine, unless YOU (as Kiki, not fAZE) don’t actually know what they mean, because then it’ll never work.
Dear Luna and Tutankhbastet,
I got a really strange letter yesterday. It says:
Lkakki shmae kolmar klake. Plmane okjaj klleri, mandda weitada. Laksfe shmae elmenta podafae, aslenn.Jaskidd laksday!! Laksday shmeel aheso, kasden elaemer. Alkesda.
fAZE
Do either of you know what that could mean? I’m going to try to decode it.
– Rhoda Elderseventh.
156- I know what the letter means, not what each word means individually. The last letter means something along the lines of,
The Crystal has cracked and the Empowered must save it.
My correspondants name is Ziilat.
To:Ziilat
From:Hajjvar
Dear Ziilat,
After your last letter I just wanted to assure you that I still live in the Gargoyle House in New Yorke. A stange thing happened last night. I was sitting astride my favorite gargoyle, caressing his horns, when oe of them suddenly twisted. The stone it was sitting on slid away revealing a stone tablet. It was very scratched and written in the old toung, but I could see the words “…ear 2…07 ………. he Evil One wil….An…… one call…d Raventamer…. wi….” What to you think it means? Strangely enough my name means Raventamer in the old tounge, and the only word that was longer than four sylabelles was “Tutankhbastet” — the Ankh?… It is all very odd…
~Hanjjvar
158- Well then, how are we supposed to decode it?!!?!!? Our characters, I mean, not US. Oh, this is confusing.
I want to join, too!!! Guess I’ll just sort of jump in…sorry.
I am Lsyor, a maid to the princess of Planet X (Planet X, by this time, has been discovered about 10 light-years past Pluto and Charon). I’m 16, and an orphan. Who my parents are and what happened to them is unknown, but I was found in the Mortal Wood by the King, and since then I have lived in the palace as a respected Maid. A capital “M” must be used in order for me to be distinguished from the other less-privileged maids. I’m not snobby, though, and am always sure never to abuse my position. I have a scripsquirr named Dkiqwe (pronounced KEY-kway), and he is my dearest friend, aside from my adoptive family, of course.
Dear Tutankhbastet,
I’m so glad that I finally found you again, my old friend! It’s been quite a long time since you last visited X, and I’ve missed you so…what’s the current situation, over there on Earth?
Best Wishes,
Lsyor
Hope no one’s offended by all that…
Dear Elderseventh,
I believe the language is Nommiokkr, an ancient tongue of the Egyptian area, possibly brought here by a visitor from another world. However, I have only a rudimentary knowledge of Nommiokkr.
???? Crystal ???? crack. Empowered must ????? ????. ????? ????? Evil One ?????? doom ?????? Eight ?? Jewelhawk
fAZE
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Oh dear. I would try to fill in the blanks, but the meaning is clear enough. What is this Crystal? Should we find it? Jewelhawk is one of the Empowered. Should we find them? I will concentrate on finding them, but it may be hard. I have received no clues as to who they are, and am relying on our powers being drawn to each other.
– Elderseventh
Dear Elderseventh,
I have brought Moonchild to Dallas and left her in the care of Nightwarrior. She will be protected from the Evil One with all the Empowered surrounding her. She can sense Jewelhawk and I will contact her. Then Jewelhawk can heal Duskwolf’s friend.
The Eye of Ra salutes you!
Tutankhbastet
~~~
Note: The letter below cannot be read by any of the player-controlled characters.
Dear Codi,
Our plan is working perfectly. None of the Empowered suspect who I really am, or why I am guiding them all to a certain place. They have willingly swallowed all the lies I fed them about Foxfire coming to assassinate the President.
When I write my next letter to you, I will have brought all the Empowered together. At that time, go to the Star Hotel in Dallas, Texas and destroy it. Destroy anything that comes out alive, as well.
In the meantime, I have a new task for you. A mysterious person known as fAZE has turned up, warning them that I am the Evil One. Fortunately, he or she writes in Nommiokkr, which none of them can understand, and I am pretending not to. Find fAZE and eliminate it.
I am counting on you to accomplish both tasks successfully. You do not yet know what awaits you if you do not. Suffice to say that the fate of my misguided puppet, Bob, will seem quick and merciful compared to yours.
Tutankhbastet
Oops. I didn’t see Lsyor’s post. How about Lsyor and Tutankhbastet were friends before the latter was corrupted, and Lsyor’s sudden appearance gradually makes Tutankhbastet doubtful and unsure that what he’s doing is right. Moral complexity!
164- Whoa. Now I have to play the gullible. I literally feel like I had the rug yanked out from under me, especially since I haven’t been corresponding with Moonchild for a while. I guess that’s a good thing. But there are still several people who don’t know you’re corrupted, and that’s a better thing.
164- hmm… Since Tutankhbastet hasn’t responded to my letter yet I think my character will intercept it and no one will belive her. Is that okay or should I go about it some other way? (if that’s not okay, have Tutankhbastet respond to my letter) Or wait! I’ll intercept it but not all of it. somehow a bird or something will have seen part of it. Since you say cannot be read by player controlled characters may it be read by non player controlled characters, i.e, birds?
I’m not sure how I’m going to do this. I’m already trying to think of a way to catch on that doesn’t seem false, or overly clever. Because if I, the plot connesuir (sp?), didn’t foresee that, there’s no way Rhoda would. But it’s going to be really hard to let her play right into Tut’s paws . . .
My last post didn’t make sense. I can’t even remember how it was supposed to make sense in the first place. I think I meant that it’s good that Tut betrayed us because it’s surprising and exciting. It brings complexity into the story. The last sentence is a little harder. I meant people who weren’t corresponding with Tut, and didn’t know about him except in fable and prophecy.
And I trust Tut enough not to go looking for Jewelhawk myself.
Dear Luna and Tutankhbastet,
I feel curiously edgy since receiving the secret message. I can’t stand not to do anything, so I will try to contact Jewelhawk, even though Moonchild will do better than I.
– Elderseventh.
I’ll write the letter to Jewelhawk later, since I don’t have time right now.
Dear Jewelhawk,
I do not know you, and you do not know me. I do not know where you live, but I trust this letter to find you.
My name is Elderseventh, and I am part of a certain prophecy, as are you. I cannot say more, in case this letter is intercepted, but I suggest you go to Dallas, Texas right away, or, barring that, try to contact Tutankhbastet.
– Elderseventh.
Please, please, don’t kill me, Traggle. Just be aware that Rhoda doesn’t know of Tutankhbastet’s betrayal.
waaaaaa how could you tut? how could you? WAAAAAA BAD KITTY BAD KIZTTY! soory about that but you smacked me on my bliond side with a frying pan.the good thing is ONCE we find that tut is evil… wolf + kitty = allmost allways a dead kitty
Then who did i sense in new york if it wasnt evil one?
I really REALLY wanna be next to tut while hes having a catnap on the nexct full moon…
170- Except you don’t know.
My dead brother is called Daniel.
Daniel,
I sense something wrong with the people in the land below. I don’t know what. As you know, my “sensing” is never clear. Usually the feelings that drift through me are weak. A faint pleasure, a sense of loss. You remember how, in Eygpt, I used to heal people of a terrible disease? Remember how people came, with no outer wounds, as if they were being eaten from the inside? I sensed fear and sadness in all of them. Now, I feel a terrible thing rising from Earth. Betrayal, and worse. Death of many. I need help, for I think I can heal the destruction after the storm. But not alone. I am stuck here, unmoving, trapped in eternity. I am going to try and turn my attention from Earth. I think I can feel another presense here, in this inbetween place. I feel the Moon. Perhaps she may help me. Come for me soon, brother.
Miriam.
Dear tut,
I have arived at the dallas hotel. I met nightwarrior and got myself a room. The next full moon is coming up. Ill need some way to tie down myself and muffle my sound.
-Hedge/duskwolf
Incase you were wondering, I mean Luna by Moon.
Sorry about the double post, but what is my proper name? (if I am one of the empowered)
170- That’s kind of how I feel too. Smacked on my blind side with a frying pan. Because Rhoda is so helpless and trusting, and doesn’t know a thing about her powers (neither do I), and relies on Tut for guidance in this task.
And Tut is not necessarily in Dallas.
171- Okay, that made me laugh. But I don’t think you do, because he is evil, and does have magical powers. So do you, but I’m fairly sure his would trump yours.
172- YES! Cinnamon Moon/Miriam can rescue us!
Dear Elderseventh/Rhoda,
I hear you are alsdo one of the empowered and cannot get to Dallas as you do not have the money. You are near my age and i want an empowered near my age to talk to here. Inclosed is the money for a ticket to Dallas. Do not think i emptied all my money for this. I have a large amount of inheritance growing in the bank.
-Duskwolf/Hedge
Dear Rhoda,
I am not going to call you Elderseventh right now, and I would advise you not to call any of the Empowere by their real name right now. Something strange is going on here, and I don’t know what. Tutankhbastet saved me from the Evil One’s block, but now I feel like I’m trapped again. I am in a hotel in Dallas, Texas, floating around in the stuffy hotel room. I tried to get out a bit, to see who else was here, but I have had no such luck. Tutankhbastet said he has simply put a block on the room so that nobody can come in, but it is also keeping me from leaving. I am very scared. I think he is planning something, and it does not feel good. He said I would feel safe in Dallas, but I still cannot communicate with anyone. I slipped this letter through the vent in the air-conditioner, I hope it reaches you okay.
Please help! Something is going terribly wrong.
-Luna
cinnamon moon, can your character talk to birds to and let me know that way? no one else has noticed my character and therefor I don’t think she’s empowered. She can fly, though. I think the reason she is scared (as in her last letter to tut) of people knowing she can fly is that they are trying to get her for tut, only she doesn’t connect tut with the evil people trying to get her to fly for them.
Will someone explain what this whole “Empowered” business is all about? I’m not sure I quite get it…
Prarilius Canix, I like you’re idea!
Lsyor is pretty much oblivious to what’s going on in Earth, but, when she gets there, she knows something’s wrong…Tut’s changed since she last saw him (5 years ago), and it’s unnerving. She’s always trusted him, but now she’s not quite sure if she should. She’s going to try to help him.
Dear Tut,
I have some wonderful news, my friend! I asked Their Majesties if I could come and visit you on Earth, and they said yes! Isn’t it fabulous?! I’ll be there within 48 hours…would it be possible for you to meet me at the Spaceport in Houston? If not, that’s fine, but I simply must see you! Ciao!
*~Lsyor~*
I haven’t been on here in a while. I don’t have time to read it now but I’ll try again later.
If you can fly you are an empowered. How about something like “Birdwatcher” or something
180- The Empowered are basically people with magic powers, who are prophesied to defeat The Evil One.
Ugh. I can’t type as fast as i once could. Haven’t been in practise the past few days.
Dear Luna,
What do you think is wrong? I am frightened now too.
DuskwolfHedge wrote to me today. He sent me the money to get to Dallas. I am coming as soon as I can get away.I tried to contact Jewelhawk. (I can’t call him/her by any other name.) So far I have not got a reply, and I don’t know if I ever will.
See you later!
– Rhoda
Dear Hedge,
Thank you! I will try to get free from my parents and siblings as fast as possible, but it might be better for you to come here.
I received a letter from Luna (Moonchild) today. She says not to call any of the Empowered by their proper names if possible. She seems to think something is wrong, and I trust her completely. More than Tutankhbastet, even!
Try to contact her! The Evil One has put a block on her, and she cannot get in touch with the other Empowered.
I am very worried.
– Rhoda
Dear Rhoda,
Don’t mention it. I will try to contact Luna. The next full moon is soon and I need a way to stay unnoticed when i transform. Luna is wise and maybe she will know a way.
-Hedge
Dear Luna,
You are much older than me in spirit and you are wiser. I need you to help me find a way to remain unnoticed on the full moon when i transform.
PS. I slipped this in the air vent of your room.
Dear Rhoda,
I am not sure what is wrong, but I feel more and more trapped as the hours go on. I’m counting on you to alert all of the other Empowered and let them know what is going on. The Empowered who are not yet trapped in Dallas need to stay away from Dallas, and try to find out what’s going on without coming near. Do not come to Dallas, and tell all other Empowered not to come. I feel something going on, and I don’t like it. So until we know what is happening, don’t come. Perhaps send a letter to Tutankhbastet and see if he knows what is going on. Though I fear he may be behind this, I think it is important you still try and act like everything is normal. Don’t say anything about me.
Best of luck,
–Luna
—————-
Dear Hedge,
Thank you for the letter, but I advise you to be very cautious when coming near the hotel, because whatever is going on may trap you as well.
As for transformation, I suggest going back to the place where you first transformed. I have heard that it is this place where the transformation is most shielded.
Best of luck,
–Luna
Dear Luna,
I am currently staying at the hotel. FLy back to the woods at my house you say? I will try. But i still do noyt want to hurt the innocent who live near me. Perhaps i could travel to some bsreen forest very untravvfeled? and there i could try to controll myself.
-hedge
Dear Luna,
I have bought the tickets already. I suppose I could cancel them, however . . .
I will write a letter to Tutankhbastet right now.
-Rhoda
P.S.
How do I contact the other Empowered? Jewelhawk has not responded to my letter; I can only imagine it did not reach him/her.
~~~~~~~~~
Dear Tutankhbastet,
How do i contact other Empowered? I tried to send a letter to Jewelhawk, but they have not replied. No surprise, considering I could not address it.
– Rhoda
Dear Lsyor,
I am afraid something important has come up, and I may not be able to reach Houston to meet you. I will do my utmost, but do not be surprised if I am not present.
Yours ever,
Tutankhbastet
Drat! Luna said not to say anything about her and I forgot! Drat! I suppose since it’s Rhoda’s mistake I have to leave it in, but I’m sure Rhoda would read Luna’s letter several times over, whereas I read it once, and then read something else afterwards, and so by the time I got around to writing a letter to Tut, I had completely forgotten about that particular line.
Drat, drat, DRAT!
Can I take it out, please?
Dear Codi,
My Felavians have intercepted several letters from the Star Hotel. The Empowered are getting suspicious. Finish them now, and make it look like an accident. Take the most powerful Felavian, Tigereagle, if you need to. I have weakened the defenses on the Hotel so that you can get in with a little effort. However, if any of the Empowered find out about this, they will be able to break out. The good news is that breaking out requires use of their abilities, so they will be torn from the Veil, and you can use your telepathy to track them. Do not fail me.
I salute you!
Tutankhbastet
Postscript: If you act swiftly, efficiently and without hesitation, I may be convinced to spare Jewelhawk from my purge of the Empowered.
(189) Alice, do you want the line deleted in order to avoid confusion? If so, do you mean the first paragraph in Rhoda’s letter to Tutankhbastet?
191- Yes, please.
[Done. -ReB]
Danke!
Birds… Birds… I might be able to. Let me try. Yes! I can feel the birds’ souls. I think I can get a message across…
This is what I told the bird to say.
Whoever is listening to this, you must be special. If you can speak to birds, and if you are below on Earth, then I need you to help me. Do you know any others on Earth with you who are also special? I am Miriam, and I can not reach the Earth Physically. I need help from some of your kind to reach out and take me from this other-world place. There is a disaster coming to your world. I may be able to help prevent it, but failing that, I can clean the destruction after the storm. I wait for you.
I am incredibaly sorry about the double post, but I don’t think before I click submit. I realise that I don’t know about tut’s betrayal. Actually, I don’t know he exsists. I assume that means he doesn’t know about me either. So that means he can’t get me to Dallas… Did he end up getting Merle’s letter? Because if he didn’t then our rescue party is growing, because he doesn’t know of our exsistance…
Wait. Merle, you can travel in other worlds? Then maybe you can get me out of here! I am in The Otherworld. (Which, for some strange reason, is another world)
Dear Luna,
The full moon is tomorrow. I am going to go to a desert with no big cities near it for the full moon. If you can get out of your hotel room i would like you to come as i can’t hurt you.
-Hedge
PS. slipped this in tthe vent like the other letter
Dear Jewelhawk,
Hello, my name is Hedge. I, like you am empowered. I can transform into a wolf and my true name is Duskwolf. I do not know your powers but i know you have some. This ketter did NOT get to you by accident. You may receive a letter from one “Tutankhbasket”. I advise you not to come to Dallas if he asks you to. One of the other empowered trusted him and he has trapped her saying he is keeping her safe.
-Hedge
PS. I sent this with my flying hedgehog. He is amazing at finding people i hope he can find you. Please feed him something, cat food is fine.
Dear Luna,
Despite my failed attempts to find Jewelhawk, I am going to try to find the others. We have found these Empowered:
Duskwolf
Moonchild
Nightwarrior
Oldseeker
Elderseventh
And Tutankhbastet, of course. There are so many more we need to find!
– Rhoda
Dear Tutankhbastet,
What are my powers, and the powers of the other Empowered? Please tell me; I can think of nothing that I am god at besides climbing trees.
– Rhoda
Dear Empowered,
I send this letter with no address, hoping that it will find one of you. If you get this, try to contact me (my true name is Elderseventh) or my friend Luna (Moonchild). There is also a cat-spirit, Tutankhbastet. I advise you to be wary of him. More than that I cannot say.
– Rhoda
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Thank you for clarifying that I am an Empowered. But what is my power? And where are the other Empowered? And who are the other Empowered? Besides Elderseventh I mean?
Oldseeker
Okay:
Tut has turned evil (but Oldseeker doesn’t know that)
The Empowered are grouping in a hotel in Dallas.
There is a block on the hotel which is weakened and anyone who knows that can use their powers to get in or out
The Evil One has sent a minion to the hotel to destroy it and the Empowered
Dear Oldseeker,
I will list the powers of the Empowered.
Nightwarrior: The ability to be invisible in darkness, to knock out or kill people with only a touch, and instinctive expertise with weapons.
Oldseeker: Knowldedge of buried and hidden things, heightened senses, and strange, unpredictable, yet always accurate visions.
Greenspeaker: Can speak to any animal or human, out loud or telepathically, and has the power of suggestion.
Moonchild: Sensing other Empowered and, with practice, using their own powers against them.
Jewelhawk: Affecting people with a touch (“zapping”)
Duskwolf: Transforming into a wolf.
Raventamer: Speaking with birds, flying
Merle Linwood: Almost same as above.
Elderseventh: Making things the opposite of what they are. (life/death, light/dark, heat/cold, etc.) One of the most powerful.
Cool. So I could (if I knew how), turn Tutankhbastet back to the good side? Or is that beyond my power? *tries to think what else Rhoda could do*
Dear Tutankhbastet,
Thank you. But you did not tell me where the other Empowered are, and whether I should join them… No! I have had a vision, and it said… You have been found out, Tutankhbastet. I must find a way to contact the other Empowered, and tell them not to trust you.
Oldseeker
Dear Elderseventh,
You know, of course, of the cat-spirit, Tutankhbastet. Be very wary. I enclose a copy of a letter from Tutankhbastet, listing the powers of the Empowered. See that the other Empowered, that do not know their powers, get it. And tell them that Tutankhbastet has turned evil. This information could be vital.
Oldseeker
Is Merle Linwood Miriam?
201- You could.
202- I don’t know her true name, but Merle Linwood is not Miriam.
from: John Doe
to: All empowered
re: I cannot be in the hotel
~The President is going to make a speech in an hiour and I will have to accompany him. I am sorry about not being able to contact Hedge or any of you others. I will be back to the hotel as soon as I can.~
202- No, she’s not. Merle Linwood is e~a, Miriam is Cinnamon Moon. Hedgehogboy5 suggested “Birdwatcher” for Merle’s name.
Don’t you think that that’s a little hasty, Koko du Pelle? I mean, we haven’t even used up a thread yet and you already know he’s corrupted? Can’t we wait a bit? I was beginning to have fun playing into Tut’s paws.
Besides, you just learned of your powers, so it’s kind of weird that in the next letter you have a vision.
Please can we wait? This is of no length at all so far.
204- Just so you know, the hotel is sealed off so that no Empowered can exit it unless they use their powers.
Dear Luna,
I cannot say much in case this letter is intercepted, but I can say this: Trust your instincts, especially on the matter of Tutankhbastet. Mr. Smithsonian claims that he is evil, and in light of his powers, I think we should trust him. I may be able to do something, if only I knew how. Enclosed is a list of the powers of the Empowered, and Oldseeker’s address.
– Rhoda
P.S.
You must try to contact the others! I cannot do it, and I now see why. Only you can do it. Warn them of Tutankhbastet and tell them of their powers.
Dear Hedge,
Do not trust Tutankhbastet! He is evil, according to Oldseeker, whom I trust. It would account for Luna’s strange feelings.
I am enclosing Oldseeker’s address and a list of the Empowered and their powers.
– Rhoda
Dear Nightwarrior,
Tutankhbastet is not to be trusted. It would seem he has been corrupted – or has been evil from the beginning. Ask Oldseeker if you want to know more. I am but a courier.
A list of the powers and Empowered is enclosed, along with Oldseekers address. Try to contact Luna if you possibly can.
– Rhoda
from: John Doe
to: Rhoda
re: Tutankhbastet is evil?
~I am unable to leave the hotel. The door watchman won’t let me out and threatens to call the police if I do. I showed him my card, but this guy is really strong. I’d have to use one of my powers to get him out of my way, which I don’t want to do because Tutankhbastet told me not to. But you say he is evil? I will ask Oldseeker.~
from: John Doe
to: Oldseeker
re: You think Tutankhbastet is evil?
~Rhoda told me you think tutankhbastet is evil. Why do you suspect this?~
*Lsyor arrived at the Port in Houston, somewhat sad, but understanding of the fact that things do come up, and that was why Tut couldn’t meet her.*
Thoughts–
*She extended her Power our over the city, feeling for the slightest essence of Tutankhbastet, but there was none to be found. She stretched farther, reaching with everything she had. There, a few hundred miles away, was a trace of her long-lost friend. She got out her Mirror, and saw him, curled up against a tall building. She touched the Mirror, and tried to go through. She felt the familiar tugging sensation in her brain as she was drawn into the Mirror, but not to where she was trying to get! Frantically, she tried to pull back, but it was too late! She emerged on the other side in total darkness. Scared, she whipped out her Transebiblio and wrote a message to Tut:*
From: *~Lsyor~*
To: Tutankhbastet
Re: Help!!!
–Tut, I’m trapped in some sort of void! I managed to find you, and was just about to use my Mirror to meet you when it didn’t work, and I ended up here! I don’t know what’s going on, but I have a really bad feeling about this…you’ve always been there for me before, I don’t know if you can do anything, now, but please, if you can…help me.–
Oh, shoot! My thoughts didn’t work…I said:
Hm…well, it’s too bad that Tut can’t meet me, but I’ll just use my AuraVisi to find him…
I haven’t reached the hotel. No one contacted me.
Dear Rhoda,
I was trying tl leave the hotel to go out to a desert for my transformation. The doorman tryed to stop me from going. He was strong but somehow my arm sort of startedd to transform and the wolf muscles bulged and I hit him on the head and knocked him out. I left quickly and went to the desert. I am here now and soon the moon will be up.
Your friend (If i may cal you a friend)
Hedge
211- Because you are in a different WORLD!
AAAAGGH! Sorry to have been away for a few days… it looks like I missed a lot… kudos to Tut for the most cliched plot twist…
Dear Elderseventh
Sorry I am so long in responding to your letter. I was on the plane to Dallas with Codi, and he would not let me respond to letters I recieved. Very suspicious, as he recieved a couple of letters as well. I am at the Star Hotel, and if you have any details about the prophecy, please tell me. I have a feeling that evil is closer than we think. I cannot say more now, we need to meet in person.
Jewelhawk
Hedge,
I have fed your hedgehog, as you asked. However, I am afraid that I am already in Dallas. Your letter concerns me, as I am now afraid for my safety. Please, try to meet me in person, so we can discuss this.
Jewelhawk.
214- Most cliched? Was that an insult or compliment?
definitely a compliment…cliches like that still make the story interesting…
214- Hey! Cliched is good! (in case you were saying otherwise.;)) I personally find this immensely fun and pleasing, and whether Tut’s plot twist was cliched or not, it was not a cliche I’ve encountered much. Or if I have, I have never felt that way about it, probably because I’ve never been in the story before.
Dear Luna, Jewelhawk, and Hedge,
Like it or not, Luna, I am on the plane to Dallas. I’m not quite sure how my powers work, but I swear I am going to bring Tutankhbastet back to our side. (If indeed he was ever on our side.) See you soon!
– Rhoda
Dear Rhoda,
Tutankhbastet is evil? Well, that would have come as quite a shock before, but now that I have been trapped in here for so long, I can definitely believe it. How many other Empowered has he trapped? I will try and contact them as soon as possible. But I do not want to try and leave this hotel yet, because I believe Tutahkhbastet still thinks he is in power. I will do as much as I can while still in this room. I think it also helps to have a spy, although I’m not sure how much I can do in here. I’ll have to do some exploring. Just beware, as soon as someone breaks out of their room, not only do they have Tutankhbastet to deal with, but they have also broken the veil, so they will also have to defend themselves against the Evil One.
Keep working on your powers, Rhoda. I know you can find a way, being one of the most powerful empowered. Why don’t you ask the trees for help? I’ve heard they are a great source of wisdom and power. And you seem to have quite a connection with them.
Best of luck, keep in contact.
–Luna
————–
Dear Hedge, John Doe, John Smithsonian, Rubea, and any other Empowered.
I cannot refer to you as your Empowered name, because I have the feeling that Tutankhbastet will be able to detect these letters much more strongly if we use those names. One of my powers is to detect other Empowered, and I can feel all of you strongly. That is good. I hope none of you have slipped under the veil of protection, and if you have, keep a sharp eye for both Tutankhbastet and the Evil One. I am sorry I have to tell you this, but Tutankhbastet is evil. He is rounding up people in Dallas, and then trapping them in their rooms. I am trapped. If you are trapped like me, I would advise you not to try and break out. Once you do that, you will have broken the veil of protection, and made yourself seen by both Tutankhbastet and the Evil One.
Write back with questions, and to let me know this letter reached you in good hands.
Forward it to any Empowered that have not received it.
–Luna
Luna,
I’m afraid your letter came to late for me. I am trapped in my hotel room, and I am now definitely very scared. Codi also read your letter, and he became very angry. He left me in this room, and somehow locked the door from the outside. I don’t want to believe that Codi is working for Tutankhbastet, or that Tutankhbastet is evil, but it is true. I found a letter in Codi’s luggage saying that if he helps Tut destroy the other empowered, than Tut will spare me. Just one question, though: what is the veil of protection?
Rubea
Dear Luna,
I beleive that Tutanhkbasket is the profesised evil one. Last night was the full moon. I broke past the doorman who would not let me out by transforming my arm and knocking him out. But i have good news. I was able to more or less control myself in the transformed form. I am going to fly to new york and search for the sourcde of power that nearly transformed me when i was flying to dallas.
-hedge
*Lsyor sat in the dark, waiting for anything to happen…when, suddenly, her Transebiblio beeped.
You have -one- new message., it said. She selected the message, and read it. (It’s the message that Luna sent to the Empowered in post 218.)*Thoughts–What? Tut’s evil?! That’s impossible…he would never…I mean, I know it’s been 5 years, and a lot can happen in that time, but…evil?
*She didn’t delete the message, but kept it in her Inbox, and then clicked on “Create”. She wrote:*
From: *~Lsyor~*
To: The Empowered
Re: Tutankhbastet
–To whom it may concern,
Friends, I come in peace. My name is Lsyor, and I am a Maid in the Palace on X. I have only just heard the news about Tutankhbastet’s evil ways, and I wish to know more. Tut has been my friend for many years, now, and this does not seem like him. I only wish to help, but I do not blame you if you do not trust me…though I ask that you do. I am currently trapped in some sort of Void…if one of you can help me get out, I can help you with Tut…simply tell me more. Thank you!–
Dear Hedge,
I understand what you mean about Tutankhbastet, but what about the prophecy? I’ve enclosed a copy of it:
The Empowered shall defeat the Evil One;
Nightwarrior,
Duskwolf,
Greenspeaker,
Oldseeker.
Jewelhawk and Moonchild,
Raventamer,
Elderseventh,
[insert more names as more people turn up, if they do]
And Tutankhbastet shall find them all.
Please see if you can find Rhoda on your way. She is travelling to Dallas and I fear for her…
–Luna
——–
Dear Rubea,
Since we are both trapped in the rooms, we are probably close by. My room is not locked, however I am sure Tutankhbastet has put a spell or something on my room. I am a spirit, and yet I am trapped. He has some powerful magic surrounding me.
Codi saw the letter? But how? Well, nevermind that. I have used some of my powers (as much as I can use while still in this hotel room, and not enough to come out from under the veil of protection) to make Codi forget about it. It was just a letter, so it was simple to make him forget about it. The Veil is a shroud of mystic energy that conceals nascent Empowered from the sight of other, malignant Empowered.
Good Luck, and stay in your hotel room. Pretend nothing is wrong. Perhaps write a letter to Tutankhbastet about, well, anything, just don’t mention anything about what we know about him. We don’t want him to know something’s up.
–Luna
Drat! I wrote four letters and then the internet crashed and I lost them all. *sob*
Dear Luna,
I am in Dallas, at the View-of-the-Sea Hotel. (Even though there is no sea in Texas. It’s probably a chain hotel or something.) I am afraid to use my powers in case I come out from under the Veil or the hotel staff find out. So far Tutankhbastet does not know I am here and therefore has not put a block on my room. I am going to try to meet with Hedge, who also seems to be relatively free. It is the lack of trees that is troubling me.
– Rhoda
Dear Hedge,
I am at a hotel in Dallas and I am free, since Tutankhbastet does not know I am here. Is there some place we can meet in person?
– Rhoda
Dear “stone raptor”,
Where can we meet in person? Can we meet in person? I am one of the Empowered, and the oldest of seven children, which should tell you who I am.
Are you locked in your hotel room? I am free, but that is because I am in a different hotel. Don’t let Tutankhbastet or Codi know about my presence!
– Rhoda
Dear Lysor,
I am one of the Empowered, but I have been warned not to use my true name. I cannot tell you much about Tutankhbastet’s betrayal, as I do not know much myself, but if I knew how to get to the Void, I might be able to help.
– Rhoda
To John Doe:
One of my powers is having strange, unpredictable, but always acurate visions. That’s how I know.
To Lysor: I don’t know how to reach the void, but I would go there if I did know. See if you can get out the same way you got in.
Dear Rhoda,
Where are you? I think we will be stronger if we are together. Please tell me where you are. I send this with no adress, in the hope it will reach you. If someone else gets this, please send it to Rhoda, if you know where she is.
202-Yeah, I probably was a little hasty, but it’s too late to change it now.
213-No, the worlds overlap! See here.
Luna,
In the profecie it states that the empwered will defeat the Evil ONe and Tutanhkbasket will find them all. That does not bar tut from being the evil one. He may gather us to kill us but we may defeat him.
-Hedge
Dear Rhoda,
I managed to get out of the Star Hotel and am living in the (insert barren texas desert here) desert. I hav e plans to go to New York as I have a feeeling an Emporered is there. If you can meet me in the desert you can come to look with me if you want.
-Hedge
Luna,
I really do not know how your letter got to me, but it did. I am a spirit, trapped in the Otherworld. I also believe I am one of the Empowered. My true name is Soulsinger. (Note- Is that ok?) I can help you, once I get out of here. I have seen another presence in this void. She is not from Earth, but has seemed to come here. I hope that we can combine forces and get out of this state.
You say a certain Tutankhbastet is evil? I have not heard of him. However, when I leave this place I will steer clear of him. Thank you for the warning.
Miriam.
Dear Rhoda,
You did not reply to my letter. I can only assume that it did not reach you. I must find a way to contact an Empowered who can reach you. Maybe John Doe. Please, tell me where you are if this letter does reach you.
John Smithsonian
To:John Doe
From:John Smithsonian
Subject:Please contact Rhoda
I hope that you can contact Rhoda for me. If you know where she is, please reply and tell me. If you don’t know where she is but still know where to reach her, please contact her. Tell her to tell me where she is.
By the way, what is Miriam’s power, PC? And who is Merle Linwood?
Dear Lysor,
I am hesitant to trust you, (careful as I am), but I will be completely honest with you. I think Tutankhbastet is truly good, but I think he may have actually used too much of his power when finding all of the other Empowered, and now the Evil One has him in his grasp. All we must do is free Tutankhbastet from the Evil One’s powers.
–Luna
Miriam,
Welcome to the world of the Empowered! I must warn you, though, it is not a happy journey, and if you choose to join us in our quest against the Evil One, you will be a great help, but it is not easy. I am glad to know your true name, but try not to use it. I believe Tutankhbastet can intercept our letters more easily when we use our true names.
Write back with any questions,
–Luna
Dear Hedge,
I have been analyzing the prophecy, and I see what you mean. But I think Tutankhbastet is actually a good spirit. I have been in contact with one of my friends in Egypt, and she tells me that feline spirits are always good in spirit, but are susceptable to evil power. So I believe that Tutankhbastet has fallen under the power of the Evil One, and we must work hard to bring him back. Tell this to all the other Empowered – we need to save Tutankhbastet!
Dear Rhoda,
Good idea; steer clear of Tutankhbastet. I think he is actually a good spirit, but he just needs to be freed from his evilness. I believe the Evil One has possessed him. Talk to Hedge – he can explain a bit more. If you can’t find any trees, you must go somewhere where there are trees. I think they are almost as strong as the Empowered, and they can help you.
Let me know how it goes.
–Luna
228- Whoa whoa whoa! I haven’t replied to it yet because I haven’t been to this thread this afternoon yet. Yipe! And there’s a lot of stuff to read and stuff to reply to. *prays the computer doesn’t freeze*
Dear John Smithsonian,
I am sorry I have not replied; I had been busy practicing my powers by turning the inside of the closet light, and couldn’t seem to turn it dark again. Then I took a nap, for using my power is exhausting. I hope I have not broken out of the Veil by doing so, but it seems unreasonable that a little magic would do that, and if I have, then there is no helping it.
I am at the View-of-the-Sea Hotel (don’t laugh, I know there’s no sea in Dallas) in Dallas. I thought that the Star Hotel would be too dangerous, and I was likely to be blocked in my room. Where are you?
– Rhoda
Dear Hedge,
I will try to get to the desert, providing I am not blocked in my room when the morning comes.
I have been practicing using very small amounts of power, and now am worried that the Veil is broken and the Evil One has sensed me. If I am still free tomorrow, I will take it as a good sign and meet you in the desert.
– Rhoda
Dear Luna,
I also believe that is the case. Did you notice how long it has been since he signed his letters with “The Eye Of Ra Salutes You”? I think that i could use my power to turn him back to the good, if I can do it without killing myself. I was experimenting with my power today, and even though I used tiny amounts so as not to slip out of the Veil, I was exhausted afterwards
I am going to the desert tomorrow to meet hedge, who is going to New York. Perhaps I should go with him? There are sure to be trees there.
– Rhoda
Hmmmm… Intresting conclusion, Purple Panda. Miriam can heal, she is probably Empowered.
To:Lysor
From:John Smithsonian
Subject:Contact Rhoda.
Lysor, I don’t know much about you, but please, contact Rhoda if you can. She is one of the Empowered, but I cannot reveal her true name here, for fear this message is intercepted by Tutankhbastet. I beleive he can intercept our letters more easily if we use our true names. That is why I cannot reveal my own true name. I hope you already know it.
Dear Rhoda,
If you seem to be blocked by a strong force and feel ready, possibly you could change the strong force into a weak force?
just an idea,
Hedge
Miriam, I am sending this message through the birds. They seem to understand me. I hear of distressing news surrounding Tut and other people with special powers however I know not who they are. If you contact me using my name, you should be able to find me. Contact me as soon as you receive this message. I will go to the other world and stay there as soon as you contact me. I will try to bring you here though I have never done that before.
Merle
Dear Hedge,
I might be able too, but I don’t like to take the chance. Anyways, I am as yet unblocked, so I think it’s alright. I think I will come to New York with you. Dallas has a distressing lack of trees, and as New York is more temperate, it may have more trees. If it does not I will go to the country.
– Rhoda
How many trees does New York have, by the way? In parks and such.
Merle,
Thank you for the offer of your help. I would be delighted to see you. You should be able to bring me to Earth fairly easily. You just need to bring something from Earth. Then I can leave with you.
Miriam.
Well, I think the parks have lots of trees.
Dear Rhoda,
Thank you for saying you will come with me. I may start to transform in New York like I did in my flight over.
-Hedge
*i travel to Dallas and ask at the front desk of the View-of-the-Sea Hotel if there is a Miss Rhoda Gregory staying at the hotel. If there is, I get a room next to hers. If not, I get a room at the hotel anyway.* Alice, has Rhoda left for New York yet? I am trying to make it to her, and this will be harder if she is already in New York, because I do not know that she is going to New York.
I don’t think so . . . . But maybe. We’ll have to wait and see. hedgehogboy5, I have not yet gone to New York. That way I can meet Koko du Pelle before I leave.
Dangit! This thread grows too fast!
from: John Doe
to: all empowered
re: I used a power
~I used one of my powers. I knocked out the watchdoorman with my secret touch. I’m sorry, but I had to. The President’s speech was getting delayed. The President has made his speech, and now I am riding hurridly around Dallas on a segway so that the evil one will have a hard time keeping track of me.~
Codi,
Why have you not eliminated the Star Hotel? The Empowered are running amok, and I find it increasingly hard to contain them. Destroy the entire city of Dallas. I care not what method you use- nuclear missile, volcanic eruption, meteor impact. Do what you must, but do it immediately and make sure the Empowered do not survive. I will take steps to ensure the safety of Jewelhawk.
Tutankhbastet
Note: Codi has struck a bargain- he will serve Tutankhbastet as long as the Evil One doesn’t harm Jewelhawk. Tutankhbastet says he will ensure Rubea’s safety, but he really isn’t going to. This will probably turn Codi against him.
btw: DO i have self healing? I assosiate that with werewolves.
Dear Rhoda,
Please, please try to turn Tutankhbastet around. I know you are the only one who can do it, and I can sense him growing angry. I think he knows we know about his plan. Call the trees from New York, and switch him back as soon as possible. I am going to break out of my room tonight, and bring all of the other Empowered with me. Tell the trees to make a home for us, quickly. I know you can do it.
Please, be quick.
–Luna
P.S. Practicing with your powers will not bring you out of the veil, but I’m sure switching Tutankhbastet will. But I have been recently working on a veil-strengthening project, and I think it is working. Day by day, I am strengthening the veil, so I’m hoping your transformation of Tutankhbastet will not alert the Evil One. But please, I cannot stress this too much. You must tell the trees to make us a home, because I will be in New York by nightfall. And you must switch Tutankhbastet back. Quickly.
Dear John Doe,
Knocking out the watchdoorman will not bring you out of the veil, and, in fact, it’s good that you are practicing with your powers. But please do not come to Dallas. By nightfall all of the Empowered will be in New York, in a special haven created for us by Rhoda and the trees, if she succeeds in this task. So please meet us there.
–Luna
Sorry, Koko du Pelle, you missed me. I am now in New York.
Dear Luna,
I have asked the trees to make us a home. I will try to switch Tutankhbastet, but I don’t know where he is. In Dallas? In New York? I have to be near something to make it work. I could probably try to bring him back from a block away, but the closer I am the less energy it takes.
Please, please, tell me where he is.
– Rhoda
How are we going to do this when we are together. No, I’ve got it. I can say that Rhoda used her powers on Tut, but PC will have to say whether or not it worked.
Maybe Rhoda could try to contact me. She could try to guess where I might be. If she sends a letter to the View-of-the-Sea Hotel, it would reach me. If I don’t go to New York, then the Empowered are not all together. I have it! New York is my home town(or just John Smithsonian’s), and I go home before making another attempt to find Rhoda. Luna senses that I’m in New York, and Rhoda writes to me at my home adress. It reaches me, and I rondevous with the other Empowered. If Alice and/or Purple Panda doesn’t agree, I will get a room at the View-of-the-Sea Hotel. What do you think?
Dear Rhoda,
I don’t know how I can get this to you, but I hope it makes it. If you get this, please tell me where you are. I am at the View-of-the-Sea Hotel. If I see anything which might get this to you, I will use it. I pray Tutankhbastet doesn’t get this instead. If the Empowered are all together, then we may be stronger. Excuse me, a
hedghog with wflying hedghog just landed on my windowsill. If it stays there long enough, I will try to convince it to take this letter.John Smithsonian
I do send the letter by flying hedgehog, so it goes to Hedge. He will have to forward it to Rhoda, or reply himself. Sorry for the double post.
Rendevous. Nope, even I got it wrong. It’s rendezvous.
And that sounds perfect.
Look, Alice. The worlds overlap. I live in NYC. Look at post 159.
Oh I see. Duh.
I can’t believe I missed that. Anyway, I suppose we’ll meet in New York, won’t we?
As far as I’m concerned, we can still write letters to each other while we’re together. And I don’t think we will be together for a long time, but I don’t think it will be much of a problem.
Dear Rhoda,
Thank you for asking the trees. We’ll need a place to stay. I am going to contact all of the Empowered and take them to New York. I believe Tutankhbastet is lurking around Northern New York, so you should be close enough. Good luck.
–Luna
To all of the Empowered staying in Dallas:
I feel we should all leave Dallas. Come with me to New York, where Rhoda and some trees have made us a temporary place to stay. You must come quickly. I think this is probably one of the most important things to do, so if you need to use your powers to get there, please do. The veil has thickened, so you should be fine. I will be leaving at 8:30 sharp, and anyone who needs a “ride” may come with me.
Please hurry
–Luna
Dear Luna,
I tried it. It may have been a mistake – I keep expecting Hedge to have turned evil – but so far there is no sign of my power going anywhere except where I wanted it to go (wherever Tutankhbastet is.) I slept for a very long time afterwards, but I am still tired.
I will list the Empowered we must find.
Greenspeaker
Raventamer
Soulsinger
Birdwatcher (If you don’t like this say so, e~a. Hedge suggested it, and since no one has said otherwise I’ve kept it in.)
– Rhoda
from: John Doe
to: Luna
re: I am coming
~The president has just been called on a secret meeting in which only he can attend so I will be free for the next day or so. I am in the airport right now, waiting for the 8:00 plane to New York. Boy, at $740 a ticket, this is whumping my wallet!~
Guy who livs in New York is the one who made me near,ly transform.
Dear Luna,
in New York I walked down the srteetsw searching for the source of the energy trying to make me transform. As I was walking past a large building with big gargoyles on it the power surged and I transformed then and there. Luckily noone was around to see it and I was in control. I climbed up by the gargoyles and thought I saw something move in the corner of my eye and the enhanced wolf hearing heard something move. Suddenly something hit into me and from the strain of controlling myself I got knocked out. I woke up in the morning on the streets.
-hedge
lord ragevuire or whatever you saw me and ran into me by accident or summit and I got knocked out. He put me on the streets ok? can you write a letter describing it?
I took a plane tp New York, and am now searching for the tree home. I hope that Luna can sense me, and contact me. Rhoda knows my home adress, which is in New York. I can only contact Rhoda, and as I don’t know where she is, I can’t even contact her. If Lysor has some power allowing her to search out someone she is looking for, I think she is an Empowered.
Codi’s coming to flatten Dallas somehow. Someone should write a letter from the edge of the wreckage, describing their narrow escape, telling who of the Empowered are with them, and who is still unaccounted for.
256- Well, I can’t, but I have a question for you. Did I succeed in bringing you back over to the good side?
256- You have to find me first.
Dear Rhoda,
I was in the tree shelter when my flying hedgehog flew in a gap and landed on my lap unconsious. He was covered in burns and a letter was tied to his leg. I read it. I have enclosed it as it is adressed to you. I am going to go to somewhere with internet and check if there was some sort of fire.
-hedge
Dear Rhoda,
Why would you expect Hedge to turn evil? Is there something he is doing that would make you think that?
If you need a rest, come to the Tree house. Other Empowered are here.
Good luck with Tutankhbastet
–Luna
Dear Hedge,
Come to the Tree house immediately. I do not like the sound of your encounter, and you will be safer with all of the Empowered around you.
–Luna
Dear John Smithsonian,
I found you sitting on a bench in the middle of Central Park, and I brought you to the Tree house. Please get to know all of the other Empowered there and see if you contact other Empowered. I shall be back shortly, I am just trying to find Rhoda.
–Luna
I don’t think anybody should be destroyed in the Dallas explosion if they don’t want to be. Because destroying someone’s character is unfair to them…
258- I was sort of directing my magic towards you. I thought it probably wouldn’t work. Much too easy.
Dear Luna,
No, Hedge is acting perfectly fine. I meant that if I directed my magic at Tutankhbastet and it didn’t work, then someone must have got it. It does not, however, appear to be Hedge.
I am on my way to the Tree house right now.
– Rhoda
I also think that we shouldn’t destroy people against their will. We could destroy some NPCs, though.
259- What letter?
262-My letter to Rhoda from post 255. In things like that, the post the letter was in should ALWAYS be supplied. I should get to know the other Empowered, Purple Panda. First thing is to make sure of the ordinary person name, the Empowered name, and the power of all Empowered in the shelter. Okay. I am John Smithsonian, aka Oldseeker, and my power can be found here. Plus the powers of several other Empowered. A letter to me from Tut.
263-Oops, anyway, it was post 200.
Dear Ziilat,
I was reviewing some of my stolen goods, when I felt a strange sensation. A sort of power surge. Then, down below I saw a wolf. Transforming from a human. He began to climb the building an a word flashed unbidden into my head. Duskwolf…
~Hanjjvar
Dear whover has found this,
I have left this letter in the mouth of this Gargoyle, in hopes you know of someone called Duskwolf. If you do not return this letter.
((FIND THIS LETTER HEDGE!!! IT IS IN THE MOUTH OF THE THIRD GARGOYLE!!! WRITE BACK!!!))
Dear Luna,
I am sorry to directly not follow your directions, but i felt that i must return to the gargoyle building. The energy transformed me again and My enhanced scenses somehow informed me that something was different on one gargoyle. after closer inspection I found a letter in the mouth. I ran untill i could transform back and read it. I have attached a copy of it. I wrote a letter back on the other side and put it in the mouth.
-hedge
Dear whoever wrote a letter to me,
I am this duskwolf. I am one of the empowered sent to destroy the evil one. I can transform into a wolf. I sense great power about you ifr you are the one i have encountered before. If you have any odd abilities please contact me. When you feel ready to do so just say “Herbert the hedgehog i require your assistance!” in a firm voice and soon a flying hedgehog will come to you. Attach the letter to his leg and feed him something. He will fly to me.
-Duskwolf
PS. my real name is Hedge
To any Empowered,
I have narrowly escaped what would have been a certain death. I am outside of Dallas in the desert, and running for my life whil attempting to write this. Codi is working for Tut. There is no doubt about this. He destroyed the entire city of Dallas. Well, he didn’t destroy the city, he just killed everybody. With a neutron bomb. I escaped from the hotel by using my powers to knock him unconcious. I had been trying to kill him, but he fought me, and once he was unconcious, I ran. I will try to catch a bus to New York. Or, if anyone can help me, please, PLEASE do. My life is still in serious danger.
Rubea
Miriam,
I am headed to the otherworld now with a marble in my pocket to bring you back with. Hopefully this will work as I don’t especially know what I am doing or how to do this. Dallas has been destroyed by Tut on earth here. We sorely need your help. I am afraid all of earth is in danger.
Merle
ravenhawk what you say conflicts with what i learned from my hedgehog. you say it was a neutron bomb but before that my hedgehog got humopngous burns pointing towards a different kind of bomb.
that wasnt a letter
Dear Rhoda,
Please introduce me, via letter (Of course!), to all Empowered in the tree home. Give me both their names, and their powers. Also give them mine.
John Smithsonian
Merle,
Does this one named Tutankhbastet know of you? Or where you are? If he does not, and he does not know of me, then this may be easier on us. Who are the other empowered? I have a feeling that, though one or two may try on their own, it will take all of us to turn him back and defeat the Evil One. The marble will be fine, as long as it is crafted on Earth. All I have to do is touch it, and it will bring me to the Earth. However, I must warn you, it will bring both me and you to the place on Earth where it was formed. Do you know where it was made? Is it made of fine glass? If so, it may be from Venice. That would work well for us, as long as Tutankhbastet is not there. Although, that is possible…
I will see you soon.
Miriam.
Maybe Tut is in Venice! That would be good…
Or he might be in Egypt, feeling some sort of connection from the past.
Who knows?
Dear All Empowered,
Enclosed is a letter from John Smithsonian. His true name is Oldseeker, and his powers are sharpened senses and accurate visions.
– Rhoda
I don’t know who exactly is in the tree home, so could everyone please state where they are?
Im in tree home.
Dear Rhoda,
I went to a restaurant with internet connection an checked. It turns out someone bombed the ENTIRE city with a nuetron bomb. It killed everyone in the city and there were tons of car crashes. My flying hedgehog probably got burned by an explosion from a car crash.
270- A neutron bomb is a type of nuclear weapon, so those burns could be from radiation. This isn’t a letter, either.
Codi,
You have done very well. Only a few Empowered have survived, and they will be easy to track down. Four remain to be found. I am doing my utmost, and I trust you will do yours.
Tutankhbastet
Oh great. Who exactly died, if anyone?
my flyingh hedgehog nearly died. He is a special type of animal sent to help epowered. Isnt that cool? Is that ok? since he has special abilities. but he nealy died and ight die
Dear All Empowered at Tree House:
I do not have long to write, but ask the trees to strenghthen the Home. I am working on strenghthening the veil. Rhoda – Keep trying to switch Tutankhbastet! I’m sure the trees can help.
–Luna
Dear Hedge,
I am Hanjjvar, a forest dweller from another place, also bieng threatened by the Vancgar, or as you say Evil One. I can speak to animals. Your hedgehog had many things to say. If I need to talk to you directly, where will I find you? Please tell me more…
~Hanjjvar
from: John Doe
to: All empowered still alive
re: I just heard the awful news!
~Who’s still alive? I just heard that Dallas was bombed an hour after I left on my airplane flight! I’m beginning to suspect that tutankhbastet is behind this, or someone else, who told the evil one where all the empowered were. We must stop this! Hundreds of thousands were killed!~
from: John Doe
to: All empowered still alive
re: post script
~There’s already a Wikipedia article about “the ’07 Dallas bombing”! That’s how much of a big deal this is!~
Dear Hanjjvar,
if you wish to speak to me dcomevto the tree home. other emppowered are staying there. it is located (wherever its located).
-Duskwolf
Dear all empowered we have found so far(other than hanjjvar),
I have found another empowered. His name is Hanjjvar and eccan speak to animals. I told him where the tree home is.
-Hedge
I’m in the tree home.
Dear all Empowered we have found,
The name “Hanjjvar” doesn’t ring a bell. We do not know his Empowered name, correct? Also, Tutankhbastet has turned evil, as we all know. I will try to help Rhoda turn him back to good. Hanjjvar, in case you don’t know, Tutankhbastet is a cat-spirit, who was originally on our side, we think, but has now turned evil. Or he may have merely been posessed by the Evil One. Either way, Rhoda, another Empowered at the tree home, has tried but failed to bring him back to good.
-John Smithsonian (Another Empowered at the tree home.)
Oh, and if anybody was killed in the Dallas bombing, they could still have a chance to stay in the story by becoming a ghost. But I don’t think anyone was killed.
285- Luna already is a ghost! Okay, I’m here, but I’m just not writing right now. I have SF today. (Not that that will stop me from writing.) I also have wb. And if you can figure out my cryptic acronyms (CAs) then . . . then something.
286-I know SF, that’s Script Frenzy, but what’s wb?
287- wb is writer’s block. Everyone should know that! (Note: Just kidding. It is really writer’s block, but not everyone should know.)
*goes to Tree Home*
Miriam,
Yes, I do believe that the marble was crafted in Venice, here on earth. I agree with you that we shall need all of the empowered to help us. I do not believe that Tut knows of me as when I first wrote to him when I did not know of his evil asocciations he had not replied. I did not write any further messages to him and perhaps (hopefully) that first letter was lost. I come at once with the marble.
Merle
Dear all Empowered at the tree home,
I am looking for Tutankhbastet, so that I can turn him back to the good side. Hopefully I will be back by tomorrow, but don’t count on it. I don’t know where Tutankhbastet is, or if he is one of the Empowered, but if he is, could Luna please send a message to me telling me where I could find him?
– Rhoda
Dear John Doe,
Dallas destroyed? Were there any Empowered still there when it happened? I’m glad most of us made it to New York.
–Luna
Dear Rhoda,
I can sense Tutankhbastet is very happy. That is probably because of his success in Dallas. I wonder if he knows that all of us were not still in Dallas. I can feel him moving around the Statue of Liberty. I think he may be plotting an attack on New York. But I suggest you go to Ellis Island and gather some trees. Then, make your transformation from there.
–Luna
P.S. Good luck!
A note to everyone. Instead of using asterisks * to show what you are doing (such as, *goes to tree house*), write a letter to someone saying you are going to the tree house. Because the book is entirely in letters, and that action will not be included.
To any Empowered,
I am on a Greyhound bus, heading for New York now. I will write more when I arrive.
Rubea
from: John Doe
to: Luna
re: I don’t know
~I’m not sure if all the empowered made it out of Dallas in time. Where should I go to meet all of you who survived?~
hanjjvar how bout my flying hedgehog tells you his real identity as a special animal sent to aid the empowered. He is a special letter carrier witch is allmost impossible to intercept.
Dear Rubea,
The tree home in New York is located in[insert location of tree home here]. I hope you make it here safely. You may be in grave danger if Tutankhbastet realizes that you survived the Dallas bombing. Take precautions. He may destroy the bus to try to get at you. But if you have not used your powers you are probably still under the Veil, and he may not find you in that case. I pray you arrive safely.
-John Smithsonian
Dear John Doe,
We are all in New York, in a special home some trees made for us. We are all practicing our powers and getting to know each other there. Luckily, even if some of the Empowered died, their spirits will still remain. They would be much like me, actually.
–Luna
Dear Everyone,
I am at Ellis Island. I sent out some of my power towards Tutankhbastet, but once again, it probably didn’t work. I have to keep moving to keep the Evil One from finding me now that I am out from under the Veil.
~ Rhoda.
Codi,
Some of the Empowered survived and are now roaming New York. They seem to be behind a strong druidic (natural magic) barrier. This probably means Elderseventh is still alive, since she has a special rapport with trees. In short, you’ve failed. I’m not pleased, as is evident from the explosive envelope which will detonate in your face five seconds after you open it, i. e., now. Goodbye. I hope Foxfire does a better job.
Oh very nice of you, Tut.
{/sarcasm}
I love pretending to be evil.
301- It’s fun reading evil characters, too.
Over 300 posts already!
Did I mention this before? There was a week where I was banned from my home computer, so I haven’t posted in a while. I’m going to assume I’ve dropped out of the story, and there’s too much to catch up on. Bye!
Dear Everyone at the tree homes,
Hello! Do you know of me? I’m another empowered. Miriam is here also. We are currently in Venice and will be helping you ward off Tut.
Merle
From: *~Lsyor~*
To: Rhoda
Re: (no subject)
-Rhoda, I have been told to contact you…I’ve managed to get out of the void the way I went in, but I’m still not sure what’s going on, only that it’s not good…can you please explain things to me?-
299 –
How bad can you get?
Dear Lysor,
You probably already know that Tutankhbastet has gone over to the evil side, but now it’s even worse. He destroyed Dallas. I’m not sure how many Empowered died, if any, but Luna thinks it’s not so bad. After all, even if they did die, their spirits are still around.
I have been trying to bring Tutankhbastet back over to our side, but because I don’t know exactly where he is, it is hard and an exhausting process. In doing so, I came out of the Veil, and now must move constantly to avoid being detected by the Evil One.
Most of the Empowered are in a tree home in New York, so you should go there.
– Rhoda
303- You haven’t, but we can take you out if you like.
Dear Rhoda,
I have sent this with my winged hedgehog. As he is great at finding people, I have told him to follow your orders. Tell him to scout for Tutanchkbasket. He doesnt eat much but if you have little leftovers please feed him.
Your friend and fellow empowered,
Hedge
Dear Rhoda,
Thank you so much for trusting me with this information…I was afraid you might not. Yes, I knew Tut had gone evil, but I didn’t know it was that bad…oh, my dear friend, what has he done?! I’m sorry, I’ve known Tut for a long time, and I know he’s not truly evil…I just know.
Anyway, I will do anything you need me to do to help. Oh, a thought had just occurred to me: if you need time to rest and use your Power to convert Tut, I’m sure I could get you (and the other Empowered, if they wish to come) back into the Void. There, I don’t believe anyone can be found. It’s like an in-between place, a place in the middle of dreams and reality. Do you think it could work? Let me know, please…for now, I’m going to the Tree Home.
Best of Luck, my new friend!
*~Lsyor~*
Dear all Empowered,
I have been talking with the trees, and they agree that we should move again. It is dangerous to stay in the same place for too long, especially for Rhoda, who has come out from the veil. They are making tree houses for us in various places all around the country, and are making all arrangements for our transportation. Every few days, we will move to a different place. They have also contacted the earthworms and the groundhogs, who are going to try and make underground houses for us as well. Underground houses will be much safer, becase the Evil One and everyone possessed by him cannot go underground. Also, we will have the trees’ roots for safety. Our next location is Muse, Pennsylvania. Be sure to be at the Tree House at 6:00 p.m. sharp today, and you will be transported automatically.
–Luna
Lets just say that Tut doesn’t know of Merle. It makes things easier.
Merle,
Thank you for rescuing me. I think that we need to go to Muse, Pennsylvania. There is no hope of getting to New York in time. However, I think that it’s possible that Tut is here. I just kind of feel that either he, or some other great evil is around. Actually, I think that this might be a more powerful, and more evil, being then Tut. Perhaps it would be better to stay here. Then we will have the element of surprise on our side. I believe that we will be easier to find if we are with the others. What do you think?
Miriam
Are Miriam and Merle in Venice?
Dear All Empowered,
I belive it will be safest to send messages by Hedge’s flying hedgehog. It has told me of its powers, and they are truly astounding.
~Hanjjvar
To any Empowered,
I have reached New York. Tut did not find me because he was to busy killing Codi. I do not know whether I should be sad, and mourning Codi, or glad that he is out of Tut’s control. I do know one thing: Tut will regret this.
Rubea
Empowered,
You may have noticed a large wall of silver-green flame surrounding New York City. Foxfire has encased the entire metropolis from his perch on Lady Liberty’s torch. Skillful, isn’t he? Nobody will be able to get out.
Now to business. Reveal yourselves, or every human being in New York will perish. I’ll meet you on top of the Chrysler Building to discuss terms.
Tutankhbastet
Uh-oh. I think we Empowered should hold a conference and decide what to do. It needn’t be in letter form, but it could be.
Dear all Empowered,
If we have the lives of everyone in New York at stake, we should meet with Tut. We definitely… I think he’s bluffing. But the vision was unclear, and he may be serious. Maybe Rhoda will have better luck at the conference then she has been having before. This time she will know where Tut is.
Oh, and I will send the letter telling Tut of our descision.New York may be bombed like Dallas. Okay, my opinion is that we should either meet Tut or go to the Void that Lysor got into. Oh, and by the way, perhaps Rhoda is doing the wrong thing. Instead of trying to swith Tut evil/good, maybe try to swicth him posessed/not posessed. It’s worth a shot.-John Smithsonian
I think i should have self healing. Is that ok?
Dear Jewelhawk,
If it is at all possible, I want you to go to London. I badly injured my friend in my uncontrolled wolf form and he is in a coma in London. As you are a healer, I want you to please heal him. He is very smart and good at computers and hacking and could help us.
Dear All Empowered,
Do not fear Tutankhbastet’s threats. Any evil, or anything whatsoever that is against the Empowered cannot travel underground, or linger there or anything, so the groundhogs and earthworms have created homes and tunnels underground. Everyone in the Tree Home, (or anywhere, for that matter) can travel underground and be safe from all evil. It is a universal veil, for everything.
But we do have the problem that he threatened everyone in New York. However, Tutankhbastet set no time frame for when we should meet him, so everyone who wishes to join in on this next “adventure” should meet in the new underground “Tree House” in New York. Just go to the original tree house and you will be automatically transported there. We need as many people as we can to plan what we’ll do about this problem.
Good luck, and I hope to see you soon
–Luna
Dear Rhoda,
Did you get Tutankhbastet’s letter? And mine? I sent it to all of the Empowered giving generic information and such. We can definitely work out a plan, but we desperately need your help. What do you think we can do about this? How have you been doing with switching Tutankhbastet around?
Meet you at the underground tree house
–Luna
Dear Luna,
There is no evidence of him improving? I have been trying as hard as I can to switch him, and, as John Smithsonian suggested, I have been trying “possessed/not possessed”, as well as good/evil. It ought to have worked by now, but perhaps I need to be close to him.
I am coming to the underground tree home as fast as I can.
– Rhoda
from: John Doe
to: all empowered except tutankhbastet
re: What’s going on?
~Sorry I haven’t been able to contact you in a while. Buisness calls. I am not revealing my location for fear of tutankhbastet’s wrath.
What’s been going on? Has tutankhbastet blown up any more cities? Any new death threats?~
from: John Smithsonian
to: John Doe
cc:all empowered
re: re: What’s going on?
Tut has not blown up anymore cities, but he has threatened to kill everyone in New York unless we meet him atop the chrysler building. However, we are going to an underground home, where we will be safe from Tut, the Evil One, and just about everyone that is evil. Just go to the tree home and you will be transported there. I am on my way there now, sending this e-mail from my laptop. You should go too.
Yes. We are in Venice. I think we should stay here for a while, or at least away from Tut. No one but Merle knows this, but I think that the thing that is controlling Tut is here. If Tut doesn’t know of our exsistance, it will be easier. I’m not going to write to anyone but Merle. I think we should stay out of the way for now, and then we can launch a surprise attack later.
Empowered,
You have two hours before New York becomes a nonentity.
Questioin- this isn’t a letter- Is NYC being threatened, or is the entire state of NY being threatened? Rubea was in state, but had not reached the city yet, so I need some clarification.
NYC.
Tut, etc. – the “2 hours” Tutankhbastet gave us…can it be longer? Because not all MBers can come post, or even view the thread in that time. I know it has been more than 2 hours, but the time in the story moves slower than real time, right?
Dear All Empowered:
Tutankhbastet has just given us 2 hours to meet him at the Chrysler building to discuss terms. I am going right now. I have no fear of being killed, because I am already dead. (Well, I’m a ghost). I would like Rhoda to come as well, because you will be really close to him and can try and switch him back. You do not have to come, but I would love it if you could come and help me.
I ask that all Empowered stay underground. I do not want everyone to come, because he might set a trap. But if you feel you really must come, come. Otherwise, just send me a letter with your thoughts.
–Luna
what are the properties of foxfires flame? Being one of the strongest (if I may say that as I transform into a large strong animal), I think I might be able to go through it without dieying (If it is of normal flame properties)
Hedge- I will try to get to London as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there is also the small matter that you should be worrying about of saving NYC from destruction. I’m sure your friend will be a great help to us.
Miriam, Yes I believe we should stay here in Venice. I think we should try to seek out the menace you sense and find out what its influence is. We must take great caution not to be caught, though.
Merle
Mahasudra is my name. I am a rich Brahmin in the Indian state of Sikkhim. How may l help?
Oh wow. Super powers. Well, l guess l can summon minor Hindu deities, such as Hanuman and Naga.
agagabagabag, no offense, but it’s a little late. This isn’t really like a Round Robin, where you can read the last few posts and then write, but I don’t know. I feel really rude saying this. What does everyone else say?
328- Slower or faster. I mean, about three or four months passed in roughly two days.
Dear Luna,
Of course I’ll come.
– Rhoda
Yeah, it’s short.
334- Aww. I so wanted to join.
maybe agabaga can play Edal since he ca play a large part in this
HELLO?!! Hegde asked about Foxfires flame…
335- I don’t think it is too late if you really want to. Maybe you can run into Miriam and I in Venice?
335 (agagabagabag) – If you reallly want to join, you have to read EVERY SINGLE POST, and make sure you really understand the story. Then you have to figure out a really good way to introduce your character.
Is it about time for a new thread? I don’t really care, but new threads are usually made at around 300 posts. But a lot of new threads have been made lately, so I don’t really mind…
What should happen next in the story? Alice – do you want to talk about our plan for Tutankhbastet before we actually formally write the letters? This is kind of a crucial part in the story, so we should make sure we actually know what we’re talking about.
hi. no pie war thread. saaad…
339- Yeah. (I want to discuss what we’re going to do.) I have no plan except putting out all my powers as soon as Tut is within reach.
340- hi. this isn’t the place to complain about that.
Aren’t we a bit over-due for a new thread…?
And Rhoda, did you get my letter? (See post 310.)
343- Oh, yes I did! But I forgot to reply. I’ll do that right now.
Dear Lysor,
Yes, it may work. I think we should only use it as a last resort, however, because I’m sure the absence of anything would be a horrible thing to experience.
Luna and I are now going to meet with Tutankhbastet, and if all goes well, we will soon have him back, not to mention New York City will be saved.
– Rhoda
And yeah, we are overdue for a new thread, but I don’t want to nag or anything. I’m perfectly happy to stick with this one for a while.
(343, 344) New thread, at your service.