We've got one of our earlier Live RP's here. It lets us shift way back into AIL's past, as you'll see in the notes. I'm keeping the original notes that were posted before and after it, by the way.

Enjoy some simple interaction from early in AIL's lifespan, written much later, between the "Power Trio" of AIL. Konall, Dash and Catrina.

Hey, guys.

What's going to follow here is a simple live roleplaying session. I'll put the basic notes here, and after the story, I have some more specific notes to put, as well. Although it's covered in more detail elsewhere, live roleplaying is, at its heart, a simple concept. We play it over instant messenger. Unlike a normal co write, this game uses dice and a dungeonmaster to help decide how things go down. You need a separate stat sheet as well.

It can be used for a co write for a mission, in which case it'd have to be properly edited and posted in the proper mission, where it will likely be judged like any other co write. Or it could be used for a simple Typical Tavern story. Stories here can be marked as either in continuity or out of.

This one, obviously, is a Typical Tavern story. Like most stories here, it can probably be considered a part of continuity, unless otherwise stated or contradicted in the actual continuity.

It's set to take place between the Chrono Quest Finale and Dash's co write with Catrina, "Preludes, Prologues and Preambles."

Since the Chrono mission was the last time we saw Konall Bearsmasher on the roleplay boards, it's fun to go back a bit into history revisit with him. Catrina Whitelcaw (who made her debut with Chrono Quest) and Sebastian Dash are here to visit.. Enjoy!

I'm keeping the format for the live roleplay in tact, too.

<Catrina Whiteclaw and Sebastian Dash are visiting Konall's shack.>

<It's in the snowy northlands. Dash is covered with furs. Cat's armor seems to give her cold resistance for no adequately explained reason. It's as if it's a plot of the fantasy author to keep skimpy clothing. Or maybe it's the fur.>

<Konall is inviting people over for New Year's celebration.>

(This is especially odd since the new year is still some months away.)

(Nordic new year. Conveniently set now.)

Catrina: <growls> After the way he acted.. now he just invites us over? Dash...lets go back to camp and get warm.. *Rubs*

<Konall opens the door.>

Konall: "Hey, good to see you. Come on in. I'm tanning some reindeer hides."

Konall: "Some idiot lands on the rooftop and tries to rob me by sliding down the chimney. Big fat guy."

Dash: "Raw Hide's here huh?"

Konall: "I went after him with the Haxxor but he ran like a girly-man."

Konall: "Got his hat."

<Konall is wearing a red elfin hat with a white ball on the end.>

Konall: "Come on in. Have some reindeer meat."

Catrina: <sniffs> "Is that what that is... I hope you like it rare."

Konall: "Of course I like it rare. Puts hairs on your chest. I see you like it rare as well."

<Dash looks around, taking the scene in. Small forge. Engine parts and half-made equipment scattered around. Tanning hides and various traps and hunting equipment.>

Catrina: <smiles finally> "VERY Rare, actually."

Spaz: "Hey guys! So what are you- Kitty!"

<Spaz begins petting Catrina. Catrina purrs.>

Konall: "I've got the traditional Viking feast laid out. Mead. Meat. More mead and meat."

Dash: "Where's the veggies?"

Konall: "Vegetables are what food eats. I've got some lichens in the larder, but we usually only feed that to women or small children."

Konall: "I think I have a fruitcake here as well."

<Cat looks at Konall for a moment showing a love only a Predator can give.>

Dash: "Moving past that subject.. how're you doing after your lil incident on the island?"

Konall: "I'm just fine. Nothing fazes a mighty Viking warrior."

Konall: "Sorry about the berserking. I have an anger problem."

<Dash smiled a bit.> "So we noticed."

Konall: "I wanted to make it up to you guys. Let's eat."

Dash: <Not sounding totally sure on the idea of reindeer meat> "Hope you're hungry, Catrina."

Catrina: "hmm.. There goes my figure."

Konall: "I also have seal meat, walrus meat, orc meat, and yeti meat."

Konall: "Never let it be said that a Viking cannot prepare a 6 course meal."

Dash: "As long as it's all meat, right?"

Konall: "Of course."

<Her heart swells and she hugs Konall so that he can feel just what's under that bikini and fur.>

Konall: "Stiff. Must've been cold out there."

<Dash just rolls his eyes, looking for a plate.>

Catrina: <purrs> "Natural fur coat, silly. <She then whispers to Konall> There are other reasons I do that..."

<Spaz flies around, dishing up a bite of yeti meat, a bite of orc, a bit of yeti, a bite of reindeer, another bite of yeti, and some mead.>

Spaz: "A toast to- I like toast."

Spaz: "So crunchy."

Dash: "Somehow, I don't think there's gonna be any bread products served tonight, Spaz."

Konall: "Actually, I did repair a toaster for a friend, and he didn't want it back after my improvements, so we still have it."

Dash: "What's it do, make meat toast instead?" <Dash serves him up a plate of.. well meat.>

Konall: "Toast didn't pop up, so I used a series of 17 superpowered springs and a hydraulic press. It can not only pop out the toast but send it flying across the room."

Konall: "Spaz prefers white although you can get a lot more stopping power out of wheat."

<Cat licks her host's cheek in thanks then pads off to find a plate before she decides to just bury her face in some meat.>

Konall: "Spaz, fetch plate."

<Spaz goes off in search of a plate.>

Konall: "Spaz is great at finding things. Finds so much loot for me."

<Spaz returns with a duck toy.>

Dash: "Heh.. What horrible monster did you have to fight for that one?"

<Catrina giggles.>

Konall: "You wouldn't be laughing if you'd seen a toy duck golem in action."

Dash: "Actually, I think I'd be looking for a psychiatrist."

<Konall fetches the other two plates and silverware and sits down to eat, using his own utensils and flatware.>

Konall: "Spaz, mead."

<Spaz actually manages to fetch the mead this time. Several casks.>

Dash: "So, there's no other reason you called us here, Konall?"

<Konall begins filling up on meat and booze.>

Konall: "I wanted to throw a party."

Catrina: <purrs> "A fine feast it is too..." <looks thoughtful>

<Konall seems to drink his body weight in mead.>

<The three finish dinner and are all feeling tired. It's been a long day, a long journey, and a long meal.>

<Dash smiles, having a good time.>

Konall: "You're welcome to spend the night. I have some yakskin sleeping bags. Made them myself."

Catrina: "mmm... *half lidded looks- the snaps out of it* Um... uh.. Maybe some other time?"

Dash: "As much as we appreciate the offer.."

Konall: "Stay the night. You're tired. These lands are dangerous at night."

Spaz: "They're dangerous during the day."

Konall: "But they're twice as dangerous at night."

Catrina: "um.. well.. *Sighs* He's right Dash...."

Dash: "Alright. One point five times as dangerous, we could handle. Maybe one and two thirds. But twice as dangerous?"

Konall: "Maybe 2 and a quarter."

Dash: "Ahh, did you bring any sleepwear, Cat?"

Konall: "I could whip you up some sleepwear tonight if you want. I'm a talented tailor."

Catrina: <purrs> "I always have sleepwear with me Dash- I sleep in the nude."

Konall: "Well, it's a bit drafty in the living room. My bedroom would be warmer."

Konall: "Might work better for you, then, Catrina."

Dash: "Ahh, I'm sure she'll be fine. Can you craft anything out of silk?"

Konall: "I don't have any silk at the moment, but I could, sure."

Catrina: I'll be fine yes.. <giggles>

Konall: "Suit yourself."

Dash: "Brought some with me, for the occasion. It's not much, but.." <Pulls out a small section of silk from his ever present travel bag>

Konall: "For you or the cat?"

Dash: "Ahhh.."

<Catrina has already started to strip, doesn't seem to mid the two men in the room.>

Dash: "Me, apparently."

Konall: "Well, Spaz seems to be focused pretty well on one thing now. that's an accomplishment."

Spaz: "Two things."

<Cat sees Spaz, at least, paying attention so ends up with her end up facing him- tail high as she slips out of the thong.>

Dash: "Heh.. animal love?"

<Konall whips up a pair of boxer shorts that are fairly comfortable and fit well.>

Dash: "That was fast. thanks."

<It took him about an hour.>

Konall: "You're welcome."

<Dash leads Catrina into another room to change into them.>

<Cat stands straight and tall- muscular yet shapely. Oh and naked as the day she was born> "Do you think me only an animal, Dash?"

Dash: "What? Oh. I meant Spaz."

<Cat hugs him> "I need to know."

Spaz: "I'm not an animal. I resent that! I am a horrible wretched demon from the bowels of hell, an abomination of the blackest sorts. Just like Raw Hide. Raw Hide's awesome."

Dash: "I'm pretty sure Raw doesn't have a soul, and Catrina, you know I was teasing right?"

<Dash strips his shirt off.>

<Catrina smiles and tries to help with the pants.>

<Dash wiggles, a little bit embarrassed.> "Cat! I can get it.. Cat! I can get it myself, you know?"

Catrina: <giggles> "mm.. yes.. you can get it."

<Surprisingly, Dash stops and turns to Catrina after he finishes stripping. After ensuring the door's properly locked. Constant bursts of cold air kills any potential romantic feelings on this night, however.>

Dash: "Could you please turn your back so I can dress, Cat?"

Catrina: <giggles> "Why? I... *blinks and turns her back* Sure.. go ahead."

Dash: "Thanks." <slipping the boxers on>

<Catrina pads out and hugs Konall good night- again not a stitch.>

<The three fall asleep.>

<Later..>

<Konall begins screaming.>

<Dash pops up, rolling out of bed even as he snags his broadsword.>

Catrina: <snaps upright> "It wasn't me- I swear!"

Dash: <pops up, rolling out of bed even as he snags his broadsword.> "Cat, catch." <Dash grabs her twin katana, which had been laying crossed under Dash's own broadsword. Dash tosses her them without looking.>

<Smashing is coming from where Konall is.>

<Cat catches them almost without looking and follows Dash.>

<Just like they've done several times before, one kicks the door open and covers as the other dashes through, eyes looking around to assess the situation. The door breaks open after a couple kicks. Konall has sturdy doors.>

<There are several shadowy forms being fended off by a big man holding a big axe/hammer/spear and wearing a pair of furry pants.>

<Catrina rolls onto the floor, coming up into a crouch- swords at the ready.>

<Konall attacks one with his haxxor and it is obliterated.>

<Catrina obliterates one of the five shadow forms and swings an attack into a second.>

<The second is injured, but stays in one piece.>

Dash: "I know you're anxious for a fight, Konall, but couldn't you have waited til morning?" <Dash launches into his own attack.>

<Critical hit. Dash plows right through one and obliterate a second with the same blow.>

Konall: "Busy."

<Konall smashes his hammer through the uninjured one and turns it into goo.>

<A shadowform attacks Dash.>

<Catrina hears a distant voice saying, "Mitch, it's Mike. I'm sorry. My internet is evil.">

<Dash dodges and counterattacks, finishing off the shadowform.>

<The room is a shambles, but clear of enemies. We hear a cackling outside.>

<The three walk down the road outside through the dense fog. There's something terrifying down this path, but they continue anyway. The cobblestones clatter loudly beneath their feet.>

<Dash looks down. The cobblestones are white, made of bone.>

(None of the three are dressed.)

<There's a woman in a trenchcoat ahead. And some big clanking clockwork monstrosity. They're both walking across the grass toward our heroes.>

<Who know, deep down, that they're evil.>

<And they're going to kill our three heroes..>

<Dash draws his sword, standing in front of the other two.> "What do you want?"

Woman: "Your souls." <She conjures black threads and sends them at all of you.>

<Konall tries to shield block but gets hit.>

<Dash takes 7 points of spooky damage.>

Catrina: <about to charge- screaming at the woman.> "Bitch! Leave my friends alone!"

<Konall starts shouting frenziedly.>

Konall: "Die you walruses!"

<The woman in the trenchcoat whips out a spooky bicycle chain and tries to parry but fails. Both swords go into her.>

<Catrina took 1 point of spooky damage.>

<Spaz attacks the woman with a fireball as a surprise attack.>

<Dash sneaks up behind, trying to drop the clockwork oddity with a stroke of bad beats from behind.>

<Our heroes sneak around through the ferns and coconut trees and come up behind the clockwork golem. It's a massive machine, vaguely human shape. They see a piece that looks vulnerable and you attack it mercilessly. It seems to shut down momentarily.>

<Spaz fries the woman with another fireball. It's super effective!>

<Catrina gaps and growls as the spell grazes her> That's gonna be the last of that, bitch!

<She throws up a countershield but Catrina overcomes it.>

<Konall runs up and finishes her.>

<He hammers her halfway across the landscape, smashing the woman's chest in.>

<The golem scrapes and emits metallic whines as gears try to get into place.>

<Dash gladly takes one, aiming for its head or head equivalent.>

<Spaz pokes it with a tiny pitchfork.>

<Catrina pounces and starts to play with it.>

<The thing stands 6 meters tall. Or 19 feet, if you prefer.>

<Dash attacks the knee, stabbing and breaking through cogs and gears.>

<Catrina throws her weight into the other knee.>

<It's legged. It drops to its knees. The torso swivels and turns to face directly behind it.>

<The chest opens and you see 200 arrows inside. You hear a whistling of steam. The arrows are pointed roughly at Catrina and Dash.>

<Konall is attacking from what was the front a minute ago.>

<Dash points for Catrina to run in the opposite direction so they can flank it.>

<Catrina goes to push Dash out of the way but decides she doesn't need to.>

<Dash avoids a rain of 200 arrows.>

<Catrina jumps out of the way, avoiding a pin cushioning.>

<Konall slams down on the thing's chest, doing 40 damage and knocking it backwards.>

<Cat gets up and looks off into the distance- wanting to go find that bitch and maul her some more because of her friend.>

<But the woman is dead.>

Dash: "So, anyway, when's breakfast?"

<Konall finishes the robot off with another blow.>

(Konall does an insane amount of damage, especially when berserking.)

<Catrina picks up a chain. Dash grabs the woman's trenchcoat. Konall picks up an armload of gears.>

<They look up into the sky and see a big moon growling at you. Then it spits out butterflies and candy. The elves pick up the candy.>

<Dash realizes to his horror that he's naked.>

<Catrina realizes to her horror that she's wearing a burka.>

<And Dash's horror.>

Dash: "O.. kay. <gingerly slipping the treanchcoat over himself> "Could someone please explain to me what the Pete is going on, now?"

<Cat shreds the burka with her claws.>

<Then, the giant purple dinosaur attacks.>

<Suddenly, you all wake up back in Konall's place.>

(It was all a dream.)

<Dash is still wearing the trenchcoat, however.>

<Catrina starts for the dream, feeling her claws bite into her skin.>

<And Catrina still has the spooky bicycle chain.>

<They talk about putting them in the clan trophy case.>

Konall: "These are nice gears. I could put them into an engine."

<Spaz pulls out his spanner and then goes and eats a cookie.>

<Dash and Cat get dressed, explaining they decided they'd rather head home.>

Konall: "That was a weird dream. We must have gotten too close to those hippies."

Dash: "I don't know. Moondream seemed nice.. if spacey."

Konall: "Well the one I ate tasted funny."

Spaz: "His soul was kinda chewy, too."

<Dash facepalms.>

Spaz "Speaking of Chewy, I like wookies."

Dash: "So, anyway we're gonna let you two kookie cannibals get some alone time."

Catrina: <chuckles> "Okay Dash.. I'll see you later, Konall?"

<Dash nods, and gives Cat a big hug as the two set off.>

Konall: "May your journey be filled only with as much danger as you can handle."

Dash: "Yeah.. lay off those brownies, hippie!" <Dash smiles as he's already set off.>

Catrina: <nods> "May the Goddess protect you from your own stupidity."

Konall: "That would be miraculous indeed."

Fun facts:

The dice roll for knitting the boxers.. (Konall rolled a 4 for armor crafting. Resilience of 7, armor crafting of 3. Total 14. They granted +1 to roguishness.)

(Spaz has good perception/roguishness, allowing for his trademark item finding ability.)

A good deal of the fun in the game comes from the dice rolls, of course. Used for everything from damage to spotting plot points.

End results & notes (In the Gamemaster's in words)

(Technically, there's slightly different rules for fighting incorporeal beings, but this is the first run so I'll just use standard rules.)

(You remember that if there was a bone cobblestone walkway outside Konall's house, it would be buried under 3 feet of snow.)

(You all gain 3 experience.)

(Spooky bicycle chain does +2 spooky damage. It's a 1-handed flail) (Trenchcoat grants resistance to things spooky's strong against.) (Konall got gears)

Got anything to add, Funki?

So yeah.. we toyed with part of it being a dream.. it worked out well however. Fun little piece!

The very next piece is introducing Konall's sister, Kadlin Bearsmasher.