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On Windor's FFE mailing list, I participated in a short-lived RPG which never did get a name. Among the other participants were Jareth Jeddus, Edhan, and Westwind herself. Here I have an archive of every email message in the RPG.
(A couple notes: This story is copied and pasted directly from the original email messages. Not all of this was written by me, only parts, such as the beginning here. The Marrah depicted in this story is the same Marrah described in the Character Profile and Marrah's Journal elsewhere on this site. Notations marked OOC are not part of the story; they are the "out-of-character" observations made by the writers.)
Location: Whitemoon Hold, in the beginnings of the mountains straight
north of Turbek
Group Members: Just me, right now...
Time: Sunset
Marrah walked towards the entrance of Whitemoon Hold, a small stone fortress nestled in the beginnings of the Onyx Mountains. The little outpost was a fairly pleasant place, surrounded by a beautiful forest and populated by adventurers searching for the City of Light, Wendor.
Marrah scarcely needed to search for it. She was there because she didn't know where she *should* go. Finding a purpose in life was becoming increasingly frustrating. She'd thought that coming to Windor might solve some of her problems, but it hadn't. She hadn't even been able to see her old friend Silverlining yet, whom she'd heard was around. Knowing Silver, of course, she was probably off on some adventure or other, coming close to getting herself killed (but never quite getting there). The thought made the young Knightress grin as she reached the outer gates.
The guards took one look at her, holding the Sapphire Staff, golden sword strapped to her back, and they waved her through. Marrah was never sure whether the Whitemoon soldiers regarded her with fear or apathy.
Marrah walked on the dirt road heading south through the forest. It reminded her of someplace she'd been before, and as very few places she'd been before still existed, she liked to visit it. She smelled the scent of a fragrant flower, and heard birds chirping somewhere far-off. She heard the sound of some kind of monster growling, scaring the birds into silence. She wondered if there were any Callers still around, to summon the "civilized" monsters, and those such as Bahamut. Her old friend, the Great Sorceress Blank, had always loved Callers...
She sighed and put the thought from her mind. Blank was the last person she needed to think about now, when she was already depressed. The annoyingly cheerful Blank would never have wanted to depress anyone. Besides, Marrah reminded herself, Blank did what she had to do. Somewhere, wherever the right conditions existed, Blank would live again. Maybe they'd get to see each other, even.
She concentrated on that thought as she turned around, her walk finished, and started back toward Whitemoon Hold.
Far above, the sun set the sky afire with it's dying rainbowed hues, pinpricks of light through the overhanging canopy of trees. Marrah made her way back down the path as the sounds of night crept in around, the shadows' song hardly bothering her.
Then came the glimmering of light from up ahead. She knew at once she was not alone.... though inwardly cautious, she remained calm to the outside world, her hand clutching the staff only a bit more readily. It was not long before Marrah had drawn near enough to see the person along the side of the path. She was certain there had been no one around her on the way out.
It was a girl, looking to be perhaps 20, though of such slight build, she seem years younger. Her short-cropped black hair framed her face, deep eyes showing in a quiet and gentle light. At her hip rested a slender rapier, and her gaze was lost up through an opening in the trees at the darkening sky. The moon was now out.
As Marrah approached, the girl turned to her, giving a quite bow. Her eyes held recognition. She smiled. "Ah! At last! I have been waiting for you...!"
~WW~
.........................and then he appeared, dark as the night, it almost appeared that he brought the breeze with him. The young warlock let out a slight cool smirk and snapped his fingers. Two smallish orcs followed him around a corner. "You know what to do, guys?" he said.
"Duh, ya boss, we make-a sure that they don't get no close to find'n anything!" "Pipe down, you don't want them to hear you do you?" "So what if they do, Willy will show'em!"
Jareth slammed his fist hard on Willie the Orc's head knocking him unconscious. He looked over to Hamfist. Hamfist shrugged. Then Jareth made a small teleportation over by the others, "At last I can accompany you on your journey," he said looking back and noticing the two orcs were well on their way........
(TBC?)
Jareth Jeddus
(OOC: Where are you supposed to be, Jareth??)
The black wind howls...
Lady Marrah
Marrah examined the girl for a split second, and the Sapphire Staff began to emit a faint blue glow. She bowed to the stranger.
"Greetings," she said. "Who might you be? How do you know me?"
(OOC: Eh? Me? ....wouldn't you like to know! MWA HA HA HA! Seriously now, if we were on rocky terrain I would have started off behind a small crag, forest a cluster of trees. If, however very unlikely, we were all underwater I'd probably have been hidden in a hole.)
Jarethee Jedd-ee
The black-haired girl bowed in return.
"My apologies, Lady, I forget myself sometimes, being so far out of the world of people. I am Westwind, or at least that is what they call me... And, how might I know you?" She smiles, "One learns a lot from just silent observation."
Westwind turns to regard they young warlock... a quiet knowing in her mind that all is coming together, is happening the way that it was meant to be.
She bows to him with a grin. "And might we have your name? Let's complete the circle, now."
~WW
...The young Warlock/Human Hybrid spoke "Greetings Madame....My name is Prince Jareth Jeddus of Jeddusia, and Ex-Sovereign of those parts....if you would do so much as honor me with your name in return I'd be much obliged!", turns to the other lady, " Oh! Howdy-doo!"
Jareth
"A Prince then?" She smiled brightly, eyes laughing. "I won't ask what brings you so far a way from home, that city in the dark, Jeddusia. I'm sure you will tell what you will in all due time."
Jareth narrowed his eyes slightly, so she made up to him with a quick bow.
"As I was just introducing myself to the Lady, I've had a little practice reciently.. I am called Westwind. You can call me that if it so pleases you."
The girl then rested her back against a tree, arranging her slender rapier to one side so that it did not catch in her cloak. And as she always did, she waited, watching the others.
~WW
(OOC: Here's the time, place, and participating characters for those wondering...and BTW, WW and Jareth, you guys are going too fast for me!!...)
Time: Just after sunset
Place: Forest path outside Whitemoon Hold, in the mountains north of Turbek
Participating characters: Lady Marrah, Jareth Jeddus, Westwind
***
Marrah bowed to Jareth with a flourish. "Greetings, Prince of Jeddusia," she said. "I am the Lady Marrah." She regarded Jareth silently for a moment, then turned back to Westwind. "Now," she said, ignoring Jareth but somehow not seeming at all rude, "we may finish our business. What, may I ask, is this all about?"
Jareth arched a brow, "Westwind, eh? That name does sound a bit familiar." He leaned against a rock and crossed his arms. " Nice blade you got there, I'm certain you know how to use it." Jareth looked ahead on the path, looking for a sign of his clumsy companions the Orcs.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt you Lady Marrah (As he said soon after she spoke to Westwind.)! Carry on, carry on," said the sly Warlock. He conjured a crystal ball and threw it far off.
"Don't mind me I'll just sit here and dilly daddle for a bit," said Jareth again.....
*a lone traveler walks down the path carrying an oak bow over his shoulder, he wears cloths of earth tone color and a hood that hides his face. He then approaches the group and bows*
"I am to accompany you on your journey..."
Marrah bows deeply to the newcomer. "Greetings. Who might you be?"
Westwind pondered the question, though not very hard, and when her answer came, it was without concern. "Can't say just yet... not because I don't want to, just because I'm not certain. I just know that I was supposed to be here to meet you tonight in the forest. I suppose the rest will be revealed in good time..."
She broke off just as a second stranger made his way out from the forest.... proclaiming intentions to join them...
~WW
Jareth turns to the man, "Oh you are are you? Don't mind me, I'm just here to dilly daddle while these to gorgeous intelligent women conversate over female things!"
The ladies turn and look at him in disgust for a moment then go back to their conversation.
"I'm just the outcast from the 'In Crowd' and have been rejected by the 'superior gender '! WOE IS ME!!!!" Begins to strut around in his own peculiar style then drops to his knees pouting and grabs Westwind by the leg "Please let me in the 'In Crowd'! I'll be good as long as there are no secret handshakes and crow calls! I'd love to be one of you!"
Jareth
Marrah stares at Jareth for a long moment. Finally she says, "Listen if you like." Marrah then watches as WW attempts to pry Jareth's hands off her leg.
Westwind peers down at the strange sight attached to her leg, a slow grin spreading over her face. "Hmm... I don't know... that's a lot of red tape to get through..." :D
(OOC-- Seriously! I'm the wrong person to ask. I've never been one of the "IN" crowd in my life!! :D )
~WW
*studies the group of three, looks at the youngman attached to the black haired girl's leg, he shakes his head and ignores him. Then removes his hood revealing his sleak black hair, green eyes, and his ears that come to a point* I am a wanderer, I had a dream that I would meet you all here, in this exact spot and would be part of something great.. *he swifts his bow from his left shoulder to his right* You can call me Deric *nods his head and smiles* And all of you are?
(The Stranger)....
Jareth makes some puppy dog eyes and sniffs a little. "Oh, it's you..." and he rolls his eyes at the elf. " Oh, sorry! Just got carried away again!" and he jumps off Westwind's leg.
Jareth
Marrah seems to perk up a bit as the stranger reveals his name. "Deric?" she murmurs, wondering if this is the same Deric she knew. She bows slightly. "I am the Lady Marrah. Pleased to...make your acquaintance."
Jareth interrupts again, "Oh don't act so surprised! Of course it's that Jumbo Jimbo Deric the Half-Elf Vampire!"
Jareth
Westwinds smiles at Deric with a small bow. "Nice to meet you! I am called Westwind! Now..." She turns to Lady Marrah. "I'm not sure where you were going, but if you could tell me the quickest direction to a good night's sleep, I would be ever so grateful!" She hides a quiet yawn behind her fist, standing away from the tree she was leaning on.
She took a quick look into the darkening woods wondering if that was all that would meet them there, but the want of rest overpowered her curiosity.
~WW
From a distance, a voice was heard.
"Wait for me!"
Two figures became more visible as they get closer.
"Sorry to interrupt! Let me introduce ourselves. I'm Edhan Nightshade and beside me is my twin sister, Claris Lightblade." Edhan looks very weary but Claris is the opposite. "You must be Westwind! I've heard of you! And this beside you must be Lady Marrah and Deric! Nice to meet you all!"
Westwind and the others look puzzled, wondering how this new Edhan guy knew so much. And how seemingly quiet Claris is.
"By the way, I'm also looking for a place to rest for the night. Mind if we join?" Claris eyes lightened up as she heard the word "rest".
"Sorry. I don't mean to be rude. It's just that I don't like to waste energy talking when I'm tired! Just in case monsters attacked, I can put the energy to good use." She wipes her rapier with a cloth. "I'm not that noisy like my brother..."
Claris grins at Edhan, who in turn look at the other way in disgust.
~Edhan and Claris
Marrah looked at Edhan and Claris for a long moment, and they began to feel uncomfortable under her gaze. Finally she bowed a bit in their direction. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance...though I wonder how you knew of me," and with that remark, her gaze turned hard. She turned and pointed down the path she'd been headed on before this all started. "That way lies a small outpost called Whitemoon Hold, and there you may find food, rest...and trouble, if you should so desire. It is a town of adventurers." That said, she walked off down the path, leaving the others to do what they wished. She had no doubt that Westwind would find her when the time was right.
Edhan gave a surprise look at another guy that he did not notice earlier.
"Ah! Are you Jareth? Nice to meet you! Sorry for not seeing you earlier."
Claris gave Edhan a sharp look.
"Stop probing into people's thoughts won't you! That's rude." She turns to Lady Marrah.
"Uh..well, my Edhan is a bit psychic! But he recognizes people by looking at them. Other than that, he don't know their background and other private matters! So don't worry!" Claris gives a bright smile, eliminating all possible suspicion. Edhan blushes.
"Sorry. Perhaps I'm a bit overboard! But I only know people's names and their characteristics really. I swear I don't know more!" Looking weary, Claris ignores Edhan and the others.
~Claris
"Oh I see......leav'n me out of the in-crowd, Eddy-poo," muttered Jareth.
*A young man in a black leather jacket with semi-short brown hair, a sly grin plastered across his face, and his mint green eyes focused on a small object in his hand, walks out of the shadows of some trees... (what a run on sentence... hehhehheh...) The object emits a few beeps and the young man presses a few buttons... He doesn't even notice the group of people as he begins to walk by...*
Marrah reaches Whitemoon Hold shortly, and enters, walking toward the inn where she has reserved a room for herself. She wonders just what the people Westwind has gathered are supposed to accomplish as she enters the inn.
Westwind sighs gently as she watches Lady Marrah leave for the Hold. Since the Lady's words had been more informative than an invitation, she decided not to follow. Not sure what the others would do for the night, the small girl strode towards the forested area, and into a glade.
Peering over her shoulder, she smiles an invitation. "It's not a warm bed in an inn, but I've got a little camp spot over the way. If you wish you can join me, or continue on to the Hold...."
A little walking brings her to the spot in which she had rested the night before, the fire in the pit leaping to life of it's own accord. Westwind wraps herself in her own cloak, groggily wondering what it was that has brought her to be there and what might happen next.
~WW
Jareth, seeing how the two women split up and him not familiar with women instincts, decided to make a small teleportation to the top of a high tree. He did not sleep but only meditated.
*Deric looks down both ways of the path as the group splits off for the night*
"Till morning then..."
*with that he jumps onto a nearby branch of a tree and disappears into another tree*
Edhan Nightshade and Claris Lightblade decide to follow Westwind. Both of them sat down on the ground with a thump! Being weary and such, Claris begins to sleep.
Still not very tired, Edhan talks to Westwind. "Whew, you're all strange. Together for a minute and then separated in another minute. Well, may I ask what brings you here? Looks like you're on a trip to somewhere."
<< *A young man in a black leather jacket with semi-short brown hair, a slygrin plastered across his face, and his mint green eyes focused on a small object in his hand, walks out of the shadows of some trees... (what a run on sentence... hehhehheh...) The object emits a few beeps and the young man press a few buttons... He doesn't even notice the group of people as he begins towalk by...* >>
*Continues to walk by and begins to disapear into the shadows of the trees*
ð¿ð
"Greetings, M'Lady" The lively innkeep chirped, catching full sight of Marrah, "How may we help you?"
"I'd like a room for the night," she replied, thoroughly disgusted with him. He nodded in agreement, "That will be 20 gil please," She reached for her money purse, but found it had disappeared! She looked around, "I...I have no money," she stated.
--Wanderer
Marrah looked around the room, wondering what thief would dare to steal from *her*. Nodding to the innkeeper, she said, "I believe my money pouch has been stolen... I will have to leave and go look for it. However," and she turned her icy stare on the rest of the inn's patrons, "if one of you wishes to confess to your crime and return my pouch...it will be much better for you."
As Marrah turned to leave the inn, she felt the eyes of a great many fall upon her, all men, likely wondering what woman would dare accuse them of stealing. Men were pigs, and as she made her way to the door, she was glad she never had to worry about being one.
She opened the door and stood outside in the darkening street, thinking hard, when she heard something. Gripping her blade, she wheeled around to face her challenger.
"M'lady, I have money to spare if you need to spend the night here, but I hardly recommend it," Said a cloaked figure, "Hello,"...
--Nate
(OOC: Marrah does not think men are pigs...not all of them anyway...just like all women are not pigs. She's for equality.)
Marrah warily eyed the stranger before her, relaxing slightly, but still ready to draw her sword. "Greetings," she said, her voice and eyes hard, her gaze never leaving the figure. "And you are...?" she said, trailing off and waiting for the person to answer her.
The stranger wore an odd smile full of sadness, "you mean who I used to be? No one at all...you may call me Jaded." He nodded to her sword, "No need to be so tense, M'lady, I couldn't possibly harm you...and even if I would, that weapon of yours couldn't harm me either."
--Nate
That's all for now, until I copy and paste some more emails ^_^