From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Jan 25 16:22:14 1995 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:8095 Path: netcom.com!ix.netcom.com!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!interactive.net!winternet.com!news2.mr.net!mr.net!msc.edu!news.gac.edu!news.gac.edu!usenet From: Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Horde Father-Confessor Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Tales] Taking Care of Business Date: 23 Jan 1995 18:21:52 GMT Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College Lines: 181 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3g0s40INNqva@news.gac.edu> Reply-To: mcutter@nic.gac.edu NNTP-Posting-Host: shadow.gac.edu ADMIN: Pumice is copywritten by Matthew C. Cutter, June, 1993. Rex, RoWyll, are copywritten by Matthew C. Cutter, January, 1994. Thorn and Fauteuil are fronted by Steve Hutchison (hutch@ibeam.jf.intel.com). Urcohea and Rivy are fronted by Steve Hutchison (hutch@ibeam.jf.intel.com) and Alfvaen. Thanks to Alan Smith (arsmith@lamar.ColoState.EDU) and Brian Shea (taz@athena.mit.edu) for editorial comments. Feedback appreciated. ----- This morning in Generica found Thorn, Archmage of Politics doing something constructive. This situation was not quite as unusual as it sounded due to one simple fact: Thorn actually took his job seriously. He was using it for his own ends, but doing so required him to maintain at least a semblance of respectability. And because Thorn was the best, he did more than maintain a semblance; he set the standard. One of the items on Thorn's mind today was a rather disturbing message sent from some journeyman by the name of Pumice. It seemed something in the Ceruputhon River was causing harm to inhabitants of the Elemental Plane of Water. They were growing rather concerned and had asked Pumice, an elemental mage, to deal with the Generican Mages' Guild on their behalf. "Unfortunate," said the Archmage of Politics as he leaned back from his desk. "This could cause a complication I really do not need." Thorn thought for a moment, then turned to address the air. "Open a link to Fauteuil," he addressed his office daemon. The daemon closed its eyes, then replied, "The Archmage of Extraplanar Contacts is in conference. Do you wish an interrupt?" Thorn waved dismissively. "Leave a message to contact me. Instead, call up our files on this Pumice." The Archmage of Politics was curious; he knew all Mages and Archmages by name and face. At one time or another, he had also interacted with most of the Major and Minor Journeyman. But the name Pumice did not sound familiar in the least. Why would elementals select a lowly journeyman as their representative? "Your files, sir." When the requested files displayed Pumice's Guild records, Thorn's question was answered. Pumice was a dwarf! And an elemental water mage to boot! The Archmage read on, intrigued. This Pumice ran a shipping company up and down the Ceruputhon, keeping all sorts of strange company, including extraplanars and a goblin. He also seemed to be on good terms with elemental royalty. Fauteuil chose that moment to open a link with Thorn. The 3D image of an elderly gentleman with wispy grey hair and dark eyes appeared above the desk. "What do you need?" asked the Archmage of Extraplanar Contact. "We have a situation developing with the Elemental Plane of Water," Thorn replied. "Something is causing harm to them. They have asked for a meeting with a representative." While saying this, he send Fauteuil the appropriate parts of Pumice's message. "Ah," said Fauteuil as he perused the message. "Give me a moment..." He looked past Thorn for a moment, obviously conferring with one of his information sources. "Yes, Thorn, there does appear to be some difficulty. It seems that the Bismanians have conjured some type of lubricant for their maritime craft. This lubricant works wonderfully, but has some very detrimental effects on elementals." Thorn nodded. "I see..." "Listen, Thorn, could you deal with this for me? With all the fallout from the Reaver, Sorceror, and the pending Demon Invasion, my department does not have time for this. Since it is a matter of treaty, you do have some authority... 'And it will cause problems for the Bismanians,' the Archmage of Politics finished to himself. "Of course, old friend," he said outloud. "I would be delighted to. Thank you for you time." The Archmage of Extraplanar Contacts nodded, and his image faded from view. Thorn turned back to his desk, pondering how to proceed. *** It was lunchtime at the Chundering Chimera. Inside, near the comatose body of Thronn the Titan, two dwarves were sharing a meal. One was tall and rather thin. The poor fellow looked as if he had been cooked by a dragon. His older, shorter, stouter companion was pouring a mug of something and addressing the youngster. "Pumice," he said, "you should know better than to attempt out-drinking one of The BrauMeisters Three." Mr. BrauMeister laughed, and took a swig from his pitcher. Pumice looked at the smoking mug before him. It smell like rotting cabbage and looked even worse. Sighing, the sha'ir plugged his nose and slammed the contents. The effects were immediate. Pumice gasped as every light source in the Chimera flared white. A loud noise rose, like a tornado from a distance. Throat and nose went numb, and his extremities began to tingle. Then, the light and sound returned to normal, and limbs regained their function. But Pumice's taste buds and nose were still numb "Whah!" he said, shaking his head. "I feel better already." "Good," replied the BrauMeister. "I'll be getting you lunch." The older dwarf got up and walked to the bar, stopping to speak with the 'tender before disappearing into the back. Some minutes later, the 'tender brought over a steaming bowl. Pumice handed him two coins and attacked the stew. Lunch was not quite over when a buzzing sensation emerged from his pouch. Pumice stopped eating and concentrated. Then, the dwarf smiled, put down his utensils, and left the Chimera. Once in the street, he looked about. No one was watching him, so he headed left and turned into the first alley he found. Once there, Pumice removed a wand from a concealed pocket. "HOME," he rumbled in dwarven, and he faded from view. *** Pumice faded back inside his quarters on board the _Gibraltar_. There, he sat down at a desk tucked into one corner and cleared a space on it. Beneath the mess, there was a foot squared crystal. Pumice touched it and concentrated. A message glowed to life: Remote login complete. username: waterfriend password: ***************** You have 1 messages. You have 1 messages marked 'urgent.' You have 0 messages marked 'ignore'. 'And so it begins,' the dwarf muttered to himself. Pumice opened the ether-web message and read it to himself. From: The Office of Politics, Archmage Thorn To: Minor Journeyman Pumice Subject: Re: An appointment Minor Journeyman, Thank you for taking the time to inform this office of the recent difficulties your associates from the Plane of Water have been suffering. After some consideration and investigation, the instigators of these difficulties have been uncovered. However, due to some rather delicate circumstances at present, this office would prefer to divulge that information in a face to face meeting. To that end, this office has arranged for a meeting between you and Archmage Thorn for tomorrow morning at the Ale House. This office appreciates your time and concern. 'Alright,' thought the dwarf as he logged off and left the desk. "Rex!" he called out, looking towards the window out to the River. A face appeared in the window. "Progress?" asked the marid. "Have you gotten word already?" "Yes I have. Gather your formal wear; we have a sitdown with the Archmage of Politics tomorrow morning," replied the dwarf. The parade of expressions across the marid's face was particularly gratifying. It wasn't often that Pumice managed to surprise a genie. -Matt C. guardian- 1. one who has care of a person or property. 2. In other words, someone who puts their ass between others and danger. ********************************************************************* Nuke 'til they glow, then shoot 'em in the dark! Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@nic.gac.edu OR mcutter@vax2.gac.edu Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them! *********************************************************************