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You each wake from that terrifying Hellscape just moments after you, by your own volition, picked up one of the burning brands and pressed it into your own flesh somewhere upon your upper torso or head. You can still feel the heat and the pain radiating from the spot and as your gaze drifts down to where you placed your brand you can see a glowing, flaming brand still attached to your flesh although the tool appears indistinct the mark shows brightly and the edges seem to twist and move as if it was slowly burrowing itself into you and as it does the pain recedes and after a few moments all that is left is a fading symbol still glowing.
With your attention no longer on the brand you can see yourself lying upon a large and luxurious bed still partially covered by vibrant red satin sheets the colour of fresh blood covered only in silken nightwear. The room you are in is decorated with marble statuettes and fine stained wood covers the walls. You appear to be in a lavishly decorated guest room that belongs in a great mansion or even a palace. Across from you is a panoramic window overlooking a lush manicured estate in a temperate region.
When you get out of bed there is any number of creature comforts available for you a noble to prepare for the day including and already drawn steaming bath and a set of noble clothes cut in your size waiting.
If you didn't know better you'd swear this was some sort of dream.
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax looks about the room, taking in the scene before him. He then quickly looks about for a mirror, and moves for it at a rapid pace. He pulls open the silk shirt at his chest to see if indeed there was a brand evident. To his mild dismay, the jagged rune still had a faint glow directly over his heart. He then reaches up and parts the bangs of his black hair, looking for the rune binding Dreadmaul to his will. It too, was present, but now glows with a faint green energy.
So it was more than a dream. Well, if that is the case, then what the being said was truth. I was slain. And if I was slain, so too was Dreadmaul. Then...what has happened to his Binding?
Krovax turns slightly, looking towards the window. He peers out, examining the grounds before him, but his gaze is drawn to the horizon. Yet I can still feel the power of his blood, but something is different about it. I will have to look into that.
Krovax returns his calculating gaze to his immediate surroundings. Eventually, his eyes settle on the steaming bath prepared for him. Well, I may as well take a moment to get my bearings before I depart the apparent safety of these bed chambers.
After allowing himself to fully relax in the calming waters of the bath, Krovax rises, dresses in the outfit prepared for him, one that, in his mind, was befitting his stature. It was a comfortable black tunic with red and gold adornments that would fit well beneath his armor, and matching legwear.
Still, even during all this, Draverian's mind could not stop thinking about his deal with this being, and what it meant for his plans. Also, the curious changes to the shackles of Dreadmaul gnawed at his soul. Krovax eventually relents to the itch that he just cannot help but scratch. He sits cross legged at the foot of his bed, and begins murmuring the ritual he once used to call Dreadmaul to his side.
|Sir Leon Blackmane
A body? Strange.
Placing his feet on the ground and standing, the powerfully built man chuckled at the novelty of feeling his own weight. He remembered life. He also remembered death. And undeath. And oblivion. And then... Hell? That part was somewhat fuzzy. It seemed to him a very long time since he remembered feeling the play if his muscles and the shifting of his balance. Such simple things to be so amused by, it seemed a long time since he has felt...
Anything. Such odd things to have missed.
Looking down at the charred skin in the center of his chest his brows furrowed. He touched it gingerly and frowned.
That I did not miss.
Looking at himself in the mirror he was further amused. His skin was fresh. Not a mark anywhere. There was no ache in his bones from old injuries and no scars from old battles. Even his nose, crooked for most of his life from a youthful brawl, was straight.
Walking around the room out of curiosity, and out of simple desire to reacquaint himself with the mechanics of walking, the big man opened the drawers and wardrobes. Their contents pleased him.
My host is most gracious.
A golden lion-head signet ring, the mark of his lineage, was slipped on first. Then silks and leathers of black, trimmed in gold. Finally an iron amulet joined the ensemble.
The master must have been successful. I believe I will enjoy a meal and a woman before becoming undying again. Perhaps this time I will maintain a wholly physical form. I do rather enjoy it.
|Opal Windsong
Opal wakes with a start, raising her head just enough to look down at the center of her chest, watching as the indistinct flaming brand leaves a glowing symbol in the very center of her chest.
She briefly enjoys the pain that it causes. When both the pain and the symbol fade, Opal turns her attention to the room she is in. Taking a moment to enjoy the feel of the silken and nightwear upon her skin, she them rises from the bed and wanders about the room inspecting it.
This can't be just a dream, otherwise Toral would be here with me. Is he somewhere in a similar room? I suppose I may as well bathe and dress for the day and see who, or what, sends for me.
Opal decides to take a long relaxing bath, making extensive use of the scented soaps and bath oils left for her. When the water finally becomes to cold to stand, she'll get out and dry herself off and then dress in the clothes left for her.
|Mordecai Shrykeson
HellflamefiretwistingwrithingburningBURNINGeatingmeeatingmeconsuminghungeri ngdestroyingdevouringtheFIRETHEFIRETHEFIREITBURNSLIKETHEROPEtheropearoundmy neckliftingmeupandupasistruggleandairtriestogettothemobcallinglaughingpoint ingjeeringbastardskillthemallkillthemallraisetheircorpsesraisetheirfleshSER VEME.....
Mordecai instinctively snaps awake, body flipping upright amid the silken sheets as he claps his hands to his face trying to claw out the fire that burns that... is gone.
Slowly, Mordecai lowers his hands, still marvelling at the novelty of having them as stimuli starts to coarse through his senses. Sheets, marble, silks, fire, wood... what is this? Slowly, his hand rises unbidden and passes before his face in one swift movement as Mordecai casts a simple spell, searching for magic. Looking in his hand in surprise as it passes, Mordecai slowly arises out of bad and stands straight, examining himself.
Skin, blood, bone... warmth. Alive. A memory flicking through him, he gently strokes his hand across his neck, guided by the memory of the brand burrowing into his skin, choking him like the noose... the noose!
Fist clenching, knuckles cracking as his skin grows white Mordecai snarls at the memory. Ungrateful, worthless, unthinking mobs... chaos personified, no individual just that terrible group hate... revenge destroyburnfirePURGE...
Snapping himself away from his pleasant thoughts, Mordecai reasserts himself and calmly inspects the room, examining closely the edges, the curves and shapes and textures of every little detail, seeking some weakness, some oddity some flaw...
Donning the clothes laid out for him, Mordecai sits cross-legged upon the floor and meditates, allowing the steam from the bath to draw a curtain across his mind, re immersing himself in himself, stepping into his psyche as easy as t'would be to step into the bath, the waters of his identity his memories rising to cover his head as he thinks and ponders and awaits for whoever twas that called him here.
|Toral Lyonset
There is no such thing as sadness if you've never known joy. Let the suffering of my foes bring me power, for I revel in their cries, their screams. Death is too good for me, so it may seem - that is why they burned me. Burned me alive, so I could feel the torture I gave unto others. Little do they know, that -
He woke up. His memories flooded into his head, his mind spinning as everything came to fruition. He sat up in luxurious sheets, now that he was of the right mind and mentality to accept it. There was something odd, indeed. He was alive. Alive, when he was surely dead.
He checked his body - over his heart, where they'd carved a symbol of their god, he now had a brand instead - one that had left its mark apparent on his sculpted chest, something that he recalled someone enjoyed, someone who-
Opal. If she's dead, and not returned, then I have to start over. Start from scratch. So much work into a single entity, and all tossed aside.
He noted his change in clothing. It disturbed him - too many sensations that left guilty pleasures, one might say, and he immediately leapt to his things, to check everything - his body, now that he tested it the hard way, seemed to be more fit than he had departed, and he flexed his muscles, stretching. This led to exercises that lasted a good hour of his morning before he went back to the issues at hand.
He had to find out where he was. With that on his mind, he'd begin to re-equip everything he owned, set it aside, and piled all the gear he needed. The blade sat on his back, and he just... grinned. Grinned wide. It felt good, to have the presence returned, and the armor fitted, and the plates clinking in anticipation. Much as he wanted to stay and be comfortable, there was work to be done - and a celestial to slay.
He began composing weapon drills in his meantime, and at one point he became far too intense, and jabbed the blade into the floor, kneeling to rest upon it. Too much time spent apart made him rusty, made him weak. But he was alive, and that was all that mattered.
|Ezra Savet
Well, if this is hell, I am pleasantly surprised!
"I see you have left me almost everything I need, a slave to help wash my back would be appreciated though."
With that, Ezra disrobes and slips into her hot tub.
There is always a price, but I may as well enjoy it while it lasts.
"On second thought, just let me relax a while, being killed is not near so enjoyable as this bath."
Ezra closes her eyes, and sinks into the warmth, adding some scented bath salts to the water before she drifts off.
|Ezra Savet
The cramps forming in her back from the now cold water waken Ezra with a start. She eases out of the cold water, enjoying the sensation of the cold water running down her form.
Well, lets see what we have here.. Perfume, lovely. She opens a small vial and inhales the floral scent. Ezra dumps the contents into the tub, then repeats the process several times over, dumping vials of oils and salts into the tub, placing a vials in row along the window sill together with a wash basin. There, that should hold it all. Now all I need is some amber. Let see, jewelry... Realizing at last that she is undressed, Ezra quickly slips into the clothes laid out for her. For the love of... There has to be something amber here somewhere... They know me, they know what I like. It must be here somewhere.
Ezra begins inspecting the items in her room, the clothes, the jewelry, candle sticks, anything at all.... throwing the rejected items into the tub of cold water.
"Sorry about the mess, but I need to find it. You know me, so it has to be here somewhere. . ."
Damn it Khizan, you are my familiar. Answer me.
|Krovax Draverian
As the ritual completes itself, Krovax opens his eyes to go to the window to observe Dreadmaul's massive form in the yard. However, he is shocked to see the creature that has appeared before him. A miniature, skeletal version of the great Wyrm say across from him, red flame in place of eyes. His body devoid of flesh and muscle, now wreathed in a green energy matching the rune on Krovax's forehead, a rune similarly etched into the skull of the dragon before him. Surrounding this rune of binding is an exact match to the brand now on Draverian's breast.
Krovax rises slowly, looking at the monstrosity before him. "What has happened to you, or is that even you, Dreadmaul?"
The dragon hisses his reply, "As always, human," the word dripping with loathing, "YOU happened. You let yourself be slain, and in so doing, the cursed spell binding our souls bestowed your fate to me as well. Even in death your curse follows me. And now I am bound to this meager form until I can gather my former strength."
Krovax takes some time to absorb this information. This is not good. Without the full might of the dragon behind me, my bargaining power will be hindered greatly. Still, a creature such as this still can strike fear in a man's heart, even if it is only the size of a large dog...
Krovax then turns and finishes donning his gear. As he does so, Dreadmaul continues speaking, "So what will you do now, Oh Mighty General?" lacing the last bit with sarcasm. Krovax pays it no mind, as he was used to the dragons attitude in his first life.
As he finishes pulling up his last boot, he replies, "Well, I get my bearings as to where...and when...we are. Next, I learn what it is this entity expects of me. Then, I take my revenge on the fools who dared attack me so cowardly. Finally, I will finish what I started. But first," he pauses as he attaches the brooch of his blood red cape, "I go to greet my host."
Krovax picks up his horned helm, and carries it under his arm. Making sure he can get to his wepon quickly if necessary, he then motions for Dreadmaul to follow, then opens the door and steps back out into the world.
After roughly an hours time you each hear the faint sound of knocking at you door Mere moments before you come into reach of the door for those who wanted to leave and explore and a slight and unremarkable female servant steps in and bows deeply making sure to never look at you let alone in your direction. "I am sorry to disturb you my Lord/Lady, the Baroness wishes your presence at dinner. If you will follow me please." With that the woman steps outside and waits at your door until you are ready. If you require assistance in dressing or cleaning up she re-enters and does whatever you ask of her. When you are ready she leads you down a long corridor with several similar doors all closed tightly and down a grand staircase then out into a room large enough to host a ball.
The ballroom tiles are silver gilded and the walls as decorative mirrors. In the centre of the room stands a long and unquestionably expensive table with eight settings in front of a eight throne-like chairs. At the head of the table already sits a rather obese middle-aged man in richly adorned clothes and a plethora of gold and jewelry who appears already quite deep in his cup. He simply nods as you are each led to a seat and you can see each other being led by other serving girls.
Once you are each seated the large double doors are opened and a young and dangerously beautiful woman comes striding in dressed in an elaborate gown flowing. She glides smoothly to the table and seats herself beside the the other man and reaches for her goblet of wine. "A toast to your saviour and new master The Lord of Mirrors" With that both of your hosts take a sip of their wine and then the lady continues. "I am the Baroness Alora Vinters and you are currently guest's in my estate while you adapt to your new situation. Your souls have been saved from an eternity of torment and horror to serve OUR lord and at the same time given a second chance to take what you want from this world. But before you can start enjoying your new existence, you must first give your marks time to settle. Please enjoy your stay here and if there is anything you require we'll see to it that you get it." turning to Ezra, "Ezra my dear, if you wanted bottles you could have just asked rather than wasting hundreds of crowns worth of imported oils" settling back into her chair she waves to her servants and dinner is brought out. "Please eat and afterwards we can get down to your business."
|Ezra Savet
"Everything I wanted or needed seemed present, save for one item. I am certain that it exists somewhere here? And my familiar? I have tried to speak to him, but be does not answer me." With that, Ezra sits down to enjoy the meal. In the tub or on my skin, one way or another, the oils were going away. If they know me so well, they should have simply provided the bottles and amber.. Smiling politely, Ezra asks, "Please pass the bread and salt?"
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax pauses when the knock comes at the door as he reached for the handle. He then looks at Dreadmaul, and speaks to him through their link, "Perhaps your presence here is not the best idea at the moment. I will call you when needed again."
Dreadmaul casts Krovax a seething look, then vanishes in a cloud of green energy. Krovax then opens the door and follows the peasant girl to his seat at the table. He glances about the room at the others as they join, and listens to the Baroness carefully as she speaks. Once finished, he looks her in the eye and begins his inquiry.
"Baroness, thank you for the generosity that you have extended thus far. You are truly one of exquisite taste. However, given the circumstances, I feel there is a necessity for some questions to be asked. For starters, what year is this and where are we and who, or what, exactly is this Lord of Mirrors?"
Turning to the rest of the people assembled, he continues, "And I am fairly certain that one question is at least whispering in the back of everyone else'minds here, and that is 'Who are the rest of these people?' For my part, allow me to introduce myself. I am Krovax Draverian, former General of the Crimson Legion, and I have also been known as the Scourge of Lastwall. Given the nature of our assembly, I trust there is no need to be concerned with worrying about debates on ethics and have no need to expect to be judged by any assembled here, and I for one am not ashamed of my life choices."
|Mordecai Shrykeson
Mordecai silently follows the serving wench into the sumptuous hall. As the Baronness speaks, Mordecai crosses his arms and speaks solemnly.
"I assume you speak and listen for our new lord, Baroness. I will address you as I would bid you address him. For saving me from being a pawn of hell, I will serve as his bondsman until my debt is repaid. But may he know that I will not be his slave, nor his sycophant or pet."
So saying, Mordecai retrieves a goblet of drink and holds it up to the baroness. "To the Lord of Mirrors" he speaks before swigging it in one smooth movement.
Mordecai turns to his new companions.
"Greetings, General Draverian, and my other as yet unnamed fellow bondsmen and women. I am Mordecai Shrykeson, Magistrate and Lord of Ravenmore until but recently. General, I know not of your fame- my studies have focused on the arcane and divine rather than the historical- but I shall not judge you for your deeds or misdeeds as I would expect not to be judged for mine. I am as well not ashamed of the directions I took in life."
|Toral Lyonset
Toral walks slowly, calmly, into the room as he's led by the worthless servant sent to fetch him. If they'd known anything about the man, they'd have kept Opal around to help him with whatever he'd tasked - not that she was a servant, per se, but surely her company was superior to anything given out by the likes of these people, demons, devils, or whatever they were.
The Baroness, eh? Let's see what she has to say. I wager she's worth about as much as her servants, since they're half incompetent and half appearances. Hope the food's decent, or I might have to go cook it myself.
With little else left, he noted the three already seated - a woman with heritage polarized to his own, which gave him a grin to think about; a man who had apparently made himself known as a general; and a man who had raised his glass and drank it swiftly. It was almost something out of a dream, that one might organize such people.
He overheard the drinking man address himself as a Lord and state his name, and it was here that Toral gave a light laugh, moving to seat himself at a seat with openings for others on either side of him, where he would sit in a manner most mocking of the ordeals around him - he'd never been one for exaggerated finery - and clasped the goblet in his hand.
"First things first, I suppose. Name's Toral of House Lyonset, also called the Corrupter of Janderhoff, and the Infector of Angels. Been a long time since I've been able to make that claim, though - nothing spectacular, I assure you, save a couple notables - and I do indeed who beseeches myself, as well as all of us, into their service? Because I do not serve lightly, though I will pay back my debt, and no further."
The aasimar brushes back his hair, and just relaxes in his armor, already prepared to go forth - as though he were anxious to undo the debt made without his permission. Nobody would ever hear that complaint, though.
|Sir Leon Blackmane
|Opal Windsong
Having taken up too much time making sure that her outfit, hair and make-up were all perfect, Opal found herself among the last to enter the room. Her face lights up at the sight of him and she heads for the chair directly next to him. Not wishing to embarrass him by giving in to her emotions and hugging him, she'll simply face him and drop into a deep curtsey before seating herself.
Being unaccustomed to speaking out for herself, she'll remain silent until she's given permission to speak.
|Toral Lyonset
On noticing Opal besides him, his face glows for a moment - at least something good had turned from all of this, and his work was not for naught.
The aasimar would clasp her jaw gently, almost delicately, and brought her to face him, eye to eye. He smiled brightly enough to take in the pleasures of her view, her attire, her radiance one might say. In fact, Toral just smiled simply after because of this. He leaned in to talk low, almost whispering.
"I see you are still here, my work of art. You may act appropriately, and do scoot closer - I want to commit so many more sins by simply sitting here, after all this time. It's boring. We're apparently 'the help.' Oh - and you may speak as normal."
Snickering after, he'd release her, and give himself a more relaxed pose, hand fiddling with a bit of fabric on the end of the table.
"I think you are misunderstanding your place, the Master doesn't need servants or slaves. He has countless souls and demons for that. He acquired your souls," looking to Leon, "Some at great price, because he wanted talented agents on the material plane. Remember that he gave you all the choice of branding yourselves with his mark and since you're here you obviously accepted. As long as you do anything he asks of you not only do you get to continue to reside on this plane, he will also grant you more and more of his power to do with as you wish." stopping to continue her meal the man sitting at her side continues.
"Since my lovely wife has forgotten to introduce me, I am Oro Vinters. I am sure that you are wondering where everything you owned before you died has gone. Allow me to show you." He snaps his fingers and slaves bring out six large chests."We have managed to acquire most of your original belongings from before your untimely deaths and those we couldn't we have located replacements made as close to the original as possible. Everything is there and if it isn't I will ensure that you get it immediately. Afterall, you won't be able to serve our master otherwise. You currently are in my estate outside of Cassomir in Taldor. Have I missed any questions? Ah yes, the most important one. The Lord of Mirrors, is a powerful Shadowlord of the Abyss, one of the powers behind the Archdemons. An entity powerful enough that if he should ever directly interact with our world all of the goodly priests and champions of virtue for miles would be able to sense his presence, which makes subtlety a little hard. Because of this he needs people like you who have already proven capable of spreading your own unique form of chaos to serve his ends. In exchange he has offered to you the power to rival demigods, if you want it."
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax listens politely as the others introduce himself, particularly raising his goblet of wine to Mordecai once he finishes speaking. He raises an eyebrow at the two at the other end of the table. Hmmm...what have we here...
When Baron Vinters finishes speaking, Krovax briefly considers the possibilities of what this man claims. If this Shadowlord can honestly grant this sort of power to me, Lastwall would stand no chance against my might. If, in fact, it still exists...
As this thought dawns on him, he turns to speak to their hosts once again, "Yes, Sir Vinters, I did request an idea as to the date. It is difficult to be aware of the passing of time when you aren't aware of anything at all."
|Ezra Savet
"Forgive my impertinence, but if I learned one thing in life it was that nothing is ever free. What is the price tag attached to this overwhelming showing of generosity?" Ezra continues sampling the delectable assortment of foods as she awaits an answer.
|Sir Leon Blackmane
"It seems I do, sir." Leon said in a low rumble looking down at his chest where the brand lay beneath his clothes. "But I do not remember the specifics of the bargain, having been quite dead at the time. I suppose it matters not so long as I am afforded the opportunity to pursue my own agenda along side his."
|Mordecai Shrykeson
Mordecai listens to the baroness' monologue silently, before nodding and walking over to his new companions. Quietly, he mutters "The lady's flattery, I believe not. Her description of our lord's identity and powers, I know not if it be true. Dead or not, we should trust no one."
Finished, Mordecai sits at the table and begins to eat, listening to the speaking voices as he does so.
|Mordecai Shrykeson
Mordecai walks over to his chest and nods in thanks to the baroness. Swiftly he dons a headband and ring and attaches a length of rope to his shoulders, followed by a suit of breastplate and a shield. He concludes by swinging a backpack out of the chest, followed by an immense glass jar filled with black dust which he inspects before stowing it away safely.
|Ezra Savet
Ezra follows the lead of the others, slowly inspecting all of her long lost gear. casting detect magic cantrip. "Just making sure it is all here, and how I left it." Making sure it is not cursed, or worse..Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25. Not that I don't trust you, well, why beat around the bush. I don't trust you. If it seems to good to be true and all that."
The key necklace is magic with a conjuration aura and there are no cursed items or fakes unless you bought them yourself and anyone with knowledge (planes) can roll to see if they've heard of The Lord of Mirrors
Rumors in dark circles tell of a demon that resides on the other side of mirrors that punishes those who are too vain
Above plus. Rumored to be the patron of Incubi.
Above plus. A Demon-Lord referenced in dark books depicting the fall of Aroden but none know what part this being played.
Above plus. The Lord of Mirrors is one of many titles that the first Incubus is called by.
|Ezra Savet
|Sir Leon Blackmane
Untrained knowledge check results max out at DC 10. Leon's never heard of his new patron.
Leon glances at the chest bearing his sigil, but does not rise. A lifetime spent at court had ingrained in him a sense of politeness and dignity. One simply did not inspect gifts at the dinner table. He would go through the chest at his leisure once they had dispersed. For the moment he simply ignored the ruder guests and addressed his host.
"I for one appreciate the opportunity to walk the world again. Am I to understand that you, Baron, will be our liaison to the Lord of Mirrors? What task are we intended to perform?"
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax quirks an eyebrow at the others sifting through their chests and donning armor, but that is the only emotion he shows. Uncouth barbarians, including the so called Magistrate...
He eventually notes the other man at the table with a similar look of distaste in his eyes. after the man makes his inquiry, Krovax locks eyes with him briefly, raising his glass to him subtly before taking another sip of the wine. He then turns and awaits their "hosts" to provide the answer.
Oro"Well it was expected that we prepare you for your new life, after all it was my wife's divine connection to The Lord of Mirrors that allowed you to return to life. May I present his High Priestess." he says while turning and flourishing a grand bow which she merely nods to. "As to the specifics of why you and your true mission I can't tell you. All I can tell you is what I've been told." he pauses to choose his words carefully. "One of our Lord's agents has failed and worse allowed himself to be captured. In his possession is a tool that our master wants back and that's where you come in. Your first task is to retrieve this item and deal with any loose ends."
|Ezra Savet
Ezra changes out of her fine clothes, and into the generic explorer's outfit, dons her headband of intellect, and loads a wand into a spring-loaded wrist sheath, and a small rod into the sheath on her right wrist. She quickly tests the mechanisms, then rummages around in the chest, carefully stowing all her gear into the pack. Once her task is completed, she dons the pack, and throws her old grey cloak about herself, and draws the hood up. "Lovely as it is here, I am aching to see what has become of the world. One final question however; where can I find my horse and familiar?"
|Sir Leon Blackmane
Sighing as the strange woman brazenly changed her clothes mid-meal, Leon lowered his eyes and ignored her.
"Is this dinner also to be a mission briefing?" Leon asked calmly. No matter the master, he was a soldier first. This was just another retrieval. Details were fairly irrelevant. All he really needed to know what what and where. The rest would sort itself out.
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax listens intentively as Oro speaks. When the stern gentleman inquires as to whether this is a mission briefing, Krovax stands and addresses those gathered once again, all the while attempting to not let his eyes linger on the woman changing clothes in front of them.
"If this is to be a mission briefing, so be it. I agreed to help this Lord of Mirrors and I will live up to my end of the bargain. But, I am not comfortable going into any battle unprepared. So far, only myself, Magistrate Shrykeson, and Sir Lyonset have introduced ourselves, and none have given others an idea as to what they are capable of. If we are to do this, and do this properly, I cannot stress how imperitive it is that we know what each other is capable of so we know what resources we have at our disposal."
Looking about the room, he continues, "Given the nature of the situation, I understand that revealing such information about yourselves can be...unsettling. However, trust has to begin somewhere, even if it is only a small measure of it. Therefore, let me begin. I am a capable combatant, and have some control over magic at my disposal." Letting this statement make his mark, he resumes speaking, "Also, I have the ability to call in...allies...to my side at will."
He then takes his seat once again, and takes a sip of his wine. And should any of you try to exploit this information, you'd best hope this Lord of Mirrors believes in third chances.
|Mordecai Shrykeson
Mordecai hesitates a moment before nodding to Krovax. "Agreed, sir. If we have any chance of surviving we must know each other. As with yourself, I have some control over magic; however, mine comes from the dark gods rather than any human source. I am afraid that I am not as capable a combatant as doubtless many of you are. Nevertheless, I am capable of raising the corpses of our enemies to serve as tools for our bidding."
Mordecai calmly takes a sip of wine before continuing- "In short, I am what many call a Necromancer. One who studies the art of bringing life to the dead."
|Ezra Savet
"Meh, I am just a witch. No more, no less. In general, I simply manipulate the forces of ill will and bad luck; though there are other small things I can do."
Ezra mutters something to herself. Hexing self, Flight Hex
The Baroness, looking with obvious disdain at Ezra while she strips down in the middle of dinner, huffs and replies, "Your horse and that lizard of yours should be here by morning. It proved unwilling to come quietly but is unharmed. And since you all seem to want to discuss business I think I'll leave you in the care of my husband." with than she drops her napkin on her plate and walks out.
Oro"Pardon my wife, she isn't used to entertaining regular people. Please collect you things if you wish and we can retire to my office where I can better answer any other questions you have."
Feel free to continue your own discussions, Oro waits patiently for you to eat, collect your gear or even order seconds and thirds. He only gets up to lead to his office when everyone is ready. And characters are done
|Ezra Savet
Sorry. I have always lived where I pleased, and did what I pleased. Never had much need of polite society. I think I offended her." Ezra explains as she follows Oro from the room.
|Sir Leon Blackmane
"A simple lesson in ettiquite then: It is considered improper to undress at the dinner table. Such things are generally better done in private." the large man says with a flat expression.
Turning to Krovax, Leon takes a drink and introduces himself. "I am Leon, called the Black Lion. I am... I was a knight-commander in the armies of Tar-Baphon."
|Mordecai Shrykeson
|Krovax Draverian
|Ezra Savet
"Again you will have to forgive my lack of understanding, but I thought we were here because we were to be tasked with of spreading our particular brand of destruction and mayhem across Golarion, not because we knew which spoon went with the soup."
Ezra returns her attention to Oro, "Shall we?". Noting that Oro seems content to wait on the rest of the group, Ezra hails a servant, "Please direct me to your master's study."
"My apologies to your lovely wife"
|Sir Leon Blackmane
As the witch leaves, just before she is out of earshot, Sir Leon chuckles to himself and says "Apparently her particular brand of destruction and mayhem involves being amature Calistrian dinner theatre. Perhaps our mission calls for ruining our enemy's appetites."
|Krovax Draverian
Krovax makes no comment to Mordecai's remark, as he is currently deep in thought over the sudden revelation that the man's remark left him with.
The Black Lion, alive, in my time. So this Lord of Mirrors has marshalled forces from different periods of history, then. Whatever it is this thing wants, it must be quite important to have expended that level of resources...and given that this man is quite out of his time, he may be willing to align himself to my cause, if I play my cards right.
Trying to shake himself off the distracting line of thought, he returns his focus to the conversation at hand at the Black Lion's casual diresion of the witch. "As uncouth as her actions may be, Sir Blackmane, I'm certain this lifestyle is equally as strange to her. Suffice it to say, to each their own, so to speak. However, I would like to say that it is an honor to meet you in the flesh. I studied your battle tactics and strategies for my own conquest of Lastwall. Making some adjustments of my own, of course. Perhaps we could discuss them more in detail later?"
|Sir Leon Blackmane
I did not give my surname, let alone the new one my Lord dubbed me with. This one does know me.
"I was unaware that I had become a subject of study. An interesting honor. I do not know of Lastwall, but if my tactics were used against them I trust they suffered a great deal when facing you."
Lastwall was founded after the Crusade, which Leon didn't survive to see the end of.
|Krovax Draverian
Moving on
You are all led into a quiet and orderly office dominated by a large stone desk and only one chair behind it that the baron occupies. Staring across the desk and his now steepled fingers any semblance of his pleasant demeanor have vanished and now a seemingly different person sits before you. "Alright, allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Baron Oro Vinters, Grand Executioner for our Lord of Mirrors. The reason you were revived here, rather than anywhere else, is because you are going to track down and ensure that one of our formerly trusted agents is silenced and two items in his possession are brought back to me. His name is Abe Dlevers but he may be using an alias." with a wave of his hand over what appears to be a mirror set into the top of his desk a shadowy reflection appears of a thin wispy man looking to be in his late thirties balding with long smokey hair and a crooked nose. "This is what he looks like and you must also recover these two items." he waves his hand again and a statue of Serenrae that appears to be made of solid ruby that glows as if there was a real fire inside. The image wavers again and a small coin appears with a hollow groove on one side and the six pointed, jagged star that makeshift your brands on the other. The coin appears to be made of brass. "Abe's last known whereabouts were here in Cassomir under the protection of the town guard and a small group of priests so time is of the essence."
|Mordecai Shrykeson
Mordecai stares at the man intently, memorizing his face. "Treachery... nothing is more diabolical to the establishment of order."
Turning to face the Baron, he curtly asks "Firstly, is there anything about the properties of these items we should know? Anything that would identify them as genuine? Secondly, whom do the priests worship? Thirdly, are we permitted to let others know of our service for the Lord or should we undertake some deception? And, finally, I am a necromancer and thus to make use of my fullest powers I require flesh or bone." Mordecai tightens his belts and straps his shield onto his back before giving a blood-chilling smile. "Where might I find the city graveyard?"
|Ezra Savet
|Krovax Draverian
"I think this particular request may require a bit more subtlety than a public execution. If we want to send a message on behalf of the Lord of Mirrors, there are plenty of ways to accomplish that task. As for recovering this traitor and the items, I think we need to first remove him of his current company before relieving him of the burden of life."
He then turns, walks to a window thinking briefly, and continues while looking out over the landscape. "What we need is more up to date information. Not trying to insult you, Baron, but if it were me and I truly believed this man, I would keep him on the move in secret so as to keep his whereabouts a mystery. Especially if I were aware of the apparent importance of those objects. Particularly the statue, as it has an obvious monetary value alone. We need to...collect...a member of the guard and find out what is being done with him. Then a more proper plan can be prepared."
He then turns back to those gathered, a smirk on his face, "Ezra, you think you could use those charms of yours, both feminine and magic, to convince someone to slip away with you for a private...chat?"


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Battle Lines (episode)
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(written from a Production point of view)
|"Battle Lines"
|DS9, Episode 1x13
Production number: 40511-413
First aired: 25 April 1993
|12th of 173 produced in DS9
|12th of 173 released in DS9
|264th of 728 released in all
| Teleplay By
Richard Danus & Evan Carlos Somers
Story By
Hilary J. Bader
Directed By
Paul Lynch
|Unknown (2369)
A runabout carrying Kai Opaka crashes on a planet of eternal war, where it is impossible for the combatants to die.
Summary Edit
Jadzia Dax and Miles O'Brien tell Benjamin Sisko about finding the personnel files kept by the previous DS9 prefect. O'Brien tells Sisko he should probably warn Kira Nerys about her file before she can see it. Kira walks in at that moment and asks what should she be warned about; Sisko tells Kira he might find her file disappointing, and Kira assures him she can handle it, only to storm out of the room immediately after seeing it. In the meantime, Julian Bashir tells Sisko that Kai Opaka is at the station and wishes to have the tour of the station that previously Sisko offered her. After showing her around the station, Opaka asks to be taken through the wormhole. Before departing, she gives O'Brien a necklace and asks him to give it to his daughter for her.
Act One Edit
Sisko takes her into the wormhole after she subtly expressed she wanted to see it. While they are there, Kai Opaka insists on investigating a narrow band subspace signal they pick up in the runabout USS Yangtzee Kiang while they were in the Gamma Quadrant. Following the arrival at an inhabitable moon, Sisko, Kira, Bashir, and Opaka are then shot down by an automatic orbital defense system orbiting the moon.
On the planet's surface, Sisko, Bashir, and Kira leave the runabout, carrying out the body of the Kai. Bashir pronounces the Kai dead, and Kira mourns. As they stand by the runabout, they realize they are not alone.
Act Two Edit
The crew is approached by the Ennis, a humanoid species. The Ennis explain that they live along with their enemies the Nol-Ennis on the moon, which serves as a penal colony to which both groups were banished after their homeworld's mediators were unable to negotiate peace between the two factions. The Nol-Ennis suddenly attack the caves where the Starfleet officers and the Ennis are located. Several soldiers are killed from each faction before Kira puts an end to the skirmish by bringing down part of the cave ceiling.
Just then, the silhouette of the Kai unexpectedly appears in the cave entrance.
Act Three Edit
Bashir examines the Kai, who appears normal and remembers nothing since the crash, and finds an inexplicable biomechanical presence. The other fallen soldiers similarly begin to revive. When Kira questions Shel-la about the Ennis' lack of defenses, he responds that since both sides have realized that they cannot die, their tactics have changed. Sisko suggests that a Starfleet rescue team might be able to transport both of the factions to different planets, where they could live separately instead of continuing their endless fight. Bashir returns to the runabout, protected by the Ennis, to repair the computers so that he can investigate the artificial microbes further.
Act Four Edit
In the meantime, O'Brien and Dax arrive in the Gamma Quadrant in a second runabout and begin a searching for Sisko and the others. O'Brien manages to devise a method to scan for the Yangtzee Kiang's hull signature in the nearby systems.
The Ennis and the Nol-Ennis agree to meet at a neutral site near the Runabout. Kira stays behind with Opaka, who helps her overcome her feelings of guilt for her actions during the occupations. Sisko begins negotiations between the factions, and Sisko proposes to transport both parties to separate planets for resettlement. Unfortunately, neither side takes the negotiations seriously and the fighting breaks out again. Bashir pushes Sisko out of the way of a weapon that was coming towards him, claiming that they can't afford to die here, not even once.
Act Five Edit
Bashir explains to Sisko that the biomechanical devices that bring the Ennis and the Nol-Ennis back to life cannot survive in any other environment besides that of the moon, which also means Kai Opaka can never leave again. The Kai herself seems preoccupied and tells Kira that ever since she entered the wormhole, she sensed that she would not return. She asks Kira to tell the others that she has answered the call of the Prophets, and that she was brought there because it is time for the people on the planet to begin their healing process, just as Kira was brought there to begin hers.
The second runabout arrives in orbit around the satellite-moon and attempts to find a way to transport the survivors off of the planet. O'Brien manages to find a way to beam the marooned crew away by distracting one the satellites with a probe thereby creating a hole in the defense grid established by the satellites. Before leaving, Bashir suggests finding a way to reprogram the microbes so that they would stop functioning after death, allowing the inhabitants to die for good and end their torture. However, when Shel-la expresses his intent to use it in order to defeat the Nol-Ennis for good, Bashir disappointedly abandons the idea. Sisko begins to tell the Kai that if they ever find a way to bring her back, they'll be back for her. Opaka interrupts him and tells him that her work is now on the moon, but that her and Sisko's pagh will cross again. The crew gladly returns with Dax and O'Brien leaving the warring Ennis and Nol-Ennis behind, and the Kai with a lot of work to do.
Memorable quotes Edit
"You might want to warn Kira before she sees her file."
(Walking in) "Warn me? About what?"
"Oh, uh, Dax and Mr. O'Brien discovered some of the last Prefect's personal files. There's a file on you, but you may find it disappointing."
"I'm a big girl, Commander."
(Later, storming out) " 'A minor operative whose activities are limited to running errands for the terrorist leaders' ?!"
"Major, when you're through feeling under-appreciated, perhaps you'd join me in welcoming the Kai aboard."
- - O'Brien, Kira, and Sisko.
"The magnetic deflection of a runabout's hull is extremely weak. The probes will never be able to detect it."
"They will if I outfit them with a differential magnetometer."
"A differential magnetometer?"
"I've never heard of a differential magnetometer. How does it work?"
"I'll let you know as soon as I finish making one."
- - Dax and O'Brien
"I've discovered we can't afford to die here. Not even once."
- - Bashir
"Nice work, Julian."
- - Bashir to himself after fixing one of the runabout's computer
"When you cease to fear death the rules of war change."
- - Golin Shel-la
Background Information Edit
Story and script Edit
- The original concept involved a group of Humans and Cardassians, although this was changed to the Ennis and the Nol-Ennis so it would not look like the main characters had chosen sides. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
- The writers had also considered creating a new character to be killed and resurrected (see redshirt) but this was changed to Kai Opaka as she was considered to be the most expendable recurring character. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
- The original series episode "Day of the Dove" was one source of inspiration for this episode for the late Hilary J. Bader, although mainly due to it showing the futility of war, not as a new concept. Indeed, the primary focus of Bader's pitch was to expose war as utterly pointless. This is emphasized in the fact that the Ennis and the Nol-Ennis don't even remember why they are fighting. According to Bader, "there must have been a more meaningful cause for this battle, but it's so long ago that it's not the issue anymore; it's not what they're fighting about. They're fighting about "You're this and I'm not!"...the point was that it didn't really matter why they fought. The act itself is more important than the issue that started it." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
- Bader also commented that "there are certain themes that reoccur in Star Trek, and the fact that war is pointless is one of them." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
Production Edit
- The production design team decided to reuse an existing Type 6 shuttlecraft nacelle prop in place of constructing an accurate Danube-class nacelle for the crashed runabout Yangtzee Kiang.
- "Battle Lines" was one of the stunt performer crew's favorite Star Trek episodes. (Star Trek Monthly #127)
- Dennis Madalone directed the majority of the fight scenes in this episode over two days. (Star Trek Monthly #127)
- Tom Morga designed the weapons in this episode. He did so by taping together a cardboard blade, a ball and an old tool handle. (Star Trek Monthly #127)
- In an outtake shown on Ultimate Trek: Star Trek's Greatest Moments, Avery Brooks says "We'll be entering the wormhole in about an hour" instead of a minute. Brooks smiles and Camille Saviola says "Well, I ain't got that long, I've got about fifteen minutes!"
- Michael Piller commented "We had a show in the first season that I thought was a terrific script and was not a terrific show and it was "Battle Lines". I thought it was terrific concept, but the nature of the direction and the performances in that show made it feel operatic". (The Deep Space Log Book: A Second Season Companion, p 7)
- This is the final Star Trek episode to be directed by Paul Lynch.
- This episode marks the first time Hilary J. Bader and Richard Danus worked on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bader later worked on the episodes "Rules of Acquisition", "Meridian" and "Explorers" while Danus wrote the story of "The Sword of Kahless".
- Kai Opaka leaves the Alpha Quadrant in this episode, making her final 'real' appearance in the series. She does appear later in "The Collaborator" and "Accession" in orb experiences and orb shadows.
- This episode marks the first time a DS9 runabout is destroyed. The Yangtzee Kiang was later replaced by the Orinoco.
- This episode was one of the first to state exactly what the United Federation of Planets is. Commander Sisko's response to Zlangco's question was that it "is made up of over a hundred planets who have allied themselves for mutual scientific, cultural and defensive benefits. The mission that my people and I are on is to explore the galaxy". Jean-Luc Picard later says something similar to Lily Sloane in Star Trek: First Contact.
- Although it was not specified in the episode, the Prefect to whom Sisko refers is Gul Dukat.
- Armin Shimerman (Quark) and Cirroc Lofton (Jake) do not appear in this episode.
Apocrypha Edit
- Opaka returns to Bajor in the non-canon DS9 relaunch novels, after being encountered by Jake Sisko.
- S.D. Perry's novel Rising Son is a sequel of sorts to this episode. It reveals the changes that have happened among the Ennis and the Nol-Ennis by 2376.
- The necklace that Opaka gives O'Brien for Molly was not seen or mentioned in the series again, although O'Brien tells Joseph and Judith Sisko about it in Robert Simpson's novel Lesser Evil.
Video and DVD releases Edit
- UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 7, 8 November 1993
- The video sleeve appears to render this episode's title as "Battlelines", although the small case font makes it difficult to tell for certain.
- As part of the DS9 Season 1 DVD collection
Links and references Edit
Starring Edit
Also starring Edit
- Rene Auberjonois as Constable Odo
- Siddig El Fadil as Doctor Julian Bashir
- Terry Farrell as Lieutenant Jadzia Dax
- Colm Meaney as Chief Miles O'Brien
- Nana Visitor as Major Kira Nerys
Guest stars Edit
- And
Co-star Edit
- Majel Barrett as the computer voice
Uncredited co-stars Edit
- Tracee Lee Cocco as Antican
- George Colucci as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Christopher Doyle as an Ennis warrior
- Jeannie Dreams as an operations division ensign
- Michael Haney as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Randy James as Lieutenant Jones
- Ken Lesco as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Dennis Madalone as an Ennis warrior
- Tom Morga as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Robin Morselli as a Bajoran officer
- Joe Murphy as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Jeff Pruitt as a Nol-Ennis warrior
- Mark Allen Shepherd as Morn
- Patricia Tallman as Nima
- Michael Zurich as a Bajoran security deputy
- Unknown performers as
Stunt doubles Edit
- Alan Oliney as stunt double for Avery Brooks
- Spiro Razatos as stunt double for Jonathan Banks
- Unknown stunt performers as
- Stunt double for Paul Collins
- Stunt double for Siddig El Fadil
References Edit
airlock; Alpha Quadrant; antimatter pod; artificial microbe; artificial satellite; asteroid belt; attitude control; Bajor; Bajoran; Bajoran death chant; Bajoran prophecy; Bajoran transport; Bajoran wormhole; binary star system; bio-pattern; Cardassian; cease fire; cell; Class 2 probe; crash landing; damping field; Danube-class; day; Deep Space 9; defense net; delta radiation; Differential magnetometer; directed-energy weapon; ecosystem; encryption system; Ennis; Ennis and Nol-Ennis weapons; Federation; field triage; flight stabilization; forward thrusters; fuel cell; Gamma Quadrant; hour; hull; hull temperature; hysteresis curve; Idran; Idran system; impulse; impulse generator; induction field; jailbreak; Kai; knife; Kohn-Ma; lifeform; light year; long range scanner; magnet; magnetic field; magnetic resonance pattern; M class; mediator; medical tricorder; medkit; megawatt; meson; metal; Milky Way Galaxy; minute; moon; mutual induction field; nanite; narrow band; necklace; needle in a haystack; neuromuscular scan; nightmare; Nol; Nol-Ennis; O'Brien, Molly; ops protocol; orbit; pagh; palm beacon; penal colony; pendant; phaser; photon torpedo; power reactor; prefect; Prime Directive; probe; Prophet; pulmonary collapse; punishment; Rio Grande, USS; runabout; runabout pad C; second; secondary booster; sector; sensor; shields; shoulder; space station; square kilometer; starship; straw; subspace; subspace signal; Tahna Los; ternary star; terrorist; thoracic vertebrae; thrusters; tomahawk; torture; transponder; unnamed asteroid belt; unnamed moon; Vayan horn fly; war; warp; warp eddy; week; Yangtzee Kiang, USS; year
External links Edit
- Battle Lines (episode) at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).
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| Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Season 1
| Next episode:
"The Storyteller"
cs:Battle Lines (epizoda) de:Die Prophezeiung (DS9) es:Battle Lines fr:Battle Lines nl:Battle Lines pl:Battle Lines


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Stickers for Vermont productsNovember 09,2013
Stickers for Vermont products
I think most of us in Vermont agree that given the choice we would like to support and purchase Vermont products and farm goods that are produced in the state. We would generally prefer putting those products into our grocery carts.
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The sticker can be something as simple as a picture of a tree with a slash/Vermont by the tree. The sticker should be the same color as our license plate so we could easily spot it when in a hurry.
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Stores simply stick them on shelves by the price, and it will help shoppers in a hurry to be able to grab Vermont products instead of always their old familiar items they are used to throwing in the cart.
We then all spend perhaps a little more in the store, do not have to dig and hunt for Vermont products and hopefully help stimulate our local economies.
Jim Doherty
ClarendonMORE IN LettersA sixth-offense DUI gets plead down to a misdemeanor. A breathalyzer is refused. Full StoryBurr Morses recollection (Whats good for the goose, Nov. Full StoryMSNBC news analyst Rachel Maddows report on the election of Republican Rutherford B. Full Story
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I hadn't really thought about getting a pedicure ever before. Not because I've made an active choice not to get one, but it just hadn't ever come up. The opportunity never presented itself. Well, not until last weekend.
I suppose that when you have a serious girlfriend these kinds of things seem much more doable.
Funny thing is, Emily didn't even ask me to do it. She had said casually last Saturday, "I need to get a pedicure," and went on to explain that now that it's warmer she would want to be wearing open-toed shoes.
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And suddenly there we were, standing on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 10th Street outside of a place called "Pink Nails." I held the door for her.
The smell of nail polish hit me as soon as we walked in. It was obvious as I was standing there that, of course, that's what this place would smell like. But I hadn't thought of it. I was suddenly nervous about what else I hadn't thought of.
My feet were probably too gross, or my toenails too long. They would take one look at my lint-covered shriveled-up toes and tell me to leave. Please.
Emily picked out a color for her toenails as I surveyed the room: in the center a few rows of tables with Asian manicurists in pink smocks giving women of various ages manicures. Along the wall were 20 or so massage chairs with more women getting pedicures and chatting, while more Asian women in pink smocks crouched at their feet, working away.
It was hopping on a Sunday afternoon, quite the operation.
There were no other male customers there; of course there weren't.
Emily and I waited a few minutes before being led to side-by-side massage chairs. Warm water and salts were run into the tubs beneath the chairs. I took off my shoes and socks and awkwardly maneuvered myself into the chair. I waited until Emily put her feet in the water before I did.
I leaned back and started to relax. A group of girls on an outing picked out various nail polish colors.
"Oooohhhh, I love this one," they squealed in unison.
A very cheerful Asian gentleman approached me. I wondered for a moment if they'd given me a guy to make me more comfortable, or if it's random. He was totally bald and had a Buddha vibe. He did not stop smiling.
He said hello and dived right in. He grabbed my feet and surveyed them quickly before placing them gently back into the tub and reaching for his tools.
His tools were fairly intense shiny chrome instruments and I was a bit intimidated. He started on my right foot, clipping away and digging right into my nails. I was relieved that there was no pain and I started messing with the massage chair controls.
It was actually quite relaxing once I got the massage chair working and after the initial weirdness wore off I read the newspaper and got a 10-minute foot massage.
Emily was getting her toes painted as I was finishing up. The guy didn't ask me if I wanted my toenails painted, which makes sense as I suppose that if I were the kind of fellow who wanted my toenails painted I would ask for it. Maybe next time. Well, probably not.
But, I'd do it again, for sure. I don't think I'll do it often, but I enjoyed it. Surprising thing to learn about one's self. But I can admit it. I had a pedicure, and I liked it.


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text:
The city says its stored property ordinance authorized crews to oust De-Occupy Honolulu protesters in front of the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall Wednesday afternoon.
The city's bus contractor, Oahu Transit Services, informed the city that the recent relocation of tents and personal property near the Blaisdell created a safety hazard and interfered with the orderly management of city property.
The location of the tents and other personal property also posed a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the general public, especially for tent occupants, bus passengers who are exiting the buses, and for pedestrians, according to the city.
The ordinance that allowed this was not the recent signing of Bill 7, that allows the city to immediately confiscate personal property on sidewalks. The city says that law will not able to be enforced until July 1 because it must go through a rulemaking process.
Protesters were at Thomas Square for nearly 18 months with tents lining the sidewalks on either the Beretania Street or King Street side of the park.
This week, they moved to the sidewalk fronting the Blaisdell because of city maintenance going on in the park.
On Wednesday, city crews were putting up flower beds at Thomas Square. The city says crews will be putting planters on the Blaisdell side of King Street as well.
Sugar Russell, a De-Occupy protester says the bill that allows immediate confiscation of personal property from city sidewalk will do little improve the homeless situation on Oahu.
Council Chair Ernie Martin denied the law was targeted at De-Occupy protesters saying the true test will come when the law is enforced across the board.


text: railsea by justin Owner & Editor Written by justin Justin is the Overlord of Staffer's Book Review. When he's not writing things of dubious value to the world, he's at the gym or being a dad. You can follow him on a multitude of social media, which is strongly suggested lest you miss out on vital information that could someday save your life. advertisement


text: Medieval Witchcraft (2) tv-pg Play video Select your TV provider to log in to have full access to videos Select your TV provider See all providers Don't see your TV provider? Learn more You can access this video on the free HISTORY® app. *You must verify your TV provider towatch this video on the App Your Parental Control settings do not allow you to view this content. Medieval Witchcraft (2 min) tv-pg In medieval society, sorcery was condemned and often resulted in practitioners being burned at the stake.


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Bella's Eyes Are Red In New Images From 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'
The epic love story between Bella Swan (Kristen Steward) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) concludes in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2," the final installment of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series.
Summit Entertainment just released two new images from the highly anticipated film, which doesn't hit theaters until Nov. 16. One photo shows a red eyed Bella cozying up to her husband. The other shows Jacob (Taylor Lautner) with an intense look on his face.
In a teaser trailer released last month Bella says in a voiceover, "After 18 years of being utterly ordinary, I finally found I could shine." Anyone else have goosebumps?
Kristen and her real-life boyfriend Robert recently headed to Vancouver, Canada, to do some technical reshoots for the film.
Check out the other new photo...


text: My father W.A. and I share August birthdays. August 2nd was my father's birthday. He would have been 72 this year. I celebrated his birthday with good coffee and good whiskey. Pop never drank whiskey because he always said he liked it "too much." Pop was (and is) the greatest man I have ever known… [Read More…]


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Makes 4 servings
If time permits, top the layers of crunchy vegetables with grilled fresh tuna rather than using canned tuna. Or if you prefer, transform this into a colorful vegetarian salad -- just omit the tuna entirely.
8 ounces spinach egg noodles
For the dressing
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon sugar
Dash of ground white pepper, or to taste
To complete the recipe
2 cups fresh bean sprouts
½ red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
½ yellow bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2 scallions, coarsely chopped
6 cups coarsely shredded salad spinach leaves (about 6 ounces); remove and discard stems, then shred leaves
One 6-ounce can water-packed solid white albacore tuna, drained and flaked
Toasted pine nuts for garnish
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat; add the noodles. When the water returns to a boil, stir occasionally to separate the noodles. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes, or according to package instructions.
While the noodles are cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Toss together the sprouts, bell peppers and scallions in a small bowl.
When the noodles are done, drain and rinse well in cold water, then drain again.
Transfer the noodles to a medium bowl. Add ¼ cup of the dressing and toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
To assemble, layer the ingredients on individual salad plates as follows: shredded spinach, noodles, bell pepper mixture, and tuna. Drizzle each salad with about 2 tablespoons of the remaining dressing.
Advance preparation
Covered and refrigerated, the dressing will keep for up to 2 days. The noodles can be tossed with dressing, and the bell pepper mixture can be prepared early the day the salad is to be served; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and assemble the salads just before serving.


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Paul breaks new ground
Rand Paul's filibuster represented a new and noble attempt to limit the excesses of the national security state. Not only did he conduct an actual filibuster, instead of cowering behind silent tactics to delay or defeat legislation, he made salient points against the possible abuse of drones. In this effort he was joined by other Republicans and not a few Democrats, most notably Ron Wyden of Oregon.
John McCain and Lindsay Graham, who have never seen a military action they didn't like, predictably hammered Paul as reckless. McCain called it a bid for support among "impressionable libertarian students in their dorm rooms." As usual, anyone who questioned the almighty security apparatus was subject to ad hominem attacks. McCain even referred to Paul as a "whack-o," and all because he legitimately questioned the possible misuses domestically of a new technology. Instead of having his sanity questioned, he needs to be patted on the back for being contemplative.
Too often anyone questioning irresponsible interventions or actions have been ridiculed as loners or disloyal. Wayne Morse of Oregon and Ernest Gruening of Alaska were depicted as perverse mavericks when they opposed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution in August 1964. Eleven years later in 1975, they were considered wise. For those who criticized Pat Buchanan for opposing George W. Bush's efforts to invade Iraq in 2003 as being extreme, the following events proved the critic right.
Dissent is useful in preventing severe errors. Iraq and Vietnam cost America much in lives and treasure, not to mention international support.
It was in fact libertarian conservatives who led the way in the critique of George W. Bush. Chuck Hagel saw his nomination held up by John McCain, whose love for an ill-advised surge in 2007 fashioned his opinion of his former Senate colleague. Iraq is hardly a success story, and Paul and his father Ron know it as well as others. That elements of the Right now question a reflexive response to foreign policy is refreshing. The Pauls deserve great credit for this.
By questioning President Barack Obama's policies and methods, they are doing a service as well. Democrats must hold their president to the same standards to which they held George W. Bush. Obama ill-advisedly orchestrated a surge in Afghanistan, although he is slowly reversing that decision. Foreign policy disasters are often made possible by an ill-advised rush to judgment and calls for action.
Paul's filibuster was not dealing with that broad a policy but nevertheless its questioning of the means is significant.
Smartly, Paul made his point and then withdrew. He obviously ruffled the feathers of what Pat Buchanan referred to the "Amen corner" of interventionists.
He comported himself as a gentleman and nicely held his ground. Moreover, he was careful in his language, avoiding inflammatory appeals and loaded phrases.
He spoke of hypothetical abuses and worried if such technology fell into the hands of leaders with no scruples. Goodness knows Paul has seen abuses of oversized power from the War on Drugs to Ruby Ridge.
Again, Paul is to be saluted for questioning power and for making his point thoughtfully.


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Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Friday briefing.
Music, music, music
Rock the Park is four hours of contemporary Christian music and it's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Potter Park.
The National Corriente Cattle Show is all day today and Sunday at the Curry County Events Center.
Fast fact
Dwight D. Eisenhower is the only sitting president to visit Curry County — a 90-minute trip to the area on Jan. 14, 1957.
It was part of a drought inspection of the Southwest.
Eisenhower stopped at the Raymond Worrell farm eight miles west of Clovis.
Kitchen tips
If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato — it absorbs the excess salt for an instant fix me up.
Today in history
On this day in 1981, nearly one billion television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, to Lady Diana Spencer, a young English schoolteacher.
Married in a grand ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in the presence of 2,650 guests, the couple's romance was for the moment the envy of the world.
Here's the rest of the story:
Today — Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Tonight — Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.


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Feast of Fools
A word to the wise: If it's April 1, don't judge a cake by its cover.
By Leslie Bilderback 04/01/2010
April Fool's Day was a brilliant idea. Let's have one day every year when we can act like jerks and suffer no real consequences.
As I understand it, this day of goofing has its origin at the end of the French Renaissance. In the early 1600s, Louis XIII, who had learned to cook his own food for fear of being poisoned, decided to pull a prank on his 14-year-old bride, Anne of Austria, by filling her sugar bowl with salt. Anne, who is credited with popularizing chocolate throughout Europe, thought it hilarious and suggested they both pull a prank on Cardinal Richelieu, Prime Minister of France. They commissioned the original set of dribble cups from royal dishmakers Limoges, which created a special set of porcelain hot chocolate cups with tiny pinholes near the rim. Tim Curry, the actor who portrayed Richelieu in the 1993 movie The Three Musketeers and a student of historical pranks himself, insisted that the front of his robes be spotted with chocolate stains. (I learned this minoring in food history.)
April Fool's Day is the perfect event for smart alecks, a group that, as you can probably tell, I proudly identify with. I can appreciate a well-devised prank, but I prefer that it be pulled on someone else. Just because I am a smart aleck doesn't mean I am a good sport.
When I was a waitress in college, the cooks pulled an April Fool's trick on me by repeatedly moving my tickets to the back of the line, which is just plain mean, made me cry and obviously caused my customers to walk out. I have since toughened up, and I know now that pranks are a part of restaurant life. They usually occur between the front of the house and the back of the house (or to put it in layman's terms, it's waiters vs. cooks). Such good–natured rivalry is a natural response to mutual envy on both sides. Waiters make more money, and cooks hate that. But the cooks are the talent, and the actors, um, waiters get jealous of our rock star status. (I know this because I minored in kitchen psychology.)
Come to think of it, waiters really do get the brunt of the pranks. Don't most late-night dining escapades end with either the unscrewing of salt and pepper shakers, or suspending the tip in an upside-down glass of water? Those poor waiters.
Of course, when I was cooking, my cohorts and I enjoyed hours of fun at the expense of waiters. Like the time we plated a pile of used espresso grounds (which come out of the machine packed tightly in a tart-like shape), garnished it with a few sauces, whipped cream and nuts and asked the waitstaff to try our special dessert. And then there was the time we were warming popped popcorn in an oven in preparation for caramelization. (It must be hot when it's added, or the caramel will crystallize.) The waiters saw it and thought we had popped it in the oven (which is not possible—I know because I also minored in grain physics). But we told them we had, and for months they kept asking us what they were doing wrong, because their popcorn wouldn't oven-pop at home.
Good-natured jokes, that's my thing. I don't want to be mean, like the chef I knew who served the consommé raft topped with marinara sauce to his waitstaff for dinner. (The raft is a mixture of ground meat and egg whites that floats on a consommé, soaking up the broth's cloudy impurities, and is then discarded.)
My jokes are friendly and fairly predictable. They are usually food-related but do not result in a big mess. For instance, once in a while I will create the Meat Cake, which looks like a cake but is actually layers of meatloaf frosted with mashed potatoes. It's deliciously disappointing. I have also enjoyed nestling a piece of perfectly cut fabric between the bologna and lettuce, so that my unsuspecting victim is unable to get a clean bite of sandwich. One may also achieve similar results with an unwrapped single piece of American cheese, if one is so gauche as to have such a thing in one's fridge. This results in fumbling about in front of friends, and a guaranteed hilarious time for all. Unless, of course, you eat lunch alone on a bench surrounded by mean girls, which is why I stopped pulling this prank when my kids started middle school. (I minored in pre-pubescent humiliation diversion too.)
Speaking of mean girls, my college roommates had the audacity to pull the dreaded Saran-Wrapped toilet trick on me (in which an invisible shield of plastic wrap is placed over the bowl, just below the seat). But ha ha, the joke was on them, because after the prank, I skipped out on the rent. (It was all perfectly legal. I know this because I minored in collegiate rental contracts as well.)
My kids discovered short-sheeting at summer camp one year and delighted in pranking us several nights in a row, a feat easily accomplished, as their parents are old and feeble-minded and cannot remember something that happened a mere 24 hours earlier.
If you are unaccustomed to pranking, I suggest you start off easy, with a standard crowd-pleaser, like Super-Gluing coins to the sidewalk, or adding a few drops of green food color to milk. Then when you feel ready, you can graduate to grand public pranks, like an Australian news channel did when it reported its country would be converting to metric time, and each day would now be 20 hours, each hour would have 100 minutes and each minute 100 seconds, sending people all over the country out for new clocks.
Or you could try to out-prank the genius Taco Bell Corporation, which announced that it had purchased the Liberty Bell from the federal government and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell, causing thousands of irate taco-haters to flood Washington phone lines with calls.
I know! Let's announce that Starbucks has bought the Statue of Liberty and is replacing the torch with a cup of Starbucks coffee. Or how about McDonald's announcing its purchase of the St. Louis Gateway Arch? It will now be painted gold.
However you choose to celebrate April Fool's Day, stay on alert. (I suggest this, because I minored in tactical holiday readiness.)
Leslie Bilderback is a certified master chef and baker, a cookbook author and a former executive chef of Pasadena's School of Culinary Arts. A South Pasadena
resident, Bilderback teaches her techniques online at culinarymasterclass.com.
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT


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.::. Trainer Info .::.
Drew Guildford ♂ | Hometown: Castelia City, Unova
Occupation: Journalist (currently employed with Castelia Tribune) / Blogger
Age: 23 years | Birthdate: October 3
Standing around 6'1", Drew Guildford is a tall guy. Maybe not the tallest, but certainly not the shortest guy around. His build is much like a runner: slim and lean but still with some muscular tone from regular exercise. Being a journalist, Drew is often out in the field working and has therefore gained a hint of a tan on his face, neck, and forearms. That's about the extent of his tan though, as he really could care less if he looks like a tanned male model on a magazine cover. Drew's hair is close-cropped and a dark shade of black, and his eyes are a bright emerald green. He is usually found wearing a black T-shirt, sometimes but not always featuring either a geeky logo/design or a large silhouette of an Ursaring, and jeans. Over that he wears a black leather jacket. His shoes are a worn pair of white tennis shoes, but when he can get away with it he trades them for a pair of flip flops, which he finds much more comfortable. Atop his head is nearly always some sort of hat, most often a fedora or newsboy hat but occasionally some other type from his large collection such as a Stetson or even a fez. Around his neck Drew always wears two things: a drum key on a thin chain (one of his most favorite mementos from his high school years) and, when he's out of his Pokéball, his Ekans Salazar.
Drew Guildford was born and raised within Castelia City, Unova, and has lived there most of his life. In the city Drew never really was all that bored, so by the time it came for generic journey-time when he was ten Drew ignored expectations and stayed within the city. He went through school, found a talent in writing, and afterwards joined the staff of the local newspaper: the Castelia Tribune (and that wasn't at all because he was friends with the boss' son, who later became the boss himself; heavens no). Drew rose through the ranks and became one of its better journalists his only real rival being Lila Evans, his... well, he actually still doesn't know what exactly they are in terms of friends, fair-weather friends, enemies, or what else; but point is they definitely are rivals within the company. By the summer of 2013 Drew had earned himself a paid vacation: a few weeks relaxing in the far off land of Fizzy Bubbles. After a couple weeks in, however, he got a phone call from his boss, who offered him the chance to travel the globe for more or less free in return for writing about it in the Tribune. Already outside Unova, Drew was the perfect choice for the job, and (if he was being honest) already a little bored with the vacation tedium, said "Why the hell not!" and was off, beginning his journey through Fizzy Bubbles.
Will he truly have the adventure of a lifetime? Will he ever find out exactly why the region of Fizzy Bubbles sounds like it should be a soft drink brand? For that matter, will he ever actually do everything there is to do in Fizzy Bubbles and move onto another region? Honestly, Drew doesn't even know himself, but you can bet that if he does ever get those answers or more he'll post about it on his blog, where he's posting the most up-to-date info on his travels.
PC Account | Bank | Coin Exchange | Secret Base (to be purchased) | Blog of Drew Guildford (to be created)
.::. Pokémon .::.
Species: Ekans
Obtained: Starter @ Level 5 (01/22/12)
Nickname: Salazar
FB Birthday: August 19
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 54
Gender: Male
Type: Poison
Item: None
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Serious
Trait: A Little Quick Tempered
Pokéball: Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Bite, Glare, Screech, Acid, Stockpile, Swallow, Spit Up, Acid Spray, Mud Bomb, Gastro Acid, Haze, Coil, Gunk Shot
TM/HM: TM Poison Jab, TM Toxic
EM: Poison Tail, Sucker Punch, Scary Face
MT: None
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Ekans = Lv.22 => Arbok
Contest Stats: 20|20|20|20|20
Currently In: Active Party
Species: (Shadow) Roselia
Obtained: Adoption Centre @ Level 1 (02/02/12)
Nickname: Zylia
FB Birthday: May 26
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 24
Gender: Female
Type: Grass/Poison
Item: None
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Naughty
Trait: Likes to Fight
Pokéball: Shadow Ball
Level-up Moves: Absorb, Growth, Water Sport, Stun Spore, Mega Drain, Worry Seed, (Level 7 Poison Sting), (Level 16 Leech Seed), (Level 19 Magical Leaf), (Level 22 Grasswhistle), Level 25 Giga Drain, Level 28 Toxic Spikes, Level 31 Sweet Scent, Level 34 Ingrain, Level 37 Toxic, Level 40 Petal Dance, Level 43 Aromatherapy, Level 46 Synthesis
Shadow Moves: Shadow Hold, Shadow Shed, Shadow Panic, Shadow Half
HM: None
EM: Extrasensory, Spikes, Razor Leaf, Leaf Storm
MT: Uproar, Body Slam
Misc. Moves: Captivate, Pursuit
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Budew = Purification Points (08/20/12) => Roselia = Shiny Stone => Roserade
Purification Points: 0
Contest Stats: 10|10|10|10|10
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Weavile
Obtained: Trade w/ John's Knight @ Level 14 (02/14/12)
Nickname: Stealth
FB Birthday: January 12
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 28
Gender: Male
Type: Dark/Ice
Item: Blackglasses
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Lax
Trait: Somewhat of a Clown
Pokéball: Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Embargo, Revenge, Assurance, Scratch, Leer, Taunt, Quick Attack, Screech, Faint Attack, Icy Wind, Fury Swipes, Nasty Plot, Metal Claw, Agility, Hone Claws, Fling, Beat Up, Level 32 Screech, Level 35 Night Slash, (Level 35 Slash @ Sneasel), Level 40 Snatch, Level 44 Punishment, Level 47 Dark Pulse, (Level 47 Ice Shard @ Sneasel)
TM/HM: TM Ice Beam, TM Blizzard, TM Dragon Claw, HM Surf
EM: Fake Out, Crush Claw
MT: None
Misc. Moves: CM Ice Barrier, Metronome, Shadow Claw
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Sneasel = Lv Up @ Night w/ Razor Claw (Prior to 02/14/12) => Weavile
Contest Stats: 0|0|0|0|0
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Murkrow
Obtained: Trade w/ Hayward @ Level 3 (02/19/12)
Nickname: Korvéo
FB Birthday: January 29
Bio: As is common amongst it species, Korvéo has a fondness for anything shiny and has been known to steal unattended jewelry on occasion. This kleptomaniac behavior, along with being a dark-type, has caused Korvéo to often be viewed as a sign of ill luck. Korvéo's former trainer, however, didn't believe in superstitions and regarded the Darkness Pokémon as one of his most dependable partners, so Drew has decided to cast all doubts aside and accept Korvéo as a part of his team. Incredibly intelligent, Korvéo has been trained to imitate sounds and repeat words, though not as expertly as a Chatot. *To be fleshed out later*
Level: 18
Gender: Male
Type: Dark/Flying
Item: None
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Naughty
Trait: Mischievous
Pokéball: Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Peck, Astonish, Pursuit, Haze, Wing Attack, Level 21 Night Shade, Level 25 Assurance, Level 31 Taunt, Level 35 Faint Attack, Level 41 Mean Look, Level 45 Foul Play, Level 51 Tailwind, Level 55 Sucker Punch, Level 61 Torment, Level 65 Quash
TM/HM: TM Dark Pulse, TM Sky Attack, TM Razor Wind, TM Payback, TM Pluck, TM Thief, TM Whirlwind, TM Roost, TM Embargo, TM Snatch, TM Retaliate, HM Defog, HM Fly
EM: Brave Bird, Confuse Ray, Perish Song, Screech, Featherdance, Drill Peck, Heat Wave, Twister
MT: Air Cutter, Ominous Wind, Spite, Uproar
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Murkrow = Dusk Stone => Honchkrow
Contest Stats: 10|10|10|10|10
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Horsea
Obtained: Trade w/ John's Knight @ Level 1 (02/20/12)
Nickname: Sir Arion
FB Birthday: December 17
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 21
Gender: Male
Type: Water
Item: None
Ability: Sniper
Nature: Adamant
Trait: Somewhat Stubborn
Pokéball: Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Bubble, Smokescreen, Leer, Water Gun, Focus Energy, Bubblebeam, Level 23 Agility, Level 26 Twister, Level 30 Brine, Level 35 Hydro Pump, Level 38 Dragon Dance, Level 42 Dragon Pulse
TM/HM: HM Surf, HM Waterfall
EM: Aurora Beam, Octazooka, Signal Beam, Dragonbreath
MT: None
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Horsea = Lv.32 => Seadra = Trade w/ Dragon Scale => Kingdra
Contest Stats: 0|0|0|0|0
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Hippopotas
Obtained: Obtained Egg (04/08/12) Hatched (4/15/12)
Nickname: Sahara
FB Birthday: April 18
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 8
Gender: Female
Type: Ground
Item: None
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: ???
Trait: ???
Pokéball: 2012 Edition Chocolate Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Tackle, Sand-Attack, Bite, Level 13 Yawn, Level 19 Take Down, Level 19 Dig, Level 25 Sand Tomb, Level 31 Crunch, Level 37 Earthquake, Level 44 Double Edge, Level 50 Fissure
TM/HM: TM Stealth Rock
EM: Slack Off
MT: None
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Hippopotas = Lv.34 => Hippowdon
Contest Stats: 10|10|10|10|10
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Yanma
Obtained: Trade w/ King Ghidorah @ Level 1 (08/07/12)
Nickname: Chess
FB Birthday: July 16
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 27
Gender: Male
Type: Bug/Flying
Item: None
Ability: Compoundeyes
Nature: Calm
Trait: Thoroughly Cunning
Pokéball: Pokéball
Level-up Moves: Tackle, Foresight, Quick Attack, Double Team, Sonicboom, Detect, Supersonic, Level 27 Uproar, Level 30 Pursuit, Level 33 Ancientpower, Level 38 Hypnosis, Level 43 Wing Attack, Level 46 Screech, Level 49 U-Turn, Level 54 Air Slash, Level 57 Bug Buzz
TM/HM: TM Psychic
EM: Secret Power
MT: None
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Yanma = Lv Up w/ Ancientpower => Yanmega
Contest Stats: 10|10|10|10|10
Currently In: PC/Shops
Species: Aron
Obtained: Adoption Centre @ Level 1 (07/22/13)
Nickname: Tank
FB Birthday: August 15
Bio: *Insert Bio Here*
Level: 6
Gender: Male
Type: Steel/Rock
Item: None
Ability: Unknown
Nature: Unknown
Trait: Unknown
Pokéball: Premier Ball
Level-up Moves: Tackle, Harden, Mud-Slap, Level 8 Headbutt, Level 11 Metal Claw, Level 15 Iron Defense, Level 18 Roar, Level 22 Take Down, Level 25 Iron Head, Level 29 Protect, Level 32 Metal Sound, Level 36 Iron Tail, Level 39 Autotomize, Level 43 Heavy Slam, Level 46 Double-edge, Level 50 Metal Burst
TM/HM: TM Bulldoze
EM: Head Smash, Smellingsalt
MT: Magnet Rise
Misc. Moves: None
IQ Upgrades: None
Evolutionary Tree: Aron = Lv.32 => Lairon = Lv.42 = Aggron
Contest Stats: 10|10|10|10|10
Currently In: PC/Shops
.::. Items .::.
.:Key Items:.
Coin Case
.:Pokéball Compartment:.
(10/10) Pokéballs - (10)
(1/1) Heavy Ball - (1)
(1/1) 2010 Gingerbread Ball - (1)
(1/1) 2011 Christmas Ball - (1)
(2/2) Ghost Ball - (1) (1)
(1/1) Were Ball - (1)
.:TM Compartment:.
(1/1) TM Shadow Claw - (1)
.:Medicine Compartment:.
.:Pokéblock and Poffin Case:.
Chocolate (Cute) +40 Pokeblock
Blackberry Poffin
.:Berry Pouch:.
(1/1) #07 Oran Berry - (1)
(2/2) #09 Lum Berry - (1) (1)
(1/1) #10 Sitrus Berry - (1)
(1/1) #11 Figy Berry - (1)
(1/1) #16 Razz Berry - (1)
(1/1) #34 Durin Berry - (1)
(1/1) #42 Kebia Berry - (1)
(1/1) #63 Jaboca Berry - (1)
(1/1) #64 Rowap Berry - (1)
Aspear Berry - (1)
Hondew Berry - (1)
Watmel Berry - (1)
(4/4) Black Gummi - (1) (3)
(3/3) Sky Gummi - (3)
(4/4) Mysterious Gummi - (1) (3)
(3/3) Blue Gummi - (3)
(3/3) Red Gummi - (3)
(3/3) Grass Gummi - (3)
.:Custom Move Items:.
Very Hot Cross Bun [Teaches Crossfire] - (1)
Pika Doll [Teaches Voodoo Bugaloo] - (1)
.:Held Items:.
Blackglasses - (1) [Held by Stealth]
Miracle Seed - (1)
Mug of Fiery Fizzybrew Beer - (1)
.:Stones & Evolutionary Items:.
Dusk Stone - (1)
Shiny Stone - (1)
Dawn Stone - (1)
Silver Shard - (1)
.:TCG Cards:.
Jungle Dodrio Trading Card - (1)
Special Birthday Pikachu Trading Card - (1)
Holographic Dark Slowbro Trading Card - (1)
Heart Scale - (1) (1) (1)
Snorunt Plushie - (1)
Golden Egg - (1)
Silver Egg - (1)
Shoal Salt - (1)
Rare Bone - (2)
.::. Misc. Info .::.
Seen Only
Ekans, Sandshrew, Horsea, Yanma, Murkrow, Aron, Roselia, Budew, Hippopotas, Weavile
- Rare Enigma Egg (4/7/12) - Hatched into Sahara [Female Hippopotas] (4/15/12)
- Trade with John's Knight (2/14/12) - x1 Rare Candy for Stealth [Lv.14 Male Weavile]
- Trade with Hayward (2/19/12) - x4 Rare Candies for Korvéo [Lv.3 Male Murkrow] & Dusk Stone
- Trade with John's Knight (2/20/12) - x1 Rare Candy for Sir Arion [Lv.1 Male Horsea]
- Trade with King Ghidorah (8/7/12) - x1 Rare Candy for Chess [Lv.1 Male Yanma]
- Trade with Missingno. Master (9/4/12) - x1 Rare Candy for x1 Rainbow Egg
- Trade with Missingno. Master (9/4/12) - x4 Rare Candies for x1 Vampire Ball, x1 2010 Gingerbread Ball, and x1 2011 Christmas Ball
- Trade with Bless the Metal (6/30/13) - x3 Purple Gummis & x3 Mysterious Gummis for 6,000 coins
- Trade with Bless the Metal (7/12/13) - x1 Watmel Berry, x1 Vampire Ball, and x1 Rainbow Egg for x3 Rare Candies
- Trade with Treepandaone (10/24/13) - x3 Rare Candies for x1 Shiny Stone
- Lv.1 Female Shadow Budew (2/2/12)
- Lv.1 Male Aron (7/22/13)
Trainer Battles: [W-0; L-0; D-0]
No Adventures
Spoiler:- Retconed Adventures:


text:
When Hurricane Katrina blew through New Orleans five years ago, it left devastated neighborhoods in her wake. Many have still not recovered. But for residents of Hollygrove, a working-class African American community on the western edge of the city, destruction has proved to be an incentive to make their home turf better.
In August 2005, the hurricane breached the 17th Street Canal and turned the neighborhood into a lake that was a few feet deep in some places and 12 feet in others. "The hurricane completely wiped us out. But at the same time, I knew that it was also our chance to shine," says Kevin Brown, 49, the director of Trinity Christian Community, a ministry his father started in 1967. "I knew we could come back much stronger than we were before if we seized the moment."
Seize they did.
Hollygrove is one of the poorer neighborhoods in the city, but it recovered faster and with less outside attention than did neighborhoods in the well-publicized lower Ninth Ward. The recovery still has a long way to go—local streets are still pocked with potholes and lined with vacant lots and abandoned houses—but residents are confident it will happen because they have seen an important change that is still mostly invisible to casual visitors: They have started working together. And thanks to a long-term effort assisted by a coalition of outside organizations, including AARP, they are taking control of their future.
Down on crime
For one, the community doesn't stand for crime anymore. There were six murders in the neighborhood during the first half of 2009, and three in the first half of this year. One murder happened in June when Darrien Christmas, 50, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, as the drug wars struck again. Posters mark the spot on Edinburgh Street where he fell, offering a reward for information and a phone number for anonymous tips.
Several weeks after Christmas' murder, Ryan Terrence and Michael White, both 22, died in a drive-by shooting just down the street. Terrence was a suspect in another murder case, and he had been charged with dealing drugs out of an abandoned house nearby. The city tore that house down a few days after he was killed, after months of urging by the neighbors.
Responses like these are a welcome change from the bad old days of 2003, the year Joe Sherman, 66, moved back into the house where he'd grown up. "Back then, this was one of the most murderous neighborhoods in the country," he says. "And we still have serious problems. The difference is, now we are doing something about them."
Sherman's family moved to Edinburgh Street in 1948, when he was five. He says it was so safe back then "that I couldn't get away with anything." He moved away to go to college, got involved in the civil rights movement, "and since that time," he says, "I have been trying to make things the way they ought to be." There is more than enough in this neighborhood to keep him busy in retirement, and fighting crime is just one part of it. "The list is long," he says. "But until the storm, nothing was being done."
A rebound model
The Hollygrove project has been so successful that five years after Katrina, people are citing it as a national model for community organization. "AARP wants to help places build their own capacities by strengthening what is already there," says AARP Louisiana State Director Nancy McPherson. "We have learned a lot from Hollygrove."
Despite a long-term decline in the share of residents who own their homes, Hollygrove retains a core of committed "originals" like Sherman and his childhood friend Earl Williams, 55, who manages the finances at Trinity. The lot next to the church became a gathering place in the days after Katrina, with a circus tent, portable toilets and a field kitchen. Trinity was managing hundreds of volunteers at the peak of the rebuild; so far, they have worked on 1,600 homes, and there are only about 2,700 addresses in the neighborhood. In June 2010, about three-quarters of those addresses were actively receiving mail, according to the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.