Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Oct 13, 2007 17:52:08 GMT -5
Survival of all me or none. One raindrop raises the sea...fish poo gives it flavor. Weapons are enemies even to their owners...but mostly to the guy on the business end.
Give more, take less. <-- Bad business. Others first, self last. <-- Ditto. Observe, listen, and learn. <-- Good business. Do one thing at a time. <-- Ditto.
Sing Drink every day. Exercise imagination. Nothing too dirty... Eat to live, don't live to Eat. The cook spits in the food, anyway. Don't p...ay for anything unless you've got it in your hand. -The Code of Dinotopia tablet in the Blackfish Tavern, with accompanying graffiti. Isaiah Achebe was sitting in the Blackfish Tavern when the idea struck him: there's a lot of business to be had in transporting cargo over land. On Dinotopia, if it's too heavy for a skybax to carry, a guy has to deliver it himself or hope there are caravans going to the right place at around the right time. There was no overland, dedicated courier service. Realizing this, and realizing that the world of theater was leaving him behind, Isaiah and his partner Bolo founded Backbone Shipping Company. Now he just needs some more help. That's where you come in. IntroWelcome to Backbone Trading Company, a different kind of Dinotopia RP. Charitability and selflessness aren't for everyone, and it's those types that populate Isaiah Achebe's world. Outright evil may be rare, but charming rogues and salty dogs abound; it's Han Solo/ Firefly/ Pirates of the Carribean meets the Land Apart from Time, and it may prove to be quite interesting. In addition, the format of the game - thought not necessarily the content ;) -will be a little more reminiscent of more serious RPs on other sites. As follows: Guideline- Character sheets should be messaged to the GM (me) before posting, for approval. - Most characters should be affiliated with Backbone, but exceptions may be made. - You need not feel pressured to make your character a scoundrel, if that feels uncomfortable, but many of the characters in the RP will be. - Please try to keep soley OOC posts after the start of the game to a minimum. If there’s something that needs addressed, add it onto an IC post or send a PM. - No one line posts! - Writing well counts for something. Grammar, spelling, sentence structure...take it seriously, please. - Combat, if it occurs, will be turn based, obviously. - Do not God Mode - you cannot take control of another character without permission. - Don’t claim too many skills for your character. A person usually has one thing they excel in but can be proficient in other skills as well. You may be a jack of all trades, but also a master on none. - Don’t try to carry to much stuff. A being can only bear so many items in their packs or pockets. - While a little less squeaky clean, this is still Dinotopia. Bear that in mind.- While taking place on Dinotopia, we're exploring the elements of the island that are less squeaky clean. Bear that in mind.- Save for the GM, you will be limited to 1 character, though additional characters may be allowed with the GM's permission. -Try to post regularly. If you are absent for more than a week without warning, the GM will move your character so the group doesn’t lag behind. If you’re going to be gone, please be courteous and tell the group. - If your character is of a former alignment to any other groups or factions, mark it down. - If you have any questions, just ask! The Character SheetName: Species: Gender: Place of Origin: Age: Height: Appearance: Possessions: Skills: Languages: Allignments: Biography:
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Oct 13, 2007 19:04:33 GMT -5
Name: Isaiah Achebe Species: Human Gender: Male Place of Origin: Jamaica, though he now resides in Ruhmsburg Age: 33 Height: 5’10” Appearance: Chocolate brown skin, a goatee, and dreadlocks down to the middle of his back, usually tied together. He is considered very handsome, and he tries to dress as well as possible. Right now, he is wearing a long blue coat with shiny gilt buttons, a khaki tunic and pants, and sturdy boots. Possessions: A vast collection of books, particularly works of drama, both from the outside world and all over Dinotopia. He can often be found reading. He also carries around a few cigars wherever he goes. Skills: Well versed in areas concerning his new trade, but he has been an actor for most of his life. Languages: English, Dinotopian, and snatches of a few other tongues, both human and saurian. Allignments: Backbones Shipping, the Drama Guild. Biography: Isaiah was born into slavery in 1807, on the English colony of Jamaica. Luckily for him, his master – a Lord Pennyworth - was comparatively kind, and he grew up on the seas assisting him on his ship, trading and transporting from island to island. He occasionally visited theatrical productions with Pennyworth, and he inherited his master’s love of theater at a young age.
At fourteen, an ill fated voyage to the British colonies left Isaiah cold and alone on the shores of Dinotopia. He was taken in by a kind family that lived in the Sauroplis suburbs, and it was on his first trip into that grand city that he realized he would fit in, after all; the theater in Sauropolis was superb. His knowledge of rigging – learned on the Lord Pennyworth’s ship – got him work on stage crews early on, but it was not until he turned eighteen that he walked the boards in Dinotopia for the first time in a supporting role. He opened to rave reviews, and became addicted to the stage, though he did other jobs on the side. At thirty, he played the lead role in a controversial production of Othello, which tanked because it relied too heavily on knowledge of the outside world. His side jobs began to take on more and more importance until finally, one night, in a conversation with his friend Bolo in the Blackfish Tavern, he decided to found the Backbone Shipping Company. Business has been swimming, but the recent breakdown in relations with Chandara have made things…more difficult.
Name: Bolo Species: Protoceratops multilinguos Gender: Male Place of Origin: Sauropolis Age: 38 Height: 2.5 feet Appearance: Striping on the back and face, dark green to black in color. Underneath, he is a much lighter shade of green. Possessions: Not much, anymore, though he likes to tend his garden. Skills: Administration, barfighting, diplomacy. Languages: Many. Allignments: Used to work in the Bureau of Communications as a translator. Biography: Bolo had made his parents proud by landing a job at the Bureau of Communications. Bolo himself was rather disappointed – all Protoceratops could do, it seemed, was translate. It was a curse of the species’ unique natural ability. He wanted to travel, to explore, to have a job that was more than busywork and fine print. He tried to spend every moment he wasn’t in the Bureau living a full life. He fell in love with the theater, and became a fan of Isaiah Achebe’s skill. He found a bit of work providing reviewing plays. He met Achebe, and the two became friends. Their carousing, and Bolo’s devotion to his hobby as a theater critic, ended up costing Bolo his job at the Bureau. The depression this caused, mixed with his parents’ disapproval, caused him to lose his taste for writing reviews. It wasn’t until starting Backbone Shipping with Isaiah that he was able to shake his depression, as the company would finally allow him to travel and see new things.
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Post by Christopher on Oct 16, 2007 0:17:54 GMT -5
GM Approved--not that I need your approval to do anything, darnit!
Name: Cpt. (ret.) Christopher "Red" McFerrin Species: Human Gender: Male Place of Origin: Tennessee Age: 26 Height: 5' 3" Appearance: Obviously of Scotch-Irish decent, Chris possesses fiery red hair, which he keeps short and well-kept; along with a thick mustache he keeps--with a set of pearl teeth--to hide a wound above his lips. His skin is slightly tanned from years of serving on ships, and in tropical locales. He normally dresses in an elegant officer's uniform--although exposure to the elements is starting to take affect on the attire. Possessions: Most of what he owns was lost in the ship wreck that landed him on Dinotopia. All that he owns now is down to the clothes on his back, his officer's saber--which he keeps as a symbol of his honor--and a few family heirlooms. Skills: Leadership, Proper Gentleman's Etiquette, Marksmanship, Fencing, Organization, Horseback Riding, Politics. Languages: English (with a southern accent), with limited French and Spanish Alignment: God, Honor, and Pride always come first Biography:
Born into a rich plantation owning family, Chris was raised as a proper Southern Gentleman with proper Southern Conservative Values. While growing up, he grew well acquainted with many politicians, and other rich land owners, including James K. Polk, and several senators. At an early age, he took a quick interest in politics and the military, and studied both with great diligence.
When he was 18, his family paid his way into a commission as a lieutenant for the US Navy’s Marine Corp. Thanks to his political connections; he always managed to be in the middle of any military expeditions that arose. He first saw combat in February of 1832, when he dispatched to Sumatra, Indonesia, where he lead his marines to storm a fort in Quallah Battoo to punish the locals for plundering American ships. Following that, he saw action in Buenos Aries in 1833, Callao, Peru in 1835 & ‘36, and Sumatra, Indonesia once more in 1838 & ’39.
Finding his courage through God and his honor in the ancient Code of Chivalry, the young lieutenant quickly distinguished himself as a capable officer and easily rose to the rank of captain, just in time for his return to Indonesia. During a battle with the local natives, he was struck in the face, which earned him his, surprisingly, first and only scar at the cost of three of his teeth. He was pulled from service two days later when the wound became infected, and he was unable to perform his duties. The doctors gave him only a week to live and he requested to be sent home so that he could die in his homeland of the south. Although certain that he wouldn’t make it home, his superiors permitted it, and he was on the next ship home.
Given his current location, it’s not hard to figure out what happened after the ship left Indonesia.
After being saved from drowning by dolphins, and saved from his infection by a kindly Saurian healer, Chris strives to be an upstanding citizen in Dinotopia, although he rejects most of their ideologies in favor of his Native Land’s.
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Oct 17, 2007 0:30:44 GMT -5
OOC: Get your sheets in folks! It'd be nice to start some time next week, say...Monday? For a taste, here's something I've written up to drum up enthusiasm, give you an idea of setting, tone, and backstory - or any other ideas you can take from it - not to mention to show how posts will be formatted. But really, it was more because I wrote it as a first post, realized it probably won't work very well as a first post, didn't want to attach it to a first post for fear of it becoming too long, and didn't like the thought of getting rid of it altogether. Enjoy! IC: Isaiah Achebe, The Blackfish TavernMaybe it was the rum, but Isaiah was pretty sure the curly-haired blonde wench at the bar fancied him. Nah, it couldn’t have been just the rum. He was handsome, and charismatic. Perhaps she recognized him from a performance in Sauropolis. Anyway, everyone else was ugly and drunk. Well, Isaiah was drunk, too, but at least he wasn’t ugly, so what else would she look at? It was a good night in a rough place. He’d just returned from a short delivery to the foothills of the Forbidden Mountains: a milk run, to be sure, but a lucrative one. In a mutual decision to pat themselves on the back, Isaiah and his partner, Bolo, decided to pass right by their hometown of Ruhmsburg and head straight for the mouth of the Polongo River, to the greasy, dirty, smelly, rundown, loud, violent, wonderful Blackfish Tavern. Treasure hunting submersibles were docked along the pier and a thick, viscous film sat atop the water and glittered in the moonlight. People stumbling out greeted people going in with loud, carefree salutations. Hypsilophodont servers scurried in and out, taking the orders of patrons too large and covered in spines to enter the pub. The laughter and hollering of humans mixed with the hoots and rumbles of reveling saurians. Upon entering, Isaiah and Bolo were met with acknowledging nods and thumbed hat brims, raised glasses and grunts, letting them know they were welcome. The interior of the bar was dimly lit with candelabras, fireflies, and the wash of the sunstone beacons outside. A tablet hung behind the bar displaying the Code of Dinotopia along with graffiti additions. The pair had weaved their way through the crowd, Bolo ducking under the bellies and between the legs of some of the larger barflies, finding an empty table and anchoring themselves for the night. They drank grog and did the occasional rum shot, toasting everyone and everything. Ever so often Bolo ordered a bowl of something thick and green that had no effect on humans but apparently made ceratopsians very cheerful, indeed. They sat together, surrounded by the roughest and saltiest the island continent of Dinotopia had to offer, laughing loudly at vulgar jokes, trading stories with everyone around, occasionally gambling, but being careful not to lose too much. It didn’t get much better than this. Not to mention, Isaiah thought as he began to feel the effects of his last shot of rum, every woman in this bar loves me.
Even the Pachyrhinosaurus lady over there with the eyepatch. It was true, she wouldn’t take her eyes off him. She wouldn’t enter, though, she merely stood outside. Isaiah pointed her out to Bolo, and they sniggered at the idea. It was then that two burly looking Stygimolochs entered. They were making a bee-line for Isaiah’s table. The two friends stood, suddenly recognizing that Pachyrhinosaurus: Lady Crumplesnoot, esteemed trader and collector. In the outside world, she may have been called a gangster. She definitely wasn’t above more…aggressive tactics to get what she needed, and Isaiah realized, through the fog of his drunken tarpor, that what she needed was payment on some of those barter credits he owed. Her Stygimolochs didn’t seem friendly. At all. This was bad. Isaiah stood, ready to reason. “Look, guys, tell your boss…” But Bolo was too quick for him. “Hey!” he yelled to the next table, a group of men playing Treble, “That card was up your sleeve! I’ve been watching you cheat the whole game, but that was just blatant!” The right cross that landed against the accused man’s jaw expressed the other players’ displeasure. The cheater vouched for his innocence with a left hook. Soon the tavern was boiling with a fray and Isaiah, now very much sobered, slipped away as the Stygimoloch hooligans ducked a flying chair. Bolo, huffing as he tried to keep up on his short Protoceratops legs, met him outside. Careful to avoid the gaze of Lady Crumplesnoot, they hopped into their little dinghy and headed back up the estuary to Ruhmsburg. TAG: No one, yet, since the RP hasn't started! Hope to see some great character sheets in, soon!
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aric
demi-admin
I drink your milkshake!
Posts: 989
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Post by aric on Oct 17, 2007 3:27:21 GMT -5
Name: DJ Applejack Species: Human Gender: Male Place of Origin: Arkham, Massachusetts, United States; he now has a permanent residence at Waterfall City, though he travels widely Age: 27 Height: 5’11” Appearance: Caucasian with slight build. Medium-length brown hair with blue eyes. He wears plum-colored robes and floppy hat. Possessions: Curio Shop (in Waterfall City), and blunderbuss for personal protection Skills: Academia, business apprenticeship Languages: English, some saurian, some Dinotopian Latin Alignments: Waterfall City curio shop Biography: Applejack was a student at Miskatonic University in the early 1830s. His father wanted him to enroll in the burgeoning business program so that DJ could eventually take over the family’s oriental trading shop. On an academic sabbatical, DJ went on a trip to the Portuguese trading port of Macau with his father’s business partner in order to get first hand experience with the oriental trading business. En route, the ship was mercilessly attacked by Indonesian pirates. They did not board DJ’s ship, but prevented it from reaching Macau. They pursued it through the Indonesian straits where a mysterious storm blew the trade ship to Dinotopia, stranding DJ and his father’s trading partner, Gregori Magnus. They eventually set up and co-own a curio shop in Waterfall City. Gregori felt he was too old to wander about the island looking for products to sell in the shop. Thus, it fell upon DJ to journey throughout Dinotopia looking for curiosities and desireable objects to peddle in the civilized areas of Dinotopia.
- aric
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Korkoa
Dolphinback
I'm a Christian Dinotopia lover. So?
Posts: 43
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Post by Korkoa on Oct 17, 2007 14:43:02 GMT -5
Name: Korkoa. Species: Achillobator. Gender: Male. Place of Origin: Rainy Basin. Age: 26. Height: 5'4" Appearance: Tan body, orange stripes, blue vest. Possessions: N/A Skills: Exellent tracker and guide. Languages: Carnivore, Saurian. Allignments: Himself. Biography: He grew up in the Rainy Basin, however, he got tired of running away from larger predators; something that happens a lot when you're the smallest one in your tribe. So, he left to explore Dinotopia. He has been everywhere on Dinotopia, and makes the perfect guide. He is currently looking for work at the Blackfish Tavern.
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Post by thundertail on Oct 17, 2007 18:34:58 GMT -5
Name: Clubber
Species: Ankylosaur
Gender: male
Place of origin: The hatchery at Baz, then to Bent Root. From there, all over the place!
Age: 37
Height: 7'11'
Appearance: Greyish green all over with deep green scutes and club; and splotches of teal and tan in strategic places all over. Same patterns on my underbelly, only lighter tones. I stand seven feet eleven inches at the shoulder, I'm five feet nine inches wide and just under thirty three feet from snout to club. I got a few unnatural wrinkles along my sides and my face - trophys of my many fights! I tend to grunt when I walk, but that's only if I'm pulling a heavy load or trying to cross rough terrain. I can eat nearly everything!
Posessions: I own a small reconditioned Copro cart, and I also own half of whatever is in it at the time. I wish folks wouldn't continue to put Copro in it! Oh well! Copro happens! I make sure to keep a load of fresh fodder in there for me, and enough camping gear and provisions for anybody up along the way.
Skills: I started out farming; but I'm a professional cart puller now. I love telling impossible stories and telling jokes - the nastier the better! I like listening to them too! I like playing games of chance; but NEVER try to cheat me! My club swing can stop a T-Rex!
Language: Besides my own tongue, I speak saurian, Hadrosauroid, Ceratopsian, Ornithocerian, Theropodian (Needed when traveling through the Rainy Basin!) and Sorolophan. I understand human English and French, but can't speak more than a few words of it. A dolphinback taught me to speak Pig Latin...He, he!
Allignments: The hatchery at Baz, the Dinotopia Agricultural Guild, Trantor's Enclave, Somala Henderson, Town of Baz Shipping and Supply, Miccha Khale, Mollusk Town Shipping and Supply, Treetown shipping and Supply, The Archaeological Guild of Waterfall City, Gaptooth tyranosaur, Canyon City Transportation Authority... and many more!
Biography: I was born in the Baz hatchery along with my little brother, Breaker. Childhood went by pretty routinely, and I excelled in strength while my brother excelled in ackedemia. My strength soon became an asset as I was constantly asked to perform many tasks as my size allowed. I spent my yearling days carrying people on my back or used the rickshaw to carry more passengers; and I even carried supplies from place to place all over town. My eagerness to work was quuickly noticed by Trantor, the Bracheosaur leader of the all the farming in the area; and assigned me to the outpost's larger gardens, harvesting and planting and harrowing! This went on for many seasons; and though I had gotten incredibly strong as a result, I quickly began to loathe farming! I sought ways to end my tenure there, but had to do it discreetly as Trantor was constantly watching me. Finally an opportunity came to me as Forktail, our Triceratops cargo carrier, took ill; and his Partner, Somala Henderson, said they needed a temporary replacement. The fates were smiling on me when she finally picked me!
Our destination was Bent Root, where most of the supplies going to Baz usually originates; and out journey there was pretty routine - or so Somala told me. She took it on herself to take up very long conversations with me along the way; and soon I began to tell her about my ambitions. hearing this, she told me she'd do what she could for me. As the years rolled by, Forktail became too old to pull the cart; and that eventually made me Prime Puller for baz's supplies! Happy as a Trilobite, I continued on for many seasons, hauling crop and the occasional passenger family or whatnot. One day in bent Root, waiting for our load of supplies to arrive, I was looking around the town and found a strange shop that contained all sorts of oddities salvaged from old ships and wagons and the like. The owner Miccha Khale, said there was things more to my liking around back; and that place was filled with all kinds of wagon parts, and my eye fixed on the shell of this old Copro cart, minus wheels, driver seat and yokes. He wanted two loads of corn in exchange - was he crazy? But I just had to get it, for my feet sought the wandering path once more. I had to travel around dinotopia and see all there was to see; and figured to haul things for people to earn my keep. When I returned, he had the cart all fixed up with new brasswear, leather reigns; and all the broken things were fixed! I was so grateful, I gave him the corn gladly!
But there still was the problem of finding work to do. I gave my employers at Baz my resignation; and soon made my way to Bent Root to track down leads. It turned out that this came easy enough, for Dinotopia was never at a loss with work for a strong saurian. Soon I found a transport job to Mollusk Town moving a family of human immigrants and thier Struthie partners. Word spread eventually, and I found work nearly everywhere I want. I moved textiles to Volcaneum and I hauled a bunch of archaeologists to the ruins of Kinan Van to wheat deliveries to Treetown. Of course the creedo of learning something new every day came into play, and I learned many diverse things. I learned many languages of the saurian tribes from the other dinosaurs I met in passing; and I even learned a biit of tyranosaur when I helped an injured tyranosaur while on a run through the Rainy Basin.
I heard many strange tales along the way, too; but I had a talent to tell my own stories - and tell them I did! I was always good at being the center of attention during storytime! So I traveled around like that for many seasons; coming and going to nearly every city, town and ourpost on the island. However, I learned that nothing good lasts forever, and recently the jobs hadn't been coming on a regular basis to say the least - I could hardly get a job for months on end. I traveled and offered my services, but no one seemed to need it. So finally at last I am in this neck of the woods; and a few people around here said that there was always people needing help; and they usually congregated in the Black Fish Tavern...
I just hope they're right!
_____
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Oct 17, 2007 21:43:21 GMT -5
OOC: Lucky I love that CS, thundertail! Any other CS's should be sent to the GM - moi - for approval prior to posting. Trust me, it usually helps.
On languages: most creatures have very specialized vocal apparatus. Dinosaurs tend to communicate in roars, growls, hoots, bellows, sign language, etc. Thus, language is a big barrier to cross in terms of actually speaking them. Then again, humans have musical instruments and things...
Also, "Copro happens" is an amazing saying. I expect to work it in as much as possible lol.
On a side note: I'm waiting on one or two more CS's before we kick things off.
Anybody have any thoughts? Concerns? Suggestions?
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Post by rasputinsghost on Oct 20, 2007 1:22:47 GMT -5
Name: Kinaki Arama Te Āti Awa Species: Human Gender: Male Place of Origin: Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand Age: 30 (b. 1810) Height: 6'2 Appearance: Tall, imposing, strong-featured Maori warrior. Highly muscled, willful, reflective. Tribal tattoos snake down his face. Possessions: A kotiate, a Maori paddle sword, Oar's tooth Skills: Sailing, navigation, hand-to-hand fighting, wrestling, tracking, marksmanship Languages: English, Dinotopian, Maori Allignments: None Biography:
Kinaki comes from the real-life Iwi (tribe) of Te Ati Awa, located on the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island. His own identity is muddled; to this day he struggles with the traditional Maori faith (involving mana) and the burgeoning Christianity that grows amongst his own people. In the first half of the 19th century English missionaries traveled to the iwis to spread the word of God. As a child, a missionary called William Spradling taught him English, but only half-succeeded in converting him to Protestant Christianity. Representing his respect for this man, Kinaki adopted the name Arama (Adam) as a second name. However, he still respects Awanuiarangi, the ancestral founder of the Te Ati Awa, crossing himself as he prays all the while.
Inter-iwi wars during Kinaki's childhood put him on the field of battle more than a few times, spending his childhood learning the practice of war. The Europeans brought muskets into the equation of Maori war and so he too learned how to master the white man's arms.
In early 1835, Kinaki was in his waka (canoe) off the coast of his homeland. A wave overtook his boat; he survived. After swimming with all his might for days, fighting off sharks, Kinaki lost consciousness. He woke to find himself infirm and abed on an English ship headed for Ceylon, the H.M.S. Happenstance. The ship's chaplain was none other than Spradling himself, looking forward to his stewardship there. Rev. Spradling could not convince the ship captain to turn back, however, and Kinaki found himself bound for the Indian Ocean.
However, a great storm rent the ship asunder, killing all aboard. Kinaki was once again sent adrift. When he woke, Kinaki found himself on a Dinotopian beach.
Kinaki has spent most of his last five years on Dinotopia trying to get back home. Kinaki has tried to smuggle himself aboard ships, carve wakas and canoe out into the ocean, bribe submarine captains - virtually everything. His last attempt involved his befriending a Mosasaur named Oar, and convincing him to swim out into the ocean, as far as he could, Kinaki's waka tethered to his back. Oar died in the attempt, yet Kinaki again managed to survive. The loss of his friend greatly troubles Kinaki to the present day. He wears one of his fallen friend's teeth as a dagger on his belt, to remind him always of his loss.
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Oct 20, 2007 1:25:03 GMT -5
OOC: Merry Christmas! It's the opening of the RP! If anyone's got any questions about the format, it's okay to make OOC posts, or to PM me. IC: Isaiah Achebe, Backbone Shipping Company, RuhmsburgIsaiah stumbled down the stairs swearing that he’d never drink that hard again, or at least not without ample reason to celebrate. Bolo was, of course, already awake and ready to face the day. Isaiah never knew how the little saurian did it, but the green guy didn’t look more than just a bit tired. Bolo looked up at Isaiah as he entered the kitchen, and inclined his head in the ceratopsian equivalent of an ironic smirk. The human would have resented him for it if he weren’t so grateful that Bolo had started boiling coffee. The aroma seemed to fill the two-story building, and Isaiah could almost feel his headache fading. “Morning,” Isaiah mumbled. “Good morning,” Bolo said, “Rough night last night.” “Yeah, very rough. You saved us, though.” Bolo chuffed. “Let’s just hope they let us back in the Blackfish.” “Ugh,” Isaiah scoffed, as he poured coffee into a mug, “I don’t think I ever want to go back in there.” “You say that every time.” “Well, next time I’m only drinking tea.” “You say that every time, too.” Isaiah shrugged and took his steaming mug to the study/living area, where much of the business of Backbone Shipping took place. Bolo padded along behind him. Isaiah picked up a copy of Shaw’s Pygmalion out of his chair and tossed it down on the floor beside a tome of dramatic works by Ferin Tallclaw. As he sank into the seat cushions and took a deep sip of his coffee, Bolo settled into a little couch. “A lot on the docket, today,” said the Protoceratops. “Well, hopefully,” said Isaiah. They had paid for an ad calling for people interested in working for a courier service. Print ads were ferried about Backbone Shipping was getting more demands, and needed to properly render its services. The ad called for applicants to show up at headquarters in Ruhmsburg, and was now flying just about everywhere but the Rainy Basin. Hell, they should have sent the message there, too; they could use the muslce. “It’s possible that no one’s interested and no one shows up.” “On the contrary,” said Bolo, “if no one shows up, we’ll be even more busy trying to figure out how to manage our work load.” Isaiah took another draught of his coffee, and massaged his forehead with his fingers. “What’s first on the docket for today?” “Applejack.” “What?” “DJ Applejack, our old client. He’s coming a-callin’ in a few hours.” “Right.” Isaiah had forgotten about this appointment. He wasn’t entirely certain what the guy wanted to come all the way to Ruhmsburg for. He ran a curio shop in Waterfall City and Isaiah and Bolo had moved some cargo for him in the past. He half considered being “away from the office” when Applejack arrived, but decided that wouldn’t be acceptable behavior. He looked around the room: books were strewn about the floor, stacks of paper occupied corners, as well as bunches of correspondence. He turned to Bolo. “Well, maybe we should tidy up, some, before he arrives. Besides, if people think we’re slobs, they won’t want to work with us.” Bolo chirruped his agreement. TAG: Aric, Everyone
IC: Geoffrey Arlington, JorotongoStroking his beard and inhaling deeply as he marched to the center of town, Geoffrey marveled at the beauty of the day the Creator had bestowed on Jorotongo. Of course, part of it was chance. If a year ago the youngest child had taken his first steps in a different direction, the elders would have marched the town everyone else, and the migrating village may have been experiencing worse weather right now. But as it stood, their current settlement, a day’s march from Snailshanks, was experiencing sunshine and a glorious breeze. Then again, perhaps it was part of the Creator’s plan that the child took steps toward Snailshanks. Ah, the mysteries of the world! Pulled along by an enthusiastic child, the recent excitement Jorotongo had experienced was made crystal clear. They had been visited by two strangers: one was a Maori man who seemed to find small comfort in the village, in everything from the food to the style of buildings the people lived in; the other, a man who arrived later, was American, and, having heard that the people of Jorotongo were descended from puritans, came seeking Christians. They did not measure up to what he was looking for, and he was disappointed, but enjoyed the hospitality nonetheless, and had brightened considerably during his stay. And now there was this: a Dimorphodon had arrived with a message, and Geoffrey was the only one around who could understand the language of small pterosaurs. A crowd had assembled around the little creature, whose chest heaved from his journey. The little girl led Geoffrey to the branch where the critter decided to perch. Immediately, as if in a great rush, it opened its colorful beak and chattered away. It introduced itself as Puffinstuff, a messenger, and it needed Geoffrey to make the following announcement: Backbone Shipping Company, a courier service based in Ruhmsburg, was recruiting anyone hardy enough or, frankly, interested enough in the job. No experience was necessary, and the rewards could be great, including travel and adventure, in addition to whatever material goods earned as payment. All interested should inquire for Isaiah Achebe in Ruhmsburg. With that, the Dimorphodon took off to fly to the next town, leaving a bewildered Geoffrey to relay this seemingly trivial message to the crowd. TAG: rasputinsghost, ChrisinDixie
IC: Isabella Tortoiseback, The Blackfish TavernOutsiders made the denizens of The Blackfish Tavern nervous. The Blackfish was a place full of people who tended to run up against many of the more ideal of Dinotopian ideals, which meant that new customers were wont to proselytize or wag fingers. But these two new faces didn’t seem the type to complain or object. One was an Ankylosaur who arrived the previous night. The other was a runty Achillobator who didn’t seem used to being around non-carnosaurs. Interestingly enough, they had both asked Isabella where they could find work. Wiping down the bar with a rag, she had referred them both to a flyer outside written in Ceratopsia script. RECRUITING! The Backbone Shipping Company, based in Ruhmsburg, is looking for hardy individuals with a bit of salt and swagger to help expand its operation. Benefits of the job include travel, adventure, and a good deal of wealth. No experience necessary, but enthusiasm and a tough hide are a must.
If you think you’re up to it, look for Isaiah Achebe at Backbone headquarters, Ruhmsburg. She then went back to making drinks. She couldn't help but give newcomers the cold shoulder like this: the people at the Blackfish were the type that were slow to get to know you, but once you gained their trust they were loyal. Maybe she'd see the two saurians for breakfast. TAG: korkoa, thundertail
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Post by thundertail on Oct 20, 2007 17:14:36 GMT -5
IC: Clubber, The Blackfish Tavern
His armored eyelids fluttered open to see wooden rails and soft mounds of hay that was his bed for the night. Clubber rolled to a standing position and looked at the rest of his surroundings as he quickly tried to remember where he was and why. The patrons of the Blackfish Tavern paid him little mind last night, treating him like any other saurian that came and went around here. It wasn't his love of food and drink that led him here. It was the prospect of work that made hime come here in the first place! He nudged the door to his stable open and padded out to the entrance. He remembered his rather routine entrance to the Blackfish Tavern...
He pulled his reconditioned Copro cart out of the mist and into the light of the Sunstone streetlamps next to the wharfs by a wide waterway, and the Ankylosaur could not believe what lay before him! It was a hostel, run down but obviousely well used as a way station in these parts. many humans and saurians milled about outside or meanderd into many of the ramshackle buildings, where shouting and laughter both human and saurian wafted out to his scuted earslits. Quite a few of these patrons greeted him as they passed, and he nodded back. Clubber asked a Cryptoclydus who had just lumbered out of the water in front of him where the saurian paddocks were, and she just hooted and pointed with her snout before lumbering on her way. Clubber greeted a human hostler there and was formally greeted before being told that his accomodations were waiting for him. when he asked where he should put his cart, the human siggested it be put beside the commode facility! The hostler fled at Clubber's outrage, and never told him where they wanted the cart; so Clubber had to go find it himself.
After that he followed his nose to where a wonderful smell was coming. It was pool dammed off with lashed together barrels full of fish remains, leftover food and other offal; and he rushed to its' edge and began feeding. A moment later he heard saurian chuckling and found a Triceratops with a ragged frill standing there. this creature told him that the swill was meant for thr Mosasaurs, but Clubber thought it was crazy to waste such good food on them. The Tricerastops chuckled again and offered to show him where the real food was. Along the way Clubber told him of his plight, and the triceratops said he might be able to help him with it. Clubber thanked him profusely ans entered the saurian eatery. As advertised, the food here was much better than the swill he was eating earlier; and he went and had more than his fill. During the meal Clubber saw a beautiful female Ankylosaur having her own meal. He was so transfixed at her that a Brach nearly stepped on him and he had no idea of this until the Brach apologized to him! Acknowledging this and turning back, he noticed that she had disappeard! He looked for her, but couldn't find her anywhere - such was his love life! He smiled at the memory, then thought of something else. At least the night wasn't a total loss, for the socializing with the other dinosaurs there proved most entertaining!...
Clubber heard many tales that evening, and many bits of news from all over Dinotopia. There were stories of the fantastic flights of the Skybax, dangerous treks across the Outer Island and many other acts of bravery that the speaker at the time just happened to be the hero. It was about that time that Clubber knew that everyone was just bragging; and then the evening turned into one of just telling tales, which was his favorite subject! He heard of how an Apatasaur rescued a child from a cliff by lowering his neck, then whole body with the aid of a Tyranosaur, who was eating his tail. A Galimimus told of how he had an important package to deliver, and how he had to run all the way across Dinotopia in a day to deliver it. A Styraccosaur told of how his herd had to protect the town of Poktook from carnivores by forming a circle completely around the town. Then the joke telling started up! When it was his turn he turned to his new friends and told them the best joke he knew; and when finished the whole lot of them were practically rollong on the ground laughing! Clubber knew this joke would get them; it was the dirtuiest joke on Dinotopia, after all! Clubber took his bows as the laughter finally died down...
He smiled as he squinted into the sunshine, emerging from the giant barn as he tried to remember where the saurian eatery was - he was starving! A human female came over and told him that there was an opportunity waiting for him near the tavern proper; so he thanked her and went around the corner of a building, where a large crowd of saurians and humans had congregated. Clubber went over and muscled his way through the crowd to see a large notice posted by the doorframe. Clubber read the note, and when done smiled as broadly as his boxy face would allow!
"Well, well!", Clubber said to no one in particular. "It looks like my luck's changing after all!", He suddenly turned to the jostling coming from his left. His tail stiffened instinctively at the sight before him!
TAG: Korkoa
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Korkoa
Dolphinback
I'm a Christian Dinotopia lover. So?
Posts: 43
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Post by Korkoa on Oct 20, 2007 18:32:37 GMT -5
IC Blackfish Tavern: Well, here I was. Off on a new adventure. Not. I was just looking for a job, but no one was hiring! The bartender in the tavern had pointed me to this sign, but I could barely see it, what with all the people in the way. I had to push my way through a sea of people just to get close! After they noticed I was a carnivore, they stepped out of the way. As I read the sign, my eyes lit up. Perfect! I could be a valuable help! As I truned to leave, I bumped into an Anklyosaur, his eyes wide with aprehension. "Sorry," I said, stepping back, "I was just trying to leave. Are you trying to get that job too?"
TAG; Clubber.
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Post by thundertail on Oct 20, 2007 18:45:00 GMT -5
IC: Clubber, Blackfish Tavern
"Uh,... Yeah, I guess.", Said Clubber, calming down somewhat despite this stranger's carniverous looks.
The many saurian patrons who already read the note moved on, some of them lingering as they paused to memorize the address. They saw an opportunity in the poster as well! Many humans also passd by, either entering the tavern or leaving to thier other errands for the morning. Clubber returned his attention to his toothy companion.
"You going to sign up too? Maybe there's more than one opening!", he said, a lot cheerier than he felt. "Name's Clubber. What's yours?"
TAG: Korkoa
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Korkoa
Dolphinback
I'm a Christian Dinotopia lover. So?
Posts: 43
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Post by Korkoa on Oct 20, 2007 18:49:25 GMT -5
IC Korkoa BT: We stepped out of the crowd, so as not to be in the way. "Hopefully. You want travel together? I promise, I won't eat you." I smiled a big, toothy grin, trying to look friendly.
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Post by thundertail on Oct 20, 2007 19:07:15 GMT -5
IC: Clubber, Blackfish Tavern
"Let's see...", Clubber said as he reread the poster. "I guess so."
He looked up to the sound of loud screeching from above. The Skybax and rider had taken off from the rafter aerie and circled the Blackfish tavern before heading north, toward Waterfall City, he guessed.
"But I was thinking of getting some breakfast first.", he continued, looking at the mansize carnivore, smiling. "Can't pull my cart on an empty stomach, you know!", Clubber nodded for his new friend to follow.
TAG: Isabella Tortoiseback
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