Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Nov 15, 2007 0:01:34 GMT -5
Location: Ruhmsburg
A redheaded girl slipped through the streets. She was lost. She stopped by a fruit stand, asked some questions, and was on her way. She stopped a passing Triceratops, asked him the same questions, gleaned the gist of the answer, then moved on. She was looking for someone, a Hypacrosaurus healer with blue paint on his face. Few had seen him, but plenty had ideas of where she could find him. Most ended unhelpfully.
The crowds did not appear to phase the girl - she must have been from a big city. She must have not had anywhere to go, either, so relentless was her search. She was not desperate or scared, however, merely...driven. Finally, tired, she decided to stop by a tall, red inn.
TAG: Tiasalle
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SilvanoshiS
Apprentice
flightless and loving it
Posts: 143
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Post by SilvanoshiS on Nov 16, 2007 0:55:56 GMT -5
"Thank you Toby. You must be Isaiah, correct?" The Hypacrosaurus paused as if to wait for a response, but did not hold it long enough for Isaiah to finish thinking, much less answer. "I am Jul'althus a tribesman from north of Waterfall City and a capable healer. You need one, I assume?" again, the pause did not last long. "I will help, but anyone you hire must be willing to follow my directions. You can lead them to their deaths, I do not care, but I will bring them back. To do that I need to have that promise, do you accept?" This time the pause lasted long enough for an answer.
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Nov 16, 2007 1:43:47 GMT -5
IC: Isaiah Achebe, Backbone Shipping Company, Ruhmsburg
Isaiah knew the response had been brusque even before it was translated for him, just from Bolo's reactions. After he had heard the translation, he bristled. "Hey, now," he said, "we need a healer, but what do you mean, your direction? This here's my show, and you'll be working for me. Oh, and...hopefully no one'll be dying, here."
TAG: SilvanoshiS, the Backbone Shipping Company
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Post by thundertail on Nov 17, 2007 19:12:24 GMT -5
Clubber, Backbone Shipping Company, Rhumsburg
The Ankylosaur tried to follow what Mr. Achebe was saying, as well as the other human; but he only knew a few words of their chattery, discordant dialect. he knew the word 'Gift', and guessed that meant the cart outside, which looked a thousand times better than his smelly, beaten up, but still servicable contrivance inside the barn. He recognized the words 'healer' and 'Waterfall City' and saw the other human indicating the Hyparcosaurus duckbill outside. So, he was a healer from Waterfall City, and that was his cart! Well, doctors could sure afford the classier ways of getting around town, Clubber thought! Oh! If only they met right after his terrible fight with that Allosaurus so many years ago. Then the scars on his neck and side would not have been as bad as they were today... But then he noticed that both humans had stopped talking, and was waiting for the duckbill to speak; so Clubber paused his thoughts to give a listen too, for doctors usually had something really important to say...
Korkoa finally settled down somewhat and came back into the barn - how he scurries around so, Clubber thought! The little carnivore noticed the humans still talking and decided to stop at Clubber's side to listen as well; but Clubber thought that he would probably have a much harder time deciphering what was said than he would. Clubber still wished he had paid more attention at his language classes back at school, though. All he could manage fluently was standard Saurian and his own Ankylosaur language; and of course he picked up bits and pieces of other saurian and human dialects during his life, but only just enough to get by...
At last the duckbill spoke in his squawky dialect; and from the tone of voice and the words spoken, Clubber knew it wasn't very good! From Bolo's dour expression and his translation for Mr. Achebe, it sounded to him more like a threat or ultimatum; and when his new boss responded to it, It was a response more out of anger or outrage than anything what one would call civil! Korkoa looked at Clubber and hissed softly, and the Ankylosaur could not agree more; for things looked like they were getting ugly around here, and instinct told him to fet ready for a fight! Clubber's tail stiffened instinctively and became still as he listened on and tried to piece together the human and Hadrosaurian words so he could know what was being said; and hoped that the outcome would be a lot better than the way it was looking!...
TAG: Jul'althus, Isiah, Bolo, Korkoa
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Post by Tiasalle on Nov 17, 2007 19:27:08 GMT -5
IC: Demetria McKellips, Next to an Unknown Inn, Ruhmsburg
Demetria tucked away a disobedient strand of red waves behind her ear and sighed. Her entire body was screaming a message of frustration as she scanned the road in front of her. Where in this town was Julius? It had been easy enough, following him doggedly from the time he had left the Guild; he was fairly easy for Tria's admiring eyes to spot in any crowd. This time, however, he had thoroughly given her the slip, and Demetria hated it when she could do nothing to resolve her situation. She knew he was here somewhere, but where was "somewhere"? Tria glanced up at the sky. The day was growing old. Sitting on the Inn's doorsteps was not going to assist in finding Julius. Tria stood and determinedly marched, her keen, blue eyes scanning the road for the Hypacrosaurus. Suddenly, Tria spotted a raptor (she couldn't tell what type it was from her distant position) running excitedly into the streets, it then turned around, still yelling what Tria interpreted as, "I got a job!", and re-entered the barn from which it had come. Tria raised an eyebrow, amused. She shook her head, pondering what she had seen as she passed the barn. Suddenly, a familiar shape caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Tria examined the Saurian, making certain that she had seen what she had thought she saw. Her eyes brightened when she recognized Julius, but she did not dare walk up to him yet. Tria dodged a few carts in the street as she found a place to observe the Healer from a distance. the last thing she wanted was for Julius to find out that she had been tailing him for his entire trip. No, she would wait a little while longer and see what kind of adventure Julius was getting himself into before she decided to tag along. Revealing herself now would only get her back to the boring-beyond-belief Physician's Guild and back to Professor Prejudice. Tria smiled at her nickname for Julius' rival. Some intelligent healer he had turned out to be, how anyone could be so proud was beyond her. Julius and Tria had much in common concerning beliefs. The Hypacrosaurus believed in using herbs and plants in a Tribal Method, an odd concept for the traditional Dinotopian Healer. Demetria believed in healing the emotions as well as the body, yet another strange concept to traditional Healers.
TAG: Anyone
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Korkoa
Dolphinback
I'm a Christian Dinotopia lover. So?
Posts: 43
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Post by Korkoa on Nov 17, 2007 19:41:09 GMT -5
IC: The job interview with this Duck-Bill wasn't going so well. I turned to Clubb, about to suggest we move outside, when a smell caught my attention, I turned toward the door, the source of the unfarmilliar smell, and saw a girl standing there. It appeared she was looking for someone. I walked over to her, and said, in Basic Saurian, "Hello, I'm Korkoa, are you looking for Isaiah?"
TAG: Tiasalle.
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aric
demi-admin
I drink your milkshake!
Posts: 989
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Post by aric on Nov 17, 2007 22:26:15 GMT -5
DJ awoke to the murmur of voices from downstairs. He had dreamed that he was back in Boston with his family overseeing the oriental wares shop. He liked that dream. His heart panged from homesickness as he got up from the guestroom bed that had been given by Isaiah. Undergoing expeditions to parts of Dinotopia for the Waterfall curio shop was not as fun as they once were when he travelled with his father to Macao before his unfortunate run-in with pirates this time around resulting in displacement to this island. At least in those cases, he had been with his father. Now all he had was a substitute in the form of his father’s business partner, Grigori Magnus. Not that he disliked the old man, but it just wasn’t the same.
His arrival to this island was indeed a major change in his life. The dinosaurs were the biggest surprise. He wasn’t into natural history, but he was pretty sure they shouldn’t be around anymore. The other was the impression of a money-less society. He was particularly disturbed by that. Being born into a merchant family, he had no idea what he could contribute to this society. Then, he realized, that not all was as it seemed. The languid economies of the fringes of Dinotopian society onto which he was deposited by some friendly dolphins did not reflect that of the cities, or even other parts of the island. There was money, though there was also a strange habit of not actually referring to barter tokens and promissory notes as such. Apparently there was a social taboo against the kind of materialism that frequent concern with money often led to. But that did not stop the denizens of Dinotopia – especially the humans – from spending and hoarding the de facto currencies of the island. After all the glittery wonders of first contact with the island, one soon began to see the place with a more critical and objective eye. And for DJ, it became business as usual.
Quite the contrary to what Dinotopians like to think of themselves, there were differences of wealth on the island. The bushels of cash and gold Krekor lavished on him for the expedition was proof of that. Most Dinotopians could not afford to spend money the way that parasaurolophus did. He almost wished Krekor didn’t have that luxury either. Otherwise, DJ wouldn’t have been tempted to go on this ridiculous trip.
DJ got up from the bed and walked over to the window. As soon as he opened it, he could whiff the stink of copro. He wondered if the sanitation workers were doing their rounds again. Then he spied the copro cart parked in Isaiah’s makeshift barn. “Ho boy. I hope I don’t have to ride in that.”
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SilvanoshiS
Apprentice
flightless and loving it
Posts: 143
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Post by SilvanoshiS on Nov 18, 2007 16:44:15 GMT -5
"Of course, no deaths. I would rather people listen to the doctor's orders when treating them is all. I do not have time to help people just to watch them tear themselves up while they should be resting." He bowed his head in mocking servitude, thinking that this human might not be able to tell this from a true bow. Best not to make him too annoyed yet. "As long as I have the ability to do my job, I will allow you to do yours."
TAG: any
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Nov 19, 2007 18:27:31 GMT -5
OOC: The time is about...I'll go with eleven in the morning.
IC: Isaiah Achebe, Backbone Shipping Company, Ruhmsburg
Isaiah was skeptical. "Well, then...okay, yeah, I get it, that makes sense." He was aware he was stammering, and that that would not exactly inspire confidence. Truth was, he could tell this guy was going to be an ornery pain in the tail, but a healer was a necessity, and one that was willing to take on a position with a cross-island courier service was hard to come by. Clearing his throat, he continued. "I'm willing to give you a shot. You can shack up in the barn over there, if you fit, what with the armor-head's cart. I think you'll find it acceptable, outfitted with saurian comforts. We ship out a bit later on our first run - you'll all be briefed before we embark."
The last part was spoken in a louder voice, to all his new employees. The authority in his voice hadn't been there since he last played a king on a Sauropolis stage, and he hoped it was convincing. This was it. This was what he and Bolo had been shooting for for years, now: a fully outfitted company to deal with the increased demand they'd been getting. He hadn't planned to start the trip for a week, yet, but nothing was holding him in Ruhmsburg now that his team was more complete than he had ever been, if a little mismatched, a little quirky. Smiling, he realized he didn't even know any of their names, yet. Time enough for that, later. Yes, sir, even if no one else signed on, they'd have a well put together company, capable of dealing with any challenge.
No. Not any challenge. The sight of Applejack hanging out of his window reminded him that they'd be facing the sharp, pointy, smelly jaws of death. No need to inform the others of that, yet. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty," Isaiah called up, "Come meet the people you'll be traveling with."
He turned back to Toby, waving to the Amargasaurus - a very skilled actor by the name of Plepin - on the way. "So, friend, where are you moving your players?"
Toby grinned broadly. "We are going," he paused for dramatic effect, "to Chandara!"
"Chandara? Isn't that a bit dangerous, in this day and age?"
"No, my boy," Toby said, an affected look of bravery on his face, "not for us. Not for artists! The Emperor is holding a festival of dramatic arts, and player companies are guaranteed passage. We need not fear the guards or their terror-birds, or the the teeth of the Shaoling monks. Our plays will carry us through. Really, Isaiah, you must come experience the theater! There may even be parts for you!"
Isaiah couldn't help smirking at Toby's theatricality, and considered for a moment reminding his old, foppish friend that he was not on stage. Still, he missed it all, and sincerely regretted leaving it behind. "I can't, Toby," he said, "You know I've gone legitimate."
"Legitimate?" Toby seemed scandalized, "There is nothing more legitimate than art! Than the stage!"
"Well, this pays more, and it's steady work. Plus, I've got a whole outfit, now."
"A shame," Toby's frown was huge, "You will be missed. The footlights seem somehow darker when you're not there in their light."
The two men shook hands, and then hugged ferociously. Toby informed Isaiah that there was an afternoon performance here in Ruhsmburg, and that he should at least drop in for their rehearsal before setting off. Toby got back into his cart, and Pleping pulled it along. As it passed, the familiar faces withing all smiled and waved, and Isaiah waved back. Exhaling sharply, he called again to his new associates.
"Hey! We meet and brief at two, and then head off down country. Until then, use the time as you see fit." He sat on the stoop, and was joined by Bolo.
"Well, that was painless," the saurian said.
Isaiah smirked. "That's because we haven't started, yet."
TAG: Everyone nearby
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Post by thundertail on Nov 20, 2007 7:17:26 GMT -5
IC: Clubber, Backbone Shipping Company, Rhumsburg
After a brief explanation from the duckbill, Mr. Achebe seemed to be a whole lot calmer - sort of! He went on talking, though with a sticcato lilt that Cluibber had heard before, known as stuttering; brought on by severe nervouseness in humans! What on Dinotopia could his new boss be so nervous about? He noticed that Karoka had once again left the barn a moment ago, and was trying to talk with a little human female hatchling standing just behind the duckbill. Just as he noticed this, he heard another human voice coming from an upper window in the Backbone Shipping Company; a house that was converted to a shipping dispatch office. This one looked disheveled, like someone freshly roused from sleep - and rather abruptly too! The three humans began an animated conversation once again while the saurians around them simply watched on. Bolo didn't need to translate for the humans, and decided not to translate for the saurians at this time for some strange reason!
After this brief exchange, Mr. Achebe stepped over and gave the male human closest to him a hug: and then Clubber knew it was just a simple misunderstanding between the two, quickly resolved! At this time Bolo decided to translate some of what was said. He told us that we would be told what to do this afternoon, and use the time in between to get settled in and become acquainted with the rest of this crew. Clubber knew the best way to break the ice was to begin by saying hello and things like that.
That's when Clubber let go with a bellow! "Hello, everyone!", he said in Saurian. He then repeated himself in Carnivore, Hadrosaurian and human English. Those were some of only a few words he spoke in those languages; but at least he was pretty fluent in Saurian and his own Ankylosaur language.
Everyone in the area turned to stare at Clubber for a moment, either shocked at his outburst or amazed that they could understand the greeting. A second later the shock wore off, and each went back to what they were doing. Shrugging, Clubber turned and faced the paddocks in the barn to his left, trying to decide which one he wanted to sleep in.
"Let's see...", Clubber said to himself in Ankylosaur. "Four paddocks, three dinos and no sauropods... I think I'll take this one!", he began to walk toward the second one from the front...
TAG: "All those present!..."
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Nov 20, 2007 10:28:56 GMT -5
IC: Isaiah Achebe, Backbone Shipping Company, Ruhmsburg
"Well, that was painless," the saurian said.
Isaiah smirked. "That's because we haven't started yet." He stood to re-enter the house behind him, reaching into the breast pocket of his jacket as he went. Just then, he heard a loud noise to his right. The Ankylosaurus had begun to bellow in multiple languages. Isaiah sighed and turned to Bolo. "See?"
He walked to the kitchen, pulling a cigar from his pocket as he went. He didn't want to waste any of his lucifers - matches were rare on the island - and so lit it in the kitchen fire. This was the sort of occasion that called for a cigar.
"Those smell!" Bolo called from the kitchen.
"Don't care!"
He sat on one of the wooden chairs and put his feet up on the table, crossed, smug. He took a drag on the cigar. Funny, he thought, I'm the only human working for this company... Applejack seemed to be taking a long time to come downstairs...
Just then there was a knock at the door. Standing beyond it were an odd pair of men - a red-haired man, and a heavily tattooed islander. Both seemed dolphinback-ish. Both seemed fierce. "Breathe deep," Isaiah said, leaning on the doorjamb, "What can I do for you?"
TAG: Everyone - especially rasputinsghost and Chris
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Post by Tiasalle on Nov 21, 2007 16:37:43 GMT -5
Demetria, Backbone Shipping Co., Rhumsburg
Demetria almost jumped when the raptor she had seen running around in the streets approached her. He spoke in Saurian, telling Tria that he was one of the more civilized carnivores on the island. She held back a smile and responded curtly, even though she found herself liking the raptor, "Demetria McKellips" she flicked out her hand in a passive greeting, "I assure you that I have no idea who you're talking about. I'm looking for a Hypocrosaurus Healer named Jul'althus. I have a few questions for him that would normally seem pertinent, but since we are away from the Guild I am certain I could talk with him as an equal instead of as a mentor." "As long as I have the ability to do my job, I will allow you to do yours." Julius' voice pierced Tria's ears and the girl turned towards the sound Tria folded her arms and huffed, allowing the frustration of following and searching for the Healer to rise to the surface, "Do you know what I've gone through to find you?" she said without thinking, "Now I see you here with an I-don't-know-what-kind of group and I'm beginning to wonder at my choice of schools and mentors. Leaving your pupils without notice. Shameful!" Tria held back her tears, putting on a very convincing mask of anger towards her former instructor. The Healer had not paid an particular attention to her, but he was still the closest thing Tria had ever had to a father and she was not about to lose him. It was then that she resolved that she would follow Julius no matter where his travels led him until she found what she was looking for...whatever that was.
TAG: JUL'ALTHUS, KORKOA
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Stouthorn
Junior Scholar
"POWER! UNLIMITED POWER!!"
Posts: 341
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Post by Stouthorn on Nov 22, 2007 2:00:31 GMT -5
OOC: In the future, Tiasalle, do not provide dialogue for other characters, unless given permission. It counts as controlling them.
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Post by makori on Nov 24, 2007 18:00:57 GMT -5
(Just reminding you of my existence.) Honely Hall
The man shook his head as he threw down the papers he'd been looking at, saying "No, no, and no!"
Outside his window, a huge head bobbed, peering in with a squinting eye. A purple and yellow protoceratops translated, and the head lurched back slightly, revealing the brown skin of Makori the diplodocus. He'd been squinting to try and be able to actually see the shape of the man, from whom he was trying to get a job from. He didn't actually know why he was getting one, only that if he didn't get one, he'd starve. Confused? Let me break it down.
Most of the southern villages, save for a few of the hatcheries, didn't have enough food stockpiled for larger sauropods. That was only in the big cities, such as Sauropolis, or in villages with large populations, like Ruhmsburg in the south. Out here, the largest dinosaurs Honely Hall saw were hadrosaurs, mostly. Sometimes, every once in a while, a sauropod would come through, but that was only as convoy, as they didn't stay long. There wasn't anything here for them to eat, as they couldn't simply live off the grass of the lowlands. They were tree browsers, through and through.
And, unfortunately, Makori was hungry, and he knew he had to eat before he got another headache.
The man sighed as he looked out at the diplodocus, stretching his hands out in a feeble gesture of defeat and said "Maybe you can head over to Jupe. They've got forests up there, and there's plenty of work for sauropods to work the river crossing. That place is always busy."
As the protoceratops translated once more, Makori sighed a huge sauropod sigh that nearly blew out a window on the floor below and responded in his language before turning around laboriously and heading off. It looked like his trip to the east would be put off for a while. For now, he would have to head north, to Jupe.
TAG: Anyone and everyone!
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Korkoa
Dolphinback
I'm a Christian Dinotopia lover. So?
Posts: 43
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Post by Korkoa on Nov 24, 2007 18:16:22 GMT -5
IC: I looked around, trying to find something to do. Clubber looked hungry, so I clambered up the ladder to the hayloft looking for something to shovel hay with. Aha! A pitchfork. It took some doing, but I managed to grasp the tool with my claws. After that, it was a simple matter of shoveling fresh hay down to the others.
"Here you go Clubb!"
TAG: Clubber, any other herbivores.
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