Stories

The Grey Mage – Episode 1 – The Current State of Affairs

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

AI Image

Happy Woden’s (Odin’s) Day!

The Grey Mage’s Journal – June 18, 2025

It’s been a while since I have written in my journal, but I feel that things are getting interesting, to say the least. So, it may be time to start chronicling my life experiences again for the sake of posterity. But perhaps an update is in order, as my last entry was on the last day of 2019, between COVID and a few other things that have happened in my life, my life is very different from it was those many years ago.

The magical world, in North America at least, has had an uneasy peace between the creatures of Magic and the Mages. But there are still some who long for the good ole days when creatures were slaves of the mages and the noble mage houses ruled things, but it seems changes are becoming more permanent. Most of the Houses still survive, but all of them have lost some of their political pull. This is because the Council has Magical creatures on it now, and that definitely doesn’t sit well with many of the old guard.

This has led to some changes, such as the Death Angels (The Old Council’s Necromantic hit squad) being disbanded. Necromancy is truly outlawed, so even the Council cannot violate this without penalty. Under Pressure from the magical world, the council began to be more inclusive in who could be on it.

Over time, the makeup of the council has changed so that things are a little more balanced. Over the last six years, there are less mages and more magical creature types. The council still has nine members, and now North America and Europe are divided into nine districts from which anyone can be elected. Hell, I could run and have been asked to do so. I, however, have no desire to do so. Right now, there are four mages on the council, only three of whom belong to noble houses. The Houses of Mars, Venus, and Saturn have seats on the council. The fourth mage is an ‘unaffiliated’ mage like myself. The Fae have two of their dryad queens on the council. Add in a Centaur and an Ogre, and it is pretty balanced at that point.

The final member, and most recent member, was a half-elf girl of previous acquaintance by the name of Raven. A woman I had the ‘privilege’ of meeting in my apartment many years ago. She is a bridge in more ways than one. Mostly, she is both fae and human, being half-elf. She was also elected unanimously as the Chairperson. This move kind of shocked everyone, but it made sense, and she has, over the last few months, handled things quite well.

But this political move actually had consequences for me personally. One month after taking her seat as the Chair of the New Council, I opened the door and found her standing on the doorstep of my cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. (I had moved after the war was over from the one I had in Wisconsin back to my home state.) She smiled that beautiful half-elven smile and asked to come in. Unlike last time, she wasn’t alone. She was flanked by two other figures I also knew from the past – Grumm the Troll and Alex, a mage from House Saturn. They both were in much more formal attire, and both of them looked at me with a frightened respect. I had after all kicked their asses when we fought last time. Grumm, for his part, shook my hand and said there were no hard feelings from me burning him all those years ago, and Alex simply brooded over Raven’s shoulder.

Raven, for her part, was still the diminutive half-elf with the sex appeal of a Playboy Playmate. But now she wore a sports suit with a knee-length skirt. Much more professional. The goth mercenary look was gone.

“If this meeting goes well, perhaps I can call you ‘Edward’?”

“That would require that we move our relationship to the more intimate level.”

“We will see.”

I laughed as I thought this was a joke, but I was to find out how wrong I was.

AI Generated Image

We sat down and talked for a bit. In summary, she sought my assistance in addressing various situations that might require my services. In short, a troubleshooter. I objected because I was basically retired at this point and trying to keep a low profile. I still had many enemies. But I had also parlayed my magical expertise into a decent income as a consultant and researcher of magical things. I worked from home and earned a good income. What could possibly pull me away from this very peaceful life?

Raven offered me more money, but I think she knew I didn’t care. Then she offered me something I didn’t expect to appeal to me, but it did. She appealed to my sense of justice. Many of my enemies were still involved in various questionable activities and engaged in revolutionary activities to bring back the ‘good ole days.’ In short, I would be making my enemy list shorter while at the same time doing some good in the world. Plus I would be brining some justice for some because some of these scum were on the run from the magical law.

Then she pointed out the main reason she wanted me. I was the only known battle mage, and she felt the Council could use that kind of help with this problem. I balked at the thought of working for the Council; I had spent the majority of my life on the run from them. I told Raven that I wouldn’t be their puppet no matter how much they had changed. She said, I wouldn’t be working for them, but for her directly. Each councilperson has the right to enlist individuals to help them of their choosing. She had basically kept Grumm and Alex on as her bodyguards that way. But she didn’t want me to work for her, but with her.

In short, she was offering a partnership. Her, with her political connections and intelligence sources, and I, as investigator and battlemage when raw power was required. I could also enlist help if I needed it. My concerns still remained, but she assured me this Council was different than the others. It literally had only one member who was from the old days, and that person was someone who supported the revolution.

I then switched my thoughts to the nature of the job. What was I investigating, and who was involved? It was this point that I was sold. The old guard was up to some pretty nasty things. Fae slavery trafficking, Necromancy, illegal research, etc. The Fae slave trafficking caught my attention as I had an intimate relationship with one that had begun in childhood and continued up to the present day. I didn’t know right now what Lunnette was up to, but the last thing I would ever want for her would be to be enslaved to some mage as their magical boosting whore. Necromancy made sense as the dismissed Death Angels would be a problem there now that the legal caps are off for them. Illegal practice, but what do you care if you basically think the new Council doesn’t have any power over you?

SO I accepted the partnership with the condition that I could dissolve it at any time. Raven agreed, and then things got a little interesting. She dismissed Grumm and Alex, telling them to form a perimeter around the cabin. She wanted to speak to me alone. Once we were alone, I saw her mumble a spell, and my guard went up. But then I recognized what it was – a privacy spell. She was making sure whatever happened next was going to be known only to me and her.

“Sorry, I should have warned you about that.”

“No Problem. Apparently, there is something you want just between us?”

She then went on to explain that she genuinely wanted this partnership to work. Because it was more dire than she was letting on. The problem was that she felt that the whole of these activities were connected in some way. Some single effort to bring things back to the way things were. She wanted me out there doing something about it and figuring it out. She was interested in me as a battlemage to be sure, but she also wanted my better-than-average skill in divination and my experience being behind enemy lines.

“I also want you to absolutely trust me.”

“Not likely.”

She nodded, then added

“Have you ever heard of the elven ritual of ‘Estel Núte?”

“Trust Bond, as I recall in English”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Not much is known about it outside the Elven community. It is supposed to be something like sealing a contract, only much more sacred.”

“Yes, it is. I would like to perform this ritual with you to bond us together regarding this partnership of ours. Make it more of a sacred act between us. It has one actual magical effect – Enchantment magic will not work between us. I can’t enchant you, and you can’t enchant me.”

I thought on this for a bit and asked Raven for a moment. Raven was basically saying that she wanted to nullify her main form of magic toward me. I didn’t know what other magical schools she had skill in, but this would be a huge thing for her, and I was starting to see why it would mean so much to the elves. Enchanters are roughly 80% of their spell casters, and that would mean that between two of them doing this ritual, it would form a lot of trust. Magical manipulation becomes very difficult. In this case, Raven would be voluntarily giving up a lot of her options regarding trying to magically charm me. I, on the other hand, whose basic skill in Enchanting is almost non-existent, wasn’t giving up much. So she was desperate to have my aid.

“Seems one-sided. What does the ritual itself involve?”

“Ritual spell that involves shared blood and coitus”

She tried to say that like she was delivering a technical lecture, but some emotional excitement slipped through at the end.

“So we do the spell, exchange blood and fuck?”

She laughed, “Yes, that is in a very vulgar way of putting it, but technically correct. That’s why I said – I might be able to call you ‘Edward’ at last.”

I groaned inside. The problem was I hadn’t actually had sex in about six months. I missed it terribly both as a man and a mage. Lunette, Amber, and I had formed a Trois relationship during the war, and it has lasted quite a while into the peace period. The Trois was technically still a thing, but I hadn’t seen Lunette in well over a year or Amber in six months. We kept in touch minimally, and they had been gone for a while. But I knew for sure that if we got together again and were within walking distance of a bed, there would be passion of a physical kind.

Lunnette was feeling itchy feet, as many Pixies do, to be off and doing something exciting. She loved me and I her, but I could tell something was bothering her, and it was that she needed to get back out there. I could tell she was getting sexually bored as well. Pixies have the sexual morality of a goat and long for new experiences. There is just no way for any human to sexually satisfy a Pixie, even if that human is a mage.

I think the Trois lasted as long as it did because both Amber and I are mages, and our auras were an aphrodisiac that could not be equaled by a pixie. She was both in love with us and addicted to our auras. It kept her excited for a long time, but then it suddenly didn’t, at least not as much. Then she got offered a job with one of the Fae Queens in a Grove in Montana, and said she was going to take it. We made love that last night, cried a lot, then she packed and, after a goodbye kiss with both Amber and me, she walked out.

Amber and I tried to make a go of things as a couple, but it was problematic. I am 25 years her senior, and this made for interesting gossip in the local town. I will never understand how society has so many double standards. If I had been a fifty-something woman and she a twenty-something man, it would be: ‘You go, girl.” But the opposite, and somehow she is being manipulated into the relationship, and I am a creeper. It put a little social pressure on us in that very conservative part of the country.

But the point was that Amber and I had always been a thing in the context of the Trois. Lunnette is the one who had invited her into the whole thing. As a couple, we found out how much Lunnette had been the glue that held us together. It is not that we fought or anything. It just wasn’t the same. The nights still had passion, but they lacked something. One morning, I woke up and Amber was gone. She left a note on the table about how things had changed; she still loved me, but she had accepted a job out of state. She didn’t tell me where.

I cried for a while. I have to say I like having two sexy roommates, but the truth is, the feeling of being alone hit me hard at that moment. But I understood I didn’t own either of these women. Both had very free and at times fiery spirits. I did the best I could, and occasionally I would get a text or email from one of them. I would reply, but that was the end of it. It felt so sudden, and for me I threw myself into my magical research and reading. Not much else to do.

But at this moment, a half-elf woman was offering me ritual sex to seal a deal, and until that moment, I hadn’t realized how much I missed being touched and loved. I missed making love to someone. I had always been a little selective of who I had sex with; at that moment, my body count was four. But…

I nodded assent. Raven smiled and took my hand in hers. It isn’t very hard to find a bedroom in a cabin-sized structure. The Trois had used it often, and it still had the king-sized four-poster bed in it. Raven stood in front of it and disrobed. Suddenly, there was a beautiful naked half-elven woman in front of me. I suddenly realized how horny I was and it started to show. So, I followed suit and disrobed myself and stood a couple of feet in front of her.

She produced a small ritual dagger in her left hand and took my right. She made a cut across the palm, then cut her own right palm, and then clasped her bleeding hand in mine. She began to say some words in Elvish, and I could follow some of them. It was magic-laced words of binding and trust, and I could feel the magic between us arise as our blood mingled. When she was finished, she released my hand, and to my surprise, it wasn’t bleeding anymore, but there was a faint scar.

The next second, though, I had her pressing her body against mine with her arms wrapping around my neck. Our height difference was almost comical as she pulled herself up on her toes to kiss me with my 6-foot-4-inch height. For my part, my hands went to her waist and then down her butt slowly until they were mid thigh and then I grabbed her thighs and pulled her up. She wrapped her legs around me.

Now, normally I would not kiss (or fuck) and tell. I tend to keep that in my memories and not share. But there are some things I have to say about our lovemaking that might be pertinent later:

1) If Raven is a common example of elvish lovemaking, then they are all freaks. I had heard stories, of course, about how the Stoic domenor comes off when elves are alone with themselves or close friends, but I had no idea. Raven was ‘crazy bitch’ levels of enjoying the experience. I thought for sure Grumm and Alex would come running based on her screams and groans, but they didn’t.

2) During the actual act, I found myself thinking I was being dominated or at least there was an attempt to dominate me. Not spells per se, but just the sit back and let me ride you kind of vibes. Oddly, while I would normally accept a woman riding me as a good time, I turned it around. Let’s just say that when Raven put on her panties afterwards, they slipped over some red cheeks that had an impression resembling my handprints on them. She smiled and didn’t seem to mind, almost like she was impressed.

3) The magic works, and as best as I can tell, it is on the up and up. I tried casting some of the small Enchantment spells I know at Raven, and they simply didn’t materialize. I could feel the magic the whole time, and it just added to the experience. I also felt something else, like a bond between us. More than just the magic, but I somehow trusted her more. Like, she legitimately wanted this partnership, and she wanted it to work.

Once we were both dressed again. She came over and kissed me again.

“I would love to stay the night after that, but I have other matters to attend to.”

”Busy now, huh?”

“Yeah, this Councilwoman and Chairperson role is exhausting at times.”

“So, how is this going to work?”

“I will send you an encrypted email tomorrow. It will tell you what I would like you to do for your first mission. You can contact me if you need more details.”

“OK.”

She kissed me again. Deeply.

“Thank you, Edward. The council could really use your help, and thanks for the sex – I enjoyed it immensely.”

With that, she let go of my neck, and I walked her to the door. Grumm and Alex were waiting for her in their car about fifty yards off. I watched her walk to the car, keeping my eyes on that nice tight little, nicely curved ass of hers. Once she was inside and they had driven off, I went back inside my cabin. Activated my wards and made a note that she had called me ‘Edward’, and I didn’t mind.

Something else comes to mind now that I write about it. I am in a good mood for the first time since Amber Left. I never realized how much physical intimacy affects my moods. Right now, I could take on a pack of werewolves and be smiling about it. I have to keep that in mind. I miss the girls for a ton of reasons, but perhaps I should open myself up to other relationships just to add some joy to my life. It’s limited, but it beats the loneliness I have felt for half a year. For Odin’s Sake, how much am I becoming more Pixie-like in my attitude toward sex?

I guess I will see what this encrypted email brings for me tomorrow.

Writer’s Notes:

Sorry, it took so long to write again, but reworking The Hedge Wizard of Redberg / Rogue Wizard universe so that it is caught up both time-wise and puts my main character (my avatar basically) into a new situation took a bit. I do think this situation will get the desired result, which is that this series, ‘The Grey Wizard’, will be a never-ending story of sorts. It is a series that will keep going as long as I want to keep it going. There is no real ending in mind, just the idea of striving from one story to the next.

I wanted to get the Grey Wizard Edward out on his own, so to speak, and have a new motivation to get out there and do something in the world of magic. Getting Amber and Lunnette out of the picture was a part of that. As much as I liked writing battle scenes with all three involved, they were kind of overpowered when together.

I like the irony of Edward working for the Council that had hunted him for most of his life is interesting, but I knew the changes to the Council had to be significant to pull that off. Plus, add an old character that I never really did much with as the Chairperson, and a new situation is born.

We will see what happens in the coming episodes.

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher.  The Grey Wayfarer.

Skal!!!

Grey Avatar – ‘Spiked Coffee’ – Part 1 of a Grey Wayfarer Serial

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Grey Avatar – Part 1

I can speak from personal experience that if you are tired enough, you can sleep anywhere. In my case, I was sleeping on a park bench in the city’s main park. I slept here because the police had a tendency to patrol the roads where they could look into the park but rarely got out to deal with the homeless vagabonds like myself. Luckily it was also the middle of spring and the weather was arming up. I could get by with my jacket and trail boots. Didn’t like hats unless it was super cold.

Waking up, I realized I had slept Into mid-morning or so by the sun. It was chilly but not windy. A perfect day in some people’s minds. I sat up and checked all my things. Everything was present from my backpack to my trail boots. I was getting better at being vagabond and homeless.

How long had it been now – a year. That terrible day when my whole life had crumbled. They had pronounced her dead you see – my wife that is. I didn’t go back to work and then one day I just packed everything into my backpack and walked out. I haven’t been back. I have learned how little it takes to be and stay alive since that day.

If you see me on the street though, you would not think me homeless. I know ways to keep my hygiene up to snuff and keep my clothes in good repair. I pay attention to my hygiene and appearance. I even have a debit card and what little I earn goes into it. It’s enough to afford a gym membership to one of those national chains. So always a place to work out and shower is available to me and I use them. I have gotten in good shape (muscled and still standing tall despite my age), and daily showered, brush my teeth, and trim my beard. My beard is getting grey like my medium hair. Try to get a haircut once a couple months and then it is usually a buzz cut (minus the beard) so I can grow it a while before the next haircut.

It’s my eyes that tell you that I am different. If my wife were alive and you asked her, she would tell a tale of how she fell in love with my grey-blue eyes which she would describe as getting lost in the sea after a storm. It’s the one place you can look at my face and still see me as I was – hopeful, but sad. My fifty-five years weigh heavy, but I still stand straight as I can.

I wander. It’s what I do now. I don’t stay in a single place for more than a few weeks. Then I look up the next city that has a gym where I have a membership and move on to that one. I work a little and observe. I do a lot of watching people. Lovers, partners, workers, street vendors, police, and others. I see them all and for a short time watch their story unfold in front of me. Then I write what I see in my notebook. Once a notebook is full, I mail it to a friend to keep for me. She is the only one who knows where I am at all times and is sworn to silence. I don’t have a phone or address, so she can’t write back. But she promised to keep the notebooks until I return to get them.

Today I met a most interesting person. I would not be exaggerating if I were to say this person changed my life forever, but it is one of those tales that may require many entries to tell. I am not even sure of my own sanity at this point which I have heard means I am perfectly sane just perhaps have experienced a shock.

It started with meeting a fellow vagabond. Older than me and looking far more interesting. He looked like a wizard of sorts with his long beard and hair that was pure white. He was wearing a jacket and jeans so that through off the wizard vibes. But he had a long staff-like walking stick that was actually pretty cool with its steel banded ends. I looked a little opulent for him as the rest of him suggested wanderer,

He, interestingly enough, also had a cape with a hood that he kept over his head just enough to hide his eye. Yes, I said eye because where his left eye would be was an eyepatch of black fabric. Under the cape the bulge of a medium-sized backpack was apparent. He walked straight and tall which indicated for his age he must be still in great health and shape. But his face was otherwise lined with lines of concern and courage. If you get that you get that.

He approached me and I stiffened up naturally as I tend to do when I know someone wants to talk to me, but I don’t know who they are. I was intrigued by this man, but I could sense that he was not all he seemed to be on the surface. When he spoke, his voice was both wise and commanding.

“Leif Johanson, I have need of your assistance.”

“How do you know my name?”

“I know many things. Your name is simple enough to know”

I paused here checking my brain for any time I had revealed my true name to anyone. I don’t use it much except when needed for financial or legal matters, which are very few anymore.

“So what do you want with me, seeing you have gone through the trouble of finding out my name?”

“It was very little trouble actually, let’s just say a bird told me.”

It was then I noticed the two ravens. One was sitting on one of the branches near our conversation. For the life of me, I didn’t hear it fly to that spot even though I had been on this bench all morning. The other was further away sitting on a garbage can. Suddenly I felt more watched than ever. An uncomfortable feeling for a people watcher and a wanderer who likes to fly under the radar.

The stranger chuckled at his statement and I was now more uncomfortable.

“So what do you want with me?”

“Well, let’s not talk here. I would rather we talk over coffee. That coffee shop behind us will do. You can hear me out and I will buy you whatever drink you like and given the chill this morning we will both know the simple pleasure of a warm place, a warm drink, and a warm conversation, business though it may be. Will you accept my hospitality and hear me out?”

I did not dislike him but there was something about him that caused me to be on edge. But my ethics about hospitality, seeing he used the word, is that it is rude to turn it down if offered as hospitality. Just as rude as not to give it when necessity demands it.

“Very well, I accept your hospitality sir.”

We entered the coffee shop and found it empty as it was mid-morning. The early rush was over and the staff was waiting for the noon one in a couple of hours. We ordered our drinks. I ordered my standard hot chocolate, as I don’t like hot coffee very much, but I did want a warm-up before I returned to the park. The man I was with ordered black coffee but with a coffee bean I knew was expensive. He had high tastes. Who am I to say anything about this. In the summer I would be buying an iced coffee ( I prefer mine cold) and with the same attention to the bean I wanted. Vagabonds have their rich excentricities at times.

Once we got our drinks which only took the staff a couple minutes we found a seat as far away from the counter as the stranger I was with would walk. He wanted our conversation to be private as much as possible, apparently.

“Yes, this will do.”, he said.

At first, we said nothing as he pulled out a flask from inside his coat and added some of its contents to his coffee, and then offered some to me.

“More of your hospitality?”

“Yes, actually. This is mead. It will both sweeten your drink and enlighten your mind.

I nodded my acceptance, as I felt once again that hospitality rules required it. I didn’t think this man had any more to do with me other than offering me a proposal and this was a public place. I didn’t think the coffee would be spiked.

The mead combined with my hot chocolate was delightful. I actually felt fairly warm after a few sips and I felt a little more alert and mindful. If it was spiked I felt it would do the opposite, so genuinely magical. Perhaps my new acquaintance was a wizard after all or at least an alchemist.

“Thanks, this is very good.”

“Welcome, now to my proposal.”

Then he touched my hand and the world faded from existence.

End of Part 1

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher.  The Grey Wayfarer.

Skal!!!

“Naming Day” – The Grey Wayfarer Pub – Episode 3

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

It’s been a month since last I wrote. I have been busy and now is the time to journal the results.

First I Had to personally move into the top-floor apartment. It was actually a simple affair with a single bedroom for my king-sized bed with some room to spare and a fairly spacious bathroom next to that. The entire front was an open loft-like arrangement with a kitchen, dining nook, and a living area which I devoted to my books a reading chair, and a sofa for guests. No Television. Comfortable and functional. Honestly, I spend very little time here except to get some sleep, eat, and do some reading at the end of the day.

The basement is more of my second home now. It is my alchemy lab in truth now. Several tables with chemical and alchemical apparatus covering them. One whole wall is now devoted to ingredients for my potions. Part of it though is my brewing equipment for my own alcoholic beverages. In particular, I have chosen to go with Mead. Mead is expensive and for good reason – honey. But I have discovered one thing about it as well. Because the ingredients are in some senses precious – the potions I make with mead have been shall we say more potent.

Now the real trick to alchemy is the magic part. It has to be drawn from your own inner philosophy and inner most beliefs. Theology does not work for me anymore and is quite frankly unstable as nitroglycerin as far as results. It’s the fact that theology is made up for the most part and lives in a double fantasy of sorts. It requires a lot of cheats and leaps of logic to get it to even be usable and even then its effects can be quite weird. It’s why the cure for vampirism eventually failed as theology is my magic force that doesn’t hold the magic that well. The cure had a shelf life and then the magic didn’t work at all once I didn’t believe.

So as I am setting up my lab I was also experimenting with products to sell and I have found that from a physical base form point of view mead is damn good at holding magic and tends to actually act as an enhancer of magical effect. So my mead production began at once. Thankfully the base magic I add to it makes the fermentation process go even faster. The base magic in general is the simple philosophy of living a virtuous life. The basic effect of the mead is that it quickens thought and reflection as well as having enough kick to knock a frost giant on his ass.

The rest of the magic is to take this base mead and add different ingredients and effects to make it more specialized. I have a lot of experimenting to do but the alchemy is working again and for that, I am thankful as I want a local brew to sell.

The bar itself is now nearly complete. Stools are redressed in grey vinal with a silver sheen and the five booths are much the same. The bar is restocked and the small cooking alcove is fixed up and stocked as well. I redid the bathrooms as they were pretty much trashed. I basically made two unisex bathrooms with nice fixtures and set up to do pretty much everything regardless of the sex of the occupant. I am just thinking ahead on that I suppose.

Finally, I added some touches from the old pub. I had my silver shield and shotgun shipped in and placed them under the bar. The painting of Miss Wine from the Pub. Her naked reclining form fits right at home here in the pub. Last I knew she had left the US to take an undisclosed job for the Shields. It must have been pretty hush-hush as even I couldn’t get info on it and I have pretty high clearance. That said, the painting was done by a man who knew his oils and made her beautiful and restful. Last, of all, I put up a small sign next to the painting – “Clothing Optional”. Some things will never change for me.

Outside there now hangs a sign which up to today was covered to prevent it from being read. But today I removed it as it is the official naming day for the pub. Both sides have the same scene of an old man traveling a path. Above him fly two ravens and two wolves are on the path with him. The word along the top and bottom: “The Grey Wayfarer”. Not so coincidentally, this is also the name of my new Mead “Grey Wayfarer Mead”.

I am happy with the place and the grand opening is in two weeks. Now all I need to do is hire some staff.

Author’s Notes:

Starting something new, forward in the timeline, but returning as something low-powered is tough unless there is a good explanation.

In this case, it is the bartender who has changed. He is having to rediscover and rebuild and so his power is diminished and his friends are scattered requiring him to make new ones (although some old characters might make a guest appearance). This means the change is causing a reset.

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher.  The Grey Wayfarer.

Skal!!!

“Battle’s End” – Dark Shieldmaiden – Prelude

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Odin’s Day!

September 25, 1066

Anya the Bold knew she was dying.  She still clung to her sword while sitting with her back against the tree.  She had lost so much blood through her wound on her left side that she was sure death would come soon.  She had seen this many times before in others but now she knew it was coming to her. A mortal wound that she knew would be her end.

Not that she feared death.  Vahalla awaited and now she had more than enough reason to enter its gates. She had watched her husband die as a warrior.  Vagnar had stood on the bridge with his great axe holding off the Saxons long enough for the rest of them to escape. She knew he would fall but she had not waited around to see it.  She honored his sacrifice while hiding the fact that she herself had been stabbed by a Saxon sword.

She lay dying she thought of his embrace knowing it would soon be renewed in Vahalla. Her thoughts turned to his strong arms around her and the last time they had made love on the morning of the battle when King Godwinson’s army then surprised them.  They had enough time to arm themselves and then battle ensued.  Had not their own king fallen and their ally Earl Tostig, King Gdowinson’s brother fallen as well, things might have been different.  The Saxons had completely surprised them.

She knew her husband had felled many Saxons that day.  How many had fallen would surely be the stuff of legend as the tale was retold.  For now, though she knew he had only proceeded her in death by some hours. She stared at the trees in front of her while her vision darkened…

She awoke but it was not the hall of Vahalla she saw.  The same English trees lay before her and she felt strange. It was now nightfall and she was alive; something she had not expected.  She actually felt renewed and yet also had a feeling like she had downed far too much mead. She could move which when she had fallen asleep she could not do. She had lost too much blood.  How was this possible?

Looking down at her wound, her breath caught in her throat.

“Odin.”

It was healed like it had never existed.  Her head swam in disbelief.

“It’s alright, You were dying and I saved you.  You might not, however, believe how.”

She looked to see one of her fellow Norseman standing over her.  He had a strong young face, but his eyes betrayed an age much older.  She had seen him before but did not know his name.

“Why?”

“Because the wife of a brave man needs to be around to hear his tale.”

He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. Then she smashed her fist right into his face, knocking him on his backside.

“You rob me of Vahalla and my husbands embrace.  I should kill you.”

The man sat there, rubbing his chin.  He smiled.

“No.  You will join your husband someday, just not yet.  And killing me might prove far more difficult than you might imagine.”

Anya raised her sword and drove it down; but in a motion, which she did not see, the man stood to his feet and caught her wrist.   The strength of his grip caused her hand to flex and the sword to fall from her fingers. He then put the arm behind her back and his other arm went around her holding her still.  His strength was far superior to any man she had ever met.

“I have given you a gift.  A gift that you need to understand and I am willing to teach you, but you must calm down and listen.  I have given you a chance to tell your husband’s tale for generations to come.  But more than that, I have given you a chance to truly live.”

Anya relaxed.

“Why would you do this.”

“Because your husband was not the only one who has loved you.”

He let go of her and she spun and looked at him.

“Anya the Bold.  I have watched you for a long time. From the time you were a child.  You have a strong spirit and an intelligent mind. You are brave and a passionate heart.  I have come to love you, but I would not dishonor your marriage.”

“Who are you?”

“Just call me Erik. Listen, If you want to honor your husband’s sacrifice, live and give him vengeance. What happened today cannot go unpunished.”

Anya looked at Erik grimly and then nodded.  She then held up her sword.  The sword her husband had given her a few years ago.

“I shall avenge my husband, twenty Saxons will fall to this blade, I swear by Odin the All-Father.”

“Good, and I will tell you more about what happened to you. But for now, we must join the others and return home. The Saxons will wait until another day.”

As he turned and she followed a tear formed in her eyes. If only she had known the horrors that awaited her, she might have killed Erik for his ‘gift’.

Writer’s Notes:

Its been a bit since I started something new. My hope is this series is intriguing enough and entertaining enough for me.  It is a story I wanted to read but seeing no one has written it yet, I decided to do it. 

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

 

“Epilogue III” – Rogue Wizard – The Fire of Fury – Part 25 (Finale)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Rogue Wizard’s Journal – December 31st, 2019

While Christmas was not the greatest  I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the year.  Lunette and Amber showed up today early in the morning as I was cooking breakfast. Even greater news, the war is over and the terms of the treaty have changed everything. Most notably the idea that someone does not need to be part of a mage house to be a mage nor do fairy and fantastic folk needs to be connected to a leader.  My days as a rogue wizard are over because there is no such thing. The houses still exist and so does the council but it is all voluntary for mages now, not mandated.

Speaking of the council, according to Amber, the makeup is changed as there was an internal rebellion of sorts that replaced most of the heads of the houses with new people more in line with unification and openness with the rest of the magical world.  The council was changed according to these changes.  It seems they have taken an adapt or survive point of view rather than one upholding tradition. The tradition was getting them extinct and they must have realized it.

Now I realize this is purely for North America and Europe as different magical governments dominate parts of the rest of the world, but for me, it means not having to be afraid of the council anymore.   It still does not resolve the issue of remaining hidden as all three of us are sure there will be elements that want revenge for all these changes as we were instrumental in causing some of the problems that lead to them.  The deposed traditionalists would still want to fight and they could retake the council, but the notion that anyone who practices magic can do so openly is going to be huge in the magical world.

I also realize that my being the only battle mage who currently is known and one who has seemingly survived the death spell would cause a lot of people to fear me.  I am a harmless teddy bear but some might consider me too big a threat to be allowed to live, and that means staying dead to the world might still give me some protection.

Privacy too as I feel the other thing might be to ask the question of whether being a battle mage can be taught to others.  Do I really want that?  I might argue it might be the magical world equivalent of inventing gunpowder. Do I want that as my legacy? Probably not.

Of course, the first thing all three of us did was draw the drapes and get intimately acquainted again and I found the ladies seemed more eager than me in this regard. Apparently having an actual dick does make a difference at least that is what they told me.  The time I liked best though was when we fell asleep in each others arms.  Cuddling naked with Lunette’s wings draped over us.  We are whole again.

Maybe someday I will announce that I lived, but I still would want enough time to past where past grievances can be settled down and perhaps cooler heads can come to terms with a broken past.  I can only hope and wait.

One thing is finished and that is this journal.  It is no longer necessary as I am no longer a Rogue Wizard.  Maybe a vagabond or grey pilgrim like Gandalf, but not criminal or rogue anymore.  Maybe posterity will read this and think better of me or worse, but my thoughts and major decisions are here for all to read.  Hopefully, they will be gently heard and kindly judged.

This is the last entry – rogue wizard out.

Writer’s Final Note:

I have mixed feelings about this project being finished.  I am glad to move on to something else, but also sad to see it end.  There are feelings associated with this that are loving and sad at the same time and I miss the one who was my inspiration fo Elpis.  Now, there will be less reason to think of her, but that may be good for my healing process.  I still have some poems in my head os she will never truly go away, and well there is that loving somebody and never getting completely over it that I seem to have. Maybe someday I will come back and rewrite the whole Hedge and Rogue wizard sagas with new feelings and thoughts. 

In the meantime, as the bard once said, I ask you to be one that is “gently to hear and kindly to judge” this story. I may be paraphrasing a bit.  

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Epilogue II” – Rogue Wizard – The Fire of Fury – Part 24

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Rogue Wizard’s Journal – December 25th, 2019

Christmas doesn’t mean as much to me anymore other than there are memories of family times I miss.  Now there will not be any more of them and that makes me sad. I have been on the run now for a couple months and finally, I have found a safe house of sorts. In that respect, it has been a good Christmas,  No Christmas ‘miracle’ of the girls showing up and making my life joyful again.  I did buy them presents but they will get them when I see them.

I didn’t leave that first week but it became clear that the girls were right.  If I would be seen with them then the whole gift Elpis had given me would be lost. I had to go underground alone and that bothered me.  I have been alone before and even though I know that two women love me, I know that means depression and a few low moments mentally and emotionally.

Today as I sit by the fire in a cabin in the woods in Wisconsin, I am reminded of how alone I am, but this place looks to have been abandoned a long time ago and has a magical aura.  I was literally able to buy the cabin and the property it is on for five hundred bucks.

It has one main room which serves as bedroom, kitchen and office space for me with a big reading chair in the corner.  The other room is a three-quarter bath with shower, toilet, and sink.  That room also serves as the utility room as the water heater. electrical box and small furnace are all in it as well. Cozy, but I don’t need any more than this and the fireplace by my reading chair is a magical one so a little spell and poof, warm for the entire evening.

The town nearby is very small but has a Dollar General and a grocery store. I had a guy install wifi in the place but he looked like he was about to jump out of his skin.  Something about this place keeps people away, but for me it is safe. My bank account is full and I can live minimally like I am for at least ten years.  Hopefully, the war will be over before then.

This is still a werewolf country and I keep Nevermore out and keeping watch all the time now. With the town nearby, I am fast about to become the eccentric wizard who lives on the edge of town and who people avoid when he goes to town.  I even dress the part now with a flowing cloak and hood and grey clothes that look more out of Dungeons and Dragons than the modern-day.  I spend most of my days reading and studying my art.  I wait.  The small table serves well enough for a place to write and set up my lab from time to time.

My use of magic is brief and low powered.  I don’t want to attract attention so I just keep to myself and mind my own business. I do miss the girls and I don’t know when I will see them again.

Well, I needed to update this journal.  it has been a long couple of months, but I have found my safe place. I just wish it wasn’t so lonely.

I hear news of the war through my internet connection and computer. It isn’t going well for either side if you ask me.  The casualties are high on both sides. I worry that the magical world will be so diminished when it is over.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Epilogue” – Space Tramp – Chapter 22 (Megatraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Mani’s Day!

Writer’s Thoughts:

This episode of Space Tramp is a little different in that the story part is at the end.  I wanted to first take some time to reflect on the project which was to do a fully fleshed out background story based on the advanced character generation system of Megatraveller the Role Playing Game.  The idea is simple in that you roll the dice for each year of character development and then come up with a story to give greater detail on how those things happened.

I must say it had its challenges in the fact that a lot of time very little as far as excitement happened. Route and No Business assignments required a little imagination to give them a story element that was entertaining.  Real-life is sometimes dull but that does not mean insignificant things happen.  So too with the life of Jeremiah Kilwood.  The real surprise is that there was little in the way of danger most of the time for Jeremiah and he faced the challenges of advancement easily.  I had no problems and there were actually no rerolls along the way.  The only one time I had a survival issue I used a BP to overcome it, but that made for an interesting story of how survival is not just about the physical but could also be legal, in this case, avoiding prison.

From a gamer point of view as someone who loves Megatraveler.  I would play Jeremiah with a lot of pride and he is a deep character now with a background full of many stories that could come up. His skills are diverse so there are few situations that he would be caught off guard in or unprepared to meet the challenges to himself.  He has space skills, business skills, interpersonal skills, and combat skills. A well-balanced character.

The project comes to a close now. I have enjoyed it but it is time to move on to other things. The one thing I will take with great joy is that Jeremiah’s personality is believable. He is not perfect, but practical. He has had obstacles placed in front of him and overcomes them so he is confident.  He is a bit of a carouser both in the sense of drink and the pleasures of women, but he can respect women at the same time. He above all values his freedom and has worked hard to gain his own.

For the future, Jeremiah could use a bit of leadership skill and perhaps ship’s tactics to complete the Captain role but he is going to have to gain that through adventuring.

Final Character Sheet:

Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood (retired)

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 5

UPP: A67AA4   Age: 38  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills:  Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Liaison – 2, Trader – 2, Engineering – 1, Turret Weapons – 1, Vacc Suit – 1, Zero-G Combat – 1, Broker – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion – 1, Brawling -1, Small Blade-1, Handgun – 1,  (19 out of 20 possible skill levels)

Default Skills: Ship’s Boat – 1 Sensor Ops -1, Admin-1,  Streetwise-1 

Zero Level Skills: Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Money: 241,500 Cr.       Pension: 4000Cr/year.

Equipment:

Free Trader Starship – Type A – Beowulf Class – no payments.

Story:

Jeremiah stood on the bridge of his ship and looked out seeing the dock berth his ship was in.  He put his hand on the pilot seat reflecting on how many times he had sat in a chair like this.  His mind raced to think of how many things he had learned as a pilot, navigator including some skill in operating ship’s sensors. His time in space had made him a capable spacehand.  He knew enough about engineering to work on his own jump and maneuver drives. He could man turret weapons in a pinch and was capable of handling a vacc suit in Zero-G no problem. No one would question his skills as a spacer.

He turned and left the bridge, passing through the crew common area, he walked by the staterooms for the crew and his own captain’s quarters. Much of what was required of being a Captain was learning to be a diplomat, administrator, space lawyer, trader, and a broker. All of which he knew something.  The business side he knew very well, but he also knew how to have a drink with a client or his crew as well as when to talk the language of dockworkers and the organized criminal element wherever he went.

He went through the airlock which was currently open for the purpose of loading passengers and went down the gangplank to the hangar floor.  He reflected at some of his other skills which he hoped to never use.  To bash in a skull with his bare fist or to body check them, to shot them with his handgun or pull his blade and slice at them were all skills he knew. He could even do all that in Zero-G. That plus his natural strength meant people often saw him and moved aside.

He moved out to the front of his ship and looked at the last thing that had just been finished – the nose art.  After much deliberation, he had decided on the name of the craft and after checking the registries found that no one had actually named their ship what he wanted. He was surprised, but then again he was connecting an idea with a system.

The nose art had come out well, better than expected. The artist had painted a naked woman straddling a silver rocket. She was a curvy, lightly muscled lass, with larger than normal breasts and bright red hair that was flying behind her.  He had actually asked Anabelle to model and surprisingly she said ‘yes’.  Although when she saw the finished work she remarked – “my breasts are not that big,”.

See the source image

Jeremiah smiled and knew, but didn’t share, that this alteration, which he asked of the artist, was drawn from an old picture of Kate Stuvak’s chest. The woman created as nose art was beautiful, sexy, (and because it was modeled mostly on Anabelle’s body), slightly muscled, and strong as well.  Under it was was the name of the Ship in blue letters with white trim – “The Regina Space Tramp”.  He supposed it and the art was a mosaic of sorts of all the women in his life up to that point.  It was a good name – little naughty but with a heart of gold.

Whatever the future brought, he knew this ship would be a part of it and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe now if he found the right woman who: 1) was a spacer herself and 2) would love his ship as much as him, then just perhaps love was in the cards at last. He could only hope.  He turned and walked out of the hanger.  Time to find a crew and set a destination.  Once that was done, it would be time to take on some passengers and cargo and start making money.

Time prepare for the first voyage of The Space Tramp.

Final Word:

I have enjoyed the story and if you have read the whole thing – thank you.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Mustering Out” – Space Tramp – Chapter 21 (Megatraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Just a reminder this will be a week of fiction instead of the normal posts. Enjoy your holiday presents readers.

Story:

As Jeremiah Kilwood walked into hanger bay C-225 of the Regina Starport, he had an odd but wonderful feeling as the Starship that resided there came into view.  It was a Type A Free Trader – Beowulf Class. It was a little worn as it was used, but it was painted blue and white which were his two favorite colors. What made it more wonderful than the colors was the fact that unlike any other ship he had served on – it belonged to him.  His own starship was at last in his possession.

This last year had been frightfull dull.  He had been part of the Countess’ crew for another charter assignment.  He found himself taking small jumps but returning to Regina three times. This he used to his advantage as he had to finalize several things.  Firstly it allowed him to monitor his investments nad grow his cash flow which he needed to make some of the final purchase decisions involving the starship.

This was largely possible because he found an old vessel The Beowulf style of Type A Free Trader had been in service for well over a hundred years. This one was forty years old, but thanks to a connection with Captian Juros, she was able to assess that the maintenance and repairs would be minimal and not very expensive as well.  Just time-consuming.  For the repairs, the Countess herself put a crew on it as a returned favor for his years of service. She even topped off the fuel tanks.

During this time Jeremiah also continued his education and graduated university with a full bachelor’s degree in business.  He smiled as he had completed what the Countess had started those years ago. He gazed with pride at his wall in the Captian’s cabin at the degree.

Finally, his investment work had paid off as he had effectively more than doubled his bonus money. He had enough now to get started with cargo and crew.  He could even afford to buy his weapons and a few other niceties for his cabin.  He was prepared financially to get going.

Mostly was the feeling that he no longer was working for anyone but himself. The risk was his and his alone.  But so was any reward.  The only thing left was to name the ship. There were, of course, many women that had crossed his path that were worthy and he went through them in his mind.

Captain Juros would be mortified.  Kimberly Forrest was an old memory from his first year when he made 4th Officer.  She was married and he didn’t know her new name or if her husband had taken hers. He had heard she had two kids and had moved up the bureaucratic ladder in some other agency.  There were also the course of girls from The Naked Gypsy – Cherry Rose, Madam Anabelle, Mirana, Sarah, and many others whose names he had forgotten.

Kate Stuvak had been his roommate aboard a ship for an entire year, but after that, he lost track of her for a few years until he saw she had opened up a medical practice in Regina and had gotten married.  No, it wouldn’t due to have another man’s wife’s name on the front of your ship.  Although from the waist down she might make great nose art. Without her clothes on of course.

Of course, Countess Borgosman would not agree to have herself scantily clad on the front of his ship or even to use her name.  No, he was probably going to have to make something up but a good name for a ship was important.  She was an old ship but from all his observations still in great shape.  A sound and beautiful ship.  Also curvy, sexy and experienced.

He sighed and headed to his retirement party which he had been informed of well in advance.  The Naked Gypsy was decked out for it and he smiled as he was greeted by old friends, most notably Captain Juros and Countess Borgosman. The Countess coming to a place like the Naked Gypsy spoke truly of how much she honored him. He thanked her very much for coming.  The festivities were well attended by everyone in the area.  Jeremiah had made a reputation for himself as a Captain and many respected him.  Not bad for a Space Tramp from Strouden.

Once the party was over, Madam Anabelle took him to her room and among all the benefits he had received, she told him he was always welcome in her bed.  Half price too. He thanked himself that he had spent some time staying in shape this last term.  His health was good, his pension in place, a starship in the hanger and nearly a quarter-million credits in cash in his bank account. Good shape indeed.

Now if he could just come up with a name for his ship.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 4

UPP: A67A94   Age: 37  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion-1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 117,500 Cr.

Year Twenty:

Roll for position availability:  9 +  for Intelligence = 10 – position available serves as Captain.

Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social – 9  – Charter Assignment

Survival Roll: 10 + 1 for Pilot-2: 11  – Survives easily.

Skill Roll: 12 – Skill acquired.

Bonus:  4 + 1 for Trader-2 – 5 – No Bonus.

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free Trader Life Table – rolls 4  – Mental Cascade:  Chooses Education +1

Reenlistment Roll: 5 – not required to reenlist so musters out

Adds One Brownie Point for Trem Competed:

Aging Crisis: Strength: 8 (no change), Dexterity: 8 (no change), Endurance: 12 (No change)

Mustering Out: 

Pension: 4000Cr/year

Benefits: 8 (5-terms served/ 3 for rank).  Rolls Benefits table: 5+1 for rank =1 BP spent: 7 Free Trader; Rolls Benefits table: 4+1 for rank +2 BP spent: 7 Free Trader – 10 years payment; Rolls Benefits table: 6+1 for rank: 7 – Free Trader – 10 years payment (20 years total; Rolls Benefits table: 5+1 for rank + 1 BP” Free trader -10 year payment (30 years total); Rolls Benefits table: 3+1 for rank: 4 = 3BP – Free Trader: owns completely paid off Free Trader starship: Rolls Cash Table: 6+1 : 50,000, Rolls Cash Table: 6+1 : 50,000; Rolls Cash Table: 2+1 + 3 BP: 6 – 20000Cr.

Total mustering out benefits: Free Trader Starship – completely paid off.  120000Cr Cash, Pension 4000Cr/year.

Year-End:

Retired Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 5

UPP: A67AA4   Age: 38  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion-1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Money: 241,500 Cr.

Owns Free trader starship – no payments. Pension 4000Cr/year.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Recovery Missions” – Space Tramp – Chapter 20 (Megatraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Frigg and Freya’s Day!

Just a reminder this will be a week of fiction instead of the normal posts. Enjoy your holiday presents readers.

Stories:

When Jeremiah rounded the corner and The Naked Gypsy came into view, his heart was never so glad.  This year’s last assignment had been one he would not want to repeat any time soon. He had absolutely every intention of working the whole thing out of his system with several strong drinks and Anabelle’s warm embrace for the evening.

The Countess chartered his services for the year again but this time there was little change, in retrospect, of earning anything as far as a bonus.  What it did earn him was a lot of clout with the countess which he had every intention of cashing when he mustered out.  This assignment had better have earned at least that for how close he came on a couple of occasions to dying and the trouble.

It sounded simple enough.  There were several derelict vessels scattered across several systems that belonged to a now-defunct company that used to be based on Regina.  The Countess said this company was connected to her parents but she wouldn;t say how. Rather she chartered Jeremiah and his crew to pilot her own Subsidized Merchant ship to find them and then retrieve all data and possible information on what happened to all the ships.

In total, they found three ships.  All of them had been abandoned in places one might say were difficult to find unless you were specifically looking for them.  After finding ways to bypass their security systems, it was vacc suits and zero-G until they could fire up some power and activate the grav plates so they could walk around.

What they discovered is anyone’s guess but the Countess seemed very excited every time they brought aboard some stuff.  Jeremiah had to admit he did learn something this year.  How to pick open locks and open safes.  He got good at it even though he never had to look over his shoulder when he was doing it. But it was worth it as he often recovered sealed documents and sealed memory storage devices.  There were a few valuables but nothing major and each ship had an empty cargo hold.

The close call came with the second ship which was parked in an asteroid field and he had to use all his piloting skills to get close enough to connect to it.  They were almost hit by asteroids twice despite his solid maneuvering. Once they connected he used the ship’s turrets to blow some of the closest asteroids to bits and then they entered the ship. That ship looked like some fighting had taken place and they airlock was broken open so vacc suits all the way.  In retrospect, they had survived barely and Jeremiah was happy the third ship was much more friendly.

The countess thanked all of them and then told them to standby as she might have a contract for next year.  Jeremiah sighed.  He only had one year to go until he planned to muster out, so he took a deep breath and hoped that she wouldn’t try to get them killed this next year. He felt there was something shady about this last year, but he had done his job and nearly was space splatter a couple times while doing it.

Right now though he switched gears – time to find some people to drink with and then he planned on having Anabelle earn her money, perhaps even work a little overtime.  He just knew he was happy to be alive and ground side. Although that itch of boarding a ship and taking off to the stars would probably never leave him. One more year and his guild service would be complete. Independence was his goal and he was almost there.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

.Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 4

UPP: A67A94   Age: 36  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 117,500 Cr.

Year Nineteen:

Roll for position availability: 10  + 1 for Intelligence = 11 – position available, serves as Captain.

Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social – 9 – Charter Assignment

Survival Roll: 3 + 1 for Pilot-2: 4  – Survives barely.

Skill Roll: 6 – Skill acquired.

Bonus: 6  + 1 for Trader-2 – 7 – No Bonus.

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free Trader Life Table – rolls 5 – Vice Cascade: chooses Intrusion-1

Year-End:

Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 4

UPP: A67A94   Age: 37  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion-1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 117,500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Trader” – Space Tramp – Chapter 19 (Megatraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Thor’s Day!

Just a reminder this will be a week of fiction instead of the normal posts. Enjoy your holiday presents readers.

Stories:

The Countess’ instructions this year were pretty specific as she wanted Jeremiah to take the ship and trade along the trade routes previously created between the planets and systems in which her fiefs were established. It was a fancy way of saying that she wanted Jeremiah to be engaged in a Route assignment.  Jeremiah did this and there had been no real instance of him needing to say he had a close call or near-death experience.

What he really found himself doing was pushing his trader skills to try to make as much profit as possible.  he had the Countess’ permission to use some fo the hold space for his own personal trading and he pushed this to the limit as well. The one thing that did grow for certain was his bank account over this last year in regard to gain the significant money he needed for a starship of his own.  In addition, the Countess had put a percentage bonus on the profit of the voyage and he got that as well.

After the return trip to Regina on the last leg of the journey, he smiled as he looked at his bank account. Close now, He could feel it and with only two years to go in his last term, he was now more relaxed as a captain. His crew was very stable as people wanted to be on his crew and he didn’t have to do too much firing and firing.

The one thing he found was he had extra time that he quickly put to good use by taking some courses from Regina University which he would log every port of call.  When he got back the university called and told him he had the equivalent to a second-year student.  he actually felt a surge of pride about this. he had considered university when he was 18 but knew the odds of getting in were slim so he just hitched a ride on the first Free Trader.   Now he was considering the idea of a business degree to give him some more professional clout.

Not that it mattered as far as his social status.  His societal status hadn’t changed much but his time as a Captian of a merchant’s vessel had given. His respect came from his actual abilities not his actual standing in society.  Other than the Countess, the upper crust always looked down on him a little and the middle class just shrugged about it.

Well, being a little lower on the social scale had its perks. Most notably no one gave him even a sideways glance when he would walk into The Naked Gypsy have a little to drink and hire one of the ladies for the evening. There were still certain vices his low social standing allowed him to engage and no one gave a shit.  He wasn’t sure this would ever change and he was glad it would not. Giving up the warm embrace of a lovely willing lady at the end of a long year was something he didn’t want to happen at all.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 4

UPP: A67A84   Age: 35  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 112,500 Cr.

Year Eighteen:

Roll for position availability:  8 + 1 for Intelligence = 9 – position available, serves as Captain.

Roll for assignment: 6 + 1 for Social 5-7=  – Route Trade Assignment

Survival Roll: 7  – Survives.

Skill Roll: 8 – Skill acquired.

Bonus:  10 + 1 for Trader-2 – 11 – Bonus. rolls 4 – 5,000Cr.

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free Trader Life Table – rolls 4 – Mental Cascade: picks education +1.  At this point character development from a game standpoint, Jeremiah needs to advance in Intelligence or Education to gain additional skill slots. The roll was lucky here although it is the table with the best chance of increasing attributes overall.

Year-End:

Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O6 – Senior Captain   Terms Served: 4

UPP: A67A94   Age: 36  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0

Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 117,500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!