1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2 ************************* INSTALLED: 4 OCT 85 ********************** 3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator 4 ************************************************************ 5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION 6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM. 7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned 8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public. 9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is 10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which 11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be 12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved) 13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the 14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the 15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace 16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up. 17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system. 18 ************************************************************ 19 20 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 21 Everybody: well, ecuuuuse me! I'm not exactly a NEW writer, actually I've 22 been here several months. I thought I knew this place but maybe not. Nobody 23 has ever stated any rules about the inn and I have seen very few stories 24 taking place in there so I pretty much thought that I had a free reign whe it 25 came to my story. My mistake. Not to worry, though, because as of the next 26 entry I shall be leaving and will no longer be such a pain in the ass. 27 You know, it's strange... I got almost exactly the same reception on 28 Tanis when I started my story there. Maybe everybody's trying to tell me 29 something. Oh, well, I shall return soon with my next entry and the Destroyer 30 and the inn shall be quits. By the way, does anybody acually LIKE my stuff 31 or am I just wasting space? 32 By the way (Part II): AT THE TOP! 33 (A pointless but nearly mandatory ritual. At least I got that right.) 34 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\marker\time\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 35 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\THE DESTROYER\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 36 The stars winked down at them, cold, uncaring. The drunks dragged Tariya towards the woods, where they could party 37 in private. They were stoped for a second by the sound of a loud muffled BOOM from the direction of the inn. There was 38 another, then a blast much louder than the first two. Then silence. 39 Deciding it had nothing to do with them, the drunks continued about their business. When they finally got out of 40 sight of the public, one clapped a filthy hand over Tariya's mouth. A long, nasty stilletto was in his other hand. 41 "You be quiet or I'll cut your throat and we'll still do it to you, anyway. Then you won't never see your boyfriend 42 again." 43 After letting his hand up, she snarled, "He's not my boyfriend, he's a bastard just like YOU!" and she suddenly 44 jabbed two stiffened fingers into the thugs eyes. 45 The drunk dropped his knife and howled, clawing at the bloddy sockets. He stumbled into his buddies, screaming for 46 somebody to turn the lights back on. Another one managed to grab both her arms from in front and yell, "All right 47 bitch, you're dead meat!" 48 His mistake was grabbing her from the front. Her knee shot up and landed squarely in his crotch. He turned slightly 49 green and landed on the ground, moaning. Rape suddenly became the last thing on his mind. In fact, a life of celibacy 50 looked real good right now. 51 Unfortunately, the last two drunks were alert now. They stayed on each side, circling just beyond her reach. The 52 element of surprise was lost now, and she was really scared. There was slow murder in their eyes. She knew half a 53 hundred spells for just such occasions but for the life of her she couldn't remember one of them. One of the drunks 54 said, "Let's rush her. And don't be gentle!" 55 Before anybody could move, though, the whole area was suddenly lit up like a strobe. An unbelievable clap of 56 thunder hammered their ears and something struck one of the drunks full in the chest hard enough to knock him clean 57 out of his shoes. He landed ten feet behind them and didn't move again. 58 "What the hell kind of witchcraft be this-" The last drunk was suddenly cut off as Tariya's boot slammed into his 59 chin hard enough to shatter his jaw. The pain was so intense that he was unconcious before he hit the ground. 60 Though her ears were still ringing she could here the blind drunk crashing around in the woods somewhere. She went 61 over towards the thug that had been mysteriously knocked down. She thougt that maybe lightning had gotten 62 him. 63 Suddenly a familar voice said, "I dunno if you wanna look at that." James stepped out from the shadows. In his hand 64 was a large smoking gun. She'd seen guns before, but nothing like this one. It looked like a 1896 Broomhandle Mauser, 65 but it had been heavily modified and had a huge bore. "A .454 Casull pushing a 210 grain Hydroshok slug leaves an 66 ENORMOUS hole. Prob'ly cut him damn near in half." 67 The adrenaline rush was wearing off and she began to shiver violently. Her thoat began to ache and tears stung her 68 eyes. James holstered his pistol and went over to her. "Y'did good, though. So tell me, How did'ja like your first 69 taste of danger." 70 He shouldn't have been surprised by her reply, but was anyway. Therefore, when the roundhouse left she threw 71 connected with his jaw, he dropped like a stone. 72 The Destroyer still had a lot to learn about people. 73 74 (Just a thought: Maybe this isn't THE inn. I went over previous chapters and saw nothing that absolutely says it has 75 to be. Maybe Trainor hit a couple of other places also looking for adventurers. If it makes you feel better, then say 76 that this is some other inn. Doesn't bother me.) 77 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\THE DESTROYER\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 78 79 ( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( ) 80 Actually, Destroyer, your story is better than many here. As has already been pointed 81 out to you, there are certain (unfortunately unspoken) rules about the Inn itself. 82 The oldtimers know them, but relative novices don't, until they unwittingly cross 83 them. Then, of course, they are unmercifully jumped on by the outraged oldsters, 84 and most then depart 'in tears', and/or in disgust. 85 To keep the conservatives happy, the Inn is essentially a place for story telling. 86 You might think of it as the beginning of every story. "The calm of the Inn was 87 broken by the crashing open of the scarred oaken doors. A large, worse-for-wear 88 stranger paused in the doorway, then made his way to the long, stained counter. 89 Receiving his requested drink, he approached the table near the fire, and at a 90 friendly gesture from one of the patrons, seated himself near the flames. 91 As he nursed his drink and absorbed the heat from the fire, his ragged appearance 92 invoked curious questions from his table-mates. After gathering his thoughts, 93 he launched into his tale....." 94 The general idea of the Inn is a safe place to relax while between adventures, 95 or, when BackWater is into discussions, that might be the site for the debaters. 96 Once upon a time, some over-zealous beginner caused and invasion of the Inn itself 97 by overgrown (man-sized) ants, which were then fought by high-tech weapons. 98 The CISTOP put his foot down at that one, as he didn't like his tavern so destroyed. 99 So, feel free to continue your story at AN inn, not THE Inn. I, for one, 100 am interested to see more of it. 101 +Dante- 102 103 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 104 +Dante-: Thank you. I saw the inn as a place to start my adventure, not as a place to rest (This same stunt got me no 105 end of grief over at Tanis). I had no idea I was being so unoriginal, though. I guess I better start working towards 106 something better. Point taken, though. I am leaving the GENERIC inn so hopefully the whole argument is rendered moot, 107 though. Thank you for the kind words, though. After reading drive B I needed them. 108 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\justamarker\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 109 110 ?/\? 111 ?\/? 112 To Destroyer: 113 114 Main problems: token violence. Too long. Writing is pretty good, but more unpredictability helps. 115 A fierce warrioress breaking up a rape scene is common fare... 116 117 ****************************************************** 118 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 119 To other new writer (horse story) 120 121 You mentioned that you wanted constructive critism. As I am a professional writer (which doesn't mean better, it just 122 means someone pays more for it), I felt inclined to give you the following suggestions: 123 Remember that you're writing for other people, not just yourself (that is if you publish it; i.e. this board). Horse stories 124 like you started out are nice, but there was no "hook," no reason to compel the readers to continue on. In a short short 125 story (which is all they should be on a computer board) you have to plunge in immediately and create an interesting 126 character or situation. Neither was in your story. 127 Also, don't be too sensitive about your writings. The prankster was making a point, comic relief was needed. There isn't a 128 writer in the world who doesn't rewrite his material perhaps dozens of times. And there are jillions of stories that start 129 out with a fine idea, but need to be shelved because they just don't work, or aren't interesting enough. 130 Also, don't try and speak above yourself. Stay within your realm. In other words, if you're going to use words that SOUND 131 big, but you don't have command of them (i.e. becon call should have been "beck and call"), your writing will seem much 132 more amateurish. Stay natural, simple, conversation, interesting. Put in a HOOK.Be funny, exciting, novel, whatever. 133 But most of all, remember that you're writing to be READ, not just for yourself. Keep it up! It can be fun... but to be 134 really good, it's 2% inspiration, 98% perspiriation.... 135 136 Just yell if you'd like more help! 137 Mikey: 138 Controversy is raging... you are the GOD of this board... give your opinion on the use of it? Too many stories? Not enough 139 controversy? 140 The stories are too long and boring in my book, perhaps some guidelines (Not RULES God forbid, just your idea) would be app- 141 reciated by all. 142 Hello hello???? 143 144 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 145 MACF --- UNITE !!!!! 146 :-)(-: 147 Destroyer: I apoligize for the drunks, but I hadn't realized they were part 148 of your story. 149 Critics, rule-quoters & other low-lifes: Piper took the proper approach. He 150 took the writer aside and explained about the 'rules' which had been 151 *unintentionally* broken. The three or four UNSIGNED critics who jumped in 152 with both feet are trying to drive away any 'new' (read 'unknown to them') 153 writers. That may not be their intent, but it is certainly the effect! 154 This is a PUBLIC board. Don't treat it like your own private property. Be 155 polite. This is even MORE necessary if you are 'correcting' someone. 156 As I recall, "hi-tech" weapons are not forbidden, their USE is heavily 157 frowned upon. Everyone who has here at the time has painful memories of 158 both the giant ant incident and even more painful ones of the Bolo incident 159 (Nuclear weapons!!??) 160 ...............................the apprentice.............................. 161 ps. we have had fights at the Inn, but we try to keep the weaponry down 162 to chairs, knives, etc. (ie a barroom brawl, not a gang war) 163 ........................................................................... 164 But gang wars are fun? In reality, DESTROYER simply entered a domain withou 165 t checking behind all the doors for hidden traps and ambushes. Can you blam 166 e people for wanting to protect this last bastion of creative fiction? When 167 a new person enters the Inn, they will always be suspect. It is not the fau 168 lt of anyone, it is just the way things are. DESTROYER: Don't fly off the 169 handle and start attacking those around you. To slash out at unsigned criti 170 cs lowers yourself to their level. You are above such activities, aren't yo 171 u? Another point: Everyone has an ego, and when some omnipotent warrior nam 172 ed DESTROYER walks in like Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter, one can exp 173 ect a certain degree of resentment. I imagine that some of the unsigned att 174 acks on you were as much against your DESTROYER as they were against your 175 use or misuse of the Inn. The best advice you can take is to cool down, cat 176 ch your breath, continue your story, and try to find Trainor. You have all 177 the elements of an interesting story. It may not be original, but there is 178 not much new under the sun in the world of fantasy writing. Keep up the 179 good work, and don't let the critics get you down. Critics never stopped 180 Chuck Norris and they should not stop you either. Carry on! 181 A French Toast 182 ___________________________________________________________________________ 183 (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*) 184 Your beauty sends me swimming, 185 Your cheer ignites my day. 186 You make me feel good all over, 187 With every word you say. 188 The laughter and the smile, 189 you share with all around, 190 Your eyes, your wit do sparkle. 191 And my love, it knows no bound. 192 But can I tell my feelings, 193 directly to your face? 194 Or will I with my poems, 195 forever backwater embrace. 196 It comes a time when my stand is near, 197 This waiting is not right. 198 I wait beside you for the moment when, 199 my loves outweighs my fright. 200 (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*) 201 202 ??????????????????/////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\??????????????? 203 proffessional writer : Thank you for your comments and suggestions 204 they are well taken. I will indeed call apon 205 /upon you for more pointers. Thank you again 206 ??????????????????\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////???????????????? 207 Experience breeds contempt. A new person to any group is rarely greeted 208 with open arms. But everyone has been new at one time or another 209 except the inventor. Assuming none of you has invented the INN, perhaps 210 second thoughts should be taken. And a word of thanks to those cooler 211 and smarter heads who welcome newness with open arms and understand 212 the travails that can occur. 213 214 IN THAT REGARD, I have been following some of the adventures of the Inn 215 as well as the controversy in relative silence now. As someone who enjoys 216 writing, but knows not some of the hidden doors, quasi-rules and senstive 217 areas of the inn, I would be most appreciative of having one of the old- 218 timer experts fill me (us?) in on some of the GUIDELINES. 219 220 Unless of course there are too many of you already, and some of the 221 bitterness comes from overcrowding, which is certainly understandable. 222 But if not, I for one would certainly enjoy hearing what DESTROYER 223 obviously was not privy to. 224 225 Help anyone? 226 227 THE BEAR+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 228 To New Writer 229 230 Glad to help anytime! I'd get as much a kick out of offering small hints 231 as you would writing in the first place! Good luck, work hard (but don't 232 expect to make any money!) 233 234 Bye 235 236 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 237 One more note: For anyone who doesn't know, explain even the basics of 238 the INN, who the adventurer's are, etc. A refresher course would be 239 appreciated! 240 :::::=====:::::===== 241 Yeow! The sound of a gunshot made me jumpa about 6 feet. Scampering 242 beneath a table, I curled up and hopedfor salvation. 243 Silence..... 244 Getting up, carefully, slowly, I made my way back up to the table. A 245 small snap of the wood made me shiver. LWHat WAS that all about? 246 :::::=====:::::===== 247 Destroyer: Did you get my truffle? It was on your table, and I hope you 248 took it. 249 All: Burrow-managing time, bye! 250 :::::=====:::::===== 251 *************************************************************** 252 The current crop of writers on Backwater is great. It's these 253 periods creativity that makes if worth reading through the junk. 254 One suggestion though. You might try experimenting with a 255 broader variety of styles. Remember the diversity of writing 256 styles that emerged from the battles of LeRoy McKane and the 257 world? 258 259 The Grand Dragon Master really knew how to write. He created 260 a writing style that can still be seen reflected in the work of 261 some of the older writers. 262 263 I'd suggest you follow the Grand Dragon Masters example and 264 experiment. Don't get trapped in the narrative format. There 265 are other styles and formats that can express your intentions 266 more effectively. 267 268 Experiment. Stretch your creativity. Isn't that what it's all 269 about anyway? 270 271 Long Time Lurker 272 273 ***************************************************************** 274 havent tried to start a fight in some ttime, but here goes 275 The last man on Earth sat a a table in the inn.He nursed his drin 276 k and stared glumily at the door. There was a 277 lock on it. 278 off 279 280 281 282 283 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. 284 DESTROYER: Don't be discouraged... 285 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.EmuLurk 286 ???????????????////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\?????????????? 287 Professional writer: I never planned on making money just trying 288 to learn what I can and hope to get good enough to be able to be 289 included in some of the other stories going on. 290 ???????????????\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\///////////////////?????????????? 291 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 292 psu-cs!nelsons: A lot of EXPL xxxx was done when I first logged on, and one 293 of the things I did do was C JOIN. I'll give you my USERID in the mail. 294 L'homme: Great! I *hate* black-box programs, such as 'PAS' that we're using. 295 It goes through all the trouble of compiling/executing via JCL- all you do is 296 supply the source file name and the data file name, and out comes your SNUMB 297 number. After a few hours lurking about such places as PSU bookstore and 298 the Millar Library, I turned up nil on JCL, except a mention of the IEEE 299 Bookstore. No location given. Can you help on that one? 300 As for location downtown, I'm going to PorSFiS tomorrow. During the week, 301 I am lurking about the campus from 8a-2:30p, depending upon the day of the 302 week. My least busy day is Thursday. 303 ++++++++++++ 304 Someone please define: Old-Timer. 305 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar +++++++++++ 04 Oct 85, 8:55pm ++++++++++++++ 306 h 307 help 308 quit 309 310 :-I Hey, Leonard! It works! Why I should have to clear the accumulator for 311 :-I a kernal subsystem that doesn't use it is not clear, but what the heck, it 312 :-I works... 313 :-IMaxI-: 314 When the fox rides high above the hill, 315 And the deer and the antelope play, 316 Then you'll know what's going on, 317 So don't you join in the fray. 318 319 When the frying pan is sizzling in hot fdelight, 320 And the toast warms the butter soft, 321 And the deer gets mad and gives the antelope a bite, 322 Then you better have gotten sick and coughed. 323 324 What? Well, it had to rhyme.... 325 326 THE BEAR]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] 327 328 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 329 Milchar: You're using PAS to run programs? Are you on the HoneyWell for 330 an EE class, or did you get it from a generous friend? Anyway, I don't 331 have a copy of that immedietly available, but I believe that once it 332 gets the program and data names from you, it edits a standard JCL, inserting 333 the names, and submits it, returning you the infamous SNUMB. There are 334 good and bad points to using PAS. If you have a program that you're 335 still debugging, it's nice to see whether it died in the compile 336 stage or the run stage. PAS doesn't let you see this, unless you 337 specifically ask for it (ie "JOUT snumb"). PAS also takes a certain 338 amount of time to edit the file each time, whereas if you set up a 339 specific JCL for that job, it is sent directly to the interpreter. 340 Have you learned to use TEX or EDIT yet? If not, there is a fair 341 tutor file hidden away. Try "LIST RMTH-LIB/SZAFRON/TUTOR/PART". This 342 should get you started, at least. Another idea is to explore the manuals 343 344 for GCOS, TEX, etc that are usually at one end of the terminal 345 room in Shattuck Hall. Good Luck... 346 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><> ...!psu-cs!nelsons 347 ps There should be some info on JCL in those manuals. I do have an 348 *old* copy of some mimeographed explainations, but they're too faded 349 to copy. If you don't find anything, let me know, and I could give 350 you some explainations myself... 351 352 <><><><> ...!psu-cs!nelsons 353 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 It has been a long time since I have entered anything here. I won't 355 even try creativity. Might as well jump into the discussion... pretending 356 I know it all. 357 Destroyer: Just because you are writing your stories here at the Inn 358 doesn't mean they have to take place here. I have been around a little under 359 a year and I don't know anything about this "way to write on Backwater". 360 If you were to create your own setting you would not have to worry about 361 terrible blunders. Sure, you might not want to put in extensive sex, violence, 362 and all that boring stuff. Giving suggestions on-line is sort of difficult. 363 If you are serious about wanting to improve your writing ability you might 364 have someone you trust look over it and give you suggestions. (This is 365 provided they knew something about writing, or were a critical reader). 366 The motive for doing this would not be so you could put only "perfect" 367 stories here on the board, but to learn about what some of your flaws may 368 be. Once identified, they are easy to correct if you work on it. 369 Anyway, I liked you entries. They have their problems, true, but doesn't 370 everybody's? (Even Piper) 371 Darbon: Wishing for poems... 372 Piper: :-) Hope you didn't take that wrong. -Tanya 373 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 (Instead of telling you about all my typos, please ignore them). 375 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 376 [/] [/] [/] sigh..... muddy waters indeed. [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] 377 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 378 once in the great darkness at the inn there came a man of dubious intent. 379 he only had one thing in mind, and that was to find another by the name of 380 Salazar. when this man had come to the inn and had seemimngly cornered this 381 man Salazar, he and his band of followers were stricke with fear when it 382 became obvious that no violence would be allowed within the great walls 383 founded by our dear innkeep and well defined upon construction by the wise 384 Dragon Lady. 385 the name of the man that had learned his lesson of non-violence the dif- 386 ficult way was Mohammed Wassir. he learned these ways graciously, as did 387 the rest of us -- neophyte and old-timer alike. 388 it has never been known if these two men have ever run into each other 389 again, or what would happen if they may. we may only guess. 390 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 391 now, as to the current situation... i'm still stuck. well informed, 392 but still stuck. why is it that the present seems to crawl by so slowly 393 at times? i can only hope to reach the silver lining i guess... 394 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& the scarlet lion &&&&&&& 395 396 ..."open mouth, insert keyboard." looking back i see that i implicated 397 Salazar as a dubious character as well. that was not my intent. 398 my command of this languge is rapidly decaying..... 399 immer mehr sheiss..... 400 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& the scarlet lion &&&&&&& 401 402 up 6 403 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 404 scarlet lion -- I know what you mean. I feel that I may have bitten off 405 more than my mental capacity can deal with when I tried to tackle this 406 particular story line. (You darn betcha my writing gots flaws! The biggest 407 one seems to be the (presumed) intellectual capacity of the author.) 408 Oh, well -- was it Thomas Jefferson or Emerson who said something to the 409 effect that "Consistency is the bugaboo of a small mind"? I refuse to 410 be small-minded about it, so here goes. 411 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 412 The lady Tayree moved back from the innocent question asked by the wounded 413 woman. "How long has it been since you died?" the question seemed to ring 414 in her brain. Her questioners frank, open look denied any malice in the 415 question; rather it was said with the innocence of a child in a play-yard. 416 Unseen with physical eyes, whorls of energy had accompanied the lady Tayree 417 into the chamber. Stirred by her agitation, one sensitive to these forces 418 would have hesitated before stepping into an area pregnant with so many 419 potentials -- slid quietly away without disturbing the deceptive calm. 420 Perhaps the greatest risk of developing mental powers is to the sanity of 421 the person developing them. Often, the budding mental adept tries to 422 reject the power and new life that is developing and tries desparately 423 to cling to the commonplace that had been before. Like trying to dam 424 a raging mountain stream with a bank of earth, it has been done; altho 425 h the situation is inherently unstable. Should a trickle of water make 426 its way through the tighly packed earth of a high mountain dam, disaster 427 soon follows. 428 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 429 tsl -- we're a long way from on a roll, but maybe we can get going. I need 430 your reactions, feelings, the inner stuff of your character in this situation. 431 Just try to react naturally, I'll try to keep at least semi-consistent 432 (and clean). I would guess that if Tayree tried a mental probe at this 433 point the extra energy would move these two into a different mental universe 434 that could add to both characters. 435 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 436 ########################################################################### 437 438 Long Time Lurker: 439 440 I agree that the Grand Dragon Master was one of the great Backwater 441 writers. On a board that seems to consider good spelling as a mark of 442 great writing he did so much more. 443 I guess what made him great was that he was a master of plot development. 444 In a few short paragraphs he could introduce plot twists that would revive 445 dying adventures. 446 This, of course, was an inspiration to the really creative writers. 447 Those who did their plot development by committee found it frustrating. 448 Character development was another strength of the Grand Dragon 449 Master. He fully developed the LeRoy McKane character without even directly 450 using him. He did it almost entirely by indirect reference. Now that takes 451 talent. 452 I think you're right to suggest writers emulate the contributions 453 of the Grand Dragon Master. He was truly one of the Backwater greats. It's 454 too bad that he's gone. Whatever happened to him anyway? 455 456 Mark Hill 457 458 ############################################################################ 459 Backwater's a great board! I've been boardwalking aroung, parking my place from 460 Illinois to Michigan Ave., and this is one of the funner ones, since everyone 461 contributes, scumbags are few, and intelligence is high. 462 One suggestion to sysop: can't you delete only the oldest entries at a time, 463 rather than the whole board? These poor saps at the bottom have much less time 464 to get their messages read... 465 466 Anyway, keep it up!!! 467 *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ 468 Rose are Red 469 Violets are Blue, 470 I like peanut butter, 471 Do you like toast? 472 473 \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 474 :-]Max[-: 475 What the hell is that? See above. 476 ########################################################### 477 Roses are Red 478 Violets are Blue, 479 I'm schizophrenic, 480 And so am I! 481 `,`,`,`,`ha,`,`,`,`,`,`,`Mark. 482 To: person at lines 462-469 483 Type "help". Note the DB command... The entries are NOT deleted all at once 484 this disk will go to DB and a fresh disk goes in DA (here). 485 ___________________________Leonard_________________________________________ 486 @%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@% 487 Why? Why are they chasing me! An old man! Damn, they're so close! I must 488 hide. There, The Inn. They must not find me. Through the door. My body cannot 489 fail me now. Why do they all stare? I must not draw attention. A drink. Yes, 490 I need a drink. No, I must sit. Yes, sit and rest my old bones. 491 Why do I shiver so? No!! They're here! Fire. Fire everywhere. I must hide. 492 Under the table. Why cannot I stop shivering. The heat. Where is the heat? 493 Where is the fire? Why do they stare? 494 What? Who is this man? Why does he help my from under the table? What is 495 he saying? Where is he taking me? Why do I shiver so? A room, with a bed. Yes, 496 rest. I need rest. No!! They're everywhere! Arrows, a rain of arrows, and fire. 497 I must hide. I cannot move! I am bound! No escape! But wait. Where are the 498 arrows? Where is the fire? The room. Yes, the room is here, and the bed. Why 499 does this man hold me fast? Where is he taking me? The bed. Yes, sleep. 500 I need sleep. Let the Darkness come. Let me sleep, at last. 501 @%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@ Kapeli %@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@%@% 502 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 503 Oh, my head. I tried to sit up in my darkened surroundings. Slowly I 504 managed it. Somehow I'd been waylaid, which didn't particularly surprise me. 505 You see, I'm a DS. I take care of the major extradimensional routes from 506 Terra to Sirius. That also includes making sure none of the routes are being 507 used for such things as smuggling. My last assignment dealt with a few 508 smugglers. They probably put me here. 509 Wherever here was. 510 I got up and brushed myself off. I noted the dirt floor. Exceedingly 511 primitive. I hoped that my Passkey was still around. It would bee tough 512 getting home without it. 513 I groped around, found a door. I swung it open, and moonlight streamed into 514 the hut. Yes, it was a crude hut of some sort, made from earth and woven 515 vegetation. I scanned the dirt for my Key. 516 A glint caught my eye. Yes, they'd left it with me. I picked it up and 517 examined it. Damn, they'd crushed part of it. Until I could repair it I was 518 stuck here. 519 Again, wherever here was. 520 I left the hut, proposing to find out. 521 %%%% rebalsa %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 10/5/85 522 ############################################################ 523 It is spelled privilege 524 privilege privilege privilege privilege 525 privelege is spelled privelege. 526 It seems like on every board I go on to the word privilege is spelled 527 privelege or priveledge or privelage. 528 For the last time, 529 privilege 530 privilege 531 privilege 532 privilege 533 I am tolerable of human and machine err, but if we let something this 534 widespread go, it will never again be spelled correctly. 535 Don't forget 536 privilege 537 privilege 538 privilege 539 privilege 540 ######################################################################### 541 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 542 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 543 544 Er... did I hear someone mention my name? No matter. As for Leroy, 545 the last I heard he was operating a sheep dip supply store on Fire Island. 546 Perhaps if we call loud enough, he'll come out of retirement. 547 548 Mohammed Wassir 549 550 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 551 552 Salazar come home, Mother says all is forgiven. 553 Serena 554 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ 555 556 557 help 558 559 560 [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ 561 To: All 562 From: RHD inc. 563 564 Can anyone start a story from THE INN? 565 Is a list of characters that one might be able to meet at THE INN available? 566 Is there a map of THE LAND around THE INN, or is it mostly open to writers 567 choice. Do other dimensional doors exist into THE INN? What is the basic 568 time frame in which THE INN exists? I would greatly apprieciate any info 569 that can be given. 570  My Thanks, 571 572 RHD inc. 573 574 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] 575 x 576 ---------------------------&&&&&&&&&&&&-------------------------------------- 577 Betwixt realities am I. 578 Between light and dark. 579 ------------------------------------------- Jazzman ------------------------ 580 ........................................................................... 581 Back to Backwater...>>sniff<<...the musty scent of truffles? Ahhhh!!! 582 Then my friend Zephyr has been here! The busy paths of cat and rabbit 583 seem to cross only distantly--hey, Zephyr: let's do lunch sometime. 584 Next time I'm INNbound I'll have my girl call your service...truffles 585 a la mode for you, and a catnip salad, thank you very much, for me. 586 I'll be a-waiting on the hearth by the fire--a fine place for a small 587 black cat. 588 ..........................................Entropy......................... 589 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 590 To RHD inc: Can anybody start a story at the inn? Sure. Will others 591 accept the story, or even *like* it, or **PRAISE** it. No gaurantees. 592 Generally when you start at the inn, you are asking others to join you. 593 Who is there? Nobody knows. The inn seems full of shadows, vague presences 594 lurk just outside the revealing light, and only occasionally do we glimpse 595 a face or hear a voice. The conventions are actually few -- this is a 596 public area and you should use public manners. It's very impolite to 597 manipulate another person's character, or put words in their mouths. 598 (That earned a certain poor rabbit a few rather harsh words.) This reality 599 was developed by consensus, and changes also by consensus. 600 The inn has at least two floors (the piper sleeps there when he's around) 601 and a stable with the innkeeper's steed in the rear. In an empty stall in 602 the stable lie a few very large white feathers on the mouldering straw. 603 (Mikey -- who cleans the stables around here anyway?) Near the front door 604 stands a Rowan tree, planted by Pam, who used to be barmaid. A stream runs 605 nearby, crossed by a footbridge, and a path runs downstream to a nearby 606 seaport. That's about it... oops, I forgot to mention the rest rooms at 607 the Inn. In a historical incident, the original crude facilities were 608 replaced by a complete Roman bath -- sunken tub the size of a swimming pool, 609 steam room, couches on which to recline, as well as the sanitary facilities. 610 If you want to start a story in which you control the entire thing, just 611 make the setting elswhere and have at it. You probably won't get much 612 comment if it's ok, but be prepared to weather some acid comments from 613 the sharper-tounged among us. Blessed be. 614 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 615 :-> Well, all I can say is... "At The Bottom!" Max... <-: 616 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 617 And hardly can you say that, Max. 618 For I am at the bottom. 619 Why is the bottom worse than the top? True, English is read left 620 to right, top to bottom. The last line read conventionally remains 621 fresher than the first though. I would rather not be restrained by 622 social customs. I am free to judge the bottom better than the top. 623 Mais oui' 624 And yet truer, the bottom is met with more anguish. This is only true 625 though, because it is the end. 626 And with all things an end must come, even to that of a good disk. 627 Do you recall the first line more vividly than this, the very last, 628 you are reading? 629 I think not. TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 629