Novel, New Edition DQ & More Gaming, Snow and Socialising

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The Outcast Girl continues in NaNaWriMo. Have fallen behind significantly over the past five days (writing on only two of them), but am not so far behind that I can't complete in the allocated time. Currently dealing with the fun to be had at Krakatau, drinking soma, and encounters with Garuda and Naga.

In very big news I've received a thumbs up from Jolly Roger Games to write a variant of DragonQuest set in the Barbarian Kings world. This has caused quite a stir among the various DQ lists and, of course, our own core of DQ players.

In other gaming news I've ended up in a Diplomacy PBeM. anthanum (France) and myself (Germany) have formed a promising Franco-German alliance. Tomorrow will be finishing Slave Pits of the Undercity in the Norman Britain AD&D game. It has an extra bite.

On Wednesday went to the National Rhododendron Garden as part of a Unitarian Church outing. Rather unusual for Australia in November, it snowed. tau_iota_mu_c (who visited the evening previous from NSW) informs me that NSW/ACT also had the same experience. This is late spring in Australia. It shouldn't be snowing. The weather is broken. Other social events include another great dinner with ser_pounce and wolf_in_winter on Monday. Tuesday night dining was provided with anthanum and missmilky with fine Japanese cuisine. Last night played Scruples with caseopaya and zen_cat.

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How else is one to travel to the realm where myths and legends are real?

Directly from the book thus far...

Moonlight streamed in through the tiny entrance, momentarily illuminating Topeng. "Yes, yes", he cried, "now is indeed the time!". He thrust an opened gourd towards Teman.

"What is this?" she asked.

(End of chapter 3)

"Soma!", he responded. "The nectar of the Gods. One must drink of it to enter into their realm."

Teman sniffed at the sweet-smelling liquid. She had heard of soma, of course. But she never really believed it existed, let alone that she would have the opportunity to have some.

Macario and Wen were resistant to the idea. Wen because he was uncertain of its alchemic effects. Macario because he scoffed at the proposed effects. Robert, in contrast, figured he would drink anything once. Especially if it there was even the hint of it being alcoholic.

Topeng however was most insistent. "Soma allows one to visit the realm of the gods. One must drink it before we can find the garuda spirit. It is a gift of Chandra the moon goodness!", he exclaimed, beckoning at the moonlight in entrance.

"As it says in the Rigveda.....


She, the immortal goddess, throws her veil
Over the low valley, rising ground, and hill.
But soon with bright effulgence dissipates
The darkness she produces soon advancing
She calls her sister Morning to return,
And then each darksone shadow melts away"


"Alright then, we'll drink of your devilish brew", said Macario. "Anything to finish this goose chase, or whatever bird it is that we're supposed to be trying to find. I just want my ship back in order with its guns and stock."

Topeng poured the nectar into a bowl under the moonlight. He gathered everyone around and began to chant:


This Soma is a God; he cures
The sharpest ills than man endures.
He heals the sick, the sad he cheers,
He nerves the weak, dispels their fears;
The faint with martial ardour fires,
With lofty thought the bard inspires,
The soul from earth to heaven he lifts,
So great and wondrous are his gifts;

Men feel the God within their veins,
And cry in loud exulting strains:
We've quaffed the Soma bright
And are immortal grown:
We've entered into light
And all the gods have known.
What mortal now can harm,
Or foeman vex us more?
Through thee beyond alarm,
Immortal God, we soar


He then drank from the bowl and passed it around to those gathered. All drank with trepidation and quiet, so powerful was Topeng's aged voice. After drinking however, the great weariness felt from their journey left their limbs, and they felt their heartbeat strengthen. A few minutes later, they all experienced great clarity of sight and and other senses. Despite the darkness of the cave, there was a sense of light all around them.

Then everything went very strange indeed.