Deer Country Network

[Someone has been having a month. technically two. so she looks almost combative when she asks]

Right, apparently I--me--some version of me has been here before.

I'm asking who knew me, what they knew about me, and if they want to keep knowing me.

[private to Kylo Ren]

Did you know?

[ The feed opens to... an unusual sight.

It’s no secret there’s been... bad blood between both Luna and Maul over the years, ever since she was part of a trio of magic users who cursed him a couple of years ago. There’s been... several very public call-outs on the network ever since then, too. Maul has been very vehement on his hatred towards the witch, and Luna has been equally open about her own distaste for the Sith Lord.

Which is why it’s a very curious thing to see the two of them currently sat together, albeit neither of them look particularly delighted about it. Although there’s a silent civility between the two of them, which for those watching is... quite a huge deal. ]

Hello, everyone. [ Luna speaks first, waving at the camera. ] We have some news for you all.

[ She looks to Maul briefly before clearing her throat: ]

In Deerington, death was a… process. Upon dying, we traveled to the Death Realm, which was created with the combined magics of Ramona Derwin, who we now know as Deerlona, and Cynthia Sodder — Moon Presence. Within this place was another, known as the Seventh Door. Sleepers who had died in the Dream were able to travel there once the door was unlocked, and a version of Ramona was held within.

For our sacrifice of life, she would grant us an ability. Her magics were able to mold our essences into a form… a deer, to be precise. We would be ourselves, but at our most purest form. However, when we became this form, we were granted abilities, too.

Unfortunately, when the Dream ended, we believed this form was lost as we were no longer linked to Ramona’s magic.

[Maul finally spoke up, sounding a touch sullen over working with Luna but otherwise at least in control of himself.]

After much research, we developed the theory that since Ramona used magic to seal herself off in a separate dimension where time no longer exists in a linear fashion, there is always going to be a version of her that is there and able to be accessed if one can only figure out the way to do so, regardless of what happened to corrupt her into a Beast in the present. We eventually created a ritual which allowed a doorway to be bridged between Trench and that dimension once again. I won’t go into the details. They don’t matter. All you need to know is that we succeeded. There is now a way to be transported to the pocket dimension to that version of Ramona who can grant us great power.

[He lapsed into silence, allowing Luna to take over once again.]

Life in Trench is… terribly difficult. [ Luna may have her own personal reasons for obtaining this form again, there is a very good reason to allow their fellow Sleepers access to this form again. ] It would be good to have all the help we can. Regardless of Ramona’s desperate actions in the end, she did genuinely want to help— dying wasn’t permanent because of her and Cynthia.

You don’t need to trust the Pthumerians or Ramona herself. I don’t. But I have accessed this ability before and can assure you it has been given to the Sleepers without any strings attached.

Provided you have died at least once in either the Dream or the Waking World, you’ll be able to perform a small and relatively simple blood ritual to…. get your copy of your key to the door, sort of speak. From then on, all you’ll need to do is a small ritual each time you want to use the ability.

I can provide instructions immediately to those interested, but I’ll work out a way to get the information out more easily to everyone at a later date.

A note of caution to those who go through with this. It is possible to lose yourself to the deer form and its instincts if you stay in it too long. Many of the deer which roam the city were once Sleepers who have since forgotten they ever had another shape. They can no longer change back. There are ways to bring one back. You must know a person well and know what motivation would be enough to make them change shape once again. [For Maul, it was challenging him to a fight or engaging him flat-out in one that got him back, though he was hardly going to mention that on the network.] And to show you how it is done–

[Here it was that Maul went slightly off-script. He and Luna hadn’t discussed this part but Maul had always been extra and dramatic as all the Sleepers already knew. So he’d had the ritual prepared to go. All it needed was a small amount of his blood to work, so he gave a few drops of his Vileblood to complete it. To those watching, all they would see was Maul dissolve into purple dust. When it reformed, there would be a very spooky-looking deer in his place. Somehow, it seemed to fit Maul’s personality completely. He pulled himself up to his full height and tossed his antlers back as if to acknowledge that he knew just how dramatic he was being.

… Maul absolutely did not mention this part. Luna visibly looks confused for a beat and then stares widely as he dissolves into purple dust and the form of a deer takes his place. Her expression shifts in a flat look. Really, Maul—? ]

... Well, if anyone has any questions...

ooc: Blue is Luna, Red is Maul. | ooc page for this mechanic is here.

[Everything seems... frustrating. Everything seems like it's stewing. He wanders around, trying to find something to do other than swatting bugs and killing (and sometimes saving) beasts.]

[But is everything really... how it's supposed to be? He's not sure. He takes a crystal out of his pocket and stares at it for a while. He's not sure how to use the magic here - he's tried, but maybe because it crosses the rift he can't call upon others? He huffs in frustration, curling up a little bit.]

]But he doesn't let go of the crystal. This crystal, which means so much to him, that came to him through a twist of fate. ... But was it really fate? Or was it always going to happen?]

[Eventually, he grabs his omni and writes out a post. Anonymously, because... well. He doesn't want people to worry. Even if it'll probably be obvious that it's him...]

Is who you were in the past important to who you are now?

I would have said yes, but some days... some days I'm not sure. I don't know anymore.

Everything's so complicated and I don't even know if who I was is who I am now...

Maybe this was stupid to ask. Sorry.

[Maul's posts as of late had been a bit more lighthearted as he tried to set up his brother on a date and spoke of a memetastic grumpy batcat. But he'd been waiting for this day to come and so his face was as grim as if he was at a funeral during this post. His followers had been on the alert, watching for the signs, and had come to tell him that what he'd feared most had come to pass: Sidious was back at full strength and starting to possess people again in Trench. He couldn't put it off any longer. He had to warn people of what was coming.]

I come to you with the gravest of news. My former master, Darth Sidious, also known as Emperor Sheev Palpatine to some, has arrived in Trench. Many of you already know what that means, either through viewing my memories or listening to me talk about him. For those who do not, he was the man who raised me and turned me into....this. [The one word encompasses all of Maul, his psychopathic personality, the anger and pain he'd held onto for so long, his life being completely ruined by his master, getting turned from a person into a weapon and now spending the rest of his life trying to heal from that.] If you think I am dangerous, he is ten times as worse. He is pure evil. There is no reasoning with him, no way to appeal to any goodness that might reside within him, for he has none. All he has ever wanted in life is to gain power and he doesn't care how many people he must hurt or kill in order to do that. He's destroyed entire planets and every living thing that resided on them in order to do so. A city full of people is nothing to him if he wants to ascend to ultimate power.

Only his spirit has arrived rather than his physical body, so he is currently traveling from one body to the next as he tries to find a form he can take over for good. I have yet to discover a permanent way to banish him but I am open to suggestions. In the meantime, take whatever precautions you must in order to protect yourself and others. Trust me when I say if death is the only option, we must take it. You cannot afford to give him a chance, for he will brutally kill you if you give him one. Better to kill someone then allow him to remain and tear Trench apart at his whim.

His eyes look like this. [Maul closed his for a moment and channeled all the old anger he felt towards his master. When he reopened them, they had changed from the grey-brown color they had been holding steady as for the past three months and were back to the Sith yellow color they had remained for so many years.] They remain that color no matter who or what he is possessing, so it is a way to track whose form he is in. Please let me know if you spot a person or monster that has those eyes and I will deal with it.

[That euphemism of course meant that he would kill Sidious if he had to. Maul had gone over a year without killing anyone in Trench but he knew he couldn't afford to use kid gloves on his master. He'd need to be brutal and swift. He went to turn off the Omni and then paused, remembering one last thing he wanted to say.]

Oh, and Anakin? --The annoying whiny older one that is, not the annoying weird younger one-- if you try to interfere with this? I will stop you. That's not up for negotiation or debate. I'll kill you if I have to and keep you as a squid in the ocean to keep your idiotic devotion to this man from causing this situation to get worse. That is all.

[Then he does go and turn off the Omni for good this time.]

[OOC: This is the kickoff post for the Palpatine in Trench player plot! Feel free to interact with Maul, threadjack others to talk with them, or just head straight over to the log post to get started. As a reminder, Maul doesn't necessarily need to be involved in exorcising an NPC or character if you just want to do to something among two of you.]

happy 4/20

for those of you not in the know in america they write month first then day which is dumb but whatever

and 420 is traditionally code for cannabis aka weed

no ones totally sure why but anyway happy weed day

smoke em if you got em etc



also i want cookies does anyone have any

i can trade you an action figure

I think I need help. I realize that things are bad and that's part of the problem.

About a year ago, I was on another world other than my own homeworld in my own galaxy. That place required things of its residents and had ways of making sure such things happened, regardless of our own wishes.

Needless to say, I was often unwilling and often punished for it.

I know it's not what happens here. But that doesn't matter in my mind.

So, I am hoping anyone else with PTSD knows ways of coping? I'd rather address all of this anonymously, so suggesting the Wellness Center won't help.

I appreciate your assistance. And your kindness.

[Local man sits at his kitchen table, arms folded and a coffee mug in front of him. He looks... worried. Concerned. And is clearly preparing for a Speech.]

My name is Shiro.

I'm one of the Sleepers who came here from Deerington, the dream world. I don't actually know how many of you out there are in the same boat anymore, so... with a choice like we've been given, I don't know how many of you remember the last time we had one like it.

[He means the vote that ended the dream.]

That vote ended with Julia Sodder's death.

I want to think it's because a lot of us didn't fully understand the consequences. I want to think it was because a lot of people were hurt, afraid, and thought they were doing the right thing. Or they just wanted to protect the people they knew. Regardless, Julia Sodder died. The people she'd brought into her world to save her... they let her down.

[Deep breaths Shiro, because it really sounds like you were trying to say I let her down, there. He folds his hands, and props his chin up in them.]

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I'm not saying don't give this Pthumerian your opinion. At this point, inaction is probably the worst idea we've got. These beings - they're a part of this world whether we like it or not. They have been for longer than we can probably realize. [He grimaces.] Aside from one...

[Friggin Mother Mercy/Superior.]

We should be careful, I think, to do anything that cuts them off from their world. Even if we think it might help the people we care about. Protect them. We could end up doing something we really regret.

[There's a long pause, Shiro debating his next words.]

Like always, I'm open to explaining anything to people who have no idea where I'm coming from. I'm more than happy to talk about what happened in Deerington. The way I see it, maybe that will help us understand this world.

[Tinya's sitting in her sunroom wearing a white dress with Moonlight in her usual place on the armrest, watching everyone carefully]

I realize this may be a...painful topic for others, but has anyone considered a memorial garden for those we've loved and lost along the way? The world I was in before this had one and it was rather nice to have somewhere to go to leave flowers, to reflect on our losses.

I'm more than willing to spearhead this project if others think it would be helpful.

[she takes a deep, steadying breath, then continues]

I also find myself in need of a sensei. I'm fairly advanced as far as martial arts go as I came in third during the Trench-wide tournament about a year ago and I've only gotten better since.

Anyone who was interested in training me would have a good chance at bragging rights should there be another such tournament. I only want to learn from the best, so that I can be the best.

In both cases, please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you.

[ The camera feed opens to reveal… an eye, mostly. Huge and watery and blue, sunken bruised skin around it. The look of someone very ill, or very tired. Half-hidden by scraggly blonde hair. Whoever this is, they’re holding the Omni very close to their face. ]

Voices, faces. Echoes held in stone. It speaks—! [ Someone has… just discovered the network. There’s something bright in his voice, but it grows dim. ] So… small but the hurts are so big. I hear them but they don’t hear me, I don’t know how to help. It doesn’t make sense.

[ Frustration. Grating. Sets his teeth on edge. It’s not supposed to be like that, he’s supposed to help. And there is further to his upset: ]

Blood. Stifling, suffocating and not safe. He remembers Adamant, slain brothers for the sake of serving. Then… torn and twisted, until the sound of what they’re not supposed to be is all they hear. Bound to their will, and His. They can’t change me, they can’t. I must be me—!

I can taste it. There’s others, different kinds. None of the songs are the same but they’re better. But there’s too much blood, it takes over. Drowns out the other songs.

[ There’s a long pause. The Omni is moved away, revealing a little more of his face: a young man, perhaps no older than twenty. A thin, long face; bleary eyes and a somber expression. He’s not looking at the camera. ]

I don’t like it here.

ooc: please consider using this page re: cole's abilities and what comes with interacting with him.

[The first month Ezra arrived in Trench, Madam Generosity gifted him with a crisp white and bronze Jedi style outfit. He’s never felt like there’s been the right occasion for it.

Until today.

His Omni is set down for a wide view, the Sanctuary grounds in the background, and Anakin Solo, in his own robes, at his side.]

Some of you may have heard me talk about, or seen a memory of my master, my first teacher, as a Jedi, Kanan Jarrus. Or even met him, because he was here, briefly.

[Ezra flashes a smile, bittersweet.]

Before he left these shores, we did an impromptu ceremony here at the guardian tree of the Sanctuary. A knighting. [His smile turns sheepish; he’s not here entirely to toot his own horn, honest.]

Back in the galaxy I’m from, Jedi Knights have taken a lot of different variations of oaths, over thousands of years of history. I’ve been thinking for a while about how to express my commitment to being a Jedi of Trench– believing that, for a lot of reasons, something closer to traditional wasn’t in the cards. So, with Knight Solo’s help, I wrote an oath that I think fits...here.

And accountability is important, at least to me, so- [He takes a deep breath, and raises his right hand, palm out.]

Here goes:

I, Ezra Bridger, Jedi Knight, vow to use all my skill and abilities to serve others rather than ruling over them.
To not seek personal power, but knowledge and enlightenment,
To act not out of aggression, but to defend and to protect,
To preserve what grows and lives well in its own way,
To support betterment and ease pain,
To guard justice and peace,
To put ever aside fear for courage, hatred for compassion,
And when it is fitting to do so, death for life
— looking always towards the Force, in which all are one,
Until my final death, or I return to the sea.

[Anakin nods, very solemn for a 17-year-old.]

Oath witnessed and acknowledged, Knight Bridger.

[Then Ezra and Anakin beam at each other with excitement, like the very young men they are, and Anakin claps a hand on Ezra’s shoulder. ]

And now the part I’m sure more of you will care about-

[Anakin rolls his eyes and talks over Ezra.]

We’re having a celebration tonight- [Ezra mouths ‘party’.] at the Sanctuary. Contact me or Sansa if you want to be more involved than showing up.

[Ezra has to get the last word before signing off.]

Everyone’s welcome!

(OOC: Ezra in blue, Anakin in green, obv. Link to party log here)

( The feed opens up to a young man sitting on a bed in a dimly-lit bedroom. Dark circles blossom beneath his eyes like bruises. To say he seems nervous is an understatement. His general body language is tense and a bit withdrawn, and it isn't difficult to spot the way his hands literally tremble as he places them in his lap, or the way his voice shakes here and there at the edges. )

Hey there. I'm uh— not sure how many people might already know me, but I'm Peter. Peter Graham. I don't think I've ever like.... really introduced myself on this thing, but I've been here for a while. I was in Deerington, too.

( He gives a shy little smile that looks more like a wince, something almost apologetic. )

I'm not— I'm not too good at this kind of thing. But I wanted to ask something, something I've been thinking about for.... awhile. I guess this is going to sound kind of weird. ( An awkward pause, and then Peter's leaning to reach for a little sheet of paper, holding it in his hands. Yes, it seems that he's written down what beats to hit.... )

Got my notes. ( Another pained little smile, before the expression slowly sobers into a frown, and his eyes are dropping down to look at his paper. )

Does anyone have any experience with...... séances? Or any information about them in general? Um.... I know what they basically are, what they're meant to.... do. To open a door— a veil? To communicate with someone who's died.

( There's the softest flutter of Peter's eyelids, and a gentle exhale, before he continues. )

But is it possible that they can do... more than that? Maybe something else could get through the veil? Something that isn't.... the ghost that a person was trying to talk to. Something that maybe even isn't a ghost at all?

Is it possible that someone could make that happen.... intentionally?

( Peter has to take a few moments to breathe, heart pattering away anxiously in its ribcage. All of this is exceptionally difficult for him to address. )

....Whatever you might know, or could tell me. There are things that... happened, back in my own world, and I'm still.... trying to understand. I've been learning more about the uh... supernatural, from people here. But I figured I would open this up to the public, get as much information as I can.

It's okay if you don't wanna tell who you are though, if you'd rather go anonymous. I know this kind of stuff can be.... weird. Um, personal. ( The lump in his throat tightens, as he slowly reaches to end the message. )

Thanks for listening. I— I appreciate it.

[Vira-Lorr was in the Luminarium, getting the last transfusions to deal with her little ... problem, thanks to Riteior. It was, as always, something of a process. But the fact that it was one of the attendants that she knew through Albert was what prompted this message. She knew that he kept to himself mostly, but given his tendency to remain in the background and out of the limelight, she did want to make sure that those who knew him would be aware in advance.]

For those who have not been made aware, and were receiving treatment from Dr Adrian Winters, formerly known as Albert Wesker, he has returned to the ocean. I know that he was of assistance to a few of us through the Luminarium, and one of my research partners. So, it seemed best to make sure that you were made aware.

I don't think that he would want a great deal of fuss made in his departure. He was a curious man in his way. But, all the same, I will miss his perspective.

To those who were at all concerned? I believe I have compiled his notes and mine on the Antidote experiments, and should be able to proceed with a refined mix next month. Also, are any of you members of the Blood Ministers? I find myself in need of a physician who I can trust and, while I appreciate the people of Trench, I still have some lingering paranoia.

[ alright. the time. it has come. for wrench to be an intentional dipshit on deernet. also, he's not anonymous. that's just his UN. cause he's funny. right, so. enjoy this little rollcall wrapped up in a nugget of trolling garbage: ]

heyyyyy so. hi, i'm wrench. i like long walks on the beach and hitting things with a sledge hammer. ξ(✿ ❛‿❛)ξ━━━━━█

aaanyways. quick q: programmers. engineers. general technophiles. raise your hand. or crystal. or whatever.

tnx.

Rose Dawson has returned to the sea, and perhaps home.

I'm not sure if she promised anything to anyone, but please let me know if so, and I will make sure it comes to you in a timely way.

[Maul looked immensely pleased and delighted with something just off-camera that he just had to share with the rest of the network.]

I have discovered it. The most magnificent batcat to ever exist.

[He turned the camera to face the batcat in question. It looked like....well....there was no denying it bore a shocking resemblance to a cat which had inspired a popular twenty-first century meme. The only difference was the batwings this one possessed, currently in a relaxed stance as it eyed Maul with feline curiosity. Other than that, the grumpy little cat was exactly the same as its long-ago predecessor.]

I will hear no arguments to the contrary. This creature is perfect.

[ The video comes on and shows a boy of thirteen, dressed formally in a dark button-up shirt, sitting neatly in the centre of the screen behind a desk, like the leader of a country making an announcement. If you know Mob, you might almost mistake Ritsu as his twin, though his hair is a little messier, his skin a little more kissed by the sun, and his face much more visibly emotive. ]

Hello everyone. My name is Kageyama Ritsu, some of you may already know me, but if not, it's a pleasure.

I just wanted to reach out to anyone affected by the recent disaster in Crenshaw. If you or your property was damaged in some way, I would like to formally apologize. The person... the person who did those things was fully unconscious and not in control. It was not a result of corruption and it's unlikely to happen again.

[ A slow inward breath, refusing to waver even though he can't really guarantee the truth of that statement. His eyes are determined, a maturity beyond his years clear in his face. ]

If anyone has grievances, it's better for me to hear them. If you know anyone thinking about seeking revenge please tell them they would be harming an innocent person. It would be my pleasure to visit each and every one of you to apologise and offer payment for any damages. Um, though I don't have any money...

[ It just seemed like the right thing to say. Maybe he could do odd jobs after school? Realizing he is losing momentum he hurriedly wraps this little press statement up. ]

Ah... Thank you for your time and understanding, everyone! Ritsu out.

[ you're not getting an eyeful this time, instead Kylo stares down the camera, appearing slightly exhausted. He's holding a porg in front of him, which when set on the table toddles off and out of view. ]

If anyone wants one of these birds -- I believe that they're called porgs, they're welcome to them as their former owner appears to have gone. I'd rather not be saddled with them. 

[ there's a loud SQUAWK that comes from slightly off screen, drawing a scowl from Kylo who disappears from frame. The feed ends with some yelling and what sounds like a crash. ] 

( CW: Johnny Lawrence under the cut. )

Good morning, everyone. I hope your February was relatively pleasant and uneventful!

The purpose of this post is to share information about the climate and odd events that happened last March, in order to help newcomers better prepare for the coming month. If you believe the information contained herein is inaccurate or incomplete in any way, please let us know in the comments below. Thank you!

March is the first month in the Season of Tears, or the Trenchian Spring. Because of this we can expect a sudden and calamitous thaw in the first week of the month, where all or nearly all of the snow will disappear and be replaced by explosive plant growth. I was unable to find any references to a flood in network posts published during this period last year, but it seems prudent to be on our guard nonetheless. Outreach still has a few sandbags left over from managing the snow, so if you are concerned with keeping your home or place of business safe please contact us! Additionally the Pthumerian called Moon Presence is known to be active during this month, and it may be possible to hear her weeping or singing over the sound of water. As she is not known to be hostile to Sleepers, it's probably safe to ignore her, so long as you do so respectfully.

The same unfortunately cannot be said of the Moss King! This Patron Pthumerian is associated with the month of March, and his portfolio includes unconquered nature, prophecy, precognition, and games of chance. Because of this the people local to Trench honor him by holding carnival games on the boardwalk during March, but with a sadistic twist: last year new Sleepers were required to play these games in order to obtain their welcoming bags and other objects from home. It's also mentioned in A Survivor's Guide to the Unknowns of Trench (multiple authors, can be checked out from the Archive for further perusal) that these games are haunted by a female-presenting Pthumerian, dubbed "the Lady of Luck" by the authors, who is able to pull Sleepers into more difficult and frequently bloody challenges through the issuance of tarot cards. These challenges vary from to year to year, but as the Lady is most frequently encountered on the board week it seems possible that she might be avoided by likewise refusing to take part in these games. If anyone has more information on this topic I once again entreat them to leave a comment below.

The Moss King himself also took part in the "fun" last year: it seems that he either built or obtained a "summer home," and took it upon himself to invite Sleepers to visit him therein. These invitations took the form of enchanted letter bombs with caused instantaneous and complete immolation upon opening; networks posts written at the time are clear that this process was very painful, although it did end in teleportation to the grounds of the house instead of death. Sleepers who braved the house were able to obtain powerful items from their homeworlds; I leave it up to the individual to determine whether this process was worth the pain involved or not.

Finally, a number of Sleepers have reported violent and disturbing encounters with a boardgame called Jumanji; this game possesses reality-warping powers, and pulled Sleepers into a sort of "pocket dimension" where they were forced to pass various challenges in order to escape. The game is clearly labeled as such, and I must suggest in the strongest possible terms that any Sleepers who encounter it both avoid it carefully and report its location to the network. To those who are familiar with the movies: I know it sounds fake, but just because it's a piece of fiction in other worlds doesn't mean it's not dangerous here. If you have trouble believing that, then I suggest you take it up with the Pthumerians, or possibly the Jedi and Sith. I'd be very interested to learn how that goes for you.

[Maul usually only posted once to the network per month, so the fact there was a second post from him and so soon after the first might have been cause for alarm, except he didn't look at all serious. He had a rolled scroll with him. After seeing Savage post on the network, he'd felt it was time to take action.]

It has come to my attention that my little brother Savage is going to be without a date for the second year in a row here in Trench as Valentine's Day approaches. This is unacceptable, so I am rectifying the situation by finding him one. To that end, I have complied a list of his traits for those of you who have not had the pleasure of getting to know him well.

[Then he unrolled the scroll. Yep, Maul had written down a numbered list of all his brother's good qualities.]

Item one: He's tall. Ridiculously so. Which is not pertinent to those of you who are also tall, but for the short ones in this city, it is always good to have someone who can get things off the top shelf and step on those who oppose you.

Item two: He's extremely loyal. It takes him a very long time to open up to you and learn to trust, but once he does, you will have his trust for life. You can't ask for someone who will stick by your side for a longer period of time than he will.

Item three: He's very caring. Related to the above, he always puts himself last and so he'll make sure all your needs are met first. Indeed, sometimes it can be hard to get him to take care of himself even when he needs to.

Item four: He comes with a very cute pet named Ruin who is a rathtar he will gladly show off to you if you come over to visit.

Item five: He is a decent fighter. Considering the perilous nature of this city, it's useful to have someone who knows how to wield a lightsaber or who can gore an opponent to death with his horns on your side. Do keep in mind he may challenge you to a battle in order to start proper Nightbrother courtship, so you may want to bring weapons on your first date.

Item six: He's good-looking. I will accept no arguments on this fact simply because some of you are used to human-centric worlds. Don't be speciesist. The proof speaks for itself.

[He held up a sketch he'd put down next to this item on the scroll to prove his point.]

Item seven: He's good at hunting. When this place eventually collapses into dust, there will be little food left, so it will help to have someone who can track down and kill game for you to eat. Not to mention there might be lean months as it is for one reason or another.

Item eight: He is family-oriented. He is very good with kits and I'm sure wouldn't mind having five or six of his own down the line if the relationship progresses that far.

[He rolled the scroll back up.]

I will now take applicants to be vetted by me first before I set you up with him. Do keep in mind if any of you break his hearts, I will be forced to break you in return, so be kind to him. Go out for a nice dinner or hunt in the woods or have a good sparring match and this will all go according to plan.

[.......Stick around long enough on this post and one might have the pleasure of seeing Savage toss Maul through a wall for trying to set him up on a date.]