From: jempci@ultb.isc.rit.edu (J.E. Mason)
Subject: Re: [Chalamar] Sam's shoulder
Originator: jempci@ultb
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:20:13 GMT

In article <1ii65oINNan9@smurf.sti.com> alaric@sti.com 
                                       (Alaric Tekiahyn) writes:
>Alaric pauses, thinking.
>
>"As to the length of our journey...   I will try to explain this as best
> I can..."  {Details Omitted}
>
> Since the polar regions are, in a certain sense, the
> same distance from all parts of the plane - that is to say, it takes as
> long to reach the polar regions from one part of the plane as from any
> other - having reached the polar regions, we can then turn about and leave
> them, and choose to return to the more normal regions of the plane in a
> far different region than that from which we left.  We can travel, in this
> manner, far further than we could ever travel by conventional means in
> the same time; and the closer we approach the poles, the greater the
> distance we can gain."
>
>He pauses, looking around.
>
>"...Does this make sense to everyone?

>"There is, however, a certain limitation.  If we stop, our surroundings -
> or the properties of our surroundings - tend to gradually revert to normal.
> Thus, if we stop, we lose ground.
>"In the short time we have been travelling so far, we have gained little
> ground to lose.  Later on, this will not be true.  Therefore, once we
> resume our journey, we should do so ready to continue non-stop as far as
> we may.  I expect our journey to take around eight hours, and to return
> us to the Prime Material - to your world - about a half day's journey
> from our destination."

"So, if the poles are equal distance from everywhere in the plane," Dint
ponders, "we are where we started from?"  He shakes his head, sending 
bread crumbs flying (and raining down on Sam).  This was too strange a concept
for the confused dwarf.  If only Cyberus the Dragon Wizard were here.  He'd
figure it out. [Admin:  Half day (12 hrs) - 8 hrs = 4 hrs.  We only save
4 hrs?  Unless Prime Material distance travelled is separate from time 
travelled, we don't gain much.  Oh! I get it.  We'll be 12 hours FROM our final
destination, not 12 hrs into travelling TO our final destination.  Dint will 
still remain confused, however.]  

>He glances once more around the party, his gaze perhaps lingering a
>moment longer on Sam than on the other party members.
>
>"So, if there is anyone who has needs to take care of before beginning
> an eight-hour ride - please do so NOW.
>"One word of warning," he continues, indicating several boulders and
>rock piles in the vicinity.
>"If you plan to use any of these rocks as a screen, be sure to give
> them a wide berth, or you may find yourself unexpectedly meeting a
> stone-viper.  Stone-viper bites are excruciatingly painful, and usually
> fatal.  I am fortunate enough to have built up a resistance to the venom;
> you do not have that advantage, so beware."
> 

At the mention of stone vipers, Juel squeals with hunger and anticipation.
Dint laughs, "We will take care of the vipers!  Venomous snakes are one
of Juel *many* favorite snacks."  He and the young dragon head to the rocks.
"And don't worry about me," he chuckles over his shoulder, "I haven't met a
poison yet, I didn't like!"

Dint and Juel reach the boulders, and fall into a routine.  Juel crouched low
while Dint rolled one of the boulders over, revealing its hidden treasure
underneath.  If there were snakes, a flurry of activity ensued as Juel spang
forth and gobbled up the hapless creatures.  Then Dint rolled the boulder
back, placing it in almost the exact position it was in originally, as if
it were very important to do so.  They only found two snakes, but that seemed
to satisfy Juel.

Dint walked back to the party, Juel on his shoulders.  

"All clear."
-- 
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John E. Mason        |      jempci@ultb.isc.rit.edu
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