You are falling, but not quite,
there is a soft landing and your vision it's blurry,
the only thing that’s clear are memories,
memories that seem not only yours but others around you,
floating, and finding a way into your head...

"My god! She's dead!"

Tears, sorrow, the feel of a shotgun under your chin,
a white blinding light, a voice.

"Quick get me the adrenaline! Now dammit!"
You’re weak and there are machines hooked into you,
breathing is getting harder to do,

I want to go home.

It's another place now.
an alley way, three men, you are on your knees
pleading "I've got the money, just give me time to get it."

"We gave you enough time. Waste him."

Another alleyway,
they are after you, and you don't understand why.
God's will was all you knew, all you worked for.
They are pointing guns at you and you are praying to God, but God seems to be deaf.

Remy-something has grabbed your leg
It violently rips your caul away and it looks at you with it's misshapen face.

"What is this, where am I?"
It begins to gibber "Mine! mine!" and is trying to drag you away
* Remy kicks at it
It falls over but gets up.
It's claws glisten in the greenish light.
"Mine, it's mine!" the gibberer shrieks.
SHINK!
"What the hell are you!"
You all hear a noise
* Gerard looks around
There is a tall, robed figure with a scythe.
"He's mine! I here first!"
The figure steps forward and the thing backs away
"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"
"What do you mean? No one owns me"
The figure steps forward again and the thing is running off
* Remy turns to the figure in black
<Remy> "Who are you?"
The figure does not answer but gently removes everyone’s Cauls
* Gerard checks to see what he has on his personage.
* Nachabe looks to the blackened sky
* Nachabe is a very tribal looking 7 foot tall black man
* Nachabe is covered in tribal scars, his eyes show a great sadness
* Gerard is an average build, slightly balding, 5 foot 10 white man
* Gerard seems both bewildered, yet knowing what is to happen.
* Remy is a handsome Cajun man, wearing an expensive suit, is 5'11, and radiates an air of friendliness. He has sparkling blue eyes, a charming smile, and striking black hair
The sky is a greenish color, and you are standing in a liquid that resembles black mercury.
The robed figure discards the Cauls and looks at each of you expectantly.
* Gerard nods
<Gerard> "I figured as much. The stories were true."
* Nachabe looks at the robed figure
The figure walks over to what appears to be a reed boat.
"Come with me." it says in a scratchy voice
<Gerard> "Sorry, no coins for you."
* Nachabe looks at the hooded one and then joins him
<Gerard> "Unless its free and I have a reason to join you."
"I seek no reward." it says
<Gerard> "then why should I go?"
"It will return."
<Gerard> "I do have other things to do."
"Then walk away."
<Gerard> "and it doesn't scare me."
* Gerard looks for blade, then tries to walk away. Gerard finds that he cannot move.
* Nachabe sits near the front of the boat and begins to play his flute
<Gerard> "Guess this is the only way."
The figure steers his boat to you and helps you in.
Gerard spends a pathos point to get into boat.
<Gerard> "Looks like this is harder than it sounds."
Remy and Ash climb in as well and the boat heads towards the horizon.
* Nachabe looks at the people climbing into the boat
* Gerard looks around.
The sea looks dark and there is a chill wind blowing.
The figure doesn't speak, only guides the boat along the narrow byway.
<Gerard> "I guess I have to adapt to this place."
Remy- "Where are we?"
Gerard{I can help you leave}
<Gerard> "Who said that?"
{I did. I can help you. Just let me.}
<Gerard> "Who are you?"
{You’re such a good boy. You don't deserve this do you}
<Gerard> "WHO ARE YOU?!"
Remy- "Who are you talking to?"
<Gerard> "I don't fucking know, but when I do..."
* Nachabe continues to play his flute.
* Gerard looks around.
Nach-{You are a failure. Look where you ended up}
* Nachabe continues to play his flute.
Remy-{You failed to protect her, she is dead.}
{That's right ignore me. You have all your life.}
Remy-"What?! No she can't be!"
Remy-{She died because of your obsession.}
"No. you are a liar."
Remy-{She died because of you!}
The figure stops the boat and looks at each of you.
Remy-{YOUR OBSESSION CAUSED IT ALL!}
Remy-{YOUR OBSESSION KILLED HER!}
"Speaking out loud to them does not help." says the Ferryman.
<Gerard> "And who are they?"
"They are called Shadows."
<Gerard> "What are Shadows?"
"They are your dark half. Pay them no heed."
Remy-{He lies, we are the tellers of truth.}
<Remy> "What was that...thing?
"It is a shadow, all have it, a dark half which tries to destroy you,
lead you to Oblivion"
Remy-{He lies, she is dead, and you caused it.}
<Remy> "What was the thing that ran away from you?"
"It was a spectere."
"It sought to enslave you."
"I shall take all of you to the nearest Necropolis and no further."
<Remy> "Can..can you show me my daughter? Is she still alive?"
<Gerard> "How come I can't move?"
"I do not know. And you cannot move here because you have not the ability to do so."
* Gerard tries to move.
<Gerard> "Damnit!"
<Remy> "What is a necropolis, mon ami?
"A city where the dead gather."
* Nachabe looks out into the swirling darkness trying to feel "home"
<Gerard> "Probably Dead lands. Comes from Latin.
<Gerard> "Necro is dead. opolis I believe stands for city."
"This place is the Sea of Shadows. It is the place between."
"Between the land of the living and the land of the dead."
* Nachabe braces himself against his inner darkness and continues to play.
"The nearest Necropolis is New York."
Remy-{You tried to beat the odds, and look where it got you.}
Remy-{Dead, and your daughter as well.}
He turns from you and once again guides the boat.
Remy-{You will see her soon.}
* Gerard looks around and realizes this is not what he expected.
<Remy> "Expecting a little something flashier, no?"
The boat stops at a small cove.
"We are here."
He steps out and looks at the rest of you.
<Gerard> "Where are we?"
* Remy steps out as well.
* Gerard steps out.
Gerard-{Your god is deaf}
<Gerard> "That's what you think."
<Remy> "De necropolis, be my guess"
"Yes."
<Gerard> "Yea, ok, whatever."
You each step off the boat, and into the cove.
* Remy slowly looks around.
* Nachabe gets up from his sitting position and puts his flute away.
The backwall of the cove is inky black and.....moves
* Gerard looks around, remembering things in the past.
* Nachabe steps off the boat and looks around
* Gerard steps out.
Nachabe- {You're never going to get back to Africa now, you know}
* Nachabe ignores the darkness within him.
* Nachabe strengthens his resolve by thinking of the motherland.
The figure walks into the inky darkness and beckons you all to follow.
* Nachabe follows the dream warder.
* Gerard follows, perhaps he knows.
* Remy follows.
* Ash as well follows the Ferryman.
You walk in and each of you are hit with the sensations;
noises, other than wind assault your ears, car horns
people’s voices.
* Nachabe looks to the darkened sky for a hint of the sun.
* Gerard looks around.
There is sun, but it isn't the sun you know, and all within your sight seems to be touched with death.
<Remy> "what's wrong with this picture?"
"This is the Shadowlands. Where we spirits exist and interact with the Restless."
* Nachabe continues to look to the sky.
* Gerard begins to examine the place.
* Remy looks for something familiar.
"I have been here once before. There is a Citadel here, in a place called Washington park."
"Go there, and you shall be received."
<Remy> "An' you want us to go here?"
* Gerard starts to move in the general direction.
He then walks to the small whirlpool and steps in.
Remy-"Well, no place to go but there, eh?"
Ash-"I guess so. What do you think this all means?"
* Nachabe takes out his flute once more and begins to play a low and soft tune.
<Remy> "I think we is dead, mon ami"
<Gerard> "Jeez, smart thinking."
<Remy> "anyone remember the way to Washington park"
Ash-"I can't handle all this. I can't."
<Remy> "Gerard, back off, I’m new at this."
Ash runs off.
<Remy> "Hey!"
<Gerard> "So am I, but I thought about things before I came."
* Remy gives chase.
* Nachabe lets them run knowing that there is no escape from what they run from.
Remy runs as hard as he can, but to no avail, Ash is gone.
* Remy turns back.
<Remy> "O.K., I suggest that we head towards this citadel."
* Gerard continues to walk in the general direction of Washington Park.
* Remy begins to walk towards it as well.
* Gerard looks at Nachabe.
The streets are dirty and cracked. The walls are caked with filth.
<Gerard> "What’s your name?"
* Remy begins to shuffle a deck of playing cards.
* Nachabe continues to play the flute, with every note you all feel lighter in spirits.
And the street lights are dimmer than you remembered.
You round a corner when you begin to hear something.
* Gerard listens.
* Remy listens as well.
* Nachabe stops playing.
It sounds like boots on pavement, walking almost in unison.
* Remy tries to duck into an alley.
<Gerard> "What the...?"
* Nachabe stands his ground
* Gerard waits.
* Remy gathers a shroud around him.
* Gerard takes out his blade
Several men walk towards you, each are dressed in different era's armed with period weapons.
* Gerard looks at them.
* Nachabe looks them over.
"Halt! In the name of the Legion of the Grim I ask you to identify
yourselves!" says the lead man.
* Remy drops the shroud.
* Nachabe says "I am Nachabe" in a voice that is barely a whisper.
<Remy> "No need for trouble..My name is Remy LeClaire"
<Gerard> "I am Gerard, and I have no quarrel with you."
* Gerard puts his blade away.
"I have never heard of any of you."
He walks over to Gerard.
<Gerard> "I never heard of the Grim Legion."
He pulls something off your face and shows it to you. It is a piece of caul
<Remy> "We are new here"
<Gerard> "What the fuck..."
"I see that you have just passed, and have not been processed yet."
* Nachabe says "I have but just crossed over the river of darkness into this land most foul" again in a whisper.
"Come with me."
<Remy> "Processed?
<Gerard> "Er…processed?"
<Gerard> "What for?"
Nachabe{Are you going to let them talk to you like that? You are a prince, do not forget that!}
"Yes, processed, recruited, for the war against Oblivion."
Remy-{Try gamble your way out of this. they mean you harm.}
"Come with me gentlemen."
<Gerard> A war against Oblivion? Oh do explain this please"
He turns and the entire regimen turns as well.
<Remy> "I don' think we have a choice..."
"You'll see."
* Gerard stands there.
* Remy follows, reluctantly
He turns to make sure each of you are coming
* Nachabe follows them
"You sir, please come with us."
Remy-{Taking a cowards way out this time. What happened to the hero that tried to save his daughter from a bomb?}
<Remy> "What, no fanfare?"
* Gerard follows, hesitantly.
They lead you to a large park.
Remy-{I stress the word, tried!}
You recognize it as Washington park, but it's different.
<Gerard> "Well, guess we are here."
To the northeast there is a large oak tree it's age undeterminable to the west is a large podium, and in the center of the park a huge tower looms.
<Gerard> "My, my, my, he does work in mysterious ways."
"We are here. In there," he points to the Tower, "You'll find what you’re looking for."
* Gerard enters the tower.
* Remy shrugs and enters.
* Nachabe enters the tower
* Gerard looks around.
You enter the Tower to see a several windows.
* Gerard goes up to a window.
"Hello sir. how may I help you."
<Remy> "I don't know, really..."
* Nachabe watches for a moment or two.
<Remy> "Dey told us to come here."
The woman's face is moon shaped.
<Gerard> "I am new here. My name is Gerard Schaefer, and I believe someone is expecting me."
"Oh you’re new you've come to the right window."
<Gerard> "I thought so."
"Well sir how did you expire?" she asks
The window groans as lean against it.
<Remy> "Well, ma'am, I tried to save my daughter by throwing myself on a bomb..."
<Remy-{And you failed}
"Oh, violence, well that is window three."
<Remy> "Cher, do you know any way I could check up on my daughter, to see if she's ok?"
"No sir. I do not."
* Remy waits for a response, then walks over to window three
<Remy> "efficient..."
* Gerard waits, impatiently.
"Yes sir and how did you die?"
Gerard> "I don't know? All I remember was going out to get groceries, then I was laying in my apartment, dead.
"Oh memory problems that's window 2."
* Gerard goes to window two.
"Sir how did you die?"
* Nachabe walks over to the window.
* Nachabe says in a voice like a whisper "I died from the wasting death"
"Disease," she says shaking her head," Window 7."
"Hello. Where would you like the mark sir?" asks the man behind the window.
* Nachabe walks to window 7
<Remy> "De mark?"
"Yes sir you have been recruited by the Grim legion. You need a mark."
"Well sir where would you like it?"
<Remy> "I don know...put it on de arm, I guess."
He moves his hand towards your arm, he gasps, and there is a slight sensation on your corpus.
"Fate has chosen you. That's window eight."
* Gerard waits, impatiently.
* Remy shrugs
* Remy heads over to window 8
"Hello, where would you like the mark?"
<Gerard> "Mark?"
"Yes your recruitment mark?"
<Gerard> "What do I need one of those for?"
"For identification sir."
<Gerard> "Of what?"
"He's with us." He puts his hand on you and a mark appears
"Welcome to the penitent."
"Greetings sir, where would you like your mark?"
* Nachabe answers "The brow holds the strength of the wiseman"
Nachabe {Then I'd suggest you get it somewhere else...}
"Yes," he says and puts a hand to your brow. You feel him draw something on your head and he draws back his hand.
Nachabe{You deserve no honor, you betrayed your family}
* Gerard mutters to himself "Well, this is almost a cross between heaven and hell."
<Nachabe> >I did not betray them....those are your words and words mean nothing
Remy-{Remember Remy, I know your life, and I will always remind you of your failures.}
"Ah good fortune smiles upon you sir."
<Remy> "I don know bout that...I am dead"
"Ah yes but you have been selected by the ladies Fate."
<Remy> "Well...I suppose that's good, no?"
"Why yes sir it is a good thing."
<Remy> "O.k, so where do I sign up?"
* Remy flashes a charming smile.
"Come here sir and I'll give you your things."
<Remy> "I always knew I was special."
* Remy follows.
"Here is where you are given your sword sir."
<Remy> "My sword?"
"Why yes. All legionnaires are issued swords."
<Remy> "Ahh...I see"
You see a beautiful woman enter the Citadel.
The man hands you a sword, it looks like a gladius.
* Remy accepts it.
<Remy> "And I didn't get nothing for you."
* Brianna walks inside, a confused and frightened look on her face.
As Remy touches it, it moans.
"Hello, miss?" says a man through the window.
* Brianna looks at the man uncertainly.
<Brianna> "Where am I?"
"You are in the Necropolis of New York."
"Are you here for recruitment?"
<Remy> "I t'ink something's wrong with your sword, it's making noises"
"Umm it does that sir. You'll get used to it."
<Brianna> "New York? How did I get here?"
"Miss? Come here please."
* Brianna walks uncertainly towards the man behind the glass.
<Brianna> "I think there's been some mistake.."
"I don't know miss but there has been no mistake."
He takes a good look at you and gasps.
<Brianna> "I can't be dead!!" Brianna says in a half-whisper, almost to herself.
There is a strange sensation on your right cheek.
* Brianna puts her hand to her cheek.
Remy- you see a light on her cheek.
<Brianna> "What...what is happening?"
"Well that clears up that."
"You have been selected by the Legion of Fate."
* Brianna frowns, a confused look on her face.
<Remy> "Well, join the club, mon cher."
* Brianna traces the scar slowly with one finger, and looks at the man.
* Brianna is tall, with long blonde hair that reaches past her slim waist. Her large blue eyes stare at you, with a frightened and confused look.
A plump man walks out from the window.
<Remy> "Nice to meet you."
"Hello miss. I see that our lady has chosen you."
<Remy> "Don' be afraid, Remy will help you through this."
Brianna-{He wants to be with you Bri}
Brianna-{He wants to replace Connor}
* Brianna looks at the other man in shock.
* Brianna looks at Remy. "What do you mean? What is happening to me?"
<Remy> "Apparently, we're dead, cher."
<Brianna> "Who is 'our' Lady?"
* Brianna asks, face wrinkled in a frown.
"Our Lady Fate. She has chosen you as hers. You should be glad."
* Remy turns back to the man.
<Remy> "so, why does this sword moan, again?"
<Brianna> "I....I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. I'm sure there's been some mistake. My friends need me...Connor..they're in trouble!"
"I don't know who you are speaking of, miss."
* Brianna looks around for the exit, sure that she's experiencing a Quiet, or something like that.
"Umm well you see your sword is made of," he pinches your arm,
"a wraith like you."
<Remy> "Cest-que-ce? Did they arrive here like dat?"
"Umm no, it's our justice system."
* Brianna stands uncertainly.
"It's called soul-forging."
<Brianna> "So what is this place? Why am I here? I'm going to be reborn soon, right? I have to get back to the others..."
"Miss, I don't know about being reborn, but I think you'll be with us for quite some time."
<Remy> "Huh…well how bout that."
<Remy> "You should be very proud."
* Brianna looks at Remy.
<Remy> "Yes, Cher?"
<Brianna> "What is that moaning sound?"
<Remy> "Well, according to this gentleman, it's the sword."
* Brianna shivers at the sound.
<Remy> "Seem a little harsh to me, though."
"Yes. It is." Says the plump man.
"Well it's a harsh world, Remy."
"It is time to issue yours as well, miss." As he hands you a sword like Remy's.
<Remy> "Well, look, is there any way I can check up on my daughter?"
* Brianna takes the sword, and examines it closely.
<Brianna> "What is this for?"
"Well it's for the war effort miss."
* Brianna 's hands shake as the moaning comes off the sword.
<Brianna> "War effort?"
* Brianna holds onto the sword only with great effort.
"Here let me call your Centurion, he can explain it to you."
The man walks over to the door and leaves.
<Remy> "My own personal centurion...not bad, eh?"
* Brianna looks at Remy. "What happened to you?"
<Brianna> "Why are you here? I know that there must be some mistake..I shouldn't be here," Brianna states with as much conviction as she can muster but instead comes across as sounding very lost and scared.
<Remy> "I got in trouble with some gambling sharks, wrongly so, I might add, an' they kidnapped my daughter, and made me pay them back..."
<Remy> "Dey double crossed me, an' I threw myself on a bomb in hopes my daughter could get out safely."
"Ah here they are, your new recruits." Says the plump man.
"They'll do just fine." Says a man in the uniform.
* Brianna looks at who is talking.
You each turn to see a man with short black hair, goatee, blue eyes, he stands about six ft tall. At his side is a sword as well.
You each notice on the back of his right hand is a mark.
<Remy> "Are you dis centurion?"
"Yes, my name is Paul the Younger. Welcome to the 32nd patrol."
* Brianna offers her hand uncertainly. "My name is Brianna..."
<Remy> "Thanks, I think...My name is Remy LeClair."
He takes your hand and shakes it firmly.
"Remy, "he nods.
"I'm Natachabe."
"Gerard."
"Gentlemen."
"Well, you have questions, I have answers. Why don't you two," he nods to Remy and Bri." come with me and we'll talk."
* Brianna starts nervously twirling a string of hair around her finger.
"You two go with Simon." As he points to Nachabe and Gerard.
Paul walks out of the tower.
* Brianna follows along.
"So ask away."
<Brianna> "Where am I? What is happening...are my friends ok?"
<Paul> "Well, you are in a place called the Shadowlands."
<Remy> "First of all...is there any way I can contact my daughter, see if she's alright? My little evil ami here says she's dead, but somehow, I don' believe him"
<Paul> "I don't know your friends."
<Paul> "Yes Remy, if you have the right ability."
<Brianna> "Connor? There has to be some way to find out if he's alright.."pleads, tears gathering in her eyes.
<Remy> "An' what is dis thing..."
<Paul> "I don't know a Connor, miss."
<Brianna> "Then, he's o.k. he's not here," she says hopefully.
<Paul> "Maybe,"
<Remy> "Oh, thank god she's alive."
<Paul> "Bri, may I call you Bri?"
* Brianna flips her hair over her shoulder.
<Brianna> "Yes, that's what everyone calls me," she says in a subdued voice.
<Paul> "I can't tell you about your friends because I don't know them. Where are you from?"
<Brianna> "I'm from Salt Lake..."
<Paul> "Ah. I see. Well I don't think I was ever there."
<Brianna> "What am I doing here?"
<Paul> "I don't know. Some become as we, some pass on."
<Remy> "Dat be along way away.."
<Brianna> "This..this isn't anything like I thought death would be. Where is my grandmother? What is this place, anyway?"
<Paul> "This is the place between life and nothingness."
<Remy> "well den, I suppose things could be worse.."
* Brianna shivers, and looks at the two men uncertainly.
<Paul> "You see there is a thing out there called Oblivion."
<Brianna> "Oblivion?"
<Paul> "And it wants to destroy everything. Make it into nothingness."
<Paul> "We the legions fight against it. Try to stave it off."
<Brianna> "Is it a physical form?"
<Paul> "We use what ver we can to combat it, but it is slowly winning."
<Paul> "Yes it can be."
<Brianna> "Well..how do we fight it?"
<Paul> "We fight it's physical forms, called specteres."
<Paul> "We capture them and use them for soul-forging."
<Remy> "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
<Paul> "Ok, like that."
<Paul> "We even get paid."
<Brianna> "Soul-forging? Is that...what my sword is made of?"
* Brianna looks at her sword uncertainly.
He holds out his hand with three coins.
* Brianna looks at the coins.
<Brianna> "What are these? We don’t need money anymore, do we?"
<Paul> "Yes and no."
<Brianna> "What are they made of?"
<Paul> "The Hierarchy still pays wages. And there are merchants out there."
<Brianna> "This is so different from what I thought it'd be..."
<Paul> "I would have no idea. I only know this existence."
<Brianna> "What are we supposed to do? I know that there has to be some mistake, I shouldn't be here. I need to get back to my friends.." she says looking as if she's trying to convince herself.
<Paul> "Bri," he takes you by the shoulders,"There is no going back."
<Brianna> "No going back? No...you're wrong. There has to be.."
<Paul> "I'm sorry. You will have to resign your self to that fact."
* Brianna shakes her head in denial.
<Paul> "I can tell you there is no way back."
<Brianna> "No way back? There has to be.. my grandmother. She'd know! Can you find her?"
A shocked look races across Paul's face.
<Paul> "Don't listen to that voice in your head."
<Remy> "Mon petit ami says it's possible..., I don' believe him, of course"
<Brianna> "Voice? You can hear it too?" Brianna asks Paul.
<Brianna> "Who is it??"
<Paul> "It's called a shadow. And it only wants to hurt you."
<Paul> "I can't hear it, but every time I talk to you get a far away look."
* Remy looks closely at Brianna, and begins to see the outline of a shadowy figure.
* Brianna blinks.
<Brianna> "My shadow?
<Brianna> "He says he knows a way home.."
<Paul> "Yes, all wraiths have one. It's our dark side."
<Remy> Huh, how bout that...me an' my shadow."
<Brianna> "Dark side? What dark side? I don't know what you're talking about...I don't have a dark side..."
<Paul> "We all have a dark side. All of us."
<Paul> "Listen you need to fight it."
* Brianna starts looking around the room, desperate for an escape so she can find Connor.
Remy-{He lies. Destroy him. he deserves no better.}
<Remy> (not likely, shadowman)

to be continued