[Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: MadPanda on 27-02-2007, 15:26:11</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>[Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-02-2007, 15:26:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>In the course of events, it becomes inevitable that those empowered to traverse shadow go their own way, or seek private conversations, or pursue interests unrelated to those close at hand.&nbsp; Here is where all such activities for Prince Jacob shall be recorded.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>07-03-2007, 23:04:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>(from Part One)</em><br><br>Jacob rides forth from the inn, collecting his thoughts.&nbsp; If he can go to any place he imagines, after all, he'd better make it a good one.<br><br>If no one will know who he is there, he won't need to worry much about the consequences.&nbsp; Other than personal danger, that is -- one lesson his elder siblings did make clear years ago is that as powerful as their supposedly-divine bloodline makes him, he isn't invulnerable.&nbsp; Someplace, he thinks, where he can find a good fight, without being in danger every minute.<br><br>A great mountain range comes to mind, one topped by a sprawling city.&nbsp; The kind of defensive position that Aysel would kill for, really.&nbsp; Ocean on the one side, plains on the other.&nbsp; Far too much war for anyone's good.&nbsp; (He can't think of a good reason why anyone would keep attacking a nigh-impenetrable city, but that just makes this a good test of the limits of the Lion's Paw -- can it lead him to a place that doesn't quite make sense?)&nbsp; And, perhaps, stranger creatures on the periphery of civilization...creatures worth making a fight of.<br><br>As the horse speeds to a trot, he concentrates, first focusing on the image of the mountains...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 16:21:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After a few hours of ever-increasing rock and higher altitudes, Jacob finds himself in a mountainous country, rugged peaks jutting into a fair blue sky like the teeth of some vast fossilized shark.&nbsp; There.&nbsp; That was pretty easy...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 16:33:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob is more than pleased to see results so quickly.&nbsp; The mountains should probably be a little flatter, though, if there's going to be a huge city there.&nbsp; Keeping his horse moving steadily -- on ground this rough, he doesn't want to risk a fall, though he'd probably be just fine -- he concentrates on making the top of the mountain a little more suitable for habitation, before looking to either side of the peaks.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 16:37:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Another hour or so, the mountains look almost right...but the weather is cooling off and the sky is an unfriendly grey color.&nbsp; From somewhere nearby Jacob hears the angry snarl of a predatory animal--presumably a cat of some sort.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 16:59:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course.&nbsp; If only one detail is changed at a time, there would be different weather when mountains rose up, wouldn't there?&nbsp; Jacob makes a mental note to correct for this sort of thing in the future.<br><br>His attempt to make the weather more pleasant is interrupted by the growl.&nbsp; With a grin, he draws his sword, digging in his heels to make his horse go a bit faster.&nbsp; If the creature really wants trouble, he'll be happy to oblige.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 17:01:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Getting better weather is the function of only a few more minutes of stumbling along, and the beast seems to have found another supper instead.&nbsp; Another twenty minutes or so later, Jacob finds a road winding up through the mountains, paved with carefully fitted stones.<br><br>This looks promising.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 17:07:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Much better.&nbsp; He really ought to save the actual city and inhabitants for last, but at least now they'll fit.<br><br>With a glance to what he assumes is the west, Jacob visualizes a great ocean, stretching as far as the eye can see.&nbsp; With plenty of fish, of course, of all shapes and sizes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 17:11:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It takes a lot longer to get the ocean, and by the time the local daylight fades, Jacob has something resembling the Dardanelles off to one side.&nbsp; It's almost what he wants, but not yet quite right.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>08-03-2007, 17:29:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He supposes it shouldn't be a surprise that inventing an ocean out of whole cloth takes a while, but it's still quite annoying.&nbsp; Since he's not all that tired yet, Jacob continues until there's no longer enough light to see what he's doing.<br><br>At that point, he stops for the night, tying his horse to something suitable, building a fire, and sitting with his back to a good-sized rock.&nbsp; It should keep off predators, anyway, assuming there still are some around.<br><br>Trail rations aren't the most filling of food, but hopefully he won't need them anymore in a few days.&nbsp; Jacob drifts off to sleep, already planning the changes he'll make on the morrow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 17:18:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The next day brings somewhat greater progress.&nbsp; The mountains lose a bit of altitude, but the ocean broadens until he is practically on a cliff-side road with the sea far below on one side and craggy mountain on the other side.&nbsp; The weather keeps trying to go bad on him, though...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 17:25:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a silent groan, Jacob sets about forcing the weather back to something pleasant.&nbsp; He hasn't studied weather patterns much, so he's not sure what part of widening the sea is making it go bad, but the Lion's Paw doesn't seem to rely on him having any idea what's going on.<br><br>Once it stops trying to rain on him, he turns to the east, focusing on leveling out the lands beyond the mountain.&nbsp; Rolling plains are the order of the day, as far as the eye can see.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 17:27:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This takes a while, but he gets the effect he's looking for with far less trouble and effort than he got the ocean.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 17:52:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob mentally files that tidbit away.&nbsp; Is it that it's easier to change land to land, or merely that an ocean is more complex than a plain?&nbsp; No doubt Adnan will be marginally more willing to answer questions once they have something meaningful to ask about.<br><br>He begins adding the details he wants, things like forests and swamps and caves, and making sure the mountain has the appropriate passes (traversable, but not <em>too</em> easily) on both sides.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 17:56:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				By the time night is falling, he's made some more progress.&nbsp; Less than he'd like, but there are a few trees around, and streams, and the weather hasn't gone bad again.&nbsp; He hasn't seen any passes yet, but he's getting warmer...so to speak.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 18:17:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once there's insufficient light to work with, Jacob settles down with another fire.&nbsp; A shame it's taking so long, but perhaps Adnan or Indira can tell him later how to change things more quickly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 18:19:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob's sleep is interrupted a few times by the sounds of something large moving around nearby, and come daylight he finds a herd of...well, call them elephants...have moved into the area.&nbsp; They're giving him a fair berth, but don't seem afraid so much as cautious.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 18:50:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Interesting.&nbsp; He hadn't planned on those being there, but if the large creatures are edible, they might make a good food source for the city.<br><br>Come to think of it, they might have some interesting military uses as well, but it would be awfully difficult for a normal person to train one.<br><br>He proceeds along the path, continuing to adjust the area to the east and shaping the mountain to match his plans.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 19:23:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gradually the mountain takes on the right shape.&nbsp; Little by little, Jacob approaches the place of his desire...<br><br>So far there have been no challenges beyond the frustration of fine-tuning Shadow.&nbsp; Hopefully this will remain the case.<br><br>By mid-morning, he finds the pass he wants.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 19:40:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Keeping an eye on the strange quadrupeds to make sure they aren't about to do anything stupid -- a monster of that size might even be a challenge for his strength, after all -- Jacob proceeds along the path.&nbsp; The world looks like about what he wants -- now it's time for what he assumes will be the hard part.<br><br>He visualizes the great city of his imagination, complete with its teeming thousands of inhabitants.&nbsp; Doing his best to split his concentration (this, he suspects, is going to take a <em>long</em> time to get right), he also begins dreaming into existence the less fortunate individuals who dwell apart from the mountains, and the various creatures that inhabit the plains and fringes of this place...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 19:49:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This takes some time.&nbsp; By evening, there's a city growing up the side of the mountain that look smostly right...but now the road is crowded with traffic, and he has to spend more time dealing with the various peoples who live here: dark skinned, dark haired, plain and simple in dress and ornamentation.&nbsp; His dress and appearance draw a lot of attention.&nbsp; Once or twice he is briefly halted by patrols who release him again after only a few moments.<br><br>And then the weather turns, very briefly, bad--a sudden, brief shower that cleans the air and dampens the dust without soaking him to the bone.&nbsp; Were the sun still high enough to allow him to dry out, it would have been pleasant.&nbsp; As it is, evening brings lower temperatures and the sudden humidity leaves him clammy.<br><br>Perhaps an inn or the like is in order?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 20:22:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Being stopped by guards is a truly novel experience, but Jacob accepts it with relatively good grace.&nbsp; It wouldn't do to argue divine right at a time like this, especially since he's rather curious as to how he might get along in a place where his heritage is unknown.<br><br>The rain is somewhat less interesting, since the weather has never had any respect for divine royalty.&nbsp; Still, he can kill two birds with one stone now...after all, the city really should have lodging near its gates.<br><br>He concentrates on one in particular as his horse plods along, imagining a fairly nice (yet hardly luxurious) inn into existence.&nbsp; He'll have to see about learning the language soon...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 20:30:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				An inn is fairly easy to find, and this one looks presentable.&nbsp; In what may be a tribute to the cosmopolitan nature of the staff, the stable boy doesn't even bat an eye at Jacob's appearance as he rushes out to take the horse.<br><br>The local language is understandable with some effort, although many words are unfamiliar.&nbsp; In short order, Jacob may secure a meal and a private room if he wishes...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>16-03-2007, 20:45:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob finds a suitable seat in the inn, and sits down to enjoy his meal.&nbsp; He makes sure to engage the innkeeper in conversation as much as he can, asking clarification for any words he doesn't understand and can't puzzle out, although he doesn't say much about himself.<br><br>Of particular interest is the local currency, since he doesn't want to make a habit of overpaying as he and his siblings probably did at the last inn.&nbsp; They'll probably take silver and gold no matter what's stamped on it, but there's no guarantee that the local coins are minted in the same weights, and he'll certainly be thought a fool in this city if he can't handle money properly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>19-03-2007, 16:08:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The innkeeper falls all over himself to suggest 'a very honest money-changer, my friend!&nbsp; Very honest.&nbsp; Nothing at all like his brother in law, the camel-buggering son of a swine that he is!'<br><br>Currency will likely be no problem for the duration of Jacob's stay.<br><br>The room is small, tidy, and clean.&nbsp; Feminine companionship may be available, if he really wants it (more than one of the serving girls seems amenable), but the bed is quite narrow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>19-03-2007, 16:18:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It's tempting, certainly, but he'd rather get settled in the city (which would likely involve <em>finishing</em> said city) before distracting himself.&nbsp; After making sure the door shuts more or less securely, Jacob falls asleep with visions of how he plans to complete the place dancing in his head.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>19-03-2007, 16:20:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He sleeps well enough, and in the morning the innkeeper procures a guide for him (the reasoning is unclear, but the guide seems to be distantly related and is in any case only nine or ten).&nbsp; Jacob may now explore and adjust the city as he wishes, although keeping one hand on his belt pouch at all times might be a good idea!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>19-03-2007, 17:50:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob moves through the city, one hand leading his horse and the other nonchalantly covering his belt pounch.&nbsp; He concentrates on adjusting the city to fit the shape and size of his original vision, occasionally questioning his young guide about some minor point of local custom.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 20:15:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The urchin is most helpful, quite informative, and more than a little explicit in detailing the virtues of various establishments of leisure for discriminating gentlemen.<br><br>In the meantime, the city slowly approaches the desired and presumably final form Jacob imagines.&nbsp; Thus far, he's encountered no significant difficulties...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 20:24:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob files away all these details for later note.&nbsp; Such places might be worth a visit -- outright payment seems a little crass, but it's not as though anyone is going to reprimand him for it.<br><br>Idly, he queries the urchin about the lands outside the city -- he's not quite certain how much progress he made on the people and creatures to the east and west before night last fell -- and whether there's any place around where a decent blade could find employment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 20:28:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The urchin is, alas, full of fanciful stories of the wilds outside the city walls...but little if any truth!&nbsp; He (or maybe she?&nbsp; hard to tell) suggests that the Honorable Customer perhaps go to the House of Swords if employment as a mercenary is desired...<br><br>"...but beware of the Harem Guard.&nbsp; The Sultan prefers blackamoor amazons, and they've been known to castrate men before chasing them through the streets to suffer the running death of a thousand cuts!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 20:32:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'll keep that in mind," he responds wryly, deciding not to brag about the fact that he probably doesn't need to fear the blades of those amazons.&nbsp; Boasts will have to wait until he's proven that he has something to boast about, unless he wants to be thought a fool.&nbsp; "Can you tell me what the great long-nosed creatures on the mountain paths are?&nbsp; There's nothing quite like them in my homeland."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 21:21:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, those!"<br><br>The urchin proceeds to spin an excellent line of what Jacob can tell after a few moments is well-embroidered and pretty nonsense.&nbsp; The kid doesn't have a clue, but isn't about to admit it!&nbsp; Still, it keeps the little nipper's mouth engaged and his hands too busy to go picking pockets.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 22:51:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jacob continues to picture the city and the lands around it, slowly imagining minor changes.&nbsp; He's not really sure if he can change the areas he's not looking at, but then, he can't see all of the city at once either...and if his hunch turns out to be wrong, he can always adjust matters later.<br><br>He pays a visit to the 'very honest' money-changer, but only exchanges a relatively small fraction of his Ahlamic coin (turning coppers into golds, of course, before exchanging them for various denominations of the local currency), resolving to find out later just how this merchant's rates really compare.&nbsp; After nailing down as many points of local custom -- particularly law and etiquette -- as he can think of, he asks the urchin to show him the way to the House of Swords.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 23:38:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The urchin's knowledge of such matters, obviously, has a few holes in it (to say the least) but the child is otherwise quite eager to explain.&nbsp; Afterwards, Jacob finds his way to the House of Swords, where the urchin explains that the great captains are recruiting for new campaigns against the hill bandits....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>20-03-2007, 23:54:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course, everything is taken with a grain of salt, but even an ill-informed local view is better than going in blindly.&nbsp; Jacob hands several silver pieces to the urchin -- surreptitiously, in case someone is watching who might beat the child up for it once Jacob turns his back.&nbsp; "Thanks for all your help.&nbsp; And for all the entertaining stories."<br><br>With a grin (and keeping a hand on his money-pouch still), Jacob heads inside the House of Blades.&nbsp; Somehow, he doubts he'll have too much trouble finding work.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-03-2007, 15:20:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(and now, Jacob gets between 2 and 5 years, subjective, to wander about his new shadow and develop his skills.&nbsp; Feel free to sketch out the next few years as completely or scantily as you desire, o Prince...)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>21-03-2007, 18:43:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Tale of Jacob's Adventures in Basra<br>(sexual conquests omitted for brevity)<br><br>Year 1, Day 1, 11:34 AM:<br>Jacob enters the House of Swords.<br><br>Year 1, Day 1, 12:03 PM:<br>Several demonstrations of swordplay later, Jacob is hired by the mercenary company of Captain Mansur.<br><br>Year 1, Day 6, 3:24 PM:<br>Capt. Mansur demonstrates his spectacular leadership skills by plotting to ambush a group of local bandits through a dubious-looking mountain pass.<br><br>Year 1, Day 6, 3:27 PM:<br>Rocks fall, everybody dies.&nbsp; Except Jacob, who is capable of catching a falling boulder.&nbsp; He quickly realizes which tell-tale signs should have tipped him off that Mansur wasn't a very good commander.<br><br>Year 1, Day 8, 12:46 PM:<br>Jacob signs on with a much less incompetent captain.<br><br>Year 1, Day 205, 2:31 PM:<br>Somebody in a Basran tavern insults Jacob's mother.<br><br>Year 1, Day 205, 2:32 PM:<br>Worst bar fight in Basran history.<br><br>Year 2, Day 42, 9:03 AM:<br>Large tribe of goblins pays Jacob many shinies to lead them into battle against the walls of Basra.<br><br>Year 2, Day 50, 2:12 PM:<br>Basran defenses are caught completely off guard when their advance forces are outflanked by uncharacteristically well-positioned goblins.<br><br>Year 2, Day 51, 11:15 AM:<br>By means of a clever diversion, goblin attackers manage to scale the walls of Basra and enter the city.<br><br>Year 2, Day 51, 1:00 PM:<br>Last goblin in Basra is killed, because not even a divine-blooded commander's skills can make goblins not suck at combat.<br><br>Year 2, Day 51, 7:30 PM:<br>Jacob is offered a position helping to direct the Basran defense forces, which he accepts.&nbsp; The lieutenants responsible for the tactical errors that allowed goblins into the city are soundly beaten.<br><br>Year 3, Day 364, 11:00 AM:<br>Jacob resigns his command, offering no explanation.<br><br>Year 3, Day 364, 4:34 PM:<br>Jacob goes to study with one of Basra's most prominent mystics and herbalists.&nbsp; Although he (accurately) suspects that the magic practiced in Basra won't work in many other places, it proves interesting enough, and it's useful to learn what he can about local medicine.<br><br>Year 4, Day 285, 11:45 AM:<br>Jacob resigns his apprenticeship, offering no explanation.<br><br>Year 4, Day 286, 9:32 AM:<br>Jacob obtains a berth as a marine on a ship, the <em>Vindicator</em>, set to patrol the western ocean for pirates.<br><br>Year 5, Day 312, 2:18 PM:<br>Something much more important than all this nonsense interrupts Jacob's fun...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-04-2007, 16:46:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Year five, day three hundred and twelve brings something that Jacob hasn't felt in a while--a Trump contact.&nbsp; It feels...<em>persistent</em>.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>11-04-2007, 17:46:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sensation is unfamiliar -- Jacob's only really bothered with Trumps a few times, mostly in order to communicate things like 'I'm not dead, is everything okay at home?' to his elder siblings.<br><br>He can't see any reason not to accept this one, though.&nbsp; Leaning with one hand on the ship's rail, he cautiously allows the contact through.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-04-2007, 17:47:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Adnan's ever-present grin is, for once, missing.<br><br>"Hello, brother.&nbsp; Come home, would you?"<br><br>The older man holds out one hand to Jacob.<br><br>"Sorry to rush, but we have a situation on our hands."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>11-04-2007, 18:07:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Slowly, Jacob nods.&nbsp; If Adnan is getting straight to the point, whatever is happening must be <em>really</em> bad.&nbsp; "Of course."&nbsp; He reaches out to take his brother's hand, unsure how traveling by Trump really works.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Amber: Court of Dreams] Side Quests: Jacob's Thread</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-04-2007, 18:11:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Excellent."<br><br>And Adnan pulls him through the Trump.<br><br>(Back to the main thread, when it goes active again...)
			</dd>
		</dl>
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