"Making plans"?? I have my overall gameplan, and wrote out the first five turns back in August. No, this kind of planning never helps me do any better than anyone else. I just can't help myself.

If I get one of the P4 slots, I'll recycle this id, and become Tulayev, God of Souls.

(Can you tell I need a fix? )

And more shades arrive.

There seems to be much sadness in the Valley. As well as anger and fear. What is happening to bring about these emotions?

Goodbye to you, too, little one. *smile*

Farewell, Melusina. Thank you for responding to my call, and giving me the opportunity to get to know you.

*bow*

We are within. The sun is without. My duties to my people do not permit me to travel far in body. Certainly not as far as without. However, I have been there in spirit. I am sorry, but, as I said, my duties to my people will not permit me to travel with you. If you have power to supply me, I can sum...

If you are suggesting that we all travel together, I must decline. I did not call out to those who could hear me in order to become part of a group of adventurers. I merely wished us to become at least mildly acquainted. Which we have. even if not all powers I sensed have joined us. My goals for the...

I do not understand. Are you negotiating for the lost stranger?

Someone approaches the cave. It is Baas. Of course, he must be told. I but awaited his questions. "Shaman? Are you within?" "Yes." *I exit my cave.* "I greet you, honored leader." *deep bow* "And I you." *bow* "What brings you to my home?" "Non...

I believe I begin to understand, Khar-rris'Shrach. voxL and/or pixL, I fear I understand you less each time you speak. *wide, good-natured grin* Melusina, I see and hear you. Indeed, it would be difficult for a shaman, taught by Grandfather Sky and Grandmother Earth themselves, to not see and hear y...

I am sorry, voxl. I do not know to which oak tree you refer. Can you tell me more about it? *facing Khar-rris'Shrach* Greetings, Khar-rris'Shrach. I do not know which Blessings-of-the-Gods sicken The People, and which do not. But I know much about That-Which-Food-Eats. Many types have properties tha...

*smilimg* No, child. Few are "mystic" among the Mukuri. And only I go to the spirit realms. And there are many spirit realms. Perhaps I have been to the one of which you speak. However, the one I go to most often, and most easily, is that of our ancestors. I go to them for many reasons.

*Looks at pixL for long moments.* A good question about three in one, Fairy. *Shifts attention to her.* And what is your name? A shaman is one who converses with spirits, and travels to various spirit realms. I do these things for my people, the Mukuri. We are but one of many peoples - as well as gr...

For many years, I have learned to speak with many beings. Beings of the Valley. Beings of other places. Beings of other realms. I have come to understand many languages, and many modes of speach. I believe I will come to understand you, voxl. Or pixL. Or both of you.

Ah. So I do know the nature of at least two of you. My thanks, Water Spirit. *bow* I was taught the significance of your gesture when I was a small boy. I am honored.

*looking up at the fairy*
I am Tulayev. I am shaman of the Mukuri people.

[I pick up my drum, and begin a rhythm. It is the Voice Rhythm. It will carry my voice throughout the Valley, so that it can be heard by those with ears to hear it.] BOOM boom boom boom Powers are rising in the Valley. The spirits tell me of some. Others I sense unaided. BOOM boom boom boom Powers. ...

When I was a small boy, I stumbled and fell. I hit my head, and I lay as one who is dead. My mother was called. She fell to her knees at my side, and she cried many tears. My father was called. He fell to his knees at my side, and he cried many tears. I was their only child, and they grieved for me....

Tulayev, shaman of the Mukuri