Dinos, and Cowboys, and Gods, Oh My! : A Tabletop IC

(( This thread will be used to hold Journal Entries related to the campaign I'm running, in addition to information from notes, sources, and other bits. ))

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Originally Posted by The Envelope Letter

Dear <*insert name of your character*>,

My name is Leo, I am an agent of your parents, whom as you know by now, are a bit more than human. I've been instructed to deliver these letters to specific places, at specific times, so that they assuredly fall only into your hands. You do not know it yet, but you are about to find yourself in a world you have never imagined could be real, and you won't be alone. A handful of other kids like yourself have received similar letters, and if everything goes according to plan, you will all be arriving in Nacogdoches within the week of your getting this letter. Similarly, you will all be arriving within the same day of each other.

For those of you who do not know of Nacogdoches, it's a settlement of American immigrants in Mexico. Within the last year, it was able to fight off Mexican control, and is now a bastion of Texan forces. While not the most ideal meeting ground politically speaking, its tenacity of people will make it safe if things go poorly. As you may be aware, issues in Texas are coming to a head, and it will not be long before the battles add up into a full war. Your parents were fairly eager for this to happen, until this last year. I cannot share here exactly what it is that has happened, but there are bigger things to worry about, than this trivial war of independence looming.

There is a saloon, not far from the railway station. The old saloon, not the new one. Go there under cover of night. It will be safest when the third candle is put out. I will be along shortly, and we can discuss matters in private.

Best of luck,
Leo

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(( First Journal Entry on my part ))

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Originally Posted by Yolotli's Diary, Entry 1

Dear Diary,

I was told that there were certain things that I'm not allowed to write in you anymore. I was told to get rid of my old one, and get a new one. So I suppose that makes you my Diary now? I was told so many rules, so many things. I had to remember them all.

I know I can.

But there are just things that I cannot shrug off. Things I can't just ignore.

My father, is a demon. At least, that's what I should call him. My mother said that he was indeed a demon, but he claims not to be. He says my beliefs are wrong, that there are many gods, not just God. He called himself a Teotl, a mysterious one. He could do things...

I want to say he was a demon. But I feel that that cannot be true, for that would make me a demon. My mother, she was always such a good woman, the Mary would be proud. She would not succumb to a demon.

No, what he says has to be true. I do not think I can accept otherwise. I cannot be a demon. I cannot be evil.

But what I must do.

It's a painful thing, when your blood spills from your arm. I was told to be careful where I cut, never let it be seen by someone, but stay away from certain parts of the body. Don't cut too deep.

My wrist hurts, it's sore, and it hurts. I am not meant for pain. Uncle said I was a good solderita, a good planner. I would see things, flaws in his plans. I would tell him all about them, and he would pat my head.

But now, I'm riding on a beast, a creature of war. I did not know there were even bears in Tejas. It acts like it is so far away from home, and the Anglos, they look upon it in fear, but do nothing. Some have brought out guns, but they lower them when I tell them too. They believe me when I say he's not going to hurt them.

Itztlacamayeh is his name. He's very friendly to me, very protective. I fear he would kill someone if the trigger of the gun so much as twitched in a way he didn't want. He's not the brightest, but... I feel like I've talked to much more dim company among my own kind.

That felt so weird to write down. I'm talking with a bear. Perhaps I'm mad? My uncle always said that I had seen things I should not. He spoke it, but never acted.

There are alzk

Damn, another one.

There are these butterflies. They seem to also want to follow me and Itztlacamayeh. They speak to me too. They're like children, full of laughter and curiosity. They seem to like Itztl... he needs a nick name. Itztlacamayeh is too long to write over and over. Itztla?

I ask him, and he says it's okay.

The butterflies, they have too many names to list, they are quite fond of Itztla. They rest on his head, and in his fur.

They are the the most comforting of the changes. When my mind wanders, I begin to see shapes and forms walk and float. I have not yet learned to master this new sight I have. Father said that I'll be able to use it as I desire. That my sight comes from the death of his blood. He brings life, and I get to see it rot.

Perhaps Leo can help. Perhaps I'll just have to learn on my own.

We shall see, won't we, Diary?

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1st journal entry

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Originally Posted by I have no idea what happened in the last 24 hours.

Yeah, things were incredibly chaotic. All I did was going back home with food when this carriage stopped suddenly nearby, I thought they broke something, but boy, how wrong I was. From it came out several people that just as sudden as they went, started to shout and point at me while they tried to catch me. I tried to fight, but of course it didn't end well.

No, it would've been nice if it was a case of wrong person or just someone asking for a trouble when the police came because of the shouting. But, unfortunately, those people was pursuing a wanted person and they were certain that the person they're after was me. In a hindsight, it's a good thing that the officers came when they do, otherwise, I cannot imagine how those people would treat me. Either way, I ended up in prison with no idea of why I was in there awaiting for my trial and what was my mother doing. I hope she had dinner somehow.

After what seemed to be the longest night in my life, morning came and with it, my unwanted and unneeded trial. As I was taken to the court, I met with the men that 'captured' me the day before. The oldest man, who is old enough to be my grandfather and whom I thought was their leader, started to gloat or something. Until an officer told him that there was an exchange of judge. The old man was furious about it and glared dagger at me before he, and the rest of us, went inside.

The trial, if you can call it one, was not how I expected nor visioned it to be. First, the old man seemed to be incredibly scared when he saw the substitute judge. Second, rather than starting the trial, the judge stepped down from the podium and sent every police inside the courtroom out before he talked with the reminder of the group that accused me of "twisted actions," the old man had taken off after he saw the judge, and took them outside too, along with me being pulled behind.

I'm not too sure about what happened afterwards. I KNOW it's supernatural and probably had to do with Thor that Odin, the judge, was mentioned afterwards.

Anyway, the judge... Odin, talked with the group's second in command before he drew a gun and pointed it at me BEFORE he got obliterated by lightning. LIGHTNING!

Yes, even writing it twice doesn't help making more sense. Lightning doesn't behave that way, it's just wrong. Even though I was convinced that it's not some kind of a freak chance since the rest of the group received the same treatment with the lightnings.

Odin took me back inside the courtroom, but not before finding the previous old man and shot him with a gun. The same gun that he handed to me. I probably should have turned it down, but, after witnessing what just happened and how he seemed to have connection with it, that seemed to be a bad idea, at least he showed that he's not an enemy. I would've died if that was the case.

In the courtroom, Odin explained some...well, in the context of the whole situation, it was some though it explain next to nothing in the big picture, but at that time, it was enough. He explained to me things such, that I am one of his children and that I have to go to Mexico to find someone..

Writing it makes it seems even more shorter than it already is, doesn't it? But he vanished after handing me the ticket and some other items.

Things didn't end just with that. In the end, the trial didn't happen and whatever I'm accused with still stands. Between that and how I have the gun that murdered somebody whose corpse was still in the hall together with the police, attempting to explain would just earn me a lynching. Thus, I chose the only way I had thought of, run to the station and board the train I was told to.

And now, here I am, writing a journal after I read a letter from someone called Leo and to distract my mind from worrying. It didn't work and I'm worried about my family back home. I wonder if they're alright and safe and I wonder what would they think about this whole thing. I regret being unable to explain to them or even say farewell, but time simply doesn't allow me to.

I guess that's it. Hmm, keeping a journal from now seems to start to be a good idea, just writing this entry made me more relaxed than when I started it. I don't know if I can keep it regularly or I'm going to just pour whatever I had in my head when I had the chance though. I guess that's something I have to keep note of.

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From Jorick's Visitation

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Originally Posted by Letter from Zeus

Dear Dion,

If Leo has done his work, than as you are reading this, in your possession are the remains of a titanspawn, and truly you are my son. Killing a monster like that, while still a mortal? Impressive work, you'll make me proud yet. Place the scales in the chest, and close it shut. I have consulted Hephaestus, and he has wrought the means to make them into your birthright. Armor from the first of many beasts you will slay.

When you retrieve your new armor from the chest, your other birthrights will be there as well. You may have noticed the one imbued in your arm by the door I rigged up. It activated, sensing your divine heritage. The others in the chest are Fylaktó to̱n víaio̱n Orámata, with which you will gain great military command, and O dikastí̱s, the Judge, the arm by which many foes will fall beneath you. Hephaestus seemed disconcertingly giddy with its creation. He loves new toys, working on things even he, my son, couldn't have imagined when he rose among the Gods.

Perhaps you will get to meet him. Perhaps you'll get to meet me. I am not able to personally visit you at this time. There is a great commotion in the heavens, and I as their king must attend to every matter of it. I have entrusted you to the guidance of Leo, whom you shall meet in Nacogdoches. He'll give you instructions, and you will do your best to follow them. There will be others with you as well. Children of other gods. I would not trust them, but there are things set in motion that I cannot simply will away, and compromises must be met.

The ticket shall grant you passage to where you are needed. How Leo will contact you is none of my business, but he has yet to fail us.

Good luck my son.

And don't fuck this up.

Zeus

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From Ora's Visitation

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Originally Posted by Letter to Dion

Dion, my baby is a great weapon of vengeance. What she lacks in brains, she makes up in breaking bones.

Your father and I have an agreement. You are to make sure that she does not kill anyone without your approval. Use your judgement wisely, she will want to kill many people. Anyone who wrongs her will find her strength.

Enclosed along with this letter is a small token, keep it on you at all times. Do not let anyone else take it. Do not let them know of it. It will let you know if she has gone into a rage. This is the only break in your contract. I do not find you, nor the others you will be working with, capable of stopping my daughter if she has gone to war.

Instead, it will serve as a warning to you. When you feel the token live against you, stay away. Protect the others if you must, but you will stay away from her until it goes dark again, boy. Keep your distance, and when she is calm, resume your duty.

Oh, and keep your eye on the other girl. The crows are a bad omen.

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Originally Posted by Token enclosed with the Letter

The token appears as a bison tooth, on a small metal chain.

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Ora has been tasked to deliver the letter to the "Bounty Hunter" in Nacogdoches. She does not know what its contents are.

Annie's 1st Journal Entry

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Note #1
Without the money for a journal, I'm forced to write upon these various dirtied pages I find scattered about the ground with a pencil stolen from a certain banker's office in town. But I cannot complain, for the mere fact that I can even write is a gift I never imagined would be mine. With the help of Maurice, I was aided in learning to write within mere days, by some miracle, albeit with many corrections by my feathered companion.

Yes, Maurice is a crow, and a witty one at that though I never found myself surprised by this trait. He says most crows are like himself; quick-minded and not easily challenged. I believe him, anyways. I write this on the train to Nacogdoches, a city close by Mexico. I hate the heat, but it will surely be a break from the coldness further North. I am in no way suited for either temperature, I realize, with these ragged and tattered cloths hanging over my head, but I know I will do fine. My mother is a goddess, isn't she?

And just like her, Maurice always dodges my questions about her no matter how much I plead. His ability to deceive me is aggravating at times, and somewhat educational others. I head to Nacogdoches with the high hopes that my fate will change for the better, that I may find a more comfortable living style with the help of a divine parent. But sometimes my hopes are suppressed when, once more, Maurice does not elaborate as to what awaits me in the southern city. If the same setting awaits me, I will have no choice but to adapt, or die beneath the reaper's scythe, which has always hung close around my neck, as it seems.

I have begun to feel a new-found power in myself besides that of my ability to talk to several species of bird. It feel vile at times, but it also instills in me a sense of power with which I can use to help myself. No more am I subject to the veil of the night's darkness, and I see as clear as day when the sun falls no matter where I stand. Most notably, is my ability to see and speak with the dead. It is grim, and often I find myself avoiding these interactions with the wayward souls of America's past, for it makes me feel that much closer to the other side, and it greatly bothers me. Other times I am drawn to it, entranced by the ability, the beyond. What my mother has given to me could be both a blessing and a curse, and I say it with a likeness to her very appearance; beautiful and ominous. It only makes sense. Only time will tell what becomes of this skill, and what these ghosts will do with me.

I'm hungry again, so I shall once more try to scrounge for something, and hopefully this note does not become irreparably damaged beyond the point of recognition within my pockets.

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((Dion's Journal, Entry #1))

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Someone told me something once, something I didn't understand at the time. "If anything interesting ever happens to you, write it down." I don't recall who it was, but it seems like good advice now. Maybe this book will become a big part of history? I don't know.

Anyway, it started the other day, when I was tracking a bounty. Fellow named Juarez, wanted for half a dozen murders and three times that number of rapes, plenty of witnesses left behind. I'd been on his trail for about half a week, but he managed to keep ahead of me even though I was on a horse. Bastard must've run on near nonstop through the night to keep so far ahead. When it was starting to get dark, meaning I'd have to stop lest I lose the trail, I did in fact lose it anyway. Not sure how I managed to bungle it so badly, but it happened.

Next thing I knew, I was laid flat out on my ass and my horse was running off. Looked around and saw some kind of giant lizard monster moving about, damn near the size of the horse it scared away. Biggest lizard I ever saw before that one was about the size of my boot, so I ain't sure where it came from, but there it was. I got up and fired a shot, hit it right between the eyes. Damned beast kept on moving though, was quick as lightning too. Attacked me, clawed my chest and took one of my nipples with it, the bastard. I gave it another shot to the head for its trouble and it went down. I probably would've died if I hadn't been wearing my thick clothes to soften the blow. Thanks be to the chilly weather that morning.

I did what any proud man would do, set about getting a trophy for the kill. Couldn't very well brag about it without something to show for it, could I? Tried to break off some claws, damn near half as long as my arm, but they wouldn't budge. I got the next best thing instead, skinned the lizard monster and came away with a lot of thick scales. By the time I finished my horse had wandered back, so I headed back to town. Could've kept after the bounty, but I'd already lost well over an hour on him and would've had to carefully backtrack in the morning to pick up the trail again, not to mention the fact that I was injured. Though it shames me to admit it, I had to let the bastard go. Hopefully someone else will recognize him wherever he goes to ground and collects the bounty on his mangy hide.

I took the time to bandage my wounds as I rode to a little town called Jupiter, just a couple hours away from where I'd fought the creature. Went into the Jupiter Inn to get a room for the night, and the innkeep was a pretty strange fellow. Once he saw the lizard scales I had, he pulled out some special key and led me to a door under the stairs. I'd been in that in a few times before, and I never once saw a door there, but there it was. I was wary that it was a trick, maybe the man knew the worth of the lizard hide and wanted it for himself, but there was no ambush waiting for me there. Curiosity got me then, so I went in to that secret door while the innkeep stayed outside.

There was a set of stairs leading down, with some odd stuff on the walls and a door that didn't open when I tried the handle. When I questioned him, innkeep said I should run my thumb over the handle, and so I did. Damned thing started shooting lightning like I was in the middle of a storm, but it didn't do any harm. Made me feel more... I can't think of any word to go there. I just felt more me, like I'd been sleepwalking my whole life and finally woke up. Probably would've thought it was the other way around, that I was dreaming, but I'd just fought a giant lizard monster so I was in a state of mind to believe the unusual.

And damn it all if unusual wasn't what I found. There was a letter in the room past the lightning door, which opened after it did its thing. Letter was addressed to me, signed 'Zeus,' and it called me son. Mentioned something the door left on my arm, and sure enough I've got a lightning bolt tattoo now. Also said I could put the scales I got, letter called the creature a titanspawn, into the chest in the room and someone named Hephaestus would turn them into armor for me. I recognized the name from stories my mother used to tell, about the Greek gods, so I guess that makes sense. Figured it'd take a while, creating armor and whatnot, but apparently not. There I was less than an hour later wearing armor made out of them fancy golden scales. Also got a new gun, which apparently needs no ammunition, and a necklace that the letter said would grant me great military command. Never really thought I'd be part of a war, but sure as I'm living and breathing I felt like I could probably lead one once I touched the amulet.

So here I am sitting on a train to Nacogdoches writing in this journal I bought off a guy at the train station. Ticket came from that room too, was there with the letter. Anyway, I'm wearing that gold armor and necklace, hiding them both beneath an extra shirt and my long coat, but I think some people might've seen them anyway because they keep giving me strange looks. Or maybe they never saw a guy writing on a train before. Either way, guess I should get used to attention. Seems like I'm Zeus's son, going by the letter and the evidence to go with it, so that makes me someone special. Maybe it makes me sort of a god too. Huh. Hope I won't have to deal with a bunch of whiny bastards wanting me to solve their problems for them.

Guess I'll put this here journal away and try to be incognito. Somebody named Leo is supposed to find me once I get to Nacogdoches, so I guess I'll stop worrying about it til then. How do people end journal entries anyway? Doesn't matter. Guess I'll try to get some sleep.

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2nd journal entry

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Originally Posted by Bad luck

Reached Nacogdoches just before sunset and I took the time to explore the place. Draw a little more attention than I liked, but thankfully it's more because I'm carrying a spear more than anything. Can only see some part since it got darker and colder soon enough.

Met two people when I did go to the saloon mentioned earlier than I should be. One was Dion, a tall guy I latter learned to be a Bounty Hunter and Ora, an African female with unnatural beauty even with her somewhat dim-witted look. It was probably a mistake to came early as after a Spanish called Yolotli came, Dion introduced himself to be a Bounty Hunter and told me of a ridiculous accusation. That I raped and murdered my own mother. It was completely ridiculous, yet, apparently all three of them chose to believe that rather than that a son could actually did that to his parent. Needless to say, things went from bad to worse and I would've died on Yolotli's hand, or worse, if Dion didn't get a splinter of sense back.

Leo came afterward. Now, I have a doubt that he actually waited throughout the whole things, but maybe it's paranoia speaking. At least he told me that mother is fine. Glad those cultist bastards didn't go through the extra mile. I mean, they made an official accusation that gets me on trial, they making the whole thing to seem actually happened should be possible for them. Anyway, Leo explained what the job Odin and the rest gave us. It has to do with stopping some kind of scaled dog things that Leo call as dinosaur and that they're dangerous beings called titanspawns. The titanspawns were apparently only soldiers and their boss, called Titans, which imply that the titanspawns're some kind of child of them, was still locked up somewhere in Texas but if allowed, then they would break free. The titans was apparently an incredibly terrifying bad news if they're on the loose and we were given 3 years to find and lock them back before they break loose.

So, in short, between the four of us, we have three years to comb the whole Texas for some sort of a prison and stop whoever trying to break it open (I really hope it's the cultist, they really need to take several beatings). Doing this job seems to be the most obvious way to clear my name since I would inevitably run into the cultist for one reason or another. The other would be to go home and take my mother to the police. After all, how could I kill my mother if she's still alive?

Either way, I should be much more careful now....and probably to teach something to Ora, she'll need it.

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Dion's Journal, Entry #2

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Had another interesting day. Maybe they'll all be like that now? Could be nice, but so far I'm half and half on the good days and the bad days of the interesting variety, so I'll just have to wait and see how that pans out before making a decision on the issue. Not that it matters, of course, since I've got no say in it.

So I got to Nacogdoches just fine. Slept most the way through the ride after I put this journal away. Huh, sounds kind of off to talk about the journal while writing in it. Anyway, got there and walked around a bit. Saw a saloon with some candles lit out front, went in to find a woman sleeping at her desk. Another fellow came in as well, but we left before talking because I didn't want to wake the lady up. Stood out front for a bit exchanging words, and I thought I might recognize his face from somewhere. Then another woman showed up, went past us into the saloon. We followed her in, and the lady that was sleeping before was getting a table ready. All of us sat down and talked a bit. Woman by the name of Ora gave me a package from her mother, who I gathered was a goddess. Came with a tooth on a metal chain and a letter telling me to watch out and make sure Ora didn't kill nobody who didn't deserve it, that she and Zeus, who I guess I've accepted is my father because it don't make much sense otherwise, had made a deal for me to take up said job. Letter also said that the tooth would let me know when Ora goes into a rage, said I should get the hell outta town if that happens, but I figure it was just to scare me. Also said something about another girl and crows being a bad omen, but I haven't figured that one out yet for sure.

After a little while, we heard some kind of roar. Bear, it sounded like, which I guess it was based on later events. Us folks sitting at the table were a little concerned, but the saloon woman (who was bringing out food and drinks by then) said it was nothing to worry about. Another woman came on in, and we introduced ourselves. Yolotli was the name of the late arrival. Then the other man at the table introduced himself, Dann Warrick. I recognized that name from a wanted poster, got some extra details on that one saying the man had raped and tortured his mother, planned to eat her for some kind of evil ritual, but he was chased off and she died afterward. Well, some part of my.. god powers I guess, they sorta came to life when I accused him of those crimes and I stared into that man's eyes and I knew it for absolute truth that he was guilty. Well, me being who I am, I drew my gun on the son of a bitch and told him to surrender himself. The ladies at the table got ready to take him down as well after they heard his crimes, and Yolotli summoned a damned huge bear in the doorway. Dann flipped the table at me, but I got out of the way. Fouled my shot at him anyway. Then that damned bear went running for Dann, smashed him clear through the back wall and outside, then Yolotli and Ora started to follow. Now, I was damned sure Dann was a murderer, not a bone in my body saying differently, but I couldn't agree with them kind of tactics. Four against one? That ain't right. Should've just been me and him, or the idiot should've surrendered. Either way, I convinced folks to calm down and let him alone, hoping I could talk the man into giving himself up rather than dying.

Then someone asked what the hell we were doing, and I figure that was a damn fine question from his perspective. Turns out that was Leo, guy who I was in Nacogdoches to meet. So was the other folks, as it so happened. Also turned out that Dann's mother was alive and well, according to Leo, so now I'm not sure what in the hell to think. I still can't help thinking that Dann killed her, but the way he reacted to news that she was alive... I'll have to talk with him some, see if I can figure out what the hell happened. Leo don't seem like a liar, but I'd better get all the facts straight anyway.

After Leo got us all sitting and calmed down, he told us what we were about. That lizard monster I fought off was one of a bunch of the things, called dinosaurs by his words. Something about titans, big evil bastards that can fight off even gods, messing about with the world and making them appear. We're supposed to figure out where they're coming from and do something about it, since our parents are busy with other business it seems, before the problems brewing turn into all out war in a few years. Not sure how Leo knows that's gonna happen, but I don't doubt it much. We don't know much, not a lot to go on, but that's nothing new for me. We'll just have to do some leg work to get answers, that's all.

Guess that's enough for tonight. Maybe I'll write something here every night. Kind of helps to get my thoughts in order, since I've got to get them in order to write them down and all. I just need to figure out how to end these writings with grace, instead of cutting off wherever I feel like it. Like right here.

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