#big storms came through while I was exploring an old fort

[ceiling-karasu]

Taking shelter from the rain

[xnovamore]

Storming the Castle

@femslashfairies2020 Day 7 Prompt: Royalty. This is apart of my Home is Where They Are Erzajane series but can be read as a stand alone. All you need to know is that its set in a peaceful post-canon world where Erza is guildmaster and Mirajane is the unofficial co-guildmaster who runs also runs magic school out of the guild hall and they have 2 adopted non-magical children.

Read on Ao3

In a world where two esteemed S-class wizards, one the infamous Queen of Fairies and current leader of the Fairy Tail Guild and the other the beautiful but dangerous she-devil and unofficial co-guild leader, with a relationship history of rivalry and one-upping each other like there's, it’s no surprise that they’ve run into some arguments from time to time. Comprising was by far the biggest lesson the two had needed to learn in their 8 years together as a couple. Pride and the need to have the last word were left behind to make room for late night heart-to-hearts and early morning make-up sex. Over the years they learned to be patient with each other, to listen to the other’s point and find a way to meet in the middle without resulting to a screaming match or sparring in the middle of their living room.

But that all changed now that they’re parents to an 11-year old and a 4-year-old. Because instead of two strong willed women butting heads every once in a while, it’s now an entire household of stubbornness colliding with each other at the worst of times. Erza and Mira prided themselves on raising two strong independent children but there were moments like these that reminded them how hard parenting could be.

Today was Sunday and both Mirajane and Erza tried to make sure they could spend most of the day with their family, given that there were no world ending threats or fires at the guild that need to be put out. Sundays were a day for just the two of them and their little loves to go out on exploring together or stay in and cuddle up near the fire trading stories of their week over board games and coco. Taking a look at the strong wind and heavy rain outside, both women had agreed that staying in today was best and went about their morning routine. They would freshen up and shower together flirting in the bathroom and lingering in the shower until the water ran cold. Then Mirajane would head down the stairs of their little two-story cottage to gather breakfast in the kitchen while Erza walked down the hallway to wake their slumbering loves. Andre’s room was right next to their bedroom and waking him always took the most effort. But once he heard the promise of breakfast a day with his mothers and sister’s undivided attention he usually took off to the bathroom to get ready. Erza would then go knock on Rhea’s door to make sure she was awake, which she usually was, before helping Andre get pick clothes that at least semi-matched. Then the family of four would eat breakfast together chatting idly about what the plan of the day was.

This is where they ran into a problem. It’s been about two hours since they finished breakfast and yet they still haven’t reached an agreement on what they were going to do today.

Rhea wanted to play with the mega dollhouse Gajeel and Levy had gotten her for her last birthday and insisted it was big enough that the four of them could all play with the dolls together like they used too when she was younger

Andre wanted to go play wizard and ignored all talk of ‘bunny it’s raining outside’. He had the play sword Natsu gifted him perched on his side and waited impatiently by the door for them to join him on his world-saving quest

And Erza couldn’t say she disagreed with him. If not for the fear of the rainstorm turning into a thunderstorm (they all knew of Andre’s bad reaction to thunderstorms and it was their job as parents to protect him from these things) she would be pacing by the door with him. Erza loved running through the hills near the house with her children and wife pretending to search for treasure and fight invisible monsters. She was not able to have this kind of play where there were no actual stakes or real harm involved when she was younger. She felt extremely lucky to be able to do it now

Mirajane wasn’t sure what she wanted to do today. She just knew that neither of those suggestions sounded best. She sat thinking things over as the frustration in the room grew higher and higher.

Finally, Andre snapped.

He raised his play sword into the air and swung it around for good measure. “I gonna go sway drawons on my own then!” He crossed his arms in a huff glaring obviously trying to hide his hurt that they wouldn’t come on his quest with him.

Before his mothers could intervene Rhea moved towards him with her hand on her hips and a stern glare. “No, you’re not! You’re not allowed to leave this house Andre!”. This would be the time that two would intervene and calm things down but everything about Rhea’s posture and disapproving aura reminded Erza so much of a tiny upset Mirajane that she was momentary silenced. All Rhea was missing was that patronizing finger-wag and Erza could swear that she was seeing double. She glanced over at her wife wondering if she saw the mirroring as well, but it was clear that Mirajane was lost in thought. Her wife’s eyes were transfixed on Andre’s sword until she shouted, “Aha!” making the three around her jump.

Mirajane’s smile was wide as she ushered them upstairs. “Come on, I know how were going to spend the day.”

It took hours to make all the costumes, but they came out amazing. Rhea’s dress was sky-blue with Mirajane’s white pearls around her neck and a golden toy crown on top of her head. Mirajane had a dark blue dress with the shining sliver bracelet Erza had gotten her on their anniversary one year and a matching gold crown. Both of their hair were curled and flowed downward in waves. They looked amazing and Mirajane’s heart felt full as watched Rhea twirl around in her dress. Outside of the pillow fort they were hidden inside of they could hear Andre and Erza’s loud whispering of their plan to down the walls and get inside. The two were wearing matching armor that Erza was able to summon for them. Mirajane had her concerns about letting the four-year-old into a full body suit of armor but the twinkle in Andre’s eyes when he tried it on made it hard to say no. It took some getting used too but within a short time Andre was moving around in the heavy suit like second skin to him. With his sword poised and ready he listened to Commander Erza’s calls as they fought through armies of stuffed animals and dodged pillow land mines to reach the pillow fort hiding his mother and sister. They had fought their way from the top floor to the living room to rescue his mommy and sister and then it was going to be his and mama’s turn to dress up prettily and be rescued. Mama lifted her hand in forward motion and they both charged at the stuff animals in their path as mommy and Rhea called for them behind the pillow castle.

All in all, it was a good day.

[anneimaginesundertale]

I'm a little late (sorry ^^;) but what's the general layout of the house? Like how many floors and what floors is everything on

You’re fine!  Don’t worry about being late.  I’ve actually been thinking about the layout of the house recently!  

The house is a big old farmhouse.  With the help of some magic, we’ve managed to fit quite a lot inside it!  

The first floor has the living room, the pillow fort (formerly the second living room or the sitting room but we never converted it back), the dining room, the kitchen, the sunroom, and the study.  Also a little laundry room/mudroom next to the kitchen, which is where the pet food dishes are, and a bathroom, but only human guests ever use it. 

Upstairs on the second floor are all the bedrooms.  They kind of go around in a circle around the stairs and each of the boys has his own room.  (I told you the house was bigger on the inside!) There’s at least sixteen bedrooms up there (one for each of the lads, one for me, and one for guests which has multiple beds in it).  There’s also a couple of bathrooms (again, only the humans ever use them)  and the linen closet, which also has the pulldown steps up the attic. 

The attic is just a big old mess right now.  It probably needs to be converted into more bedrooms.  We may need to have that attic cleaning party at some point!  Right now it’s full of boxes and trunks and old furniture.  I don’t know who had the house before I moved in, but they left all their junk up here and (according to the boys anyways) some of it has magic in it.  

There’s also a basement, which you can access through a door in the sunroom or through the storm cellar doors outside. Or, well, you could have accessed it either of those ways before the boys moved in.  They needed a safe place to put the Multiverse Machine (they couldn’t really leave it at Sans and Papyrus’s old house; what if someone else came through?) and the basement is kind of traditional, so that’s what’s down there.  I think.  The boys have put all kinds of locks and keypads and stuff on it to keep everybody out.  One of the more science-oriented skeletons goes down there to check on things every once in a while, but mostly they leave it alone.  I don’t know if they’ve all decided not to try to fix the machine or if they just don’t know how. 

The front yard is kind of small, although we’ve planted wildflowers to make it pretty and made a path around the side of the house to the backyard.  The driveway is a long one, with enough space that we can park multiple cars there.  We converted the old barn that was on the property into a garage.  There’s probably still junk up in the loft in there (perhaps another thing to clean out during an attic cleaning party) but I haven’t gone up there to explore much.  

Behind the house, we have a pretty big backyard.  You know about the pond and the apple tree.  There’s a shed by the back porch where we keep water toys and floaties and also garden tools.  There’s open space beyond the apple tree where we’ve set up a fire ring (another bonfire may be in the future at some point).  I may need to build a guest house out there too.  Up on the hill, we have the garden and then the stargazing spot. 

For a bit of wider worldbuilding, we’re about twenty minutes outside of town.  I’m just calling it Little Town right now.  It’s a quiet village, with a mostly human population (we significantly add to the monster population when we go out there as a big group).  The humans are very accepting of the boys, for the most part, although sometimes we get stares or weird questions. The monsters there are nice too and so far no one has asked why there are so many skeletons living together.  The big highlights out here are the library and the nice cream parlor. Maybe we’ll take a group trip to town one of these days and do some more exploring. None of the boys work in town (there’s just not enough there, although I’m trying to convince Stretch to get a job at the library).  If they don’t work from home, then they all commute (or take a shortcut) into the city, which is about 40 minutes away. 

I think that’s enough to get by with for right now.  I’m always adding extra details to this world I’m building.  Please save any additional questions about it for next week’s Worldbuilding Wednesday.  (I will reblog this post before then so you can see it again.)  

[luxandauroris]

Thus the Journey of the Vessel Begins.

[ “You were born a child of light’s wonderful secret— you return to the beauty you have always been.” ― Aberjhani ]

“You want to what now?” Prompto asked in disbelief.

“I want to go and investigate the fort to the east of here.” Delphine said, sat around the dwindling campfire with her four companions. “It’s not one of Aldercapt’s units, but I swear I’ve seen that symbol somewhere before.”

Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose. “We really should make haste for Caem, Cid is waiting for us and-“

“I know, Ignis.” Delph interrupted. “I wouldn’t have even mentioned going if I wasn’t sure it was worth investigating.”

“Hey,” Noctis said, turning to Ignis. “It could be useful for working out any Nif secrets…”

Delphine turned to Noctis and flashed him a grateful smile, one which he returned eagerly.

“You would side with her…” Ignis muttered. “Fine, I know better than to argue with you when you have your sights set on something so deeply. We’ll leave at nightfall, but you’re the one who has to incur the wrath of Cid when we eventually get back to Caem.”

“Fine by me.” Delph agreed, causing Gladio to chuckle beside her.

Three hours later, and the group were preparing to head out as the sun set over the lands of Lucis. As Delph was sharpening her spear, she felt a presence behind her, turning round to see a familiar blond head of hair settling down beside her. He rest his head on her shoulder, as he had come to do so often since they had departed on this crazy journey.

“Do you ever think about the people from back home?” Prompto asked, looking over the horizon.

“Sometimes.” Delph replied, voice quiet. “The usual been on your mind again?”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I… really miss her.”

The dark-haired woman had to hold back tears which were threatening to spill. Miel had been on her mind a lot since she had finally received a reply to the text she had sent a few days ago. She was fairly sure Prompto had cried when she showed him the messages, seeing Miel not believing that he wanted to see her…

“You really love her, don’t you?” She asked.

“More that I can say.” Prompto chuckled.

“Next time you see her, tell her.”

Prompto turned to face his friend, wide eyed but nodding all the same. Delph didn’t know if he would actually do it, but the thought being in his mind was enough for her for now. She hadn’t gotten the guts to tell Miel how she felt all those years ago, and the last thing she wanted was for Prompto to go through the same anguish she had. He was so much more open with her, so much more suited to her than she was, and the way he looked at her, it made Delph’s heart sing, seeing her two closest friends so happy.

“Didn’t you love her… once?” Prom asked, eyes full of curiosity.

Delphine laughed. Not a malicious one, an airy one, looking back on a past memory that she was extremely fond of. “I’ll always hold her dear in my heart, Prom, but… she’s yours. I accepted that a long time ago.”

Prompto nodded, pulling Delph to him in what could be seen as an act of thanking her. He valued Delphine and her friendship so much, she was what kept the boys from constantly being at each other’s throats, what kept Gladio from being too overbearing during training, the only person Ignis trusted to cook other than himself, and Noct - well, Noct was another matter entirely when it came to Delphine Auroris. Not that she knew, or that she would ever know.

Before either of the two could ponder their thoughts further, a cough came from behind them. They separated, seeing Gladio stood there, all prepped to head over to their mission. “We’re ready, let’s go.”

The pair nodded, standing up and gathering their gear. Delphine took a deep breath, mentally readying herself for another infiltration, unaware of what awaited she and her friends on the other side of the tall, looming walls.

The plan of action was simple enough – infiltrate, explore, extract. The group had gotten past the first line of defence pretty swiftly (thank the lord for warp-kills), were now making their way through the facility. Prompto, Noctis, and Delphine stuck to the left, heading for an office building, whereas Ignis and Gladio scouted out the weapons area.

Delphine still hadn’t been able to identify the fort flag, the symbol was striking up a memory within her, she just didn’t know which one. There had been no names anywhere, either, so she was at a loss. She shook the thought from her mind as her group reached the building, Prompto granting them entry with a keycard he’d swiped from one of the guards.

“What exactly is it that we’re looking for?” Noctis asked, rooting through a cabinet.

“Anything which gives us an idea of who these guys are, and what their plans are.” Delphine replied, heading over to what looked like the main desk in the room. She tried each drawer, but it wouldn’t budge no matter how hard she pulled. She didn’t want to break it, otherwise whoever owned this place would know someone had been in there.

Instead, she moved to what appeared to be a tray of folders. Opening one, she saw mission details for a raid on Galahd, effectively planning to destroy the place, with ‘MISSION SUCCESSFUL’ stamped across the top in large, red letters. She scanned the page with haste, looking for a name, a group, anything that would tell her who was responsible. She turned page after page with no luck. On the final page in the document, however, was a photo. It was specifications for a catapult, extremely intricate and bound to destroy anything it set its sights on. The name on the side, however, caused Delph’s stomach to drop.

No.

No.

Not him.

Please.

No…

“H-hey, Delph?” Prompto asked, voice shaking as he studied the folder in his hand. “What were your parents’ names again?”

Oh no.

“Carina and Amanitus.” Delphine replied, tone void of emotion.

“Wait…” Noctis interjected. “I know those names, they were two of Dad’s most skilled Glaives.”

“They were, yes.” Delph replied. “And I’m guessing that Prompto is currently holding the report of the raid they were involved in on General Ulixes twelve years ago, the night they died.”

“Uh, yeah. I-”

“The same general, as it would happen, who I would guess runs the very fort we’re stood in.”

“Delph, wai-”

She was out the door before Prompto could finish, eyes alight with a flame which had been burning for twelve years too long.

“DELPHINE! FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS WOULD YOU WAIT!” Ignis cried, sprinting to catch up to her as she stormed through the area.

“I’ve waited for twelve years, Ignis, that’s more than long enough.” She replied, voice harsh as she stormed ahead.

Ahead of her was a large courtyard, where she hoped to get a better idea of where the bastard might be. And if he wasn’t here, well, she could tear up his shit instead. The boys were clearly concerned and scared simultaneously, but she pushed them to the back of her mind for the moment as she charged forwards. That is, until a firm grip pulled her back.

“Get off, Gladio.”

“What exactly are you hoping to do here?” He growled. “We have no plan of attack, no back-up for if things go wrong, it’s a death trap.”

“I’ll be fine.” Delph protested, moving to walk again.

At that moment, a large spotlight flashed into life, glaring down onto the group. Delphine squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light, before spotting a figure perched on the top of one of the nearby towers.

“My my my, what have we here?” An unsettling voice shouted. “Could it be the heir of Lucis, in MY fort?”

Gladio moved to stand in front of Noctis. “Who are you?” He roared.

“Why, I am General Velinus Ulixes. General of the Niflheim forces and weapons contractor.”

He had whispy black hair which hung around his hollowed face, making him look like a ghost. His face was set into a permanent sneer, spindly fingers gripping the barrier of the balcony he was stood upon. His uniform was decked in platinum metal, shining under the harsh lights above. Delphine growled, readying herself to summon her spear when the situation presented itself.

“What’s this? You brought a pretty girl along with you?” He asked, leaning over the railing slightly. “She’ll make for plenty of fun later, looks like the type to enjoy that sort of thing.”

“HEY.” Noctis and Prompto yelled, getting themselves into their own combat stance.

“Trust me, old man, I want nothing to do with you.” Delphine retorted, seeing more red with each second that passed.

The sounds of soldiers approaching didn’t go unnoticed by the group, all conjuring their weapons simultaneously. Delphine gripped her spear tightly, ready to launch it at a moment’s notice.

“Oh but why so aggressive, beautiful one?” He chortled. “It doesn’t suit you.”

“Why would I want anything to do with the man who killed my family?” Delph snarled. At a lack of response from the General, she continued. “You don’t even remember them, do you?”

“I’ve killed a lot of people in my time, sweetheart.” He shrugged. “But I’m bored of you now. Attack!”

Guards came at them from all sides. Bullets flew, swords clashed, it was chaos. Delphine utilised every skill she had learned throughout her fighting career, her training, everything came together to eliminate as many of these guards as she could, while keeping an eye on Ulixes to make sure he wouldn’t escape.

He didn’t move. He simply stood, watching. Waiting.

The guards were down to their last few. As Delphine plunged her spear into the heart of an MT, she noticed Ulixes had finally started to move, producing something from behind him. Was that a crossbow? It looked like it, and a big one at that. He perched the device on his shoulder, taking aim on the battlefield at the first person he set his eyes on.

Delph’s legs moved faster than she ever thought possible.

And then there was pain.

Blinding, absolute, pain.

Then nothing.

At the sound of an arrow right behind him, Prompto turned around just in time to see Delphine’s body hit the floor. An arrow was protruding from her chest, almost like an insult to the rest of their group. His mind went numb, the only thing he focused on was eliminating the last of these damned guards so he could get to her, so he could make sure she was okay.

Noctis raged, summoning the armiger and blasting through any guard he set his sights on. This hadn’t happened. This couldn’t happen. She was fine, she was fine… At last, the guards were down, laying in heaps on the floor of the courtyard.

And among them, lay Delphine.

The group sprinted over to her, Noctis laying her head in his lap while Ignis checked her pulse. Prompto looked to Ignis with hopeful eyes while Gladio gently tried shaking the woman, but to no avail. Ignis shook his head lightly. Her eyes were clouded, no longer sparkling with a lust for adventure, with the delight that she was so well-known for.

She was gone.

“You know, I think I do remember her parents now.” Ulixies sneered. “They died the same way, protecting people they cared about.”

“SHUT UP!” Noctis and Gladio yelled, tears pricking their eyes.

She couldn’t be gone. Their Delphine, their warrior, the cockiest yet sweetest woman they’d ever met… Noctis’ mind flashed back to memories of school, of hours spent at Delphine’s house working on stupid projects that wouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, of being entranced by her smile and her laugh, exploring Insomnia together and making places their own, knowing he could trust her no matter what, enjoying every moment he spent with her.

Gladio thought of her quick wit, how she was always able to find a silver lining in any situation. How she was hot-headed, but sensible (most of the time), the challenge she posed when the two duelled, playing off one another in order to work out the other’s weaknesses, emotional conversations under starlight, everything.

Ignis’ mind was blank. He was seeing red himself. One of their group had been taken in the act of trying to bring justice. His friend, his sister, was gone. His fists clenched at his side, this wasn’t how things were supposed to go. They were meant to meet up at cafés long into the future and laugh about this journey when it was all over, not mourn.

Prompto still had her hand in his. She was still warm, bittersweetly. He thought of the days the two of them and Miel would sneak out of school and head to the arcade, wasting the time but having the time of their lives all at once. Hours spent talking about life problems and helping one another to be their best selves, supporting her as she fought her way to the top. Oh god, Miel… What would she say? She’d be in bits… He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it gently before placing it on her chest, just below where the arrow still stood.

He rose slowly, drawing his weapon. “I’ll kill him.”

The others joined him, standing beside him. Ready to avenge the woman who brought them so much joy.

That is, until the light hit.

So this is death…

Delphine had never known what to expect when she died, few do.

It was so dark.

So empty.

She felt as though she was floating, drifting away to join her parents and godfather – wherever they were now. She could see a faint light in the distance, growing larger with each second. That must have been her final destination, she supposed.

She didn’t regret jumping in front of the arrow, no way. It saved Prompto. That was all she wanted, for those she loved to be safe. She just hoped that Ulixes was dead by now.

The light finally reached her, and she closed her eyes, embracing the warmth it brought with it. But there was no shift in consciousness, no sudden alertness. She still felt just as drained as she had done before. But now, she could feel… grass? Was she in a field? Opening her eyes, she sat up to find that yes, she was in a field. A field filled with delphiniums, conveniently enough.

She stood up, noting that she was barefoot now. Her clothes had changed, too. Instead of her tattered jacket and jeans, she was wearing a short-sleeved dress, white in colour which came to her knees. As she moved, the flowers seemed to part, forming a path for her to follow. Tentatively, she began to walk along it, taking in all the sights, smells, and sensations along the way.

Where was she?

Why was no one else here?

Delphine could see a throne in the distance, lined with the same delphiniums which lay along the ground. Atop the throne sat a woman, one of the most beautiful women Delphine had ever seen. She had long, blonde hair which fell past her feet, and a gown which was made from the finest silk, with two wings fanning outwards behind her. An angel? Her face was soft, kind, welcoming. She smiled as the young warrior approached, sensing her nervousness.

“Young Delphine, there is no need to be afraid.” She said, voice soothing.

“W-where am I?” Delphine asked.

“You are in a place between life and death, where decisions are made and fates aligned.”

Delphine’s eyes widened. Fates aligned? What did that mean?

“Allow me to introduce myself.” The woman continued. “For I am the Goddess Eos, Protector of the Planet and Ruler of the Astrals.”

Delphine immediately dropped to one knee, bowing before Eos. “Please, forgive me. I had no idea.”

Eos laughed. “Stand, my child. There is no need to bow before me.”

Delph nodded before rising slowly. She tried to appear composed, but internally her mind was screaming. What on Eos (ha, that was ironic now) was going on?

“If you don’t mind my asking, Goddess Eos,” Delph began. “What exactly am I doing here?”

“Ah yes, of course.” Eos said, rising from her seat. She began to circle Delphine. But she didn’t walk, she appeared to glide, moving with such grace and elegance that Delph found herself getting slightly light-headed. “You have heard the stories of the Vessels of the Astrals, correct?”

“I…” Delph said. “Yes, but I assumed they were just stories?”

Eos shook her head. “They are all true, dear one.” She moved to stand in front of Delphine, taking her hands. “I have brought you here to ask that you be my vessel, to bring justice and honour to a planet which is dwindling into extreme dismay.”

Delphine studied the eyes of the woman before her, there was no hint of malice, of deceit. All the stories were true, and here she was about to embark on one of her own. Her breathing sped up, panic starting to take over her as she thought about what this could mean.

“I, um, why me?” She asked, concern and fear clouding her features.

“You’ll know.” Eos said simply. “When the time comes, you will understand.”

“But- But what if I can’t do it?”

“You will, I wouldn’t have chosen you otherwise.” Eos said, smiling. “I have the upmost faith in you, Delphine Auroris. The light which you bring to the lives of so many must continue to shine.”

Delphine paused for a moment. If she accepted this offer, she could be reunited with everyone again. Prompto, Ignis, Gladio, Noctis, Miel… She could come back. She would have a job to do and a calling to fulfil, but she could come back.

“You will,” Eos said, interrupting her thoughts, “be granted all powers I have at my disposal. The elements will be yours to command, these wings yours to take to the sky. I will, essentially, meld myself with you.”

Delphine gulped, this was a huge responsibility. She took a few minutes to think about her choices before lifting her head to look at Eos again, face steady and determined.

“Have you made a decision, young one?” She asked.

Delphine nodded, sure that this was what she wanted to do.

A warm light began to fill her chest, and she closed her eyes once again. She felt… powerful, like she could do anything she put her mind to with ease. Energy flowed throughout her body, and she felt the world grow dark again, her spirit rising with each passing second. She thought of her friends, her family, willing her on, supporting her through anything and everything. A cold chill hit her face, wind. She could hear several voices shouting below her, four in joy and one in anger.

She opened her eyes.

Delphine Auroris, Vessel of Eos, was reborn.

She raised her hand, not quite sure what she expected to happen but willing it nonetheless. She would have to practice, she knew that, but for now, instinct was all that mattered. She aimed her hand at Ulixes, eyes stern, calculating, prepared. A blast of light shot out, hitting him square in the chest as he screamed.

Dead.

Gone.

Her family avenged.

His scheme, his glee at killing once again, foiled.

She slowly lowered herself to the ground, feeling two weights on her back as she adjusted to the feeling of wings present there. The air around her felt sharp, electric, and she breathed it in willingly. The arrow was gone, she noticed, all that remained was a scar.

Delphine looked up into the faces of the four men she had dreamed of seeing again, noting mixed emotions on their faces. Joy, disbelief, mild fear… all to be expected. But she was happy. So, so happy to be with them once again.

“Well,” Prompto said, mouth agape. “You certainly have some explaining to do.”

[xt1erminator-blog]

My History With D&D: How I Got Started

This should have been my introductory post on this blog, but, lazy.

It was a dark and stormy night.

No really, it was a dark and stormy night. I'm not just pretending to be Snoopy writing a novel. Anyhow, I recall being over at an elementary school friend's house for a sleep over I believe. Must have been 10 or 11 years old. There were three or four of us, and my friend, we'll call him Willy, was Dungeon Master. I had no actual playing experience before this night (the only time I had run into this strange game was several years earlier when I was over at the neighbour's house and their much older teenage kids were sitting around the kitchen table with their friends, the table cluttered with big books and weird shaped pieces of plastic and small metal figurines, and bottles and cans of pop and chips and all sorts of delicious looking junk food... it was similar to that scene in E.T. where the kids are playing D&D [not the photo above! - that’s from Freaks & Geeks] except it was daytime). And here I was now, sitting in a camper trailer in the middle of a big thunder/rain storm being shown how to make something called a "character". I have no recollection what race or class this character was, or his name.  I do remember though that he used a mace as his weapon and wore chainmail, and had iron rations. Maybe he was a cleric. I think it was red box Basic D&D we were playing.

I think I might have played a total of two or three games at Willy's place. Mostly with the same other friends playing it each time. The last game we played was using the 1st Edition AD&D rule books, and it was way over my head at the time. I remember stealing money from my paper route collections (which were probably due at the end of the week) and buying my own red box Basic D&D set and some dice, and I played the solo adventure for awhile (damn rust monster!) and then just hid out in the basement with a stack of graph paper, and drew out dungeon after dungeon after dungeon. They all sucked, I’m sure. I think the next major book purchase was the 2nd Edition Player's Handbook. And then the Monstrous Manual binder. Man, I hated that binder. What an awful format. I mean, great for organizing, being able to take out monster sheets and add in new ones, etc. but functionality-wise, it was a disaster. The binder didn't sit well with the other books on a shelf and whatever lamination they used for the exterior of the cover got very scuffed up if you put it in a backpack and it looked like ass in no time flat. The good old days. I would borrow other books and modules from anyone who was willing to let me take them away from them for any length of time, and sit there and read parts of them, mostly paying attention to the cool maps and the artwork. I remember photocopying many a module at the public library too.

So for several years after, I would mostly just read the books, and Dragon and Dungeon magazines, and attempt to create my own maps and even once or twice spent some money on miniatures and tried to paint them. Massive fail. If I would have know that the Ral Partha Forgotten Realms Heroes miniatures set I bought for $15 back in the late 80's/early 90's (whenever it was) would be worth hundreds of dollars almost 30 years later, I would have taken greater care with how much primer I carelessly sprayed on to those poor little figures, getting the shit all over my dad’s workshop tool bench (sorry Wulfgar, Drizzt, Dragonbait, Alias, etc.!) and how much paint I recklessly slapped on to them thinking I was doing things right. Ouch.

I tend to ramble so I'll try to summarize everything else up until now with a bit less detail. After elementary school came high school and there wasn't a lot of action when it came to playing Dungeons & Dragons, well with cool people I mean. There was a small group at the first high school I attended, that would play a game in the art room in the lower level of the school. I sat in once, maybe twice, to check it out. Wasn't my bag. These were the stereotypical super geeky, taped-up-eyeglasses nerds that were more interested in dissecting the rules and not playing with any real imagination it seemed. They were kind of like robots. Plus, not very fun when you have 45 minutes for a lunch break to try and make any progress in an adventure. I heard about others in this school who played, but I was never invited to go play in anyone's campaign. I stopped in a few times to see what was going on with another friend's home game, but didn't end up playing because they were a little too into roleplaying. Most of the playing I did happened later in my teenage years when I ended up playing in late night sessions with some older seniors at another school I went to, and then some games here and there with a bunch of fellows who have since turned out to be what you might call "life long friends". The good guys. Then, in my early 20's, I was the first of anyone I knew to do something incredibly stupid: meet a girl on the internet (1997), marry her and move to another country.

From that point on, I guess I lost interest in the hobby. I had always wanted to run my own game, but no opportunities ever arose, or I didn't have anywhere to play or I was just too on edge to be able to compose myself if a game were to actually take formation. I spent a lot of my time learning how to play musical instruments and often partied. Often. I don't regret it, those were some of the best times I've had. Years passed and I really didn't think about D&D or playing any sort of table top game at all. I grew more fond of digital entertainment, PC games, console games, etc.  I ended up attempting to become somewhat of a "photographer", and after many years I think I'm happy with where I am at with that particular hobby. It was one of those things you never thought to pursue and then one day, you end up spending several hundred dollars on a friend's used DSLR body and a strange, big zoom lens you have no clue how to use properly.

After almost six years and a "should have seen that one coming" style divorce, I returned back home and was again surrounded by my long time friends. It took a little bit of adjustment to get back into the circle with everyone - just picking up and leaving the country when you're 22 years old and supposed to be starting to explore your options for a career and everything, can kind of make a mess of your social connections.  I ended up getting back on my feet pretty quickly though, and found work a month and a half after coming home. I'm still there actually, almost 15 years later.

So, how did I reconnect with my beloved hobby?  It was almost two years ago or so (summer of 2015, I don't know if Tumblr dates these blog posts, I don't think so). My wife's step brothers had asked if she knew anyone who had ever played Dungeons & Dragons. She mentioned to them that I did. She asked on their behalf if I would run a game for them, they were curious and hadn't played before. I declined, no way no how. Been out of touch with it for years. Didn't play anymore. Made up some excuses. Left it at that. I had never run my own games before and had no confidence that I could be very effective when trying to introduce newcomers in to the game.

Then, at the end of that summer, another opportunity arose. Some mutual friends/family expressed interest in trying out the new 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. They had been watching Critical Role online and somehow it came up in discussion.  I had spent the last few months recalling my love for the game from my past, and ended up being much more receptive to the idea. I was much older, had been through a lot of situations in my life where things like social interaction was easier for me to become comfortable with, and I was developing a passion for it again, it seemed. After downloading the free basic 5e rules, and researching some things on YouTube, I was all for it. Our first session was on my 39th birthday at the beginning of October, 2015. It has snowballed into an addiction since then. I have invested a lot of my time (and money) into a small collection of books and miniatures, and some writing to fuel a small Forgotten Realms campaign. We don't play often, maybe every month and a half to two months, as it depends heavily on my wife's work schedule and when she can book a weekend off. I don't like playing on weekday evenings, as I'm usually pretty burned out from work or there just isn't much time to get into a good game before having to cut it short because people have to work the next day.

My Forgotten Realms campaign, currently one of two games I run, started out with three characters: a dwarven sorcerer, a half-orc druid and a gnome rogue. For the first session or two, I attempted to incorporate a PC that I was playing, a cleric of Bane. His appearance was very brief, as I decided it was not going to work well, playing a character while trying to hold down the fort being Dungeon Master and running the show. I'm not at that stage yet. So, I sent the cleric off in the night to go tend to an important mission while the rest of the party carried on. I used the majority of the 5e Starter Set module, Lost Mine of Phandelver. It did the job. I twisted it up a bit and definitely didn't follow it as per the booklet, and I still do that to this day. My style when using pre-written adventures, it seems, is to grab bits and pieces that are essential, and do the rest on the fly and change as necessary based on what the players may do to throw things off. And that's a good thing. It's helping me build skills to become a better Dungeon Master that can adapt to different scenarios, because it almost always doesn't go the way you plan it will go. I learned that early on. After a few months of playing and completing the Wave Echo Cave area, a situation arose that brought the party through a portal leading to the entrance to the Undermountain dungeon, located underneath The Yawning Portal in the great city of Waterdeep. This was an opportune moment to introduce a new player to the group, which happened thanks to a spur of the moment idea I had, to invite an old friend who I knew was a fan of what we were doing. I wasn't sure if he was up for joining the group, but you don't know until you ask, right? The next session, without saying too much of anything, the door bell rang and moments later the group now had a paladin amongst their ranks. It's been a way better game since.

The second campaign I'm going to start running over the next few weeks will be based upon the Eberron setting, which up until last week I had personally shrugged off any time it came up in my travels, and had no interest in even reading what it was about. I'm not sure why that is, I think the brief encounters I had with it previously were based on flipping through some 3rd Edition books, and I just wasn't picking up on what it was all about. I have never been much into anything 3e, the look and design of the books are unappealing to me. This past week though, one of my players and I got ahold of the 4th Edition Eberron Campaign and Player's guides, and I started reading them. I am really liking the setting and am looking forward to trying to use it in a new game. Lightning Rails, Airships, Warforged, Shifters, Dragonmarks - very cool stuff!  Also of help here was a video on Nerdarchy’s YouTube channel where the guys discuss 10 Reasons Why 5th Edition Needs Eberron

This leads to my next post: What Might Eberron For 5e Be Like?

Coming soon!

-runDMsteve

[debbiehross]

Zakinthos, around the Peloponnese, towards Athens.

It was Monday 28th of August when we farewelled the Inglis in a cab from Argastoli on Cephalonia.  They were on their way to London to attend a family wedding, and we had just spent a fabulous week meandering around the islands of Meganissi, Kastros and Cephalonia.

Our team shot before the good-bye’s, in Cephalonia 

It was now time to for us to think about heading in the direction of Athens where we would be leaving Awanui for the winter.  Instead of going back through the Corinth Canal and taking the short cut, we decided to travel down the western side of the Peloponnese and around the bottom ‘fingers’ of mainland Greece, then up the eastern side towards Athens.  We still had a couple of weeks ahead of us, and there were many parts of the Peloponnese that we had heard were fascinating, and well worth visiting.

Nikki and Michael had arrived the night before, so once we had waved the Inglis goodbye, and had a little shop and a coffee in Argostoli, we were good to go.

We steamed out of the port of Argostoli for the last time and set off to the island of Zakinthos which lies just to the south of Cephalonia, and is the southernmost of the Ionian islands. Geographically it is quite different from its northern neighbours which are more baron and mountainous.  Zakinthos in contrast, has a rich green plateau surrounded by a horseshoe of mountains. Add to the fertile nature of this island its strategic position, and you can understand its long history of disaster and carnage, as one conquering nation after another took hold of poor little Zakinthos.

Heading towards ‘Shipwreck Bay’ - with the fire in the hills. 

Captain Kosta had a bay in mind where we could spend the day.  It was famous because of a shipwreck that lies on the beautiful white beach below the cliffs, and is featured in many promotional images of Zakinthos.  

However, as we approached the bay on the Northwestern side of the island, we noticed smoke rising above the hills behind it.  There were helicopters arriving with water buckets to fight a blaze that had taken hold in the trees, and a patrol boat making sure no one came too close.  Pity!

Nikki and Michael relaxing on the bow.

We had to settle for spending the afternoon in a bay further around the coast that unfortunately had a bit of a swell coming in. But we were not deterred, and spent a lovely day here – paddle boarding, swimming and lying in the sun.  A very peaceful and relaxing way for Michael and Nikki to spend their first day.

 Love the blue of this sea!

Zakinthos town was our port for the night and a bit of a disappointment.  Quite big and ugly we thought.  But we still went ashore and had a wander around before dinner. Not a place we would be hurrying back to! We learnt that it had once been one of the most beautiful cities in the Ionian, but had been razed to the ground by the 1953 earthquake.  The rebuild tried to capture some of its beauty but sadly the modern arches and reconstructed arcades just lack any old world charm.

There is however, the church of Agios Dionissiou that survived the quake and sits at the western end of the port.  We discovered it on our walk the next morning.

Outside the ornate entrance of Agios Dionissiou. 

Zakinthos boasts at having been a cultural center during the 17th and 18th centuries and was the birthplace of many famous poets, writers, and musicians. It is also famous for growing currants. And is still a major producer of these sweet little berries.

 Quite a big tourist attraction on the island - the Caves.

As we motored off the next morning we were pleased to discover the ‘bay of caves’ where we spent an interesting few hours, watching the tourist ‘day-tripper’ boats coming and going.  It’s funny how caves become a huge attraction for people.  We are all intrigued by them.  

Took this pic from a poster showing the turtles that are protected in this area.

There was also supposed to be turtles in this protected area, so we kept a look out but unfortunately none were spotted.  We did however spot a boat load of beautiful young women in distress as their little motor boat drifted past us with a failed engine.  Our boys immediately went to their rescue – such lads!!  Unable to get the motor started, they were now all drifting quite a way out to sea by the time the “boat Hirer” arrived in his recue boat to tow the girls ashore, leaving our two poor Heros paddling back against tide and wind – finally making it to Awanui, slightly breathless, and in need of a cold beer!

This is the point they disappeared behind - missed getting a pic of the rescue! 

We free-anchored that night in a quiet little cove called Keri, and all went ashore to enjoy a delicious roof top diner overlooking the bay. There was a slight chill in the air and we could sense a change in the weather as dark clouds loomed.

The next day it rained, and I was feeling a little feverish so stayed put in bed as we motored away from Zakinthos towards mainland Peloponnese.  It was a four hour journey across a patch of rough water before we reached the Port of Pilos on the western finger of the Peloponnese.  I emerged feeling a lot better, thankfully, and ready to explore this quaint mainland town.

Nikki and i - at lunch - awaiting the thunder storm.

A different looking sky!

We walked around the waterside to the right of the square and lunched at a taverna under blue umbrellas and watched the dark clouds forming amid thunder and lightening.  This was a real contrast to the constant blue skies we had been used to. A lazy afternoon was in order, followed by another taverna diner!

The next morning the skies had cleared.  Michael and Chris took the e-bikes up to the fort above the town as Nikki and I wandered the old streets checking out the ancient buildings, before meeting up for a coffee in the main square under the huge plane trees.

Quite a few dilapidated houses - crying out to be saved! DIY anyone?

Later we decided to take the tender and find the renowned lagoon and bay that was just around the outer point of the port. The sea was a bit rough but we managed to zoom into the most beautiful horse-shoe cove with a glorious stretch of golden sand.  Voudhokoilia. Difficult name for such a divine spot – we had a beautiful few hours here before heading back to Awanui for a late lunch and siesta (mesimeri).

On our way to the lagoon of Voidhokoilia.

Another fort on the hill above the entrance to the cove.

The beautiful horse-shoe bay  of Voidhokoilia.

Such amazing water to float around in....

 Nikki’s happy feet.

Heading back to Awanui.

We were expecting Margot and Al Acland’s arrival this evening – and had arranged for them to taxi from the airport at Kalamata to meet us in Pilos.

We wandered up to a delightful taverna that overlooked the port with a table near the roadside so we could spot the Aclands taxi when it arrived.  

The gorgeous couple off to dinner - the Taverna is just up behind Nikki.

Its was so nice to have our wine decanted.

Sure enough at about 10pm we flagged down their taxi as it made its way slowly down the hill and past our table. Lots of laughter as we welcolmed the new Awanui team members.  Kali Spera!!

Al, Margot and me at the entrance to the fort above Pilos.

The next morning we all walked up to the fort for a proper look, as we had done a bit more research and realized its significance to the history of this town and area.  The bloody sea battle of Navarinon, which destroyed the Turks, had taken place here, and there was a magnificent fort and museum to explore.

Antiquities from the Mycenaean period. 

We enjoyed a late breakfast on board before heading off to the bay of Kolouri for a relaxing day – settling in the new “crew”, while Hesham cooked up the bag of fresh sardines for a delicious lunch.

....Still floating about in the blue....

Margot, with her trusty phone in hand.

After lunch we motored in to the very small harbour town of Finakounda. This one time fishing village is now principally a tourist town popular for windsurfing, and is positioned on the edge of the more remote Southern Peloponnese. 

The sleepy town of Finakounda.

We spent the night here before heading further down the coast to reach the very cool holiday resort of Limeni, which is renowned for all the buildings being made of stone.  There were a lot of new builds and many restored old villas but the overall effect was very cool we thought. There were a few bars and tavernas clinging to the rocks, with holiday makers lapping up the chilled vibe.

Entering the bay of Limeni.

Looking across to the stone buildings.  The taverna/bar with its white umbrellas.

After a swim and a paddle we headed ashore.

Taking the tender in for a nosey around and a cold drink.

A great spot for a taverna!

happy in our work!

Margot - on a walk around the villas.

Most villas had stairs down into the sea.  Cool.

Loved this one!

Heading back to Awanui.

We ended up going back ashore to the main taverna for dinner, where the fish was scaled and prepared on the steps below our table.  Once again a very expensive meal, but it was a beautiful little spot.

Cleaning the fish right below our table on the steps.

The next morning we anchored in another little port town that looked quite intriguing so we went ashore to find a coffee, and something to take on board for lunch.  It was a charming little place and we were pleased to have visited it, even for the short time that it was. 

The town of Geroslimenos.

At the end of this road was a new and quite fabulous resort.

An old coffee shop.

I keep finding these ‘do-ups’.

These are holiday rentals - hanging off the rocks.

Looking a bit lonely out there in the bay.

We were back on our way shortly after a coffee - and anchored in a bay on the way to Gythion for a swim and a paddle.  We where looking forward to meeting up with Yiorgos in Gythion.  He was driving over from the other side of the Peloponnese from his village in Prastos, (near Paralio Astros), just to have a night with us.

The Broomes enjoying a final paddle before we head into port.

The large port town of Gythion (Yithion).

......And Yorg was there to meet up with us!

Dinner drying in the sun.

Our last meal with the six of us. Yia sus!

The next morning - we farewelled Michael and Nikki - on their way to Paros.

TO BE CONTINUED .......

[sailingbrisa]

Shelter Bay and the Panama Canal

We arrived in Shelter Bay Marina on Friday … sent an email to the Eric the agent who would help us get through the canal and did our Customs clearance and immigration after a taxi and ferry ride into Colon. Easy and friendly… wouldn’t say fast though. We had to wait until Wednesday to be measured and spent our time exploring the jungles around Shelter Bay, swimming in the pool and meeting fellow cruisers from all over the world on their way to many different destinations. Significantly for me.. most of the people here were a different type of cruiser to what I was used to. Mostly the St. Martin cruisers are used to sailing around the Caribbean, always fairly close to land and a bar. In panama they cruisers were more exploration oriented and had stories of great remote little anchorages all over Central America. Elwin and Ross went for a mega hike… I think in all about 18km round trip in brutal heat and humidity, out to the old fort. Lots of cool animals and good memories.

 We finally had everything we needed so we packed up and shipped out for a 132 nmovernight hop to Boccas Del Torro. A surf/ party destination. We arrived, had a Red Bull and went for a walk around. There were a lot of hostels and Europeans and commercialization, so we zoomed across to one of the nearby islands and explored the mangroves. We were hoping to see lots of dolphin, but we were only welcomed in and out of the main channel and didn’t see any others. We decided to pull anchor and head off to Bluefields Lagoon… supposedly a beautiful anchorage filled with fish and fairly remote. It got its name from a Dutch Pirate… so Elwin was happy. WE went snorkeling and climbing around a big gannet hatchery.. loads of fish everywhere and beautiful warm water.. Almost too warm I think! We got back to Brisa and ross had managed to get 6 lobster for 7 dollars… good size ones too so we got stuck into barbeque lobster with garlic butter off of the grill. LOVING IT! The bay was beautiful and we enjoyed watching the local school kids in uniforms so white it hurt to look at paddling across the bay in their little traditional dugouts. They would all stop by to say hi and get some candy from us! I gave one of the bigger kids who was learning English a book about Babara Kendals windsurfing history…. He didn’t believe I knew her, but said he would take it to his school for the English library… now apparently they had 12 books in English! He was very excited.. so Babara.. if you ever wash up in Bluefields I imagine the kids will now who you are. J We anchored very close to a little fishing village in deep water. That night we had a flashlight on the ladder… but crazy jumping fish hit it and knocked it off the boat and it sank to the bottom in 50 feet of water, leaving just a faint glow. As we were right beside some mangroves and had heard of big crocodile stories… I wasn’t about to go in there and get it.. but came up with a plan to use one of our sinking lures to hook the string on the light. I was sitting there for about half an hour bouncing the jig of the bottom and I had only caught a couple of plastic bags, when all of a sudden there was the unmistakable strike of a big heavy fish… I handed Elwin the rod and he pulled … but nothing moved. I think we hooked a big ray or Nurse shark.. because it wasn’t even noticing it had been hooked. Sadly we snapped the end off the rod trying to get it up to unhook it… and then the line broke too…. Needless to say I didn’t go down there to get the light……

 We pulled up the anchor and motored off to Isla Escudo DE Veraguas…. A little island about 25 miles off of the Panamanian Coast. 5 hours later we anchored in a spectacular little island. Beautiful sand beaches, awesome little islands and caves and bays, potential for surf.. but we didn’t manage to time the swell well. We brought more lobster and went exploring the island.. snorkeling incredible reefs filled with fish and lobster, touched nurse sharks… and napped in the evening. The next day was my birthday and we spent it eating lobster, snorkeling and windsurfing on the JP convertible stand up board as there was only light wind. Elwin was a pro after his first couple of hours of trying. I received a great hammock, a thermos to keep my water cold and my midnight watch coffee hot and a great mug from the boys! Awesome gifts. I have to say I enjoyed the day there very very much with a great crew doing exactly what I had always dreamed of doing with Brisa.

 We sadly left the little island.. but knowing we would soon be crossing Central America in the Panama Canal started to sink in and as we motored ( yeah that’s all we do these days as there is almost no wind anywhere here ) back towards Shelter Bay I told Brisa to enjoy her last few days in the Caribbean salt and to get ready to explore a new ocean.

 Now I wish I could say the trip back up was routine… but this time of year in the tropics we have massive land mass thunderstorms.. slow moving very active and covering between 6 and 10 miles. Darkness really makes these monsters impressive as you can see the forks of lightening very clearly and they were slowly getting closer and closer. WE were about 20 miles out to sea but the closer we came to the marina the less distance there was between the storms and the coast .. leaving us about 2 miles offshore in the middle of a big thunderstorm… luckily we made it through with no damage and popped out the other side and made out entry into the breakwater by the canal just as the storm we just went through came back and got us again. It was now about 130am… puring rain and I was driving around using the radar to know where I was… I found a big ship and went over beside it figuring if the lightening came this way it would hit that big boat before Brisa…great idea until Ross comes up and asks me why we are sitting bobbing around in the thunderstorm by an LPG tanker… lol. Zoom off we go and arrive in the tiny entrance to shelter bay with about 500 yards visibility and lightening everywhere. The dockmaster standing there at 3am flashlight and radio in hand smiling at us form under his raincoat. Thanks Dockmaster Frank! You rule. We tied up.. I took a shower under the rain and curled up in bed about 430 am after a loooong day. The highlight apart from making it in one piece was just after dinner… literally as I Said “ Ross thanks great meal! Now all we need is to get lucky before sunset.. “ at that very second the reel took off and we hooked a great little spearfish… basically a marlin with a little nose. Thirty minutes later he was by the boat, we gave him a little slack in the line, the hook fell out and I didn’t have to wrestle any angry pointy nosed fish again! Ross had requested to catch a marlin on the trip so we ticked that off the list! I think for Elwin he was pretty damn happy with having enough lobster that he could throw one in with his ramen noodles…J For me the highlight was the night thunderstorms and dodging them .. and making it into Shelter Bay marina in the middle of it all. Great fun.

 The next day we spent getting ready for the Panama Canal crossing. Checking the engines, receiving the buoys and long ropes we would need for the locks… 3 up +100’ and 3 down – 100’ and about 37 miles of motoring through the canals with all the big ships. And about 5 pm we motored across the canal and anchored at the flats anchorage awaiting our advisor to arrive between 4 and 5 am the following day. Debbie and Bob were also onboard as our line handlers. I went up[ the mast to see why the anchor light wasn’t working and basically the wiring fell apart in my hands… oops .. maybe I should of waited until we got through the canala to “fix” that eh? I spent a very rolly hour and a half up there fixing the little wires back together and … voila problem not solved. Still no anchor light. So we had a look the next day in the control box in the anchor locker, joined a broken wire and voila problem fixed.

 The advisor didn’t show up until about 1pm.. and with him onboard we followed a big ship up the canal and said our goodbyes to the Caribbean as we passed the construction of the new Panama Canal bridge and entered our first lock. We were with a big boat, a tug and a beautiful sailboat called Altos. WE tied up beside them and uneventfully passed through the three locks. We had to tie up to a mooring ball for the night in the Gatun Lake and as the sunset we spotted some manatees playing close to the boat, got some great photos and had a few Balboa beers as a reward for leaving the Caribbean. Brisa sitting 100’ above sea level in a fresh water man made lake!

 The next day at 745 our next advisor showed up and off we went across the Gatun lake.. about 26 miles from start to the next lock… it was beautiful scenery, cool to see the huge new panama boats and be up close and personal with all the commercial traffic… but Brisa didn’t skip a beat. N fact since we left she has been nothing short of exceptional. We showed up at the next locks a little early so tied up to another bouy for about an hour waiting for the other ships we would go down the next locks with. We went in first, the dockhands threw us little lines on monkey fists and then pulled back out lines. As we would go through three locks, each about 30 feet down, we would need to pay out line evenly on all four corners to keep the boat straight. The three locks went by without incident and we pootled out into the PACIFIC! Brisa motoring under the bridge of the Americas and we took a mooring ball in front of the Balboa Yacht Club, went to TGIF and had some food and beer and then back to Brisa for a good sleep.

 Bob and Debbie were a bit sad as they knew this was possibly the last time we would see each other for a while… but like all sailors.. they knew it wasn’t the last time. We really had a lot of fun going through the canal.. and it was an amazing feeling to see Brisa floating there with the Panama canal behind us and the Pacific Ocean calling her name. I guess that is one right of passage for every sailor, but not every boat.

 The next day we went to Casco Viejo to take care of some paperwork with the rental of my little apartment there. We all stopped into the Red Bull office to say hi to everyone. Was great to see the guys and girls again!

 Next we picked up some parts that had been ordered and went to the fishing shop to get a couple of our reels that were there being repaired, brought Elwin some flippers, a three prong spear gun and a replacement fishing rod for the one we broke in Bluefields. Heheheh. Great fun.

 That afternoon refueled and relocated to the other side of the Amador Causeway. Interestingly the Marina wanted to charge us 21. Usd to park our dingy while we brought supplies and had dinner at their restaurant and shops….. ??? Huh? Incredible. So we told them we didn’t like their attitude and off we went to climb up the rocks and go get some supplies. Red Bull, beer, bread and coffee. The next day Ross and I zapped off to super 99 in the mall for some resupplying. WE had a great time there buying up everything we needed and an even more entertaining time while we watched the lady at the register try to work out how to use the Vale Panama food stamps that I had been keeping from my time working in Panama. Was pretty sad when even with a calculator the lady had to count 110 little $3 vale panama tickets 8 times to work out how much I had given her….. even with a calculator she couldn’t get that 10 x 3 = 30. It literally took us 40 minutes for her to sort that out and eventually the packing boy helped her count as obviously he had finished high school.

 Then we head outside and I wont take the little yellow taxis in Panama. They continuously try and rip you off and have shitty attitudes. So I walk out with Ross and the bagging guy form super 99 that can count, and dial up an Uber. At least 40 taxis stop while im there and ask if I need a ride and a big police man comes over and asks why im not getting in the taxi. I explain the shitty time ive had with Taxis and that id wait a week for an Uber before getting in the taxi and he gives me some shit about Uber not being legal. The Uber dirver shows up, the cop stops him and asks for all his papaers… lol. Everything legal and the cop calls his boss… who explains that it isn’t illegal and the cop lets us go, saying Ubers time is almost up in Panama. Jajjajaja. The driver was super cool and wished the officer a lovely day.

 We got back to the boat dropped off the food and I went for dingy gas while the boys organized the food. AS soon as I got back we started the engines and headed for Las Perlas Islands, showing up around 430pm and straight into glassy clean lefts and rights. Not so big, but just me and Elwin in the lineup. Lots of waves ridden before sunset. Very positive start to our surfing mission in the Pacific as the goal of it all is to surf un-crowded remote areas…. And this definitely was one of those.

 Today we got up early and went for a look around the island. Dragged the dingy up the beach a little and went for a twenty minute walk.. when we came back the dingy was 20 feet up the beach. Huge tides here are something that will take us a while to get used to. We surfed a little bigger waves this am, but the wind was a little onshore in front of a big thunderstorm, so we came back, had lunch and played gin while we waited for the lightening to stop! Now as the tide drops we are foaming for another glassy evening surf session!!!

[robertvasquez763]

Escape to Baja: Three Blissed-Out Days Touring Mexico on a Harley-Davidson

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Germans. It was always Germans. Germans on Harleys in the desert. A platoon of friendly dudes taking a break from the Fatherland to explore the arid expanses of the American Southwest on big old Yankee bikes, V-twins shimmering in the heat. To a man, they’d be swaddled in EagleRider jackets. They’d come over, rent bikes from the company, maybe take a guided tour up Route 66. Hang out with donkeys in Oatman, Arizona, and see the Grand Canyon. For them, it’s like a foot-to-the-floor autobahn run in a Porsche 911 Turbo would be to an American. But EagleRider doesn’t just run tours of the dry, empty corners of America. They’ve got guides and locations dotting the globe. So when they asked if I wanted to go for a ride down the Pacific Coast, I asked, “What about Baja?”

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I grew up on Highway 1: traveled every inch from Leggett down to Dana Point. Summer vacations in Fort Bragg, quick getaways to Bodega Bay or Santa Cruz. The yearly automotive bacchanal at Pebble Beach; PCH as a route to LAX and south to Orange County when I lived in San Pedro. I love 1, but 1 is mine any time I have a free day and the inclination to see the ocean. So we went to Mexico, somewhere I’d never been, despite having resided my entire life within a day’s drive of the border.

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Since EagleRider offers a selection of motorcycles biased heavily in favor of American iron, I went as heavy and American as I could get, choosing a Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited, a loaded version of Harley’s classic Electra Glide touring bike, 904 pounds of the Motor Company’s classic touring setup. Batwing fairing, 103-cubic-inch twin-cam pushrod V-twin with a couple of radiators discreetly tucked into the fairing lowers, side cases, and a capacious top trunk with a rack. Indian’s recent entry into the heavy-touring segment, the Roadmaster, is flashier—simultaneously more modern and more baroque—but the Hog is an institution.

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After a night at La Jolla’s Lodge at Torrey Pines, we picked up our bikes at EagleRider’s San Diego location, which doubles as an Indian dealership, and rumbled down I-5 to the border, winding through the Mexican checkpoint maze without much more than a glance from the guards. Free, we trundled south to Rosarito for coffee and pastries. EagleRider’s excitable CEO, Chris McIntyre, was bopping around, wide-eyed and thrilled, backslapping and high-fiving. We sat by a midmorning campfire on a cliff and sipped bottled water and excellent joe. I could’ve spent the rest of the day right there, staring out at the still, aquamarine expanse of the sea.

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Back on the bikes, we wound our way inland. The storms that have spent the winter pummeling California have zero regard for international borders. Therefore, the lush-seeming hills were probably about as verdant as they ever get. The pace set by the guides was reasonable, none of the other riders felt compelled to hot-dog, and I was starting to feel really comfortable with the big Harley. It doesn’t have a Honda Gold Wing’s low-speed stability or take a set in high-speed corners quite like Moto Guzzi’s off-the-wall MGX-21 bagger, but there’s a sense on the Electra Glide that you’re riding a damn motorcycle that’s impossible to discount.

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We parked the bikes in a dirt turnout and traveled by van and Jeep up a dirt road to La Estancia, a middle-of-nowhere rancho that apparently booms on the weekend. Lunch was lazy and delicious; the subsequent ride to Ensenada was a blissed-out, leisurely ramble.

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We wandered Ensenada after dinner. It was the off season; the town was quiet, the weather temperate. Kyra Sacdalan and Justin Coffey, a professional moto-adventure couple and veterans of the peninsula, showed us the starting line of the Baja 1000, then took us to the capacious Papas & Beer, which was utterly devoid of people, followed by a bar down the street where it’s claimed the margarita was invented. Hussong’s wasn’t exactly hopping, but there was enough of a crowd to keep the mariachi bands circulating. A group set up next to our table. The guitarist had a little solid-state Peavey amp with an old Metal Zone distortion pedal zip-tied to the handle. A motorcycle battery supplied the power. The bass player’s upright instrument was made of unfinished plywood. The drummer had a snare, a couple of cowbells, and a crash cymbal. McIntyre overeagerly called for Pink Floyd. I cringed a little. I felt like a gringo.

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They launched into a shockingly great rendition of “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2).” A man came around with a pair of electrified metal tubes. The goal was to hold on as long as possible without saying “Uncle” as he increased the power. I tapped out quickly. We dropped our peanut shells on the floor. Creedence. Santana. The drummer was slaying; the guitarist was wailing; the bassist twirled the high holy hell out of his thunderbox. These guys, without a doubt, were the most fantastic bar band I’d ever seen. I stepped out for a cigarette and remembered that the late Brock Yates had been arrested outside Hussong’s for relieving himself against the wall back in 1983. We departed in cabs for the hotel. A lone federale watched us go.

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In the morning, we walked down to the marina and boarded a cabin cruiser to catch some fish and watch for whales. Photographer Todd Williams and EagleRider chief administrative officer Jeff Brown seemed to snag the majority of the yellowtail, the reeling in of which caused a great congregation of looky-loos each time. I gazed back toward the city from the ocean, wondering where in all that haze the Fender guitar factory was. Of all the guitars I own, a humble Ensenada-built Stratocaster is one of my favorites. It felt good to understand where it came from.

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On our return to dry land, we hopped on the bikes, paused to wolf down some phenomenal tacos, and then made for the Valle de Guadalupe, the heart of Baja’s wine industry. Our hotel stood up a two-mile dirt road that EagleRider VP of Experience Shawn Fechter described as “pretty gnarly.” I didn’t love the hefty Harley’s behavior on dirt and gravel, so I tucked in behind Kyra and followed her line through the ruts and pits, at one point power-walking the lumbering Electra Glide within what felt like inches of an inconsiderate first-gen Honda Pilot driver, goosing the throttle and feathering the clutch to keep the bike from sliding down a silty incline into the oxidized ute. McIntyre and Justin Coffey, on the other hand, came tearing down the road, the CEO standing on the floorboards of his Harley bagger, thwacking the pipes on the ragged, undulating ground while Justin used his BMW R1200GS adventure bike in the manner the Bavarians intended.

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After dinner, we gathered around an expertly constructed campfire. Fechter produced a cheapo nylon-string guitar. He kept handing me the thing. I’d noodle on it while folks talked. I quietly played the Minutemen’s “Corona” to myself, because if you’re a punker of a certain age in Mexico and somebody gives you a guitar, you’re honor bound to play “Corona,” D. Boon’s poignant sketch of honky guilt on a Baja beach. I handed the guitar back to Fechter. He played “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and a sweet little original about a video-store clerk he once knew who appeared to subsist entirely on chicharrón. He passed the guitar to another musically inclined writer and then back to me. I was at a loss. I knew nobody at a campfire wanted to hear “In a Free Land” or “Clash City Rockers.” Idea! I whanged the two-chord D-E riff and started singing, “Generals gathered in their masses . . . ”

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Everybody joined in, “Just like witches at black masses…”

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When in doubt, play Sabbath. A couple who’d joined our party were so inexplicably enthralled by the haphazard performance that the man called me weird and, in the next breath, suggested that he’d considered surrendering his lady friend to me for the night. Bemused, tired, and fresh out of songs, I retired to bed alone, lungs full of wood and tobacco smoke. As I drifted off, it occurred to me that I’d forgotten to play “N.I.B.”

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Goose Deuce and the Dragon Lady: A Journey to the U-2 Crash Site

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Escape From Baja: Mexican Torture Test of Audi 5000S, Datsun Maxima, Dodge 600ES, Pontiac 6000STE, Saab 900 Turbo, Toyota Cressida, VW Quantum, Volvo 760GLE

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Sidecar Racing at the Isle of Man TT Is Insane (and Insanely Cool)

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The next morning took us to over the increasingly dry hills to Tecate and the U.S. border. There’s something claustrophobic and hard about Tecate; I didn’t care for it as much as Rosarito, Ensenada, or the quiet rolling of the Valle de Guadalupe. But the man at the ice-cream store was friendly, and his cool treats were welcome. At the border, Customs and Border Protection treated us suspiciously; par for the course. Welcome back to America. I turned to Coffey and asked, “Justin, why do I feel less free now that we’re back home?”

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“Because you are.”

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The night before, the man who’d contemplated offering me his companion—he was a stockbroker type visiting the Valle for the weekend—called Baja “the land of personal responsibility,” noting that the steps are often uneven. That you tread at your own risk. EagleRider’s guides make all of that a lot easier for Baja novices. And if the tour is all-inclusive and tightly scheduled, it also takes you to spots you’d struggle to find on your own with an entire free month on your hands. As somebody who prefers riding solo and finding his own way, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed the experience. In fact, I had a hard time wiping a smile off my face during the entirety of my time in Mexico. Those desert-traversing Germans? They’re clearly on to something.

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