Castaways Farmer Fa/tg/uy 2009/11/30(Mon)06:03 No. 83587 ID: cc7dc8
File 125958983765.jpg - (188.62KB , 1024x768 , Fractals_by_DeathWhisperALullaby.jpg )

*Cracks Neck*

Franky has wandered off continuing the tally of supplies. Meanwhile Adrian is getting together anybody who has medical skill or supplies now that he has Sophia(the Californian Teenager)helping him at least speak English.

In the background someone is playing Queen on a CD player and a set of Speakers.


What Do you do?

>>83587
what song? If can't stop me now start singing to it.

>>83840
Need somebody to love.

Ask farmers about their thought on the land -- can we grow anything on it?

>>83911
From what you can gather they seem to think it might be workable but You'll need either to do some heavy labor tearing up the sod or somehow build a plow and find something to pull it. They also seem to think that perhaps the forest might be better if you don't mind burning some of them down to get workable fields.

They are things we cannot do. The forest may contain important species that will be viable as food or medicine. See if the farmers know how to plant hardy crops such as POTATO. See if there is any botanists around who can enter the forest with the scout team, but to identify edible species rather than to fight. May be they can stay back a bit during the confrontation with any foe.

>>83947
The forester volunteers saying that he might be able to help in this situation. He also points out that he might be able to spy good areas to hunt for game.

Though a little miffed at your reaction the farmers Grudgingly agree to your points. One of them a New Yorker seems to find your 'treehugging' mildly amusing.

In the background the corporal is barking orders and drumming up a scouting party.Franky is still tallying away seeming to enjoy moving amongst everyone and working the crowd. A few people are praying off by one of the tents that they seem to have claimed as their own.

Politely ask those who are praying what are they praying about.

Uhmmm.... why am I getting a massive Alpha centuari flash back?

Tell the NewYorker that tree hugging is a part of the old world. We are not tree hugging, we are moderates.

>>83970
He replies with an obtuse "whatever' and proceeds to wander over to a group that had brought along a case of beer.
>>83965
You receive a variety of replies. Buddha,Jesus, Jehovah,Yaweh ,The Green man. It would seem that the group is simply trying to find a way to find some relief. A young minister and several pagans seem to have come out as the leaders of the pack. They ask if they might be able to convert the tent into a Non-Denominational church for those that want to attend.

The church can start, but they must negotiate with the owner of the tent for it to be theirs. If the tent is public property, ask whether the church can provide public services such as conselling, hold social events, clean up the living area... As well, politely ask whether the church would like a garden of its own, where the product can go towards feeding those who cannot feed themselves. Ask them to do these things out of a desire to help others as inspired by their faith rather than government obligations. Tell them they are free of their old worldly bonds in the new world, and that they can practice what they believe they should and start anew.

As well, ask them about their opinions on those who wish to practice their old faith without joining the nondenominational church. Inquire how the church will be run -- Will it be an ultra-protestant like group where each person can interpret faith as they perceives it?

As well, ask if they are inclined to be a part of healing process for those who commits atrocities against others.

(To Castaway: If this is going places you don't want to go, feel free to go where you would like to go. I rather listen to your story than invent a new social system experiment.)

>>83989
(actually this is the sort of stuff I'm trying to get going!)

At your suggestion of healing a few seem a little uneasy. It would seem the old world still has it's sting in some. The minister and pagans explain how they intend to have each faith take a turn at the pulpit so to speak and let them each have an equal chance to explain their beliefs and teach their religion. Again a few look a little concerned but the majority seem pleased with the statement. The pagans take a turn to explain as the minster wanders off to attend to a group of rather children(ten at the oldest) that they do not want to press their beliefs but of course would like to encourage attendance.

>>83982
The tents owner seems to be one of the pagans who happily explains that they intend to run a small kitchen to help with the food issue. They also will provide what help they can medically and happily will help counseling. Several older ladies and gents eagerly explain that they already are helping set up a school for anyone that wants to learn simple trades and skills that they might know.

>>84006
Thank the leaders of the church, and hope them well. Inform them that whether they set up a healing system is entirely up to them, and it is for them to decide. Ask them what they would do if disagreements broke out between members.

Talk to farmers about prospective crops that can be planted quickly and harvested quickly. Ask about combination of plants that would sustain each other as well as the nutrients in the soil. Ask around for metal smith to see if any gears can be changed into plows. Ask the owner whether they would like to help, indicating that there is no pressure to do so.

See whether there are other teachers around. If they are interested in setting up non-religion-affiliated school or if they are interested in joining the schools set up by the church.

Report on scout status?

Report on health care status? Refer Adrian (the EMT) to the church to see if collaboration is possible.

Are the people chosen for a purpose? Do you notice particular trends, such as each individual have very prominent characteristics?

Report on number of people? Ask for anything interesting in the inventory.

Any singer/musicians? See if they can play music in specific areas that the general public can avoid, but also can go to if they wish to listen.

(city building sim here I come!)

>>84014

>Thank the leaders of the church, and hope them well. Inform them that whether they set up a healing system is entirely up to them, and it is for them to decide. Ask them what they would do if disagreements broke out between members.

They happily explain that such arguments will be decided in a civil manner and most likely in a sort of trial should the argument get out of hand.

>Talk to farmers about prospective crops that can be planted quickly and harvested quickly. Ask about combination of plants that would sustain each other as well as the nutrients in the soil. Ask around for metal smith to see if any gears can be changed into plows. Ask the owner whether they would like to help, indicating that there is no pressure to do so.
The New Yorker(Ironically) Suggests that most likely the best crops will be corn and cereals. If you can't find those either head for 'Tater(he has a few seed potatoes with him) or local plants that look like they might be useful.Another Farmer this time a brit explains that without a forge or a way pour molten steel it would be incredibly hard to do so. There is also an odd lack of smiths beyond a one or two amateur metal artists.

>See whether there are other teachers around. If they are interested in setting up non-religion-affiliated school or if they are interested in joining the schools set up by the church.
You manage to find one elementary school teacher amongst the mix. He seems a little distressed.

>Report on scout status?
Andrew is getting ready to head on out with a scouting party amongst them, the Forester and the upstart guy that had the duffle bags.

>Report on health care status? Refer Adrian (the EMT) to the church to see if collaboration is possible.
Adrian explains in a rather perplexed voice that several people that had Diabetes seem to have been cured since coming here. One man also claimed to have been a paraplegic and now is able to walk...He says hes willing to work alongside the Non-Denoms though, with a bit of uneasiness given the 'miracles'

>Are the people chosen for a purpose? Do you notice particular trends, such as each individual have very prominent characteristics?
You refer to Franky for this, and oddly there does not seem to be any real pattern. You all come from a variety of lifestyles and walks of life. On the plus side gender ratio is balanced if not preference.

>Report on number of people? Ask for anything interesting in the inventory
Franky runs through the numbers a few times. He consistently gets one hundred people. Fifty men, Fifty women of various ages,creeds and nationalities. As for items of note, you find that you have seven good axes, An M16 now with the coporal as he scouts with a full box of ammunition, a fiberglass hoe, a spaded shovel and a flat headed shovel, a sledghammer, and a regular smaller claw hammer.

>Any singer/musicians? See if they can play music in specific areas that the general public can avoid, but also can go to if they wish to listen.
You find a tall white guy with several piercings holding a bongo. He seems happy to perform and even has already tried finding people to play with. Amongst them a Red-headed girl about the same age as yourself from Ireland playing a flute and an older man from Portland with a Trumpet.

For the nondenom, how are they planning to help with health care? Will they be assuming caring roles?

Ask whether anyone have food items such as fresh fruits that we can use for seeds. Ask the inventory gentleman..

Have scout party also look for water if they have the time.

As for potato vs corn vs cereal, have the farmers discuss among themselves as to which area will be the easiest to till. If we till the land, will we have to do it again in next season? Can some pole work in place of plows? How about shovels?

Find out why the elementary school instructor is distressed.

>For the nondenom, how are they planning to help with health care? Will they be assuming caring roles?
The non-denom plan to offer whatever they can/ HTe minister explains hes trained in basic life saving skills and knows a little about treating illnesses.

>Ask whether anyone have food items such as fresh fruits that we can use for seeds. Ask the inventory gentleman..
Among the fresh fruit Franky has in his inventory are mostly apples and oranges...nothing particularly good for this area. Oddly one person in their panic grabbed a pumpkin...The farmers seem rather pleased with this.

>As for potato vs corn vs cereal, have the farmers discuss among themselves as to which area will be the easiest to till. If we till the land, will we have to do it again in next season? Can some pole work in place of plows? How about shovels?
The farmers explain that you'll need to break through the sod and that once that's done you should be able to keep it like that so long as you keep the grass out of it in large amounts. A hoe and shovel can do this but it will be hard work and might even require using an axe just to cut away that first thick layer of roots.

>Find out why the elementary school instructor is distressed.

As you near where the Elementary teacher is sitting you hear a mournful sobbing. Hes sitting upon the ground staring at something on his finger...

"my wife...."He mutters."Shes....not here...why." He seems to be lost in his own thoughts outside of this. His mind twisted by the thought of his missing loved one.

>>84054
i am just imagining how awsome it would have been if we brought a fief?

>>84054
flirt with red head

Talk to the nondenom church to see if they can consel the elementary school teacher. Alternatively, counsel him by ourself. Tell him about how this is a test for humanity, and reaffirm that his wife is OK back home. Encourage him to talk about his wife by asking him to tell me about his wife. Then, empthetically accept what he is saying, repeat our perception of he said back to him to confirm, and assist him in reaching his own unique understanding on the topic. Assess his strength and stressors, as well as resources such as friends and families who are present, and attempt to weave those into the theraputic use of self in counselling.

Ask the community to help break the soil. People can do 2-3 hr rotations to make sure it is not too harsh for anyone. Those who are suffering from debilitating diseases or conditions that will exacerbate due to physical exertion should not feel pressured to join, and should be adviced not to join.

Ask the farmers to pick out the best spot.

Set up buckets or similar objects to collect rain water. Have any chemist or engineer test the water for pH. Have microbiologists test the water for bacterial growth and viruses.

Ask the nondenom church to pray for everyone.


For the end of a long day of discussions, talks, and planning, listen to the bango man or the irish girl. (Uhm... flirting? Castaway are you feeling up to writing romantic novels?)

Oh, and keep a count of Caucasians, especially red heads. If there are not too many of them, put the sunscreen we brought in a public place and inform them that they could use it if they are worried about skin cancer.

Let's see... Farming is a thing. Has it occured to the farmers yet that we don't have a millstone? This means about all we can do with cereals is boil them. That's still something, though. I'm thinking we need to plant a bit of everything we can get our hands on, not dominate with any one crop. It's going to take a good while before we can get anything harvested, though. Do we have 2cat? Once things get underway, vermin are likely to be a serious issue.

Castaways Castaways 2009/12/01(Tue)06:07 No. 84229 ID: 076064
File 125967647449.jpg - (62.60KB , 448x336 , jacksonplace_prairie.jpg )

>>84152
(taking the second route)

As you sit down on the ground next to the man he seems to briefly register you. As you begin to explain how you think this a test he slowly starts to pull out of his self-enforced depression. When you ask about his wife you receive this as an answer.

"She was beautiful. I met her right after I got back from my term of service in Iraq in the nineties. Its good to hear you say some of that stuff but, how can you tell? Its not exactly like we can see back home. We saw them freeze and stop after that we pulled here...Maybe they are still frozen. I dunno, I'm not an expert on this stuff. Either way, thanks for your kind words buddy."

As he finishes talking he excuses himself and wanders towards where you had pointed out as teh Non-denom church/school.

After much posturing, Poking of the ground with a shovel and more than a few yelling matches the farmers find an area that looks about right in their eyes. They explain that the sod here is slightly thinner and even brought physical proof in the form of a hacked out part of the ground that shows eight inches of tightly knit roots holding rich black dirt. One of them pipes in how they have already gutted the pumpkin and is trying to get the seeds prepped as fast as he can for planting, given that we seem to be in the middle of summer by the balmy weather though, it could just as easily be any time of year here since no one seems to know where HERE is.


A few pots and pans have already been turned to such things and a couple of people from the Caribbean have turned your tarp into a rain funnel. The Bongo man and flute girl are still playing to their hearts content and have even let other people take a turn at using their instruments. About twenty or so people have gathered around, turning their bags and backpacks into makeshift chairs. As you relax for the first time since coming here you find that Franky and Adrian seem to be playing cards with a farmer and a Non-denom.

This peace is short lived however...From the direction where the scouts had wandered off you hear the echoing rapport of gunfire along with yelling...

Most of the scouting party comes rushing towards the camp. Their faces contorted by shock and horror. Following behind them Andrew seems to be taking potshots at something that is following them. Urging them to run faster.

As he does so whatever is giving them chase lets out an all too familiar bellow. In a blur of motion it speeds past Andrew tackling one of the slower member of the party. Even from almost fifty feet away you hear a sickening crunch as the impact crushes the young man's ribs and breaks his spine. It looks vaguely like a long bodied dog. Its narrow snout gripped viciously on the man's arm shaking it violently.

Andrew lines up a shot and blast three round into the beasts head, it is killed instantly though, the young man beneath it, is as well.

Assess surrounding for more dogs. Have biologists look at the corpse to study it, and have the military man examine the corpse for weaknesses. Ask physicists if they think any weapon would be effective against it. For instance, would it be able to jump over walls? How about weaknesses in the bone structure? Its ability to function in water? How fast can it slow down? Is its legs designed for running or for agility? Is its eyes sensitive to sunlight?

We might be able to use mirrors to blind them and scare them away.

What do the rest of you all think? Professional army is great, but it leads to chances of military takeover. Greek system/militia system of universal conscription and training is not very effective as shown by history.

Ask the military man whether the angel revealed anything about military in their discussion over world leaders.

As for the farmers, encourage them to plant pumpkin and other crops they think is best. Tell them you have absolute confidence in their judgment. Ask whether the church need any help with their garden and whether farmers can give some advice to the church about the garden.

Do we have nutritionists? A balanced diet would be helpful. Ask the nutritionist about their thoughts on what to plant, and ask the farmer and the nutritionist collaborate together. If they disagree on a topic, suggest that they get a third party to think about it and give them both advice (nothing binding). Third party can be the health care people, though EMT are not trained in nutrition.

Ask around if anyone know what the dead brave man's faith was. Ask the church to hold a funeral that the man's faith would ask for. If he has no beliefs, hold a remembrance session for people to recount what they know about him.

>>84261
The forester(your closest thing to a dedicated biologist). has taken it on himself to study the beast, a massive thing easily the size of a large wolf. But that is where the similarities end. Its feet are tipped not with claws but, instead with small hooves. Its long jaw is adapted to grabbing down on a prey item and tearing at the sinews. It looks to be a solitary predator thankfully and seems build to slink along the ground or underbrush before it can pounce on prey or chase it down with a burst of speed. Not much for jumping due to its relatively short legs a good sturdy barricade might hold em off.

Andrew jokingly notes that 'guns seem to be its weakness' and that really if you kill a few more and leave the bodies lying around that might scare them off for the time being. He also points out that this is at best a temporary sight and that should the weather shift or a brush fire start we'd all be doomed.

Castaways 2009/12/01(Tue)12:43 No. 84311 ID: 076064
File 12597001956.jpg - (152.21KB , 490x322 , beastly.jpg )

>>84309
(forgot mah pic. Its your 'wolf')

Well, we'd damn well better get a barricade up. If there's a significant amount of loose stone laying around, get folks working on a stone wall. If there's not, send folks with axes to cut some young straight trees for us. Pine would be ideal, but I don't know if we've got that. Since I'm sure we have nowhere near enough axes,let's see if we can't get somebody working on a trench, too. No point in not having one, when you think about it.

Say... is there any running water nearby?

Wow. I got here pretty late. Try to find a way to set up a barricade and temporary shelter. Warn the scouts to conserve on bullets, seeing as what we have is what we got. Also try and find a source of water.

>>84322
You have seven axes and five hatchets. One of the scouts explains that they actually were near a stream when they encountered the 'wolf' actually. He explains that its not all that far from here and that if some people are willing they will lead them to where they found it.

The trench is most likely farther down the road. One of the farmers explains that the test plot they dug out if now being turned into and impromptu grave for your fallen comrade by some of the Non-Denoms. Catholics by the prayers that echo about the area.

>>84338
You've got a number of tents set up right now. One of the farmers, an older man probably pushing sixty says he'll lead some people out to find some trees that might useful at least for a fire tonight.

Make sure they have guards. The last thing we need is to lose more people and cause panic/fear/anger.

Castaways Castaways 2009/12/01(Tue)14:56 No. 84441 ID: 076064
File 125970817558.jpg - (281.39KB , 1020x748 , 3403_farmer_strw_hat_1020.jpg )

>>84394

The farmer nods.

"Thanks for your concern. If your so worried why don't ya tag along? I'll need as man people as I can to get a decent amount of wood back before night fall and you look fairly healthy. Or at least like you can walk." the farmer replies as he shoulders a large double bladed axe with practiced ease. His hands are gnarled and calloused from years of work and even though he is stooped with age this does little to make him seem less impressive.

If he was any shorter one could call him a dwarf amongst men.

Sure ill tag along.

>>84451
(what will you take with you? And who? If you need an inventory list I'll post it in the discussion section)

Inventory Check please, but I believe we have 2 knives. Those could be useful.

>>84456
partial list up in discussion. I'll add to it as I get more typed up!

Take
-a versatile knife and a leather sheath to hold it safely on your person,
-3 good axes with able people to wield them(+1 for me)
one shotgun with ammo
fill the water skin and carry that too
the flashlight (just in case)(by the way what is the light like now?)
and one hunting rifle with a good marksman to wield it.
Wear the hiking shoes.

So that makes six people. Nice team, maybe a bit of overkill but feh. I wish we had a walkie talkie or some other method of keeping in contact with the main group.

>>84481
(late afternoon)

The farmer takes the Rifle saying that he's still got a good shot for an old timer. FRanky hefts one of your axes and one of the two scouts takes the third.

Your footsteps are barely heard as you march out across the soft grass. The farmer is whistling a tuneless song that sounds vaguely like Dixie. Franky Follows after him and the scouts after the Franky. You are in the back of the pack as you near the wood.

Its a pioneer stand. Aspen stand together in tight knit clumps where they first landed. Mixed amongst them is Poplar trees and oddly enough what looks to be Ginkgo or something very much like them. The under story is think but not impossible and here and there you can spot what look to briar/berry patches. Not to far enough you can hear the low burble of a small brook and something making a loud splash.

The farmer smiles saying that it sounds like there might be some decent sized fish in that stream and that he'll have to figure out a way to get a fishing pole.

Decent sized fish or something that eats them.
In any case lets get that wood production line going. Set the scout to keep watch while we get going. Also take some of the 'ginkgo'. If it is what it is, it may be useful, I hope the forester can identify it for sure.

We can switch out cutters with watchers as necessary.

>>84500
With a little searching you find a decent sized Aspen that is standing dead. Its long trunk now covered in peeling bark and its bare branches reaching up and out like skeletal fingers. The Farmer sets to work hitting out where the Notch for felling will be.

Over the course of a few hours and lots of switching in and out from what many would consider grueling hard labor you manage to bring it done with a satisfying timber. It's not the largest tree in the woods but it's dry timber and it will burn nicely.

On one of your off times you manage to snag a few Ginkgo leaves, their fan strange fan shaped leaves something that might at least pose to be an interesting decoration on something. Now if only the nuts did not smell so terrible...

You now have an aspen log knocked down. What shall you do? It is also nearing sunset.

First off. Make sure everyone gets some water. Heat and hard work = lots of sweat. Make everyone properly hydrated.
I don't think we can make it back with this tree, whether whole or in pieces, before nightfall. Trim off some of the larger branches and carry em back. Take some small ones too. Sticks are always useful.
We can come back for some more tomorrow.
Double Time!!!

>>84529
(Charles Bronson Philosopher and Leader of men)

A few minutes of hasty discussion and its quickly agreed upon to take several of the larger limbs in lieu of the tree. You could carry it in theory but it would be too unwieldy right now and speed is a matter of importance.

Several sweaty minutes later you, Franky, and the scouts are laden with the largest branches you can carry. The Farmer is leading point and has the shotgun at ready as you weave between trees. Moving amongst the undergrowth you can hear small animals making moving about and somewhere(hopefully very far away) you hear a mournful cry that vaguely reminds you of the call of a wolf or even with its musical quality a whale.

As you reach camp you are greeted with cheers and are quickly relieved of your burden. In the time you have been gone they have managed to clear an area to create a fire for the night and more than a few of the group brought along at least one bottle of spirits.

As the Sun sets you find yourself overwhelmed briefly by the feeling of loss. Everything you knew and everyone you cared about is gone for what as far as you know is forever. At the same time hope combats this rush of emotion, some of the 'angels'
conversation with you comes back to your mind...

"we have faith in humanity. We Trust that you will learn from your mistakes and make a better world than the one you came from."


END DAY ONE

Ahhh. A good day. A full day at least.

>>84538
is the redhead that was playing the flute hot?

>>84557
about middle of the road also I suggest reading some of the latest posts in the discussion.

Castaways Castaways 2009/12/02(Wed)10:55 No. 84827 ID: 280f7c
File 125978012099.jpg - (4.43KB , 126x126 , 1259108989557.jpg )

We now have a wiki page.