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A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 25 Jan 2006 07:23 PM |
((Well, let's see here... These are Doctor Greg Ticon's notes, uncoded. (Hey, every great mind puts his notes in a code, no matter how simple it is!) Many many thanks to BKatt for telling me how I can write in the IG journal and access the notes out of game so I can copy and paste them. Now I can write up the notes IG in lulls, and simply paste them in! Finally, quasi-beefy posts out of me! Yay! Note: The notes you read are preceeded by about 50 pages of notes on the innards of all sorts of animals from dissections, and numerous notes on various avian creatures, such as eggs, sightings, etc. I learned how to do the journal thing today, so I covered what I could recall in the notes to get them up to speed. Hope you enjoy!))
I do feel rather guilty for not writing in my notes in the past few days. Though it has been fairly eventful. I have set off on my own to doctor the wounded and ill, after realizing the Guido Gurgelly has passed on. It is unfortunate, though now I can allow myself an opportunity to expand and grow.
Soon after setting out, I met a dark skinned, light haired lady who had a superficial stomach wound. It was fairly simple to dress, a simple wine soaked bandage, and orders to replace the bandage with a dry one in a day. Yet this lady was so thrilled by myself that she insisted on some form of payment, and then proceeded to kiss me! After such an event, I told her she would certainly have to avoid where she puts her tongue, though she did assure me she strictly used lips when kissing. I told her if she wasn't careful, it was quite possible her tongue might get cut, infected, and due to circumstances, amputated. She was so aghast, but I think it caused the point to sink home. Who says a medician is not allowed a sense of humor?
Today, I met a woman in the halfling town. She was a healer, though no medician. Upon discussing the healing arts, she did find out that I regularly dissect and diagnose corpses. She thought I was wicked for it, even though the corpses are long since dead and left out, and the only reason they ever get buried is by my own hand. It was a very long and good debate, and I think I came out on top. She was quite flustered with some of my points, such as when she asked if people know the deeds they do are evil, which I countered with if they didn't, how could she know hers were good?
For myself, I know what I do is perfectly fine. There is no evil, and only good that can come about from learning more and more about the corpses of humans, bipedals in general, and the blessed birds. Of course, all other animals of the kingdoms, but those are my primary concerns. Certainly, Theus does support my research and studies, as he does grant me the abilities to heal and summon forth some divine powers when utterly necessary, though I like to avoid doing it when I can, as I wouldn't want to waste his time with such trivial matters.
On a side note, I recently played a game of chess with a lady in a white dress. She played very defensivly, which was surprising considering her posistion as the white side of the board. I had to also play defensivly to match, but it is not my style, and after taking some calculated risks that she wouldn't see what I was trying to pull, I ultimatly lost. I do need to work on my game a bit more.
Now I am at a road off the Northern Highway. It leads to a town called Carfax, and I hope to visit the locals inside and perhaps find some uses for my services so I can turn a coin or two and purchase more bandages.
As I step into Carfax, I realize this: The inhabitants do need my aid, though I shall have to take the price for it from their... flesh? They are simply farm implements, raising up and attacking with demonic fervor. Perhaps I will find something of value while I'm here, in the more medical line.
There are indeed things to be learnt in such places as Carfax. In an inn, there is a man, I guess you could call it, named Fat Stan. Apparently, he has not the slightest clue he is dead. In fact, he asserts that people have been coming in for years telling him this, yet he doesn't believe them. I do feel slightly disappointed though. For while I am beset by flying farm implements, I cannot dissect them to find any sort of tissue. It would have been a discovery worthy of an academy, if there had been one in the lands, but alas, it was not to be so. I did manage to find some crawling, fleshy creature, though it attacked so quickly, and the wolf accompanying me fought back so vicously, there was little but blood splatters left when all was said and done.
After further exploring Carfax, I did manage to find a manor, and while finding much of economic value, there was sadly little of medical or scientific value. For now, I am happy to return back to civilization, where perhaps my skills will be needed, and I will certainly be able to pawn off what material things I have found thus far. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 25 Jan 2006 10:15 PM |
I made some small coin off the things I had found, and simply wished to find some peace and quiet. Instead, I found pixies, grigs, and even a craven hag. I don't know why, but even with Theus' help, I could do naught. Soon after, I met two people in Port Royale. One had rather primative manners, and offered me a fine specimen of a mountain giant's digit. It was rather pitted and dark, I presume it spent much time around a fire. Also, the finger was quite stiff, as if the tendons and sinews were attached to each bone.
The one was quite interested in my dissections, but primarily as a source of food. She even told me it was wasteful to bury the corpses afterwards, what a turn around from last night's debate!
Eventually, one man was replaced by another. I have never had such strange patients before. It was an older man complaining of back and knee aches, which is normal enough. I told him to simply sleep on his back with his knees elevated on a padded triangle. But then came about the girl, who's name is Dana, to mention his snoring. I suggested balls of wax in her ears, but then she said she wouldn't know when she was hungry. I then quickly came up with a brilliant idea. If she couldn't realize she was hungry simply by feeling hungry, she could tie a mirror to her stomach, and when her stomach rumbled, the light reflected off the mirror would waver on whatever surface it was reflected onto. She could see the light wavering, and know she was hungry.
The two of them thought it was a brilliant idea, and perhaps it was. Dana suggested I write it down before anyone stole the idea, but fortunatly I do not care for secrets in medicine, as the more knowledge everyone has, the better off everyone is. Sadly, the man Oragastus has a rather solid cough, but I simply recommended he spit out whatever he coughed up, and to drink more water and less milk. If this doesn't work, he'll see me again in a week. Somehow, he misinterpreted something I said as he being with child. While it would be a very interesting feat, I am afraid it is not so. Though also highly, highly fortunate. I would not like to be the midwife there!
The man Oragastus did make an interesting allusion to exorcisms, and the mucus and whatever else he was coughing up as demons. After about a minute of this, he proclaimed he felt fit as a fiddle because of my efforts. Dana then gave him a cup so he could spit into to make a stew. I simply advised she heated it first before eating it. What else could I do with this sad lot? I even advised them how to make the mucus have a more similar consistancy to elk defecation, since they needed elk defecation for some odd reason. What strange people I come across in my line of work.
Apparently, they wish to feed the stew to someone named "Willom". I cannot persuade them to add some cleansing substance, as they fear it will ruin the taste. On the bright side, at least I will have work in a few days.
At this point though, I am exhausted. I did drop a rather obvious hint I'd like some token of gratitude, even though I don't take payment. I do need the money, and it is rude to demand payment. I need to find a more tactful way to do it. Dana was kind enough to part with a saphire for me, and Oragastus gave me a fine fish which I will have cooked in the morning for my breakfast. Though he did just tell me it's been in his pack for two weeks now. Perhaps I'll use it instead to try to lure out creatures I can draw and study.
((Kudos to Dana and Oragastus for making me chuckle, think hard, and chuckle some more :D)) |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 26 Jan 2006 03:55 AM |
| ((rofl, and I can just imagine being there while those two are at it =). )) |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 26 Jan 2006 07:22 PM |
Last night I slept fairly well. I did not eat the fish as I had originally thought I would, but instead had one of Mrs. Miggins' pies. I find myself rather poor, and I need to discover a tactful way to get some sort of donation for my works.
I did travel through some giant ant caves, yet while the hive mother was quite a spectacle, I am afraid there was little money to be found. Upon cutting open the Hive Mother's hind end (with my sword, unfortunatly) I did discover that the larvae she released were done so at regular intervals, which I could tell from the fact that they were evenly spaced throughout. They were also released fairly rapidly, judging by the fact that there were multiple inside her. I wonder if this is a trait found often in nature.
While traveling near the mouth of these caves, I did find a small clearing, and then another small cave. Though this one was inhabited, the person living in it was out. The fire was well tended, a bearskin rug on the floor, and a small shelter with a bedroll nearby. I was fortunate, and took the opportunity to thank Theus for my good fortune and rested my weary legs a moment. Though there was a small boy nearby, and he complaining of a lost father. I shall certainly look into this matter further.
After looking into one room, there were skeletons that popped up all around me. I quickly fled, yet they pursued more quickly than I had anticipated and quickly cut myself down. Who dragged me to the Seven Sisters is beyond me, but I shall go back more prepared.
Going back was something of a pain, though I saw many interesting creatures such as the Basilisk. They were unable to turn myself or the wolf accompanying me to stone, much to my delight. I did find the boy Nush's father, but he was not as fortunate as I. I recovered his journal, and gave it to his son, sending him off to the Seven Sisters. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 28 Jan 2006 01:58 PM |
While walking through Port Royale today, I found a man in gold and black armor. As it turned out, he is cursed, for some reason or another. I was pleasantly surprised, though, when he showed interest in myself being a naturalist. He even asked about why I favor birds in particular! It was a fairly good talk, mainly focusing around crows, gulls, condors, mice and rats, though he didn't see how I could compare gulls to condors.
Back to the curse he has, when I offered to be rid of it for him, he simply told me that he didn't believe I could help. Often, when I am told this, it simply means I don't want your help. I have come across as many reasons for not wanting my help as I have people. Anything as mundane as "I can do it on my own" to anything as odd as "I've actually come to like the problem". People as a whole are a strange breed. Perhaps I should have focused my studies wholly on their mental side instead of dividing my attention between people and birds.
Today I met a man who called me a lord. It was quite a humerous thing, as I obviously am no lord. His name is Willio Wayne, and he had decided to go with me into the nearby marshes and swamps. He is an aspiring wizard, or sorcerer, or something of that nature, and perhaps he will discover new things about himself as we delve into the murky depths.
However, on traveling to the marshes, I did come across Dana. She says he is still snoring, and she can still hear him, though she hasn't gotten any wax yet. I suggest candle wax, though I do fear it will be a tad too hard. She says that Oragastus feels better though, and she does as well. He took a nasty spill in a tower, and his chest was set on fire by a golem, but Dana thinks it might have helped him. Sadly, it very well may have.
Dana was asking about my status of wealth, and I did feel quite bad lieing about how I sold the gem for food. Actually, I sold just about everything I had for a pair of boots, only to find out that they don't fit. Why they don't let you try them on ahead of time is beyond me. I think it's so that people have no choice but to buy blindly and find out things aren't quite as they wanted until it's to late, as at that point it is paid for and dealt with.
Dana is a very nice person though, for her crude speach. She regularly offers her own food to other people, even if it is food nobody in their right mind actually wants to eat. She compared the food Willio eats with what a squirrel eats, and I pulled off the brilliant (if I may say so myself) line, "Perhaps he's only a little squirrelish in nature". Sadly, it was not met with the mirth I had hoped.
After some pleasantries, we did finally make it to the swamp. It was a near run thing, with some hulking great brute trying to smash me up. Well, it sadly did get the better of the wolf Theus had sent me, and it did make me think twice about going further in. When Willio brought up the point that poison may be lurking, and when I realized I had sold most of my supplies for those boots (how silly and uncaring of me) it became a wise idea to turn back and head to the desert.
The trip to the desert was interesting. I saw somethings similar to centaur though instead of part horse, it was part scorpion. Quite interesting, and quite hostile. We did hack our way into their caves and to their leader. His head was smashed off, though there was a chest there we couldn't get at. Unfortunate, but these things happen.
We got back to the tent, and rested for a while. Willio asked how the man kept all the women happy, and the best guess either of us could make was large amounts of money. Though I'll leave off here for now, as I am exhausted from the journey. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 29 Jan 2006 02:52 PM |
I went down along a cliffside in the desert to find an archeaological dig. The chief archeaologist needed help in the dig, so I volunteered myself to go forth and give it a whirl. That, and he's paying two thousand coins, which I could certainly use.
((Please forgive my blatant theft of a qoute that's coming up, from William Matthew Flinders Petrie. I marked it off with hyphens so you know what is his and what is mine.))
He also said I could keep anything that I found down there, as he figures nothing has been excavated deep enough to have the true artifacts gotten at. -Recording is the absolute dividing line between plundering and scientific work, between a dealer and a scholar. The unpardonable crime in archaeology is destroying evidence which can never be recovered; and every discovery does destroy evidence unless it is intelligently recorded.- Therefore, I shall make note of what I find, regardless of whether I pawn it off in Port Royale or keep it to my bosom.
Inside, I have come across a great many snakes. They are annoying, but easily dealt with. I have come across a gargoyle, and am now in a hall of riddles. Luckily, though, these are simple riddles that any child would know the answer to. I am strangely ill at ease though, having just exited the hall of riddles. The statues seem to watch me, to ponder me, to stalk me.
Sadly, I did not gather anything of value from the dig. Though I did figure out why so many have not returned. I quickly fled the area myself, as I was fortunate enough to outrun the large creatures with larger axes.
The next area I went to was a crypt right near Midor. They keep it locked, but it was simple enough to do away with that. I found out there were undead aplenty within, which surprised me, being literally right next to the walls of the "Great" city itself. I don't support the regime in there, but I have grown wary of hauling around the goods within my pack, and hopefully they will not throw me out, or nail me up, or some other uncivilized thing.
Luckily, they did not throw me out, or do some other boorish thing. After having dealt with that, I traveled around the outlaying lands a little bit, and found myself upon a river. It was a fairly large one, and I rowed down, only to find myself on a small island with a mill. The mill made a good spot to rest, and upon traversing the bridges, I found myself in a very dangerous place indeed. After peeking over one rock, I saw a much scarred and seasoned veteran holding a bow, and I had no intentions to ask him the time of day, lest he decide to ply his trade of death upon myself!
I was not able to row my way upstream, though I did find myself back in the burial grounds near Midor, and spent some time looking around there. I did find a nice widower who wished me to place flowers on his wife's grave, which I was glad to do for such a kind old man. However, upon placing them there, they withered and died. Certainly foul magics are afoot in those grounds.
The good man Albert gave me the key to the crypt itself, so I will delve into its secrets on my own. With luck, I will come out on my own as well.
I made it out, and quite the richer. After selling all of it in Brandibuck, I replenished my woefully low supply of bandages. I got on a boat at Lake Ladariel, and made my way back to Port Royale, where I could perhaps find something useful to spend my money on, and perhaps some work that wouldn't be refused.
I came across a wildman who was wondering if I was in a wolf pack, as there was a wolf that followed me around. The man claimed that he was an expert on what went on within an animal's mind, though I'm not sure if I believe him or not. It is possible, I suppose. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 06:00 PM |
Today, I was idly traveling along, and I saw the caves on the coast, so I poked my head in again. To my surprise, a man was inside! He introduced himself as Holace Nemworth, and to me came off as an adventurer. An amiable enough profession, from what I've seen thus far.
His armor was covering him for the most part, but removing it did reveal some slight wounds, which were easily bandaged. I gave the typical advice of replacing the bandage in a day, but not necessairily soaking it in wine. He also calls me Doc, which seems to be a nickname that is catching on. He was curious as to how I learned my trade, and I enlightened him as to my master, Guido Gurgelly.
We got onto the topic of what lies east of Buckshire, yet I found I could not recall which direction was east off hand, particularly as I stood closer to Port Royale, and it was night out. He agreed to come to Buckshire with me so I might be able to more easily discern the cardinal points.
After arriving in Buckshire, I was much more easily able to determine what was east of Buckshire. My second guess as to the trail with couger on it was indeed accurate, and I explained to him where the north branch of the trail leads, and where the south branch leads.
I did manage to ask a little more politely this time for some sort of donation, though I still think it could have been more tactfully done. He gave me fifty gold pieces, a reasonable sum, though it only barely covers the cost of supplies. I then met a man who seemed wary of the fact that gold was changing hands, why it should be so uncommon is beyond myself.
The man turned out to be named Conn, and he also seemed intrigued by my title. One might think the people of the lands had never seen a Doctor before. Though I know for myself that there is a Doctor of beverages (I presume) in the local inn named McGuillicutty.
He turned out to be a smith, and the thought crossed my mind to have him make something for myself, though I doubt I have the funds for it. I did however follow him as he went through the smithing process. First, he melted down the metal. Then, he scraped the impurities were scraped off from the surface, and after that the metal was poured into ingot molds. A relativly simple thing, in theory, though I imagine it is much more difficult in practice.
After walking to the tinkerer's in Buckshire, I met a young lady who's name I cannot recall off hand, I am afraid. She had a rather puffy face, though insisted she was quite all right. I had proposed various causes for her problem, digestion of salt, new poultices and snake oils for beautification, though she rejected these, and her hands and wrists were not swollen, implying some sort of facial injury, though no scarring, so it would have been from a blunter object, such as a fist. Though I shudder to think, though sadly I know, that there are people who would indeed attack such a nice young woman.
Though very suddenly, she did burst out with wondering what good she was. I will admit, it is not uncommon for people to confide in me, though it did seem rather sudden. As it turns out, an elf named Radra, with a penchant for monochrome robes and carrying a bow (this is the description the girl gave) is teaching her elvish. Though she is missing, from what the girl says. I feel quite horrid that she is opening herself up to me, and I cannot even recall her name. I would ask, but then she would be devestated. I do wish I had a better memory for people's names. I can recall the name of any bird or beast I have seen or studied, yet people are something else all together.
Ah, what tangents I go off on. Back to this young lady, who is blonde and a paladin, though this does not jog my memory, I fear, she wishes she could do more for this Radra, though this Radra seems to refuse the help, judging by what she says. She is afraid she has failed many friends of late, though I suspect it is simply a jaded perception of herself. For example, one of her friends she drove away by trying to convince him to stay away from this girl who she knew to be wicked and evil. I wonder if she was jealous and wished the gentleman in question for herself.
With matters of love, and people who think they are in the said state, it is often difficult to solve the problem. There are many reasons for this. The people in love, or who think they are in love, see no problem. There may very well be no problem, but the people outside of this relationship will always feel isolated and cut off, which they see as a problem. Typically, the only solution is to simply have the two people sit down away from everyone else and simply talk. Reminisce of old adventures, old friends, recent adventures and recent friends, so to speak.
However, a stout female dwarf came upon the conversation, and it would appear that she knew the young lady I was talking with. (What is her name? Theus would blush to think that I could not recall it!) Ah, finally! The dwarf said her name! Ulalume, how forgetful of me, and to think, she has been confiding in me this entire time. I gave what last advice came to mind on the relationship between Ulalume and the gentleman, who's name is Lucius it would appear, and let the conversation between the dwarfess and Ulalume take its course. As a note to myself, the dwarfess is known as Telli. Perhaps she is the mutual friend that will salvage Ulalume's and Lucius' friendship?
As an additional note to myself, I should probably not wish people a safe journey and tell them I would be devastated to dissect their corpse next. It might be taken the wrong way. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 01 Feb 2006 09:03 PM |
As an additional note to myself, I should probably not wish people a safe journey and tell them I would be devastated to dissect their corpse next. It might be taken the wrong way.
awesome, heh. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 20 Feb 2006 03:46 PM |
The wealths of wonders I have found in the fields! Over the past month, I have seen and diagramed the Booby, the petrel, the Albatross, oh the great Albatross, king of avians! It has been a pleasant vacation, though the knowledge that people are dieing without my aid has brought me back to my duty.
In the Four Winds, I met many people today. Pietro Danzales, a self-proclaimed swashbuckler, a girl named Natalyia, Sylune Tindomerel, a bard, Aiken, and Garick. I had an excellent pun, though nobody seemed to appreciat it. I was standing, and asked if they minded if I would sit, or if I should stand on ceremony. I thought it was quite humerous.
The conversation generally has taken a meandering course, similar to a brook, though a pleasant one, like a spring day with bright flowers and cool water, though nothing particularly of interest, like the brook that lacks a pleasant companion. Garick was the life of the party, there was simply a large quantity of fools being fooled and enjoying fooling the other fools. Ah, the conversation has even managed to manifest itself here, in my journals.
After Aiken left, the conversation took a more interesting turn. Garick started talking of a man named Lucius. It sounds as if he's an alchoholic adventurer. He drank the Four Winds dry, he typically smells of stale beer, and he's always out looking for more treasure. Sylune refuses to travel with him, and most have a dim view of him, save Garick. Garick seems to see his flaws, but likes him still. He says Lucius has unfortunate taste in women, and that his last two relationships killed him, though eventually raised him back to life. He says Fri'el would complete the set, and Macha was one of his previous relations. Sylune was upset and left, Natalyia followed after. Apparently, Sylune is a good friend of Macha, and Fri'el did she say?
If I recall correctly, Fri'el was the one who marched on Midor with an army of undead in tow. Why she is not hunted is beyond me. Garick says she killed a friend of his for a joke, though I wonder at what the joke was. Was it that the "joke" was particularly ill, or is she that brittle of a person? Garick says the friend was (or is?) a paladin, and that Fri'el summoned undead infront of the said paladin, when she knew the paladin would object, and that the paladin was weaker than Fri'el. She sounds quite murderous, and I do believe she is fact the one who led the army on Midor. Not that it would be a small loss, these days.
Pietro left, leaving Garick and myself in the inn with nobody other than the usual patrons. He seems afraid that Fri'el will want to "speak" with him now that he has said what he has said, but covers it with bravado. He says he is beneath her attention, though I'm not certain if that is true. I have never before refused treatment to someone who needed it, though I wonder if I would help Fri'el if I saw her bleeding out somewhere remote. It is a question I hope I do not have to answer, with luck she will be long dead and planted before I know of it. As a note to myself, Garick calls himself a fool, but he hides under the title, he hides himself from his fears, as everyone sees through the transparent lie. At least, I assume so. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 02 Nov 2006 09:13 AM |
((Most of you probably won't remember this character, but he's an old(er) one of mine that I enjoy, and I thought I'd bring back for when I don't feel like sneaking around with Hans. I'm just copying and pasting out of Dr. Ticon's journal, because apparently, there's a large gap between what I have posted and what I have written. The last three paragraphs I wrote to account for all the time he's been gone, everything else, well, it must be from the last time I was on with him.))
It has been a pleasant vacation of sorts to work through and annotate the parts of the local birds. Yet the call of duty once again called me back, as romantic as it may sound, it is a tedious task and I returned only reluctantly.
Traveling through Buckshire, I stumbled across Ulalume and a man I wasn't so familiar with. I did however learn his name was Lucius, and he promptly asked me if I intended to open an inn. Lucius made a joke about Doctors and inns, though I'm afraid I didn't see the humor in it, and Ulalume thought he simply didn't know I was a Physician. A girl named Luciua in a fine gold and black dress showed up with Garick after that comment. I would wonder as to what the two of them are up to, since Garick tends to spend all his time with... questionable women. She claimed a lovers spat that Ulalume was in, though I'm not sure who she was spatting with.
Lucia seemed very interested in birds, though in the preservation thereof, and not in the way I like to. She seemed almost on the hint of repulsion that I killed birds, and claimed that I did not like them because I killed them. Some people are sadly misguided. The whole dissection theme seems to repulse people for some reason I'm not quite certain I can put my fingers on. In fact when Lucia asked me if I cut open people, I foolishly said yes. A handful of weeks out in the wild alone and I forget so much.
She said she was a Vilyavite, and seems to take the whole bird thing very seriously. As do I, but she takes it personally as well. Foolish, but I'll either live with her annoyance or not deal with her at all (lest of course she be wounded or ill). She told me any woodsman could tell me what birds could eat, but she must never have been to the sea. She is somewhat naive in the way of the birds, but that is to be expected when one does not become intimate with all the workings of the avian. She is something of a fool when it comes to the birds, but with time I hope she will choose to learn them as well as revere them, seeing as how she ignores the former and lives the latter.
Garick however, claimed both of us were right. He could be correct, on some levels, but not on others. Obviously, birds ought to be protected. Some, not all. The slaying of one or two for the furthering of knowledge is a small price, and I would think anyone could see that. How many people die for less? He says I am wrong in saying that woodsmen are superstitious, but he also calls me lad consistantly. It is somewhatly frustrating, but I am not sure how to put it to him tactfully that my name is Greg, not lad. Lad is so very condescending. After a slightly interesting debate, and perhaps more importantly a contest of wills, I suspect nothing much was gained except Garick felt a little more important in life. We managed to get on good terms though, through some method I'm still not entirely familiar with.
About this time a lady named Zubeida came upon us. She wore black robes trimmed in red and a cowl over her face. Is cowl the correct word? Well, it is neither here nor there. Some idly pleasant conversation about the weather ensued, and then a small talk about the guards. Lucia made a rather humerous comment about them protecting Buckshire from marauding bunnies and deer, though Zubeida sobered it up with the addition of giants.
We went into McGuillicutty's to continue talking, and Zubeida wished to talk about my profession. I explained to her that largely I am a field doctor, and work amongst the people instead of having them come to me. It seems the most sensible thing to do, in my opinion. For my own enjoyment, I hinted at the fact that I dissected corpses to see how Zubeida would react. Garick started how he knew how to be a Physician better than I did, though I largely suspect he overestimates his own knowledge. Then the people around the table decided to tell me how I could learn more and better. Garrick told me to live with the elves (who are naive and arrogant, but in such a way that it conflicts with my naivety and arrogance), Lucia told me to live with the Seven Sisters, who let their patients come to them, more than half dead more often than not, and Zubeida admitted to understanding where I'm coming from.
Zubeida then asked me if I followed a path, and I explained my clericy to Theus in addition to my status as a Doctor. Garick even made a joke about Theus being the God of those "Hedge Wizards", which I found rather humerous, though I prefered not to show it. Zubeida even asked if my studies take me into crypts. Of course they do, though I don't enjoy it. I explained her this and how I liked the more terranian sort of bodies. Garick, however, seems to take much pleasure in the slaying of undead. He dislikes them to an extent as to seek them out for the slaughter. Why, I wonder? Vengence? A facade for greed? There is much more to this self-proclaimed fool as he would like people to think, though I am uncertain as to what exactly he is hiding. Is it simply his own intelligence, or is there more?
Lucia seems to have something about Midor. She called it "troubling, sad sad Midor". I wonder at where exactly she is coming from. She also said that troubling news always seems to come out of Midor. Is she from there, or does she simply observe from a distance? Garick seems to avoid the keeping and giving of debts, as he said, though it makes me wonder as to why he spends time with so many people. I had presumed it was to rub cheeks and have favors owed and friends in high places, but perhaps I am mistaken. A very complex person.
I stumbled onto a rather interesting gathering at the Northern Highway, and the only person I reckognized was Lucia. They were, as Lucia said, a rather creepy sort. In fact, they spoke of a man saying "He'll do", and the like. A very strange lot of people, though Lucia and I retired to the Four Winds soon after to escape the motley crew and the rain. Conversation was rather lacking though, and soon I continued on my merry, or not so merry, way.
Over the past half of a year, perhaps longer, I have had great opportunity to indulge myself in my naturalistic hobbies. The time has been filled with observations and disections of the kobolds. That they reside so close to Midor is small consolation, for it is about as far from civilization as a man-made city can be. It was far better to eat and sleep where I observed from. Even still, I found many interesting things. The kobolds have a similar brain structure to other things I've dissected, however, the brain tends to be shorter in length, from front of skull to back. Note the above diagrams. Also, their heels seem to jut out slightly further than the more human cousins, the orcs. Perhaps this helps to account for movement velocity?
Today, I was exploring a small cave in the desert, and found to my surprise a pair of the fabled displacer beasts, joy. I do not know their sex, unfortunately, though the markings were remarkably similar, so I presume they were of a kind. Perhaps they were in fact siblings? These should be studied in depth, to figure out the social tendencies of such beasts. Unfortunately, further observation is impossible of the two found, as they decided to set upon me. In defense, I slayed both of them, so I will never quite know more about this particular pair.
However, supplies have run low, and I am forced to return to civilization again. I think I shall take a bit of time from naturalism and further my studies on treatment of humanoids for illness and bodily grievance. Perhaps one day I shall publish my findings, drawings, and hypothesis so that they may last through the ages so all medical people can have my research at their fingertips. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 07 Nov 2006 10:52 AM |
Today, I revisited the caves of the giant ant, cousin to the much more typical garden ant. Similar to the typical garden ant, I found the giant ant to be a very industrious species. The ants were busy working until they spotted me. Being jealous of their queen or their lair or both, they set upon myself. However, through strength of arms I was able to do away with them. It is interesting to see that these set upon you as soon as they see you, whereas their significantly smaller cousins act as if you are not there at all. Does their size make them more bold, or more hostile?
Coming out from the Seven Sisters after resupplying on bandages and the like, I saw a wolf and panther strolling together. Ahead, naturally, was a man struggling back under a weight of unfinished gems. After helping him with his load with a blessing from Vastaldoriun, though I loathe asking his help, I watched him cut and polish the stones. He seemed fairly competent, and offered to let me try my hand at it, though I declined the offer. He seemed nice enough. I offered to go with him next time he goes out digging for gems, so that we can better defend ourselves, and so I might observe new things. Come to think of it though, I never did get his name. He is just an elf with an unusually reflective cloak.
I was recently in Buckshire, where I had a seat to take the strain off my feet. The weather was fairly nice, and it seemed almost as if spring were in the air. A young couple sat off to my left saying sweet nothings to each other. Lorana was wearing fairly light clothes, and even smiled when she served my glass of wine.
The couple off to my left did prove an interesting thing to contemplate. They said almost nothing of sustenance, and did small things, such as the female braiding the male's hair. I doubt they have procreated, however, they certainly seem to be pushing towards that direction. I also doubt there was a previous show of force competeing with another male over the female, and I doubt he stole her away. So it begs the question of why the two are together. In other species, there is some sort of competition for the females, presumably because the females want only the best, or the males want only the best, depending on which sex competes. Yet the humanoids seem to do these things differently, with almost no biological sense.
More interesting, the male is an elf, and the female a human. Should they have a child, the mother will die before it reaches maturity, more than likely. And the father can quite possibly bury his own child, and almost certainly his own wife. Why does he set himself up for such a tumultuous fall? If he truely loves her, this could possibly destroy him, and if he does not, isn't he certainly wounding her? Or is it a mutual agreement to bring as much sadness and disappointment into the world as they can? Or is this the true goal of all people, in the end?
After watching and listening to this couple for a while, it became obvious they had no wish to bring sadness and sorrow upon the world. However, it became just as obvious that it is their shortsightedness would do just that, and they are too shortsighted to even realize that. However, that begs the question of what prevents the more basic of animals from doing the same thing, surely they do not have a great power of foresight. If it is some basic instinct which prevents them from doing such half-brained things as procreating with another race, then one must ask where this basic instinct went in more complexe humanoids. Was it lost, or was it overcome? If lost, when is it lost? If overcome, when? Surely, these instincts are present while the person is still a baby.
I did ask the male to heat up my roast duck with his magic, since he is apparently a spell caster. However, he considered it a waste, even though he and I both knew he would probably go to bed and be fully recovered for the morning soon anyways. He claimed his magic would only destroy my meal, which is possible. The female then asked about using magic to warm water for a tub. Between the both of us, we would probably make this poor man lose all respect for his own calling. However, he needed to thaw out, as his female friend put it. He did agree to heat water for a bath though, so he obviously has a liking for his girl.
The girl was very insecure for a reason I could not put my finger on. She seemed quite worried about her hair, even though it is quite beautiful. She compared herself and measured herself up against elves, apparently worried about the male going to some other female, elvish in nature. The male made every effort to reassure her, however, she is a fairly young, immature female, and therefore will have these concerns for quite some time. She seemed uncomfortable under his gaze, but he quickly softened up. The two will presumably be humbling themselves and reassuring themselves all throughout their relationship. It is a sad waste, as they will not just out and say it. So much time wasted, and the elf of all people should have realized her racial youth and made the most of every moment. He still can, however, those precious moments are gone, and only drift away all the quicker. She will wither like a grape on the fine, until she dies, and he will stand as a monument throughout time, watching the one he loves die. It is a sad waste.
However, this time spent on observing the couple have gotten me no further in the study of medicine and nature, and of all people knowing about time wasted, I should be the one, else I would be a hypocrit. For now, I travel towards my next place of study. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 09 Nov 2006 09:03 AM |
Today, I met an interesting woman who had a cowled figure following her around. I assumed it was a eunich at first, however, I was mistaken. Yet I shall come to that later. After introducing myself, she asked if I was an alchemist. She surprised me by letting me know it would be useful in the field of medicine, which I never had realized before. Her name was Eibellenith, which I had forgotten to mention. She kept a mask on the entire time, but I am certain there is good reason for it.
After some small conversation, the eunich behind her collapsed. However, as it turned out when I went over to aid it, it was no eunich. It was in fact a zombie well hidden from the world. That was quite an interesting surprise. After some more talking about it, I picked it up and tossed it into the water. I am certain the gods look upon Port Royale with a favorable eye, where a corpse can be tossed into the water, and nobody cares. However, it is neither here nor there. As it turns out, Eibellenith is a necromancer, though it is of small matter, in my eyes anyways.
Why do people place such an odd value upon their dead? Some animals eat their dead, most others let the dead lay where they die and go on with life, not caring if something eats it or otherwise dessicates it. This assumption is made through the fact that they make no move to defend or otherwise protect the dead from that fate. In fact, the humanoids are the only ones who seem to place a value on their dead. Yet the dead would be far more useful if they were reanimated or sold as food to the poor. In the military, many cases have been recorded of the dead being piled infront to make a barricade, and no wails are made when arrows or bolts sink into this now rotting flesh, or enemies step upon these corpses. Perhaps it is a matter of necessity, and humanoids have grown comfortable in the fact that there is no necessity of using the dead for other purposes. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 13 Nov 2006 10:16 PM |
Today, I spent some time around Midor. For a city so filled with alleged holiness, it is certainly strange to find its own burial ground filled with undead. I dealt with that problem, but it was a mere distraction. I also went into Gorlath Keep, and lo and behold, more undead. Midor should look within its own lands and solve its troubles before it concerns itself elsewhere.
However, it is neither here nor there. I had the joy to observe an albatross from the docks in Port Royale today. Note the highly massive size, and the gentle curvature of the wings. Rumor has it they can spend all their time flying at sea, and they bring good luck to sailors, since after a storm one never finds an albatross. I would think that is because they would immediately sink, however, if they were denser then water, they would have difficulty maintaining flight. And they do maintain flight for extended periods of time. A dense body would require large amounts of dense muscle to keep it up. I do not observe these on the bird I watch now, however, there is no reason to say they cannot exist. I would give a months wages to be able to dissect one, assuming I were actually paid for my work.
As it is, I often spend my time wrapping myself with my own bandages instead of others, for I have had little opportunity to travel with others. Perhaps a worn out Doctor would be something of a damper on their youthful adventures. However, this is nothing to concern myself over. The long periods of solitude are in fact helpful, if not downright necessary, for prolonged periods of study of nature itself. Also, they tend to grow concerned when I start looking at a body more in depth.
I met a man named Roland, soon after observing the famed albatross. He seemed to recall the albatross as bad luck for sailors, which is quite contradictory to what I had written earlier. He apparently was a medic on a ship, so he would probably know better than I. Though he did wonder if the sailors were having a laugh at his expense.
I also met a woman named Nero, who was eager to take Roland wherever they were going. I assumed she was a shipmate of his, particularly as how she addressed him as "mate", however, I was mistaken. They offered to take me along, so I dutifully accompanied them. Is it not strange that I should just be writing not so long ago how uncommon it is that I go anywhere with other people?
We strolled along quite well, and explored through some of the crypts under Port Royale. To say it was not fruitful would be a lie, however, we decided to go down and see what there was to see. This was not the greatest idea going. After doing very well against some skeletal archers, a very powerful skeleton came after us. It made short work of Nero, and Roland and I fell back in short order. We almost took the skeleton down, but alas, it was a lost cause. After we awoke in the Seven Sisters, we revisited the area, just Roland and myself. We were much better prepared, and made short work of the powerful skeleton. The difference preparation makes! It is enough to make you wonder why adventurers do not sit and plan out every adventure, with reports from scouts sent out ahead of time so the knowledge of what is going to be bumped into is gained. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 12 Dec 2006 04:29 PM |
I recently went into the Four Winds and met a man named Mishal. He was wondering if the rain had passed, however, I pointed out to him that in and around Port Royale, the rain never truely passes, it simply waits. However, he was wishing to arrive to a more bearable clime.
There was a lass there who I believe had the name of Josephine. She was a very strange lass, and I quickly found out from talking to her that she was a few eggs short of a basket, so to say. She would cast an invisibility spell on Uwe in the Four Winds, for example. She also refused to talk about what ailed her.
However, she did allow me to examine her cranium, and I was dismayed to find no fracture, no soft spot, nothing amiss at all. I was hoping for an opportunity to trepan the skull, but alas, her problems are within, and not without. I hope to be able to work with her in the future, however, I have very little experience with patients who have mental troubles. I am almost certain Guido would have known what to do, but alas, he is long since gone, rest his soul.
The next day I joined up with a bard named Kristo. He seemed at least vaguely interested in my company, which is more than I can say for most people. We soon set out for the Lynaeum catacombs.
I came across Josaphine today, and found her in an almost childish state. This lasted for quite some time, in fact, until I departed her company.
I was traveling with a rather quiet monk today. We explored the area in and around Gorlath Keep, going to the very top and slaying Gorlath himself. I will be honest, it was something of a disappointment. Coming out, the both of us bumped into a rather heavily enchanted man, carrying a staf that had lightinging sparking off both ends. Almost immediately afterwards, a hunter employed by a mage also came up. They then spoke of a meeting that had occured, and some sort of void. It would appear as if a man named Lucius had died in that meeting, and the meeting was somehow betrayed.
The conversation mainly revolved around the void. I would treat it as some bedtime story used to scare misbegotten children into sleep, however, they did not let up on the topic. Perhaps they are but a pack of old hens. Or is the word a clutch? I am not quite certain.
*Drawing of Avion Bladesaint with his head lolled back and his mouth wide open, obviously snoring, Lucifer MicIath looking angry, Josaphine Veshas looking interested, Sylune Almare Tindomerel looking bored polishing her fingernails, Tristian Vike looking frustrated and sad, Salt Sower looking animated and frustrated, and himself, Greg Ticon, focusing on a book. Beneath is written, "And the World Rests on Shoulders Such as These"*.
The hunter and the mage with the glowing staff got in a heated arguement. A duel of honor seemed inevitable. The lad named Tris (though it seems an awfully feminine name) went to drag the lass named Josaphine into it. Salt tried keeping it from turning into a duel of honor.
*Another drawing, but this one of Sylune with a radiant grin and twinkling eyes*
*A picture of Balthor, Tristian, Josaphine, Shard, and Lucius around a fire, with Sylune, Alis, Salt, and Ophelia in the backround. Ophelia looks to be casting a spell, Sylune playing her harp, and then the Doctor himself writing in the book*
*A picture of Sylune firing her bow at the Bugbears*
((As a side note, I do encourage people to post in here, it makes me feel special :P)) |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 12 Dec 2006 08:14 PM |
The lad named Tris (though it seems an awfully feminine name) went to drag the lass named Josaphine into it. Salt tried keeping it from turning into a duel of honor.
((As a side note, I do encourage people to post in here, it makes me feel special :P))
((Jeez, Trist and Tris are the nicknames people give me! Hell, I'll have everyone call me "Vike" from now on! And what should we be posting in here? *wide grin*)) |
Tristian and Elghinn.
NWN logon =UltimatiumOmega
Lost item: Fire Bomb
Tristian Vike damages Erin: 19 (19 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Tristian Vike: 7 (7 Fire)
Tristian Vike damages Kard Snyder: 10 (10 Fire) |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 12 Dec 2006 09:34 PM |
| ((Anything at all, as long as it somehow relates to the Doc :D)) |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 18 Dec 2006 05:09 PM |
The adventures I have been upon lately have been wide and varied. Being as that is, I shall simply skip them and get on to more important things. The first is that I came across a recently dead creature the other day. It had its chest laid bare, and so I went to check the texture of the heart. While I gave it a squeeze, it immediately started pumping itself, quite regularly and normally.
I quickly invoked Theus' help to stabilize the patient while I set about suturing the wounds. Between the two of us, we brought the creature back to life from the dead. I have every expectation it shall yield results when tested on humans, elves, dwarves &c.
*A diagram is drawn with a boars chest wide open, and a hand inside the chest cavity*
On a similar strain, I also learned that the opposite can be done, with Theus' blessing. While this is not so useful for a medical man, I might find it needed in the midst of combat. I simply worry it might not be so easily controlled, and might stop the wrong person's heart!
It is interesting to think that I can take my priestly abilities further. I could ask of more from Theus, and have those things granted become more powerful. However, I find myself asking for Theus' blessing as little as possible. Certainly, He has better things to attend to. And I am oddly content with my current knowledge. I can heal others ailments, and I can even bring back some of the dead more freshly killed. Perhaps even those not-so-freshly killed, with Theus' help. I think of retiring to the Four Winds or McGuillicuddy's. Certainly, there is nothing of note in my home town of Paws, and I would not want to undergo Midors headaches.
I recently dissected a Pixie. The bodies are almost an exact likeness of the female elf body, however, in miniature. Even the reproductive system is on par. The only differences are that the bones are much less dense, and that there is the added structure and support structure of and for the wings. One might argue that they are a mix between the elf and the butterfly. However, three parts elf to one part butterfly.
*A drawing of the pixie, the pixie's chest cavity opened, and the various organs labeled with dimensions*
Just recently I was enjoying the good company of the halflings in Brandibuck Vale. It tends to be very idyllic and my enjoyment of the place is understandable. However, the peace was intruded upon by a man named Shard, who led forth an expidition into the mountains near Icy Vale to retrieve a lost weapon. Unfortunately, two members of this group met an untimely demise at the claws of a dragon. Remarkably similar wounds, they had their chests ripped quite well open.
The victims were unfortunately Sylune and Josaphine, two people close to my heart. However, I simply had to put my friendship for them aside as best I could, so I could work impartially. The wounds can be seen below:
*Two drawings follow, the first of Sylune with her chest ripped open, ribs exposed and what appears to be internal organs peeking through underneath, and Josaphine with similar wounds.*
For both of them, I simply started stitching up the worst of the wounds to stop the bleeding that would have started once the heart began pumping, and then put the organs back in their proper places. I then grasped their hearts, and asked Theus to assist me in bringing them back. I had to put some of myself into it, so I was quite drained afterwards. However, both of them were brought back to life.
Following this, I closed their chests, and sewed them up as well. Sylune claimed she took care of the possibility of scarring, and Josaphine seemed to scoff at it. Hopefully, I will not have to do so to them again. |
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Re: A Doctor's Notes
Posted: 25 Dec 2006 07:32 PM |
I recently showed Sylune the pictures of her wounds, so I could assess the risk of other patients doing the same. She fainted infront of myself. Knowing Sylune is of weak body, I assume the effects would be somewhat lesser in a more sturdy person. Her brain did not block out the images from beforehand, there was no short term memory loss. However, again, the fainting. I shall have to strive to make sure no other patients see the wounds that cause me to work on them.
While talking with Sylune afterwards, the topic of her wounds came up. She seemed to think she was the only one felled by the dragon, so I reminded her that Josaphine was there as well. We then got into a long arguement over Josaphine, which ultimately ended in her slapping myself when I told her she needed to be more compassionate. I do not suspect we are on speaking terms anymore. It is unfortunate.
When a blow is offered from man to man, a challenge is usually put forth. The recipient is allowed to choose the weapon of choice, however, the weapons must be lethal. When Sylune and I talked about the issue of dueling, she would often comment how there is an astounding lack of female duelists. It would be ironic if she and I were to toe the scratch in anger.
I recently apologized to Sylune, and she accepted it very gracefully. We then had a conversation around a table in McGuillicutty's about power. Malviki and myself had differing definitions, though I think his definition is slightly wrong. He viewed power as an innate thing, however, one can easily argue that it is a relative thing, as the rogue can sneak upon the mage, the mage destroy a warrior, and the warrior slay a rogue. Therefore, I view power as a relative and always shifting thing, something to be gained over something else, willingly or otherwise.
Through our journey, we came across a tomb belonging to many undead. We slayed the undead upon the top, however, the majority of the group decided against going down. We quested further through the desert, to find that the lands held massive creatures with tusks and long trunks. After slaying one, I opened it up on the spot, and found it to have a brain about as developed as an orc or goblin, though proportionate in size to the body. It was quite interesting, though Sylune seemed put out by it.
*A step by step drawing of the opening of the elephant's chest area, the organs inside, underneath, and then the opening of the skull and brain area*
After this, we pushed further, and found an angel was apparently out for exercise. Sylune knew her, and said angel decided to travel with the group as far as the Great Plains. I decided not to accompany them at that point, simply for knowing that I was completely and totally unnecessary at that point, and would be nothing save a burden. Perhaps if I see the angel again, I will talk to her and attempt to learn something from her, however, for now, she is with the group traveling through the desert, and presumably giving them a guided tour while she keeps danger at bay. |
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