Tag: story

Gotham exodus

Gotham exodus


A team of vigilante Gothams ‘Guardian Angels’ escorted a group of refugees to a Wang clan nomad camp, and decided to join the exodus towards the sea.

Three ox-carts slowly followed the scouts.
Discovering first part of the trail through the woods was infested by wolves, they decided to put the wagons on linked rafts to follow the river.
Passing the ruins of an old fortification, they were ambushed by Templar skirmishers!
Evading the main force, they entered the ruins.
The witch channeled her shaman ancestor, to find the location of stolen ancestral heirloom.
Discovering the entrance to the catacombs, they confronted giant guardian spiders, and again the witch saved the day by hexing the vermins, even domisticating one!
Leaving the catacombs with the treasured heirloom, they discovered nearby the ruins the Templars camp with emprisoned refugees.
Using witchbrew, the Templar food was laced with poison. Disabling the guards, our heroes freed the prisoners and some Templar horses!
They followed the river till the next bridge, where a knight demanded toll.
Leaving the horses as tribute, our heroes continued their travel.
They found one of the wagons, wrecked on the trail, some clean-picked human bones scattered around.
Some hours further on the road: the third wagon, ambushed by ghouls!
To the rescue! Arrows fled, bolts fell…blades singing, horses charging!
Defeated, the ghouls broke and fled the field!
At last our heroes escorted the refugees to cross the sea…
Will they be able to survive storm and shipwreck on unknown shore?


PING

Gotham Tales of Chaos 
Gotham Tales of Chaos 

Gotham Tales of Chaos 


The Chaos storm came upon Gotham, causing a tsunami of refugees to flee the city during midwinter!
Several Gotham ‘Guardian Angels’ decided to escort separate groups to safety.
…
One strongman and one doula escorted a dozen refugees with a hand drawn wagon, following the rumour of a safe space up north.
…
First obstacle: a small checkpoint with a guard tower, guarded by the usual weaponized official thug: state your business!
…
The doula was able te persuase the guardsman to let them through, but looking back she still saw him looking suspicious at the passing refugees.
After an hour walking she could see how somebody on the guard tower made some semaphore signs using two banners, signaling warning to other patrols.
…
Another obstacle loomed ahead: a rickety wooden bridge that would not hold the passing of all refugees including wagon!
They had to unload the wagon to carry the most important supplies to the other side, Grandmother had to be carried by the strongman, and the wagon had to be left behind with heavy load that could not be taken.
…

Meeting the first settlement on the road: a ruin, where in the middle of the centre a halo of foxfire surrounded a weird tower that emitted clockwork sounds.

The doula somebody she remembered from longtime ago but it appeared the occupnats were not wellcoming because they were even unable to scrounge enough food for everybody.
‘We cannot feed ourselves, how can we feed any more mouths?’

Continuing their exodus, the refugees arrived at a yurt camp, occupied by members of the Wang triad who had to flee the city a while ago after the Macdonald coup.
‘Wellcome! We will take care for your women, children and elderly!’
Apparently this clan was struggling to provide for everybodies need, hunting and gathering was scarce this season, but they were willing to help.
‘There are some rumours of large supplies hidden in the mountains up north!’
…
The Guardian Angels selected a small band of the strongest scouts to investigate the rumours.
…
After a few days travel a fierce storm forced them take cover in the woods.
Thunder and lightning!
The strongman even had to dodge a ball lighting that danced wildly around before to speed itself to the mountains.
Just before the ball exploded, the doula saw an entrance into the mountain!
‘Lets investigate’
…
Entering a cavern, apparently man-made corridors:
Sounds of clockwork and dripping water.
It feels like the walls are moving!
‘Where is everybody?’
…
Following the sounds of screaming, they discovered a small holding cell.
‘Let me out!’
The doula was able to lockpick the door, freeing a barely coherent woman:
‘I told our leader this place is doomed, but he did not want the word to be spread’
When our heroes pressed for more details, the woman became more erratic, at the end they had to let her go.
…
The strange sounds became louder, the water was rising.
‘Lets go!’
…
Returning to the entrance, it seemed the outer wall had already moved to partly cover the door.
After letting the smaller persons go first, the strongman became stuck!
With effort the team of scouts was able to free the strongman!
…
Returning to the yurt camp, meeting the clan leader again:
‘We spoke with Grandmother after she recovered from travel’
Grandmother apparently remembered vaguely some legends her Granny told her while transferring an old scroll.
‘It is a large circular building that revolves, presenting another entry every time!’
Because the legends also mentioned strong taboos about the presence of demons, Grandmother was unwilling to say more.
…
The strongman and the doula decided to use the scroll for another investigation.
‘With this map we should able to investigate more, what could go wrong?’
…
The water was already breast high, the map seemed fragmentary, the mazelike corridors were confusing!
Most important buildings with supplies seemingly had been plundered.
The clockwork sound became deafeningly louder, as if somebody was saying something in a strange language, foxfire bloomed everywhere in a weird way.
…

‘We better leave now’
…
Leaving the flooding cave, our heroes were wet and cold, it was freezing outside!
…
In the distance the sound of a hunting horn, the patrols were hunting!
…
The strongman started to run, back in the direction of the camp!
…
The Doula was unable to keep up, being exhausted by the cold!
…
She laid down in the snow, feeling sleepy
…
Heaven watched in silence while Earth was covered by snow

 

Ping: Gotham Mystery Tale: mask on/off – Dreamquest

A Child’s Perspective on grief

A Child’s Perspective on grief


The child curls inward
at the edge of the room,
breath rocking the dark,
learning silence.

Where is Father, where is Mother?
Working, the walls say.
They will come with night.

Father, Mother—
where have you gone?
Hush now.
Time is only waiting.
All will be well.

—

For a month we drift
toward a warmer latitude.
The air sticks to the skin.
Sleep splits open—
a giant leans through plaster,
coffins loosen their teeth,
goblins gather where lamps fail.

Where is Father, where is Mother?
Father is always in motion.
Mother bends the day into bread.

—

For days we rise
into cold air,
crossing white distances.
My room draws closer,
tightens its grip.

Where are you now?
Father burns beneath a spotlight.
Mother works the hours thin.

—

Where is Father, where is Mother?
They return to the sunlit place.
You remain.
This will be called
a future.

—

My life unwinds
along a crooked thread.

—

Where is Father, where is Mother?
They come back through the cold.
Each of us learns
the grammar of separation.

—

Where is Father, where is Mother?
Father keeps moving,
a body harnessed to applause.
Mother holds the household
together with her hands.

—

Father was meant to stop,
to stand beside Mother—
but Santa Muerte steps forward,
quiet and exact.

Questions scatter.
None return.

His mourners shape the farewell;
we stand inside the brightness,
unvoiced.

Mother waits
in the antechamber of bones and prayer.
I sit with her there
until the door opens.

—

Mother—
I spoke my leaving.

Father—
with you,
the words stayed behind.

—

Father,
even now
my mouth is full
of what I never said.



Wandering in an Alien Land: A Poem of Loss

Wandering in an Alien Land: A Poem of Loss


The Elders assembled beneath the frozen Sun,
When the Wheel of the Year stood still in shadow.
They brake the Bread of Mystery,
They lifted the Wine of Vision,
And their voices rose like smoke from the altar of Time.

Lo! At every Feast the Young grow fewer,
And the Hoary Head multiplies upon the earth.
The Songs of Old no longer kindle the inward Eye,
For the Children of this Age hear them not.

The Heavens are shut; no Thunder answers prayer.
The Firmament is brass, and gives no sign.
Thus the Powers Below are forgotten,
And the Deep is emptied of its dread.

Behold! Our People waste away.
We are scattered sparks upon cold ground,
Strangers walking in an alien Land.
We wander the Waste; we tread the scorched Field;
We sleep beneath a Sun that does not know us.

One by one we pass through the Gate unseen,
Descending softly into the Kingdom of Shades,
Where names are unspoken
And memory fades into silence.

(A.I. poem inspired by William Blake)

Wat zie ik in de omgeving van Westerpark?

Wat zie ik in de omgeving van Westerpark?


Amsterdam verandert voortdurend, maar soms doet ze alsof ze dat niet doorheeft.
De bouwput aan de Jacob Catskade ligt er al zo lang dat hij bijna bij de buurt is gaan horen.
Toch zie ik langzaam verbetering: nieuwe gevels, opgeknapte ramen, steigers die komen en weer verdwijnen.
De kade zelf wacht nog even.
De stad heeft geen haast; ze weet dat wij wel blijven.

Ik loop richting het zebrapad, een route die ik allang ken.
Ooit keek je hier rustig links en rechts, nu kijk je vooral alle kanten tegelijk.
Plotseling suist er een fatbike over de stoep.
Ik zet een stap achteruit, meer uit reflex dan uit paniek.
De berijder is al weg voordat ik boos kan worden.
Ik zucht.
Sommige dingen horen blijkbaar bij deze tijd, ook al verlang ik soms terug naar het langzamere tempo van vroeger, toen ik nog geen grijze haren had.

Bij de warme bakker lijkt de tijd even stil te staan.
De geur van vers brood, een leuke babbel bij de bestelling.
Mensen zitten er koffie te drinken, iemand werkt op een laptop.
Het stoort niemand.
Iedereen hoort er even bij.

Op de hoek staat de oude Jordanese slager, al generaties lang.
Hier kennen ze de oude buurtbewoners.
Ik bestel een onsje “wereldberoemd”.

Even verderop is de lekkernijenwinkel.
De man achter de balie straalt een aanstekelijke vrolijkheid uit, alsof hij iedereen persoonlijk welkom heet.
Hij snijdt een stukje hooibloemkaas af en vertelt er met liefde over.
In de keuken werkt zijn compagnon zwijgend door, toegewijd aan zijn vak. 

Op de markt is het druk, maar niet gehaast.
Kramen vol kleuren en stemmen.
Ik koop vis, groenten en fruit en blijf even staan bij iemand die zelf kombucha maakt.
In de fles drijft nog een kleine zwam.
Het oogt vreemd, maar ook oprecht.
Ambacht heeft zijn eigen charme.

Bij de Turkse groentenman haal ik mandarijnen en warme börek. 
Migratie verrijkt de keuken!

In de bibliotheek is het niet meer zo  stil als in de vorige generatie:
Kinderen luisteren naar verhalen, volwassenen knippen collages.
Het voelt open en levendig, als een plek waar iedereen welkom is.

Ik sluit af in het Westerpark.
Bomen ruisen zacht, de stad lijkt even verder weg.
Hier adem ik rust in en neem herinneringen mee naar huis.

Ping:

Dit is wat ik zag op weg naar jou
Gotham Mystery Tale: mask on/off

Gotham Mystery Tale: mask on/off


Midwinter bal masque in Gotham during martial law lockdown: Only Highlords like Vladimir are able to bribe the Administration to look the other way.
While the Authority is dancing, the Underground organises the ongoing Revolution:
some members of the resistance group “Gotham Angels'” went undercover to the masque ball of Highlord Vladimir, scouting opportunities for the resistance.
…
Using fake invitation letters, Marquisio the Hunter and Fieldy the automaton Scarecrow disguised themselves with the obligatory  Commedia dell’Arte masks and costumes.

Vladimirs large ballroom was very crowded, at least hundred guests were already dancing and flirting.
Large tables with food and drinks were set up, more than enough to feed the multitude during the weeklong festival.

Marquisio was unable to resist his hunger and started to feed!

A Columbina in red approached and started flirting with Marquisio…
Enticing him to follow her to ‘a more private place’ in the mansion, it became apparent that she was part of another faction that wished the downfall of the Authority.
“Take this secret letter with magic symbols to the Tribe”
…
Meeting the tribal shaman went quite well: after receiving the secret letter, he brew some “strong medicine” to use at the bal masque.
…
Returning to the festival, Marquisio created some distraction by throwing stones at the chandeliers.
While the guards were chasing the culprit, Feeldy scattered the ” strong medicine ” through the ballroom.
…
Our heroes were able to escape during the chaos and went to their hideout to wait till the heat blew over.
…
Escalating alarming words on the street:
“Many people, who joined the festival, are very ill now”
“The Authority is tightening lockdown: curfew between sundown and sunup, mandatory wearing face covering, limiting gathering of groups”
…
Marquisio and Feeldy realised that the ” strong medicine ” was getting out of control!
…
They looked for the tribal shaman, but he already left the city.
…
Following the trails, they saw four riders on a hill having a palaver.
…
Approaching the four riders, they recognised the tribal shaman in white,  carrying bow and arrow.
When asked for a cure, the shaman demanded a life sacrifice.
…
Feeldy stepped forward and opened his chest and a small boy jumped out!
As soon as the shaman performed the sacrifice, the essence of the small boy became a cloudy ball that entered Feedly’s chest again!
Satisfied with the sacrifice, the shaman let our heroes go home:
“It is done! Innocents will be spared!”

Ping:

Gotham Blades in the Dark Revolt

A.I. reviews “Whimsical Stories”

A.I. reviews “Whimsical Stories”


A.I. review this!

 

This image showcases an eclectic mix of illustrations with a playful and slightly surreal vibe. Here’s a breakdown:

  1. Interior setting: The room has an informal, lived-in look with clothes hanging on a makeshift drying rack, a small table with a bottle and cup, and some scattered items suggesting a relaxed, personal space.

  2. Color and texture: The colors are muted with a yellowish tint in the background and a contrasting black-and-white section on the right. This division creates an interesting visual contrast.

  3. Details:

    • Playful elements: The use of stickers, like the smiling character, mushroom, and lantern, add a whimsical, childlike touch.

    • Typography and lines: The repeating lines at the top and bottom of the image evoke a sense of being within a larger structure or a framed space, while the black-and-white section (on the right) has bold, clear lines that contrast with the rest of the soft, hand-drawn elements.

  4. The figure: There’s a figure sitting at a desk in the right side of the image, possibly working or interacting with the environment, but the simplistic rendering and the presence of the sticker-style details suggest an illustrative rather than realistic approach.

Overall, the image blends real-life elements with a strong graphic, abstract style. The mood feels lighthearted, cozy, and somewhat whimsical.

Ping:
A.I. reviews “The Buzz Between Words”
Gotham tales beyond the city

Gotham tales beyond the city


The Village was populated by refugees banished from Gotham, recent unrest has left them vulnerable to chaos incursions.
Hearing of vigilante ‘Guardian Angels’ from Gotham, they have pooled their meager resources to seek aid.

…

Clan MacDonald  already decreed many oppressive laws against ‘the enemy within’ :’illigal aliens’, vagrants,  ‘vigilantes’, etcetera.
Several ‘Guardian Angels’  felt it was wise to leave the city and take refuge in the Village.
…
Arriving at the Village, gathering information…

…
After the arrival of many refugees from Gotham, the Village has become too crowded: too many people, not enough food!
To make matter worse, many rats were investing the fields, destroying the crops.
…
The alchemist brewed some rat poison to scatter between the crops.
Many rats died indeed, but the corvids that ate the cadavers also died!

…
Dissecting some corvids, the alchemist discovered some warpstone contamination!
This same contamination was also found in the Broken Hills, where the mutants live.
…
According to legends, a star fell down in the Broken Hills; amidst the wreckage was a stunned firedemon thas immediately was bound and inprisoned in the caves under the Great Tree in the forest.
…
Investigating the sealed cave:  The seal was broken from inside outwards, the demon has escaped!
…
Entering the cave:  Finding some skeletons, apparently remnants of cultist. What killed the cultist?
Finding a cultist journal, reading a scribbled note in the margin ‘we need the Cog and Compass’
…
Descending in the mazes of the cave, encountering large poisonous mushrooms and giant spiders!
Narrowly escaping monsters and mechanical traps, finding a secret room with the  clockwork engine that operated the security system.
The Alchemist was able to communicate with the clockwork, ensuring safe travel through the maze!
…
Our heroes escaped the maze to return safely to the Village, knowing that the firedemon was roaming in the world!

Ping: Gotham Blades in the dark revolt – Dreamquest

Gotham Blades in the dark revolt

Gotham Blades in the dark revolt


 

Triad leader Wang requested a team of vigilante Gotham ‘Guardian Angels” :
“The Authority organized a razzia against our community,  capturing several children from important businessmen.
Please help us to free the children!”
…
MacSweeney’s bar was a known hangout for mercenaries, the perfect place to find information!
Chatting with a talkative militiaman, the vigilantes discovered important details:
Twenty very young children were held at detention camp Blackgate Island, together with af few Sisters of Our Lady
The waters around the Island was infested by alligators, while the camp was surrounded by a fence with guarded watchtowers.
…
The vigilantes negotiated with the leader of  the  Sisters of Our Lady , to organize combined action:
 while  the  Sisters of Our Lady , would start a rioting demonstration in the city, the vigilantes would infiltrate the camp.
…
New moon, cloudy starless night , perfect timing for action!
…
Commandeering a fishing boat, the vigilantes were able to approach the Island unseen.
The alligators were already neutralized with poisoned meat!
Observing the Island:  large barbed wire fence, six guarded watchtowers, single sentry patrolling each half hour.
Using the small window of opportunity, the sharpshooter neutralized two guarded towers, while the infiltrator cut through the fence.
Just in time to put down the returning sentry!
The infiltrator hid the body and took his uniform to keep appearances of patrolling.
Now the vigilantes were able to free the prisoners, twenty young childrend and four women.
Warding off the rest of the alarmed sentries, the escape was made!
After a short while sailing they were chased by The Fluyt !
The vigilantes tried to evade to the rocky shallows but struck a rock…
‘Beach the boat, take cover, “Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!” 
While gunshots and arrows were flying, the infiltrator was able to ambush the enemy commander.
As soon the commander was down, the enemy morale broke down, the mercenaries fled.
…
At last our heroes were able to escape with the women and children to safety!

Ping:

Gotham Blades in the Dark
Temidden van schoonheid gevoel van dreiging:

Temidden van schoonheid gevoel van dreiging:


Begin van de herfst, het begint al te schemeren om zeven uur…
Vanochtend werd ik wakker met het Chanson ‘Paris s’eveille’

Deze dag vloog voorbij met alles wat ik had willen zien en doen in Parijs.
Daarom ben ik hier toch?
Dingen zien en doen in Parijs!
…
Langs de Seine lopend passeer ik de boekenstalletjes, op weg naar de Notre-Dame in reparatie zie ik zwaarbewapende M.E. met machinegeweren en schilden….
Ik hoop dat ze niet met die wapens gaan schieten op een verdachte in de menigte, dat wordt een bloedbad!
…
Zou zo’n wapen passen in de koffer van een contrabas?
Beeld: Antonio Banderas El Mariachi met machinegeweer in vioolkoffer!
Wat voor geluid maakt zo’n ding eigenlijk?
Heb ik het nu over een machinegeweer of een contrabas?
Ik heb nog nooit gelet op het geluid van een contrabas.
Wel de altviool van Maya Friedman!
Ze gaat volledig in trance, maakt intens contact met de andere wereld.


Maar een machinegeweer? Ik ken wel het geluid van een geweerschot in de nacht tijdens de coup van 1965

 

ping:

Mythago World : shards of history