Kingbeast's Lair

[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 6th session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to recall the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Episode. ]

Then

The Moon’s Caretakers Commune, New Orleans, USA – August 7th, 2015 – As the day grows longer the spirits of the Moon’s Caretakers are all but gone. When the third member of the hunting party returns the three talk quickly and often glance back over at their captives. Pierre looks to Babet and speaks in a slow even tone, “Babet. We need to be strong in our beliefs. We need to think about our “pale mistress” and the relief that she may bring. When night falls and the mistress rises in all her beautiful fullness Katie and Jordan will come back and they will know what to do. If we are killed then maybe our blood will nourish them. Close your eyes with me. Let’s pray.” Her eyes red with tears Babet notices the three men returning. She closes her eyes tight not wanting to know what they plan to do to her commune family…

Now

Levee House, New Orleans, USA – June 19th, 2015 – After returning with the small bus Jordan and Katie help Babet and Pierre into the house. When Garret spots Katie entering with the two commune members he yells out, “What the fuck Katie!?! Get those two hippie freaks out of here!” Katie responds by calmly telling Garret to get Barnes and Siva. Once the group is assembled and Pierre and Babet have been led to a bedroom Katie explains, “The commune has been compromised. It was a group of at least three hunters and they had support. Pierre describes the three as a guy with a bow, a tattooed punk with a knife, and a businessman looking guy. Pierre said they had throat mics and seemed fairly well armed. They killed Morris and 86. If they could gak those two they must be hunters. Jordan and I searched the bus and found a tracker under the front fender. We cleared it before returning but I’m afraid the TMC people may have spilled details about us.” After relaying all of the details about what they found at the camp Barnes responds by barking out orders, “Katie…you and Jordan did fine…get the Doc on the line and get him over here ASAP. Let’s process this last bunch of stiffs tonight and get back to the manor house. Hopefully the boss will have enough souls to complete the ritual. Garret give the boss a call and let her know what has happened. Siva…comb the bus and look for more trackers or anything unusual. If you find anything let me know ASAP. Let’s go people..pack lightly and move quickly…oh…and no lip out of you Siva…” The small Indian vampire pulls back his outstretched finger and cringes back like a puppy hit with a rolled up newspaper, “Sure thing Barnes…sure thing…”

[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 5th session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to recall the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Episode. ]

Then

New Orleans, USA – April 16th, 2015 – After I asked Father about going to school he explained that it would not be possible. I know I am tall and might scare some people but if they just get to know me then I’m sure they would like me! I am excited about going to the library tomorrow on my own. Father says I can just break in an borrow some books as long as I close up afterwards. He told me to find a book called Frankenstein but I think I might try Uglies instead.

New Orleans, USA – April 17th, 2015 – Coming back from the library I was surprised to see strange cars in the driveway. As I approached I heard gunfire then a crash! The lab! As I sat stunned deciding what I should do I heard a car horn. Behind me was Jordon and Garret in their black car. (Garret is handsome but such an ass. I’m not into “bad boys”. Jordan is nice but too old for me.) They pulled up and quickly told me to get into the car. I told them no then Garret explained that a group of hunters were in the house and that it was not safe. I tried to ask why they would be “hunting” in our house but Garret seemed nervous so I got into he car. I hope father is ok…

Now

New Orleans, USA – June 19th, 2015 – The trio of Moon Caretakers are introspective as they slowly pole their way back to camp with an empty boat. The calm swamp water belies the events will soon arise. Subject 86, or just “86” to her friends, wonders how the vampires will react with only 2 thralls ready this cycle. She puts it out of her mind when Mark yells out, “Look!” A plume of black smoke is coming from the commune! The trio quicken their pace as the wonder what they will find at their home.

As the boat reaches the makeshift dock 86 jumps out followed closely by Mark then Peter. They stop dead in their tracks when they run face first into an armed gunman. The young tattooed man with a rifle yells out, “Hold it right there! Hands up!” 86 slowly raises her hands as she watches the tarp that comprises their main sleeping area collapse is a blaze of orange flame. It is everything she can do to keep from crying. Peter stares at the tent he helped erect hoping that this is some type of nightmare that he will awake from.

After the tattooed man and 2 of his friend tie up Mark and Peter they move to the side of the camp where they can talk in private. 86 weighs her options realizing that action would likely hurt many of her friends. When her 3 captors come back from their discussion the tattooed man with the rifle leads the way. His rifle is on his back and one hand is behind his back. He circles behind 86 and stabs her in the neck. As blood fills her throat her friends look on in horror! She tries to ask the man why he is not happy with her but only a gurgle emerges. When her eyes close 86 regrets the fact that her Father will never know that she was able to carry on his life’s work…to bring life to the unliving…but at least her friends will be happy with her work…at least she would die with friends who love her…what more could a girl ask for…

-== What is it? ==-

Stone And A Hard Place is a modern urban fantasy tale of a quirky college professor who is secretly a mystic master. It was published in 2015 by R.L. King (aka Rat) through Magespace Press.

The book has a color cover and an entirely black and white interior. The book is 5.25” x 8” and is 363 pages in length. I am reviewing a print copy that I bought through Amazon.

-== What I Like ==-

My favorite part about the novel is the main character Doctor Alastair Stone. Dr Stone is an intriguing mix of a serious professor of magic and curious young man. Alastair is less Obi Wan and more 10th Doctor Who. His journey through the book takes him past many ups and downs and proves that he is not invincible. He is a careful planner but is willing to step up even though he knows he is far less powerful than his adversary. Dr Stone’s reason for facing these terrible threats, “somebody has to.” Love it. 😀

The way magic is explained in the book is by action. King does not spend tons of time explaining how magic works in her world but instead jumps right in and tackles the story. It is refreshing and allows the reader to focus on the characters and story instead of the “nuts and bolts”.

The antagonists in the story are pretty great. I don’t want to give too much away but the trio that oppose Stone are flawed yet powerful and undisciplined…a dangerous combination. At points I enjoyed reading their thread quite a bit.

The last 60 pages or so of the book ratchet up the tension to a powerful ending. I rarely read novels these days that hook me so hard that I can’t put them down. The end of Stone And A Hard Place did that for me. 🙂

-== What I Don’t Like ==-

I thought the beginning of the book was a bit slow. Some side characters needed to be introduced to the reader so that their importance to Stone was set. Sometimes it felt like they could have used less coverage.

At one point it became clear to me that one of the side characters was definitely going to be a “red shirt” (ala Star Trek). This is to be expected to make a punch to the story but it felt a bit too much like it was on rails.

-== Summary ==-

Rat has provided a great start to what I hope will be a long series of adventures for Dr Stone. A dashing opening act for a charming leading man.

I give it 9 out of 10 paws.

You can buy Stone And A Hard Place from Amazon in digital and hard copy. The hard copy is $14.99 at this URL. The digital copy is on $2.99. What are you waiting for!?! GO BUY IT! 😀