gypsy camp

[intriguess]

Gypsy Camp

I was thinking of a tale about group of traveling gypsy's

set it in pretechnological time in British Isles


SET UP

gypsy camp outside a large town, we are heading to celebration in town, where we can trade and ply our trade

INFO about Gypsy's
Gypsy's are not thieves, they are a passionate uninhibited people, the men are tinkerer's or traders, fixing things or selling things, women work more as seers, card reading, palmistry, reading tea leaves, foretelling future that sort of thing. They don't steal children but they do take in runaways, from poor children to youngest child of nobles wanting to free themselves. What they have they share among the group and are happy go lucky people.

My Character Mysteria
gypsy woman, late twenties, recently lost my lover and I knew he was going to die. So I'm wary of reading palms or cards. I'm 5'2" long tumbling dark hair that hangs to my full hips, the women of group chide me saying I had a body made for bearing children. But from looks single men in group give me I think they have the process rather than the end in mind when they look at me. To make money I dance, dressed in black but I'm very light on feet and have been doing well.

My nights are lonely and my days full of work and singing and people trying to cheer me up. I bed down in my trailer and try to sleep thinking of the days ahead at celebration, and eventually fall to sleep.

OOC need more gypsy's and people to inhabite town, future readers just read last pages find out where we are and feel free to hop in at any time

[Edited by intriguess on 10-22-2000 at 03:51 PM]

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas Albert Housler:

Young Thomas was a fine upstanding member of his town. He had a place in his fathers buissness waiting for him when he wanted it. He was in church every sunday, he was truly a dutiful son, doing as his parents asked of him, and helping anyone that needed a hand. He was always avaliable to the town... Until the band of gypsys came... When he first saw them he was intregued. He would sneek out at night just to watch them going about their lives. Their wildness drew his interst. It was an alien way of life to him but there was something about it... Something pure. One night he saw them in the middle of festivities, dancing, singing, and playing up tempo music. Nothing like the toneless droning of some of the church hymes... He was instantly enthralled with these people that very night. He wanted to get closer to them, to taste their life style but feared what his parents, the towns people would say if such a fine young man were to consort with them any more than in passing.

But here he stood, hiding behind a tree, like a school boy, watching these free and unfettered people setting up for another nights festivities.

 

[Ravenloft]

OOC: How was that Intreguess?

 

[intriguess]

damn good moderator

do a little more setup

I wanted to be alone so was resting early as other talked about camp fire and danced and enjoyed the night. It was my turn to cook the next day and it would undoubtedly be a long one going into town setting up shop, then once sun set dancing and singing for supper hours. I could almost feel my feet ache at thought. but i wouldn't trade this life for any other. i rolled over in bed and was about to tell roberto my thought to remember he was gone. it had been nearly a month and i still felt his loss deeply. I wasn't looking forward to the one month anniversary of his death as that was when it was proper for men to approach me again. Gypsy's are loyal faithful loving bunch and hate to see one of their own sad so they enforced a short mourning period. I would be expected to dance stop wearing black and share my joy not my sadness after that day

 

[Roland Gilliad]

ooc: now THIS is cool, i have a char idea, and will be joining as soon as i have more time....LATER!

 

[intriguess]

It was morning already I could feel the warm rays of sun setting upon me I woke up and slipped on my layers of colorful patched clothing. I had loved sewing but when my gift for seeing future had appeared I was no longer allowed to work with needle and thread. Over the bright luminous colors I pulled a thick black lace wrap and tied it about waist covered my skirts in the black lace. it was still a bit cold and i took another black shawl and set it around my shoulders. I took moment and combed my riotous hair and slipped on soft shoes before leaving my wagon.

There were sounds of camp, people stirring food being collected. I headed to camp fire and began preparing breakfast watching children scampering underfoot, smiling wistfully, roberto and I had longed for a child. It was to late, the one month morning period also made sure that if child was concieved a longer mourning period was possible. Unfortunately I had no such luck.

I turned my mind back to cooking handing out a to children and other early risers. another female gypsy came to replace me so I could head to town and help set up.

I went with others and heading into town.

 

[Guest]

Terra the Gypsy

OOC: I'll play an older Gypsy woman, palm reader, tarot, chrystal ball, astrology, you name it, I can do it. I can even give readings without any tools, but most folks enjoy them, cause it gives a little show. I can also do I-Ching, which may be unusual for a Gypsy, but then maybe not. I have enough literature on all the above things to give a bit of actual readings, though I only dabble in them. Don't do tea readings, will have to leave that up to someone else.

I also play guitar for the evening night celebrations around the campfire, with my lover beating on drums.

IC: I felt sorry for the young widow, as I had seen Roberto's death in the cards several months before. Widow'd myself, I still wouldn't allow my current lover to get too close to me.

Dressing colorfully, I gather all my tools of the trade, as doing readings was how I made my money. I had varying prices, ranging from $10 for a simple card reading, up to several hundred dollars for more indepth readings. Depending on what the customer wanted, and how much time it took.

Before leaving my tent, I pulled a card to see how my own day would go. Hmm, 5 of Pentacles, not a good sign. It points out to a situation that has deteriorated to the point of utter collapse. An effort must be made to start anew. It could mean I would be called upon to help someone who is down and out, and I should volunteer to help provide valuable contacts and a much-needed boost to self-esteem.

OOC: I really did pull this card...kinda appropriate, if you ask me...

IC: I slipped the cards back into it's silk scarf and wooden box. They would come in handy today, I had a feeling.

 

[intriguess]

giving character a name

mysteria, i was setting up in town, I had the tent all set up for fortune telling, trying to be cheerful, I was here to collect money and help her if necessary. she had tried to warn me of roberto, but i simply told her I knew. I had my own set of tarot cards and watched her shuffle hers and prepare herself as i went outside tent shading eyes from sun and trying not to think of roberto

OOC I do have tarot cards and knowledge of reading palms. The rest will be made up as i go along.

 

[Guest]

Terra

When I arrived shortly after Mysteria did, I finished setting up the table with my crystal ball, and arranging the other props. I didn't use the crystal ball much, as it took much more energy, and I had to charge way to much for a reading, as it would wipe me out the rest of the day. So it was mostly for show.

I sat back in the shade meditating, trying to align myself with the universe. The card I'd drawn earlier kept coming back to haunt me.

I open my eyes, and pull another card. Five of Cups this time. Hmmm, not much better....I went back to my mediations. I would need to pull from my inner strength, and try not to focus on the inner sorrow I feel.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Elizabeth Stewart

18, 5'3", wavy, waist-leangth dk brown hair, green eyes, 36C, 28, 38; helps to run her family's prosporous bakery.

IC: The smell of fresh baked bread and other delectable scents wafed through the shop. My father was already out front helping costomers, due to the celebration, we were going to be very busy for the next few days. I was in the back of the shop, helping my mother with all the mixing, kneeding and baking. She was chattering about all the men that had come to my father seeking my hand, I was trying to ignore her, only smiling and nodding. I wasn't exactly looking forward to being given away to the highest bidder, I still clung to my lofty dream of being married for love. I sighed, looking at the clock and wondering when I'd be allowed to take a break. I knew the gypsys would be in town all ready, and I wanted to know my fate.

OOC: How was that?

 

[Guest]

OOC: Sounds good goddess_euphoria.....you want me do do a spread fer ya later?

 

[Guest]

I-Ching

OOC: Unfortunately, you can't pull your own cards, unless you have some yourself, but if you want to consult the I-Ching, you could do that and tell me what you got. Take three pennies, and throw them six times, and let me know what each throw is. (i.e. two head and one tail, etc.) Don't tell me your question until you tell me what you throw. You'll be amazed at what the answer is.....

 

[intriguess]

mysteria

called mysti for short, Roberto had called my His teria affectionately, it made me chuckle as I watched crowd, I took deep breath and let my mellow voice hark out

"want to know your future? need to know your fate?" I paused as people looked over "have a decision to make? come and see your future" i repeated these over and over with variation between customers throughout morning. I was getting hungry I hadn't eaten much and wondered if I could slip away for some fresh bread later. Money was something that gypsy's were odd on. Half went into a group pot for food, repairs and other things. The other half of money you personally earned was yours to spend on yourself. Most people gave more than half and tribe thrived.

 

[Guest]

There were a few curious enough to pay for a small spread, so one by one I'd have them pull out 10 cards and I'd lay them in the Celtic Cross. Most people that have never had their cards read would walk away quite surprised.

I hoped someone would come along with something interesting.....

 

[intriguess]

Mysteria

"Hungry Terra?" I ask as midday approaches and things taper off as entertainers fill the square.

she nods and smiles, I can feel her sympathy she had lost her last lover, I smiled and said "I'll go get somthing from a bakery, don't worry I'll pay."

I moved through crowd quickly getting many looks from people of all ages, I slipped into bakery inhaling the wondrous scent and in my soft husky tone I bought some fresh bread and rolls from a lovely young woman behind counter. The store was quiet and I was sure the street vendors were doing more business around the entertainment square. I was about to leave when she asked me if i could read her future.

I shook head and gave her instructions on reaching our tent seeing a glimmer in her eyes, I knew that glimmer, it came from a women still hoping for happily ever after, a man to sweep her off her feet and treat her with love and respect.

That glimmer had died with Roberto for me. I went back to tent enjoying the sights and smells of fair. I stopped at a fabric merchant and picked up a few silk scarves and some velvet scraps. Along with some lovely linen, I took the bundle and hurried back hoping Terra wouldn't be too upset with me. She reminded me of my mother, who had died shortly after my birth. My older brother had married and settled into a life of farming. My father was mysterious figure, it was whispered that he was noble, and that my mother had been accused of bewitching.

I headed back to tent wondering if Terra could scry out my father.

[Edited by intriguess on 10-22-2000 at 04:05 PM]

 

[Guest]

My heart ached for Mysti, I knew her pain. Tradition to only mourn a month was hogwash, and I knew it. Took a good two years to recover, and I took every minute of that, and then some before I'd open up at all. I decided I'd have a nice heart to heart talk with her, and tell she can forget the 'tradition' as far as I was concerned. If someone got on her back, I'd make sure they'd be very sorry. I didn't practice magic much, but sometimes there was a need. I kept in practice to keep my chops up.

Smiling, I started a new spread with the next customer.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

*A Small Clink of A Swords hilt against a Belt, The two Young Ones Approached the Camp and grinned to each other*
First Boy: Oy! It seems we finally found it!
Second Boy: That we did! It's good to find somewhere that takes you in and dosent make you follow ridiculous Rules.
1st Boy: Like that church!
*they laugh as they approach the Camp*
2nd Boy: Here we are!
1st boy: *cracks his knuckles and grins* Finally! somewhere where our talents will be appreciated!
2nd boy: Lets go Jack!
1st Boy: Ok Jim! *They Laugh and head down towards the Camp, nothing but smiles and Laughter*

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

Another night that he hadn't had the courage to show himself to the gypsy's. He was beginging to think he never would have that sort of courage. The courage to do something that his family frowned upon. That was until he was walking in town this day... As he was walking he heard Mysti calling people over for a reading. He suddenly found himself franticly following her calls until he stood in front of the small tent they had set up. He locked eyes with Mysti, what a sight she was to him. He stood speachless before her, in his mind he was talking but his words caught in his throat. Such a wild beauty she was, yet there was a mask of sorrow to her, he could see it in her eyes.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Elizabeth Stewart

My parents had gone out for a stroll around the square to see everything that was happening. Since it was slower durring lunch because of all the outside vendors, they left me in charge, promising me a chance to go look about when they returned. One of the gypsy women came in, I almost didn't ask her, but I finally summoned my courage as she was about to leave. She gave me directions to their tent, after she left I waited impatiently for my parents to return.

When they finally did, I greeted them each with a quick kiss on the cheeck and vanished out the door before they could question me, or tell me all about what ever nice man they had run into who had inquired about me.

I made my way quickly through the crowded streets, finding the gypsy tent easily, then slowing as I walked up to the same women whom I'd talked to in the store earlier.

 

[intriguess]

OOC roliand are you being braggarts or idiots? so far you sound like you want chaos not peace.

IC

i had seen him follow me to bakery and back had thought it coincidence. when his eyes felt mine i wondered. there was something about his eyes he seemed so lost. I pointed at him, "You won't you test your fate? it's onyl a few coppers."

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

"Yes..." He forced himself to say. "Yes, I... I want to know what is to become of me if I stay in this town... As my parents expect... Want of me..." He said, as he grew concious of himself staring into this woman's hazel eyes. So closely he had pondered them that he had seen they held a core of green.

 

[intriguess]

mysteria

i smile trying to make him feel comfortable as i lead him into tent. when my fingers graze the bare flesh of his wrist i freeze a vision dancing before my eyes. i blink slowly and bite my lip and have him sit so Terra can read his cards.

The vision, I promised myself to talk to Terra about it. It reminded me of vision I had seen of Roberto's death it was so vivid and clear. This was was far from deadly, I shivered and watched as she laid out cards.

(skipping some time Terra can fill in his reading)

After he paid and left I sat down across from Terra.
"I had a vision, of," I bite my lip adn glance making sur the young man was gone. "of him, if he will be father of my first child, regardless of whether he joins tribe or not. If he doens't join tribe and I don't," i stop in my sentence fingers trembling, "be with him then i will have no children." I lay out the vision before her looking for guidance and hope

 

[Roland Gilliad]

ooc; Niether, they are a bit exited, but they calm down. *L* Dont worry about it, just have someone notice them and they'll straighten up and calm down quick!

 

[Guest]

Shuffling the cards once more, I thrust them out to the new comer.

"Pick one" I say, as he picks the MOON. I lay this card down carefully upright in the middle of the table.

"Another" I say in a raspy voice. The King of Swords. This one I lay across the first card.

"Next." The Chariot is placed below the two cards.

"another." The princess of cups.....upside down. I lay it on the left side.

Next the Two of Cups is laid above, then the Ace of cups is placed on the right. The nex card is the princ of cups, laid along the rightside of all, above that, the princess of Wands, the Queen of swords, upside above that, and the final card is the Ten of Wands.

Intrepretation:

I see you coming to a place of salvation, mercy....the moon, your unconcious. but the King of Swords is is your obstacle. A powerful male authoritative blocks your path. He is stuboorn, tyrannical.

Your motivation for coming to me.....The Chariot. Triumph, mental and physical balance and commitment. This is what you seek.

Past influences.....the Princess of Cups she is sentimental, pensive. But she is upside down, so you practice the opposite. You want to be tender, but you are not. You are secure where you are.

Your potential, the Two of Cups, unrequited love, yet false relationship.

Your future influence is abundance, satisfaction and joy. Ace of Cups.

Previous unknown aspects, The Prince of Cups. You are hard to judge. You are mysterious, inviting.

Others percieve you as spontaneous, energetic, and willing to accept risks. They sometimes label you as risky. (Princess of wands)

But your deep down hopes and desires are to become quickly perceptive, cunning and perhaps cruel. (upside down Queen of Swords)

The outcome of your endeavors (ten of wands) will become oppression. Your stubbornness will become a burden......be wary as the intrigue will lead to dire difficulties.

I glare at him, hoping my warning will instill a seed.

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

Thomas followed Terra's words closely, drawn in by the sudden shock of the very first card. "My father!" He breathed. It made sence to him. He grew starkly quiet and still when the cards pointed out his desire to run away... And felt as though he were struck hard in the chest when they seemed to say it would bring him unwanted burndens if he acted on his desire to leave his life as he knew it.

He saw the warning in her eyes. "Thank you." He said, his tone betraying a hint of disappointment. He stood, and paid. And with that he left the tent. Catching Mysti's beautiful hazel green eyes once more. She saw the confliction in his own eyes as he started to walk home.