Castle Mudcat

Subject: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:05 PM

As you come through the snowy forest, you see the mighty fortress rising over the hill. At last you have reached Castle Mudcat! You have heard tales of the court here, and of the fearsome snow legions which guard it. THe castle stands tall and proud ahead of you, its four round towers visible in the distance. The sight of the snow throwers on the battlements make you extremely glad that you are not a would-be invader. (Don't worry, Mbo, you and your army get safe passage, too.) Ceasing your admiration of the castle for the moment, you move on...the feast will begin any minute now!
The guards let down the draw bridge and allow you to cross. As you arrive at the massive wooden door, you note the legend inscribed in the stone above it: "Abandon all sanity, ye who enter here!" You open the door, and the sounds of great merriment reach your ears. Songs and stories of love, glory, honor, and the legends of old abound in Castle Mudcat's great hall. On the walls are luxurious tapestries...one of them appears to be of a man playing a possum.
At the center of the room is a great table, adorned with food of all kinds: Roasts of boar and venison, stew of bear, sallat, fresh brown bread, apple cakes, and lemonwhyt are all there for the taking, along with some nice bowls of rare sugared dates. Even the trenchers look good! For drinks, there are mulled apple cider, French wine, and good English ale. A warm fire burns in the huge fireplace behind the table.
As you prepare to sit, a young woman runs up to you: 'tis Lady Caitrin (Also known as the Snow General).
"Welcome to Castle Mudcat!" she says. "'tis my first feast that I've been mistress of, so I'm a tad nervous. Please, have a seat. Take some food and drink!".
Is everything to your liking, milords and ladies of the realm of Mudcat?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Bert
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:08 PM

Ah! A jug of ale please, Now where did I leave my Lute? Does anyone remember the words to "Gaily the troubador"?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:12 PM

M'lady Caitrin, you look most lovely in that fur-trimmed gown with wide sleeves and low (yet modest) decollatage.

Please direct me to the beef pie, or summon wench or page to bring it hither.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:12 PM

*shiver* the trouble with castles are they tend to be drafty; but this one DOES seem to be snug and cozy. I see there is a large ice rink in the next room.

But what do I hear, over the sounds of Bert's lute? Is that the cry of an IceWolf?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Llanfair
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:14 PM

Mulled cider for me, please, and can I sit close to the fire, please? the virtual snow is a reality in my own country, and I'm frozen to the bone. Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Allan C.
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:24 PM

Lady Caitrin, this is a fine feast indeed. And the ale is the best in all the land! I do hope you have received the recipe I sent you for planked pheasant. You should have gotten it by now. I sent it by chainmail.

Does anybody know the chords for "Serfer Girl?"

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:24 PM

I'll send the pages for your drinks.
Lord (I've elected to promote you all for the purposes of medieval feasting)Bron, you can certainly sit as near the fire as you'd like, though you'll have the castle cat right under your chair. (Marian thinks the warm fire and possible food droppings are the best possible combination)
Lord MMario, Castle Mudcat is remarkably well insulated, as castles go.
Thank you very much, T. *blushes*

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:27 PM

*laughter* Serfer girl and pheasant by chainmail. How very amusing, Lord Allan. :)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Llanfair
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:34 PM

No problem with the cat, and it's Lady Bronwen, I'm a girl. (well I was 40 years ago!) I'll have some roast beef, please. It is British, I hope? Yeah, leave the bone on!!! Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:36 PM

Did anyone bring any mead? If not, I'll have some of the the mulled cider. I wonder - if this castle's on the internet, does that make the pages...er, never mind.

I don't know about anyone else, but I plan to check out those faerie mounds out back a little later and see if I can't get an inter-realm jam session going. I hear they're big on Carolan, and I know a few of his tunes...

Subject: Empire building
From: Philippa
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:38 PM

You're not content with a cafe, a tavern and a barn; you have to have a castle

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Bert
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:43 PM

Ah well you see, the CASTLE is built on a Ley Line so it's full of pent up energy.

So now that you're here, turn that spit a little and get that sucking pig cooked a bit more on the other side. And that barrel over in the corner is full of brandy, take a mug and help yourself.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:48 PM

Though I do thank m'lady for the attempted promotion, an english peasant I was borne and an english peasant I shall die. (Besides, everyone knows the lower classes have more fun. AND I get to snitch from the platters while the food is still warm.....) Besides,if I were a lord, I couldn't go hug 'n wrastle that great beastie of an Irish wolfhound o'er there by the fireplace and get him to howl along to "The wolfhound" , now could I? By the by, cook said to tell you he singe'd the swan, an' 'e wants ter know if paycock will suffice?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Allan C.
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:48 PM

Yep. And someday we are likely to have an inn, a pub, ye publick house, a beergarden, bar and grill, surfside eatery, wine cellar and anything else one could possibly imagine! Why not? ( That's a rhetorical question, BTW)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:51 PM

we already had an oyster-bar....oops! sorry, didn't mean to spill that jellied sturgeon on the cat....but she doesn't really seem to mind it too much....

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 06:00 PM

Ahhh...the warmth from the hearth heateth the very marrow in mine bones. Grammercy, Lady Caitrin, by your gracious leave, I seek rest in reasonable comfort for myself and my merry Mudcatters. My pipers are blowing steam from their drones! Ahhh..food, wine, and "the tables groaned under the merriment upon them" (one of my favorite quotes by Sir Watty Scott)--right heartening fare. I'll not toach the absynthe nor sack tonight--but a cup of hot chocolate would please me truly. My, how the wind howls tonight; I am forced by necessity to don a treble layer of kilts, for the road was hard, and mine moustaches and goatee are lined with rime. Verily, the Sidhe we passed emanated music of which I hath rarely given ear to. I've brought my medieval and renaissance guitar tunes with me, safely entombed in my sporran! Oh! And here be my Imperial guitar carrier! Now, beloved Dauphin, wilt thou please the folk with tender tune upon thy sweet strings? Now how wouldst thou like a pavane with thy sup?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: skarpi
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 06:07 PM

I think I am goming through the woods, ah there it is, Góðan daginn ég er frá Íslandi og er Víkingur. Get ég fengið einn öllara.

This is Icelandic, Skarpi.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 07:56 PM

Ah, excellent pie and ale! Here, lad, lead me to the musicians' gallery....

Nice narrow spiral staircase...My lady Caitlin has put away the rushlights and provided beeswax candles tonight, how delightful...here we are...good view of the hall, but too far away to play anything on single soft instruments. I suppose I should go back down...what's that ? follow you over here ? Well! my lady Caitlin has thoughtfully had a suite of tuning-and-practice rooms built off the musicians' gallery. And there are the back stairs down to the kitchen and hall. I can tune up here before I return to the merriment. Here's a copper for you, lad...what? My lady provides you with bed, board, livery, and a wage and bonuses besides ? so it would offend her if you were to take tips from guests. My lady Caitlin is a wise chatelaine, most cunning of huswifery. I'll be sure to commend you to her.

Now, let's unwrap the old hurdy-gurdy, gittern, and scheitholt, and start warming up...

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mían
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 07:57 PM

my lady caitrín, we bring in our wagon for you and guests: casks of honey mead, barrels of heather ale and great wheels of white and yellow cheese. where be the harper and storyteller?

mían

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 08:09 PM

The players are here! The players are here! Buzz, buzz. Who would here of the exciting tale of the Finn Mac Cumhal and the seven small men?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 08:36 PM

Mian, how lovely! We at Castle Mudcat are most appreciative!
Nice job with the Hamlet, Mbo. Did you get my Divine Comedy reference in the description? But do tell us your story. When you finish, I'll relate the tale of Castle Mudcat's ghost. (You didn't know there's a ghost? Of course there's a ghost! Every self-respecting castle must have a ghost!)
My dear MMario, I will respect your decision to remain a peasant. It certainly has its advantages. :) And Marian will be most appreciative of any fishy items you wish to bestow upon her. Of course, be prepared to accept her appreciation in the form of the corpses of castle mice.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 08:53 PM

Me and my sister have Hamlet practically memorized, and often make esoteric references to it in public (when setting up the miniature picket fence around our Christmas tree, I said "My fence is rank, and stinks to the heavens...). On with the storytelling! And for this relief much thanks--as for the ghost of Castle Mudcat--HA HA OLD MOLE! Thou art a scholar, Caitrin, speak to it! 'Tis there! 'Tis there! 'Tis gone. Mmm, I'm getting nice and warm! I only wish the ice on this too too sullied flesh would melt. SWEAR!!!!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:05 PM

There are more things on heaven and earth, Mbo, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. :)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: alison
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:21 PM

Great...... I could do with somewhere drafty... it's damn hot today....... (alison glides across the floor in her long green silk dress, and goes to dance barefoot in the snow).......

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: IceWolf
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:21 PM

::Awwwwooooooo::

The sonorous howl of the IceWolf reverberates through to the very bones of the ancient castle. The great beast trots into the dining hall and sits down watching the fire, until the hoar-frost melts off his gaunt grey frame.

"Merry Meet! Did someone say something about suckling pig?"

--IceWolf

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:33 PM

Wormwood, wormwood. Darn, I don't have the book for reading Finn Mac Cumhal and the seven small men...but I do have the adventure of the Gruff Gillie, a tale which would harrow up thy soul--Let's see: One day the Fianna were sitting around AS USUAL, when they saw a strange man, with a chest as wide as a door, and a pair of big, hairy knees appeared under his tunic; he was widemouthed and gap toothed and his head was as shaggy as a wolf's fell...Big Mick, where are you? I need your help in telling this one!

--Mbo (a fishmonger)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:34 PM

Welcome, IceWolf. You're welcome to all the pig you can eat. Would someone with hands prepare a plate for our canine friend? (No sense in dragging the pig across my clean rushes.)
Lovely dress, alison! And this is a truly nice place to dance in the snow. Just make sure you get some hot cider when you come back in. :)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:35 PM

Fishmonger? Not I, sir!

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:39 PM

I wish you were so honest a man!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Caitrin
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 09:52 PM

*smiles* We'd better stop before we get all the way through Act III.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 10:04 PM

Nymph in thy orisons, I could continue all night! Where was I? Oh yes...and the man had a bony old horse...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Susan A-R
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 10:38 PM

Ah, Thank thee Lady Caitrim for such a fine feast. And what an unusual subtlty, in the shape of a potato, I believe? And the possum done in sugar is most marsupial. Now where didst say the ale and the musicians were? I am for dancing a galliard. No gown for me. I've chosen men's attire, doublet and hose for me.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: IceWolf
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 11:04 PM

Warmed within and without by hot suckling pig and a fire, the great grey wolf addresses the company:

"Hear now the story of the Wolf King and the Truce of the Iron Hills!

When the nights are long and the winds blow cold with the first of the winter snow The wolves come down through the Iron Hills as they have since long ago, For they'd sworn a truce with the valley folk who held their farms below.

At the head of the pack was the old Wolf King, and a gaunt grey wolf was he - Long of fang and thick of coat, with a bright and gleaming e'e, And he led the pack through the Iron Hills and they came down three by three..."

--IceWolf

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 11:17 PM

The great oaken door flies open and a huge man in a great brat strides across the floor towards the fire. As he takes of the great cape, the light from the fire reflects off the golden hair and the great torc on his neck.......Is it the shade of Finn himself......no, FAIR ONE, it is Big Mick, Slayer of wolves, come to rescue you from the slavering hordes of blaggards that would have their way with you............."What must a warrior of the family of a Noble Chieftain do to get a proper of the vile, black stuff" the giant roars........"And who is the layabout in the blue tights, with the Red L on his..........Oh, never mind, it is lagerphone boy............Come, FAIR ONE, let me show you the wonders of pine boughs in a shaded vale, in the snow.............

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: alison
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 11:20 PM

Lead on mighty lord.......... (nice torc BTW.... *grin*)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 11:58 PM

It's nice and quiet up here in the practice suite off the musicians' gallery. What's this? Someone is coming through my wall. Has my lady Caitrin installed secret passages ? No, wait: my visitor is translucent. It must be one of the castle ghosts. It looks to be the revenant of an acrobat or tumbler lass. It's hard to get a clear look, but she seems to be "wearing" (in her ghostly fashion) a short belted tunic and hose. What's that, lass ? I can barely make out your words in my mind if I concentrate. So, you're not one of the regular castle ghosts, just dropped in for the evening. Well, yes: merrymaking mudcatters are noisy enough to wake the dead...

I'm taking my gittern and going back down to the hall. Float along if you like. Should I introduce you to others ? Will they even be able to see you ?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Roger ye skiffler
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 04:16 AM

My lords and ladies, might a poor fool crave the warmth of the fire (or at least share the kennel with the wolfhound?)?. I have a cunning plan to entertain the company with a kazoo made from an amusingly deformed turnip I found in the Neil Young Cave for ye terminally foolish.
Shall I start with "San Tintagel Bay Blues" of "Sweet Home Camelot" or "Dust my besom"? RyS

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Ian Stephenson
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 05:48 AM

Ouch...my chainmail vest really chafes since I had it polished...
..a minuet, anyone....

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Larry B.
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 08:01 AM

Certainly, Ian, take all the time you want. I'm a little late in joining the pun, so I'll just step over here and thaw out. Ah! Thank 'ee lass, that coffee is just what I need.

Larry B.

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Skipjack
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 08:23 AM

Coffee, Sire? 'Twas ground acorn and moat water!

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 08:36 AM

Where else buy the mudcat could you get a medieval feast, singing, ghosts, a story-telling wolf, and such braw company? Though the wolf has the looks of a kyree about him to me.....

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Roger ye skiffler
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 08:38 AM

Tis right kind of ye to let me share the dogkennel. I know ye were worried about the smell but the dog sayeth he doesn't mind. For your generosity I'll play the utriculus, for which I'll need a whole sheep's head. Leave the eyes in it must seeth us through the evening. Nay, forebeareth from pelting me with bones, unless they still have meat on them.
Verily, I have emptied larger keeps than this
My dressing room is liken unto a garderobe. What? It isthe garderobe? I wondered why everyone pisseth in my tankard
I've a million of 'em my leige lord
Don't clap too loud, it's a very old castle
Exit pursued by bear, dogs, falcons, villeins, guards and lackeys. RyS

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:00 AM

My liege lord, and most excellent good friend, Micheal Mhor! How art thou! It is I, Chief Mbo, of the Clan Buidhe Theamhdaigh, and here is my noble host, which are taking their repose by the generous leave of our good Lady Caitrin! I was just telling the story of the Gruff Gillie (and trying hard not to saw the air with my hands thusly) and could use your help in telling the tale. You probably know it more to thy heart than I. Pray, let us look to it, then!

--Mbo (did someone call for the King of Denmark's Galliard?)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:10 AM

Greetings, Lords and Ladies! I bring kegs of ale to tickle the palate and fill the belly! Fill your tankards and raise a toast to our hostess, the Lady Caitrin. After I've thawed out a bit, I'll go up to the battlements to check the view.

Lady Bronwyn, may I join you and Marian by the fire?

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:17 AM

Ahh...the battlements, but beware, 'tis cold, and it is the very hour at which the GHOST is wont to appear! But I'd ask the Lady about the ghost, for their are more tales to tell here than mine own...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: IceWolf
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:33 AM

The great grey wolf's ears flatten and hackles raise as he directs a glare at MMario.

"A 'kyree'? I protest, sirrah! I am no wizard's pet gone amuck in the Pelagir Hills! I have no retractable claws, and I can run down the wind. I am a wolf of the frozen north, born and bred in the Iron Hills. I have fought the isbjorn and won, and wear warrior's scars by right!

Nay, let us ha'e done with insult, and drink this night away in good company instead."

Suiting action to word, the IceWolf drains a tankard of ale in one long swallow. And if you think that's easy, try doing it with no hands!

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:40 AM

I do beg pardon, great wolf! But I have been quaffing for some time, and was drunk to start with. My mistake. (and mayhaps THOU can live aft calling a kyree a wizard's pet, but I mislykes my chances should I e're do so...)

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 09:59 AM

As I remember, the Pelargir is the Mouth of the Anduin--a river delta region, with no hills. As for the Iron Hills, I only know of Dain's dwarf folk that reside there. But if you be the one of the great white wolves that crossed the frozen Baranduin River during the Fell Winter, and raised havoc in the Shire, please, Brother Wolf, take pity on a poor cold clan Chief, for I have ne'er harmed one of thy brethren!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: Mbo
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:10 AM

Anyone mind if I refinish my targe? But lo! Wherefor art the Lady Limerick? Methinks her company would do right well!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Castle Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 10:15 AM

Mbo - we are at the crossroads of worlds here....indeed the kyree inhabit the Pelagir Hills, in at least one world...