Hermit

That's two the Supreme Court have gotten right recently imo. Makes me think they're trying to do a 'see, we're not biased or corrupt at all' PR drive, but that's probably the cynic in me

The water pooling in the basement bathroom is from a flaw in the Washing machine. Ah, who needs clean clothes anyway

Never rains but it pours. Household has had car trouble, a desktop computer die (Not mine but it sucks), and early this morning I had it confirmed the lower bathroom has water pooling from I know not where into the floor. All in the same week.

Unfortunately, part of my moderator duty is to do work that some might consider tone policing, so forgive me when I inform the posters here.... Well done, gang! You're keeping it pretty civil with each other, you aren't attacking other posters even when you disagree with them, and you express understandable fury against some truly unjust situations without projecting it on other members of the community. Which is more mature than I see in 95% of all internet debates. Thank you. You're being class acts.

Captain's Log, 12 AC, Day 21 Well, our quest for the Holy Grail was a bust. Honestly, it's just as well. Half the crew doesn't get or appreciate my Monty Python quotes. That said, I stumbled onto something else after nearly being killed. Not only did it heal my injuries, it seems to have cured that cold I was getting. So I took a barrel of the stuff and brought it on board! Egg just goes bug eyed every time he sees it. He and Russel talked, and Russel says to me "Welcome to the club." I need to research more Chinese mythology. I think this water is bigger than I thought. Option: Moon Rabbit Elixir of Life

I think this is what i've got so far and I'm behind one Player: Hermit Title: The Ship: Skidbladnir The Captain: Benjamin Franklin Gates (National Treasure) The Number One: Connor MacLeod (Highlander) The Grizzled Veteran: Egg Shen (Big Trouble in Little China) The Rookie: Neville Longbottom (From the Harry Potter Novels) The Lower-Decker: Janine Meinitz (Ghostbusters) The Misfit: Leeloo (The Fifth Element) The Cargo: Dagda's Cauldron, a/k/a The Cauldron of Plenty Option 1: David Xanatos (Gargoyles TV series) (Villain behind the scenes) Option 2: Percy Jackson (From the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief novel) (Yet another Rookie) Option 3: Sibylline Books of Prophecy (Roman Mythology) Option 4: Option 5: Option 6: Option 7:

The two boys were in their barely teens at best, and it showed. No matter how they pumped their legs, the brutal men howling for their blood were gaining on them! "We're going to die" Said the shorter round faced boy, his accent denoting him of United Kingdom origin. "Not if we make it to the water" Said his more fit companion in an accent that of a New Yorker, "You ready?" The round faced boy nodded, and hoped this work, even as he put a bit of plant matter in his mouth. Already he could feel the changes taking root. Gills were forming, "Ready!" he said, sounding anything but. "NOW!" Said the bolder boy, partaking of no weed. He wouldn't need it. The two boys leaped off the docks, into the water! One of them plunging in, now with gills and webbed feet and toes allowing him to make a get away. The other boy did not plunge so much as surf along the liquid under his own innate power. Good thing, as the latter really didn't want to get their prize wet, and while it was covered up, immersion might be a bit much! Behind them, the men cursed as they gave up pursuit. On the ship the two teens called home, Captain Gates saw this, and ordered the vessel to pick them up, "Those kids are going to be the death of me." Then he yelled out "Neville, Percy! I told you two to stay on the ship... we have to find the books..." "But Captain, we got em!" Percy yelled as he closed. Neville bobbed up and grinned triumphantly "We found the missing books of Sibyline!" Rookie Pick: Neville Longbottom (From the Harry Potter Novels) Option Pick: Percy Jackson (From the novel Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief) Option: Sibylline Books (Prophecies to Guide Rome... might be handy)

Why does your ship need all those levers anyway?

It was an odd thing being aristocracy by default. So many millionaires , even billionaires, had lost their fortunes overnight twelve years ago. Stocks crumbling, digital assets gone, and technological investments awash. Printed money was increasingly refused by some. The castle had been a part of another plan. A quirky one to be sure, with great payoff. When technology died, however, it became something else, a sign of nobility in older form. David was amused by it. Of course, the gold bars and gemstones he'd kept had proven to be useful as well. Now, he was , for all intents and purposes, an aristocrat in a newly re-fuedalising world. Not that he was stupid enough to call himself Baron or anything; not yet. Rather he bought loyalty, portrayed rivals as tyrant want a bes, who only he could stop. Wealth he had, but it was nothing compared to the power he once held in a world of technology. He needed a substitute avenue. And, fortunately, he'd always been open minded enough to find one. Magic was real. "Sir," His assistant said, "Communication is difficult, but the ship is underway. Our spy is on board the Skidbladnir as you wished. But I don't understand." David gave an indulgent smile, "What is it you don't understand? A spy onboard is good policy when you try to keep of a flying ship, don't you think?" "Oh yes sir, that's not the part I don't understand. You want to get a monopoly on magic. The ship is magic, it's invaluable. It can get you across the world. Yet you didn't seize it. You didn't take it. That's what confuses me. You even supported 'Captain' Gates endeavors. Why not just seize the ship?" "Good question," David admitted then explained, "For the same reason you don't munch on the seeds when you hope to reap a huge harvest. Gates is an eccentric. He's so idealistic as to border on being a fool. He's also the one lunatic who might be able to find the various items of myth he seeks in record time. Something it would take me years to do in person and would cost me my power base here. Now, I wait. He returns not just with the ship, but other relics of myth I can use. I already have leverage of more than one of his crew to make sure his quest is a success, but the prizes? Those will be mine." "Loss Leader policy, with magic," The assistant said impressed, "Excellent work sir. Wait, you said more than one of his crew. We only placed one spy. Who is the other? They others seemed quite warm to their captain. What could possibly make them betray him?" "Now now, that's my secret. Besides, you know me. I always try to make sure that even when it looks like I'm losing, I'm getting something out of it. As for why my fallback would betray him? I always said 'Pay a man enough, he'll walk barefoot through hell'. Imagine what someone will do if you pay them in hope?" "You never cease to surprise me, Mr. Xanatos" His assistant said. "Good, if you can't figure me out, let's hope Captain Gates is even more clueless..." David Xanatos smiled. He didn't need to be a King to rule. A title without actual power was nothing. And Vanity, like Revenge, could be a sucker's game. Option: David Xanatos (Gargoyles TV series) Because every story needs a villain who is determined to save the world too... on his own terms, of course.

"Your secretary is mean" Russel observed. This from a guy who could carve your average dude in half. "I needed the help, she needed a job. She runs the lower decks, what do you want me to do about it?" I asked. "Put up a warning sign or something" Russel humphed "Beware of sardonic assistant?" I threw my hands up, "We're saving the world, what's left of it. We're going to have to put up with a few character quirks." Russel muttered in that mixed up accdent of his "It's like a slow beheading around her, but fine." Lower Decks Pick: Janine Melnitz (Ghostbusters)

He was on my short list for that very same position!

I don't drink coffee so this one is easy!

The big prize is the one that can hold famine at bay. It's the stuff of legends now reality. It's able to feed armies. It's enough to give a city a chance at survival until the farms can really get working. No child need have an empty belly. No man need starve so his loved ones can have his share. It's a treasure of life, whose power is benevolent, kind, and generosity personified. Naturally, there are forces out there that will kill hundreds to claim it for their own; missing the entire point. Cargo: Dagda's Cauldron aka The Cauldron of Plenty

It's like war crime bingo with Putin and his thugs.

The creepy hamlet nearby where folks stare at you with dead soulless eyes as you drive by. NT: Signs you may have accidentally sold or given YOUR soul away

Captain's Log, 12 AC Entry #3 The thing that caught me off guard about Russel was I swear he hadn't aged a day in the years since I met him last. I needed him, made my offer, and... he signed on. As an antiquities dealer he knows his stuff. Also? The guy knows how to use a sword. I can't tell you how useful that is in an age where guns no longer work. I guess he's my first mate. I remember asking him if he knew anything about celtic relics of a supernatural bent. He smirked, then shrugged, "Let's say I do." He's hiding something I think, but he'll open up in his own time. Number One: Connor MacLeod (Highlander)

Darn, Psybolt, I'm getting serious nostalgia here with your picks

Captain's Log, 12 AC Entry #6 We've picked up a stowaway which is an interesting trick for a ship you can fold and carry. Pretty young woman, vibrant hair, but none of us can understand a word she's saying. I fancy myself a decent linguist compared to most Americans, but I'm lucky to parse out a fifth of what she's saying. I've tried explaining to her what we're doing is dangerous, she nods, smiles, and then follows anyway. At times it's a bit tricky to convince her to stop changing her clothes in public... good for morale, but really distracting. Still, she tries to be helpful with odd jobs and the like so for now, she's welcome to tag along. I just hope she doesn't get hurt. Misfit: Leeloo (From the Fifth Element)

I'm seeing picks for engineers, and they're good picks... but are they rookies, Grizzled Veterans, number ones?

"So you've sailed before?" "I've traveled the worlds, Captain Gates" the old asian man smiled, "By boat, train, bus and tunnel..." The fellow seemed amiable but Benjamin was sure he was mishearing somethings as the elderly man rambled, "I see learning as a salad bar. Gain the knowledge you want, leave the rest." Ben pondered, "How do you feel about the loss of technology? I mean, we're both old enough to remember what it was like before." "Like most folks, I miss a lot of things, but I think it affected me less than others. I'm used to doing without when I have to" The old man from China town shrugged. Self Sufficient, sounded good, the Captain thought. Then nodded, "Sir, what I have to tell you may surprise you. The ship we'll be using is ...well, you've heard the rumors that magic is returning?" At that, the old man smirked "I heard the rumors, yes." "But do you believe them? Because the ship we'll be using...well, it's called Skíðblaðnir, it's..." "The Norse Ship of legend, crafted by Dwarves for the gods. Flown by Frey and Odin depending on the stories, which means probably both at one time or another. You have it on you? I hear it folds in your pocket," The fellow's eyes lit up "Norse mythology isn't my strong point, but you never know who you're going to run into." Gates was surprised, "So, you believe me when I say Magic has returned?" "No, Captain," The older man laughed, "I don't believe Magic has returned. You see... it never left. It's just a bit more lively now." Well, he's knowledgeable, knows his way on a boat, and doesn't think I'm crazy "You're hired, Mister Shen," He offered his hand "Welcome aboard." Mr. Shen took the hand and said "Please, call me Egg." The Grizzled Veteran: Egg Shen (From Big Trouble in Little China)

It was barely a concept!!!

Ah, but you have heard of him!

"Why am I the captain? It's my ship. I found it fair and square. Now, let's go steal the relics of mythology" Captain Pick: Benjamin Franklin Gates (From National Treasure)

Captain's Log, 12th year after the Collapse (or A.C. as some are calling it) There was a time I would written this log not on paper, but in pixels. Now, there are children who don't even understand what a Pixel is, or was. How could they, when twelve years ago, seemingly without warning, technology at the level of the industrial age just stopped working. No, this is on paper, with ink and handwritten. What a kick in the pants this is, isn't it? I remember when a computer printer was the most hated device in 9 out of 10 offices. Now, I'd give almost anything to have even a fussy one because it would mean we had electricity again, and so much more. We took a lot of our technology for granted. It wasn't perfect, but it could be a great shield against pestilence and famine as we've learned when hospitals went dark, and crops are now tended by hand again. The laws of physics and chemistry seem purposely altered just to reverse centuries of progress. But I have proof that out with the new, there's a return of the old. Where history is undone, mythology is arising. In short, Magic has returned. I ought to know. I've got a doozy of a ship, and with it ,and the right crew? I'm going to find the other mythological items out there and put them to use for all of humanity. I just hope the previous owner doesn't return as well. He might be mad I've got his ride. Ship: Skidbladnir (Finest Ship in Norse Mythology)

AH, thank you! I did not know this. Excellent