Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Session Ninety-Three: The Mountain Trek

The group walked and walked and walked up the mountain. Yusef complained about all the walking, but everyone ignored him. They noticed that the day didn't seem as hot, as any other day they had ever experienced, and were thankful for that.
Kraah spotted movement among the rocks, above the group, but was surprised when two stone colored eagles flew toward him and attacked. It took a moment for the group to grab their ranged weapons, as the birds made swooping attacks at their aarakocra companion. Kraah was doing his best, but the birds were worthy foes.
The arrows Yusef was shooting were somewhat effective, but magic and psionics proved more effective against the creatures. In the end, the birds were no match for the group. One of the birds died and the other fled, badly wounded.
After Kraah used his elemental magic to heal himself, the group pressed on. They walked and walked and walked. Yusef resumed his complaining.
After a couple more hours, Fain told them that their destination lay up ahead, but he suggested they wait until morning. When asked why, Fain explained that the ruins, up ahead, were supposedly haunted and he was not keen to find out if the rumors were true.
The group agreed and found a small cave to sleep in. Samsun only fit halfway inside. So, he slept with his head and upper torso inside the cave and his legs and feet sticking out.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day.

On July 4, 1776, The United States of America was born. We have come along way and have had our ups and downs, but I believe that the United States still has a chance to be what the founders of this country envisioned. A country where people are free.

Below is the preamble of the United States Constitution and the first ten Amendments to that document, known as the Bill of Rights. These rights were not given by a government, or by any man, but by God himself and are, thus, sacred.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

II: A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

III: No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

VII: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

IX:The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

X: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.