[CR!NEX] Crossroad - Now Open For Business!

[Lord Magtok]

Hello, and welcome to The Crossroad! Firstly, some questions and answers! If you already read that one OOC post, skip this. Nothing new here, just start posting. Pick a biome, be it one that Rebo mentioned in OOC, or some other sort of setting of your own choosing (so long as it fits the setting, of course). Dump a hapless PC into place and hope someone else joins you in that locale, or you're in for a lot of lame, boring solo RP. :smallyuk:

What is The Crossroad, anyways?

Crossroad is a FFRP universe which is heavily influenced (read: alternate version of the universe of) the Nexus, except different in some ways. You have a GLoG? Well, we have an empty field over there. Nexus has the City of Inside? Well, we have the breeding grounds of the vicious three-eyed mammoths. All of that backstory and history and buildings? Your cliques and societies and NPCs? All gone. All you have is yourself and your other PCs. This isn't where Modern Day Dipsnig would be dumped, but an unfortunate Classic Dipsnig, or maybe a slightly modified concept of Dipsnig, with none of his memories, equipment, and baggage from the Nexus.

Okay, but how is it different from, say, the Town or ACRONYM?

It differs in several important ways.
First, it is a lot nicer that the Town and ACRONYM. It's certainly not the mutated, malformed, abandoned twin of the Nexus you love so much, and I don't know why people keep saying such things. Crossroad has beautiful untamed forest groves, magnificent plains, wondrous deserts, and beautiful fauna that absolutely isn't watching us as we speak, waiting in the shadow. It does not have, say, cyborgs or sniper kittys. But it will, soon. Whether they like it or not.

Second, the Crossroad setting will be a lot smaller. In fact, it's going to be confined to just this thread here. There will be all sorts of good, bad, and ugly individuals, but they won't be allowed to start with much more than a weapon or two and the clothes on their back. Survival themes means lower power levels, meaning you won't be seeing any gods or supermen, not for a while. The Crossroad might expand later, but the plan is to keep it small, weak, and concise to start with. A Magtok without his detailed backstory or labyrinthine MagCave, a Prince Vyrn without his subjects, a Reinholdt who never tried to end the world (but he might be justified, attempting it here). Everyone's encouraged to loosen their ties and relax their belts, because this is fresh territory. It doesn't matter what gets broken here, the Crossroad is a wasteland anyways. Oh, and ignore the valcano with the dysfunctional killer robots patrolling its halls. That doesn't exist; there certainly aren't any ancient, forgotten civilizations suspiciously similar to Nexus figures around. Legends of a lakeside tribe that had similar steel men serving them cakes every day is similar rubbish, and not worth paying any attention to. Seriously, just stay away. Those places are even deadlier than the forest creatures.

Third, the Crossroad is NOT in any way connected to the Nexus, just like Nexus High isn't. You cannot have a character travel between the two. Or well, you could, but it wouldn't be in keeping with the spirit of this, and I'd frown and be very cross with you. This is an ugly, wild, deadly reboot world, it's not ready for crossovers yet. Think Ultimate Marvel's reboot of that comics 'verse, with a little Don't Starve sprinkled on top.

How do I start?

Well, you want to post a character in this thread, and hope he or she isn't eaten by abominations (http://img.4plebs.org/boards/tg/image/1374/74/1374744083017.jpg) beyond (http://img.4plebs.org/boards/tg/image/1374/00/1374001945974.jpg) mortal (http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/735721-bigthumbnail.jpg) comprehension (http://killallmonsters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/turtle.jpg). Seriously, you're better off steering clear these things, stop rushing in after them. Better men than you have died trying to kill that turtle.

Also, as a sidenote, obviously I don't have time to roleplay every monster out there, so I'll outsource them now and then. The point isn't to go monster-hunting though, it's to avoid the things for now, to form new cliques and identities and lives to struggle through it all. To plant the seeds of civilization in this harsh, barren multiversal crossroad you've all been sucked into. Will you champion morality and justice, or survival at all costs? Cooperate with your fellow victims of this capricious world, or improve your station by making their lives all the more dreadful for having you around?

There are rules, right?

Yes, there are. Go ahead and look at the Nexus's. Same thing, aside from the guidelines and theme stuff I've already suggested. Also, I get final say and veto power over everything, though I don't expect I'll be using that anytime in the near future unless someone's doing something dangerously lame and unfun. Now get moving. You cut your arm on a branch when you were forcibly portal'd in. It's getting dark soon, and the smell of your blood is in the air. Find someone you can trust, or you might not make it to morning.

[Arkhosia]

A meadow

A flash of light, and then Invidia appears!
The young orange-haired drow looks around disoriented, a sword hanging from her side. She wears black armor.
She shields her eyes from the morning sun.
Vel'kar Iltun Ussan?
Where am I?

[Tris]

A forest near the meadow

At the same moment that Tanar was sent into the Nexus, a third copy of him was created in the Crossroad.

"Wha...?" says the half-elf when his surroundings change so suddenly.
He grips his staff as he and his cat, Lena, look around at the trees around them.
"Hello?" he shouts.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

The last thing Jezekiel could recall was taking a pleasant walk on a brisk late autumn day. The sun was shining bright in the cloudless sky, Canada geese were beginning their flights to various feeding grounds on either side of the city, and all trees were all simply exploding in a riot of brilliant fall colors.

Zee was enjoying a truly wonderful day.

Her day was ruined when she was hit by a truck.

The next thing she could recall was the sensation of sitting on something soft, darkness, and an odd feeling of floating.

Then there was a voice.

It was a suave, civilized sort of voice. Though with a rather nasty, smarmy sort of undercurrent to it. It was the sort of voice one uses when talking down to someone else. And it carried just a hint of smug self-satisfaction. The kind of smug self-satisfaction typically marked by someone who knows something you don't.

"Hey there, lady," the Voice said. "You don't look so good. You had better find something to eat before it gets dark."

Feeling came rushing back suddenly and Zee gave a groan whilst she sat upright. Bright light assaulted her eyes and she shielded them with a hand. She squinted, blinked, and tried her best to peer through the fuzz in her vision.

It became clear almost instantly that she wasn't in Kansas anymore.

For one, she had last been in the middle of a city. Now? Now she was surrounded on all sides by islands of tall grass divided by innumerable channels cut into them by equally innumerable streams. Insects droned thick in the air and she idly waved one hand to ward them away. The channeled marsh stretched away into the distance, though she could also make out a forest looming some ways away and mountains further beyond.

The second thing Zee noticed was the fact that she was sitting in a plush red leather recliner chair. It was soft, comfortable, and clanked upright when she pulled the little handle on the side.

For the life of her Zee couldn't imagine where it might have come from.

Or where she was now.

"Hello?" she called out to no one, hoping that the man she had heard earlier might still be around. "Is anyone there?"

None save for the buzz of insects and a lone frog replied.

With a huff Zee climbed out of the chair and moved toward one of the nearby streams. A rather large and rather... unusual... looking crab spotted her and skittered away into hole in the bank. Maybe not a crab... Maybe more like a lobster with spindly spider legs and a face full of tentacles. Zee was pretty sure that such a creature didn't (or shouldn't) exist.

Zee pulled out her cell phone and quickly discovered that she couldn't get a signal. She have a defeated sigh. "I don't know what I was expecting."

[Aric Kale]

Meadows

A burst of white flames appears nearby the drow and out flies a certain, blue-haired individual, currently wreathed in white fire. He has time for a single shout before... Ooooooh S***! He crashes! Thatcher faceplants into the ground, standing swiftly, if a little bit shaky. The flames clinging to his white, cotton clothing dissipate, and Thatcher wipes some dirt from his face. His only equipment is a longsword, and from the way his hand rests on the pommel, he seems to be comfortable with the weapon. Hello there miss! Any idea where we are? He asks, realising he's not alone...
Oddly enough, he can't seem to remember where he was before flamey-portal-stuff happened. Weird.

[Arkhosia]

Meadows

Soon after, a burst of white flames appears nearby the drow and out flies a certain, blue-haired individual, currently wreathed in white fire. Ooooooh S***! Crash! He faceplants into the ground, quickly righting himself. The flames clinging to his white, cotton clothing dissipates, and Thatcher wipes some dirt from his face. His only equipment is a longsword, and from the way his hand rests on the pommel, he seems to be comfortable with the weapon. Hello there miss! Any idea where we are? He asks, realising he's not alone...

The drow looks confused, as if she doesn't understand him...
Usstan xuat kampi'un xanalress
I don't understand that language.

[Hattish Thing]

Outside the Caves Biome

Darth Calamity lands on the ground, clad in nothing but his dark grey coat, pants, shirt, belt, and cloak. He's missing his armor, and he has two weapons at his belt. Pata's. Two large gauntlet's with short swords sticking out of it. Those were backup weapons. You never knew what was going to happen.

The last he remembered, he was battling the Jedi Garn Kubo somewhere on Mustafar. He's hot and sweaty, and his shirt clings to his finely toned body. He has two lightsabers in his hands. Broken lightsabers. He remembered Garn slashing at the hilts of his blades, then they both used the force...which must have teleported him here. Sure enough, the sabers are busted, but his hands remained unscathed save for some light burn marks.

He grips the broken lightsabers and frowns. Those meant a lot to the Sith Lord. Trucido quickly places the blades at his belt, and pulls out the Pata's, looking about. It'd best to be armed in such a new place. Never know what could happen... He was standing in the grass, looking about. There was a large cave system. Huh. He uses the force to sense for any nearby life. What... is this...

[Beans]

[Forest Clearing]
Carrie remembers little of what happened today before she woke up wherever the hell this is.
She can make conclusions based on prior memories, though---she was probably doing her usual thing, the thing where she's a homeless girl that even the other beggars won't hang out with. Having... those hands will do that.

When she sits up at the base of the gnarled and yet lithe-looking tree she doesn't recognize at all (in a place she also doesn't recognize), she decides to take stock of her situation. Clothes? Her undergarments, t-shirt, cargo pants, boots, and jacket. Oh, and the strips of canvas wrapped around her horrible, hateful hands, which are already blackening the grass where her uncovered fingertips touches it.
On one hand, she's not hurt, and she's not exactly any more homeless now than before.
On the other hand, oh gods where is she what's going on what's happening this is terrifying.

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

Quick steps fall softly on the dense underbrush of the wild and ancient forest. Breath rises in clouds of mist in the cold air. Two figures race through the trees, one just beyond reach of the other.

The first was a woman, short and with a slim build. She looked nearly Elvish, but her rounded ears showing beneath her short, auburn hair proved her heritage as human. She wore simple, supple leather in shades of grey and brown. A recurved shortbow was slung over her shoulder beside a quiver full of arrows fletched with deep green feathers. An elegent rapier bounced at her hip as she ran.

Only a few strides behind her was a male drow, dressed in black leather and darkened chainmail. His skin was a dark, inky blue. His long, silver hair was bound back in braids. A pair of thin, silvered swords hung from his belt alongside a pair of complicated looking hand crossbows. Though both runners were swift, he was slowly gaining on his quarry.


Carrie might be able to hear them approaching. Whether they will stop or notice her is another question.

[Aric Kale]

Meadow

Thatcher strokes his beard, thoroughly confused. Miss, you sound like you've bumped your head harder than I did. He doesn't sound rude, or at least, he's not trying to sound rude. Who knows how the drow will take it. Anyways, Thatcher looks for anything that could be used as food, shelter, or resources in general, while still keeping an eye on the drow.

[Arkhosia]

Meadow

Thatcher strokes his beard, thoroughly confused. Miss, you sound like you've bumped your head harder than I did. He doesn't sound rude, or at least, he's not trying to sound rude. Who knows how the drow will take it. Anyways, Thatcher looks for anything that could be used as food, shelter, or resources in general, while still keeping an eye on the drow.

Invidia still seems confused by his words. She sits down and snaps her fingers. A black shadow with a snake tail and a cheerful grin appears.
Buddy, do you know if there is anything I can use to make shelter?
Yes I do! You can cut down those pole thingys and use them to build stuff if you chop them up!
Thanks.
She dismisses Buddy and goes to
Forest Edge
And attempts to chop down a small tree... With her longsword.

Forest
A flash of light, and Xenna appears!
She is wearing a loose silk robe, steel gauntlets, steel boots, and a steel chestplate. A longsword hangs by her side, as well as a whip.
Suddenly, elf! Xenna acts fast, and attempts to ensnare the elf's feet with the whip and pull her to her.

[Beans]

[Forest]

Quick steps fall softly on the dense underbrush of the wild and ancient forest. Breath rises in clouds of mist in the cold air. Two figures race through the trees, one just beyond reach of the other.

The first was a woman, short and with a slim build. She looked nearly Elvish, but her rounded ears showing beneath her short, auburn hair proved her heritage as human. She wore simple, supple leather in shades of grey and brown. A recurved shortbow was slung over her shoulder beside a quiver full of arrows fletched with deep green feathers. An elegent rapier bounced at her hip as she ran.

Only a few strides behind her was a male drow, dressed in black leather and darkened chainmail. His skin was a dark, inky blue. His long, silver hair was bound back in braids. A pair of thin, silvered swords hung from his belt alongside a pair of complicated looking hand crossbows. Though both runners were swift, he was slowly gaining on his quarry.


Carrie might be able to hear them approaching. Whether they will stop or notice her is another question.

Carrie doesn't yet make a move, huddling in her shaggy black wings and listening. It sounds like people, but she's not sure. Either way, she doesn't know if she wants to deal with anything, person or not, right now...

But people could help her!
Yeah, 'cause they sure helped her a lot back where she'd been before. Why would they help some weird girl with wings and death hands?

So she stays still and quiet and watches and listens.

[Aric Kale]

Meadow

Oh, I forgot to mention, the name's Tha-what is that? Suddenly, Demon! Now, Thatcher hasn't ever seen a demon, as far as he knows, but whatever this thing is, it can't be friendly. He extends his right hand, fire appearing on each of his finger tips and glowing intensely bright white. The pyromancer takes a few steps backwards, holding onto his wrist with his left hand. Step back miss! there's a monster! Then he seems to realize that there's some sort of odd connection between the creature and the darkly-tinted woman. The flames on his hand disappear and his hand falls to his empty stomach. Food would he nice, but shelter will work to. He joins the drow in her endeavors and between them, a small tree may be felled soon enough.

[Arkhosia]

Meadow

Oh, I forgot to mention, the name's Tha-what is that? Suddenly, Demon! Now, Thatcher hasn't ever seen a demon, as far as he knows, but whatever this thing is, it can't be friendly. He extends his right hand, fire appearing on each of his finger tips and glowing intensely bright white. The pyromancer takes a few steps backwards, holding onto his wrist with his left hand. Step back miss! there's a monster! Then he seems to realize that there's some sort of odd connection between the creature and the darkly-tinted woman. The flames on his hand disappear and his hand falls to his empty stomach. Food would he nice, but shelter will work to. He joins the drow in her endeavors and between them, a small tree may be felled soon enough.

After the tree is felled, Invidia turns to Thatcher.
She points to herself. Invidia Val'Sarghess.

[Rebonack]

[Marshland]

Zee decided to review what she knew.

One, she had been hit by a truck. Of that she was almost completely certain.

Two, she didn't appear to be dead. Or at least she was pretty sure she wasn't dead. She still kind of hurt, had a pounding head ache, and could feel her heart racing in her chest due to fear. Not fear of immediate danger, mind. This was more of the 'I have no idea what's going on' sort of fear.

"Definitely not dead... But if I am this is a really lousy after-life."

Three, she was... somewhere.

Yep.

Totally somewhere.

With a frown Zee shut off her phone if only to save its batteries. It wasn't as if she would be making calls any time soon.

"Find something to eat before it gets dark..." she muttered. But what could she find to eat out here? Cattail roots? Zee had a vague recollection that cat-tail roots were edible. And there was an abundance of cattails. And those weird lobster-spiders. But every time she got close they would dive into their burrows.

"Cattails it is..."

It took some time to dig them out with her hands, but thankfully the muck they were growing in was soft. Zee used her multi-tool to saw off the edible looking parts and stuffed them into her backpack. Originally she had been planning on buying a bunch of stuff from the farmer's market, but that tractor trailer had other plans. For good measure Zee collected some of the upper portions of the plants as well. They look like they could be flammable.

She washed all the mud off one of the smaller, more tender looking root sprouts Zee popped it in her mouth and-!

"Huh. Tastes kind of like celery."

Hazah! Zee has discovered a food-source!

"Okay, well at least I know I won't starve," she muttered. That's probably a good long-term goal. Don't starve. "So what's next... Fire? Shelter?"

Her gaze moved toward the distant forest and she noticed a rather eye-catching magnesium-white flash! Other people? Maybe? That's a pretty long ways away, though. So no time to start like the present! Zee took a running start and leaped across one of the streams to the next grassy island.

"Just a, ngh!" she grunted whilst jumping over the next impasse. "Just a nice little hike in my coma dream. That's all this is."

[Aric Kale]

Meadow

Thatcher taps his chest. Thatcher Jsut. Let's work on some shelter, Invidia. Assuming this tree isn't too massive, he'll get to work on stripping it of any branches, the. rolling it back into the field to flatten some grass. He's not exactly sure what they were going to do...make a frame for a tent? Eh? sounds like a plan. What're we building? A tent?

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

The flash of light catches the woman's attention, briefly, but she takes it to be a spell cast by her pursuer. Ducking her head she continues to run, only to be tripped up by Xenna's whip. She falls hard, crying out in pain. Realizing she's being dragged across the ground, she draws a dagger, ready to fight.


Seeing her fall, the drow quickly changes direction and slows. He stalks carefully to the edge of the clearing, hiding and watching what will happen next. He breathes a silent curse when he spots Xenna.

[5a Violista]

Swamps of Despair (:smalltongue:)

About twenty feet above a particularly nasty part of the swampland, a green swirly portal opens. As if by fate, a young-looking woman falls out of the portal. Right before she hits the disgusting water, a tree moves out of its way to block her fall and a sicking crack can be heard - and it wasn‘t the tree that cracked.

“Osjze...tzosi khusitso...“ she cries aloud. Ow. Harley Zorzo broke her leg -but, even worse, she dropped her father‘s sword and scabbard. It seems she‘s in quite a predicament: she‘s too exhausted from her earlier battle today to heal her leg through shapeshifting, she‘s waist-deep in a disgusting swamp, she has no idea where she is, no shelter or food, no friends (not that she had any of those, anyway...), and she probably lost her sword. And, to add to that, it‘s almost dark. Here in the swamp, she has probably thirty minutes before twilight.

Okay, calm down, Harley; you‘ve gotten through worse before. Just take a deep breath and prioritize: first things first.

She takes a deep breath and dives under the swamp water, feeling for her sword. No, that‘s not it. That‘s a stick. That‘s a bone. That‘s...actually, Harley, be glad you can‘t tell what that is. Trust me when I say you don‘t want to know. Another breath of air and the removal of twelve leeches. Okay, try again...you‘ve got it!

Harley holds tightly onto her sword and scabbard as she shivers. That was horrible. Before moving around, Harley sits against a tree. She tears off one of her sleeves and uses it in conjunction with her scabbard to splint her broken leg.

In pain, Harley begins wading through the swamp, sword in hand, looking for something - anything - and hoping what she finds is anything but a faery.

[Arkhosia]

Meadow

Thatcher taps his chest. Thatcher Jsut. Let's work on some shelter, Invidia. Assuming this tree isn't too massive, he'll get to work on stripping it of any branches, the. rolling it back into the field to flatten some grass. He's not exactly sure what they were going to do...make a frame for a tent? Eh? sounds like a plan. What're we building? A tent?

Invidia aids in stripping the branches, and when she notices his confusion, assumes correctly what he's asking. She cuts of a small portion of the trunk and carves an image of a tent with a campfire



[Forest]

The flash of light catches the woman's attention, briefly, but she takes it to be a spell cast by her pursuer. Ducking her head she continues to run, only to be tripped up by Xenna's whip. She falls hard, crying out in pain. Realizing she's being dragged across the ground, she draws a dagger, ready to fight.


Seeing her fall, the drow quickly changes direction and slows. He stalks carefully to the edge of the clearing, hiding and watching what will happen next. He breathes a silent curse when he spots Xenna.

Xenna does not draw her blade, instead she moves to the human and attempts to untie her whip.
What were you running from?

[Aric Kale]

Meadow

Aha! Thatcher can make tents, and he's fairly proficient at starting campfires...
Between them, they should have a tent-frame up in a short time. After that's set up, Thatcher will find himself a seat in a big clump of grass and start weaving...or trying to. This is not going to be quite as easy for him as making the frame. Wonderful.

[Arkhosia]

Meadow

Aha! Thatcher can make tents, and he's fairly proficient at starting campfires...
Between them, they should have a tent-frame up in a short time. After that's set up, Thatcher will find himself a seat in a big clump of grass and start weaving...or trying to. This is not going to be quite as easy for him as making the frame. Wonderful.

Invidia gathers up a bunch of leaves and drops them in the frame, than searches the edge of the forest for a dead animal.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

Some days just suck, for little reasons, big reasons, or for one of those to seem like the other. In this case, it's that last, because while it should be a pretty big what's gone and transpired, what's being focused on here is one small thing.
Krayger got lost.
Now, that doesn't sound like too big a deal, but minotaurs don't get lost. It's like, the default programming of their brains. So when Krayger found a swamp where a city was supposed to be, he wasn't exactly pleased. Enter one minotaur an hour later, his hooves covered in muck and only through sheer luck able to keep his nice leather pants from being soaked through. If he ever gets out it won't be the cow smell the humans are complaining about.
He's too careful to bellow for help, because who knows what could be in here? Although the sound of a seven-foot bovine stomping around in a huff and occasionally lopping at large plants with an axe isn't exactly subtle.

[Beans]

[Forest]
Carrie hears the commotion, sees it, and... can't help herself from starting to creep toward the group. She's trying to be stealthy, and in an urban environment she'd honestly be good at it. However, she's not used to much more nature than a city park, and is thus not as soundless as she'd like; the others may be able to hear her as she slinks through the undergrowth, wings held tightly to her back to avoid being seen.

[Tris]

Forest Edge

After none responds to his shout, Tanar walks towards the edge of the nearby meadow. When he spots Invidia there, he smiles, glad that he has found other people. Excited, he shouts, "Hello? Can you tell me where I am? I don't know how got here."

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

The human watches, tense and ready to strike if Xenna makes a wrong move. As soon as she's untied, she rolls backwards and to her feet, putting some distance between her and the drowess.

"A damned drow like you." The woman replies in Elven between panting breaths. Her grey eyes flick left and right, watching the edge of the forest expecting an ambush. "Why in the Nine Hells did you trip me just to let me go? I am so sick of your games!"

In paranoia, her head snaps around when Carrie sneaks near, and she takes a few steps back, thinking the noise was from her pursuer. Still, the woman doesn't bolt.


Meanwhile, the drow continues to lurk on the edges of the clearing. He notices the movement in the underbrush, and carefully edges away from it, for fear of being discovered.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

One had best be careful about lopping at all the big plants around here. One could never know when they might encounter a plant that chops back.

Several more leaped streams later Zee came upon a curious mound of mud with more of those spider-lobster-lizards (http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/162/7/9/lost_city___chuul_swarm_by_m0ai-d3inbn5.jpg) crawling all over it. Oddly enough they didn't seem interested in fleeing from her this time. Instead they just sat there on the mound until she walked over and picked one up.

The creature immediately began making an awful hissing sound and trying to grab at Jezekiel with its claws, but smashing its face against a nearby tree quickly put a stop to that. Lobsters and crayfish are edible, that much Zee knows for sure. And these ones are just sitting around to be collected! She felt a little bad over braining the things to death, but she was in the middle of the wilderness and she needed to eat.

At about the eighth lobster-lizard Zee heard another hissing sound. A much bigger, much wetter hissing sound.

It was another lobster-lizard.

The size of a wolf.

Her first instinct was to freeze.

When the monster raised its claws and bellowed at her, Zee's second instinct was to flee in terror whilst screaming.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

She shouldn't be too hard for anyone in the marsh to notice.

Especially with an irate lobster-lizard chasing her.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest]

The human watches, tense and ready to strike if Xenna makes a wrong move. As soon as she's untied, she rolls backwards and to her feet, putting some distance between her and the drowess.

"A damned drow like you." The woman replies in Elven between panting breaths. Her grey eyes flick left and right, watching the edge of the forest expecting an ambush. "Why in the Nine Hells did you trip me just to let me go? I am so sick of your games!"

In paranoia, her head snaps around when Carrie sneaks near, and she takes a few steps back, thinking the noise was from her pursuer. Still, the woman doesn't bolt.


Meanwhile, the drow continues to lurk on the edges of the clearing. He notices the movement in the underbrush, and carefully edges away from it, for fear of being discovered.

I saw you were fleeing from something and decided to keep you from getting caught by said something
Xenna replies in Elven.
Then, Xenna hears Carrie and activates her darkvision, thanking the fact there is a dense layer of leaves blocking some of the sun.
If Xenna sees them, She whispers in elven;
There's an armed drow over there.
She nods her head in the direction of the drow

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

Of course, that's the reason he only does so occasionally.
Regardless, a woman screaming is pretty noticeable, even to a bull in a huff.
Krayger does his best to hurry, although the wet ground isn't helping. He emerges from the trees, holding his broad axe.
Well, that's a development.
The minotaur steps forward, brandishing his weapon. "Miss, get behind me." he says simply, hoping in vain that the creature would back off at the sight of something his size but also prepared to smash its face with his weapon.

[Arkhosia]

Forest Edge

After none responds to his shout, Tanar walks towards the edge of the nearby meadow. When he spots Invidia there, he smiles, glad that he has found other people. Excited, he shouts, "Hello? Can you tell me where I am? I don't know how got here."

The drow gives him a confused look.
I don't speak that language. He does, though.
She points to Thatcher off in the distance.

[Rebonack]

[Marshland]

Thankfully there weren't too many trees. Just an occasional one here and there. Lots of trees would have made this a swamp, which would be significantly more miserable.

Regardless, when a honest to God minotaur stepped out from between some alder trees and told Zee to take cover she wisely decided that would be a better plan than stopping and gaping at the impossible mythological monster. Because stopping and gaping probably would have resulted in her being pounced on by the lobster-lizard.

Zee quickly streaked behind the bovine humanoid and peeked out from her new cover him.

The lobster-lizard, meanwhile, remained at a respectful distanced and hissed at the both of them before turning and leaping into a nearby stream, vanishing into the murky water. Apparently it didn't like its chances of tangling with Krayger.

In a polite show of gratitude for being rescued Zee ploped down on her butt in the prickly grass. "Yep. This is defiantly a coma-dream," she declared definitively. "Monster lobsters and minotaurs. They must have me on some pretty serious stuff at the hospital."

[Tris]

The drow gives him a confused look.
I don't speak that language. He does, though.
She points to Thatcher off in the distance.

"I don't understand what your saying" the half-elf replies. When Invidia points behind her, he looks over to see Thatcher working on a tent. "Hey you! do you speak common?" Tanar yells.

[Deathkeeper]

Marhslands

Krayger looks a bit indignant. "I'd like to think I make a good deal more sense than those things, you know. You're welcome, by the way."
You see? Krayger takes all that time and effort to get nice, tailored armored pants and keep his coat from getting shaggy and all in all look like a nice, presentable bull and humans still won't take him seriously. It's downright rude, it is. Might make a fellow start to feel bad.

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

The woman breathes a curse when she mentions the drow hiding in the darkness. "Show yourself!" She snaps in his direction.

The male drow stands straight and steps out into the clearing. His hands rest near his weapons, but his stance is relaxed. He offers a respectful nod to Xenna before smiling at the woman. "You summoned me?" He says in his native drow.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

Zee stared up at the bull-man blankly.

Then hesitantly reached out to prod him in the leg with a finger to make sure he's real. Once she verifies his solidarity she'll...

Well...

Have no idea what to do, really.

Since there was a minotaur talking to her. Talking to mythical monsters is a bit outside Zee's realm of experience. May as well just got with the flow, right?

"Ah, sorry? And thank you," she finally said. "I'm sorry, I got hit by a truck earlier today. And I'm pretty sure this is either some kind of really terrible afterlife or a coma dream. If I'm dead then this isn't anything like what Paradise was supposed to be."

Paradise, Zee had been told, was supposed to be far more... well... paradise-like. Not filled with angry lobster-lizards.

She wrinkled her nose as she considered what to do next from her seat in the gross. Her butt was starting to get damp as watered soaked up through her pants. With wetness as an impetus for action she settled on standing up.

"Umm... You don't live here, do you mister...?" Zee asked, dragging out the question.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

"Krayger, Miss." says the minotaur, bowing his horned head.
"And sorry, but I don't. Somehow ended up here, and it seems like more of a crapsack than anything that ought to be around Anold's Fold. So maybe we've both been displaced. I supposed getting shunted between worlds is better than getting your face squashed, but...what did you say hit you?"

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

"A truck. A big self-propelled cart, basically. They weigh dozens of tons and move really fast," Zee said. She figured that the minotaur with an axe wouldn't be familiar with modern technology. "It should have turned me into a grease stain when I got hit."

Huh.

More people getting uprooted and deposited on a strange wilderness world? That sounds almost like the plot for a movie about evil alien hunters or something. A bunch of extra-terrestrial predators stalking sapient prey.

Hopefully that wasn't what happened. Things were bad enough with the lobster-lizards. Though judging from that voice... it sounded like he knew something nasty was afoot.

An idea occurs to Zee and she voices it. "When you woke up here did you hear a voice? Someone telling you to find something to eat before it got dark?"

A beat.

"Oh! And I'm Jezekiel. Everyone calls me Zee, though."

Only her grandmother ever called her Jezekiel.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

Krayger smiles, just a bit. How he'd love to see the inner workings of those kinds of mechanisms.
"I'd say it's nice to meet you, Zee, but sadly I can't think of many worse ways to meet. How about we get out of these swamps, though? There's not too much to eat around here for either of us."

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

No comment on voices. Zee assumed that Krayger heard no such thing. Maybe she's just going crazy.

Or even worse, maybe this was all real.

If that were the case, why would getting clobbered by a tractor-trailer send her to some crazy wilderness world?

Truly the cosmos was full of mysteries.

At the mention of food Zee perks up a bit and slings off her backpack with several cattails sticking out of the top of it. "That's actually not true," she said as she fished out a nice ready to eat cattail shoot. She offers it to the minotaur. "Cattail roots are edible and they're growing all over this marsh. I doubt a diet that consists only of roots would be very healthy, but that's better than starving."

Next up she pulled out one of the dead baby lobster-lizards. "And if we can get a pot of water boiling then I'm sure these are edible, too."

A beat.

"Eerr... Are minotaurs omnivores? I know the one in the myth of Theseus was, but I don't know how accurate that would be."

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

Krayger takes the shoot, eating it but not enjoying it too much.
"Not sure what myth you're talking about, but yeah, we are. Leans a but towards the herbivore scale, but it doesn't matter too much. I have a pot, but I'm a bit hesitant to draw water from anywhere around here."

[Felandria]

Forest

Felandria awakens in the woods, clutching her head and brushing leaves off.

She looks around and finds her sword and shield laying next to her.

What the hell?

Where am I?

She stands up and looks around, listening for sounds of others.

She sees what looks to her like a baby deer walking briskly in one direction, although she had never seen a baby deer with full antlers before.

She decided to slowly follow the deer's path, hoping the animal would lead her to a water source.

[OrchestraHc]

Forest

Justin had been walking through this godforsaken forest for the past two hours. Honestly it was completely different from what he had expected. He was told he had lived under the city of Atlanta. City. I mean, nuclear apocalypse aside, he assumed there'd be some evidence of a single building existing at some point. Honestly he couldn't remember where he exited the subway anymore.

He finally heard a voice at least. He initially rushed toward it until he noticed it had come from a giant lady. If "Attack of the Neptunian Amazons" and "The Giant Vixens of Venus", underrated cinema classics that they were, taught him anything, it's that seeing a giant woman with a sword and shield could only end very well or very badly.

Justin quickly sidled behind a tree, but made an unfortunate clatter in an otherwise perfect sneaking maneuver. He cursed at himself. Normally that would have worked fine, but he forgot his Vault jumpsuit was stuffed with as many canned provisions and bottles as he and his friends could manage. He would need to find a bag at some point. For now he just hugged the tree not breathing, hoping this giant lady was from Venus, not Neptune.

[Rebonack]

[Marshland]

At the very least the bull-man doesn't eat shoots and leaves. Zee would be pretty cross if she got left out here in the wilderness alone. A mythical being with a huge axe certainly wasn't her first pick as far as company goes, but she'll take what she can get. And someone that imposing is a pretty good deterrent for lobster-lizards, apparently.

One can always use lobster-lizard deterrent.

Anywho! At the mention of a pot Zee offered a genuine smile! "Oh wow, that's great! I was thinking we might have to find bamboo to cook things. I saw that on Survivor Man once..."

She had seen two episodes and the only things that stood out in her mind were the neat bamboo cooking trick and the host of the show eating an absurdly large, disgusting grub. Maybe there was something about starting fire using Spanish moss? She had seen some Spanish moss growing from a willow a few islands back...

"So long as we boil the water we should be fine, I think," Zee reasons. "Or we could try finding a spot where it's moving a little faster?"

The mountains in the distance would almost without question have fast-moving streams. And the water in the channels does look kind of murky.

[RyanKoopa]

((Since Ray has too much raw power to work in this setting I'm going to use a new character that I've been working on for a while. I will probably introduce him into the Nexus too once I get a feel for his character. I'll give the appearance of the character next post.))

[Marshland]

A magnificent fireball appears over the horizon, hurtling to the ground. From a distance it looks like an ordinary shooting star but if one were able to get a closer look they would find instead a small ufo, like something out of a cheap sci-fi flick. The ufo hits a patch of cattails with a loud boom, lighting up the sky for a split second. The fire on the smoldering wreck intensifies, luckily the plants are two wet to catch fire, but this is of small comfort to the alien trapped inside.

[UncleWolf]

Over Crossroad

A loud screaming sound can be heard as a metal and armored glass chamber flies through the air above the area, leaving a trail of smoke and fire behind it as it crashes into...

Stone Field

The chamber hits hard, digging a deep trench into the ground before resting at an angle. It's about 8ft long and is an ugly contraption of steel, wires, and armored glass on the front. Much of it is dented and cracked now however, with it glowing red in some areas from sheer heat.

About five minutes after it lands though, the front hatch, the part with the glass, blows off when the seals are released, sending the hatch several meters away to land on a jagged boulder and shatter. This is promptly followed by a white armored hand grabbing the side of the chamber and pulling the body it's attached to out of it.

Aequitus, his head spinning a bit from the transdimensional shift shakes his head to clear it before giving a look around with a sigh. He knew he'd be entering a different world, but this place looked fairly desolate. Even so, he had to build a shelter and go from there.

If anyone ventures into the area, they'll find the heavily armored Techno-Paladin moving large stones and boulders around the shattered chamber, beginning the makings of a crude shelter for the night.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

That would be dumb, everyone knows cows eat grass and shoots, not leaves. Elephants eat leaves. And Krayger is way too self-conscious of potential cow jokes to ever admit that he can technically last a few days from grazing.
"I'd say we find a different spot. The water here is dirty and full of shrimp eggs, and that's not something I feel comfortable eating."

[Beans]

[Forest]

The woman breathes a curse when she mentions the drow hiding in the darkness. "Show yourself!" She snaps in his direction.

The male drow stands straight and steps out into the clearing. His hands rest near his weapons, but his stance is relaxed. He offers a respectful nod to Xenna before smiling at the woman. "You summoned me?" He says in his native drow.
Carrie hears something; the drow lady seems to say something to the human and nods toward where drow man pops out... and also nods toward Carrie.
Crap, did they hear her?

She doesn't move, doesn't do anything but watch and breathe quietly, the hammering of her heart so loud she could almost imagine others hearing it.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest]

The woman breathes a curse when she mentions the drow hiding in the darkness. "Show yourself!" She snaps in his direction.

The male drow stands straight and steps out into the clearing. His hands rest near his weapons, but his stance is relaxed. He offers a respectful nod to Xenna before smiling at the woman. "You summoned me?" He says in his native drow.

Xenna remains silent, her hand poised to draw her blade.

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

A soft whoosh marks the arrival of two elven figures to the Crossroad, teleporting in by way of an ominous black sphere. The first is a young silver-skinned man clad in an elegant gold-trimmed black robe and a grey cloak, with a finely-crafted shovel lifted in mid-excavation. He appears to be offering some sort of formal apology to the other figure, an older gentleman dressed in white burial robes and suffering from a severe case of zombification. Black energy leaks from the undead elf's eye sockets, and a halo of crimson runes floats around his forehead.

"...sity offers its sincerest apologies for this mishap, and will pay any costs related to your accidental disento-"

His apology is abruptly interrupted as his shovel strikes rock in a place where he expected loam. The elf is sent tumbling backwards by the jolt, dropping his shovel to the ground with a horrible clatter. He remains lying face-up for a few moments, resigned to his position on the hard ground.

The zombie has no reaction to this, having long ago lost his ability to comprehend the complex humor of slapstick.

[GrandDM]

And suddenly, Harald! He appears out of nowhere, covered in blood from several nasty cuts and burns. His clothes are in tatters, and just before he collapses, he mutters:

"Help..."

Anyone who wants a scientist ally feel free to respond.

((Reposting for context change.))

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

The drow notices Xenna's unease and frowns. "Why did you interrupt our chase?" He asks her in drow, if she doesn't seem to understand, he will switch to high elvish.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

It's pandas. The panda eats, shoots, and leaves. Or so the joke goes.

"Shrimp eggs?" Zee echoed and knelt down near one of the channels. The water certainly had a vaguely fishy smell to it. But she didn't see any eggs of any kind. She reached down into the water with a hand, the question nasty contaminants on the mind.

As soon as her fingers touched the water her hand flared with tendrils of blue-white, almost organic looking energy. Several things happened all at once. First, Zee got the distinct impression that she was drinking (absorbing?) the water and whatever was in it. Second, her mind absolutely swam with information. Plankton, microbes, even stray biological macro-molecules and drifting amino acids. She knew everything that was in that water, what it was made of, how it worked, and how to take it apart.

"Nnnnggh!"

Judging from how she just keeled over sideways and grabbed her head that was probably a little bit overwhelming.

"Too much! It's too much!"

Sensory overload! The nearby exploding UFO didn't help, either! Two UFOs, in fact. One crashed in the marsh while the other crashed waaaaaay over there. It appeared as though the sky was falling.

[Lord Magtok]

Worlds Away

Our cyborg...no, my mistake. Not our beloved cyborg, but a Magtok resembling our own notorious cyborg. Anyways yes, a Magtok who is not the one we all know is cackling madly within his secret moon base, encased in a goofy-looking space suit complete with fishbowl helmet. A cruel grin strikes his features, as a pretty young woman in black latex pummels an athletic fellow in a bright red leotard and domino mask.

"Hahahahahaha! It all ends tonight, Captain Jupiter! Once Damsel of Distress finishes you off, there will be nobody left to stop me from setting off the Spook Nuke, terrifying the world's governments into attacking each other and launching World War Four! And then, atop the remnants of western civilization, I will rule! I will-"

Stone Fields, Crossroad

Suddenly, without so much as a warping sound, a portal, or even a mysterious voice welcoming him to hell, Lord Magtok arrives in the Crossroad.

"-make a throne of skulls where Australia once was, and...hello?"

Magtok looks about left and right, completely baffled. This certainly wasn't where he was five seconds ago. He couldn't remember anyone saying a thing about Captain Jupiter having this kind of teleportation powers, either. Either way, he stays on guard, waiting for someone to jump out of a portal and punch him in the mouth.

"Show yourself, you coward! You can't hide form me forever, Jupiter! Even from Easter Island, my device can still-"

He tries getting in contact with his computer network, to bounce a signal off a satellite somewhere, to hack into the nearest radio transmission, to find anything, but fails. There's nothing out here. Oh gods, there's really, truly nothing out here. Even if he was in the jungles of Borneo or something, he'd still get some sign of human life, but...nothing. Was this some unseen hero's idea of justice? Exile him to some foreign planet like in Salvation Run?

Still, he would've expected some warning. Some self-righteous space god telling him that he was being punished for his sins, instead of being interrupted right when he was in the middle of a dastardly plot, dropped here without a word, and left to fend for himself. Seriously, what kind of obnoxious, pastel-colored acrobat would do a thing like that?

"...Hello? Damsel? Damsel, are you out there? I'll double your pay if you can get us out of here. Your sister in prison? We'll stage a riot and break her out, I promise! Magbots? Magbots, return to your master's side at once! Jupiter, even?! Jupiter, I'm willing to settle for working with you if it means getting out of here! Truce? Hello? Anybody?!"

Gods, how pathetic. Two minutes alone in the middle of nowhere, and he's already crying out for someone to rescue him.

[Hattish Thing]

And suddenly, Harald! He appears out of nowhere, covered in blood from several nasty cuts and burns. His clothes are in tatters, and just before he collapses, he mutters:

"Help..."

Anyone who wants a scientist ally feel free to respond.

((Reposting for context change.))

Darth Calamity looks over to see a scientist fall to the ground in pain. He rushes over to the man and kneels down. You're bleeding, from what? Who are you? I don't have any healing devices with me... We should find shelter though, for your blood might attract predators. I am Trucido. Trucido is wearing Pata's, and therefore doesnt touch him.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

You'd be surprised how often I miss basic humor.
Krayger crouches down and set his axe down to gently reach down and pick Zee off the ground and at least get her upright.
"Zee? Zee! What's wrong?"

[GrandDM]

Darth Calamity looks over to see a scientist fall to the ground in pain. He rushes over to the man and kneels down. You're bleeding, from what? Who are you? I don't have any healing devices with me... We should find shelter though, for your blood might attract predators. I am Trucido. Trucido is wearing Pata's, and therefore doesnt touch him.

Harald, given that he's unconscious, doesn't reply.

Trucido will hear a voice bubbling up from deep in the back of his mind.

"You are angry. You hurt inside. Use it. Call to me. I can help you, make you strong. You will need my power to survive."

[5a Violista]

Swamps of Despair
At dusk

Harley has been wading through the swamp for around half an hour...probably going around in circles, 'cause that's what people do when they're lost.

Subconsciously, she found herself in the nook of a tree, shivering from the cold. She wasn't dressed for a camp out in a waterlogged forest, she was dressed for a battle in the heat of day.

At least, up here in the tree, she can keep dry and away from...whatever that was that she stepped on. It felt alive, and she can't see it through the murky water. At least there's bugs in the water, though. That means it's probably safe enough to drink, if she has to. Good thing it's not cloudy, either.

She just needs rest a bit so she can shapeshift her tibia back together. "Tseqho tsotz sash So'hqe, shes?" she says bitterly, with a laugh.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

Zee got yanked up to her feet, though her head still felt like someone had crammed half of Wikipedia into it. The sheer amount of information was absolutely staggering and she could somehow access all of it with a thought.

Not that it would do her much good...

While back home being able to run a complete bio-chemical assay on a few billion microbes in parallel would be really cool it's probably a completely useless ability out here in the middle of a monster-infested wilderness.

Poor Zee. She got hit by a truck, sent to another universe, and chased by a lobster-lizard. She gained a super-power out of the deal, somehow, but of course it's one with no practical value.

"I know everything that's in the water..." Zee muttered absently. Then, with a woozy slur to her voice, pointed at the UFO wreck. "Something's on fire."

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

Krayger reaches down to pick up his axe. He really just doesn't know what to do in these situations.
"And you're not in any condition to be checking it out. We should get out of here."

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

Having fully rationalized the sheer stupidity exhibited by his failure to use a shovel, Saurous proceeds to pick himself up and clamber over to retrieve his shovel. He spends a few moments observing his surroundings before-


"...Hello? Damsel? Damsel, are you out there? I'll double your pay if you can get us out of here. Your sister in prison? We'll stage a riot and break her out, I promise! Magbots? Magbots, return to your master's side at once! Jupiter, even?! Jupiter, I'm willing to settle for working with you if it means getting out of here! Truce? Hello? Anybody?!"

Gods, how pathetic. Two minutes alone in the middle of nowhere, and he's already crying out for someone to rescue him.

-hearing a particularly annoying call for help off in the distance. Well, it's the closest thing to another sentient being that he's noticed so far, so he begins walking in the direction of Magtok's voice. He commands his zombie buddy to "Follow."

[Felandria]

Forest

Justin had been walking through this godforsaken forest for the past two hours. Honestly it was completely different from what he had expected. He was told he had lived under the city of Atlanta. City. I mean, nuclear apocalypse aside, he assumed there'd be some evidence of a single building existing at some point. Honestly he couldn't remember where he exited the subway anymore.

He finally heard a voice at least. He initially rushed toward it until he noticed it had come from a giant lady. If "Attack of the Neptunian Amazons" and "The Giant Vixens of Venus", underrated cinema classics that they were, taught him anything, it's that seeing a giant woman with a sword and shield could only end very well or very badly.

Justin quickly sidled behind a tree, but made an unfortunate clatter in an otherwise perfect sneaking maneuver. He cursed at himself. Normally that would have worked fine, but he forgot his Vault jumpsuit was stuffed with as many canned provisions and bottles as he and his friends could manage. He would need to find a bag at some point. For now he just hugged the tree not breathing, hoping this giant lady was from Venus, not Neptune.

Felandria hears the clatter and steels herself.

Who's there?

Show yourself.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

But...

But Zee was curious!

And woozy.

Mostly woozy.

"Alright, but... What if someone is in there? Someone else who has been stranded here like us? They might need help!"

Helping people is good! Really good. But Zee couldn't be very helpful at the time. Mostly because she still felt like she was riding on the Tilt-A-Whirl. She eventually decides to sit down on a convenient log.

"Or... maybe you can check?" Zee asked as she cradled her head in her hands. "I'm still feeling kind of punky."

[Arkhosia]

[Forest]

The drow notices Xenna's unease and frowns. "Why did you interrupt our chase?" He asks her in drow, if she doesn't seem to understand, he will switch to high elvish.

Forest
She replies in Drow:
It seemed something was chasing her, and I thought I'd be kind enough to stop the elf from being caught.
She looks up at the sky.
It appears to be getting dark now. I think it would be wise if we temporarily set aside any quarrels if we are to survive the night.

[OrchestraHc]

Forest

"Hi," Justin says, waving a hand from behind the tree. "Before you get any closer, I'd like some guarantee you won't murder and eat me. Would disarming be out of the question?" he asks the giantess.

[Felandria]

Forest

"Hi," Justin says, waving a hand from behind the tree. "Before you get any closer, I'd like some guarantee you won't murder and eat me. Would disarming be out of the question?" he asks the giantess.

Felandria sees a small young man emerge from behind a tree, he looks very thin and extremely short, he looks to be the size of a small child.

Why would I eat you?

And what is a tiny person like you doing in this forest?

Small as you are, you should be more afraid of the animals.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshland

Krayger sighs and reaches into his bag and pulls out a knife in a sheathe. It's very big with Zee's smaller size in all likelihood.
"Fine, I'll go look. Take this and try not to stab anyone."
Krayger hefts his axe and moves on to go check the crash site.

[Rebonack]

[Marshland]

Considering the standard size difference between a human and a minotaur? The knife was probably more like a arming sword than a dagger with respect to Zee. She griped the hilt with both hands, the weight of the weapon surprising her a bit.

...she honestly has no idea what to do with a weapon aside from 'the pointy end goes in the things you don't like. Sure she used to play pretend with her friends in the forest when she was a kid. Noble knights and valiant Valkyries and the like. But swinging around a wooden play-sword against imaginary foes is quite a bit different from actually holding the real thing.

"Right, I'll be careful," she assured the minotaur. She gave the weapon a few practice swings and did a great job of displaying no finesse to speak of.

[Deathkeeper]

Marshland

Psh, it's barely even a foot-and-a-half long, that's a dagger even by puny human standards.
Krayger tries to hide rolling his eyes as he stomps off (as delicately as possible) towards the crash.

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Fields

Stupid fields. Stupid boulders. Stupid everything! Dammit, this wasn't how it was supposed to go! Captain Jupiter had been given more than enough hints as to Damsel of Distress's secret weakness, and the Spook Nuke itself could be safely deterred with the right sort of heroics and impromptu atmospheric energy net! He was this close, this close to being sentenced to prison for life with his old mentor, and that's when his real diabolical scheme would've unfolded!

"This isn't due process! This isn't justice! This isn't ****!"

He kicks a stone, and then loudly and grumpily stomps onwards, unaware of just how much trouble he might be making for himself like this. All he's seen is some rocks and some alien-looking grass, though. He can't be faulted for not realizing just how deadly this world can be.

[OrchestraHc]

Forest

He'd be offended if he could read minds. "Sorry, stereotypes are terrible. Well I haven't met any wild animals. You're the first person I've met, and you're armed."

"I'm here because I came from underground in a that-ish direction," he says pointing off behind him. "Is everyone a giant up here?"

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

Saurous promptly rounds a boulder a few paces ahead of Magtok, making a waving motion with his hand. He's probably unaware of how startling a grey-skinned, amber-eyed, black-robe-clad, shovel-wielding elf can be when they suddenly appear in front of the uninitiated in the middle of a barren wasteland.

"Excuse me, sir," he begins, also unaware of the fact that Magtok is just as lost as he is. "Would you happen to know anything about this area?"

The zombie shambles along behind him, mumbling nonsense.

[Felandria]

Forest

He'd be offended if he could read minds. "Sorry, stereotypes are terrible. Well I haven't met any wild animals. You're the first person I've met, and you're armed."

"I'm here because I came from underground in a that-ish direction," he says pointing off behind him. "Is everyone a giant up here?"

A giant?

What are you talking a..........

The deer.

The deer wasn't a baby, that was an adult.

Felandria looks around and examines the environment more closely, everything appeared to be smaller than they should be.

Oh my gods, I'm a giant.
.
.
.
Awesome.


She turns to the young man.

I don't know.

I just woke up in the middle of this forest, you're the first person I've seen since.

But everything around here seems to be to your scale, not mine.

So it's likely I'm the only one, at least around here.

I take it you suddenly found yourself here as well?

[Lord Magtok]

But everything around here seems to be to your scale, not mine.

((*Resists urge to laugh maniacally*))


[Stone Fields]

Saurous promptly rounds a boulder a few paces ahead of Magtok, making a waving motion with his hand. He's probably unaware of how startling a grey-skinned, amber-eyed, black-robe-clad, shovel-wielding elf can be when they suddenly appear in front of the uninitiated in the middle of a barren wasteland.

"Excuse me, sir," he begins, also unaware of the fact that Magtok is just as lost as he is. "Would you happen to know anything about this area?"

The zombie shambles along behind him, mumbling nonsense.

The cyborg stops midstride, standing his ground as he warily eyes the elf, keeping one hand ready to draw out that laser pistol with the half-dead battery. If the necromancer was sent here for crimes against humanity too, it wouldn't pay to let his guard down.

"It's huge, stupid, and rocky. Inhabited by some sort of space elf asking me questions, and his zombie butler. That's about it."

Unlike our standard Nexus Magtok, this one doesn't seem inclined to tar and feather Saurous for the unforgivable criminal offense of being an elf. Maybe he's just waiting for the right opportunity to be a prejudiced elf-bigot jerkwagon, for Saur to turn his back on the cyborg and leave himself wide open for sudden acts of betrayal. On the other hand, Saurous might have been Magtok Prime's first elf encounter, so maybe we're operating with a clean slate here. Who knows?

[The Alexandrian]

[Dis Pair's Swamp - Team Alt-Verse AMEN!]

To sleep...

Perchance to dream...

All her life she had been sleeping. But now...
Rise and shine, child. Rise and shine. You have slumbered long enough.

The awakening is often rude. It is to be born again. Cast out of comforting warmth and safety into a cruel and unforgiving, vile and violent world in which innocence and heavenly grace must die that all else that dwells within the individual and the individual itself might live. Virtue festers with exposure to vice, too soon lost in the struggle to survive. This "child" is no stranger to moral conflict. A saint or a demon? An angel or the devil himself/herself? This child is all of these. Shall she develop into a vessel of righteousness or an instrument of evil.

I cannot tell.

Before her eyelids first flutter part apart as she is so abruptly deposited into this world, she can feel it. Wet. Cold. Steeped in freezing water. Discomfort. Confusion melts. Panic sublimes.

Air! Wherefore art thou! The vapor of life. Which way is up? Which way is down?

Her eyelids jolt open. She's spinning. The water is murky. Grime and muck kicked up by her impromptu cannonball, clouds obscuring the warming rays of the celestial mother.

Up! Up! She must go up!

Her lungs are afire. Her limbs are numb. Her mind, ever ignorant, pleads in spite of the wise remonstrations of her instinct. Breathe. Breathe now. No! No she mustn't else she would certainly expire!

Up! Up! She must go up!

Is that...YES! Feet kicking! Tails rotating, propellers in the slurry of viscous fluids! She must follow it! She needs to follow it! Follow the golden glow of the goddess!

Go. Don't stop. Don't give up. Just a little further. Just a little more. Keep going. Fight for your life.

An explosion! Not of her lungs, but of her body! Out! Out! Out at last! The air above! So fresh! So bracing! Such a joyous feeling! Rejoice! She is alive!

As if truly born again, praising the goddess in a foreign tongue, the child crawls out of the filthy mire of despair on hands and knees, coughing, sputtering, gasping for deep droughts of sweet, sweet air. She crawls up onto the embankment and flops onto her back, gazing up at the sky. Thank you, goddess! Thank you.

...

There's something on her arms. More than one. Many. Slimy. Sickening. She inspects her arm, alarmed. Parasites! Leeches! Blackened bloodsuckers! Get off! Off! Get off now!

A flash! A flare! Another explosion, this one of ethereal light! As the woman jumps to her feet, hands and tails repulsing the gross creatures of the perilous waters, her body is a beacon of blinding, even searing light. The leeches fall not one by one but all at once, writhing, burning, dying as creatures of the darkness should. Only then when the bodies lie still on the slick muddy hill does a terrified "Eek!" escape her lovely lips!

Several steps back from the pile of the dead. She is safe. She is unscathed. That could have gone better. That could have gone worse.

But where is she? This... She knows this isn't where she was before. Where was she before? Who is she? What is going on here?

So many questions. No answers to be had.

Perhaps Harley will be drawn to ???'s bright yet ephemeral radiance. Perhaps they can help each other stay alive. Perhaps they are not so hapless as they might believe.

Or perhaps not.

I do not know.

[UncleWolf]

Stone Fields

Aequitus hears Magtok crying for help and sets aside the boulder he was working on before unslinging his rifle, pulling the compact device open and slamming a 20 round clip into the bottom as he makes his way. This was a new area and it paid well to always be cautious. His helmet slides up as well, providing extra protection as he arrives on the scene.

Oddly enough, he doesn't seem too bothered by either the zombie or the villain. "Hail. I couldn't help but overhear that neither of you seem to have an idea of where we are. Neither do I, but I don't advise staying in the open. I'm in the process of making shelter if you care to join." He offers. He doesn't care about their attitudes or race or the fact that he knows nothing about them. All he sees are lost travelers in the need of help, which he might be able to provide.

[Artemis97]

[Forest Clearing]

"He was chasing me!" The woman exclaims.

The drow shrugs not denying it. He gives Xenna an odd look. An alliance? It was laughable. "Are you frightened of the darkness?" He asks her, his tone mocking. "Also, she is human." The drow points out, nodding to the red haired woman.

[Rebonack]

[Swamp of Despair]

As dusk falls the swamp grows deathly silent. Where as before it had been full of the sounds of strange and sometimes monstrous creatures now there is a silence that feels murky and oppressive.

The injured shape-shifter will likely get the distinct impression that something is watching her. Something waiting for the cloak of darkness before it makes its move. A terror lurking just on the other side of dusk's threshold.

Finding a source of light to ward away the darkness may be wise.

[Stone Fields]

Magtok sure is complaining loudly, isn't he? Complaining loudly probably isn't a good idea. Because complaining loudly might attract something terrible.

"Wark!"

Like that thing.

A bird just climbed over the top of some boulders and now it's peering down at Magtok with one of those creepy one-eyed bird stares. Though 'bird' might not be the best term for it. Sure, it has feathers and a beak and scaly legs, but that's about all it has in common with avians that aren't hellish abominations.

The monster is about eight feet tall even with its neck all scrunched against its body. A body that's too long, shaped more like some kind of predatory mammal than a stilt-legged bird. That and it's got four legs instead of two and some wings. Then it's got one of those crazy-egret necks. And finally there's it's beak. Said beak is shaped like a battle-axe and it looks just as lethally sharp as any gruesome medieval weapon you might feel like naming.

It sits there staring with its vacant bird-eyes just long enough to give Magtok the impression that maybe it isn't going to try to dismember him.

[Outside the Cavern]

There comes a low rumbling from somewhere in the depths of the darkness. Several freakishly colored four winged birds squawk in alarm and take flight at the sound.

[Marshlands]

Zee gave a self-conscious smile. She really had no idea what she was doing. While the minotaur went off to check out the UFO crash sight Zee pulled one of the dead baby lobster-lizards out of her pack.

Why?

Because she wanted to see if she could replicate... whatever it was that she did to the water. "Let's see... I stuck my hand in the water while wanting to know what was in it and then-!"

No fancy lights happen.

The lobster-lizard continued to hang limply in her grip.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest Clearing]

"He was chasing me!" The woman exclaims.

The drow shrugs not denying it. He gives Xenna an odd look. An alliance? It was laughable. "Are you frightened of the darkness?" He asks her, his tone mocking. "Also, she is human." The drow points out, nodding to the red haired woman.

I have lived in darkness all my life, I am not afraid. However, from what I've read about the surface, many dangerous creatures emerge as darkness sets in.
She looks at the woman closely.
... Oh.

[ImpSyndrome]

Swamps of Despair
At dusk

Harley has been wading through the swamp for around half an hour...probably going around in circles, 'cause that's what people do when they're lost.

Subconsciously, she found herself in the nook of a tree, shivering from the cold. She wasn't dressed for a camp out in a waterlogged forest, she was dressed for a battle in the heat of day.

At least, up here in the tree, she can keep dry and away from...whatever that was that she stepped on. It felt alive, and she can't see it through the murky water. At least there's bugs in the water, though. That means it's probably safe enough to drink, if she has to. Good thing it's not cloudy, either.

She just needs rest a bit so she can shapeshift her tibia back together. "Tseqho tsotz sash So'hqe, shes?" she says bitterly, with a laugh.
[SWAMP OF DESPAIR]

Decent meals are hard to come by in the Swamp; most of the creatures are too violent and dangerous to be hunted by any but each other, and scarcely any plant life can be found that does not carry some form of chemical poisonous to herbivores. This makes it a dangerous place for those unprepared to repulse the indigenous life therein. Among these species is the marrow-fang, a six-legged reptilian beast the size of a large-breed dog with fangs that shine off-silver like stained iron and can pierce materials even tougher than its own turquoise scales. Marrow-fangs are extremely powerful but not very mobile, as their six legs are a recent mutation to which they have not yet adapted. One such marrow is wandering its territory when it hears a woman's voice in the treetops nearby. It approaches with anxious curiosity, its teeth bared to ward off any other predators nearby...

((Whether or not this is Rebonack's creature in the dark is up to him. If so, then I'll hand over control for the sake of eliminating confusion; if not, then these two creatures may just have to fight one another.))

((EDIT: Looks like this may have come into conflict with more recent posting. Should I back out or move in a different direction to avoid confusion?))

[Beans]

[Forest Clearing]

"He was chasing me!" The woman exclaims.

The drow shrugs not denying it. He gives Xenna an odd look. An alliance? It was laughable. "Are you frightened of the darkness?" He asks her, his tone mocking. "Also, she is human." The drow points out, nodding to the red haired woman.

Carrie was about to consider coming out to say hi... aaaaand then the drow man torpedoed it. Ugh, the one time she thinks about saying hello to another living being and the situation nopes it up.
So she stays quiet and still some more.

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of (Clever Wordplay)]
After dark

Harley can feel something watching her. Her eyes remain closed, hoping it's just passing...

Until...

Harley's eyes open abruptly as soon as she hears the maniac splashing. Her first thought is that a large animal is nearby. (She may be right, but for the wrong reasons.)

Then, there's the flashing and bright lights. That's usually the sign of some crazed fair folk. That means Harley needs to be cautious. On the other hand...it could be someone.

Harley gets down from the tree and goes towards the radiance, like a hapless creature towards an angler fish. She hops the best she can, to keep her weight off her broken leg, and her hand is on her sword. (Dang it, why did she have to break her right leg? This would be so much more comfortable if her sword was where her left hand could grab it.)

Upon getting closer, Harley sees ???. Everything else around here is dark and covered by shadows - how could one not see ??? ? Well, it looks to be a person.

"Shezhi...fzoseh tsah pesx?" she asks cautiously, before she gets too close to this unknown person.

[OrchestraHc]

[Forest]

"I walked here?" Justin says, not sounding very sure. "At least I've been walking. For like two hours. How did I get above ground?" He looks around himself, disconcerted. "It's not important," He confirms to himself. "I don't care. So neither of us know where civilization is. Do you know how to survive in the wilderness?"

[Felandria]

[Forest]

"I walked here?" Justin says, not sounding very sure. "At least I've been walking. For like two hours. How did I get above ground?" He looks around himself, disconcerted. "It's not important," He confirms to himself. "I don't care. So neither of us know where civilization is. Do you know how to survive in the wilderness?"

Yes, somewhat.

And if I really am a giantess, then hunting should be a piece of cake.

Looks like you're with me, kid.

What's your name?

[Saurous]

The cyborg stops midstride, standing his ground as he warily eyes the elf, keeping one hand ready to draw out that laser pistol with the half-dead battery. If the necromancer was sent here for crimes against humanity too, it wouldn't pay to let his guard down.

"It's huge, stupid, and rocky. Inhabited by some sort of space elf asking me questions, and his zombie butler. That's about it."


"Well, at least we're on the same page for the most part," Saurous says, noting Magtok's pistol. He decides to loosen his grip on his shovel a bit to look less confrontational. "Though you look more like a spaceman than I do, friend."

He also notes the reference to his "zombie butler," glancing nervously over his shoulder at the undead elf.

"That's not...my zombie. Well, I mean I guess he technically is now, but I was actually trying to return..."

This Saurous actually seems to have some sort of apprehension towards zombifying other sentient creatures. Or at least his fellow elves. Regardless, his stammering explanation is luckily interrupted by the arrival of both another spaceman, and a giant monster bird. Yay, conflict! He takes a small step backwards, preparing to run the hell away should the need arise.

[Artemis97]

[Forest Clearing]

"I believe we shall be leaving now." The male drow declares before lunging for the woman. With ease, he strips the dagger she held away from her and ends up holding it to her throat.

"Damn you." She growls at him.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest Clearing]

"I believe we shall be leaving now." The male drow declares before lunging for the woman. With ease, he strips the dagger she held away from her and ends up holding it to her throat.

"Damn you." She growls at him.

Xenna throws a dagger at the drow and runs...
If she isn't stopped, she appears at the marshland.
The Marshland
Xenna runs into Zee, figuratively or literally.

[Eadin]

(Somewhere not over the rainbow)

*plop*

"Well... This is not Disneyland."
A girl has landed on a patch of grass. She does not look pleased.
Looks perfectly normal, though!
There's just tablet-like thing lying in her lap. Seems harmless.

[Hattish Thing]

Harald, given that he's unconscious, doesn't reply.

Trucido will hear a voice bubbling up from deep in the back of his mind.

"You are angry. You hurt inside. Use it. Call to me. I can help you, make you strong. You will need my power to survive."

...This confuses Darth Calamity greatly. Random guy flying flying from the air then voices. The Sith looks about, his weapons at the ready. This was not an ideal circumstance. No lightsabers, no armor, unfamiliar territory, and I'm hearing voices... He thinks to himself, before speaking aloud. ...Who's there. Show yourself. Calamity was certainly on edge. Fear is an undermining emotion, and he was struggling hard to keep himself confident. He merely glances at Harald, moving closer to his body, before looking about.

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Fields

"Oh ****." Oh **** is right, Magtok. That's one hell of a bird, and here you are, still caught in that clunky space suit, with only a dinky Buck Rogers laser gun to defend yourself with.

"AAAAAAAAAAUGH!" He screams, retreating as quickly as he can, scorching the air behind him with little laser blasts. He scrambles past and around rocks to the best of his ability, trying to shrug off the stupid fishbowl helmet and such as he bravely turns tail and runs away.

[UncleWolf]

Stone Field

When Aequitus sees the bird, his rifle gets shouldered and aimed right at the beast. "Now, remember. No sudden move..." He starts only to see Magtok run away in a panic and begin shooting.

"...frak." He mutters before firing a burst of five rounds at the thing's center mass as taking several strides forward as she does so. The rounds are moderately sized, a little less than a normal military rifle, but should still stagger the beast.

[Rebonack]

[Stone Fields]

The was a decent chance the axebeak wouldn't have attacked if they had all stood their ground.

Instead it gives a rock-rattling bellow and goes bounding after Magtok! Laser blasts scorch a few lines across it and bullets blast through feathers to reveal that the monster is sporting deceptively thick scale under its earthy plumage. The bullets still manage to punch through its hide, staggering the monster and causing it to stumble upon landing.

With a ferocious shriek it lashes out at the techno-paladin with its deadly beak.

Imagine for a moment getting hit by a giant woodpecker with a battle axe instead of a spear. Suffice to say its nearly invisibly-fast attack will hurt if it strikes true.

[Forest's Edge]

Long long before Xenna will ever get close to where Zee is seated on a log some fifteen miles away over difficult terrain she'll first have to deal with unpleasantness. Why? Because this is an unpleasant place.

Case in point?

A massive plant easily ten feet across shaped like a giant artichoke. A long stalk is sticking out of the top and dangling a succulent looking piece of fruit in the air.

[ImpSyndrome]

[Swamp of (Clever Wordplay)]
After dark

Harley can feel something watching her. Her eyes remain closed, hoping it's just passing...

Until...

Harley's eyes open abruptly as soon as she hears the maniac splashing. Her first thought is that a large animal is nearby. (She may be right, but for the wrong reasons.)

Then, there's the flashing and bright lights. That's usually the sign of some crazed fair folk. That means Harley needs to be cautious. On the other hand...it could be someone.

Harley gets down from the tree and goes towards the radiance, like a hapless creature towards an angler fish. She hops the best she can, to keep her weight off her broken leg, and her hand is on her sword. (Dang it, why did she have to break her right leg? This would be so much more comfortable if her sword was where her left hand could grab it.)

Upon getting closer, Harley sees ???. Everything else around here is dark and covered by shadows - how could one not see ??? ? Well, it looks to be a person.

"Shezhi...fzoseh tsah pesx?" she asks cautiously, before she gets too close to this unknown person.
This is a most fortunate encounter indeed for the marrow-fang: its target has noticed a bright light in the mire and descended from its perch to study it. What's more, the tall mammal appears to be nursing a recent injury, something that could even the odds in the event of a chase. If it could smile, the monster would be grinning from ear to ear at its dumb luck.

As the mammal approaches the light in the water, the marrow stalks after her in the shadows. Its padded feet step soundlessly on the moist swamp ground, giving it a likely advantage in stealth while it closes in. Should it manage to get within twenty feet or so of her without being deterred, it will break cover and pounce, its jaws opened wide and ready to bite down on any limb it can reach...

[UncleWolf]

(Somewhere not over the rainbow)

*plop*

"Well... This is not Disneyland."
A girl has landed on a patch of grass. She does not look pleased.
Looks perfectly normal, though!
There's just tablet-like thing lying in her lap. Seems harmless.

Grasslands

"Shh." A whispering voice warns from nearby. Should she look, the girl will see a wolf like being crawling towards her on all fours, trying to be as silent as possible and looking around with wary eyes and ears. "Be as quiet as possible. We don't want to attract attention." The Wolfen warns. "Are you harmed?"

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

Saurous drops his shovel to the ground and draws out a tome fastened to his belt. Seeing the scary techno-paladin or whatever rush into combat makes him feel a bit more confident about standing his ground. Not acting like the screaming idiot with the laser gun also heavily influences his decision.

Regardless, he shouts a command of "Go!" to the zombie, and then proceeds to mutter some arcane words under his breath. A wave of black energy shoots from his hand and flies towards the bird's face, looking to blind its one eye should it connect.

Saurous's zombie buddy lurches toward the bird, attempting to grab at one of its legs. This probably won't accomplish much, but hopefully it'll at least trip it up a bit.

[Artemis97]

[Forest Clearing]

The drow grunts in pain when the thrown dagger buries itself in his shoulder. He jerks back, dragging the dagger in his hand across the woman's throat. With a gurgling scream she collapses, clutching at her throat as blood seeps through her fingers.

"No!" The drow cries out. He tosses the bloody dagger aside and, ignoring the wound in his shoulder, begins muttering a healing spell over her.

Laying back on the leaf litter of the forest floor, the woman stares up at the drow. "You almost killed me."

He grunts as he pulls the dagger out of his shoulder. "She nearly killed me, and could have easily hit you. I did not mean to hurt you."

"You always say that." She mutters. "Are you going to go after her?"

"Perhaps." The drow growled, his red eyes flashing in his desire for vengence. "However, she was right. Night is coming. We're both covered in blood. We'll attract predators if we don't do something first."

[Eadin]

Grasslands

"Shh." A whispering voice warns from nearby. Should she look, the girl will see a wolf like being crawling towards her on all fours, trying to be as silent as possible and looking around with wary eyes and ears. "Be as quiet as possible. We don't want to attract attention." The Wolfen warns. "Are you harmed?"

Grasslands

The girl jumps a little. Has not seen a Wolfen before. Whatever that may be.
A talking wolf? She frowns.
"What?"She says. "I'm fine. And who or what are you? And where am I?"
She does not seem scared, mostly annoyed. Maybe she can hide it.
She's clutching her tablet and is reaching for something in her jeans pocket.

[Arkhosia]

Forest edge,
Xenna observes the area and sits down.
Looks like as good a place as any.
She grabs a few branches and rocks and makes a campfire via creating a spark with her blade and a rock.
She then mutters a word, and the area around the campfire glows faintly.
She notices the fruit, and tosses a rock at it.

A plume of smoke may be seen by those in the forest, giving away Xenna's location

[UncleWolf]

Grasslands

"You're unhurt? Good." The Wolfen says with a nod before getting into a crouch. The Wolfen's form appears to be quite female though the fur she has hides any indecency. Other than her fur and a feathered headband, the black and grey furred Wolfen is unclothed. "My name is Umbra. Easiest way to say it is that I'm a Wolf-Person." She admits quietly with another quick look around, obviously quite nervous. "I don't know where we are, but I smell a lot that's wrong here. We need to find shelter before nightfall though." She says, fidgeting a little and reaching into the grass next to her to grip a long flint knife nearby.

[The Alexandrian]

[Starry, Starry Swamp!]
Dusk

If this Harley had ever encountered Clarissa (which she hasn't but this is more to provide people with an OoC physical description of the char to reference), she would likely instantly recognize ???.

??? is surprised by Harley's unexpected arrival! She was caught completely off-guard! She nearly screams again. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest. Oh goddess, it's just another person. What language is that? ??? doesn't understand Harley's speech, but she does understand by virtue of Harley speaking to her instead of unsheathing her sword then slicing and dicing that Harley does not wish to do her harm.

Her heavenly solar radiance fading much too fast, ??? attempts to slowly walk over to Harley with her hands open and raised in front of her in a gesture of peace that proves that she is unarmed. She doesn't want to spook Harley. If she is allowed to reach Harley, she'll attempt to lend her a dripping wet arm so that she need not exert force upon her broken leg. Her expression is compassionate, even through her shivering. She is concerned that Harley is wounded, and although she does not even know Harley's name, she clearly wants to help her.

"I don't understand you. Just... We need to get out of here, okay? It's getting dark and...well...I'm afraid of the dark."

Her fear will serve her well in this setting, I imagine.

Harley might observe that there is a sturdy fireaxe lodged in a tree not far from ???'s position beside a dirty coil of strong rope. Those could be useful...

[Eadin]

Grasslands

Well, the girl is trying not to stare. Trying.
She never saw Wolfen in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
"Wowowow, why should we find anything? Who says I can trust you?"
As she sees the Wolfen grab a knife, she pulls out a sort of stick from her jeans pocket, pointing it at the Wolfen.
"You keep that knife away from me!"

[UncleWolf]

Grasslands

The Wolfen holds up her paws, one still holding a knife, but in a peaceful manner as she backs up a couple steps. "Do you have any reason not to trust what I say?" Umbra asks. "I merely offering a chance to find shelter. If you are self-sufficient, I will go my way and wish you the best of luck." She explains, avoiding looking the girl in the eyes in case she took that as an aggressive action. "Take a moment and decide. We might not see each other again."

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Fields

"AAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!"

Magtok continues running and screaming and stripping and shooting, not delaying even for a minute when it looks like Aequitus may have stolen the beast's attention. He's almost completely out of astronaut suit parts, and his infamous purple robes can be seen underneath. I really have no idea how he managed to wear those two layers of clothes for more than two minutes without dying out here, and he's nowhere near as sweaty as he should be.

Eventually, he runs out of laser charges and astronaut pants, and stops to cower behind a rock, where he can still sorta see the axebeak thing. It sure would be unfortunate if those two fine gentlemen died fighting the thing, but better them than Magtok, right? And besides, all he had way a puny laser gun. Surely they wouldn't hold his hasty retreat against him, would they?

[Eadin]

Grasslands

The girl scowls at Umbra, but slowly lowers the very dangerous looking stick.
"You're right." She slowly gets up, tucking the tablet in her bag.
"You have any survival skills, then?"
Never a good idea to be alone in an unfamiliar place. She knows that much. She's still clutching her stick.

[UncleWolf]

Stone Field

Aequitus is a combat veteran so he watches the head carefully, knowing that it ought to be the bird's primary attack weapon. Even so, he stands his ground when the bird swings at him. He shifts his grip, one hand grabbing the barrel and the other the stock, and swings it up to meet the beak head-on, using the gun as a shield. Despite his enhanced strength from the armor, his arms and legs flex some from the force of the impact, and the gun is cut halfway through.

Once his block is complete, the Techno-Paladin spins clockwise with a thrust of his rifle to throw the Axebeak's head aside, taking his rifle with him, and finally attempts to slam the butt of the gun into the right side of the Axebeak's head with bonecracking force, aiming for the eye itself. The move gets his Light aura out of the way of the black spell as well.

Grasslands

Umbra lets out a breath of relief and gives a nod. "This isn't too far apart from my home, but we need to get out of the shallower grass. It's too open." The Wolfen insists before standing up and stretching to her full six foot height. She'll take a moment more to stretch her limbs, limbering up before crouching back down. "We can try to reach a different area like a forest and take shelter there, or we can build a flimsy shelter in the taller grass here. It won't be much, but it might be easier than walking for hours until darkness."

[Rebonack]

[Forest's Edge]

Making a fire with just tree branches is pretty tricky! You need some kindling, too. Something that burns fast and hot that will light up the wood. There are several tufts of dry looking grass growing near the giant artichoke. And a nearby vine maple is absolutely covered in Spanish moss. Either of those will potentially work.

Hitting the fruit with a rock causes it to wobble back and forth.

Probably bruises it, too.

Bruised fruit doesn't taste quite as good.

[Marshlands]

Several minutes of fruitlessly shaking the dead lobster-lizard around later Zee finally gave up. She couldn't get whatever she had done with the water to work again. Not to save her life!

She had tried everything she could think of, too.

With an exasperated sigh she wondered what boiled lobster-lizard would taste like. Which of course was the exact moment that her hand decided to light up like a ghostly blue torch.

Tendrils of blue-white energy snaked over the dead crustacean and began peeling it apart like an onion. The fragments dissolved into dust which dissolved into motes dissolved into nothing. Zee's eyes dilated as information began streaming through her mind mind once again, every nuance of the creature she had just assimilated flashing as a singular moment of enlightenment.

The poor lobster-lizard corpse was utterly devoured.

"Wow..." Zee mutterd, glancing down at the tendrils of energy still swirling around her hand. She clenched her fist, opened it again, and the ephemeral mass vanished.

She didn't feel so hungry anymore.

And she didn't feel so staggered this time! "Hey Kel... umm... I forgot your name, sorry! But wait for me, I'm coming too!"

She isn't running with the knife. Running with a drawn knife is dumb.

[Stone Fields]

Gun and spell blind both eyes of the axebeak! The monster shrieks in rage and pain and begins clawing blindly with its front legs in and around the area it thinks the technopaladin is standing.

Its talons aren't nearly as bad as its beak, but it can't bring its main weapon to bear in its current state.

[Eadin]

Grasslands

The girl is still staring a little. But she has seen worse.
"I don't know, this seems to go on for miles. I can't see any trees.."
She tries to see something in the distance.
"But I'm not very good at building things."
They don't teach you that in school.

[Arkhosia]

Xenna's Camp

Xenna picks those and uses them for kindling.
She walks over and attempts to pick the fruit.

[UncleWolf]

Grasslands

"Are you able to cut the grass or weave at all?" Umbra asks as she begins to saw at some of the taller grass with her blade. "If so, start cutting and I can weave a stiff shelter. It'll be small, but that's better for two people as we won't need a blanket. It'll be portable too." The Wolfen points out. "If you can't do either, just keep watch and I'll work, I don't mind." She admits as she starts to weave some of the grass together with deft and able claws, having done this many times before.

[Aric Kale]

Grasslands- Meadow

Thatcher waves cautiously to the new stranger...Aye, I speak a tongue we both recognize. So we can say it's common. Who are you and what's your name? He's just finishing up with the tent, using branches and grass for the walls. Now, our friendly, neighborhood pyromancer starts to clear out a space for a fire. Rocks would be nice...

[Eadin]

Grasslands

The girl nods.
"I can cut some grass.."
She pulls out her tablet, tapping on the device a few times before putting it away again.
She sways het stick and whispers some words. Grass falls as if cut by an invisible knife. The girl gathers the grass, bringing it to Umbra after she has gathered an armful.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

There's a *thump* as a woman is deposited at the base of a small sand dune. She's wearing a shabby red linen dress with divided skirts for riding a horse, a long black duster coat, a pair of practical leather boots with metal spurs and a brown fedora. At her waist is a gunbelt with two large revolvers holstered opposite each other. She picks herself up and looks around, her right hand reaching to her belt and resting on the handle of her pistol.

[Arkhosia]

Grasslands- Meadow

Thatcher waves cautiously to the new stranger...Aye, I speak a tongue we both recognize. So we can say it's common. Who are you and what's your name? He's just finishing up with the tent, using branches and grass for the walls. Now, our friendly, neighborhood pyromancer starts to clear out a space for a fire. Rocks would be nice...

Invidia darts over.
It's getting dark.
She summons Buddy again.
Buddy, can you make sure that we don't get attacked by any monsters? Thanks.

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

Saurous continues mumbling arcane incantations as he follows up his blinding spell by reaching into a pouch on his belt to pull out a tiny glass rod. Electrical energy begins gathering in the rod's center as the necromancer holds it forward until a crackling ball of lightning forms in the center of his palm.

"You might want to stand back!" he shouts, both as a suggestion to Aequitus and a command for the zombie.

The zombie is promptly knocked off its feet by the haphazard flailing of the axebeak. It makes an feeble attempt to slowly crawl away.

[Beans]

[Forest]
Carrie sees the knife hit home, then the throat-slitting, and meeps as she scurries back.
Then curses herself for beng stupid and loud.
Crap.

[UncleWolf]

Grassland

"Impressive trick." Umbra admits as she sets aside her knife to concentrate on weaving a stiff "cloth" to build the shelter with. "What is your name?" She asks after a bit, weaving nearly as fast as the girl can cut.

[Eadin]

Grasslands

The girl smiles at the remark.
"Mhm, a trick. Quite a useful one."
She continues with her task, at first seemingly not hearing the question.
"Meropé." She says, quietly.

[Rebonack]

[Forest's Edge]

As the drow nears the succulent smelling fruit all the dry tufts of grass suddenly come to life! Dozens of thorny brambles lash out at her and attempt to wrap around her and dig into her flesh with their spines! Should they get a good hold they'll begin injecting paralytic poison that will begin dissolving her flesh and organs so they can soak it up.

How horrible.

[Dunes]

There's plenty of sand. Some funny looking succulents with rubbery wedge-shaped leaves and bright pink flowers blanket the ground in large patches. The scent of salt air and ripe strawberries fills the afternoon sky. Garishly colored four-winged sea birds circle high overhead and several hundred feet away a creature that looks like a house sized cross between a sand-crab and an elephant probes about in the surf with its sensitive proboscis.

Well.

That's different.

Almost as different as the mail-clad griffin that just appeared out of nowhere and skewered a large clump of pampas grass with a spetum (http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3637/3408497838_1820730002.jpg). It sounded like he popped in whilst in the middle of charging something large and dangerous if his half-eagle half-lion war cry was anything to go by.

As soon as he realizes that he did not in fact transfix an Alphatian hexblade champion the griffin yanks his polearm out of the plant and casts his sky-blue gaze about the dunes.

That gaze quickly settle on the nearby human with what look like fancy pistols of some kind. The griffin drops into a defensive position and calls out in a loud, clear voice, "You there, are you for Alphatia or the Skyreach?"

[Deathkeeper]

Marshland

While his player is busy laughing at griffins using the same color text as his, Krayger holds up as Zee comes up.
"It's Krayger. What happened, Zee? Feeling better?" he asks, still trying to keep an eye on the crash.

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Fields

Magtok keeps his distance, staying right where he is where it's nice and safe. His gun is dead anyways, why risk it? I mean, what does he look like to you, a superhero? :smallyuk:

[Arkhosia]

Forest Edge

Xenna draws her blade and begins hacking away.
However, her ankle is ensnared. Causing her to cry out in pain.
The wolfen and girl may hear her cries of pain in the distance, and those in the forest definitely should.

[Rebonack]

[Marshlands]

Sky blue colors are good colors for flying critters!

*ahem*

Zee looks rather excited!

"I think I figured it out! I'm breaking down organic matter, absorbing it, and analyzing it. It was so much information the first time I had no idea what to do with it and got all woozy. But I tried it again on one of those dead lobster-lizards and now I know exactly how they work!"

Isn't that neat?

"Umm... I'm also not as hungry anymore. Apparently I can near instantly metabolize organic matter."

Zee wrinkled her nose.

"For some reason."

She hadn't ever heard of someone getting super powers for getting hit with a truck before.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"I have no idea what you are or what you're talking about. You just popped in from nowhere- like me, I imagine, but I wasn't here to watch. I'm Bessandra Yomen. You?" The cowgirl dusts herself off, leaving her gun holstered by her side. As her sleeves move, there's the glint of steel bracers on her arms.

[Mr. Moon]

Spire - The Whitesun Wastelands

Keska's breath clouded in front of her, turned to vapour by the cold. She squinted under her thick, fur-lined hood, tightening her grip on her sword.

"It's coming your way!" came the call of her hunting mate, the older warrior's spear wet with blood.

The polar bear between let out a great roar, turning away from Trezkel's stinging spear. It looked between the two hunters and, judging Keska the smaller, began to clamber towards her. The ice elf grinned, adrenaline surging through her, and raised her blade. The bear charges towards her, great mouth open and slavering. Keska leapt to the side

but too slow.

In the original universe, Keska would make the jump, and score the bear's side with her sword. She and Trezkel would down the bear, and bring it back to the village for a feast.

The polar bear swung out a paw, and Keska blinked as it filled up her entire field of vision. Then the blow strikes, sending the elf flying. She hits the ground, rolls, and vanishes.

Stone Fields

"OOF." A smaller figure suddenly flies through the air, hitting the ground somewhere behind Saurous with a thud. (If Aequitus can sense Evil auras, then there's quite a massive one coming off her.) A bone sword is knocked from her hand, clattering next to her. It's hard to tell just what or who this person is, because she's dressed extremely warmly. All thick down parka and warm, heavy pants. It's as if she just came from the arctic. She groans, rolling onto her back. But the moment of self-sympathy doesn't last long - she sits up, grabs her sword, and jumps to her feet. Lifting a free hand, she lifts her hood
and
"... What?"

Gone is the permafrost ground and snowdrifts she's accustomed to. In it's place, sheer rock. The polar bear has been replaced with some sort of... axe-faced avian??? And Trezkel with some elf in ridiculously light clothing good Xun does he want to freeze to death, as well as...
Oh no.

Keska's eyes grow wide as they fall on Aequitus. His armour was different than she was used to seeing, but a Paladin was still a Paladin. Heart catching in her throat, the ice elf takes several slow steps back. Maybe he hadn't seen her? If he hadn't she could still get away.

[OrchestraHc]

Yes, somewhat.

And if I really am a giantess, then hunting should be a piece of cake.

Looks like you're with me, kid.

What's your name?

Forest

That's even better than what Justin wanted to hear. If he had asked he would have been a charity case. Perfect for a teenager's pride. "Sounds fine by me. I'm Justin Mine. You?"

[Deathkeeper]

Marshlands

((Holy stuff Moon is back! You've owed me a post for three weeks, mister! :smalltongue:))

"Well, with any luck this means we only have to find food for me for a while, right?" Krayger jokes, trying to make light of a very weird situation.

[UncleWolf]

Stone Field

Aequitus leaps back, swinging his gun to the Mag-Lock on his back and drawing two bars as he does so. The one in his left hand expands into a large kite style shield and the right unfolds into a broad bladed sword, both of which glow with a golden light.

When he senses the Evil Aura, he doesn't turn around, instead moving extremely quickly to put his body and shield between the newcomer and the Axe-beak. He didn't care about a person's alignment at the moment. "Stay back!" He shouts to her.

Grassland

The Wolfen nods and falls silent for a moment, weaving another square foot of the cloth before speaking again. "I almost earned Weavemistress as a Name." She admits with a small smile to her ears. "But apparently my ability to hide in darkness won out."

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

The griffin fluffs his feathers indignantly at that reply. She doesn't know what a griffin is? Who doesn't know what a griffin is? Her garb is vaguely reminiscent of the Savage Coast, buuuut. Something still seems off.

He decides to make a show of good faith and drapes his polearm across his back, holding it in place with his wings. Maybe the human will likewise ease off her pistols. "I am Giermund, Son of Slodi, warrior of the Skyreach and citizen of Griffinheim."

Well.

That's quite the title.

"Appeared? Bah! Damned chaos mages probably flung me half way across Mystara," the griffin says, speaking the phrase 'chaos mages' like a curse and spitting in the sand after uttering it.

He gives a huff and glances off toward the freakish crustacean prowling the beach nearby.

"Though I'll freely admit this is no part of the world I'm familiar with."

[Stone Fields]

The axebeak continues to flail!

Eventually the monster manages to scrabble back to its feet and begins running blindly!

...and runs headlong into a sizable heap of boulders, one of which is perched precariously on the top. The rock wobbles, sways, and then toppled down atop the avian predator with a sickening crunch.

[Marshlands]

((Oops! Can't forget this))

"I hope you don't mind cattail roots," Zee replied with half a grin.

Things were looking up!

Or at least they looked slightly less grim.

"...it looks kind of like a flying saucer," Zee muttered as she examined the craft. Though she wasn't seeing any obvious way to open it that wouldn't get her burned.

Hopefully it doesn't suddenly explode.

That would be terrible.

[Eadin]

grasslands

Meropé frowns.
"Earn a name? I got mine when I was born."
She continues to cut the grass.
" What did they call you before you earned your name, then?"
New things to learn!

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"I've never heard of Mystara. The world I'm from is called Scadrial, and I'm a citizen of the city of Tathingdwel and I was hunting the bastard who ran off with the bridesmaid on my wedding day. Now I'm in some dunes talking to a something called Giermund, Son of Slodi, and starting to doubt my sanity. Or that I'm still on Scadrial, though how I left I have no idea." There's trains, and early cars, but no more advanced forms of transportation. Unless one is a Coinshot, anyway, but they cheat by using Allomancy to push away from fixed metal objects like railway lines, street lights or dropped coins.

[Saurous]

[Stone Fields]

Saurous makes a face halfway between relief and dejection when the axebeak manages to crush itself. He awkwardly sidles up to a small distance away from the boulder heap, his hand still outstretched and grasping all that fun electricity. He takes a few moments to observe the crushed axebeak to confirm its death, partly for safety's sake and partly because he was really excited to get to shoot it full of lightning.

The zombie calmly remains on the ground, having apparently accepted its fate of lying prostrate forever. Or at least until someone decides to help it up.

[Aric Kale]

Meadows

)(._. I'm a little lost right now. Btw. I fell asleep at 1AM, went to school and checked my phone at 3 or four, and three new pages of dialogue appeared. I've done my best to catch up, but I'm not sure who's all in the scene with Ark and I.)(

Thatcher settles for hand-digging a firepit. This should take awhile...

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

A description of Giermund is probably in order. His front half is a bird of prey (http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/imagecache/photo_940/pictures/quebranta_tn.jpg) with golden-orange plumage and a relatively thin hooked beak. He sports glossy black wings streaked with the same golden hue. His haunches are those of a slender, long legged feline (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Caracal_hunting_in_the_serengeti.jpg) ending in a dark gray fan of feathers at the end of the tail. His ears are noticeably tall, triangular, and tufted.

"Someone, thank you," Giermund replies. Humans could be so rude sometimes. Especially to the non-humanoid races. Clearly if somebody doesn't walk around on two legs they must be a beast of some kind. Never mind the fact that he's clad in flawless skysteel armor and quite clearly civilized.

"If I were a betting griffin I should suppose that we've both been displaced from our homes, by whom or for what purpose I won't pretend to know," Giermund reasons. He turns his gaze upward, grips his spetum, and spreads his wings. "I'll take a quick look skyside and see if I can't spy civilization nearby."

He'll take off into the air and begin to slowly, taking in the landscape. It'll only be a minute or two before he's back.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"I'm sorry Geirmund. I didn't mean to offend. I have never encountered, or even heard of, a griffin before." If she had, she'd be calling him a griffon. Since that's the spelling I usually prefer, but she's copying what he called himself.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

The sea stretches endless in one direction.

In the other lies mountains, plains, and forests. In the far distance Giermund can scarcely make out a cluster of towers of some kind, but they look decayed and weathered by the steady grinding of time and the elements.

...

By the time he hears the buzzing he has only moments to dodge.

The griffin darts to the side with a rush of his wings, a single primary getting clipped as some insectile abomination the size of a pterippus goes zooming past. With a flash of steel he swings his spetum in a wide arc and hews off two of the monster's wings.

A massive horror like a cross between a dragonfly and a cuttlefish drops out of the sky even while Giermund pulls into a steep dive to escape a second monster that seemingly appeared out of the empty sky.

"Shoot it!" he screams at the human below as the monster descends behind him, its hooked tentacles inching closer to him with each moment.

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Fields

If nothing else, the sound of a dying, four-legged giant chicken getting killed by a massive rock is quite distinct. Distinct enough that Magtok knows he can emerge from hiding now, collecting the various parts of his space suit as he makes his way over to the enormous corpse.

"So...guess nobody has to go hunting for food anytime soon, huh?" he states aloud, nudging at the monstrosity with a foot before skittering a few feet back, just in case. He looks over the others, and raises an eyebrow. Odd group they have here. A technopaladin, a cyborg supervillain, an elven necromancer, and...some sort of eskimo warrior? :smallconfused:

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

Bessandra draws her pistols superhumanly fast, tapping her steel metalminds for speed. She aims both at the monster following Geirmund and fires once. The pistols aren't designed to be used as fast as she can use them, so she stops using her stored speed when she pulls the trigger, but she's already had long enough to aim.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

The two rounds blast a pair of messy holes through the face of the monstrosity, causing its precisely controlled dive to become an erratic spiral. Giermund banks hard to one side to avoid colliding with the demon and the beast smashes into a dune a few hundred feet away from Bess only a few moments later.

It makes a really gross squelching sound on impact.

The griffin flies in low, pitching upward and fanning his wings to kill his momentum before touching down.

"And excellent shot and a clean kill." He turns his smouldering gaze upward. "This place has some unfriendly skies. Those monsters must have been invisible. If I hadn't heard their faint buzzing when they drew close I probably would have been eviscerated."

Being eviscerated isn't ever much fun.

"But I still draw breath and our foes do not. I believe we may have found our dinner, as well."

[Rock Fields]

Yep.

The bird is dead. It's pushing up daisies. It has joined the choir invisible. It's bleedin' demised. It has ceased to be. It is an ex-axebeak.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"Let's hope they aren't poisonous." As she speaks, Bessandra reloads her pistols, replacing the bullets she'd just fired. Then, she takes her knife and walks to the closest of the things, to try and hack out a few fillets.

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of X]
Just After Dusk

Fortunately for Harley, she was going fast enough that the stealth-monster didn't snack on her before she reached ???.

However, that says nothing about after.

Actually, it's pretty nice that the water isn't so deep right here, where they're standing, because that would be terrible. Harley notices that this person speaks English. That's good to know. It's too bad that she doesn't remember much of English right now. She thought she would never meet anyone who spoke that language again. English people like knowing people's names, right? It's kind of important to them.

Harley accepts the help for her weight to keep it off of her leg. She still hasn't had a chance to rest enough to heal it without feeling extremely exhausted.

She tries to remember what she had learned before. "I..." No, wait. That's the wrong pronoun. It's..."My..." Dang it, she forgot that word. Name. How do you say 'Name' in English? She points at herself. 'My shosxhi is Harley." Maybe this person understands that enough.

Without giving ??? a chance to respond, Harley notices the rope and the fireaxe. "Sechtsax ssos cz fzosez?" she asks, much more quickly. Unfortunately, there might not be enough time for ??? to figure out what Harley's talking about, because the monster might attack right now.

Well, it seems that this ??? will have to notice the stealthy monster, cause Harley sure hasn't noticed it yet. (It was sneaking along behind her, after all, and most people don't have eyes in the back of their heads. Only teachers and mothers do, and Harley's not a teacher.)

((Hint to ImpSyndrome: I think you should have the marrow-fang attack in the very next post you type, while they're still unawares, as this would give ??? the chance to notice and react in a split second, increasing tension and so on and simultaneously keeping action going.
But you probably already figured this.))
Better plan decided on in OoC thread.

[Tris]

Grasslands- Meadow

Thatcher waves cautiously to the new stranger...Aye, I speak a tongue we both recognize. So we can say it's common. Who are you and what's your name? He's just finishing up with the tent, using branches and grass for the walls. Now, our friendly, neighborhood pyromancer starts to clear out a space for a fire. Rocks would be nice...

"Tanar. I was on a ship, on my way to Magnimar when suddenly, the next moment, I was in that forest." the half-elf says pointing backwards. "Where exactly am I now?"

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

The gunslinger collects some skysquid fillets!

"Larger predators rarely bother with being poisonous. Usually they just eat whatever bothers them," Geirmund laughs. He pulls a rag from his bags and cleans the squid-guts off his spetum. Once that's done he uses his talons to dig a shallow pit in the sand. "I'm betting on it tasting like squid. Or maybe shrimp. I'm going to gather some driftwood and tinder for a fire and we'll roast our quarry. Eyes keen and fly steady, Bessandra Yomen."

That said he stalks up to the top of one of the dunes overlooking the sea. There doesn't appear to be any thing awful down there aside from those huge beasts sifting through the sand. But Geirmund is betting that the thing will leave him alone if he simply gives it respectful space.

The griffin heads down the sandy slop and begins collecting an armload of driftwood, standing on his hind legs and flaring his wings for balance.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"Same to you, Giermund." Bessandra will cut as many of the skysquid fillets from the beasts as she can.

Meanwhile, I start a Word document to detail her resources, accomplishments, and possibly also her injuries if they become serious enough.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

Thankfully it looks like the griffin and the human aren't going to get harassed for the time being. Geirmund shortly returns with an armload of wood and repeats the trip several times so they won't have to go wandering out into the dark when nightfall comes.

Once he feels confidant with the supply of wood he hacks down several pampas grass fronds for tinder. The materials are arranged and he pulls flint and steel out of his pack to get fire going. There are a few false starts, but with a bit of patience and a lot of blowing the fire takes hold. Soon colorful flames are dancing along the mineral-filled driftwood.

"Those are berries I smell, if I'm not mistaken. Something to season the meat with would be welcome. I'm afraid I only have a little bit of salt, otherwise."

Always good to keep a little extra salt on one's person for flavoring. And sure enough, there are wild strawberries growing on runners that criss-cross the dunes. Gathering up a respectable quantity shouldn't be too difficult.

[Felandria]

Forest

That's even better than what Justin wanted to hear. If he had asked he would have been a charity case. Perfect for a teenager's pride. "Sounds fine by me. I'm Justin Mine. You?"

Felandria.

Come on, we'll find a watering hole, make camp.

Felandria resumes heading in the direction the deer was going, possibly bumping into Carrie on the way.

((Hint hint:smallbiggrin:))

[Beans]

[Forest]
BUNP.
Carrie meeps yet again, looking up at the huge tall redhead. Oh gods she is so hosed now.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp Of...AMBUSH!!!]
Night of the First Day (60 Hours Remain)

???'s eye are not focused to the fire axe as Harley might have expected. Even as she points to the weapon and calls out, ???'s attention is elsewhere. ??? appears to be peering out into the darkness behind Harley. There's something moving. What? What is moving? Eyes! Fangs!

"Monster!"

With little forewarning, ??? attempts to swing Harley behind her, interposing herself between the monster and its quarry. Her irises are cinders of nigh feral rage as she attempts to lock eyes with the monster. She can see you. And what's more, she may be even more ferocious and hungry than you. Her snarl rips the air asunder with deafening discord. ??? doesn't like you. She's louder than you. This is her territory now, meat! Back off!

??? attempts to grab the nearest weapon. This just so happens to be Harley's sword. If Harley does not protest, ??? will attempt to grab and draw Harley's sword and level the point at the monster, daring it leap at her and impale itself on Harley's blade while simultaneously inching backwards toward the fire axe and rope. If there are more of those things out there, she needs to have her back to a wall.

"Harley is mine, beast! You cannot have her!"

Feeling a tad possessive tonight aren't you ????

[Felandria]

[Forest]
BUNP.
Carrie meeps yet again, looking up at the huge tall redhead. Oh gods she is so hosed now.

Felandria is bunped into by a lady.

A pretty lady who meeps.

You okay?

She holds a hand down to help her up.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest]
BUNP.
Carrie meeps yet again, looking up at the huge tall redhead. Oh gods she is so hosed now.


Felandria is bunped into by a lady.

A pretty lady who meeps.

You okay?

She holds a hand down to help her up.

The two ladies & Justin should be able to hear Xenna's cry of pain. She's pretty close by.

[Rebonack]

[Forest's Edge]

Help is not coming.

Several vines are slashed! Even more aim to lash around Xenna's arms to prevent her from being able to swing the sword effectively. An arming sword might be great if you can keep your distance, but it's just too long and unwieldy when your foe is slithering all over your limbs with spiky vines.

Once pricked Xenna should feel a brief stinging sensation, followed by a sense of numbness. She might be tempted to just give up and stop struggling...

Of course, that would be a terrible idea.

Why?

Because that artichoke is opening up into a massive spiky slathering maw intent on swallowing her whole as soon as she stops struggling and dies.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest's Edge]

Help is not coming.

Several vines are slashed! Even more aim to lash around Xenna's arms to prevent her from being able to swing the sword effectively. An arming sword might be great if you can keep your distance, but it's just too long and unwieldy when your foe is slithering all over your limbs with spiky vines.

Once pricked Xenna should feel a brief stinging sensation, followed by a sense of numbness. She might be tempted to just give up and stop struggling...

Of course, that would be a terrible idea.

Why?

Because that artichoke is opening up into a massive spiky slathering maw intent on swallowing her whole as soon as she stops struggling and dies.

Forest's Edge

Xenna's sword arm is not ensnared.
She hacks, and hacks, and hacks.
HELP!
This time, she shouts in elven. Or yells. Or screams. Whichever's loudest.
The people in the forest will almost definitely hear her unless they plugged their ears or something

[OrchestraHc]

Forest

This plan gets no complaints from Justin. His provisions would last him two nights but he doubts they would last Felandria an afternoon. A source of water that wasn't one of his bottles was welcome.

As they start to walk Justin begins to play with the device attached to his left wrist. "Fine by me. I think that deer might still be in range of my Pipboy if you're interested-" BUNP goes a winged lady against his giantess companion. As Felandria offers to help her up Justin presses a few buttons on his Pipboy and his blue eyes flicker green for a moment as he scans the woods behind Carrie. The flicker is a scan, to detect life signs of animals or humans (or otherwise) nearby.

"What were you running from?" he asks, a little more pragmatically than his cohort. It's a valid question though.

[ImpSyndrome]

[Swamp Of...AMBUSH!!!]
Night of the First Day (60 Hours Remain)

???'s eye are not focused to the fire axe as Harley might have expected. Even as she points to the weapon and calls out, ???'s attention is elsewhere. ??? appears to be peering out into the darkness behind Harley. There's something moving. What? What is moving? Eyes! Fangs!

"Monster!"

With little forewarning, ??? attempts to swing Harley behind her, interposing herself between the monster and its quarry. Her irises are cinders of nigh feral rage as she attempts to lock eyes with the monster. She can see you. And what's more, she may be even more ferocious and hungry than you. Her snarl rips the air asunder with deafening discord. ??? doesn't like you. She's louder than you. This is her territory now, meat! Back off!

??? attempts to grab the nearest weapon. This just so happens to be Harley's sword. If Harley does not protest, ??? will attempt to grab and draw Harley's sword and level the point at the monster, daring it leap at her and impale itself on Harley's blade while simultaneously inching backwards toward the fire axe and rope. If there are more of those things out there, she needs to have her back to a wall.

"Harley is mine, beast! You cannot have her!"

Feeling a tad possessive tonight aren't you ????
Travesty!! The marrow-fang's easy meal is denied at the critical moment as another (presumably) warm-blooded creature leaps between it and the mammal, barking a warning and attempting to intimidate it with the volume of its surprisingly-threatening voice. The interloper brandishes a sharp implement that glimmers like the reptile's own fangs and stares it down with a gaze full of malicious intent. The marrow plans to charge anyway, letting its tough outer husk eat the blade while it chows down on the shining entity...until it notices another glint of metal in the background.

It seems a foolhardy pioneer of some manner left a woodsman's trusty tool lodged in a swamp tree's trunk, conveniently located just behind the marrow's targets. The sword might be thin and easy to turn aside, but an axe has the benefit of volume in its sharpened head, something that could help this aggressor defeat its scales and negate its natural defenses. In spite of its eagerness and hunger for fresh meat, the monster has not so quickly forgotten the lessons learned from the deficits of its newly-evolved deformity; with the element of surprise lost and the equipment advantage in the hands of the enemy, it knows that this is a fight that it cannot win.

The marrow-fang will growl in a low tone and stare back at its opponent for several seconds, almost as if challenging it to make a move. Should it call the beast's bluff, though, it will slowly slink back into the cover of the swamp from whence it came. It will never break eye contact with the mammal's defender, though, reminding it to sleep with one eye open: tonight, the eyes of the swamp's hunters are upon it and its injured charge, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike them down...

((A straight-on battle would be exciting, but it'd be so...fleeting. I think it'd be much more suspenseful to have the characters proceed knowing that the swamp's predators are watching them. This would be a good time to get introductions out of the way and form a plan to survive; once that's done, just give me the nod, and then I'll work out how "Marrow" here will fit into the scene, if at all.))

[Aric Kale]

"Tanar. I was on a ship, on my way to Magnimar when suddenly, the next moment, I was in that forest." the half-elf says pointing backwards. "Where exactly am I now?"

Assuming he's close enough, Thatcher offers Tanar a dirt-encrusted hand to clasp in an awkward motion which makes absolutely no sense as a greeting. Well met. I am Thatcher, and I have absolutely no idea as to what is going on. If there's one thing you can tell about CR!Thatcher, he's honest.
Also, he's a hard worker. A small pit has been dug out from the land, with some grass lying in a pile at the bottom. The sun is setting, but there's at least a half-hour until dark. You're welcome to stay with us, assuming she doesn't put up a fuss. He adds the second bit with a head nod towards Invidia. Think she said her name was Invidia. Anyways, it'll be a tight squeeze, but we'll manage. Safety in numbers, and cannonfodder. Both things are important.

[Tris]

Grasslands- Meadow


Assuming he's close enough, Thatcher offers Tanar a dirt-encrusted hand to clasp in an awkward motion which makes absolutely no sense as a greeting. Well met. I am Thatcher, and I have absolutely no idea as to what is going on. If there's one thing you can tell about CR!Thatcher, he's honest.
Also, he's a hard worker.

"Oh" Tanar says with a sigh. He was hoping to get an understanding of where he is.


A small pit has been dug out from the land, with some grass lying in a pile at the bottom. The sun is setting, but there's at least a half-hour until dark. You're welcome to stay with us, assuming she doesn't put up a fuss. He adds the second bit with a head nod towards Invidia. Think she said her name was Invidia. Anyways, it'll be a tight squeeze, but we'll manage. Safety in numbers, and cannonfodder. Both things are important.

"At least we have each other" the half-elf responds smiling again. "Is there any way I can help out here?"

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of Travesty]
Night of the First Day (60 Hours Remain)

Harley is so surprised at being suddenly swung behind ??? that she does not protest (or even have time to do so) when her sword is taken from her makeshift splint.

Actually, it's harder to understand someone's words when they're yelling. So, all Harley knows is that ??? saw a creature, saved her life, yelled angrily at the monster, and the creature eventually backed off. She saw this before with bears and wolves and things, so she understand how the principle works.

Anyway, afterwards, Harley is still a little surprised. She had seen monsters before, and even fought them before...but she's never seen that specific type. It's got to have all sorts of weaknesses and strengths and things.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp of Surprise!]
Night!

That's right! ??? is the boss! You don't mess with the boss, creepy monstrosity!

Victory dance! ... Well, ??? would perform a rad victory dance if not for knowing that that thing was still out there. Watching. Waiting. If it returned, she had to be ready for it. Here, she had to be ready for anything.

??? attempts to return Harley's sword to its rightful owner before extracting the fire axe from the tree. It is a fine weapon, if ever there was one. She picks up the rope and points up at the tree. Her solar radiance has almost died away completely. They need to find shelter and light and fast.

"Up. We'll be safer if we have an elevation advantage."

She declares, sounding drained, cold, afraid, and all-around miserable. It doesn't seem like ??? could ever be as intimidating as she had been but a moment ago.

She offers Harley a boost up into the stout branches of an ancient tall, tall tree. She is shivering violently. She's wet and wretched, but she somehow manages to smile awkwardly at Harley, however weakly. She must look ridiculous by now, she silently thinks to herself!

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of Misery]
Darkness and trees

??? unsuccessfully returns the sword to its rightful owner, for its rightful owner is very far away and probably will never see the sword again. However, Harley accepts it anyway; she's had it for so long that she might as well be the rightful owner. She sheathes it back in her splint. You stupid leg, why did you have to break? Why did it have to be so wet and dark and cold? And trees.

Harley nods. "Tsas pzesh," she says; she understands. "Up." If they can just both get through this night, it would be a whole lot better, since they'll have time to prepare everything and get powered up and so on.

Harley is given a boost up onto the tall, tall tree. After getting up on the branch and securing herself so she won't fall down, Harley leans down and offers her hand. "Tzez-xi sa xhax," she orders, reaching down to pull ??? up as well. "Hand. Up." She remembers those words.

If the offer is taken, Harley will pull ??? up to the branch - or close enough to pull herself up.

Besides, Harley understands. It looks like they're both cold, wet, and drained.

[Felandria]

Forest

This plan gets no complaints from Justin. His provisions would last him two nights but he doubts they would last Felandria an afternoon. A source of water that wasn't one of his bottles was welcome.

As they start to walk Justin begins to play with the device attached to his left wrist. "Fine by me. I think that deer might still be in range of my Pipboy if you're interested-" BUNP goes a winged lady against his giantess companion. As Felandria offers to help her up Justin presses a few buttons on his Pipboy and his blue eyes flicker green for a moment as he scans the woods behind Carrie. The flicker is a scan, to detect life signs of animals or humans (or otherwise) nearby.

"What were you running from?" he asks, a little more pragmatically than his cohort. It's a valid question though.



Forest's Edge
Xenna's sword arm is not ensnared.
She hacks, and hacks, and hacks.
HELP!
This time, she shouts in elven. Or yells. Or screams. Whichever's loudest.
The people in the forest will almost definitely hear her unless they plugged their ears or something

I'm guessing that.

Come on!

Felandria waves the others to come with her as she heads towards the screaming.

[UncleWolf]

grasslands

Meropé frowns.
"Earn a name? I got mine when I was born."
She continues to cut the grass.
" What did they call you before you earned your name, then?"
New things to learn!

Grasslands

"Greypad was my Child's Name." Umbra admits, lifting up one of her legs high and stretching it out to wiggle her clawed toes, showing that her foot is covered in nothing but grey fur instead of black and grey like the rest of her. The grey also extends into a line along her inner leg, all the way up her thigh in a rather distinguishing mark, but apparently the name was just after her foot. Greyleg would be a bit odd even for Wolfen.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"More than me, I'm afraid. All my supplies are on my horse. Which is somewhere else." Maybe I'll introduce the horse with a few day's worth of food and other supplies somewhere else in the Crossroad; it'd be useful for whomever finds it.

Unless it gets eaten first.

Anyway, Bessandra will gather the strawberries and also let Giermund eat them first, in case they're poisonous. Sure, they look like strawberries, but they might not be strawberries.

[Beans]

[Forest TOOOO THE RESCUE~]
Unless otherwise stopped, Carrie will nervously follow Felandria, forgetting for a moment the drow dude and the other lady.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp of Misery]
Darkness and trees

??? unsuccessfully returns the sword to its rightful owner, for its rightful owner is very far away and probably will never see the sword again. However, Harley accepts it anyway; she's had it for so long that she might as well be the rightful owner. She sheathes it back in her splint. You stupid leg, why did you have to break? Why did it have to be so wet and dark and cold? And trees.

Harley nods. "Tsas pzesh," she says; she understands. "Up." If they can just both get through this night, it would be a whole lot better, since they'll have time to prepare everything and get powered up and so on.

Harley is given a boost up onto the tall, tall tree. After getting up on the branch and securing herself so she won't fall down, Harley leans down and offers her hand. "Tzez-xi sa xhax," she orders, reaching down to pull ??? up as well. "Hand. Up." She remembers those words.

If the offer is taken, Harley will pull ??? up to the branch - or close enough to pull herself up.

Besides, Harley understands. It looks like they're both cold, wet, and drained.

[Swamp of Soggy PCs]
I'm In A Tree And It's Staying Still And...

??? nods thankfully before accepting the hand up. She's very appreciative of the assistance. In her trembling condition, there's no way she'd be able to climb up so high into the tree.

Once she has successfully scaled the tree with the indispensable aid of Harley, ??? attempts to hand Harley the coil of rope before carefully transitioning to a nearby equally stout branch. She immediately begins to snap branches off of the limbs above before flinging them onto the ground below, far enough from the tree that no stray spark should set the tree ablaze it but close enough that the bonfire, once lit, should provide acceptable levels of illumination.

"We need to build a fire. The ground is wet, so we'll need a lot of wood, Harley."

[Eadin]

Grasslands

"Greypad was my Child's Name." Umbra admits, lifting up one of her legs high and stretching it out to wiggle her clawed toes, showing that her foot is covered in nothing but grey fur instead of black and grey like the rest of her. The grey also extends into a line along her inner leg, all the way up her thigh in a rather distinguishing mark, but apparently the name was just after her foot. Greyleg would be a bit odd even for Wolfen.

"Oh, okay."
Must be confusing, all those names!
Meropé decides not too stare at the mark too much. It's rude, maybe.
The Wolfen seems open about a lot, she notices.
In the mean time, she's still cutting grass.
"How did you end up here?"

[UncleWolf]

Grassland

"No idea. I was out hunting when the scenery just changed." The Wolfen admits, pulling her leg back down and sitting with her ankles crossed so she can place her product in her lap. She has a few square feet of the woven material already, so it shouldn't take too much more for a minimal shelter.

"Do you have any sort of water on you? If not, we'll have to find a way to get some."

[Eadin]

Grasslands

Meropé nods.
"I tried to Apparate to Disney world..."
This is not Disney world, that much is clear.
"Do you have something to hold the water?"
She did not bring a bottle. Plenty of stuff to drink at Disney world.

[OrchestraHc]

[Forest Rescue?]

Let's take a short moment to look at the scene from profile view.

First Felandria and Carrie are seen passing the first tree. Shortly after Justin follows unzipping the front of his jumpsuit.

Justin is seen passing the second tree, carefully taking off his undershirt, trying not to spill a jumpsuit full of canned goods.

Justin passes the third tree, tying the bottom opening into a knot.

Justin passes the fourth tree, stuffing his shirt full of the canned food.

Justin is not seen passing the fifth tree, but a shirt full of canned soy products hangs by it's sleeves from a low hanging branch.

Okay, fancy camera angle over.

Justin, relieved of his burden, but slightly itchier for his troubles, runs slightly diagonal to Felandria and Carrie's path, to try and get a look at the trouble from the side. When your five foot three you learn not to run at things head first.

[GrandDM]

...This confuses Darth Calamity greatly. Random guy flying flying from the air then voices. The Sith looks about, his weapons at the ready. This was not an ideal circumstance. No lightsabers, no armor, unfamiliar territory, and I'm hearing voices... He thinks to himself, before speaking aloud. ...Who's there. Show yourself. Calamity was certainly on edge. Fear is an undermining emotion, and he was struggling hard to keep himself confident. He merely glances at Harald, moving closer to his body, before looking about.

"I am Rage, the embodiment of anger. He will die if you do not help him, and you are too weak to do so without my power. Call to me."

[Hattish Thing]

"I am Rage, the embodiment of anger. He will die if you do not help him, and you are too weak to do so without my power. Call to me."

This... greatly confuses Trucido. He didn't trust voices or nonsensical blathering from something he couldn't slice in half with a flick of his wrist. This man on the ground was injured though, and looked to be very intelligent. Power? Power was good. He doubted his Pata's would be particularly useful against whatever was out here in the wilderness. ...Show yourself creature, or by the gods I will behead this man right here. I don't know who or where you are but I will find you, and I will kill you. so don't expect me to find or call you. How does that even work... SHOW YOURSELF! This is kinda scaring Trucido now.

[GrandDM]

This... greatly confuses Trucido. He didn't trust voices or nonsensical blathering from something he couldn't slice in half with a flick of his wrist. This man on the ground was injured though, and looked to be very intelligent. Power? Power was good. He doubted his Pata's would be particularly useful against whatever was out here in the wilderness. ...Show yourself creature, or by the gods I will behead this man right here. I don't know who or where you are but I will find you, and I will kill you. so don't expect me to find or call you. How does that even work... SHOW YOURSELF! This is kinda scaring Trucido now.

"Good... call to me..."

Trucido will now start feeling a Force touch from a powerful being at the edge of his mind. It burns with anger, eclipsing even his own. If he reaches back, he'll feel a rush of power from the entity.

[UncleWolf]

Grasslands

Umbra looks thoughtful for a moment before untying her headband. She reaches up to ruffle her fur for a bit, getting it to settle naturally and then unfolds the band out into a decently sized square piece of cloth. "It's been treated with mink oil to waterproof it, so we can at least carry a little bit with us and use it to drink from."

[Eadin]

Grasslands

Meropé frowns at the cloth, unsure what to do with it.
She grabs her tablet, tapping on it. Quite odd, tapping on what seems to be a bit of plastic. She's frowning the whole time, until her frowns turns into something close to a smile. She puts her tablet away, grabs her stick and points it at the cloth. "Veraverto" and a flick of her stick and the headband turns into a glass goblet.
Another flick and a mumbled "Aquamenti" makes crystal-clear water pour from the stick. Useful!

[Rebonack]

[Swamp]

As night falls the darkness below that waterlogged canopy grows steadily toward absolute. In fact, everywhere that light does not touch the darkness waxes thick and murky, as if it were a physical thing rather than a simple lack of illumination.

It presses in, unnaturally cold and suffocating.

A low, breathy hiss sounds out of the night.

The two lost travelers need to get a bright light-source immediately.

Why, you ask?

Because it is pitch black.

They are likely to be eaten by the Grue.

[Forest's Edge]

With every prick the paralyzing poison will spread further through the drow's body, further paralyzing her, numbing her to pain, and sending her deeper into a blurry stupor.

Those coming to her aid will find the woman wrapped in brambles reaching forth from a dozen or so leafy patches of weeds near a huge artichoke-like plant sporting a razor-edged maw at its apex.

Will they help and risk their own lives, or leave the drow to her fate?

[Dunes]

Geirmund eats a few berries and doesn't keel over dead! "Ah, they're quite sweet. Strawberries are dreadfully difficult to come across back home, so this is quite the rare treat."

In the mean time he'll skewer a skysquid fillet on the end of his spetum and begin roasting the meat over the fire. The little camp sight is filled with a fishy aroma of shrimp and calamari.

"Perhaps we might trade stories, Bessandra? A fine way to pass the time I should wager," Geirmund suggests as he brushes the sand off a few flat pieces of driftwood with one of his wings. They'll make decent plates to hold their food. Certainly better than dropping meat in the sand.

[Arkhosia]

Forest's edge

The vines have ensnared all except her head.
She's struggling halfheartedly, and can't really escape due to a dropped sword.
She notices the possible rescuers.
Help me! Please! It's paralyzing me!
Xenna says in elven. Her voice is full of panic.

[Felandria]

[Forest's Edge]

With every prick the paralyzing poison will spread further through the drow's body, further paralyzing her, numbing her to pain, and sending her deeper into a blurry stupor.

Those coming to her aid will find the woman wrapped in brambles reaching forth from a dozen or so leafy patches of weeds near a huge artichoke-like plant sporting a razor-edged maw at its apex.

Will they help and risk their own lives, or leave the drow to her fate?


Felandria pulls out her sword and starts cutting the drow free, careful to stay back from getting grabbed herself.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"Well, I was born in the city of Tathingdwel, near the Channerel Range in the northern Elendel Basin on the world of Scadrial. I was the third daughter of a minor, nearly impoverished branch of the noble Yomen family, and therefore not a very desirable spouse- were it not for the fact I'm Twinborn, meaning I have abilities in both Allomancy and Feruchemy. Anyway, this meant I was able to find a decent husband- a minor noble, like myself, and richer, too. He's also Twinborn. I made my best friend my bridesmaid, and she ran off with my fiancé on my wedding day, heading into the Roughs, beyond the mountains. I followed them, trying to find and kill him. I'd nearly caught up when I found myself here." As she talks, she also eats; her attire and demeanour doesn't seem very noble; however, the 'roughs' are a hard place to survive, and she's been wandering them for years.

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

A cry for help echoes through the forest.

"Did you hear that?" The woman asks.

"It seems our friend got herself in some trouble." The drow summises, then notes his companions expression. "And you wish to help her." He says with a sigh.

"She did try to help me... sort of."

"Are you going to run away again?" He asks, helping her to her feet.

"As long as you'll chase me." She replies with a wicked grin.

Footfalls sound nearby, and voices as well.

"There's other people out there. Going to help."

"All the more luck for you." The drow notes, a bit of amusement in his tone. "How could I possibly drag you back to the underdark with so many people about?" He wonders aloud.

The woman laughs and shakes her head. "Let's go, love." She sets off towards the commotion at a light jog, the drow running parallel beside her.

The two arrive on the scene shortly after the others, still covered in blood from their earlier altercation. Seeing the vines engulfing Xenna the male drow launches into a spell that should shrink the plant back, or at least detangle the vines.

[Rebonack]

[Forest's Edge]

Between vine slashing from a giant and shrinking the vines themselves the drow is freed from stabbing grip of the brambles! Of course, she's still filled with paralytic poison that is trying to turn her insides into soup. Unless someone knows how to neutralize poison there's still a chance that she might die anyway.

As for the lureplant itself, it gives a burbling bellow and sprays a stream of caustic digestive enzymes at the giantess' face. Getting her eyes melted by an angry monster-plant would probably be terrible. Seems the plant isn't too happy about being attacked.

[Dunes]

Geirmund makes a rather odd murmuring noise as he munches into his own fillet of skysquid. It tastes like calamari AND shrimp! Actually pretty good if you happen to enjoy both of those things and aren't allergic to shellfish.

"I can't say that I'm familiar with those schools of magic, but a man violating a wedding agreement like that is a disgrace. Some people think that kind of nonsense is romantic, but it's nothing short of selfish."

Griffin culture tends to focus quite a bit on the importance of clan and family, so someone breaking an arranged marriage because of their own romantic desires is basically considered to be evil.

[Arkhosia]

Forest Edge

Xenna crawls back to her camp. puts her left hand on her wrist and hastily says something in Abyssal. She cast Neutralize Poison. She prepared that spell ever since she learned it: Drow Society.
Thank you...
She then mutters something else in abyssal, and a plague of locust appears and descends upon the plant

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"The Metallic Arts are hereditary. They skip most generations, and my parents and grandparents had no ability in either. Allomancers eat metal pellets or solutions and burn their internal supply for specific effects, varying on the metal. Full Mistborn, with all sixteen metals open to them, haven't been seen in centuries, but Mistings with just one are relatively common. Feruchemy is similar, but relies on external sources of metal, termed a metalmind, storing an ability for later. Copper stores memories, iron stores weight, luck in chromium and so on. The metals used in both are the same, and a Twinborn that is both a Tineye, capable of burning tin to increase their senses and a Windwhisperer, capable of storing part of their sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch in tin, are better at both than somebody with just one, or a mismatched pair. I'm a Thug and a Steelrunner- I burn pewter to increase my strength, and store speed in steel metalminds." Bessandra doesn't know as much about Allomancy, as it's harder to explain and I don't know how I would explain the ability to burn iron to 'pull' against a metal object, bringing either the Allomancer to the metal or the metal to the Allomancer (depending on which is heavier or is better anchored).

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

That was a lot of words.

Geirmund even know what some of them mean!

It's like listening to a wizard ramble about wizardry. He's well aware of the fact that his race is inherently magical. He knows that he can use his magic to fly. He knows that he can use his magic to make his feathers harder than steel and sharp as a razor. And he knows that the skysmiths of his race are able to temper clouds into skysteel like that of his own armor.

But how any of those things actually work? The specifics of the processes and the arcane babble explaining them?

He hasn't the faintest idea.

His magic works when he calls to it. That's good enough for him.

"I see."

He doesn't.

"That's all fascinating. I'm sure the wizards of Glantri or the unicorns of Equestria would be interested in new forms of magic. But I must confess I'm no magus."

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"It's not really magic. Magic doesn't exist; the Metallic Arts do. But, I suppose, viewed from outside, they do seem rather magical." There's a third Metallic Art, but it's rare, little-understood and practicable by just about anybody, so long as that person knows what they're doing.

[Beans]

[Forest's Edge]
Any tendrils coming near Carrie will find her with her hand-wraps drawn back to reveal her hands, dirty-orange as if clay-stained; touching them is kind of extremely bad for plants, and will likely leave any tendril with a limp, dead end should it get too close.

As for the acid-puking, she.. doesn't have much to do about that other than not be in that direction.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

Geirmund makes a grinding noise with his beak at that comment. He might not be very knowledgeable about the magical arts, but... "Of course magic is real. Magic is why I can fly, after all. I'm far too heavy to just soar around like a bird might."

He gives a thoughtful murmur after that comment.

"Though come to think of it, flying feels much easier here. Almost like the air holds me up better? It's rather strange."

Lots of strange things about this place.

Case in point?

As the sun begins dipping below the horizon and twilight deepens it becomes steadily quieter. All the various animal noises die off. Even the crickets and other insects seem loath to make any sound. Perhaps even more disturbingly the distant crash of the waves is losing volume as well.

[OrchestraHc]

Forest's Edge

A bunch of crazy nonsense is going on! Justin can scarcely comprehend what's happening, and as the normal human here, doesn't have much to contribute. What he can do is dash to the wounded girl. The vines having released her, and the mouth-ichoke distracted, he runs to Xenna and tries to drag her out of the fray.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"I'm just hoping we find civilisation soon. I don't have much pewter on me. Did you see any signs of others whilst you were in the air?" Hopefully, a permanent settlement.

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of Soggy Firewood]
After dark

Harley grabs the coil of rope, and looks at it. Well, it's a rope.

As ??? throws the sticks and the branches down to the ground, Harley frowns. Why is she doing that? Harley thought she heard the word that means "fire," but she's suddenly not so sure that's what was said. What use is throwing sticks onto the ground? The ground's wet, and wet things don't catch fire. But she was so sure that she heard the word "fire" that she'll need to check.

Harley voices her confusion. "Pso'hkse she kse fsazis siso? Shax stseshto." Her voice grows more matter-of-fact: "Axafsa kse ksethi fsoku."

Of course, Harley knows that ??? won't understand. What could she do to help her understand? Oh, there's the word "This." Hearing ??? talk is helping her jog her memory of English. She could show a fire, too; maybe that would clear up any confusion?

Against her better judgement (the first thing she was going to do was fix her leg...), Harley shapeshifts her right hand to make it flammable: her skin to not burn immediately, her pores to produce a flammable oil, and one of her joints to produce a spark when she snaps. Doing the shapeshifting definitely cost her some of her energy, though.

This is the hand that doesn't have the rope in it, of course.

Harley leans over to put her hand in plain view of the other woman. She snaps her fingers, and her right hand catches fire. It's just barely bright enough to ward off the darkness immediately around them, but it's a bit hotter than she was expecting. "This...?" she asks, putting a dozen different questions in that one word - Is this what you were talking about? Why did you throw those sticks on the ground? Don't you know the ground is still wet? What were you talking about?


Curses, the darkness is foiled again by dumb luck.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes]

Geirmund gives his head a shake. "Nothing promising. There are some towers far away from here, many days journey on foot for a human, I would imagine. But they looked desolate and time-eaten. I've seen Blackmoorian ruins in better condition."

Blackmoor being an ancient technologically advance civilization that ended up destroying themselves in a massive cataclysm. As it happens, they engineered both the equestrians and the griffins ages ago. Though that isn't exactly common knowledge. The facility that created them is buried under miles of arctic ice now.

Anywho!

As the darkness continues to deepen a rather eerie effect might be noticed.

There are no stars in the sky.

Beyond the edge of the fire the darkness is thick and absolute, as if it where a physical thing rather than a simple lack of light. If one watches carefully they can see the shadows churning and writhing, every now and again a tendril of blackness probing into the light along the ground before quickly retreating.

The feeling of being watched in unmistakable.

Geirmund narrows his eyes at the gloom. "We're being hunted."

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes

"How good's your night vision?" Unfortunately, not being a Tineye/Windwhisperer, Bessandra's night vision is standard human level. Though she does have enough speed stored up to feel confident about outrunning anything that tries to hunt her, she doesn't want to have to run at normal speed in the dark.

[Felandria]

Forest

Felandria dives away from the acidy spray, then makes it to her feet.

Is she okay?

[Rebonack]

[Dunes - Night]

"Griffins can see fine in the dark, though not in pitch blackness. We're no dwarves," Geirmund replies, his wings flicking with agitation as he reaches for his spetum. "I can't see anything beyond these shadows. If I had to guess I would say this is some kind of magical darkness."

Tense moments pass.

The fire continues to flicker.

The griffin dumps another large piece of driftwood into the fire pit to feed the flames and hold the gloom at bay. Then on a whim he wraps some beach grass around a stick, lights it ablaze, and tosses it outside the ring of firelight.

There comes a guttural hissing sound as the gloom retreats from the new source of light.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes- Night

"Be careful. I doubt we want to run out of fuel before dawn. Humans are much better equipped for a diurnal lifestyle; you can probably see better than I can." Bessandra keeps her hand on her pistol anyway.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes - Night]

Geirmund uses one of the hooks on his polearm to snag the torch and drag it back into the circle of firelight. Interestingly enough there's a patch of natural darkness beyond the edge of the camp for a few moments, but once the torch isn't there any longer it soon fills once more with creeping gloom.

"If we run low on wood we can use the torch to gather some more from the beach. It isn't too far away and whatever that immortals-damned abomination is, it doesn't seem too keen on the light."

Abomination seems like a pretty solid name for it.

But it truth, is has a name all its own.

The Grue.

"We should sleep in shifts to keep the fire kindled. I don't relish the idea of being devoured in my sleep by whatever that thing is."

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes- Night

"No, it doesn't. But... I can't help but feel it has us surrounded. Tomorrow, we shall gather enough firewood to last the night, and the next. When we aren't doing anything else, we'll be getting firewood." Bessandra is hoping they survive this night, first.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes - Night]

"Surrounded or not, it flees the light. A torch should keep it away," Geirmund reasons. "If we plan on trying to reach those towers then we'll need to be sure to carry wood with us for a fire. If need be I can probably even cut some for us using the Iron Wing technique."

Sounds like he's planning a bit beyond the immediate as far as survival goes. When it comes to situations like this it is often a good idea to set up goals beyond the immediate

The griffin gives a snort. "As much as I hate to admit it we could use a wizard right now. A light spell would keep this abomination away indefinitely."

Too bad there aren't any wizards around.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes- Night

"Yes, that sounds good. Do you want first watch, or should I take it?" Bessandra is used to travelling on her own, so she's quite a light sleeper. Or she can be, anyway.

[Lost_Deep]

Garden

Kate rolls over and holds her head in her hands. What was going on? Why did she have a headache? Could she hear a voice? Why is it so bright? And what is she lying on? Her eyes open...

...grass?

She looks around. How did she get here? Last she knew she was-
-ow. Bad headache. Remembering is for later, she supposes. She gets up, and checks her pockets. Nothing missing, so that's good. But there's still the matter of where she is. Kate looks around... casually rolling hills, small trees and bushes... what was going on? After a minute, Kate beings walking. No point staying here. She has to find some sign of civilization.

Poor girl has no idea...

[Rebonack]

[Dunes - Night]

"You may take the first watch. The battle with the Alphatians was... rather taxing today."

He's not strictly injured, though there IS a bit of blood on his armor that probably isn't his. War is dirty, tiring work after all. He begins unbinding his armor and setting it aside. The material is rather interesting. A light purple color with darker swirls running through it. It has a sheen rather akin to ice.

Once the armor is off he makes sure his spetum is close at hand lays down near enough to the fire to be comfortable and far enough to avoid any embers that might decide to pop out at him.

That's an unpleasant way to wake up.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp of Teasing the Grue]
[Night]

Harley's hand abruptly erupting into a ball of fire gives ??? a start! Eep! She nearly tumbles off of her branch! She has never seen anyone do anything like that ever before! There's genuine childish amazement and wonder in her eyes as she raptly studies Harley's hand in stupefied silence, which she shakes off in short order.

"Y-y-yes! That! Fire! We-we need that to dry ourselves and warm ourselves and keep the monsters away!"

Because there's something dreadfully wrong this darkness! She can sense it. It's almost as if...as if it is alive! She wouldn't venture out into that for a million zillion platinum pieces.

??? nods enthusiastically and places her hands in front of Harley's flame in the universal "I'm cold so I'm warming myself with this fire" position before pointing out at the darkness and quietly whispering the terrible words in a sinister tone, "Dark. Evil. Bad. Monsters.". They're lurking out there. She knows it. At least one. Likely more. While she is doing this, ??? attempts to ignite a branch of wood with Harley's arm and drop it onto the bonfire. It's green wood, so it shouldn't burn as well as dry wood. While the ground may be drenched with water, ??? has pitched all of the twigs she has amputated into a small pyre which might not be entirely doused by the ground's moisture, but will probably burn out if it isn't constantly fed with every limb Harley and her mysterious companion can strip from the tree.

[Artemis97]

[Forest]

"She will live." The male drow reports. "Whatever poison there was, she neutralized it." He had recognized the spell she cast.

"I've never seen a plant like that before." The woman says, staring at the stop of sizzling earth where the plant had spit. "Of course, that doesn't mean much." Though she knew enough to get by in the wild, she was still very much a city person.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes- Night

Without a moon or stars, Bessandra will guess as to when they are halfway through the night (or if they are disturbed) before waking the griffon.

[Rebonack]

[Swamp - Night]

When the flames flash into being there's a guttural hiss as the gloom retreats away from them. The area beyond the reach of the light is utterly pitch black. In fact, it seems to writhe with darkness in a fashion that suggests something both living and malevolent. Even various forms of magical sight that can peer through darkness will be unable to pierce the gloom.

Best keep that fire burning, ladies.

The Grue is waiting just beyond the illumination of the dancing flames.

[Forest's Edge]

The maw of the plant seals shut, protecting itself with its armored outer leaves. What few brambles remain retreat into the brushy clumps of grass they had sprung from. Seems the lureplant is closing itself back up to avoid further injury.

[Dunes - Night]

What would be the fun in not being disturbed?

After an hour or two some sand near the edge of the campfire's reach begins to wriggle and collapse moments before a rather odd little creature digs its way up through the sand.

A very odd little creature.

In appearance it seems like a cross between a rabbit and a star-nosed mole, though it sports a deeply fluted unicorn-like horn on its forehead. Maybe for digging? The blind animal hobbles over to a flower growing out of one of those patches of ground-covering succulents and begins eating it.

[Arkhosia]

Forest Edge

Xenna is dragged, which causes her to react a bit violently.
Let go of me!
She shouts, panic in her voice.
Xenna turns and tries to strike Justin with her fist. Hard.
If she is successful, she will scramble back to the campfire.
Her face pales when she sees the drow again, but then she looks confused when she notices the woman still there.

[Felandria]

Forest Edge

Xenna is dragged, which causes her to react a bit violently.
Let go of me!
She shouts, panic in her voice.
Xenna turns and tries to strike Justin with her fist. Hard.
If she is successful, she will scramble back to the campfire.
Her face pales when she sees the drow again, but then she looks confused when she notices the woman still there.

Felandria kneels down next to Xenna and gently places a hand on her shoulder.

Calm down, everything is okay.

We rescued you from the plant.

What is your name?

[5a Violista]

[The Long Night at the Swamp]
Night

It's going to be a long night...

As the mysterious lady pointed out, there's something wrong with the darkness. Well, now that Harley's looking at it (and it's contrasting against the light of the fire), it is pretty obvious.

She nods 'yes.' Harley can't exactly help out breaking off branches while her arm's on fire, though. Eventually, she wraps her arm up in part of her still-soaking shirt, dousing the flames on her arm - the fire from the bonfire should be good enough for now.

Now, she can help gather these sticks and toss them down to the base of the tree.

Since the tree's large enough, it might last all night, but I'm not sure how many more days it will last (probably only this one) before the tree is stripped of useful branches. In any case, Harley will get very tired - after all, she's been in a battle today, broke her leg, and is now in a tree breaking off the branches all night long.

Eventually, though, Harley will begin just talking about stuff in her native language: basically, reviewing aloud the battle she had earlier today and how she could have done better. Better than silence, after all: talking is a good way to distract oneself from the darkness around them.

[Mr. Moon]

Stone Field

Keska flinches as the Paladin orders her to stand back. She does take several steps back, but that's less from any compulsion to do as he says and more from panic. Back, back she goes until - thunk - she hits a cliff face. Ow.

For now, the ice elf stands there. Red eyes peer out under the fur rim of her hood, wide and dilated. She grips her sword tightly in mittened hands, the sharpened bone blade outstretched, shaking.
"S-stay back!" she warns, trying to sound intimidating but failing utterly. Keska swallows, and speaks again with a more level voice. "Who are you? How did I get here?!"

[Artemis97]

[Forest Edge]

"You forgot this." The drow says, drawing the dagger Xenna had thrown at him. He hurls it at a spot near her feet, where its tip buries itself deep into the dirt.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest Edge]

"You forgot this." The drow says, drawing the dagger Xenna had thrown at him. He hurls it at a spot near her feet, where its tip buries itself deep into the dirt.

Xenna.
Then, a dagger is returned!
Xenna's face pales

[UncleWolf]

Grassland

The Wolfen stares blankly at what used to be her favorite headband as her ears fall back a little in faint sadness. "That used to be my favorite..." She murmurs before shaking her head. "But a goblet is better than a sack for drinking out of. Go ahead and drink first." Umbra says with a small nod as she gives her nearly finished tent a gentle tug to see how tough it is before continuing her weaving.

Stone Field

Aequitus does as asked and stays away from the newcomer, even taking a few steps away as his helmet folds down into a gorget around his neck. His face is...perfect. He's practically a paragon of MANLY handsomeness with a hard jaw, flawless skin, bright blue eyes, and golden hair that falls in waves down to his shoulders.

The Techno-Paladin gives the area a slow look, shaking his head a bit. "No. Don't take any of the meat. We don't have a fire yet, and the smell of death and blood is going to attract attention. Especially the latter. I don't know about you all, but I'd rather not fight a flock of these." He admits before turning to the woman. "I don't think any of us know where we are, but more importantly are you okay? It looked like you had a rough landing."

[Beans]

[Forest]
Carrie meeps as the dagger is (harmlessly) thrown, stepping closer to Fel in alarm.
The tall redhead and her scruffy companion seem, by some degree, the least threatening to the skittish winged girl.

[Earl of Purple]

Dunes- Night

Bessandra will watch the creature cautiously. At the moment, though, it doesn't seem directly dangerous, certainly not dangerous enough to shoot, and whilst it might be good to eat, they've currently got enough food.

Hopefully, it's not a creature that works to provide a distraction for something more dangerous in exchange for part of the prey.

Garden

Kate's walking disturbs something! It's got a long, sinuous body covered in brown scales and eight jointed, insect-like legs. Two pairs are located immediately behind its triangular head, which is dominated by a wide, toothy mouth and three eyes- one at every corner. The other four legs are located at the base of the creature's tail. The tail itself is quite long, and ends with a bony blade. It raises its tail up scorpion like and makes an aggressive hiss; it's coiled around a nest containing three spherical objects covered in fine hair- its 'eggs'.

[Saurous]

[Stone Field]

Saurous grumbles to himself and lowers his arm. He mumbles a last few arcane words and the energy from the prepared bolt of lightning stored in the focusing rod carefully and gradually disperses into the air. He's only got the one piece of glass at the moment, and he'd rather not waste it if there isn't something that needs zapping.

Once finished, he slips the glass back into its respective pouch on his belt and walks over to Aequitus, helping the zombie up off the ground along the way.

"It's a shame that it couldn't be left in a solid piece," he says, somehow not fully noticing the presence of the new arrival. "I'd like to study the fauna of this place a bit more closely, when it isn't actively trying to kill us."

[Lord Magtok]

Stone Field

Holy Raptor Christ, he's gorgeous. Merely a man, sure, but a really, really amazing man. Screw Captain Jupiter, Professor Playboy, Stockholm Sorceror, even... Wait. He's probably, in fact, the most attractive humanoid to have ever walked the universes, in an over-hyped, inhuman, Stephanie Meyer described, kinda way. Take Cellblock Warlock’s intrigue (without the weird loner, and lover, issues), Bayonet’s boldness (without the uncouth idiocy, and ignoring the occasional bouts of OMG-cowardice), Commander Dazzle’s flair (without the moral weakness – don’t try and deny it), Sergeant Sizzle’s sexiness (without the overtones of rank easiness), Count Crime-ula’s gothic impressiveness (without the tendency to get on your nerves with that accent), and everyone else good looking you can think of’s attractiveness (without that ugly stench of fallibility).

Magtok catches himself staring as the paladin speaks, and abruptly looks away, looking at the pieces of his space suit as if they were incredibly significant and he had never seen the thing before in his entire life. He keeps quiet for now, since the cyborg doesn't know anything about surviving out here, all his theories about how they got here have been busted by the presence of that holy knight, and everyone else here is a weird, terrifying stranger who might be out to get him.

[Eadin]

Grassland

The Wolfen stares blankly at what used to be her favorite headband as her ears fall back a little in faint sadness. "That used to be my favorite..." She murmurs before shaking her head. "But a goblet is better than a sack for drinking out of. Go ahead and drink first." Umbra says with a small nod as she gives her nearly finished tent a gentle tug to see how tough it is before continuing her weaving.


"Oh, don't worry. I can turn it back. I just need something better than a bunch of grass for Transfiguration..." Woops, should have explained that. The wolf person probably does not know magic like this.
She grabs the goblet and takes a big gulp out of it.
"I'll turn it back later, promise."

[Lost_Deep]

Garden

Kate's walking disturbs something! It's got a long, sinuous body covered in brown scales and eight jointed, insect-like legs. Two pairs are located immediately behind its triangular head, which is dominated by a wide, toothy mouth and three eyes- one at every corner. The other four legs are located at the base of the creature's tail. The tail itself is quite long, and ends with a bony blade. It raises its tail up scorpion like and makes an aggressive hiss; it's coiled around a nest containing three spherical objects covered in fine hair- its 'eggs'.

Kate makes a noise between a 'huh?', a confused wail, and a squawk of dismay, falls back onto her rump, and scuttles backward. Her brain is shorting out from surprise, fear, and confusion, but she's moving away from it and it's nest.

[Rebonack]

[Dunes - Night]

It's possible the burrow creature was simply attracted by the warmth of the fire radiating through the ground. And considering that it isn't going after the squid corpse it must not be carnivorous.

That's always a plus.

Once the unicorn/mole/rabbit has munched on several flowers it'll trundle back to its burrow and go scooting back out of sight. Oddly enough said burrow has an almost glistening look to its surface. Glistening and fibrous.

Silk, maybe?

What a weird creature.

[Aric Kale]

Meadows - Night

Thatcher snaps his fingers and flicks the resulting fireball into the firepit. Get into the tent, night fell faster than expected...
Something is out there and I don't like it.
In case Tanar is unsure, Thatcher gestures towards the hastily-made structure with his thumb. The pyromancer will stay outside and take first watch.

[Arkhosia]

Meadow - Night

Invidia curls up under the tent and falls fast asleep.
Thatcher will find that Buddy is approaching him.
Hello!

[Earl of Purple]

Garden

Convinced that Kate is no further threat, the creature returns to its nest. It's about three metres long; but its teeth are the wrong shape for chewing or pulling meat off bones, and it's far too thin to swallow a human whole; it's about as thick as Kate's arm. It's big enough to be intimidating and dangerous, but not large enough to be actively hostile.

Dunes- Night

Bessandra will stay where she is, keeping close to the fire. She'll watch the critter so long as it's there, curious if it will be snaffled by the Grue (not that she's aware of what it's called). So long as she feels the Grue is still present, anyway.

[Lost_Deep]

Garden

Kate just stares. There are odd things in the world, but there are some rules. Rules like reptiles having two eyes, and four limbs, and-WHAT IS IT?

Kate stands up, and watches it a bit. She blinks, she shakes her head, she rubs her eyes, all the things common of people who can't believe what they are seeing.

[The Alexandrian]

[Stupid Swamp! :smallannoyed:]
Midnight

??? rapidly and unceremoniously disrobes a minute or two after Harley accepts the shared burden of playing the role of vigilant keepers of the flame alongside her. She wrings her garments and hangs them to dry on the branch above the toasty fire that burns much brighter than expected. It may be chilly without them, but temporary discomfort is infinitely better than freezing to death or contracting pneumonia (a veritable death sentence in an untamed land anyway) with them. She suggests that Harley do the same. When her generic modern day raiment (black jeans, a light purple long sleeve t-shirt, black boots, white crew socks and a waterproof light jacket) are have dried, ??? will, of course, don them again.

??? attempts to translate bits of Harley's speech when Harley does eventually start to converse with her. She'll repeat any words that Harley stresses before attempting to pantomime what she suspects the word might mean. If Harley expresses approval of this likely rudimentary interpretation said bits of her language, ??? will inform Harley of the English equivalent of the word.

???'s mood only sours as the night drags on. ??? is careful not to be rude to Harley, but her frustration and fear is steadily mounting. She's nitroglycerin awaiting a spark.

When the witching hour is upon the pair, ??? has had enough of this tainted land's sick game! ??? won't take the awful, profound, primal terror that this hellish night shovels upon them for a single solitary second longer! No!

With an provoked and particularly vicious growl, ??? aims a rather rude gesture at the unnatural darkness and gloom threatening to swallow her companion and herself whole. With a rancorous roar she lashes out against it with the only two weapons available to her, words-

"**** you, nature! **** you!"

-and a blazing beam of sunlight which pierces the heart of the darkness like an arrow blessed by the goddess, setting fire to a nearby tree before the enraged ???, razor-sharp teeth bared, ceases fire.

Satisfied with the immolation of one of Mother Nature's (the soulless, sadistic *****) beloved children, ??? smirks smugly. Revenge is sweet and soothing, a candy that quiets the violent rumbling of her stomach - or at least makes it much more tolerable. The subsequent combustion of other neighboring trees should ward off the darkness for whatever remains of the night.

??? then turns to face Harley. Quirking her head to the right ever so slightly, she calmly requests that Harley give her an item!

"Rope, please?"

What could ??? be up to?

[Earl of Purple]

Garden

The thing watches Kate, but so long as she stays where she is and doesn't get too close, it won't otherwise respond.

After about five minutes, if Kate's still watching, one of the fleshy, hairy orbs beneath the creature (which I won't name; Kate has that pleasure, should she wish it) will pulsate and rip as the new life within eats its way out. It's much smaller than the adult, and is covered in a thin, reddish fluid from its 'egg', but is otherwise identical. For now, it's busy eating the rest of its 'egg'.

[5a Violista]

[Swamp's feelings are hurt...]

I have completely forgotten to mention that Harley, even in The Crossroad, still has the same huge scar on the left side of her face, running from above her eyebrow down to almost her chin.

Anyway, Harley followed ???'s suggestion - after all, they're both women, so it doesn't matter as much ((See? I told everyone that was a benefit)). Like ???, Harley does get dressed again, because it's a good thing to do.

It seems the attempted translation is helping out Harley a lot. She's now able to successfully say (some) sentences in English without huge pauses to think! I'm sure ??? learned quiet a bit of Harley's language, too, ((which only means I'll have to write out more clearly the meaning of any non-English word she says)). Fortunately, though, this means I can write out a lot more in English. Thus, Harley gets more accustomed to speaking English.

Seeing ??? shout once again, followed by the massive burst of energy leads Harley to one simple conclusion: ???'s voice is extremely powerful. First, the monster, and now this. She makes a mental note to not give ??? any reason to yell at her.

---

It only takes Harley a moment to hand over the rope towards the other woman. She wonders what it's going to be used for; probably for some strange and obscure ritual which does something or other.

[Tris]

Meadows - Night

Thatcher snaps his fingers and flicks the resulting fireball into the firepit. Get into the tent, night fell faster than expected...
Something is out there and I don't like it.
In case Tanar is unsure, Thatcher gestures towards the hastily-made structure with his thumb. The pyromancer will stay outside and take first watch.

"Ok."

Tanar walks over to the tent and sets down his staff. Lena jumps off of his shoulders and curls up beside him when he lays down. Despite the comfort of his cat, Tanar has a hard time falling asleep. He feels like the darkness around him wants to sallow him up.

[The Alexandrian]

[Burn, Swamp! Burn!]
Night of Furious Magical Shouting!

"Fus ro dah!" :smalltongue:

Hooray! Everyone is learning to speak a common language already! Tower of Babel, begone!

??? ties the rope around her branch before attempting to toss it back to Harley and signaling for her to do the same. If Harley does as ???'s requests, this process will be repeated again and again until both branches are lashed together by a bed of rope. ??? will then proceed to cautiously climb onto the bed of rope to ensure that it can hold her weight before motioning for Harley to join her.

"You should try to get some shuteye. Y'know, sleep. I'll tend to the fires and keep an eye out for monsters. There's no reason why both of us should be dead tired tomorrow."

It should be noted that ??? will attempt to use the words she learned of Harley's language in talking to Harley from now on so they might eventually be able to speak to each other in a language that nobody else will be able to recognize. :smallbiggrin:

[5a Violista]

[Swamp aflame]
Witching Hour

Of course, them having their own secret half-language that other people can hardly recognize is a huge advantage. It will make my posting go a little faster, for starters. Second, they'll be able to use secret messages and such.

Because there was no reason not to, Harley had consented and tossed the rope back and forth until the bed was made. The bed made of rope is a whole lot better of an idea than the one Harley was thinking of. She even mentions this compliment.

Then, Harley nods in agreement. She gets onto the strange ropey bed, careful to leave her broken leg-sword on a branch somewhere because it can't bend (from the sword-splint). «Okay,» she says in their strange, bastardized language that neither are completely fluent in. «If you get tired, just wake me.»

Before falling asleep, Harley says a prayer under her breath. Then, she tries to get in a comfortable position to sleep. It's not that hard, being tired from battle and swamp and all.

[OrchestraHc]

Forest Edge

Sorry, misread, attempt rescinded.

"Alright I left my stuff on a tree backaways. Since we know there's a monster-plant here can we get on the move. Maybe take some fire with us?" He jabs his thumb behind him.

The thrown dagger quirks an eyebrow from Justin. It might have been nothing, but he knew at least the strange guy was familiar with knives, which was enough to make Justin immediately distrust him. If he did it forcefully, it might have been an intimidation move. Either way, Justin super doesnt want him in the group.

[The Alexandrian]

[Sleepy Swamp...Sleepy, Fiery Swamp]
Dawn

Seeeeecreeeeetsssssss! :smallwink::smalltongue:

The ropey bed isn't as comfy as a normal bed, but it seems as though it'll do. They're safe and at least one of them can recline and relax. ??? thanks Harley for the compliment, if she can interpret it as such, that is. Either way, ??? is glad to see Harley fall asleep. Poor girl will need all the rest and help she can get, what with her leg in the condition it is in. As Harley rests, ??? whittles away at hefty sticks of timber with her sharp axe. She is crafting items no doubt. The fruits of her labor will be apparent the next day when her partner in survival awakens.

Unless you have something in mind, the night should pass uneventfully. ??? watches over Harley as she rests and sets fire to many, many trees to keep the darkness at bay.

??? will, of course, permit Harley to sleep in for as long as she wishes. She doesn't shift around much at all from her initial position.

When Harley does awaken, ??? will sitting upright, her back propped up against the tree trunk, still whittling away at chunks of wood. Not far from her are two sharpened wooden sticks and eight shorter sharpened sticks, spears and javelins from the looks of them. There's are two other wooden items among the pile of crude wooden weaponry, a sturdy wooden cane and four smooth and solid wooden braces to replace Harley's scabbard for her splint.

??? has been busy! Her eyes are a tad bloodshot and she is exhausted, but she's grateful that they weren't attacked during the night.

[5a Violista]

[Southern Swamp]
48 hours remain

Harley wakes up, wondering where she is. They were supposed to wake her before sunrise! They were supposed to leave early, otherwise, they wouldn't have...

...Oh, wait. She's in a tree rope-bed, not in a hammock or a tent.

Then, she starts her day off with a whispered prayer again, and she looks for ???. Oh. There she is, right there. Still there. Harley then decides she can shapeshift her leg bone back together, but...oh, wait. She hasn't eaten or had water for twenty hours. If she did fix her leg right now, she would be really weak - though not tired. Only weak, which could be potentially bad.

Well, at least her hand's still flammable. She doesn't have to shapeshift that for now.

Harley wishes ??? a good morning, then looks at the objects that were made. She gestures at them, as if to say, "What are those?".

[Aric Kale]

Meadow - Night

Invidia curls up under the tent and falls fast asleep.
Thatcher will find that Buddy is approaching him.
Hello!


"Ok."

Tanar walks over to the tent and sets down his staff. Lena jumps off of his shoulders and curls up beside him when he lays down. Despite the comfort of his cat, Tanar has a hard time falling asleep. He feels like the darkness around him wants to sallow him up.

Meadows - Night

Thatcher glances sideways at the snake-like demon. Hello there, little one. Feel free to rest for now. I'll take second watch; you can relieve me in five or six hours. Thatcher's stomach growls loudly...he'd have to eat soon. Food is necessary.

[The Alexandrian]

[S]Princesses In A Bottle! Daybreak!

Oh! Oh, good. Harley has stirred. ??? wearily glances at her. Ugh. Where's coffee when you need it? Heck, she'd even take it black. Or tea. Tea would be good too. What she wouldn't give for a steaming cup of caffeine right now. What she wouldn't give.

Or food. Food would be nice too.

"Good morning, Harley."

??? greets before she yawns. Her eyes focus on the pile of wooden objects she has created. For a moment, she doesn't seem to know what they are, but she quickly recovers from that bafflement and her eyes light up with pride.

"Those are spears and javelins. The tips need to be hardened over a fire, but then they'll serve as decent ranged weapons for now. We can burn them too if we ever need too. The other items are gifts I carved to help you with your injury. There are wooden braces there that you can use to replace your scabbard for your splint. That other thing is a cane. I thought that, you know, if anything bad happens to me and we're separated, it'll help you move around."

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of Mourning]
Morning

Harley looks over the wooden objects as she puzzles over the words she didn't understand.

After she figures it out, she nods. She scoots a little closer, and then unties the torn sleeve strips that were holding the sword on her leg. Before she even touches the braces, Harley places the sword and scabbard back where it belongs - on her back, nigh-horizontal so the hilt is just below her armpit.

Then, Harley grabs the braces and tries to figure out how to put them on correctly. Her stomach growls, but she ignores it. «Like this?» she asks, motioning at them. Not entirely correct, but there was some logic behind the way she put them on. She might need help, though, to get them on correctly.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp of Mourning Indeed! - Stomachs Rumbling In Memory Of Needs Food Badly]
Too Early To Be Day; Too Late To Be Night

"Like this."

??? answers as she attempts to correctly position the braces around Harley's shattered leg to more or less lock it in place and immobilize it. She'll tie the braces together with Harley's strips of cloth so that the improved splint should form a snug support structure as well. She's perhaps uncharacteristically gentle, meticulous, and careful in attempting to do this. She doesn't want to hurt Harley and it shows.

"We'll find something better once we've left this hole behind us."

"Are you ready to move on?"

??? attempts to act out everything she is talking about as she did the night before. They desperately need to reach civilization so that Harley can receive proper medical treatment, she thinks.

[5a Violista]

[Swamp of...swampiness]
Sunrise

Harley nods. «Yes, I am,» she says. The splint structure feels pretty nice and supportive. That's good, 'cause that's what it's supposed to do.

She's appreciative that ??? isn't trying to hurt her. It's a pretty nice sentiment, isn't it?

BUT! Before they can move on, they have to gather the rope again. Harley gets safely on a branch (and waits until the other woman and the woodwork also do so). Then, she leans over, and begins unraveling the bed of ropes, and winding it up. It will take quite the while - even if ??? helps - just as long as it took to set it up - but they'll have their rope still.

...

Then, will come the hard part: getting down. Well, getting down isn't exactly hard. Getting down without further injuring a leg is.

[The Alexandrian]

[Swamp of Spears, Splints, And Sentiments]
Morn

It would be super counterproductive for ??? to devote the whole night to carving items to help Harley overcome her injury only to injure her even more at daybreak. :smalltongue:

Not quite...

While ??? will happily lend Harley a hand in untying the rope, once the rope is untied and she sees Harley eyeing the ground below again, she calls to her.

"Tie the rope to your branch and shimmy down it. I'll untie it after you're on the ground and then I'll drop down."

[Felandria]

Forest Edge

Sorry, misread, attempt rescinded.

"Alright I left my stuff on a tree backaways. Since we know there's a monster-plant here can we get on the move. Maybe take some fire with us?" He jabs his thumb behind him.

The thrown dagger quirks an eyebrow from Justin. It might have been nothing, but he knew at least the strange guy was familiar with knives, which was enough to make Justin immediately distrust him. If he did it forcefully, it might have been an intimidation move. Either way, Justin super doesnt want him in the group.

Yes, fire would be wise.


Felandria turns to Carrie.

You are more than welcome to join us, I will keep you safe.

She then turns to Xenna.

And you as well.

We mean you no harm, I am Felandria, come with us, I will make sure you are safe.

[Beans]

[Forest Edge]
Carrie smiles weakly up at the taller (like, more than twicely taller) woman, adjusting her handwraps to cover all but her fingertips again.
Th-thanks... I'm Carrie, um... w-who are you all?

[5a Violista]

[Swamp o' th' ... Swamp]
Break of Dawn Legs, actually

Harley looks down at the ground again. It's pretty far. She looks at ???, as if asking, "Are you sure it will work?" For several reasons, actually. For one, the rope could get stuck on some of the branches as it falls down. Second, she doesn't think that ??? should just 'drop down.' Third, what if the branch attached to the rope breaks?

Regardless of these doubts, she ties the rope to the branch.

Harley carefully climbs down the branches, keeping both hands gripped on the rope almost the whole time. In addition, she tries to take as straight of a path as possible, so the rope won't get tangled up on branches.

Luckily, this time, her player is merciful and she doesn't slip and lose her grip on the rope halfway down, causing her to crash against a bunch of branches on the way down and ultimately land on a rock.
No, that does not happen. Instead, she makes it safely down to the bottom and waits for the woman up there to do...whatever she was going to do.

[Artemis97]

[Forest Edge]

"My name's Brie." The short, red-haired woman introduces herself with a slight smile. She was trying to seem friedly, despite how tired she was.

"I am Sszinyon Xar'Cha, second son of House Xabaresh Chaeron." The drow says after her, speaking the common tongue. He assumes Xenna would understand the important bits. A drow name was hard to miss.

[Arkhosia]

Yes, fire would be wise.


Felandria turns to Carrie.

You are more than welcome to join us, I will keep you safe.

She then turns to Xenna.

And you as well.

We mean you no harm, I am Felandria, come with us, I will make sure you are safe.
Thank you.


[Forest Edge]
Carrie smiles weakly up at the taller (like, more than twicely taller) woman, adjusting her handwraps to cover all but her fingertips again.
Th-thanks... I'm Carrie, um... w-who are you all?


[Forest Edge]

"My name's Brie." The short, red-haired woman introduces herself with a slight smile. She was trying to seem friedly, despite how tired she was.

"I am Sszinyon Xar'Cha, second son of House Xabaresh Chaeron." The drow says after her, speaking the common tongue. He assumes Xenna would understand the important bits. A drow name was hard to miss.

Xenna's eyes widen.
She gets up and puts a fist over her heart.
Chessxenna Maeana, First Daughter of House Maeana. It is an honor.

[Artemis97]

"What is the heiress of House Maeana doing upon the surface?" Sszinyon asks her in drow. "I was not aware that your house had any activities in this area. Have you allied with my House on the invasion?" Of course, this area was not the area his family was invading, and Xenna likely came from somewhere completely different. Such was the nature of the Nexus.

[Arkhosia]

"What is the heiress of House Maeana doing upon the surface?" Sszinyon asks her in drow. "I was not aware that your house had any activities in this area. Have you allied with my House on the invasion?" Of course, this area was not the area his family was invading, and Xenna likely came from somewhere completely different. Such was the nature of the Nexus.

Yes. We decided to attempt to teleport to the surface. I had the "honor" of going first. Should have been more wary.

[Artemis97]

[Forest Edge]

"So you are trapped on the surface amongst these... people." Sszinyon waves a hand at the others, a note of distaste in his voice. "Away from your family and our civilization. May I ask what you plan to do next?"

As the two drow talk, Brie sits next to the fire and tends to it, making sure it won't go out. She unshoulders her gear and gets comfortable, ready to spend the night there. "Is anyone hungry?" She asks the others in the common tongue.

[Arkhosia]

[Forest Edge]

"So you are trapped on the surface amongst these... people." Sszinyon waves a hand at the others, a note of distaste in his voice. "Away from your family and our civilization. May I ask what you plan to do next?"

As the two drow talk, Brie sits next to the fire and tends to it, making sure it won't go out. She unshoulders her gear and gets comfortable, ready to spend the night there. "Is anyone hungry?" She asks the others in the common tongue.

The drow shrugs
Survive, maybe find my way back or make a home here.

[Felandria]

[Forest Edge]
Carrie smiles weakly up at the taller (like, more than twicely taller) woman, adjusting her handwraps to cover all but her fingertips again.
Th-thanks... I'm Carrie, um... w-who are you all?

I am Felandria, and this is Justin.



Thank you.

You are quite welcome.

I only wish I knew how I came to be here, I do not remember very much.


[Forest Edge]

As the two drow talk, Brie sits next to the fire and tends to it, making sure it won't go out. She unshoulders her gear and gets comfortable, ready to spend the night there. "Is anyone hungry?" She asks the others in the common tongue.

I suspect we all are.

I shall see if I can find an animal or two.

((Do we have to RP hunting for food?))

[Artemis97]

[Forest Edge]

"It is very different on the surface, but it has some good qualities. Food is certainly easier to obtain. Water is plentiful." He explains. "Would you consider not returning to the Underdark?"


"I've got some things. Enough for the night. We'llbe wanting breakfast, though, I think." Brie pulls a small pot from her pack and sets it near the fire. She takes out a few ingredients and adds them to it, along with some water from a skin. Dried, smoked meat and some herbs, as well as a few small onions. A savory scent rises from the pot as it all stews together.

((Since this is a survival situation, I imagine RPing hunting would be a good idea.))

[ImpSyndrome]

[SWAMP, JAMES SWAMP: Nighttime]

The marrow-fang retreats a safe distance while observing the mammals as best it can in the darkness. They have climbed into the canopy, where it can no longer reach them, and the flames of nearby swamp trees deter it from approaching at all. With no options but to wait, it loses interest and starts roaming its territory again, seeking out alternate means of sustenance...

[Daybreak]

The marrow has a remarkable memory when it comes to hunger and food. Even after wandering the swamp for a few hours before sleeping in a small pool of swampy mire, it can perfectly recall the steps to take to return to the place where the two mammals came to rest. It moves silently through the foliage, barely disturbing the native plant life as it draws near. If the ruthless Grue has not already gotten to them, it will soon have a second chance at its prey, but it needs to wait for them to come within reach first...

Meanwhile, as the two women wake up and get moving again, they may disturb the ashes of the burned-out swamp trees. If so, they might just notice a girl sleeping beneath the remains of the charred flora; she's no older than sixteen years old, based on appearance, and clad in filthy, tattered clothing.

((Huh, didn't take as long as I thought.))

[Morty]

[Grasslands]

A lone figure is trekking across the endless grass. The black-haired, red-eyed warrior isn't sure how he got here, but he needs to put as much distance between him and his pursuers as possible. He just wishes he wasn't in such wide open terrain...

[Arkhosia]

[Forest Edge]

"It is very different on the surface, but it has some good qualities. Food is certainly easier to obtain. Water is plentiful." He explains. "Would you consider not returning to the Underdark?"


"I've got some things. Enough for the night. We'llbe wanting breakfast, though, I think." Brie pulls a small pot from her pack and sets it near the fire. She takes out a few ingredients and adds them to it, along with some water from a skin. Dried, smoked meat and some herbs, as well as a few small onions. A savory scent rises from the pot as it all stews together.

((Since this is a survival situation, I imagine RPing hunting would be a good idea.))

I would, why?

[UncleWolf]

Grasslands

Umbra shakes her head. "No, it's fine. For now a cup is better than a headband." She admits before standing and waving the new stiff "cloth" of tightly woven plains grass about three feet wide and seven long. "It isn't completely waterproof or wind proof, but if both of us sleep under it, we'll stay warm." She explains. "Does it look alright? If we can find an actual forest tomorrow, we can turn it into a real roof over a bed."

[Lost_Deep]

Garden

The thing watches Kate, but so long as she stays where she is and doesn't get too close, it won't otherwise respond.

After about five minutes, if Kate's still watching, one of the fleshy, hairy orbs beneath the creature (which I won't name; Kate has that pleasure, should she wish it) will pulsate and rip as the new life within eats its way out. It's much smaller than the adult, and is covered in a thin, reddish fluid from its 'egg', but is otherwise identical. For now, it's busy eating the rest of its 'egg'.

Kate doesn't stick around that long. She turns around and walks away quickly, confused and scared. Where is she that has such things? How did she get here? What's going on? Are there other things like that?

Her mind spins. What is going on?

[Eadin]

Grasslands

Meropé nods. "Very well..." She seems to feel a bit guilty none the less.
Then the Wolfen presents the "cloth", and her expression changes to impressed.
"That's really cool. I'm sure it will do for tonight. And let's hope we'll find some way to get home tomorrow. Or at least find where we are..."
Those would both be extremely useful!