Strange Old Worlds

[Grimtina]

It starts out as a normal day...

[TechnoScrabble]

"Just up the ridge, bro," Hunter says with a grunt, stopping to lean on a tree and help his brother over the flint incline, "'s a good clearing, got a view of the hills. Deer come through all the time."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders moved quietly through the badlands towards the small outcropping of trees where the target was supposed to be. The rest of the fire team was encircling the location. Radio silence until something was spotted. The darkness was a great ally, especially with night vsion goggles./ Even more so when the enemy was not likely using them.

Finally he slipped from the dry grass into the short scrub trees. It always felt good to be in cover. He checked his watch, just past oh three hundred hours. Someone should spot someone soon, unless this was a total bust.

Pop, pop, pop came the familiar sound of suppressed 5.56 followed too quickly by the louder bark of the ubiquitous AK-47. ****. Did someone **** up or ... ?

"****. They spotted us! North quadrant of the target area. Multiple bandits. Sound off."
"Brown"
"Yu"
Tim says "Saunders." Pause. **** Roberts and Packard are down already?
Then the **** really hit the fan. To the North there was the sound of a heavy machine gun. 50 cal or 12.7 maybe. Then three explosions ... mortar? Artillery? Grenaid launcher.

And then silence. Total silence.

[Desril]

Morgan

Walking home, Morgan wasn't paying much attention to what was going on around him, his mind split and focusing on two different tasks as he made his way back from his gaming session. Alright, almost level 5, I think I'll probably grab Spell Focus (Conjuration). If we're playing with the new Mythic rules then that'll end up being really helpful later on, but first-- "Damnit," he swore aloud at the device in his hands. Goddamn zubats! I really need to buy more repels.

[Grimtina]

Just over the ridge, the clearing looks almost normal. There is a low mist on the ground which should not be there around this time of day, this time of year, and it prevents the ground from being visible. There are indeed deer there - really large members of their species. Something feels a little off, but the woodpeckers are still hammering away at trees, a jay shouts his mocking call and a cuckoo echoes through the forest.



The silence begins to stretch, and the darkness seems to close in, but then there is a sudden movement nearby. To the left, somewhere. It is not so much that Saunders really sees or feels anything, it is more of a hunch. One of the kind you better don't ignore or you drop dead faster than you can think "Jesus."

Clack... clack... clack, clack, clack. It sounds like a rolling stone on a downwards movement. Which is odd, as the terrain had been almost flat, not counting the hill at 6, and that was too far behind and not rocky enough to cause such a sound. Then a hiss, somewhere close, and a slithering sound like a snake moving away. And then this smell in the air. It had been all dusty and dry a moment ago, and the ground had still radiated the day's heat. Now, the ground felt harder and cooler and a little damp, and the air smelled like moss after a fresh rain.



Staring at his device, automatically moving around the standard obstacles on the road - the newspaper box, the slightly off positioned lampost, the garbage bin and so on, Morgan makes good pace. The few people around at this time of day swerve to avoid him, seeing him preoccupied. Only once he almost collides with a fat woman paying more attention to her phone than the street as well.

He doesn't notice that the sounds his steps make change, or that the light has gotten significantly dimmer. What he does slowly notice, though, is that there is no connection anymore. The GPS symbol complains, likely has for a few minutes already. Then the eerie darkness and silence around closes in on him. The only light comes from the stars in the sky and a full moon.

Something is odd about that moon though, which adds to the weirdness of the situation. It may look like what he#s used to, but this moon has a totally different surface pattern.

[Desril]

Morgan

It takes a minute, but eventually Morgan notices the sudden darkness. "Wait, it wasn't that late, what the hell?"

Flipping the system shut and stuffing it into his pocket, the confused gamer looks around and tries to take stock of the situation, looking for anything that might give him a clue as to why it's suddenly night, not yet noticing why the moon is bothering him.


Perception, just in case (1d20+8)[15]

[Grimtina]

There are buildings all around, but they are ruins - broken walls, a doorframe standing alone, an unconneced archway, a lonely chimney and another one in a hallf gone house. Trees and other plants grow out of the remains here and there, but it is hard to see much despite the relatively bright night.

"Hohooot!" something shouts up from the chimney.

[Desril]

Morgan

"The hell? I don't remember any ruins like this on the way home..." Furrowing his brow and trying to figure out what's going on, he hears what he assumes to be an owl coming from the chimney. Hell, maybe it's not a bird, no harm in trying, right? Shrugging his shoulders he calls out, "Hello?! Is someone there?"

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter pulls his brother up over the ridge, then stops, scanning the clearing, obviously offput. An arm extends, holding Sonny still.

"Hold up. Keep quiet."

The younger brother nods, he understands. The setting is eerie enough, but those deer are beautiful. Almost seems a crime to kill one.

But man, oh man, would that be a buck to bring home.

Hunter slowly shoulders off his backpack, Sonny follows suit. The bags become supports for their longarms, and Hunter takes aim at the best looking buck, waiting for the right moment.

Breath in.

Breath out.

Right behind the shoulder.

Breath in.

Breath out.

BANG!


Stealth: [roll0]
To hit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Grimtina]

"Hooohooot!" it comes again, then the sound of dlapping wings.



The deer Hunter aimed at lifts its head, seeming to sense the danger. It's ears flapp, trying to determine where the problem is. But it is too late. As the shot rings out over the ridge, the deer breaks down almost at the same time, leaving the others of its species to run in wild panic. The birds around the clearing also fly up as one, including a strange looking bird-of-prey. Not far from hunter, a pair of rabbits run off. Then an eerie quiet settles, unusual for an area where the wildlife should be used to ocassional gunfire.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

"Aw, crap" Hunter stands up and cycles the bolt, "Well, let's make sure I didn:t just-"

He stops midsentence and looks around, the hairs on his neck and arms standing on edge.

"What is it?"

Hunter wasn't a religious man, but he'd been raised to be one. He wasn't a very superstitious man, either, but an upbringing in rural Kansas will instill...something in you.

He shakes his head, forcing himself to get over it.

"Nothing. Just some skittish deer this season. Let's make sure we didn't just wound the poor bastard."

He makes his way into the clearing, alert and stepping light.

[Smileybastard]

The silence begins to stretch, and the darkness seems to close in, but then there is a sudden movement nearby. To the left, somewhere. It is not so much that Saunders really sees or feels anything, it is more of a hunch. One of the kind you better don't ignore or you drop dead faster than you can think "Jesus."

Clack... clack... clack, clack, clack. It sounds like a rolling stone on a downwards movement. Which is odd, as the terrain had been almost flat, not counting the hill at 6, and that was too far behind and not rocky enough to cause such a sound. Then a hiss, somewhere close, and a slithering sound like a snake moving away. And then this smell in the air. It had been all dusty and dry a moment ago, and the ground had still radiated the day's heat. Now, the ground felt harder and cooler and a little damp, and the air smelled like moss after a fresh rain.

Tim Saunders

Saunders drops to a squat near a tree and turns left, his weapon at the ready. Did a shell go off near him? Nothing made sense. He tried his best to forget the inconsistencies. Focus on the now. Survive.

[Grimtina]

Closing in on the deer, it's clear that it is dead - and one of the best shots ever, too. Yet from up close, the animal looks more like something escaped from a private zoo - not only larger, but the legs are almost completely white, and the dark brown splotches on its back and sides are not known for local deer either. And those ears, a good bit too pointy.


Another stone is clacking down somewhere in the dark, and this time there is a faint echo, like there would be in a cave. Then a harsh voice speaks up in an unknown language, some distance away still but definitely closing in.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter runs a hand along the deer's side, admiring it. He pulls out his smartphone and takes a picture, the stuffs it back into his pocket and looks around.

"Well, bro, get a firepit dug and I'll make the dressin' table. Eat tonight, get the rest to the car tomorrow morning."

He looks around, then back at the deer.

"You're an odd one though, aintcha?"

[Grimtina]

Looking around, you get this "something is off" feeling again, stronger than before.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter stands up straight and tips his hat up a bit.

"Sonny."

"Yeah?"

"Don't unpack just yet."

"Why not?"

"...I'm not sure."

Hunter's grip on the Savage tightens, and he peers towards the foliage at the edge of the clearing.

"Stay here a moment."

"What...what's going-"

"Sssh! Keep it down!"

Hunter edges towards the woodline, flipping the scope over to the side so he can stare down the iron sights.

"Come on out, y'all creepy mother****ers!"

[Grimtina]

For a moment, the forest seems to go all quiet. Then, much like a swarm of dragonflies, a group of small beings flutters up higher into the trees and out of sight. As if that wasn't weird enough - no body of water nearby - as Hunter follows the swarm with his eyes, he can see what's behind the trees - or rather, what isn't. The mountains which were supposed to be there are gone.

[Desril]

Morgan

Beginning to become a little more than concerned, Morgan talks to himself aloud after violently shaking his head. "Get it together, there's got to be a good reason for this. Maybe I was just so busy grinding that I walked into some park or something? ...as if I could be so lucky.

Sighing, he continues looking around for a clue, including checking back down the path he came from.

[Grimtina]

The ruins are on a low hill, and with some stumbling over rubble, he can reach the downward path - but he can be sure he hasn't gone uphill at any point. Plus, there are no lights to be seen. Not a hint of civilization seems to be nearby - no lights, sounds like from highways or planes.

And now that there is a lot more of the stars to see, with less old broken buildings covering them, the stars seem different as well. Not a single known constellation.

[Desril]

Morgan

A dream? That'd make some sense, but I didn't actually find a shiny or anything, and I never figured out the trick to lucid dreaming...where in the hells am I?

Not seeing a better option, he makes sure his electronics are secured, after checking to confirm that his phone didn't have service to make a call first, and starts to explore the ruins. Though he does his best to avoid sticking his hands and feet anywhere that he can't see, preferring not to let rats or spiders take him by surprise, Morgan does his best to find something about the ruins to give some kind of indication of where he is.


Perception again (1d20+8)[19]

[TechnoScrabble]

"What the blazin'-Sonny! Grab your bag!"

Hunter runs back, past his confused and frightened brother, and slings on his backpack.

"What's going on, what's-"

"It's nothing big, we just gotta scout this out."

He grabs his brother by the wrist and leads his brother through the trees, back the way they came.

"I need to grab the map outta the truck, something's off about this."

[Grimtina]

One thing about the round-domed ruins Morgan comes to face with does look familiar. A large, winged eye is culptured inside the dome, but details aren't visible anymore as it is eroded.


Getting to the ridge Hunter and Sonny supposedly came over, a pink bird flutters by - defnitely not a native to the know country. Over the ridge, the two of them stare at a dense, wild looking first of mostly fir trees, not a sign of the low density leafy forest they had come through. And there isn't any path either.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders finds himself holding his breath and then forces himself to exhale slowly and breath. Someone is coming, no problem, but what language is that. It was not Arabic, nor Kurdish, nor Turkmen. Listen and wait. Learn.

[Grimtina]

There are 3 different voices, one appears rather young. They seem to be arguing about something - but maybe that is just the unfamiliar language. Then the steps now clearly echoing off from somewhere stop, and a screeching noise replaces it - as if stone would grind on stone. For a moment, there is light not too far ahead. It isn't very strong and flickers. Then another rumbling ound, and a banging sound, and it is all silent again.

[Desril]

Morgan

Moving closer to examine the symbol carved into the dome, Morgan tilts his head. That's odd, a winged eye? What the hell is a winged eye supposed to symbolize? "What, did I stumble into Aroden's domain or something?"

Shaking his head again, he does his best to clear away any dust and get a better look at it.

[Grimtina]

There is little more to see in the dark. But in dang sure looks a lot like Aroden's symbol.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

This makes no sense. None of the sounds make sense. Saunders watches and waits, weapon ready.

[Grimtina]

For a long time, nothing seems to happen, except that it is now getting damp and cold in a very uncomfortable way. From somewhere a drift brings in warmer air. Then there is the screeching noise again, and once more the light appears, flickering ove rthe area for a bit longer.

It's definitely all rock.

This time, a shadow apears in the flickering light, distorted proportions as normal in such situations. The shadow seems to be than of someone moving one of his arms. A gush of air drifts a scent over to you - tobacco!

[Desril]

Morgan

Realizing that his off-hand comment about what the eye looked like might've been more than just his usual sarcastic commentary as a closer examination makes him somewhat more confidant in it. A quick check through his phone's stored files only confirms it, though the details of the symbol on the dome are faded it's still pretty obviously a match. ...no....I'm not going to say it, not even going to internally vocalize it. It can't be. It's just not possible.

His wide-eyed look of fear of what might happen mingled with curiosity slowly starts to turn to one of fear of going insane before steadily making its way to excited. Alright, alright, I just have to find someone. There's an easy way to figure this out, I just need a little bit of help.

Taking a moment to breathe deeply and expand his lung capacity as if he was getting ready to dive, Morgan yells as loud as he ever has in his life, calling out for anyone that happens to be listening. "HEY! IS ANYONE HERE?! I NEED SOME HELP!"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Tobacco. Someone is relaxing? Why can't I make sense of this? Slowly he rises to his feet, like a cat... with a full battle load. Weapon leveled. Just move a little closer and this will all make sense.

Stealth [roll0]
Perception [roll1]

[Grimtina]

"HEY! IS ANYONE HERE?! I NEED SOME HELP!"

It echoes faintly down the tunnel Saunders is sitting in, multiplying on the way. "...need some help... some help.. help help..."

The shadow in the flickering light jumps backwards, the sound of stone grinding on stone again as the opening closes and shuts the light out again. The scent of tobacco quickly dissipates.

[Grimtina]

Stealth [roll0]
Perception [roll1]

Before the stone entrance slams shut again, you are under the strong impression whoever was there was a very short man, judging by the shadow. And it was definitely a torch flickering.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

****. That wasn't anyone on the team. What the **** is going on? Saunders begins to move forward faster, weapon leveled and finger ready.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

"This isn't right, we were just this way..."

Hunter holds Sonny close as they both look around, wide-eyed at the sudden appearance of a new forest.

"How'd we get lost?" Sonny asks, fear entering his voice.

"We're not lost," Hunter assures, "Come on."

They head back through the clearing and out the other side, towards where the mountains should be.

[Grimtina]

The tunnel Saunders is in goes slightly upward, then there are a few steps, and then there is some light ahead. It looks like a full moon blessing the entrance - or exit with light. Exceot that there has been no moon at all at the time the mission had started.



A few meters into the dense forest, it becomes obvious that an axe or a machete would be needed to make any useful pace here. Equipment gets stuck every few stsps, and the branches hang very low.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

How was I in a cave? How there such thick brush? Nothing was making sense. On a hunch he shouted, "Hey, where are you?" And then he sunk to a squatting position and waited and listened.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter slings his rifle over his shoulder, grunting in annoyance, and pulls out his machete-a heavy edged thing made from one solid piece of metal with black binding around the handle and a serrated back edge. He loops the saftey band around his wrist and starts hacking away, one arm clearing away the foliage after he cuts it.

"At least we'll have an easy way back to the deer," he laughs grimly, trying to reassure his younger brother.

[Grimtina]

It seems like ages hacking through the forest, but it doesn't seem to want to end. You should have been by the truck already, but then, you didn#t come through this type of forest to begin with.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter keeps on hacking, he'll have to find something eventually! He takes periodic breaks, though, letting Sonny cut a path with his own, smaller machete while he takes a drink of water, Sonny doing the same wbile he cuts.

During one break, he gets an idea.

"Bro, hold up. I'm gonna go for a better view."

Hunter shrugs his backpack off and leaves his rifle and machete at the base of a tree with plenty of thick branches, then tries to climb it, using his utility knife whenever a handhold is unavailable.

((Taking ten to climb, or taking 20 if able))

[Grimtina]

There are enough branches, but there are almost too many. Climbing up the firs is an exhausting business, and soon Huinters finders are sticky with resin. The trees all go up rather high so there is still not much to see. A few birds come up to have a look at the strange creature in their tree. One is a woodpecker of sorts, but an unfamiliar type.

Then there is a screech in the air, like from a bird of prey, not too far from the tree either from the sounds of it.

In the silence following his desperate call, Morgan thinks he has heard a faint human voice, coming from somewhere back where he thinks he has started out.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hawks and smaller eagles are pretty common around Hunter's home, so for a second, he thinks nothing of it. Firs aren't exactly common, especially not big forests of them.

"Where the hell am I?" he mutters to himself, climbing high enough to get a view.

He looks for an edge of the woods, or a line without trees that would indicate a path or a river, or maybe even smoke or a building. Anything that could lead out of here.

[Grimtina]

A it further up, a large nest is logged between two branches, and three young birds, looking like really large hawks, look out. A screech comes from closer by again, this time it clearly sounds agressive.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter stops and looks into the nest, then around for the source of the screech, pulling 'Rose' out of its holster. He's heard plenty of horror stories about birds knocking people out of trees, and the cardinals and blue jays near his house are aggressive enough for him to believe them.

He glances back at the nest. No bird should be that big and look so young...years of wanting a falcon after reading a book about a kid running away and living in the woods start to surface again.

[Grimtina]

A really large bird of prey - red-bown, black-tipped feathers, black hood and dangerous looking orange claws lands on a branch close to the nest. It looks right at Hunter and shrieks again.

Sonny is calling up something but the screech drowns it out.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter looks down briefly, just a moment, keeping the bird in the corner of his eye, then back up at it, staring it right in the eyes. No easy feat with most birds, but hawk eye orientation makes it easier.

Hunter leans himself against the trunk of the tree, freeing his other arm, and pulls out a stick of salted pork. He rips the wrapper off with his teeth, then holds it out, waving it around to let the smell waft through the air and sweating nervously.

Birds shouldn't be that big birds shouldn't be that big birds shouldn't be that big

"Well hey there, beautiful, " he says calmly, " I was just up here checking on the kids. Real pretty ones y'got here, figured maybe they'd like a snack?Infant mortality rate's real high in the wild an' all, maybe I oughtta help keep one or two nice and warm, huh?"

[Grimtina]

The bird is shrieks again, but one of the younglings leans out and grabs the meat, swallowing it quickly. Then it shrieks for more.

(handle animal, bluff and knowledge nature check please)

[TechnoScrabble]

Bluff [roll0]
handle Animal [roll1]
Knowledge (Nature) [roll2]

I'm willing to spend a hero point to modify or reroll any of those that are too bad, if that's a thing we can do.

Hunter can't help but laugh at the baby bird, and pulls out another. He's got plenty of jerky, couldn't call himself a proper farm boy if he didn't.

"Sonny!" he calls down, "Sonny, you've gotta see these birds! Freakin' amazing!"

[Grimtina]

The parent bird seems to calm down and watches intensely as the young ones munch on the food. It seems it has seen humans before, although Hunter probably isn't what it expected.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter continues to feed the younger birds, edging closer to them and tentatively reaching out to pet one. He remembers his chickens liking it when the area behind their 'ears' was gently scratched, and tests that out.

"Sonny?" he shouts down again, "You good bro?"

[Grimtina]

The birds really seem to like it, and the parents bird obviusly relaxes now, starting to clean its feathers.

"Uhm..." Sonny replies from below. "There's thing thing here..."

[TechnoScrabble]

"What kind of thing?" Hunter asks, worried, "Don't touch it."

He takes off his jacket briefly to remove his overshirt and uses it like a blanket on a newborn pup or horse, putting it loosely around whichever young bird seems to like him the most and gently petting the bird through it.

[Grimtina]

"I don't know." Sonny's voice seems clueless. "It kind of looks like a toad but then it doesn't."

[TechnoScrabble]

"Alright, I'll be right down, " Hunter says, " But, uh, grab the Savage and my machete, will you?"

Hunter pulls his knife out of the tree, wipes it on his pants, and sheaths it, then sets about trying to gently lift the wrapped up hatcling away in his shirt, cooing softly at it and continuing to feed it.

[Grimtina]

The parent seems to be all fine with it, but somehow you feel like it has spoken to you, told you to be careful with it.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter shakes his head, blinking, and stuffs 'Rose' back into the holster to free up both arms.

"Did you just...No..."

He ties the sleeves of the shirt the baby is wrapped up in around him like a sling and begins to carefully descend, looking back up at the parent when he's halfway down.

"There's no way...Man I shouldn'ta ever read Narnia."

He clambers down the rest of the way and looks over to Sonny.

"Alright, where's this toad at?"

[Grimtina]

Looking around, you can't really miss it - or rather, you do because it is so unusual. It takes several moments to identify the car trunk sized, green-yellow block sitting in front of one of the lower trees as a giant toad. "Croooak?" it asks.

[Desril]

Morgan

Not hearing a reply, but choosing to interpret that as a sign that nothing is about to jump out of the bushes and kill him, Morgan tries again. "ANYONE?! I JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I AM!

[TechnoScrabble]

"What is that?" Sonny asks as Hunter takes the Savage from him and pushes him back a step.

"Some sort've big-ass amphibian," Hunter says, keeping a good distance from the more than likely poisonous Beastie.

"I meant the bird," Sonny says, prompting Hunter to glance at his chest.

"Oh, that. That's our new buddy. Figured we could name it Rusty or Marty McFly or somethin' else all smarmy."


Knowledge (nature) check to tell if the bird is a hawk, falcon, or eagle. You can usually tell from the beak, wings, tail, and head profile. Sometimes the eyes with more mature ones.

[roll0]

[Grimtina]

Morgan's voice echoes across the ruined city, making its way down to where Saunders is waiting for a reply to his own question. Obviously, Saunders has not been heard.

Morgan, however, suddenly has the feeling he isn't alone anymore.


The bird, from all appearances known to Hunter, is an eagle.

The toad croaks again and hops one step closer. From somewhere in the woods, a wee voice calls out in a language unknown.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter pushes Sonny back another step, and bends down slowly to throw his bag over his shoulders and slide the machete back into the canvas and plastic sheath on his belt. The voice surprises him and he jerks the rifle up momentarily, then let's it fall back down a bit, trying not to look too aggrressive or threatening.

"Hello? Who's out there?"

[Desril]

Morgan

Hair on the back of his neck standing up, Morgan tenses, looking around trying to figure out what the source of this feeling was. Great, if they were friendly they probably would've revealed themselves. Guess I shouldn't have yelled.

Scared, but not witless, the gamer takes up something that vaguely resembles a defensive posture, intending to dodge out of the way of anything that might try to sneak up on him or charge him, and asks more quietly this time, knowing that whatever the presence he was sensing was already knew he was there and there was no point in hiding. "Hello? Please come out, I'm just a bit lost and need to figure out how I got here."



I use Diplomacy on the Darkness! [roll0]

[Grimtina]

The voice in the forest goes silent for a moment, then the strange language can be heard again, more than one voice this time.

The toad croaks again, louder this time.

A moment later, two small forms move through the underbusch very effortlessly. They have the size of children maybe 8 - 10 years old. Their dark eyes seem to be slightly too big under elegant long brows, and there is something else off - aside from the fact that, aside from their long hair, one black one reddish, they only wear a short toga-like garment. It's hard to put a name to it though.



In front of Morgan, a transluctent form begins to take shape, resembling that of a short man with plump features and flowing robes. The face is hard to recognize but it seems to want to say something.


Down in the tunnel, the sound of the door opening and closing again is heard behind Saunders. Steps approach, and the strange language sounds again, but this time, whoever it is seems to carry toches, because the light continues to flicker even when the door closes again.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

Hunter lowers his rifle.

"You've gotta be kidding me. What, there some sorta crazy colony around here I don't know about? Leaving' kids around, I swear..."

Sonny taps Hunter's arm and says, "Dude those aren't kids."

"What?"

"Look! They're, like, little people!"

Hunter sighs and turns to the odd pair and waves cautiously to them.

"Hey, there, buckos! who're you?"

[Grimtina]

The two look at each other, then back at Hunter and Sonny. They both wave back carefully, while the red haired one starts patting the toad. Then the black haired one starts to speak very carefully.

"You have a straange aaccent. Not from arounds here, you are, riight? You have come to fiind a companion, yes?" She - at least the voice sounds female up close - points to the young bird.

"This is my companion," the other one, more likely a boy, chimes in, and rubs the toad. "Glitterbug."

[Desril]

Morgan

Caught off guard by the sudden apparition of what could at best be called a ghost, Morgan stumbles back a few steps, but doesn't run away. It doesn't seem hostile, at least...

Not having a better plan, he tries talking to it. "Hello? Can you understand me?"

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter

"I'm from Atchison," Hunter says, getting a very strong feeling that he's not in Kansas any more, "Actually brought my brother here to camp and hunt, have some time away from work, but the eagle's a nice bonus."

"Hi!" Sonny steps out and extends a hand, drawing a nervous look from his older brother, "I'm Sonny!"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Another lost person speaking english ... out here. Seeing no one has attacked him he shouts louder "HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I AM AS WELL!" He stays low, weapon ready.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders turns towards the approaching figures, leveling his weapon. Waiting for them to some into sight.

[Grimtina]

The ghost nods, and tries to say something again, but no voice can be heard. In frustration, it makes a few angry faces, then tries again. There is the faint hint of a voice in the air but nothing understandable.

But all of a sudden, another voice shouts from somewhere, with some hollow echo. "HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I AM AS WELL!"

Down in the tunnel. the footsteps stop for a moment, then walk faster. Soon, a group of 8 small people walking in rows of two, the last two carrying the torches while the first two carry lanterns of the type you have to fill with oil, the light regulated down so they barely shimmer, appear from behind a bend. Each of them also carries an axe at the side, which don't look like they were usually needed for woodcutting, and each of them has a crossbow pointing out above their backs. The two in the second row also carry polearms of a strange, very ancient looking type. Said polearms are immediately lowered to point at Saunders, which makes them almost rest on the front walker's shoulders. One of those in the middle shouts something sounding like a challenge.

"Don't be daft," someone from behind says, a voice sounding female. "It's a human, they usually do not speak our language now, do they?" Every word is pronounced perfectly, and the speaker speaks slow, but still there is an accent in the words. It is a little as if a German with little experience would try to talk Oxford English.


In the forest, the two strangers look at each other again. "Atchi-son," they try to pronounce it. Then the redhead carefully shakes Sonny's hand, as if to remember a custom that's not his. "You made the noise that killed the deer?" he inquires. "Because you left the meat for scavengers. Do you not need it? It is not good to kill when you do not need to."

[TechnoScrabble]

"Yeah, I killed the deer," Hunter says, "But I had a feeling someone was watching me and no way to bring the blazed thing with me quickly."


Hunter looks back at the path he's cut, and chews his lip absentmindedly.

"If there's no danger, I'll gladly give you some of it to help me carry it back to..anywhere with people."

[Desril]

Morgan

More interested in the strange spirit now than in the other voice, Morgan calls out to whoever else was shouting but sticks to where he's at. "OVER HERE! FIND THE RUINED DOME!"

Facing the ghost again, I have to be dreaming...but dream or no, I have to know what this thing is. "I think I almost heard you that time, is there anything I can do to make this easier for you to talk?"

[Grimtina]

Once more, the ghost seems to concentrate hard, then a faint voice hangs in the air. "...between... and me... not by...your world."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders looks around quickly for a ruined dome while waiting for the torch bearers to get closer.

[Grimtina]

"Oh, sure!" The female claps her hands exitedly. "We could have a feast. Let's get a brett and a few others and carry it home?"

The boy nods, and before anything else can be said, he disappears without a trace in the underbush again.

The toad croaks, staring blanly at everyone.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter reaches forward to cautiously pat the toad on the head, being careful to avoid the poison glands.

"There there, that's a nice amphibian."

Sonny, in the meantime, tries to chat it up with the girl.

"So, who are you?"


Handle animal [roll0]

Also, should I make a level one character sheet for sonny?

[Grimtina]

In the tunnel, one of the first in the group speaks to Saunders, his accent worse, more like a German trying a Texan accent and failing miserable. "Why are you in these tunnels?" he asks bluntly. "And what is going on out there? If that is another foolish..." He seems to search for the right words "...treasure hunt of you surface walkers, you might as well go straight back home. There is no treasure left in the ruins or below."




"I'm Sanabria Slecklewonk Grunderbright, of the Humperduckle Clan of the Westermoore Rallbrooks." Brightly beaming, she looks up at Sonny. "I know it's short yet, but I'll get more names quickly enough. You can call me Sana. What's your name?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"Sonny Stallbright Cash!" Sonny says happily.

"Hunter Johnathon Cash," Hunter says, holding his hand up a short moment, "My friends call me Johnny, or sometimes trouble. So, uh," he stands up and scratches the eagle's head, "I'm assuming hereabouts is 'Westermoore'?"

[Desril]

Morgan

Trying his best to piece together what was coming through, Morgan comes up blank. "Between what? What do you mean 'my world'?"

More curious and focused than frightened now, he moves closer to the ghost, not thinking about what it might be able to do to him. There's got to be something I can do to help...it's like a spirit or something, right? Maybe...not having a better idea, he reaches out to try and touch the entity, hoping that maybe physical contact would help it to manifest better and be able to speak more clearly.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders blinks and lowers his weapon. He goes to speak by reflex and realizes he has no clue what to say. He forces himself to come up with something. "I have no idea why I am here. I was somewhere else and then I was ...here. I also have no idea who else is out there." He looks over this stranger.

[Grimtina]

In the forest...

"Yes," Sana nods, her head bopping up and down as if in danger to fall off. "This is Westermoore, and on the other side of the river is Eastermoore, naturally.

Hey, if you didn't know that, did your wizard lose you in a teleport? That's happened to my father once, a few decades back. The party he was with had a mishap in transit, so to say, and he ended up all alone in Druma because the others drowned in the river they came out over." She chuckles at the tale. "What an adventure, huh? I will go on adventures myself, eventually. Let's see how the others are doing with the deer."

While she is talking, she waves for them to follow and proceeds to move into the underbush. "Oh and no need to hack at anything, the plants will just go out of the way, see?" With some movement of her hands, the vegetations seems to avoid her without moving much.


In the ruins...

Touching the ghost brings a cold feeling, but all of a sudden, the voice is clear in Morgan's mind. "There is a connection between you and me. I have been waiting for a long time, the task can only be done by both of us, not by myself alone. I'm a priest of Aroden, and I believe he is now in your world." The emotion behind those words is one of relief and expectation.


In the tunnels...

All 8 of the small folks in front of him wear leather armor in addition to their aforementioned weaponry, and a dark grey toga over it with a stylized crown sitting on what might be a mountain stitched on it. It very much resembles uniforms.

"Did a wizard touch you, by chance?" the female voice pops up again. "I have heard they can teleport people without going along, sometimes."

"Don't be silly," the probable leader of the group harrumphs. "Why would anyone want to drop anyone else on our doorsteps? We're just a remote outpost." Then he looks Saunders up and down. "You look mighty strange to me, human. Like you were trying to blend in with the land, but not our land. So maybe you have been displaced, as you say. Where are you from?"

Their demeanor is clearly not hostile anymore, and the 2 in the second row lift their polearms up again. They seem to be sure one single man is no match for their power.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter blinks and rubs his eyes.

"Wizard...wha-oooh man," he starts laughing, a chuckle at first, and then an uproarious fit, "Oh man, Sonny, we ain't lost, we're in frickin-oh man, we're in blazin' fantasy land! Narnia! We fell down the rabbit hole!"

Sonny gives his brother a worried, confused look. Breakdowns like this aren't normal for Hunter. He's a quiet guy most of the time, not much to talk about.

Hunter stops laughing and shakes his head, "I gotta be tripping balls." No, we didn't have a wizard. If we teleported here, it wasn't our choice."

[Desril]

Morgan

Completely and utterly shocked at this revelation, Morgan's mind falls back to the most comfortable place that it can...arguing about rules and setting information.

Shaking his head, he frowns at the spirit, "That can't be right. Word of God is that Aroden didn't just vanish, he died. It wouldn't make any sense for him to have just come to Earth. It might be a long trip, but Earth and Golarion exist in the same universe if the Adventure Paths can be believed. If he just moved, it shouldn't have triggered a new age."

[Grimtina]

The bird shrieks in protest, and the gnome looks at Hunter questioningly. "No, I don't know of any Narnia. Officially, we belong to Galt, but we do our own thing." Then she moves on again. "Maybe our wise folks can find out how you got here if you don't know."


The ghost of the cleric seems confused for a moment. Then he replies more confidently. "There are many paths of adventure, and not all lead to good things. But I am sure the Lord Aroden has ushered in a New Age on your world, as well as caused one here. It is the way of the gods."

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter pats the eagle assuringly and wipes a tear from his eye, doing his best to suprress any laughter.

"That'd be appreciated, yeah. We're a bit lost, I've never heard of Galt or Druma."

[Desril]

Morgan

I wouldn't exactly say that, but...it doesn't matter. Morgan has trouble suppressing the grin that's starting to over take him at this bit of confirmation of where he's somehow ended up.

Well, if I'm really here, I might as well start with a quest, right? It's the least I can do, since he's probably the reason I got here at all. "Well, whatever the case, since I'm here I'll try to help. What do you need me to do?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders becomes even more lost, feeling deeper in the rabbit hole. "Wizard? ... from? The middle east, USA, Canada? I am unsure how to answer that. I have no idea what is going on. This feels like a hallucination or a dream."

[Grimtina]

In the forest

Very soon, Hunter can see a group of small people moving through the undergrowth ahead, carrying a large wooden plate on which the deer rests. They are incredibly fast and slightly ahead in the direction their guides are moving to. Some sounds from the village can now be heard. The clang of metal on metal, the moooing of cows, a rooster cawing and someone is blowing a horn.

In the ruins

"What I need oyu to do," the ghost says, "is to take me with you. I cannot leave here alone, it is a curse the one who destroyed the temple so many years back has placed on me. I was told in a vision one day a young wizard would come with the knowledge to undo much of the damage which is yet to come."


In the tunnel

"You must be from more far east than middle," the leader of the soldiers says. "I know all the countries on this continent and then some, and I have not heard of places like Canada and Youesaa..." he says, trying to pronounce it all correctly. "In any case, there's someone else out there who should not be here. Maybe we should all go together and check it out? He might be from where you are from. At least it sounds logical to me that he would be."

[TechnoScrabble]

"They were watching us the whole time," Sonny says, awed by the people's skill and speed in the undergrowth. Hunter grunts uncomfortably, definitely not okay with the fact all these...little people were around without him noticing.

He follows carefully, taking time to let the plants move around him, and takes the eagle out of its sling to let it perch on his backpack, if it is so inclined.

[Desril]

Morgan

Come with...young...wizard...

"Heh...hehe...hahahaA HAHAHahahAHAHAHAHAHA!" Processing what the ghost told him, Morgan can't fail to start chuckling, rapidly progressing into a completely unrestrained laugh, the likes of which he'd never actually produced before.

A minute or two later, when he's finally calmed down, his face is plastered with a smile and he nods at the ghost. "Yeah, alright. Come with me then. What do I have to do to let you leave this place?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders nods. "Yes, lets check that out. It does make sense."

[Grimtina]

In the forest

The village is... small. Or rather, tiny. While it has a lot of houses, they are almost all fit for the size of gnomes, except for the stables, of course. The large stable near the middle of the village caters to big visitors by simply using the back half as an inn. "The Stable Inn" a sign reads in letters hard to recognize as decorative as they are. It says so in several languages, too, with the English - or whatever they call it here - part being 3rd on the list.

Within moments of your arrival, a large group of gnomes in all colors and shades swarms around Hunter and Sonny. It is now clear that the greenish complexion on Sana wasn't the light in the forest. She really is a slight shade of green. "Welcome to Havelcrest," several of the citizens shout.


In the ruins


"That device of yours," the ghost explains. "Not quite magic, but it can hold me. I won't break it, I promise."



In the tunnels


Mad laughter suddenly drifts down, making the soldiers nervous. They now prodeed upwards, letting Saunders go first.

[Desril]

Morgan

"My phone? Well, it should be alright. Though since I'm on Golarion now, this might just be one of the most important things in the world, thanks to all the information stored on it..."

Shrugging his shoulders, he holds it out for the ghost to try and move into. "I'm Morgan, by the way. I suppose there's no point in keeping my family name here. What should I call you?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders looks up the tunnel and upon hearing the laughter asks "Whats that?" as he leads them forward.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter looks very nervous with all the people around, and extends an arm to try and grab Sonny's shoulder, but Sonny is already running into the crowd of villagers and excitedly greeting and shaking hands with and high fiving anyone and everyone.

"Little...technicolor...people..." Hunter mutters to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. He composes himself and puts on a smile, then throws his arms up in the air in a welcoming gesture.

"Heeeeey! Thanks! You, uh, you're an energetic lot, aintcha?"

[Grimtina]

In the ruins

"Thank you." The ghost moves towards the phone and starts merging with it. "My name is... I suppose all the titles mean nothing anymore. Just call me Tere."


In the tunnels, coming out into the ruins

"Most people laughing like that," one of the soldiers says, "have either gone mad or hear Jossek telling jokes."

"Shut up," someone else, presumable Jossek, exclaims.

The tunnel ends on a relatively intact large plaza, the column around it still standing. Not too far away, a somed building dominates this part of the ruins. The soldiers can obviously see something depite the relative dark of the area, as they move strictly towards this structure.

"Here, take this," the onmly female in the group says and hands Saunders a torch. "I heard humans have bad view in the darkness."

[Grimtina]

In the village


"You know the old saying," Sana giggles. "A gnome unexited is a gnome blighted, or as we put it ourselves - A life enjoyed means the bleach to avoid."

[TechnoScrabble]

In the village

"A...gnome?" Hunter says more than masks, "Like the little guys with the hats and the toadst-"

He realizes how ridiculous he sounds and stops himself.

"If you don't have fun you get sick?"

[Grimtina]

"If we have no exitement in life," Sana explains, "we lose our color and become depressed, a vicious circle. If we can't stop the bleach, by finding new exiting things to do, we die. While some reach a sort of invulnerable state and stay bleached, most bleached gnomes die. It's the only way for us to die naturally, and it's not pleasant. Must be a strange concept to you short living humans. Come on, let's find a nest for your birdie."

[TechnoScrabble]

"If humans get sad enough, " Hunter says, following Sana and feeling really weird about discussing 'humans' and 'gnomes', " We'll die earlier than we should. Sometimes from sickness, sometimes self inflicted. Thankfully nobody I know has gotten like that. Not sure I'd be able to handle that."

[Desril]

Morgan

"Tere, huh? Pleasure to meet you. Now, if you don't mind, could you tell me where I'm at? I know a lot about this world, particularly the Inner Sea region, but one ruin isn't enough to tell me anything. Plus I've got no way to know if all of the books were accurate until I start testing some things."

Suddenly remembering the other voice that called out earlier, "I suppose I should also look for whoever else cried out. Do you know if anyone else was brought from Earth with me? How did I get here anyway?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders says "Thanks, but this one has a very good view in the dark. Not too mention that a torch just blinds you to what is beyond the light it spills and makes you an easy target."
Suddenly he realized he was surrounded by and talking to little people. Was he in Oz? The scary part was the question was quite rational.

[Grimtina]

In the old temple

"This place is... was... called Quasherach, but I would be surprised if it is noted anywhere. Part of the reason for its existence is that it was not known. See, when my ancestors came here, they wanted away from all evil and such, and we were lcoked away form the world. I never even learned the names of the mountains to the west. All that mattered was this place, so we were told, and how we needed to be self-sufficient." By now the ghost has disappeared into the phone. "Pretty nifty device," it comments. "Anycase, I never left the city farther than the last fields were. Pretty stupid, looking at it now, huh?"


On the plaza

"That's why the torchbearers go last," the woman nods. "But having fire buring where you may need it as weapon is an advantage we don't want to miss out on when dealing with... well, other things that are usually vulnerable to flames."

By now the leading dwarf has noticed Morgan and calls out. "You there, halt! Who are you, and what are you doing in these ruins?"


In the forest

"I suppose," Sana says, "boredom has the same effect on all living things in the end, just that humans rarely get old enough to lose all interests. Hey, here we are! Look the fire is already burning."

Indeed, on the small marketplace in the center of the village, a fire has been started in a large fireplace right next to a smaller well. "They are wiaing for you to get started," Sana explains. "You hunted the deer so it is your right to prepare the meat. Tradition, you see."

[Desril]

Morgan

Halt? Which of us was moving? Oh well, no point in being a **** now. Shaking his head, he holds up his hands to show that he's unarmed, not realizing that there are earthlings among the arrivals. "I just sort of stumbled here. I'm not exactly a local though, do you think you could help me get to the nearest town?"

[Grimtina]

"Another human," Morgan hears. "Are you with this one?" Of course, as it is dark with only little illumination by torch and dim lanterns, Morgan can't see who he is talking about.

[TechnoScrabble]

In the Forest

Hunter nods and proceeds to the deer, casting a look over his shoulder to check on Sonny. He shoulders off his bag and sets his rifle and jacket aside, undoes his machete and hatchet from his belt to keep them out of the way, and draws his knife. He doesn't expect the gnomes are too keen on waiting for a dry bleed or a smokehouse cut, so a quick field dressing is the way to go. He grabs the rope from his bag and hangs it, cuts it and guts it. He'll ask for some dishware and clean water, but he has most of what he needs with him.

"Now, I'm not sure what all cuts y'all want, but I'm calling dibs on the heart."

[Desril]

Morgan

Despite this being his new reality, the gamer is still more comfortable referring to the gaming terminology as he answers. "I'm human, I don't have dark or low-light vision. Even if I could see who you're talking about though, no, I was on my own when I came here."

Thinking about it for a moment, Wait, that other voice earlier didn't know where it was either, maybe...realizing something he speaks up again. "This might sound crazy, but the phrase 'Planet Earth' doesn't happen to mean anything to any of you, does it?"

[Grimtina]

In the forest

"Of course," an older gnome as yellow as a ripe lemon - except for his red eyes and orange hair - who has been brinding plates, nods. "And probably the liver to feed the little eagle?" He smiles brightly. "You may not be from around here, but for a sun eagle to let you have a youngling, you must be a real man of nature."

[TechnoScrabble]

In the village

"Grew up on a farm near the creek," Hunter says, "It'd be hard not to be. My brother Sonny, boy spends most his days catching frogs. Does it with a glove and all so he doesn't hurt 'em."

He sets about washing everything off properly, and looks around the village. It seems pretty rustic, and he's doubting that they have plumbing almost as much as he doubts this is all real.

"I don't suppose you've got anyone who'll want the intestines and such? I've got no need it myself."

[Grimtina]

"Well, yeah, we do. Intestines make for good sausage hulls, when washed and prepared right, and the stomach is good for the dogs. And Mellie, that's the owner of the inn, makes great kindey pie." He waves a few people over to help with the intestines.

A very tiny gnome, blueish with dark black hair, looks up with a thoughtful expression. "You are from far far away," she states. "Your aura is all different."

[TechnoScrabble]

In the village

"Sounds about right, " Hunter says, " Never heard of Galt or Druma or Westermoore afore today. Ma's probably gonna throw a fit if'n we don't find a way back."

He sounds pretty calm about it, shrugging and speaking in a flat tone while washing his arms off, "We've got plenty of farm hands, no doubt, but Sonny starts school again soon."

[Grimtina]

"School is good," she smiles. "Maybe he can go to school with us?" Then she looks doubtful. "No, we don't have classrooms for big people." Once more she looks thoughtful. "Where are the others that came with you? I saw 5 people in my visions and I'm sure you must be one of them."

[TechnoScrabble]

"Nobody came with us," Hunter says, an eyebrow raised, "Not as far as I saw. Was just Sonny and I in that clearing when everything got all...weird."

[Grimtina]

"Then you need to find them," the girl declares, as if it was obvious. "You must share the same destiny."

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter stares blankly for a moment, fairly certain that the gnome is a) a hallucination and b) insane.

"Riiiight. I'll uh, I'll get right on that."

[Grimtina]

"Very good," the little one laughs. "Now I need to get myself a steak and some earth-apples!" With that, she disappears among the crowd.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter blinks and then realizes what she meant.

"Well, at least they have potatoes around here."

Unless the gnomes wish to do it themselves, he'll cut the deer for them, keeping the main part of the pelt and and the head once they've been cleared.

"Don't suppose you've got a tannery for this?" he asks hopefully, not looking forward to rock drying it if they don't.

[Grimtina]

"Sure we do," bulky gnome woman with greenish hair and brown skin says and points to the edge of the village to a hutt a bit out of the way. "When looking for a tannery, always find the building farthest from the center. Or," she adds, "if you in a fishing settlement, close to where the docks are. Smelly business."

[TechnoScrabble]

"Thanks. I'm used to everything on one lot. Been a bit since I been in a ...er, village."

Hunter takes the hide and his stuff and a small amount of sinew to the hut, checking on Osnny again befotr making his way over. He looks over the racks (or wheels, depending on how they made it) for a good spot to hang everything and start scraping it.

[Grimtina]

There are several racks, and two gnomes are there working on tanning rabbit and goat skins. They wave hello, as news have already spread. The hut is a bit sall for a human but large for gnomes, so you can barely stand up.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter takes all the time he needs to scrape the hide clean, stepping out ocassionally to stretch, check on Sonny and the eagle, and find something to eat or drink. When it's finally ready to soak, he sets it aside and steps out, grimacing at his stench. He asks the nearest gnome, "Anywhere I can get some soap and scrub myself off? Maybe do some laundry? I've got...lemmesee," he checks his wallet, "Yeah, I've got about fifty bucks I can spare if need be."

[Grimtina]

"You've got male deer in your bag?" one of the gnomes wonders.

The other hasn't even understood the comment. "We have a bath house, but it might be too small for you. Better go to the pond, the water is warm around this time of year. We'll just go along and bring soap, more fun to bath outside anyway." With that, he runs off.

[TechnoScrabble]

"No, no," Hunter laughs, having half expected that response, "It's currency, see?"

He holds out a dollar bill for the gnome to see.

"Keep it. I make enough to get by."

He'll get directions to the pond and head there, leaving his stuff next a tree nearby and carefully folding his dirty clothes up and setting them near it. It's not his first time taking a bath in a pond, and he slides in without worry.

[Grimtina]

The gnome clearly treats the foreign money as some sort of collectible and is happy about it.

Soap comes, in several forms - rose, pine, and apple cented.

The two gnomes start a little water fight, and just when they are really into it, the water parts and a human-sized snake-like thing with 4 arms joins in.

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter sticks with the pine scented stuff. He always did like Colorado.

He keeps a good distance from the gnomes having their water fight, a little bit uncomfortable being nude around people who only come up to about waist height, but the snake-thing scares him silly. He scrambles up the bank towards where Rose rests atop his bag, stopping halfway when the gnomes react to it with welcome.

"What's the blazes is that!?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders moves towards Morgan, weapon down and examines him and his clothing. Slowly he nods. "It is crazy ... and I am from Earth. It seems we have gone deep into the rabbit hole. Where are you from?"

[Desril]

Morgan

Seeing the gun and obvious military equipment, Morgan frowns. Great, a soldier of some kind. The last thing I wanted to do was spread Earth's problems to another world...well, one soldier shouldn't be able to do any real damage. "I'm formerly of the U.S. Kinda glad to be gone though. Before the introductions, first thing's first. Is it just us, or are there more of you that got brought to Golarion with me?"

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders relaxes and slings his weapon over his back. "The USA huh? I am from Canada originally, but was in the Middle East. I have no idea what is going on, but as far as I can tell no one came with me. What is Golarion?"

Saunders looks down at himself in response to Morgan's look and frown then smiles. "Don't worry, I am not a complete *******."

[Desril]

Morgan

Still frowning, he nods. Well, at least he's Canadian, they're usually pretty nice, even if he is a soldier. "Golarion is the planet we're on. Didn't have any idea at first, but Aroden's holy symbol is on these runes, and I talked to a ghost a minute ago that confirmed it."

Furrowing his brow in thought he tries to figure out how best to clarify the situation, he eventually settles on the simple method. "You don't really strike me as the type who'd know, but...I guess the easiest way to explain it in a way that you'd understand would be to say that this is a world from a TTRPG. Like Dungeons and Dragons, but better. I know the world pretty well, but the problem is I don't know where in it we are exactly."

[Grimtina]

In the village


"The gnomes turn around and seem to blush. "Oh, my, I'm sorry," one of them says. "This is Lixor, he's our summoner's eidolon. When they aren't out fighting bad things, he usually hangs out in the pond or the market place."

Lixor turns around, taking the human in. "Ooh a huuumaaaan," he says and his face twists into a large, snakey grin, kind of like that of the snake in Jungle Book. "May I ssniff it pleeeaasse?"

[Grimtina]

In the ruins

The dwarfs with the Canadian now step forward. "He seems harmless enough, and he seems to know better what is going on," the leader says. "So you two did planeshift here, is that it? Because of there is a portal of sorts we will have to find and secure it."

[Desril]

Morgan

Shaking his head at the dwarf, Morgan concentrates, trying to remember every last detail that he can. "No, it wasn't a plane shift. Now that I know magic actually exists, it might prove that our world isn't a dead magic area, but from what I know, both Earth and Golarion are part of the Prime Material, just separated by an unbelievably vast distance. Though, the last time I heard of anyone getting to or from Earth, it was in 4713 Absalom Reckoning, and on Earth it was about 100 years ago, during the First World War."

Not sure what exactly could work, he quickly starts muttering to himself aloud, "Maybe an Interplanetary Teleport? Wish or Miracle could almost certainly handle it if not...and there's always that Mythic Ability that lets you traverse the void of space..."

Suddenly remembering that he's not planning a character but thinking of ways to go home, he stops and quickly shakes his head as if to clear his mind. "Not that it matters. I'll help you if you want to go home," he says looking at Saunders, "but I'm staying here. I've been dreaming of finding a better and more interesting world since I was old enough to realize how ****ty ours was. I'm not going to pass on this now that I've come to what I've always wanted. I'm more interested in finding an academy and learning wizardry."

[TechnoScrabble]

In the Village

Hunter's face can't decide if it would rather contort itself in terror or confusion.

"I would really, really rather not be sniffed, if that's alright," Hunter says, backing up a bit more.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders literally shakes his head. "This just gets ... weirder. I am just going to try to stop figure stuff out and go with it.

[Desril]

Morgan

The gamer just laughs at Saunder's reaction, "Oh, trust me, you haven't even begun to see weird. By the way, you might not be aware, but these kind people here," he says motioning to the dwarves, "aren't short humans like you might be thinking. You are dwarves, are you not? Sorry for not being certain, our world only has humans. Do you think you could give us a hand? Do you know how far away Absalom is, or Magnimar if that's closer?"


Diplomacy [roll0]

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders simply blankly looks at Morgan.

[Grimtina]

In the village

"Awww," Luxor complains. "Huuumans alwayssss sssmell so exxxiting." He splashes water around again. "One day I'll ssssee a larrge ccity withthththth maaany different people in it! Then I get to sssniff lotsss of humansss, too!"

The gnomes just laugh. "Yes, yes, and once you are in the city you get all confused and want to be back home!"

"Noooo!" the eidolon complains. Then he stares at Hunter. "Don't lisssten to them. I don#t get confusssed or ssscared that easssily!"


In the ruins

The leader of the soldiers nods. "We are indeed dwarves. And it is good to know that even someone from a world without our kind knows about it." He actually chuckles. "What say you come with us to our small outpost down below and let's see if we can find some answers - and some beer - for you. There is sure someone there who knows better than us how far which city is away. I'm mainly good for soldiering, and not very versed in geography." The other dwarfs mutter their agreement.

[TechnoScrabble]

In the Village

"Speakin' of cities," Hunter says, digging through his backpack for some clean clothes, "Is there one anywhere nearby? I've got a feeling my GPS won't be leading me around any time soon."

[Desril]

Morgan

Muttering aloud, he comments "Damnit, why does everyone always dump Knowledge Geography...oh well."

Nodding at the dwarves, "That might be for the best then, thank you for your generosity." If the dwarves or Saunders don't say anything for a while, he starts talking aloud, "I'm just glad that Common seems to match up with English...I wonder if Minkaian matches modern Japanese? I'll have to test that later..."

If the conversation should die down as they go, or if it simply moves to a topic that he doesn't care about, his mind turns toward his plans for his new future. Wait...if this is Golarion, and I am going to end up learning magic...I'll need to do research. Why stop at magical power when I could become nigh-unto a god? There has to be a source of Mythic power available. Maybe Nocticula, if she hasn't finished her redemption yet? She might be able to help me...hell, maybe I can get Shelyn to help her. Huh, actually, speaking of gods, I wonder if God has any power here. Pity I don't have a Bible on my phone, I wonder if He would grant spells to a cleric...ah well.

[Grimtina]

Waiting for Saunders for the ruins

In the village

"What is a Geepees?" the gnomes say at the same time.

"Hah, ccity," the eidolon complains. "Not for a looong sstretcccch... unlessss you are looking for a larger gnome town? There'sssss one downriver a day or ssso away."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders follows the group in a daze. It feels like his head is going to explode. He hopes he wakes soon.

[Grimtina]

The dwarves admit they have been wondering about the language as well, and were assuming he had used some sort of spell to be understood. But, as was to be expected, their understanding of magic is worse than any gamer's. They lead the two "findlings" as one of them calls them, back down the tunnels to a small gate almost invisible in the stone wall. "Side gate," they explain. "Just for the patrols."

Behind the gate is a wide hallway, stretch to the left and right and then bending somewhere. It is, for dwarves, relatively brightly litl with lanterns every 20 feet or so. The walls are barely recognizable as stone, polished as they are. Here and there are a few simple ornamental carvings. The hallway in here is lowe than the tunnel, though a human of moderate size can still walk comfortably, just always with the ceiling rather close above. The dwarves take left.

[Desril]

Morgan

Not seeing anything else worth doing, Morgan follows the dwarves, ignoring the other path and pausing only long enough to ask Saunders, "You going to hold it together?"

[TechnoScrabble]

In the village

"Gee pee ess," Hunter stresses the vowels, "Global positionin' system. It takes a signal from a big empty metal can floatin' in the sky and sends it to other empty metal cans and uses them to do the math and figure out where you are. Only you don't have the cans or the signals."

He pulls his holster on over his shirts, then gets to washing his dirtied clothes, "And a larger settlement does just fine, or anywhere else I can get some good answers as to what in Sam Hill is going on this weekend. Maybe I'll find the white witch and convince her to send me home."

Hunter chuckles to himself at the joke the gnomes won't get.

[Grimtina]

In the village

"Ah," the younger gnome nods. "Like signal towers, just in the sky." Somehow he doesn't seem to think it weird.

"You know the white witcccchh?" Lixor wonders, sounding slightly suspicious.

"I think he meant it as a metal-fort," the older gnome says.

"Me-ta-phor," the younger corrects, laughing. "Pardon him, he's nit the brightest but he has other talents.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Yeah, just like that, actually," Hunter says, surprised, "Ya'll actually have towers here? And a white witch?"

[Grimtina]

"Course we have towers. Some just part of cities, some just watchtowers, but every wizard who wants to show off gets a tower of his or her own. Kind of weird, come to think of it. Those mage types are usually so weak - our summoner being an exception. Despite that, they manage to run up and down all those stairs. Doesn't gain them any muscles, though."

"And there isss a white witccch. Severrraaal, rreally." Luxor hisses. "Up north with those linnorm kings."

[Desril]

Morgan

Taking Saunder's lack of an answer for a 'no', Morgan shrugs his shoulders and continues after the dwarves in contemplative silence, reviewing everything he knows about Golarion.

[Smileybastard]

Morgan

Morgan grunts. "**** happens and I'll deal with it, whether I can make sense of it or not. I am trained to deal with **** and I am smart. The problem is nothing makes sense. Less senses than ****ing war."

[TechnoScrabble]

"And on'a them could send me and my brother home?" Hunter asks, one eyebrow raised, paused halfway through putting his shirt on.

[Grimtina]

In the village

"Probably," the gnome nods. "But they are rather of the evil sort, and would demand a high price. Maybe to come along and conquer your world. What's it like, your world, anyway? Are there many gnomes?"


In the dwarf outpost

"Where magic is involved," the female dwarf states, "a lot of things don't make a lot of sense, unless you are a wizard or the like. And there must have been magic involved, seeing how you are here. "

[TechnoScrabble]

Village

"No gnomes where I'm from, I'm afraid," Hunter says with half a chuckle, trying to think of the best way to describe Earth, "No magic, either. We've had to learn how to do without. It's left us better off, I'd think. Most countries have enough wealth left over that they could spend it on those who don't."

He stops and debates with himself the truthfulness of the last part. "'Course, not all of them do. There's a lot of political bull crap, and people are still individuals, y'know? Not everyone who's good is nice, and not everyone who's nice has the time or money or motivation. 'Swhy I stayed on the farm I guess, less responsibility for the outside world."

The realization shakes Hunter a little bit. It's more of an admissjon, but he'd never really put much thought into how lazy or boring he was really being, trying to lock away the world so he wouldn't have to worry about it. He quickly decides to change the subject.

"If these witches and wizards and whatnot are evil, why hasn't anyone stopped them? This place doesn't seem like the kind of heap to have people debate over whether or not they should."

[Desril]

Morgan

"That's true enough. I don't suppose you know where the nearest wizard who's looking for an apprentice or an academy is? Now that I'm at a place where it can finally happen I'm going to learn how to use magic. I'll be an archmage before I leave Golarion if I've any choice in the matter."

[Grimtina]

In the village

The gnomes listen in awe to the description. "A world without magic," one says. "No wonder there are no gnomes. We need magic to exist."

Abou the witches, it's the eidolon who speaks up. "Ssssome people try, but the land itsssself, people are all ssssupresssssed, and other nationsss don't care. Like your world, thossse who are sssafe don't alwayss mind how othersss are."

"Yeah," the older gnome nods. "If not for adventuring parties taking on most of the world's problem solving, the nations would probably all be in total disarray."

"Are you guys coming out of the water or not?" a feemale voice peeps up. "Us girls need a bath, too." A bunch of sweaty looking women, dressed like farm hands, are waiting at the shore, hands on their hips.


In the dwarf outpost

"There's no academy here." The dwarves now lead you into a large hall subdivided in to smaller areas, much like cubicles in an office. In some parts, groups are eating together, doing repair work, all sorts of things. "I'll get you a share assigned for you to stay in for now, and then I'll go find our learned folks, maybe Master Twofingers can give you some answers."

One of the free "cubicles" is assigned to you, and the dwarves run to find beds and other things large enough for humans. "May take a while," one of them says.

The arrival of humans doesn't seem to be that uncommon. A few curious glances, but nothing more. They are mostly for Saunders, though, as he stands out from the usual way humans are known to dress here.

Master Twofingers (who still has all his fingers) arrives quickly. A middle aged dwarf, if it is possible to compare a dwarf's look to that of humans, arrives, led by a young dwarf woman who seems to have to steer him into the right direction every now and then; he might have otherwise become lost in the cubicle labyrinth. When she turns him to face you, you can see the problem. The man is blind. "Hello whoever you are," he says with a chuckle. "I was informed I am needed, but unfortunately, all my seeing eye spells are used up for the day, so I have to reply on little Parthy here." He pats the girl's head. "I#m the resident wizard, mostly because no one else wanted to employ me, believing me to be less of an asset for not being able to see the way anyone else does. But as soon as I will be able to make the spell permanant, all these worries will be over. Now, what can I do for you?"

[TechnoScrabble]

In the Village

"Right, sorry!" Hunter quickly finishes dressing and heads back towards the village, thoughts rolling around in his head. Best not to let Sonny know adventurers are a big thing here, kid'd get wrapped up like a kite around a branch.

Still, this world seemed like it could use some innovation that didn't come from someone waving their hands and saying 'abracadabra!'

[Desril]

Morgan

"Able to see or not, a wizard is a wizard. If they think less of you for the loss of your eyesight, then they are fools."

Looking at 'Twofingers' companion, he mentally remarks that maybe dwarven women weren't quite as ugly as he'd always considered them to be, even if they were a little short for his preference. "As to why you are here...I'll be brief. My...companion and I," he says, not sure if companion is the term he wants to use even though Saunders seems nice enough, "have a bit of a problem. This isn't our world, and neither of us know how we got here. Our home is far away from here, but still on the Prime Material. The problem is, magic doesn't exist on our world, it's just a fantasy there, so he has no way to get home. I only know of it as well as I do because I happen to be well versed in fantasy. I was hoping that, if you couldn't send him back to his home directly, that you could tell me where, exactly, we are, and the fastest way to get to Absalom or Magnimar so that I could take up wizardry and learn how to send him back myself...though Interplanetary Teleport is a 9th level spell, so it'll take a while to get it..."

[Grimtina]

In the village

Sonny, by now, has been fed way too much meat and some sort of honey-smelling cake. He's in the middle of gnome children listening to an old woman telling stories about her adventuring days, specifically, her planar travels.


In the dwarf outpost

"Oh how interesting!" The wizard frowns a little at the mention of no magic. "I am not a specialist in transportation magic, or planar knowledge, I'm mostly an elementalist," he explains. "I do know simple teleports, but I have bad luck with them. If that spell would be a dice roll..." he chuckles at that idea "...I'd always roll the wrong numbers. You wouldn't believe where I ended up on such occassions. Anyway, I happen to know an expert in planetary and planar travels, but she is in Katapesh, or was last time she sent me a message. She's the adventuring type, here and there, which is, of course, how she became an expert on it.

It is a very good idea to study the craft yourself, of course. You seem a bright one, to have mastered a subject which seems to be quite obscure on your world, to know of places like Absalom or Magnimar. I would say the fastest way to get from here to real civilization would be to travel to the gnome regions east of here. They are part of Galt, though, at least nominally, and Galtians are wary of strangers, if not to say hostile, ever since their revolution. The gnomes in that area do their own thing, though. We're in the Five King Mountains, the foothills theeoff, which places us in Andoran, and Galt isn't fond of Andorans. If you can't prove you aren't Andoran they'll just assume you are. They assume an awful lot, those people."

[Desril]

Morgan

Grinning at the joke the dwarven wizard hadn't realized he'd made with the dice, Morgan only nods.

When given their location, however, he pulls out his phone and quickly thumbs through the files to find the world map of Golarion and frowns to himself. Remembering he's not alone, however, he does his best to translate what was just said to something that Saunders could understand. "In short, we're about 300 miles north from the sea which could get us to a place that I know, we're on the northern border of what you'd probably describe as 'America minus the corruption and political bull****' and our best course of action seems to be to head to the gnomes who are in...imagine the French Revolution. Now imagine that the French weren't happy after the revolution and they did another one and replaced the government again. Now imagine they kept doing that for 40 years. And then you have Galt."

Eying the dwarf again, Morgan contemplates something. I hope Tere doesn't mind. "I'm afraid I don't have any currency of any value for this world, so this may not be of equal value, but would you be willing to attempt a teleportation spell in exchange for information?" Holding up his phone with the world map of Golarion still displayed for the dwarf to see he continues, "This is an item from our home world, it's not particularly valuable there, but it seems that some of our people had a psychic connection with Golarion or visions or something, as one of our make-believe games is set in this world. As such, I have a great deal of information on this world stored within here, including information on magic, regions, and the gods, it's part of how I know as much as I do. Could I persuade you into being allowed to study this information for a day in exchange for the spell?"

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter makes his way over to Sonny, being extra careful not to trod on the children that hardly come up to his knee, and is about to speak with him when he hears the woman talking about planar travel and stops, intent to listen. Maybe she'll know a way back...

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders has been quiet, but listening with an odd look on his face. He listens carefully to dis geographical description.
"Well...I am just assuming this is a dream really. On the other hand based on what I have heard I am not getting back ... assuming I am wrong, anytime soon. In any case, I am not a huge fan of the US to be honest, a lessor of evils as much as anything, and I doubt there is anyplace that is minus bull**** anywhere.
"As for getting back, I am not too worried. Beyond assuming this is a dream, it has been some time since I have been close to anyone much, so might as well enjoy the ride. Hell I might like this dream."
"I am taking this is a game like an WoW or something, with the talk of wizards and levels. And as such I assume bad monsters and stuff. I suspect you might need someone to keep you alive. I have always been pretty good at that and the opposite."

[Desril]

Morgan

"If you think it's a dream, feel free to pinch yourself, but it won't do any good. And I agree with your assessment of my former home, but the Andorans are significantly better. That said, I know the Varisian and Minkan regions much better, elsewhere I'll be referring back to this," he says motioning to his phone as he closes out the apps and turns it off to conserve power. "Thank God...no, thank Sheyln, that I carry my chargers on me. I suppose there's not too much a point in worshiping the Christian God here...even if I still have faith that he does exist, The Eternal Rose has a doctrine that appeals to me far more."


"As for it being like WoW...it's not, really, but it's close enough if it helps you understand. And you're right about their being monsters in the area, though I doubt your guns will be particularly more effective than a sword in the right hands. In any case, your help is appreciated. If we do need to travel by foot, I'd much rather have company," though he silently adds shame it's not the company of a girl, but a soldier will be more useful if less fun I suppose.

[Grimtina]

In the village

The story told right now is one of vast rolling grass plains on a plane with a name so strange it is impossible to remember. The woman talks of beings half lion, half human, and of large reptile birds in the skies. Her and her goup were after a yellow diamond, which was actually a miniature sun needed back in a complex of a race which also has a terrible name....


In the dwarf outpost


The wizard gets a quick description from his little apprentice of the strange device and the images. Twofingers is very interested. "Is this, by chance, related to what someone I met a while ago called a mobile teletalk? Because if it is I know someone who might be from your world as well. And yes, I would be very much interested in this information. But I need to remind you that the places my teleports tend to end up in are seldom pleasant."

[Desril]

Morgan

Looking both intrigued and annoyed at the thought of there being others from Earth here, he thinks for a second. "Well, it's a mobile telephone, though it's usually shorthanded to just 'phone' or something else. Never heard it called a teletalk before, but with different dialects, who knows. Languages are too variable."

In response to his reminder however, Morgan nods his head, "Yes, so you said, but I trust your abilities and with my luck, I'll roll a hundred on a random encounter chart and bump into an angry dragon if I try to walk anywhere. Teleporting is safer, faster, and to be quite honest I just really want to experience what it's like."

Not to mention that a 300 mile hike might kill me on its own.

[TechnoScrabble]

Now Hunter isn't sure if she's talking about planes or plains. It's honestly really confusing. The talk of lion-taurs does disturb him a bit, as he realizes that whether they were the result of evolution or...magic or whatever, the circumstances were deranged either way.

"These uh, 'birds'," he speaks up, "Did they have these big, bony crests on their heads?"

[Grimtina]

In the village


"Yes," the gnome woman wonders. "Have you encountered them before?"


In the dwarf outpost


"Very well then," the wizards nods. "As soon as I have regained my spells, we shall be on our way. Given that I know the destination, of course."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders.

Saunders looks incredulous. "Wait, wait. So you want this guy to teleport us, even though he has clearly told you he sucks at it? I thought you wanted to live to become a wizard? I am good at walking and surviving. Not sure I want to be teleported. I did see the Fly you know."

[Desril]

Morgan

"I've seen it too, but this isn't DNA splicing...worst case, just not all of us makes it where we're trying to go. The problem is, you might be able to hold your own if we walk and get ambushed, but I'm more worried about trolls or dragons than bandits. Whatever guns you've got on you aren't exactly going to do much to save us in that case."

Failing to supress his curious smile he continues, "...Plus you can't tell me that you aren't curious to know what it feels like to teleport. I mean come on! It's teleportation!"

[Smileybastard]

Morgan

"I've seen it too, but this isn't DNA splicing...worst case, just not all of us makes it where we're trying to go. The problem is, you might be able to hold your own if we walk and get ambushed, but I'm more worried about trolls or dragons than bandits. Whatever guns you've got on you aren't exactly going to do much to save us in that case."

Failing to supress his curious smile he continues, "...Plus you can't tell me that you aren't curious to know what it feels like to teleport. I mean come on! It's teleportation!"

Saunders

"Well the Fly comment was a joke, but if one or more of use ends up somewhere random then they would be really be lost, where as you seem to have a clue where we are now. As for trolls, dragons or bandits, I would think my weapons would be better than anything they have here other than magic I suppose, unless the laws of physics are radically different as well."

"I can honestly say I have no real curiosity about what it feels like. I also have no desire to know what it feels like to be shot from a canon or be electrocuted."

[TechnoScrabble]

"No, but I know what they are. Pterodactyls, they're a type of dinosaur the"

"Actually, " Sonny interrupts, " Pterodactyls weren't dinosaurs, they just lived at the same time. And those could be any pterosaur, maybe even a Quetzalcoatlus!"

Hunter shrugs, wondering how this kid failed math.

"Either way, we don't have none on our planet no more, they all died out long before we were twinkles in our daddy's eyes."

[Desril]

Morgan

"Your guns might be a bit more sophisticated, but revolvers haven't changed much over the centuries and they have those here too, even if they're a bit rare. And if anything from Numeria has been leaking out, they might also have rail guns and death rays and sci-fi weapons like that too. Plus, how much ammo are you carrying? I doubt it'll last long. Not to mention there's only one of you. Better weaponry or not, numbers can easily overwhelm you. And as for how your guns fair against a dragon...you have fun with that, I'm telling you now that if you pick a fight with a dragon, I will leave you to die. I'm not going to bet my life on a triple 20."

Figuring that he probably won't change the soldier's mind, Morgan tries a different approach, "If you'd rather walk and take a week to get there, fine, but I'm warning you now that I'm going to be complaining the entire time as soon as my legs start hurting."

[Grimtina]

"They died out?" the older gnome woman smiles. "Yes, they did that on many worlds, but in that place, they are unfortunately still there. Some people use them as mounts, and often get eaten by them despite training. How's that for stupid?" she giggles. Her long, bright pink hair flies as she shakes her head. "On every plane, on every world, there are bound to be people doing totally stupid things. Why, an elf told me that not too long ago, maybe 10 or so years back, he took a wrong turn in using planetary gates and found a strange world where people bind some sort of stretching rope to their feet and then jump from high places just to preted to be flying or something. Really, that's what you use flying carpets for, or you cast the spell on yourself." As if to demonstrate, she starets to levitate and the children clap their hands in joy.


The dwarf wizard can't help but be amazed at the exchange between the two strangers. "Nothing wrong with walking except it wastes time if you aren't into sight-seeing," he says. "Or doing patrols. In any case, I almost forgot i need to talk to my outpost commander first, who would likely want to see you on the morn anyway. Excuse me, I need to get started on preparations." With that, he vanishes.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

"I won't debate with you and I had no intention of attacking a dragon ... and I am beginning to think I don't like you."

[Desril]

Morgan

Smirking as if he found Saunder's reply amusing Morgan responds back, "That's alright soldier boy, I get that a lot. I don't really care though."

Turning back to their dwarven hosts, he continues more politely, "I'm afraid there's not much I'm able to do for the moment, but is there any simple aid I can give? You've already helped me a great deal, I'd hate to not return the favor."

[Grimtina]

The dwarf who had been leading the patrol smirks. "Maybe you can tell us a few stories about your world in the main hall? Talking of that, food has been served. I hope you are fine with some ale and rabbit stew."

[Desril]

Morgan

Nodding his head and smiling at the dwarf, the eager gamer frowns inwardly. "That sounds wonderful, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a storyteller. Still, I'll see if I can live up to the task. I'm sure anything I can't explain properly, our other friend here can help with though." Now...how to explain to hospitable and generous dwarves that I don't drink without insulting anyone...

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

"Ale and rabbit stew sounds great." Saunders smirks towards Morgan. "My guess is, you don't."

[TechnoScrabble]

Sonny jumps up as the gnome levitates, stopped from rushing up to her only by Hunter's hand on his shoulder.

"How are you doing that!? Show me how to do that!"

[Grimtina]

In the dwarf outpost

The feat hall of the outpost is, as the hosts explain, a little on the small side. It is still about the size of a football stadium, and with so many dwarfs in there, the description as a small outpost seems to be an understatement, too. Morgan and Saunders are immediately led to a central table and introduced as "visitors from a far away world" by a young dwarf bard who starts out the evening telling a tale of strange worlds other heroes have visited - some of the descriptions are clearly recognizable to Morgan as being Oerth and Toril - while food and drink is served.

The girl serving the central table takes one look at Morgan and frowns. "You are one of those mage types not liking alcohol, yes? Would root beer be acceptable instead?"


In the gnome village

"Ah, the gnome grins, "it's magic, of course. You will need to know the proper spell and be able to coordinate the flow of magic itself. Do you want to try it? You look like you have some ability and, frankly, being in a strange world you could use some magic to aid you."

[Desril]

Morgan

Distracted by the still impressive 'small' feast hall, Morgan takes a moment to notice who asked the question but answers in the affirmative, "Yes, actually a root beer sounds lovely."

I suppose it isn't going to be the same as the kind that I'm used to, it beats alcohol or nothing though.

Not really one for drawing attention to himself, Morgan decides not to give the bard stories about Earth and instead listens quietly and does his best to not let the commotion and the density of the crowd get to him. This might be a bit crowded for me, but hell, might as well try to enjoy it, right? It's just one night, I don't want to offend anyone.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders partakes in the Ale and the feast having given in to this dream/delusion or whatever it was. He contemplates telling them stories of "modern" combat, but he feels it would be incomprehensible in some ways, too scary in some ways and more importantly might give some of his secrets away before he wanted to.

Looking around at all of these "dwarves" he wonders if there are any human women around or at least something less short and stocky.

"Morgan, are there humans on this world?"

[Desril]

Morgan

Hearing Saunder's question, he nods, "Humans have the highest population by far amongst the civilized races. This is just a dwarven area it seems. Cities like the one I'm trying to get to have a lot more diversity."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders nods. "Good."

[Grimtina]

Root beer of dwarves, as it turns out, is more of a heavy malt beer with overtones of spices both fresh and sweet. It's what young and old dwarves and, as it is explained, some magic users prefer as it won't accidentally make them cast a spell or two when not in their right mind. A lot of dwarf sorcerers at least, the bard says, tend to lose control over their abilities once drunk, and they are drunk rather quickly, just after 5 or 6 ales. Then he goes into a tale of the sorcerer who drank to get the courage to woo his future bride-to-be.

Thus, the evening passes rather amiable, and by the time you are able to retreat, the sun might be up again, but being undderground it is difficult to say.

[TechnoScrabble]

Village

Sonny looks up to Hunter expectantly, a begging look on his face. After a moment, Hunter exhales pretty heavily through his nose, nods, and takes his hand off his brother's shoulder.

Sonny practically darts forward to the gnome, head bobbing up and down like a jackhammer.

"Show me!"

[Grimtina]

Several gnomes gather around as the gnme elder smiles happily and touches Sonny's forehead. "Concentrate on the energy within you, and then think of a bright light in the dark. Imagine it to appear on any object you want."

[TechnoScrabble]

Hunter watches with apparent apprehension as the gnomes gather around Sonny. Sonny clinches his eyes tightly shut and focuses on the idea of a little candle on top of a nearby rock, illuminating the little stone in his mind.

[Desril]

Morgan

Drained from the festivities now that he'd had a chance to get away, Morgan simply looks for a place to rest, hoping that he'll wake up to find himself still in this world and that it wasn't all just a dream.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders finds a corner to crash in where he has a line of sight to Morgan and crashes.

[Grimtina]

In the village

Everyone else around Sunny can see the outline of a candle appear on the stone, it's top glowing brightly. A murmur goes through the crowd, as if this was something special.

"I thoguht so," the gnome elder claps. "Your magic is slightly different from ours, you coming from a different world, but I felt the power of illusion within you the moment I saw you." Then she turns to Hunter. "Would you allow him to learn, while you are here? Illusions can have a great power in this world, and I am sure there are other strengths within this one."

At this moment, the hungry cry of a certain young bird makes most people turn around.


In the dwarf complex


At some point after you have fallen asleep - roughly 6 hrs later by your watches/phones - the complex awakes again, and a dwarf servant girl comes to wake you and bring something like coffee - it has a stronger taste than even the strongest coffee you are used to - and goat milk, honey and salt in case if you need any of it. "Breakfast proper will be served in an hour, but we usually drink our wake up brews first," she explains shily. "But I can also make you tea,m if needed."

At this point in the story, the gnome village is about half a day ahead in time - ideally, the teleport ends close enough for you to meet up.

[TechnoScrabble]

Village

Sonny gleams and cheers, clearly proud of himself, though Hunter is...taken aback, at the least. He's a little less sure of all this, but the gnomes have been nice so far, right? They could be trusted not to teach Sonny anything harmful.

He nods. Sure, the kid could learn. It obviously made him happy.

The call of the sun eagle hatchling grabs Hunter's attention, and he sets himself to getting it some food.

[Desril]

Morgan

Not a coffee drinker, but figuring he has been enough of a burden already, Morgan gratefully takes the cup from the dwarf while yawning, noting how shy she seemed to be as she said it. "That's not that different from where we come from, though personally I usually just slept in late and ate whenever I rolled out of bed. I suppose that's going to have to change."

Still sleepy, having never been a morning person, but awake just enough for his mind to wander off on a tangent, he starts thinking about the future, If I've got the knack for wizardry, I could always start preparing an Unseen Servant in the morning. No longer will I need to think to get breakfast, just snap my fingers and let it do the work. Come to think of it, now that I'm not restricted by mechanics or a GM, I wonder what sort of things I can do with a spell like that...I'll have to experiment later.

[Smileybastard]

Sanders

Sanders wakes and looks around. Still here. He takes the brew and tastes it.

[Grimtina]

Asides from the slightly more herbal taste, for a lack of better description, it's a really good coffee. You haven't finished yet, though, when a young dwarf barely old enough for his beard to show comes in and announces that the commander for the garrison has given their old wizard a long-time leave from the garrison to try and be of use to their offworld visitors. "I think," the young man peeps up without being asked, "Commander Bruk just wants some of the credit if you two turn out to become important people down the journey, as has happened before with offworlders. His career is stuck, you see."

[Desril]

Morgan

Well, at least someone has faith in us making something of ourselves. Guess it wouldn't be fair to let them down, the misplaced human thinks with a smirk while drinking. Now, time to be diplomatic, let's just hope I don't lay it on a little too thickly..."Please give the Commander my thanks for allowing us to borrow such an important person. I'm sure his aid will be invaluable."


On to teleportation?

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

"Well it seems whatever this is persistent and the whole we'll help you just in case you become important is the first ... well rational is the wrong word ... thing I have heard so far."

He lefts his cup to the speaker. "Good coffee too."

[Grimtina]

In the village

There is little difficulty in finding food for the hatchling, who is the center of attention with some of the young folk. As Hunter arrives, they are arguing about what a bird of his type would likely eat, and how much. While they are all sure it needs meat, they can't agree on either leftover meat scraps or mice from the traps of several houses. Both types of food are already present, and it is clear now why the bird keeps screeching. "Why dooesn't anyone feed me already?" it seems to cry. "Food is right there." But it is placed securely in a makeshift nest it can't fall out of, or climb over.


In the dwarf outpost

Half an hour after breakfast and other preparations, the wizard and his apprentice are metting with the offworlders in a side hall not used for much as it seems. The apprentice carries a lot of things in several packs on her bag and tied to her hips while the wizard is just wearing a simple backpack. He leans on a blue staff with a white pearl set in a dragon's fang on top of it and looks pretty much confident. After the usual polite greetings (and a supposed curse in dwarven the master throws an angry look at the apprentice for) he asks everyone to step close and grab a hold on him. The girl, seemingly knowing the procedure, grabs his belt, takes a dseep breath and closes her eyes.

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders is reluctant, but as this seems the reality he is stuck in no matter what he might as well go for the ride. It is not like he has been particularly safe in his choices in life. He ensures he has all his gear then follows suit and takes hold of the old dwarfs backpack.

[TechnoScrabble]

Village

Hunter grins and pulls a stick of pork jerky out of his pocket, unwrapping it and waving it around in front of the eagle.

"I think the little guy's gotten 'isself a taste for pork. Shoulda brought a boar with me."

He chuckles and loosens the bundle around the bird, giving him the jerky and letting him at the food available.

"I'm kiddin', buddy, I hear ya. Won't wrap you up so tight next time."

[Desril]

Morgan

Not particularly comfortable with touching people he doesn't know, Morgan nonetheless knows the requirements for Teleport and reaches a hand out to touch the dwarf's back. Everything I've ever read says that it's disorienting to open your eyes when teleporting, but...there's no way in hell I'm going to miss this, my stomach be damned.

While waiting on the wizard to cast his spell, it suddenly dawns on him how powerful this dwarf must be. 9th level, at least. This dwarf could probably conquer Earth if he felt like it and planned it out well.

[Grimtina]

In the Village

Plenty of the children watch the feeding, and talk all over each other trying to show what they know - or don#t know - of big birds, until a gnome on crutches, with only one foot, shoos them away. "They are so small thy could be eaten by a grown one," he laughs. "But also too small to realize that, they probably think it cool to fly on one."


Teleporting out

Once Twofingers is happy with everyone being secure, he mumbles a few words which, while clearly audible, just barely escape understanding. There is a feeling of being pulled forward and upward - and strangely backwards at the same time. It seems to last a lifetime and then just a moment. For Morgan, the world goes grey and sparkly, as if a TV station has just stopped broadcasting. Theren there is something - oe maybe rather nothing - at the edge of his vision, but then the world already reappears.

With a splash.

Parthy, the apprentice, says something in Dwarven which can only be a curse. The group is standing to the hips in fresh and coild blue water, some shades of green from the vegetation shining through. The sun is bright and clear, and the sounds of a village nearby filter through the bushes in the shallower areas. Cows, geese, chicken and goats and the bark of a dog. The laughter of children and the screech of what might be a larger bird.

"Ah," Twofingers mumbles, stretching his hand out for his apprentice to guide him to the shore. "Better save my spells in case I'll need them, but it appears we are on target for a change. Asides from, well, the water."

"Master, you are an elementalist, you aleways end up in an element or two one way or another," the girl sighs. "Would you rather reappear in fire or a pile of sand?"

"No, no, of course not, girl, but that's not how the spell works, it should have no influence what my specialty is," the wizard explains, probably for the 100th time.

[TechnoScrabble]

Village

"I saw how big they get," Hunter nods, "I could probably ride 'im myself when he gets all grown up."

Hunter feeds the bird with one hand and holds out the other for the gnome to shake, "Hunter Johnathon Cash. If you can't tell, I'm not from 'round these parts."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders upon popping back into "reality" immediately lifts his weapon away from the water and scans his environment.

Perception [roll0]

[Grimtina]

In the village

"Friggelduk the 5th," the gnome grins, shaking the hand forcefully. "Hunter is a nice name, especially for one who actually hunts. Or was that an intentional naming?"


In front of the village


Among all the other sounds, Saunders can smell meat roasting and other food smells, plus someone in a foreign language talking. In the water itself, a strange creature drifts, as if asleep, in the low waves caused by some wind. It sort of looks like a snake with 4 arms, and thanks to the blueish hue of its scales, it is hardly recognizable.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Just a happy coincidence, " Hunter says, " I'm actually named after my great-grandad. I farm more'n I hunt, too. Agricultural Engineer."

[Desril]

Morgan

Silently agreeing with Parthy, Morgan can't help but grin like a madman in spite of the situation, Haha, yes! It actually is real! Finally, something to strive for and truly give my all for, oh this is going to be fun.

Not being the best swimmer, Morgan focuses on getting to shore and doesn't respond to the conversation until they hit dry land, but when they do he speaks up. "Well, the spell takes you to the location you're visualizing, right? Maybe your elemental studies have you constantly thinking about them subconsciously and subtly altering the destination of the spell due to said subconscious visualization?"

[Grimtina]

Forgot to add - perception check for the new arrivals please

"Hmph," Twofingers says, and scratches his wet beard. "That is an interesting theory! Why didn't I ever think of that! I think as soon as I am dry it is time to teach you a few cantrips, you'll make a fine wizard!"

The apprentice, for her part, looks relieved finally someone's agreeing with her and managed to put in words what she couldn't.

In the village, Friggleduk frowns. "I think I know what that is. You are making drains for flood waters and irrigation canals, yes?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"That'd be the basics of it, yeah," Hunter nods and runs a hand through the eagle's feathers, "I also do work with different styles a' farmin', like terraced farming and hydroponics, and how to best keep livestock or cycle your crops so your land stays fertile and you produce more than you need. Where I come from, one farmer and a few well-kept acres and farmhands can feed hundreds of people."

[Smileybastard]

Saunders

Saunders wades to shore. "Where are we now?"

[Grimtina]

"That is a good job then, feeding many people," the gnome nods. 2I suppose it would work a lot better in most of the world here, too, if it wasn't for the constant conflicts. One way or another there is always trouble. Just take this country, if the rulers in their madness would insist on extending their powers to our area, there would be very little we could do. And they would force their views on us."


Twofingers, climbing out of the water carefully, sniffs the air. "We're at a gnome village I forgot the name of again. Hovel.. coast? Hovelcast?"

"Havelcrest," the apprentice chuckles. "Not that hard to remember, master."

"Ah, yeah. Me and non-arcane names. Anyway, I know a few people here and visit every now and then. It's the best option to get to a larger city without causing too much attention."

[TechnoScrabble]

"That's why you arm yourselves," Hunter says, "Train yourselves. If you've got yourself a society with an understanding of how to admirably, honourably, and rightfully conduct themselves, people are gonna get mean about it. So you work a militia into that society, people who can be trusted to handle weapons with skill and tact for the better of others, and nobody can take what's yours without a fight that ain't worth it. It's part of my country's history an' constitution."

[Desril]

Morgan

Havelcrest? Never heard of it, but then again, I never really cared about gnomes from a gameplay perspective so I'm not surprised. Nor dwarves, for that matter, but they've been perfectly nice people, so I suppose I should give the gnomes a fair chance.

"Why's that? Wouldn't teleporting directly to the city be a normal occurrence and not draw much attention? Or are the number of people who can do that lower than I figured?"