DM Jan Monday August 5th, 2002 12:03:51 PM
It is morning.
Light is spilling in through the edges of the City, along with the usual sounds of morning traffic - carts, bells, people's voices.
Some of you feel a little disoriented. Wasn't there a battle? The mother of all battles? Were you not supposed to be somewhere else?
Perhaps, amidst a jumble of fading memories...
But now, here you all are - in your room - at the mansion. No question about it. There is a wonderful smell of cooked breakfast wafting up the stairs, and as you arise, you marvel at how healthy, how 'normal' you look and feel.
That must have been some nightmare, eh?
Downstairs, the ever efficient Mitchum has breakfast ready, and a scroll which he hands over, unopened.
"That was delivered first thing, by the Overlord's personal courier," he says. "The boy said something rather odd, too. He said Plateau City had disappeared. Fancy that."
Clangden Monday August 5th, 2002 1:27:50 PM
Stretching then poppin out of bed, belly grumbling just as he smells the aroma of breakfast, Clangden hurridly dresses and then bounds downstairs to the dining room. Passing up the offered scroll he says, "Give it to one of the others, I wouldn't want to offend one of the Storm Dragons by opening their mail, but I would kill a thousand giants for a plate of your bacon and eggs and a frothing mug of the stout stuff."
Plopping in a chair, Clangden sticks a napkin in his shirt, grabs a fork in one hand and holds out his empty cup.
"Me thinks Plateau City can wait til after I have me breakfast." (He thinks this rumor of Plateau City disappearing to be nothing more than gobbly goop).
When the others show up, he inquires of them if they had the same strange dream that he had last night as well?
Nonam Monday August 5th, 2002 5:20:35 PM
Nonam takes the scroll and opens it up before sitting down to breakfast. He looks over at Clangden, "It's a bit early for drinking, don't you think?"
The wizard pours himself a glass of water and takes a single egg as he reads the Overlord's note aloud...
Tericus Monday August 5th, 2002 6:50:45 PM
feeling disoriented, Tericus gets dressed and comes down to join the others. as he sits down his friends notice that although the symbol of Terisalia is still around his neck, next to it hangs the symbol of Alemi. "I dont know about you all, but I had some hard decisions to make last night."
Addinein Monday August 5th, 2002 9:50:11 PM
Still being somewhat disoriented by the surface world, Addinein is further set up by vague memories of something he no longer remembers. Wondering if somehow he might have gotten poisoned during the night Addinein wanders down for breakfast. Smells of familiar and unfamilar and somewhat familiar food makes Addinein's stomach rumble as he sits down at the table.
Letting the others look over the parchment Addinein starts to dig into the food and waits to see what others have to say this strange morning.
Gareth Monday August 5th, 2002 10:09:17 PM
The warrior cleans up and gets ready for the day as he usually does. He looks around his room as he leaves - everything in place... My, what a life! And it just begins - again.... Again.... Hmmmm. As he joins the others he puzzles over his thoughts and eats the food. He looks to Tericus and lights up from his foggy headed memories. "It's good to see you with fire in your eyes again, my friend. I was worried about you.". He decides water, milk and juice will be his fare for the morning, passing on the drink as he sees the old dwarf at his meal.
DM Jan Tuesday August 6th, 2002 3:33:28 PM
As the others sit down to breakfast, Nonam reads out the scroll -
'I respectfully but urgently request your presence at the earliest opportunity, for I need your council and more.
We find ourselves in strange waters.'
The script looks the work of an official scribe, and at bears the distinctive signature of the Overlord at the base of the scroll.
Strangely enough - the air drifting in through a nearby window feels warm, and a little muggy - moreso than the usual breeze that drifts in from the Lake.
Mitchum raises an eyebrow. "Will you be needing your best clothes?"
Tericus Tuesday August 6th, 2002 6:32:25 PM
"I wonder what he means 'strange waters'." Tericus says to himself. before he goes to get ready he grabs himself a couple of apples and a cup of water
Gareth Tuesday August 6th, 2002 7:27:00 PM
The warrior finishes his meal. "I have no idea what he means, but I think we should go see him and see what's going on. I'm not going to dress up though. Always seems we end up with an assignment when we get the call. No need to change twice in one day...".
Clangden Wednesday August 7th, 2002 10:45:28 AM
finishing his 4th helping of eggs and bacon, and downing his 6th cup of ale, Clangden responds: get my best clothes? this is my best set of clothes. smiling, Clangden gets up, walks upstairs and retrieves a small bag with some wooden toys he just finished making, and heads back down stairs to await the others. (on the way to the meeting, Clangden will pass out the toys to various children out playing in the street til the bag is empty)
Nonam Wednesday August 7th, 2002 4:47:23 PM
Nonam finishes up his single egg and marvels at the food Clangden packed away. Then he stands and heads to the door, "Let's hear what the man has to say."
DM Jan Wednesday August 7th, 2002 7:09:57 PM
Outside, there definitely seems to be a change in the air. It's humid, but not unpleasantly so. Folks on the well swept streets of the Gold Level are behaving a little unusually. Instead of merely going about their business, some of them are stood around in groups, as they would on either the Merchant or the Fence Level, and appear to be talking animatedly.
Guards at the entrance to the OverCity Palace nod in recognition as you all emerge from the ramp and pass through the gate on the Open Air Level.
Instead of the usual audience hall, or anteroom, you are all led up a series of many stairs until you reach the top of the Palace's observation tower.
The Overlord is there, along with a few of his advisors who look rather mystified.
"Ah, greetings Storm Dragons," he says. "I'm hoping that perhaps one of you might know where we are?"
He sweeps his hand toward the tower wall's edge. Beyond it lies a 360 degree view.
The City floats on water. About 200 yards away to the West, and very close - lie the beginnings of a lush forest. It stretches ahead as far as the eye can see, and follows the water's edge to the northeast and southwest. The forest looks enormous. Beyond reckoning at first glance.
To the northeast - is water, an endless stretch of it. The southwest has the same view. It's difficult to tell by the eye if this is a lake, or part of a great sea.
In the opposite direction to the forest, over to the east - in the hazy distance, are what look like mountains, but its difficult to tell because of the cloud cover.
Overhead, the sky is grey, painting the water below it a deep, dark, green.
Gareth Wednesday August 7th, 2002 9:23:35 PM
The warrior looks around the base of the city with concern to see if he can see the great turtles that ferry people back and forth. They've become his friends over the years, you know... Looking around he shrugs. "I'll go up for a bird's eye view. Maybe I can see something I recognize. Anyone else?". Gareth takes to the sky flying straight up 1000 feet - and higher to see if there is anything recognizeable in the area.
Tericus Thursday August 8th, 2002 2:30:26 AM
"How can an entire city move? I know its the Floating city, but it doesnt actually float." Tericus says aloud
Clangden Thursday August 8th, 2002 11:19:34 AM
somewhat saying under his breath, where has the God's sent us? either this is a HUGE mistake or the God's are up to their old tricks again. and just to think, we helped restore the balance and this is how they treat us?
shaking his head Clangden leans over the railing to see if he to can see the great turtles, then he ponders the area, not reckognizing anything, Clangden turns and says: well, I guess I know what we are gonna do today. I will meet all of you out front in 30 minutes, I need to get my gear. and with that said, Clangden heads back to retrieve his backpack, armor and weapons. and a snack.
Nonam Thursday August 8th, 2002 3:17:03 PM
Nonam looks out, "Well, we're on a lake... and actually Tericus, the city does float. It originally received its name because it moved back and forth on the old lake."
He turns to the Overlord, "Has anyone tried casting discern location. I'd do it, but I'd need a scroll. What about the sun movements? Have you had an astronomer out to look? They might could tell something, especially when night comes."
DM Jan Thursday August 8th, 2002 10:49:31 PM
Gareth shoots up in the air for a better view. What he sees is a vast lake, much greater than the one before. The forest to the east seems never-ending, and in the distance to the far west, are a huge range of mountains. Far below, there's a tiny dot swimming around that might be a turtle and it's handler. Difficult to tell.
((Map emailed to you at this point - let me know if you didnt get it.))
Clangden's viewpoint from the Observation Tower doesn't quite let him see over the City's edge enough to see whether the turtles are swimming or not. As the dwarf goes to prepare, the Overlord turns to Nonam, Addinein, Jus and Tericus.
"We've tried Discern Location, and it doesn't work - which IS rather worrying. I thought that spell never failed. Not unless..."
"It's the Gods, I tell you - the Gods!" exclaims one of his advisors with a wild roll of his eyes.
The Overlord frowns, and then continues. "We can't see the sun because of the clouds, hopefully when they clear, we'll have a good chance of charting our position. We're praying for a clear night.
But - what worries me right now more than anything is - that!"
He points a finger toward the forest.
"Who lives in it, and are they friend or enemy? Can we find food, and other supplies, like timber? I need a reconnaissance party. I need to know who we're rubbing shoulders with and if they're likely to be any trouble. Perhaps this forest is uninhabited, we don't know at this point.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it - is to discover just exactly what we're dealing with out there, and hopefully, while you're at it, find some clue as to our location.
At least there is one good thing - we managed to establish a portal to Plateau City. They don't know where we are either, but they're working on it. They're as mystified as we are, but at least we won't run short of supplies."
Tericus Friday August 9th, 2002 8:01:08 AM
"I can try some divinations in the morning, but of course we'll do some scouting." Tericus says
Nonam Friday August 9th, 2002 4:46:33 PM
"Hmmm, discern location doesn't work? Gareth sees mountains to the east... there's a forest to the west... hmmm. There isn't a lake this big near the Scab, and Culverwood is to the north of Blackbird Lake, not to the east. Wherever we are, I'd wager we are no longer on the Elennian Peninsula. Exploration sounds like just the thing."
Clangden Saturday August 10th, 2002 3:45:37 PM
Clangden goes and gets his gear, returns, armor donned, axe in hand, pack on back, ready to do some recon.
DM Jan - OOC Monday August 12th, 2002 7:37:33 PM
((OOC - Okay... this is going to be a tough week, because a few of you aren't here till the end of it.
To those still here, and that should be a good half of you - I'm going to continue posting. I'll slow the game down so we don't hit combat until you're all here, but I would encourage you to continue posting daily. We had a bit of a shaky start last week in terms of regular posting - and we need to get back into the 'happy habit' after the break. So lets do it.))
:)
DM Jan Monday August 12th, 2002 7:53:13 PM
The Overlord looks relieved.
"My thanks," he says. "Over the next few days, I'll be busy preparing for Mask Day. As you know, we have no Underlord, and so I need to descend into the Underlevel and replace him."
He pauses, his eyes becoming apprehensive, and a little haunted for a moment.
"Mask Day will occur in one week's time. I would hope you will have returned by then. The assassination of the Underlord made everyone a little... jumpy. There should not be any trouble, but -"
He ends the sentence with a shrug before continuing.
"I'd like to send someone with you. His name is Anaxor, a botanist, and trainee druid. I want him to record everything you see out there. I'll make sure he's down at the docks when you leave. May all our Gods be with you."
The Overlord gives an ever so slight bow, and then is immediately engulfed by his advisors and their endless chatter about the Mask Day preparations.
Gareth Monday August 12th, 2002 8:04:32 PM
After flying back down and reporting to the others, the warrior nods in agreement with the overlord. "Sounds like we need to go see what's out there. So, are the turtles still around? Did we lose those guys?".
Once pleasantries are over, Gareth heads back to the house with the others and gathers his normal supplies. "I'm afraid I normally don't carry ale, Clangden. Too much weight. You'll have to carry your own.". He winks at the dwarf as he leaves.
Clangden Tuesday August 13th, 2002 11:48:23 AM
Clangden smiles at Gareth and pats his backpack, right where the outline of a pitcher is. Clangden follows the others, cracking jokes here and there to relieve the tension a bit.
Tericus Tuesday August 13th, 2002 9:08:00 PM
"Well, I guess we better get going." Tericus says
DM Jan Wednesday August 14th, 2002 1:26:12 AM
After prepping up, the Storm Dragons set off down to the Fence Level and the docks.
It's busier than usual, as a lot of folks on that level are there at the City's edge to take in the new sites across the water.
Some of the turtle handlers are talking nearby - "Deep, cold, and as clear as a bell," says one of them, holding up a measuring glass of water. "Freshwater too. Don't know what we'd have done if it had been salty."
Out in the water - about 50 yards away, a handler is crouched aboard a turtle which is swimming too and fro. Both man and creature appear to be testing the water.
On the quayside, whispers are beginning to go through the crowd - "...see that?.... Ooooh look.... its the Storm Dragons...... what are they doing here?...... "
One tiny little lass approaches the group, and giggles and waves.
Tericus Wednesday August 14th, 2002 5:35:29 AM
"Well, where is this guy we're suppost to meet." Tericus says as he looks around for their new companion
Clangden Wednesday August 14th, 2002 10:29:19 AM
Clangden drops his axe and pack with shield, grabs a small bag and approaches the wee lass. smiling Clangden drops to one knee in front of the child, opens the bag and takes a long hard look. finding what he was looking for, Clangden reaches in and removes a toy that he made. a Horse painted white with black markings around the hooves and a long tail and short cropped mane. handing the Horse over to the child, Clangden says: I have been watching you, and I know you do what your folks tell you to do. I know you have been good. Clangden taps the child on it's head (dont know if its a boy or girl), smiles again and walks back to the group, grabbing the pack, shield and axe. turning back, Clangden waves at the child then turns back to the matter at hand, waiting for our druid to show up.
Nonam Wednesday August 14th, 2002 10:51:00 AM
Nonam keeps muttering something about the druid trainee until he sees Clangden give the child the horse. He claps the dwarf on the back afterward and says, "I'm glad to have you with us and proud to call you friend. You've a heart of gold to match that angry axe... even if you do drink too much." The wizard grins with the drinking comment to show he doesn't really mind the ale. Not too much at least.
Gareth Wednesday August 14th, 2002 9:53:53 PM
The warrior takes on his "All business" posture as he looks for their contact. He doesn't really notice the comments, he smiles at folks from time to time, but he spends his time looking for the druid.
DM Jan Wednesday August 14th, 2002 11:33:15 PM
The little girl whispers - "Thank you.." and runs off back to her family, shrieking with delight and waving the toy horse above her head.
Just then - a very, VERY thin young man, about 5ft 8in, late teens/early twenties, dressed in shabby clothes and an even shabbier cloak, pushes his way through the crowd. His cheeks are rosy and he looks out of breath. His hair is so blond it looks almost white, and it's sticking up from his scalp in unruly spikes - all except for one lock of hair at the right temple - which is streaked BRIGHT GREEN. He has a large, battered, woven cloth satchel slung diagonally over his shoulder.
"I'm late, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he announces, gasping for air. He gives Gareth a bow, and for an awkward moment, he seems too in awe to say anything else. Eventually - "My name is Anaxor. I'm supposed to accompany you on your journey across the water. May I just say how much of an honour it is -"
And so, he starts babbling on eagerly about the great Storm Dragons, the magnificent etc etc - to the point where it becomes embarrassing.
Meanwhile - the turtle men have overheard what Anaxor said, and one of them asks the group -
"Want me to saddle up one of the big ones? Water looks fine. Where you going? over to the forest?"
A collective "Oooooooooh....." goes through the crowd.
Tericus Thursday August 15th, 2002 8:40:32 AM
Smiling at the praise the young man heaps upon his friends, Tericus says "Thank you for the compliments. We're just people like yourself." Then he adds a bit more seriously, "What are your skills? We may run into trouble and it will be helpful to know your strengths and weaknesses."
Clangden Thursday August 15th, 2002 12:33:38 PM
nods an agreement to the turtle man. smiles at the young Druid, wincing every now and then.
to Nonam: thank you for those kind words. pulling out the pitcher from his pack Clangden asks him, with a wide toothy grin, are you thirsty?
Gareth Thursday August 15th, 2002 8:36:19 PM
The warrior nods to the young man as he bows and listens a bit without too much expression as he babbles on. Once the rider offers to saddle up a turtle he responds immediately "Why, yes. A turtle ride to the shore would quite nice.". He moves over to the prospective 'mount' and prepares to board - when the rider says so, of course...
Addinein Thursday August 15th, 2002 11:37:01 PM
Addinein looks around a little nervously as the crowd, and then the druid show their awe towards the Storm Dragons. Not used to the open stares of the people, Addinein just listens in with the exchange between the druid, and the others of his party.
DM Jan Friday August 16th, 2002 1:03:16 AM
Stepping toward the edge of the quayside, the group can see about a dozen turtles in the water. One of their handlers beckons everyone down a ladder.
Below it floats one of the larger water beasts, wearing a multi-looped harness.
"Hop aboard!" yells the handler. "We've lost some of the rafts, so grab a loop, stand on the turtle's back, hang on, and no stamping your feet!"
There looks just enough room for everyone to climb aboard. The handler doesn't look particularly fazed at having the Storm Dragons aboard. He's more concerned about his turtle.
"Oh -", says Axanor as Tericus asks him a question. "I'm a druid, or at least I'm going to be, like my father. He's a crop specialist, over at the other side of Plateau City. I've not been admitted into the order yet though. But I can name and recognise any known plant in the Wold."
Despite the thick overhead cloud, the humidity seems to add to the heat in the air. In the distance, a flock of brightly coloured birds fly above the thick tree canopy across the water.
The lake itself seems as calm as a millpond. Looking down, it looks deep. Very deep.
"Right - where exactly do you want to go?" asks the turtleman.
Tericus Friday August 16th, 2002 8:45:17 AM
"Are we going to a specific place? I can't remember," Tericus says.
Clangden Friday August 16th, 2002 10:19:55 AM
Looking as nervous as a newly married man, Clangden cautiously boards the turtle. Firmly grasping the loop, Clangden says to the driver, "Across the lake, and the sooner I can put my feet on dry ground, the better for all."
When the others look at Clangden, they see sweat starting to trickle down his brow, skin color turning a bit pale, and every now and again, he lets out a small dry heave.
He looks VERY uncomfortable.
Gareth Saturday August 17th, 2002 12:22:53 AM
The warrior grins at Clangden. "Don't worry my good dwarf. These turtles are my buds! They'll take good care of you."
Looking out at the coast he says, "I really didn't see any civilization in the area. I guess just take us over to an easy place to hop off. Maybe one of us can fly over the coast and look for any promising spots.
Addinein Sunday August 18th, 2002 10:22:15 PM
"Maybe someone should be flying overhead in order to not get caught off guard. Or should we consider someone invisible for scouting ahead once we get on land."
Addinein also seems to be a little unsettled about the ride on the turtle.
DM Jan Monday August 19th, 2002 12:07:11 PM
And so, the Storm Dragons set forth.
The turtle kicks away from the dock and begins a rhythmic and steady pull toward the shore. It's a fairly smooth ride once a person's balance has got used to it, and the rope loops help everyone keep their feet.
Soon - everyone is surrounded by calm, deep water. Occasionally, shoals of fish are seen as they dance toward the surface, only to disappear back into the depths. The water licks close at everyone's boots, but the turtle shell never dips below the surface, even though the feeling is, that it might just do that at any moment.
Left behind, is the towering magnificence of the Big Float - its inhabitants becoming smaller and smaller on the dockside as the turtle swims further.
And up ahead -
A tangled wall of trees, thick and lush - more akin to a jungle than a forest. Anaxor is getting excited at the prospect of landing. "Look at those trees!" he exclaims, as the group get closer. "I've never seen anything like them before!"
"Never mind the trees," mutters the turtlehandler. "You'd be well advised to keep your eyes on the water. You never know what could be lurking down there."
Up to the right, about 50 yards along the water's edge, is a small, grey, oblong shape.
Tericus Monday August 19th, 2002 6:20:27 PM
"Whats that?" Tericus says as he points at the oblong shape. "I hope its not hostile." he says to Addinein as he loads his sling
Gareth Monday August 19th, 2002 7:25:38 PM
The warrior eyes the thing warily but doesn't move. "I don't think our turtle friend here would be moving near it if it was looking to attack. Still, your point is well taken..." Gareth shifts his weight toward the driver so that he might leap to him in case of any attakcs. He unconsciously places his hand on Max's hilt - his companion and security.
Clangden Tuesday August 20th, 2002 10:56:10 AM
Ordering his shield in dwarven to protect, Clangden tightens his grip with one hand on the loop and with the other grasps his axe handle. Turning to watch the grey shape, Clangden says to the druid, "Get yourself closer to me."
DM Jan Tuesday August 20th, 2002 11:58:04 AM
As the turtle edges closer, the grey shape becomes clearer. It looks like it might be a wooden boat, pulled half way on to the lake shore. But from its colour, it looks extremely weathered.
Anaxor nods at Clangden and keeps a low profile. As Tericus, Addinein and the others prepare for any unwelcome surprises, the turtle handler whispers to the nearby Gareth -
"Looks like she'll be able to swim right up to the edge, so you won't get your feet wet. Do you want to check that thing out, or land further away?"
He seems nervous.
Ahead is a tangled wall of greenery, where trees and vines - some with brightly varigated leaves in very distinctive and unusual shapes blend together to create a riotous garden, full of colour.
It is about here where faint creature sounds become evident - distant whooping noises, and an occasional squawk. Anaxor is twitching with impatience, and starts rhyming off all kinds of plant names. "But they're not quite the same - look at that lobelia cardinalis! It's huge! And growing right at the waters edge! And its flowers are yellow!"
Clangden Tuesday August 20th, 2002 3:08:56 PM
turns to the Druid, gets his attention, and puts a finger to his lips. then turns to the shore, keeping a watchful eye of the treeline.
Tericus Tuesday August 20th, 2002 5:58:06 PM
"Gareth, it might be a good idea to check out that boat. If we can figure out how it sank, maybe we can be a little more prepared for any trouble we might encounter." Tericus says
Gareth Tuesday August 20th, 2002 7:45:04 PM
The warrior looks around the area and sees the turtle handler's distress. "If it was destroyed by men then the city will know about them soon enough, if something in the water did it then I'd say we'd do well to avoid it. I think we should find our answers among the living - not the dead." He nods the handler to the shore.
Addinein Tuesday August 20th, 2002 8:55:21 PM
Reminding him of his days when he first came to the surface. He lets the others of his party that might have done this more often than him, handle things for now.
DM Jan Wednesday August 21st, 2002 12:14:12 PM
The turtle handler guides the creature toward land, a little ways off from the boat.
"I'll wait awhile," he says, "till I'm sure you don't need a fast exit, then I'll head back. This place is starting to give me the creeps." The turtle itself seems fine, and not distressed in any way.
The ground looks solid enough, the undergrowth a little tangled, but the jungle interior looks penetrable.
The new territory awaits.
((Wilderness Lore check, trained or untrained as soon as your character sets foot on dry land. Let me know the result.))
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