Portal to Adventure

[Morgoth]

OOC: Can someone just summarize what's going on real quick?

 

[Toku]

Raymond/Lothius

Raymond watches Ivy, who had just a few minutes ago walked out of his arms, turn into a less feline woman.

"Ofcourse it will do, you look as beautifeul as ever....well, as ever in this a world and as ever in normal day world." Damn he still has things to clear up in his mind, it got him confused and almost speechless, which didn't happen that much.

After that he follows the man, Kallan was his name, on the horse towards the city, somehow quite excited by the peculiar situation.

He begins to sing, "we're up to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz..."

 

[Neale]

OOC: For Morgoth

Please see my last post to OOC: Portals of Adventure thread

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Walks over and helps to carry one of our companions.

"Perhaps we shoudl get our Ranger friend to find a wild horse for a while? Certainly, would help carry our friends."

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I laughed at Raymond and shook my head at Michael. "The gates of the city are just ahead and I think his horse can carry both to the inn." Pointing to the pouch on my belt that jingled, I added,"It looks like whoever sent us here...I am thinking John...provided us with some currency. We can pick up horses in town."

Looking over at Neale I sigh,"I am worried about Alia though. No matter what he...she...says this has got to be even harder on her than on us."

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lailani/Bendi Somatra

Lailani began to struggle towards consiousness. Thinking to herself. "Whatever that was, it was harsh." As her eyes came open her body immediately adjusted. She felt herself being carried.
"Put me down. I need no ones help. How dare you assume?" Lailani's voice sounded a little hoarser, sexy but low, commanding.

"Gladly." Kiai sighed as Lailani slid out of his arms. She turned to look at him as he straigntened out her leather/mail skirt. "Arent you a sexy bitch." She tucked her dagger back into place at her calf and patted her lower back to make sure both her swords were there as well as her medicinal bag.

Kiai smiled. She still hadn't realized. It was when she bent down to relace her right knee high leather boot and long fiery red gold tresses fell down about her face that it became clear something wasnt right.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I excused myself from my conversation with Jamie to go up to Bendi...Lailani and place a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. She obviously hadnt had time to realize what was going on yet.

"Lailani?," She said waiting for the girl to turn and see her. If Michelle's enormous change didnt shock her, nothing short of Neale's change would but she didnt want to throw that onto her yet. "Bendi...we...there have been some changes and I think you might be in for a shock."

To emphasize my words, I let my gaze roam around the group and over to the city. If she followed my gaze, she would see what I ment.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lailani/Bendi Somatra

"Lailani! finally you are awake. You had us worried. And would you get a look at you!" Gary exclaimed

Lailani looked at herself, then looked up everyone else...
"Son of a bitch."

"You can say that again." Raymond laughed.

"Do you know who you are?" Michael asked

"Of course. I am Bendi Somatra, She who excels the moon." my mouth fell wide open. "Did I just say that?"

"Uh, yea, you did. Look at your tattoos." Gary said again

"I can't exactly see myself. But god look at you guys."

"Yea we know."

"Well there is one across your forhead. Your arms...wrists." Michelle pointed out

As I looked down at my arms i saw the silver chain mail covering the sleeveless black leather vest. My breasts seemed to damn near fall out of the vest. Luckily for me there was a cape connected at one shoulder that covered most of my front and back.

"We really should get moving." Kalaan finally spoke up after having given them time to greet there newest awakened member.

 

[Ask For More]

James/Taran

Valencia was going around the group making sure that everyone was ok. The plan seems to be to head to this town and see what happens from there. Sounds fine to me.

Curious I look at my lyre. I reach out my fingers to brush the strings, and feel the sound in my mind. Before I realise I'm playing a gentle song that I seem to know perfectly. The words pop into my mind but I refrain from singing since it seems pretty innappropiate at this moment in time.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I sighed to myself as I went around making sure everyone was ready to move. Who would have thought that Michelle...college party girl would ever feel responsible for anything but having fun? But I found I couldnt help it. Valencia was very protective of her companions and wouldnt be happy until they were all safe.

Turning to Alia, I said,"Okay I think everyone is ready. Shall we go?" Going up to Kalann I smiled gratefully to him and checked Justin to make sure he was not going to fall during the travel to the city. "I think we are ready," I said to him. "And than you again for you help."

Signalling to the others to follow, we began the short trek to the city.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Kiai admiring the architechture of the city, (thats seem sto be from one of his anchient history textbooks), and the women in this town, says to the group,

"Remind me not to drink the ale here, last thing i want to happen is end up, in another strange place liek last time..."

Continues throught he street, He and much of the group is rushed, by street hockers, and merchants tryign to seell their wares...

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

I walk over to the tall, really tall, aching neck to look in the face tall, form of my friend, Lailani. No, Bendi Somatra? Oh. Right. It wasn't just that she was taller, I was shorter, too.
I speak in a low voice, so as not to confuse our native guide.
"Lani? It's me. Neale." I still couldn't get over the gorgeous sounds coming out of my mouth. If all the elves in this world sounded like this, I could see why there were so many half-elves! "I'm... I'm really sorry I invited you to join our group. Who would have ever believed that something like this could happen?" Tears start welling up in my violet eyes. What the hell? "Please forgive me?" I start crying even more. What the hell was happening here? My emotional control was shot all to shit! Oh,no. I've got a totally different biochemistry now. Not only am I female, but I'm ELVEN!

Summoning all my will-power, I stop the sobs, for now. "Crap. I seem to be a bit of a basket-case. Didn't realize elves were quite so high-strung. Um... if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to just be quiet for a bit. If the inside of your head is stuffed with stuff you didn't know you knew, like mine is, I guess you won't be needing those gaming pointers after all. Good thing you got your figure painted in time. Wouldn't want to have left off your tattoos. Oh, fuck, I'm babbling. Where's the fucking tavern?"

 

[Toku]

Raymond/Lothius

When they walk through the main gate Raymonds eyes get very big, this was definately the most impressive city he had ever seen, and that as one hell of a girl passing by, dressed in no more than some silk, as it seems, Raymond turns around and wants to call her but Valencia grabs him in his collar and asks him to stay with the group. "Yes M'am!" he shouts, making some army movement, after which he tries to ignore all the beauty which passes him and concentrates on the beauty which walks with him! Which with one of them is a little difficult, inside Alia remains Neale......

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

As the group passes over the moonbridge and into the city of Silverymoon Kalann leads them down a wide cobblestoned avenue to the left. After walking for a few more moments they come upon a towering Inn. Upon a sign above the door is a relief of a great golden Longsword, and the words, "The blade of Ehlonna". A smile crossed Kalann's face as he looked upon the inn of his friend Parpo Battleforge. A young dwarven boy approached them from the near by stables and when he saw Kalann he called,
" Master Kalann, Master Kalann."
Kalann recognized at once the voice of the young Martin, Parpo's youngest son. Kalann picked up the young boy and placed him on his shoulders as he led the horse to the stables. He tied the horse in a stall and provided it with some feed. The young boy slid down his back and scurried off twards the inn.
Then Kalann led the group of weary travelers within the inn. The common room of the inn was unlike that of most other Inns for it was clean, imaculatly clean. Though it was still filled with the sounds of drunken mumblings and rauchous laughter. Kalann approached the bar keeper and a smile split his handsome face again. Behind the bar stood a dwarf nearly as wide as he was tall, but not widened by fat but by layers of corded muscle.

" How go things you sly old buzzard?" Kalann said to the dwarf over the loudness of the inn.

" All things are as they should be," Parpo began, " save for my dearest friend who never bother to come and visit anymore."

Parpo added a mock sniff and acted as though he wiped a tear from his eye then exploded into a tirade of laughter. Kalann shook his head.

"Always with the over acting." he said. "There is an importance to my visit friend Parpo plus my friends here require food and lodging. I can pay for your rooms and food Parpo." Kalann said.

"Nonsence." Parpo said a wide smile on his face. " I make enough money off travelers to open seven Inns. So me thinks that any friend of your be a friend of mine soon enough. The rooms and the food be on the house. The ale however is a new story all unto itself. To all and everyone 3 coppers buys you an ale."

Parpo gestured a barmaid to the bar and said,

"Show these men and women to rooms." she said, "Give Kalann his special room he always gets when he rarely comes to visit."

"Again Parpo I am in your dept for services rendered." Kalann said clasping the Dwarfs hand.

"Nonscence," Parpo began, "many a time you have saved my life and the life of me kin on the road, friend. Much of a fool I would be to forget all ye hath done for Clan Battleforge. All were somber and quiet at the news of you dear younger brother's passing from this world. He was dear to my heart to you and me own kin."

"I thank you Parpo, I sincerely do." Kalann said.

"We should rest for a while then come back to the commons for dinner then we shall see if we can determine what hath brought you here." Kalann said to the assembled group.

The barmaid gestured for them to follow her as she made her way up the stairs to the second floor of the four story building. She took them all the way to the top floor. There she led everyone to their own room, and showed Kalann to the last door on the left.

"Thank you Carla." he said.

"No thanks nneded friend Kalann." she said, "'Twas not only Parpo who mourned your brother's passing."

After she had said this she walked away down the hall and appeared to be wiping her eyes. Kalann entered the room and closed the door behind him. He sat upon the bed and began to think to himself. Three faces poped into his mind. The first two were always there when his thoughts drifted this way. The face of his brother, and the face of the man who had slain him, the third face was a new one and it appearence confused the ranger beyond knowing. It was the face of the young, apparent leader of the group of rag tag travelers the young woman, Valencia.

"Quite an interesting turn of events we have taken here my friend." he said as he patted the pouch at his side. "All shall be well in the end or all shall come to an end. There is no third option"

Then he closed his eyes and his mind drifted off to a better place and a better time.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I carried Justin into the Inn. I was worried that he had not recovered as the others had. The stranger had been as good as his word in leading us to the inn of his friend and then securing rooms for them all. I had smiled at the way the boy had greeted the ranger and the depth of his friendship was clear when he talked to the inn keeper. I looked up startled at the word that our new friend had lost his brother recently and made a mental note to add my condolences when I could.

As the barmaid showed us to our rooms, I noted which one was mine and went to place Justin in his, laying him on the bed. I stayed with him for a little bit before going to my own room and splashing water from a basin on my face. I felt bone weary and my mind was awhirl with what had been happening and I spent quite a time looking at myself in the mirror.

Kalann had said we would meet in the common area later to discuss what had happened but, much as I liked our handsome new friend, I did not think he was ready for that kind of discussion. Going to my door, I opened it and peered out. The way was clear. Moving as silently as I could, which was pretty silent considering my larger body, I went to each of my companion's door and knocked on them. When they answered, I whispered to meet me in my room.

Soon we were all gathered except for Justin in the small confines of the room. Many of my friends were murmuring amongst themselves and it sounded like the begining of classes back at college-right before the professor steps in for the lecture.

That turned out to be a prophetic thought for, no sooner had I opened my mouth to speak than a bright light filled the room. What the hell? I thought as it seemed to gel into a figure in the middle of the room. My eyes popped out when I recognized that figure, it was Proffessor John Beren only he was in a red robe of a mage with his long hair unbound by a ponytail.. Before any of us could say anything, the figure began to speak.

"If you are hearing this, than you have all made it to my world," The proffessor began,"Yes, my world. For I am no more a part of your world than you are of mine. I have been preparing you for this trip for the last three years. I have been building you up in knowledge and power and making sure you were ready to take the roles of your alter egos all that time. Why? You ask. Very simple really. You see I am exhiled from my world and I must have your help in getting back to it."

"Many years ago I, Beren, was a part of an order of mages. I may not speak the name of the order lest they hear and come after each of you to destroy you before you can fulfill what I have sent you there for. You will be able to find out easy enough. Neale, especially, with his intimate knowledges of the workings of the 'game'. Only it is not a game anymore, guys and gals. You are in a real world with real weapons and real monsters-some of those monsters being human. Any one of you could die in here and the death would be very real."

"You may not understand now why I did what I did but be assured that many lives depend upon what you do now. There are those of my old order who seek powers that would wreck havoc on my world and kill thousands of people and they are very close to finding it. You must prevent that and find a way for me to come back from my exhile so that I may take my place once more among my order and assure that this sort of treachery will not happen again."

"I know many of you will be angry at me that I have done this the way that I had and I apologize for that but I could not chance your refusal in this and so I transported you here with the last of my magical energy that I had been saving for just this time so that you may embark on the greatest adventure in your gaming career. The knowlege and reflexes of your characters were sent with you so that you will be able to survive in this new world you face.

To ensure that you will see this mission to the end, I have also linked your return home to the completion of this quest. This image you see before you is a part of that magic that sent you to my world and is a simple illusion-a cantrip if you will-to send you on the last quest that I will ever assign to you. I wish you all well in this and I look forward to your success."

The image faded then and I looked around to my fellow 'players' to see if they had seen what I had. The looks on their faces told me that they had and I swallowed hard before shaking my head. "Well, he said this adventure would be interesting," I said weakly as I stared at where the image had stood.

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

"Oh. Sodding. Hell. He calls that an adventure setup? What do we have to go on? His former name, and the fact that he is/was a member of some group of mages. Yay, that sure narrows it down!" My violet eyes flashed with repressed fury.

"Has anyone got any ideas of where to start? I do, but I'd rather see what you all have to say before I offer options based on my knowledge of the Realms."

I'd forgotten the situation in my fury at the under-handed way in which we'd been recruited, but seeing all the others seated around the table brought back fully the dire straits in which we'd found ourselves. Hold it together, Neale. A lot of these people are kids, relative newbies. They're counting on you, old son. Daughter. Whatever! Just hold it together, get a plan going, find a private place, go to pieces, repeat. Damn, why didn't I play Zaphod? A level 21 mage could have simply world-walked us all back home! No firking wonder the Prof. wanted me playing Alia.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I looked over to Neal...Alia. This must be so hard for him/her. Here he was trying to deal with much more than we could ever think about dealing with and he had to be our knowlegable guide to boot. He must be in the middle of a living hell.

"Okay, I have a thought," I said, trying to get my own anger under control and knowing that I could not let Valencia go off in a fit of anger. Her strength and skill with a sword could be deadly if not kept under control. "Whatever magic that he used to bring us here-even if it was the last of his magic-would have been great. And the people in his order, whatever order it is, would be powerful enough to detect our entrance. Also, they would be on the alert for anything that might interfer in thier plans. I mean, I would if that kind of power was my goal."

"So that adds another danger into the pot, here. Not only have we been brought here against our will and are being forced to play out this 'game' but we are now sitting ducks because one of these guys with the bad attitudes has got to know we are here and will lose no time in sending something or someone against us."

Taking a deep breath, I said,"Someone correct me if I am wrong."

 

[Kepic]

Jamie / Jothal

Master? Dak voiced in my mind, Was that for real?

I laughed a little nervously, and glanced at Dak. I'm not exactly sure what is real at the moment, but I think so I replied.

"Well, thanks John... Beren... whatever" I muttered, before nodding to Valencia, or Michelle... damn, these names were going to drive me nuts before long.

"I'm hoping he dropped us off at a point where we could find out something about him, and this order... no way I'm going near any mages guild, though. Sorcerers aren't exactly on good terms with wizards the best of times," I said, adding "present company excepted, of course" with a nod towards Lothius... or Raymond. Damn it!

"So, do we sit around and wait for them to come to us, and try and wrest some answers out of them, or start hounding them ourselves? I'm hoping Alyson put a few extra ranks in Information Gathering last level..."

I glanced at Kalann, realising some of my words were probably making little sense to him, being a natural denizen of this world.

"Sorry, I guess I'm going to get some real practice in keeping in character" I said, bringing a moan from the others sat about the table.

 

[Morgoth]

Isildur suddenly sprang up in his bed. "Ohhh. That must of been one nasty bump", he said, patting his forehead. Amazingly, there was nothing there. On instinct, he reached to his belt to check his sword. Sword? What sword? He wasn't even supposed to know how to cut a carrot. He got off the bed. he was in a bar. Bar? He wasn't drinking, was he? He walked downstairs. It was definitely a bar. Looked sort of like the bar from his roleplaying games. He walked to the bartender. "Hey, get me your strongest. Nice touch of realism on the bar, too", he said, noticing the name was Longsword. He was passed what appeared to be beer. He took a drink, and spit it out. "What the hell is this stuff?" he asked. He thought of checking his tongue for any diseases. "I didn't think you'd like it. It's only medium strong anyway", said the barkeep,"2 gold". "Gold? I don't have gold. And even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you. I'll pay you 5 bucks, but that's it", he said boldly.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

He walks over to Morgoth, and says calmly,

"Well, good morning, or night, or whatever time of day it is. Maybe you should come listen to a very long story about how ewe got here..."

Michael/Kiai explains everything that ahs gone on so far, since the group entered this strange new world...

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann sat at the bar awaiting the arrival of the group to the common room. Then he saw the one who had been brought in unconscious. Kalann observed as the man walked up to the bar and ordered something Kalann couldn't fully understand what the man said. He saw the man spit out some of his dwarven friend's platinum ale and quickly advanced twards the action to stay any permanant problems. Kalann overheard them man say he had no gold but would give him 5 bucks. He wondered what use the man thought Parpo would have for 5 male deer but he shot the thought away.

"I'll cover the charge Parpo." Kalann said to his enraged dwarven friend.

Kalann slid the two gold coins to Parpo.

"A pit steep even for platinum ale friend." he said.

The dwarf said nothing only shrugged and pocketed the coins. Kalann knew why Parpo had done what he did. The man was a stranger and unknown to him as well, as the saying goes why take copper when their are mondes of gold. Kalann turned to the man who stood whiping the ale from his mouth and extended his hand.

" I am Kalann Rathwind." he said, "Soon the rest of your friends shall arive and we will make sence of your plight."

 

[Ask For More]

James/Taran

"Ooh this is bad...." A couple of the group turned to look at me. "This is bad! I'm a damn newbie! One week of experience and that's it, I'm in this world because of a psycho professor wizard or whatever who can't sort out his own problems!" I looked at the floor dejectedly. "He might as well have signed my death warrant."

 

[poohlive]

He looked at the dirt. Even the dirt was real. He scooped it up into his hands. How could this be? A dream isn't this vivid.
"If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn..."
But he didn't finish the thought. To finish it would go against everything he ever believe in. Sure, playing a role playing game is one thing, but actually believing it existed? That was on the verge of lunacy.
He grabbed a piece of paper, he could actually read what was on the paper. Damnit... in a dream you can't read, your logic center is asleep. He cursed it, whatever it was, it wasn't sleep.
Could it be a parrellel existance?
Like the novel The Talisman. He remembered that book, it had been so long since he had read it though. There was an alternate earth that could be reached somehow, and you had a twin on that planet. This couldn't be possible though, for one thing they were in different bodies, and for another they were D&D characters.
So, it all came down to whatever the hell the professor brang to the game. Maybe if they could find it, they could get back home. He still had that paper due monday.
Gary looked down at his hands. the sword was being polished very nicely, just a few more turns and..
He dropped it.
What the hell?
He just instinctly grabbed his sword and had begun polishing it? Oh man, this was lunacy. He wasn't one to quarrel with reality, but this was getting ridiculous. He had to get out of here, and fast.
Taking a seat in the room, he kept polishing his weapons. It wasn't a habit he liked doing, but it kept the nervousness down. And it was quite relaxing as well.

 

[Imoen]

Alyson/Calliean

"Seven bright stars in the sky I see.
Seven for those who watch over me.
Seven be the smiles down they send.
Seven be the troubles swift they mend.

Seek ye out Alustriel - The High Lady of Silverymoon."

I shook my head as the fog which clouded my thoughts passed. I was slightly shocked to realize it was my voice that spoke. I'd never really had a knack for rhyme or song. I mean, if anyone did here it would have been James.. erh, Taran.. right?

"Yes! That is what we should do! The High Lady Alustriel keeps a close eye on the goings on of Silverymoon and is well known for her connections and training to high-level mages, not to mention the Harpers. I've heard rumor one of her sons is lodged in this very inn, Ghaelryss Aerasumé. Perhaps if we share our plight with him, he might be able to grant us an audience."

My glance slide to each face that surrounded me, noting their surprised, confused expression. How do I know this?! I had absolutely no idea, but my words made complete and perfect sense - at least to me. It seemed to be the most resonable thing to seek her out for assistance and advice.

[Edited by Imoen on 03-05-2001 at 03:53 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I looked over at James or Taran, Aly and my other friends. "No!," I said my voice firm and unwaivering. I begin to pace back and forth between them, talking to each of them as I passed. Somehow I felt like a football coach giving a pep speech.

"None of us are going to die. Okay, I know this is quite a bit different than our weekly gaming but...Dammit!...every week we beat the monsters and solve the puzzles and get out of the game alive because we know how to work as a team! Everyone here was picked for a good reason. We were 'trained' and we know our characters well. To get out of this we have to become our characters...to act like they would in this world but we cant lose a sense of who we are and the teamwork we have become accostomed to."

Looking over at Taran, I said,"We cant fall apart. We have to make sure that we are there for each other and we cover each others back. We do what we are good at and rely on those around us to do the same. If we do that, we can and will not only survive this but come out on top and get back home."

"I think we need to get some things done here. We need to follow up on Aly's lead and we need to see what information Neale has that would be useful. We need to start taking action instead of being led around by the noses. I am tired of having what I do decided by others."

Looking over at Alia I said,"We also need to start calling each other by our character's names. It will sound more natural here and this thinking of everyone in double person is going to drive me insane in short order. Anyway thats my two cents worth. I welcome any comments to the contrary."