“Say Your Right Words!” (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

A Gentle Melody
At first she sings in a language you don’t recognize, but before the song ends, you understand the words…

Olha que coisa mais linda
Mais cheia de graça
ela é a menina que vem e que passa
num doce balanço a caminho do mar
Moça do corpo dourado do sol de Ipanema
O seu balançado á mais que um poema
a coisa mais linda que eu já vi passar

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes he smiles
but she doesn't see

When the song ends, the Indentation in the wall in front of you opens and before you is a strange world of clean colors, smooth floors, and a brightly lit sky. It is a strange place filled with humans walking about with smiles on their faces, in families or in small groups, and they carry large bags with short handles in their full hands.

Directly in front of the door that has now opened is a free standing section of wall, that shows what looks like a map, and it is covered in clear glass, making the map also seem like a sort of mirror.

First Penny and then Ehzmaralduh, and slowly each one of you, exit the small room and approach the map and as you do you notice two very important things.

First, on a section of the map, near one corner are some Words, and a strange rune

*a star and an arrow*

You Are HERE

Then looking in the mirror like surface of the map each of you sees a reflection of yourself that is not yourself

You look at each other and you see goblins, but when you look in the mirror you see humans.Gobzilla is a tall, square shouldered human teenage boy dressed in a red sweatshirt with a hood shaped like a dinosaur's mouth, and he carries a long wooden board with wheels that is painted with a ferocious image of his mount.

Fluuk is a shorter human male teenager, with long straight black hair and he wears a plain white shirt and dark pants. His arms bear tattoos of lightning and fire, and over his shoulder are a pair of shoes decorated like gorilla feet, and these shoes have four wheels each.

Tabaaac wears blue pants, and a multi-colored shirt, and a hat made from woven cotton. His shirt bears an image of a white bearded old man playing a guitar, while on the back is a happy looking skeleton. He is a teenage human boy about the same height as Fluuk, but his hair is sandy colored, and his smile is white and wide.

Finally Gemdar, who is a human teenage boy about as tall as Gobzilla, has short neatly styled hair, and he wears some sort of uniform, with a chili-pepper image on the shirt pocket.

Penny appears unchanged.

And last but not least, Ehzmaralduh steps toward the mirror. She is a tall human teenager, taller than Penny, with long gently curving golden brown hair. Her figure is stunning, to your human eyes, and her legs, wearing short pants seem to go on forever. She too carries a long board, painted with a stylized furry dinosaur. When you look at Ehz, your heart beats faster. Her human face, in the mirror, is the most perfect human face you’ve ever seen, and even though you really don’t know what that would be, you are sure she is beyond beautiful, as humans go.

As a reference I am using City Creek Center, in Salt Lake City, as the setting

Ehzmaralduh begins to cry
Bwah, ah, ah. Even in this world I am hideously ugly

"Rawr! Not true, Princess!" Gobzilla insists gently. "It's just goofy magic. Nothing more!"

Tabaaac, a bit confused, speaks up a bit shyly Uh I don't know Esmeralduh, over here you look, I dunno, really nice here

"This...is...AMAAZING!" Fluuk looks at his wheeled shoes, "Klobber? Are you in there?" He talks into the boot. Feeling upon his head, he hopes his awesome hat is ok.

I can't believe I forgot to include a transformation of the hat, if I was a jerk, it would be a pork pie hat, but instead, I'll say it is a fedora

"Ok, now this is strange. Somehow Ehsmaralduh, you are anything but ugly in your current form. Where to now? And we need to remember this spot to get back."

Well, we are in luck. This strange world's words are either in our own language, or the magic that is at work is making it possible for us to read. See here, look.

Penny places her finger on a list of names on the bottom of the map. next to each name is a number and the same numbers appear in boxes on the map. penny begins reading off the names

Hmmm,She says after a whileI don't see anything that mentions the After, or a door to the after, just a lot of weird names, and, wait...

She pauses after almost going through the entire list

Under a description called "Alternative Books and Games" is the name "Afterwords" maybe that's where we need to start. The map says its, um,She turns around and looks to her right, at a large sign that says "Stacy's" then she turns back to the map, puts her finger on a large box with the number 2 on it, and finds the name Stacy's on the list, and then she says, Okay, if we are Here, and that is Stacy's, then Afterwords is down that way, to the left.

But how do we find Ivvinne? Ehsmaralduh says, wiping her face with her hands, and appearing to cheer up at everyone's kind words.

Tabaaac adjusts his cap and gets excited. Wow, Alternative Books and Games? That sounds like my kinda place. he then stops for a second.

Hey guys. Are we talking funny now. Like, kinda, you know, different from how goblins talk?

Gemdar looks at the map for a moment.

"What's it say about food? I've a rumbly in my tumbly. I don't think stopping and making a fire here would go unnoticed."

Where did those words come from?

Fluuk smells something....With his super acute sniffer he can sense the wafting aroma of food, a lot of it. Swallowing some spit rather than drooling, he looks at the sign in front of him. "Look everyone, there are places to eat. This one says 'Cheesecake Factory'. They can take cheese and make it into a cake? That is the best thing ever! Hmmm. According to the map, a lot of these places are all clumped together. Shall we start walking?" Fluuk secures his fedora and starts walking, barely waiting for the others. He hums along to music that seems to be coming from a shop nearby. He marvels at the magical lights coming from everywhere. It seems so bright. So many strange noises and smells. Oh the smells! He spies some young human girls squirting stuff on their necks and wrists. The odor wafts to his keen nose and almost makes his eyes water. The chaos of the sensory input almost overwhelms him. One minute they are in a deep dark dungeon with a lich, then next they are in a brightly lit magical 'marketplace'. Almost forgetting the quest, Fluuk will find this magical Cheesecake Factory.

Let's head to Afterwords, maybe we'll run into Ivvinne on the way. Is the Cheesecake factory on the way? Hey Penny this seems like a very human place, is your village like this? Do you think Ivvinne has turned human too?

I've never even heard of magic like this. When I look directly at all of you, you look normal, but when I look at your reflection I see humans. My village, I guess, is a little like this, you know we build out places along straight lines, streets and such, not like the goblins who build in harmony with nature. I never understood why we are different in that way, only this place looks like it is in another universe, I don't understand it. Where are the houses? I don't know what to expect as far as Ivvinne is concerned. I don't know what she looks like at all. According to the map, the food is to the left, just past where that Afterwords place is supposed to be. So let's head that way. I'm kind of hungry myself and I wonder what "Hibachi" is and if it tastes good.

Tabaaac takes out a gold piece and waves it at his reflection.

Hey look, it's made of paper in the mirror! Yeah let's go to Afterwords.

In a sudden realization, Fluuk stops and attempts to cast detect magic, and beams it around him.

Day 2, Tuesday (turn 98) The Party of Heroes has travelled, though some unexplainable means, to a different universe, the Here. It is day, the ceiling is open , the sky is blue, the air is clean

When Fluuk casts a Detection Spell, gesturing in all the right ways, he feels his eyes twitch and knows he has “the sight”.

BUT!

When the others look at Fluuks reflection, they see the teenage human boy with the awesome tattoos and the hat, which has now turned into a fez, doing something else entirely different from what he is doing if they look directly at him. In his reflection, Fluuk is taking a slim, flattened box out of his pants pocket, and staring, even at times, odd even for Fluuk, talking to the box.

Ehsmaralduh begins walking to the north (to the left) and slowly is followed by the others. Gobzilla, who has been silent this whole time, is the last to follow, and it does not escape his attention that three older human males are staring at Ehs and Penny, and the three men begin to follow the group.

What do those guys want? Tabaaac hisses at the others and moves to sorta walk between Penny, Ehsmaralduh, and the three men.

Bah my bad. I misread, only Gobzilla sees them. Sorry

Fluuk swallows hard, whispering, perhaps more to himself than anyone, "This place is entirely magical... its uncanny..."

He quickly keeps pace with the others, craning his neck all over, eyes wide and staring in amazement. A strange idea starts to form deep within his mind, barely even recognizable to Fluuk himself, but the seed is there...

"What guys?"

"Fez's are cool, but I think you need a bow tie too for some reason.

Let's see what this does."

Gemdar then watches his reflection while he casts detect magic to see what he sees.

I guess we're wating for Gobzilla?

Sorry for the lack of response. This week was brutal.

"Rawr! No clue who these guys are!" says Gobzilla as he beckons Gaia over and gets ready to rumble (if necessary).

Day 2, Tuesday (turn 98) The Party of Heroes has travelled, though some unexplainable means, to a different universe, the Here. It is day, the ceiling is open , the sky is blue, the air is clean

The group heads toward the left, following an artificial stream that flows down the center of the enormous building. Over their heads, on what appears to be a second floor, they see more humans walking, talking and shopping in what can only be described as a sort of mindless bliss.

Gobzilla, Fluuk and Tabaaac all turn to look at the three men following Ehzmaralduh at the same time. The three strangers look suddenly uncomfortable, awkward, and embarrassed, and they turn and walk another direction, away from our heroes.

Unaware that anything unusual has happened, Gemdar casts Detect Magic

After a short walk the group enters a wide open to the outside pavilion that resembles the playing fields of the goblin homeland (a flat place below the caves where special events are organized). There are statues, of bears, cats, Birds, and the artificial stream flows through and around this place.

As Gobzilla seems to be fixated on the small stream, the rest of you notice that you are surrounded by signs that seem to indicate that food is sold in every variety here. While to the south, on the second floor above you, you spot a sign that reads

“Afterwords, find your muse!”

"I smell foooooood. Anyone hungry?"

Let's go to Afterwords first and then we'll get something to eat. Man where is Ivvinne at?

"Rawr! Why not eat first? Muse isn't going anywhere!" Gobzilla insists as he licks his chops upon seeing the fine selection of eatery.

I dunno Gob! Maybe we should figure out how to get out of this place before we do anything else.

Food or Afterwords guys?

His stomach grumbling, Fluuk guesses maybe it is a better idea to go to Afterwards. "Ok, lets go to Afterwards."

Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone, Penny suggests. We can split up into small groups, I’ll go with Ehs, Fluuk and Tabaac can go off that way, Gemdar and Gobzilla can go that way. Each of us will look for anyone who might be Ivvinne, and meet back here at this table after we’ve all picked something to eat. We’ll compare notes, and then if we have a lead on Ivvinne we’ll go after her, otherwise we’ll head to that store. Okay?

Ehsmaralduh and Penny will head toward one of the food booths, while the rest of you spread out and examine the other foods offered. You find something to eat, and when you return to the table, Ehsmaralduh has two strange looking sticks, one in each hand, and at least six more just like them on a tray in front of her.

Gemdar, she cries, You must learn the secret of these corned of dog treats on a stick, they are the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted.

Fluuk returns to the table with about half dozen gooey slabs on multiple plates. "Check this out! Melted cheese on baked dough. They call it Peee-tsaaa!"

Gemdar comes back to the table his arms full of long pieces of bread filled with meats and things.

"Look what I found! They are perfect for us! They call them "Heroes"!"

He then turns green at Ehsmaralduh's suggestion

"Ew! Gross! Who would want to eat something as disgusting as a dog? Really have these people no standards!"

Tabaaac carries back a small black disposable tray with small cylinders of some sort of food made of white grains and a black wrapping.

Hey look, I don't think they even cook the fish on these things. And they gave me these two sticks to eat them with!

"Didyouknowyoucankeeprefillingthisstickysweetfizzystuffforfree?!" Fluuk says after his 5th cup of some yellowy stuff. He seems to be quite hyper and fidgety.

I would like each character to make a single Sense Motive Skill Check, for the chance to spot a human who looks out of place who you might suspect is Ivvinne, while gathering your meals

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Is this the Intuition skill?

SM: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Day 2, Tuesday (turn 100) The Party of Heroes has travelled, though some unexplainable means, to a different universe, the Here. It is day, the ceiling is open, the sky is blue, and the air is clean

yes, sense Motive is a particular application of the Intuition Skill as it is applied to reading other peoples intentions

As the group comes back together at a table in the “food court” Gobzilla has something to share

Tabaaac quickly shoves the small rolls into his mouth without using the chopsticks. We need to get there. What's she up to?

Day 2, Tuesday (turn 100) The Party of Heroes has travelled, though some unexplainable means, to a different universe, the Here. It is day, the ceiling is open, the sky is blue, and the air is clean

While the group is eating and talking about the strange person seen by Gobzilla, a tiny little human man, aged beyond belief, wearing a grey coverall garment, with a name stitched on the right breast pocket that reads

Gary

approaches the table slowly. He is wheeling a strange cart, that seems to incorporate a waste bin, and broom holding rack all in one. When he is close to your table, he says

She’s playing in one of those card tournaments. Look, naturally I shouldn’t be helping you, but I know how strange the Here can be, so I’m going to fill you in on some details. The door to the after is kept secret and guarded by a group calling themselves the Blizzard Patrol. They are a strange mixture of kobolds, gnomes, and goblins who left our world because of some disgrace, and we don’t talk about that, naturally. On Fridays, they gather at Skate-o-rama, a park just to the east of this place, and they take on challengers in an epic battle they call the Skazer Tag Challenge. If you beat them at this challenge they will show you the way to the After, but here is the catch. You need to be able to pay the fee to enter the Skazer Tag Challenge, and Ivvinne has already tried and failed three times and is out of money. She plays in card tournaments in the Afterwords place to raise money to be able to go up against them again. Right now Ivvinne is losing, bad, she has a good deck but she is drawing badly. Get up there and offer her your help in taking on the Blizzard patrol in the Skazer Tag Challenge. She won’t turn you down, naturally. Then get through the door to the after. Time is not on your side and the challenges of the after are not to be taken lightly.

A voice seems to come from out of nowhere as if being amplified throughout the Here

Gary, please report to the parking garage, level 3 for a clean up. Gary, please report to the garage, immediately

Rat’s noses, I’ve been busted. You’re on your own from here on out heroes.

Fluuk stops mid-chew, and listens to Gary, wide eyed. What a strange place. He swallows as the voice from the sky calls Gary away.

"Well gang, you heard him, I'm not sure what all these challenges are but we can go to try and help Ivvinne."

Fluuk shoves the last of his food in his mouth, and quickly refills his cup again before waving the others on with him.

"Yes. Yes. Help Ivvinne. But we must finish this food first. I simply must learn how to make all of this."