The Strange: Realms Beyond Reality (Inactive)

Game Master Darkfire142

Beneath the orbits and atoms of our natural universe lies a network of dark energy. Those who have learned to access and navigate this chaotic sea have discovered an almost endless set of “recursions” in the shoals of our Earth: Worlds with their own laws of reality, reflected from human experience or imagination, given form in the swirling Chaosphere of the Strange. Worlds teeming with life, with discovery, with incredible treasures, and with sudden death.

And slowly but inexorably, it draws the attention of beings from beyond Earth’s shoals—beings of unfathomable power and evil from the unknown reaches of the STRANGE.


251 to 300 of 431 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | next > last >>

"I'm not sure it's even an issue, I can apparently speak languages I've never even heard of, and distinguish markings of incarnations upon my people, I imagine that if we're expected to be able to read, we will simply be able to."

"So let's see if the universal laws of the pub still apply" Siobhan opens the door and steps inside.


Armand follows their new guide, relying on her knowledge and prestige in this land.

Dark Archive

The group steps into the tavern and find it pretty busy at this time of day. Numerous people are sitting down at tables in groups eating meals involving an abundance of Beef products but also a mix of grains, fruits, nuts and herbs.

A young looking woman with the upper half as a female but the lower half like a cow is going around delivering trays of food. There is also a much larger cow-woman who is rather plump looking and has a rather stern demeanor to her posture. The third barmaid appears to be a human and is wiping down tables when patrons depart. Running the bar-area is a buff looking Bull-Man with ripped muscles and dressed in overalls and with large horns sticking out his head and occasionally serving drinks to patrons when requested.

Almost all the patrons are human although you see one female scorpion-person who seems to have some kind of fanny pack strapped to the scorpion part of her body and talking with two human men and eating a meal.

The tavern is a mix of wood and stone and has a good deal of Ox and Mountain iconography providing a uplifting atmosphere. There is a stairway up to the upper floors of the tavern and a stairway down to some kind of basement as well.

In addition there is a small stage although currently there is no entertainers at this time, probably to avoid waking up patrons who may still be sleeping.

After taking time to look at the atmosphere, the plump looking Cow-Woman approaches the party, looks you over and says, "Yea, you're in the Ox and Mountain tavern. What do ya need?" She says gruffly.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"Some food and drink, a table, and later on some rooms."

Dark Archive

The large Cow-woman looks somewhat friendlier meeting someone of her own species and says, "Aye, I can get ye a table, food and lodgings, just follow me."

She leads your group to an empty wooden table where you all take a seat. She then says,

"Now you're an odd band of travellers but you're welcome to the Ox Mountain inn and tavern and what it has to offer. We got the shredded beef breakfast if ya lookin for something to eat. As for drinks, we've got ales, wines, mead, mixed drinks, juice, water and milk. What do ya want to order?"


I'll take a glass of your strongest ale. Armand replies, wondering if he even has a digestive system and if alcohol will have any effect on this physiology, more an experiment than need. Though something to relax him at this point would be welcome.


Just water and food sounds good, thank you. Siobhan requests, deciding she'd rather keep a level head for the moment.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"I'll take whatever you would recommend in the beverage department, and I'd like to have some of that shredded beef breakfast as well."

After placing her order, Cassie will intently observe anyone who is paying to see the type of coins that they are paying and the amount.

Dark Archive

The Cow Woman looks at Armand confused and says, Ain't ya one of those Golem Types? Didn't know ya could enjoy the drink. Still ain't going to say no to coin if ya want it."

To Cassie she says, "Yea, our house ale the Ox brew should be good for ya and the beef's coming right up."

The barmaid nods to Siobhan and takes note of the order. She then heads off to get your drinks and put in order for food."[/i]

She comes back soon with two tankards of some REALLY thick looking ale with frothy tops and a tankard with water in it. "Here are ya drinks. I'm keepin a tab so ya better have the money when I come to collect."


When the barmaid leaves, Marcus leans to his companions and whispers "Err, how much do we actually have?"


So much for that experiment he says as he takes a drink, trying to identify the ale, a lover of craft brews back on Earth... What the hell are we doing here, pretending everything is normal he thinks to himself.

In regards to money, he looks at his own and says I've got this currency, hopefully it's acceptable and/or enough... Luckily I don't need to order anything else and I'm fine sleeping outside under the stars if rooms are to expensive.

Dark Archive

Well I am going to say Armand does have a mouth orface but drinking ale does nothing to him and anything he eats gets stored in his chest cavity until he pukes it up. He probably does not have any tasting mechanism so drinking the ale has no flavor.


Armand takes a sip and taste nothing, feeling it go down and then trapped in his chest he determines he doesn't have a digestive system and fully realizes the nature of his new form.

This will be wasted on me, perhaps you all can share some he says putting the glass forward for others to consume.

While this isn't the best place to chat, we can decide what to do next. Any ideas on getting home? Assuming it's even possible...


"Only thing I can think of is seeing if we can track down those who opened the portal on this side, anyone notice any distinguishing features on them during all the chaos?"


We all came out that portal looking different. I think their unique skills might be how we locate them... Assuming of course they travelled here. Regardless, we might begin by bartering the eyes I collected, there are surely other items with strange powers here, if I get close enough, I should be able to identify them. That's the best lead I've got. Though we aren't sure if such items would be sold on the open market or underground as where we are from. careful not to mention Earth by name, never knowing who or what might be listening.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"I personally would like to have a discussion with the Farstons regarding our trip here and how we get back home. We should be checking around to see if a pair of people came through here in the last few days."


"If it's the Farstons we're talking about, they probably have money wherever they go - they'd be at the more expensive inn if they passed through here, right?"


Looking for a pair of people that might of came through here, who might look the same, in a city of humans and others like us...pausing momentarily for the sarcasm to have its effect. Like looking for a needle in a haystack that looks like hay... Why would you assume they'd be at the Inn if they have money, couldn't they have a residence or more likely a store where they conduct business? I doubt the dollar has a great exchange rate here.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"But if our change in possessions is any indication, they would most likely not be carrying dollars anyway. I still think it's worth asking around about them. Worst comes to worst, we're still no worse off then when we started asking around, other than wasting some time."

Dark Archive

Eventually your meals arrive and the large Cow-Woman puts them in front of you. The smell of freshly meat flows into your nostrils and reminding yourself that is been a while since you've had a meal you prepare to dig in.

The Cow woman says, "That will be 5 Crowns total for all of ya meals and drinks."


Siobhan fishes out five coins, trying not to flash any more coins while she does so.
"Many thanks"


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

As the price was asked for, Cassie started to pull out some coin, but merely nodded in thanks instead. She then begins eating breakfast.

Dark Archive

The cow-woman takes the coins and nods saying. "Thank ya kindly. Enjoy your stay at the Ox Mountain inn and tavern." and then heads off to wait other tables.

The breakfast is good enough although has a certain flavor to it what is more "Fresh" considering this world lacks any form of refrigeration and the meat probably has undergone a bit of decay before it was cooked and prepared. The ale here is rather potent and thick as they make use of post modern fermenting methods.

Still it does impress you how well people get along here. One would think that a place with so many odd races would be quite tense but nonetheless there is an atmosphere of respect in this place. A majority seem lively enough and showing unique responses in conversation although a few people here seem a bit weird in their inflections. The Scorpion Woman for instance seems to be using the same gestures in some repetitive pattern and her responses to the men talking to her seem somewhat scripted. Her facial features and emoting seem rather for lack of a better term "Robotic".


Armand takes more interest in Scorpion Woman and her robotic like behavior. Motioning to the others, he says Anyone else feel something odd about her? I mean, if we came here from somewhere and the mix of people here is so great, then it stands to reason that people could be coming from an infinite number places to here. People...I mean things...Heck I don't know what to call them...Or US!..Going to Earth they'd appear as humans, but here we may appear as a number of things. Perhaps if such thing is common knowledge then it may not be a difficult task in gaining more information about returning home. Though I'm reluctant to begin conversating and give away our total ignorance or the best kept secret ever. Either extreme could arouse suspicion among the sober...Perhaps someone with a loose tongue and appetite for Ale might provide more details. Armand arises and grabs the fresh Ale that no one wished to enjoy and approaches the Scorpion Like Woman.

Hey there legs, can a Lion buy you a drink? he says, offering her the glass and awaiting some response or reaction.

Dark Archive

The Scorpion woman gives him a look and says, "Greetings adventurer. I am a travelling merchant with a number of exotic goods to sale. Would you be interested in a purchase?"

Armand definitely finds the response a bit off-putting considering her words are rather odd considering the introduction that Armand has given to her. Despite her bright smile the solidness of the facial inflections does make Armand wonder something.

Give me an intelligence check. If you have any computer based skill you can apply it to this roll.


1d20 ⇒ 17

Armand is surprised and intrigued by the creatures response, though not displeased with the offer of trade, eager to understand the economy and value of goods here.

Her complete disregard for his offer and words is too robotic, knowing any woman on Earth would probably find offense to being called "legs." Her response draws closer scrutiny with his sharp medical eye as he engages further.

Where do these goods come from beautiful? I'd like to see what you have, perhaps we could trade? he asks half interested in what strange items she might have and half hoping to get her to reveal anything of use in deciphering where they are and the previous theory he's shared with his companions.

Raising the glass he offers again, nearly forcing it on her and maybe spilling a bit on her accidentally, so he might further examine her physiology and reactions.


Marcus watches Armand interact with the odd scorpion woman, and looks around to see if there is anyone with her, or watching her similarly.

Dark Archive

Ok well Armand being a smart individual who has either heard of computer games or played them can gauge the response of the Scorpion-Woman as something that might be programmed into a game of some kind. The generic response and the repetitive movements sort of reminds him of NPC characters found in such games. He has the sense that this Scorpion-Woman might be a Vender of some kind.

Still not everyone seems to act in this way. A majority of the people here seem to have distinct movements and mannerisms and look as personable as himself or others. Just a few here seem to be acting out some kind of "Role" it seems.

Anyway engaging the Scorpion woman she says, "Yes I will be glad to show you what I have."

She reaches into her "fanny pack" and shows you a number of typical goods such as ropes, lanterns, nails, clothing, blankets, waterskins, scorpion venom, weapons and 1d6 ⇒ 2 Cyphers.

1d100 ⇒ 85
1d6 ⇒ 5

One is a glass bottle with a red liquid, labeled "Strength Potion".

1d100 ⇒ 15
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The other one is a bronze amulet with runestone in the center of it with reddish coloured runes.


Armand ask to inspect the amulet and attempts to discover what it can do.

1d20 ⇒ 12

Where might I find more items such as this? How much does it cost? Do you have a shop? he asks between her responses, trying to gather information on the items as well as their origin.

Dark Archive

The Strength Potion gives 2 rank asset to strength based rolls for 1 hour. The Bronze Amulet is a curse bringer that when activated and put on someone's person gives them a 3 level penalty on their next action.

The Scorpion Woman says, "The Potion is worth 25 crowns, the amulet is worth 40 crowns. As for my booth, it is in the merchant district if you are looking for more goods such as this."


What if I wish to use an item more than once? Can your master recharge items such as these?


Siobhan watches the exchange with interest, beginning to wonder if she somehow volunteered to some experimental type of VR game.

Dark Archive

The Scorpion Woman says "I can sell you more potions but once consumed their properties are used up. The Amulet only functions once and then the properties of the object are expended unless recharged by a powerful wizard or divine curse."


Where can I find such a powerful wizard in this city?

Dark Archive

The Scorpion Woman seems to give a bland stare for a moment and then says, "There are many wizards in this city and throughout the world. The most powerful one near Lornvale is the arch-wizard Zanthar whose tower lies on the summit of Redstone peak. He rarely takes visitors as far as i know."


Thank you dear, you've been most helpful Armand says, then returns to the table and shares the details of his conversation with everyone and the new lead on a powerful Wizard.

He might be a good place to start.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"Seems as good a place as any. I wonder if magic is actually a thing that works here, like in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe"


Marcus shrugs. "If she's selling magical things in a tavern, and no one is making a fuss about it, I'd guess that there's a good chance."


"So, walking statues aside and questionable physiology aside, does anyone feel magical"?


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"I don't think I am. Based on what I know, even if I don't know how I know it, I think that I kill dragons for a living like St. George, the patron saint of soldiers. Like most people in La Familia, I was raised Catholic, so of course I was taught that the dragon was a synonym for Satan, but I think that there are actual dragons here. 47 known varieties, according to the information in my head."


I seem to be familiar and able to identify most of the strange objects we've encountered. Don't know how or why, but I can. While we were dealing with that bird, I was able to imbue my body with electricity, though something peculiar happened before we came here, while engaging those skeletons, I was able to mentally assault one, it happened before I even knew what I was doing, as though I had always known how, but somehow the power lied dormant. I believe we are just as special as the place we've traveled to, and that there are more places and people like us in this reality and others.


Well, let's go find this wizard shall we, perhaps he's more willing to meet with someone of Qephelym ancestry. Armand says standing, ready to leave the bar and begin the search.

Dark Archive

You head outside the inn and tavern and with a glance up you can easily see the tower that was mentioned. It exists high one one of the mountain ridges. Asking directions you end up moving through the city seeing it being a regular operating fantasy city. Bakers bake, laborers labor and merchants sell a wide variety of wares. Most people are human but you see the occasional Bull-Person, Dragon-Person, Scorpion-Person, Crow-Person and Qephelim in the city as you move through the crowds on their daily business. A lot of people openly carry around weapons and armor of varying varieties but such appears to be an absolute norm for this world it seems.

Eventually you find the right cave to go into and head up a long series of stairways and move through various caverns carved into the mountains and eventually come up to what you believe is Zanthar's Tower. It is an imposing structure with a rounded domed top. A stylish door with many odd, strange but nonetheless artistic patterns cover the door to the place although the door appears to have no visible knob or keyhole and looks solidly built out of some kind of strange metal. There are a few windows in the tower but all of them have bars over them. What do you do?


During the walk Armand attempts to form a coherent story with his friends.

So lets say we meet this grand wizard, what are we going to say? Are we going to tell him the truth of how we came here or are we merely in search for the couple from Earth?

Just making sure that whatever/whoever speaks doesn't upset others with their approach, so figured on the walk we might try to decide how to approach and what to say.

Upon arrival, after having discussed some reason for their unannounced visit, Armand eyes the strange door with delight, turns to the party for approval, then knocks solidly on the door 3 times.


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"Let's see how much information he might have first, then if he has questions after, let's give him as little information as possible."

Dark Archive

Armand knocks on the door and there is silence for a moment before a face appears on the door. The face appears to be that of a middle eastern style feature although the face texture is that of the door and speaks with a bellowing and thunderous voice.

"Who comes to the tower of Zanthar, Archmage of Lornvale? Few would come to my doorstep unannounced and risk my displeasure. What is your business here?"


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

"We're looking for information about travelers from a great distance who most likely would have stopped to speak to you. It would be a man and a woman. They would have come through here recently, and they owe us quite a lot. We were hoping that a wise man such as yourself would be able to point us in their direction."

Dark Archive

The face lets another booming voice in response saying, "Why would the great Zanthar of Lornvale care of a mated pair of peons that has caused you wrong? I am not interested in the petty quests that you odd party of adventurers seek to accomplish. Such desires are immaterial to the cosmic powers of the Archmage Zanthar. You come to me without using the proper channels. Why should I make any exception for you, petty adventurers?"


Please forgive our ignorance oh mighty Archmage of Zanthar. We have traveled further than you can imagine in search of the Farstons, they are powerful mages who threaten destruction wherever they traverse and we fear they may bring trouble to Lornvale. We do not come here without trepidation, but we offer whatever we may in exchange for your wisdom and assistance. The townsfolk spoke highly of you but not of any channels, we beg your forgiveness and pray you consider our warning. Armand says genuinely, but with difficulty, not used to being so humble or talking to faces that appear in doors.

Perhaps there is something we may do in exchange for your assistance, we are not without skills and talents that could be of use.

First post was better, but Paizo ate it...


Intellect Pool: 10; Intellect Edge: 0 Might Pool: 6/10; Might Edge: 1 Speed Pool: 16; Speed Edge: 1

I'll let Armand handle this. Personally, I would just bait his ego as opposed to stroking it.

251 to 300 of 431 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / The Strange: Realms Beyond Reality All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.