Neri would actually be wandering up to the Caravan as Johnny comes out, looking around curiously. "Yours is as empty as mine was." he comments, "Luna's and Linas has a ton of people, and Liisa has a ton of animals now. Maybe there's something in the Id's natures that go with that as well." it looked like Neri had been up for several hours, and had spent the morning walking, if the different clinging seeds and such on his pant hems meant anything.
"Learn anything cool or interesting? Have any questions? I'll answer as best I can." He keeps pace as they begin, perhaps subconsciously, heading for the tree.
______
Liisa yawns and stretches her arms and back over her new bed. For sleeping inside giant trees, this felt as good as it would get. Yesterday had ended alot better then she had hoped. She hadn't accidentally killed the tree in any way - and to her surprise she found that she could name all the different flowers and plants in and around her 'house'. She could name *alot* of strange stuff too. That's a bit weird... she mused as a squirrel jumped ontop of her bed and gave her a nut. It is usually the other way around ! On a whim, she stretched out her hand and called softly to the squirrel. Yesterday, she would have been shocked that it actually came up to her. Today, it felt only natural. Tehehe it is adorable! With a glint in her eye a new idea formed. Soon, Liisa had her breakfast in bed surrounded by a small army of fluffy and scaly adorable animals. This world didn't feel that bad anymore!
She sat a while in the bed, cuddling with the creatures. But before long, curiosity started to gnaw in her. There was an whole world outside to see! And, if she understood correctly, her companions also had these wondrous domains. I wonder if I can go inside the volcano too? That would be so cool! Gently she lifted the large adorable lizard in her lap away (Huh? Since when do I think lizards are adorable?) and stood up in her bed. Somewhat gracefully she tip-toed out of it and onto the floor. She glanced a long while at her armour and bow, but decided to wear her old clothes instead. I'm sure I can fetch it if I need them! With a sunny disposition, she dressed herself and walked outside to greet the new day!
______
Running her hand trough her new and improved hairstyle, Liisa wondered briefly if she could find a hairbrush somewhere in town, and stepped out of her tree. First she took a quick lap around the tree to see that everything was still in order, then she walked out onto the street and waved at Neri & Johnny.
"Gooood morning!" she chirped, in splendid mood.
Johnny chuckles. "Maybe it's 'cause they're dames? Ain't none of them bad lookin'. 'Though Länsgeneral's a bit intimidatin' like. Some men like that sorta thing, I hear. Even willin' ta pay good dough for it."
He pauses. "Learned a few tricks of a magical nature." He uses mage hand to shut his caravan door. "Things that're likely ta make me lazy an' fat. And a few tricks to make people more agreeable-like ta me. So what's this Id thing you keep mentionin'?"
Johnny grins lopsidedly at Liisa. "Mornin'. I was wondering if you'd be up for sharing some of your food." He gives her his best 'you wouldn't want your ol' pal Johnny ta starve now would ya?' look.
"Länsgeneral?" he seemed confused. "Oh. Lina. I didn't even notice her giving herself some sort of weird title in her haste to bombard you guys with stuff. Granted, I was doing the same, and she was doing it -better-." He shrugs. "Um. The crystals, at some point, may start talking with you. Little nudges here and there, and sometimes you can ask questions of them , they mostly keep to themself unless something big is going on. I try to keep mine talkative, just because I'm used to constant chatter around me. They'll probably wind up providing a lot of useful knowledge, especially 'in your circle' as it were."
"Good morning. I've been exploring a bit, and trying to explain stuff to Johnny. I'll answer any questions you might have as well. I can also give you guys a quick-ish tour, once you're finished eating. We can also explore your compounds a bit more, later. We've found little hidden alcoves and areas of interest in mine. Stuff I wouldn't have expected, and you guys might not, either."
"A tour sounds nice. Might even want to make it a long tour, there is alot of weird stuff here ..."
"I think I could share some. But I'm not sure it is *my* food! Let's see!"
She invites both of them over into her 'yard', then attempts to coax her animals into finding some food for them. Hopefully, the animals would be as friendly to them as to her!
"Well. There's less than you'd think. There are several compounds that are as ruined as yours was when you got here, and several that are a little worse... plus three that are just... gone. Doctor's Mansion, Builder's Foundry, and Teacher's Tower all exploded." he frowns. "We have an old brownstone apartment with really creepy people inside that are probably con-men of one flavor or another. An old military keep that had about three dozen too many stocks and cages, that's been turned into a forge, and my volcano... which is still pretty much a volcano. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one with self-heating water, though."
"Länsgeneral," Lina says, riding up to the others, "Is Swedish. It means, roughly, 'local defender,' though I suspect Liisa knows this. The crystals translate our words into the local tongue, though I've found names remain untranslated, and am working to see if we can keep words intentionally untranslated as a secret code from the locals."
The creature she climbs down from is an enormous elk, but wrong—its antlers, sharp and twisting, point forward, visible fangs protrude from its mouth, and it seems slightly tensed, as though fear of its master may be the only thing keeping it from leaping forward and devouring everything in sight. She tethers it to a post some distance back, not wanting to scare the "real" animals.
"Real food might be nice—wolf meat gets old after a while. And my keep is a forge for now, but my men are researching architecture and siegecraft, and the hope is to expand its towers using magic so we can cover the valley with defensive ballista-fire if necessary. Neri's volcano produces arbitrary metal, which is useful."
Liisa gives the elk a sceptic glance. It felt just as weird as the forest around them. She was glad Lina kept it tied up at a good distance from her house. Liisa nodded in recognition of the title - Swedish had been mandatory in school and she had learned some at least.
"Neri suggested that we ought to take a good look inside our 'houses'. Perhaps my 'house' can produce something useful too - except the food. But that will do for now! Let's see if I can't get the squirrels to fetch some more nuts - we can forage some vegetables in the yard too..." Still, I think I love the fluffy animals the most ...
"So, breakfast, quick tour, and then a closer look for hidden nooks in me 'n' Liisa's dens? Sounds good." He stays away from the creepy elk creature, preferring to chill with the creatures that didn't look like they wanted to eat him.
"I don't really need to eat all that much, but I'd definitely enjoy something bordering on 'fresh veggies'. Would you guys rather meet Mahb and brood today or tomorrow? She might be able to tell you more about your Ids. She's where I learned that Ptaleon was mine's name... And that he apparently represents fire, destruction, and magic."
As everyone is standing around talking outside Liisa's compound, a ghostly wagon rumbles into the clearing, snaking it's way around. On it, a large man with a beard cracks a whip over the heads of a pair of oxen big enough to make Lina's moose look a bit anemic. The wagon looks like the large cargo wagon that is in Johnny's compound, and as the ghostly wagon rumbles through things, it slowly turns into Johnny's compound. As it crosses into it, it rolls through the other wagons there, until it merges with the existing wagon. When it does, the oxen suddenly gain substance, as if they were always there.
"Haha! Woah Brackus! Woah Theackus! Woah!" The large man cries out, his voice carrying over the clearing. "Well, I'll be a son of a buck, the damn campsight! Thought I wasn't ever gonna find this place again." The man laughs and leaps off the wagon, landing with a loud thump. "Alright you lazy git, get out and start setting up!"
A woman climbs out of the back of the large wagon, along with a couple of kids. "Lazy? We'll see how lazy you think I am when you want something cooked, Magrick! See if we don't!" The kids giggle and laugh, and begin pulling down things off the wagon. Fire wood, tinder, chairs, folding tables, and so on.
The big man laughs again. "Yes dear." He says with a grin, and pulls a giant iron pot off the back of the wagon, walking it over to the fire pit where the kids are busy building up a big fire.
----------------------------------
As Liisa looks at Lina's mount, the nerves in the back of her neck bunch, and the creature seems enveloped in a searing ghostly flame, screaming in agony as it stands there.
That poor thing, it's spirit is being tortured... you must heal it...
Woah! It talks! Was the first thought that raced trough her head. Woah! That thing is *on fire*! followed soon after. Then came the How? When? Can I? Somewhat distracted, she led her companions into the compound.
"Looks like you got guests Johnny. Still wanna stay for some hide n seek later ?"
"Why does Id keep going on about you 'stealing rune domain' and what even -is- that?" Neri asked absentmindedly as the others ate.
"Uhm ..." Liisa shrugs.
'How about we let her borrow it, and then we'll borrow something of hers? Or are you using it right now? Maybe she'll lend you some lizard domain? He offered.
"- well, maybe this fits the descriptor..."
Liisa sits down on her knees and traces some lines in the grass. Quickly, her finger darts back and forth and a sigil takes form. But as she moves to finish the last part, the patch of grass ignites with a 'pof!' and she recoils back. With a somewhat soothy face and a worried look she quickly murmels an incantation and water starts to pour from her cupped hand.
"It didn't do that this morning ..." Hello? Voice in my head? Any pointers ...?
"I should probably go say hi ta my visitors."
After breakfast, Johnny heads back to him campsite to greet the newcomers. "Greetings neighbors. My name's Johnny Slade." He's not really sure what to say to them. After all, he's never had to deal with ghost people showing up out of nowhere and making themselves at home in what, he was guessing, was more or less his campsite.
He points to the pot. "If you're making breakfast, I have a pal with access ta some veggies. Maybe I could hook you up?" He gave them his best winning smile. They didn't really seem like ax murdering hobos, but you couldn't be sure. And he'd really rather not get murdered in his sleep. Although now that he was dead, he wasn't sure that was possible.
Yes, they are totally safe. Nothing could ever go wrong : )
"So... he's mad that someone else is using symbols?" He tilts his head. "I don't really understand the significance."
"Wanna help men out here, Id?"
That trumped up little b%%!&... Runes belong to me, not her. How would she feel if I started making trees grow, or made all animals breath fire? Hah, I wonder if she'd like it if her precious lizards all grew flaming tongues...
"Hah! Ke..Ke.. Hah, Johnny Slade, you old dog. Haven't seen you in a hound's age!" The large man grabs Johnny in a bear hug that leaves his ribs aching. "Look who it is, Magret, it's Ke.. Ke.. Johnny Slade!"
The mother smiles. "I can see it's Ke... Johnny, dear. It's good to see you again K.. Johnny." She smiles. "Of course, if you have some vegetables, they'd be lovely. We have some dried ones of course, but fresh is always better."
Neri visibly winces, takes a moment to think, then replies.
Well, technically, we did make some fertilizer for the village from your ash. That's one of the neat things about volcanoes. They create just as much as they destroy.'
"Yeah, I don't think it's a good idea to do that around me... it might be better not to do it at all. Id seems to not be all that great at sharing, just now." He frowns and shrugs. "Maybe if you traded something? Like... make firebreathing lizards for him? I think he used to have one..."
"But that symbol you drew..." he reaches into a pouch and pulls out a handful of stone tiles, with digital and runes carved into them. "I cast my magic through these. Without them, I've got nothing special going for me, but speed."
Liisa waves Johnny goodbye with an apologetic and sooty smile. Real people? Not as adorable as my squirrels, but probably more fun to talk with after a while ...
_____________________________________
"What? Is it your gem that is screwing things up?"
Liisa looked a bit annoyed, and more then a little confused. Voice in my head? Hello!? How does *any* of this work? She sat still and looked down on the scorched patch for a few moments, then sighed. At least his 'gem'/Id? appears to communicate...
"Has 'Id' called dibs on the written word? That ... hmm. What about *fire*? I know I can make fire too... Will he screw with that too?"
Hmm. I wonder if I could fix fire-breathing lizards. It would be kindof cool... Could I do that?
"...I suppose I could look into fire-breathing lizards. But I mean, wouldn't that basically be a Dragon? Oooh, do Dragons exist? Hmm... Maybe some spicy herbs ..."
When Neri presents his runes, Liisa drops her fire-lizard plotting for a moment and inspects them curiously. They weren't *exactly* what she did, but ... they were symbols on something. Close enough? Maybe it is a symbolism thing. 'Gods' in many mythologies can be rather petty about that and it almost sounds if Neri's 'Id' fancies himself one of those ...
"Hmm. This isn't exactly what I did. I tried to get my runes to last, but they just dissipate after half a minute or so... Maybe if I traced them with ink - or a chisel ?"
"I really don't know. But I'll try to figure it out. If you -do- manage a dragon, I'm almost positive he'll relent at least a little. Almost. Not that we've seen any. I'm sort of expecting one at some point, though."
Neri shrugged as she looked over the runes, "I don't mind you borrowing them to study, so long as I keep most of them. Like I said, I kind of need them. It's weird how I seem to be the only person who needs -something- to cast. Though I think Luna's potions need it. Even the raptors seem able to cast things at will."
"If I do manage a dragon -and- not get eaten."
Liisa corrected. Typically, the dragons just ate the knights and imprisoned the maidens in towers but she wasn't willing to bet much on it that the dragons of this world would honour that tradition!
"Well, I need a few things too... Some spells seem to require certain plants to be present - or presented. But I would love to borrow just one of them and take a look! Unless that pisses of your 'Id' even more ..."
"I guess there's one way to find out." he said, handing over his obscuring mist rune. He'd honestly never used it.
"My crystal offered me a choice of... things, I guess," Lina adds, having not spoken for a while, "When it absorbed Harry's power."
She thinks for a minute. "Horses, Fear, Rulership, Defense, War—but, like, tactical war. I think those are the choices I was given. But then also some that seemed an aftershock of Harry's crystal—Blacksmiths, Metal, Charity, Dragons, and Strength. I don't think Neri has a monopoly on Dragons, so there might be some things his crystal will share."
"If either of you are going to try arguing or bartering with your crytals, let me know—they can get irate, sometimes, and I can help you maintain focus."
"Heh ..."
"Oh, Right! I've been thinking about the shattered weapon thing." he said, as Lina jogged his memory. "Last time we tried to bring church stuff in, it exploded. So we left the staff of the priest out there... So what do you think about one of us trying to bring it through?" He asked, tilting his head. "I'm worried about scrying a little, based on what little I do know... but if we could absorb friends... I think we could instead absorb enemies. I still wouldn't want to be the one to try absorbing it, though. Or bringing it through. The chain shirt nearly killed me the first time."
"So one of those *things* would have been Runes for Neri? Hmm ... I'm not even sure how I managed to 'steal' that one ..."
"I'll go ask my friend about the veggies inna bit. What're ya cooking? Another friend mentioned something about wolf's meat, so maybe we can have a big stone soup thing where everybody brings a lil somethin'. " he pauses to look around.
"So...what brings you'n your family here?"
"Hah, such a kidder K... K.. Johnny. Not know us! Haha!" The whole family laughs as if this is a big joke. "Not our fault you ain't been around to visit with."
"I was going to make some turkey stew, Vrina took down a turkey this morning with her sling." The daughter grins happily, apparently proud of herself for taking down the dangerous bird, as her mother describes what she's making.
"Ah, same ol same ol. Trade boy. Like always." He thumps the side of his wagon. "Got some good sturdy cotton cloth, a ream or two of silk, some dark wood, not much of that, some skins, some papyrus paper, some good heavy cotton paper, some ink, pens, and some clothes, although I think they're out of date. I'll have better stuff next time I'm through."
Johnny ignores their weird antics, instead whistling his admiration at the daughter's sling skills. Maybe this was what was meant by secret nooks?. "So, you're traders then? I have some friends who might be interested in that sorta thin'. I'll go tell 'em. See if they can think of anythin' they need."
With that Johnny heads back to Liisa's tree. "So turns out the visitors are traders. Seem ta think they know me, though for the life a me, I don't recognize 'em. Seem friendly though. Would be interested in tradin', maybe for some fresh veggies. They have some clothes stuff and sme writin' things. Anybody interested? We might also be able ta make some requests for next time."
"That... is incredibly useful. And just in time. I'm sure either of us could do ink pigments, but if they've got paper... Well, we haven't had -real- paper in a long time. Try asking for something modern, probably. You never know. I'm sure Luna would probably not mind reading material at all. And wouldn't mind having a journal that didn't take a day per letter."
Long after she asks. A response slowly bubbles up in her head... although it's as if she's thinking the thought, even though she didn't. He's an ass... but he's right... we don't do runes.. I think..
"Can I borrow some paper, and a pen?" Lina asks, and if Johnny obliges, begins to make a shopping list, talking out loud for anyone who cares to listen. "I think it's time to make an Amazon-dot-com wish-list, as they say."
"First, we'll need some way to mark villagers quickly if we're ever going to head past the wall again. Pens could work, but stamp pads would be easier and quicker."
"Second, I'm assuming there's a price or availability limiter on this. But we'll want to see what it can do. Start with simple, cheap things that we can't make easily. Rope, precision musical instruments, maybe some soap or pitch."
"Then we build to see what else we can get. Is the caravan limited to this world? Can it only obtain real objects, or duplicate ones we have brought with us into the world with us? We could ask for... hmm. Socks. Kleenex. Bullets for my sidearm. A new battery for Luna's phone, or Kong's voice-mask."
"Third, what about things hard to manufacture with medieval technology, but might be easier to make with magic, to test what is possible? Kevlar. Explosives. Lenses. Antibiotics."
"Fourth, we see what we can learn about this world based on what is available for trade. If the caravan can't leave, but can pass beyond the Demonwall, we can get as much information as possible. Unicorn hair, dragon scales, that sort of thing. Maybe some books that will teach us more about the church's dogma or the history of their evil empire."
"Fifth, if the caravan can travel between worlds, we ask for objects that might be cheap in our world... or in some future or science fiction alternate one. Flashlights, gauze, that sort of thing."
"And finally, things that would be very nice for building or self-defense. Chainsaws. Cars. Flash-bangs. That sort of thing."
Items of significant interest
1. More pens
2. 3 Rubber or other carve-able stamps, and 3 absorbent ink pads
3. 50 meters of heavy hemp rope
4. 100 meters of twine, or heavy yarn
5. Signal whistle
6. Dog whistle
7. 5 fishhooks
8. A single bar of soap
9. Violin strings, one set, low quality acceptable
10. 1/4 kg. bag of flour or other powder
Items desired, if easy to obtain
1. Nylon socks, three pairs
2. One linen necktie, black
3. Two .357 SIG cartridge boxes
4. One lithium-ion smartphone battery
5. Single kleenex-brand facial tissue
Items to be obtained if doing so is practical and easy
1. Kevlar vest, standard-issue
2. 1 kg welding thermite, consisting of powdered copper, magnesium, accelerant
3. One pair of binoculars, telescope, or other magnifying device
4. Three full courses of penicillin, in tablet form if possible
5. 10 grams of paper-thickness Aluminium
Items requested only if locally available
Note: if geographical distance to a trading post carrying such items is far enough to be impractical but not impossible, mention so, but no need to actually trade for them
1. A history book
2. A proper, paper map of the world beyond the Demonwall, potentially supplemented with more detailed local maps
3. Images (crude is fine) of Barathiel, Kobran, and Celestine, as well as any widely-available cheap religious tracts on the origins of their divinity
4. A pinch of sea salt from every sea or ocean in the world
5. A single chain link of every metal used to make weapons or armor other than Mithral, Adamantine, Iron, Steel, Bronze, Copper, Elinium, Byzanium, or Lead.
6. One to three hairs from a unicorn's mane
7. A single dragon scale
8. Pieces of paper bearing each major seal of rulership or religious hierarchy used between here and the Capital
9. Saltpeter or black powder
Low-priority items requested only if possible and cheap—if expensive or impractical but still possible, that information is sufficient.
1. Hand-crank DC power or USB charger
2. Three flashlights, and a dozen AA batteries
3. Army surplus gas mask, one spare charger
4. Personal-sized bear repellant pepper spray, two containers
5. One standard workplace first-aid kit
6. Five police-standard issue walkie talkies, with one set spare batteries
7. Two detachable laser sights, of the kind used in professional archery
Lowest-priority items
1. Chainsaw, gasoline-powered, with full gas tank
2. Armored Personnel Carrier, specifics not important, with full gas tank
3. Three law-enforcement flash-bang grenades
4. Loaded flare gun
Books, if available
1. Textbook on metallurgy and forging techniques
2. Textbook describing early advances in manufacturing from the beginning of the industrial revolution
3. Book on the antibiotic or other medical properties of common plants and fungi, of the sort Liisa might be able to grow.
4. Book on chemical forensics techniques
Lina is, as she goes through this, acutely aware of how much of her forensics and chemistry training seems to have... disappeared, somehow, to make room in her head for saddle construction and swordplay. That could be problematic—so she adds a few textbooks to the list as well, on the off chance that some of them might exist in this world.
When she's done, she hands the list to Johnny as a suggestion, fully expecting him to not understand half of what she's just described.
"Um. I'll be happy if he can get us some of the more neat materials we've ran into but haven't had a chance to use. Something like Kevlar but natural... like what Johnny's Wearing (Aranea Silk, I assume), to make some clothes out of. Is it as sturdy and inflexible as it looks? Oh, and Aspirin. Also, any sort of seeds that our resident greenthumb doesn't already have access to, would be good. And chocolate. How did you forget chocolate, aren't you German?"
"Y'know, you could always talk to 'em yourself. They seem pretty friendly. And no doubt they'd want to know what we could give them, which one of you would know better'n me.
Johnny tries to think up anything else of use to add to the list. Somehow I doubt most of what I'd use'd be useful here. Wire tappin' prob'ly ain't a thing. A camera may or may not be useful. It'd have ta be for somethin' other'n pictures of cheatin' husbands. Fake police badge wouldn't do much good here.
Luna let the others talk amongst themselves and their new residence but stayed to herself unless spoken to until Neri spoke of risking suicide again.
"Oh, Right! I've been thinking about the shattered weapon thing." he said, as Lina jogged his memory. "Last time we tried to bring church stuff in, it exploded. So we left the staff of the priest out there... So what do you think about one of us trying to bring it through?"
"If it's even still there you risk destroying it and might kill one of us in the process a stupid risk unless you just want to die.
I think ... ? The thought felt so alien to her, yet familiar. It was ... weird. A bit unsettling even. That isn't like a voice at all really ...
- "Things explode when bought here? Stuff from other side of the wall?"
- "I could use something to write on and with. And some more clothes would always be nice. How many are they? Help me pick enough vegetables and fruits for them and we can head over."
Liisa springs up, glad to think about things a bit easier then godly domains and 'divine?' jealousy! With one finger drumming on her lips, she looked around in the yard.
"Apples, citruses and oranges are resilient fruits that should be useful for the travellers on their journey. Plums and apricot are delicious but will need to be dried if they are to last - lets take fewer of those!"
"Better that it's destroyed if the thing lets someone enslave an entire town. And no. I don't want to die. I'm tossing out ideas, and information. If you have an idea for how to make something work that I'm thinking of, let me know. This is something I did in the circus all the time. I'd have an idea I didn't know how to pull off, and my friends would help me 'do the math'. I'm not an expert in everything, and a lot of the stuff I'll think up won't even be possible... but it doesn't hurt to make suggestions, especially if other people are smarter than me in different ways, you know?" he replied to Luna.
"As for exploding... yeah. Some things. The stuff heavily marked by the church does. We had a suit of mithril breastplate emblazoned with the their Death Goddesses' symbols. It detonated when it touched the wall. I don't know whether it's their magic being designed to not be stolen, the wall being designed to keep their magic out, or some combination of the two. At first, I thought of it like electricity. Speaking of, only go through the wall if you're wearing your armor, and don't bring anything through that isn't directly linked to your body. The wall will destroy things not tied to us. I used a rope. Anyway, if you think of it like electricity, our bodies are negatively charged by the armor, and the wall is negative energy. Most everything else is neutral and acts as a conductor, but doesn't draw too much... thus wrecking things slowly. The outside's magic is positively charged, and so it immediately overloads and explodes when it touches the wall."
@MDT: 'Am I allowed to use their names in here, or is that a bad idea?' he thought internally, towards his Id.
"If you -do- get the staff, just try bringing a shard at a time. I'm sure that won't cause too much of a disruption." Neri said to Lina.
And back to Liisa as she began collecting vegetables. "I'll help out. I'm not really built for hard labor, but I can get there and back in the time it'd take you to make another load for all of us to carry. Also... something you might try, that you might feel silly doing, but it works for me. I can 'pull' on the lava in my volcano, and use it to scry, or use it to pull specific materials out. If you felt like it, at some point, try finding an unusual tree, or maybe even that giant one in the middle, and try coaxing some branches out or something. Luna's crossbow has some kind of special wood in it, and her armor is made out of some weird planty stuff. You might be able to get that sort of stuff without injuring the trees, and just having them give up the parts that're holding them back."
"Everything from the church here wants us dead including anyone that works for it, trying to take even shards from it could kill us. What you want won't work don't force it."
Do whatever you want, not like anyone gives a rat's ass what I think anymore...
If you're that keen on getting back to your world, as debased as it is... gain power... gain enough you can kick the ass of any of those idiot gatherers back there, and then go back. Maybe you can take over the asylum...
Johnny helps Liisa gather food stuffs, occasionally stretching his mental muscles with some uses of mage hand. As he does so, he listens to Neri's explanation.
"I don't know about all this 'negative charge' business, but the issue is just that if certain stuff from out there touches/passes the wall it goes nuclear, right? Couldn't we get a basket--or some container that won't blow-- put it in, and mage hand it over? Or just throw it across?"
"Nope. It has to be in contact with us, physically, from what I can tell. Like, I threw in a rope and the rope was fine until I let it go. Then it shredded it and what I had tied to it. To get the people through, we gave them one of our armors and walked them through with someone else wearing their own armor. It'll just shove it into the ground and pummel it... assuming it's a 'neutral' object." he shrugs.
"And I get that you think that, Luna. But we have to try things. If we just leave things as they are, we're just sitting here waiting to die. And if what I gather from you guys talking is true, I already did that once. I was given a second chance. Why on earth would I sit around doing pretty much the same thing I did in my first life with it? We can be heroes here... or we can sit around waiting to die. I really don't like the second option."
"Alright, Johnny, if I have your permission, I'll talk to your... caravaneers." Lina makes sure Johnny accompanies her to do this, though, because she doesn't want to risk the compound ignoring/hurting her if she's not accompanied and introduced by its owner.
"Neri... you're thinking of Switzerland. And I'm [i]Swedish." Lina has, however, recently painted over the Swedish police badge on her coat of arms, realizing that the triple crown of the Swedish monarchy might offend her new Finnish ally.
And chocolate would indicate the presence of a rainforest, so she adds that to the list as well.
"And Luna: the way I see it, there are two possibilities. One, there are gods and destiny at work here, things beyond our comprehension. If so, they picked us for a reason, and it really is our destiny to make this world a better place. Or two, all this was made by human hands, using lost arts. Neri has a theory that the 'gods' of this realm were once adventurers like us, who gained power. If we can gain the same power, maybe we can make a portion of this world our own, treat its inhabitants better than the old gods, and at that point we should have all the magic necessary to return to Earth with our new powers and, if we're lucky, some form of immortality. You've just got to stay alive long enough to see us get there."