A World Apart (Inactive)

Game Master mdt

Grim just smiles.

so far i have counted 10 people that are staying on this platform. Makes me think of a suicide mission squad.

Goragg snorts in amusement. And who better for a suicide squad than a group of the already dead?

Cale Pavel POV

Cale laughs as he comes along with his two new companions, overhearing what Goragg said.
"What happened to your sword."

He's beginning to feel out of place here in his night gown.

Goragg looks to Cale, seeing in his scarred countenance a kindred spirit, if not a friend.

Hours ago, when I awoke, I threatened this one he points a thumb at Grim and the Voice said No Violence Allowed or some such foolishness, and my beautiful sword dissolved into dust.

He stares pensively for a moment, then glances at Cale.

With a laugh, he says, At least I've still got my clothes and armor. What in the hells happened to you?

Cale Pavel POV

Would you believe I probably died while trying to calm my herds?"
Cale deadpans.

"I'm Cale Pavel, a farmer and maybe I should know all your names since we're apparently going to be stuck here for a time together."

I am Abbas...I see the gnome here is fretting about the hourglasses but...what about the people up there? Abbas gestures up to where he had seen the other group before.

A farmer? Goragg's estimation of Cale's usefulness fades away like his ill-fated falchion.

Goragg, warrior-scout of Clan Grashnost. I am in charge here. This time, he sounds a little more like he means it.

Abbas cocks his head at Goragg. In charge? I thought the voice was in charge? Or do you know what is happening here?

"Stupid hobgoblin not in charge." mutters Goghurt as he sits down.

"I'm Tolla, nice to meet you, Palomia," replies the massive woman. The gnome chatters on about something Tolla doesn't quite grasp, and she tunes out the talk of magic, rolling her eyes yet again at the grumpy hobgoblin. She jumps a little, though, at a voice she hadn't noticed before that suddenly becomes very talkative. She turns and sees that it's the tiefling. She grows nervous again, especially as even more people approach the area near the hourglasses. Another human, an oread, and some kind of...turtle monster? She turns back to Palomia, and lowers her voice, "I swear, there must be something here that attracts weird monsters."

Oh don't mind him he is just in charge of himself that's all. But Goghurt and himself travelled here together from the other side.

Abbas catches the mutterings of the goblin, A hobgoblin. Goblin in the name but obviously larger. Perhaps to goblins as the Kuleisan are to the Sand Viper.

Abbas pushes the idea away for "later".

As the devil speaks of "Goragg" the warrior nods absentmindedly his eyes falling on the tall warrior woman and her companion. She was not much smaller than Abbas, especially large for a woman. Interesting.

Has anyone here talked to that other group?

Cale Pavel POV

Cale glances at Goragg.
"In charge? So you know what is happening? Why we are here? What is it we must do? Come tell me. You're in charge are you not?"

Goragg attempts, with little success, to mimic the disembodied voice.

You are dead. You will help me. Wait for several more hours. Blah, blah, blah.

Goragg stares back at Cale. When time comes, farmer, Goragg will know what to do.

Cale Pavel POV
Cale chuckles, brushing off Goragg's stare.
There are other things more to worry about like his farm and farmhands.
"I take it you're in the dark about the whole thing as well then. I suppose it'll be too much to ask for. How about the rest of you? I have had the pleasure of making aquantaince with Grim the Wanderer and Rutheric and now Goragg. I see a cousin as well. Well met."

You're not in charge, green man. You're in this just as deep as the rest of us. We all died, or should have. We now have this mysterious 'voice' to thank for giving us a chance to undo our various failures.

Rutheric looks around at his surroundings.

This place..feels alien somehow. It does not tell me what it is, as the forest did.

In any case, I feel we should get acquainted with each other, so that we can take this 'second chance' to our best ability.

At this, the kappa clears his throat.

I am...I am Rutheric, as I have said. I was cowardly ambushed by a group of loggers that overstepped their bounds. The water was poured out of my head and I was left in a cave to die.

What of you?

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Knowledge: Geography to get an idea of surroundings: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Cale Pavel POV

Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Knowledge (Engineering) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Cale takes a moment to look around him and identify the myriad number of creatures now surrounding him as well as the platform they're in on.
The design is amazing. He thinks.
"I'm sorry for your loss Rutheric winking at him I do sense a story there. Care to share laddie?"

...Fine.

The loggers disrupted my home. They had no respect for nature...none at all. I attempted to stop them.

At this, he pauses for a moment.

I failed. Ruth grimaces. So...you're a farmer? Farmer of what, may I ask?

Between what seems to be a steady stream of new arrivals and all the yelling, Palomia can feel the beginnings of a headache. She looks at Goghurt and laughs grimly. "If you're useless then so am I. Magic appears to be powerless here."

Cale Pavel POV

"Failed?" Cale intones.
"Laddie, you did what you have to do. There is no shame in that. Maybe the people seeing that you fought for the land might feel it. Now you have another chance, something most don't have. Make good use of it."

Hmm crossing his arms, Cale smiles rueffuly.
"A farmer I am, I own quite a large land and have a few hands to help me tend to the farm I run. I must be a failure as well as my crops are unusual to say the least with their different coloring but still tasty. I would have like you to see it. Purple cabbages, Green Carrots, Silver potatoes and White pumpkins. Ha! Farm of the extraordinary crops. All that fighting in the arena must have jarred something loose in my head. Breathing out evenly, he continues.

I must say though. It's funny when I own Cows that can outrun most horses, horses wider than 4 men abreast with fleece as well and a few other prize animals. I enjoyed them all. Shows me that there are still things to be enjoyed. Maybe it's Nature's way of telling me something and I can't understand it."

He smiles. Crystaline teeth flashing.

[bigger]"THANK YOU, FELLOW BEINGS, FOR ASSISTING ME. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS MANDATORY. IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, YOU WILL HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. EACH OF YOU WERE ABOUT TO DIE, AND WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE OF YOUR SKILLS, BECAUSE OF YOUR GENETIC MAKEUP, OR VIA RANDOM CHANCE. YOUR SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE WILL BEGIN IN THREE HOURS. THIS MESSAGE WILL REPEAT EVERY HALF HOUR. SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO TURN DOWN THIS SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE, THROW YOURSELF FROM ANY EDGE, AND YOUR DEATH WILL BE COMPLETED. THANK YOU AGAIN."

This sound fills every nook and cranny. The voice is very neutrally toned, and it repeats itself in over 50 languages before it goes silent again.

@Rutheric

Your surroundings don't make sense, and are obviously not natural. You are in some sort of constructed area.

Cale Pavel POV

Breaking the silence.
"That's the VOICE you were speaking about. Reminds me of my time in the arena."

Turning upwards.
"Hey VOICE, mind sending me my old equipment or at least something decent here. Doubt I'll be useful without most of my old equipment."

Cale Shrugs at the looks thrown at him.
"Worth a try."

Sounds like no ordinary farmer I know. I will be interested to see what you do with your second chance.

And while your words strike true, I also know this: They didn't care. Not if the way they got rid of me shows anything. They don't care for nature...don't respect her gifts! I should....

Rutheric takes a breath.

Sorry. In any case, nothing I can do about it now. And if you need equipment...you can have my trident. He takes it off his shell and holds it out to Cale.

You seem to be one who at least respects nature, and I can defend myself naturally, so it's the least I can do for an ally.

Between what seems to be a steady stream of new arrivals and all the yelling, Palomia can feel the beginnings of a headache. She looks at Goghurt and laughs grimly. "If you're useless then so am I. Magic appears to be powerless here."

At Palomia's words, Goghurt looks up, violently, to stare at her balefully. He almost looks as if she had insulted his mother, if goblins cared about their mothers.

"Goghurt not use magic! What are you, fool? Goghurt use SCIENCE!"

Abbas takes the lack of response to his question as "no" and then turns to the goblin that is yelling. Does science work here?

There is the VOICE, told you so. Grim turns to palomina.

It is rather easy to deduce why magic isn't working here. we are in a pocket "something" and therefore not connected to the planes. Therefore cut from the energy that constitute the raw power of both divine and arcane magic. The laws of science or alchemy or just simple stuff we take for granted probably doesn't apply. They should be what ever the creator of this "pocket something" wants them to be.

Goghurt frowns and mutters quietly, "...Science always work...just not extracts."

Palomia raises an eyebrow at Goghurt. "Calm down, I didn't mean any insult. Science certainly has its place in the world, but I've never encountered a goblin scientist before. I thought most of you preferred fire magic?"

Goghurt cocks his head at the aasimar. "Is mutually exclusive?"

Does it look like the Lamia & other folks with it are looking on our direction?

No, they appear to be talking with each other much as your group is, Abbas. In fact, the same appears to be true of a dozen other groups of varying sizes that Abbas can see. It appears that everyone prefers to focus on other people, even races they don't like, rather than look around a the stomach churning environment.

Tolla's natural distrust for the supernatural causes her to back away from the conversation, looking behind her so as not to accidentally fall off the edge to a more permanent death. She moves around to the dusty man, taller even than herself--he certainly doesn't have the look of a mage about him. Not with that sword and armor. "It's rare that I meet someone bigger than I am," she says, then smirks at him. "Whatever that voice has planned for us, you look like you're one of the only ones here who can handle himself."

"There is nothing stopping a goblin from pursuing science. They are no dumber on average than a human. I myself use science, though not the same as he. Where he uses chemicals and potions, I use energy cores and gadgets.

Abbas looks around with increasing interest noticing the number of convening groups that are amassed throughout the landscape. He becomes caught up in the curiosity of perhaps venturing elsewhere when the voice of the tall woman he had previously noticed breaks his thinking.

Abbas looks down from the "ceiling" to Tolla and offers a white toothed grin, I have been known to handle myself with skill from time to time... Abbas' smile falters for a moment, Though clearly if this voice is to be believed I failed the last time. Abbas raps a knuckle against his beaten breastplate to emphasize his point.

He considers the woman further, I am Abbas Majidi, and I greet you. Abbas offers his hand to the tall woman.

Cale Pavel POV
Cale considers for a moment where he is and decides that the others makes sense. He decides to test a theory afterall no better time to do so than now. Afterall he still had according to the voice 3 hours to wait before anything else could happen.

Cale attempts concentrate on just hearing. Maybe he could pick up what the other groups are saying 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Cale attempts to believe his weapons and equipment into being, remembering their feel and texture and bringing those into focus. 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Turning to the Kappa, Cale declines the use of the trident.
"There is no danger here for now that is. You might have need of your weapon if you're called upon to perform whatever service the VOICE has in mind. I do respect nature but I have lived longer than most humans. Perhaps the loggers had greed driving them, or they had real need. If we're to find out and I don't mind lending you a hand in this, a quick stop at my farm and then we can go speak with these loggers."

Other than looking mildly constipated for a few seconds, the Oread's concentration and imagination has no effect.

Cale Pavel POV

Well Fat lot of good that did Cale thinks.
If what Goragg said is true, the VOICE probably doesn't want us to fight amongst ourselves. If so then now would be a good time to attempt to speak to the other groups.

Cale gazes out over where he is in an attempt to see what other groups are there besides the one that he is with.

As she looks back and forth between the indignant goblin and the gnome, Palomia begins to feel uncomfortable.

"Why do I feel embarrassed? Everyone knows what goblins are usually like..."

She looks at Goghurt once again. "But still...what is it that Relas says to do in situations like this? Apologize, acknowledge, and advance, wasn't it?"

"Goghurt, I apologize if I've offended you. You and Gniel are right, there's no reason that a goblin couldn't be a scientist or use magic...or both, if he put his mind to it." She then chuckles slightly. "I didn't expect to die *and* learn something new today. I wonder what other surprises are in store?" The words are somewhat awkward, as if such speeches are something that Palomia is not used to making. She seems to be sincere, however.

"Do either of you have any bright ideas? Gniel said something about a pattern on the floor?"

There is a staircase to the left that leads to a staircase that leads upside down to the group overhead with the Lamia.

There is a bridge/walkway to the east that leads to a series of 3 foot drop offs that lead down to what looks like a bowl shaped open area where a group of mostly humans have gathered.

There is a set of stairs going up in a spiral that corks and turns like a piece of string in a dust devil that leads up to a spire where there's a group of fairly mixed beings similar to the one Cale is in.

Cale Pavel POV

Cale takes the staircase that leads to a staircase going up to the lamia's group.
Someone out here has had to have answers here somehow.

Going up to the group, Cale seizes the initative.
"Hail and well met. I'm Cale Pavel. May i know who are all of you?"

I see and understand. Thank you for your offer...though I doubt I will ever see my forest again. And if I do, it will be too late... Ruth turns to the goblin. Science? I am unfamiliar with this 'science'. But if you can wield it, surely you have a use here. He looks around.

This is certainly a motley crew. Makes me wonder what we're supposed to be doing... He notices Cale moving off.

Hm. It's dangerous to go alone. Lack of combat or not, he should have taken my trident.

A dark haired lamia with features like an elf hisses as Cale speaks. Her scales are black and red with bright differentiations. SHe wears a set of bright red armor on her torso. "Hsss... Sstone Man! Do not sssneak up on me. Not sssssafe for you." The lamia draws herself up to her full height (about 13 feet) and looks down. "We are.. the walking dead... or ssssso it ssssseeemssss." Her tail tip waves to indicate the others.

It appears the lamia is the spokesnake for the group, as nobody else speaks, only hangs back and looks at Cale.

Cale Pavel POV

Cale Laughs.
"Sneak? I thank you for your compliments but know that I am not attempting to sneak up on you. I mean look at my dress, Do you know of anybody who'd sneak up in this getup? Especially one such as me? Moving quietly isn't a skill I particularly excell at."
Perform (Comedy) to help reduce tension, with exaggerated motions. Take 10 for total of 16
To further emphasize his skill in the art of stealth, Cale in full view of her demostrates his skill.
Stealth at tiptoeing. 1d20 ⇒ 6 Successfully stubbing his toe however, Cale Grimaces.
"See? Oww...Not my best I see. "

Gesturing to the rest.
"I see that you're the leader for this group? I am Cale Pavel and like you I'm also a walking dead though I feel very much alive. I came here via stampede of farm animals. How about you?"
Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The lamia hisses. "I killed a dragon. Unfortunately, it'ssss mate blassssted me with fire for my actionsssss." She grins, showing off needle sharp teeth. "It'ssss blood tasssted good before I wasss hit by fire."

Cale Pavel POV

Cale Whistles in appreciation.
"A dragon? Now you're skilled if you're able to take a mated pair and take out one of them.
In the arena I was once pitted against a dragon but it was blinded and one of its claws were missing. Against a group of us, it stood no chance even though I was the only who survived that encounter. The rest died by the cold frost breath it breathed out. One blow to its head and in its weakened state, it perished. You have my respect for being able to take two dragons alone.
Care to introduce me to your companions?"

The lamia laughs. "Who said I was alone. Had my whole clan. I just got unlucky enough to get my ankle caught under the dragon's jaw when it died."

The centaur looks at Abbas. "I am Rel Goldpelt." The centaur says.

The humans pipe up with their names. "Erick Bohnstiel" "Trudi Mastrin" "Kale Morger." "Wil Tranner."

Cale Pavel POV

"Tough Break then. Happens to the best of us."

Looking at the rest.
"How about the rest of you? Since we're here I might as well get to know all of you."

Seeing the Centaur.
"Had to fight one of your kind before, wasn't pretty and she packed a mean kick, gave me a fair share of bruises before going down. A Gail Seersbow if I remembered her name correctly. How did you reach this stop inbetween our final stop?"

Looks at me? aren't I talking to Tolla?

Cale Pavel POV
What do you mean Abbas?