Relas' eyes light up as the group of people make their way to the top of the platform and he spots some familiar faces as well as one unfamiliar one.
His words are cut short as all but one of the figures drop to the ground in the same way that the rest of their group did earlier.
He suddenly starts in alarm as the one lone figure suddenly approaches him and Baru, bow drawn and trained on himself. She's yelling, but the words don't make sense - obviously this is some form of language that Palomia isn't familiar with, otherwise he would be able to understand her.
His tone sounds nervous, but hopeful.
'Ow...'
"Calm down and put the weapon down, woman. This place is old and storied, and I really don't have time to explain all I know. Suffice it to say, this is where fables and legends happen. Something is apparently...keeping track of both groups, assuming that's the reason the only ones unconscious are the ones with crystals in their heads?
Baru pats his weapon and looks to his new cat friend.
"She thinks we caused this. Stay calm."
"Besides, seeing as we're all armed, and we don't have weapons drawn, it makes no sense that we'd be trying to hurt them. Now put that thing away before everyone wakes back up, and all we end up with is bloodshed and no answers."
"તમે પછી, પહેલાં અહીં થયા છો? હું આ સ્ફટિક નથી આ લોકો નથી ખબર છે, અને હું તમને અને ... કેટલાક વિદેશી ભાષા બોલે છે, અહીં સ્થાયી અમુક પ્રકારની એક બિલાડીનો શોધો. હું સાવચેત હોય છે પુષ્કળ હોય છે, અને ઘણા કારણો અહીં મારી જાતને હાથ છે. તમે આ લોકો પહેલા એવી રીતે કામ જોઇ?"
She stares at the strange cat, understanding none of what it said, and only understanding the last fragment of what the tiefling said to her.
"I'm not from this Hectate. I'm not some mad man to have come here before, but I know OF it. Like I said, it's a legend. Somewhere that's really not supposed to exist like it does. As far as language? It's the only one they seem to understand. They don't speak any of the local tongues. The fact that they're the only ones affected suggests that, really, it's something to do with this area, because, from the way you're acting, your...group hasn't done this before either."
The tiefling just shakes his head and looks to Relas, shrugging his shoulders before looking back to the other tiefling.
"I've never seen the crystals before, but apparently these...people must have them for some reason. And standing there with a loaded weapon isn't going to make them trust you or us any more. If this place is as strange as the stories say...well, we may not want to press our luck with violence here."
" 'আমার দল' আগে এই কাজ করেনি, যদি আমি তাদের সব অন্য গ্রুপ অন্তরে তল ড্রপ শুধুমাত্র জন্য, আমরা এখানে পেতে একটি লাঞ্ছনা পলান শুধু তাই না, জানি না. আমি আরো একবার এটা ব্যবহার করার জন্য যথেষ্ট কারণ দেওয়া করছি, যতক্ষণ না আমি এই জায়গা বা এর সাথে জড়িত পৌরাণিক শুনে নি ... কিন্তু আমি এখন আমার অস্ত্র কম হইবে."
She eases up on the string and puts the arrow away, moving closer to the talking cat and tiefling, so that she might investigate their group somewhat better. Perhaps she could figure out what this was all about, or at least get a clue, this way.
The next day, at dawn, the crystal bearers begin to awaken. Veins show bright blue around the now purple crystals, and the flesh is red and tender around them, although the swelling is going down now.
"OH MY, SUCH WONDERFUL DATA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE THUS FAR. PLEASE CONTINUE TO EXPLORE, AND FIND AS MUCH INFORMATION ON THE PEOPLES THAT LIVE HERE AS YOU CAN. I AM VERY HAPPY YOU HAVE FOUND LOCAL GUIDES TO ASSIST IN THIS. THE LEGENDS OF TRAVELERS THAT THE TIEFLING INFORMED YOU OF IS OF GREAT INTEREST. PLEASE TRY TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE TRAVELERS. ALSO, PLEASE TRY TO FIND OUT ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN ON THE ORIGIN OF THESE 'HECTATES'. THE CRYSTALS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED, NOW THAT YOUR NEW BODIES HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THEM. THEY SHOULD LAST TWICE AS LONG BEFORE NEEDING TO BE EMPTIED AGAIN. AT WHICH TIME, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UPGRADED AGAIN."
An odd looking dog with gold accented fur appears with a flicker, as does an elf in light armor. Next to each of them a small crate flickers into existence, and drops tot he ground with a small thud.
"HOPEFULLY THESE TWO NEW EXPLORERS WILL BE A BETTER FIT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MODIFY YOUR GROUPS HOWEVER YOU NEED. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HARD WORK."
"What th- whoa. I fee- I feel dizzy." The elf sways for a moment before stumbling back and falling down on her bare backside. She brings her hand up to her forehead and closes her eyes with a soft groan.
Twice as long? of well a Men has got to Do what a men has got to do
grumbles grim as he gets up
Kalasin makes a face as she gently touches the tender flesh.
"Let's not go to the swamp again, or if we do, let's go the long way and take long enough that they've moved to another hectate. I'd like to not become a fried-frozen-blown-up-pincushion."
Getting up, she moves towards the elf and the canine. "Give it a bit, it's not fun but the feeling should wear off soon enough. I'm Kalasin."
Lilandra & Palakka, you were on a similar exploration of a different world. It was a very weird place, with a purple sky and creatures that were mostly vermin. You two were the only survivors of your exploration group. You managed to make it back to the arrival location, and were removed from the world. You may assume you already know each other.
Lilandra slowly picks herself up and wavers a moment as she leans on the crate beside her. "Yeah, this isn't my first ride, unfortunately. I swear I'll never used to-" her words fail and her face flushes as she abruptly rips open the crate and positions the lid to guard what little dignity she might have left. With one free hand she frantically digs through the contents for her undergarments.
"I forgot about that part too. Is it too much trouble to send us along with our clothes on our body? Is it really?" She shakes her head in frustration as the dizziness finally departs. "I'm Lilandra. Nice to meet you."
Kalasin moves to help give the elf the privacy to get dressed she desires, averting her gaze politely.
"Perhaps it is, or perhaps the voice just finds the reactions entertaining. There is likely some reason or another. It's not like we are born from the womb wearing clothes. We enter it naked and it is only after we have arrived we are wrapped up in the cloths and coverings called clothes." Kalasin offers a small smile.
Abbas sighs as he comes to his feet, checking after his person and looking over at Paloma, Relas and Baru before taking in the other group and newcomers. A bright smile appears on the Suli's lips showing vibrant teeth. Well it sounds as though our mysterious savior is satisfied with our work...whatever that is. It seems we are meant to proceed, once more, into the ah "Hectates" as we have come to know them...what say you all? Shall we split up once more or travel in force?
Abbas takes in each of the others conscious to note those he has "met" before and those who are new. Abbas takes note of another tiefling without a crystal and files that away. Clearly Baru is not unique in his form. A village or city of people that look like devils...a strange thing.
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Great, Goragg grumbles sarcastically, now we can travel twice as far before getting the Father of All Headaches again. Wonderful.
I have half a mind to give our cowardly puppetmaster four weeks of an intense study of my big toe. But I suspect he can make my life miserable in return.
He notices the elf and canine, almost as an afterthought. Digging a bit of greasy something jerky out of a grimy pocket, he motions to the canine.
Hey, doggy, c'mere. I bet I can teach you some good tricks. Here, boy.
To the others, he announces, Dibs on the dog. I can use a new pet.
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It was the smells that alerted him first...many humanoid sin close proximity, their acrid scent tinged with the metals and cloths they surround themselves with.
This...is not where we were before. This is different.
It was the noise that registered next...voices. Talking in strange accents.
and then it all came rushing in at the same time, like waking up from a long dream.
<blink>
Looking around, Palakka saw several humanoids, just like their last group, all milling around. Even some Goblins.
<blink>
one of them was talking to him. trying to claim ownership. Palakka sat on his haunches and looked at the goblinoid.
"You smell of Metal and Ashes. <blink> he said. He knew it was rude, but the strange creature was being rude too.Why would I want to go <blink> to you? Lilandra, you ok? <blink>.
"And now there's a talking dog and a talking cat. When did this become an animal breeding party, again? This group is odd enough as it is, I swear..." she mutters, lightly face-palming as she takes a seat on the ground.
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Oh, you talk.
Goragg looks to Lilandra.
Your dog talks. That's a pretty good trick.
He looks at the greasy bit of meat in his hand. Well, I guess you're not getting my...my...well, it's some kind of jerky anyway. He stuffs the greasy bit back in his pocket. But you seem like a nice doggy, anyway.
He reaches out his hand to pat the "nice doggy" on the head.
"He's no more my dog than you're... what are you? You're too tall to be a goblin and too skinny to be an ogre." Lilandra lets her questions stall as she finishes pulling a tunic over her head. She shakes her hair free and looks over to Palakka with a kind smile, "Yeah, I'm fine, friend. Just because you saved my hide back there, don't think that makes us even." Lilandra takes a breath and looks around at the group for the first real time. "Well, at least this place doesn't have that weird purple sky. Hi, errr, everybody."
The tiefling just adjusts his hair from in front of his eyes and then muses out loud, looking at the two new...additions?
"A talking dog. Well, it doesn't look like he was...summoned. I wonder where he showed up from..."
Kalasin attempts to subtly sniff towards this... talking canine curious. It kept... blinking. She cataloged the other new scents as well. Better to remember them.
"No, we just have a full lunar cycle each night."
'Yeah... really weird that lunar cycle...'
"You care about them! I knew you'd come around and make friends! I'm so proud of you!" Relas says happily, bounding playfully around Palomia. He then pads over to where Goragg and the strange canine creature are standing.
"Where did you guys go? What have you seen? We found a savannah and wandered around and almost got eaten, uh...several times, actually! Lots of native wildlife." He then stops and looks at the canine and the elven woman he addressed, Lilandra.
"Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Relas and the grumpy-looking blonde lady over there is my summoner, Palomia. Are you his summoner? Oh...no, he's not got a rune like I do so something else entirely. That's okay; summoners must be pretty rare since we've never met any others. Where did you two come from?"
"কি এই ইডিয়টের এখন বিষয়ে কথা হয়? অনেক কম তারা কিছু বা অন্য দ্বারা মৃত্যু stabbed পেতে না নিশ্চিত দেহরক্ষী খেলা, তারা কী বলে অর্ধেক বুঝতে না পারি ..."
Cale groans as he comes to, pushing himself up, he studies the new arrivals.
Looking at the new four legged arrivals.
"You're one of those magical dogs aren't you? I've seen one of you in action before. Pity about the results. And a summoner? You're incredibly rare well at least to me since I know nothing about you. I'm Cale Pavel. Well met."
Raising his hand to pat Palomia on her back.
"I was in good hands all this time. Goragg and Grim are great warriors. Kalasin over there is as tough as them though we seem to have lost a companion and gained a guide instead. This farmer is perfectly fine. I can assure you that we too have had excitment like all of you."
Yes well like Cave said we are all good and fine
he get closer to cale
Cale i am going to meditate for a bit, these headache are still lingering it feels like i am missing something that i quite can figure out. Would you mind taking care of business for me?
Raising an eyebrow.
"What do you need done?"
Figuring out that new team thing the VOICE mentioned. I am having a Thundering headache for the moment
Baru just walks over to the other tiefling and shakes his head, responding to her question as best he can.
"Some kind of local dialect, I'm guessing. If the way they're acting is accurate, then they're familiar with each other and are...catching up. This place is just plain strange. I'll be glad to be away from here."
It is then that Baru notices Goragg and scowls, looking to the group he came with.
"Someone tell me that's not a hob...Tell me I am hallucinating."
His hand twitches in the direction of his weapons, although whether it's a crossbow or a rapier, that part is unsure.
"Ahh the headache. I was trying my best to forget it. Good news is that we'll recover from it. Bad news.....The VOICE apparently upgraded it to take in more information which means ermmm more pain...." Cale calmly speaks even as he sips from his waterskin.
"I assume teams in that the VOICE thinks or is letting us choose if we want to stay the same or do we wish regroup ourselves in different teams as it is. There are other newcomers which all of us might want to consider." Cale resumes his thoughts even as he ignores the stampede going through his head. Thanking the heavens for his rocky demeanour, he's sure he's feeling worse than he looked.
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Goragg puffs his chest.
So it is new teams, eh? Well, my team is battle hardened and strong. We faced and defeated giant frogs, devil fish, giant spiders, bat swarms, and insanely aggressive locals.
Which of you will be foolish enough to not join me?
Kalasin just smiles and laughs some to herself at Goragg's Declaration.
Abbas cocks an eyebrow at all the ongoings but Gorrag's comment especially catches his attention, Bold doings! It seems then that if you are so well situated it would be foolish of us to detract from your parties stalwart skills and keen prowess. I have come to enjoy our exploration with Relas as lookout and Palomia as his companion. Baru was well met and seems a decent sort. Perhaps our group was not as successful in combat but we are pleasant companions. So perhaps the newcomers should come with us?
Abbas offers an easy shrug to emphasize his half joke/half suggestion.
Cale rolls his eyes at that.
They barely escaped...........this time....
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Palakka avoids the clumsy goblinoids attempt to pat him on the head by suddenly being further away. He contemplates the goings on with his head cocked. The Ashes-and-metal smelling Goblinoid was boasting of his prowess, though the crushed stone smelling one who said he knew about Blink dogs seemed to silently disagree with him. If he'd been a dog, he would have had his tail between his legs, cringing before the alpha. I don't think I would like this one as my pack leader, he muses. When the other speaks, he inhales his scent. A complex mix of elements; crushed stones and electricity and water and fire, all tumbling over one another. A complex person, and a wise leader. he values the pack over personal prowess. He is a good alpha. I cannot speak for Lilandra, but I will take Mixed-Elements for my alpha.
Relas chuckles a little at Abbas' unintentional implication that Palo was his companion and not the other way around, but says nothing. He's actually a little thankful that Palo didn't seem to have noticed it either; she appeared to be more intent on catching up with the stone-man Cale at the moment.
"Thanks Abbas, I try! I'm not the best, but I've gotten better - we all have. I can tell, every one of us is stronger than we were when we first got here." He pauses and continues, his cheery demeanor suddenly replaced by a serious one. "We didn't run into any hostile locals, but we did find an old battleground and other signs of life - there's definitely civilization out there, somewhere. All of us joining together might good; there's definitely strength in numbers. On the other hand, there are obviously some uh...racial tensions here as well as some language barriers to deal with, so everyone needs to decide for themselves who they feel safest with and who they think they can deal with on the road and who they can't. I don't have any real preferences myself, but I'm bound to my summoner so I go where she goes. We're a package deal."
Lilandra nods to the suli, "Errr, Palakka means he'd like him for an alpha, not you." She shrugs as if to say 'Hey, tough luck!' before swinging her attention to the group as a whole.
"So, like I said, I'm Lilandra. And I'm getting dizzy again trying to figure out who all of you are and what your names are what with all the back and forth chit chat. Think we could maybe, I don't know, take turns introducing ourselves?"