Charles stretch themself out after their armor is readjusted, working out the kinks after their most recent change. They notice their added bulk doesnt seem to be muscle--something defensive, perhaps? Their body doesn't exactly tell them these things...
"We're actually not particularly hungry right now," they say. "Let's finish this tour and then we can eat."
They look about them as they walk, not really certain what they could do to help figure it out.
As Theo walks, the godling checks out the funky architecture.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 11
Considering you're inside a mountain, this place feels very open. It looks like they either found or hollowed out a massive cavern and built a complex inside of it. It has different spaces within it sectioned off and sometimes behind vault doors. Between these spaces, corridors are about 20' wide between any of these spaces. Perhaps, whoever built this had vehicles down here. Lots of empty space. Was there more here that's now gone? Was more supposed to arrive?
Nissa contemplates her own glowing body and who gave it to her.
“You need the sun,” Nissa says. ”At least I think you do. Maybe there’s a machine that can clear your sky?”
Knowing the machines, if labeled, and any signs are in the base language that evolved into Atlantean, Nissa tries to see what she can glean and translate to the nerdier teammates.
[dice=Culture]d20+12+d6
Most of what Nissa sees in terms of Atlantean or neo-Atlantean writing doesn't make sense until she recognizes the pattern. They're using Atlantean characters to designate spaces within the complex. It seems to be divided into slices like a pie as you circle under the mountain. Each slice has a number. Within each slice are rows marked by letters. You're in row 9F. (Well, 9Trident but Trident is the 6th letter of the Atlantean alphabet so as F is ours, so ...).
On one piece of equipment Nissa finds her Rosetta Stone. Text engraved into it is written in both Old Atlantean and the Atlantean-influenced tongue used in most places. It explains that this section of the complex was paid for and built to honour an Atlantean Prince that Nissa hasn't heard of named Tamarawatei. (There were thousands of official Atlantean Princes at the same time for centuries generation so that's not surprising.) From the sounds of the text, the Atlanteans sent technology and people to support the "rescue mission."
Nissa excitedly flies from side-to-side, reading pictographs nearly as big as herself.
“It says here…” She reads everything, slowly sounding out the name Tamarawatei. “…rescue mission.
“But I don’t have enough context to know if they wanted to rescue the prince or the world. Maybe Pah knows who Prince Tamarawatei is, if he ended up leaving this world.”
Turning to Guardian Nine, Nissa says, “I’m not going to sugarcoat your situation. Your world is broken as you put it. But I’m glad you think giving up is not the answer. I agree… there is hope. Your world is fixable, I believe.”
Charles stretch themself out after their armor is readjusted, working out the kinks after their most recent change. They notice their added bulk doesnt seem to be muscle--something defensive, perhaps? Their body doesn't exactly tell them these things...
"We're actually not particularly hungry right now," they say. "Let's finish this tour and then we can eat."
They look about them as they walk, not really certain what they could do to help figure it out.
[dice=Life Science?]1d20+6
Charles knows enough about farming to know that the areas marked off for 'seed storage' are too large to be meant just for Utopia and too small to be meant for the entire planet.
Everything about this place is too big for a colony and too small for a planet.
Even if this was a bunker into which the Utopians fled, it wouldn't be big enough to hold the population of a planet this big and with the advanced state the technology shows.
Nissa excitedly flies from side-to-side, reading pictographs nearly as big as herself.
“It says here…” She reads everything, slowly sounding out the name Tamarawatei. “…rescue mission.
“But I don’t have enough context to know if they wanted to rescue the prince or the world. Maybe Pah knows who Prince Tamarawatei is, if he ended up leaving this world.”
Turning to Guardian Nine, Nissa says, “I’m not going to sugarcoat your situation. Your world is broken as you put it. But I’m glad you think giving up is not the answer. I agree… there is hope. Your world is fixable, I believe.”
"We have everything we need," says Guardian Nine, "but not for the size of the population we are becoming. And ... I don't believe we were meant to stay in Utopia. I believe our ancestors wanted us to live in the world beyond as well."
Guardian Nine's entourage seem to be enjoying the walk through the mountain with you. They've all been here before, but showing it to strangers is interesting, and the strangers themselves are interesting. Their happiness at being with you makes for a pleasant walk.
Theo notices as well that whomever built this had a sense of grandeur, size, magnificence ... The whole place has almost an Olympian feel in terms of its sense of scale and might.
Charles frown thoughtfully. "...there are gates. What if they'd planned on leaving and colonizing somewhere else?" they muse. "But something happened, and they never left... or those with the knowledge to work the gates died..."
"...or they found that the other worlds were all inhabited already and not willing to accept a huge influx of people."
"The gates are in there," says the Guardian.
She gestures to a pair of large doors. You've seen some really large doors in this complex, obviously intended to allow heavy machinery to enter. These doors are large, but meant for humans.
Something resembling the Atlantean glyph for the Sun marks the doors. The Sun means a lot of things in Atlantean, but it's often contrasted with Sea and means 'foreign' or 'conflict.' Nissa isn't sure what it means here, but it doesn't really feel Atlantean from what she's learned of the language. It looks like an Atlantean Sun symbol though.
The thrumming of Charles' sword is powerful enough to draw attention from the Utopians.
Nissa asks Theo, “Dad…” She pauses… still a little in shock at how easily that word rolls off her tongue. “…do you think a sip from your chalice could explain why Charles’ sword is thhhurrrrr…rumming? —like that?”
Or does the sword just tell Charles and the chalice… huh. Wow. I think I only know what the wand does. I gotta pay more attention now that my goddess said I can’t fake it anymore.
"Worth a look", Theo shrugs at his daughter.
The Olympian unhooks the Chalice from his belt, and looks around for some water to fill it with.
Theo holds up the Chalice to the Utopians. "May I please have some water?"
One of the Utopians pulls a flask from her belt. They all gather round Theo, intrigued.
"Thank you", Theo said as he took the offered flask.
With a small crowd around him, the godling pours the water into the Chalice. Theo holds it the Chalice about neck high, so everyone could see. Theo's sure Nissa would fly to get a better vantage point.
"Hello, Chalice. It's me, Theo." The Olympian spoke in a calm positive tone. "We have a little of a audience today, so would you please tell us why Charles's Sword is reacting so much to the nearby gates. And anything else you wish to share?"
The Chalice waits for Theo to drink it.
"Bottoms up, and Praise be to Dionysus!" Theo drinks the cool clear water from the Chalice.
Charles are pretty certain the answer to the question is "because there are a whole lot of gates here" but they politely say nothing and wait for the answer.
Theo's mind is flooded with 2 things: awareness of where he is in the grand transdimensional scheme of things and an answer to his question, within the functional limits the Cup operates under.
Theo's mind swims as he relays his new knowledge to those present.
Henri studies what they are seeing, trying to puzzle out the lost history of this place.
He is beginning to suspect a “man-made” disaster, nuclear war or such, that destroyed the world. This bunker may have been the last bastion for one of the nations in the war. There may be other similar bunkers hidden in other hollowed mountains.
The thought comes to him… these are the winners. Right?
Henri studies what they are seeing, trying to puzzle out the lost history of this place.
[dice=Life Sciences]1d20 + 14
[dice=Physical Sciences]1d20 + 14
[dice=Engineering]1d20 + 14
He is beginning to suspect a “man-made” disaster, nuclear war or such, that destroyed the world. This bunker may have been the last bastion for one of the nations in the war. There may be other similar bunkers hidden in other hollowed mountains.
The thought comes to him… these are the winners. Right?
The more Henri thinks about it, the more he is certain that this bunker couldn't have been one of a kind. Whatever its purpose was, it wouldn't suffice for an entire planet. The group arrived at one mountain through a gate from Gaia's world. The ancient Utopians had built something there. About halfway between the party's arrival point and Utopia, you passed over another ancient complex.
Theo just relayed that Utopia was abandoned 700 years ago. The Utopians told you their first generation was 300 years ago when Mother Utopia started birthing them. This complex may have been a bunker, a shelter, a station for refugees heading for other dimensions, or all of the above. It also seems to have been intended to repopulate Utopia some period after it was abandoned by the original Utopians.
Two of the Guardian's entourage open the doors with the Sun glyph on them. This gives way to a short corridor, guarded by a pair of Utopians who looked like they were born to guard places. They open the next pair of doors, beyond which is a large room with a table in the center. The table is carved from the same stone as the mountains, but seems to have a map of some sort on it. Around the table are large seats, somewhat aged, but obviously beautiful at some time.
"We only come in here to examine the Gates," explains the Guardian. She gestures towards the stone walls of the room. Behind each chair, carvings on the stone represent gates. The outline of the gates is inlayed with metal, no doubt omnisium. Above each gate, you can make out writing in gold, also inlayed into the stone.
Most of the writing is in scripts unfamiliar to you.
A fourth gate can be read by the entire party. It says, "Black Street Books, New Avalon."
There are 12 gates in all. And 12 chairs. Only four of the gates have names you can make sense of.
Charles sword is thrumming dangerously and slapping against Charles' thigh. It needs to be held tightly.
Whistles. "This is a big board meeting room."
Legato tries to look at this map -engraved?- on the table.
Charles transform into their bipedal form, so that the Sword of Truth is in a less awkward position for them to put a hand on. They consider what the Chalice said, wondering just what they've landed in. A set of worlds capable of interdimensional travel? Were they all like this? Or had this world been cut off somehow?
...and how had they traveled between worlds? It seemed unlikely they depended on a single Sword, given how much travel it seemed had happened...
Their thoughts stop as they read the one inscription they can decipher.
"...how long has that place existed?" they muse aloud. They look to the Utopians. "Have the symbols on these gates ever changed?"
Nissa reports her findings. “The Island of Doctor Moreau… that means these are Fictionaut gates.”
She explains to Nine, “Dr. Moreau did experiments to evolve people.” She turns to Charles and adds, “—using animals. I saw the term Morovian… derived from Moreau? Maybe PhDestruction and Dr. Moreau are connected somehow? And Utopia as well?
“And maybe the Atlanteans come from the Atlantis Severan gate. I don’t know that story. But it’s like your Utopia is the chicken and these gates are a dozen eggs.” Nissa telepathically explains the idiom that prompts the question, which came first?
"It amazes us that you can read this," says one of the entourage. "When the first generation of us were born by Mother Utopia, the first Caregivers told us this was written in ancient tongues of which they knew nothing."
Whistles. "This is a big board meeting room."
Legato tries to look at this map -engraved?- on the table.
The map is engraved into the top of the table. It does look like a map. Or a chart. It looks more like a star chart than a planetary map. You can't make much of it other than each chair has a circle roughly in front of it and each of these circles connects to at least two of the other circles, with some intermediary circles sometimes forming a common nexus.
"This has been here now, for 300 years, unchanging and hardly touched," says Guardian Nine. "Only those Minders and Engineers who make a study of the gates are allowed in this room. The Guards are new since the disappearance of the Minder you called Mindy."
Nissa wonders what happened to the guards, if they were punished for Mindy’s disappearance. “Mindy is super-smart. Maybe she managed to open a gate… but if she did, it’s important that we know which one because there is nothing there now. Not even a void.”
"It amazes us that you can read this," says one of the entourage. "When the first generation of us were born by Mother Utopia, the first Caregivers told us this was written in ancient tongues of which they knew nothing."
Nissa’s cheeks blush just a little at the praise. “Aw, thanks. It’s actually the only foreign language I know. I didn’t realize that learning it would one day be so helpful!”
"We only have one language," says the Guardian, unsure how to respond to the idea of learning foreign ones.
"Looking good, Chuck!" Theo gives the new bipedal chimera a thumbs-up.
Nissa replies, “Many languages exist, but not everyone knows a language other than their native one. There are programs on my world that speed up the immersion process… but Minda was able to speak a few words of our language—” She indicates herself and her team. “—after a few short minutes.
“Do you think she would be able to join us here? I mean… if she’s not being healed or sleeping or…” If Mindy is having sex, Nissa would rather not know.
"She is answering questions of the Guardians," says one of the entourage. "Today will be a busy day for her, but she will be there with Guardian Four at lunch. You can talk to her then."
Guardian Nine grimaces and some of the entourage smile secretly to each other. The fact Guardian Four and Guardian Nine seem to dislike each other amuses them greatly.
Nissa notices the grimace, but doesn’t believe she should call attention to it.
“I mean no offense toward Guardian Four’s invitation… but I don’t actually eat. I could be present at the meal, of course. But would being at the table not eating be a faux pas?”
Her thoughts continue, if so, would you be the one to escort me elsewhere, Guardian Nine?
There’s more to Nissa’s thinking than giving Nine an excuse to avoid Four, but she doesn’t want to plan too far ahead if the faux pas would be to decline the invitation.
"According to our Book of Years, visitors have stepped through the gates before, hundreds of years ago, at least three times. That is how we know these to be gates. Some don't believe these stories though ..." Guardian Nine stops herself from giving a history lesson, "My point is, this hasn't happened in my lifetime nor in the lifetime of anyone alive on Utopia today, so no convention or protocol exists for this banquet. In the absence of protocol, the protocol will be whatever the higher-ranking Guardian says it is. Guardian Four will be offended regardless of what you do and if you do nothing he will be offended about something else."
Nissa considers Nine’s words.
“Guardian Four did already come off as easily offended. You, on the other hand, are a wonderful host. You’re refreshingly honest. And… you recognize the bleak situation your world is in, yet you don’t lose hope.
“The only Guardian I hope not to offend is you, Nine. I don’t mind going to the dinner if you think it’s best for optics. But if there’s a place you want to take me, or someone I should meet, consider me at your service during the dinner.”
She turns to the Communicator. “Oh, but I believe you would need to join us too if Nine and I took off somewhere.”
Charles debate for a long moment before deciding to simply tell a part of the truth. "We likely could open one of these gates. But it would be risky. There are those who use such gates to harm and steal from others, and they might have ways to detect these gates opening."
"Um, Guardian Nine? What is the status of The Healer who administered to me? I've told Guardian Four of my wish to see her again."
"I will make sure that the Healer will be there, Theo. But, Nissa, there is something I would like to show you at Guardian Four's house, in fact. How good are you at not moving around unseen?" asks Guardian Nine conspiratorially. Her entourage look a little surprised, but not shocked. You sense nothing but loyalty and even love from the Healers, Communicators, and many Minders that live on her estate at the top of the mountain with her.
This is the first time she has used your names. Using them feels strange to her and the others laugh a bit. Names are something you share with those you are most intimate with. Calling you by your names is almost like calling you 'darling.'
Charles debate for a long moment before deciding to simply tell a part of the truth. "We likely could open one of these gates. But it would be risky. There are those who use such gates to harm and steal from others, and they might have ways to detect these gates opening."
"There are risks to not moving forward, as well," says Guardian Nine through the Communicator. "But, such a risk would require a vote of all the Guardians and, before taking such a vote, we would need more information. Oh, ... how many of our people could you take back to your world? If you take 20, it would save us so much time and ... even 12, one to be the eyes of each Guardian! ...," she looks very excited at the possibility of you taking back home 12 or 20 more refugees (on top of the 5 you brought with you).
"I will make sure that the Healer will be there, Theo. But, Nissa, there is something I would like to show you at Guardian Four's house, in fact. How good are you at not moving around unseen?" asks Guardian Nine conspiratorially. Her entourage look a little surprised, but not shocked. You sense nothing but loyalty and even love from the Healers, Communicators, and many Minders that live on her estate at the top of the mountain with her.
This is the first time she has used your names. Using them feels strange to her and the others laugh a bit. Names are something you share with those you are most intimate with. Calling you by your names is almost like calling you 'darling.'
Nissa replies, “It depends whether you will enter the house with me. If you will, I can be easily hidden in a pocket.
“If I enter alone, I cannot help but be a light source. However…”
Nissa becomes a spark, then nothing at all!
After several seconds, she grows back first to a candleflame about five feet away from where she was before, then as a fairy shape.
“I can pass between molecular structures, and dilate my size to one not easily perceived. But if I am too small to be seen, any given object is either a landscape or a mass of atoms.
“I’ll do what I can to minimize my chance of being spotted though.” Nissa is very curious about Nine’s plan, but she trusts her.
"Quick Q there.... Like we fought a giant snake and a lady who turned folks to stone... I saw builders, talkers, healers, psychics, Director. You are called Guardian, some guards with punch metal. but but do ya'll got like a bunch of fighters squirreled away? Like broomstick magic swords or bombs? If you invite not nicies then you'll probably want ways to kick their butt." Legato chirps in. Most of this conversation is above his paygrade but he felt he ought to point that out.
He doesn't however point out his truck gun or their weapons directly
"As I said, we have had some visitors through these gates, long before I was born," says the Guardian. "The little protocol we have on the subject of visitors is not to tell them our plans for defense. It struck the Guardians as strategic."
"Wise," Charles comment. Even when speaking through one mouth, it's not hard to tell which head is speaking.
"We'd want to consult with the leadership of whichever place we opened a gate to," they say in answer to the question about how many could go with them. "None of these gates lead directly to our home, but we know at least a few of the places they lead to. We could probably negotiate something."
“I’ll do what I can to minimize my chance of being spotted though.” Nissa is very curious about Nine’s plan, but she trusts her.
"When our Communicator leaves the room," says the Guardian, through the surprised Communicator. "Go with her. In her pocket. She will show you something."
The Guardian then addresses the surprised Communicator. The entire entourage looks shocked a bit. Whatever is going on seems a bold move.
"Shall we go?" asks the Guardian. "I very much doubt that Guardian Four can wait much longer to eat. I wouldn't be surprised if he has started eating already."
The Guardian leads you back towards the elevator. It's a bit of a walk. She continues to seek your input as you walk.
You continue to see more of the structure and its contents as you walk back. You see seed storerooms full of seeds that go unused because every bit of dirt on Utopia is already being used to grow something. The entourage points out other storerooms that are similarly well-stocked with things the Utopians have little use for, such as tents and travelling equipment for a caravan perhaps intended to start a new colony elsewhere ... but there is nowhere else to go. Beyond the shield you passed through the planet remains dead, the Utopians say.
Theo sees Nissa quickly enter the Guardian's pocket.
"We'll wait here." The Olympian says to the others.
The godling occasionally looks around for his Healer to arrive.
Nissa shrinks herself while inside the pocket to make her glow imperceptible.
Since you communicate telepathically, I don’t think you need to be able to see me. Please tell me when to come out.
Well, Nissa doesn't get to notice all of this stuff about the complex, as she's in a pocket.
You ascend through the elevator, leave the complex, and soon are on Guardian Four's estate. It is the 4th largest of the estates and has many more attendants and buildings than Guardian Nine's. A lot of Minders are doing clerical work and seem horribly bored by it, but Guardian Nine points out that managing the tally of births and ensuring enough food is grown and other resources are available for each new member of the community is a large task.
Your destination is an open pagoda on a small pond. Two footbridges connect the pagoda to the north and south sides of the pond. Guardian Four and his entourage are waiting for you there. Guardian Four is already eating.
A number of stepping stones also head to the pagoda, but that would require an Acrobatics check.
Charles briefly consider flying across the water, but decide they'll walk with the rest of the group instead. They examine the architecture as they walk, wondering if it's as old as all the rest. They make a note to ask if they'd had any sorts of records at all from the past as he walks over the bridge.
”Shall we go with style, godling?”
Henri gestures to the stepping stones.