Ydalia stood up with difficulty, leaning against a wall - and then, for her surprise, stayed as such. She moved her legs and arms freely, and a smile could be seen under her entire stressed facade. Some black tentacles and tendrils seem to come out of her body, but then finally collapse and stabilize as she looks inquisitively to the present.
Where, for crying out loud, am I? - her tone is commanding, which is almost funny considering her small stature - ... And who in the heavens are you?
She looks like a conundrum; the svirfneblin is angry and confused, but at the same time there's something happy about her that is hard to pinpoint why; she's a bag of confused mixed feelings.
In a bass voice Azerwal smiles and speaks "I'm Jennifer, but here know as Azerwal" The tattoo faced man of what looks like Arabian decent looks at the tiny person.
" You are cute! I wish I had been reincarnated as a smaller person with cherubim features"
Ydalia stood up with difficulty, leaning against a wall - and then, for her surprise, stayed as such. She moved her legs and arms freely, and a smile could be seen under her entire stressed facade. Some black tentacles and tendrils seem to come out of her body, but then finally collapse and stabilize as she looks inquisitively to the present.
Where, for crying out loud, am I? - her tone is commanding, which is almost funny considering her small stature - ... And who in the heavens are you?
She looks like a conundrum; the svirfneblin is angry and confused, but at the same time there's something happy about her that is hard to pinpoint why; she's a bag of confused mixed feelings.
Efti nods to Urstin,
"Indeed, I, too worry that the near vicinity of the Ebon Citadel may be the cause of this increase in transferences."
She turns to Telemachus,
"Antipterarchos Telemachus, would you please director the Navigator to take us at least 3 leagues out from the shore of the Island of Raztaca -- we need to put some distance between us and the monument; tell him, also, to take us to the far side of the island, away from the volcano."
The armored otterkin nods and salutes crisply,
"It shall be done, Mistress"
He hurries up the wide stairs that lead to a large, crenelated platform at the back of the wide vessel.
Efti turns her attentions to the recently-collapsed gnome,
"Mother of Mercies! Um... don't move around to much -- the process tends to take the wind out of the transferee -- you'll need a few minutes to be acclimated to your new body and surroundings. Try to take deep breaths and just relax. You're in a safe place -- well, as safe a place as there can reasonably be given the present state of the world."
"Welcome, miss. You are among friends." A tall, handsome male elf steps forward to extend a hand. "In this world, I'm Lord Azanoril Silkenleaf. Again, welcome."
I am... Among friends...? - she says, hearing all being said around her, and visibly trying to compute all the information.
She leans on a wall and stretches her fingers, and they all seem to elongate more than the double beyond what would be expected, before getting back to normal.
I have really, really non idea of what was on my whisky, mon cher... And I'm not truly sure if I like it yet. But let's go along with it, I guess...
I am... Among friends...? - she says, hearing all being said around her, and visibly trying to compute all the information.
She leans on a wall and stretches her fingers, and they all seem to elongate more than the double beyond what would be expected, before getting back to normal.
I have really, really non idea of what was on my whisky, mon cher... And I'm not truly sure if I like it yet. But let's go along with it, I guess...
You don't know anything about this new world except what you can see with your eyes and feel with your hands
I am... Among friends...? - she says, hearing all being said around her, and visibly trying to compute all the information.
She leans on a wall and stretches her fingers, and they all seem to elongate more than the double beyond what would be expected, before getting back to normal.
I have really, really non idea of what was on my whisky, mon cher... And I'm not truly sure if I like it yet. But let's go along with it, I guess...
"Yes, indeed," Efti reassures her, "as much as you will find for now at least..."
She looks off to the foredeck, where the Navigator is calibrating the complex machinery that directs the Dawnlight's Last Glistening.
"Hopefully, we'll be off on deeper waters soon... not completely safer, because the greater depths contain more and larger predators, but the more pressing concern how are the dangers from the island."
She glances back at Urstin,
"How long do you think it's going to take us to move?"
The yellow-skinned man frowns, inspecting the foredeck for himself,
"Well, it seems like they've almost retracted the stabilizers, so I'd guess a few dozen candles, more or less, it depends on the current, and these waters are remarkably inconsistent."
"She is right, I was Jennifer on earth,a late 20s' year old woman, unfortunately here I am a middle age man with face tattoos and a talking Crystal companion" Azerwal says as she looks at the smaller companion.
After a short space -- presumably involving the retraction of the mysterious instruments known as the 'stabilizers' -- the Dawnlight's Last Glistening begins to move rather rapidly through the dark water, away from the desertified Island of Raztaca.
The glow of the Everlantern continues to illuminate the surrounding waters in an unsettling manner -- the intense glow of the pillar surrounds the vessel in a sphere, including the waters below the hull, in a blazing light that extends several hundred feet. The fomenting waters below the ship are easily visible, as if they were made of glass or an illuminated sheet of clear silk. Within the waters, large swarms of sea creatures, some quite large, and of various descriptions, circle -- some appear to be dinosaurs, some are tentacle-covered creatures, some are large, bony fish, and others are large sharks with bony body armor and many additional rows of teeth in addition to those that would be expected of a shark on Earth.
Lord Azanoril marveled at the undersea display of marine life. "We are SO not in Kansas anymore, Toto."
Lord Azanoril marveled at the undersea display of marine life. "We are SO not in Kansas anymore, Toto."
Efti glances over the side of the vessel -- the railing is made of inter-twined strands that consist of carvings of serpents eating each-other's tails. Several dozen such strands comprise the molding that sits atop the edge of the ship, and appear to be made of some kind of black-white marbled synth. They glow in strange patterns in the light of the Everlantern.
"Hmmm..., yes, those are zonsumyakthyes, bhelpians, kripalarian, phavugers, gnilumonstaruidae, braccutans, vavenae... I forget all the names, though I studied them in my youth in the temple school of Swift-footed Mercury on the Island of Rasoom. The seas surrounding our isolated island habitations are filled with thousands, many thousands, of diverse and deadly species, some unique to this area, and in far greater number, I believe, than almost any other part of the world."
If I may... How do you know who you are... Here? My name is Karinne. Outside of here, I mean. - she says, briefly pausing - I have... Not the faintest idea of who I am... "Here"... Or even what I am. Or what any of you are. The name of these fishes, or monstrosities or whatever they are, sound as foreign as my arms themselves. I don't even understand what are those tendrils that keep growing out of me!
"Those who traveled with us knew the identities if the bodies we now inhabit", the elf began. "Admittedly, we are taking on a lot of trust of people we don't really know that well. And all the info dumps are making my head spin."
If I may... How do you know who you are... Here? My name is Karinne. Outside of here, I mean. - she says, briefly pausing - I have... Not the faintest idea of who I am... "Here"... Or even what I am. Or what any of you are. The name of these fishes, or monstrosities or whatever they are, sound as foreign as my arms themselves. I don't even understand what are those tendrils that keep growing out of me!
Efti turns back to Karinne -- "Several of those gathered here are in a similar predicament. Their minds and, or perhaps spirits and souls, were transferred from a world called Earth of which I have learned a little over the past few years. Most of them appear to come from what the travelers call the 'modern day' -- which is, in your calendar, 2000 something. However, some others have arrived from centuries, or millennia earlier. There appears to be time travel, as well as dimensional transport, at work."
Eh bien. - the svirfneblin interjects, shoulders up - It seems I don't have anything better to do other than... Follow you around, if you'd have me. You peaked my curiosity.
She looks at the ship apprehensively, but yet with a certain sense of unchained recklessness.
Eh bien. - the svirfneblin interjects, shoulders up - It seems I don't have anything better to do other than... Follow you around, if you'd have me. You peaked my curiosity.
She looks at the ship apprehensively, but yet with a certain sense of unchained recklessness.
Efti tries to force a reassuring tone into her voice, "Very well, child, very well -- why don't you start by telling me about your life on Earth. I wonder whether you come from the same historical era as our other guests."
Oh, I am... I was non-important. I designed clothes for some stylists. You know, just your regular nine to five. - she blatantly and unconvincingly lies, as she doesn't have any kind of confidence on these people or what's going on - Wake up, work, back home. A good shower, catch something on TV, then fall asleep.
[dice=Bluff]1d20-1
Oh, I am... I was non-important. I designed clothes for some stylists. You know, just your regular nine to five. - she blatantly and unconvincingly lies, as she doesn't have any kind of confidence on these people or what's going on - Wake up, work, back home. A good shower, catch something on TV, then fall asleep.
Efti's expression suggests that she does not completely believe what she has just been told.
"And what historical era and continent do you come from?"
"Is that French?" Azerwal says as he looks down at her.
"Or were you a weird French Canadian?"
German, I think. I had the chance to talk to a lot of gymnastics girls in my travels to make the Olympic team. T'karra says flipping her hair a bit with a grin.
Efti's eyes light up somewhat "Ah, I think I've learned something about Earth in my previous conversations with previous spiritual emigres, such that I can understand this comment -- your France and Germany are nations on Earth with a long-standing rivalry, correct? Both, too, had imperial ambitions which they attempted to pursue at the detriment of their neighbors? They remind me very much of the historical records of the realms of Kaztog and Brushad in my world -- they have had a similar history and rivalry, one with the other."
Oh, it's French. From France, Europe. But I can speak English too... And apparently whatever this strange language I'm speaking is! - she replies - I am from the Contemporary history. We did have our issues with the Germans, but things had been calm for several decades, over half a century.
"Wow! Astounding!" The elf lord says as he listens in. "There must be some link between worlds." Lord Azanoril self-consciously touches his ears, when he accidentally references a popular video game from his old world.
Oh, it's French. From France, Europe. But I can speak English too... And apparently whatever this strange language I'm speaking is! - she replies - I am from the Contemporary history. We did have our issues with the Germans, but things had been calm for several decades, over half a century.
Efti chuckles, "Oh, yes, that too is something of a miracle. You're currently speaking Ixionirazabalbeitian, which is something of a common tongue in this region of our world. It's a pidgin made of hundreds of thousands or even millions of languages from different islands, all of which were collected and, to a degree, amalgamated by several prominent captains."
"Huh?" Azerwal says as he scratches his sideburn.
"Also how do men deal with all this hair!" Jennifer says as she sighs and then speaks.
"So aside from being an escort and now being a group to free these trapped souls, what other things were we doing here in this world? At least the bodies we were inhabiting." Jennifer says hoping to gleen more information.
"Huh?" Azerwal says as he scratches his sideburn.
"Also how do men deal with all this hair!" Jennifer says as she sighs and then speaks.
"So aside from being an escort and now being a group to free these trapped souls, what other things were we doing here in this world? At least the bodies we were inhabiting." Jennifer says hoping to gleen more information.
Efti patiently repeats the information which she had previously offered to Azerwal,
Efti points at Jennifer,
"The name of your body was Azerawl, and I am aware that you were a native of the southern continent of Ibassuron. No natives of the Island of Rasoom have visited this locale in many hundreds of years. It was a site of major conflict during the millennia of the Typhoon Struggle, and, from what I understood from the mind that once inhabited this body, was occupied by a number of gods of the Sanguine Storm. You recall I mentioned that the Sanguine Storm was made up of dragonic deities from the false elemental strongholds. However, they are not dragons in truth -- we refer to them as the Tarragon or the Tarrasques. They in most respects resemble true dragons, but are flightless reptilians with many legs the tails of scorpions, horns, and an armored carapace. However, they are filled with the fearsome powers of the false elements, and their lords, for they are a race of such entities, are the gods of the Sanguine Storm. The Tarragon Lords of Flame, Dust, Sand, Ash, Lava, and other false elements conquered the south of Ibassuron, and oppressed the native Azer, Fire Newts, and the human tribes of the wastes, among other peoples. Their rule was ended by the imposition of the Shroud, but the servants of the Tarragon, the flame wizards known as the Maguseans, have persisted beyond the banishment of their masters. I believe Azerwal had been sent by his tribe to seek the truth of an ancient legend about a force that could squelch the Black Flame that provides the Maguseans with their continued powers, and which may in time provide the means of their summoning their dark gods once again to Surta'ra."
"Well, I shall go and rest my eyes for a while", Lord Azanoril yawned. "Please collect me if needed."
The Dawnlight's Last Glistening continues to move speedily over the dark waters -- it is clearly moved by some power other than simply the pull of the tide or any discernible sails. There are several large plinths on the deck, but none of them have sails, and there prow is cutting through the current at a surprising speed.
Beyond the range of the protective orb cast by the everlantern, an insectile drone suddenly emerges at the edge of the light. It is difficult to see, because the event is occurring on the very edge of the illumination, but the sea creatures appear to be fanning out rabidly to escape some hostile force that is assaulting creatures beyond the glow of the everlantern.
T'karra stares at the large fish below for a bit more and then moves to her room. She will communicate with her familiar friend to attempt to learn all she can of T'karra and her past and her thoughts on the mission at hand
As she sees the others moving to different rooms, the "svirfneblin" looks for a room for her own. She still doesn't quite understand what's going on, but in her core she's ecstatic with the prospect the opportunity presents... So she literally just runs, first aimlessly, then finally towards a room she can claim for some rest.
Jennifer would retire to her room and look at her crystal. She concentrated focusing on that inner power and energy. After an hour she stops and sleeps.
Naomi speaks to Mor Adlad the familiar and says tell me the story of T'karra and how she came to be here on this quest
"Mistress T'Karra was a scion of the Hidden City of Rusicritalnal-Byndretheldrurec, a refuge for the clans of drow know as the 'Moon Elves' who venerated the twin goddesses Keshrosiddekrul-Karasa and Aesunet-Raya. These young goddesses shepherded their peoples from captivity to the unelven malifex queen Pentora Rhelyxih, and to a refuge of safety beneath the still waters of the Bay of Reflection, on the southern coast of the Contient of Seradina known as the Agate Strand."
"During the Typhoon Struggle, the forces of the Tarragon Lady Sestha Sitrolyth, the Mother of Hurricanes, committed to an unrelenting assault on the tunnels that guarded the approach to the undersea caldera which held the sanctuary of Rusicritalnal-Byndretheldrurec."
"Mistress T'karra's people endured innumerable assaults by the elemental forces of Sestha Sitrolyth, and were, in time, infiltrated by malign agents of the dragon goddess."
"When the Veil was imposed, the forces of the dragon goddess were dispersed, but her cultists remained a fifth column with the population of the Hidden City. T'karra was charged by a former priestess of the Temple of Persephone, goddess of the dead and the deep, to seek the means of purifying the hidden city. This priestess, now a member of the same gnostic cabal of the Mask and the Veil as the otterling Efti of the Dawnlight's Last Glistening, believed that the forces of the dragon goddess Sestha Sitrolyth sought to uncover an ancient artifact beneath the hidden city that was the means by which the drow had escaped the notice of the unelven hunters and other enemies in previous ages, and perhaps held the key to the city's fall should the Veil ever be sundered, and the assault of the Tarragon Lords be renewed up on Sutar'ra."
what can you tell me of T'karra and her relationships with those here on the quest now and any important relationships from before which may effect me?
"So far as I am aware, Mistress T'karra, you had no previous relationship with any of these other travelers before embarking on her sea journey which brought her to the Isle of Rasoom. Historically, the selkies, the oceanic subspecies of otterling, of which both Efti and her associates are members, have had a close relationship with the night elves of Seradina, and exchanged lore and trade alike. One of T'Karra's ancestors had previously visited the Temple of Swift-Winged Mercury on the Island of Rasoom, and this precedent was one explanation for Mistress T'karra's interest in visiting this isolated island chain as one of the first destinations on her quest."