|
Post by Tori Jacobs on Jun 7, 2020 18:24:35 GMT -6
Drake wasn't familiar with the word 'fey' but he was familiar with the word 'witch'.
"Witch huh? You'll find plenty of witches in either Moon Valley or the Jherrazad Desert. Both of which are south from here."
Drake looked back over to the blond. Alex. That was a nice name. Even if it fitted a boy better.
"This world is called Jenesis. The continent is named Jherra and we're somewhere in the east on the planet's surface. If the two of you want shelter we can take you back to Isafaro once we're done here. Otherwise you're free to wander north or south, but be warned the Crystal Expanse is home to various ice creatures that will attack you as soon as look at you."
They had crossed some on their way here. Of course the ice creatures were nothing that Isafaro couldn't handle. Even in death we serve.
|
|
Thelisia
Hybrid
"May you find your book."
Posts: 13
|
Post by Thelisia on Jun 8, 2020 3:03:00 GMT -6
Oh good, the man was a normal. As expected for these types who were so accustomed to technology, he knows magic but knows nothing about the gears and bodies that make up its weave. At least he was enough of a sweetheart to let her know where others who were more acquainted with her arts might be. Moon Valley sounded exactly like where she would find a coven, though if desert societies were anything, Jherrazad would be an equally reasonable place for her to find some good literature and information about the world around her.
Fae bless her, she didn't even get to the Kari civilization as well. For a witch like her, Thelisia's primary goal would always be to find a way home. As nice as this vacation here was, the woman had her own agenda in her own world and a few decades recess would prove quite ill, after all. Decisions decisions... Find a place to get some good powerful tomes? Or find a place that can help her get home? Thelisia felt as if these two goals wouldn't intersect often.
"And what about you? From what your task force seems to comprise of it seems as if you will be situated here for quite a while. Though I admit, it would be nice to receive some support and protection; I do not think either of us were expecting an abrupt visit to permafrost ruins when we woke up this morning."
|
|
|
Post by Alexis Malaware on Jun 8, 2020 18:06:15 GMT -6
Jenesis. Jherra. Yeah, she definitely walked into a fantasy novel when she got up this morning. She was curious what the Jherrazad Desert and Moon Valley were, but it was more important to learn how to get back home so she could return to her life. The last thing she wanted was to get stranded here and then get used to her new surroundings. Making Jenesis the new norm.
"How long will it take you to research the tower because I would like to return home if I could."
She was hoping it wouldn't take long. Alex didn't want to see any of these ice creatures show up while they were waiting. She wanted to go back inside, but was afraid she may disturb the researchers inside if she did enter the tower again, so she would brace the cold for now.
|
|
|
Post by Tori Jacobs on Jun 8, 2020 18:16:29 GMT -6
Drake decided to answer both women at the same time.
"According to our intelligence it could take years to fully translate the runes on the tower even with our advancement in technology. The tech used to make this tower is old and of a different make from our own, so we have no idea how to work it right now. You may be stuck here for a good while."
Drake knew that probably wasn't the answer they were looking for, but it was the only one he could give. Some times the truth was just hard to swallow.
"It'd be rude of me to let you freeze here while we work, so I can convince my friend Melissa to escort you back to Isafaro if that where you wish to go for the time being. I can't tell you if it'll be like home to you since I have no idea what level of technology you both have in your own world. Moon Valley is another place that has modern tech, but it isn't as advanced as ours."
He wouldn't recommend the Empire of Jherrazad because they were at war with Jherrazad. Hallowton too. But Hallowton didn't have any technology advancements. They lived the simple life like Aircano did.
"The choice is yours, of course."
|
|
Thelisia
Hybrid
"May you find your book."
Posts: 13
|
Post by Thelisia on Jun 9, 2020 2:48:30 GMT -6
"I see..." She looked down at the civilization underneath her. What a magnificent chance for research these people had. Though ruin chasing wasn't her main course of action for recovering books, Thelisia and her colleagues often lamented the price that time took from the civilizations they would attempt to track down and research. Though her powers of magic with literature was immense, some books prove too ancient, too fragile, and too decrepit for even her hands. Yet here, all of their technology, their lifestyles, their knowledge, preserved in perfect ice. Oh if only she was interested enough in these people to stay.
Unfortunately, the stranger's tales of new lands has intrigued her far too much. Thelisia turned to Alex and gave a polite bow, the book in her hands bursting forth as it opened and madly began flipping through its pages.
"It has been a pleasure to make your brief acquaintance, Ms. Alex." She turned to face Drake as well, the tome finally stopping as it spat out two papers, spinning above Thelisia's head like birds.
"Thank you for your honesty. I think I will enjoy my time here, as forced as it may be. I can tell well enough that this land contains secrets aplenty, each with knowledge of some significant portent. This will be a wonderful study trip! I will travel on my own, I only request perhaps a thicker jacket to keep my skin pleasant and...
A gun, please. If not just for me to examine so I may have a better idea of what Jenesis holds for me."
|
|
|
Post by Alexis Malaware on Jun 9, 2020 18:20:46 GMT -6
Alex couldn't believe what she was hearing. Years? Alex didn't have years. She needed to get back home as soon as humanly possible. She didn't want to stay here. Stranded on a strange planet far from home with no way back. Trapped. Then the only other person she talked to since coming here was leaving her to explore alone. This day was just getting better and better.
"Wait, you're leaving?"
Alex didn't know why she cared. She hardly knew the woman, and yet she felt almost abandoned.
"I can't be here for years. I have to get home."
This was quickly turning into a nightmare.
|
|
|
Post by Tori Jacobs on Jun 11, 2020 7:47:59 GMT -6
"You're an interesting one," was all Drake had to say about the witch. He whistled for one of his men to come up with a thicker coat and an ankle piece and Drake handed both to the witch for study and to keep warm.
"The best of luck to you, babe."
Drake then turned to Alex who looked distraught to learn the news about their study taking years.
"Well, I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do for you now but provide shelter. There are many people like you in this world. All wanting to get back home, but unable to go home right now. So you're anything but alone."
Drake hoped that would be a comfort, but if the past experiences with otherworlders were any indication then it wouldn't be.
|
|
Thelisia
Hybrid
"May you find your book."
Posts: 13
|
Post by Thelisia on Jun 12, 2020 9:28:18 GMT -6
She accepted both, examining the gun carefully as she put on her new coat. The pages that were flying overhead now dived down to Thelisia's side as the witch took out a pen. She would begin "writing", dabbing ink onto the page and muttering to herself. The ink seemed to respond and obey, spreading out to create words and diagrams on their own, creating a detailed chronicling of the gun that Thelisia held. Even as she wrote, Thelisia would continue to speak. Really, there wasn' much in any world that could make her stop talking. "Alex, we cannot fight circumstance. Whether we like it or not, we are newcomers to a foreign world. Folks such as us have no power or control over their situation, so how can we make demands such as 'I have to return home'?" Thelisia politely returned the gun back, now examining and reading through her the page she just wrote. "We must play by the rules of the land, continue the dance and song, and learn of this world. And through that knowledge-" With a sudden flourish, the witch snapped her fingers, causing the page to burn. As the paper turned to smoke, the ink would come alive, peeling and twisting itself out of the pages to rearrange themselves into a magic circle. And from the newly glowing circle began to emerge an object... an exact replica of the gun she had just returned. Thelisia with a surprisingly giddy expression would grab the gun from its "holster" midair, turn away from everyone present to the distant wastes, and fire off a few shots before the gun seemed to fade, vaporizing back into smoke and ink.
"Through that knowledge, we gain power and weapons enough to rewrite the rules. That is the game we will play if we with to return home."
|
|
|
Post by Alexis Malaware on Jun 12, 2020 18:10:56 GMT -6
Alex was once again at a lost for words at Thelisia's actions and words. Though she couldn't argue with anything the witch had said. Alex held onto her head like a headache was coming upon her and rubbed her temple. Anything to keep calm when everything in her body was telling her to panic. She jumped at the sound of the gun going off, not expecting it in this scenario for some reason. The fantasy elements of the world seemed to disagree with the simple firearms that the Isafaro men carried with them. But that was just her opinion.
"I don't suppose you have another coat I can take as well?"
Alex was fighting to stay calm. To keep her mind clear. She did have to learn more about this world while she was still here, and maybe this Drake, for all his mannerisms, could provide the information she sought.
"Goodbye, Thelisia. Perhaps our paths will cross again."
With that Alex smiled.
|
|
|
Post by Miracle on Jun 12, 2020 18:16:03 GMT -6
The three would soon be joined by another nation of Jherra. The holy city of Aircano. Their flag with a red cross on a white field flew in the air from the paladins holding it up as they marched along the Crystal Expanse. Led by their High Priestess, Miracle, who had her staff in hands. The army of paladins and healers stopped behind Miracle who now had eyes on Drake White. Knowing him from past dealings her nation had with Isafaro.
"Mister White, by the authority of the Lord thy God I command you to depart from this tower and return to your home. The Downward Spiral is not for the hands of heretics and those who defy scripture."
Miracle spoke in a dark tone unlike the peaceful girl everyone knew, but when her God commanded it, Miracle could be cold and harsh. As she needed to be some times to carry out the Lord's will.
"Leave at once or we will be forced to draw you out."
Miracle didn't want to fight here, but she would if she had to.
|
|
|
Post by Tori Jacobs on Jun 12, 2020 18:24:45 GMT -6
Drake was happy to see that Alex was starting to come around to the realization of her situation. He took off his coat and tossed it over to her.
"You can have mine. The cold never bothered me anyway."
Drake turend around when he heard a marching of another army and wasn't surprised to see that Aircano from the south had arrived at the tower. He was however surprised that Hallowton hasn't showed up by now. Surely this place would be crawling with other nations by now. But he didn't think Aircano would beat Hallowton here.
"Sorry, toots, but this tower is now property of Isafaro. I suggest you and your soldiers turn around and head back to your city before you get hurt."
He wasn't afraid of the paladins or the High Priestess. If they had to fight then he would likely be the one to fire the first shot. The last thing he was going to do was allow some god and his zealots to boss him around.
|
|
Thelisia
Hybrid
"May you find your book."
Posts: 13
|
Post by Thelisia on Jun 12, 2020 18:44:27 GMT -6
Well, she *was* going to see herself out. But! It seems as if even a world such as this one is not pure enough to be without the touch of a theocratic military. Ooh, how traditional as well! Even for Thelisia's world, their armor and appearance was quite... oh, it brought back memories of picture books and textbooks depicting the failures of various crusades! Dearie me, it seems as if some ghosts and troubles will never stop haunting her. Thelisia couldn't help but giggle watching the theatrics go around. Well, she can't leave with that around.
The witch doffed her hat, deciding that being *too* blatant with brandishing her witchcraft would be asking for death, and approached the rest of the group once more. Thelisia was a staunch pacifist, but even she could recognize the grim reality of this situation, she was now a witness to an actual war, and what might be a bloody battle. Her book spat out two new pages, circling above in the air like vultures. "You never told us you were fighting against holy crusades, Mister White. Though I ponder the theocracy's need to wage war. I understood this was a research party with armed guards for the sake of self preservation, not a sole military division. Attacking researchers who are acting purely on grounds for scientific study would be quite against interests of land disputes. More importantly," The witch motioned to Alex and herself, "We are not citizens of Isafaro, but civilians that identify as neutral party. We are seeking safe passage out of the Crystal Expanse, and attacking such party currently holding civilians, as I would imagine, will violate some form of international jurisdiction. Can we negotiate some form of ceasefire until our safety is assured?"
|
|
|
Post by Naomi Hurt on Jun 13, 2020 19:57:57 GMT -6
Melissa came out of one of the armored vehicles dressed in the black and red Vulture uniform known all across Isafaro and the rest of Jherra. She looked around at the people present and first laid eyes on the High Priestess of Aircano.
"You may want to let the otherworlders go unless you want it to be heard that Isafaro has more morals than your precious holy city."
Isafaro wasn't known for its morals. It was known as an immoral city that prohibited a lot of freedoms from its citizens. But it was home to Melissa and she wouldn't trade the modern comforts of the tech there for any of the other city-states. Not even Moon Valley.
"You have no authority here. This is neutral ground and we're not your servants. I suggest you get moving before you're spanked."
And it sounded like this 'Miracle' really needed a spanking.
|
|
|
Post by Alexis Malaware on Jun 14, 2020 14:17:45 GMT -6
Alex took the coat and put it on. Feeling the warmth of its fur on her body as a much needed jump in comfort. Just then a new party arrived at the scene before Thelisia could make her leave. Holy knights from a holy city with a priestess that was too young to be a priestess at any other time in history. They were demanding this tower for themselves and that didn't sit well with Alex. She had a grudge against Christianity from home, and it was about to show itself.
"What right do you have to demand this tower? It's not yours to claim. These people are merely trying to better understand it to help people like me."
The new soldier who arrived on the scene made it sound like Isafaro was meant to be the lesser of the two in morals, but so far Alex saw Isafaro as much better than whatever country these holy crusaders came from.
"Just because some wizard in the sky give you messages in your head doesn't mean you have any right to command anyone here to do anything. You should listen to them and go home."
Needless to say she was very bitter towards the priestess and her men. All because of what happened in the past and how her own family treated her once she changed religions.
|
|
|
Post by Miracle on Jun 14, 2020 14:27:29 GMT -6
Miracle kept her eye contact with Drake as more people came onto the scene to give their two cents on what she and her soldiers should do. But she would not relent as the Lord gave her strength and demanded that the non-believers be escorted away from the tower so the true children of God could do their work.
"This tower is the property of the Lord thy God, and it is our duty to see it purged of people such as you. I will not give you a third warning. Leave this place at once."
Miracle then looked over to one who identified as an otherworlder. Miracle didn't know who were native and who weren't at a glance, but seeing the otherworlders there Miracle would show compassion as she did for all the other otherworlders who came to Jenesis.
"You may depart in peace. We will not draw our blades until you and your friend have left this place."
She was not without reason, but the words of the other otherworlder cut deep in her flesh.
"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject. You should not speak of matters you know little about. If you knew anything of Isafaro you would be cautious to side with them so easily. I suggest you and your friend leave now. We will remain until all have been cleared of the tower."
Whether it was done by bloodshed, or peacefully, were up to them.
|
|