Post by ProfHemlock on May 29, 2016 23:57:17 GMT
The girl beckons Jackson, Sienna, and Nathan to stand at the edge of the pool. She sets the monkey-thing down from her shoulder, who quickly scampers to the edge of the pool itself and peers in with curiosity, before wading into the pool a few feet until the water is up to her knees. She turns to face her audience.
"This place is a realm which is separate from yours, long forgotten by mankind," she explains. "And for good reason."
The girl touches the surface of the water, and as the ripples flow outward the scene reflected in it shifts, as though the entire pool was a screen and the camera was being pointed somewhere else. The view ducks into the hut, and hovers over the figures within it.
"Most reject this world, and it them. Their mind and senses are confused, and they become lost. I have guided those that I can to safety, but many have become prey to the creatures of this place... or taken for darker reasons."
The view leaves the hut and zooms out, further and further over the expanse of trees. And as the view expands, things become clear. As you pass through the branches, you draw closer to the lights. They are not stars, you realize. They lie suspended in webs, and every few moments you see one crawl along slightly. And the view widens further and you understand. Your initial impressions had been all wrong. You are not in a forest. What surrounds you are not trees.
They are branches.
Once the view has expanded far enough you can see it. A colossal tree. It's roots dig into a sphere of solid but otherwise barren earth, and its branches diverge in three general directions: one upwards to wind around a glistening white sphere of ice, another to the left to cradle a burning sphere of flame, and the final one to the right to surround a restless sphere of thunder and lightning. Water trails down from the ice sphere, melted perhaps from the flame to its left, and runs down the branches of the tree in rivers and streams. The view follows them, some flowing along the surface and some burrowing within the branches, but they all eventually flow to the center, to the Heart of the tree, the place where you stand.
"This is Yggdrasil, the Tree of Worlds. Here paths between all the worlds exist, many guarded and monitored. But those of ill intent who know the secret and forgotten ways, they can travel unfettered to work their dark designs."
The view has returned to the place you stand, but it is still just off enough that you know it is no natural reflection.
"Most humans cannot survive this place. Even those whos minds and senses are clear will fall to the dangers of this and other worlds. And so, you shall need protectors." She looks up from the pool for the first time, and towards the three of you. "Your hearts are strong, but strength cannot be wielded without form. If you will allow me, I shall give that to you."
Should she receive consent, the scene shifts again. She focuses her attention to each of you in turn, and the pool brings your image before her. As she speaks, she puts her hand into the water, into the heart of your image. A feeling overtakes you when this happens, like something is being drawn from you. It is not entirely pleasant.
"Jackson Michaels. You wander alone, with no goal in sight. Will you trudge alone into empty oblivion? But there is strength in your solitude, if only you learn to call on it for yourself." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "0", it shows a small ursine creature, a bear cub, cautiously but earnestly peering over the edge of a cliff.
"Nathan Hillside. You have yet to truly begin your journey, for you know not yet where to set your foot. Yet there is a desire to learn, to understand, and to help. Take up these tools and with them realize your potential." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "I", it shows a silver furred creature, perhaps some kind of rodent, organizing various objects onto a table.
"Sienna Contiello. You have lost so much for one so young. And yet not everything. Your memories comfort you, keep the darkness at bay. Let them guide you, and be blessed." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "V", it shows a purple bat-like creature, its wings extended in comfort towards a bowing silhouette.
Each time she draws a card she releases it into the air where it floats, rotating slowly. Once each is drawn, they float towards those they were drawn from. The girl walks out of the water, her dress clinging to her lower legs.
"These will help you in your journeys. Though drawn from you, they are now their own selves. They are companions, not tools, remember this. With them, you may survive until you reach your goals. Explore this place to satiate your curiosity, seek those who remain lost to calm your conscience, or escape to safety and forget this place entirely. The choice is yours."
"This place is a realm which is separate from yours, long forgotten by mankind," she explains. "And for good reason."
The girl touches the surface of the water, and as the ripples flow outward the scene reflected in it shifts, as though the entire pool was a screen and the camera was being pointed somewhere else. The view ducks into the hut, and hovers over the figures within it.
"Most reject this world, and it them. Their mind and senses are confused, and they become lost. I have guided those that I can to safety, but many have become prey to the creatures of this place... or taken for darker reasons."
The view leaves the hut and zooms out, further and further over the expanse of trees. And as the view expands, things become clear. As you pass through the branches, you draw closer to the lights. They are not stars, you realize. They lie suspended in webs, and every few moments you see one crawl along slightly. And the view widens further and you understand. Your initial impressions had been all wrong. You are not in a forest. What surrounds you are not trees.
They are branches.
Once the view has expanded far enough you can see it. A colossal tree. It's roots dig into a sphere of solid but otherwise barren earth, and its branches diverge in three general directions: one upwards to wind around a glistening white sphere of ice, another to the left to cradle a burning sphere of flame, and the final one to the right to surround a restless sphere of thunder and lightning. Water trails down from the ice sphere, melted perhaps from the flame to its left, and runs down the branches of the tree in rivers and streams. The view follows them, some flowing along the surface and some burrowing within the branches, but they all eventually flow to the center, to the Heart of the tree, the place where you stand.
"This is Yggdrasil, the Tree of Worlds. Here paths between all the worlds exist, many guarded and monitored. But those of ill intent who know the secret and forgotten ways, they can travel unfettered to work their dark designs."
The view has returned to the place you stand, but it is still just off enough that you know it is no natural reflection.
"Most humans cannot survive this place. Even those whos minds and senses are clear will fall to the dangers of this and other worlds. And so, you shall need protectors." She looks up from the pool for the first time, and towards the three of you. "Your hearts are strong, but strength cannot be wielded without form. If you will allow me, I shall give that to you."
Should she receive consent, the scene shifts again. She focuses her attention to each of you in turn, and the pool brings your image before her. As she speaks, she puts her hand into the water, into the heart of your image. A feeling overtakes you when this happens, like something is being drawn from you. It is not entirely pleasant.
"Jackson Michaels. You wander alone, with no goal in sight. Will you trudge alone into empty oblivion? But there is strength in your solitude, if only you learn to call on it for yourself." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "0", it shows a small ursine creature, a bear cub, cautiously but earnestly peering over the edge of a cliff.
"Nathan Hillside. You have yet to truly begin your journey, for you know not yet where to set your foot. Yet there is a desire to learn, to understand, and to help. Take up these tools and with them realize your potential." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "I", it shows a silver furred creature, perhaps some kind of rodent, organizing various objects onto a table.
"Sienna Contiello. You have lost so much for one so young. And yet not everything. Your memories comfort you, keep the darkness at bay. Let them guide you, and be blessed." She draws her hand from the water, and in it is a card. Emblazoned with a "V", it shows a purple bat-like creature, its wings extended in comfort towards a bowing silhouette.
Each time she draws a card she releases it into the air where it floats, rotating slowly. Once each is drawn, they float towards those they were drawn from. The girl walks out of the water, her dress clinging to her lower legs.
"These will help you in your journeys. Though drawn from you, they are now their own selves. They are companions, not tools, remember this. With them, you may survive until you reach your goals. Explore this place to satiate your curiosity, seek those who remain lost to calm your conscience, or escape to safety and forget this place entirely. The choice is yours."
Jackson, Nathan, and Sienna have each received their starter pokemon. They each receive one trainer XP for "catching" a new pokemon.
Also, because I'm forgetful, Sienna and Jackson have received two trainer XP as well for surviving their previous encounters.
Having discovered some truth to the mystery of this place, you have reached a milestone and can advance one trainer level.
Also, because I'm forgetful, Sienna and Jackson have received two trainer XP as well for surviving their previous encounters.
Having discovered some truth to the mystery of this place, you have reached a milestone and can advance one trainer level.