Patchwork Universe

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Yggdrasil

Pale bare feet wove their way carefully over the roots and between the lines of ants twisting their way across the ground.
How very welcoming Arnora thought to herself and continued to tread her way through. The whispering of the plants surrounded her.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Yggdrasil

Whilst treading her way through the trees Arnora mused to herself and those around her about the strangeness of current times.
"Not somewhere I have travelled to before upon leaving but then it would seem there are places I can no longer travel. Which means they can no longer reach each other." She paused briefly cocking her head as though listening to something.
"I suspect it may be one of those times to act but I do wish I knew a little more before I am forced to commit myself. But if the wells are no longer there I have not time to find out more. "
Looking around herself again Arnora decided that she may as well remove the hood of her cloak. It was obscuring her vision and there was no one here who would object to the presence of an elf outside the usual realm. "I suppose I should find some more knowledgable beings to talk to - a man would be good, they are best for this kind of task. Now where am I going to find some of that race if I cannot travel the root..."

Kao Sheng · Posted: 04 Mar 2004 03:23 pm Post subject:

As if on cue, two figures could be seen approaching from the north, apparently proceeding with some urgency. The trees appeared to thin out somewhat in that direction, and on closer inspection what appeared to be some sort of marsh lay beyond...

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Yggdrasil

Frowning slightly at the direction the landscape seemed to be taking Arnora slipped her hood back up - just on the off chance. The white blonde of her hair would have stoof out like a sore thumb but they were probably too far away to seen much more detail. It did vary a little between races. The figures approaching had all the right number of limbs to be men but then so did she. Some men were more than a little superstitious about the presence of an elf, let alone a Norn. Possibly with some reason she admitted to herself.

Considering the encroaching marsh Arnora halted where she stood rather than moving to meet the two strangers.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 05 Mar 2004 06:54 pm Post subject:

The pair continued to approach, although even as they did so the marsh behind them appeared to do so as well. As they drew closer one of the two, a middle-aged man in rough travelling clothes who seemed to be leading the way through the woods, drew to a halt. He bowed formally towards Arnora.

"O fairest and most radiant of maidens," he said, "this humble traveller offers you his sincerest greetings upon this beautiful if rapidly deteriorating day."

Even as he spoke the ground began to grow slightly damp.

Guest · Posted: 07 Mar 2004 11:39 pm Post subject:

Karl pulled up short. Ran a hand through his shorn blond hair, felt the dampness seeping. Took off his spectacles, rubbed the lens carefully, replaced them, and looked outward anew, past Kao Sheng, towards the mysterious newcomer. And then beyond her, into the near distance, where liquid suddenly appeared to be welling at a prodigious rate.
He emitted a gasp of astonishment. Started a moment. Then, swiftly pulled his attention back to their new companion.
'Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ma dame. Now, are you a native here, or just lost in much the same way we are ?'.
He felt his brow slicking with sweat once more.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora considered the two men standing in front of her. Not quite what she had been expecting but still a good sign. "Gentlemen, I am pleased to make your aquaintance. I am not so much lost as not sure why this place is here. I am more used to other lands being present in this direction. But then I am only travelling this direction because my usual routes are closed to me, it has been some time since I ventured this way. If you are heading somewhere a little more stable than this, I would be grateful for your guidance."
Arnora shifts her self sideways a little to avoid sinking in some mud. "Should we continue this while moving, this landscape is not ideal for conversations?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: 08 Mar 2004 06:46 pm Post subject:

"Such a course would be without the slightest doubt both agreeable and beneficial," said Kao Sheng, with only a very slight appearance of haste. "If you would most graciously consent to accompany this disreputable individual and his most honourable and distinguished companion in a southerly direction, this person entertains some hope that you may discover the area which lies in that direction to be of a more salubrious and informative nature than that which must presently be endured."

Having made this statement, he gestured for Arnora and Karl to follow him. A thin veil of mist was dimly visible to the south...

Guest · Posted: 10 Mar 2004 07:51 pm Post subject:

Arnora joined her companions in hastily heading away from the rapidly forming marsh towards the misty horizon. Presumably there was somewhere near here not affected by the changing landscape these people could lead her towards. One of them at least seemed to have some idea where he was going.
"I am Arnora, servant of the world tree, are there titles I should know when addressing you?"

Karl Groever · Posted: 10 Mar 2004 10:38 pm Post subject:

'A simple Mister Groever will suffice, ma dame. Or a Sir, if you wish to be formal.' Karl replied. 'I come from the City of Constant, on the edge of the Desert of Zaritza.' And, he thought to himself, that's all I'm revealing for now - as the Baron always said, Watch your back, wherever you may be.
He stopped for a moment to stare wide - eyed at an eel - like shape that half - slithered, half hopped across the sodden earth before him.
They appeared to be getting nearer to the mysterious mist. And not before time.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 11 Mar 2004 06:46 pm Post subject:

"Of course, please forgive this ill-mannered and entirely objectionable person for his deplorable breach of civil conduct," said the other traveller as he led the way towards the wall of mist. "He is called Kao Sheng by those generous individuals who graciously choose to overlook his many flaws, and works his trade as a teller of tales and stories to those who will consent to tolerate his presence."

Before very much more time had passed, the group had arrived before the thin wall of mist. The ground that the group had traversed was now little different to a swamp, and even the rough patch of earth where they stood was near ankle-deep mud, but beyond the mist, there was an abrupt change - Indeed, the ground there appeared to be completely solid.

"Ah!" exclaimed Kao Sheng. "O honourable and most stalwart companions, if you should desire to step across the threshold, the journey onwards may prove more satisfactory thereafter..."

As he stood, his feet began to sink further into the mud.

[OOC - Anyone crossing over, feel free to start a new thread in Jones' Public House...]

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Yggdrasil

Seeing the shapes slithering around in the muck, Arnora decided that the firm ground ahead did look like generally a better idea. Her companions were looking increasingly alarmed by the shifting and, well, alive nature of the plant life around them.
Wondering about the nature of the mist which stilled the land, Arnora passed through onto the better behaved (but much less interesting) grass...

Karl Groever · Posted: 18 Mar 2004 12:46 am Post subject:

Karl was reluctant to leave this place in what was, seemingly, the wrong direction. But the danger appeared to be mounting. And passing through these Mists (oddly reminiscent of the sandstorm he had wandered into - what felt like many hours, even days, ago) - passing through these Mists was, perhaps now, his only choice for reaching safety. He hefted his shoulder bag tighter, steathily removed his pepperbox, secreted it in the inner pocket of his now sodden suit. Fixed his gaze upon the shifting vapour. Strode forward with determination. Like Aubert, he refused to look back, and with reason. As the mist began to envelop him, as he followed in Arnora's footsteps, he heard a bloodcurdling roaring at his back. Gratefully, Karl Groever passed through to the other side.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 18 Mar 2004 06:21 pm Post subject:

[It is not for this humble narrator to recount what transpired with respect to the bloodcurdling roar and the unassuming Kao Sheng. For the record, though, it must be stated that that individual left the Glade mere moments after Karl Groever, apparently unmolested...]