Operation Montauk: IC [Closed | FanT | All Tech]

[Foggycap]

A calm day in spring, as the frost has retreated far to the south, with strange creatures roaming the forest beyond, as the camp stirs with new activity. The unfortunate victims of the "first encounter" are used to offer a gateway for our band of explorers to arrive here, with their gear, even if it does cause them mild pain due to the nature of their magic.

Indeed, it was a calm sight to see, with the woods thinning out towards the plant looming in the distance, humanoid slimes idly lurking about, with the odd cloud in the sky as the locals within the camp organized a few things, set up shop, and even helped prop up shelters for those who wished to stay. A variety of luxuries were offered, but without much to trade for (aside from, perhaps, the odd chunk of gold or silver, if anything), there's no real use in trying to haggle for such items. Not that there was a need to do so.

The adventure begins here, travelers. Welcome... To Camp Alpha. And welcome... To Operation Montauk.

Things to do:
Talk with each other!
Talk with the locals (Shrooms and Earthen)!
Step outside and try to reach Green Island (somehow)
Walk up to a slime (this will help later)

Or just do whatever you want.

As a fair reminder, the Earthen are a bit weary and shy, but not too hard to approach. Donning attire made from leaves and bark, they certainly seem odd for plant-humanoids. Much unlike their unrelated cousins, the Shrooms, who instead don more loose attire like robes, cloaks, sweat pants... While also being more sociable and open to interaction. This camp is also where the pager will take you, purely for safety, given it would be hazardous to just drop you off at the front door with no way to crawl back "home" safely.

Go ahead, look around! The world awaits!

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

Insurrectionist grins, he was on an adventure. He admires his custom PP19 "High Roller" SMG, with 1600 rounds in his alicepack. He also had cooking equipment, 24 rounds of buckshot for a flare gun, and some wierd "Magic Pager..." whatever that was, three roadside flares, and all the other standard issue shite. Including a gas mask, and two beartraps, although those were on his own idea. He looked around for some food to scrounge together, and acquired a pencil and a slip of printer paper, for cartography of course.
"Ah yes, reminds me of good ol' Pripyat!" He chortles, as he puts in his M50, and turned his selector to semi auto, of course he wasn't going to rambo his entire damn way through the place, he only had so much ammo, well... regenerating ammo, but still it would be highly foolish for him to do so.

[Foggycap]

The camp itself is a rather simple site. Tall wooden logs sharpened into spikes line the camp, erected to provide shelter from any cruel animals outside, but with some small gaps for arrows and magic to be cast through them. The camp is also rather large, about the size of half a soccer field, giving plenty of space. There's a shop for trading in artifacts for enchanted ammo, another for potions, a third for armor, and a stand for getting a free resupply of rather mundane, un-inchanted ammo. There's also a few Eathern and Shrooms standing around, including the one who helped them "jump" over, being seen by a shaman.

Speaking of, the medical tent seems to dominate the small gathering of stands and tents, with a thin whisp of smoke slowly trailing out from a vent in the tent, perhaps alluding to a boiling cauldron or a source of warmth within. Not that it was necessary, but it could also imply that the shaman who worked inside used their own medicines made on the spot.

Finally, there was one last spot. A robed mage Shroom would be found walking into a tent opposite of the shaman's, as the tent itself seemed to be made from metal that flowed like cloth. It also seemed to glow as well with some strange ethereal energy, with small sparkles shimmering off it's unusual aura. In this tent, one can enchant weapons, armor, and gear, or simply ask questions like "what is this place" or "why did the chicken cross the road" among others.

With all that said, the gate is, of course, open. But I, the narrator, would advise against running into the open for a "fuck around and find out" experience on a blind run. Unless, of course, you enjoy incredibly short stories.

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

-snip-

Karl, now fully stocked up on gear, tentativley walks through the gate, he looks around tentativley, and continues walking, he would need to make it back by nightfall, but it seemed ok... for now? He sets off, wristwatch ready.

[Foggycap]

-snip-

Karl, now fully stocked up on gear, tentativley walks through the gate, he looks around tentativley, and continues walking, he would need to make it back by nightfall, but it seemed ok... for now? He sets off, wristwatch ready.

(OOC: No one-liners. Ahem.)

Well, given it's... Practically midday, he has plenty of time to talk, do things, act, or even do a flip or something. Stepping out of the camp, he would come across a strange spider-like creature that was a flower with legs, skittering away, though the thin chunk of forest quickly gave way to the rolling sea of grass beyond. Slimes would roam freely here, uncaring for what lies beyond their area, but it does seem like a bad idea to run in blindly. Especially as what seems to be a four-winged, furry hawk, with a lizard-like head sweeps down to try to reach the plant itself, only to be viscerally taken by some invisible force, spun up, and later spewed in a fountain of gore and feathers that rained down upon the ground. Indeed, it was absolutely best to probably ask questions than to run blindly into the unknown and face a similar fate.

[Neo-Western East Korea]

There was a certain monstrosity in the serenity of this environment, or at least the concept of peace in this land registered as possessing such to one Doctor Nori Fukuhara.

Of course, he had already self-confirmed that he could be biased by his own lack of exposure to natural environments in the past… oh, decade or so? Considering his own preference towards labwork during that time period, but considering the fact that something approximating the vague concept of “magic” was being replicated and used by the technology of his hosts, he felt he was being fair in his gauging of the location.

Still, though, his (moderate) hesitancy towards the area was no excuse to not begin a preliminary examination into the area he would be interacting with for some time, and as such he moved to secure what seemed the most interesting asset at the current moment: the Gelatinous Creatures that could be generally labeled as Slimelike.

Walking towards one of the creatures, he engaged in the time honored tradition of feeding the creatures (admittedly with a less conventional meal than bread, instead opting to experiment with a small selection of vegetables he had brought with him during his deployment).

With such a process done, he elected to explore the services of a certain ‘shroom, moving over to the Enchanter’s tent (strange, that they elected to keep this design even with an enchanted supply of metal), delivering a simple request to the individual(?) in question while also offering an opportunity to communicate with a member of the culture around this area.

Nori Fukuhara

“Salutations!”

The exuberance of the greeting was designed to take his social counterpart off-edge, presuming a more timid personality, although the results of such had to be seen.

“I have been informed that you possess the capability to enhance certain physical objects through establishing a resonance with what could be argued to be ‘magic’, and as such have come to you with a request.”

He placed a small knife upon the nearest approximation of a table, and moved to speak once more.

“Having noticed the interesting design of your tent, I am in the position of wondering if you would happen to possess the capability of modifying this object of metal to be capable of an approximation of such fluid motion (perhaps in a form more similar to a whip?) while maintain at least some of its sharpness.”

Nori would wait a response from the fellow from this point on, not having much else to say at the exact moment.

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

Karl, now fully stocked up on gear, tentativley walks through the gate, he looks around tentativley, and continues walking, he would need to make it back by nightfall, but it seemed ok... for now? He sets off, wristwatch ready.

(OOC: No one-liners. Ahem.)

Well, given it's... Practically midday, he has plenty of time to talk, do things, act, or even do a flip or something. Stepping out of the camp, he would come across a strange spider-like creature that was a flower with legs, skittering away, though the thin chunk of forest quickly gave way to the rolling sea of grass beyond. Slimes would roam freely here, uncaring for what lies beyond their area, but it does seem like a bad idea to run in blindly. Especially as what seems to be a four-winged, furry hawk, with a lizard-like head sweeps down to try to reach the plant itself, only to be viscerally taken by some invisible force, spun up, and later spewed in a fountain of gore and feathers that rained down upon the ground. Indeed, it was absolutely best to probably ask questions than to run blindly into the unknown and face a similar fate.

Insurrectionist's eyes widen. Fuck. he thinks to himself. His training kicks in and he hits the dirt. He fires into the grasses blindly, firing off 128 rounds into the grasses before booking it back to camp. This wasn't a normal camping trip, Pripyat, compared to this was a damn cake walk. Mutants, and irradiated zombies you could see, but whatever the hell that was, oh no no, it was FUCKING INVISIBLE. Pripyat was daycare compared to the monstrosities here. Heading back and asking some locals and frequent visitors... would probably be a smart choice. Jesus christ, if one of Those got him... Insurrectionist shivered. It was too brutal to even think about.

[Foggycap]

There was a certain monstrosity in the serenity of this environment, or at least the concept of peace in this land registered as possessing such to one Doctor Nori Fukuhara.

Of course, he had already self-confirmed that he could be biased by his own lack of exposure to natural environments in the past… oh, decade or so? Considering his own preference towards labwork during that time period, but considering the fact that something approximating the vague concept of “magic” was being replicated and used by the technology of his hosts, he felt he was being fair in his gauging of the location.

Still, though, his (moderate) hesitancy towards the area was no excuse to not begin a preliminary examination into the area he would be interacting with for some time, and as such he moved to secure what seemed the most interesting asset at the current moment: the Gelatinous Creatures that could be generally labeled as Slimelike.

Walking towards one of the creatures, he engaged in the time honored tradition of feeding the creatures (admittedly with a less conventional meal than bread, instead opting to experiment with a small selection of vegetables he had brought with him during his deployment).

With such a process done, he elected to explore the services of a certain ‘shroom, moving over to the Enchanter’s tent (strange, that they elected to keep this design even with an enchanted supply of metal), delivering a simple request to the individual(?) in question while also offering an opportunity to communicate with a member of the culture around this area.

(Image)
Nori Fukuhara

“Salutations!”

The exuberance of the greeting was designed to take his social counterpart off-edge, presuming a more timid personality, although the results of such had to be seen.

“I have been informed that you possess the capability to enhance certain physical objects through establishing a resonance with what could be argued to be ‘magic’, and as such have come to you with a request.”

He placed a small knife upon the nearest approximation of a table, and moved to speak once more.

“Having noticed the interesting design of your tent, I am in the position of wondering if you would happen to possess the capability of modifying this object of metal to be capable of an approximation of such fluid motion (perhaps in a form more similar to a whip?) while maintain at least some of its sharpness.”

Nori would wait a response from the fellow from this point on, not having much else to say at the exact moment.

The stout Shroom, standing at a rather modest 6'0, seemed content with the design of the blade, gently picking it up from the table outside her tent with magic, before drawing it into her hand, running a finger along the flat of it as she held it up to her own eyes. Despite the hooded cloak masking their appearance and figure, their eyes seemed to glow through the darkness, like two ghastly yellow beacons begging to lure one's soul into the darkness.

However, after a quick examination, she would sigh, before offering up her deal.

"I can enchant this to gain the properties of a whip, an elastic blade that will cut, wrap around objects, even stretch a bit. But for that, I will need artifacts or gold. Perhaps a spare jagersagg could work, given a potion of mine requires it, though you humans may recognize it as a "snake" crossed with an "angler fish". They come out by night, so you can rest well until then. Aside from this, however, I cannot work for free. I'm sorry."

Her voice, while somber, was a bit harsh given the rather poor news. It wasn't too blunt, but it wasn't overly insulting either. Just business as business is. No amount of credit or coin could fix this. But at least he HAD a weapon. Some people are likely to show thinking that a dinky flare gun is more than enough! So he did have a mild edge there. He was armed. And intelligent.

(OOC: No one-liners. Ahem.)

Well, given it's... Practically midday, he has plenty of time to talk, do things, act, or even do a flip or something. Stepping out of the camp, he would come across a strange spider-like creature that was a flower with legs, skittering away, though the thin chunk of forest quickly gave way to the rolling sea of grass beyond. Slimes would roam freely here, uncaring for what lies beyond their area, but it does seem like a bad idea to run in blindly. Especially as what seems to be a four-winged, furry hawk, with a lizard-like head sweeps down to try to reach the plant itself, only to be viscerally taken by some invisible force, spun up, and later spewed in a fountain of gore and feathers that rained down upon the ground. Indeed, it was absolutely best to probably ask questions than to run blindly into the unknown and face a similar fate.

Insurrectionist's eyes widen. Fuck. he thinks to himself. His training kicks in and he hits the dirt. He fires into the grasses blindly, firing off 128 rounds into the grasses before booking it back to camp. This wasn't a normal camping trip, Pripyat, compared to this was a damn cake walk. Mutants, and irradiated zombies you could see, but whatever the hell that was, oh no no, it was FUCKING INVISIBLE. Pripyat was daycare compared to the monstrosities here. Heading back and asking some locals and frequent visitors... would probably be a smart choice. Jesus christ, if one of Those got him... Insurrectionist shivered. It was too brutal to even think about.

The rounds spook the slimes into scrambling away, slipping between the invisible... Things... And later sticking to their positions until the danger passes, shuddering in place, with a few even making some scared whimpers and whines that were gurgly, like scared dogs. Eventually they slowly slip back out into the open, unscathed.

Within the camp, the locals jumped, the shaman cursing from burning themselves on the fire, but later using their own magic to heal their mild injury. Indeed, he could talk to any of the locals, including some of the store owners, or the idling staff that were hanging about... Shrooms, Earthen, they all know the area well enough.

[The Epic Notepad of GrangerAirstrike]

This... This is exciting. As I pace around Camp Alpha with a smile thankfully hidden by the spines covering my face - on Gaia's wise name I'd rather not be caught wearing it, it's always really awkward when someone asks what's gotten me so chuffed - fond memories and thoughts flash by me like clockwork. I wonder to myself, what luck blessed me to get me this far? To be on the forefront of discovery? To be on this journey, which from what I've heard is going to be quite scary and dangerous but also incredibly important, and might help further our understanding of the world and it's past indefinitely... No no, it wasn't luck. I worked for this, ever since I was just a little boy toying around with a relic or two by myself. This is meant to be! I... Wow, I'm glad nobody can hear me, and hopefully nobody's reading my thoughts, that'd be embarrassing

But... There's a lot of people around. A lot like me, shrooms, but also some of those plant-folk what were they called? Earthen? And now there's others pouring out of that void gateway thing, I wouldn't know the intricacies of that, I've only got a fundamental knowledge of magic after all, and I've never even touched anything like that before.
I have to wonder to myself, with the gateway bringing in people - volunteers is the better word - from so many different places, from realities and dimensions the likes of which I've never seen before, what will I see? Will I see the first live human ever? That'd be incredible! I'd have so much to ask them about, like how they live, what their world is like, what does it feel like to have skin and hai- ... I should control my thoughts a bit better, nobody wants a barrage of questions from an awkward shroom like myself, right?

I look around, I see the camp sprawled out in front of me. There's a surprising amount to see, what with the wooden walls surrounding us from the forest beyond and whatever dangers lie in wait. And I'm not talking about those slimes, apparently they're quite docile and friendly... By Gaia, I hope I don't have to encounter the fog, please don't make me encounter the fog. There's a few shops already set up, to trade for potions and ammunition and other stuff like that, I should probably stop by and get some food just in case. I see tents, a shaman's tent, a medical tent, the one that mage is standing outside glowing with ethereal energy... Maybe I should go and ask that mage a few questions? No no, I know why we're here, I know what we'll be doing, and why talk to people if it can be avoided, right?

But maybe I won't be so lucky... Maybe someone will accost me whilst I pace around the camp taking in the sights, smelling the smells, enjoying the feeling of my sandshoes hitting the dew of the forested ground below. I'll deal with it if that happens, but if it has to, maybe I'd prefer for someone from the portal to do so? Because at least I could ask them questions... With the locals, like me, what is there to really talk about?

---

Narrator's Note: If anyone wants to approach Henrii, feel free... Otherwise, I'll get out another post soon to get him involved with something

[Sheizou]

Sopikgan looks around the camp, marveling at the area. Even though it looks around in wonder, it thinks. "Hmm...this place, certainly nice enough in this area...but corruption is all around the island." "I an both afraid and excited to what I may find here", it thought. Looking for a local, it treks further into the camp. After finding a local, it asks about the area, and extra details of the operation, hoping for more logistics. In order to purge the nature, its brethren, of corruption Sopikgan will need a lot of information, and hopefully, some companions.

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

The rounds spook the slimes into scrambling away, slipping between the invisible... Things... And later sticking to their positions until the danger passes, shuddering in place, with a few even making some scared whimpers and whines that were gurgly, like scared dogs. Eventually they slowly slip back out into the open, unscathed.

Within the camp, the locals jumped, the shaman cursing from burning themselves on the fire, but later using their own magic to heal their mild injury. Indeed, he could talk to any of the locals, including some of the store owners, or the idling staff that were hanging about... Shrooms, Earthen, they all know the area well enough.

Insurrectionist returns, covered in dirt, thorns and branches, still gasping and panting from the incident, truly a sight for the locals to behold. He sees a tavern, and instantly lights up like a boy on his birthday. He heads into the tavern to drink, and maybe find some information about this place. After all, what was adventure without inebriation by alcohol? He enters the tavern, and orders himself a pint and a half of the local beer.

[Foggycap]

Sopikgan looks around the camp, marveling at the area. Even though it looks around in wonder, it thinks. "Hmm...this place, certainly nice enough in this area...but corruption is all around the island." "I an both afraid and excited to what I may find here", it thought. Looking for a local, it treks further into the camp. After finding a local, it asks about the area, and extra details of the operation, hoping for more logistics. In order to purge the nature, its brethren, of corruption Sopikgan will need a lot of information, and hopefully, some companions.

They would come upon an Earthen, of a certain breed of daisy that likely was brought up by Gaia to be raised as a kind guide, though one too cowardly to leave the camp, as their frail body couldn't possibly last out there.

"O-oh! Erm, hi?!"

Well, this is promising.

The rounds spook the slimes into scrambling away, slipping between the invisible... Things... And later sticking to their positions until the danger passes, shuddering in place, with a few even making some scared whimpers and whines that were gurgly, like scared dogs. Eventually they slowly slip back out into the open, unscathed.

Within the camp, the locals jumped, the shaman cursing from burning themselves on the fire, but later using their own magic to heal their mild injury. Indeed, he could talk to any of the locals, including some of the store owners, or the idling staff that were hanging about... Shrooms, Earthen, they all know the area well enough.

Insurrectionist returns, covered in dirt, thorns and branches, still gasping and panting from the incident, truly a sight for the locals to behold. He sees a tavern, and instantly lights up like a boy on his birthday. He heads into the tavern to drink, and maybe find some information about this place. After all, what was adventure without inebriation by alcohol? He enters the tavern, and orders himself a pint and a half of the local beer.

Well if by tavern he meant the local shaman, yea, I suppose that works. However he would meet a bonk on the head from a knife-hand, just a hard tap on the noggin, from the Shroom inside who was keeping him from just trying to inhale the slow-brew herbal remedy that was still cooking over the fire.

"Hey! You! Human! Are you here because you're sick or something? Or are you here just to steal stuff? This is not a place to be running around like a child now. Or do you need help with something?"

Well, minor physical altercations aside, they are willing to hear him out.

(OOC note: There are no taverns. This is a camp. Not a city. Read, listen. Pay attention.)

[Sheizou]

Sopikgan looks around the camp, marveling at the area. Even though it looks around in wonder, it thinks. "Hmm...this place, certainly nice enough in this area...but corruption is all around the island." "I an both afraid and excited to what I may find here", it thought. Looking for a local, it treks further into the camp. After finding a local, it asks about the area, and extra details of the operation, hoping for more logistics. In order to purge the nature, its brethren, of corruption Sopikgan will need a lot of information, and hopefully, some companions.

They would come upon an Earthen, of a certain breed of daisy that likely was brought up by Gaia to be raised as a kind guide, though one too cowardly to leave the camp, as their frail body couldn't possibly last out there.

"O-oh! Erm, hi?!"

Well, this is promising.

"Ah!, hello young one, my name is Sopikgan! I am here to help erradicate the corruption of the nature in this area. I have seen your lovely camp, but uhh, I appear to be a little lost. I was hoping you could point me to the leader of this, and any others like me who will help. I tend to get a little lost in new places. But, it's not like i'll get lost out there or anything...I just got distracted that's all! I have good qualifications as a medic, and I can be very helpful!...Ehh was I rambling again...I must be hungry...but whatever, just... Ah nevermind! So uh, do you think you could help me find your leader?" Sopikgan tries to keep calm, despite being a very awkward creature

[Neo-Western East Korea]

Nori Fukuhara

“I see.”
“Thank you for the advice in where to gather the materials.”

Fukuhara would turn and leave the tent, being only minorly disconcerted by the whole affair (and the sound of gunshots in the background).

It was… an irritation, that he would not be able to see such an augmentation to his weaponry in action until a somewhat later date, but as a researcher (and a Neo-Korean) he had run into his fair share of disappointments, resolving to simply handle the procedures necessary to gather such later…… somehow.

The route to doing so would probably relate somehow to the hunting culture of this area, and as such he resolved to gather some information on his new target in the nearest timeframe available (That being right now.) (With the Shaman.)

Moving away from the Enchanter’s Tent, he meandered over to the Shaman’s own location, attempting to gather himself to answer the questions he desired to ask in a fashion that wouldn’t be potentially offensive to the fellow (no use making enemies this early into the venture afterall).

Examining the fellow who had just been rather severely reprimanded by their hosts, he redoubled himself in this sense, finally reaching the shaman and beginning another conversation.

Nori Fukuhara

“Greetings.”

“If you’ve the time, I would like to make a query about where the…… Jagersagg, I believe the name was, can be found in this general area.”

[Foggycap]

They would come upon an Earthen, of a certain breed of daisy that likely was brought up by Gaia to be raised as a kind guide, though one too cowardly to leave the camp, as their frail body couldn't possibly last out there.

"O-oh! Erm, hi?!"

Well, this is promising.

"Ah!, hello young one, my name is Sopikgan! I am here to help erradicate the corruption of the nature in this area. I have seen your lovely camp, but uhh, I appear to be a little lost. I was hoping you could point me to the leader of this, and any others like me who will help. I tend to get a little lost in new places. But, it's not like i'll get lost out there or anything...I just got distracted that's all! I have good qualifications as a medic, and I can be very helpful!...Ehh was I rambling again...I must be hungry...but whatever, just... Ah nevermind! So uh, do you think you could help me find your leader?" Sopikgan tries to keep calm, despite being a very awkward creature

The Earthern looks around, even stretch their neck up over Sopikgan, using their vine-like body to do so, only to no real avail. It seems if there was a leader, they didn't know, though the void art user near the shaman tent being tended to by a separate shaman seems promising... Hence, that's the first one they point out, conveniently. It's also near where the new arrivals had arrived, given the inky portal they had used to get here in the first place.

"Ah, oh! They might know! Sorry, I only know of my kind's leader, but he's a bit busy. Really, really busy. Too busy! Oh, so much work... But uh, they may know! I mean, they helped build this camp after all! Oh, and uh, good luck on your mission!"

A hopeful response, even if it was a bit disappointing in some mild regard.

"W-wait, if you want food, ask the summoner! They could probably get you a uh, small snack or something."

Ah yes, the free summon booth. Replenish ammo, supplies, items, but you won't get anything special out of it. At least it was free. But then again, it's likely free for a reason.

(Image)
Nori Fukuhara

“I see.”
“Thank you for the advice in where to gather the materials.”

Fukuhara would turn and leave the tent, being only minorly disconcerted by the whole affair (and the sound of gunshots in the background).

It was… an irritation, that he would not be able to see such an augmentation to his weaponry in action until a somewhat later date, but as a researcher (and a Neo-Korean) he had run into his fair share of disappointments, resolving to simply handle the procedures necessary to gather such later…… somehow.

The route to doing so would probably relate somehow to the hunting culture of this area, and as such he resolved to gather some information on his new target in the nearest timeframe available (That being right now.) (With the Shaman.)

Moving away from the Enchanter’s Tent, he meandered over to the Shaman’s own location, attempting to gather himself to answer the questions he desired to ask in a fashion that wouldn’t be potentially offensive to the fellow (no use making enemies this early into the venture afterall).

Examining the fellow who had just been rather severely reprimanded by their hosts, he redoubled himself in this sense, finally reaching the shaman and beginning another conversation.

(Image)
Nori Fukuhara

“Greetings.”

“If you’ve the time, I would like to make a query about where the…… Jagersagg, I believe the name was, can be found in this general area.”

The male shaman then swings around for Nori, offering a rather forced, almost crooked smile and some clasped hands, as if trying to appear innocent of just reprimanding a human explorer for trying something stupid. Hey, at least he was kind about it too, speaking up to the doctor in a rather calm, yet mildly frustrated voice.

"Well, the Jageragg? Yea, those slinky little things are usually found in the grass by night. During the day they hide in dark holes, but it's far easier to find them by night given their hanging, glowing bait antenna. They don't seem to sleep, but they will bite if you try to grab one. The little creatures are slender, blue, have the ugliest little mug on them, and are no longer than one's arm. Again, easier to find by night, which is... Going to take a while. Unless you want to spend time looking around in the forest! Just avoid the fog."

Ah yes, the fog. The ominous, eldritch force that looms silently as an ever-present threat.

[Yokron pro-government partisans]

Don looks around, "Odd place. Well, time to start..." he thinks to himself.
He walks over to a slime and begins trying to gently pick it up and put it in his backpack. After it slips out of his hands a few times, he finally manages to stuff it into his pack.
After this, he decides to explore for a bit, "Its midday" he thinks, "No rush. We'll get some knowledge, get a good rest, and then set off. Yes, yes, that's what we'll do"

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

Well if by tavern he meant the local shaman, yea, I suppose that works. However he would meet a bonk on the head from a knife-hand, just a hard tap on the noggin, from the Shroom inside who was keeping him from just trying to inhale the slow-brew herbal remedy that was still cooking over the fire.

"Hey! You! Human! Are you here because you're sick or something? Or are you here just to steal stuff? This is not a place to be running around like a child now. Or do you need help with something?"

Well, minor physical altercations aside, they are willing to hear him out.

(OOC note: There are no taverns. This is a camp. Not a city. Read, listen. Pay attention.)

"Nah, I'm just a little... Dazed y'know after seeing an avian getting eviscerated by a invisible woodchipper is a pretty new experience to me..." grumbled Insurrectionist, rubbing his head, god damn that hurt.
"Say, that shattered bottle over there, can I have it?" he asked, pointing at a shattered, long-necked apothecary jar in a pile of broken glass with it's bottom broken off, it seemed thick walled enough to be used as a little.. stabby stabby if you would, it could prove useful later, when he would probably need to eviscerate something himself, maybe one of those invisible woodchippers...
"Eh, forget it, can you give me an overview of what the hell this place is?"

[Foggycap]

Don looks around, "Odd place. Well, time to start..." he thinks to himself.
He walks over to a slime and begins trying to gently pick it up and put it in his backpack. After it slips out of his hands a few times, he finally manages to stuff it into his pack.
After this, he decides to explore for a bit, "Its midday" he thinks, "No rush. We'll get some knowledge, get a good rest, and then set off. Yes, yes, that's what we'll do"

Indeed, outside it was nice, plenty nice. Slimes within view though quite far from the camp's exit/entry, plus the forest around them, beyond the camp's walls. A simple, yet elegant, camp. Perfect for the start of an adventure.

Well if by tavern he meant the local shaman, yea, I suppose that works. However he would meet a bonk on the head from a knife-hand, just a hard tap on the noggin, from the Shroom inside who was keeping him from just trying to inhale the slow-brew herbal remedy that was still cooking over the fire.

"Hey! You! Human! Are you here because you're sick or something? Or are you here just to steal stuff? This is not a place to be running around like a child now. Or do you need help with something?"

Well, minor physical altercations aside, they are willing to hear him out.

(OOC note: There are no taverns. This is a camp. Not a city. Read, listen. Pay attention.)

"Nah, I'm just a little... Dazed y'know after seeing an avian getting eviscerated by a invisible woodchipper is a pretty new experience to me..." grumbled Insurrectionist, rubbing his head, god damn that hurt.
"Say, that shattered bottle over there, can I have it?" he asked, pointing at a shattered, long-necked apothecary jar in a pile of broken glass with it's bottom broken off, it seemed thick walled enough to be used as a little.. stabby stabby if you would, it could prove useful later, when he would probably need to eviscerate something himself, maybe one of those invisible woodchippers...
"Eh, forget it, can you give me an overview of what the hell this place is?"

"Haha, yea, those anomalies can really mess your day up. Anyways, this place? This camp? This is Camp Alpha! Out there, that's the Green Island Plant. Your uh, goal. Sorta. Boss says there's a lab under that plant, which is why you guys came here. To run in there, gather information, artifacts, and scraps, then come back here and give us the goods, before running back. Or running home. Oh, and not dying. Who knows what you'll find in there..."

He looks to the broken alchemy glass, using magic to simply raise it and later reassemble the glassware, before floating it into his hand, then slipping it away into some kind of small portal.

"That glassware is, sadly, mine. If you lack a weapon, well, tough luck. But you might find something of equal use in the labs, assuming you're not eviscerated on the way there by the threats outside of the plant."

[The Epic Notepad of GrangerAirstrike]

There was some hubbub occurring now, I could tell that. Though it didn't take a researcher or shaman to realise that... Anyway! I would've spotted some interesting sights, heard even more interesting and perhaps even unnerving sounds, all of which raced through my mind, adding to the slosh of metaphorical soup that was already frothing around up there. Oh my, it's lucky that I can deal with all those thoughts! Or at least, that's what I tried to tell myself
I spotted a human, yes a real, living, breathing human making their way to the Shaman's camp, smoke billowing from the tent and rising above the forest... Actually no, I spotted two! And there was a bit of a commotion to boot going on, though who was the one getting the short end of the stick I don't know. Oh how tempted I am to approach them and... To be honest, geek out a little in front of them. I've encountered so much that those humans made throughout my travels and archaeological efforts, but to actually see it's creator?! Well I doubt any of those two created anything I found but you get what I mean. But, I decided against it, at least for now. The last thing the Shaman would want is to be bombarded with people so quickly, right?

So instead, I sighed a little, out of disappointment? Anticipation? Nervousness? I honestly couldn't say. And brought myself to one of the shops set up. After all, I'd need to get some food for the journey, so what better time than the present? Though that does mean I'd have to talk to whoever was keeping said shop, and I don't know if I'll speak too much or too little or if I'll sound really awkward and... Well, there I go. Overthinking again





When I made it to the shop, I swallowed a bit, rustled a hand unconsciously through the spines atop my head, and spoke up

Umm...

I started...

Hello there. I hope it's going well for you? I'm doing fine, actually I'm doing pretty great! Umm, the experience, the discovery, the people that'll be exploring this plant with me! Including those humans! It'll be something that'll ingrain itself in my mind for a long time

And there I go, speaking too much. They're just there to handle trade, not listen to me blather on like that

Umm... Anyway, I was wondering if I could get some food? You know, for the journey. Small stuff that can fit in an already somewhat filled up bag just to keep me energised... If that's. Not too much to ask?

I finished almost sheepishly... Usually I'm not this nervous, but... Well, maybe it's to be expected. This'll be a huge event, especially with outside help, and when I mean outside I mean even beyond Gaia's influence... And it's risky as well. If you weren't nervous, do you even fee anythingl?

[Yokron pro-government partisans]

--Snippity Bippity

OOC: Oh, sorry, I didn't know that they weren't in the camp because the opening post says you can walk over to a slime as one of the actions. Also, he didn't go into the shaman tent, he decided to look around.
IC:

Don checks his weapons and equipment because there's no telling when he'll have to go out. Everything working as intended...
He then sees a shroom and decides to talk to it. He walks over and says, "Hello! Do you have any advice on what a new adventurer here should do?" He puts on his best smile, as he wants to get on the good side of the natives.

[Foggycap]

There was some hubbub occurring now, I could tell that. Though it didn't take a researcher or shaman to realise that... Anyway! I would've spotted some interesting sights, heard even more interesting and perhaps even unnerving sounds, all of which raced through my mind, adding to the slosh of metaphorical soup that was already frothing around up there. Oh my, it's lucky that I can deal with all those thoughts! Or at least, that's what I tried to tell myself
I spotted a human, yes a real, living, breathing human making their way to the Shaman's camp, smoke billowing from the tent and rising above the forest... Actually no, I spotted two! And there was a bit of a commotion to boot going on, though who was the one getting the short end of the stick I don't know. Oh how tempted I am to approach them and... To be honest, geek out a little in front of them. I've encountered so much that those humans made throughout my travels and archaeological efforts, but to actually see it's creator?! Well I doubt any of those two created anything I found but you get what I mean. But, I decided against it, at least for now. The last thing the Shaman would want is to be bombarded with people so quickly, right?

So instead, I sighed a little, out of disappointment? Anticipation? Nervousness? I honestly couldn't say. And brought myself to one of the shops set up. After all, I'd need to get some food for the journey, so what better time than the present? Though that does mean I'd have to talk to whoever was keeping said shop, and I don't know if I'll speak too much or too little or if I'll sound really awkward and... Well, there I go. Overthinking again





When I made it to the shop, I swallowed a bit, rustled a hand unconsciously through the spines atop my head, and spoke up

Umm...

I started...

Hello there. I hope it's going well for you? I'm doing fine, actually I'm doing pretty great! Umm, the experience, the discovery, the people that'll be exploring this plant with me! Including those humans! It'll be something that'll ingrain itself in my mind for a long time

And there I go, speaking too much. They're just there to handle trade, not listen to me blather on like that

Umm... Anyway, I was wondering if I could get some food? You know, for the journey. Small stuff that can fit in an already somewhat filled up bag just to keep me energised... If that's. Not too much to ask?

I finished almost sheepishly... Usually I'm not this nervous, but... Well, maybe it's to be expected. This'll be a huge event, especially with outside help, and when I mean outside I mean even beyond Gaia's influence... And it's risky as well. If you weren't nervous, do you even feel anything!?

Luckily, the summoner who was normally tasked with drawing in spare... Well... Junk... Cracked a smile to the worried Shroom. Being Earthen, they were happy to comply for them, even if they were a rather large rose, soon using their tendril-like vines to open a portal, drawing forth an edible platter of raw steak on the verge of spoilage. Food, indeed, for a Shroom. To any human however, it was probably more akin to an insult, given the mild rot upon it. But the Earthen understood, having resumed trade with the Shrooms for a while now. Their diets were almost similar, too, though the Earthen would rather consume liquid meals. That detail aside, they gently offer the meal to the nervous Shroom, speaking up.

"Here, I think you should probably eat up first. Ah, though I can also grand you a pouch of food as well, like this-"

Another tendril reaches into the portal, offering up what seems to be a bladder, full of what is best described as liquid food. It's better to not question the contents, which can get headache-inducing. So, they have a meal for now, and slosh for later! At no real cost. Convenient.

"-Oh yes, if you need more, please, come back. Angelica is, erm, paying for this after all."

Oh, that explains why it was free. Free yet limited.

--Snippity Bippity

OOC: Oh, sorry, I didn't know that they weren't in the camp because the opening post says you can walk over to a slime as one of the actions. Also, he didn't go into the shaman tent, he decided to look around.
IC:

Don checks his weapons and equipment because there's no telling when he'll have to go out. Everything working as intended...
He then sees a shroom and decides to talk to it. He walks over and says, "Hello! Do you have any advice on what a new adventurer here should do?" He puts on his best smile, as he wants to get on the good side of the natives.

(OOC: Aye, tis fine. Will edit the tent bit out, then.)

Sticking around outside in the open air and approaching the armorer, who was busy trying to fashion a spear, he would get a kind response from the female figure, dressed in light armor, as she fastens the spearhead to the shaft. She almost makes it look easy, using leather straps dipped in what seems like glue or resin.

"Hello hello, sir. An adventurer? Well, given Gaia's guidance, I would suggest you seek out your own adventure... Though, before you head into that plant over yonder, I'd try to coax one of the slimes into leading you into it. They can understand you, of course, but only if you talk nicely. If you try to threaten them or even hurt them... Well... You'll probably envy the dead long before you join them."

After tightening up the straps, she breaks off the excess and smooths it out, before asking him-

"Say, are you going to buy anything here? Or are you just here to ask about what to do? I mean, I can sell you stuff if you have anything to trade for it... But answering questions is free."

[Socalist Republic Of Mercenaries]

-snip-

"Ah well, I must get going then..." Said Karl, departing from the tent, While he exits the tent he can be heard mumbling to himself,"God damn, I wish I brought 40mm grenade launcher and inert training chalk grenades" He overlooked that prior, but it now proved a major disadvantage, He sighed, and decided to meet up with another fellow human to explore the plant with.

OOC: anyone down for rp?

[The Epic Notepad of GrangerAirstrike]

Luckily, the summoner who was normally tasked with drawing in spare... Well... Junk... Cracked a smile to the worried Shroom. Being Earthen, they were happy to comply for them, even if they were a rather large rose, soon using their tendril-like vines to open a portal, drawing forth an edible platter of raw steak on the verge of spoilage. Food, indeed, for a Shroom. To any human however, it was probably more akin to an insult, given the mild rot upon it. But the Earthen understood, having resumed trade with the Shrooms for a while now. Their diets were almost similar, too, though the Earthen would rather consume liquid meals. That detail aside, they gently offer the meal to the nervous Shroom, speaking up.

"Here, I think you should probably eat up first. Ah, though I can also grand you a pouch of food as well, like this-"

Another tendril reaches into the portal, offering up what seems to be a bladder, full of what is best described as liquid food. It's better to not question the contents, which can get headache-inducing. So, they have a meal for now, and slosh for later! At no real cost. Convenient.

"-Oh yes, if you need more, please, come back. Angelica is, erm, paying for this after all."

Oh, that explains why it was free. Free yet limited.

An Earthen, a pretty rose, vines and all which they were very much inclined to make use of, retrieving foods; an almost-spoiled (not like it mattered to me) piece of meat, and a bladder full of something I wouldn't question, not now nor when I decided to force it down me... These Earthen are almost as common of a sight to me as my fellow shrooms, considering the instances I have met with and interacted with them, on more than one occasion indeed. They were always friendly and kind, and did well to ease my easily occupied mind, thank Gaia... Of course, said food was retrieved from portals, yet another instance of magic being used ever so casually... It makes me wonder, did the humans make use of such magic so often back before the flash? But... I've never found evidence they did, or even knew that it existed at all, which is weird. Ahh, but that's one of the many exciting mysteries left to be solved by people like me after all!
And there I go, thinking a little too much about unrelated things again. It's a wonder I survive out on my trips with such an unfocused mind... But, maybe I give myself too little credit. When it matters, I can snap to and concentrate. I think

Oh, and the Earthen mentioned Angelica. A leader - a Queen - Foggycap doesn't deserve to be blessed with, not to say my nation deserves trouble of course. Though I do wonder, did she authorise this trip? And more confusedly, did she allow these portals to other worlds to be opened up so transdimensional people can come and volunteer to handle the search? The logical side of my mind almost questions this, can people completely new to our world even be trusted to venture into this Plant? To study it and find out it's secrets? But that's only a nagging thought, nothing more





Unfortunately, my mouth started working faster than my mind at this point, much to my near-future chagrin, accosting this kindly Earthen summoner with my ramblings

Angelica? I wonder, did she also allow the magicians to open up portals to other worlds? To allow people from them to volunteer for this adventure?

Curse me, I started speaking again... I stammered for a moment, before continuing again

Not that they're not welcome to. A human might actually know more about what we're exploring than even us! Umm, shrooms like me I mean... And maybe your kind too? But I-I shouldn't make assumptions like that. I just really hope that...

No no, they don't need to hear me go on for any longer... Unless they implore me to continue? But why would they do that? No never mind that...

Umm... Sorry for wasting your time. You gave me what I want and now I'm overstepping my bounds, talking this much.

[Foggycap]

"Oh, it's fine! She authorized the camp, and as far as I'm aware, the use of those, er, inky black portals. Sadly, the most we know collectively is that the plant hides a dark secret below. Some have seen it, though they were changed by it. Yet, it seems not enough has been discovered. Who knows, maybe it could even expand our knowledge of the greater world?"

The rose seems to gesture to the poor Shroom who is tenderly rubbing their temples, with a shaman giving them a potion to aid with the pain. They still seem busy, but they likely knew about why foreign volunteers were allowed to go. Then again, they would also know what horrors lie within, but whether they would speak of such is another matter entirely.

The sun is still high above the horizon, as barely any time has passed for now. A gentle breeze picks up, shaking the trees around the camp gently, as the forest takes a fresh breath of air. A relaxing sigh, almost, with the air still being rather warm and cozy despite the mild gust.

[Neo-Western East Korea]

Nori Fukuhara

While this unfortunately impeded his progress, one did not achieve alliances if they voiced displeasure so early in an endeavor, and as such Fukuhara put on what was arguably a smile, before ending the conversation.

“I see, thank you for the information, it will be quite useful soon.”

What to do, what to do……

Well, he supposed that with meat seemingly being handed out nearby, he could make an attempt at befriending the slimes once again.

Moving his body over to the location of both the summoner and the additional Shroom-Creation, he (unfortunately rudely, but the ends justified the means in this case) interrupted their conversation for a moment to acquire some material of his own.

Nori Fukuhara

“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I noticed you were handing out meat of a variety.”

“If I may acquire the same type of such as……”

He slightly gestured over to shroom near him, almost dismissively if one had already taken a disliking to the fellow.

“The individual next to me acquired, Such would be greatly appreciated.”