Scene 3 - The Ardeyn Run

The Istanbul auction house fades from your consciousness. Infinite possibilities swirl behind your eyes as you travel at unconceivable speeds through the Strange network, created by unfathomable beings in the remote past. When the universe stabilizes, you find yourselves in a stone room.

The room, only a few paces on a side, is barely large enough for the six of you. The room has no windows, and one oak-plank door. Metal filigreed sconces hold magical glass-like crystals that fill the room with what appears to be natural daylight. Creeper vines adorn trellis mounted on one wall, dotted with tiny yellow flowers with red seeds. The ceiling is carved with light scrollwork geometric patterns.

There are no other contents in the room.

Looking about you, you do see unfamiliar faces, yet somehow you recognize each other as who you were, as if you remember each other in the forms. Yet the experience is wholly new. Domic Salish is with you, but here he has a dog-like head, dressed like some Egyptian immortal.

You also know that it is the 14th of Haze, the third month of summer in Ardeyn's sixteen month calendar. You know some other details as well.

Domic looks about, and eyes Duke appreciatively. "You are wise in the ways of Translation, my friend. I feel no discomfort at all." Indeed, you all feel none of the acclimization sickness from last time. "This was the room we created the inapposite gate to Earth from, but I see no signs of the device."

Describe your new forms to each of us.

Duke looks around and dusts off his rugged clothes and pulls a wooden mask up on his head exposing his face and he takes a good look around, "I ain't your friend, partner. You know you're still on the hook." he reminds the man before looking at him and giving a whistle he seems like he is about to say something when his face scrunches up and he shoves a hand into a pouch, "Well for a first time here, ain't all bad... got me I reckon about 10 pounds of jerky..." he explains shoving a piece of unidentified meat into his mouth and chews on it most of it handing out. He looks at the raise pattern on the skin of one forearm and adjusts a long dagger on his belt. He pulls out an odd looking seed he sniffs and hastily puts away with the realization what it might be.

"Y'all gud'er what?"

Micah chuckles to himself as Duke speaks. "I think your accent is worse, here!" he says, with another chuckle. He reaches out and pats Duke lightly on the back, the pink and purple shimmering sleeves on his... well, you wouldn't really call it a shirt. His torso is criss-crossed with silk ropes that meet at his shoulders and bundle together into a rope that then turns into the billowy sleeves adorning his arms. The silk ropes also meet at his waist and then turns into a short skirt or kilt of some kind. The skirt shimmers green and orange and sits over cream colored leggings that descend into light brown leather boots, intricately tooled with odd symbols on it.

He reaches over to the door and tries to push it open. "This is really cramped. I hope you don't mind if I let a little air in..."

Domic waves off Duke's threat but the qephilim's mannerism leaves you confused as to whether he is dismissing it, laughing, or fending off a fearsome attack.

Micah opens the door, and finds what looks to be an opium den for hobbits. Fantasy/medievally dressed humans, with a few qephilim and a couple of leonine types lounge in steeply angled chairs under a haze of multi-colored smoke. You see what must be an innkeeper behind a bar, and a lone, scantilly clad serving wench chatting idly with a soldier in a disheveled uniform.

Seth looks down at himself, noting his robes and staff, which seemed to be on the lighter side, so perfect for him, as well as his satchel with what seemed to be quite a heavy book in it. On closer inspection, he sees that the robe is inscribed and embroidered with what look like arcane symbols, with similar symbols on his bag and staff. He turns to the others as the door opens.

"Smooth trip Duke, excellent work. Let us see what this translation has in store for us." he says before walking towards the door.

Micah follows Seth, coughing and waving his hand in front of his face, trying to dispel a bit of the smoke.

"What the FUCK is this!" You hear Katyu shout just after the translation ends and the door opens. It appears it took her a moment to notice her look.

You look in her direction and you see she is wearing very little in the way of clothing. She was mostly cyborg in Ruk and had pants and a jacket covering her on Earth so it is safe to assume, especially after thay reaction, that she may like a bit of modesty.
"I'm wearring a bathing suit. Wherre is rest of my armorr. I cannot go out like this." She is wearing armored boots that rise just above her knee. Leathe leggings sit under them and go up to her mid thigh. A few strips of leather act as a skirt of some kind with fur and leather pieces that hang down over her hips. Her chest is covered only by a small leather underwire is the best way to put it. Two flaps of fabric are attatched to that and pulled up over by a buckle to cover her breasts. A light gold/yellow cloak drapes over her back, large enough to cover her body and she does so.
"Of course girrl gets typical fantasy outfit for female. I wish I could shot the one in charge."

"Hey it ain't set in stone darling, maybe we can snag you a pair of pants on the way... At least you don't have to worry bout creepers taking photos of you in that get up." Duke offers up smack his mask down over his face and heads out to hide his smirk.

The Pyramid is... well, not a resting place for the Rukish weapon that you chased across the recursions. You look about, but see no sign of it.

Domic leads you to the bar, and asks the person behind if anyone has used the private room since he left. "That was days ago. Of course it has been used!"

Domic swears, and says to you, "Time moves funny here. Sometimes. It isn't fully anchored to the Shoals of Earth."

He asks the barkeep, "Who took the device? A strange piece of Starfall like a... like an alchemist's homoculous?"

They discuss the device briefly, before the barkeep looks expectantly. "I would tell you, Domic, what I know. Except sometimes... well, loyalties can be divided."

Upon hearing the last line, Micah leans on the bar, raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"Come on... tell us. We're not here to cause problems for you; no one will know it was you who told us."

Duke nods to the barkeep, "Guess you're coming mountain climbing with us." he states clapping the informant on the back.

"Who are these Black Moon Explorers, exactly? Are they...translators as well?" Seth asks Domic, as they move to exit the tavern.

She brandishes her lance as she speaks to the barkeep. "Tell us now. I do not want to be staying herre much longer."

Domic waves his hands dismissively. "They are an adventuring troupe. Much like your team, they started small, but grew over time into a large band, a guild almost. They have a solid reputation."

"Well if they're good folks maybe we can come to an understanding..."Duke states hopefully, "Yall need good mountain and hiking gear? Ain't no SUVs ta get us to where we're going."

Micah smiles at Demius and opens his mouth, then closes it in thought, peering down at himself. "Ya'know? I was going to say I'm good to go, but I could probably use some gear. I'm not sure how sturdy these boots are..." He lifts one foot off the ground, poking at the boot and sole. Finding it to be sturdier than he thought, he drops his foot with a shrug. "I dunno, maybe a backpack, water skin and 10-foot pole?"

With a loud thunk, Vinny bashes his head in the doorway as he exits the small room. Vinny towers over everyone at nearly seven feet tall. His dark grey stone skin has been carved to resemble a human warrior wearing ancient qephilim armor.

He starts to quip but his words never make it out as he is distracted by Katyu. But Vinny is rarely at a loss for words long, his voice is deeper and gravelly. His words form more slowly, Damn, girl, Red Sonja got nothin on you.

Katyu walks over to Vinny. Staring up at him she points a finger at him angrily. "This will be the only time you see me this way. So don't get any ideas." She turns and walks out. Probably heading to find a large cloak or shirt.