(IC) Lost In Dreams [Peter]

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter concentrates on this connection to Runt, trying to feel out its depths. Rather than issuing commands, he tries to control the construct's actions by visualizing them in real-time.

Is there any sense of consciousness of the creature? Any sort of feedback or communication coming in from the connection? Peter will imagine seeing things from the magic's perspective and try to tap into Runt's senses... if it even really has any...

Runt has desires, and these are molded by Peter. He can feel what Runt wants, and he can change it directly. He can also give weird technique directions... but these take a while to impart. So he can show runt how to dodge, and he can tell runt to dodge left, but he can't do both in real time. And there are limits to what can be taught: tracing letters in the dirt seems beyond Runt.



Seeing through Runt's senses is a lot more successful. He can just do it.

"No, I don't meditate... is that where you just kind of don't think of anything? How does it work?"

I suppose some people might do it that way, but the way we do is different. Its designed to strengthen your mind for forming the creature. It lets you Karana faster, stronger, and longer. You are progressing as though you've meditated after our manner for a while.



How does it work? Mostly, you sit in a position and visualize patterns very precisely. Then you move them in your mind.



He draws in the dirt three geometric patterns inscribed in circles, radially symmetrical 12 times, like a clock. The idea is to visualize one of these and then move it smoothly between the others, with as many variations as possible. He says there are other patterns as well.

"I'd love to try the game... what are the rules?"

Well, each Karana maker gets a count of eight to create a shadow over the fire. Then they fight in a circle drawn in the dirt. Last shadow to return to smoke or to cross the circle loses. The maker can instruct his shadow, but not enter the circle.

Peter will take a walk in the jungle and look to see if there is a good spot and material for a shelter in case he feel like he has to move out of the tent. He also keeps an eye out for edibles and tracks to evaluate how hard it might be to live off the land if this camp doesn't work out. He may range a bit further out to see if there is any evidence of ruins nearby if he can find enough daylight outside of his duties.

Peter has lived off of a jungle before, but that was a different jungle. This one seems rather different. Getting shelter doesn't seem to hard. Food would be tricker: he doesn't know the local edible plants, though he has some good guesses.



He isn't able to go too far looking for ruins, at least not on the first two days, though he does overhear snatches about the "Kakara Ruins" from people around the camp. The camp is actually built explicitly to search for these Kakara Ruins.

[the_matrix_walker]

Peter experiments with Runt's senses... He has the little dog sniff around to see if he has a dog's keen sense of smell.

-----------------------------------------------------

Peter will happily chat bout the meditation and see if they will show him a few more patterns, he will practice some of these in his mind later in the evening before he goes to sleep.

-----------------------------------------------------

While exploring the jungle, Peter collects some of the plants he thinks are good candidates and brings them back to see if others in the camp can help him identify anything. Before returning, he makes a small fire and tries to create a Karana with the nature of a bird, and sends it to flight and get a literal bird's-eye view of the area.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter experiments with Runt's senses... He has the little dog sniff around to see if he has a dog's keen sense of smell.

Runt has a strong sense of smell, and good hearing, but Peter isn't sure how it compares to Goliath's. Does he have a way to test that? It does seem better than Peter's smell and hearing.

While exploring the jungle, Peter collects some of the plants he thinks are good candidates and brings them back to see if others in the camp can help him identify anything.

rolling... The first few people he ask haven't a clue: they don't leave camps with good stocks of food. One of them points him towards someone he says would be good to ask: one of the camp's guards: Geet Grewal. Geet has a nasty scar on his right arm. He confirms only a few of the items, and points Peter towards a few more.



"Though you can eat most things, truth be told. When we ran out of supplies on campaign, we tried a lot of the jungle. Didn't have many die from poisoning. More from disease because the poison made them sick."



The advice Geet gives is very practical, but mostly relies on a few experiences, rather than on proper training.

Before returning, he makes a small fire and tries to create a Karana with the nature of a bird, and sends it to flight and get a literal bird's-eye view of the area.

The robin he makes looks a little out of place in the jungle. The strength of the senses rapidly fade with distance. The bird is probably only about 20 yards out before the image is almost too fuzzy to use. He does get a good look at the jungle around him, but he can't distinguish breaks in the trees that might hold ruins from little dips in tree height.

Peter will happily chat bout the meditation and see if they will show him a few more patterns, he will practice some of these in his mind later in the evening before he goes to sleep.

They show him a few more, but encourage him to master the first one first. And to compete in the ring. someone remarks it will make the odds very interesting.



Peter goes to sleep with those patterns in his head. The patterns are difficult to follow and connect.



At some point, the patterns fade and he sees an image of one of the leaders of the camp staring into a fire and holding a small carved stone object, inlaid with some silvery metal. anytime someone comes close, his hands close over the object, concealing it.

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Runt has a strong sense of smell, and good hearing, but Peter isn't sure how it compares to Goliath's. Does he have a way to test that? It does seem better than Peter's smell and hearing.

Peter does not have a way to measure the two, but his musing is pretty much answered if he is sensing anything he could not on his own.

"Though you can eat most things, truth be told. When we ran out of supplies on campaign, we tried a lot of the jungle. Didn't have many die from poisoning. More from disease because the poison made them sick."

He makes some mental notes and gives the plants names to help him remember them. He is very thankful for the assistance.

The robin he makes looks a little out of place in the jungle. The strength of the senses rapidly fade with distance. The bird is probably only about 20 yards out before the image is almost too fuzzy to use. He does get a good look at the jungle around him, but he can't distinguish breaks in the trees that might hold ruins from little dips in tree height.

He will make several attempts until his birds stop lasting long enough to add to his knowledge of the area. He tries to send the birds straight up as well to see if there is more to be gained by an even higher altitude.

They show him a few more, but encourage him to master the first one first. And to compete in the ring. someone remarks it will make the odds very interesting.

As Peter has seen money change hands after these matches, what form does the currency take? Has there been any mention of payment for Peter's job?

Peter goes to sleep with those patterns in his head. The patterns are difficult to follow and connect.

The next day, he will find odd times to continue the exercises throughout the day. He begins to picture different creatures from fiction and amalgamated animals to try and come up with a good battle-critter. He does not create anything in view of the others and waits until he gets back out into the jungle to work on his customized Karana. He wants to see if he can give them cool abilities and makes creatures from his favorite cartoon. He attempts a few pokemon and wants to see if he can make the ones that float without wings fly, and see if he can make a Pikachu spark electricity, or a Squirtle spit a stream of water. Just for experimentation's sake, he sees if he can make a tiny cowboy and find out if he can make the creation quick-draw and shoot.

He also experiments with the smoke, by adding damp leaves or different fuels to see if the thickness or quality of the smoke has any impact on the creations.

At some point, the patterns fade and he sees an image of one of the leaders of the camp staring into a fire and holding a small carved stone object, inlaid with some silvery metal. anytime someone comes close, his hands close over the object, concealing it.

Peter will keep an eye out for the man in camp and strike up some small talk with him. Does he recognize him as a Karana summoner?

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

He will make several attempts until his birds stop lasting long enough to add to his knowledge of the area. He tries to send the birds straight up as well to see if there is more to be gained by an even higher altitude.

I was assuming the strait up trick for when I described getting above the canopy at all. He's in a pretty intense forest.



The birds can return to him, they don't vanish after the sense connection gets blurry.

As Peter has seen money change hands after these matches, what form does the currency take? Has there been any mention of payment for Peter's job?

Silver coins with various things stamped on them. They are called "Rupees". small units are called "anna". The value seems to be that of the metal, not any legal backing. Peter will be getting 10 rupees at the end of the month, with the cost of food and being housed making up the rest of his pay.



(lets go with 1 rupee = $16 Gurps. That means 1 "anna" will be 1$)

The next day, he will find odd times to continue the exercises throughout the day. He begins to picture different creatures from fiction and amalgamated animals to try and come up with a good battle-critter. He does not create anything in view of the others and waits until he gets back out into the jungle to work on his customized Karana. He wants to see if he can give them cool abilities and makes creatures from his favorite cartoon. He attempts a few pokemon and wants to see if he can make the ones that float without wings fly, and see if he can make a Pikachu spark electricity, or a Squirtle spit a stream of water. Just for experimentation's sake, he sees if he can make a tiny cowboy and find out if he can make the creation quick-draw and shoot.

He's able to get squirtle spitting the water, and the pikachu can spark. Neither is very strong: pikachu really only makes small sparks, maybe capable of starting a fire, and squirtle is just really spitting. The floating ones stay on the ground. The cowboy won't stay together, though he is mostly forming before he collapses into smoke.

He also experiments with the smoke, by adding damp leaves or different fuels to see if the thickness or quality of the smoke has any impact on the creations.

The only effect he can discern is the amount of smoke used in creations. Thin smoke takes more to create something... but he usually has more than enough smoke.

Peter will keep an eye out for the man in camp and strike up some small talk with him. Does he recognize him as a Karana summoner?

The man is fairly important and always seems to be doing something. Its not too hard to spot him, but it is hard to find an opening. Peter hasn't seen him using Karana. The man eats his dinner in his personal tent, and always seems to be talking to someone otherwise. How will Peter approach him?

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by ericthered

The man is fairly important and always seems to be doing something. Its not too hard to spot him, but it is hard to find an opening. Peter hasn't seen him using Karana. The man eats his dinner in his personal tent, and always seems to be talking to someone otherwise. How will Peter approach him?

Peter will keep an eye out for an opportunity to assist him if he undertakes a task that seems like an extra set of hands will be useful. He'll introduce himself and make small talk try to get an empathic feel for the kind of man he is.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter will keep an eye out for an opportunity to assist him if he undertakes a task that seems like an extra set of hands will be useful. He'll introduce himself and make small talk try to get an empathic feel for the kind of man he is.

Are you suggesting this man actually works with his hands? ... Peter does find a situation. Peter finds him getting a horse ready to ride and loading its bags up with gear, and finds himself helping as naturally as can be.



The man seems a little surprised at the small talk, but answers it straightly:.


"I am Mr. Coy Pundell. I am one of the three gentlemen financing this expedition for the Kakara ruins. You haven't heard of the ruins? Lad, how did you get on this expedition! You should have someone explain it all to you sometime."


The small talk is over quickly, and without any further ado, he hops on the horse and rides off into the jungle. He seems brisk, straitforward, and simultaneously intense and detached.

[the_matrix_walker]

Peter will seek out the one kid he's seen that is close to his age. He will introduce himself and Goliath, and try to make friends and pump him for information on what he knows about the caravan and what he's heard about the ruins.

He will also spend some time back by the fire and try and get more information from the smoke-spinners. He will let them know he won't have money to bet in the game until he gets paid.

He will continue to try and interact with Mr. Pundell when he returns, trying to get a feel for the man... he's trying to decide if the man is trustworthy and if he should share his visions of the site they are looking for.

He spends some time before bed in the evening working on his meditation on the patterns and then concentrating on the vision he had of the Kakara ruins, trying to summon it up again for more details. He imagines being far above it, so he can see more of the surrounding terrain.

[ericthered]

Anil Ghani is the kid Peter's Age. He's quite surprised to see Peter. "I didn't think there was anyone else my age on this expedition. Did your father send you, or are you a runaway?"



"You don't know anything about the ruins?" Anil wrinkles his nose. "How did you end up here? I suppose I can explain:"


"Five hundred years ago, this jungle was home to a terrible conqueror: Jagannath the Mysterious. Jagannath ruled many cities and lands, but he always kept his seat of power deep in this jungle. He could call not only men but demons to his banner, and it is said the demons lived at his seat of power. He went on many raids, striking deep into enemy country to seize their treasures and to punish those who attacked his lands."



"After twenty years of this, he was slain while feasting with a ruler he had forced to pay him tribute and give him troops. His realm fell apart. Each general thought another had managed the lands of the forest, the demon forces, and the treasure store."


"The location of his capital is well known, but there were no roads to it. Those who attempted to journey there have found nothing, or have disappeared. And so the old capital lies, with its treasure and demons, untrodden by foot of man."


"Several English gentlemen, including Mr. Pundell, have financed this expedition to find the Kakara ruins. My family is descended from Jagannath the Mysterious, and our claim to this land is better than any other. We have always been proud of our heritage, and when the English wanted to search for the ruins, we were happy to cooperate: Father insisted only that a member of Jagannat's blood line come along."
......
Mr. Pundell is cold, competent, and driven. He is currently obsessed with finding the ruins. Its suspected he would do anything to find them. Peter could possibly get in his good graces by sharing the dreams, but unless he can show proof of authenticity or a good lead to the ruins, he's likely to brush off the report.
......

The smoke-spinners are happy to have him. He doesn't actually need to pay money to play: others will happily bet around him. Someone suggests he may have a chance him he fights against people who have already expended their strength into Karana creatures.



If he asks about why his pokemon attempts didn't work, they'll tell him that the creatures are limited by "what is possible". They suggest adding armor, teeth, claws, and changing its shape.

.......
Peter's attempt to visualize the Ruins he saw before works: he is able to see the stone circle again. He slowly raises his view point, trying to get a sense of where the ruins are. He does sight a few distinctive looking hills.

......
please roll your animal handling default... (8, I think)

[the_matrix_walker]

"I've been on my own a little while now, and I joined up with the caravan when I pretty much stumbled across it. So you're not here with your dad?

Demons? What kind of demons? Like with horns on their heads and tails, or like spirits that possess people? There are lots of different demon stories!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Peter decides to find out more about this site and the motivations of these people before revealing anything to them. He's a little nervous about possibly handing over what he suspects is a source of power to people when he's not sure what they will use it for.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When talking with the Karana users, he says that he wants to practice a little more and pick out how he wants to change his critter before trying to join a match. He will watch a few matches and see if he can pick up on what is effective and what isn't... he also watches the participants to see if they appear to make any guiding movements, or if they seem to be using their creature's senses during the match.




On Peter's next trip to the jungle, he sends up his smoke birds to look around and see if he recognizes any of the hills from his vision.

EDIT!
Can I substitute an Influence Roll? Is this a job roll? is luck available? - Animal Handling 8 - Rolled a 9, so failure by one. What task am I rolling on?