(OOC) The Scout's Guide to the Multiverse ☺

[the_matrix_walker]

Companion Thread to
Lost In Dreams [Peter]

Please refrain from posting in this thread, it is a chronicle of Peter Nichols wanderings through dreams.

My intent is to create an entry or two for each of the world's Peter has visited thus far, with a quick reference for magic, powers, notable characters and features, etc


First Posted in the Original [OCC] Lost in Dreams


Peter Nichols (Original) (Current)

History

Spoiler:  

Peter is from Burlington Massachusetts. He's had a great passion for the outdoors since he was quite small, and would spend hours in the woods behind his home exploring his own 2-acre "wilderness". When he was old enough, his parents enrolled him in the Boy Scouts of America.

He set about earning his merit badges with great fervor and made Eagle Scout at 12 years old. Peter was determined to become the youngest Eagle Scout ever but missed this goal by several months. Despite the many congratulations and high praise from his parents and troop, he found this terribly disappointing.

While on a camping trip, Peter heard a commotion in the woods, the sound of a crying animal. He decided to check it out and woke his father to help him investigate. They discovered a dog who had slipped down into a crevice, his front paws bloody from trying to scramble out and failing countless times. While Peter's father got a rope, Peter impulsively slid down into the crevice with the animal. The dog did not want him to approach at first, seeming unsure if Peter was friend or foe, but Peter tossed the animal a few chunks of the granola bar from his vest pocket, and the creature made up its mind. Peter's father had a bit of trouble finding the campsite, and Peter comforted the animal while his father found his way, and then the rope and returned. He tied the end of the rope into a crude harness, and Peter was able to put it on the dog and himself, and they climbed out together. When they were unable to find an owner in town, Peter's parents allowed him to adopt the animal. They took him to the vet, and were astonished to find that what they thought was a full-grown dog, was in fact a Leonberger puppy! Peter's parents would probably not have let the boy keep the animal had they known how much more it had to grow, but they were not prepared to break his heart once they found out. From the time of his rescue, Goliath as Peter named him, was never far from Peter's side.

With both of his parents working, Peter has learned to be quite self-sufficient. The outlook and helpfulness taught to him by the boy scouts have him often helping around the house and his neighborhood. He's taken the Boy Scout's code to heart, and he enjoys the positive feeling he gets from benefiting his community.

Date of Birth / Age: 2/29/2000 local / 14
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 122lbs
Eyes: brown
Hair: brown


Parents: David Nichols, Margaret Hammond-Nichols

Goliath

Spoiler:  

Goliath has proven to be a loyal and constant companion to Peter, and demonstrated unusual intelligence, as well as an exceptional size, even for his breed. Goliath has pale golden paws with his legs turning a reddish brown leading up into his body with a darker brown back. He has a mane matching his midsection up to his mouth with a darker upper mane and face. He is a very social animal and is generally friendly when he and Peter are relaxed.

Date of Birth / Age: Homeline 2/29/2012 / almost 3
Breed: Leonberger
Height: 32" at the shoulder
Weight: 170lbs
Eyes: brown
Hair: brown

The Travels of Peter and Goliath

IC Thread Links

Spoiler:  

Where the Riders Dwell
- The Salvation of Senarich

Doctors Without Borders - the Miracle Workers
- A pilgrim in a Savage Land (Xenarthra-1 / mammoth-3 ?)
- Homeline
- Plague In Tenochtitlán

The Karaka Circle
- Birthright

Homecoming
- Fictions and Non-Fictions

A Clockwork Sky
- Thuroman Hospitality: Thanks be to Ink-Thur
- Temples in the Sky Like Diamonds
- Portal to the Gods: The Pristine Realm
- Not the Burlington you're looking for.
- Return to a Clockwork Sky
- Return to the Divine Village
- Thuroma, His reputation precedes him
--- Weekend Holiday at Home
- Thuroma, The Emissary ruturns
- Divine Council Interrupted
--- BioTech Dreamland
- The Hunt Is On!
- Dinner with Kyridas
- The Crossroads
- Coming to America

Canned Cloners and a Cat-Girl to Go
- Howdy Campers!

Red Planet
- Peter Nichols of Mars
___________________________________________

This Guide:

Land of the Riders

[the_matrix_walker]

Home.

People of Interest-

Burlington-
David Nichols - Peter's Father
Margaret Hammond-Nichols - Peter's Mother
Marcus Crosby - Peters middle school best friend

Other-
Robert Hammond - Peter's Mother's uncle, "Grunkle Bob". With the FBI in the DC area
Mary Hammond - Robert's Wife

They have a son Luke and his wife Gracie, and their daughters Madison and Caitlin.
Peter hasn't spent much time with his second cousins: they're 3 and 6 years younger than him, respectively.

Detective Morgan Barnes - Uncle Bob's associate who has worked Missing World Jumper cases

[the_matrix_walker]

HOMEWORLD

Peter's Earth is likely a low mana world, Karana Magic works, but is more difficult.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The magic flows, and the smoke begins to twist and curl. Its harder than on the last world... but it does seem to be working. Make a Karana roll. (IQ -5 for default... failures drain 1 FP each )

The language granting magic Peter learned under the Broken Clockwork Sky worked using household ingredients as incense. No mention of a skill penalty was made. Peter has not yet attempted healing and has encountered no portal to manipulate.

Originally Posted by ericthered

He is able to give his father the language of the priests of the clockwork sky world. His father says its quite strange, and asks if the same people are teaching him all the different tricks.

[the_matrix_walker]

"Land of the Riders" AKA "How to make Friends and Merge with Entities"

People of Interest-
Senarich - The Rider Peter carries.
Mr. Bart Batty - Man who finds and takes Peter in to his home and family.
Mr Hysop - Suspected Rider who brings Peter to Boston.
Robert Maxwell Morton - Carrier of Irrodontus, Peter's employer, Assassin.
John Kissenger - Carrier of Karokan, Morton's Secretary and Peters supervisor
Reverend Cole - A Guardian and Exorcist

The Dream

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter Nichol's dreams were eiree that night. He dreamed of an ancient, pristeen forest, still inhabited by its original creatures: deer, wolves, bears, beavers ... all were present. As were the original people of the land, dwelling in the forest, farming and hunting.

And then he dreamed of a iron city. Of europeans dwelling on a river, mining high in the hills and sending the coal down to fuel their hot bellied furnaces, creating reapers, plows, and guns.

But their was something off about both of the peoples: a wariness of the night, and a separating of their communities from the wild. Every town, every village, and indeed every camp, was marked with a clear warning: stay out. It was done in various ways, but they all did it: skulls, lines in the dirt with writing, fences, crosses ...

Peter woke up in the middle of the woods. That was normal. Goliath was next to him. That was also normal. But he was completely naked, which was not normal. At all. One glance at the stars told him that it was about an hour before dawn. Assuming it was still May and he was still in Massachusetts.

Peter's first Jump, and he soon met Senarich, who was a "Rider"

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

a translucent figure begins to form in the space above the bushes. Its exact features are indistinct, but it does have a human shape, with ... wings? There are certainly wings flowing out of its back. Its head has either a wild amount of hair or some sort of wreath, and its ears are massive and pointed, somewhat like a deer or horses.

Goliath's growls get lower. He's more scared than Peter has ever seen, but is trying to act brave.
a voice comes out of the bushes, incredibly unearthly:

"I am here, young man, a fallen creature seeking to exit its miserable state. will you help me?"

The voice echoes several times before dying down.

Peter allows Senarich to ride along in his body. In addition to advice, when given permission, Senarich is able to alter and even to control Peter's body for different effects...

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Rider: "I did not say I was a powerful being before hand for nothing. I can change what you are: what your shape is. I can change your nose to that of a bloodhound, your eyes to that of a hawk, and your shadow all that can be seen of you. Of course, I can change you back, and this requires your permission. There was a time when I wouldn't have needed it, but as I said, I was stuck back there."

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter looks at his hands ... and can't see them. In fact, he can't see any part of himself... except for his shadow. Goliath seems quite able to see him though. Either that or the dog has a sense of smell good enough that it didn't matter.

Feeling himself, his body had become hairier, his skin rougher, and his face had changed shape. His nose was wet. his teeth were sharper. His fingers had claws of some sort on them.

Human refugees from Earth have come via the Bermuda Triangle and other related strange disappearances have ended up on this world and are building a society. (There is also a population of natives, but Peter never encounters them)

Peter encounters a Mr Bart Batty, who gives Peter a tractor ride to town and gives him the lowdown:

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

"Goliath?" the farmer rubs the dogs head. "Well, boy, I hope you take to riding tractors well."

Mr. Batty drives the tractor to his home in the village: all the houses are clumped close to each other. All of them are wooden, and amenities seem limited. They do have running water, but have a preference for keeping it outside. Mrs. Batty and the children aren't home, but Bart gives Peter a shirt and pants to wear, and sits him down by a wood burning fireplace (the only brick part of the house) and explains some things.

"Son, your not home. There is a something that grabs people from old earth and brings them here. Some people say its Spirits, some think its God, others think its a just plain natural effect. At any rate, you're stuck here. You'll never see your family again, and your going to have to get used to that idea."

"There's a good number of us americans, who have been pulled into this place. We call it earth, or occasionally new earth, and where you're from is old earth. We've put back together most of civilization: Tractors, Radios, Modern ships, and so forth. At least I think it feels like civilization, but I came here in the 70's. I hear the newbies find it quite different. And I'll admit there are some things we just don't have down right: the plumbing is still unreliable, and you won't see a lot of super fancy goods, but thats just life.

"We're used to people like you coming in every so often, though most of the time there is more than just a boy and his dog. You'll be adopted into the community, or sent to one of the cities if you choose that."

"I hope that helps you understand your position."

While spending the night on the Batty's couch, Peter Dreams of Riders in the forest

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Rider: "you always have choice. have a good night."

That night, Peter dreamed of wild half-men running through the woods, with bestial faces and long claws. They met in strange councils, discussing... Peter couldn't figure out what they were discussing.

Peter was woken up quite early, 5AM or earlier, by the family getting up and moving around: cooking breakfast, feeding animals, and so forth. Mr. Batty asks Peter how he slept, in a loud voice and a manner that seems to imply he let Peter sleep in.

Mr Batty takes Peter to town to register him, where he meets Mr Hysop of Boston, who Peter senses is special, in the way he can sense his own Rider. When probed, Hysop insists the spirits are real, dangerous and to be avoided. Mr Hysop escorts him to 'Boston'

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Mr. Hysop notices Peter's quietness:
"Every thing all right son? you seem a little put off by my answer. Does it worry you, or do you think we're all crazy?"

They make it to town, and Peter is dropped off at a large and mostly empty building. Its somewhere between a boarding school, a hospital, and a barracks. It can easily house 100 people, but right now it seems only three older women work there and he's going to be the only boarder. Comments are made to the effect of 'No one else?' and 'They usually come in groups'.

The Women to be part time workers engaged in keeping the place up. They teach school during the rest of the time. The 'house' is right on the edge between a neighbourhood and a business part of town. Their last names are Coffin, Stove, and Bryant. Coffin is a spinster and by far the oldest (and smallest) and the other two are widows. They make good and sure Peter knows to keep the dog out of the house (there is a yard out back) and go down a list of expectations. Apparently young boys are expected to work around here. He's given the choice of helping to clean, or of finding employment for two hours after school each day.

The city of Boston is somewhere between 1900 and 1960 in feel. Cars are everywhere, but they are all the same kind, modeled after the tractors. Smog hangs over the city. Electricity is present, but Neon signs are not, though some people have done their best to imitate showy effects with other patterns of light bulbs. The streets are still that half-dirt half-roadbase, which is going to be very dirty when things get wet.

Peter is given a room, but they won't allow Goliath in the house, so he elects to sleep in the shed with his companion instead. While looking for a job the next day, he encounters a number of people with Riders, and get a job from Robert Maxwell Morton working for his Secretary, John Kissenger, at 'Morton's Freight'.

Senarich knows Robert Morton to be a Rider named Irodontus, and that his father hunted them.

There is the general impression of paranoia, that everyone is under the watchful eyes of their neighbors.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

The city is large enough to give an impression of size, yet its still small enough that Peter can actually get a feel for it. The city was created around the docks and factories, and has something of a dingy feel to it. Peter also gets the impression its not just him that's being closely watched... everyone here seems to watch everyone else.

[the_matrix_walker]

Peter attends school, and learns how the original settlement were the fold from Roanoke, VA and that Riders are a more recent problem. Then at work a woman Rider shows up to speak to Kissinger who he addresses as "Master".

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Most of the time people brought to this world come in large groups: towns, army camps, and ships. Ships happen particularly often.
Most of the travel coincides with wars: The last large batches of settlers came during the world wars, and have made great inroads into the local culture.
World travel seems to be limited to the east coast. While the world has been explored, new people only seem to show up around the north atlantic coast. The rest of world is bronze age or more primitive.
The first travel was the colony of Roanoke (the famous 'lost colony'). The center of civilization is still in Virginia.
Riders have only been a problem a little over 200 years. The original settlers (1600s) did not have to deal with them. The Riders actually conquered civilization just prior to the American revolution. The camps of soldiers that went through were a great help in the liberation.
Riders seem concentrated on the east coast, and while they do work with other populations, they seem to have a special taste for civilized people.
...
As he is finishing he senses a Rider come up and stand next to the door. He can't see the guy, but there is definitely a man, he's definitely got a rider in him, and the rider is definitely using some of his power... which is probably why Peter can't see him.

Peter goes on to discover a murder and the assassin, Mr Morton, who confesses, as well as a conspiracy of Riders that he's been left unaware of.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

After about a week of this routine, Peter dreams of a murder.... The target is evidently a rich man, one he has noticed before, without a rider and unknown to Peter beyond his face. He does remember the man as rather self-important.

The man is in some sort of drawing room, next to a fire, reading some sort of document. There is a shimmer of light, and a transformed Rider appears: long claws, long fur, and animal ears and nose. Its next to a gun near a fireplace, which it picks up and fires into the target. The target falls backward, the bullet having struck it in the skull. screams are heard higher in the house, and the assassin dashes out the door, unlocking it from the inside.

A few people try to chase the assassin, but he goes mostly invisible and is aided by supernaturally strong legs. And yet Peter seems to follow the shadowy figure. It runs through the town for some time before climbing up a house into a window. Inside, it changes into a human. A recognizable human: Mr. Morgan.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Morgan: "He's with the Guardians. I'm being cut out of our circles. I killed him to show I'm still a player."

More murders follow in multiple cities, and a war is brewing with the Riders and the communities. Peter meets one of the guardians, a 'Reverend Cole, who comes looking for information about the goings on at Morgan Freight. Ultimately, peter is able to play innocent and dissuade the Reverend's attention.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

In the next three days word comes in of other murders in other towns: Roanoke and New York have two apiece, and quite a bit of the country side has murders of their own. The Atlantic seaboard (which is the heart of the world around here) has 14 murders all told. All of them are wealthy businessmen, statesmen, and public figures. Three of them (including the first) are in Boston. Many accusations of demon possession are made, and while all of those are still in the process of trial, it adds to the upheaval, though Morgan's name does not make the list. On the third night, burglaries of shops by emboldened thieves are added to the headlines.

Senarich tries to be comforting, but he really isn't that good at it. For one, he doesn't know of any way for peter to get back home, and he's something of a brooder himself. And senarich doesn't know the whole story behind the tears.

Peter notices that riders are talking to each other quietly in the streets more and more often. Senarich is torn between Peter's policy of staying low (with which he at least partially agrees), and a desire to participate in the upcoming war and know what's going on. Kissinger seems to be taking everything smoothly -- he at least doesn't feel like he's at risk. At least one man (not a rider) asks him why he's so calm and Kissinger replies that he stays away both sides, and both sides don't bother him.

Peter's dreams feature meetings late at night, from both the brotherhood and bands of riders (who are either invisible or physically altered enough to be unrecognisable). They discuss people killed, and plan more people to kill. Peter doesn't get enough hints to figure out anything about who the people are though.

As Peter is going home on the third day, he is approached by a heavy man in a suit. Peter thinks the man is some sort of clergy or the other. The man says "Son, come on over here. I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you about your employment." The man seems quite solemn, and quite friendly.

Senarich gets tense and even a little panicked: "Its a priest. He's an exorcist. one of the enemy!"

When Peter discovers an exorcism, he goes to Kissinger and with him unites 11 of the riders to come together and rescue the captured rider as bloodlessly as possible. The Carriers lose access to their Riders and the powers that come with them in the process, and Peter is forced to fire his bow at people, but manages not to hit anyone despite his best efforts. The rescue is successful, and it turn out to be Morgan.

Peter talks them into negotiating a peace with the humans, and they decide to turn Morgan over to the authorities in a propaganda attempt to create real change with a public trial. Peter and Senarich leave them to work out the details.

Peter returned home satisfied they had possibly done some real good. He slept well and dreamed...

__________________________________________

Additional Notes:

While a native "indian" culture is referenced, Peter never encounters them.
Peter does not remain on the world long enough to determine if the negotiations are successful.
Peter thinks of Senarich often and wonders what became of him.. perhaps he will return some day.

__________________________________________

The Scout's Guide to the Multiverse, Book 1: Possible Titles

• Land of the Riders
• the Salvation of Senerich
• New Earth
• How to make Friends and Merge with Entities

__________________________________________

[the_matrix_walker]

Xenarthra-1

People of Interest-
Brian Wells - Miracle Workers Expedition Leader
Mr. Sandip - Confidant of Mr. Wells in a discussion on Centrum
Kumar Pooran - Peter's Guide from Homeline
Luisa Sanchez - Miracle Worker who turns them in for being fishy.
Elana Kozlov - New Miracle Worker from St. Petersburg


The Dream

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter dreamed of thatched huts of a sort (the leaves were too wide to be grass) standing around a more prominent structure. The central structure was made of something more solid (brick? concrete?) and had been colourfully painted in sharp somewhat meso-american designs echoing the themes of labyrinths, something that is probably writing, and fantastic animals (wings, snakes, bears, elephants (mammoths?) and raccoons are prominent and mixed together -- and horses are conspicuously absent) . Another spot in the village is made of bricks, with a maze large enough to walk along painted on it, along with various images of the strange animals. The maze actually extends beyond the bricks, which are placed in something of a patchy manner, much darker than typical bricks, and often marked with the funny writing. The center of the maze was the blackened sight of a bonfire. Outside of the village were extensive fields, most of which were full of weeds.

There were a few people in the village, but nowhere near the number such a large village should have. There were also animals, in quite large numbers: dogs, chickens, lamas, and several beasts resembling bears but larger than a bear and seemingly peacefully grazing while small children sat and watched them with dogs at their side.

The people had brownish skin and dark hair -- If Peter had to place them he'd probably go with Hispanic rather than one of the various Asians -- but perhaps he doesn't know his geography well enough. The crop they are growing is most certainly american corn.

Peter woke up at night. He was no longer in the bed the old ladies gave him. Goliath was still there, sniffing nervously -- the dog is obviously sensing something wrong. Peter realizes he's naked, and he's lying in what appears to be yet another new england forest. Reaching out with his extended senses, he feels -- nothing. And yet he's sure he hasn't merely gone blind, he can still sense, there just isn't anything to sense. In particular, senarich is gone.

Peter arrives and discovers a recently abandoned farm where he is able to clothe himself. He moves on in search of people.

He sees his first unusual animal, a giant armadillo surpassing Goliath's size and weight.

Then there is an encounter with a crazed and possibly plague stricken native who attacks, and when Peter is able to resist, the man kills himself. On his travels the following day, he finds a similar suicide.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

The man snarls something in a foreign tounge at Peter, then plunges the dagger into his chest. He falls back, breathing heavily and bleeding all over the place.

Originally Posted by ericthered

As its only about 2 PM (getting that food took a while), so Peter continues down the path. For a long time he sees no one. Then he comes across a visage more horrific than before: A man is lying in the path, dead. He appears to have taken his own life, judging from his bloody hand. His skin has a number of small red scabs/sores all over it. The man has painted himself in a specific fashion, and appears to have laid himself in line with the sun before driving the weapon in. The scabs are regular and random enough to suggest a disease or alergic reaction rather than a physical cause. Peter isn't sure what the disease is. He's pretty sure it isn't chicken pox though. A queasy feeling rises in his stomach -- what did all of the ancient diseases look like? he can't remember. He hopes dearly its an allergic reaction or the doing of some bizarre allergic reaction or poison.

Goliath barks at the death body, then looks up at Peter.

Peter encountered many natives terrified of a horrible plague and spent a great time running for his life. There was quite a bit of hiking. This would be come a theme. He is able to spy another unusual animal, much like a domesticated bear.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Its getting dark when Peter sees more people on the path, about 30 yards down it. They mounted on -- bears?, armed, and stationary. On seeing them, Goliath bristles, and not just becuase there is a dog with the riders.

The 'Bears' are grazing. They are very shaggy animals with long faces and their eyes are set a ways back in their head. Peter isn't quite sure what they are, but he's beginning to suspect they are not proper bears. The animals are heavy set, and at least horse sized (but much more heavily built).

The riders are of the ethnicity of the men he ran into before, and they are painted in the same colors as the man who killed himself. Both of them have the large-bladed spears and bows. They have seen Peter, and are getting their weapons ready for a fight.

Peter tries to disguise himself as a native in the hopes they do not attack him the next time he encounters them, and he goes to sleep and dreams...

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter is able to find some of the paint, adorns himself, and as its late at night, goes to sleep. He might have been cold, but the dog snuggles up with him and they keep each other warm.

His dreams that night are of modern folks, mostly white but with a couple of native americans and a single african, looking at a map of what is quite clearly the Chesapeake bay (the bay of Virginia and Maryland) in some sort of tent. They have little pins all over it, with varying sizes of heads, and they seem to be dealing with reports -- it has something of a military planning feel, but these folks don't quite look military -- at least most of them don't. One of them looks and acts very military. They do speak english, and though Peter can't really follow the discussion, they are planning on sending teams to different areas and the hostility of the locals is discussed at length.

Peter wakes up in the same location, stomach growling.

Peter sets out to find the more modern looking folk her saw in his dream. He finds another village, but avoids it after his experiences with the natives thus far.

He encounters a large wolf, but is able to keep the interaction calm.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter is able to get by, for the most part. He's fairly hungry some days, but other days he finds the food he needs, particularly meat. The crops aren't ripe yet, but several abandoned dwellings (and some villages are completely abandoned) have stores of food lying about. His dreams are

Peter steels himself, and presents himself as confident and cool to the animal. The wolf responds by becoming a little more cautious. Peter slowly and cautiously offers it some meat. Goliath growls lightly, but stays put. the wolf gulps down the offering in a single bite. When it comes close again, Peter stands the creature off, but continues speaking in his tones.

The animal approaches within 2 feet of Goliath and Peter, sniffs, and then turns and trots away.

twice time, he veers away from a hunting party of natives. If they saw him, they didn't react. He's quite aware they are stealthier than him, but he is quite observant, and Goliath has keen senses as well.

The third time, they get wind of him first, as he is gathering food in a field. He notices them before they are able to surround him, so they have to be content with just stepping out into the field and demanding something of him in their strange tongue. It seems to be some sort of question as well. The speaker has his large spear, but of the three men standing near him, two bear only bows and large hunting knives. They have a medium dog with them as well, much smaller than Goliath and of no breed Peter can identify.

OCC: wow -- he was actually well suited for the wolf.

The last group makes demands of Peter that he doesn't understand, he runs and they fire arrows at him. He travels for several more days before he again dreams

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter gets through the next few days with little incident. He still sees various local communities, and the modern folks. About eight days into his routine, he dreams of both of them together.

An African American (he sees quite american) wearing a medical style outfit is shown into a local hut, where a man is suffering from some sort of illness. The man looks him over, administers an injection, then calls in another man -- this one extremely weathered, and missing a lot of teeth. The two talk in english for a while (though the weathered man seems to use an archaic form of it). PEter hears it mostly as a diagnosis -- of small pox. The weathered man turns and seemingly tries to convey the issue to one of the locals -- neither of them speak the language well. Outside, other modern people start unloading crates of shining hypodermic needles.

OCC: Technically, they asked questions before they started shooting!

[the_matrix_walker]

Peter and Goliath spend Day 13 tracking through a storm until they are forced to find shelter. On day 14, Peter has a flash from his magic sense, but only follows it a few minutes before deciding to press on after the path of the modern folk.. he decides to travel into the night:

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

At perhaps 2 in the morning, he finds the glowing lights of a campsite -- and glowing gas lights. He's coming closer but can't really see them properly when he hears a shot ring out, and a bullhorn addresses him in the native tounge in a fairly aggressive tone of voice.

Peter meets Brian Wells, leader of this expedition of Miracle Workers. Discovering a mysterious new world jumper, Brian Wells is anxious to put Peter to work.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

"Boston -- we might be able to get you home. We're going to be out here for a while though. Do ... Do you understand what's going on? Or do we need to explain what's happened to you?"

As they converse, an older man comes out, dressed in pyjamas, obviously having just woken up. The man is tall and heavy set but seems to be active enough. "Found someone... ahh, there you are. Well, this certainly is a surprise. My name is Brian Wells, and I'm heading this expedition of the miracle workers. We're trying to clean up this mess. Welcome aboard. What to do with you, what to do with you ... how long have you been out there? Impressive. You don't have a problem helping us out, do you?"

Originally Posted by ericthered

Mr. Wells: "I can explain most of it. There are -- more worlds than just the one you grew up on. Different places, with different histories. Some have different geographies, some have different creatures, and so on. Most of the ones I'm aware of are quite similar to earth. Right now you are recognizably in Virginia. The rivers and creeks around here correspond to rivers and creeks in your world. The date here is different though. Its currently March 14, 1689. And while history in europe looks normal, its completely different on this side of the Atlantic. You have ... woken up here of your own accord, or at least of your own ability -- I think. I'm from a different world than you, but by your accent I'm going to guess a similar one. I'm from Phoenix Arizona, but in my world we invented machines to travel between these worlds. A few people can do it on their own though. You are probably one of them."

"As for what's going on here, somehow a lot of the larger animals from the ice age didn't die off in the americas, and we have a proper civilization over here. Villages all over the place, kingdoms, iron working, and so forth. At least we had them. Plauge is sweeping through here. At least 50% of the population is already dead. We're trying to stop it. It's not as bad over in europe, but they're getting hit hard too, and its harder to stop, because we've never seen those germs before."

"While most of my world engages in trade and what not, We engage in charity. The merchants see this world as an opportunity to get domesticated ground sloths and unique art styles. The scientists and anthropologists are giddy with excitement at new cultures and species to study. I'm running around desperately trying to save millions of lives with limited manpower in a hostile land."

The next check in with homeline is 11 days later, and Peter spends that time escorting the Doctor's Without Borders to try and inoculate the locals and he is able to spend some time on the gun range. During this time he also overhears a conversation between a Mr. Sandip and Mr. Wells, discussing Centrum, a similar but opposed group of world hoppers who may or may not be better suited to assist this world.

At the Homeline check in, Peter can sense the Panachronic conveyor's 'approach' before it materializes. Once the trip to Homeline is made, Peter meets Kumar Pooran

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Man: "Kid! I'm Kumar Pooran. I'm in charge of getting you taken care of once we get to the Hub. Its kind of like an airport. You can go anywhere from there, but only with the right ticket. I'm going to be taking you to an office there that keeps track of obscure worlds, and we'll see if we can get you home."

Kumar take Peter from Homeline to "the Hub" to try and locate his world, but they are unable to do so. Kumar believes those who understand Peter's power will ignore or co-opt him, and elects to keep him with him as an honorary Miracle Worker and takes him on another mission to an otherworldly South America.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

One by one, groups are assigned out. Peter and Kumar aren't chosen until towards the very end. They are assigned together with two women. Luisa Sanchez is an older hispanic woman, appearing to be in her late 40's, though she has kept herself in excellent shape. She can pass as a local if needed. Elana Kozlov is a young woman without too much experience. She is from St. Petersburg, and has only been with miracle workers for 5 months. She has started to learn the local tongue, but not well.

Originally Posted by ericthered

It can only be assumed they got this assignment because Kumar can pass as an invader (the invadars are of south and south-east asian descent) while Luisa can pass as a local. The have a jeep to make it to their destination.

Originally Posted by ericthered

As Kumar and Elana drift off, Lusia starts probing into Peter's status:

Luisa: "How Did you end up here? I mean, aren't you a little young to be on a trip like this? and bringing your dog?"

Originally Posted by ericthered

That night, Peter is struggling to sleep when he hears Luisa talking sharply to Kumar. She is asking about Peter, and just why a minor is on this mission, and doesn't seem to like the answers she's getting. Kumar isn't telling exactly what's going on.

When he finally falls asleep, Peter dreams of an army. The army has brown skin and black hair -- Peter can't tell where in aisa they are from, but its from the southern parts. They are armed with guns, horses, and steel armour. with them are locals to this world with local weapons, but following behind.

Peter tells Kumar of his dreams...

Originally Posted by ericthered

Kumar: "I know of nothing like you. Moving in your sleep alone makes you unqiue from what I've heard. Dreams and visions? I don't know if that's been confirmed by infinity. It probably has -- there's a lot of unoffical stuff out there, but I don't know the circumstances".

It sounds like the invaders. We know they're there. The Gytolap empire. They're the ones who brought the plauge we're trying to deal with. On this world India is leading the technology race for whatever reason. They already did a number on africa -- but the africans don't start dropping like flies when foreigners show up. These folks do. I wish I could tell you where the army is, but we don't know. You remember things got a little behind schedule back there."

The second day of talks ends with a few tests on people. All four members of the team undergo the process, proving that at the very least the process isn't dangerous. Peter and Elena spend most of the day sitting together in the back of the negotiations and occasionally fullfilling requests, including poking themselves with needles to infect themselves with samples of various diseases -- which Kumar and Luisa assure them is safe.

On the morning of the third day, Word arrives in the city of the army approaching -- a mere two days away. This will make it harder to get the community focused on the plauge.

Peter's total lack of a prepared backstory or a logical explanation blows up in their faces when Peter is cornered by a an overzealous Luisa Sanchez who thinks it is strange that a minor is there with a dog and being so vague, so believes Peter and Kumar are criminals and human traffickers and comes after them with a rifle.

Peter fumbles badly with a fake story, and calls Luisa Crazy. He finally tells her the real story, but she is no longer prepared to believe anything they say and feels unsafe and so abandons them in the jungle with a 400 mile journey back to their team.

This leads to quite a bit more walking... Peter and Kumar stop and help villages along their way with what medicine they were able to carry. Peter dreams of Luisa reporting them, and dreams of the army attacking villages. Peter sees nothing that can be done, and does not report his dreams to Kumar.

They come across a village that is in the midst of an attack and care for a young girl they find until the hostiles pass, then reunite the child with her village once the danger has passed.

After another week, they make it to camp and are taken into custody. while being held, a woman identifying herself as Olivia Kohar sneaks Peter out to be taken to another camp where they inform him he is being arrested for conspiracy, and would read him his rights, except that they don't apply here. Peter tries to run and is shot with a tranquilizer dart.

When he awakens they again ask him for his story and ask for him to give them dirt on Kumar as they are turning him over to the "ICOPs". Peter tells them if they need to turn someone in, to turn him in, as Kumar was just trying to help him. Peter frustrates them, but in the end passes their tests and they may be prepared to trust him, but that night Peter dreams...

[the_matrix_walker]

The Karaka Circle

People of Interest-
Avinash - Peter's Karana instructor
Mr. Alton Stanway - a lanky archeologist
Mr. Jagdees - Short and stout European with a left pegleg and crutch, employs Peter at the stable
Mr. Coy Pundell - A financier of the expedition and holder of the Karaka Icon
Anil Ghani - A young man's Peter's age who's family holds the hereditary right to Karaka via the Jagannat's blood line
Colonel Holland - An Expedition leader
Sojala - A rider assigned to Anil who is injured at Karaka
Ravneet - A rider assigned to Anil

The Dream

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

That evening, Peter dreams of a bustling town, full of crowded, dirty men. And they were men -- he could hardly see any women or children. The men wore pants and some of them wore shirts, but most of them didn't. Several ethnicities were represented. The vegetation was lush and tropical -- the vegetation that was left.

Waking in a tent, a welcome change form the forest, peter is able to find clothing immediately and explore the camp he has arrived in.

Peter encounters Magic! He first spys that the encampment is being patrolled by a hairless blue ape-like creature. He comes upon some kind of gambling event where the competitors use a magic called Karana to create creatures to do battle.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

His magic sense goes off, telling him of someone using magic just on the other side of a tent. He walks over, but the magic is gone. There is just a group of Asian men standing around a fire -- but one is holding something -- a small animal perhaps? The creatures is receiving a lot of attention, and the men are appraising it, and making complimentary or dismissive remarks.

A second man reaches over the fire and starts dumping magic from himself into air over the flames. No-- into the smoke. The smoke curls and twists, and within a very short time forms into a creature. Peter notices a man holding up fingers, counting down to something. with only two fingers of the eight started with left, the creature drops into the mage's hands. The red creature is squat, like a toad, but with thick plates on its back and sharp claws. The men appraise this animal, and talk things over as they approach a circle drawn in the dirt.

Both animals are put down in the circle. The first one looks more like a rat or mongoose. -- taller and presumably more nimble, and with a long tail and the same color of blue he saw on the monkey-creature. The man who had held up his fingers counted down on his fingers, and the creatures attacked each other.

neither seemed to know what they were doing. The armoured toad slowly turned around as the rat thing danced around it, lunging and missing frequently. The rat got in several bites, but most of them landed squarely on armored plates. Peter watched the magic. It was dissipating, but very slowly. He really had to pay attention to notice it. Then finally, the toad hit the rat things tail with a claw. The mongoose creature was jerked off of its feet, and then the magic flew apart and the creature disintegrated into smoke.

About half of the group cheered, while others groaned, and money started changing hands.

Peter approaches the match winner, the crafter of the toad, who is named Avinash, who teaches him the basics of Karana - the shadow out of smoke. He takes to it quickly! Peter is soon making rocks, bread and fruit, and animals soon after. It is not ong before Peter creates a miniature Karana version of Goliath he called "runt" and Peter discovered he could experience his creations senses when he wished.

Peter meets a Mr. Alton Stanway, who would introduce him to Mr. Jagdees, who employs Peter tending horses.

That night, he dreams of the Karaka Circle.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

That night, Peter dreams of old ruins in the jungle... specifically a perfect stone circle with a firepit in the center. the carved stone platform is over 50 feet across. symetric patterns criss cross it.

He meets Anil Ghani who is his age and explains the expedition's quest to find the Kakara ruins. He is of the Jagannat's blood line, who has the strongest claim to Karaka

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

"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."

Peter falls asleep while doing a Karana mediation and the pattern gives way to a vision and he sees a small stone icon in Mr. Pundel's possession. He appears to keep it hidden and protected, and Peter suspects it has something to do with the Karaka circle.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

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 tries to break the ice with Mr Pundel with limited success, their interaction is brisk and detached.

Peter gets himself reassigned from the stables to Anil and tells him he believes he can find the circle. Using his visions and birds eye views from Karana Creations, Peter sets out to find the circle with Anil in tow and they are able to find the mystic site. When Anil asks how Peter is able to accomplish these things, he confides in him the truth of his origin and travels.

They try to create a Karana creature there, but it has a mind of it's own and becomes a snarling demon. The boys escape back to camp and elect to have Anil learn how to make Karana himself as the bloodline may be a factor, return with a few men, Sojala and Ravneet to assist them.

Upon their return there are more demons who had formed, and they lead off some and distract other of the demons until they can set off a gunpowder flash budle for quick smoke for Anil to manipulate. His bloodline is not enough to command this place. Sojala kills one, but is wounded and they are forced to flee under vicious attack. Peter is able to capture smoke from it's death and the smoke from the circle proves more potent than expected.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker

Peter seizes control of the burst of smoke left behind when the creature disintegrates and tries to re-form it into the shape of a giant insectoid warrior that walks on two legs with four arms bearing vicious claws... A creature he saw reading comic books back home...

"Now let's see if secondhand smoke is as dangerous as they say!"

Originally Posted by ericthered

Yes. Its a deeper, somehow richer connection, but its very similar to the connection he had with runt, and the "insector" is obeying commands properly.

They return to camp and elect to call the expedition leadership together to confront Mr. Pundell, and settle the matter of the stone icon, an inlaid Jade frog. Once that is settled, they reveal the location of the Karaka Circle.

Spoiler:  

Originally Posted by ericthered

Peter is sitting outside of the tent, and he notices a few other Anil loyalists, also with weapons, trying to be inconspicuous.

There is a great deal of shouting in the tent, but it doesn't seem violent... yet. You don't hear the signal, and the shouting dies down.

From what you can hear, Anil was successful, and the rest of the camp's leadership is angry and Mr. Pundell for trying to hold this back from them. Anil seems to be doing very well.

Others from the camp gather around the tent, trying to eavesdrop... something important is obviously going on. The leadership emerges with Mr. Stanway the archeologist holding the green frog, and quite prominently. Anil looks triumphant. Mr. Pundell's face is as inscrutable as ever.

Seeing an impromptu crowd milling around the tent, One of the other expedition leaders, Colonel Holland, announces that the Karaka circle has been found, and that they thought they had a way to control it, but that they would need to clear out demons on the way. They have a plan on how to do that safely, taking down the demons one by one.

After the speech, Anil gestures for Peter to follow him, and thanks him for his role in the victory. "We did it! we have the frog. He looks like the scoundrel he is, and this victory and discovery will be credited to me!"

Several people walk up to Peter, asking for further details on what REALLY happened. They hear there was almost a fight.

[the_matrix_walker]

The expedition heads to Karaka the next day and draw out and destroy the demons one by one. Peter notices that Mr. Pundell's men aren't putting their weapons away as they move behind the men of the command post. Peter alerts Anil who comments to keep their guard up and making Pudell realize he would not get the benefit of surprise if he attacked them. While Stanway seems to recognize what was happening, Colonel Holland was oblivious.

They give the Jade frog to Avinash, to have a neutral expert create the Karana here, and it works forming 2 intelligent and obedient servitors. They seem to have a memory that predates their current conjuring and voice a preference for death by combat to execution. The 'demon' informs them when it is instructed to accept it's execution as a test of the Karana's loyalty.

They attempt to pass the Jad frog to Pundell to summon a karana creature of his own, but the existing demon became crazed and attacked when the idol changed hands.

Mr Pundell's group pulls guns and offers to buy out the others under threat of violence. When Pundell throws brush on the embers of the fire to create more demons, Peter uses his own magic to create demons separate from the idol's influence, creating a the distraction they needed for the rest of the expedition to regain the upper hand.

Mr Pundell escapes into the jungle, and Peter initially allows him to escape so that he can tend to Col. Holland's gunshot wound. Later he and Goliath track Pundell down with a group from the expedition and demand his surrender. When he tries to escape, Peter shoots the man in the leg and they take him into custody.

And he would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for that damn kid and his dog!

[the_matrix_walker]

Karana

Karana, the art of smoke pulling, is a practice where certain advantaged individuals are able to pour mana into smoke allowing them to reshape it and form it into solid objects or creatures. The creatures formed have a rudimentary animal intelligence, and behave according to their programming. A Karana user can issue orders mentally, or take control of the creature directly. They may also displace their senses to those of the creation (to a range of up to 20 yards), which may include enhanced sensory perception (An acute discriminatory sense of smell on a Karana dog for example).

Prerequisite Advantages:

• Unknown

Skills:

• Physiology, Karana (IQ/H)
• Ritual Magic, Karana (IQ/VH)

First, Make a ritual Magic, Karana roll to control the flow of smoke. This is followed by a Physiology, Karana roll to shape the smoke into a finished creation.

The process takes 2 seconds for a creation of 2 pounds, and 2 additional seconds for each doubling of the creation's mass. Unusually thin or thick smoke can vary this rate. A 20 pound creation requires a minimum of 2 Energy to manipulate. It is possible to form a creation without investing Energy with a skill roll at -4, and such creations behave as though created with 1 energy.

Any amount of energy can be devoted to a Karana creation and will determine it's duration (provided it remains undamaged), Creations remain for 5 minutes per point of energy devoted. A damaged creation will "bleed" smoke and disperse much more quickly and lose 1 ER per minute per point of damage.


Post Notes

Spoiler:  

The art is called smoke-pulling. It can be used to form life, but that's tricky. Its actually easiest to start with bread.

Peter first constructs a rock, and moves on to food items. Avinash tells him that while difficult, food can be created well enough to be digested.

Karaka is used to make tools when the work is near the fire.

Originally Posted by ericthered

People in the world have a base advantage that grants permission (which you have courtesy of your template), an ER pool (you have 10 points in it, courtesy of the template ... though its shared among all magic abilities you have), and two skills: one is about gathering the smoke (ritual magic (Karana)), and the other is about shaping the animals... which is physiology (Karana).

Originally Posted by ericthered

Karana takes about 2 seconds to double in size, and the first 2 seconds gives about 2 lbs of creation. With this thick smoke, it will be faster: 1 second to double the size.

Originally Posted by ericthered

• Peter has 10 ER for Karana... possibly less if he's using other magic (this is part of the unusual background 'can use any magic')
• Any amount of ER can be sunk into the creature, but a 20lb creation requires at least 2
• Each ER powers 5 minutes of the creature's existence
• If you have no ER, you can make them at -4 to skill.
• When damaged they loose 1 ER per minute per point of damage... they're homogeneous, of course, and I reserve the right to give them additional defenses against very small holes.
• There is one skill to shape and form the smoke at all, and other for phsysiology/structure, as already explained.

Originally Posted by ericthered

If the creatures have been hit at all, they only seem to last for a few minutes afterwards. If they haven't been hit, they seem to last for 10 minutes. Peter seems to have about 5 creations in him, and they last for about 4 minutes each, though he can make more of the smaller creations and they last less time (total is about 20 minutes either way)

Originally Posted by ericthered

The 0-energy variant has a nominal 1 ER in it.

persistent clothing... He may be able to experiment with making innanimate objects last longer than 5 per ER... nothing Karana will last forever (without some caveats Peter isn't aware of) but he may be able to get something that would last a lot longer than an hour.

There is a pattern visualization meditation technique that helps

Originally Posted by ericthered

The variant meditation isn't autohypnosis. Its an excercize designed to increase what ammounts to an energy reserve. Your current ER is 10, courtesty of the unusual background that lets you use any magic.

Peter attempts making Pokemon, but they lack special powers

Originally Posted by ericthered

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.

A Karana conjurer has a mental link with the creature's rudimentary consciousness, and can experience their senses.

Originally Posted by ericthered

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.

Originally Posted by ericthered

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.

Karana creations have senses that can range outside or the human norm.

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.