(IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by TGLS

I spend too much time thinking about which is the least "girly" before settling on the tigers.

Heh. Nice.

I head down the hallway and check out both doors. I tap on the wall at the end. Does it feel thin? I wonder what's beyond.

The walls don't see to be thin at all: passing through the beads, they seem to be about four or five feet thick.

The door at the end (headed north off an easterly passage) leads to a room about 25 by 40 feet, and is full of cushions and rugs, with two bead curtain doors leading north and another one leading east. The furnishings have been carefully stacked.

The door at the beginning (south off the eastern passage) leads to large room (25 by 35?) running north-south. Its full of sleepers, all laid out in a careful pattern, lying thick on the ground. They are in the deepest of sleeps, and Julian sees no movement. They lie on thick blankets with various patterns, with thin covers on top, decorated much like the rugs. All the sleepers are men or boys: no women or children under 10 are present. The clothes that he can see appear to be loose, but with lots of faded colorful stripes woven into them. In the center of them is a low block made of whatever the walls are made of with a harp and a horn lying on it.

So the two doors connect in briefly then turn off in different directions?

Correct

Let's call the direction this room is in, "South", the hall with doors, "East", and the twisty passages "West". If this room is perpendicular to the Dining Room, is its far end "East" or "West"? Or are there two far ends?

The far end is "West". But can we call this room's direction "North"? otherwise we're in a weird mirror dimension where east is to the right of south.

So are there two doors (one at the far end and one on the wall opposite), or one door on the far end on the opposite wall?

One on the north wall in the middle, one on the west wall, and you just came from the south wall on the east end.

If you're fine running these in parallel,

We'll probably drop out of parallel at some point, but for now its fine.

I check out the black-brown substance, and check if it gets my hands dirty. Maybe it's coal. I guess this is the kitchen, and the other room is some kind of dining room. Maybe there's something I can eat in here. I check the other doorways.

It doesn't get his hands dirty unless he tries to scratch or crumble it, though a little of it flakes off. Maybe its fuel? smelling it closely there is just a touch of a bad odor.

The Kitchen has no food in it that he can find.

The North Door leads into a short (10 foot) hall with more beads at the end. The west door leads to a round room with a domed ceiling, maybe 20 or 25 feet across. Its full of giant clay jars 10 feet tall, with rope ladders, Wooden shovels and scoops, and stacks of baskets. It has an opening that leads to the north, and one to the west.

[TGLS]

Originally Posted by ericthered

The door at the beginning (south off the eastern passage) leads to large room (25 by 35?) running north-south. Its full of sleepers, all laid out in a careful pattern, lying thick on the ground. They are in the deepest of sleeps, and Julian sees no movement. They lie on thick blankets with various patterns, with thin covers on top, decorated much like the rugs. All the sleepers are men or boys: no women or children under 10 are present. The clothes that he can see appear to be loose, but with lots of faded colorful stripes woven into them.

Ah, Tereza's first world.

I look at the pattern they're arranged in, and the pattern on the clothes. Is there a relation? Is it like a Vasic symbol? I wonder what they're dreaming about.

I try to look under the heavy blankets and check the floor.

Originally Posted by ericthered

In the center of them is a low block made of whatever the walls are made of with a harp and a horn lying on it.

I resist the urge to blow the horn and wake everyone up.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The door at the end (headed north off an easterly passage) leads to a room about 25 by 40 feet, and is full of cushions and rugs, with two bead curtain doors leading north and another one leading east. The furnishings have been carefully stacked.

Well it looks like their slumber party is well stocked. Maybe the rugs go under the blankets?

I check the rooms that connect to the furniture room, then turn back to check out the kitchen.

Originally Posted by ericthered

It doesn't get his hands dirty unless he tries to scratch or crumble it, though a little of it flakes off. Maybe its fuel? smelling it closely there is just a touch of a bad odor.

The Kitchen has no food in it that he can find.

I set the brown thing back down. Maybe the pantry's somewhere else.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The North Door leads into a short (10 foot) hall with more beads at the end. The west door leads to a round room with a domed ceiling, maybe 20 or 25 feet across. Its full of giant clay jars 10 feet tall, with rope ladders, Wooden shovels and scoops, and stacks of baskets. It has an opening that leads to the north, and one to the west.

I check some of the jars. Maybe there's food in there? Probably not cooked, but... I look at the top of the dome. Does it have a source of natural light?

I check the rooms beyond the dome room and through the short hallway.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by TGLS

Ah, Tereza's first world.

Maybe.

I look at the pattern they're arranged in, and the pattern on the clothes. Is there a relation? Is it like a Vasic symbol? I wonder what they're dreaming about.

The two patterns don't appear to have similarities: one is stripes, and the other seems to be designed to ensure efficient spacing without laying down in rows: about half are lying at 90 degrees to the other half.


There is a south-facing door in the south-east corner, and two west-facing doors in the south-west corner.

I try to look under the heavy blankets and check the floor.


Well it looks like their slumber party is well stocked. Maybe the rugs go under the blankets?

The Blankets are layered, under them are thin carpets, under the carpets is the smooth stone floor.

I check the rooms that connect to the furniture room, then turn back to check out the kitchen.

Rooms connecting to the furniture room:


The east door leads to passage that ends in a room full of smaller clay pots, rope, and baskets lined with Leather, as well as a few stone troughs. The room is round and maybe 30 feet across. In the Center is a grate about 10 feet across with seven holes two feet wide in it.



The western-most of the two north doors turns west and leads to a passage. It has two branches, one leading south about midway through (where to? its curling back on the kitchen) and the other ends with a north facing door.


The Eastern-most north door leads into a 15 by 15 room. It has one door going east and another going west, both on the north ends of the room. It has what looks like racks for hanging coats or something, and four large chests with flat lids.

I check some of the jars. Maybe there's food in there? Probably not cooked, but... I look at the top of the dome. Does it have a source of natural light?

No natural light sources yet. and the ceiling in this room has no windows or holes.



The third jar he checks has a little grain at the bottom... an 8 foot drop. He's not sure if its wheat or something else.

I check the rooms beyond the dome room and through the short hallway.

The western door leads to a passage stuffed with what look like a large number of mills for grinding grain, cranked by hand, but man-portable. You can't see or move past them.



The Northern door leads to a hexagonal room very similar to the round room with the grate. looking up, he can see another grate above him, and just maybe stars beyond that.

[TGLS]

Originally Posted by ericthered

The two patterns don't appear to have similarities: one is stripes, and the other seems to be designed to ensure efficient spacing without laying down in rows: about half are lying at 90 degrees to the other half.

I wonder if they're concerned with rolling out of position.

Originally Posted by ericthered

There is a south-facing door in the south-east corner, and two west-facing doors in the south-west corner.

I poke through these doors too.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The Blankets are layered, under them are thin carpets, under the carpets is the smooth stone floor.

I guess the carpets are for sitting on and the blankets are to make it softer for sleeping.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The east door leads to passage that ends in a room full of smaller clay pots, rope, and baskets lined with Leather, as well as a few stone troughs. The room is round and maybe 30 feet across. In the Center is a grate about 10 feet across with seven holes two feet wide in it.

Let's check out these pots too. I shine a light down through the grate. How deep is it? What's at the bottom? Can the grate be moved?

Originally Posted by ericthered

The western-most of the two north doors turns west and leads to a passage. It has two branches, one leading south about midway through (where to? its curling back on the kitchen) and the other ends with a north facing door.

I make note of this. Later, when I notice the kitchen hallway, I recall this passage, and I check to see if it connects up to it through that hallway.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The Eastern-most north door leads into a 15 by 15 room. It has one door going east and another going west, both on the north ends of the room. It has what looks like racks for hanging coats or something, and four large chests with flat lids.

I guess there's nothing on the racks right now. I check the chests. I don't suppose there's a big bag of money in there or anything.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The third jar he checks has a little grain at the bottom... an 8 foot drop. He's not sure if its wheat or something else.

Not sure how I'd check without breaking the pot either.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The western door leads to a passage stuffed with what look like a large number of mills for grinding grain, cranked by hand, but man-portable. You can't see or move past them.

I consider moving the mills, and give one a test lift (how much effort would it be to move one?), before deciding that I should look at the other hallways first.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The Northern door leads to a hexagonal room very similar to the round room with the grate. looking up, he can see another grate above him, and just maybe stars beyond that.

So, 30 ft. across too (corner to corner or side to side?), without any exits besides the one I entered through, and pots within? I check the pots, the grate, and move on. I guess now I'll check out the twisty passages to the west of the Dining room.

[ericthered]

Ok, so it looks like the time-sensative actions have all been declined, so I'll take the exploration a little more organically. And providing a map.

Originally Posted by TGLS

I poke through these doors too.

They all lead to passages headed west... back towards the dining room. exploring them, one connects to the dining room, and two join up and connect to a room with two long stone benches with holes in them against the walls. The curtains here are cloth and doubled up. A door leads north, connecting up with the dining room.

Let's check out these pots too. I shine a light down through the grate. How deep is it? What's at the bottom? Can the grate be moved?

I make note of this. Later, when I notice the kitchen hallway, I recall this passage, and I check to see if it connects up to it through that hallway.

No... it leads to a staircase going down.

I guess there's nothing on the racks right now. I check the chests. I don't suppose there's a big bag of money in there or anything.

Its full of cloth. Clothing, you think. Maybe its women's clothing, on closer inspection. Its all long most of it is striped and most of it is colorful. Tunics and robes he recognizes, but other pieces seem strange.

Doors lead east and west out of this room.

The west doors lead to a very similar room, 15 by 15, with hooks and chests, and with doors leading further west into a north-bound passage.

the eastern door leads to a passage going north and south. It winds a bit, with an eastern branch connecting to another room with stone benches with holes in them (room 11). The western branch leads to stairs going up, as well as to another passage .

Not sure how I'd check without breaking the pot either.

There was a rope ladder attached.

I consider moving the mills, and give one a test lift (how much effort would it be to move one?), before deciding that I should look at the other hallways first.

They're heavy but portable. Moving all of them would still be a lot of work and take a while.

So, 30 ft. across too (corner to corner or side to side?), without any exits besides the one I entered through, and pots within? I check the pots, the grate, and move on. I guess now I'll check out the twisty passages to the west of the Dining room.

Actually, there is a long twisty passage that connects back to the dining room if you head west, and if you head east, there is Room full of water-proof basins made of clay or leather-lined baskets, with exits heading in all four compass directions... including back to the kitchen through the south.

[TGLS]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Ok, so it looks like the time-sensative actions have all been declined, so I'll take the exploration a little more organically. And providing a map.

So waking the sleepers up and...?

Thanks for the map; the only differences as far as I can tell were the length of the Furniture hallway and the orientation of the furniture room, and the placement of some doors.

Originally Posted by ericthered

They all lead to passages headed west... back towards the dining room. exploring them, one connects to the dining room, and two join up and connect to a room with two long stone benches with holes in them against the walls. The curtains here are cloth and doubled up. A door leads north, connecting up with the dining room.

Maybe this is a prayer room? I guess that's why they'd want doors that would absorb sound better.

I wonder why this place is so maze like though. So many doors just seem redundant.

Eastern Grate Room (room 9)
Let's check out these pots too. I shine a light down through the grate. How deep is it? What's at the bottom? Can the grate be moved?

Originally Posted by ericthered

No... it leads to a staircase going down..

But does it lead to the ground floor or underground? I'll finish searching this floor for outside first.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Its full of cloth. Clothing, you think. Maybe its women's clothing, on closer inspection. Its all long most of it is striped and most of it is colorful. Tunics and robes he recognizes, but other pieces seem strange..

Strange how? Like too many holes strange? Not enough holes strange? Just a sheet of cloth strange? Does the clothing look similar to what the sleepers are wearing?

... Is it too long for me?

Originally Posted by ericthered

The west doors lead to a very similar room, 15 by 15, with hooks and chests, and with doors leading further west into a north-bound passage..

I check the chests in this room too. Maybe this is the men's cloak room.

Originally Posted by ericthered

the eastern door leads to a passage going north and south. It winds a bit, with an eastern branch connecting to another room with stone benches with holes in them (room 11)..

Cloth double doors here too?

Originally Posted by ericthered

There was a rope ladder attached.

Oh, I thought they were just around the room, perhaps to get further up, then:

I'll take the rope ladder down the jar and check the corn.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Actually, there is a long twisty passage that connects back to the dining room if you head west, and if you head east, there is Room full of water-proof basins made of clay or leather-lined baskets, with exits heading in all four compass directions... including back to the kitchen through the south.

Hm... Maybe these grate rooms are well access? And maybe it's more convenient to have water on hand as opposed to draw it up from the well. Are the water-proof basins empty?

I check the (inferred) room to the east of water storage (12). Then my next direction is to the north in general, and then to the south of the eastern grate room.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by TGLS

Maybe this is a prayer room? I guess that's why they'd want doors that would absorb sound better.

You might be imagining the wrong size holes. These are about 1 foot across and on a horizontal surface, and very deep.

Eastern Grate Room (room 9)
Let's check out these pots too. I shine a light down through the grate. How deep is it? What's at the bottom? Can the grate be moved?

Right, you asked about the grate before and I missed it.



On closer inspection, the grate is built in sections. It could probably be moved by someone stronger.



Under the grate is another grate, maybe 20 feet down. And below that, he can't tell... there are grates in the way and its too far.


The pots in both grate rooms are empty.

But does it lead to the ground floor or underground? I'll finish searching this floor for outside first.

Strange how? Like too many holes strange? Not enough holes strange? Just a sheet of cloth strange? Does the clothing look similar to what the sleepers are wearing?

Often not enough holes, or strange shapes. Some have mysterious small holes and ties in them. There is nothing to indicate four armed people or anything like that. It doesn't really match what the sleepers are wearing, no.

... Is it too long for me?

You can find one that fits if you look.

I check the chests in this room too. Maybe this is the men's cloak room.

It appears to be the children's cloak room, judging from the size of the clothes. some clothing that actually look like what the sleepers are wearing shows up... but in sizes too small for Julian.

Cloth double doors here too?

Yep.

Oh, I thought they were just around the room, perhaps to get further up, then:

I'll take the rope ladder down the jar and check the corn.

Secondary thought... he could use TK. Though I suppose him forgetting he can do that is justifiable at this point.


He thinks the grains are wheat. maybe? They're about nine inches deep, so its a decent amount of food.

Hm... Maybe these grate rooms are well access? And maybe it's more convenient to have water on hand as opposed to draw it up from the well. Are the water-proof basins empty?

Yes, the basins are all empty.

I check the (inferred) room to the east of water storage (12). Then my next direction is to the north in general, and then to the south of the eastern grate room.

south of the eastern grate room are stairs going up.


To the north are several rooms that seem to match southern rooms: a second dining room, a room of sleepers, and a room of stacked rugs and cushions. The map has been updated.

The northern sleeper room is full of women and girls and kids under 10, laid out in the same pattern as the men (though in a bigger room). They're dressed differently from the men... though not quite as different as the chests would have made Julian think. He's still confused about some of the clothing. The stone table there does not have the harp or horn on it. Julian notices something with his magic sense... something subtle clinging to each sleeper. He hasn't felt anything like it before, but its the same feeling that he got with Vasic and astropics.


EDIT: Map has been updated

[TGLS]

Originally Posted by ericthered

You might be imagining the wrong size holes. These are about 1 foot across and on a horizontal surface, and very deep.

Oh, I get it now. It's the toilet.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Right, you asked about the grate before and I missed it.

On closer inspection, the grate is built in sections. It could probably be moved by someone stronger.

Under the grate is another grate, maybe 20 feet down. And below that, he can't tell... there are grates in the way and its too far.

Hm... Maybe I could find out downstairs?

Originally Posted by ericthered

Often not enough holes, or strange shapes. Some have mysterious small holes and ties in them. There is nothing to indicate four armed people or anything like that. It doesn't really match what the sleepers are wearing, no.

You can find one that fits if you look.

Well let's find a way first before I think about getting dressed appropriately. They might not be too thrilled about a random person trying to make off with their clothes.

Originally Posted by ericthered

It appears to be the children's cloak room, judging from the size of the clothes. some clothing that actually look like what the sleepers are wearing shows up... but in sizes too small for Julian.

Hm... Then where's the men's cloak room?

Originally Posted by ericthered

Secondary thought... he could use TK. Though I suppose him forgetting he can do that is justifiable at this point.

I mean, one of the glossed over days was all about TK...

Originally Posted by ericthered

He thinks the grains are wheat. maybe? They're about nine inches deep, so its a decent amount of food.

Lines up with the millstones.

Originally Posted by ericthered

south of the eastern grate room are stairs going up.

The hallway to the southwest of the grate room is a dead end?

Originally Posted by ericthered

To the north are several rooms that seem to match southern rooms: a second dining room, a room of sleepers, and a room of stacked rugs and cushions. The map has been updated.

I don't see the update. Do they share the kitchen?

Originally Posted by ericthered

The northern sleeper room is full of women and girls and kids under 10, laid out in the same pattern as the men (though in a bigger room). They're dressed differently from the men... though not quite as different as the chests would have made Julian think. He's still confused about some of the clothing.

Because no one appears to be wearing it? Maybe it's daytime only, or underclothes.

Originally Posted by ericthered

The stone table there does not have the harp or horn on it. Julian notices something with his magic sense... something subtle clinging to each sleeper. He hasn't felt anything like it before, but its the same feeling that he got with Vasic and astropics.

Hm... I wonder what they're doing while they sleep.

Pins and needles dreams, obviously

... Could there really be a whole place with people like me?

I guess this floor is wrapped up now. I'll go check the upstairs now, starting with the southeastern staircase. There's more staircases up, so probably more likely to have access to outside.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by TGLS

Oh, I get it now. It's the toilet.

Though without the smell.

Hm... Maybe I could find out downstairs?

Maybe, but you're going upstairs first.

Hm... Then where's the men's cloak room?

That IS an interesting question... how would Julian find out?

I mean, one of the glossed over days was all about TK...

true.

The hallway to the southwest of the grate room is a dead end?

I don't see the update. Do they share the kitchen?

I've uploaded the update again. I see it when I click. I think that should do it.

Because no one appears to be wearing it? Maybe it's daytime only, or underclothes.

Yeah, no one is wearing it that you can see.

Hm... I wonder what they're doing while they sleep.

Pins and needles dreams, obviously

... Could there really be a whole place with people like me?

... but if you get a teenager, it only takes one to change the lightbulb. He holds the bulb in the socket and the world revolves around him.

I guess this floor is wrapped up now. I'll go check the upstairs now, starting with the southeastern staircase. There's more staircases up, so probably more likely to have access to outside.

At the top of the stairs a short hall splits into two rooms. The one on the east looks like another cloak room, with a second door leading north. But this door is main of an iron grate, which is simply barred from the inside.

To the west is a slightly larger room with stacked rugs and cushions, though much rattier and dirtier and in a smaller amount. It has two exits going west, both made of bead curtains.

[TGLS]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Though without the smell.

Or the plumbing to mute it.

Originally Posted by ericthered

Maybe, but you're going upstairs first.

That IS an interesting question... how would Julian find out?

Well I'll just come out and say it: Julian's first goal is to find an exit, if he needs it. Then comes 'investigate'. Which generally works out to 'meander around'.

Originally Posted by ericthered

I've uploaded the update again. I see it when I click. I think that should do it.

Yeah, I saw the update around the time I made the edit.

Originally Posted by ericthered

... but if you get a teenager, it only takes one to change the lightbulb. He holds the bulb in the socket and the world revolves around him.

Koru hasn't exactly disabused him of the notion.

Originally Posted by ericthered

At the top of the stairs a short hall splits into two rooms. The one on the east looks like another cloak room, with a second door leading north. But this door is main of an iron grate, which is simply barred from the inside.

Well, if it's a grate, I'll look through it to see what's beyond. Maybe this is the way outside. I'll also look at the chests in this cloak room. Maybe this is where the men's clothes are kept.

Originally Posted by ericthered

To the west is a slightly larger room with stacked rugs and cushions, though much rattier and dirtier and in a smaller amount. It has two exits going west, both made of bead curtains.

Hm... Maybe there's more than just the sleepers living here, or perhaps this is a laundry room of some kind. Let's proceed with these exits.