IC: Evolution, In Character - Epoch, Survival, Revolution Campaigns Options

[Mister Juan]

08:00:00 Saturday, 28 October 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

After she had high tailed it from Teheran, everything had shifted into a sort of dreamlike state. At first, she had lost a few seconds here and there. Then, the seconds had stretched into minutes, the minutes into hours. And finally, she had found her mind stretched so thin across time she had lost herself somewhere in the background noise. Everything from then on had been impressions; fleeting glances. A long bad trip of Bliss, Cram and unchecked anger. And now it was all over.
All she could recall clearly was the feeling of almost drowning.

On the plane ride out of Odessa, she had immediately called home and cried when she had heard Lana’s voice. Apparently, Zina had covered for her, again, telling the young girl her mother had been “away on a business trip”. When she did manage to get home, Ludmila knew her aunt would torment and scold her for weeks on end… and she was going to be completely, utterly right. Again, Ludi had had a terribly close brush with death and managed to just slip out. But this… this had been closer than a close call.

She dried her tears and simply looked out the window, with puffy red eyes, until she was asleep.

Radek shook her awake when they were on the ground. Ludi surprised herself; all she did was stir awake and get up. Her jacked up system had barely reacted, which meant she was either a lot more tired than she had realized, or she simply didn’t care anymore.

Later, when she found herself lifted off the ground like a little girl by Bubba, Ludi did her best to contain the cry of joy that rose in her throat. She hugged the troll back with warmth and a sincerity that quickly made her uncomfortable, once he put her down. She smiled sheepishly and punched him on the arm. She gave a curt nod and a tight smile to Kliko.

[Bastard]

...

[Bastard]

15:00:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

The team seemed to be refocused and regrouped as a team over the month of training. Their instructor was prepared to let them go for the day, as he usually did at this time every day. As he prepared to give his daily words of wisdom, the door opened and Hestaby entered. They had not seen her but for a few times since the landing on Mt. Shasta. With her she carried two wooden boxes that looked like suitcases. Radek entered after, carrying two similar cases, but larger, one of them much larger.

The instructor pulled the console table behind him away from the wall, where Hestaby and Radek set the cased down behind it.

"If you have reached your decision, then we are prepared to send you on your mission. Tonight we will feast, tomorrow you will rest and go over final preparations, and Thanksgiving afternoon, you will go on your run."

[Bastard]

15:02:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

With some looks around the room, it seemed the four were in agreement. One more run. What they had worked the shadows for. The million nuyen run that meant they could retire. Even if they had to deal with a dragon.

[Bastard]

15:03:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

"Before you go, I have some gifts. Equipment that will help you in your run, and in your future," Hestaby tells the group.

She picks up the smallest of the four wooden boxes, setting it on the table, she calls Felix forward. Standing opposite of each other at the tall console table, Hestaby opens the box. Inside is grey and silver ring band that looks to be carved from metallic stone.

"This is one of the most powerful tools any mage or shaman can have. A power focus. I am sure you don't need my help, but I offer to sit with you in the bonding process if you would allow me."

Hestaby's words are sincere. Dealing with a dragon is one thing, but a group spell is something entirely different.

[Bastard]

15:03:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

Felix returned to the group and Hestaby called forward the next runner. Ludi hesitantly approached, still not quite feeling herself.

"Ludmila, I know how much you have sacrificed to stay with us," Hestaby said as she placed the small wooden box on the table. She opened it revealing a dagger with an eight inch blade with a long fuller down one side. Everything was black, even the razor sharp edges of the blade which seemed to absorb everything around it. The rest appeared to be a different metal, but still black, with the hilt rapped in a soft textured black leather. Picking it up, Ludi found it to fit perfectly in her hand, it was comfortably heavy for a dagger that size, yet she could already feel how easily it would handle, but there was something else; She could already feel a sort of attachment to the knife, like it was a family heirloom, or had some other personal meaning.

"Thank you," she managed, still staring into the darkness of the blade.
"You may not be able to use to its full capability now, but you will," the great dragon replied.

[Bastard]

15:05:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

Hestaby placed the second largest case on the table and called Kliko forward. She opened it, revealing a short sleek black blade, made of similar material and styling as the knife given to Ludi. Kliko had never used a sword, and was somewhat confused by his gift, but Hestaby assured him it would prove its usefulness in the future.

"Thank you," Kliko said, still unsure.
Hestaby reached across the table and placed her hand on his shoulder, to which he unwittingly flinched. She smiled, "Don't worry my friend, you will find this gift is an asset in no time."

[Bastard]

15:08:00 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

Lastly, she called forth Bubba, placing the largest case on the table. It appeared extremely heavy, though Hestaby moved it with ease. Bubba was almost bouncing out of his boots, excited for what his gift would be. He really hoped it was donuts. A lot of donuts. Instead it was a large battle axe. A long oak staff, adorned with two large blades made of the same black metal as Kliko's and Ludi's weapons.

"I think you know what to do with this."
Bubba didn't reply, his eyes were glued to axe, his hands slowly reaching for it.
"Go ahead. Take it."
A crooked smile reached his face as he lifted the weapon from its case. "Bubba smash!"
"You will be bonded to this weapon, you will be one, and in time you will unlock its true power."

[SneakyJoeKDB]

15:08:45 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

"I lub me ax... is dis better den me lazer ax? Does dis Ax has da hidden lazer powers?"

[Bastard]

15:08:50 Tuesday, 22 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

"No lazers," Hestaby replied with a smile, "but it will unlock powers within you."

[Bastard]

...

[Bastard]

13:00:00 Thursday, 24 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

The basement is far below the main lodge, but still feels the warmth of a log cabin ski-lodge, minus the windows. The earthy smells of fresh soil and evergreens are heavy in the surprisingly fresh air. The room is sparsely decorated with a few floor plants, five large black sofas in a loose circle. Hestaby directs the four runners to lie down on the couches while she performs the spell to bring them across the threshold into the astral realm.

Nerves seem to settle too quickly, and before long, they fall to sleep. Or what seems like sleep, as they are somehow aware of their friends around them. Opening their eyes, they see nothing but blackness, but they are not sure their eyes are actually open. Uneasy stomach settle shortly after the feeling of weightlessness washes over the group. Trying to look around, they find the inability to move.

Time becomes obsolete. It could have been ten seconds, ten hours or ten years since they went under, before they finally see a light, the size of a pinhead. Trying to move away, or toward the light seems of no use, it continues to gradually grow, or float toward them. After a short time, or a long time, they still could not tell, the light is big enough to see that there is a figure standing in the light. What seems like a tunnel, shifts into what seems like a spot light on the floor far below.

The runners see each other, breaking free of the shadows and walking in midair into the light where the figure stands, who still seems to be a silhouette, even standing arms length away from them. The Dweller of the Threshold. Hestaby had prepared the runners for this first test. "Be honest with yourself and with The Dweller, if you want to enter the metaplanes. He is all-knowing and all-powerful," she had told them.

His voice is deep, smooth and quiet, but it seems to echo in each of the runners' heads. "Why have you come here?"

[SneakyJoeKDB]

13:00:23 Thursday, 24 November 2062 – Hestaby's Lodge, Mount Shasta

Bubba enjoyed watching this stuff on the trid. Magic and astral projection seemed so cool and well beyond him. Sure most of the videos he watched were all staged and full of actors and special effects. There had to be some truth to it and it was in fact happening for him right now. He gets a chance to visit the meta plane. More excited then uneasy the big troll worked his way to the dark figure.

Bubba stated proudly, "Me comes to find an importants Jewel."

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

The dark figure turns toward Bubba as he approaches, and from two feet away, he still appears to be a silhouette. The last dark shadowy figure he had faced had given Bubba feelings of dread, but this one made him feel a bit nervous, like talking to a pretty girl, or when jelly donuts are coming out of the fryer. Instead of fearing the unknown, the giant was excited with anticipation, to see the wonders beyond the threshold.

As Bubba approached, his friends feel as if they are sliding away, where they were only a few feet a way before, they feel like they are miles away now, watching what unfolds as if it were on the trid. Even as they seem to float above, watching things unfold, the silhouette seems to be looking them in the eyes, though eyes could not be seen in the dark figure.

"Are you prepared for what lies beyond?" The Dweller asks Bubba.

[SneakyJoeKDB]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

"Yessh!" Bubba blurted out immediately. "Mes been waiting for dis my wholes life."

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

"Your parents didn't love you, Robert..."

Suddenly the void fills with a wooded area, as if they were suddenly transported. The mid-morning sun cut through the large redwoods, reflecting off the water of a large creek. There were 50 people or so walking up or down the trails, taking pictures of a small waterfall, and reading bronze plates that were placed around a wooden deck area. The songs of nature melded with a nearby highway, four lanes at most.

Two people stood out. Everyone else was wearing hiking boots or athletic shoes, casual pants and the nicest thing anyone wore was a polo shirt, but these two were in business attire. That quickly drew the eyes of Felix, Ludi and Kliko, but then they saw a very large (height wise and weight wise), pre-teen troll tagging along the two suits. Next to them, Bubba stood teary eyed, watching the scene unfold.

"Find the donuts, Robbie," the woman called in a voice that sent shivers down Ludi's spine. Something was off about her.

The troll kid's face lit up as he darted up the hill and off the path. It was obvious this was his favorite game. It wasn't long before he was bounding back down the hill, a smile on his face and delicious pastries falling from his mouth as he chewed. However, when he reached the landing where his parents were, his joy turned to fear. Looking around, he frantically started going in circles, looking for his parents.

The scene zipped down the path to a freeway pullout, where the man and woman were hurriedly getting into a top of the line Mercedes SUV.

"I just don't know," the man said
"Some meta-rights group will pick him up and put him where he belongs," the woman responded.
"I know, but he is still our... our... kid," he said in disgust.
"Our son is dead. Now all there is is that monstrosity that has taken his place."

The vehicle cut into traffic and sped off, but the runners somehow knew it was the wrong way.

The scene cut to the troll child sitting on a bench, looking at an empty parking as the sun set....

The troll, sunset and the wooded mountains quickly faded to that immense white light in the middle of the darkness, where The Dweller on the Threshold stood.

[SneakyJoeKDB]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

Bubba's heart sank as he relived his childhood nightmare. A few tears rolled down his cheeks. He soflty spoke, "I hates em..." then louder. "I hates em!! He then shouted a third time with a rage that could repel an army, "I HATES EM!!!!!!"

The rage suddenly turned cold and he felt empty inside as he stared down at the ground sobbing.

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

Returning to the Threshold, a white light in the middle of infinite darkness, the team finds Bubba is no longer with them. The Dweller again asks in his soul quaking deep voice, "Why have you come here?"

[Kliko]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

'I must be dreaming... this is all a dream' flashed through Kliko's mind as floated into the light.

"...Why have you come here?..."

'DREK! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL'

"My spawn deserves a better opportunities then I had...."

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

The Dweller on the Threshold turned toward Kliko, leaving Felix and Ludi as spectators, and asked, "Are you prepared for what lies beyond?"


Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – Bubba's Realm

At some point Bubba's friends had disappeared and he was left in the forest alone. His younger self vanished like his parents just years, and then again, just hours, or minutes before. Time played tricks on his feeble mind here. How long had his friends been gone, and how long had he sat at the edge of the forest in this nightmare?

He found himself walking into the forest, but it was somehow different now. Different trees, no trails, no hikers, but still no parents. The sun was again high in the sky as he climbed over a small hill. He could here the sound of horses, but when he stopped to look around, he was alone. He continued, aware but seemingly not in control, as if it were all a dream. A terrible dream. The sound of horses continued as he moved along, and he again stopped to look for them. Behind him he saw a man covered in filth with large pack on his back, but no horses.

The man gave him a black toothed smile, and seemed friendly enough. "Who da frag is you?" Bubba asked, to which the man just smiled.

"Me hears horsies, but only sees you."
The man nodded once, with that stupid smile.

Bubba continued on, the clopping sound continued. He turned again to the man and found it was only him. That is when he noticed he had to coconut halves, poorly tied to his hand with string.

"Whatis dat?"
"My liege?"
"Yous makin dat noise!?"
"Yer steed, sir," as if that answered the question.
"You gots two cocunuts, an yous bangin' dem togetha?"

That is when he noticed large shadows moving around him. Bubba turned to find himself surrounded by men dressed in black. Every direction he turned. More men in black, with black metal helmets on their heads, that looked more like buckets than any helmets he had ever seen. Facing the direction he had been traveling once again, he found himself in an unfamiliar situation. Looking up at a man.

He was dressed like the others, but his metal bucket helmet had large antlers coming off either side. Bubba continued looking up, and up, and up, seeing this man who was at least two or three heads taller than he.

[SneakyJoeKDB]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – Bubba's Realm

Bubba looking up at this tall personage, "Hows you gets tallers den mes? ...and what dah frags is dis place?"

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – Bubba's Realm

The man looked down at Bubba with a face that looked normal, except that it kept making different funny faces at him, but he answered him in a high pitched yell. "This is the Mighty Forest! And I send you on a task! The task..."

Bubba waited eagerly to learn what monster in this dark forest he would face, as the man drug out his reply.

"You must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest!" There was chatter from the hundred men surrounding them, but Bubba could not understand anything they were saying. It sounded like, "knee", "ping" and "knee-womp," but those words didn't mean anything to him, which seemed to scare him.

Bubba thought, I am not a lumberjack, but that's okay. Hestaby had given him just the tool, a giant battle axe. He found himself gripping it with a a smile.

"...with!..." he continued in a scream, "A herring!," and with that he produced a silvery fish, less than a foot long, to the amusement of his followers. Bubba was no physics major, but he did not think it possible to cut down a tree, let alone the mightiest one in the forest, with the fish that was now tossed at him.

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – The Threshold of the Astral Plane

"I am ready for your tricks," Kliko told The Dweller, with more bravado than confidence.

"You are a cancer to your family," he responds.

The void fills with a residential area, two story track homes stacked a few feet apart from each other. Small patches of green lawns, shade trees and SUVs line the roads. Bubba, Felix and Ludi watch Kliko walking into one of the houses, then they were inside as well.

Inside a woman was talking on the phone. In one hand a cigarette, the other a large rocks glass full of vodka. This evident by the large Grey Goose vodka bottle on the counter next to a large four finger astray.

"He is just never home. These kids hate me and he is never here. He is probably off fragging some fragging whore 'oversears,'" she air quoted, though the person on the other end of the phone could not see the sarcastic emphasis.

[SneakyJoeKDB]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – Bubba's Realm

Bubba looked down at the fish at his feet. 'What da frags?' he thought. He looked back up at the strange knight and said, "I will dos no such tings!, It's impossibles!"

[Bastard]

Thursday, 24 November 2062??? – Bubba's Realm

Bubba suddenly noticed how the forest had gone silent. The surrounding horde was gone, and the tall stranger was walking away. Before Bubba could give chase, he too disappeared into the forest, leaving the troll and his fish all alone.