The Box of Dreams(Jakem)
Date: 2025-09-13 14:41
(The Box of Dreams(Jakem):Jakem)
[Sat Sep 13 2025]
In Village Past the Brambles/span>/span This is a rustic, walled village made of strange alien woods of
bewildering grains and oddly purplish and pink tinges to their browns.
The village is small, easily traversable, but holds a few notable quarters.
The quarters include a small market, a seers hut elevated above the
populace, a walled tavern, an what looks like a viking longhouse.
/span>/spanThe village’s population is for the most part, wary and seems
to dissapear as the outsiders appear, but the bustle of townsfolk
within each of the aforementioned quarters can be seen and heard from here.
/span>
Reference Image: https://i.imgur.com/CRqBPDY.jpeg
It is night, about 59F(15C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey clouds. It’s raining outside. The mist is heaviest At Mayflower and Madison/span>/span There is a waning gibbous moon.
Jakem pipes up as the mirror activates and they step out of it, approaching the village “This is just a stop to get our bearings. We need to meet up with a carvan and retrieve something called a box of dreams. By we I mean you four, I’m gonna be recording the picnic for posterity.” he says as he pulls out some old fashion recording tools and a really really old camera. One that actually requires fire and chemicals to activate. “This is for posterity, so make it dramatic folks! Once we’ve got the dream box, and escaped the buyers, we can settle down for the picnic!” (repost to log)
Approaching the walled village, there are guards at the gates. Two specifically, they stare down at the group as they approach.
“Do you know anything about this place?” Annabelle asks Jakem, a subtle judgment on the tongue as her head tilts up to try and spot beyond the canopy.
“Hi!” She greets, excess chipper. “Do we all speak the same language?”
Cristal beams in greeting. “Hiiiya! We come in peace!”
Okay. This is… this is new. Teagan thought traveling through someone’s vanity to pop into NYC was pretty amazing. This is… well. “This is…” And words escape her for a minute as she just follows after the group. She nearly bumps into Annabelle as she just gawks around herself. “I’m over? Under? dressed?” She looks like she wants to go and touch things. Verify whether they’re real or like, stage prop buildings. She even reaches out as if touchy-touchy but pulls her hand back in. Nope, be good. Right? “I should have eaten breakfast today,” is what she finally decides to say aloud.
It’s a great way to start her career on… whatever sort of direct-to-video this is.
Esme takes a moment to appraise the situation as they get closer and asks Jakem, “Think these people might know where tha caravan’ll be or somein’?” She asks but her attention shifts toward Annabelle as she addresses the guards, asiding to Teagan, “I’ve been to places like this ah bunch ah times but it never quite grows old, ya know?”
It isn’t clear if the guards speak at all for a moment. Simply staring down at Annabelle as Jakem mostly seems to indulge in trying to get a 100 year old camera to take a picture.
After a bit one of them speaks “No.” he declares to Annabelle.
The other speaks “Yes.” He glares at the guard across the gate from him, then looks down “Peace huh? Are you seeking entrance to the village?”
Esme snickers, “You keep hangin’ round us, ya will soon enough.”
Jakem looks to Esme distractedly “Oh, hopefuly. Otherwise we’re fucked.” he comments idly before setting about his task of accidentally almost blowing off his hand.
“..Sure am.” Annabelle answers with a shake of her head, resigned in word and reluctant in motion. “Actually looking for a caravan? I think? Could be might be looking for something like that, depending? Who knows what’s in it, or why it’s there!”
Cristal decides to remove her poncho, folding it up to drape over her arm as she nods at the guard, nodding after Annabelle speaks.
“If we can just ask around a lil we’ll be outta your hair quick.” Esme tacks on with a nod.
The guard that claims it doesn’t speak English calls down “There are no caravans here today, but you may enter if you wish. In exchange for…” he looks over the group, focusing on Cristal “Food from wherever you came from.”
Remaining a bit behind the others, Teagan looks up at the guard and blinks a few times. She goes, “Oh! I have something! Have you ever had goldfish crackers?!”
Teagan is a college kid. Of COURSE she has snacky foods in her bag for during those long boring lectures.
The “No” guard bellows “One goldfish crackers is the toll to pass these gates.”
The “Yes” guard starts to say something, but thinks better of it when he sees the crackers. “Ahem, yes, that’s the toll.”
And with that, the gate opens, though one guard extends a spear down towards Teagan expectantly as she passes beneath them.
Cristal lights up as she holds up an ice cream sandwich to the guard, offering it over. “Ooooh yah! This is a rare delicacy from our lands! Made from the rarest of rare ingredients of chocolat and-” Cristal pauses, “Ice crams.” she says awkwardly, trying to make it sound fancy.
Cristal says “Oh. Wait. Nevermind!“
Cristal snatches her ice cream back.
The guards are fortunately distracting by this package of crackers, they don’t even notice the additional bribe offered.
Annabelle marches right in through the gates, given their parting, giving the looks of Lady Teagan and Mademoiselle Cristal a scoffing glance and moving forward.
Esme looks mildly amused at the exchange of the goldfish crackers, adjusting her hold on a couple things, following the group into the village proper and taking a curious look around.
Reaching up (mindful of sharp pointies), Teagan carefully pokes the spear through the end of the bag of goldfish crackers so that the guards can retrieve it and ducks on by before they perhaps change their mind. She zips up her backpack, gets it back on and under the poncho and scurries after. Looking pleased with herself because hey! Snacks: always a good idea.
Once inside, the group appears to have several options for places to go. Hopefully the information they seek is in one of them. Be careful though, the buyer’s Jakem mentioned might get the box first if people dawdle too much.
To explore a place, join it. Remember, joining a place takes time.
Cristal’s/span>Reminder: While you should not leave the room Jakem is in, you do not have to remain together and can go to different places if you so choose, or you could all go to the same place.
Annabelle looks out at the expanse, holding an anxious breath. “..What is anything. Where would people know things? There isn’t a caravan here today, so sayeth the guard, so where’d it leave from?”
“Market or tavern for sure.” Esme/span>“Dibs on the terrible black tent?” Annabelle offers, squinting down the (street? Walkway?) “I’m all market, I don’t like to drink.”
Cristal bobs her head at Annabelle, “I’ll come with ya for the market!”
As an avid player of video games, Teagan does approach this in such a way. She does actually nod along to Esme’s assessment. “I was thinking the same. Caravan would buy or sell at the market, but the Tavern is always full of gossip.” Ignore the weirdness, just focus on the things you do know, right? “I’ll go to the tavern? If… anyone else wants to go with?” She starts shuffling off thataway giving anyone else time to follow along.
“Tee and I got tha Tavern!” Esme agrees then, heading off after the woman.
Splitting up to search for clues, Scooby and the gang head out, half to the Tavern, and half to the Market.
1 Time unit passes, 19 remain.
Cristal/span>“This place is cool as fuck.” Esme decides in a murmur, glancing toward Teagan, “Let’s see who feels like talking?”
Annabelle nudges Cristal in the side, whispering, “Was Disney world or the pirate thing like this? Like. I mean, we’re totally going to the Princess and the Frog’s like voodoo tent but like-”
Annabelle says, quietly, “I dunno. I’m so weirded out I’m numb right now. My feet are choosing for me.“
Jakem seems content to take his time recording the events thus far, sending a pirate doll to one location with scroll and quill while he goes to the other.
In the Market the black tent billows invitingly, the laughing impish face on the side seeming to observe the two interlopers.
Teagan gives a thoughtful look to the warding outside of the tavern, but nods to Esme. “Kinda feels like I’m in WoW or something, y’know? But without all the wires and the headache of VR.” Her way of compartmentalizing. Find the things she can familiarize. Meandering into the Tavern, she looks for the classic ‘hooded man in the corner’ or the ‘friendly bartender ready to share gossip.’ Every fantasy tavern has at least one of those, right?
At the Tavern Patrons mill about, looking up in unison as Esme and Teagan enter, looking at them expectantly. Eventualy the barkeep calls out “Strange garb, you not from around these parts?”
Several of the patrons seem flabberghasted at Teagan’s words “Was that… what language was that?” one asks.
Cristal whispers back to Annabelle, “I dunno, kinda remind me of Knotts Berry Farm but scary shit,” she eyes the tent, “Let’s do this!”
“Exactly.” Esme nods at Teagan’s assessment and then puts on an easy smile for the barkeep. “Not at all, and we’re not lookin’ to stay too long. Hopin’ you or some ah your patrons can help us out. We’re lookin’ for a caravan.”
With a wrinkle of her nose, stopping at the flap with a hard foot that screams not to go into the creepy black imp tent, Annabelle ultimately pulls the flap to help Cristal in, putting in a fateful step first. “Hellooo..” She greets, trying to sound chipper to the inside.
Teagan grimaces a little. Newbie error, speaking about the outside world! She puts on a smile, giving a shrug. “We come from the faraway land of-” a sidelong look at Esme. another shrug. It could fit in a fantasy world. “New Haven! We’re new to your customs and ways, forgive us! Like she says, we’re looking for news of a caravan that may have come through recently?”
Without a thought, Cristal steps into the tent, looking around. “Hiya!! Lookin for someone to talk to round here!”
Tavern At the mention of a caravan, several of the patrons start to murmur ‘is she talking about Vanamost’s caravan? Shit, is that headed this way? I hope he brings dates.’ comes one patron ‘He’s not due for another month, why would he be coming this early?’ Clearly, the patrons are familiar.
The barkeep nods a bit “If you’re talking about the Vanamost Caravan, yeah we’re all familiar. But they’re not due for a while. So unless you’re gonna hunt ’em down, you’re in for a wait.”
Market As they enter the tent, a demonic looking man with pure ebony skin and red eyes greets them with a big smile. “Welcome, welcome, to Tim Tamon’s tent of Travesties! What fetching young customers the winds of fate have brought me today!” he bellows. “Tell me, what can Tim Tamon provide for you?”
steps in behind Teagan, not entirely reserved about the man’s demonic nature. Her medical mask covers her poker face, and given the level of energy Cristal is bringing to the room, she starts off with a pre-emptive whisper to her. “Gurl, you’ve got the energy for this, I trust you so much. You’re kinda a geenie-us, babes.” (encourage)
Annabelle encourages you.
Esme gives someone the look equivalent of a thumbs up, whatever that might actually look like. She nods in understanding, “Hunting ’em down’s a strong turn ah phrase but yeah we’re hopin’ to catch up with them if they’re the best known caravan ’round these parts. Any chance any of you know where they might be comin’ this way from? Maybe we can meet ’em in the middle or so.”
Annabelle’s (@) put the wrong name, oops.
Esme gives Teagan the look equivalent of a thumbs up, whatever that might actually look like. She nods in understanding, “Hunting ’em down’s a strong turn ah phrase but yeah we’re hopin’ to catch up with them if they’re the best known caravan ’round these parts. Any chance any of you know where they might be comin’ this way from? Maybe we can meet ’em in the middle or so.”
Cristal beams proud, swelling with pride at the compliment. A compliment she definitely doesn’t hear much. Her voice booms back at the demonic man, even despite his strange appearance. “HIYA TIM! I’M TAMMY AND THIS IS TOMMY,” she gestures to Annabelle. “YA DONE HEARD BOUT A CARAVAN?” Why is she yelling? Because confident people project. Of course.
As the patrons begin talking about ‘Vanamost’s Caravan,’ Teagan takes out the flyer and begins looking it over, mumbling to herself as she reads and re-reads. “Nope,” she says to Esme, sotto-voice, “just says ‘Caravan,’ but… might be the one? Could be we have to go chase it down while it’s… on its way. We may not have missed it, just… pre-empted?” Another quick read, another shrug. “The information just says where it’s going to be. So!” A nod nod for Esme as the woman follows the same line of thinking. “Exactly, yes!” Blue eyes, hopeful behind those big glasses, to the bartender. Puppy dog eyes, maybe, even! “Do you think you could,” flips over her flyer, extends it. She could even produce a pen! “draw a map of their usual route, if you know it?”
Tavern A few of the patrons mutter and mumble, there are discussions amongst all of them. “Oh yeah, they should be headed along the golden path right now, over towards Mortenberry.” says one “What, no they’re coming from Mortenberry to sidle around the woods of Wardoth.”
A ‘discussion’ breaks out and it’s clearly that there’s a wide variety of different opinions on where the caravan is headed. Who’s the most knowledgeable here? Might take a bit to figure it out.
That said, eventually a map is produced for the two women, but there’s a great deal of discussion about where the Caravan might be now. A few people think it’s headed over a bridge on the map, a few others point to the road itself, while others say it’s already hit Mortenberry, or is currently emerging from Mortenberry!
Market Tim Tamon chuckles “The Carvan of Vanamost? Why yes, they frequently bring me many fine wares. I believe they’re on their way here, though they’ve got a pitstop to sell to some special buyers.” he reveals, leaning over the makeshift counter. Around the shop a variety of strange items can be seen, none of them apparently valuable. “But I’m sure after they sell what they wish to sell, they’ll be here in a day or two.” he says with a sly grin to Cristal. “Of course if you’d like to find them quicker, I might be able to sell knowledge of the path they take…” His black eyebrows waggle.
Esme shifts a bit to help Teagan take a look and maybe help collate information. Assisting! As it were.
Cristal scratches her head a moment. “Why they gonna stop? Surprise they ain’t bringin direct to a bizman like yaself!” she glances at Annabelle. “I’m tryna get inna merchant game too. Would be innerested in the route, could uh, offer ya something I bet ya ain’t seen.”
Annabelle pokes at her choker with a crooked finger. “Want this?” she shares a brief glance with Cristal, then looks back.
While Teagan might eventually figure out the map, and the most likely points of contact with the Caravan, it unfortunately will take her longer than anticipated.
1 Time Unit passes. If another time unit is spent, Teagan will figure out the map.
Cristal/span>Annabelle gags, looking over to Cristal. Somewhat helplessly, given that she’s chosen to wingwoman, she gives Cristal a little tablet to help in her drug-deal. “Opioid.” She states.
Market Hmmming softly Tim speaks “I have no need of your drugs, I have my own suppliers. Your choker seems interesting, but what I really would like is just a little thing, far less valuable. An exchange, a contract in exchange for knowledge you seek?” He says focused solely on Annabelle.
“Man, it’s too bad this isn’t like…kinda magic like the other map I found.” Esme mumbles as she looks over the map with Teagan. “I think this marker goes here…and that one goes here…?” She looks toward her companion to see if she agrees or is having any better luck.
Cristal hands the tablet back to Annabelle as she tells Tim. “Ya missin out. What’s the contract?”
Annabelle drops her hand from pointing at her choker, flopping down to her hip, echoing Cristal’s question with her eyes.
It is all very helpful and Teagan is nodding along with everyone. She’s seen plenty a map in games. Unfortunately, those maps are made to be legible more often than not, especially once you figure out the key. This one? Has so many scribbled lines, notes, and references places that she cannot just hop on Google, find an IGN or Reddit guide, and get the lowdown on. It means she’s left hopelessly lost because she doesn’t even know if the scale is accurate. Sure, she can extrapolate maybe a couple of things, but there is a sidelong look to Esme and a tiny little shrug? “Maybe,” she murmurs to the other woman, “we need a little more… uh, context?” And so she turns to whoever of the patrons has seemed the most knowledgeable about the surrounding areas themselves (likely a sheepherder or similar who walks the lands a lot!), “Can you tell me, uh… about how wide is this river?” Point. “And uh, this road here, does it pass through the woods or by them?” And similar questions to try to refine that map. It will take time, but they haven’t had the other ladies rush in yet so… time they have? One can hope. Better than getting lost wherever the heck they are!
And she does, happily, hand off the map and pen to Esme whenever the other woman has ideas and spots things to refine it. “A magic map would be nice,” she agrees.
Market Tim reaches beneath the counter to pull out what looks like a rather bog standard demonic contract, handing it to Annabelle to peruse “Just a little invitation for my ken, for later.” he comments to Cristal “Nothing overly costly of course.” he says with a big grin “Quite the bargain, given how much time you could save with my knowledge.”
“Ya Ken?” Cristal scratches her head. “That like, ya brother?”
“For lat-tuh.” Annabelle mutters, at least medically satisfied to see something in fine print. The terms and conditions are fairly clear, however. She glances up Tim, back down the contract, and takes her little ferromagnetic scalpel to get blood from the flat side of her hand, just under her pinky.
Tavern Teagan begins to puzzle out the map, figuring out which of the folk seem more knowledgeable, and if the map even makes much sense. She’s got her gaming experience to draw back on, but it’s taking her a while. Maybe someone else will figure it out faster? We’ll see.
Market The blood hits the contract, and it pulses almost… hungrily.
Cristal/span>/iEsme is making some notes along the map, “Can we borrow this map by the way?” She asks – probably the barkeep but really whomever. She may just plan on borrowing it regardless. “Okay let’s…see..if this helps at all.” She takes a step back to take a look at the map as a whole with whatever new markings have been added compared with all the information given.
“It’s okay.” Annabelle mutters as she signs ‘Annabael’ onto the paper with a finger. “I can invite this much into my life and still have a soul.”
Market Tim Tamon grins broadly, retrieving the contract “Ah, marvelous! You know I just so happen to have a map of their passage. And two possible places to meet them!” He says, pulling out a map that looks a lot like the one Teagan is working on, but far more detailed. On it, the caravan’s position appears to move on its own. There’s also a circled location of a bridge marked ‘brigand’s ambush point, beware’ where the caravan is going to eventually pass.
Annabelle cuts a strip of gauze in her bandage like she’s getting slimmer duct-tape, sanitizes her cut with a juggle of an ointment, and then wraps up nicely. “You’re marvelous.” She tries to grumble, to insult, but neither her tone or her words are getting there.
Cristal’s eyes go wide at seeing the map. “Damn, Tim. Ya a real one.”
Esme doesn’t seem to have much more luck in the immediate, “I think it’s starting to make sense.” She tells Teagan, “But maybe if we can bring the map to the others they’ll be able to help?”
Tavern The map was hastily scrawled for Esme and Teagan’s benefit by the commoners. Hastily being the key word “Oh yeah, sure, just buy a drink…” says the barkeep. The commoners chuckle “Ever the shrewd businessman. But yeah, the map’s yours. Good luck, and uh, if you see the caravan master, make sure he’s still headed this direction will you?”
Market: Time grins broadly at Cristal, peering at her closely “Indeed, and you my dear, well, I imagine we’ll meet again.” he says with a low chuckle. “Now if that will be all, best of luck my friends! And come again soon!”
Hopefully they can take the map! Because it was done on the back of Teagan’s flyer with the quest information. It’s hers, dangit! She won’t let them keep it. But the bartender gives the rules about buying a drink and Teagan looks a little concerned. They don’t have the local currency. She notes, in a near whisper, to Esme “I only have bills on me.” No coins, which is usually fantasy fare for money. It’d be polite to buy a drink, after all, for all the help. “But yeah, let’s uh… get a drink, go find the others? See if they have anything to work with.”
And to the barkeep, of course: “We’ll make sure they’re still headed this way, of course! I know how important caravans are for towns like this!”
Annabelle retrieves the map with a sniffle, both hands extended to receive a very thin hug of papel. “See you later, probably, Tim. Do yo- you know what nevermind my boyfriend’s recording and he’ll get really weird ideas.” She patters away and holds the tent open for Cristal.
“Yeah, yeah for sure. We’ll take a drink to go.” Esme nods readily. “We ain’t from here, like we mentioned but uh, I bet you could probably sell these to a collector for something good!” She offers out a few quarters. That’s close to medieval money right? “We really appreciate tha help! An’ like she says, we’ll make sure that caravan comes.”
Cristal waves to Tim and steps out in search of the others!
Tavern It isn’t hard to barter for a drink with the variety of interesting affects Teagan and Esme might carry with them. This village is isolated, and just about any food item is considered a delicacy, and knicknack a precious artifact. “Good luck you hear, and beware the forest beasts!”
Knick-knacks there are a-plenty. Teagan does collect random bits and bobs after all. If they don’t agree to Esme’s quarters, Teagan offers the pen up behind. Full of ink! Writes… well not forever, but may as well for them! Magic! The drink is… taken with. Unless they can’t leave with the mug. But surely they can. Otherwise poor Teagan will have her first ale and try to chug it… and likely end up with just a few gulps before abandoning it on a table and scurrying out with her flyer / quest / map in hand so they can try to locate Annabelle and Cristal.
Annabelle leaves the tent after Cristal, in a stable mood in spite of some existential factors.
And so the group returns to the village gate.
2 Time units have passed, 18 remain
Jakem takes his very first nonexplosive, successful picture as Esme and Teagan emerge “Marvelous! This will just take uhhh, I think ten hours in a dark room exposed to chemicals to develop.” he says, stashing it away in darkness. “Shit this is a pain. We need like a magical video recorder for the next outing or something.” he says.
Venturing out of the tavern with Teagan, it’s easy enough to spot Cristal and Annabelle to regroup. “Hey! How’d it go??” Esme asks. “We- uh. Kinda got someone to draw a map? But it’s not very good.” She admits with a little motion toward Teagan and the flyer. “But we did confirm they’re not gonna be -here- for a hot minute.” She flahses a grin to Jakem “Yeah we’re definitely gonna have t’ get somethin’ more efficient.”
“Ambrose actually has a darkroom if you wanna use it.” Annabelle calls out to Jakem as she walks with Cristal up with her magical map. “It just means- you know what,” She coos over to Cristal, “He’s probably a Barbie fan. Of course you can’t Ken, you’re Barbie, gurl.”
Cristal nods at Annabelle, “So glad ya understand me.”
“We have a.. A map that’s tracking the caravan-” Annabelle turns the map over for everyone to see the little blip moving.
Jakem whistles at Annabelle’s map “That’s schnazzy, but I’m sure Teagan and Esme did just as good.” He turns to them “Let’s see what you got?”
Teagan’s map is drawn in charcoal on the back of a flyer, with several spots on it that could or could not be the caravan. None of them magically move.
For a beat, Teagan is stunned by the non-explosive but still very bright flash of the ancient camera. She lifts her glasses up to her forehead briefly to rub at her eyes as she follows Esme and holds up the map… wait no, wrong side. She flips around her flyer so the mess of a map is visible. “They uh, couldn’t entirely agree but I think we got it a little refined? And yeah, they said the caravan was like, a month out?” Grimace. “Hopefully that’s just… they stay in a previous place a long time? I dunno what travel times are like.” She’ll hold it for the others to take and review as they wish as she gets her glasses settled once more.
Which map does the group decide to reference?
Esme looks at the map that Annabelle has, “I -knew- there’d be ah magic-fuckin’-map in this place!” The Market Team clearly won the map battle. “I think that’s gonna be more accurate than this one, right?” She half asks. ‘This one’ clearly referencing the one she and Teagan managed.
Annabelle looks at her own map, hesitantly. (Are they observably different in direction?)
“Ours looks like it gotta GPS,” Cristal tells them.
“I gave a piece of myself to a cou- some hot dude that was demonic.” Annabelle explains to the other pair, in exposition. “He’s a Demon, and he’ll be happier, ultimately, if I suffer more. He’s not obligated whatsoever to keep his word. So.”
Looking at the magical map, it appears there’s an animal trail through the woods that will intercept the Caravan. Alternatively, a route along the Golden Brick Road that goes through Lauriea would take the group to a bridge over a small creek that has been marked ‘careful, ambush point; beware brigands’ where the Caravan will be passing over eventually.
Looking at the charcoal drawing on the back of the flyer, it would likely take a bit to finish puzzling out where things are, but it seems like one could kinda make it to one of the two aforementioned locations with some additional cartography attention.
There is a worried look to Annabelle, but also… what’s done is done? Teagan chews on her lower lip a little. “I think we should use your map. That way we’re not guessing, yeah? I mean-” A glance down at hers, turning it this way and that. “This might help with like… uh… yeah, I dunno. Maybe referencing scale,” thanks to a few questions of those who live outside the town proper, “but yours is definitely the one that might keep us from getting lost in some deep, dark woods for the next month.” And she has classes to attend!
Cristal bobs her head in agreement with Teagan.
Jakem nods “Okay, so if we use Anna’s map, bridge or animal trail?” he asks quizically.
A burst of energy hits Annabelle, and her map is held still a little less. “Monster. Animal. I wan- err.” She rephrases her answer to her conscience. “I mean. Is anyone good with animals?”
Teagan says “I say the one that *doesn’t* specifically say ambush? Yeah?“
Annabelle says “Two votes for animal?“
“Yeah I don’t know shit ’bout animals except takin’ care ah my cat.” Esme frowns. “But we should prolly avoid tha ambush thing.” She agrees.
Everyone double check that you’re following Jakem, as it’s bad news if you get left behind
Cristal looks more and more worried as they enter this path… “Damn this shit dark.”
The group travels along the path, heading into the darkened woods as clinging vegetation creeps towards the trail. Something montrous must have made this though, for even the vegetation fears to linger on the trail it made. For now.
However, after traveling for a while, the path starts to fade and it becomes more and more difficult to discern if everyone is still on it. At this point there’s a few ways to go which MIGHT continue on the path, but getting the wrong one could spell out a delay.
Travel takes up 3 time units; 15 Remain.
“The Grove granted me flame before I left.” Annabelle informs the group as she buckles a gothic gauntlet upon her hand, dancing her fingers to *tap-tap-tap-tap* four against the metal palm. “Mmm…”
Esme peers a little bit with her night vision. “I can see alright….might be able to lead us through?” She looks a touch pensive. “Not much of a tracker through…” She looks back toward Annabelle and the gauntlt with an ‘oh’! sort of expression. “Think ya can use it to clear our way?”
Considering her original information on this adventure was that it was ‘a LARP,’ Teagan is actually wearing hiking boots. So the trail isn’t so bad for her. And walking through some trees? It’s dark, there’s vines, there’s big trees, but it’s… almost pleasant. Almost. Until the path begins to fade. “So… I know that… uhm… a lot of trails are like… deer trails or paths? Like basically those ones that animals more frequently follow? Maybe that’s what we’re looking for?” She does rifle around in pockets looking for her keychain flashlight, though that’s unlikely to be of terribly much help. Until Annabelle mentions a flame and she perks up, curious. “Like…a torch or something?”
“Does anyone know about the supernatural enough to like.. Figure out compasses and-and like which way is north?” Annabelle asks of the group, turning about.
“Yeah. I mean, if you get a stick of try wood I can scratch it until it’s on fire. The flyer Jak made is probably good kindling.”
Annabelle says “Which way does the sun rise in the Other?“
Teagan blinks. “I know how to find north on a compass. What does that have to do with the supernatural though?”
Jakem is unhelpful as he tries to get the camera to work on the fly. Unfortunately it needs to be still for a duration, so the group’s confusion is his perfect chance to get a shot.
The pirate doll is scribbling away on it’s parchment as it rides on his shoulder.
“Fae are really sensitive to ferromagnetics,” Annabelle explains, flipping her scalpel out from a sleeve in a waving gesture. “-I dunno if it’s symptomatic of living here, or if it’s just a thing, I forget, but the planet’s magneticism is all wonky. So. Like, it’d be easy to follow this map in spite of the paths here if we just knew which way was north.”
“Might be less dangerous t’ climb ah tree or somethin.” Esme murmurs as she mulls on the idea of setting vegetation on fire, but still not entirely against it. She’s always got a lighter on her because of her smoking habits. “I’m not entirely positive.” She admits about the sun rising and all, but she does try and mull on it a moment. Maybe she’ll recall without having to think too hard!
Cristal nods at Esme, fully putting her faith in the others as she gnaws her lip. “I dunno if I brought a flashlight, we better make some fast decisions, I guess. Should we hide in the bushes?”
A good compass should work with a bit of mucking about, and it could probably help to find which of the various trails was the one on the map. (Esme realizes this)
Climbing a tree might be difficult with the strange vines about them, but being above the canopy might provide a useful vantage.
“I have a flashlight if anyone needs it, my eyes are fine.” Esme/span>/span“Gimmie a second.” Annabelle mutters, setting her reebok to a tree and poking a vine. “Tamar would be so proud of me. Climbing trees is actually her hobby.”
Teagan spends a moment rifling around in her backpack, but no compass to at least fiddle about with. She does find her flashlight, though. Little as it is. She gets it on and fiddles with finding a spot to try to… attach it to her poncho or backpack strap or somewhere. “I don’t have a compass with me, but…” She chews on the inside of her lip and steps up to consider the trails. “Can I, uh, look at the map? Maybe I can…” Perhaps as a team they can piece it all together?!
Annabelle drops the map down with a flutter.
As Annabelle starts to climb, she’s making good progress, scampering up the tree with ease. These aren’t difficult trees to climb, all things considered, but then the true source of the difficulty makes it’self know as vines and creepers reach out to assault Annabelle, grasping, winding and writhing.
talons raking into the tree, Annabelle/i>Cristal watches Annabelle with awe and appreciate. “Well goddamn.”
Anna activates her gauntlet and after a somewhat lengthy exchange, manages to drive off the creeping vines and retreat to the canopy where she will have a visual on the path ahead.
Teagan, Esme and Cristal Have little luck deriving the correct path from the map, though the distracting fire and brimstone and squawking of Annabelle doesn’t help their concentration.
3 Time units pass. Annabelle Makes it to the top of the canopy.
From the top of the canopy, two distinct paths can be discerned, one leading directly to the golden brick road in a path that will intersect with a Caravan spotted in the distance, the other to a Bridge a bit farther on, which looks like the one on the map. From this point, Annabelle can see how to get to either.
Perched between three branches, head peeking out the top, Annabelle/span/i>Annabelle says “There’s a golden road that’ll probably be great- I think it intersects on the map. The other’s the uhh.. Bridge.“
“Golden road.” Annabelle puts her vote in simply, wiggling her wrist, patting out leaves off Shia’s face.
Esme seems mildly relieved that Annabelle manages to escape the vines and climb to the top. When she returns, there’s a nod. “If the Golden Road seems the best, then I’m for it.”
The issue with being as new to all of this… well, *wonder* as Teagan is (and not just this particular thing, but pretty much ALL of it) is that there are things that are just ‘common sense’ to everyone else that aren’t for her. Meaning her flashlight is great. Until it isn’t. And she’s distracted by trying to get it working to help her study the map better and the trails. To the point neither is helpful and she’s suddenly startled by the fact that there is FIRE and she’s just floundering a little until Annabelle is suddenly down among them again and the redhead needs a moment to get her bearings and allow her brain to latch back onto what is logical to deal with what isn’t. “Right. Uhm. Yeah, road. Not bridge.” She passes the map back to Annabelle before sullenly pocketing her flashlight.
“Sounds good to me! Can’t be goin wrong with gold,” Cristal points out. Logic.
glances to the map, distracted within her own thoughts, and flaps it out in front of her with one hand like the morning newspaper. “Alrighty! We’re doing great everyone. We made some good progress in town getting the maps as fast as we did. Let’s just keep a good pace and we should get out alright.” (refresh)
Annabelle refreshes you
Jakem looks about “Oh shit, you guys are ready already? Wait, let me just get a picture of this…” He says, setting up the camera again to capture the burnt and slashed foliage, and then one shot of Teagan dissapointedly stowing her flashlight. “Write this down; the new girl felt disheartened as the world barely made sense, her flashlight providing light, but could it light her soul with the wonders that awaited her?” he tells the doll.
The doll is busy dueling a mouse.
And once all that’s recorded, the group trudges forward through the shrinking trails…
Jakem records as the golden road comes into view, writing furiously “And with weapons stowed, the group sought to approach the caravan in peace, unworried that hostility might await them, or perhaps so concerned with providing a peaceful face.”
“Baby, can you tell me anything about who or what we’re taking this from?” Annabelle asks, practically prompted, as she stands like a Dorothy on the brick road, feeling a little like an Alice.
Cristal’s eyes widen in delight at seeing the caravan. “Wow! There ain’t even any horseys! Wonder what they carryin!”
The wagon is guarded by a variety of men in desert garb, turbans and facemasks mingling with Arabian style vests and pants join cutlasses as the guide the Caravan. Their leader, an enormour minotauran being gazes out at the group and bellows. A challenge, a greeting? Hard to say.
From inside the enormous wagon can be seen merchant folk peering out the windows.
Esme still has her bow out! But it is held lowered and at ease. Super nonthreatening. She lets out a low, impressed whistle. “Damn, I bet they got all kinds ah cool shit in there.” She says this mostly to herself before her attention is drawn toward the minotauran with the bellowing.
Jakem glances to Annabelle “Huh, oh he’s some richy rich merchant that makes the rounds about the realms collecting oddities. I think his name is like Alvin, or Allibabah or something.” he says as he sets up the camera. “Just get the box somehow, and we can get to the picnic.”
Travel along the path took 3 time units, 9 Remain.
Annabelle bellows back in kind, trying to speak the language diplomatically, pumping her body into a fold and then cheering out with her hands and legs- balanced on one foot.
There’s a bit of a face made at Jakem as he tells the doll (who is thankfully occupied) to record her moment of struggle, but alas. It is her role, it seems. Teagan follows along until they approach the caravan. She thinks for a moment. “It’s… Vanamost’s Caravan, supposedly, from what the barkeep told us,” a thumb hooked to indicate Esme. As for weapons? She’s never even made an attempt to draw that sword. Clearly it’s for show. For the LARP. Even if it is actually a real rapier.
There’s a brief response in Arabic, but it is the minotaur that opens up discussion in response “Clear a path, Alinvah’s caravan requires space. If you be brigands, know that I, Balicar the unbeatable will send you to your graves!”
“I am the fearsome Annabael, and these are my frien – frightening cohorts!” Annabelle responds back in a stately shout, planting one foot and then the other. “There’s a bauble you’re carrying and I bet we’re pack enough to mule it! Let’s trade!”
Annabelle says, echoing, without providing context, “IT’S A RARE ASS ICE CREAM SANDWICH!“
“Like she says, we wanna trade! You got somethin’ we want and we got some things you could definitely get ah good price for!” Esme adds.
Cristal points emphatically at Annabelle.
Teagan bobs her head along as well, very much in agreement for the rarity of this ice cream sammich.
The minotaur bellows something to one of the humans in Arabic, that human immediately rushing to the wagon and entering it.
39Balicar folds his arms and glowers “I do not trade, I guard. At the master’s command, know that I will flay the skin from your bones.” he threatens.
Then there’s a long awkward silence “What is ice cream sandwich?” he asks the group at large.
Cristal clears her throat and stands up straight. “It is a rare delicacy of sweetness. A wonder that you have never tasted the likes of before!” she declares, pulling out both the melted ice cream sandwich in its package and a little baggy of coke. “Ya supposed to put this special sugar on top.”
38Balicar steps closer, sniffing at the mixture “Ah, like mixing gruel, bread, and spice all at once?” he queries, perhaps disarmed by Cristal’s presentation.
There isn’t much time to provide response before a portly man and a few servants emerge from the caravan, the steps extending to allow the short legged little man to descend without jumping. The guard that rushed in accompanies them, and the other human guards move back to circle him.
“I am Alivah, merchant of the Other. I’m afraid I have little time, for we are meeting people soon. But you offer strange trades? I must ask, what is it you wish of my caravan?”
“From the lands of Nuevo Haveeein..” Annabelle elucidates ominously, trying to put an Arabian spin on it, pacing aside to display Cristal with an imperial clasp of hands behind her back and a slow, expositing, stride, “There were great gourmets who knew magics of the arcane imperishables! The Ice Cram Sandwich was one such delicacy.”
Esme addresses Alivah as he comes over. “We hear you have a particular box in your possession that related to dreams. We’re prepared to offer you several fascinatin’ things in exchange for it. Includin the likes ah these.” She motions to the good Cristal provides.
38Balicar seems to be absolutely marveling at the offer, but quickly stands up straight as Alivah emerges, pretending like he wasn’t about to sample the precious offer while on duty.
Teagan pulls the (now folded, crumpled, crinkled, scribbled upon) flyer out of her pocket and reads the non-map side. The quest instruction side. She lifts her free hand to her mouth, chewing at a thumbnail as she reviews their task. “D’you,” she says lowly to Esme, “know who the buyer is? Like… we should probably be keeping an eye out for them, too, right?” Mostly because she’s not great at this part of things. The bartering. There is a glance up and over when the merchant arrives, mentioning he’s meeting people soon. And then she’s talking to herself, because yup: not the social one here. Or ever. So she just turns and starts keeping a general eye out. Just in case!
Cristal points to her wares, nodding back at Esme.
Alivah hmmm’s, inclining his head “Well, I’m not interesting in a melted ice cream sandwich I’m afraid.” he says with a squint at the offer “Though the spice atop it seems interesting.”
He looks to Teagan “The buyer? Indeed, I do. Gorthmund, a powerful noble and descendant of the fae. He’s quite the power here. So you wish to buy his box out from under him?” he chuckles merrily. “Oh wouldn’t that be precious. I’m not… suppppossssed to sell it to you you know.” he says meaningfully to Teagan.
Cristal huffs a little, snatching bag that bag of gooey whatever is in it now. “The coke is pure,” she informs Alivah. “Only the best!”
“But all good businessmen know an opportunity when they see it, eh?” Esme counters Alivah. “What if we gave ya somethin’ he might be interested in even more? Like ah rare, magical trinket an’ papers from a far off land?”
There’s a slight jump when Alivah speaks to her and Teagan looks a little sheepish. “Well, yes, sir. We’re, ah… I mean, I’m sure you see… competing buyers all the time, yes? Maybe I have… something you would be interested in. Like, hmm…” She does slip her backpack off to begin rifling through it again. She doesn’t have magical trinkets, but she does have items from faraway lands! She just has to hope they’re interesting enough. Moreso than, well, drugs. It’s unlikely. The first thing laid out is a can of Arizona Sweet Tea. Who can say no to that?! It’s basically crack in a can itself. And never more than $0.99!
Cristal nods sagely at Teagan. “Oh, oh, and one of these too!” She pulls out a pregnancy test. “It’s magic from our lands, tellin ya if someone preggo.”
“Gorthmund?” Annabelle scoffs, playing up the arrogance to an eleven. With a casual whisk of mancy and a norse rune drawn, she flicks out a little sweat over Alivah. “What of him? I am descended from Peter of Pan, a sorceress. He will be as precious as I allow him.”
tilts his head, glancing briefly at the coke, then back to Esme “Hmmm, I’m listening.” His attention drifts to the sweet tea, and he wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. “You know, yes yes, all of it. The sandwich for Balicar, and then the magical papers and mystical trinkets… And that, that tea right there.” he says quickly. “Galvy, bring out the dream box!” he bellows.
“But sir, what will the lord say?”
Alivah chuckles “Quite a bit I wager, but he shouldn’t have shorted me that silver last time we dealt.”
At this point, one of the servants with someone coughs “Sir… that isn’t the dream box that we have in the caravan.”
tilts his head, glancing briefly at the coke, then back to Esme “Hmmm, I’m listening.” His attention drifts to the sweet tea, and he wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. “You know, yes yes, all of it. The sandwich for Balicar, and then the magical papers and mystical trinkets… And that, that tea right there.” he says quickly. “Galvy, bring out the dream box!” he bellows.
“But sir, what will the lord say?”
Alivah chuckles “Quite a bit I wager, but he shouldn’t have shorted me that silver last time we dealt.”
At this point, one of the servants with Alivah coughs “Sir… that isn’t the dream box that we have in the caravan.”
“..Does Gorthmund not trust you?” Annabelle/span>/spanTeagan will be sad to not have her Arizona Sweet Tea (only $0.99!) on hand, but it’ll just be a trip to the 7-11 upon returning to… uh, earth? New Haven? Home? Normal? But if it gets their goals, then, well. That’s the important part. She’ll get her backpack back on and under the poncho before stepping back so that the tea can be retrieved for the caravan master. There is a look of concern when the servant speaks up about the dream box.
Secretive Servant pulls from his robes an ornate blue and purple box. “If the trade is fair, this is the true dream box.”
Allivah frowns, looking to someone “No, no I see. They knew if you had just beaten or controlled me or frightened me I would have given you what I /thought/ was the true dream box.” He grins over to the servant “But no one would have thought to mug you, little one.”
Secretive Servant pulls from his robes an ornate blue and purple box. “If the trade is fair, this is the true dream box.”
Allivah frowns, looking to Annabelle “No, no I see. They knew if you had just beaten or controlled me or frightened me I would have given you what I /thought/ was the true dream box.” He grins over to the servant “But no one would have thought to mug you, little one.”
Esme produces a set of paper that surely look ancient and maybe, to these particular people who are unfamiliar with Earth, magical. “These are ancient papers ’bout all kind of magical spells and tactics and correspondence between warrior mages.” She offers confidently enough – because she can’t read Cyrillic. Maybe they are! “One of ah kind.”
Cristal nods after Esme. “Yah! One of a kind!”
Annabelle’s crooked finger lilts, but thankfully her face is covered enough that her disappointed pout merely looks like a harsher tone of her eyes. “I’m sure it’s as convoluted as you say.” She drawls out, letting her subjects do business as she presides.
“One of a kind..”
Alivah gives a firm nod “So it is; one set of ancient scrolls, one trinket of magic, one otherwordly tea, one ice cream sandwhich, and one bag of… ahem, spice. And in exchange, I give you this; the dream box.”
Jakem didn’t think to create a prop for it, but it looks like https://i.imgur.com/n8he11I.jpeg
Cristal tells Alivah. “Don’t forget the preggo magic stick.”
Esme nods matter of factly, “That’s exactly right. All of that. All unique and exotic.”
Alivah coughs and nods to Cristal “Yes, err, that sounds highly valuable.” he comments as he bends down to personally collect the treasures as they’re deposited.
Secretive Servant steps forward, offering the box to Teagan. “Keep it safe, young one.”
Cristal nods, satisfied.
Alivah coughs and looks at the collection “Now all that remains is the mystical artifact that was mentioned, I believe?” he says, looking expectantly amongst the group.
Cristal looks to Annabelle, Teagan and Esme, a touch puzzled.
Esme holds up a locket, “Here ya go. One very magical locket that’ll let ya see impossible things.” She hands the locket over. It must be somehow related to the papers. There’s similar writing!
Honestly, in some cases? The pregnancy test might be the most valuable. To nobles, especially. Teagan has gotten herself resituated and then finds herself being handed the box. She holds it, gently, and then clutches it against her midsection. “I… I will-” She almost adds ‘try,’ but decides it’s best to at least pretend *some* level of confidence. The isekai hero can panic internally, always! External panic is reserved for… uhm. Situations not this. There is a glance to Alivah and a furrow of brow, a look to the others. She has no such trinkets!
Annabelle curls a talon into the end of her hair with a sizzle of mock lack of attention, then yanks out the gauntlet as a lock of fringe falls.
Alivah let’s out a high pitched yodel, brining the guards to bare “Enough loligagging my friends, we have a noble to dissapoint! Back to your posts!” He grins over to the group, gaze lingering on Annabelle at the the display. “Don’t think your sorcery will save you if his men should catch you. I would be gone by nightfall from this place, were I you.”
“Whatever. I’ll just ask my dad.” Annabelle mumbles courtly with a sass of her eyes, inspecting her metal nails. Quieter, to the group, she mutters.
With that, 38Balicar gathers the ice cream sandwhich, his sole prize amongst the treasures, and Alivah retreats to his wagon before the entire group departs down that golden road.
“May our next meeting be profitable my friends!” Alivah calls from the top floor of the wagon as it departs, leaving the group alone on this strange, golden brick road.
“Pleasure doin’ business.” Esme winks and then nods, moving with the group. “Yeah, let’s fuck on off back home.”
Jakem looks up from his camera, managing to snap a picture of the caravan “Huh, oh yeah, which way? Back into the woods or along the road?” he asks as he starts to pack up the equipment.
“Woods.” Annabelle responds, instantly.
Clutching the box still (well, having repositioned it under the poncho so it’s nestled against her big comfy sweater!), Teagan nods to Anna’s assessment. “We already know the way,” she adds.
The woods is in fact the only option because SOMEONE forgot to drill an exit to the bridge.
Cristal/span>Annabelle pulls off her sweater and ties it around her waist, keeping a brisk, trotting base through the trees. “C’mon. If that guy wasn’t afraid of sorcery then I’M afraid. That was like,-”
Cristal says “OH FUCK!“
Cristal is bleeding but she growls up at the air. “FUCK YALL PIRATE MOTHERFUCKERS!”
Well that was supposed to be a dangerous forest beast, but apparently it hadn’t been eating it’s veggies and had wilted away
Esme is sure we’re just too scary for even the most dangerous of forest beasts.
Annabelle waggles her arm from the parry, staring distantly down at the inebriated remains, wistufl.
As the group flees into the forest, the sound of hoofbeats from along the road thunder, heard even this deep inside the woods. They pass eventually though, and the group is able to find it’s way back to the village to finally have that picnic; offscreen since Esme has a thing shortly.
With their goal in her hands and her sword (though a real sword) intended *as a prop*, Teagan/span>/iTeagan is clearly more than happy to let the other ladies handle the fighting and punching and arrow-ing.
Annabelle stows the ferromagnetics away, a little sweaty from the long trek. Right at the gate, she taps Teagan on the shoulder and asks, “Checkup. You okay? I’ll know if you aren’t.”