'But outlook, there's no power-points, no lamp-posts. So there's no cleaners, no picture-spouts, no puters. No ball-games, no fly-posts, no hair-conditioning.' Smoke counted off with growing frustration all that was wrong and missing with his no-place, insisting 'There is no thing here. The spider-cleaners' signal can't have comeout here, to nowhere. There's no TV ant-enner or dish to pick it up.' Mayhaps that would put an end to this silly foot-about to nowhere.


OOC: 3000th post!

"What's not home to you, Smoke, is home to them. They play ball and have pictures and play games and have cleaners, they're just different is all. If you want to go back to the TARDIS, Smoke, then that's fine, but I need to find out whether or not the secrets of the war got sent here, and if they're safe. I need to keep everyone safe, those people, and you. Are you saying those people are nothing, Smoke? That the Towers and what Kangs know is the only something? Come on, you're at least as brave and bold as me, moreso even."

Trav double checks the coordinates on her IPad. "The plan is to check around and see if there are any signs of high tech. That Dalek factory transmitted here for a reason. If there's another Dalek station here, then these people can be in terrible danger. It might be buried underground or elsewhere around here and these folks might not even know it. I don't want to see what happened to Kuvas happen to anyone else. The Time War is my problem. I'm checking it out. As for what we say to them - we can say we're from somewhere else and that we want to make new friends. That's true, isn't it?" With that, Trav makes her way down the slope of the hill.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

"I...er...that's not what I meant. I didn't mean to insult anyone." Stanley quickly tries to clarify. "Yeah, I admit that I was under the impression that only humans were able to build stone buildings and tame animals...obviously a lot of alien species also developed those skills, but I thought humans were the first intelligent species on Earth. In my time we know absolutely nothing about these people, so it was a bit of a surprise to see such an advanced culture so far back in the past."

"I am sure they are nice people." Stan says to Sereth,  as Trav begins to make her way down the hill.

Trav's readings aren't terribly easy for her to interpret.  She did get some low-output power sources registering in the area from the TARDIS, but she hadn't been able to pinpoint them very well.  Perhaps talking with the locals will lead to some other ideas.

As Trav starts to make her way down the hill, the big herd animals are the first to react,and they do it with a set of raucous honks as they shy away from Trav's approach.  The mounted riders are the first to react, sending up some more of the horn-calls that the group heard earlier.  Three of them rein their lanky mounts in Trav's direction, with their lances leveled toward her, though they're merely approaching at a cautious trot, not charging her.

As they come closer to her, she can see that they're wearing beaten metal masks as well as their shining bangles, and they and look something like this:



As the big animals amble away from Trav, she sees that several individuals on foot are walking out in the direction of those creatures, and those have a different appearance:



As the masked riders come nearer, they look at each other.

"What iss it?" one asks the others.  "Have you sseen the likess of these creaturess before?"

The Draconian steps forward, his hands extended in a peace offering.

"We offer greetings; and do wish to talk."

He subtly stood between the lances and the others - making sure they were -not- going to attack before he lets the others approach too closely.

"Hello. I'm called The Traveller, these are my companions - Stanley, Sereth and Smoke Alarm. We mean you and your people no harm. We're a bit lost - who are you, and what is the name of this settlement?" She raises her arms as well, indicating that she peaceful intent.

Her hearts beat with excitement - Ancient Silurians. This is one of the first civilizations on planet Earth!

Smoke Alarm outlooked pained at Traveller's words, face twisted in despair, but she was unable to put words to what so disturbed her about this not-place, where she could not be brave and bold. She had no knowhow of any of this. She spun, turning her back on the unwalled space, crossing her arms and trying to lock out the world. But she only outlooked upon the huge gardens where bird-dogs had hide-ins under the bushes. Mayhaps she could trackback to the talkiphone box, if she was quick, brave and bold and didn't get lost-and-found by the bird-dogs.

Eventually, she turned back and eyespied the others outgoing to meet the lizard people (but not egghead Dragonians like Sereth) on giant lizards, who cameout to them with big sticks. Do I need to save them from everything? Smoke loitered sullenly at the top of the slope, eyespying what happened next.

Stanley smiles politely as he leaves the talking to Sereth and Trav.

The riders rein back, startled.

"They're speaking!" one says.

"That is not possible," replies another.  "They are plainly no sort of People we know!  That one, perhaps," she says, pointing her spear in Sereth's direction, "but even he is not.  Not even one of the Deep People."

"We should drive them off, or slay them," says the first.  "Lest they sicken the herd."

"Creatures such as this, trouble the kylo?  They are far too puny for that."

"Silence, both of you," snaps the final Silurian.  She frowns down at Sereth, Trav and Stanley.  Addressing Sereth, she says, "This is the domain of Resvatossk, and it bows to the will of Zhethvaton.  You will come with us, and bring your creatures with you.  At the court of our lord there is a, a philosopher who may know of your People.  We will see what he makes of you."

Pointing in Smoke Alarm's direction with the spear, she speaks to the first rider.  "Go and fetch that one down.  It looks small, perhaps it is the whelp of these two.  Ensaven will be displeased if you harm it: if he is displeased, Zhethvaton will; and then I will be displeased.  Is that clear?"

"Lance-bearer," answers the first Silurian, ducking his head.  It seems to be a kind of title.  He spurs his gangly mount up in Smoke Alarm's direction.

Meanwhile, the "lance-bearer" and the other rider spread out to flank the group between them.  Their spears are held angled, not directly threatening but ready.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

She couldn't hear all the talk, but they didn't sound friendly. The lizard-people on their lizard-bikes were moving to catch if they can. And now one was outcoming right for her! 'Trav!' Smoke called for guidance, but she was ready to run.


OOC: Movers phase. Run!

Sereth spoke very quickly.

"Smoke! Stop! This is not the time for running, hiding or fighting. Now is the time for talk. Come down - you know I'll protect you."

She outlooked unbravely at the wild gardens behind them, trying to eyespy the talkiphone box. Mayhaps she could make it. Mayhaps Traveller and Sereth and Stan could even keep up, and the lizard-bikes wouldn't catch them. Mayhaps. She loitered, unbold and unbrave, but Sereth's words finally decided her. Whatever happened, she couldn't leave them behind. Brave and bold as a Kang could be... in a not-city like this.

She started to foot it down the hill, joining her friends, but made sure to evade the lizards outcoming for her.


OOC: Courage check: 14, a "No, but" Failure. Scared but staying to help.
11:38, Today: Smoke Alarm rolled 14 using 2d6+7 with rolls of 1,6. resolve(3) + presence(2) + Brave(2) + Trauma(-2) + encourage(2)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

The lizard and its snorting, smelly bike gives Smoke Alarm room without running her down.  It loops in behind her and lopes down the hill after her, down to where her friends are waiting.

Trav holds out her hand. "Take my hand, Smoke. It'll be OK. Come on, brave and bold. Think of the stories you'll have for your Kang sisters." She defers to Sereth - he's the diplomat here, and more familiar. "You're brave enough for a place like this. It's not bigger than you."

She gets herself behind Sereth, and next to Stan, urging Smoke to join her.

OOC: This is my 3rd Story Point but hey what are Companions for - I want to give Smoke an SP for that Courage roll, and add in my own Charming and Voice of Authority - like how the Doctor encourages the best in his Companions.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

Smoke footed down the slope to Traveller, but didn't take her hand, mayhaps in some lingering resentment for getting her in this to-do. 'This place is bigger than me.' Smoke returned firmly. Then she finally said what was so disturbing her. 'There's. No. Walls.'

Trav trots up to Smoke's hill. "Think of Sweet Boy. He's small on the outside, but what is he on the inside? He's enormous and brave, and he runs through time and space, just like you! Be like Sweet Boy! Do you think Sweet Boy is scared of the big old cosmos? No, he runs and leaps and jumps through it, just like you! You're bigger on the inside! Now, come on down! There are cool things to see! Hm, hm?" She holds up her hand to Smoke. "No walls, but mountains and trees and streams. Look. Look! Scary, yeah, but beautiful, yes. Like when I was 8, when they brought me to the Schism. Like a big pool."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Thu 30 Oct 2014.

Stanley stops smiling politely when he hears the lizard-people talk about slaying them. Not really the friendly welcome he was hoping for. Sereth or Trav could find or make a way for them to escape, but luckily that does not seem to be necessary. The riders are going to take them to see some philosopher first.

"In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that we are carrying pathogens that could jump over to their herd animals." he whispers to Trav and Sereth.

Sereth glances at Stanley, with a brief nod. He doesn't discuss it right now, not till they had things a bit... safer.

The Silurians fall into a triangle around the group -- one ahead, two behind -- and indicate that they should start moving toward the fortress.

As they proceed, they all draw a collection of stares from the various Silurians out and watching the herds and working in the fields.  The leader of the trio names herself as Tchezari, and Sereth and the others gather from what little she tells them that "lance-bearer" is a fairly low rank that melds together authority and profession.

It takes a little under a half hour to reach the fortress.  There are massive reinforced wooden gates at the front of it, but the travelers are taken in through a smaller portcullis not far from it.  Once inside, they can see that the fortress encloses both a main keep and a number of smaller stone structures.  They notice that the majority of the locals outside the walls are of the two-eyed variety, but the balance goes the other way inside.  There are Silurians of various apparent ages, and the genders are discernible.

Tchezari and her subordinates escort the four TARDIS crew to one of the smaller structures.  Tchezari precedes them, and calls ahead: "Learned Ensaven!  I have... curiosities discovered beyond the walls for your inspection.  I am leaving my troopers to guard them for you while I report this to Lord Zhethvaton.  I do not doubt that he will wish a report of what you learn of them."

Then Trav and Sereth, Stanley and Smoke Alarm are led into an expansive area with a large number of fascinating items and apparatuses, most on long benches.  In this place is one large and thick-build three-eye Silurian, and a pair of smaller, probably juvenile two-eyes.  One of the latter is stirring a large pot of a gloopy, sour-smelling substance the basic color and consistency of cheese dip as it cooks over glowing coals.  The other small creature is hunched over a collection of small pots that contain liquids and colored powders.

The big Silurian -- Ensaven, evidently -- stares wide-eyed at the four travelers.  "These are a strange collection of creatures...."

Tchezari eyes Trav and the others.  "They may not be simple creatures, Learned," she says.  "They speak."

OOC: I leave it up to Smoke Alarm: you can respond to this and eliminate your penalty or not.  If not, Trav doesn't lose her Story Point.

OOC: Thanks, but I have lots of SPs right now and Trav has so few. :) I'll keep this state and penalty and see where it goes. We don't solve our problems right out of the gate. :)


Still struggling with the existential horror of the great outdoors, Smoke Alarm hardly needed to be remembered of the bigger-on-the-insideness of the talkiphone box. It's bigger on the outside... 'I spose.' she said, mostly to get Traveller to be done with it. But she allowed Traveller's encouragement and coaxing to slowly work on her as she footed down the slope with the others. Mayhaps it was so, but she needed ticktocks not space. Ticks to be outgoing and track back, tocks to get lost-and-found, to get the knowhow of the floorplan. A little rat didn't like to run across an open floor, but to have a wall at her side or a ceiling overhead.

Focusing on the dirty floor beneath her shoes, Smoke footed across the wide open un-walled park, outlooking at the people and animals close-by, not the end of the world where the floor ran into the ceiling. Outgoing across that park made her all unbrave and unbold, feeling a bird-dog could run right out at her or fly down from the ceiling. Nothing to jump on or crawl under. And it was so hot! She felt all burning and wet and sticky and wanted to get her fabshion off and find some hair-conditioning.

Smoke Alarm perked up as they cameout to the big stone towers and became visitors inside. A city at last! Walls and ceilings and rooms and carrydoors, places to hide and jump and climb, where a Kang could feel sound and safe.

They came to a kitchen and met some lizard people. Some had two eyes and some had three eyes and were very frilly. Mayhaps they were divided like Kangs or something. 'We talk.' Smoke Alarm said at last, but wasn't sure if she should how-you-do yet.

Ensaven bends forward, peering closely at Smoke Alarm with big, bulbous eyes.  "So you do," he says.  He reaches out with a scaly finger, holds it questioningly in front of Smoke's forehead, and (if she does not protest or recoil) gently pokes her skin.  "Not like we creatures of the Before Time," he says, "but more like those of the After Time.  Curious.  Curious."

He speaks slowly and clearly to Smoke.  "Where Do You Come From?  Far Away, Or Near?"

Smoke stiffened but stayed steady as the lizard-man poked her, though she went cross-eyed watching that clawed finger approach. 'I Comeout From Very Faraway.' she answered in kind.

It was at this point that Sereth stepped forward.

"My apologies. My friend doesn't always deal well with new situations, and new people." He looked intensely curious. "Before Time? After Time?"

OOC: Not making rolls until I need to. I think there's a dangerous habit to just let diplomacy come down to rolling, especially if you have a character specialised in it, so trying to RP it out as much as I can first.

Ensaven looks at Sereth.  "Do they not tell of the Great Dying, where you come from?" he says.  "You do not have the look of the High People, nor the Young People.  Yet I have never heard of a tribe or a land where the Dying was not known.  Our legends say that long ago, out of the memory of all the People, the land was gripped by cold and locked in place, in white and death.  Before the Dying, in the Before Time, there were said to be many great and wonderful beasts that served the High People.  What we have today is only the fragment of a fragment of those creatures; other sorts live today, but they are not so great as the dragons of old.  And some are small and white and pink and have..."  He gestures with his fingers in a throwing-away motion from his head, and it takes a moment to figure out that he's miming hair.

"Like your... friend?  These truly are other sorts of People, then, and not your chattel?  Forgive me if the question offends: I have not seen their like.  And I have certainly not seen one with a pelt of blue before; I have only seen blue in the feathered flyers and a few of the small scaly animals."

OOC: You shouldn't need to make a roll at this point unless you're trying to figure out something he's not saying.  You've happened upon a reasonably amiable person, or at least his curiosity is stomping all over any other attitudes he might have now, don't worry about a roll unless something starts to seem confrontational.