As the group stands out in the area outside the inn, they stare off at the woods.  There seem to be dozens of paths that lead off into the woods in front of them and many more on the other sides of the inn.  It is not an easy choice to pick just one.

Gallus reached down to his belt and popped open one of the hard compartments. He gently pick out four small bud-like devices. "These are personal vox-transmitters, used for intrasquad communication in case our main signals are lost. They fit in yor ear and will allow us to stay in touch. I only have four, so be careful with them. Also, as far has our map, my internal auspex will track our path, should we need to back track." Gallus holds up his hand to distribute the comm-beads.

With the eagerness of a twelve year old he picked one out and began putting it on. Not really knowing how to work it he placed two fingers where it was placed in his ear and spoke in a dry voice. POTUS is on the move. I repeat POTUS is on the move, keep eyes on the windows and procede with caution, Red Dog out. He laughed at his own bad impression.

Thanks for the nifty blue-tooth. Now, towards my creepy tree. Wilford then began making his way to a path closest to the strange tree he had picked out, his legs creating a large gate allowing him to move faster than he normally did. Just as he passed the tree he stopped. Wait a minute, maybe one of you warriors should take point. Heaven knows I'd be the first red-shirt killed if I kept in the lead.

((As discussed on the porch he is heading east near a tree with twin trunks that he claimed to have the shape of a face hidden in the bark))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

As you approach the woods, you see that the darkness is complete inside.  It seems much darker than when many of you entered.  The bird is soon lost in the heavy canopy of the trees.  Except for the sounds of your footfalls, there doesn't seem to be any noise.

Shaking his head at Wilford, all enthusiasm and bouncy gobbledegook, Rafi slouched at the back of the little group. He was not the warrior type and was quite happy not to take point. Instead, he scanned the group from behind, watching out, not for the kind of threats that the marines, Boone or the General might counter, but the sort of threat that most people wouldn't see. There was something about the forest, about its stillness, its dark, that made him uneasy. Even he knew that it shouldn't be that quiet and it hadn't been when he had entered earlier.

He trusted that Gerald could take care of himself and instead focused on the immediate environs of the group, extending his senses for both unknown minds and potential magic. With wraiths around, he couldn't be too careful.

What kind of frequency are those broadcasting? I may be able to pick it up with my implants and someone else can use the vox-thing, and we should probably be in some sort of order, better safe than sorry.

Garrett takes the earphone device and looks it over with a cautious eye before stuffing it in his ear.  "My equipment probably isn't equiped with the correct encryption algorithms anyway."

He looked over the shadowy forest and shrugged again.  It seemed much more ominous than before.  Almost as if it was reacting to their mood.  He abruptly turned to Wilford, "What's a potus?  And what does 'red-shirt' mean?"  He clearly wasn't feigning ignorance but also understood the context well enough to be expecting a punch-line.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Wilford gave a big grin at the question. POTUS is the nickname of my nations leader, and a red shirt is from a show, play if you will, where the writers wanted there to be danger but not to the main characters so men wearing red shirts always died instead.

He was glad at the question, it got his mind off of what just happened. He wasn't sure if anyone else noticed, but that tree looked at him. maybe not at him, but definitely through him. He was right when he thought he saw a face in the bark, and he had never regretted being right so much in his life.

Wilford kept where he was, waiting for someone willing to take the lead. One creepy occurrence was all it took to put him on guard. Even so, he wasn't too disturbed to turn on his digital recorder and keep his video camera ready in case something happened.

Try as he might though, he could not resist himself and took a few steps back in an attempt to catch the face in his camera. With his luck, it wouldn't be there any more. Then again, given his luck it would and would try to devour him.

Gallus Roamed in front of the group, moving like a lumbering giant. He made no attempt to cover his movements and followed towards the tree of interest. Taking his bolter at the ready, he walked near Wilford. "It is not too late for you to turn back. We are almost out of throwing distance for me."

I'll be willing to take point. Ah've taken a shotgun blast to the face and survived, so I'm fairly tough. Boone takes his place at the fore, his superhuman senses alive in this place. His boast of experience as a woodsman was no mere sham - he's been an explorer through unknown territories for decades, and it's time to put that experience to the test. He registers the scent of each and every one of his companions, should he need to track down their locations upon being seperated.

Scott made no attempt to reach for an ear bud or move to the front.  Neither he thought were a good idea.  Though he had snickered at the red shirt comment.  That one, he understood perfectly.

Well, that explains a lot. He commented after Boone spoke, though if in reference to Boone's words or the lot of them, it wasn't clear and he didn't elaborate.  Instead, he walked on into the darkened wood and toward the tree.  The tree, at least, did look interesting.

While his primary focus remained upon the environment, concentrating most of his efforts upon detecting potentially Bad Things^TM, Rafi couldn't help but smile at the badinage between the group. The marine had a sense of humor! At least, he hoped that Gallus was joking as the thought of Wilford flying back to the inn under Gallus-power would otherwise be too much. Letting the military men move ahead or not as they liked - they could look after themselves after all - he instead kept within range of  Wilford and Scott.

"What'ya seeing there?" He asked, touching the wood of the tree. "Looking for a dryad?"

Three members of the group are standing there looking at... a tree.  The woods about are unnaturally quiet.

Skimming his hands over the bark of the tree, Rafi just shook his head, "No dryads, I'm afraid." He stood to one side, waiting for Wilford to move on so that he could remain in the rear, still scanning for strangeness. To break the silence, he began to whistle a few notes but the forest seemed to swallow up the sound and he stopped, frowning.

Dave levels his rifle and looks in the direction of the movement alert for anything out of the ordinary

"Easy.  No need to go off half-cocked."

Not knowing who could hear and who couldn't sub vocalizing over the link and to those close by, "Something metalic."  He grasps the hilt of his sword but leaves it at his side.  Carefully he takes a step forward left hand in front in a calming fashion in the hopes that he appears less threatening.

Who knows maybe It'll work?  Was the only thought as he pushes through the brush to investigate not waiting for anyone else or concerned about lines of fire.  Almost inaudibly, "Could be just a helmet or something..."  He didn't believe it would be particularly mundane or even benign but he tried to keep the tension out of his face and his voice.

Scott shook his head at Rafi. I see a tree. He said to the man and came to stand next to him, frowning as Drake started to take off. If this was how military operations worked, he was thinking of rethinking his career plans.

"Yep, sometimes a tree is just a tree." Rafi shrugged, wondering what Wilford had seen. He was still distracted somewhat and didn't notice Drake taking off until Scott glanced in that direction, noting those who took the front. He leaned into the young man, whispering something briefly before standing upright again.

"So Wilford's from NYC, how about you?" He asked airily, glancing at Wilford, "I've always liked New York... though not the sewers, necessarily."

Well, there's something out there Boone remarks. I just saw something moving fast. Couldn't make out what it was. Boone has one hand on his lasso as he walks, preferring a non-lethal solution to any surprises. Besides, if gunplay is needed, he has a fastdraw better than Paladin^tm.

Wilford frowned that he could not find the face again, but he didn't say a word of it. He looked up and was glad someone had taken the lead so he kicked up his pace to follow.

Upon the announcement of movement Wilford wildly swung his camera around trying to see what everyone was talking about. Again, he saw nothing so he turned off the camera to save the battery, but turned on his digital sound recorder.

He gave a quick look to everyone that had came along, feeling at ease given the amount of warm bodies with him. He crunched and snapped twigs as he walked, not knowing the best idea would have been to avoid such things.

I haven't seen anything too bizarre yet, but this place is starting to give me the creeps. Its almost like we are walking around in a room where the walls, ceiling and floor are closing in on us. Or maybe I'm a still buzzed from before.

He had gone back to lightly humming the theme to Have Gun, Will Travel.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Wed 08 Apr 2009.

Drake and Boone are moving up in front of everyone else both with hands on one type of weapon or another.  Wilford has started going up towards Drake and Boone.  Hamilton has brought his rifle up and is aiming off to the left flank.  There doesn't seem to be anything odd about this tree that so unerringly caught Wilford's attention just moments before.

Clearly it wasn't a mistake.  Something was up ahead.  With a thought a gems silently detaches from the hilt of his sword and floats away into the undergrowth a few feet off the ground.  With an additional focal point he closes his eyes and pauses to allay the confusion that the added point of view created.

The small gem slipped through the air in the shadowy undergrowth toward the movement.  As he surveyed the depression ahead he replied to the ongoing conversations dividing his attention between the locations with some effort.

"Sewers?..Wizard Corwin??"

"Mr Boone, You may be the most qualified woodsman among us, What sort of animals could we expect in a place like this?"  The palm of his hand rested lightly on the top of the hilt of his blade.

Dave lowers his rifle and cautiously takes up the rear, alert for anything out of the ordinary.

Rafael continued through the woods keeping close to Wilford and Scott and not making any attempt to remain quiet. He reckoned that while Boone, Dave or Drake alone might be able to sneak up on things, with the whole group there wasn't much hope of them remaining quiet... especially given the quiet of the forest. While he was no woodsman, he knew that the normal animals of a forest would make some noise.

"I don't think we'll find the usual sort of animals. Not here." He took a few strides forward and with a frown, crouched down on his haunches, touching the ground, letting his fingers twine around the undergrowth. He closed his eyes in concentration, saying almost to himself.

"I think there is something bigger. Someone bigger." He knew that he was somewhere far different from the places he ordinarily wandered but that did not stop him wanting to understand, to try and put it within a context he could deal with. And he was beginning to have an inkling ... He smiled to himself as he murmured to himself... or perhaps to the forest itself...

Nodding in response to Rafael's statement.  "I was hoping otherwise but that is the same conclusion I had.  The next question is what intent or is it reacting to our appearances and psychic emanations?"

"Do you perhaps have a way of lightening the mood?  With any luck that will reflect outward into the forest and reduce the perception of threat."  He calls back the gem and opens his eyes.

With a sigh he lets go of Pathfinder stretches and makes a conscious effort to relax his mind.

Ah agree. Whatever we find out here won't be whut you'd normally find in the woods. F'r instance, I just saw something about the size of a child runnin' around up ahead. Who's wants to bet it ain't a kid? Boone hunkers into his cloak and starts to fade from view while he sneaks forward. Anyone with thermographic vision can still see him, but otherwise his skill at stealth allows him to press forward unseen. He moves about 15 meters in front of the group, his senses straining. Hearing, sight, and scent all painting a picture of his surroundings.

Boone's last statement shook Wilford to the core. He was back in the sewers, back running down the darkest alley ways, and back creeping up the stairs of an abandoned hospital. These little hallucinations, the flitting os spirits spoke of his own experiences with the strange and horrible.

I saw something on a tree, you see a bizarre child. Back home these things would happen, they want us to become afraid. Good thoughts or not, this place wants to play. Its fascinating, and one of the scariest damn things I have had to deal with.

He looked over the Raf. Kind of like those crappy Japanese horror flicks they fail to adapt to American audiences. Next thing you know some woman with long hair is going to start screaming.

Scott scowled at Rafi's whisper.  Watching the others as if they were all nuts.  Me? He'd asked in response to the where you from question.  He wasn't sure, but since no one else was seeming interested in the question, he answered.  Nowhere Massachussettes.  'bout 50 miles south of Boston.

He looked in the direction the others had, and saw nothing. He rolled his eyes at the lasso.  This guy seemed to have everything, but at least it wasn't lethal.

He looked out again. Nothing. He smirked at Wilford.

Are you guys sure you're not just seeing what you expect to see. 'Cause I gotta tell ya.  I see nothing but forest.  He looked to Wilford, No offense, but... maybe you're just bored.

He smiled at Scott. I could also be criminally insane buddy. As far as you know I decorate my Christmas tree with the entrails of hookers and skulls of rats. He gave the man a wink before going on. But you would be a fool to realize that not a single one of us know a single damned thing, about anything. Reality in any world is false, because their are billions of lives each seeing reality through their own lenses. Then again, I have had experience with this sort of thing. So, maybe I am just bored and hoping to see some unsettling stuff.

As Boone walks out into the forest, the unnatural silence continues.  There doesn't seem to be anything here... no birds, no insects, no small animals.

I definately want to come to your house for christmas. Scott answered sarcastically.  He glanced back to where Boone was wandering.  His hand shot to Wilford, the closest person to him, holding him steady so he didn't move and he leaned in to whisper.

As he finished his response to Scott he looked forward once more. Wilford intended to stop in his tracks at what he saw, but instead tumbled forward and onto the leaf strewn earth. He rolled onto his back and simply pointed up. A mixture of pain, surprise and fear showed on his face. I must be really f***ing bored.

With that, he struggled to turn his camera on once more and wiggled around the ground trying to get a good shot of the child in the trees.

((OOC: This is the last definite post I can make until I return. If Possible I will make one sooner. Either NPC him, or assume his reactions follow the pattern I have set forward.))

Wilford was tumbling away from him in a flash.  That's an affirmative. He muttered.  So, maybe they were both nuts.  Glancing around at the others who were not responding.

Scott waved back at the upper branches of the tree, moving slowly.

Does any one else see anything? He asked hopeful and speaking evenly but loud enough he hoped for others to hear.

Ignoring the others for a moment, Rafi stood momentarily and leaning his back to a tree, slid down until he was in a crouch. His eyes were closed and for a long while, he let the others speak, speculate. Finally, he opened his eyes and grinned at Scott,

"You'd do well in the Arcadian forests." He shrugged slightly, "Sometimes our eyes can deceive us, especially when we let our imaginations run wild." He flinched slightly, pinched the bridge of his nose then shook his head,

"There is a sentience here." He said quietly but clearly enough that those close enough could hear, "But I don't think it is in the forest, I think it is the forest." He looked around the little group,

"It isn't evil, at least in any sense I can detect. What I think... and I could be horribly wrong... is that it is some sort of Animus Loci, a Spirit of Place. On my Earth, places of power can have a guiding sentience, a spirit that embodies and controls a place. They are rare and even more rare to have such power." He looked to the armed men,

"Don't harm the forest." He glanced at Gallus' jetpack, "Really."

"Perhaps.  For now I guess that is the most operable hypothesis.  As it is I see a demon of sorts in that tree."  He points at the tree under which Boone just passed.

With a manefestation to focus on Garrett approaches the tree and looks up at it calmly, "Do you have a message or are you here to make me look delusional."

Following the eyeline of the others, Rafi looked upwards into the tree to look for Garrett's "demon" child. While he did so, he stood up again, flinching slightly and rubbed his eyes to clear out the worst of the magical glare. He carefully picked his way through the undergrowth to stand beside Wilford and Scott, murmuring to himself as he did so but said nothing. Rather, he waited to see whether Garrett could get a response.

Dave walks over to Scott, Rafi, and Garrett, sets his back to them looking away from the party and surveying the woods
I saw some movement over there
Dave points over to the left
I don't see anything now though

I see a small child in the tree.  A girl, not a demon. He gave Drake a look. It's just a kid.  It was waving at us. He gave a 'so what's the big deal' shrug.

It didn't really matter if it was 'real' or not.  I mean, look at all of them and where they were.

What exactly are you seeing?  He asked mostly Drake, but anyone else seeing something would be fine too.

The child - demon - monstrosity, seems to dissolve into the tree.  It doesn't disappear, more it seems to be absorbed into it.  For those looking at it, a bump moves quickly along the tree and into ground where it disappears.

In the middle of a group a child seems to rise up out of the ground.  She is perhaps 7 or 8 and appears perfect to the eye.  She smiles as she looks around at each of you.

"What are you here looking for?"

At the sight of the movement, Rafi took a small step back and, smiling, knelt down in front of the little girl,

"Greetings," He looked around at the little group, noting with a wry smile Wilford fiddling with his camera, "We did not mean to intrude. We wish only to explore and expand our knowledge. This place is so very special."  He inclined his head to the little girl,

"I am Rafi and these are my friends." He motioned to the others to introduce themselves, hoping they would be polite, "Is there something we may call you?"

Gallus stood quietly near the front of the group, though there was no real determinable front for a gaggle of people. He had not worried when the others had started to chase shadows or when they investigated a tree, but when random small children start appearing out of a forest he must say something. "Some of us are here not peace, but for war, if only to end it quickly if it starts." He knew that some of them were not going to be happy with him threatening an unknown enemy, but some enemies relied on bullying, and he must beat them to the chase.

The question represented more than it appeared.  As did the entity.  As a girl she presented an unthreatening appearance and calm demeanor.  The demonic fascade represented malign forces.  Clearly an entity of some capability, perhaps even as the mage had guessed the forest and the entity were one.  It was also possible that this was a deception.  In either case the straigtforward approach was the easiest.

"Many things.  It all depends on the circumstances at hand.  In general I seek to make peace.  In most cases where I am drawn that requires war.  Here and now I seek to know what threats exist and what measures are in place to secure this place and these portals so that I might judge what safeties need to be created for this place and others connected to it."

Wilford has quickly turned his camera on the child, hoping it wouldn't be taken as an attack of some sorts.  You never know with some of these freaky people, and he uses that term "people" very loosely.

"Wow.  Not exactly what I was expecting."

Rafi closed his eyes when Gallus responded. Just count to ten, he told himself, count to ten. He supposed that the threat might count as polite in Gallus' universe: he supposed that he should be glad that the space marine responded with words not firepower. He opened his eyes and smiled. At least Wilford seemed to be enjoying himself. And if the child was a threat, at least they should be protected. He followed up from Garrett's comments, adding evenly,

"While some came here deliberately, most came through the portals without intent, by accident on their part. I admit to finding that... curious." He looked carefully at the child, watching for any reaction.

The child looks at each person in turn.  She makes no aggressive moves just slowly turning.  Stopping first at Corwin;

"Yes indeed this place is very special.  But you know that already.  If you need a name to call me, call me... Eviel."

She gaze turns and stops on Gallus, her face is cheerful and full of mirth.

"You need to be careful what you are looking for when you are here.  That is part of what is special about this place.  You usually find what you are looking for.  Be it a fight or a path home.  I have no desire to fight, but if you want one... there are others here who are willing to oblige you."

Looking at Drake.

"Let me ask you a question... did any of you have trouble of any type when you arrived?  Was there anything in the woods that hampered you in any way?"

When the girl materialized, spoke and the others answered, Scott inched closer to Rafi.  It wasn't so much out of protection, but of alliance.  He certainly didn't want to be associated with Gallus.  He'd shot him a look that would have been nice if it had struck him dead or at least mute.  The man was making him re-think his career choices.

He thought about the Forest words... He didn't expect anything from the forest... except a nice forest.  And he'd had no problems arriving.  He'd always been taught to respect the forest.  Silently he watched the others.

"For several hours I was not accosted, but to conclude that there isn't a threat based on that short experience is rather foolish.  But if you are inferring that there is some mechanism that manages such threats then that is something I can at least accept on face value."

He nods to the entity respectfully and moves aside somewhat satisfied at the resposne but still unsure of the intentionally ambiguous response.  Either what was implied was true or it wasn't.  In either case he would remain prepared.

"Two times I have come, and both were uneventful." He stands ready, yet has not drawn yet. These people were too trusting. Why not just kill it? If it was a threat then it will be a good action, if not what will come of it? The unknown was a threat and thins thing was unknown to him.

Rafi remain on his knees, resting back a little on his heels as he watched the "child." As first Drake then Gallus responded to her comments, he relaxed just a little, if only because they both seemed to be acknowledging her point at least to some extent. He hoped that Wilford was enjoying this because even if he didn't realize it, this child was probably more powerful than any of the creatures he and his companion countered on Earth.

"Good to meet you Eviel." He finally said with a broad smile, "I for one would be quite happy not to have to fight anything, thanks. My walk here was quite pleasant... " He turned to Scott, nudging him slightly and commenting lightly to the young man, "Aren't you going to introduce yourself, Scott?" He then looked at the others who had stood back, eyebrows raised, before turning back to Eviel,

"You are able to bend the reality of this place to your will? And you reflect our expectations?" He mused, half to her, half to himself, "And the portals?"

Scott had been torn between awe at the child and glare at the warriors.  At Rafi's nudge, he offered a smile, and brief introduction, announcing he was just there for a walk in the woods.  Of course, he then wondered about that.  If the child was the woods, was a walk in the woods appropriate? You couldn't walk through a child.  Did walking in the woods hurt the child? That was too much to wrap his brain around.

Rafi's question was complicated enough, but less so then his own thoughts and more interesting and he waited to hear the answer, hoping that no one started shooting at things first.

Looking at the men, she laughs out loud.  It is a beautiful silvery sound.

"Oh no... I do not bend reality.  I am just a small part of what is here.  I came out to talk because you would not see me as an overt threat...  If my big brothers came out, you would have either run or tried to fight."

She shakes her head at the comment by Drake.

"There is no mechanism here to protect you.  It is just that we bear you no malice."

Her mirth is gone as she levels her gaze at Gallus.

"Unless you bring it upon yourself."

As the child laughed, Rafi smiled broadly. She was probably not what Wilford had expected or wanted, but he found her fascinating. He was already trying to re-adapt his theories, knowing he couldn't hope to understand everything in a short space of time but relishing the challenge. He couldn't quite believe that the others didn't have any more questions. On the other hand, his curiosity... ok, his nosiness... had got him intro trouble plenty of times before. After she had responded to Drake and Gallus and after he was sure noone else wanted to pipe in, he continued,

"Do you and your brothers have an awareness of those in the forest, what's going on?" He asked, "While you do not bear us malice, are there forces or creatures in the forest that might?"

Appearing behind the forest spirit, Boone interjects I was tracking a rogue bear that had mauled some farmers when I encountered this place. Could you tell me if non-intelligent or non-sentient creatures can also pass into this nexus of realities? Boone smiles gently at the apparent child. My name is Boone, Eviel. It is a great pleasure to meet you. Are you a part of the anima of this place, or are you a separate being?

Dave was surprised by the appearance of the child. As the others engage to "child" Dave is content to stand on the outside of the group and observe

"We bear you no ill will and we are the strongest that are here."

She gives Boone a big smile that is infectious.

"What basis do you judge sentience?  There are some that come through here that are as high above you as you feel you are above the bear.  Should they consider you non sentient?"

Looking all around her, though she is surrounded by men who are armed, several with hands on their weapons, she seems not afraid.

"I can not explain what we are.  We just are.  If you are looking for something, walk down one of these paths and you are likely to find it.  Just be careful what you wish for."

Rafi certainly seemed infected by the child's humor, still sitting on his heels, a lop sided grin on his face,

"Any hints, Eviel?" He glanced around the little group and took in the number of weapons on display with a shake of his head, "Something interesting for my friend that doesn't involve gun-fire." He tilted his head at the child,

"Whose will does it follow? If one wants or expects violence, will the others be beset too?"

Scott was intrigued by the whole show.  Himself with a half smile at the girl, creature, forest, whatever.  He glanced between her and Rafi, glad the mage was asking good questions and kicking himself that he was so...star struck not to think of them.  Star struck? Forest struck?  Enchanted.  That wasn't a comfortable thought as it took on new meaning.

Wilford could not pay attention to the child's words, he was more worried about finding the best angle to include as much of the group as possible. He took a few slow and careful steps back, putting the heads of some of the group in with the shot of the forest being.

He checked his digital voice recorder, and selected the option to increase the quality on background noise in hopes of catching something similar to an EVP.

Then, something stabbed him in the mind. If the forest shows the desires of those in it, how much danger was he putting the group in? He sought spirits, vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels, demons and all other myths so he could capture evidence of their existence. What if he summoned Old Scratch to confront the group?

Beads of sweat formed on his brow, and he debated calling the whole thing off. He just couldn't find it within himself to go back, his nature urged him forward despite the danger. The people around him could defend themselves against all comers, or so he thought.

He began to kneel down on a small patch of twigs and leaves, creating a snapping rustle as he settled in for a different angle. The world outside his video screen stopped existing to him. He didn't know what this thing, this forest child was, but he had video to share with the rest of Network 0.

She looks at the human wizard who has deemed it necessary to get down to her level.

"If you are not looking for trouble, it might be best not to go with those who are.  Guilt by association is a common enough phrase in many worlds.  Are you familiar with it?"

She is not condescending in her tone.

"I would suggest that if it is adventure and excitement you seek, you go off to one of the worlds and try and find some there.  There is a very interesting world down that path."

With a flourish of her hand she points off down one of the trails.

Rafi laughed at the child's question, "Guilt by association? Blimey, I'm a bloody expert in it." He flashed a look at Gallus and Wilford, "You wouldn't believe the sort of things some people assume about me because I'm a mage." He shrugged and grinned lopsidedly, "But I've found that trouble often finds me, whomever I'm with." He stood up and brushed himself off slightly, stretching a little. While before the child had turned up he had been feeling - and looking - a little tired, now he was reinvigorated. He turned to Wilford and gave him a little mock salute,

"So what now, General?" He then looked around all of the others, focusing particularly on those bearing arms,

"I want you all to think happy thoughts. Bunnies. Unicorns. Chocolate sundaes. Hot co-eds." He winked at Scott and then muttered to the child,

"It's not going to work, is it?" His smile suggested he already knew the answer.

Does that mean that if I desire to see a girlfriend here, she will find her way to this nexus? Or that a simulacrum will appear in her stead? he asks the child-like representitive.

"My personal inclination is to seek threats and deal with them outside of this realm.  So the path you indicate seems rather inviting.  I wouldn't presume to ask any to follow."

He nods and replies evenly to the spirit, "It is also said that evil thrives when good people do nothing.  And I am not inclined to inaction in any case."  He spoke with a calm certainty rather than fiery conviction.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Wed 15 Apr 2009.

The child puts her hand down slowly and looked back to the wizard with a blank stare.

"I'm sorry if it offends you, but many times it is not plausible to separate those with different views and treat each on such an individual basis. But you choose the company you keep, so you are not entirely free of blame."

She turns her gaze over to the man in the long jacket.

"It has happened before, but the nexus can not interfere with the free will of those that it is trying to pull. You can have desire to see a subject, but it can not pull those unwilling."

Lastly she turned to the last one to speak.

"Your actions and thoughts seem hasty. I will not tell you what lies behind the threshold opens before you, but I will warn you that with every world and every place, threats and morals are not black and white. You are foreigners to the places you travel, and you will not know the truths of the land. Nearly everyone thinks they always work for the greater good. You wish to take action, and I will not stop you. Just know that even the best intentions could mean disaster."


The figure of the girl turns to the path.

"Your goals are ahead of you, if you wish to press on."

Wilford gave a hearty shrug. He had heard only bits and pieces amidst his filming, but the man recognized danger when he heard it. Twice, maybe more, the child mentioned the path.

To no one in particular he spoke while powering down his equipment. I'm not a fan of living forever, and only one person will miss me if this is a snare. F**k it, down the road I go. He gave a lasting look to Rafi and spoke once more. I think if we go down this road, nothing good will happen. I'm sure you and possibly the giant will survive, just keep my equipment for posterity and I won't have died in vain.

With that last thought, he stumbled towards the direction the spirit kept mentioning. He held such low expectations for survival, not from a personal dark view, but only because life was so harsh and unforgiving in his world. You could be a saint, but that offered no protection against the fiends of the night.

Have gun will travel read the card of a man. A knight without armor in a savage land... and so he continued his singing and tried thinking of flying co-eds with low standards. And vampires. And werewolves. And ghosts. And angels. And death. And love. And a million more thoughts, he felt like a child again unable to control the images and idea's flowing through his mind.

It's only death, besides I would like as much information as possible about this place before I go back to the commonwealth
Dave taps his head looking around
If I go down just bring my memory crystal or my head back to my universe

The girl’s words made sense.  You got what you looked for.  Wasn’t that the way of all things?  Following the conversation, Scott had pictured the things Rafi listed… Bunnies. Unicorns. Chocolate sundaes. Hot co-eds . . .  he started to flush, fully tinged pink when Rafi winked and Scott responded with a look that was half sheepish and half defiant.

Then frowned as the others spoke.

Ah guys?  What the…?   Alright granted,  this was information from some  ‘woodsey tart’ He snorted at his own fractured reference to things these guys no doubt didn’t know, But, she just gave universal good advice. Don’t go looking and expecting trouble and you won’t get any.    He shook his head in disgust.

Listening to you guys is like listening to stupid,  punk gang members, that have to go kill each other to prove themselves.  If you just want to die, why be so selfish?  Just off your self.  As he thought about it, he was getting angry.

Ya know, you’re supposed to be all ‘older’ and ‘wiser’ and ‘experienced’ and all that crap.  You’re a bunch of cowardly old men who don’t have the balls to put yourself out of your misery and think if you force somebody else's hand to do it, you’ll be a hero.  You guys are pathetic.  He shook his head, deciding he wanted to explore the forest now more then ever, but whatever way those blood thirsty jerks were going, he was going the opposite.  If Rafi felt he needed to go with them, then he hoped the guy’s magic was strong.

Gallus, silent before, during and after battle, had simply been a spectator. However, when the man started to insult most of the people there, he took it upon himself to rectify the situation. He reach the man, grabbing him by the throat, but not so that it would choke him. "Boy, you have insulted me, my honor, my companions, and this spirit. If you thought that this was a suicide mission, why come? We have our reasons, its time you reflected on yours. Remember that not all of us are as forgiving as the mage, so watch your tongue in the future." He dropped the man, but stood tall in front of him.

Scott snorted at the beast.  There was no point in fighting him, he couldn't win against him.  However, not that he bought into all that new age spiritual stuff, but he was a firm believer that people got what they put forth. I wouldn't have thought you'd be so insecure as to let what I say bother you. So I guess you must know that you insult your own honor. He sneered.

Starting to walk in the opposite direction, he called back, And I'll happily let the spirit decide who she thinks is insulting. I'm here out of peace and curiosity.  I expect to find something amazingly wonderful that maybe I can learn from. ... Oh and maybe your dead body. He shook his head and kept going, noting, like he did back home, direction and significant plant structures that he could find his way back.

Her expression doesn't change as the conflict around her starts.

"Excuse me, fat man.  It would be best if I escorted you and you went as a group.  Otherwise, you might well be separated.  As far as you go, young man, if you wait, I can escort you as well."

Rafi shrugged to the child, "Oh, I'm not taking offense at all. I take full responsibility for the people I associate with." He paused as the situation began to devolve. Boone at least seemed not to want to run into danger but the General? He shook his head. The child was right. Who were they to judge right and wrong, good and evil? He had known enough people who wanted to kill him because they thought he was evil, who believed they were the "good guys". He shook his head and seemed about to say something when Scott spoke up. The young man was clearly frustrated but he flinched as Scott continued. He was touching nerves. Even so, he didn't expect Gallus' reaction. Words were one thing, but to put his hands on Scott?

"Keep your hands off him." Rafael said to the space marine, his voice controlled but clearly angry, "You do not put your hands on anyone in this group." He looked beyond Gallus to Wilford, shaking his head,

"Wilford, the child and Scott are right. I will follow you and protect you if you wish to investigate and discover, but I will not walk alongside those who use violence as the first resort, who use it against their companions or who seek violence." He waited, and hoped that Scott would wait, for Wilford's response.

Wilford stopped, confused. He turned around with a bemused expression. Me? A violent man? I shot something once, or at least at it. No, I'm just too curious for my own good. But here's the rub, if the giant wants to come who is going to stop him? I know I couldn't, nor would I try- not worth the trouble. When a man gets something in his mind and heart, only time and tide can turn him away.

But, I guess we should let the little tike guide us. She'd do a damn sight better job than me. I'm just jacked up, fired up and ready to go. If you know what I mean. In a place like this, there is no time to waste- so much to see.

Scott had paused, he would listen to the forest.  After all, it, she, whatever, was the place. Or was magical or  whatever.  His attention shifting to Rafi briefly with mixed emotions.  On the one hand, he was pleased to have someone stick up for him.  On the other, he didn't need anyone's help.

Problem is, I don't want to go anywhere with those warmongers. He sounded petulent.  But it was true. I don't care if they are a danger to themselves. They get what they deserve. But I don't want to be in a position to be harmed by them or worse, feel I have to help their sorry butts.  His arms folded across his chest.

Rafi shook his head at Wilford. The explorer seemed so intent on his quest that he didn't fully appreciate the problem.

"I didn't say you were violent, Wilford but ... " he bowed slightly to the child "... as the lady says, we are judged by the company we keep. And this company..." He turned slightly to Gallus,

"I can't begin to conceive what you experienced to make you as you are, and I was prepared to give you a chance based on the regret you showed to Wilford over the earlier incident. But, whatever you say, you have no respect for humanity, for people. You resort to violence too easily and while I have no doubt that you could survive anything thrown at you, no-one else is so invulnerable." He shrugged and turned back to Wilford,

"I know that you are keen to continue, Wilford, and you want us to stay together ..." He glanced to the child, "This group must part ways. I am happy to escort people on or back, but..." He shrugged and concluded with a regretful smile, "Only the fluffy bunny and unicorn people."

"So, it is evil to protect others?  If so, I am the darkest of spirits and regret it not one iota."

He gazed down the path.

In his mind he knew of great evils that had slipped through his grasp in the past.  He didn't relish facing them but if he could meet them again on his terms, as the aggressor, they might be overcome.  To encourage them to manipulate, destroy, corrupt and kill through inaction would be unacceptable.

"So, does this path remain in this realm where the forces are shaped or does ones will shape the path that leads to someplace where they can be found."

The subtle distinction was vitally important to him.

Turning to Gallus Boone says I agree with Rafi, leave the members of this group alone. Even the most invulnerable of opponents can be brought down by someone highly-enough skilled. And even your armor has weak points that can be exploited he points out 3 such spots on Gallus' armor. But I don't want to get into a pissing match with you. I'm ready to accompany Wilford, because I too am filled with curiousity about the unknown. All I ask is that you leave your egos and your anger behind. he says to the group.

Scott remained motionless feeling defensive.  He was sure half of these people thought him unable to take care of himself and in need of overseeing and the other half thinking him inferior and wanting to hurt him.  Both annoyed him greatly.  And he certainly didn't need a bunch of old guys looking after him.  He had a dad, that was well enough. He snorted a bit.

Though, he had to admit, it was nice of Boone to point out Gallus's weaknesses.  He wouldn't have known them and given the beast, it might be information that could come in handy.... and it WAS pretty funny to hear the same man guy who seemed to know everything talk about leaving ego's behind.  People were funny.

And it was funny to hear Rafi talking about bunnies and unicorns... and to think of Wilford as a bunny person.... If he wanted to find supermodels in the forest, would they be there?  Maybe hurt...nothing serious of course, just like a twisted ankle, so that they needed a little help...

The little girl steps out of the group and onto the side of the path.  She calmly watches to see how the group will divide up.  In response to Drake's question, she just shrugs.

OOC - Just waiting to see what is going to happen, who is going with whom.

Yeah...Um...Guys...This my just be my opinion but isn't this pretty stupid place to have a really stupid argument?

He looks at both Gallus and Garrett then nods in the direction of the inn

It looks like Rafi and Mr. Boon here have got this under control. Lets go back to the inn and get a few beers

Rafi looked at Drake and shook his head, "Of course it isn't wrong to protect others from evil. The issue is what constitutes evil when we go into an unknown situation such as the one possible here. Initial appearances can often be deceptive." He shrugged slightly: the General seemed so sincere and well-intentioned but too often in his life, the mage had seem good intentions translate into disaster.

When Boone spoke, Rafi nodded his head slightly. As the hero concluded, he grinned at Scott and then to Boone and seemed about to say something the shook his head slightly. Now wasn't the time to be flippant... or more flippant. He just knew that he wasn't going to be probing Gallus' tender points any time soon. He shrugged at Dave's suggestion,

"I don't mind whether I go back or go on but can we make a decision?" In particular, he looked at Wilford, sorrowful that he was spoiling the other man's party but keen to move on nevertheless, and at Gallus.

"I'm not convinced that this path leads somewhere.  It appears that it is more likely just a creation."

He shrugs and turns back from the path and takes two steps back vaguely toward the inn.

"Without a concrete idea of threat or even if it is a reality it isn't reasonable to pursue.  But I still want to see what we can learn about this place."

He touches his sword and his eyes begin to glow red as he observes the magical auras around him.  More than just auras this time he digs deeper into the mysticism around him.  With concentration he sees that which is disguised and hidden, mystical layers shrouding reality peel away.

He noted with a chuckle the hiding holes of the small squirrels and birds nests as he began to pan his vision around.  Not much for real threats so far.  He didn't want to test the will of the child to protect her secrets and avoided looking in her direction.  He might learn what she really was but it didn't particularly matter to him since she hadn't acted as an active threat.

Interupted from his little fantasy, Scott rolled his eyes and let out a sigh.  He shifted his weight as he stood and waited for the next ...show.  He really didn't see why the productions needed to be.

Wilford just smiles to Rafi, shrugs and starts heading down the path at a brisk jog. Frankly he wanted Rafi the most to come, but, one can not control the actions of others.

He would be damned if he was turning back now. If they came with him, great. If not, then he hoped the Lord would have mercy on his soul.

He never looked back, just urged forward.

Wilford runs along the path for a few second, due to the twists, turns and heavy undergrowth, he is quickly lost to sight.  The child watches him go.  She shrugs noncommittally.

"Well, that one is gone now.  As I said, if you want to go to the same place, you need to stay together."

Scott watched Wilford scurry off.  That guy was a little wierd too, he thought, but not exactly in a bad way.  He wanted to follow.  He didn't want to be near WarMaster. With a snort.  He headed after Wilford, with an appologetic shrug to Rafi and a whispered word to the child as he passed.

With a angry snarl he ends the sorceries.  A moment or two later he notices Wilford heading off down the path.  With an equally abrupt jolt he bolts after the other man and boy.  Yelling for those ahead, "Kid, slow down.  WILFORD wait!"  with a quick turn of hie head behind, "Apparently the decision is made, let's go."  He paused a moment for anyone who wanted to make the choice but didn't wait long.

Of everyone here they seemed in the most danger.  He kept his mind focussed on the path and the two as he ran.

Speaking to Scott as he passes, the child does not move.

"The fat one is already gone.  You will not be able to catch him.  If you want to go to the same place, you need to move together."

The young man paused.  Not for the first time, the little voice in his head wondered about this wisdom of any of this, but he wasn't afraid.

Okay.  So... What do you want to show me? He asked sounding a bit cocky but he didn't mean it that way.  He was actually quite sincere.

Rafi had turned towards Drake, watching the General curiously as he scanned the area. Thus, he didn't immediately notice as Wilford darted off and by the time he looked around, the little man was already disappearing around a bend. He sighed and as Scott started to move after him, he moved to stop him, shouting out a warning, but the young man came to a halt at the child's voice soon enough. He cursed under his breath and shook his head.

"You still want to go on?" He said to Scott, "I'm happy to come with you. Wilford...." He frowned. "We can only hope he remembers to duck." He looked to the child,

"A safe path?" He looked doubtful, "Or as safe as possible."

Looking at the group, the child shrugs without concern.

"I am not sure if he is safe... he didn't accept my offer of guidance.  I can not say what type of situation he finds himself in."

Rafi grimaced but he believed the child; there was nothing to he could do now but hope that Wilford was ok. He shook his head to the child,

"No, I know. I was meaning, can you guide me, Scott, Boone... " He shrugged a little towards the Drake, as if to ask whether he was coming along, "Can you take us somewhere relatively safe if we think happy thoughts?" He smiled questioningly at the child.

She smiles broadly... the smile is warm but somewhat disconcerting.  You know this is not a human child smiling at you but it is.

"Sure... I can lead you some where that is fairly safe.  But no one out in the woods or in another world is as safe as the Tavern, if that is all you are looking for."

Smiling at the child, Boone responds I think the thing I want most at this point is to see Yana again, but it is her decision whether she wishes to return or not. I will not force another to my will. Looking at Rafi and Scott, he continues After that, I think the thing I most enjoy is exploring, and seeing the wonders that Mother Earth can create. Are there any magnificent waterfalls or natural wonders you can show us?

"Oh I don't mean completely safe." Rafi grinned at the child, apparently unphased by her  otherworldly smile, "Just no wandering into a nest of dragons..." He paused and as Boone made his suggestion, he looks thoughtful for a moment and asked the child,

"If I know of a place, can describe it to you, or if you can pull it from my mind. Could we go there?" He looked to Boone and Scott with a impish grin, "Natural wonders... yep..."

"It doesn't work that way.  I can't open new portals, just guide you through some of the ones that are already here."

She looks over her shoulder, all of the sudden a dark grin comes over her face.  In the distance there is the sound of something big moving through the woods.  Too distant to see or even make out the sound, but whatever it is... it is big.

"You had better decide soon, or the decision may be taken away from you."

Rafi shrugged. It was a shame but he knew he could go there himself another time.

"I'm ready to go whereever you want to take us." He bowed to the little group and made a sweeping gesture towards the paths, "Lead on MacDuff"

As my esteemed colleague said, please lead us forth then.

She reaches out and takes Rafael's hand.  Her hand is soft but her grip is much firmer than expected.

"If you want to all go to where I am leading you, I suggest you hold hands or make physical contact of some sort."

With that said, she starts to move slowly along the path.

Scott groaned.  Physical contact with some people was quiet nice... with this lot.  Taking the least of all evils of what he saw as his options, he walked to Rafi and grabed a hold of his jacket, looking a feeling like a nervous child.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:24, Mon 20 Apr 2009.

Grinning at Scott, Rafi grabbed his arm firmly with his free hand,

"Cheer up mate. Maybe there'll be mermaids or nymphs or something. Just think happy thoughts." He began to whistle, a little tunelessly but discernibly "We're Off to See the Wizard..." from the Wizard of Oz. As he did so, there was a rustling in the air and the mage's black bird swooped down and landed a little heavily on his shoulders. The bird croaked disapprovingly but Rafi ignored it, letting the child lead them down the path.

You are so ***** weird. Scott growled at Rafi, looking more miserable than ever.  But he was curious.  Mermaids?  Okay, he could tolerate this... for a while.

He looked over the group and sighed.
"Honestly I'd rather find Wilford then engage in sight seeing."

With that he began walking deliberately down the path.  He kept an image of Wilburs joly self in mind as he walked down the path previously used by the fellow.  His hand resting on his sword allowing the powers present to shape his path and Pathfinder to guide his steps.  The sword had never failed to lead him where he needed to be; but sometimes he didn't actually realize that what he wanted wasn't what he needed until much later.

Subvocal, even more thought than spoken word, "Rataxa."

Putting his hand on Rafi's shoulder Boone says Lead on.........mate. Boone starts to whistle a counterpart harmony to Rafael's tune. It sounds pretty good with the two of them blending like that.

"Too right. It takes practice to get to be as f*****g weird as me." Raf grinned at the younger man, "But if you try real hard, you'll get there." He watched as the Garrett ploughed his own path, part of him regretful, another a little relieved. Given the way that the General seemed intent on trouble and given the ways that the forest seemed to function, that might have brought more trouble. And given that trouble seemed to find the mage regardless, it seemed unwise to tempt fate.  As Boone placed his hand on his shoulder, he looked backwards briefly, laughing slightly as the sound of the American saying "mate" before continuing his whistling.

The child watches the man go, and shakes her head.

"That isn't how the pathways work.  He won't be able to find the fat man."

She leads the trio down the same path that Wilford had taken only a few minutes ago, taking a fork just a little ways ahead.

"There is a clearing up ahead, I think you might like it.  It is almost always very peaceful.  I go there often, it is a place in a human world but close to here and the Never Never.  Some times I talk with some of Summer there."

As she speaks, you start to hear water falling and before you know it you are entering a clearing.  You aren't sure when the dimness of the woods became night, but when you step out, the clearing is brightly illuminated by starlight alone.  The stars are brilliant in a way you just don't get in the "civilized world."  You see a small waterfall and fauna of all kinds.

Rafael feels the girls hand slip out of his own, reflexively he tries to grasp it but it is like quicksilver, slipping through his fingers.  As you turn to look at her, she is simply gone.  The voice coming from the woods.

"If you want to come back, just follow the path."

General Drake starts along the same path that Wilford was following.  The trail of a fat man carelessly running through the woods is not hard to find.  The magic is hardly needed.

Dave turns around and starts to walk back to the tavern as he dose so he looks at Gallus
You coming?

Watching the others go Gallus shakes his head... the fools, to split up and wander about, and the fat one Wilford, if what the demon child said is correct, he has probably already gone off to a different world.  There is very little likelihood of ever seeing him again.  This is quickly becoming boring.  The sound of something approaching is too tempting to pass up though.

Go ahead, I shall join you back at the Tavern shortly, I want to look at something over here first though.