Located in the shadow of Mount Marcella at it's northern end and the mouth of the river Elata river to the south. The Western beach is known for it's decent surf and ocean breezes. Currently it has become home to the Island's dedicated surfers. The Surfers ride the waves and fish all day. At night they are known to have gatherings where people enjoy music and fresh seafood.

Cassandra watched the water, analysing the breaks, and curls to work out where the impact zone was. Wouldn't be good to thought of as a barney.
Implicitly she knew that the stick she had with her was the over-gunned for the waves here. It was designed for flat seas and strong winds, not for riding barrels, tubes, or point breaks.
Maybe she would be able to borrow a suitable stick. There was only one way to find out.

She walked out across the beach towards the fire pit. No bro would go surfing without somewhere to return to warm up, and grab a beer or two.

Trina had been trying to get a 'feel' for the surf trying to read the breaks and identify the impact zone for the reefs and the sea shelf of the island... but these shores were different from the gentle basin of the inland seas of Keyhole Bay she was use to surfing back in Ytarria.  The waves were more violent and sudden than the gentle roll of the seas she was use to.  She kept loosing her footing on the board that was... strangely too light to her feel.  She had been swept out to sea still in sight of land but drifting further than she had intended and now found the shore unfamiliar.

So she made her way to the beach in hopes of finding some beech beech comber's that could give her directions.



So it was a somewhat bedraggled young elfen woman who approached the grouping around the bonfire her tanned skin still somewhat pale to theirs clad in a two-piece top and sari waist wrap of white and pale green.  She was lovely of face and figure, not a supermodel perhaps but pleasing to watch her graceful dignified walk nonetheless!  Her hair was a honey golden hue with highlights of fiery red, her eyes an eerily enchanting pale emerald her ears slightly pointed and slender.  She stood about 5 and half feet tall slender in a athletic build but her body was lightly criss-crossed with old battle injuries none unsightly seeming all healed with very minor scaring... but clearly she was a fighter of some sort to have collected such a collection of 'battle-trophies'.  But the most miraculous thing about her skin was the fabulously colorful red, orange and fiery yellow ornate almost Asian-style Pheonix Tattoo that covered her back upper thighs and shoulders of her arms.  It was stunningly beautiful to behold and so ornate.. one could almost think it moved but certainly that must be trick of the light... right?  The who effect of this elven beauty was... nothing short of magical.



Strapped to her slender waist was a folded balisong knife subtle enough to have been missed.  Hanging from a leather thong at her neck was the flickering glint of a bright sunstone that hung in the valley of her breasts and at her hourglass waist was a triple golden waist chain with a ankh hanging in center.



She carried a surfboard made of the local palm tree wood and as she approached a fiery red feathered eagle swooped up and perched upon her shoulder... which she casually took its weight as if it were nothing out of the ordinary and the winged hunter was clearly trying to be careful with its powerful talons not to harm her flesh.

Her voice was soft and tingled with a exotic Anglish accent that said she was ... certainly foreign, "Hello and good evenings, I'm 'aheh' somewhat lost... my name is Trinaephalaryeth "Gilderleaf"... Trina will do. Could I warm myself by your fire?  And get some directions back to the Northern resort area of Princess Aanandita's estate?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Wed 12 July 2023.

There seems to be a gathering around a rather well made fire ring. It's about the size for a campfire and on one side it has a metal grill set up for cooking. Under a palm frond canopy is a cooler full of drinks. a number of people are on towels around the firepit and the cooler. off to one side is a lifeguard tower. On it a guy is watching the waves with a pair of binoculars. It would seem to be a normal surfing scene except that the lifeguard has what looks like rocket launchers hanging next to the ladder on his tower.

The people on the beach are mostly humans with a couple of Orcs out. Still at the sight of visitors with boards there is a raising of fists with the thumb and pinkie extended.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 4):

When Trina departed, Teruo went with her, watching the scene. Those with boards were rather unfamiliar to him though.

Cassandra crosses the beach towards the group responding in kind to the greeting.

"I'd take a beer but it's against my philosophy, so if you've anything else I'll take that. I'm also new here, like woke up this morning on the beach, new, so what's with the sniper on the stool? Now if you want me to carve up a barrel then you're going have to borrow me a stick as mine's outgunned."

She also notes the arrival of the slim female from the waves.
"Nice Ink, but I'd be wearing a suit out there unless that's bath water."

Trina smiles returning their strange hand signals with a simple modest wave of her hand, "Hi!"

Carrying her 'native' surf-board she was loaned back at her beach she will nod accepting a drink from their... chest of coldness that she recognizes as technology even if its workings fathom her.  She nods stepping close to the firepit closer than anyone else and explains, "I.. guess I get swept further down the shore than I'm familiar with...", she grins and gestures at the firepit waving her hand through the flames as she casts a spell of Shape Fire...

23:38, Today: Trina rolled 6 using 3d6.  Trina - Cast Shape Fire [13-]. – 6

Suddenly the flames become more red then natural though the heat is no great ... but the flames twist into images of the island like a maps made of dancing flames the details as if seen from a bird's eye view in blueish and green flames showing terrain features as she explains where she started showing a brief view in sculpted flames of the Princess' estate and the shore bungalows she remembers.  "Could you tell me in which direction from the image in the flames in what direction the estate beach of the Princess is?"

To any looking at her there is no doubt now with her magic in use that the ornate tattoos upon her body writhe and twist like something alive under her skin...

As she tries to explain.. her attention on the spell and her explanation... she doe snot notice Teruo approaching in the distance as yet...



Trina smiles shyly and brushes her hair away from her face... a nervous gesture that inadvertently shows her ears to be pointed, "aheh.. thanks... the tattoos are... kind of new and magical Not sure what they are or why their there... the Island Spirit put them on me.. I guess.  Uhm.. well the world I come from 'Surfing' was an interesting sport I discovered in my travels."

She ponders her advice, casting a glance at the roiling surf,"I .. suppose some kind of special swim-ware.. might be more comfortable and protective?  Oh.. the beech sniper is for the island security... there are large dangerous sea monsters out in the water of the island shelf sometimes mere firearms are not always enough.. and well Pirate raiders as well.  He probably has a RADO to call the military defense soldiers to report any threats.  I didn't know the surfing sport was known on other worlds but the waters I learned to surf in were more calm than here.  But I saw people surfing here.. and hoped it would be the same.. it was not.  I kind of got lost."

"Oh.. forgive me, my name is Trinaephalaryeth "Gilderleaf" ~ but 'Trina' will suffice... nice to meet you.  I see you have a surf board as well.. but of a different.. make? Is it of better technology as well? You look like you come from a world with technology..."

Having turned to speak to Cassandra in conversation ... the red feathered Eagle, 'Kyrie', perched upon Trina's shoulder does notice Teruo's approach and with a silent mental urging to his mistress brings Terou's arrival to Trina's notice. Her expression suddenly brightens to a beaming smile as she waves at someone behind Cassandra approaching.. relief filling her expression as she relaxes that perhaps she had not drifted as far as she first thought...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Sat 29 July 2023.

"Ah, you have found others. I was a little...concerned...when I awoke from meditation and you were gone. Well, not gone, but some distance away. I trust you are ok then? And your friend?"

"Given everything else since I woke up on the beach this morning, why not sea monsters, and magical mobile tattoos."
"I'm Cassandra, not Cassie, Cass, or any other abusement of my name. "
"Now as to technology, I've no idea what people here class as technology. Remi and Bathild talked about World War Two, but that ended nearly 70 years ago. We've put men on the moon since then, had a sort of functional space station for a couple of decades, and a few disasters thrown in to boot. Some over ego'd Corp guy is even talking about sending someone to Mars in the next 30 years.
We're well into what people are calling the computer age or the space age, with the internet and mobile phones that are supposed to connect everyone but just seem to make most peoples life a misery, although Yellowstone has reset people's priority as to what's important to a great extent. It's been both a trial and a blessing."

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 9):

"Actually the great war of the Empire of japan was still going when I left. We have fought bravely for the last 35 years...but I am told by others that we eventually lost. What is Yellowstone, and the internet? Do you still need a truck for a mobile phone? Why would they call it the computer or space age? Do people lack space?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 9):

Trina listened to Cassandra with a rapt attention her eyes wide with ... fascination... perhaps the hair was distracting but her gaze never wavered on Cassandra's eyes.  She briefly got a shocked .. or perhaps horrified expression when she hear the word World War II, but faded fast as it was clear she was trying real hard to parse the words and concepts Cassandra was espousing to her.. again her emerald gaze quickly shifting to the moon in the sky as if wondering at its nature then back to Cassandra.  She looked confused for a moment at the mention of Mars.. then her expression shifted to serious solemnity as she nodded in understanding.. {probably a better description might be UTTER misunderstanding ~ truth to be told} not shifting her attention again but her hand unconsciously touched the yellow sunstone hanging in the leather thong at her neck at Cassandra's mention of 'Yellowstone'.

"How.. fascinating and .. strangely terrible.. I can only hope your 'over egoed' guy is dissuaded away from going to meet Mars! Your entire world was engulfed in a World War.. twice in 70 years! That is so short.. you would think everyone would know better than to turn back to the Olympian War God Mars for certainly he must have had a hand in your world's sorrows with warmongering divine inspirations to bloodshed! Travel to the moon is quite an accomplishment my world's moon is hostile and overrun with Djinn and barbarian tribes.. it takes powerful magics to get there! I've heard of com-poo-ters but never seen one.. not sure what kind of math would be so complicated that a machine would be needed to think for a person?  I'm sorry but many terms you spoke are unknown to me.. space station... space that ages? Is Enter-net or Mo-Bull Foon the name of a religion or a political movement teaching connectivity... its a shame such causes misery.. why would people follow such philosophies?  Is Yellow-Stone some new deity that grants guidance, relief or blessings to the suffering people of your lands? I'm not familiar with Clerical power .. I'm a Fire Wizard and adventurer mercenary by profession.  My world has not discovered elect-i-city or firearms.. but that's more the case of the Megalosian Wizard Hegemony forcefully suppressing any new technology brought by travelers swept to our world through the Banestorm. The Wizard Counsel is foolish.. such a policy is not sustainable. Neither is supremacy of the monotheistic Christ as clearly other deities exist and exert power.  The Islamics are just plain hypocritical and violent... but at least more honest than the corrupt Christians of Megalos; who only use the Megalosian Empire's greed to serve their own ends with a laughable veneer of 'righteousness'."

At Teruo's arrival and question she smiles at him, and introduces him, "Oh.. yes, this is Teruo Nakamura a warrior of Imperial Japan, he is my wizard apprentice.. I'm trying to teach him the basics of magic.  Its a change from being a warrior to a spellcaster and he lacks the natural magical talent my Elven Bloodline and heritage gifts me with but I'm patient."

"Teruo this is Cassandra, and no shortening her name she does not like that.. she comes from a Very strange and troubled world..."

She suddenly glances at the red feathered eagle preening upon her shoulder having received a rather curt mental reminder with a sour expression, "..and this vain red feathered annoyance here is Kyrie.. my familiar."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:19, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 10):

At Teruo's speaking up Trina get's some clearer understanding, "OH..do you mean Casandra is referring to the same World War of your world and time Terou...? It never occurred to me she was meaning the same conflict in your Imperial Japan.  I feel foolish."

In reply to Trina (msg # 12):

"Perhaps. Maybe not though, as Imperial Japan would never surrender, nor could it be be forced to. Perhaps is was a similar world..."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:05, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

Bowing to Teuro, Cassandra says"Meaning no disrespect you are incorrect."
"After the second nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, completely levelling the city within a mile of the detonation point and igniting everything in the thermonuclear blast within 3 miles, the Emperor was left with pretty much no choice, surrender or face the complete destruction of Japan. Japan surrendered 6 days later."
"Nuclear weapons have never been used in anger since, although the stockpiles held by the Americans, Russian, and Chinese could destroy the planet 3 times over."
"Nature is however far more powerful and destructive. The Yellowstone super volcano eruption lasted for 3 weeks and covered most of North America in ash. The further away from the 40mile diameter crater, the less dense the ash. Everything with in 50 miles of the crater was covered in more than 10 feet of ash in the first week. The ash cloud from the eruption took 6 weeks to totally envelop the whole of the planet, and blocked out 90% of the sunlight for over a year. The estimated death toll was about 70% of the worlds 6.5billion population at the time."

She then turns back to Trina.
"I think we are suffering a language barrier. Mars is a planet not a god, the fourth planet out from the sun, the Earth being the third. Don't know the distances but I think the estimate is about a year to get from Earth to Mars. Both the moon and Mars are nominally airless rocks, but the colonising the moon is seen as a stepping stone in getting to Mars."
"Not sure I can explain the Internet or how mobile phones work, but I've got mine here"
She pulls her phone from her pack and turns it on fully expecting it to say "No Service".
"According to the geeks, there's 50 times more computing power in this phone than in the spacecraft  that took the first astronaut to land on the moon. I mostly use it for taking photographs as a reference to draw from later. I read a book once where the author postulated than a sufficiently advanced technology would be indistinguishable from magic, and there are loads of myths relating to magic, most ending with the female practitioner being tied to wooden stake and being burned alive. That's the Christian religion for you."

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 14):

"What...are these new clear weapons, that could cause even the Emperor to concede defeat? Perhaps Yellowstone volcano was the heavens way of setting things right for their use, but how could a volcano in America cause destruction in Japan?

As for religion, it has nothing to do with God. After all, even the Christians say that religious people killed Gods son. That is why the Emperor, in his wisdon, tried to ban religious 'missionaries'. But he does not ban god, he is one."

Teruo is dismissive of the talk about religion.

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 14):

Trina listened to Cassandra's reply with growing horror at what she could only conceive of as utter evil the terrors unleashed upon her world!

"How Monstrous a bomb that can kill everything within 3 miles of its detonation?!? Why would Any sane person even conceive of such a horrid indiscriminate weapon... the civilian non-soliders did not wage the wars their lords and king's demanded.. why kill them so brutally and Unjustly?!?"

At the mention of the super volcano her breath caught... THIS was clearly something she FULLY understood!
"How horrible... I'm so sorry for your World Cassandra!  I..I don't know what to say?!? Do.. you think its possible some divinity's wrath was unleashed in punishment for such weapons of indiscriminate murder upon your world? But it hardly seems to be ... reasonable to punish such the making of murderous weapons with more indiscriminate Mass World Wide death. And your people learned from those two bombs and never used such again?  How sad and utterly tragic.. you must be filled with grief!"

The elf-blooded woman seems ready to give Cassandra a sisterly hug of comfort but she holds herself back.

At Cassandra's explanation of Mars and Euclidean Planetary Science. She nods.  "My world's Moon is known to not be airless even if it looks somewhat desolate in our skies.. there is life there, or at least that is what rumor and legend say.  I never considered that there might be other worlds in the night sky as well..  intriguing!"

She looks on in wonder as Cassandra continues to explain her Cell phone as the device's screen lights up when turned on, "...fascinating Technology.. it holds information..? And allows you to Scry on distant places?  Amazing!"

Despite Trina's Medieval culture.. its clear.. she is Very Bright and extremely intelligent as she makes the connections to the context of Cassandra's word and meaning quickly... though perhaps she has seen such a device before from some of the other modern people in this new strange land?

She smiles, "Well Christians I'm Quite familiar with their annoying desire to burn whatever disturbs their sensibilities when they CANNOT control or force Others to regurgitate their own narrow-minded dogma! Not all Christians are that way but too many with power over their Clergy are!  But in my world Magic is not a mythical or legend its quite real.. and burning will not work on me.. I'm a Sun Aspected ~ fire mage!  Nor am I afraid of their knights.. I fight with blade and shield and now Assault rifle!  I do intend to make some drastic changes when I return across the dimensions to my home realm.  But I have made commitments here in this realm... returning home right now with the magics I've mastered would be premature."

She pondered, "I know your world Cassandra is engulfed in tragic turmoil.. but if you would like someday I would be willing to go there and see if the mana levels were high enough that I could make contact with the elemental forces of your world to see if I could extract a pact with whatever elemental lords may exist there to help clean up and maybe give your world some respite from the Volcano's disaster?  Now that I am sufficiently powerful to transverse the gulf and barriers between worlds.. my life's goal to aid where I can, ease suffering where I may, and to fight the fight against the wicked and cruel can now cross the gulf between worlds.  A Wizard of my skill is home everywhere she travels.. and if my power can help.. I'm willing to try!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

"You'll have to forgive me but most of what you speak of is just myth and legend. It's going to take me time to get used to. As far as I know the Yellowstone Eruption was just science, an overdue event forming part of the natural evolution of the world."

"I can't see it being any form of retribution, that doesn't ring true either. The problem with some things is that once you invent or discover them you can't just put them back in their bottle. There is a quote attributed to the scientist who's nominally classed as having invented the nuclear bomb, which he's supposed to said when they first tested it to see if it actually worked. He's supposed to have said something like,'Lo. I am become the harbinger of Death'"

"The weapons they have now are 100 times more powerful than the two dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and yes they killed tens of thousands of civilians, but then the Japanese murdered over 14 million Korean and Chinese civilians in WWII. The Nazi's who started the war only managed 8 million Jews"

"But that's enough of my world history. I survived the camps after the Yellowstone eruption, survived the gas explosion that blew the two terrace houses we were clearing apart, and survived the events that followed. "

"I found a talent connected to my art, although I have no idea if it will work here. I don't feel quite the same as I did on my world. Maybe that's just a side effect of whatever bought me here."

"Right now I'm more interested in how I move forward here without getting trampled by a dinosaur, chowed down on by a sea monster, blown up, or shot, in the meantime."

Teruo picked up on the insinuation that his empire deserved the bombs and responded defensively

"We did not murder innocent! They continued to fight and lacked the honour to admit defeat! Since they continued in their futile fight, so did we! It was war, not murder!"

"Strange how the when the shoe is on the other foot, the verdict is different."

"Since when did we ever say otherwise? Our people have always had honour, not that you would know anything about that!"

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 18):

Trina could hear the distress and affront in Teruo's tone.. she knew his sense of Honor was very vital to him...

She gently rested a hand upon his shoulder and met his eyes, "Teruo.. Cassandra's world is very likely Not Your world! If I have learned anything from talking to the many people who have arrived here is that we all come from realities that are only shadowy aspects of each other.. what transpires in one reality's past is NO guarantee that the same circumstances and events will take place in another the same way or at all!  But even more importantly... You are no longer at war with Imperial Japan's enemies.. its no longer your fight.  Your training to expand your concerns beyond mere political squabbles... as a wizard your concern should be the continuance of civilization across the spheres of reality... there are So Many FAR Greater foes against Order that would bring utter CHAOS and DEATH to untold Realities!  You must expand the definition of what you fight for... my friend.  There is STILL Honor in that choice.. in that struggle for sanity and order against a tide of destruction and evil!"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Wed 02 Aug 2023.

Teruo sighs, and tries to calm his emotions as he closes his eyes for a moment.

"You are right. But it is hard to change who I have been for so many years. My family ancestors were Samurais, and we fought for our people and our honour. But now 'our' people are so much more. It may take some time."

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 22):

Trina smiles, "I know my friend.. and I know it will take time to alter your... perception of reality, part of that is loyalty ingrained in each of our upbringing and socialization of our individual cultures.  You come from a proud warrior tradition.. it will not be easy... but you can Still be a warrior... fighting for Honor ..but on a far grander scale.  The Truth is this... all things fade, kingdoms, Nations, cultures... what is most important is that we Shepard the rise of new and better societies.. in the ever continuing struggle against avarice and greed, against our inner demons and failings to continually advance what it means to be a sapient and civilized species.  To not just merely 'Survive' but be 'Worthy To Survive'... in how we treat the rise of civilization and our fellow sentients..whatever form that intelligence takes shape in! To find that ephemeral meaning TOGETHER ~ to existence, to awareness and purpose in living."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Wed 02 Aug 2023.

In reply to Trina (msg # 23):

Teruo takes some time to think through what has just been said...

"I know far more than you think Teruo san, but you cannot claim that one act is just because they continued to fight when it was futile and therefore they lacked honour, and then refuse to acknowledge that not Japan not surrendering when faced with exactly the same situation was valid. Its a complete contradiction. There is a very interesting book I read called 'The Three Bamboos' which chronicles the struggle of a Samurai family from the 16th Century as a Warrior clan in support of the Emperor through the First and Second world wars, and into the early 1970s when Japan became and Economic power house owning 70% of the American National debt."

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 25):

"If you know more than I think, then why do you compare those that broke the terms of their surrender with those that did not? You confirm you know little of honour in practice, even if you read about it in theory.

But Trina is right, Your world may well be a different one to mine. The comparison may be invalid for that reason."

Trina shrugs looking at both Teruo and Cassandra, "I cannot claim to understand fully either of your positions in this dispute.  From my world my homeland of Caithness is not ruled by elves... and in fact few save the most elder of elves even remembers the time when elves ruled Yurth... before the coming of man.  We had wars with the Dwarves as history says but no one remembers what those conflicts were over... probably the usual ~ Wealth, Economic Power, Political Dominion.. and many Dwarves still hold old grudges .. and no small number of elves as well but the pertinence of such old conflicts and struggles is lost on the age we find ourselves in.  The Elven peoples will never be the dominant Kingdom it was, the Dwarves are content to live deep in their mountains and humans simply reproduce and spread so quickly.  Our age of Kingdom and conquest is over... now the elven peoples only wish to live peacefully without conflict or prideful hubris."

"The same is true in this case.  None of what Teruo's nation did or did not do is important or even pertinent ~ Here and NOW!  Citizens or even soldiers are not responsible for the actions of their nations deeds or sins, that may or may not have occurred some distant time in the past.  WE here and now can only be responsible for our actions, and choices here and now.  How we treat each other this day... THAT is what is important.  We could all likely go mad holding each other accountable for crimes real or imagined that happened in some shadow possibility of what was done in some likely to even unlikely reality that may or may never have ANY affect upon this reality Here and Now! We can only Honorably and fairly judge each other's strength of character from how we treat and respect each other here and now.  Our shared reality of the Here and Now is the only Reality that is of Any Consequence!"

The conversation ends up drawing a crowd. It's sort of interesting How people come together. Like the young man who looks like a Nazi posterboy has his arm around an Orc woman as if they are together.

People don't seem to be taking sides but just listening in on the conversation. It seems that entertainment on the islands is limited so people take what they can get. Still you see people nod their heads when a decent point is made.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 28):

Teruo notes the crowd, but says nothing of them.

"You are right in saying that we should live in the here and now. We have pirates nearby, and monsters all around. We should start preparing for what is next. Was not someone raising an army?"

"I always live in the here and now. I always have. Teruo is no more responsible for the actions of the Japanese government than I am for the actions of the Allies."
"However, he is accountable for holding double standards. He cannot claim the massacre of civilians is honourable because they didn't surrender because they were at war and therefore their actions were therefore dishonourable, and then claim that the actions of the Japanese government were honourable in exactly the same situation."
"Now I know nothing of magic, nothing of sea monsters, and almost nothing about dinosaurs, other than they've been extinct for several million years. I know even less about what's happening here, or how I got here. I also have no idea what I'm supposed to do now."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 09:16, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 30):

"That you say the situation was 'exactly the same' belies either your own ignorance or your own dishonesty. To then go on to accuse me of double standards based on your own errors after I have corrected you demonstrates your own lack of honour. I have corrected you once, I will not speak of it again.

Come Trina, let us head back to where Mary was headed."

He turns away from the new arrival and awaits Trina's reaction.

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 30):

Trina's expression is ... disappointed but she nods in reply to Cassandra, "Not all people view such things in the same way... it's potentially cultural and ingrained in their societal upbringing.  Neither is per se wrong or meant in malice.  For example.. "

Trina points at some discarded commercial wrapping or abandoned soda can in the area,"Elves are raised to honor nature and see it as our responsibility to preserve and protect the natural world... the brief time I've been among the natives here has shown me that some ~ not all, do not view the natural world that way and discard waste without thought of the effect upon the natural world.  Many elves would take a strong offense perhaps even to violence at such behavior!  It disturbs me as well..even though I am only a half-blood.. but I try realize that not all beings have that same view... it does make them 'evil' just perhaps careless. I'll not change their minds by constantly haranguing them on such a issue.  But perhaps, with measures some gentle some bold .. I may eventually change their 'Normal' view of things from their upbringing and culture."

"We ALL find ourselves in a strange land with people with strange ways and points of view... perhaps a little more tolerance will allow us ALL to make a peaceful meeting of minds and eventually normalize our social filters to each other?"

She smiles both at Teruo and Cassandra.  Trina does not abandon the lost or the estranged as she continues addressing Cassandra, "I can empathize, their are a great deal of odd things in this new world.  But you are not alone here.. we will all try to help you realize a place and purpose.. perhaps discern goals important to your own desires?  I care and I will help if I can."

"From what I have observed and experienced, You were likely swept here by what MY world of Yurth has come to identify as the Banestorm.. a randomly manifesting dimensional nexus through time and space.  Many of the inhabitants of my home world have also been swept there from various times and space often from what we have come to call Earth Prime.  This Archipelago World seems to be a realm the Banestorm also deposits people at random.  Most here are just trying to learn how to adjust to their new strange surroundings.  I have to power to return to my world but to return others to their worlds.. I need more time to master more magic do that.. there are limitations to magic.. some I may never be able to reach their original world.. and many might not want to return anyways."

"Currently the great threat to our peace here in the Isle of the Three Sisters is a growing menace of a Pirate Armada, led by a man named Phoenix Magnus ~ potentially a spellcaster himself.  He rules the pirates from .. what I've been told is a Extra-Terrestrial 'space-craft' that is still partially functional if no longer able to sail through the stars with weapons far Far more advanced than mere firearms.  We are straining our efforts to aid the Princess Regent Sylvia, of the Isle to marshal a defense against the Pirates.  We would appreciate any willing to help lest our peaceful abode be overrun with violence and death.  But for now negotiations are taking place to organize an Alliance  of isle to repel the Brigands."

"Teruo and I have been afforded some time to relax and recover from our last fight with the pirates.  I do not know if you Cassandra have any training for combat.. and I certainly would not insist you join a fight that you have no desire, stake or ability to fight... but not all wars are won with fighting.  Anything you might be willing to contribute to the effort would be greatly appreciated!"

She smiles again softly, "But now is a time for relaxation not battle.  You know how to use that surf-board of yours Cassandra...? Would you be willing to teach me some of your advanced-technological skill at the sport?  Its has been years since I have had an opportunity to practice my skill."

She ponders Teruo and asks, "How did your meditations proceed Apprentice?  Did you experience anything.. unusual?  The minuscule mana node I positioned you on.. should have been open to the open mind..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Thu 17 Aug 2023.

In reply to Trina (msg # 32):

OOC: it was a critical success, but we were distracted when the teacher disappeared...GM?

In reply to Trina (msg # 32):

"Yes I know how to use this board, I wouldn't be lugging it about if I didn't."
"As far as using it here, its the wrong stick for these waves. It's designed for relatively smooth conditions and no large breakers. It relies on the sail in the bag for motive power. Now you can get trick sticks that allow you to pull jumps and loops whilst under sail, but again it's not this one."
"If one of the bro's here were able to lend me a stick more suited to the breakers here then I'd be happy to show you some moves. Or we could go somewhere else on the beach where the underlying geography and geology don't produce breakers."

In reply to Cassandra Troy (msg # 34):

Trina ponders her words and her eyes widen in wonder, "...A surf-board... with a sail? I've never seen anything like that!  No wonder your board looked slighty different... I thought from its 'pas-tic' look it was just made with better science than this big wooden one that was loaned to me at the Princess' estate."

She nods in vague understanding, "I know.. I think what you mean about the surf... the place in Yurth I learned to surf was a large inland sea the waters were much more serene.  Those that taught me I think were wanderers from Earth Prime... they said they were in a plane crash and were suddenly in Yurth. Ritchie was very nice and he showed me how to surf and a little of the guitar."

"I'm sure we could get you a more suitable board... but I'm only a beginner at it so I would not know what would be best."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:15, Fri 18 Aug 2023.

"Your board is what would be called a long board, and is what the original boards when surfing was first a thing would have looked like and as a wooden board is what they would have been made of. I've used a modern version, polyurethane core with a fibreglass skin when surfing tidal bores, but typically I use a medium length hybrid board. Allows surfing in almost all conditions and doesn't suffer a lot of issues that long boards do in short run breakers,tubes, and turbulent waves as you can avoid the turbulence by duck diving."

Trina regarded the details Cassandra pointed out about surf-board construction and form... clearly some of the terms going over her head but she nodded getting a vague understanding...

"I...see.. yes this loaned surf board is quite heavy.. I think whatever wood it is composed of is perhaps more dense than the woods used in the surf-board I learned on in my homeworld.  But yes I could see how a less lengthy board closer to yours in size would be easier to control in the surf tidal swell."

She gazes at the breakers and the surf as it comes in and out and comments, "...I think perhaps the shores on the west side of the isle might be slightly better from what your describing Cassandra... especially in the evening when the tide is going out."

While a simple soldier Teruo has at least found his inner calm and spirit. It's actually quite impressive as it can take years to reach the state that you have.

Noting that Trina is off doing strange stuff on the water, Teruo leaves them be and heads off to continue meditation...

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 38):

Trina regards Teruo and hopes she has not offended or seemed dismissive of his point of view.. her view being that other worlds and their histories past, present or future are wholly irrelevant in this world.

He did not respond to her question about his meditations.. but she noticed something in his .. poise.  So she stepped to his side to gently touch his arm drawing his attention to gaze into his eyes openly.

"Teruo.. you did experience something.. didn't you?  I ~ I can see it in your eyes...!  Please, share with me... what did you experience?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Thu 14 Sept 2023.

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 39):

Teruo takes time to respond.

"I did. I am just not sure what."

He attempted to describe what was experienced.

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 41):

Trina beams.. her smile seeming to brighten the day...

"That's Wonderful Teruo!!  You have done Very Well... it usually takes months sometimes Years for the uninitiated to have such a vision and awareness of the mana about them!  I'm Very proud of you.. that is superb progress ~ WELL DONE!!"

"Now no more meditation for the day... go do something relaxing... something you enjoy.  Perhaps, practice your sword kata forms!  Exposure to sensing the mana of the world is consciousness expanding.. and it needs to be tempered reaffirmation of the self.  Because expanding one's awareness to the mana of the world Also opens one's awareness to the spirits of the world that are beings of pure mana... not all of which are non-hostile!  So its vital you keep a good grounding in who you are and what Your desires and joys are to avoid any outside influence that you are becoming more and more open to perceiving.  Its not a matter of just willpower.. magic and the awareness of it 'changes' you.. some go mad obsessing 'not entirely' of their own failings or desires with too much exposure to quickly!"

She gave him a brief sisterly hug of affection.

She smirks, "Or.. you could come learn how to surf with me?  I'm a beginner but elves are nimble.. physical sports are relatively easy for even half-bloods, like me, to master..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Sun 17 Sept 2023.

In reply to Trina (msg # 42):

The hug catches him off guard.

"I...never liked surfing. It was something our enemies did and is seen as a distraction. I might practice moves with my sword, if you don't mind..."

He takes his family blade out with respect and practices with it.

Trina and Cassandra:

The water is fine for surfing. Your new companions head out into the waves. However there is an alert Lifeguard in the tower watching the water. It doesn't seem like he's there to help anyone drowning.

Teruo: As you practice you find that you have an audience. it seems that your not so meager skills with a sword are attracting attention. As you go through your Katas a variety of clubs and spears appear. It shouldn't surprise you much as on the Isle de Los Tiberons a shark toothed club is a status symbol among the Orcs. That being said the Orcs collect the teeth themselves.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 44):

Teruo continues to focus, almost meditating as he goes through the motions, oblivious to those watching.

Trina is enjoying herself greatly in Cassandra's presence surfing the waves enjoying the spills as much as the surfing...

07:17, Today: Trina rolled 12 using 3d6.  Trina - Sports {Surfing} [12-]. – 12

She laughs, plays and surfs ... when close to Cassandra she flirts tickling her mohawk whenever she can manage it grinning and playing... "...your hair is so stiff.. tee-hee... so ..blue...!"

07:20, Today: Trina rolled 9 using 3d6.  Trina - Sex Appeal (Elf) {flirting w/Cassandre} [-10]. – 9

She is not pushy or overbearing... but very playful.

Clearly the Fire-Wizard, half-elven warrior-maid is having the time of her life enjoying some simple recreation ~ at last... after the bloodshed of recent battle and the loss of her crew and friends in being stranded in this new world...

{ooc: Took me all this time to realize this post done on my phone autocorrected stiff to 'soft' for some stupid reason...grrrr...!!!}
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Sun 05 Nov 2023.

As the day goes on everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. The waves are great for surfing. It's a nice day.

The day is interrupted by  the lifeguard Blowing his whistle and pointing out to sea. It seems a herd of seals is swimming quickly towards shore. It's almost as if there is something chasing them.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 47):

Teruo will remain focused, trying to picture in his mind what is happening beneath the waves as his spirit reaches out to his sword at his back...

Trina takes note of the rocket launcher-wielding Life Guard as the seals race for the shore...

She walks toward the surf as the beach patrons begin to flee the water as the Life Guard's whistling she walks past Teruo, gentle touching his shoulder as he reaches for his sword speaking, "...for a wizard, force is not always the answer."

She stands her ground upon the surf as the surging seas brush her feet...

When the aggressor sea beast pursuing the Seals appears ... Trina begins casting magic and her fiery phoenix tattoo upon her back glows brightly writhing in animated motion across her lovely back, shoulders, upper arms and thighs as the magic roils within her body!

Petite lovely Trina casts ~ Beast-Soother upon a absolutely massive Mosasaurus-like predator ~ facing down the creature with unheard of courage, followed by a Simple Illusion of illusory "fleeing Seals" in a tangent direction swimming back out to sea away from the shores of the Three Sisters Isle... to lead IT back out to sea as well...

08:26, Today: Trina rolled 11 using 3d6.  Trina Cast Beast-Soother [13-]. – 11

08:27, Today: Trina rolled 10 using 3d6.  Trina Cast Simple Illusion [13-]. – 10

Her body glows with magic as she cast and maintains her magic openly...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:37, Mon 13 Nov 2023.

Trina: Your magic affects the great beast and it turns from the beach. The creature is massive and it seems the length of a frigate. Judging by the beast's size it would have made a snack of the surfers. Even the multiple panzerfaust of the surfers might not have been enough to protect them.

Teruo: You watch as Trina controls a great Sea Dragon. The beast swims close to shore and you get a good idea how big the creature is. You estimate it's length to be half a Chō. You would feel much more comfortable facing it after a battery of Type 89 cannon softened it up. Still it seems to be swimming away from the island.

Cassandra: Trina has just somehow controlled a really big sea monster and directed it away from the surfers.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 50):

Teruo thinks to himself that such a large creature seemed to have a very small brain. Perhaps it could be controlled as well?

But that is for another time...he goes back to meditating on such matters.

Trina watches... intently as she great sea beast turns and begins its retreat away from the shores of the Isle...

Her gaze is focused upon the Illusion she is maintaining... her posture slightly swaying in the breeze and the skin slowly beading with sweat... clear signs of the drain on her fatigue to sustain the magics she's woven...

When at last the creature cannot be differentiated from the swell of the distant surf, her gaze relaxes and she slumps to her knees in the sand clearly exhausted.

Taking long slow deep breaths she begins to tremble slightly running her hands through her hair.  Her tattoos no longer move or glow.

Soon Trina is surrounded by people. She is placed on a surf board and taken into the shade. Soon she has people taking her vital signs(Thankfully they use an Oral thermometer to take her temperature). The medics then call for water to be brought to Trina. It seems that they have practiced what to do if someone gets heat exhaustion.

In reply to Island Spirit (msg # 53):

When Teruo sees Trina collapse, he heads over to her and assist those looking after her. He tries to reach out with his spirit to give her strength...

Trina is rather shocked at the sudden attention though.. mentally she probably shouldn't be... but it was a surprise.  She made soft spoken reassurances that she was not suffering heat exhaustion.. though her symptoms were Very similar..

But her attempts at explanation were too nuanced that she was mostly ignored, explaining that shaping the world's natural mana from spellcasting being draining on one's personal fatigue.. got too complicated... when the treatment for extreme fatigue in such a short time were the same.

When she got confused looks from all those involved she sighed and simply said softly, "..t-thank you.  I'll be fine.. I just need a bit of rest.  Illusions are area spells and are highly fatiguing to maintain for any long period."

Lolling her head Teruo's direction she smiled timidly, "..I think I overtaxed myself, and.. that beast was Huge... glad what I tired worked.. it was really scary! aheh! Perhaps.. a less reckless solution will present itself or occur to me ~ the next time I decide to foolishly face down such a beast?"

It becomes slowly apparent.. her trembling is a adrenaline crash.. from the terror she just faced down .. not a exhaustion fit.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:11, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

In reply to Trina (msg # 55):

Terou will hold her, trying to pass some of his strength to her with a knowing smile. He may not have understood everything, but he had a fair idea what she was meaning.

He will tell others that she will be fine, and just needs to rest a little, thanking them for their concern.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Wed 06 Dec 2023.

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 56):

Trina's pretty emerald eyes twinkle with unabashed delight... when Teruo takes her in his arms... and she cuddles into his embrace.. nestling her head into his chest, closing her eyes a smile of joy upon her lovely face evident.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Wed 06 Dec 2023.

In reply to Trina (msg # 57):

Given the very public location, Teruo is content to held her tightly and protectively until she recovers her strength.

A tall blonde woman walks over to Trina and Teruo. Trina recognizes th woman as Iman, one of Mary's crew. She has a rather big gun casually carried in one hand.

"maršalla du hʹoʹga, Trina. You seem to be working fast." She says in accented English. She doesn't seem bothered by Teruo holding Trina just amused. "When you are ready, I need to take you to jiša. She has job for us."

Trina sighs, and looks up at Iman tiredly, "... I just cast a series of spells that turned out to be more draining than I anticipated, but likely managed to save many lives from a Huge sea creature seeking a meal here on this beach.  All work and no play make for dull living y'know?!?"

But reluctantly, she gently disentangled herself from Teruo's embrace smiling at him... she had recovered only a small fraction of the fatigue she'd spent but it was enough for her to stand on her own.

"Well I had fun surfing and chatting with Cassandra here... I guess there's no rest for the weary.  Lead on Iman.. let's see what Captain Reaver has planned for the next mission.  I would have thought we'd be here at least to rest a few days first... I hope some one will return my borrowed surf board..."

She will follow Iman but cast a longing regretful gaze over one slender shoulder back at Teruo waving shyly in farewell...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Fri 08 Dec 2023.

"Jol, we do have a few days. it's just that we have a job lined up and we do need to prepare." Iman states. She seems to be enjoying the island and is looking around. "I hear that they have a spa here. I would so like to have my nails and hair done before we leave. Maybe even get massage. A girl should pamper herself once and a while. Maybe we make it date? Spend the day and night together?"

Iman eventually leads Trina to a conference room at the resort.

In reply to Iman Naka (msg # 61):

Trina smiled and her cheeks flushed briefly, "That sounds nice, sure!"

She has before arriving into this world never considered being intimate with a woman, it was just not something done or seen openly in the religious strife-filled world or Urth.  Christianity, Islam, Judaism all vyed for dominance in the lives of most residents in Urth and such relationships were strongly persecuted!  Not among the elves to be sure but even though Trina was raised by her royal mother... her half-elf status made her mostly 'untouchable' among the elven elite.  Oh Trina had been acquainted with lovely women in her homeworld and she knew such relationships occurred secretly behind closed doors... but as a female half-elf adventurer most of her relationships had been with male adventurers ~ and rarely did she find one she found acceptable plus she had no desire to gain a reputation as "whore"..and all the complications of being taken seriously as an actual 'competent' warrior and wizard such a label would make harder.  In most of Urth women were seen as second-class citizens at best or male possessions at worse!

But here in the World of the Archipelago Isles was the first time a woman... and multiple ones at that had openly shown such and interest in her as a sexual partner.. it really shocked her!  Trina had never viewed herself as particularly attractive but clearly other's did.. and here in this world they were not shy about letting her know so!

Mary and her crew took Trina's breath away!  The memories of how the crew vigorously pleasured her body made her head spin, and her heartbeat quicken. Even Iman's rough sex... set her arousal at being dominated to climax remembering her rough passionate kisses!

Trina walked closer and shyly took Iman's hand casting her eyes down... a blushing smile blossoming on her face...

Teruo will accompany them, not really sure how to understand Trina, he get the impression she is not so interested in anything more than friendship.

Ah, the dreaded friendship zone. But he would not force himself on anyone.

"You are welcome with me as well, but you must choose yourself" he offers after the invitation of the new arrival.

"But if there is work to be done, happy to help." he says as he walks beside them to the conference room.

In reply to Teruo Nakamura (msg # 63):

Trina beams a smile at Teruo her pretty green eyes twinkling with unexpected delight, as she reaches out a hand to take his in hers pulling him gently close so her bare shoulder light brushes and touches his with each step, "That's a great idea Terou... I'm love to have you... with us as well!"

She keeps his gaze smiling expectantly and unconsciously wiggles her nose at him...

This being the first time Teruo has Ever held Trina's hand.. he will note the line of callouses across her soft palm... denoting long hours in practice and experience with sword or other melee weapons...

In reply to Trina (msg # 64):

Teruo blushes.

"Then we can work as a team."