PROLOGUE ♔ if it keeps on raining, levees gonna break

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin

WHO || David Levin, ??
WHAT || David arrives through the Veil
WHERE || The shores of Lake Michigan, USA
WHEN || Monday evening, March 11th
HOW || Actionspam

[ One moment, it's the heat of battle, the clang of metal against metal, and sometimes the crack of it as it severs bone and sinew. And then there's a thin line of fog, whirling around his ankles, barely noticeable amid so much distraction. But it creeps up, higher and higher, until he can't see his sword when he extends it in front of him, let alone the faces that surround him. The battlefield winks out of existence into a white wall, and suddenly the ground beneath his feet seems to as well, as it turns into liquid, and then there's a hard smack as he feels himself splash ass-backward into a pool of water that doesn't seem to have a bottom. It fills his lungs, eats away at the air that wasn't already knocked out of him.

Roll a Fortitude check to make sure he doesn't pass out (D20 + his fort save) If he makes a 13 or higher, he can maintain consciousness.

Probably a good idea to roll a Swim check too... (D20 + swim skill total) ]

Comments

[generaldavideus]

[This isn't the first time that David's been whisked away to another world without his consent or but this isn't the same as the last time. The world doesn't split open so much as fade out, turning into a bright blinding haze before the ground melts out from under him and he's sinking into a pool of water.

It's only because he's done this before that he doesn't pass out (fortitude check: 21), still it takes him a moment to take stock of the situation. He lets himself continue to sink for a moment trying to see if there's anything he recognizes, before turning and kicking into a swim (swim check: 14). He keeps one hand gripped tightly on the hilt of his sword as he goes, just in case.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ he's strong enough and with-it enough to break the surface of the waves, and he'd see a gray sky above, heavy ponderous clouds threatening to break into a deluge at any moment. lightning flashes in the distance, and it takes some time for the peals of thunder to catch up. it's ominous as hell, however.

the beach isn't particularly far out from where he surfaces, and the sand gives way into hills sloping up and away. it looks to be abandoned, though there's also a red and white striped lighthouse further up the coast, evidence of life. ]

[generaldavideus]

[First order of business when he breaks the surface is breathing. He takes in a long gulp of air, hacking some water back on the exhale, before using one hand to sweep his hair back from his eyes. He takes a moment to spot the shore, before taking one moment to sheath his sword.

He tips his body forward, stretching one arm out in front of him, before starting to swim to shore. Hopefully he'll be able to get there before the storm starts.

Once he hits the shore, he heads for the lighthouse. Not that lighthouses were all that common in Everworld, but he didn't really have a choice until he figured out where he was.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ it's getting dark and a wind is kicking up as he heads up the beach, sending spray from the water into his eyes and stirring up torrents of sand. there's something unnatural about the color of the lightning, which seems to be approaching faster and faster now, looking almost reddish. if he rolls a 14+ spot check, he might notice that the water is turning a sickening green, and starting to roil in the shape of a whirlpool not too far out. ]

[generaldavideus]

[That's not normal lightning. That's not even Thor or Zeus level lightning. That's just ...

... And that's a whirlpool (nat. 20). Crap. Major crap. Now's a really good time to start running. He continues to head up the beach towards the lighthouse. Once he reaches it, he tries to the doorknob first before straightening to pound on the door.]

Excuse me! Is anyone in there!?

[behindcloseddoors]

[ there's no response, only a huge rush of wind that makes the door of the place shake. but his nat 20 spot also lets him see that there's light pouring from the top of the lighthouse, though not the usual spotlight one might expect. it's some sort of strange glow, that seems almost green as well. staring at the windows up there, he can see a distended shadow: movement.

someone's definitely home. ]

[generaldavideus]

[His eyes watch the shadows above him for a moment, before resorting to pounding on the door again. If he keeps getting ignored, there's no saying he won't break the door down if he has to.]

Hey!

[behindcloseddoors]

[ a heavy gust of wind blasts him with spray from the water below, but he's already soaked from that whole plunged in the deep thing anyway. there's still no response... so if he wants to break down the door, it'll require a strength check [D20 + str modifier (+3 for him)] of 15+. but he can try as many times as it takes. ]

[generaldavideus]

[The first time (strength check: 14) doesn't go as planned. He hits off center and while the wood creaks a bit it doesn't seem to give. The second time (strength check: 5) goes much worse. Probably the frustration getting to him more than anything else. So does the next one (strength check: 6). It's hard to believe that someone doesn't come down and try and investigate this.

He's exhausted, he's wet, and he's pissed off, and somewhere in that combination he dredges up the will to finally break the door down (nat. 20). He doesn't hesitate before making his way inside, looking around for the signs of life he saw earlier.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the inside of the lighthouse is barely lit, but that strange green light echoes off the walls of the stairwell that curves up the center of it. there's no sign of anyone here, but a listen check of 14+ will hear a distant male voice high above... that seems to be chanting. ]

[generaldavideus]

[David isn't that good a listener (listen check: 11), but he is nosy, and will head for the stairs anyway, starting to jog up them towards the source of the light.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ as he approaches the upper landing, the chanting grows louder: it's not in english, or any language he's heard before. there's a quality to it that's a great deal like water, and the man in rich blue robes with a shaved head covered in tattoos waves his hands in majestic sweeps as he recites the words, playing the distant whirlpool like a conductor.

in front of him, at the edge of the lighthouse, bound and gagged, with tears streaking her eyes, is a terrified looking woman, staring wide-eyed out at the sea and struggling against her bonds.

the man crit failed his listen check, so he doesn't hear david's approach. getting closer to him slowly would take a move silently check... if you want to know how to do other types of actions, just ping me! ]

[generaldavideus]

[Hero mode: Activate!

He surveys the situation for a moment, before dropping to a crouch and starting to make his way closer (move silently check: 7.5). If he can get the girl out from in front of him without the magic user noticing, maybe he can then take care of him without anyone else getting hurt.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ somehow, utterly remarkably, david sneaks RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FUCKING WIZARD who crit failed his spot as well, so caught up in doing his evil magics at the ceiling as he is. the girl notices him, however, with a nat 20, and her mascara streaked eyes widen, though she thankfully doesn't make any gasps of surprise. ]

[generaldavideus]

[David thinks he's quite the badass at the moment. Let me tell you.

He quietly makes his way closer, before reaching for one of the ropes with the girl and slowly dragging her out from in front of the wizard (strength check: 9). He's moving slowly, partially because his swimming and stair climbing adventures are catching up with him, and partially because he doesn't want to draw too much attention.

Once the girl is in front of him, instead of untying her right off, he scoops her up and makes a break for the stairs, wanting to put some distance between them first.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ she's a little hard to carry this way with his strength check, the energy sapped from his limbs from fighting the waves below, but she doesn't resist, and he makes it down the steps to the bottom of the light house, before she finally starts making whimpering noises and shaking her wrists slightly, indicating she wants him to take off the bonds and gag. ]

[generaldavideus]

[That's not a problem. He makes short work of the ropes (dexterity check: 16) before helping her get the gag off.]

Are you alright?

[behindcloseddoors]

[

the girl rubs at her wrists, even as she looks around wildly, obviously nervous that they're not out of the woods yet. ]

W-who are you? [ it's demanding and suspicious, but scared, rather than ungrateful.

a listen check of 14+ might catch the sound of approaching voices/footsteps outside the door ... ]

[generaldavideus]

I'm here to help.

[Identifying himself will have to come later becuase he definitely hears those people coming (listen check: 21). He holds a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to be quiet while he tries to find somewhere they can hide in.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ his motion makes her even more paranoid, and she looks about like a frightened rabbit but nods along, gesturing to some barrels in the corner. she can squeeze inside of one, but the others are full... while she is well concealed (hide 19), he's going to have to make a hide check as well to see what he can do.

in the meantime, however, he catches snatches of conversation from outside: three voices, to be accurate. one british woman, with a confident yet calm demeanor, one older male voice, domineering and no-nonsense, and a sardonic, dry british male.

"It's resonating from here," says the older man. "I can sense his power. We haven't much time."

"Let me take care of him," the other man says quickly and firmly. "Ellison, you concentrate on the victim. If she's still alive." He doesn't sound particularly hopeful - or even particularly bothered by said cynicism.

"She will be," she says firmly. "Hasmed, can you reverse the spell from here?" ]

[generaldavideus]

[He follows behind her, making sure she's concealed before looking for somewhere to hide on his own. He tries to duck down behind the barrels (hide check: 15) but listens intently to the conversation happening ahead of them.

Heroes here to save the day?



... Not going to risk anything until he knows for sure.]

[everyredcent]

[ the man who opens the door looks anything like a hero.

his skin is a dark grey and in the low light his silver eyes flash. he wears a black hooded cloak and there's a few knives visible on the belt below it. with a shock of white hair pulled back in a ponytail, it's easy to see his pointed elven ears as well.

the woman who follows, on the other hand, looks entirely normal, human and dressed in a white shirt and black leather jacket and jeans, a gun strapped to her hip.

they're both on high alert as they walk in, and their eyes crane upwards. ]

Someone else has been here. [ the dark elf nods to the wet footprints on the floor from david's earlier entrance ]

[generaldavideus]

[This isn't David's first time dealing with elves -- they existed in Everworld after all -- but they don't quite look like what he remembered. He moves one hand back, gripping the hilt of his sword and waiting just in case.]

[everyredcent]

[ the woman starts up the staircase and the drow takes a few steps behind her, before stopping abruptly.

with a sudden flash of silver, he whirls, and one of the knives at his belt comes flying out in a swirl of cloak, slamming into the wall directly above david's hiding place (24 ranged atk) and sticking there, vibrating slightly.

the dark elf speaks in a brisk, annoyed tone. ]

Well? Show yourself.

[generaldavideus]

[Well shit.

He pauses for a moment, before slowly rising to his feet. He steps out from behind the barrels, trying to move his attention away from the girl he rescued.

He looks over at the elf with a shrug.]

If you're expecting more of a show, I think you're going to be disappointed.

[his hand doesn't come off the hilt of that sword.]