A Break In the Waves

I find myself amazed that it has been more then a month since I have last written. It seems so much longer. My days have been filled with healing the wounded and fighting of the continual waves of Rikti which have, luckily, begun to subside. There is no end to the need of my healing crystals. So much so that my own energy gives out far before theirs.

With my apartment destroyed, my home is a refugee station in Steel Canyon. When I do get to sleep, I share a small room with another healer. When the raid sirens announce another attack, I quickly don my gloves and rush outside to join the others. Several times I've gone back to Atlas or to King's Row to fight against the invaders. These names come easy to me now and I am familiar with them. It is amazing how quickly you come to know a place when you are thrown into the defense of it.

What causes me to remember to write is that I have made contact with my crew! They are well and although attempting a single rescue mission, have sat patiently for the past month awaiting word. The manner I reached communication with them though is another tale altogether!

As the Rikti have began to exhaust themselves against the stalwart walls of superhuman defense, I was recently asked to look into a missing friend of a survivor who had come into our refuge. Her friend, a mystic and fortune teller, had disappeared shortly after a Rikti sweep. Her name was Alianna. I agreed to do what I could and started my investigation. While at the area she was last seen I was able to interview a young man who had seen a group of the nefarious Circle of Thorns abduct the young woman. Pointing to a nearly unseen cave entrance within a small park, I followed his direction. After a harrowing adventure in a cave system underneath the city, I was able to overcome the dark mystics.

I found Alianna in a side cavern, bound, and in the center of a mystical circle. Leaping to her aide and stopping the bald devil of a sorcerer that launched mystical energy at me, I also dispatched his henchmen by throwing them into the cavern walls! Once freed, Alianna was anything but demure. Saying a quick thanks to me she immediately flew upon the nearest unconscious robed thug and began kicking and punching him.

Pulling her off of him, I suggested our best action would be a flight to the service. She quickly agreed and as we climbed through that damp and dark cavern we were beset upon by other Thorn guards who tried to block our path! Alianna jumped in quickly to aid in my defenses and together we smashed the heinous dogs! Within moments, we found our way to the surface and to freedom! As we ran she spoke quickly and accused the Thorns of trying to manipulate her seeress abilities. Obviously treated unwell while in the captivity of them, she treated the Thorns to brutal psionic attacks which left several gibbering and slumped at the juncture of cave wall and floor.

During our run back to the surface she has asked me several questions as to my crystalline effects and did not hesitate to explain whom I was and what I represented. When hearing that I was, indeed, stranded away from my Otherworld ship which hovered outside of this dimension, she professed little knowledge of such things. However, she did know a mystic that resided in Paragon who could possibly help me, a self-professed "Walker Between Worlds."

Once on the surface, I asked his name and Alianna, in thanks, promised an introduction by the next day to a mage by the only name she knew him by, Rustcloak. I retreated back to the refugee building and reported to Alianna's friend that she was safe and whole. Her friend knew nothing of this man named Rustcloak and told me as much. For the remainder of the evening, I tended to a new batch of injured citizens and ate a quick meal of hastily prepared rice and vegetables.

The next day I was summoned from my work by a courier claiming that a man named Rustcloak was outside and waiting for me. I was not sure what I expected but his appearance startled me. He was a relaxed, bald man wearing red sunglasses and common city clothing. Down his well tanned arms were great swirling brown tattoos hinting at some mystical or spiritual persuasion. He nodded in greeting and after a short introduction as a "dimensional pathwalker", he acknowledged knowledge of Otherworld travel and of the great crystalline powered Otherworld ships. In fact, he confessed to some limited knowledge of hearing my name as a captain.

He soon agreed to see what he could do to make contact with my crew explaining "there was no small difficulty in dimensional travel with the current invasion underway." Yet, he said he would strive for contact and asked for something from me that, should he find my ship, would identify himself as a messenger. I quickly handed him a bone necklace I wore under my tunic which my first mate would recognize. With a gentle smile he nodded and flew off into the sky. Within two days, I had heard from him.

When I saw him again, he appeared tired but well. The darker circles under his eyes told the tale of the effort it must have taken on his part. He explained that my ship, though defensive to him at first, was well but rapidly growing impatient and out of supplies. The first mate was quite sure they would have to make a run for a nearby Otherworld port but that she was delighted to hear I was well.

Our conversation made towards possibly finding a way for me to travel back to my ship. He promised to consult a Fey or two and to research the possibility. The strongest objection to such a passage in the near future would be the constant danger of Rikti attack. Without a shuttle's protective shields around me or magical knowledge in shielding myself, such a strong vortex of dimensional energy would, most assuredly rip me in two. He promised to contact me as soon as he had a respectable answer.

Even though I am exhausted by the constant wear on me to heal and defend others, I am excited by this newest string of events. I know, regardless of the love of my ship or other worlds, I will not leave this place in jeopardy. As long as the invasion continues, I am needed here and I will abandon no one. However, the knowledge that I might set foot again upon the deck of my ship brings a new wave of energy and hope!

And, as if on cue, the sirens have started to wail again and I must, once again, run into the breech.

I have seen enough of these Rikti to learn I care little for them. We must not fall. It is not an option.

Invasion

I do not have much time. Several days ago this world was breached by dimensional portals that heralded a second invasion of the race known as the Rikti. I mentioned them in my earlier post for the reason the war walls had been constructed and their arrival for the second time has brought this city into chaos. I believe this is the event that I was informed of and which brought me to this world in the first place.

Several days ago, around mid-morning, I was alerted by the sound of air sirens blaring throughout Atlas Park. Directly after the sirens there came a crackling in the very air as the war walls suddenly turned off. Vaulting from my small desk where I was examining a piece of salvage found after a battle with the robotic Clockwork, I stood in shock as I watched a line of Rikti bombers cruising over the skyline. Bombs tumbled from their undercarriages and into the city below.

Grabbing my equipment, I made for the streets to see what aid I could provide. Already several heroes in the area had begun organizing teams and I strove to help several citizens to shelter as in the distance the thumping sound of bombs grew louder. Suddenly, my apartment building behind me exploded in a brick throwing burst which knocked me to the ground. Gaining my feet again, I quickly began using my crystals to heal myself and anyone I could find.

Within minutes, I found myself in a warzone as Rikti began to descend via teleportation to the streets below. Grouping with what heroes I could find, we formed a circle and defended ourselves as best as we could. I held a support position, healing continually, and feeling my crystal grow warmer and warmer in its holder till I thought it would burn through to my skin. I survived that encounter and making sure there were no citizens in danger, I ran to another engagement I could see transpiring down the street. After that, we moved to another and another. Eventually, the Rikti broke and began to teleport back to their ships.

I do not know how long I have been fighting. I write this now from a small shelter in an area of the city called King's Row. The shelter is filled with homeless citizens and exhausted fighters like myself hoping for a small bit of food, water, and a place to lie in safety until the next wave. I have heard that they are attacking on many fronts and that they have attained at least one anchor head. Others there are fighting that battle and, for now, I have decided to stay put and do what I can locally. If I can make my way to the more intense areas, I will.

I will be able to write more soon but for now I am tired, dirty, and my emotions are worn thin. I was able to place my viewer on automatic during several battles so as to record what I could of the invasion for my records. I provide these images now and perhaps they can tell the tale better then I.

More Questions Then Answers

It is impossible for me to relate everything that has transpired even over such a scant amount of time as these past few days. I have met a number of not only local civilians but costumed heroes who are attempting to help in a fight that appears to be never-ending against the tyrants and thugs that plague this place. I've worked on several engagements and feel worn to the bone from lack of sleep. I will say, however, that I feel to have made some progress in better understanding this world. I have just begun to explore outside the realm of the war walls of Atlas Park. There is always something to do, someone else to help. The waves of violence in this place seem perpetual and there are time I am amazed the buildings are still standing given the threat level here.

A note on the war walls. From what I have been able to discover, these walls were erected after a dimensional invasion several years ago which the defenders here nearly lost. The alien race, called the Rikti, inflicted massive damage as they charged into this world and the war walls were build to lighten the amount of damage a large scale invasion. Rikti still live on the planet, being left here when dimensional travel was blocked between here and their home layer. I am only slightly familiar with the Rikti in my interdimensional travels and that is by name only. Since they mainly attack with low-flying dropships, these walls can be very effective in blocking anything similiar.

I continue to reside in the small apartment afforded me by MAGI for the time being. Although free and a honorable courtesy for MAGI to offer it to me, I find it rather restrictive. On top of not seeing it much with my current activity level, there also appears to be several MAGI agents near the building that take note of my coming and going. I have decided to dip into my gem stores to help fund my own location. Luckily, it is an old habit of mine that before entering a location I am always sure to bring an emergency fund of precious and semi-precious gems that match the world in question. I would say that being stranded for the foreseeable future constitutes an emergency and so, I can safely say I will have my own place soon.

During the past day or so I have discovered something of great import; a mystical group that may very well be behind the dimensional interference I encountered when entering this realm. They call themselves the Circle of Thorns and those within MAGI have little love of them. I am currently still researching them further but they appear to be a very old and very nefarious cabal of dark mages. While moving through the edges of a city park, I stumbled on several lower ranked mystics attempting to bind the soul of an abducted civilian. I was able to easily route them. Two things concerned me during and after the affair. While one of the robed men staggered away, he turned and gazed at me with his glowing eyes. From his mouth came came the hissed words, "We know you." Unfortunately I was still engaged with four of his brethren that I was unable to stop him and learn how he knew me.

However, the second thing might very well answer the prior because when I first saw the mystics I was stunned to note that the green glowing aura around their ceramonial circle was the very same energy which had collided with my own dimensional portal! This taken with the previously mentioned comment leads me to believe that, indeed, the Circle of Thorns might have played a hand in my accident which has left me stranded here.

To what end, I am unsure. I do feel that this is hardly the last encounter I will have with the Circle of Thorns!

Another item of note concerned an interaction I had with a hero whose name I shall withhold for the time being. Contacting me on the small datapad afforded new heroes, he asked to meet with me privately. Since I was already close to the meeting point, I agreed. Claiming to be on contract with the Portal Corporation, he informed me that he had been given the assignment to track my movements. Surprised by his candor, I asked for more information but he gave none except a warning that the Portal Corporation needed to be watched closely and a small technological device they had given him which had been programmed with my "dimensional signature." Asking more about this, he claimed that Portal had been watching not only me but my ship since entering local Otherworld space and were curious about the "energies at my command." Handing me the device and claiming, "its a shame I lost this little thing," he then extended his aid in my current endeavor which was to rescue a civilian who had been abducted into the local sewer network.

I took the device and have since looked it over. I am quite sure they know nothing of what it takes to become an Otherworld ship captain but I was more then leery of the odd mechanical device. I am quite aware that his story was nothing but a cover and the device was actually a tracking bug in the first place. Still, I carry it and plan on tinkering with it further. I will be able to ascertain its function given enough time. If it is truly a beneficial move, I might be able to use it to jam whatever signal they have on me.

Finally, my long standing readers will recognize the following irony that my first teammate whom I found myself partnered with during an action against a group of street thugs was..... a vampire.

Calling herself Vampress It is, if nothing else, proof positive that the great Universal Winds have a sense of humor. My first encounter with a vampire did not go very well. I find it interesting that I've come across a vast Otherworldly distance only to encounter, yet again, another vampire. Even though other explorers have had more balanced encounters with them and their culture, I cannot get over the fact that I consider them unpredictable and dangerous. Of course, some would say the same for the Fey with which I am known to have an affiliation. Elves and the Fey have long since carried both labels of "dangerous" and "unpredictable." I suppose there is a lesson in all of this for me.

To her defense, Vampress acted honorably throughout our action against the thugs we were facing as well as staying level-headed against my rather pointed questions to her. Of course, she does not know of my past and I do not know of hers. At least she wore her vampiric nature openly, unlike the fiend I encountered so many months ago. Within that honesty, and the fact she was registered with this city, I found a bit of assurance. We parted amicably and who is to say if I will encounter her again.

I've made a note to research what vampiric culture might exist in this world as soon as I can get free time to do so. Even thought my days have been filled with activity, I've been making research notes on how to proceed once things slow down. Hopefully, that will be soon.

Getting Started

My wait outside the great hall was short lived as Azuria's contact found me and they began the process of checking me into their registration. My thoughts were scattered during this time. The initial thought of trying to contact my crew led me to worry that they might try a recovery mission and how could I warn them not to do so. To be honest, I had never experienced such a rough portal entry before and the consequences that I nearly died or, in a worse case scenario, could have been trapped in an eternal stasis between dimensions began to flood over me. Seeing my thoughts turning to such matters, Azuria's attendant quickly guided me to some temporary housing which MAGI provided to new individuals in need of it and encouraged me to have some food and get rest. The quarters were little more then a bed and a window but I was glad for them. Food was brought and after eating I quickly fell into sleep.

I am not sure how long I slept but I awoke fully rested and with daylight streaming through my window. Wandering outside to get some fresh air, I took in a small grassy park which was nearby and sat on a park bench there to gather my thoughts and to journal what I had experienced so far. I also took stock of my meager equipment. I was glad I had done some research on this world and decided to wear the control gloves gifted to me by the Magister of Glyssis. Powered by crystalline threads, they would allow me to control the more violent individuals I might encounter by a form of telekinesis which works with a world's latent gravitational and magnetic fields. It has always been my contention to use non-lethal forms of self-defense first, like the shock rod I used on my mainland expedition and I considered the gloves perfect for this goal. An item that rarely failed upon dimensional arrival, I still gave them a test run by using it to manipulate the branches of a nearby tree.

A leather carrying pouch with various crystals was still intact but taking them out and attempting to activate them brought another disappointment in that few actually appeared to work. The greatest discouragement being the flying crystal, which I had grown used to using throughout my Mainland Expedition, were not active. One of the hazards of working with crystals is a situation called "arrival failure." This occurs when the resonance of the crystal itself fails to work within a certain world's magical energies or, alternatively, they take various amounts of time to adapt to those new energies. Only time would tell in regard to the ones that sat dark and lightless in my hand as I tried activating them. I was happy, however, to note that the greenish Alonum which would allow me to not only heal myself but others was working strongly. One must work with what they have, I thought to myself as I tucked them into my belt holders. As I stood to begin a small stroll a cry of alarm drew my attention.

Nearby, a citizen was being assaulted by a rough looking group of rogues carrying clubs and wearing kerchiefs to conceal their features. The older woman, distraught, was in obvious peril and without hesitation I raced to her defense. Activating my gloves, I locked one brigand into place and then flung another into the air. The woman ran for safety and I turned to deal with the one which had drawn a handgun.

In the end, they were ill-equipped to deal with the crystalline magic and unable to stand the strain it put on their systems. Within moments, they were unconscious and on the ground. Unsure of what to do at this point, I nearly returned back to my small apartment but another masked individual dressed in bright reds and blues ran to the scene. With a quick explanation and demonstration, he showed me how I could attach small electronic homing markers on any criminals I stop and the city would teleport them to a safe location. As a final gesture, he tossed something small onto each unconscious hoodlum. They immediately began to fade away as part of a slow teleportation process. The man then left before I could record his name.

Then, like the surface of a pond settling after a disturbance, it was as if the event never happened.

I stood there mulling over what had occurred. Around me, the city continued in its pace. I moved back to my equipment at the park table and tried to write down what has happened so far. I have been here writing for perhaps two hours and have just brought the entire story so far to the present. By seeing it in front of me the full weight of my situation has settled around me. What research I had been able to find on this world was light. It had not prepared me for the full scope of what is happening here. To be truthful, I had not expected a world or its people to be so powerful in their abilities and so capable with inter-dimensional travel. It is almost as if this place IS on the verge of becoming a registered dimensional harbor but it just doesn't know it yet.

And... I am stranded here.

Until I can either find a way to connect to my crew, or they to me, I will remain here. I suppose, considering the vast potential I have seen here in so short of a time, it is possible that MAGI might find a way for me to rebuild my shuttle. Azuria has also mentioned another group called Portal which holds an interest in other dimensions. I realized with a chuckle that if there were a place for an interdimensional explorer to be stuck, this would be it. As my mentor was fond of saying, "Tis all a matter of your perspective and your attitude."


Even as I write this there is the staccato of gunfire and a painful cry just a block or two away. It jars me back to the present even more so and I realize that although I have my own questions to wrestle with, I am also needed here. My thought flashes back to the small, nearly forgotten statement from the mystic who visited my ship just before I left, "All will be needed." From my experiences and observations so far it is obvious that this world is caught in a massive struggle with darker forces that wish to harness its potential for their own purposes.

And so, while I am here, I will lend my skills to the engagement.

I wrap this entry up and I hope that, if nothing else, it will get to my crew. I am not sure entirely how but they are a wily and resourceful bunch. As I have always done, I will continue to keep a record of my thoughts and experiences here when I have the time. However, there is so much for me to get done here I do not know, for certain, when that might be.