[01.03]
--
{Pathfinder Log: 15.11.164 PLF*}
{Days Since Contact Lost: 3}
{Dimension: Unknown}
As protocol dictates, I shall endeavour to keep a log of events, now that contact has been lost with my home dimension. I have always found that somewhat odd, what with the need for secrecy and this being recording my activities and therefore contradicting that concept. Supposedly it will help with my mental health according to trainers. I am unsure of this. My own inclination is that it is useful when detail how previous lost, such as I now am, survived and eventually found their way back home. I ran several of those scenarios in training I believed that were based on such.
Right. Where to start?
Well, things were going well. Then they weren't. Bandit attack made up of grey-skinned pointy eared, crystal boned, maybe-elves of some sort. Didn't take any alive during the fight, and then fell through a hole in reality that crashed me and part of the convoy, and dead bodies of said attackers, on an atmosphere-less lunar body in an unknown, unstable, dimension. Upon recovery of the contents of a wagon from the convoy, all crates intact despite destruction of said wagon, I immediately departed that unknown dimension via my Celestial Ether-scope Compass (CEC) as my duty dictated. My armour was heavily damage, and the possibility of bandit reinforcement was high in my judgement.
Unfortunately my emergence was into the face of a slave-raiding party on unknown planet and dimension, though the overall dimensional requirements are within laid out standards per my training. So, while not desired, the initial engagement was firmly in my favour. The four 'Jaffa', as I have been informed they are called by the natives, were armoured with energy weapons in the form of staves, and their armour, while effective versus the native population, are inadequate for the weapons tech these four were armed with. As they attempted to kill myself I swiftly eliminated these four and took charge of their former possessions, slaves included. These slaves were happy to comply with supply of information, even if less than pleasant in the knowledge as these lands are under the rule of evil deities opposed to my own faith in several planes beyond those.
Thankfully they appear to be at war with each other, with this raid being a raid by one such, or perhaps a return to power, by one such 'Zeus', God of Wife Beaters and Electricity, against his father 'Kronus', Time God I think?, who has ruled these lands till now. There are other names mentioned, but I do not know them such as the local Goddess Atalanta. None of which I have let know to the natives, led by the third daughter of a local city ruler Amalthea, who have guided me to a, in theory, secure location. It is sufficient for purposes for now. But, primarily, the major concern is that I am now Adrift, and, worse, on a world caught in the midst of a pantheon civil war it seems. With biomancy changed humans that bear symbiotic, but also potentially parasitic, worm creatures within their bellies. The symbiotic nature is evident but seem to be larva rather than full grown and my helmet sensors indicate potential issues with body snatching. I have four dead worm creatures to back that up, as they are also poisonous and filled with a strange high-energy material.
Now, further, these lands seem to know nothing of orcs, though they are connected to some sort of portal network as given to them by the foul gods they worship. Humans are all they know, and they know not the true nature of the Jaffa-warriors either, surprised as I by their belly worms. Both are problems, for humans are humans and therefore one must be wary of, as well of the fact that many worlds may be linked together, and ruled, by these dark deities and their servants. Amalthea, the native ruler's daughter, speaks only of servants of these gods utilising such as this 'Eye of the Gods', alongside very rare traders. Who might be also spies in my mind, for she is young and does not grasp such things sadly. It is why I am hesitant to believe that matters will be resolved in rewards from her father when the 'rightful goddess' returns. She is unworldly in her views, young and sheltered, so therefore foolish in many such ways.
So, with those difficulties in mind; trapped in potential enemy lands, led by those lacking full knowledge, I have begun the process of accessing the crates. Difficult of course, as all other than the supply crate are hard-locked by spell and tech – but I truly am Lost, and am in genuine, sustained, need now. Repairing my armour has, and will, take priority. Firstly I have removed the ammo-backpack and adjusted it to a carry pack structure for the four crates as per Wagon: Loss scenarios, as well as having removed all the outer-gear disguise function. I need the carry capacity for the crates, and that means adding rack capacity – and combat functions are already impacted by that change. It'll take at least another day or two to restore all the warning reds and oranges on the armour to green after all without that silliness in the way!
For now I've accessed my segment of the supplies crate to undertake repairs and for the immediate MREs that allowed some degree of favour buying till arrival here in this supposed 'villa'. Fortified mountain area I would name it, though too lightly guarded to my senses with only six guards, though it's a mountain pass entrance with a narrow gate I can see why. Lazing around with the dozen maids and serving girls I can imagine, even if this place is clearly well maintained, if not a bit ugly and painted statues of very pathetically endowed looking nude human males and females around the place. That and ugly paintings. Plenty of those too. Just the nature of humans with evil gods ruling them!
But, now I must conduct repairs.
--
{Pathfinder Log: 17.11.164 PLF*}
{Days Since Contact Lost: 5}
{Dimension: Unknown}
Repairs and, well, let's call them upgrades, completed. It feels better to call them that than say I have spent hours putting in extra weight to handle the problems caused by the adjustments to carry the crates. Placing the ammo-feeds, after spreading them out, on the armour's waist and shoulders isn't ideal for safety after all – so armour slats at the shoulders and upper back now. I expect trouble, half the band of slaves has already fled elsewhere, as I expected after arriving here and it became impossible to watch and threaten into submission – and my food stores were no longer required. Not helped by my 'host' caring much, and largely allowing them wander off with gifts of food from stores here.
Very nice of her. Good natured. Foolish.
But I am not her master nor lord father, nor her servant, so I have done no more than voice my opinion to her that it might not be the best idea. It matters not, either side are likely to be my foes. Best that can be done is to rest here a short time before such matters come against. She's already sent one of them as a runner to her father and mother, with promises of reward and such. Truth?
They could be dead already, I do not know, or they may turn against me for I am not human. Or because of their gods, as I doubt they shall welcome such as I. Thankfully now we armour is prepared, the weapons ready, and I have sorted through my supplies to ensure an escape option if needed. Best not to, not till I have a better understanding of the nearby multiverse, as blind jumping out of here would just make my situation worse in the long run. With some time I can figure out how to use the human disguise form in one of the rings. Not my strong suit though.
Oh, and Krull will be glad to know that, yes, I was right, and the chainsaw sword remains useful! Even if its to chop down trees rather than foes right now!
My prayers do not reach my Lord either, the distance making it lower than a whisper, though a faint thread is yet there through the Compass. I pray, I work, I prepare for battle that will come, and must try to husband my resources as best I can while doing so. It is the thinking on being lost that is the hardest. At being Adrift amongst the void-of-planes. Such is the terrible burden of thinking now all immediate tasks are completed.
Getting home. Simple words, yet so not simple a task. For being lost amidst dimensions and finding ones way back to even known dimensions can be a task of a lifetime. What if I fail?
Such thoughts are unbecoming I know, but now I am rested, and all repairs made, it feels an insurmountable summit to make from where I sit. Under an alien star, in an ugly mountain fastness. Though I do enjoy heated bath of these hot springs, once I had scanned for safety. It is the only thing here that does not feel small.
My current plan is to allow the Compass to 'settle', and I'm going to need to investigate this Eye of the Gods to see how it functions. If it is multi-world, as stated, then it would give forth information if travelling from world to world in search a way to the City of Doors, or to getting a better reading, and therefore Path, to the next dimension. Perhaps I am overthinking? Looking for too much hope?
On the bright side my God will look happily upon any temple burning that might need to occur, or for my humble-self to slaughter my way through servants of dark deities if required! I have to take the little victories where I can in dark times such as these may be. Even if, for now, I must keep my faith hidden from these servants of theirs, even if they profess to be on my side. Amalthea's reward may lead to wine and whores, or it may lead to assassin warriors seeking my life. Or both. It could easily be both. So weapons and armour always within reach, if I get out of said armour – could be best to stay within?
Hmm, hard to know as yet. That is for tomorrow.
--
PLF – Post League Founding