$1000 + Portal IC

[root9125]

You see before you a large, circular rift in the fabric of your world. You have elected to enter, along with 4 other brave adventurers... Er, normal people... Er, sorta.

The portal closes soon, so enter quickly!

[Tyndmyr]

Travis hestitates before crossing into the portal, wondering what might be on the other side...then steps on the gas. After all, what's the worst that could possibly happen?

[Mr. Mud]

Joe looks solemn, as he makes sure all the zippers and latches of his bags and such are secure. He puts both his Shotgun and Desert Eagle ((OCC: You might see it as Deagle)) on safety, and securely strapped into their holsters, on his back and belt respectively. He grabs his M9, checks the safety button on it, and jumps into the portal, after Travis. Awh, hell... he says, just before his head disappears into the abyss.

[Narazil]

Søren looks at the rift, and then on his motorcycle-trailer contraption. He smiles faintly.
He throws the bags on the motorcycle, equips his chainmail, sling the rifle over one shoulder, and the bow over the other. The bastad sword is slung across his back.
He pushes the trailer through the portal, mounts the motorcycle, lights up a cigarette, and drives through.

[Slayn82]

Ramos looked once again at the gate, that he found the previous day when he went fishing in the river next to a glade in his uncle's farm near his city. If he was he was impressed by it at first, looking at the images of the medieval world that apeared througt it, he got more so when he tried to touch it and the voices got in his mind. One pleading for help; the other, less a voice and more of a thought that sounded in the mind as a thunder, giving him an understanding of the workings of the gate. The sudden appearance of money there, one thousand dollars in a place that he had some dificult reaching, only added to the strangeness of the scene.

Did he went mad? Nope, the money and the gate were there, standing in front of him. Then he had to accept the facts.

He started thinking about it, like it was an script from a movie. Well, whoever called him, claimed zombies where coming. If zombies were a problem for someone who could open a gate here, then they could very well come to this world if that person did not get some help. And if that person could get better help than me, it would have gotten already. Also, that noone would believe him, so it was better to work in secrecy. Good that most of his family was away at the moment, visiting other relatives in the countryside.

So, if he was selected to go at something like that, how could he colaborate? Then, Ramos realized it. He had thought about things like this sometimes, after seeing some movies, and specially after reading some books, and yes, he knew what to bring, and how his life experience could be useful.

After one hour, he was back at home and started working frantically. Details, details... He got a friend's vehicle, an Volks Transporter, that was often used to do some movings around, and coupled with an unused backcart that he had laying around. It would take him the most part of the day to fill it, after a quick trip downtow for the money exchange. When his friend asked asked him what he was doing, he said he was going to take those things to the farm (that part was true, of course).

His biggest surprise was when, looking at the PC for some other usefull information, he found out some other persons claimed to have found themselves in the same circunstances. Curiously, it was in the Giantitp, where an webcomic with an similar premise was hosted. That convinced him that something big was at work.

So, after that deliberations, and narrowly dodging an link to TVtropes that would have made all efforts vain, Ramos took a shower, put some heavy clothes and entered the vehicle, going back to the farm. In the way, as the vehicle slowly progressed throught the quiet road, he glanced back at the city, and the life he was leaving behind - for a little time, he expected.

But as he entered the gate, Ramos felt his heart acelerating, as the desire of seeing the unknown possessed him and the adrenaline rush went throught his veins.

[root9125]

As you enter through the portal you feel a gentle tingling run through you. As you walk through, you feel... reduced, somehow. As though you were less important, less vital, and have less depth of character than a minute ago...

The feeling fades into unimportance at the sight around you. You see a man in a Honda Civic, a man on a motorcycle thumbing through the Zombie Survival Guide, a man with more explosive chemicals than a human should be permitted to own, a high schooler and his cat carrying more valuables than most families own, and a guy on a bike with a classy pirate hat. You think about asking him where the rum has gone, but decide against it.

Looking past the hodgepodge collection of maniacs, you look around. You're in the typical, featureless forest you've had described to you so many times. You can almost hear your old DM's scratchy voice describing this place.

One of you wonders aloud where the city is... and at exactly that time, the person you saw in the portal appears in front of you, holding two more scrolls, and discarding one.

"Ahem. Apologies to those who have been summoned for the trek you have ahead of you. We of Thatrona are most gracious to you for, er, your, um, willingness to --"

Breaking from what's obviously a script for a moment, he says to you "Hey, are you certain you're ready for this? Only three of you are even armed."

Without giving you a chance to respond, he looks back at his script, mumbling a bit.

"Uh, yes, hrm, ah! Willingness to enter our land from your own and we ask humbly *cough* that you come to defend our land from the necromantic menace we face."

Again dropping the script, he says "Can you follow me, please?"

He walks away on a path that's now obvious (you reflect on how you didn't notice it until it was plot-relevant... doesn't THAT sound familiar?), wide enough for your vehicles in single-file. He leads you to the city of Thatrona and takes you before some generic noble or other. How many adventures you've started this way...

"Hello, brave masters of tactics and strategy. I am Duke Rilgar, the ruler of this small village. We are under assault by the forces of evil, and we need your assistance. You have command of the citizens of this small town, subject to my veto, and three days to prepare."

He dismisses you without giving you a chance to speak, as though he already knows you've accepted this mission.

What do you do?

[Slayn82]

As the group followed along the road, the VT went on the end, because the backcart could trouble the manouvering a little. It had no trouble to follow, althought all the shaking. Ramos felt a great relieving as the engines of the vehicles started. All the way, he came thinking about the tests that he would have to conduct to determine if the nature laws of this reality were like ours. Well, so far, so good.

As for the companions, it seemed clear that they were from his world. Lots of guns, way better than the old hunting rifle that he had. But the magician seemed to not notice them as such. Supposing he was of the top elite, so the man probably never had seem an gunweapon before.

After the encounter with the Duke, Ramos was a little more optimist. If he could get the help of the people of the city, maybe he would not have to take some of the more desperate gambits that ocurred to him as he remembered all the zombie movies he saw.

Taking a deep breath, he turned his atention to the magician that escorted them to the meeting:

- Well, thats it then. Please, call me Ramos. We have little time, so i will be blunt, and beg your pardon. I am a chemist, and brought with me a large amount of chemical ingredients for the manufacture of the things needed, along with some presents that could be useful for your people. It will need some working, so i will have to select some assistants. Anyone who knows of the alchemy, spellcraft or works with dye, leather or metalworks. I and my companions will need some quarters, and if theres some oficine, i would like to inspect it imediately and possibly make some adjustments. I will need to know where are the water sources, and if there is fat, animal bones, limestone, leather or manure, i will need then in barrels too. Hum, guess those can be got with the leather tanners. The rest i can sort as we get started...

(And then Ramos remembered something, pulled his portable flashlight, a model with inner battery rechargeable by hand, and switched it on, hoping that the lights worked as well as before the gate).

[Narazil]

Søren goes through his bags, and finds his solar-powered laptop. He boots it up, and types the city's name in.

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Knowledge: Metagaming check to find a local merchant's guild with loads of money.
(1d20+1337)[1348]

"I suggest we gather local currency, and hire able-bodied men to dig a mole, fill it with water, and get prie- I mean Clerics to bless the water. That should damage the zom-.. Undeads. Oh, and I'm Søren. Just say Soren if you can't pronounce it."

[root9125]

Ramos: Your flashlight looks just as good as it did before the gate. No problems.

Soren: You find the map of the town, and have the ability to access it at any time. The merchant's guild would be in or near the market (marked 3).

Looking over your shoulder, Ramos sees the upstream river as an excellent water source, but notices the lack of farming / animal raising. This tells you, through some innate knowledge of the world and how odd D&D non-tippyverse economics are, that the town relies on trade for a large bit of its food source.

You also get a vague and incomplete list of notable characters and their classes:

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Population 3064
GP Limit 1746
Wealth 535323
Authority Class warrior
Full Time Guards 30
Conscriptable 153


Class: warrior
Level: 1, Number: 25

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Rosemary, female halfling
Felosiphia, female half-elf
Xananua, female half-elf
Pavel, male human
Rurik, male dwarf

Level: 2, Number: 2

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Lilly, female halfling
Wharia, female dwarf

Class: cleric
Level: 2, Number: 4

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Euphemia, female halfling
Daglinn, male dwarf
Barkil, male dwarf
Yrsa, female human

Class: expert
Level: 1, Number: 75

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Tilly, female halfling
Runolf, male human
Rhora, female human
Sinbad, male half-elf
Throto, male dwarf

Level: 2, Number: 4

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Peony, female halfling
Garkil, male dwarf
Alton, male halfling
Lenny, male halfling

Class: adept
Level: 1, Number: 12

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Seraphina, female halfling
Elva, female human
Seraphina, female halfling
Qillaqui, female elf
Saddam, male human

Level: 2, Number: 1

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Lavender, female halfling

Level: 4, Number: 1

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Lavender, female halfling

Class: wizard
Level: 3, Number: 1

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Poppy, female halfling Wiz3

Class: druid
Level: 2, Number: 28

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Thorfinna, female human
Botolf, male human
Zumurrud, female human
Ogmund, male human
Vigdis, female human

Level: 3, Number: 8

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Farah, female human
Ballinn, male dwarf
Nuri, male human
Osborn, male halfling
Aslak, male half-elf

Class: commoner
Level: 1, Number: Ungodly Huge



Class: monk
Level: 1, Number: 1

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Euphemia, female halfling

Class: paladin
Level: 2, Number: 1

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Euphemia, female halfling

Class: ranger
Level: 2, Number: 2

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Lavender, female halfling
Beau, male halfling

Class: rogue
Level: 3, Number: 1

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Lobelia, female halfling

Class: bard
Level: 4, Number: 1

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Bella, female human

Class: aristocrat
Level: 1, Number: 12

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Anemone, female halfling
Eldon, male halfling
Hlendd, male dwarf
Zhanna, female human
Ananthe, female elf

Level: 3, Number: 1

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Verbina, female halfling

Class: barbarian
Level: 3, Number: 1

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Asfrid, female human

Class: sorcerer
Level: 3, Number: 2

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Violet, female halfling
Aun, male human

[Narazil]

"If you gents would either excuse or accompany me, I am going to get rid of some of all my junk."


Søren goes to town, baby. Or well, the market.

[root9125]

Based on the standard rule of Don't Split The Party, the rest of you follow unless you tell me otherwise.

It takes trips to a dozen merchants and quite some time to sell all that STUFF, but finally, after about 2 hours, you have a heaping pile of gold.

[Narazil]

Søren takes off quickly after that, petal to the metal. Seems as if he's in a hurry.

[Tyndmyr]

Before we depart, I take the opportunity to ask the following questions:

"Do you have any more detailed information about the impending attack?"
"Do you have anything that might help us repel the attack?"
"How did you summon us here, and does it work in two directions?"
"Do you have a map of the area that we might use?"

I will gladly follow, taking the initiative to sell off my trade goods. Unless otherwise specified, assume that all firearms are on me at all times from this point forward.

I'll also be keeping an eye out for decently priced forms of healing, or anything that might reasonable be described as unusual. Likewise, I'll be surveying the crowd for anyone that looks important, or better yet, strong.

As we shop, I introduce myself to the rest of the party. "Hi, I'm Travis. Rather wide skill set, and a bit of a daredevil. Couldn't pass up the chance to see what it was all about, yknow? So...any of ya'll have any thoughts regarding the undead?"

[Acanous]

Staying quiet for the most part, Acanous sells off enough of his "art" to buy some decent gear (Suit of full plate, Shield, Longsword if possible)

He then consults with the party;

"Right. So, what's the plan? I'm thinking once we get settled in, we round up as many people as are willing to help and start setting up barricades."

He speaks with a western Canadian accent, despite his piratey appearance.

[Tyndmyr]

Travis says "I'm thinking we need to split into two teams. The larger team, building defences. The smaller team, doing a bit of recon, find out what we're up against. It's gotta be something good for them to call us here like this."

[root9125]

Travis: "Wow, you have a lot of questions. Seems like your friend over there's got a map on his magic box... All we know of the invasion is that it's impending, and that we have about as much of a chance of stopping it as the other towns that were demolished... Really, it's a wake of destruction leading straight here. As for the summons... I mean, it was just a scroll of Sending. Don't you people have those?"

While scanning the crowd, you see about 15-20 people who look like they could hold their own in a fight, and you catch a glimpse (and a whiff, and BOY does it smell awful) of a potion shop, with typical CLW, CMW, and CSW potions at typical prices.

Unusual things: The whole WORLD is unusual. Even gravity seems to work differently! But unusually unusual? Nothing much. The crowd doesn't seem aware of their impending doom yet, so they're looking at you a bit funny... Not much more than they would any other adventurer, though.


Acanous: Sounds good, assume prices roughly equal to those on the Art table in the DMG.


And suddenly, a messenger completely out of breath shows up.

"Hey, Tim the Enchanter, the guy on the loud wheelie thing, he wants you folks to come see him again. Wow, are you real adventurers? You guys are awesome. I'll show you where to go, come on!"

[Slayn82]

Well, that could be useful, Ramos thought. But as precaution, he grabs one fire extinguisher an keeps it ready for use, along with duct tape one can of raid repellant and one mask of filtering particles.

[Tyndmyr]

Re:Sending comment "Um, sort of"

Travis straps his gas mask bag to his left side, and follows along. Inwardly, he hopes he'll have time to find some wands at some point. Preferably of the eternal flavor.

As he walks, he chats with his comrades "Well, they obviously know roughly where the army is coming from, as well as how far out it is. After we complete this meeting, I do believe Im going to take a little bike ride over there, and see what we're up against. Anyone care to join me?"

[Slayn82]

"Well, its nice to meet you Travis. Im sorry i can't go out scouting, because i have to set up a workshop, talk with the local workers, find some chemicals, this kind of stuff. As i said, we can make a mechanical trap that must be able to hold on a lot of enemies in case they manage to find a breach and start puting pressure in it. Something kinda like an blade barrier, but could be going for at least 8 hours with a full tank.

From the map, i guess the easier side to defend is the south. There must be a lot of sawdust over there, with could be handy, as it burns good under the right conditions, and is abrasive. With enought fat or wax, could provide plenty of burning ammo for siege weapons. If the enemies come from North, there is less space but its almost as good. If they come from East, i guess well have less manouvering space.

Theres also the river, that could become a viable enter point for an undead army in the city. The island in the middle will be probably well guarded for an attack of this kind, but it would be disastrous to the other sectors, especially the south side and citizens quarter. So, it all depends of how the enemy will strike, and scouting will be really important, specially if we could hold the enemy somewhere else, or if we can identify the enemy leadership. Any thoughts?"

[Mr. Mud]

While at the market with Ramos, ((Sorry for lack of post back when we were immediately there)) Joe finds the merchant that excepted Ramos' salt, and sells 40lbs of his own.

As he hands over the last of his salt to the merchant, he sees his cat, Howie, rub against Travis. He likes you, heh. He holds out his hand I'm Joe. He says with a small friendly smile.

[Tyndmyr]

Travis shakes Joe's hand, saying "Good to be seeing you too. Lookin forward to the zombies?"

[Mr. Mud]

As ready as anyone could be... Anyway, guys, he turns to face the rest of the group. I know I've haven't met all of you, and it'd be rude not to offer small chat, under normal circumstances. But these, it seems, are far from normal. What should we do first? Maybe find a place to put down all our gear?

[Acanous]

"Sounds good to me. So the alchemist and Joe stay here, get set up. The guy with the Fire extinguisher looks like he's going somewhere. I'll get on base defense."
Acanous turns to the guy who sounds like he's in charge of the place.

"So, the other towns- what direction were they in? It'll help us a great deal to know where these zombies are coming from."

Turning to the awestruck lad;
"Yep. I go by Acanous. My friends usually add 'The Immortal'. My enemies call me 'The Red'. Well, they would, if I had any enemies left..."
(Diplomacy to influence attitude)
[ROLL](1D20+7)[/ROLL]

(Edit: I fail at rolling. I *Thought* that was the tag >.>)

[Acanous]

(1d20+7)[25]

(That should work >.>)

[Tyndmyr]

So, I'm guessing property values are down, what with the impending zombie attack, and all. I'm looking for a nice plot of land in town. Bonus if it includes a house, shop, or other structure. Some nice place to base out of. Any signs of people selling off anything?

[root9125]

Acanous: The young lad looks a step above awestruck. Worshipful? Either way, you've basically earned yourself a minion you can't get rid of.
"Acanous the Red. That sounds AWESOME! Man, that guy on the wheelie thing was cool, but you're the man! Hey, uh, Mr. Acanous the Red, can you, uh, come with me? That wheelie thing guy, he, uh, wanted to talk to you. Yeah. Over here!"

Tyndmyr: Why yes, indeed, people are trying to sell land, shops, and property. Most of the prices are WAY out of your league, though. A flat patch of land without anything constructed on it goes for a whole 1500 gold. With a building, it could be up to 10,000. With an actual HOUSE, it could be as much as 20,000.

[Tyndmyr]

Nifty, after we get done following the messenger, I'll attempt to negotiate for an empty chunk of land as near the marketplace as possible.

"Well, Acanous, it's good to meet you. No sense delaying, so lets be off to the meeting as quickly as possible. If you'd like, you are welcome to accompany me afterward. There's lots of preparations that must be made before the army arrives."

[Slayn82]

On the way, Ramos started sharing his thoughts with Joe and Travis.

"Well, about the scouting thing, i was thinking a little. If we use a levitation spell + binocles, we should be able to get a lot of information about the enemy, and a featherfall spell for backup measures. Of course, we could get someone native to do this stunt.

Also, i guess we should head for the town hall and get some officers and assistants to help to organize the population as a workforce. Check the combat history of this city, what tatics are availiable, if there are nearby mountain passes in the way of the enemy were an ambush could be set, this kind of thing. The fertilizers that i have in my backcart can be converted easilly to demolitions explosives for this purpose, but to get gunpowder for bullets they will need some work. Also, we need to check the climate, because humidity could damp the thing.

Let me see, for eletricity, once we have enought sulfuric acid, i can manufacture simple lead acid batteries, just exchanging the eletrodes. That will recharge any eletric equipment just fine. Better yet, they have sawmill in this city, sawmills, dammit - Ramos was visibly excited by that thought- And i have an eletric motor/generator that i was planning to put to run on diesel, but we have the river - and by saying that, he laughted loudly - Well, it seems things are turning just fine, after all

[root9125]

As your conversations draw to a close, you approach a large building, about 50' across the front, wrought-iron gate in front, nicely tended lawn, with a classy-looking fountain in the center.

You wonder briefly where all the stone came from, until you realize that Stone Shape applied relentlessly can make an awful lot of it.

As the messenger boy leads you into the building, you see your comrade, Soren, standing and talking with someone who looks ... noble.

[Acanous]

I follow the lad to the rest of the group, and take off my hat when I see the noble.