TempusMUD.net

Date: The Year 370

Knowing that this journey might last a bit longer than my previous, impromptu trip, I geared up for the event. I donned on some leather trousers and a heavier leather jacket. My black, kevlar boots were laced up tightly. Upon my belt was a hunting knife, a medical kit and a flashlight. This time, I was sure to bring a rifle, rifle rounds, a sleeping bag and of course, my journal.

On the way out of my apartment, I jokingly told my neighbors I was on the way to hunt lizards at the radioactive swamp northwest of E.C. They did not laugh… strange– I thought it was hilarious.

I met professor Grange at the physics lab, where he unveiled his machine to me once more. Taking a deep breath, I waved him farewell and entered the rift.

My body experienced the emotional sensory overload once more. I did not ever want to become desensitized to such a thrilling experience. As soon as I knew it, I found myself at the other end of the rift at the festival of lights.

Renold and Len pulled me out of the basin and dusted my clothes off for me. They welcomed me back, but with stern looks upon their faces.

After asking them what was the matter, I was informed that our mutual cleric friend, Gwen had been missing all day. They told me about some strange individual that had been creeping about the Holy City of Modrian and say that he might have something to do with the incident.

“Ahh, that explains their grim attitude towards me,” I thought to myself.

I agreed that I would help them find Gwen. It was the least I could do for my medieval hosts.

We needed to circumscribe the Holy City, since I also was a wanted man, mistaken for Gwen’s supposed captor. What lush scenery! Beyond Modrian’s walls and the festival, I witnessed the majestic beauty of the Enchanted Forest to the southwest. Upon crossing over the hills north, toward the northern perimeter of the city, I could see the forest Haon-Dor, and then, the majestic northern road. The paved road seemed to stretch to the north, as far as the eye could see. I swear I caught a glimpse of a tower to the northwest… a tower I had studied extensively as a student. “It couldn’t be…,” I thought to myself.

By the evening hour, as the two suns set before the horizon, we had found ourselves upon the northern road, interrogating travelers and merchants, looking for a clue as to the whereabouts of our friend, Gwen.

A few traders from the Elven Village to the northwest ignored our questions haughtily, eying my wares suspiciously. A few halfling merchants and their children merely laughed and ran past us, ignoring our query. One merchant from Istan did stop to tell us something. He looked badly beaten, with bandages all about both of his arms.

“Aye, I saw a girl… robes were covered in dirt and mud, poor thing. He was with this evil looking man… dressed in red robes. He had hobgoblins all about him, as if defending him…”