Private Zakaden Cabin in the Crystals

[Flowing Willowwhistle]

Four years.

Flowing logged back into the game after 4 years. In that span of time, she had furthered her education, seen the political scene change and most importantly, she felt as if she had gone through some character development. No longer was she the Flowing years ago, now she's a very different person. Thankfully, customization options were open so she made sure to give herself a decent makeover before spawning in the world of Terrasphere once again.

Four years.

Flowing did not remember where she last logged off. She remember partaking in a quest to hunt... some kind of Elk? Whatever it was, it was no longer in any sort of quest log. The first thing to hit her was the temperature. It was cold, unbearably cold. Flowing looks around and finds herself no longer in the wooden cabin she remembered being in, instead, it looks as if she had spawned in the middle of an ice cave. However, unlike an ice cave, it was structure. There were crystal chairs and tables. Even the fireplace was crystal. Where in the world was she and what changed in the four years.

Priority however was first to warm up. Flowing used her new mastery in Nature magic to create a pile of logs and threw them into the crystal fireplace. Next was ignition. Flowing quickly grabbed two crystal chunks and started scratching them together. As long as she can get a spark, she can set fire to tinder and eventually the fireplace. After a bit, she was successful and elated. At least she won't freeze in a couple of hours. Sighing, she sat next to the tiny flame and opened up her UI. She needed to find the nearest settlement, but she knew nothing about where she was, so it did not even show up on her map due to a fog effect over her map.

4 years, and she would need to wait for a little help.

@Bjorn Aegirrson

 

[Bjorn Aegirrson]

"Where exactly did I come from," the old bear questioned, looking back at the potential number of paths whence he came. Days had gone by since he decided to wander north, becoming more into his own traveling rather than putting up with other aspects of the game. But why was he avoided on the way here? Were the enemies docile? Did he come off as powerful despite being a new player? Or was his appearance easily mistaken for a monster? The world may never knew.

He was going to be curious about the rest of the game world at some point anyways. And his Beastfolk species was more partial to colder climates, although, he had yet to find another player with someone also sharing polar bear traits. Perhaps he missed them and headed off in the opposing direction, or by chance the man just so happened to be the first. Even without clothing, his own revealing a major portion of his upper body, Bjorn felt right at home with no harsher temperatures bothering him.

Not that it was a good idea to keep going like this either way. At some point he needed to rest, and the realism factor meant he required some form of camp to ease the fatigue.

Both of his ears perked up when he swore he heard a noise within the crystalline structures. Were those stairs? Actually, when did he leave the outdoors? The old man gave his situation a bit of thought ... then shrugged. He at least was going to have shelter from sky related weather phenomena and more brutal winds. Knowledge of weather required more research, something he should have done before once again going about his aimless ways.

And then he stopped underneath some kind of break in the crystal akin to a doorway. On the ground was a young woman of sorts, Bjorn staring as he processed the new situation. Right, staring was rude! He let out a chuckle and said to the woman near a small flame, "Ah! I'm terribly sorry I got lost in my wandering and ended up here. Didn't meant to just stare. I hope I'm not intruding on anything in particular, it's just I haven't seen another person in quite some time. Hmm. Suppose I need to get out of the habit of just not paying attention to where I'm going in favor of another peaceful stroll."

@Flowing Willowwhistle

 

[Flowing Willowwhistle]

Flowing continued to tap on her UI, trying to make sense of the new changes that Terrasphere has made over the course of its absence. Like her, Terrasphere has changed a lot. There was all these features that were not present during the time she played. All the masteries were different, all the familiar races seem so alien now. She had the opportunity to configure what she needed, but she never got to test them out, especially these alter masteries.

However, her hearing catches something. It sounds like the wind, but it had a lighter almost ethereal weight to it. Small whispers, like the gossip of children, penetrates the quiet. Flowing thought about it before readying her hand. Something spiritual was nearby and she could sense it. The Faerin racial trait was truly a fascinating ability.

Continuing to act oblivious, she activates her Hyper Sense, trying to seek out where the spirit magic user is. It stunned her for a moment. The information she is getting is almost overwhelming. It took a moment but she finally could sense Bjorn's location. Right behind her, just standing there. Flowing waited for him to attack, so she could dodge and perhaps counter.

However, the baritone jolly voice broke her tension. Sighing as her Hyper Sense deactivates, she pokes at the flame, watching it slowly build up in strength, before turning to face the bear man.

"Don't worry, I was just busy trying to keep myself warm," A half truth. Flowing sighed as she looks away. Another lost person, but, he was wandering... Perhaps his map was more updated compared to hers? Flowing then looks up again.

"Certainly you have a map that lets you see where you are now right?" Flowing asked, she had to make sure her hunch was right.

@Bjorn Aegirrson

 

[Bjorn Aegirrson]

By no means was he as skilled in magic as others at this point in his gaming experience, but there was something about the bear Beastfolk that drew spiritual energy towards him. It was minor, however, but noticeable enough. By now the man was aware of this and acted as though it were natural. It was no magic that he passively let loose, though in a way just as inorganic. His calmer smile, relaxed pose, and welcoming demeanor was evident. Bjorn was a good man to be around, and some people might have considered him a safety net that holds strong, yet held a careful grip.

"Do you mind if I join you? I'm completely fine here but then I suppose that, what was it, trait on me helped to not even notice when it's cold. A strange feeling knowing it's quite a bitter cold yet my skin pays no mind to it. Regardless I've been walking for a while and need a place to rest," he said. As he looked around this cavern, it seemed to be homely enough.

More so the crystalline table and chairs. "Did you make those over there? If so you at least figured out the best way to relax, though your sitting on the ground tells me otherwise unless you simply don't like chairs. Or they're stuck to the ground. Either way you asked about a map? Hold on a moment I think there was something in these menus," he said. Doing the proper gestures, he brought up the UI and moved on through it, speaking all the while, "Let's see here, inventory, status, logout-no I do not wish to logout at this current time thank you-aha! Here we are. Ah, well then, it seems I could have used this in the first place but I'm not sure how to proceed backwards."

He looked back at the young woman. "But I should introduce myself! I'm Bjorn Aegirrson, and really here to take causal strolls around this game."

@Flowing Willowwhistle

 

[Flowing Willowwhistle]

Flowing nods, acknowledging what she heard.

"Flowing Willowwhistle, I've been the game for a bit long," Flowing turns back to the fire, making sure that if she can at least keep the flame going. Luckily it didn't take long for the flame to develop and burn into a warm campfire. Now to answer the questions given to her. The faerin sighed a bit as she turns back to face the polar bear beastkin.

"Well, to be frank, I just logged in, like day 1," Flowing admitted as she picks up a weird crystal. It was not exactly cold as ice, but perhaps it was the large quantity of it that developed this cold climate. Flowing did not understand it entirely, but at least it is a start. "Last time I was in the game, this cabin was made of wood."

Flowing gets up and sits on a chair. The heat should spread and be contained in the cabin, so it should be fine to now leave it and relax on the chair. At least there's a way to leave this place when the time comes. For now, perhaps her wanderer company can indulge in her a few things.

"So Bjorn, you must have seen lots of things, happen to know anything interesting around say... Falderen?"

@Bjorn Aegirrson

 

[Bjorn Aegirrson]

Seeing as how the stranger did not oppose his being there, the man took a few steps in. If there was a working door this cavern might have been a safe haven of sorts, but alas, it was a spot with a not so fortified hole. Bjorn nodded to Flowing, as her name turned out to be, the woman saying she just logged in but was a veteran. "Aaah I see. I did overhear this game came back out of nowhere, though actually I was one of many who witnessed electronics being overtaken by the advertisement. Was on duty at one of the museums I work in one day and it was a mess when every screen was no longer what was supposed to be," the man replied, chuckling on the louder side of things. Sure there were annoyances he had with that, but all in all it was harmless by comparison.

At least it was within the museum itself.

Okay, he did not want to think about what happened in places where the screens were much more important.

Clearing his throat the quite near literal bear of a man said, "Regardless, I've only been in this game for a few days, most of it just traveling to get here. Actually I've barely involved myself with the actual game part and have just been walking around. Even if I didn't come out this way I would've wound up somewhere at some point. Though unfortunately with no point of reference to how things were before as what has been implied, I cannot say I know of anything interesting. At best I stop in towns to rest, have a chat with the locals, then continue on my way. In Falderen I met a couple people, two of which fairly new as I am, and helped fight off skeletons with a much older fellow. Spry for someone his age who was decades older than I am!"

"All in all though it seems the two of us are as lost as the other. Fine by me though. I don't wander around expecting everyone to know everything. Even back in reality we still discover new information and evidence all the time, reevaluating things experts once thought was the truth! If anything I'm half-debating whether I should go back the way I came or veer off elsewhere." The man took a moment to readjust his glasses. "Either way it may be prudent if, when it's time to leave, we head off together if you'd like. I didn't run into any trouble on my way here, but even with my limited understanding of these video games in general I know there's a challenge necessary to pass through at times."

@Flowing Willowwhistle

 

[Flowing Willowwhistle]

Flowing had begun to perhaps believe she should get her information about Terrasphere from another person. Someone like Bjorn seemed like the kind of person who brushed over what is going on in favor of personal expeditions or vagabond tendencies. Not the most reliable person to catch up on daily news. Regardless, the way back is at least not lost in a fog. As long as Bjorn's map is updated based on his travels, then he can lead them back to the nearest city.

"You sound like you work in an academic position," Flowing definitely was not unfamiliar with such talk. Being in university, she hears all sorts of jargon that spills out the mouths of her lecturers and more studious friends. A word vomit of knowledge that can only be understood immediately by similar word vomiting monsters.

"Well, I'm gonna have to solve my temperature situation first," Flowing sighed as she tapped her foot. How is she going to maintain her body temperature while they leave the cabin? Picking a piece of wood from the fire she made was not going to deliver her the warmth that she needed to maintain. There was no means to make a warm coat or some thick layer to keep her cozy and safe.

"We also need a plan of action... Okay, let's do this..." Flowing got up and puts her hands on the crystal structure that looked like a table. Using magic, she begun to hear the chirping of animals and the cries of cicadas, typical forest noises, as vines crept onto the table. Once they formed a box, Flowing opened her UI and copied what she saw on her map.

"This is where we are... I'm unable to see the map beyond this area we are in... Using what map information you have, can you direct me on what you have on your map and where perhaps the closest settlement is?"

@Bjorn Aegirrson