I take a seat. "My thanks. As to the others, they left for the surrounding woods. I do not know when they will return. They have felt a particularly strong connection to natural environs since coming here, and an impulse to go out there arose when we came to our quarters. I urged patience, and at first they agreed, but it seems they reconsidered."
"It apparently isn't affecting me as strongly, but I feel an urge to go out there myself. Sir, we all have knowledge we did not have before, heck Rachel is confident she can use magic now. With these strange impulses thrown into the mix, I have to ask, what is happening to us?"
Edited: daishain on 20th Apr, 2017 - 6:12pm
"It was the same for me and the group I was with when we were brought here many years ago. I think it has something to do with the fact that we all were players of a Game called Dungeons & Dragons. I do not know if that game still exists in the 21st century but back in the early 80s it was very popular. That was the only common core we could come up with. Over the years my friends have died or gone to different worlds. Some of my friends developed magical powers once we got here and we thought we would have a edge with fighting some of these creatures here as we knew their weaknesses. We did ok with the less intelligent ones but the more intelligent they were the harder they were to kill. Those of us who are left have been forever changed and we still get in contact now and then to sit and wonder what our lives would have been like back on earth."
"If you include the games it has inspired, Dungeons & Dragons is not only still around, but it is more popular than ever."
"And yes, we noticed that connection as well. The three of us are among the few that still play one of the older versions of the game, though it has some differences between it and the version I suspect you played. We played it together in fact, though not all of that group is here."
"I suspect we are going to be dependent on your aid, at least until we adjust. What would you have of us in exchange for your continued hospitality?"
Out of Character: I think the other two are waiting on what happens when they get into the forest.
I walk into the forest and immediately feels at home. It's more than in my Army days, it's actually like I'm home. I can see games trails that would eluded back on Earth. I twist a branch in such a way that it doesn't hurt the plant itself, yet would be clear indication that I went in this direction and then I head deeper into the woods. After walking about five minutes I come to a clearing that I somehow knew would be there. The sun shines through, although is filtered somewhat by the upper boughs of the trees. "Single canopy forest, great Gnome and Elf territory," I think to myself. I stop here and take in the scenery, the smell, the feel of it all. "Yes, I'm home in this world when I'm here." I lean against a tree and take it all in, just waiting, thinking, and experiencing.
Doug looks to you. "I will discuss that with the three of you. For now have some cold cuts, cheese sandwiches. Yes the bread is sliced as well as the cold cuts. While I may not be on earth anymore we are not savages." He laughs, "I wish I could make more of the comforts we had in the days I was there I have done some nice things with the help of a few friends to make it much better. But eat and relax and we can talk later."
Dennis you feel a presence calling you deeper into the forest. You can see a slight glowing trail ahead of you leading you on. If you look back you can see your trial disappears even the markings you left for others to track you.
Rachel also feels the pull but in a different direction. She can picture a large lake in the woods not far from where she is. It is about a three mile hick up to a small plateau and just over the rise the lake. It is a spring fed lake that is clear and a large cave can be seen under the water. She feels that whatever is pulling her into the forest and towards the lake is coming from that cave.
After waiting a few minutes, I continue to answer the urge in me to go deeper into the forest. I look back and see the markers I left have disappeared, taken care of by nature herself. I feel some foreboding, but I continue on. I see a trail ahead and I take it, going deeper into the woods. I feel for my dagger and switchblade… satisfied they are both with me.
I frown with some impatience. Questions tumble through my mind, many of them of vital importance, and I had hoped at least some of the more pressing could have been addressed here.
Never mind, I suppose there is time. I try to relax, and partake of the food.
Soon Dennis comes upon a grove. The trees are in rings protecting this grove. You see a ray of sunlight coming straight down in the middle of the grove. Around the sunlight is a ring of mushrooms and then a ring of stone. You can see a symbol of nature the sunlight is striking. You feel at peace.