The EARTH story - May 8, 1372
After about two hours you come to a small cave complex at at point where the passage forks. One branch continues west, while another runs off to the southwest.
A tribe of strange-looking, bipedal creatures have made a settlement here. They are about 7' tall, rather bear-like in form, and entirely covered in shaggy white fur. There are several dozen of them.
In the middle of the area is a central cave. Here a fire burns, kept fueled with dried fungus. Scattered about are quite a few bones. From your ethereal vantage point you recognise a number of human bones, perhaps some gnome bones, and what may be elf or drow bones...all well gnawed.
Aldarin asks, "Well. Do we destroy these creatures or leave them be?"
"While I see little need to immediately attack these primitive creatures," Mikodin asserts, "there is something to be said for making sure all escape routes are left open."
Aldarin says, "I agree. Either way, these creatures may be evil. Does anyone know of these creatures or have the ability to determine that?"
"Unfortunately, I have never seen creatures such as these," Brennon comments, "But it obvious they care not for other species."
"Will they be able to detect us in our present condition?"
Raz frowns slighty and says, "Unless they are a direct threat to us or others I think we should levae them alone. They could just be scavangers and shouldn't be able to hurt us in our present state."
Jon looks thoughtful. "But shouldn't we give the unfortunates a proper burial, especially the humans and elfs?"
Jon detects for magic while astral on the bones and remains.
Everything radiates magic.
Jon exclaims, "Now that's an interesting effect. I wonder why?"
Farad laughs. "Because what we call magic is simply the energy of the outer and inner planes that we tap into. You are now standing in the middle of some of that energy source, thus your spell does not function as you would expect it to."
The elf points to his magic sword. "Remember that... other things also are different. For instance our blades and other magical equipment are not as powerful here as they are at home."
"Ooooh...it's a complex magical world and I have lots to learn...adventure is the spice to life and an education as well...if I can stay from dying yet again and again...Could I continue to study with you during our breaks? By the way, how does invisibility work here???"
Farad smiles. "The same as it does elsewhere."
In the end you continue on your way, leaving the creatures be...for now.
About midway through your day's journey, you suddenly become aware of a pair of ghostly forms, approaching you rapidly out of the deep ethereal. They quickly become more substantial as they get closer, and you see them to be two men: one garbed as a mage; the other as a warrior. Before you can react, they pause, and the mage calls out to you.
"Hail, travellers! Have you just lately crossed over from the Prime? What news have you? Do the wars still go on?"
Farad shakes his head. "Its a large world. To which wars do you refer?"
Jon exclaims, "Wooo Wow Wow WOW...and they talk! There are always wars. Which one did you mean, gentlemen?"
"What do you mean, 'they talk'??" says the fighter, gruffly. "Do you insult us?"
Jon bows low. "Please accept my humble appologies. My name is Jon. I was overcome with awe. I normally don't talk for this esteemed group, having only recently joined them. What war were you talking about? I am not very well travelled but perhaps another party member will know."
"Peace, Kraman, we do not need to seek out battles where none threaten," says the mage to the warrior. He replies to Jon: "I refer to the Greyhawk Wars."
"We come from a prime," Beth says, "the one that this region of the Ethereal borders. We're just barely ducking into here for our travels. Whence do you hail? How long have you been?"
"We have been gone six long months," replies the mage, "Visiting a settlement deep in the Ethereal, which is known to us. We hail from Verbobonc, on Oerth, whose borders you skirt."
Beth throws a glance at Farad. "We're actually from Earth, which is pronounced similarly, but which is a different world. These caves we had thought were underneath our own land, but it may be that we passed through a portal without realizing it. We once before met some travellers from your world; our guess was that they had passed through a portal."
"We actually were on your world at one time, briefly."
The mage strokes his long, scruffy beard.
"Earth? One of the legendary Home Worlds?" he asks, "More likely one of its myriad namesake worlds."
"In our prime," Beth sighs, "the wars go on, and indeed seem to be building."
"Such are the times," says the mage. "Evil and chaos seem to be arising everywhere."
Beth sighs. "Yes. What form does the evil take on your world?"
"Oerth?" says Jo-owrn, slowly, "Maybe those other fellows were right!"
Beth nods. "Makes you think."
"The evil takes many forms on Oerth, though I suspect that the dominant one during the current conflict is Iuz, a half-demon demigod who rules a kingdom of the same name," replies the mage. "It all started with a barbarian uprising in the north last year. I would never be surprised if he were behind that, as well."
Jon says in a quiet, thoughtful voice, "Do they have Drow on Oerth??? We have been killing quite a few around here recently...and they've killed me and some of the others. But we are determined and our friends are powerful."
"That is good," says the gruff warrior, "For the Underdark of Oerth is the domain of the drow...and other deadly creatures who shun the Light. Beware the High Priestess Eclavdra! She is forever seeking to expand her dominion, and add new slaves to her domain."
"Perhaps one day in the future I will be able to travel this way and come visit and advise how we fared. I wish you good luck and a happy adventful life. Please take this scroll as a gift to help you on your way."
The mage bows to Jon, taking the scroll.
"You are a true gentle-elf, my friend! In return for this gracious gift, I have nothing to offer in return save for this potion of invisibility."
From his belt pouch he produces a small vial.
"Is there anything around that you guys have seen that we should be aware of...that is that we might want to avoid?" asks Kelar, "There are some creatures back yonder that don't seem to be hurting anything...but you guys seem to know a little more about this area than us."
The mage shakes his head.
"We are just recently arrived from the deep ethereal. We know little of the area. We are returning to Geoff, which, if my calculations are correct, lies to the north of here."
When you are finished speaking with the mage and the warrior, you bid them farewell, and continue to follow the tunnel. They, in turn, move upwards through the rock, making for the surface of what, you now realise, must be Oerth.
The rest of the day's journey is uneventful.