Welcome to a World of Strategy and Magic
You wake up in a cold sweat, but maybe it's not sweat. As you roll over you find yourself atop a grassy hill. The grass is wet all around you. Your eyes try to focus on the surroundings but all you see are the dim glow of what would appear to be some sort of purple fireflies. You look up to see several moons and you know you are not in Kansas anymore. By this time your eyes are adjusting to the moonlight and you start to see shapes...a distant treeline and what looks to be a path lay before you. It leads down the hill and you hear what seems to be music...it's very low but it seems to be coming from down this very road.
You walk for some time when you come upon what appears to be a large tavern. A large hanging wooden sign above the door reads Inn Somnia with some otherworldly scrawlings below it. You enter cautiously and you a greeted with aromas both flavorful and foul. The din of the crowd has your head spinning and you feel your feet go out from under you when barmaid grabs you and props you up against the bar.
 | "I'd be sayin you cou'n't hold yer ale...iffin I'd brought ya some. Ain't seen yous round dese parts afore...where'djou come from?" |
As your eyes begin to focus and your head stops spinning, you notice the barmaid who helped you to the bar. You'd like to answer her but you can't remember.
| "Well hon...can I at least getcha a draught er sometin'?" |
You just gesture a nod of compliance...
| "Dis'un'll be on me...you looks like you could use it. |
You look around and see all manner of people congregated here...some fairly strange creatures as well. Small green skinned creatures haggling with a very short man about a shipment of weapons. A fairly tall cloaked figure making some sort of gesture toward stocky little fellow that had just bellied up to the bar. There's a large open area where a couple of half human half horse were deliberating with a somewhat disgusting looking man beast...or is it a female...you're not really sure. Just then the barmaid comes back with your drink.
| "Dere ya go...drink up...oh and da feller in da corner over yonder said he'd like to speak wit'cha." |
You give her a nod and you head over to the table she spoke of...sipping your drink and warily watching all those around you. The shadowed figure beckons you forward and motions to sit down.
 | "Feel lost don't you?" |
You nod and sit in the seat he gestured to.
| "Name's Kailas...don't reckon you even know your name anymore so it's no use in asking. I've seen many like you in my time...what you have stumbled on is a bit of a crossroads. Only one like it now. There used to many holes left open when the world shattered. Oh yes, you heard me...the world shattered creating several parallel worlds. You must forgive me...I'm sure this is way too much for you to take in..." |
You shake your head and gesture him to continue his story.
| "Well well well...someone actually wanting to hear the tales this old fellow has to tell..." |
He motions to the barmaid to bring him another round and bring you one as well.
| "I'm what you might call a gatekeeper...I've travelled to each plane...each universe. There was a time when I would explore for days on end stumbling upon openings in time and space that took me to other worlds. This may sound like I am completely crazy...but I assure you it's the truth. When the great ones closed the gates there was but one gate left open leading from each world to this Inn...I'm not even sure where here is, but I'm sure the powers that be understood what they were doing when they set this up." |
The old fellow pulls a small leather bag out of his shirt pocket. He tosses it on the table and continues to tell his story after taking another drink.
| "I have been given a task to perform...the deities who governed the nexuses and brought about their collapse gave me that..." |
He points to the little leather bag on the table.
| "Not much of a prize considering what I had to give up...you see...I am part of this realm outside the other realms...this forgotten world where all roads lead. I can no longer ride the openings between worlds...and sadly I can no longer see my family...my friends...my home. Sure there are perks...free drink...plenty of good conversation...lots of fine women. In any case, I've been charged with giving those who somehow find those nexuses between this plane and others outside of the spider's web known as Shadowmere...a key. I know...I know...a key to what you say. This key will allow you passage to but one of the shattered realms. You may come and go as you wish, but you must choose wisely, for you can never enter any of the other doorways once you've taken your key." |
The old fellow gulps down the rest of his drink, sets down his stein, and points to the bag.
| "Well...it's time...you cannot stay here...you must take a key from the bag. You should not be afraid, for in time you will rule a great kingdom....this much I know. Well go on..." |
