Hard Landing

[Xaraphim]

"I didn't have a vehicle," he replies. "You must be referring to that githyanki ship that I...arrived with."

He purses his lips slightly. "The last I saw of it, however, it was quickly fragmenting. I'm assuming that the explosion I heard soon after was from the ship impacting with the ground. It may have exploded in midair, though."

He shrugs.

"And this," he says as he hefts his rifle "is just my assault rifle. Standard-issue except for a custom grip and a better targeting AI than the stock program that's usually given to our troops."

When Gareth steps out of hiding he tilts his head. Turning, he quickly makes out the profile of a tiefling. Having never encountered one before, and having recently come from a nasty fight with a demon army he quickly makes the logical assumption.

Before his conscious mind can act he has already raised his weapon into firing position as he simultaneously puts himself in between Gareth and Elwyn: his left foot pointed towards the target, right foot at a 45 degree angle forward, rifle butt tucked against his right shoulder and finger on the trigger.

He instantly recognizes the non-hostile posture of the creature, however, and stops himself from squeezing the trigger. Adrenaline courses through his veins, unspent, causing him to shake almost imperceptibly.

True, Gareth may resemble a demon, but he has committed no hostile act as of yet and so Ven holds his fire. Still, he's on an unfamiliar world with no real hope of ever seeing another familiar face as long as he lives. Perhaps he's a little edgy because of this, or perhaps he's just naturally cautious.

The whole amount of time from when Ven notices Gareth to when he draws down on the tiefilng could be measured in a little less than two seconds. Ven curses softly to himself and calls out to the newcomer.

"You there, identify yourself." He tries to keep his tone polite but firm, hoping not to appear too agressive to the xeno, but not wanting to appear soft either.

[Gareth Ravenmantle]

Gareth leans his arms comfortably on the tree trunk and rests his head in the palms of his hands.

"So you come down to MY planet and decide to order me around and threaten me? Now I don't know exactly how it works in your apparently barbaric culture on your violent planet, But down here we have the common decency not to shoot the first person we see, Now if you would lower your weapon i would be EVER so grateful"

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Using his monk training, he ducked under Ven's arm, and stood in front of it, so it wasn't pointing at Gareth, "Please, there is no need for bloodshed, it is not the way to solve this. I vouch for this man, for what it is worth."

[Xaraphim]

He glares at Elwyn briefly, more due to the sudden movement than anything else. He looks to Gareth, rifle held in one hand and aimed to the sky as it half-rests against his shoulder.

"Fair enough. You'll note your glaring absence of perforations, I hope. Now I'll ask again: who are you?"

He gives Gareth an even gaze; he seems not to be trying to be too forceful, but he certainly doesn't look like he's prepared to back down anytime soon.

"Pardon me if I seem excitable. I'm out of my element and I've run afoul of fiends recently. To be honest, you look like one."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Elwyn bowed, and stepped to the side, "Please forgive me, I am not one for battles."

[Gareth Ravenmantle]

"What is there to know, I am Gareth Ravenmantle, Ranger, Wind-rider, And follower of Eilistraee. Now are there anymore threats you with to give out or are you all done?" Gareth said with a pissed off expression and an angry tone not heard since his days of child hood in his village.

He was up from his seat on the log now with his hand on the hilt of his long sword.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Elwyn shrugged, and seeing Gareth's hand on his weapon, tensed, ready to envelope himself and Xaraphim in a sphere of magic resistant adamantine, from the big gourd on his back, but he decided against any action yet.

[Xaraphim]

His voice remains calm, his gaze unwavering...and his finger just millimeters from his trigger (though his rifle remains casually resting against his shoulder still).

"I've offered no insult, nor threats," he says. "I am, like any rational, sapient creature more than ready to defend myself. And you were previously hiding. Add the horns into the equation and I have cause for alarm."

He pauses a moment, one eye arched ever so slightly.

"Still, so long as you have no interest in attacking me, then I have a similar disinterest."

He looks to Elwyn, then back to Gareth.

"And none of those names are familiar to me, I'm afraid. Who's 'Eilistraee?' And come to think about it...what's a 'planet?'"

[Gareth Ravenmantle]

Gareth stared in disbelief at Lt. Ven before trying to explain to the best of his abilities.

"Ermm... Well... A planet is our term for a world, So basically im saying you came to our world, Our planet. A ranger is a profession of mine, It means i am useful in the bow and short swords and i can live in the wild without any help easily. And Eilistraee is my goddess. And last but not least, A Wind-Rider can ride giant beasts and can tame them. Back when i was a child in my village, my father was a Wind-Rider, He took me to ride his griffin... And before you ask, a Griffin is a giant predatorial bird. But once you have tamed them they can be as gentle and as loyal as anything can. I can ride anything big enough for me to fit on, Not just Birds."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Elwyn stepped forward "Well a griffin is like a cross between an eagle and a lion, is what he means." He relaxed, since it appeared as though no fight was imminent.

[Xaraphim]

He nods thoughtfully as Gareth describes the various names. He knows of gryphons, though the thought of actually riding one seems novel to him.

"I think I'm beginning to understand a little," he says.

Then his expression clouds somewhat. He chews his lip absently for a moment.

"So...do any of you know anything about planar anomalies?"

[Gareth Ravenmantle]

"I have no idea, But someone might know, somewhere. All i know is out planet hasnt been running into troubles so far. You might want to ask around for a scientist or someone knowlagble about the subject."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Elwyn scratched his head, "What do you mean planar anamalies? I fancy myself as a planar enthusiast, perhaps I could help?"

[Xaraphim]

He nods to Gareth by way of thanks then turns to regard Elwyn with a mixed look of hope and trepidation discernible to a keen eye. He holds out a hand and keys up the holographic display of what his recon drone is seeing.

Among the various bits of information written on the air in drow--including the probe's height, current temperature relative to Ven's position, average world temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc. it shows the continent of Faerun. To the South is Zakhara, and to the East lies Kara-Tur. However, Kara-Tur appears to be distorted, almost as if it were being bent somehow.

A few waggles of his fingers and small box appears, filled with bits of data.

"Hmm...well, it hasn't progressed any since I last checked. That's a good sign, I suppose..."

ooc: Due to the curvature of the planet it looks (to Ven, at least) as if the world were being 'eaten' from the outside in. Also, his probe is in geosynchronous orbit with the world, Yes, he wouldn't know to make it orbit like that, but the probe is based off of magnetic levitation. It simply pushes against the ambient gravity to propel itself, and hence is immune to the Coriolis Effect...somehow...

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Elwyn's face was a mask of confusion, "What hasn't progressed? And I still do not understand this planar anomaly?." He walked up right next to Ven, "And what do those symbols mean?"