The Characters Meet Each Other

The lighthouse seems to be where everyone is congregating, whether it is because they saw others going there or because that is where they appeared on the island. Everyone shares the same confused look that says, "Why am I here?" Maybe answers may be found there.

After about half an hour, the man hanging from a rope on the lighthouse has climbed all the way to the top again and negotiated his way inside. In moments, he appears at the door to the lighthouse, winded but not sweating.

The light of the lighthouse continues to scan the dense fog. Near the entrance to the lighthouse is a brass plaque with the inscription:

"Sostratus, the son of Dexiphanes, the Cnidian, dedicated this to the Saviour Gods, on behalf of those who sail the seas."

At the bottom of the plaque is the number "1859".

The sky begins to lighten, but the fog seems to be persisting. A quick search of the area reveals the lighthouse (of course), a small, white one-story house and a dock, all relatively near each other. By the dock is a half-sunken boat. On the opposite side of the dock is a mooring for another boat, but the boat is not here. The dock has recently been damaged by some kind of blade hitting it in one small area. The wood there is still light-colored and not weathered.

A search of the house turns up a vintage sewing machine, an antique camera, both in near-perfect condition, many jars of preserves, cooking and eating utensils, as well as normal furniture. There is a trio of pictures on one wall. The first picture is of a middle-aged couple, the second is apparently the lighthouse, or so it would seem. In the second picture you can also see a couple other houses further down the beach. The third picture is of a fishing boat against a background of the ocean and sky. You also find a pair of fishing poles made of bamboo.

When the sky lightens a bit more, you also find an artesian well just outside the entrance to the house.

Standing at the top of the lighthouse, looking out, you can't really see very far. To the north (we'll call it north, anyway), you can see a rock jetty. To the northwest is the dock. To the west/southwest is the house. To the south, you see sand dunes stretching into the fog. Walking along the dunes in that direction finds you the other end of the island that you are on. The island is about 2 miles long and about half a mile wide.

The characters come together at the lighthouse

Those who may be looking in the direction of the dock will see Dana, a female of average sized and build with long blondish hair tied back in a pony-tail walking towards the lighthouse with "a confused look" on her face. (Also seems to be rubbing at a sore spot on her head.) She is dressed in dark blue scrub pants and a dark rose colored sweatshirt with an animal collage design on the front. There appears to be a stethoscope dangling from a belt of some kind around her waist.

Approaching the lighthouse and whomever else may be gathered there, Dana says, "Hello.... Does anyone know where we are or how we got here??"

Saif replies, "No on both counts, I'm afraid." Saif is a tall male with black hair, glasses, and a light beard. He is wearing jeans and a white T-Shirt that says "University of Utah Department of Biology". He is carrying a large textbook which, when you get close enough, you see is entitled "An Introduction to Genetic Analysis."

Walking up from the beach is a man with dark, shoulder-length red hair that looks black, a light read beard and mustache, a leather jacket, what appears to be a suitcase, or carry on case, holding a microphone in his hand. He has on blue jeans, white tennis shoes, a Yin/Yang earring, and not much else that you can see. As he approaches he removes his jacket, underneath is a black shirt with fantasy figures on it: a dragon, a wizard, a castle, a centaur, etc... all mixed together for a surreal appearance. It's a pretty cool shirt. Hearing the woman from the dock speaking he replies, "No, I was hoping one of you could tell me that. Name's Jeff."

Looking around, Saif says "So, white light? Did it rush you or did you guys rush it? You would think that after playing in AD&D games for years I would have learned the first lesson of adventuring by now: Never walk into the white light/black spot. My name is Saif. It's a pleasure to meet you all... regardless of the situation."

"Hmmm... yes, there was a white light... I was up on stage and then I was here... It didn't rush me it just surrounded me. But at least as a fellow role-player, we should be able to figure out what's going on... Yeah... sure we will..." Jeff chuckles, and looks to the rest for introductions and maybe some answers.

Walking towards the group, from the beach, you all see a tallish, yet slim, almost petite girl in her early 20s, dressed in black jeans, black shoes, a bodysuit with dark green roses, and a black leather trenchcoat. She looks up at you all, sweeps her deep red hair out of her face, her intense blue-grey eyes searching.... "Where are we?" she asks in a slightly wondering, but relaxed tone.

Looking intently at the boat you see an almost near tall (slightly less than 6') "young-adult," apparently in his mid- to late-teens. He looks uncomfortable in his dark blue, formal clothing (coat and tie), though his ratty, brown and black backpack makes the whole effect slightly comical. He turns to the main group, showing his brown eyes set in his plain face and topped with short brown hair.

Slightly awkwardly, he says "Hi, I'm Marshall. I think that, since we really don't have any idea where we are, we should pool our stuff and see exactly what we've got." With that he takes off his pack and starts opening various pouches.

"Let's see... I've got lots of paper, a few textbooks, a pencil and enough lead to last a few months, a calculator, and (pulling of his tie and throwing it in his pack) this. Besides seeing what we've got, we should also make sure everything is still mundane. After all, who knows what brought us here might have done?" Marshall continues rifling through his stuff.

John, a heavy-set man with dark hair and glasses wearing a Minnesota Timberwolves sweatshirt and black jeans emerges from a nearby house to join the gathering crowd near the lighthouse. Overhearing the comments from some of those gathered, he offers:

"I'm afraid I'm not of much help. From the looks of this plaque [gestures at plaque on lighthouse] I doubt we're even on Earth -- assuming, of course, the rest of you are from my home world as well. The light got me as well. I was on a company picnic, and all I had with me was my own pad and pen. Has anyone seen any sign of natives or a way we might communicate with other residents of this place?"

"Well, I guess it's my turn," the shorter light-haired man says. "My name's Greg, although I don't know that I've got much to add to the general inventory." He pulls off his Western Illinois University sweatshirt revealing a green flannel shirt with a white t-shirt underneath. "I don't have much to add besides this," he says, holding out the half-empty green canteen and smiling.

"Judging from the looks of things, we are all from the same world," he says, pointing to the Utah and Minnesota shirts, and then his own WIU shirt. "This is definitely not Colorado Springs, though. And no, there was no rushing light, I was just up in the Garden of the Gods hiking, and did a little too much staring at the sun. I thought."

Cassandra laughs... "I have a little money, some makeup, a comb, and a coupon for a free subway sandwich. And I agree that we're all from the same world. I'm from Boulder, Colorado." She smiles wryly, "Oh, and I have this..." She pulls her knife and flips it open, then, closes it up, and puts it away. "I'm an artist. My day job is being a cashier. I'm a long-time gamer too."

Greg continues, "Maybe we should look at group skills, too. I'm a computer programmer. By the looks of the furnishings, don't think there're any of those around. Either someone's a museum curator around here, or all this stuff is relatively new. Anyone see any electric lights?"

Marshall replies "Well, (smiling) I can put together a mean research paper but I don't think that will be much help either. I can run or walk a fairly long distance, but, again, that's not much use on a 2 mile by half a mile island. (Pauses, face straightens) From the way there are still cans of preserves here and there's a boat missing, I'd say someone's still living here." With that he walks over to the half-sunken boat and says, "Just in case we're stuck here, maybe we should try pulling this boat out." He takes off his pack and coat and sets them carefully on the ground. "Anyone else want to help?" he asks.

John says, "Well, I'll be happy to give you a hand. As far as my skills go, I'm also a programmer by trade, and a writer by avocation. I also have a background in astronomy, so when the sun -- or suns -- go down, I might at least be able to tell if we're anywhere on the Earth. That assumes, of course, that this bloody fog lifts."

Jeff starts, "I was in the army for a while, and I learned most hand to hand and weapon skills. But my sense of humor (read: big mouth) and general aversion to sunlight didn't make me too popular. I hurt my back so I got out of there."

"I didn't know we were talking about combat skills..." John goes on to say. "I took tae kwon do for a while, so I have the hand-to-hand covered (maybe...) I also know how to work a rifle, though somehow I doubt we'll come across one here. I do, however, know how to use a short bow -- I took classes in archery in college."

Saif laughs a bit. "That sounds like me. Purple belt in tae-kwon-do, but it's been years since I practiced. I'm pretty good with a rifle - mostly shooting .22s at water jugs - and I go on the archery deer hunt every year so I'm a fairly good shot with a bow. My best friend and I used to beat on each other with wooden swords when we were younger, but I don't think that's going to do me a lot of good right now." :)

Jeff interjects, "I learned Tai Chi, and I can use most weapons out there. I am Hawkeye with rifle 40/40."

"Hmmm, biology, astronomy, research, programming, medicine," says Greg, nodding to Dana, "well maybe veterinary, but still, we all seem to be well-educated types. All with an interest in gaming?" I walk down with Marshall to the boat and start digging around to remove some of the sand. "I'm not an expert, but I could also at least tell which direction is which by the stars, if they're familiar. I also know a little about sailing, although right now, I couldn't do anything but help crew. Maybe when I see what the boat's like, I'll know if it could be seaworthy."

"Actually, I'm a programmer as well, among other things. Though I'm also a writer and actor," adds Jeff. He gestures to the microphone in his hand. "And of course there's the stand up." He smiles. "All I have with me is mostly stuff for my act. Mostly magic stuff and props. a little makeup."

When it comes his turn, Saif steps forward and says "I'm kind of between vocations right now. For ten years I was an airborne linguist with the Air Force. If this place is some kind of alternate earth (nodding to the plaque John pointed out) perhaps some of my languages will eventually be useful. Along with my linguistic training I've gone through several survival courses, so if we get stuck in some forest somewhere I could help you all avoid the Bad Guys and show you which bugs don't taste bad.

"I quit that job at the first of the year. Right now I am... was... going back to school to earn a biology degree with the hope of going to medical school. I have a good chemistry and biology background now, but the thing that will probably be most useful is my EMT training. Although it probably doesn't mean much, if I saw the word "Cnidian" back home I'd be thinking of some kind of jellyfish. I'm not sure if that is the exact term, but something very similar to that is the name for jellyfish family.

"As for resources I'm afraid I don't have much, unless anybody has a burning desire to read up on DNA mutations and population genetics." After a few introductions Saif wanders over to the lighthouse. He seems to be particularly interested in the bronze plate.

Saif's mention of jellyfish reminds Dana of the word "Cnidaria," which is the phylum made up of jellyfish, barnacles, corals, and sea anemones. Seems appropriate, as they will find later.

John wonders aloud, "A funny thought just came to me: if we're not on Earth, why does that plaque on the side of the lighthouse seem to be written in English?"

Jeff answers with a smile, "It's not... It's Xenethian a language which through an unbelievable coincidence exactly mirrors our own."

Dana says, with a grin, "Leave it to the comedian... And I suppose the Xenethians also have the same mythology? The names in the inscription sound like something out of Greek history or mythology, but I'm no expert."

John groans. "That's the problem with us actors -- always looking for a straight line... " He smiles. "We do seem to have a lot of performers -- I've done some professional acting as well as sung and played keyboard. I was actually writing a song when I was shanghaied." He holds up pen and pad as evidence.

Jeff replies, "I was on stage doing stand up, though I doubt the microphone is worth much... though it is pretty sturdy." He blows into the microphone in his hand. "Testing, testing... Ah well, maybe it can be used as a club. heh heh heh..."

"Performers, huh?" asks Greg. "Well, I'm a French horn player. I can also play the other brass instruments, but that's probably not a good idea if there's any other choice.

"And we could be dealing with another language that gets translated automatically in our brains to English. Ever read C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy? Happens to Ransom in the first two books. Of course there, we're dealing with some kind of divine input. And don't forget the Babel fish in Hitchhiker's Guide. So we're left with two choices. Either God picked us up for some reason, or we're the victims of some bizarre alien abduction."

Jeff says, "For me, I'm hoping on the first... but then again, I'm a Quantum Leap fan. Of course there's the whole sci-fi space/time warp explanation."

After a moment, John adds, "Another explanation is the old 'Alternate Earth' scenario (sort of related to this)...or mass hallucination and the madness of crowds...or the law of parallel planet development (I forget whose -- a Star Trek reference)... Or we could all just be wasting our time." He smiles.

Brady finally emerges from the lighthouse. "I hope for the first too... I am not too fond of fish in places like my ear, or science I do not have some familiarity with..." Brady is a 6' tall lanky guy clanking with what seems a belt made of hanging metal things (a climbing harness and gear), wearing a blue and white flannel with a Tommy H. t-shirt underneath, blue jeans and hiking boots. He has climbing shoes hanging from his belt and a large backpack hanging on his back. He walks quickly down from the lighthouse to the rest of the people.)

"Sorry about the lag, I was a bit put out when I found myself hanging off of a VERY smooth surface with a rope that didn't reach the ground. Oh by the way do NOT climb that thing. Yuck. Oh, I am Brady."

Dana sees Brady after he emerges from the lighthouse. "HI BRADY!!!! Nice to see a familiar face." She gives him a brief, friendly hug.

"Hey Dana! Where's your significant other? I bet he'll be pissed when I'm not there to pay rent. heh heh. I guess I heard a few intro's on the way down, so here is me...

"I am presently an Information Systems Manager with my B.S. in MIS. I do more filing right now that managing... I have never gamed a day in my life... just most of the evening and nights of my childhood (which hasn't ended.) As for my skills, I guess I can climb, but there is only one thing here to climb and I can't climb it. Otherwise, I majored in dating in both high school and college and failed Commitment 101 and meaningful relationships 201. I happen to enjoy just about any group activity and I would love to pull that boat out of the water with you guys, just after I figure out if my arms still work from shimmying up that rope."

"I took Tae Kwon Do, Aechin Ryu, little ninjitsu," volunteers Brady. "A little of this a little of that can be as dangerous to me as anyone else. BUT, I am pretty competent with a gun, although my Dad is a better shot. I have been shooting since 1st grade. Dad bought me a .22, no really grew up in a hunting family in North Dakota, I probably would have had a gun earlier if my mom wouldn't have had a say. Anyway, I am no sniper mind you but I can tend to hit what I am aiming at, rifle or pistol. Archery I have always been weak on though. I have a great bow and no skill. Sucks to be me.

"I like to woodwork, so I will definitely help rebuild the boat and hang a hammock. I am not GREAT at it but I did help put the hull of a kayak together once, long time ago when the world was much taller, and school consisted of recesses too."

"Oh my equipment. A 50m Dynamic Lead Rope, 30 bingers, a Spirderco Delica knife, Flashlight with night filters, protection for climbing (A friend bunch of wired nuts passive hex cams, a ton of tube webbing, a climbing harness, leather jacket a half liter of water in a liter bottle, some chalk, a backpack, and some other stuff."

"I was doing a little night rappelling with my buddy and girlfriend and I heard some click looked down and there was no ground. Kind of sucked."

To everyone else, Dana says, "Hi, I'm Dana. I was in the middle of an emergency at the vet hospital where I'm interning to become a vet technician when all of a sudden everything went white and here I am. I suppose between me and Saif, we'll have any medical situations covered." A smile in the direction of the dark haired man in glasses. "As far as stuff to contribute to the general horde, or make that hoard, I have a few needles and syringes, various scissors, pens and paper, tape, stethoscope, thermometer, calculator, hemostats, and a few other odds and ends in my belt pouch - a very handy little piece of equipment, I might add. Sometimes I find things in it I didn't know were there - a mundane version of a Pouch of Many Things." She grins. "Oh, yeah - I'm a gamer, too. Other skills - hmmmm.... I've studied biology/veterinary medicine/animal science for most of my life, I know a bit about science and history in general, I've done a fair bit of camping and hiking in the Rockies so I can get around in the woods and mountains, and I at least used to be a fair shot with a handgun and rifle, should the need arise and the weapons present themselves."

Dana glances around at the house, the lighthouse tower, the docks, etc... "Looks like the sun is coming up", indicating the lightening sky, "so I would guess that would be east. And that also means I have the whole day ahead of me, just when I thought I might get to go home early for once." sigh

Saif heads down to the pier to give the others a hand getting the boat.

"I'll let you big, strong male-type people pull that boat out of the sand. I didn't get lunch, again, so I'm going to check out the house and scrounge up some chow - Anyone else hungry?"

Jeff replies, "I am... Be glad to help... physical efforts aren't my forte' but then again, I guess that's why all of my career choices are what they are... Programming, Writing, acting, singing, stand-up, not exactly macho man jobs." Jeff chuckles and heads off to help Dana with the meal. "I can, however, cook up a storm."

Dana looks to Jeff: "Okay, Jeff, sounds good. I hope there something edible inside. I'd like to take a good look at what there is inside the house, too."

The red-haired girl looks around. "I was just walking around downtown at night with my best friend. We were looking at a particularly good-looking guy and whispering when the light came at us. I'm surprised she's not here too." She looks at the stocky guy. "By the way, I AM from Earth too. My name is Cassandra."

Brady says howdy to Cassandra, then notices the plaque on the lighthouse. Noting the comment made others, he thinks aloud, "Oh, Sostratus reminds me of Stratus an early Greek Christian who was martyred. I think that was his name. I have no clue."

Continue to The Day Begins .