[Walkabout] *grabs conch shell*

[senpaidol]

Okay.

This looks pretty weird for a Jaunt, huh? I don't see most of the people I expected to, or anyone native. It's almost like we were shipwrecked without a ship, right?

Anyway, this kinda thing usually goes badly pretty fast in books and movies, so I think we should get organized early. Everyone who can hear me, let's please gather up and figure out who's here, what we can do, and what we're supposed to be doing. I haven't seen any natives or people acting like natives at all, so I don't think we have to worry about being suspicious.

The first thing I think we want to worry about is who's here and what we know how to do. I've never even been so much as camping, but I do know how to coordinate people when we're exploring. Got all kinds of magic stuff to do things like mapping, detecting monsters (which'll probably work on like, animals too), giving information to and from people really fast, and uh, literally helping anyone with anything. I don't totally understand the how on that last one, but basically anything you can do I can figure out a way to help.

Oh, and if we can't find food or water easily, I can turn into a Synthetic and save a little bit of that.

So yeah, sorry this isn't the most professional thing, but I think we should all check in and coordinate stuff here, so we can figure out what we're going to do...

[She forgot to mention her own name, though.]

((OOC: And oh yeah, feel free to use this post to ICly organize exploration groups if you aren't doing that elsewhere/off-camera.))

[walkabout]

[stopinthenameofawe]

Well this is going to be fun. [the sarcasm does manage to come through.]

So, hate to be needy right off the bat, but if I don't there is a decent chance I would wind up accidentally murdering someone so it's probably better to get it out of the way. The people I normally get blood from aren't here, and I can't go to Liminal and summon up any for myself. If someone would be willing to go to Liminal Space and make me some periodically, or volunteer to let me take some, that would be great. [and by great she means the Beast wouldn't make her go crazy and just take blood from whoever it could.]

[Jaunt-Locked] Where's Gregory Peck when you need him

[howexciting]

[The first part of Leonardo's broadcast seems to be a misfire, in only that it is quiet and almost disbelieving.]

Non è possible... this is... home? Italia...?

We are in the Kingdom of Naples... no, that is back in my time, this is Campania felix... Dio mio, we're in Stabiae--

[There is silence for a good fifteen minutes, as Leonardo prepares and questions the populace. Then, he finally comes on the Network.]

For anyone who is listening, I have some good news. And some bad news. The good news is that I have located our exact location in space and time. We are in Stabiae, an ancient Roman resort which Pliny the Elder described in detail in his records. The year, at least according to the gossip of Emperor Nero's daughter, Claudia Augusta, and her recent death, and the recent appointment of Titus Vespasian as the governor of Africa Proconsularis, indicate that this is the Year of Our Lord 63.

The bad news is that in sixteen years, this place will be completely destroyed with ash, much like the city just five miles north of here, Pompeii. In fact this entire region will be flooded with molten earth and ash, and be consumed entirely. Further, Emperor Nero is on the throne, according to The Natural History, as written by Pliny the Elder... and I am sure you have heard of the stories of Emperor Nero.

I will be referring to myself during this Jaunt as Leontius Florentinus Vincio. Just Leontius will do, if you see me, but it is the best translation of my name I could come up with on short notice. If you require names to blend in, please, let me know and I will do my best to translate... or transliterate your names, should it be impossible. They usually come in three names, though sometimes two in women's cases, that being her name and the name of her husband. But it can be more or less depending on one's epic deeds or acts of heroism, or simply their fame throughout the Empire.

Further, a few points of advice on etiquette. Men are expected to wear togas. [He briefly livestreams a picture of himself in a toga and traditional sandals.] Ladies, do not wear a toga, like the men, unless you would like to be mistaken for a prostitute. Instead, find or make a stola. [He briefly livestreams a random gaggle of women walking past, each one wearing pretty stolas and giggling amongst themselves.]

Secondly, if you are to claim family ties, keep in mind which one is the eldest male in your "family". If you are a father, grandfather, or sometimes an elder brother or elder cousin - you are in charge, and you are expected to be obeyed no matter what. Younger brothers might or might not, depending upon the will of the deceased father, but... it is best if you choose your family ties wisely. If you argue in public, people will grow suspicious, or they will believe you are uncivilized and will try not to speak to you. Obviously, this would be difficult to further our investigation.

It is probably best to claim that you are from distant parts of the Empire if your native homeland is from outside Ancient Rome's bounds. Perhaps you can claim you are traders from distant lands, but you will not be treated as Roman citizens, that way. Many of the outer provinces were treated lesser than the inner provinces. Still, it is worth a try, to maintain appearances and keep our illusion going.

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask me, but try not to come to me in person. I wish to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

[Jaunt] This place is home...

[venetianprince]

When Feliciano realizes where he is, his first reaction is shock. The second reaction is an ache in his heart, and the third reaction is to burst into tears.

And his sobbing echoes throughout the network in his relief.

Rome...! We're in Naples, we're in the Imperium Romanum...! This is my grandfather's house, this is my childhood home-

He takes a while to compose himself, but soon continues speaking.

Leonardo has already offered his help, but I can be useful too...! I lived through this, I remember all of it, all of these places- I remember everything! My grandfather taught me so much, and I never forgot. If anyone needs help navigating the land or the culture, please, feel free to ask me.

I'll be going by the name Felix Romulus Valeria, if anyone needs to find me. It was the name I went by back then.

[Jaunt] the bug is angry

[virioncomplex]

What the fuck? What the fuck!

-=unlike when he was infiltrating as a human, his voice still sounds harsh and whispery (though loud enough over the network) and he is clearly in a tizzy about something=-

How do you mammals move around like this? I can't- it's all just out there?? I can't take a step without this impractical sack of meat and skin bouncing around between my legs.

What the hell am I doing wrong? Are you supposed to tuck it away somewhere so walking doesn't feel like you're punching yourself in the dick over and over again? What is wrong with nature, this is such a horrible design.

[Walkabout] Evening of the first day

[itsananimalthing]

Okay, kids. Don't know how many of you know shit about livin' where there's no roads or pre-packaged dinners, but this is what I've been doin' half my life. So listen up.

First thing we need is water. Found that. It's south-east from where we landed, looks like this.

[And he gives them a livestream of the brook he's found trickling out to the ocean proper. It's not like your normal livestream, in that Riddick's vision is tinged bright violet, seems to focus mostly on heat and movement, and if you can parse through both of those things, you can tell it is completely unhampered by the darkness.]

Nobody come down here yet, though. There's predators on this island, or there were last time I was here, and most of 'em are nocturnal. So stay put and stay together until dawn, much as you can. Might even be smart if we did our sleeping in liminal space, until we find some sign there's still people here.

Second thing we need is food. There's animals here we can hunt, and probably some edible fruit and shit, but we've got liminal space, too. Anybody who can make food we can actually eat, do that. I'm gonna pop into liminal space to give it a shot myself, here, in a minute.

There used to be people on this island. Used to be, it was kept protected by a force field thing. I think that's probably still there, so don't go swimmin' out too far, or you'll hit it. Nasty shit happens when you do that. Ain't seen any sign of the people yet, but that don't mean they ain't here somewhere. Think that should probably be thing number three. Findin' out where the people went to, if they're still here somewhere. Might be a good idea to start searching this place in the morning.