Mine journey through worlds most Strange did commence without fanfare. I was in one moment with feet most firmly planted upon familiar soil, not twenty lengths from mine dwelling beyond Sylfeshara, and in the next I had stepped forth into the greatest adventure of mine life.
Table of Contents
Act the First: The Journey Doth Begin
Zumdan begins with a lengthy description of the first world he journeyed to, which he calls the Land of Isles. He recounts how he, lost and alone in a tropical jungle, made his way to a small village of island-dwellers who did not speak Common. At first these unfamiliar, even
savage people were hostile towards him, but he cleverly offers up one of the two things he happened to have with him: his coin purse. Zumdan notes that one thing he will learn throughout his journeys is that precious metals are universal. This seemed to smooth their ire over his presence. Zumdan stayed with them for a time, initially keeping track of the days mentally and then in a small journal provided by his hosts. However, he realized over time that the days seemed longer than at home and he wondered if perhaps time might be passing more slowly wherever he was. Zumdan thoroughly explored the small island where this village appeared to be the only settlement, picking up a bit of their language as he became integrated with their culture. He was astonished to find that they didn't appear to use any magic at all and didn't understand him when he tried to inquire about it.
Zumdan eventually came to the conclusion that staying on this island with these
primitive people would not get him any closer to getting back home. An islander was planning to set out for another island to learn from a teacher there, so Zumdan tagged along, hoping to find something that could help.
Zumdan slightly glosses over the next several years he spent in this world, trekking from island to island in search of any information that could get him closer to home. He became fluent in the local language which helped. Until he traveled far across the sea to a much larger island they spoke a different language. However, his original travel companion came with him on his quest and was able to assist with translations.
Zumdan tracked down world travelers, educators, experts and the experienced, anyone who might possibly have some insight into how he could travel to what he at that time assumed to be a far distant part of the world. However, when these people had never heard of anything remotely like the Four Kingdoms, and indeed treated his descriptions as though they were impossible, he transitioned to searching instead for folklorists, witches, shamans, people shunned from their communities for madness or transgression, anyone who might have a connection to the mystical and arcane. For a long time, he was deeply disappointed by what he found, describing them as "either charlatans, lunatics, or dreamers as hopeful as I."
Until he went to check out a location that was rumored to be a portal to another world, children warned to stay away for fear of being stolen by the
patupaiarehe, which Zumdan translates as the Fair Folke.
Zumdan claims this is the second time that he crossed worlds. After an arduous journey through deep jungles, becoming separated from his trusty Isle traveling companion, and battling a wild beast with golden stripes, Zumdan stepped through an archway of vines and into a glade filled with floating lilies tethered to the ground by long roots but otherwise bobbing through the air in a nonexistent breeze. He calls this
the World of Wonders.
Zumdan relates how he encountered the people native to this world, , who were not immediately hostile but were all too happy to play tricks upon him. He remarks that he is glad he caught on to their need for amusement early on and was able to feed into it with stories and games. He believes that had he not, he certainly would have been subjected to much less pleasant sport. Zumdan is uncertain of how long he spent there, because the time of day seemed more related to location than the passing of time. The natives appeared amused and bewildered in turn by his need for sleep. He took to taking naps rather sleeping for long periods, for fear that they would grow bored during his slumber and decide to play with him in a manner that he would not prefer. He is relieved also that language did not appear to matter there. He knew they did not speak Common or any language that he recognized, yet he understood them when they spoke. And in turn, they understood him regardless of the language he used.
After an unknown amount of time in this place, Zumdan met someone he calls the Wanderer, who did not appear to be one of the
patupaiarehe, but rather a mortal person like Zumdan himself. This person told a story of having accidentally stepped through an archway and ending up in this world, then ultimately deciding to stay. The Wanderer is the first person who asked Zumdan what "plane" he was from. Zumdan notes that term very carefully, and first assumed it referred to some physical realms within the World of Wonders. Then it became clear that the Wanderer was referring to other worlds and recognized that Zumdan was not originally from the Land of Isles.
Zumdan acknowledges the invaluable help that the Wanderer provided in devising his plan for getting home.
