Go ahead and create an OoC thread, we can compile the info from there. And don't worry about delays or feeling lazy. I have those days too, so don't sweat it. - Instead of the seasons moving more quickly, I think it'd be more interesting to just have them be very erratic and strange. You could even have magic-infused storms like.... Rusting snow, razor sleet, skin-flaying sandstorms, healing fog, or hallucination-inducing rain. You could have dust devils in an arid plateau that last for centuries because their stabilized by a nearby wellspring of magic (or something). Magic = endless possibilities. While I think its an overly simple way of doing it (more accurately, my inner storyboard artist is loathe to accept it), we'll tentatively codename the fantasy world "Rathe" or something--your choice. I'd prefer to keep this creative momentum going than for me to start nitpicking names, so I'm discarding my apprehension for now. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up liking it later! - As for weather, I completely agree with your assessment. While it may be nice to get the technical stuff out of the way first, its likely better to leave a good majority of it open to interpretation. Just like in real life, there often isn't one true answer. Unless you want to wax philosophical for awhile, it's probably best just to do a rough outline of known traits and leave the rest to roleplaying or future discussions. Otherwise there won't be much of a mystery left to explore! - So we've settled for automatic translation of bodies, common knowledge, and basic language then. Cool. That makes thing mega-convenient. - Since D&D has a fairly elegant way of explaining these sorts of shenanigans, I'll offer the following for further discussion: [i]Coterminality[/i] Both worlds exist within the same space and only a thin existential boundary sits between them. In some places this boundary is thin and weak, enough that the reality from one world bleeds over into the other, creating a "coterminus" point of contact between them. These windows or gates to another world can be permanent or temporary, or have specific conditions for passing through them; some may only allow travel in one destination, so you could from Earth to Rathe, but not return. In context, it would simply mean that our heroes and others like them, have the ability to travel across this boundary because of their special trait. There may also be a prerequisite that the boundary must have been weak in the first place, so the real ability being put to use is one where our heroes can tear holes in the thinner spots. Then conflicting realities on either side correct the anomaly and patch the holes, like a wall or veil that can self-repair. Thus, getting swept away by cherry blossoms is really an instance of our heroes being in the right place at the right time when Rathe(?) bleeds over into Earth. They fall through to the other side because the rule dictating they must die first doesn't apply. A cosmic accident you might say, but one that enlightens our heroes to how much grander (and ostensibly stranger) their worlds really are. The world our heroes occupy will correct/rewrite their existence (so body, clothes, knowledge, language, etc) enough to fit the reality of that world. And that's all the technical bits you'd have to cover without getting into technobabble and hair-splitting. - As for the singularity event, the consequence of reaching it in either world could be very catastrophic. But it's only dangerous because the rapid advancements in magic and technology outpace a human's understanding of what's going on. So humans (or some fantasy species) may rise to the challenge while others are consumed by the inexorable tides of change. It's very Darwinian. The question becomes "will civilization, as our heroes know it, survive the transition"? Probably not, but answering this question, and a lot of the moral baggage that comes with it, will probably be the driving force behind characters' actions and agendas. So... things like: Is allowing the singularity to happen worth the risk is poses to both worlds? Would it be better to undermine it until can more easily handle the transition? If so, when is the right time? How would it be possible to even assess the risk or, for that matter, develop any kind of expectations of the resulting environment? How different will the Earth and Rathe(?) be? Do I want this to happen? Will I forestall or hasten its arrival? The difference in beliefs and the ambiguity of the outcome would cause the enlightened souls who realize what's happening to separate into different cults of belief. Some these groups may be at odds. So instead of good and evil, its more shades of grey. How the agents of these groups conduct their activities casts them in a more righteous or malevolent light. Do the ends justify the means? Who is goal is more noble or more right, when no one knows what the inevitable outcome? The bickering is over speculation of a perceived threat. But is that the right way to think about it? May their is no "right" answer. So for example, maybe an agent does endanger our heroes loved ones because, to the agent, his/her own loved ones would be at risk, if s/he didn't. Maybe the agent is a fanatic knuckle-dragger incapable of thinking for himself. That makes the agent more pitiable than irredeemable, doesn't it? What if all options suck, but one of them must still be chosen? Clearly distinguishing good and evil can make things easy, but doing so often denies the rich and intriguing [i]human[/i] aspect its due time in the spotlight. There will always be extremists, but I'd be hard-pressed to say these groups, despite their alien beliefs, wouldn't have at least a few down-to-earth(/down-to-rathe?) average joes along for the ride. - I like your factions idea. Though in following my earlier premise, you could also categorize them as heroes, singularity supporters, and singularity opposition. Or... to give them a little more flare "Awakened", "Singularity Seekers", and "Samsaran Collective"... I guess... *shrugs* - We're definitely in agreement there. Once we determine the basics, we're ready for play. Everything else is left a mystery [i]on purpose[/i], so there's a story to unravel along the way. - I don't expect Earth to be forgotten so easily. When you experience something new for the first time, isn't it typical to compare it a previous experience? That's usually how people develop an understanding of feelings, events, etc. right? Well... If our characters only real memories are those of earth, even with newly granted knowledge of magical beings and forces via translation, the comparison will still be to previous experience had on earth. So I'd expect memories of earth and their lives their to constantly be hanging in their minds throughout the whole adventure. How can one forget their past so effortlessly?