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File 143966736419.jpg - (304.77KB , 1200x827 , exposition.jpg )
662661 No. 662661 ID: 8cc774

The world is a slowly dying wonder.

As man pushes deeper into the new world, he destroys all that does not bow to his will.

In this rush for land the peoples and landscapes caught before their onslaught often fall to lead and fire.

As new colonies push into the mainland from the east coast of America, more and more blood soaks the ground.

They hold no care for the damage they bring or the forces they might anger.

In this time of bloodshed and change stands one little girl; filled with tremendous power and a beautiful heart.

And although she will be hated for her sacrifice, she will still carve through the darkness to protect those undeserving of such mercy.
Expand all images
>>
No. 662662 ID: 8cc774
File 143966741226.jpg - (361.07KB , 800x450 , starting glade.jpg )
662662

“It’s always so beautiful in the forest. No anger, just peace.”

“Though for some reason, I feel like there won’t be much peace for a very long time.”

“I should probably go do something else now, no reason to just sit here in this glad all day. Besides, I’m getting hungry.”

“But where should I go?”
>>
No. 662664 ID: ab7529

>But where should I go?
What do you know about the surrounding area? That is, what choices to you have when it comes to finding a place to go?
>>
No. 662672 ID: 8cc774
File 143966971063.jpg - (0.99MB , 1024x768 , crossroads.jpg )
662672

“Oh my, Hello small voices. You’re awfully clear today. Usually I can’t quite tell what you’re saying.”

“There’s a crossroads a little to the east that leads to the big places around.”

“To the north is the village, but they don’t like me there.”

“To the east is deeper forest where the natives live, some of them are really nice.”

“To the south is a fort, but they use their fire sticks if you get to close.”

“To the west is the dark forest, I shouldn’t go there. That’s where the bad things come from.”
>>
No. 662674 ID: ab7529

>>662672
Well, it seems your choice is made for you. People don't like you to the north, and there's danger to the south and west.

Eastwards!
>>
No. 662687 ID: 8cc774

Im dumb, here's the discussion thread.
tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/94112.html
>>
No. 662702 ID: 8cc774
File 143967384635.jpg - (1.33MB , 3400x2276 , deeper.jpg )
662702

“East, sounds like a good idea.”

I walk out of the glade to the east; passing by the crossroads and deeper into the forest.”

“I hope I find something I can eat out here. There’s usually berry bushes and small animals off the trail a bit.”

“Though I would prefer to not kill an animal unless I have too.”

“Should I keep walking, or look for food? Or do you have any ideas, small voices?”
>>
No. 662781 ID: ab7529

>>662702
If you don't expect to run into someone who can provide you with food anytime soon, you'll have to search for it yourself.

Do you have any skill or practice foraging in this environment?
>>
No. 662798 ID: 8cc774
File 143969411114.jpg - (166.98KB , 1020x638 , berries.jpg )
662798

“I know what certain berries, nuts, and vegetables, that don’t make me sick, look like. That’s where I get most of my food.”

“It shouldn’t take me to long to find something.”

I leave the trail to push deeper into the forest. After a while I find a berry bush; with some good berries on it as well.

After eating most of the berries I place the rest from the bush in a small pocket I have sown into the inside of my cloak.

“I guess I’ll make my way bac-“

I hear a faint sound like hooves on the dirt path. I think someone is coming from the east.

What should I do?
>>
No. 662799 ID: ab7529

>>662798
Conceal yourself, watch to see who or what is coming.
>>
No. 662832 ID: 8cc774
File 143970190065.jpg - (28.15KB , 500x333 , rider.jpg )
662832

I move closer to the road, so I can see whose coming. When the road is in sight I take cover behind a tree.

After a moment a man on a horse comes into view, he looks like he’s from the village. The man continues on his way towards the crossroads and out of sight.

“I wonder if he just came back from talking with the natives.”

“This is true.”

“Eep”

It’s one of the native girls, I didn’t see her sneak up on me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m supposed to follow this man and make sure he goes back to his village.”
>>
No. 662844 ID: ab7529

>I’m supposed to follow this man and make sure he goes back to his village.
Oh, I see. Is he important, then?
>>
No. 663004 ID: 8cc774
File 143975268657.jpg - (420.26KB , 1071x1600 , cross.jpg )
663004

“Who was that? Why are you following him?”

“He claims to be the spiritual leader of the village to the north. He’s coming back from a meeting with our chief to discuss a land dispute.”

“We know how his kind are; they speak gilded words but harbor disgust towards our ways. We want to make sure he keeps his promise of peace between our peoples. Too many great tribes have fallen to betrayal. ”

“But I wonder what you’re doing so far out here little one. Have the villagers driven you from their land again?”

She looks me up and down.
“Those rags you’re wearing are nearly falling apart. I hope the people are not to blame. ”

She’s right, the cloth wraps and cloak I wear are ragged and torn, they give very little protection from the elements. I might want to find better clothing.

“Best to be careful by yourself out here; we both know what lurks in the shadows.”

With that she slinks off in the direction of the rider and out of sight.

What do I do now?
>>
No. 663040 ID: ab7529

Well. Hmm. You've fed. You said you were in need of better clothes. Where would you go to get those?
>>
No. 663116 ID: b908cb

I know you said you wanted to avoid killing animals if at all possible, but you might need to in order to skin them and use their pelts for better clothes.
What sorts of weapons and/or skills do you have?
>>
No. 663186 ID: 8cc774
File 143978634517.jpg - (13.87KB , 299x266 , power.jpg )
663186

“I don’t know how to turn animal pelts into clothes. It doesn’t matter anyway, the way I would kill and eat something probably wouldn’t leave any pelt good enough to use.”

“The easiest way to get clothes is to find some in the village. If I’m careful I should be fine.”

I walk out from behind the tree, up to the path, and face west towards the crossroads.

“I don’t have any tools or weapons, but I’ve never really needed any. I can do lots of stuff that other people can’t. Things the villagers call “witchcraft”; but I don’t know what that means.”

“I can make things move around without touching them, but not if they’re too far from me.”
“When I’m touching something I can make it really hot, even enough for it to burst into fire. I can also make it really cold, even enough to make it freeze.”
“I’m small but I can move faster and I’m stronger than the big people from the village.”
“Sometimes when I listen really closely I can hear what the forest is saying, kind of like you small voices.”
“When I’m hurt I get better really fast, but the worse it is the longer it takes.”
>>
No. 663206 ID: ab7529

>I don’t know what [witchcraft] means.
Well, "the craft of a witch". That is, the things a witch can do.

And a witch, is a person, usually female, who has magic powers.

So... if you're a witch, your powers would be witchcraft. It's not an unreasonable description. The problem is, when most people say witch, they don't mean it in a nice way.

>I can make things move around without touching them, but not if they’re too far from me.
How many things at once? Is their a weight limit to what you can move?

>I’m small but I can move faster and I’m stronger than the big people from the village.
Do you know how much? Have you found something faster than you? Or do you know the limit of your strength, say, the biggest thing you can pick up?
>>
No. 663218 ID: 0f79b1

You should probably go to the village and get yourself some better clothes.
>>
No. 663284 ID: 8cc774
File 143979418768.jpg - (113.92KB , 800x500 , village.jpg )
663284

“Ok, I’ll head towards the village.”

I go back the way I came until I come to the crossroads and then I turn north.

“Well I don’t know exactly what I can move but I know the bigger and heavier something is the harder it is to move it, also the lighter things I can move more at a time. I used to move big bundles of sticks for fire during the winter and there was that one time I picked up a big man from the village and threw him across a room, but that was on accident. And I had to move a log to make a crossing over a river once, but it was really hard and I got tired.”

“I know I’m as fast as the deer from the forest but I can’t run that fast for very long.”
“And I know I’m stronger than a big person because one of them tried to hold me down but I was able to fight him off by myself and then break through his door.”

“That must be why they all call me witch. And what I do is magic?”

While I was thinking I made my way towards the village until I was almost to the edge of where the forest ends and the clearing surround the village begins.

It doesn’t look like anybody is out right now, but I can still hear some people.
Most of the sound is coming from the left part of the village.
I think I hear kids playing from the center of the village.
And I can’t see or hear anything from the right part of the village.

Where should I start to look?
>>
No. 663390 ID: ab7529

>>663284
Look for a clothesline. Start in the quiet part of the town.
>>
No. 663440 ID: 8cc774
File 143985198976.jpg - (182.63KB , 1938x1634 , clothesline.jpg )
663440

I sprint as fast and low to the ground as I can towards the right side of town, taking cover behind an outlying cabin.

After making sure nobody is around I slowly start making my way deeper into the village.

“I should probably try to find something that is loose and lets me keep my arms and legs free. A new cloak would be nice but I can probably make one myself from a bunch of cloth.”

Eventually I find a string connecting two houses with several pieces of clothing on it.
There’s a new looking brown cloak and even a set of fingerless mitts.

“But should I take them? They belong to somebody else, and I could just keep looking for some cloth someone’s left around.”
"But they are really nice."
>>
No. 663446 ID: fcbd74

We should take the cloak, but leave something for them as a payment. Maybe the old cloak for now? We can come back later with a more suitable trade
>>
No. 663459 ID: ab7529

>>663440
Well, I guess it comes down to how you feel about stealing.

You options are to steal, or find some way to trade or barter with the people here. Has that worked before?
>>
No. 663500 ID: 8cc774
File 143986722592.jpg - (51.68KB , 448x231 , burning.jpg )
663500

“Sometimes the kids will trade stuff with me, they don’t get angry or scared when they see me like the big people do. The big people don’t like talking to me at all.”

“I’ll give them the old cloak and the berries I have left for now. I’ll come back later and give them some firewood or fish from the river.”

I quickly slip off the cloak, fold it, and place it under the string with the berries on top. Then I put on the new cloak and mitts. They’re so comfortable.

<i> “Get Away from there. </i>

There’s a woman at the door of one of the houses. She’s coming at me with a piece of wood.

I panic and sprint away, deeper into the village. After a few turns I run into an open area and see several people running towards me, screaming.

I freeze for a moment before realizing they’re not running towards me but past me.
<i> Help! Demons! </i>

It looks like there’s smoke coming from where they’re running.

“Did one of those bad things get into the village? I have to help.”
>>
No. 663502 ID: ab7529

>“Did one of those bad things get into the village? I have to help.”
I guess that would more than make up for taking the cloak without asking!

Advance in the opposite direction of the fleeing crowd. Not too fast, eyes open. You don't know what you're up against, and it would be better to see it first instead of running into it.
>>
No. 663562 ID: 8cc774
File 143987867024.jpg - (83.61KB , 736x736 , forest beast.jpg )
663562

I walk closer to the smoke, past the running people, keeping my eyes open for trouble. They seem to panicked to pay any attention to me.

I round a corner and see it.

The beast looks like twisted wood and flesh, dripping black ichor from its body. It stands larger than a man, vaguely in the shape of a wolf. It looks diseased and fetid; it shambles forward past the bleeding bodies of villagers towards a woman paralyzed in fear.

“I know I can beat it, they can be frozen and burned just like wood and if you break them up enough they fall apart.

“How should I attack?”
>>
No. 663654 ID: 88960e

Use your telekinesis to pick it up and smash it, and then dart in to use freezing / burning touch while it's suprised or stunned. Use speed to back off as soon as it recovers from being stunned. If it's too big too pick up with your power, look for something else to smash it with (a wood beam, a stone, an anvil, etc).

Try to keep it away from villagers. Tell the woman to go durring your initial attack, she shouldn't be here.
>>
No. 663735 ID: 8cc774
File 143993643759.jpg - (243.79KB , 650x400 , bleeding.jpg )
663735

I rush forward, aiming myself between the beast and the woman. When it’s in range I slam it in the side as hard as I can with my power.

“Run away!” I scream as I run past her towards the stunned beast.

Before it can get back up I wrap my hands around one of its hind legs. I concentrate as hard as I can, forcing the flesh and wood to get colder and colder until it freezes.

Just before it gets back up I pull back as hard as I can, shattering the limb and throwing it off balance. This causes the counter swipe it was throwing at me to go off target and only glance my exposed belly.

I jump back out of the injured beasts range. I’m hurt but I’ll be fine.

It’s slowed so I can look around. The big person is gone now; I see a pile of pitchforks and other tools to my left and a burning house to my right.

*You are bleeding.*
>>
No. 663756 ID: ab7529

Okay, you're hurt. How much does that slow you down?

If it's maneuverability is down, and closing is a risk, I think we should let the environment do our work for us. Drive it into the burning house, and keep it in the fire until it's burnt up. Use your moving things with your mind power, or use strength with the reach of a pitchfork to push it around.

Shame about the house, but I don't think they'd be able to save it anyways, at this point.

Once the beast is done, try to keep the fire from spreading.

...aw. Are your new clothes ruined?
>>
No. 663788 ID: 8cc774
File 143995419222.jpg - (86.98KB , 600x335 , embers.jpg )
663788

“It’s not that bad; I shouldn’t run very fast or pick up anything heavy. But I can still fight.”

I pick up some flaming pieces of the cabin and a pitchfork, then I move so the beast is between me and the fire. Slowly I push it back until it’s next to the cabin, then I shove the fire, pitchfork, and beast as hard as I can with my power towards the flames.

The beast tumbles back into the fire, snarling and howling as the fire devours its body.

The rest of the cabin falls in on top of the beast, killing it.


The claw didn’t hit my cloak, it raked across by belly. As long as I don’t get blood on it, it should be fine.

I spend a moment making sure the fire is not spreading. It looks like it’s starting to die down.

“I’m really tired.”

What now?
>>
No. 663790 ID: ab7529

Right. You have two options- either try to find someplace safe to hide up and rest, or just curl up somewhere nearby and depend on the goodwill of the town.

They might like that they saved you from the wolf monster, or they might just be afraid and blame you.
>>
No. 663829 ID: aa2abc

Find a safe hiding place. The townspeople can be spiteful and mean and might wrongfully blame you for the fire or the beast attacking for some reason. Best to just avoid any possible confrontation
>>
No. 663961 ID: 8cc774
File 144002503388.jpg - (30.40KB , 1280x720 , nightmare.jpg )
663961

“I should go; I don’t want anyone to get mad at me again.”

I walk away from the village back to the cover of the forest.
After some time I find a great tree with a large opening at its base. First I make sure it’s empty; then I dig a hole, place some twigs and leaves inside, and start a small fire.

As the sun starts to go down I lie down on the soft earth and fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s so dark.

You don’t know where you are.

Something is watching you.

All around is fear and pain.


The bad things are here.

*You feel a deep chill in your gut*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
No. 663965 ID: ab7529

Hmm. Bad dream, or did the bad things surround you in your sleep?

Grab a fallen branch and make it burn, so you have a torch to see with.
>>
No. 663977 ID: af9f20

You're in an unfamiliar place, make a torch and try to find an exit or way to escape
>>
No. 664049 ID: 8cc774
File 144004593725.jpg - (6.37KB , 320x240 , Dark_Forest.jpg )
664049

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ground is bare and cold.

Shadows dance about at the edge of your vision.

No light can live here.

Your body shakes as the chill spreads up your spine.

Something is coming.

The darkness thickens and convulses before you.

My head hurts.

The forest is screaming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
No. 664052 ID: ab7529

Yup. Pretty sure it's a literal nightmare. Reality's not playing by the rules.

We got trees? Let's try going up. Head for the canopy, quick like a squirrel. This isn't a cooperative environment, but let's use what we got.
>>
No. 664053 ID: 99a2c1

Oh you're having a nightmare, you need to wake yourself up. It's a bad dream wake up!
>>
No. 664209 ID: 8cc774
File 144011040623.jpg - (44.59KB , 600x338 , voice.jpg )
664209

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your arms are heavy and sluggish.

You cannot lift yourself up the tree, there is nowhere to hide.

It’s too late.

It’s already here.


Twice as tall as a man, its features devoured by the dark, a different beast walks toward you from the twisting black.

What is this, cowering in the dark?

But a child, standing before the dusk.

Struggle naught; your efforts are in vain.

Blood begets blood, and the earth shall drown in it.



The beast towers above you, it’s eyes piercing into your mind.

Your heart beats faster and faster till it feels like it going to burst from your chest.

The world fades away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You jolt awake, screaming.

You are covered in a cold sweat and dried blood.

You are afraid.

It is just before daybreak; the forest is quiet.
>>
No. 664212 ID: ab7529

>>664209
It was just a dream. And even if it wasn't, you're awake, now.

Examine your current condition and your surroundings.
>>
No. 664243 ID: 8cc774
File 144012722053.jpg - (761.87KB , 1920x1080 , sunrise.jpg )
664243

I don’t think that was just a dream.

I must have gotten turned around in the village; this is the western forest. This forest is different; when I listen all I hear is sadness.

I don’t think there are any bad things around right now, but around here they’re never too far.

You’re not as familiar with this part of the west forest but it’s usually safest to stay off the ground when possible.

You’re dirty with dried blood on your stomach but your fine, the wound has healed overnight.

Looking up at the rising sun you can tell where west is and thus the cardinal directions.

Where too?
>>
No. 664245 ID: ab7529

>it’s usually safest to stay off the ground when possible
Can you travel at a reasonable pace if we do so from tree to tree? Getting off the ground may or may not be very feasible if we don't want to hand around.

>where go
Well, one might suppose that the way out of the western forest lies in the east.

But do you know what borders this forest in different directions?
>>
No. 664272 ID: 8cc774
File 144013944410.jpg - (2.24MB , 2448x1713 , compass.jpg )
664272

“It’ll definitely be slower if I climb from tree to tree, but it shouldn’t slow me down too much.”

“To the west is even deeper forest, there’ll defiantly be bigger bad things that way.”

“To the south is the river, it’s owned by the people in the fort.”

“To the far east is the forest of the native peoples, that’s probably the safest way.”

“To the north is some old ruins, I don’t know much about them.”

I should be careful about the bad things no matter which way I go.
>>
No. 664389 ID: ab7529

I say take to the trees, and head east.

The ruins make me a little curious, but I'm not in the mood for poking our nose into the unknown with creepy shadow monster dreams dogging us.
>>
No. 664418 ID: 210c91

>>664272
To the north with you! What could possibly go wrong? It's time for some exploring!
>>
No. 664419 ID: d936f8

East with the natives
>>
No. 664454 ID: 8cc774
File 144026498989.jpg - (184.64KB , 500x375 , treetop.jpg )
664454

“Alright, I’ll head east.”

“But it sounds like I might want to check out those ruins eventually.”

I climb up the tree I slept under and start to make my way eastward traveling from treetop to treetop.

After a little while I hear something approaching and I hide in the branches of a tree.

A screeching, skittering sound grows until a small group of the bad things run by the bottom of the tree towards the south east.

These ones are smaller and look like mashed balls of wood and flesh with limbs; they’re not so dangerous unless you run into a swarm.

You continue on your way after the danger is past until you finally happen upon the main path sometime around noon.

*You are now out of the west forest.*

“I think I’m closer to the village than the crossroads, should I continue on to the native forest or go somewhere else?”


“That nightmare is still in my head, I wonder what it meant.”
>>
No. 664465 ID: 0f79b1

Continue on east, the natives might be able to tell you what your dream/nightmare meant. Do we know what tribe they are? Natives seems so impersonal
>>
No. 664466 ID: ab7529

>>664465
Seem reasonable. Maybe they have someone know knows about dreams and visions. Are you prone to those?
>>
No. 664508 ID: 8cc774
File 144028157665.jpg - (434.60KB , 1024x1040 , saukiogs.jpg )
664508

“I’ve never had one bad like that, but I also never fall asleep in the west forest. The bad things must have felt that I was there.”

“I think the natives call themselves the Saukiogs. I don’t know what that means, but I can start calling them that.”

“I remember that they know a lot about dreams, they might be able to help me.”

I move south until I get back to the crossroads then I continue on eastward, but not before I notice some smoke coming from the south.

“I wonder what’s happening?”


I finally arrive on the edge of the Saukiog village as the sun gets close to setting.

“Hello little one, what brings you to our home?”

It’s one of the scouts that patrol the border; they’re so good at hiding, I can never tell when they sneak up on me.

“I was hoping to talk to someone about a dream I had; it’s about the bad things.”

“I see, you may enter. Go to the center of the village, an elder can help you there.”
>>
No. 664513 ID: ab7529

>I notice some smoke coming from the south.
>“I wonder what’s happening?”
A fire at the fort? Maybe they got into a fight with someone. Or something.

>they’re so good at hiding, I can never tell when they sneak up on me
It's a good thing they're friendly, then.

>you may enter. Go to the center of the village, an elder can help you there.
Thank the scout and then do that.
>>
No. 664534 ID: 7e6805

We should talk to the elder then check on the fort
>>
No. 664543 ID: 210c91

>I wonder what’s happening?
Could the fort people be celebrating with a feast? Would it be possible to eat the wood/flesh things?

Are all the elders in the village masters at interpreting dreams?
What do they look like?
>>
No. 664555 ID: 8cc774
File 144030059591.jpg - (311.98KB , 1024x768 , fire pit.jpg )
664555

“I think the bad things I saw earlier might have been heading towards the fort, I hope they’re alright.”

“I don’t think you can eat the bad things, if you don’t burn them they just turn really hard like rocks when they die.”

“Is there anyone is should talk too specifically?”

I only know that one of the elders may be able to help you, I have never sought their wisdom on dreams myself. Look for older tribesmen in ceremonial garb.”

“Thank you.”

I walk away from the scout and towards the center of the village passing many buildings and people until I reach the center building of the village.

When I enter I see only three people sitting around a coal pit.

“Hello little one how may we help you?” , says the center figure.
>>
No. 664560 ID: ab7529

>>664555
Tell them what happened. You fought a bad thing at the village to the north, and it managed to hurt you. When you slept, you had dream unlike one you've had before. You hoped to ask them about the dream, they know thing about dreams, don't they?

Then describe the dream for them. What you saw, what you felt, and most importantly, what the bad thing said.

And then you woken in the western woods.
>>
No. 664624 ID: 0d35d0

>>664555
Dude what about the blood. Wash yourself off,you nasty.
What do the three elders think of you?
K
>>
No. 664667 ID: 8cc774
File 144035637626.jpg - (93.02KB , 650x770 , corruption.jpg )
664667

“I forgot I was still covered with blood.”

I pull my cloak closer to my body; embarrassed.

“I was hoping you could help me understand a dream I had. I fell asleep in the west forest while I was hurt and I don’t know what it meant.”

Sit, little one. Tell me what you saw and I will try to help you understand. , says the left figure.

After doing so I tell them everything that happened yesterday including the nightmare I had that night.

The left figure thinks for a while, staring into the fire until he finally speaks.

“We know the beasts you speak of. Twisted creatures of hate and strife; they were born from the bloodshed that has plagued this land since the settlers arrived.”

“There is great power in this world, but it has been tainted by this endless war upon the people of this land. As more blood is spilled upon the ground, the taint will only grow.”

“We are the children of this land; it has proved for us for generations. While it saddens us that this has come to pass, it is clear that the power of this land is too far gone to save.”

“We do not hold the power to do this and so we must look to you. We see that you hold strength in you unlike any other. While we do not know where you draw this power, I cannot help but feel you hold the power that once blessed this land.”

“It is clear from your dream that the evil knows this and that you are afraid of it, but you must stand strong against this night.”

“As for the tall beast you mentioned, I would not know what it is but it must be a bad omen. The beasts have never been able to speak.”


When he finishes it has become night and I realize how hungery I am.

“Thank you for the help.”

“Of course child, you have shown nothing but peace to us; it is our honor to help you understand.”

“We have a place for you to eat, sleep, and clean yourself if you would like.”

>>
No. 664668 ID: 40a706

You should take him up on that offer, clean up and eat. But should we check on the people at the fort, possibly come back later for the bed?
>>
No. 664681 ID: ab7529

>>664667
Thank them for the offer. They're very kind.

(...although their kindness has a motive. They hope you can somehow oppose the darkness).

We should eat and clean up at least. I'm not sure if you're ready to sleep, or if you want to go check out the fort after that. Depends on what shape you're in, I suppose.
>>
No. 664708 ID: 8cc774

Thank the elder for the offer and get yourself settled. Ask others if they know what is happening in the south. Maybe they can explain the smoke or help you explore? Just be careful with whatever you do.
>>
No. 664712 ID: 8cc774
File 144038150763.jpg - (38.02KB , 682x219 , food.jpg )
664712

“Thank you, I would like that.”

I say goodbye to the elders and follow another tribesman to a building in a different part of the village. Inside I eat and wash myself; I feel a lot better now.

When I’m done I ask a passing scout if she knows anything about the state of the southern fort.”

We believe the people there were attacked by something but we have not sent anyone to see how they are.

It’s not very late; in fact the sun only went down a little while ago. I’m a little tired but I’m all healed and in good condition.

“Should I go to check on the fort or just go to bed; or do you have another idea?”
>>
No. 664715 ID: 8cc774

Ask the scout if they can explore the fort with you tomorrow. Go to bed and get some rest. Don't risk getting into a battle when you are slightly tired.
>>
No. 664716 ID: ab7529

>>664712
I think you should probably go. If the bad things attacked, and you're the only one who can do anything about them... it might be too late, later.
>>
No. 664717 ID: db5a89

Check on the people at the fort, they might currently be in danger
>>
No. 664719 ID: 8cc774
File 144038406751.jpg - (633.14KB , 4000x3000 , night fort.jpg )
664719

“Alright, I’ll go check on the fort now.”

I leave the village and sprint back to the cross roads to not waste any time.

From there I slow down to a run to make sure I don’t get surprised by anything.

As late night begins to set in I approach the area around they fort; there I stop along the tree line and scan the area.

“It looks like the fort was definitely attacked earlier; there’s damage to the outer wall and a couple of bodies on the top. There are a few small fires still burning but I don’t see or hear anything happening anymore. I think the attack is over.”

“Do I approach the fort or do I go back to the village and sleep?”
>>
No. 664720 ID: ab7529

>>664719
Approach the fort. Try to see how bad things are. (Or worse, if the bad things captured the fort and are now manning it).
>>
No. 664721 ID: 8cc774

Go back to the village and report what you found. Maybe try bringing someone with you to actually explore the fort. Be careful while heading back to the village.The thing that attacked might still be near.
>>
No. 664722 ID: db5a89

Continue into the fort, just do so very carefully
>>
No. 664757 ID: 8cc774
File 144039666007.jpg - (7.90KB , 500x500 , end chapter 1.jpg )
664757

“I should go make sure they’re alright.”

I look around to make sure nothing is near the fort; then I move out of the tree line into the open, keeping low and to the shadows.


I feel it before I hear it.
I feel something tear through my chest and then I hear a loud bang.

Then I’m falling.

When I hit the ground coldness spreads across my chest and the edges of my vision grow dark.

I hear one more thing before the world fades away.
“Shit, I think I hit a child.”


*End of Chapter One*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter One Prologue

In the darkness you feel a strange new sensation envelope your being.

A new strength is blossoming inside your damaged body.

Where will this new power grow?

*Hands of frost and flame that reach beyond their physical form.*
*Explosive will that moves the world by your command.*
*Strength and speed that puts beasts to shame.*
*Flesh that ignores the call of pain and death.*
*A new wonder that is yet unseen.*

Discussion thread for clarification, http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/94112.html
>>
No. 664802 ID: 88960e

I think frost and flame. A ranged attack would help against the beasts.

...can we be indignant when we wake up? " You shot me!"
>>
No. 664807 ID: 7a6915

If the hands of frost and flame are actually a ranged attack, then that's a no-brainer. If it's not I wanna gamble on the mystery box because new tools are always fun.
>>
No. 664903 ID: 210c91

Flesh that ignores the call of pain and death.
>>
No. 664951 ID: 1b77a4

Strength and speed
>>
No. 665115 ID: 8cc774
File 144056647535.jpg - (1.28MB , 2560x1600 , frost and flame.jpg )
665115

You feel an intense sensation of heat and cold spread across your hands.

You feel that if you concentrated you could cause something to ignite into flame or flash freeze in the same distance as your ability to move objects with your mind.

You are so tired; your body has yet to heal.

Your mind returns to its rest.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A foreign softness on your back.

A dull pain in your chest.

A concerned voice in your ear.

Everything is so foggy and muddled.

Do you fight through you fatigue?
>>
No. 665124 ID: 1cebc8

Whack yourself until the pain gives you the will to fight.
>>
No. 665151 ID: 88960e

>Do you fight through you fatigue?
Yes. Might as well, if someone is concerned about you. I mean, how often does that happen?

Be petulant, and a little bit indignant. They shot you!
>>
No. 665184 ID: fbc59e

no...rest...We're no good to anyone if we're too banged up to do anything, and we've been hurt badly...
>>
No. 665214 ID: 210c91

Do not fight the fatigue. You have just been shot take a moment to relax.
>>
No. 665245 ID: b5f4cb

I agree to not fight fatigue, if someone took you in to care for you, I'd imagine they'd understand if you needed to rest more.
>>
No. 665247 ID: 66d55f

You need to rest, you seem to be in a safe place. No need to rush when your health is on the line.
>>
No. 665248 ID: 8cc774
File 144065052520.jpg - (1.60MB , 2048x1536 , ceiling.jpg )
665248

You give into the fatigue; allowing your body to rest.

As time passes the pain fades away.

…………………………..

You no longer feel tired.

Slowly your eyes open; the world is bright and out of focus.

Your mouth is dry and you are incredibly hungry but your body feels healed.

“I think she’s waking up. Go get the doctor.”
“Right away sir.”
“Be still child, you were very badly injured. You have been sleeping for nearly three days now.”


You seem to be in some sort of stone building.
>>
No. 665249 ID: 57dfcc

>Be still child, you were very badly injured.
Petulant: Well yes, someone shot me. That wasn't very nice.

>three days
That long? What's happened?
>>
No. 665354 ID: 210c91
File 144073317368.jpg - (73.78KB , 700x481 , room.jpg )
665354

“Did you hurt me? Why?”

“I’m so sorry; we had just been attack by some sort of monsters. Our guards were told to shoot any more that showed up.”

“It would appear they could not tell that you were a child until after you were shot.”


“I’ve been asleep for three days? What’s happened since I was hurt?”

“Yes, though it’s amazing that you are even alive. I have seen grown men die from a wound like that.

“You must have quite a will to live child.”

“As for what has happened. There have been a few more of the beasts but nothing as big as the first assault. Most of our efforts have been on keeping you alive.”


“Thanks to my efforts captain.”

A new man enters the room. He’s wearing an old apron covered with faded red stains.

“Though I must say; that body of yours has a rather uncanny ability to recover from the most grievous of wounds.”

He sits down next to me and begins to examine my wound.

The rags I wore to cover my chest have been replaced with some sort of bloody fabric that wraps around several times.

“It seems your wound has nearly healed completely; remarkable.”
“No need to stay resting in this bed then; get her some new clothes. I’ll not have her wearing rags.”


The new man gets up and leaves the room.

The first man appears again; holding my cloak.

“I’ll have someone bring you some clothes right away. But for now here is your cloak.”

He hands me my cloak and walks out the door.

“Well I feel better now; should I just wait here or go exploring this place?”
>>
No. 665365 ID: 57dfcc

>Most of our efforts have been on keeping you alive
Great, so instead of helping them, you distracted them. Grumble. Note to self: don't get shot, it causes trouble for everyone. And it hurts.

>your cloak
Examine it. Does it have a bullet hole? Did you ruin your new clothes this time, or does it survive another day?

>that body of yours has a rather uncanny ability to recover from the most grievous of wounds
Well, he's impressed instead of calling you a witch. That's a good thing, right?

>should I just wait here or go exploring this place?
Well, I see no reason to sit still after days.

Just stay out in the open. No sneaking around the edges where they might mistake you for a monster again.
>>
No. 665991 ID: 8cc774
File 144103996645.jpg - (118.70KB , 367x550 , hallway.jpg )
665991

“Ya, I didn’t like that. But now I know what their fire sticks can do to me.”


“Oh no!”

You lay out your cloak to check for damage.
Luckily it doesn’t seem to have any other than some blood on the inside.

“There aren’t any holes; whatever the fire stick did to me must not have gone all the way through.”

You slip the cloak back on and walk to the door.
After a few stumbling steps you get the hang of walking again.

“I am glad the people here don’t seem to hate me. But I don’t think I want to use my powers in front of them; they might turn out like the villagers.”

You open the door and look at your surroundings.

You are in the middle of a hallway.
To your left the hall is more dim lit and curves out of view.
To your right the hall is brighter and you hear voices coming from around a corner.

No sneaking around this time; which way?
>>
No. 666006 ID: 88960e

Head towards the light.
>>
No. 666195 ID: 9aa570

Go towards the light, maybe you can get more info from the other villagers.
>>
No. 668933 ID: 8cc774
File 144194269989.jpg - (28.97KB , 300x223 , inner fort.jpg )
668933

“Towards the light it is.”

I make my way down the hall and around the corner.
At the end of the hall is a doorway flooded with light.

As I step through the doorway it takes a moment to adjust to the new brightness but I find myself outside, overlooking an open yard.

There are several small buildings scattered throughout the yard; all surrounded by a tall wall.

The building I am standing in front of seems to be the biggest by far and built into the wall itself.

Many people are walking around, carrying supplies and repairing damage to buildings and the wall.

“You there, girl.”

I turn to my right to find a man standing next to the door I came through, he is holding a firestick.

I feel an ache in my chest.

“You must be the girl who was shot. The captain said we were to help you in any way we can. Do you need anything or are you just wandering about?”

Your stomach growls and your mouth feels dry as sand.
>>
No. 668951 ID: 149da0

>>668933
Um, ask if there's anywhere around here you could get something to eat or drink. You think you slept through a few meals.
>>
No. 668985 ID: 900561

Politely ask about food and water
>>
No. 668987 ID: 900561

Politely ask about food and water
>>
No. 669173 ID: 8cc774
File 144207990902.jpg - (55.97KB , 600x546 , defenses.jpg )
669173

“Is there somewhere I can get something to eat?”

“Of course, it should be about time for the next meal.”

He walks forward and points to the left side of the yard.

“That building with the slanted roof-”

SCRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A deafening screech fills the air.

“God no! Not again!

The man drops his firestick and runs back through the door you came through; screaming.

In the yard people are running frantically; moving away from the left wall and towards the building you are in front of.

Men with firesticks rush to the top of the left wall and start blasting fire over the wall, down and out of sight.

“The bad things are back, what do I do?”
>>
No. 669175 ID: 149da0

>>669173
Dang. There goes your meal. Hopefully you can still fight hungry.

Hmm. Your hot and cold power now has some range, right? That means you don't have to touch the bad things. That means you might be able to fight them without the people seeing you do it. Maybe you could save them without making them scared of you!

Try going to the bottom of the left wall. Find a gap or crack to peek through, then blast the bad things on the other side. (If you make them cold, they might shatter when the people shoot them with bullets).
>>
No. 669181 ID: a1e2f2

So it seems you have 3 options here. 1) run and hide, which is a normal response for a young girl so there would be no suspicion of your abilities and you would be safe. 2) face the bad things head on and protect the people in the fort, but we dont know if they would fear you or thank you after the fight is over. Or 3) provide support for the people from the shadows. Attack the bad things and don't let the people see you helping.

You should do #3 and help from a safe, hidden distance.
>>
No. 669260 ID: 8cc774
File 144210390589.jpg - (133.62KB , 1200x798 , Combustion.jpg )
669260

I rush through the mob, towards the bottom of the left wall.

I move along the wall until I find a crack that goes all the way through. The crack is too small to fit through but I can still see part of the field outside the fort.

I can’t see too much of the other side but I do see several bad things running from the forest edge, towards the wall.

“They’re like the small round ones I saw in the forest.”


I slow my breathing, concentrating on nothing but the task ahead of me.
As new beasts come into my range I start snap freezing their legs one by one, causing them to fall forward and thrash; unable to run at the fort.
In quick order beasts die left and right as the defenders fire shot after shot, blasting away the immobile attackers.

Just as I start to tire out from the consecutive ranged blasts the stream of beasts dwindles out in my field of vision.

Suddenly I hear a scream coming from above me.

I look up to see a man falling from the top of the wall with a bad thing on his chest.
The two slam onto the ground beside me; immediately the bad thing begins tearing away at the man’s chest.

You quickly blast it off the man’s chest with your will and superheat it before it can recover.
The bad thing explodes in a cloud of ash and embers.

You are exhausted but it sounds like the battle is ending.
The sound of cheering comes from the wall as you sneak behind a nearby building.

“Casualty report!”

“Two wounded captain! And we can’t find Molen!”

“What now?”
>>
No. 669292 ID: 149da0

>we can’t find Molen
Is that the guy who fell off? Hopefully they go down and find him. He probably needs medical attention.

You don't have people-finding skills, so you can't really help if that's not him.

I guess... just walk away from the area of the fight? Try to find where the other normal people went. Tired is probably close enough to scared, you'll look like a normal kid lost in the chaos.
>>
No. 669354 ID: 8cc774
File 144212470263.jpg - (263.95KB , 1600x1200 , rabbit stew.jpg )
669354

Most of the men on the wall begin to come back down into the yard. Meanwhile I make my way around the buildings towards the large building I first came out of.

I rush towards the entrance but I hear a voice call out before I can get there.

“Wait!”

I turn around to see the captain walking towards me.

“You picked one hell of a time to go exploring child. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine; I panicked and hid behind one of the buildings while everyone ran.”

“Well I’m glad you’re alright, you’ve been through enough already.”
“Wait right here, I need to go tell everyone that it’s safe to come out now. Then we’ll get you something to eat; you must be starving.”


The man walks through the door and disappears for awhile before retuning with a swarm of people.

“This way child; with any luck the food hasn’t been be ruined.”

I follow him to a building on the left side of the yard where he tells me to sit at a table.
He brings me a bowl of something and sits down across from me.

“Rabbit stew; should fill you right up.”

“And now I’ve got some questions for you; I’ve been wondering since we brought you in. What is your name? Where are you from? And just what were you doing in the forest all on your own that night?”

>>
No. 669358 ID: 149da0

>What is your name? Where are you from? And just what were you doing in the forest all on your own that night?
Do you have a name, or have you never needed one? And do you know where you're from?

I mean, we could always make something up, but it would be nice to know the truth.

The last one is easy at least. You were coming to check on them!
>>
No. 669423 ID: 8cc774
File 144217939744.jpg - (62.49KB , 300x452 , grave.jpg )
669423

I start eating the stew, stopping occasionally to answer his questions.

“Well I don’t really have a name; no one ever gave me one.”
“I used to live in the village to the north, but they don’t let me near it anymore. My mom died when she had me, and nobody knew who my dad was. So I never got a name.”
“Some other people raised me for awhile until….. well until I couldn’t stay there anymore.”
“So I’ve just been by myself for awhile; living in the forest.”

“And the other night, I saw smoke coming from over here and I wanted to see what happened. Only I never really got the chance.”

The captain stares at me the whole time; waiting for me to finish eating before responding.

“I see. You’ve had a tough life, it seems. To think they would exile a child. For what reason? I won’t press the issue as you don’t seem to want to talk about it.”

“In any case; you’re welcome to stay here if you wish. And I’ll make sure to tell the watch you can come and go from the fort.”


“Thank you.”

“It’s the least we can do.”

“But enough of my questions, I’m sure you have some of your own.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with? If not, I should go find my lieutenant.”

>>
No. 669430 ID: f035ae

Thank him for the hospitality and for the food. We appreciate his understanding and not pressing on why you were exiled. As if they have any more knowledge on what the bad things are or if they know where they came from, what they want or anything like that
>>
No. 669432 ID: 149da0

>You’ve had a tough life, it seems.
It's not so bad!

>>669423
Ask him if the bad things come like that often, or if it just started recently.

>>669430
And yes, this stuff. Be sure to thank him.
>>
No. 669497 ID: 8cc774
File 144220832088.jpg - (27.84KB , 400x500 , waterskin.jpg )
669497

“Do you know anything about those bad things that attacked you? Have they been attacking for awhile?”

“Actually, the night you were shot is the first time any of us actually saw them.”
“We would get reports from our scouts that they would see things in the shadows; moving around just out of their vision.”
“But we always assumed it was just nerves. Even when people would just disappear we believed it was the work of wild beasts.”
“I could never have imagined this would happen; beasts from the depths of hell.”
“It’s madness.”

“As for what we know about them.”

“Well I know they die; thankfully. And they always seem to come from the northwest. But other than that, I don’t really know what the hell they are.

“In any case I should get going. You’re welcome to stay the night if you like; just head back into the building you woke up in and talk to a guard about a place to sleep.”
“Oh, and ask for that change of clothes as well.”


“Thank you so much.”

“It was my pleasure. Oh and take this, might come in handy later. Think of it as an apology gift.”

He pulls off a waterskin from his belt and places it on the table in front of me.
He then gets up from the table and walks away, out of sight.

You drink the water in the waterskin then sling it around your shoulder.
You are no longer hungry or thirsty.

It seems that evening is approaching. Around you people are finishing up their work for the day.

“Alright, where to now?”
>>
No. 669535 ID: 88960e

Well, I guess now you could do the checking up you intended to do. Wander around the fort a little, see how they're holding up.
>>
No. 669551 ID: 1b8dda

Get some actual clothes since they offered and wander around. Maybe you should stay here tonight in case they are attacked in the night. Tomorrow we should go check in with the Saukiogs because they are probably really worried about you!
>>
No. 669582 ID: 8cc774
File 144226323330.jpg - (7.94KB , 236x314 , new dress.jpg )
669582

I get up from the table and start walking around.

“Most of the buildings her look like houses but a few seem to be for making things like wood and food. I don’t think they would have to leave this place for anything but firewood every once I awhile.”

I move on to the wall to see how it’s doing.

“It doesn’t look that bad at all; it still looks pretty new. I think the bad things can’t really damage the wall; they probably just climb over it.”

I turn around and look t the people walking around.

“It doesn’t look like anyone’s hurt. So the people with firesticks must be keeping the bad things back all right.”
“But I don’t know how long they can keep that up. Even with me helping, people still got hurt during the attack.”

When I finish looking around I make my way back to the building built into the backside of the fort.
I head back through the door I came from and down the hall.

Eventually I run into a man with a firestick walking from the opposite direction.

“Excuse me; the captain said I should ask someone about a place to sleep tonight.”

“Oh ya, you the little girl wot got shot?”
“The doctor said you could keep the room they had you in.”
“Just keep going down the hall.”


“Thank you.”

I walk down the hall to the room I woke up in and step inside.
It looks like somebody left a change of clothes on the bed.

“Unfortunately it’s a dress. I don’t like those; I can’t move around as well.”
“If I go find something sharp I can cut it up into something better.”

I turn around and go back into the hall.
“Back outside to my right?”
“Or deeper into the building to my left?”
>>
No. 669650 ID: 149da0

Well, a dress might let you blend in better here, until you have to modify it.

>Back outside to my right? Or deeper into the building to my left?
Well, I suppose you haven't explored inside yet.

>But I don’t know how long they can keep that up. Even with me helping, people still got hurt during the attack.
Yeah. Defense isn't sustainable. And even if it was, you can't protect everywhere at once. Gotta find some way to stop the bad things where they're coming from.
>>
No. 669681 ID: 43da18

You should explore the inside of the fort
>>
No. 669704 ID: 8cc774
File 144229362105.jpg - (27.28KB , 443x550 , dim hall.jpg )
669704

“I can wear it until it’s time to fix it.”

I go back into the room and change into the dress with my cloak on top; leaving my old underclothes in the corner.
After I change I go back out the room and head down the darker hallway to my left; passing by several doors as I make my way down.

The hallway is dimly lit and slowly descends into the ground until it eventually leads to a crossway with three different paths.

“To my left it is more brightly lit and I hear voices coming from deeper inside.”
“To my front is very similar to the way I came and slightly curves to the right.”
“To my right is stairs that lead down into a deeper darker area and I feel…..something…..”
>>
No. 669758 ID: bbc41c

We should go to the right, it may be dangerous but the people in the fort may not know about it, we have to protect them
>>
No. 669784 ID: 149da0

>>669758
Yeah, wander down the right path.
>>
No. 669835 ID: 8cc774
File 144237278648.jpg - (12.24KB , 540x360 , dark basement.jpg )
669835

I turn down the right hallway and go down the stairs, deeper into the fort.

At the bottom of the stairs is a hallway leading to a door. The closer I get to the door the more I feel something…..wrong.

“I can’t tell what it is but when I listen really close I feel like I can hear the ground whispering.”

“It almost feels the way it does in the west forest.”
“But not angry; more like…..afraid.”

I get to the door, open it, and step into the next room.

“It looks like some kind of storage room.”

The room exhibits several strange features.
Although there are several torches around the room; the light seems incapable of piercing very deep into the smothering darkness.
It would appear the stones used to create the room are the same used for the rest of the fort, yet the walls seem oddly decayed and worn.
There is any ever present feeling of paranoia, as if the shadows themselves are moving.

“I don’t know why, but this place feels bad.”

You get on your hands and knees then concentrate on the ground.

There are whispers crawling from the earth, spreading out from under the room.
They’re calling out, waiting for something to take them.
And something else is coming for them; something hungry, something full of rage.

You push your mind deeper into the ground, following the whispers farther and farther.
Your mind is becoming strained from the effort.

Curious child?

You jolt up, staggering back.
Your heart is racing.
It’s the voice from your dream.

The shadows seem to close in around you; pushing back the light.

You run back out the door and up the stairs, collapsing back at where the hallways meet.

“Are you alright? You seem a bit shaken up.”

I look up to see the doctor standing a few feet away.
What do I say?
>>
No. 669845 ID: 149da0

>>669835
Tell him they have a scary basement.
>>
No. 669901 ID: 6d34c8

Ask if he knows whats down there
>>
No. 670056 ID: 8cc774
File 144246093663.jpg - (51.15KB , 440x228 , scissors.jpg )
670056

“I’m fine; I just got scared. I don’t like that room back there.”
“What was it?”

“Ah, the long-storage room. That’s where we store extra supplies when we have nowhere else to put it.”

He walks over and helps me off the ground.

“But I know what you mean; none of the men here like going in there. They say it makes them feel uneasy.”
“They say they hear voices.”


“Yeah, it felt like something wrong with it.”

“Indeed, but I wonder; what made you go wondering about?”

“I was looking for something to cut this dress with; I want to make it better.”

“Not a fan of dresses?”

“Well, come with me. I can lend you a pair of scissors.”


I follow him down the brighter hall directly across the stairs that lead into the basement.

Eventually we walk into a room filled with many strange looking tools and glass containers filled with stuff I can’t recognize.

He looks around for awhile, then hands me some kind of metal tool.

“These scissors should do the job; just make sure you bring them back eventually.

“Thank you.”

“Always a pleasure, my dear.”
“Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”

>>
No. 670077 ID: 149da0

>>670056
You aren't busy with anyone else to take care of after all that fighting?

...what's a witch?
>>
No. 670186 ID: a8e196

Could you tell me more about the fort and the area?
>>
No. 670268 ID: 8cc774
File 144253766707.jpg - (192.13KB , 1318x1062 , medical tools.jpg )
670268

“Could you tell me more about the fort and the area?”

“Why yes, of course.”
“This fort was constructed only 5 years ago through the patronage of the Dutch West India Company.”
“As such, many of the people living here are Dutch.”


As he talks he begins to slowly pace around the room, running his hands along jars and tools.

“It was built for its strategic position next to the river and its accessibility to the surrounding areas.”
“Though it would seem this has also made it a prime target for all manner of monstrosities.”

“Just north lies the main crossroads that links together many locations in the area.”
“To the west is the river, where we receive many goods through river trading and fishing.”
“The southern area is just wild woods with nothing to offer.”
“But to the east is the major trade route of the area, mostly just plains and deforested land.”


“What’s a witch?”

He stops and turns toward me, a look of confusion on his face.

“A witch?”
“Well, a witch is a woman how supposedly holds dark power through deals with demons. They are said to be evil creatures that live to bring strife and death in the name of Lucifer.”
“Though personally I doubt they exist.”
“Monsters most definitely do; as we have seen. But demons, I’m still skeptical about.”
“But why do you ask?”


“Don’t you have anyone you have to take care of? I mean, after the attacks.”

“God, you’re right. How could I forget why I even came this way?”

He quickly turns around to grab several tools and a jar of something brown of a table.

“I still have to finish treating Molens wounds. Excuse me.”

He rushes out of the room, supplies in hand.
You are alone in the strange room.

“That was close. What now?”
>>
No. 670285 ID: 149da0

>I still have to finish treating Molens wounds. Excuse me.
Good luck!

>“That was close. What now?”
Look around the strange room, maybe? Careful, don't knock over any medical supplies. People need those.
>>
No. 671452 ID: 7a4e62

It's probably late by now isn't it? You should probably get some well deserved rest . If its not too late you could fix up your dress so that its more practical for you
>>
No. 683971 ID: 123067
File 144753859676.jpg - (291.86KB , 736x1062 , skirt.jpg )
683971

I’ve been standing here for quite a long time; staring at the many tools and containers around the room. In fact I’ve lost track of how long I’ve just been standing there.

I finally shake myself out of a daze. I really need to get going.

I have no idea what all these containers are or what the terrifying tools are used for and I get the feeling I don’t want to know.


I grip the scissors tighter and turn to exit the room. I make my way back down the hall and around the corner, back to my room.
I enter and close the door, then I remove the dress and lay it across the bed with the scissors.

“Time to fix this dress.”

I grab the scissors and start working on the dress. After a while it starts to look like something I can actually use.

The dress is cut in half and the sleeves are removed. The material is cut up making a new set of clothing. The result is a new loincloth, a lopsided skirt, a short shirt, and a new chest bind.
The rest of the material is too small or shaped badly to be salvaged.

By the time you are finished the sun has fallen.

“It’s nice to have new, clean clothes. I don’t remember the last time I did.”

“Now that I’m done, what should I do?”

“I can go wandering around again.”
“I can leave the fort and go back to the woods.”
“Or should I just go to bed here?”

It is really hard to find the right clothes.
>>
No. 683975 ID: 12b273

If you're tired, it might be nice to sleep with an actual bed. Not sure we should be sneaking off in the night.

What were our options to investigate, again?
>>
No. 684614 ID: 5f0d75
File 144779490470.jpg - (65.44KB , 736x547 , bed.jpg )
684614

>>683975
“It’s probably a good idea to just stay here. I don’t get to sleep in a bed very often.”

I change into my new clothes, then sit on the bed.

“If I did go looking around, I guess I could go see the rest of the building I’m in. I still haven’t seen anything past that basement.”
“I could also go outside and wander around those buildings.”
“Or should I tell someone about that basement? Would anyone believe me?”

“Or maybe you have suggestion little voices.”
“Should I do anything else tonight or just go to bed?”
>>
No. 684644 ID: 7a6915

Well, I don't know if this is a good plan, but this is a plan:
I want to ask the elder of the Saukiog village about the voices we've found, but that's probably something we shouldn't do by running off in the night.
We need to ask that Doctor more questions, and get them to be our informant and confidant. Our story is that we've talked to the Saukiogs before and that we were learning about the evil spirits of the land from them, and how to put them to rest. The reason we were in the storeroom tonight is that we think we've felt something they would call an evil spirit in that storeroom, and we might be able to do something about it with more advice. We think it might have something to do with the evil beasts attacking the fort (which is possible, and even plausible).
>>
No. 684650 ID: 86cfc3

>“Or should I tell someone about that basement? Would anyone believe me?”
What would we tell them? You impressions are vague at best, and from the conversation with the doctor, it seems like they're already somewhat aware that something is off, there.

>wander or go to bed?
I suppose that depends on how tired you are, and how late it is. It's not worth exhausting yourself to look around, and sneaking around too late might just cause problems, especially as the people here are still on edge.

If you're not too tired yet, and there are still non-sentries up, you could wander.
>>
No. 684663 ID: 1331c2

Well you have had a pretty long day, there's no reason you can't do more exploring and stuff tomorrow. You should get to the Saukiogs village soon and tell the chief about the whispers you heard.
>>
No. 684891 ID: 15e61e
File 144795809663.jpg - (169.94KB , 1280x800 , dark roads.jpg )
684891

“Alright. I’ll stay the night here, then I’ll go to the village tomorrow.”

I stand up and clean the bed; placing the rags at the foot of the bed and the scissors on a chair.

“I need to give these back to the doctor tomorrow.”

With the bed clean you blow out the single candle illuminating the room and crawl under the blanket.
It doesn’t take long to fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You open your eyes and find yourself standing on a road.

The world is dim, without color or warmth.

Down the road to your left stand several creatures resembling the silhouettes of men. They are black and featureless.
Down the road to your right is a woman sitting before a dying fire. You cannot see her face.

There is no wind, no sunlight, no noise.

As if time is standing still.

Where do you go?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
No. 684894 ID: 88960e

Great, more creepy dreams.

Approach the woman by the fire.
>>
No. 684919 ID: e649e0

I have no recommendation, what does your intuition tell you?
>>
No. 684973 ID: 8cc774
File 144800146838.jpg - (342.53KB , 1024x768 , dying fire.jpg )
684973

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I don’t know what those dark things are. They’re not really scary; actually they kind of feel afraid.”

You walk towards the woman at the dying fire.
As you approach you begin to feel the slightest bit of warmth, yet the closer you get the more you feel a deep sense of loss and sadness.

Sit Child. I mean you no harm.

You feel oddly compelled to obey.
You take a seat by the fire.

You must have many questions child. Ask and I may answer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
No. 684988 ID: e649e0

What is our purpose, besides learning to live in harmony, security and prosperity?
>>
No. 685010 ID: 88960e

Ask who she is, and what she's doing in your dream.

Ask who you are.

Ask what the monsters are, and what anyone is supposed to do about them.
>>
No. 685034 ID: 123067
File 144805057936.jpg - (184.54KB , 1024x768 , dream sky.jpg )
685034

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I cannot tell you your purpose. That is for each living being to discover on their own. But I can give you guidance. There are many difficult tasks before you.

You pull back, shocked. You didn’t say anything yet.

Do not be alarmed, that which you call “little voices”; I too can hear.

You feel a wave of calmness pass over your body.

Now, you ask who I am. You would not know my name but it is Aashaa Manitou. I am she who gave life to the land, but that life is nearly gone. I come before you because it now falls to you to save this land and its people. You are no ordinary child; you wield strength no mortal could have. You must use this strength to push back the plague on this land. A plague brought by the arrogance of man, spilling the blood of this land. You have already seen the destruction this disease can bring. But it has only begun; it will grow and fester until it can devour the world. Twisting all it consumes into dark abominations. You must stop this from happening. Go to the children of this land; tell them you must go to the “grave of the spirits”. You will learn how to defeat the sickness. This is no dream, this is the dominion of Manitou, which exists outside the realm of man. Mind where you sleep child, or you will drift between the worlds.

The woman stares into the fire a while before looking back to you.

Your time is nearly up; have you anything else to ask?

“Yes.”
You look back at the figures down the road.
“What are they?”

They are lost souls, unable to pass on. And as long as they are here they will not know peace. They are in ever fear, because they know what is coming for them.

The world begins to fade out, the woman’s voices slowly disappearing.

The sickness hungers for the soul of man.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


My eyes slowly open.
It’s morning.

I lay in my bed thinking about what I was told.

What should I do now?
>>
No. 685036 ID: 2ccbb3

Make an outline of your current problems and unsolved mysteries.
>>
No. 685038 ID: 88960e

Well we have a quest. We need to go to the "children of the land". I'm hoping / guessing that means the natives?

>what do
Look for breakfast?
>>
No. 685388 ID: 8cc774
File 144831864487.png - (1.02MB , 1600x1600 , Pariah.png )
685388

I get out of bed and pull on the rest of my clothes.

“Well the big problem now is the bad things. That girl said that they’re only going to get worse, and that I need to stop them. I just don’t know how I will.”
“I also want to help the people here; they’ve been nice to me. So I should find out why the bad things keep coming here.”
“When I think about it, I still don’t know where everything is in the area. Though I think I know where most stuff is.”

>>685038
“Yeah, the Saukiogs might be the “children of the land”, I’ll head over soon so I can ask them for more help.”

When I finish dressing myself I take a moment to admire my new outfit.
“It looks so nice, much better than my old clothes.”

I pick up the scissors before leaving to find breakfast.

As I leave the building I see that it’s a little after sunset and people are up doing their daily choirs.

I quickly make my way through the buildings to the place I ate yesterday and get some food.
As I sit down and start eating I look around to see if I recognize anyone.

“Up on the wall the captain seems to be talking to more people with firesticks.”
“The doctor is standing outside a small building giving a girl some kind of jar.”

“Who should I go to when I’m done?”
>>
No. 685412 ID: 2ccbb3

Talk to the kid, the captain might fill you in later.
>>
No. 685447 ID: 86cfc3

>I also want to help the people here; they’ve been nice to me. So I should find out why the bad things keep coming here.”
I wonder if it would be possible to ward the area in some way, so they'd be protected for a time even if you left to explore your options or take action.

>“Who should I go to when I’m done?”
Go to where you can overhear the captain talking. If he's giving them orders, that might include information about the local bad things.

Then go talk to the doctor. You have scissors to return.
>>
No. 685560 ID: ba1db0

Talk to the captain, if there are bad things in the area you might be able to help
>>
No. 685631 ID: 8cc774
File 144843963174.jpg - (9.56KB , 170x136 , battlements.jpg )
685631

>>685447
“I don’t know any way to help them when I’m not here. Everything I can do only works on things close to me.”

I finish eating and head over to the wall under where the captain us talking.
As I walk over I hear him giving a report to the big people with fire stick.

“I want you all to be very careful. There’s been a report of something big out there today towards the northeast.
We’ve handled ourselves before, but we still don’t know just what this land can throw at us. Keep regular patrols along the walls and report anything suspicious. I’m not having any more casualties. Dismissed”


The captain makes his way off the wall and notices me as he reaches the ground.

“Good morning. I see you’ve…..repurposed the dress we gave you.”
“It’s not exactly the usual way young girls dress themselves; though I suppose it is up to you as to how you dress yourself.”

“In any case what can I do for you?”


“You said there was something big out there?”
“Is there any way I can help?”

“You heard that did you?
“Indeed; a scout reported early this morning that he saw something quite large and unidentified around the edge of the west forest.”

“As for helping; this really isn’t something for a young lady to deal with. You can leave it to my men.”
“It’s their job to defend the people of this fort. And I can promise you that as long as you are here we will do our best to ensure everyone’s safety.”
“Unfortunately I can’t offer any help should you chose to leave. All the more reason I think you should stay here.”
“But I won’t make you stay; it is not my right to force you.”
“In any case I should be going; I need to inspect our food storage.”


With that the captain walks away and out of site.

I look around to find the doctor but he’s not where he was anymore.
Eventually I see him making his way back to the building I came out of this morning.

I rush over to him and get his attention just before he steps inside.

“I have your scissors!”

He turns around to face me and accepts the scissors.

“Ah, so you do. Thank you child. I was just heading back to the sick ward to check on Molen.”

“Actually, would you like to come with me? Perhaps you would like to see him; he is the one who shot you after all.”

>>
No. 685638 ID: ca183f

>>685631
He's the one that shot us, and the one that fell off the wall practically on top of us?

Either we have a DEEP MYSTIC CONNECTION, or he's incredibly unlucky.

Might as well meet him, right? What could go wrong?
>>
No. 685653 ID: e649e0

Uhm, be careful. We don't know if people can hold these cursed spirits, and he might end up trying to attack us. It would be socially problematic to avoid this meeting though, so go forth and protect the doctor if our worst fears are actually valid.
>>
No. 685686 ID: 88960e

>something big out there today towards the northeast
Possible lead to follow. You might try to intercept.

>I see you’ve…..repurposed the dress we gave you.
It was a nice dress and all but it was important that I could move!

>I won’t make you stay; it is not my right to force you
Hmm. That's an unusual amount of agency for adults to leave an apparent child.

>he is the one who shot you after all.
Well it was a mistake, right? Hopefully he's not too guilty about that.

Sure, go with him.
>>
No. 685737 ID: 8cc774
File 144850065584.jpg - (846.89KB , 1664x1182 , surgical table.jpg )
685737

“Sure, I’ll go.”

I follow the doctor back into the building, down the hall, and past the room with the tools and jars.
Eventually we enter a room deep inside with several beds, most empty. On the other side of the room a man is laying on a bed with bloodied bandages wrapped around his chest. A table is next to his bed with more strange tools lying on top.

As we approach the bed the doctor begins to talk.

“He’s not in very good shape. The damage to his sternum was extensive; you wouldn’t believe the amount of wood shards I had to pull out.”
“The world has quite a cruel way of giving out vengeance, wouldn’t you say?”


The man is unconscious and has a sickly pallor. His breathing is slow and labored.

The doctor begins undoing the bandages to look at the wounds underneath.
“I’ve done my best but it’s unlikely that he’ll live. There’s little I can do to stop infection.”

I walk around to the other side of the table and place my hand on Molen’s head.
I can’t feel anything wrong; I don’t think there’s anything else inside him.
At least nothing I can feel.

“I wish there was something I could do.”

“As do I. But we are only human; there is only so much we can do.”

He stops unbinding and looks up suddenly, as if he just remembered something.

“You should probably leave then, just thought you should see what happened to the person that hurt you.”


Should I go ahead and leave then?
Or is there anything else I should say first?
>>
No. 685748 ID: ca183f

>>685737
Just, "I hope he lives." Or better, tell him "I hope you live."
>>
No. 685766 ID: 86cfc3

>But we are only human; there is only so much we can do
You're not. Too bad healing others isn't a skill you've mastered, though.

...you might be able to kill off infectious disease with heat or cold, but it would be tricky doing that with precision and not freezing or burning the patient.

Can you feel the infection? Lots of very very small living things inside his body? Things smaller than flecks of dirt or dust?

>Or is there anything else I should say first?
It's not fair. He only trying to keep the people here safe, but he hurt himself and someone else instead.
>>
No. 685796 ID: 4e2978

Before you leave ask the doctor about that strange jar he gave to the child.
>>
No. 685918 ID: ac1424
File 144860449070.jpg - (85.39KB , 900x900 , Rough map.jpg )
685918

“I hope he lives. He didn’t deserve this.”

“They usually don’t.”

He continues unwrapping the wound until I can see the bare flesh.
It doesn’t look.
His chest is ragged and torn. Pieces are missing and scabs cover much of his skin.

“I can’t see anything weird. Just a really bad wound.”

I look away, feeling a little dizzy.
I walk back around, next to the doctor.

“I wanted to ask you a question. I saw you give someone a bottle of something a little earlier. What was it?”

He talks as he continues inspecting Molen’s chest.

“Oh, that. That was my own mixture of medical herbs, meant to sooth the body in case of pain. The girl’s mother has been feeling pain in her head recently, as have many people here. I thought it best to give her a small supply.”

“Thank you, I hope I see you again soon.”

“I feel the same child. Do be careful out there.”

I make my way back outside and over to the gate.
I walk up the big person by the gate.

“Can I go outside?”

“Oh, it’s you. The captain said you can pass.”

He walks over to some kind of circle with sticks running through it next to the gate and slowly spins it.
The gates open and I step through, back outside for the first time in days.
The gates close quickly behind me.

“Alright, should we head straight to the Saukiogs?”
“Or is there anything else we should do first?’

Very rough “map” of the area to orient yourselves.
>>
No. 685978 ID: 86cfc3

>The girl’s mother has been feeling pain in her head recently, as have many people here.
Hmm. I wonder if something is affecting them.

>outside the fort
Might want to make sure we come back in daylight the next time. On the path. Maybe we an improvised white flag or such. Just to minimize the chance of getting shot by accident.

>Alright, should we head straight to the Saukiogs?
I think so. They're our next lead, after all.

Well, before that, we could scout a little to the northeast, see if that thing the captain was talking about is close. We might want to take it out before it can get to the fort.
>>
No. 685997 ID: d9d287

>>685978
There's nothing to disagree with here except the contradictory part where we suggest a detour and getting back early. Let me amend the contradiction: We could visit the Sauklogs first, scout after if we still have time, or we can scout first, which maximizes our chances of finding it before it's reached the fort. All else being equal, I like the second better just because of the whole witchcraft issue.
>>
No. 686314 ID: ebb245

I'm thinking their headaches are related to what we experienced in the basement.

I think we should scout out that area the scouts were talking about to try and find whatevers out there before it becomes an issue
>>
No. 686325 ID: 8cc774
File 144887618683.jpg - (57.64KB , 382x400 , Stifflegged-bear.jpg )
686325

“Alright, let’s go check out whatever’s coming from the west forest.”

I make my way North West, towards the southern edge of the Western Forest.
After awhile I arrive at the West Forest.

“It’s so much darker here. Even during the day.”

The forest stretches on before me, unnaturally dim even though it is not even noon.
I move on, looking all around me as I go deeper and deeper.

“I don’t see anything yet. Maybe I can feel something.”

I close my eyes and concentrate on the forest around me.
There’s something big out there. It’s not very far away.
I keep going, getting closer to whatever it is.
As I climb over a jagged hill, I see it.

It’s enormous.
What was once a bear is now twisted by the plague.
Its body is mangled and ragged; muscles and wood tangle together under matted fur.
It turns its head towards me, locking its eyes with mine.
There’s rage in its eyes.

I am afraid.

Do I stand and fight it?
Or should I run? And where?
>>
No. 686394 ID: 1880d6

If it's large enough to frighten you, you should run East and try to get some support
>>
No. 686395 ID: 2ccbb3

Gauge the beast's intelligence. Retreat to safety and try to capture it alive.

Use the environment and squad tactics to your advantage. Trap it with soldiers attacking where it cannot fly. Turn simple objects into devastating traps. Tear its skin until it can no longer move.

Prepare a live autopsy, if it spread a disease you will need to prepare a vaccine and quickly.
>>
No. 686397 ID: d9d287

Those are both bad choices, you use your distant-cooling and heating powers to cripple it and keep out of its reach, staying out of its sight as much as possible.
>>
No. 686398 ID: 86cfc3

I feel like you should use the environment against it. I doubt we can freeze or burn it to death without it closing. We need to trick it into falling into the river, or down into the ruins (or drop some ruins on it).

Bait and lure it with and attacks and running, and then use the environment to set a trap and pummel it.
>>
No. 686582 ID: 123067
File 144908265463.jpg - (184.62KB , 1600x900 , explosions in forest.jpg )
686582

“It hasn’t started moving toward me yet, it’s just staring me down; waiting.”
I take the opportunity to set an ice trap.

I move up to a tree on the left and place one hand on the side. The other I put on the ground between the bad thing and the tree.
I concentrate and start cooling both. Going until the tree is frozen through and a thin sheet of ice covers the ground.

When I’m done I feel a small wave of tiredness wash over me.
“It’s not that bad, but I probably can’t do too many of those.”

I look up and see the bad thing charging towards me.

RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

I quickly run to the side, putting distance between us.
It looks like it has trouble following very fast when there are lots of trees.
Once in a while I turn around and start hitting it with heat.

It doesn’t do much to the body but the legs are thinner and start to crack a little with each hit.
Hitting the head only seems to make it angrier.
I can’t keep it up though.
Out running and heating it is wearing me out.

“The trap isn’t too far; I can loop back around and try to use it.”

“If I do that, how do I get the bad thing to fall for it?”
“Or should I try something else?”
>>
No. 686589 ID: d9d287

We apparently have a reliable way to make it angry by attacking its head, would that work to make it blunder into the trap?

Note for later: If we do something like this again we need a sling and some good bullets to use. Magic is too suspicious to use in many cases even if we had limitless ability to use it.
>>
No. 686784 ID: 88960e

You lure it over the trap by baiting it. Be on the other side of the trap and snipe it so it tries to come after you.
>>
No. 687069 ID: 8cc774
File 144929891383.jpg - (717.17KB , 1304x1940 , broken tree.jpg )
687069

“Alright, let’s make it mad.

I run forward as fast as I can, getting well out of its reach.
After getting some distance I jump forward and spin around in the air, smashing the bad thing with two blasts straight to the face.

RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

“Well, it’s mad.”

The bad thing charges after me, knocking trees over in its path.
I can outrun it but I don’t think for very long.

“Better make my way to the trap fast.”

I make a straight shot for the tree, with the bad thing close behind.
Just before I get to the frozen ground I throw myself forward, landing just past the tree.

I spin back around, just in time to see the bad thing about to reach the trap.
Two more blasts of heat to its feet and it falls forward onto the ice.
It was going so fast that it keeps sliding, slamming into the tree.
The tree buckles and cracks, slowly tipping towards the bad thing.
It tries to get up but I blast it with force along with the tree.
The tree comes crashing down, smashing the bad things back.

Its back left leg is snapped off and the left side of the body is split open.
But it’s not dead yet.

It’s limping away from the tree, spilling black goo out of its side and onto the ground.
Slowly it makes its way towards me.

I need to finish it off, it’s too dangerous to let go.

If I can pin it down, I can try to burn it from the inside.
Should I try that or do you have a different idea?
>>
No. 687075 ID: d9d287

It's injured and dismembered already, we should have a mobility upper hand. If so, I'd beat it with sticks and use a little more cold to snap more pieces off. Don't pin something dangerous if we can finish rendering it harmless first, eh?
>>
No. 687142 ID: 86cfc3

Drop some trees on it, until it's pinned. Then we can freeze in place and/or light it on fire to finish it off.
>>
No. 688720 ID: 8cc774
File 145011866047.jpg - (128.52KB , 800x533 , bear fire.jpg )
688720

“Alright, we’ll go slow and careful.”

I look around to see what I can use.
There are some bigger rocks on the ground, I can use those.

I move back, far out of the bad things reach.
Then I turn towards it and concentrate.

Rocks fly towards the bad thing, most bouncing off without hurting it.
If I could lift things better with my power, I might be able to do more.

“Let’s try something else.”

I breathe deeply, calming myself as much as I can once again.
I reach my hands out towards the bad thing and begin.

Slowly, ice starts crawling up its legs, cracking the wood underneath.
The farther the ice goes and the thicker it gets, the slower the bad thing becomes.
Eventually it becomes stuck.

But not for long.

rrrraaaaAAAaGGGHHHHHHH

It shakes and bucks with all its might, splitting the ice and its own flesh.

“It’s a monster of rage.”

The bad thing is free from the ice, but its body is falling apart.

Cracks spread all across its body, black goo pours form its wound.
Its eyes are full of hate.

“I am afraid.”

I run back to the nearest tree; the bad thing crawling after me.
I’m about to set up another trap when I see something on the ground.

It’s gray and it looks like metal.
I kneel down and pick it up.
It’s a smooth, round ball about the size of an acorn.

I look back up.
The bad thing is still crawling towards me.

I go back to making the trap.
The ice spreads through the tree freezing it to the core; once again I feel more strength empty out of me.


“This time I have to break the tree myself.”

I move back a little and focus as hard as I can.
The tree explodes in heat, wood flying everywhere.
The tree slowly creaks forwards, finally slamming down on the bad thing.
It lands on the bad things side, nearly splitting it in half.

“It can’t move anymore, now I can finfish it.”

I send blasts of heat, lighting the tree and the bad thing on fire.
The flames eventually eat its body.

I sit down and catch my breath.
“That took a lot. I’m tired.”

“I should leave the west forest now; something else will probably come soon.”

“Should I make my way to the Saukiogs now?”
“Or is there anything else I should do?”
>>
No. 688773 ID: d9d287

Only you can prevent forest fires? I'd really wanna clean up this mess so that it isn't obvious what we did here, but that'll probably take more out of you than you have to give.
>>
No. 688777 ID: 2ccbb3

If that's Victory, I don't want to see Defeat...

Chop all the trees surrounding the fire, put them somewhere else.
>>
No. 688780 ID: 86cfc3

If that fire's not under control, you might need to make a firebreak to stop it from spreading. (Which is a fancy way of staying using smaller, controlled fires to eat up the fuel ahead of a blaze so it's cut off).

Short of any damage control, yes, I think it's time to visit the Saukiogs. Preferably before the fort people decide it's worth investigating the big plume of smoke they see.

Can you describe the metal ball you found? Is it just a musket-ball, like you were shot with?
>>
No. 688850 ID: 8cc774
File 145016438404.jpg - (17.79KB , 200x206 , metal ball.jpg )
688850

“Ya, I should probably make sure the fire doesn’t spread.”

I get up and walk around the fire, moving anything that might start to burn.
I stay until it begins to die down.

“I’m tired but I can still move the burnt pieces around.”

I pull pieces off the pile, spreading it around the clearing and scooping some dirt on them.

“It still looks like something happened here, but at least there’s not a huge pile anymore.”

>>688780
I look at the ball in my hand.
“It’s round, very smooth, and cool to the touch. I think its metal.”
“What’s a musket……wait, is that what a fire stick is called?”

I begin making my way back east, towards the Saukiogs.
Eventually I end up at what looks like just south of the crossroads.
I start to go on my way but I hear something coming from the right.
I turn to see a woman coming from the forest.
It’s the same scout from a few days ago.

“Its you.

She walks over and begins inspecting me

“When you disappeared we became worried.”
“We feared that the fort people had done something to you.”
“We sent someone to look for you, but we are not welcome there.”
“Are you alright?” “What happened?”

>>
No. 688868 ID: 2ccbb3

Seduce strange woman
>>
No. 688941 ID: 88960e

>“What’s a musket……wait, is that what a fire stick is called?”
Yep. More generally they're guns or firearms, but the specific type they're using should be muskets.

>what happened
You had a misunderstanding with the fort people. They were so jumpy and afraid with all the bad things around they thought I was one! But after that they were nice to me and gave me a bed and food and a dress even if I had to make it better. And I helped them when the bad things came but made sure they didn't see me do it. And then I dealt with a big one in the woods.
>>
No. 688947 ID: d9d287

>>688868
No pedo, you sicko.


Tell her it's a bit of a long story that you would be happy to share, but that you're tired after taking care of one of the monsters in the woods and you were originally trying to come here for advice about evil spirits. The short version is that it's a bad idea to show up in the middle of the night to visit someone armed and frightened, but we seem to be welcome there so far.
>>
No. 688992 ID: 8cc774
File 145022333453.jpg - (200.15KB , 600x900 , late evening.jpg )
688992

“I went to go see the fort people; I wanted to make sure they were ok.”
“But they accidentally hurt me when I got there. They helped me get better though.”
“They were attacked by the bad things and didn’t know I wasn’t one of them.”

“But I’ll tell you more when we get back to the village.”
“I just beat a really big bad thing in the west forest, and it really tired me out.”

“Let’s go then. The elders will want to hear your story.

We make our way back to the village, getting there in the afternoon.
I follow the scout through the village, back to the place where I saw the elders a few days ago.
When we arrive the elder who told me about my nightmare greets us.

“Thank the spirits, you’re alright little one. We feared the worst.”
“Come I will gather the others and we shall hear what you have to say.”


I follow him back into the largest tent and sit by the fire pit.
After a few moments he comes back with the other two elders.
They sit across from me; the scout stands at the opening of the tent.

“Tell us little one, what has happened to you these past few days?”

I tell them everything, from the night I left to how the people of the fort treated me, the attack after I woke up and how I helped without letting anyone see me, the dream I had, and finally the bad thing I destroyed in the forest.

The whole time they wait patiently, listening to everything I have to say.
When I tell them about the dream they all seem to be visibly alarmed, but still wait for me to finish.

This time the center elder speaks, he looks like he’s the oldest.
“You seem quite adept at finding trouble little one. The life you live; I don’t anyone here could handle.”
“But you say you were visited by aashaa in your dreams.”
“That is…….astounding.”
“The great spirit has not spoken in many years. That she would show herself to you means we were right to assume you had some connection to this land.”
“Is there anything else she told you?”


“She told me you could take me to the ‘grave of the spirirts’.”

The elders all pull back in shock, looking at one another in confusion.

The oldest elder leans forward.
“The ‘grave of the spirits’ is our most sacred place, few are even allowed there.”
“If she wishes you to go there, it must be even worse than we imagined.”


The elder on the right raises her hand, she looks the youngest.
“I shall take you; the others can no longer make the journey.”
“But not tonight, one should never go there at night.”
“Rest here today, and we shall go early in the morning.”

The elders all get up and leave; the scout enters the tent after they are gone.

“In that case you should come with me; you’ll need a place to rest.”

I follow the scout to her tent and spend the next few hours eating, cleaning myself, and resting.

It’s starting to get late; the sun hangs low in the sky. It won’t be long until the sun sets.

“I feel a bit better now. If I want I can do something before I go to sleep.”
“I still don’t know what the ball I found is, and I think I remember one of the little voices talking about a weapon, I can try to find one.”
“Or I can just go to sleep early, and deal with it in the morning.”
>>
No. 688994 ID: 2ccbb3

>>688947
I WAS TRYING TO MAKE HER FEEL SOCIALLY AWKWARD, YOU PARANOID TWITCH (Also known as: sorry)

>>688992
Find a weapon. Zombie skeletons have big skulls to shoot at.
>>
No. 689056 ID: 86cfc3

>>688994
Worst case, considering the respect / esteem they hold us in, and their belief we're needed to save this land, that might have put her in the awkward position where she couldn't really say no.

>I still don’t know what the ball I found is, and I think I remember one of the little voices talking about a weapon, I can try to find one.
How big is the ball?

I'm not sure how much use a gun to put it in would be. Unless it's really special, what good is one bullet? Especially since it takes training and practice to load a musket, and to shoot well. And your own innate abilities are much more dangerous to the bad things.

I suppose if the Saukiogs took any, you could compare to one and see if it matches, at least.

>“The ‘grave of the spirits’ is our most sacred place, few are even allowed there.”
>“If she wishes you to go there, it must be even worse than we imagined.”
One obvious course of action would be to ask what they can tell you about this place, but that can probably be handled en route tomorrow.
>>
No. 689083 ID: 7075a9

Could you ask the scout about the metal ball and if she could help you get a weapon for general defense or hunting, we don't know what exactly is happening tomorrow
>>
No. 689089 ID: 8cc774
File 145025592066.jpg - (6.48KB , 400x300 , end chapter 2.jpg )
689089

>>689056
“The ball is about the size of an acorn.”

I stand up and exit the tent I was sitting in.

The scout is standing near a fire just outside, next to a few more people.

“I was hoping you could tell me if you know what this is.”

I hand her the ball and she inspects it closely.

“It looks like a musket-shot. The fort people load them into their guns and fire them faster than an arrow.”

She hands the ball back to me.

“Could you also help me find some kind of weapon? For defense or hunting.”

“A weapon?”
“Well for you a sling would probably be best. In fact you could probably use a musket-shot like that with a sling. It might even work better than a stone anyways.”
“Here, I’ll go find you one.”


She walks away from the fire and out of site, but returns in a few minutes.

“This should be good. Just pull back on the little pouch after you load it with something. Then when you want to fire, just let go.”

I take the sling and tie it around my waterskin.
“Thank you.”

“It’s getting late and I need to get up early tomorrow.”
“Time for bed.”

I head back inside the tent and lay down on an animal skin.
In a few moments I fall asleep.

*End of Chapter Two*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Three Prologue

You sleep deeply.
Deeper than you have in days.
You are rested down to your very core.
In this sleep, something stirs within.

A new strength is blossoming in your rested body.

Where will this new power grow?

*Explosive will that moves the world by your command.*
*Strength and speed that puts beasts to shame.*
*Flesh that ignores the call of pain and death.*
>>
No. 689102 ID: d9d287

We are small and lack leverage to make full use of enhanced strength, although we could really use extra speed and endurance.
I'm thinking that all things begin with will however, so unless I've misinterpreted just how useful it is, *Explosive will that moves the world by your command.* seems like the best choice.
>>
No. 689137 ID: ca183f

>>689089
That's a slingshot, not a sling. Which, I believe, is easier to use but less effective. So probably a good choice at this point.

> new power
I think it's time for healing. Unless I'm misinterpreting that and it's just ability to push yourself when injured, in which case go for strength and agility instead.
>>
No. 689140 ID: 2ccbb3

Higher endurance will allow her to survive the ensuing horrors without stopping. One scratch from a zombie is all it takes to kill her, so let's fix that.
>>
No. 689144 ID: 88960e

Explosive will
>>
No. 689219 ID: 28f200

Explosive will that moves the world by your command. This should give you the upper hand in combat if I'm interpreting this corretly
>>
No. 689238 ID: 8cc774
File 145032253290.jpg - (46.23KB , 400x400 , telekinesis.jpg )
689238

You feel a prickly sensation spread across your mind and down to the very core of your being.

You feel a new strength in your ability to manipulate the world around you.
You feel as if you could rip a tree from the earth or launch a boulder into the sky.
Your mind can send your enemies asunder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I open my eyes to an early morning; the sun barely rising.

The tent I slept in is empty. The scout probably left already.
I gather my stuff and head outside.
“It looks like most people are already awake, so the elders should be waiting.”

I walk back to the center tent and see the younger elder standing just in front of the opening.
As I approach she turns and greets me.

“Good morning little one, I trust you slept well?”
“I am ready to depart whenever you are prepared.”
“Do you have any questions before we leave?”

>>
No. 689244 ID: 86cfc3

>greater telekinesis
Hmm. That seems intended to throw large masses around and generally rip things apart. But I wonder how well it would work if you focused all it on say, your little metal ball. Hyper-fast, hyper-accurate, and returning. Especially if it's something more than an ordinary musket ball.

>Do you have any questions before we leave?
Tell me about this place. What is it is? Why are you afraid of it?
>>
No. 689284 ID: d9d287

We seem to be gaining more ability to affect the world in ways that seem different from normal people as time goes on. Do they know why, and is it a good thing?
It's also not an immediate need but we do need to know more about the whispers from the earth in the fort's storage room.
>>
No. 689345 ID: 574ae9

Where is the sacred place and is there anything else we should know about it
>>
No. 689355 ID: 8cc774
File 145038352879.jpg - (281.52KB , 1000x630 , cliff.jpg )
689355

“This place we’re going, the ‘grave of the spirits’, where and what is it?”

The elder waves me into the tent; talking as she gathers two packs.

“It is to the northeast, hidden in the hills; should take about a half day to reach.”
“As for what it is……”
“Years ago it was a sacred site, where elders came to speak with the spirits.”
“It was there that we learned the truths of the world, and took the lessons we taught to our people.”
“And eventually it is where all elders are buried; that our spirits may aid those that lead when we are gone.”
“But now it is a place of silence, as if the spirits have fled in fear.”


“Are you afraid of it?”

The elder stops and looks up at me; for a moment she looks like she’s thinking.

“It is not entirely fear that we feel………it is also a feeling of respect.”
“You must understand, it is not a place many tread. Even we have not journeyed there in several years.”
“But if the Aashaa says we must go there, then something must have changed.”
“With all that has happened, we do fear that something might have happened there.”
“We do not know what we will find there, but we hope it will help you.”


“Do you know anything about why I have these powers?’

“We believe you were given your power by the will of this land, to help save it from the beasts of the west. Though we do not know how.”

We each take a pack and leave the tent.
We head northeast into an area I’ve never seen before and soon leave the village behind.

The ground is rough and uneven.
It takes a long time for the elder to get very far.
After few hours walking we come across a path leading up to a cracked cliff face with another wooden path built into its side that goes up to the top.

[i] “We can take this path to reach our destination quickly, but we will have to be careful. The wood has grown old.”
“Or we can go around the hills. It will take longer, but it should be safer.

>>
No. 689392 ID: 574ae9

We should cut through the woods and go the shorter way, but do so with extreme caution. We shouldn't waste a bunch of time going the long way because i dont wanna be there at night. We don't want to risk it after what she said earlier
>>
No. 689394 ID: 86cfc3

I tend to think since we have an elder guide to look out for, we should take the safer route.

If we go for the less safe route, I suggest gently feeling out the path ahead of you with your telekinesis, to test if it will hold, before setting foot on it. Possibly we could use the same power to reinforce or support the weak areas, if we're careful.

Although I'm not sure from the description if you have that degree of precision over it, or if it's more gross force.
>>
No. 689396 ID: 2ccbb3

Shorter path. Time to practice those new powers.
>>
No. 689432 ID: 3d7fbe

Ask the elder which way they prefer.
>>
No. 689457 ID: 8cc774
File 145042485020.jpg - (74.32KB , 610x480 , bridge.jpg )
689457

“I think we should take the quicker path.”
“But what do you think?”

The elder stares out towards the wooden path.

“I agree, although it might be safer to go around, the shorter path will get us there much faster.”
“We just need to be careful as we ascend.”


We make or way to the beginning of the wooden path, at the bottom of the cliff face.
I look up and trace the bridge-like path, snaking up the cliff face.
The wood is old and cracked but doesn’t seem to be very weak.
I step onto a lower plank and bounce on it.
It only creaks a little.

I test the planks in front of me with my power but it doesn’t seem to cause them to break.
I try harder and accidentally rip a few out of the wall.
“I guess I’m still getting use to the new strength.”

“We should be fine as long as we go slowly.”


We begin climbing the steps, making good progress without anything really happening.
We’re most of the way there when I hear a load snapping sound and a gasp.
I turn quickly in time to see the elder falling away from the path, arms outstretched.
I reach out and lift her with my power, stopping her in mid air.

“This is easier than I remember.”
“I think I’ll just hold you like this the rest of the way.”

The elder snaps out of her shock and looks towards me.
“I…..I think that is a good idea.”

I make my way up the rest of the path and set her down on top of the cliff.
She seems a little shaky and out of breath.

“We should not go back that way.”

With the path behind us we make the rest of the trip without any more dangers.
After a few more hours of walking the ground and surrounding area starts to change, becoming more hilly and bare.

“We’re almost there. It’s just past this ridge.”

As we climb the ridge, I begin to feel something, small at first but growing slightly the closer we get.
“I can’t tell what it is but I know I feel something.”

At the top of ridge we stop and look down at the side.
At the bottom of the hill in a valley, barren except for lines of uneven stone slabs.
All leading towards a large cave in the side of the opposite hill.

“This is the ‘grave of the spirits’, the sacred place of our ancestors.”
“You may search wherever you wish and I will help however I can.”


Where should we search first?
>>
No. 689475 ID: 88960e

>where search
Where did they normally go here to speak with the spirits? (I assume there was some kind of ritual and/or meditative site).

If there's something to be found here, or that will speak to us, it makes sense to start in the place they used for that.
>>
No. 689482 ID: 210c91

Let your feelings guide you! Go in the direction of the "something".
>>
No. 689483 ID: 202bb2

I think we should check out the uneven slabs but focus on this cave
>>
No. 689497 ID: 8cc774
File 145047776437.jpg - (395.23KB , 1200x1600 , cave.jpg )
689497

“Where do you think we should go?”

“I don’t believe we’ll find anything among the graves.”
“The cave is probably where we need to be.”
“That is where we would go to speak with the spirits.”


We make our way down the hill and into the valley, passing the stone slabs as we walk towards the cave.
Each slab has markings that I don’t understand but it’s probably in the Saukiogs language.
The cave is deep and dark; I can only see a little inside.
As we approach the opening, the feeling grows.

“It’s definitely coming from there.”

At the opening the elder stops and pulls a torch from under a blanket, behind a boulder.

“Would you mind lighting this?”

I reach out and the torch bursts into flames, lighting up the cave opening.

The cave slowly descends into the ground twisting and turning the farther we go.
Along the walls are drawings, showing little people, animals, and tents.

“This is the history of our people; from our rise from the earth to the coming of the white man.”
“It is here that we recorded our past and looked to our future.”


Eventually we arrive at a split in the path.
The right continues on straight and level.
The left goes deeper into the ground and curves out of sight.

The elder steps towards the right path.

“This is the tunnel we should follow; it leads to the ceremony room.”
“The left tunnel leads to a dead end.”


I begin following her down the right path but stop after a few steps.
The feeling I’ve been sensing was steadily growing the farther I went into the cave, but now it feels like it’s coming from the left path.

“Which path should I follow?”
>>
No. 689498 ID: 210c91

Go check out the left first. Whats the harm in that?
>>
No. 689516 ID: d9d287

We should inform the elder of what we feel, because it's likely that either what we're looking for has changed places or there's a problem down the lower branch we need to take care of. She knows this area better than us, and may have an idea of what we might be feeling if we tell her where it is.
>>
No. 689520 ID: 86cfc3

>>689497
I say you should tell her you feel something coming from the left. Maybe it's not just a dead end, anymore.
>>
No. 689533 ID: 8cc774
File 145050221277.jpg - (121.48KB , 3264x2176 , cavern.jpg )
689533

I call out to the elder.

“Wait.”
“I think there’s something down the left path, are you sure there’s nothing that way?”

The elder stops and turns back towards me.

“The left path?”
“I’m sure there’s nothing that way.”
“I was told by my mother; the elder before me.”
“Though I must say I have never been there myself.”


“I feel like there’s…….something, down there.”
“I think we should check.”
“Just to make sure.”

The elder follows me down the left path, deeper underground.
The walls begin to change, becoming oddly neat and smooth.
The air becomes colder and the feeling grows, as if crawling across my skin.

Eventually I reach a dead-end, the path widening at a cavern before ending with a wall.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything here.”

I walk up the opposite wall, and place my hand against it.
My hand tingles, a prickly feelings spreading across my hand.

“I think this is it.”

I press my ear to the wall and concentrate.

Whispers.

“I hear whispers in the wall.”

I place my whole body against the wall and feel into the wall as deep as I can.
I push deep into the stone until I find something.
Whatever it is, it feels like it’s asleep.

Suddenly it wakes.
I pull back in surprise.

The stone slowly collapses in like a door.

A rush of wind blows through the passage, blowing out the torch.
The room is pitch black.

I hear something fall to the ground.

There are whispers all around me and a voice behind me.
>>
No. 689535 ID: 2ccbb3

Break the earth, craft pillars to hold the ground. Right now, the most dangerous thing nearby is the earth itself. Don't let it squash you.
>>
No. 689538 ID: 86cfc3

>>689533
Hold your hand out, palm up, and create a ball of flame above it. Let's see what we're dealing with.
>>
No. 689545 ID: 210c91

Listen to the voice. See what it has to tell you. When it's done use you're fire power to look around.
>>
No. 689548 ID: bd96b4

Find the torch and re-light it. Where's the elder, we need to find her and make sure she's safe so we can figure out this voice and what fell
>>
No. 689551 ID: 8cc774
File 145051617963.jpg - (31.01KB , 640x297 , shadow_people.jpg )
689551

“I can’t just make fire, I need something to burn.”

I drop to the floor, feeling around for the torch.

“The whispers are all blending together, I can’t understand what their saying.”

My hand brushes against something on the ground; I think it’s the torch.
I grab it and stand up.
As I light it the room fills with light.

People

Everywhere

Shadows dance along the cavern walls.

But no one is there to cast them.

I’m surrounded by silhouettes, pushing in on all sides.

I see the elder.
She’s standing in the corner shaking.
Her eyes are pointed at the ground and she’s chanting something I can’t understand.
“I think she was the voice I could hear.”

“What’s going on? Are you alright?”

She doesn’t respond.

The shadows don’t seem to be doing anything.
They just shuffle around the room, whispering to themselves.

“Who are you?”
“What are you doing?”

The shadows all stop in unison.
The room falls into deafly silence.

Suddenly they all turn at the same time and point to the new opening.
I walk to the opening to see what’s inside.
The room is roughly circular but the far end dips into a pool of water.
The feeling is incredibly strong now, almost like its pulling me towards the water.

“Should I go in?”
“If I do, should I bring the elder or tell her to leave?”
>>
No. 689554 ID: 2ccbb3

Anasazi.

It's luring you in, don't go in just yet. However, try to use your powers to make the pool come to you.
>>
No. 689572 ID: 86cfc3

>should I go in?
I think you should, but we should check on the elder, first. Gotta be responsible in how we look after people around us.

Hold up a finger and tell the shadows to wait a moment, and then walk over to her. Are you okay? Do you need to go back outside?
>>
No. 689579 ID: 8c5340

Lets make sure the elders okay and see how shes doing. If she can handle it have her come in with you, but be gentle she has had a pretty traumatic day so far. We should go into the opening but for the love of god don't go into the mystery water until we know what it is
>>
No. 689595 ID: 8cc774
File 145057750384.jpg - (369.18KB , 1600x1200 , pool.jpg )
689595

I pull myself away from the opening and go back to the elder.
The shadows don’t move; still pointing at the opening.

I wrap my hands around the elders.
“Are you ok?”
“Can you talk?”

The elder stops shaking and looks up slowly.
“Spirits…….”
“All around us…….”
“I’ve never seen so many…….”


“Do you know what’s going on?”

She looks around the room, fear in her eyes.
“No”
“I must confess that I have nearly no experience with spirits.”
“After the first time, when I became an elder; I only journeyed here once on my own.”
“But when I came, the spirits were already silent.”
“I am so sorry, but I do not know if I can help you.”


“Do you need to leave?”

She thinks for a moment, staring at the ground.

“No”
“I cannot leave you.”
“If I cannot help one child, I am not fit to lead my people.”
“I do not know how, but I will help.


“She seems a little conflicted, but I think she’ll be ok.”

We both walk forward, past the shadows and into the room.

I walk up to the very edge of the water and look into it.

The water is calm and crystal clear.
I can feel the pool trying to pull me in.
I almost have to fight against the urge.

“Do you know what this is?”

There is no response.

I turn around and see the elder staring at the ground again, this time making no sound.
Standing perfectly still; torch in hand.

She looks up slowly again, expressionless and pale.
She points to the water, like the shadows behind her.

This is the life-blood of this land. Drink deeply and you shall see truth.

She sounds like a hundred tiny voices are speaking at once, echoing across the room.

“What do I do?”
>>
No. 689596 ID: 86cfc3

>>689595
Inform the spirits it's very rude to make the elder talk for them, especially since you're pretty sure they didn't bother to ask permission first!

Then drink the water anyways. Let's see this truth vision. Rude or not, they have something to show us.
>>
No. 689601 ID: 2ccbb3

Ask the spirits if they're willing to accept a test run.

Water. Old lady's mouth. Make it happen.
>>
No. 689602 ID: 86cfc3

>>689601
Um, that sounds like a bad idea. Ix-nay on forcing our mortal companion to drink the dangerous magic water.
>>
No. 689605 ID: 210c91

Drink some of that trippy ass blood water.
>>
No. 689611 ID: 30d35e

I kinda wish you had better health, drinking this makes me nervous, but it seems like our best bet to figure out whats going on right now
>>
No. 689622 ID: d9d287

Ask why we need to concentrate the life-blood of the land in ourself instead of putting it back in the land where it belongs: There had better be a good damn reason for this.
>>
No. 689631 ID: 8cc774
File 145058724929.jpg - (166.43KB , 1280x720 , forest.jpg )
689631

“What are you doing to her?”
“Are you hurting her?”

The elder will be fine. She is speaking for her people.

“But why do I have to drink it?”
“Isn’t it important to the land?”

The land is dying; it matters not what you do. Drink, while it still lives.

I turn back to the water.
It shimmers in the torch light.

I kneel down and dip my hand in the water.
It’s cold, and tingles across my hand.
I bring a handful of water to my mouth and drink.
It’s cold but somehow burns as it goes down.

It suddenly hits me.
Pain shoots through my body.
I fall forward into the water.

The water is deeper than it should be.
I’m falling deeper and deeper; the burning spreading across my body.

“I can’t breathe.”
“Everything’s going dark.”

The water presses in on all sides.
The world fades to black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A cool breeze blows across your face; the sun shines through the treetops.
It is the early evening.
You are lying on the forest floor.

You sit up and look around you.
You are in a forest clearing.

Past the trees before you a procession of people are walking, one after the other, heading west through the forest.
They look like Saukiogs.
At the front of the procession four people carry a body wrapped in cloth.

What will you do?
>>
No. 689632 ID: 2ccbb3

Begin panicking.

You may be dead.
>>
No. 689633 ID: 210c91

>>689632
Yeah you might be or maybe it's a warning.
Either way join in the procession and figure out what is happening.
>>
No. 689634 ID: 86cfc3

Looks like we're watching some kind of funeral procession?

Follow, and watch. Get close enough to listen, if they say something.
>>
No. 689757 ID: 8cc774
File 145067861133.jpg - (127.71KB , 800x500 , rise.jpg )
689757

You stand up and join the procession.
The line of people continues on, without reacting to your appearance.
Eventually you arrive at a forest clearing, where more people are waiting in silence.

There is a shallow hole in the ground directly in the middle of the crowd.

The procession joins the crowd as the four carrying the body approach the hole.
They come to a stop, standing two on each side; holding the body above the hole.

An old man steps forward from the crowd and stands in front of the body.
He raises his hands above his head and begins talking.
You cannot understand what he is saying.

You turn to a man standing on your right.
“What is this?”
“Who are they carrying?”

The man does not respond, staring forward.

After speaking for awhile the old man lowers his hand and the body is lowered into the hole.

Suddenly the crowd disappears, the sun streaks through the sky again and again.
The grave becomes overgrown with vegetation.
Time flows by like a river.

Eventually time slows again, but the forest has changed.
The sky is dark, and the trees are gnarled.
The air is cold and still.

There are whispers; coming from the grave.

The whispers go silent.

“Something is here.”

The earth begins churning and cracking.

Black liquid bubbles up from the cracks, as if the earth itself is bleeding.
A dark fog spreads across the ground.

A hand breaks through the ground, followed by a warped body.
Its flesh is twisted and black; it stands twice as tall as a man.

The fog wraps around its body like a cloak

rrrrrraaaaaaaaagGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
A scream rises from its throat, growing louder and louder, echoing throughout your mind.
It steps forwards, slowly moving towards you.
The sound continues to grow; you can hear nothing else.
The world distorts and shakes around you.
You feel as if a knife is carving through your mind.

You fall to the ground.

Everything is dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I burst through the water, gasping for air.
Its feels like my chest was being crushed.

I crawl out of the water and lay on the cave floor.
It’s dark; the torch is nearly dead.
Only the dying embers are making light.

I see a body lying on the ground a few feet away.
>>
No. 689759 ID: 0fc976

Eat its leg.
>>
No. 689760 ID: 2ccbb3

There was a pronoun change. I think we just saw the host of the Enemy presence. Doesn't seem like a mere avatar.

See if that's the elder. If not, decapitate and burn.
>>
No. 689761 ID: 86cfc3

So... that vision suggests the bad things (or at least one of them) comes from the Saukiogs' own dead?

>I see a body lying on the ground a few feet away.
That's probably the elder. Go check on her.
>>
No. 689774 ID: d9d287

Examine surroundings, note any changes from what was here before, examine body. If that's the elder it's time to get worried. If she's dead as well it's time to do more than get annoyed.
>>
No. 689802 ID: d125d8

Light to torch again and check on the body. It's probably the elder, let's make sure she's alright.
>>
No. 689929 ID: 8cc774
File 145081395946.jpg - (54.72KB , 550x412 , cave-walls.jpg )
689929

After gasping on the floor for awhile I get up and crawl over to the body.
I grab the torch on the way and light it just before I get there.

“It’s the elder.”
“She’s breathing, and it doesn’t look like she’s hurt.”
“She probably just fainted.”

Something around me has changed.
The shadows are all gone.
The torch is lit but only our shadows remain.

“The whispers are still here, but their so quite I can barely hear them.”
“I wonder where they went.”

I look back behind me.
The water looks the same.
It still feels like it’s still calling out to me, but it’s not so strong of a pull anymore.

I turn back to the elder and try to wake her up.
But she doesn’t wake up, no matter how much I shake her.

“Hopefully she’s just really tired.”

“I can carry her out of here; at least out of the cave.”
“Should we go back outside or should I take her to that other room she talked about?”

“Oh, Wait.”

I pull the water skin off and hold it in my hands.

“Should I take any water with me?”
>>
No. 689930 ID: 2ccbb3

YES. DUH.

You'll want to get that analyzed for tiny, tiny water bugs and curses and stuff.
>>
No. 689939 ID: 977a6a

Is that her water skin? If you empty it and fill it with the hallucinogenic water, then she's not gonna have anything to drink. Which could be bad, depending on how far you are from a good water source.

If the skin is already empty, or we have another, I suppose it couldn't hurt to take some for later.

>what do with elder
I think we should move her to the other chamber where it's ostensibly safer.

Then go outside yourself and check what hour it is, and if it's safe outside.
>>
No. 690012 ID: a0705d

Drink any water that's in the waterskin and then fill it with spooky water. Take her to the other room, there might be something useful in there to wake her up.
>>
No. 692156 ID: 8cc774
File 145224033216.jpg - (66.37KB , 500x375 , ceremony room.jpg )
692156

“This is my water skin. The captain gave it to me before I left the fort.”
“And I already drank all the water in it.”
“I guess I forgot to fill it back up.”

I stand back up and walk over to the water.
I make sure not to let the water touch me while I fill the water skin.

“Don’t want anything to happen again.”

With the water skin full I put the top back on and sling it on my shoulder.

I pick the elder up with my power and make my way back up the cave.
After a few minutes I get back to the split in the cave, this time turning left towards the ceremony room.

A few more minutes of walking and we reach an enormous room in the cave.
Weird lights dance across the walls; the sound of running water is coming from the other side of the room.
The air feels different here, but I can’t tell why.

The whispers are here as well, but they sound different.
They sound farther away and calmer.

At the far end of the room is some kind of stone slab, directly in front of what looks like a small water fall.
Water gushes from a crack near the ceiling and runs down the walls before disappearing into another crack in the slab.

I carry the elder over to the slab and sit her against it.

“She should be fine here, I think we’re alone.”

I head back out the way we came until I arrive at the entrance to the cave.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything else in the cave or the area outside of it.”
“It looks like it’s about evening; another hour or two and it’ll be sunset.”
“How long was I in the water?”

I enter the cave again and make my way back to the ceremony room.
When I get there I see that the elder is leaning against the slab, holding her head.

“Are you alright?”

She tenses up suddenly before relaxing after she turns to see me.

“Oh, child. It’s you.”
“I believe so, though my head does hurt.”
“What happened?”
“How did we get here?”

>>
No. 692189 ID: 3d2d5f

>>692156
Be honest.

The spirits talked through you and told me to drink the water. Which is probably why your head hurts, I *told* them that was rude.

When I drank from the water, I had a vision. (Describe it).

I woke up later and brought us here. It's evening outside. I kept some of the vision water, in case I need it later.

Are you okay?

Options- rest here, travel (bad idea after dark, probably), try to do the normal spirit stuff they used to do in this chamber?
>>
No. 692275 ID: 7dfc88

Let her know what happened and what you saw. Tell her what time it is, she was worried about being here after dark and it's getting near that time. Ask her more about this room and it's significance. Would she be up for telling us about what kind of ceremonies they did here?
>>
No. 692318 ID: 210c91

Just explain everything that happen
>>
No. 692392 ID: d9d287

This is our chance to tell if either this elder or the spirits have been lying to us, give full details progressively. If you think you can do it well it'd be nice if we could tease out what this elder knows and expects about what happened and who/what we've seen here, but we probably don't have the crafty guile to do that without making a mistake.
>>
No. 698787 ID: 36681b
File 145454309080.jpg - (271.15KB , 900x1350 , waterfall.jpg )
698787

I walk over, and help her sit on the slab.

“When we were in that other room the torch went out and by the time I relit it the spirits had taken over you.”
“They told me that they weren’t hurting you and that I needed to drink the water, so I did.”
“But it did something to me and I fell in the water.”
“When I woke up I was in a forest and there was a group of people walking by with a body.”
“It looked like some kind of funeral for a Saukiog so I followed them.”
“But something bad happened after they buried the body.”
“One of the bad things crawled out of the grave, but it was different from the others.”
“It looked like a person, like the one in my nightmare.”
“Then I woke up and you were asleep; so I brought you here.”
“I also brought some of the water with me, just in case we need it.”
“I checked outside and it looks like it’ll be evening soon.”

She listens to all I say; a look of confusion on her face.
Until I talk about the bad thing from the grave.
Her face turns pale, she looks afraid.

“One of us, became one of those things?”
“This is…… very bad.”
“When we get back I’ll talk to the other elders about this.”
“Maybe they can help us understand what this means.”


“Should we leave now then? Will you even be able to make it back?”
“It won’t be much longer until it’s sunset.”

“I don’t know if I can leave yet.”
“I don’t want to be here after dark, but it can’t get much worse than it already has.”


She rubs here head. Her skin is pale and her hands shake slightly.
I walk around the slab and over to the waterfall.

“What about this room? What happens in here?”

She turns her head towards me.
“This is our most sacred place. Where the elders drink the blessed water and speak the will of the earth and the spirits.”
“It is said that the water gives us guidance, revealing knowledge that is important for the people to know.”


“So the water in the other room; is that the same water here?”

“Perhaps; though I’ve never heard of such a powerful vision from the water.”
“Maybe the water you drank was different somehow.”


I look around the room, but there doesn’t seem to be anything else in here.

What should we do now?
We can leave now, but we would be very slow because the elder is still weak.
We could wait for her to feel better, but then it’ll probably be dark when we’re traveling.
Or should one of us drink some of the water from the waterfall?
>>
No. 698794 ID: 02422f

>Her skin is pale and her hands shake slightly.
Is she cold? You could help with that. (Unfortunate that your powers haven't leaned towards healing others yet, at this moment).

>We can leave now, but we would be very slow because the elder is still weak.
Well, we could work around that if you carried her back with your power. Assuming you can keep it up that long without tiring yourself out, and that she'd be okay with that.

>what do
I'd think you should either use your power to compensate for her weakness so we can leave quickly, or we should stay the night. Attempt to beat the darkness, or wait it out. Traveling at night seems like a bad idea. It's practically inviting the dark things, and we'd have a hard time fighting and keeping her safe simultaneously.

I don't think either of you is ready for another hit of that water / the spirits right now.
>>
No. 699087 ID: 0b254e

We should leave now, we need answers from the other elders asap. We could definitely use our powers to lift her and hurry back. We already have a sample of the other water, so I don't we need to bother with any of this water.
>>
No. 703051 ID: 36681b
File 145582173931.jpg - (11.65KB , 236x354 , birds.jpg )
703051

I walk back to the elder and grasp her hands.

“Are you cold?”
“You’re shaking.”

“I’m … fine. It should stop soon.”

“I think we should leave now; that way we won’t be stuck here at night.”
“I’ll help you move, so we should make it back alright.”

“If you think that’s for the best.”

She takes a deep breath and gets off of the slab.
She’s still a little shaky but it looks like she can at least stand on her own.

I help the elder as she climbs onto my back.
Thankfully she’s short, so she can fit.
After she climbs on, I concentrate and lift her slightly so I don’t have to carry all of her weight.

It takes a while but we make our way out of the cave and back up the hill.
It doesn’t take too much out of me and I think I can keep it up the whole way.
But it is a little distracting since I have to concentrate on keeping part of her up.

“Now we just need to decide on which way we should take back.”

“We could go back down the wood path on the cliff face.”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle it but I’m a little worried about carrying the elder as well.

“Or we could go around and through the woods this time. It’ll take longer but it’s probably safer.”

While we’re standing on the top of the hill thinking, I notice a group of large birds in the distance.
They’re flying this way from the direction of the cliff path.
I can’t tell why, but for some reason I don’t think I like those birds.
>>
No. 703056 ID: 3d2d5f

Let's go longer and safer. Trust your feelings, we don't want to deal with hostile birds on a cliff.
>>
No. 703313 ID: b34a2c

Lets go the safer route, as long as we're out of the sacred grounds before night comes it doesn't matter how long it takes us to get home
>>
No. 703916 ID: cd886c
File 145601229456.jpg - (97.53KB , 1167x720 , vulture.jpg )
703916

I turn back to the elder.
“I think we should go through the forest this time.”

“I agree”
“I don’t know if I could handle another trip down the cliff.”


She climbs back on and we make our way towards the forest.
It’s slow going but we eventually get to the tree line.

“I think we’ll make it back by nightfall.”

I look back and notice that the birds have gotten a lot closer.
“It looks like they’re still heading right for us.”

Finally, we enter the forest.

The trees here are much closer together than in the other parts of the forest.
It’s much darker in here and it feels like the trees are pushing in on all sides.
Unexplained noises come from just out of sight.

We walk for a while, going deeper and deeper into the woods, getting more anxious as we go.
“I think there’s something else in here.”

Suddenly, something flies through the air; landing on a branch just up ahead with a thud.
The branch creaks under its weight.
It scans the area, looking for something.

I quickly dash behind a tree, staying out of the creature’s sight.

I peek out from behind the tree to a get a good look at it.

It looks like a twisted, rotting vulture.
Where its head should be sits a skull, stripped of flesh.
With only two sunken, red eyes deep in its skull.
Muscles and wood twist together across the body, the chests creaking and heaving with effort.
Most of the feathers are missing; those remaining are fused with leathery flesh.
It twitches and jerks around as it searches, occasionally letting out a pained groan.

I hear a quiet whimper behind me.
“That’s what they look like?

“What should I do?”
“Do I try to fight?”
“Should I run?”
“Can I hide?”
>>
No. 703974 ID: 02422f

Fighting seems like a bad idea, just because there's a whole flock of them. Even if it turns out each one is weak enough to defeat easily, you might have a hard time making sure you're not overwhelmed, or that they don't get to the elder.

I would favor stealth / hiding.
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No. 704352 ID: 7075a9

We try to hide and take this one out quietly from our cover using your power
>>
No. 710877 ID: 210c91

>>703916
fight the twisted vulture the other birds are closing in anyways. Better to clear a path forward than to be cornered.
>>
No. 753495 ID: 60f863

Is this still going?
>>
No. 753574 ID: 71d443

>>753495
If it was, someone would have posted more recently than seven months ago. Don't be a thread necromancer.
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