Rolled 5

>>21808544
Well, time to test our this new bow of ours.
Shoot it in the brain.

Also, I totally said we should have grabbed those rowan arrows.

(we're skilled in bow using, right?)

Rolled 34

>>21808575
welp

Rolled 60

>>21808575
>>21808584
nigga you call that rollin'?

Rolled 50

>>21808575
>>21808584

Okay, last try

Rolled 14

>>21808544
Much as it would be nice to stick with what we know (the bow), that thing's going to close the range too fast for that to be a good idea. Time to pull the sword and make with the ginsu.

In a single, fluid action, you draw your bow and arrow and pull it back. Already, the ghoul was charging, so you let fly. The arrow tears through the ghoul's ribs, and with a sickening 'thuck' noise, plunged into it's torso. The ghoul fell back, as if surprised, and started scrabbling to it's feet again. Cass brought down the sharp end of her stick, slamming it into the ground, and the ghoul was pinned there by it, scrabbling and trying to get up.
"We need to take off it's head." Cass said. "Before it starts-"
The ghoul snarled, and howled, it's voice echoing across the marsh.
"... That's not good." She said, looking this way and that. "We have to go. Somewhere with more running water."

Rolled 45

>>21808642
Grab the arrow, don't have a lot of them and Ariana's hand, follow the expert

Rolled 82

>>21808650
We have forty. Thirty-nine now. It's enough that we can afford to let this one go in favor of getting the hell out of range. Grab Arianna and leg it after Cass.

thirty nine? I thought only twenty minus one we shot just now.
well okay then

>>21808697
We started with twenty, and the weaponsmith threw in a quiver of 20 with the bow.

>>21808642
Leg it!

You grab Arianna's hand, and nod to Cass. She slips on her mask.
"This way." She said, and started running.
Still dazed, Arianna starts to slow down, so without even thinking about it, you sling her on her back, and follow the red-robed figure as she runs through cattails, bushes, and makes a running leap over a small brook.
"We have a hideout." She whispered, panting, when you catch up to her. In the darkness, crowding around where the camp was, you see several pairs of orange eyes bobbing around, glimmering in the darkness. "The others should be there."

She took off again, and you run, panting, as Ariana clings to your back.
"Cass, you forgot those supplies we brought you. Back at the camp." She said, quietly.
"Too... late... now." She panted, in a full-out sprint. Your strength starts to drain as the red-robed figure skids to a stop.

In the distance, through the fog, you can see... the light of fire, and rabble in the distance. The sounds of a fight.
"For the order! Die, monsters!"
Cass's shoulders fell.
"Not the order, not now." She said, twisting her head this way and that. With the way her mask distorted her voice, it was impossible to tell her tone. "Not at the hideout."

Run like the little girl we accompany

>>21808758
shit son. aint nowhere safe.

>>21808758
"Where should we go? If we go back towards the town they might follow us, and the hideout isn't safe... deeper?"

>>21808758
Lets see how many of the order are there and if we could help drive them off.

>>21808780
That's a good way to get us - Abel, Cass, and Arianna - killed. We saw how fast that Order asshole shredded that...whatever they're called...in the swamp.

If we have to interact with the Order at all, we should attempt to refocus them on the ghouls.

>>21808780
How about no

>>21808839
Man, then we would be back for entire threads of walking and doing nothing.

>>21808886
"Where should we go?" You ask. "If we go back towards the town they might follow us, and the hideout isn't safe... deeper?"
"We have to go deeper." She said, as there was another howl in the distance- the pinned ghoul must still be pinned, by the sound of things. "With that thing still trapped, it should rouse all of the ghouls deeper in. It may not be safe."
You continue walking near the hideout, and slowly you hear the fight stop.
As you peer through the fog, you can see nearly a dozen tall, armored knights, and red-robed corpses lying on the ground, perfectly still.

"No... No no no." Cass said, taking two steps back. She clenched her clawed fist.
"... We need to go." Ariana said. "Deeper in."
"... Yes, right." Cass said. "Come on."
She took off again, and slightly rested, you follow.

"Who goes there!" One of the order knights call as the group runs.

A ghoul responds with a howl.
Behind you, as you run, the swarm of orange-eyed ghouls charge the team of heavily armored knights. You hear more battlecries and more snarls as you hear blades shear through undead flesh.

An hour later, you, Cass, and Ariana sit on a small inlet next to a Y-shaped creek. Ariana was silent, and Cass was hugging her knees, her mask sitting on the ground again.

>>21808893
Sit next to Ariana, maybe hugs/hand over shoulder
"Think we should keep moving? Or should we wait for sunrise to get our bearings and hope they don't find us?"

>>21808893
"Are we going to be safe here for now?"

>>21808936
Ariana's or Cass'?

Because I'm thinking Cass could use some comfort right about now.

"Are we going to be safe here for now?" You ask.
Cass nodded. "Running water keeps them from crossing. That direction is the only risk. As long as we keep watch and keep silent, we should be fine."
You turn to Ariana.
"Think we should keep moving?" You ask. "Or should we wait for sunrise to get our bearings and hope they don't find us?"
"... If we move in the dark, tired like this, they might find us." Ariana said, and shivered in the cold, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. "But undead can't come out in the day. We should wait and get some sleep if we can."

>>21809005
"Good idea. I'll take first watch if you want."

Rolled 11

>>21809005
"Okay, you two try and get some sleep, I'll keep an eye out."
rolling to keeping an eye out for dem niggas

Rolled 7

>>21809030
Rollan in support.
(Assuming we even need to roll for it.)

Rolled 65

>>21809005
"I'll take the first watch, then. Cass, you look like you could use some time to collect yourself."

"Good idea." You say. "I'll take first watch if you want."
"That leaves me to take second watch." Cass said. "If I can even sleep..."

Soon enough, you were sitting down as Ariana slept on one side, and cass on the other, as your eyes kept fluttering shut and open again, as you struggled to stay awake. You didn't see anything, and soon enough, you estimate that the sun would rise in an hour or so.

Still dark, you can't quite see Cass's face, other than 'female', as you glance at her and shake her awake. When she opened her eyes, you can see a soft green glow in the darkness, before she closed them again.
"... Is it my watch?" She asked, listlessly, her eyes normal as she opened them for the second time. You give her an affirmative, and lay on the ground again, quickly falling asleep.

For the second time in as many nights, you don't have any dreams.
You wake up to Ariana kneeling over you, shaking your shoulder.
"Abel. Abel." She said. "Wake up. It's dawn."
You sit up, and see Cass sitting awake, stoking a fire, her mask on again.

>>21809104
Ask Cass what she is going to do now.

Rolled 62

>>21809104
"We should probably get moving. Are the undead common through the whole marsh? If so, we should probably double back and try to take the river. Cass...are you coming with us? Or do you have someplace else to go?"

>>21809104
Do we have our stuff? Grab our stuff.

>>21809104
"Wait here, I'll try to creep back and get our rations and blankets.

>You lost your blankets, but Cass and Ariana grabbed everything else.

"We should probably get moving." You say, and turn to Cass. "Are undead common through the whole marsh?"
"No. They roam in packs, and stick together. They're further north, most likely, unless the order slayed them all. Hopefully they... didn't get to the bodies, or there will be more ghouls to deal with."

"Cass, what are you going to do now?"
She turned to you.
"Run." She said. "And keep running, if I need to. I plan to stay alive."

>>21809216
Ask her who she is and what her people were, politely

>>21809216

>>21809244
This.

>>21809216
"Who are you? Why was the order hunting you?"

"... If you don't mind me asking-"
"We... *were* the children of Changelings." She said. "Some of us had trollblood, some fairyblood, some elfblood..."

She lifted up the bottom of her robe, and you see a long, black and green striped lizard tail poke out, waving from side to side, before she let her robe down again.
"We banded together for safety, but..."
She laughed, bitterly, and then Ariana ran over to pull her into a hug.

>>21809304
"Changewha?"

>>21809304
"Are you sure you don't want to go back and check to see if anyone is alive?"

>>21809304
Yeah, methinks she could use a hug.

"We should probably get moving, make the best of the light. Hopefully if we run into any more Order, it's Ser Crios. He's at least reasonable."

Also, we can talk on the move. Getting the most out of our daylight just became a HUGE priority.

>>21809304
Grouphug time

"Changewha?" You ask.
"An old practice, for feykind." Ariana said. "Fey children were raised as humans, for... whatever reasons, and ended up siring half-fey children. It became tradition." She glanced at the bookbag. "I read about them."
"Are you sure you don't want to go back and check to see if anyone is alive?"
"I'm sure." She said. "The rest are either dead, caught by ghouls, or running the way I plan to."
She took off her mask, and underneath you saw a lightly freckled young woman with full lips, hair black as night, and bright green eyes. Without any ceremony, she tossed it behind her into the creek. Without words, you pulled her and Ariana into another hug. She tensed up, until you let go.
"We should probably get moving, make the best of the light." You say. "Hopefully if we run into any more Order, it's Ser Crios. He's at least reasonable."
"The Order? Reasonable?" Cass asked, and closed her eyes, trying to relax. "If you say so. I don't have much experience with... humans."
The three of you quickly packed up, and made your way further south. You're rather surprised that you made your entire way through the patch of swamp last night in only an hour. You hear some strange, muted growling from Ariana.
"No meal?" Ariana asked.

>>21809415
Some breakfast for everyone then, I guess, but "Eat while moving, we need to get out of the swamp soon as possible."

>>21809415
"That time already?"

See what foods we've got.

>>21809415
"We'll eat while moving. We need to get out of the area."

Sigh. "And now that there's three of us, I'm going to have to hunt. That does not make me happy, with ghouls around."

"We'll eat while moving." You say, and reach into your bag, pulling out enough rations for you, Ariana, and Cass, divvying up what you'd normally use for two people into three portions- It won't be enough to fill you up, but it'll be enough to keep you strong for the next few days. "We need to get out of the area as soon as possible."
"Okay." Ariana said.
You sigh. "And now that there's three of us, I'm going to have to hunt. That does not make me happy, with ghouls around."
"It's daylight." Cass said. "If you find any ghouls, they'll be dead, and that's a good thing. You can punch a hole in their skull and they won't be a problem the next night, and they won't be able to spread their... affliction to other bodies."
Then she sighed as well. "And I lost my rowan spear, or I'd hunt too."

>>21809415
better to make some distance before sitting down to eat

Man, we are really kicking ourselves right now for not buying those rowan arrows.

>>21809504
alright, lets get going

keep an eye out for some game while moving

ask Cass what their relation was with the village

>>21809532
Probably their relatives.

Note to self: new priority item added: acquire a spear for Cass.

>>21809564
Also: when we have a moment relatively free from threats, we should probably teach Ariana to shoot a bow. Or at least try to.

You keep moving, keeping an eye out for game.
"What was your relation with the village?" You ask.
"Um, that's where most of us lived until we had to leave. Our parents, at least." She said. "Riba stayed, though. She'd been making sure we all stayed safe, as much as she could. A big risk for her... But she's probably the safest one, now. Elfblooded are hard to discern from normal humans, other than how they get... obsessive."

>>21809594
"Normal humans can get plenty obsessive too. Witness the Order."

>>21809594
how long were you living in the marsh?

>>21809594
"Wouldn't that make most of the Order elfblooded?"

>>21809594
"How long have you been living like this?"

>>21809594
I guess that explains why everyone's a bit afraid of newcomers.

>Sorry for the delay!

"Normal humans can get plenty obsessive too." You say. "Witness the Order."
"That's not what I mean." She said, and sighed. "I'll explain it later when I figure out how."
"How long were you living in the marsh?"
"All my life." She said. "Most of our parents, when they were barely adults, moved there."

>>21809742
"For what it's worth I'm sorry this happened.

We have to keep on moving, just in case. We really don't want anything that's chasing us to catch us, and travelling at night means we have to risk the ghouls."

>>21809742
Surely that mask would be useful

>>21809742
alright, lets keep moving

>>21809867
It was symbolic, and she doesn't have anything to hid on her face. Only (so far as we know) her tail.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry this happened." You say, picking up the pace.
"Don't worry about it." She said. "You being late probably saved my life."
"We have to keep on moving, just in case." You say. "We really don't want anything that's chasing us to catch us, and traveling at night means we have to risk the ghouls."
"The further south we go, the safer we should be." She said. "Since all that howling last night probably called every undead in twenty miles up there."

"And.. surely that mask would be useful." You say, looking back to where she dumped it.
"Not really." She said. "It hinders sight, and it's too obvious."

Some time later, Cass continued her thought. "I should get rid of this robe as soon as possible, too, but I don't have anything to change into."
"What about Abel's old clothes?" Ariana asked. "Before he got the armor?"
"That'd be a good-" Cass said, and then froze.

Far in the distance, standing on a small isle in the creek, a knight stood, blade in hand.
Orange lights peeked through the helmet, and it snarled at you.
"... Shouldn't these things be dead during the day?" Ariana asked.
"They should, yes." Cass responded, taking a step back. The knight-ghoul stepped forward, and it's foot went into the creek. The armored being winced, expecting pain... and then hesitantly took another step, Slowly approaching.

Rolled 78

>>21809925
"Fuck."

Bow, arrow, somewhere vulnerable like face or throat.

Rolled 75

>>21809925
"Is it the sunlight that makes them dead? Because if so, I think the armor is keeping it" pause "animate."

Time to try for a skill shot: Arrow through the vision slit. Otherwise this is going to get to melee range FAST.

>>21809943
>>21809950
It's not a normal ghoul.
>The armored being winced, expecting pain

Rolled 73

>>21809925
trick shot with the bow go

>>21809963
Frankly if someone from the order asked for mercy, I'd laugh in their face and slit their throat.

>>21809963
It snarled at us and is coming at us with a sword. I'm erring on the side of it trying to kill us.

>>21809963
It's physically insulated from both water and sunlight by the armor. I'm HOPING that's what's keeping it up and moving.

Motion it to stop or something, don't want to yell and give our position away, then if continues with weapon out then ready bow

File: 1354223566988.jpg-(16 KB, 298x387, shyamalan4.jpg)

Inb4 the Order is always been ghouls

>>21810007
...it's looking right the fuck at us.

>>21810010
We saw Ser Crios and plenty of other Order knights in full sunlight.

"Is it the sunlight that makes them dead? Because if so, I think the armor is keeping it..." You pause, and draw your bow, as the ghoul takes another step through the creek. "Animate."
The arrow shoots toward it, and clangs against it's helmet, deflecting off into nowhere. It snarled, and started stomping through the creek more quickly, sword in hand. You pull back and fire another arrow, but it goes wild, and sticks into the dirt on the ghoul's old isle. You fire one more time, and the arrow sticks into it's neck, just below the edge of the helmet, and the snarling completely stops, cutting off it's ability to make noise. It continues stomping forward.
"This is bad." Cass said, looking this way and that for a weapon.
"This is really bad." Ariana said. "I wish my sister was here."

>>21810028
"Cass, how good are you with a sword?"

Hand off the bow and pull out our sword. Try to keep distance

>>21810024
>...it's looking right the fuck at us.
there could be more of them or the knights around

>>21810028
We have a sword, we're just not that amazing with it. But I'm not seeing any other good options, that thing is going to keep on chasing us if we don't take it down.

Rolled 24

>>21810040
I would rephrase this.

"Cass, are you better with a bow or a sword?"

Hand off whichever she's better with. If we retain the bow, continue attempting skill shots. If we retain the sword, circle and attempt to disarm.

>>21810028
why are we panicking. it's literally moving slower than walking. we could just run away.

>>21810089
Because it doesn't need to sleep or stop for anything. Considering it's armor though, I think we should hamstring it and run.

"Cass, how good are you with a sword?" You ask, starting to back up as the ghoul stomps forward. It was nowhere near as quick as the ghouls from last night, but it didn't stop, nor slow.
"Not good at all." She said. "We didn't have any back at the compound."
"What about a bow?"
"A little!"
You toss her your bow and one of your two quivers, and she took it in hand, her stance completely off. Her arrow clanged off of the knight's pauldron, and shattered into splinters.
"Sorry!" She said, as the ghoul climbed out of the creek.

The ghoul shook his shoulders, as if shaking some effect off, and suddenly sped up. A lot. The heavily armored undead charged toward you, as you draw your sword.

<Well, this is interesting.> One of the spirits in your sword said.
something clanged off of the back of the knight's helmet, and it froze, turning around.

The two otters chittered, and continued throwing pebbles at it, distracting it.

>Wat do?

>>21810125
Get into a defensive stance, slowly approach, be cautious, wait for it to be distracted before trying to remove some important body part from it. Remember what Crios taught us.

Rolled 13

>>21810125
Jam the sword into the joint of his knee.

>>21810125
Stab it in the fucking back.

Rolled 53

>>21810125
Chop the god damn head off like we were told to.

>>21810125
hit it with the sword?

and for further information
>>21810040
>>21810080
it was said that we stop existing if we give the sword away, so do not offer it anymore to anyone

We gave it to our sister with no ill effects

Rolled 21

>>21810125
Cut it's head off

Rolled 30

>>21810166
You raise a good point. On the other hand, if we take out this dude we'll have a spare sword. (I don't see running as a viable option.)

>>21810125
Attack a gap in the armor - hack at the back of the knee joint or stab up into the helmet.

Twisting the sword in your hand, you charge, the ghoul still distracted, and with a single blow, you aim for below the helmet. For a moment, you were glad that for whatever reason, the ghoul wasn't wearing a gorget, leaving it's neck bare. It whirled around, and banged it's helmet against your head, causing light to explode in your eyes, and you fell back.
"Abel!" Ariana called, as the ghoul leaned down to you, dropping it's sword. Carefully, deliberately, it moved to pin down your arms.

Rolled 21

>>21810228
Push it off with our legs

>>21810228
Fight back, shove a knife in its throat, slice important tendons, don't let it pin us.

Rolled 8

>>21810228
stab its shit

Rolled 70

>>21810228
Skewer its head with our sword

Rolled 23

>>21810228
Twist out of the way if possible, kick to get it off balance/off us.

Rolled 32

>>21810270
>>21810267
>>21810250
what a time for terrible rolls

Rolled 55

>>21810291
The dice, they are giving us the finger, yes?

Rolled 55

>>21810302
Absolutely

Struggling, you try to twist your way out from underneath it, as Cass barrels into it, bowling it over. She tripped over you, and fell ontop of the ghoul, knocking off it's helmet. The ghoul tried to snarl, and gnashed it's teeth, trying to bite Cass. Ariana took up the sword, and raised it above her head, her tongue between her teeth. "Out of the way!" She called, and Cass reeled upward, the blade shooting down toward the ghoul's neck.
And it fell short of the ghoul. Instead, it darted up, and it's teeth tore into Cass's wrist.
"No!" Ariana called, and tried swinging the overly-heavy sword again.

Rolled 95

>>21810319
Cut its head off. Don't chop Cass.

>>21810319
Aww shit, get the sword back and hit it!

Rolled 7

>>21810319
Grab the sword from her and kill it.

Rolled 25

>>21810336
Seconding. We'll treat that bite after we kill this fucker.

You quickly pick up your own sword, and scramble to your feet, while Cass tears her hand out of the ghoul's mouth, seemingly undamaged. You start to swing the sword, but stop when Cass and the Ghoul keep wrestling. It's impossible to get an accurate blow. You hear the ghoul snarling...

Wait, no.
It was *Cass* who was snarling. Gleaming green eyes stare down at the ghoul, and her gloves were torn open, as her hands became true claws. Fangs stuck from her mouth as her jaw shifted, and as the bite mark in her wrist vanished, healing.

Next thing you knew, Cass was standing, flailing the ghoul about with a single arm, slamming it repeatedly into the ground. Eventually, crumpled and broken, the ghoul lay, and you chop off it's head.
"Cass!" Ariana calls. You turn to Cass, and find her unconscious, her hands returned to normal, covered in the shreds of her gloves.

>>21810406
"Ariana, how does that ghoul shit spread? Is Cass going to become one?"

>>21810406
Man, having to carry her is doing to delay our travelling. We won't even be able to hunt.

Loot the body of the ghoul, take anything valuable and any weapons. Retrieve our arrows.

Pick up Cass, sling her over our shoulder, and continue our travels. We don't want to stick around here, there might be more.

>>21810438
Let's not do needless swearing like that.

Rolled 30

>>21810406
Consult with Ariana for anything she knows about Ghouls.
Check Cass for injuries. Treat any we find.
Wake Cass (if possible) and make sure she's all right.


At some point, make sure to thank the otters for their assistance.

Rolled 36

>>21810451
>>21810455 <- here.
Add looting of the ghoul to our list.

"Ariana, how does that ghoulism spread? Is Cass going to become one?"
"If she lives, she won't." Ariana said, her hand on Cass's head, checking her for any injuries. "Ghouls carry a poison inside of them, and she'll stay asleep until she fights it off. If she doesn't..."
Ariana trails off.
"But the bite on her wrist is gone." She said. "Like magic. Or a werebeast on a full moon."
You look over the ghoul's corpse, and most of the armor was dented and crushed beyond repair, save for the helmet, and the enormous two-handed sword Ariana had tried weilding. Ignoring the armor, you check the knight's various belts and satchels, and most of the phials inside were shattered, only two intact- One labeled Aqua Sanctis, and the other, labeled Aqua Ignis, half empty. You pocket them, but don't find anything else of use, save a few daggers and a few days' rations, which you quickly collect.

You thank the otters for their assistance- and then they respond by throwing more pebbles at you.

>>21810526
Pick up Cass and leg it out of there.

>>21810526
ask Ariana if she has any idea what in those vials might be.

How does the sword look like? We could grab it and maybe sell it off at a later date

>>21810526
Jerks.

So fire water and holy water, cool.

Pick up Cass, sling her over our shoulders, thank Ariana for her help, and head out. We've got a lot of ground to cover.

Rolled 39

>>21810526
Grab the belts and satchels themselves after emptying them of debris, then pick up Cass and continue legging it.

The greatsword we can bring with us (maybe we'll be able to turn it in to the Order and warn them of ghoul Knights in the marshes?) but we should probably leave it in the intrest of speed.

>>21810526
"Did you call those otters, or did they just decide to help out?"

Oh, and equip our bow again

You empty the belts and satchels, and other than a bit of mud and dust, nothing pours out... except for the smell of rosemary from one of them. Ariana sneezed.
You put on the belts and satchels, sliding away the two phials. "Do you have any idea what are in these?" You ask, motioning to them.
"Crios kept drinking from the Ignis one." Ariana said, her cheeks going rather red. "And there's that horrible horrible smell again."
You grab your bow again, putting it on your back, and sling Cass over your shoulder, her tail peeking out to coil around your arm.
"Did you call those otters, or did they just decided to help out?"
"... Otters?" Ariana asked, rather dazed. She looked this way and that, but didn't seem to notice them. The otters themselves quickly run off, as if they'd just realized that you two were possible predators.
You start to walk, when you find Ariana wasn't following you, just kind of standing there, eyes glazed over. She suddenly shook her head. "Sorry!" She said, and started following you.

>>21810636
"Are you okay?"

>>21810636
"You alright?"

>>21810636
"It's fine.

You feeling alright Ariana? There anything you want to talk about?"

>>21810636
Yeah, little otters, they threw rocks at the ghoul, and at me later.

"You feeling alright, Ariana?" You ask. "There anything you want to talk about?"
"I'm just kind of dizzy." She said, taking your empty hand and squirming. "And everything is tingles."
The two of you continued walking, and for the first time in the marsh, the bugs really started to become a problem, landing on you and her, biting and drinking your blood, no matter how much you slapped at them.
"This is annoying." She grumbled, slapping at another mosquito.

>>21810707
"I guess it must be the rosemary. Good thing I decided against getting the armor with that stuff rubbed into it."

>>21810707
"I wish mosquitos fell under your magic, it'd make this much more pleasant."

>>21810707
I'm surprised the bugs aren't friends with you.

>>21810737
They probably do.

Pity we don't have time to make a nice, smoky torch.

>>21810707
"well, nothing we can do about that"

"I wish mosquitos fell under your magic, it'd make this much more pleasant."
"They usually do!" She said, frowning, and rubbing her nose, sniffling again. "Everything was fine until I smelled that stuff..."
"I guess it must be the rosemary." You say. "Good thing I decided against getting the armor with that stuff rubbed into it."
"Rosemary?" She asked, and frowned at you. "No wonder the bugs aren't friendly. My Gifts are gone until it wears off. That's what rosemary does."
"Well, nothing we can do about that." You say, and continue walking.

Throuroughly bitten, and itching everywhere, eventually the bugs stopped coming, avoiding you, and animals started showing up more, acting as if they were perfectly comfortable with two humans tromping through their midst. Ariana's cheeks weren't bright red anymore, and she'd stopped holding your hand.
"I feel better." She said, the sun going through the sky- it was only a few hours until sundown. "Except hungry."

>>21810810
>Thoroughly, even.

>>21810810
"Well since Cass is asleep, we can eat her share!"

of course, we'll share it out the same anyway, but just trying to lighten the mood.

>>21810810
Give her a bite to eat, have some outself. Ration it out some, we don't want to run out.

"Any idea how long Cass is going to be sleeping?"

>>21810810
"So, what did you mean with 'everything was tingles' back then?"

>>21810810
"I think I ought to catch us some proper food soon. Any requests?"

>>21810897
I wonder if we could snag an otter with no ill effects.

"Well, since Cass is asleep, we can eat her share!" You say, and Ariana frowned.
"We need to at least give her some water." Ariana said, kneeling down near her, waterskin in hand. "Now I'm glad I got extra water." She said.

"So, what did you mean with 'everything was tingles' back then?"
"... I don't remember saying that." She said, blushing slightly. "But everything kind of tickled."
"I think I ought to catch us some proper food soon." You say. "Any requests?"
"Get us something fresh. Something that isn't salty. Maybe some plants?" Ariana said. "Or we could skip hunting and we could just lure some otters here."

>>21810938
"Alright. Otter it is, I'll try to avoid plants, I'm not sure which ones are poisonous."

>>21810950
forget about otters
lets go hunting, doesn't matter what.

Also, keep look out for useful plants, we read the book and are somewhat familiar with the local flora

>>21810950
Ah ha! but anon, we do! We bought a book for this exact purpose.

>>21810938
let's go hunting, drop Cass and Ariana off somewhere slightly less damp.

>>21810938
"Otters work. Ought to be able to get some good eating out of that.

I'm a bit hesitant about going after plants, I've read some but I wouldn't consider myself an expert in the flora of this area, and some of it might be poisonous, I'll get what I can and we'll doublecheck it."

>>21811001
We only had a chance to give the book a cursory glance and assuming we're going to go hunting/catching food then we won't really have time to read it.

You take Ariana and Cass to somewhere a bit more dry, at a bend in a creek.
"Otters work." You say. "Ought to be able to get some good eating out of that."
"Good luck." She said.
"I'm a bit hesitant about going after plants, I've read some, but I wouldn't consider myself an expert in the flora of this area, and some of it might be poisonous. I'll get what I can and we'll doublecheck it."
Ariana nodded.

You make your way into the marsh, and you keep an eye out for everything useful, eventually taking some bulrush stems to boil, as well as catching an otter or two, and some other plants, careful to stay away from the predators like a rather large feline that had stared you down. When you return, you find Cass in your old tunic and breeches, her torn robe made into a makeshift skirt to hide her tail, and Ariana was in the middle of counting something.
"Abel." She said, waving and pouring everything into one of her pouches. You quickly take some water, unfolding your oiled leathers, and make a small bowl out of them to boil some water, making soup as quickly as possible. The sun slowly started to set as you prepare the meal, checking the book to make sure nothing you put into the soup was poisonous.
"Soup's good." She said. "Cass can only really drink things, unconscious like this."

>>21811134
"How is she doing?"

>>21811134
Check Cass and see if she's still got green eyes.

>>21811134
"Thanks for taking care of her Ariana. You're doing good.

How's she doing? Is she looking better? Do you know when she's going to wake up?

Are there any plants that would help her or anything like that?"

>>21811134
"Maybe it would be best to save it until she wakes up. I can't exactly carry her forever."

"Thanks for taking care of her, Ariana." You say. "You're doing good."
"Glad to hear it." She said.
"How is she doing? Is she looking better? Do you know when she's going to wake up?"
"I don't have an idea." Ariana said. "My sister knows more about undead. She actually fought them, and she could look past Cass's skin to look at the poison... But I don't know. She's not undead yet, so that's a good sign..."
You kneel forward, and pry open Cass's eye. The green eye stares back at you, small wisps of glowing orange slowly receding.

>>21811226
"I think she'll be fine. The poison looks like it's fading, I hope."

>>21811226
Well after today, you can claim you've fought undead. See, this is an experience!

>>21811226
"This is well outside my area of expertise. Maybe we should just wait until morning."

"Well, after today, you can claim you've fought undead." you say. "See, this is an experience!"
"It is." She said. "Though I wish it wasn't, for everyone's sakes."
"This is well outside my area of expertise, but I think she'll be fine. The poison looks like it's fading."
"That's good to hear."
"Maybe we should wait until morning."
"But... if she dies before we wake up..." Ariana said. "If only we had some chain or something for her... Or belts. We could belt her arms or legs, and then if she wakes up she can just call our names or something. She'd understand."

>>21811352
We have rope! We got some in the first thread.

So we've made camp, let's tie her up, feed her some soup, then get some dinner ourself and read with Ariana.

>>21811352
Ah, i hadn't thought of that.

We could keep watch in shifts?

"I have some rope." You say.
"Oh, I'd forgotten about that!" She said. "That would work."
You finish securing camp, and then feed Cass some soup, and tie up her arms and legs, before sharing the last of the soup with Ariana and yourself. You spend the rest of the evening reading your book on the marsh, while Ariana reads her own folklore book. The rest of the night was spent mostly in silence as you read.
"Should we keep watch?" You ask.
"We probably should." She responded. "I can try to keep the first watch, I guess. I kind of want to keep reading anyway."
You nod to her, and then put away your own book, and lay down to sleep.

When you open your eyes again, the sun was missing, though the sky was bright, and the perfectly flat ground, reaching endlessly, was made of strange, solid water, reflecting the sky, and yourself. You see two sparks of light- one, Ariana, and the other, Cass. The sword lying next to your pack, in easy reach, vibrated.
<So we're here again, it seems.> The sword said.
<Indeed.> The second voice said. <We were thinking. It's rather unfair, for you, to not gain anything from the witch-girl's Gift, while everyone else can resolve their issues and conundrums.>
<So we figured we can... simulate events for you, so that you can practice things.>
<Like, say, swordfighting. Earlier today could have killed Cass.>
<And still might.> The voice said. <So, if you want to talk to us, or train something, we have this time.>

>>21811514
Could you tell me why I don't get the usual deal? Because I'm a created being or something? Seems a bit lame.

Do we have our book here? Could we read it?

>>21811514
"Well that's convenient."
I don't remember if we had anything in particular to ask them, so if not,
"I could do with more practice with the sword."

>>21811514
"This is remarkably helpful. Before sword training a few quick questions.

What exactly was up with that Ghoul earlier? Why didn't sunlight and running water do anything?

Also earlier I saw an Order knight who looked pretty much immune to some magic fire thing one of the Changelings did. How did he manage that?"

>>21811514
"that's useful, alright, lets train then"

"That is remarkably helpful." You say.
<We thought it might be.> The voices responded.
<We don't quite know what's up with Gabriel, either, so we don't know if this training will help you fight him, if that becomes necessary.>
<Better to be safer than sorry.>

"Before sword training, a few quick questions." You say.
<Go ahead. As always, there's the possibility we can't answer.>
"What was up with that ghoul earlier? Why didn't sunlight and running water do anything? Also, earlier, I saw an Order Knight who looked pretty much immune to some magic fire thing one of the changelings did. How did he manage that?"
<Actually, I don't believe it was magic fire. I believe it was the gloves, powered by some sort of lantern oil sprayer or similar, and I believe the armor protected the knight from the fire, for the most part. It is heavy enough.>
<To answer your first few questions, we don't know.> The second voice said. <Even when the helmet was gone, it didn't react to the sunlight. Perhaps it had to do with the body itself, or some enchantment or unnatural constitution.>
<This may not be relevant, but when you examined the ghoul's armor, it looked as if the equipment had been in the marsh for more than a few days- So the knight didn't just get there recently.>

>Field too long!

>>21811640
"Alright, let's train, then." You say. "I could do with some more practice with the sword."
<Fair enough. Raise us.>
You lift up the sword, in the stance Crios had taught you, and as you watch, your own reflection climbs out of the water below, holding his own sword.
<Good luck.> The second voice said, and the second of your 'selves' charged.

You wake up, mentally exhausted, having fought constantly for what felt like nearly an entire day, and the sun was rising.
"... I fell asleep." Ariana said, eyes wide. "I'm so sorry. Cass is still asleep, though."

>>21811651
"It's okay. You should have woken me though.

First breakfast and then we keep on moving. It'd be nice not to have to carry someone for once."

Check on Cass, see if she's looking any better, check her eyes, if she's stirred at all.

>>21811651
Well we seem to be alive, so that's good.

You keep giving me these dreams.

>>21811651
"Don't worry about it. The dream helped quite a bit actually."

"It's okay. You should have woken me though." You say. "You keep giving me these dreams."
"Sorry." She said.
"The dream helped quite a bit actually."
She instantly looked away, and got back to the soup, making sure there was enough leftover for breakfast. You can't quite place the look in her eyes, but she seemed... upset.

You make your way to cass, and pry open her eye again. This time, though, there were no wisps of orange at all.
"... I don't know how humans do it, but we wake people up by shaking them." Cass said, dryly, opening her other eye.
"How long was I out?" She asked, squirming. And why am I tied up?"

>>21811732
You've been out for about a day. And you're tied up because we didn't know if you were going to become a ghoul."
Untie her and whatnot.

>>21811732
"We were worried you were going to turn into a zombie."

>>21811732
"We didn't know if you were going to turn into a ghoul or not, so we decided to ere on the safe side."

>>21811732
"Sorry, thought you were still out.

You got bitten so we were a bit worried."

untie her

"You've been asleep all night."

>>21811732
"You were out for about a day.

You're tied up because you got bitten by a ghoul before you grew claws, giant teeth and threw it around like a ragdoll.

Ariana's been taking care of you."

>>21811732
"Impromptu bondage session"

>>21811801
Do we even know that's a thing?

"We didn't know if you were going to turn into a ghoul or not, so we decided to ere on the safe side." You say, untying her, as she rubbed at her wrists and ankles.
"That's a good thing." She said, weakly. "Bites usually kill the victim, but I guess my troll blood activated at the right time."
She rubbed at her eyes, and lay back again. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"Ariana's been taking care of you." You say.
"Thank you, Ariana." Cass said, sitting up to look the witch girl in the eye.
"It wasn't a problem." She responded. "Soup for breakfast is ready."
The three of you quickly get to your meal in silence.
"Erm... what did you mean when you said troll blood?" Ariana asked.
"When I get, um, upset, I change." She said. "It normally makes me so tired I can't move for a day or so afterward."

>>21811732
"You turned a bit... angry, before."

Pull Ariana aside: "You always seem angry when I mention the dreams, is there something I should know?"

>>21811817
It's very boring in small, northern villages during the winter. People do all sorts of things to alleviate boredom.
So maybe?

>>21811817
I'm sure our sleepy backwater hamlet had a thriving bdsm community.

>>21811851
"Yeah, thanks for saving me there. All of a sudden you grew fangs and took the ghoul down like it was nothing."

>>21811851
So trolls are like lizards then?

"Yeah, thanks for saving me there." You say. "All of a sudden you grew fangs and took down the ghoul like it was nothing. So, trolls are like lizards then?"
"Really big, strong lizards, yes." She said. "I didn't mean to do that, but it hurt."
She frowned and started rubbing at her wrist again.
After breakfast, you pull Ariana aside.
"You always seem angry when I mention the dreams. Is there something I should know?"
She sighed. "Just that I'm supposed to be able to control it and I can't, and I'm supposed to have more gifts but I've never used them."

>>21812001
I don't suppose you could give yourself a dream and figure out why?

If it makes you feel better, apparently they aren't working like they should on me.

>>21812001
"I'm a bit of an odd case, don't worry about it. Just keep on practicing and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

Any idea what the gifts that you haven't used are?"

>>21812025
That probably won't make her feel better.

>>21812001
"Ah, well.... they don't bother me at least."

"I'm a bit of an odd case, don't worry about it. They don't bother me at the least." You say. "Just keep on practicing and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Any idea what the gifts you haven't used are?"
"That's...the question to ask." She said. "I could have up to seven Gifts. That's the most anyone can have. And once I've used every gift I have, I get my familiar, and... my coming of age is over."

>>21812111
"And you so far know about the Gift of Truth and the Gift of Vermin.

Any hints, clues, anything like that for the 5 others?"

>>21812111
Is there a list of gifts? Maybe you have something new and unusual.

A gift of cooking, perhaps!

"And you know so far about the Gift of Truth and the Gift of Vermin." You say. "Any hints, clues, anything like that for the five others? Is there a list of gifts?"
"There's a record, but every witch of any renown ends up with something unique or unrecorded." She said.
She shook her head, and you see Cass approach the two of you.
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah, we are." Ariana said, and spoke quietly. "We were just talking about... me being a witch."
"Can you tell me about that?" Cass asked.
"Well... Each witch gains up to seven gifts. Um.. unnatural powers. When we get to my age, we're sent out, alone into the world, to learn how to use them and gain our familiar, before we can go home again."
"Even with the order around?" Cass asked.
"Especially with the order around." She said. "It's been said that the more we have to fight and hide from the order, the stronger our Gifts are. Even at the risk of death, the crones say that we still have to do the coming of age."

>>21812213
Seems a bit harsh, on ones so young.

>>21812213
"The crones sound like a real bundle of joy and fun.

Well, I'm sure you'll be a great witch, it just might take you a bit to grow into it."

"The crones sound like a real bundle of joy and fun." You say.
"... I'd try not to say something like that if I were you." She said. "I spent a week as a frog. Luckily my Gift of Vermin made sure I had food, but... you never know when they're listening."
"Well, I'm sure you'll be a great witch. It just might take you a bit to grow into it."
"Maybe." She said. "I hope so."
"In any case, you're already a great person." Cass said. "Regardless of anything. Thank you again for taking care of me."
Ariana's eyes met the ground, as the three of you walked. A snake came out of the weeds, some kind of rodent in it's mouth, and it looked up to Ariana, and tilted it's head. She ignored it, as did you and Cass, and the snake went back into the weeds.
"You're welcome." She said, giving Cass a small smile.

>>21812316
Attempt to look at Cass' tail.

"It's strange how you keep the tail, but lost the claws."

"It's strange how you keep the tail, but lost the claws." You say, looking back at Cass's behind.
She frowned, and lifted her long skirt, showing you the tail again. "I don't think trolls were meant to breed with humans. It's uncomfortable to sit or lay down."
She suddenly frowned, and stopped walking.
"... I should probably chop it off." She said.

>>21812394
Woah woah woah, no need for that. You don't see nice tail around here often enough [insert best poker face ever then fail to keep it up]

>>21812394
"If you want, I don't mind it either way, it's actually kinda cute. I'm guessing it'll just grow back if you chop it off, and it'll probably itch like hell when doing so."

>>21812394
"Sounds like it'd be painful and just grow back anyways."

>>21812406
>>21812408
nice piece of tail mind

>>21812394
"It'd grow back."

"If you want." You say. "I don't mind it either way. It's actually kind of cute. I'm guessing it'll just grow back if you chop it off, and it'll probably itch like hell when doing so."
"Not if I use cold iron." She said. "Even trolls have to heal naturally with wounds made of cold ir- w-wait, cute?" She started spluttering and took a step back, before giving you a suspicious glare, her cheeks reddening. "Aren't you supposed to be 'augh, gross, nonhuman'?"

>>21812428
Things like this remind me why I belong on this board.

>>21812448
"I suppose I could lie and say that if it'd make you feel better, but I wouldn't be all that convincing.

I carried you for most of a day, if I had any problems with them I would have made them known when your tail wrapped around my arm.

Seriously, it's cute."

>>21812448
"I've lived my life free of Order propaganda. I don't see how it's gross, just different."

>>21812448
"Well, it's a little exotic I suppose, but I didn't exactly grow up in a heavily ordained town or anything. I guess I just see it as something like skin color."

"I suppose I could lie and say that if it'd make you feel better, but I wouldn't be all that convincing. I carried you for most of a day. " You say. "If I had any problems with them I would've made that known when your tail wrapped around my arm. Seriously, it's cute."
Her slight blush suddenly went into overdrive, and she was suddenly facing straight forward, picking up her speed, keeping her posture proud.
Ariana giggled.
"You're not very subtle." She said to you, raising an eyebrow.

That night, while Cass was off hunting for edible plants, Ariana pulled open the map.
"According to that creek that we passed earlier today, we should be right... here." She said, putting a finger on the map. "We should be out of the marsh by tomorrow evening, and we could be at Hoheath or Teegate the night after. We made good time. I guess the panicked running at night does that sort of thing."

>>21812585
"What are we going to do at Garamon by the way?"

>>21812585
"It's not a travel method I would recommend, but it was the best option at the time.

It'll be good to be out of the marsh, my feet feel like they haven't been dry in ages, though it's much nicer with you around. All of the mosquitos other critters not bothering us made it rather pleasant, aside from the undead."

"It's not a travel method I would recommend, but it was the best option at the time." you say. "It'll be good to be out of the marsh. My feet feel like they haven't been dry in ages. Though it's much nicer with you around. All of the mosquitos and other critters not bothering us made it rather unpleasant, aside from the undead."
"Too sad I don't have the Gift of Unholy Abominations, then." She said, with a grin. "But you're right.
"What are we going to do at Garamon, by the way?" You ask.
"... I... um, don't know." She said. "... I just have to keep moving until I learn my Gifts."

Suddenly, Cass stormed out into the camp, setting more soup to boil, and tossed a bit of meat in. Then gave you a glance with slightly glowing green eyes, shooting you a look that said 'we need to talk'.

>>21812649
Head on over, sit down by the soup and see what she needs.

>>21812649
"Well, I guess we could head west after visiting Garamon. Let me go see if she needs help with the soup."

Go over, ask what's wrong.

"Well, I guess we could head west after visiting Garamon. Let me go see if she needs help with the soup."
"Okay." Ariana said, pulling the folk-tale book out of your satchel.
You make your way over to Cass, and take a seat.
"... I wish I would have been told that her sister was stalking us." Cass said, rather unhappily. "With a giant flaming claw like that... She just showed up, and threatened me."

>>21812697
"What? Where was she?"

>>21812697
Very quietly say this "Happened to me too, she doesn't want Ariana to know and I didn't really get a chance to tell you.

Where was she anyways?"

>>21812697
She's still following? I thought she'd have left already. She must really care about Ariana.

Did you see where she went?

"Happened to me too. She doesn't want Ariana to know, and I didn't really get a chance to tell you. Where was she anyways?"
"In the marsh." She said. "I don't know how, but she just... popped up to ask what my intentions were with her sister."
"She must really care about Ariana." you say. "Did you see where she went?"
"No, she just... vanished." She responded, and shook her head. "Could be one of those Gifts or something."

>>21812776
She has the Gift of Fire and the Gift of Sight, or so I am told.

>>21812776
"I think it is, at least that what Ariana's told me."

>>21812776
"Probably. She seems rather protective but can't break the rules by directly helping her sister. So she has these talks with the people around her.

She has the Gift of Fire, the Gift of Sight, and maybe more. Also she has a familiar but I don't know what it is other than big.

Just be glad she's on our side, more or less."

"Probably." You say. "She seems rather protective, but can't break the rules by directly helping her sister. So she has these talks with the people around her. She has the Gift of Fire, the Gift of Sight, and maybe more. Also she has a familiar, but I don't know what it is, other than big. Just be glad she's on our side, more or less."
She nodded. "Well... if all three of us captured, I guess she'd free us, so we can free her sister. Indirect helping. Or something."

>>21812890
To be honest, I'd rather not risk it.

So what did you put in the stew? Any fancy swamp-fruits?

>>21812890
"She might, but let's not test that bet.

So, what are your plans for the future?"

"To be honest, I'd rather not risk it." You say. "So what did you put in the stew? Any fancy swamp fruits?"
"Mostly meat." She said. "With a few roots and plants."
"So, what are your plans for the future?"
"Beyond finding some cold iron to chop off my tail and learning to live in human society... nothing. No plans."

>>21812975
Grisly.

Can we talk about something else?

>>21812975
"Didn't think so."

>>21812975
She's taking it remarkably well for someone who just had all their friends and family murdered.

>>21812975
"What a waste of a perfectly nice tail. Human society isn't all it's cracked up to be anyways.

I'm pretty much in the same boat, I think I'll stick with Ariana for a while. She's a nice girl and I couldn't just leave her on her own."

"I'm pretty much in the same boat." You say. "I think I'll stick with Ariana for a while. She's a nice girl and I couldn't just leave her on her own."

"But ... we're not in a boat..." She said. "Anyway, that's what I was thinking too. Other than the tail chopping thing."

"What a waste of a perfectly nice tail." you say. "Human society isn't all it's cracked up to be anyways."
"So you'd prefer if I lived in the wilderness just so you can have an excuse to stare at my ass some more?" She asked. "I thought about it, but it's my best chance to survive. If the order finds us, then my tail is an obvious giveaway, and if anyone sees it, I might get lynched. If I didn't have it, then they could examine us all they wanted. If I was able to keep my temper, at least..."

>>21813150
But seriously, it just leaves me rather unsettled that you can so casually talk about chopping off a limb.

Maybe we could go somewhere where the order aren't.

>>21813150
So, are you banking on Ariana having the Gift of Healing or something? Or are you so sure in your ability to survive having your tail cut off? I imagine that wouldn't be pleasant.

We'll be out of the marsh by tomorrow evening, and we could be at Hoheath or Teegate the night after. If you insist on cutting off your tail, I think it might be best if you did so in a place where we were not in immediate danger, and where we could get help quickly.

>>21813150
"I don't need an excuse to stare at a pretty girl.

But you're probably right, it is a bit of a giveaway."

>>21813301
Designated quest waifu found.

>>21813338
I feel I should object, but I'm finding it really hard.

"But seriously, it just leaves me rather unsettled that you can so casually talk about chopping off a limb."
She met your eyes.
"Abel, I've had my entire life to think about what would happen if the Order found us. We all spent our lives this way, doing our best not to get close to one another just in case, to make escape tunnels, to fight, to run. Survive at all costs. That's what we were taught, and that's what I'm going to do."
"Maybe we could go somewhere the Order aren't."
"The wilderness, then." She said. "Or lands so foreign we don't speak the language. We'd have to get there first, and that could take years."
"We'll be out of the marsh by tomorrow evening, and we could be at Hoheath or Teegate the night after. If you insist on cutting off your tail, I think it might be best if you did so in a place where we were not in immediate danger, and where we could get help quickly."
Ariana lowered her book, and stepped over.
"... You shouldn't cut off your tail, Cass." She said. "Just... leave it."
"Why?" Cass asked. "And call me Cassandra if you want."
"Because." She said. "Once I can go home, I'll take you. And then we can all be safe. We're... encouraged to bring those hunted by the order, and... well, they don't have rules for not bringing humans, but Abel might have to meet with the Crones eventually."

>>21813367
Ha! Well I've been told I'm quite inhuman, so we don't have to worry about that.

Do you two want to go into the town when we get there, or shall I buy supplies myself?

>>21813367
"I am not particularly looking forward to that meeting. To any crones who may be listening I'm sorry and I'm actually a nice person.

The problem with that Ariana is it'll probably take a while for you to be able to go home, and it makes sense for Cassandra to be worried about her continued good health until we can do that."

>>21813490
hm..

"How long do witches quests usually last?"

>>21813367
"Why would they need to meet with me?"

"Well, I've been told I'm quite inhuman, so we don't have to worry about that." You say. "The problem with that, Ariana, is it'll probably take a while for you to be able to go home, and it makes sense for Cassandra to be worried about her continued good health until we can do that."
You think about it for a moment. "How long do witch quests usually last?"
"My sister's coming of age was only a few days." She said. "She already had the Gift of Sight, and then when she was set down, she got captured, and, well, burned everything down when her hand became the Gift of Flame. Came flying back on her familiar. But she's unusual. A few months to a year, usually."

Cassandra tapped her chin.
"... It'll matter how many Order are in Garamon. If there's too many, then I'll take it off." She said. "I don't want to, and I'm scared of going troll when I do, but I might need to."

>>21813615
"Seems reasonable.

Ariana, are you able to use the Gift of Truth on yourself, have your dreams help you find the rest of your Gifts?"

>>21813615
Huge, flying and on fire. Your sister is rather terrifying.

"Seems reasonable." you say, and turn to Ariana. "Huge, flying, and on fire. Your sister is rather terrifying."
"Powerful, too." Ariana said. "Normally familiars are mundane creatures, like a raven or a bear or a wolf or cat or something. Even her familiar is made of fire sometimes."
"Are you able to use the Gift of Truth on yourself, have your dreams help you find the rest of your Gifts?"
"It... doesn't work like that." Ariana said, and her eyebrows met. "But wouldn't you know? You talked about your dreams like you had one. You should know that."

>>21813735
"Had one what?"

>>21813735
>>21813615
>Damnit, trip. Stay on there!

>>21813735
My dreams also told me that what I got wasn't what usually happens.

>>21813735
True, but I barely know anything about how, why or when they happen. At all.

>>21813735
"Yeah, but I just practice sword fighting and talk with spirits."

>>21813735
There are... outside influences that make me unusual. I don't know how applicable my experience is.

"There are... outside influences that make me unusual." You say. "I don't know how applicable my experience is. My dreams also told me that what I got wasn't what usually happens."

She gives you a worried look. "Mind, um, telling me about them? Normally dreams influenced by my Gift of truth are really really personal and I'd never ask in a normal situation, but..."

>>21813861
Well it's a kind of empty place, there's some sparks that I recognise as you and Cass, and my sword likes to argue with itself.

>>21813861
"Well, last night I was in a vast, flat... ocean, I guess. But that's not really the right word. My sword was there, it always is, and I could see you and Cass as sparks. I talked with my sword and practiced fighting."

>>21813861
"Well, I have some remarkably in depth conversation with the voices in my sword. I also sometimes am lead to doubt the nature of my existence.

It's kinda odd."

>>21813861
Ask the sword.
"Any info you guys need me to leave out of this explanation?"

You spare a glance down at the sword.
<Tell them whatever you wish.>
<It won't matter either way. Anything we can tell you, means we could theoretically tell anyone else.>
"Well, last night, I was in a vast, flat... ocean, I guess." You say. "But that's not really the right word. My sword was there, it always is, and I could see you and Cass as sparks. I talked with my sword and practiced fighting. My sword likes to argue with itself, and I'm also sometimes led to doubt the nature of my existence."
Ariana was utterly speechless.
"You're real, don't worry." Cassandra said, giving you a smile.

>>21813995
"I take it that's not what usually happens?"

"I didn't mention 'real'."

>>21813995
Put the sword down for just a moment, see if that theory holds up.

>>21813995
"I'll give you a maybe on that one Cassandra. I've had some moments where I wasn't, but then I got better.

You okay there Ariana?"

You turn to Cassandra. "I didn't mention 'real'."
"Was I wrong? I thought that was what you meant by the nature of your existence." She said.

"I take it that's not what usually happens?" You ask.
"Usually it brings up memories." Ariana said. "All the defining moments of your life, with some person you trust- or yourself- talking to you about what's going on, or letting you vent to them and explain your problems.
"... Or dead people." Cassandra said, quietly.

You set down the sword for a minute, just to make sure, and apparently you still exist without it.

>>21813995
Hope that look means you're about ready to lay some knowledge on me.

>>21814095
"Oh." Ruffle Cassandra's hair.

>>21814095
"So I'm not exactly normal, I thought we already knew that.

That sounds rough Cass, you feel like talking about it just let us know."

>>21814095
"Hmm. Last time I wasn't touching the sword, nobody could see me and I couldn't affect anything."

"So I'm not exactly normal." You say. "I thought we already knew that."
"I didn't know that." Cassandra said.
"Neither did I. I thought you were normal." Ariana said. "But normal in a good way."
You turn to Cass. "That sounds rough, Cass. You feel like talking about it, just let us know."
"Thanks." She said. "But I'll be fine. The dreams really help, and I think I had one for most of yesterday."
"I'm glad my Gift can help." Ariana said.

You pick up your sword again, and sheathe it.

>>21814216
So since we're chatting, any other strange and unusual things I should know about, while travelling with two lovely ladies such as yourselves?

We should totally see if we can step in and out of reality, like when we went to visit our sister. Shit would be pretty cash. Bounce that idea to sword.

"So, since we're chatting, any other strange and unusual things I should know about, while traveling with two lovely ladies such as yourselves?"
"Sometimes my saliva is acidic." Cassandra said. "And sometimes my tongue gets really long and gets a split on the tip, like a snake. Silver stains my skin sometimes, too, but that goes away. Luckily my skin doesn't go all green and striped like my tail."
"Um, other than the rosemary thing, there's nothing that I know about." Ariana said. "Except you two should probably know... if I know my sister, she's probably following us, and she might try talking to one of you two or something."

>>21814315
Yes, we've both had a talking to, from your sister.

>>21814315
"All I can do is fall out of reality accidentally. It's not very pleasant."

>>21814315
"Yeah, that happened to both of us. She asked us not to tell you.

She's kinda overprotective."

"All I can do is fall out of reality accidentally." You say. "It's not very pleasant."
<... That isn't what happened.> Your sword said.
<Whatever that Gabriel is, it did that to you. It wasn't your doing. You need to get *knocked* out of reality.>
"Really?" Cass asked. "Does that mean that other people forget you, or do you just become non-physical, or..."
"I've never ever heard of anything like that." Ariana said. "I remember something like the Gift of Shroud that warlocks have, but that's different, that's just being unable to be seen."

>>21814381
Look at the sword.

"No, I misspoke. Apparently that isn't something I can do."

>>21814381
"Well, it's less fall out of reality, more get thrown out of it.

People kinda forget me, don't notice me, someone else stole my identity for a bit. Your sister set him on fire for me, nice girl."

You glance at the sword again. "No, I misspoke. Apparently that isn't something I can do."
You turn to Ariana. "Yeah, that happened to both of us. She asked us not to tell you. She's... kinda overprotective."
"I knew she'd do that." Ariana said. "She's probably listening to us now, but... well, I'd prefer if one of you thanked her next time you see her. It just wouldn't feel right for me to thank her by calling it out."

"What's with the sword?" Cassandra asked. "Is it magical? We have stories of elves that used to make magic weapons to fight the Order with, before they all lost. Maybe that's one of them."

>>21814466
"I honestly don't know. I found it in a cave not a week ago. It doesn't appear to do anything much, except argue with itself, and obstinately refuse to tell me things.

>>21814381
* look at sword* "I stand corrected. I didn't fall, Gabriel pushed me."

>>21814466
"It's magic, yeah. But the only thing it seems to do is talk cryptically. That and it claims to make me more 'real', although thusfar the only practical benefit that's had is when someone tried to steal my identity."
Shrug, "For all I know I could just be crazy."

>>21814466
"I don't really know much about the sword. Apparently it's part of a set, but I'm not supposed to know the details. Or something."

>>21814466
"Well, it's magic, but aside from that I have no clue as to its origins.

Found it in a cave, it makes me more real or something like that, there are other things like it."