My body is ready.

>>23304783
Dammit, too slow.

Anyway, I'm here and ready to roll.

Hello.

>>23305352
Blue board. Kill that post before you bring the mods down on us!

Still riding high on the wave of euphoria from the festival, the hunters seem much more eager to face the dark confines of the forest, putting their faith in Trym to lead them to glory in the hunt. They succeed with flying colours, even managing to trap a grizzly bear in a pit trap and stab it to death with relative safety! They return in triumph, overjoyed with the kill (though the pelt is too badly holed and bloodied to be of much use). Likewise, being grateful for the short break the tribe gave her, Rina returns to the river and soon has the tribe's baskets filled with fresh fish!

With summer rolling in, the yield of vegetables from the forest also increases, as does a small haul of summer fruits! Several of the village contemplate a few recipes that fall with the new grains and the promised fruits from the grove.

The priests of the gods, at the request of the council, retire to commune and learn more of the world of magic. Rina is excused from this duty as she is one of the two most senior priests in the tribe, alongside Derrik. Groza meanwhile, takes the devouts and again leaves on pilgrimage, promising to return by winter!

>>23305413
Fuck, that could have been bad, thanks for the heads up

>>23305413
EVENT
Just after Groza leaves... A familiar figure returns to the tribe... Though he's not as he once was. His hair is bleached almost white by the sun, his skin weathered by harsh winds. He still looks strong, for the most part, but aged before his time. He leans heavily on his spear as he slowly walks back into the village, nearly collapsing several times, as people draw near to him with curious questions. He finally reaches the much-neglected shrine to Ermetha and kneels before the altar, re-consecrating it in her name. As he moves his hand however, to the astonishment of all watching, his palm leaves a trail of light. Then Mikuhla speaks. "I have suffered for my crimes. As Ermetha commanded, I have journeyed far in search of penance. Now I return, stronger for it. Ermetha is with me and I am chosen as her prophet."

"Mine is the lot to bring her word. Through following the tenets she has shown unto me, the blessings of the ascending sun shall be upon you. Reject her teachings and Ermetha's face shall turn from you. Blaspheme against her and you shall be cursed."
"First, show dignity and respect. Show not disdain for those less than you, but accord them the respect they are due, under the sun.
Second, show courage and honour. Face your foe and do not run. Walk into the unknown with your head held high. Speak truly and surely, for you own your words. Know that courage is not a lack of fear, nor of wisdom, but in facing fear when it comes.
Third, serve your station and do not seek to undermine those above or below you, if they act with the will of the Rising Sun. Rise by your own mertis, not through the failings of others.
Fourth, suffer not those who act poorly. Those who are not respectful or brave, or who cut down others for the sake of themselves are worthless and must be afforded the disgust they have earned."
"Such are the commandments of Ermetha. Serve her well and her blessing will be upon you."

>>23305413
I am here now.

>>23305568
The tribe has received the commandments of a god! Heroes and the tribe itself may now earn Ermetha's favour by acting according to her will. Gods that are Ermetha's allies form part of the same pantheon and will not object to actions in her favour. They may even approve! Conversely, gods that are against Ermetha, or simply neutral to her, may be angered by the tribe's actions, if they side with the goddess. Be careful and chose your divine allegiance well.

>>23305568
Respond to Mickey:

"We worship a lot of gods Mickey, you know that. Just as we followed all of them before so shall we still. Bending the knee to one is not our way, but those who wish it can follow Ermetha as you outline can do so. Do not threaten us with such things, or we will be forced to turn our back as a whole. Be thankful for those who you have, do not be greedy."

>>23305568
Alright. That's not so terrible considering we do attempt to do most of that on our own anyway. If she requests some proselytizing we'll do that too, but we'll spread the word of the other gods as well, I hope she knows.

>>23305655
That, uh, wasn't a threat. And if you think about it, everything listed there is pretty much how we already work in regards to the gods.

Ermetha is just the first to specifically state that.

>>23305568
"Heyo, Mickster, who's in this Pantheon with Ermetha aside from Marnath, obviously?"

Or

Consult with the rest of the gods to see where they stand in this idea.

>>23305828
I agree, seconding this.

>>23305828
Sceond.

>>23305655
Mikuhla seems to gaze up at the villager who spoke with eyes that look straight through them. "I do not make threats. I simply state the will of my goddess." He looks down and sighs and when he looks up, he seems somewhat more human. Tired and haggard, but definitely human. He has the look of someone who's seen too much and just wants to sleep. "It's hard for someone like you to understand. I can feel a sun inside me, burning and whispering to me. I'm not... Completely me any more. This is my punishment for betraying Ermetha's commands... And also my duty to carry. I would hate to lose my friends here, just as I've lost Khoine, but if that is how it must me, so be it. I will take word of Ermetha elsewhere."

>>23305931
Why... wham I crying?

>>23305977
*Why am I crying?

I can not into typing.

>>23305828
Mikuhla only shrugs and replies, "Not all was revealed to me at first. I will require some time and aid to discern who stands beside Ermetha."
>Mikuhla requires a cultural event to discover who among your current gods are part of Ermetha's Pantheon

END TURN?
>Y/N

>>23306004
Y

>>23305931
"No, Mickey. You are as welcome as you have always been. You are of our people and we do not forget that, but you surely realize that this is new for us and not taken lightly. The Sun in Ascent has had our worship now for many moons and we do not wish to change that, but this will require consultation with the other gods and time. Time most of all.

Now come, if you have the strength we have just a few more questions about these commandments. If not, rest. You surely need it after your adventures."

>>23306004
Y

>>23306004
Ah, well then. Yes, end this turn.

Am I late?

>>23306321
Not really. The fun is just about to start!

Turn Report

Population: 573 (152 elders and children)
Food: Sufficient (Vegetables VERY LOW; Fruit CRITICAL)
Morale: 7/16

Known Food Sources: Average deer herd, fishing river, wild fruit trees and bushes, forest foods,
Known Resources: Tall timbers (5 days away), Clay (2 days away), Malachite (2 days away, over the river)
Technology: Copper spears and knives, advanced stone and wood tools, hide-working, fish-spears, clay pots, crude cold-weather clothes, basic rafts, serviceable bows, copper tools, hollow-log canoes, copper scale jackets, basic plank shields, crude carts, fish traps
Science: Family wisdom, basic natural lore, crude wound care, basic food preservation, basic navigation, crude map-making, crude agriculture, the wheel, basic animal husbandry, natural medicine, rough calendar
Architecture: Turf-roof huts, basic carpentry, crude wooden palisade
Civil: Family Houses
Culture: Family stories, bone trinkets, heroic reverence, spirit worship, crude instruments, rough berry liquor, tribal militia, crude ideograms, primitive copper trinkets, crude clay writing tablets, clay wall-tiles

Moon 5

Known Landmarks
A river beside the village
Rapids downstream
Flowing fruit tree glade
Berry bush thicket
Wolf Oak
Open grasslands
Distant mountains
Distant river
Natural quarry

>>23306547
Action Points: THREE

A) Send out scouts (specify direction)
B) Send some hunters out to hunt game and catch fish
C) Gather resources (not food)
D) Gather wild food in the forest
E) Have your wise ones try to solve a problem
F) Hold a cultural event (specify)
G) Craft specific objects
H) Send envoys to another tribe
I) Other
J) Ask the elders for advice (No cost)

>This is what I was GOING to respond with before I realized that we had already voted for the round to end.

Alrighty then, from the looks of Ermetha's commands, they seem reasonable enough. What I wish to posit (Via Derrik or Trym if possible) is...

"Why do we have to follow these commands for Ermetha? Those commands should be the common creed of all Men, not just the sayings of one god to her inferiors.Offer Men the respect they are due under the sun? What of the respect they are due under the moon? What of the respect they are due in all places where Ermetha has no holding or law?"

"People of the tribes, Mikuhla left us as a brother, but he returns now as something else. He wishes for us to bow before a goddess who would have gleefully annihilated us, and to accept this common creed of mankind as something of her own device! Ermetha is welcome here, and you may maintain her shrine and lead any worshipers who choose to follow you. But know that Ermetha is an equal amongst our gods, no more or less than Hrunti or Chani or Groza. Know that if Ermetha wishes to be amongst our people, she will have to either earn her place or earn the collective respect of the tribe."

>>23306547

D. Mo' wild veggies

E. Have the wise ones look into weights and measurements.
Explanation: Our huts are becoming less than adequate as time progresses and, using our previous experience in woodworking, improving our buildings to more precise measurements could help to increase the protection they offer from nature and become more efficiently built. And this would also go a ways towards researching masonry.

F. Cultural event in regards to the whole Commandment thing and where it stands with our other gods.

>>23306665
Second

>>23306665
Thorded.

>>23306665
I'd like to expand the fields some more while it's still warm. We have no bronze tools left, but we could still get some work done.

>>23306696
You're right. I hadn't noticed that food was sufficient for now.

BRITFAG! This is my updated action for this turn as amended from >>23306665


E. Have the wise ones look into weights and measurements.
Explanation: Our huts are becoming less than adequate as time progresses and, using our previous experience in woodworking, improving our buildings to more precise measurements could help to increase the protection they offer from nature and become more efficiently built. And this would also go a ways towards researching masonry.

F. Cultural event in regards to the whole Commandment thing and where it stands with our other gods.

G. Expand them fields. Again.

>>23306750
Changing my vote to this.

>>23306750
Sceond.

>>23306750
Thorded
Again

>>23306750
The Wise Ones agree that, until now, the village has indeed been playing fairly fast and lose with measurements. After spending the month in study, they eventually come up with a basic system. Several standard weights are devised and converted into larger and larger copper weights. Distance meanwhile, is equated to the span of a hand, the length of a forearm, the reach of a man's arms at full stretch, the width of a finger and so-on. It is a system that perfectly fits the village's needs, for now.

In commemoration of Mikuhla The Prophet's return, the village formally accepts the commandments of the Goddess Ermetha and in a moon's worth of prayer and devotion from Mikuhla and a rapidly growing following of the goddess, Ermetha's pantheon is revealed.
>Ermetha is on good terms with Perwan and Marnath
>Ermetha is neutral towards Hrunti, Chani, Yeneth and Groza
>Ermetha is not enemies with any gods you currently know!

In another great push against the forest, the fields are expanded yet again, pushing the newly-swelled numbers of the farmers to their limit. The village is, simply put, covering too much land to efficiently farm any more. The stocks of lumber are filled to a ridiculous degree by the felled trees and the fields of grain and vegetables around the village now stretch FAR beyond the walls, pushing right up against the forest's leafy confines.
>Vegetable production is up to 120 units!

File: 1361490300736.jpg-(352 KB, 1211x900, 1361149702373.jpg)

352 KB JPG

>>23307187
Everything is going beautifully.

>>23307187
Right, well, no more field expansion for a while. I do suppose we could look into making what we currently have more productive though. We'll need to send an envoy to the RB to see if they can give us some ideas.

>>23307187
our tribe is from brazil.

>>23307187
>Correction
Ermetha is neutral towards Khoine

EVENT
One summer night, near to the full moon, strange events start to occur around the village. Small items start to go missing, from pots to items of clothing, to tools and particularly jewlery of copper and bone. Around the village, strange blue lights are seen at dusk and into the night, floating thither and yon at all kinds of heights. Little is thought of it at first, indeed, some of the lights seem to guide farmers home from the fields in the evening. One evening though, a change sets the village truly on edge: One of the farmers, working late in the fields, comes running back to the village, his clothes in shreds and a look of terror on his face. In a terrified voice, he relates a story of being bewildered by the dancing lights around the village, not knowing which way was home and being lead into the forest by the lights. Once within the forest, he started to hear laughter and unseen beings tugged at his clothing, turning him around, plucking at his hair and pushing him into patches of thorns and nettles. He tried to fight back, swinging the wooden shovel he had been using to clear the irrigation ditches at the lights, but the improvised weapon was torn from his hands and the laughter started to turn decidedly more sinister, mixed with animal snarls and breathing behind his head, though every time he turned, he would see nothing there. His clothes were torn, claws scratched at his body and a choking, pungent scent filled his nostrils. The blue lights drifted closer and he could see that they were floating balls of fire that hurled themselves at him. Finally, the man fled in terror, back towards a glimpse of the village's lights through the trees, the mocking, menacing laugh of dozens of voices following him all the way.

>>23307641
What will the tribe do?
A) Send hunters into the forest to seek out the cause of the lights?
B) Seek a solution to the problem with the help of the Wise Ones?
C) Seek a solution with the help of the priests?
D) Consult with the gods?
E) Try to negotiate with the force behind the fires?
F) Ignore the problem?
G) Other?

>>23307641 (I'm here)

Send a scout group into the forest, guided by our farmer, and with dez there.

>>23307668
G)

Have the farmer lead Wolf Lady into the forest, Derrik too if he wishes to go. Make sure there are a couple of armed hunters with them all. We don't want to take any big chances since the fiasco with Svell

>>23307668
C. No need to run to the gods in a tizzy. The priests should suffice for some answers, I'm sure. Besides, they didnt kill the guy, just scared the shit out of him and a couple scratches. He'll live.

>>23307710
Actually, I guess that would be C)
Sorry Britfag.

>>23307668
C seems to be the most reasonable option.

>>23307724
Seconding

>>23307710
I am going with this. Though I am adding we ask the gods exactly what is going on first.

>Sorry that took so long
Most of the priests seem unsure of how to approach the problem. Rina and Mikuhla both propose some form of magic, possibly to ward the lights away from the village, but it would take some time before it was ready to be used, as the tribe does not currently possess the knowledge of how to create such a magical effect.

Derrik meanwhile, simply looks out at the forest and scratches his beard. He claims there is something unsettling about the lights and requests that he be allowed to enter the forest in an attempt to find out more about them and hopefully, find a way to drive them off.

Perwan's priest has a vague idea of finding a new way to bless the fields, in order to keep malign influences away from them, but such a magic is not typically part of his goddess's sphere of activity, so it may require a significant investment of time and effort and is not totally guaranteed to work flawlessly.

None of the other priests presently within the village can offer any kind of plan that really seems workable.

A) Go with Mikuhla's plan
B) Back Rina's plan
C) Give Derrik permission to enter the forest
D) Support Perwan's priest
E) Chose another solution

>>23308471
C

Hrunti es bes gahd

Derrik es bes preest

>>23308471
E) Have Derrik go, but send the Wolf Priestess and the rest of Hrunti's order with him. THe white fangs shall march in force this night.

>>23308504
This.q

>>23308504
In addition I would add with E) Have Micky and Rina attempt to figure out their warding in case Derrik can't get his plan to work. Tell Perwan's priest it is ok, and instead station hunters to patrol the fields in case the things come again.

>>23308504
Second

>>23308471
A. I'm going to go with Mickeys plan.

So far aside from this one incident the lights have been more or less harmless. I'd say we just impose a curfew for a little while or otherwise have our farmers travel in groups to ensure protection.

This is two-fold in its benefits as I see it. It will grant us some sort of protection magic which would be awesome, and it won't take as long as Perwan's idea.

Derriks plan is more to the point and if we could choose two options I send him out too, but the gain from waiting a little while versus potentially pissing off whatever those things are seems reasonable to me.

>>23308504
I'm not so sure about this one. I doubt they will find the fairies if they march in number instead of Derrik going alone.
They will probably just have a walk through the forest and the fairies will show to them.

If he goes alone, the chance is much higher, although more dangerous.

>>23308529
Seconding this notion though.

>>23308529
>>23308504
Seconding the double plan.

>>23308580
I'd rather take care of his safety. Mickey and Derrik are by far the most powerful magically in the tribe.

>>23308610
Just wanted to note that. I'd like to know him safe, too, but I can already see the expedition being fruitless because of the too great numbers.

>>23308646
It's only eight men in the order, so that's ten total.

>>23308504
'The rest of Hrunti's order' is just the priestess. The hunters might revere Hrunti, but they are not his official priesthood by any means. Would you like to revise your vote in light of this?

>>23308835
Send four hunters who revere Hrunti the most with him, they must be volunteers. Also the wolf priestess.

>Derrik asks to go out there presumably by himself

>Lets send him an a dozen other people with him.

Lets see how poorly this goes.

>>23308865
2nd

>>23308865
I put it down to Four, plus Derrik, plus the Wolf Priestess. Six total is enough to be inconspicuous, but still keep him safe hopefully.

>>23308922
While Mikuhla and Rina start to work on some method of warding the village and its environs, Derrik takes his small party into the forests, towards the area the lights seemed thickest. They set off just before evening and once they enter the forest, they are soon surrounded by the fires, dancing this way and that, weaving in and out of the trees. They seem reluctant to approach the group at first, but soon, the party starts to feel small tugs at their clothing and hair and faint laughter can be heard between the trees; a wicked sniggering. Hrunti's priest responds by placing her hands together before her chest and starting a sacred chant to her god. For a moment, the fires recoil a good distance, the laughter stopping and being replaced by surprised and angry sounds of fear and frustration. Before long however, a host of stronger fires, brighter and larger than before, spreading an eerie blue radiance as they float and dart through the air, appear around the party.

Sending creepy, dancing and flickering shadows darting everywhere as they move, the fires start to close in again, this time with more malice in their purpose. The hunters grow increasingly afraid and panicked as their clothes are tugged and torn at, the spears they jab at the fires are tugged upon, trying to be snatched from their hands, their hair is pulled and the heat-less flames spin around them, flying into their faces, splashing like water and re-forming on the other side. Finally, the nerve of one of them snaps and he turns to flee, running back up the trail he had just walked down, yelling in frustrated anger and fear at the enemy that tormented him, but he could not hit! Seeing this, Derrik calls a warning, but too late. The hunter vanishes from sight and is not seen again.
>cont.

>>23309515
Another of the hunters runs, but strays off the path, lead by the fires. He slips, stumbles, drops and there's a sick CRACK and a howl of pain. The party hurries after him, to find the hunter has fallen, his leg caught between two gnarled roots and broken from the force of his fall. As he is carefully helped up, a ring of blue flames starts to slowly spread around the group and unlike before, these fires ARE hot. Luckily, Derrik manages to lead the group out of the encirclement, before the ring closes, whereupon the flames vanish, as though they were never there, to the sound of dozens of voices laughing maliciously.

At the loss of one hunter and the injury by another, Derrik makes a choice to send the young priestess and the hunters back to the village. She argues, of course, but Derrik simply snaps, "I am your elder, girl AND I am the senior priest! Take them back to the village! I'll go on alone. If my fears are correct, you'll only be a bother anyway; this is something beyond you, for now."
Hurt, but compliant, the girl nods, starting her chant again and leading the hunters back to the safety of the village. Some of the fires follow them, but most stay around Derrik, hanging back beyond the trees as the old, blind priest sniffs the air. "I may not be able to see you," he mutters, "But don't think that means I am completely helpless." Moving slowly and steadily, Derrik proceeds deeper into the forest, never once being deterred by the fire's tricks and schemes. At one time, a wall of sky-blue flames roar up in his path, burning hot and deadly, but the old priest changes direction and runs with surprising speed, never missing his footing, until at last, he comes to the Wolf Oak.

Sitting there, ready to greet him, is the White Wolf - Hrunti. The god looks up into the now star-studded sky for a long time, before greeting his priest. "You have suspicions, priest?"
"I do."
"They are correct."
"I didn't really think they weren't."
>field leeength..!

>>23309773
There is a brief silence, before Derrik sighs, "Well bugger. What now?"
The moon creeps across the sky as Hrunti and Derrik talk and discuss, until at last, the priest has all he needs to know. Close to dawn, he returns to the village, stepping down off the back of an enormous wolf, whom he pats absently, before the best vanishes into the darkness of the pre-dawn forest. Derrik shuffles into the village and catches a few hours sleep, before sitting before the council and relating what he has learned.

"They're from the Deep Forest. They're some kinda spirit we've not met before. Not gods, but the servants of them. Kinda what Hrunti was, before he took down the old alpha, but kinda not, as they're not flesh-and-blood like he was; least, they're not in THIS world." He pauses and takes a hefty draught from a mug of berry liquor. "Something's happening in the Deep Forest. Something important. No way of knowing if things'll get better, or worse, when all's said and done. There's only one thing I'd suggest..." the old priest grins wickedly, like a wolf that's scented its prey. "If ya can think of anyone with the stones for it, I can take them through and we'll see what we'll see. Or you could just trust to luck and the gods to keep us safe. Look how that's turned out so far! Still... Might be possible to ward them away. Mikuhla... There's something potent about his magic. Him or Rina, either of them could probably do something. I'd put a jar of liquor on it being Mickey who gets it first though!"
>Derrik learned how to enter the Deep Forest!

A) Select a hero to send through to the Deep Foest
B) Trust to luck
C) Try to find a way to ward the fields
D) Try something else

>>23309994
>Addendum
If you like, you can have an overview of your heroes, to better select one.

>>23310020
Yes please.

>>23310020

Do it. We'll still send Mickey I'm sure, but I'd like the overview regardless. Purely for the easy access archive I'm putting together.

>>23310020
I would like an overview.

Trym Wolfsbane
Hunter Lv.1; Warrior Lv.2

HP: 32
Attack: 5
Defence: 4 (27)
Skill: 2
Craft: 2
Spirit: 3
Wits: 2
Charisma: 2
Gear:
Copper hunting spear (-5 damage)
Bronze short sword
Copper scale coat (+2)
Traits:
Lionheart - +1k0 on all morale checks
GODSLAYER - +2k1 in combat with divines


Mikuhla The Prophet
Priest Lv. 1; Warrior Lv. 1

HP: 29
Attack: 3
Defence: 3 (20)
Skill: 2
Craft: 2
Spirit: 4
Wits: 2
Charisma: 3
Gear:
Crude shortbow
Copper-tip arrows (-5 damage)
Bronze knife
Traits:
Chosen Prophet - +2k1 on all spellcasting rolls. +1k1 on all rolls to spread faith. +1k1 wits on all checks pertaining to god lore.


Derrik
Priest Lv. 2; Hunter Lv. 2

HP: 30
Attack: 3
Defence: 2 (15)
Skill: 3
Craft: 2
Spirit: 4
Wits: 4
Charisma: 3
Gear:
Crude shortbow
Copper-tipped arrows
Bronze knife
Flint hand-axe
Traits:
Blind - -2k2 on all attack rolls and rolls needing the use of sight.
Old and Wise - -1k1 on all skill rolls for physical activity, but +1wits
Woodsman - +1k0 on all wits tests regarding the forest
Wolf-blessed – Takes no penalties from purely negative traits, while alone, or in the forest.


Naveen
Priest Lv. 1
HP: 20
Attack: 2
Defence: 2 (15)
Skill: 2
Craft: 2
Spirit: 3
Wits: 3
Charisma: 3
Gear:
None
Traits:
Beautiful - +2k0 on rolls to charm or seduce on compatible targets

>>23310294
Rina
Priest Lv. 3

HP:
Attack: 2
Defence: 2 (15)
Skill: 2
Craft: 2
Spirit: 4
Wits: 3
Charisma: 3
Gear:
None
Traits:
Blood of Flowing Water – +0k1 to spirit rolls when near a river or other flowing water source


Keep in mind, this is only the heroes currently available to you. Sallina and Gerrin are out on their pilgrimage and have not yet returned.

>>23310294
Well I guess that settles it.

Derrik and Trym make the most well rounded party as I see it according to stats.

Ask Derrik about sending more, and the risk inherent to that if they are prepared for battle. Also, what will occur if we send the shrine carts with them, as they channel the god's spirit.

Ok, I am going with sending Trym along with Derrik. Rina and Mickey are to work on warding the fields.

>>23310470
Derrik chokes on his drink and coughs, sputtering, "A CART?! You think I'm pulling a cart through there, I'm amazed you don't wear shoes on your head, you dung-brained halfwit! For yer information, having the gods around has little to do with it. We're linked and learned; that's all that counts. And NO. I'm bringing ONE through and only one. I'm an old man and these bones aren't what they used to be! Besides anything, I have no idea what we'll find in there and frankly, I'd rather NOT have a half-dozen clueless pups ambling about and attracting the attention of every hungry beast within a day's travel!"

>>23310422
Second

>>23310588
Ok, then I suggest D) Tell Derrik that we will be sending Trym with him, but would like to wait long enough to make the two of them Bronze armor, and emblazon it with symbols of our tribe and their gods. We want them as protected best we can. In addition we emphasize we are sending them to make peace, not incite war, but make it clear we will defend ourselves if trouble does come.

>>23310422
Sceonding this. Seems the most sensible.

Putting it up officially.

We're sending in Trym and Derrik

All in favour, say "Aye"
All Opposed, say "Nay"

>>23310422
Soory, didn't see you had already posted.

Thording or Ferthing this then.

>>23310422
Aye, send them in the morning with the best supplies we can give them.

>>23310770
Wait, one thing! They are on a mission to make peace and gather information.

>The consensus seems to be Trym and Derrik.

Derrik leads Trym through the forest, the tribe's renowned and mighty hero resplendent in his coat of gleaming, copper scales, a sword by his side and spear in hand. Trym pushes his matted, brown hair out of his eyes and scratches his beard, as the two heroes stand before the bulk of the Wolf Oak.
"Lay your hand on my shoulder," Derrik instructs, "And for the gods's sake, boy, whatever you do, do NOT let go, do you understand?"
"I understand, priest," nods Trym, laying his weapon-calloused palm on the aged priest's bony shoulder and gripping firmly.
Derrik stands for a moment, breathing slowly and deeply, then nods. "Very well. Let's go. The path is open."

Derrik leads Trym forward, walking past and around the Wolf Oak, then off, into the forest, seemingly in a random direction, following a disused wolf track. Trym almost lifts his hand to brush a branch from his face, but Derrik's whip-crack reminder of, "Do NOT let go!" stops him.

On and on the pair push through the undergrowth and past the trees. At first, it seems as though nothing is out of the ordinary, but gradually, Trym begins to become aware of a few small signs, more appearing every minute, that not everything is right. The air is heavy and oppressive, filled with the scent of uncountable millennia of fallen leaves, mulching soil, dead animals and living plants. The sounds of the beasts, birds and insects of the wild becomes omnipresent, even something as small as a spider spinning its web seeming un-naturally loud in Trym's ears. The trees and brush press in around him, towering up and up, higher and more ancient than anything he has ever seen in his life and Trym swears blind he can catch sight of them moving out of the corner of his eye. Between the thick trunks and dense undergrowth, there is occasional sign of something living, moving and Trym's hunter's instincts scream at him that he is being stalked by the deadliest predator to have ever lived!
>Cont

>>23311441
"It's testing you." Derrik's aged voice nearly shocks Trym out of his skin in the oppressive, silent cacophony, "No human has ever walked this path before. It is dangerous, but we are almost through."

As if simply waiting for him to say it, the trees suddenly open out and Derrik leads Trym into a large, open clearing, the ground carpeted with thick and spongy moss and gnarled roots, both of which crawl up, over a VAST boulder in the centre of the clearing, meeting an even more colossal tree growing atop the stone. The trees around, while still huge and ancient, seem suddenly no-where near as oppressive as they did only moments before. The sound of all the forest is gone, replaced by the normal sounds of a forest in the height of the day. and the atmosphere and feeling of being hunted no longer nags at Trym's mind. "You can let go now," says Derrik simply, shrugging his shoulders, "We've arrived. Welcome to the Deep Forest. If we're to leave, we must return here, or find another place like this; it's a site where the border is weak, like the Wolf Oak back home."

"From now on, be extra-careful," the old priest reminds the hunter, "There are things here that make wolves and bears look like squirrels and raccoons."

>>23311570
And with that... That's all for tonight, folks! Sorry, but it's 4AM here and I am KNACKERED. I'll have to leave you all here tonight and hope to see you all again next time!

The next thread is, of course, on Tuesday evening, at 1600EST! I hope to see you all then, I hope you had a pleasant time tonight and I wish you a good weekend! Good night all, see you next time!

>>23311649
Good night and see you next tuesday. Great thread as always.