>>31107456

“Being an orphan isn’t so bad. I turned out great.” You say, baring your teeth in a jovial manner before putting more things on your plate.

Mica stares at you, her eyes scanning what parts of your body aren’t hidden by the table. “Your parents are proud of you, you know.” She closes her eyes as she leans forward to sniff the contents of her glass.

“You mean they would be proud right?” You feel slightly more self conscious under her gaze now like she’s staring straight through you.

“Yes of course!” She beams. “You are wonderful enough to have been selected as a leader in the Forging. And you’re so pretty!” She takes a sip of her wine, only breaking eye contact once she winces and slowly pours the liquid back into the cup.

>[ ] Uh, thanks? I guess? *blush*
>[ ] How can you say that when we barely know each other?
>[ ] I’m only doing this because I was forced to.

>>31107465
>[x] Take her recoil from the wine as a chance to ask what she knows about your parents. We should also keep an eye on Nolan and his bros.

>[ ] Uh, thanks? I guess? *blush*

>>31107465
[X] CUSTOM COMBINATION!

[X] I'm only doing this because I was forced to..but...uh...thanks? I guess? *blush*

Also, Welcome back.

>>31107668

It's good to be back. Specially since it isn't so lake i have a headache.

>>31107668
I change my vote for this.

>>31107668
i'll vote this too

>>31107690

>lake

My god.

Also! A good friend has alerted me to their concerns my VERY GRANULAR conversation choice style is a major pacing issue.

I'll try giving options that simply decide our slant or strategy in social encounters.

Of course players are still encouraged to suggest dialouge.

>>31107668
>>31107695
>>31107704

The bit of food you just ate catches slightly. “Ahem! I’m only doing this because I was forced to... but...uh...thanks? I guess?” You can feel your ears turning red. Mica giggles as she reaches over the table toward the basket of bread. One of the brothers, made mostly of pectorals, beard, and smile moves the basket to you two’s side of the table.

“Don’t you think this is fun anyway? It’s just like what you usually do, but with friends!”

“I think it’s dangerous.” Mica’s smile falters slightly at your deadpan. “You know what it’s like past the fey line, not to mention it’s encroached by half a mile since last spring.” the girl adopts a mocking expression as she tears off a bit of bread.

“Now how would I know about that? I’m just a maid who works at an inn.” You suddenly feel even less confident about this trip than you did before.

Before you can contemplate you are picked up chair and all by one of the brothers. With a dual CLACK you have been placed to sandwich Mica with Nolan, all on one side of the table. A taller brother speaks up.

>1/2

>>31108071

“Well now! Captain Walker! My bro here says you’ve yet to actually consider the candidates for your party here, only minutes ago you’ve properly greeted?” His voice starts to clear out the rest of the ambient noise as the other brothers enclose the three of you at the table. “Yer takin’ this seriously right? I mean,” he looks to his right and his left at the others, “If something were to happen to little Nolan here, it ain’t us that are taking the heat!”

Mica has taken to stuffing her hand into her mouth to stop from laughing. Nolan is visibly perspiring as he attempts to shrug in apology while two brothers lean on him.

>[ ] Oh they are NOT going to threaten me.
>[ ] Placate them for now, if they leave we can get out of here.
>[ ] I don’t have to be here any longer, It’s about time I head back and check my gear is ready.

>2/2

>>31108071
>>31108215
Oh god.
It's possible that we are the only one that has any real knowledge about the woods we are going into. Really should have expected this.

I would say a combo of I don't have to be here any longer and Oh they are not going to threaten us.

If we successfully leave I would say grab a piece of bread. You know...for our sister.

>>31108215
>[x] Oh they are NOT going to threaten me.
>[x] I don’t have to be here any longer, It’s about time I head back and check my gear is ready.

"If any one of us can't handle ourselves, we'll all be taking the heat. Now if you don't have faith in your little brother, maybe you should take that up with him."

>>31108393
>>31108583

Time up!

You sigh, hoping this isn’t as a horrendous decision as you think it might be, and stand up forcing your chair back. The curt, flutelike sound of wood scooting across wood makes the tallish one step back. You turn, taking a stand, you barely make it to the man’s chin.

“If any one of us can’t handle ourselves, we’ll all be taking the ‘heat’.” Your stomach feels lighter than it should. “Now, if you don’t have faith in your little brother, maybe you should take that up with him.”

COMMAND+INTIMIDATE 3d10

Rolled 5

>>31108678

Rolled 6

>>31108678
Rollin thunder

Rolled 8

>>31108678

Rolled 1

>>31108678

>>31108739
>>31108874
>>31108991

Even as you finish your line with a growl, your leg refuses to answer you when you go to step into the large man’s face once more. You noisily push your plate of food out of the way as you tumble back, resting on the table now. The brother has a perturbed and stern look on his face, his nostrils flare as two of the other brothers grab his shoulders.

“So its just every man for themselves out there then?!” The two on his shoulders grunt as they hold him back. “How the hell did you even get picked for captain anyway! Gil ain’t one to play favorites like that! Hell he knows enough about you, you’d be the last person picked you little!-”

Another chair noisily jostles as Nolan stands up now.

>COMMAND+LEADERSHIP 2x5

“JAKE!”

The fire in the tall brother’s eyes whither, he turns his softening gaze to his baby brother, who continues. “That’s enough! We’re in company! She means well enough! In the past hour I’ve heard her speak more words than I’ve heard from her for a year. She’s trying, and you aren’t helping!”

>Nolan has burned two willpower to get a 2d10 bonus on his COMMAND+LEADERSHIP check to scold Jake who does not choose to defend against his little brother.

>1/2

>>31109265
>HNGH FORGOT TO ADD THE ROLL DETAILS.

>The brother counters with an INTIMIDATE check as well
>NO MATCHES HEIGHT 8 CONTESTED NO MATCHES HEIGHT 10

>>31109265

The hall is quiet. The sounds of silverware clinking on plates slowly dies out as people set them down. Nolan’s glasses grow less and less opaque as the fog in their lenses dissipates. Mica curls up as small as possible on her chair as the brothers silently back away. The two holding jake let go as he lets his shoulders go limp.

Your legs still feel weak from the stress of the confrontation. You finally speak up. “Nolan, Mica, I think we should leave now.”

“Yes ma’am.” Nolan grumbles as he scoots his chair back in place. He looks at one of his brothers, the one who was all beard and smiles, who in turn nods and heads toward the hallway that connected back to the supply room.

Conversation slowly fills the room again, the sound mixing with clinking dinnerware adds a slightly nervous quality to it, like an orchestra tuning their instruments.

>[ ] Nolan, are you ok?
>[ ] I didn’t need your help, but thanks.
>[ ] So this what love does for people right Mica?

>>31109451
I think this is the perfect time for "Silence is golden".

>>31109500
this

>>31109500
>>31109799

Looks like I'm just writing for you two tonight, haah.
Nothing for it then, on we go.

>>31109500
Sounds about right. Sometimes the best thing to say it to say nothing at all.

>>31109833
i'm fine with that

>>31109500
>>31109799

After the beardy smiley brother brings your coats, you leave town hall with your two new “friends”. There are a few people who are still bringing in stews and kegs, their boots crunching through the snow. The sound is quiet and polite, yet the blanket of snow that covers the entire town makes it the loudest one here. The overcast sky above is just now starting to splay into shades of orange and pink as it falls to the earth in the tiniest fluffy white pieces.

You three stand in the main plaza at the center of town. At the center of said plaza you see the monument built to the heroes of the ‘Great Incursion’. Clad in magically treated bronze, stand four figures of obvious valor and physical might. Each one wears crusty streaks of calcium build up on their faces and down their forms as they silently cry never ending water.

“Oh really? But I wanted to go see what Antonia was doing first!” Mica says.

>1/3

>>31109870

When you turn, question in your face, she is looking in another direction. You can see a few men wearing the same cloaks you’ve seen on Cross’s henchmen.

“What? Who are you talking to?” You say as you feel someone bump into you from the front. “H-hey!”

“I’m talking to you Fera,” Mica continues, “do you think we will have time to do the scavenger hunt after meeting with miss Cross?”

You turn to see who you walked into. It’s a small boy in a puffy jacket far too large for him. He jumps up and down as he talks through a gap in his teeth, holding out a folded piece of paper.

>2/3

>>31109888

“Hey! Hey! You’re Miss Walker right!” You nod. “Mom says! Mom says you and your friends are invited to play in a sav, scave,” he presses a thumb into his forehead in concentration, “umm, scave-en-grr hunt!”

“Uh, thanks, child.” Once you take the paper from him, he scrambles off. You finally find a bench by the street to sit on. Nolan follows with curiosity, rubbing his hands together for warmth. As you unfold the paper to inspect it you become acutely aware of Mica’s distance to your face as she peers over your shoulder. A lock of her hair even pours over it.

Honestly you don’t know what you expected. It’s filled a dozen or so lines of writing, you can make out some of it of it. It’s addressed to you personally, something about a hunt. It’s from Andrea Whitetread, she’s a potion maker that lives in town, you frequently purchase lures, tea leaves and soap from her.

“So? What does it say?” Nolan speaks up as he sits down on the bench as well.

>[ ] Push the letter into his hands.
>[ ] Give the letter to Mica
>[ ] [LIE] It’s nothing important. Personal stuff though, sorry. What was that about a scavenger hunt?
>[ ] I uh, I can’t read this.

Rolled 10

>>31109909
>[x] Give the letter to Mica

Give that witch a scavenger hunt, witches love scavenger hunts.

>>31109870
>Talking to herself
>Dodges the question

I get the feeling she has a familiar and is talking to it.

Since Mica is basically looking right over our shoulder we can just hold it up and let her read it.

>>31110042
>>31110095

You lean away from Mica slightly, and present the letter to her face. She giggles slightly as she takes it from you. The sound is really close, it’s a pleasant one.

“Hmm,” She starts, “Ooh this should be fun! Ahem!” She drapes herself over the back of the bench slightly as she leans on it, reading the letter with her face to the sky.

“Dear Fera, Congratulations on landing a spot as a captain for the Forging! I’m sure you’re gonna be busy tonight making those last minute preparations and getting to know your party members. But if it isn’t too much trouble, could you humor and old lady in her attempts to make this occasion a memorable one for you and your friends! As you know, every year I hold this silly little scavenger hunt. This year is no different!

Enough babble! Here are your first three clues!

One: Just how fast IS Mr o'reilly’s rudest house guest?
Two: Did you know the tallest tip-top of Lukewater is only visible from bell street?
Three: I’m having a nice cup of coco at the lake, but I wouldn’t quite hold my breath for it.

Remember to have fun all! And do play fair and leave the other hints for the others when you find them. I’ll know if you cheat!

Joyfully, Andrea Whitetread.”

>1/2

>>31110293

“Hmm, it sounds like we have competition already. Lucky us! we’re the first out of the banquet!” Nolan noisily scratches the back of his head through gloves and the hood of a parka at Mica’s comment.

>[ ] Question Mica.
>[ ] Ask if Nolan wants to get a headstart on the scavenger hunt.
>[ ] Check on sister.

>>31110293
>[x] Check on sister.

>>31110381
>[X] Check on sister.

We can start the hunt...just after we check on our "sister"

>>31110388
>>31110461

You smile, take a deep breath in and slowly let it out. You watch your breath freeze and dance in fluffy patterns as it slowly is carried off by the breeze.

“Ok, I could go for some recreation right now.” You turn to the others. “There’s someone I need to check in with first.” You hop off the bench and stand up straight, looking back at town hall. Normal conversation seems to have been restored by now. Although you do spot Cross and her entourage leaving out the front. Cross herself gives a cheery wave before heading across the plaza to an adjacent street.

“You mean your sister? Can we come? I always wanted to meet her!” Mica flops off the bench and folds the letter a few times before tucking it into her coat. Nolan looks a bit lost.

>[ ] Sure let’s go.
>[ ] Umm, I’ll come back for you.

>>31110630
>[X] Sure let’s go.

I suspect that Mica will understand completely while Nolan will just be even more confused.

He is kinda stuck between two types of magic in a way.

>>31110630
>[X] Sure let’s go.

>>31110686
Between a rock and a weird place

>>31110630
>>[ ] Sure let’s go.

>>31110686
>>31110695
>>31110827

“S-sure, let’s go then.” You start heading down a street that heads south. Despite the cold, Lukewater remains fairly lively. Handfuls of small children run up and down the snow covered streets, yelling their tiny heads off and swatting each other with sticks. One small boy wears a incompetently stitched pointy hat as he runs from three others, alternately chanting nonsense and proclaiming the others demise.

He finally is tackled into the middle of the street ahead you. The two children roll a few feet giggling and yelling before suddenly going silent. The others have already backed away out of the street, staring at you, no, past you. The two kids in the middle of the street get up to scramble back to the others, one of them slapping the crude hat off the other.

You continue moving again, watching as the group of children track Mica with their eyes as you leave. She wears that same sleepy smile, but she does not look in their direction.

The pregnant silence is difficult to ignore.

>[ ] What say?

>>31110867
>[ ] What say?
nothing absolutely nothing

>>31110867
>>31110892
I agree. Maybe glance at the children and then at her with possible a raised eyebrow,but let her say something if she feels like it.

>>31111141
that works

>>31110892
>>31111141
>>31111293

You watch Mica as you three continue on. You eventually catch her gaze and she goes blank for a moment. With a dry giggle she smiles, turning her face to the sky slightly.

“You know you’re lucky right? I wish I could be invisible like that.” She says. You slow down a bit to walk beside her. You feel like you should be saying something right now, but it escapes you. You settle for patting her on the back.

The three of you silently tread down the street. After taking a right and then a left, you start heading outside the main body of Lukewater. Ahead of you is a long road that slowly rolls off the hill Lukewater was built on. On it’s right is a lake. Across it you can see the Lodge Gil keeps. You wouldn’t say you live there but, its the closest thing, you sleep there whenever you’re in town at least.

You see a fire going by the lake. Andrea, the town’s most skilled alchemist, sits by a moderately sized campfire. There is a pot of something heating over it. She has a small table set up as well, several cups are laid out on it and she sits comfortably sipping out of one of them. She is vastly under dressed for this weather.

She doesn’t seem to have spotted you three yet.

>[ ] Head on to the lodge.
>[ ] Inquire what Andrea is doing by the lake.
>[ ] Custom.

>>31111355
>>[ ] Inquire what Andrea is doing by the lake.
Might as well say hello too.

>>31111644

You almost forgot about the scavenger hunt’s hints. Of course you would run into her on the way to the lodge. You start walking down the road, the incline means you have to walk a fair bit away from her before you can hop down to her level.

“We might as well greet Miss Whitetread. She went through all this trouble.”

>BODY+ATHLETICS 2x1

This doesn’t seem to matter to Mica as you see her sliding down the relatively steep incline perpendicular to the road. She wears a significantly more genuine smile as she tumbles down mostly feet first. Nolan reels at the danger in her place, cringing with his hands up beside his ears. A smile creeps it’s way onto your face as you watch. Nolan watches you in desperation as you size up the slide down.

>[ ] Jump down after Mica. [BODY+ATHLETICS] 4d10
>[ ] Take Nolan with you. [BODY+BRAWLING] 6d10 -1 DICE PENALTY FOR SPLIT ACTIONS.
>[ ] Push Nolan. [BODY+BRAWLING] 6d10
>[ ] Dont!
>[ ] Custom.

>>31112001
Not nearly enough people here to fill out those dice pools if they're picked. I suppose you rolling multiple times isn't a HUGE blasphemy, better than the QM rolling for the player.

File: 1395984268418.jpg-(161 KB, 960x646, screaming-eagles.jpg)

161 KB JPG

Rolled 1, 4, 8, 7, 5, 4 + 1 = 30

>>31112001
>>[ ] Take Nolan with you. [BODY+BRAWLING] 6d10 -1 DICE PENALTY FOR SPLIT ACTIONS.

SCCCCCRREEEEAAAAAAAAMMMMMMIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG EEEEEAAAAAGGGGGLLLLLLLEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!

Rolled 1, 8, 5, 2, 4, 5 + 1 = 26

>>31112062
And why aren't there a lot of people following this quest?

>>31112101
What is that +1?

>>31112126
Uh, same question.

Also I know right? I'm hoping that's mostly from all the momentum I accidentally killed in the first thread, when i got myself banned for screwing up the captchas.

BUT THE DOUBT! IT CREEPS IN LIKE THE COLD.

>>31112001
>>[ ] Take Nolan with you. [BODY+BRAWLING] 6d10 -1 DICE PENALTY FOR SPLIT ACTIONS.

Rolled 7

>>31112163
I dunno how to do all that fancy dice rolling. Sorry for my incompetence. I'm Just going to roll a single 1d10.

>>31112126
Whelp I DID ask for it, I suppose it would have been better to just have everyone roll a single one and then like, just do it again until there are enough dice.

ANYWAY going with this sorry folks.

>>31112226
WAIT! Actually, the vote hasn't been called yet, so all rolls are INVALID YAY.

>[ ] Take Nolan with you [BODY+BRAWLING] 6d10 -1 DICE PENALTY FOR SPLIT ACTIONS.

Has gotten three votes so lets start rolling for reals!

Rolled 9

>>31112239
I'm just rolling for singles then.

Rolled 1

>>31112239
Rollin

Rolled 5

>>31112305
2 roll

Rolled 8

>>31112239

Rolled 1

>>31112325
roll 3

Rolled 6

>>31112338
roll 3

>>31112305
>>31112310
>>31112325
>>31112327
>>31112338
>>31112358

So, that's enough rolls, right?

>>31112305
>>31112310
>>31112325
>>31112327
>>31112338

You grin and lunge for the biggest little brother.

> BODY+ATHLETICS SPLIT ACTIONS TO TACKLE AND SOFTEN LANDING, ONE SET ONLY, USING FOR TACKLE 2x1

Nolan’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead as he moves to stop you.

> BODY+ATHLETICS 2x8 TO CATCH

He is shockingly solid as you crumple into him. Nolan panics as he attempts to wrestle the two of you’s center of gravity back from the edge. Once you two tip back to the side with ground on it, your feet are able to touch the ground again as Nolan continues to clutch to you. He unknowingly uses you like a crutch as he slows his hyperventilating.

“What, what are you doing!“ He quickly unhands you, swinging his arms (and his center of gravity) back. “Are you crazeeEYAAH!” He starts to wail again as the footing shifts underneath him.

> BODY+ATHLETICS TO CATCH 4d10

Rolled 7

>>31112456

Rolled 7

>>31112456
Yes.

Yes we are.

Rolled 9

>>31112456

Rolled 6

>>31112487

Rolled 10

>>31112506
We're not crazy. We're being young.

>>31112487
>>31112506
>>31112520
>>31112548

> 2x7 TO CATCH

You shoot forward and snag Nolan by the collar as his arms cycle in panic. Quickly whipping him around you toss him to the ground behind you. In his panic Nolan grabs onto your arm as he falls safely. Although it pulls you along as well.

The force of you both landing in the snow knocks his glasses off. Them out of the way you get a very very good look at his eyes. They’re a jagged mix of brown and green. He blinks a few times and his face manages to get even redder than it was from the cold before.

“Uh, can... can you get off of me?”

You comply almost instantly, your ears burning again.

You hear Mica call from below the drop. “Haaay! What’s taking you two so long!”

>[ ] Blame Nolan
>[ ] No reason!
>[ ] Nolan just jumped me is all!
>[ ] Custom

Rolled 1

>>31112645
>>[ ] Blame Nolan
For being a scaredy cat

>>31112645
>[ ] No reason!

>>31112712
Haha! Good thing I wasted a bad roll.

Rolled 2

>>31112712
>>31112715

Time up!

Calling it with a coinflip!

>>31112929

“No reason!” You call out. You look back to Nolan, offering a jovial huff before hustling safely down the road to the lake.

Now that you’re down here, you can clearly see how out of place Andrea is by the frozen lake. Her heavy coat is draped over the chair she sits on, and what she wears now barely counts as a single layer. It vaguely reminds you of what you usually wear while hunting in summer, short as it is around here. Although such a gettup on the older woman is much more, well, catastrophic is one word that comes to mind.

She has a paper fan out, which she leisurely “cools” herself off with as she smiles a friendly wrinkle filled grin. Once Nolan arrives he starts doing that thing where he doesn't look at someone, scratching the back of his head. Is this what he looked like back in the supply room?

Mica does not seem to be very interested as to why Andrea isn’t freezing to death. She leans toward the pot over the fire, carefully wafting the steam rising from its contents with a free hand.

The older woman speaks up. “Fera, darling, I didn’t expect to see you so soon! You know yours is the first group to show up here?”

>1/2

>>31113041

“I assume you’ve all come for a taste of the coco?” She gets up out of the chair and grabs a mug and a ladle from the table before joining Mica by the pot. It occurs to you the pot is specifically a cauldron. She fills up a mug and expectantly looks to the three of you.

>[ ] Take the coco.
>[ ] Suggest one of the other two take it.
>[ ] Decline

>What do you ask her?

>>31113114
>[X] Take the coco.

We all drink it at the same time.

>>31113114
Take the coco! Take it!

>>31113148
You. Mad. Genius.

>>31113157
Wait... what does she mean that she wouldn't hold her breath for it?

>>31113195
Is Fera asking that, or are you?

>>31113234
No... idea....

>>31113291
Anyway, you're going to lose another player soon. Gotta go to sleep.

>>31113349
Night!, almost at a stopping point here anyway!

>>31113148
>>31113157


“So this is part of the hunt right?” You say, cautiously reaching for the mug in her hand.

“Well of course!” She blows a lock of curly greying hair out of her face as she grabs onto the neckline of her tunic, pulling it to get some airflow underneath.

You turn to the other two. “Well I think it’s obvious these are potions, what say we try them at the same time?” Mica is giddy with anticipation at the suggestion, Nolan reluctantly picks up an empty mug from the table.

“Hey Fera, this is a pretty bad idea. I like it!” Mica bubbles as she is served some “coco”.

“Yeah this isn’t like you” Nolan adds. “Wait why am I going along with this?” His face goes from complete confusion to embarrassment as he accidentally looks the older alchemist in the face.

You carefully blow on the concoction a bit to cool it down. “Didn’t you say you wanted to have fun or something? Don’t question me once you’ve already dragged me out!”

“Oh one more thing dear,” Andrea says, “if I were you I would drink those fast.”

>1/2

>>31113565

You, Nolan, and Mica trade looks. Steam rising from each of your mugs.

“Nothing for it then!” You proclaim, tipping the mug back and downing it in one gulp.

All things considered, it’s really good coco. But then there’s also the part where it is the godsdamned hottest thing you have ever tasted.

“Oh right, gah!” Andrea smacks her palm into her forehead. “I should have brought down a rack or something. Here,” She holds out an arm, the other deftly snatching it from Mica’s hands just as the half elf drops it in shock, “I’ll hold your jackets, and uh, most of the rest of your clothes for now.”

You blink, attempting to squinch the tears out of your eyes long enough to focus on the woman. “What!?”

“Well you don’t wanna get them wet right? Out here that water’s gonna freeze solid on you quick!” You think you see Nolan shoveling snow into his mouth. Andrea continues. “Well actually I think you would keep it from freezing, but you’d still be wet!” She huffs to herself and looks to the lake.

“You can’t be serious.” You cough out.

“Is she serious? She-ahh, she’s, there’s no way shes serious!” Nolan insists.

“She’s definitely serious!” Exclaims Mica, as she tears open her jacket.

>2/2

>FULL STOP

Whelp I think that's a good place to end for tonight!
If you haven't already, please do follow @Sojourneyman for updates.

I won't be running SQ tomorrow, got a birthday party to attend.

Might run on Saturday. Check the twitter.

>>31113586
Yet again thanks for running this.

>>31113597
You have no idea how grateful I am for you sticking around.

>>31113604
I'm very interested in this journey you have begun for us. Hell, we are still at the starting area you could say so i'm interested in what the larger world has to offer.

But yeah, keep up the good work.

>>31113574
> She holds out an arm, the other deftly snatching it from Mica’s hands just as the half elf drops it in shock,

Supposed to read

> She holds out an arm, the other deftly snatching Mica's mug from her hands just as the half elf drops it in shock,