>>42945359

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndL6m5vHVhw

[Faceless]
You are surrounded by the warm bodies of strangers. Huddled up together, you all ward away the cold of the night, sparing yourselves from making a fire that could alert pursuit, or the monsters that may lie deeper in the woods.
Some of the people here, the Guisi, stand watch. Though they are far from sentinels. Barely awake, near-starved, and from what you've heard, the entire group's been running for days.

They may not make it until the changeover of the watch, and morale is low.

Aside from the respect they give to Mira, the girl that found you, they have no clear leader. No, they are no more than a bunch of runaway slaves running for their freedom...

[N]
This night, the concerto crickets play their violins, and some owls hoot in low bass and baritones. Door Mice retreat to their homes in trees and upon the forest floor. If you listen carefully, you can hear the sounds of their tiny slamming doors.

[Faceless]

Sleep does not come to you easily...
You may keep trying, to give yourself a true rest you haven't had in what may be lifetimes. Or you could offer to take up watch against the dangers of the night.

>[Sleep. You need it. Let dreams take you, meditate, and improve from what you've learned today.]
>[Offer to take up watch. You'd feel more at ease watching the night.]
>[Slip away from the others after they've set to sleep. Secure the area yourself.]
>[Write in]

>>42945428
>[Sleep. You need it. Let dreams take you, meditate, and improve from what you've learned today.]

>>42945428

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7c7GimPSF4

This one is less nerve-wracking.

>>42945428
>>[Sleep. You need it. Let dreams take you, meditate, and improve from what you've learned today.]

>>42945428
>>[Sleep. You need it. Let dreams take you, meditate, and improve from what you've learned today.]

>>42945428

Listening to the sounds of the night, they grant you some modicum of peace. As you vaguely recall that near soundless chamber you'd stayed in for so long, this is a wholly welcome change from that insanity.

Slowly, ever so slowly you feel the gentle light of Luna whisper your eyes shut and take you away to the world of memories and dreams...

In the darkness of the night, you walk upon a hazy path with stained glass windows, some missing, others shattered. And others blotted out in darkness. You see a couple that seem to be memories of your face's old life.

First, there's a window that shows a field on fire. You remember it faintly from your struggle with the Hylon, Leon. This is the memory of when a farmland burned... It's linked to a moment where your face swore against all men of pride and country... When that memory returned, you not only felt a rush of power, but a resurgence of your own lost memories.

>You feel that learning of past memories will unlock more...
>The more you know about this face, the more power you can draw from it.

You walk through the lanes of memory and notice another part that's been opened up, a window with a blade being sharpened. The glass seems to catch the light of the sun and tell of more peaceful days now long past. You sense that this was before the fire. This could tell you of the man he was.

>>42945638

Then, there's another that appears... However the glass is frosted, as though webs of frost have crawled on over it. Luna is reflected within.

>You only have enough time in the world of dreams to witness one of these windows tonight...

>[Go to the fields of fire. I will see the source of hatred.] The first part in this Face's story.
>[Sharpen the scythe. I called upon this thing, I should learn more about it.]
>[Step through the the veiled gate... Could this be my own past?] The first step in your own memories.
>[Try speaking to the face.] This may improve your understanding of one another.
>[Write in.]Wake up in the night, meditate without memories, etc.

Bio and ability/trait sheet.
>http://pastebin.com/dDstf0SN

>>42945662
>>[Sharpen the scythe. I called upon this thing, I should learn more about it.]

>>42945662
>[Step through the the veiled gate... Could this be my own past?] The first step in your own memories.

>>42945662
>[Try speaking to the face.] This may improve your understanding of one another.

>>42945662
>[Step through the the veiled gate... Could this be my own past?] The first step in your own memories.

>>42945827
>>42946083
Locking in.

>>42945662
>[Try speaking to the face.] This may improve your understanding of one another.

>>42945662

The Light Of The Moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik22FS1cEFg

The colors are old, black and white. A time before the world had color? Or perhaps you'd simply forgotten the colors over the course of time.

You sit before a modest banquet hall, with nothing but the fruit and vegetables of the land that have their bodies to give. No others dine with you, and hunger does not visit your being.
You whisper apology to the fruits as they ask after your condition, "What's wrong? Are you feeling well?"

The answer is no, you are not. Rising, you turn away from them and step out of the hall and onto the balcony where the light of Luna bathes the homes of many. It is beautiful, and yet you are not overjoyed. You feel the far off cries of those that perish, and you push back the tears that rob you of your every moment.

"Why... Why is this happening to us." You bemoan, as a silver drop extends itself from your eye, upon the black mark of your face.

"The Hylon... They will not be stopped. No matter how we try to negotiate... No matter how we beg that they reconsider." You squeeze the balcony till your knuckles go pale.

"No, they have too much pride for that..."
The rest of the memory ends abruptly. No more and no less... It's still too far away.

…

That memory did not take as long as you had thought...

You speak now to the face...

>>42945359
good you didn't forget the title this time

>>42946430

You rest in the flow of your fragmented being, and grasp a string that pulls the face of the one you wear into your ephemeral view.

It comes forth, as a disembodied form of itself, not unlike when you first discovered it. His eyes look at you, or rather through you.

“I suppose I'd like to say it's nice to see you face to face. Though you do not seem to have one.”

>multiple options may be taken here.
>[And it is good to see you, even if you are a bloodthirsty killer.](Sarcastic)
>[The feeling is mutual, I thought I'd get to know you better.](Sympathetic)
>[Why did you force our hand in killing Leon?](Inquiring)
>[Do you know who did this to you?](Caring)
>[Write in.]

>>42946536
>[Do you know who did this to you?](Caring)
>[Why did you force our hand in killing Leon?](Inquiring)

>>42946536
>>[Why did you force our hand in killing Leon?](Inquiring)

>>42946536
>>[Do you know who did this to you?](Caring)

>>42946430
Nice, we can talk to fruit. When do we become romantically entangled with a tsundere pomegranate?

>>42946536
>>[The feeling is mutual, I thought I'd get to know you better.](Sympathetic)

>>42946606
When I say everything has a voice, I meant everything has a voice.

/Animism

>>42946536
>[Do you know who did this to you?](Caring)

>>42946677
So, is the pomegranate thing possible, like is everything at a similar level of intelligence, or are some things less sentient?

>>42946743
>>42946606
>stone fruit
>over the vastly superior berries
Disgusting.

>>42946743
A pomegranate's voice would be more like a child's. Since it's the baby of a tree and what-not.

>>42946769
what about a really old stick?

>>42946536

“I wanted to ask, who did this two you? I do not see you as someone that would pull off their own face.”

The mask glowers at you somberly, the lines of stress and old age apparent. “I scarcely remember at this point. Though I do believe that there were two assailants and...” He seems to squint, as though struggling with the memory, “A trap of some sort within the woods... There was a sudden rain on a clear blue day and a flash of lightning... It seems that is where my memories of independence end, and then the next thing I know, I'm bonding to someone who's...” He squints again, as empty as the void.

You shrug at that, not much knowing what to say in response to the end, “Two... I recall hearing two voices before I put you on.”

“So they stole me away for some... thing sealed up in a well?” He laughs bitterly, his voice echoing out into the void of your internal self.

There's a distinct pause as his laughter ceases, and then the echo. Taking a more serious tone, “Why did you force our hand in killing Leon? I feel as though I still do not understand, he was pleasant to us.”

>>42947018


The face stares back at you, sudden creases of anger and rage appearing until they vanish, like a parent realizing a child just won't understand. “They took everything from me, the Hylon. My home, my family, and just about everyone I knew.”

“What if he had not been a part?”

“Then he would have been among those that stood by and did nothing. I'd understand that from fellow Guisi, our way is to become the knife in the dark for deeds under the light of sol. For they?” The Guisi face scoffs, “Hylon are well connected. They know the deeds of each other. Some would sit on their arses and talk about morality, philosophy, and what is right and wrong. They would debate each other simply to hold themselves in the higher esteem while the villages burn. They do nothing but soak in their own pride.”

The face of the guisi darkens, the small horns upon his forehead lengthen and curl back far, “I would kill them all on principle alone. They profit from our torture! And these people?! They break their backs and bones to dig the earth in lands seized. What justice is that?”

>You realize that you had once questioned war yourself instead of answering it... His words ring some truth... But do you agree?

>[That is no justice at all.] Agree.
>[So you would repeat the tragedy?] Denial.
>[... I had once done the same. I understand.]
>[Write in]

>>42947035
>>[... I had once done the same. I understand.]

>>42947035
>[... I had once done the same. I understand.]

>>42947035
>[... I had once done the same. I understand.]
>[There is no justice at all]
So we must make our own.

>>42947035

“I was once a man that pontificated on whether a war was right or wrong... I do not remember more than that... I understand where you're coming from. To punish those that stood by, aware, and did nothing?” You hold yourself for a moment in pause. Taking in a deep understanding even if just for a moment.

“If innocents would fall and stain Thespia once more, then I would make my own justice where there is none.”

The dark, horned features of the Guisi seem to pull back into a toothless smile, “To see you agree... I feel as though I can trust you... I will act on your behalf, and I would ask that you do the same. I do not blindly kill Hylon or Danhor. If there is one thing you must know to act as I do, it is this: Strike only when the conditions favor you.”

The Guisi leans his head back to laugh, and light fills your vision, growing brighter and brighter until:

You awake.


Sol is shining down through the trees above. Some of the other Guisi have moved away, a few stand guard, rotated from the previous shift, as you see others foraging bushes down by the creek.

The sounds of the night have waned and there doesn't seem to be anything amiss, yet...

Some of the older Guisi are standing around, you can hear that they're discussing what to do next, and sense that they may be speaking about you.

Mira is nowhere in sight, likely having gone off to scout or something else...

>[Ask the guards after Mira.] Where did that little one go off to?
>[Speak to the ones planning...] You'll have a say in this, or there's going to be problems.
>[Go down to the river and wash yourself up.] Maybe you can catch a fish?
>[Write In]

>>42947325
>[Go down to the river and wash yourself up.] Maybe you can catch a fish?
Breakfast will help their tempers!

>>42947325
>[Ask the guards after Mira.] Where did that little one go off to?

>>42947325
>The Daytime creek.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvjMgVS6kng

>>42947325
>>[Speak to the ones planning...] You'll have a say in this, or there's going to be problems.
Just so we have at least one vote for each option.

>>42947325
>>[Go down to the river and wash yourself up.] Maybe you can catch a fish?

>>42947325
>[Go down to the river and wash yourself up.] Maybe you can catch a fish?

>Weight: 12 stone
Great way of measuring weight.

>>42947325
>>[Go down to the river and wash yourself up.] Maybe you can catch a fish?

>>42947486
I'm assuming that they don't have scales in this setting.
So they'd use a pulley system to determine weight by how many stones your body weight offsets when placed onto the pulley machine.

>>42947486
Biblical nigga. It's like 6.35 kilograms.

>>42947325
>>Find a pomegranate tree and flirt with it.

>>42947556
This.
Make sure to ask the tree if it's okay to court its child first, though.

>>42947584
Nah, man the tree is where its at now. Date the tree milf and eat her children.

>>42947325

More than anything right now, you want to wash up, catch a fish, get some real food in to. Sure they're wary of fires, but it's not as big a deal during the day. As you rouse yourself, you ask after Mira with one of the sentries and they tell you that she went off to scout down the river.
The sentry explains that they're headed down the river valley to meet the sea, and from there, follow the coast until they find the Namour city, Dorma L'Cie... At least, that's the plan.

You walk on by the ones arguing nonchalantly to eavesdrop on their conversation. It soon becomes apparent however that you're catching a lot of stares from the others. Do you have something on your face?

“... And I've told you, if we follow the river and they track us, they can send a party ahead.” One voice says, irritation ripe with a hint of fear.

“They may even be waiting at the city of Dorma... If they catch us before we enter the gates...” This one is more paranoid and thoughtful of the future.

“That won't happen, it's preposterous to think that they'd get that far ahead just to bring us back.” An optimist, or maybe just trying to keep morale up.

“That fire last night might have given them a trail, we should start moving as soon as Mira's back.” The irritated one again.

“Agreed, though she's been gone a while...” The thoughtful one says.

… The face scoffs in the melody of your being, “My people, the Guisi. Adverse to fighting and all talk...”

>>42948008

You bypass the ones arguing and head on down to the brook. The Guisi gathering are rather spread out, yet all within eyesight of each other. At least they've got that down.

As you kneel down by the creek, the water takes notice of you and gleefully splashes you in the face before running off. “Please, I'd rather do this on my own terms.” You mumble to yourself and the running water. A bunch of voices giggle in tandem.

It's refreshing to let the grime and sweat of yesterday run off and away. Along with the blood. In the night, you hadn't noticed before and neither had they. The blood of Leon that had run from his beheading washes off, though it takes some work. The water doesn't seem to mind as it dreamily carries it along.

“So you don't like the feet of little lady, but you'll wash away blood?”

“Oh! Is that was this is? I thought you were feeding us good sir! Err... murderer? Whatever. We just float on along, singing our own song~”

Though perplexed, you're happy that the water is a simple enough soul.

Within no short order, you sharpen a stick against a dry stone, readying it as a makeshift skewer.

Approaching the stream once again, you search the waters, watching keenly for the first of silver fins.
You see them, and throw! A small spurt of red appears before a dorado leaps unto the bank, flopping about in... agony?

“Oh sir, Oh sir! Thou hast wounded me! How could you have punctured me in such a way?” It sputters, and flounders onto its back. It's there you see that it's holding the stick under one of its fins. “To strike my heart in such away, I've only just come out of the blue... I am dying... Bleck.” It lays there with its mouth hanging open and its tongue out...

It's pretending to be dead.

>[Humor the fish, cry for its passing.]
>[Step on it! It's playing, and you're hungry!]
>[Give the fish a funeral, releasing it back into the water.]
>[Ask the fish where it learned to act.]
>[Write in.]

>>42948029
>>[Step on it! It's playing, and you're hungry!]
We need food

>>42948029
>[Ask the fish where it learned to act.]

>>42948029
>[Ask the fish where it learned to act.]

>>42948029
>[Step on it! It's playing, and you're hungry!]
Eating something capable of talking feels weird.

>>42948029
>[Ask the fish where it learned to act.]
Tie breaker.

>>42948029

You raise your foot, looking at the fish with an impressively bored expression. “Say, where did you learn to act?”

The fish coughs, and sputters up a bit of water... He's starting to have trouble breathing since he's playing dead out of the water.

“Somehow I feel really bad about this...” You let your foot down and pick up the fish, he hangs limp in your hands, trusting you.

Kneeling by the water, you release him back into the stream. He floats along for a bit before swimming back and jumping up to splash the water, “Dear sir, Dear sir! You were an excellent player to my performance! By chance, would you like to form a contract with my shadow?”

You raise a hand, to deny the fish from going on any further, “Alas, I'm not even quite sure of what you are let alone do I have interest in your shadow.”

The fish smiles, a toothy grin, “I am the fantabulous Dramatic Dorado! Oh, and you asked me where I learned to act, and I am proud to say that I am a self taught method actor! I'd love to give my shadow a part to play with you beautiful Thespians!”

“... I cannot make another shadow pact.” The Guisi whispers into your head.

>>42948671

You let the fish know that you're already bonded, he pouts, “Well then, I will not let whom might one day be my greatest fan above the water go without a gift... I know! I shall give you a gift!”

The fish hurries away underwater, and there's a golden flash before it rises up to the surface again, it presents to you a golden stick, “I have used my powers to turn your stick into gold!”

“I'd much rather like breakfast...” You say, as you take the stick, turning it over, and then trying to bend it... Indeed, it's made of gold now. How strange.

“Oh! And you are hungry too?! Oh nonono, that will never do!” The fish hurries away again and grabs two smaller fish, spitting them out as they flop onto the riverbank, deep teeth marks in each of them.
“These two were my understudies, unfortunately, they're failures. Toodloo! -oh! And watch out for the Ursarinn downriver. That dreadful beast near snapped me in half! Fortunately, I'm far too quick for such a brutish attack! Bye-bye now!”

You collect the two fish that the Dorado gave to you, and hold them by their tail fins. They're not dead, but seem to have given up on life with their teacher's declaration... Guess it's okay to eat them?

… Wait, a beast downriver?

>[Check downriver... Wasn't Mira supposed to have gone that way?]
>[Shrug it off and cook the fish.]
>[Ask some of the others to check down the river for Mira.]
>[Write in.]

>>42948693
>[Check downriver... Wasn't Mira supposed to have gone that way?]
Save her life, get in their good graces.

>>42948693
>>[Check downriver... Wasn't Mira supposed to have gone that way?]
>keep the fish

>>42948693
>[Check downriver... Wasn't Mira supposed to have gone that way?]

>>42948693
>>[Check downriver... Wasn't Mira supposed to have gone that way?]

>>42948693
How big's your voting period, Dranzy?

>>42948693

You put the listless fish down back at camp, letting the other Guisi know that you're going to go explore downriver while the day's still early.

You find your way down the river, walking quite a ways. You don't see anything inherently amiss even as the sounds of the forest carry on as normal, and you stick close to the stream to ensure that you find your way back.

As you near a break in the water where there's a slight drop off, you notice impressive prints sunk deep into the moist earth of the riverbank. Paw prints and claw marks at least three times the size of your own hand. It's not here, though you see in the tracks that it turned suddenly, and the depth of the tracks suggests that it pushed off, running.

The tracks go through a large break in the wood, notably, there's a tree that's been slashed near in half. You can feel your heart beating deep in your chest as you approach the breach, seeing that the trail twists and turns some out of sight. Ursarinn the fish had said... If the runaways lose Mira, they're likely to lose a lot of hope.

>The Guisi you wear desperately wants to help her.
>[Call out for Mira... You may alert the beast.]
>[Follow the trail in silence, keeping your senses sharp.]
>[Run back for the fish, set a trap with their scent.]
>[Write in.]

>>42949040
>[Follow the trail in silence, keeping your senses sharp.]

>>42949040
>>[Follow the trail in silence, keeping your senses sharp.]

>>42949040
>[Follow the trail in silence, keeping your senses sharp.]

>>42949040

You drop down, sharpening your senses... There's a distinct change in the way you perceive things, the light of sol gets brighter, but more than that; Your sense of hearing detects every little rustle and movement among the undergrowth.

Treading carefully, you make your way through the trampled path to find more ravages. No blood yet...

The woods themselves go silent, birds stop tweeting as the tension increases. They watch you and wait in anticipation of what's going to happen next.

As you take the path winding right and then curving to the left, you see a colossal black figure pawing at an all too small entrance to a cave. It can't fit, but it keeps revisiting it and staring down whatever's inside.

You notice that one of its eyes is jammed shut, a fresh wound, one that causes rage to fume from the monster's body. It sticks its paw inside, a wicked bony covering that sheaths individual claws not unlike blades. It carves away a small portion of the cave entrance, tossing back cut pebbles as you hear a feminine whimper from within.

>The beast is pacing before the cavern, completely obsessed with what's inside. You suspect that it's Mira... The beast is no less than five times larger than you in overall size, a colossal monster capable of felling trees with a single swipe.

>You'll need to approach this carefully.

>The Guisi seethes with the bloodlust to defend kin...

>[Hide yourself away and call to the creature, use yourself as bait to let Mira get away.]
>[Use the Golden fishing spear, go for the other eye the next time it tries to claw in the entrance. It'll be mad with rage, yet blind.]
>[Attack the beast from the blindside... Perhaps if you summon the Scythe you can perform a beheading?]
>[Write In]

>>42949328
>[Attack the beast from the blindside... Perhaps if you summon the Scythe you can perform a beheading?]
If not then just poke its eye out.

>>42949328
>[Use the Golden fishing spear, go for the other eye the next time it tries to claw in the entrance. It'll be mad with rage, yet blind.]

>>42949328
>>[Attack the beast from the blindside... Perhaps if you summon the Scythe you can perform a beheading?]

>>42949328

You keep the the brush and consider your options... Considering that you have the Fishing spear from before, you could always fall back on that if you've no other weapons. Though gold is soft, it's at least sturdier than wood.

As you circle around, you see the beast keeping its grizzled back towards you, completely focused on the girl in the cave...

You try to reach for that familiar power... It was called through hatred, right? A pact of aggression and anger.. At those lost...

“Are you trying to call the scythe?” The Guisi whispers.

You affirm, and you suddenly feel it come within your reach, though you don't feel the power associated... Why?

“I made that pact, and we've bonded over our hatred of the Hylon. Its blade will not be as sharp or willful when used against those that aren't Hylon or Danhor, the ones responsible for our tragedy.”

“Can it still be u-” You begin when another voice comes in.

“I am not an “it,” I am a he.” It retorts boldy. “And I will claim this beast's head nonetheless.”

Letting the instincts of the mask take over, you swap your grip, and put the scythe over your shoulder, stalking up to the bear's back with great haste. Closer, you can hear the thing's voice grumbling low and booming.

“Little girl, Little girl, come out of that lair. I want to eat you, crunch you up, and spit back up your hair. First I'll thrash you, and bash you as well as the needle for my eye. You think now that you hide you're all big and sly?”

>>42949903

Part of you hopes that Mira can't hear the bear's voice a midst all that growling and snarling.

With a very careful motion, you ready the scythe's angle for lunging at the bear, to hook it under its throat.

Everything is silent, dead silent.

You leap, keeping yourself soundless for the attack. In a moment, the bear turns around, looking at you with its other eye, its snarl is almost an insane smile as it lashes out at you with a sudden backhand.

You block with the scythe, but it still knocks you away, sending you sliding back along the ground. You use the pole end of the scythe to brace your ground and clench your teeth as you hands struggle to hold on.

The Usarinn stares you down, a low growl vibrating through its quivering lips, “Oh look, I though I smell fish? Are you here to join her, my little side dish?”

The scythe's wood quivers with pain from that powerful blow.

>The bear is facing you down. It doesn't seem to be enraged... Though you get the feeling that things will get worse if it gets mad.

>[Try to reason with the bear... What did she do?]
>[Maybe if we trick it? Hopefully it isn't too bright?]
>[Antagonize it and lead it away.]
>[Write in.]

>>42949328
>>[Write In] Talk to the creature

>>42949932
>[Maybe if we trick it? Hopefully it isn't too bright?]
Tell him about the huge fish downstream in the river.

>>42949932
>>[Maybe if we trick it? Hopefully it isn't too bright?]

>>42949932
>[Try to reason with the bear... What did she do?]

>>42949932

“Well, hello there mighty Ursarinn.” You say with the best smile you can afford with your weathered face. “I'd hold off on eating me and the girl over there unless you're not interested in hearing about a feast just waiting to happen!”

The bear snorts, puffing up its nostrils with an interest, “Oh, so we have a Thespian that can hear me? Are you going to whine, Oh please spare me? Or perhaps offer a pact to this lord of the east valley? Already I refuse, I'd rather kill you for tally.”

“I do not mean to make a contract. I simply meant to tell you of a feast downriver. I've caught my own fill of fish just moments before. There was even a large golden Dorado.” You put your stomach, pushing your gut out. “Oh, it was quite a feast. Must be why I smell like fish.”

The beast's small ears flick and he starts to pace around, staring at you through his one remaining eye , deep marking in his face appear like a bony mask, the remaining eye is a bright, almost luminous red. The anger frothing from the beast's fur has quieted some... “What is this? You caught that fish? That miserable, devilish Dorado fell to this? And yet you say that there's more? Just down way to fish from the shore?”

The Bear's eyes seem hungrier than they are angry at this point... “How about this, you go on and fish. Bring back a hundred, and I'll grant you one wish.”

“I don't need you to grant me a wish. Though now that I think of it, those fish will be gone soon. They said they'd stop jumping, when sol goes past noon.”

“Just past noon!?” The bear looks up, squinting for sol's place. He sees it creeping up to its zenith. Ursarinn looks back to Mira in the cave, and then to you. “Oh, I cannot wait!” The bear runs off, crashing through the trees.

>He'll be terribly angry when he realizes that you lied to him.

>>42950490
We must get out of his territory ASAP

>>42950490

You look back at the fresh trail the bear's made. “It's pretty far down the river!” You shout out and dismiss the Scythe.

Creeping up to the cave, you see Mira huddles within, scared for her life. “Jacques. Oh by Sol and Luna you came... Were you... talking to that bear?”

You look at the trail again, scratching at your messy black hair, “Ah, yes, I suppose that I was...”

Mira squints at you when you look back to her, “Were... Were your eyes always black?”

You look back into her doe-like eyes,” What do you mean?”

“Where it's supposed to be white... There's a bit of black... I didn't notice it last night.” She points, and you take the opportunity to take her hand, pulling her out of her little rocky hole.

“This is a poor time to be pointing out the differences in others. We need to leave before he comes back.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I lied to the bear Mira. I lied to that bear.”

Her eyes go wide, and she scrambles away back to the others. Doe-like eyes and she runs like a frightened deer... You run on after, the two of you regroup with the others...

You're met with a warm reception when the others hear what you did. Part of you wishes that you could've killed that bear. If only you had been fast enough to bring the scythe around its neck. Or even if you had another weapon, like an axe or a spear to put it down. With the image you have in mind, a scythe is an extremely poor weapon... How did this Guisi use it?

>You may need to find out more about your face to master this weapon... You still don't understand the extent of its power yet.

The others set up, and are ready to move downriver again. You and Mira convince them handily that it's not a good idea with the Ursarinn down there, you'll need to find another way...

Something's been itching you in the back of your mind with these people...

>[“Why are you running? Why don't you fight?”] Guisi that are too afraid to fight back... They need to challenge their pursuers.
>[“Who have you all left behind?”]
>[Rally them to set a trap for the Ursarinn.]
>[Leave it be. Detour south to avoid the Ursarinn. ]
>[Write In.]

>>42950683
>[“Why are you running? Why don't you fight?”] Guisi that are too afraid to fight back... They need to challenge their pursuers.

>>42950683
>[“Why are you running? Why don't you fight?”] Guisi that are too afraid to fight back... They need to challenge their pursuers.
>[“Who have you all left behind?”]

>>42950683
>>[Rally them to set a trap for the Ursarinn.]

>>42950683
>[“Why are you running? Why don't you fight?”] Guisi that are too afraid to fight back... They need to challenge their pursuers.
>[Rally them to set an ambush for the Ursarinn.]

>>42950683


You see the panic in their eyes and body language as they only speak of where they'll be running next. Something in you feels a surge of anger and frustration... They are Guisi. Guisi hide, Guisi lie, but Guisi... “Fight.”

Withdrawing, from their indecisiveness, from the council-like “leadership” pushing for flight when they already have nothing left, you clamber onto a rock and call for their attention.

“What are you all doing?” The words you'd shared with your face from rest linger in you, festering and given shape and form in speech,”Are you going to sit here, arguing and worrying over where you will run to next?”

They all look up at you, many in silence, some grumbling in response with more excuses.

“They'll kill us.” One says.

“We have nothing left.” Another admits.

“We don't want to go back.”

You hear them, yet you will make for sure that they here you. “We are Guisi. We Hide, We lie, and we fight, but only when the time is right. What say you all for the purpose of our Arche?”

“We do not fight. If they knew what we really are, they'd kill us all.”

If they knew that every peaceful Guisi housed a possible murderer, they just well might, you consider in self reflection. “Then we do not take prisoners, we do not let them know our names, our faces, or our Arche's truth.” You clear your throat, “What has the act of hiding and running away given you? Slavery, and now a mockery of freedom? What about those that have been left behind? Do you have answers for them?”

>>42951411

“They will escape one day.” One of the women say.

“And they will either never see you again or hear you dead.” You spit back at her, your anger frothing within.

They all look at you now, the guilt drawn upon their faces. “I know that you all are weakened, and tired. Whoever pursues us now will be upon us whenever it is in their interest. If we run into the Ursarinn heading further west we will surely perish to his rage. If we run east, we may find our pursuers waiting with ready blades.”

You pause, and let the fear of those fates settle in well. “I killed a Hylon before I met up with all of you. Cut off his head. They would call me a murderer, but I am free, and no one saw me. I am Guisi not unlike you all.” That is a half-truth... You don't know who you really are. “But here, with the near two dozen of you, we have a choice: Ambush our pursuers and then go to take back our friends and relatives... Or Die in the woods and let them die alone.”

>You feel something very familiar about this...

>[Draw your Scythe to rally them further.]
>[Let them decide on that note.]

>>42951429
>[Draw your Scythe to rally them further.]

>>42951429
>>[Draw your Scythe to rally them further.]

>>42951429


You feel for the power of calling the scythe, and you feel it manifest within your grip. You bring the pole-end down upon the stone with firm conviction. “Who's with me?”

Everyone present goes dead silent as they gaze at your scythe. The silence breaks into mumbles and you see even Mira staring at you... Their stares are of... Admiration?

“The Reaper.” One of them says just loud enough for you to hear.

“He's the Reaper? The one of Aurel?” You hear another... Another one say.

Aurel. That name. That name sounds familiar. Aurel was... It was your home “My home.” Your face whispers. You feel the memory flood back: An old Hamlet farming community set some way west of this place. It'd begun generations ago and your father, father's father, and the one before had started it.
The Hylon decided... The Hylon decided that your tare wasn't enough and demanded more. Everyone refused. The Guisi hold allegiance to no one...

Then they burned the fields, pillaged and destroyed the village. That's why the Guisi said that they took everything... Why his bloodlust runs so deep.

You feel as though you've gone pale, and they all notice. You need to be strong. For them.

“You're all correct.” You say with a smile bordering on dastardly. “I am the Reaper of Aurel! Those with nothing left to lose are the most dangerous of all! And here, before me now! I see the Hylon's worst nightmare!”

The man bow their heads, raising a proud fist. The women cry, weeping with gratitude that the stars would bless them with the presence of a legend.

The only question is: Can you live up to it?

Very confused as to how I keep losing my trip.

>>42951654

{An Interlude}

[The Siblings]

The two siblings watch a rally occur from afar, the sister on the ground looking through a contraption for farsight made by people of Arche, Drezar. Rava picks her teeth clean of a fish caught earlier in the day, “Well, look at that. I'm glad I let that dramatic fish get away.”

Avar glowers over her, bored as is his usual, “You're the one that told it what it should say.”

Rava smiles, and turns over to her brother, “Oh yes, of course, But who knew it'd go this way?”

[N]
Satisfied with the way the events are progressing for the Faceless that they've freed, the siblings keep a clear distance, content with the progress they've seen...

>>42951832

You lead the runaways back east and upriver some, at least to generate an adequate distance from that frightful bear. There's a mild irony in the fact that you'd see them fight men and yet you're running from a beast on the edge of insanity.

You could likely set a trap for the monster, or better, set it up so that it rampages and attacks the people in pursuit of runaway slaves...

You hear a rustle some distance away... One that is too heavy for a prey animal, and too heavy for a brazen carnivore... No, that's the sound of men. You squeeze the scythe, still dissatisfied with its power as a weapon.
It seems to sense the distrust.

“I was designed as a farming implement, it is by fate that I've decided to transition from the reaping of wheat to a reaping of lives. If you want more, you'll need to talk to your shadow. We always worked as one.”

You scratch your chin, saying nothing back to the scythe, and acting nonchalant about what you heard.

>[Ignore the sound, but stay alert. They need more time to temper the iron in their hearts.]
>[Take someone with you to investigate the sound... You won't have any surprises.]
>[Break for camp right there on the spot, send out scouts.]
>[Write in]

>>42951971
>>[Take someone with you to investigate the sound... You won't have any surprises.]

>>42951971
>[Take someone with you to investigate the sound... You won't have any surprises.]

>>42951971

Someone must come with you, even if they can't watch your back, you can still use them as bait to get an enemy to tempt your ire.

You look over your party and contemplate which of them might be the best fit. Need those that are braver, with more conviction...

There are a couple men that you could take. You note an older man not unlike yourself that seems to have some resolve. With him an a younger man that's got some fire in his eyes, the three of you could do some damage...

Then there's a brother and sister pair. They've been holding hands just about the entire time you've been watching them. They're around eighteen or so, and have expressed resolve in rescuing the parents they've left behind.

Finally, there's Mira. She's slight, but she's brave enough to scout alone and on her own. She even gouged out the Ursarinn's eye with that needle of hers.

>[Take the men.]
>[The sibling pair, they'll be keen on watching each other's backs.]
>[Take Mira. She's the most trustworthy of the bunch.]
>[Write in]

>>42952228
>>42952228
>[Take Mira. She's the most trustworthy of the bunch.]
gotta go pass out OP, see you later.

>>42952279
G'night anon.

>>42952228
>[Take Mira. She's the most trustworthy of the bunch.]

>>42952228
>>[The sibling pair, they'll be keen on watching each other's backs.]

>>42952228
>>[Take Mira. She's the most trustworthy of the bunch.]

>>42952228

You look back to look for Mira to find that she's already looking at you. Did she hear that sound as well?

Ushering her over, you slow down to bring the line to a crawl. She's at your side in a moment, though by the look on her face you can tell something else is wrong.

“What is it?” She asks a little too impatiently.

“First, I'd like to ask why you're giving me that look,” You say with a hushed breath to keep the exchange low-key.

She takes a deep breath, looks back to the others, and then returns to you, “You're an impostor, but you claim to be the reaper of Aurel. Do you even really know who he is? What that means to everyone?” She starts to choke, a bit, trying to keep her voice steady as she lets her feelings out.

“I know that he, that I, that we are a symbol... I've been trying to learn about him as much as I can. If possible I'd like to-”

“But what happens if you can't be him?” She whispers under your breath, however you hear every syllable.

“I need you to come with me, to investigate a disturbance I heard. The others will keep moving.”

“You heard something?” She whispers, though she has an almost skeptical look on her face, “What?”

“The pursuers likely. I want to... deal with them.” You look back to the others, “I'm going to take a piss, keep moving and I'll catch up.”

As you depart from the rest, they start to whisper about how strange it is for Mira to go with you.

>>42952557

“That was weird.” Your Face whispers. You'll have to work on your excuses.

Mira follows after through the brush, the light of day still filtering through the canopy of the woods. You hear more movement ahead as soon as you get off the already beaten path. There's one... No, two? Scouts likely. They'll be running back to their masters... Then again, it's just an old man and a maid by themselves. It's not unlikely that they might attempt to capture or incapacitate the two of you...

>[Act as bait yourself. Let Mira lie in wait with the golden spear.]
>[Let Mira act as bait, you'll lop off their heads.]
>[Aim to outpace them with sheer speed. That should put some fear into them.]
>[Write in.]

>>42952570
>[Let Mira act as bait, you'll lop off their heads.]

>>42952570
>>[Let Mira act as bait, you'll lop off their heads.]

>>42952570
>>[Act as bait yourself. Let Mira lie in wait with the golden spear.]

>>42952570
>[Aim to outpace them with sheer speed. That should put some fear into them.]
Even if they get away, they'll probably still rally to hunt the Guisi. And as they suspect humans desperate enough to fight, they'll get a great bear-beast AND humans desperate enough to fight.

>>42952570

With a hand, you gesture Mira forth and whisper to her a plan, “So I'd like you to go on ahead and cry about a fake injury. I'll lie in waiting under the cover of the undergroth. Should they come, I'll ensure that they do not reach you.

“I'm not sure if I like this... You want me to be bait?”

“I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think you were capable.” You place a reassuring hand upon her shoulder as you look her in the eyes. By touch, you can almost feel the apprehension as her small body trembles at thought of such a duty.

“You're gonna get them, right?”

“I swear it.”

She smiles half-heartedly, “Guisi lie though.”

“Then lie about being scared.” You say, that makes her actually laugh.

She caries on ahead to something of a clearing as you watch from far away... Amongst the grasses that grow uncontested by trees, she trips over nothing and dramatically complains about a twisted ankle loud enough for anyone to hear. You keep low, listening and watching. She keeps clear notes to exacerbate her struggles to get up and walk, while also not looking to where you are.

Listening carefully the entire time, it takes a while before you hear something besides her bemoaning. It's faint, and it's far, but you can hear someone laughing at Mira's expense.

“What the nether is that little slaveling doing?” Chuckles one.

You take the opportunity to hastily, yet careful creep closer to the source.

“It appears as though she's feigning an injury and flopping around for us. What a stupid silly show.” The other one giggles.

These are really talkative trackers...

“Oh well, lets give her a real injury, let's shoot her. It'll be hysterically ironic if she's really hurt after this!”

You don't like where this is going.

“Ooo, I like that punch-line!” The other one agrees.

You see and hear the draw of a bow...

>[Yell for Mira to get down.]
>[Sneak attack before they shoot!]
>[Charge them wildly to draw their ire.]
>[Write In]

>>42952986
>[Sneak attack before they shoot!]

>>42952986
Wow. Well, it IS a stretch to expect that she'd be good at acting.

She really should have just gotten seen and chased into an ambush point though.

>Throw Fishing Spear

sorry I'm only here for this vote.

>>42953052
Yeah this was not was I expected when I voted for her to be bait

>>42953052
>>42953094
I mean, there's a risk that the scouts would just return instead of giving chase, but that's when you run in such a way that the main army heads towards the Ursa thingy.

>>42952986
>[Yell for Mira to get down.]
>[Charge them wildly to draw their ire.]

>>42953133
This is pretty much the idea. If they saw her, they may not be inclined to give chase for fear that they might lose her and alert the slaves that the scouts know where they're coming from/their direction.

In this case, feigning injury and all that, it at least drew their interest and caused them to investigate, pushing their noses in a little further than they might do otherwise.

Issue right now is that the Ursarinn is to the west, and the pursuit is coming from the east. And now that scouts are confirmed, it's easier to pinpoint the army's location and possibly give initiative for attack.

>>42952986

In a heartbeat, you grab for the fishing spear, despite its golden composition, you throw it with as much accuracy as possible to offset the shot, the spear goes wide, but the bowman's arrow flies up at the suddenness of the surprise.

Brandishing the scythe from thin air, you push in to land an early blow. The brush makes the scythe unwieldy in terms of a full swing, yet you compensate for that by gripping nearer to the blade as you dive through the undergrowth and hook it around the neck of one of the trackers.

You see a face spotted with a mess of colors crudely painted over in camo. If you were to use another word, you'd describe this one as a clown. Not a Hylon, but your scythe cuts into the flesh of their neck as you pull them down with a falling motion.
You hear the other yell, “Sister!” And draw a dagger with a sudden snarl as the other comes down on you, striking for your neck.

You position his “Sister” between the two of you to grant a moment's respite needed to retrieve the golden fishing spear from the tree with a free hand.

You scythe's blade curls around the woman's neck to lock her in place, old cracks in the blade hunting for blood...

You can hear Mira rushing over to see what's happening...

>[Begin interrogation with the hostage- now!]
>[Behead her with the scythe and use the fishing spear on the other.]
>[Tell Mira to stay back. Can't let them use her against you.]
>[Write in.]

Post your vote and I'll return to it for next time...

I'm getting tired.

Good night.

>>42953384
>>[Behead her with the scythe and use the fishing spear on the other.]

>>42953384
>[Behead her with the scythe and use the fishing spear on the other.]

>>42953384
>[Tell Mira to stay back. Can't let them use her against you.]
>[Begin interrogation with the hostage- now!]