I MISS SHONEN!

>>1143428
>>Custom
Commit suicide since Shonen is/was a lying Swede that pretended to be finish and had a shit tier voice.

>>1143469
Yeah. I'm doing it MY way though, this time, ground up basically. Call it a test bed.

>>1143428

> Power.

>>1143428
>> “Our Elders remain in our hearts, always. Listen to that beat. Accept the guidance of those that came before you, and victory is yours in every battle.” Your Way is one of (Instinct).

>>1143469
No you don't.

But yeah, just to clear this out right now- yes, the baseline idea is inspired by HGQ. I liked the general setting a lot.

But the story's gonna be different. I wouldn't even call it a reboot proper.

Also. This is a one-shot, and is a high-lethality quest. It is entirely plausible for you to die and/or Game Over in general. If the POV character dies, it'll go to a different character until the one-shot is over or everyone's dead/incap.

>>1143428
>"True strength means confidence. To believe wholly in oneself against whatever stands in your path, to have faith that everything you have, everything you know, and everything you are is enough to achieve victory." Your Way is one of (Power).

>>1143428
> “Our Elders remain in our hearts, always. Listen to that beat. Accept the guidance of those that came before you, and victory is yours in every battle.” Your Way is one of (Instinct).

3 minutes till.

>>1143428
>> “Our Elders remain in our hearts, always. Listen to that beat. Accept the guidance of those that came before you, and victory is yours in every battle.” Your Way is one of (Instinct).

>>1143428
>> “True strength means conviction. To believe wholly in your own might and cause is to be an unstoppable river against whatever stands in your path.” Your Way is one of (Power).
always power

>>1143482
>>1143505
>>1143513

Instinct it is! Writing!

> “True strength means conviction. To believe wholly in your own might and cause is to be an unstoppable river against whatever stands in your path.” Your Way is one of (Power).

>>1143428
>Custom
There is no peace on the road, only the thirst for blood, and the laughter of mocking fools.

This is our Way, and there is only War!

>>1143527

I did not get the feeling of Conan from our character intro. A desire to get stronger yeah, but not full on lamentation of women.

>>1143518
Oi, it was a tie and with >>1143521 power wins.

>>1143517
>>1143493
>>1143481

>>1143549
Bit late to point it out though I guess.

>>1143549
...Huh. I could've sworn >>1143517
came in AFTER I called it.

Alright, I can adjust. Thanks for the heads up.

>>1143543
Oh I am sorry I thought we wanted to be bad-ass or something, but I guess being the pussy in this world of dicks will have to do.

>>1143557
It did come after you called it. >>1143517 was late by like 24 seconds.

>>1143561

> Wanting power

Not badass

> Being Awoo Conan

Is anything but edgy.

K

>>1143566
Timestamp on my comp says otherwise now. But, I'm not gonna debate the issue anymore, since numbers-wise there's a clear difference and people are starting to fight about it.

Next vote, however, when I call it, I call it, and hopefully let the chips fall where they may.

Honestly, I'm kinda glad people are interested in this already.

>>1143567
Why the fuck the power if not for being a badass?
>Not wanting awoo conan
Fuck off star, you're just afraid because awoo conan could have definitely outdanced purps

>>1143579
>Conan
>Badass
Eh.

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>>1143587
Fukken heretic

File: elemental smugness.gif (5.2 MB, 480x270)

5.2 MB GIF

>>1143579
>>1143591

Your stupidity leaves me aloof yet amused.

You give a light grin as you remember your own creed. “True strength means conviction. To believe wholly in your own might and cause is to be an unstoppable river against whatever stands in your path.” It was a statement of trust in your own muscles, your own training, and your own skills. You were young, yes, but your determination showed, both with your words and deeds. Small scars from training covered your torso and arms- proof of your dedication. You wore them proudly.

Some thought you were a bit too bloodthirsty- that you did all this just to be able to beat down as many humans as possible. Others thought you just wanted to show off. Let them think what they want- you’re fighting against the humans for the sake of the tribe, and you’ll WIN against the humans for the sake of the tribe, regardless of whatever reason helps the gossips sleep at night.

Sai just laughs. “Oh yeah? Well, let’s hope those slabs of meat come in handy, big guy. We get to the target area, and we’re gonna need all the muscle you got.”

He’s not wrong. You four were sent to investigate a missing squad up north- they’d been poking into human controlled lands, but hadn’t reported back in yet. The leaders feared capture or worse- but the fact that this was near the edge of human controlled lands meant that rescue was more possible than otherwise. Hopefully, they hadn’t been killed already. If so...you’d make them pay dearly.

It’s that hope that helps keep you up all night, and into the morning, sharing the occasional humorous story with Sai. When the dawn breaks, Jubei and Sonmei wake up almost without a sound, and with a minimum of fuss, your small campsite is packed up and hidden away, and you’re on the move again.

It’s some hours of wordless travel, before suddenly Jubei gives a quick signal- you all immediately stop travel and take cover behind and in the trees.

Only seconds pass before you hear footsteps, distantly crunching through snow. There’s someone there.

>Roll 1d20. Best of three.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1143636

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>1143636

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>1143636

>>1143636
You all remain as still as possible as the man comes through. He looks to be some kind of guard- his blade, the make of his armor, and cloak tell that tale well enough. The steely look in his eyes is enough to give you pause, and you quickly dart your head back behind cover once his head begins to turn your way. There’s silence, and you can hear the man h’mming to himself…

A tense few seconds pass...and the footsteps at last resume as he moves on, passing you all.

You’d love to let out a breath of relief, but you’re worried it’d be too loud. A quick hand signal from Jubei- ‘Follow him’- and you’re on the move again, making especially sure to stay quiet and distant as possible. It’s difficult going, and more than once you see the man stop and wonder to himself, but he continues on- if he’s noticed you all, he hasn’t shown it.

Eventually, you can see the outline of what appears to be a small campground in the far distance, as Jubei signals to stop. You’re not sure how many people are up there, but judging from the size of it- you can see a few small things you’re pretty sure are tents- it can’t be more than five or so. Likely a scouting or patrol force much like your own. Jubei quickly signals a minor retreat, and you all gather together to discuss the situation.

“Alright, then, I’m taking suggestions. I can’t see any cages or anything else that makes me think they’re primed for holding bodies, so if they’re captured, it’s not by this group. Still, the fact that they’re on the border like this makes me uneasy. Part of me wants to ambush them, take ‘em out quickly. But I’m worried if there’s too much of a ruckus…”

“I vote we go for the ambush, sir.” Sonmei offers. “We have speed and surprise on our side. We’ll be able to assault them before they realize we’re there enough to sound any alarm.”

“Sure, sure. But if they DO…” He lets the thought go unfinished, but you know the intent. You’d heard that human scouts often had warning signals, and that some human patrols could seemingly call for backup from just about anywhere. “Eh, we should just move past ‘em.”

“What about you, Wei?” Hm. Up to you, was it?

>”We can take ‘em. Might be able to get one of them to spill where the others are, even.”
>”If they don’t have the captives, they’re probably not worth our time. Let’s move, I say.”
>Other

>>1143712
>>”We can take ‘em. They have to be at the border for a reason.

>>1143712
>>”We can take ‘em. Might be able to get one of them to spill where the others are, even.”

>>1143712
>>>”We can take ‘em. They have to be at the border for a reason.

5 more minutes for votes.

>>1143712

> Interrogate

We're fightin'. Prep those dice. Writing!

>>1143712
Pft. If you guys can’t take a few human scouts, might as well let ‘em march on in. “Nah, we can take ‘em,” you say quietly, if confidently. “Gotta be at the border for a reason. I bet we can wring it outta at least one of ‘em.” Sonmei gives a small smile, but says nothing.

Sai just shakes his head, already putting a hand on his blade. “Of course the meathead would wanna fight…fine, but let’s just hope we make it through this without a scratch.”

“That’s always the hope,” Jubei remarks. “But alright, here’s how we’re doing this. Sonmei, circle around, cause a distraction. Hopefully, you’ll catch their attention, get them after you. We’ll dive in once eyes are on you. Make enough sense?” She nods. “Get goin’, then.” A salute, and she’s off.

“You two, angle off me. Wei, you’re in first.” Your body moves almost on autopilot as you three get into position. It’s a tactic that’s been long drilled into you- you’d be the first to dive in once Sonmei came back around, while the other two would follow quickly. It’d be something of a pincer attack, and hopefully that’d be enough to confuse them and get them down and out before anything bad could happen.

The tension right before a fight...it’s a feeling you’ve always craved; that excitement, anticipation, with a hint of fear. Makes for a potent cocktail, really, and it’s streaming through your veins as fast as ever as you see a sudden jump and a shout, then a couple others.

Now is the time! You leap forward, blade glinting, and a grin on your face as you charge into the fray!

>Roll 4d20, one for each squad member! Best of 3, individually.

In order: Sonmei, Wei, Jubei, Sai.

Rolled 8, 6, 1, 16 = 31 (4d20)

>>1143901

Rolled 9, 5, 19, 1 = 34 (4d20)

>>1143901

Rolled 18, 11, 16, 15 = 60 (4d20)

>>1143901

Oh yeah, that reminds me, I'm not doing crits override. Never have, never will.

>>1143941
(I say that now but watch it's gonna happen eventually.)

anyway, writing! Everyone seems to have done okay.

Except for you.

>>1143901
As you charge, you can see one of the men- there are indeed five of them- turn around, blade first in a defensive posture. Your blade sings, howling for blood, but it tastes nothing but cold steel as it clashes with the human’s guard. You’re blade locked briefly, before the man shifts his guard and slips out of it.

You can see Sonmei immediately take advantage of the distraction to impale one of the guards, his attack missing by a wide margin and leaving him open for her to pierce his abdomen in a quick and efficient stab. You can hear Jubei as well, the old dog’s age doing nothing to diminish his speed and strength as he barrels forward- in a flash the guard captain’s head is removed from his shoulders as you clash with one of the two remaining scouts. Sai, you can hear whoop it up-

-but your observations are stymied quickly as the man lashes out at you in desperation- you sidestep, but you feel the bite of his blade as he scores a wound in your side and your own blood paints the ground. The man’s grin is short-lived, however, when Sonmei quickly comes to your aid and ends his glee in a much greater spray of blood as she tears his back open with a single slash.

In a matter of seconds, silence reigns once again-

“Hey, guys! Lookie what we caught!” You turn your head after a quick nod of thanks to Sonmei, and are only mildly surprised to find Sai sitting on top of a fallen scout, with Jubei pointing his blade steadily at the captive. The man looks bedraggled and scraggly, with a short beard, and only leathers and furs being worn instead of the strong armor you’d been seeing most humans wear. A kind of pathetic sight, to be honest. Wonder what he was doing with the rest?

Sai looks down at his captive with an eerie grin on his face. “Wonder if he’d be willing to say anything? Think we can squeeze something decent outta him?”

Humans and your own kind didn’t speak the same language, of course, but a good number of basic concepts translated well enough, and some words, judging from what Jubei told you, were very similar between the two languages, interestingly enough...it could be possible. You know Jubei knows a few words.

Jubei hmms briefly, then nods, likely coming to the same conclusion. “He looks frightened enough. May be worth something.” He kneels down, and begins to speak to the man, slowly, clearly, and using words you’ve never heard before.

“Are you alright?” You quickly turn to see Sonmei eying your side. Ah, right. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, and that cut was starting to sting… “Here, allow me to wrap that up.” Before you can protest, she’s already pulling out a roll of cloth and starting to wrap your injury. She was always like this, even back in training...

>Roll 1d20 for interrogation.

>So, why do you think they’re out here so far?
>Thanks for the help back there. Why aren’t you a Captain, again?
>You sure you wanna waste that on me? I can tough it out.
>Other

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>1144038
>You sure you wanna waste that on me? I can tough it out.
We stronk man

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>1144038
>>So, why do you think they’re out here so far?

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1144038
>>You sure you wanna waste that on me? I can tough it out.
Hoard the healing items and then never use them, that's the name of the game.

>>1144038
5 minute warning.

>>1144038
“You sure you wanna go and waste that on me?” The look she gives you is flatter than the side of your blade. “What? I can tough it out. It’s cold, I can just put something over it and-”

“-acquire a disease, get sick, and die.” Okay, sure...the no-nonsense way she says it makes it sound stupid. But still!

“Sorry, Wei, you’ll have to prove yourself to her some other time!” Sai jeers from on top of his ‘seat’- by now it seems the man is sweating with fear, and Jubei’s largely listening now, simply letting the man say what he likes, although sometimes he says a word or two that causes the human to hitch up and say the same sounds again, but slower. Sai just bounces on him once, causing him to yelp, and Jubei to glare briefly before returning to the man.

“It’s not about proving myself, it’s just-” You get a ‘shhh’ from Sonmei as you try to defend yourself.

“Just shut up and accept the help.” Although, it seems, she placates you a bit- just a bit- by wrapping slightly less cloth than she’d probably do otherwise, judging by the look on her face when she’s finished. “There. Now if you want to impress me, do it by not getting hurt again.”

Can’t say that’s not a solid plan. “Yeah, I’ll try that.”

cont.

>>1144257
That’s when Jubei gets up, the man under his heel. “Well, then. I believe I have a fair amount of information.” He sneers at the man. “For one, this human wasn’t here by choice. As far as I can tell, he was paid.”

Sonmei scoffs, and Sai just smiles wanely.

“For the rest,” Jubei continues, “It seems like they’re here trying to prepare for an offensive. There’s a second scouting party, and there are more coming, and soon. Either that, or a major force.” He pauses briefly as he tries to think on it. “I’m not sure which, I’m afraid- I couldn’t quite grasp that part. Either way, they’ll be here in a matter of days.”

“What about the captives?” you ask.

“He heard mention of some being taken to the northwest of this location. Said something about ‘small trap area’, I think.” He scowls. “Damn human language is difficult at the best of times. I suspect it’s a temporary encampment and prison. Asked him how many were there, he said eight. Tapped eight, actually.”

“Double our number…” Sonmei muses. “That make things a bit more difficult. I’m certain if we could free them, that would greatly even the odds, but if we get caught in a bad position...” She sighs and shakes her head. “We might be better off just delivering this information. It’s considerably important intel.”

“And if that base is temporary, we don’t have a lot of time for getting reinforcements.” Jubei notes. “Nearest outpost is a bit over half a day away, and these lands are dangerous at night. I don’t feel comfortable leaving good warriors to die like that. The way he fixes Sonmei with a stare is impressive- Sonmei is more than capable of being a Captain in her own right, but she’s never accepted the position. To directly conflict with her isn’t something Jubei did often, as far as you know. “We might have to press on and see what we can do.”

Sai remains silent, but you can see he’s clearly distressed about possibly abandoning his fellows.

> “Let’s keep going. Jubei’s right, we don’t have the time to worry about it if we don’t want them to die.”
> “Sonmei might have a point. I think we should head back and let them know what’s coming. Get everyone ready for the big battle.”
> Keep quiet with Sai and let them hash it out.
>Other

>>1144265
Are they open to the idea to having one person go warn the other while the rest move on towards the rescue?

>>1144320
It wouldn't be optimal by any means.

5 minute warning.

>>1144265
>> “Let’s keep going. Jubei’s right, we don’t have the time to worry about it if we don’t want them to die.”

>>1144265
>> “Let’s keep going. Jubei’s right, we don’t have the time to worry about it if we don’t want them to die.”

To press on, then!

Writing.

>>1144265
It only takes a second or two of looking back and forth before you decide to weigh in. “Jubei’s right.” The captain in question looks at you in surprise as you speak up for him. “I think we should keep going. We don’t have time to worry about this if we don’t want them to die. We’ll get them back, then let everyone know what’s happening, simple as that.”

“Simple as that, huh?” You can tell Sonmei doesn’t quite believe you, but she just sighs and shakes her head in defeat. “Very well, then.” She turns to Jubei with a wry grin on her face. “Captain, by your leave.”

He nods to you once- wow, was that actually a gesture of respect for once?- and turns to face Sonmei as Sai gets up from human seat. “Right. I got everything I could get from him, so I think it’s time we get out of here. Just lemme…”

Without fanfare, he thrusts his blade straight through the human’s heart, killing him instantly. “There. No loose ends, and he won’t be tortured for revealing information.” With that, you all take what little supplies you can find, and move out. You just hoped you could get there in time before anything happened to them...that, and get them out there.

-------

It’s near nighttime when you start to smell the familiar scent of human. Again, Jubei orders you to stop as you slink into concealed positions. There’s a ring of tents in a clearing, and near the center, some type of wagon. There’s a group of five humans surrounding it, talking and cavorting casually. You can see three other humans, again in armor, seemingly patrolling. Shame they don’t have your eyes or ears- they might otherwise be able to see or hear you in the encroaching darkness, but as it stands, they’re apparently blind to your presence.

You can see the wagon suddenly shaking a bit, and two of the humans yell at it, starting to poke a bit with their weapons. Before long the shaking settles down, however, and they return to their conversation.

“No doubt that’s where they’re being held.” Jubei notes. “Doesn’t look like they’re here for long, just like the human said. We’re going to have to work fast.”

“Draw them out and pick them off, if possible.” Sonmei suggests. “Too many for a direct confrontation.”

“You’re fastest, Sonmei. Bait is your job.” It wasn’t an insult, simply truth. Jubei looks towards you. “Be honest with me, Wei. You think you’d be better goin’ in with me to free the captives, or holdin’ out with Sonmei and keeping them off our backs?”

Sai cocks an eyebrow at Jubei. “Why does he get to choose?”

He snorts. “Because he’s the newest. Need to know where he stands. Either I go with him in the breakout, or he goes with Sonmei as a distraction. We’re not leaving any one of us alone.”

>Help distract the humans with Sonmei.
>Sneak in to free the captives with Jubei.
>Other

>>1144587
>Help distract the humans with Sonmei.

>>1144587
>>Help distract the humans with Sonmei.

>>1144587
>>Help distract the humans with Sonmei.
Seems more fitting for our role.

5 minute warning!

>>1144587
“I’ll help keep ‘em off you two.” You look to Sonmei. “Her speed and my strength should make for a good combo.”

“Just don’t get cut again.” She warns, but even with the worry in her eyes there’s clear teasing behind it, and no vicious heat. “I’d hate it if something happened to you here.”

“Alright, then, you two. We’ll wait for your signal.” Sai and Jubei both quick turn away and prepare to infiltrate. It’s just you and Sonmei now, and you both begin circumnavigating the campgrounds. As you reach its apex, you can actually see a bit inside the wagon- it apparently has at least one window- and you notice at least two inside. You’re not sure about the others, but you hope they’re still alive as well…

“Keep focused.” Sonmei’s voice cuts through the gloom, but she says nothing else. You just nod and continue with her. It’d practically be just like earlier, only you’re on the other end of it now, right?

Soon, Sonmei bids you pause, and you do so on the spot as she fixes you with a serious look. “Wait here.” And in a flash, she’s gone, moving far faster than you both were just a second ago. Suddenly, you hear another shout- a human one. Seems she indeed got their attention, and you can see her darting back in your direction…

>Roll 2d20. Best of 3. Rolls will correspond to Sonmei, and Wei in that order.


Forgot to mention that I was writing.

Rolled 7, 7 = 14 (2d20)

>>1144684

Rolled 1, 11 = 12 (2d20)

>>1144684

Rolled 15, 1 = 16 (2d20)

>>1144684

>>1144695
Will Wei consistently roll 11's?

>>1144703
Let's hope not! Writing!

>>1144684
You can see that two of them followed her- not the best result, but enough for now. You just have to make sure that you can keep up your end of the bargain…

The first one you charge immediately, and your blade bites into his thigh before he can react well- he gets his blade up, but yours bypasses his guard just in time. He stumbles back, but doesn’t fall just yet. The other quickly catches up to you, but interference from Sonmei prevents him from trying to run you through properly. It quickly turns into a careful, yet deadly dance as the two of you square off- Sonmei is busy with her own opponent as well.

He thrusts, and you dodge quickly, but he doesn’t stop his momentum, turning it into a shoulder charge that takes you by surprise and leaves you under him as you crash to the ground. You can feel your earlier injury howling already, and he seems to detect weakness in you as he seeks to plant his sword in your skull. You manage to deflect his overhead swing, however, and shift your weight like you were taught, throwing him off balance and forcing him under you.

You can hear a blade sing and a masculine groan of pain escape from nearby, and the man under you gains a look of panic, shouting out a single word- that’s enough out of him, however, and you quickly take advantage of his distraction to cut his throat, then finishing it off with stab through the abdomen just to be certain.

That’s when you hear more yells from the distance, and even now you can hear the stomping of footsteps getting closer…

Sonmei quickly helps you to your feet- it’s a bit more effort than you’d like, with your now aggravated injury, but you get up all the same. “We need to move.” You can only nod in agreement, noticing a small cut above Sonmei’s left eye now. Quickly, you begin a retreat, trying to keep them in sight, but out of combat. Hopefully Jubei and Sai did their jobs quickly enough…

>Roll 4d20, Best of 3: Sonmei, Wei, Jubei, Sai.

>Wei: -1 to actions involving strenuous movement.

Rolled 11, 17, 12, 17 = 57 (4d20)

>>1144832

Rolled 7, 13, 19, 8 = 47 (4d20)

>>1144832

Rolled 12, 9, 5, 18 = 44 (4d20)

>>1144832

Hey, Wei didn't get an 11.

>>1144832
As you both retreat, you do your best to keep up with Sonmei- from how she constantly looks back, she’s trying her best to continuously judge the distance between both yourself and the pursuers and yourself and the main campground. If you head off too far, they won’t give chase, after all.

Suddenly, a sharp cry rings out, and it takes a scant second to realize that it’s not yours- Sonmei stumbles and falls a bit, and you just barely manage to catch her and prevent her from crashing face first into the dirt. A quick look at her feet reveals the unfortunate reason- she’d turned around at just the wrong moment and caught a foot on an exposed tree root.

Neither of you say anything- you don’t have the time, and this stumble already allowed them to close the distance a bit too much. Her cry had clearly sparked a fevor in them, judging by the loud baying noises now coming your way- if they caught you, there’d be no mercy. You can see the blush on her face as you help her up, and quickly continue on the move.

As you both run, to your belated concern you realize she’s not quite as nimble as she was a second ago- she’s taking weight off her right foot a bit faster than normal. Her face betrays nothing now, but it’s all too clear what happened, and it plus your own injuries have slowed you both down. They’re gaining, and that doesn’t look good.

However, in less than a minute’s more of fleeing, you can hear shouting in the distance, back towards the camp.

And those aren’t human shouts.

They can hear it too, and almost as one the humans shout angrily, and you can hear footsteps beating a hasty retreat- although not in the direction of the campgrounds, you notice.

It’s only a moment or two after their sudden evacuation that you turn back to Sonmei. “Do you think…”

She nods. “Yeah. Seems like Jubei and Sai did quick work.” The relief on her face is testament to what you were close to facing, and you both head towards the campgrounds without much else to say.

cont.

>>1144981
To your surprise, you end up running into Jubei and Sai on the way back, along with three new faces- two male, and one female. “Glad we found you two alive,” Jubei says smiling. “Sounds like you did a good job keeping them distracted. Got all but three to leave. We felt like those were good odds, and turns out they were.”

“We owe you all a great deal of thanks,” says one of the captives. His face is marked with scars, and you can see he’s clearly had a rough time of it. “We all thought we were dead…” at that, him and the other two besides him both hang their heads.

It’s all too obvious what that means- especially since teams are supposed to be four at minimum. “Who was lost?” Sonmei asks solemnly.

“Tai. Our tracker.” The frown on his face tells the story. “They tried to get her to crack. She didn’t.”

“Didn’t even give her the honor of a burial, the bastards.” The female speaks up, her eyes bloodshot and her ear missing a portion. “Just tossed her out into the cold and let the snow do it…I wish I knew where she was now, but...they moved us since then.”

“She’ll be one with the Wild.” Jubei offers, but it’s little comfort. “Be glad she told them nothing. But we can mourn later. We need to get back; we’ve got big news for everyone, and they need to hear it soon.”

“News?” The second male pipes up. “What news?”

“Bad news.” Jubei starts walking, and the rest of you follow. “Real bad news.”

------------
PART 1 END

(One-Shot isn't done with, just this first bit. It'll resume...well, I can't say tomorrow since I'm doing MGFH. Probably Friday, then. Another day should be enough to wrap it up well enough.)

>>1144987
Pretty neat so far MG. Hope something comes from it, since it does seem like it could be fun.

>>1145028
Thanks. I'm feeling infinitely more confident this time, mostly because I don't really feel 'beholden' to the old storyline, y'know? I'm using a lot of the setting, and there's going to be some similarities, probably some familiar terms, but yeah.

If I decide to make it a longer-term thing, that is. THAT'S still up in the air.

>>1144987
Fear was in the air. Behind all the boisterous claims, the resilient faces, the certain steps- fear. Anyone could see it, sense it in the air if they willed it, it was so thick. But no one said anything. Instead, steps were faster, faces were harder, shouts were louder, as if to mask it all with a veil of anger and defiance. You doubt it was working. Even you, as you make your way towards the outskirts of the village, near the Third Great Barrier, you can’t help but feel a little fear.

After all, you were going into battle. One of the biggest ever, according to Jubei. It was only natural. Even for one as capable as you- anyone that felt no fear in a situation like this you’d have to declare mad. The fact that fear was so present meant that everyone was taking this as seriously as they should. Blades were sharpened, armor was tested and crafted, and everyone who was a Guardian, young and old, were being called to do battle, save for those kept back as a final defense should the worst happen and evacuation was needed.

The humans had indeed begun marching into controlled territory, in an attempt to expand their area of influence. This was something that could not be allowed, else the tribes would be left with nothing but the sacred areas which were directly guarded by the Great Barriers; lone rocks against the tide. You’re not sure how long they would hold out against such a force, and you don’t want to risk finding out.

“Wei!” What th- why now?! As you turn, a warm body thumps into your chest, holding you tightly. You sigh lightly as Lu holds you close, and you can’t find it in you to resist hugging her back. She always was clingy...but you loved that about her all the same. “I just...please…” She looks up at you with tears in her eyes, her long white hair failing to hide the desperation in her expression. “Please make it back safely.”

It’s too much. You scoop her into a kiss, deep and loving, and hold her close. For just a few seconds, it’s only you and your beloved; a sweet feeling of warmth and care that you’ll hold with you forever. It’s a near impossible request; and both you and she know it. When you release, you can only say one thing.

>Be strong.
>Spirits know I’ll try.
>I will... one way or another.
>Other

>>1148903
>>Spirits know I’ll try.

>>1148903
>Spirits know I’ll try.

>>Be strong.

>>1148903
>I will... one way or another

>>1148903
>>Spirits know I’ll try.

5 Minute Warning!

Writing! Parting is painful.

>>1148903

You gently nudge her forehead with your own as you look her in the eyes. “Spirits know I’ll try,” you admit. And it’s true- to the point you’d prayed strongly that you would do so last night. The last thing you wanted was to leave Lu behind. Even if the likelihood was high...then you’d just have to fight all the harder. “So I need to keep it together, okay?” She nods wordlessly, and you share one more kiss.

Then you turn away, and don’t look back.

As you reach the barrier, you can already see the massive numbers of Guardians standing at the barrier, a restless army ready to march. The Guardian Commanders are already in front, as are many Captains you recognize, Jubei among them, with Sai and Sonmei nearby. He quickly nods at the Commander speaking to him, then turns back to the other two, apparently beginning to relay orders.

The way he looks at you when you approach is telling. No griping about tardiness, or snark or anything of the sort this time. He just looks at you straight. “Got the intel from forward scouts. They’re coming from the northwest. We’re moving to assist with an eastern flank. The vanguard is already preparing to move. We and a few other Companies will hit them at a bad angle for them, and make their lives hell. Any questions?” You just shake your head.

“Good. Try to stay alive. Let’s move.” Without another word, you’re off, leaping through the barrier in nigh unison with your comrades, and heading towards what could very well be your final battle.

You’re kind of surprised at yourself as you press onward. You thought you’d be shaking a lot more, or maybe having second thoughts or something. But no. Your mind is surprisingly clear, and your grip sure on your blade. This is it.

cont.

>>1149044
As you weave through the trees, all moving like blurry instruments of death, you can hear them shouting curses. Smell them. Smell the WRONGNESS.

And then, you can SEE them. It’s distant, but your eyes are sharp, your senses keen. You all hold position as the humans march through the woods, their focus singular, their desire all too clear. The tension is thick and heavy, and it feels like ages you sit there, waiting, watching, hoping none are caught out of sorts as you’re careful, oh-so-careful to tail the rearmost guard.

And then howls- and suddenly blades flash and steel rings out as battle is joined, the vanguard swarming over the humans with speed and skill, and blood flies as battle is joined and the humans begin to war back.

Seconds pass like hours...and then. “NOW!” a voice cries out. “MOVE!”

And with a grin, you leap into battle.

>Keep careful and defensive, stay on the outside lines. Dodge and counterattack. You’ve got someone to get back to, and slaying humans is a means to that end.
>Your blade howls for battle, and you’re eager to oblige it. Your strength and power will overwhelm them, and force them to separate.
>Your speed is another method of strength. If any humans dare to attempt to strike down one of yours, you’ll make VERY sure to object that action. The forest is yours to use.
>Other

>>1149047
>>Your speed is another method of strength. If any humans dare to attempt to strike down one of yours, you’ll make VERY sure to object that action. The forest is yours to use.

>>1149047
>>Your speed is another method of strength. If any humans dare to attempt to strike down one of yours, you’ll make VERY sure to object that action. The forest is yours to use.

5 minute warning.

>>1149047
>>Your speed is another method of strength. If any humans dare to attempt to strike down one of yours, you’ll make VERY sure to object that action. The forest is yours to use.

Speed is key, then.

Time to roll!

Need 4d20. Wei, Jubei, Sonmei, Sai, in that order.

Rolled 2, 5, 20, 3 = 30 (4d20)

>>1149107

Rolled 5, 2, 5, 11 = 23 (4d20)

>>1149107
My superior speed will etc, etc.

Rolled 6, 16, 6, 1 = 29 (4d20)

>>1149107

>>1149124
>>1149120
>>1149110

>6
It's because we talked to our wife. Death flags have been risen.

>>1149132
Oh dear. And we were only 5 days from retirement.

>>1149132
Seems that way, don't it?
Let's see what happens.
Writing!

>>1149110
>>1149120
>>1149124

Your speed is just as powerful as your physical strength, and you aim to prove it here! As you charge one of the back end of the formation, you can see one of the humans lock eyes with you, his face panicked and fierce. He quickly dodges out of the way of your swing, and you keep moving, although a stinging sensation suddenly erupts on your back. You keep your momentum and wind up stumbling thanks to the sudden injury, forcing yourself to try to go into a roll in order keep stability; it fails, and you crash back-first into a fallen tree beyond the edge of the battle.

As you stand up, dizzy from the pain, you can just make out Jubei quickly striking the human that had assaulted you, cleanly stabbing under the arm that had struck you well into the joint- a second cut removes their head, but he has no time to check on you as he’s soon under assault by another human blades clash as the experienced veteran defends himself from an eager and powerful looking young warrior.

Sonmei is as graceful and deadly as ever; her strikes are precise, her movements are fluid, and she dances between fallen foes as though she were cutting grass. In seconds three foes have fallen to her blade, and three again step up to face her- yet she shows them no fear or hesitation, and the deadly dance begins, ends, and begins again in moments.

Sai is grinning as ever, but you can see he’s clearly on the defensive as well- a young human seems to have taken him by surprise, and you can already see his face bloodied and strained. A second human seems to smell the blood on him, and moves to try and finish your friend off- but you can see Sai dart his eyes for all of a second and dodge the stab, if only barely. However, he’s now got two humans on him as well, and it’s all he can do to defend himself.

Numbers. It’s clear that they have a numbers advantage, but you can’t let that sway you! And yet...some of you will fall this day. You have such the sinking feeling, even as your vision fails to hold steady, blurring for a second or two. That wound...was deeper than you might've thought at first...

>[Wei: -2 to combat and perception rolls]

>Charge in again, try to help Sai.
>See if you can’t get some of them off Sonmei.
>Protect your captain, double-team the man assaulting Jubei!
>You can’t let it end like this. Not so quickly!
>Other

>>1149227
>>Charge in again, try to help Sai.

Gotta go, will resume in a few hours, will also give a heads up when back.

I wonder who's gonna bite it first. Wei's already a decent way there.

>>1149227
>>Charge in again, try to help Sai.

>>1149227
>Charge in again, try to help Sai.
Wei would make for a terrible SANIC, huh?

>>1149227
>>Charge in again, try to help Sai.
Seems like the smart thing to do. Sure would be a shame if we were the first to bite it. Though getting to Sonmei pov and rolling nat 20's all day sounds good too.

Back, and writing! Prep dice!

>>1149227
No...you still had friends you needed to keep safe! And Sai was looking to have the worst of it so far out of them all- he was about to be backed into a corner if you didn’t intercede quickly. You body is already complaining, but you’re not going to let that prevent you from moving. He’s doing his damnedest to fend the two humans off, his fading bladework proving the only thing preventing them from slicing him up, but if you can reach him in time…

>Roll 1d20 (-2 due to injury)

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>1150375

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>1150375

Huh. When it counts. One more?

Hm. 16, then. Alrighty.

Desperation breeds...something. Iunno what.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1150375
Late rolling for what could have been. Likely a nat 1 knowing my luck.

>>1150375
It’s hard, and you can barely blink the blurriness away, but you will your body to move nonetheless, and move it does, slower than you’d like, but still a blur to anyone that didn’t have the fortune to see you well in advance. You manage to dodge an errant swing, and slip past another potential attacker before he’s engaged with other matters- namely getting his face shredded by the claws of one of your allies.

As for your actual target, you can see him raising his blade for a downwards swing as he’s locked in combat with the first human- you don’t have any time for fancy techniques, and simply plow your sword into his side while still moving, tackling him to the ground and burying your blade deep. He only manages to get off a half-hearted punch to the jaw that you hardly feel before he coughs blood once and dies.

A tearing sound comes to your ears, and a screech of pain indicates that Sai well took advantage of the brief respite you gave him, and he gives you a thankful smile as you quickly rise. “Holding up?”

“As well as I can. Let’s keep at-” before you can say anything else, however, instinct guides you to leap quickly, as does Sai, before something crashes into the area where you just were...a hissing, eerie sound coming from the impact area, and when you look back you can see that a wide area, nearly the size of a small garden, is covered in a bubbling black pool.

And your body- your very soul shivers. Something isn’t right here. Something is very, very wrong. You look up, only to see a man at a distance, larger than those you’ve seen before, and wreathed in...something. Not metal. Not cloth.

It’s like...black smoke that isn’t smoke, twisting and coiling, but only losing mass to reform elsewhere...it almost hurts your head to even look at. It fits him, not skintight, no. However, what’s on him could hardly be called armor- and yet it DOES give the vague impression of armor- covers him wholly, save for his eyes...black as void as well, with only the barest blue pinpricks of light in the center. And those eyes are fixed on YOU.

He slowly walks forward as his hand, twisting and coiling at the edges, as though the the very wind itself is unsure what to make of this, stretches forward- and a black, bubbling morass pools at the edge, growing in size, and slowly taking shape. Sai, his face fearful and bloody, grits his teeth, and takes a step back. You’re not sure if he intends to run or fight.

>Run. Whatever this human...thing is, you need to warn the rest about it.
>Stand and fight like the warrior you are. No matter what this is, you WILL face it down, and kill it!
>Whatever it is, you need to distract it from reaching the battle! Stall it out!
>Other

I may continue this tomorrow if this doesn't wrap up tonight, considering we're close to the end.

>>1150656
>>Whatever it is, you need to distract it from reaching the battle! Stall it out!

>>1150656
>If the humans are so keen on using this power, they can feel it for themselves. Bait that THING into hitting other humans, let them break into chaos.

>>1150770
You madman, this sounds cool, let's give it a shot.

5 more minutes due to late nightness. Interesting option, though...

Alright, then. Trying to give them a taste of their own medicine. Writing!

>>1150770
>>1150779

Damnit...what IS this power? It chills you down to your bones...but at the same time, a jolt of inspiration hits you. Whatever he used seems like it has quite the range. If maybe you can convince him to fire at a position that’s...less than optimal?

Well, you might be able to make them regret bring such an abomination to bear. And so you move, as you keep your eyes locked with his, doing your best to resist the haunting, sucking void that those pits of near-nothing seem to embody. As long as he continues looking at you…

>Roll 1d20, best of 3!

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>1150867

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1150867

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>1150867

>>1150867

>>1150870
>>1150876
>>1150912

Oh, and that -2 still applies. So 15. Neat!

Writing! After this one, one more upload, then I'll probably resume in about 8 hours or so as I try to get my sleep schedule relatively back on course. We'll see what happens.

>>1150931
Assuming I'm not around for the next vote, I wanna drop a tree or something on the guy. If that's not possible we should just run back and warn. Maybe they have some projectile weapon that can punch through.

>>1150867
You can’t help but shiver uncontrollably as you carefully keep him in your sights- but your body still moves as you will it to, and even with your back in pain and your nerves near shot, you still remember your duties. To yourself, to your tribe...to Lu. That alone is enough to make you stand and face this enemy, fierce and unknown though it might be.

And you’ll use it’s own abilities against it. Whatever that thing’s using...it’s not TRUE power. It’s something profane, something unnatural. For that reason alone you know you are superior, in spirit if perhaps not in physical might.

It’s that which propels you, forcing him to turn his head, keep you in his sights. You break off in a direction, as though you’re trying to escape, and you can see him squint. You just need to wait for the right time, the right moment- there!

He tenses, slightly, and you leap as the large, black globule fires at you; only for you to shift in another direction, and barely manage to avoid the bubbling mass. Exactly as you wanted…

The splash hits near a grouping of humans fighting off a trio of warriors, and the large mass of black pus splashes on both of them as it begins its work; and it’s then you can see what it actually does...much to your utter horror.

cont.

>>1151031
While two of your kin manage to escape the radius with but some small splashes on them, it’s the humans and one unfortunate that get the brunt of it. Almost before it settles, the mass seems to grow on them, slowly and surely, and you can see their skin becoming blackened, crackling a splintering along their flesh like ice. Between the cracks you can see a strange red coloring, filling the emptiness with an eerie light as large portions of their bodies- torsos, legs, one of the human’s heads, even- become infused with the stuff.

And then the sizzling starts- a thick, acrid smoke erupts from their bodies in short order, red and misty like blood. Strangely, the knight seems as though he is uncaring about such, and you and Sai both gawk in surprise as he stretches out his left hand this time, as though beckoning- and the red smoke listens, twisting and winding its way towards him as the bodies collapse and the covered parts crumble inwardly, breaking as though clay to reveal blood, guts, and viscera.

The red smoke slithers through the air towards the knight, embracing him, and at once sinks into his body though his chest- and you can see a faint glow in it now, a light red that threatens and promises the hell to come.

“WEI!” Sai’s voice is panicked beyond panic as he fends off yet another assailant; managing to deflect and gut this one himself, he looks at you desperately, his face the vision of exhaustion. “We need to get out of here!” You turn back; only to see a number of humans starting to march to your direction- Sonmei and Jubei are nowhere to be found, and you can see a few of your fellows attempting to do the same, although it’s unclear which side is coming out ahead in this battle.

As though understanding what Sai just said, the eerie knight suddenly leans forward, his massive frame suddenly breaking into a run that leaves even you surprised at its speed as he bolts directly towards Sai!

>Interpose yourself- if he won’t let you escape, you’ll have to make a fighting retreat.
>You BOTH need to run, and run NOW. Focus your all on escape!
>You’ll not be yanked around by this thing. You may have to run, but you can make him feel some pain first…
>Other

>>1151033
>>You BOTH need to run, and run NOW. Focus your all on escape!

>>1151033
>>You BOTH need to run, and run NOW. Focus your all on escape!
Time to bail, no time for tree dropping

I'll wrap this up in 8 hours. The next couple of choices and possible rolls could well be EXTREMELY important.

>>1150939
so much for that

>>1151033
>You BOTH need to run, and run NOW. Focus your all on escape!

Greetings! Back, and I'll be getting breakfast, then starting up again.

If anyone's here, I'm now writing!

>>1151062
>>1151064
>>1151255

There is time for valor, and there’s time for sensibility. Whatever this human is using- if it’s even still human- it’s not something you’d be wise in fighting head on with such little knowledge if it can corrupt the flesh at will. Perhaps if it was just sickness inducing or some sort of trapping and numbing agent, but nothing so vile as...THAT. Especially with that red mist…

As one, you and Sai quickly turn, and leap as fast as possible, doing your best to ignore the pain your body shoots through you. You know full well the eerie knight is giving chase, can hear the heavy, yet rapid pounding of weighted footsteps; but as for how close it is, you’re more than a little unwilling to look back to see.

Sai is a little less so, and his face betrays his disbelief at what he sees. “Faster!” is all he can say.

>Roll 2d20 for attempting to escape the Eerie Knight! Wei and Sai in that order!

Rolled 8, 12 = 20 (2d20)

>>1151724

Rolled 2, 20 = 22 (2d20)

>>1151724
Dub nat 1s

15 more minutes, due to first post of the day.

>>1151751
I can roll again if need be.

Rolled 12, 12 = 24 (2d20)

>>1151724

Well jeez, a nat 20 and we get a 10. Wei is first one out, too many death flags.

10 and 20.

...Welp.

Writing!

>>1151724
Your heart beats, your muscles strain, and yet it feels as though you’re moving slower and slower- almost in reverse, for a step. Your eyes blur badly as the thumping gets closer- or is that your heart? You can’t tell anymore, but you have to escape. You can’t die here- not here, not now, righ-

Your desperate mental reassuring is stopped cold as something impacts your back, something slimy and gross- you can’t help but let out a yell of pain as you stumble and crash to the ground. You can hear Sai shout in alarm, but you can’t see what else he does as your vision is blurred and faded by browns and greys...

Everything hurts. Everything hurts. Everything hurts. But you have to get up. You can’t...not now…

...Lu…

You hope she’ll be strong.

A blackness is the last thing you see, slimy and gross, covering your sight like wax, and a cold, clammy hand clamps over your skull as sight, feeling, sense fades.

cont.

>>1151840
>>1151741
>>1151742
>>1151763


>You are now Sai.

A thousand curses shout in your head as you see Wei stumble and fall. Damnit, damnit! You don’t want to look back, don’t want to see what became of him- not after you’d seen the horror that thing inflicted on its own men, and didn’t even seem to flinch. This battle had started so well, by your reckoning- but the sudden influx of humans coming up from the front could easily be interpreted as a bad thing. You’re fast, though, and still largely uninjured despite some bumps and bruises; Wei, bless his soul and may it sit with the Great Spirits, had saved you from getting anything worse than a minor scar- if you survived this retreat.

Whatever was happening, you couldn’t hear the thudding, ominous footsteps anymore- Wei, in a sense you supposed, saved you again. Rather, that’s what you’d say. That’s what you’d believe.

Whatever had happened up front had caused a major shift in the battle lines, and you could see some of the flanking teams think similarly, as they darted through the trees towards the front. It’s almost as you feared, the humans seemed to be pushing the line forward, and had spared a few forces to relieve the rear guard from the assault on their flank. Thank the Spirits for small favors, you can see Sonmei and Jubei still standing as you circle around the primary battle lines, blowing past even a couple of humans that don’t notice you in time. Jubei seems to be heavily wounded- clutching his side with one arm as Sonmei covers his retreat, still as graceful as ever- astonishingly, she seems to have no injuries on her at all, although she’s panting hard as she helps defend her Captain from another assailant as they begin a fighting retreat.

“Sai!” You can hear Jubei yell as he spots you, a rough look in his eye. “Get back to the village, tell ‘em get ready- we’re makin’ our stand there! We lose there, fall back to the Barrier!” That’s all he can say as he quickly refocuses on another charge by the humans- he quickly fells one and Sonmei takes care of another, giving them precious breathing room as they continue backing off slowly.

Damnit. So it was like that, huh? You can do nothing but nod as you speed off.

You didn’t even have time to tell them about Wei.

>Roll 1d20 for speed and agility.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>1151840
He died as he lived.

Being a Power meatshield.

Shoulda picked Instinct :^)

>>1151841

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1151841

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>1151841

>>1151844
Bruh, our shit was instinct.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>1151841

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>1151850
Shit, wrong dice.

>>1151850
Go back up top and look. Power sneaked in for the win.

>>1151850
Also I am shitposting. It didn't really matter what we picked, bad rolls would still be the same.

>>1151853
>>1151852
>>1151844
666 scared

>>1151860
Fortunately, it's the 13 what wins-

Wait.

Ahahaha this amuses me.

Writing!

>>1151841
It’s rough going as you continue on- with Wei’s death all too fresh in your mind, plus the fact that the battle seems to be going badly, you need to refocus...it’s hard, though, and part of you can’t help that fact, your breath caught in your throat a bit as you weave through the trees. Even now you can tell that it’s hard pushing yourself like this for so long, and you’re not moving nearly as fast as you’d like.

What’s more, you wind up clipping a branch, and that slows you down considerably as you nearly fall, having to reorient yourself to land on all fours from the tumble. It takes a moment for you to recover from the stinging; if nothing else you’re well away from the main fields of battle for now, at least. This would eat up valuable time, though.

By the time you get back to the village, everyone’s anxious and concerned. You don’t have time to say any hellos or greetings, however. “EVERYONE! THEY’RE COMING THIS WAY! IF YOU CAN FIGHT, STAND AND FIGHT! THE YOUNG AND THE FRAIL, PREPARE TO ESCAPE, NOW! GET BEYOND THE BARRIER!”

The exclamations of surprise only frustrate you- that’s valuable time they’re wasting! It takes a village Elder repeating your words that finally spurs them to action. The panic, the fear takes hold, but it does not consume them, thank goodness- the Elders immediately begin reacting, organizing the efforts, instructing everyone to take anything they can carry reasonably, and leave everything they cannot.

“Sai!” Who was- oh.

Oh no...Lu. Wei’s…

You steel yourself to meet her eyes. The way she stops, mouth open, you can tell the question has already died in her throat as she looks at you. The tears building up are all she can do. You don’t trust yourself to say anything- he was your friend, too. You just make a motion to her: ‘Go.’

She sobs- once, heavily- and turns back, running for home.

...Damnit.

cont.

>>1151947
It’s hours later that the remainder of the force comes, preparing to defend what’s left of their village along with the volunteering warriors. Fresh youths right out the Trials to old retired veterans alike, you all stand together on this day; a desperate last chance to hold your home and everything you hold dear to you. If you died, so be it. If you survived...you’d make sure to find a way to pay them back somehow and in FULL.

Sonmei and Jubei arrive, Jubei still weakened and now supported by Sonmei, and nearly collapsing as she lets go of him. You both quickly rush to help, but he holds you off with a hand, and soon stands under his own power. “I ain’t done just yet!” he spits. He looks at you, and you’re not sure how you look back, but you can see his eyes soften a bit. “Wei?” You just shake your head.

Sonmei...looks particularly distraught, and Jubei just sighs and lowers his head in respect. “Damnit, kid…”

“He saved me before he went.” You offer.

Jubei chuckles once at that. “Figures. Kinda like ‘im.” He sniffs, then looks up. “Then we’d best honor his memory, eh?” And with that he turns to Sonmei. “You, get outta here. Get back to the barrier.”

The shock on both your faces is palpable. Sonmei’s mouth moves once, twice, like a fish before she can get a word out. “S-Sir?”

“You’re the healthiest outta all of us, and you damn well know you should’ve been a Captain a long time ago. Win or lose, it’s well and likely we’re gonna be spendin’ some time behind that Barrier. Kids are gonna need people that can tell them these stories first hand. You saw that...that THING, same as I did, sure as hell same as Sai did. That’s something that needs to be warned against. You’re the fastest, and the best of us- and I don’t want you dying so soon. Get outta here.”

“...” Sonmei, for the first time you can recall, looks paralyzed. It takes a shove from Jubei, and she instinctively salutes wordlessly, walking back, and saying nothing. She stops briefly...then shakes her head and breaks out into a run.

Jubei just smiles. “Always liked her. Good kid, if a bit too reliant on orders.” And then he turns to you. “Alright, then. Let’s make these damn humans FIGHT FOR EVERY SPIRIT-GIVEN PIECE!”

As you can hear the sounds of war approaching, you resolve to do your best to do just that.

>Roll 2d20. Sai, Jubei.

Rolled 18, 10 = 28 (2d20)

>>1151951

Rolled 8, 4 = 12 (2d20)

>>1151951

5 minutes!

Let the light of angels shine down on the poor souls that must face their death with a mask of dignity and believe it is an honor to do so- it is a great feat to be able to lie so thoroughly.

Writing!

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d20)

>>1151951
late rolling for what could have been

>>1151956
>>1151968
>>1152027
>>1151951

There’s times when sometimes, you wonder. “Why?” Why you? Why, out of everyone else, it was you that lived? Wei, if you were being honest, had a lot more drive than you did to be a Guardian. Jubei, the old master, had boundless skill, and his age hadn’t really diminished any of his combat prowess. And yet he’d died an ignoble death- caught unawares by a stray blade- that with his previous wounds proved too great to ignore, and he’d lain there, taking his opponent with him into the realm of the spirits.

But you? You’d sworn that this would be the day you died. The numbers were overwhelming, and the humans far too strong, especially with that beast of a knight backing them up. He’d shown a myriad of strange and devastating skills; the ability to reform his hands into incredibly large and fierce claws, a hissing, chitinous armor that stopped blades cold and melted them entirely, and his speed and strength beyond comparison.

How you’d defeat such a monster was unknown to you, and soon it was quite clear unknown to the rest of your kind.

You’d been forced to fall back after your last defense on the outskirts had failed, despite you fighting your damndest to follow Jubei’s words. You’d slain scores of humans, each one recompense for the lives lost today.

But in the end, you had to pull back.

They’d pursued, of course- with victory on this front so close, they’d be foolish not to. However, the Barriers are not to be trifled with, by any means. You were one of the closest as you watched them assail the barrier ineffectively with their mightest weapons- even the eerie knight himself had taken an effort at it; his life-stealing acid simply splashed harmlessly off the barrier to the relief of the warriors, and his might did not even so much as make the barrier react.

They were stilled, for now, and they knew it. Little by little, they retreated. The war was not over- not yet, and not for a long time, you could tell. You expected them to prepare sieges, great offensives...but scouts told of a different story. Little more than the occasional human settlements, still reasonably far away from your lands. Which again, begged the question...why? If not for land, then what? Had they’d sought little more than the destruction of your kind? They’d come from nowhere, asked for nothing, and just killed? Were they truly little more than sapient beasts?

These questions remained, even into your long years, even as you shared the stories of life beyond the Barriers, loved and laughed and taught techniques, and governed what was left of your tribe. The humans never assaulted again, as far as you knew. As long as no one went outside the barrier for long, the humans seemed to ignore you. But the questions. The questions never ceased, and even unto your last day, you hate to admit you’ve gone without knowing.

Perhaps the answer could be found by the next generations...

PART 2 END

PROLOGUE END

So yeah I think this is going to turn into a full quest. Probably start that on Tuesday or something. Gotta admit there was slightly less dying than I expected.

I enjoyed running this. You guys kinda set up what things are like in present day. Doesn't maybe seem like it, but a lot could've been different depending on what you picked and rolls and whatnot. You got any questions, now's the time.

>>1152093
Neat. Humans might have multiple Factions within them that we might not know about

>>1152100
Power, Instinct, and Knowledge are just flavor and characterization correct? They do nothing mechanically different from each other right?

>>1152124
For the prologue, they did nothing different mechanically. I may revisit the concept later, in which case they WILL confer different bonuses. One of the things that Shonen did with HGQ that I liked was stats and perks, and I intend on carrying that (with some mild revisions to make it easier to understand on my end) into my quest.