Vote is going to stand for awhile as we're awfully dead tonight.

>>2182505
>Ignore Nixie, try to reach the fire
Whatever these things are, they were probably attracted by the food.

How was your Christmas, QM?

>>2182505
>>2182526
>Ask her if she knows anything, and ready your shovel

I have been trying to post for the last 10 minutes but captcha is being a dick

>>2182534
Christmas was comfy, I hope you had a good one anon.

>>2182535
One of those nights I see anon. Thanks for trying over and over! Since we're tied it'll stand awhile longer.

Going to give it 10 and roll for it

>>2182505
>[2] Ask her if she knows anything, and ready your shovel

>>2182505
>[2] Ask her if she knows anything, and ready your shovel

Updating for shovel now

>>2182557
And I was about to change my vote

>>2182505
I'm starting to think there's something about Jäger that attracts weird things.

>>2182580
You guys were the ones that picked up and broke the watch.

>>2182586
I'm guessing we've made some pretty poor choices if we wanted to avoid magical things.

God damn glow in the dark CIA clockwork enthusiasts.

You reach down to your right side, unfastening the loops over your shovel. You pull it out and ready it, the blood from your previous fight with it having dried over the edges, along with some sinew caught in the teeth. The weight comforts you slightly, but not enough to feel safe.

“Do you know what this is Nixie?”

The fairy shakes her head rapidly, her eyes wide as she watches the creature peak overtop the edge at different places. One moment it looks at you from the right, the next from the left. You realize it has never leaped over, rather just appearing wherever it pleases. The chattering of teeth fills your skull, louder and louder.

Soon enough the familiar scream from your last encounter with this monstrosity rings out. It carries over the wastes of no man’s land, unheard by all but you. Nixie recedes into your pocket murmuring some language you don’t understand. You start to move down the endless trench ahead of you, the shovel at the ready. The keening wail follows you, assailing your very consciousness. Deep in the recesses of your mind sweet whispers of pain and death crawl through your thoughts. It is as if the horror speaks right into your brain, crooning softly at the base of your skull. In front of you, the monster drops down into the trench. The water is undisturbed around it, completely still as it crawls towards you on all four. The white dress that covers it is unstained by the bloody mixture apart from a single crimson blossom on its heart.

You:

[1] Step forward, take a swing

[2] Run back the way you came

[3] Stand and wait

>>2182598
It's a fucking wendigo
Can't run
Not gonna wait to die
>[1] Step forward, take a swing

>>2182598
>Stand and wait
Thing could've just teleported behind us and went for our neck if it wanted to kill us. I say we show it we have balls and brave the fears it instills in us.

>>2182598
>[1] Step forward, take a swing

>>2182598
[3] Stand and wait

Well, if on the off chance we know any prayers or such, now would probably be a good time to start chanting them.

>>2182598
>[1] Step forward, take a swing
Fuck yes, made it to a thread.

>>2182602
>>2182606
>>2182615
Never let it be said we are scared of anything. Vote's closed, time to swing a shovel.

>>2182598
>Stand and wait
But raise the shovel and be prepared to take the swing

>>2182636
Just a bit too late anon!

I bet it's a Hobbit.
And I admit I know nothing of German Folklore.

You spin the shovel in your hand once as the creature approaches, swallowing the bile that raises in your throat as the screaming reaches a crescendo. Your head is pounding as you fight yourself, one part wishing to embrace the promises the monstrosity makes, the other crying out for self preservation.

Pivoting forward you bring the shovel down in a wide overhead hook, the screaming coming to a violent stop as you bury the sharpened edge inside the skull of the horror. Your weapon bites in with a loud crunch, shards of bone spiraling down into the water below, dropping out of sight without even a ripple. The blood that follows doesn’t flow as if from a human, rather like cheese pushed through cloth, squeezing itself around the shovel’s edge in thick rotted clumps of black ooze.

You yank back on the shovel, dragging the edge back through the wound and towards you. The body follows with it, slipping beneath the bloody mix silently. With the screaming stopped you can think again, unsettled by how ready you were to give in to the promise of death.

Nixie looks down from your pocket at the still mixture below.

“It isn’t dead, in fact I doubt you even hurt it. By the Maker what did you do to call forth a Banshee after you?”

You’d heard of revenants before, souls of the dead that walked the earth with a wicked intent. The supernatural wasn’t unknown to you, but this was the first you’d heard of a Banshee.

You:

[1] Ask Nixie to tell you everything she knows about it

[2] Make your way to the fire quickly, try to get around others

>>2182673
>Tell me everything

>>2182673
>>[1] Ask Nixie to tell you everything she knows about it
>
>[2] Make your way to the fire quickly, try to get around others
Can we do both? If not then 2

>>2182673
>Ask Nixie to tell you everything she knows about it
Thing might strike while we are with allies. If it can disorient us and cause friendly casualties, we want to know immediately.

>>2182673
>[2] Make your way to the fire quickly, try to get around others
Apparently it REALLY liked that watch.

>>2182673
>[1] Ask Nixie to tell you everything she knows about it

>>2182689
The last time it appeared it went away as soon as others showed up.

>>2182698
In our dorm, right? When Seven showed up? Then would the correct option have been to run to camp?

>>2182703
Not sure we would have made it while it was screaming.

>>2182673
>[2] Make your way to the fire quickly, try to get around others

So like, aside from Werewolves, did Germany really not try to get any other fucking Fae stuff on their side?
You're trying to tell me the Gnomes or Dwarves didn't want to join up?

>>2182719
The war being so destructive turned most of the supernatural and demi-humans against humanity.

Currently tied, going to give it a few for a tie breaker.

>>2182687
>>2182692
>>2182718
Why do you guys want to go back to the fire so fast? We probably won't have another chance to learn about the Banshee from Nixie until later. I believe it's better to get the info now.

>>2182730
Because waiting around for it to decide to start fucking with our brains with that scream again doesn't seem like a smart idea.

Going to give it another five, and if it isn't broken then I'll roll for it.

>>2182723
Even the Devils and Demons?

>>2182734
And what if she asspulls some ability and makes us turn on our allies? Better to know what she's capable of instead of potentially bringing a hostile fae back to our group.

>>2182673
>Make your way to the fire quickly, try to get around others

The information about he banshee seems nice but i’d Prefer to keep our life

File: Maybewhoknows.jpg (27 KB, 700x466)

27 KB JPG

>>2182746
Who knows anon

Vote closed! Moving to the fire quickly.

>>2182753
OH FUCK DID OZ GET EMUS ON THEIR SIDE?!

>>2182746
Firstly fuck off with that tripfagging bullshit in another mans quest.
Secondly why would devils and demons be friendly towards humans in the first place.

>>2182762
Well, war is hell and yaddayadda

Keeping your shovel handy, you move down the trenchline towards the waiting fire. The gathered Sturmtruppen have sat in a circle around it, their weapons between their legs. One of the countless rot worms slaughtered earlier is wrapped about a spit that turns slowly over the roaring flames.

You realize how exhausting the hours of combat and movement have been on you, and how much your stomach aches for something to eat. Your mouth begins to water as you sniff again and again. You sit on an overturned ammunition box to keep yourself above the water and slime. Across the fire you make out the massive shape of Siegfried resting against the breastworks.

He moves slightly in his sleep, clearly having some sort of nightmare. You rise to wake him, but the man called Dok pulls you back to your seat.

“Focus on eating. Every man has nightmares in the field. The wisps and ghosts make sure of it. Best let him get used to it.” Furthering his point, Dok gestures to his side at one of the other Sturmtruppen, who moves similarly to Siegfried.

“No matter how long you fight or how many horrors you see, you’ll never escape them. Now eat, your rotation for clearing comes soon. I’m sure you’d like to rest but we don’t have the time for that, not while the Rot Worms move beneath us.”

Your mind is filled with vivid images of the creatures from earlier, their maw of shifting teeth that shredded flesh from bone. You recalled the sound of rippling water as the wounded trooper who had traveled with you was pulled beneath the fetid scum of the doomed craters in no man's land. The sound his bones made as he was ripped in half and devoured.

You shake your head, clearing your thoughts and reaching for a piece of the meat in front of you. The taste is exquisite, a comfortable warmth soon filling your stomach.

You:

[1] Try to make conversation, tell them how you got here

[2] Ask if anyone knew of your unit

[3] Check your equipment

[4] Eat in silence

>>2182777
>[3] Check your equipment
>[2] Ask if anyone knew of your unit
In that order.
Now I want to know what rot worm tastes like.

>>2182790
Digested germans

>>2182777

>[3] Check your equipment
>[2] Ask if anyone knew of your unit
>>2182790
Second.

>>2182790
Seconding

>>2182790
Supporting.
Are we also allowed to ask about Banshees? If so, let's ask about that.

Vote's are closed as we're unanimous right now.

The Rot Worm is far better than you thought it would be, the outside crunchy and firm while the inside melts in your mouth, tasting of salt, butter, and smoked meat. You could eat this every day, especially compared to the rations you have had for the rest of your life. You finish the first portion and quickly being the next while taking stock of the gear you have on you.

Your khaki rig is covered in mud and blood, but still functional.

Your rifle is functioning, though completely empty.

Siegfried’s shotgun is likewise empty.

Your shovel is perfectly fine, though quite dirty.

The gas mask on your left side is muddied but usable, though you only have the one filter.

The rest of your pack and rations were lost in the earlier engagement and explosion with the harpies.

Now that you think about it, there is still half of your unit left out in combat. It occurs to you to ask if any of the Sturmtruppen had seen them.

“Have you seen any of my unit? 559 was our designation.”

Dok answers first, through mouthfuls of meat.

“Not a word. The Captain might know, but you’ll have to ask him after he gets back from the tunnels. Speaking of, you’re going to go next along with Lutz. Judging by the way you look at your gun you’re out aren’t you. We’ve got some ammo in the packs if you’d like.

You:

[1] Gather ammunition for the shotgun

[2] Gather ammunition for your rifle

[3] Request a sidearm to use instead

>>2182836
>[1] Gather ammunition for the shotgun
I'd rather only have to deal with stuff if they're right on us for now.

>>2182836
>[2] Gather ammunition for your rifle
More shots and capability of full fun. Should clean the rifle though just in case.

>>2182836
>Gather ammunition for your rifle
>>2182843
Seconding the cleaning

>>2182836
>[2] Gather ammunition for your rifle
Shotgun might be better for staying in the trenches, but we're a good shot, and who know where fate will take us next. I trust the rifle most.

>>2182843
Supporting. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Vote's are closed, looks like we update to take our rifle and clean it good.

You guys missed your chance at a Luger.

>>2182895
I'd rather not die due to our rifle jamming

>>2182895
That sounds intriguing, I was probably going to have us try to loot a foreign made side-arm hand cannon of some sort to diversify.

You take your rifle into your hand, stripping what you know of it quickly and setting the pieces atop your lap. You’re glad you did, as the firing pin had been jammed tight with mud. You clean it as best you can, and reassemble the rifle. The bolt cycles smoother than before, and when you pull the trigger the firing pin slams forward reassuringly. You reach into the pack Dok sets at your side, pulling out the boxes of 9.8mm.

Dok watches as you thumb the rounds in slowly.

“I’m not one to throw another in the trenches, but you best watch for Lutz. He’s rather weak willed.”

You look at Dok, and nod. You aren’t keen on venturing below ground with someone likely to break. Countless possibilities begin to occur to you, but you’re quickly interrupted by the sound of wood banging against wood from further down the line. You raise your rifle, shouldering it at the sound.

“Put your damned weapons down. We’re friendly.”

You lower your gun, keeping your finger on the trigger however. In the dimming light it is difficult to tell who the approaching shapes are as they move towards you quickly. The light of the fire illuminates two Sturmtruppen from the group that had rescued you, one of which wears the insignia of a Hauptmann.

They set themselves beside the fire in a manner that expresses the exhaustion that eats at their entire person. The Hauptmann looks at you in a manner you can only describe as questioning, though you can’t see his expression behind the gas mask he still wears.

“I’m sure you’d like some rest, or perhaps a break after having fought as you did today. I however, cannot grant you such a luxury. Until the tunnels below us are clear of Rot Worm we can’t rest, let alone stray far from the fire. Head down the line, Lutz will be at the door with you.”

You stand, and begin to move across the lit clearing but are interrupted by the officer.

“I nearly forgot, tell me your name. In case you die in the tunnels I need to be able to tell high command you died the death of Sturmtruppen. Knee deep in blood and alone.”

You turn, stating your name as you had done so many times previously. The officer nods, and turns back to the fire without another word.

You:

[1] Hurry down the trench, best not to be alone for too long

[2] Take it slow, don’t want to startle the soldier you were warned about.

>>2182937
>[1] Hurry down the trench, best not to be alone for too long

>>2182937
>[1] Hurry down the trench, best not to be alone for too long
Ask Tink about Banshees while moving.

>>2182947
>>2182957
Updating to hurry along the trench and talk to Tink

WTF!
I was strongly given the impression there was no quest today!

>>2182976
I had announced it last session anon, and tweeted about it twice today!

Going to be a bit longer than usual anons, having issues keeping up a connection.

>>2182999
>Checking those trips

Your porn streaming is messing up your data connection. Duh.

You start to jog at a brisk pace down the trenchline, your earlier encounter fresh in your mind. Nixie interrupts your concentration, breaking the silence of the night air.

“There are many things and beings in this world beyond the scope of man. Among them are evil, and good, the inbetween, and those who simply wish to exist. Before the war, the Banshee was a tragic creature. Twisted mockeries of women who honored the dead, their wail instead brought forth tragedy. It signified the doom of the who heard it. Their craft has changed however. They’ve become something much more.” Nixie falls silent for a moment, as if considering how to further continue.

“They’re now maidens of death, reveling in the sadness and despair this great conflict has created. Whether trickery or a fault of luck, they find great persons and bring about their end.” Nixie shifts in your pocket, looking up at you.

“There are few Banshee in this world, and to witness their wailing horror is to bear witness to the hand of death itself. They wish to perpetuate this horror however long they may. No longer a lonesome spirit wishing to be joined in their agony, they act as the hands of death. They wander through the between places, and find those unfortunate enough to be blessed with great destiny.”

The ramifications of what Nixie has said begin to sink in, and you realize how horrifying the creature you’ve summoned truly is.

“I don’t know how to kill it, whether blade or bullet, or some long forgotten ritual. You cannot escape the wail which will only grow more incessant, calling to others. They’ll join one another in a howling recital, calling forth the grim one itself.” Nixie finishes speaking, staring forward at the growing dark.

“Speak not of the keening on the wind to those around you. You’ll simply bring more to the grave. A Banshee’s wail does not go unanswered into the dark.”

Your steps are leaden, and you find yourself resolute. The supernatural were awoken by a war so horrifying and grand as to shake the very fabric of the earth. If man could make them, so too could they be undone.

You round the bend in the trench, the shape of a man illuminated by the dim blue of a lantern containing a soul just head of you. Beside him, a gaping hole into the earth from which the sound of dragging flesh and the rasp of teeth could barely be heard.

You:

[1] Make yourself known on your approach

[2] Keep moving up, he should be expecting you

File: To The Underground.jpg (91 KB, 634x439)

91 KB JPG

>Forgot the picture again
Just duck me up

>>2183021
>[1] Make yourself known on your approach

>>2183021
[1] Make yourself known on your approach

>>2183021
>[1] Make yourself known on your approach
That's a cheery creature. On the plus side at least our life will be interesting if the part about great destiny is true and not just legend.

>>2183027
>>2183030
>>2183031
We make our self known now. Vote closed and updating!

You stop your rapid approach, slowing down as you lower your weapon. The soldier ahead of you is clearly nervous, looking every which way, his finger on the trigger of a sawn off shotgun that he points around wildly.

“Friendly coming up Lutz.” You call out into the night, the shimmer of the soul lantern throwing light in your direction as the soldier turns.

“Hurry up, hurry up. Let’s clear our sector and get this done damnit. The incessant movement down there is driving me fucking insane.”

You approach at his response, content you won’t be blown in half on approach. He keeps his gun on you however, a slight twitch about him.

“Can’t be too careful out here, especially at night.” As if to punctuate his point some distant artillery rumbles into action, far off and away.

“Fucking hell, you come here with a rifle? That’ll be damn unwieldy down there. Especially if we find one of their own tunnels. Fuckers like to break off to nest rooms. You ever seen a nest room?”

Lutz swings the lantern towards you wildly, the soul inside bouncing off the glass. You’re reminded of what Sauer had stated regarding their volatility, and carefully lower his hand.

“First time Lutz. Are we ready to move? Anything I need to know?”

Lutz scowls at you, muttering about new blood as he holsters his weapon and rummages through his great coat. He procures a stained piece of paper, laying it flat on the wooden crate blocking the entry below ground.

“Dok and Hanz cleared the left most sections on their rotation, Hauptmann and Rainor the right. That leaves us with the center, however far that may go and any branching paths off it. You stick close, keep that rifle over my shoulder and always watch your ass. Understand?”

You:

[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down

[2] Ask a question before venturing forward (Write-in)

>>2183056
[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down

>>2183056
>[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down

>>2183056
>[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down
Maybe check w/ Nixie if the Banshee will follow you or anything

>>2183056
>Check your doggone gear
Ask the fae when she's gonna start pulling her weight, we've been sharing our food with her right?

>>2183067
She already is with the info.

>>2183056
[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down

>>2183056
>Ask a question
"Could I use your pistol, then?"
You had us bring a rifle to a tunnel fight when we could have had a handgun? Madmen! It's like you don't know how actual strosstruppen worked.

Pretty unanimous so closing voting and checking our gear

>>2183071
That gives her a spot inside our jacket and maybe inside our gas mask but not the food, we're in a War dammit

>>2183079
While the idea of crafting her a tiny gun that she could shoot people with would be fun we're kind of trying to keep her existence a secret.

>>2183082
We keep her a secret but we'll need help to see our Love again,Dead or Alive we must see her again

>>2183084
Who? We haven't even begun flirting with the fairy :^)

>>2183076
i wonder if we can fuck the fairy at some point

>>2183056

[1] Nod, double check your equipment and move down

You glance over your gear once, satisfied that everything is in position and functioning properly. You pull back the bolt on your rifle, cycling a round into place and snapping the safety over to full auto.

Lutz, flicks open his shotgun, confirming it is indeed loaded before snapping it shut.

“Oh, and watch the goddamn ceilings. The females have fucking legs.”

Your stomach sinks at this revelation. You didn’t think these monstrosities could be much worse than the hellish mass of roiling flesh you had faced earlier. Lutz moves the crate out of the way, taking the lantern in his free hand and moving into the dark abyss that readily swallows the both of you.

As you descend below ground, the wind brings with it the sound of artillery. Underneath the pounding of guns, you make out a high pitched wail that sets you on edge.

You had grown up underground. The Fume Town of your birth was part natural cave system, part excavation as the land above ground was tilled to a toxic wasteland by constant bombardment. The smoke of hundreds of years of gunfire had polluted the very air that the german people breathed, and the only retreat was below ground, though it wasn’t much better.

You heard tales of the guards sweeping out Trench Ghul nests, but no amount of grandiose storytelling could prepare you for being in a trench tunnel with only the dim light of a soul and a twitchy soldier as your company. Each scuff of your boots against the hard packed earth simply vanished, the solid stone walls eating every noise. From what you knew, echoes meant the earth was porous, and ready to cave in. It was a small comfort however, as the ground slowly began to slope downwards, the sounds of shifting flesh carrying up.

Occasionally the you’d pass a hole in the wall large enough to fit one of the Rot Worms, and it took all your willpower to pass by them and not shove your barrel inside and empty a magazine. You nerves screamed that they were all around you, and more than once you had to stop yourself from blowing a rat apart underfoot.

Lutz seemed even worse off, the shake that was visible at the door consuming him. Like a leaf caught in the breeze he jumped to and fro, every noise causing him to swing the stubby weapon in hand. You soon came to a break in the tunnel, a sizeable hole having been carved away that moved at a steep pitch underground.

“Damned Worm tunnel, there’s a fucking nest down there. You fucking follow me like a revenant understand? And watch for any tunnels we pass, we’re likely to see them down here.”

The tunnel made by the creature’s is even more claustrophobic as you turn into it, leaving behind the carved stone for what looks to be scratched and chipped rocks. A thick bloody slime coats the ground below you, and you’re soon forced to crawl on your hands and knees. Your rifle is trapped beneath you as you push forward. Lutz drags the soul lantern behind him, the shotgun pointed forward as he mutters and swears.

Cont for voting options

You:

[1] Stay calm, keep moving and focus

[2] Stop, listen

>>2183099
>[2] Stop, listen
Fuck it, sometimes the obvious ones are a trap.

>>2183099
[1] Stay calm, keep moving and focus

He said to stay with him. Don't want to fuck him over by hesitating.

>>2183099
>[1] Stay calm, keep moving and focus
Don't fucking stop for a second. He's still alive which has to count for something.

Quick question guys, just looking for a little feedback and criticism. Am I doing the tension well?

>>2183099
[1] Stay calm, keep moving and focus


>>2183108
Yes I just wished you had linked shit from last thread

>>2183108
Quite well.

>>2183108
Yeah bro.

>>2183111
I did link the archive of the last thread anon.

>>2183097
>[2] Stop, Listen
Addendum: Let him know before he crawls away from you

[1] Stay calm, keep moving and focus

>>2183102
>>2183104
>>2183111
>>2183116
We're staying calm and pushing deeper. Vote closed and updating!

>>2183111
>>2183112
>>2183113
Good to know, was trying not to come off as overbearing with it.

>>2183108
It's fine, some of the stuff doesn't make much sense, like an experienced bunch of elite soldiers not calling out the rookie for taking a rifle to a tunnel fight. The hauptmann, or gefrieter would probably say something, since it's their job, and Lutz not giving us his pistol, and just bitching instead. Just feels a bit off, though I see your reasoning being to punish us for picking the wrong choice.

You steady your breathing as you notice it get out of hand. Ahead of you Lutz seems to struggle with that, hyperventilating as the shaft gets tighter and tighter. His pace slows, the scraping of glass biting at your ears as the lantern is dragged over it. The light inside bounces rapidly, casting the area around you in a rapid strobe of dull blue.

“Fucking hate fucking tunnels. Fucking Rot Worms, fucking hell I shouldn’t be here.” Lutz’s mutters begin to get louder and louder with each expletive and the further on you go. Before long you’ve gone from all fours to being flat on your stomach, your rifle stretched out in front of you as it scrapes along either side of the tunnel.

The stone pushes down on you, each inch you push forward with your boots squeezing you tighter and tighter. Lutz is breathing rapidly ahead of you, swearing nearly every moment. You can’t see past his shape, nor can you turn your head to look below you. The slime below you rubs along your face, a sickening warmth that slides into your uniform. You grit your teeth and keep pushing yourself along.

You struggle to push forward, unable to gain the leverage you need in the thick slime to move any farther. You’re stuck in the tunnel, Lutz moving on ahead of you, dragging what little light you had away.

You:

[1] Struggle violently, you can’t get stuck here

[2] Tell Lutz your predicament, ask him to give you a moment as you try to squeeze forward

>>2183154
>[2] Tell Lutz your predicament, ask him to give you a moment as you try to squeeze forward
Whatever you do, don't panic.

>>2183154
>>2183154
Remain calm, breathe out and slide forward

>>2183154

[2] Tell Lutz your predicament, ask him to give you a moment as you try to squeeze forward

>>2183154
>Lutz I'm stuck

>>2183157
>>2183160
>>2183163
>>2183168
We move forward calm and cool. Vote's closed and updating.

>>2183154
[2] Tell Lutz your predicament, ask him to give you a moment as you try to squeeze forward

I meant link last thread to this one

>>2183175
Oh my apologies anon I didn't even think of that. I won't forget next time!

>>2183175
That would be helpful.

“Lutz, Lutz I’m stuck.”

Lutz keeps moving forward, his rapid breathing and mutters your only response. You feel your heart rise in your throat as the distance between the two of you grows, and with it the fading of the little light you had.

“Lutz, Lutz please stop. Lutz!”

You attempt to keep your voice low, not wanting to bring some horror crawling with you. However, Lutz either can’t hear you or doesn’t want to.

You find yourself alone in the dark, stuck quite thoroughly. Each breath is painful, the very tunnel trying to suffocate you by pressing against your chest. Briefly, you think of Siegfried trying to do such a thing and can’t help but grin. Ahead of you, the dim light vanishes downwards. The darkness embraces you, wrapping you a blanket of tension.

Nixie squeezes out from your pocket, crawling forward in the slime until she sits in front of you. A dim light shines from her wings, enough for you to make out her shape.

“Come on Jäger, you can’t get stuck here! Don’t leave me alone in these damned tunnels. Please keep moving!”

You try to steady your breathing, exhaling and pushing forward at the same time. Ever so slightly you can feel yourself move forward, Nixie clapping at any ground you gain. Time loses meaning as you struggle against the unmoving earth. Exhale, push, inhale. Exhale, push, inhale. You repeat it to yourself like a mantra as the tunnel begins to widen out.

Nixie sighs in relief as you finally free yourself, the light she casts forth like a tiny beacon.

“Leave it to humans to make homes down where even the earth consumes you. You’re all nuts.”

You don’t rise to the bait, instead focusing on catching up to Lutz. You see why the light had vanished, the earth below you turning sharply downwards as it widens. Before long you can move at a crouch again, and Nixie returns to your pocket as the light of the soul lantern ahead of you can be seen. A dark shape sits beside it, motionless.

You:

[1] Call out to Lutz

[2] Remain silent

>>2183196
>[2] Remain silent

>>2183196
[2] Remain silent
that slut Lutz is most likely dead

>>2183196
>[2] Remain silent
Alright that fucker might just be gone in his own little world right now. So sitrep: We're blind in a dark tunnel surrounded by charl.... rot worms and our only friendly contact is a mostly insane fucker that is so absorbed in his own nightmares he didn't notice us whisper shouting at him to stop.

>>2183196
[2] Remain silent
Make a small dirt ball and throw it at him, or a pebble.

>>2183201
>>2183203
>>2183206
>>2183207
We're quiet boys. Vote closed and updating

>>2183196

[2] Remain silent

You hold your tongue, a rising fear creeping up your backbone as Lutz shifts side to side unnaturally. You realize now the sound of Rot Worm’s has grown in intensity from a distant shuffling to an ever present background noise that moves organically around you. You feel as if they crawl within your very cerebrum, bumping and moving against one another. This must be the nesting pit Lutz had spoke of.

A noise unlike the others carries through the air as you raise your rifle. A scuttling and wet snapping of chitin, that seems to come from all around. With each step you take forward it takes one with you, never more than a few feet from you. The light of the soul lantern barely illuminates more than a few feet in any direction, though you can tell that just in front of it the path drops off.

The walls have vanished from your sides, the only solid object in view is the ground beneath your feet. The cavern you have arrived in must be sizeable. As you approach the lantern, Lutz turns to you, raising his shotgun towards you. His eyes are wide as a Trench Ghul’s, panicked and wild like an animal. His breath is just as rapid as it had been when you last saw him.

“Go. Gotta go. Can’t stay need to leave. Go. Better go. All alone.”

Lutz repeats this over and over in a rapid hushed tone. He seems to look through you rather than at you, the hand that holds the sawn off white as a sheet. As he steps into the light, you watch the sweat drip off him with every movement.

You:

[1] Raise your hands

[2] Pull your weapon on him

>>2183227
Can we parry his weapon and disarm him?
He will probably fire, and then we'll have to book it out of there.

>>2183227
Fucking insane bastard. Back off and try to move away from where he's pointing his shotty.

>>2183233
You're out of arms reach from him, by a bit.

>>2183227
>Shoot him in the leg

Going to give it a few more for any votes before rolling between >>2183234 and >>2183238

>>2183238
Then he probably will flinch and shoots his shotgun down the narrow corridor we currently occupy.

I say we hug the wall to our side and let him pass us, then follow after him. Use the shovel if we have to pass that bottleneck we had trouble squeezing through earlier, and make some marks to not get lost.

>>2183227
So can we combine these two?
>>2183234
>>2183243
We back off a bit to find some more space so Lutz can pass us if only barely, then we turn around and follow him.

>>2183250
If others can agree to it then sure that sounds fair.

>>2183238
If we shoot him, it had best be to kill.

>>2183252
I can agree to that.
I wonder if it'll end up being about a 1:1 ratio of friendlies to enemies we've killed

Updating for >>2183250

>>2183257
What? Worms don't count to our kills?

>>2183262
I think they're environmental hazards rather than confirmed kills.

>>2183266
Even when hunting rabbits and squirrels get counted as kills. But set as a different type. Obviously killing enemies would be rated higher with a greater value.....

>>2183272
I think we need to set up a scoring system. Obviously a rot worm isn't going to be worth as much as an alpha ghul but how much is an alpha ghul worth compared to a frenchie? do monster girls count as less or more than regular soldiers?

File: Rotted Mother.jpg (84 KB, 542x400)

84 KB JPG

Carefully, you begin to move backwards and to the side in an attempt to move away from Lutz. You had expected him to try to exit, but unfortunately he remained in his position, swinging the scattergun from side to side wildly. His muttering had reached a fevered pitch amidst the noise of horrors all about you, blending in to a cacophony fit to drive you to insanity had you been weaker willed.

As you continue your backwards movement, you step into a rather slick section and fall backwards, the breathe leaving your body loudly. Lutz turns towards you fast enough for his neck to crack audibly. He lifts the lantern in his free hand, stepping towards you slowly, shotgun raised.

You ready your weapon, leveling the rifle in his general direction as you’re slowly illuminated. Lutz continues towards you, until he’s crouched over you, the shotgun pressing against your breast pocket.

“No no no. Shouldn’t be here. Worms got you. Left in the tunnel worms got you. Shouldn’t be here.”

The insane man moves the lantern directly in front of your face, the light blinding after so much time in the dark. The sweat from his face drips onto yours as he leers at you from overhead. The hammer of his shotgun snaps back as he thumbs it into place, lowering himself over you even further.

“No no no shouldn’t worms. Got you got you got you got you go-”

Lutz’s sentence ends with a snap as his head caves amongst a set of massive jaws. His hand spasms to the side, the shotgun firing into the rock next to you and making your ears ring more than even the artillery back home. His body shudders and thrashes, blood and bone showering you as his corpse is lifted into the air above you. His legs kick out back and forth as some unseen force devours his torso.

The lantern drops to the ground, no longer obscured by the man’s cloak. Above him, a huge creature sits atop the ceiling, slavering jaws working rapidly to devour the body held in massive spiked legs. It’s lower section is a squirming mass of juvenile worms, attached by wiry hairs. The eyes of the female above you stare down dully, blinking randomly as it consumes the meal. You’re showered in the gore of the man who had nearly killed you, one of the legs slicing open the stomach and consuming the steaming intestines that drop forth like noodles.

The dim blue lighting flickers rapidly, cracks spidering across the lantern as the small orb struggles.
You:

[1] Fire wildly into it

[2] Get the hell out, remember what Sauer said

>>2183279
>[2] Get the hell out, remember what Sauer said
BOOM BITCH

>>2183279
[2] Get the hell out, remember what Sauer said
can we grab the lantern with us?
Unless we can grab the shotgun too...

>>2183284
The lantern is about to turn this hole into a fireball.

>>2183279
[2] Get the hell out, remember what Sauer said

RUN NIGGAH RUN

>>2183285
I suppose we can use pixie dust to light our way.

>>2183287
>>2183285
If we have a grenade, we can add fuel to the fire so to speak.

>>2183289
No grenade anon, we didn't take the explosive bag.

Vote's closed, updating for RUNNN

The scarred image of the train conductor flashes before you as the lantern glows brighter and brighter. You struggle to move from under the weight of your compatriots innards, slipping in the mixture. A scything talon sweeps above you, tearing into your shoulder with a burning pain that reaches down to the bone. You cry out in pain, dragging your rifle behind you as you move through the dark beyond the lantern.

The shifting sound of Rot Worms grows as they move from their communal pit, sliding along the stone walls to give chase. The wet sounds of Lutz being devoured fade as you struggle up the incline. Nixie pulls herself from your pocket, trying her best to light the way. A keening whine begins to fill your head, and your teeth ache along with it. The edges of your vision grow rough as the noise reaches a crescendo.

It ends with an echoing crash of breaking glass magnified a thousand times.You’re thrown up the tunnel, crashing against the top of the ceiling roughly. A dull blue fire races over and past you, carrying with it chunks of the creatures that had been following. Nixie falls to the ground, the blast having knocked her unconscious, any light you had from her vanishing. You’re left in the dark, the warm trickle of blood falling from your ears.

You:

[1] Roll over, crawl forward

[2] Turn around, double check nothing is coming

>>2183299
>Find Nixie and turn around to double check with our gun out.

>>2183299
1. Find Nixie
2. Keep moving
If we can't see it's pointless to try.

>>2183299
>[1] Roll over, crawl forward

>>2183299
Find nixie, and use the rifle as a blind mans stick to check the area ahead of us. Make sure to use the bayonet attached.

>>2183310
So is that a vote for going forward? Because that ties us.

>>2183313
Keep going I guess.

Going to give it a few for anymore votes before rolling.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

Alright rolling I guess, even for double check, odds for forward

Double check it is! Updating!

>>2183316
>>2183313
Don't we have 3 votes for going forward and 1 for turning around? I don't really care either way but I just want to make sure.

>>2183330
Ah hell, you're right anon. I'm sorry guys, and I just finished the damn update. I guess I'm getting tired.

Do you guys want me to rewrite or post what I did? Again, my apologies.

>>2183333
Its fine, I stated I didn't care either, carry on.
I could go either way on those options.

>>2183333
Rewrite if you don't mind.

>>2183333
I'm the only real guy who voted turned around, So rewrite that bitch.

Long as we save the fae who isn't fully worthless.

Sorry again guys. Rewriting!

>>2183336
Tink is cute! CUTE!

>>2183338
Look, i just want to see what happens when you knock up a fae. Its too late to care more about basic shit.

You weakly reach around in front of you, finding the limp shape of Nixie and returning her to your pocket as best you can manage in the dark. Probing forward with your rifle, you try to maneuver forward in the dark without crushing the tiny fairy in your pocket. Your only company is the high pitched ringing in your ears that seems intent on staying with you. Before long you grow accustomed to the noise, tuning it out into an oppressive silence that gathers around you.

With your rifle in front of you, you probe your way forward inch by inch, trying to move slowly. An incredibly sharp pain digs into your calf, pulling against you and into your flesh. You cry out, unable to hear your own scream as the intrusive object scrapes against your bone.

You:

[1] Try to claw your way forward

[2] Try to point your rifle downwards

>>2183342
we literally can't turn it around and fire it in these narrow cordors anyway. If it was opener we could fire, plus the Blood worms MIGHT see us with said muzzle flare.

>>2183342
Shovel whatever fucker decided to try a taste.

>>2183342
Er... this is for >>2183343


[1] Try to claw your way forward

If it wasn't clear.

>>2183349
No I got you anon.

>>2183343
I don't think they have eyes, except for maybe the females. They seem to work from feeling and vibrations.

Use our shove to lead the way.

>>2183342
[1] Try to claw your way forward
shrapnel?

Seems we're clawing forward. Updating!

You grit your teeth, trying to pull forward to no avail. The strength that holds you is far beyond what you can exert in such a tight enclosure. You struggle as best you can, dragging your nails over the stone beneath you. You must have bumped Nixie awake, as she crawls from your pocket midsts your thrashing. The dim light that illuminates your area is welcome, and the sight of her grasping onto your uniform and digging her heels in to help lifts your spirits. You glance behind you, whatever hope you had vanishing as you recognize the spindly leg of the female rising up from below the incline, dug into your leg.

You shout out as it yanks you backward with immense strength, dragging you back downwards to the nesting pit rapidly. You’re tossed out of the tunnel and across the room. For a moment you feel weightless as you soar across the cavern, before you slam against the opposite wall and fall down into the pit in the center of the room.

What had once been a shifting mass of Rot Worm was now a soup of gore and teeth, the soul lantern having wiped the room clean with the exception of the female that lowered itself down across from you. The residue of the explosion left the room in a pale blue blow, a thin layer of fluorescent film covering various surfaces.

The monstrous creature in front of you is far worse for wear than you are, though no less threatening. All but three of the eyes are missing, black ichor leaking down the face and across the shattered mandibles. It struggles to stay standing, the rear legs on it cracked and weakened. You stand across for each other for a moment, eyeing each other up.

You:

[1] Try to find a way out of the pit

[2] Call for Nixie

[3] Shovel time

>>2183366
>[2] Call for Nixie
Tell her to find our gun
>[3] Shovel time
Cast fist.

>>2183366
[3] Shovel time
Work on taking out its last eye.

>>2183366
>[3] Shovel time

>>2183368
>>2183370
>>2183372
It seems we're shovel lads. Updating!

You grasp at the handle of your shovel on your side, yanking it down and out of the protective cover. Slowly, you begin to circle the creature as you twirl the weapon in your hand. You’re nearly up to your waist in gore, and each step sends a jolt of pain up your injured leg. Your entire body aches, but you know that if you don’t push through you’ll die down here.

Adrenaline floods your veins as the creature makes its move, rushing forward while scything its front legs wildly. What remains of the mandibles clack at you hungrily, trying to do the same as it did with Lutz. You jump to the side, swinging out at the creature with your weapon. You manage to cleave into the side of the monstrosity, before a wild swing of its leg sends you flying with weapon in hand. You barely have time to catch your breath, the wild chittering once more racing towards you.

You:

[1] Go for the eyes

[2] Cut out the legs from under it

>>2183382
>[1] Go for the eyes
The legs are probably too hard to crack.

>>2183382

[2] Cut out the legs from under it

Didn't it get pointed out it had weak legs?

Thanks for sticking along all night guys! We're nearly at 8 hours.

>>2183382
Also these are underground creatures! Three of it's eyes are broken and even if they weren't I doubt it has much use for them

>>2183382
>>2183385
changing to
>[2] Cut out the legs from under it
go for those weakened back legs.

>>2183382
[2] Cut out the legs from under it

We're the lumberjacks of giant monsters. Leg cutting update go!

>>2183382
>Legs

You duck under the horror, spinning as you do and putting all your strength into the weapon. The shovel cuts through the rear leg of the monster with the sound of wood cracking. It drops into the sludge of gore, splashing about. Any momentum it had was lost, the creature pushing itself weakly against the pit wall. It lashes out anytime you try to approach, its movements wild and desperate.

Behind you, a dull clatter from the tunnel as your rifle slides out of it and down into the pit, Nixie appearing over the edge. You still can’t hear her voice, diminutive as she is but you understand the concept. You pull your weapon from the mire, shaking it roughly in an attempt to clear it. It feels comforting to have it in hand again, though your shovel has yet to fail you.

You turn around, looking at the massive lump that had menaced you. The mandibles still clack, as if the thing is torn between the idea of hiding and eating you. You raise your rifle, sighting in on a shot you can’t miss. The sound of your magazine emptying is muffled to you, though by Nixie pushing her hands against her ears you assume it must be loud. The first few rounds strike the chitin covering the beasts face, denting it before spinning off to the side. The onslaught of such massive rounds however cannot be deterred, and soon they begin to shower you with ichor as you pulp the beasts head.

It slumps into the mix, any fight left in it gone and replaced with solid brass of 9.8mm. You lower your rifle, feeling the days fatigue take over once more as you struggle to stay standing in the pit of gore, the fluorescent blue of soul residue illuminating the hellish cavern in which you stood.
-----
Far across the war torn places of the world, in a place out of mortal view, a keening wail rose up on high. The figure of a woman stood on a raised stone dais, black hair obscuring the face that let forth the shrieks of death. One after another, more stepped forth, shoulder to shoulder as they chanted their song of misery.

And that's all for tonight's session everyone! Thank you for those who stuck it out for all eight hours. I hope you enjoyed it as we introduced our first real big bads in our coming arc, The Banshee's Choir!

As always I'll be around for questions and discussion for a bit before I sleep.

The next session will take place Sunday December 31st at 9:00PM EST. Quest updates and scheduling are posted here: https://twitter.com/LukaLukaLuu

With that, I hope you enjoyed the session and thank you guys again for participating.

>>2183404
Thanks for running.

>>2183411
Thanks for participating anon!

File: Spoiler Image (94 KB, 762x1049)

94 KB JPG

>>2183404
We're being trailed by fem-nazgul

>>2183404
We gonna drag that corpse back to camp to boost morale one way or another.

>>2182595
Terry? Is that you?

File: Bill Wilson.jpg (79 KB, 716x768)

79 KB JPG

>>2183606
No its Bill.

You could totally make a book of this shit

>>2183548
I never even thought of fem nazgul.
>>2183549
Solid plan anon!
>>2183789
Thank you anon, glad you think so.

>>2184128
This shit is one of the better written and more interesting quests in a fair while. OC is always nice and yours is great.

>>2184555
I'm glad you think so anon, I've got a hell of a lot planned so I hope I don't disappoint.

Dang missed it again

>>2184689
How willing to kill us are you?

>>2187720
Reasonably so. If you make a slew of bad decisions then you'll end up dead. Especially obviously bad ones

You know the other guys are going to end up labeling us a bad luck charm at this rate. We've got like a 33% survival rate when in a squad with us.

>>2188500
Still 33% more than most squads

>>2188875
133% more, because our casualties get turned into rations, which feed more people, who get turned into more squads

>>2188877
I checked the numbers and yep they add up

Just wanted to share something with everyone, this is usually what I listen to while writing to help me get into the atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/Riue-ZUMiKk

It was especially helpful during the tunnel part. I look forward to spending New Year's Eve with you all!

On track to start at 9:00PM EST tonight. Looking forward to seeing you all then.

>>2189809
AYYYY new thread?

>>2189815
Nope, updating from here.

>>2189857
Awesome

It took some time to drag yourself out of the cavern, your injuries and exhaustion hampering your every movement. Nixie helps light the way with a soft glow, shining like a beacon in front of you. Your shoulder injury burns, your leg aches with each movement. The slime and dirt beneath you works its way into your already saturated clothing. You feel dirty, tired, and battered.

By the time you make your way out of the worm cave and into the german made one, you struggle to keep your eyes open. The dim light of the lanterns hung along the wall guide you to the exit, and for the first time in your life you feel reassured by the mud beneath your feet. The wooden walls spattered with gore on either side are comforting in light of what you had just done.

You realize that had you and Siegfried entered one of those tunnels when you first arrived at the trench, you likely both would have died. Lost in the underground, or ripped apart by the Rot Worms. You clutch your rifle close as Nixie vanishes back into your pocket, guiding yourself towards the fire. The Hauptmann stands first as you enter the circle, a Luger ready in his hand.

“Lutz? Jäger? Which is it and where is the other.”

You enter the light, letting your rifle hang by your side. The officer snorts, and holds his empty hand out towards the soldier next to him, which is quickly filled with wads of cash.

“And you guys thought Lutz would last. I told you this kid was hard as nails. Now pay up.”

Groans and laughs arise from around the fire as money shifts hands, before a collection of faces look up at you.

“Well come on, tell us how it went!”

You:

[1] Spin them a tale worthy of song

[2] Be realistic, don’t build yourself up

>>2190450
>[2] Be realistic, don’t build yourself up
Got stuck and Lutz left us behind. Blew up a big fucker with the soul lamp.

>>2190450
>[2] Be realistic, don’t build yourself up

>>2190450
[2] Be realistic, don’t build yourself up

>>2190450
[2] Be realistic, don’t build yourself up

>>2190459
>>2190465
>>2190466
>>2190468
Vote closed and updating. Nice to see you guys here on New Year's eve!

>>2190450
>Be realistic, don’t build yourself up

>>2190479
And ask for medical we got stabbed if I remember correctly

“We entered the furthest right tunnel, and Lutz lost it. Nearly blew my head off if his hadn’t been caved in by one of those Rot Worm females.”

“There was a Rotted Mother down there? Hell, that isn’t a good sign. That means they’ve been here awhile.” Hauptmann interrupts.

You nod, before continuing.

“The soul lantern got knocked around too much, vaporized all but the Mother. I got dragged back down on my way out, beat her to death with a shovel.”

The soldiers around you are awed by the last statement, low murmurs and claps, among with hushed statements.

“Fucking impressive.”

“A natural Sturmtruppen.”

“We should send you in all the tunnels.”

You wince as you shift on your foot wrong, feeling the wound stretch the wrong way. Dok notices your grimace and moves around the fire.

“Sit Jäger, let me take a look”

You lower yourself onto an empty spot, placing your rifle between your legs. Your shoulders sag and you feel your eyelids flutter. Dok leans over your shoulder to ask a question.

“Do you want one of the Vorsicht Klopfer? Or would you rather rest?”

You notice the small shape in Dok’s hands, confused at whatever “Mind Thumper” could mean.

“You swallow it, they keep you awake. Good for when you don’t have a chance to sleep. Either way I can tend to your wounds.”

You:

[1] Take the pill

[2] Rest the old fashioned way

>>2190504
>[2] Rest the old fashioned way
Eh if we have a chance to sleep we should take it. Banshee nightmares ho!

>>2190504
[2] Rest the old fashioned way

>>2190504
>[2] Rest the old fashioned way

>>2190512
>>2190514
>>2190531
Vote closed! Resting now.

>>2190450
>The officer snorts, and holds his empty hand out towards the soldier next to him, which is quickly filled with wads of cash.

SAVAGE!

Update going to take a little longer than usual. Having issues with my pc atm.

>>2190504
If write ins are allowed I’d say rest the old fashioned way but keep the pill, it could come handy soon

You shake your head at Dok, prefering to fight exhaustion the way you always have. You stand, getting nods from the other Sturmtruppen and a few claps. As you approach the darkened corner next to Siegfried to rest, you find the Hauptmann waving you over from your side. You turn, wondering what he could be asking of you.

“Just wanted to let you know you did damn good kid. We received a screamer from another unit quite some distance towards the front. Said they’re under heavy fire and in need of reinforcements. Sounded like they were the unit you mentioned earlier. Get your rest, and we’ll move to assist them soon.”

You nod, rather neutral on confirmation of your unit’s survival. You hadn’t been close to anyone, and had kept Seven at arms length since you met. It was good to know there were other friendly faces alive, but that was the extent of your feelings towards it. You pass by Hauptmann, sitting on the wooden riser built into the wall. It wasn’t much different than the wooden cot you grew up with, and you found yourself drifting off quickly.
And with that we take a break from Jäger for now.

Who do we follow while he sleeps?

[1] Ivara

[2] The nameless handmaiden

[3] Another previously named character

>>2190589
>[1] Ivara

>>2190589
>FAE

>>2190589
Tink

>>2190589
>that infantry captain?

>>2190608
Gerard? Interesting vote

>>2190594
>>2190600
Looks like we're following the fairy. The true waifu even. Vote closed and updating!

>>2190589
[3] Another previously named character

>>2190628
Honestly I'd rather not switch perspective at all.

>>2190631
It's only a few short updates, just for outside perspective on other situations, and certain choices to set up events later.

wait, who was the nameless handmaiden again? I don't remember that bit.

>>2190642
Previously unmentioned character. This would have been her first introduction, though it'll be later now.

You are Nixie, though you feel like you should change your name to Tink. You’re not sure why, it just feels like a good idea. Days ago your very life and home was burned away around you, ripping what hope you had left for the world away and replacing it with the acrid stench of burnt woodland and flesh. Those humans had walked through the inferno like monsters, the coverings on their face reflecting the horror and rage that had been in your own eyes.

You hate humans, despised them. Those of your kind that had taken to killing them were idolized to you. Yet you found yourself inexplicably bound to one, compelled to follow him to whatever end. You didn’t know why you couldn’t leave, you hadn’t even tried to, rather it was just a feeling deep inside.

You had been ready to die face down in the fetid earth, the sludge that the humans had turned the world into. How deep the bones and carnage went below ground you didn’t know, and frankly didn’t want to. The memories of yesteryear were fading, of times when the grass and wildflowers still covered the ground. You had seen well over three hundred of the years that humans measured their life by. Watched as the earth you were a part of was shattered and broken. As the magic that had been so long hidden was forcibly ripped from humanity in a sterile white room. Anguished through the breaking of seals that brought forth all manner of horrible creatures from their slumber in the long dark.

Sometimes you wished you were dead. That you burned along with your forest, or perhaps hundreds of years earlier. Living inside a stuffy pocket was a far cry from flitting through the trees and playing with the birds. Outside the woolen walls, you heard the conversation of the other men around the fire slowly die, until all but a few slept while the others stood guard.

You:

[1] Stayed inside the pocket

[2] Wished to see the night sky

>>2190654
>[2] Wished to see the night sky

>>2190654
[1] Stayed inside the pocket

>>2190654
>[1] Stayed inside the pocket

>>2190654
>[2] Wished to see the night sky

>>2190654

[1] Stayed inside the pocket

>>2190658
>>2190659
>>2190662
The pocket is our new home, and in our home we stay. Vote closed and updating.

>>2190681
Hopefully you have discord or something. Would like to talk shop at some point.

You settled deeper into the pocket, making yourself home in the dark. It wasn’t worth risking being seen, though you still quite wanted to go outside. You got a whiff of the blood that was still soaked into the uniform, wrinkling your nose. You didn’t understand humanity in the slightest. Such an incredibly stubbornness in the fact of living hell. You didn’t know why the war had started, nor do you think any of those currently fighting it still remembered. You couldn’t fathom why they still chose to fight, to shed blood so willingly.

You thought to the tunnel earlier, of the overwhelming sense of being crushed on all sides by the atmosphere of death. Had you been in Dietrich’s place, you likely would have just curled up and died. Let the Rot Worms take your head, or blown it off yourself. When Dietrich was pulled out of the tunnel by the many eyed thing you nearly lost it there, your will crumbling.

You cried, and panicked, and ran yourself into the wall before chasing after him, dragging along the pretty wood and metal that dealt death. Your ability to change your size made it easier, though you went back to normal before you entered, not wanting him to know about it. Even in a situation where he was likely dead, it still felt wrong to expose such secrets. Now that you pondered it, the thought of him dying frightened you. It made your stomach turn and knot like the wires humans strung everywhere.

You peeked your head outside the pocket, looking up at Dietrich in the low light. The constant grimace of struggle, like he was fighting for every moment was gone, replaced by a peaceful neutrality that looked so out of place. You stared for some time, unsure of much anything anymore. You despised humans, you really did, but this one was something else. If the legends of the Banshee were true, then his place in the grand scheme of the world was one of great importance. Maybe it was to be expected then, a human saving a fairy that hated humanity.

--------
Cont. in next post. Too long

>>2190720
What about anon?

You are Dietrich Otto Jäger, and you awaken with a start. You grasp for your rifle, pulling it close and shouldering it. The Rotted Mother was about to devour you as she had everyone else, but you would be ready. It took a moment for your fear to fade as you took in the surroundings, the dim light of another polluted dawn stinging your eyes, and not the overwhelming dark of the tunnels you had dreamed of. The others were yet to wake, besides Hauptmann and Dok who stood guard next to each other. The thin wisps of cigarette smoke rose from either side of them as they conversed in low tones.

You stood, wincing as you felt the the fresh stitching of your wounds pull at your flesh. Fog hugged the ground close, obscuring the rats and insects that ran over your boots every so often. You could feel the scuttling feet, and tried not to think of the Rotted Mother once more. The embers of the nights fire glowed in the pit they sat in, hungry for more fuel which you were quick to satiate. The logs crackled to life, drawing the attention of Dok and the Hauptmann.

“Early to rise I see Jäger, did you enjoy the nightmares?” Hauptmann asked with an evident smile.

“You’d have been better off taking the medicine.” Dok weighed in, with a clearly clinical tone.

“So eager to go back into hell? Do you enjoy combat Jäger?”

You ponder the Hauptmann’s question.

Do you?

[1] Yes

[2] No

>>2190730
>[2] No
Don't enjoy the dying part. Winning is ok though.

>>2190730
>[1] Yes
It's one of the only things we've ever had the option of becoming good at, or being interested in. It's good to escape death.

>>2190730
>“So eager to go back into hell?
[2] No
>Do you enjoy combat Jäger?”
[1] Yes

>>2190730
I'll switch to Yes.

>>2190730

[1] Yes

>>2190730
>[1] Yes
like >>2190738 said, more in a professional sense of pride in what we do well than a carnal enjoyment of it.

Vote closed, updating for yes

You look at the two standing there, and briefly wonder how they would answer. Your mouth moves on reflex, your response to such a question having been given to you since birth.

“It is my duty as a soldier of the empire to fight. There are no more teachers, no more bankers, or any of the old world. If I am to be a soldier, than I should do my best at it.”

The officer stares at you, his flat expression contrasting with the cunning gaze of his eyes. Dok snorts, taking another drag on his cigarette. By the stare the captain gives you, you think you may have answered wrong. His cheerful laugh does little to reassure you.

“What an answer, spoken just like someone on the fast track. Ah it matters not whether we disagree on the semantics of it. We’re all fighting in this war one way or another. Good you’ve realized that already.”

Hauptmann finishes his sentence, looking at the fire and then around the trenchline at the sleeping troops.

“I think, that man is not made for this. We’re throwing ourselves before a machine that does nothing more than grind us to paste, expecting it to do something other than what it was built for. There is no escape for us, our very souls doomed to fight on in the name of this empire...and fight on we shall.” The last words are near yelled as the officer paces the clearing.

“Up! Rise Sturmtruppen, we do not have time to sleep. We must break trench lines, with grenade, with gun, with clenched fist. Up!” The soldiers who had been sleeping are roused with the first few words, saluting as they stand.

“We are Sturmtruppen! What are we?”

“The best of the brave!” The other troopers shout the answer.

“And the brave don’t sleep the day away. Kits ready in ten, we’re breaking and moving. That goes for you as well Jäger. Gather your gear and rouse your friend.” With his directives given, the officer moves to his own pack to gather his things.

You pick up your rifle, your pack having been lost earlier. Siegfried wakes slowly, looking at you with drowsy eyes. Upon you thrusting his shotgun into his arms however, he seems to understand, lifting his bulk from the ground and rolling his neck.

“Didn’t even give me time to let my arm stop aching. You’re a hard man Jäger.”

Is there anything you check or do before moving? (Write-in)

>>2190815
Look for any spare ammo or a sidearm to loot. A spare pistol might suit our one handed companion as well.

>>2190815
Is there anything you check or do before moving? (Write-in)
Get more ammo for our assault rifle, ask for grenades, storm troopers and grenades go hand in hand, sometimes literally.

>>2190825
That could work, get handie a pistol.

>>2190815
Clean our shovel, don't want any grit impairing its effectiveness or making it slippery.

>>2190815
Ask Dok for one of those pills to keep.

>>2190825
>>2190826
>>2190827
>>2190829
Updating!

A list of possible ideas pop into your head, and you move quickly to finish them all. Rummaging through the ammo cans littering the trench you manage to gather more ammunition for rifle, which you promptly fill the magazines of. Despite being a bit too long for a tunnel, without it you’d be dead many a time over. It occurs to you that your shovel has done the same, if not more. Looking down at your side, you pull it from its pouch. The weapon is nearly completely covered in dried blood and ichor, chunks of sinew and bone caught in the teeth.

You manage to clean most of it by thrashing it violently in a puddle, the stains that remain would take far more time to clean than you have. Satisfied, you place it back onto your side. You think to ask for grenades and other items, but remember an ammunition storeroom you passed on the way to tunnel clearing with Lutz.

You:

[1] Try the storeroom

[2] Ask the other troops instead

>>2190858
>[2] Ask the other troops instead

Happy New Year from Michigan guys.

>>2190884
Glad you decided to join yurop in the new year.

>>2190885
America arrives whenever it wants!

Going to give it a bit before updating, see if anyone else votes.

>>2190858
>[2] Ask the other troops instead

Happy New Year to you too

>>2190858
>[2] Ask the other troops instead
Could have sworn I already voted.

>>2190896
You did anon.

>>2190858
[1] Try the storeroom

Happy new years

>>2190902
So I did.

Updating for asking the troops. Updates will be taking a bit longer, I'm quite sick. Perks of working retail.

You decide against the storeroom, opting instead to talk to the other troopers. You pose the question to those around you, and are met with hearty laughs and smiles.

“Always good to have another arm to toss a grenade.”

“Toss it right on their heads.”

Each of the men that can spare one, offer you one of the explosives. You realize that you’ve never seen one, let alone used it. You slip four of them into loops in your rig, taking one in hand as you walk to Dok. You had planned on asking him for one of the pills he had shown you last night, and still did. Now however, maybe he could show you something about grenades as well.

The grizzled Doktor is looking over his kit, a battered rifle in one hand while he searches the pockets of the ruck. Upon hearing your approach he turns to look at you, a fatherly smile on his face.

“What can I do for you Jäger?”

“I’d like one of those pills Dok, in case I need it. And uh..can you show me how to use a grenade?”

At the start of your sentence the man was already reaching into the bag on his side, procuring a thin wooden box that rattled loudly with each movement. Pulling back on the top, he shook a few of the small white capsules into your hand, which you quickly placed in your left breast pocket. Nixie likely wouldn’t take kindly to being showered in them without notice.

“That’s that, now what about the grenade? Don’t know how to use one? Can’t really call yourself a Sturmtruppen then can you?”

Dok takes the wooden handle of the explosive out of your grasp, holding it in front of both of you.

“First, you take the rubber cover off. It protects these from detonating otherwise. Little buggers will take any excuse to do so.”

You’re confused by his statement, until you see the bright blue of a soul inside the bulb at the top of the handle.

“That’s it, armed and ready. Toss it over the breastworks, see if you can land it in one of those rot ponds.”

You step back, then forward. You fling the explosive with your forward momentum, letting it loose into the air. It gracefully arcs into the water, and you audibly hear the shatter of the glass cage followed by a massive explosion, not unlike those yesterday as the Sturmtruppen approached.

You nod at Dok, thanking him for both the pills and the lesson. With one last thing to do, you look about the camp for a handgun.

You:

[1] Search in the mud, see if any soldier who the Rot Worms got to dropped one

[2] Look for the officer barracks and search that

>>2190958
[2] Look for the officer barracks and search that