Just as you think you are going to be lost in the bloody mist forever, a hand with an iron grip roughly jerks you out.

On the outside of the expanding cloud of gory miasma, Talon is looking at you worriedly while Magpie is keeping a watch for anything else that might try to sneak up on you.

“All need to be more careful. Evil place, evil inhabitants.” The poacher has a distinctly pedestrian manner of speech and more importantly he should know better than to speak in such a way to a noble Lionsworn, but his point stands. Caution is vital here.

As the miasma finally begins to disperse and the Mist around you returns to its normal coloration, you finally lower your guard. Nothing remains of the jaw-demon, not even bloodstains. With things calming down a bit, you take a moment to regard everything around you.

Magpie looks as though she has something that she wants to say, while Talon looks quite contemplative.

There was that strange feeling you felt earlier, when you roared. That was a bit embarassing to recall. But you really should figure out why you couldn’t help it, and maybe the site of that burning feeling on the skin above your heart is a good place to start.

On the other hand, any delay on your descent down the rocky slopes of the Herald’s Pass could potentially stop you from reaching it before nightfall. You get the feeling that being in the open past nightfall would be unpleasant, to say the least.

>You might as well let the thiefling speak.
>Perhaps the poacher has some… unique... barbaric insight.
>Examine your chest. The burning feeling felt like it was coming from your skin above your heart.
>No time to waste with the troubles of these peasants or with bizarre sensations. You need to keep moving.
>Other?

>>27502245
>Examine your chest. The burning feeling felt like it was coming from your skin above your heart.
>You might as well let the thiefling speak.
>Other: Keep moving while doing the above
It's important to check our body, and we can talk as we move.

>>27502245
>Examine your chest. The burning feeling felt like it was coming from your skin above your heart.

>>27502363
>>27502364
((Writing.))

“We’re leaving. Now.” You make the declaration and neither of your squadmates seem to have any complaints. As you move down the slopes, you take a moment to check the inside of your undershirt and what you see is quite a surprise.

Just above your breast is what seems to be a bright blue tattoo in the stylized shape of a lion. You always knew this was a possibility, and as a child you dreamed that someday it would happen to you. You bear the Sigil of the Lion.

[CODEX: Sigil of the Lion]
Legend has it that, before the great hero known as the Celestial Lion had his exit from this world, he, in his infinite generosity, scattered his own power to the winds of time that it may be reclaimed by his descendants. True members of the House of the Lion always manifest the Sigil. It is not unheard of for members of Lionsworn noble houses, such as yourself, to also manifest the Sigil, though it is uncommon enough that you have absolutely no idea what benefits or uses it might have.
[/CODEX]

You take a moment to reexamine it and make sure that you aren’t hallucinating. Even if it is ostensibly a good thing, the timing of its appearance, just barely after you’ve entered the Boundary, is convenient.

Your companions both seem as though they have something to say, though it seems that your examination of the Sigil has taken far longer than it felt like. You’re already most of the way down the slope, the walls of the First Boundary Gate loom over you.

>Speak with Magpie.
>Speak with Talon.
>Hustle!

>>27502505
>Speak with Talon.

>>27502505
>Speak with Magpie.

>>27502505

Talk to both of them - first Magpie, then Talon.

Ask if either of them might know what powers the Sigil bestows.

>>27502245
>Examine your chest. The burning feeling felt like it was coming from your skin above your heart.
>You might as well let the thiefling speak.

>>27502565
this

>>27502597
>>27502565
>>27502560
>>27502555
((Writing.))

>>27502505
Speak with Magpie, then with Talon.

If you can find the time, you’ll speak with both of them. Maybe there is something useful in those minds of theirs. But first, the thiefling.

Before you can address her, Magpie speaks. How impertinent.

“You saved my life from that thing. Thanks.” You blink and think back. You did get her out of the way from the beast’s initial ambush. But saving her wasn’t actually something that had crossed your mind. Truth be told you were just trying to get closer to the thing so you could take the glory of first blood.

You really aren’t sure how to respond.

>Express your confusion.
>Pretend that altruism or camaraderie or somesuch had been your motivation
>Admit the truth.
>Other?

>>27502709
>other
"It was just reflex; truth be told, I wasn't even thinking much, just reacting."
Let her form her own opinions about that.

>>27502709
> Other
Confusion mixed with an attempt to build team spirit. We need these guys, for now.
"Think nothing of it. We have to watch each other's backs out here, don't we?"

>>27502752
((Writing.))

>>27502709

> Other.

'It is nothing. Helping a companion is what one ought to do.'

You shrug. “It was just a reaction.”

Magpie looks at you curiously.

“I wasn’t thinking, just doing. Besides, we need to all stay alive. This Crusade needs every able body for as long as possible. Dying earlier isn’t allowed.”

“You’re a weird noble, Hatchling.” Dammit, not that crap again.

A bit displeased with Magpie now, you turn to Talon.

“What about you, poacher? You seem as though you have something to say.”

Talon studies you even as he effortlessly descends the rocky slopes.

“Think. We are here to fight war. That is what a Crusade is.” Well, obviously.

“But the Mist, it eats blood. Makes monsters like that.” Talon gestures back towards the top of the slope where you fought the jaw-demon.

“I think, the more we kill, the more we fight, the more monsters. Maybe we should not fight when possible, make sure nothing bleeds.” He shrugs. “Is just thought of a poacher.”

You stew on that for a moment, and briefly consider mentioning the Sigil to your companions, but you really don’t think that a pair of peasants would know more about your heritage than you do.

After a couple more minutes, you reach the bottom of the slope, the First Gate lying just before you. You would have expected a friendly banner flying over it now, but the Gate looks absolutely deserted.

How do you want to play this?

>Stick together, approach the fort as a unit.
>Send Magpie to scout.
>Send Talon to scout.
>Scout personally.

>>27503005
>Stick together, approach the fort as a unit.
Got no idea if we'll get attacked by something.

>>27503005
> Scout personally
Tell the two to hide. Have Talon first find some high ground first so he can tell us if there's anything weird going on in the distance, and then we'll descend ourselves, crossbow at the ready.

Rolled 2

>>27503049
>>27503056
rolling between these

Rolled 1

“I’ll go in alone. Poacher, head a ways back up the slope and take overwatch, bird calls if anything strange happens.” It’s a bit painful to tell him to play into the obnoxious bird thing, but he is pretty good at it. “Magpie, you watch his back.” They both nod, neither seeming particularly eager to be the first one into the fort.

You make your way into the fort, the gate having been utterly destroyed. The fort is in rather poor condition.

Once again, you’ve got options.

>Announce your presence. A fort should be more prepared for a noble’s presence.
>Attempt to locate the armory. Maybe there is something you can salvage.
>Attempt to locate the barracks. Perhaps if anybody is here, they’re sleeping.
>This is a bad idea. Call in your squadmates.

>>27503282
>Try for the armory
Not only would there be weapons, but any holdouts would probably try to barricade themselves in the armory.

>>27503282
Call for comrades quietly and then check barracks, everyone should be near each other to provide back up at all times

Rolled 1

>>27503404
>>27503367
((and so we turn to the dice once again))

The armory. There are weapons, and maybe if anybody survived… whatever has happened here.

It isn’t hard to find, a small building detached from the main keep, but there don’t appear to be any survivors… but there a lot of weapons, and they’re in surprisingly good condition. Excellent condition, in fact, one of them catches your eye. Maybe you should take one...

>A dagger. It would make a good offhand complement for your rapier.
>A buckler. You could still use your crossbow in your offhand with this.
>A chain shirt. While it would be minorly inconvenient in terms of mobility, you are sorely lacking any sort of armor at the moment.
>No, this is wrong. Something is very wrong here.

>>27503548
> No, this is wrong. Something is very wrong here.
First examine your surroundings, then get the loot. We don't want to be jumped.

>>27503562

Pretty much this, anything here is dangerous unless proven otherwise.

>>27503562
Second. There's definitely something wrong, if the keep is in poor condition but the armory shows no signs of decay.

>>27503562
>>27503609
>>27503638

Now that you think about it, the rest of the keep itself didn't look like it had been unoccupied for five years. It did, however, look like it had freshly been attacked.

You take another look around the armory and notice that quite a few weapons are missing... what could all of this mean?

>Maybe you should search the barracks
>Leave, get your allies. This is very bad.
>Grab some gear. What could it hurt?
>Other?

>>27503731
Get allies

>>27503731
>Other
Get allies and search the barracks.

We scouted the fort a bit like we said, now we should get the other two so they can watch our back while we search for survivors.

>>27503731
>Leave, get your allies. This is very bad.

>>27503731
> Leave, get your allies. This is very bad.
This place was recently sacked, and whoever did it is nearby.

>>27503756
>>27503791
>>27503805
((Writing.))

No, no, no. Whatever is going on here, it is bad. You’ve done your job, it’s time to leave.

You make your way out of the fort and meet up with Talon and Magpie without incident. After a brief explanation of what you found, you see Magpie’s eyes light up at the mention of well-conditioned equipment.

Talon has news as well. “No other scouts. Others should be here by now, main force of Vultures should be right behind. Should head back down main road, see if we can find them.”

Magpie shakes her head. “No, no. It’ll be night soon.” Ugh. She’s right. “We need to be inside at nightfall. No telling what’s out here.” She shivers.

They both look to you. Well, you suppose nobles are supposed to make the important choices...

>A good night’s rest in the keep would be nice…
>You should report back to the psycho. This keep is too dangerous.
>Other…?

>>27504090
>Other
Let's get inside, check the barracks for survivors, and then barricade ourselves in either the barracks or the armory for the night.
We do not want to be outside of a structure at night.

>>27504130
Seconding.

We need a good, defensible position where we can rest and recover. And the barracks sound perfect for that. Make sure that, if we need to move, we move as a group - if either one of us separates from the group, they're at a risk of being ambushed.

As for the other scouts disappearing, mention how you think it's possible this place warps time and space, and if that's true, we really need to stick together or we'll get lost.

>>27504130
seems good

>>27504130
>>27504195
>>27504242

((Writing.))

“We need to be inside when night falls.” Talon gives a resigned shrug and Magpie beams. “And we absolutely need to stick together. This Mist isn’t just evil, it… changes the way time flows, the way space works. I think.” They both give you blank looks. You give an exasperated sigh. “It’s dangerous.” Now they both stare at you like that was obvious, since it was.

You really do detest trying to explain complicated matters to peasants.

The three of you make your way to the barracks, which oddly enough already seems to have been fortified for you. A variety of damaged weapons lay scattered about the floor here and most of the beds are either part of the ruined barricades or wrecked, but there’s enough remaining to reinforce the barricades, if that’s your choice.

>Repair the barricades and sleep.
>Find another location in the keep to sleep.
>Other…?

>>27504441
> Repair the barricade and sleep
Sleep in shifts, and be ready for an ambush.

Any signs of recent battle?

>>27504498
No corpses, but all the damage to the weapons and barricades does look very recent.

The beds are made, there isn't even any dust.

>>27504441
>Find another location in the keep to sleep
Maybe the office of the fort commander.
The defenders barricaded the barracks, but something got through. Let's not repeat the same mistake that they made.

>>27504565
Yeah, let's see if there's some other place we can lock ourselves in. If we find nothing, we can return here.

>>27504441
Repair the barricades

Rolled 2

>>27504605
>>27504594
>>27504565
>>27504498

((Fate is in the hands of the dice gods. 1 = Staying in the barracks, 2 = Find the fort commander's room.))

The Commander’s room isn’t hard to find, you just go up every flight of stairs you can find in the main keep. It seems to be in extremely good shape. There is only one bed and it’s much tighter quarters than the barracks, but that might be to your benefit.

Talon nods with approval. “Don’t sleep in dead man’s grave.” You and Magpie aren’t sure what to make of that one.

The position looks defensible enough, and you find yourself with the first watch. There’s not much to watch besides the spiral staircase that took you up here. Your watch passes without incident, and you head to sleep.

You wake up to rough armored hands shaking you.

“Ugh, is it morning already, Talo-?”

Talon doesn’t wear gauntlets. Neither does Magpie.

(cont)

File: 1380576670003.jpg-(324 KB, 980x1120, 1379858235270.jpg)

324 KB JPG

“Boy, what exactly were you doing in my bed?”

The tall, armored man standing over you looks down at you quizzically. You’re too surprised to say anything, and it shows on your face.

“If you think you’re confused, imagine me when I woke up this morning!”

>Attack!
>Uh, was there a poacher and a thiefling here too?
>Silence. Maybe if you just stay quiet, and wait, this will pass.
>Other?

>>27504880
> Uh, was there a poacher and a thiefling here too?
Keep your hand on the sword.

>>27504880
>Uh, was there a poacher and a thiefling here too?

Also ask him what date it is, who he is and what they are doing here.
Maybe check the lion tattoo on your chest in case we need to pull rank or some shit

>>27504880
>Other
"Sir, are you the Commander of the First Boundary Gate? What date do you believe it to be?"

>>27505009
>>27504936
>>27504908
((I think I can work all of these in. Writing.))

You try to approach this tactfully, given that this man seems to be a fellow noble and also that you can’t quite get at your sword from where you are.

“Uh, sir, would you happen to be the Commander of the First Boundary Gate?”

The man straightens his back. “Indeed. I am Commander Segirius of the Boundsmen. And as far as I know, it’s the only Boundary Gate.”

“I am Ambrose d’Orchal, heir to the rulership of House Orchal. Might I trouble you for today’s date?”

Segirius sighs. “We’re inside the Boundary, boy. All I know is that we’ve been here a long, long time.” Right. At least he knows he’s been here for a while.

“Finally, were there a poacher and a thiefling around here when you found me?”

He cocks his head at you. “You a thief-taking noble or something? Huh. No, there was nobody with you when I came back, but this place tends to get people lost pretty easily, what with the Mist and all.”

You’ve got more questions, but he cuts you off.

“Well, Lord d’Orchal,” (finally, somebody addresses you properly!) “I would love to chat with you more and learn exactly what has happened in the outside world but we have a battle to prepare for.”

>Response?

((Next post is going to be last post for this thread, have a couple of errands I need to run.))

>>27505273
"Very good, sir. If I may, I shall also prepare. And I shall have to find my two compatriots. We had been sent in here to find you."

>>27505380
((Writing.))

>>27505380
"Very good, sir. If I may, I shall also prepare. And I shall have to find my two compatriots. We had been sent in here to find you." You stand up and salute him.

The Commander gives you look. “My lord, I fear that this is not the kind of battle you are expecting.”

He turns and gazes out the window. “We’ve fought this battle thousands of times. Every day we prepare for the coming onslaught, learning from our past experiences but… we still have yet to survive through the night.”

“We find ourselves reborn here in the morning, no matter how far we run, no matter if we’re dead.”

“The Mist has cursed us to an eternity of futile struggle. Death is no salvation.”

“And now that you’ve spent the night in my keep, I fear you may have joined us.”

((And that’s it for tonight! Next time I really will post in advance on twitter since I finally have a follower!))

>>27505748
>may be cursed
Well shit.

>>27505748
OOOoooooh dayum.

Also i follow the twitter via RSS so i dont show up as follower...