Gravedigger Quest

[Renu]

This is a world of adventure, a world of great danger, arduous quests and valiant heroes. Forever have the holders of the light fought against the creatures of the dark in an endless recurrence, cowering behind their walls until their forces allow them to push monsters back to their dark towers, as the power of the gods grow and wane.

Yes, forever have these tides passed repeated, and forever shall they continue, as the gods above and the gods below spin in this danse macabre.

However, mankind was nothing if not ingenious, and eventually, by gathering fragments of messages left from ages past, they learnt of this and started to prepare for the inevitable fading of their gods.

"If a Hero is what we must wait for, let us create a hundred of them, so that light will never fade!"

And so was built the great academy of Merek'Norr on the archipelago of Ra'Nuil, lost in the Umbdar Ocean, far enough from the cities of man that even should this plan fail, the Academy would survive the fall of civilisation.

Yet, this was an unneeded precaution, as as soon as the dark came creeping out, its students sailed across the sea to beat it back, and chased the monsters back to their holding before the kingdoms suffered.

For once not beholden to the mercy of the gods any longer, the holders of light knew an unprecedented age of peace that still looks like it will last forever.

However, not all is good for those living in this time of light, as those who were once necessary are now seen with distrust if not outright hate. Such is the fate of the Keepers of Gray or, as they are more commonly known, the Gravediggers. Once welcomed as the only ones who could assure a peaceful rest to the dead in the inevitable slaughters of the Passing Tides, they are now viewed as harbinger of ill luck, carrions that despoils the dead...

There is no longer a place for the Gravediggers in this world of light.

Or at least, this is what your elder told you. But you refuse this! If the world doesn't need you as you are, you'll just have to change as well! And what better place for it than the Academy itself?

-----------------

Anyway, where were you born?

[] You were born a human in Emoulin
[] You were born a changeling in Emoulin

Emoulin land of honor and chivalry. Forever have your countrymen lived under the protection of the Fae and the spirits of the wood. Oaths have always been the knight's strength, as well as the commoner's, and so lies and outright deceit are foreign to you, as breaking a contract with the Fae has dire consequences. Sometimes, the people of the wood decide to take children and replace them with one of their own, be it to take a more active part in the human's politics, or simply for their own amusement. Still, as it was necessary for their survival during the passing tides, this is seen as a necessary evil, and Changelings are accepted with respect, even if this respect is mixed with doubt and fear.

[] You were born a human in Endercross

Endercross, pearl of the desert. Endercross, city of hope, city of light, city of magic. No doubt owing to the fact that it was actually built above a rift to an infernal plane. The city's prosperity was built on an ocean of blood as adventurers ventured deep into the abyss to come back bearing artifacts of incommensurable value for their rich masters. Nowhere in the world is the separation between the poor and the powerful more marked, as those living in the lower levels must risk their life to venture into the rift to own enough to eat, while the viziers in the higher spires send even more adventurers to their death in their political games. Still, if you have enough money, it probably is one of the best place to live, as no other place can create their golems servants and living prosthetics. They don't work anywhere but in this city above the rift, but, assuming you have the means to, why would you want to leave this beautiful place?

[] You were born a human in Amessa

The Theocracy of Amessa was once the last bastion of the light, where all lived in accordance to the gods' will. However, as the influence of the gods was discovered, the theocracy's influence waned until it was on the cusp of being annexed by its neighbours. This misery pushed its inhabitants to deny the gods and start to develop a theory on how the world came to be if they didn't exist. After nearly a century of research, they are now the only nation to rely neither on the gods nor magic, and their mechanical birds and black powder weapons are more than enough to secure their country from the prying eyes of their neighbours.

[] You were born an elf of the Frozen Forest

The Frozen Forest, while nominally a bastion of the forces of light, has always been so far away from everything else that it isn't really known whether or not they actually fought against the dark. Reclusive and secretive, the elves are as immutable as the eternal ice their forest is made of, and have little use for the fallacies of civilisation. It is rare to see one of them out of their forest, and even rarer to see one allowed entry once he left.

[] You were born a human in Svartfald
[] You were born a svartalf in Svartfald

Svartfald is a city state in the far north, on the edge of the Umbdar Ocean. As their land allows for little yeld, they have become raiders to ensure their sustenance. In this age of relative peace, they are starting to turn away from piracy to become mercenaries, and wouldn't say no to a return of the old cycle. While they are holders of the light, the people of Svartfald are those closer to the dark. The many minerals of their unforgiving land and the need for good steel for their raids have created a tight bond between the humans and the svartalf, and underground species of small humanoid beings gifted with a gift for all things that have to do with metalworking.

[] You were born a human in a Rinagi caravan
[] You were born a corcitura in a Rinagi caravan

Once, the Rinagi empire was the greatest bastion of humanity. With their magic, they bent the spirits to their will, and created sprawling cities in the jungles now known as the oozing marshes. However, in their arrogance, they destroyed everything they created, and were left bereft of allies when the time came for them to beg for help. Alone and broken, they suffered under the thumb of monsters, until a great leader, a man with the soul of a beast, led them to freedom. Sadly, their earlier sins were not forgotten by the other kingdom and, using the nature of their leader as justification, they assured that never again shall they empire rise anew. They are now reviled nomads, holding proudly on the memory of their great culture for it is the only thing they have left. The time they spent under the dominion of the dark left their newborns susceptible to the attention of spiritual monsters, and it is not rare that one borns with the body of a human, but a soul that isn't. These individuals are known as Corcitura and are reviled, as in their impotence, they blame the one who saved them as the one responsible for their situation.



Why have you come to the Academy?

[] A Gravedigger needs heroes to bury and this is where heroes are.
[] Honestly, you just want friends
[] No one ever said that a shining sword couldn't be replaced with a sharpened shovel. You will be the greatest hero!
[] This actually is a good question. Wasn't this boat headed to Maath?
[] Write-in

Are you a boy or a girl?

[] Boy
[] Girl

What is your name?

[] Write-in

---------------------

Quick memo for the origins:
Emoulin = Knights and Fae and Geasa, oh, my!
Endercross = Arabian nights themed dystopic medieval cyberpunk megalopolis on a literal portal to hell.
Amessa = Leonardo da Vinci is squatting your cathedral. He did bring cool toys, though.
Svartfald = Do what you want 'cause a viking is free! You are a viking!
Frozen Forest = You have your bow and a knife. You don't need anything else.
Rinagi = The villagers from these old vampire movies.


This is a self-indulgent generic Fantasy that will probably heavily take from light novel conventions (I mean, it's set in a high school academy for Heroes so they can beat the Demon Lord whenever he comes back). Don't count too much on the "Original" tag.

The story can be either light and fluffy or dark and edgy, depending on the choice you make in the few creation posts. It can also become a strange mix, don't hesitate to mix and match.

You character will be created over the course of a few posts, so don't panic if there aren't all the options yet.


Ah, and if you think this isn't light novel-ish enough, at first I wanted to name this thread "I'm a Gravedigger? But I don't want to bury my friends in this fantasy Academy for heroes. Hopefully the Demon Lord will hit snooze", but I wasn't sure it would fit and it was very silly.

 

[Renu]

[X] You were born a changeling in Emoulin
[X] Honestly, you just want friends
[X] Girl
[X] Lirra

--------------------

Lirra reached up to her hood to make sure it was still covering her face as she moved alongside the human (and other) tide coming out of the many ships docked on Merek'Norr's ship landing. This… was a lot of people. More than she ever saw at once, even though she had to pass through Emoulin's capital city of Lordenaux as she made her way to the port where her ship - no, her destiny, if she allowed herself to be somewhat melodramatic - waited.

Still, she never saw such a crowd, and what a crowd it was! Getting on the tip of her toes, she could see among the human sea people coming from all horizons. Lirra's eyes widened in awe as an Amessan steelship docked, its great sails folding and retracting as a ramp emerged from its iron belly. From it came yet more people, these ones garbed in the reinforced yet colorful leather that was the fashion of this nation. Almost all of them sported some strange mechanism at some point of their body, whose use Lirra could only guess at.

She wasn't the only one staring, she realized, when from behind her came a rough laugh. She turned in its direction before quickly looking back to where she started : away from the Svartfald crew who seemed to be weighing each of the coming ships with rapacious eyes, no doubt judging whether or not it was worth it to arrange an "accident" on their way back. These fur clad savages had a most ill reputation in Emoulin, as many merchants and travelers simply disappeared when they ventured north. Truly, they were only a step removed from the creatures of dark, and no knight would hesitate to cut them down where they stood! Still… given the Gravedigger's own reputation, maybe she shouldn't be so quick to judge? Maybe they were just misunderstood and if she started a conversation, she would make her first friend, Lirra thought, a determined smile on her lips. That is, until her eyes fell to the enormous battle axe one of them was sporting.

'No no no no scary scary scary! That thing could cut me in two! By the Lake, it's almost as tall as me, forget cut in two, I would simply disappear!'

Silently panicking, she hurriedly pressed herself against the crowd in the hopes that things would move along a bit more swiftly, only to fall on her butt as she hit something hard. To her dismay, her hood fell back little, revealing

[] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[] [horns] the two small horns that emerged at the top of her forehead.
[] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[] [horns] the very start of the straight horns that emerged from her temples and went to the back of her head.

Yet, as she was panicking, her eyes fell on a strange hand that was held out to her. Despite the fact that it moved like a normal limb, it looked as if it was carved from sandstone and was covered in thin sigils that sometimes lit up in what looked like a random pattern. Going up, she saw it belonged to a dark skinned man who was waiting for her to grab it with a roguish smile on his face.

Well, if part of his body's made of stone, it made sense that she fell when she hit him, she supposed. Then, in a panic, she grabbed to it and unsteadily got back to her feet, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. As she finished gathered her courage to say her thanks and apologize, however, the man had already turned away and he quickly lost her in the crowd, walking unimpeded despite the sheer density of people, as if a fish in a sea.

After standing dejected while muttering a sad "Thank you..." Lirra placed her hood back in place before she suddenly realised that the boy hadn't reacted to her horns. They were a clear sign of her nature as a changeling and, back in Emoulin, would have had the boy running away in terror or standing still in deference or… whatever combination of the mix of fear and respect (and loathing) her kind evoked. Which meant she could finally have friends! Actual friends! Not friends who ran away when she brought them a gift because she heard it was their birthday because "everyone knows not to take a gift from the fae, for their strings are as solid as they are insidious".

However, her joy was short-lived, as she soon remembered what else was hidden by her hood: her ashen hair, the mark of a Gravekeeper. The boy hadn't seen it, or had confused it for another color in the shadow of her hood. No doubt he'd have reacted like the rest if he saw that. They may not have changelings from where he came, but Keepers of Gray are spread across the world. Just as they are reviled.

It was with her mood back to the dark thought that had accompanied on her journey up until she set foot on the island that she continued to march forward with the rest of the crowd, until the human sea parted itself in four lines.

Curious as to why it happened, Lirra once again stood on her toes to try and look above the crowd, and what she saw almost chased away her pessimism by sheer awe: four humongous gates were presented to the crowd, each massive enough to allow an army to pass through, and each masterfully carved by artisans from ages past.

On top of each were the symbols that all aspirants adventurer knew: a sword, a star, a cloak and a staff, each placed alone in the center of an array of sculptures depicting the parangons they represented. A powerful warrior and a valiant knight, banishing the darkness with a cleave from their sword. A mysterious wizard and an almighty archmage, conjuring the stars themselves to fall on the dark. A cunning rogue and a charismatic bard, ruining the dark's plots, unseen from their enemies yet inspiring their allies. And finally, a kind cleric and a patient druid, mending hearts and bones so that the light could always endure.

By crossing one of these gates, she would become a student of Merek'Norr, an aspiring hero. By crossing one of these gates, she would find a group she could be part of, a group that would accept her.

By crossing one of these gates, she could finally find friends.

-----------------------------

[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Star. She felt a bit under-learned among the all the book carrying students there, but she knew it was her place. She would find calm, thoughtful companions there, and unveil the mystery of the arcane at their side. Knowledge is all. Power is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[] [gate] She stood frozen in place, as she knew she was no hero, only the one who buried them. Life is fleeting. Death comes to all.

Of course, this is only her opinion. You imagine that a Svartfald raider obviously wouldn't think "Honor is all, chivalry is all" when presented with the force, but rather something like "Victory is all. Glory is all." and probably wouldn't fit your vision of what a knight should be.

And the last one obviously is the special snowflake vote.

Votes will be counted by task this time, don't forget the horns.

 

[Renu]

[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.

[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.

-------------------------------

Lirra hesitated an instant. By crossing the gate of the Staff, she could finally step away from death and learn how to actually save people. Everyone loves healers. This is an undeniable fact. However, she eventually turned away from this gate and walked towards the cluster of muscular men - and other people of course, but the sheer mass of these giants made it hard to see anyone but them - that were waiting for their turn to pass the gate of the sword.

She had always admired the valiant knights of Emoulin and tales of their bravery had kept her awake far too late at night whenever she could find a book that spoke of it. Sadly, the taverns where bards spoke of their exploits would have emptied as soon as she stepped inside, so she never could enjoy them as they were supposed to. Even so, the idea of an unfaltering protector of the weak, appearing when dark threatened the innocents, only to disappear as soon as they were safe, already on its way to others in need, had been what helped her cope through the solitude and prejudice that was her role's heirloom.

'I protect them as well, just in another way', she had thought all these nights.

And now, trembling with excitement, she realised that she could do more than just admiring the idea of this protector. She could become that protector, and meet others that were on the same path. That in mind, she impatiently waited for the line to advance.

As she had nothing else to do, she spent the time to look at those around her. As she already saw, a good part of them were tall and muscular, often clad in at least some light armor and with a weapon. Looking at them, Lirra was painfully aware of how under equipped she was. She only wore patched, second-hand clothes, that obviously didn't protect their first owners, given she had acquired them on the job, as her elder would have said. And as far as weapons went, she only had one knife, carefully wrapped and hidden in her sack, the burns of the one time she tried to keep it somewhere more easily accessible still clear in her mind, even though it had scarred a long time ago. Other than this knife that she used to prepare her meals rather than defend herself anyway, she only had her shovel.

As sad as it was, this shovel was actually the most valuable thing she owned, passed to her by her elder. She was told was enchanted never to break, rust nor dull, and as far as she knew, it was all true. Then again, she never had another shovel and knew nothing of how to care for one, so maybe it was just a story made up so she would take care not to lose it. Still, its nature mattered little at the moment, only that it was a heavy lump of sharpened steel at the end of a solid wooden stick.

Eventually, Lirra was brought out of her thoughts as she arrived to several tables near the Gate. As one was freed, she walked forward to the man waiting on the other side.

"So. You want to be a fighter, huh?" he said as greetings. "Don't look like much, I must say. You sure 'tis the right gate for you?"

Taken aback by his sudden question and, quite honestly, not used to talking, Lirra only managed a nervous nod in answer.

"Eh. I can already see the brave warrior in you with that answer. That's for sure," he commented. This gave Lirra some courage, to have someone believe in her, even though she didn't really know how he could hear bravery in her answer. Then again, he worked for the Academy, so he probably had an understanding of such matters far beyond her own.

"Whatever," he continued. "Just answer a few questions and you'll be free to pass. So, what's your name and where are you from?"

"I- I'm called Lirra, and I was born in Emoulin."

"No other name?" You shake your head. "And Emoulin's a big place. You don't have a village or something?"

"I t-travelled a lot," she manages to say.

"You travelled, huh?" He reaches behind him. "And that's where you got these horns? You think I'm an idiot who can't spot a dem- ow!"

He's interrupted by a jousting spear descending on his head, the heavy shaft stopping him as surely as the tip would have, if not as definitively.

"Stop it, you idiot! Can't you make the difference between a Changeling and a monster?!" yells the holder of the spear.

She was a woman in heavy armor, with long blond hair in a ponytail. On her chest, Lirra could see heraldry embroidered upon a tabard, which meant… she was an actual knight! And she came to rescue her!

Turning away from the man, the knight walked towards Lirra and got down on one knee. Surprised, the changeling did nothing when her hand was taken and a lips pressed upon its back.

"Forgive my companion's behavior, my lady, he acted not with malice, only ignorance," the knight said. "If I could, I would gladly take over your enrolment, but sadly I am needed elsewhere. Be assured, however, that he will now treat you with the respect you deserve." She turned her head away from you and her voice lost its smoothness and turned harsh. "Did you hear me, you idiot? You better watch your tongue!"

"With that, I am afraid I must away, my lady. If you need something once inside, do not hesitate to call upon me," she said, rising up to her feet, her voice again warm and smooth. Putting a hand to her heart, she then bowed and left to another table.

Lirra watched her leave, a faint warmth upon her cheeks. She usually didn't like the reactions to her nature as a Changeling, but the lady knight had been so gallant, she couldn't help but remember her knightly tales. She did not look to be much older than her, so did that mean she would be Lirra's upperclassman when she entered the academy?

"So, um… your highness or whatever." Lirra was brought out of her reverie by the man's rough voice, so different and aggressive compared to the knight's. "As a changeling, do you have any particular skills we should take note of?"

"Well..." Lirra started before telling him what she could do thanks to her being a changeling.

-----------------------

(note that the skills not chosen are still there, but very weak)

[] [changeling] You can lay particularly potent geasa, allowing for greater boons than others, as well as more dire consequences should they be broken.
[] [changeling] You are a beloved child of the forest, and nature shall never impede you. As a matter of fact, roots and lakes will not only allow you passage, but ease your way.
[] [changeling] As one born of the wilds, wild beasts recognise you as one of their own, and shall never attack you, and even heed your words and serve you.
[] [changeling] Your blood is that of the fae, and while you cannot say outright lies, trickery still flows through your veins. Be it to offer fool's gold or to hide behind a pebble, illusions are as easy for you as breathing.

----------------------

"Mh… aye, I can see how that could be useful, but uh… will all due respect, are you sure you want to pass the Gate of the Sword? It sounds like you'd have an easier time with the other..."

"I-I'm sure. I want to be a knight," Lirra answered with what determination she could put in her voice.

And while it was true, there was another reason for her to pass the Gate of the Sword, a skill coming from what she was keeping hidden.

------------------------

(You only get the one you choose there)

[] [Keeper of Gray] You grow with death. With each burial, your strength grows as the echoes of the dead finds home in you.
[] [Keeper of Gray] Your sense of death is keener than most. As such, you will see deadly blows before you suffer them, and be able to act so they do not come to pass.

-------------------------

No doubt that if he knew about that, he would change his mind, but there was also no doubt that he'd hate Lirra, and so she kept her mouth shut about her most powerful boon.

"Well, if you're sure, you're done here. Take one of these markers and pass the Gate," he said, pointing to a box filled with wooden badges upon which a sword was engraved.

Lirra did so, and as she was about to move away from the table, she felt something heavy on her back, as an arm went over her shoulders.

"Soooo… I'd gather you'll extend the same respect to another horned gal? 'cause I ain't sure tall, blond and armored will pass again and I'd rather not fight before even crossing the Gate."

Turning her head, Lirra saw that the arm's owner was a tall girl with short, crimson hair from which emerged a pair of sharp horns twisting in sudden spikes. She also was rather well endowed, as Lirra couldn't help but notice given the difference in size.

"Uh… c-can you let me go, please?" she asked shyly, as the situation was quite embarrassing for her.

"Ah, sorry, friend, I just wanted to be sure he didn't swing anything in me direction," the newcomer said as she removed her arm and took a step back. "Say what, I'll buy ye a drink inside for being a nice shield."

"Ah… uh… sure." Lirra answered before leaving, not knowing how to act around someone outgoing.

It was only once she finished walking past the Gate that she realized.

"Wait, did she call me her friend?"

It worked! She hadn't even stepped inside the academy and she already made a friend! Coming here was the best decision she ever made!

-------------------------

Senpai, so cool, so strong, so chivalrous... <3

If you have questions about the skills, don't hesitate to ask. If you have something you think would fit, you can propose a write-in, but it might be refused.

And in case you're wondering, yes, the Gravekeeper skills are "getting XP" or "save scumming".

 

[Renu]

[X] [changeling] You are a beloved child of the forest, and nature shall never impede you. As a matter of fact, roots and lakes will not only allow you passage, but ease your way.
[X] [Keeper of Gray] You grow with death. With each burial, your strength grows as the echoes of the dead finds home in you.

-------------------

Lirra entered the large plaza after the gates with a smile on her lips. She had entered the legendary Academy of Merek'Norr and on top of that, had possibly already made a friend! However, she was taken away by the human tide and couldn't wait for the other Changeling to pass the gate. Still, they would both be students here, so how hard would it be to find her again later?

As the crowd slowed down before stopping, Lirra climbed on the tip of her toes and vainly jumped up and down, trying in vain to see above the human sea surrounding her. Eventually, someone pointed her to a rock, upon which she climbed, and she finally could see around her.

As she had gathered, the sheer quantity of people in the plaza wasn't any less than what was before the gate, obviously. The tall walls and the four gates were behind her, and a steady stream of aspiring heroes passed through without interruption. As a reflection of the first rampart, a second wall stood in front of the crowd, this time with no openings that she could see. High into it, a large balcony was jutting out, the only thing of note in the smooth facade of the construction. As far as she could see, squinting her eyes, nobody was standing on it.

Stuck between these two high walls, there was nothing else Lirra could see, and so she simply waited for something to happen. Hours passed until finally the Gates closed. As they did, the other wall rippled, as a gigantic illusion covered it, showing a man in his forties, alongside several other people who kept to the shadows behind him. Squinting her eyes again, Lirra confirmed that it probably was who now stood on the balcony.

"Greetings, aspiring heroes, and welcome to Merek'Norr," he said, his voice sounding as clear as if he was standing in front of you. "I will spare you the history lesson; you all know why this place was built, and you all know why you came here. We are the sword standing against the dark, the reason why our civilisation stood firm through the ages, against demons and beast lords alike. It warms my heart to see that so many would stand against the dark tide, and so it breaks my heart that we'll have to thin this crowd."

At that, the crowd reacted, some in panic, others in denial or anger and finally some in acceptance; the Academy could only hold and train so many people in the end, and there was an awful lot of people here.

"This will be done in the following way," he said after raising a hand to bring back some calm. "Simply reach the Academy."

At that, a wave of confusion passed over the crowd. How was that a test? Would only the first few be allowed to enter? Would they have to fight against one another? The man raised his hand again and waited until there was some silence.

"As some of you may know, the archipelago of Ra'Nuil, upon which you are standing, was once a bastion of the dark. As such, several wards are placed at strategic location to hold its malevolent influence at bay. As of this moment, they have been disabled."

As he said that, Lirra felt a shiver go down her spine, and as she looked above her, the clear skies looked dimmer, just a bit darker.

"Before the next step, I will ask you to think about whether or not you are really to face this challenge. People can and will die in this test each year, and there is no shame in knowing your limits and leaving. After all, there is more than one way to help defend against the dark, and perhaps this one is not for you."

He waited a moment, and Lirra saw a few people - very few people - turning back and leaving. She herself was not all that confident in her skills, but she had used all that she had to reach this place, and nothing was waiting for her if she came back. She would become a hero. She had to.

Eventually the small trickle of leavers stopped and the man started again.

"Very well, then. You will go as groups of four, with one member of each gate. They will be decided at random, and sent through different roads, with a small delay. There is no time limit, but I would advise you do not tarry, as night time can be… challenging. Any questions?"

At that, several people shouted, or otherwise tried to attract his attention.

"Well, I sure hope you will find an answer on your own, then. Good luck."

Lirra only had an instant to realise her badge was glowing until light filled her vision and she felt weightless for an instant, before touching the earth again. In that case, by falling down.

As her eyes saw again, she looked around her. She wasn't the only one who had been transported here, and neither was she the only one disoriented by it. If she had to guess, she'd have said that there were around forty people here. In front of her, she could see the distant towers of the academy, hidden behind the dark and dense forest that started only a few meters away.

Before the first tree, however, she could see yet another gate. This one, however, had no doors and was thinner, looking almost fragile. Along the pillars that made its sides, there were complex, glowing symbols that rose up like some strange, magical ivy. The passage itself was strange, and obviously magical too - no doubt that the symbols were used to create it. It looked like some clear water, or maybe mist, as she could see the forest on the other side, though deformed by the strange gate. Above it, she could see the four symbols of the Gate, and as people neared it, they lighted up, the fog growing clearer the more were lit. A group of four passed through without issue, then the passage clouded over, denying access to the four next people, as the four symbols on top changed to a hourglass.

What it did was quite clear, and very soon groups formed while waiting for the next opening. Apparently, the passage opened each ten to fifteen minutes, which meant that the last group to pass would have two hours less before nightfall to reach the Academy. On the other hand, most creatures waiting for them would have already faced the other groups. Lirra could see that some aspiring students stood near the gate, while other were waiting further back, probably thinking that the benefits of one option clearly outweighed the other. Others, like Lirra, were still standing between them, unsure or not having formed a party yet.

Lirra was tense as she looked around her. She had no idea how to approach strangers, especially since they would have to trust to guard each other's back in that instance. What if she went to one only to be rebutted? Or to discover that they already had someone of the Sword with them?

Making friends seemed way easier back when she came up with this plan…

As she worried about how to create a party, most people grouped together, clearly more concerned about the deadly forest in front of them than speaking to strangers. In the end, only a few were left, and they seemed content to just pass the gate whenever, being randomly matched and hoping for the best.

And in the end, it appeared that it would be what Lirra would do, as only these people were left with no party.

Looking at the various files formed by the members of the different Gates, she estimated that she could at best only choose one person to avoid or one to follow and the rest would be decided by fate.

--------------------------

[] She bit her lips as she waited, before finally walking forward and avoided
- [] A small girl - even smaller than Lirra - wearing black clothes, holding a staff in one hand while her eyes looked unconcerned by the world at large.
- [] A small creature wearing heavy plate armor and carrying without effort a massive backpack from which emerged many weapons.
- [] A young woman wearing bright clothes and a feathered hat. She played the lute as she advanced, either to give her countenance or maybe she was just that confident in herself.
- [] A girl in rags, who was already glancing around her as if something would attack her this side of the gate.
- [] A beautiful woman in an elaborate dress, holding a staff burning with arcane power, looking at the world around her with annoyance.
- [] A girl who stumbled on even ground, scattering the pile of books and scrolls that she was half reading half carrying
- [] write-in (can be refused)

[] She bit her lips as she waited, before finally walking forward and followed
- [] A small girl - even smaller than Lirra - wearing black clothes, holding a staff in one hand while her eyes looked unconcerned by the world at large.
- [] A small creature wearing heavy plate armor and carrying without effort a massive backpack from which emerged many weapons.
- [] A young woman wearing bright clothes and a feathered hat. She played the lute as she advanced, either to give her countenance or maybe she was just that confident in herself.
- [] A girl in rags, who was already glancing around her as if something would attack her this side of the gate.
- [] A beautiful woman in an elaborate dress, holding a staff burning with arcane power, looking at the world around her with annoyance.
- [] A girl who stumbled on even ground, scattering the pile of books and scrolls that she was half reading half carrying
- [] write-in (can be refused)

Ah, that moment when a matched party would obviously be better, but would also require you actually interacting with people...

Just to clarify, the write in is to propose another student, not a way for you to try and say "all the votes".

Clarification: you can either avoid someone or follow someone, not both. Vote only for one option.

 

[Renu]

[X] She bit her lips as she waited, before finally walking forward and avoided
- [X] A beautiful woman in an elaborate dress, holding a staff burning with arcane power, looking at the world around her with annoyance.

---------------------------

Lirra bit her lips nervously as she waited. Some of the other that weren't grouped yet really didn't look like they would be nice. Chief amongst them was a beautiful woman in an elaborate dress, who was looking at all the other candidates with an annoyed look on her face. Eventually, she sighed and, changing her grip on her staff - a beautiful carved piece of dark wood, with silver sigils inlaid around bright gems, the whole thing burning with barely contained power - walked forward.

Lirra decided to wait, as she really didn't think going with her would be nice, until what looked like a knight - if devoid of any heraldry the changeling could recognize, as the sun generally wasn't a symbol used much in Emoulin - walked to her.

"Ah! Noble friends, fate has seen fit for us to unite, so let us walk forward with no fear, for Sol watches over us!"

Sadly for him, the rest of his party didn't seem as enthused as he was about their companions. The annoyed woman looked at him with an… annoyed glare, which was honestly no surprise, while his other two allies, two rather small girls, respectively watched him with an even, uncaring stare, and jumped in fright before looking around them.

Then the gate opened and they ventured in the forest.

Well, given how it went, Lirra thought she made the right choice not joining her. Still, there wasn't many people left now, and she decided it was time for her to go. She apparently wasn't the only one, as another girl advanced at the same time, from the queue filled with aspiring students of the Star. Said girl then proceeded to trip on her own feet and fell down, sending a pile of books and scrolls flying from her bag and hands. As she stayed down for a moment, Lirra hesitantly went to help her. As she neared, she looked at the ground near where the other girl had tripped and noted that it was perfectly devoid of anything that could have made her fall. Still, she decided not to remark on it, as even she could have fallen like that, nervous as she was.

She kneeled to recover some of the scrolls that rolled near where she was and then continued walking to the still prone girl. As she got close, she heard her very faint voice muttering, panicked.

"G-glasses, my glasses, where are they?"

Lirra looked near her feet to be sure not to step on them, but she didn't see anything that looked like glasses. However, before she could start searching in earnest, a second voice joined.

"I got them. They look pretty nice, you should be more careful."

It was a woman in brightly colored clothes who held the glasses daintly as she walked towards the two of them. She lowered herself to place them on the fallen girl's nose before stepping back with a flourish.

"And there you are. Now, let's hurry, our last companion doesn't look like a patient one," she said, pointing back to a small creature in heavy armor waiting near the gate, arms crossed. The fact that they could move with such a massive armor was already impressive given their size, but on top of that, they were carrying a massive backpack apparently filled with weapons, if the few who were jutting out were any indication. Also surprising was that with all that equipment, the creature had apparently passed the gate of Staff rather than the one of Swords.

Dusting herself off, the girl who had fallen got back to her feet before quickly getting her scrolls back from the ground and stocking them in her bag. It looked for an instant that she would keep a few in hand to read, but apparently her earlier fall had been enough to make her reconsider and she reluctantly closed her bag on the last of them.

"Thank you," she said, or maybe Lirra imagined it, given how quiet her voice was.

Lirra was about to say it was nothing, but before she could actually start talking, the third woman passed her arms over both their shoulders and started walking towards the gate.

"Come on, let's go! Adventure awaits!" she said boldly, before adding in a whisper, perhaps more for herself than the rest of the world "And night will fall soon if we don't hurry..."

Of course, given they were used to silence, both shy girls heard it. It reminded Lirra that, once in the forest, she would be the one who had to protect the other three, as a Sword. It would be a challenge, she realised, as she had no training and little to no equipment. Truth to be told, she had expected there to be some sort of training before that sort of thing, and the thought of battle - battle from which she couldn't run given she'd have allies to cover - was slightly terrifying. No, scratch that, it was extremely terrifying. She had come here to be something else than a Gravedigger, and the thought of having to take care of possible friend's bodies… she didn't want that.

"Hey, cheer up, it's going to be a alright, it's just one tiny forest and we'll get to the school, no problem."

The voice brought Lirra out of her rumination and she nervously nodded, a hesitant smile on her lips. And with that and a pat on the back, she finally stepped through the gate.

"You sure took your sweet time there," said a surprisingly feminine coming from the armor. "Any longer and we should have started pitching tents instead of going in."

"Now, now, partner, we couldn't have left our poor mage behind, right? And no doubt we'll be happy to have these scrolls when we'll need them."

To that, there was only a grunt and a clinking of armor as the small creature shrugged.

"Ah, speaking of partners, since we'll at least work together for a bit, why not introducing ourselves?" At these words, Lirra tensed in apprehension. "Nothing too long if you don't want, don't worry. Just to know how to work together, right?"

Well, that made sense, Lirra guessed, as she timidly nodded.

"Well, then I'll start since I'm the one who proposed that. My Name's Lucilia, I come from Amessa and I took the Gate of the Cloak," the now named Lucilia said. "As for skills… well, to be honest, I'm not much of a fighter, but I guess I've got that." She pulled out a metal tube with a handle from behind her. "Don't know if you have that outside of Amessa, but I guess you can liken it to a crossbow, only noisier and meaner, so that's that. Now, who wants to go?"

"Pfeh, Amessan toys. Nothing some good runic steel can't beat," the armored creature said. "Speaking of which... " She pointed at her backpack. "I gotta lot of it, and I guess I could share some if you look like you're a worthy lot. Not a master's work yet, but it still does the job. Name's Melkorka and I'm a Svartalf, by the way, since if the stupid looks are anything to go by you never saw one before."

She certainly didn't look like an amicable person, Lirra thought, but at least she opened just a bit, thanks to Lucilia. She feared to imagine what would have happened without her. Would she have even given her name, or more importantly for their survival, proposed to share her creations? She wasn't sure.

The last girl whispered something that even Lirra couldn't hear, and she hoped it wasn't her presentation, given the volume.

'I apologize for communicating like that, but given the circumstances, I feel it necessary to be sure I'm heard,' a voice resounded in Lirra's head and, if their slight jolt was anything to go by, her companion's too. 'My name is Chloe, and I come from Maath, where I studied. I have an extensive knowledge of different subjects, that I will gladly share with you when needed if you so desire. As my studies also covered the occult arts, I know of a few spells which should be applicable in battle, although my knowledge is at the moment only theoretical.'

"Well that's just great, we've got a sweet talker and a bookworm. Given the last one's got no blade, I kind of doubt this trend will change. Well, girl, can you do anything useful?"

---------------------------

[] Talk of your skills as a changeling. How you're at home in nature as well as the geasa and illusions you can weave.
[] Say the truth about your nature as a Gravedigger. This isn't really useful right now, but if you can find the remains of some earlier, unlucky parties...
[] Curl up in a ball and wallow in self pity?

---------------------------

Current party:
Sword: Lirra. Duh.
Staff: Melkorka (Runic armory)
Grants access to a great variety of quality equipment. They're only loaned, so don't go losing them.
Cloak: Lucilia (Voice of Reason)
Grants all allies' Benefits, no matter what your relation with them (unless Lucilia hates you personally).
Star: Chloe (Living Encyclopedia)
In battle, obtain information on known weak points and strategies of any opponent before voting.

So yeah, all allies give a bonus. If they really don't like you or die, it's lost. Luckily, you have Lucilia, which means you have all the things right now. Unluckily, you have basically no firepower, as fate gave you all the support characters and no fighter. The test will be... fun.

 

[Renu]

[X] Talk of your skills as a changeling. How you're at home in nature as well as the geasa and illusions you can weave.

-----------------------------

"Ah, um..." Lirra said, hesitating.

It wasn't only that Melkorka's expectations - though they couldn't be lower - were stressing her, and they sure did, but she also had to make an important decision: should she really reveal what she could do? They were supposed to work as a team, and surely knowing her nature would help them come up with a plan when push came to shove, but on the other hand… she was afraid. She was afraid that they would prefer to leave her and try to pass the trial with only three members rather than to stand alongside a Gravedigger.

Lirra bit her lower lip, her eyes looking to the side as if the answer would be written for her to see and then, as she felt she'd delayed her answer as much as she could so she could weigh her option, she continued. In the end, there really was only one choice for her, and it wasn't as if her skills as a Gravedigger would be relevant.

"I'm a Changeling. The most common kind, so I'm really at home in the woods and so on," she said, gesturing nervously during her explanation. "So, uh… beasts probably shouldn't attack us unless we're looking for trouble."

Her teammates really didn't seem to be impressed, although some tried to hide it or at least managed to do so better than others, so she continued to try and make herself sound more useful.

"Ah, I can create illusions too, though, uh… it's more tricking people into seeing something for something else than something big like making a dragon appear out of nowhere and, uh… I guess I could lay a geas on one of you if you want?" she ended somewhat lamely.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Lucilia spoke.

"So, uh… I'm pretty sure Chloe knows what you're talking about, but could you explain exactly what you mean by a geas? You know, so we're sure we're all talking about the same thing."

"Oh… Well, a geas is kind of an obligation, I guess?" Lirra started. "But, uh… it gives power alongside its limitation and, uh… the benefits are based on the interdiction. You can't choose them, though, only the obligation."

The bard held her chin in her hand pensively.

"So what, you could, say, forbid me from eating cheese and I'd get some random benefit from that?" she asked. "Because if so, I'd go for it; I hate cheese."

"I… don't think that'd work. I mean, I really don't see what you could get from it. There are some stories about a knight who couldn't eat horse meat and was a peerless rider, or a champion who couldn't eat dog meat and was as powerful as he was loyal, so food can definitely be the focus of a geas, but if you already avoid it I don't think you'd get anything useful out of it. Also, geasa chosen specifically to not bother their target have a history of, uh… making them die. Horribly."

There was some more silence at that.

"Oh. Well, in that case, nevermind. I wouldn't go for it," Lucilia eventually answered.

"Well, that's cute and all but we still have a cursed forest to cross and nobody to do their own damn job," Melkorka cuts in before Lirra can add anything else. "Except for Chloe, I guess, as long as she can turn her theory into practice. So you'll have to excuse me if I ain't keen on standing here instead of pushing forth."

And with that, the group started walking in an uncomfortable silence, Melkorka and - after a gentle shove from Lucilia - Lirra at the front and Lucilia and Chloe in the rear. The atmosphere was tense, as the party was not entirely functional and each of its members were thrust into this kind of danger for the first time. No doubt some of them had already faced mundane danger - Lirra at least already had to run from bandits in her travels - but it would be the first time they would face the Dark, capital D, and no the simple darkness that could bud into the hearts of men either from desperation at an impossible situation or from an uncontrollable desire. Also, at least in Lirra's case, her usual method of running as fast as she could or trying to frighten them with her nature wouldn't be applicable.

She'd have to fight. They all would have to fight. This, after all, was the very point of that test.

"Anyway, why did you choose the Sword? It must have been the Gate least in tune with your skills," suddenly asked Melkorka, breaking the tense silence of their walk.

As she was wont to do, Lirra panicked a bit before answering, the sudden nature of the question - along with the simple fact that someone was talking to her if we had to be honest - putting her on the spot.

"I… For me coming here was a new beginning, a chance for a new me, so I decided that this new me would be something I could admire. I decided that this new me would be a knight," Lirra answered with a conviction that surprised even herself.

There was a few steps spent in silence before Melkorka started laughing loudly, and a heavy hand patted her in the back.

"Hahaha! Well said! Well said indeed. If you have to become something, become something great," the Svartalf said. "Tell you what, girl, you're better than I thought. If we don't all die because we were fools who wished for greatness we weren't fit for, I'll buy you a drink!"

"I must say, Lirra, it sounded pretty great. If you manage to become some legendary hero someday, I'll have to put it in my song."

'Surprisingly eloquent. Also, that laugh alerted a Shade, so you should probably prepare for a fight.'

Chloe's voice resounded in the party's mind, and suddenly all good cheer disappeared, as they looked around, unsheathing what weapons they had and holding them in unsure grips.

"Oh damn it. You don't have any weapon training, girl, right?" Melkorka asked, to which Lirra nervously nodded. "Then take that. Pointy end goes in."

She handed her a spear from her backpack, and the four of them started closing in together, warily eyeing the forest around them, who suddenly looked much darker and ominous.

Finally, Chloe pointed an underbrush as a dark limb emerged from it, soon followed by the rest of the creature, a humanoid being who looked as though it was made only of shadows, with two baleful points of light where eyes would be on a person.

It looked at them, as though it was sizing them up, and Lirra tightened her sweaty, shaking grip on the haft of her spear.

The fight was about to begin.

-------------------------

Chloe's Compendium: Shades

Shades are among the most common, and thankfully least threatening, of the creatures one can find in a Dark saturated area. Their true origin is subject to debate, some saying they are but a "natural" phenomenon where ambient Darkness gathers and forms a creature, while other ascribe them to the action of some malevolent deity.

They can appear as pretty much any creature, though composed only of shadow, and invariably twisted so only their most dangerous and bestial traits remain, while any peaceful or, and this is a oversimplification, any traits that could be described as "good" are nowhere to be seen.

Individually, they are not much of a threat, as they move entirely by instinct and don't seem to have any higher cognitive functions. Although they can hunt as some sort of disorganised pack, this is as far as they can cooperate.

While they aren't the most dangerous of Dark creatures, their attacks still can be dangerous. As they are only loosely physical - being after all an amalgam of Dark and shadows - their claws, fangs or whatever other means their chosen form uses to attack can sometimes ignore all armor or defense unless magical. They can also inflict wounds under the skin, making the unwary adventurer die of unseen wounds. Finally, once again, their wounds, as they are inflicted by a creature that is quite literally formed of pure evil, have a tendency to fester quite fast. As such, no matter how easy the fight looked, it is important to carefully check for wounds, visible or not, once at camp.

As creatures mostly made of shadows, their weaknesses are as one would expect. Any fire or Light magic can easily dispatch them. Even non magical light can weaken them and a well placed hit with a torch can bring them low, as they are surprisingly inflammable. Physical attacks are a gamble, as one hit can banish such a creature or simply pass through them without harming them. Magical or enchanted weapons don't have such an issue, and always wound them.

Finally, remember one thing: their weakness is only true when they are few and a light source is available. In pure darkness, they are literally invisible and their power is greatly increased. As such, always keep a light source if you have to venture in the night or pray to whichever god is yours and run as fast as you can to one.

-------------------------

Plan?

[] Hit it until it dies with your pointy stick.
[] Cower until one of your allies kill the Shade.
[] Write-in: maybe something a bit more elaborate.

 

[Renu]

[X] Advance on the Shade with Melkorka and try to take it down. If it's too strong, keep it off your friends while Chloe casts any spell that might help, preferably a fire or light one. Lucilia should stay near Chloe and keep alert for other Shades.

-------------------------

Lirra swallowed with difficulty, and was trying to get her shaking under control when Chloe's telepathic package appeared inside her mind, filling her with information about their foe. Maybe it was the fact that the unknown was suddenly known, or that her brain was trying to organize the sudden new information and was thus too occupied to have her panic, but she was suddenly filled with purpose and, before she could think, started giving orders to the rest of her party.

"Come with me, Melkorka, let's hold it while Chloe finds a usefull spell," she said, bringing her spear to bear as she took a hesitant step. "Lucilia, stay with Chloe in case there are other."

Lucilia armed her pistol with a click and nodded.

"O-Ok, I'll do that," she acknowledged, breathing fast.

The Shade bent its legs, preparing to charge, a hideous sneer on its malformed fangs filled mouth. Before she could think about the horrible, terrible things its claws could do to her unarmored body, Lirra's own legs shot her forward, an awkward warcry on her lips and doing a not any less awkward swing of her spear.

The swing missed as the creature jumped to the side, leaving a trail of shadows in its wake until it landed on the side of a tree, leaving deep gouges in the bark before it launched itself towards Melkorka who finished pulling out a shield from her bag. She raised it just in time and the creature's claws burst in a mass of shadows as it hit, before reforming and raking against it. The Svartalf had been quick in moving the shield between her foe and her body, but the same couldn't be said of her footwork, and the repeated hits of the monster on her shield, made her fall to the ground.

Before the Shade could take advantage of their position, Lirra charged again, waving her spear in a large sweep to catch the creature. The haft made contact, however, instead of sending the creature reeling, it simply passed through, as its muscular torso reverted to a writhing mass of shadow, and the spear's tip finished its course against Melkorka's shield in a resounding clang.

"Careful, girl! Only the blade's enchanted, use the pointy end!" the Svartalf shouted before raising a short gleaming hammer and, passing under her shield and Lirra's spear, swung it at the Shade, getting a few toes for her efforts.

The Shade jumped back, hissing as an oily dark blood flowed from its wound and evaporated in a foul smelling smoke shortly after hitting the ground.

"Mage, where's our spells? Found something yet!?" she shouted next, getting back on her feet in a slow, methodical move.

Chloe was frantically pouring through several scrolls when she slightly nodded, after a scroll slipped from her fingers as she was surprised by the call.

"She said she's got something that could help, but it doesn't sound like something that'd simply win this fight!" answered Lucilia, who was the one standing closest to the mage.

Chloe started muttering an incantation, geometric shapes slowly forming through the air around her. Meanwhile, Lirra and Melkorka rejoined the fight against the shade, trying to press their advantage after the Svartalf's hit. The changeling was still the fastest and she got close enough to attack first, this time heeding Melkorka's advice and going for stabbing attacks. The smaller areas her attacks aimed meant the creature could avoid it easily enough, but they were also more dangerous and the Shade, having already lost a good part of its foot, was too wary to be able to try much.

As she bought time, Melkorka advanced to attack it from another direction, moving with heavy, mechanical steps to get around the monster. With Chloe's spell being prepared, it looked like the fight would be won soon.

Lucilia only had an instant to shout and push Chloe away, the spell array fizzling out of existence as the slight girl was disturbed. A shot resounded through the woods as the bard fired her gun, but the bullet flew wide and nowhere near the second shade who had jumped from a thick bush. The monster's claws glimmered as they were covered in blood as an unfamiliar voice screamed in pain. Everything seemed to stop for an instant, until the silence was broken again.

"Chloe!" Lucilia screamed in panic. "N-no! I didn't mean to-"

"Cover them!"

Melkorka's voice seemed distant to Lirra's ears as she watched in horror as the mage fell to the ground, hands holding her side quickly turning crimson as blood pooled around her.

"Lirra! Move!"

Lirra finally reacted and threw herself at the monster who hurt Chloe, sending them both tumbling to the ground. A rock jutting out of the earth stabbed itself in the creature's back, stopping it from getting back on its feet as the changeling rolled back to hers. Gripping her spear with both hand, point down, Lirra once again threw herself at the enemy, foregoing all thoughts of defense for the simple goal of killing it. Screaming, she stabbed it again and again, her hits haphazard and hitting the ground next to the monster as often as the Shade itself, but quantity had a quality of its own, and her sleeves were soon covered in foul blood.

The Shade tried one last desperate swipe, but its claws were stopped by one of Lirra's horns and managed only to spread some blood - red blood, Chloe's blood - on her hood, though the speed of the hit launching a few drops on the changeling's cheek.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the tip of Lirra's spear hit only the ground as the monster's corpse dissipated in the same dark smoke its blood did.

Panting, she looked around to see Melkorka still fighting her enemy, while Lucilia kneeled over Chloe.


----------------------------

[] Help Chloe
[] Help Melkorka
[] Write-in (can actually be all the things for once, but precise the order and how much time you spend on it/what you do/whatever)

This update was brought to you by Dices. Dices, because fate decided your tears are delicious. This was a message from our sponsor.

 

[Renu]

[X] Help Melkorka

----------------------------

Gritting her teeth, Lirra turned away from Chloe and Lucilia. If she really wanted to help her wounded teammate, she would first have to finish the last enemy. Melkorka was still holding the Shade at bay, but the monster moved too fast for her to land any decisive strike, even with its broken foot, courtesy of her earlier hit. At the same time, the Shade still hadn't managed to go past her shield and her heavy - and given the weapon she gave Lirra, probably enchanted - armor.

It was a stalemate that the changeling was well determined to break. Her first instinct was to rush it and try to somehow overpower it like the previous one, but now that her head had cooled just a little bit, she realised that could have very well have gotten her hurt, which, according to the information Chloe had given them, was a very bad idea. Thinking about that, she felt a knot in her stomach in worry of the mage; if any little wound could be lethal, Chloe could very well die soon.

Dark thoughts swirling in her head, she quickly and as stealthily as the situation allowed, she circled the two fighters before she finally arrived behind the Shade, whose attention was caught by Melkorka. Tightening her grip on her spear, she exploded forward, stabbing the monster in the spine. It shrieked until it was swiftly silenced by the svartalf crushing its neck with her shield, before crushing its skull in a powerful swing of her hammer, which she repeated twice after the first hit, at which point the creature dissipated in the same noxious fog as the other did.

Not taking the time to look at it or catch her breath, Lirra ran back to where Chloe was. She was on the ground, pale and shaking slightly. Kneeling over her, Lucilia was crying and gibbering in a constant stream of apologies.

"I… I tried to get her out of the way, I pushed her so she'd be away from the monster, I didn't mean to- I didn't want… You have to believe me, I didn't want that!" As Lirra stopped next to her, Lucilia grabbed her arm and started directing her stream of words to her.

Lirra didn't know what to do with this. On one hand, she wanted to calm Lucilia down, although she didn't know how. On the other, Chloe was the one who really needed attention right now, and the panicked girl wasn't helping; as a matter of fact, she was even a hindrance.

"I bloody well hope you didn't." Helping Lirra out of her predicament, Melkorka arrived and slapped the back of Lucilia's head. "No one doubts that, so pull yourself back together and either help if you know how to heal people or look out for more of these creatures while we try to heal her."

The blow apparently pulled Lucilia out of her panic, at least a bit. She gulped with difficulty before nodding and getting back on her feet, and scanned the forest around them, twitchily reloading her pistol.

Now that they had some space, Melkorka and Lirra looked at Chloe's wound. Gently, the changeling pulled the mage's hand away, uncaring of the blood that stained hers. It looked like the blow cut through all layers instead of selectively cutting only inside the body. The good news was that the wound was clearly visible, and the bad news that it was deep and already looked like it was about to fester. The skin around it, after they pulled the torn tunic's remains away from the wound, has darkened to a deep purple and veins were starting to appear around it. Thankfully, the bleeding had slowed, although whether it was because of coagulation or if Chloe had already lost too much of it, Lirra couldn't say. What she knew was that the sweaty skin of the mage was both too cold and burning, and it didn't take a doctor to know it was bad news.

"Oh, this looks bad. I… I could sew the wound shut so we can move her more easily, but, uh… I can't do anything about what's under the skin so if the Shade hit something important it would do nothing," said Lirra, nervously searching inside her rucksack for her sewing kit. "Can you do something? You took the Staff, so..."

"I'm no healer; my help comes from what I can make. If we had had time, you would all have had some protection, but it's too late to talk about what could have been," answered Melkorka, and even muffled through her helmet, the frustration in her voice was impossible to miss. Then, after hesitating an instant, she added reluctantly: "I... may try something. That could make her last until she gets to a proper healer, but in the worst case, it may outright kill her."

At that, silence fell upon them, only broken by the irregular breathing of Chloe. Her eyes had opened, although they looked at nothing, and her mouth was moving, although her voice was inaudible as usual. Her face was pale as chalk, except for her cheeks who were reddened as sweat beaded from her forehead.

"S-so what do we do?" asked Lirra, desperate for an answer that would take this terrible choice out of her hand. "Leaving her like that isn't a solution… though maybe if we go fast, we could arrive to the goal quick enough by not taking any time with the wound here? It's not like our solutions sound that good..."

There was silence again. Both knew that this was no solution, but at least they wouldn't be responsible for her death in the worst case.

"I'm not fast enough for that and Lucilia is in no state to run through the woods. If we try that, you'll have to go alone first. I… I don't know what to do, but we have to decide. Now. What'll it be?"

Lirra's lips were parched, and she nervously passed her tongue on them to try and moisten them, so she could answer.

------------------------

[] Sew the wound and carry her to the goal. Hopefully, it will be enough to stabilize her until then.
[] Try Melkorka's solution. Either she lives or she dies right now; at least you won't be slowed in the worst case.
[] You can cross the forest in no time, as long as you encounter nothing more. It's all or nothing, but losing time while trying to buy some will do no good.
[] You can't take that decision. You decide Melkorka.
[] You can't take that decision. Lucilia should decide.
[] Write-in

(just in case you're wondering, yes, she definitely can die, it's not just dramatic writing)

 

[Renu]

[x] You can cross the forest in no time, as long as you encounter nothing more. It's all or nothing, but losing time while trying to buy some will do no good.

-------------------------

"We don't have a way to do something really helpful, so I… I'll carry her and try to run as fast as possible to the goal. Hopefully it'll be fast enough. And I won't cross path with any more of these monsters," said Lirra, trying to sound more assured than she ever would be.

Melkorka looked at her face in silence, at her hands nervously clutched, before she nodded.

"Very well. I'll go with Lucilia at a slower pace, given she doesn't look like she can do much right now. Be safe and godspeed," said the Svartalf while she took Chloe's bag and added it to her own. "Better not burden you with useless things," she added as an explanation.

With that done, Lirra kneeled and put Chloe's arms around her shoulders before grabbing her legs and adjusting her position on her back. The mage was thankfully pretty light, hopefully light enough for Lirra to be able to carry her at a good pace until she reached the goal and found some help. Chloe's face was burning with enough heat for Lirra's cheek right next to it to feel it, her sweaty skin uncomfortably touching her as her face lulled from side to side in a half conscious delirium. So close to Chloe's mouth, Lirra could finally hear her mumbling nonsensical words amidst her chattering teeth. Readjusting her cape, she did her best to ignore it as she looked at the forest around her and focused on the task at hand.

"I… I'll see you at the Academy, then. Please be safe," Lirra finally said before starting to run through the undergrowth, aiming for a straight line to her goal.

Her feet made no sound as they clapped against the mossy ground of the forest, and despite walking through bushes and other small plants, Lirra's footing was stable and not a single branch caught on her or her charge's flowing clothes. The high canopy made it hard for any light to brighten the forest, and now that Dark energy was saturating the area, even the rare spots of fading sunlight seemed less bright that they should have been.

As she ran, her eyes darted in all directions, so she could spot any threat before it was too late. Truth to be told, now that she was alone, she was terrified of the dark forest. It was a new feeling, as woods had always been a safe place for her, as the predators inhabiting them had left them alone while dissuading other, biped, predators from coming near where she camped. Now, every shadow looked at her with hungry eyes, and each hole in the bark of the trees around her was a wicked claw ready to tear her apart. The fact that they were either just her imagination or that the monsters didn't run as fast as her didn't help any, as it just made her more apprehensive of the moment where peace would end and they would jump at her out of nowhere, forming from shadows and, at best, making it impossible for her to bring Chloe to a healer before it was too late.

The mage was getting colder by the minute, and her feverish mumbling had disappeared to leave only irregular, frantic breathing. She had to be faster if she wanted to not be too late, but Lirra's legs were already hurting, as her breakneck pace with the added weight of the wounded on her back was taking its toll. She was no stranger to journeys, as she had crossed the kingdom several time by foot, but she was used to a more sedate rhythm, one more focused on lasting through the day that sheer explosive speed.

She felt one side of her cape grow heavier with each step, as blood from Chloe's wound stained the cloth red, imbibing itself deeply until it felt as though it was it was a weight too heavy for anyone to bear. As she continued running, Lirra couldn't help but feel despair as she felt the mage's life leave her little by little. Even now, she could feel embers alighting in her hair, a hungry Pyre ready to send the dead to their final resting place.

Lirra didn't know if she should feel happy to sense other dead hopefuls all around the forest or not, as this meant that it wasn't necessarily Chloe who was so close to death as to already ready her powers for her last rites, but on the other hand… so many people were dead and dying around her. She had never set foot on a battlefield, as the creatures of Dark weren't trying to spread across the world for now and no war had been declared between humans in the meantime, so while she had heard the stories from her Elder, it was the first time she felt so much of it. Even during the epidemic that had killed so many while she was younger, there hadn't been so many dead in the same place, she thought, or maybe it was just that her powers hadn't fully realised or that she was too young to remember it correctly. More importantly, she hadn't been the only Keeper of Gray at the time, her Elder had been here to take care of things and comfort her, even if in the end...

She pushed these dark thoughts away. She had to concentrate on getting to where she had to. It shouldn't be that far by now, or so she hoped at least. So focused was she on the simple act of putting one foot after the other, she missed an arm reaching to her as she passed next to a tree. Having her throat grabbed before being pushed against said tree, however, was hard to miss. Chloe let out a small whimper at the impact before falling back to unconsciousness. Lirra tried in vain to struggle free of the grip or at least strike at the creature holding her, but her spear was ill adapted to such a situation, and she could only stare in horror - although all of it only lasted for a few seconds - as claws rushed to her face, before surprisingly stopping before breaking her skin.

"Oh? Was it you?" a somewhat familiar voice said before she was gently lowered to the ground. "Sorry friend, I heard something moving fast and given the place, well, I prepared an ambush. No time to check for who it was."

Massaged her throat, Lirra coughed a bit before looking up. She saw crimson hair, golden eyes and a pair of wicked horns emerging from the top of the girl's head. Then, after quickly darting her eyes lower, hands devoid of any claws, thankfully.

"Hey, are you fine? You smell like blood," the redhead asked, looking Lirra over. "Ah, no, it would be your baggage. Why would you carry a corpse, though? The rest of your party not liking Keepers?"

At that, Lirra jumped in surprise before frantically checking on Chloe. No, she was cold and breathed so very little, but she was still alive.

"She's not a corpse. If I just get to the Academy in time..." she said, trailing of at the end.

Now that she had been stopped, her legs felt so very heavy, but she forced herself back up, shaking all the while.

"Mh..." the other girl shrugged noncommittally. "You won't. You should know better; she's already got the chill of the grave on her, and you can barely move anymore. Just put her to rest and gather your forces for the last stretch instead of risking your life for a lost cause."

"No!" Lirra shouted back. "I… I won't let her die! I'll get to the goal and they'll have healers for her!"

She started walking away on unsteady legs and was followed by the other girl's more relaxed gait.

"I'll make you the mercy of not mentioning you have no certainty of there being healers at the end, but even so, why do you care so much? You've only met her, what, two hours ago? And I doubt she was much of a conversationalist during your little treck through the wood given her state. So why do you care so much? It's not like your kind cares overly much about saving people usually."

"We're… we're a team, and I couldn't protect her, so I must save her now."

They spent a few steps in silence before the other girl answered.

"Eh? So it's duty, huh… I guess it's as good a reason as any. Still, I don't remember there being anything like that when we formed them. I mean, I'm the last one of mine and you don't hear me crying," she said callously. "Still, as much as I didn't care about them, I don't want you to die just yet. I still owe you a drink, after all, and you're a Keeper."

Lirra sent her a dark glare, as she cared about her own teammates, and seeing one of the Sword disregarding the code of chivalry so much made her sick.

"Oh come on, don't do that! It's not like I'm the one who hurt her!"

There was some more silence as Lirra simply concentrated on walking forward.

"Fine. If it's so important I could save her, I guess."

At that, Lirra's head snapped in her direction.

"Wh-what do you mean you could save her?" she asked, finally hoping again.

"Exactly what I said," the other girl answered, pulling out a flask filled with a dark red liquid. "Fresh dragon blood. Quite a waste to use it here if you ask me, but if you insist..."

"Y-yes! Please! Why didn't you say so sooner!?"

"Well, first of all I didn't see the point, and second of all I didn't have anything to gain from it," was the answer as the other girl still kept the flask in her hand. "Speaking of which… well, you're a Fae, or close enough, so I can trust your word."

Ah, of course, given what she previously said, it was no wonder that she'd want something in return. Still, even though she wanted to believe otherwise, it looked more and more as though it was her only chance of saving Chloe.

"What do you want in exchange?" she asked, somewhat apprehensive of the answer.

At that, the other girl smiled widely.

"A Life Debt. After all, a life for a life seems like a pretty fair deal, no?"

At that, Lirra was taken aback. True, it was fair, but… a Life Debt was no small thing. It wasn't that she'd be her servant for the rest of her life, but she would owe her a favor that was pretty much without limit. She could avoid something that would kill many if that came for some reason, as the balance of life would be uneven, but at the same time, the owner of the debt could very well order her to die and she would be supposed to do it. Then again, it's not like she couldn't kill her right away, or have killed her when she caught her before, so there was no reason to think it'd be asked. It was just an example to show how much she could ask and be in her right. And on top of that, this favor could be called at any point, even fifty years in the future, if the both lived up until then.

"A Life Debt? That's..."

"A lot?" the other girl interrupted. "Maybe, but it's not like you're forced to accept, you could just try to run with your little legs."

Lirra knew the girl was taunting her so she'd accept. She knew, but even so…

"Three years. The Debt would have to be called within three years starting from tonight," Lirra said, trying to at least have some control over the negotiation.

The other girl hummed in thought for a bit before nodding, her smile coming back.

"This is acceptable. So, do we have a deal?" she asked, offering the hand that wasn't holding the flask for Lirra to shake.

The changeling looked at it and hesitated an instant. You could still run and make it, maybe, a voice in her head said. Chloe's so cold she will die in a few minutes, another answered.

She had to make a choice. It was about trust, about duty. Hell, maybe it could even be about friendship. But no matter what it was about, she had to choose now, before Chloe died and any deal was useless.

---------------------------

[] Take the deal
[] Take a chance

Dices really, really don't like Chloe. At all. They do like Lirra, however. 8 for encounters, 9 for finding your way and 1 for Chloe's health. Rollercoasters, yay!

 

[Renu]

[X] Take the deal

---------------------------

Lirra hesitated one last instant, gritting her teeth before letting out a breath.

"Fine. As soon as Chloe is healed with your vial of fresh dragon blood, I will owe you a Life Debt, to be used before three years pass, starting from this night's fall," she said, carefully choosing her wording. "And I just realised I should have precised it wasn't transferrable..." she added miserably afterwards.

At that, the other girl let out a small laugh before walking closer to Lirra and Chloe.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't do that anyway," she said with a smile. "Well, now, lay her on the ground so I can get to work."

At that, Lirra knelt to the ground and gently unwrapped Chloe's arms from her shoulder before slowly lowering her to a mossy, roots-free spot on the ground. The mage's eyes were unfocused, her pale face covered with a sheen of sweat as her mouth was slightly opened, taking small breaths of air with difficulty.

Kneeling next to her, the other girl grabbed at the seams near the wound and ripped the clothes apart to better see the wound. The ashen skin was caked in blood and pus seeped from the wound, while deep purple veins seemed to go from it to the rest of the body, even more visible now that she was so pale. The smell was better left unmentioned; Lirra had obviously already taken care of corpses, both fresh and not so much, and going only by her nose, she'd have said Chloe had already been dead for quite a while in a hot and humid place.

Coughing a bit, the other girl moved part of her cape to cover her nose.

"Be sure to check for any falling leaves, or some that'd have stuck to her while you were moving. For some reason, it interacts… poorly with dragon blood," she informed Lirra, her voice somewhat muffled by the cloth over it.

The changeling nodded, looking carefully over her and above them. Meanwhile, the other girl put a stick in Chloe's mouth, before removing the fine handkerchief that was cover her vial's cork.

"And here we go..." she muttered, unsealing it.

She carefully inclined it over the wound, letting the red liquid trickle over the wound. As soon as it touched the wound, it started sizzling, and vapor started raising from it, as Chloe grunted in pain, her eyes suddenly open wide and her teeth gnashing over the stick in her mouth. Lirra swiftly moved nearer to her head and tried to hold her down with one hand on her shoulders while holding the mage's hand with the other, hoping that she'd get some comfort from the gesture.

After what seemed like an eternity, the sizzling stopped and so did Chloe's painful convulsions. The mage turned her head to the side and spit out the stick, deep teeth-shaped gouges along its length, before gulping down great quantities of air with some pain.

"Sh-she's saved?" Lirra asked in disbelief.

At that, the other girl came up and cupped Chloe's neck, bringing her head up before forcing what was left of the dragon blood down her throat. She held her like that until she was certain the mage drank it all before releasing her, letting her fall down coughing as her skin changed from sickly gray to a healthier tone.

"She's saved!" she repeated, tears forming in her eyes.

Lirra half jumped on her, hugging Chloe half laughing half crying, babbling relieved nonsense at seeing her saved. The mage put a hesitant hand around her back.

"Thank you," said Chloe in her slight voice, although given how close they were, Lirra heard her clearly.

Eventually, she got back to her feet and helped the mage up too.

"That's all nice and good, but remember you're in a forest that wants to kill you," came a voice from nearby.

They turned to see the other girl waiting with her arms crossed leaning against a tree.

"So given I don't want you to die before I'm paid back, I suggest you start walking to the academy," she said to Lirra, before turning to Chloe. "You can do what you want, I don't care now that you're healed."

Lirra had almost forgotten the other girl's callousness as she healed Chloe. She was definitely reminded of it now, no doubt about it. Still, she was correct, she guessed, although now that Chloe was healed, she almost wished to go back to the rest of her party to help them. It was probably stupid given she'd have to find them in this forest and risked getting attacked again, but still.

At her side, Chloe was looking over her ripped robe, seemingly not caring about the other girl's remarks. Still, she made no move in any direction, content to stay next to Lirra, probably awaiting her decision.

--------------------

[] To the Academy
[] To the rest of the party
[] Write-in