Wandering Swordsman Quest

[zero_traveler]

A small attempt at a non-serious, non-crack, thread. Just for fun.

---

Snow drifts gently upon the breeze as you quietly walk down the forested path. A chill breeze makes you shiver, causing your cloak to flutter before re-settling on your shoulders.

Your eye narrows into the cold gust, scanning ahead on the path. Another traveler appears on the road, fully enveloped in his white cloak with a notched conical hat upon his head. Your hand settles on the comforting roughness of the cord wrapped about the top of your sword's sheath.

You feel a stiff joint in your thumb pop as the digit twitches in anticipation. You refrain from breaking seal, though.

You are walking.
Unknown Traveler is walking.

The distance continues to lessen.
In 3 turns, you will pass each other.

Wat do?
[ ] Draw <Accelerate to Dashing, Attack>
[ ] Ready <No speed change, Increased Defense>
[ ] Focus <Slow to Halt for 1 turn, Increased Perception>
[ ] Stop <Come to Halt, Steady Stance>

 

[zero_traveler]

Character Sheet

Name: ?
Sword: ?

Head:
Back: Hooded Cloak
Torso: Wide Sleeved Shirt
Legs: Thick Hakama
Feet: Wood Sandal

 

[zero_traveler]

[X] Focus

You shuffle a step, steadying your body as you breathe out, then breathe in. The World slows to a crawl as your perception heightens, previously inconsequential details now standing out more obviously.

The figure approaching is wearing a sword under his cloak, judging by the way his cloak is lifted behind him. His wooden sandals over clean white socks are polished, (lacquered?) It is hard to make out his general shape due to the cloak, but he is slightly smaller than yourself. You make out black cloth at the edge of the cloak near his ankles, a black hakama like your own blue one more than likely.

You can make out a single eye through the notch in his woven reed hat. It is watching you intently. Something flickers.

...And as you breathe out again, the world fades back to its normal hue. You take another step, and time resumes it's normal course.

You are walking.
Traveler is walking.

You feel energized.

The distance continues to close.
In 3 turns you will pass each other.

[ ] Draw <Accelerate to Dashing, Attack>
[ ] Ready <No speed change, Increased Defense>
[ ] Focus <Slow to Halt for 1 turn, Increased Perception>
[ ] Stop <Come to Halt, Steady Stance>

 

[zero_traveler]

[X] Ready

Your grip tightens on the fine cord, and there is a nearly silent <click> as your thumb eases the blade loose, breaking its seal. Under your extended thumb, the miniscule bit of exposed blade seems to hum to your heightened awareness. Nothing of your body betrays the minor motion, and you continue walking forwards, though your body sings with tension as you approach the point of conflict. Wooden sandals clack tonelessly upon the stones of the path, and you can now see the other traveler clearly, even without focusing on him.

His form has not deviated. Still he is merely a man-shaped figure under a white cloak and conical hat, though you can see that one eye watching you through the notch upon the hat. There is no malice in that gaze, and it does not focus upon you entirely, taking chance to keep a decent mark of the surroundings. It does not however, leave you unwatched. The figure's cloak settles in the back.

Off in the distance, a single bird calls. It's call is faint, but noticeable.

You are walking.
Traveler is walking.

You feel energized.
You are ready to react to danger.

In two turns, you will have passed each other.
Next turn, you will have reached the point of conflict.

[ ] Draw <Accelerate to Dashing, Attack>
[ ] Stop <Come to Halt, Steady Stance>
[ ] Pass <Continue pace, Do not attack>