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Bruh that's fake news

[Luckyowl]

I was thinking of asking him why he need us, but I can tell by his manor he will lie to us. We should agree to join him, inorder to extract information. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

[King Zultan]

wow this one was looong.

As for conditions to joining him... Well we do have a friend to mourn, and an entire tribe waiting for us to return. So if we get to properly say goodbye to Crackantler and our tribe, i'd say we have nothing that ties us to this forest anymore and can join the humans, guilt-free.

+1 I like the sound of this, I also think we should bring the guy that killed our friend with us, _{just so we can see him get killed later.}

[Quaksna]

As the winter wind blows on and again...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Okay. So listen... Flax?"

The man nods, assuring you adressed him right.

"If you insist so much, I'll go. But! Let my finish my business here, would you?"



"What kind of business?" he asks, and doesn't seem very understanding.

"Well, my friend's not about to bury himself, you know..."

"Need help with that?"

"No! Don't you dare touch him. That's a shaman's job to do... You shouldn't watch either, but I probably can't make you, can I?"



"I will just close my eyes... If you insist." he replies with a grin, and his manners bewilder you all over again. He either doesn't understand the gravity of the situation or doesn't care, however it is, such carefree attitude rubs you the wrong way.

"Fine. Also, my tribe should know I'm leaving, so they can get new shaman, you know, adjust themselves to this turn of events. Come along, and fetch the Sas scoundrel, too..."



"Why do we need Sas?" Flax asks and turns towards, on the hunter, still lying on the ground.

He walks right up to him, and stares at the motionless man.



"Heh, he's not even shivering now! Took it worse than I would want... Wait till he wakes up for you to get some more, heh... He's not coming. Definitely."

"Why not? Try shake him a bit..."

"By the way, I do not speak your deer babble. What are you about to say to your kinsmen?"

Slowly, he tilts to face you again, and seems to have experienced a sudden realization.



"Hey, did you... Oh, no, no!" he laughs and waggles his finger.



"Don't you try anything sketchy with me. You know, you can say whatever you want to your tribe. But just so you know, if you turn them on us, it's them who are going to pay. Or just talk out of it, tell 'em what they need to do, we're off and no more bloodshed neccessary. Understood?"

You look at him with a glance quite contemptful, but you are definitely not in a position to defy him. And having felt this man's strength, you feel he might not be a complete fool to act so high and mighty, in face of possible war with your people. Henceforth, you slowly nod, letting him know you took this into consideration.



You go to the tree where Crackantler's body lied, and it is still there, not a thing has changed. Flax turns away and closes his eyes, as he promised he would. His confidence does irritate you, but you do not want to cross him no more. Who is he, that he can knock a man unconscious with a single blow, and claims he can just as easily beat a whole tribe with his bare hands? Troublesome.



You dig a rectangular layer of frozen, rock-solid soil, a labor difficult for sure, but you really don't want to invite Flax over to help. What he breaches is sacred, and it saddens you deeply.



With a heavy heart, whispering protective incantations, you put the body inside, and pull out the arrow. You also take off his necklace with teeth and antler bits, the sign of his status and legacy, before you fill up the grave.



To end the ritual off, you mark the nearby tree with some symbols, signifying that there's a body buried, and offering some last spiritual ward.

"It is done. You can open your eyes..."



"Great. Let's move on. By the way... I didn't ask you yet... What's your name?"

"Blackhoof."

"Very well. Lead the way then, Blackhoof."

You pick up the trail of your tribe, and set off in the direction. Flax follows you, a couple steps behind, but at a swift pace.



Soon you can see the group of familiar deer men and women, the people you have served, women carrying young, men sacks and weapons.



You pass past all your acquaintances, heading right for your chieftain.



That large black deer man, towering over all, as ever. A band on his left wrist, necklace similar to yours, scars all over, of the fights he has put up for the sake of his charges, and collosal antlers, branching out like a mighty pine. Upon seeing you, he stops in place, and with him all the deer men.

"Blackhoof..." he growls. "You're back! Where is Crackantler? Didn't you went out together?"



Flax truly doesn't understand your language, apparently. But he's watching you, with a vicious look, and the tribesmen aren't happy to see an outsider, either. Now, you have to explain.

The choice is yours.

What do you want to do?

[King Zultan]

I say we tell them that our friend was killed by a guy that isn't the one that followed us, and that we agreed to help him on a quest.

I'd rather not risk getting our people killed if this guy is actually able to do that with whatever magic stuff he has.

[Superdorf]

I say we tell them that our friend was killed by a guy that isn't the one that followed us, and that we agreed to help him on a quest.

I'd rather not risk getting our people killed if this guy is actually able to do that with whatever magic stuff he has.

I feel this is the best we can really tell our folks, given the unpleasantness of our situation. They'll have questions... but we can address those as they come. +1

[Quaksna]

...and again...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Crackantler... He is dead." you say, barely enunciating the words, passing his necklace.



The chieftain freezes, so does the tribe.



"He was killed by a human... Not this one, another... But this one needs my help, and I vowed companionship... I need to leave with him."



"Crackantler is dead and you are leaving?!!" the chieftain roars, quite understandably upset at the news.



"I buried him." you say and point in direction of the marked tree. "He's one with Whitewood now... And yes, I have to go. To punish the killer, among other things... So... I'd suggest you stop by Greypine and fetch a new shaman, for I may not return... Not anytime soon. I think Barktail could be ready to serve a tribe, or someone older... Ask the elders, it's been a long time since I've been there."



"That is it. I know it is hard, but... I have to. Farewell."

"Farewell..." says the chieftain, now more confused than angry. But, they abide the word of their priest, and let you go.



You wave at your acquaintances for the last time, turn around, and walk away, trying your hardest to maintain your composure. Flax waited a moment longer, then turned as well, and marched few steps behind. But the chieftain delayed him a while longer, reaching him with a few leaps.



"You... Protect..." stuttered the chieftain, as he hadn't got to use the human tongue very often. "He... With life!"

Flax only as much as smiles, puts a hand on his chest, and nodded, sealing the promise.

The chief stops frowning at him, but hardly can put himself to do much else. Without a word more, he rallies his folk and, heeding your advice, leads them towards the shaman grove.



You are still quite sad after all the immediate events, unsurprisingly, and Flax notices that. He catches up with you, as speaks.

"Well, I must say, Blackhoof, you did surprise me!" he says. "I thought you really want to see us all dead!"

"Who declared I don't want to, now?" you retort. "But what choice do I have. Fate kicked some enchanted fencer in my way, and kicked my friend with the other foot, indeed, I am so pleased! But I have manners, you know. Spirits below..."



"An enchanted fencer, you say? Am I that "charming"? Heh?"

He sees it hasn't cheered you much, and was about to change the topic. You spoke first.

"When you said you know the feeling... We're you lying to get me off guard, or...?"



You notice the immediate change in his face, and he does seems genuine. He does looks always so, but much to your displeasure most of the time, less so now.

"Well, I tried to get you off guard for sure..." he says, and tries to do his snicker, but just can't at the moment. "No... I wasn't lying back then. My two siblings fell, each by mi side. It's like... You look back and think... Why did it had to be? If one could go back, got another chance..."

Now you're both sad. And silent. Frankly, you'd prefer it it stayed so.



The man puts his hand under his coat, and pulls out a bottle.

"Have a sip, pal."

"No thanks. I'm okay."

"Say... Your friend, how was he like?"



"Eh? Oh, Crackantler. Well, he was... He was about the best shaman one could wish for. He sticked to his trade, carrying his task out with care and humility. He wasn't up to adventures, but he taught me a trick or two... He was a good person. A good friend."



You reach Sas, and he's still lying in the snow, his arrows scattered, so he did not come back to senses in the meantime.

"Oh, look, he hasn't woken up yet! Better pick him up, or he'll freeze for sure!"



Flax lifts the hunter, throws him over his shoulder effortlessly, and collects his gear.

"Now we need to find rest of the party. Follow my lead, pal."



You wander through the woods. It seems it will take some time...

Now there's not really much to do, but since Sas can't hear you and you're alone with Flax, then maybe... You would like to ask him a few questions, don't you?

[Strik3r]

Well, at least that went smoothly (sort of), but yeah some things do need answers...

Lets ask Flax about his party, like what the heck are they doing here?!
We should also ask Flax a few questions about himself, including how is he able to fight like that?(I fully expect him to try and BS us yes, but i wanna know what his response is. Just in case, lets not mention his illusion that we broke.)
Finally, we should ask why'd he spare our life, what does he see in us?(if he tries to wiggle out of answering this, say that we can't help if we don't know what it is that he needs our help for.)

Speaking of his illusion, im excited to see what his companions' response will be to seeing him as he really is. Is everyone in his party like him? Was he hiding his true form from his companions, merely from outsiders or everyone...?

Another interesting thing is how Flax recoiled when we cast magic in the fight, yet we could sense he has magical power before the fight. He might not be able to sense magical auras the way we can... could be useful. I'm sure the "Smell" of his aura is... Nauseating... And now we're forced to spend time in his company.

[King Zultan]

We should ask him where his group is going, because they might just be passing through.


So what do we do if Sas is dead, do we chalk that up as karma for killing our friend or what?

Also if he's dead we should take his stuff.

[Superdorf]

If Sas is dead, we will allow Flax to handle the body as he sees fit, as he allowed us to handle our friend's. We will attempt to be sympathetic, and we will allow ourselves some amount of internal satisfaction.

[Strik3r]

Sas is rather unlikely to be dead... Yes Flax absolutely decked him with a single punch but barring an exceptionally lucky strike, he's still alive. If he was dead, Flax surely would have noticed it, right?

[Superdorf]

Yeah probably... still, we can hope. 

[Luckyowl]

I honestly feel bad for sas we shouldn't spite him for killing our friend he didn't mean to do it. He must've been hungry, tired, looking for food in the dead of winter. If he wakes up we should try to get to know him he might need a friend especially by the way Flax treat him, heck it might  or might not pay back later.

[King Zultan]

If Sas is dead, we will allow Flax to handle the body as he sees fit, as he allowed us to handle our friend's. We will attempt to be sympathetic, and we will allow ourselves some amount of internal satisfaction.

You know Flax is just gonna drop the dead body and leave it without doing anything, I mean he wanted to leave the guy face down and unconscious in the snow so I don't think he cares what happens to Sas.

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"What is your party doing in this forest, anyway?" you inquire, judging it might be "Have a giant to kill, or"

"Oh the peasants starve, or something." he answers. "We're a hunting group. The herds move, hither we've followed."

"And you hunt... With swords?"



"Heh. Of course not. It's just, I myself, I really do not hunt at all! I'm a temporary dogsbody for the crew, see, the more the merrier. And they can carry more. I'd think you could imagine the difference, ey?"

"I surely can... But you spoke of an adventure, surely there's more behind it?"

"Oh no, we'll just fetch the foodsels and back we stride. I found myself in the area, had to kill time somehow, there weren't many opportunities in the villages, you know? So I thought, better to seize this one."

"But you did say going on an trip together!" you repeat.

"We are. Going to go, to be more precise. You had your ends to tie up, I've got chores of my own. We need to get back to the hamlet, and then, we're free to go... To do what needs to be done. Aye."



"And you need me... Why exactly?"

"You're a sorcerer! A deer man, no less, just what I was on the lookout for! Indeed, that was what I sought. That friend of yours would serve too, but... Unfortunately... Hey, I see you're a fine lad! I am positive I can count on your wits. First, we need to reach that settlement. Then, we'll see."

It seems you're not getting more out of him on this topic, so you think of something else. It's hard to tell whether he's that full of himself he doesn't pay attention to explain to you in more detail, but you've seen he isn't exactly slow. Therefore, it is more likely he doesn't want you to know outright.

"The way you've beaten us... Seemed almost like we were the ones outnumbered! What's about that?"



"Oh, well... Exactly as you say." he said and takes out his bottle. "Truly, I am unsurroundable. It's about awereness, pal! Keeping close attention, to everything, all around you. Took years of training, believe me! A single blade I prefer, but surely it can be mastered with different arms... I am teaching a few chaps currently, well, before this whole ordeal..."



He takes a sip, and strange, dark smoke arises from his lips as he exhales, as if his maw was furnace and the beverage coal. "Are you interested? You would have to put the stick away..."



"Wait, what the..." he whispers, taking notice of the gray cloud.



He looks at the bottle, and examines his reflection carefully.



"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"



The potent shriek seems to have Sas regain his consciousness, so Flax gently, yet hastily puts him on the ground. How the mighy have fallen, you think, the sternness incarnate began to panic, and you are quite enjoying the display.

"Shoot, shoot, shoot!!!" he utters, then shouts.

He quickly takes a leap towards you, while Sas is still waking up.



"LookBlackHoofyou'veprobablynoticedthat
there'ssomethingoddaboutmeImeansomepowersormarksyou
must'vesensedpleasedon'ttellanyoneyoudidIdon't
wanttohavetoslaughteragain

A deep breath he has to take, making sure to relay the message the fastest he can.

 Ifyouwanttoknowmoreseekmewhenwe'rebothalonepleasefornowjustplayalongpleasepleaseplease!!!"



"Sas..." he says with a blissful smile, turning to the hunter, and you can't but wonder at these rapid changes in mannerisms. "You've awoken!"



"I did, but why... Why was I sleeping?" he mutters. "I remember a deer... Say, are you okay? Look at your eyes, it's you who need some sleep..."



Flax nods and points at you. "Blackhoof, 'tis. He's coming with us!"



"Oh deer..." the hunter sighs, and slowly gets up.



You three carried on in silence, and it wasn't long before you came across the rest of the hunting body. A four men you've spotted, and Flax took you to approach them.



"Would you look at that, it's Cegad and Sas, gentlemen..." one of them growled, his hair and beard black as a crow's beak, and thick as the brush around, a leader supposedly, so eager to speak. "It's always the same with you bloody fairhead, I don't think I wan't to ask what was it this time..."



Flax merely sets his finger in your general direction once more. "Oh, it's nothing, Uzin my pal, I've just met my other pal, this deer man Blackhoof, he's a wizard, you know, we're doing magic together, it did go quite not as expected, as you can notice on my face, and my sword kind of exploded... A spare blade, anyone?"

The speaker rolled his eyes, so gracefully as if he did so the thousandth time over.



"Whatever. Esem, get him what he wants. Another pair of shoulders I can appreciate, toss the deer a bag! It's time to set for home, we have enough. Understood? Fine, let's move!"

"That beardo keeping close to the big boss is Olo." Flax whispers to you. "A proper fellow, his bodyguard, doesn't speak much."



"The bald one is Pik, one rough churl, and that youngling in white is Esem. Fairly capable, I must say. In case you wanted to have a chat."

And so, you're on your very first quest!

Objective - Reach the hamlet

Since no thrilling scenario is occurring right now, you can spend your time like dwarven citizens in taverns... Socialize!

Party
- Uzin, human noblesman
- Flax, human sworddancer
- Olo, human huskarl
- Sas, human huntsman
- Pik, human huntsman
- Esem, human huntsman
- and the one you're controlling, the one and only, Blackhoof, deer man shaman!

Friendly reminder - you don't have to play along with Flax's weird quickly fabricated scenario, but you probably don't want to anger him...

[Superdorf]

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Ho-lee cow. 
Attempt this "play along" thing. We're not going to question a face like that.

"Oh deer..." sighed Sas.

I see what you did there