Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

Cool

Bruh that's fake news

[HakuryuVision]

i'm not sure whether he qualifies as a wizard anymore or a muscle mage.

So soon we'll be able to cast fist!

And before you know it, we'll be suplexing a friggin' dragon or something... Or just a house, if a dragon's too much for us.

Just give it time and we'll be able to break all the dragons over our knee.

https://imgur.com/t/playstation/n4ZMned

[Quaksna]

Hope you don't mind a bit of fanart. 

I mind ur sentenced to death Ah, how lovely! Very nice, thanks a lot. I'll give it a big red approved stamp, but I'd ruin in. Also who cares about fur pattern  . Real nice, also delivered on my nameday, why thank you!

Just give it time and we'll be able to break all the dragons over our knee.

I have only one thing to say to that, seizure warning

And trust me, there'll be alot more Nami lore to come

I have a lot more to say about that

But jokes aside, let's say, I am not exactly happy. I haven't even fully comprehended the last one yet  guess there goes my doctorate in Strik3r lore... Appreciate your involvement as always, but what have you provided me before, I have now absorbed and ran with it. I have no problem leaving any part of your stuff to you, but we need to set apart what exactly you're writing, if you insist on doing so. Because although it wasn't the case before, it is now - you're starting to meddle in my master plans. So hit me up and we'll agree on something, don't jumpscare me like this 

There's no ill will, I am not trying to "claim" your creations, I've taken for granted you gave them to me. Again, we need to make clear whose territory is whose or we'll just end up bumping into each other all the time.


Also on the Black is on steroids lol topic, he's supposed to be ripped from the offset, because of the nomadic life and all that, the only thing he hasn't going for him is he wasn't trained in combat.



The fitness combined with superior size of deer men and da antlers would make him able to overpower most humans with ease, they'd have to be either even stronger or skilled in battle. Don't hesitate to use it!


Commercial break over, on with the show!

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You realize in your surprise you didn't even found strange that you can see Nami out under sunlight.

You stretch your arm and try to touch her face, to check whether she's really present at all. But your hand doesn't feel anything, and the image stands still, like a mirage.

This is quite a shock for you. All your magic art, the gift you've carried from the time of your birth, was to detect and identify the unseen, on your command... Yet your eyes are being deceived like this, and you don't know why. Never in your life have you encountered this.

Nami notices your bewilderment, and speaks.




"What are you up to?"

"I... I can see you right here, in space, I am not observing the spirit world. Pretty sure I could see the wraith over here, too... But you are not here, are you?"

"I can assure you, I am still incorporeal, as ever. I am not projecting to the eyes of mortals in such a way, either."

"Then what is happening?"

"Well, you could be cursed by someone, but I don't see any long lasting effects on you, you could be insane... Then again, you are my master, still, it's unheard of..."

"It's true the wraith might be getting to my head."

"Stand strong. He can't harm you, but you must stay out of his influence. I know it's hard, but this is a serious matter."

"I've figured..."



"And what were you up to? What about that masked person, what happened to them?"

"She carried herself further north. I wish I could've helped her more, but, I am uncertain if anyone even can."

"What was she?"



"She had human soul, which was rather peculiar to me, but from what I was able to get out of her, she survived some horrible treatment from human sorcerers, which left her in an permanently damaged state. Misshapen, hideous, constantly throwing up blood, as if the new body wasn't working properly at all. She also said that despite this, she can't starve to death, and doesn't seem to age, still, she was useless to her former masters, who promptly banished her. She has nowhere to go now..."

"That is horrible, who would be capable of doing such a thing? We could've at least healed her..."



Nami shakes her head.

"Sadly, I don't think so. The transformation changed her fundamentally. A pitiful reminder of how those warlocks of men are."



"Those men I fought, they had this otherworldly dark beast among them, did you see it?"

"I did indeed."

"Any idea of what that might've been?"

She shrugs.

"Some other creation of twisted magic, most likely. Though this one, if I'm correct, didn't have a soul at all. Not even the breath of life that drives an animal forward, I was surprised you managed to kill it, as, technically, it was dead the whole time."

"I see..."

After your questions are up, Nami starts asking some of her own.

"Where'd you get that flower charm of yours?"



"The medallion? Flax gave it to me, to battle the temple guardian. I'll probably have to give it back at some point... It seems really powerful."

"Spirits might be able to bypass it, but nonetheless, it is truly remarkable!"



After all the talking, you've mended the damaged tissue further. The wound is fully closed, the pain is a lot more bearable and you don't see any infection coming your way. You harvest some moss, take it in, and you're ready to go.



You go without interruption, until the sun sets. You pass the forest, and step back onto the snowy plains. You manage to rack yourself for some more of that speed spell towards the end, before stopping, and lying down to slumber. It was a wild day.



Maybe it's just the exhaustion, but once again, you dreams aren't exactly eventful. You don't mind it that much, as you could really use some peace at night, but given all what's been happening, it is strange.



You still pay a visit to Melabil, though, but even then, not much happens. You see the same room as the last night, for a long time empty, then occupied by the chairman, whose head's deep in books and scrolls, which have grown in numbers over the time.



You awake later than usual, but deservedly so, and you still have time either way. You don't see Nami anymore, to your relief, you still know she is present behind the veil. Without much consideration, you carry on, as the city awaits.

The wraith does not bother you this time around, you don't hear from him a single time. Probably sulking in a corner, but you have no interest in checking, and mind your business, which is, the journey.



You pass the spot you've embarked from, and just a moment after, you get to the Great river. The humans call it Thakomcema, and it is this mighty watercourse they've set all of their northern settlements around, as it flows across the whole of Wintervale, from the southern mountains all the way to the sea. It stretches wide - before you could swim from one bank to the next, you would freeze to death, the cold can't stop it from flowing, only the toughest fish can survive. The channel is also a good measure lower than the ground, and dark soil stands like two walls on the edges.



And across the waters, a massive bridge, wooden, but strong enough to hold multiple carts. Like a fallen forest are the logs set one next to the other, and on the sides, carvings of heroes, lords and laborers - a sight to behold. You're not the only one there, a handful of striders are passing in both directions. You can see paths outlined on both ends, by standing stones and pillars, as the rest is covered by snow. Yours leads straight ahead, to Usodestis, which itself, is in sight.



"There's a flair to it, isn't it?" you hear Nami say, and once again, you see her. "Unfortunately, this conquest of nature drives spirits away. Be cautious, your magic might not be as potent in places like this!"

"Sure thing."

You aproach the palisade, forming the city's borders, and the closer you get, the higher and more menacing the walls seem. The path takes you to a wide gate, which is open, and a group of guards stand by, one of them speaks to you.



"Halt, wanderer!" he says, with a firm, stout voice, but well-meaning. "You cannot proceed without us inspecting you first. Decree of the king."

"What did I tell you." Nami whispers. "The moment you step on their land there's trouble..."



"Just what is it this inspection entails?" you ask.

"We have to examine all your belongings. Should not you carry anything forbidden, you shall be granted access."



What do you want to do?

[Strik3r]

Also on the Black is on steroids lol topic, he's supposed to be ripped from the offset, because of the nomadic life and all that, the only thing he hasn't going for him is he wasn't trained in combat.

I'm not really fond of this actually, because i feel like it devalues the wizard part of "Deer Wizard". That, and making a character's sum of power, of physical prowess, skills, and magical abilities, too high risks making the story uninteresting by removing any stakes from the story as a whole. Though i'm not that worried about it, i think you've handled everything really well thus far. Though i have some pretty serious concerns regarding Flax, but his recent injury did alleviate those concerns somewhat, showing that he's not quite invincible and unbeatable.

Anyway, Nami not actually being in the physical world kinda throws off my plans, but i think i can work around it. Though even those plans might not work, because:
I believe that this Nami is STILL just her echo, a figment of Blackhoof's imagination. I believe this to be the case based on some of the stuff she has said since returning. Especially referring to us as her "master" even though we know she'd be FAR too arrogant to use such language to refer to herself in relation to us. That's before one accounts for the fact that she called blackhoof her "chosen" before she left to inhabit the masked woman.

Whether real or not, her insight given the current situation would be something like this:

"
I really hope you don't still have that blood vial with you. The locals, looks like, have progressed past the primitive customs of their ancestors, and you yourself likewise have, unfortunately for once, taken great strides toward not looking like a savage, while i was away. Khehehehehe. So, you'd need a pretty good excuse for why you'd be carrying it around, else, they'll probably convince themselves you're some kind of blood cultist or something.

Or, of course i could just simply trick them into letting you pass without a search by the way of a little bit of psychic suggestion... Aaand maybe a bit of memory manipulation. Khehehehe.
It's one of the few things i can do without inhabiting a physical body of my own. But... We'll talk about that later.
"
Barring any better ideas, i say we go with ^that^ and let Nami handle this one, assumign this is the real Nami.
We could of course flip Nami's comment on her and tell to the guards that carrying vials of blood is part of our tribal customs. That might work.

[King Zultan]

We don't have anything they'd dislike besides the vile so just make up a reason for why we have it, but if they still don't like it then we could just ditch it, even if it's important our life is wort more that whatever's inside it.

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

This does raise a concern, but you definitely don't want to look suspicious, and react fast, hoping you'll have a time to think over explaining yourself, should it be necessary.

"Well then, proceed!" you say, and hand them your axe, and your pouch. Neither is bloody anymore, as you've cleaned them beforehand, but you're afraid the vial might still upset them.



They return the axe almost immediately, suggesting it's nothing out of the ordinary around here. The old guard looks into the pouch, and promptly passes it to his associates, before approaching you.



He inspects your medallion, his gaze skips from it and your cloak, you stand still. They seem somewhat brash, but it's not worth angering them, you think. He hums and grunts, everything seems fine so far.



In the meantime, the rest of the guards curiously wonder at your belongings. They seem to really like your ice pebble, although they obviously cannot form the blade, it's chilling touch amuses them to no end. Their speaker on the other hand doesn't care much about it, but he asks for the other items.



The time comes for the vial, that unfortunate object. Maybe Nami can toy with their mind so they won't notice. You close your eyes, as you don't want to risk giving away your communication with the spirit world and instruct her.



The man looks at it briefly, hums some more, and that's it. He returns it to the pouch, and inspects the other items.



The elder seems to be most concerned about your mushrooms, and chats over them with the others.

"That is some, eh, witchery, correct?" he asks you.

"Those are ingredients." you respond.



He turns back to his fellows, and points to the ingredients in question.

"Is it a poison? Should I send for an apothecary?"

The guards look clueless, but one of them speaks.

"Those are drugs, I am sure."

The old man ponders over it some more, then shrugs and puts everything back in the pouch.



"Carry on, hope we did not inconvenience you." he says, as he hands you the pouch. "Dark thoughts haunt the mind of our king, he trusts no one."

"Of course not, that's... To be expected..." you utter slowly, for the sake of decorum, but you surely don't feel that way.

"Take care of yourself, noble beastman! And make sure to avoid trouble here. Locals can prove to be... Difficult with your kind."

"Good to know, i will." you speak, and slip through the gate, recollecting, what was it Flax told you.



An inn near the entrance... You look around, and search for it.



The city is built on elevated ground, and multiple streets go round the hill, next to them are houses and huts, small and tall, from wood, thatch and frozen soil. There are also statues decorating the path, with bowls and braziers nearby - those must be the shrines, you companions talked about.



And the streets are busy, never have you seen so many people in one place, commoners, more guards, and pilgrims, you can tell apart temples, laced with rich carvings, dwellings, workshops and other structures...



Finally, you notice the sign, and head for the building. It is just a few leaps away. As you get closer, familiar chatter and laughter rings in your ears, like back there in Sas' village, but much more intense, and apart from it, music can also be heard. This must be it, there's no doubt about it!



You open the door, and step inside. The place is extensive, many more tables are scattered across the hall than you had anticipated, and the sheer amount of men and women occupying them does not even surprise you anymore.



Not every spot is filled with furniture - there is a wide clear area, where performers stand, and a few are present right now, singing ballads of ancient heroes.



A few guests turn back, hearing the door creak, and give you the kind of glances you think the guard warned you about, but ultimately, they mind their business. You didn't find a place to put aside your weapon, but a lot of the locals are armed as well, so apparently it's okay. Therefore, you start looking around for your companions instead, and notice a waving figure, it's Sas!



You swiftly walk towards him.

"Black, friend, you made it!" he exclaims. "We were getting worried!"



"I indeed did, and my quest was successful." you say, sitting down. "The task is over with."

"I'm so happy to hear that! Here, things have gone astray a bit..."

"How so?"



"See, the ally Flax wanted to visit... He died in the meantime."

"Huh?"

"Yes, he did! Flax is convinced someone must have murdered him. Now he's trying to get access to his house, he'll drop here and report how it's going. He'll explain it better than I ever could..."

You think over what to say, when a short, stout woman approaches your table.



"Welcome to Obinnek, sir!" she says. "Will you stay for a meal?"

You look at Sas.



"They have good fish soups here, I'll pay if you want. We took some jobs over here, no problem at all!"

You don't want to eat away all of your party's treasury, but it's true stiff grass and moss left a bad taste in your mouth.
You'd certainly appreciate something good to eat, while waiting for your guide... Aside from that, there might be more to ask or share with Sas.




What do you want to do?

[Strik3r]

this just came out of nowhere for me.
But as promised, a new course has been set, running with the assumption that this is actually the real Nami. Details aren't yet 100% ironed out, but there's more than enough to it. I'm gonna say right now, i like this scenario a lot more than the first one i came up with. A question for you, Q, are you okay with the story taking a small detour at some point in the future, contingent of course on the players' choice... And you'll get to make a dungeon if you want.
Also, it seems that we've lost Yellow Pixel, again.

"
Ooooh, a murder? I wonder who done it? Khehehe, i bet whomever it was, they wouldn't like us to find out. These are the secrets that are always worth a lot to know. Even if it's mundane by my standards, digging them up is always fun. Sooo... My little excursion might have to wait a bit longer, because it sounds like you'll need me around, to help you out.

...Yes, i'm planning to leave again so soon after coming back, but it'll be for just a little while, alright? I want to go and see if the local chapter of the Order of the Whispering Leaves is still around. If so, you might just get a chance to meet me in the flesh. If not, i'll need a bit of your help with that. Their... "monastery" is secluded in a valley in some mountains nearby, not too far from the town if you want to visit it for yourself. But as promised i'll be sticking around for now, to help you navigate the social situation in this town.

Now for the present situation... Apparently Sas has already eaten here, and can order food without issues. So if you're worried about an attempt to poison you... Or just short you with bad fish, give me a sign; tap the underside the table or something and refuse to order, i'll then convince Sas to order "for himself"... aaand give it to you. Khehehehe.
I can do a lot of stuff like that! As long as i'm around, i can relay orders or messages to your companions for you... or anybody else, really! Discreetly, remotely... and deceptively, if you want.
"
I think Nami's being a bit too paranoid in this instance, surely the locals aren't going to discriminate against us that much, right?
And since we have been surviving on nothing but grass and moss for the last few days, a good meal would certainly be welcome, and food in not the thing we should be saving coin on. Also we should ask Sas what information he's picked up since he and Flax arrived here, and whether he knows what's got the king on edge.
Okay, Nami's in your hands now, Q. Just have her leave when you feel like it, then i'll proceed with the scenario. At the latest, she'll split when Blackhoof and co. leave the town. Still, i have at least another update's worth of time, probably more, to finish up and polish what i'm working on.

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Well, why wouldn't I?" you answer. "A bowl I'll take, thank you!"

"And a tankard for me, good woman!" Sas says, slamming a silver coin onto the desk. "We have a reason to celebrate!"



"Pleasure on our side!" says the lady, takes the coin and leaves your table.



"Hmph... A murder you say." you turn back to your companion.

"That's what Flax says. He didn't tell me much, you see... But he is busy around the town."

"Unsurprisingly... Well there's something else... The guards halted me at the gate."

"As they did us!"

"So they did. Hope no trouble arose from that."



"Flax said he had a few bottles on him they wouldn't like, but they got crushed... It went alright."

"Likewise. They told me the king is afraid of something, are you aware of what exactly?"

"Well... They didn't tell us, but we figured. There are soldiers everywhere, the keep is getting reinforced... Flax works on the construction, actually, he'd tell you directly from the seat of power! But, from what I've heard, a revolt is what troubles the mind of the mighty."

"I haven't noticed that kind of tension over here..."

Sas shrugs.

"It's what they say!"



"If reason of our king is what interests you, you'll be dissapointed." a nearby guest speaks.

"It does, perhaps you could elaborate, mister." you tell him.

The man picks his chair and brings it closer.



"Who knows what the king thinks, and who cares. They might tell you stories, but all of us know, little power does he hold."

He looks around carefully, then whispers to you.



"It might be his fear, it might not, like a hound under a table, not concerned about what they feed him, he eats it up."

"So there isn't something brewing among the people?"

The man sighs.

"Eh, there are concerns to be had, but I doubt they're are a match for local officials. Their fingers reach far, far and deep."



His eyes lie on a group sitting nearby, all in some kind of an uniform. You saw the same colors around the city walls, too, in fewer numbers.

"It is the people that are concerned. These incessant measures stir some real plotting. Where there was no problem, one grew and we all wait, when the line breaks."

"Insightful. But surely the high ups wouldn't get away with those actions unfounded. Even if the reason was fabricated, they'd need to present one, wouldn't they?"

He pauses, before speaking again.

"Usodestis is divided. The people can hardly get along among themselves. There are the kingsmen, the burghers, unruly lots, bootlickers of all kinds..."



Laughter emerges from a nearby table. A group of men sits there, one of them calls back at you.

"Don't listen to him. He's a damn northerner..."

"Aren't you all?" you ask.



The men burst out again, shake their heads, wave you off and go back to their own conversation.

You are quite confused by this, and look at Sas in hopes of better comprehension.

"Wasn't there a war?" he asks.



"There wouldn't be a generation without a war in Niwirthola. But I see you don't know... Our kingdom is the youngest in this land. And even before it broke free, it would change rulers often, halfway between north and south, all the realms fought over it. Some adopted those new identities, some didn't let go of the old. And then... There are the Joñu."

"Joñu?" you ask, while he looks over his shoulder, and points with his finger.



A man and a woman, of similar faces, features that feel somewhat familiar, hair resembling sunray in color, and wearing leather garbs adorned with stripes, enjoying themselves.

"Look at them, fairheads, always up to no good. Good they have their own realm now as well, but a few stick and won't leave, for who knows why..."

The informant seems to grow frustrated, quickly and suddenly. For this reason, you remain silent. Sas doesn't.

"Well I thought since that was a thing, there wasn't a problem with them." the hunter says, the man shakes his head.



"It would never have happened with any other. Give them a chance, they'll run with it. Never forget the times of Imthor Cuthom, good thing they got expelled... But some never learn."

You don't like the direction this is going in, and have heard enough.

"Thanks for the intel, sir." you say. "I appreciate it."

"Anytime." the man replies, and goes back to his table. "Take care."



Not everything you'd wish got clarified, but it's apparent to you, all these people seem to have some kind of a thorn in their flesh.

Now the atmosphere has settled, your soup has not arrived yet, so you talk to Sas some more. These Joñu people, you have definitely heard of them before, but your memories are blurry.

"What is the deal with those Joñu, what are they?" you ask.

"A long established subset of the northmen, perhaps the first of our kind to have arrived here. They are very serious about their traditions, which are... Quite odd, I've heard. They respect only their own authorities, seem to get into fights often, and overall are known to wreak havoc... I have heard tales only but if it's true, then... Well... No wonder they don't get along."

"You hadn't any over at your village?"

He shakes his head.



"Perhaps their descendants, you can tell by the hair and prominent eyes, they all have that, but they wouldn't call themselves Joñu. The ones that do do not marry outside their own."

"Well, you seem to know a thing or two about this land!" you smile. "Pik didn't know what lied two steps away from that hamlet!"

Sas smirks. "Pik didn't care really, he was a man of simple goals. Mother and father told me a lot of it."




What do you want to do?

[Strik3r]

It seems we've lost another player, and sadly one of the forum's biggest names, King Zultan. And i sincerely doubt any new players will join us in writing this story, but i'll stick by you as long as you keep this thing running. But i've wanted to ask you something for a while: do you have any plans on where you'll go once this forum crumbles to it's inevitable and very much approaching end?

"
Usodestis is divided alright, and it seems shattered into thousand little pieces like a shattered jewel, each shard gleaming with it's own distaste for the others. And by the sound of it Usodestis wasn't much of a jewel in the first place. Khehehehe
But the possibility of a revolt worries me much more, Hmm...
"
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Nami flicking her tongue, seemingly tasting the air. It takes you a moment to realize she's actually tasting the aether of the spirit realm, trying to sense some kind energy within it. She does this a few more times, the expression on her face growing more incredulous each time.
"
The confusing situation in this town, and probably the entire kingdom, seems more and more like the work of my vulture of a brother, Veno! Yet, i can't seem to taste the disgusting, bitter smell of his corruption and darkness around anywhere...! And trust me, i can sense him and his cronies from very far away. Usually he's eager to gift his corrupting powers to anyone that asks for it. But i suppose he might've changed his strategy in the time i've been asleep.

What strategy? Oh, he just likes using his mortal agents spark violent revolts and uprisings anywhere he can. And once he has successfully ignited the fires of bloody revolution, he'll march in with his host of disciples and wraiths brought to the living world by his chosen champion and host, the Wraithcaller, who will lead the force, to join alongside the rebels in "liberating" the place, during which Veno and his wraiths will feast on the souls of those who die in the ensuing conflict. Perhaps he has stopped endowing his agents with his powers, because he knows any of the Fragments that might oppose him, can easily sniff them out. Your's truly included. Khehe

If that's the case, we'll need to be even more vigilant, because any one of the belligerent factions in this town could be his puppets. The Joñu people might well be it, as this sort of wanton freedom and vulgar disregard of others' rules is very much Veno's creed. Or maybe the situation here has nothing to do with my brother... Still not good obviously, but not as bad if he's involved. Or maybe there's no revolt brewing at all!
Either way, we shouldn't take any sides in this turmoil and try to remain neutral. If the push comes to shove, i'd say we just quietly make our way out of this town. I don't like this place anyway...
Though if you ever notice anyone bearing the sigil of the noose and the hook, be extremely vary. That is Veno's symbol, and while not all who revere him are his agents, all of his agents do so fervently.

Anyway, I'll go take a peek at what's taking your soup so long... And of course to make sure there aren't any unnecessary inclusions... Or omissions. Khehehe
You should try gathering more info, see if you can figure out whether the guy who was murdered was of any importance at all.
"
With nothing really better to do, i'd say we go with Nami's suggestion, and ask Sas whether Flax told him anything about the guy we were supposed to meet here. The guy who was supposedly murdered.

[Quaksna]

This is kinda a semi-episode, what I managed to get done this week, it was quite a busy one, so not all I have written got pictures yet, only a half of it - you can still add on actions if you want.

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Say, this associate of Flax... Did he tell you anything about him?" you ask.

"Well, a bit here and there! Apparently he was in possession of some important correspondence Flax was to collect. They've been long-time colleagues and Flax visits him every time he has some business in Niwirthola."

You'd jest that Flax can hardly read, but that's not something anyone needs to know. But indeed, when you hear these words, his visit of a scribe back in the village comes to mind immediately.

"Interesting... Then let's wait to see if this endeavor comes to fruition."



You look around the pub to pass time, it seems if you had stirred any attention beforehand, none of it lasted - everyone minds their own. Even the group that made fun of you is concerned solely about food and drink, the music, and after all, who can blame them. It is better that no one is closely watching you, the warnings you've obtained seem to carry no weight in this house of joy and respite.



Not long after your conversation, the order arrives, a portion of soup and Sas' drink, brought by another woman.

"Enjoy your stay!" the maid says, and unlike her wobbling predecessor, swiftly runs off to another table. No wonder, you see people coming in and out, the place is quite busy.

"What've you got?" you ask your companion.



"This? That's ale."

"Is that the potion that makes you forget?"

"Heh, if you can't hold it, perhaps. It's not a potion though."



"But you brew it."

"We do, but it's not that hard, they say, you can do it at home. But better to leave it to the masters, I say, they produce enough as it is..."

"Who has time for that?" you laugh. "Commercial brewing, what is this... Next you'll tell me there's business in wood burning also!"

You are having a good time, and anytime you hear the door, you set your eyes back there, to check whether Flax is coming. It takes more time than the few of your quips and the soup, but ultimately, the reunion is complete.



As soon as he steps into the inn, he turns and walks directly in the direction of your table, as if out of habit, and when he sees you sitting there, he speeds up gleefully.



"Ancients, Black is back!" he exclaims. "What a splendid day this is!"

"Nice to see you too!" you say. "The trip paid off, although, it might have taken a bit longer..."



"Nonsense! But how glad am I that you have returned sound. You truly are a man of your word, I won't forget this! Worries did come across my mind, bur I should have never doubted!"

He then turns to Sas.



"And our resident mister Arutekud, guess how are the affairs?"

The hunter does a tacky salute with a grin and speaks back.

"No idea, captain. We've struck gold?"

"We did! I've got the key! I am so uplifted, I think I'll give away a raise."



"Well done, captain, you deserve a raise also!" the hunter cackles, and gives him a coin, which he promptly bites in a silly manner, before they both start laughing hysterically.



"So you can access the house?" you ask, when the two cool down a bit.

"Yes, yes indeed! Did Sas already tell you?"

"He briefed me a little, yeah. Still, I'd want to hear the whole story from you, too."



"Of course, let us head there at once, I'll explain on the way. Ah, this day keeps getting better and better!"

[King Zultan]

Hello I have returned and I'll explain my absence, in the early parts of the second before I could read the part from the first my house got struck by lightning and it killed the internet radio thing and it took about eleven days to get it fixed and I've just now got caught up with stuff on the forum.

It seems we've lost another player, and sadly one of the forum's biggest names, King Zultan.

It's strange to think that I'm seen as a big name on here, but thank you.


Anyway I can't think of anything to add so let us proceed to the location and hear the story.

[Strik3r]

Hello I have returned and I'll explain my absence, in the early parts of the second before I could read the part from the first my house got struck by lightning and it killed the internet radio thing and it took about eleven days to get it fixed and I've just now got caught up with stuff on the forum.

Well that's unfortunate. But at least you're alive and still around on the forum. 

Anyway I can't think of anything to add so let us proceed to the location and hear the story.

Me neither, so 1+ on this.

[King Zultan]

Hello I have returned and I'll explain my absence, in the early parts of the second before I could read the part from the first my house got struck by lightning and it killed the internet radio thing and it took about eleven days to get it fixed and I've just now got caught up with stuff on the forum.

Well that's unfortunate. But at least you're alive and still around on the forum. 

I to am glad I'm not dead and am back on the forum since it's the closest thing I have to a social life.

[Quaksna]

See that's the seven year long curse you get from looking up ToDW posts but it's okay you still have six years left to live nah great to see you back safe and sound, Zultan. You are approximately 50% of the regulars in this thread if I am not mistaken, after all 

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

As you've finished your meal, nothing stops you from leaving for the streets, like Flax suggested. And once your out, he starts, quite enthusiastic, but keeps his voice down enough so the words get to your ears only.

"When I've first arrived at the place, no one opened for me! I must've been very unlucky, as there is a neighbor, ol' Tode, who never leaves, was probably sleeping. It was him who had testified for me, and guaranteed I was a long known acquaintance. Still took a lot running back and forth, I helped out on the royal keep's constructions as a sign of good will, but it all paid off!"

"How did you find out your friend has passed away?"



"I spoke with the local elderly, how else! They said it was already a few days since he did. I then confronted the authorities about it. They found him dead sitting in his chair, quill fallen beneath his still hand."

"That is quite suspicious. How old was he anyway?"

"No more than me, and I say it's clear as day, this wasn't an unfortunate coincidence! There are lots of people who had an interest targeting him. Sodu was quite an important asset for my folk..."

"Who'd be those people?"



"The rival clans, as ever! Just this one victim was enough to undermine the whole of our operations in this land!"

"What was he doing? Was he some sort of a lorekeeper? A scribe?"

Although even more agitated, Flax makes sure to whisper the following quieter.

"Not just a scribe. He collected and relayed information, all of us who who've been out here on a mission were supplied by him. But, you'll see that all soon enough, behold!"



You arrive at the place, stationed at the bottom of the hill. A tall house, while not necessarily spacious, it is bigger than most of the other huts of the commoners.



There, Flax knocks on the door, and a weak, dry voice emerges.

"Enter!"



You open the door and get inside, into a singular chamber - a bed against the back floor, a coffer nearby, and on the opposite side, a table an old man is sitting at, looking as if positioned there since the beginning of time. He looks at your party, and greets you.

"Good afternoon, Cegad!".

"Blessed it may be, Tode!" Flax says, and introduces you. "This is Blackhoof and Sas, my friends, we're going to Sodu's."

"Please, do proceed!"



"Thanks! We're heading up, pals." your guide speaks, and points to steps in the corner.



It leads you to the top floor, consisting of an even smaller room, locked behind a wooden door, where Flax triumphantly lays the key.



With a click, it's opened, and you peek inside. As humble Tode's cell was, it had quite a few commodities, and tools you could not identify, this on the other hand is barren. A bed and a desk are there too, but it's just bare wood all over the place.



Flax rushes to the table, opens all the drawers and cupboards you can see, but it's evident, he won't find a thing.

"Bastards, they took it all away!" he announces. "I was worried they would..."

"What does it mean for us?" asks Sas.



"The letters contained the freshest reports about our path one could get. It could help us lay out the journey and be somewhat prepared, now... I know the way of course, but who knows what might have happened in the few weeks! This world is unpredictable..."

"You said you've proven your identity already, couldn't you claim the property back?"



"The documents were ciphered! While that makes it so they can't do much with them, now that they are sadly in their possession, which, master won't be pleased with, but it also means, I can't just come to them and say my friend was hiding here secret cryptic letters, where are they? Can I? Oh, what should we do now..."



What do you want to do?

[Strik3r]

"
So, Flax thinks the death of Sodu was the work of a clan rival to his own? Looks like things are starting to get closer to home for him. I do just hope we won't be dragged into whatever clan disputes his clan is involved in. The order must truly be well and gone from this part of the world if petty rivalries like this fester out in the open.

And i think Sodu might've had the role of some kind of a steward or overseer who collected, compiled and distributed information provided by agents. If he was the one to whom all others in the region reported to, its natural that this would have caused the whole operation in the area to collapse.
What i'm worried about is the manner of death. By Flax's description, it doesn't sound like he was killed with a weapon, and we don't see any blood around, so this is probably the case. The next obvious answer is poisoning, but for that, someone had to have gotten close to Sodu, is that possible? Finally, there's magic... There are a lot of insidious ways to kill someone through magic, many of them not requiring the assassin to be anywhere close to the target, and can be made to look like natural causes of death. Without knowing what state Sodu's body was at the time of death i couldn't tell what magic in particular...
But i'll try and see if i can pick up any kind of residual magical energy around here, that'd let me at least narrow down the possibilites, if it was indeed done through magic.

But if the documents were encrypted, what kind of information was on them? I sincerely doubt a travel guide would contain much that needs to be kept secret. Khehehe
No, i think those documents had a lot more on them than flax was letting on. They were almost certainly detailed observation reports, stuff with obvious value to anyone with ill intent towards others.
And if i were Flax, i wouldn't be so sure about the documents being useless to the ones who took it. If they really wanted to know what was on them, they'd probably have only some difficulty with deciphering their contents. Never underestimate a truly dedicated and motivated adversary! What's worse, should Flax's people be using the same cipher everywhere, the secrecy of the entire information exchange will be compromised once their enemies decipher those documents.

And indeed, i of course could dechiper them as well, provided i can get a look at them. I doubt these documents will be encrypted with any cipher comparable to what i've seen. kheheh! Oh i could go on about them for ages... But i wont.
Thankfully, i happen to be incorporeal so walls and guards won't pose a problem to me... What i am worried about though, are spirit wards and magical tripwires, but if whomever is holding the documents has those kinds of things set up, we can be assured that they're serious about what they're doing.
"
"Settle down, Flax. Lets check the room thoroughly. Maybe the documents were hidden away somewhere? If one knows that their enemies want something they have, it makes sense to take every precaution possible to protect it, doesn't it?"
"And if that's not the case and they really did get the real documents, if the documents are still within Usodestis, there might still be a way..."

[King Zultan]

great to see you back safe and sound, Zultan. You are approximately 50% of the regulars in this thread if I am not mistaken, after all 

I'm also glad I'm safe, and it's sad that there aren't more people procrastinating in this game.

"Settle down, Flax. Lets check the room thoroughly. Maybe the documents were hidden away somewhere? If one knows that their enemies want something they have, it makes sense to take every precaution possible to protect it, doesn't it?"
"And if that's not the case and they really did get the real documents, if the documents are still within Usodestis, there might still be a way..."

+1
Search the floors for a loose boards and behind and under furniture for secret hiding places.
I'm saying this because something that important wouldn't just be sitting on a table waiting to be found, it's most likely hidden somewhere in here, and those places are the most likely they'd be if they're here.