Why are we doing this again? How long do I have stay in the swamp?

ask for bread

what's the point of this again?

Explain to me why, again?
also, yes, a nice big loaf of bread. More oil/fuel for the lamp. A weapon, if we don't already have one?

Isi 2013/12/18(Wed)09:21 No. 552577 ID: c6a0ff
File 138738730625.jpg - (237.92KB , 1400x1050 , Peep2.jpg )

"Why are we doing this again, s-sir?"
>"Do not be foolish, child. You know exactly why. It is the coming of age, and you must know your home. Wander well."

"Well, how long do I have to stay?"
>"As long that is required. Either you return, or you move on. It is your choice."

"May I have some bread?"
>"Bread? We have no land which to farm proper seed. You listen to wasteland rumor."
The Shadow instead hands him a small bag of what appears to be corns. There is enough for several days, and more can be scavenged from the nearby trees.
>"These are the staple of proper Birdfolk. What you seek can be found in the far north, far too cold for you."

"How about a weapon?"
>"We tell you time and time again, there is no fear to be had. But if you are cowardly enough to require, then take this."
Jade is handed a sort of claw. It is formed out of steel, with the tip as sharp as a needle. A useful tool and weapon.

>More oil/fuel for the lamp.
The lamp does not require fuel. It is filled with spirits and wisps, and shines brightly in the darkness, one of the few traditional objects that are still created to this day.

>"It is time for you to leave child."

And so Jade begins his adventure.

Down the path some ways, you come to a split.

One direction leads towards the border. The tribes have not yet explored in that area, due to the cold weather that often lingers there.

The other leads towards an abandoned town, the price of an old transgression by the Swamp Folk. It is rumored that ghosts still linger in that place.

Below lies nothing more than a vast stretch of swamp.

To the frozen north! You will be helping the tribe by exploring new areas.
Also if its colder it is probably also dryer in the north so there is no need to get all wet and miserable.

I think we should live up to our name and head west, or at least move towards a westerly direction at all times.

>>552577
ghost town!

Ghost-town. We may be able to scavenge some kind of supplies or tools or shelter from what's left.

Ghost town sounds fun.

>Throw weapon away to prove manliness

no, but actually
Search Knowledge so we remember all about this Coming of Age quest, what our goal is.
Then head towards ghost town to scavenge

Go to town, hit up abandoned houses for sweet loot.

Then forge onward to the godforsaken, barren north.

Isi 2013/12/18(Wed)21:11 No. 552695 ID: c6a0ff
File 138742987102.jpg - (114.08KB , 1400x1050 , Town.jpg )

>To The Ghost Town
Are you sure? I mean, -ghosts-, scarier things than my Shadow friends. But okay, if we must go into that horrible place.

>Search Knowledge so we remember all about this Coming of Age quest, what our goal is.
You mean remember?
All I can remember about this crazy ritual is that we're sent off on our own to do whatever we feel like. Usually everyone has a really cool tale to tell, if they return, so I guess that is our 'goal'?

Jade takes the path heading towards the town, little feet clicking off of stone and sinking into the soft dirt.


At the town, many buildings remain, though rotted, and the spirits seem to be absent for the moment. The fog is much thicker in this part.

"The town is awfully scary and large. I can see a few places, Rusted Mead or Maid. A church. Things kind of feel weird, maybe it is the spirits messing with me. But my light keeps them away."

to the Rusted Mead to get a spooky ghost drink!

start with whatever building is closest and work your way down.

Well, the tavern is the better location if you're looking for supplies. The church, if you're really worried that the ghosts might be aggressive.

>>552715
this, buti won't bet too much on the church... actually what you meant by an old transgression?

Isi 2013/12/19(Thu)15:34 No. 552798 ID: c6a0ff
File 138749606032.jpg - (148.55KB , 1400x1050 , New Canvas.jpg )

>To the Tavern!
All right, it seems like the right kind of place. Maybe there are supplies upstairs? I'm sure when it all happened, people were caught off guard. M-my tribe can be kind of violent when their code is violated.

>Actually what you meant by an old transgression?
Before I was born, some few decades past, this town had sent a small trading group accompanied by soldiers to trade with us. How they discovered, or even made it to us, was a mystery. However, my elders discovered that they had taken in the refuge of a Teiy mage. Viewing the actions of this mage and their people as a violation of our secrecy, a small contingent of men had been sent out, and so every citizen was slaughtered.

Jade makes his way towards the tavern first, pushing open the door. The inside of the building is foggy like the rest of the town.

"I feel like I shouldn't be here too long. I can search a bit though."

A quick search of the room reveals: A chest behind the counter, a loose floorboard, stairs.

can you see anything in the floor board? also unless you have a key or something or the safe is unlocked I don't think you can get in that thing. Also what's a Teiy mage?

wait... are you saying people showed up at your town asking to be friends, and the elders had them all killed? sounds like a recipe for disaster.

>>552798
you are adorable.
slaughter a whole town to keep you secrecy sound way too much, is there a real reason behind it or it's just your elder being intolerant?

check the chest

tell us more about the code of your people

try the chest, then check underneath the floorboards

Isi 2013/12/20(Fri)09:12 No. 552877 ID: c6a0ff
File 138755957495.jpg - (91.73KB , 1400x1050 , Tavern.jpg )

>Was the slaughter of these people justified?
I-In a way? Our culture feels threatened by a few things and the prospect of war, and so we stress the mystical and secret codes of our tribes to the utmost. We're hailed as powerful spirits and small gods, and it keeps us alive, where we would be eliminated by the Teiy. I am too young to properly judge my elder's actions fully.

>Also what's a Teiy mage?
A Teiy is a northern city folk. Their culture is an established monarchy under absolute primogeniture. Their royals are said to be deviant, evil people.
A mage is a higher sect of being, heavenly almost. They are magically inclined and somehow understand a set principle, we're not sure what it is called. But it allows them to defy reality and create objects and substances out of thin air. Often they are deadly in nature.

>Tell us more about the code of your people.
To put it simply; Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil.

Jade moves behind the counter and attempts to open the chest. The lid swings wide as it opens and reveals the contents inside.

"A gun! Blessings me, these are powerful tools. But why was it left unlocked so?"

Isi 2013/12/20(Fri)09:15 No. 552878 ID: c6a0ff
File 138755971033.jpg - (74.65KB , 1400x1050 , Oh gosh.jpg )

>To the floorboards!
"I don't see anything down there. I'll need to shine my ligh-oh."

Evidently, Jade is paralyzed with sudden fascination and fear. He does not move from the thing's appearance.

>>552878
move away and shine your lantern at it

your light keeps spirits away. it is watching you, but not coming any closer.

the gun is unlocked because the person who lived here didn't lock it.

how do you know anyyhing about the outside world if your people barely interact with it?

...hello?

>>552879
do you have an idea of what that could be? Would the lantern actually be useful at all?

...so do you want to try the stairs now or the next building? both get you away from this thing.

get away

stab it
stab stab stab

Isi 2013/12/20(Fri)15:18 No. 552912 ID: c6a0ff
File 138758151259.jpg - (64.84KB , 1400x1050 , Goshylhy.jpg )

>How do you know anyyhing about the outside world if your people barely interact with it?
Spies. Some go out of their way to stalk the swamp folk. Those like myself are excellent at hiding and remaining undetected. This allows us to salvage information. In meetings, this information is exchanged and the elders piece together what they have and write it in manuals and books, allowing us all to learn the knowledge of the outside peoples.

>Do you have an idea of what that could be?
This interesting creature is certainly one of the spirits in this place. Maybe they know I'm here now, going around in chests. This one looks very happy to see me, but I don't know what it wants.

>Would the lantern actually be useful at all?
Most certainly! The elders said it would protect me, so long as the light remains bright. Although this place is an undoubtedly heavier concentration of the creatures, this is their home.

>Hello?
"Hello down there. Who are you?"

The spirit does not move, nor stop staring. "Welcome to my tavern, would you like to take a nap?"

>Shine your light at it.
Evidently when Jade shines his light over the creature, it frowns, but does not move. It lets out a kind of hollow screeching sound and embers build up in it's mouth, along with terrible smells.

>Stab it.
I...I don't think I can reach down there, or even want to.

He seems to mind quite a bit, maybe this is his home? We could try and learn more, or get out. I also have my gun if that would work.

Sleeping here seems a bad idea.

Maybe stop searing it with your lantern and try talking to it?

ok yeah you might wanna get away, dont run tho

uh
go up the stairs and see what you can find.

Thank it for it's time, tell it you're just gunna look upstairs and then be on your merry way
then do so

>>552948
This, but maybe phrase it "do you mind if I look upstairs?" and we can figure out what to do if it says it does mind.

Isi 2013/12/21(Sat)09:59 No. 552976 ID: c6a0ff
File 138764877796.jpg - (86.78KB , 1400x1050 , Uh oh.jpg )

>>552913 >>552914 >>552927 >>552948 >>552955

Jade seems even more nervous than before, although not fully terrified of the creature -hissing- at him. Eventually Jade moves away with his new gun tucked against himself.

"Hah-aha, you don't mind if I explore the rest of your tavern, do you?"

The ghost is still hissing.

Jade makes his way up the stairs. He sees one of the few rooms upstairs, decrepit...and something begins to mist towards him. The sight is enough to make the little bird pause a moment and -stare-.

"Stay a moment, we'd all be happy if you joined us." The ghost wheezes out.

>>552976
leave town now

damn, nothing of interest up here, lets check out the next building. The church was next on our list right?

I'm sorry, but I'm just passing through. I can't stay long. If you have anything to say...?

(Begin moving away as you talk).

whatever you do, dont run

Isi 2013/12/22(Sun)07:41 No. 553072 ID: c6a0ff
File 138772688170.jpg - (112.54KB , 1400x1050 , This town.jpg )

>Talk to the ghost
"J-join? I-I'm sorry! I don't have much to really offer. I mean, all I have are some corns and it's rude not to offer good food to your party!"

Jade immediately begins to step back, going down the stairs backwards and straight out of the door at a brisk pace, heading out towards the church.

"It's getting more dangerous around here, the spirits are staring. T-they know I'm here."

Isi 2013/12/22(Sun)07:44 No. 553073 ID: c6a0ff
File 138772707908.jpg - (92.01KB , 1400x1050 , cjufrhurie.jpg )

Jade squeezes his pistol close to himself as he opens the door, quietly stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

In common Swamp Folk religion, only one side of the church has pews. Cobblestone and wood line the walls for decoration, as does the blue carpet below.

At the podium stands another ghost, although this one is whispering and mumbling in an strange tongue.

Jade pauses yet again, listening to the spirit for some time.

There are rooms on the other side of the church. One leads to the pastor's room, the other to the bell tower.

>>553073
look in the pastor room, then get the fuck out this town as soon as you can

>In common Swamp Folk religion, only one side of the church has pews.
What's the reason for or significance of that?

>Where go
Bell tower. That'll give you a good vantage of the surrounding area and will help you pick what direction to leave town in.

think we should check out the bell tower to see if we can't get a good view of the land, then we can decide where to go next.

why are you still in town

>>553073
Stay away from the thick, red fog. If it's still getting thicker all around you, just leave town. I don't think there's any reason for us to be here.