>>72911
Don't let on she's visible. Also, stay wary. Chances are this is a decoy. She's proven better than this in the past.

From what we've seen earlier, she's way too clever to expose herself like that. It's very likely either a trap and she's approaching from opposite direction or just something red.

Problem will appear if the red thing disappears or moves, then we'll be practically sure she's back and we're in deep shit.

Hurry up and stay wary, especially keep attention on direction opposite from the red stuff.

It's a diversion, you idiot. Tell Aphek to watch it and you focus on a different area.

>>72911
You only need to be worried if it starts moving, be ready to be attacked but focus on other areas in case it's a decoy, tell aphek to keep an eye on it. He should be able to manage this as he'll be more worried about Shadran than whatever you're doing to his foot.

Test Pattern 2009/11/06(Fri)01:22 No. 73027 ID: 7eda8b
File 125749933757.png - (159.23KB , 500x500 , AQ346.png )

>>72984
>>72983
"I think it's diversion," Goshen says.

"What?"

"She's good. Too good to make a mistake like that. It's probably, uh, a bundle of weeds dyed red, or something," says Goshen, then considers.

"...Unless that's what she wants us to think," he adds. "Watch everywhere."

Aphek makes a frightened sound, but that's good. Sergals have excellent peripheral vision, and his eyes are no doubt scanning everything around him now.

Goshen finally gets the last point out of Aphek's flesh, shields him with the armor, and carefully pulls his leg free.

Hug Aphek.

No time for hugs, get your armor back on!

Check how badly Apheks leg is wounded. If he's still ok leg it out of the woods the way you came in. You remember the way right? Be careful about traps as long you're still in the clearing.
Also put your armor back on, but that should go without saying.
Do Sergals get ill if exposed to harsh weather?

Quick hug then GTFO.

Definitely do a quick hug, if nothing else to make Shadran feel like a dick.

No hug. He's a nice enough guy, but he's a dustback.

Hug time. Shadran needs to see the power of friendship.

And kiss him, they may be the last lips you'll ever know!

I think a friendly pat on the back will suffice.

Once you've put your armor on.

You should really investigate those graves though. You might find something good.

Rearmour yourself, obvious choice of action. Status report on Aphek's leg. Then work on getting out of the trap-filled death field.

Test Pattern 2009/11/06(Fri)20:50 No. 73381 ID: 7eda8b
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Aphek stumbles free, assessing the wounds on his foot. Goshen grabs his helmet, and sees a flash of motion in the trees to the east, only for an instant.

better get that armour on as fast as you can.

>>73381
Assume a combat-ready stance.

Test Pattern 2009/11/06(Fri)21:07 No. 73394 ID: 7eda8b
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Goshen doesn't see shit. He continues pulling on his armor.

Storm clouds darken the sky.

>>73381

Elves. Perhaps the ones we didn't kill earlier.

I'm afraid we're going to have to forget checking anything else out. Quickly and carefully evacuate the area. Try to get out of the forest as quickly as possible and run like hell to Fort Ji.

You may have to worry about getting shot in the back, so remember.

SERPENTINE.

Can we make like a tree and get the fuck outta here?

Is the red crap still there?

I wonder if Shadran cut off her own hair to serve as a decoy.

Test Pattern 2009/11/06(Fri)21:44 No. 73410 ID: 7eda8b
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>Can we make like a tree and get the fuck outta here?
Could you please be more specific?

>Is the red crap still there?
Yes. It's a little unnerving.

Goshen would like to stress that shit is beginning to get real.

Then pose as a team.

>>73410

Reiterate: Leave. Now.

>>73410
You'd better get into the forest before you get hit by lightning. Standing around in the middle of a clearing with metal on your head is a bad idea. Skirt around the edge of the clearing, heading towards the south entrance that you came from. May as well get a little closer to the red stuff and see what it is; both of you should also keep an eye out in general.

Test Pattern 2009/11/06(Fri)22:00 No. 73418 ID: 7eda8b
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>Reiterate: Leave. Now.
Goshen needs you to be more specific. A direction would help.

There are paths to the south, the east, and the west. Goshen's goal lies to the east, but he saw movement in that direction. they arrived from the south, but they know that would eventually get them back to the main road, where, if they're still alive, they can head to Fort Ji. Going south also means crossing the most open ground. To the west is unknown.

Alternately, they could forget the paths, and simply rush north. That's the shortest distance to the treeline.

>>73410
That movement in the forest may very well be Shadran; in particular, I thought I saw a tail.

However, navigating a deathtrap-filled plain slowly in the middle of a lightning storm is also a bad idea. Make for the trees and skirt until you reach the south entrance. Tell Aphek to be alert, and keep your own weapon ready.

She has the biggest advantage when she gets inside our reach. We can't let her do that.

>>73414
That.

South, the east path seems like it'd be trapped.

>>73421

south

If shadran laid that as a decoy she may be circling around north, west might be a good direction to go to but you'll risk more traps.

however if you rake the butt of your polearm through the dirt and walk only on the line it makes then you should avoid stepping in one.

Test Pattern 2009/11/07(Sat)00:43 No. 73448 ID: 7eda8b
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The sergals stick close to the treeline, circling around the perimeter of the clearing, making their way back toward the southward path. Goshen taps the ground ahead of him to check for more booby traps.

The storm grows steadily worse. Rain pelts them. Goshen thinks of how he nearly died of thirst a few weeks ago.

It's getting difficult to see.

In the trees! Someone is there!

>>73448
Cloaked figure in the treeline just a bit behind you.

Confront the cloaked figure behind you.

Get ready to stab with that sword you're carrying.

Point your spear at it and ask who it is.

>>73448
you've gotten out of the clearing, and you're near a road. travelling in this weather is just going to wear you down faster, so get far enough off the road that people on it won't see you, and then set up camp for the night.

Test Pattern 2009/11/07(Sat)01:39 No. 73456 ID: 7eda8b
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Goshen spots the lurking figure from the corner of his eye.

"You! Halt!" he calls, turning to face them.

The figure charges, moving with familiar speed, but an unfamiliar stance.

Respond to the charge, but be prepared to be attacked from behind or the sides. I have a feeling Shadran isn't working alone and you may be flanked.

>>73457
Swing your your Glaive at it and try to hit the figure around the midriff, if you try to stab it might manage to circumvent your weapon.
Tell Aphek to watch your back. He's almost useless, but you can't fight and look around at the same time.

>>73456
red eyes, cat-like tail, high boots and chainmail? IT'S A SHADRAN

>>73456
Hold your glaive closer to the head so as to compensate for the weakened haft. Fight defensively and keep them from attacking Aphek.

Test Pattern 2009/11/07(Sat)03:02 No. 73463 ID: 7eda8b
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Goshen wonders...

Test Pattern 2009/11/07(Sat)03:03 No. 73464 ID: 7eda8b
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...how many people Shadran killed to get that sword back.

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