>>716108
First things first we need to establish our desires, build power and become a close confidant of the leader of frh and stab him in the back, build a large enough army and clear put the other sculptors.

So to begin I say we find a fortress or barracks outside of the castle to begin our home base, from there we can do missions for the fth to gain respect.

>>716128
Penn smirks, "My, my. What have I gotten myself into?"

Penn enters a small garrison that is about 50 miles away from the capital city. A petite guard, no taller than 5'2", scurries over and looks up to Pennington, "Sir, Guard Captain Liandra Waters reporting in. We have orders from the FTH waiting for you in your quarters."

Penn smiles and nods. Not breathing a word of his impending betrayal of the FTH, the Sculptor takes in the scene. Waters, ten regular guards and a one mercenary captain. The captain seems rather...out of place. Penn could only tell he was a captain by the insignia blazed onto his armor. A large C with a spiral barbed wire in the middle.

Penn wonders if he should take to the captain, go read the FTH orders or something else. Waters still at attention infront of him.

>>716148
Look at the orders

I think its smart to gather info before doing something big like betrayal

>>716798
Penn gives a nod to Waters who decides to keep still. The garrison is small since Penn has only recently become a Sculptor. The ten guards and Waters were hand picked to attend to him and have sworn absolute loyalty. The soldiers don't seem to have any ulterior motives, they seem to quite like their position. But it is quite easy to keep eleven people happy, isn't it? Well, for enough gold.

As you pass towards your quarters, you hear the chatter that the shipment of gold for this coming month has arrived. 10,000 gold pieces, no less. A small amount but Penn is a new initiate. FTH isn't going to be throwing down the hundred of thousand some of the top sculptors are getting. Though, he can always bid for more money at the capital or through a missive if warranted.

Passing into his quarters, he has a break down of payment for all the soldiers.1,200 gold pieces for Waters. 600 gold pieces for your guards. They were transferred from an outpost far from the reaches of the capital. They had their own equipment and training. All Penn had to do was kept them paid and they will take care of themselves.

The Sculptor sits down at quite a ornate desk. Along the edges, you see figures etched into them. A bull, a raven, a wolf, a mantis. Bringing a letter opener up, Penn opens the missive.

A message from the SoW Central HUB. For Pennington Hilan's eyes only.

Sculptor, the group known as the Red Dream has been gaining members at an alarming rate. Reports from insiders seem to think that the town of Comlist is the central point of their operations. Disrupt their operations and do not allow them to get too powerful. Droves of men and women have been flocking to the town.

As per usual, go forth and destroy or cripple them from the inside as necessary. Carlina Pattmit will be your character. Show her your insignia of the Sculptor and she will catch you up.

Central.

As Penn reads, his thumb runs over a palm sized insignia made of Onyx. Impressed into and barely noticeable, a script reads, "Balance was dictated by chance, now it is dictated by weight." Penn wasn't a huge fan of the saying but he couldn't argue that the Five Ton Hammer had all the weight they need right now.

Penn burns the paper and considers his options. There is the mercenary captain, there are his troops, should he head by himself. Is there another option he isn't thinking?

>>716148
Look at the orders

>>716798
Betrayal is end game, right now we would be pulped, just pointing out our modus operandi from the start

>>717313
Call in the captain, let's find out who he is.

>>717313
(Oops, I forgot how to edit these things. 600 gold pieces per guard. And Carlina will be your contact. Sorry about that!)

>>717325
Penn calls for Waters to bring the captain in. Not one minute later, the mercenary captain opens the door and enters the room. Penn begins to take more of his features.

"I am Rill Maxim, Leader and Captain of the Barb mercenary group." Penn notices a small shake in his voice. The gaunt features and slightly uneven shaving gives the impression that Rill isn't very well equipped. Though, his armor looks wonderfully finished with two tints of silver, man betrays the entire image.

Penn, quick to respond and with a bit of a snap, "New company. Only made of 20 men and women...strong, if I am willing to use that word."

Rill seems almost floored by this, "We had only been created..."

Pen stops him with raising his hand, "You do not become leader of a garrison by not knowing what is going on within this world." Rill begins to sweat a bit, Penn is putting out immense pressure with his eyes. Rill eyes dart to the left.

"I...I want my group to prove themselves in battle. Working for the Five Ton Hammer will give us prestige and we will be willing to work for rather cheap."

Penn takes a moment to think how to respond to this captain before him...

>>717375
Fair enough, but your company is rather small, you have a few days to bolster your ranks and prepare for a tussle. We have a mission.

>>717375
(Err, not sure if I am allowed to bump my own thread with story.)

Pennington takes in the moment. Mercenaries are common to the Sculptors. Maintaining a long standing army was never in the plan of the FTH. However, a few Sculptors did just that. With their charisma, their influence, their stocks of gold, they built massive castles within the continent. Each having their own unique twist to them.

For Pennington, it may be easier to take one of these castles than to build his own. However, without his own style, some of the larger mercenary groups and smaller factions will not join him. Within Ritam, presence is a rather huge part of the Orchestra. Without a proper conductor, many of the smaller factions get absorbed. However, you meet someone like Renaldo Axio, you could go to the ends of the earth.

Pennington recalled a small interaction with Renaldo at his celebration in the capital. Renaldo, a man of stature and thickness, took center stage at the event.

"The Sculptors are here to keep balance. We are the protectors of this realm and of the entire continent of Ritam. I, nor Pennington Hilan, will allow harm to come to our people." It had already begun. Renaldo attempted to take Penn under his wing without any consideration.

Renaldo stirred the pot and the higher echelon of the FTH faction began to ask questions. Are you good enough to stand with Renaldo? Did Renaldo train you? Renaldo. Renaldo. Renaldo. . Pennington wouldn't stand for it. Pennington will be above Renaldo. And he will be above Manwick someday. For good, for evil. Time will tell. But the end goal is clear, Pennington Hilan will someday rule this land.

>>717989
Rill smiles, a sharp toothy grin appears on his face. It seems all of the stress, all of the dire feelings has been lifted. "My men are at your service. 1,000 gold pieces is all we ask for. A pittance but we do have a single sponsor that will take care of the rest."

Pennington raises an eye brow at the sponsor comment. Before he could press further, Rill rushes out of the door way.

With 1800 gold pieces left after payment, the Sculptor has only a few days to put it to good use. The Garrison and the food is paid fully under the FTH, so, this is just expenditure for the mission. Not only that, you may be only assigned one mission a month. Manwick knows that lives will be lost and coin can only bring you to conclusions so fast.

Penn taps his finger on the table, a bit annoyed at the exit of the Captain but it will pass. Now, what do with the next few days? Train on maneuvers, call for more coin for the mission, or otherwise.

>>718032
train and meet with the contact

>>718166
Penn assigns Waters to begin the training. Overseeing the process, the Sculptor wonders what information that the contact will provide. Should he head in alone first, should he come in under disguise? Or should he come in with his full group and disperse them under the guise of another faction?

Roll a D20 to see how effective the training is. If successful, will add bonus to your group for this mission. If fail, penalty for this mission. If neutral, nothing happens.

>>718186
During one evening before setting off within the mercenary group.(Bump Story to flesh out characters)

Small scratches could be heard from Pennington's room. The guard captain peaks her head in meekly. By all accounts, the captain is by far the toughest human on the compound but something about Pennington humbles her. If she wanted to, she could over power Penn without much effort. Though staunch looking, Penn was rather weak and he bothered little with proper training. Just enough not to get murdered by any random fellow.

Liandra speaks softly, "Sir, I was doing my rounds. Did you need anything?" Penn perks up a bit, he seems a bit more...comfy? The sculptor was dressed down to his red and white sleeping wear. Hair ruffled like he couldn't sleep for days. It wasn't a sight that Liandra had seen before and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

"Oh, Liandra. Please, I will have to excuse you. I am writing a missive right now and I can't let myself be distracted." The Guard Captain bites her lip, only bowing her head and ducking out of the room. The clank of her armor could be heard through the hallway as she makes it out to the courtyard.

She looks to the two guards posted along the tower of the Garrison and one that is patrolling the outer wall. All seemed normal but something really bothered her about being dismissed so easily.

As she ends her round, she heads into her own personal office. Much smaller than the Sculptors but her own. She slowly takes off her armor to reveal a stocky woman. She takes a look into the mirror. Short brown hair, brown eyes, short eye lashes, stocky build. She holds her hand out to the mirror and mutters, "You are the strongest one here. Work on your mental fortitude and don't let the small things get to you." Liandra sits on the cold floor, cupping her hands together and begins to breath in and out. Trying to clear her mind.

But her mind keeps proding.

You are not strong. You only have your brawn. You are not strong. You are not strong. You are Liandra Waters. Just another Guard in a small garrison working for new blood.

Liandra's breathing becomes harder. She mutters, "No, no. I can't think like that. The Sculptor is my leader. I swore fealty. If he is strong, I am strong. He is the conductor and I shall use my axe to accomplish his goals." Liandra can't help but open one eye. A large axe hangs from the wall, filled ornate lines and shapes. No real design to it. She felt a kinship to it. An axe made to cleave and is a tool. As she is to the Sculptor, a tool. "But with the right user..."

I am strong.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>718186
Go with Liandra and 2 guards in normal clothes and concealed weapons .

Night OP

>>718738
(Going to forgo the multiple roles to get the story going. Also, sweet start to this.)

Penn comes into the court yard the day before the mission. Liandra is head to head with Rill. Well, as head to head as a 5'2" stocky woman and a 5'11" gaunty man can be.

Liandra looks up, axe already in hand. "You call me and my men weak or small again, I will cleave in you in two." All of the guards are behind her, weapons drawn.

Rill towers over her, his band of twenty men and women mirror the guards with weapon drawn. "I regret nothing I have said. I came her anticipating glory and valor! All I get are...these buffoons!" Pointing his sword towards the guards behind Liandra. "And that is due to the poor training that you gave them." Rill spits onto the ground, unintentionally towards Penn.

Pennington tries to calm the situation down but both of groups begin yelling at each other. His words can't pierce the yelling and shouting. Rill takes a dagger from his side and throws it into the ground in front of Liandra. "I am not even going to waste my time. My men and I are departing for someone more worthy to lend our aide too."

Rill takes a good hard look at Pennington, "Many people within the capital have lied to me then. You are nothing more than a pretender that puts children in the line of battle. You are a fool and I will not be party to you. I will, also, be sending word to the other mercenary groups about this." Rill steps up to Pennington, cocks his head and is rather smug. The crowd goes silent, "You will never amount to anything and you will never stop me from accomplishing my goals. Do you understand me?"

The crowd begins to yell again before the Sculptor could talk. Rill gathers his Barbs and march out of the Garrison. Each spitting on the gate before leaving.

Pennington looks to Liandra and the Guards. Each of them with their helms off and their weapons lowered. Liandra, especially, seems dejected by the harsh look Pennington was giving all of them.

Soft words glide from the Sculptor's mouth, "I am disappointed in all of you. To make such a mockery under my name, I expected better of all of you." As he turns around, his head hangs low, "And of myself. I should have been paying more attention. We will have to change our plans. Liandra, ready two of our best guards. The rest of you, station the garrison and train. We will send missive if we need more of you." He looks up towards the sky, "This is only the beginning. We will face worse things than abandonment on this road." Turning on his heel, "We will show them we are not imbeciles to be mocked." His hands swing wide, "We are going to take this mission and complete it with no casualties. No mishaps. You are under the command of Sculptor Pennington Hilan! And your Guard Captain is Liandra Waters and one day will not shape our history! We change it and we will control it." Penn grips his fist.

The group roars out with a cheer. (c)

Pennington makes his way into his quarters and lets out a deep sigh. Knowing that the group will still be a bit down for this mission. He hopes that the night will cool their heads. But after something like this, it may take a while. Liandra and two guards could be heard preparing themselves for the next day. Supplies, whetting their weapons, everything they can to make up for today. Though at a major disadvantage, they want to prevail.

The next day. Morning.

The Guard Captain and the two guards were already prepared in the morning with four horses. Spirits seem to be a bit better but not by much. The sting of the day before still looms. There is doubt but none would speak it aloud.

All four were wearing rather normal set of clothes. Each wearing earthy colors of browns, reds, dark greens. When out of uniform, everyone seems approachable. Pennington tried to dress down as best he could but kept his essentials like his Insignia.

Liandra is carrying a small hand axe, which isn't unsual to carry due to Highwaymen but does have a dagger hidden within her clothes. One of the guards, named Heath, has a set of steel knuckles hidden within his garb. The other guard, Clem, has two daggers hidden on his person. Pennington is carrying a short sword on his side. Nothing too menacing and something that isn't TOO unusual. Though, he does keep a dagger in his pack as well.

As the group approches Comlist, they can't make it past the wagons on horse. And it is quite a line to get up to the front. Liandra, Heath and Clem look to the Sculptor for their next move.

Pennington furrows his brow and notices there are many more people than reported. A mass of about 500 people sitting outside the gates of this pretty average sized village. What is the next move to make? Move through group on foot? Wait our turn and talk to the people? Attempt to sneak in? The situation has changed with no back up on the outskirts of town.

(Minus one to all rolls made under pressure. Such as combat, sneaking, lockpicking and the such. Rolls will be normal if there isn't anything threatening or pressing.)

>>718924
Move into the group trying to overhear anyone talking about whatever the fuck is going on.

I am assuming the Red Dream is a rebellious group, even though our orders failed to give us ANY information on them at all. What kind of useless fucking organisation are we a part of? They also failed to mention who our contact is beyond their name, not even where to find them.

Can you green text you action prompts plz OP. I have have no idea what is going on with these different perspective and "dump" (?) posts interspersed.

>>718991
(Ah, I was trying out another style but I will action prompt it. And I was just adding some dump stuff cause I like fleshing out characters. Should I not do that? They are usually there for just cause I like certain characters.)

Pennington sighs, without much information from Central, it seems that this really isn't an open and shut case. No motives, not a single thing to run on except wits and names. A small sense of doubt presses into his mind. The sculptor shakes it off and continues on the mission as newly planned.

Pennington motions to the group to come with him towards the middle of the group to gather some information. Words whirl around the group as a few nice tidbits come up.

"Haha, yes! We have been here for a couple of days. The local folk don't seem to like us too much but that is fine. We are here to get into this Red Drum, right?" The man speaking seems to be smoking a fairly large pipe with an unknown substance in it. At least, something you have never encountered before.

"Dream, darling." A younger man says with a hint of sarcasm, "I swear, you wouldn't be bad off if you just kept your head on earth." The younger man laughs a small bit.

From the distance, you can hear a bit of chatter between two older ladies, "Yes, yes. I hear the Dream is actually something you take part of. Like a dance or something that makes you happy."

"Oh yes, I hear that it has to do with this new form of power to the common folk. Usually only reserved for those witchy and warlocky and wizardy types. But these people are doing it for good! Healing, betwitching to forget the past!"

As the group goes farther to the front, the words coming from the mouths of the people seem to grow darker. A man in armor sits on the side of a wagon and is sharing a drink with a young girl. His booming voice pierces through the air, "Bahaha, yes! They take your spirit I hear! No need to live in this bleak world! We go to the Red Dream and we will live forever in happiness!"

The little girl cocks her head a bit, "But doesn't it sound scary? Red dream, I mean? Wouldn't that be someones nightmare? To be blissfully happy? Are we dying or are we..well, I don't know." She seems rather flustered. Almost like she can't think straight.

Pennington looks concerned at what he is hearing. Liandra nods to Clem and Heath to be on guard.

>Move towards the front gates of the city
>Investigate further within the crowd
>Other

>>719134
>Move towards the front gates of the city
Be prepared to get in character as a keen but ignorant nihilist.
Looks like there is some kind of mood altering magic with the aim of cumulating in a sacrificial ritual or something. Good to no all these people aren't some gathering army at least.

>>719167
Liandra speaks softly, "Clem, Heath, stand down for now." The two of them nod. Pennington notices that heath seems kinda disappointed but he returns to his normal composure quickly.

As the group makes their way to the front, three men in gold and red armor stop the group. From behind them, a lanky woman appears. She seems almost sickly, veins showing despite how smooth and clear her skin is. Just the color seems rather off. Almost a purple or a dark blue hue.

"Other fools come to disrupt our peaceful town. Everyone started coming here days ago and now we have hundreds of them muttering around the town." She points to Liandra, "If you are here about some Red Dream, then you can turn back into the camp. Otherwise, unless you are here on behalf of the Consortium, then leave. My sisters and I will take care of this problem."

Pennington wasn't expecting the Witch Consortium to be here. Even more so, to be the calming party that would protect a town. The Sculptor has only heard rumors and stories of the Witch Consortium. Trading children for spells and healing. Offering dark rituals for elderly women to give birth once more. Though, Pennington has never met a Witch in person. What is happening in the world to draw this lot into the public world?

>Speak up before Liandra can identify the group
>Let Liandra take the lead
>Explain you are there to Help
>Attempt to deceive the Witch
>Other

>>719250
>Speak up before Liandra can identify the group
Ask after her name, like "We didn't mean any offence miss..."
Try too keep undercover for now but if she is Carlina Pattmit then we are in with a grin.

>>719366
The Witch waves her hand and all three guards move to the side in unison. She moves her hand in a circular motion in front of her. Suddenly, her body except for her ankles,feet and boots disappear. "Miss?" She cackles, "Let us see...yes...yes. You lot have a good aura around you." Her head and neck appear, craned looking at you with a bit of a smile. "Girl, you have a good aura. The two...men over there..they are fine. Now, you..." The Witch looks Pennington over. Their eyes lock and that is all the interaction that was needed.

She waves the group forward and puts a hand on Pennington's shoulder, "Warehouse, number two. Second story, door with a white inscription." As she speaks, the Sculptors shoulder begins to turn cold. It almost burns but composure must be maintained. The witch touches everyone's shoulder as they come in. Pennington is having a hard time adding things up. The situation was much worse than anticipated.

As the group enters the city through the gate, the town seems to be rather dead. Scripture, inscriptions of all types are scrawled onto many of the doors of the town. Waters speaks up, "Should we ready ourselves, sir? I am not sure what all this writing means but it gives me the shakes. And that Witch, she..." Penn raises his hand to stop her from speaking. Waters, Heath and Clem instantly get the message.

Heath speaks in a somewhat soft voice, "We..we may need a bit more than daggers and knuckles for this, then." An equally soft and nervous smile breaks from his face.

>Prepare yourselves for battle and make way towards the Warehouse
>Keep subtle, the situation is still unclear
>Explore one of the buildings
>Find weapons shop or armory to better equip yourselves.
>Other

(Going to head to bed now. I will continue this venture as I get on. It will be sparse during the day and become more active at around 8 P.M. Central Time. Any feed back or changes I need to make, let me know. )

(Story bump. Please refer to >>719516 for the next in character action.)

While walking into Comlist. Heath and Clem.

The town of Comlist almost seems haunting. The bustle of the hundreds outside fades away quite quickly as the group enters deeper into the town.

Clem pats himself down, insuring that his daggers were still in their proper place. Black inscriptions catch his eye at first, but then the blue and then the green. Clem finally starts to notice that almost every inscription has a slightly different color. Though, there is no way to make out the words. Tongue, he thought. Or some sort of witchery. This was more than he bargained for but it was his duty to fulfill the Sculptor's wishes.

Heath, on the other hand, hates Comlist already. The feel of the cold knuckles on his back seem to be the only thing to indicate they were really walking into a location full of Witches and a seemingly rogue group of men.

However, a small hint of doubt squirms into his brain. His thoughts become slightly scattered. 'The people outside seemed pleased and happy. They wanted to come here by their own will.' Heath tries to justify their reason of being here. 'Is it only for the sculptor and the FTH? There must be more to this.' He had always imagined that the FTH was there to protect the people. Though, he had only ever lived out in the far country and was ever in an outpost working for the FTH.

Heath persuades himself that the deed was already underway. And if he still had doubt afterwords, he would ask to be transferred back into the boonies.Witchery, magic. Knuckles and daggers can't help those.

And yet, staring at the back of the Sculptor and the Guard Captain put some of his thoughts at rest. Both of them walking confidently yet cautiously. Every step they took had a purpose. If only this one mission....

we will survive.

>>719516
>>Keep subtle, the situation is still unclear

>>723059
(Time to begin again! Sorry for the inactivity. I had to pick up a friend from his ship.)

Pennington's eyes wonder over the sights of the inscription. These are inscriptions well beyond his current knowledge. As the group continues further into the town, loud banging is coming from the doors of houses.

"Help! Please, let us out. We have run out of food! Please, please!" Their voices muffled from behind the doors.

Pennington can't help but wonder why no one is willing to give him information on his mission. Why must everything be a mystery to him?

Liandra takes a small rock and throws it at the door. Nothing out of the ordinary happens. The Guard Captain looks to Pennington.

>Instruct Liandra, Heath or Clem to get them out of the house.
>Move on, the mission is more important right now
>Personally try to get them out
>Other

>>725234
>>Instruct Liandra, Heath or Clem to get them out of the house.

Heath with clem behind him

>>725234
>>Other
Ask them who put them in there and why. If the are part of the Red Dream we don't want to let them loose. Unless it helps us with infiltration I suppose.

>>725421
>>725461
Pennington softly whispers to the group, "Heath, Clem. See what is going on. We are going to open the door if they do not pose a threat.."

Liandra gives a small hand signal. Heath leads with Clem's hand on his shoulder and following slowly. The shuffle of their clothes becomes apparent as the noises from the inside stop.

Pennington speaks up, "Who had put you in here and why?" And there is no response. The Sculptor takes in the scene for just a few more seconds and then focuses on Heath and Clem.

Heath's breath seems to have gotten heavier. His legs move with purpose and caution. Liandra takes out her hand axe and readies herself. Not sure if on instinct, Pennington draws his short sword and stands next to the Guard Captain.

Each step that the two guards make, it makes time seem to crawl. The gleam of Liandra's freshly whetted axe in the morning sun could blind a man. The Sculptor couldn't shake off that this situation could become a lot worse.

Roll a D20 for perception
This will be at a disadvantage due to the pressure of the situation.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>727832

>>728181
(Hot diggity damn. Roll of 20 and 1 within the same campaign.)
Pennington dart from side to side, something didn't feel right. As Heath and Clem come closer to the door, very faint red letters scrawl across the door, engulfing the text that was there before. Pennington, for a mere moment, even hears laughter. Not muffled at all, as if the house was playing with them.

"Clem, Heath, stop!" A sense of relief washes over the two men as they stop in their tracks before hitting the door. Each of them backs away and pulls their weapons out.

Liandra looks back at Pennington, "We should be saving them. Why are you having second thoughts now?" The Guard Captains sense of justice couldn't abide leaving innocent when they could help.

The Sculptor notices that the faint red lettering has disappeared. His eyes try to observer any other changes but the house had returned to the way it was.

"Hmm, I see. The Witches put the inscriptions on the doors to protect those inside. Those of the Red Dream cursed the houses in attempt to draw off any aide of non magic users. At the least, that is what I am gathering."

The trio of guards look between each other. This was beyond their own scope already. This was more magic that most men see in their lifetime, let alone in a morning.

"Liandra," Pennington spoke with authority, "Magic will become a great part of this world soon. This influx, we must not get left behind. When we return, we will need to seek out those that have come out of hiding. Apostates from the Magical College, demon worshipers, rogue Sisters..." Pennington ponders the possibility. Contending with money and power, he could handle. But Magic. The race for the continent has already been rigged from the starting gate.

>Attempt another way in (Specify how)
>Group heads towards the warehouse
>Further discussion about magic (Please add dialogue if you want something specific said)
>Other

>>728509
>>Group heads towards the warehouse

>>731118
Pennington turns on his heel and begins walking towards the warehouse. The group follows, weapons still drawn. There was no time for stealth anymore. The entire town could be booby trapped.

Waters moves forward next to Penn, "Sir, should...should we retreat for now? This is quite a bit more than four..."

Pennington Hilan is determined, if nothing else. He steps a bit closer to Liandra, still keeping an eye out for any more of those red letters. "Waters, you know we can't do such a thing. If you three wish to retreat, you will be on the run from the FTH for desertion. And even if you turn back, the Witch may not let you out after not seeing me. The only real choice is to move forward. I have already shown I wanted to protect you three."

Liandra meekly nods. She must concede, without the Sculptor, they may not have even gotten this far. Though there are set backs, the Captain pull herself to full attention and calls for her men to do the same.

Pennington takes a step away from here, short sword in hand. They start to near the warehouse that the first Witch instructed them to go to. His eyes look the door and building over. With an exercise in trust, the Sculptor makes his way in first and the group follows.

The Warehouse is set up quite plainly. Grains to one side, textiles to another, nothing too fancy. As the group makes it up the stairs to the second floor, everything is eerily silent.

The white inscription and the door they were told to find. The entire group relaxes a bit, as if they had made it to their first check point. The group makes it into the room and it almost makes them feel ill. Even Pennington can't keep his composure.

Laughter roars from the room. A...'enchanted' witch looked down at them. Her orange hair tied up in a bun, with chest bandged (but not bloodied), a pair of leather pants and boots.

"You have caught my pants down..." She stifles a laugh, "or my shirt off!" Laughter erupts from her person . It seems to engulf the entire room. Though, the room feels out of place. It almost looks like a living quarters. A large bed with blood red covers could be seen in the corner, an armoire in the other, a pelt of some unknown furry creature spreads about 5 feet from end to end. And, finally, a small tables where the red haired witch tries to calm herself.

Pennington takes in the moment. Jokes, laughter, in the middle of this place. Wherever this place is. It was hard to comprehend, though, this new character doesn't seem to be harmful.

Liandra and the guards steel themselves, focusing on just keeping their food in. The witch sits down and conjures, quite simply mind you, a small plate of biscuits and preserves.

"Eat, eat. You wouldn't want to become Ley sick, would you?" Heath and Clem rush over and take a hand full of biscuits, drunk them in preserves and begin munching down. Liandra, already calming down, takes a biscuit and eats it by itself.

>Pennington joins their fest
>Begins to ask questions
>Other

>>731778
> Ask questions

Also, we should try to avoid untrusted food. Too late for our companions, it seems

>>735235
Pennington attempts to keep total composure. "A Witch, I presume. Let me introduce my group, if you would allow me."

A toothy grin comes from the host, "My, my. Quite the gentleman. You don't get many of those around these days. Though..." Leaning back in her chair, taking up a biscuit, "You aren't the hero of this story, right?"

Pennington is taken a back a bit. The guards took a sit at the table and continued to eat. "Maybe not but I am the lead."

The witch begins to laugh, "Ohohoho! My, my. I do like that style of yours. Self preservation, reminds me a lot of the Consortium. Though, we are a bit different now. I believe you could have guessed that already. But please, introductions."

Pennington feels in a place of disadvantage. Though, this entire adventure started off with the Barb calling his work foolish. With as stern of a voice that he can muster, "I am Sculptor Pennington Hilan. The female sitting at the table is Guard Captain Liandra Waters. The two other guards are Heath and Clem."

A smaller laugh seems to slip through the Witch's mouth, "Carlina Pattmit. Lina, for short! And I prefer it. Very sorry for the lack of information on this endeavor. Truly, we are fighting something that is unknown to us. We have been commissioned by Central to aide you," She speaks under her breath, "And our special interests." Lina perks up again, "So, we shall be working together for a bit!"

Pennington head is thrown for a loop. The strong demeanor he usually maintains is slowly being chipped away by greater and greater forces. "And we have your Consortium at your disposal?"

Lina smiles, tossing a biscuit into the hands of Pennington, "Not mine. I am merely a Sister. And I look quite a bit better than my Sisters. AND, I feel like I am more powerful..And..!"

Pennington is beginning to see why Lina was assigned to her versus one of the more sickly looking sisters. "And with your power, how has the problems not resolved?"

Swirling her finger in the air, small tally marks begin to appear in the sky, "Because, I am but one of three Witches sent on this mission. I have awaited your forces to come so we can assault the Hollow Market where the Red Dream."

Pennington winces at the words 'your forces'.

>Explain the whole situation, including the fact that you only have a limited amount of forces
>Attempt to bluff to the fact there are no reinforcements.
>Ask about the Hollow Market and why the Red Dream would set up there
>Other

>>736302
> Ask about the Hollow Market and Red Dream

No need to tell her of our "forces" until we know our chances against the Red Dream.

We also know nothing about them except rumors.

> Inquire about the details of the Red Dream

>>736302
>Ask about the Hollow Market and why the Red Dream would set up there

>>737146
(Thanks for giving a bit more direction on where to go. Makes the writing a bit more fun.) >>737363
Waters perks up, "Of three?"

Lina's smile doesn't fade away, "You aren't quite aware of the power we posses, do you?" The biscuit in her hand disappears, "Of course not. While you mortal men fight for land, we fight for the mortal coil that binds the world together." Her words don't match her expression at all. Her smile gleams through. "Though, things have changed. It used to be that we could fight the warlocks, demons on our own. Small batches. But now, they are fighting on the surface. They are quite..mortal, as well. So, you can stab, poke, poison and all that wonderful bits." Lina's hand are quite expressive as she makes motions for stabbing, poking and poisoning.

Pennington is glad that Waters could distract the Witch from the forces subject. As he becomes more accustomed to this strange room, Penn speaks much more firm and with authority, "The Red Dream is occupying the Hollow Market. Why not somewhere more defensible than a market?"

She laughs loudly, engulfing the entire room. It makes the three guards pause. "Haha, you mean...haha, you...haha."

Pennington doesn't seem amused.

"Right, right. Of course you wouldn't know. It is an underground deserted coliseum, or at least it look likes it.. Comlist's underbelly loves it there. The rich stay out of their business and they leave the above world alone." The snickers continue, "You can get the finest..well, anything there! The upper crest are really ignorant." Lina almost says it as she was talking to a pup, "This town is built on an older city and the Hollow Market is the safe place to travel. It is quite safe for them."

(c)

>>738344
Lina lights up the room with a map of the Hollow Market, as she remembers, "So, there are only two entrances. One is the common entry but most aren't allowed to come through even if they know where it is. Kids will wonder down the sewers and be scared away." She tries to make a scary face, "Like this, you see! It would take us a bit longer to go through this way. We would probably have to go through two layers of the coliseum before even reaching the outer sanctum." She leans over to Clem and Heath, who have their full attention to her now, "Long and dangerous, not for the faint of heart."

"The other," She points to the door the lot of you came into, "is to the outer sanctum for us magic users. That, however, has been quite guarded but it would take us to the inner market quite easily. We can kill the...things that are making these curses and BAMWHAM, we can save this town. Sounds easy, right! We can go through the weaker portions with a couple of dozen men easily! So, we would only have to worry about the inner sanctum! Not sure how many spell casters there are but I should be enough for them You lot just need to protect me from the lot of mercenaries they have."

Pennington rubs his temples a bit and a grumble comes from him. Watching Lina's hands wave back and forth tired Pennington out. He wonders if all spell casters in the world as queer as Lina or the Witch they met at the gate.

>Inform her we don't have many men to spare and tell her the story of the Barb
>Inform her we don't have many men to spare and don't tell her about the Barb
>Suggest we take the door
>Suggest we go through the main entrance
>Other

>

>>738738
(New Thread for everyone. Great first bit! Lots of ups and downs. Thanks for this chance)