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/qst/ - Quests


Some resources: https://mega.nz/#F!rFIDxRRK!IEzkLlroRoPwmDqtxKRMsw

Discord: https://discord.gg/GQMr35k

Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/G48KCHjz

Chapters 1 and 2: >>1201750


Chapter 2, cont.- Square Up

You hammer on the bricks on the side of the Pecularium's mortal housing. "Should be... ONE of these... oh, FINALLY!"

You feel a spark of glamour pull out of your body into the wall, and the secret entrance grinds open. You waste no time hustling John Man-Eater through the door. You lead them up a flight of stairs and into a spare bedroom in the 'Crash Zone': John lays the unconscious form of Samson the Fierce, one of the strongest soldiers of the Summer Court, on the cot.

The two of you stand for a few minutes in the dimly-lit room, the moonlight coming through the window leaving both of you dappled in light and shadow.


>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.

>What did you promise John Brown?

>I'll take it from here, John. Go home.

>Write-In
>>
>>1233323
>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
>What did you promise John Brown?
>>
>>1233323
>>>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
>>What did you promise John Brown?
>>
>>1233323
>>I'll take it from here, John. Go home.
>>
>>1233323
>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
"He made Mary, that little girl back in the safehouse, happy for once. And now you pull this shit."
>What did you promise John Brown?
>>
>>1233356
>>1233431
>>1233493
"... I hope you're proud of yourself, John. He made Mary happy for once, and now you pull this shit."

"What the hell was I supposed to do, sit there and eat shit from this brat? I didn't want to fight him, but the other option was to let him kick me in the balls until I pass out. At least I ended the fight quickly."

"Yeah, sure. What did you promise John Brown?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Don't lie to me, John! You went and talked to Brown even though I warned you not to, and then you win this fight? That stinks. What'd he do to you to make you win?"

"Nothing! You ever considered that he might have just wanted to talk? Yeah, he tried to give me an offer, but I told him I wasn't interested. All he did was tell me how the whole stare-down contest worked! I can knock out someone with the body of a little kid without help from the fucking Don!"

>Stop bullshitting me, what'd he do!?

>You don't want to tell the truth? Fine. Get out.

>Tell me the truth. Don't make me hurt you.

>... Fine, I believe you. Just... find someone who can watch your back for you. You should probably leave, I don't want to risk a lynch mob finding you here.

>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

>Write-In
>>
>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.
I still think he's lying, but I prefer to use a reconciliary tone.
>>
>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

And have you made up your mind about what court you are pledging to? because after that you'll need to be in one that's for sure
>>
>>1233569
>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.
>>
>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.
>>
>>1233760
Works for me.
>>
(Sorry for the delay, was out for dinner)
>>1233617
>>1233760
>>1233821
>>1233902
>>1234180
"Okay, I'm pretty sure this was a set-up, but I believe you. How about you stay here for tonight? I'll vouch for you."

"That's probably a good idea. I bet a lot of people want to give me a revenge beating right now. Shit, the bar put the odds of me winning at a hundred to one! They were mostly taking bets on HOW the kid was gonna kick my ass."
John pauses for a second, then chuckles. "Shit, I just made some BANK. Put $50 on myself winning."

"Let's hope you live long enough to spend it. You decided on what Court you're going to join? Because trust me, you'll need to join up with one after this."

"I was hoping to join up with the Summer Court, but now... I don't know if they'll take me. Listen, do you mind coming with me down to Finn's tomorrow? I need to pick up that dough, and I don't feel safe walking into there alone."

>Sure, John.

>Give me a slice of that bread and I will.

>Get it yourself.

>Write-In
>>
>>1234322
>Sure, John.
And you might be able to join with the Summer Court if you go to Big Bill. He doesn't have teh best relationship with Sammy.

Side note: Did John kill Sammy? I liked Sammy.
>>
>>1234322
>Sure, John.
>>
>>1234339
Sam's lying unconscious in the bed by you. He's breathing, and it looks like he's not bleeding from the head. Looks like he just got knocked out.
>>
>>1234339
This, explain that big bill is not a fan of the kid either.

Let's see if there is anyone in house that can check on sam
>>
>>1234322
>>Sure, John.
>>
>>1234339
>>1234348
>>1234377
>>1234436
"Sure, John, I'll come with you. And Big Bill will probably vouch for you and, since he's the king, I don't think anyone will countermand him."

"Thanks, man. That helps put my mind at ease a bi-"

You hear feet tromping up the stairs, and Conrad appears in the doorframe.

"Jerry? Jerr- Oh, JERRY, what the fuck! Why'd you drag that kid here?"

"It was the only place I could think of, you have a better idea?"

"How about ANYWHERE ELSE? Do you realize how bad this looks? You and your buddy vanish with Sam right after braining him? Makes you look like loyalist plants!"

"He's only unconscious!"

"Well, thank God for small blessings. Now: give Sammy to me and get your pal out of here. I don't want whatever happens next blowing back on me."

>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.

>Take the kid, but John stays. You don't like it, you can kick me out.

>Write-In
>>
>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.
Go straight to Big Bill.
>>
>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.
>>
>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.
Looks like we need a second fallback.
>>
>>1234511
>>1234605
>>1234676
"Fine." You look over at John. "Sorry, man, the boss doesn't want you here. Head straight for Big Bill."

"Yeah, fine. Whatever."

Conrad looks at him, and, for the briefest of instants, something like pity flashes across his pitch-black eyes. "Look, leave around the back. Sam's little fan club's downstairs, and you aren't too popular with them right now. Just follow this hallway to the end and dog-leg around."

John walks out without another word. Conrad ducks downstairs for a few minutes, then returns with Sam's bunch of changelings behind him. You see Mary bringing up the rear.

>Talk to Mary

>Leave her alone

>Write-In
>>
>>1234765
>Talk to Mary
>>
>>1234765
>>Talk to Mary
>>
>>1234765
>Talk to Mary
>>
>>1234822
>>1234878
"Hey, Mary. Are you okay?"

Mary turns around and looks at you. "Yeah. Is Sam okay? People were saying John killed him. But John wouldn't do that, right?"

"Sam's fine. Just got knocked out."

Mary nods and starts toying with a strand of hair sticking out from beneath her hat.
"Good... I like Sam. But he's kind of a jerk. Like, he tried to show off a lot to me, but he also tried to shove a frog down my coat. And I don't really know if I want to hang out with him a lot, 'cuz he talks all the time about boy stuff like fighting, and I don't know if I wanna do that all the time. So I like him, but I don't? And he tried to make me part of his motley, and he said that I'd be kicked out if I grew up, and I want to grow up, so what should I do, da- I mean Jerry?"

>Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special.

>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully.

>I think that's something you have to figure out yourself, Mary.

>Did you almost call me 'dad'?

>Write-In
>>
>>1235028
>Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special. For things like this, relationships, you generally have to figure it out yourself. Wait, did you almost call me dad?
>>
>>1235028
>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully
>>
>>1235028
>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully.
>Did you almost call me 'dad'?
>>
>>1235028
>>1235038
Actually, change my vote to this
>>
>>1235038
>>1235166
"Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special. For things like this, relationships, you generally have to figure it out yours- wait. Did you almost call me dad?"

"I dunno. I mean... I don't know where my real dad is, and you're nice, and... you know."

Mary's eyes drop down to your feet and starts scuffing the floor with one boot, her hands placed awkwardly behind the rest of her body. "And, you know, I don't wanna stay with Sam anymore, because I think he'll just make me part of his club. And I don't want to do that. And I wanna go to school."

(Choose one for each topic)

Fatherhood:
>Mary... I can't be your dad. I have no idea how to raise a kid.

>... Well, I suppose I AM the closest thing you have right now.

>Mary, I'll help take care of you, but I'm not your dad. I'll try and find your real dad when I have time, okay?

>Write-In


A place to stay:

>Listen, you can stay here, but that'll require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you willing to do that?

>Stay with Sam for now. You'll be safe there.

>I don't think you should stay with Sam, but... I can't think of a good place for you to stay otherwise.

>Write-In


School:

>It'll be hard to get you into a school... but I'll try to help.

>It's too dangerous for you to go to a school. The Others might try and take you back, or you might be found out.

>Write-In
>>
>>1235283
>... Well, I suppose I AM the closest thing you have right now.
>Listen, you can stay here, but that'll require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you willing to do that?
>It'll be hard to get you into a school... but I'll try to help.
>>
>>1235448

These, defintely
>>
>>1235448
>>1235457
You sigh heavily.
"Well, I guess I am the closest thing you have to a father right now. I'll try and spend time with you when I can. And I promise I'll try to get you into school when I can, but I don't know how easy that will be. Listen, you can stay here, but that will require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you okay with that?"

Mary nods. "I don't wanna be part of Summer, and you're Autumn, so I'll be Autumn too."

"Hey! Mary!"
The crowd parts, and Sam comes walking out, a bit unsteady on his feet.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, that old guy totally cheated! What a jerk, right? I'm gonna tell Big Bill how he cheated, and then he'll get the stuff sorted out and everything's gonna be fine."

He walks on by her and starts heading for the stairs, then turns around.
"What're you waiting for? Come on!"

"Um... I'll see you later."

Sam breaks into a nervous grin. "What're you talking about? Come on!" He walks back and starts pulling on her hand.
"Come ON! Let's go, this place is boring!"

>She doesn't want to go with you, Sam.

>Mary's joining the Autumn Court, Sam. She's going to be busy this coming month.

>(Say nothing)

>Write-In
>>
>>1235571
>(Say nothing)
Well, we did tell her to figure it out herself, might as well start now. She's going to need to know how to act on her own in this world.
>>
>>1235571
>Mary's joining the Autumn Court, Sam. She's going to be busy this coming month.

We did just accept the responsibility of acting as her father, we should really say something here
>>
>>1235571
>(Say nothing)
>>
>>1235676
>>1235779
What if we just gave her a look and shook our head?
>>
>>1235571
>>She doesn't want to go with you, Sam.
>>
>>1235676
>>1235815
"... I don't want to go with you right now, Sam. I'm... busy. With... girl stuff."

Sam blushes. "Oh. Girl stuff. Okay. So, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Um... yeah... maybe."

Sam shoots her a thumbs-up and runs off down the stairs.

Mary gives you a look. "I should probably go to bed. G'night, dad."

She give you a quick hug, which you awkwardly return. You aren't sure how to handle all of this, but you feel certain you'll find a way... somehow.


CHAPTER 3

You wake up to the sound of water pouring off of the branches above you, splattering the grass you slept on with spray. You stretch and dig your pocket journal and a pencil you found in the trash out of the depths of your dirt-stained jacket. You turn to the back of the journal and scratch off another day. That makes 33. Over a month since you came back from Arcadia. You've put that month to good use: living as a vagrant comes naturally to you, and the other homeless of Portland already recognize you as one of their own. Mary and Terry have been busy working off their initiation in Conrad's shop: they 'graduate' to freedom (and get kicked out of the Peculiarium) today. You've been trying to find free time to help them, but your obligations to the Horned King have been pretty time-consuming. You HAVE had the chance to grill Pale Conrad, and have written down most of what he talked about in your notebook.

>You are: in Forest Park, Portland


The rain's coming down pretty hard: you move deeper under the tree and start reviewing your notes.

>Look under: Autumn Motleys

>Look under: Work

>Look under: Court Territories

>Look under: Autumn Nobility

>Page through your notes for (write-in)
>>
>>1235899
Fug, forgot image.
>>
>>1235899
>Look under: Court Territories
Followed by
>Look under: Work
>>
File: everything.gif (70 KB, 500x200)
70 KB
70 KB GIF
>>1235899
>>
>>1235905

Seconding this
>>
>>1235905
>>1235923
SPRING: LOOKS LIKE THESE GUYS TROLL A LOT OF THE ART GALLERIES AND COMMUNES AROUND HERE. THE STEADY INFLUX OF HIPPIES GIVES THEM A PRETTY GOOD DIET OF DESIRES FOR THEM TO FEED ON. CONRAD'S BEEN GOING ON ABOUT HOW SOME MEMBERS OF THE SPRING COURT ENGINEER FREE-LOVE COMMUNES AS CHEAP GLAMOUR SUPPLIES, BUT I THINK HE'S FULL OF IT ON THAT POINT. MOST OF DOWNTOWN'S THEIR TERRITORY: AT LEAST, THE HIGH-HAT STREETS ARE. THEY HOLD COURT IN THE BACK OF A MOVIE THEATER AT THE BEHEST OF THE PREVIOUS QUEEN OF SPRING (SOME KIND OF PLEDGE SWORN BY THE CURRENT QUEEN TO THE PREVIOUS). THEY'RE THE BIG WHEELS HERE.

SUMMER: THESE GUYS ARE PLUGGED INTO SECTIONS OF THE OREGON COMMUNES: THE RADICAL ONES, MOSTLY. THEY ALSO HANG OUT IN THE RIVER DOCKS AND WITH THE UNIONS. RIVERSIDE AREAS ARE THEIR TYPICAL PROWLS. THEY'RE BIG ON SECURING THE HEDGE AROUND HERE, SO THEY ALSO DO SWEEPS OVER THE BRIDGES AND THE PARKS NEAR THE RIVERS. THEY HOLD COURT IN A HEDGE-FORTRESS BUILT DURING THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. THE WEAKEST OF THE COURTS IN PORTLAND, THEY'RE BASICALLY A GLORIFIED TOWN MILITIA.

AUTUMN: WE SEEM TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE: I GUESS FEAR REALLY IS A DIVERSE EMOTION. THE PITTOCK MANSION AND THE PECULIARIUM ARE BIG MEET-UP POINTS FOR US, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, MOTLEYS SEEM TO BE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES. NO ONE KNOWS WHERE THE HORNED KING OF AUTUMN HOLDS HIS THRONE, OR, INDEED, WHO HE IS. HE ONLY TALKS TO PEOPLE IN THEIR DREAMS OR THROUGH MESSENGER-RAVENS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HIS VIZIER, TOJO. CONRAD SAYS TOJO'S THE HORNED KING, AND THIS WHOLE THING IS AN ACT. I'M NOT SURE.

WINTER: THESE GUYS ARE PRETTY DEEP UNDERGROUND MOST OF THE TIME, BUT THEY HAVE ENVOYS WHO HANG OUT IN MOST OF THE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS IN PORTLAND. NO ONE KNOWS THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THEIR QUEEN, EITHER, BUT SHE MAKES PUBLIC APPEARENCES, AND HOLDS COURT IN LONE FIR CEMETERY.
WORK: THE PECULIARIUM HAS A 'HELP WANTED' BOARD, WHERE CHANGELINGS OF ANY COURT, OR EVEN THE COURTLESS, CAN POST MESSAGES. PAYMENT IS ASSURED BY PLEDGE AND CAN BE VIRTUALLY ANYTHING.

The rain's starting to let up: you feel like reading another note, and then getting up and going.

>Read "Autumn Motleys"

>Read "Autumn Nobility"

>Read "Portland's Hedge"

>Browse notes for info on (write-in)
>>
>>1236103
I'd be ok with either
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
or
>Read "Autumn Nobility"
I'd like to figure out more about our Court.
>>
>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
Let's see who the movers and shakers are on the street level
>>
>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
>>
>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
>>
>>1236117
>>1236176
>>1236178
IMPORTANT/INTERESTING MOTLEYS LINKED TO THE COURT:

THE PALLBEARERS: A MOTLEY OF GRAVEWRIGHTS (APPARENTLY, THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL LOST WHO LOOK LIKE ZOMBIES OR GHOSTS OR WHATEVER) DEDICATED TO UNCOVERING THE SECRETS OF THE DEAD AND USING THEM TO THEIR ADVANTAGE. APPARENTLY, GHOSTS ARE A THING, AND THESE ARE THE GUYS TO TALK TO ABOUT THEM.

THE CASCADIAN ALLIANCE: THESE GUYS LIVE AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION AND SEND REPORTS DOWN THROUGH RADIO. THEY GUARD HEDGE-GATES AND SUCH UP IN THE CASCADES.

THE CARTOGRAPHERS: THESE GUYS ARE A "COVEN", WHICH APPARENTLY IS SLANG FOR A MOTLEY THAT OBSESSES OVER WEIRD, OBSCURE KINDS OF MAGIC. THEY TRY AND TRACK THE APPEARANCES OF THE GENTRY, GOBLINS, HEDGE-GATES, ETC. IN THE MORTAL WORLD, AND USE THESE TO PREDICT THE FUTURE.

THE PORTLAND FORESTRY GROUP: THIS IS A MULTI-COURT MOTLEY THAT POOLS THEIR SKILLS TO MAP AND TAME THE HEDGE. PRETTY HARDCORE GUYS, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD.

THE WELL-POISONERS: THEY GO AROUND MAKING COMMUNITIES SUPER PARANOID AND REACTIONARY IN THE HOPES THIS 'POISONS THE WELL' FOR THE OTHERS. KIND OF ASSHOLES, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD.

THE PRINCIPAL TRIBUNE: TURNS OUT THAT LOST SOCIETY HAS A NEWSPAPER. ANOTHER MULTI-COURT MOTLEY.

SCARECROW MINISTRY: THESE GUYS ARE A 'NOBLE ORDER', ACCORDING TO CONRAD. THEY PERPETUATE URBAN LEGENDS AND TURN THEMSELVES INTO BOGEYMEN IN ORDER TO TERRORIZE PEOPLE AND KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE. THE HORNED KING LIKES THEM, SO THEY STAY. THEY ALL WEAR MASKS AND KEEP THEIR IDENTITIES AS SCARECROW MINISTERS SECRET, SO I GUESS THEY'RE A SECRET SOCIETY. THEY HAVE BAD BLOOD WITH THE FORESTRY GROUP: THEY THINK THE HEDGE IS BEST LEFT ALONE.

THE TOLL TROLLS: PRIMARILY-OGRE MOTLEY THAT PATROLS THE AREAS AROUND THE BRIDGES AS "REINFORCEMENTS" TO THE SUMMER COURT.


You close your notebook and stick it back in your jacket. You still have some squirrel-meat jerky on hand, and chomp it down hungrily. Sated, you rise to face the day.

It's 10 AM.

>Head to the Peculiarium

>Call on a Changeling you know (who?)

>Hit the homeless up for information.

>Head to the Spring Court.

>Head to Pittock Mansion

>Write-In
>>
>>1236362
>Hit the homeless up for information.
>>
>>1236362
>Hit the homeless up for information.
>>
>>1236362
>Head to the Peculiarium
We should be there for Mary and Terry's 'graduation'.
>>
>>1236362
>Head to the Peculiarium
>>
>>1236362
Go to Peculiarium to ser Terry and Mary
>>
>>1236443
>>1236521
>>1236669

The Peculiarium is refreshingly empty today: a Winter Court changeling discreetly browses a selection of colognes "guaranteed to make you irresistible to the opposite sex!" and an elf in the produce section appears to be examining the store's selection of Hedge-flowers. Terry is working the counter on his last day of work: currently, he's handling a bulk order being made by a belligerent satyr:

"Look, I don't care if you say you left it in your other pants, son, buying this many enchanted .38 bullets requires the express written dispensation of the Summer Court. Them's the rules. Otherwise we'd have people goin' all gangbusters on each other in the streets with bullets that make your eyeballs catch on fire or whatever."


>Listen on on the rest of Terry's purchase

>Look around for Mary

>Head to the job board

>Write-In
>>
>>1236951
>>Look around for Mary


>an elf in the produce section appears to be examining the store's selection of Hedge-flowers
UHAuAHuhAU way to perpetuate steriotypes
>>
>>1236951
>Head to the job board while keeping an ear out for Terry's situation
>>1236960
Hey man, flowers are pretty. I get them for myself when I can.
>>
>>1236960
You don't get known as "the Fairest" by not being a superficial twat.
>>
>>1236964
Plus, they ARE pretty flowers. Like ghost lilies (invisible in daylight), crystal roses, and thunderstorm lilacs (not for use indoors).
>>
>>1236971

Yeah, those are neat indeed, we could get a look at them......for research purposes of course
>>
>>1236951
>Head to the job board
>>
>>1236951
>Head to the job board
>>
>>1236951
>Look around for Mary
>>
>>1236951
>>Head to the job board
>>
>>1237228
>>1237258
>>1238170
The job board is pinned up in a small shack adjoined to the store proper by an enclosed walkway. Advertisements for bars, shops, and the locations of the current goblin markets in the region hang in between the personal requests of mortals posted on the board in accordance with century-old pacts, the pleas for help uttered near certain Hedge-Gates and trods echoing through the woods, written down by goblins, and pinned to the board. You take a look at the least-faded ones:

DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.

NIGHTMARES WON'T STOP! PLEASE, SOMEONE TAKE THEM AWAY!

STANDING BOUNTY ON HEDGE-BEASTS AND RECENT MAPS: REWARD

OFFERING 10 POUNDS OF COLD, SILVER, AND IRON TO WHOEVER CAN LIFT FAMILY CURSE

DO YOUR DUTY FOR THE FREEHOLD! VOLUNTEER FOR THE HEDGE PATROL TODAY!

I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME


>Choose one to follow up on

>Go back and talk to Terry

>Look around for Mary

>Write-In
>>
>>1238483
>Look around for Mary
>>
>>1238483
>DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.
we can do this later
>>
>>1238483
>>Look around for Mary
>>
>>1238483
>I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME
Also look into this but don't accept if it's too risky
>>
>>1238604
I agree

After that we can look around for marry
>>
>>1238483
>Look around for Mary

As far as the jobs are concerned I'd like to look into

>DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.
>NIGHTMARES WON'T STOP! PLEASE, SOMEONE TAKE THEM AWAY!
(Seems like a good way to stretch our contract skills)
>OFFERING 10 POUNDS OF COLD, SILVER, AND IRON TO WHOEVER CAN LIFT FAMILY CURSE
Again Autumn Court business
>I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME
Mystery Box always
>>
>>1238604
This
>>
>>1238599
>>1238649
You find Mary in the greenhouse where the Peculiarium grows its edible plants, where she's tending to a tree of bright red apple-like fruit. Her shyness has gotten a lot better: she's dressed in practical working clothes, with a long cloak and surgical mask her only tributes to her shyness. She looks up when she sees you come in.

"Hey dad! I wasn't sure you were going to turn up today. Thanks for remembering." She reaches out with her spider-like hands and delicately plucks a caterpillar from the tree. "I'm just busy tending to these chokeapples, they use them to make a drug that knocks you out cold. Terry says that Sunrise High should take me if we can get new documents for me, and I looked it up, they even have a counselor there who specializes in helping kids like me, who don't like being looked at and stuff. But it's expensive to get a new life, and Conrad helped me, but I still don't know a lot about faerie stuff. Do you think there's a special school for kids like me, like in comics?!"


>I think you should focus on being a kid for now.

>Maybe, who knows?

>Look, if you want to learn more about that stuff, I could use help for work. Terry and you could give me a hand.

>Write-In
>>
>>1238833
>>I think you should focus on being a kid for now, but i'll be sure to ask for your help when we are doing something that might be fun.

Mess her hair a little bit
>>
>>1238833
>I think you should focus on being a kid for now, but i'll be sure to ask for your help when we are doing something that might be fun.

Like this one, also

"I'll be sure to ask around about a special school, but Sunrise High might be a good fit right now."
>>
>>1238833
>Look, if you want to learn more about that stuff, I could use help for work. Terry and you could give me a hand.
I really don't want to end up accidentally coddling her, she's already lacking life skills for someone her age, no need to make it worse
>>
>>1238860
>>1238878
Yes, ALL THE HEADPATS
>>
>>1238860
here
>>1238912

I agree with you, but at the same time I don't want her to not live her childhood and become a forever kid lioke sam
>>
>>1239045
We need to keep her from getting seriously hurt emotionally and physically while still letting her fail and learn from her mistakes, from my personal experience if you aren't allowed to screw up and learn things for yourself you usually end up stunted. That being said we can probably let her have fun for now
>>
>>1238860
>>1238878
>>1239036
"I think you should probably just focus on being a kid for now, Mary. I'll ask around about a special school, but I think Sunrise High should be a good fit for now."

You reach beneath her hood and tousle her hair. When you pull your hand away, faint iridescent oils cling to your fingers.
"Sure, dad. I'm gonna stay with Terry once I get out, okay?"

"That sounds like a good idea. Better than sleeping on the streets with me, anyways."

"Okay. Hey, dad? Conrad seems kind of bothered and annoyed recently. I mean, he's a jerk, but I mean more so than usual. Do you know what could be bothering him?"

"Hmmm... not really sure. Probably just woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

You leave Mary to her gardening.

>Head to the front of the store and talk to Terry

>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom

>Look up the details for one of the job postings (found here: >>1238483 )


>Write-In
>>
>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom
>>
>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad...
>>
>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom
>>
>>1239133
>>1239165
>>1239191
You find Conrad in his office above the stockroom. Purple circles have formed around his pitch-black eyes, and his razor-thin lips are currently wrapped around a cigarette as he feverishly reviews a number of ledgers, one hand clacking away on a desk calculator. He looks up as you enter.

"What the shit do you want, Jerry? In case you can't tell, I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"Mary said you seemed a bit... tense."

"Yeah, well, you'd be too if you- you know what, it's none of your business. Go rouse some winos for leads on spillover from the Hedge or something, see if they know anything, in vino veritas, blah blah blah. It'd be nice to get some good news for once..."

>Alright, boss, I'm going.

>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.

>Write-In
>>
>>1239231
>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.
>>
>>1239231
>>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.
>>
>>1239231
>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.
>>
>>1239240
>>1239245
>>1239270
Roll Presence +2 (4 dice). No explosions, results must beat 2. Best of three.
>>
Rolled 9, 5, 9, 8 = 31 (4d10)

>>1239289
Does beat two mean three or better, or do two successes count?
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 5, 9 = 26 (4d10)

>>1239289
>>
>>1239289
>>1239297
hah doesn't matter, thanks to [Kek's Embrace]
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 1, 7 = 22 (4d10)

>>1239289
>>
guys, i'm going to sleep, but if Conrad needs our help we can do it in exchange for Mary's school papers
>>
>>1239297
"Look, cut the tough-guy act, Conrad. We're both equally screwed if you get in trouble."

Conrad looks up from the ledgers. "Alright, look, one of my major suppliers out in San Diego isn't trading with me anymore. Says the trade road between our Hedges isn't safe anymore: a bunch of bandits and privateers are trolling it for marks now. Those guys, they make most of the forged tools for the Peculiarium, including weapons. I've got a big order from Bill sitting in the back, and I can't FILL it because it's more than my entire stock! I've got to fill it by Solstice or else he'll go to the goblin market and by from them directly, and damn the risks! I've never had to make a customer do that! My reputation's at stake here, man!"

"Well, can't you just... find another supplier? There has to be more."

"Well, there are a few others, but money's... tight right now and I need to make sure we don't go over budget. Personal reasons."
Conrad takes a hard pull from his cigarette, coughs heavily a few times, and starts drumming his fingers on the desk.


>I could help if you did me a favor...

>Well, that sounds like it sucks. Good luck with that!

>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?

>Write-In
>>
>>1239404
>I could help if you did me a favor...
Mary needs school
>>
>>1239404
>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?
>>
>>1239404
>I could help if you did me a favor...

Get Mary set up in school and a safe place to live (since she wants to live with Terry, this should cover both of their situations)
>>
>>1239404
>Let me help you, Conrad. We both know nothing's free, but we also know that using me will be a lot less costly than any other options you've got.
>>
>>1239404
>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?
Let's not go into this blind
>>
>>1239418
>>1239421
>>1239440
"I COULD help you if you did me a favor..."

"And what would this favor be, exactly?"

"Mary needs to go to high school and somewhere safe to live. I want you to get both of them new identities."

"Fine. By the Solstice, you must secure me a new source of magic weapons and get a shipment here. Do it right, and I'll give both of your friends new lives. Screw this up, and I'll have you picking every last nickel in Portland out of their respective gutters. Understand?"

You can sense the throbbing power of a binding oath behind Conrad's words.

>Yes.

>Let's negotiate on those terms...
>>
>>1239618
>Yes.
Make sure he's not hiding anything though
>>
>>1239618
>Let's negotiate on those terms...

A new source? What if we reestablish connections with the old source?
>>
>>1239768
Yeah, this might be easier, and the way this contract is worded it leaves this out as an option.
>>
>>1239768
"What? Yeah, fine, if you can convince them, by whatever miracle, to make their deliveries again, it's whatever. Just get me the damn weapons. Look, are you in, or out?"

>I'm in

>I'm out

>I have another point to bring up (write-in)
>>
>>1239876
>I'm in
Let's help our surrogate daughter and Terry out. Hell, if this is his last day here, we could recruit him to help us out with this.
>>
>>1239876
>I'm in
>>
>>1239972
>>1239978
You nod. "I'm in." You feel the brief PRESSURE around your right arm that seems to always accompany sealing a pledge.

Conrad tosses you a notesheet. "Great. Here's a list of suppliers. Most of them are in the Hedge, so you might want to hook up with a caravan or solicit the Cascadians or the PFG for help. Oh! And you might want this." He pulls a key off of his ring and tosses it to you. "Look in locker 17 and you should find some maps of the local Hedge. They're a couple months old, but they should help getting around the local forest."

"Thanks, Conrad. I'll see you with those shipments soon."

Conrad sighs, and lights another cigarette. "Here's hoping."


You take a look at the notes scrawled on the sheet:

-CATHERINE'S KNIGHTS: USUALLY CAN FIND ONE OF THEIR BOYS IN THE RAINBOW TAPROOM OUT THE BACK OF PATRICK'S OLD PLACE OR AT NIGHTCRAWLER'S UPTOWN.

-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.


-HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.

-REDWOOD BAZAAR: GOBLIN MARKET CLOSEST TO PORTLAND. SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A DEALER HERE, BUT... FUCKING GOBLIN MARKETS.

-CARNIVAL OF 10,000 DELIGHTS: HIGH RISK. FOLLOW THE TROD FROM OAKS AMUSEMENT IN. ALL THE WAY.

It's noon. You have around 2 1/2 weeks to deliver.

>Come up with a plan
>>
>>1240080
Shameless self-bump

To clarify:

>Select a supplier to solicit.
>>
>>1240080
Let's check out exactly what happened with the old supplier
Also, like I mentioned, let's recruit Terry. This is for his benefit, after all.
>>
>>1240080
>-CATHERINE'S KNIGHTS: USUALLY CAN FIND ONE OF THEIR BOYS IN THE RAINBOW TAPROOM OUT THE BACK OF PATRICK'S OLD PLACE OR AT NIGHTCRAWLER'S UPTOWN.
This seems like the easiest one to check out.
>>
>>1240080
Let's talk with Terry and then head to Caterine's.

The old supplier would be.good but if we have to mount a bandit searxh party it could drag too long, let's see what cat's can offer and evaluate if it'll betrer than securing the old trade route.

Is one of those hedge-exploring motleys from autum court? If yes we can ask Terry if he knows about anyone that can help us navigate
>>
>>1240080
>-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.
>>1240626
>>1240749
You guys remember that Catherine's Knights is run by that bad dude, right? Do we really want to get involved with him when we just turned him down? I say let's try and reestablish the old supply line
>>
>>1240080
>-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.
>-HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.
>-REDWOOD BAZAAR: GOBLIN MARKET CLOSEST TO PORTLAND. SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A DEALER HERE, BUT... FUCKING GOBLIN MARKETS.

I actually like checking them out in this order.
>>
>>1240080
>-REDWOOD BAZAAR
>>
>>1241109

No I didnt remembered that, and that changes everything

keep the talk with Terry but lets tr to talk with the old suplier so we can learn hat we can do to reestablish that route
>>
>>1240080
>HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.

I'd like to check out this guy first, he's an unknown quality and might be easiest

>YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.

Then these guys since we know what we need to be doing to reestablish the route
>>
>>1241142

I would be down to check out all of those if you would mind switching the Yollotl and the Hjarl, we've only got a couple of weeks to pull this off and getting to Yollotl will be a fight if there are raiders along the Hedge Path
>>
>>1241451
God knows what we'd have to do to get a Goblin King to do a favor for us. At least we'd be dealing with Changelings in San Diego.
>>
>>1241493

I would agree with you there if it was just us approaching them, instead we're approaching them as a representative of an established dealer completing orders for full Courts, that should give us more leverage and the fact that they're a Goblin might end up assisting if we can figure out their major weakness and use that as a pin in the contract.

The reason that I want to see them first is that they're close and we don't know what they would be asking for at all. I'd like to know just what they would want out of a deal
>>
>>1241513
However, it also requires us to go to (likely) a dangerous part of the hedge. And Jerry still doesn't know jack shit about the hedge
>>
>>1241528

Hence why Conrad told us to get in touch with those two groups that do Hedge work
>>
>>1241530
Don't get me wrong, that's my second choice. However, I'd rather go for the San Diego group first.
>>
>>1241532

The concern I have for the San Diego group is that the path is already targeted by raiders and would require quite the trip, we've only got a couple of weeks to pull this off and I don't want to risk the deadline by being caught up in a fight there, not to mention the time bending properties of the Hedge which might work in our favor or screw us hard
>>
>>1241532
An important point: traveling to San Diego will involve either:
-a long, uncomfortable ride in a Greyhound, or
-A trip through the Hedge.
>>
>>1241591
What would the trip to the Goblin King involve?
>>
>>1241594
Another trip through the Hedge. He lives (roughly: the Hedge is an inconstant thing) in a cavern beneath the Weeping Mountains (the Hedge's reflection of the Cascades), accessible from the high peaks. Crossing over the Weeping Mountains and passing through the great Valley of Fires (Hedge-Cali) and by the City of a Thousand Stories (Hedge-LA) gets you into the rough neighborhood of San Diego (and gets you there more quickly than a bus ride).
>>
What do people think about stopping off at the Goblin King to have this conversation and see what they would want before going to San Diego?
>>
>>1241617
Hey, if it's on the way, I'd be up for it.
>>
So consensus seems to be go to San Diego, with a detour to visit Hjarl Sootbeard. Any objections to this?
>>
>>1241612
How frequently do folks transport shit in a mundane fashion? Take longer, but less risk from the hedge. 32 hour round trip, four fuel stops. Could get some crisscrossed to take it in one go.
>>
>>1241679
Moving things the old-fashioned way carries a lot of risks for most of the Lost, since many of them have only tenuous links to their old lives, if that. Plus... well, there are rumors of OTHER things moving around at night besides the Fae. Things that might be interested in intercepting magical weapon shipments moving through their turf. You don't know much more than rumors, though.
>>
>>1241695
Long story short: most magical items being moved in bulk go through the Hedge. Very powerful magical artifacts or conventional shipments go through conventional routes (a powerful magical item will draw every single privateer in the local Hedge on you, and might even draw the attention of the Gentry).
>>
>>1241695
OK, gotcha. Time for hedge shenanigans.
>>
>>1241668
yeah let's go
>>
>>1241668

Sounds like a plan to me
>>
>>1241764
>>1241774
>>1241734

You swing by the front counter of the Peculiarium on the way back. Terry's finished with the satyr and is currently reading a copy of the Principal Tribune. You take a glance at the front page:

"New 'Neutron Explosive' developed by US- Kills People, Leaves Buildings Standing. Weapon Promises Beginning of New Era in 'Cold War'."

"Violent Shootout Outside of Chinatown as Tensions Between Summer and West Motleys Boils Over: Direction-Seaon Feud In SanFran Claims Five More Victims."

"Horror in Cabrini Green: Six Mortals, Three Changelings, Nine Goblins Dead At Hand of 'The Hook'. Death Toll Now At Almost One Hundred."

"Hey, Terry, what's shaking?."

Terry looks over the paper: "Oh, J-Man! Not much, not much. Been trying to find an apartment, but all these new rules an' shit, can't practically use a toilet without some kind of ID. Might have to jack my old car from that trash-headed bastard and start camping out in it. So, how's life been on the streets for you?"

"Same as it ever was. Listen, Conrad's given me a pretty big job, and I could use some muscle. There's gonna be a nice payout for you and Mary. You in?"

Terry folds up the paper and pops his name tag off. "Aw, you know I'm always in with you. So, where we headed?"

"Through the Hedge. We're trying to wrangle a new arms dealer for Conrad. Need to try and get hooked up with a caravan that's going to San Diego."

Terry's brow furrows. "I work the front desk a lot, so I hear shit. That way's DANGEROUS right around now, 'specially in the area around SanFran. Some kinda gang war going on, it was in the paper. The big caravan stop's located in the Old Town: we'll have to step over on Hawethorne Bridge."

>Let's do that: sure, caravans tend to be made up of goblins and Courtless of questionable quality, but they tend to have large numbers.

>Let's talk with the PFG: they'll probably get us through the Flood-Woods and Weeping Mountains as far as the (reference map) Titan's Garden, and they might have someone going into the Valley of Fire.

>Let's contact the Cascadian Alliance: they'll definitely get us into the Valley of Fire. Probably have to hike to one of their Watch-Stations on Earth or in the Hedge, though

>We can go it alone: we're hard customers, used to surviving in the wilds. Right?

>Write-in
>>
>>1241911
Is the Hawethorne Bridge a trod? I think you should upload our IC knowledge from our notebook to the pastebin so we don't have to ask
>>
>>1241940
Yes, and on it.
>>
>>1241911
>Let's contact the Cascadian Alliance: they'll definitely get us into the Valley of Fire. Probably have to hike to one of their Watch-Stations on Earth or in the Hedge, though

They're the ones best likely to know the backwoods routes and will be able to get us all the way there, hoofing it through the woods won't be a problem for us or Terry
>>
>>1241985
agreed
>>
>>1241911
I'll support >>1241985
>>
>>1241985
Well we are a woodwalker, so let's live up to it.
>>
>>1241985
>>1241995
>>1242009
>>1242096
"Let's hit up the Cascadian Alliance: they know the lay of the land when it comes to the West Coast Hedge. From what I've heard, they'll take us a fair bit into the Valley of Fire before they turn around. We'll probably have to take a trek on Earth or through the Hedge to reach one of their watch-posts first, though."

"Well, I'm up for some hiking. You have any idea where a watch-post IS?"

"Of cou-" you pause, mouth still open. "Well, that is to say... I know they build them near prominent mountains..."

"So you don't know. Well, they probably have one near Saint Helens, but if I had to guess, that one's in the Hedge to avoid eruptions... hang on, shit, I had to sign off on a delivery to those guys last week! Lived up in this tiny-ass town called Rhododendron. We could get there if we used the trolley and bus lines, probably. Or if I borrow my old car..."

>Let's get to Mount Saint Helens. We can hitch our way there.

>Let's use the Hedge and orient towards whatever Saint Helens is in the Weeping Mountains.

>Let's use the bus and trolleys to head to Rhododendron: keep a low profile that way.

>Let's boost your old car and head to Rhododendron: we won't need it once we get there.

>Write-In
>>
>>1242119
>Let's use the bus and trolleys to head to Rhododendron: keep a low profile that way.
>>
>>1242122
This

Also, quick question, the plan is to first stop at the goblin king on the way,right?


Problem: where and with who will Mary stay while we are out? Should we bring her?
>>
>>1242135

I am against bringing her honestly, could run into some bad business on the way and we need to be looking out for her, we should check in with Conrad, see if she can stay if she keeps working
>>
>>1242141
That works
>>
>>1242141
Yeah she definitely can't come with us
>>
>>1242122
>>1242135
>>1242141
>>1242149
>>1242304
"Let's keep a low profile: let's take the trolleys and bus to Rhododendron. That way, we'll have a low profile."

"Yeah, I dig tha- wait, shit. What're we gonna do with Mary while we're gone?"

"Conrad will probably keep her on if she keeps working: I'll leave him a note."

"Yeah, yeah. That's probably fine. She'll get it."

"Get what?"

You turn with a snap to see Mary shuffling in through the door.

"Well... Terry and I need to go out of time for a few days, and you'll be staying with Conrad until then."

"But Mr. Conrad SUCKS. He's angry and smells like old cigarettes all the time. Can't I just come with you?"

"No. This is... a dangerous kind of trip. Too dangerous for a kid like you. I know Conrad's a jerk, but just... put up with him? For me? If we do this, it'll make sure you can go to school."

Mary sighs heavily. "Ugh, FINE. But I won't like it. And bring me back something cool."

"I'll try, pumpkin." You bend down a bit and give Mary a hug.

"Uh, Jerry? You wanna leave sometime soon? Otherwise, we'll be waiting out in the damp for the next trolley, and I don't wanna get my fur all musty. It sucks ba- a lot when I'm wet. Smell like old dog."

"Yeah, yeah, sure."


The trolleys are crowded with a mix of workers coming back from their lunch break, bums sheltering from the rain, and day-trippers killing time by riding in loops. A free spirit with a set of bongos is tapping out a free-form beat on his kit, occasionally asking someone nearby if they can spare a dollar. You and Terry settle into a couple of seats near the back. Terry passes you his copy of the Tribune to kill time. You flip open a page at random:
>>
>>1242328
"-Associated Lost Press, CHICAGO: Cabrini-Green, a neighborhood already known for violence and desperation, became host to tragedy a week ago as 18 people, including three Changelings, were found dead in an apartment. Ignitaria, a 47-year old ogre, first discovered the scene after smelling the deaths: 'Well, I was walking back to my apartment after doing some shopping, and I took a whiff in the stairwell, and I smelled this- well, it was blood, and FRESH. I started tracking it, because I wanted to make sure that, you know, this wasn't just some guy who cut himself shaving, and I end up outside this ratty apartment- everyone always said it was a drug den, but I couldn't smell anything else over the blood. So I takes a look in, and they were all hanging up from the ceiling, I almost fainted! Anyways, then I called a friend of mine in the Summer Court, and they came out and took a look.'

The victims were all found in various states of dismemberment, suspended upside-down on meathooks that were driven into the ceiling. A shattered mirror was found in a nearby bathroom. Local Summer Court officials have identified the most likely culprit as 'The Hook', a serial murderer that has been active across New England and the Midwest. Several Noble Orders have vowed to hunt down and bring 'The Hook' to justice in light of these latest murders. Anyone with knowledge of 'The Hook''s true identity, location, or frailties should contact their local Associated Lost Press office immediately."

>Discuss this story with Terry

>Keep reading the paper

>Talk to the bums on the trolley

>Take a nap (skip this part)

>Write-In
>>
>>1242336
>>Discuss this story with Terry
>>
>>1242336
>Keep reading the paper
>>
>>1242336
>Discuss this story with Terry

"What're the regular papers saying about this? Anything?"

>Talk to the bums on the trolley

Every interaction helps
>>
>>1242346
>>1242375
"Jesus, Terry, did you read this article about this Hook guy?"

"Yeah. I guess it was only a matter of time before some Lost turned into a psycho killer."

"This turn up on the news? In the, you know, normal papers?"

"Hell no, man. That shit went down in the projects. Papers don't care if some blacks get stabbed up down there. Probably just blame it on drugs."

"But... you know, 18!"

"Yeah, that WE know 'bout. The Courts probably cleaned the scene up a bit, left the six people. Don't want to risk one of the goblins's losing their Mask after death."

"That... happens?"

"Sometimes, from what I heard. Spontaneous combustion? That's just one of them fire-dudes dying of a heart attack. Their Mask burns out before they die, so they look like they catch on fire. Then, when they die, boom- just ashes. Tends to happen to those Elemental cats more, from what customers have been saying."

"Well, didn't know that. Thanks, Terry."

You leave the paper in your seat and go strike up a conversation with a couple of the bums nearby. Over the course of your trolley ride, you pump them for information:

"Hey, Jerry! Got any more- you know, got a dollar? Thanks. So, anything weird going on, huh? Why sure. Been a lot of strange goings-on outside that art gallery on 7th and Main; ye know, the one with the statues? Dunno how they're getting so many new ones, in and out, all the time, all o' them those weird pixie-goblin things. Don't know who'd want to buy them; give me the willies."

"Oh, hey man, thanks! What? Weird stuff? Yeah, man. I saw a man following himself! I was jamming out by the bank, and this stuffed suit comes on by, clean as you like, right? And he goes in the bank, and three minutes later, the SAME guy goes in too! Only, he was dressed real sloppy, and his hair was a mess, but it was the SAME FACE. Pretty trippy, right? But I swear, I was sober!"

"Damn gov'ment, spyin' on me wit' thurr rays... wazzat? Who sent ya?!! Yeah, like I b'leeve tha' oh, thank YOU, sur. Yeah, I seed summat. Lil' green men, flying 'bove th' Fargo buildin in a hot-air balloon. Erryone else, they say, 'no, Tim, tha's just a flock of pigeons, but I KNOW! I SEES 'EM! AN' I'LL TELL YOU SUMMAT ELSE: THEM DOCTORS DOWN HOSPI'TL WAY TRIED TO STEAL MY ORGANS! SELL 'EM TO WARLOCKS FOR THEIR EVIL GOV'MENT SPELLS! THE GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER IS AN EVVIL WITCH-GHOST SENDIN' ME MESSAGES THROUGH THE RAD-Hey, wait, comeback!"

>Pick up the paper and read another section

>Take a nap (skip this part)

>Write-In
>>
>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section
>>
>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section
>>
>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section

Alright, definitely want to drop a line about the art gallery and it sounds like that guy was tracking down his fetch, which is another thing we'll want to drop a line about that could boil over into some dangerous shit
>>
>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section
>>
>>1242540

If we can go back to that dude and ask for the bank he was at and make a note in our journal of both of those rumors
>>
>>1242521
>>1242528
>>1242540
>>1242550

"OPINION- Roderick Ampeture:

Today, I want to talk about a sensitive subject: Bridge-Burners. They're such a touchy subject that many of us would rather pretend that those among us who attempt to destroy all trods and Hedge-Gates in a misguided attempt to prevent the Gentry from taking more innocent people simply don't exist. But now, with tensions of all kinds rising in the mortal world, I feel like we have no choice but to sanitize this wound with sunlight- no offense to our darkling readers. The Bridge-Burning manifesto is dangerously irresponsible, both in the short and the long term. In the short-term; well, many of us have heard of the Phoenix War down south, which decimated the Southwest's Lost population; a war which started when Bridge-Burners started drawing Gentry attention by destroying trods. And in the long-term: what of those of us still trapped in Arcadia, or wandering around the Hedge, trying to come home? Are we just supposed to write them off as 'acceptable losses' in this war the Bridge-Burners would have us all fight? I, for one, am not willing to condone such a cruel and heartless position."
"What do you think about this bridge-burner stuff, Terry?"

"I dunno. I mean, I GET why the idea of fucking those monsters over forever is appealing, but- how do we know it'll work? Maybe they'll just make more trods. Or hell, what if it fucks our world over, like... what if we NEED a connection to their world? But whatever, it's whatever to me."


You head back over to the drummer and ask for the bank address before getting off of the trolley and transferring to the bus.


In contrast to the trolley, the bus is mostly empty. You spy a couple of hikers talking at the back, taking up double the space with their backpacks. You also pick out a drifter snoozing near a window, guitar case resting in the overhead compartment. There's also a muscular fellow with the look of a logger about him: his beard is long, but well-groomed, as is his hair, but he has muscles like a prize bull and eyes that burn with vitality. You feel slightly intimidated just being in the same car as him.


>Sit with the hikers

>Sit with the drifter

>Sit with the stranger

>Sit by yourself
>>
>>1242607
Done. Also created two "Jerry's Notebook" sections on the charsheet: scroll to the bottom to get links.
>>
>>1242679
>>Sit with the stranger
Seems like a good man to know.
>>
>>1242679
>Sit with the stranger
>>
>>1242769
>>1242972
You and Terry take a seat near the stranger on the bus. The man barely reacts to your presence, preferring instead to simply stare out the window. You cough gently.

"So, where you headed to, stranger?"

The guy sniffs his nose.
"Mount Hood."

"Ah. My friend and I are getting off at Rhododendron, ourselves. We've got friends to visit there."

"Did I ask?"

"Well, no."

"Then why do you feel the sudden urge to tell me?"

"HEY! You lay off Jerry! What's your problem, anyways? Too good to talk to anyone else!?"

The guy takes another sniff, then blows his nose into a paper napkin he digs out of his pockets. "Not a big talker. Especially not with strangers."

"Well... whatever."

The next half-hour is spend in awkward silence, as the bus winds up the mountain roads. It eventually makes a pit-stop at a roadside gas station . Terry gets up. "Yo, Jerry. I'm takin' a leak and gettin' a snack. You want anything from the store?"

"Bag of peanuts, maybe. Nothing too processed, you know what that does to my stomach."

Terry shrugs and absent-mindedly picks a bit of fuzz out of his arm hair. "Fair 'nuff."

You watch Terry slip around to the bathroom set up on the side of the station. A minute later, you become aware of the stranger vaulting the row of seats in front of you and heading towards the bathrooms as well.

>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.

>Huh. Guess he needs to use the can. Could've ASKED me to move, but still.

>Write-In
>>
>>1243007
>>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.
If not, take a piss.
>>
>>1243007
>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.
>>
Rolled 6, 10, 1, 7, 3, 4, 4 = 35 (7d10)

>>1243044
>>1243053

You get up and start tailing the stranger at a respectable distance. Roll Dexterity + Stealth (5 dice). Must beat roll above. 10's explode.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>1243062
And explosion.
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 9, 5, 3 = 32 (5d10)

>>1243062
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1243070
explode
>>
>>1243070
You slip in behind the stranger as he opens the bathroom door and cautiously slip into one of the stalls as the stranger turns into one of the urinals. Other than Terry, the two of you are the only ones in here. You silently step up onto the toilet seat. A moment later, you hear the flush of the toilet and the click of a lock as Terry finishes with his business. You then hear the stranger's voice, his tone low and growling:

"Your cover's pretty shit, Shartha."

"Pardon?"

"Oh, you've got the look down, and you've got the sound down, and you smell good enough to fool a human. But I can smell you, beneath that skin. The real you. Who sent you? Why are you following me? What are you? Smell too dirty to be Azlu, but not filthy enough for a Beshilu. I have read of Usudwirku and their smell: are you one of them?"

"Buddy, I don't know what the hell you're saying, but you'd better get off me QUICK, or we're gonna have a problem."

You smell a sudden rank, feral odor roll over the sides of the stall.
"DROP THE ACT, SHARTHA! SHA'AN KULZU NAMAKHRA INSHI!"

You hear a punch connect with a wall.

>Do nothing

>Come out and ambush the stranger

>Come out and ask 'What's going on?'

>Write-In
>>
>>1243149
>Do nothing
>>
>>1243149
>>Write-In
take a peek, be ready to ambush
>>
>>1243149

What's going on?

Try to defuse the situation and see who this guy is, he had a good enough mask to fool even us
>>
>>1243539
This.
>>
>>1243480
I'm with this guy
>>
>>1243149
>Come out and ask 'What's going on?'

Ahhhhh fuck it's a werewolf, fuck fuck fuck, we do not want to get in a fight here
>>
>>1243539
>>1243773
>>1243952
You push open the stall door. "Hey, what's going o-"
You see Terry dropped into a low, primal fighting stance, his teeth bared and eyes narrowed. Across from him, pulling his fist out of the wall, is the stranger. He looks very different now: his eyes have changed from green to yellow, with pupils constricted with anger. His hair and beard now bristle and glimmer with musk. Wiry hair covers every visible inch of him, cloaking muscles that bulge even more than previously. His fingers end in short cruel nails, and, as he snarls (actually SNARLS, with a horrible bass timbre), you see large fangs that point at strange angles, as if they weren't fully meant for a human mouth. He glances over to you and lets loose with a bellowing howl that shakes the stalls and mirrors. He then furrows his brow. "YOU! WHY DOES THE IDIGATHIM NOT CLAIM YOU? DO YOU NOT FEAR ME?"

>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

>Me? Scared of YOU? Should be the other way around, little dog. Back down and run along, lest the Ashen Court grow angry with your yapping.

>Nope. (pull pocket-knife) Terry, hit this guy. Hard.

>Terry? You see the mirrors? Let's get out of here.

>Write-In
>>
>>1244178
Whoops, forgot an option:

>Terry? Boil off your Mask. Let's rap with this guy. (boil off your own Mask: note that this will empty your glamour pool).
>>
>>1244178
>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

"Are you with the Cascadians? And for fucks sake put your Mask back on before a mortal comes in here, that's a hell of a wolf seeming you have."
>>
>>1244187

"People might actually think you're a werewolf."

If he's still confused or agitated then we should boil off the Mask so as to lend credence to our explanation
>>
>>1244187
>>1244191
Reminder: all Changelings innately see through the Mask unless it is stiffened. The fact that this guy doesn't seem to see through TERRY'S Mask seems to indicate IC that he's not a Changeling.
>>
>>1244202

Thank you for the reminder

In that case
>Terry? Boil off your Mask. Let's rap with this guy. (boil off your own Mask: note that this will empty your glamour pool).

"No act, there's no act, we have no idea who Shartha is."

If so far all we've ever heard is unsubstantiated rumors of other supernatural critters existing making positive contact is well worth the glamour pool, plus might be able to get a contact from him for spiritual issues
>>
>>1244178
>Terry? You see the mirrors? Let's get out of here.
Let's not fuck with the wolfman, and doing this will probably show him we're not werewolves. Hell, we can pop back here after a few.
>>
>>1244232

I just wouldn't want to get caught in the Hedge without a guide at the moment, we haven't jumped into a random spot that wasn't filled with other Changelings yet
>>
>>1244253
We don't like it, we jump back here. That should be enough to convince this guy we aren't werewolves.
>>
>>1244293

It just seems like a really abrupt way to exit a conversation and I want to take the chance to talk with this guy, boiling off the mask would put all the cards on the table and he's already gone through the transformation as well, this way all the cards are on the table. I want to keep the mirrors as an escape route he doesn't know about in case shit goes south, it'll be something that would probably never occur to him
>>
>>1244304
Another important point: you need 1 Glamour to open a door into or out of the Hedge.
>>
>>1244304
I'd rather not wast all of our Glamour, we're pretty much just a tough mortal then.
>>
>>1244318

Good point, want to just try talking it out for the moment? See if we can do this without spending glamour
>>
>>1244178
>>1244232
Alright, I'm changing my vote. I'd rather talk to this guy, but I'd rather not burn all our magic.
>>
>>1244178
>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

This for now, we'll see how trying to talk goes
>>
>>1244327
>>1244349

"Well... yeah, you're a scary bastard, but... look, man, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron, honest. We don't want to fight."

Terry cracks his knuckles.
"Speak for yourself, Jerry. This guy took a swing at me, Imma roll him."

"You dare MOCK ME, Shartha? I'LL WEAR YOUR SKULL AS A JOCKSTRAP!"

Terry drops back into a fighting stance. "Try me, you mutt."

>(Persuasion) Both of you, CALM DOWN.

>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.

>(Draw pocket knife) Christ, Terry. Why'd you have to pull me into this?

>Terry. Mirror. NOW.

>Write-In
>>
>>1244355
>(Persuasion) Both of you, CALM DOWN.

Who the fuck is Shartha? And are you with a Court?
>>
>>1244355
...I don't suppose we could substitute Animal Ken for Persuasion... can we?
Because we're rolling 0 dice for persuasion.
>>
>>1244374
Nope.
>>
>>1244380
Yeah didn't think so

>>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.
>>
>>1244380

Can we be edging towards the mirrors while this is happening, if our persuasion fails I would like to be able to dive in them, wait a minute or so and then poke our heads back out and ask if he's calmed down enough to talk
>>
>>1244385
Take a look at the character sheet. We are rolling exactly 0 dice for Persuasion, but our Intimidate is 5. It looks like wolfman wants an answer (admittingly he's being an ass about it) but its Terry that's biting at the bit.
>>
>>1244393

Hopefully he gets that we're just trying to deescalate things, I'll switch to intimidate
>>
>>1244393

Just uncomfortable with using intimidate on our friend and threatening violence against him but you're right, it's got the best chances of success
>>
>>1244355
Stopping Terry seems the most reasonable thing to do, considering that we shouldn't know about werewolves
>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.
>>
>>1244383
>>1244399
>>1244433
Roll Presence + Intimidate. No explosions, must beat 2.
>>
>>1244410
wouldn't shouting at both of them be intimidation as well? Less "please be nice" (persuation) and more "SHUT UP YOU FUCKWITS"
>>
Rolled 7, 10, 8, 1, 7 = 33 (5d10)

>>1244435
>>
>>1244437
Yes, yes it would. Difficulty 4 roll, though.
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 9, 5, 2 = 27 (5d10)

>>1244435
>>
>>1244459
dice+5d10
>>
>>1244477

right format, options field though
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 4, 7, 9 = 28 (5d10)

>>1244435

>>1244487
thanks, first time rolling on 4chan
>>
>>1244499

No problem, might be a bit, I am willing to bet he's off running his IRL group
>>
Rolled 4, 7, 3, 5, 7 = 26 (5d10)

>>1244435

Fuck I'm late to the party!
>>
>>1244692
Sorry, was out with friends.

>>1244457
"Dammit, Terry! Don't make me do something stupid you'll regret!"

"Don't play with me, cuz. Come on, let's beat this mook's ass."

"LAST CHANCE, SHARTHA. SURRENDER OR DIE."

>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).

>Alright, alright! Terry, if you go any further, I'm not backing you up here.

>Bring it, furball

>Write-In
>>
>>1244789
>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).
>>
>>1244790

Stick close to the gate, we know he can't follow us through and then let's pop our heads back through after a bit and ask if he's calmed down enough to have a discussion, we both can learn from each other
>>
>>1244815

Let's go to the gate and goad him to follow us, is this possible? or do we have to phisically push him in?
>>
>>1244832
Gates to the Hedge remain open for 1 turn per point of Wyrd after the last person goes through it, so yeah.
>>
>>1244789
>>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).
>>
File: 472599.jpg (1.22 MB, 1920x1080)
1.22 MB
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>>1244790
>>1244832
>>1244916
"Terry, let's get out of here."

You run at the mirror over the bathroom sink and hurl yourself at it, streaming your glamour out before you...

You roll over moss-covered soil as you land. Picking yourself up and turning around, you see Terry squeeze himself through the mirror mounted on the crumbling ruin of a bathroom behind you.

"I dunno, man. Doesn't sit right, running like thi-"

You hear a bellow through the surface of the mirror, and the brute dives through the mirror.

"You won't escape that eas- what? This... this isn't the Hsil! What... who... how... and you..."

You see the stranger's flesh RIPPLE, and in a second, he's human again. You see him start scrabbling in his pockets for something. A second later, he pulls out a necklace of teeth and start mumbling over it.

>Wanna TALK, now?

>Not so scary now, are you?

>(Say nothing)

>Write-In
>>
>>1244976
>>Wanna TALK, now?
>>
>>1244976
>Write-In

"Ooooh shit man, ah fuck, I am so sorry, I didn't think you could follow us through, we need to get you out of here. Now. Come on follow us. I don't know if you're attracting ... them."

And head on back through the mirror
>>
>>1244992

Also completely will to go with

>Wanna TALK, now?

To keep the pace up, if there's no immediate danger in the area we should have some time to talk
>>
>>1244992
Changing to this, we should immediately leave the hedge in case of true fae
>>
>>1245049
>>1244992

yup these two
>>
>>1244992
>>1245058
>>1245059
"Oh... shit, man, I am SO sorry, I didn't think you could follow us through... we need to get out of here. Now. Come on, follow us. I don't know if you're going to attract... them."

You walk back towards the mirror... and look through it. You see a bunch of people in the uniforms of the highway patrol in the restroom, looking around with guns out.

The stranger snarls in outrage behind you, and you hear the rattle of something hitting a nearby tree. "Why don't they answer me? What is this... naetsu?"

One of the highway patrolmen turns to face your mirror, jerks back, and shoots wildly at it: the image shatters, leaving only your own face staring back from the mirror.

>...Fuck.

>How did- how the hell did he see me?

>(Turn to the others) Great, now we'll have to find another gate thanks to your dick-measuring contest!

>Write-In
>>
>>1245198
>>...Fuck.
A broken. Fucking. Mirror.
Tell furball to come with us if he wants to live.
>>
>>1245198
>Write-In
Explain to werewolf guy what's going on, book it to the exit
>>
>>1245198

>dick measuring contest....

Phone posting, copying is a bitch, option 3 for me
>>
>>1245198
>...Fuck.
>How did- how the hell did he see me?
>Write-In

"Alright man, quick run down, welcome to the Hedge, do not let the Thorns touch you, as best you can, and do not eat anything that either myself or Terry haven't identified and we're not eating anything period without it being a case of starvation. I'll need you to stick with us, there are ... things here in the Hedge, terrible things, I'll not name them because their names give them power, and can draw them too us. First things first, my name is Jerry Woodheart, this is Terry (I honestly forgot Terry's last name) and what is your name? Whatever you do, never lose track of your name. Now we need to move, I am not sure what sort of attention a breaking gate will bring. Ask questions on the way."
>>
>>1245212
Never mind my joke, i'm changing to this, just remembered what the broken mirror means
>>
>>1245212

Shit that's right, we need to move stat
>>
>>1245236
>>1245245
That's only if YOU break a mirror.
>>
>>1245249
oh shit, really? that's a load off for damn sure. I'm gonna go with >>1245232
then
>>
>>1245249
Well, better safe than sorry

I say we start with this>>1245232 and then do our terminator impression like this>>1245212 and start looking for a way out, open our map and try to determine where we got in
>>
>>1245232
>>1245261
>>1245268
(Sorry about the absence)

"How... how the hell did he see me? Oh FUCK! Listen, man, quick run-down, welcome to the Hedge, don't let the Thorns touch you, don't eat anything I or Terry haven't identified, and we aren't anything PERIOD without a case of starvation, stick with us. There are... terrible, TERRIBLE things here. I won't name them, but they're... very bad. Okay, my name's Jerry Woodheart, that's Terrance, and you're... listen, just don't lose track of your name. Now, we need to MOVE. Ask questions on the way."

Roll Intelligence +Investigation +Wyrd (4 dice). 10's explode. 5 successes required.
>>
Rolled 10, 2, 4, 3 = 19 (4d10)

>>1245992
Well... we're fucked.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1245993
Slightly less fucked.
>>
Rolled 3, 8, 10, 7 = 28 (4d10)

>>1245992

Ah shit
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1246017

BOOM
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1246023

BOOM
>>
>>1246017
>>1246023
>>1246025
You pick a likely direction and start walking along the forest path, between the towering, flanking trees.

"What... are you? Clearly, you are not Shartha-"

"Speak ENGLISH, freakshow! The hell's a Shartha?"

"It is... a man-spirit, that can change it's skin. I am Urathra, both wolf and man."

"So... why did you attack us?"

"I thought you were another of the Shartha. They despise us, for we hunt those who make prey of Man. I am returning to my pack, and did not wish to risk harm to you..."

You see him stop, and sniff the air. "What is this place? Everything smells wrong. But I cannot name why."

"Don't you LISTEN? This is called the Hedge. It's... hell, you explain, Jerry. I'm not good at this weird shit."

"Well... do you have a name, Urathra?"

"Call me Madsen."

"Well, Madsen, Terry and I are Changelings. You see... well, there are these creatures that steal away people and toy with them. Things like out of myths, but... all twisted-up and wrong. Sometimes, we escape, and find our way back to the human world, but we always come back... different."

"Yeah, we get fucked up, and then we gotta scrape together a new life for ourselves. Shit SUCKS."

"Hmh."

You travel along the winding network of paths in the woods, winding through the branch-cast shadow of this Hedge-section. After three hours, Madsen yowls in frustration.

"THIS IS POINTLESS! ENOUGH OF THIS LABYRINTH!"

You see him turn and start to stride into the treeline.


>Let him go

>"Wait, don't!"

>Write-In
>>
>>1246134
Shit, this is me.
>>
>>1246134
>"Wait, don't!"
>>
>>1246134
>"Wait, don't!"

You dumb motherfucker, do not leave the path
>>
>>1246148
>>1246185
"Wait, don't!"

"Why not? I can survive in the wild!"

"It's... not safe off the path. You'll start losing yourself. We call it the Thorns. Just... keep up with us, we'll find a way out soon."

Madsen pauses, then reluctantly falls in behind you again. "Fine. But if we don't find your way out soon..."

Roll Intelligence + Investigation + Wyrd again: 10's explode. Beat 1 to find your way out.
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 10, 1 = 21 (4d10)

>>1246245
Here's hoping.
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1246257
shitshitshitshit
>>
>>1246257
>>1246262

You trudge on through the woods as the sun sets, looming on the horizon ahead of you.

"... Why are there no spirits in this place?"

"Spirits? The hell you talking about?"

"Actually, I'm interested too. Do share."

"Spirits... they are the small gods, dwelling in the shadows of all things. Spirits of fire, spirits of dogs, spirits of banks-"

"Spirits of traffic lights, too, I bet!"

Madsen shoots Terry a glare. "Don't mock the Little Road Tyrants. They serve their purpose. All things, they have spirits. The Uratha, we are man's protectors from those spirits who would harm them. But... this place, it has no spirits."

"That's because this place is... different. There's logic here, but it's not the same kind as the real world. Here, you could end up in all sorts of..."

You come out into a clearing, with tall, black grass all around. A pair of doorframes stands in the middle of the clearing: each one is a polished pine affair, with a brass handle, identical in every way. A pair of tall, lanky goblins sit back-to-back on a rock in front of the door: they are as identical as the doors, dressed in patchwork overalls and plaid shirts, each one smoking a pipe. One of them looks up as your group approaches. "Company, brother."

"So 'tis, brother."

>Oh, GREAT.

>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?

>Piss off, hedge-hicks. Lest we lash you six ways to Sunday.

>Write-In
>>
>>1246308
>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?

Well either they'll immediately try to kill us or one will lie and the other will only tell the truth, but such is life in the Hedge
>>
>>1246328
This
>>
>>1246308
>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?
>>
>>1246328
>>1246555
>>1247006
"Look, fellows, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?"

"Oh, we mind lots."

"Very mindful, we are."

"But you can use one of them."

"Which one's the question."

"You see, one door leads out-"

"And th' other leads further in."

"So the question is, are you IN-"

"Or are you OUT?"


You sigh in exasperation. "Alright. What do I need to do to get you to tell me which door's the way out?"

"Nothing. Just know that-"

"I tell the truth, but my brother here lies."

"T'aint so! I tell the truth, and my brother's the liar!"

"You get two questions."

One of the goblins shoves the other in the ribs.

"Oh, yeah- and don't try that 'If you were the other one would you say 'my brother is the liar'' crap. We're tired of getting swindled that easy."

"So, go ahead."


>Write-In your first question.

>Roll Intelligence + Wits to get a hint. 10's explode.
>>
>>1247029
A third option:

>Here's a question for you: how many bones do my friends and I need to break before you little creeps talk straight?
>>
>>1247029
>How many fingers am I holding up?
Hold up three fingers.
>>
>>1247029
>Which door would your brother say is the right one?
>also why did neither of you lie in the introduction?

or this:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0327.html
>>
>>1247037
(Selected due to significant number rule to keep things moving)

"Alright. How many fingers am I holding up?"
You hold up three fingers.
"More than two."
"Approximately three."

The goblins look at each other. "Dammit, I knew we messed up somewhere!"

"Yeah, good going, brother. Now they'll just go through the right door and get out, like always."

"Crap."

They turn back to you. "Fine, just go on through."

They step aside.

>Go through the left door.

>Go through the right door.

>Write-In your second question
>>
>>1247037

This desu, if the goblin answers correct they're the truth one and we ask what door to take, if it's not 3 then they're the lair and we ask three other one for the door
>>
>>1247124

Aren't both of these true? or the approximately guy fucked up because it's exactly 3?

whitch one of the 2 told us it was the right door?
>>
>>1247124
>Write-In your second question

Turn to the one that said more than two (since that's the true statement) and ask if the right door leads out, just to be sure
>>
>>1247140
1: "More than two."
2: "Approximately three."

1: "Dammit, I knew we messed up somewhere!"

2: "Yeah, good going, brother. Now they'll just go through the right door and get out, like always."

1: "Crap."

Both: "Fine, just go on through."
>>
>>1247143
"Yes, the right door leads out. That's what right implies, doesn't it?"

Both of them look at you with a smug look on their face.

>Go through the left door.

>Go through the right door.

>Okay, enough cutesy language games. Tell us which door leads out of the Hedge, or I start breaking kneecaps.

>Write-In
>>
>>1247152

OK Terry, lets use your 2 questions, smile smugly,
ask him (the more than 2) if the left door leads out of the hedge
>>
>>1247188

If they want to play games let's play some games

Also I am very paranoid about this
>>
>>1247188

I mean, we tried and failed, now it's his turn to try, its not m fault english has no distinction between you(singular) and you(plural)
>>
>>1247152
Unless the whole thing is a farce the correct door is on the left
>>
>>1247188
>>1247195
>>1247197
"Okay. Terry? Your turn."

"Right. Okay. You! Does the door on the left lead out of the Hedge?"

The goblins look dumbfounded for a moment. Then, one of them angrily throws his hat out of the clearing and starts jumping up and down. "Damn you, damn you, DAMN YOU, mortal! It's not FAIR!"

"Yeah, well giving twisty bullshit answers isn't fair, either. Now answer my question!"

The goblin hangs his head in defeat. "Yes, that's the door that leads out of the Hedge."

"Or maybe it isn't!"

"Oh, give it a rest, brother. They BEAT us, properly. Let's go throw rocks at the gate to Arcadia, that always cheers us up."

The two of them shuffle over to the door on the right and go through it: you get a brief look of a towering stone wall overgrown with ivy before one of them slams the door behind him so hard that it falls over.

Madsen growls. "We should have killed them."

"Nah. They'd probably just turn into birds and fly away or something if we tried that. Let's just get out of here."

You open the other door and walk out onto a dirt road. You turn around to see a shed behind you: Madsen and Terry clear the doorway, and the Hedge fades into smoke, showing a small interior space housing a generator. A humorous drawing of two familiar-looking hillbillies throwing rocks at a tower is carved into the back.

Madsen scents the air, then turns to you. "My pack is nearby. I'm... sorry for attacking you, fairy-men. I am in your debt. Is there anything I can do for you?"

>Swear an alliance to the Autumn Court. Nothing too taxing: just a promise to aid us if we need some muscle over the summer.

>Do you know a place nearby where more like us are? We're trying to meet up with them.

>Just... promise you won't attack us next time we see you.

>Write-In
>>
>>1247225
>Do you know a place nearby where more like us are? We're trying to meet up with them.
>Write-In

Let's exchange a method of proper contact for us, a way that doesn't immediately lead to us or our mates fighting. That way if you run into Fae trouble you have a resource and if we run into Spirit trouble we have a resource.
>>
>>1247225

"Just promise that you will help us in case we need" extend hand for a shake

>Do you know a place nearby where more like us are? We're trying to meet up with them.
>>
>>1247225
Make an alliance, I don't want to force him to help us without a reward but having a different kind of supernatural as an ally could really help
>>
>>1247236
I'm with this guy
>>
>>1247236
>>1247267
"Just promise that you'll help us in case we need it." You extend your hand to him. Madsen doesn't take it, instead opting to lower his head slightly and drop his arms to the side.

"My word is my bond. I will repay my debt."

"Good. Do you know a place nearby where there are... more like us? We're trying to meet up with them."

Madsen pauses for a moment, brow furrowed. "... I do not, but my pack might. Come with me."

You see his flesh BEND and warp for a second, and you get a brief impression of unpleasant intermediate stages, and then a MASSIVE wolf, practically the size of a grizzly, is standing in front of you. It lays down and shoots you a look.

>Climb on the wolf's back.

>"Just lead us. We'll be fine."

>Write-In
>>
>>1247301
>Climb on the wolf's back.
No need to be rude
>>
>>1247301
>>Climb on the wolf's back.

Of course we do, when will we have a chance to mount a werewolf again? I feel like a halfling all of a sudden
>>
>>1247301
>Climb on the wolf's back.
Mary is never going to believe this.
>>
>>1247301
>Climb on the wolf's back.

Well this chance will never come again in our lives
>>
>>1247313
>>1247331
>>1247335
You gingerly climb on Madsen's back. Terry gingerly follows suit, settling in as Madsen rises.

"Just letting you know: this is weird. This is weird, right? It's not just me feeling that? I mean- OH, JESUS FUCK!"

Madsen bursts from a resting position to full speed almost instantly. You get a vague impression of tree branches, underbrush, flashes of the night sky as the great wolf BOUNDS across clearings, and countless small wildlife scattering before you: all filtered through eyes running with tears as the air presses into your face. You cling onto Madsen's fur for dear life as you blaze across the wilds-

And then, as suddenly as he started moving, Madsen stops, and the two of you are thrown from his back by momentum. You manage to roll as you hit the ground; Terry isn't so lucky.

"Aw, COME ON! This was because I said it was weird, isn't it? Well, it is! You're a... person, or whatever, and I was riding on your back like..." He trails off as he takes a look around.

The clearing you're in is somewhere deep in the woods. In the near distance, Mount Hood looms into the sky, remote and awe-inspiring. A fire burns in the center of the clearing, underneath a skin tent hung from the surrounding trees. Bone charms and fetishes hang from ropes tied beneath the skin; a light breeze makes them rattle in the twilight, as the last rays of dusk fade from the western horizon. Four other werewolves rest around the fire; they look much how Madsen looked when he briefly tried to attack you. An elderly specimen wrapped in a cloak and holding a staff across his lap rises up when he sees Madsen. Then he spies you, and snarls.

"Madsen, You stupid urdur! Why have you brought humans to our tur? Does the Nusuzuth Sur mean NOTHING to you?"

The air shifts subtly behind you, and Madsen speaks up:

"They aren't humans, and I owe them a debt. They are... fairy-men, who say that they seek their kin nearby. Do you know of this?"

"Fairy-men? HA! hithim luzak, more like. They have fooled you."

The old man turns to you. "Duzag lal, fairy-men! Show me your true forms!"

>Okay. (boil off your Mask)

>You want a demonstration of my power? (Activate a contract).

>Write-In
>>
>>1247430
>Okay. (boil off your Mask)

We should be able to put this back on fairly soon, and we're not likely to run into any mortals around
>>
>>1247430
>Okay. (boil off your Mask)
>>
>>1247430
>>You want a demonstration of my power? (Activate a contract).
Let's try nature's curse, should be good enough
>>1247437
Doing that takes all of our glamour, let's save it
>>
>>1247430
>>You want a demonstration of my power? (Activate a contract).
>>
>>1247463
Switching to this
>>
>>1247463

They've been straightforward with us and taken us into their pack area, I'm sticking with taking off the mask for honesty's sake
>>
>>1247492
Maybe throw in an explanation that revealing our true form is difficult?
>>
>>1247549

That would be fair
>>
>>1247463
>>1247466
>>1247492
>>1247549
>>1247557
>>1247487
"Showing you our true forms is... difficult. Let me give you a demonstration of my pow-"

You feel a large hand on your shoulder, and look up into Terry's face.
"Yo, lemme handle this J-Man. I got one that's PERFECT for this."

"If you're really sure, Terry."

"Of course I am."

Terry walks up to the pack. "What's the heaviest shit you got here?" He jabs a finger at a boulder at the edge of the clearing. "How about that? You think a human could lift that?"

The elder laughs. "Hithim luzak, I couldn't lift that outside of the war-form!"

"Okay, then. Watch THIS."

Terry walks over to it and turns his palms out, cracking his fingers. He grips both sides of the stone and flexes his muscles. Grunting with the effort, he lifts the boulder up- and then hurls it into the treeline, felling a few spruce. "How about THOSE apples, huh? You wanna give us a hand now?"

The elder falls silent, then gestures to the rest of his pack. They collapse into a huddle, whispering to each other.

>(Wait for them to finish)

>You didn't tell me you could do that.

>Shit, if you're that strong, why didn't you just cream Madsen right off the bat?

>Write-In
>>
>>1247593
>Write-In

Nice Terry, what's the catch for it?
>>
>>1247603
Yeah, hell, what was the contract?
>>
>>1247603
This
>>
>>1247603
>>1247610
>>1247612
"Nice, Terry. What the hell Contract was that?"

"I forget what it's called, but it's from... some kinda pact with stones and rocks and shit. That contract in it makes me hella strong, but it works for free when I'm just showing off. Came in pretty handy when I had to stock shit for Conrad. I guess I could have used the one that let's me tear shit in half, but that one's for breaking open walls, and I want to save my glam, y'know?"

The wolf pack breaks out of their huddle. "We believe we know of that which you speak. There is a human dwelling nearby which never made sense to us. But, then again, much of the ways of Man make little sense to those of us who have not... incorporated ourselves into their culture. Madsen, take them there, then bring us a fresh kill to offer our guide. The time for us to hunt in the hsil is again upon us."

"Fine."

Madsen ripples back into his wolf-beast form, and kneels to take the two of you on his back.

Another wild ride later, you find yourselves outside of what looks like an old hunting lodge from settler times. A small game trail running off is the only sign of contact with the outside world. You get off of Madsen's back with Terry.

"Hey, look for me sometime when you're in Portland! You'll smell me on the streets!"

"Take care of yourself, wolf-man!"

Madsen pads back into the woods.

The lodge looks empty and lonesome: no lights burn from within, and an open window betrays no nightly noises.

>Look around the lodge.

>Knock on the front door.

>Look through the windows.

>Write-In
>>
>>1247676
>Look around the lodge.

First things first, make sure the area is safe and is actually what we're looking for
>>
>>1247676

>Look around the lodge.
>>
>>1247676
>>Look around the lodge.
>>
>>1247683
>>1247705
>>1247726
Roll Wits + Composure (4 dice), best of three.
>>
Rolled 9, 3, 4, 4 = 20 (4d10)

>>1247731
>>
>>1247731
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 1, 8 = 13 (4d10)

>>1247731
>>
Rolled 7, 7, 8, 8 = 30 (4d10)

>>1247731
Ok
>>
File: tegaki.png (11 KB, 400x400)
11 KB
11 KB PNG
>>1247779
A sign posted near the lodge declares "PRIVATE PROPERTY: TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT."

You spot footprints coming up the game trail to the lodge: by your woodsman's eye, they seem rather fresh.

You spy the symbol of the Cascadian Alliance carved into a nearby tree.

>Knock on the front door.

>Look through the windows.

>Call out to anyone nearby

>Examine the area near the symbol

>Write-In
>>
>>1247799
>Examine the area near the symbol
>>
>>1247799
>Knock on the front door
>>
>>1247799
>>Knock on the front door.
>Call out to anyone nearby

we don't want to get anyone by surprise here
>>
>>1247799
>Examine the area near the symbol

The house itself might not be their staying area
>>
>>1247799
>Examine the area near the symbol
>>
>>1248095
>>1247819
>>1247885
You kick up the leaf litter with one foot around the area near the symbol and examine the trees that grow nearby, looking for a sign. You quickly find one: footprints in the dirt, like those of a deer... but with the spacing wrong. You start following the tracks.

Roll Wits + Survival + Woods specialty (6 dice). 8's, 9's, and 10's explode.
>>
Rolled 10, 8, 4, 1, 9, 6 = 38 (6d10)

>>1248105
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 4 = 8 (3d10)

>>1248109
>>
Rolled 10, 10, 10, 6, 2, 6 = 44 (6d10)

>>1248105
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>1248126

Damn, BOOM
>>
>>1248105
>>
Rolled 4, 8, 2, 6, 6, 2 = 28 (6d10)

>>1248105
>>1248109
>>1248126

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETfiUYij5UE
>>
Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1248186
>>
>>1248126
>>1248130
The trail leads back to a dugout tunnel in the middle of the forest: a green tarp lies to one side of the mouth. You hear the sounds of people talking echoing up the passage.

"Erm, hello? I'm from the Lead Mirror, looking for some help?" you call down the hole.

You hear shuffling, the clinking of glass, and then a strange, shimmering man with stars for eyes dressed in furs pokes his head up from the tunnel.
"You LOOK Autumn, right enough. And you managed to find us, true. What do you want with us?"

"We need your help. We're inexperienced with the Hedge, and we need to visit a place in the Weeping Mountains, and then travel to San Diego. It's Court business, I swear on my life!"

"Court business, is it?... then you certainly won't mind staying in the cabin back thataways while we verify your tale, will you?"

>No, not at all.

>We're... kind of on a time constraint.

>Write-In
>>
>>1248369
>We're on a time constraint
>>
>>1248369
>Write-In

How fast will it take to verify, we need to be done with everything by the Solstice
>>
>>1248369
>>1248407
This
>>
>>1248407
>>1248439
"How long will this take? We need to get everything done by the Solstice."

"It'll take as long as it has to. Now, I'd advise getting in the cabin; there are dangerous things up here this late at night."

"But-"

"No buts. Get, or you can hike to San Diego on your own. We're busy here with something."

The Star-Eyed Man ducks back into the tunnel. As you turn to walk away, you hear a blood-curdling scream echo from the tunnel: the scream of something in mortal pain.

>Run into the tunnel and investigate.

>Head back to the cabin.

>Write-In
>>
>>1248493
>Write-In

Shout down, "I could help if it speeds things up."
>>
>>1248521
This
>>
>>1248493
>>Write-In
>Shout down, "I could help if it speeds things up."
>>
>>1248521
>>1248738
>>1248786
"You know, I could help if it would speed things up!"

The Star-Eyed Man pokes his head up. "Could you, now? Do you really think you have the stomach for it? Well, let's see. Come on down: your hirsute friend can keep watch for us."
You climb down into the tunnel and follow it along, back and knees bent to fit. You eventually come out in a hollow bubble in the earth, with small tree-roots breaking through the packed earth of the ceiling, lit by a small fire in the center of the room. Your eyes are immediately drawn to a wooden table nearby- it's blood-stained and dripping, with shackles on its four corners. A smaller table with a number of knives, mallets, corkscrews, and other, more esoteric devices flanks it.

Three other changelings dressed in furs are about: a buxom young woman with deer-horns and legs, who is leaning casually up against the far wall, sharpening a stick with a buck-knife; a blue-skinned man with faint, cloudy wisps for hair; and a pallid fellow with distinctly chiropteran ears and a wide, grinning mouth. All of them, like the man, are wearing a fur cloak, a buck-skin loincloth, and little else. Even though you've only been down here less than a minute, you can feel why; a dank, oppressive heat dominates the chamber.

You hear a rustling from further up the passage, and a pallid, slimy goblin-like Lost comes forward, dragging a bound figure with a bag over it's head behind it. The figure is quickly thrown up and bound on the table. The Star-Eyed Man comes up behind you and whispers in your ear: "Make him tell us about the Priest in Still Waters. Any way you can."

>What? I'm not torturing someone for you!

>Fine. I'll do it.

>Leave the room. I'll get you what you want.

>Write-In
>>
>>1248931
>Write-In
Immeadiately start playing good cop, trying to act/be like his ally.
>>
>>1248972
I'd agree with you, but our persuasion is absolute garbage. Our intimidate isn't bad though.
>>
>>1248931
Ask about the priest in still water, we might have the skills to track him down without torture
>>
>>1248931
>Write in
Ask for an explanation about him and the priest, then start going for the intimidation.
Also, we're Autumn, right? What can we do with fear as of now?
>>
>>1248931
>Fine. I'll do it.

This better be important enough for torture.

Let's start with an intimidate, to set the mood for it.

And as far as character goes I don't think thi sis too far beyond the pale for Jerry, our time in the Hedge we slowly learned that scaring away the threats to the wood wasn't enough, we had to kill, we had to maim and we probably had to torture at some point. We've been trying to be good to the people who are close to us and do right by the little guy, save those that can be saved. But I think we know that there are times to employ these tactics, and there are times where the individual needs to be put aside for the benefit of others.
>>
>>1249034
Also check if the hooded guy knows about changelings, we could just catch him in a contract to force him to confess
>>
>>1249042
As of now, you are limited to conventional interrogation methods. As you grow in power, you will gain opportunities to unlock new Contracts, including the Contracts of Fleeting Autumn, which allow you to use fear in supernatural ways, usually to your advantage.
>>
>>1249034
>>1249042
"Who the hell is the Priest in Still Waters?"

"That doesn't matter. Court business. Just... make him tell us about him."

"And who is this guy?"

"A bad man. That's all you need to know."


>>1249042
>>1249051
"Fine. But this had better be important enough for torture."

"It is."

You walk up to the figure and pull the hood off. You see a fat, froglike face staring back at you with desperate eyes- this person is clearly a Changeling.

"Oh- OH, FUCK! Keeper's Bones, it's YOU monsters!"

"Tell me about the Priest in Still Waters!"

The Frog-Man hawks up a loogie and tries to spit in your eyes; you twitch out of the way.

"Fuck you."

>Play nice with him

>Try to reason with him

>Scare him

>Torture him

>Write-In
>>
>>1249124
Ok, let's decide something first.
Do we want to torture someone based on the word of people we've never met, who won't tell us anything because it's "Court Business"?
Smells fishy to me.
>>
>>1249124
>>Try to reason with him
then
>Scare him
>>
>>1249124
Promise to let him live if he makes an oath to tell the truth, crank up the intimidation if he refuses
>>
>>1249124
>Promise to let him live if he makes an oath to tell the truth, crank up the intimidation if he refuses
If he doesn't take the oath, tell him that he will have the most painful experience in his life shortly, and that he will live a long time after this, we'll make sure of it.
>>
>>1249124
>Scare him
>>
>>1249195
>>1249211
You breathe deeply.
"I will let you live if you swear to me that you'll tell the truth."

"Bullshit. Your word is worth dick."
You slam your fist on the table. "If you don't talk, you're going to have the most painful experience of your LIFE shortly, and I'll make sure that your life lasts a very, very long time."

Roll Presence + Intimidate (5 dice). No explosions. Best of 3.
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 7, 2, 3 = 18 (5d10)

>>1249253
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 6, 6, 1 = 21 (5d6)

>>1249253
>>
>>1249267
Uh, those should be d10's, anon.
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 1, 5, 7 = 26 (5d10)

>>1249272
Ah crap, hard to keep track from different quest threads...
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 2, 2, 10 = 21 (5d10)

>>1249253
>>
>>1249301
"You wanna bet? Try me, you fudge-packing sleazebag!"

Your eyes travel over to a number of devices lying on the table: the knives, the toothed hammers, the screws joined to planks of wood, the large sledge and shaped blocks, the curved bits of iron spiked on the inside, the bag of salt, and- most horribly- the two vials of unknown fluids lying by a rag, one of which is labeled "antidote"...

>Back down

>Cut his torso with the knives

>Use the hammers on his kneecaps or ribs

>Use the screws on his toes or thumbs

>hobble him

>Use the spike-molds to torture his legs

>Force salt into his eyes, nose, and/or mouth

>Force-feed him the poison

>Write-In

Optional: if you open any wounds, you can salt them.
>>
>>1249368
Take off each of his nails one by one, followed by his digits, followed by one inch sections of his limbs. 2 minute breaks between each action.
>>
>>1249368
>Use the hammers on his kneecaps or ribs

Use it on the ribs first, it'll make any deep breathes throughout the rest of this process painful as well
>>
>>1249368
Do we have a brazier?
>>
>>1249476
You have a wood fire, with burning pieces of wood and hot ash. (a small hole in the ceiling lets out smoke)
>>
>>1249368
Try to trick him into running his mouth
>>
>>1249148

Honestly I don't see this as too far off of a beaten character path, it's just got a darker bent. Even before being captured we acknowledged that you can't fix the entire world, there's going to be dark shit going down all the time but we wanted to carve out a stable little sane section for the people we cared about. This is reflected in our Durance wherein we were given our own little section of the world to watch over and protect. During the course of the Durance we had to turn to more and more violent methods to keep it safe, but our goal was always to keep it safe. Now we're back out and everything is in upheaval constantly for us, but I see us still following our goal, trying to carve out a sane and safe section for the people we care about, Terry and Mary. And if that means having to do some dirty work for the Court of Fear and prowl the Hedge and the parks to make sure that no threats come through then that's what we do for them because at our heart we're a guardian.

I apologize for the lack of formatting, I'm phone posting
>>
>>1249401
(Selecting a result to keep things moving)

You pick up one of the hammers and slam it down on the bastard's right-side ribs full-force. You hear something crack.

"FUCK!!!...."

You hear the wretch start to take shallow, rushed breaths, anything deeper ending in a sudden, pained exhalation. You slam the hammer into the other.

"Tell me about the Priest in Still Waters."

"N-no..."

>Back down

>Cut his torso with the knives

>Use the hammers on his kneecaps

>Use the screws on his toes or thumbs

>hobble him

>Use the spike-molds to torture his legs

>Force salt into his eyes, nose, and/or mouth

>Force-feed him the poison

>Write-In
>>
>>1250955

he is a frog right? pick up the salt and hold it or him. "I'll only ark it one more time, Where is the priest in still waters?"

try to intimidate him
>>
>>1250955
>Use the screws on his toes or thumbs
Take off each of his nails one by one, followed by his digits, followed by one inch sections of his limbs. 2 minute breaks between each action.
>>
>>1250955
>Force salt into his eyes, nose, and/or mouth
>>
>>1250998

Can we slip in intimidation checks between punishments, to also attack him on the mental side, might break him faster
>>
>>1250998
>>1251142
(Sorry for the prolonged absence, driving to visit family for Spring Break).

You pick up the bag of salt and hold it in front of him. “Talk, or I get to pickle your eyes.”

The frog begins panicking and frantically pulling on his chains. “No, no, FUCK NO! Anything but that! Listen, I can’t tell you anything, I swear! He made me swear an oath unto death to him! If I break it, I’m dead!”

The Star-Eyed Man makes eye contact with you and nods:

>Back down

>Pour the salt in

>Write-In
>>
>>1251834

"That is unfortunate."

>Pour the salt in
>>
>>1251834

Well, mate, that's not really clever of you. does he have some people that he is always around? I doubt you swore an oath to them too, you can give me their location, or the location of his toilet for all I care, just something that leads us reasonably close........or it's the salt for you
>>
>>1251962
(to keep things moving)
"What about the people beneath him? I doubt you swore an oath to THEM." Your voice drops into a low wheedle, only partially by choice. "Come on, man, give me something here; a place, a name, directions to his fucking toilet! I don't wanna have to hurt you."

"Bit... late for that line, traitorous asshole."

>>1251869
"Well... that's a shame."

You dump the salt all over his face. And he starts screaming. Oh god, how he screams, it goes on and on and on and on and on as the salt boils on his skin, patches of it boiling off and showing the bone beneath, and you know that he won't hurt the forest again, because you through that burning sap on his face and stopped it, hell yes, you stopped him from hurting the forest and your bones won't break tonight and the forest is safe and the woodsman is dead and all his friends are chop-chop-chopped up with those terrible axes, those evil evil axes...

CLARITY FADING

Roll 3 dice. First result used.
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7 (3d10)

>>1252355
Ou fuck, back to the woods

I tryed to be clever but the previous torture fucked me
>>
>>1252377
CLARITY WEAKENED: Clarity now 6.

Roll 4 dice to avoid developing a derangement.
>>
>>1252377
Shiiiiiit
>>
Rolled 1, 10, 9, 7 = 27 (4d10)

>>1252382
Welp, here goes nothing
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1252390
Explosion if needed
>>
>>1252390
SANITY MANTAINED; NO DERANGEMENTS DEVELOPED.

A hand grabs your shoulder, and you jerk with a start, wheeling.

"I won't let you cut down the woods! Back with your wicked axes and evil saws! I'll cut seven of you down with one blow, snicker-snack!"

Someone with stars for eyes stares back. "Oh, shit. that messed with you harder than I thought. Guess you really aren't Loyalist."

You struggle out of the heavy fog rolling around in your mind. "My name... my name is Jerry Woodheart. I'm in Rhododendron, Oregon. It's June 5th, 1977. You... you're a member of the Cascadian Alliance. Okay. Okay, I'm okay now."

"Yeah, I expected something like that might happen. Thank goodness you didn't have to get REAL nasty with that Privateer scumbag: that'd probably have fucked you up even more. Listen, we aren't going to have to do a background check on you now: if you're willing to go that far, I'm willing to buy that you're one of us. You and your friend can rest in the cabin for now; we'll get out of here tomorrow."

>What just... happened? I was back THERE...

>Privateer? What the hell is that?

>Thanks... I think I need to sit down on a nice, soft bed...

>Write-In
>>
>>1252435
>What just... happened? I was back THERE...
>Privateer? What the hell is that?

Well it didn't go as terrible as it could have
>>
>>1252458
This, but we can stop on the first question if it becomes too much of a burden in my opinion
>>
>>1252458
>>1252512
"What just... happened? I was... I was back THERE..." You start shaking, mind light and limbs heavy.

The deer-woman comes close and gently strokes her hands against your back. "Shh, shh... don't think too hard about it... it's just a nightmare..."

The Star-Eyed Man speaks over her: "Enough, Atlanta: he deserves to know. Look... our hold on reality is... more tenuous than a human's. The Others turned us... wrong, in the mind as well as the body. It can be hard for us to keep perspective under great stress, especially when we start doing things that make us... closer to them. We start falling into old patterns, thinking and ACTING like them. Try to avoid... doing psychotropics, making sudden life changes, anything that might distort your perspective. Hurting others too much, without any reason, that's out too."

You nod.
"What's a... Privateer?..." God, you feel heavy. What's wrong with you?

A soft voice whispers in your ear as your eyes slam shut and your feet fade away. "Just rest. You'll feel better in the morning, I promise..."

END CHAPTER 3
>>
>>1252749

Damn, the Cascadians are an Autumn group right?
>>
>>1252804
Multi-Court, but mostly Autumn.
>>
>>1252814

At least the Court has a loyalty proof test now, appropriately fucked us up though
>>
>>1253092

New Thread.




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