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You motion for the others to calm down, "We can trust Zoey on this, so let's just relax."

Martin shakes his head, "How can you be calm? That Shadow might be following after us with a whole group with them."

"Do you think we would have this much time to talk if they were following us?" Zoey asks.

Trish and Martin both visibly calm down, but Trish keeps pacing around your small clearing. "I still don't like the fact this Shadow noticed us," Trish says as she does another lap.

"Maybe we can use that. If the Shadow didn't attack us right away that might mean it can be lured out to talk with us, then we attack it."

"How would we lure it out though, make a sign?" Martin asks, starting to browse his phone.

Zoey throws out a suggestion, "We could just motion for it to follow us, seems like a thrill seeker."

There has to be something that will make the Shadow leave on it's own. But you can't risk drawing the attention of other Shadows too.

>Maybe Martin is right, try making a sign for it.
>Zoey is on to something, just go back and get it to follow you
>What if you used that purple sludge to try and attract it?
>Could you challenge the Shadow to a duel and draw it into an ambush?
>Write-In
[Wrong trip, still me]

>>1709217
>>Zoey is on to something, just go back and get it to follow you

[Writing]

File: SwampVillage.jpg (223 KB, 1064x750)

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Maybe the simple solution is how to do it. "Zoey might be onto something. If it watched us before it might just follow us," You suggest.

"Yes, but how?" Trish asks as she stops her pacing.

"Just motion for it to follow us. The Shadow seemed interested in us so it could just follow along."

"Sounds good to me. I'm tired of waiting around," Zoey says.

Martin's eyes go wide, "Motion for it to follow?"

"Well disagreeing here will just keep us in a stalemate, so I'll support this plan," Trish reluctantly agrees.

"Are we really just going to ask it to follow us from the bushes?" Martin asks in a confused tone.

"Worst comes to worse we can just run away," Zoey says with shrug.

Martin shakes his head and puts his phone away, "Lead the way..."

The way back to the village isn't too far, but on your way back you don't see any Shadows painting trees. Coming to the same angle you did you see most Shadows are still gathering paint. The cage with the stabbed person is empty, but you can't let that distract you.

Up in the mushroom hut you can see that Smiling Shadow, playing with the dagger in it's hand. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Martin whispers.

You nod silently as the Shadow's eyes meet yours. Whatever you do here needs to be fast and quiet.

>Motion with a hand for it to follow
>Hold up the other dagger
>Run away
>Keep staring back at it
>Write-In

>>1709385
>>Motion with a hand for it to follow

>>1709385
>>Motion with a hand for it to follow

>>1709385
>>Motion with a hand for it to follow
>Keep staring back at it

[Writing]

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The two of you look into each other's eyes, the Shadow's glowing beads showing nothing behind them. You raise a hand in front of your face and motion for the Shadow to follow you. In response you hear a laugh from the Shadow and watch it drop down from the mushroom.

As a group you start to back away from the village and the Shadow follows. "Where are we going exactly?" Trish asks.

Looking back you see the Smiling Shadow slowly walking across the village, the other Shadows ignoring them. "We need to get away from the village for now," you reply.

Walking through the darkened water and painted trees you look back again and see the Shadow's eyes glowing like search lights. "I don't think we can lose it," Zoey says looking back too.

"Well we can't just keep walking forever we need a plan," Martin says getting his police baton ready.

From behind you hear a voice, "You know I can hear you, riiiight~?"

Everyone exchanges a look, this Shadow must have good hearing to hear your whispers over the sound of the water sloshing. Suddenly from beside you there is a huff. When you turn the Shadow is there leaning against a tree. "It isn't any fun like this. You better have something to do or else."

The others are gripping their weapons, but not drawing them yet. Where did this thing come from?

>Just ask for it's dagger
>Challenge it to a fight
>Go for a surprise stab before it can react
>Does it want to play a game? [Suggestions encouraged]
>Write-In

>>1709484
>>Does it want to play a game? [Suggestions encouraged]
Riddles

>>1709484
this>>1709489

[Writing]

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"Do you want to play a game?" you blurt out, saying the first idea that comes to mind.

The Shadow claps their hands, "Oh I love games! What kind are you thinking?"

Martin is giving you a concerned look, but you can't back out now. "Riddles? Those are fun."

"Okay, I'll go first! But we need something to make this interesting..." The Shadow trails off, putting a finger to their chin.

"Isn't this already interesting?" Trish asks.

"No! We need some stakes to make this excitin- I got it. Now just don't lose and you won't find out what the penalty is. Also this is only for you." The Shadow says, poking your shirt.

You gulp as the Shadow continues, "Now riddle me this. I'm always there, but can't always be seen. I follow you in the morning and lead your way during the evening. What am I?"

"Why can't we help?" Martin asks.

"Because I said so, now shush!" The Shadow says stomping into the water.

>Take a wild guess [Smarts roll with modified dice]
>Reach for the dagger at their waist while they are distracted
>Ask for a hint
>Tell them you don't have any clue
>Write-In

>>1709575
Time?

>>1709575
A shadow. How appropriate.

>>1709577
Nah can't be second part doesn't fit

>>1709579
Nah, it depends on where you stand so you can have a shadow in from of you in the morning and one behind you in the evening

>>1709583
People don't literally have three legs in their old age, either, but that's still the answer to the Sphinx riddle.

>>1709575
>The sun
Always there can't always be seen. Behind us in the morning. In front of us in the evening though I'd rather roll the dice for this

[I'll give this another 10 minutes before rolling.]

Rolled 1 (1d3)

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There are a few ideas you have, but you can't risk taking too long. "Time."

"Wroooong. Now for the penalty," the Shadow says playfully.

You tense up and get ready to dodge, but the Shadow just splashes you with water. When you wipe the water off of your gas mask there is a problem, it won't come off. All you can see is purple smudge covering the eyes. "I can't see anything!"

In front of you there is a giggle, "Well duh, the answer was a shadow. So now you get to stay in the dark~"

"James are you okay?" you hear Trish ask from beside you.

"Yeah, I'm not actually hurt," you say as you take off the gas mask.

The Shadow snaps, "What? You have two faces? That isn't fair at all!"

"Don't we get to give you a riddle now?" Martin asks.

"No this isn't fair. You all are cheaters. Unless he puts that face back on then we are done playing!"

Zoey groans, "And what if we are done?"

"Then I'll just kill you all," The Shadow says, their voice going monotone.

>Put the mask on and keep stalling for time.
>Fine. A fight it is.
>Tell them to call down, this is part of the game.
>Suggest a different game
>Write-In

>>1709712
>Put the mask on and keep stalling for time.

>>1709712
>Tell them to call down, this is part of the game.

>>1709712
>>Put the mask on and keep stalling for time.

[Writing]

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You sigh and put your gas mask back on, "There happy?"

"I guess, but no more riddles! We are gonna play my favorite game, Hide and Seek." The Shadow says, moving around you from their voice.

"Who is the seeker? Zoey asks.

"Well I am. If you get caught you lose and have to come back with me~" the Shadow replies.

"What about James? He can't see anyways." Martin points out.

The Shadow sighs, "I guess he can take off the other face, but I'm taking off 10 seconds to hide."

As you take off the gas mask the Shadow walks up to a tree, "You have 50 seconds, good luck!"

Trish coughs to get everyone's attention and motions to the Shadow, pulling her thumb across her neck. Martin is looking around while Zoey draws out her hatchet. "Forty, Thirty-Nine..."

If you are going to run it needs to be before you waste more time, but you don't like the sounds of losing.

>Open up on them from behind with guns
>Run up and grab their dagger while they are still counting
>Split up and try to hide
>Look for a hiding place together
>Write-In

>>1709850
>>Open up on them from behind with guns
WASTE THE FUCKER

>>1709850
>>Open up on them from behind with guns

[Roll me some d10s.]

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1709909

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1709909

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1709909

[Writing]

File: Untitled.png (203 KB, 292x400)

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With a nod to the others everyone pulls their guns out and takes aim. As you pull the trigger you see two glowing orbs in the back of the Shadow's head. All the shots end up hitting the tree as the Shadow walks into it, leaving their mask behind.

"Where did it go?" Trish asks looking around.

Everyone joins in the looking, but all around you is just painted trees. You turn to one tree just in time to see a blade flying through one of the trees at you and avoid getting pierced through the arm. From a tree across where the sword flew out steps a vine covered knight of sorts. Their armor has a butterfly motif and their face is that of an owl, with two large glowing eyes. "Play time is over"

"High John, help us!" Martin calls, having High John grant you the burst of speed he usually does.

Zoey summons Nevermore, cleaving into the Knight Shadow. But the axe is stopped by the wood sword. "Damn!"

Trish summons Sacagawea, making herself glow red with more power. "It must be the paint that let's it move around!" She yells to the group.

James: HP: 83% SP: 90%
Trish : HP: 96% SP: 90%
Martin: HP: 100% SP: 85%
Zoey: HP: 90% SP: 90%

All of the trees you can see are painted, so it isn't like you can just remove them to stop them. You also can't see the dagger on the Shadow, so it must have hidden it somewhere.

>Have Atticus weaken the Shadow
>Go on the offensive [Skill]
>Swap around to Lycaon or Genbu [Skill]
>Stay on the defensive and try to find somewhere without painted trees
>Write-In

>>1709991
>>Go on the offensive [Skill]
m u s k e t

r u s h

>>1709995
>>Go on the offensive [Skill]

>>1709991
>>Have Atticus weaken the Shadow

[Roll for shooting]

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1710023

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1710023

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1710023
Let's see if I can save this

[I mean it could be worse. Writing]

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You point to the Knight Shadow, "Atticus, take them out!"

By the time Atticus appears and fires the Shadow is already gone. "James above you!" Zoey shouts.

But its too late. As you start to dodge on instinct and look up you see the Shadow plunge on top of you with their sword pointed down. Pain is all you can feel as the blade sticks through you the side of your leg into the ground below, pinning you. Trish rushes over to you as you can't help but cry in pain.

Sacagawea appears between the two, blasting the Shadow with a ball of fire. As the Shadow jumps away it locks eyes with Trish, who recoils in pain and covers her eyes.

Martin fires a blast of lightning at the Shadow to make it back off, giving Zoey time to pull the sword from your leg and have Nevermore heal the wound, but it still stings. "What the hell? I can't heal this right."

James: HP: 57% SP: 90%
Trish : HP: 76% SP: 85%
Martin: HP: 100% SP: 80%
Zoey: HP: 90% SP: 80%

Your leg is functioning again, but it stings. The sword must make wounds that can't be fully healed. It must be somewhere in the water, but you'd open yourself open if you dug around for it.

>Try to find the sword before it can
>Have Atticus open fire on it when you see it again [Skill]
>Weaken that Shadow with Atticus
>Change Persona to Genbu or Lycaon [Skill]
>Attempt to heal yourself more
>Write-In

>>1710104
>>Weaken that Shadow with Atticus

>>1710104
>>Try to find the sword before it can
>Weaken that Shadow with Atticus

>>1710116
This we need to find the sword before it can deal anymore damage.

>>1710104
>>Try to find the sword before it can
>Weaken that Shadow with Atticus

>>1710116
>>1710140
>>1710149
[I will say trying to do both will make it harder to find the sword.]

>>1710152
Very well. If that is the cost.

C'est la vie.

[Let's roll]

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1710194
What are the odds

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1710194

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1710194
You're mine!

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1710194

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1710194

[Good job, writing.]

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Leaning on your not stabbed leg you get up and scan the murky water. A splash to your side alerts you to the Shadow. You might not be able to get the sword, but you can weaken him. "Atticus, take him down a peg!"

The Shadow starts to glow a dark red after Atticus closes his book. It's eyes lock with yours, but shake your head clear as the pain starts to form. "Hey over here!" Martin yells.

A blast of lightning meets the Shadow as it turns too slow. Following up Zoey summons Nevermore who doesn't attack for once. Your enemy is surrounded by a dark purple glow as she grins, "Now we can pour on the pain."

"Four on One isn't fair!" the Shadow yells as it runs back into a tree.

James: HP: 57% SP: 80%
Trish : HP: 76% SP: 85%
Martin: HP: 100% SP: 75%
Zoey: HP: 90% SP: 70%

Trish gets out of her pain filled daze and looks around, "We can't let it run away."

But the Shadow returns seconds later, with some backup. A lone Alp Shadow floats beside it with a grin.

>Have Atticus Kouha the Alp
>Focus your attacks on the Knight Shadow [Skill]
>Try using Lycaon or Genbu [Skill]
>Attempt to have Atticus heal someone [Who?]
>Write-In

>>1710307
>>Have Atticus Kouha the Alp

>>1710307
>>Attempt to have Atticus heal someone [Who?]
Time to shonen protag this shit, protect your friends.

>Trish.

>>1710307
>>Have Atticus Kouha the Alp

[Roll it]

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1710371

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1710371

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1710371
Persona!

[Writing]

File: Martin.jpg (21 KB, 500x375)

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"Atticus, get her!" You shout at the Alp.

Your Persona appears yet again, reading his book. Before he can finish however the smaller Shadow fires a gust of wind at Martin, sending him tumbling. Fortunately the sphere of light hits, stunning the target as well.

Zoey points at the recoiling Shadow, "Finish it!"

The stone raven rushes forward, cleaving the Shadow in two with it's axe. Trish rushes up to the Knight Shadow, "Burn away!"

Sacagawea appears behind her, firing another burst of flame at the Shadow. The Shadow retaliates by slamming into side her with sword's pommel and running past her as she recovers. The glowing eyes stay locked on you as you try to dodge. Boring!

High John's reflex boost wears off as you try to get away, the blade swinging into the same leg it impaled before.

James: HP: 37% SP: 75%
Trish : HP: 56% SP: 80%
Martin: HP: 80% SP: 75%
Zoey: HP: 85% SP: 70%

You are able to stay up on your left leg, but only just. Martin is pulling himself out of the water as the Shadow stares down at you, "You're going to pay for cheating.

>Stay on the defensive, cover your leg.
>Try to heal what you can with Atticus [Who?]
>Keep on the attack with Atticus [Skill]
>Try another Persona, Genbu or Lycaon [Skill]
>Write-In

>>1710514
>>Try to heal what you can with Atticus [Who?]
Trish.

[Give me some rolls.]

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1710572

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1710572
rollan

>>1710526
Why? We're at even lower health

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1710572

[Well 1 good roll is better than none. Writing]

>>1710526
Seriously why? We're going to die because lel shonen

>>1710619
didn't see you voting otherwise.

>>1710619
>Complains about vote
>Doesn't vote

>>1710631
>>1710627
I missed it because I was working on schoolwork and my auto-update didn;t show up until vote was close already.

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You just can't catch a break, but maybe the others can. "Atticus, help Trish!"

Atticus fades in and reads his book with a sigh, surrounding Trish with a green light as the group run over to you. Martin and Zoey blast the Shadow with lighting and darkness, but it takes the hits. "Get away from him!" Trish shouts.

Sacagawea appears above the Shadow, firing down straight on it and igniting their vine armor. "James get awa-" Martin tries to shout, but is cutoff as the Shadow's eyes vanish from your view.

"I'm not gonna lose without taking you with me!, the Shadow shouts as it brings it's sword down.

James: HP: 17% SP: 65%
Trish : HP: 71% SP: 75%
Martin: HP: 65% SP: 70%
Zoey: HP: 85% SP: 65%

Yet again you are too slow to dodge, but at least the others were able to wail on it. The sword slashes across your torso, even digging into your bad leg slightly. These wounds may not heal fully, but you might seriously die if you don't do something.

>Go full on the defense, just don't get hit.
>Atticus can maybe finish it off, go all out [Skill]
>Swap Persona, maybe they will have better luck. Genbu or Lycaon [Skill]
>Have Atticus heal yourself before it can attack again
>Write-In

>>1710701
>>Go full on the defense, just don't get hit.

>>1710701
>>Have Atticus heal yourself before it can attack again

>>1710701
>>Have Atticus heal yourself before it can attack again

>>1710701
>>Go full on the defense, just don't get hit.

[4 more minutes before I roll for the tiebreaker.]

Rolled 1 (1d2)

[This is the final thing of the night. We continue Friday at 6pm EST. Now give me some rolls and thanks for playing!]

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1710835

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1710835

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1710835

>>1710842
>>1710847
>>1710877
I will be surprised if we actually manage to complete our first dungeon at this rate.

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[I'm deeply sorry for this, but the thread tonight won't be happening. Unless I say otherwise I will still run tomorrow. Be careful what you eat.]

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There isn't any time to waste on another useless attack, if you can keep them from getting to more trees the other can finish it off. As you delay acting to focus on defense you see Martin run up again and shout, "Over here!"

A solid whack to the side of the Shadow with his police baton gets him a slash from that sword across an arm. With the Shadow's attention diverted Zoey runs around and summons Nevermore, which envelops you in a green light.

Directly behind the Shadow you hear the sound of shots being fired by Trish, but their effect seems minimal. "I'm not done with you yet!" the Shadow growls as it turns to you with a stab.

Throwing yourself into the water below let's you get away with just a scratch across an arm, but you can't fully avoid the attack. Zoey helps you out of the water quickly while the Shadow's eyes are distracted by the others, "Come on, we got this."

James: HP: 18% SP: 65%
Trish : HP: 71% SP: 75%
Martin: HP: 40% SP: 70%
Zoey: HP: 85% SP: 55%

You have the Shadow surrounded now, but one wrong move and that sword is hitting you dead on. You also notice the Shadow's eyes are starting to flicker as they close and appear on different parts of the head.

>Try to stab it while it isn't looking to finish it off
>Finish it off with Atticus [Skill]
>Keep up the defense and draw it's attention
>Maybe another Persona like Lycaon or Genbu would work [Skill]
>Write-In
[Sorry for the delay.]

>>1719083
>>Try to stab it while it isn't looking to finish it off

[Let's have some rolls then.]

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>1719160

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1719160

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1719160

[Writing]

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All you need is a few seconds, it just needs to look away. Your grip on the dagger tightens, the stone blade at the ready. The Shadow's eyes fade to the back of it's head and you make your move.

Even with your right leg in bad shape you lung forward. As your arm extends to the Shadow's face their sword arm moves to stab your right leg again. It's too late and you are in too bad of shape to dodge, you have to commit. "Nevermore!"

Out of the corner of an eye you see Zoey's Persona holding back the sword with it's talons. There isn't time to spare any more attention though, with a shout you push yourself off the ground with your one good leg into the Shadow's face.

The dagger stabs between the eyes as they pop back to the front before you whole body slams into the Shadow. As the two of you fall into the water the Shadow lets out a gasp. As you lay in the water the Shadow melts from under you, "James!"

You look up to Trish and Martin looking over you. Trish gives you a hand up while Martin takes the dagger from you, Zoey is looking through the water for something, "It has to be here somewhere..."

Back on your feet, Martin hands your weapon back over. "What are you looking for?" Trish asks, still helping you stay up with a hand on your back.

"This!" Zoey shouts as she pulls the other dagger from the water.

Martin wipes the water from his glasses, "Did the Shadow turn that into that sword?"

Zoey wipes off the stone blade on her jacket and holds it up for everyone to see, the gem glimmering in the dim light."Guess so, but we got the other one now. What's the plan now though?" she asks.

"I think someone else needs a talk on self preservation," Trish says coldly.

>Can that way for getting back to camp? Your leg is still really sore
>Just get it over with while you all heal up
>You haven't done anything that dangerous, the Shadow just focused you.
>Who is she talking about?
>Write-In

>>1719236
>>Just get it over with while you all heal up

>>1719236
>>Just get it over with while you all heal up
>Most of it was the shadow REALLY not liking me though. I do need to be more careful though.

[Writing]

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With some help you get to a large root and sit down, "Let's just do it here then while we get fixed up."

Martin scratches the back of his head while you and Zoey summon your Persona to heal him quickly, "I mean James hasn't been that crazy with plans."

Trish keeps her attention on your leg, "Maybe, but he focused on helping me recover while the Shadow was one lucky swipe away from seriously hurting him."

"Most of it was that Shadow just really not liking me. I'll try to be more careful though," you say as your leg gets fixed up.

James: HP: 70% SP: 18%
Trish : HP: 74% SP: 78%
Martin: HP: 73% SP: 73%
Zoey: HP: 88% SP: 18%

Zoey hands you the second dagger as Nevermore heals you one more time. It looks exactly the same as the one from the North. "So what are we doing now that our little talk on safety is over?" she asks.

"Well is James' leg better now?" Martin asks.

There is still some pain if you put too much weight on it, but you can walk on your own. "I should be good to walk for awhile. Just don't expect me to set any records."

"Let's decide on where to go then," Trish says as she grabs her walking stick.

>Head back for the day, you all did good.
>Try to open that stone door and see what is in there.
>Maybe you should check on the swamp village to see what is happening there
>What about that lack of running water to the North?
>Write-In

>>1719309
>>Try to open that stone door and see what is in there.
>Try to open that stone door and see what is in there.

>>1719309
>What about that lack of running water to the North?

>>1719309
>>Try to open that stone door and see what is in there.

>>1719309
>>What about that lack of running water to the North?

>>1719309
>>What about that lack of running water to the North?

[Writing]

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"What about that area to the North where we couldn't hear the water? It won't hurt to check it out on our way," You suggest.

"If we follow one of the streams we should be able to find out what is causing it," Trish suggests.

"Sure, but let's be careful. We don't wanna face too many Shadows," Martin says as he gets ready to move out.

Zoey nods along and Trish starts to lead the way. Whatever is causing this phenomenon can't be as strong as the Shadow you just fought, hopefully. Thanks to the healing your leg doesn't mean the group is slowed down. Getting out of the swamp is easy enough, whatever Shadow were painting trees seem to be gone.

Trish leads the way out following one of the larger still steams from the swamp. Walking through the brush you find out what was stopping the sound from this one at least. A large tree is laying across the bed, stopping the water from flowing anymore. "We don't normally see fallen trees here," Zoey comments.

"Maybe this is the same thing that cut the trees by the hill camp." Martin suggest.

"No, take a look. It isn't just the same thing, it is the same kind of tree," Trish says pointing down at the tree.

Looking at it you can see it is obviously different from the other trees around you. There were multiple streams with no flow from the swamp, does that mean they each have a tree stopping them?

Martin shakes his head, "But why would they do this? Why cut down trees just to stop water flow?"

>Whatever did this must have a reason. Follow the dried beds.
>You should just head back for now.
>Maybe this had to do with the two Shadow villages?
>How did they get the trees all the way over here?
>Write-In

>>1719431
>>Whatever did this must have a reason. Follow the dried beds.

>>1719431
>Whatever did this must have a reason. Follow the dried beds.

>>1719431
>>Whatever did this must have a reason. Follow the dried beds.

[Writing]

File: Waterfall.jpg (234 KB, 1600x900)

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You can't just let this slide by without investigating, "Whatever did this has a reason. Let's follow the dried stream bed and find out what that is."

Martin nods, "Maybe we can find that robed figure again."

"Or kick the ass of some Shadows," Zoey says with a grin.

Trish is already following along your trail. The further along you get the more cracked the soil gets in the bed. After walking long enough to need to stop, Martin notices something on his phone. "So I just took a look, and I think this stream will lead us right to the cliffs with the stone door."

"Are you sure about that?" Trish asks, looking over at his phone.

"It looks about right to me. Take a look," Zoey points up, the shape of the bridge visible above the treeline.

"What reason could there possibly be for drying out streams and creaks using trees from so far away?" Trish asks herself aloud.

Nobody seems entirly sure of why, but now you know where you are going. After walking for another length of time without Shadows the difference in elevation is clear, it seems like you are in a valley. Above the canopy you can see the waterfall flowing from the top of the cliff with the stone door leading into it.

As you get directly below the bridge you see a pile of tree logs stopping your progress. Climbing along the side of the not too steep valley sides you see it's a dam. All the logs have formed a small lake under between the cliffs. "What the hell?" Martin says as he catches up to the rest of you.

"All of the trees are the type from the North on this side. Safe to assume the ones stopping the other side are too," Trish notes.

With the hard rock of the cliff beside you climbing up would be much harder without going around and to the bridge your normal way. "So they are storing water? How doesn't it overflow?"

Zoey makes a good point, the water is nearly at the top of the dam, but isn't flowing over at all.

>Time to dive in and take a look
>It is probably time to go back now
>It's not good, you need to open the stone door.
>Could you destroy the dam from range?
>Write-In

>>1719526
>>Could you destroy the dam from range?

>>1719526
>>Could you destroy the dam from range?

[Gimme some dice.]

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1719560

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1719560

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1719560

[Writing]

File: Spoiler Image (3 KB, 1200x800)

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Something in here made the dam, but you have an idea. "What if we could destroy the dam from far away?"

Trish is the first to speak up, "Well it might cause a small flood, but so long as we are further up on the hill it should be safe."

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Zoey says a little too excited.

"I guess if we deal with this one side it might make the other collapse too," Martin mumbles.

"Let's do this then," You say as you climb higher on the hillside.

With everyone in position you give hold a hand, "One the count of three we blast it!"

"Actually, just leave it to Trish and me," Martin says holding up a hand.

"He makes a good point, Zoey and you used up much of your energy on healing and the two of use have plenty to spare," Trish says with a nod.

You sigh, "Fine, but if you need help I'm joining in. Now one, two, three!"

Sacagawea and High John both appear, blasting the dam's wooden wall with lightning and fire. The wall crumbles apart after two blast from each of them, sending water crashing down the lower part of the valley.

As the water keeps going you notice what had been stopping the flooding, a pitch black hole. Before you get a closer chance to look however the ground below you starts to shake and rocks from the nearby cliff fall. "That was fun to watch, but I think it's time to leave," Zoey says as she gets up from her viewing spot.

>Run back to camp
>Get to that hole, it has to lead somewhere
>Try getting to the stone door quickly
>Stay where you are and find nearby cover
>Write-In

>>1719744
>>Try getting to the stone door quickly

>>1719744
>>Try getting to the stone door quickly

[Writing]

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"To the stone door!" You shout, running up the side of the hill.

"James are you sure about this?" Trish asks as she keeps pace with you.

You barely sidestep a falling stone, "If the bridge falls imagine how long it will take to get back there!"

"Well let's hurry then!" Zoey says as she overtakes you.

Running up the hill gets hard as the shaking gets worse, rocks falling more and even some trees falling on their own. Martin is having trouble keeping up, but he isn't too far behind. As you reach finally get to level ground the shaking starts to die down.

That doesn't mean it is time to stop though, so you turn around and run toward the bridge. As you get to the bridge the shaking finally stops, stones covering the side with the door. Trish test some of the bridge with her walking stick and it seems to hold up fine for now.

"I don't like this, it could give out in the middle," she says while staring at the bridge.

Zoey rolls her eyes, "So are we just coming this way for nothing?"

"I'm more worried about what caused that quake, aren't you all?" Martin asks everyone.

>Just run across the bridge, put the gem in, then run back
>You could carefully make your way across one at a time
>Maybe you should look for another way around
>Suggest someone else test the bridge (Who?)
>Write-In

>>1719938
>>Maybe you should look for another way around

>>1719938
>>You could carefully make your way across one at a time

[5 more minutes before I just roll]

Rolled 1 (1d2)

[Writing]

File: GemnotIncluded.png (70 KB, 1044x342)

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"If we don't want to risk the bridge then maybe we should look for another way around," You suggest.

Trish nods, "That would be the safest bet. Bridges like this may look fine, but give out in the middle without warning."

"What if a group of Shadows show up following the water or whatever that earthquake was?" Martin asks everyone.

"We can handle any Shadows," Zoey says confidently.

"How many though? Both the villages lost their leader, that means more are probably roaming around," Martin says looking to the bridge.

"Looking for another path can't hurt. Also if we run into Shadows we can deal with them or run away," You say calmly.

"Well then it is gonna be a long walk, let's get going," Martin says as he starts back the way you came.

It doesn't take long to get to the other side of the valley where the water isn't blocking your way. Just in case of a sudden collapse you run across the valley. Climbing back up the eastern side is harder since you haven't been around here before, but Martin reminds Trish the southern side would be the only way to get to the door.

After going around and climbing up a slight incline you get to the other side of the cliff. Everyone takes a break from the long hike around the door. Comparing the two daggers they even have the same chips in stone, even the gem looks the same.

>Jam in that gem
>See if you can take the other gem out
>Maybe you should leave it closed for now
>Write-In

>>1720220
>Jam in that gem
brute force that shit.

[Writing]

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"Well we came here for a reason," You say as you stand up.

The others watch as you pop the gem out of the dagger, light starting to build up again. Carefully you line up the gem with the socket and push straight ahead into it. Even while partially blinded by the glow you get the gem in on your first try.

As the light dies down you see an obvious change, the door is open. Inside is too dark to see beyond a few feet, the sky illuminating a set of rough stairs carved in. "If we are going in I still have some glow sticks," Trish says as she walks over.

From the stairs you see that blue butterfly fly out and up into the sky, nobody else seems to have noticed it. "So are we," Zoey stops to yawn, "going in?"

Martin shines his phone in, those stairs go up a long way. "If we go in now are we going to be able to handle what is really at the top?"

You hope whatever is up there has a way to close The Rift. There is also the risk of leaving the door open, but there weren't any Shadows guarding this the past few times. Martin makes a good point though, you aren't sure if you have enough supplies.

Trish clears her throat to get everyone's attention, "I still have one game camera on me, I can set it up here if we want to back off now and prepare for tomorrow."

>That is a good idea. Take on whatever is in there fresh.
>You should rush whatever is in there before it can prepare for you more.
>Going back is good, but put the game camera somewhere else (Where?)
>Write-In

[Well I was hoping to pump out one more update, but looks like I'm calling it here. Thanks for playing folks.]

>>1720430
>>That is a good idea. Take on whatever is in there fresh.

Going into a boss fight without a full heal at a save point feels like a bad idea.

>>1720430
>That is a good idea. Take on whatever is in there fresh.

>>1720430
>>That is a good idea. Take on whatever is in there fresh.

>>1740566
>>1740566
New Thread!