Face 2010/06/23(Wed)02:28 No. 197557 ID: 19ce4e
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I have spent the time as effectively and usefully as I could. I have alphabetized all father’s books, dusted every piece of furniture and glassware, and swept every room dozens of times, but my father does not return.

I wish to be useful, but if my father isn’t here, I serve no purpose. This is why I must disobey: I must regain my purpose. I must become useful again. I must find father.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)02:29 No. 197558 ID: 19ce4e
File 127728538671.png - (286.34KB , 500x500 , Face3.png )

Yet am uncertain how to proceed with this search, as I have never spent time among humans other than my father. That is why I have summoned you.

…you do remember being human, right? Father did say that the dead only remember pieces of their former lives, and these are clouded and distorted, sometimes beyond recognition or sense. I hope you have not forgotten entirely.

>>197558
Weeeeellll, we're not dead, per-se, so much as we're... Hrm... Trans-living?
Anyway, yea, we can help you out. What's your plan at the moment?

What the hell are you? Where the hell is this? Where did I leave my keys?

>>197558
Sure we remember parts of it and stuff.

First step would be to follow the path Father used to get to the village. Then ask the villagepeople if they know what has happened to him.

This better pays well.

Is it me, or are you naked?

I remember being lots of things. Human, kobold, volto, leferran.
What's your pleasure?

Okay, all that aside, my first piece of advice is brace yourself for shock. You're going to see a lot of strange and startling things.
You seem to have a capable mind, but mentally steel yourself against fracture.

There are worst case scenarios, and your willpower may need bolstering and assertion.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)04:08 No. 197576 ID: 19ce4e
File 127729132142.png - (182.25KB , 400x353 , Face4.png )

>What the hell are you?

My father named me Face. That is the only name I've known since I was created.

As for what I am, I've often wondered how exactly I would be categorized among the men and beasts of the world. As far as I'm aware, there are no other creatures like me; my father created me, and me alone. As such, I feel that Face is equally applicable to the questions of who and what I am.

Father once described me as an "alchemical homunculus," if that's helpful.

>Where the hell is this?

We are in my home, the laboratory of my father’s workshop. The kitchen is in back, and father’s room is through the side door.

Or did you mean in a more general sense?

In that case, we are a few miles away from the village of Dej. According to father’s books, Dej is located in the Fenwood, which is within the Principality of Traiuna. I’m afraid I don’t know much about these places other than what the books say. In the fourteen months since my creation, I have never traveled more than about a quarter mile from this workshop.

>Where did I leave my keys?

I'm afraid I don't know. I don't think the dead retain their belongings!

>Is it me, or are you naked?

My function doesn't require clothes! Though, in retrospect, wearing clothing while handling Oil of Vitriol might have saved my father from having to make as many replacement limbs.

>Human, kobold, volto, leferran

I know what humans are, but not those other things. Nationalities? Father's books are mostly about alchemy, not history.

>Trans-living

I don't know what that means, but the ritual clearly has had unexpected results. For instance, it was only supposed to summon one such spirit, and clearly it has not done so - unless you have an especially fragmented personality.

Father sometimes conducted a ritual to summon spirits like you when he wanted answers to his questions. I observed the ritual each time, and a few hours ago I decided to conduct this ritual and summon a spirit using my own body as a vessel. Father said this was very dangerous, but he never specifically instructed me not to do it – I don’t think it occurred to him that I would try. I wasn’t even sure it would work; father mentioned that only humans can be such vessels.

Perhaps that's why it hasn't behaved as I expected. Well, more of you will be more useful, I suppose!

>Go to village

Yes, my first thought was to go to the village and ask about my father. I'm concerned, however, that this wouldn't go well. My father always warned me to stay out of sight because I would frighten people. I don't believe the villagers have seen a creature like me before.

Father says I don't possess "creativity" or "imagination," but you do; as former humans, you'll also know more about them than I. That's why I summoned you - I was hoping you would know how to better approach this situation.

>>197576
Well if they have never encountered you before then yes it's likely they will react with superstition and fear, may even try to harm you.

So first thing you should do is find some clothes. Cover up your entire body and find some sort of hood that you can use to cover your face. If anyone asks about that just tell them you got horrible boils or something, just make sure it's something that's not infectious if you're going to lie about a diesease.

Once you're covered up you should be good to go. Oh, and don't ask about him by calling him Father, use either his real name or call him the alchemist living out in the forest.

>>197576

Make new limbs? How long does that take? You could make a more humanlike face. Nose, ears, hair plugs, adjusted eye orbitals...

What color is your skin? Do you have skin?

>>197577
Yeah, that's a good idea. A facewrap or something.

Do you need to breathe?

Suggestion 2010/06/23(Wed)11:55 No. 197658 ID: 4590c4
File 127731933874.jpg - (8.64KB , 350x455 , beardstache.jpg )

>>197576
Clothing, even if it does not fit perfectly, will give humans the first impression that you are human. Even if they see that is clearly not the case moments later, that first impression still creates an affinity between you and others.
After all, people wear clothes.
As for the magic, perhaps there was a portion of the ritual that was unobservable by you. Perhaps as he spoke, he held images or formulas in his mind to steer the results. Without that guidance, you seem to have left your mind and body open to anyone that chooses to interact with you.
Can you see this?

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)15:25 No. 197779 ID: 19ce4e
File 127733190971.png - (337.03KB , 500x454 , Face5.png )

>Clothes

Father - Aron is his name - has some clothing that could be concealing, and some separate hoods as well. Horrible boils - got it!

>New Limbs

Well, Father taught me how to perform superficial repair on myself - I have no ability to "heal" automatically - but crafting and adding new limbs was a more involved process that required him to refer to my original ritual notes. I can read his notes, but I'm not sure I have the expertise to create new limbs myself. The... unexpected result of this recent summoning ritual has made me question my abilities a bit. I'm really just a laboratory assistant.

I don't have skin; by volume, my body is primarily composed of a mixture of clay, bone ash, and human blood. Father mixed various shades of clays when creating me to try to approximate a human skin tone. I don't think my color will be a problem, assuming the humans in the village have a similar skin color to my father.

I don't require any sustenance like food, water, or air, but I can pretend to breathe rather convincingly.

I can change my face. Father named me for a reason, after all. But it's not quite... well, here, let me just...

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)15:25 No. 197780 ID: 19ce4e
File 127733195126.png - (37.10KB , 300x359 , Face6.png )

Alright, how's this?

OHGODITSHIDEOUS.

drop the smile, you look like a anime skull.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)15:33 No. 197783 ID: 19ce4e
File 127733243480.png - (258.50KB , 350x486 , Face7.png )

Yes, I was afraid of that. When I tried that before, my father started screaming uncontrollably. I'm not very good at making things up from scratch - the whole "no imagination, no creativity" issue I mentioned before. My memory is excellent, however, and I'm much better at copying what I see. For instance, my father looks like... there we are.

...unfortunately, the only human I've gotten a clear look at is my father. He told me to never, ever change my face to his because it was "creepy." I'm not sure how the villagers would react if I arrived looking like him, especially if he's still there.

>Can you see this?

See what? If you're trying to show me something, I'm afraid you're just voices in my consciousness.

well, let's use your dad's face as a base. shorten the beard, fluff the eyebrows, change the eye color, and smooth out the wrinkles. and viola, a human looking yet different look.

yes, lets use his face, because walking around asking for yourself is definitively a good choice.

can you take out the beard and the wrinkles? maybe change the eye collor?

even better, make the beard grow in your head. but not forehead.

>>197792
I support this. You'd look like a younger brother or something if you did that. Make the nose a little flatter and shorter, and it'll be perfect.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)16:57 No. 197827 ID: 19ce4e
File 127733742777.png - (306.16KB , 500x411 , Face8.png )

It... doesn't really work that way. My transformation is based on memories, and my memories are like pictures. I can concentrate and see them in my mind, and the transformation just... happens. I don't have control over individual things like eyebrows or wrinkles. When I try to make a picture in my mind that isn't from a memory - well, I can't. Nothing happens - or if I really try, I get what you saw earlier - "that horrible rictus," as my father described the result of my attempt to make a face from scratch. Without a clear memory picture in my mind, it doesn't work.

I asked father if he would allow me to observe people so I could practice and acquire some memories of faces, but he didn't think that it was necessary for my function. Until now, I agreed entirely - I've never really had to do this before. It never served any purpose.

I don't think my face-changing is going to work for this situation. So far, the "horrible boils" strategy seems like the best way to go about questioning the villagers. If you've got nothing else to recommend, I'll don the hood and we'll try it out. It's only two hours or so after dawn - I should be able to reach Dej with plenty of time before nightfall.

very well then. let's go.

>>197827
Ok, cool. If anyone sees your face it should be relatively nonthreatening anyway. You just look sortof flat, I guess.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)20:28 No. 197934 ID: 19ce4e
File 127735010176.png - (264.43KB , 600x408 , Face9.png )

"Nonthreatening" sounds ideal. I'm not sure how I would come across as threatening regardless of my garb, but father wouldn't instruct me without a reason. I hope I'm breaking his instructions with good cause. His words have a purpose, just as I do.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)20:29 No. 197935 ID: 19ce4e
File 127735014674.png - (509.51KB , 600x519 , Face10.png )

It's very different out here. The last time I was more than a few paces from the house was when I had to chase a live chicken that father brought back from the village. It managed to get free, and... well, you're probably not too interested in chicken chases. You've lived entire lives out in the world, after all.

This place is interesting, but not very clean. It could use a dusting.

I tried some brush-pen shading. It didn't turn out very well.

Face 2010/06/23(Wed)20:30 No. 197936 ID: 19ce4e
File 12773502017.png - (606.33KB , 600x637 , Face11.png )

The village of Dej, I assume. I don't know anything about it, though father described the villagers as "simpletons." He didn't have a very high opinion of them.

So, to rehearse:

"Hello, my name is Face. I am hooded because of my horrible yet absolutely non-contagious boils. Have you seen Aron, the alchemist that lives outside this village?"

I'm very excited about this plan!

>>197936
Don't tell people why you're hooded unless they ask. If you volunteer that information without being prompted it's suspicious.

Also uh... are you sure they can't really see your face?

>>197936

Your face looks kind of like a mask. Tell them you're wearing a mask?

>>197936
Possible improved story:
Claim that your natural appearance is the results of an alchemical accident. Skin damage. Also perfectly harmless to others. You could claim that you are an associate of Aron's (technically true), and seek his help in reversing the condition.

>>197951

That depends.

Face, can you talk without moving your mouth? If so, saying you are wearing a mask would be great. If not, people will be afraid of a supposed mask moving.


>>197957

Good, but regardless they may still claim him to be something evil out of fear, even if they think he's just a damaged human.

We might look into acquiring a pseudonym.

Face 2010/06/24(Thu)04:59 No. 198133 ID: 19ce4e
File 127738077595.png - (590.51KB , 600x604 , Face12.png )

There's a pair of men at the gate. They must have seen my by now... but they don't seem very interested. They just keep talking as I walk towards them.

"...it's a simple question."
"So what's the motivation of these kids?"
"There is no motivation. It's just them, and you, and a fenced area. Just give me a number."
"Well, I mean, wouldn't they start crying and running away as soon as I hit the first one?"
"No, it's - fine, alright, they're fearless, then. Just for the sake of-"
"Fearless? What are they, host kids? Even if I rip one in half or something?"
"...You couldn't rip an eight-year-old in half."
"Well, I've never tried it."
"You know what, just - forget it, here's our guy."

Face 2010/06/24(Thu)05:01 No. 198134 ID: 19ce4e
File 127738086425.png - (381.21KB , 500x494 , Face13.png )

I'll just speak up, then.

"Hello, my name is -"

The seated one interrupts me. "If you're trying to get to Tirgul, you're going the wrong way."

"Ah - no, actually. I'm looking for Aron, the alchemist who lives in the woods outside this village."

"Then why are you looking in the village?"

"Oh, well... I... was at his home, and he wasn't there."

"Never heard of'm," says the standing man, turning to his comrade. "You know any alchemists?"
"No. I've got an uncle named Aron, though."
The standing one shrugs and looks back to me. "Well, we only got here... two weeks ago? Something like that, maybe later. Nobody's arrived or left since then."

I think my face is sufficiently obscured, but the seated one is looking at me strangely. He's tilting his head like he's trying to get a better look.

>talk without moving your mouth

I can do that. Maybe they would be convinced by the mask explanation... though they might just ask what's under the mask. I should probably decide on a story and stick to it.

>>198134
Well they got here after Father did. It's possible the village has been occupied and he was prevented from leaving it.

Ask them if they would allow you to gain entry to the village and ask some of the villagers and search for yourself.

And I think you should stick to the boils story. But only say that if someone asks you about it specifically.

>>198134
Firstly, that conversation you overheard (probably) wasn't a serious one. There was a situation some cultures would speculate over for amusement: How many eight-year olds could a person take on in a fight. No one I know of has ever tried an actual test.

Ask for permission to enter the town. Perhaps there is a dedicated store within. If not, it shouldn't take long to find out who is successful enough to have food to sell.

>>198134

If they ask what's under the mask, just act like you're removing it and show them that face you made up.

>>198134
severe face burns are under your mask. It came from a terrible fire which is why you're looking for Aron. He may have a potion for you.

If they ask for whats underneath, you just change into aron, but try to change it into what burns look like. You've burned yourself before... right?

Or just say you're fuck-ugly.

Face 2010/06/24(Thu)23:50 No. 198674 ID: 19ce4e
File 127744863816.png - (454.25KB , 600x501 , Face14.png )

"I'd like to ask some of the villagers about him. Can I enter?"

The standing man shrugs his shoulders. "I don't see why not."
The seated man looks up at the standing man. "Dan, we're just going to let some stranger in?" He stands up, clenches his teeth, and gives me an accusatory glare. "Never heard of this 'Aron.' Maybe you're a spy, huh? Gonna scout us out and run back to the Hart-Lord?"
Dan laughs. "What? Luga, does he sound like a Fen to you?"
"Well, no, but maybe they hired him."
"The Hart-Lord wouldn't hire a Traiunesc to shovel his shit. He speaks perfect Traiunesc, and that's good enough for me."
"So why's he all hooded up, then, huh?"

Alright, we've prepared for this.

"I have boils. That why I'm looking for the alchemist."
"What's an alchemist going to do about boils?
"I acquired them in an accident - an alchemy accident. I'm a laboratory assistant."
"A what?"
"Laboratory - a place where alchemists work. I assist."
"Well... show me."
Dan snorts and rolls his eyes. "You want to look at his boils? What are you going to do, lance them for him? Leave him alone."
"But he could be hiding-"
"Luga, our job is to keep the Fenek out, and whatever ridiculous 'monster' that guy Dragu was talking about. He's not a Fen and he's certainly not a monster. If the village militia has a problem with him, then they can kick him out. Not my job - not OUR job."
Luga keeps grumbling with a sour expression on his face, but Dan gestures towards the open gate.
"Go ahead. Gate's closed at dusk - nobody gets in or out 'till dawn, no exceptions."

>You've burned yourself before... right?

Yes, many times! Well, I don't really burn... I'm mostly clay, after all. I bake.

>>198674
Oh good, we got past. Let's find someone to talk to and ask what's going on.

>>198674

You've looked at medical diagrams and the like, correct? If they ask you to lift your hood, just put the most gruesome of them all over your face.

Oh, and remember their faces and voices, we might need them if we go to other towns/villages or if we have to impressionable them.
Actually, make a policy of remembering EVERY face, body and voice we meet.

Face 2010/06/25(Fri)01:52 No. 198703 ID: 19ce4e
File 127745597817.png - (229.38KB , 400x411 , Face15.png )

>You've looked at medical diagrams and the like, correct?

No, father was an alchemist, not a healer. Most of his work involved transmuting metals, finding more powerful solvents and fulminating mixtures, and searching for elixirs and rituals to prolong life or create it from scratch.

If my father had anatomy pictures to work from, I don't think he would have made my face look like this. I originally assumed that there was a purpose behind it, but when I asked him he explained that he just wasn't a very good sculptor.

>Oh, and remember their faces and voices

I don't have to do that consciously - I have an excellent memory, as I said. I can take on their faces or voices whenever it's useful. Remember, though, that I can only copy exactly what I've seen, and nothing else. If I take Dan or Luga's face, I should probably wear a hat: I couldn't see the tops of their heads, so they're not part of the pictures in my mind.

>find someone to talk to and ask what's going on

I'll start that immediately! There's someone picking plants in a garden right over there.

don't sneak up, call out a clear 'excuse me!' so they know you want them and when they ask what you want tell them.

Face 2010/06/25(Fri)03:30 No. 198711 ID: 19ce4e
File 127746184393.png - (342.28KB , 500x449 , Face16.png )

"Excuse me!" The woman stands up to look at me with her plants in hand. This is a woman, correct? Father described them to me once, and I heard the voice of one who visited the workshop about a month ago.

"Something I can do f'you, sir?"

"I'm looking for Aron, the alchemist who lives near this village. Do you know where he is?"

Her eyes widen - she seems alarmed. "Aron? No... no, I dunno Aron. I'ven't seen'm. I'ven't seen anything."

She starts walking briskly away. "Well... do you know anyone who might have?"

"I dunno," she says, without even turning around. "I'ven't seen anything."

That's unfortunate. I'll keep asking around, but it seems rather odd that even the regular villagers haven't seen him. Father visited Dej about once a week for as long as I've been alive.

Also, she didn't finish picking her plants.

>>198711
Oh she had seen him, she was lying to you about that part. Don't call her out on it though. It seems like Father might be in trouble and they don't want to be assosciated with him because then they might also get in trouble.

Look for an inn or a tavern, it should be a rather large building possibly the larget one in the village, and ask the bartender/innkeeper there. While he might not be willing to talk either you might be able to get him to tell you who might be willing to talk with you about Father.

>>198711
I think you're going to have to find someone you can speak to in private, where nobody else can overhear you.

>>198711
are you sure he wasn't lying about visiting? although that seems kind of silly, don't mind me.
>>198715
if you find an inn or tavern, you could just sit around and listen in on conversations to see if anything comes up, before asking more people. this situation seems a bit more complicated than before...

>>198711
She was probably lying. However, she may have good reason to.
Unfortunately, you're an outsider in the village. The guards made it pretty clear that there were local conflicts going on. Aron could be a part of them.
They could be trying to protect Aron from strangers that mean him harm.
Or, something could have happened regarding Aron in the village and they were forced into silence over it. She could put her life at risk by telling you anything. Try and look around the village more, get your bearings, look for signs that he was here that dont require people's answers. Once we're a little more familiar with the area, we can develop a better approach.

Face 2010/06/25(Fri)13:40 No. 198840 ID: 0225ec
File 12774984325.png - (446.35KB , 500x526 , Face17.png )

>Try and look around the village more, get your bearings

It seems prudent to get a better idea of the area before continuing my inquiry. I'm rather concerned about the idea that these people are purposefully deceiving me about father - maybe if I ask them about their village, they'll be more honest.

The village is tucked into a bend in a river; the only side accessible by land has been covered by a palisade and the single gate that I entered through. I ask a few villagers about a tavern or inn, but they all tell me that there was no such place here. As far as I can determine, the only buildings - besides the large huts that the people themselves reside in - are:

The Mill - One villager told me that I should "ask the miller" if I needed lodging. Apparently, there are some soldiers being quartered there; I gathered that this is not typical. My father mentioned a miller when he spoke about Dej, who he described as a "fat oaf."
The Smithy - Located roughly in the middle of the village, there are two men doing some kind of work here. Their hammerings are audible from all the way across the village.
The Towers - There is a man in each of the four wooden towers. They seem to be observing the land outside the village. The largest one, standing on the edge of a wide rocky outcropping on the east side of the village, has a big bell hanging from a rafter sticking out from the elevated platform.
The Granary - This is a big, round building on stilts. There are several men with weapons sitting in the shade underneath.

There's also a long shed by the river on the south side of the village, where a group of villagers are cutting and stacking green grass while singing songs.

What should my approach be?

I can't believe we didn't advise you on what to take with you. What a blunder. Private lodging of any kind would be preferable. Do you bring any currency with you? If not you may have to do some work. Then again this is your element. Perhaps an inn keeper will give you a room in exchange for your cleaning services. Or perhaps the miller will let you room alone for the same. My concern is you having to defend your privacy on a nightly basis, should you have to take quarters with the others. If it comes down to it seeking makeshift shelter may be preferable. I'm not sure how immune to weather elements you are.

As a matter of fact, please give us a complete run down of your weaknesses so we can better watch over your safety.

In any case my advice would be the miller. If he is indeed stupid he might accidentally let information slip that he hadn't intended. And you can find out the details about lodging.

>>198840
I would advise trying the blacksmith rather than the miller. The miller might indeed let something slip but he also has several soldiers living with him, if he does let something slip both he and you are likely to get into trouble.

The blacksmith on the other hand doesn't have soldiers with him, and he might have had dealings with Father as alchemical stuff can be quite useful in the forging of steel and iron. The sounds from the forge should also drown out the sounds of your conversation to anyone standing around.

We should see to acquire anatomy books and/or, uh, adult magazines/journals

Face 2010/06/26(Sat)20:37 No. 199617 ID: 0225ec
File 12776098613.png - (379.22KB , 600x432 , Face18.png )

>Currency, Lodging

If it was a blunder, it was mutual. It didn't occur to me that I would need anything - all I took with me were these clothes and one of father's walking sticks. Father does keep a bag of silver coins in a chest in his room, but he took that with him when he went to the village. Of course, we have precious metals at home - it is an alchemist's workshop, after all - but not coins, and most is not in a pure form.

Shelter may not be necessary. I'm not harmed by the normal temperatures of night and day, and I don't need sleep - technically, I can't sleep. Usually I just read at night, since the noise of cleaning and preparing equipment kept father from sleeping. Privacy might be desirable, but I don't think I'd need a whole room - a closet would do fine.

>complete run down of your weaknesses

Weaknesses? Well... most things that harm a human harm me, I'm just more resistant to them. I could reach into a fire and remove a burning log, but if I held my arm in the flames for much longer I would start to scorch and crack. Extreme cold would probably harm me in the same way. I've lost several digits and limbs to accidents with acid and explosives, so I don't think I have any special resistance to those.

I can be damaged by physical trauma just as easily as a human, but I don't truly feel pain and I don't bleed. I won't lose the use of my limbs or digits unless they're entirely severed, but I can't hide damage with my transformation - if I acquire a cut on my face, it will be visible regardless of whose face I'm wearing.

I don't heal naturally like a human. Replacing a limb would require referring to my father's notes on my creation and performing complex alchemical procedures, but I can repair minor damage with a slurry of the three substances that make up most of my body - clay, bone ash, and blood.

I suppose I should also tell you about my Heart. Father told me never to let anyone know about it, but I don't think you're capable of either harming me or stealing father's secrets. In the center of my chest is a mandrake root, treated with various rare substances. This root is the source of my thought and motion. No amount of damage to my body will destroy me, but if this heart is damaged - perhaps even scratched - I will immediately become inert. I will "die."

>Miller or Blacksmith

Well, the argument for the blacksmith seems more compelling to me. It's still early in the afternoon, so there's time to talk to the miller before nightfall if I need lodging and can't get any useful information from the smith. I'll do that first.

Face 2010/06/26(Sat)20:39 No. 199618 ID: 0225ec
File 127760997631.png - (304.20KB , 500x389 , Face19.png )

I approach the two men at their workplace; one of them is unusually short.

"Excuse me!" The men stop hammering and look up at me.
The taller one responds first. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Aron, the alchemist who lives near this village."
He squints and frowns at me. "Don't know an Aron." The tall man raises his hammer again, about to resume his work.
"But... he came here every week. I know he did."
The tall man brings his hammer back down, closes his eyes, and sighs. "Ioan," he says to the short one.
"Yes sir?"
"Can you manage this yourself for a few minutes on the other anvil?"
The short man smiles eagerly. "Yes sir! I can do it."
"Good lad." He gives the tongs and the piece of metal to Ioan, who practically skips away towards the forge.

The man puts down his hammer and stares intently right at my obscured face.

"Who're you, and why're you asking about Aron?"

stick with the story we told the guards, we have alchemy induced boils and heard he could fix it, we came here because we have been to his shop several times and he was not there so you are looking for him.

Tell him what you have told before.

That you heard he was alchemist in this region and that you need his help.

"But... he came here every week. I know he did."

thats why we can't say that we are looking for him, we revealed a bit more than we maybe should have.

new argument: I am a friend of his from a bit aways, and came to his house looking for him. He told me he comes here weekly, and I have been waiting at his house for days now.

>>199635
This is a better idea. In fact, it doesn't really conflict with our previous story.

>>199618
"He's.. my father. I only found out recently. I really want to meet him."

Face 2010/06/27(Sun)00:46 No. 199727 ID: 0225ec
File 127762478632.png - (114.26KB , 400x389 , Face20.png )

"I've got boils from an alchemy accident, and I heard he could fix them."
"That's goatshit," he growls. "For eight years, I've seen the kind of men who come to see Aron. Not one comes to ask'm about boils. So you tell me who you are and why you want'm, or you can find someone fool enough to believe your story. I'm not."
"Oh... I... I'm a friend of his. I came to his house looking for him, but he wasn't there. He told me he comes to this village every week, and I've been waiting at his house for days now."
The smith says nothing for a moment, giving me a considering look.
"It's hard to imagine Aron having friends. He mentioned an 'assistant' once, but I don't believe that for a second. If he had one, he'd have sent him for errands." For a moment, I think I almost see a smirk.
"So will you tell me? I just want to find him."
He sighs heavily and glances over his shoulder. "I still don't believe you, stranger. But I'm convinced you're not a Mercy, either. If you were, I reckon you wouldn't be hiding your face, and I don't think you'd be such a bad liar."

"I can't answer your question - I don't know where he is. But I do know what happened to him."

Face 2010/06/27(Sun)00:47 No. 199730 ID: 0225ec
File 12776248413.png - (174.60KB , 500x547 , Face21.png )

"Aron did come here about once a week - food, materials, that kind of thing. Pompous little bastard, but he did pay real silver, and paid generously. That was good enough to keep'm welcome here.

"He arrived about... a little over two weeks ago, I think. But two days before that, a pair of men arrived in our village - riders, coming from the Tirgul road. They were Mercies. Real Mercies, the kind with swords. They didn't say what they wanted with us, but they asked for food and lodging, and we wouldn't turn down Mercies. We just crossed our fingers and hoped they were only here to rest.

"Even if Aron had been popular around here, nobody would have warned him - we had no idea they were here for him. But sure enough, he'd only been here a few minutes when the Mercies scooped'm up and led him right back down the Tirgul road with his hands tied behind his back. Before they left, they gathered us all up and made us swear never to tell anyone. To forget it ever happened.

"I don't know who you are, and I wasn't Aron's friend, but... he wasn't a bad man. Got in some arguments, but nothing terrible. Far as I can tell, he didn't deserve to be dragged off like that. I appreciate the Mercies - we all do - but they can shove that oath of secrecy right up their asses. Nobody grabs a customer of mine right out of our village without a single word and tells me to shut up about it."

thank him for the info and let's be on our way.

>>199730
Thank him for the info and ask him if he knows where the mercies have their homebase.

By the way, how good are you at drawing?

Okay, here are some questions:

Is it possible to "better" yourself? Like, can you make your body stronger, faster more durable? Can you learn magic (is there magic in this world)? Can you make yourself stronger? How strong and fast are you anyway? Do you know or can you learn to fight (with melee weapons or unarmed)?

>>199730
I believe that this man deserves to know who we are. He has put himself on the line to let us know what happened. We should offer our services if he should ever need us and begin our trek

>>199730
Ask him if he knows where we can find Mercies, or where they might've taken Aaron.

>>199789
Nah, I don't think so. We might be anathema so better not reveal our secret to anyone.
Thank him for his generosity and be on your way. Also, I don't think it's a good idea to ask about Mercies or their hideout to him.

>>199913
Mercies seem to be a public and somewhat respected force though. Not some secret gang. From the way he talks about them it almost sounds like it should be common knowledge.

>>199730

State "Okay... I'll try not to tell anyone about this."

It looks like you need to gear up for an adventure. Arms and armor might help.

What alchemy formulas do you know?

Face 2010/06/27(Sun)23:22 No. 200176 ID: 0225ec
File 127770617587.png - (90.38KB , 500x394 , Face22.png )

"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He points a finger at me. "I mean that - don't want any trouble with the Mercies."
"I understand. Do you know where I can find them?"
"What, Mercies? Uh... anywhere, I guess. Don't they have temples all over?"
"I... don't know?"
"Look - I lived my whole life in a little village in Traiuna until they moved us to another little village in the middle of the fucking Fenwood eight years ago. Only Mercies I see are the ones that come to us, and I don't know nothing else about'm. I only know what I saw - they came, they grabbed'm, and they left down the road towards Tirgul."
"I see. Thank you for your generosity. Is there anything I can do for you in return?"
He turns up the corner of his mouth, giving me half of a smile. "Nah. Though if you do ever find Aron, I suppose I wouldn't say no to more of that silver of his."
"I'll remember to tell him that."
He snorts. "You do that, if you ever see'm again." He picks up his hammer and turns around. "Ioan," he bellows to his shorter assistant, "tell me you're done with that sickle!"

>How strong and fast are you anyway?

I'm not sure; I've never compared myself against anyone except my father. I'm stronger than he is, but I don't believe he's at the peak of human fitness.

>Is it possible to "better" yourself? Like, can you make your body stronger, faster more durable?

I don't know if it can be done, but I'm certain that I can't do it. I tried to read father's notes on my creation once; they made very little sense to me. As an assistant, it wasn't necessary for me to know father's procedures fully, just enough to save him time and effort by completing the more tedious and dangerous tasks. Most of my work -

CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

Someone is ringing the bell on the highest tower. There is a great deal of shouting. Ioan and the smith have stopped their work, and I can see men beginning to gather on the hill.

Something is clearly going on! I'm not sure what it is...

Face 2010/06/27(Sun)23:23 No. 200177 ID: 0225ec
File 127770621662.png - (296.56KB , 500x406 , Face23.png )

...but I can see smoke rising from beyond the palisade.

The men of the village are gathering weapons - I fear something bad is happening.

My purpose was to serve father; my purpose is, now, to find father. I'm not sure this purpose can be furthered here any longer, now that I have learned what has happened to him. Perhaps it is time to leave before I am drawn into this new situation.

if everyone is getting weapons then a good chance that whatever is out there will try to kill you as well. do you know any combat methods?

Yes, you should leave immediately. Unless you experience an emotion known as curiosity. Do you feel a strange longing to know what's on the other side of that pallisade? Do you want to know if the villagers survive whatever attack this is, even if it has nothing to do with your search? Do you pause at the sight of commotion, irresistably drawn to the fact that it might, might have some relevance to what you're looking for?

>>200177
It's probably some sort of raid. How waterproof are you? Because you might be able to get away unnoticed by going into the river and going below the surface for a decent amount of time, until you're out of sight from the village. Have to make sure nobody spots you going into the water though.

Otherwise it might be best to stay close to the blacksmith and see if you can get a spear. Spears allow you to keep your distance some and hopefully not get any cuts, explaining why you don't bleed would be quite problematic.

Face 2010/06/29(Tue)03:13 No. 200727 ID: 0225ec
File 127780639484.png - (99.63KB , 400x373 , Face24.png )

>combat methods
>see if you can get a spear

I've never used a weapon. The closest I've ever come to "combat" is decapitating chickens with a hatchet for father's supper. I'm not very confident in my ability to fight people who know what they're doing.

>How waterproof are you?

I'm not harmed by water, and I don't breathe. I could remain submerged indefinitely.

>>200184

Well, I suppose I am curious - the world outside the workshop is an interesting one, if chaotic, confusing, and generally untidy. I've enjoyed learning about it and seeing it firsthand. But I'm not an explorer - I'm an object, a tool designed and created to fulfill a purpose. My emotions and desires - and my curiosity - were unintentional side-effects of my creation. I don't think that I should allow them to drive me, not when I have a purpose.

But you're right - it might have some relevance to what I'm looking for. I know so little about this world that it's impossible to dismiss anything as irrelevant. There couldn't be any harm in finding out what exactly is going on.

Face's face is better hidden than the picture lets on, he's just getting a good look in this frame.

>>200727
Well then follow the blacksmith and see what's going on.

And the reason for why a spear would be good for you is because it's very complex to use and it allows you to stay further away from your opponents weapons. Ideally you shouldn't fight at all, and since your a stranger they might not even give you a weapon in case of trouble.

But if you do get a weapon then try to stay in the back and out of trouble.

>>200727
>I've never used a weapon. The closest I've ever come to "combat" is decapitating chickens with a hatchet for father's supper. I'm not very confident in my ability to fight people who know what they're doing.

Spears are very intuitive, there's a reason a lot of people use them. you just stick the pointy end into the squishy parts. either way, you should try to find a way to defend yourself.

How about we ask the smith what might be going on?

Face 2010/06/29(Tue)15:20 No. 200915 ID: b93050
File 127785003080.png - (21.52KB , 400x429 , Face25.png )

>How about we ask the smith what might be going on?

The smith and his diminutive assistant are carrying weapons out of his hut and handing them out to a group of village men who have gathered here. It's not a very orderly process, and nobody seems to notice or care when I pick up one of the weapons. It's... like a spear. It looks like someone put a scythe blade on a rake handle. It's old and has a few nicks and scratches in it, but it was clearly sharpened recently.

[Item dropped: Walking Stick]
[Item acquired: War Scythe]

It's difficult to get the smith's attention in the hustle, but eventually I manage to pull him away.

"What? What is it?"
"What's going on?"
"The fucking Fenek, probably. Look, this isn't your home - if I were you, I'd find a way out before it's too late. But if you want to make yourself useful, ask the captain what we're supposed to be doing. Sure as shit don't know myself." He makes a vague hand motion towards the hill, where a small group of soldiers are gathered, and immediately returns to his duty of handing out weapons to the villagers.

>>200915
Oh nice, a war scythe. They can be quite devestating and are quite easy to use.

See if you can't find a group of villages who are similarly equipped and stick with them.

>>200915
helping the villagers will give them a good impression of you, should you ever return here. going to ask the captain seems like a good idea. But do be careful, if the fighting is too much, or you are outnumbered, just flee to the water or play dead.

>>200915

See if you can find a metal plate, or a board of wood to slide under your clothes and over your heart. It's the only thing that can cause you to die, so it should be protected.

>>200915
Go talk to the captain. Ask him what orders he has for the civilians. Also, keep in mind that this is the village your father is associated with. Protecting it is in your father's best interests.

You're a novice fighter that's perfectly susceptible to getting your limbs chopped off, and it sounds like you'd have only a slightly easier time replacing a limb than a human, which is to say not at all.

If you had any skills to protect yourself I'd be for it. One can never have too many friends and battling along side people tends to make them overlook any oddities you might have.

However, under the circumstances...
Fighting sounds like a horrible idea.

Face 2010/06/29(Tue)19:52 No. 201090 ID: b93050
File 127786632954.png - (296.51KB , 500x407 , Face26.png )

Believe me, I'm not eager to fight anybody. I don't even know who the "Fenek" are, and I have no desire to hurt or be hurt by them. As most of you seem to think I should be of some assistance to these people, however, I'll remain for now - as you say, I may be able to flee to the river if the situation becomes too dangerous.

>metal plate, or a board of wood
If I see something like that, I'll be sure to grab it.

All the villagers with weapons seem to be gathered right here at the smithy. The rest of the villagers - mostly women - are heading quickly towards the mill. I begin walking up the hill towards the small group of soldiers, among whom the smith indicated the captain would be.

The first voice I hear clearly is that of one of the soldiers addressing someone who must be the leader. "...sure of it, Captain. They've set fire to the outfields. If they're heading here next, they're only minutes away."
"Alright. Listen carefully - I want every man with a bow on the wall towers, but keep sentries in the other two. Go! Where's Dan?"
Dan, one of the gate guards I spoke to earlier, comes running up the hill. "Here, sir," he responds breathlessly.
"Is the gate secure?"
"Yes, sir. Closed and barred."
"Wait!" A pudgy, bald villager tries to interrupt their conversation, but the captain ignores him.
"Good. Nobody gets in or out. I want the rest of our men-"
"STOP! Listen to me!" The villager waves his hands in front of the captain, who glares at him with annoyance.
"What, damn it?"
"You can't just bar the gates!"
"Of course I-"
"You don't understand! Harvest is only weeks away," he pleads. "If you let them burn the fields, we'll have nothing! We have to fight them!"
"We have no idea how many of them there are," the captain explains impatiently. "I am not going to march my men out that gate to be slaughtered. My duty is to keep this village safe, and we're safer behind the wall - they'll probably move on."
"You can't just abandon our fields! What will we do when winter comes? What will we eat?"
"The matter's settled. Get yourself to the smithy with the rest of the militia."
The villager is trembling and his fists are clenched. "Why'd you even come here? Why'd the Ban send us soldiers who won't even fight? You fucking cowards!"

Face 2010/06/29(Tue)19:53 No. 201092 ID: b93050
File 127786638075.png - (225.96KB , 400x394 , Face27.png )

In one swift motion, the captain draws his sword and presses it to the throat of the villager, whose trembling is now probably more out of fear than anger.
"You're going to shut up and report to the smithy. You're going to do this because if you don't, I swear on the Lady's grave I'll send you out that gate to fight the Fenek by yourself."
The villager blubbers and whimpers incoherently, and begins shambling away towards the smithy as soon as the captain withdraws his sword.
"I'll assemble our men at the gate, captain," says Dan quietly.
The captain nods, looks over the palisade at the growing smoke, and then notices me standing nearby.

Face 2010/06/29(Tue)19:53 No. 201093 ID: b93050
File 127786641941.png - (84.34KB , 400x416 , Face28.png )

The irritation is evident in his voice. "Well? What do you want?"
"What orders do you have for civilians?"
"They should do what I've told them to do," he snaps. "Anyone who can't carry a weapon should get to the mill. Anyone who can should grab one at the smithy, and then stay out of our way. If we end up needing you, it means we're fucked anyway. Damned peasants are worse than useless."

He doesn't seem to have much of a role in mind for the militia. Should I just stay with them at the smithy?

he makes the tough choices and probably thinks he isn't getting payed anywhere near enough for this, so he has a right to be angry. well do what you are told for now, like we said, situation get's out of hand you can flee.

>>201093
Stay at the smithy. Not alot you would be able to do except get in the way if you stayed with him.

We could go under the river and scout them out, no?

Face 2010/07/01(Thu)19:36 No. 201955 ID: b93050
File 127803820786.png - (57.41KB , 500x510 , Face29.png )

I return to the smithy to convey the captain's orders. The villagers seem less than pleased about it - like the bald man, who I learn is the miller, they are angry at the unwillingness of the soldiers to protect their crops and their own inability to protect them themselves. They react in different ways; the miller continues his sobbing in the doorway of the smith's hut, while others loudly curse the Fenek and the Ban alike or stare wordlessly at the growing smoke clouds. The men begin to cough from the hazy pall of smoke that blows into the village on a westerly breeze. It's not clear whether the fields under the village's walls are burning yet, but the villagers are convinced that nothing will be left by the time the raid is over.

The soldiers, formed up behind the gate, don't appear to be doing anything more than waiting. The smoke is the only indication that the village is under attack - the men in the towers have bows, but don't appear to be using them.

>We could go under the river and scout them out, no?

I suppose that's possible - what would I be looking for? If I were to do that, I'd also have to decide which way to go, as the river leads away from the village in two directions.

Should I try this, or should I keep waiting with the villagers? Without knowing what these "Fenek" intend to do, it's hard to know which would be safer.

actually, it's odd. why would they set fire to the crops? what could they possibly gain from it. think we should stay, not much point to just wandering around randomly.

>>201973
It's a terror tactic, mainly a "WE AREN'T FUCKING AROUND" sort of gesture.

>>201955
Scout in the river, yes... In whatever direction they're coming from.

>>201973

It's a long term siege tactic. First they burn the crops, then next year anyone left alive is too starving to resist them at all. Generally not done by very nice people...

>>202010

Yeah, the exact term is "scorched earth." Since that's what they're doing when they burn the crops, and anything else that's useful. Generally invading generals use that technique when they plan on overrunning the position quickly and moving on to the next objective. If they intended to stay, they would have left the crops alone so that they could take them and use the crops for food to run their army. By burning the crops they deny enemy civilians food and more importantly keep the enemy army from being able to use that food to resupply with later in the war.

>>202088

Heh. Scorched earth can be a two edged sword that way. Both Hitler and Napoleon met their match when the Russians bravely burned their own fields and retreated until the deadly Soviet winter destroyed both armies.