You can't help but chuckle. "Yes, it is a big deal. You can not only see Spirits but can speak with them. Even I can't speak with all of them and I had to die and be blessed by a Dragon to even begin to understand them. This is unprecedented and quite possibly undocumented." You explain as you finish another set of steps and move down. "Just how long have you been able to do that? Was it when you became leader? It could be your natural abilities being heightened by assuming responsibility of one of the holiest, former holiest, sites in China." "Waitwaitwait! You can't start asking questions! I don't have my materials!" Ming says waving her hands to get you to stop. "I need my books! I need ink and brushes and...I'll be right back!" She says standing up and running back up the mountain. You shake your head in amusement and watch her leap from rock to rock all the way back to the Jade Palace. It doesn't take long for Ming to return, arms full of empty scrolls, ink bottles, and a various other writing instruments. Fortunately for you, you had done this exercise long enough that you had made significant progress on the steps. You were about 2/3rds down the mountain steps. "Ok! I'm ready to do some research. Let's see..." Ming sits down and crosses her legs rather than trying to sit politely. Her tail swishes from side to side and she plays with her hair as she thinks. "I think I remember noticing movement near the end. A few weeks before the city was attacked." She says as she starts quickly jotting down notes. "I just thought it was me being tired or maybe it was Xin just trying to scare me." "Xin? I don't think they're capable of such a thing." You muse. Ming throws an empty scroll at you. "You need to pick that up now and behave." She says. "I don't know when I was able to talk to them. I just kind of always have been." "What about the bigger ones? Do you see big ones?" You ask. Ming shakes her head. "No. All I see is small ones." She says. You think for a moment. "But there are bigger ones. Do you ever see anything bigger? Maybe like a large gust of wind that seems to move like no breeze should or something more dragon shaped?" You ask. "Some of them look a bit humanoid but eventually they start to become less and less regular shaped." You explain, waving your hands vaguely to indicate the strange forms spirits can take. "No...just small cute ones." Ming says. >What do you say? >Suggest that perhaps that might be the limit of what she can see without meditating. It's already a very unique ability. >Theorize that maybe Ming needs more practice and experience to see and talk to higher beings. After all, even those with a gift need to work at it before they become masters at their craft. >Say that she might be able to but odds are that anything bigger than a sprite is probably dead...as morbid as that suggestion is. >Goes back to talking about when Ming started to fully use her ability. You can work out the details later. >Write in.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 18 Jul 2024 04:18:07 No. 6061006 Report Quoted By:
>>6057424 Big speech time. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 18 Jul 2024 06:14:43 No. 6061051 Report Quoted By:
"I was at the epicenter of this catastrophe with my family, the great library. I'd elected to take on the injuries of a child and went into extended meditation to heal them which took several months. And during those months, the library was attacked by Mongolian forces and crow witches and our friends the children of the dragons were murdered. In the Chaos, my family split as I was hidden in a tomb to keep me safe until I awoke again. While I've gathered the rest of my family again and the blessings of the royal family to help, Renshu was taken I believe against his will, northwards out of china to Mongolia. I'm heading there myself soon, now prepared for the trip." You explain and motion to Renshu. "It would be a reassurance if Renshu could relay his version of events from the attack, or at least how he was taken north and anything he has learned about these crows and this Aleskander, as I believe some should have already arrived to you, Great Judge, and they may have useful information to our Task of bringing the rest to Justice. But we can discuss them later, Renshu's the important part of this meeting." Yánluówáng's gaze never leaves you as you explain what had happened to you before the attack on the library. Truth be told you didn't know what to expect from the judge. Would he even care about the circumstances? You had heard about some judges in the mortal world that would condemn a person regardless of the circumstances adhering only to the letter of the law but they weren't presiding over matters of heaven or hell. You hope that the Great Judge's position meant he could not afford to be so easily swayed by emotion or pettiness. Even so, the last time you were here it was pretty much an open and shut case. Now you hope that things were not so clear and that it would give you some more leeway with the situation at hand. It feels like an eternity before the judge speaks, "Very well. I cannot render judgement until I hear the entirety of this story. The...detainee may speak his piece." "Thank you, your honor." Renshu finally speaks up. His voice sounded so familiar and so distant much like a memory from long ago. "I will not bore you with the details leading up to the attack. It was all merely pointless philosophy." He says quietly. "As it always seems to be, it wasn't until things started to seem hopeful that things all went wrong..." --- "Are you sure that is your answer?"
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 18 Jul 2024 06:15:44 No. 6061053 Report Quoted By:
The large white bear sat across from you, his tea left untouched. Being from a foreigner, it seemed like Chinese tea was not to his liking. Nonetheless, you made it a point to bring a pot of the stuff to every meeting under the guise of good will. A façade you played to perfection. In reality, you were being petty and you could have easily brought something more to the man's taste but you were mad. Mad that you couldn't be left alone to live the peaceful life you wanted with your family. Mad that these foreigners came to destroy the city that meant so much to the man you loved. "Yes. We will not simply hand the city over to you and your army." You say calmly as you pour another cup of bitter tea. A strange twinge goes through you as you do so. Was this guilt? Was it because this petty little act could undermine your attempts to defend the city or perhaps that your beloved would have disapproved of your little act of defiance for the exact same reason. Or perhaps...could it be that you felt bad for the man sitting before you and the situation he was in. The man's large brow furrows in confusion and his next words were chosen carefully though it was less out of the delicacy of the situation and more out of him speaking a foreign language. "I...do not understand. Do you not wish to survive?" He asks. You wouldn't learn the weight of that question and the confusion behind it until much later. Aleskander's people came from a frigid land where food was scarce and what little the cool summers could provide were all spent on surviving the next winter. Birth rate was monitored closely as too many children would strain his tribe's resources and being born too late would mean the cold could take both the newborn and the weakened mother. To him, the thought of dying for a piece of land when the entire country was a fertile paradise was unthinkable. At that moment however, you knew none of this and despite knowing his confusion was genuine the question aggravated you. "You know, for one who calls himself a pacifist you are certainly intent on having us fight." You muse as you sip your tea.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 18 Jul 2024 06:16:45 No. 6061055 Report "You're language...it is difficult to speak." Aleskander says. "I have said before, I do not wish to hurt anyone. I have been ordered to destroy your city but I have not been ordered to kill anyone. If you all leave then I vow not to harm anyone. Is living not more important than your homes?" He asks. Despite his outward appearance you could see the desperation in his eyes, the quiver in his voice. He was afraid and if what he had told you was true then he was afraid of having to fight. You doubt it was a fear of getting hurt as the scars would suggest but rather a fear of having to hurt others. Whatever his motives were, you had the upper hand in this discussion. A perfect position to extract information from the enemy. >What do you say? >Ask how long has he been doing this. Quite a while no doubt but perhaps this line of questioning will indirectly give you some information. >Ask why he's doing this. It's clear that this line of work is not for him. More importantly, you think Tai Lung would be happy to have this information...if only he was here. >Ask about his superior. Everyone you met before Aleskander was...less talkative. Given that the two of you were foreigners to Mongolia perhaps his loyalty to the person behind this would be more tenuous. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6061055 >Ask why he's doing this. It's clear that this line of work is not for him. More importantly, you think Tai Lung would be happy to have this information...if only he was here. Anonymous
>>6061055 >Why is he doing this? Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Fri 19 Jul 2024 17:23:52 No. 6062065 Report Quoted By:
>>6061066 >>6061167 Asking why. Maybe this is how one learns to care about things. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Fri 19 Jul 2024 20:38:43 No. 6062185 Report Quoted By:
"Some would argue otherwise. These people have lived here their entire lives, raised families generations old, dedicated their entire lives to furthering their craft here. To ask them to abandon all that would be unthinkable. It would be as if saying that their dedication and commitment was all for nothing. Just as some people would do anything to take that away so too will they do anything to keep it safe." You say while setting down your drink. "Which is curious that someone who doesn't wish to harm anyone would be here at the forefront of it all. I suppose the real question is, why?" You ask in the same tone of voice you used to take with Xin Lan when they didn't want to train. Calm, with a hint of danger buried underneath. Aleskander's eyes shift and they begin to speak before you cut them off, a classic tactic to show that you were in control of the conversation. "I don't care what you think I want to hear. We've been having these back and forths for several days in hopes of finding some kind of peaceful resolution to all this. So if you wish truly wish to end things peacefully then I suggest you speak openly." Aleskander's eyes shift around as he tries to avoid your gaze before he closes them and sighs. "You are right. I do not understand fully why it is you and your people want to stay here but if I am to destroy this place then you deserve to know why." The large bear stands up and moves past you to the other end of the tent the two of you were sitting in. Opening the tent flaps he barks some orders to the two men standing guard before doing his best to button up the flaps shut. He lumbers back to his side of the table and listens for a moment. Your ears can easily detect the sounds of footsteps walking away from the surrounding area but nothing to indicate that something untoward was occurring. It simply seemed like several guards were being relived of duty. A bit longer and the bear leans in closer before speaking in a quieter tone, almost conspiratorially. "I wish that things were not as they are now. Your land, it is beautiful. I have never seen so many flowers and plants alive at one time. What little I've seen of your people from a distance, they seem happy and unbothered by the coming cold. This place...I do not know the word but to our people we would call it paй. It is a word we use for a place such as this. A place of prosperity, peace, without fear of hunger or death. I am sorry to bring such evil into this place but just like you said, I must do anything to protect my people." You cross your arms. "So, it is a matter of land then. Has Mongolia grown so much and so fast that it can no longer contain it's people? That you cannot simply send someone to trade?" You ask. Aleskander shakes his head.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Fri 19 Jul 2024 20:39:44 No. 6062186 Report Quoted By:
"This I do not know but perhaps you do not understand. I am not from this country. This Mongolia. I am from far to the north. Where the cold can freeze your blood if you are not careful. We do not have a name for this place other than home. My people and I lived there in peace. Sometimes we would find foreigners who traveled too far north or had lost their way and we would do what we could to help them. Sometimes, even stranger still, we would find people who came with purpose to trade with us or other people there at the time. Though we do not have much to offer, we would trade what we could for food or perhaps a weapon. We knew nothing nor cared for events of the south. One day, however, we group of people came to visit us. These were not lost travelers nor were they traders. They came as conquerors." "If this land is so inhospitable as you say...Then they weren't there to attain land. They wanted people." You surmise and the bear nods his head before continuing. "Because of the nature of the land my people are strong and hardy. These people wanted soldiers. People for killing others. My tribe has few warriors to protect ourselves against other natives that may wish to do us harm. But those fights are nothing compared to the scale of murder I've seen in Mongolia where entire camps are killed if they do not join. Most of us are peaceful and simply wish to live our lives. As my people's Shaman, I pledged my life to be one of peace and enlightenment. I live to pass down the wisdom of our ancestors to the younger generation rather than fight to protect. But when this man spoke to us, I saw no wisdom in his eyes. He promised us better lands, that we would rule over others and would never need to worry about hunger again. But all I saw was greed. He saw us as tools and nothing more. I knew that once he had used us for his own ends that we would be forgotten and I knew he would not take no as an answer. So I lied and offered myself to speak to his leader about this agreement. While I traveled to this man's camp, my people waited for nightfall when the lands become pitch black and they fled. Though we are large, we are not as clumsy as some would think and knowing the lands better than anyone they escaped. This of course angered the invaders and they though they threatened to hunt and kill my people I knew they would not survive the wilderness alone. It was not until they took me prisoner that I saw the true scope of their army. Should they turn attention to the north, there would be no force in the world to stop them. I was fortunate that the man in charge saw my actions favorably and so he offered my a bargain. I would serve in his army until he saw fit to release me and upon his victory he would leave my people and it's lands alone. So I have broken my vows of peace and have served as a killer since then." Aleskander concludes. "But you don't believe that, do you?" You guess.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Fri 19 Jul 2024 20:40:45 No. 6062187 Report "No. Soon after, I began hearing rumors that should I begin to show resistance or if try to defy my order then he would have his army ready to march north and kill all who live there. My people are not the only ones who live in my homeland and so I no longer fight for simply the ones I lived with but now all of the north are my people. I can only hope that fate is merciful and once this is all finished that a miracle might happen and our deal will be honored." Aleskander shakes his head. "But I did not know that this war would spill down to this place of beauty. That is why I ask you all to leave. My orders are to simply destroy this place and return not to kill all who live here." You resist the urge to sigh though you are starting to see why Tai Lung tends to do it so much. Regardless of your anger, you knew that he would not simply hear that and dismiss it. It was part of his charm for sure but it could be frustrating at times. Simply killing everyone here would mark the end of it all. Still, your mind wanders back to all Tai Lung had done for you and for Xin Lan. In your heart, you knew you couldn't betray his faith in you and you weren't sure you could live knowing you had betrayed it. The worst part of all this was that you knew this man wasn't lying to you. There was a decision to be made here, you just weren't sure what was the right one.>What do you do? >Try and buy some more time to plot something out. Ask him about something else. (What do you ask?) >Say that you sympathize with his plight but there is nothing you can do. You can only hope that there won't be so many lives lost on the day the forces clash. >Offer to help him. This is what Tai Lung would do regardless of the circumstances especially since he sounds remorseful. Plus having another ally who knew of the enemy would be good. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6062187 >Appeal to his shamanistic side. Explain that this is a highly sacred place, tell him of the spiritual lore you know of. Make sure he knows and feels the consequence of bringing destruction and spilling blood here. The consequences reach further than just this city alone. Anonymous
>>6062187 While I support
>>6062232 I feel that we also need to ask.
>If these are your only orders, think closely. Who was brought with you that is not normally assigned to operations such as this. Or any given artifacts and their purpose. Something has drawn your masters down to China, any irregularity might be a key. Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 02:04:44 No. 6062288 Report >>6062242 >>6062232 Look at me. Posting more than once a day. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 06:15:33 No. 6062394 Report Quoted By:
"Then as a Shaman you understand that there are places that are highly sacred, no? I'm afraid you have been set up or at the very least, this might be meant to be your last job." You pour another drink quietly and push it to Aleskander. "You might want to drink for this one because I doubt even you would be willing to bend your morals if you knew the full extent of what you're doing. You see this is where I will speak plainly to you. You are planning on attacking the most holy of sites in all the country. Here in this city resides the children of the Dragons, the very gods themselves. This land was blessed and founded in concert with mortals beings to serve as their safe haven. Though you may not be aware or even worship our Gods, surely you must know the dire consequences of destroying such a place both spiritually and in the mortal world?" You explain as you take a deep drink of our own cup. "I presume you were not told about that when you were given your orders were you?" Aleskander eyes the drink for a moment before taking the cup in his large hand and downing it with a shudder. A shudder you doubt is a result of the drink's bitterness. "If you destroy this place the Gods will demand blood and no force in the world will be able to stop them. Of course if you find your spiritualism lacking then you must know that this place bears more than just the blessing of the gods. Every bit of knowledge out people has ever conceived rests here. Every idea, every story, every moment of history and much more that the rest of China has not even had the chance to experience. If you bring this place to ruin then you will deny all that to future generations. Would you do that? Could you do that? It is easy for someone to give in to the violence and turn their back on their vows but can you so easily forsake that which you spend your entire life doing? If in the event that you were free to go back to your people and their safety is assured could you look them in the eyes knowing what you did here to another group of people on such a magnitude that even the Gods could not turn their gaze away? I doubt you'd be able to tell them." As you speak, you find yourself wishing that you could speak as Tai Lung could. To somehow rouse hope and courage within the most hopeless of people such as yourself. Perhaps if the two of you swapped places he might have given a speech that could have convinced him to believe in your cause and perhaps inspire hope that his people could break free and fight back against a common foe. But you were not him and your tools were of cruelty and fear. If such things were the only ones available then you would simply have to use them for the greater good.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 06:16:33 No. 6062396 Report Quoted By:
"I...cannot." The white bear finally speaks in a quiet voice. "I knew that perhaps I would be forced to destroy things people hold dear but...if the people lived then such actions would not be truly harmful. There could always be places else to go but...to try and destroy a people's history. To deny their children their birthright, their heritage." Aleskander buries his face in his hands. "You're right. Should you do this and China falls then there will be nothing to salvage. You'd have erased them from history like ash in the wind." You add, twisting the knife some more. "Furthermore, if the mainland finds out that it was you who was behind the attack on his place and they learn that you are not from Mongolia then you will have another nation who will turn it's army towards you and your people. In short, you've been set up as scapegoat. It's the perfect setup regardless what happens. If you die in the attack then Mongolia is free to move and capture your people, if you survive then the blame is shifted away from them for a moment. Given that they are willing to destroy a place like this I don't need to guess what they do to those who fail them." "I...my people." Aleskander says despondent. "I just wanted to protect them..." "You've gone a dark path Aleskander but as someone close to me often says, if you truly wish to change then there is always a second chance." You assure. Alexander looks up at you, desperation in his eyes. Guilt runs down your spine once more not because of your methods but more because of what you think the others would see you as if they found out. The hypocrisy was not lost on you given what you had said but you hoped that they would understand you were doing this to save everyone. At the very least, you could live with them hating you if you knew that they survived this. "As I've said, you've been set up by your captors and it seems to me that regardless of what happens they will do as they please. So you have nothing to lose if you join us. While I cannot speak for my companions, I know they would not leave you to your fate if they knew that they could help you. At the very least one of them would stop at nothing to help you. All you have to do is simply renounce your ways. I'm sure they would even allow you to maintain your vow of pacifism." You pause to think for a moment. Just imaging what Tai Lung's reaction would be if Aleskander had asked to join your group. He would probably jump at the chance to help and no doubt the idea of allowing someone to return back to their nonviolent roots would fill him with peace. The thought of that seems to quell something in you and you feel your self and your words tempered.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 06:19:03 No. 6062398 Report Quoted By:
"Aleskander listen to me." You say gently, honestly. "My words might sound hollow to you right now. The same promise made in a different nation? Of course it seems too good to be true but let me tell you my story. The story of a murderer, a killer. Unlike you I did not choose what I was born as. My path was made for me from the day of my birth and I reveled in it. To take away, to hurt, to lash out against the world that feared me and hated me. I thought these things were set in stone. Even as I held my younger sister, I swore I would burn everything to the ground to protect her and in doing so I was forcing onto her the same life I was forced into you. Until I met a man named Tai Lung. He showed me that there is always another path. Hope is never lost, it can be misplaced but it can always be found. I promise that he will do all he can to save you and your people." You give the bear a soft smile. "Because if he can have faith in a broken thing like me...If he can truly believe in someone like that then he will have no problem putting his faith in you. As long as you genuinely believe that you can become the good man you once were then he will believe in you. You are no longer alone." Aleskander looks at you, a small spark of hope burning in his once hopeless eyes and he nods at you. You return the gesture and speak firmly once more. "First we must get through this. It's clear this attack isn't a simple matter of just razing a city to the ground. There are plenty more cities that are much easily accessible in the mainland. Tell me, think carefully, was there anything different about this mission than your others? Different people in your group, anything in excess to what you normally bring?" Aleskander furrows his brow and thinks for a moment. "Yes. I remember we have brought an excess of supplies. I was told that it was simply rations and arrows since we would be attempting to attack a city but it did seem odd that we would bring that much. However, I have not seen anyone attempt to open a few boxes despite it being time to eat." You nod. "Good then it's best we start with seaching those-"
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 06:20:07 No. 6062399 Report Quoted By:
A series of loud explosions rock the mountaintop and interrupt you as the sounds of running and shouting begin You rise to your feet, drawing your sword in one fluid motion before a wave of unease and anxiety wash over you. The air feels as if something is sucked out of it and your senses all feel dulled. It's only the fact that you barely hear one of your spirits screaming at you to move as the tent around you is ripped up from the ground shows that something is very wrong. Instinctually, you swipe your katana to deflect a sword swipe to your face but your eyes a firmly locked on the city walls. 4 giant holes lined the walls the size of small houses. Bodies litter the ground as the enemy troops rush forward to enter the city while others remain and quickly surround you. The debris scattered around quickly tell you that the explosion happened from within the city, an inside job. Rage swells within you and you see red as you deftly slice through a man's hand as he gets too close. You begin your slow walk towards Aleskander, intent upon burying your sword in the man's heart for this betrayal. Your hands move faster than the eye can see and soon your arms are slick with with blood as it soaks into your sleeves and drips on to the ground. So intent on murdering the man who you think betrayed your trust, the first stranger you decided to open up to besides your friends, that you barely notice the men you had cut down stand up once more. Once again it's only because you can barely hear the spirits bound to you that you manage to turn around just in time to deflect another attack only this time the parry wasn't so clean. Had you not moved so fast to defend yourself then the sword would have surely disemboweled you. Instead, your stomach sears in pain but you remain upright. The man who's arm your sliced off runs at you at full force as if unharmed and brings his weapon down upon you again. You can feel the shock run up your arm has his sword connects with yours with a frightening amount of force. Too much for someone who lost so much blood and far too much for someone who should have gone into shock from the pain.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 06:21:18 No. 6062400 Report You duck under another attack and in an arc cut him in two and the head off of another who was crawling to stab you despite missing both legs. Something inside you feels guilty for no keeping your promise to no longer kill but years of survival instincts kick in and burn it away to nothingness. Aleskander roars behind you and you pivot to cut another man down and turn to face a new opponent only to see him fighting for his life as well. The large bear brings both fists down upon one of his own crushing the man's spine before grabbing another and throwing him into the tree where your friends once taught their classes under. The impact shatters the truck and causes it to fall over with a loud crash. Soon the sounds of screaming and clashing metal begin to ring out from with in the Library followed by arrows flying through the holes in the wall. The battle for the Library had begun whether you liked it or not.>What do you do? >Try and fight your way to Alexsander. If this was his doing then he would be trying to kill you not fighting for his life. You can't let your anger cloud your mind. >Fight your way into the city. Your family is in there. The rest of China can burn all around you but you can't lose those closest to you. Not again. >Try and discern what is clouding your senses. If you can't rely on them then you will die long before you can do anything to help anyone. However, you won't be able to do much of anything else other than defend. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6062400 >Reign in your killing intent, focus on what's allowing your enemies to keep fighting through grievous wounds and find a way to disable them without taking their lives. You will break their bodies if you must. Anonymous
>>6062400 >Fight the way to alesksander. >With someone to cover our back, try and determine what is keeping them upright Anonymous
Quoted By:
>>6062288 And good job hoss, got the feeling for the rhythm
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 18:15:59 No. 6062651 Report Quoted By:
>>6062431 >>6062418 These two pair well so we can mix them. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 22:41:23 No. 6062824 Report Quoted By:
https://youtu.be/xoJSAClwLc4?si=4PieBnsvuBFTuFgP You throw yourself into a roll to avoid another attack and a stray arrow whistles past your ears before embedding itself into the eye of another Mongolian. The man's body goes limp and crumples to the ground. It does not seem like whatever is empowering these soldiers protects them from instant death. A spear attempts to do the same to you but you hack it away and slice off the tip. It takes a lot to reign in the urge to swing again and behead the man before you long enough that you feel something slice into your side. You howl in pain and grab your attacker's wrist, snapping it, and pulling the arm behind his back to dislocate both the shoulder and elbow. Your side burns as throw your opponent over your shoulder into another man. In the distance you can see the city guard pushing back through the holes in the wall. Despite the fact they it may have been the first battle of their lives, they fought well as cut down many of the invaders but something seemed off. At this distance, you can tell that the invaders had a complete disregard for their own well being. They swarm the guards and overwhelm those that they manage to split off from the main force. Other guards are taken down as they walk past invaders they thought were killed only to have them rise once more despite their wounds and stab them in the back. Soon the guard forces are pushed back into the city as they need to retreat lest they are surrounded by the enemy. A loud wet crunch sounds out nearby and you see the bear swing a comically undersized mace in one hand into the side of a sword wielding man destroying his armor and the arm holding the blade. Another two men charge to take advantage of the opening and stab Aleskander in the side. The bear's armor deflects most of the damage but you can see some blood well up between the chain links.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 22:42:24 No. 6062825 Report Quoted By:
You charge forward, parrying another attack and sweeping one of the men near the bear off his feet. You push the definition of nonlethal to it's limits as you take the sheathe of your blade and use it as a lever to pull the fall men's leg apart and break tear the joints apart. Even if he was to survive this madness, he would more than likely never walk again. Another spearman approaches and you throw the broken man at him before driving the end your sheath into his nose. There's a satisfying crunch and blood sprays out giving you time to swipe your blade across his brow. Blood flows freely and coats his eyes blinding him and causing the man to swing wildly still in full disregard to his injuries. You jab at him three times in various pressure points to paralyze him...and nothing happens. Whatever Chi you infused with your strike seemed ineffective or more accurately nonexistent. Aleskander saves your life as he grabs the man before he can capitalize on the opening from your confusion. You sheath your weapon, duck under your savior's arm, and disable another attacker. "Aleskander!" You scream, nearly choking on your anger. "If in honor of my family I will trust you but know this, if you were behind any of this there will be no power in this world that will keep me from hunting you down!" You roar and grab a man by the shoulders then pull down sharply to pull the arms out of their sockets. You take a sharp breath and run your bloody hands through your hair and over your ears as you force yourself to be calm. "There is nothing I will not do for my family. I will break any vow, kill any man, burn any nation. Even if it means they will despise me so long as they can live to see another day I will do it. I promised they will help you and they would fight so that you would not suffer and make the same mistakes they have. So I offer you a choice, help me save my family and I will make sure you never have to kill again to protect your people or you get out of my way as I carve my way back into the city." You say in a cool almost cold tone. Aleskander hurls another opponent away and gives you a worried look. "You are a frightening man. Though you hide your true self to the outside, I could feel that you carry a lot of pain...and a lot of evil. Even so, I can see there is a good man deep within you. One who cares about his family and could care about other people. You just don't know how. If you a truly willing to bear my people's burdens with me then I will help carry yours. I can see why they put their faith in you." He says before swinging both his arms and clearing a path for the two of you to get closer. "However, you will need to learn to truly face who you are if you wish to change for them." He adds. You let out a grunt.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sat 20 Jul 2024 22:43:25 No. 6062827 Report "What is it with men who want to be good and talking too much? We can talk philosophy after my family is safe. For now I need you to buy me some time. We'll get nowhere if we can't find out how these people keep getting back up." You snap and almost as to make a point, another invader stands up. You vent a bit of anger by breaking his arm, leg, then finishing them off by breaking their back over your knee. "There has to be something! Anything you must have noticed that can give us an idea of what's going on!" You shout over the noise. "I have never seen these men act like this." Aleskander says grabbing some rubble to use as a makeshift shield. "They act as if fighting gives them life itself. Even broken they continue but it does not seem to be true immortality. They have never disobeyed or acted without my orders before." "They can still die. It's just as if they can feel no pain. Something has been off since this whole thing started. Things feels strange, muted somehow. This can only be the result of some kind of sorcery but to empower something of this size it would require...We need to move. NOW!" You scream and rip a spear free from someone's grip and breaking every finger in the process. You hold it sideways and use it to push forward. It all made sense now that you had cleared your mind some more. Your fury, the quietness of the spirits and your abilities not working. "What do you mean? What is going on?" Aleskander asks as the two of you press onwards towards the city. "People! Magic on this scale can only be fueled by people! I've seen this before many times! Only the most profane of rituals requires the energy of living things and those are on a smaller scale. For something to effect people sensitive to magic by proximity and encase a city this large...it's just the start! Whoever or whatever is behind this is planning something big and I fear we can't stop it. Not something of this size." You and Aleskander break through the fighting and rush into the city through one of the holes. The sounds of fighting can be heard all around you but there's no signs of anyone you know. Before you can begin to search for the others, more explosions ring out throughout the city with one being so close by that it nearly knocks you off your feet. Aleskander steadies you with a single hand. "Where do we go? Where is your family?" He asks.>What do you do? >Go to the Guard's station. Its where the planned evacuation location is. >Head to the library itself. Majority of people were being housed there for their safety during the initial siege. >Head to the top of the stairs to the Exarch's room. The others might be there trying to protect him. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6062827 >What is it with men who want to be good and talking too.much. YOU KNOW YOUR TYPE RENSHU!
>Head to the library proper. The designated wvacuation point is a rule. As a general principle, Xin Lan doesnt follow rules. Look for the greatest amount of people
Anonymous
>>6062827 >Head to where Tai Lung is being kept. The others will make their way to him, without a doubt. Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Mon 22 Jul 2024 16:20:47 No. 6064086 Report >>6063162 >>6063565 We got two excellent votes here. Which path will we take?
>>6063162 >YOU KNOW YOUR TYPE RENSHU! Who knew tigerbun was into good boys. Or whatever the reverse is for the bad boy archetype. Or maybe he just wants to be carried by the big guy the same way he carries Xin?
Anonymous
>>6064086 I let the dice decide.
But if the second wins, I would like it noted that the others would NOT go to tai Lung. We are aware that they are proactive in defence, not falling back to the injured but taking action against attackers.
Renshu on the other hand, probably would want to secure TL before anything else. Because he's a bonded psychopath.
Anonymous
Rolled 1 (1d2) >>6064279 Fucking dice.
Option 1 or 2.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Tue 23 Jul 2024 03:21:26 No. 6064496 Report Quoted By:
>>6064280 The dice has spoken. We will head to the library to look for our family. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Tue 23 Jul 2024 05:09:43 No. 6064568 Report Quoted By:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkQRy6egb2Q "There." You point to the large set of stairs that ran up the library. "That's the heart of the city. If people would be anywhere it would be there. We'll probably find the others there helping people evacuate." You don't wait for a response before you start running off in the libraries direction. All over the city you can hear screaming and shouting. The smell of fire and blood sting your nostrils as it mixes in with the smoke that billows from the flames. There was no time to take the long away around and avoid fighting. Anyone who got in your way would be removed or destroyed.
An axe swings out from an alley aimed right at your head but you slip under and slide by. You dig your claws into your assailant's leg tearing his footing out from under him and you continue onwards. There's a crunching sound soon after as Aleskander runs behind you and stomps on both the man's knees before kicking him back deep into the alley.
"Someone! Someone help!"
A woman runs right into you as she is being chased by another invader. You pivot, spinning her behind you, and you shove her out of the way as drive your palm into the man's face. Teeth are scattered everywhere as you destroy his jaw but you tighten your grip and hurl him head first through a window. "Get out of here! Now!" You shout and motion for her to get away.
"Oh thank you! Thank the Gods!" She shouts as she scrambles to her feet to run towards the nearest guard. The guard turns presumably to ask you to evacuate as well but you and the bear are long gone. Another pair of Mongolians attempt to you and you quickly drive both your fists in to each one's stomach. They double over instinctively as the wind is knocked out of them leaving them wide open for Aleskander to lift the two of them up and throw each through the roof of the nearest house. You mean up with another group who try to stop you but you're too hellbent on getting to the others to care. One, 3, not even an entire army would stop you from your goal and these would break like all the others. You duck under a wild swing and use their overextension to stomp on their knee. It gives a sickening pop as the leg suddenly bends at a wrong angle. As your opponent falls you hurl them into the other before drop kicking the two into a merchant stall. You draw your blade so quick that it appears to have never left it's sheathe and the roof collapses upon them as you cut it's support beams.
The two of you continue to fight your way into the center of the city and read one of the major market streets. Several guards are cleaning up a group of Mongolians and with a final cut the last of them falls down dead. "Renshu! Thank the Gods your alive!" One of the guards calls out and runs to you. "Sir, the city is gone! We have to evacuate." They say. "There's too many of them and refuse to fall unless we kill them outright. We need to head to HQ. At the very least we can buy people enough to time to escape."
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Tue 23 Jul 2024 05:10:44 No. 6064571 Report "Is that your plan Dorje?! Just give up?! There's still people in the far western side of the city and we are still getting people coming in from the Library itself. We can't just give the city up! We have to stand our ground!" Another guard argues. Dorje turns to face them. "The explosions have splinter us far too much! We won't ever be able to regroup fast enough to win back the city. We need to save who we can and hope that the Exarch and the Mayor have a plan to retake the city! If we move now we can at least save some people to even bring back here. Spreading ourselves thinner is just going to damn us all." "Not all of us! Even if we can save just a few extra people then it'd be all worth it. I won't face my ancestors knowing I abandoned people!" "Our ancestors will understand if we chose to save who we could than risk everyone!" The two's argument grows louder and louder. It was clear that they were starting to snap under the strain of the chaos. "They both cannot have their way and splitting them off will only result in them both dying. It's their strength in numbers that is keeping them alive." Aleskander says. "Unless they cease their argument, their shouting will start to draw more attention to our location.">What do you do? >Continue on your way. The others are your top priority. If they don't make it...you're not sure what you'll do. >Go with the guards to the station. You'll hold it as long as you can. Eventually, the others will have to go there to leave. >Take the guards with you to the western side of the city. If there's people to be saved then the others will surely be there. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6064571 Again I am conflicted.
Tai Lung would take the western quadrent without thought. But Renshu cares for his family to the exclusion of all else.
>Move on >Tell them to move towards the HQ. Once we gather our family to help us we will start to get people out. [Aware that this may be a lie.] I'm deliberately not acting as TL.
Luo on mobile !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Luo on mobile !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Tue 23 Jul 2024 17:38:02 No. 6064870 Report >>6064689 Also worth considering is how much of TL has rubbed off on tigerbun?
Anonymous
>>6064571 >Take the guards with you to the western side of the city. If there's people to be saved then the others will surely be there. Not because he inherently wants to, but because he wants to be able to look TL in the eye after this.
Anonymous
>>6064870 I fold with a wet blanket.
>>6065314 >Support this. Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Wed 24 Jul 2024 20:26:19 No. 6065911 Report Quoted By:
>>6065314 >>6065413 Even if it's done without wanting to sometimes that's all it takes to take the first steps towards changing. Maybe this will help push tigerbun to be better?
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Wed 24 Jul 2024 20:57:36 No. 6065957 Report Quoted By:
"Tch!" You huff and clench your fists. Something always had to get in the way of what you wanted. The others could be at the library waiting on you. You could all simply leave now but you knew that it wouldn't be that simple. The others would want to stick around and try to save more people. That's the whole reason why you were going to the library in the first place, to bank on that fact and find them. For all your bluster would you really be able to face them knowing that you'd turned your back on everything they had expected of you? It just wasn't fair. It was so much easier to be selfish and take what you wanted. Then you remember their smiles. They way they'd look at you with pride and happiness when you played nice with others when you helped them save people. You couldn't bare the though of taking that away from them. Of them being ashamed of you. Just imagining that brought about a certain pain you have never felt before. One you couldn't really describe. You breathe in deeply and roll your neck and shoulders. "Enough!" You bark. "All of you get in formation. We head westward! Stick close and form a perimeter around whoever we find. The enemy may have some kind of advantage but we know this city better than they do. We can't afford a direct confrontation so we'll slip through the alleys. It'll serve as a choke point and help thin out anyone who attacks. We have no time for heroics so it's in then out as fast as we can. We get one sweep so make it the best damn rescue you can muster. Gods give us strength." The guards stand at attention out of habit and ready their weapons. "We'll make your ancestors proud but they'll need to wait a bit longer if they wish to see their descendants. No one else is dying today. Not if we can help it." You draw your blade and point it towards your new destination. "Now go! I'll cover your from the rooftops and scout ahead!" "But what about...him?" One of the soldier's asks as the group finally seems to notice the polar bear. "He's with us. He may have been our enemy but even he didn't condone this madness." You say. "Aleskander take the rear. Cover them and keep the enemy from flanking." The large bear gives you a curious look. "You are trusting me?" He asks. "...he would." You say quietly before turning your back. "We don't have time to argue. Are you going back on your word or will you help us?" The man nods. "No one else dies today." He repeats.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Wed 24 Jul 2024 20:58:37 No. 6065960 Report --- You leap from rooftop to rooftop as your eyes scour the streets looking for anyone left alive. You hope, pray, that you might find the others here as well. Maybe you were wrong. Maybe they instead decided to find stragglers than help the bulk of the civilians. Your attention is drawn by the sounds of screaming. A father and his child are trapped in their home as flames tried to claw their way in and consume the building. The roof groans and threatens to collapse upon them as you can hear a beam crackle and snap into pieces bringing the weight down upon the rest of the weakened structure.>What do you do? >Break into the home and carry the two out. >Get Aleskander to try and break the nearest wall down to control the collapse of the house in a safe direction. >Get to the guard's location and have them rescue the family while you look for others. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6065960 >Break into the home and carry the two out. Guards would take too long and the roof falling in is dangerious regardless.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Sun 28 Jul 2024 02:16:41 No. 6068333 Report Quoted By:
>>6066061 Got a bit on my plate today so tomorrow. We'll be breaking in to rescue the family. Ren might be a hero just yet.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Mon 29 Jul 2024 03:31:52 No. 6069088 Report Thinking quickly, you throw your weight against the door to break it down. Already weakened from age and the fire, it easily breaks down under your attack. You follow the shouts for help to navigate through the smoke leaping over burning furniture and avoiding the fire as much as you could. Your ears lead you into the back of the home to a kitchen where you find the father and his son collapsed in a corner of the room. You rush over to the family who were struggling to breathe in the thick smoke. "You have to get up! This whole place is going to collapse!" You shout over the roar of fire. As if on queue a beam cracks and falls behind you blocking your path. "We're trapped!" The father shouts flinching from the newly erupting flames and you can hear the house groan as the stress of the roof's weight was beginning to take it's toll on the remaining beams. Soon it would cause a domino effect where the structure of the building would start to topple bringing everything else down along with it. You search around, your eyes and nose burning from the heat and smoke, for something that could aid you. "I'm going to get you out!" You say as you pull a thick tablecloth off the fallen table and pull it over all three of you. You lift the man and his child in your arms before rushing forward and hurling yourself through the nearby window. The glass shatters and you feel it tug and tear at the tablecloth. A few shards manage to fully get through and slice into your back but mercifully you don't think any manage to embed themselves nor cut deep. Once all three of you stop rolling you tear the table cloth off and let the family breathe just in time to see the roof cave in. "You need to stand up. The guard is nearby and it's not safe here." You say pulling the Father to his feet. "Take your son and go down that alley. You'll find them there and they'll keep you safe. Now go!" Running on what you assume is pure adrenaline, the father grabs his son and runs towards the alley. You leap onto another rooftop and follow them for a bit to make sure they arrive safely before leaping off into an alleyway to continue your search. >What do you do? >Do what you do best. Patrol around the guard squad and hunt down any threat that might approach them. The guards can handle the search and rescue. You probably won't find as many people but those you do find and send to the squad will be safer. >Head deeper into this side of the city. You'll lose contact with the guards until you regroup but you might be able to find more people this way. >Use your height advantage to scout out and direct the guards. Staying close together would provide safety in numbers for you and the civilians but it will be slower. >Write in.
Anonymous
>>6069088 Damned spirit dampening.
>Head deeper into the city. Most bodies saved, best option for us
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 01 Aug 2024 01:20:01 No. 6070824 Report Quoted By:
>>6069724 We're heading off on our own. Writing.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 01 Aug 2024 04:21:54 No. 6070914 Report Quoted By:
"I'm going on ahead to look for others! Search the area and see if there's anyone left! Don't break formation!" You shout down at the group of guardsmen. Alone you could travel faster and cover a wider area. The guard could keep the rear secure to serve as a fallback point. You dash into the deepest parts of the western section ears perked for sounds of trouble. Everything is too frantic to tell how long you spend out there. It could have been a half hour, an hour, or it could have been just a few minutes. One time you're cutting through barrels to put out some flames, another you leap behind a group of invaders to strike them down before they could get to some fleeing citizens. You can start to feel the wear upon your frame as you wounds seem to open more and you acquire new ones. Lifting a fallen beam and turning to hurl it at an attacker so hard that their ribcage broke didn't help matters either. However, you could not simply stop and rest as it always felt like whenever you finished helping someone there was almost always another group of people that needed help close by. It just seemed like fate had chosen this side of the city to fill with the most people. Exhaustion and a growing sense of despair from not seeing sight of your loved ones causes you to be sloppy and when an invader leaps from the shadows to attack you as you were trying to remove some rubble off an injured woman your finely honed instincts kick in before you can reign them in. It was only a split second but the man who attacks you stands still for a moment a look with a wild look in his eyes before his head slides cleanly off the shoulders. You stand stock still, like a child who was caught doing something wrong, before you mind catches up to what had occurred and three more men approach you. Anger begins to rise within you once more and you grip your blade properly. You were done. These men had chosen their path and you knew no amount of talking would convince them otherwise. Now was not the time to hold back anymore. Maybe you couldn't do this. Maybe you weren't meant to be a good person. You tried, you really did. But the blood in your fur and soaking your sleeves proved that you couldn't change and the body on the ground simply proved it.
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2
Storyteller Luo !!e08cz8ZGDS2 ID:lcq038OM Thu 01 Aug 2024 04:22:55 No. 6070916 Report You were a murderer, a killer, and you only wish Tai Lung had simply left you to your punishment in the afterlife rather than take that deal. If killing was the only thing you were worth for then you hope that you using it to save these people would be enough to argue for Tai Lung's release from that infernal deal. Taking lives to save so, so many more. >What do you do? >Move in to engage. Let go of your inhibitions and cut down everyone who gets in the way of your mission. >Put your sword away. You're injured and tired but if you die here at least you want Tai Lung to think you died trying to follow his example as much of a lie that was. >Simply stand there and try to hold on until the guards came by. No one would pass you and harm those behind you. Not as long as you live and breathe. >Write in.
Anonymous
Quoted By:
>>6070916 >Move in to engage. Let go of your inhibitions and cut down everyone who gets in the way of your mission. Anonymous
>>6070916 >Simply stand there and try to hold on until the guards came by. No one would pass you and harm those behind you. Not as long as you live and breathe. Callback to Renshu's preferred fighting style. It...should help us get our breath back, at least. Invite them to their own destruction, I say.
Anonymous
Quoted By:
>>6070969 >Support. >Tai Lung would give them a speech, Compel them to see reason. I am not Tai lung. "You have but one choice! FLEE OR BREAK!" it is for the benefit of those behind us, rather than those ahead.