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After the sack of your home village where, you, Alena, were the sole survivor, you decided to stop pursuing your goal of becoming a teacher, and enrolled in a defense academy instead. After graduating from the Defense Academy of Myndras, you accepted a position in a mercenary guild known as the Blue Dawn. You were assigned to a village far away from your past.

After asking a young dockworker for directions to your guild’s building, you make your way through the village. From what you can see, it’s rather standard, replete with inns, workshops, and hovels. Nothing out of the ordinary. One thing that does catch your attention is the high number of guards on the walls and throughout the city commons. Before you can settle on a reason why, you arrive at the guild.

The warmth you feel after walking inside is a welcome sensation to your travel-weary body. The layout is similar to a large tavern, even including the bar. Behind the bar a raven-haired girl around your age diligently polishes some glasses. At one of the tables you see a blonde man and woman cheerfully laughing, too engrossed in their conversation to notice you enter. Off to the side, a black-haired man enjoys a drink, and offers you a quick smile as you glance at him, before returning to his drink.

>Settle at the bar
>Approach and ask to sit next to the man and woman
>Approach and ask to sit next to the man
>Sit by yourself

>>35728661
New quest eh? Whatever, I'll play for a bit.
>sit next to the man and woman

>>35728661
>>Approach and ask to sit next to the man and woman

>>35728636
Introduces over the top dark world.
>>35728661
MC is generic anime girl.
>Not sure if want…

>>35728661
>Approach and ask to sit next to the man and woman

The joyful conversation that the man and woman are having makes you nostalgic for some reason and before you know it you are approaching their table. You are about to open your mouth to say something to get their attention, but before you can utter a single “excuse me,” the pair turn around at your approach.

The blonde woman immediately smiles and excitedly, almost in a yell, exclaims, “Oh! You must be the new recruit we’ve been expecting!”
The pair stand, the man casually smiles and extends his hand. “I’m Glen, I’m looking forward to working with you.” You return his pleasantries and turn to do the same with his counterpart.

As you turn, you are wrapped up in a lung-crushing hug. “It’s so nice to have another girl on the team! My name is Sarah, I’ve been stuck with nothing but guys to work with for the last year.” Her glance shifts between the blonde and black-haired man menacingly. “Anyway, what’s your name?” Her glance returns to you. You try to wrest free from her grasp, but fail. Your utter a strained “Can’t… breathe.” “Oh I’m so sorry.” Taking a few agonizing seconds before letting go. After catching your breath, you laugh and say to the both of them “I’m Alena, I’m looking forward to working with you too.”

The three of you settle into the seats. Almost immediately, Sarah turns to you and asks “So Alena, where are you from and what brings you here?” The question sends a pang through your chest.

>Be honest with the pair.
>Don’t ruin the cheery mood, make up a lie.

>>35729031
>Be honest with the pair.
No point lying.

>>35729031
>>Be honest with the pair.
>>Don’t ruin the cheery mood, tell them you'll tell them another time.
>Divert topic by asking about what you are going to do here.

>>35729027
It's just a picture to get an idea of how she looks into our head I think. I kinda like the setting, but that's mainly because a lot of other quests have been set in a rose colored world. But I get where you're coming from.
>>35729031
>Be honest with the pair

>>35729084
I dislike neither the setting nor the character. I have on occasion enjoyed both cheery anime stuff and grimdark stories. I just don't think they fit together. Even ignoring the anime-style, upbeat weak-looking girls in a harsh setting rub me the wrong way.

>>35729066
>tell them you'll tell them another time
Hope this wasn't too subtle. If the others still want to ruin the mood, sorry for pointing at my own post.

>>35729031
You put a strained smile on your face and look down at your feet. “I’m from Lyris…” you quietly murmur. Sarah gasps and Glen shoots her an angry stare.

“I’m s-s-sorry for asking,” Sarah stutters, “I-I didn’t know.” You look up at Sarah as she looks like she’s on the verge of tears. “Don’t be sorry!” You hastily try to mend the situation. “Like you said, there was no way you could have known.” You continue, “Listen, I’m not angry with you or anything. I’m just really tired and don’t feel like talking about that right now. That’s all.”

You smile as you reach over to Sarah’s hand to console her. The conversation goes quiet for a few seconds.

You finally manage to find some words to say. “I’m here to become stronger.” Glen and Sarah look at you puzzled. Glen laughs, “You look plenty strong, for someone of your stature…” He lets out the last part more quietly than the first. “Are you making fun of my height?” You say in mock outrage. “I’ll have you know I graduated with honors in combat, and I’m not above a demonstration,” you smile menacingly.

“Ohoho, don’t hurt me Miss Honors,” Glen teases. Your table is laughing again, especially Sarah, and you are grateful for the change in subject. Glen continues “So Miss Honors, what was your weapon specialization?”

>Ranged Weapons
>Short Swords
>Polearms
>Write in

>>35729357
>short swords
Nothing like a short girl with a short sword.

>>35729357
Anything other than Polearms. I'd prefer Ranged Weapons but Shorts Sword would be acceptable.

>>35729357
>Write in
Wrestling.

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>>35729357
Pick-axe.

>>35729587
Uh… me likes. Voting for this. Still think Ranged Weapons might be cool, though. Could these be combined?
Long-range arbalest, short-range steel-knuckles.

>>35729357
>Ranged Weapons
Bit late but.

>>35729357
Shortswords

>>35729357
“Short swords.” You grin and continue “As well as hand-to-hand weapon disarming and grounding combat.”

“A woman after my own heart.” Glen taps his short sword through the sheath. “Although, since we hardly deal with human raiders and since this village is on decent terms with the surrounding tribes of lizardmen, you won’t find much use for that weapon wrestling you do. At least for now.”

“I see.” You say letting your disappointment show.

Sarah whines “It’s too bad that you didn’t specialize in polearms, that way we could have practiced together”
“I was terrible at polearms.” You explain.

The black haired man finishes his drink and walks up to the table. “I’ve got a scouting mission to do, so see ya Glen, Sarah, recruit.”
You stand and notice the man’s many weapons, a crossbow, throwing knives, and some short throwing spears. “My name is Alena,” you affirm.
“We’ll see if we should bother learning your name.” The man says as he turns to leave, “By the way, the name’s Jin. See ya around recruit.”

“Is that guy always an ass?” You ask, fuming slightly.

“Just to recruits, he was the same way with the both of us when we first started. Don’t take it personally.” Glen explains.

“Anyway, you should report in to the captain.” Sarah says while looking at a pocket watch. Glen and I have a short assignment to do. So we won’t be back until bedtime.”
Glen and Sarah get up, Sarah explains “Go upstairs and to the end of the hall. That’s where the captain’s office is.”

“We’ve got to get going. So, good-bye and good luck.” Glen says while standing in the doorway.


“Good luck?” You wonder.
You reach the entrance to the captain’s office. Before you knock you hear what sounds like a quiet and angry argument between a man and almost certainly a lizardman.

>Knock and ask permission to enter

>Go back downstairs and talk to the girl at the bar.

>>35729357
>Short Swords

>>35730115
>knock and ask permission to enter
Fuck lizard men. Always up to no good.

>>35730115
>Knock and ask permission to enter

>>35730115
>Go back downstairs and talk to the girl at the bar.
Eh, no need to intrude.

>>35730115
“You promised more for those two I brought you.” You hear the man argue.

“And you will get it” the lizardman declares, with hissing punctuating the beginning and end of his sentence.

You knock. “Excuse me Captain, I’m the new recruit Alena.”

“I’ve been expecting you. One moment” The captain shouts through the door. He then says in a hushed tone. “Next time, outside the village”

“As you wish.” The lizardman hisses with slight malice.
The door opens, a seven foot tall dark green lizardman in armor hunches to leave the room. You stand to the side.

“Watch which grounds you tread, human.” The lizardman whispers as he walks down the hall to leave.
You enter the office.

A large, imposing brown haired man stands opposite the desk. A set of light metal armor is on a stand next to him. He gives you a kind smile.
“Please, sit.” The captain points to the chair. “Don’t worry. I always make sure their clean before they enter this building he laughs heartily.
You take a seat.
[1/2]

>>35730835
“So, Alena was it? Hmm, I have your records here. Short swords with some hand-to-hand specialization, good, good. We’ve been slightly undermanned in this chapter so it’s great to see a new face. You’ll have your first assignment tomorrow. I’ll brief you in the morning.”

“Understood. Glad to be here, captain.” You reply.

“Well that’s settled isn’t it?” The captain stands. He points down the hall. “Your room will be the first on the left when enter the second floor.

“First on the left, understood, captain.” affirming the directions.

You stand. He extends his hand and you return the gesture.

“Oh and by the way, Alena. Don’t mention the lizardman to the others. It’s just some personal business, you understand? The captain smiles.

“Understood.” You say stiffly.

“Good. Drop your bag off in your room, go downstairs to Valerie at the bar, and ask for some dinner. Dismissed.”
The captain sits back down.

You enter your new room. It’s small with just a desk, bed, some wall racks, and an empty armor stand.
“Welcome home.” You say to yourself as you drop off your bag.


You settle at the bar. Valerie introduces herself in a meek and gentle voice and offers some chicken stew which you gratefully accept.

“I know it must be overwhelming. I remember when I first came here. I got lost two times before finding the building.” Valerie explains
“But please, if there’s anything I can help you with or if there any questions you have. Please feel free to ask.” Valerie says kindly

“Actually…”

>How many soldiers are stationed at this chapter?

>Tell me more about yourself.

>(Quietly) Do you know about that lizardman the captain was talking to?

>Write in.

>>35730869
>How many soldiers are stationed at this chapter?
>Tell me more about yourself.
The last one is snooping.

>>35730869
>Tell me more about yourself.

>>35730869
>Tell me more about yourself.
>(Quietly) Do you know about that lizardman the captain was talking to?

>>35730869
Having just got here you wonder if you met everyone that there is to meet. You inquire. “How many soldiers are stationed here?”

“Including yourself, there are seven. You, my brother Jin, Glen, Sarah, Eric, Bart, and the captain.” She continues, “Eric and Bart are on an escort assignment and won’t be back home for at least two days.

You cringe slightly, “Oh, so Jin is your brother. I’m sorry I called him an ass.”

Sensing your guilt, quickly replies “You don’t have to be if he acting like one. He’s been that way with recruits for a few years now, ever since my injury.”

Careful not to seem too imposing, “Your injury? Are you okay with telling me a little about yourself?” You ask.

“It doesn’t bother me at all. Just don’t ask me in front of Jin please.” She continues, “Two years ago, I was in training to become a recruit here, just like yourself. With me, there was another recruit in training, Henry, his name was.”

A forlorn look crosses Valerie’s face for just a moment. “He was really good friends with Jin and me. He was ranged specialist, just like Jin. Those two could’ve been called best friends, easily.

You gulp as you sense the story was going to change in mood.
[1/2]

>>35731651
“Henry and I were a scouting mission with the city guard when a heavy miasma rolled in. We were completely separated from the group.”
She pauses.
“We were ambushed by undine. We were completely ill-equipped to deal with them. All Henry and I could do was fire our crossbows at where we thought they were.
We were out in the miasma for too long, and we were disoriented.”

She pauses once again, with her finger tracing a circle on the counter.

“Henry panicked and fired at me. It hit my ankle, right to the bone.” The guards found us a pushed back the undine. That ended my soldier career, and Henry left out of guilt.”

“Oh my, sorry for ranting on about my past.” She apologizes.

“No, not at all.” You quietly say as you wonder how she could so easily talk about something so traumatic
.
“All people are the way they are for a reason.” Valerie smiles as she walks back into the kitchen.

You're slightly jealous of Valerie's nonchalant mood about the whole experience. You can’t help but think how you would have fared in that situation. You remember your miasma resistance test back at the academy.

Roll 1d100, best result

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>35731796
did i kill us in miasma testing?

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>35731691

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>35731691
Sounds important. You know, with name drop and all.

>>35731870
Awwww yeah. Breathe deep of that miasma.

>>35731870
thank you dice gods for sending us this blessing. we shall never feel the miasma.

>>35731691
You remember it quite well.

When the instructors placed you into testing, you were quite nervous. As they started filling the chamber with miasma you felt your heart pumping like it was trying to escape from your chest.

The previous trainee had only lasted five minutes before he started begging to be released. He puked as soon as the chamber door opened.
On the other hand after a few minutes of being inside the chamber you felt slightly invigorated. After twenty minutes, you were still quite calm. Your instructor opened the chamber door, and told you to get out since they “didn’t have all day.” You were reluctant to leave.

“I could have saved her.” You think confidently.

You get up from the bar, leaving your empty bowl there. It’s not quite time to sleep, but you are exhausted, so you head back to your room.

You remove your gear off your body, and begin to unpack your personal items from your bag. A few changes of clothes, some cloths for cleaning yourself, a few books, and your father’s journal which you have yet to read.

You lie back on your freshly made bed, you hold your father’s journal over your face for a few minutes. Heavy eyes, keep you from staring at it any longer. Placing the journal off to your side you begin to doze off.

“I should’ve asked where the bath was.” Was the last thought before you drifted off to sleep.

Ever since you were young, you’ve been prone to nightmares. This particular night you have one of a great fear of yours.

>Drowning

>Being completely alone

>Being helpless while under attack

>Write in

Roll 1d10 for the intensity of the nightmare, highest of 3.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>35732428
>Drowning
It's a bummer.

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>35732428
>Drowning
I had one the other day, spooky.

>>35732480
Wow this is going to suck.

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>35732428
>Being completely alone

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>35732428
>drowning

>>35732428
A common fear in this world of swamps and marshes is the fear of drowning. You have an unpleasant memories of slipping into a marsh when you were quite young. Try as you might you couldn’t get your footing, you struggled and struggled, but to no avail. That was the first time in your life that you had experienced something so terrifying. Your father thankfully pulled you to safety after only a few seconds and you were no worse for the wear, physically.

You would be glad to live that memory as a dream instead.

The nightmare begins with you clutching the dock from your home village. Mysterious shadowy figures pry your desperate grasp and fling you into the water. Immediately you feel a shocking cold penetrate throughout your whole body.

You feel as though you weigh a ton, and you are too weak to resurface. If feels as if someone placed a boulder on your chest, the tight compressing feeling causing you to panic more and more.

You cry out “DAD! MOM!,” but to no help.

You are completely alone.

The water is pinning down all of your body, and there isn’t anything you can do to save yourself. The same scene plays over and over for seemingly hours on end, you try to scream but no sound comes out, no air comes out. Finally it is not a mysterious shadowy figure that pulls you out but your father, his face torn and bloody as you found that fateful night.

You scream, and you scream some more.

You are in a dark room, unfamiliar room and the only other thing there is in the world to you, are your screams. A pounding on your door jolts you back to reality.

[1/2]

>>35733286

“ALENA! What’s wrong?” you hear a female voice yell at you.

All the memories of the previous day come rushing back to you. You recognize the voice to be Sarah’s. You’re hyperventilating and you’re cold.

“Alena, open the door!” Sarah yells again.

You finally calm down a bit.

“I-I’m fine. Just a nightmare.” You gasp, out of breath.

“Nightmare? Alena are you sure you’re alright?” concern not leaving Sarah’s voice.

You reassure her, “Yes, please go back to bed. I’m alright now. It was just a nightmare.”

“Alright… I’m just across the hall Alena. If you need anything just let me know, okay?

“I will.” With your last remark you hear her quietly murmuring to others in the hall, and then the sounds of doors closing.

You sigh deeply, you did not go back to sleep.
Hesitantly you leave your room in the morning. You go downstairs to smell you haven’t smelled in weeks, cooked breakfast.

So far only Glen was downstairs, sitting at the bar counter.

“Good Morning, Miss Honors.” He smiles while eating some eggs.

“Good morning…” You reply awkwardly

You have no idea how many people heard you last night, you kind of want to gauge how embarrassed you should feel, but then again you also feel like completely forgetting it ever happened. You,

>Ask if he heard last night’s scene, and how bad it was.

>Continue saying nothing about it

>Write in

>>35733313
>Talk about last night's scene.
No way in shit he didn't hear it unless he wasn't there.

>>35733313
>Continue saying nothing about it
Denial!

>>35733463
>>35733438
Shit. someone else vote so QM can move on.

>>35733313
>Ask if he heard last night’s scene, and how bad it was.

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>>35733313
“So about last night...” You trail off

With a mouthful of eggs, Glen lets out a “Hmmm?” not concealing the interest in his voice.

“I’m guessing you heard me.” You mutter.

“I think the whole village may have heard you, my ears are still ringing.” He grins covering them. “Quite the nightmare. If I may ask, what was it about?

“Drowning” you let out quietly

“Ahh, I’ve had one or two of those before. Yours must have been something else. Well, don’t worry. I don’t any less of you, I know that Sarah and Valerie probably don’t either. Jin and the captain on the other hand.” Glen consoles you with a pat on the shoulder.

“I don’t care so much about Jin. I hope the captain doesn’t think I’m less capable” You sigh.

“We’ll see.” Glen yells to Valerie to get you a plate and returns to his meal.

Part of you doesn’t want to eat out of shame, but that is vastly overpowered by the part of you that wants to eat food that isn’t dried and moldy biscuits.

You finish eating the bulk of your eggs and sausage just as the captain walks through the front entrance.

“Morning Glen. Morning Alena.” The captain nods to the both of you. Glen returns the favor. You tense up and blush intensely.

“Did you sleep well Alena? The captain asks you casually.

Glen stops his spoon mid-air.

You look at the captain’s face and you don’t see even the slightest trace of sarcasm or ill-intent. Either this man is the deepest sleeper on the planet or he wasn’t in his quarters last night.

“Quite well captain, thank you for asking” you reply

“Great to hear.” He booms. “Well you two, finish your breakfast on get your gear on. I have your assignments." He smiles widely.

I’m going to end the quest here for today. Thank you very much for all those who participated. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
I'm going to continue off tomorrow, around the same time. Here's a twitter if you feel like following the quest times.

https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

Once again, thank you guys.

>>35734088
Thanks for running. It seems pretty interesting, I'll keep reading and see where it goes at least.

>>35734088
Thanks a bunch for running. I'm looking forward to see how our choices affect our missions.

>>35734088
see you tomorrow op