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You’ve just finished your week long recovery from the injuries you sustained in battle. It’s been a few days since you solved the strange dream problem that was plaguing you and Lisa, but since then your nights have gone back to normal.

More recently, the troops sent to help you against the blockade have arrived, although as you had already driven it away, they were mostly here as a security measure should the fleet return again. There were a few more people on the streets than before, but the town is still rather quiet compared to its normal clamor.

Now that you’ve gotten a clean bill of health from the doctor, you consider what you want to do next.

>Try and find someone in the army to talk with about the war effort
>Go see Lisa and ask if she wants to do something (specify)
>Prepare for another journey to continue your aura training
>Other(specify)

>>37401634
>Try and find someone in the army to talk with about the war effort

>>37401634
>Try and find someone in the army to talk with about the war effort
just talk, and maybe spar a little

>>37401634
>>Try and find someone in the army to talk with about the war effort

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After spending the last week in bed, you figure it'd be a good idea to get some news on how the war was progressing. Luckily, your father has been working with them on the defense effort, meaning you had a way to get straight to the top.

It only takes a little convincing of your father for him to let you meet the leader of the troops stationed here, Commander Bradford Hale. You don't know much about him personally though.

After a few short hours, you find yourself knocking on the door to his office. They had commandeered one of the many abandoned houses around town to use as a temporary command headquarters. While not a very impressive base of operations, it fulfilled its purpose well enough.

"Enter," you hear a voice say from beyond the door. Swinging it open, you see a man in military attire seated behind a desk overflowing with stacks of papers. He seems to be rather young for a commander, though his tired visage makes him look more aged than he is.

His face seems to brighten a bit as he notices you, and he stands up from his chair.

"You must be Millener's boy," he begins, reaching out to shake your hand "Ceil, was it?"

"Yes," you reply, returning the gesture, "Commander Hale, I presume?"

"Indeed," he replies, sitting back down, gesturing to a chair for your own use, "Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, I do wonder why you're here. I was considering sending for you myself, to speak with the man who single-handedly sabotaged an entire fleet, slew a ship full of trained soldiers, and killed a sea serpent all in one night."

"I was wanting to ask you about how the war was progressing," you say, "I haven't had much in the way of news as of late."

(cont)

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"Well, I won't bore you with the details, but things are going rather well," he starts, "Fighting in the east has been brought to almost a complete standstill. After stopping their advance past the mountains, they've been unable to press on any further. None of our fortresses in the area have reported much enemy activity, and they seem to be on the defensive. However, we haven't pressed forward due to the forces being needed elsewhere. Fighting in the west has gotten much more intense, and several towns have been overrun or taken. While most of the land siezed has been near the coast, the troops over there are pushing heavily inland, most likely towards the capital. That's part of the reason we're here, to prevent their navy from capturing this port and using it to stage a pincer attack on Lumiose."

"Do you think we can win?" you ask.

"Bringing a stop to their advance from the west will be key," he continues, "But I believe that their advance will soon run out of energy with how hard they're pressing. As long as we're cautious, they don't have anything that we can't handle."

>Ask the Commander something else (specify)
>Offer your services to help out on the eastern front
>Offer to help out on the western front
>Thank him for his time, do something else in town (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>37402200
>Offer your services to help out on the eastern front
If we can free up troops it'd be more helpful.

>>37402200
>Thank him for his time, do something else in town (specify)
>visit Lisa
We can wait for conscription

>>37402200
>Thank him for his time, do something else in town (specify)
visit lisa and see if she's up for another journey

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You thank him for his time, and decide to go visit Lisa instead. While you'd seen her a lot earlier in the week, the last couple days she had spent mostly with her family.

Once you arrive at her place, you open the door to find her arranging some of the inventory of the store. Once she sees you, she sets down the objects she's carrying and comes over to you.

"Hey Ceil!," she smiles, "Good to see you up and about again."

"Yeah," you reply, "It's nice to be able to stretch my legs again, plus I'm sleeping better now that those weird dreams stopped."

"Definitly," she nods, "I'm not sure if I could have taken another night of that. Still, it was nice spending more time with you. I was worried I'd be too busy with the shop, but we still haven't had a lot of customers even with the blockade gone. My dad did strike a deal to supply the army with arrows though, so at least we don't have to worry about going out of business, but there's still not a lot around here that needs to get done."

"I can understand that," you reply, "The town still feels really quiet."

"Yeah," she replies, "Anyway, would you like some tea, or was there something else you wanted?"

>Have some tea and just spend some time chatting
>Ask Lisa if she'd want to go on a journey with you again
>Ask Lisa something else (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>37402587
>Have some tea and just spend some time chatting
Get her opinions on the war.

>>37402587
>>Have some tea and just spend some time chatting
then
>Ask Lisa if she'd want to go on a journey with you again

>>37402587
>Have some tea and just spend some time chatting
>Ask Lisa if she'd want to go on a journey with you again
whynotboth.jpg

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"Tea would be good," you reply, and the two of you head into the kitchen. Lisa gets to work making it, and soon enough the two of you are seated with cups in hand.

"So what are your thoughts on the war?" you ask, curious about Lisa's thoughts on the subject.

"Well, it still doesn't feel very real to me," she replies, "I mean, I've seen the soldiers. I even fought in some of the battles. It's just that it still doesn't feel like it's really going on, or that it's somewhere else. I don't know why Vallough would do this now. The whole thing just feels a bit off somehow."

"You've got a point," you nod, "It's all very sudden. I can't even tell what they're trying to accomplish with it, but I suppose that's just how war goes sometimes."

"I guess," she sighs, sipping on her tea.

"There was also something else I wanted to ask you," you begin, "I was thinking about going on a journey again, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."

"I'd love to Ceil," she says grinning, "It'd certainly be better than sitting around here waiting for business to come back. Any thoughts on where we want to go though?"

>There was somewhere you had in mind (specify)
>Ask Lisa if she had any suggestions
>You could go visit someone you've met before (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>37403037
>>There was somewhere you had in mind (specify)
I'd like to visit the ghost sisters, and show them our ghost sword. Maybe get some tips on handling it.

>>37403037
>Ask Lisa if she had any suggestions
maybe her father knows of some rare goods we could go fetch

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"Well, the only thing that comes to mind at the moment would be visiting those women in the forest who knew about ghosts," you say, "They might be able to tell me more about the sword I found."

"Well, I don't really like all of this stuff with ghosts," Lisa replies, "But they were nice enough people. It'd be good to see them again."

"Was there anywhere you had in mind?" you ask.

"Well, there are a few landmarks I've hear of that could be interesting, but I think most of them are near where the war is going on. I think there might be one more place I have in mind though. There's a tall mountain range a bit east of the capital where very strong monsters supposedly roost. It might make for a good hunting trip, though I also hear it's rather dangerous. The view from the peak is spectacular from what I've heard, though only a few people have managed to get all the way to the top."

"Well, the forest we met those three in was also to the east of the capital, so we might be able to do both," you say.

"Yeah," Lisa nods, "That works out nicely."

>Suggest another place to stop by (specify)
>Start planning out your route
>Go out and get supplies for the journey ahead (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>37403744
>Start planning out your route

>>37403744
>Start planning out your route

>>37403744
>Start planning out your route

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"Alright, let's start planning out our route then," you say.

Once the two of you scrounge up a map, Lisa points out the points out the mountain range she was talking about, which seems to be right near the forest where you met those women. It's only a few days away from the capital, though you had two main options of how to get there.

The first was the most straightforward option, heading through the desert to the capital and then to the forest. While it was the fastest, the desert wasn't exactly pleasant, and there was always the risk that the invading army would reach the capital and besiege it before you could pass through.

The second option was to take a much longer path around through the forests and swamps north of the capital. While there was less risk of running into any soldiers, the trip would take much longer to complete.

>Go the direct route
>Go the long route
>Other (specify)

>>37404007
>Go the direct route

>>37404007
>Go the long route

>>37404007
>>Go the long route
Let's have an ADVENTURE!

>>37404007
>Go the long route

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Rolled 18 (1d20)

You resolve to take the long way around, since you weren't really pressed for time. Before that though, you'd need to get all of your traveling supplies together. As such, you say farewell to Lisa for now, and the two of you go to prepare, agreeing to meet up to leave in the morning.

The first thing you do is go see your parents and inform them of your decision. After a bit of reassurance that you weren't planning anything untoward, you father gives you some extra money for your trip.

>Current funds: 1185p

You pick up a few Oran berries in the market as well, since they helped out a lot in the past.

>5 Oran berries

After all that is done, you look over your team and your gear making sure everything is in place for tomorrow morning. Once you're confident that everything is ready, you get into bed and drift off to sleep.

------------------

Come morning, you're refreshed and ready to depart. After a light breakfast, you rush out to meet Lisa by the east gate. You spot her waiting once you arrive.

"Good morning Ceil!" she calls out, waving you over to her, "Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yeah," you reply, "I got all my stuff together last night. I hope you weren't waiting to long."

"Not at all," she says, "Anyway, are you ready to go?"

"Yep," you nod, "Let's hit the road."

The two of you take the road leading east out of town, which slowly turns into a path, and then into a trail as you go deeper into the forest. Lisa's keeping a brisk pace, and seems to know these woods fairly well, most likely due to the many hunting trips she makes out here with her father. From what you remember of her stories, there weren't too many dangerous monsters in these woods, but there were a few times when something really big showed up.

>Talk with Lisa about something as you walk (specify)
>Check up on one of your monsters (specify)
>Just enjoy the scenery
>Other (specify)

>>37404466
>Check up on one of your monsters (Riolu

>>37404466
>Check up on one of your monsters (specify)
froakie(?)

>>37404466
>>Talk with Lisa about something as you walk (specify)
So Lisa. Feel free to sleep in my tent if you need to.

>>37404466
>Check up on one of your monsters (specify)
Riolu

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You consider asking Lisa if she needed to share your tent, since you're not sure if she brought one, but you figure that could wait until later, and instead decide to check up on Riolu.

He's decided to walk alongside you rather than in your pouch, most likely because he hasn't had a lot of opportunity to exercise in the past week. He's not very suited to waiting around.

Riolu seems to be in a good mood regardless, and a quick glance with your aura vision reveals his to be healthy and strong. As far as you know, he hadn't come up with any new aura abilities, though his more physical skills did improve while he was training with the others during the past week.

As you consider what would help Riolu improve further, you sense movement in the treeline up ahead. Lisa is already on it, moving back behind you while taking out her bow. You place your hand on your sword as well, though you're surprised when out of the bushes comes three men. They're dressed in rather normal clothing, though it seems to be a bit scratched up. You see that one of the men has a crossbow at his side while another has a normal bow slung over his shoulders. The third doesn't seem to have any weapons, though he does have a rather large dog at his side.

"Hey there," the unarmed man calls out, "Are you fellow hunters? We could use some help. We were trying to take out a Sawsbuck, biggest, greenest antlers I ever saw, but then a huge bear came out of nowhere and attacked us. I think it's still in the clearing just up ahead, but it might be dangerous if we left it there to hurt someone else."

That did sound serious, you wonder how you should best proceed.

>Take the lead alongside your monsters, and have Lisa and the two archers back you up
>Try and sneak around and flank it on both sides
>Lisa is tugging on the back of your shirt, see if she has something to add
>Other (specify)

>>37405003
>Lisa is tugging on the back of your shirt, see if she has something to add

>>37405003
>Lisa is tugging on the back of your shirt, see if she has something to add

>>37405003
>Lisa is tugging on the back of your shirt, see if she has something to add

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You turn to Lisa, who pulls you aside before speaking.

"They're not hunters," she whispers, "I don't know who they are, but they're lying."

"What?"

"First off, Sawsbuck don't have green antlers during the spring," she continues, "Second, they're not nearly injured enough to have been attacked by a bear. There's no way that happened."

Well, that was very interesting. You turn back towards the three men.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" the center one calls again, "Come on!"

How to respond...

>Call them out on their lie, ask what they're really up to
>Go along with them for now, see what's up
>Attack and subdue them, question them afterwards
>Other (specify)

In any case, roll 1d20.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>37405241
>Call them out on their lie, ask what they're really up to
this reeks of an ambush, yep

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>37405241
>Go along with them for now, see what's up
Get close knock em out. There bow are their beigest advantage.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>37405241
>>Call them out on their lie, ask what they're really up to
Sneaky Highwaymen

>>37405241
>Call them out on their lie, ask what they're really up to

>>37405334
>>37405334
Nice roll! All shall be revealed.

>>37405426
yup
their aura can't lie or something

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"You guys aren't really hunters are you," you say, closing your eyes and focusing with aura vision.

"What are you talking about?" he protests, "Of course we are!" his aura wavers and ripples as he speaks, pulsing with hint of blackness. While you haven't examined a liar before, this guy isn't good at it at all.

"That's a lie," you reply, drawing your sword, "Now what are you really up to?"

"Feh, be that way," he sneers, as the two men beside him aim their weapons, "You want the truth, we're going to take everything you've got, and that's that."

As you analyze the situation, you spot a flicker of movement behind the bandits. From the trees above them drop Riolu and 'Froakie', who seem to have managed to sneak up on them while you diverted their attention. 'Froakie' crashes into the hound with a Water Pulse, knocking it clean out. Riolu snaps the bow of the taller man before kicking the crossbow out of the hands of the third. Once done, they swiftly retreat back to you.

The three men take out knives, backing slowly up into the forest away from your group.

>Go in for the kill
>Take them out and question them further
>Intimidate them into running away
>Other (specify)

>>37405614
>Take them out and question them further
Bagon, Froakie, Riolu, Take em down non lethal.

>>37405614
>Take them out and question them further

>>37405614
>Take them out and question them further

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You rush in with your monsters at your side, intent on taking these guys out. You watch an arrow fly past your face and pin the tall one to a tree, going through the large billowing sleeve on his knife arm.

As he attempts to break free, you're already on the other two. Bagon crashes into the one, knocking him backwards into a tree with a solid thwack. 'Froakie' unleashes a cloud of bubbles towards the one remaining, and as he's distracted, Riolu sweeps at his legs and knocks him down.

Meanwhile, you close in and place your sword against the tallest man who has know freed his sleeve from the arrow, but faced with your sword he isn't going anywhere.

Now, what did you want to ask them...
>Who they're working for
>If there are any more of them
>Where they're based out of
>Something else (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>37405614
>>Take them out and question them further

>>37405785
>Who they're working for
>If there are any more of them
>Where they're based out of
>How many people have your hurt?
>How many have you killed?

>>37405785
>>Who they're working for
>>If there are any more of them
>>Where they're based out of

>>37405785
>If there are any more of them
>Where they're based out of
>Who they're working for

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"Who are you working for?" you ask first. The man slowly points to the one who was talking earlier, who is currently being pinned by Riolu. You suppose that means it's an independent operation then.


"Are there any more of you?"

"Just two, they're waiting up ahead to help ambush you," he replies.

"Where are you based out of?"

"We've got a small camp to the north of here, in a cave."

"How many people have your hurt?" you demand, "How many have you killed?"

"I don't know exactly," he says nervously, "We've been here for about two weeks robbing anyone who came past because of the blockade. I don't think it was more than a dozen people."

You're not sure if he means that they hurt a dozen people or they killed a dozen people, but either one is too many. You think about what your next move should be.

>Tie them up and take out the other two bandits ahead, while leaving someone behind to watch them (specify who)
>Take them back to town an tell the guards about the other two bandits
>Have them lead you to their camp, wait and ambush the other two members
>Finish them off. It's the sentence they'd get anyway.
>Other (specify)

>>37406085
>Take them back to town an tell the guards about the other two bandits

>>37406085
>Take them back to town an tell the guards about the other two bandits

>>37406085
>Tie them up and take out the other two bandits ahead, while leaving someone behind to watch them (specify who)
Bagon?

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You decide to rope them up and take them back to town, leading them by a rope while Lisa watches them with a knocked arrow. Riolu and 'Froakie' keep lookout in the trees above, just to make sure the other bandits don't ambush you.

Luckily, you were only about an hour away, which means you make it back in the early afternoon without much difficulty. After explaining the situation and throwing your name around a bit, the guards happily arrest the three highwaymen.

"Well, that wasn't exactly the best start to our journey," you say to Lisa.

"Yeah," she replies, "At least they won't be attacking anyone anymore."

There was still plenty of time left in the day to make up the progress you lost, although you could also stay the night in town and leave tomorrow morning instead.

>Start traveling again
>Wait until tomorrow
>Other (specify)

>>37406415
>Wait until tomorrow
we can wait we did a good deed.

>>37406415
>Wait until tomorrow
There is no reason not to take our time with this trip, and we might learn more about the people of the world as we do so.
Also, this is my last post of the night, got to go to bed.

>>37406415
>>Wait until tomorrow
Oh no! Lisa! I am injured from that fight! You better come stay at my house for the night.

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You opt to wait until tomorrow before leaving, since you won't be able to make as much progress with only half a day. You could afford to take your time.

Instead, you and Lisa spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out in town, visiting shops and even having a nice dinner out.

Eventually, afternoon turns into evening, and evening turns into night, and the two of you go your separate ways to sleep. Your parents are a bit surprised at your sudden return, though understanding once you explain the situation.

You decide to go to sleep early and get plenty of rest for tomorrow, when your journey will begin in earnest.

----------------------------------

And that's it for tonight's thread. Thanks for playing! As usual, I'll be around for a bit longer for questions or comments.

>>37406560
thanks for running

>>37406560
thanks for running.