>>1233323
>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
>What did you promise John Brown?

>>1233323
>>>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
>>What did you promise John Brown?

>>1233323
>>I'll take it from here, John. Go home.

>>1233323
>... I hope you're proud of yourself, John.
"He made Mary, that little girl back in the safehouse, happy for once. And now you pull this shit."
>What did you promise John Brown?

>>1233356
>>1233431
>>1233493
"... I hope you're proud of yourself, John. He made Mary happy for once, and now you pull this shit."

"What the hell was I supposed to do, sit there and eat shit from this brat? I didn't want to fight him, but the other option was to let him kick me in the balls until I pass out. At least I ended the fight quickly."

"Yeah, sure. What did you promise John Brown?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Don't lie to me, John! You went and talked to Brown even though I warned you not to, and then you win this fight? That stinks. What'd he do to you to make you win?"

"Nothing! You ever considered that he might have just wanted to talk? Yeah, he tried to give me an offer, but I told him I wasn't interested. All he did was tell me how the whole stare-down contest worked! I can knock out someone with the body of a little kid without help from the fucking Don!"

>Stop bullshitting me, what'd he do!?

>You don't want to tell the truth? Fine. Get out.

>Tell me the truth. Don't make me hurt you.

>... Fine, I believe you. Just... find someone who can watch your back for you. You should probably leave, I don't want to risk a lynch mob finding you here.

>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

>Write-In

>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.
I still think he's lying, but I prefer to use a reconciliary tone.

>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

And have you made up your mind about what court you are pledging to? because after that you'll need to be in one that's for sure

>>1233569
>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

>>1233569
>>... Okay. I'm still pretty sure this is a set-up, but I don't think you cut a deal with John. Stay here for tonight.

>>1233760
Works for me.

(Sorry for the delay, was out for dinner)
>>1233617
>>1233760
>>1233821
>>1233902
>>1234180
"Okay, I'm pretty sure this was a set-up, but I believe you. How about you stay here for tonight? I'll vouch for you."

"That's probably a good idea. I bet a lot of people want to give me a revenge beating right now. Shit, the bar put the odds of me winning at a hundred to one! They were mostly taking bets on HOW the kid was gonna kick my ass."
John pauses for a second, then chuckles. "Shit, I just made some BANK. Put $50 on myself winning."

"Let's hope you live long enough to spend it. You decided on what Court you're going to join? Because trust me, you'll need to join up with one after this."

"I was hoping to join up with the Summer Court, but now... I don't know if they'll take me. Listen, do you mind coming with me down to Finn's tomorrow? I need to pick up that dough, and I don't feel safe walking into there alone."

>Sure, John.

>Give me a slice of that bread and I will.

>Get it yourself.

>Write-In

>>1234322
>Sure, John.
And you might be able to join with the Summer Court if you go to Big Bill. He doesn't have teh best relationship with Sammy.

Side note: Did John kill Sammy? I liked Sammy.

>>1234322
>Sure, John.

>>1234339
Sam's lying unconscious in the bed by you. He's breathing, and it looks like he's not bleeding from the head. Looks like he just got knocked out.

>>1234339
This, explain that big bill is not a fan of the kid either.

Let's see if there is anyone in house that can check on sam

>>1234322
>>Sure, John.

>>1234339
>>1234348
>>1234377
>>1234436
"Sure, John, I'll come with you. And Big Bill will probably vouch for you and, since he's the king, I don't think anyone will countermand him."

"Thanks, man. That helps put my mind at ease a bi-"

You hear feet tromping up the stairs, and Conrad appears in the doorframe.

"Jerry? Jerr- Oh, JERRY, what the fuck! Why'd you drag that kid here?"

"It was the only place I could think of, you have a better idea?"

"How about ANYWHERE ELSE? Do you realize how bad this looks? You and your buddy vanish with Sam right after braining him? Makes you look like loyalist plants!"

"He's only unconscious!"

"Well, thank God for small blessings. Now: give Sammy to me and get your pal out of here. I don't want whatever happens next blowing back on me."

>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.

>Take the kid, but John stays. You don't like it, you can kick me out.

>Write-In

>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.
Go straight to Big Bill.

>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.

>>1234484
>Fine. Sorry, John, you'll have to go.
Looks like we need a second fallback.

>>1234511
>>1234605
>>1234676
"Fine." You look over at John. "Sorry, man, the boss doesn't want you here. Head straight for Big Bill."

"Yeah, fine. Whatever."

Conrad looks at him, and, for the briefest of instants, something like pity flashes across his pitch-black eyes. "Look, leave around the back. Sam's little fan club's downstairs, and you aren't too popular with them right now. Just follow this hallway to the end and dog-leg around."

John walks out without another word. Conrad ducks downstairs for a few minutes, then returns with Sam's bunch of changelings behind him. You see Mary bringing up the rear.

>Talk to Mary

>Leave her alone

>Write-In

>>1234765
>Talk to Mary

>>1234765
>>Talk to Mary

>>1234765
>Talk to Mary

>>1234822
>>1234878
"Hey, Mary. Are you okay?"

Mary turns around and looks at you. "Yeah. Is Sam okay? People were saying John killed him. But John wouldn't do that, right?"

"Sam's fine. Just got knocked out."

Mary nods and starts toying with a strand of hair sticking out from beneath her hat.
"Good... I like Sam. But he's kind of a jerk. Like, he tried to show off a lot to me, but he also tried to shove a frog down my coat. And I don't really know if I want to hang out with him a lot, 'cuz he talks all the time about boy stuff like fighting, and I don't know if I wanna do that all the time. So I like him, but I don't? And he tried to make me part of his motley, and he said that I'd be kicked out if I grew up, and I want to grow up, so what should I do, da- I mean Jerry?"

>Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special.

>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully.

>I think that's something you have to figure out yourself, Mary.

>Did you almost call me 'dad'?

>Write-In

>>1235028
>Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special. For things like this, relationships, you generally have to figure it out yourself. Wait, did you almost call me dad?

>>1235028
>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully

>>1235028
>I think you should find someone else. Sam won't ever grow up, as far as I can tell, and you will, hopefully.
>Did you almost call me 'dad'?

>>1235028
>>1235038
Actually, change my vote to this

>>1235038
>>1235166
"Mary, boys can be complicated. I think Sam likes you too, but he's... special. For things like this, relationships, you generally have to figure it out yours- wait. Did you almost call me dad?"

"I dunno. I mean... I don't know where my real dad is, and you're nice, and... you know."

Mary's eyes drop down to your feet and starts scuffing the floor with one boot, her hands placed awkwardly behind the rest of her body. "And, you know, I don't wanna stay with Sam anymore, because I think he'll just make me part of his club. And I don't want to do that. And I wanna go to school."

(Choose one for each topic)

Fatherhood:
>Mary... I can't be your dad. I have no idea how to raise a kid.

>... Well, I suppose I AM the closest thing you have right now.

>Mary, I'll help take care of you, but I'm not your dad. I'll try and find your real dad when I have time, okay?

>Write-In


A place to stay:

>Listen, you can stay here, but that'll require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you willing to do that?

>Stay with Sam for now. You'll be safe there.

>I don't think you should stay with Sam, but... I can't think of a good place for you to stay otherwise.

>Write-In


School:

>It'll be hard to get you into a school... but I'll try to help.

>It's too dangerous for you to go to a school. The Others might try and take you back, or you might be found out.

>Write-In

>>1235283
>... Well, I suppose I AM the closest thing you have right now.
>Listen, you can stay here, but that'll require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you willing to do that?
>It'll be hard to get you into a school... but I'll try to help.

>>1235448

These, defintely

>>1235448
>>1235457
You sigh heavily.
"Well, I guess I am the closest thing you have to a father right now. I'll try and spend time with you when I can. And I promise I'll try to get you into school when I can, but I don't know how easy that will be. Listen, you can stay here, but that will require you to join the Autumn Court. Are you okay with that?"

Mary nods. "I don't wanna be part of Summer, and you're Autumn, so I'll be Autumn too."

"Hey! Mary!"
The crowd parts, and Sam comes walking out, a bit unsteady on his feet.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, that old guy totally cheated! What a jerk, right? I'm gonna tell Big Bill how he cheated, and then he'll get the stuff sorted out and everything's gonna be fine."

He walks on by her and starts heading for the stairs, then turns around.
"What're you waiting for? Come on!"

"Um... I'll see you later."

Sam breaks into a nervous grin. "What're you talking about? Come on!" He walks back and starts pulling on her hand.
"Come ON! Let's go, this place is boring!"

>She doesn't want to go with you, Sam.

>Mary's joining the Autumn Court, Sam. She's going to be busy this coming month.

>(Say nothing)

>Write-In

>>1235571
>(Say nothing)
Well, we did tell her to figure it out herself, might as well start now. She's going to need to know how to act on her own in this world.

>>1235571
>Mary's joining the Autumn Court, Sam. She's going to be busy this coming month.

We did just accept the responsibility of acting as her father, we should really say something here

>>1235571
>(Say nothing)

>>1235676
>>1235779
What if we just gave her a look and shook our head?

>>1235571
>>She doesn't want to go with you, Sam.

>>1235676
>>1235815
"... I don't want to go with you right now, Sam. I'm... busy. With... girl stuff."

Sam blushes. "Oh. Girl stuff. Okay. So, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Um... yeah... maybe."

Sam shoots her a thumbs-up and runs off down the stairs.

Mary gives you a look. "I should probably go to bed. G'night, dad."

She give you a quick hug, which you awkwardly return. You aren't sure how to handle all of this, but you feel certain you'll find a way... somehow.


CHAPTER 3

You wake up to the sound of water pouring off of the branches above you, splattering the grass you slept on with spray. You stretch and dig your pocket journal and a pencil you found in the trash out of the depths of your dirt-stained jacket. You turn to the back of the journal and scratch off another day. That makes 33. Over a month since you came back from Arcadia. You've put that month to good use: living as a vagrant comes naturally to you, and the other homeless of Portland already recognize you as one of their own. Mary and Terry have been busy working off their initiation in Conrad's shop: they 'graduate' to freedom (and get kicked out of the Peculiarium) today. You've been trying to find free time to help them, but your obligations to the Horned King have been pretty time-consuming. You HAVE had the chance to grill Pale Conrad, and have written down most of what he talked about in your notebook.

>You are: in Forest Park, Portland


The rain's coming down pretty hard: you move deeper under the tree and start reviewing your notes.

>Look under: Autumn Motleys

>Look under: Work

>Look under: Court Territories

>Look under: Autumn Nobility

>Page through your notes for (write-in)

File: e8e2a8898f57a02513dd44dd8(...).jpg (264 KB, 1024x683)

264 KB JPG

>>1235899
Fug, forgot image.

>>1235899
>Look under: Court Territories
Followed by
>Look under: Work

File: everything.gif (70 KB, 500x200)

70 KB GIF

>>1235899

>>1235905

Seconding this

>>1235905
>>1235923
SPRING: LOOKS LIKE THESE GUYS TROLL A LOT OF THE ART GALLERIES AND COMMUNES AROUND HERE. THE STEADY INFLUX OF HIPPIES GIVES THEM A PRETTY GOOD DIET OF DESIRES FOR THEM TO FEED ON. CONRAD'S BEEN GOING ON ABOUT HOW SOME MEMBERS OF THE SPRING COURT ENGINEER FREE-LOVE COMMUNES AS CHEAP GLAMOUR SUPPLIES, BUT I THINK HE'S FULL OF IT ON THAT POINT. MOST OF DOWNTOWN'S THEIR TERRITORY: AT LEAST, THE HIGH-HAT STREETS ARE. THEY HOLD COURT IN THE BACK OF A MOVIE THEATER AT THE BEHEST OF THE PREVIOUS QUEEN OF SPRING (SOME KIND OF PLEDGE SWORN BY THE CURRENT QUEEN TO THE PREVIOUS). THEY'RE THE BIG WHEELS HERE.

SUMMER: THESE GUYS ARE PLUGGED INTO SECTIONS OF THE OREGON COMMUNES: THE RADICAL ONES, MOSTLY. THEY ALSO HANG OUT IN THE RIVER DOCKS AND WITH THE UNIONS. RIVERSIDE AREAS ARE THEIR TYPICAL PROWLS. THEY'RE BIG ON SECURING THE HEDGE AROUND HERE, SO THEY ALSO DO SWEEPS OVER THE BRIDGES AND THE PARKS NEAR THE RIVERS. THEY HOLD COURT IN A HEDGE-FORTRESS BUILT DURING THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. THE WEAKEST OF THE COURTS IN PORTLAND, THEY'RE BASICALLY A GLORIFIED TOWN MILITIA.

AUTUMN: WE SEEM TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE: I GUESS FEAR REALLY IS A DIVERSE EMOTION. THE PITTOCK MANSION AND THE PECULIARIUM ARE BIG MEET-UP POINTS FOR US, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, MOTLEYS SEEM TO BE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES. NO ONE KNOWS WHERE THE HORNED KING OF AUTUMN HOLDS HIS THRONE, OR, INDEED, WHO HE IS. HE ONLY TALKS TO PEOPLE IN THEIR DREAMS OR THROUGH MESSENGER-RAVENS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HIS VIZIER, TOJO. CONRAD SAYS TOJO'S THE HORNED KING, AND THIS WHOLE THING IS AN ACT. I'M NOT SURE.

WINTER: THESE GUYS ARE PRETTY DEEP UNDERGROUND MOST OF THE TIME, BUT THEY HAVE ENVOYS WHO HANG OUT IN MOST OF THE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS IN PORTLAND. NO ONE KNOWS THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THEIR QUEEN, EITHER, BUT SHE MAKES PUBLIC APPEARENCES, AND HOLDS COURT IN LONE FIR CEMETERY.
WORK: THE PECULIARIUM HAS A 'HELP WANTED' BOARD, WHERE CHANGELINGS OF ANY COURT, OR EVEN THE COURTLESS, CAN POST MESSAGES. PAYMENT IS ASSURED BY PLEDGE AND CAN BE VIRTUALLY ANYTHING.

The rain's starting to let up: you feel like reading another note, and then getting up and going.

>Read "Autumn Motleys"

>Read "Autumn Nobility"

>Read "Portland's Hedge"

>Browse notes for info on (write-in)

>>1236103
I'd be ok with either
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
or
>Read "Autumn Nobility"
I'd like to figure out more about our Court.

>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"
Let's see who the movers and shakers are on the street level

>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"

>>1236103
>Read "Autumn Motleys"

>>1236117
>>1236176
>>1236178
IMPORTANT/INTERESTING MOTLEYS LINKED TO THE COURT:

THE PALLBEARERS: A MOTLEY OF GRAVEWRIGHTS (APPARENTLY, THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL LOST WHO LOOK LIKE ZOMBIES OR GHOSTS OR WHATEVER) DEDICATED TO UNCOVERING THE SECRETS OF THE DEAD AND USING THEM TO THEIR ADVANTAGE. APPARENTLY, GHOSTS ARE A THING, AND THESE ARE THE GUYS TO TALK TO ABOUT THEM.

THE CASCADIAN ALLIANCE: THESE GUYS LIVE AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION AND SEND REPORTS DOWN THROUGH RADIO. THEY GUARD HEDGE-GATES AND SUCH UP IN THE CASCADES.

THE CARTOGRAPHERS: THESE GUYS ARE A "COVEN", WHICH APPARENTLY IS SLANG FOR A MOTLEY THAT OBSESSES OVER WEIRD, OBSCURE KINDS OF MAGIC. THEY TRY AND TRACK THE APPEARANCES OF THE GENTRY, GOBLINS, HEDGE-GATES, ETC. IN THE MORTAL WORLD, AND USE THESE TO PREDICT THE FUTURE.

THE PORTLAND FORESTRY GROUP: THIS IS A MULTI-COURT MOTLEY THAT POOLS THEIR SKILLS TO MAP AND TAME THE HEDGE. PRETTY HARDCORE GUYS, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD.

THE WELL-POISONERS: THEY GO AROUND MAKING COMMUNITIES SUPER PARANOID AND REACTIONARY IN THE HOPES THIS 'POISONS THE WELL' FOR THE OTHERS. KIND OF ASSHOLES, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD.

THE PRINCIPAL TRIBUNE: TURNS OUT THAT LOST SOCIETY HAS A NEWSPAPER. ANOTHER MULTI-COURT MOTLEY.

SCARECROW MINISTRY: THESE GUYS ARE A 'NOBLE ORDER', ACCORDING TO CONRAD. THEY PERPETUATE URBAN LEGENDS AND TURN THEMSELVES INTO BOGEYMEN IN ORDER TO TERRORIZE PEOPLE AND KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE. THE HORNED KING LIKES THEM, SO THEY STAY. THEY ALL WEAR MASKS AND KEEP THEIR IDENTITIES AS SCARECROW MINISTERS SECRET, SO I GUESS THEY'RE A SECRET SOCIETY. THEY HAVE BAD BLOOD WITH THE FORESTRY GROUP: THEY THINK THE HEDGE IS BEST LEFT ALONE.

THE TOLL TROLLS: PRIMARILY-OGRE MOTLEY THAT PATROLS THE AREAS AROUND THE BRIDGES AS "REINFORCEMENTS" TO THE SUMMER COURT.


You close your notebook and stick it back in your jacket. You still have some squirrel-meat jerky on hand, and chomp it down hungrily. Sated, you rise to face the day.

It's 10 AM.

>Head to the Peculiarium

>Call on a Changeling you know (who?)

>Hit the homeless up for information.

>Head to the Spring Court.

>Head to Pittock Mansion

>Write-In

>>1236362
>Hit the homeless up for information.

>>1236362
>Hit the homeless up for information.

>>1236362
>Head to the Peculiarium
We should be there for Mary and Terry's 'graduation'.

>>1236362
>Head to the Peculiarium

>>1236362
Go to Peculiarium to ser Terry and Mary

>>1236443
>>1236521
>>1236669

The Peculiarium is refreshingly empty today: a Winter Court changeling discreetly browses a selection of colognes "guaranteed to make you irresistible to the opposite sex!" and an elf in the produce section appears to be examining the store's selection of Hedge-flowers. Terry is working the counter on his last day of work: currently, he's handling a bulk order being made by a belligerent satyr:

"Look, I don't care if you say you left it in your other pants, son, buying this many enchanted .38 bullets requires the express written dispensation of the Summer Court. Them's the rules. Otherwise we'd have people goin' all gangbusters on each other in the streets with bullets that make your eyeballs catch on fire or whatever."


>Listen on on the rest of Terry's purchase

>Look around for Mary

>Head to the job board

>Write-In

>>1236951
>>Look around for Mary


>an elf in the produce section appears to be examining the store's selection of Hedge-flowers
UHAuAHuhAU way to perpetuate steriotypes

>>1236951
>Head to the job board while keeping an ear out for Terry's situation
>>1236960
Hey man, flowers are pretty. I get them for myself when I can.

>>1236960
You don't get known as "the Fairest" by not being a superficial twat.

>>1236964
Plus, they ARE pretty flowers. Like ghost lilies (invisible in daylight), crystal roses, and thunderstorm lilacs (not for use indoors).

>>1236971

Yeah, those are neat indeed, we could get a look at them......for research purposes of course

>>1236951
>Head to the job board

>>1236951
>Head to the job board

>>1236951
>Look around for Mary

>>1236951
>>Head to the job board

>>1237228
>>1237258
>>1238170
The job board is pinned up in a small shack adjoined to the store proper by an enclosed walkway. Advertisements for bars, shops, and the locations of the current goblin markets in the region hang in between the personal requests of mortals posted on the board in accordance with century-old pacts, the pleas for help uttered near certain Hedge-Gates and trods echoing through the woods, written down by goblins, and pinned to the board. You take a look at the least-faded ones:

DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.

NIGHTMARES WON'T STOP! PLEASE, SOMEONE TAKE THEM AWAY!

STANDING BOUNTY ON HEDGE-BEASTS AND RECENT MAPS: REWARD

OFFERING 10 POUNDS OF COLD, SILVER, AND IRON TO WHOEVER CAN LIFT FAMILY CURSE

DO YOUR DUTY FOR THE FREEHOLD! VOLUNTEER FOR THE HEDGE PATROL TODAY!

I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME


>Choose one to follow up on

>Go back and talk to Terry

>Look around for Mary

>Write-In

>>1238483
>Look around for Mary

>>1238483
>DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.
we can do this later

>>1238483
>>Look around for Mary

>>1238483
>I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME
Also look into this but don't accept if it's too risky

>>1238604
I agree

After that we can look around for marry

>>1238483
>Look around for Mary

As far as the jobs are concerned I'd like to look into

>DOG MISSING: BROWN LAB, 3 YEARS OLD, ANSWERS TO 'SPOT'. REWARD OFFERED.
>NIGHTMARES WON'T STOP! PLEASE, SOMEONE TAKE THEM AWAY!
(Seems like a good way to stretch our contract skills)
>OFFERING 10 POUNDS OF COLD, SILVER, AND IRON TO WHOEVER CAN LIFT FAMILY CURSE
Again Autumn Court business
>I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE; SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP ME
Mystery Box always

>>1238604
This

>>1238599
>>1238649
You find Mary in the greenhouse where the Peculiarium grows its edible plants, where she's tending to a tree of bright red apple-like fruit. Her shyness has gotten a lot better: she's dressed in practical working clothes, with a long cloak and surgical mask her only tributes to her shyness. She looks up when she sees you come in.

"Hey dad! I wasn't sure you were going to turn up today. Thanks for remembering." She reaches out with her spider-like hands and delicately plucks a caterpillar from the tree. "I'm just busy tending to these chokeapples, they use them to make a drug that knocks you out cold. Terry says that Sunrise High should take me if we can get new documents for me, and I looked it up, they even have a counselor there who specializes in helping kids like me, who don't like being looked at and stuff. But it's expensive to get a new life, and Conrad helped me, but I still don't know a lot about faerie stuff. Do you think there's a special school for kids like me, like in comics?!"


>I think you should focus on being a kid for now.

>Maybe, who knows?

>Look, if you want to learn more about that stuff, I could use help for work. Terry and you could give me a hand.

>Write-In

>>1238833
>>I think you should focus on being a kid for now, but i'll be sure to ask for your help when we are doing something that might be fun.

Mess her hair a little bit

>>1238833
>I think you should focus on being a kid for now, but i'll be sure to ask for your help when we are doing something that might be fun.

Like this one, also

"I'll be sure to ask around about a special school, but Sunrise High might be a good fit right now."

>>1238833
>Look, if you want to learn more about that stuff, I could use help for work. Terry and you could give me a hand.
I really don't want to end up accidentally coddling her, she's already lacking life skills for someone her age, no need to make it worse

>>1238860
>>1238878
Yes, ALL THE HEADPATS

>>1238860
here
>>1238912

I agree with you, but at the same time I don't want her to not live her childhood and become a forever kid lioke sam

>>1239045
We need to keep her from getting seriously hurt emotionally and physically while still letting her fail and learn from her mistakes, from my personal experience if you aren't allowed to screw up and learn things for yourself you usually end up stunted. That being said we can probably let her have fun for now

>>1238860
>>1238878
>>1239036
"I think you should probably just focus on being a kid for now, Mary. I'll ask around about a special school, but I think Sunrise High should be a good fit for now."

You reach beneath her hood and tousle her hair. When you pull your hand away, faint iridescent oils cling to your fingers.
"Sure, dad. I'm gonna stay with Terry once I get out, okay?"

"That sounds like a good idea. Better than sleeping on the streets with me, anyways."

"Okay. Hey, dad? Conrad seems kind of bothered and annoyed recently. I mean, he's a jerk, but I mean more so than usual. Do you know what could be bothering him?"

"Hmmm... not really sure. Probably just woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

You leave Mary to her gardening.

>Head to the front of the store and talk to Terry

>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom

>Look up the details for one of the job postings (found here: >>1238483 )


>Write-In

>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom

>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad...

>>1239122
>Look around for Conrad: he's probably in the stockroom

>>1239133
>>1239165
>>1239191
You find Conrad in his office above the stockroom. Purple circles have formed around his pitch-black eyes, and his razor-thin lips are currently wrapped around a cigarette as he feverishly reviews a number of ledgers, one hand clacking away on a desk calculator. He looks up as you enter.

"What the shit do you want, Jerry? In case you can't tell, I'm a bit busy at the moment."

"Mary said you seemed a bit... tense."

"Yeah, well, you'd be too if you- you know what, it's none of your business. Go rouse some winos for leads on spillover from the Hedge or something, see if they know anything, in vino veritas, blah blah blah. It'd be nice to get some good news for once..."

>Alright, boss, I'm going.

>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.

>Write-In

>>1239231
>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.

>>1239231
>>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.

>>1239231
>Seriously, what's the matter? Cut the tough-guy act, if you're in hot water, so am I.

>>1239240
>>1239245
>>1239270
Roll Presence +2 (4 dice). No explosions, results must beat 2. Best of three.

Rolled 9, 5, 9, 8 = 31 (4d10)

>>1239289
Does beat two mean three or better, or do two successes count?

Rolled 6, 6, 5, 9 = 26 (4d10)

>>1239289

>>1239289
>>1239297
hah doesn't matter, thanks to [Kek's Embrace]

Rolled 4, 10, 1, 7 = 22 (4d10)

>>1239289

guys, i'm going to sleep, but if Conrad needs our help we can do it in exchange for Mary's school papers

>>1239297
"Look, cut the tough-guy act, Conrad. We're both equally screwed if you get in trouble."

Conrad looks up from the ledgers. "Alright, look, one of my major suppliers out in San Diego isn't trading with me anymore. Says the trade road between our Hedges isn't safe anymore: a bunch of bandits and privateers are trolling it for marks now. Those guys, they make most of the forged tools for the Peculiarium, including weapons. I've got a big order from Bill sitting in the back, and I can't FILL it because it's more than my entire stock! I've got to fill it by Solstice or else he'll go to the goblin market and by from them directly, and damn the risks! I've never had to make a customer do that! My reputation's at stake here, man!"

"Well, can't you just... find another supplier? There has to be more."

"Well, there are a few others, but money's... tight right now and I need to make sure we don't go over budget. Personal reasons."
Conrad takes a hard pull from his cigarette, coughs heavily a few times, and starts drumming his fingers on the desk.


>I could help if you did me a favor...

>Well, that sounds like it sucks. Good luck with that!

>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?

>Write-In

>>1239404
>I could help if you did me a favor...
Mary needs school

>>1239404
>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?

>>1239404
>I could help if you did me a favor...

Get Mary set up in school and a safe place to live (since she wants to live with Terry, this should cover both of their situations)

>>1239404
>Let me help you, Conrad. We both know nothing's free, but we also know that using me will be a lot less costly than any other options you've got.

>>1239404
>What're these 'personal reasons', Conrad?
Let's not go into this blind

>>1239418
>>1239421
>>1239440
"I COULD help you if you did me a favor..."

"And what would this favor be, exactly?"

"Mary needs to go to high school and somewhere safe to live. I want you to get both of them new identities."

"Fine. By the Solstice, you must secure me a new source of magic weapons and get a shipment here. Do it right, and I'll give both of your friends new lives. Screw this up, and I'll have you picking every last nickel in Portland out of their respective gutters. Understand?"

You can sense the throbbing power of a binding oath behind Conrad's words.

>Yes.

>Let's negotiate on those terms...

>>1239618
>Yes.
Make sure he's not hiding anything though

>>1239618
>Let's negotiate on those terms...

A new source? What if we reestablish connections with the old source?

>>1239768
Yeah, this might be easier, and the way this contract is worded it leaves this out as an option.

>>1239768
"What? Yeah, fine, if you can convince them, by whatever miracle, to make their deliveries again, it's whatever. Just get me the damn weapons. Look, are you in, or out?"

>I'm in

>I'm out

>I have another point to bring up (write-in)

>>1239876
>I'm in
Let's help our surrogate daughter and Terry out. Hell, if this is his last day here, we could recruit him to help us out with this.

>>1239876
>I'm in

>>1239972
>>1239978
You nod. "I'm in." You feel the brief PRESSURE around your right arm that seems to always accompany sealing a pledge.

Conrad tosses you a notesheet. "Great. Here's a list of suppliers. Most of them are in the Hedge, so you might want to hook up with a caravan or solicit the Cascadians or the PFG for help. Oh! And you might want this." He pulls a key off of his ring and tosses it to you. "Look in locker 17 and you should find some maps of the local Hedge. They're a couple months old, but they should help getting around the local forest."

"Thanks, Conrad. I'll see you with those shipments soon."

Conrad sighs, and lights another cigarette. "Here's hoping."


You take a look at the notes scrawled on the sheet:

-CATHERINE'S KNIGHTS: USUALLY CAN FIND ONE OF THEIR BOYS IN THE RAINBOW TAPROOM OUT THE BACK OF PATRICK'S OLD PLACE OR AT NIGHTCRAWLER'S UPTOWN.

-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.


-HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.

-REDWOOD BAZAAR: GOBLIN MARKET CLOSEST TO PORTLAND. SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A DEALER HERE, BUT... FUCKING GOBLIN MARKETS.

-CARNIVAL OF 10,000 DELIGHTS: HIGH RISK. FOLLOW THE TROD FROM OAKS AMUSEMENT IN. ALL THE WAY.

It's noon. You have around 2 1/2 weeks to deliver.

>Come up with a plan

>>1240080
Shameless self-bump

To clarify:

>Select a supplier to solicit.

>>1240080
Let's check out exactly what happened with the old supplier
Also, like I mentioned, let's recruit Terry. This is for his benefit, after all.

>>1240080
>-CATHERINE'S KNIGHTS: USUALLY CAN FIND ONE OF THEIR BOYS IN THE RAINBOW TAPROOM OUT THE BACK OF PATRICK'S OLD PLACE OR AT NIGHTCRAWLER'S UPTOWN.
This seems like the easiest one to check out.

>>1240080
Let's talk with Terry and then head to Caterine's.

The old supplier would be.good but if we have to mount a bandit searxh party it could drag too long, let's see what cat's can offer and evaluate if it'll betrer than securing the old trade route.

Is one of those hedge-exploring motleys from autum court? If yes we can ask Terry if he knows about anyone that can help us navigate

>>1240080
>-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.
>>1240626
>>1240749
You guys remember that Catherine's Knights is run by that bad dude, right? Do we really want to get involved with him when we just turned him down? I say let's try and reestablish the old supply line

>>1240080
>-YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.
>-HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.
>-REDWOOD BAZAAR: GOBLIN MARKET CLOSEST TO PORTLAND. SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A DEALER HERE, BUT... FUCKING GOBLIN MARKETS.

I actually like checking them out in this order.

>>1240080
>-REDWOOD BAZAAR

>>1241109

No I didnt remembered that, and that changes everything

keep the talk with Terry but lets tr to talk with the old suplier so we can learn hat we can do to reestablish that route

>>1240080
>HJARL SOOTBEARD: GOBLIN KING WHO LIVES IN THE CAVES NEAR THE PEAKS OF THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS.

I'd like to check out this guy first, he's an unknown quality and might be easiest

>YOLLOTL REFINING (OLD SUPPLIER): BASED IN SAN DIEGO, DO THE TOKEN-SPINNING WORK AS A SIDE JOB; MOSTLY DO MORTAL CONSTRUCTION. TAKE THE ROUTE OVER THE WEEPING MOUNTAINS INTO THE VALLEY OF FIRES, THERE SHOULD BE A HEDGE-GATE TO SAN DIEGO THERE.

Then these guys since we know what we need to be doing to reestablish the route

>>1241142

I would be down to check out all of those if you would mind switching the Yollotl and the Hjarl, we've only got a couple of weeks to pull this off and getting to Yollotl will be a fight if there are raiders along the Hedge Path

>>1241451
God knows what we'd have to do to get a Goblin King to do a favor for us. At least we'd be dealing with Changelings in San Diego.

>>1241493

I would agree with you there if it was just us approaching them, instead we're approaching them as a representative of an established dealer completing orders for full Courts, that should give us more leverage and the fact that they're a Goblin might end up assisting if we can figure out their major weakness and use that as a pin in the contract.

The reason that I want to see them first is that they're close and we don't know what they would be asking for at all. I'd like to know just what they would want out of a deal

>>1241513
However, it also requires us to go to (likely) a dangerous part of the hedge. And Jerry still doesn't know jack shit about the hedge

>>1241528

Hence why Conrad told us to get in touch with those two groups that do Hedge work

>>1241530
Don't get me wrong, that's my second choice. However, I'd rather go for the San Diego group first.

>>1241532

The concern I have for the San Diego group is that the path is already targeted by raiders and would require quite the trip, we've only got a couple of weeks to pull this off and I don't want to risk the deadline by being caught up in a fight there, not to mention the time bending properties of the Hedge which might work in our favor or screw us hard

>>1241532
An important point: traveling to San Diego will involve either:
-a long, uncomfortable ride in a Greyhound, or
-A trip through the Hedge.

>>1241591
What would the trip to the Goblin King involve?

>>1241594
Another trip through the Hedge. He lives (roughly: the Hedge is an inconstant thing) in a cavern beneath the Weeping Mountains (the Hedge's reflection of the Cascades), accessible from the high peaks. Crossing over the Weeping Mountains and passing through the great Valley of Fires (Hedge-Cali) and by the City of a Thousand Stories (Hedge-LA) gets you into the rough neighborhood of San Diego (and gets you there more quickly than a bus ride).

What do people think about stopping off at the Goblin King to have this conversation and see what they would want before going to San Diego?

>>1241617
Hey, if it's on the way, I'd be up for it.

So consensus seems to be go to San Diego, with a detour to visit Hjarl Sootbeard. Any objections to this?

>>1241612
How frequently do folks transport shit in a mundane fashion? Take longer, but less risk from the hedge. 32 hour round trip, four fuel stops. Could get some crisscrossed to take it in one go.

>>1241679
Moving things the old-fashioned way carries a lot of risks for most of the Lost, since many of them have only tenuous links to their old lives, if that. Plus... well, there are rumors of OTHER things moving around at night besides the Fae. Things that might be interested in intercepting magical weapon shipments moving through their turf. You don't know much more than rumors, though.

>>1241695
Long story short: most magical items being moved in bulk go through the Hedge. Very powerful magical artifacts or conventional shipments go through conventional routes (a powerful magical item will draw every single privateer in the local Hedge on you, and might even draw the attention of the Gentry).

>>1241695
OK, gotcha. Time for hedge shenanigans.

>>1241668
yeah let's go

>>1241668

Sounds like a plan to me

>>1241764
>>1241774
>>1241734

You swing by the front counter of the Peculiarium on the way back. Terry's finished with the satyr and is currently reading a copy of the Principal Tribune. You take a glance at the front page:

"New 'Neutron Explosive' developed by US- Kills People, Leaves Buildings Standing. Weapon Promises Beginning of New Era in 'Cold War'."

"Violent Shootout Outside of Chinatown as Tensions Between Summer and West Motleys Boils Over: Direction-Seaon Feud In SanFran Claims Five More Victims."

"Horror in Cabrini Green: Six Mortals, Three Changelings, Nine Goblins Dead At Hand of 'The Hook'. Death Toll Now At Almost One Hundred."

"Hey, Terry, what's shaking?."

Terry looks over the paper: "Oh, J-Man! Not much, not much. Been trying to find an apartment, but all these new rules an' shit, can't practically use a toilet without some kind of ID. Might have to jack my old car from that trash-headed bastard and start camping out in it. So, how's life been on the streets for you?"

"Same as it ever was. Listen, Conrad's given me a pretty big job, and I could use some muscle. There's gonna be a nice payout for you and Mary. You in?"

Terry folds up the paper and pops his name tag off. "Aw, you know I'm always in with you. So, where we headed?"

"Through the Hedge. We're trying to wrangle a new arms dealer for Conrad. Need to try and get hooked up with a caravan that's going to San Diego."

Terry's brow furrows. "I work the front desk a lot, so I hear shit. That way's DANGEROUS right around now, 'specially in the area around SanFran. Some kinda gang war going on, it was in the paper. The big caravan stop's located in the Old Town: we'll have to step over on Hawethorne Bridge."

>Let's do that: sure, caravans tend to be made up of goblins and Courtless of questionable quality, but they tend to have large numbers.

>Let's talk with the PFG: they'll probably get us through the Flood-Woods and Weeping Mountains as far as the (reference map) Titan's Garden, and they might have someone going into the Valley of Fire.

>Let's contact the Cascadian Alliance: they'll definitely get us into the Valley of Fire. Probably have to hike to one of their Watch-Stations on Earth or in the Hedge, though

>We can go it alone: we're hard customers, used to surviving in the wilds. Right?

>Write-in

>>1241911
Is the Hawethorne Bridge a trod? I think you should upload our IC knowledge from our notebook to the pastebin so we don't have to ask

>>1241940
Yes, and on it.

>>1241911
>Let's contact the Cascadian Alliance: they'll definitely get us into the Valley of Fire. Probably have to hike to one of their Watch-Stations on Earth or in the Hedge, though

They're the ones best likely to know the backwoods routes and will be able to get us all the way there, hoofing it through the woods won't be a problem for us or Terry

>>1241985
agreed

>>1241911
I'll support >>1241985

>>1241985
Well we are a woodwalker, so let's live up to it.

>>1241985
>>1241995
>>1242009
>>1242096
"Let's hit up the Cascadian Alliance: they know the lay of the land when it comes to the West Coast Hedge. From what I've heard, they'll take us a fair bit into the Valley of Fire before they turn around. We'll probably have to take a trek on Earth or through the Hedge to reach one of their watch-posts first, though."

"Well, I'm up for some hiking. You have any idea where a watch-post IS?"

"Of cou-" you pause, mouth still open. "Well, that is to say... I know they build them near prominent mountains..."

"So you don't know. Well, they probably have one near Saint Helens, but if I had to guess, that one's in the Hedge to avoid eruptions... hang on, shit, I had to sign off on a delivery to those guys last week! Lived up in this tiny-ass town called Rhododendron. We could get there if we used the trolley and bus lines, probably. Or if I borrow my old car..."

>Let's get to Mount Saint Helens. We can hitch our way there.

>Let's use the Hedge and orient towards whatever Saint Helens is in the Weeping Mountains.

>Let's use the bus and trolleys to head to Rhododendron: keep a low profile that way.

>Let's boost your old car and head to Rhododendron: we won't need it once we get there.

>Write-In

>>1242119
>Let's use the bus and trolleys to head to Rhododendron: keep a low profile that way.

>>1242122
This

Also, quick question, the plan is to first stop at the goblin king on the way,right?


Problem: where and with who will Mary stay while we are out? Should we bring her?

>>1242135

I am against bringing her honestly, could run into some bad business on the way and we need to be looking out for her, we should check in with Conrad, see if she can stay if she keeps working

>>1242141
That works

>>1242141
Yeah she definitely can't come with us

>>1242122
>>1242135
>>1242141
>>1242149
>>1242304
"Let's keep a low profile: let's take the trolleys and bus to Rhododendron. That way, we'll have a low profile."

"Yeah, I dig tha- wait, shit. What're we gonna do with Mary while we're gone?"

"Conrad will probably keep her on if she keeps working: I'll leave him a note."

"Yeah, yeah. That's probably fine. She'll get it."

"Get what?"

You turn with a snap to see Mary shuffling in through the door.

"Well... Terry and I need to go out of time for a few days, and you'll be staying with Conrad until then."

"But Mr. Conrad SUCKS. He's angry and smells like old cigarettes all the time. Can't I just come with you?"

"No. This is... a dangerous kind of trip. Too dangerous for a kid like you. I know Conrad's a jerk, but just... put up with him? For me? If we do this, it'll make sure you can go to school."

Mary sighs heavily. "Ugh, FINE. But I won't like it. And bring me back something cool."

"I'll try, pumpkin." You bend down a bit and give Mary a hug.

"Uh, Jerry? You wanna leave sometime soon? Otherwise, we'll be waiting out in the damp for the next trolley, and I don't wanna get my fur all musty. It sucks ba- a lot when I'm wet. Smell like old dog."

"Yeah, yeah, sure."


The trolleys are crowded with a mix of workers coming back from their lunch break, bums sheltering from the rain, and day-trippers killing time by riding in loops. A free spirit with a set of bongos is tapping out a free-form beat on his kit, occasionally asking someone nearby if they can spare a dollar. You and Terry settle into a couple of seats near the back. Terry passes you his copy of the Tribune to kill time. You flip open a page at random:

File: The apartment where the m(...).jpg (72 KB, 500x282)

72 KB JPG

>>1242328
"-Associated Lost Press, CHICAGO: Cabrini-Green, a neighborhood already known for violence and desperation, became host to tragedy a week ago as 18 people, including three Changelings, were found dead in an apartment. Ignitaria, a 47-year old ogre, first discovered the scene after smelling the deaths: 'Well, I was walking back to my apartment after doing some shopping, and I took a whiff in the stairwell, and I smelled this- well, it was blood, and FRESH. I started tracking it, because I wanted to make sure that, you know, this wasn't just some guy who cut himself shaving, and I end up outside this ratty apartment- everyone always said it was a drug den, but I couldn't smell anything else over the blood. So I takes a look in, and they were all hanging up from the ceiling, I almost fainted! Anyways, then I called a friend of mine in the Summer Court, and they came out and took a look.'

The victims were all found in various states of dismemberment, suspended upside-down on meathooks that were driven into the ceiling. A shattered mirror was found in a nearby bathroom. Local Summer Court officials have identified the most likely culprit as 'The Hook', a serial murderer that has been active across New England and the Midwest. Several Noble Orders have vowed to hunt down and bring 'The Hook' to justice in light of these latest murders. Anyone with knowledge of 'The Hook''s true identity, location, or frailties should contact their local Associated Lost Press office immediately."

>Discuss this story with Terry

>Keep reading the paper

>Talk to the bums on the trolley

>Take a nap (skip this part)

>Write-In

>>1242336
>>Discuss this story with Terry

>>1242336
>Keep reading the paper

>>1242336
>Discuss this story with Terry

"What're the regular papers saying about this? Anything?"

>Talk to the bums on the trolley

Every interaction helps

>>1242346
>>1242375
"Jesus, Terry, did you read this article about this Hook guy?"

"Yeah. I guess it was only a matter of time before some Lost turned into a psycho killer."

"This turn up on the news? In the, you know, normal papers?"

"Hell no, man. That shit went down in the projects. Papers don't care if some blacks get stabbed up down there. Probably just blame it on drugs."

"But... you know, 18!"

"Yeah, that WE know 'bout. The Courts probably cleaned the scene up a bit, left the six people. Don't want to risk one of the goblins's losing their Mask after death."

"That... happens?"

"Sometimes, from what I heard. Spontaneous combustion? That's just one of them fire-dudes dying of a heart attack. Their Mask burns out before they die, so they look like they catch on fire. Then, when they die, boom- just ashes. Tends to happen to those Elemental cats more, from what customers have been saying."

"Well, didn't know that. Thanks, Terry."

You leave the paper in your seat and go strike up a conversation with a couple of the bums nearby. Over the course of your trolley ride, you pump them for information:

"Hey, Jerry! Got any more- you know, got a dollar? Thanks. So, anything weird going on, huh? Why sure. Been a lot of strange goings-on outside that art gallery on 7th and Main; ye know, the one with the statues? Dunno how they're getting so many new ones, in and out, all the time, all o' them those weird pixie-goblin things. Don't know who'd want to buy them; give me the willies."

"Oh, hey man, thanks! What? Weird stuff? Yeah, man. I saw a man following himself! I was jamming out by the bank, and this stuffed suit comes on by, clean as you like, right? And he goes in the bank, and three minutes later, the SAME guy goes in too! Only, he was dressed real sloppy, and his hair was a mess, but it was the SAME FACE. Pretty trippy, right? But I swear, I was sober!"

"Damn gov'ment, spyin' on me wit' thurr rays... wazzat? Who sent ya?!! Yeah, like I b'leeve tha' oh, thank YOU, sur. Yeah, I seed summat. Lil' green men, flying 'bove th' Fargo buildin in a hot-air balloon. Erryone else, they say, 'no, Tim, tha's just a flock of pigeons, but I KNOW! I SEES 'EM! AN' I'LL TELL YOU SUMMAT ELSE: THEM DOCTORS DOWN HOSPI'TL WAY TRIED TO STEAL MY ORGANS! SELL 'EM TO WARLOCKS FOR THEIR EVIL GOV'MENT SPELLS! THE GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER IS AN EVVIL WITCH-GHOST SENDIN' ME MESSAGES THROUGH THE RAD-Hey, wait, comeback!"

>Pick up the paper and read another section

>Take a nap (skip this part)

>Write-In

>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section

>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section

>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section

Alright, definitely want to drop a line about the art gallery and it sounds like that guy was tracking down his fetch, which is another thing we'll want to drop a line about that could boil over into some dangerous shit

>>1242493
>Pick up the paper and read another section

>>1242540

If we can go back to that dude and ask for the bank he was at and make a note in our journal of both of those rumors

>>1242521
>>1242528
>>1242540
>>1242550

"OPINION- Roderick Ampeture:

Today, I want to talk about a sensitive subject: Bridge-Burners. They're such a touchy subject that many of us would rather pretend that those among us who attempt to destroy all trods and Hedge-Gates in a misguided attempt to prevent the Gentry from taking more innocent people simply don't exist. But now, with tensions of all kinds rising in the mortal world, I feel like we have no choice but to sanitize this wound with sunlight- no offense to our darkling readers. The Bridge-Burning manifesto is dangerously irresponsible, both in the short and the long term. In the short-term; well, many of us have heard of the Phoenix War down south, which decimated the Southwest's Lost population; a war which started when Bridge-Burners started drawing Gentry attention by destroying trods. And in the long-term: what of those of us still trapped in Arcadia, or wandering around the Hedge, trying to come home? Are we just supposed to write them off as 'acceptable losses' in this war the Bridge-Burners would have us all fight? I, for one, am not willing to condone such a cruel and heartless position."
"What do you think about this bridge-burner stuff, Terry?"

"I dunno. I mean, I GET why the idea of fucking those monsters over forever is appealing, but- how do we know it'll work? Maybe they'll just make more trods. Or hell, what if it fucks our world over, like... what if we NEED a connection to their world? But whatever, it's whatever to me."


You head back over to the drummer and ask for the bank address before getting off of the trolley and transferring to the bus.


In contrast to the trolley, the bus is mostly empty. You spy a couple of hikers talking at the back, taking up double the space with their backpacks. You also pick out a drifter snoozing near a window, guitar case resting in the overhead compartment. There's also a muscular fellow with the look of a logger about him: his beard is long, but well-groomed, as is his hair, but he has muscles like a prize bull and eyes that burn with vitality. You feel slightly intimidated just being in the same car as him.


>Sit with the hikers

>Sit with the drifter

>Sit with the stranger

>Sit by yourself

>>1242607
Done. Also created two "Jerry's Notebook" sections on the charsheet: scroll to the bottom to get links.

>>1242679
>>Sit with the stranger
Seems like a good man to know.

>>1242679
>Sit with the stranger

>>1242769
>>1242972
You and Terry take a seat near the stranger on the bus. The man barely reacts to your presence, preferring instead to simply stare out the window. You cough gently.

"So, where you headed to, stranger?"

The guy sniffs his nose.
"Mount Hood."

"Ah. My friend and I are getting off at Rhododendron, ourselves. We've got friends to visit there."

"Did I ask?"

"Well, no."

"Then why do you feel the sudden urge to tell me?"

"HEY! You lay off Jerry! What's your problem, anyways? Too good to talk to anyone else!?"

The guy takes another sniff, then blows his nose into a paper napkin he digs out of his pockets. "Not a big talker. Especially not with strangers."

"Well... whatever."

The next half-hour is spend in awkward silence, as the bus winds up the mountain roads. It eventually makes a pit-stop at a roadside gas station . Terry gets up. "Yo, Jerry. I'm takin' a leak and gettin' a snack. You want anything from the store?"

"Bag of peanuts, maybe. Nothing too processed, you know what that does to my stomach."

Terry shrugs and absent-mindedly picks a bit of fuzz out of his arm hair. "Fair 'nuff."

You watch Terry slip around to the bathroom set up on the side of the station. A minute later, you become aware of the stranger vaulting the row of seats in front of you and heading towards the bathrooms as well.

>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.

>Huh. Guess he needs to use the can. Could've ASKED me to move, but still.

>Write-In

>>1243007
>>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.
If not, take a piss.

>>1243007
>Something about this doesn't sit right; follow him.

Rolled 6, 10, 1, 7, 3, 4, 4 = 35 (7d10)

>>1243044
>>1243053

You get up and start tailing the stranger at a respectable distance. Roll Dexterity + Stealth (5 dice). Must beat roll above. 10's explode.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>1243062
And explosion.

Rolled 5, 10, 9, 5, 3 = 32 (5d10)

>>1243062

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1243070
explode

>>1243070
You slip in behind the stranger as he opens the bathroom door and cautiously slip into one of the stalls as the stranger turns into one of the urinals. Other than Terry, the two of you are the only ones in here. You silently step up onto the toilet seat. A moment later, you hear the flush of the toilet and the click of a lock as Terry finishes with his business. You then hear the stranger's voice, his tone low and growling:

"Your cover's pretty shit, Shartha."

"Pardon?"

"Oh, you've got the look down, and you've got the sound down, and you smell good enough to fool a human. But I can smell you, beneath that skin. The real you. Who sent you? Why are you following me? What are you? Smell too dirty to be Azlu, but not filthy enough for a Beshilu. I have read of Usudwirku and their smell: are you one of them?"

"Buddy, I don't know what the hell you're saying, but you'd better get off me QUICK, or we're gonna have a problem."

You smell a sudden rank, feral odor roll over the sides of the stall.
"DROP THE ACT, SHARTHA! SHA'AN KULZU NAMAKHRA INSHI!"

You hear a punch connect with a wall.

>Do nothing

>Come out and ambush the stranger

>Come out and ask 'What's going on?'

>Write-In

>>1243149
>Do nothing

>>1243149
>>Write-In
take a peek, be ready to ambush

>>1243149

What's going on?

Try to defuse the situation and see who this guy is, he had a good enough mask to fool even us

>>1243539
This.

>>1243480
I'm with this guy

>>1243149
>Come out and ask 'What's going on?'

Ahhhhh fuck it's a werewolf, fuck fuck fuck, we do not want to get in a fight here

>>1243539
>>1243773
>>1243952
You push open the stall door. "Hey, what's going o-"
You see Terry dropped into a low, primal fighting stance, his teeth bared and eyes narrowed. Across from him, pulling his fist out of the wall, is the stranger. He looks very different now: his eyes have changed from green to yellow, with pupils constricted with anger. His hair and beard now bristle and glimmer with musk. Wiry hair covers every visible inch of him, cloaking muscles that bulge even more than previously. His fingers end in short cruel nails, and, as he snarls (actually SNARLS, with a horrible bass timbre), you see large fangs that point at strange angles, as if they weren't fully meant for a human mouth. He glances over to you and lets loose with a bellowing howl that shakes the stalls and mirrors. He then furrows his brow. "YOU! WHY DOES THE IDIGATHIM NOT CLAIM YOU? DO YOU NOT FEAR ME?"

>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

>Me? Scared of YOU? Should be the other way around, little dog. Back down and run along, lest the Ashen Court grow angry with your yapping.

>Nope. (pull pocket-knife) Terry, hit this guy. Hard.

>Terry? You see the mirrors? Let's get out of here.

>Write-In

>>1244178
Whoops, forgot an option:

>Terry? Boil off your Mask. Let's rap with this guy. (boil off your own Mask: note that this will empty your glamour pool).

>>1244178
>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

"Are you with the Cascadians? And for fucks sake put your Mask back on before a mortal comes in here, that's a hell of a wolf seeming you have."

>>1244187

"People might actually think you're a werewolf."

If he's still confused or agitated then we should boil off the Mask so as to lend credence to our explanation

>>1244187
>>1244191
Reminder: all Changelings innately see through the Mask unless it is stiffened. The fact that this guy doesn't seem to see through TERRY'S Mask seems to indicate IC that he's not a Changeling.

>>1244202

Thank you for the reminder

In that case
>Terry? Boil off your Mask. Let's rap with this guy. (boil off your own Mask: note that this will empty your glamour pool).

"No act, there's no act, we have no idea who Shartha is."

If so far all we've ever heard is unsubstantiated rumors of other supernatural critters existing making positive contact is well worth the glamour pool, plus might be able to get a contact from him for spiritual issues

>>1244178
>Terry? You see the mirrors? Let's get out of here.
Let's not fuck with the wolfman, and doing this will probably show him we're not werewolves. Hell, we can pop back here after a few.

>>1244232

I just wouldn't want to get caught in the Hedge without a guide at the moment, we haven't jumped into a random spot that wasn't filled with other Changelings yet

>>1244253
We don't like it, we jump back here. That should be enough to convince this guy we aren't werewolves.

>>1244293

It just seems like a really abrupt way to exit a conversation and I want to take the chance to talk with this guy, boiling off the mask would put all the cards on the table and he's already gone through the transformation as well, this way all the cards are on the table. I want to keep the mirrors as an escape route he doesn't know about in case shit goes south, it'll be something that would probably never occur to him

>>1244304
Another important point: you need 1 Glamour to open a door into or out of the Hedge.

>>1244304
I'd rather not wast all of our Glamour, we're pretty much just a tough mortal then.

>>1244318

Good point, want to just try talking it out for the moment? See if we can do this without spending glamour

>>1244178
>>1244232
Alright, I'm changing my vote. I'd rather talk to this guy, but I'd rather not burn all our magic.

>>1244178
>Well... yeah. Look, Mr... whatever-you-are, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron. We mean you no harm, I swear.

This for now, we'll see how trying to talk goes

>>1244327
>>1244349

"Well... yeah, you're a scary bastard, but... look, man, we're just trying to get to Rhododendron, honest. We don't want to fight."

Terry cracks his knuckles.
"Speak for yourself, Jerry. This guy took a swing at me, Imma roll him."

"You dare MOCK ME, Shartha? I'LL WEAR YOUR SKULL AS A JOCKSTRAP!"

Terry drops back into a fighting stance. "Try me, you mutt."

>(Persuasion) Both of you, CALM DOWN.

>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.

>(Draw pocket knife) Christ, Terry. Why'd you have to pull me into this?

>Terry. Mirror. NOW.

>Write-In

>>1244355
>(Persuasion) Both of you, CALM DOWN.

Who the fuck is Shartha? And are you with a Court?

>>1244355
...I don't suppose we could substitute Animal Ken for Persuasion... can we?
Because we're rolling 0 dice for persuasion.

>>1244374
Nope.

>>1244380
Yeah didn't think so

>>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.

>>1244380

Can we be edging towards the mirrors while this is happening, if our persuasion fails I would like to be able to dive in them, wait a minute or so and then poke our heads back out and ask if he's calmed down enough to talk

>>1244385
Take a look at the character sheet. We are rolling exactly 0 dice for Persuasion, but our Intimidate is 5. It looks like wolfman wants an answer (admittingly he's being an ass about it) but its Terry that's biting at the bit.

>>1244393

Hopefully he gets that we're just trying to deescalate things, I'll switch to intimidate

>>1244393

Just uncomfortable with using intimidate on our friend and threatening violence against him but you're right, it's got the best chances of success

>>1244355
Stopping Terry seems the most reasonable thing to do, considering that we shouldn't know about werewolves
>(Intimidation) Terry, stop. Before I do something you regret.

>>1244383
>>1244399
>>1244433
Roll Presence + Intimidate. No explosions, must beat 2.

>>1244410
wouldn't shouting at both of them be intimidation as well? Less "please be nice" (persuation) and more "SHUT UP YOU FUCKWITS"

Rolled 7, 10, 8, 1, 7 = 33 (5d10)

>>1244435

>>1244437
Yes, yes it would. Difficulty 4 roll, though.

Rolled 6, 5, 9, 5, 2 = 27 (5d10)

>>1244435

>>1244459
dice+5d10

>>1244477

right format, options field though

Rolled 4, 4, 4, 7, 9 = 28 (5d10)

>>1244435

>>1244487
thanks, first time rolling on 4chan

>>1244499

No problem, might be a bit, I am willing to bet he's off running his IRL group

Rolled 4, 7, 3, 5, 7 = 26 (5d10)

>>1244435

Fuck I'm late to the party!

>>1244692
Sorry, was out with friends.

>>1244457
"Dammit, Terry! Don't make me do something stupid you'll regret!"

"Don't play with me, cuz. Come on, let's beat this mook's ass."

"LAST CHANCE, SHARTHA. SURRENDER OR DIE."

>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).

>Alright, alright! Terry, if you go any further, I'm not backing you up here.

>Bring it, furball

>Write-In

>>1244789
>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).

>>1244790

Stick close to the gate, we know he can't follow us through and then let's pop our heads back through after a bit and ask if he's calmed down enough to have a discussion, we both can learn from each other

>>1244815

Let's go to the gate and goad him to follow us, is this possible? or do we have to phisically push him in?

>>1244832
Gates to the Hedge remain open for 1 turn per point of Wyrd after the last person goes through it, so yeah.

>>1244789
>>Terry, let's get out of here (open a gate to the Hedge).

File: 472599.jpg (1.22 MB, 1920x1080)

1.22 MB JPG

>>1244790
>>1244832
>>1244916
"Terry, let's get out of here."

You run at the mirror over the bathroom sink and hurl yourself at it, streaming your glamour out before you...

You roll over moss-covered soil as you land. Picking yourself up and turning around, you see Terry squeeze himself through the mirror mounted on the crumbling ruin of a bathroom behind you.

"I dunno, man. Doesn't sit right, running like thi-"

You hear a bellow through the surface of the mirror, and the brute dives through the mirror.

"You won't escape that eas- what? This... this isn't the Hsil! What... who... how... and you..."

You see the stranger's flesh RIPPLE, and in a second, he's human again. You see him start scrabbling in his pockets for something. A second later, he pulls out a necklace of teeth and start mumbling over it.

>Wanna TALK, now?

>Not so scary now, are you?

>(Say nothing)

>Write-In

>>1244976
>>Wanna TALK, now?

>>1244976
>Write-In

"Ooooh shit man, ah fuck, I am so sorry, I didn't think you could follow us through, we need to get you out of here. Now. Come on follow us. I don't know if you're attracting ... them."

And head on back through the mirror

>>1244992

Also completely will to go with

>Wanna TALK, now?

To keep the pace up, if there's no immediate danger in the area we should have some time to talk

>>1244992
Changing to this, we should immediately leave the hedge in case of true fae

>>1245049
>>1244992

yup these two

>>1244992
>>1245058
>>1245059
"Oh... shit, man, I am SO sorry, I didn't think you could follow us through... we need to get out of here. Now. Come on, follow us. I don't know if you're going to attract... them."

You walk back towards the mirror... and look through it. You see a bunch of people in the uniforms of the highway patrol in the restroom, looking around with guns out.

The stranger snarls in outrage behind you, and you hear the rattle of something hitting a nearby tree. "Why don't they answer me? What is this... naetsu?"

One of the highway patrolmen turns to face your mirror, jerks back, and shoots wildly at it: the image shatters, leaving only your own face staring back from the mirror.

>...Fuck.

>How did- how the hell did he see me?

>(Turn to the others) Great, now we'll have to find another gate thanks to your dick-measuring contest!

>Write-In

>>1245198
>>...Fuck.
A broken. Fucking. Mirror.
Tell furball to come with us if he wants to live.

>>1245198
>Write-In
Explain to werewolf guy what's going on, book it to the exit

>>1245198

>dick measuring contest....

Phone posting, copying is a bitch, option 3 for me

>>1245198
>...Fuck.
>How did- how the hell did he see me?
>Write-In

"Alright man, quick run down, welcome to the Hedge, do not let the Thorns touch you, as best you can, and do not eat anything that either myself or Terry haven't identified and we're not eating anything period without it being a case of starvation. I'll need you to stick with us, there are ... things here in the Hedge, terrible things, I'll not name them because their names give them power, and can draw them too us. First things first, my name is Jerry Woodheart, this is Terry (I honestly forgot Terry's last name) and what is your name? Whatever you do, never lose track of your name. Now we need to move, I am not sure what sort of attention a breaking gate will bring. Ask questions on the way."

>>1245212
Never mind my joke, i'm changing to this, just remembered what the broken mirror means

>>1245212

Shit that's right, we need to move stat

>>1245236
>>1245245
That's only if YOU break a mirror.

>>1245249
oh shit, really? that's a load off for damn sure. I'm gonna go with >>1245232
then

>>1245249
Well, better safe than sorry

I say we start with this>>1245232 and then do our terminator impression like this>>1245212 and start looking for a way out, open our map and try to determine where we got in

>>1245232
>>1245261
>>1245268
(Sorry about the absence)

"How... how the hell did he see me? Oh FUCK! Listen, man, quick run-down, welcome to the Hedge, don't let the Thorns touch you, don't eat anything I or Terry haven't identified, and we aren't anything PERIOD without a case of starvation, stick with us. There are... terrible, TERRIBLE things here. I won't name them, but they're... very bad. Okay, my name's Jerry Woodheart, that's Terrance, and you're... listen, just don't lose track of your name. Now, we need to MOVE. Ask questions on the way."

Roll Intelligence +Investigation +Wyrd (4 dice). 10's explode. 5 successes required.

Rolled 10, 2, 4, 3 = 19 (4d10)

>>1245992
Well... we're fucked.

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1245993
Slightly less fucked.

Rolled 3, 8, 10, 7 = 28 (4d10)

>>1245992

Ah shit

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1246017

BOOM

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1246023

BOOM

>>1246017
>>1246023
>>1246025
You pick a likely direction and start walking along the forest path, between the towering, flanking trees.

"What... are you? Clearly, you are not Shartha-"

"Speak ENGLISH, freakshow! The hell's a Shartha?"

"It is... a man-spirit, that can change it's skin. I am Urathra, both wolf and man."

"So... why did you attack us?"

"I thought you were another of the Shartha. They despise us, for we hunt those who make prey of Man. I am returning to my pack, and did not wish to risk harm to you..."

You see him stop, and sniff the air. "What is this place? Everything smells wrong. But I cannot name why."

"Don't you LISTEN? This is called the Hedge. It's... hell, you explain, Jerry. I'm not good at this weird shit."

"Well... do you have a name, Urathra?"

"Call me Madsen."

"Well, Madsen, Terry and I are Changelings. You see... well, there are these creatures that steal away people and toy with them. Things like out of myths, but... all twisted-up and wrong. Sometimes, we escape, and find our way back to the human world, but we always come back... different."

"Yeah, we get fucked up, and then we gotta scrape together a new life for ourselves. Shit SUCKS."

"Hmh."

You travel along the winding network of paths in the woods, winding through the branch-cast shadow of this Hedge-section. After three hours, Madsen yowls in frustration.

"THIS IS POINTLESS! ENOUGH OF THIS LABYRINTH!"

You see him turn and start to stride into the treeline.


>Let him go

>"Wait, don't!"

>Write-In

>>1246134
Shit, this is me.

>>1246134
>"Wait, don't!"

>>1246134
>"Wait, don't!"

You dumb motherfucker, do not leave the path

>>1246148
>>1246185
"Wait, don't!"

"Why not? I can survive in the wild!"

"It's... not safe off the path. You'll start losing yourself. We call it the Thorns. Just... keep up with us, we'll find a way out soon."

Madsen pauses, then reluctantly falls in behind you again. "Fine. But if we don't find your way out soon..."

Roll Intelligence + Investigation + Wyrd again: 10's explode. Beat 1 to find your way out.

Rolled 5, 5, 10, 1 = 21 (4d10)

>>1246245
Here's hoping.

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1246257
shitshitshitshit

>>1246257
>>1246262

You trudge on through the woods as the sun sets, looming on the horizon ahead of you.

"... Why are there no spirits in this place?"

"Spirits? The hell you talking about?"

"Actually, I'm interested too. Do share."

"Spirits... they are the small gods, dwelling in the shadows of all things. Spirits of fire, spirits of dogs, spirits of banks-"

"Spirits of traffic lights, too, I bet!"

Madsen shoots Terry a glare. "Don't mock the Little Road Tyrants. They serve their purpose. All things, they have spirits. The Uratha, we are man's protectors from those spirits who would harm them. But... this place, it has no spirits."

"That's because this place is... different. There's logic here, but it's not the same kind as the real world. Here, you could end up in all sorts of..."

You come out into a clearing, with tall, black grass all around. A pair of doorframes stands in the middle of the clearing: each one is a polished pine affair, with a brass handle, identical in every way. A pair of tall, lanky goblins sit back-to-back on a rock in front of the door: they are as identical as the doors, dressed in patchwork overalls and plaid shirts, each one smoking a pipe. One of them looks up as your group approaches. "Company, brother."

"So 'tis, brother."

>Oh, GREAT.

>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?

>Piss off, hedge-hicks. Lest we lash you six ways to Sunday.

>Write-In

>>1246308
>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?

Well either they'll immediately try to kill us or one will lie and the other will only tell the truth, but such is life in the Hedge

>>1246328
This

>>1246308
>Look, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?

>>1246328
>>1246555
>>1247006
"Look, fellows, we're just passing through. Do you mind if we use your doors?"

"Oh, we mind lots."

"Very mindful, we are."

"But you can use one of them."

"Which one's the question."

"You see, one door leads out-"

"And th' other leads further in."

"So the question is, are you IN-"

"Or are you OUT?"


You sigh in exasperation. "Alright. What do I need to do to get you to tell me which door's the way out?"

"Nothing. Just know that-"

"I tell the truth, but my brother here lies."

"T'aint so! I tell the truth, and my brother's the liar!"

"You get two questions."

One of the goblins shoves the other in the ribs.

"Oh, yeah- and don't try that 'If you were the other one would you say 'my brother is the liar'' crap. We're tired of getting swindled that easy."

"So, go ahead."


>Write-In your first question.

>Roll Intelligence + Wits to get a hint. 10's explode.