>>4535086
Hmm...I swim, tangential to the current, heading to the shore

< or = 100 - You sink and have to ditch your armor.

> 100, < or = 300 - You make it on shore with no issues.

> 300 - You make it on shore but you lose your medals, but if you get above 350 you also lose your sword (you can not recover it)

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>>4535131

>>4535132
/r 2d20

>>4535086
>Shed your armor, sad though you are to see it go.

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>>4535131
>>4535145
You struggle against the river current, running out of options and time. Though you make a good effort of it at first, attempting to swim tangential to the current and head to shore, having to work so hard at it even with the help of your tail takes its toll.

"Curse you, gills from my youth! To betray me, and have left in my time of need!"

The fight to breathe becomes choked with water, as you can't keep your head above it any longer. A combination of too tired and too waterlogged, and the river takes you. Down you sink, fighting madly with your limbs and tail, only slowing the descent to the depths.

No! My end is in battle, not here!

Panic drives your thoughts to a mad flurry, but your combat experience serves you well, and with discipline you can still your mind better. Quickly but carefully thinking, as you resort to your only choice left, to shed your armor. Not all of it is needed though... you at least tried your hardest to swim towards the shore, so even just a little lighter load should be enough for you.

Your chestplate, if you can just... undo the clasps... loosen the straps... fiddling underwater with your gauntlet-clad hands. You feel the silt of the riverbed beneath you as you sink all the way, and amphibian or not, you can't remain underwater forever. Especially not without full exposure of your skin to the water enveloping you!

Just a little more... there!

No thanks to your gauntlets, it's actually some tens of minutes or longer that you struggle with your armor in the flowing darkness of the river bottom. Eventually though, you get the idea to use a wrist blade and manage to cut yourself free from the metal weight. A severe disappointment to just abandon it to the riverbed, but you can replace your armor more easily than you can replace your life.

Not willing to abandon your military medals though, you pull them free before beginning your swimming ascent to the surface. You suppose you could have dragged the armor along the riverbed and dredged it up to the surface, certainly you could hold your breath for much longer now that your body is unrestricted. But best to play it safe, as you manage to break the water surface again with a relieved breath, and make it the rest of the way to the shore.

"Stupid, shouldn't have fought it... I suppose now the bounty will have to go towards new armor, rather than the widow's fund of my army..."

More exhausted from the swimming struggle than the lack of breath, you drop to your knees once soundly on the grassy bank of the river. A distance into some forest it seems, you can't even see the cliff from where you were pushed... but you'll find your way back to them, no matter what.

>Rest here for awhile, can't go hunting worn-out.
>Swallow your pride and... eugh, you hate the thought, but seek help if you can find it.
>Take account of what belongings you have left, what you have to work with.
>[Write-in.]

>>4535372
>Take account of what belongings you have left, what you have to work with.

>>4535372
>Take account of what belongings you have left, what you have to work with.

>>4535372
>>Swallow your pride and... eugh, you hate the thought, but seek help if you can find it.

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>>4535402
>>4535435
>>4535460
Rather than getting weighed down or tangled up in roots and weeds of the river and drowning in an hour or two, the sacrifice of your armor was worth your life but it does put you at a disadvantage now.

Fortunately, because you made the initial effort to try and swim to the shore tangential to the current, you didn't have to shed all your armor or belongings. You still have some things to work with, as you sit up on the riverbank and take account.

"Clothes, medals, boots, gauntlets, bag and- whup, no bag, wrist blades... one pair broken, Sally, Lefty, Tripinella... and a killer smile, ha!"

The articles worn on your person, your fists and your tail. You've been in worse positions before, so getting back at that toad... think of it as more a challenge! Wouldn't want to make it too easy on either of you.

"That tall one with him though, face-bump and growths either side of her head... should have been her on the wanted poster."

You recall your hunted prey, quite the disappointment honestly after you came all the way out here. His lackey though, managed to break the wrist blades of one of your gauntlets. Even still, you would have had her... had the both of them, if not for their dirty tricks.

Outnumbered, lost in the wilderness, maybe if you had you army right now-

"-no! Get it together General, this isn't a defeat! No one will ever know... if those two don't live to tell about it!"

Would that you could, you'd spring right back into action and take their heads for real this time. No thanks to the fall and the river though, you're at a bit of a loss as to where you are. Sure you could just follow the river back, but what... to the cliff? You'd have to scale the entire thing just to reach them again, provided they'd even wait for you.

Clearing your way through the brush of the forest in your hope of finding a tall enough tree to climb, you come across a rough road... more like a trail really. Clutching your medals, you consider pocketing them to hide the beauties from the shame of seeking help.

>Follow the river back and try to climb the cliff, it's the simplest return path.
>Pick a direction of the road and follow it. Has to lead somewhere.
>Lie in wait for whomever or whatever may pass by here. Between a river and a road, there's bound to be some traffic.
>[Write-in.]

>>4535506
>follow the road in the opposite direction of the river flow

>>4535506
>Pick a direction of the road and follow it. Has to lead somewhere.

>>4535523
+1

>>4535506
>>follow the road in the opposite direction of the river flow

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>>4535847
>>4535616
>>4535578
>>4535523
You're not going back to climb a cliff, not with the sun setting soon. Best to get a sense of where you are and recollect yourself before you get back to the hunt, and catch that toad. Rather than wait around like some damsel though, you'll go on the offensive and seek out... whatever you care to call it, that isn't "help" because you surely don't need it!

"I'm a traveler and got separated from my group... no. I was out for an evening stroll and got lost... no. I got picked up by a heron, carrying me back to its nest to feast on my corpse, but I fought the beast to the death mid-flight and it crash landed in the forest! Yes, that ought to do..."

Making your way along the wooded road, you head in the direction opposite the river flow, hopefully closer towards your eventual prey than farther. The forests of Amphibia can be a dangerous place, especially as night falls, but you expect to find your way before long... why else would there be a road through the forest if it didn't lead somewhere?

Fortunately, you don't have to travel long before a wagon drawn by a giant beetle happens your way. Lit lanterns hanging from the vehicle, the ruggedly-dressed frog driver is clearly prepared for nightfall.

"You there, citize- ah... pardon, but where to... and from, does this road lead?"

"Mighty tall for frog, and still got your tail. You some kind of giant tadpole?"

Not bothering to stop the wagon, you walk backwards alongside it as the driver examines you, even though he's not even old and can obviously see just fine.

"...no, I'm a newt. And not just any newt! Why, my name is Genera-"

"No, no newts around these parts, no siree. Ah well, except Nooty the Newt, and Newtella, oh and there's-"

"-ahem! This road, where does it lead?"

You clench your teeth in annoyance if you have to deal much more with this bumpkin. Frogs, they're all like this.

"Well backaways is Stumpyton, but I wouldn't go thataways. Heap of trouble there lately, bandits in the forest you know. You can come with me if you like though, Cattail Landing. No trouble there, and dragonfly-boat can get you wherever you need to get."

So your choices of habitation in these parts are... Stumpyton and Cattail Landing. Just wonderful, you really are in the backwater of Amphibia at this point. The sooner you get back on the trail of your bounty the better, but you're not sure if you could stand a night among these country hicks.

But maybe, better than camping in the woods all night, having to sit awake and watch your back for tree snakes.

>Bah, you're a general! Bandits are not even worth your time! Go with the wagon to the Landing and find a way out of this mess.
>A town sounds better than a landing, even if you'll have to waste your time with any bandits.
>Commandeer the wagon for your own benefit! Military needs come before civilian!
>[Write-in.]

>>4536176
>Bah, you're a general! Bandits are not even worth your time! Go with the wagon to the Landing and find a way out of this mess.

>>4536176
>A town sounds better than a landing

>>4536176
>>A town sounds better than a landing
BANDIT HUNTING TIME

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>>4536218
>>4536224
>>4536229
You came all the way out to the sticks to catch a notorious wanted criminal, not hunt lowly bandits! That's the kind of work for local law enforcement, not a General of the great Newtopian Army! Really though you're seeking a settlement, a town ought to do, and if you just so happen to bust a few bandits in the process... well it wouldn't be too much trouble.

A chance to see how well you can manage with this handicap of missing your armor and down a weapon.

"Newtopia thanks you citizen, to Stumpyton! Eugh, didn't think I'd be saying that today."

"Good luck Genera! If you survive, try the stew! It's a local specialty!"

Without your armor to weigh you down as much, you part ways with the frog and take off in a spirited run, hoping to reach town before nightfall. Though it does turn out to be some distance, you make a good pace and eventually the trees give way to a humble little settlement.

"I wonder why they call it Stumpyton..."

You ask aloud to yourself, since there doesn't seem to be anyone around who will answer. The town has an assortment of buildings, of varying types, but the place is in disarray. Damage to the buildings, boarded up windows and doors. You notice a few folks within peering out of their homes and businesses fearfully, some calling for you to hide or flee.

Stepping over or around scattered debris and belongings, you follow some yelling that has been getting louder the closer you reach the center of town, to find the sight of trouble.

"Where is he hiding? I want Lorley out here now!"

"They've got till high moon, then we start... asking these people nicely, eheheh!"

A gathering of several armed and armored toads, apparently besieging what you would guess to be the town hall wherein it's clear that many frogs are holed up. The town hall, as just one of several buildings encircling the town "square", the center of which is the stump of some huge felled tree. Atop this almost like a stage, stands a couple more toads commanding, with several unfortunate frogs caught prisoner.

"Oh so that's why they call it Stumpyton!"

"-who said that?!"

Covering your mouth and ducking behind a collapsed market stand, you just barely manage to avoid being seen. Not that you're afraid of these toads, but you'd like to engage them on your own terms.

"That would explain why all the buildings are made of the same wood... now, these bandits..."

Whispering to yourself as you peer over the destroyed stand, it seems at least one toad is suspicious enough to come and investigate your voice.

>Step out, announce yourself like the General you are, and issue the challenge of combat!
>You're so used to bold battlefield assaults, that perhaps a stealthy option for once could be a test of skill?
>It's not even worth breaking a sweat with these toads. Why not exercise your authority, and see if you can settle this with words?
>[Write-in.]

>>4536335
>You're so used to bold battlefield assaults, that perhaps a stealthy option for once could be a test of skill?
A general has to master all possible forms of combat as to maximize the victory

>>4536335
>Step out, announce yourself like the General you are, and issue the challenge of combat!
You have one fully working wrist gauntlet, that's more than enough against a bunch of low level toads.

Especially if they are just the deserters of grime's army.

>>4536335
>You're so used to bold battlefield assaults, that perhaps a stealthy option for once could be a test of skill?

>>4536346
>>4536347
>>4536396
Make a roll ("dice+1d100" in the options field) for the effort!

It seems to be a preference for going sneaky, but will give it awhile for anyone wanting to roll, during which time others can also give their choice (and roll) if they like.

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>4536421
we sneaky

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>4536396
>>4536421
My roll.

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>>4536425
>>4536505
>92

It's almost physically painful, missing the chance to proclaim your reputation for all to hear, gritting your teeth over the temptation. But doing so would spoil your chance to try... a new strategy for once. One that doesn't involve a gallant charge, but subtlety and skill.

"If it worked for Grime and his lackey..."

Yes, why not learn from the enemy's tactics? With that in mind then, you take off your boots and limber up as best you can while hiding, and lie in wait.

Carefully, quietly, until the suspicious toad draws near enough to...

"Hey free boots!"

"-hiiya!"

Creeping around the opposite side of the destroyed market stand, you make a sudden dash at the distracted toad from behind, grabbing his head as best you can and making a sudden violent twist. The crack of bones sound.

"...ouch."

"Oh, sorry... that was supposed to go differently."

"It's alright, I'm sure you'll get it next time."

With that then you let go of the toad, and simply lock your fingers together and deliver a double-fisted gauntlet strike to the back of his head, which actually does the trick. Collapsing forward into the same destroyed market stand, that's one enemy down and you grab his mace to take with you.

Surprisingly fast then you dash for the giant stump at the center of town, weaving left and right as you rush between spots of cover, your agile body balanced by your tail practically snaking through the air as you go.

"This will all go easy for you if you just hand over the rebels! You're going to risk your lives for th- oof!"

The toad barking orders is cut short as you vault up onto the stump, and perform a spinning hammer throw to hurl the mace through the air to knock him off his feet.

"Where'd that come from?! Hey, be more careful throwing stuff around like that, you just hit my ma- gah!"

Before she can react much, you close the distance to the remaining toad up on the stump stage with you, and deliver a flying kick. Which, actually doesn't do much without your boots on, but it stuns her enough to follow up with your bladed gauntlet. Held pointedly to her throat lest she try and yell, for help or anything else.

With crazed eyes you look about for any other immediate enemies, to see only the remaining toads at the front of the town hall, still intent on bashing their way in. For your quick and sneaky effort, none of the others have noticed you, so you've still got the jump on them all. Certainly the frog hostages up on the stump stage with you, breathe a sigh of relief and have their own hopes of you freeing them.

>You're not finished yet! Dispatch these toads up on the stump with you, and then sneak attack the remaining!
>Free the frog prisoners, so that they might help you with the fight.
>Address the remaining bandits, maybe you can just scare them all off after your sneaky attack here.
>[Write-in.]

>>4536608
>Free the frog prisoners, so that they might help you with the fight.
finally observers of our glorious tactics

>>4536608
>Free the frog prisoners, so that they might help you with the fight.

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>>4536674
>>4536692
In truth you don't especially care for the fate of these frogs, in some backwater village you've never heard of nor ever will return to. And to an extent, there's a concern that they'll just get in your way.

But besides these issues, there's really only one thing that matters; an audience to your glory, that your reputation might spread!

"Hold still I say, hold still! I can cut each of you free, just- wait why aren't you tied up like the rest? What are you even doing up here?"

With a strong shoulder slam you send the toad stumbling back to trip over her comrade you downed with the thrown mace, as you set about freeing the frog hostages. Quick work with your bladed gauntlet, soon enough the bindings are cut and the group of freed frogs gather.

"Now listen to me, I have battle experience. Just do as I say, we'll be careful and sneaky about this, and-"

"CHAAAAARGE!"

"For Stumpyton!"

"Water the crops with their blood!"

Before you have much a chance, the gathering devolves into an angry mob, grabbing whatever weapons they can and jumping off the great central stump to charge the remaining toads outside the town hall. By the time the toads notice the attack from behind, they're already engaged, and seeing their fellow townsfolk fighting back emboldens those within the town hall to come out and join the fight.

"Wow, that escalated quickly..."

"Tell me about it." remarks a new toad arrival to the scene, having stepped away to use the restroom.

~~~

Some tens of minutes of the townsfolk ganging up on the toads and delivering mob justice, the bandits are chucked out of town together, as you stand at the front of the jeering frog crowd to see the toads retreat. Helping their injured to their feet, the are set to limp off back to the forest from whence they came. Never to return if they know what's good for them.

In a sense the frog townsfolk may have pulled their weight too, but everyone regards you as the deciding factor here. Fearfully the bandits cower away from you in awe, like so many others.

"Wh-Who... Who are you?"

The leading toad you dispatched with the thrown mace (now conscious again) can't help wondering your identity, hoping to know of the individual responsible for his defeat, but in the process everyone gathered now looks to you in their shared desire to know. Both the frogs for whom they should praise, and the toads for whom they should fear as they all retreat.

>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!
>Victorious though you are, you don't feel this specific feat is worthy of your reputation... against your intense desire to answer them, instead use a fake identity.
>You are a stranger with no name, wandering the land and vanishing as easily as you appeared.
>[Write-in.]

>>4536798
>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!

>>4536798
>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!

>>4536798
>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!
Any other answer is uncharacteristic

>>4536798
>>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!
its time to say every single one of our titles and let our anger be known to grime the toad and that hairy deformed frog

>>4536919
Actually, Yunnan knows what humans are, i'm pretty sure.

You know, because of Marcy. 'twas confirmed that they most likely met at some point.

>>4536798
>They want to know who you are? Oh, they'll know who you are!

>>4536943
well it was meant as a insult and as a description these bumpkins could understand

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>>4536996
>>4536919
>>4536903
>>4536882
>>4536808
Reputation is repetition! It's only the... sixth time today? That you've had to repeat yourself, but the more you do now the less you have to later.

"Who am I? Who am I?!?!"

It's not enough to just say it, you also have to emphasize it with body language! Dramatic poses and all that nonsense, you're one for the battlefield not the stage but taking a couple lessons from that acting coach helped to convince you... a little showmanship never hurt anyone.

"I... am General Yunan! Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army!"

Darn, even just saying it feels good. You really do have something to be proud of, prodigy that you are. A bit strange, all of this without your armor or medals displayed like you're used to, but it doesn't lessen the effect you hope.

Leveling a pointed, armored finger at the terrified toads, you give them a crazed glare.

"Tell that to your failed captain Grime! That I'm still coming for him, and I'll take more than his head for the trouble!"

"We don't work for Grime anymore... you want us to send him a letter with all that?" the toads call back in their retreat to the forest, soon vanishing into the trees now that night has fallen.

Well that was odd, but you suppose your work here is do-

"-yah! Put me down at once!"

"Three cheers for General Yunan!"

Before you have much more a chance to react, the frog townsfolk swarm you, lifting you in the air above them in celebration. Now you really wish you had your armor, so you'd be too heavy to lift.

"Hop hop hooray!"
"Hop-hop hooray!"
"Hop-hop hooray!"

Gritting your teeth in annoyance, you consider if it would really be such a bad thing to cut these frogs down with your bladed gauntlet. Surely... if no one ever found out...

"Alright already, enough of that!" you insist, and finally are set down.

"Please General, let us thank you properly! Won't you stay the night at least?"

A frog that bears the sash of "Mayor" and seems to speak for them all, beseeches you to accept their gratitude. Must be the Lorley fellow the toads were after. Well you still have a bounty you're after, and your idea of an enjoyable evening isn't exactly one spent among these bumpkins...

...but it is night out now, without your armor and only one weapon. Fighting toads is one thing, but the monsters of the wild in Amphibia, well you're rather not tangle with one at night at the very least.

>Begrudgingly accept their hospitality. Just for the night, then at least you can get some supplies to continue the hunt. But keep a lid on it, you're only doing this to be polite.
>What the heck, it couldn't hurt to enjoy yourself for at least the night. May as well make the best of the rough situation you're in, and start off the hunt tomorrow on a good foot.
>Sorry but no, there's a toad out there waiting for your blades. You can't spare a moment, even at night.
>[Write-in.]

>>4537538
>Begrudgingly accept their hospitality. Just for the night, then at least you can get some supplies to continue the hunt. But keep a lid on it, you're only doing this to be polite.
Truly skilled warriors don't need to march through the night to find rabble.

>>4537535
>>What the heck, it couldn't hurt to enjoy yourself for at least the night. May as well make the best of the rough situation you're in, and start off the hunt tomorrow on a good foot.
lets feast until we feel sick

>>4537538
>>Begrudgingly accept their hospitality. Just for the night, then at least you can get some supplies to continue the hunt. But keep a lid on it, you're only doing this to be polite.

>>4537538
>Begrudgingly accept their hospitality. Just for the night, then at least you can get some supplies to continue the hunt. But keep a lid on it, you're only doing this to be polite.

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>>4537557
>>4537561
>>4537585
>>4537734
Only one such as the great General Yunan could balance the propriety of your position, and feasting until you feel sick! You're not one to join in their festivities, these backwater frogs. But hungry as you are, you'll gladly stuff yourself while they celebrate as simple rural frogs prone to.

And it could be said... that it's not entirely unpleasant for you. The food is actually pretty great at least, and they learn quickly not to bother you with their celebratory country jamboree up on the big stump stage of the town square... but that doesn't mean you can't watch, and get a kick out of it.

Dinner and a show! If not content, then at least you feel comfortable for the evening, with plenty of food and admiring company. At least partially entertained by watching their froggy antics, song and dance.

"Ahhh... I suppose today wasn't a total failure..."

Perhaps... it isn't so bad, being a hero. You've always been so focused on your reputation, your military career, that you've never had much a chance to stop and wonder what for. After all, what is your effort for if not to keep Amphibia safe and orderly, and enable the happiness and prosperity of its people?

The Salamander's Burden, as the Newtopian scholars say. As the evidently superior species of the land, it's the role of newts such as yourself to uplift these... lesser amphibians. To wield the righteous power of civilization and take on the burden of authority, so that these frogs and toads can live their simple lives in peace and happiness. Like little tadpoles they all are really, in need of a guiding hand such as your own to protect and guide them right.

You'd always thought it the place of the nobility and the scholars, but as the celebrated hero of Stumpyton, you feel that maybe it doesn't have to be a one-time thing. Quaint little folk that they are, you could get used to their love and appreciation.

"-so you'd say you're truly loyal to Newtopia, and the King?" asks mayor Lorley, sitting across the table set up for you as the guest of honor.

"See these medals? You don't get to be a general without loyalty." you display your medals of course and declare proudly. "So what did those toads want anyway? Grime's bunch turned to banditry."

"Oh no, I wouldn't say that. You heard them, they aren't associated with that Captain anymore. We figure they were trying to make up for his failings, and put a toad back in command here, restore control of the King."

Between mouthfuls, the frog's words start to sink in as you try and make sense of what you're hearing. A quick look around and you notice the many other admiring frogs all eying you keenly, smiles wide.

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"...so when they called you rebels, they were actually trying to..."

"Enjoying the stew, General? It's our specialty! Stumpyton Root Stew, made from dried root of the old tree. It's so good... why, I'm sure you'll want to have a nice long sleep after this?" Lorley's smile bears teeth now.

"...actually, no not really. This resin tea you've got is quite invigorating, I was even considering a dance up on stage to burn off this energy!"

The smiles of all the frogs quickly fade, instead turning to confusion. Lorley summons for one of the cooks of the feast.

"She ate the whole bowl... in fact I think it's her second. Shouldn't the nightbug powder have put her to sleep by now?"

"It... should? I made sure we added it."

A current of nervousness spreads across the table, among the frogs, until one of them promptly falls face-first into his bowl of stew and starts snoring. The mayor slaps his face in annoyance.

"You didn't make sure she got the right bowl?"

"I told Sheryl! Dopey girl is still new at waiting tables..." the frog cook makes his way around the table and asks for your permission to try a spoonful of your stew. "Ah, yep, that's just the normal batch. No poison in there!"

The mayor resorts to yelling, which is reciprocated by the cook, and soon all the frogs at the table are verbally at each other's throats. Trying to understand what went wrong, trying to shift the blame, complaining about a lack of coordination.

"I am... right here, right in front of you. I can hear all of you, all of this."

The frenzied arguing settles down, as all froggy eyes turn to you, mouths agape from mid-yelling to now just mid-confusion.

"...well, this is awkward."

"You can say that again." responds the mayor, speaking for the entire table.

"No I... I think repeating it would just increase the awkwardne-"

~*~ WHUNK ~*~

You're cut short when the frog cook slams a serving tray into the back of your head, hard, enough to faceplant the table and collapse unconscious beneath.

~~~{}~~~ End Chapter 1 ~~~{}~~~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdubuXqOGA

>>4537798
Oh fuck
>>4537801
Continuation when ?

>>4537877
We can continue either later tonight or definitely tomorrow, whichever I get the chance.

For now though we can take a little break, see if you players are enjoying things so far and all. Also if there's a difference in players who are just in this for the quest, or also are familiar with the series it's based on, a little curious about that.

>>4537884
I’ve seen somethings but never really watched it

>>4537801
atleast its not the halo ween outro
hmmm over the garden wall music would fit into this place

>>4537884
i have seen the whole series
>>4537886
i enjoy it for its setting its a good watch

>>4537884
Never heard of this show.

>>4538682
>>4538404
>>4537886
That's fine, any and all are welcome here. Just curious to see who was playing.

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~~~{}~~~ Chapter 2 - Sold Down The River ~~~{}~~~

Ah, to be back in the days when you were a soldier in training, your drill instructor beating you over the head for your mistakes. Only, why is your instructor that traitorous toad, Grime?

You're just trying to focus and not make further mistakes, but you can hardly concentrate while he keeps hitting you over the head with a serving tray.

~~~

Yet another bump in the road, jostling the wagon and banging your head for the umpteenth time. Opening your eyes to a blur, you shield them from the light. You feel... something you're laying on, as you reach under your head and pull out a bundled scarf. Something, but not much help against the rough road. And a small patchwork coat draped over you?

"Ugh... that's the last time I ever trust frogs."

"Lookin 'ere! Sleepin beauty wakens, right! Longin sleep ye's 'avin lass, out all night! Reckon 'alf a knock to yer 'ead, was it were a nasty fight?"

You don't get the chance to slowly gather your bearings, because you're not alone here. A green frog fellow in similarly patchwork clothes, forces you fully awake and suddenly. A quick glance around and you can see the two of you are in a barred cage, on the back of a wagon. The rearmost of several in a row, all laden with cargo, and flanked by escorts or accompanying travelers. At the moment, the lot of you are traveling along a bumpy road between farmlands and forest.

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Swearing vengeance upon Stumpyton... as well as cursing yourself for looking down on frogs enough to underestimate them and lower your guard... all of that can wait for later. For now you have to find out what's going on, and why you're-

"-gah! Where's my everything?! My boots, my gauntlets, my clohtes- my medals?!"

You find yourself quite bereft of your belongings, down to just undergarments as you hastily pull the patchy coat around yourself, though it's far too small... frog-sized, to be able to properly wear. Your embarrassment turns to anger, as you lunge for the frog sharing your cage.

"What's going on?! If you stole from me... I don't need my blades to kill you!"

Barely half your size or less, the frog flinches to your aggression, particularly your bared teeth. Resisting your grasp, but no hope of actually stopping you, he stammers in fear.

"D-Don't gimme the roughin! N-Nary no trouble from me, tis the b-bondsman what's got us in 'ere... well, since Cattail Landin, but I's longer for it."

Of course you'd be stuck with a frog, and of course he can't even speak the language properly. You've half a mind just to kill him out of annoyance, but eying him up and down, you can guess that he's responsible for the coat and scarf you've got.

"Hey, no fighting in there! Don't make me jab you with the good-behavior stick!" calls a toad riding atop the cargo of the wagon the cage is also on, probably the one responsible for keeping an eye on you both.

With a growl you let go of the frog then, sitting back against the bars as you try to pull his small coat about yourself again. Your mind races to try and process all that's going on, make sense of things. This isn't the worst situation you've ever been in... but it may be a contender. At least you're not in immediate danger it seems, but by no means are you happy nor accepting of any of it.

>What do you do?

>>4538855
if he pokes us with the stick and has a good enough grip we will yank that stick and strangle or bite that frogs face of with our chanined hands and if we can bite off his arm

>>4538855
ask the guard why we're here. if the traitor frogs told we were a criminal we say we're the famous general and they lied. if that isn't the case and the guy si helping them, well things are gonna be harder

>>4538877
support, rant all our titles do all the posses and ask what claims and proof they presented to convince them to wrongly imprison us

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>>4538877
>>4538888
Your first impulse is to continue fighting with the frog, and encourage the guard to follow up his threat. Jab at you with a stick, pull it from him, and you've got something to work with. Against your instinct to fight and kill though, you try to... calm down, at least enough to attempt talking.

"Hey to you, what is the meaning of all this?! I am General Yunan! Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to ever achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army!"

You catch the toad's attention but he just chuckles to himself, leaning forward to get something from the driver, before he returns to you with your medals in his hand.

"These, eh? The frogs at the Landing said you stole them, it's the word of a whole town against a thief." he says, and leans back to return the medals to the driver.

"Thief? THIEF?! Are you questioning my reputation, my honor? Of a Newtopian General?! Executions are done for less!" partly offended, mostly enraged, you shake the bars and scream at the toad.

"Relax thief, it's your lucky day." the wagon driver, a frog calls back. "You're not headed for any execution, or even jail! Boss wouldn't have took you on if he didn't think he could make a profit for you."

You hesitate when you hear this, still fuming at your captors and shaking the solid wooden bars in hopes of escape, but now you start to wonder if this isn't... just a matter of mistaken identity or lies about crimes you didn't commit. If you aren't headed to jail, then your captivity can't be some mistake of local authorities, or even legal.

"What is this... slavery then? That's an even worse crime." you try to control your temper, speaking more sternly now and directly at the guard. "You think you... any of you can get away with this?"

"Slaves? More like criminals, the both of you. Think of this as serving your sentence. Folks from Stumpyton said you're a dancer? Someone's bound to pay for your pardon, especially on the front line... they could use some entertainment there I bet."

A dancer? Those frogs, they think they have a sense of humor? You give up trying to chew your way out of the cage for now then, as you can't very well do so while being actively watched by the guard. Plus, there must be something you could do to convince them of this whole mistake... then again, they may not care and just want to make some illicit money.

"Them's no believe me neither, it's no use tryin. Lookin' the wagons ahead, we's just goods to them's for buyin. Anyone take ugly to behind bars, them's just say we's criminals and lyin."

The frog sharing your cage speaks of your predicament together. Obviously he's been the prisoner of this lot for awhile already, probably has tried everything you're thinking of to try and gain freedom. That said, he doesn't seem too bothered by it all for some reason.

>What do you do?

>>4539056
how did you end up captured by these frogs? i was knocked out at a feast after saving a town from bandits

>>4539063
+1
Btw OP did you commission that image ? Looks neat

>>4539121
i think i have seen it before but without source

>>4538682
>>4537557
>>4537561
>>4537585
>>4536996
>>4537286
>>4536943
>>4536919
>>4536808
updot

>>4539121
Ha! No, but that'd be something wouldn't it? I just found it googling for something that would fit, and this one turned out to be quite relevant.

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>>4539063
>>4539121
Ideally you could come up with a way to escape from here, rather than whatever fate your captors have in mind. As much as you hate to admit it though, it would be easier escaping if you had the cooperation of the frog, especially since he seems to be of the same mindset.

"So... how did you end up captured by these frogs? I was knocked out at a feast after saving a town from bandits."

"Ah, ye know me, a bard by trade! 'Ad me song and dance, but them's didn't like 'ow I plays. Reckon I's done for when them's caught me, but seems still a price to be paid."

A traveling musician, a performer? Now it makes more sense why your captors would cage the two of you together, if they plan to "sell" you off as a pair. This poor fool probably sang something insulting about the King, or a local leader, and now he's behind bars with you.

Really though, couldn't it have been a deserter from the army or something? Someone who you could relate to, or even prove your identity... under these circumstances, you'll have to take what you can get.

"Well it looks like we'll pay together... I am General Yunan! Scourge-"

"-o' the Sand Wars, Defeater o' Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest newt to make the rank o' general in the Newtopian Army... I 'eard ye lass, name's Honest Sean!"

You offer your hand just to be polite, you don't really want to touch this shabby-looking frog, but he surprises you with a warm return and taking off his flat cap. Most importantly of all though, he remembers your array of titles which impresses you, and even restores some faith in this idea of cooperation.

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You can spend awhile then getting to know one another a little bit at least, not like you have anything better... or else to do. In particular he takes a shine the stories of your reputation, because as a bard it's great material for him to sing and tell stories about. Midway through relating the tale of Ragnar the Wretched however, the wagon comes to a sharp stop which causes you to hit the wooden bars.

"Really?! How hard is it to drive a wagon proper-" while looking ahead to yell your complaint, you gasp at a sight.

"Careful with those boxes! Make sure it's all packed well!" a toad and a frog are arguing over the cause of the stopped wagons, a crate fell off from another bump in the road. While they try and load it back on, you catch sight of...

"My armor? How is that... nevermind, Sean!" you return your attention to your frog brother-in-chains, manic with excitement.

"I's right 'ere Lass, nary no need to yell."

"Ugh, how can you be so calm about all this?"

Indeed, he doesn't seem to have a care in the world as he reclines in the cage, arms crossed behind his head and eyes closed.

"On account o' our escape comin, I ponder. There's a Tod stalkin, lookways yonder. After the wagons all day now, makin to strike as a storm condor."

"Really, condor? That was pretty weak..."

Uncertain of what he means at first, you follow his errant gesture with your eyes towards the forest. You almost give up looking, till you catch sight of a blur of red movement through the trees.

"A fox?!" you whisper in alarm, but just get a smile from the frog.

A dread fox, as big as a house and able to lay waste to a village. Even at your most-prepared you wouldn't want to fight one, but it's tailing the wagons it seems, probably wants the snails. If anyone knew there would be panic for sure, encircling the wagons to defend or even just a chaotic fleeing of every-amphibian-for-himself.

As the rearmost wagon though, and everyone else with their eyes ahead, it seems only you and Sean have noticed the monster by now. And the longer you watch, the closer it seems to be testing its approach, before a real attack. Completely unarmed, you can't help but feel some fear but your froggy comrade thinks it's the best shot at freedom you both have... if you can come up with a plan before whatever happens, happens.

>What do you do?

>>4539284
this fox will be most ecellent distraction possibly breaking our cage for us, we must take this sean as our personal bard

>>4539284
Try chatting up with the guard talking about how he gained his post, as to distract and keep him close when the fox attacks so we can escape and deal with the fool easily. Also thank glob our armor is back

>>4539309
Good plan fellow just need to make sure he does not look in the direction of the fox

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>>4539289
>>4539309
>>4539324
With giant snails, insects, and other such creatures pulling the wagons it's no wonder the fox is stalking the wagon group. Even though the feeding favorite are those that pull the wagons though, these monsters just as easily scoff down any unlucky amphibian that crosses their path.

As such, it's rather tense, frightening even as you watch the giant fox creep ever nearer. But like Sean says, there's nothing you can do when you're stuck in a cage like this... so the two of you eagerly watch the approach of death.

Closer and closer to and from the treeline, that eventually you worry others might notice the beast.

"Hey! So why did you end up on guard duty?" you call to the toad, hoping to hold his attention.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. Being a guard is a noble and rewarding profession! Why, ever since I was a kid, I've aspired to keep a sharp watch and protect others from any dangers that might-"

"FOX!" Dread fox!"

In two ways, is your toad guard cut off from his heartfelt monologue about his profession, standing dramatically to proclaim the pride in his job. The first way he is cut short, is by the screaming panic of someone else who notices the fox on it's killer approach far too late, and far sooner than the guard should have. The second way he is cut short, is that the entire wagon is upended when the giant fox pounces upon it, the weight of the monstrous animal violently tipping the wagon back and launching the guard off through the air like a catapult.

"Run for your lives! Flee!"

"No! Bring the wagons around, defend against it!"

"NO! Run for your lives! Flee!"

There is some effort to try and maintain control of things between those few that are in charge, but it quickly falls apart as the fox begins tearing through the wagon convoy, already a couple towing-bugs devoured. As you'd hoped for, it's every-amphibian-for-himself and the situation devolves into chaos.

Perfect, for your escape! And with the fox having pounced upon your wagon to begin with, the weight of the animal broke the roof of the cage for starters, and once it jumped off the wagon the entire cage fell off the back and crashed to the ground. It's not a clean escape, as you struggle and bite at the wooden bars in a frenzy. But enough damage was done to the cage that Sean can crawl out at his small size, and then use his froggy legs to kick the other bars free.

"Away to me Lass! No wantin to kick yer teeth in on mistake!"

Like all toads and frogs, despite his size, his legs pack a power and after a few moments he's broken enough space for you to escape as well. Just in time too, as the wagon backs up and smashes through what's left of the cage, before the driver spurs the pair of pulling-ants onward in hopes of getting around the danger and disorder. Him, like any other wagons or travelers not already savaged by the fox.

>What do you do?

>>4539482
>Look for your armor and gauntlets, you're escaping ready to fight either Grimes or those traitors at stumpiton

>>4539482
>'Borrow' one of their snails to make a quick escape; fighting foxes isn't in your job description. Well, it is, but so is picking your battles.

>>4539557
support
but also
>>4539711
we do want to get away

>>4539482
we must get our armor or atleast our medals and flee with a snail or a speedy animal

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>>4539557
>>4539711
>>4539989
>>4540218
Escape is the ultimate goal, but you can't just miss up on a chance to regain any of your belongings.

"Just go without me, I'll catch up and- wait, you're here too?"

"Can't go leavin me mandolin, nary no bard withn'y it!"

You'd assumed that your fellow prisoner would have just fled the moment you were out, perhaps never to see one another again. To your surprise though, Honest Sean remains by your side as you hastily loot the current-rearmost wagon, rendered so by the fox.

Your hope is to make it out of this situation with your belongings, but at the very least you'll want clothes so that you're not running about looking like some lecherous amphibian's fantasy of a newt slave girl. Your companion waits patiently, as you smash open boxes and rummage around for what you can find. Eventually... something more practical than undergarments at least, that you throw on as quickly as you can, and return Sean's coat and scarf to him.

"Right, I need my armor... all of the parts, transport out of here would be good... and your instrument."

"-and yer medals."

"Right! My medals, by Frog how did I forget those?!"

Together you run along then, trying to coordinate through the chaos and avoiding whatever danger comes your way. By now the fox has already laid waste to about half the convoy, while the other half are in full flight and have broken formation. This is becoming a problem, because there's little to no chance that you could regain everything you're after, when already the fastest wagons are peeling off faster than you can run.

You may need to make a choice then, only slightly aided by the fact that you roughly know which wagons your belongings are on. Surely your medals are of the most importance, the surest claim to your reputation? But without your gauntlets and boots, your fighting prowess is greatly diminished. Then again, it seems like a sign to have seemingly lost your armor for good, but now it's shown up again somehow? And well, Sean's instrument you suppose... you can't go after all of these things, not in the immediate circumstances at least.

Then again, it's not as if you couldn't just flee the area altogether. Just steal the fastest mount you can, and escape to freedom as quickly and safely as possible. It's not like you couldn't later catch up with anyone who makes it out of this alive, and stalk them yourself. And Sean claims to know where they were all headed anyway...

>What do you do?

>>4540305
Steal the medals and the mandolin, they're probably kept close or in the same place anyhow because they're miscellaneous items that would be certainly pawned off.

Medals are not replaceable, and Sean helped us escape. We're already a great fighter, so we don't need fancy custom armor.

>>4540319
Are medals not replaceable? I know this is a monarchical society, but I'd assume that you'd be able to just get replacements once you get back to Newtopia.
Unless the idea is that we need something to prove our station until we get back to the capital.

>>4540404
That too, and the fact that replacing medals kinda misses the purpose, they were awarded to you as an proof of honor.

>>4540319
this, we need to focus on our medals, gauntlets and boots for recognizement and battle impact

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>>4540319
>>4540404
>>4540412
>>4540432
In terms of what's practical, your weapons and armor should probably be at the top... but your medals are irreplaceable! You haven't wandered across the land proclaiming your reputation to everyone and everything for no reason at all!

So then, you and your froggy companion run and hop respectively as fast as you can, at one point having a very close call as the giant fox makes a pounce for another wagon and nearly crashes into you both. At least the fox is behind you now though, rather than ahead as you follow the road in the general direction of most retreating.

"Lookin yonder Lass! Me strings atop that one, let's give us a run, and seen't it done!"

"Oh I can do better than that... how do you feel about flying?"

Dashing after the comparatively largest group of retreating wagons and travelers (and caught up in the dust left behind because of it), your bard points out one in particular, where upon the back sits his mandolin situated atop all the jostling cargo like a cherry on an ant-cream sundae.

Should be easy enough to snag that first and then get your medals next, whatever else you can. Rather than both of you trying to catch-up through this cloud of dust though, you have an idea. Mid-hop you catch your small companion by his coat and with an impressive spinning throw, you manage to hurl him the distance away to the targeted wagon, him screaming all the way.

"Huh, he didn't miss... or just go right under the wheels...."

But for all your effort he does land among the cargo on the back of the wagon, a little dazed but he soon recovers and gestures a signal to you as he hops up to the drivers to engage them. You wouldn't expect him to be able to take them on his own but as you soon see, he's enough of a distraction at least to cause the towing-creature to slow the wagon down, so that you can catch up and jump onto the back of the wagon yourself.

The sight of Sean being pummeled by one of the drivers, a toad, while the other struggles with the reigns... you bet if you handled this right, you could free the creature and take it as a mount yourself. After you either grab the mandolin or help Sean out of course, or if you have something else in mind.

>What do you do?

>>4540621
>Run towards the wagon and use your steength to push the assailing toad into the driver
That should quickly take rid of both of them, they'll fall from the wagon just like that and we can then steal it.

>>4540645
+1
easy and clean I like it

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>>4540645
>>4540664
Clamoring up the back of the wagon, you navigate your way atop the cargo towards the front where the two drivers are.

"Room for one more?"

"Hey! Where did you come fr-"

"-gaaaaaah! I knew I should have paid extra for seatbeeeeeelts!"

Tensing your body, you perform a strong spin in order to tail-whip the toad currently assaulting Sean, and knock him sideways into the other toad so that they both go flying off the side of the wagon. Hitting the dirt road in a tumble, and left behind to try and find other means of escape from the fox... should it continue to pursue you all.

"You still with me, bard?" you ask as you struggle to take control of the reigns now, the towing-creature turning out to be a giant centipede.

"All the way Lass!" he responds, spitting out a tooth and looking quite worse for the wear.

Either way though the wagon is yours now, but you question the use of it. Not like you need the goods in the back, just a means to escape and the centipede could serve as an adequate mount for that.

With that in mind then, you give Sean a chance to recollect himself before handing him the reigns so that you can get to the back and grab his instrument, and just by luck that in the process you also happen to find-

"Hey! My boots!"

Happening to be sitting there among the goods along with the mandolin, already you've made some progress for the both of you, pulling them onto your feet before moving back to the front of the wagon.

"Lookin there Lass... them's what 'ad yer medals, on up there. We can be after em in a tear, and give em a scare!"

"Oh I'll give them more than that..."

While you were rummaging around the wagon and getting your boots on, Sean had the chance to drive the wagon on and watch the road. The goal is escape of course, either just putting enough distance behind you now or simply finding a route away from the fox. In the process though, he seems to have spied the very same wagon the two of you were caged on the back of, and of course the frog driver who has your medals.

As it is, the wagon you have is too slow to catch up to that one, lagging behind as you are. But if you cut free the giant centipede and used it as a mount yourselves, catching up would be possible. Even still though it wouldn't be easy, as several other folks during the fleeing panic, jumped onto that wagon to also get away so you'd likely have to fight them as well. Faced with these difficulties, you might consider just retreating... but it would be hard to let your medals go just like that, even if only temporarily.

>What do you do?

>>4540786
things aren't looking good. alright since the bard has his mandolin back, after cutting the centipede free and approaching the wagon making him play something in the other end of it to distract the other folk while we for the driver

>>4540786
Temporarily retreat for now even if it hurts our pride

>>4540799
support

>>4541088
>>4540889
>>4540799
Make a roll ("dice+1d100" in the options field) for the effort!

It seems to be a preference for at least trying to go after the wagon with your medals, but will give it awhile for anyone wanting to roll, during which time others can also give their choice (and roll) if they like.

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>4541180

>>4541190
We need better rolls if we wanna try to get it back

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4541180

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4541180

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4541180
Lets see how nongoodly

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>>4541308
>>4541243
>>4541224
>>4541190
>52

Probably the smarter thing would be to just retreat for now, but you can't bring yourself to give up on your medals! How else can you prove your reputation when you declare it to everyone! Of course it won't be easy, but when has that ever deterred you?

"Alright bard, with me. When we get close keep the beast steady, and have your lute-thing ready... gah, it's happening to me too!" you remark in annoyance, as you return Sean's mandolin to him before moving onto the tongue of the wagon in order to free the giant centipede from the yoke, using a dagger you found stowed beside the seat of the wagon.

"Me strings! Ah, ye done good by me Hinny, what'n ye need and I'm yer frog!"

Without a saddle this will be difficult but you can at least salvage the reigns upon the giant centipede. To make it easier you have Sean cling onto your back (which isn't too difficult given his much smaller size), while you'll stand on the back of the centipede and... attempt to drive it on as best you can.

All that's left now... is to free the giant bug fully, with sever of the dagger.

"Alright, hang on ti- aaaAAAHHH!!"

"-AAAHHHH!!"

No sooner does the centipede realize it's free, and with some encouragement with the reigns from you, the beast tears off at a staggering speed upon its many legs and leaving the wagon in the dust.

---

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---

The two giant ants pull the former prisoner-transport wagon along at a steady pace, the weight lost from the cage made up by some other amphibians of the convoy desperately hitchhiking.

"How much longer you think? Is that monster still after us?"

"I don't... I don't think so. Probably satisfied with what it got already, but I feel bad for anyone who got left behi- wait... you hear that?"

Cautious optimism at possibly making it a safe enough distance away from the dread fox, comes to be replaced with confusion among the drivers and errant passengers of the wagon. The approaching sound of... music?

"Behind! In the dust cloud!" yells at the back of the wagon.

"Coming up fast, is that... those prisoners?!" a toad adds.

Indeed it is, as an unleashed giant centipede charges towards the wagon, you and your bard companion not even in control... merely hanging on for dear life. The passengers only have a few moments to try in vain at throwing things at you all, but in short order the centipede has caught up and even looks to overtake the wagon.

"-oooOOOHHH~ Yunan the brave, Yunan the bold! Bane of the Sand Wars, and Ragnar it's told!"

Now is your time to shine, as you hand the reigns to Sean... something for him to hold onto at least as he strums his mandolin in gaudy distraction, while you run precariously along the length of the centipede towards the back, near to the back of the wagon as well. Wobbling in balance, you attempt to strike a pose.

"...I am General Yunan! Scourge of the Sa- aagh!"

Unfortunately you're cut short when the centipede weaves sideways to avoid an attempt by the wagon driver to swerve into it, the sudden motion much more pronounced at the end of the creature's body. As a result, you're flung through the air but by your agile skill alone you manage to catch the back of the wagon and pull yourself up.

"Oh hey, don't worry everyone. She's just trying to escape like the rest of us!" sighs another newt in relief, as indeed most folks in the convoy aren't actually combative types but traders and travelers.

Of course this sentiment dies on its feet when you draw the dagger from your belt with crazed eyes and a manic smile.

"Oh wait, no, nevermind she's going to kill us all."

"Think you can take all of us, 'General'? Never met a dancer I couldn't beat."

Ah, and how appropriate! The toad guard who was overseeing your imprisonment. Not far ahead of him as well is the frog driver who has your medals. As much as you would like to gut all of these fools though, there's six of them between you and the driver. In quite close proximity as well, considering you're all on the back and sides of a single wagon. You've fought worse odds, but when your life was on the line. If you're just trying to get your medals, surely you don't need to risk your life if you can just get at the frog driver?

>What do you do?

>>4541452
>use our skill to sidestep the close fools and close the gap to the driver and our medals, watching out for the guard
"Hello mr guard. I only ask for my medals that were wrongly stolen from me, nothing more."

>>4541452
Stab there giant exposed cartoonish eyes or atleast punch them really hard and pushing them off the wagon beacuse anyone who steals and try to enslave us will feel the pain of Yunan the future "Stomper of Stumpton" "slasher of the slavers" "the newtralizer"

Hmmm we should probably open with punching the cocky guard hard and "Diplomancer" cough cough (threaten) them to fullfill our demands

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>>4541481
>>4541486

"...wait, beat at dancing?"

You stand at odds with the toad guard, as well as the others who will at least defend themselves if not oppose you outright.

"Hello Mr. Guard. I only ask for my medals that were wrongly stolen from me, nothing more."

"Medals that you stole!" the frog driver calls back angrily.

"I only ask that you'd get back in the cage, you think that's going to happen?" the toad responds to you with a scowl.

The two of you... and everyone really, the cargo included, are jostled around as the wagon rolls along but the road reaches behind him till he grips the good-behavior stick... a short spear. You growl at his refusal, expecting that conflict may be inevitable. But when have you ever backed down from a fight?

"Look, you don't think this could be considered exonerating circumstances? A dread fox just savaged half of all the travelers here, and you're still going to- whoop!" in the middle of speaking, the others must have thought that their chance to attack, as a pair of frogs hanging off the sides of the wagon jump for you. Just barely do you manage to duck so that the two frogs collide into each other mid-air, which seems as good a chance as any for you to make a move for the toad guard.

Difficult footing for sure, but you close the gap and lock weapons with your stout opponent.

"Grr... I liked you better behind bars, no clothes on, least you were easy on the eyes."

"Oh! You want something easy on the eyes?"

With a manic grin you keep the spear caught with the dagger, and with your other hand you wind back and punch the toad right in the eye. Big enough a target to leave a fist-shaped imprint on it as the toad yelps and doubles over in pain and disorientation.

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"Ha! Let that be a lesson, to any who would dare question General Yunan! Scourge of the Sa-"

"Ahind ye Hinny!"

After watching you so skillfully avoid attackers and then put down the most combat-capable passenger on the wagon, the other amphibians think better than to engage you. A captive audience, just what you like as you're poised to state your reputation after yet another victory! You're cut short though, and just in time, as Sean leaps from the centipede to intercept a backstab from the frog driver which would have found you mid-speech. A nasty attempt for sure, but an even nastier sound of the frog driver being struck over the head by the mandolin. Dazed from the blow, he falls among the cargo.

"...well done, bard! Even if it was entirely unnecessary..."

"Don'y mention it, can't be 'avin the yarn o' General Yunan be cuttin' short by a pillock!"

"Wait, who's driving?"

The victorious sentiments are brought to heel by the other newt who points out a rather pertinent detail. With the frog driver dealt with, the reigns have fallen somewhere, not to mention that without being actively reigned itself your giant centipede is attempting to attack the pair of giant towing-ants pulling the wagon you're all currently on. Screaming panic from everyone on board as you all scramble to try and grab the reigns or even drive off the centipede.

Out of self-preservation though, the ants veer away from the threat, eventually dragging the wagon with them down the slope of a rocky cliff beside the road. In short order the wagon, the contents, the passengers, and even the giant bugs, all tumble down in a destructive mess. Amphibians and cargo flung every which way as the wagon rolls down, only stopping in broken pieces and a cloud of dust and debris, at the bottom of the cliff slope.

Soon after which, it all violently erupts in a fiery explosion.

~~~{}~~~ End Chapter 2 ~~~{}~~~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdubuXqOGA

>>4541723
See you soon OP

>>4541717
thats a good cliffhanger

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>>4541938
>>4541954
It's a chance for another break, maybe a few days this time depending on weekend schedule.

But also a chance to check if you and other players are enjoying things? The play style, pace, story, etc...

>>4542008
I am liking the pace and the events feel like they would fit into the setting you interpit the votes in a goodway making it work and the little introduction on the bug was fantastic i even read it like i was singing a ballad

>>4542214
That's good yeah. More than anything else, I wanted to at least do something which could try and capture the feel of the series, and could work as an episode basically.

>>4542008
I'm really enjoying it something to keep the mind active while we wait for season 2. Part 2

Hey all, so can get a head count? Will be able to continue again tomorrow or the day after, provided we have several players still. I'm happy to run this quest as long as there's at least a few people enjoying it and active participating.

>>4543955
That was kind of my idea yeah, something fun and creative to do in the meantime.

>>4544900
I’m here champ

>>4544900
Oh this is on again noice

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>>4545051
Lets hop to it
>>4544904
>>4543955

>>4544900
I'm here

>>4544900
Count me in.

>>4545620
>>4545106
>>4545051
>>4544904
Alright then, we'll continue either later today, or tomorrow for sure.

One last question then, do you players prefer the choices for input provided, or the fully open-ended input? As, chapter 1 was the input choices given, and chapter 2 called for player input, on what actions were being taken.

>>4545921
Both are good, since choices provided gives us some range

>>4545921
Just do it as you feel but some suggested inputs do make it easier to come up with ideas as we got something to start with

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~~~{}~~~ Chapter 2 - Sticks and Stones ~~~{}~~~

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Can amphibians fly? Yet another thing you've managed to accomplish.

"-AAAAAAAAHHH! This cannot be! I am General Yunaaaaan!"

Unfortunately you can't claim sole achievement of this, rather a member of an exclusive club of unfortunates caught in the wagon explosion. Sent shooting off through the air, screaming all the way with a trail of smoke behind you.

---

Darkness. That endless abyss of the beyond.

So, this is what it's like to be dead... I hope I get to haunt some battlefield, at least.

Well there's not much you can do about it you suppose, as you try to relax and accept it. Finally, peace at last. After a remarkable life full of war and strife, perhaps you can finally rest.

Wait, that sound...

Of course the universe isn't so kind a place, as you try to relax and embrace death, but in your peace your hearing becomes clear.

"...how'd you do? Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? Missy from Newtopia, she could use a kiss I'm tellin' ya! Hippity-Hoppity, how do you do?"

That voice, those strings... that's Honest Sean. But if he's here, somewhere, then this can't be the blissful afterlife... it must be damnation! The eternal suffering for the wicked!

"Ugh, as if."

In annoyance you struggle, wriggle, and manage to free yourself from the hole in the ground. Seems you landed head-first up to your shoulders in some grassy peat after being blown who knows how far away by the explosion, resembling an undriven nail sticking straight up out of the ground. Sitting among the soft earth, you spit out a mouthful of dirt and grass and try to gather your bearings.

"Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? I had more fun than can be said, me and Missy Newt in bed! Hippity-Hoppity, how do you do?"

Following the tune, you manage to notice the froggy bard reclining among the branches of a tree nearby, strumming away at his mandolin and singing some bawdy song to no one in particular. The chances of him getting blown the same direction and distance as you from the explosion are slim to none, so wherever he landed, he must have come looking for you. Why though, when he was freed now and could have just left, you wonder.

Standing up and brushing yourself off, shaking your head to try and get some of the mud off, you look around for any easy landmarks to seek out. Obviously you can't rely on the traveling convoy of wagons anymore, wherever the lucky survivors got off to by now.

>Try to find the road again, at least. From there you can seek out civilization.
>If you could find your way back to the wagon... maybe there's something, anything that could be looted still?
>Seems you're not done with this frog yet, find out what you can from him.
>[Write-in.]

>>4547443
Loot the wagon

>>4547443
>Seems you're not done with this frog yet, find out what you can from him.
besides basic info he knows, ask why did he come to us ?

>>4547443
>>Seems you're not done with this frog yet, find out what you can from him.
perhaps yoddle or sing out a tune in the wind for him to follow while we loot the wagon

>>4547559
Yodel-adle-eedle-idle-oo
over the mountains and cliffs

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>>4547571
>>4547559
>>4547471
>>4547468
You appreciate Sean's help in escaping imprisonment, as well as getting back some of your belongings already. But you always prefer working alone, so now that you aren't forced to, you can't see much reason to continue doing so...

...although, out here in Frog knows where, you suppose you could at least stick together until you reach civilization again. He did bother to come and find you again after all.

"No doubt about being a bard, and no wonder why he was arrested if he goes around singing songs like that..."

Before anything else, you figure looting the wagon might not be a bad idea. How much you could find is questionable no thanks to the explosion, but no harm in checking.

So you try to navigate your way back whence you think you came, and with the intent to call Sean along after you... you think on what few songs you yourself know, as a way of signalling him to follow.

Yes, a marching song ought to do, you know some from your time in the Newtopian army...

---

Music was never your gift, so what?! Well neither was navigation either, as you have a hard time actually finding your way to the wagon wreckage... it's much more difficult from the ground than from the air to search around. Your froggy companion though knows the way back well enough, so he ends up just leading the way, not as though it's especially far anyway.

"I reckon ye willn'y find much in there, them's already gone and 'ad them's share, nary sticks and stones for us pair."

Honest Sean is being honest, when you return to the exploded blackened wreckage. Apart from the fiery blast itself already destroying most everything, what little may have remained was already picked over by other survivors who made it back here before you did. It's not a complete bust though, underneath the scorched chunks of wagon you manage to dig out a fancy lockbox that survived the fire.

Still not what you were actually hoping to find, punching and breaking the scorched wagon in upset.

"Argh! They're not here, my medals..."

"Ah, 'ere ye is Hinny! I didn'y forget."

To your surprise and relief, Sean remembers and reaches into his coat to pull out your three medals in perfect condition. Seems that he swiped them off the frog driver of the wagon during the fight, before the crash and explosion. You've half a mind to hug him, but settle for a proper thanks, which he shrugs off.

"So... why did you come after me?" to speak as you rise to your feet, stowing your medals and holding the lockbox against your hip.

"Cann'y go leavin a lady out 'ere all on 'er own."

The frog offers his answer easy enough with a smile, but you take offense to it.

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The frog offers his answer easy enough with a smile, but you take offense to it.

"I could gut you and make a hand puppet, think you have a song and dance to help with that? If anyone needs protecting it's you, little frog!" you say with a snarl, stepping towards the bard to close the distance, looking down as you tower over him.

"R-Right ye is Hinny! I's good as dead out 'ere I is!" he stammers, cowering beneath his mandolin before you. "The wilds o' the west march is no place for lone frog as me!"

A pathetic sight, a pathetic little thing. Like children these frogs are, all their lives. You mean no ill will towards Sean, not much at least, but he'd best learn quick that he's not some frog prince from his songs and you're not some newt princess for him to rescue. As long as he-

"Wait... the Western Marches? That can't be, you said I was only out for a night. We can't have traveled that far."

"Aye, the west, and nary no arguments about it. Them's 'ad us Tremaly way. Don'y remember, to the front line them's says."

Tremaly... the westernmost province of Amphibia, south of the great bay. How can you have been transported from the midlands where hunting Grime, to all the way out here? Well whatever the case, you're far out of bounds now. You ease up on intimidating the bard, wondering now what to do, as things have changed significantly. Both in regards to your plans, and even just your being able to navigate where you are, since you've never been this far west before.

Of course you'd wanted to, the army's endeavor out here... instead you had to pursue Grime, but nevertheless you find yourself here now.

>You really need to get back, so offer to cooperate. You'll protect Sean if he's able to lead you to civilization.
>Being out this far away is a real problem for your plans, but you might as well make the most of it... such as reclaiming your armor before you head back to where you want to be, halfway across Amphibia.
>Before anything else... you can't rightly make proper decisions without knowing what these people had intended for you, to bring you out here. Try to get to the bottom of this.
>[Write-in.]

>>4547715
>You really need to get back, so offer to cooperate. You'll protect Sean if he's able to lead you to civilization.

>>4547733
+1
as well as trying to find our armor or at least getting some light protection would be great

>>4547791
Also great source of measly income and he saved us so we owe him even if we will never admit to that

>>4547715
I would say find the armor then try to get to the bottom of this

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>>4547826
>>4547791
>>4547733
>>4548011
The sooner you return to the midlands, to your pursuit of Grime, the better. The more tasks you complete like that, the less you'll have to do them in the future.

In order to find your way back though, you might need some help. You don't particularly look forward to working with the frog, but if nothing else you can find a way to repay him later for helping you... your honor would remain intact for it.

"Alright fro- Sean... if you can lead me out of Westlands, I'll keep you safe. I suppose... I could probably see you pardoned as well. I am a General after all, would that make us even?"

"Like'n I's told ye Hinny, ye got me strings! What'n ye need, me life's yers!"

Well that was easy, this little frog is quite grateful for returning his instrument it seems. You properly offer your hand, bending over to reach down to his level, but he hops up to grab ahold and shake your entire arm up and down with enthusiasm. And while you suspect there's probably more to his motive of helping you than just gratitude, you don't much care as long as it results in you returning east and getting back on the hunt.

"We's champion Hinny, just'n ye see!"

Though it couldn't hurt either, if you get the chance in the time that you remain out here, to get your armor back or some substitute...

---

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---

Having climbed back up the short rocky cliffside and found the road again, together the two of you travel along the road, walking and hopping side by side. You're not one for chatter, and again you prefer to do things alone, but you could imagine far worse travel companions than the bard.

"So... how do you know your way around these parts? Are you from the Westlands? Were you on the run? Are you a criminal? Did you kill someone?!"

"Nay, was it were a missus... oh Hinny, just thinkin o' 'er makes me 'eart swell! None 'alf as much a beauty, I tells ye she 'ad me in a spell! And believe ye me, she know'd 'ow to treat a lad well! Ahhh... if'n I's could be with 'er, nary no place in all Amphibia I'd rather dwell."

You see the frog hold his mandolin like his beloved as he relates to you, performing a charming little waltz as he hops alongside you, as if she were in his arms all the while. You're not one for that sickly sweet lovey dovey romance, but you admit it's cute nonetheless.

"That's sweet... why did you leave her? Were you on the run? Are you a criminal? Did you kill her?"

"Nay, 'er 'usband came 'ome and caught us together." he sighs wistfully.

"Ah well, that's life isn't it? If I've learned anything, it's that- wait... what did you say?"

Before you get a response, the both of you hear the distant approach of a traveler along the dirt road. You both try to signal them down for a lift, Sean even hops up to stand on your shoulder and ensure visibility. It must not be your lucky day though, as the traveler is mounted on a roadrunner and just tears past, leaving the both of you coughing in a dust cloud.

Come to think of it, was that a royal messenger, the short glimpse you got of the armored traveler and barded mount?

"Ahhh... but all that'n nothin compare a' what I's got afore me! A true beauty, fair princess-"

Before he has the chance to play and sing a song about it, you sharply reach up and grab Sean, pulling him off your shoulder and holding eye level with one hand to give him a dangerous stare.

"-ah, warrior queen!" he nervously laughs, "A warrior queen to see along on 'er quest! Song o' the ages that'll be... 'ear tell she's a General and all!"

Gradually your lips settle back over your bared fangs, as you sigh and drop the bard to the ground. You remind yourself that he's just a little frog, and as easy as it would be to end his frivolities with a killing bite to the neck, you'd also be out a guide. Also... as annoying as he might be at times, he's been a better partner than most any you're used to, even in the army. As odd a pair as the two of you may be, there's no denying that you managed to accomplish some impressive feats together.

Then again, it would be quite satisfying to deliver a killing bite to the runt, and end his malarkey here and now.

>You've still got a ways to go together, if you can't catch a ride. Something else to talk about, like the toad you're after... or his strange lackey.
>If you can't flag down transport, you could always just commandeer some, in the name of the Newtopian army!
>Rather than wind up distracted by pointless talk, put this bard to use for what he's good for! Spend the time you have together until reaching civilization, to fully relate and rehearse your reputation, so that he might be able to spread your legend as best a bard can!
>[Write-in.]

>>4548032
Teach him the legend of General Yunan

>>4548032
>Rather than wind up distracted by pointless talk, put this bard to use for what he's good for! Spend the time you have together until reaching civilization, to fully relate and rehearse your reputation, so that he might be able to spread your legend as best a bard can!

>>4548201
Support

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>>4548069
>>4548201
>>4548373
You could get verbally sidetracked all the way to your destination, but you'd rather not deal with Sean's frivolous prattle. There's an opportunity here to greatly spread your reputation with a bard of all people, so you'd rather make use of his tongue for something fulfilling that will leave you satisfied-

"-wait, that didn't sound right... so then Sean, how does this... well, everything so far, factor into your song?"

With a smile at your prompt, Sean spins his mandolin and handles it properly to strum a tune.

"Ooooohhhh~! Yunan the newt, a General so daring! Somethin like that?"

"Right, well last we left off... the Sand Wars?"

He seems to get you, and participates just as you'd hoped in relating your tale and building it into something that could be shared with people in a more memorable way, certainly a way more easily spread than just shouting it at people every chance you get.

In this regard you make a good pair, the war hero and the bard, and have a decent time of things as you continue on the road to parts unknown.

---

The rest of the day is spent traveling on foot... good thing you have your boots and can march, though it means eventually just having to carry Sean on your shoulder, the little frog all hopped out. In a way it makes you rather bitter because plenty of people passed by on the road, but all apparently too busy to stop and help complete strangers!

Well, whatever the case, awhile after nightfall you sight the lights of civilization not too much farther down the road. You'd preferred to find shelter for the night but Sean insisted it wouldn't be much father, and he turned out to be right.

"There we is... Reedvale, just like I's said!"

Eventually approaching the town, the two of you stop to read the sign and get an impression of the place. If nothing else, Sean certainly kept up his part of the bargain because this place is plenty busy. Even out by the welcome sign on the road, you can look ahead and see such activity. The usual townfolk, but plenty of... soldiers, from the Newtopian army? Some mustering outside of town, many more organizing within.

And as the two of you spy from a distance, there's also-

"The wagons!"
"The wagons!"

Yes indeed, you might have mistook them at first, but sure enough you recognize some of the towing-creatures that had been pulling the various wagons in the caravan along. It makes sense that after the dread fox attack, they would seek out the nearest proper settlement for assistance. You're just lucky they're all still here, probably waiting a day or so for any surviving stragglers to catch up... like you and Sean, appropriately enough!

"Ay, 'old up Hinny... maybe we's be careful 'ere?"

You think nothing of Sean's nervousness at first, but his full-body grip of your back in worry, makes you think twice about just prancing into town and announcing yourself.

>There's nothing to be afraid of! Surely the soldiers at least will welcome you?
>You suppose... for his sake at least, you could err on the side of caution. At least seek out accommodations, and learn what you can before acting.
>With the wagons here, there's only one thing you care about. You're either coming back with your armor, or not at all.
>[Write-in.]

>>4548755
Seek out accommodation while keeping a low profile

>>4548777
>Seek out accommodation while keeping a low profile
support lets spy on them and hopefully get back our armor and repport to the town of a caravan of slavers

>>4548755
>You suppose... for his sake at least, you could err on the side of caution. At least seek out accommodations, and learn what you can before acting.
they might have talked with the soldiers first and say that we're an impostor

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>>4548777
>>4548895
>>4548931
Your first instinct is to just march on into town and proclaim your arrival. Your froggy companion seems genuinely worried with this idea though, so against your better judgement... you decide to humor him for now.

"Okay miss Yunan... and is that spelled with one 'N' in the middle, or two?"

"Yes."

Having made your way into town together, you and Sean try to keep a low profile and seek accommodations for the night at least. It's not so easy for you as newts are uncommon in these parts, but thankfully all attention is on the mass of refugees crowding the town and the regiment of soldiers minding them. You see plenty of poorly and despairing faces in the streets and whatever buildings will let them in, and the soldiers with their hands full... acting rather harshly in your military opinion. It's a lot to deal with for sure, no easy job for anyone but do they need to be so rough, hostile with these people?

It's a wonder you can even get a room at all, the owner of the inn turning over employee lodging since everything else is occupied. You wouldn't have even managed this, if Sean didn't have a fair bit of coinage he'd apparently swiped from the same frog driver who had your medals.

"Proper bed, finally!"

Sean hops up and down upon the bed once you get to your room together. Honestly it's actually pretty dismal, just the bare minimum afforded to the cook or one of the waitresses, something like that. But it beats sleeping in the street with the refugees.

"Something's going on here, Sean. These people are in some trouble, and the army isn't helping." you drag a tattered rug from under the bed to sit upon on the floor.

"Lucky us then, eh Hinny? We can be at the wagons ye and me, fetch yer armor easy can be, then off back 'ome we flee."

Between his hopping on the bed, he makes a good point. With all the difficulties of so many troubled Amphibians in one place, there isn't much attention paid to the wagon caravan that is merely stopping by here. Certainly not much attention of the soldiers. So any crimes... well, more like retribution for crimes done to you, would have you dealing with the wagon travelers themselves. Guards and the like, as you've dealt with already.

It probably would be smart to just get your armor and get out of this place, come morning be heading back eastward. And while you don't especially care for the fate of the civilians and refugees... seeing them suffering hardships at the hands of the army... it bothers you. If they all just up and croaked on their own, you wouldn't lose sleep. But the Newtopian army responsible for trouble and even violence against civilians? Even without being a General, it wouldn't sit well with you.

>Sean's right, keep your eyes on the prize. Seek out where the wagons are, and plan an attack.
>As long as the wagons remain here, you can afford a little side-tracking. Namely, you want to hear from the soldiers themselves as to what's going on.
>You hate to entertain the thought... but if the soldiers here are the guilty party, then maybe you'd do better speaking to the refugees? Or even just the locals.
>[Write-in.]

>>4549048
>As long as the wagons remain here, you can afford a little side-tracking. Namely, you want to hear from the soldiers themselves as to what's going on.
gotta know what the heck is going on

>>4549048
Talk to the refugees first but don't point out you're part of the army

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>>4549065
>>4549093
Really you ought to just fetch your armor, however you can, and be gone from this place. None of it is your business, you don't belong here. But even for the likes of you, it's hard to just ignore the plight of these other Amphibians, when the solution could be so easy as simply ordering the soldiers here to shape up and cease their hostilities against the populace.

Because the way things are, how is it any better than that traitor Grime and his lot bullying folks? At the very least, if you won't stop it, then you can at least try to understand what's going on.

"I'm... going out. To see if I can find transport back east, for tomorrow. I'll be careful, just... you stay here."

"As ye please Hinny, I's 'ave us summat for dinner afore yer back!"

Coming up with an excuse to part ways with your froggy companion, you step out of the inn to the nighttime streets of Reedvale. A decent little town built partly on a marsh, hence the name. Or you'd expect it to be a decent place, were it not for the circumstances. The hostility between the soldiers and the refugees, and the locals trying their best just to keep the tense situation from breaking down, you'd hate to be stuck here.

What's worse though is that you can't seem to get a good answer why, for any of it. Amphibians of all types trying to flee eastward, but forced to congregate here by the army. People who lost their homes, separated from their families, even injured or sick and starving folks. All clear signs of conflict.

But not a one of them can you get a straight response from, try as you might with many Amphibians you approach on the wood-plank streets, as you look into their weary eyes and hear their strained voices. Either they don't trust you, or they're simply too afraid to go into much detail beyond just a basic idea of what happened to them and why they're fleeing; the war.

"Back you toads! She's accused of sedition against the King!"

"We're just taking her for questioning! Let us do our work, or you'll be guilty of worse!"

"Hey! What's the meaning of this?"

In the end, it actually takes getting involved in a nasty scene... just one of several you've witnessed since coming here, in this particular case several soldiers attempting to arrest a toad while a group of others are protesting it. You try to intervene if only to avoid violence, bloodshed which it looks like this will lead to soon enough.

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As a fellow newt, like the soldiers, they don't just bend to your will (without knowing who you are of course) but they at least feign politeness towards you compared with the toads.

"Listen... Miss, this is an army matter. She was spreading dangerous lies."

"Dangerous lies, my foot. I was only talking about the Red Princess..." the toad lady mutters, seeming to accept the arrest rather than without a choice, given her obvious physique that she could put up a fight if she wanted.

"So you admit it then?! You hear that you toads?!"

Again the soldiers try to quell the angry crowd, using clear proof of apparent crime. The toads however, and even some frogs gathered now, don't seem to care though and express their anger all the more. As if emboldened by it, even.

"...listen lady, we've got enough on our hands trying to appease locals-"

"-I'm from Newtopia." you assert, both to correct the armored newt, but also to allay his obvious suspicion of you.

"...what are you doing all the way out- nevermind. Please Miss, we've got a job to do."

There's not a lot you can do to stop what's happening, though you're not sure if you even should. From what little you've heard, you have a somewhat better understanding of the big picture here. The talk about a Red Princess, it must be the recent rebellion going on in the Western Marches. Something to do with the ruling local nobility rejecting the authority of the King and naming their own royal successor. You're vaguely familiar with it, because you yourself had actually wanted the task of military command over the crisis, to represent Newtopia and the King's response. About a month or two ago it was, that this treasonous business came to be, and you sought to be the general responsible for dealing with it.

Unfortunately you were denied in favor of a... better connected commander. General Mero, something of a rival of yours with nepotism on his side compared to your ambition and skill. A source of great annoyance for you, and the whole reason you instead ended up having to pursue the bounty of Grime, in order to further bolster your reputation in hopes of appealing to join the effort of the Newtopian army here.

Ironic as it is for you to have wound up here anyway, though in a much different way than you'd wanted, you still wonder what to do about the immediate and personal situation involving the soldiers and the toads.

>Pull rank with this lot, take command and restore order to the area. General Yunan demands it!
>Given the tension and confusion of the situation, you'd rather avoid revealing your identity... see if you can't try to defuse the situation without it.
>It's tough to just let it go, but none of this is your trouble. Just mind your own business and return to the inn.
>[Write-in.]

>>4549243
>Given the tension and confusion of the situation, you'd rather avoid revealing your identity... see if you can't try to defuse the situation without it.
Quite complicated without knowing the context

>>4549243
Given the tension and confusion of the situation, you'd rather avoid revealing your identity... see if you can't try to defuse the situation without it.

>>4549346
>>4549314
Support lets save our best tool

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>>4549579
>>4549346
>>4549314
It's a complicated situation to be sure, and normally you wouldn't get involved or even care too much. But it was hard just to keep quiet when you were walking the wooden streets and this happened right in front of you, soldiers trampling over civilians... you suppose the General in you felt responsible in some way.

But then, you'd rather not reveal your identity if you don't have to. Yikes, you never thought you'd live to see the day when that was the case, avoiding the screaming of your identity and reputation from the rooftops. Maybe you don't even need to however, surely someone as capable as you could try.

"Look... far be it from me to tell you what to do, but this is just asking for violence. If she's... cooperative?" you look past the soldiers to the toad herself, as she returns the glance and nods. "Then let her settle it, if they'll listen to her... she doesn't want anyone to get hurt either."

The soldiers grumble, are clearly annoyed by your continued meddling, but faced with a crowd of angry toads and frogs... they have their weapons read, they're braced for a fight, but one nods to another and they give the toad lady some space to address her fellows.

"I'm not really one for speeches... I think that's enough, right everyone?" she mutters to herself before speaking up to the would-be angry mob. "It's just a stupid story anyway, we all know it's not real. Let's just leave each other alone, and if these soldiers... want me to answer some questions later? I'll do it."

The tension is high between all parties, but rather than resorting to spilling blood, the toad lady can settle things down. At least enough for everyone to not be at each other's throats, as the leader of the group of soldiers and some prominent members among the toads, convince their respective groups to back off and give it some space. The soldiers can accept the toad lady surrendering herself, and the toads can accept her not being arrested and hauled away.

That leaves you in the odd position between, as the soldiers withdraw (but not entirely, remaining a distance away to observe) and the toads celebrate to have one of their own back. They're all of a mind to get out of here, and most disperse but the lady at the center of all this remains while a few others linger.

"I don't know who you are newt, but you're earned a drink on me... unless you're too Newtopian for that? What's your name?"

She smacks you on the back causing you to stagger forward, but seems genuinely thankful and even the other toads look appreciative. Funny to think that just days ago, toads were your rivals.

That said, same as before you'd never really planned or wanted to get invested in all of this. Just something you felt you could assist with in passing, and now that you know about the current troubles in town and about the army and refugees, you got more than what you came for.

>Going for drinks is a bit much, but while you're here... if she could explain a little? (Specify.)
>You've already been out long enough, and want to get back. Besides, you're trying to avoid suspicion here and hanging out with a suspected rebel isn't good for that.
>You don't suppose... one drink could hurt? Maybe some local help would be handy for your action against the wagon caravan.
>[Write-in.]

>>4549840
>Going for drinks is a bit much, but while you're here... if she could explain a little? (Specify.)
Ask her about the princess thing

>>4549858
Agree with this one

>>4549858
support

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>>4549858
>>4549869
>>4549921
It's nice to know that your effort is appreciated, not just a waste of time, but you didn't get involved to be thanked. And already you're lingering more than you wanted to.

"It's not a Newtopian thing, I just... I have to get back. Before that though, I just..." you look around for the soldiers watching, any closer possibly listening. "I was wondering about that... Princess thing mentioned?"

You attempt to be cautious and secretive about it, but the toad just chuckles at your effort, not bothered by the issue at all it seems. Instead, she finds a decent spot for the pair of you to sit on the plank walkway overlooking the marsh, as locals busy themselves with tying up and unloading boats after a day of work.

"Ah well, that... you know Crivora? They found her underground, called her 'red' after... oh, lava I guess? They brought her up top, thought she was something special... enough to make her their 'Princess' and reject the King."

She growls and spits at this, clearly in disagreement with the matter. Though as she relates it to you, you can tell she only is partly familiar with the story, trying to remember what she can.

"Why would they do that? Greed? Ambition? Color preference?"

"Nah, some folks believe she's meant to rule... prophecy? Whatever nonsense those newts believe in. I say it's those armored warriors that came with her, you should see them in a fight! Well I knew that was me out of a job, so I got out while the getting was good..." she tries to seem confident about this part but can't force it, clearly regretful and even sad, and isn't afraid to show it. "Ah, but I guess this is it for Tremaly then. You can't go against the King, and the army, right? No matter how strong you are..."

"No... I suppose not." you mutter, feeling a little guilty inside about hiding the truth from her.

So that's how it is, more of the full picture revealed to you. Crivora is both the name of the ruling nobles of these Westlands, as appointed by the King, and the name of the town they rule from at the westernmost point of Amphibia. Traditionally they had always served the kingdom, in keeping the monumental lighthouse at the entrance of the great bay to Newtopia. It's always been the most loyal of provinces and the most loyal of nobility, to the King and to Amphibia. Strong warriors too, an illustrious history of protecting the land.

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It couldn't be without good reason, that they would rebel... and to risk the might of Newtopia and the wrath of the King, this Red Princess of theirs must be one hell of a good reason. You remember back to your military service in the Sand Wars, and imagine it happening again, here.

"...listen, I appreciate what you did, but you should get out of here. Head back to Newtopia, while you still can. The army... they're rounding folks up... you know what for. Anyone to do with Crivora and their 'Princess'. The King doesn't want anything about this war spreading beyond Tremaly, to the rest of Amphibia, and it won't stop till he has the Princess... dead or alive."

With your curiosity answered, the toad tries her best to liven up, slapping you on the back once more as she moves to stand again. Despite the... rather morbid nature of the conversation and implications, and as hopeless as she seems... she's at least cheery about it.

"Yunan... is my name. Ah, before you said you were out of a job?" you follow after her in getting to your feet, but she just picks you up with her toad strength.

"That's right, I was castellan of the beacon if you can believe it!" she grasps your hand with both of hers and warmly shakes. "Call me Gretchen. Tell you what Yunan, if you need a favor for as long as you're here, come find me! If I'm still alive that is, ha!"

At that she pulls you close for a hug and a laugh, before rejoining the other toads as they head back to where they were with other refugees. With nothing else to keep you here then, you head back for the inn, a lot to think about along the way.

"...castellan of the beacon?"

The great lighthouse itself? If she wasn't lying, then this Gretchen was a lot more involved in this crisis than you'd imagined. Whatever has happened here in Tremaly, she was there at the heart of it. You wonder if the army soldiers here even know, or were just going after yet another refugee.

>As a member of the army yourself, you don't feel able to just let something like this pass. Report what you know to the soldiers, their commander even if you can. It's all in the line of duty, before you depart tomorrow.
>There's something bigger at play here than just stolen armor or a rebellion... return to the inn, consider the options and see what Sean thinks.
>As long as you're out, you might as well scout the area where the wagon caravan is, so you can better plan an attack.
>[Write-in.]

>>4550071
>As long as you're out, you might as well scout the area where the wagon caravan is, so you can better plan an attack.
then
>There's something bigger at play here than just stolen armor or a rebellion... return to the inn, consider the options and see what Sean thinks.

>>4550071
Scout out the Caravan then head over to Sean and explain the situation

>>4550079
+1

Hey all just to wanted to let know, I'm currently transitioning over to a new computer. We'll still keep running, but playtime may be a little spotty over the next few days.

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>>4550079
>>4550114
>>4550187

What little you know of what's happening here in the Westlands, is already more than you'd expected. You have feelings of what you want to do but no ideas of what you should do, yet, so a second opinion would help. Best to get back to the inn then, you've already been gone long enough.

"No telling what that frog has gotten himself into by now..."

On your way back however, you consider... at least checking out the wagon caravan, since more than anything that is your primary target here. Easy enough to find your way to the other side of town where there's solid ground instead of marsh waters, and the surviving wagons and travelers have stopped for rest and repairs.

Once you get closer though, you have to be careful and sneaky. All the refugees and soldiers are quite occupied with each other on an ongoing basis, so the wagons are almost in their own little world on this side of town. Only a couple soldiers periodically come by just to check that things are alright, but no refugees want to join the wagon to head on to Crivora, back the way they all came from.

At least I won't have to worry about trouble from any soldiers... shame.

By the look of things, those remaining of the wagon caravan are more preoccupied with getting what they need done in order to get back on the road, as well as another day or so of waiting for any surviving stragglers from the fox attack to catch up. Obviously they're not expecting you to show up in force, to attack and reclaim what's yours.

Perhaps you may not need to though, as you spy the caravan master and head merchant or two. Now that you're no longer a prisoner, and they can't hope to catch you in a cage again, maybe you could just try negotiating with them? If you have anything to offer, you only want your own belongings back after all, and could even prove to people... and soldiers around here, who you are if need be.

Then again, you wouldn't mind busting some heads of these fools that dare thought to imprison you...

---

You manage to return to the inn with time to spare, but find it bustling with activity and shoulder to shoulder with Amphibians packed inside. You wonder why, trying to get inside, but soon enough find out.

"-so there's she was, facin down a Tod the size o' an 'ouse! But does she run, does she scream? No! Yunan stares the monster down cool as can be! All true, I swears on me life!"

Gasps and cheers at the storytelling of Honest Sean, accompanied by supporting strums of his mandolin. Not just tenants of the establishment but neighboring locals, and even a number of refugees (whom the owner allowed in for this occasion) have crowded into the place to hear and see the stories of a vibrant bard.

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The tale he has to tell about a Newtopian General captures the awe and imagination of all, with further additions to the legend it sounds like, as he performs his dramatic act upon a table top.

"That's not true!"

"Yeah, nobody is that brave!"

"Well, if'n it ain't true... then I's spose ye ain't wantin to 'ear the rest!"

Cheers all around and calls for Sean to continue. You have need to discuss what you've found with him... but you can afford to put it off for the time being, as you find a spot to stand and listen like everyone else with a smile.

---

Though you lose track of time, eventually you can manage to drag Sean away to your room again as it's getting quite late and the gathered crowd starts to subside. Not for nothing though, still plenty calling for encore and having tossed Sean enough coins to fill his flat cap!

"Only guards? Reckon it can't be a trouble just'n steal it all..."

Once in your room together, you relay what you saw and learned about the wagons, and how there's probably several attempts you could make to reclaim your armor. If the convoy staying overnight or so, isn't under protection and constant watch of many soldiers, then your options against it are much more... open-ended. By they blunt and violent, or sneaky and unnoticed. Either way, Sean is similarly more optimistic as you are about your chances of success.

"It's not just the wagons though... I met some people around here, heard about what is happening in Tremaly. The army, the locals, everyone... everything, is after this Princess." you sit on the bed, speaking your thoughts aloud as much for your sake as for Sean's, as he counts out his tipped coins on a pulled up chair. "Grime... I'll still have Grime's head at the end of this, but I only went after him in the first place, to be able to involve myself in the crisis out here in the Westlands. I don't have my army to be able to deal with the rebellion, I'm on my own here... but if it's just the Princess? Imagine bringing her to the King myself, that'd be worth a hundred Grimes!"

It's such an outlandish plan, a fever dream, that you feel silly even speaking it. To think that you alone could accomplish, what it would otherwise take the entire Newtopian army to achieve. But if yours was just an impressive reputation before, then this would make you a legend. To think, General Yunan on her own, quelled the Westlands rebellion... and saved countless lives, by capturing their prophesied Princess right out from under them...

"Ah, but ye's not alone Hinny!" Sean addresses you again with a smile, hopping up to plant his cap on your head now that he's emptied the coins out of it. "Whatever ye be doin, ye's got me 'elp if'n ye needs it!"

You try not to laugh in response, but you suppose your froggy companion is right. You don't have your army with you, but you're not alone. Of course you've always preferred working alone, but for a feat like this... you admit that even you, could use a little help. Your army would just slow you down, too much help, and complicate things. But perhaps one little frog bard, and anyone else you might pick up along the way...

Bah! What are you thinking? You only came here to get your armor, and be on your way! To return back east, and finally deal with that wretched Grime... and his strange lackey. You've no time to be gallivanting off on some wild pursuit of a mysterious Princess that is stirring up another war in Amphibia... right?

>First thing's first, go and get your armor before you decide anything! Time for some payback against those would-be slavers.
>You'll get your armor, but maybe there's an easier way? Against your instincts to kill, perhaps attempt to... talk it over, with those fools?
>Why bother with any interaction at all? Sean seems confident that you could just steal back what is yours, probably without notice.
>[Write-in.]

>>4551210
>Why bother with any interaction at all? Sean seems confident that you could just steal back what is yours, probably without notice.
I mean, while we can brute force it being stealthy as much as we can is the best way

>>4551256
support

>>4551210
Steal the armor back and sabotage the wagons some more

>>4551277
lets do that but stealthy

Hey all, got my new computer working I think. If all remains well, then we'll resume later today around the usual time.

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>>4551484
>>4551277
>>4551275
>>4551256
Usually the forceful and forward approach is your preference, it's gotten you by in life so far. You're not so set in your ways however, to not be able to consider other options when you're at a disadvantage. Namely, without your armor, but hopefully that will be amended soon enough.

"I'm not sure exactly which wagon it is, so it may take some effort to search each one... I suppose we could always set them on fire, that would give us the chance."

"Nary no need'n that Hinny! I 'as me strings, can turn them's 'eads long as ye need."

The two of you perched on a nearby rooftop, watch and wait from the shadows while conspiring a plan of action. You know your armor has to be among the goods in the wagons, but because of the trouble with the fox and changed traveling arrangements, the cargo has been shifted around between wagons since the caravan stopped here for the couple of days.

Unfortunately that doesn't leave much option besides searching each of them, which means a lot of time trying to avoid notice. You have your own ideas of course, but Sean has a much easier one; to act as a distraction, as he's shown capable of already. It's not exactly, totally stealthy, but it allows you a much easier time to go unnoticed.

"Excellent! And afterward, we can meet back at the inn... oh, and Sean? Try... be careful."

"Always, Hinny!"

Spinning his mandolin with a catch, Sean hops off across the rooftops to a better spot he can draw attention to. Away from the rearmost wagons, where you plan to start. Struggling to climb down from the roof then, you fall flat on your face before dusting yourself off and moving to a hidden position.

"Hey, you hear that?"

"No, I don't hear anything... but let's go check it out anyway!"

Before long you can pick up on a melodious racket not too far away, Sean strumming and yelling up a storm from some rooftop near to the wagons. In short order, the various guards and travelers from the caravan make their way towards the suspicious sounds of both the music as well as others causing a commotion to investigate.

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You give it some moments till the last guards you see depart, before you emerge from hiding and approach the tethered wagons. You're not totally alone, there's some of just the basic civilian travelers remaining, but they don't recognize you as the former prisoner or even never saw you before so you can just act like a fellow traveler among the wagons.

The important thing is, no guards-

"-oof!"
"-oof!"

You run smack dab into a newt guard. Obviously too smart to be distracted by distant music, or the peer pressure for everyone to go investigate.

"Who are you?!"

"...who are you?!"

He braces with his spear in alarm, some moments after which you mimic his reaction as well.

"I'm watching over these wagons here-"

"-alone? Isn't it odd if you're here, when all the other guards went to investigate that suspicious distraction over there?"

"...I guess that is a bit odd... wouldn't want to get in trouble if there actually was something wrong, and I wasn't there for it... thanks!"

He lowers his guard in thought for a few moments, before accepting your logic and running off to join the others. Maybe he's not too smart then...

Either way, with that last guard gone, you can start checking through the wagons easily enough. You just have to appear as if you're a fellow traveler searching for your belongings... which you kind of are, ironically. Although even with the attack of the dread fox on the road, there's still a fair few wagons remaining, for you to have to check through. Hopefully Sean can provide a distraction long enough for you to go through each one?

>Sean should be able to manage... hopefully. Get to looking!
>You want to be as quick at this as possible. Without the guards around, seek out the caravan master and... convince him to tell you exactly where your armor is.
>Just start setting fire to everything. Sean distracted the guards away to allow you to do it, but you can manage a better distraction still!
>[Write-in.]

>>4553274
Start searching Sean should be safe

>>4553274
>Sean should be able to manage... hopefully. Get to looking!

>>4553274
>>Sean should be able to manage... hopefully. Get to looking!

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>>4553282
>>4553285
>>4553325
With Sean distracting the guards and other travelers, you should have enough time to thoroughly search the wagons for your armor. The little frog should be able to handle himself, giving you the chance you need.

So then, there's really not much else to do besides rummaging through the backs of the various wagons.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Just looking for my suit of armor... I-I mean, not mine to wear, of course! No, mine as in... belongs to me, to sell. Yes! I'm transporting it to sell!"

"...right, well I know they had to shuffle goods between the wagons, but don't make a mess."

Of course the guards are distracted, but not all the civilian travelers with the caravan were. Some followed Sean's racket, others just kept to their tents or around a campfire here or there, or even just in or on the wagons themselves.

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As long as Sean can hold most of the attention though, you’re free to rummage through the goods stowed in the back of each wagon. You’d like to go as quickly as you can of course, but you also have to try to appear not suspicious about it. So you manage as you can, seeming like one of the travelers looking for her moved belongings.

”...yes… yes! YES! There you are, my sweet!” you try not to scream too loud, but your relief is difficult to contain. Eventually your patience pays off, as in the third wagon searched you find your gauntlets being worn by an opportunistic newt traveler, and by the fifth your suit of armor. ”Hey, uh… where did this come from, this suit of armor here?”

”Bobbo moved it after we rolled into town… oh you mean in the first place? Umm… I think it was a catfisherman, back at Cattail Landing? Said his catfish found it in the river, thought it had been tossed overboard by a boat. Of course Harvey couldn’t pass up on a deal like that, and bought it.” a frog reclining against the wagon wheel answers.

It brings tears to your eyes to have it all back again, finally, as helpless or at least as defenseless as you felt without it all. You’re still not out of the woods yet though, as you dry your eyes, gather everything up in your arms and heft it on out of there.

A traveler or guard or two notice you in your escape, and call after you in confusion, but no one can stop you now from getting back to the inn. The elated tens of minutes back to your room where you slam the door shut behind, and lay your armor out on the bed.

”Oh my beauties, how mommy has missed you! You haven’t rusted, have you? Oh don’t worry, I’ll see you right again!”

Finally reunited, you feel like jumping for joy but try to remain calm and collected as a general should. Even still, you can’t lose the fanged grin up both sides of your face and almost reaching your hair. Surely some maintenance will be required, but the important thing is you have it all back. Taking your medals from your pocket and holding them before your armor, all is as it should be.

>You can’t resist even a minute longer! Suit up and cherish the feeling of… security, certainty, once again!
>This calls for a celebration! At least stow your armor so it won’t get stolen, but after that have a proper meal and some drinks. Welcome relief, before you depart in the morning.
>After such a long day, and all night, you could do with a rest. A proper sleep, now that everything is right with the world, so that you’re ready to depart with Sean at a reasonable time.
>[Write-in.]

>>4553572
Hide the armor in the room and go find Sean

>>4553572
>You can’t resist even a minute longer! Suit up and cherish the feeling of… security, certainty, once again!
>This calls for a celebration! At least stow your armor so it won’t get stolen, but after that have a proper meal and some drinks. Welcome relief, before you depart in the morning.
Wear it to celebrate, than take it off to hide it and then we celebrate with drinks

>>4553598
support

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>>4553706
>>4553601
>>4553598
Your armor, as much a part of you as your tail! You'd thought you would never see it again, so this is really beyond expectation... and you can't resist at least trying it on. What's the harm anyway, you weren't able to recover the arming leather worn under the armor so it's not like you'd be fully, properly suiting up.

"Ahhh, now that's bett- nhgn..." relief washes over you to be standing with your armor at least loosely thrown on, obviously not fitted and secured. Feeling the weight and motion however, you grunt at a strange feeling. "Wait a minute... someone else has tried wearing this! I swear, if I find out who..."

Grumbling and fuming all the while, you've half a mind to just ignore it now and simply try to enjoy yourself for the rest of the evening... or rather, very early morning really since it's already passed into the next day. On your way out of the room though, something nags at the back of your mind.

"Wait... Sean should have been back by now. In fact... a long time already."

You're not overly worried, but you feel it's something you should check out. With disappointment then, you struggle to get off your armor and find a safe hiding spot for it in the room, just in case. You keep your gauntlets on though, the natural complement to your boots, as well as relieved to have the gauntlet blades back; a weapon you're actually familiar with.

"You're still awake miss Yunan? Would you care for breakfast, something to drink?" a frog girl minding the counter late asks on your way out.

"Mmm... not now, but have something for two ready, for when I return."

Back onto the wooden streets, and back the way you came to find your bard companion.

---

At first you think this is just a silly mistake, surely if you waited long enough, Sean would come hopping through the door to your room. Some nonsense about getting lost on the way... just to be sure though, you return to the other side of town where the wagon caravan is weathering these couple days. High and low you search, assisted by the morning light of sunrise. Starting from the roof where you'd parted ways together, on towards where you'd last seen him hopping off to.

Doing your best to avoid notice, eventually you can find an archway entrance for the road this side of town; along the path Sean hopped off on, and your guess as to where he would have made his distraction. Certainly it's an obvious location. Search as you might though, you turn up no sign of the froggy bard.

Just signs of commotion on the ground all about here, and...

"...his hat?"

You'd almost missed it among the mess of dirt and strewn trash, but lying dirty and trampled among it all is Sean's flat cap. Picking it up and dusting it off, you look every which way for the owner, but only the numerous wagons, travelers and guards wait nearby.

>If something happened... well it's obvious who's responsible. Approach and demand an answer from any in the caravan who can say.
>Maybe the soldiers know? Even if most are more occupied with the rest of town, all the refugees, some still patrol by here now and then. They can't have missed Sean's distraction.
>He wouldn't slip up here, like this. Surely he just dropped his hat, and he'll probably be back at the inn waiting for you already, by now.
>[Write-in.]

>>4553851
THEY MUST HAVE TAKEN OUR BARD lets investigate the guards he distracted beacuse this hat is as much a part of him as the armor is ours

>>4553853
>Maybe the soldiers know? Even if most are more occupied with the rest of town, all the refugees, some still patrol by here now and then. They can't have missed Sean's distraction.
This sounds strange, like the guy was just singing they didn’t have a reason to do something to him

>>4553853
Search for Sean

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>>4553898
>>4553939
>>4554008
If something happened to your bard, then that's an insult to you, which needs to be corrected! Nothing else... not because you care about him at all, certainly not! Immediately you search the area for Sean, but can't find much you haven't already noticed, and that isn't much anyway.

"Ex.... Excuse me," you try to put on a friendly face when eventually you approach the nearest caravan wagon and the passengers awake nearby, "did you happen to see a charming... annoying frog bard near here? An hour or two ago?"

"Mmmh, bard? No bard, no." a toad guard looks up from stirring a pot of breakfast stew over the fire.

"...you mean that singing fool? He was here, caused a real racket and got everyone's attention, even brought a bunch of soldiers over. Idiot tried to sell us all on some story about a deserter from the army, a General or something? Ah, but the soldiers just took him away.”

At first you think you’re being lied to, that this newt merchant is having a laugh at your expense. Your instinct is to draw your gauntlet blades and let him know the price for such impudence. However you see the other travelers (that are awake) about murmuring and nodding in agreement, and even the toad guard backing the story up.

You’re not sure what it could mean fully, but you take off in a run from the area in a worry, back towards the archway entrance to this side of town. Looking about, you quickly manage to find a pair of soldiers just lingering about on patrol near the entrance, surprised and cautious at first by your sudden approach.

”-hey! What happened with the frog bard? The one that was caught here, I heard soldiers took him away?”

The pair of armored newts look to one another, before lowering their guard towards you.

”That weren’t no bard.”

”Notorious criminal, smuggler for the rebels.”

Now you’re sure this is some joke, an elaborate prank at your expense by both the caravan travelers and now even the army.

”What do you mean… what happened to him?”

”Well we can’t say too much…”

”...he tried to make a deal for a pardon, in exchange for a deserter. When Captain Olly found out though… eh, he didn’t much believe some story of a Newtopian General deserting. I mean, would you? So when they showed up on the frog’s signal of playing his music, to arrest this “General”... well once the wagon traders confirmed the frog’s identity, we arrested him instead.”

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Once again you get dealt a blow of truth to the proverbial stomach. At least it sounds like the truth, again these newts don’t seem to be lying to you, and why would they if they don’t know who you are and this isn’t some trick to try and catch you as well? Plus, they would have had to coordinate pretty well with the caravan travelers for all of this.

”Hey, why do you care ma’am? What’s he to you?” the soldiers ask the obvious question and you notice their grip of their weapons tighten again.

”...just someone he scammed, was hoping to get my money back from him.” you scramble for an excuse, but thankfully it seems to work as the newts ease up towards you, ”It’s not too late for that, is it? Where’s he headed?”

”Ah, might be ma’am, sorry to say.”

”They hauled him off to prisoner transport, usually leaves at dawn. He’ll be off to Crivora, to the front line. Probably make an example of him there, for everyone to see.”

Your breath sharply gets caught in your throat, as you struggle to thank the soldiers and take your leave. You just barely make it to an alley before having to lean on a wall to catch your breath. The panic, the anger, the confusion… the hurt. In anguish you punch the wall, cracking the stone beneath your gauntlet.

”...’Honest’ Sean… what have you gone and done, you little fool? I thought he was smarter than this…”

As much as you’d love to have him in your hands right now and kill him yourself… you want to hear from him, his own mouth why he’d go and do something like this? Your eyes crazed and fangs bared, but something between rage and concern as you look to the morning sun past the horizon, gripping his hat in your hands.

>That stupid frog’s antics finally caught up with him… good riddance, you got everything you needed from him. Leave him to his fate, and be on your way.
>Such a colossal mistake on his part… you may not be able to forgive him for this, but you can’t just let him die? You owe him your life, after all.
>After all you’ve been through, you can at least send your word as a General requesting leniency. Honestly… it probably won’t change anything, especially not if your rival Mero is in charge of the front, but it’s better than just completely abandoning Sean to his fate.
>[Write-in.]

>>4554530
Man we going after our boy Sean if he gets hurt its by our hands

>>4554530
>That stupid frog’s antics finally caught up with him… good riddance, you got everything you needed from him. Leave him to his fate, and be on your way.
Fuck this piece of shit, trying to sell us on the lie told by the rebels and the frog driver. Let's focus on getting our armor up, then decide on staying here to get the princess or going back to grimes

>>4554530
>Man we going after our boy Sean if he gets hurt its by our hands
>>4554545
no frog left behind he is in for a spanking

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>>4554545
>>4554565
>>4554571
After all his song and dance, all his making sweet towards you, all the trouble you made it through helping and relying on one another… well it can’t have all been a lie can it? But certainly Sean was fickle enough to try and save his own hide when the chance presented itself, if not outright betrayal. The only silver lining you can see is that he apparently described you as a deserter, as opposed to everyone else who thought you were lying and just a thief.

So idiot or not, at least the froggy bard believed you. Believed too much it seems though, thinking he could gain a pardon from turning in a deserting General of the Newtopian army.

”Sean… you fool, whatever they do to you, I hope it’s long and painful… if only I could do it myself.”

Grumbling and fuming all the way back to the inn, you stomp through the doors on the way to your room and smack the two bowls of breakfast out of the frog waitress’s hands when she approaches you on your return. Cursing your temper after because you actually were hungry, and for causing a scene, as a bunch of other Amphibians (awake by now) in the common room turn to see the disturbance.

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Either way though, you kick open the door to your room, checking your armor is still here before flumping on the bed in an upset mess. With nothing else to bother you, gradually you can… attempt to relax, calm down and feel less emotional than before. At least enough to think clearly and make a proper decision.

”Well Grime… it’s either you, or this… Red Princess.”

Unfurling a wanted poster of the toad you’ve been after this whole time, you plan to settle this matter finally. Whether you’re going east, or west. With your armor returned finally, there’s really nothing else to stop you from taking up the hunt for Grime once again, apart from the several days travel it will take to return to the Midlands.

On the other hand though, if you’re already here in the Westlands, the “Red Princess” is closer to you than ever. After Reedvale, where you are now, Crivora is the only other major settlement left in Tremaly that lies to the west. Beyond that, it’s just the ocean. You curse yourself for even considering this, but… you really wouldn’t ever get another chance like this. Supposing you did manage to snatch the Princess out from under both the rebels and the army, and settle the entire crisis yourself, there’s few if any in all Amphibia who could be more decorated or have a greater reputation than you.

”...and Sean…”

That too, your backstabbing little frog. Stupid as he is, annoying as he is… you promised to protect him, and now more than ever he needs protecting if he’s even still alive. That is to say, protection only as far as you can get your hands on him, and wring his little neck yourself.

Though you tell yourself you aren’t making this decision because of Sean, in the end you settle on going west. To head to the frontline of this rebellion… or war as some call it, to sneak past the Newtopian army, infiltrate the great lighthouse of Tremaly, likely fight your way through House Crivora and their famed warriors, and kidnap this prophesied Red Princess, the source of all the turmoil to begin with…

...and should you happen to find Sean along the way, well you suppose you could afford to save his life and repay the favor, if only so that you can then deliver a worse punishment after. But if you never found Sean along the way? Then so be it.

>With your armor again, you have everything you need. Maybe make up for the good night’s sleep you didn’t get, but then depart for the west.
>You could do to prepare a little, since you don’t know what to expect when you reach Crivora. Obtain supplies, and seek whatever help you can here before you leave.
>As much as you hate to admit… travel would be the preferable option. Return to the wagon caravan, and seek travel among it as a passenger, since they are headed to the same place.
>[Write-in.]

>>4554698
Get prepared before heading out

>>4554698
>You could do to prepare a little, since you don’t know what to expect when you reach Crivora. Obtain supplies, and seek whatever help you can here before you leave.
gotta prepare and get some fix to our armor

>>4554698
>As much as you hate to admit… travel would be the preferable option. Return to the wagon caravan, and seek travel among it as a passenger, since they are headed to the same place.

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>>4554704
>>4554725
>>4554935
As tired as you are, you’ve no time to spare. You’re not immediately departing, so will need to take care of any preparations as quickly as possible. Before any of that though…

”I am… sorry, about that earlier. I had just heard some bad news, my… pet caterpillar died.”

”That’s alright miss Yunan, the first serving is never that good anyway!”

You apologize to the frog waitress for your earlier behavior, and help clean up off the floor what she hasn’t already. A proper meal after, and… numerous tankards off firefly coffee, should carry you for awhile at least.

First matter to take care of then, is your armor. Your broken gauntlet, unfortunately you can’t have repaired unless by an army smith, the blades and extending mechanism are a bit too complex to easily fix. The rest though, the actual suit of armor, you can have cleaned and mended after searching about town for a capable and willing smith. And of course, you can get fitted for arming leather as well nearby. Both of these will take the rest of the day though, giving you time to handle the method of travel.

---

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---

It feels like your life stuck in a repeating loop, to once again be returning to the caravan of wagons near the outskirts of town. But as much as you hate to admit it, you don’t have a lot of options here.

So, trying to keep your calm, you approach the bunch of wagons and travelers again with the intent to seek out the actual one in charge.

”You, you know who I am?” you firmly ask the caravan master, a rather large and well-dressed toad, approaching him as he’s coordinating with his subordinates. A couple guards try to drag you away, but you don’t even need to scare or fight them off, as the big toad signals them to leave you be.

”...yes. You were… Tully’s little investment. I told him you’d be trouble, not just a ‘dancer’ clearly, ha! So what do you want, an apology?”

He appears to take you seriously, and is aware of some of the truth as to why you’re not still stuck in a cage on one of the wagons. But he’s confident enough to not be intimidated by you like the others.

”An apology would be a start… let me travel with you, same as everyone else, and I’ll consider us even.”

You maintain your strong composure, though your demands cause laughter among all those present, save for the big toad himself. He instead narrows his eyes, knowing you aren’t speaking lightly.

”And why would we do that? After the trouble you’ve already caused, what could be worth it?”

”Hmph… this.” you steadily approach the big toad, causing alarm from the other Amphibians and a scramble by the guards to stop you. Before anyone can though, you firmly place the lockbox that you recovered from the exploded wagon, in his hands.

A tense few moments as everyone stands at the ready to act, but the big toad’s eyes remain narrowed. With a nod, he holds the box under his arm and offers his hand. Of course you’re not going to shake with him, but a deal is made nonetheless, and passage west is secured.

To travel along with these scummy traders, you don’t enjoy the thought, but this time it will be as a passenger rather than a prisoner. By the sound of things, they will be departing Reedvale before nightfall, so that gives you time to gather all the remaining supplies you will need…

...after that, there’s nothing to keep you from the Princess, and the bard.

~~~{}~~~ End Chapter 3 ~~~{}~~~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdubuXqOGA

>>4555693
thanks for the run my man. when will be the next charpter ?

>>4555715
Glad to do it. Next time will probably be either tomorrow or the day after.

Also I realized I'm a fucking idiot and begun this most recent chapter as "2" rather than "3" as it should have been >>4547441

>>4556017
Can't wait

>>4556017
KEK i away further continuation on the adventures of yuna the slave dancing girl who seems to think they are a general
-froggy the frog

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~~~{}~~~ Chapter 4 - In the Shadow ~~~{}~~~

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You’ve never been to the Western Marches before, and by all measures it’s a lovely corner of Amphibia. Apart from the occasional monster attack of course, but the last couple of days you’ve been lucky. Ever since you managed to secure transport along with the merchant caravan headed west, a good pace has been maintained and you’re witness to the passing countryside.

Not that you’re one to waste time sitting around marveling at the splendours of nature, that nonsense, but even you would admit it’s nice out here near the coast. Only slightly marred by the constant activity, road traffic of the army coming and going to the frontline of the Crivora rebellion.

But then, your attention isn’t really on the countryside or even the army. Something else, that’s been bothering you for many days now...

”...human. That’s what it was.” you speak to yourself to affirm your realization.

”Hu-what? What’s that?” your wondering aloud catches the attention of the fellow newt trader seated beside you in the wagon, something to talk about between the bumps in the road.

”...monsters, from another world.” you mutter, glowering at the realization.

Having had the time to dwell on it now, you feel certain of it. That lackey of Grime, the toad you’re ultimately after, was surely a… human. The idea had been nagging at the back of your mind ever since you encountered her, but you couldn’t place why. Given the time to think of it now though, you feel certain in your recollection.

”Another world? Don’t be silly, there’s nothing else besides Amphibia! You’re not one of those loons who believes in other continents across the ocean as well, are you?”

”...no. Of course not, it’s all just a story.”

Although you obviously don’t agree with the newt traveler, you’re of a similar sentiment, of not wasting your time on such thoughts. Try as you might though, you can’t totally banish it from your mind.

Marcy. That was her name.

That’s how you know… well, what a “human” even is. That exotic pet of the King, the strange upright-walking monster with the face-bump that was recently discovered in Newtopia. You hadn’t thought of her as much more than a passing curiosity, like some one-of-a-kind mutant cryptid that an explorer found in some cave or jungle of Amphbia and brought back to Newtopia. Your dealings with her were limited at best since she wasn’t associated with the army… and a good thing too, given how much stress she supposedly caused Lady Olivia, her handler. But from the interactions you did have, she didn’t impress you or display anything more than what you would deem as akin to parlor tricks, like being trained to talk.

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But then again, she did manage to become captain of the Newtopian Rangers. Something you strongly disagreed with, thinking it was just a lark of the King to allow such a frivolity. But after encountering this other “human” alongside Grime and seeing her capabilities yourself… you wonder now if there’s more to it than just exotic curious. If this human with Grime was dangerous, as to be a threat even to the likes of you, then maybe that Marcy is as well?

”Won’t be long now, before we reach Crivora.” calls back the toad driver of the wagon you’re on, addressing you and the other travelers same as with each wagon in the convoy, ”Be on the lookout for rebels, and ready to defend yourselves, or ready to run. Or ready for a wagon song!”

That’s right, you’re traveling into a warzone. You’re not too worried about some rebels, but it can’t hurt to keep alert, since you’re the only seasoned warrior among the passengers of your wagon. It’s also something to take your mind off these… humans.

Still a little while before you reach the destination though, a few more hours apparently after the last couple days travel with the wagons on the road. Something to pass the time, something to do or talk about while you passively keep a lookout, would be nice. Perhaps even just what else you could learn about this place you're headed, before you get into the thick of things.

>What do you do?

>>4557752
>Ask some of the travellers what they know of the current situation of the land
Gotta be up to date with what's happening

>>4557773
Support

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>>4557773
>>4557806
Well there's no rebels attacking you all at this very moment... in fact you haven't seen any true rebels as of yet. The army is occupied with rounding up anyone associated with Crivora or had contact with them, news of this Red Princess of theirs. But these are all harmless civilians from what you've seen, people trying to escape the conflict and unfortunately getting caught before they make it out of Tremaly.

Kind of like Sean really...

So in the meantime, more info couldn't hurt. These wagoners wouldn't be heading into an area of conflict without reason.

"So... what do you know?" you speak up, without directly addressing the newt beside you.

"...you mean like, in total? Not much."

"Ugh, no, about what's going on here in Tremaly."

It's not really pointed at anyone specific but there's several other travelers on the wagon with you, who each have their own opinions.

"...well I hear the army's got Crivora, the town, under siege. Entirely surrounded, cut off!" says the frog courier across from you.

"That's why I came, you know the army will pay or trade well for goods!" responds the newt beside you.

"You guys think the Crivora are done for, I don't think it's so certain. You haven't seen them fight, you don't know what they're like!" calls back the toad driver. A topic which is clearly a point of contention among everyone and prompts an lively disagreement.

"I've seen them fight." you eventually interject, more for your own sake than theirs though, but the others settle down. Knowing that your word on military matters counts for something. And it's not a mystery why.

For a land as wild and dangerous as Amphibia, even though there are still monsters like that Dread Fox and worse roaming around, overtime you Amphibians have slowly tamed the land at least a little more. Not like times past, when Snagglefangs and Drop Bears or even Bleeding Blossoms still existed, and terrible monsters could and did prevent the civilization and advancement of your kind. You still run the risk of getting eaten if you venture into the woods at night, but nowadays Amphibians are flourishing all across this land rather than cowering for survival in isolated pockets. Slowly but surely, the land has been made safer, more survivable.

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The same cannot be said of the sea, however. Your kind are not an ocean-going people, and so great sea monsters from ancient times still roam the waters. The coasts still remain the most dangerous places of Amphibia, and Newtopia situated in the estuary of the great bay, is no exception. For over a thousand years then, House Crivora has stood guard to ensure that others could live in peace. Every time a storm at sea, a hurricane whips up the monsters of the deep and drives them towards Amphibia and Newtopia, the western great lighthouse attracts them. Lures them away from other settlements and other people, for the Crivora to suffer and have to repel.

Monster slayers, of the worst kind. Some of the hardest warriors you ever fought beside, in the Sand Wars. The thought of fighting against them...

"-eeesh..." you shiver to think of it.

You have faith in the army, but to turn against Crivora? The only thing worse than the conflict, would be the outcome. Whatever the measure the King deems is necessary, to see this rebellion ended and this Princess captured, you hope he's right about it.

Not that you have very much longer to dwell on it anyway. Another hour or so, as the wagons round a bend in the road, and finally the western ocean comes into sight. You share in the awe of everyone on the wagon at the sight of that, and a ways in the distance, the beacon of the west. The great lighthouse, and the accompanying town... with smoke rising from it visible in the distance. You're here now, and as soon as the wagon convoy reaches the frontline, you'll become swept up in this war with no turning back.

Best to decide now, how you want to arrive. Both in terms of any last preparations you want to make, as well as how you want to be received by the army. Once you arrive it will be hard to avoid officers there who will recognize you even without your armor and medals, and you can't imagine your rival in command there, General Mero will just leave you be. So you may want to set it on your terms, as to how you expect to be treated.

>What do you do?

>>4558026
It seems it will be near impossible to avoid being "found", so let's focus on getting into the trail of this princess

>>4558026
Go ahead and request a meeting with General Mero

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>>4558053
>>4558057
Acting sneaky has served you... better than you'd have thought so far, but now the benefits of stealth seem minimal. What's the point trying to sneak around and undermine the army when you're part of it?

Plus the potential scandal of getting caught in such a way. So you accept things for how they are, and don your armor. Getting a little help even from the other passengers to properly suit up. Sort of a quiet acceptance of their mistake at prison-transporting military personnel, they'll offer you a kind hand however they can now in hopes that you'll just forget about that nasty business of imprisoning you!

Honestly, you've just got bigger fish to fry.

---

Another couple hours, by late afternoon and the wagon caravan pulls to a stop just outside of Crivora, the town. Within would be better, but through the siege the army has already taken and occupied the settlement, so the place is a mess. Among the plenty of Newtopian army encampments around the town however, the merchants should have no trouble plying their wares. You've different goals though, as you begrudgingly bid the caravan master, the big toad goodbye and thanks for the transport. With dark clouds rolling in from the sea and choking out the afternoon sun, already rain is starting to plink against your armor so getting inside would be ideal.

Making your way past the various camps and quarters of the army outside of town, you even manage your way past the siege engines in the process of being hauled towards the advancing front line. But the actual settlement itself is in a chaotic state, as well as quite damaged by the siege so far. Soldiers scrambling to solidify occupation of the town, navigating and maintaining logistics through the ruined streets, trying to find and help the wounded or catch fleeing civilians or fight against enemies still holding out in pockets of resistance.

"Hold up, this plaza is off limits..."

"-wait, you're a... general?"

"You know who I am. Take me to Mero, I know he's around here somewhere... a messy siege, it reeks of his hand."

A real battlefield, you haven't seen one in awhile. By your keen senses you can navigate your way through the chaos, to where the best and most impressive warriors are; the Azure Guard, Mero's own personal group of royal troops. As his troops take what remains of the city, towards the lighthouse beyond it, it seems the general has taken the town hall as his forward command center. The guards outside hesitate to let you pass, but exchanging glances with them, they know they can't stop you and so one escorts you inside. Through the damaged building, past subordinates of the general scrambling to organize the place and ferry battle reports, and on to the uppermost floor which hasn't yet collapsed to siege bombardment.

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There, in a room with several dragged-together tables covered in maps, a number of officers busy themselves with logistics and strategy while the general himself watches the town from a partially-collapsed balcony... as well as his eyes on the lighthouse beyond town, and the approaching storm at sea. Quite quickly the officers and guards up here all become aware of your presence and quieten down, which the other general notices and leaves the balcony to investigate the cause.

"Rather far from the Midlands, did you chase that toad... Grime was it? All the way here? And why are you alone, what of your army?" he feigns a dismissive attitude as he casually looks your way.

"What can I say? They slowed me down." you return though with your usual crazed eyes and fanged smile. "Although I didn't expect to find you still stuck out here, still trying to put down a rebellion after all this time. Maybe we should trade assignments?"

A green newt several years older than you, dressed in parade armor more fancy than practical. Although he has less accomplishments than you, he's held in higher regard partly for having served longer than you, but mostly for his family's noble status in Newtopia. A mutual dislike has persisted between you, for what you see as nepotism for him, and what he sees as an up-jumped foot soldier. Either way though, you both hold the rank of General, so command attention and quiet of all others.

"...ugh, what are you doing here Yunan? I won command of this endeavor, to deliver the Red Heir before the King, not you. Remember? If you came here to beg for inclusion, for credit..."

There's murmuring among the officers and guards, you don't let it get to you at all, but you quickly wonder for how you should respond. As a fellow general, Mero can't just force you away, but command here certainly is his. Without your army you can't even offer reinforcement help really, so it's not like you could ally with him on this effort even if he wanted that.

The good news is he doesn't know what your secret, true goal is here, nor is he aware of how much you actually know the situation and the crisis taking place here in Tremaly. And of course, he doesn't know about your... frog on the inside, if you care to call him that. Sean, likely held somewhere under Mero's orders. Depending on how you respond, how you present the reason for your being here, will likely determine how much involvement or freedom you're afforded. With both the army, and Mero himself.

>What do you do?

>>4558121
Considering everything, let's say we're looking for a certain prisoner here that we learned it has info on grimes. That's the best I could think of, anons

>>4558259
I'm not good at trying to come io with what to say

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>>4558334
>>4558259
Of course Mero would suspect that you're here to try and steal his command over this crisis, or even just try to shove yourself in somewhere to also claim credit. He's not totally wrong, but your goal is very specific, for the Princess rather than the whole rebellion and restoring order as is his goal.

If he wants to believe you're here for that reason though, then so be it, if it can help you. Of course you can come up with an even further unrelated excuse, keeping to your eventual pursuit of Grime.

"I'm here for a prisoner I believe you have, a frog... he's called Honest Sean, a bard. I've learned that he has info on Grime, and would be useful in assisting me."

You expect the general and his staff not to know who you're talking about, as measly an annoyance as Sean is, so you try to explain as best you can. To your surprise though, while there is a momentary lapse among them, soon enough Mero himself recalls who you speak of. Seems Sean has himself a reputation around here enough even for a general.

"The smuggler, you mean? Well I can't let you have him, he's still to face execution for sneaking supplies past us to the enemy. But if it's information you're after, feel free to interrogate him."

"Uhh... yes! That should be enough, I appreciate the assistance."

It's not the answer you wanted to hear, but it's better than you would have expected from Mero. Naturally you were hoping to just free Sean, and punish him yourself. Even if that's not to be the case though, at least it's confirmed that Sean is indeed here and still alive.

Giving your thanks then, you accept your leave with the help of a guard to lead you to the prisoner. On your way out the door though, it seems Mero hasn't fully had his say yet, as he looks to you from all the maps spread before him.

"I hope for your sake, Yunan, that you didn't travel all this way alone just to ask a frog some questions? If you are to remain, I'm sure we could benefit from your presence here. It won't be long, before we assault the beacon and capture the Red Heir."

After some hesitation you nod, but otherwise don't linger. Strange for Mero to follow up with that, maybe he's not such a bad fellow. Then again, it could just be a ruse. An attempt to get rid of you in combat? Maybe he thinks he can benefit from your shared command? You are a better general than he is, in your own opinion and if his handling of the war here is any indication. Surely though he wouldn't share any credit?

Either way, it's largely an afterthought for you. More importantly, there's a frog waiting for some punishment from you.

---

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---

With the guard to lead you, it's back into the chaotic streets of the occupied town. Soldiers and civilians scrambling every which way through the destruction. Thankfully though you're led back outside of town to one of the army camps. Along the way you can even make a stop at one of the army smiths, a capable toad who figures he can have your bladed gauntlet (the broken one obviously) repaired for you in short order.

The perfect chance for you to find something to do in the meantime, namely dealing with the little backstabbing frog. As the guard leads you through the camp though, and numerous soldiers and army personnel recognize you and show great respect and admiration, along the way you eventually start to hear the unmistakable sounds of...

...strings? A mandolin, and an accompanying, familiar voice.

"...from Newtopia, how'd you do? Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? With Missy Newt beneath the sheets, soft and juicy and sweet as a peach! Hippity-Hoppity, how do you do?"

Such ribaldry, no doubt it's your bard as you make your way further to find a cage between the various tents about. Sure enough is Sean inside looking rough and beaten, definitely worse for the wear, but not seeming to mind all that much as he lays back with his instrument playing to no one particular. Just passing the time you suppose.

"Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? Missy from Newtopia, how'd you do? From Missy Newt I dread to part, she's the only one could steal my heart! Hippity-Hoppity, how do you do?"

You grab the guard's shoulder, to stop him from announcing you or getting Sean's attention, and gesture for him to be on his way. The little frog isn't aware of your presence yet, so you can decide how you want to approach him. Your first instinct is to rush for him, break through the cage and strangle him to death, yet at the same time you're relieved that he's... well, relatively alright, and you can't shake off a smile over it.

You'd spent all the time apart and all the travel here imagining the chance to get ahold of that traitorous little frog again, but now that you're finally here... really you're just glad to see him again. Although maybe you're just glad for the chance at revenge now. Certainly you're conflicted about this, but it's your decision for which side of you prevails in regards to Sean. Whether you approach him with an open hand or a fist.

>What do you do?

>>4558845
Enter with open hands but only after slapping the shit out of him

>>4558880
this, but first enter softly singing:
"Mister from the dungeon, how do you do ? To Mister froggy I must say, you better have a good explanation or your body will know damnation! Slice and Dice, how do you do ?"

my poetry isn't the best, I know but i wanted to create an atmosphere

>>4558891
It’s good mate!

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>>4558880
>>4558889
>>4558891
Eventually, after enough time watching him, you come to feel that you won't kill him. You certainly could, but not for just that stupid mistake he made, betraying you in order to save his own skin. At the end of the day he is just a frog, the little things are prone to such foolishness.

But even if you don't kill him, you certainly will punish him, like a naughty child in need of discipline. And most certainly are you going to enjoy it, as you slowly approach Sean, resting your arms against the bars. Leaning against the cage, you softly murmur a tune to match his own, and gain his attention.

"Mister from the dungeon, how do you do? To Mister froggy I must say, you better have a good explanation or your body will know damnation! Slice and Dice, how do you do?"

You expect him to panic the instant he hears your voice, though to your surprise he remains reclining in the cage. He does stop singing, a wide smile prevents him from it, but he continues to play his instrument for you until you've sang your bit. It's only after your finished, does he open his eyes to look to you.

"Ahh Hinny, ye choosed the wrong line o' work ye did. Voice likes o' that, ye'd be Newtopia's bestest singer than 'er general."

This rotten little... you suppose his charm is the only way he ever survived even this long. Don't smile, don't give him that, you can do this.

"Least'n ye 'as a future, eh? Looks like the end 'ere fer m- gah!"

Without warning you furiously try to reach through the bars into the cage to grab him, as the little pest hops back away from you. Madly your arms flail about, snatching in his direction.

"I swear on my medals, the moment I get ahold of you, you little-"

"-what's all this Hinny?! We's a champion ain't we? If'n ye want- agh!"

Where your arms fail, your long sticky tongue should suffice, as you tense your mouth and throat muscles to lash out at him through the bars with your tongue. The first is just barely a miss, the second he counters with his own tongue as it slaps into yours and tangles in a mess.

"That counts'n a kiss! Maybe we'n get dinner after thi- wagh!"

Winding your head back in preparation though, you untangle your tongues and the third attempt, you manage to hit him dead center and wrap your tongue around him. Pulling back, he flies towards you and slams into the bars, where you're able to grab him with your hands now. In your anger you give him a good walloping, but able to get a closer look at him now you can see what a sorry state the army beat him into, and as a result you... beat him maybe a little less savagely than you'd planned to. Still enough to satisfy you though, for now.

Breathing heavily after, you hold Sean aloft in the cage while he's a beaten and dazed mess. Stars circle his head and his eyes swirl, as he spits out a tooth... a good start to his punishment. Now that you have him though, you can do as you please, whether it be more beatings or trying to talk to him.

That is of course, anything except freeing him from the cage. At least as long as you don't want to be noticed and reported for freeing a prisoner, in broad daylight.

>What do you do?

>>4559219
“You stupid frog, why did you do that ? I’m not gonna outright kill you because of your instant karma and I want to hear from you”

>>4559219
>You're something else frog. Just how did you get caught