Re: Strange Aeons Gameplay Thread

[maswoon]

Junmai’s teeth clench. ”Might be that Debis is the source of the darkness then,” he reasons.

[Aviana]

Endrit frowns and nods, thinking the theory is sound. He looks over at Brenton, and sees the boy is turned away from them. Given that, the bearded man waves to get Tolman’s attention, points to Brenton, holds his own hand as a fist mid-air (Endrit hopes this is clear to mean “holding a lantern”), turns, and walks in place. Being mute must be tough, he thinks to himself. Hopefully the haunt’s damage isn’t permanent.

[maswoon]

Junmai clarifies, "We could probably use that lantern to dispel the darkness. Maybe get Debis back," he continues in a low tone.

[Nix Machina]

"Really?" Tolman lights up a bit. "I'd really appreciate it if you could. A lot of us are worried about him. If you talk to Brenton, maybe he'd let you borrow the lantern."

[Aviana]

Endrit nods understandingly, then looks to Junmai. He taps his own throat with his hand and gives a one-shouldered shrug.

[maswoon]

Junmai sighs and scratches the back of his head, wandering towards the child. He crouches down and gets the boy's attention. "Uh, hey, Brenton, right? My name's Junmai, I'm one of the guys heading out in the dark. We think we might have found your brother, but he's, uh... lost and scared. We need that lantern to guide the way home. Think you could help us out, buddy?"

[Nix Machina]

Brenton looks up at Junmai, eyes opening wide. "You found him?" He hesitates, looking down at the lantern. "I... this is the only thing I have left of him, or my parents. I've been getting nervous without it." Brenton frowns, eyes still downcast. "But... Debis needs it..." His voice trails off.

[maswoon]

"Please, Brenton. It might get us all out of here," Junmai says quietly, urgently.

[Nix Machina]

Brenton hesitates again. "I think I'd be okay if I had something else," he says after a moment. "Maybe some of my toys? I wasn't able to bring them with me when... everything happened. But if I had those, I would probably be okay until Debis came back."

[maswoon]

"Oh, great news then!" Junmai says with a grin. He produces the toys that the party had found out in the asylum, and says, "We found these knights out there."

[Nix Machina]

Brenton's eyes light up. "Yeah, those are mine!" He smiles and holds put the lantern. "Here. This will definitely make him feel better."

[maswoon]

Junmai smiles and ruffles the kid's hair. "Thanks, Brenton. We'll give this back before you know it."

[Nix Machina]

The group makes their way back to the darkened room. The sound of sobbing meets their ears again as they enter. "Brenton? Wake up, Brenton!"

In the dark, Junmai feels a claw rake across his chest.

[Drekkle]

Vadoma quickly lights the lantern, now that they've gotten back to the room, hoping it'll dispel the darkness and allow them to do something about the haunt.

[Nix Machina]

The voice immediately breaks out into relieved sobs. A disembodied, luminous hands touches the lantern, then disappears as the darkness fades. In front of the group, a small child-like skeleton covered in parchment with children's drawings collapses into a heap.

As if an explosion tore this room apart, furniture, racks of blunt weapons, padded restraints, and glass lamps lay shattered to pieces and scattered to the corners. The walls are bare and and room’s center lies perfectly open.

[Aviana]

Endrit sighs in relief when the lantern works, starts to say something, and is forced to clear his throat instead. He sighs again, but in slight frustration this time. Looking around the room waits a moment, as he kneels by the skeleton.

[maswoon]

Junmai’s face contorts in shock, then moves swiftly to rage as he pounds a fist against the nearest wall. ”This is a cruel land,” he mutters, again slamming his fist into the wall.

[Nobody7713]

"A shame," Thulvreiss agrees, though his tone sounds more like he's disappointed about a book being unavailable at a library. "His brother will be heartbroken."

[maswoon]

Junmai gives Thulvreiss a cold glare, and growls, ”Whoever made the asylum like this is gonna pay. Mark my words.”

[Nix Machina]

The group moves through the room's north door. This gigantic space might have once been a cafeteria or assembly hall. Now, it’s the village of a savage tribe. Wildly burning braziers stand amid yellow tents and scrap structures. Portions of the western and northern walls have collapsed, but ramshackle barricades have risen to surround them. To the east, two sets of wide stairs climb to the floor above. Around the stairs nearly a dozen bodies hang crucified upon the walls, dried crimson streaks below them, sacks cinched around their heads. Tendrils of yellow mist creep throughout the entire space, wisps endlessly lapping and fondling the bizarre encampment.

As the group enters the room, some heads turn from the group behind the barricades. There's a shout - "Hey, there's someone here!" and a small crowd quickly forms behind the barricade, wielding improvised weapons, but not approaching any further.

[Aviana]

Endrit assesses the group, and sheathes his sword for now. ”Good afternoon,” he says to those at the front, smiling. ”We don’t mean any harm if you mean none to us.”

[Nix Machina]

The crowd murmurs amongst themselves for a few moments. A couple of them begin to raise their weapons higher, before a voice rings out from behind them.

"Excuse me, please! Pardon me!"

A man in a long, white coat with short brown hair steps through the crowd, and smiles on seeing the group. "Ah, good! More come to gaze beyond, to serve the orpiment! Welcome, friends!" He steps closer, arms wide and hands empty, and upon reaching Endrit he desperately whispers, "Nod and follow me if you want to live."

[Aviana]

Endrit smiles broadly and follows instruction, absolutely bewildered and hoping the others will do the same.

[maswoon]

Junmai follows suit, bewildered and wandering after with a hand on his blade.

[Nix Machina]

The man leads the group past the crowd, leading them into a makeshift hospital in the northeast corner of the room. Once the door is closed behind them, he lets out a large sigh. "Thank the Gods. It should be safe to talk here. They shouldn't bother us while we're in here."

[Sponsored content]