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Update 6: Negotiations and Banishment Songs (Turn 38 - 50)
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Turn 38
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Ah, back are we? Very well...
The tale begins today not long after the we left off last time.
Following Theodore's map, the expedition team came to a small ruin growing vines in prolific amounts. It would be useful had they not already been making use of spidersilk given their capabilities are in general, quite similar.
The helpful demon hadn't sent them there for that, however. Within the ruins was the skeleton of an Elf, (a fact which Evil King confirmed,) with a scroll upon its body.
Having read the writing carefully, they determined that both the Cosmic Tree's ruins and where they would need to head next was across the small lake. Unfortunately for them, the sandbar dividing it from the larger pond was not traverseable and would instead require them to take the southern path around.
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Turn 39
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Meanwhile, the town found a pond nearby rather not worth noting. It had appeared suspicious at first, but nothing was unusual about it at all, aside from being saltwater. I only bring this up because very special attention was paid to it in the chronicles of the village.
No, I know not why.
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Turn 40
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On to more interesting details, the expedition began to head north instead. They sought to find more useful resources in the land to the north, but encountered more than they had imagined.
Four wild boars are more dangerous than you'd think, though this encounter was no challenge for our adventurers.
Boars bite and slam about as hard as a well trained recruit, but only bear a noticeable threat to the unarmored.
In the end, they were easily dispatched thank to the spear users and Evil King's graceful combat. This cache that these boars were protecting had some quite useful items within it, such as Enchanted Bone a material left behind by deeply magical creatures or by magic-crazed researchers. It would be good for crafting gear to harness the power of the old magic.
Aside from that was a nice pile of wicker, something that would make some very fine crafting baskets, and another bow to help with hunting.
Though they thought the boars were all, they were quickly set upon by Spors not long after. Before the corrupting Darkness, these forest spirits were often friendly- not so much anymore. Though they could muster a hex to remove them, thanks to Evil King's magic, 'twas far easier to trick them into thinking they had a banishment spell prepared.
Perhaps the darkness had addled them, or perhaps they weren't very intelligent to begin with, but it was an easy enough plan.
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Turn 41
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It would seem that tougher creatures already lingered in the swamps and tundras beyond the town. They would have to be dealt with, in time.
One notable threat that they dispatched before it could cause future harm was a Spider Queen. Often protected by a horde of weaker spiders, they can be difficult to deal with. A single bite is more than enough to take a lightly armored soldier down, so one must use good teamwork to handle the situation quickly.
Typically, they either lead the charge or follow far behind the pack- using the weaker spiders as meatshields. Regardless, the best tactic is to simply be faster than them- spears and stealth would serve a soldier well here.
: Quickly, spear-users, around the sides! I'll draw the hatchlings' attention- get rid of that Queen!
: On it, boss!
-Was I rambling? Ah, apologies, I spent many a day hunting spiders, you see, and it brings back memories. They make for such an adrenaline fueled hunt.
Back to the tale. It would seem these spiders had killed some nomads, for in two nearby web cocoons, they found some usable gear.
Given her position as the most effective fighter on the team, it was given to Evil King. It would seem that not even metal plate of solid iron would be heavy enough to slow her down.
Beyond that forming nest was the ruins of some temple. As would be expected, the undead walked there as usual.
The gear found there was either in too poor shape or too weak a material to be useful. They scrapped what they could and hauled it with them.
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Turn 42
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The east was nothing but trouble.
: Bah, damn this storm!
The bolts of thunder struck harshly in response, harming Fat Samurai and Rocket Baby, while striking Evil King directly.
: 
: I thought your deities were long fallen.
: Yes, that's what we thought, but apparently not. We only held out for Horos out of respect.
: Speaking of, how did you survive a thunderstrike with iron plate on?
: We elves are more resilient than you'd think. *Twitches a few times* *Pats at smoking hair*
: Note to self- must devise way to defend against thunderstorms.
The painful lesson aside, it raised questions regarding things the adventurers had not thought possible. Was it a coincidence? Possibly... but it seemed too well timed for that alone.
Nevertheless, their supplies were harshly damaged and they would need to return home soon. They had planned to anyways, given the path north was more clear that way,
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Turn 43 - 44
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With time comes experience, and those of the expedition were no exception. The most notable thing was Old Grey Guy's private training in better defending himself with a spear.
Back at town, Arzaac grew even more perceptive of her surroundings- a peculiar trait for one who spends her time chopping wood. Anonymous continued to dedicate himself to the art of gathering while Vodkahead hit a veritable growth spurt- not that anyone could tell.
As the expedition pared away more creatures from the army of the Darkness, they came across a welcome sight- some decent armor preserved in a peat bog. It had served someone well before, it would serve again now.
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Turn 45
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Running out of food, the team managed to barely make it back to the outskirts of the village. Hopefully, a new set of tools for Old Grey Guy would help to mitigate issues like these. Eating on the road seems like it would later become a necessity.
Yet, under the cover of darkness, there was something that neither group had picked up on until that night.
: Oi, why in the bloody hell is the food stocks lighter than before?
: Damn, my precious metals ar gone! Argh, I could have made such fine equipment with that! Where are they?!
: Hold! That last group of nomads spoke of bandits in the area- it has to be that!
: Oi, what are we waiting for? Let's track 'em down and kick their asses!
: Hey, hey! Oi, there, Oggy! You've come back just in time!
: What? Why do you have that marshreed in your hand?
: Bandits, that's why. This reed only grows out in those swamps to the east, right? That's where they went.
: Then what are we waitin' for? Let's go get our stuff back!
: Rather, we'll go get the stuff back. You two stay here- this could be a lot more dangerous than our usual scraps.
: She speaks truthfully. Let us quickly exchange supplies and handle this issue.
: Hey, what happened to your hair?
: I was hit by lightning. It's nothing much.
: Alright, we'll stay here then! 
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Turn 46
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As they supplied and prepared to leave, the expedition had a rather curious encounter.
This was little challenge for them, being followers of Horos and with Evil King's magic on their side. Truly, the old magic had many uses from silencing to confusion or even banishment.
Truly, these signs were beginning to appear rather noticeably. They had wanted to believe Horos protected them, but a joint omen from both Horos and Zorya? Something was definitely going to happen sooner or laater.
While the expedition headed back east to handle the bandits, they finally found a greathammer, though long outdated in usability.
Meanwhile, the town set to producing some items that would likely never fall out of usability- quite good gathering tools of spidersilk and wicker.
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Turn 47
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Pressing onwards, the expedition found yet another body of the restless dead and dispatched them in the usual manner.
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Turn 48
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Back in town, the first set of new gathering tools was claimed by An Anonymous Idiot who set out to finally gather some of that coal at the request of Drakenel. Provided they could get a forge set up soon, it would make a high quality fuel for the production of many pieces of equipment.
On the road to the bandit camp, a hexed container was found. Evil King supposed this to be the lost coffer of an elven noble.
It was a rather easy task, and rewarded some of the finest gems the humans had ever seen.
: It's odd, these diamonds are cut dwarven style. I wonder if the underhomes are still active?
: "Underhomes"?
: Oh, ahaha, don't mind me. I'm just thinking out loud.
That conversation could wait, after all, for it was time to confront the bandits who stole their things.
: Yeah, and why don't we just stab ya and be done with it?
: Really? You can't think that's a very good idea, now can you? *Light glints off her battle axe*
: Oh, and if you think that sounds bad? You oughta see the last guy who didn't do what she said.
: *Shakes head* I mean, really, ripping the guy's soul out into a wraith was bad enough, but then banishing it?
Mm, not to mention that axe of hers used to be the one used by pretty little me.
: Boss, I'm gonna suggest we rightly 'eff off, y'know?
: Hell, it ain't mutiny if I do it too, is it?
: Me give thankses. Me not think I get outta this alive!
: A talkin' rat? Since when does that happen?
: Quite often, actually.
: Yes, you'd be surprised.
: Is it coming with us, or what?
: Me is convinced. Me joins you now.
: Huh? I didn't say nothing about that.
: Me is convinced. Man said nothin'.
: ...He's not the sharpest tool is he?
: I mean, he is a rat.
: Me not sharpest tool. Me Redsnapper.
: 
: Never fear, fuzzy friend, I shall defend you! Now let us continue our journey!
And thus, the expedition was joined by a talking rat. Some weren't too happy that it felt like they'd traded valuable silver and gold for him, but others were more than happy enough to have more allies.
: ...We will make a strong team.
: Team, strong team! Yes, yes!
As most beasts are, Redsnapper was only suited for carrying jewelry. His natural weapons of claws and teeth would have to serve well on their own- truth be told, without any, his only strength was biting and clawing.
Now, back to the tale.
However as the team left the cave, they were met with a rather frightening sight.
It would seem Horos had been watching over them carefully- he must have been impressed for appearing in person was something a god had only done in legends. This quest they were given was of the utmost importance, and to progress it would seem they would have to head to the southern lands, nearby the Cosmic Tree's ruins.
All the while, Drakenel had been busy on other projects than just gathering baskets. A wolf fur brigandine with a special design of amber that sharpened the mind was the first of her creations she kept personally. With it, she was undeniably the most intelligent of the villagers- expedition included.
In the meantime, she began work on a Cabbage Patch- a simple enough job that gave her more than enough time to work out more plans in her head.
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Turn 50
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As dark falls to pitch levels, the expedition resumed their adventure northwards.
While looking behind them, Old Grey Guy spotted a ghostly light not too far from the town- a graveyard nestled in the forest, perhaps?
Their journey brought them into a new threat they had yet to see- reanimated bodies of animals.
: Friends of yours?
: No, friends they not! Friends they not!
Aside from some nasty poison, they weren't any more dangerous than perhaps the boars they'd fought not long ago.
Their loot however, was at least notable. A greatsword made of elven wood remains light but deadly while providing good defense: all reasons why Pharnakes trades in her present axe for it. She had been finding it more difficult to enter combat recently for despite her lethality with an axe, Shei-kun was rather concerned about her risk of getting wounded. Regardless, the benefits to her dexterity and will would be greatly appreciated.
Their last stop on this journey north was that topaz shrine spotted long ago.
A dark spell laid over the entire temple, trapping the souls of a few people there. Using her adept rituals, Evil King began to dispel the hex.
An unusual elven dance combined with the secrets of old magic was more than enough to rid the controlling hex upon the place. While everyone else gathered the topaz, it would seem Shei-kun had something to ask.
: May I ask what that dance was?
: It is a sacred part of rituals that we druids learned. That one in particular would be literally translated as "The Weave Through The Dark", though it is usually referred to as "A Dance Macabre", after the collections in which it comes from.
: I see...
: I'm sure you do.
: Huh?
: Your senses- I can detect that the Sixth Sense has awakened within you. As I danced, did you see the trails and waves my fingers left in the air?
: I could. Was that the spell doing that? I thought I was hallucinating.
: Indeed. It is a rare talent you have, one typically only gained through material means.
: Er...Do you think you could help me make it stronger? I want to protect my friends in every way possible.
: Your cause is noble indeed, much more than I've seen in other practiioners. I'd be delighted to try, and though I cannot guarantee any results, I believe the best way to grow magical connections is to practice them.
It was on that night, the expedition had come together and finally decided to call themselves Dance Macabre. As both followers of Horos and survivors in this shadowy land, what else had they done but find ways to weave through the darkness?
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Voting time! We have unlocked the cabbage patch and it will be made in a few turns. In the meantime, we have another research point to spend on new discoveries. Given the large supply of gems we have and the new coal mining business, we could research jewelry and fill up these empty slots of ours. We could also go research silver and weapons, or a wood type to try and make some fancier buildings or weapons.
The votes for the children will remain the same for now, as none grew up this session, but I'll open voting for actions again.
What shall Dance Macabre do?:
1.: Keep exploring the North, we just got here
2.: Go check out Horos's quest or the Cosmic Tree quest while we go south?
3.: Pick up some of our gatherers from town and gather up a storm (Silk and whatever's valuable nearby)?
4.: Try the east again, for whatever reason
5.: Try the west again, for whatever reason
Voting will be open until the 17th.
Just a reminder, if you want to be added to the villager list and have any specific requests, please do put it in bold. It makes it easier on me when I'm skimming through while checking for votes.
(And yes, I did forget to name the expedition until the end. I...did the same thing for the town name too. I'm great at this, you see.)