Choose Your Path

[Avaerilon]

Here's an interesting new game for you! "Choose Your Path" essentially requires the person posting to choose one of at least two options posted by the person above, follow them through, and post a following set of options. This gives us an interesting little story, which can go in just about any direction- though do try as hard as you can to not deviate too greatly from the general flow of things without building it up over time.

Here's an example of how it might work:

Nation 1:

C: Use your martial arts skills on the guards

After fighting the guards, you gasp to regain your breath, before continuing down the hallway. You come to three doors; which do you take?

A: The door labelled "Happiness."
B: The door labelled "Glory."
C: The door labelled "Truth."

Nation 2: 

C: The door labelled "Truth."

You open the door, and darkness consumes you. Eventually, after floating around in a great void, you see a bright light coming towards you, and begin to feel like you can see, hear, smell, taste, feel and know more already. As the light gets nearer though, you become uncomfortable. What do you do?

A: Dive down into the darkness
B: Rush to meet the light
C: Try to bash the light away
 

---

And so on and so forth. Right, let's get going! I'll carry on.

B: Rush to meet the light

The light consumes you, and you feel yourself passing through a million existences, before you are suddenly thrown into the vastness of a great forest , in an unknown land. You fall down onto your knees, and collapse gasping for breath. You have no clothes, nothing with you, and are utterly alone. As the sun is beginning to set, you realise you need to do something or else freeze, be eaten by wolves, or suffer from some other unpleasant fate. Deciding to run off towards a cluster of trees to your left, you come across a small camp. There is a roaring fire in the evening, with a spit of meat over it, and three ragged men sitting around it. They are bandits, you realise, though you know not how, and have ample provisions and supplies. What do you do?

A: Sneak around their rear and try to filch some clothes from a tent.
B: Rush-into the ring and surprise them in a quick attack.
C: Announce yourself and try to talk to them.
D: Leave.

[Deleted]

C: Announce yourself and try to talk to them.
You talk to them. They seem kindly, but suspicious. They take you in. You stay for a while. They go hunting. You notice a pistol on the ground. You take it with you. Finally, you see their silhuettos. What do you do?

A: Shoot them
B: Leave the gun where it was and forget about it
C. Take the gun and run

[Vernima]

A:Shoot them!

They're bandits! Although they've been kind to you, you're certain that they've done various...bandit-y things in the past to other residents of this land! Besides, you need their stuff. After giving all three of them proper burials (you're a murderer apparently, doesn't mean you aren't respectful), you search their camp for any supplies you can find. You manage to clothe yourself and equip yourself with a second pistol and a couple spare clips before searching for any food they might have.

A:Search around the camp for food (they seem nomadic, so they might not have much)
B:Hunt the surrounding area
C:Leave the camp and worry about food later

[Avaerilon]

A: Search around the camp for food.

In-addition to the spit-roast, which is a whole young boar, you find a bag of roots and mushrooms, which you cook and eat with the dinner. After as fine eal, you curl up on a layer of rugs and furs, and go to sleep. When you awake early the next morning, the sun shines over the misty forest. Stretching, you decide you need to set off. Examining a map left by the bandits, you see a number of places marked. Where do you go?

A: To the nearest local village, a couple of hours' walk away
B: To the bustling market town a whole day's travel away
C: Down to the river, hoping to catch a small ferry raft to get you to the large port to the south, where you can catch a ship to the capital city
D: To the abandoned castle half a day's travel into the forest

[Vernima]

A: To the nearest local village, a couple of hours' walk away
If anyone would know about the strangeness that happened to you with the doors and the bandits it would be the locals. They have to have at least SOME legends, right? Maybe one of them can help you.
You set out to find the village, carrying some supplies you found while searching for the bandit camp. Food, water, and weapons are essential around here you've found. Hopefully it won't come to the weapons part too often.
Alas, as you think this, it does. A soft growling alerts you to the presence of a sleeping bear in a clearing. The forest around the bear seems to thick to avoid him, and you can't fly unfortunately. What do you do?

A. Attack!
B. Try to sneak as quietly as possible around the sleeping animal, risking waking him up.
C. Wait until the bear wakes up and hope he doesn't notice you.

[Avaerilon]

B: Try to sneak as quietly as possible around the sleeping animal, risking waking him up.

Thankfully the ground is springy and the turf thick, so you make little noise at all as you slowly and warily creep past the sleeping animal. Once you feel you're safely away, you run for ten minutes down the road, aiming to put as much distance between yourself and the bear; thankfully, it hasn't followed you, and you pause to catch your breath. As you are bent over panting, you notice large, spotted toadstool, upon which a bearded gnome is sitting, apparently in meditation. What do you do?

A: Ignore him and continue on your way to the village
B: Hail him and attempt to strike-up a conversation
C: Attack him
D: Push him off the toadstool and scarper-off

[Deleted]

A: Ignore him and continue on your way to the village.

As you turn your back, a voice says "Oh, I'm afraid it's not that way." You turn, and see the dwarf suddenly completely conscious. The dwarf's cap has suddenly turned from green to purple, and his beard has disappeared. "You see," he says cheerfully, "the toadstool which I sit upon releases intoxicating spores to anyone around it. It causes various visual hallucinations. Anyone who ingests these spores completely loses their sense of direction." In response, what do you say to the dwarf?

A: "That's quite incredible. I've never seen something that powerful before."
B: "Okay, sure. So how do I get rid of these visual halluci...hallaca... what you said?"
C: "Screw this." (and then walk in a random direction)

[Avaerilon]

A: Say "that's quite incredible. I've never seen something that powerful before."

"Indeed it is!" the gnome says, chuckling. "Thankfully I'm immune to its effects, but I think you might be in a bit of a pickle, eh?"

You nod, feeling a little strange and seeing the sky turn bright amber like a great fire has torn across the horizon.

"Well, where do you wish to go?"

"To the nearest village," you reply.

"Ah, I can help you, yes, I have here the serum which will make you immune to the spores and remove any ill effects suffered... but may I ask a favour of you, beforehand? Only, I wish to know more about the effects of the fungus, as since you are... well, in quite the correct position to be asked... do you mind me asking a favour?" he says, graciously.

What do you do?

A: Nod your head and allow him to ask you a favour

B: Refuse politely

C: Refuse rudely

D: Attempt to push him off his mushroom

E: Chase the giant purple prawn that has appeared in the fields beyond

[Deleted]

A: Nod your head politely and allow him to ask you for a favour.

"Splendid!" Says the dwarf, rubbing his hands together gleefully. He reaches into his pocket, and retrieves what looks like, at first glance, a large silver pocket watch, with purple engravings. The dwarf tosses it to you dexterously. Upon catching and opening it, you realize that it is, in fact, a highly ornamented compass, though it contains gears and cogs below the glass surface. North, south, east and west are etched there, but around the rim, in letters carved of amethyst, is an inscription: "Gadewch eich traed gario eich corff, ac yn eich tynged gario eich enaid." A golden arrow is there also, but it does not point in any direction in particular; rather it spins crazily around, not stopping or slowing down.

"Now," says the dwarf, "look into the compass, and, when the arrow stops moving, tell me where it points."

After about thirty full seconds, the arrow slows down and finally stops. In which direction does it point?

A: North
B: South
C: East
D: West
E: Nowhere in particular - it continues to spin

[Lombardy und Venetien]

A. North

You look down at the now-still compass, with the needle now pointing due north, towards snow-capped mountains shrouded in mist.

"North, eh?" says the dwarf, rubbing his hands together, "Aye, that figures. I'm glad of your help lad, that confounded thing has been troubling me for days."

Somewhat confused over the significance of the dwarf's strange compass, you crack what you hope is a supportive smile, before reminding the little man of his promise to lead you to the nearest village.

Eyeing you thoughtfully, he nods slowly.

"For sure I can do that, but I have an alternative proposition for you. I'll need a strong, strapping chap like you where I'm going," he says, gazing northwards before turning back to you, "I'll let you in on a little secret if you agree to join me."

What do you do?
A. Agree to go with the dwarf and listen to his secret
B. Refuse and demand he take you to the village
C. Request more information on his quest before choosing whether to accompany this near total stranger

[Deleted]

C: Request more information on his quest before choosing whether to accompany this near total stranger

"A cautious one, eh?" The dwarf says, chuckling again. "Well, I can't blame you. Probably would have done the same thing myself when I was your age." He reaches in to his pocket, and brings out a small vial containing a pleasantly green liquid. He tosses it to you saying, "Here you are. An elixir of immunity, a token of my good will. Drink it, and you'll be immune to the spores emitted by this pestilent fungus."

After you drink the elixir, and see the effects of the toadstool wear off, the dwarf hops down from his impromptu seat. He begins to speak with more purpose than anything else he has said so far. "Now, I think you were wondering about where I need to go? You see, that compass-like object you hold is a Ley Garath. It responds to ley lines, invisible currents of magic which crisscross the world. Though they are invisible, they emit a magical energy. The Ley Garath responds to this energy, and tracks it down to the nearest large source of energy. These large sources can be found wherever two or more ley lines intersect. And it seems that at least two cross in the directions of those mountains. You see, I'm looking for these points, and I would be ever so grateful if you accompanied me."

Mentally staggering from this sudden dose of information, what do you say in return?

A: "So... why are you searching for these points?"
B: "Hang on... I got transported to this world by something that seemed like magic. Could the ley lines be related to that?"
C: "Um... Okay. I'll go with you to find these... ley line intersections, did you call them?
D: "Uh... really sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go with you."

[Avaerilon]

A: "So... why are you searching for these points?"

The gnome strokes his beard, and begins to explain about various magical theories and thaumic energies, and concludes with a point you find most interesting.

"... and I furthermore believe that where these two lines meet, in the right conditions and with the right kind of manoeuvre, one can travel to other meetings of ley lines! These points are like portals to other worlds, maybe even other planes of existence! It's been one of my fields of study for, oh, about eighty years now, and I've tried, so far in vain, to find a point where enough thaumic, that is to say, pure magical energy is contained, stored and emitted by the points. I know they must be indeed powerful, and active as of recently, as the other night I saw a great flash in the distance from where I imagine one of these points to be."

You realise he must be talking about you arriving in this world! What do you say to him?

A: "Hang on, I'm from another world; there was a great flash of light, and I arrived here! It was over in that direction, in the midst of the forest."
B: Eloquently say "Applying your theory, and assuming stable and consistent storage and movement of thaumic energy, I myself was transported from a sort of way-station between universes I found myself in to this world, though by means most bizarre. I believe the point whereupon I materialised was in fact in the woods yonder."
C: Fidget, put your hands in your pockets, and agree to accompany him.
D: Refuse, thanking him, and continue on your way to the village.
E: Cry "Cower brief mortal! I am the great demon Azgareloth the Unburned, scourge of the Seven Suns of Ilcataril, and harbinger of doom unto thy pitiful race!"

[Chameliya]

A: "Hang on, I'm from another world; there was a great flash of light, and I arrived here! It was over in that direction, in the midst of the forest."

You wonder if this gnome will be able to get you back home. Your mind races with excitement at the thought of inter-dimensional travel. But then you remember what you were doing just before you got here ... maybe this place isn't that bad after all...

You notice the gnome staring at you intently.

"Another world?" he starts, "I suppose it's possible but you're dressed like a forest rogue..." He pauses a moment, his face appears troubled, "Wait a second! You're not, you're not a member of the Black Shadow are you?!" The gnome begins to back away fumbling for something in his waistcoat pocket.

A: "No, no, no! Relax! It's a long story, these aren't actually my clothes..."
B: You take out a knife. "Well guessed, little gnome. Now it's time my blade became acquainted with your throat!"
C: You say nothing.

[Deleted]

"No, no, no! Relax! It's a long story, these aren't actually my clothes..." You reply frantically. The gnome stops backing up but continues to eye you, his hand remains in his pocket, resting on something. You begin to make out the object. It's long and narrow. Could it be a knife? Or something more harmless?
"The Black shadow murdered my wife and children." His voice had grown dark and husky.
He clearly doesn't trust you do you:
A) Continue to attempt to calm him down; maybe there is someway you can prove it to him!
B) Begin backing away yourself; he probably can't help you, this isn't worth risking life and limp over
C) Act offensively; quick! dart forward and try to disarm before he can harm you!

[Avaerilon]

A: Continue to attempt to calm him down; maybe there is some way you can prove it to him!

You hold out your hands defensively, and begin to tell him your story of travelling through a strange realm before landing (naked) in this one, meeting the bandits and then killing them. He stops as you say this last bit, and asks for proof. What proof do you offer?

A: Show him the three carved knives that belonged to the men, with intricate and strange carvings
B: Show him the map that you stole
C: Offer to take him back to the camp to see their graves
D: Admit you have nothing compelling with you right now, but ask that he trust you
E: Cry "Cower brief mortal! I am the great demon Azgareloth the Unburned, scourge of the Seven Suns of Ilcataril, and harbinger of doom unto thy pitiful race!"

[Avaerilon]

Bump

[Deleted]

A: Show him the three carved knives that belonged to the men, with intricate and strange carvings

The dwarf peers at the knives and seems to recognize them.
Suddenly, he exclaims, "YOU BLACK SHADOW SCUM! I WILL RID THEE OF LIFE!"
The dwarf withdraws a ... stick from his pocket, and attacks.
However, you block with one of the knives, slicing the stick in two.
Then, you kick his hand, forcing him to drop what's left of the stick.
Despite being disarmed, the dwarf jumps on you and attempts to bite your leg.

Do you:

A) Run him through with two of your knives to end his miserable existence
B) Fall on him, hoping to knock him out but not kill him
C) Push him off and run away screaming, but you have already dropped one knife, which the dwarf might take

[Avaerilon]

B: Fall on him, hoping to knock him out but not kill him.

You knock into him, bowling him over. He hits his head and falls unconscious, still breathing. It is clear that the gnome is likely to be unhelpful at this time, so you walk past him on your way to a settlement. After a while, you reach what appears to be an inn. Lights are on in the windows and there are sounds of general merriment from within.

What do you do?

A: Go inside and order a drink, lodgings and ask about the nearest settlement
B: Go inside, order a beer, and lurk in the shadows, listening to conversations
C: Go inside with the hopes of picking someone's pockets
D: Walk past the inn
E: Hide in the shed outside and sleep there for free