Okay I've been trying my best to think up a fun game for the forums and I decided to see if anyone here would be interested in another interactive story. It's essentially a choose your own adventure story, or if it helps to think of it as such you could look at it as a visual novel without the visuals....and nowhere near being a novel...
You know what? Maybe you shouldn't think of it like that at all.

Anyway, for an example of how this would work, check out the first one.

So yeah, that's it. If you want to do this, let me know. I enjoy writing them, but what's the point in writing an interactive story when no one is interacting? Also we'll need at least two participants in the decision making part of the story. Additionally anyone will be able to drop in or out at any point, so there's no need to feel as though you have to make some sort of long term demanding commitment, but hopefully at least a couple of you will stay around for the duration of it anyway.

As for the genre, I'll leave that up to the people that reply to this thread. I'm willing to try most, if not all, genres (no sports subgenre though ).

I'm open to trying this! Hopefully one more person is wanting to try this as well! Count me in, Eirinn.

I don't have much of a preference about genre. I'd be down for anything really, whatever you want to do or whatever the other users want.

This sounds like a lot of fun. I'd like to try it as well. I'm not limited to genre either. I'm okay with anything.

MoblinGardens :
Momo Aria :
Awesome! Thanks for taking interest in this game....story....thread thing. If you have no preferences of genre, I'll probably resort to my comfort zone of Low Fantasy if that's alright. I'll probably post the starting bit tomorrow. Let me know if you want to be summoned when it goes up.

With this being the opening post of the story, it will likely be longer than the average post. Please bear with me. Also, I'm taking that like as a confirmation for a summon request.

MoblinGardens :

____________________

"I've just... I've seen a lot of warriors die on the field, but this one was different."

"And that's okay."

"Is it? Is it really? What makes this one any different? There must have been a thousand people killed in that battle last night, and do you know how much that bothers me? Very little. I've come to view it as a necessary evil if we want to right things. What makes one life more important than another?"


____________________________

This war has ravaged the land for generations, and it shows no signs of stopping. The scenes that have been witnessed, the losses that have been incurred, and the pain that has been suffered, it's all more than one's mind can fathom, and it's all so unnecesarry. It could be so simple, if only everyone could just talk it out and realize the truth behind all of this.
That's exactly what would happen in the ideal world, but this world isn't ideal.

It's a nightmare.

It's broken.

It's your world, and it's all you've ever known.




Three months earlier

Pushing back the flap of soft fabric hanging over the front of the large tent, you step out into the drakness in search of the first rays of daylight. Kahirro Sanza, your ancestor, and founder of your clan, had passed down a traditional belief that seeing the first light of dawn before heading into battle was good luck, and that if you should be the first to see it, you would be granted one wish. As a result your clan members are easy to pick out of an early morning crowd in this camp and any other that they might find themselves in, as they are always the first ones out in the mornings of battle, making their wishes and their peace.

"Bad break, kid." your commander says, causing you to jump back and reach for your weapon out of instinct. He notices, but says nothing of it. Instead he carries on as if he hadn't nearly given you a heart attack "Rain's coming in — no sunlight this morning."

"Oh. Yeah." you reply, feeling a strange unease: not something you find comforting before a decisive battle such as the one the commander has planned for today.

"Guess everyone will just have to rely on me then." your brother comments as he steps out behind you.

"If that's the case, may the heavens help us all." the commander answers, his signature stone face not budging an inch. You've only been with this particular outfit for around five weeks, but you've never seen him smile. You've never seen him show any expression at all for that matter.

"Are we postponing the attack then?" you enquire as the meaning of such inclimate weather for a battle sinks in.

"No." is the answer you receive, much to your brother's obvious dismay and your discomfort.

"Won't the rain obstruct our vision and make traversal of the valley difficult?"

"This storm" he answers sounding irritated as he points to the sky, "is better than any wish your mighty sunlight could have given you kids."


His tone and gruff nature have always irritated you, but you've borne it thus far out of respect to lord Kosshine. He had appointed this man as a commander for a reason: he gets results. He might not be the most likeable man ever, or even likeable at all, but he gets things done.

Your brother on the other hand has never been one to just sit back and take things.


"And how do you suppose we'll manage a halfway decent strategy execution if we can't see or walk without falling in the mud? It's the rainy season; surely you know that those clouds aren't just bringing a gentle shower. The valley will be ankle deep in water and mud in no time -- we'll bury up in mud when we run, and that's if we don't slip and fall to our deaths on the way down the sides of it."

"If I'd wanted to execute a halfway decent strategy, I'd have left it in your hands. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to meet with the strategists so we can finalize a sound strategy; I've no time to go over this with superstitious aquaphobic children."

"I hate that man. He's so full of himself." your brother fumes.

"A harsh judgement, but I couldn't agree more." a voice calls out from the tent entrance. Turning you manage to see Captain Asira, mostly due to how her unusually long hair makes her stand out from anyone else here. "However, unlike you, I can bring myself to respect him."

"How can you respect someone like him?" your brother asks, forgetting to show due reverence before he sees you bow your head in acknowledgement of her presence, and follows suit. "My apologies, kō."

"There's no need for such formalities. No one is around, so don't feel obligated." Asira answers in her usual gentle fashion. "As for the commander: when someone manages to get us officers on and off of the field in situations that others would deem impossible, we learn to appreciate it. He may be less than pleasant to deal with, but he cares about the safety of us all, and he keeps us alive."

You can't help but wonder how he could take the troops out to battle today in this weather if indeed he cares so much, but you trust Asira at least, and if she says he deserves the benefit of a doubt, you'll give him one.
One.


_______________________


Three hours later, the troops are all summoned outside where they stand obediently ーyourself and your brother includedー in the pouring rain. The commander informs you that, upon consulting with the strategists and considering his options, he has opted to send in only one of the previously selected five bands of troops. The heavy showers, they predict, will have the enemy guard at ease, thinking that no one would strike in such weather. The small band will strike in stealth and return after sufficiently weakening enemy forces enough to send in the rest of the troops.

They're looking for volunteers. Asira immediately steps up to fill the role of general for the invading band, and you feel the urge to follow suit, but you also feel that same unease from earlier. You aren't sure that you're confident in this plan, and you know that your brother has no intentions of going in, but that he also would never let you go without him, so if you join, he will too. You want to go to support Asira in this battle and watch her back, as she's been the one to take you in since your arrival in this group just over a month ago, but if you go, your brother will too, and you don't think you could live with the guilt should anything happen to him because of you. You ponder all of this, and somehow only a split second later, you've made your decision. You feel that you have to...


Choices:
Volunteer: Captain Asira is a large part of what holds this group together. Her death would not only be an injustice to her, but also the destruction of this group's morale. Besides, it's your duty to fight for your people.

Stay: you appreciate Asira, but you have to put your brother's well being first here, not her's or anyone else's.



NOTE: Yes, this decision is important. Your decisions will always carry weight. Fights may be won or lost, people may live or die, etc. based on your answers. Everything, even whether or not your character survives, will be determined by your decisions. Never fear however: your answers will never result in instant death..... for the main character. :3

________________

Additional choices:
Since this is the first post I decided to let you guys make some more decisions about who the main character is, and what they're like. You don't have to answer, obviously, but I would love to see your choices on these details of the story as well. I'll decide on any of these that go unanswered.

1. Is the main character male or female?

2. What's his/her name?
Masculine: Akata, Monthan, Lightning, Thalin, Amir, Lochnan, Felix, Raian, Pol, Rauri.

Feminine: Diamond, Aoife, Brid, Rania, Youseline, Marie, Masago, Aki, Alina, Vulparia.

3. Hair color?

4. Eye color?

5. Height?

6. Build?

Thanks for the summon request, I didn't want to post too much for something little and get locked out later on XD.

I'm going to choose to go with Captain Asira. I think it would be best to be that way.

As for the character I have my ideas but since I chose the direction of the story I'll let Momo Aria decide.

Edit for the character:

Name: Aoife (Female)
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eye Colour: Green
Height: 5'11"
Build: Athletic


Momo Aria : You can decide what the main character is like. If can don't want to then I can edit this post!

MoblinGardens : I don't have a preference to what the main character should look like, so go ahead and decide what s/he shall be =)

I'll go with Captain Asira as well.

Also, I'll most likely be busy, but I'll come back to this as soon as I can, which may be next week. ;w;

MoblinGardens :
Momo Aria :
Just letting you guys know that I'll be working on this starting today, but while I'll try to get a new post up every weekday, weekends will likely be an exception since my nephews stay over then and I have little to no time to do anything when they're here. They're coming over tonight this week and staying through Saturday morning, so it might be Sunday before I get the next bit up, unless I manage to get it done before they get here this afternoon (or if I manage to sneak away long enough lol).

Also, Aria - I'll refrain from summoning you anymore after this post so that your notifications aren't spammed up when you come back.

First things first: I sincerely apologize for the sheer size of this entry (2k+). I honestly tried to cut it down, and in fact that's part of what took me so long to get it uploaded. If you'll bear with me I promise I'll try to shorten these until they reach a more digestible size.

Second, I apologize for my lateness. :/

And finally: this is going pretty much exactly how it would have had I made the choices. Literally the only differences would be maybe Aoife's hair color and Idk what I would have chosen for height.
Anyway, on to the story.


_____________________________
Health -2, Honor +1, Fame +1


...volunteer. If captain Asira is willing to undertake this risky mission for the good of the troops, then the least you can do is offer her your support.

Stepping forward, you straighten to your full height as if to emphasize your decision. Looking directly at you, the commander gives a wave of his hand toward the captain in a silent acknowledgement that doubles as an order to proceed to Asira's side. As you obey, you can't help but notice that the commander seems to be wearing a grin, or the closest his face can get to one anyway. Why is anyone's guess, but you you have no time to work out something so trivial: you have a battle to prepare for.


Walking up to captain Asira, you're met with a smile and a small nod that lets you know that your volunteering comes as no surprise to her. You're also met by your brother Rauri who comes to your side wearing a less than pleased expression. He disagrees with this mission as much as you do, but he feels compelled to follow his little sister wherever she may go on the battlefield. You've long since outgrown the need for his constant supervision, but he hasn't managed to come to terms with that.

A few more moments pass and the small group is formed and ready to move out. A quick glance around reveals that the band of warriors under Asira's hand is clearly comprised of most of the best fighters in the camp. Part of that, you suppose, is due to the fact that to be the best kind of warrior, one must be brave and willing to lay down their life in a battle. Another part of the cause for this elite band forming on a strictly volunteer level, is that the respectful yet authorative way that captain Asira treats her subordinates breeds a certain respect and devotion in their hearts.

This woman could probably lead a rebellion against the commander, and win without unsheathing a sword. the thought comes to you out of the blue, and brings shame with it. That's no way for a warrior of right to think.

Reigning your thoughts back in fully, you come out of the distracted haze of self shaming just in time to hear the order to move out. This is it: time for what may well be the most reckless and poorly planned assignment ever issued to a troop of any of the Danoshin tribes.

_____________________



You've only been marching for around ten minutes when you approach the edge of the steep cliff that descends into the valley below. Captain Asira stands on the edge, slowly surveying the area before her with determination and a certain fierceness written on her face. After a few moments of silence she turns to face the small band of only fifty warriors — a troop less than half the size of any of the original five bands.

"Enrion, Kichna, Rauri, come here. Stand at my right hand." she calls to three of the men in the group. Then turning her head in your direction she continues "Rania and Aoife, come stand on my left."

She called you? Why? This wasn't part of the commander's plan, was it? Had he conferred with the officers privately before arranging the meeting with the rest of the troops? Whatever the reason, she called, and you obediently proceed.

One by one, each warrior called reaches her, slautes, and falls into place. Looking over the rest, she indiscriminately gestures for the others to part into two groups, sending one to the left and one to the right. She repeats this process of seemingly random grouping until all have been sorted into one of two groups, plus the two groups she has called to her side.

"You three" she says as she turns her head to look at your brother and the two men called forth with him "This is your group. You are in charge of them. I expect you to conduct them into the enemy's rear guard encampment to the West. You will enter silently, taking out guards as you're able. Eliminate the rear camp only, and rendezvous at this point." Turning to look at your group, she continues "You two are with me. While the right band takes out the rear, we will take out the front. It's more heavily guarded, but I will be with you, and should anything go wrong I'll do whatever it takes to ensure your safe return. You two are to follow my lead, and the rest of our troops" she gestures to remaining few in front of you and Rania "will follow yours."

As the troops all fall into place, Asira addresses the five she's chosen to lead the bands as a whole: "As instructed, we will all rendezvous here if things go according to plan. In the event that we're discovered however, you leaders are to retreat directly to our camp immediately. The troops under you are to be protected at all costs, even if the cost is your own life. In this order I ask nothing more than I expect of myself, I don't want to see you standing here if there is even one single soul under your charge missing when we regroup. Am I clear?" seeing all five of you acknowledge these difficult demands, she nods. "Alright, move out."


_____________________


The climb down was every bit as difficult as you'd anticipated, but the entire group managed to make it without incident. You dropped in several hundred yards away from the farthest reaches of the front guard so as not to lose the element of surprise, because mighty or not, your troops wouldn't stand a chance against these numbers.

Sinking as low as possible, you slink in almost perfect silence through the water that reaches halfway up your calves. What noise your sloshing journey does make is easily covered by the fierce downpour of rain that serves as both a silencer and a shroud to conceal you from your enemies.


Under cover of both the darkness granted by the black storm clouds, and the sheets of rain coming down, your ranged troops manage to pick off the entrance guards with no complications, leaving the melee oriented members —yourself included— free to sneak through the now unguarded gates.

The infiltration goes surprisingly smoothly until all but the last guard booth remains. Rania sneaks behind it with half of the melee band and gives a small cry in order to draw enough attention from the guards inside to merit a search. She's successful just like every time before, and all of the guards are drawn out and picked off in relative silence.


Unfortunately, the rain grants the same concealment benefits to your enemies that it offers you and your fellows, and while the maneuvers heretofore have gone off without a hitch, your luck runs out as a small recon group that, unbeknownst to you, been scouting the valley, shows up. Two of them have alarm horns, and two have bows. The two with the horns raise the alarm to the rest of the camp, and the others draw their weapons. Thankfully surprise manages to shake the nerves of one of the archers badly enough that they miss their mark, but the other proves more battle ready as he takes cautious aim directly at captain Asira.

"Captain!" you shout, but she has no time to react, leaving her open to the arrow that sails directly toward her heart.

Asira cries out as the sound of an arrow tearing through flesh fills your ears, and the splash that prefaces the thud of a body landing on the battlefield follows shortly after.

What happened next, you aren't sure, as the muddy water you find yourself submerged in obstructs your vision. After a brief moment you manage to pull yourself up and sit face to face with captain Asira.

"You're still alive! Oh thank God. What were you thinking jumping in front of me like that?"

"It's my duty to do my best to watch out for my fellows as much as for myself." you reply, forcing the words through the pain inflicted by the arrow that pierced through you just below your left shoulder.

"That's not what I said!" she continues griping as she pulls you up none too gently, and you find yourself wishing she didn't care quite this much.

"No, the founder of my clan did."

Giving a sound that borders on disgust, Asira glances behind her and then back at you. "We'll argue about this later. For now we need to get out of here before the troops in the main camp arrive."


_____________________


As you approach the camp, carried over the shoulder of an overly concerned captain Asira, you hear Rauri's voice calling out at the sight of his little sister hanging limply on the shoulders of her captain on the way back from battle.

"She's alright, just wounded." Asira assures him. "She was hit by an archer, but she should be fine with some rest."

"Where was she hit? Can she not walk?" he enquires nervously.

"Yes, I can walk. Really, with all due respect captain, I have no idea why you felt compelled to carry me all the way here like this." you answer, ever so slightly irritated by the overprotective nature that both of them are exhibiting.

"Because I don't want you doing anything to make your heart pump any faster. That wound might not have hit any vital organs, but bleeding is still an issue." Stopping suddenly, Asira stands silently for a moment, and you wish she would either carry you to your tent or put you down already so that you could walk there. "Why is everyone gathered out here so far from the camp? I ordered a full retreat upon alarm."

"The enemy apparently had the same idea as the commander, and raided our camp while you were out." a familiar voice that you can't quite place answers. "They were all taken out, but not before we'd suffered extensive casualties. Once it was over, we organized a band to come out and see if the troops we'd sent to their camp had survived the journey, or if they were intercepted."

"No, they must have gone a different route." captain Asira replies, her voice quieter than usual. "How many survived?"



_____________________
Health +2 (10/10)

One month later
"Commander." You say respectfully as you place a closed fist, palm first, to your chest, and give a slight bow — the customary salute of your people.

"How many times must I tell you that you needn't address me so formally in private?" the newly promoted Marshal Asira asks as with a sigh.

"Yes ma'am, my apologies. You called for me?"

"Yes. As you know, when Commander Mythern was killed in the raid on our camp in Askosha last month, due to the deaths of my senior officers in the same raid, I was promoted well above the rank I normally would have received."

"Sergeant. Yes ma'am." you reply, wondering where this might be going.

"Correct. What you might not know however, is that I and captain Liam were both in consideration for the promotion to marshal, and whichever of us didn't receive it would have been made sergant instead." Asira informs you.

"If I might be so bold, I would say that the better officer received the promotion." you say, but seeing her disapproving look, you proceed to damage control stage "With all due respect to captain Liam, of course. He's a worthy captain as well."

"Yes well, upon my appointment he opted to transfer for personal reasons. That said, you've undoubtedly noticed that the role of Sergeant has been left vacant since. This is a vital role that we can't ignore much longer." she pauses, leaving you to wonder why she's discussing this with you instead of the prefect, her fellow marshals, or even the common officers under her hand. Your answer comes as she begins to speak again "Another thing you might not be aware of is that it was my performance in that dangerous stealth strike that won me the promotion over officer Liam. A performance that you saved. Your intervention spared me and possibly some of your fellow soldiers, and for that I am greatly appreciative, Lady Aoife."

Feeling uncomfortable receiving such praise from a marshal, and Asira herself being that marshal, as well as the way she addressed you so humbly, you redden and lower your face to the ground. "I only did my duty, commander." A small part of you hopes that the use of 'commander' will aggravate her enough to stop this show of grattitude.

"You did much more than what is expected of any officer, let alone a common warrior." Asira corrects you, showing no signs of stopping with the praise. "Seeing then how I owe a good deal of this promotion to your valiant efforts, I would like to ask you to fill the role of sergeant under me."

Your head shoots up at those words, and you take a step back. Never have you heard of someone being promoted from a common warrior directly to a sergeant. You would be stepping over the heads of half a dozen officers, who doubtless wouldn't appreciate the move. Furthermore, your brother, as a common warrior, could be moved to a different troop at any time. You can't guarantee that the two of you will end up placed together even as a common warrior, but you're almost certain to be separated at some point if you accept. What should you do?

1. Accept. It's what's best for you, and you have earned a great deal of trust from Asira. To refuse would be unthinkable.

2. Refuse. You do not wish to be the cause of any discontentment in the ranks, especially when the times are so unstable as now.

3. Ask for a smaller promotion. Explain that you're honored to be offered the opportunity to serve under her, but that you don't want to cause anyone to feel slighted.

4. Ask for time to think about it.

________________________
Bonus: Saved Asira. Friendship +2


These stats matter, but I'll handle the workings behind the scenes in an attempt to avoid overcomplicating things. And yes, Asira would have died had you stayed. :V
I'll try to get into more interesting choices soon. We're still shaping the story.

I`m going to go with the 3rd option. I think there are people with ranks above mine that would be happy to take the promotion.

I`m glad Asira lived haha.

MoblinGardens : It's a difficult position, isn't it? Take a spot offered, or refuse out of respect to those others who have done more to earn it. With this story I hope to manage to be as realistic as possible by making most decisions carry weight, and in turn cause various effects both good and bad. Obviously there will be some that are better than others, but rarely is one decision in a real life situation going to yield only positive results.


NOTE: "nalan" is a suffix similar in nature to Ms./Mr. It denotes a certain level of humility.


Page Three
Honor +2
Relationship with Asira has suffered damage
Relationship with Rauri has suffered damage


"Well? What say you, Aoife? Will you serve under me?" Asira asks, smiling broadly.

"Asira-nalan..." you begin as you regain some composure "to be offered to serve under you in any official capacity... you do me far greater honor than I deserve. My lady, there are many officers under your hand who have served longer and more ably than I. If you would promote me, I ask that you promote me to one of their offices, and give them the honor of Sergeant."

"You refuse then?" Asira's countenance falls, and her question carries with it an air of hurt.

"No, Asira-nalan. That is, I would be greatly honored to serve under you. I simply feel that there are others more able than I at current, who would do you a greater service in this role, and I only wish to seek the good and furtherance of my lady and her righteous cause. Besides, in these turbulent times, I would not wish to cause any disturbance among your officers by stepping above them." you try your best to explain your intentions, hoping she'll understand.

"If I had thought for a moment that I was endangering the province or my troops, or even that you would be an inferior choice, I wouldn't have asked." she answers sounding indignant. "I should hope that you believe me a competent enough leader to make decisions regarding my personel by now. However, I will respect your wishes. You may return to your post; I'll call for you again when your presence is required for the furtherance of these matters. Dismissed."

Wishing that you could try to confirm your faith in her as your superior, but knowing that you've no right to remain in her audience chamber without her consent, you turn and walk dejectedly to the door.

____________________

One Month Later
It took a week for her to get back to you, but Asira gave you the promotion to common officer as you requested. You took the place of the newly promoted Sergeant Garreth, a man who now seems to go out of his way to make you miserable, delegating the bulk of his work to you under the guise of efficiency.

To add to the stress, Rauri acted proud and happy for you, but you can't help but feel that he resents you getting the promotion. Or perhaps he resents you accepting the promotion. It brought with it a forced move to the officer's barracks, a small building half a city reoved from your family home where you'd lived since you were a small child. When your parents died, Rauri had been the one to inherit the house, and the two of you had continued to stay there. Regardless of why it bothers him, it's undeniable that the promotion put a strain on your relationship with your brother. One can only hope that this separation helps him to accept that you're an adult who can take care of herself... and that the damage done between you mends.


Not everything about the new position assignments have been bad however, as you now have made a new friend in one of your fellow officers, whom your living arrangements have seen you bunked in side by side rooms, and your guard shifts —from 0:00 to 4:00, and again from 12:00 to 16:00— have the two of you paired for duty. And so it is that, odd though it may be, work is the bright spot in your average day.


This morning however, is different. This morning your work isn't enjoyable at all: it's nightmarish. It all started at 17:20, just over an hour after your last shift ended, and less than an hour after you went to sleep. You were woken from your much needed slumber by a loud crashing sound and the panicked shouting of your fellow officers.

The sound booms out again, this time much closer and louder than before, and it's accompanied by a violent shaking that sends you out of your bed and to the floor. You know that sound, but you struggle to proccess what it means as you shake the sleep from your mind. What is it?

It happens again, and the answer to your question hits you with a forceful dread.

Catapults.

More specifically, large, heavy objects —most likely boulders or large bags filled with a hundred or more pounds of stone chunks tied up in them— being flung from attacking catapults, and judging by how you can hear what sounds like portions of the structure you currently find yourself in crashing down, they're firing directly at the officer barracks. They probably intended to take out as many of the officers as possible so as to weaken the troops and storm the capital. The target is clearly Asira, as slaying her and her seargeant would lower morale and make capturing this territory all but a given. You have to prevent that from happening at all costs. This is what you have been trained for, and your battle instincts take over, pushing all thoughts of sleep aside.

Rushing out of your room you see that the the roof over the building has caved in, and somehow you're fortunate enough to be on the side of the barracks that is still largely intact. Every room from the one beside yours on down to the end of the south wing look to be covered in the debris.

The room next to yours? Oh no.
What do you do?


Choices:
1. Rush to the capital. You must protect the Marshal, Asira, at all costs.

2. Clear the debris blocking the neighboring room and rescue your new friend. You can't leave them to die.

3. Rush to the gates and engage in battle with the invading forces; if you can stop them before they get all of their troops inside, you can effictively shut down the raid and hopefully save the marshal and the trapped officers.


____________________

Hopefully this bit was more digestible than the previous two. Also please excuse any typos: I'm rushing this out before going to bed. lol

Finally, you doubtless noticed how vague I was while talking about your new friend: I wanted to let you decide the specifics here as well. Please choose the gender of your new friend. If you want, you can feel free to pick any other details such as name and appearance, but don't worry about that unless you just want to do it. I don't mind doing that part.

Anyway, I hope this beginning isn't too slow or boring. We'll get beyond politics and battles soon, we're just determining the parameters before proceeding any further so that the story can take shape.

Man, these decisions are getting harder each time. I think I am going to rush to the gates to engage in battle. I hope that this works, truly...

As for the new friend, I will let you create the character, Eirinn.

Looking forward to the next entry. Hopefully we can get some more people to join in soon too!

This was very difficult to read to most degree....this is what happens when I start off late. I was having a hard time  to choose between 1 or two....I go with 2.

My apologies for the delay. It's another long one, but it covers a lot of ground.
Note: Alphaia is the name of the region you reside in.


MoblinGardens : Glad to hear they feel as though they carry weight; the choices from here on should begin growing more weighty I hope. We've nearly set the foundation well enough to really get things rolling.


Eniitan : Glad you could join us! Unfortunately we had a split decision on the vote, so we went with Moblin's choice since he voted first. I think you'll be fairly pleased with the outcome though. I hope you enjoy the story!



Page 4

Health -2, Fame +1


With little hesitance, but great concern, you do what you deem right and leave the caved in barracks behind in an attempt to save the rest of the troops and your marshal. You can only hope your friend, Wynn, managed to escape safely.


Rushing toward the gate, you quickly put on what upper body armor you could get on your way out of the room. Looking ahead you can see that the gates have not yet been breached, but a battering ram, composed of a felled tree tied to hang loosely from the underside of a poorly constructed horizontal support beam on wheels, is currently working hard to remedy that. At this rate you suspect that the enemy will be pouring in through the gates in a matter of moments. Thankfully you chould have enough time to make it most of the way there and stop any potential damage to the infrastructure and your fellow warriors... maybe.


Unfortunately you suspect that the majority of the others rushed to the capital. Perhaps that would have been the best course of action, but Asira already has two strategists and a sergeant in the building with her, so she should be safe even without you by her side. Besides, this way you might manage to protect the others while they prepare to head into battle as well.

As you near the gates you pass by the barracks of the common warriors on duty, and shout to all under your charge to join you. A quick glance over your shoulder reveals to you that they indeed heard and are following suit, pouring out of their barracks in a constant stream of men and women, mostly properly geared and suited up.

That glance also reveals something else that surprises you: behind you are two other officers, who in like manner to you, begin calling to their troops. Your courage begins mounting: between the three of you and your troops, you'll easily be able to field 3,000 soldiers. A night raid, while not the most respected method of attack, typically consists of only a few troops, maybe 2,000 at the most, as their objective isn't to conquer the area, but to merely weaken it for a strike the following day.


A loud crash and triumphant shout informs everyone that the enemy has officially broken through the gates. You're ready for this though.

Only you're not.
Before you is a sea of enemy warriors flooding your encampment. This is no raid, it's a full on invasion, and the enemy has brought with them an army that dwarfs your own 3,000 that are coming to meet them. Fortunately their armor bears the markings of the Deishans — not the most battle savvy people in the land. Seeing this you raise your sword high and shout as loudly as you can right back at them, a gesture that your troops, fellow officers, and their troops, accompany you in. You mean business, and if the Deishan army before you didn't know that already, they do now as several of them freeze momentarily at the action, giving you the chance you need to start this battle off on the right foot.

"Archers: fire!" you shout as loudly as you're able so that your ranged troops —100 under your command— can hear. After a moment you see a veritible rain of arrows come crashing down on the troops before you; your archers alone couldn't have poured forth that many arrows — there must have been 200 of them, and they're still coming!

"Again!" Traunt, one of the two officers calls out, and you instantly understand what happened: the other officers, again following your lead, ordered fire from their troops as well. You aren't just leading your troops into battle, you're leading your fellow officers and their troops as well!


Pressing forward into the fray, you and your troops begin laying into one enemy after another, and the archers of all three units continue pouring arrows into the lines of troops beyond those you clash with, effectively thinning them before you can reach them. Things are going well for your army, as you swing, dodge, thrust, block, and otherwise slay your way through the seemingly endless flood of poorly prepared enemies. The troops on your side falling are vastly outnumbered by the enemy troops that have already fallen.


The battle wears on for a solid fifteen minutes, though you'd never be able to tell that as it all feels simultaneously slow and fast, creeping and frenetic, one big confusing mess. Soon enough you catch the voice of Asira herself shouting out orders to troops, and you know that the entirety of what remains of your armies after the surprise attack with catapults have now taken to the field, all 9,000 plus of them.

The enemy too has noticed the numbers that your armies have produced so quickly, and you hear their captains calling out orders of retreat. You continue pursuing them until they're well beyond your now smashed in gates, and you're certain they won't be regrouping and coming back. Turning back you see the large group of your fellows, all wearing the same blue garments, though they're now more red than blue, a sight that you've become accustomed to after a battle, but still find a little jarring. Thankfully the new troops who were recently hired on weren't here tonight, so they didn't have to witness what the rest of you do as you travel back to the camp, stepping on bodies of fallen foes more than on the dirt path beneath them.

After all is said and done, you find that the enemy attack claimed a total of seven hundred and fifty Alphaian lives, at least fifty of which were your troops. Fifty troops. Ten percent of your soldiers lie dead on the field now, and you can't help but wonder if you could have prevented this tragedy. Your fellow officers, and your troops as well, commend your actions and laud your capability, but you find yourself unable to accept their praise wholeheartedly, and instead mutter insncere thanks in response. You're ready for this night to be over.


____________________
The next day

Climbing out of bed, you get dressed for guard duty and stumble your way to the door as you clutch your side tightly. It turned out after the confusion and chaos died down last night, that part of that blood that ran down your garments was your own. You had taken a slice to your side at some point, and though you were too absorbed in the battle to notice little more than a brief flash of pain and some stinging, you had been cut fairly deeply. The wound wasn't serious though, so you figured you would get back to work again tomorrow.

"Hey, the marshal wants to see you." Wynn informs you as you step out of the room you and the other officers shared in the capital last night after the attack left you with no barracks.

Wynn had been outside when the attack began, having not turned in as early as you, and as such managed to avoid the danger of the collapsing barracks. Unfortunately one other officer was killed, and one was seriously injured.

"Okay, thanks. Do you have any idea what it's about?" you ask as you turn to heard for the counsel chamber.

"Not a clue."


"You called, my lady?" you offer the rhetorical question as you enter the chamber and salute, trying your best not to cringe from the pain that the motion causes.

"Aoife. Come here please." Asira instructs, her mood unreadable.

Obedient, you approach the seat she is on. "Asira-nalan?"

"What were you thinking last night?" the scolding words pour forth, and you fight the urge to shrink back at the tone in her voice. You're not accustomed to her speaking this way to you.

"My lady, I'm afraid I do not understand what you're asking."

"What were you thinking, charging the enemy head on like that?"

"I acted impulsively, but—"

"You're right, you did." Asira cuts you off with a harsh tone. "You went out less than half armored, and took your troops out without sufficient support for yourself or them. What's more, two of our best officers followed your lead and led their troops out scarcely more prepared than you. Nearly a thousand of us perished, and many more could have easily been lost." Seeing your head lower, she pauses for a moment before saying more. "That said, you did successfully hold the enemy at bay with a small number of troops in comparison, until the rest of us could respond. And with those officers who were trapped in the collapsed barracks, and my own response time lacking, you undeniably saved more lives than you cost us. So I am torn between commending and reprimanding you."

The next several moments are spent with you trying to think of something to say, and Asira staring silently as though she expects some sort of reaction, and you find yourself wishing she would have just went on with the rebukes if this was the alternative.

Before you can manage to come up with a decent sounding reply, Asira speaks again. "Go, Aoife. Get your things packed, and return to your home."

Looking up, wide eyed, you seek clarification of the words that made your heart sink. "But why, nalan? I've three weeks left on my duty here before my leave is due. Are you discharging me from your service?"

Smiling softly, Asira shakes her head. "And risk losing one of the best officers I've seen to my enemy? No, you need to go home to mend though. I'll not have you risking further injury, or worse."

"It won't be necessary, my lady. I'll—"

"That's an order, captain." she says, her voice just firm enough to tell you that you shouldn't push the matter farther — you're going home.


____________________
Two weeks later
Health +1


"Aoife? Do you have a moment?" Rauri asks as he pokes his head around the corner to peer into your room where you sit staring out the window.

A moment? you think, bordering on bitterness All I have is free time since being sent home to recover, and that's all I will have for the next two months: a whole lot of moments
Rather than voice these unpleasant, and uncharacteristic thoughts, you opt to simply nod without breaking your gaze at the little birds bouncing around on the lawn, looking for a meal.


Walking in, Rauri takes a seat beside you on the floor. You don't know what he's wanting to speak with you about, but you suppose he'll tell soon enough.
And he does. He tells you exactly what's on his mind, and it takes you by surprise. This changes everything...


____________________
Later that night


You lie in bed, pondering Rauri's words. It seems he's grown dissatisfied with Asira and her, as he put it, laziness. He feels as though she's become lax since being promoted to marshal. That perhaps attaining to a high rank in the kingdom, and having authority over her own piece of territory, is all she really wanted to begin with. Not to stand up and fight for your ruler's cause of 'peace through righteous rule'.

Had it been anyone else you would have immediately dimissed it, but after everything you've been through together, and all he's done for you throughout the years, you suppose that Rauri deserves your attention on the rare occasions when he comes to you to confide his feelings about a matter. You still support Asira, but you have noticed her less aggressive approach to battle lately. She has indeed sat on her territory for nearly two months without so much as an obvious look at battle plans, and this land, you suppose, won't conquer itself. Someone has to subdue the other regions if peace is to be seen in the land, and she seems to be at ease, but is it really that simple? Could she have been fronting this entire time? Or has she become lazy since her promotion perhaps? Maybe she's simply being strategic.


At any rate, Rauri intends to move to Lochmar, a territory controlled by the newly promoted marshal Liam — the officer that left your current company when Asira was promoted instead of he. Your brother intends to seek to align himself with Liam, as he feels that Liam's more aggressive approach —which has already secured the ruler one new territory in the past two weeks since Liam's promotion— is the way for these matters to be handled if the land is to experience any semblance of peace. He came to you, not only to inform of you his decision, but to ask you to come with him. To accept would be to walk away on Asira and to requite the kindness she's shown with rejection. However, to refuse would be to alienate your brother, your only living relative, and the person you grew up admiring and striving to emulate.


Choices:
1. Go with Rauri: You'll still be on the same side as Asira, you just won't see her or serve under her any longer. Family comes first, no matter what.

2. Stay with Asira: You've stayed by her side this far, and you've no intentions of letting one man's disillusionment with her sway your opinion on her. Your loyalty, once earned, remains until it's recipient proves themselves unworthy of it, and Asira has not.

____________________


Notes:
Your Honor and Fame levels were responsible for the two officers following you in the rush. Higher ratings would have brought more support, and lower numbers would have brought less support.

Likewise, your relationships with Asira and Rauri factored heavily into the outcome of this page.

Current stats:
Health: 4/5
Honor: 3
Fame: 2

Asira relationship: 1
Rauri relationship: 0
Wynn relationship: 1

MoblinGardens :
Eniitan :

I think it's safe to say that this thread has officially died. lol That said, I do want to thank you two for helping me keep it rolling for as long as we did. It wasn't too amazing of a story, but it was fun to go through with you two all the same. Again, I appreciate you giving it a shot despite the lackluster opening.



That said, I've finally decided to close this. But before I do, I want to put the opening mystery to rest: the person you were so torn up about killing in battle, given your current stats and the path you had been consistently choosing, was your brother, Rauri.
Had you chosen to stay under Asira, he would have opted to serve under Liam (your relationship stat with Rauri was too low to persuade him), who was going to revolt and turn against the king. Asira was staying faithful, and you would have met in battle.


Had you opted to follow Rauri, you would have slain Asira in battle at a later date (assuming you didn't opt to defect upon seeing Liam revolt).

Other roads would have been possible (such as Wynn being the one you'd slain), but the choices made up to this point had made the decision to boost your relationship with either Rauri or Asira cost you relationship points with the other.


Again, thank you for your participation. I had a blast!