[color=#636775][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nCbuWS9.png[/img][/center]

[center][b][h2]Afternoon of Assani 15th - 3:00 HE[/h2][/b]
[sub][color=#302c2c]6 Days Remain[/color][/sub]
[hr][hr][h2][url=https://youtu.be/ijw3XzuvzTc]♫[/url][/h2][hr][hr][/center]

[sub][b]Present:[/b] Ashon’amar’loiyang [@Ti], Cal’tuuro’jaros [@Suicharte], Casii’fyret’alan [@Pirouette], Dorothea Hohnstein [@Jasbraq],  Ismet’ych’lahiin’dichora [@Force and Fury], Kaspar Elstrøm von Wentoft [@Wolfieh], Edyta Łaska, Manfred Hohenfelter, Qasem Laghmani [@Tackytaff], Ymiico’luun’yoru [@Salsa Verde]

[url=https://i.imgur.com/T1vR4wj.png]Mandelein's Location[/url][/sub]

Altogether, they stepped into a faraway land most had never seen, but a few have, and even some could find familiarity in. The smell of wet soil predominated over the bright, grey glare of light coming from the covered skies. Then their feet felt cold, wet and bogged down by the mud beneath. A drizzle greeted the group in what was once a dirt path passing through thick wood, now an accumulation of puddles that didn’t properly empty into the gutters, although they also seemed quite full too. The winds were, surprisingly, not too strong.

The common yew trees did little to help against the downpour, if anything the dangling parasitic vines and plants added to the wet hazards the group had to deal with, but the frequent birch trees offered some solace to those unequipped. The group could choose to deal with the abundantly wet path, or stick to the trees for better cover, although puddles and mud traps were to be expected regardless.

The Stresian months and the first major rainfalls ushered in the awakening of new or slumbering life. There were many plants that began their life cycles during this season, with some of the most notable being pitcher plants of various sizes, and even more notable among them were considerably larger carnivorous flora - big enough that one could believe it’d downright swallow an infant if it could. Most had vivid colours and a pleasant scent, likely as lures for prey. What was even more noticeable than flowers, however, were mushrooms. Yes, with such a damp environment, it’d be no surprise that the group could come by many, with quite a couple of large ones standing out: A flat, gold-brown with white sides that grew in patches near trees with some getting as big as dinner plates, and then were were beautiful, red fungi with white-gold sunburst patterns on them. The latter type wasn’t nearly as big as the first one, but certainly outdid all the more commonly seen plants.

Clinging to a birch tree’s bark was a squirrel with its cheeks filled with [i]something[/i], rapidly shifting its attention in multiple directions as it heard the approaching travellers coming. Its big, fluffy tail inflated a little and its cheeks tightened. Then, a few stirs from a nearby puddle had it quickly rush up to the tree. The thunder didn’t instil its flight response as much as what emerged from the puddle: A salamander! It lazily emerged from the puddle, still covered in a thick coat of mud and mucus and just floated there, staring at the visitors with its wide, black eyes. They didn’t just emerge from water, as Qasem, the man likely the least in his element, would find out. Right by his foot emerged a young one, very much harmless attempting to slap his ankle with its underdeveloped tail while keeping its mouth agape as if it was shouting. Some of the Yasoi could maybe feel a little more at home here.

It was, overall, a peaceful trip through a path leading ever so slowly toward Mandelein. About an hour in, and they could see through the rain-induced fog signs of civilization on the horizon. They were getting close! And with such good news came a bellowing, distorted [i]roar[/i] that reverberated through the trees, best described as inhuman and almost even unnatural. There was nothing of note in their drawing range, however, and nothing else like it occurred afterwards.

They would also encounter a very familiar animal at the distance: A human. A mere shadow at this current distance and out of drawing range for non-tethered. Just as they would notice it, the figure waved at them in what looked to be a friendly manner. They knew the group was there. And behind that figure were two more silhouettes. As they came closer, their features were more distinguishable, with all of them wearing rain cloaks, although one seemed content with a simple tricorn hat.

[color=757163]“[i]Hast du dich Verlaufen, alter?[/i]”[/color]

The voice of a woman called for them as she waved once more. She was close enough for them to notice her face through the rainfall. She stopped about thirty metres away from them, one hand on her hip and the other rubbing her chin. The dark haired woman was studying them, taking particular interest in the Yasoi and the Darhannic. She grinned. The other two, one man and one woman, looked toward her, as if waiting for her to say something. 

[color=757163]“You lost, friend?”[/color] she inquired with a thick Kerreman accent.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/eJOjd1F.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/WSnMn81.png[/img][/center]

[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/IJVlFmQAjyc]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

And at that moment, they could sense presences entering their ranges: Three from where these strangers came from, three behind the group, and one closing in from each side. They were all running into position, while the three that showed themselves stood in the way, [color=757163]“[i]Fünf Affen, ein Wüstenaffe, eine Nonne und drei andere.[/i]”[/color] she tilted her head to address the man behind her with a scarf over his mouth and nose, [color=757163]“[i]Was denkst du?[/i]”[/color] the man took no more than a few seconds to size up the group, [color=96374E]“[i]Nicht von hier. Auch nicht mit ihnen.[/i]”[/color] he answered, to which the ringleader chuckled.

The group could see the converging individuals ready themselves, some at range with what were likely rifles, some others were closing in still, [color=757163]“Gut, gut.”[/color] she nodded and drew her sabre - quite the beauty, definitely beyond her birth right, especially compared to the flintlock on her off-hand or the muddied and ratty clothing all of them were wearing - and waved the tip toward the Dorothea's direction, paying particular attention to that illustrious crown of her's, [color=757163]“Welcome to Kerremand! Welcome to Mandelein, where there is only one rule ...”[/color] she articulated that one well, as if she had rehearsed it many times before. The tricorn-wearing man drew his own, shoddy rifle and the girl a rusted cleaver. If it wasn’t obvious already, this was an ambush.

[center][color=757163]“Hand over your shit, or we will fuck you up.”[/color][/center] [/color]

[hider=Action Opportunities]
Welcome to Castle Mandelein! As always, if there are any questions, my DM's are always open, or you can ask on the discord group.

Currently, the opportunities are:
-It's definitely raining hard with brief thunder from time to time, hindering visibility and mobility. Remember that!
-Do you do anything during the hour walk through the Mandelein path? Gather some plants? Interact with some animals? Roll in the mud? Every action can have consequences, so feel free to consult me if you're trying to investigate things!
-The roar wasn't trackable in their position, and it really did sound [i]distorted[/i] even for something akin to a dragon.
-You've been ambushed by Highwaymen! They've got you pincered with clear knowledge on how to play around average mage range. What do you do? You are ten, and they are about eleven with crappy hear, barring the ringleader's rapier. You could surrender your thing, flee or beat up this welcome party.

The decision the groups make will reflect on the fight or outcome we can play out. We can set a date to play it out, or have it be a thing that takes place during the whole cycle.

The deadline for this cycle is: [b]Monday, March 27th.[/b] The earlier you post, the faster I'll update! [i]And the easier it is for me.[/i][/hider]