City of IF

[Key]

Last decision: Retreat back toward the Virivoi to lead the Zigots into an ambush (click for a summary of the story so far).

Your only hope is to lead the Zigots back to the Virivoi. "Retreat!" you call out, as you crouch low under the javelins and arrows and make your way to Togesu. "To the Virivoi!"

The Lakamani fall quickly back. As you move out of arrowshot, phalanxes of Zigots descend from the ridge, forming tight battle lines with their wide wooden shields, and advancing in lock-step. They are more and readier than you had thought. Attacking the ridge would have been suicide.

But the Zigots' numbers make them confident, and they take the bait. You call to your people to run back wild as though in a panic, and the ever-crafty Scorpions play it well. You can see the Zigots' lines begin to drift apart as they press after you too quickly.

You ride like a tiger through your army, turning them back toward the Virivoi. For the ruse to work, the Virivoi need to be ready with an ambush. You must reach Rigiva and tell him what's happening. Your white horse takes you far ahead of Geneni, past the rear of your army, until you reach the lines of the Virivoi. They stand cool among a grove of tall trees as you and the Lakamani rush up sweating.

Rigiva is nowhere to be seen, but you recognize his second-in-command, Niroi. "Niroi, fetch Rigiva!" you call. "The Zigots are behind us! You must set an ambush!"

"He knows," responds Niroi. "The ambush is being set." Then he takes two steps to his left for no apparent reason.

Odd. "Where is he?" you ask. "Where do we spring the trap?"

"He's...not far. He'll be here soon." Niroi takes another two steps to the left. His speech is calm, almost indifferent, and he doesn't meet your eyes.

Something's wrong. Is he hiding something? You move to the right to face him. With your hand upon your sword, you speak in a voice he can't ignore. "Niroi! Where is Rigiva?"

Niroi pauses. Suddenly his mask of indifference slips away, and his face twists in malicious joy. In an instant you know your peril. Too late! Rigiva drops on you from the tree above, snapping his tail forward as he falls, driving his poisoned stinger into your neck.

The stinger hits you between your backplate and your tall helmet. The force of the blow breaks through your metal links, your clothes, your skin, and your flesh, driving down through your throat and into your lung. It pulls you from your horse and throws you face down onto the ground. Rigiva lands lightly behind you, and withdraws his stinger in an instant. Blood pours out of your wound.



Dimly you hear the calls of the Lakamani - "To the Queen! To the Queen!" - as they rush forward to defend you. Dimly you hear the hiss of arrows as the Virivoi set upon them, in an ambush not meant for the Zigots, but for their fellow Scorpions. Then even the dimness fades and you know nothing more.

__________________________________


You wake up cold. Bone-cold, lying naked in freezing water. Groggily, you drag yourself onto muddy ground and sit up. You start to shiver.

You're in a dark cave. Below you is a stagnant pool fed by water quietly dripping down the slippery walls. The cave is wide with deep shadows; its dark crevices might hide a thousand passages, or none. There is at least one way out - a narrow passage leading down, from which emanates a dim light flickering off the walls and the pool here, providing the only illumination. A barely-perceptible flow of air floats through the cavern; it seems to come from opposite the light.

Where am I? As you try to make sense of this place, your mind returns to its last memory, and you gingerly reach back and touch your neck. Nothing. No wound where Rigiva's stinger impaled you, not even a scar. Am I dreaming? The cold lingers on you like a clammy hand, and your teeth chatter. If I am, it's not a good dream.

You are naked and empty-handed, and your body is covered with cold muck.



What do you do? Post your thoughts and suggestions here.

Anyone is welcome to post. :D

[Van Helsing]

"A barely-perceptible flow of air floats through the cavern; it seems to come from opposite the light."

I'd see where the air is coming from, maybe I ould find an answer there.

[my self]

I would go towards the light because the air could come from very far away and the light isn't far.

[Purenutria]

I say go towards the light.

[lewis22]

hi how u play it :?: :) :(

[Crick]

hmmm, maybe the light isnt a good thing, you could be a vampire and it would hurt. I say go into attack mode, and hit your head against the stones to make sure your not dreaming then run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

or just go into the light :)

[ASDF]

haven't u guys ever heard of DON"T GO TOWARDS THE LIGHT

[Mother Goose]

Masakati is cold and wet; hypothermia seems a real danger. The back of the cave will not be any warmer than where she is now, but a "flickering" light suggests fire. She should approach the light very cautiously, trying to keep out of sight until she can see what it is.

[Dark_Lady_Serenity]

:? I wouldn't go torwards the light because I am a vampire.... Apparently I am low on energy and the light would hurt me alot more than if I had my fill of blood and was at my full strength. Thus, I would collect my thoughts and listen for any kind of movement.... I would then prepair to fight if nessasary.

[VestBoy]

nice

[zïa]

I will follow the flow of air that floats through the cave.

Lets fly from the light.

:idea:

[Photinia]

The air gets stuck in my hair...

I will go there!

:roll:

[xïa]

I shiver.

Ice taps fall on my spine.

The warm air seems tempting.

Leaving room for more exploration.

[Mayhem]

Uh haven't you thought of the fact most the time when people walk toward lights they end up DEAD!

[LordJhredmo]

Not nessecerily.I choose go towards light. :D

[kenshin himura]

Go to the light!!!!! it would seem to be wise!
but just incase that you are doubtfull and
dont want to listen to my advise you can
go to the sorce of the air flow

[Guest]

The light suggests to me that there are other's around. You don't know who they are, friend or foe. I therefore suggest that she should find not where the breeze is coming from but to where it is going if the wind is coming in it has to go out also. If the wind is leading towards the light that is the logical direction to go. Light means heat, and the wind is exiting in that direction. I say go into the light! But carefully, and hidden. There may be danger ahead and if your not seen, there is still a chance to go back.

[Guest]

I agree "Go into the light!" but concealed.

[whatub6ib9]

go in to the light there will be a souce of heat and possably a way out

[Luft Balloon]

I need some air !

[RPGMasta]

I say move towards the light but you can never be TOO cautious about things like that, so while your moving you should be careful and keep more to the stealthy side of our hero

[Cortkik]

I have to say that after just getting attacked and waking up in a strage place I'd be hesistant to see anyone anytime soon. Light says person to me- wether malicious or not- I think I'll figure out where that air is coming from.