Name: Charisse Race: Human

Ht: 5’6, Wt: 130, Sex: Female,

Archetype: Rogue

HP: 7 / 7 Mana: 0 / 0

Stats:

Physical: 2, Moxie : 3, Spiritual: 2, Luck : 3,

Agility : 3, Magic : 2, Mental : 2, Energy : 2.

Relevant Skills: Archetype - Awareness, Archetype - Legerdemain, Archetype - Listen, Moxie - Deceive

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"I spoke to a god," Charisse whispered to Jax. They all sat on a log next to a large tree. Above them, hidden in the branches and leaves, the exterior of a building was visible. "Not really spoke, but a telepathy thing."

"Todd told me, I wish they would have spoken to me, but I guess it is impolite to speak to followers of another faith?" Jax shrugged and hung his head low. "It makes me wonder how real or fake this world is. I was already having a crisis of faith before we got dumped here but now surrounded by a polytheistic society where the gods are real. It's just too much."

"Doesn't the paladin thing make it easier?" Charisse threw an arm around her friend's shoulders. The lack of armor allowed her to pull and squeeze him close.

"It makes it worse, while I agree with the tenants of my choose god, the back of my mind wonders if it is blasphemy for me to even communicate with it. The bible says God, the Christian one, is a jealous deity." Jax said.

"I'm sure he'll understand, or since this is a game, it won't be any different than playing a cleric in a game," Charisse said.

"Maybe," Jax looked away from Charisse and stared off towards the woods.

"How are you holding up?" Charisse nudged Todd awake. He jerked with a slight snort.

"Whaa?" Todd said, stretching the a into a yawn.

"How are you holding up?" Charisse said again. Smiling and not moving her mouth, she tried to speak softly.

"Your left eye was open slightly," Charisse said softly while not moving her lips. Todd nodded once then looked around.

"If this goes bad, I think you may be the best person to get to Mark and Reggie. Get to the glade as quickly as possible; make sure I don't choose bard." Todd said before briefly played an air guitar.

"Um ok, it should be fine, I think if Hal let us in, we good," Charisse said.

"Thankfully, none of us are named Dave," Todd laughed. "Next time, I'll ask him to open the pod bay doors."

"I don't know if he'll get nerdy references," Charisse said.

"Meh, as long as he stays out of my head, I'm good." Todd smiled.

"Why did you sing baby shark?" Charisse said.

"Yep, I figure Furcas is the GM, anything the god says is him fucking with us," Todd said.

Charisse nodded her head and looked in the direction Jax was, a wall of brush and leaves.

Staring at the foliage, the leaves overlap each other. Where branches were exposed, a bit of moss grew. Charisse leaned back toward Jax.

"What do you see?" Charisse said.

Jax stared off without answering. Charisse gave him space and just watched the pathway in front of them. Flat stones dotted the way from this tree to the main walkway and other trees. The tree trunks split low to the ground, thick branches sprouted outward and up. Upon this split, a floor and walls erected. Six small buildings were nearby, the hall behind her was the largest of them all at twenty by twenty feet.

One of the town guards stepped out from the door and climbed down the six-foot ladder. After securing his sword to his belt, he stood in front of Charisse, Jax, and Todd.

"The council has decided," he said. When he didn't get a response from Jax, he stepped to the side and snapped his fingers in front of Jax, no reply.

"He is uh, communing, seeking higher knowledge," Charisse said. Leaning over, she nudged Jax in the side.

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"What," Jax stood up, reaching for his hammer. He took one look at the guard, who had his hand on his sword. "Sorry, I take it the council has decided."

"Aye, they are coming down, I wanted to give you a chance to face them standing, like men." The guard said, then blushed a little as he looked at Charisse. "Sorry, like soldiers."

"I get that all the time," Charisse said. The guard motioned for them to stand a little way to the side.

As Charisse moved, she saw an older man slowly descent down the ladder. Once he was on the ground, he turned and helped an older looking woman descend. Five more followed, four sat on the bench while three stood.

"The council has reached a decision. Your lives are spared; you are to be led out of the valley. If you return or attempt to return, you will be killed." One of the men said. Once he finished speaking, he turned around. The other council members repeated the motion, the older lady taking longer as she stood up slowly.

"Wait, we need your help," Charisse said as a guard stepped up and lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We cannot help you, for if your goals are not aligned within, how can you align with those without." The eldest lady said.

"What?" Charisse said. Todd repeated the same words, but more guards stepped forward and grabbed them.

Weaponless Charisse counted twelve guards, each armed with a sword and shield. She doubled over as if in pain to reach her hidden dagger and hide it behind an arm pressed against her stomach.

A wave of healing energy flowed through her. As she looked up, her eyes met Jax's. He shook his head and offered a hand to help her stand.

"Sorry, I was overwhelmed with the decision," Charisse said as she stood up straight.

"We will respect their decision, and hope our paths cross in better circumstances in the future," Jax said.

"Where are our weapons?" Todd said, puffing out his chest a little as he stepped in front of a guard.

Charisse and Jax each grabbed one of Todd's hands and pulled him back. He gave a resigned sigh as they were lead away from the council. Four guards in front, when Charisse glanced behind, she saw another six following.

"I'm guessing they'll give us the weapons after we pass through the tunnels," Charisse said.

"But, we'll be defenseless." Todd stumbled as he tried to stop, Jax and Charisse pulled him forward.

"They won't let any harm come to us, and faith will guide our path," Jax said. He tilted his head and shook it.

"Paladin thing," Charisse said.

"Not sure, though, I do agree with it oddly." Jax sighed and walked faster. "Time to get back to the quest we were given."

Charisse wished she was as sure as Jax, as they walked back into a different tunnel.

Unfathomable minutes passed in complete darkness as they were led in silence.

Charisse sighed in relief when she heard the soft crunching of leaves on the path. A faint glow from the exit forced her to restrain herself from running forward. Ahead of Jax, she couldn't see any of their escorts.

Stepping out of the cave entrance, she took a step to the side and took in a deep breath. Unsure if it was just her imagination, but the air smelled better. Clouds covered the sky, blocking the stars, and reducing the moon to a faint glow. On the ground sat a pile of backpacks and weapons. Charisse went over to one and pulled out a torch. Lighting it quickly, she examined her surroundings.

The trees looked to be the same type, an offshoot of the aspen. If she hadn't just walked through it, the doorway into the tunnels was well hidden, bushes to each side, and a tree fifteen feet from it, blocking the front view. Todd was eagerly digging through the weapon pile to find his equipment. Sitting in a tree maybe thirty feet behind them, Charisse saw someone watching.

"Well, if we can't get their help in killing the king, I don't know who else we can," Charisse said as she walked up next to Todd.

"I'm sure we'll find someone. No way someone who forced everyone to lie about them, would be liked by everyone." Todd said.

"I don't think we are alone yet," Jax glared at Charisse and motioned to the tree with the person she saw.

"I guess if people like being under the iron fist of a tyrant, there is little we can do," Charisse said. She stepped closer to Jax and whispered through her teeth. "I know."

Jax frowned, and while shaking his head, pulled out his equipment from the pile.

"Let's get back to our friends. If we push all night, I think we can make it before morning." Jax shouldered his backpack.

"Hopefully we can sleep on the wagon, I think one of them is hauling sacks of grain," Charisse said.

Todd smiled, turned to look at Charisse, then frowned. "Nevermind." He said.

"Wait, I wanna know what snarky remark," Charisse said.

"Sweet dreams rye made of these," Todd said, then frowned.

"Oh god, that was bad," Charisse said. She thought she heard a groan from the cave behind her, but didn't look.

"You come up with better," Todd said.

"Sleeping on the bags of grain, I should be safe unless we come across vegetarian zombies," Charisse said. Putting her hands out in front of her, she shuffled toward Todd. "Graaaaains, graaaaaains."

Sunlight barely broke the horizon when Jax called out to the watch guard. A few short moments later, after identifying themselves and a brief wait as a second guard ran and woke up Mark. A very tired wizard was half-dragged as he stumbled over to the edge of the caravan. He barely gave Jax, Todd, and Charisse a glance before saying, “it is our friends.” 

They followed Mark as he slept walk back to his bedroll. Reggie and a few guards were asleep around a small fire. Mark pointed at an empty roll. 

“Someone else can sleep; now that I’m awake, I might as well read before we head out for the day.” He sat down, back against the fire, and closed his eyes. 

“Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock?” Charisse said with a glance at Jax and Todd.

“I’m fine,” Todd said. 

“Go ahead, I’ll help the morning watch,” Jax said.

Charisse gave a second glance to her friends before diving into the bedroll. The still-warm blankets banished the chill of the night. Sleep overtook her before she could say a thank you.

“Charisse, wake up.” Mark’s voice penetrated the warm oblivion of Charisse’s mind. A gently shaking hand rested on her shoulder.

Opening her eyes after what felt like just closing them, Charisse yawned, feeling more tired than before she went to sleep. 

“Fuck, feels like I just fell asleep,” Charisse mumbled, looking toward Mark. 

“Yeah,” Mark looked up and off in the distance. “I already spoke with Samson, he’ll let two of us sleep on a wagon, but you gotta also take a night watch as well. He wants a moment with you also before we start moving.”

“Seems reasonable.” Charisse stretched and sat up. “Thank you for loaning me your bedroll.” 

“I’m always up for having a hot woman in my bed.” Mark blushed and turned away.

“Ha,” Charisse waited for Mark to look back at her. “Hey, my stats are up here.” She lifted her backpack. Once she stood up, she walked over to a water barrel attached to a wagon. Pouring out some water onto a piece of cloth, she wiped her face with it, then headed into the trees to do her morning business. 

Morning routine finished, she washed her hands before walking toward the front of the caravan. Samson was standing on a large wagon, talking to the drivers. 

“If we don’t make it before they close their gates, then I’ll tell everyone the reason they can’t sleep in a comfy bed is because of your slow asses. Ten minutes before we get moving, I’ll give a minute warning.” Samson said. Giving a clap of his hands, the drivers and merchants scattered. A guard stayed nearby and offered a hand to help the merchant step down from the wagon. 

“You wanted to see me?” Charisse said. 

Samson’s eyes widened, and he smiled once he saw Charisse. He whispered to the guard, and the guard turned and left. As the merchant leader stepped closer, he reached into his vest and pulled out a little bag, even giving it a little bounce to make it jingle.

“Did you find any trinkets in the forest that I’d be interested in?” Samson said.

Charisse shook her head. “We sent Mark and Reggie back with everything the merchants said was taken, the bandit gear we gave to the surviving families of the bandits.” 

“Oh,” Samson’s smile disappeared as did the pouch of coins. Her eyes followed the path of the bag of coins; inner pocket, left breast, the same height as his heart. “Your friends told me that as well, I was hoping you’d found something,” Samson said.

Charisse managed to avoid reaching toward the pocket with the ring. Turning the motion of her hand into an exaggerated shrugging motion. 

“I wish the extra gold would be nice if we are going to be in a town tonight. Alas, the gods have denied both of us.” Charisse sighed and lowered her hands and shoulders. 

“If I find out you are not honoring your side, I will let your friends know. I’m sure the holy knight would have a few words.” Samson looked toward where people were loading up one of the wagons.

“I’m not, fifty percent is generous, I was focused more on not dying than if someone’s sword happened to sparkle.” Charisse shrugged again.

“Ok,” Samson turned and walked off in the direction his guard had taken earlier. Charisse shook her head a little and walked toward the grain wagon to secure a comfortable place to sleep.