Freedom Forest

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"Have a safe travel, sir." You hand the coachman a fairly generously filled bag of coin. Nothing too significant, as your inheritance has afforded you more money than what you know to do with. You might not even have need for it soon enough. "You as well," you wave the carriage away as it disappears into the mist of that damp and dreary afternoon. You turn, your boots splashing water up that has accumlated on the ground from the rain, now turned into a light drizzle. A man wearing a dark cloak with the hood pulled up watches you, with his back to the dark forest behind him. You swallow hard and take those hopeful steps toward him. [["Hello, sir."]] You greet the man.

"Here to visit Freedom Forest?" He asks. Straight to the point, this one is. You scratch your beard, scrounging up all the scraps of information you've heard about this place and its inhabitants. Plenty of people told you about how this place was magical and full of wonder, though most of them had never even set foot near it. Plenty of people also told you that the rumors were all nonsense, fairy tales told between children. The coachman shared some advice with you, but even he, who often took sightseers to this location, didn't know much about these people or the place. He only told you to have no doubt anything that you try to do or say. You take a deep breath before responding, a way of mentally preparing yourself. "Actually, I was hoping to see if I could possibly [[live here]]."

The man with the cloak scratched at the stubble on his chin, clearly thinking about what you'd just said. You can't read what he's thinking, his eyes covered by the hood and also because you stand a solid two head taller than him. After a few awkward seconds, the man gestures for you to follow him. [["Okay, all right, follow me."]] He moves quickly, cutting into the darkness between the line of trees.

As you both walk into the forest, you notice that the gentle pattering of raindrops fades away. What should have been trees and foliage surrounding you slowly fades into pitch blackness, like staring into a cellar with no torch or lantern. You look all around you, taken aback by what's happening. When you look behind you, you notice that the world you were just standing in slowly distorts, being swallowed up by the same darkness that you are walking into. You feel a firm tug on your sleeve. You turn and see the cloaked figure holding firmly onto your robe. "Keep following, lad. You don't want to get lost in here." You gulp hard and [[proceed]].

The man lets go of your sleeve after you two walk a little farther. You can only presume that he trusts you to keep following. Soft white specks of glowing lights float around lazily, decorating the void of darkness. Some are pure white, some are a subdued cyan, some in a pale yellow or green. "What are these?" You ask. Before the cloaked man can answer, you both emerge from that darkness into [[blinding sunlight]].

As your eyes adjust to the light, you make out an ordinary looking forest. No bird calls, no insects pestering or buzzing around, just trees and foliage that could be found anywhere else. Not what you would expect of the fabled "Freedom Forest". "Those were souls of the departed, souls of the lost." "What?" The man with the cloak peels back his hood to reveal a green set of eyes looking at you. "People that wandered into the forest without any guidance, those rejected by the forest for being deemed unworthy or a threat." He rubs at one of his eyes with the back of his sleeve. "May their souls find peace in that eternal darkness." You turn around, but the darkness has vanished now. The forest expands behind you. [["Now if that's all you need-"]]

"Wait," You interrupt him. "What is it? Need something else answered?" His eyes are strangely red as he pulls his arms away from having rubbed at them. "If not, just follow this path until you reach the community. I have to get back to my post." You stand there and think over some things you'd like to ask about. Questions: [["What was that darkness?"]] [["Are the rumors about Freedom Forest true?"]] [["Your eyes look red, is everything okay?"]] [["Never mind, I'll be on my way."]]

"Ah, I don't know how it works exactly, no one really does. We think that the forest uses it as a means of protecting itself from unwanted visitors. Without a guide, any that attempt to enter get lost and perish..." The man trails off, staring blankly at the ground. You feel your breath get caught in your throat. Is this place more devious that the rumors let on? You feel nervous thinking about what you might have just gotten yourself into. "But you have nothing else to worry about. Nothing else can harm you now. The forest deemed you worthy of entry. Is there anything else you'd like to know?" You breath a sigh, feeling a little relieved, but you're still a little doubtful. You collect yourself and think before speaking. Questions: [["Are the rumors about Freedom Forest true?"|"Are the rumors about Freedom Forest true?"2]] [["Your eyes look red, is everything okay?"]] [["That's all. I'll be on my way."|"Never mind, I'll be on my way."]]

"There are a lot of rumors about this place. What I can tell you is that the people here are different most people you've approached in your life. Everyone comes here for different reasons. This forest gives you the opportunity to live out your dreams, free of any interference. Without spoiling much more, all I'll tell you is that it's a peaceful place. I'm sure you'll like it if you choose to stay with us. Any other questions?" Some of the rumors you look to be true. You want to ask for him to say more, but don't. You think about what you want to ask about next. Questions: [["What was that darkness?"|"What was that darkness?"2]] [["Your eyes look red, is everything okay?"]] [["Never mind, I'll be on my way."]]

"I... Um..." The man hesitates to answer. His eyes swell with tears as he stares at the ground. You feel guilty for him making remember whatever it is going through his mind. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I-" "Don't worry about it." The man makes a solid effort to meet your gaze with a smile. "Let's just say that I lost someone that means a lot to me in that darkness. As long as I live, I'll never let anyone else fall victim, so long as the forest wills it." You feel great admiration toward the man and return the smile. "Thank you for your service." He nods at you, wiping his tears away. "Just follow that path, it'll eventually lead to everyone else that lives here. You'll get instructions from there and decide if you want to live here with us or not. I have to get back to my post in case someone else comes by. Good luck and I wish you all the best." With that, he walks past you, vanishing into thin air. There's a dirt path before you that splits the forest down the middle. It's almost unnatural in how clear and flat it is, without any noticeable ridges or bumps, or even so much as a pebble or in the way. [[You follow it.|You follow it (softie route)]]

The man in the dark cloak nods and slides the hood back over his head. "Keep following this dirt path, it'll eventually lead to everyone else that lives here. You'll get instructions from there and whether you're fit to live among us or not. Good luck." With that, he walks past you, vanishing into thin air. Probably headed back into that strange darkness. There's a dirt path before you that splits the forest down the middle. It's almost unnatural in how clear and flat it is, without any noticeable ridges or bumps, or even so much as a pebble or in the way. [[You follow it.]]

As you walk, noises from animals that would naturally inhabit an area like this finally ring out. The chirping of birds, the occassional skittering of smaller, unseen animals. The sunlight is warm as it beams down on you. The air also feels different from anything else you've experienced before. There's a subtle sweetness to it, something about it makes you feel refreshed after each breath you take. Everything feels more vibrant, more alive. These new sensations almost distracted you from the fact that it was raining just a moment ago. What is this place? In the distance, you can hear the faint sounds of people conversing with one another. A clearing appears before you, providing [[an exit]] to the uninhabited portion of the forest.

You emerge from the forest into an area that has more manicured surroundings. The foliage around you is trimmed to shorter lengths. A few tree stumps are scattered about. A large unlit bonfire is in the center of it all, with around ten to fifteen people sitting around it conversing with one another. Before you can announce your presence to them, they take note of it. All eyes fall on you and the group falls silent. You stare back silently. A man breaks away from the group, taking a few steps in your direction. "We have a visitor everyone," He has a voice that commands attention. "Let's show him [[our hospitality]]."

The group begins walking toward you with the man that spoke up first leading them. "Hello, it's nice to meet you." The man extends a hand out to you. He has long hair that falls in thick, braided strands that match his long, grey beard. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that he's the leader of this group.v You take his hand in yours and offer a firm shake. "The pleasure is mine, sir." You both lock eyes and smile. You then take a glance at the rest of the group. Different shapes, sizes, styles, and demeanors. Some of these people you wouldn't assume to make a life out here, but you're not one to judge. "My name is [[Valentino]]."

"It's nice to meet you, Valentino!" A bald man with a bushy mustache in the group says. "How are you liking it so far?" A shorter and plumper woman asks. "What brings you out here?" A lanky and pale woman asks. "Hi, thank you. It's beautiful so far!" You haven't seen much, but it's better to set a good first impression. "Why am I here? Well... I was hoping to possibly live here if it isn't an issue." Everyone looks to the leader and you do the same. It's evident that he's the one to look for [[an answer]] from.

"Well, I can tell that you're serious about it," the leader gives you a friendly grin. "I'm sure you've that this place is called "Freedom Forest" by now, and that is no exaggeration. Here, you're free to do as you please. No one is permitted to encroach upon your way of living, so long as you aren't causing harm to anyone else or yourself. We and the forest only ask that what you do is of some sort of benefit to us." That's more than a relief to hear. The rumors weren't just rumors. The only thing left is the rite of passage, though you're not sure of what it is. "I'm glad to hear that." You smile. "If I may ask, what would you like to do? Judging by your physique, you look like you'd make a good hunter, perhaps?" The smile drops from your face immediately. You don't want to disappoint these people. "Uh, well, you see-" "He doesn't have the heart to be a hunter." [[A voice]] cuts you off.

A woman steps up beside the leader and puts an arm around his shoulder. The first thing you notice about her is her piercing grey eyes. Something about them is overwhelming you, making you feel exposed as she looks you up and down. "You think so?" The leader looks at her. "Those muscles have certainly seen their share of hard labor." "Sure they have. But he's not a genuine hunter or warrior." She says, holding eye contact with you. You want to pull away from her gaze, but you don't. These words might have some truth to them, you admit, but that doesn't stop them from stinging. "Excuse me?" You say, failing to [[hide your displeasure]].

"Am I telling a lie?" The woman takes her arm off the leader's shoulder and steps toward you. "Just be honest. You don't have anything to hide from us." "It's true," the leader speaks up, hoping to defuse the situation, "If you wish to do something else, nobody here has the right to question your desires." You calm down a little, but the sour taste hasn't left your mouth. "That's good to hear... [[What do I have to do]] to become one of you?"

"You have to duel the strongest we have to offer." Your eyes scan the crowd of people. There are a few faces that capture your attention, but one of them really stands out. A man with a scar running down his left cheek and an eyepatch his left eye. He has his hair styled in a messy mohawk. His sleveless shirt exposes his massive arms, veins bulging out. He notices you studying him and shakes his head. "He's not the one you'll be dueling." The leader says with a solemn voice. You furrow your brow. There's no way he isn't the strongest person out of the group. "Who is it then?" "Athena." The leader gestures to the grey-eyed woman. She smiles at you. You study her body. Average height, bronze skin that lacks any blemishes or scars, and no real muscles that stick out at you. You're first surprised, but quickly feel a rush of excitement. [[This should be easy.]]

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A woman steps up beside the leader and puts an arm around his shoulder. The first thing you notice about her is her piercing grey eyes. Something about them is overwhelming you, making you feel exposed as she looks you up and down. "You think so?" The leader looks at her. "Those muscles have certainly seen their share of hard labor." "Sure they have. But he's not a genuine hunter or warrior. He doesn't have it in him to hurt another person or thing if he can help it." She says, holding eye contact with you. You want to pull away from her gaze, but you don't. What makes her so confident that she knows you so well? Although these words might have some truth to them, you admit, but that doesn't stop them from stinging. "Excuse me?" You say, failing to [[hide your displeasure|hide your displeasure (softie route)]].

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"There are a lot of rumors about this place. What I can tell you is that the people here are different most people you've approached in your life. Everyone comes here for different reasons. This forest gives you the opportunity to live out your dreams, free of any interference. Without spoiling much more, all I'll tell you is that it's a peaceful place. I'm sure you'll like it if you choose to stay with us. Any other questions?" Hearing that some of the rumors you heard look to be true helps put you at further ease regarding the deadliness of the darkness. You want to ask for him to say more, but don't. You think about what you want to ask about next. Questions: [["Your eyes look red, is everything okay?"]] [["Never mind, I'll be on my way."]]

"Ah, I don't know how it works exactly, no one really does. We think that the forest uses it as a means of protecting itself from unwanted visitors. Without a guide, any that attempt to enter get lost and perish..." The man trails off, staring blankly at the ground. You feel your blood run cold. If you hadn't kept walking, how would things have turned out? Would you never have gotten the chance to live life like you've always wanted to? "But you have nothing else to worry about. Nothing else can harm you now. The forest deemed you worthy of entry. Is there anything else you'd like to know?" You breathe a sigh, feeling a relieved. At least you know that there aren't any other obstacles for the moment. You think before speaking. Questions: [["Your eyes look red, is everything okay?"]] [["That's all. I'll be on my way."|"Never mind, I'll be on my way."]]