Build your own adventure

[robinbloke]

You are standing outside a low stone building, there is a single door on this side that looks to be made of wood and metal. Behind you a trail winds back down the hill and away into the distance. It is approaching nightfall, the sun is tinging the sky and clouds pink with it's dying rays.
What do you do?

I will write you a "build your own adventure" style story if you leave a comment, just ask for a genre and give me a brief description of yourself and then say what you want to do, the rest will unfold...

Comments

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

checking the fit of my blade within its scabbard i slowly reach out to push open the door. Every move is precise, every move is perfect. Mind and body are one, the way of the Samurai is immediacy...

I open the door.

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The door opens slowly, quitely. Inside the room is threadbare, functional, but it has a kind of quiet serenity from the few objects that are in it that indicate whoever lives there is an ordered, careful individual.
Sat on the floor, crosslegged, is an old looking man, his long beard is twisted down to his waist. He wears an unmarked gi; on his right is his long blade, indicating that he is at peace.
His eyes seem to read your movements, your face. But he does not speak.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

framed by the doorway i bow low to the man, his care speaks of a wise man, and his age suggests one to be honoured.

Hands away from my blade i straighten.

"I am Fade, humbly i ask to share your roof this night.."

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The man nods slowly, his eyes not leaving you.
"The winds have spoken me your name, Fade." his voice cracks into life, it is worn like him but strong like the stones. "It is not shelter that has brought you here this day."

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

My eyes narrow slightly, focus leaving the mans face, resting near his heart, near his Chi, the Chi shows the path of the heart, the heart the mind, the mind the body...

"What have the winds breathed..to bring me to this place?"

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Now your eyes are opening to see beyond what mere sight can tell you feel the energy of this place.
The man is old, older than time perhaps, older than your memories certainly. The wisdom of ages washes at the edge of your senses as your focus seeks answers.
The old mans voice cuts like a knife through the air.
"They speak of your deeds, your travels, your destiny."
The last word hangs in the air like the fading chime of a bell tolling for the dead.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

"my destiny old man? What do you know of my fate?"

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old mans eyes seem to tinge with sadness, the first expression that has touched his face since you have seen him.
"I know more than I ever wanted to."
He pauses slightly, the silence only broken by a brief howl of the wind whipping past a tree outside.
"This blade..." he lifts up the sword beside him, perfectly balanced on his palms, "was once used by your ancestor, and his ancestor before him. It cut through the shadows when darkness threatened, but it has only brought disaster and loneliness to the wielder. But know, using it will bring you to the door of those who are in the Empire, consorting with the shadows. What you do then is your decision."

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

"A Samurai exists for others, not for himself. A wave-man is more free, yet knows of duty and obligation more than most. One who faces Shadows does so with a heart which is empty, and mind which is focused, and a spirit which is one with all things."

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old man nods slowly to your words.
"Your wisdom is beyond your years, young one. You see beyond the structures and charades of the world to the truths that hide even as the shadows seek to draw curtains around them. This blade I offer to you, to seek behind the shadows, to those that would sell the Empires people for a few bars of salt."

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

Again i bow low to the old man

"To serve the people of the Empire is all i am, i will take your blade, and the responsibilty which comes with it."

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old man nodded once again to your words, his eyes crinkling crows feet at the edges, the only other sign of any response from him.
He sets the sword gently down in front of you "It is called the grey blade, the name of the smith has been lost to time, but you will see the inscription and understand."
The sword gleams silver in the fading light, the blade and handle utterly unadorned save for two characters just below the hilt, "I serve."

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

eyes narrow as i see the characters, fingers nearly tremble as they make out the marks on the blade, suddently i look up at the old man

"Each journey starts with a single step, each step is a journey complete. Do you know where starts this journey?"

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old man nods once again, his face somber. "The path to the heart of the truth is fraught, you should seek the one who has been dishonoured but still lies at the edge of the jade court. He of the broken sword."
The broken sword. It is said that this man broke his sword while defending his lord, but his lord disowned and dishonored him for it, blaming him for breaking the sword.
His real name is unknown, all is known of him now is that he has moved to self imposed exhile in the green mountains, a place of outcasts, monsters and shame.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

I feel the icy cold of the night air on my back but nod anyhow "I shall seek Broken-sword, and find the path to the heart. For your words and guidance i thank you."

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old man turns to look at the door a moment, the final rays of sunshine filtering through the door.
"You may stay here this night. But when you awake, I will be gone." He turns to look at you once again.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

"Hai-sama, i shall do this - the night is a bad time to be abroad with no hearth to welcome you."

Quickly i drop my bundle and begin to prepare a meagre meal of rice. Offering some to the old man and afterwards falling to sleep, one hand near to the sword, one eye half-open, one ear half-alert.

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The old man shakes his head, "I thank you for your offer, but I am fasting and must decline.".
Night and sleep both come quickly and you fall into the land of dreams.
~~~
You stand beneath a tall tower of green, below two shining stars, in your hand is another.
At the top of a mountain you can see a man standing on a cliff, you shout - but he does not hear you.
~~~
You awake, the old man is gone and the building is empty, it looks as if it has been deserted for years.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

Slowly i nod, raising to my feet i walk outside, to face the rising sun, offering communion with the kami, that the spirits of my ancestors be not displeased.

Once my morning rites are done i tidy and leave the building, pausing not for food nor drink, and striding towards the east, seeking the Broken-sword.

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The morning is clear, no clouds in the sky and the sun is bright. A good omen for your journey.
The green mountains are five days walk east through terrain and populace that is increasing hostile, the first days will be easy, but the last few will have many dangers.

Re: Ronin...

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

Ever alert I set a fast pace, i have no animal to care for, and have good sandals. The Kami will smile and provide for me, for i trust to fate. That the means of providing might seek my head i do not doubt, but i am Fade, and i am ready.

Re: Ronin...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

It has been three days since you spoke to the old man, your journey so far has been uneventful, even pleasant. The weather has been bright but now you are entering the foothills of the green mountains.
The mood of the area is darkening and as you approach a small gully on the trail the sounds of the animals around you fade away to quiet.