Meeting The Locals

Yulia remains staring at the bones as the voices speak while Muma stoically sits on her head, enduring the sound of the voices, "these bones are seemingly a mixture, it's hard to tell without getting closer, but I suppose I can try getting a bit closer, there's definitely some human bones and I don't see any bones small enough to likely be a fairy... There are a lot of small bones, but they're well..." she hesitates, "they look to be about the right size for human children, I don't think that's right though, I'm pretty sure there's no children in the tower, right Muma?" she asks and Muma nods,

"The tower does not allow chosen under the age of majority and while obviously the tower locals have children and propagate their species and some chosen even end up pregnant and have children inside the tower any children are taken and brought to special safe areas within the tower until they are mature at which point they are returned to where they were born, the tower has no desire to harm innocent children who are incapable of making their own proper choices," Muma explains.

"So, these can't be children's bones... They must be some species of creature that is just naturally smaller than a human, mixed in with the bones of what appear to be just normal humans," Yulia confirms and Muma seems to absentmindedly nod in agreement, seemingly otherwise deep in thought about something.

"Alright, so ignoring the bones for now, we're definitely heading down the other path, the footprints are on average the correct size for adult humans, they appear to be human footprints as well, but, well they're very shallow prints, whatever made them was very light on their feet," Yulia clarifies as she examines the footprints.

"So, without Dreg I believe the voices have the right idea about having a watch to alert and protect you while you sleep," Cherchiel states as the group begin to follow the footprint path.

"Alright while we're walking I'll answer the question about Alchemy and Cooking!" Muma says suddenly breaking from her reverie, "ingredients are found in lantern areas and can be used for various skills, alchemy can be used to create various items such as potions, explosives, etc... but, you of course need to know what you're doing, or you need a companion who knows what they're doing," Muma explains, "cooking of course is similar and can be used to make better food than the rations you've been carrying so far. Proper eating can be very good for you, keeps you energized and keeps your mood up," she adds, "of course there are other skills that you will find ingredients for and hopefully companions who can perform them for you," Muma finishes.

"In regards to scouting ahead, well... I already know what's up ahead and I'm not allowed to tell you, so going ahead to confirm and then coming back to still be unable to tell you wouldn't be much help, would it?" she says sounding apologetic.

"If I had to choose a weapon, I would definitely prefer something with range, without my powers, I am... hesitant to engage in close combat with any foe, the sudden feeling of vulnerability and weakness is frightening, especially when I imagine having to fight in this state, with my powers I did not require much in the way of finesse or skill to defeat my opponents so, I don't actually have much skill at fighting without my enhanced strength. I don't believe I am useless. An extra pair of hands in a fight is always going to be a benefit," Cherchiel confirms and Muma rolls her eyes.

"She's useless, I mean she's not wrong, an extra fighter is nice, but when I said she was useless, I meant she has no useful skills, she's just another warm body to potentially soak up damage or distract a foe, maybe... maybe! she would be able to help damage an enemy in combat, but she's essentially just a normal human now and one with basically no combat skill and entirely average attributes," Muma explains dismissively making Cherchiel glare at her, Muma doesn't seem to care though.

"Even if that's true, I'm still glad she's here. She's useful as a friend if nothing else," Yulia says quickly and moves to give Cherchiel a careful side hug, trying not to disrupt either of them as they continue walking.

"We're entering the next area," Muma helpfully declares. The trio move forward through the forest path and emerge from the trees in a large area, there's another larger pond here in the center of a wide clearing, a single path continues forward deeper into the woods from this area. Most noticeably however, ahead of all of this, there is a deer drinking from the pond in the center. It's an adult doe and it seems unbothered or unaware of the trio's presence.

"It's so pretty," Yulia mutters as she watches it. There's a slight twang suddenly and seconds later an arrow pierces the deer's neck. The creature let's out a choked sound and tries to take a few steps back, before tripping and collapsing onto it's side, it's legs kicking violently. Yulia starts to rush forward, before another arrow hits the ground in front of her, making her stop as two figures emerge from the path forward. They are two men, both completely naked. They are extremely lithe and tall, both easily over seven feet. One has shoulder length, straight blond hair, the other has short dark brown hair, both have light blue eyes and long pointed ears. They are both carrying wooden bows with a quiver made out of hide on their backs, the blond one also has a hide pouch strapped to his right bicep which carries a stone knife. The blond one approaches the deer and uses the knife to put it out of it's misery, before picking it up and draping it over his shoulders, the brown haired one approaches Yulia and the others.

"Who are you?" he asks, his voice is gentle and soft, but the tone is threatening.

"I... I'm Yulia, I'm the chosen," she explains.

"Take off your mask," he demands and Yulia does so, moving quickly not wanting to anger the man. He seems satisfied upon seeing her face, "Hmph... You're so short. I thought you might have been one of the greenskins trying to disguise yourself," he says with a shrug, he looks like he's about to say something else, when suddenly the ground shakes and his eyes widen.

"We need to go!" the blond one yells to his friend and the brown haired one, glances back to him then to Yulia and then turns dashing over to his friend as the two of them run off down the path deeper into the woods, the blond one dropping the deer corpse after a bit, seemingly deciding that it's making him too slow.

"We... We should also go!" Muma yells as the ground shakes again more violently and then the cause of the shaking makes itself known. At the edge of the clearing, the trees suddenly burst from the ground as a large creature emerges into the clearing. It's fully nude and covered in thick looking grey skin, it's humanoid in shape, but it's eyes are sunken deep into it's skull and it's nose is simply two large slits, it's mouth hangs slack jawed revealing rows of sharp teeth, it has a large distended belly and it's carrying in one hand a full tree, roots and all as a club. Each step it takes makes the forest shake and it's dangling easily foot long cock, swings gently back and forth as it hangs down from it's groin.

Muma is gripping Yulia's hood tightly, terrified by the creature in front of them, "it's the floor monster, Lumberer... We need to run!" Muma declares seemingly trying to pull Yulia backwards, but obviously this has no effect.

(Health: 200%

Mana: 100%

Equipment: Ceramic Beaked Mask, Monastic Scapular, standard bra, Standard Panties, 3 poison gas grenades, 3 healing kits, 1 syringe of poison, 1 syringe of adrenaline, 1 syringe of poison antidote, 1 sewing kit, 1 vial of unknown liquid, 8 days worth of rations, 4 two liter water jug, 1 health potion, 1 mana potion, A boar mask, 2 vials of sticky white liquid, Ornate Rapier, 4 arrows, Quiver, God's Favour (Halo), 1 pouch of alchemical ingredients, 1 sack of cooking ingredients (Apples).

Spells known: Great Heal (Lvl 2, Mastered, Cost: 25%)

Great Cure (Lvl 2, Mastered, Cost: 15%)

Energize (Lvl 1, Mastered, Cost: 25%)

Icicle (Lvl 1, Mastered, cost: 15%)

Unlock (Lvl 1, Unmastered, Cost: 15%)

Repair (Lvl 1, Mastered, Cost: 5%-20% depending on factors).

Fetish: Bondage Rank: 1, Masochism Rank: 1,

Status Effect: Permanent increase to physical attribute. Combat level raised to medium

Psychosexual Break: In order to deal with her trauma, Yulia has begun to subconsciously fetishize her experiences.

Deflowered: Virginity Lost, sexual experience changed to: Inexperienced, non-virgin.

Companion: Cherchiel

https://forum.chyoa.com/threads/the-tower-of-voices-voting-thread.3460/ )