⚔️ Group 1 - 007 - The Accord · Threads of Fate

Anjo Gaul

🔥

Nov 4 • ⚔️ Apocalypse Avengers - Story

⚔️ Group 1 - 007 - The Accord

One of you steps forward, hand extended, heart pounding.

You grasp Elara's hand, trying to keep your palm from sweating.

"We will take up the challenge, wise one! We will be your champions."

The words hang in the air for a moment, and you immediately regret them. Did I really just say that? Oh god, idiot.

You quickly turn back to your companions.

"Come on all, if there's the possibility of survivors out there, then we must go at once. Let's grab our supplies and leave. We can always ask more questions from the beautiful...

I mean knowledgeable Elara upon our return."

She meets each of your eyes.

"I understand your frustration.

Truly. But right now, the best path forward is to prove what you can do. Not to me, to yourselves.

Discover who you are through your actions."

She gestures to the supplies.

"Take what you need. And yes, when you return, I'll tell you everything I've learned about the Chosen, the cycles, all of it. You've earned that much by standing your ground here."

She almost smiles.

"Now go. Daylight's wasting, and Thornhaven needs answers."

The Road South

You leave through the southern gate, the guards waving you through with barely a glance.

The road stretches ahead, well-maintained and wide.

Traffic thins as the afternoon wears on. Other travelers nod as they pass, merchants heading back to the city, a farmer with a cart of vegetables.

The land is gentler here than the marsh. Rolling fields, scattered farms, patches of woodland. The air smells of grass and distant smoke from cooking fires.

By evening, you've covered good distance.

You make camp off the road, in a copse of trees that offers shelter and concealment. You take turns on watch, eyes scanning the darkness beyond your small fire.

The night passes quietly.

🌄 Day VIII: Approach to Thornhaven

Morning brings clear skies and cool air.

You break camp and continue south. The road narrows slightly, farms becoming more sparse.

The land feels emptier here, though you can't quite say why.

By late afternoon, you crest a low hill.

Below, in a shallow valley next to the ocean, lies Thornhaven.

It's larger than you expected. Maybe a hundred buildings, clustered around a central square. Fields surround it on all sides, some planted, others fallow.

A mill stands at the eastern edge, its wheel silent and still.

Red shutters are visible even from this distance.

A small fishing harbor sits at the northern edge of the town.

But something's wrong.

No smoke rises from chimneys.

No movement in the streets.

No sound carries up the hill.

Thornhaven is silent.

🎯 What Do You Do?

Approach openly from the main road. Walk directly into town and investigate.

Send scouts ahead. Two stay back while two move closer for reconnaissance.

Wait and watch. Observe the town for a while, see if anything moves or changes.