Turn 20: Daybreak
"Uh I do not, for I am no warrior. My preference relies on stealth instead brute force. Sorry."
"What are you all doing in my dream? I was expecting something roasted and delicious..."
"While I am prepared to fight for my friends in times of danger or when faced with threats, I don't enjoy doing that. So no, I don't think this is the path for me."
One by one, the goblins turn away from the stone and return to their bodies. But something resonates with
Dances and he reaches out towards the runes...
The goblins wake up, ready to face their first day as truly free creatures!
Silver feels particularly refreshed, but since she was already at full health, she's just going to have to make do with feeling mildly invigorated instead.
Dances appears to be completely unconscious...
Dances meanwhile has entered the stone and now finds himself walking along a path under the stars. It's a pleasant place to be. After a little while, he is aware of a presence by his side. Turning to look he finds a tall, grey-clad stranger walking beside him.
"Well met little warrior! I was wondering who would choose this path. Fitting that the warrior braves the first trial and on the first opportunity is it not? Hahahaha! I hope you have the strength to see it through.
Now I expect you are as uninformed as your companion? No matter, we have a little way to go and you can listen while we walk. Many ages ago, these stones served as altars to the Great Maglubiyet. Warriors would leave offerings at the stones and pray for strength in combat or protection for their comrades in battle. Sometimes, those who showed the greatest promise would be allowed to prove themselves within the dreamworld. If they succeeded, they would return as heroes; if not they rarely returned at all. You stand on the edge of that ancient path now little one. It is a great honour. But be warned: the ancient blessings that Maglubiyet placed on these stones have been left alone too long and have started to become... chaotic. Try to keep hold of what is real! Now time marches onwards and I can go no further with you. Good luck!"
Suddenly,
Dances feels the ground lurch and he is falling! Next thing he knows, he is adrift on a little raft in the middle of the sea. At least, it would be the sea, except the water appears to be full of blades and his little raft is rapidly being chopped to pieces! Off in the distance he spots a small island... On the plus side, it seems like his burns don't exist here.
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Thanks for your patience, let's give this a go shall we?
@badgeaddict: This is a dreamworld. You are tied to 'reality' to a point because Dances mind needs time to adjust, but you do have some leeway with conventional physics should you choose to use it