>>1123494
Yriel, male.

I said "femboy" and I'm sticking to it.

Maria, female.

>>1123499
Yriel, male is my favorite suggestion as well

>>1123494
I'll go with Yriel and Male.

Yriel, Male

Yi
Intersex
Presents as male

Twist 2026/03/18(Wed)04:34 No. 1123553 ID: 629307
File 177380845761.png - (557.79KB , 1000x750 , 005.png )

Your name is… Oh, now that is interesting. Quite an unusual name for one of your kind, it almost sounds like…

… Well. Never mind that. I'm sure it's fine.

Your name is Yriel, and while events are going to get very interesting for you very soon, right now, you are at the beginning of a day very similar to any other.

You stand in your office, something between an infirmary and an apothecary's. This is where you do the bulk of your work, where you take the plants you harvest or buy to process, and where you treat your patients when you have them.

You currently have two patients under your care. One of them is a young monk of the monastery, whose business you see a little too much of, and the other, a strange newcomer to town who likely wouldn't need to be taking up one of your beds if he wasn't sleeping off the same hangover you're currently dealing with.

What will you do?

chide the monk for not taking better care of themselves.

>>1123553
A healer's first duty is to check on our patients, of course. Particularly this strange and interesting newcomer. If there's one thing we've learned from our lively youth, it's that the mortal body is an intricate work of art which requires constant care.

Then we take inventory of our medicines and tools in case there's anything we need to restock. We mustn't be caught unprepared in a time of need!

>>1123553
We all know that the easiest cure to a hangover is steady hydration and comfort, so let's pass on the monk and talk with the regular 'customer'. Why do they keep swinging by? Is this some plot to see you, or are they legitimately unwell?

make sure you patients aren't dying and double check your stock to see if you're low an anything. Might as well make sure you're stocked up now when things are quite than run out when you're busy.

Quickly retrieve arms from safe under your desk.

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123843 ID: 629307
File 177421645899.png - (341.34KB , 1000x750 , 006.png )

(1/8)

The newcomer is asleep, still, snoring lightly, but the monk is awake, although she sits in meditation while she waits.

Her name is Iantha, no family name you’ve ever heard her mention, and even if she didn't need you to make her weekly doses of medicine, she'd be here to see you with alarming regularity. If it wasn't the medicine, it would be one of her near-constant injuries, or it would be one of her semi-regular episodes where eating or sleeping upsets her too much to attempt.

You have no idea who raised this girl, but apparently, they did so absolutely absent any of the usual survival instinct one might expect from a living being.

You joked, once, that she might be making up reasons to come by more often for your stellar company and good wit, but you're not entirely sure she knows how to have an ulterior motive.

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123844 ID: 629307
File 177421646143.png - (272.50KB , 1000x750 , 006-1.png )

(2/8)

But you do have a stock of her medicine ready, and pour her a vial.

Yriel: "Here, drink."

Iantha: "Thank you."

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123845 ID: 629307
File 177421646440.png - (288.31KB , 1000x750 , 006-2.png )

(3/8)

She tosses the vial back without thinking about it, trying to drink too fast for the taste or texture to register. It never really works, but she always tries to do it anyways.

Iantha: "Blegh."

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123846 ID: 629307
File 177421646857.png - (235.23KB , 1000x750 , 006-3.png )

(4/8)

You knew this would happen. It happens every week. Luckily, you can, in fact, recognize patterns well enough to know it happens every week, and you have a cup of water on-hand, ready to help her wash the elixir down. Her first drink is greedy, trying too fast to wash the taste from her mouth.

Yriel: "How do you feel?"

Iantha: "Like I have been drinking tree sap. Thank you."

Yriel: "Yeah, I can't make it taste like anything else. And otherwise, you're feeling okay? You're eating and sleeping well?"

Iantha: "I am eating and sleeping."

Yriel: "That isn't what I asked, Iantha."

Iantha: "Yes, well. It is what I have answered."

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123847 ID: 629307
File 177421647132.png - (159.98KB , 1000x750 , 006-4.png )

(5/8)

This girl kind of pisses you off.

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123848 ID: 629307
File 177421647584.png - (214.94KB , 1000x750 , 006-5.png )

(6/8)

While you're up and walking around your office anyways, you take stock of your supplies — most of your fresh herbs are supplied by the monastery gardens, you rarely have to worry about running low on those. The things you do have to be concerned about are ones you can't get your hands on without more than a day or two's travel, and those, you don't try to gather on your own. Aalen sees travelers often enough, and enough of those travelers are people making their way in the wilderness that you can get your hands on some further-ranging herbs and supplies commonly enough.

You do note that you're running low on winterbite. It grows easily, and would be plentiful and easy to find on any plane with a more varied climate than Eraname, but as it is, travelers have to get almost to the peak of Mt. Firelash or Mt. Stoneblade to find it. You'll have to see if anyone coming by soon is headed that way.

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123849 ID: 629307
File 177421647964.png - (290.62KB , 1000x750 , 006-6.png )

(7/8)

Iantha interrupts your thoughts again, clearing her throat to get your attention, though her eyes remain on the sleeping human in the other bed, apparently fascinated by him.

Iantha: "I do not think I recognize this one. Who are they?"

Yriel: "A sailor. Came in from Milovody the other day, and he's been around town since then. He keeps saying he's heard we're in need of a pirate."

Yriel: "I really don't think he knows what a pirate is. Or, this is the most cheerful, roundabout robbery I've ever seen."

Twist 2026/03/22(Sun)21:54 No. 1123850 ID: 629307
File 177421648320.png - (400.83KB , 1000x750 , 007.png )

(8/8)

The "pirate" remains asleep, even with the sounds of conversation now happening around him. You don't know too much more than what you've told Iantha - he stumbled his way off a ship a few days ago, and apparently has decided to stick around under the notion of doing something that needs doing around here, but you haven't been able to figure out what he's talking about so far.

He has given you a name to use. You doubt it's his real name, or even a real name at all, but when prompted, he introduced himself as "the humorous and honorable Captain Stand!" along with a bow so dramatic, you thought for a second that he might just throw himself face-first onto the ground.

We might need to interrogate our pirate friend later. On the off chance we can’t find anyone to fetch our winter blight, could we not go ourselves?

>>1123850
Is it normal for folks to turn blue when we're not focusing on them?

Well, this strange man from the nearby island is certainly an interesting fellow. I wonder what brings him to these parts. If we were just a little younger, we'd be feeling smug that he's already passed out in our bed. But alas, a healer's duties come first; we shall prepare some food and water for him to alleviate his inevitable hangover. And some ropes in case he turns out to be the dangerous sort of pirate.

well since it's morning you could probably start making some breakfast if for no other reason than to make sure Iantha actually get's some food in her and maybe the smell would wake mr stand.

the pirate looks like they aren't waking up anytime soon, and its not good to stay inside all day, maybe go outside and see whats going on in the town?

the "humorous captain" eh? You know he doesn't quite look the pirate. Giving him a hook or a peg leg would be a little too hard, but you could draw some scars on with a charcoal stick.

A cheeky reminder to always have a safe place to crash when out drinking.

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123932 ID: 629307
File 177445477144.png - (218.64KB , 1000x750 , 008-1.png )

(1/6)

> That "pirate" doesn't look like much of one. Maybe you should draw on some scars.

You think that's an excellent idea.

… Well, if not actually a good idea, it is a very funny one.

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123933 ID: 629307
File 177445477367.png - (344.09KB , 1000x750 , 008-2.png )

(2/6)

Iantha: "What are you doing?"
Yriel: "Making art."

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123934 ID: 629307
File 177445477667.png - (259.74KB , 1000x750 , 008-3.png )

(3/6)

You examine your handiwork. Yeah, you're pretty proud of this. If this apothecary's business ever goes under, you think you may have a real career ahead of you as an artist.

Oh, shit, he's waking up.

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123935 ID: 629307
File 177445477921.png - (351.05KB , 1000x750 , 008-4.png )

(4/6)

You hide the charcoal before the pirate can fully come to. You're the picture of innocence, you'd never do anything so immature as draw on a patient's face. Not once.


Stand: "Ugh, there we go. Pain in my head, waking in a bed I don't recognize — there's the signs of a good night if ever I've seen 'em!"

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123936 ID: 629307
File 177445478365.png - (253.84KB , 1000x750 , 008-5.png )

(5/6)

Well, would you look at the time! You have to go… Gather herbs, or make breakfast, or see what's going on around town. Whatever is going to get you out of this room before he realizes there's something on his face.

Yriel: "Yes, right, of course, a good night. You're probably wanting some water about now, there's a glass on the desk. It'll make you feel better."
Yriel: "Get as much rest as you need, I'll be back-"

Twist 2026/03/25(Wed)16:06 No. 1123937 ID: 629307
File 177445478884.png - (359.84KB , 1000x750 , 008-6.png )

You open the door mid-sentence, and find someone already in your doorway with their hand halfway to knocking.

Sverrir Rutson. Among those of the highest standing here at Aalen, he has a reputation for being strict and disciplined in a way that contrasts completely with the monastery's leader. He has ruined many a great party.

Sverrir doesn't seem half as surprised as you feel, but you're pretty sure it would take much more than an unexpected door to get a real rise out of him.

Yriel: "Oh!"
Sverrir: "Palla said I might find the three of you here. May I speak with you all?"

I don’t see why not, but be mildly annoyed about it. A no fun haver??? In *my* mildly mischievous establishment???

>>1123937
Sure.

OK but make it quick and shut the door, we still haven't found that scorpion yet.

What's important is to not acknowledge the pirate's new scars. He's always had those. He is a pirate after all.

This isn't an assignment to conveniently get rid of some misfits is it?

well I doubt he's here to arrest anyone since he's by himself and didn't start the conversation by kicking down your door so let's hear him out.

just make sure you pocket that charcoal and if anyone tells the pirate about his face just tell him he came in like that and you haven't removed it because you weren't sure if he drew it on himself or not and didn't want to upset him. and if he did want to remove it point him to a wash area and say it should wash off fairly easily.

>>1123937
Mirror his pose and give him a gentlemanly fist bump. It would be rude to leave him hanging like that.

He might indeed find the three of us here, presuming of course that we are the three he's looking for. Who is "Palla", and why the interest in us particularly? An herbalist, a monk, and a drunken newcomer in our bed don't exactly have much in common, skill-wise. At least, I hope we're being requested for some special task; the alternative is that we're all involved in some sort of incident, and that spells trouble which may or may not be the fun kind.

Sverrir looks a bit worn out. Does he seem healthy to us? We're a healer, we've got to check.

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124821 ID: 629307
File 177561612953.png - (267.99KB , 1000x750 , 009-1.png )

(1/9)

> Greet him properly.
You take the opportunity, while he has his fist raised, to give him the most gentlemanly of gestures: the fist bump.
He does not look amused.
Sverrir: "...................."
Yriel: ".............."

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124822 ID: 629307
File 177561613187.png - (129.45KB , 1000x750 , 009-2.png )

(2/9)

Yriel: "Right. Yeah. Yes. Come in."
You close the door behind him, feeling the shame of your unsuccessful greeting weighing heavily on your shoulders.
This is going to haunt you for the rest of your life. Or the rest of your next five minutes, in any case.

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124823 ID: 629307
File 177561613691.png - (438.71KB , 1000x750 , 009-3.png )

(3/9)

> Hear him out.
You lean against your desk, allowing Sverrir to take a place in the center of the room, where all three of you can give him your full attention.
You're pretty sure you see his eyebrow twitch when he finally registers the charcoal on the Captain's face, but Sverrir's face is only ever varying degrees of frown, so it's hard to tell what it means. In any case, he doesn't mention it, and you take that as tacit approval.
Sverrir: "I am sure that you have all heard the rumors by now."
"The rumors" is one way to put it. Eraname looks to be on the brink of a civil war, one which, at the current point in time, seems like an inevitability. It's all most of anyone has been able to talk about for the last two weeks.
Sverrir: "I am here to inform you that they are true. We have received word of Dynasty forces arriving at Odeslani's gates less than a week ago, and Milovody reports demonic attacks on any ship that tries to approach Odeslani by sea."
Sverrir: "The empire's forces outside Odeslani have forced the humans back behind the town wall. This cuts them off from their farmland, and the demonic activity cuts them off from any outside aid by sea."
Sverrir: "They appear to be trying to starve Odeslani into a surrender."

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124824 ID: 629307
File 177561614135.png - (250.29KB , 1000x750 , 009-4.png )

(4/9)

You feel something go tight in your chest. For the last two weeks, it has felt as if you have been waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to force the tension that has been building to break.
Now that it seems like that may be happening, you find yourself at a loss for words.
Luckily, the Captain doesn't seem to have the same issue.
Captain Stand: "What are we sitting around for? We've got to get going!"
Captain Stand: "That is what you're going to ask us, right? To go fight?"

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124825 ID: 629307
File 177561614313.png - (166.29KB , 1000x750 , 009-5.png )

(5/9)

You feel sick. You're barely combat trained, even as a medic, and you're certainly not fit for any dazzling heroics.
To your relief, Sverrir shakes his head.
Sverrir: "That is touching, but incorrect."
Sverrir: "It is true that you three are being considered for a task to send aid, but we would not expect you to break a siege with only three people."
Sverrir: "Aalen Monastery has not yet publicly taken a side in this conflict, and until further notice, we do not plan to. Sending fighters directly to the front lines would jeopardize too much."
Sverrir: "But that does not mean we have to sit idly by."
Sverrir: "There is a small group currently en route to Odeslani bearing aid and supplies. Aalen may not yet be willing to involve ourselves in the conflict in an official capacity, but allowing them to hire assistance is not official involvement."

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124826 ID: 629307
File 177561614765.png - (186.94KB , 1000x750 , 009-6.png )

(6/9)

Yriel: "Why us?"
Really, what you're asking is "why me?"
Sverrir: "A fair question. Aalen has stronger combatants and more powerful spellcasters, one might assume they would be the first names to be suggested."
Yriel: "Right, I really don't have that much to-"
Sverrir: "The group requested a healer. The route they plan to follow will stay between Brightwood Swamp and coast. This will be advantageous for your abilities. Sending a more powerful spellcaster also risks them being recognized and traced back to us, or weakening our own defenses."
He's not wrong. The area between the swamp and the coast is full of herbs you know you can use. If they need someone to keep the group healthy and on their feet, that route would be full of the ingredients you would need.
Sverrir: "As for Captain Stand-"
Iantha: "PffFFFT-!"

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:42 No. 1124827 ID: 629307
File 177561615252.png - (552.51KB , 1000x750 , 009-7.png )

(7/9)

Sverrir stops mid-sentence, as every set of eyes in the room land on Iantha, who seems to have choked suddenly on her water.
Iantha: "…………………………"
Iantha: "What?"
Iantha: "It is nothing. I am fine."

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:43 No. 1124828 ID: 629307
File 177561620145.png - (553.01KB , 1000x750 , 009-8.png )

(8/9)

... Right.

Twist 2026/04/08(Wed)02:43 No. 1124829 ID: 629307
File 177561621133.png - (398.37KB , 1000x750 , 009-9.png )

(9/9)

Sverrir: "As for Captain Stand, I do not think I need to convince you. You have spent much of your time since arriving here looking for an opportunity to lend aid to people who need it. Here is your chance."
Captain Stand: "You know you didn't need to convince me!"
Sverrir: "Finally, Palla suggested it would be best if Iantha was present for this."
Iantha: "… I see. I understand. I will accept."

So, is there some secret tunnel or something? How is this small group going to get past an army with a supply of aid large enough to be significant to an entire city?

Although if you're only expected to get them to the city and not into the city then it won't matter to you what the plan is.

>>1124829
Alright, when do we leave?
Also, check your supplies.

So are they just going to give you a wagon to haul the supplies or are you joining a caravan or something along those lines?

While helping people is great, it wouldn't turn to see if SOMEONE can show you how to better defend yourself before leaving, or at least get a weapon?