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[thechoiceisyours]

[So, it's been about a day. It felt like a lot longer, especially during the night, and by now he's not just scared but incredibly bored. Sleeping isn't really a thing that's an option for lots of reasons, so he's had a lot of time to both think and reread a lot of conversations on the network; there's something that stood out to him in that time, and it lead to this post.]

Okay, so a lot of people are here without any of their friends from home, and this whole thing going on is a pretty bad time to be on your own.

[He can't imagine what it would be like being in this situation while thinking there's no one looking for and caring about you specifically. It isn't just the actual rescue that's the issue, though--especially since who gets found when is pretty unpredictable--it's that there might be people that don't have anyone to reach out to. There might be people who are totally alone in this.

So I was thinking that anyone who doesn't have anyone to talk to can just join in conversation here? People who do already have friends to talk to can too. Meeting new people is at least distracting even if everyone's probably not feeling all that friendly.

I guess just talk about whatever. What's it like back in whatever world you're from, any cool skills (if they involve getting out of being buried that's a plus,) anyone in college before they ended up here? Whatever topic is going to be better than nothing.

I mean I dunno about you guys but I definitely don't have anything better to be doing.

Comments

[thechoiceisyours]

We only ran into one kind of monster back home so I don't know if there are any others.

[But why wouldn't there be? Why would this one type of creature be special?]

They're called wendigos. Or wendigo. I still haven't figured out the plural.

[Which isn't at all important, just stalling. He's talked about the wendigos a few times now, and it had been a little easier each time, but now even though it's text it's suddenly difficult again. Of course his nerves are a bit shot at the moment, so maybe it shouldn't be surprising.]

They're actually like spirits or something, but they possess people and turn them into monsters. You can only kill them with fire, but they can't see you if you don't move.

[hotspurred]

They sound a challenging foe to best.

[But perhaps best to leave that there.]

Be you trained in any arms?

[thechoiceisyours]

[He's definitely fine to leave the topic there to focus on the other question.]

Not really. I'm can shoot but we don't have any guns in this place, so I was actually going to learn how to use a bow from someone else here but then this whole thing happened.

I'm guessing you're good with some sort of weapon if you've been fighting monsters, though.

[hotspurred]

The bow is a mighty weapon; we English take great pride in our longbows. There are differing techniques depending one's roots, however, so I will refrain from imparting practical advice lest it conflicts with your teacher's -- other than to say that yew is the superior choice of wood for their construction. Ash and hazel are acceptable for practice weapons. Remember that a desirable bow must have both flex and strength.

I am a knight. As such, I have mastered numerous arms. The sword and shield are my preference.

[thechoiceisyours]

I admit most of that went like, totally over my head but I'll try and figure out what whatever bow we can find in the armoury is made of. Honestly as long as I can shoot well enough to slow a monster down I'll be happy.

Thats's super cool. What kind of sword?

[hotspurred]

If your teacher cannot tell you what wood your bow is made of, I would trust not in their skill. It is draw force which determines the penetration of your arrows. Regular archery practice remains the best means of developing the necessary strength one requires to wound or kill with a shot.

One-handed. For use with a shield, one needs not excess length or weight.

[And since they're talking blades:]

You might consider complimenting your archery with basic knife training. While mastery is pointless, it would hamper thee not and provide added security close range.

[thechoiceisyours]

[The whole necessary strength thing for using a bow is the part Chris is worries about; he's kind of a nerd, and definitely the least strong of the boys in his friend group. Firing a gun didn't take a lot of muscle and he would really love to just have one of the weapons he's familiar with, but if bows are all they've got here he'll just have to adapt.]

You can reuse arrows at least, right? If you're just like, practicing with them?

[Obviously shooting something too hard would probably break them, but he's hoping it won't be an issue of running out of ammo while getting in enough practice with the bow.

Mention of trying to learn to use a knife sounds... Slightly terrifying, though.]

I'm pretty sure I'd trip and stab myself if I even touched a knife.

[Which is probably why training with one would actually be a great idea, but still.]

[hotspurred]

Yes. One should retrieve all arrows that can be recovered, so long as they are undamaged.

[The benefit of communicating this way is that his silent judging cannot be seen in the wake of that frankly pitiful admission.]

I can see how that would be unfortunate. Perhaps hone your focus instead.