Where in God's Name?

Bastien's beginning

You wake up momentarily confused. The temperature’s brisk but the still glowing embers of yesterday’s well-made fire have kept you comfortably warm throughout the night.

Propped up against a nearby tree, is your Full plate armour and Great sword. Both shining silver and gold in the reflected light of the icy blue sky and still burning, orange cinders.

Nearby, a relaxed snort and whinny causes you to turn your head to see your unsaddled riding horse tethered loosely to a peg in the ground. It’s disturbing though that, despite its familiarity, you find yourself struggling to recall its name...

What’s happening here? 

Clambering carefully to your feet, you breath deeply, grip the holy emblem around your neck and look around.

Disregarding the eerie mist covering the forest floor, the air is fresh and bracing and, judging from the denuded trees around you, it seems as if you’re in a large wood during the tail end of the winter solstice.

Taking a second deeper breath, you attempt the clear the webs from your mind…

Where are you, what are you doing and how long have you been here?

Frustratingly, despite feeling no dread, you can’t remember anything beyond yourself, your family and your friends.

You look around your camp for further clues…

Although you can’t recall catching it, there’s a ready skinned rabbit, skewered and ready for breakfast. There’re also a handful of pre-shelled nuts and a few bitter but edible winter-berries laid out on a flat piece of bark. Most of your dry rations are still in your backpack and your wineskin is full of fresh, clear water.

You’re not remotely hungry but as you’re in no apparent danger or rush, you rekindle the fire and settle down to a large and healthy breakfast.

Afterwards, you slowly stand, stretch out your muscular arms and carefully don your expensive armour.

As you saddle your frustratingly nameless horse, you again try to recall your situation.

Something is definitely wrong here but it’s a brand new day, your belly’s full and you’re filled with optimism. Whatever’s causing the fog in your mind, you’re confident you can overcome it.

After all, you’re wise and strong, the journey’s an old friend and luck has always been on your side.

Status: Lost but confident.