Plot Armor

Titled Part 2

It was night. Our company was huddled around Dumbledalf (previously known as Fladnag) under an overhanging rock. A convenient sized fire kept them comfortably warm.

"Listen up everyone", Dumbledalf said, "We need to discuss a few things to keep the story going forward."

Everyone dutifully listened.

"As you all know", said Dumbledaf, "there is a great evil rising in the east", Dumbledaf pointed his staff in the direction that was probably east (it was hard to tell at night), "And we are the ones chosen to stop it."

"But Dumbledaf", interjected From, "Generic question of self doubt?"

Dumbledaf took a breath to let the gravity of the moment wash over the company. And the reader.

"Inspiringly generic answer that really doesn't answer anything, my dear From."

All in the company looked at each other. So this was on them. They were the chosen ones. Them strangers, plucked from various lives and geographies and cultures and species must now be family on this strange and difficult and potentially fatal journey. A powerful silence descended on the group, each lost in his own thought (why is there no her in the group? Maybe she will come with the dawn).

"If any of you want to leave", said Dumbledaf, "Leave now."

There was a tense moment as several futures clashed and weighed themselves one against the other in each of their heads. From and Sado thought of their warm beds and comfortable socialistic life. Jimbruce thought of his rough and capitalistic life. Vainin and Mattlelad each thought of their own lives, the flashbacks of which would probably come later.

But finally none of them did leave.

"But what are we to do Dumbledaf?" asked Jimbruce, impatient as ever, "What exactly are we going to do to defeat the evil?"

"What evil?" asked Dumbledaf confused.

Jimbruce pointed in the generic direction of east and replied, "The great evil rising in the east"

"Oh that", said Dumbledaf, suddenly realising what they were talking about, "Well my dear Jimbruce, there are usually two ways to defeat God like creatures. And both requires an ancient artifact that will lend us the power to banish the great evil rising in the east. But I am not sure which of the two it is we must pursue."

"What are these... options you speak of?" asked Vainin in his deep manly voice.

"One popular option", continued Dumbledaf, "is to find the pieces of this artifact. It would be several parts spread through out the land that when put together will give us the power to defeat the great evil rising in the east. It would also mean our journey would be long and covering several varied locations and having to go through wildly different trials and tribulations to secure these different pieces. There is also a high chance that the great evil rising in the east will get there first and assemble the artifact and become invincibly strong, before being defeated. But a good option regardless."

"And the second?", asked Vainin in his deep manly voice.

"And the second option, my dear Vainin", said Dumbledaf, "is to foolishly barge into the heart of the enemy with nothing but courage cloaking you, and strike the great evil rising in the east in its weakest spot. That single blow will instantly decimate him entirely, freeing the land of his east rising evils. This journey is usually taken by a party much smaller than ours to remain hidden inside enemy territory, but at the same time, has a high rate of success and minimum fatalities among the main party. There is also something gratifying to see the great evil (rising in the east) just explode into non-existence."

"Well it is settled then", said Jimbruce, impatient as ever, "The second option is clearly the better one. We will decide on who among us will go on east in the morning. I am going to sleep. Good night."

"Not so fast Jimbruce," said Dumbledaf, "Do all agree to what has been said? Shall we choose a few among us to venture forth in morning and save the world?"

There was a murmur and general approval of the plan from everyone. If anyone disagreed, they did not say it out loud.

"Alright, that is settled then.", said Dumbledaf, and seeing Jimbruce turn to his bed, quickly followed up, "There is one more thing to discuss." Jimbruce groaned and turned back around.

"I also need to know if anyone of you here is destined specially to kill the great evil rising in the east", said Dumbledaf, "Do any of you have anything you would like to share? Rare quirks? Mysterious powers or magical objects in your possession? Loved ones killed by rising east evil in the past? Prophecies? Any deep flaws you might have that can get rectified over this quest and give depth to your character?"

"My temper is shorter than me, I love gold and my mother was the greatest blacksmith of her time before she went missing six years ago. Good night." Jimbruce, impatient as ever, turned and left. No one stopped him.

"A worthy candidate", said Dumbledaf to himself, "might be an anti-hero. And powerful mysterious parents are always alluring.", and out alound, "What about the rest of you?"

And one by one, each of the company told their tale.