Take Guranz's hand

From Create Your Own Story

Guranz smiles and leads you to their village. "Just so you know, since you'll be staying with us, you'll have to prove your strength to the village."

"My strength?" you ask.

Guranz nods. "Yes, we minotaurs value strength above all. If a member of our village is weak, he or she must face the challenge of strength. If they do not succeed, they die."

With those words, you start to fear for your life, and you grip on Guranz's hand tightens. "H-how do I prove my strength?"

"You must tell the village of your deeds. If they accept them, they accept you. If not, you will have to take the challenge of strength."

"What is the challenge of strength?" you ask.

"Unarmed combat, with someone the same sex. Killing is optional, but defeating your opponent is necessary."

"H-how am I supposed to fight a minotaur with my bare hands?" you bellow.

"If it comes to it, you'll have to outsmart them."

You sigh and look down, but before you can think much, you walk through the front gates of their village, and all eyes turn to the four of you. There is a long pause, until someone shouts, "They're back! Guranz! Melanz! Verdanz! They're home!"

The village erupts into cheers, and everyone gathers. "Let me through!" someone from the back shouts, and up steps a very large female mintoaur. "My boys. You're alive... I'd... I'd all but given up hope."

The three minotaurs scratch the back of their heads, and say in unison. "Mom. We're home. Sorry it took so long."

Their mother shakes her head, trying to hold back her tears, and brings them into a tight hug. But then, she notices you, as does the rest of the village. Her expression changes from joy, to cautious. "Boys, who is this elf woman with you?"

Guranz steps forward and says, "She's... she's my other half, mother. The one who will carry my children."

"That's impossible. You know that only minotaurs can carry minotaur children." the mother says.

Guranz explains what happened in their five year absence and that you have a spell that will let you have his babies, and the entire village listens intensely. But the more he explains, the less pleased his mother looks. Her eyes never leave you, and you feel so insignificant before her.

As Guranz finishes the story, his mother stomps her hoof. "So be it. You, puny woman, tell us, what strength can you offer my son? You're so small, I bet I could crush your skull with just two fingers. I doubt you could even lift your own weight, much less the weight of any children you might carry. Out with it!"

• Tell the village that you stayed sane through an entire week of nonstop sex
• Tell the village that you have no strengths