RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 2, 2011 “What is it?” He clasped his hands together. “Heh, knew that'd pique your interest. My courier's gone missing, and I need someone to go to Titania to pick up my order. It'd be good experience for you, Steele.” “You don't want me to find the guy?” “Nah.” He shook his head. “I mean it'd be great if you did, but that's not the priority here. I need the metal I'm ordering here by tomorrow night, and it's a day's trip to there by foot.” You nod and tap your forehead. “There's more to it than that, right?” The man nodded his head, and strode away from the desk, favouring his left leg as he walked. “The road from Ferrus to Titania is getting increasingly dangerous. Highwaymen and other less than savoury folk make a living mugging the folks who travel that way. To get past these guys unscathed, you need a quick wit, or a quicker reaction. He approached you and handed you an envelope. “This is the order sheet. You'll need to give it to someone named Roughskin.” “That's his name?” “It's what folks call him, you'll know why when you meet him. He'll load the order up, and you'll escort him back here on horse and cart. If all goes well, you should be here before sundown tomorrow.” You slide the envelope into your pocket, but the edge doesn't fit in all the way. “You'll probably need a satchel for that. Having it stick out is a pretty bad idea.” He pointed out through the doors, “There's a bag store across the street, pick one up before you leave. I'd also suggest grabbing a weapon. I don't know how far your knife will take you, if those thugs have real steel in their hands.” “Fair enough.” You put your hands on your hips and sigh. “What's the order for, anyway?” “Our great government keep sending our young soldiers to die in the borderlands, and they need weapons to continue that struggle. I'm making custom weapons for the officers of the army. I can't say any more that I'm afraid. They demanded my work, so what else can I do?” He rubbed his head in disgust. “So, are you good to go?” (Pick as many letters as you want, and up to one number) A: I'll buy a weapon from you i) A Sword (70 Gold) ii) An Axe (70 Gold) iii) A Lance (70 Gold) B: I'll head to that bag store after C: Yeah, I just need to stop by the university after 1: Do you know where that other courier is? 2: (Charisma) Something bothering you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 4, 2011 “I think I will buy something from you. I'll take a lance.” The boss scratched his chin. “A fine choice. It's the common weapon of most soldiers because of it's reach. While it may not be as versatile as a sword, or as destructive as an axe, it's lightweight and it has a fine point for thrusting attacks. That'll be 70 gold, Steele.” You reach into your wallet and pull out the money. After taking it, he turns to the back room and pulls a lance from storage. It feels natural in your hands, and not awkward at all slung above your shoulder. “Excellent. Now will you be delivering my order now?” He asked almost impatiently. “Yeah, in a second. I just want to know what's bugging you. Ever since you talked about those soldiers you seem to be a bit irritated.” Charisma Roll: 15. Base 10 + 2d6. 10+3+5 = 18. Success! “Nothing about war is great, Erik. A long time ago I used to fight in the borderlands. The conflict there is virtually unending. I can't think of how these kids must feel to go and die for their country needlessly. You're lucky though, they aren't conscripting anymore.” “Why make weapons at all, if you hate war so much?” He sighed. “Wish I could give you a straight answer for that one. The world needs smiths, and the world needs weapons. I'd rather have people have the means to defend themselves should danger arise. If I can help protect the world this way, then I'm fine.” You nod politely and decide not to press further. “I'll be back before you know it, boss.” “Don't get yourself killed!” He yelled back as the door closed behind you. As he said, the bag store was right in front of the weapon store. “Convenient.” You mumble as you pull the door open. “Hello.” A rather fabulous voice calls out. His appearance is off putting, and his demeanor seemed a bit deranged, as if he was desperate for a sale. “Oooh, you must be looking for something durable, handsome.” “uh... yeah. I need a satchel, for deliveries.” You say evasively. “Oh, I've got just the thing for you.” He left the desk and sashayed to a wall of bags held up on display. “This should be perfect. It's lightweight, made of thick leather, and matches your eyes perfectly. It's just 40 gold for you.” Good enough, just get me out of here... “I'll take it.” “Mmm hmm, I bet you will.” You slide the gold into his hand, take the bag and leave as swiftly as you can, avoiding eye contact the entire time. Just as the door shuts he added, “Come back anytime, handsome.” After your skin finished crawling, you put the envelope in the bag and continued northward. The walk to edge of town was short, only about twenty minutes had passed before reaching the city gates. Two guards stood out front, with lances pointed up towards the sky. A large wall surrounded the northern side, with a few sentries walking along the top of the walls. As you approach the gate, out of the corner of your eye you catch a girl running away, long golden curls waving in the wind. You turn and see two large men chasing her. Judging by the way they ran, they were hiding something in their clothes. “She's in trouble, what do I do?” A: Chase after her B: Not my problem C: Let chance decide D: Inform the guards and carry on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 5, 2011 just one vote isn't gonna cut it. Get the fuck in here! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) C (i'm guessing we meet her later?) Edited August 5, 2011 by Favre4Ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 7, 2011 You pull out a gold coin from your pocket. “Heads I help, Tails I leave it alone.” The coin danced in the air, before landing in your palm. “Tails.” You slide the coin back in your pocket. “Still, I should at least let the guards know.” You stride quickly towards the gate, striking up a conversation with the guardsman. “Hey, I just thought you should know there is a blonde woman being chased by some brutes.” You point to the direction they were running. “A blonde woman you say?” The guard spoke up, adjusting his metal helmet. “Well, alright I'll check it out. Hans, make sure this guy is cleared to leave the city. Thanks for coming to the city watch about this, we have too many vigilantes running around lately, it's nice to see somebody who trusts the system.” You scratch your nose and offer a small smile, and turn your head to face the other guard. He's was a tall and thick sort of person, his chin seemed to hang low and his nose looked like it was shoved back into his face. “Name and business, please.” “Erik Steele, I'm delivering an order to Titania for high grade iron.” “Steele eh. You'd be the son of Gray Steele then.” The few neurons in his head seemed to be working. “Very well, have a safe trip kid.” “That's it? You don't need to do anything else?” Hans nodded his head. “Yeah. We aren't too concerned with who leaves town, but rather who enters it. There are a few criminals who we don't want leaving the city of course, but otherwise it's not too bad for travelers like you.” “I see, thank you.” You walk on through the gate, when you hear the other guard yelling. “Hans get a doctor over here fast! There's blood everywhere.” You kept walking on, only hoping you made the right decision. Past the buildings of Ferrus, you could truly see the rugged beauty of Geldas. The road was paved with white stones, shimmering as they lead the way North to Titania. You had been to the mining hub a few times when you were younger, but you knew it was always changing. Many smiths chose to set up shop there instead of the capital, because of the proximity to resources. However, most of the people in need of these items would be situated in the capital. Though the road looked nice, bandits and highwaymen made their base of operations just off to the sides. Stick to the road and you should be safe, but there's always the needy and the desperate. And those too dumb to recognize a bad idea, are always waiting to make a mistake. Even if there were a few people patrolling the road, it was never enough to deter crime. Nonetheless you keep a steady pace, making it to Titania by nightfall is a necessity, with no real stops along the road, a traveler must be ever vigilant. The hours passed by slowly, as the sun moved over your head. Suddenly, you hear the crackling of a horse and cart. You turn your head to see a cart with two horses pulling it along, with a man sitting up front. “Hey there traveler!” The man called out, as he slowed to your pace. “Would you care to escort us to Titania?” “Why should I do that?” You say, wary of this suspicious person. “I'll pay you, of course. You seem to be headed there anyway, so why don't we help each other. You can get there faster, and if we come up against robbers, we'll have some protection.” He tipped his hat. “We?” “Yes, my lovely wife is sitting in there, along with my daughter and our possessions. We're starting a new life in Geldas.” You scratch your head. “I guess you're not from Ferrus then?” He nodded. “That's right. I'm from Savin. We took the gold road to get to Ferrus last night, but our new home is in Titania. We could really use the help getting the rest of the way there.” He could not have been much older than 25, but his posture and demeanor indicated age beyond his years. “So...” A: Sorry, you're on your own. B: How much are you offering? C: Yeah, I'll help you. D: This sounds fishy... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 9, 2011 “How much are you offering?” “50 Gold.” He said, trying to gauge your reaction. “50? That's it? I'd be better off just leaving you to the wolves.” You turn and start walking off. “Wait!” He yelled out, “I'll make it 100, fifty now and fifty upon safe arrival! Come on, I really need the help.” You walk and wonder for a few seconds, before deciding. “Alright.” You decide. “I'll help you out. Show me what you're carrying first.” The Savini cringed. “Why would you need to see that?” “If you're lying to me, the deal is off. You could be a robber yourself, and your friends could be hiding in the cart. You don't look like much, so this would be a pretty sneaky con.” “Alright, alright.” He bowed his head. “Honey, can you come out here for a second?” The front of the cart opened, and a beautiful woman poked her head out, followed by a young girl. They both walked out and to the side of the vehicle, wondering what the issue was. As you peeked into the inside, you could see nothing out of the ordinary, perhaps for a bit of medical equipment laying around the typical houseware and boxes. “Looks fine to me.” You poke your head back out and jump off the cart. You turn to his wife who seemed to be heavy with another child. “I apologize for the inconvenience ma’am. You must be careful on these roads after all. I am Erik, it is a pleasure to meet your family.” “I understand.” She said with complete civility. “I am Lorena, it's nice to meet you.” She turn down to her young daughter and whispered for her to get back on the cart.” “Alright then.” You turn to the man with the hat. “Let's get rolling, um...” “Petr. Petr Drecklaus.” --- You had hit the road after that, the pace of the twin horses well exceeded your own, and you were sure you could make it before sundown at this rate. Something was on your mind along the way, and you just had to get it out. “What's with the medical equipment in there?” You ask Petr, who has been lambasting you with questions since you agreed to help. “You noticed it, eh.” “It's kind of hard not to. That equipment is pretty advanced, I couldn't think of what else it would be used for. I take it you're a doctor then.” Petr sighed. “Not quite. I want to be a doctor, which is why I'm moving to Geldas.” “I'm not quite sure I get what you mean.” “Savin is a very nice place to live, but people are assigned their roles as children. You're observed by your parents, they give a recommendation, and you take a few aptitude tests to determine what you'll be. At age ten. After that, you spend a few years learning what you'll be doing, either by apprenticeship, clergy, university or military academy, wherever. After that, you start working at your job, and you love it or else.” “That's pretty bad. What if you get assigned something you don't like?” “You get moved to the front lines on the borderlands. That was what was going to happen to me. I was assigned to the military, but instead of being moved to fight, my superiors gave me a shot in the medical tents. I figured it was the best I could do, but... some things happened and I was going to be forced to fight again. So I took my chances and ran. All around Savin, but I was going to continue to be hunted down if I stayed there. So I took my stuff and my family and we moved here so that we'd be safe, and I could practice medicine.” “Sounds like a noble goal.” you look on forward, and you can hear some rustling in the woods just off the road. “We've got company, Petr, stay sharp.” The rustling stopped, and two large men stepped in front of you, commanding you to stop. You catch someone moving in the trees out of the corner your eye. An archer perhaps, you couldn't say for sure. “Oy you lot, stop right there, this is a toll road!” A: Attack now B: “What's the toll?” C: Bargain with them D: Hand Petr your knife. E: “My friend Petr will take care of the toll, let me through.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted August 13, 2011 “Take this.” You whisper to Petr, and hand him your knife. “You may need it.” He nodded subtly, and let you handle the talking. “Didn't you hear me? Stop now!” Petr reined in the horses, and you jumped off the cart. “What are you talking about? The Iron Crossing is free for all travelers. Step aside and let us through.” You lean just enough to let them see the weapon hung over your shoulder. “Hah, a kid like you doesn't scare us. We'll give you one chance, give us 500 gold, or this will come to a rather bad end for you.” You look at Petr, hoping he's ready for a fight. He seems shaken, but ready to defend the people inside the wagon at all costs. “You really don't know who I am do you? You really want to be known as the people who tried and failed to kill Erik Steele?” “Steele...” The leader of the duo let the word fumble in his brain. You see the person in the trees slowly back off. “Ah, I've got a brilliant idea, men let's capture him! He'll be a good ransom...” He stopped and looked down, you had already acted, and brought your lance through his stomach. “How...” “No one will care if a highwayman dies on the road. Besides, I'm not the only one who thinks so. With his last breath he turned to his partner, who had an arrow sticking from his eye. He howled in pain, as the shaft jiggled around in his brain until he could no longer stand. Another robber jumped out of the bushes, but Petr was there to greet him, stabbing the knife hard into his neck. “How are you holding up?” He asked you as you removed the lance from the man's gut. “It's never easy to take a life.” “It's nice of you to be concerned, but where did that arrow come from?” Petr shook his head. “I can't say. Probably a vigilante of some sort. These roads are lawless after all.” “I believe that's all of them. We should head off soon, they might be part of a larger band.” Petr rubbed his temples. “Yeah, let's go.” He gave you your knife, after cleaning the blood off on the dead man's shirt. “Are you really alright?” A: I'm a little uncomfortable B: Better than ever C: Why shouldn't I be? D: No. I'd rather avoid doing something like that again. E: Say nothing and get moving Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
