>>29056302

Equipment:

> 1 Strong Ammojori bow
> This bow has 1 major and 1 minor bonus. Choose from the following: Range, Accuracy, Penetrative Power, Speed of draw

> 1 General-purpose knife

> 1 Calf's skin and chamois cloak with hood, trimmed with silver thread
> 1 Bag of loot currently held in cloak

>>29056369
Range and Penetrative Power.
>Go wake up Rilius and Mudel
We need that party thing early to gain a foothold. Pretty sure they might backstab us but whatever

QM, it's like 5:50 a.m. here. I don't know if you're from england or whatever, but, most of 4chan is from the U.S.A. and there's not going to be much activity. Especially for an early starting quest like yours.

>>29056597

I know. But when i started early yesterday, there was little activity until the time when I started.

Timezones are suffering (I'm not from the UK anymore), I know, but thanks for the advice.

>>29056538

> Major bonus in Range, Minor bonus in Penetrative Power

You can think of some persuasive arguments for not waking up the two of them, but it seems a little wrong to talk about them now. Also, just as you're considering whether to argue your case, there is a sudden flash of white light, lighting up the trees and rocks around you and followed just a moment later by a deep, frightful roll of thunder.

Stella starts, ducks a little and mutters under her breath. 'Damn. Right, let's go.'

'Y-yes.' You hold on to the cloak of loot-holding even while you wake Rilius up.

A few minutes later, Mudel manages to get a little fire going in the hide, well hidden from outside attention - and also from what seems certain to be a serious thunderstorm. Lightning is already flashing in every few moments, each one accompanied by loud cracks and rumbling. But both of the brothers aren't really paying attention to the thunder above them.

'Wait, the two of you *what*?'

'We robbed the monastery.' Stella says. 'And we did a pretty good job of it.'

'A good enough job to make it worth getting run down and torn apart by dogs? Do you know who was in the monastery?'

'It was the... count of somewhere?' You say.

'The Count of Saudemar. Do you know what you're dealing with? Stella, why-'

'Rilius!'

'Oh please, like he doesn't know you're a woman!' Mudel raises his voice too. 'We told you never to go near or into the monastery! Unless you don't want to keep our hill and our hide anymore!'

'But-'

'Damn it, Stella, you're always the one who thinks about things like this. So you got your bags of loot, and what the hell are you going to do now?' Rilius says, getting up and reaching for the bag. Stella lunges for it and snatches it away, sparking a little tussle.

> W... what do now? They're tussling over the loot.
> Rilius and Mudel have a point, but then this hill and this hide...

>>29056878
Tell them to get a fucking grip. This shit is real and we need to go. Fast.

God dammit. It's fucking 6 AM and I haven't even slept yet.

Merry fucking Christmas Eve, by the way.
>>29056878
We gotta bounce, clearly.

>>29056703

> Just realise how nonsensical that sounded. I meant, there was very little activity until about the time when I'm starting this today. Which is why I'm starting this today, in the hope there'll be some activity.

>>29056940
>>29056904

'Gods damnit, the two of you,' you get up and stride towards the two of them, but then Mudel comes and shoves you. He's not a fighter, but he's not a weak man either, and you stagger a bit.

'Gods damn *you*, Ephidel! You're the one who's led her astray! The moment you joined us, I should have known you would be a greedy bastard when you talked about attacking the villagers-'

'Well, I didn't fucking attack them, did I?' You yell, gesturing about. 'We went for the monastery and got a fucking load of loot and you're here being pissed about it when we need to split. We need, to run.'

'We wouldn't have to run if not for you! We've been here two *years*! This was our base and our home, but it means fuck-all to you, doesn't it, becuase you've only been here a day or so right?' Mudel shoves you again. 'You've been lying to us all, saying you've been around for months. And Stella couldn't find you? Bullshit!'

You glance to your side, where the tussle seems to have lessened somewhat. Your argument is getting their attention.

> Continue talking. (What say?)
> This is it. Reach for your knife.
> Other.

>>29057078
>> Continue talking. (What say?)
Fine. You guys can continue to shit your pants on this little hill and wait for the Count to send his little henchmen to raze it to the ground. I, on the other hand, am taking half of the loot and getting the Hell out of here.

Stella can have the rest. Didn't plan on staying here forever, anyways.

>>29057095
This will probably cause conflict. We should keep our hands ready for our knife.

>>29057103
I would think that would cause MORE conflict.

>>29057111
Well, a little more subtle than just grabbing our knife. A bandit should have Rogue elements.

>>29057078
you here?

>>29057095
>>29057103
>>29057111
>>29057117

You stick your hands on your hips, at the same time subtly placing your fingers just near the hilt of your knife. If Mudel moves to shove you again, you swear you will defend yourself. But not yet.

'Fine,' you say, angling to face the three of them just as more lightning flashes. 'Is that how you want to do this? You can continue to sit here and tremble in your little hide on this little hill then. If that's all you ever fucking wanted with your life! Do you think I didn't have a house better than this, with a family of my own? Fuck the lot of you! Stella, give me that bag of loot. My one.'

'No, Ephidel, wait-'

'What for? I didn't want to-'

'Shut up!' Stella holds up a hand; it's serious. 'Listen.'

You listen. A crack of thunder makes you all jump, but in the silence after the rumbling you hear it, and it makes your blood run cold.

Hooves. And baying.

> We must head for the deeper hills.
> Let's head down into the village to the northeast.
> Let's split up and run. (Who do you run with, if anyone?)
> Other.

>>29057276
>> Let's head down into the village to the northeast.
>> Let's split up and run. (Who do you run with, if anyone?)
tell the two chuckle fucks that we are going to the northeast village while we and stella go into hills and try to go south.

>>29057308
Meant to clarify here.
I'm trying to say that we all split up and tell them we are heading north and after we split up go deeper into the hill and circumvent the search party and instead go south.

>>29057308
Voting for this I guess.

>>29057308
>>29057334

Sounds good.

OP, can you tell us where each thing is? Where are the deeper hills?

>>29057368

Ah, yes.

The monastery was to your west, so that's where the horsemen are presumably coming from.

There are hills both to your north and south; to your east is another valley, which is relatively more settled (though still not very densely settled).

The nearest village is the one to the northeast. There's one or two hamlets in the hills to the north, and some to the south, but nothing significant. To the east you'll find the nearest town.

The hills to the north are higher, but the ones to the south are also densely forested.

Also, as you step you to check, it's beginning to rain - large, fat raindrops pattering on your face. This could be a good thing!

>>29057392
Run down the hills? Maybe we could get the horses to slip in mud? I don't know shit about horses.

>>29057414
so it looks like my original plans still works.

>>29057367
>>29057334
>>29057308

Sticking with these.

Tell the two of them we'll split and meet at the northeast village. Then go south and find one of the hamlets.

Are the hamlets big? Can we threaten them into giving us shelter?

>>29057414
It's going to have to be really muddy for a horse to slip, really muddy. I'd say go for the hills and try to pick off the dogs or horses with our bow, as they chased us. We do have extreme range.

Well then. You step outside and feel the rain pattering on your face, and then dodge in again and grab your loot bag as Mudel and Rilius, still smarting from the fight, head to get their axes.

'Let's run for the villages,' Rilius says. 'We know people and can hide there.'

'Good idea,' you say, immediately drawing glares which you ignore. 'But not together. Let's split up. We'll meet at the village.'

'Who the hell allowed you to talk? Mudel steps up. To think he was cooking venison for you just a few hours ago! You must have really pissed him off. 'Even if we had a hole in the village, you'd be staying out of it. Stella, let's-'

'Look, Ephidel's right,' Stella says. 'Together we move slowly. They're on horseback and it's raining. If we split, we gain a bigger advantage.'

'Why the hell are you talking for the outsider?' Mudel says, but Rilius grabs him.

'Stop. STOP! They're right, damnit. Let's go then.' Mudel glares, but then goes along outside the hide and directly into the rain, while you do so as well. Since they turn to the north, Stella quickly gestures to the east, and you run a few steps before an idea comes to you and you run to the tree where the deer was hanging.

'What are you doing?'

'Distracting the dogs.' You kick the dirt until you see innards, and dig them up, scattering them all over the ground. By now the rain is really heavy, and Stella helps you a bit before running. You can already hear the dogs baying, not too far behind you... they will find the hide in little time, you bet.

> Roll d100.

Rolled 31

>>29057477
Bless me roll

Rolled 86

>>29057477
>>29057477
I'm hoping this is like best of 5 or something

>>29057459
That wouldn't work unless they were hungry, but that does give me an idea, what if we used stella's poison on the meat and hid chunks of it randomly behind us for the hounds to find, and hopefully eat, before their handlers can stop them, hopefully poisoning the dogs.

Rolled 44

>>29057477

>>29057496

Unfortunately, you don't know that Stella's darts are poisoned. And you fucking hope not, because if so then you're poisoned.

Also, unfortunately, no time.

Rolled 34

>>29057477

Rolled 25

>inb4 nat 1

Rolled 28

>>29057555
We don't need a nat one with the garbage rolls we're getting

Rolled 13

>>29057559
I rolled 86, though!

Rolled 45

>>29057559
we got an 86 anon.

>>29057492
>>29057490
>>29057497
>>29057514

> 86: Favourable!

Stella leads the way, partly because she does know the hill better than you - so well, in fact, that you soon realise she's navigating through the trees by *touch*, feeling the wood and then moving on as if she knows exactly where there's supposed to be a plane tree, a maple, an oak. Also partly because your leg is still hurting, rather.

Still, hefting your load as well as you can, you go with her through a roaring, thrashing rain that batters the leaves abve you. The sounds of hooves and baying, you quickly realise, are getting softer, and after a few more trees and slipping down a muddy slope, Stella gestures at a little hollow and you both crouch inside.

'The rain's helping to wash our tracks,' she says. 'Lucky lucky us.'

'Good. Now we ought to head south...'

'South?' She turns to you. 'We're heading north, though. That's where the village is...' then, suddenly, she understands. 'No. No, Ephidel.'

> What do/say to persuade Stella? She seems really resistant to the idea of abandoning her friends. Which, when you think about it, is a good thing. Loyalty is a good thing for others to have.

Rolled 49

>>29057582
You've got to go to your friends. Your family. I can't. No matter how long I stay there, I'll never really be trusted. And honestly. I'll never trust them.

I'm going south.

Rolled 34

>>29057582
They're not cut out for this life, we are. The greatest kindness we can give them is a way out of this mess.

>and to think I wanted to keep them around...

>>29057603
Add" I''d rather you come with me though, but, I understand."

Rolled 57

>>29057582
I'm leaving. Take your share and go. I'm not staying with your family. And you're not coming with me.

>>29057603
>>29057618
You guys still have your dice on.

>>29057582

"Is this really what you want? Friends who fear everything? Or someone who actually dares to be a bandit? What good is there in hunting deer out here and being afraid of any guards?"

"Come with me instead. We head south. They'll be safe in their hiding place, and we'll do what we're made to do."

>>29057582
"Were the darts really poisoned?"

>>29057624
I didn't add that for a reason.
I don't want her.

Rolled 77

>>29057582
Did you see how they reacted to you, they don't want to be bandits they want to be hermits.
You can see that if you stay with them you won't move anywhere and they would just give the stolen jewels back just to appease the lord.

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>>29057642
Fuck you, I do.

>>29057648
Well, I don't.

>>29057653
I wanted the cook.

>>29057582
I rather you come with me since you would fair a better fate than being around them since it seems like they are willing to return what we just stole to save their own lives.

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>>29057653
You already stated you didn't, anon.

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>>29057648
You activated my trap card!

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>>29057668

Guys, if you really want the girl we should go back for her friends and hope they have been torn to pieces by the dogs, making her abandon them won't earn us any points, but making them abandon us or dieing?

'Why not?'

'Look, the two of them - they rescued me two years ago. Without them I'd be dead-'

'Look, Stella,' you grip her arms, careful not to clamp onto the bandaged bit, 'without them you'd be dead, two years ago. But now you'll be dead *with* them. They don't want to be bandits, they want to be woodsmen.'

'But they're my fucking family-'

'Is that really what you want from your family? You go out, and make a killing, and when you come back they yell and you and divide the loot up anyway? You want to live with them forever in that little hide and going out to hunt deer?'

Stella pulls down her face cloth, and what greets you is a surprising sight. She is... well, she's beautiful, that's one way of putting it. But now her cheeks are shining both with rainwater and anger, and yet she can't seem to put it in words. You admire her, silently, for a moment more before pressing your point.

'They're not cut out for this life. Would they do anything we did? You are always the one at the forefront, aren't you? So was I. This is something we can do and they can't.'

'But the people chasing them!'

'The rain will help them escape. If the dogs have them now, Stella, they'd have them whether or not we go to the village. They'll reach the hiding place and figure it out, and they'll be safe when that happens. We're not betraying them.'

Stella's grey eyes dart about on your face, searching, in a little shock. She does this for a few moments, and then looks down and blinks a few times, her broad lips moving as if muttering something. Then, finally, she nods.

'... south is that way,' she gestures.

'Excellent.' You smile and pat her shoulder. 'Come on, Stella. They'll be safe. And we'll be rich. We're all the better off for it.'

She says nothing, but gets up and points the way.

> Attempt to find a natural hiding spot, eg. a cave.
> Attempt to find a homestead and get shelter.
> Head for some other sort of safe place (like what?)
> Other.

> Roll d100.

>>29057699
they never trusted us and we have seen that she is getting tired of being a hermit.

Rolled 18

>>29057699

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>>29057671
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

How did I lose?!

Rolled 41

>>29057733
>> Attempt to find a natural hiding spot, eg. a cave.
no trails.

Rolled 49

>>29057733
Attempt to find a natural hiding spot

Rolled 29

>>29057733
>> Attempt to find a homestead and get shelter.

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1.88 MB GIF

Rolled 47

>>29057766
r-rerolling, QM-kun

Rolled 12

>>29057733

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Rolled 72

>>29057776
fucking dildoes
QM, how do you deal with rolling?

Ephidel-kun never gets good rolls

> By the Gods...
> 49: Misfortune!

Initially your southward journey, under an ever more heavy rain, goes quite smoothly; but soon, as you head uphill and the terrain gets ever more slippery, progress begins to slow. Worse still, it seems that the sweep is even wider than you thought; well, either that, or there were hounds that managed to catch your scent even through the thunderstorm.

You run, slipping and sliding along in the mud and trying to negotiate around the portions where muddy water is simply gushing down the slopes now, until a flash of lightning allows you to see something. There is a rocky outcrop to your left, and both of you recognise it somewhat.

'That's Wolf Pup Rock, right?' You ask. Stella nods, but just then she slips on something and falls right into a muddy puddle, sitting up and spitting water everywhere. As you help her up, you can hear the baying, and then you see something. Downslope of you, maybe 50 or 60 paces away, are torches. Several of them. You quickly grab Stella and push her on, running, but then lightning suddenly comes down-

A blinding, white flash comes immediately with the horrific clap of thunder, as well as a heat and force that throw both of you to the ground again. Flares dance before your eyes as you lie there, stunned; thankfully you weren't staring where it hit. But then, just as you sit up a moment later, you hear someone yell.

'Hey, I see someone over there!'

Oh, FUCK! Stella grabs you and you appraise the situation. The rocky outcrop isn't that far away. Or you could dash down that slippery slope of trees and hope for the best.

Or... or you could fight back, with your bow. Fucking hell, the rain is soaking it - you'll have to really rest it later...

> Rocky outcrop!
> Down the slope! (There might be a settlement nearby there, Stella says.)
> Fight.
> Other.

Rolled 71

>>29057840
>> Rocky outcrop!
they would think we would go down.

Rolled 71

>>29057840
>> Rocky outcrop!

>>29057853
Lets make it seems like we ran down the slope.

>>29057853
>>29057858
AND TWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINS

>>29057858
>>29057853
Special bonus?
>>29057840
QM, consider using best of 5 rolls.

>>29057865

> ...? 49 was the best of the first five. Whether or not the reroll counts.
> But yes, I do do that. Just to clarify.

>>29057901
twins?

>>29057917
Why would that matter?

>>29057930
Last time we got twins, QM gave us a super special crit.

>>29057930
i think he gives bonuses for twins.

>>29057853
>>29057858
>>29057862
>>29057863
>>29057865

> Well, I say I use the best, but twins is rare, so!
> 71, 71: Double success!

You quickly respond to Stella's grabbing you by getting up and running with her. 'Rocks?'

'Rocks!' She quickly drags you up just as the chorus of yelling and cursing behind you rises.

'Fuck, it's them! Get them!'

Someone blows a horn, even, and another person starts banging on a gong, no doubt drawing all the people around to help run you to the ground. Well, fuck! You run right up to the rocky outcrop, but then suddenly have an idea and grab Stella, running for the rocks nearest the slope.

'What the hell are you-' and then she understands. 'I, wait, WAAAAAAAAAUGH!'

'OH SHIT!' You holler, coming to a stop near the drop - holy fuck, it's a steep and long drop, muddy water washing down and wearing away the mud. 'WATCH OUT! WAAAAAAAAUGH!'

'Fuck, they're going down! Go around, go around!'

You can't help a grin as you run around the rocks and quickly find a little ledge to hide under. Your comfort is short lived, though, since you soon hear two things - first, some people have run up the slope anyway...

... and second, you can hear through the rain the rasping, sawing roar of a leopard. It's just above you.

> cont'd.

>>29057954

Stella's eyes shoot open when she realises, at the same time, what is prowling right above your heads. Her hand moves to her dagger, and you to yours, but suddenly there is silence above. The only sounds besides the rain are of people at the slope.

'Fucking hell, they'd never survive that,' someone says. You catch a glint of torch light in a puddle and curl up.

'Yeah, well, let's- what the fuck is that?'

'Oh fuck, it's a leopard!'

'Don't push, don't- WAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!'

'Fucking hell, he's fallen off! Run! Run! Befo-' But then there's an awful thudding sound, followed by a scream that quickly cuts off amid the sounds of boots splashing away, and you know what's happened. Right. The leopard has gotten his quarry...

'Let's fuck off,' Stella says, crawling out and then away. You keep glancing behind you until you're several trees away and on your feet. 'Well, so much for hiding in a cave. There's a house nearby here, some old guy who gathers herbs. Should we go there?'

> Yes, let's. (And talk to him.)
> Yes, let's. (You intend harm.)
> Let's not. Find a cave, wait till daylight, and make plans.
> Other.

>>29057972
>> Yes, let's. (And talk to him.)
Don't need to kill him. Just force him to give us his magic herbs.

>>29057972
>Yes, let's. ( And talk to him.)

>>29057972
>> Yes, let's. (And talk to him.)
Should we use our sob story?

>>29057997
No need to reveal such painful memories so willy nilly.

>>29058005
How about the light version since we would need for him to lie for us if we roll badly.

>>29058019
Na.

lurking
waiting for next update before joining in

>>29057997
>>29057987
>>29057982
>>29058005
>>29058019
>>29058023
>>29058049

The idea of letting another person know about what you have makes you a little leery, until you consider that you can kill him as well. But then again, at some point you'll have to think of *not* killing people, you know. You don't have to reveal your ill-gotten wealth to whoever it is, anyway.

'Do you know that herb person well?'

'Not very. But I've seen him from a distance. Old-ish man.' Stella shrugs. 'To his?'

'I think so, yes.' How does Stella manage to navigate so easily? By now the rain has slackened a little; you must have been running for nearly an hour, and the exhaustion is beginning to get to you, your movements slowing and feeling a little less precise. But Stella seems unshaken. Being behind her, you also get the bonus of a good look at her behind. Hmm, nice.

'There it is,' she turns around, and you have just enough time to look up at her face before coming beside her. There's a clearing in the woods, flanked by little gardens slowly becoming visible in the pre-dawn gloom, and the hut itself. And a silhouette already moving around, ignoring the rain.

Stella goes down, and you follow her. 'Hey,' she says, as casually as she can. The man - beard, bald pate, white wisps of hair - stares at the two of you.

'... what do you want?'

> Talk.
> Let Stella talk.
> Other.

> If you do gain entry, what are you going to do? You have loot that needs looking at, and maybe recruitment to do. Where will you get your bandits from?

>>29058110
>>29058110
>Let Stella talk

>>29058110
>QM always describer her assets to us
You're trying to make me romance this bitch, but I'm not going to.
>> Let Stella talk.

>>29058110
>>29058110
>>29058110
Try to look more at Stella's assets while we're in there and gain a more accurate description.

>>29058139
I disagree. Look at the ground and only the ground.

Stella a shit.

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>>29058110
>> Let Stella talk.
Well we are sure as fuck not hiring mercenaries lets hire orphaned teenagers/children.

>>29058139

I can't disagree with this.

But anyway, let Stella talk while we look.

>>29058140
You came from PGQ didn't you?

>>29058214
I come from many quests that turn to shit as soon as any sort of romance is introduced. I don't want the same to happen to this one.

>>29058122
>>29058128
>>29058139
>>29058140
>>29058144
>>29058146

You're content to keep quiet and let Stella do the talking. Occasionally you glance her over as well, but then after once or twice you just want her to get you into the hut as soon as possible. The hut looks like heaven compared to being outside...

'What do you want? Why do you want to come in?'

'Just to shelter from the rain, old man. Please let us in.'

Stella is quietly insistent, batting away questions with the same line until the old man looks you both over and sighs. By now there is enough grey light to make out shapes, make out the details on the hut. No doubt people can make out your details quickly too if they saw you. You look at Stella, but get distracted from making out her details by good news.

'Fine. Come in. But don't disturb the herbs.'

'Right.' You step around them very carefully, and then get let in. Oh, that's nice! Water's dripping here and there but shelter's shelter.

'Stay here. I need to talk to the herbs. If there's anything, don't yell for me. They can't be disturbed...'

You sit on a straw mat, and so does Stella. Both of you put down your loot bags. Then take deep breaths.

'Right. So waht do we do now? What is your plan? We could use these to hire some ruffians. Or we could join a band.' She nods. 'But I think hiring might be better. We're starting a proper band, aren't we?'

> What do/say, Ephidel?

>>29058219
It turns to shit if more than one girl comes by.

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>>29058219

>>29058214
PGQ is shit, by the way. Never seen a more cancerous quest.

>>29058232
We should get a few more people. We don't want to get a big group and draw attention to us.

>>29058232
Let's use the money to buy a boat and some crew. Travel the seas until we find a new landmass.

>>29058236
its recently got better since a Janitor frequents it now, but it will turn to shit again the second the shippers and mage haters get their chance.

>>29058232
Get us some young skilled teenagers and get some proper gear.

>>29058267

Are there even seas nearby?

>>29058267
Awwwwwww shit! We Pirate Captain now!
We should also tease stella about how the old man wouldn't have let us in if she wasn't a cute girl

>>29058278
I think QM said so in a previous thread.

>>29058285
Na, we don't have to do that.

>>29058285
>>29058267
>>29058278
>>29058286
I doubt we would fair well since we have zero knowledge of the sea or the skills needed for it, but i'm up for a small traveling band of loyal thieves.

>>29058286

> The nearest sea, unfortunately, is at the other end of the High Royal Road. Apparently that's a few hundred miles away.
> There's probably other seas, and some might be closer, but they're in other kingdoms' coasts. So you'd have to cross borders.

> Anyway, typing.

>>29058301
I would love a pirate quest where you could upgrade your ship, your crew, your equipment and your character.

>>29058334
This is Mountain Bandit quest, I'm afraid.

captcha: sunk wevazr

>>29058352
No, this is Mountain Bandit Pirate Waifu Guard Quest

>>29058359
you forgot to add psychopath since it seems the players are split between murder hobos and traveling band of bandits, and it shows.

>>29058373
First choice post in the quest were some guise wanting to go and kill some peasants in the fields.

>>29058380
If Fire Emblem taught me one thing, it's that bandits kill peasants.

>>29058386
We had a shovel and we were still a peasant that that moment.

>>29058386
Our guy is also named Ephidel. After the villain of the same name.

'A band of brigands,' you say, and nod. In your youth you've heard plenty of stories of brigands and bandits who eventually came to lead great armies and uprisings. Many failed. But some succeeded; for example the current kings of your realm are the descendants of a rebel leader about a hundred years ago. Who's to say you would not be someone like that? 'That sounds good.'

'It does,' she says. 'We better check our loot, then.'

Cleverly she has thought to bring two large pieces of cloth to serve as actual bundles, and so you quickly undo your cloak and lay it out to dry. It looks wonderful, really - better stuff than anything you'd wear in your lifetime if you were honest. Then you go through the stuff you took; for now you're careful to differentiate from the stuff Stella took. Let's be cautious that way for now.

> Loot:

> 155 silver coins
> 20 gold coins (100 silver coins)
> Quite a few small semi-precious stones, for fencing. Could probably fetch 200 or 300 silvers.
> 3 gems as keepers: a shiny black pearl; a finely cut black opal the size of a quail's egg; and a small, bright blue sapphire.

>>29058399
>a shiny black pearl
THAT'S OURS! Called it.

>>29058399

'Man, it would be nice if we could perhaps set sail on a boat instead of running about in the hills,' you say, lying back after bundling everything. Stella, too, slumps to the floor, next to you. 'I'm exhausted from that little chase.'

'Well, there's plenty of rivers for a bandit to operate along,' she says. 'But we'll have to trek a bit more to find a river big enough. Also, do you know how to sail?'

'No...'

'Pssht.' She pauses, then laughs aloud, a bright laugh of relief and joy. You look up to see she's covered herself with her new, wet cloak. 'This is comfortable.'

'So's mine,' you do the same. 'So, if we can't become river pirates, then we should start small. Get a small band of fighters. Roam the hills. Hunt for game when we're hungry, and rob people when we can. What say you?'

'Sounds good. We could head down to the hamlets around the hills, and you can see if there's anyone wants to join us. Orphans and layabouts, perhaps. You know, there are many lords and officials and men of the Church who use bandits as their irregulars. Or villages who hire them sometimes as protection. Should we do those, or be really wild?'

> Recruit from the nearby hamlets.
> Recruit elsewhere. (Rural? Urban?)

> Roam about this same patch of hills.
> Find somewhere else. (Give some terrain requirements.)

> We'll work for anyone.
> Only for lords and the mighty.
> Only for the oppressed and weak.
> We are wholly our own masters!

>>29058412

> Don't worry, dude. The three are all yours. You don't know what Stella's got, but you got those.

>>29058412
> Recruit from the nearby hamlets.
> Roam about this same patch of hills.
> We are wholly our own masters!

>>29058464
Welp. Misquoted.

>>29058442
> Recruit from the nearby hamlets.
> Roam about this same patch of hills.
> Only for the oppressed and weak.

Why the oppressed? They will have a bone to pick with the nobility, increasing their morale and viciousness in battle. Also, they will work to our revenge.

>>29058487
And besides, if we end up getting some land under our grasp we might start crafting a heroic "story" from the beginning..

>>29058487
This. We Robin Hood with pussy now!

>>29058442

> Recruit from the nearby hamlets.
> We should roam everywhere, attacking whatever we come by. But maybe the hills for now.
> Only the oppressed and weak.

We're building up to a peasant revolt, man.

>>29058487
Oh fuck no. Fucking hero quests every god damn time. Are you kidding me? Fuck that.
> We are wholly our own masters!
I ain't doing no holy paladin shit. BANDIT QUEST YOU HOMOS. NOT ROBIN HOOD QUEST.

By getting land under your grasp, do you mean you want to try and rule this territory? Or whichever villages might come under your grasp?

>>29058523
No. Just a territory to mark as our own. Like ganglands.

>>29058442
>> Recruit from the nearby hamlets.
> Find somewhere else. (Give some terrain requirements.)
Any place with lots of dead rotting ground or forests anywhere?
> We are wholly our own masters!

>>29058523
Basically whatever becomes our de facto fief.
>>29058522
We're using doe-eyed villagers as fodder for revenge and profit. Non-pally enough?

>>29058545
You want a bunch of sickly, dead, useless peasants? Or other bandits who know how to fucking fight and hold your own.

I know you're not particularly smart /tg/. And I know you love to play the paladin, but this isn't the quest for you. PGQ is more along your lines.

>>29058567
You mean useless peasants like us at the start?

>>29058596
We're the protag. Obviously it was for us. peasants are just peasants. Nothing special about them.

You spend much of the early morning discussing with Stella what you will do. Certainly the hamlets seem like the best and most convenient place to recruit now, and you have enough coin in your stash - and nice clothes too - to impress anyone who's into some quick profit and a life of danger.

'Do you think we should roam elsewhere though, Stella?'

'I don't think so. For one, it'd be hard to find another patch of the hills where there isn't already a roving band.' She shrugs. 'The kingdom has been increasingly unstable; there didn't even use to be hamlets around in the hills. But now there are some, and there may be more. With those, well, come bandits.'

'Just like us.' You grin.

'Just like us.'

'Also, Stella, let's not work for anyone. If we have a territory, and the villagers work with us, then we'll look out for them. Maybe. But we're not going to work for peopel who just hire us as ruffians.'

'Fair enough.' Stella then sits up and stretches. You notice her hair, a dark reddish brown, straight and a little scraggly and coming down to her shoulder blades. 'There's one more thing, though.'

'What?'

'If we're starting a band together,' she turns to stare at you, 'we'll have to make our bones. Before each other. As a symbol of trust.'

You sit up and return her gaze, and then you hear the old man outside, mumbling to his herbs.

> Go out and get the old man in.
> I'm not doing this now. Let's go recruit.
> I'm not doing this now. Let's go do something else.
> Other.

> Kind reminder: roaming this patch of hills is fine, of course, but you have the equivalent of three stars on your arse in GTA right now after that little heist. They're out for your blood and they know you're around. How do you deal with that?

>>29058616
>'we'll have to make our bones. Before each other. As a symbol of trust.'
I don't know what this means.

>>29058616
> Go out and get the old man in.
>>29058626
To earn respect by killing someone.

>>29058626

> To make your bones is to kill someone. It is the custom for bandits who are swearing a close association to use human blood in order to seal the bond.

> Because you are now both murderers and witnesses, the idea is that you have both forsaken the laws of man for your own partners in crime.

>>29058616
Don't kill the old man inside. You'll make a mess. Go out and slice that nigga. He's insane anyways. We'd be doing him a favor.

>>29058616
>other: try to find a stray patrol and kill him

Let's not shit where we sit folks.

>>29058659

Second this. Both of us go outside, kill him, then loot the house and run.

We're headed for the hamlets, anyway.

>>29058719
>>29058693
>>29058659
>>29058634
>>29058626

The implication sends a shiver down your spine, and both of you stand up slowly, understanding what this means. You look out at the old man hunched over his luxuriant gardens, without a care in the world.

'Bring him in?'

'Let's not do it inside here,' you say. Stella nods and follows you as you head out the door, both of you drawing your knives. Yours has already tasted human blood a few times, this isn't particularly special. Except, because of the witness, it is.

'Eh, had a good night's sleep, you?' The old man turns to both of you and grins. But the grin disappears quickly when you go up to him and grab his arms from behind. 'Eh? Eh? What are you doing? No, don't-'

You kick his legs to make him kneel, and Stella walks up as he starts to blabber incoherently, in his weak voice. 'Shall we do it together? One across the throat and one in the heart?'

'What are you doing? Oh, if you want the herbs, just go get them, I'll even show you what each one's for. I'll have you know, I studied at the Royal Academy for Medicine, I know what all these babies do, they're all my children...' you can sense the fear in his voice, as he slowly realises what's about to happen.

> Take the throat.
> Take the heart.
> ... no, no, you can't.
> Other.

> Say anything to the old man?

> What do after you kill him, if you kill him?

>>29058752
Other: let him ransom his life in exchange for his services as an apothecary. We'll find some other hapless fool to bond later.

>>29058752
>> Take the throat.
> Say anything to the old man?
"Rest in peace old man. I'll make it quick. If you wish, I'll bury you in your garden."
> What do after you kill him, if you kill him?
Bury him. Say a quick prayer

>>29058764

This. Then get him to take some of his herbs along.

We will go recruiting now.

>>29058752
> Take the throat.
Then bury him in his garden. Seems only right.

>>29058764

Seconding, he's more useful alive than dead.

For fucks sake.

>>29058797
>>29058816
>>29058764

this, we go to the hamlets to kill someone.

>>29057776
What is going on in this gif?

The old man continues to blabber, already quivering in your grasp, and you put your knife to his throat, which makes him writhe around a bit.

'No, no, I know these things, I can't just leave the gardens, who will take care of the gardens? No, don't, don't...'

You look at the gardens around you as Stella, seeing your willingness to take the throat, squats down and reaches to tear his tunic and find the right ribs. It would be a quick death, between your two blades, if a brutal-looking one. But then...

'No, Stella, wait.'

She pauses, hand on the man's shaking chest, and looks up at you. 'What?'

'He's more useful alive, isn't he?' You say, while keeping your knife at his throat. 'He knows his herbs. Old man.'

'W... what? What do you want? Don't hurt me, don't do this to the babies, who will take ca-'

'Shut up. I'll ask the questions. You have a choice. Join us as a doctor. Or we'll gut you like a pig. What do you think?'

'B-but the babies-'

'You can't take care of them either if we gut you, can you?' You nod around. 'It's fine. They'll grow fine. Look at them. Come on!' You nick his throat a little, and Stella stands up as the man makes a strange, terrified 'ahhh, ahhhh ahhhh' sound. There's a little grin on her face as she keeps her dagger.

'Ahh! Ahhhhh!' The man grimaces and twitches. 'I'll join you! Keep the babies safe!'

You throw the man onto the ground. 'What's your name, doctor?'

'I... I'm Marrte... don't hurt me...'

'Well, that worked,' Stella says. She pulls Marrte to his feet and puts a hand on the neck, talking soothingly to him as he gasps and cries. Good bandit, bad bandit - well, everyone knows this act... 'so how do we make our bones?'

> Let's go find a random traveller.
> Let's go to the hamlets to see.
> Shouldn't we flee the hills if there's people after us?
> Other.

>>29058872
>> Let's go find a random traveller.

>>29058892
2nd'ing

> All right. This is the last post for the evening.
> Merry Christmas, and thanks for playing!

>>29058922
>>29058892

'Well. Didn't we want to find an isolated traveller last night?' You say, smiling and nodding at Marrte, who doesn't dare look at you. Well, it'll pass. 'We could always go and look now.'

'The main roads must be crawling with people now, though.' Stella shakes her head. 'We'll have to wait by the small paths. There's some resting spots in these southern hills where we might be able to find travellers...'

You nod, but first things first. While Marrte says goodbye to his babies, you grab as many herbs as you can and then make him carry them, walking between the two of you as you wander around the mountains. It is still raining lightly, and the sun has risen to reveal a vast, grey landscape, the wet leaves on the ground gleaming with water and dark puddles, many of the trees already half nude from autumn.

Tramping through this landscape at a leisurely pace, you come upon what looks like a rough-built pavilion for people to rest - and hit the motherlode. Quickly hiding behind a tree, both of you peek out to see two people in pretty nice clothes sitting under the roof. Both of them are young men, by the sound of it.

'Marrte,' Stella says. 'Sit down, right? Be quiet.' When he nods, she then turns to you. 'Well then. Go on?'

Well, this time you'll get to kill one each. The idea makes you feel rather... ambivalent. But then you wanted to be a bandit, and you already kind of are; so here you have come.

> Sneak up and ambush.
> Get friendly before killing them.

>>29059009
>> Sneak up and ambush.
It's Christmas Eve you homo. Also thanks.

>>29059009

> Also, Twitter is @MountainBand1

>>29059009
>> Sneak up and ambush.

>>29059023
not here in futureland

>>29059009
>sneak up and ambush

brutal, but this is the life we're in for.

Good god you murder hobos.

>>29059684
>>29059578
>>29059023

'Do you want to go and chat them up before you finish them?' You ask. Stella looks at you as if you're joking, which you take to be a no.

Oh well. You sneak up, moving from tree to tree, but thankfully the two people are distracted by conversation and it looks like it'll be easy to finish the job on one or both of them. Stella turns to you.

'I'll take right. Take left.'

'Fine.' You draw your knife. Normally you'd use the bow, but this is bones-making...

> Roll d100.

Rolled 55

>>29067203

Rolled 53

>>29067203

Kill.

Rolled 96

>>29067203
ere we go

>>29067302
Nice.

>>29067302
>>29067326
>>29067230
>>29067223

> 96 vs. 6: All goes smoothly...

Engrossed in conversation, the two men never figure out what's happening until it's too late. Stella rushes down the slope, crouches and then springs like a leopard or tiger in a single graceful movement; by the time you start your rush, she's already landed right on the shoulders of the man on the right, knocking him directly over into his friend.

'What the-'

The left man only gets so much out before you run up and kick him in the back, making him sprawl out so you can vault over the bench right onto him. How on earth did Stella manage to make that jump - that must have been five or six feet! Grabbing the man's head, you pull it up and put your knife against the throat, and he starts struggling frantically but uselessly.

'Auugh! Augh! Au-'

You turn to see Stella's man just as she puts the knife at his throat as well. He's already bleeding from several bumps on his head, being shoved into the gravel, but his cries stop and his eyes bulge in horror as the knife opens his throat. Blood spurts out in great gouts in front of him.

'No, no! Don't! Please don't-'

'Rest in peace, buddy,' you say and drag your knife across as well. His protests are cut off, and he bucks a few times against you as the blood starts spurting, but then soon it's reduce to twitching. Stella's prey is already mostly dead, his tongue sticking out grotesquely.

Stella shows you her blade. 'Partners.'

'Part-' then you notice movement in the woods across the small lane. Oh wait. It's a little boy, with a bundle of firewood on his back, his arms and legs wet.

And he's seen you.

> Give chase.
> Beckon him over.
> Track him.
> Other.

>>29067506
>> Beckon him over.
Let's take him in and teach him to be a bandit. WE GOLDEN SUN NOW

>>29067506
ill second >>29067563

>>29067641
>>29067563

You get to your feet, blood still dripping from your knife. Oh damn, you got some on your hands as well. Stella follows suit.

'We ought to get off the lane,' she says. Good point. But instead of retreating, you advance across the road, and though the boy's face is transfixed with horror he doesn't run. Maybe with the bundle of wood he can't run anyway. Just then, Stella gasps.

'What?'

'Marrte! Give me a second.' Is she a little fond of the old quack, or what? You look at her run, then turn back and beckon to the boy.

'Come on, kid,' you say. 'Come here.'

To your surprise, he obeys. With every forward step he takes two or three to the sides, wary and scared of you, his eyes darting between your smiling mug and your dripping knife. Eventually he comes to within four or five paces before stopping. Poorly dressed, tattered clothes, a small axe in his hand. You knew a boy like that once.

You *were* a boy like that, once, and you'd've been happy to stay like that. Once.

'Y-you... why d-did you do... do...' he stammers, blinks and swallows, and glances past you. You turn around to see Stella bringing Marrte across the lane.

'Oh, you should see how well the holy thyme grows when in summer! I think they might do well even if I don't watch them, they take care of themselves, you have to let the children go eventually...'

'Do what, boy?'

'Th-th-that?' It's pretty obvious what he's asking.

> What do/say?
> Stella comes up and whispers that he might be from a nearby hamlet...

>>29067771
Just the law of the wild, kid. If you're strong you live, if you're weak you die. Are you strong, kid?

>>29067771
lol cause I felt like it kid
I'm a stone cold killer with no regard for human life
check me out
such dark
much edge

>>29068000
>>29067809

'Well, why do you think I did it?' You smile.

'You... you were robbing them?' Well, here's a kid who knows at least one motive. To be honest, on second look, he probably isn't a kid anymore. You estimate him to be twelve or thirteen - close enough for marriage, and only small because he's poorly fed.

'But we didn't take anything, did we?' You nod at Stella, and back at him. 'It's just the way the world is, boy.'

'W-what do you m-m-mean?'

'Well. A leopard eats. A deer gets eaten. If you're strong...' you gesture at your knife. 'And if you're not so strong, then...' you gesture behind your shoulder.

'Cut it with the nonsense, Ephidel,' Stella says, nudging you. 'Kid, where do you come from? Are you from the hills?'

'W-we live... just there.'

'I don't recall there being a hamlet there.'

'We came because the harvest failed, and they came for taxes but we had nothing so we ran. Daddy says, we... don't want to be, uh, s-serfs? Slaves?'

Fucking hell. More of these...

> What do/say, Ephidel? By the looks of it, the new hamlet isn't that far from here.

>>29068115
"Ugh, slaves. I can't be doin' with this"

>>29068115

"Take us to your hamlet, kid."

Time to recruit.

>>29068115
well shit we can't do anything, but lets recruit them.

>>29068178
>>29068163
>>29068142

'Slaves be damned,' you mutter. That's what they all do, the rich landowners and the nobles - wait for a bad harvest, then sweep in like vultures. 'So where's your little home now, kid? Take us there.'

'But... I...'

'You probably ought to do as we say,' Marrte suddenly blurts out. Wait, what? All of you turn to look at the old man with his wild beard. He reaches into his tunic and pulls out... oh wait, he had a hatchet on him when you were threatening to kill him!?

'I... yes, yes!' The kid nods frantically. 'Uh, this way!'

Along the way you walk next to the kid, who is still staring at your knife and bloodied hands. You wipe that on your tunic, trying to keep your cloak as clean as possible. The rain is beginning to get heavy again, splattering on your face and scalp and dripping down your forehead, and then through the rain haze you see it.

It isn't even a clearing, just a lower patch of ground, slightly hidden by trees; but there are three huts in a rough triangle, with a circle of rocks in the middle - no doubt for a fire when the weather's a bit nicer. No chance of that right now, though. The huts are not unlike the old hide Stella had, but closed on all sides, and absolutely soaking wet.

You give the boy a gentle shove. 'Go call for someone.'

'R-right...' he runs along, moving from house to house. He doesn't yell. And soon you see the three families all coming out from their shelter into the rain, looking at the three of you just outside their triangle. Fear is evident on their faces...

'Are you giving the speech? You're the one who talks, right?' Stella nudges you.

> Right. Time to give your pitch.
> Including the boy you'd say there's five men here of fighting age. They look miserable and hungry, though.

>>29068334
Shit. Try not to spill spaghetti. Initiate generic upheaval of society and rise to power speech.

> To clarify:
> Specificity can gain you bonuses. Eloquence *will* gain you bonuses.
> Genericity will leave you in the hands of luck alone. These men are a little fearful, so they might be frightened into joining - or out of it.

> Take it away!

>>29068452

"Don't be afraid of us. You have nothing to fear from us. The people you have to fear are the ones who drove you here in the first place. Now we're giving you a chance to make them fear you."

"The weak are always preyed on by the strong, so there's no use hiding out here. We must fight back!"

>>29068334
>'You probably ought to do as we say,' Marrte suddenly blurts out. Wait, what? All of you turn to look at the old man with his wild beard. He reaches into his tunic and pulls out... oh wait, he had a hatchet on him when you were threatening to kill him!?
I can't breathe.i'm glad the murder hobos didn't get their way during that choice.

>>29068514
>>29068544
>>29068422

> Well, that's a fair speech.
> Roll d100. You have +20 bonus.

Rolled 35

>>29068594

Rolled 91

>>29068594
ere we go

Rolled 50

>>29068594
>inb4 nat 1

Rolled 44

>>29068594

>>29068608
>>29068620
>>29068624
>>29068644

> 91 + 20: That's a success!

You take a few steps up, wary of your surroundings in case someone's lying in ambush. Well, doesn't look like it. The crowd moves accordingly, seeing your weapons and the blood being washed off your hands.

'People. You look like you're a bit afraid of us. But please don't be. We mean you no harm.'

You start as you mean to go on, telling them about their real enemies. People call you bandits and robbers, but honestly who are the real robbers? The people who sit on other people's lands and grab their crops, and take over their very lives if they forfeit on taxes. It's not a long speech, just a few sentences, but you can see some of them nodding along as you talk.

When you end, there's a long silence, and then the bulkiest of the few - a lumberjack, by the look of it, with a hatchet of his own - steps up.

'So what do you want of us? You're bandits, aren't you?'

'Join us!' Stella says, coming up with Marrte. 'There's only so much two people can do, but with more, we can make them fear us!'

'Yes, she's right,' you say. And your sentiment is echoed by a few, some of whom have noticed that Stella is quite the looker. It isn't too long before all five of the men step up, some a little hesitantly.

'Fine!' Bulky bearded man says. 'I am Orvo. And we'll join you!'

You turn to Stella and grin. Well, looks like you now have a new home.

> You now have a band!
> Do you want to give them a signing bonus? It only seems right.
> They seem a bit hungry. What is your plan for your new followers?

>>29068752
>> Do you want to give them a signing bonus? It only seems right.
As long as we have our three jewels, I really don't care.

>>29068752

> Band details:

> Fighting leaders: Ephidel, Stella
> 5 fighting peasants

> Support leaders: Marrte (doctor)
> Several women and children

>>29068752

Start small. Give them three silvers each.

We should go and hunt some meat.

>>29068752
Give them 2-3 silver each and ask for a place where we can find equipment for our band/ also food.
Try to get the crazy old man to teach the others his healing magic spice shit.

>>29068781
>>29068765

You give the five fighters three silvers each, watching with satisfaction as their eyes glint at the sight of silver. Marrte, meanwhile, is already looking at the ground around the hamlet.

'This place is quite good for growing herbs,' he says. 'And for vegetables as well.'

'When have you last eaten?' Stella asks two of the women, who say that they've run out of what grain they managed to store about 2 or 3 days ago. Since then they've been half-starving and surviving on the occasional rat they've managed to catch.

'The forests are so empty, there's nothing to eat,' Orvo says, sighing. No, it's just that you're a bit too daft to figure out where anything is... still. There's quite a bit of work to do. Besides the matter of food, there is also the matter of shelter; each of the three hides is full, it seems.

Also, if you're going to be criminals, there's the matter of safety. This place is in the middle of a thick forest so it's well hidden, but... maybe something more can be done? You ask the people where they can find equipment for the band, but they seem stumped. Normally they'd go to the town... but then if you're bandits, that could be difficult...

> What equipment do you mean exactly? What do you need?

> Also, start assigning people to tasks. What will you and Stella do? There's a shelter needs building, and food needs gathering. This seems set to become your temporary camp.

> The rain is beginning to taper off again.

>>29068903

We've been hunting food all this while, man. It's not like there's a supermarket in the hills.

>>29069011
>> What equipment do you mean exactly? What do you need?
Typical tools. Hoe, axes, hammers, scythes.
> Also, start assigning people to tasks. What will you and Stella do? There's a shelter needs building, and food needs gathering. This seems set to become your temporary camp.
We should start by making a Palisade to ward off some attacks if it should ever come to that

>>29069046

The peasants have some farming implements of their own, but let's face it - as brigands, you won't have easy access to a town blacksmith. Maybe you could raid one of the villages, but you'd have to do it yourself, since those peasants are known faces back home.

Basically you're outlaws, and you will not have willing access to many aspects of 'civilised' life under the protection of the law.

>>29069070
Do people know that Ephidel is a brigand? Stella they know, probably. Are posters of us up or something?

>>29069011

We need food.

Get the people to start building a shelter for us. Get Ovor to come with us and hunt. Let's hope we can find more deer.

>>29069070
So who is ready to find ourselves a black smith.

>>29069108
>>29069081

We don't need a blacksmith right now, though. The peasants have tools.

What we need now is food.

>>29069164
We already have wood, what we need are proper tools and gear.(which means we need a black smith and the proper material.)

>>29069218

God it's like you can't read.

FOOD. Not WOOD. The band is HUNGRY. We need to HUNT.

>>29069234
My bad there, i don't know where i got the w from.

>>29069164
>>29069108
>>29069082
>>29069081
>>29069046
>>29069023

You are aware of the need for a blacksmith, though that doesn't seem to be an urgent need for now; the band of people have some farming implements, though they're currently unused and unusable. Well, not for long.

The villagers tell you that one of the better blacksmiths in the area is in a village to your southeast, one over from the one they fled from. They'll recognise the fugitives, so it'll be up to you if you want to go there and get the blacksmith, or make a request.

> Do you intend to kidnap the blacksmith? Because, on second thought, that won't do much good - a blacksmith without a forge is not going to be too useful...
> If not, what exactly do you need? As mentioned, the people have agricultural implements. Are weapons what you are asking for?

Meanwhile, though, you tell Orvo to take his hatchet and come along with you. 'Yes?'

'We'll need a new shelter,' you say. 'Also perhaps a fence around this area. Just a simple palisade. Could you get the others to do that?'

'Of course, I'll join them-'

'No, you're coming with us. Tell them to work, but we need to hunt.'

'Hunt? But there's nothing-'

'If you say there's nothing in these woods one more time, Orvo...' Stella says. 'Let's teach you how to do a little tracking.'

> Roll d100 for tracking. The rain balances out Stella's skills (she's a better tracker than you it seems), so you have neither bonus nor penalty.

> Say anything to Orvo while you're at it? He's going off to tell them to work on a new shelter and palisade.

Rolled 50

>>29069324

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Rolled 62

>>29069324
Tell Orvo that if the shelter is not done by the time we come back from the hunt, then we'll be having his limbs for food

Rolled 67

pls no

>>29069393
T-thanks

Rolled 67

>>29069415
shhhh

>>29069415

???

Also,

>>29069407
>>29069421

Wow.

>>29069407
>>29069421
TWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINS

> 67, 67: You guys have a knack for hunting, don't you?
> Learning from Stella, you think you are getting better at tracking.

Stella leads the way, with you behind her and Orvo at the back. 'So, what are we looking for?'

'Softer,' you whisper. 'Tracks. Or sign of animals passing.' Just as you say this, Stella points to a place where a sapling was bent over, and then squats down, brushing at the leaves and edging forward. Both of you look on, then squat next to her.

'Wow. This looks pretty fresh. And it looks like they were moving quite quickly, too. Almost running.' Stella looks up, and you manage to see some of the tracks.

'About... 5 or 6?'

'Might be more, actually.' Stella takes a while to show Orvo where the tracks are, so he understands. 'They're headed that way, downhill, but quite quickly...'

You continue following the tracks where you can, finding some deer pellets while you're at it as well. They've been resting occasionally. But then suddenly there is something which surprises you - and makes both Stella and you stop dead in your tracks. Orvo bumps into you.

'Watch it.'

'Oh, sorry. What?'

You point at the dung on the ground. Not pellets, but large, black pebbles, piled on each other with traces of hay. Even Orvo knows what that is.

'Horse shit?'

'Could be them,' Stella says, pointing around. 'They've left quite a trail, too...'

You watch her, quite admiringly, as she continues to track and eventually regains the deer trace. The deer probably came before the horses.

Which means the horses can't be too far away either...

> Go after the deer. (Herd of 7 or 8, you're guessing)
> Go after the horses. (Seems to be 2 or 3 of them.)
> Other.

>>29069605
>> Go after the horses. (Seems to be 2 or 3 of them.)
Horse rider bandits.

>>29069617

No, it's the people chasing us last night. Let's not tangle with them.

> Go after the deer. (Herd of 7 or 8, you're guessing)

>>29069645
>No, it's the people chasing us last night. Let's not tangle with them.
You don't know that.

>>29069605
>Other
Return back to the encampment, Orvo is obviously not meant for this and will probably get himself killed.

>>29069645

We can't be sure though. Let's track the horses.

Anyway, we have got bows so if we find them, we can take them out easily.

Rolled 100

>>29069605
>> Go after the horses. (Seems to be 2 or 3 of them.)

>>29069695
>easily
Implying they don't have bows as well

>>29069715
Thank you, Based God.

>>29069664
Yes, but lets just send him home by himself so we can still hunt.
If he gets lost and does, he wasn't worth it anyway.

>>29069605
-other
Go after the horses, but use Orvo as bait

> Well, since our Lord and Saviour has shown the way...
> 100: Critical success!

'Let's go for the horses,' you say softly, and Stella looks up at you as if you've gone mad. 'What?'

'But they're the people chasing us! And we're here for food for our folks. Get a grip.'

'Wait, there's people chasing you?' Orvo says, but you stop him for a moment.

'But there's only two or three of them. Anyway, horse meat is edible, isn't it?'

Stella blinks, and you grin and point. They have no choice but to follow you as you find another few lumps of horse shit in the middle of the path, and then another. Tracking these bastards is turning out to be quite easy...

... still, because of their speed, it is probably early afternoon already when you finally see them in the distance. About forty or fifty paces away, taking shelter from the rain under a tree, are three men, with their horses tethered to a nearby tree. You sneak close, using the cover of a dip in the ground, and get within about thirty paces.

'Fucking rain,' you hear one of them yell. 'Fucking rain!'

'Well, we're in luck,' Stella concedes. Those horses would yield a *lot* of meat, you bet.

> Formulate your attack plan. They're not on alert at all right now.

>>29069883

Does Orvo have a weapon?

Get Stella and Orvo to move nearer the horses. Shoot the most armed one, and they'll attack when the people come near the horses.

Or we can get Orvo to go out and lure them in. But we have a bow anyway.

>>29069883
Send Orvo in naked as a diversion,
Kill them with bow and arrow as they are distracted.

>>29070002

What the fuck do you have against Orvo?

>>29069883
Wait till one hears the call of nature, then have Orvo and Stella do for him. We can try to take one down with a bow in the meantime.

>>29070036
I don't know, but needed the image of a hairy lumber jack streaking and the shocked faces of the troops made my day.Also he is part of the murder hobo group.

>>29069984

Orvo is actually quite heavily armed. He's got a hatchet, for chopping firewood, on his belt; and a longer axe that could probably fell trees.

They're for wood but against people they'll do just fine.

>>29070036
Honestly have no idea what you're talking about.

>>29070052
>>29070002
A combo of these two, while one gets killed by stella have orvo make a small diversion and kill another with your arrows.
While the last 1 gets killed who ever can get him first.

>>29069883
Priority is keeping them away from the horse, regardless of plans. Cant'thave escapees.

> Just back from lunch. Give me a bit.

>>29070121
>>29070220
>>29070058
>>29070052
>>29070002

'Right.' You turn to Orvo, who's also crouching. He looks a little afraid. 'Orvo. Do you want to go talk to them?'

'What? No,' he hisses back.

You're about to order him to do it, partly just to see how he deals with orders, when suddenly you hear something that saves Orvo the trouble and danger. 'Anyway, I'm in dire need of a piss,' one of the guards says just as you reach over, about to grab his tunic. All of you turn your attention back to the three.

'Do you need me to come with you?'

'What am I, a pussy?'

'If you had one we'd both come along to see it!' Laughter and some swearing ensues, and the guy who needs a piss gets up and begins walking into the forest, away from the horses. He doesn't go very far, but this is good enough.

'Orvo.' You nod at him. 'Follow me. Stella?'

'Killing a shitting guy is dishonourable,' she says, lips curved into a snarky grin.

'Oh, piss off!' You shove her. Then you nock an arrow, and Orvo grips his axe...

> Roll d100. You have a +30 bonus.
> Do you kill the other guy immediately or make Orvo make his bones?

Rolled 74 + 30

>>29070608

Rolled 11 + 30

>>29070608
>make Orvo make his bones
Have him distract the guards, while we kill one.

Rolled 23

>>29070608

Rolled 47 + 30

>>29070608
Rolling

Rolled 51

>>29070608
Shoot simultaneously with Stella aiming at the pissing horseman.
Make Orvo strip down meanwhile

Rolled 94 + 30

>>29070608
here is hoping for nat 100

>>29070800
That works

>>29070788
She already left to kill the guy that is pissing, we only have the other two left.

>>29070788

That's.. odd. But I suppose they would be less inclined to attack someone if they were naked..

>>29070608
Us kill one of the guards, have Orvo make his bones on the shitting guy and have Stella kill the other.

> It's just outside the 5, but then you were going to succeed anyway.
> 94 + 30: Success!
> The other roll goes to Stella.

Orvo gets ready to charge as you aim. 'Wait, man, don't charge until I actually kill someone.'

'Oh, right-'

Whoosh. You take a breath, release half of it, and hold for just a moment before loosing. The sound of loosing an arrow is drowned out by the rain, and despite the relatively short distance, you're a bit worried about whether the rain will maybe-

-then the arrow tears its way into the neck of the man whose back is turned to you, so that's fine. He tries to get up, but then stumbles, and you watch a spray of blood spurt onto the wet leaves just as Orvo raises his axe and charges out.

'AAAAAARR!'

'What the-'

The soldier has just enough time to sit up and draw his sword before Orvo is on him, but still he manages to roll away from the first, heavy blow. To his credit, Orvo is also quick, and draws his hatchet to parry a sword strike. You rush out of cover, but just then hear a 'YARGH' from the woods, followed by the clash of metal. What the hell? Did Stella spring a little too soon?

The man with an arrow through his throat turns to you, eyes wide with horror, but you just kick him away.

> Help Orvo.
> Help Stella.
> Other.

>>29070980
>> Other.
Kill the horses.

>>29070980
Help Orvo. I suggest the knife. Nice, quick throat slit.

>>29070980
>> Help Orvo.
Stella's fine.

>>29070980
help stella, gotta save our bandit waifu :3

>>29070980
Help Orvo

Bros before hoes, besides it'll have better relations for the band

Stella knows how to fight and will be fine, you bet. Reacting quickly, you therefore turn around and run up to the soldier facing Orvo.

He only has the time to spare you a glance before you lift your leg to kick, catching him square in his side and toppling him over. Orvo seizes the opportunity and rushes forward with you; you lock the soldier's arm and sit right down on ribs while twisting the shoulder until you feel a satisfying *crack*.

'AAAUGH FUCK!' The guy hollers, and you turn around, about to ask Orvo if he dares to- but Orvo gives a yell of his own and sends the hatched head directly into the soldier's head, yielding a sickening crack as it crushes the bones just above the ear and ploughs right into his brain. The man gurgles, thrashes about a little, and Orvo pulls out the axe.

Just then there's footsteps behind you, and both of you turn around to see Stella stumbling out of the forest. 'F-fucking hell,' she says, right hand pressed to her left flank. You can see blood gleaming from her fingers, and run up to see a shallow but long gash in her side, oozing blood into her shirt. 'It's not serious. I got him.'

> What do/say to Stella?
> Also, victory! Roll d100 for your loot.

> What do with the three horses? They're all slightly knackered-looking from the rain, but no doubt have plenty of meat on them.

Rolled 67

>>29071213
Good job, Stella.
Kill 2 horses for meat and keep 1 horse alive for riding.

Rolled 40

>>29071213

Fuss over her a bit. See if we have cloth to bandage it with.

Lead the horses back before we kill them, let's not drag three carcasses all the way.

Rolled 100

>>29071213
>> What do/say to Stella?
Great job we will get the crazy old man to check it out.
>> What do with the three horses? They're all slightly knackered-looking from the rain, but no doubt have plenty of meat on them.
Kill 1 horse and keep two of them.

>>29071247
THANK YOU BASED GOD. BASED CASH, BASED GEAR BASED JEANS BASED BEAT.

>>29071247
Thats the second nat 100 i rolled this thread.(this is not including the nat 100 i rolled last thread.)

>>29071213
Bind her wound. Tell her we'll get the medic to look at it later.

See if we can't use the horses to help us catch and carry the deer back.

>>29071213
ride all three horses home and then butcher them only as needed instead of all at once.

>>29071278
This we can kill the horses later, lets use them to hunt dear.
Also hide the bodies.(maybe feed them to a leopard.)

>>29071247

> You, sir, are a star of luck. But let's see what that luck does.

> What kind of loot might you be looking for now? Is it weaponry? Or maybe something else you'd like to specify?

> Do please specify, or I'll give you generic valuable shit that might not be very useful later. I need some ideas, and it's your bandit enterprise.

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>>29071306
An enchanted dagger

>>29071306
probably a good map, an enchanted dagger, some good money,a key to a vault.

>>29071323
>>29071337

Does enchantment even exist in this world?

A good map sounds good though.

>>29071389
Its does exist, but is highly controlled if my memory serves right.(so its rare as shit)

>>29071389
I assume so. If not then just make it a dagger with small gem crafted into the hilt with an obsidian blade.

>>29071404
>>29071389
>>29071337
>>29071323

> I don't think I've mentioned that enchantment is possible or available in this world. And I'm afraid it isn't, not really.

> Well, it depends what kind of enchantment exactly you are talking about. A blade that shoots lightning and fire is no go. Something more real world could be possible. This is more Mount and Blade, not Skyrim.

>>29071435
Then this
>>29071418
Plus map. And whatever else you want to give us. Or not.

>>29071435
Give us a brace of knives and short swords.

If I can't be Dovahkin, I will DAMN SURE be Waylander.

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>>29071306
I WANT A SICK NASTY LIGHT HELM

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>>29071494
>Not being part of the Daedric master race

'Bloody hell, Stella,' you lift her left arm to look at the wound, 'how'd you manage to mess up this badly? Let's bind it-'

'It's fine,' she says.

'It's *not*. We need to keep it from bleeding.' You take a piece of cloth from your belt, and tie it around her flank, doubling on the wounded portion before tightening it. Stella winces a little when you do. 'Well, it's a good thing we didn't slit Marrde's throat.'

'I guess.' Your cloth also has the unintended effect of pushing up her breasts, though, which is nice. Meanwhile Orvo has pulled the two bodies together and is hauling the third, and as you give him a hand with the pants-down guy, Stella goes to loot the bodies.

'Are the horses for food?' She calls out.

'Riding first. We'll bring them back, and see.' Orvo and you set the body down and turn around to see Stella's face suddenly light up. 'What?'

'Ohhhh shit, guys!' Grinning, she unclips a dagger from one of the belts. Then she shows you a purse, which turns out to contain a folded piece of silk... wait... wait a minute, it's a map!

'Holy *shit*!'

'What's that?'

'Our key to succ- oh fucking hell!' Stella holds up a small, silver, knob-like object.

> Loot to come.

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>>29071548
>>29071494
I;m all good with a traditional mask to be worn, but cmon at least pick something that wouldn't hurt us in a fight and is closer to the setting.

>>29071607
kawaii japo oni masks doesn't fit the setting either.

No fucking masks.