It takes two more days of travel to finally exit the mountain pass. After meeting Sadik little else of significant interest occurred, though you did come across what appeared to be the remains of a caravan. There were a number of corpses, each one peppered with the barbed arrows of your people, and several smoldering wagons but no bandits to be seen. Nothing of value either, unfortunately.

You've noticed that the last two days of your journey were significantly easier than the first two. Though that can partially be ascribed to the walls of the pass shading you from the sun's full fury it's your suspicion the armor may have something to do with it. Passively alleviating fatigue and perhaps even enhancing your physical abilities to some extent. You also learned, after a full hour of struggling and experimentation, how to remove the armor. By channeling Vys into the strange forearm guard, you managed to once again get the back to snap open allowing you to slip the armor off.

The Well Flower you picked was more than enough to sustain you on the journey, though you have only two bulbs left. That should be enough to get you to the next city, or at the very least a village where you can barter..
>Full Waterskin
>1 day's worth of food.

File: 1393011697072.png-(1021 KB, 1024x768, Exit of the Pass.png)

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As you finally, gratefully emerge from the mountain pass you're greeted by a vast expanse of rolling green hills. Not a grain of sand or patch of cracked earth in sight, just fields of grass, smoke curling idly skywards from the east and a narrow, winding road in the distance. It's breathtaking, and on some level a little intimidating. You've no knowledge of what predators might lie in these vast fields, no idea what to expect from such a, in your opinion, idyllic landscape.

However, it's far too late to start getting second thoughts. You're here, and you've a mission to carry out. You start walking with Sadik's instructions in mind, go north until you find the old Rhynian road, and then go left at crossroads until you start seeing stele. Still, curiosity nags at you. You wish to explore your new surroundings, perhaps find out the source of that smoke rising to the east?

>Focus on the task at hand, to Licae!
>Sadik didn't give you a time limit, explore!
>Write-in

>>30392226
>Sadik didn't give you a time limit, explore!
maybe we can find something interesting

>>30392226
Sorry I'm late OP, hope you're still here.

>Sadik didn't give you a time limit, explore!

>>30392226
>Sadik didn't give you a time limit, explore!
Sure, let's check out the area. That's basic adventure shit right there.

>Explore
Writin'!

>>30392533
Knew I forgot something.

You decide that it'd be best to get a feel for your new surroundings before continuing on to Licae. Plus, it might be a good idea to see about buying or scavenging some more food before anything else.

Of course, what draws your eye is that lazy column of smoke to the east. Could it be a village? A traveler's campsite? Bandits? Knowing more could only be beneficial, and so you set off eastwards. Between the cliff face to your right and the tall grass that seems to surround the beaten path northwards you feel well hidden, though you're concerned your colorful robes may give you away to any careful observer.

After perhaps a mile you find yourself on a hilltop, looking down upon what appears to be a collapsed watchtower. Practically nested within the ruined foundations of the old watchtower is a small tent, probably only large enough for one person. A particularly large campfire burns a safe distance from the tent, more a bonfire really, but why one person would need to construct such a large fire is beyond you. You don't see anyone in the camp, but they may still be sleeping. It's still early morning.
>Go down and investigate
>Wait, see if anyone appears.
>Write-in

>>30392750
>>Wait, see if anyone appears

>>30392750
>>Go down and investigate

>>30392750
>Wait, see if anyone appears.
No time limit, remember?

>Writing for Wait and See

>>30393028
Well the pic is foreboding enough.

File: 1393015056759.jpg-(197 KB, 700x1165, Strange Devil Woman!.jpg)

197 KB JPG

(Oy vey, posted my image with the wrong post!)

You opt to wait, and hunker down in the tall grass. You can't imagine that anyone in the camp would be able to spot you from this distance and you're fairly confident that you're well concealed.

After perhaps an hour, though it's hard to tell with the sun largely hidden behind the cliffs, you see the grass part and a... woman? You think it's a woman, though it's hard to tell, enters the clearing. She is garbed strangely, a black shawl draped over her head and ornamented with gold trinkets and bird feathers. She seems to have horns growing from her forehead, a thin strand of gold strung between them. It summons to mind images your people have of Surya's servants, great beast with the heads of bulls bent on destruction of your people's enemies. She's far too pale to be Samja though...

She carries with her a bow, you recognize it done in the Rhynian style. It's a mess of wires and metal, filled full of holes. Looks like a fragile mess prone to malfunction to your eyes, but what do you know? She also seems to be dragging some sort of animal behind her, roughly the size of a man, hard to make out what exactly it is from here.

>Try to get closer for a better look
>Call out from here
>Try to sneak away
>Write-in

>>30393063
>Try to get closer for a better look

>>30393063
>Call out from here
We have armour if she decides to be hostile. Sneaking like a rat doesn't give a great first impression anyways.

>>30393063
>>Call out from here

Oops, forgot to mention
>Writing for call out.

You stand up, spear leaned casually against your shoulder and hand resting against the belt of your armor. She seems to notice you fairly quickly, dropping that... animal, thing and drawing an arrow from a quiver at her hip. You note, absentmindedly, that the arrow is barbed, much like your own people's arrows. She nocks the arrow but doesn't raise the bow into a firing position, so at least she isn't immediately hostile.

You call out loudly in your horribly accented Rhynian. “Hello, stranger! I have not the intention to harm!”

She responds back, clumsily you note, in your native tongue. “What is of your wants, dung fetcher?”

Not a very friendly one, this.
>Mention you're new to the area, ask for directions
>Offer to pay for a portion of that animal she's killed
>You're just being friendly, is all.
>Write-in

>>30393257
>Mention you're new to the area, ask for directions
or
>Offer to pay for a portion of that animal she's killed
She'd be suspicious I bet if we didn't call her out for a reason.

>>30393286
seconded

>>30393286
>>30393295
So which one, guys?

>>30393257
>Mention you're new to the area, ask for directions

Writing for
>Mention you're new

File: 1393017109914.png-(350 KB, 689x429, Boar.png)

350 KB PNG

You raise your hand in what you hope is a placating gesture, though you suddenly realize you're not quite familiar with the customs here. She doesn't seem to get offended because of it.

“No need to be so hostile, friend!” You respond in your native tongue. “I'm merely new in the area, I saw the smoke from your fire and sought to get directions from someone who knew the terrain better.”

She seems to take a few moments to process what exactly it is you've said, responding slowly. “Yes, then, dung fetcher.” Does she not know Senyana is an insult? There doesn't seem to be any vitriol behind it... “I will help you. Keep your hands in the open.”

She visibly relaxes with that, sliding the arrow once more into her quiver and grabbing hold of one of the creature's... you think that's a tusk. Perhaps some kind of large rodent? Regardless, you approach cautiously and keep your hands above the grass line, by the time you pick your way down to the clearing where the woman has set camp, she's drawn a knife and started to slice up whatever strange animal it is she's killed.

>Ask about her
>Ask about that creature
>Ask about nearby towns and villages
>Write-in

>>30393593
>Ask about that creature
We haven't had any meat in a long while. Sure as hell would be the first thing on my mind.

>>30393593
>>Ask about that creature
kill the beast
spill it's blood
cook it's flesh
i'm hungry

>>30393593
>Ask about the creature
We're rich and hungry.
Also tell her how she is addressing us.

Writing for
>Ask about that creature

After living on plants for almost a week, you could really go for some meat. Roasted on a spit above an open fire, rubbed with oils and the spices of your homeland...

Your fantasies of kebab remind you just how hungry you are, and your stomach voices it's displeasure loudly. This seems to draw a reproachful glance from the woman but you clear your throat. “So... what is that creature? Some sort of rat? We have nothing of the sort back home.”

Again, a long pause before the woman responds. “It's called kapros, dung fetcher. They are a animal of the plains, docile, good for food. Not a rat.” You'd never think to call an animal that looks like it might casually bite a man's leg off docile, but you suppose she's the expert here... that method of address is really starting to annoy you.

“How much would I need to pay in exchange for a portion of meat?” She looks at you oddly, as if you'd just insulted her mother.

“What kind of cur do you think I am, that I'd extort a traveler to dine with me? If you will be patient, I will cook.” With that, she jerks her hands and a loud snap rings out through the clearing. The creature's left front leg breaks away, the bone severed cleanly. She swiftly skins it and sets the hide aside, before setting the severed limb on a rock by the fire to roast.

After she's finished the woman turns to you, appraising you briefly. “Where did you get that armor? Quite a rare find, only a few ever found in the ruins of this region.”
(Options in next post.)

>What do you tell the woman about your armor?

>Also, you've got some time before the leg is finished cooking. Choose at least two from below
>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.
>Ask about villages/towns
>Ask about ruins
>Ask about her

>>30394006
>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.
>Ask about villages/towns
Don't say anything about the armor.

>>30394006
>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.
>Ask about villages/towns

>>30394006
>>What do you tell the woman about your armor?
We bought it for a rather large sum of money.

>>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.

>>30394006
found it a few days ago after searching through some ruins (not really a lie, we did find it in the cart)
>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.
>Ask about her

>>30393960
Wait, did she just sever a leg by yanking it really hard? Am I misreading that or shouldn't we be surprised?

>>30394006
Tell her the truth, that you bought it cheap because the merchant didn't know what it was. She obviously knows what it is and she's being very accommodating, so why be secretive about it?

>Bring up that she's been insulting you for a while now.
>Ask about villages/towns

>>30394057
i got the same impression but hey figured some groups are just very strong.

>>30394057
>Wait, did she just sever a leg by yanking it really hard? Am I misreading that or shouldn't we be surprised?
That does seem to be the case, you couldn't quite tell what it was she was doing but it looked like she just twisted the damn thing and it snapped off. Unsettling certainly, though not really all that strange to you.

>Writing for insulting us and villages/towns. Will try to mix the armor responses together coherently.

You debate whether or not to say anything about the armor, but in the end wave a hand dismissively and try to seem nonchalant about it. “Ahh, yes. The armor I bought from a merchant, quite expensive, but he didn't really know what he was selling.” She looks at you oddly again, you'd want to call it... disdainfully? Enviously? A lot of her expressions look really weird to you, come to think of it. They're very subtle, or maybe minimal would be a better word. She doesn't say anything though.

You decide to bring up that she's been using a rather rude word to refer to you. “You know that dung fetcher is an insult, yes? I've been thrown out of villages for less.” You try to adopt a bit of a joking tone, though it has irked you. She looks taken aback. “What? I was what you called the... people who kill animals!”

You shake your head, trying not to laugh. “No, nothing of the sort. That would be sikarida. Senyana is one who cleans stables.” You explain. At least she seems properly contrite. “There are no hard feelings though, stranger! Just a misunderstanding. Why don't you tell me of the towns and villages in the area and we call it even, yes?”

(1/2)

She spends the next half hour or so giving you a rundown of the region. Apparently she is from a village built into the cliff face, further to the east. It's a mining town, under the protection of a city-state far to the north, almost all the way on the coast. Apparently the region is fairly peaceful, except for something she called “magical experiments” escaping from the old Rhynian ruins. You don't quite understand how a magical experiment could escape anything. Perhaps some sort of persistent spell? But that's impossible... well, you'll probably find out later.

About the time she's wrapping up the explanation the creature's leg is done, fat and grease spitting as the heat boils them away. She wraps her hand in a thick cloth and gently picks the leg up by the hoof, setting it down on an old stone and carving it up before handing you a heavy portion of juicy, roasted thigh. It's unseasoned and a little stringy for your taste, but after so long with nothing but tough plant fibers it's a delicacy.

>Ask if the woman could show you to her village, mention the need for supplies
>Ask what she knows about Licae, and ruins in that area
>Ask what she knows of these “magical experiments”
>Write-in

>>30394508
>>Ask if the woman could show you to her village, mention the need for supplies

>>30394508
>>Ask if the woman could show you to her village, mention the need for supplies

>>30394508
>Ask if the woman could show you to her village, mention the need for supplies
Best opportunity to check it out.

Writing

You careful nibble at your portion of leg while it cools, although despite your caution you end up with a burned tongue anyway. After your hunger is sated and all that remains of the kapros' thigh is a few discarded tendons, you stand up and stretch luxuriously. “That was a relief, you have my thanks for sharing your kill with me. Would it be too much to ask you to lead me to your village? I require supplies for my travels and have money to spend.”

She once more seems to draw herself up at the mention of money, almost like it's a dirty word. You're really not quite sure what to make of it. She doesn't say anything about it though. Instead she simply nods. “Very well, I can lead you to the village. You'll be expected to meet the headsman-” Why would you need to meet an executioner? “-and make an oath to abide by our laws.”

You indicate that the terms are agreeable and while she goes to pack up her tent and belongings, you extinguish the fire. She returns to grab hold of the boar once more by the tusk and proceeds to casually drag it behind her, as if it weighs nothing, as she leads you east.

En route to the village, she stops and seems to contemplate something. “You know, we have not properly introduced. What are you called?”

>Well, what are you called?
>Go for an Iranian/Indian/Arabic sorta theme.

>>30394899
Mikhael

>>30394899
Hakim Abdul

>>30394899
Abdul Omar Abdul

I'll go with.
>Mikhael Abdul-Hakim

>Writing

>>30395028
Hakim is actually more of title. I suppose it works as a family name too.

File: 1393022783438.jpg-(40 KB, 680x287, Khmedi.jpg)

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>>30395115
I chose that configuration because Abdul means Slave Of/Servant Of. Your family were probably formerly slaves to some ruler of some sort and took it as a surname.

>>30394899
You respond promptly. “I'm humbly called Mikhael Abdul-Hakim. You may call me Mikhael.” She nods after a moment, and responds simply. “Chryssa Avci.” before continuing on. The rest of the journey is silent except for some idle chatter. Inane gossip that you mostly tune out.

You see the village miles before you're anywhere near it. You were expecting it to be carved into the cliff face, a practice common amongst your people for smaller villages. This town seems perched precariously upon a massive spire jutting off of the cliff face, connected by an arched Rhynian bridge that seems suspended in thin air. Chryssa leads you to an old road that snakes its way up the cliff face.

By the time you reach the top, the sun is starting its decent. You'd estimate it a few hours after noon roughly. You also note that the sun isn't as harsh here as it is in your homeland, though that could be a result of your new armor. A pleasant breeze blows across the top of the plateau you find yourself standing and you're quite comfortable garbed as you are.

(1/2)

Your guide leads you up to the bridge, where two guards eye you suspiciously. They're wearing simple padded armor and wielding axes, though they don't share the horns Chryssa has atop her head. Honestly, they don't look all that intimidating. You hear them whisper amongst each other as you pass by but don't catch a word of what they're saying. As you approach the end of the bridge your path is blocked by twin stone gates, from the top of which a man shouts down in a language you don't understand. Chryssa shouts something back, and there seems to be some sort of argument, before he once more turns his attention to you. This time he shouts in Rhynian. “You come to trade, yes? You have coin? There is a fee for entry!”

>This seems fishy, Chryssa mentioned no such thing. Ask to see the leader.
>Well nothing to do but pay. Not worth the hassle of making a scene.
>Write-in

>>30395567
>This seems fishy, Chryssa mentioned no such thing. Ask to see the leader.

>>30395567
>>Well nothing to do but pay. Not worth the hassle of making a scene.
I'm sure it's fine

>>30395567
>>Write-in
Ask Chryssa if there really is a fee for entry.

>>30395567
>>This seems fishy, Chryssa mentioned no such thing. Ask to see the leader.

>Writing for "This Seems Fishy"
>You'll confirm whether or not it is in fact fishy with Chryssa first.

You look to your companion, raising an eyebrow. “A fee?” She mutters quietly in samjan “Incompetent, lying, diseased dung fetcher.” And several other words you don't understand but can only assume are further comments on his moral fiber before folding her arms in front of her chest and staring at the stone gates. You're unsettled that someone apparently so angry can hold a neutral expression. Hopefully the whole town isn't like that.

You look up at the man and loudly bang the bronze haft of your spear against the flagstones of the old Rhynian bridge. The tone rings out loudly, echoing through the still air at the top of the plateau and you brusquely respond. “I'll be paying coin to no one, except your leader. Fetch him.” He raises his voice, and shouts something you don't understand. Well, it seems like at least the men aren't stone faced and unreadable. You also note he rather casually referred to money. Maybe it's something about gender?

His ranting and raving eventually attracts the attention of someone whom you assume is his commanding officer, though he... seems somewhat drunk, quite frankly. He's definitely stumbling a little bit as he walks across the parapet. The two men on the wall seem to be consulting amongst one another, this is really starting to wear on your patience. What the hell kind of backwater culture treats guest this way?

>Demand to be let in
>Offer to pay the stinking bribe
>Wait patiently for whatever decision the two men come to
>Write-in

>>30396057
>>Wait patiently for whatever decision the two men come to

>>30396057
>>Wait patiently for whatever decision the two men come to

>>30396057
>Wait patiently for whatever decision the two men come to

im pretty sure that money is looked down on in this culture since every time we mention it she is upset

>>30396057
>Wait patiently for whatever decision the two men come to
Much more of this and I'd be okay just turning around and leaving. We don't even need to sleep, just use Vis to walk all night.

>Writing for wait

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You wait patiently. Perhaps restraint will help your case, and besides it's not like you speak their language. For all you know the commanding officer is giving orders to open the gate. It's not long before the two men come to some sort of agreement. The man who demanded a fee from you marches away angrily. The commander waves down to you absentmindedly and calls out in damn near perfect Rhynian. “Just a moment, just a moment. Pro eo deprecor of him.” Yeah, he definitely went a little over your head there towards the end. Still, it seems like after a moment of inspecting something on his end he pulls a lever and the left gate slowly grinds open, just enough that you can slip through after Chryssa.

Inside the town is picturesque, it seems this is a market district, merchants run this way and that using some sort of bipedal lizard as a pack animal, and a few seem to use them as mounts too. It might be worth looking into one of those as a way to decrease travel time. Others peddle jewelry, weapons, armor, food, just about anything a man could ask for. The man who let you in descends a spiral staircase from the top of the gates and grins magnanimously when he sees you. “Mazhar is simply frustrated, please do not begrudge him. Now, you wanted to speak with our leader yes?”

(1/2)

Chryssa says something, you're finding out that you really don't like being left out of the loop when two people are obviously speaking about you. Eventually, she nods and walks ahead of you. “Follow me, I'll take you to the town hall. She's just going ahead to announce you to the executioner.”

Huh... you'd thought you'd misunderstood something earlier.
>Insist that you just need to buy some food, then you'll be leaving
>Might as well follow him, two out of three of the people you met so far have been okay...
>Write-in

>>30396440
>>Might as well follow him, two out of three of the people you met so far have been okay...

>>30396440
>>Might as well follow him, two out of three of the people you met so far have been okay...

>>30396440
>Might as well follow him, two out of three of the people you met so far have been okay...

Just a question: that blade we bought is hidden on us, yes? Do we have to worry if we suddenly find ourselves in a fight or can we equip it fast enough that it doesn't matter?

>>30396440
>>Might as well follow him, two out of three of the people you met so far have been okay...

>>30396522
>Just a question:
The blade is quite well hidden within the sleeves of your robes, yes. Unless someone was specifically looking for it, it'd be damn near impossible to find.

The time it takes to grab it from its hiding place and deploy the blade is negligible, yes.

>writing for follow

File: 1393026385147.jpg-(205 KB, 680x680, Council Chambers.jpg)

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You decide to follow the man. After all, you seemed to have caused such a fuss just getting through the gates, and two thirds of the people you've met have been pretty generally okay. It's not like they'd go lopping off the head of every visitor that rolls into town.

The commander leads you through the city streets at a rather leisurely pace. He seems easily distracted, definitely a little drunk. You're pretty sure he gets lost a few times in his own city. You're starting to get frustrated when he stops in front of a large building. You can definitely see some Rhynian and Hiacian influences in the architecture. Large columns support the ceiling while intricate geometric patterns crawl their way across the floor in black and white marble. The spaces are open and airy, while at the same time very orderly, symmetric, and precise. You don't quite know what to make of it, though you find the touches of home rather comforting.

You're led up a long staircase to a single, tall door made of wrought bronze. A seal you don't recognize is gently etched into the surface, it looks to be a Kapros' head surrounded by some sort of knotwork. The commander pushes the door open without pause and the chamber inside is rather somber compared to the bright, cheery exterior. Light streams in from high windows, illuminating rows of wooden benches surrounding a depression in the center, where a round table sits.
(1/2)

At the round table, three people seem to be quietly chatting, and you think drinking wine. One of them is Chryssa, who sits to the left of a rather regal looking gentleman in flowing black velvet robes and pointedly does not drink. The other is a man who you take for a corpse at first, you're fairly confident he's sleeping next to the 'executioner'.

The commander leads you down a flight of stairs to the round table, opposite the three seated individuals. The man you presume to be their leader dismisses the commander with a wave and a few words you don't understand before turning his attention to you. “Take a seat, and tell me why you've come here.”

You're a little put off they treat the arrival of a simple traveler so seriously.

>What do you tell him?

>You've come merely to trade, and you intend to leave as soon as possible
>You might stay a few days and explore the surrounding area.
>You're having second thoughts about this, you'll leave immediately.

>>30397040
>>You've come merely to trade, and you intend to leave as soon as possible

>>30397040
>You've come merely to trade, and you intend to leave as soon as possible

>>30397040
>You've come merely to trade, and you intend to leave as soon as possible

Guess we'll keep looking for a town to settle down in...

>>30397040
>>You've come merely to trade, and you intend to leave as soon as possible
yeah no reason to cause a scene.

btw, I think we should seriously look into buying the best mount our money can buy. and a shit ton of food.
and doubling back for that huge crate of coin we found. With a mount we should carry easily a multiples of what we got the first time around. and we could spend time looking a nice big town and buy some magical gear and train our skills with out worry for money

You decide it would be best not to stick around too long, lest you overstay your welcome. With that in mind you clear your throat politely and hesitantly say. “I'm merely here to purchase some food and supplies, I'll be leaving as soon as I get what is necessary.”

The executioner draws himself up, you note he's at least a head taller than anyone else you've seen in the village, granted that only makes him slightly taller than you are. He's also rather broad. “I'm glad to hear it-” Well that seems like a backhanded insult. “-but I must insist, for the sake of hospitality, you stay the night in the guest wing of the council chambers. It's only polite.”

The old man seems to stir himself, reaching into his robes and drawing forth a stone slab which he clutches to his chest.

>What do?
>Assent to stay the night.
>Insist on leaving
>Ask him some questions?

>>30397390
>>Assent to stay the night.

Looks like we're not getting any sleep tonight.

OP is gonna go get some eats. Back in 10-30 minutes.

>>30397390
>>Assent to stay the night.
Sounds great, after we see the room go to the market, to see the wares this city has to offer.

>>30397390
>Assent to stay the night.

we cant just insult him and not stay, i suggest we sleep in our armor though

>>30397361
I think we should get on this ruin expedition, use the money to buy a work animal and cart, go back and take ALL of the cache, then laugh because we'll have more money then we know what to do with, easily recouping the cost to retrieve it.

>>30397390
>Assent to stay the night.
I have a feeling this will be the least easy night we'll spend since we've been exiled. At least we can get to know the demon lady.

>>30397390
Stay the night also Ask him about their culture hopefully this won't be seen as rude.
Who knows what you might find out.

>>30397609
Possibly a group of people who excecute guests in their sleep? Sleep with one eye open friend.

Back, writing and eating.

>Assent to stay the night

>>30397695
Good thing we roman assassin now with the hidden blade

>>30397806
We Ezio now

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>>30397967
From the description of our current armour I think this was a safe bet to our appearance thoughts anybody?

>>30397967
lol.
>>30397806
but yeah, it helps that the armor is conforming as fuck.

>>30398050
The armor rather reminded me of something the Caesars Legion in Fallout New Vegas

File: 1393029432603.jpg-(308 KB, 520x736, 1392690100194.jpg)

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>>30398050
this was the pic used to describe it

You decide to stay the night. After all, it seems like refusing would be more liable to get you in trouble than anything else. “Very well, I will gladly accept your hospitality.” You say promptly. You try to sound confident and grateful while saying it but you don't think it really got through in your tone.

The executioner claps his hands together excitedly, an inordinately loud gesture in the empty meeting hall. “Excellent! Now then, all you'll have to do is swear that so long as you reside within the walls of our village you will abide by our law code. I'll let Ozman explain it to you.”

The old man next to the executioner peels the stone slab away from his chest and clears his throat. He speaks slowly as he seems to run down the list. The gist of it is don't kill people, don't steal, don't fraternize with samjan, don't disturb the peace, and don't question the executioner.

That middle one was a little concerning. Why on earth would these pale skinned, blunt eared, maladaptive humans and your inbred, idiotic, quarrelsome cousins the elves not want to associate with their betters?

>Bite your tongue and swear the oath.
>Bring up that middle one, why your people specifically?
>Write-in

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>>30398083
Can't wait to upgrade

>>30398083
Everyte I tried to load up the pic it showed an error and wouldn't display thanks for the post

>>30398112
>>Bite your tongue and swear the oath.

>>30398112
>>Bring up that middle one, why your people specifically?

>>30398112
>Bite your tongue and swear the oath.
Let's just go along with it and book at daylight. I have an awful feeling about these people.

>>30398112
>Bring up that middle one, why your people specifically?

Let's see how he responds. I'm curious as to how fanatic these guys are.

>>30398112
>>Bring up that middle one, why your people specifically?

>Bring up that middle one
Writin'

>>30398112
What's a samjan? Could I get quick overview?

>>30398272
Right, sorry. Keep forgetting to distribute this pastebin.
http://pastebin.com/zgi0EQQb
The race you come from is called the samja, the plural is samjan. They're a dark skinned race related to the elves, taller and frailer than their counterparts. Very magically powerful. Very religious.

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>>30398335
>Plus, they commit infanticide on a mass scale in the name of eugenics
JESUS FUCK WHY DID YOU TELL HIM THAT WE'RE JAMJA?

You're not going to let such an insult go unaddressed. You've had just about enough of these people to begin with. Still, you are their guest and even if they have no sense of common decency and hospitality your people do. “Why my people specifically? What have we done to you, that has earned such ire?” You say forcefully, though try to maintain some semblance of calm.

The executioner crosses his arms and you can see Chryssa, who until now has been stock still and silent, tense up. “You desert dwelling savages have spent the last thousand years raiding our trade routes, sacking our cities, and raping our women. Just because you've gotten your act together over the last century doesn't mean we're going to forgive the crimes of the past.”

You honestly have no idea what he's talking about. You suppose that a century ago the western tribes were unified under the Shahdom of El-Amin but even before that, it wasn't terribly common for your people to leave their homeland. Perhaps he's referring to Aghtaki like you, banished criminals, forming war bands?

>Point out that your people never carried out any organized campaign against them
>Quietly accept what he's said and plan to get the hell out of town at the crack of dawn.
>Write-in

>>30398504
>>Quietly accept what he's said and plan to get the hell out of town at the crack of dawn.
please don't make him angrier

>>30398504
>Quietly accept what he's said and plan to get the hell out of town at the crack of dawn.

Let's not push it, we probably won't get through to him anyway.

>>30398504
>Quietly accept what he's said and plan to get the hell out of town at the crack of dawn.

I really don't want to provoke him. We still haven't done our trading, right? How about we try sneaking out of town? Better to throw his hospitality in his face and bail then stick around and get murdered in our sleep.

>>30398389
Lol also were prone to insanity
Can you hear the voices Too?!
( I hope we were against infanticide which is the real reason we got banished)

>>30398504
>>Quietly accept what he's said and plan to get the hell out of town at the crack of dawn.
but i still say we get our mount.

>>30398504
Ah I see your concerns have merits to them. I suppose I wouldn't be able to turn the cheek if such atrocities were being committed. Though the past is the past and I hope we can establish some form of agreements or a lasting friendship. ( any thoughts on this? I thought we play the bigger man err elf)

>Quietly accept
Writing!

You decide that pointing out he's misplaced his anger, leveling it against a whole race instead of merely at bandits that plague every society, would likely only incite his ire and leave you more likely to be killed in your sleep. Still, it's a bitter pill to swallow. You level a glare at the executioner as you swear the oath and plan to get out of town as quickly as physically possible.

The oath is simple enough itself. You place your hand upon the stone slab on which the laws are written and speak as directed. “I do solemnly swear to uphold the local ordinances to the best of my ability.” With that, it's done. The old man tucks the stone slab once more into his robes. The executioner nods his head approvingly.

The executioner stands from the table and rest his hand on a sword at his hip. It's straight, and rather narrow. Not at all like your people's swords. Thinner even than the blade hidden in your sleeve. “Very well then, for the period you dwell within this village Chryssa will be responsible for you.” You don't like that tone, it implies you're incapable of looking after yourself. “She'll escort you to and from your rooms, and around the marketplace.” His piece said, the executioner turns and marches out of the room.

>Just get up and go to the markets. Lets get this over with, maybe sneak out.
>Ask Chyssa to take you to your rooms
>Explore the city
>Write-in

>>30398896
>>Just get up and go to the markets. Lets get this over with, maybe sneak out.

>Explore the city

>>30398896
>>Just get up and go to the markets. Lets get this over with, maybe sneak out.
I doubt this place has anything interesting other than the markets. Maybe a library

>>30398896
Ask Chryssa about the mounts and what's their most basic customs

>>30398896
>Just get up and go to the markets. Lets get this over with, maybe sneak out.
Ya, maybe forgo a mount for now. Harder to take out of the city. We'll find another town eventually, heck, we can ask Chryssa about any around.

>>30398972
Maybe we should look for a mount after we've gone exploring those ruins. We can't exactly bring it in with us, and we're stealthier if we don't bring an animal along.

>>30398896
>>Just get up and go to the markets. Lets get this over with, maybe sneak out.
>>30398972
no.. we need a mount. we have all of our gear, we can just leave afterwards with it.
>>30399048
and we can save overall time and less likely to run into trouble if we have to sleep less times out in the wild. and possibly out run bandits.
the benefits out weigh any small issues a mount comes with.

>Writing
>Going to the marketplace, asking after the lizard mounts.

>>30399133
>lizard mounts
Holy shit

>>30399106
Nah, we just need a mount to get that money we left behind. I'd rather go search the ruins on foot, less liability.

We still need to go back to the previous ruins and get the rest of the gold.

>>30399178
It's silver.

>>30399157
I don't think a mount's enough. We'll want a cart and another animal to pull it. We take the whole cache at once rather then take it piecemeal, less chance of someone else finding it.

>>30399178
we may want to what until we have a base or something so that we dont get robed for carrying a GIANT crate of silver.

wonder if we can fix up a ruin and make a base out of it somewere else

>A slight clarification on the amount of silver left in the old mint.
>It was probably about 1200 silver pieces by your estimate, about a hundred pounds worth of silver, and you're fairly certain you saw those lizard beast hauling way more than that on their backs.
>Of course, you didn't open every last crate in the mint, there might still be more yet undiscovered.

>>30399203
I wonder what artifacts we'll find in the ruins. Horseless carriage maybe?

>>30399249
That's good. But like >>30399230
said, we might want a stable base before after the rest

>>30399230
Good point maybe an old Rhynian ruin (Don't know I I spelt that right) might be a good place to start

>>30399261
We really should hurry with that, it's not as if the stuff is secure. It may all be gone after a couple months.

>>30399230
>>30399288
I think the best place to set up our home base would be in a city or town; they'll have the security that a ruin out by a road wouldn't when unattended.

Those guys are probably expecting us to come back if they realize we found the silver. Let's hope it doesn't turn into some Ali Baba shenanigans.

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You get up and stalk out of the room, knuckles white due to how hard you grasp your spear. You could show them, show them all for insulting your people!

Then again, that would just be proving them right. You're above such petty revenge. They're going to tolerate you for the duration of your stay the least you can do is tolerate them. You take a moment to breath deeply and enter a meditative calm like your old master once taught you before pushing the etched bronze door open and exiting into the refreshingly cool breeze and warm sunlight of the late afternoon.

You belatedly note that Chryssa has followed you. She seems uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot impatiently as if she wants to say something. Same stone faced expression though.

“Tell me about those lizard creatures I saw people riding in the marketplace.” You instruct her, after you've taken a moment to calm yourself. She nods, and while you walk through back to the marketplace by the gate she explains what they are. Apparently her people call them guar, they're a fairly common beast out on the plains. They're good for food, transport, and labor. Apparently they don't require much in the way of water but will eat a farmer out of house and home if not carefully managed.

About that time you reach the marketplace and once more the sights and sounds are almost overwhelming. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of people mill about buying and selling. What do you look for first?

(Choices in next post.)

>Food
>General Supplies (Clothing, tools, storage)
>Guar
>Weapons and Armor are also available, though of questionable use to you.

>>30399449
>>Guar
We Elder Scrolls now.

>>30399449
We can't support a guar. After we get some money and can afford to stock up on food, we can come back.

>Food

>Food
>Guar
>General Supplies (Clothing, tools, storage)

in that order. We're good on the combat front.

Also check to see if there's a place where you can learn more about your armor/courier bag/robes.

>>30399472
yup.
>>30399427
btw.
"You start by filling the rest of that coin purse with silver coins, bringing its total contents to 320 coins worth of silver (10gp, 170sp). Next you start filling the bag's smaller pockets, and then the main section itself. In the end, you manage to pack roughly 430 silver pieces in the bag all told. Still, that's barely a dent in the crate's contents.."
I would think that there would be more than that in that crate alone.

>>30399449
Food and maybe some more pouches to carry extra loot
After which inquire about a guar

>>30399449
>>Food
>>General Supplies (Clothing, tools, storage)

A backpack would be nice. Rope, some sort of lighting, other adventure tools.

>>30399449
>food

>>30399500

Scratch that >>30399485, I change my mind. We could probably afford the guar and food to support it now, use it to carry extra loot, then never have to worry about money! At least for a while.

Changing vote to
>guar

>>30399522
second this.

>>30399449
>Guar
Spend money to make money. I'd hate to have to leave behind loot because we couldn't carry it.

>Seems like food and general supplies are popular, writing

>>30399502
You reasoned that what was left was at least double what you took, probably could've worded that better, but it's a bare minimum.

>>30399601
i didn't reason for a specific amount.. im just posting your reply. and noting that I thought that there would be more since we took a large amount in this case "roughly 430 silver pieces in the bag all told. Still, that's barely a dent in the crate's contents" barely a dent doesn't sound to me like we took 1/4th of the loot if your saying there is about 1200 left.
since 400 = 1/4 of 1600

but don't mind me if i am upsetting the story.

You first visit the stall of the food vendor. He has all variety of odd items on offer. There are of course some relatively familiar staples even if the execution is a little different. Salted guar cuts, dried boar jerky, and some variety of dark brown, spongy bread that smells quite fantastic. There are also stranger varieties of food available. Small round black things the vendor calls olives, something that looks like a tiny animal brain called a walnut, what you thought initially were really thick stands of grass are some vegetable called leeks. All variety of things, really.
>Buy a week's worth of dried meat for 10 silver?
>Buy a variety of pastry and vegetables for an additional 5?

Next you visit a vendor selling bits and bobs of no discernible rhyme or reason. You pick out a rope, a lantern, a bottle of lantern oil, a proper crowbar, a hammer, lockpicks, a small tool kit to keep your purchases, and a few additional pouches to carry loot or anything else small. The whole thing cost only four silver after some haggling. It's odd how these people treat money. The merchants almost seem annoyed you offer to pay with coinage rather than haggling.

You notice before leaving though that the merchant has a particularly well made oud, a common instrument in your homeland, on offer. You doubt he knows exactly what he's selling, you could probably get it for a steal.
>Negotiate for the Oud?
>Any other dungeon diving essentials?

>I'll begin writing up the guar merchant.

>Buy food for 15 silver
>Negotiate for the Oud, if nothing we can sell it for a profit elsewhere

>>30399880
>>Buy a variety of pastry and vegetables for an additional 5?
Gotta have that nutritional variety.

>>Negotiate for the Oud?
Yes.
>>Any other dungeon diving essentials?
A staff might be useful.

>>30399962
goddamnit I keep forgetting to quote you

>>30399880
>Buy a week's worth of dried meat for 10 silver?
>Buy a variety of pastry and vegetables for an additional 5?
Yep.

>Negotiate for the Oud?
If it's cheap, why not?

>Any other dungeon diving essentials?
Small mirror to look around corners if sneaking, see where you normally can't fit your head. Also useful for signalling long distances outside.

>>30399962
Good idea. ?The junk merchant we got our quest from would probably buy it for some decent coin.

>>30399977
We use our spear as a walking staff.

>>30399987
Mirror's a great idea.

Do compasses exist in some form in this setting OP?

>>30400037
>compasses
Not really, certain spells under the metal element can serve the same purpose but nobody you know of has been able to find north without looking at the sun and stars, or without using a spell.

>>30399987
this.

considering guars or common shouldn't be to expensive for us which is great.

>>30399987
Get the weeks worth of food and buy the pastries or something else as a gift to Chryssa wouldn't hurt much hopefully. Might be good to have the person whose "Responsible" for us to have a positive opinion on us

You purchase a small mirror, which runs you two silver, and a variety of vegetables, pastries, and meat to eat lavishly for a week. Longer if you ration carefully.
>-21 Silver

The merchant wants to sell the oud for a hundred silver, a price you declare outrageous despite knowing full well it would go for nearly triple that back home. The carvings on the bow are superb and when you gave it a few strums it sounded fantastic. You begin haggling with the merchant, hoping to get him down to at least fifty silver..
>(Roll 3d10)

(1/2)

The guar merchant was crammed into a little corner of the marketplace, even though arguably the stables probably took up the most space. The creatures, guar, seem rather docile. They mill about, and it seems like children passing by can feed them grains of some sort of a nominal fee. That's what the crowd of little kids getting their hands slobbered on would seem to indicate, at least. The merchant selling them seems to be about ten seconds from dozing off. Over all a rather pleasant scene.

You look to Chryssa questioningly. “So, what should I look for when buying guar?” You ask. They all look rather the same to you, none particularly more aggressive or submissive than any other. Same coloration by and large, a few spots of darker brown here and there amongst them but you doubt that's significant.

She takes a moment to ponder the question and then replies slowly. “The ones with longer and thicker tails are usually stronger and hardier, but usually eat more. The longer their teeth are the older they are. If you buy a snaggletoothed guar it's liable to die before you get it out of the stable but they're often cheap. Males usually eat less than the females, and as such are typically desired. A prize winning guar, in the prime of its life, shouldn't cost more than two hundred silver, or a few bushels of grain.” She shrugs. “I was never much of a herder.”

Girded with knowledge, you approach the merchant.
(2/3, I lied)

Rolled 3, 10, 1 = 14

>>30400361

Rolled 8, 7, 2 = 17

>>30400361

Rolled 7, 10, 5 = 22

>>30400361

Rolled 3, 1, 4 = 8

>What kind of guar do you want? Pick one from each category

>Stronger, eats more
>Weaker, eats less

>Older, cheaper
>Younger, more expensive

>Male, eat less, more expensive.
>Female, eat more, less expensive.

(And done)

>>30400404
Younger weaker male

>>30400404
>>Weaker, eats less
>Older, cheaper
>Male, eat less, more expensive.

>>30400404
>Weaker, eats less
>Younger, more expensive
>Male, eat less, more expensive.

>>30400404
>>Weaker, eats less
>>Older, cheaper
>>Male, eat less, more expensive.

>>30400404
>Stronger, eats more
We're going to be rolling in money, and a stronger one helps us get more of it.

>Younger, more expensive

>Male, eat less, more expensive.

Seems like:
>Weaker
>Younger
>Male
Takes it.

Writin'

You negotiate the merchant selling the oud not only down to fifty silver, but down to twenty five. Apparently you convinced him that compared to the average instrument your people create the one he was selling was a toy for children or beginners, you intended only to sell it to some other poor schmuck who knew not what he was buying.
>-25 silver

Negotiations for the guar go smoothly. You make it known you'd like a younger male, and preferably weaker so it won't eat as much. After bringing out a variety of guars for you to inspect (you note, many of them were obviously quite old. He seemed to be trying to pawn them off onto some naïve foreigner) you settle on one you like. It's roughly as tall as the merchant is standing straight, although it's nearly twice as long as it is tall. Its tail is narrow, but it seems a sturdy enough animal as is. The merchant ask a hundred twenty five silver for the animal.

>Accept that price?
>Haggle? (3d10)

(After this, we'll conclude shopping for the day.)

Rolled 7, 3, 9 = 19

>>30400705

Rolled 5, 10, 4 = 19

Forgot to roll the merchant's haggle.

Rolled 2, 10, 9 = 21

>>30400705
>>Haggle? (3d10)

>>30400727
fuck yeah...

>>30400720
>>30400727
>>30400755
Sweet rolls tonight. We should get a bonus to our barter skill after this thread, holy heck.

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>>30400796

>>30400796
I'd rather our stats weren't influenced by the dice.

Alright, writin'.

>>30400755
>>30400720
>Success!

>>30400727
>>30400755
>>30400720
i thought you were rolling for im faily certain thats why no one else rolled. cause we thought you rolled as well and that it would be a great success.

>>30400997
>no one else rolled

Please don't lump us in with your ignorance.

>>30400997
I just rolled the third roll off screen, it was a second 21. I wouldn't just gyp you out of 1 roll due to impatience.

>>30401047
you need 3 rolls for an event breh, read the rules

You discuss with the merchant for a long time, picking out every little imperfection the guar has, or at least every imperfection you think it has (you're still a bit out of your depth quite frankly), and basically being a nitpicking bastard. Eventually you manage to needle the price down to 75 silver pieces, which includes saddle bags, a saddle, and a bag of feed. The merchant seems pretty adamant about not dropping a single coin lower.
>-75 silver
You're left with 32 pieces of silver and 10 gold pieces, each gold piece worth 15 silver. For a total value of 182 silver pieces. Not bad, not bad at all.

By the time you've made all your purchases and saddled your guar, the sun is dipping below the horizon. As night falls a chill descends over the plateau, you're not really used to the cold and find yourself shivering before long. Still, it doesn't seem like the marketplace is slowing down at all and you probably still have some time before businesses start closing up...
>Go find a bar and drink it
>Explore the city, maybe find a library?
>Just go back to your rooms and read, you'll not be getting sleep tonight.
>Write-in

>>30401047
fuck you.
"0 Successes: Severe Failure
1 Success: Failure
2 Successes: Success
3 Successes: Great Success"

unless i am at a loss of understanding. it's three passing rolls. of 15+ in that case.
>>30401069
thank you.

>>30401097
>>Explore the city, maybe find a library?
how does one learn new magic? tomes or experimentation or other wise?
finding a library is always a good thing never know what we can find * if we actually find one*

>Explore the city, maybe find a library?

Chryssa seemed to recognize our armor, maybe we can scrounge up more info on its extra proprieties.

>>30401097
We are the Jew. I don't know how I feel about this.

>Just go back to your rooms and read, you'll not be getting sleep tonight.
I don't like the sound of exploring the city. People don't like our kind and I'd rather not get in a fight.

Rolled 6, 2, 1 = 9

>>30401097
>>Explore the city, maybe find a library?

Rolled 15

Writing for
>Explore the city

>>30401097
>>Explore the city, maybe find a library?

>>30401110
Try to be less hostile namefag.

>>30401208
w.e shit happens.
responding to some asshats ignorance of the rules.

You're starting to get tired, and as the rage over how the executioner slandered your people fades you find it replaced by something of a lethargic melancholy. You'd like to find some place quiet to think and read, so with that in mind you addres Chryssa.

“Do you have a library somewhere in this town?” You ask in your native tongue. She doesn't seem to quite comprehend at first. “A place to store books?” You explain, and that seems to do the trick.

“Yes, we have a library.” She seems to stress that word, committing it to memory. “It's adjacent the council chambers. I'm afraid most of it is in Rhynian or Elven though.” You shrug, you've been meaning to learn more Rhynian anyway and though Elven is a complete mystery to you anything is better than nothing. Besides, you also have a few books of your own you could read if everything in the library proves too dense for you to puzzle out.

(1/2)

As you follow Chryssa it strikes you as odd that a society apparently disdainful and mistrustful of your kind would have a woman in what you can only assume is a position of power who speaks your language more fluently than any other non-native you've been forced to interact with. If nothing else, you question how she could've learned the language. As you quietly ponder this on the trip through the city, you notice that guard at the gate who tried to extort you for money approaching you and Chryssa quite aggressively. He's armed with one of those straight, thin swords the executioner had on his hip and his friends are wielding spears, though they don't seem quite sure what to do with them.

>Point them out to Chryssa, try to ditch them.
>Drop into a fighting stance, prepare for conflict.
>Prepare a paralysis spell and surprise them when they get close. (1 vys)
>Write-in

(I'm starting to get tired, but I want to at least get the MC to the guest chambers before I call it a night.)

>>30401467
>>Point them out to Chryssa, try to ditch them.
Hang in there Soma. I believe in you.

>>30401467
>>Point them out to Chryssa, try to ditch them.

>>30401467
>>Drop into a fighting stance, prepare for conflict.

>>30401467
>Point them out to Chryssa, try to ditch them.

maybe she can make them go away

>>30401525
This

>>30401467
think you might have time for some Q&A before you head to bed?

>>30401566
More than likely, yes. I try to stick around for Q&A after every session.

>Writing for point them out, see if you can ditch them.

Rolled 10, 9, 7 = 26

You gently tap Chryssa on the shoulder, which earns you a scandalized look. You'd think you'd just reached over and groped her. What, do they consider shoulders an erogenous zone too? These people are really starting to irk you in many ways.

You think you must be scowling or something, because she's clearly confused. You point to the guard, what was his name? Mazhar, that's it. You point to Mazhar and his friends, and Chryssa once more turns into a stone faced automaton upon catching sight of them. She folds her hands together, each one slipping into the opposite sleeve of the loose fitting upper garment she wears. Your intuition indicates probably to grab a weapon of some sort.

She whispers to you in your native tongue as the three men approach. “They're looking for a fight...” Well yes, that would be obvious to a blind man. “Even if we win, the executioner would put us both to death for killing guardsmen-” Wait, really? That seems rather... tyrannical. “-Follow me, we can loose them in the alleyways.” With that she sets off at a run towards the nearest alley, leaving you to play catch up. You loose sight of the three men chasing you but you can hear the upset cries of the crowd as they push through, and then their stomping feet across the pavement. You really hope this alley doesn't dead end...

(Roll 3d10! Chase scene!)

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>>30401740
>26
Well... this'll be fun.

>>30401740
lets not fuck up to much!

Rolled 4, 4, 3 = 11

>>30401740

Rolled 2, 3, 8 = 13

>>30401740

Rolled 8, 7, 9 = 24

>>30401740
A low chance is still a chance

Rolled 7, 5, 5 = 17

>>30401740
This isn't going to end well...

Rolled 6, 3, 3 = 12

>>30401783
messed up on roll.

We can use 2 vys to make the 24 succeed. At least it'll just be a regular failure instead of a critical one.

>>30401790
>>30401793
>>30401795
Well it had to happen eventually. Severe Failure! Writing!

>>30401826
Actually, this Anon raises a good point. You could turn the severe failure into a regular failure for 2 Vys.
>Vys Pool: (10/10)

>Do it
>Save it

>>30401848
Activate it

>>30401848
>Do it

>>30401848
>take the failure

>>30401848
>>Do it

Rolled 7, 8, 8 = 23

>>30401848
do it.

>Channel Vys to avoid a severe failure.
You run, you run like your life depends on it because it very well might. You push Vys into your legs and feel your muscles burn with magical power, propelling you through the alleys at a breakneck pace. You leap over, slide under, and slip around obstacles and before long you've not only caught up with Chryssa but overtaken her.

But it's still not enough to contest fate. You reach a dead end, and before you can double back and find another way around the three men block off your passage. Still, it's not as bad as it could've been. You could've banged your head against a overhanging pole and knocked yourself unconscious, or something similarly catastrophic. Instead you and Chryssa turn to face the men, your spear lowered into a fighting stance and her wielding two thin, straight daggers.

>Combat Instigated
Spells
>Water Elemental Spells (Healing and reducing fatigue)
>Paralysis (Temporarily lock an opponent's vys and remove them from battle)
>Poison (Corrupt a person's vys, causing weakness, nausea, and possibly death or unconsciousness.)

>Weapon Affinity (The ability to cast spells channeled through your weapon)

>The enemy has the initiative.

>>30402016
>>Paralysis (Temporarily lock an opponent's vys and remove them from battle)
Paralyze then run

Rolled 1, 3, 5, 5, 10, 5, 1, 4, 3 = 37

Mazhar draws that thin sword of his, it doesn't seem to have a proper blade but the point is wickedly sharp, a stabbing weapon then. He hangs back, and waits for his men to distract you before he tries to strike.

One of Mazhar's spear-wielding thugs closes the distance and clumsily thrust the weapon at Chryssa, who doesn't seem particularly threatened. Honestly, there are a million and one things wrong with his form. You could wreck the guy.

The other charges towards you, spear leveled, seemingly planning to impale you. He seems at least slightly more competent than his companion. Might even be a threat if he gets lucky.

(Roll 3d10+4 to avoid damage.)

>>30402035

Rolled 1, 4, 6 + 4 = 15

>>30402035

Rolled 3, 1, 7 + 4 = 15

>>30402035

Rolled 3, 6, 4 = 13

>>30402035
Dice for the dice throne.

>>30402077
>>30402083
>>30402085
>19, 19, 17 vs 18
>Regular Success

>>30402016
Start with paralysis with spear affinity on Mahzar he seems to know what he's doing unlike his two buddies. Chryssa can probably handle the other two until he's out of the fight. After that try to paralyze the others as well. Save a couple of vys to heal her and yourself afterwards.

>>30402100
It's 15,15,17. Two of them added 4 already.

>>30402100
How do you know we have to beat 18?

>>30402142
Oh shoot, you're right. I didn't notice that. Must be more tired than I thought.
That'd be a severe failure. Man, what's with these combat dice? You could spend 1 Vys to turn it into a regular failure or 4 Vys to turn it into a regular success.

>Vys Pool: (8/10)

>>30402186
The middle 3 rolls out of those 9d10 are for your thug. He rolled 5,10,5 and has a -2 modifier.

>>30402209
>Spend 1 Vys

>>30402209
Dropped my name.

>>30402209
let's spend 4 vys it's all or nothing and we can meditate once we get to the library

>>30402246
We're going to want to use spells. Better to take a regular failure and have Vys left over.

>>30402209
I say spend 4 Vys, we'll still have enough to paralyze all three of them if that's the route we choose.

>>30402209
>Writing for spend 4 Vys.

Rolled 1, 3, 8 = 12

>>30402314
fuck it this.

Rolled 2, 3, 10 = 15

>Chryssa easily dodges Thug 1
>Thug 2 is parried by Mikhael

Chryssa sidesteps the clumsy thrust easily, and closes in on her aggressor with daggers raised. She makes a quick, competent thrust at the man's neck. It seems like she's trying to kill, not wound.

You get overconfident, and your attempt to casually parry the spear of the man charging you fails spectacularly. You whiff completely, spear sailing underneath the man's weapon and completely opening you up to be impaled. Out of desperation you force Vys into your arms and feel it well up through your chest, giving you the strength to rapidly correct yourself and knock the man's spear the other direction. He barely misses you as a result, his weapon sailing past and embedding itself in the ground behind you. He's within easy reach for spells or for a knife in the gut.

>Vys Pool: (4/10) You feel a little weaker, a little depressed. The life's been drained out of you to some extent but it shouldn't effect you in combat.

>Paralyze him, quick!
>Knife him in the gut! No mercy!
>Screw this guy! Attack Mazhar while his friends are incapacitated!
>Write-in

Roll 3d10 regardless of action chosen.

>>30402434
Stab him as hard a he can in the arm.

Rolled 10, 2, 8 = 20

>>30402434
>Paralyze him, quick!

Rolled 10, 4, 2 = 16

>>30402434
Whoops, actually need more dice for Chryssa v Thug 1

Rolled 9, 5, 3 = 17

>>30402434
>>Paralyze him, quick!

Rolled 7, 3, 7 = 17

>>30402474

Rolled 4, 7, 9 = 20

>>30402434
>Knife him in the gut! No mercy!
If Chryssa's trying to kill him, we really have no reason not to. The bastards running this place will pin it on us somehow.

Rolled 6, 3, 5 = 14

>>30402434
>>Knife him in the gut! No mercy!
Slice this nigga

Rolled 8, 5, 5 = 18

>>30402434

Knock the wind out of him and disarm him.

Rolled 4, 10, 4 = 18

>>30402434
>>>Knife him in the gut! No mercy!
sounds like a plan.

Rolled 4, 2, 10 = 16

>>30402434
Let's paralyze him, it may earn us points with Chryssa

btw this sounds like a set up.
but i don't mind. we're clearly going to try and gtfo out of here. after we run out of this alley

>>30402579
Wut? Did you not read the part where she's trying to carve her assailant a new hole to breathe through?

Rolled 2

>>30402477
>>30402478
>>30402488
>22,18,19
>Great Success!

>>30402474
>>30402494
>>30402515
>>30402569
Some variation of knife him

>>30402556
>>30402488
>>30402477
>>30402579
Paralyze/a plan that doesn't kill him.

I'll roll for it, unless I'm missing a vote.

>>30402601
Establishing domination by being skilled enough to capture prey alive is something a hunter would respect, I think. Plus he might be grateful afterwards.

>Chryssa stabs Thug 1 in the throat.
>You paralyze Thug 2 with a spell.

Out of the corner of your eye you see Chryssa struggling with her thug, who seems to have dropped his weapon so he could prevent a knife through his throat. Eventually Chryssa's superior strength wins out and the blade sinks into his neck. He goes down with a gurgling scream.

You, however, are more focused on your own opponent. You feel Vys pool in the palm of your hand, that familiar numbness taking hold and the frost creeping its way up your forearm. You slam your palm forcefully into the thug's abdomen, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to let go of his spear. He stares at you in horror as his joints lock up and it isn't long before he's stock still. You gently knock him aside and face Mazhar, the only enemy left.

>Vys Pool: (3/10) You're definitely feeling a little woozy now. Hollowed out, but you still have a lot of fight left in you.
>Enemy Initiative

Mazhar sees that the two of you have... fairly effortlessly killed or incapacitated his men. Of course, he doesn't realize you feel about ten minutes from passing out (Thank you Vatis training). He turns and runs away, seeing that as his best chance at survival.

>Pursue?
>Let him go, you need to get the hell outta dodge.

>>30402710
>>Let him go, you need to get the hell outta dodge.
Leave before we collapse right there and then

>Let him go

We're exhausted and I'll take a sure victory over unknown consequences any day.

>>30402710
>>Let him go, you need to get the hell outta dodge.
take our newly bought mount of for a quick getaway.

>>30402710
>>Let him go, you need to get the hell outta dodge.

>Let him go, get outta there
Writin'

>>30402710

Damn I didn't expect her to go for the kill like that. Makes me wonder about her position in the town, and her willingness (or duty??) to break the law by consorting with us.

You decide he's not worth the effort, and it seem Chryssa agrees with you because she's busy digging through the dead and paralyzed guards' pockets. Y'know, for someone seemingly so squeamish about money she certainly doesn't mind looting their coin purses, along with something that looks like incense if you had to guess.

As she finishes looting, the two of you swiftly make your way out of the alleys. Your guar is near where you left it, grazing on a patch of grass happily. You slide your spear into a sling attached to your saddlebags and prepare to climb into the saddle. To your mild surprise Chryssa taps you on the shoulder. Seriously, the least these people could do is be consistent in their shoulder touching taboos.

“Wait for me at the bottom of the cliff face, I need to fetch some things, then I will catch up.” With that, she nods and runs off.

These people are odd, you decide.
>Just get the hell out, don't wait for her at the bottom of the hill. You have all you could possibly need to survive.
>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all.
>Try to play it cool, maybe the executioner won't find out!
>Write-in

>>30402935
>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all

she seems alright

>>30402935
>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all.

>>30402935
>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all.
be bear the cliff.
make sure we have an escape route with some cover.

>>30402935

Get out and wait for her. She helped us, and not only that, she's capable and knows these lands. If she was going to turn on us, she would've done so when the guards attacked.

>>30402935
>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all.
It's a longshot with a guar with us, but could we find a place out of sight at the bottom of the hill? We can't read these people, and some paranoia seems justified.

>>30402966
i still have a bad feeling she might be in on it. but i doubt it with her killing a man and all.

>>30402935
>>Get out, wait for her. It's only fair, she helped you out after all.
>>30402987
Don't have to live with her forever. We'll break away.

>Writing

You kick the guar in the flanks gently, as the merchant who sold you the thing instructed. You may have done it a little too hard, because the animal immediately sets off at a run through the crowded city streets. Fortunately the center of the road seems cleared exactly for this sort of occurrence and you make good time to the great stone city gates, which are sealed shut.

Compounding the difficulty inherent in gates trapping you in a hostile, racist city is that guard commander that let you into the city in the first place. He's completely wasted drunk and passed out next to the controls. To be honest, you don't feel too far from joining him atop your guar.

By Surya above and Pani below, no wonder your people raided this slop show of a town. This would never stand in a samjan village, it seems like half the city guard should be put to death.

>Go up there, pull levers until the gates open
>Call out, try to wake him up.
>Write-in

>>30403116
>>Call out, try to wake him up.

He didn't seem too bad.

>>30403116
>Call out, try to wake him up.
We gonna roll bluff/speechcraft for this? It's kind of like bartering, so it'll probably go well.

>Call out, try to wake him up.

trusting people. what could go wrong?

>>30403164
we're so fucked...

>>30403116

Call out to him and try and get him to open the gates for us. Initially I wanted to sneak out, but if someone finds the gate open and him asleep it may be more difficult for Chryssa to leave.

>Call out to him.
You raise your voice, shouting at the drunken man in Rhynian. "Hey! Hey! Commander! Wake up!" He stirs, but doesn't wake. You channel a little bit of Vys into your throat, a simple trick even in your weakened state, and try again. "HEY!" Your voice is a clarion call through the night air, you hear animals whining and people angrily shouting in the distance, probably about noise. He jolts awake, and you release the Vys so it can recede once more into your available pool.

The few merchants left in the marketplace at this hour watch you and the guard commander bemusedly. He staggers to his feet and squints down at you. "Who-whassit y'want, wakin' me at this hour?!"

>3d10 to convince him to open the gate.
>He's completely sozzled, it probably won't be too hard.

i think we might have been better off killing this commander off. and anyone else we could while they were still asleep. but then again we're already tired as it is.. so goo dfucking luck.

Rolled 7, 6, 8 = 21

>>30403244
Rollan

>>30403244
>>He's completely sozzled, it probably won't be too hard.

Rolled 2, 5, 3 = 10

>>30403244
make it happen

Rolled 9, 2, 1 = 12

>>30403244
>He's completely sozzled, it probably won't be too hard.
You've jinxed us.

Rolled 7, 2, 10 = 19

>>30403244

Rolled 2, 7, 2 - 6 = 5

Guess I oughta roll his opposing roll.

>>30403269
>>30403272
Wow, that doesn't seem good.

>>30403291

>>30403292
And I spoke too soon.

>>30403269
>>30403272

Guess it's clobberin' time.

>>30403267
>>30403269
>>30403272
>21,10,12 vs 5
>Great Success!
Writin'

>>30403291

Oh thank god.

You call up to him. “The executioner demand these gates stay open for the rest of the night! Lock the gates open and smash the controls!” Wow, that sounds really, really, really improbable. There's no way he's going to fall for th-

“RIGHT AWAY SIR! YES SIR!”

Well, you spoke too soon. Maybe it's just because it's dark, he's drunk, and you spoke with a particularly commanding tone. Yeah, you'll go with that. It isn't long before the gates grind open and you hear wood cracking and snapping from above. Seems unlikely these doors will be shutting any time soon.

You spur the guar and ride out across the bridge. You thunder past the two guards standing at the end of the bridge, taking them by complete surprise. They chase after you futilely but they're specks in the distance pretty soon. Only when you reach the bottom of the cliff face do you let yourself relax. You slump forward in the saddle, resting your head against the top of the guar's head and telling yourself you're just going to rest your eyes for a moment. Just for a little while, really!

You're fast asleep the second your eyes close.

(And BQ 3 is fin.)