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>>43763263
>>Mysterious Potential

Tg's always choose the mystery box.

Writing

“Sir Renault told me he believes I possess some latent ability to . . .” You trail off. Renault told you this was very confidential information. You don't know what you should say out loud in the open around so many people. The Captain picks up on your hesitation.

“Don't worry, all my boys and girls here have been vetted personally by the best spooks and inquisitors Ceril has. Don't know if the same can be said about the passengers, but Renault generally knows how to pick 'em. Can't say I have a good sense of your skills, but you look a bit average compared to the others. Shit, all this is over my head. Well, I'm Francisco Faraday, captain of The Skipping Stone, and I'll be your guide for the next coupla weeks. Its a bumpy ride but I've done it many times before.” The two of you shake hands as Renault returns to your side. Captain Faraday looks at him as a smile creeps onto his face. “Renault! You old, bald bastard. Your crew is motlier than mine!”

Renault instinctively grabs at the long locks of red hair that frame his balding head. “Bald? Not yet, you young pup. When you're an old sea dog and that bird's nest of yours migrates to your chin, you'll feel sorry for insulting an 'old' knight.” Renault looks towards you. “This group's a bit colorful, but they're a good sort. Especially this one. I think he'll go far over there.” You smile in spite of the small amount of sadness that washes over you. The way he's talking . . .

“You aren't coming with me, are you?” you ask him. His expression answers your question before his words do.

“No. Recruiting requires me to stay on this side of things. Many more with potential I need to look into.
So, this is where we part ways. I've enjoyed these few weeks we've spent together.” He extends his hand and you grab it. “For the Republic.”


>“For the Republic”
>Thank him for saving you
>Remind him of his promise to your family

>>43763592
>“For the Republic”

We're a soldier now.

Writing

>>43763592
>Remind him of his promise to your family

Family is important

“For the Republic.” You nod your head once as you shake his hand. He lets go and begins to walk backwards away from the dock.

“Good luck. And try to get along with the others. They're going to be your co-workers and allies for at least a year or two.” He turns and strides away towards his horse. You watch him leave before adjusting yourself and walking onto the ship. A dwarf sailor greets you and guides you towards your cabin. It's much bigger and nicer than you thought it would be. You aren't bunking with anyone and you have enough space to do some exercises in the morning. There's food and wine already prepared for you, with some candles and some decent clothes. Your equipment has already been placed off to the side and you get to work unpacking it all. Clothes go along with the fancy stuff and work boots that have been provided for you. You place your weapons on a weapon rack at the back of the room and your armor on the armor stand close to your bed. You pull out a couple books and a pack of cards – things to stave off the boredom. You eat a bit and then grab a quick nap.

By the time you wake up you can feel the rocking of the ship. You're out to sea. This strange new place will be your life soon. In three weeks. Well, boredom's already starting to kick in. Renault told you to get along with the others.

You exit your cabin and look around. You see six other similar rooms in your area, but a quick knock on each door reveals that none of those other hopefuls are in their rooms. You head to the top deck to look for them. The sailors are busy going back and forth doing their duties. A quick glance around and you see some interesting figures you assume are your compatriots. They are scattered around the ship doing their own things. Who do you introduce yourself to first?

>The gnome and the elf
>The half-orc
>The archer
>The loner
>The monk

>>43763913
>>the monk

>>43763913
>The half-orc

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>>43763913
>The monk

>>43763913
>The monk

>>43764031
>>43764013
>>43763973
Things are finaly catching up.

Writing

You decide to speak to the monk first. She appears to be meditating cross-legged next to the ship's mast. She wears a simple white robe with the hood lowered, so her long blonde hair flutters in the cool sea breaze. Upon approaching you notice she's quite large for a woman. It is hard to tell with her sitting, but you think she must be around six feet tall. When you finally get close enough to her to speak you notice that her eyes are closed. You wait a few seconds before she finally opens her eyes and looks up at you. She appears to be annoyed. She quickly looks you up and down.

“Hello. My name is Alan. Are you one of the others that Renault –”

“You look like a bitch.” she says to you.

“What?” you ask, a bit taken back.

“Sorry.” She replies as if she merely chose the wrong wording. “Scrawny. Weak. Like those two.” She gestures with her head to where the elf and the gnome are. They elf seems to be performing some card trick for the gnome. “Do you actually fight or what?”

Despite her outwards tranquil appearance she seems to lack manners, tact or any personable qualities.

>Yes, I was a musketeer in the army.
>Yes, I was an infantryman in the army.
>Yes, I was a cavalryman in the army.
>Leave, go talk to the half-orc instead

>>43764259
>Yes, I was a musketeer in the army

>>43764259
>>Yes, I was a cavalryman in the army.
Cavalry>everything else

>>43764259
>>Yes, I was a cavalryman in the army.

>>43764259
>Yes, I was a cavalryman in the army.

>>43764259
>Yes, I was an infantryman in the army.

>>43764311
Does that make us nobles?

>>43764364
I hope so.

>>43764364
>>43764368

You want to be a noble?

Special vote:

>Noble
>Merchant/Bourgeoisie
>Peasant

>>43764406
>>Noble

>>43764406
>Noble

I would love too, let's be noble!! We are a cavalryman and we were in the army it would be great to be a noble but not a stuck up one.

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>>43764437
>not being a stuck up noble
We must constantly remind our inferiors of what they are.

>>43764406
>Merchant/Bourgeoisie

>>43764448
Okay then when they leave us to die by the unfrendly natives don't blame me.

>>43764406
Merchant/bourgeois

>>43764406
>Noble

>>43764437
Changing my vote from this >>43764437 to >>43764451

Writing!

SKILL: Ride +5
SKILL: Appraise +5

ARMOR PROFICIENCY: MEDIUM

WEAPON PROFICIENCY: LANCE


“Yes, I was a cavalryman in the army.” You try not to sound too defensive. She almost snorts at your words.

“I asked if you could handle yourself in a fight. Not if daddy could afford to buy you a pony. You catch blood on your clothes or were they too expensive to ruin.” Now you're okay with sounding defensive. And angry.

“I'm not a noble. I'm a merchant's son who saw that his country needed him. I worked to get my way up into a cavalryman's position and I'd still be there on the battlefield if Renault hadn't come to me. And yes, I've had a lot of blood spilled on my clothes. Friend and foe.” You stare her straight in the eyes. You hold that look for a couple seconds before she visibly relaxes.

“Shit. Sorry. Didn't know. Thought there were going to be three useless people on this crew.” She stands up. You were correct, she's about six feet tall. And she's definitely not a bean pole. She reaches her hand out and you shake hands. “Gabby.”

“Alan Rodain.” There's a lot of strength in her grip.

>Ask her why she decided to do this
>Ask her what her skills are
>Ask her about what she did for a living

>>43764844
>>Ask her why she decided to do this

>>43764844
>Ask her why she decided to do this

Writing.

“So, uh, Gabby what made you decide to do this?” She sighs a bit and begins to chuckle before she answers.

“Well, it was either this or jail and at least wherever we're going I get to drink. And, y'know, fuck the Empire.”

“Jail?” Renault never mentioned anything about the others he recruited. You assumed they'd all be soldiers from the way he talked about this. At your question Gabby looks down and strolls over to the ship railing. You follow her.

“Yeah. Killed my dad. Wait though. Don't go thinking I'm some crazy. He was a mean son of a bitch. Slapped Mom around. Beat the shit out of me. One day I decided I was done and fought back. Didn't think I'd murder him. He was bigger than me.” Her father must have been one large person, if he was bigger than her. Still, this is a rather sordid history and a bit odd that she's bringing it up so casually.

“Was able to move around and do odd jobs for a couple years before the lawmen caught up to me. Renault showed up while I was in the jailhouse and offered me an alternative.” That is a rather succinct explanation. “So how about you? Why are you here?”

>Renault offered me an escape
>Renault offered me a way to win the war
>Renault offered me a lot of money

>>43765372
>Renault offered me a way to win the war

>>43765372
>>Renault offered me a way to win the war

>>43765372
>Renault offered me a way to win the war

Writing!

“Renault offered me a way to win the war.” Gabby shuffles her feet a bit.

“Are we losing? Us civvies don't hear much about it. Just that we should sign up and that the Empire hasn't taken any territory yet. What's going on?”

“Yes. Slowly, but surely – we're losing. We have the advantage of terrain, tactics and more often than not the more skilled troops, but the Empire has the manpower and the lack of morals to throw them at us. If something doesn't change Ceril will be reconquered. I don't know how long it will take, maybe a decade, maybe five years. But we can't win without an ace in the hole.”

“So you think an island in the middle of bumfuck nowhere is going to be our secret weapon?”

“Renault seems to believe so. I've had doubts since the day I heard about it. It sounds like a fairy tale. But its the only other choice besides losing slowly.” Gabby leans into you a bit, lowering her voice down to a whisper.

“If its true then why haven't we been using it. Magic? Super strength? Dragons?! If this island has those things why aren't we using them?”

“I don't know.” Honestly, everything Renault has told you has sounded like the stories about the ancient times. It seems foolish to believe such things could be real. “We'll just have to find out.” Gabby pulls away from you and starts to speak again in her usual, gruff voice.

“Guess we will.”

>Ask Gabby about what her potential is
>Go talk to one of the others

>>43765813
>>Ask Gabby about what her potential is

>>43765813
>>Ask Gabby about what her potential is
And go talk to one of the others after this

Writing!

WEAPON PROFICIENCY: LONGSWORD, BATTLEAXE

ARMOR PROFICIENCY: SHIELDS, HEAVY ARMOR

“So, what did Renault tell you the island would do for you?” You have a pretty good guess, but safe to be sure anyway.

“Make me better at killing shit with my bare hands.” She laughs after she says this. “Also super strength, super speed, the ability to fall hundreds of feet and not die. Expected him to tell me I could fly and drink an orc under the table too. Whatever. How about you? He promise you'd be the best damn horseman on the planet?”

“No. He said the island would enhance my ability to pick things up quickly. Among other things.”

“Pick things up quickly?” Gabby gets a confused look on her face.

“I have a knack for mastering skills quicker than most.” Gabby squints at that statement. “For example, I spent about three weeks with Renault on the way here. He taught me how to use the longsword, the axe, shields and how to properly utilize heavier armors. While I wouldn't say I'm particularly amazing with any of them, I'm skilled for only three weeks of practice.”

“Like a jack of all trades things. Nifty. Well, I'm going to head down below decks and grab something to eat. Talk to you later, Al.”

She leaves you at the railing and heads down the stairs to where your rooms are. She's a bit crude, but friendly enough. That's one introduction down. Who next? The gnome and the elf seem to be arguing over a book. The archer is shooting at passing seagulls. The half-orc appears to be praying. And the loner is . . . gone. She's probably back in her room.

>Go talk to the archer
>Go talk to the gnome and the elf
>Go talk to the half-orc
>Go check for the loner

>>43766265
>>Go check for the loner

>>43766265
>Talk to the archer

>>43766265
>Go check for the loner

>>43766265
>>Go talk to the gnome and the elf

Writing!

You decide to check for the woman you saw secluding herself from the hustle and bustle of the ship. You head back to your rooms and spot Gabby heading into hers. You begin to knock on the other doors and after two guesses you finally knock on the right one. She opens the door and you finally get a good look at her. She's darker-skinned with short curly black hair, flattened a bit by the hood of the cloak she wears. She's wearing leather armor and has an assortment of daggers strapped to her belt. She looks you up and down, but unlike Gabby she doesn't look annoyed. Her face is particularly hard to read.

“Hello. I'm Alan Rodain. You're one of the others that Renault recruited, yes?”

She nods her head. “Kyra.” She doesn't say anything else.

>Ask about her potential
>Ask her why she decided to do this
>Tell her she should get to know the others
>Leave and talk to somebody else

>>43766609
>>Ask her why she decided to do this

>>43766609
>Ask her why she decided to do this

>>43766609
>Ask her why she decided to do this

>>43766609
>>Ask her why she decided to do this

>>43766609
>Ask her why she decided to do this

Writing!

>>43766609
>>Ask her why she decided to do this

A silence descends upon the two of you. She's not very forthcoming.

“So, uh, Kyra, what made you decide to do this.”

“Money. Power.” Very curt. And of course completely self-interested. At least Gabby included a 'Fuck the Empire'. “Is there anything else you want?”

Again, her tone doesn't seem to imply she's annoyed. You guess she's just very direct.


>Go introduce yourself to somebody else
>Ask her about her potential
>Ask her what she did for a living
>Tell her she should get to know the others

>>43766866

>Ask her about her potential

>>43766866
>Ask her about her potential

>>43764013
Hm, fearboner, we meet again.

Writing!

“What did Renault say your potential was?”

“Thievery.” A one word answer. This doesn't seem to be going anywhere. How could thievery be helpful for the war effort?

“I assume that's also what you do for a living.”

“Yes.” An honest thief. You're about to give your quick goodbyes to Kyra when you hear footsteps coming down the stairs. You see the archer, the gnome and the elf coming down. The elf looks to be very seasick and is carrying a bucket with her. The archer strides over to you.

“The Captain says there's a storm coming. We're to stay down below decks in our room until it passes.”
That's odd. You've only been out to sea for maybe a couple of hours and you didn't see any dark clouds on the horizon. Although, now that you think about it, the water does seem to be a bit more turbulent then a short while ago.

>Check on the elf
>Go to your room
>Ask where the half-orc is

>>43767142
>>Check on the elf

Writing.

>>43767142
>ask where the half-orc is

The elf looks really bad off. As Kyra shuts the door you walk over to the bottom of the stairs where the elf is currently sitting, her head perched over one of the buckets they use to swab the decks. The gnome is currently rubbing her back.

“Is she alright?” you ask.

“Oh, she's fine. Just a little seasick.” The gnome's high-pitched voice doesn't soothe your concerns much.

“I just don't understand how you can handle the ceaseless tossing and turning of this vessel.” The elf comments as she begins to sway with the bucket clutched in her hands.

“Gnomish constitution.” The gnome grabs hold of the elf's silver locks to keep them out of her face. “My name's Eve. Eve Rexton. Pleasure to meet you.” The gnome extends her one free hand to shake yours. She's quite odd-looking for a gnome. Red eyes and bright red hair. Her skin's almost golden in complexion.

“I'm Alan Rodain.” The elf raises a hand up as well, although her face is still in the bucket.

“Quissonce. And I regret how unrefined a first impression I must be making right now.” She book-ends her introduction by vomiting into her bucket.

“There there.” Eve begins to pat Quissonce on the back. “You'll be fine.”

>Let them get to their rooms. Go to your own.
>Ask about the half-orc
>Ask about what their potential is

>>43767404
>>Ask about the half-orc

>>43767404
half orc.

>>43767404
>Check our pocket to make sure the coin purse is still there.

>>43767404
This >>43767448 and this >>43767419

Writing!

“Do either of you know where the half-orc is?” The gnome gets a puzzled look on her face.

“No. Haven't really noticed a half-orc.”

The elf sticks her head out of the bucket for a moment. “I haven't seen her since we boarded the ship.”

That isn't that surprising. These two don't seem like the most perceptive types. Maybe the archer saw her. But if the half-orc isn't in her room she's probably on the top deck still. You're wondering what to do when you pause. Paranoia sets in and you quickly check your pockets.

Although it isn't paranoia when you're absolutely correct. Your coin purse is missing. An honest thief is still a thief after all. You feel the boat start to rock a little more violently.

>Confront the thief now
>Confront her later, ask the archer where the half-orc is
>Confront her later, go topside and search for the half-orc

>>43767565
>Confront her later, go topside and search for the half-orc
Fukken
Called it.

>>43767565
>>Confront her later, go topside and search for the half-orc

Hey wait a second...
Are we the only dude on the ship?

>>43767565
>Confront her later, go topside and search for the half-orc

It's not like she can spend it or anything.

>>43767591
Some of the sailors are male. But yeah, the rest of your group seems to be female.

>>43767591
well, out of our group, maybe.

Writing!

You're busy with something else right now and this can wait. What is she gonna do, spend it? You go up onto the top deck and watch as the sailors seem to be rushing about in a controlled manner. You hear Captain Faraday shouting out orders to his crew. It doesn't take you long to find her. She is kneeling in the middle of the ship praying. You hurry towards her and speak as she comes to a lull in her chanting.

“Hello. I don't believe we've met yet. My name is Alan Rodain.”

“Dolah Ornatheon, paladin of The Great Will. I look forward to working with you in the coming days.” She speaks with a solemnity and calmness in her tone that contrasts with the chaos occurring around her. And she's a follower of The Great Will. Of course, who else would be willing to sit in the middle of an on-coming storm.

“Captain Faraday said we should get below deck. Storm incoming and its going to be bad.” You hear her response in your head before she gives you what you knew was coming.

“I know. I'm currently beseeching The Great Will to see us safely through it.”

>Persuade her to go below deck
>Stay up here with her
>Go back downstairs

>>43767786
>>Persuade her to go below deck

>>43767786
>Stay up here with her
We're a quick learner, right? I want to see just how quick we are. Try to help the sailors out, after observing them for a while.

>>43767786
>Stay up here with her

Roll me 1d100+10, best of 3,

Rolled 17 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>43767842

Rolled 66 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>43767842

Rolled 32 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>43767842

>>43767786
QM, do you have a twitter account, by any chance?

>>43767889
Yeah, I do.

https://twitter.com/TrickQM

SKILL: Profession – Sailor +3

The Church of the Great Will has been accused time and time again of fanaticism by intellectual critics. It might be a harsh detraction, but it has its merits. You doubt you'll be able to convince her to pray somewhere safe. You already know what she'd say, something about truly believing The Great Will will protect you all. Instead you decide you'll put your skills to the test.

This will be the fastest and quickest time you've put into trying to master a skill. You've got maybe three or four hours before the storm really starts to hit the ship hard. So you start watching what the sailors do. You listen to Captain Faraday's orders, watch them tie knots and climb the mast netting. You pay attention to the helmsman and the sailor in the crow's nest. For the first hour it all seems a jumbled mess. How could you possibly process all of the tiny necessary details to work a ship in a scant few hours. The boat rocks harder than before and the only thing that seems to stay absolutely still is Dolah. You take a deep breath and gather your wits though. Practice makes perfect. And you're apparently very good at practice. (1/2)

You throw yourself into helping out the sailors. The boatswain begins to yell at you at first, but Captain Faraday silences him as you start to work. You help keep everything tied down on the top deck. You end up going down below decks anyway to secure the cannons and the food. You're definitely not extremely quick and you make a mistake here or there that you need to do over again, but you're definitely not bad.

By the time the sky becomes dark with clouds and the seas begin to whip at the ship you almost feel in-sync with the rest of the crew. Rain begins to pour so heavily it almost stings your skin. The lightning and the thunder begins to sound and the ship begins to be tossed about by the waves.

“THERE'S A REASON SHE'S CALLED THE SKIPPING STONE! NO MATTER HOW HARD THE SEA THROWS US WE DON'T SINK! WE SKIM!” Captain Faraday shouts to his crew and laughs.

Finally, one extremely large wave hits the ship and you cling to a rope near you as three unlucky sailors who were not as quick are thrown overboard. You look around to make sure Dolah wasn't tossed overboard as well. She's still on the ship, but she rushes over to the side of the railing where the sailors fell. For a second you believe she's going to jump in after them foolishly. But she doesn't. She holds on to the railing.

Half an hour later and the storm begins to subside. You're out of the worst part of it and finally get a chance to catch your breath. The Captain was right. Its a bumpy ride.

>End of Thread
I will most likely run next on Monday in the daytime. I will announce on my twitter about an hour before I start.

>>43768041
I like the story so far.

thanks for running.

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>>43768029
>>43768041

And for this reason boy and traps is why tg always picks the mystery box. Best decision ever!!

>>43768041
Trully great work Trick i'm proub for being the first in this QM. See you on monday you beautifull bastard.

This was great hype is real for Monday

Great first thread OP, looking forward to next time.

>>43763913
Weapon rack and armor stand on a ship? Do you want to get us killed by flying metal in the storm?

>>43769172
I believe that everything is in the ships belly. Same place with the muskets and the gunpowder.