>>3010451
>"Good, he can talk to me while I'm getting my wounds checked. If he doesn't like it, he can talk to the corpse that almost made mincemeat out of me."
Most people consider getting almost skullfucked to be an important part of their life. For us, it's Tuesday.

>>3010451

>Tell him he'll have to wait until I can get my wounds checked, and Randolph....I need a drink."

>>3010451
>>“Tell him he’ll have to wait until I can get my wounds checked, I feel awful”

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>>3010451

>>3010489
>>3010598
>>3010797

"Good, he can talk to me while I'm getting my wounds checked, or he can wait, his choice.” You say while you and Selenas rise from the floor. Pain lances through you as your wounds complain at the movement. Wincing you turn to face Randolf his expression even more nervous since your reply “God, I need a drink. Randolf, you got any of the good stuff left.”

Randolf’s eyes grow wide with terror as he steps in close and whispers between his teeth “Captain not now.”

“It’s alright Commissar Randolf, if the Captain wants a drink, let him have a drink,” says a humorless woman’s voice.

Randolf visibly flinches at the voice before responding sullenly “Yes ma’am, I’ll go get some.” He then moves a little too swiftly out of the main bar and back to his room.

It is then that the source of the voice comes into view, a short woman, in worn, but well maintained armor steps through a newly opened gap in the soldiers around the bar. As she comes closer, you notice just how old this woman is lines and old scars crisscross her face. Her dull green eyes sink slightly into their sockets as dark circles and bags pull at the skin under them. Her hair once a dark brown, you assume, was now much lighter and mostly grey. When she finally comes to a halt in front of you, you take note of the insignia on her chest. This woman was a Sergeant Major. She stands at attention and gives you a formal salute. “Captain Baldr, I’m Sergeant Major Lynn Rite commander of Filt’s garrison forces. Your Commissar informs me that you had a run in with the cause of our mysterious disappearances, what happened.” She says her tone flat and professional.

>“After I’ve seen a healer and had a drink I’d be happy to tell you the tale.”
>“Sure” regale her with your encounter with the shapeshifter.
>[Write In]

>>3011492

"Walk, or in my case limp, with me, Sergeant Major. I'll fill you in as I get these wounds tended to."

Hey Continuous, where's thread 12? Can't find it on sup/tg/.

>>3011812

Yes, I thought I had archived it but apparently I didn't I have made a pastebin of recap for the thread instead. My apologies, I'll make sure to always double check from now on.

>https://pastebin.com/GwAhP3QM

>>3011492
>"I will tell you as we walk"
>Go see that healer

>>3011492
>>“Sure” regale her with your encounter with the shapeshifter.
limp leaning on Selenas to a healer

ALMOST MISSED THIS!

>>3011492
>“Sure” regale her with your encounter with the shapeshifter.

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>>3011492

>>3011544
>>3012299
>>3013143
>>3012527

“I’d be happy to tell you the tale Sergeant Major, while we make our way to the nearest healer.” You say giving her your best pained smile.

Without turning her gaze from you the Sergeant Major snaps out a quick order and man in soldier’s garb with healer equipment steps quickly out of the crowd of soldiers and to your side. “Let’s hear your report away from prying eyes, shall we?” The Sergeant Major says gesturing to the inn’s rooms.

Agreeing you head back to your room and after a few quick orders to the assembled men, the Sergeant Major and healer follow after you. You tell the Sergeant Major everything that transpired from after you awoke from your nightmare to now. All the while the healer poked prodded and rubbed salves on your wounds. During your report the Sergeant Major stood stone faced listening intently to every word. When you finish, the Sergeant Major asks “Corporal, what is the Captain’s condition.”

“He’s got a few cracked ribs along with pretty nasty burns on his neck and collar bone. The salves I applied will help in the healing process, but I would suggest a few days of rest for the Captain before he attempts to return to duty. Ma’am”

“Very well Corporal, report to Sergeant Burns and tell him to send two squads to check out our culprit’s lair.” With a short salute, the healer takes his leave and exits your room.

“Now, Captain I need to see those documents you recovered from this shapeshifter’s laboratory.”

“Sure,” you say pulling the paper’s out of your satchel and handing them over to the Sergeant Major.

She gives them a perfunctory glance, before continuing. “You said that you had a mage that could decipher these.”

“Yes, her name is Mildri.”

“Rank?”

“She’s just a mage attached to me for my investigation.”

She gives you a cold glare before heading to the door of your room and shouting “SQUAD MAGE MILDRI REPORT TO CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS IMMEDIATELY” in a voice that could rival your own.

In a few moments Mildri scuttles into the room and in her quietest, mumble yet says “Y-You wanted something Captain.”

Recovering from the Sergeant Major’s impressive voice you answer Mildri “Yes, are able to decipher these writings.”

The Sergeant Major passes the paper to Mildri, who gives them a thorough look “I-I think I can it might take me a bit.”

“Very well, Mildri get back to me as soon as you finish.”

“Yes, sir,” Mildri squeaks before she scurries out of the room.

(1/2)

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>>3013807

Alone with the Sergeant Major once again, she turns and asks “Permission to speak freely, sir,” her tone its usual bluntness. Her eyes told a different story, however; they seemed to bore into you with spikes of ice and your instincts told you, you weren’t going to like her next words.

>“Denied and dismissed, Sergeant Major, I gave you my report on the situation and I need some rest.”
>“Go, ahead.”
>“That depends, is this a personal matter of which you speak?”
>[Write In]

>>3013816
>>“That depends,is this about my ward(selenas, I don't remember her rank)?

don't want to hear shit in that department right now

>>3013816
>“Go, ahead.”

>>3013816
>“Go, ahead.”
Despite being bait.

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>>3013816

>>3013845
>>3013869
>>3013875

“Go ahead,”

“Why are you here? Have I not served the Queen and her empire faithfully for all these years? I know that things aren’t exactly under control here with this killer and the disappearance of caravans looming, but I’m working on them. The taxes are still paid on time and for the correct amount, there hasn’t been a hint of rebellion here, and my troops are well disciplined and ready. So why are you, an agent of the Queen with a bodyguard, a commissar, and an investigative mage all here? Does the Queen doubt my abilities, are you here to find a suitable recruit among the ranks have them take over…” The Sergeant Major rants her even and measured tone from before, completely shatters. Her voice oozes fear, anger, and sadness all at once. She paces back and forth in front of you continuing her rant running over every possibility before you finally stop her and say…

>“At ease Sergeant Major you’re not under investigation, I’m just here to help.”
>“Yes and no, I’m here clear up the issue of caravans disappearing anything, else is between you and the Queen.”
>“That is enough Sergeant Major, compose yourself. The reason I’m here is for the only the Queen to know and no one else.”
>[Write In]

>>3014046
>>[Write In]
>Compose yourself Sergeant Major! Do you think I would act so lax around the object of the Queens ire? do you think i would stay in a room alone and half dead with someone deemed a threat or determent to the empire? as for the mage she is here as a favor for a friend and the commissar is not here for you that is all that should concern you Sergent!

>>3014046

>Seargeant Major, enough! Are you so doubtful in your own abilities that you immediately assume I am here to replace you? Compose yourself at once. Now breathe. Good. I am here because of the missing caravans. The Queen decided that an outside figure, one who could venture beyond this city without compromising it's defenses, would be beneficial to finding out the cause of the missing trade caravans. Clearly there have been other issues plaguing this city. For now, you will carry on with ensuring the safety of this city and keeping the Queen's Law and Order in place. I expect to have all information you have gathered on the missing caravans delivered to me in the morning. As for the commissar, the mage, and my ward, they are not here for you, but rather are part of my retinue. Now, I suggest you straighten yourself up before you leave, would not want your men thinking things were amiss."

>>3014143
this is pretty good, she seems like one that needs a firm talk.

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>>3014046

Good write ins anons they warmed even my cold heart
>>3014091
>>3014143
>>3014168

Sergeant Major, enough! Are you so doubtful in your own abilities that you immediately assume I am here to replace you? Compose yourself at once.” The Sergeant Major halts in her pacing and ranting and turns to face you at attention. Her breathing is ragged and she now looks older than ever, her face creased with deep age lines and loose skin sagging low. “Take a breath now, that’s it good. The reason I am here is because of the missing caravans. The Queen has decided that an outside figure, one who could venture beyond this city without compromising its defenses, would be beneficial to finding out the cause of the missing trade caravans. Clearly there are other issues plaguing this city, so for now, you will carry on with ensuring the safety of this city and keeping the Queen's Law and Order in place. I expect to have all information you have gathered on the missing caravans delivered to me in the morning.”

The Sergeant’s face recovers some at your words and her stance relaxes some as if the blow she was waiting for had missed. “As for the commissar, the mage, and my ward,” You continue “They are not here for you, but rather are part of my retinue. Now, I suggest you straighten yourself up before you leave, I don’t think you would want your men thinking things were amiss."

The Sergeant Major looks up at you with the most hopeful eyes you had ever seen before she blinks and all emotion drains from the her and she returns to the stony faced matron you had first encountered. “Understood Captain, I will have my chief scout deliver his finding to you and I will return to my duties. Thank you Captain.” The Sergeant Major’s last words cause her stony mask to slip as she gives you a warm smile. Then with a sharp salute the she exits your room and begins to bark orders to her troops.

You can’t keep yourself from smiling as you watch her exit. Moments later the way to your room is filled by.

>Selenas
>Mildri
>Randolf
>All three

>>3014745
>The ghost of your previous boss

Just kidding here's my real answer
>Randolf

>>3014745
>>Selenas

Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>3014745
uuh

>>3014745
>Randolf
baldur needs his alcohol

>>3014745
>All three

We can talk with Selenas alone later

>>3014940
>>3014745

I change to
>All three

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>>3014745

>>3015012
>>3015526
>>3015565

All three of your companions peek their heads into your room and perform a quick scan of the room “Is she gone,” they all say simultaneously.

Nodding your head, they all enter the room and quickly close the door. Randolf is the first to speak “What the hell was her problem,” he says handing you a bottle of his special brew while nervously eyeing the door. “I’ve seen some hard assed Sergeants before, but that woman, good god. You shou…”

“Are you all right? How are your wounds? We heard yelling from outside? Was she yelling at you?” Randolf is interrupted by a stream of questions from Selenas who comes to your side and begins to inspect the healer’s handiwork, bouncing with nervousness and rattling your wounds.

Over the stream of questions, you could hear soft spoken Mildri murmur “Captain I’ve decoded some of the pages.”

>“Slow down Selenas, I’m fine and no the Sergeant Major wasn’t yelling at me.”
>“Wait, Mildri what do the pages say.”
>Drink first answer later.
>[Write In]

>>3015774
>>Drink first answer later.

>>3015774
>>“Slow down Selenas, I’m fine and no the Sergeant Major wasn’t yelling at me.”

let's celebrate shall we?

go drink after that
, the pages and the work can wait for tomorrow

>>3015858
Support, calm them and then drinks

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>>3015774

>>3015858
>>3015868

>Last post for today

“Woah, slow down there Selenas, I’m fine and no the Sergeant Major wasn’t yelling at me, we were just having a chat.”

“Sounded more like an argument to me,” Randolf muttered.

“Well it doesn’t really matter anyway. What matters is that I’m alive, I’m thirsty,” you say hoisting the bottle of Randolf moonshine. “And I have one helluva a story to tell. So all of you, sit down have a drink, and celebrate with me while I tell you my story of survival.”

You proceed to tell your companions about your fight with the shapeshifter embellishing as needed to keep them hanging on your every word, and pausing every so often to take a swig from the bottle. By the time you finish they are all staring slack jawed and dumbfounded. The first to recover is Randolf. “Wow Captain, I’ve heard some bullshit stories in my time, but this one has got to take the cake. You expect me to believe that you fought a magical shapeshifter in a basement full of corpses under the city. Next you’ll tell me that you can fart rainbows and stare down gods.” He lets out laugh that echoes around the room.

“That’s pretty disgusting though, what in the hell was the mage doing with all those bodies in his basement.” Randolf wonders aloud.

“There are a few magical spells and alchemical recipes that require the life essences of living beings.” Mildri answers, “They are often quite powerful and when used correctly can do a lot of good. For instance I know of…”

“It doesn’t matter what good things that creature could have created.” Selenas interrupts “It killed all those people and then just left their bodies to rot in a cellar, whatever it was doing it was horrible and it need to be stopped. Nothing is worth that much suffering and death.”

“What do you think Captain?” Randolf asks. “What if that mage was working on some sort of miracle cure or a powerful new spell? Maybe you shouldn’t have just blown his guts all over the floor of his lab.

>“I have to agree with Selenas on this one that basement was a butcher shop whatever that thing was doing it deserved to die.”
>“I don’t know maybe he was on to something I guess we’ll find out more when those papers are decoded.
>“All I know is that it was doing some really shady shit and attacked me first. Whatever it was doing doesn’t matter, its dead now.”
>[Write In]

>>3016471
It doesn't matter what he was working Randolph, if he didn't ask for the queen's permission and started killing her innocent subjects for his research we had to stop him like Selenas said.

>>3016471
>>“All I know is that it was doing some really shady shit and attacked me first. Whatever it was doing doesn’t matter, its dead now.”

>>3016471
>I don't really care, he threw a fireball at me. Also it was probably illegal.

>>3017159
most likely illegal*

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>>3016471

>>3016940
>>3016997
>>3017159

It doesn’t really matter whether that creature’s actions were for good or evil. He acted in opposition to the Queen’s laws and attacked me on sight; he was just another criminal who needed to be brought to justice.”

“Hm, well that’s one way to think about it.” Randolf muses as he takes another drink from his canteen and begins to stare off into space.

Meanwhile Selenas fixes you with a perplexed and challenging look as if she is on the verge of a question and Mildri looks to the mages papers and continues her reading.

>“Something on your mind Selenas?”
>“Gotten anything out of those papers yet Mildri.”
> Its time you got some rest
>[Write In]

>>3017572
>>“Something on your mind Selenas?”

>>3017572
>>“Something on your mind Selenas?”

>>3017572

>“Something on your mind Selenas?”

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>>3017572

>>3017574
>>3017664
>>3017666

“Something on your mind Selenas,” You ask meeting her gaze.

“What if his activity was sanctioned?”

“Judging by how his operation was set up and how no one else knew about it. I’m pretty certain that what the creature was doing wasn’t sanctioned by the Queen.” Randolf answers.

“But that’s not my point. What if the Queen sanctioned some royal so and so to kidnap people from villages and perform experiments on them ‘for the good of the nation?’ Are you saying you wouldn’t stop him?” Selenas says her voice rising.

>“Yes, If it is the Queen’s will then so be it.
>“No, I mean, I would attempt to dissuade the one performing those experiments.
>“I would stop the experiments.
>[Write In]

>>3017718
>“I would stop the experiments.
"simply because that would never happen. They would never authorize such a terrible thing....the things I saw there..."

we leave out the part where war prisoners and dangerous criminals would be used instead of villagers, the queen is not stupid.

>>3017750
Good for me

>>3017750
Are you thinking that she's got some strong doubts about the Queen?
Because I'm thinking that.

Also I'll support your post.

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>>3017718

>>3017750
>>3017873
>>3018233

>Last post for the night, think about this vote carefully gentlemen

You let Selenas’s question hang in the air for a moment before answering it in a calm voice.

“I would stop the experiments,” at this Randolf cocks an eyebrow, but you keep going “Simply because it wouldn’t happen Selenas. The Queen would never authorize such a terrible thing.”

“How would you know?!” Selenas snaps, her face flush with anger. “Do you know what goes on in her mind because I do. I’ve had her crawl through my mind picking at my memories, my sanity, and my soul. I heard her laugh at my suffering, and the injustices I have been served. She saw me starving, broken, and about to die and she laughed, how can you say that she wouldn’t authorize such terrible things, when she’s already done them to me!” By now tears were streaming down Selenas’s face and she was standing in front of you shaking with anger.

The room was deathly silent as if it was holding its breath, waiting for your response.

>“That was different; you were her enemy, and enemy of the state. The Queen can’t be lenient with her enemies or else they would run amok through the empire.”
>“What do you want to hear Selenas, do you want me to say that the Queen is a bad woman, that I shouldn’t be working for her, That I should rise against her and fight for a better tomorrow. Use your head.”
>“I don’t know Selenas, I can’t say that I know the Queen well enough to tell you exactly how she’d react in any situation. What I can tell you though is that while she might not be the kindest, or most benevolent ruler she is at least just.”
>[Write In]

>>3018741
>>“I don’t know Selenas, I can’t say that I know the Queen well enough to tell you exactly how she’d react in any situation. What I can tell you though is that while she might not be the kindest, or most benevolent ruler she is at least just.”

party mood gone, take her upstairs with us, we can talk more there if she wants, that experience is still heavy on her mind

>>3018741
>The Queen is ruthless, probably a sadist and I don't really know what goes in her head. What I do know, however, is that she cares about her subjects and country enough to defend them against invaders and to uphold the law strict as it may be. She would not harm innocents without any reason. What happened to you is terrible, but she probably felt justified by the fact that you were a criminal. If she was truly merciless would she have pardoned you?
Yes, to have something to hold onto us.

>>3018858
>>3018927
I like both, maybe be a little soft spoken with her, she's been through a lot.

Whatever we say to her we have to say upstairs tho, Randolph is here and he can't hear her talking against the queen, when we get up there we explain to her.

"Randolph is here to make sure I did the right choice in trying to protect you....even thought I couldn't spare you from what she did to you, he is watching, both of us."

She didn't get the explanation we got about his duties, she was out cold

>>3018927
>ruthless, probably a sadist
Change to this?
>Queens actions may seem ruthless, probably a sadist

So we don't sound like a traitor

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>>3018741

>>3018858
>>3018927
>>3018937
>>3019537

“The Queen may seem ruthless and sadistic and I may not know what goes in her head, but what I do know is that she cares deeply about her subjects and the country enough to defend them against invaders and to uphold the law, strict as it may be. She does harm people without reason. I know what happened to you was traumatic and terrible, but the Queen acted with what she saw as just, you we’re a criminal to her and had to be punished.” Randolf gives you an approving nod, while Selenas doesn’t look convinced.

“Just answer me this Selenas if the Queen was truly merciless would she have pardoned you?”

>Roll me some d20’s lads, you made a good speech, but let’s see if Selenas gets it.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3019794

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3019794
Time to dense.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3019794

Rollan!

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>>3019794

>>3019823
>>3019827
>>3019844

>2 Successes

>Sorry, I took a twenty minute nap that turned into a 3 hour one.

Selenas, takes a deep breath, and is about to speak again when your words reach her. She releases her held breath in a big puff of air and stands there grappling with your question. A few more moments pass before Selenas speaks. “No,” she sighs, defeated. “But, b-but,” Selenas stammers, unable to speak. “But, why did she have to torture me?” She sobs loudly before folding under her own weight and falling to the ground.

>Take Selenas back to her room
>“Mildri, help Selenas up and take her back to her room”
>[Write In]

>>3020152
>>Take Selenas back to her room

>>3020152
>>Take Selenas back to her room

>>3020152
>>Take Selenas back to her room

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>>3020152

>>3020160
>>3020591
>>3021063

You step over to Selenas and gently lift her back on to her feet. “Come now, this is no place for tears.” You whisper to her as you lead her out the door of your room, down the hall and into her room.

You sit Selenas down on her bed and wait while she tries to dry away her tears. Once her sniffles die down Selenas looks up at you with wet eyes and asks “How can you serve someone so cruel. How do you drown out your conscience when you see her acts brutality? I know your heart is good and true, but your words can sound so cold and harsh just like hers how do you not weep at the sight of scenes of such barbarity.”

>“I do weep Selenas, I do… I tell myself that the Queen acts with justice, but sometimes, her justice strikes down too broadly and innocent people are caught in its fury. Often times though it is not the Queen’s justice itself, but rather the instruments of her justice that are the ones that strike too broadly.
>“I cannot weep Selenas, for I have seen far worse barbarity… Once on the elven front…”
>“I do not weep for them Selenas. As cruel as it may seem, the Queen’s law have helped far more than they have hurt and in to me that is all that matters.
>[Write In]

>>3021325
>>“I want to weep Selenas, I do… I tell myself that the Queen acts with justice, but sometimes, her justice strikes down too broadly and innocent people are caught in its fury. Often times though it is not the Queen’s justice itself, but rather the instruments of her justice that are the ones that strike too broadly but I cannot weep Selenas, for I have seen far worse barbarity… Once on the elven front…”

tell her a little about our past, it's time to share

>>3021338
What I mean is that there is things so horrible out there, and that we do what we can to survive, the general people don't know what we are up against, or they wouldn't be able to sleep, damn Baldr will show some of his vulnerabilities to her, maybe that can bring them even closer.

>>3021338
+1

>>3021325
>[Write In]
>This kingdom is on precipice of destruction whether it be rebellions, food shortages or corrupt public servants... our enemies internally, externally know and most undoubtedly facilitate this take for example this assignment. you want to know the reason we are really here and this wasn't dealt with by the town guard. These caravans being targeted was a red flag, I very much doubt the queen suspected this to be just a bit of banditry

>If a caravan held weapons, that supply's man on the front lines. If it holds tools, it will give a craftsman the ability to feed his family. If it holds food, it will prevent a food riot and make no mistake a man will riot over food even you treat him nicely hunger... has that effect.
if a man cannot eat because caravans are raided and do not arrive is the queen responsible for causing a mans hunger? no but he will riot all the same and order must be maintained otherwise the kingdom fractures and our enemies... these sharks will smell blood in the water.To put it simply queens harshness is a by product of the turbulent times we are in and dare I say it her own fears.
>everything we do here lessens the need for draconian punishments selenas. I honestly believe as the kingdom becomes more stable it will get better.

hopefully this isn't to wordy and my grammar isn't too bad

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>>3021325

>>3021338
>>3021362
>>3021405
>>3021590

“I want to weep Selenas, I do… I tell myself that the Queen acts with justice, but sometimes, her justice strikes down too broadly and innocent people are caught in its fury. Often times though, it is not the Queen’s justice itself, but rather the instruments of her justice that are the ones that strike too broadly and I wish it would change. But I cannot weep Selenas, for I have seen far worse barbarity”

You pause for a long moment as your head swims with memories and it takes a while before you can speak again “Once on the elven front, I saw just how far barbarity could be taken. I went out with a patrol to find some scouts who had gone missing not far from where we were stationed. We were a group of twelve fresh faced and green young men and women who had come from homes far away to fight for the empire. The search started out just fine, we moved swiftly and quietly to where the scouts had been assigned. When we arrived, we found the first scout or at least part of him, his foot in fact that should have been our first warning to give up and turn back. We didn’t and instead followed the blood trail leading from the scout’s severed foot. As we followed the trail, we found more and more pieces of him strung out over a long distance until we came to the bodies of the rest of the scouts. Two of them had been cut open, and their insides pulled out and placed around them in some sort of ritual circles. The last one had a tree growing out of his still living body; we managed to end his suffering swiftly.”

You pause for breath as the memory of the event runs on in your head. Selenas eyes are glued on to you, her mouth agape in shock as you continue with your tale. “After confirming we had found all the scouts, we turned back and prepared to leave, but the elves had something else planned. We had walked into a trap and didn’t know it until it was too late. Massive tree trunks came falling down on us from the canopy and crushed some of us, the lucky among us. I managed to find shelter from the wooden rain between some tree roots, but I ended up being trapped in there by the logs so I could only watch helpless to stop what came next.” Your voice trembles, and you have to take a breath to compose yourself before you go on.


(1/2)

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>>3022476

“A rain of arrows came down on the survivors killing a few but wounding the rest. Then came the whooping of eleven war cries as the cowards emerged from the trees and fell upon those remaining. They disarmed them and beat them senseless until they couldn’t lift a finger to defend themselves. That is when the slaughter began, the survivors were dragged from each other arranged in a circle, then ritually disemboweled as the scouts had been. Their screams, I can still hear them sometimes in the silence.” You say wiping tears from your own eyes and struggling to keep your voice even. “I had to watch as every one of them flailed under the knifes of the elves, watch their still beating hearts be-“

“Stop.” Selenas says her voice faltering as she turns away from you trying to block out the visions your words are making her see.

You stop your story and take time to compose yourself, but trying to stop your memories is difficult and it is only when Selenas comes up and touches you, that you finally manage to speak again. “That is why I stay with her Selenas that is why I serve as best I can. As barbaric and horrible the Queen’s justice may seem, It is far better that what would happen without it.”

Selenas hugs you tightly and you simply close your eyes and let the moment be, let your muscles relax, and let your memories fade away. You don’t know how long you remained like that but when you open your eyes again a wave of weariness washes over you. Pulling yourself away from Selenas, you head back to your room telling Selenas “I need some rest,”

Returning to your room, you find Randolf the only one there. Upon seeing you enter Randolf asks “How is she?”

“Better, I think she understands.”

“Good, you’re quite inspirational speaker aren’t you,” Randolf chuckles to himself as he passes by you. Before he exits your room Randolf looks back at you and adds “I think the Queen will be quite pleased with my report when we get back.”

Alone now you lie down, and let sleep take you into its dark embrace.

You awake to find it is dawn, of the following day. You quickly feel your wounds and register no pain, those healers are miracle workers. You don your armor and check the rest of your equipment before heading out the door to tackle today’s challenges.

>Go see if Mildri has finished deciphering those texts yet.
>Look for the garrison’s chief scout he must have those reports on the missing caravans.
>Head out into Filt's markets and see what you can do with your monthly pay.
>[Write In]

>>3022479
>>Go see if Mildri has finished deciphering those texts yet.

back to work

>>3022479
Nice. Randolf is a constant pain man, always looking over our shoulder, guess it can't be helped.

>Go see if Mildri has finished deciphering those texts yet.

>>3022479
>>Go see if Mildri has finished deciphering those texts yet.

>>3023429
To be fair, he is the Commissar, it's his job to be in everyone's grill.

>>3022479
>Go see if Mildri has finished deciphering those texts yet.
Should be the quickest to check out.

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>>3022479

>>3023278
>>3023429
>>3024120
>>3024681

>Sorry but this will be the only post for the day, lost of IRL shit going down, tomorrow should be better.

You walk down the hall to Mildri’s room and find her sitting peacefully in a meditative pose in front of a desk scattered with the documents you gave her yesterday. You knock on the wood of the door frame and Mildri snaps out of trance in a panic. Seeing you in the doorway she relaxes some “Oh, Captain it’s you. I-I finished reading through those documents.”

“What do they say, what was the shapeshifter trying to do?” You ask coming up alongside her to look at the documents.

“Well from what I could read it looks like he was indeed draining his victims of their life essences. Where it gets strange though is what he was using those essences for. It looks like he was attempting to take them into himself.”

“What is so strange about that?”

“Well life essences are unstable when they aren’t grounded to something physical, and once an essence inhabits something no other essence can enter that object without forcing out or destroying the essence already inside of it. So it would be suicidal to try, but from what I’ve read though this creature was getting awfully close to doing just that.”

“Why would he do it if it’s so dangerous, what he get out of it?”

“Well, and this is just my hypothesis, but I think he wanted to utilize life essence to enhance his physical form.”

“Enhance his physical form how?”

“I won’t bore you with specifics, but if he could channel life essence into himself, you wouldn’t have survived your fight. Just imaging fitting that same shapeshifter, but with the combined strength, wits, and speed of all of his victims.”

Your memories of the fight flash back to you, and you have a hard time imagining that fight being any tougher than it had been. You shiver at the thought.

“I know,” Mildri confides “This research has some very scary implications, if it were to continue, I’m fairly certain the next researcher could actually succeed at it.” Mildri looks up at you a worried look to her face. “Do you want to do with it?”

>Burn it this information is too dangerous to keep.
>Send it back to the Queen. Regardless of what is held in those texts, it is our job to report it.
>You hold on to it Mildri, I don’t think this information should get out, but I we don’t know if it will be useful in the future or not.
>[Write In]

>>3026059
>>Burn it this information is too dangerous to keep.

not our job, we are here to dismantle this

>>3026059
>Burn it this information is too dangerous to keep

>>3026059
>Burn it this information is too dangerous to keep.
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

A whole lot of fucking NOPE.
We can't risk carrying this information around due to how tempting it might be.
We can't send it back because the messenger will most likely get attacked on the roads and that information falls into the hands of the enemy.
So yeah, BURN IT NOW.

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>>3026059

>>3026098
>>3026283
>>3026385

You look Mildri directly in the eyes and say “Burn it is too dangerous to exist, no one should be able to have that much power.”

Relief flashes over Mildri’s face before she swiftly stacks the sheets of parchment into the center of her desk. She starts muttering an incantation and moments later the stack bursts into to flame burning the all of the shapeshifter’s work to ash in a matter of seconds. As the last few licks of flame die, you hear a knock on the door and turn to see Selenas standing there.

She looks from you to the pile of ash on the table then back to you a perplexed look on her face. “Why?”

“Too dangerous,” is your only reply.

Selenas flashes you a large smile and laughs slightly, before a worried look takes over her face. “The chief scout is here to give you his report, what if he asks about the documents?”

“I’ll handle it, don’t worry.” You say as you head out the door. “Selenas, tell Randolf to get ready, we’re going to move out soon, then get ready yourself, ok.”

She nods and heads off to Randolf’s room while you enter the main bar and find the chief scout waiting for you.

“You have a report for me solider?” you ask.

“Sir,” the scout snaps you a sharp salute, “Yes I do have a report for you. He unfurls a map on a nearby table and points to a spot a ways out from the city partially out into the desert. This is location of the last reported caravan wreckage. Now from what me and my scouts have gathered, we are most likely dealing with some kind of desert gang or some such rabble. That’s not to say that these gangs aren’t smart. They leave very little behind besides the burnt wreckage. They distort their tracks so we can’t count their numbers, and they often split up and make fake paths and other such diversions, so we haven’t been able find any of them yet.”

Turning to face you the chief scout looks grimly at you. “That’s really all I have to tell you sir, they leave no survivors, no evidence, nothing but some charred wooden wreckage.”

“When is the next supply caravan scheduled to come through?”

“Never sir, the desert merchants are terrified and won’t even bring in mundane supplies for fear of being killed. Honestly sir, we’re stumped on solutions, well short of having an army march with every supply run and we don’t have the kind of manpower to try that sort of thing.”

You close your eyes and sit with your thoughts, until one idea rises above the others.

>Use a decoy caravan to lure in the bandits and then ambush them.
>Head out into the desert and meet with the desert merchants you need more information.
>Have the scouts take you out to the wreckage, maybe you can see something they didn’t
>[Write In]

>Think carefully

>Raider info
>Numbers: ???
>Location: ???
>Composition: ???
>Skill: Trained at the least (Not your ordinary bandits)

>>3029099
>>Have the scouts take you out to the wreckage, maybe you can see something they didn’t

>>3029099
>>Have the scouts take you out to the wreckage, maybe you can see something they didn’t
and then
>Head out into the desert and meet with the desert merchants you need more information.

>>3029099
>>Head out into the desert and meet with the desert merchants you need more information.

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>>3029099

>>3029135
>>3029317
>>3029937

“Take me out to the wreckage site, I want to see it for myself.”

The scout nods “Alright sir, but I don’t know what you hope to find.”

Gathering you companions you set out with a small party of scouts to the wreckage site. You find it just as the chief scout had described. It was just some charred remains of a wooden cart frame half buried in the sand. The tracks the scout had reported seemed to have been blown over by the desert wind, but none the less you examine the area.

>Roll me some d20s, let’s see what you can find.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3030006

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3030006

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3030006

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>>3030006

>>3030069
>>3030131
>>3030306

Nothing immediately strikes you as odd as you walk around the wreckage. You get down on your hands and knees and begin to disturb the sand. As you sift the through the sand something clinks against your gauntleted hand. Brushing away more sand you find what your hand had hit, a small grey stone with a rune or design etched into its surface that had been thread through a strip of leather and made into a kind of makeshift necklace.

“What is that?” Selenas asks peering over your shoulder.

“I’m not sure,” you admit “What do you make of it solider,” you say offering the necklace to the chief scout.

He takes the necklace from you and inspects it in the light of the rising sun. “I haven’t seen a necklace like this anywhere before. Maybe it was the merchant’s?”

“Or maybe a one of the raiders dropped it?” intones Randolf examining the necklace himself.

“I guess we’ll just have to find out. Chief scout where is the next closest village,” you say taking the necklace back.

“It’s about a day or two west of here. Why do you ask?”

“That’s where we’re going next, I want to hear what the desert merchants know about all of this.”

“Are you sure that’s wise sir, the bandits are still out there. Let me ask the Sergeant Major to assemble some troops to go with you at least.”
>Sure, some extra manpower never hurts.
>No, too many people draw too much attention I will go alone
>Thanks for the offer but no, my companions will be enough.
>[Write In]

>>3030617
>Thanks for the offer but no, my companions will be enough.

>>3030617
[Write in} (first post so I apologize in advance If I say anything out of character)

" If I thought It dangerous I'd have requested the Sergeant Major's assistance myself. Your concern is commendable, but don't think me foolish."

>>3030617
Does Mildril recognise the rune?

>Hey Randolf you serve in campaign against dwarfs is that something they would made?
As we met with some dwarfs in nearby mountain

>Thanks for the offer but no, my companions will be enough

Maybe get one scout ore trusted local to help us navigate?


Also QM i wanted to ask something are all the dwarf and elves KOS?
Because i was wondering, when we went thru the door in the mountains where we met dwarf.
To go thru them Randolf listed several dwarfen drinks so are there dwarf that trade with humans and are picful with our queen?

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>>3030617

>>3030673
>>3031317
>>3032532

“Thank you for your concern chief scout if you could lend me a scout to guide us I would appreciate it, but beyond that, my companions will be enough to handle it.”

“If you insist sir, Private Wyatt will escort you to the Turaif.” The chief scout gestures one of his scouts over and explains the situation to him before wishing you the best and taking his leave with his remaining scouts.

“We’d best hurry sir if we want to get to Turaif by tomorrow.” Your scout reports to you, eager to get moving.

At your nod, the group takes off on its way to Turaif. Along the way, you have Mildri take a closer look at the necklace. “I haven’t seen anything like it,” Mildri reports to you “I don’t think it’s magical at least.”

The scout steers you true and by tomorrow with the burning desert sun halfway up the sky, you arrive in Turaif. It was a village like you had never seen before, almost none of the buildings were permanent, and in fact only one had adobe walls. The rest of the “village” consisted of tents of varying size and material. As you walked in to this mass of tents you are blasted by a cacophony of voices as merchants haggle and shout at each other, children run in large gangs rushing between and under your groups horses in chasing each other, squealing and laughing in childish delight.

Making your way deeper into the Turaif, the tents become closer and the number of people increases until you’re literally wading through people. It is then that a Bardiche is thrust in front of you by a particularly well armored man. “Halt,” he shouts above the clamor of the crowds “What brings you here, and so well equipped traveler?” the man asks his hands steady on his weapon as he looks you in eyes.

>Tell him the truth, and ask him if he recognizes the necklace you found.
>Tell him it’s none of his business, you’re not in the Empire anymore it would be wise to be careful.
>A lie will do, you’re just a wealthy arms collector taking a look at the market.
>[Write In]

>>3032532

For the most part elves are KOS as they are extremely aggressive and are not on the best of terms with the Empire.

Dwarves are a slightly different story, before the Empire’s expansionist phase the dwarves traded with those of mixed dwarven blood or those who proved themselves a friend of the dwarves. All trade stopped when the war broke out and hasn’t formally picked up since. Technically the front is at a stalemate with neither side attacking each other at the moment.

Most of the dwarven alcohol that is circulating around Empire at the moment comes from raided stashes from captured cities and from a few people who aid the dwarves and are paid in booze.

>>3033343
>Tell him the truth, and ask him if he recognizes the necklace you found

>>3033343
>>Tell him the truth, and ask him if he recognizes the necklace you found.

>>3033343
>>Tell him the truth, and ask him if he recognizes the necklace you found.

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>>3033343

>>3033510
>>3033694
>>3033713


Brushing the man’s Bardiche aside you reach into your satchel and pull out the necklace. “I’m looking for the owner of this,” You say as you dangle the necklace where the man can see it. He only takes a glance at the necklace before sizing you up. The man gives you a hard stare before gesturing to a tent across the square of people.

“You’ll find them in there, finish your business and then get out. I have don’t like trouble makers.” Before you can respond, the man turns and disappears into the crowd.

Your companions all give you quizzical looks to which you can only respond with a shrug. You push your way through the crowd until you reach the tent the man had pointed to. Far different from the others, this tent was a one solid dark grey color, the same color as the stone on the necklace. The crowds gave the tent a wide berth and the entrance flaps were guarded by two men in decent armor wielding strange animal hide shields and scimitars. Emblazoned on the entrance flaps to the tent was the symbol that was on the necklace. Riding into the empty space in front of the tent you dismount and approach the two men.

“Excuse me, can I either of you tell me where I can find the owner of this necklace.” You hold up the necklace for them to see.

Giving you a suspicious glare, one of the guards grunts and jabs a thumb at the tent.

Taking the hint, you walk forward to enter the tent only to have the other guard stop you by grabbing hold of your halberd and barking “No weapons inside, and your guards stay here.”

>Agree to disarm, you’ve got to find out what is going on.
>No sell, a weapon less man is a defenseless man.
>[Write In]

>>3034078
>Agree to disarm, you’ve got to find out what is going on.

>>3034078
>>Agree to disarm, you’ve got to find out what is going on.

>>3034078
>No sell, a weapon less man is a defenseless man.

>Good odds that these guys are bumping off caravans
>They'll know that we know as soon as we start asking questions, if not before
>Basically no backup or escape for us, little hope for companions.

Walking into the tent isn't the best idea I've heard.

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>>3034078

>>3034088
>>3034092
>>3034807

“Very well,” you answer keeping your tone calm. You turn and give your halberd and shortsword to Selenas which takes a more willpower than you thought.

“Are you sure this is wise Captain,” Randolf whispers, leaning in so as not to be heard. “I mean if things go bad we might not be able to get to you in time.”

Selenas gives you a worried look worth more than a thousand doubtful words and Mildri shifts around more nervously than you’d ever seen.

“I’ll be fine, if things go wrong I’ll find a way out don’t worry.” You brush off their concerns trying to sound sure but doubts nag at you as you turn from your companions and walk into the tent.

As soon as the flap to the tent closes you are plunged into darkness “Come forward, have a seat,” a genial man’s voice call to you out of the darkness. You stumble forward until a rug and pillow covered floor comes into view and you seat yourself. As your eyes adjust you can start to make out more of your surroundings. The interior of the tent was rather small but it was still enough for you to stand at your full height after you entered. “So, what can the Stone Vipers do for you?” the voice asks and you try to focus on where it was coming from. Sitting at the other end of the tent was an extremely bulky fellow who was equal parts muscle, fat, and scars all packed into some black dyed leather armor.

>Roll me some d20+1s, can Baldr contain his spaghetti?

Rolled 5 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3036055
engage pasta counter measures!

Rolled 4 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3036055

Rolled 10 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3036055
gg no re

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>>3036055

>>3036281
>>3036598
>>3036622

>1 Success

“Well I guess you can tell me what it is you do exactly.” As soon as the words leave your mouth you prepare jump up and bolt out the door. How could you be this stupid?

The large man clears his throat and stares at you with a mixture of suspicion and amusement, like he didn’t know whether to cut you down now or let you keep bumbling around. “We’re a mercenary band, what do you think we do?” he chuckles. “How did you come to hear of us?” the man asks his tone turning more serious as his eyes scan you over.

You have to think of something quick anything will do.

>Show the necklace.
>I’ve heard rumors.
>I just wandered in.

>>3036743
>Show the necklace.

>>3036743
>>Show the necklace.

>>3036743
>Show the necklace.
Stay on target.

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>>3036743

>>3036761
>>3036881
>>3037073

“I was looking for the owner of this necklace,” you say pulling it out of your satchel for the mercenary to see.

“Now where did you get that?” The man inquires as he takes the necklace in his hand.

“I found it lying in the sand during my travels.”

“Right.” The man says dismissively as he pulls the necklace from your hand. “Well, I thank you for returning this to us, now, good day.” He says gesturing to the tent flap.

"Wait," you try to protest, but the man cuts you off. "You said you were looking for the owner of the necklace, well you found 'em and returned it to 'em. You've done your good deed for the day now git."

>Protest, you have to find out more.
>Don’t push your luck it’s time to leave
>[Write In]

>>3037334

>>3037334
>Protest, you have to find out more

>>3037756
Jesus fucking christ. We've managed to avoid death despite stupid decisions and bad rolls already. Why do you hate this quest so much?

>Don’t push your luck it’s time to leave

>>3037334
>>Don’t push your luck it’s time to leave
from what we could gather here, and assuming they told us the truth about being mercenaries, then they're probably just the grunts doing the dirty work, and not the masterminds behind the caravan raids

>>3038820
they are not I think, these are the victims of the raids, not the perpetrators, that's why we need more info

>>3037334
>>Protest, you have to find out more.
>>3037568
just realized that my post was without a vote

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3037334

Looks like we have a tie
>1 protest
>>3037756
>>3038891
>2 leave
>>3038291
>>3038820

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>>3037334

>>3039187

You had to protest, this would be your last chance to get some information out this guy. Despite the danger and the possibility of making things worse, you rise to your full height and exerting as much authority as you can and turn to face the mercenary.

>Last chance gentlemen roll some d20+1s

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3039223

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3039223

guess were fucked

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3039223

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>>3039223

>>3039258
>>3039277
>>3040071

>-1 Success, Oh boy

“I am in the service, of Her Majesty Queen Quintis of the Masson Empire. I am here to investigate why caravans have been getting slaughtered and trade being prevented with the empire. I found that necklace at one of the caravan wrecks and I suspect that your mercenary group is behind these caravan attacks. Now you will answer my questions or find yourself answering to the Queen’s justice.” Your voice rings with stern conviction as you face down the mercenary.

A vicious smile crosses the mercenary’s lips and he reaches to his belt and unsheathes his scimitar. “You’re little too far out into the desert to be spouting nonsense like that boy.” He says chuckling slightly, “The only justice served out here is cold steel.” With those words the mercenary leaps at you.


Baldur Blooddragon

>HP: 20/20

>Attack Bonuses:

>Defense Bonuses:
>Full Armor +3

>Misc. Effects:
>Experienced +2 to dice

VS.

Mercenary

>HP: Healthy

>Attack Bonuses:
>Decent Weapon +1

>Defense Bonuses:
>Light Armor + 1

>Misc. Effects:
>Experienced +2 to dice


Fighting stance:
>Offensive stance: + 2 to your damage +1 to your dice
>Defensive stance: +2 to your defense -1 to your damage
>Balanced stance: No bonuses
>Perform Action [Specify]

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3040161
( New guy again, nice to see this is still up! Ignore me If I'm messing up. )


>Offensive stance: + 2 to your damage +1 to your dice

> Action:
>While he's leaping forward close the distance To get within his swing radius, (assumed right-handed opponent) Jab at his face with our right hand.

>Thoughts: Between closing the distance and the small environment It will be difficult for him to strike with the edged weapon effectively.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3041070
This or GTFO
>>3038891
>>3037756
Morons

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3041070
This

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Rolled 1, 11, 2 = 14 (3d20)

>>3041070
Generally all you have to do is pick a stance or an action, but the flavor of the kind of attack is always nice.
>>3041201
>>3041285
Since you all seem to agree on a course of action I will except these rolls this time, but in the future, rolls will only be accepted after the stance or action has been decided.

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>>3041070
>>3041201
>>3041285
>>3042115

Your rolls: 4,20,14 = (13)*2 crit +2 [Experienced] +1 [Stance] = 29
Enemy rolls: 1,11,2 = (5)/2 crit fail +2 [Experienced] = 5
29-5 = 24

>Bonuses: 23 -1[Armor] +1[Stance] = 24 damage dealt
>Mercenary knocked unconscious


Thinking fast you decide to meet the mercenary head on, even without weapons you are still a formidable opponent, and you doubt the mercenary will expect you to head at him. Leaping at you was the mercenary’s first mistake. Once his feet left the ground you knew exactly where he was going to land. You step quickly to the spot and wait for your opponent to attack.

His second mistake was choosing to aim for your head. With such a high aimed swing, it was easy for you to duck underneath his slash and prepare your counterattack.

His third and last mistake was underestimating an unarmed opponent and agent of the queen. With his scimitar passing safely over your head you rise to your feet once more bringing your right fist upward in an uppercut. The mercenary sees what is coming and can only give a look of shock, then recognition, and finally acceptance as your fist, with your rising body weight, and the mercenary traveling downward collides directly into the underside of the man’s jaw. You hear the clack of teeth striking each other as your fist makes contact. You follow through with the uppercut tossing the mercenary back onto the floor. He flops onto the rug unconscious but breathing.

>One down two to go, finish off the other two guards.
>Time to see what this guy knows, tie him up and start the interrogation.
>[Write In]

>>3042190
>One down two to go, finish off the other two guards.

>>3042190
>>One down two to go, finish off the other two guards.
shout for help, Selenas and the rest should still be around the tent

>>3042190
>[Write In]

Verify he's actually knocked out, then hold him, hostage with his own weapon, to get the guards to surrender.

>>3042115
Ah I see, I'm used to T-1(ish) so I was expecting a bit more of a match, this is cool though I like it.

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>>3042190

>>3042216
>>3042286
>>3043067

Dragging the unconscious mercenary with you head out of the front flap of the tent and toss the body in front of the two guards. Using the mercenary’s scimitar, you put the blade up against one of the stunned guard’s necks. “Drop your weapons and surrender,” you order.

The other guard unsheathes his scimitar and points it at you, but gets no further as Randolf brings his mace down the guard’s wrist disarming him. That blow is followed by another one to the guard’s stomach causing him to double over and fall to his knees. The rest of your companions follow Randolf’s lead and help to secure the mercenaries. Soon enough you have all three of them bound and dragged in to the tent for interrogation. The only question now was who to start with.

>The two guards must know something, start with them.
>Wake up the mercenary he might be more talkative now.
>Leave the interrogation to Randolf, you want to hit the town’s markets.
>[Write In]

>>3043088

Yes if you take a look in the archives you will see our other encounters were a little less quick than this.

My system also makes combat very scary where both death or success are equally likely

>>3043287

>This is the last post of the day see you guys tomorrow

>>3043287
>The Question guards.

>Post someone as a lookout.

>Seperate them and question one while Randolf questions one, cross-referencing what they tell you.

>Once 3rd man is awake confront him with what was found out if anything.