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>>3560273
>Carpenter

>Cook

A good home must have good food

>>3560273
>>Cook

>>3560273
>Cook

>>3560273
>Cook

>>3560273
>Steward
Just to go against the current, also what is a steward again?

>>3560294
Basically like a concierge in this case; sees to people's needs, makes sure they get what they need/want, etc.

>>3560273
>Carpenter

>>3560278
>>3560285
>>3560286
>>3560291

>Skill: Cooking +3!
>Knowledge: Food and Drink +2!

You were employed as a kitchen boy from a young age to earn coin for the family. It was honest work, if tedious, but you did manage to learn a thing or two about cooking in the process. When you showed promise you were taken under the wing of Alderac Manette, head cook of:

>A common inn in a busy city
>A lord's manor

>>3560302
>A lord's manor
Fancy cooking skills can translate to food popular to the commoners.

>A common inn in a busy city

Tempted to choose between shitty commoner food or classy aristocrat food, but the solidarity we can have with the common folk is too good to pass up

>>3560302
>A common inn in a busy city

>>3560302
>>A lord's manor

>>3560324
>>3560325

>Skill: Etiquette (Lowborn) +2!
>Knowledge: Logistics +2!
>Aspect: Man of the People Unlocked! (Gain a bonus when dealing with the common folk. May rub the nobility the wrong way)

Alderac worked for The Copper Gorge, an inn on the mainland, and it was at his side you learned how to please the people. Hearty stews, roast game, wild vegetables, you learned how to feed the people. Even if the flavors were too 'basic' for more refined tongues, who cared? The people who came through the doors weren't there for anything fancy. Full stomachs for little money and a barmaid's withering glare were all they needed.

When news of your father's passing reached you, it was with a heavy heart you left Alderac's employment and traveled to Esthos. You'd have stayed, but family is family. During the month long voyage, you passed the time:

>Talking to the other travelers, swapping information
>With the crew, telling stories and bawdy jokes
>In the kitchens, earning your keep
>Write-in

>>3560353
>Learning the art of cooking, becoming a better chef

>>3560353
(Sorry I missed >>3560349. Work wifi doesn't let me run auto-updates.

Going forward, there will be a 25 minute cutoff to the voting period.)

>>3560353
>In the kitchens, earning your keep

>>3560353
>Talking to the other travelers, swapping information

>>3560353
>>Talking to the other travelers, swapping information

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3560357
>>3560397
>>3560404
>>3560411

Tied vote. Rolling to resolve:

1) Kitchen
2) Travelers

>>3560424
Vote closed. Writing.

>>3560425
>Skill: Cooking +1!
>Knowledge: Logistics +1!
>Knowledge: Food and Drink +1!
>Aspect: Improvise unlocked! (As long as it's not rotten or a deadly poison, you can make a meal from just about anything. May not be tasty, though).
>Aspect: Food is Medicine Unlocked! (You have learned which foods can stave off certain natural diseases and maladies).

You spent your time in the kitchens, helping where you could and learning about how to move and prepare food for sailors aboard a vessel at sea. Harold, the one-eyed man in charge of the galley, had been a soldier in another life and knew what it takes to keep men on their feet. He taught you about which herbs help fight aches, colds, and other problems a man might face, as well as how to fend off scurvy and malnutrition. When you parted ways in Esthos he gave you a gift: a few of his favorite recipes, and a small pouch of silver coins to help you on your way.

"Me son's on the bottom of the sea, boy. He'd hae been yer age last year. Alras be at yer back."

>Received: 50 silver!

And now, you've arrived. Esthos looks just as you'd imagined a frontier town would look. A central square ahead of you, lined with guild offices and the bases of merchant companies, camps and barracks in the outskirts, the 'port' and its warehouses behind you, and milling about everywhere the press of commoners and freefolk, adventurers and mercenaries in what gear they could scrape together, go-fors and functionaries looking harried as they buzz back and forth on whatever business spurrs them.

For better or worse, you're home.

>Go to the House of Law to claim your inheritance
>Go to the Drunken Whore to survey the damage
>Go to the Porter's Guild to discuss your father's debt
>Write-In

>>3560464
>>Go to the House of Law to claim your inheritance

>Go to the House of Law to claim your inheritance

May as well see what we got left with.

(Question: I'm not used to /qst/, as the last thing I ran was on /tg/ years ago. I know it's a slower board, but how much slower? Is a 25 minute window not enough time?)

>>3560464
>Go to the House of Law to claim your inheritance

>>3560464
>Go to the House of Law to claim your inheritance

>>3560471
25 minutes is enough time, the board gets more active later on in the day

Vote closed. Writing.

(Sorry. Nature of the job is that I'm not busy until I am.)

>>3560464
You get directions from a few locals before making your way to the square. A stage stands neglected in the center, benches around it. Assemblies, executions, who knows what function it served but for now it serves as little more than shade from the heat of the day. You cross the square toward what seems to be the only stone building on the island. Above the door hangs a painted sign depicting three lions, each with a sword in its mouth. "Some royal crest or something" you think as you push open the door.

Inside, behind a desk practically bowed in the center from the weight of the books and paperwork piled atop it, sits a woman black-haired woman in glasses, writing quickly in a ledger as a smartly-dressed man standing at her side reads from a scroll, dictating what seems to be a manifest.

She sets down the quill as you enter, folding her hands and turning toward you. "Good morning. How can the house of Governor Mahre help you?"

You introduce yourself and explain why you're there. She nods with the words scarcely out of your mouth and without looking pulls folio from one of the piles, scarcely disturbing the air around it.

"I'm sorry about your father's passing. I didn't know the man but people spoke of him."

The 'He was an asshole' is implied.

"This should be everything. Deed, permit of operation, and the certificate of his passing. He was buried at sea, I'm afraid. With the island small as it is, burial plots aren't widely available."

You examine the folio and its contents; as she said, everything is there.

>Talk (Write-In)
>Leave (Destination)
>Write-In

>>3560587
>>Leave (Destination)
>Go to the Porter's Guild to discuss your father's debt

>Ask if we inherited any depts from him

Better to know now than later

>>3560609
>>3560587
This

Vote closed. Writing.

>>3560587
>Ask if we inherited any debts

"Several."

Your heart sinks.

"The Porter's Guild claims a debt of 250 pieces of gold for goods transported, the Vinter's Guild 400 for spirits imported from Kharne, Sebthis, and Walse, and the Sons of the Sea 100 for salt and fish. Of course that's after what they could reclaim from your father's estate. The certificates for the liquidation are on file if you wish to see."

750 pieces of gold. Seven. Hundred. Fifty. Two silver is enough to last a man a week. Three if he wants to be comfortable! That's almost fifty years of living expenses!

Seeing your dismay, the woman removes her glasses and smiles gently. "It's not much, but there were some personal effects that were left behind as well. A room above his inn, a few small trinkets, and a chest of drawers. Maybe there's something among then that might help. I really am sorry you're being saddled with this. It's not terribly fair, I know."

The smartly dressed man clears his throat. "Miss Margaret, you're to appear before His Excellence soon."

She nods, replacing her glasses. As if putting on a mask, her demeanor becomes professional once more. "Yes, thank you Michael. Now then, mister Soren, if there was anything else?"

>Talk (Write-In)
>Leave (Destination)
>Write-In

>>3560675
Thank her and leave
>Leave (Destination)
Vinter's Guild

>750 pieces of gold
WTF old man!

>>3560675
>>Leave (Destination)
To the Drunken Whore to survey the damage and to check the personal effects she mentioned.

>>3560675
>Leave (Drunken Whore)

>>3560697
Actually probably we want to survey what we have before seeing to our debts so change to
>Leave (Drunken Whore)
from this >>3560697

Vote closed. Writing.

>>3560712
>>3560707
>>3560703

You thank the woman, get directions, and leave for the Drunken Whore. Through town, back to the docks, and down at one end of the pie- oh. Oh... good gods.

Before you stands an affront to inns everywhere. The Copper Gorge wasn't a masterwork of architecture by any measure, but this? This looks like a stiff wind would set it on fire somehow. Planks of driftwood make up the outer wall, windows closed only with shutters, and a door propped closed with a rock. There's no knob or lock, though it seems one was there once. You move the rock and step into a dingy, grimy hole. Broken benches and stained tables are shoved up against one side of the common room against the stairs leading up to the second floor. A bar lines the opposite wall, dusty shelves built in behind it. Rotting straw and rat droppings covers the dirt floor, and the stench of old beer seems to have permeated the very soul of the place.

Steeling yourself, you go upstairs. At the end if the short, narrow hallway you find what must have been your father's personal apartment. Bed, chest of drawers, his clothes, all as promised. A quick search turns up little besides an old journal with a few scribbled notes that make no sense to you, letters scented with perfume that were addressed to your father by somebody who was most assuredly not your mother, and a copper locket containing no portrait. You slump onto the bed, dejected, only to feel something hard below you. You strip off the down matress, revealing a chest hidden below. Try as you might, it's locked tight and you have no key.

>Try to force the lock
>Start cleaning
>Leave (Destination)
>Write-In

>>3560759
>Start cleaning
Might find something while cleaning

>>3560759
>Start cleaning

>>3560759
>Start cleaning
aka look for the key

Vote closed, but I've gotten busy. We'll resume shortly.

>>3560767
>>3560774
>>3560784

First things first: cleaning. This place is a disaster, and if you ever hope to attract patrons this place had better be sparkling. Or at least not coated in a thin layer of patrons past.

The thought you might find the key to the chest never even crosses your mind. Honest!

(Give me a d20 roll for the cleaning. Relevant skill bonuses will be added as applicable. If you want to use one if your appropriate unlocked aspects, mention it with your post and how you'd like to apply it. I will be posting a character sheet sometime over the weekend.

Best of the first three rolls will be used. Botches and crits take precedence, and in the instance of both they will cancel one-another out and the remaining roll will be used.)

>>3561387

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3561387

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3561387

>>3561400
>>3561427

Well, it... certainly is a different kind of messy now. You swept the straw into a pile in the center of the room, wiped down the bar and shelves, and managed to find a few bottles of cheap grog that had been hidden away behind the bar. No key, though, and it certainly is still unusable for anyone but the roughest of customers.

You may be out of your depth here. At least the kitchen is clean, that much you can say with confidence. You'll need to get some provisions at some point if you want to do business, and maybe find somebody to mind the bar. And maybe keep the place clean. Spent, you take a seat on one of the stools, which promptly falls apart and sends you ass over elbows backward into the dirt.

>Keep cleaning
>Leave (Destination)
>Write-In

(Repeated Actions: You may repeat an action up to three times. The second attempt receives a penalty of -2 and the third of -5.)

>>3561433
>talk to the people at the bar
Learn what they know

>>3561474
(Nobody's here but you.)

>>3561433
Can we take in an orphan as a helper in exchange for food and housing?

>>3561433
>>Keep cleaning

>>3561433
First: We need to consider changing the name.
Second: We need to repair the place.

>>3561545
Oh my god please we need a better name. Drunken Whore isn’t advertising friendly

>>3561545
What about naming it Hestia's Hearth or Goose Green.

>>3561536
Certainly an option. There are enough whore's children or free people around.

>>3561433
>>3561581
well then
>>Adopt an orphan helper

>>3561574
I like Hestia's Hearth. Why 'Hestia', though?

>>3561593
Vetoing for now. Let's make the place presentable first and/or get some startup cash.

>>3561613
hestia is the goodess of the hearth. also now that I think about it you're right, we should focus on first cleaning up.

>>3561538
>>3561623
Gimme a roll.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3561628
Bip.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3561628

>>3561632
(Give me a bit. Bad luck.)

>>3561632

Okay, that hurt a bit and now you're down a stool. It's okay, nothing to worry about. You pick yourself up and dust off the dirt. You've seen worse, this can't be that bad. You just need to knuckle down and get things done!

>Inn condition downgrade: Poor > Pitiful

Broken shelves, a gouge in the bartop, a few more broken stools, holes - actual holes - in the dirt floor where you tried to dig out mysterious discolored patches, and your doorstop-rock is at the bottom of the harbor after you flung it out to sea in a fit of frustration. You sit amongst your failure, worse now than when you found it. You realize you are most definitely going to need help with this. But, where to find it? And who's going to pay for it?

>Leave (Destination)
>Write-In

(Botches: If you botch an action the first time, subsequent rolls will be made at a penalty. If a botch occurs on the second attempt, Soren's spirit is worn down and he can't bring himself to try any further.)

>>3562411
>Try to force the lock

>>3562411
>>Throw out the broken furniture and trash.

>>3562425
>>3562463

Combining. Give me a roll for forcing the chest.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3562466

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3562466

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3562466
Ugh. Well, let's hope I don't screw it up again.

>>3562531
>>3562513
>>3562485
Crit! Writing.

(Crits: While not an automatic success, a critical roll will either confer a bonus of some sort or make subsequent attempts at the same task easier.)

>>3562538
Frustration having given way to melancholy, you shuffle the broken remnants of stools and shelves out into the back of the inn, leaving them in a pile to be dealt with later. Returning inside, and at your wits end, you return upstairs to examine the chest once more.

Sturdy with brass fittings and a very sturdy lock, it sits exposed beneath the bed. Mocking you. Mocking you in just such a way that you feel inspired to cause it harm. You give it a kick, and something inside jingles. Just like the coins in the pouch Harold gave you.

You've never moved so fast in your life. Downstairs to grab a poker from the kitchen then back upstairs. If the chest were a living thing, it would likely know fear as you jam the flat end between the lid and the bottom of the chest, levering it up and down and forcing more of the heavy iron rod inside. Soon, with a satisfying crack, the chest pops open like a hefty egg laden with treasures.

Only in this case, "treasure" is a bit more of a liberal interperetation. An old sea coat and tricorn hat, a meticulously cared for pistol, a dagger, a handkerchief, and a small sack of silver in the bottom along with a journal.

>"Highwayman Costume" acquired!
>Pistol Acquired!
>Dagger Acquired!
>"Father's Journal" acquired!
>+50 Silver

>Look (Journal)
>Look (Highwayman Costume)
>Look (Other)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3562586
>Look (Journal)

Treasure?

>>3562586
>>3562538
Oops, dropped my trip.

>>3562586
>>Look (Journal)

>>3562586
>Look (Journal)

>Highwayman Costume
This situation is getting worse

>>3562589
>>3562598
>>3562602

You sit down and undo the strap binding the journal and open it. Folded scraps of parchment are stuffed haphazardly between the pages, which themselves don't seem to contain much but scribbled notes and dates. 'Third Spring, Moon's Day. Met a merchant on his way to Narlost. No blood spilled, a few bars of iron richer.' 'Fifteenth Spring, Freeman's Day. A festival in the city. Too many guards, the contents of a man's pocket not worthwhile. Marjorie's fever worse.'

Your mother's name.

'First Summer, Shadow's Day. Fever's broken, but the medicine cost me all I had. Nothing for it but to roam a bit farther out. It's almost time for Pilgrimage, so hopefully some lesser lords and ladies won't mind parting with their goods. Not as if they'll miss a few of their extra rings.'

'Twentieth Summer, Field Day. Bundled up Marjorie and the boy in the night and sent them away. I had no choice. Lord Grantham won't stop just with my head. Need to disappear. Gods save them. Gods save me.'

You thumb through the folded parchments. Letters to your father, you assume, but never a name signed to sender or recipient. Reports of a growing son, heartfelt words of apology, begging to know why whoever these letters were written to left. You're not a terribly clever man but even you can read between the lines. You set the journal aside, the weight bearing down on you.

There seems to be nothing else important within, though there is a red silk ribbon folded carefully between the last page and the back cover. You set the journal aside and turn your attention to the clothes. Clumsily patched here and there, a few charred holes in the back of it. On the inner lining, a few dark stains.

>"Mother's Ribbon" acquired!

So that's why he came out here; avoiding responsibility for what he'd done. Somehow you aren't surprised.

>Look (Write-In)
>Leave (Destination)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3562645
>Other (Burn "Father's Journal")

>>3562661
(I've got to run, but since this is the only vote, we'll proceed when I get back.

I appreciate your patience.)

>>3562712
Thanks for running!

Does the inn have a basement or something?
We could go into a shitty part of town and find out if someone wants a place to host cockfights after closing or something, easy startup money and we don't need the nicest of places, we could even sell ale to the spectators

>>3562728
No basement, but you can do whatever you like really. Just expect people to react appropriately.

>>3562728
I really like this idea. I like the idea of being highly commoner-friendly, but not so much the idea of being seedy--maybe we can host slightly less barbaric gambling?

>>3562829
What's the local attitude toward gambling/cockfighting?

>>3562923
Soren just got here, but it's usually seen as barbaric and a disrespect of Halna (goddess of home and hearth)'s gifts since you're making a food animal suffer before it dies. Depends on how pious Soren is. One can assume the town's hard up for entertainment based on what you've seen.

Then let's twist it a bit. Let's not say cockfighting, but rather games of chance or slight skill a sort. Something that's safe and fun for all parties, but might convince a few fools to part with their money willingly. I'm thinking something like weekly card tournaments or something. Regardless, we'll need capital to do ANYTHING, still. Which means we need to keep our eyes on the prize and focus on starting up first.

Well our restaurant currently looks(as the QM puts it) pitiful. Unless we offer service for incredibly low prices(or free) no ones gonna come in

Unless you wanna advertise our food, cause we good at that

>>3562956
I will remind you that you do currently have 100 pieces of silver if you need to hire people, buy supplies, etc.

Considering how trash the place is, honestly, it might as well get overhauled entirely. Junk everything that's cracked, busted, or non-functional, probably demolish a room or two to cut down on building costs, then just purchase pre-built furniture and build over the corpse of what's left.

>>3562967
Ask local carpentry and home repair company in town for their rates. Ask them to fix our place.

We're going to need suppliers for food to. Look around local farms for potential partners.

>>3562645
So everyone if bring the fact our old man might be alive and an assassin of some kind?

Should we, you know, make sure our backs arnt going to receive a dagger in the coming month?

My idea to protect ourselves was hire some Humanoid Monster. Maybe a Succubus, Shapeshifter, or Gorgon.

>>3563083
Supporting, we should get pricings for a new set of furniture, food to serve for a week and a helper of some kind

>>3562973
depends on when we need to pay the debts to the local merchants our father owed.

>>3562967
When exactly are we expected to pay them back? Also what are the legalities of cock fights or a fighters pit?
what is coinage denomination. Is it 10, or 100, silver to one gold? Trying to get a scope for how much debt we have. Also assuming copper is part of this currency correct?
How much of our fathers rep is being passed to us?

Also odd question but how high fantasy is this setting? does magic, monsters existing etc.


>>3563174
We could but we need to figure out when we need to pay back the merchants and such.

>>3562967
100 silver = 1 gold
100 coppers = 1 silver
Is that correct exchange rate?

Why not first make the inn presentable. Money is not really an issue at the moment, we have like 100 silver.

>>3563083
supporting this

>>3563233
If we go for the cock fights do we even need to know the legalities?
I think we could keep it "discrete" and it wouldn't matter

>>3563268
We could always appeal to the lower classes with a bakery instead of cock fights. No need to do illegal things.

>>3563236
Yes, 100 to 1 exchange rates.

>>3563233

Moderate. "Age of Sail," magic is more of a ritualized practice, monsters live in the wilds and are more forces of nature (think Princess Mononoke). Fighting pits are more acceptable than cockfights, but both attract a rougher element and could cause trouble down the road. Your father's rep is tied to the inn. If people find out you're his son, it might cause you trouble but you are your own man.

>>3563268
>>3563290
was more of a question of how discrete we have to be if we do that.

>>3563339
thanks.

>>3563290
Yeah but it's just an idea to get easy money on the side, we don't have to put any capital so it's low risk for us and the clientelle of cockfights (or any activity of the like we can find) isn't really picky about an establishment's sorry state, also we diversify our interest when we add a form of entertainment to our business.

So, uh, what did we decide to do at >>3562645

>>3563645
Burn the journal, for starters, but it sounds like you're wanting to fix up the place too?

>>3563645
--->3562712

Yeah.

I guess establish a small side business inside. Either cockfighting, or something that would get people in.

Also hire some carpenters. At least enough the inn look livable

I'd like to vote for no cockfighting or pit fighting. I feel like with our relationship with our father we want to do things above board.

Cards, dice, some game of luck and skill, would be nice to have, but for now let's focus on getting this place cleaned up, and get some advertising out. Once people try our food we'll have something to work with.

>>3563981
I agree with this anon, I wanna be respectable unlike our father.

(Going to be out again today, but to recap what I think is going on:

There was a vote to burn your father's journal, some discussion about hiring somebody to fix the place up, and some debate about going into shady business practices.

Making plans is great, but doing things will take time. Your skill [Etiquette(Lowborn)] will help with dealing with common people like tradesmen, laborers, etc.)

>>3564493
We should definitely work to make the place presentable so we can get back to business and work on paying off our debts. But I disagree with hosting cockfights and such, I don't want to risk getting busted.

>>3564493
I wanted to burn it to get rid of evidence. He admits to thievery and being a highwayman.
If people find out it want gather us a sympathy

>>3564493
I think most important thing is to take a stock of things we have
Can we even cook? Do we have utensils like cups and bowls, plates to serve food in it?

>>3564538
You have basically nothing. You do have a kitchen (wood stove, pots and pans, nothing fancy) but nothing to really serve on. Several dirty tankards that you managed to clean up and salvage during the initial attempt, but it was clear your father ran it more like an alehouse.

Should we made attempt to furnish and fix up our establishment first or talk with our creditors?

>>3564554
The former.

>>3564595
(Just a quick update:

We'll resume tonight in around 8 hours. I'm sorry for the delays. My employer decided to send me on a business trip last minute so that's killing my time. I'll be home Wednesday, but I'll keep the thread alive till then.)

I think we should just focus on seeing how much it'll cost to repair the place for now, if we really can't afford it then we can look towards seedier methods. Talk to the creditors later because, uh... if we spend the money first they can't take it from us!

>>3567401
Bump

>>3567401
This

Dusk has fallen while you were cleaning and after lighting a fire in the hearth using some of the broken furniture that was beyond salvation you toss on your father's journal, watching as the flames begin licking at it like a hungry beast, charring the pages and curling the leather away from the binding. You sit watching as the book is reduced to ash, the fire dancing and warming your bones. Your stomach growls as your mind turns, thinking about what has to happen next. First, repairing the inn and getting things in order.

You briefly consider less savory means of income, but you aren't your father. Good food, good drink, and good company. That's what you need. That's what you think Esthos needs. Not one of the people you saw today looked happy or content, and if you had to put your hand on it, the small town seemed to lack a soul. You find yourself nodding off in front of the hearth and shake yourself awake. You don't have much daylight left, so you should make the best of it. Then again, it would be nice to sleep in an actual bed and not a ship's berth.

>Sleep
>Leave (Destination)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3573081
>Sleep
Business tomorrow

>>3573089
>keep pistol loaded and dagger under pillow

>>3573081
>>Sleep

>>3573081
>Sleep
>>3573091
agreed

>>3573091
supporting

>>3573081
When and how often should we expect updates OP?

Also >Sleep

Did we read the entire journal before burning it?

Could have mentioned hidden stash or some treasure guarded by some monsters in a dungeon.

>>3573195
As time allows, unfortunately. Once I'm out of training they'll speed up.

Please bear with me.

>>3573081
>>Sleep

>>3573081
>>Sleep
Also, I think the 'Mother's Ribbon' could be a good name for the inn (?)

>>3575320
Support

You decide that you've had enough excitement for one day, and it's best to bed down for the night. You can do something about your hunger in the morning. You retire to your father's - well, now your - room, closing the door behind you. You pull the shutters, latching them from the inside before reassembling the bed over top of the chest. You take a moment to reload the pistol and inspect the dagger. Clean and sharp; at least he took care of his tools. You place both under the straw pillow, not willing to take chances in an unknown area. Everybody seemed fairly benign on the surface, but that didn't mean a thing. You slip under the coarse wool blanket, and almost as soon as your head hits the pillow you're fast asleep, the sea air and exhaustion from your journey a powerful spell.

You are awoken in the morning to pounding on the door of your room.

"I know somebody's in there! Get your ass up and unlock this thing before I break it down!" Whoever it is sounds the very opposite of friendly. The dim light streaming through the slats in the shutters tells you it's just a bit after sunrise.

>Open the door
>Fire a shot through the door
>Speak (Write-In)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3578890
>Other
>Prepare your gun and yourself.

>>3578890
as hilarious as firing a shot through the door would be, I don't think we want to be arrested for homicide
>>3578938
this, but tell them that we just woke up and that we'll open the door up after we get dressed.

>>3578890
>"COMING! Hold your horses!"
>Go and open the door

>>3578938
>>3578955
>>3578958

"I'm coming, hold on!" You rise. sliding the gun from beneath the pillow and sticking it into your belt before approaching the door. "Step back, I'm opening the door." You hear the shuffling of boots as whoever's behind the door steps back. You take a deep breath and crack the door open. The figure behind it stands with arms crossed over his bare chest, dark eyes boring holes into you. Two other men stands behind him, dressed simply but with belaying pins tucked in their belts.

"...you don't look a damn thing like your daddy, boy. Lucky you. You gonna ask us in, or we gonna do this on the steps like we ain't civilized?"

"...do... what?" You ask, hand tightening on the pistol you're still hiding behind the door. The man reaches behind him, snapping his fingers. One of the thugs at his back hands up a folded, sealed note bound in oilskin. The man in front takes it, then holds it toward you.

"You're bein' served."

...great.

"They call me 'Fish,' and I've been deputized by the Porters Guild to pass this off to you. My associates here are bearin' witness."

>Take the note
>Slam and lock the door
>Other (Write-In)

>>3578992
>take the note
at least we're probably not being attacked

>>3578992
>Take the note

>>3578992

>Take the note

Dammit, dad.

>>3578992
>Take the note

You reach out, taking the note from Fish's hand. He gives a mocking salute before turning and shoving his associates out of the way. "Make way, rock-heads!" He tromps down the stairs and out the front door.

Once he's gone, you close and lock the door once more before opening the note. "Sir, your presence is requested before Astin Tarle, duly appointed guildmaster of the Great Landsnere Porter's Guild, under the authority of..." blah, blah, blah. 'Come talk to us about your debt,' in short. Not that you weren't planning to, but being summoned puts your teeth on edge. And it's stamped with the same three lions as on the House of Law. Still, as long as you appear sometime today maybe it won't be so bad, and there's so much to do...

>Leave (Destination)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3579054
>Leave (Porter's Guild)

>>3579057
Guess we should go deal with our crippling debt

Well, now that they've made it official you don't have much in the way of choice. You take a minute to make yourself as presentable as you can before you set off to the guildhall. Again, a kind passerby gives you directions, and you make your way to the square. Again, a small building, this time wooden and with a sign depicting a ship, is your destination. A man seated outside smoking a pipe raises a brow as you approach. "Oi. No weapons inside, friend. Leave those with me, I'll take care of them till you're done."

>Surrender weapons
>Refuse
>Other (Write-in)

>>3579114
>Surrender weapons
If they wanted to kill us then they would have already. If they injure us too badly they don't get their money, so it should be safe.

>>3579114
>Surrender weapons

>>3579114
>>Surrender weapons

>>3579114
>>Refuse

You gladly turn over your pistol and dagger. The man takes them and nods, standing and putting them in the small chest he's been sitting on. "All right, then. They'll be here for you when you're done. Here to see somebody particular? One-Eye inside can tell you where to go. Fair winds, friend."

You nod and step inside, the hinges swinging wide without making a sound. The interior is unlike anything you'd expect to see given the rest of the town. Every inch of exposed wood is stained rich and dark, your footfalls are muffled by a burgundy carpet trimmed in gold, the furniture is upholstered in shades of jade and amber, and the air smells of strange fragrances you're not familiar with. A young man sits in one of the chairs, leaning against the arm of it and reading a book. Despite his youthful looks, he's wearing an eyepatch and the edge of a tattoo is visible above his collar.

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused." He turns the page.

Well, then...

>"I'm looking for the guildmaster."
>"Show some respect to your elders, boy."
>Other (Write-In)

>>3579184
>Other (Write-In)
"I was asked to come here to deal with my Father's debt. Who would I talk to for that?"

>>3579184
>"I'm looking for the guildmaster."

I say let play kid game. If he will try to get rid of us. We can gain some time.

>>3579184
>"I'm looking for the guildmaster."

>>3579184
>>"I'm looking for the guildmaster."

>>3579184
>>"I'm looking for the guildmaster."

"I'm looking for the guildmaster," you tell the boy. He heaves a sigh and snaps the book shut, rising to his feet with the sinewy grace of a snake. "Fine, follow me then." He turns on his heel and stalks down a hallway. You follow behind as he leads you through a room stacked floor to ceiling with chests, ledgers, and stacks of papers. Organization on Esthos seems to be in short supply. He opens another door and inside an older man in a powdered wig leans over a massive map, dotted with flags of different colors.

"Somebody to see you, sir."

"Mmm. Yes, yes, thank you Percy." The one-eyed youth bows then turns away, disappearing the way you'd both come.

"Ah, you must be his son..." The man doesn't keep the disdain from his tone. "Here to settle up, then, I hope. Your father owes us quite the substantial debt, but as you spoke to Margaret already I assume this is already known. Two-hundred and fifty pieces of gold, to the copper penny, and you should thank whatever god you claim that we're not charging interest."

Why is everyone here so hostile?

[Man of the People is in effect]

>"I've come to bargain" (Roll)
>"I need more time." (Write-In)
>"I have an idea..." (Write-In)
>Other (Write-In)

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3579607
>"I've come to bargain" (Roll)

How far does this guild reach/what's their dominion?

If reasonable, bluff and argue that while we still have some money on us we could leave this place behind as quickly as we came here, and never pay a penny of the debt, and that anyone in their right mind would do that, honest man or not.

Ask for some of the debt to be waived to give us a chance to actually pay it off. Maybe offer some kind of service/discount to the guild to further reduce debt.

>>3579607
>"I have an idea..." (Write-In)
The only way this could work is if 3 of ours creditors would take ownership of the tavern until debt is paid.
And I think his is deal we should offer him.
We don't have personal income. Everything we are earn goes to 3 guilds and some to ours employes.

>>3579635
>He owns me money
>He tells me waive some of it of and if he wants he can skip town anytime.
You are one bold motherfucker

>>3579656
They provide us with basics to operate tavern cooking ingredients and some cheap alcohol.
We basically will be slaving for them for gods only know how long.
I don't know what other option there is. I could roll and see what guild master have in mind

>>3579656
Basically this. The only way we can pay off the debt is through running the tavern, otherwise they're not going to get shite out of us because even if we wanted to we can't pay them. That's unless they harvest organs or have forced labor camps ala Kaiji. although if this were Kaiji we'd end up gambling with them and betting the tavern

>>3579635
Honestly, we're really between a rock and a hard place. The point of the quest was, obstenibly, to run an inn, but we have literally none of the financial capital necessary to start and run an inn from scratch (which is what we're doing).

>>3579607
That said, pretty much that's the case. If they really want their money, they're going to have to spend a bit more to let us make it all back. Arrest us? Kill us? You still don't get your money unless we're forced into hard labor. (Also the quest is over before it really begins and I'm not playing Prisoner Quest.)

So...yeah.

>>3579680
I will remind you that you have 100 SP. That's enough to get started, if not starting you up as a five-star establishment.

All right, if you're going with the "Let's make a deal" angle, let's have some rolls.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3579688
Still gonna need to let us run the inn if they want us to make money.

>>3579699
1d20, best of three, or something else?

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3579699

>>3579688
Let's tell him
We have enough capital to start a business
We are skilled cook
So if he and other guild master would be willing to do business with us
We could start to slowly work off our debt

>>3579701
Yeah, best of three. Lucky for you, >>3579635 doesn't count since the vote hadn't been closed yet.

>>3579701

"I don't have enough to pay you."

"Pity. You'll be in chains by tonight."

"Wait! Hear me out..." You feel your heart thudding in your chest, your palms are sweaty. To your credit, at least your knees aren't shaking. "I... I have an idea."

"Unless your 'idea' is a way to get our money-"

"It is! I mean... eventually." You swallow, trying to calm yourself. You've never been good at dealing with people who have status, and this person seems to be very in love with his own status.

"'Eventually'?" The guildmaster raises a brow, palms flat on the table as he regards you like a flea. His eyes lock onto yours, and what seems like an eternity passes before he takes a seat. "...speak."

"Um... yes. Well, I don't have enough to pay you... yet, as I said. I am, however, able to cook."

"...so you want us to hire you? Sorry, but you couldn't earn enough in a lifetime to pay your father's debt. You won't even fetch enough when we sell you off to a mining venture. The laws of Esthos are very flexible, you see."

"Ah, n-no..." Oh gods, now your knees are shaking. "I want to run the inn."

The guildmaster's barking laugh rings in your ears. "That hole? You? Hah! What could you possibly make of that disaster?"

"I apprenticed. At a public house, I mean. Um... sir. And I'm really very skilled. I think that if I were allowed to open and operate the place, I could eventually pay off what you're owed."

The man thinks for a moment, leaning back in his seat and tapping his cheek. "...I suppose the possibility exists. Especially as more people flock to this wretched rock..."

"Ah... and if you could help? W-with patronage, I-"

"Are you honestly asking a creditor for additional funds?" He narrows his eyes in disgust. "Be grateful we haven't claimed that hovel to settle part of the debt. No, you'll receive not a penny from us. We will, however, offer you something akin to help. You said you were a cook, correct? Not one for figures and books, then." He picks up a silver bell from the table, ringing it. A few moments pass before a young boy opens the door and steps in.

"Yes, Master?"

"Gil, this is... I never did get his name. You'll be serving him from now on. Keeping his books in order, helping him with supplies, what have you."

>"That's really not necessary."
>"I'd welcome the help."
>Other (Write-In)

>>3579844
I guess his job will be to keep an eye on us? Declining will only draw his ire, may as well accept.
>"I'd welcome the help."

>>3579844
>"I'd welcome the help."
Now we need to pray that two other won't put us in chains

>>3579844
>"I'd welcome the help."
We need to get as much help as we can, I guess

>>3579844
>>"I'd welcome the help."

>>3579844
(Quick state of the union and a couple questions.

I'll have a character sheet up by the end of the week where you'll be able to see your progress, as well as aspects for Soren, Gil, and the world around you. I initially built this with FATE in mind, but since /qst/ doesn't allow the use of Fudge dice we're stuck with d20 rolls. That's not an issue, but it does beg the question of whether leaving skills at a base 0 and not having stats is a problem. Also, makes me wonder if the invoke/compel system from Fate would have a place here. Namely, if I think an aspect would make an interesting story, like Man of the People with the guildmaster, I can compel it and make life harder for Soren in exchange for extra XP at the end of a thread or extra invocations (using aspects for your benefit) instead. Not sure which way I want to go with it, I haven't run a quest in quite a while.

Further, on the XP thing: would that complicate matters too much? People have seemed pretty on board with a single path which is great, but if participation increases I don't want things to devolve into arguments about how to spend your points. Any thoughts?

Finally, are there any general questions, comments, or concerns? I don't want things to end up like my last quest.)

>>3580911
I'm not familiar with FATE but
>doesn't allow the use of Fudge dice
Can we use d6's then? (1 or 2 as −, a 3-4 as blank and a 5-6 as +)
> I can compel it and make life harder for Soren
Suffering of MC and players make good quests.
>I don't want things to devolve into arguments about how to spend your points.
From experience normally picking attributes and perks for MC's goes smoothly.
Choosing a wife well that's a different story.

Rolled 4, 6, 1, 3 = 14 (4d6)

>>3580986
Fair, but Soren's a career man. No time for love, Doctah Jones.

>>3580911
As far as FATE goes, I welcome the introduction. We don't see that system too often here, and I think it's sorely underrated.

>>3580986
Nice improvisation, anon. This will work!

>>3581412
All right, we can that then.

1-2: -1
3-4: 0
5-6: +1

Does using FATE mean we're also getting fate points/milestones or is just the dice/some aspects? Also, FATE is great, nice to see it used here.

>>3581461
Fate dice, milestone rank-ups, and I suppose Fate points could work. Like, 2-3 per thread.

"I'd welcome the help, actually." Gil beams brightly and offers his hand.

"Gil Pennysworth. At your service, sir!" You shake his hand. The boy seems fairly eager. Reminds you of yourself when you were younger. "I may not look like much, but I studied at Kingsrow and served in one of His Majesty's tax houses! I'll be of whatever help I can, sir!"

You nod as the guildmaster clears his throat. "There is, of course, the matter of time. We'll not let you do as you please till you're old and gray, after all. I think... two years. Two years to pay what you owe is more than fair."

You swallow hard. The Copper Gorge was popular, and in a larger city. They may have brought in enough coin to satisfy a debt this size, but they were already established, with a good reputation. The Drunken Whore is like that house's shadow.

"Anything else?" The guildmaster regards you with boredom.

>Speak (Write-In)
>Leave (Destination)
>Other (Write-In)

>>3582941
>Leave
The market,I doubt we could bargain more time and we need ingredients and materials for our...ruins.

>>3582941
>>Speak
As a sign of goodwill, I say we give him a free meal or a room should he ever need it.

>>3582941
>Leave (Destination)
Ask Gil to lead us to someone who can do carpentry someone cheap. Repairs and furniture first

>>3583003
"Sir, should you ever need it, the Mother's Ribbon shall receive you with a hearty meal and a cozy room" then
>leave

>>3583003
>>3583723
>"Hay you can visit my shity restaurant whenever you need it!"
Lets not do that.

>>3583723
Support
>>3583233
Then this, we need a door and a new sign
>>3583764
Not like he would, it's a gesture not an invitation. We both know he has other places to be.
And Soren's cooking is not shitty, cooking is one of the only things we put points into during chargen.

>>3584010
It's shitty worthless gesture

>>3583723
Tavern is called Drunken Whore not Mother's Ribbon

>>3584045
>Let's not rename it right now that we've got the chance
Sorry pal, nobody will actually wanna go eat in this shithole with that name

>>3584050
"Mothers Ribbon" is still a pretty strange name in my opinion. It doesnt roll off the tongue too easily and doesnt make any sort of sense to anyone but us.

>>3585277
Well, QM is not responding, we've got time to bounce ideas around

>>3585484
I think Hestia's Hearth and Goose Green are pretty good.

>>3585484
I'd like a name that has something to do with our impossible debt, or it being an unwanted inheritance, but I have the creativity of a jellyfish

>>3585546
'The Empty Moneysack'?

>>3585484
(Sorry, been a busy morning. Bounce all the ideas around you like. Should be back this afternoon.)

Gallows Grace?

>>3585277
What about just the ribbon?

>>3585661

Okay, so we're going to:

Offer the guildmaster free food/lodgings on demand.

Ask Gil to help us find carpenters.

Head to the market to buy ingredients.

This about right?

>>3586051
>Offer the guildmaster free food/lodgings on demand.

Im kinda on fance with this one but meh.

>>3586051
Don't forget cooking utensils

>>3586051
>free food/lodgings on demand.
No
He already made his "offer" giving him free crap won't change that. If we show that we can at least pay part of it back, we can ask for more time.

>>3586220
Sounds like a no, then. Writing.

>>3586260
But we will still serve him if he comes by.

>>3586260
You bid farewell to the Guildmaster and set off, Gil in tow. "Leave it to me, sir, I'll be of service. Whatever you need, I'm your man!"

"Well, I'm sure you've heard that the place is a bit-"

"Absolutely abhorrent, sir, yes. How can I help?"

"I need some workmen to fix up the place. Clean it up, mend the furnishings, make it presentable."

"Shouldn't be an issue, sir. How much coin do you have available? Forgive me, sir, but I'm afraid you'll be hard-pressed to find sources of credit."

>Truth
>Lie

>>3586381
>Truth

>>3586381
>Truth
I know some anons meant for that to be a gesture of Goodwill, but let's have something to show for it first before we start offering stuff we don't have

>>3586381
>Truth

>>3586381
>Truth

>>3586381
"Only a hundred silver..."

Gil blinks slowly, his smile faltering only for a moment before he clears his throat and smiles again. "I will see what I can do."

"There's also the matter of foodstuffs. Ingredients for cooking, utensils, serving vessels..."

The money you still owe to the Vinter's and the Sons of the Sea...

"That I'm not so versed on, I'm afraid. How about this. I'll arrange the workmen, you see to the market?"

You're not sure you like his tone, but you can't fault the idea. You nod and Gil bows before turning on his heel and striding off. You watch him go for a moment before you shake it off and see to your own work.

You walk through the town but find no markets or hawkers. A few questions lead you to a nondescript warehouse by the docks, marked with a sign depicting a ship on the waves, the words "Barrin and Sons" marked in new gold paint. You step in to find a portly, tan-skinned man wedged behind the counter, tormenting the chair he's seated on. He wrings his hands as you enter, a grin on his face. "Welcome to Barrin and Sons! Purveyors and procurers of all manner of sundries and succulents! What may I do for you?"

"I'm in the market for some food, and some flatware. Trenchers, tankards, spoons... and some cooking vessels as well."

"Wonderful! We have all these things, and more! Of course you'll be wanting the best quality items! Why buy again what you can buy once, eh? Not that we'd mind, of course, but it is our profound joy to serve our customers, sir, and we would hate for you to be unsatisfied!"

You stroke your chin as you look about the wares on offer.

>Buy High-Quality Items (-40 SP)
>Buy Average-Quality Items (-25 SP)
>Buy Poor-Quality Items (-15 SP)

>>3586575
>Buy Average-Quality Items (-25 SP)

>>3586575
>Buy Average-Quality Items (-25 SP)

What is a vinter?

>>3586770
(Meant Vintner, sorry.)

>>3586575
>Buy Average-Quality Items (-25 SP)

>>3586575
>Buy Average-Quality Items (-25 SP)
We are going for the average bloke, and lower class masses.

>>3587424
(Since we're on 9, I'm going to call it here and make a new thread tomorrow. Thanks for reading, everyone!)

>>3589679
Thanks for running!

What's the appeal here?

>>3591970
it's a economic game. don't know if it's going to continue though.

>>3592099
It is, but not tonight as promised. Ended up having to take an on-call shift so I'm still at work.