In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 948):

Hut Madness

Titus makes it up onto the roof, which holds for now.

Brennan's arrow buries itself in your guide's thigh, and he goes down screaming.

Gimpy moves as fast as he can, heading toward a cluster of huts on the shore of the lake (he will be able to get behind them for cover next round).

The third boy (who Titus knocked down), uses this opportunity to scramble around the hut Titus stands on and duck inside.

Combat Round

Titus stands elegantly atop a hut (inside which is one of the boys you chase).

Your guide is down and unlikely to be moving very quickly now.

Gimpy is still running, aiming to hide this round.

Ciryl enjoys his nonviolent and productive conversations with the townsfolk.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 950):

Brennan looses a shot at Gimpy.

[Archery: 6, 3x9, 2x3]

He watches the arrow and slings his bow, grumbling about how that oughta do it.

"Collect them and bring them back," he says. "I'm going to search the damn building."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 951):

Titus sees Brennan tracing the limping young boy and shouts out to him

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS HUT.  I'LL GO FETCH THE LIMPING ONE.

He then immediately switches to his sword and creeps into the hut below.

[Coord + Stealth: 2x7, 2x2]

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 952):

The Outskirts

Brennan's arrow strikes the already limping boy in the shoulder, and he goes down against a pile of hollowed-out gourds.

Titus slips quietly into the hut, throwing back the flap to find his quarry shivering in a corner.  It is fortunate that the hut is lined with straw, because he pees himself in fear.

END COMBAT

With Bryce and Deev's help, you are able to round up the three boys in one place.

One is ghost-white and numb with fear.  Your guide has an arrow through his leg, and the third is slowly bleeding out from his multiple wounds.

By now, a thin crowd of poor and rough-looking people has formed around you, curious what is going on.  They whisper among themselves, but do not ask you what is going on.

Ducktown

Ciryl continues to nonviolently ply his wares.


As the sun sets, torches are lit and the crowd thins out.  When Ciryl is nearly out of clients, a woman in a thick purple cloak approaches him.

"Alchemist," she states, it is not a question.  "I am the Guildmaster of Ducktown.  You are from the west I suspect?  How long do you intend to stay?"

She pulls back one side of her cloak to reveal a golden chain about her neck.  The links are cleverly forged to look like little ducks.  At the end of the chain is a modest iron pendant.

"As long as I'm needed.  I've found that with enough medicine the sick and injured thin out in a place.  That's what the cart's for, y'see." Ciryl says with a polite smile and a bob of his head toward his business.

In reply to GM (msg # 953):

Titus collects his dagger and the boy with the wet trousers he mutters as he does so

Your lucky that he didn't shoot you.  I TOLD you to stay down.
He visibly composes himself and adjusts his grip to be less rough and adjusts his accent to theirs.

Whas yer name boy?  If your pissin yerself you can see we aint ta be dicked around.  Help us'n yell be fine. 

As the villagers gather around Titus turns to them with a grim but approachable face matching the somber visitors.  He approaches them in a nonthreatening matter.

Good ladies and gentlemen of Ducktown.  Sorry for the mess in bringing these scoundrels to the Kings justice.  Earlier today they tried a smash n' grab of a salesman under the protection of Lord Fastbender.  They will be given opportunity to defend themselves.

Imma be diggin' around fer evidence, if'n ye have any information of strange happenins, things gone missin' or unsolved crimes... I'll be doin ma best to put it to rights.  If'n ya bring me something real juicy like there might be a reward innit fer ya.

Good people got notin' ta fear from us.

He remains in the throng of people shaking hands smiling and answering questions.  He is in equal parts, soothing the group, buying Brennan time with his search, and pumping people for any information regarding strange, demonic occurances or criminal activities.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 955):

DuckTown

"Hmmmmm," the lady carefully extracts a thin scroll from her cloak, ticks off something or other with a pen and returns it to its pocket.

"You are welcome to work here for three days.  After that you will either leave or speak with me to remain in our walls.  I will see to it that your cart is guarded overnight.  Lodgings are your own affair."

She turns to leave.

"Unless there is anything else?"

The Outskirts

As soon as Titus uses the words "justice" and "lord" in the same breath, the crowd clams up.

The adults amble off quickly but without fleeing while a few of the children remain to watch from behind buildings or piles of refuse.

Nobody seems to want to talk, nor do they want to get in your way or stop you.

Of your captives, the uninjured boy has taken to crying fitfully.

"My name's Ludd... what duya want?  We're sorry we tried ta steal... were Keller's idea... I didn't even want to!"

Your guide is more reserved, cursing and doing his best to pull the arrow out of his leg.

"Jess... leave us alone!  Keller is dead, we don't know anything!"

The third is ashen and not saying much.  His eyes are closed but he's breathing.

"Three days will do fine, I think.  There is one other thing, if you'd be kind enough.  What was your name, ma'am?" Ciryl leans toward the guildmistress, his polite smile turning ever so slightly coy.

In reply to GM (msg # 956):

Titus, feeling the eyes of children upon him walks back to the group but will spare a small smile and a wink in the direction of each child at some point.  If one appears to be particularly bold he will beckon him over.

He goes over to the guide trying to pull the arrow out of his leg.  He puts a gentle hand on his.

I wouldn't be doin that jus yet ifn I were you.

He says gently.

Man in the hut knows some medicine, I'll get'm to patch you up.  I know this much... keep it up.

He says propping the leg up on a box and laying the boy back.

He then touches Ludd's cheek, with some small measure of affection.

I know Ludd, thass why ye aint dead.  I told ye if you stopped no harm woulda come ta ya, but ya didn't listen.  We coulda had just this exact chat without the arrows.


Keller said that he had some nobleman payin' him.  Who is it?

He raises his voice to the hut.

Brennan, wanna trade out for the moment these boys need more'n sweet words ta keep em with us.

Titus tries to make the boys with arrow wounds as comfortable as possible.  For those whose wounds go all the way through he cuts off the arrow head in preparation to pull the shaft.  He offers each of the boy a drink of the strongest liquor he has.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 958):

Brennan, having lost interest in the boys after ensuring they won't get far enough away to summon aid, turns back to Keller's house. He illuminates it as best he can (without setting it on fire, of course), and begins to sift through its contents for anything even remotely useful.

He pays particular attention to anything that is, was, or could be demonic or angelic in nature, including artwork, books, maps, and implements. He checks the floor to ensure there's no hidden warren leading down to a basement or cellar. He looks under the beds and in the cabinetry, his memory absorbing every detail for later perusal.

Only once this is complete does he venture forth to see how Titus and the others are doing.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 959):

DuckTown

Her thin lips turn up in a slight smile.  It turns out to be fleeting.

"LeRayne," she replies, enunciating pointedly.  "Lady LeRayne to you, sir."

Keller's Hut

Brennan rummages through the hut.  There is very little in the way of furniture, a broken wooden bed and some small wooden casks that turn out to be salted fish.


After searching through Keller's various belongings, he emerges again to the fading light.

The Prisoners

The urine-soaked boy continues to blubber: "Ye... ye killed Keller... I... I don't know nothing else but what I told ya!"

Your ex-guide is a little calmer.

"I swear he's telling the truth, we hung with Keller is all.  Got us food, gave us a bed some nights... don't know what else he was up to, don't know who he worked with!"

In reply to GM (msg # 960):

Brennan takes the purse and the metal disc, and emerges to see Titus dealing with the two talkative boys. He looks over to where the third one fell and hurries over to tend to his wounds before the boy bleeds out (hopefully).

First Aid (3x3)


Once stabilized, he carries the boy over to the rest and rejoins the conversation.

"You worked for Keller," he says, his tone commanding and his gaze stern. "What was he paying you? Just beds and food?"

He glances at the three boys.

"And who's left who 'hung will Keller', as it were?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to GM (msg # 960):

How often did you guys try to shake down travelers?  When you did it did you let any through or hit everyone who came by?  Did you do any other jobs for him?

Titus allows room for the boys to answer between his question, he remains gentle but firm.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:23, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 962):

The Outskirts

"Paid?  No, no, we just hung out is all.  Never paid.  Keller was a good guy, looked out for us, said we could help him and get some money."

The boys continue like this, professing no knowledge of Keller's methods, motives, resources, or tactics.

You learn this:
- They lived in the outskirts their entire lives.  Keller used to live in DuckTown propper, but doesn't anymore.  They don't know why.
-  All of them have 'criminal backgrounds' so to speak, mostly stealing food, trespassing, etc.
- They each met Keller at various points in their past: one knew him for a year or more, one only a few days.  Keller fed them, let them share his hut, and said they should run with him and he could make some money.
- All of them have tattoos, which Keller insisted on.
- Keller said he had "jobs" in DuckTown from time to time, but never gave details.

Brennan is able to stabilize the third boy, and remove the arrow from the leg of the other.

In reply to GM (msg # 963):

"Does Keller have a family that you know of? Kids to support?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 964):

"Kids?  Family?  No... never said nothing about a family!"

"M'laday," Ciryl bobs his upper body in a vague bow but otherwise doesn't press Lady LaRayne further.  Once she's made her leave he digs through his cart for a bag and puts a handful of his supplies into it, before walking his way back through the darkening town and toward the huts Brennan and Titus went to investigate.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 966):

Brennan nods.

"Very well. Tell me, do any of you have any interest in plying an honest trade for an honest wage, or would you prefer we left you alone and went on our way?"

He shrugs.

"I've seen what I needed to see in the house. Keller's gone, so I suspect it's yours now. Or his landlord's, if he had one. But if you want to see more of the world than this, and do it without robbing folks, I'm willing to talk about hiring you on. You'd be fed, and paid good hard coin for your labors."

He gives each boy a penny .

"That's just for the information you've provided so far. There's more if you sign on."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 967):

"You... shot me..." one of them points out.

Neither seems terribly thrilled at spending any more time in your company.

In reply to GM (msg # 968):

"You tried to kill us and rob us on the road," Brennan counters, neither irritated nor offended. "I'd say we're even. If you can see no value in learning from the likes of us while being paid for the trouble, I truly can't help you. Best of luck to you."

He beckons Titus over, gives the boys a moment to reconsider, then heads toward the town proper.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 969):

"Keller said you'd run..." he sniffs.

In reply to GM (msg # 970):

"And look where that got him. Live your life differently than Keller lived his, and you'll be the better for it."

Brennan tosses each boy another penny.

"Mercenary work is interesting and rewarding. You were already showing a preference for violence over drudgery. If you don't sign on with me, consider signing on with someone, someday. Get out of here. Make a life for yourselves. You deserve one."

He smiles slightly, still giving them time to tag along before heading toward the town proper.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 967):

When Brennan pauses Titus adds:

So what, he's shot me too. 

He shrugs showing a scar on his arm.  He does one of his sleights of hands idly as he speaks

I was jus like you.  Best damn pickpocket you ever seen.  I could take the feathers off'n a chicken before it noticed.  One day, cut the wrong purse... tried to run.  I don suppose I need to tell you how it ended... 

Made me the same offer.  Now look at me. 

He points at his sword, clothes and headband and says to the guide.

I told you what this meant.  You have the makings if you want to be a part of it.  That being said... I aint gonna force ya.

He goes to rejoin Brennan.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:29, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 972):

Titus and Brennan, leading their horses, make their way out of the long cluster of hovels and into DuckTown itself.

OOC:  Closing this thread.