Status: Healthy
Magicka: (500/650)
Hunting bandits sounds like an entertaining way to pass the time while earning some coin. Strange multi-tiered coin, not the simple and reliable Septims of home. Well, money is money and you currently have none, so thirty whatevers is better than none. You pass the beast hunting contracts back to the quivering soldier, putting the remaining one in your knapsack.
You head toward the edge of town before you realize that you have no idea where Tarbes is, nor where this Lord's forest would be in relation to your present location. Resisting the urge to hit yourself for being so absentminded, you head back to the square and arrive in time to see the soldiers' wagon being pulled down the opposite road.
Setting down next to the driver after your short flight to catch up, you clear your throat dramatically. Hearing the armored man yelp in surprise, you ruthlessly suppress a manly laugh, (which was by no means a feminine titter) you say, "Pardon me, but I find myself in need of direction to the..." Pausing to process the sign reading 'Four Moons bar and inn, cheapest booze in Tarbes!'.... One question down and the driver is looking at you expectantly. Right, play it off like a lapse in memory.
You mutter to yourself and make a show of digging for the bounty notice before continuing your question. "Ah... here we are, could you direct me toward the local lord's hunting grounds? I have some heads collect." There, you have successfully covered your blunder with casual mention of bloodshed, just as mother taught you.
Contrary to your expectations, the man smiles warmly at the thought of combat and relaxes... quite the odd one that the mention of killing people would evoke such a reaction. "You're in luck stranger, this here wagon's on it's way back to deliver the month's tithes to Lord Tarbes' storehouses. The forest surrounds the estate for miles in all directions, so just sit back and relax. Brimir only knows you noble types would do well to set aside some responsibilities."
Seeing no real reason to not take the man's offer, you settle into the seat and listen to the soldier ramble on about the nobles of the world and how little they understood of the commoner's plight. You nod where appropriate and eventually drift off to sleep, wondering how so many commoners were apparently being oppressed when they could simply blast the nobles with a simple Lightning Bolt from the shadows.
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True to his word, the driver wakes you as the horses come to a halt outside a walled off manor. The driver offers to show you the poacher's last known location once the goods are unloaded, so you help carry a few barrels of strange smelling powders into the main house's larders. The sun is almost set and you feel uncomfortable leaving Louise on the streets for by herself for too long... it would be harder to mold her to your own designs if she associates you with her suffering or Lorkhan forbid somebody else takes her in... oh, and she could get hurt or whatever... Best to get killing as soon as possible.
A bit of friendly banter with the driver has allowed you to learn a few interesting facts about this world. Apparently the word Albion that Louise used was in reference to a large island that floats in the skies over the ocean, much like the Infernal city of Umbriel. This Albion place is currently in a state of civil war and Albert, the driver, has mentioned his nephew's work to aid the war effort at several points in the conversation.
As the two of you head off into the forest, you can tell that Albert wishes to ask something, but can't work up the nerve. The deeper you get, the more nervous the man become, watching you when he doesn't think your are paying attention. Eventually, you make to speak when he shushes you and ducks behind a bush.
Peering through the leaves, you spot a crowd gathered around a low campfire. You determine that most of the figures are male, their almost Nordic physique and a few beards are subtle clues, but your eyes are sharp. You're also not an idiot, which is uncommon enough in your opinion. Away from the fire, you spot a robes humanoid in an obscuring hood and shadows emerges from a hole in the ground that hadn't been there before. Obviously you are dealing with a local mage, an alteration specialist at the very least.
You make ready to fight, but Albert suddenly walks from the bushes and is greeted with cheers and a hug from the person in the cloak. The cloak that continue to defy your probing eyes with it's voluminous hood, long sleeves that cover the hands, and deep shadows that hide the wearer's gender. Damn that cloak, you've always hated mysteries.
Choose 1
[] They seem friendly enough with Albert, maybe they can help you raid the lord's manor. That would certainly be a bigger haul than the reward for killing them.
[] Act friendly until you get close to the hooded figure and cast Whirlwind Cloak before engaging in furious melee with staff and blade. Cost 330 Magicka.
[] Summon Spider Daedra and retreat into the sky to watch. Cost 300 Magicka.
[] Flee!
[] Write in.
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A/N: A well thought out combat write in has a much higher chance of succeeding without negative consequences such as dismemberment, allied deaths, broken gear, etc... Remember that the character sheet is your friend.