Supersonic Swords and Dynamik Warriors
- Thread starter matterbeam
- Start date
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
I am in the center of the village square, where the attacking soldiers landed. There are several buildings around me, on fire, but the square is mostly empty and has nothing that can catch on fire.
The square is about 10 meters wide. It has a stony surface, with a light cover of bloodied hay. The center is cratered and there are deep cuts into the stone where the fighting occurred.
The bodies surround the crater.
There are six buildings around the village square, four on one side, and two on either side of a dirt road leading away from the square. The road runs through a row of restaurants, taverns and trading houses that is the heart of the village.
- Location
- UK
4 hours 30 remaining!
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
I've always seen soldiers equipped with a long spear and a handful of sharp swords. I don't know much more than that. I've heard tales of State Magicians being the most powerful. As fast as any soldier, but they can set a man on fire from inside his armor!
I know that the cities are where all the rich people live. They have so many gold coins, they write it down on a piece of paper. I don't understand how that works. The richest people alive are probably the Emperor and his daughter. His daughter is the head of the Holy Goddess Church.
Locally, there's Earl Henrick. All the merchants pay a fee to be able to trade on his lands. The fee is a thousand steel coins, or one gold coin, per year. I know it because I dreamt of becoming a merchant when I was younger.
There used to be James Peterson, a merchant who visited our village twice a year. He showed my first gold coin. He's the richest man I personally know. He stopped visiting when the war started.
Thank you for participating, @Phoenix.
You are asking the right questions, but please understand that Daniel is a poor boy from a poor village. He can't know much about the vast outside world in terms of names or technical details...
I've always seen soldiers equipped with a long spear and a handful of sharp swords. I don't know much more than that. I've heard tales of State Magicians being the most powerful. As fast as any soldier, but they can set a man on fire from inside his armor!
I know that the cities are where all the rich people live. They have so many gold coins, they write it down on a piece of paper. I don't understand how that works. The richest people alive are probably the Emperor and his daughter. His daughter is the head of the Holy Goddess Church.
Locally, there's Earl Henrick. All the merchants pay a fee to be able to trade on his lands. The fee is a thousand steel coins, or one gold coin, per year. I know it because I dreamt of becoming a merchant when I was younger.
There used to be James Peterson, a merchant who visited our village twice a year. He showed my first gold coin. He's the richest man I personally know. He stopped visiting when the war started.
Thank you for participating, @Phoenix.
You are asking the right questions, but please understand that Daniel is a poor boy from a poor village. He can't know much about the vast outside world in terms of names or technical details...
- Location
- 1 AU
That's fine. I actually find his responses very informative. More knowledge can be gained through action later.
To Daniel: Earl Henrick sounds like the lord of the village... with the war going on, did he or the leaders of the village ever implement evacuation procedures for the village in case of situations like this?
To Daniel: Earl Henrick sounds like the lord of the village... with the war going on, did he or the leaders of the village ever implement evacuation procedures for the village in case of situations like this?
Last edited:
- Location
- UK
You are welcome. Being a 'Rational' quest, the information you gain is vital to success.
Is you question directed towards Daniel?
- Location
- UK
Earl Henrick is the Lord of several villages in the region.
The Empire is divided into three Kingdoms: North, South and West. Their kings gave up the throne to the Emperor.
Each Kingdom is divided into four or five Regions, and those Regions into Districts. Districts are held by Earls and Barons. Smaller sub-divisions are pointless are people with Dynamiks travel too quickly at every border for taxes or fees.
Bruin Village is located in the Hordun District of the Alldun. It is very near the Empire's west-most border, at the foot of the Abyssal Mountains.
I haven't heard of any evacuation plans. We're going to win this war and moving away is punished like desertion.
The Empire is divided into three Kingdoms: North, South and West. Their kings gave up the throne to the Emperor.
Each Kingdom is divided into four or five Regions, and those Regions into Districts. Districts are held by Earls and Barons. Smaller sub-divisions are pointless are people with Dynamiks travel too quickly at every border for taxes or fees.
Bruin Village is located in the Hordun District of the Alldun. It is very near the Empire's west-most border, at the foot of the Abyssal Mountains.
I haven't heard of any evacuation plans. We're going to win this war and moving away is punished like desertion.
- Location
- 1 AU
Alright I think I'm getting a good idea of what I think the next steps Daniel should take are... but before I vote I want to ask one final question.
to Daniel: What are the main ways the village gains information and news from the outside world. How does it communicate with other parts of the Empire.
to Daniel: What are the main ways the village gains information and news from the outside world. How does it communicate with other parts of the Empire.
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
Messages and news are handled by a pair of runners. The village pays a fee for a message company to add us to their network. Henrick used to pay it for us before the war.
The runners make their circuit once per week, so we get two opportunities to send messages and receive news.
I don't know much about what is happening outside of our District. The Emperor sometimes tells all runners to spread an announcement, and it often involves other nations.
I've heard that cities don't use runners, but I don't know more than that.
@Phoenix, if you want, I'll extend voting until you are ready.
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
The battle is over. I can't hear any fighting within the village. I do feel the vibrations from an approaching force.
I've started writing the next post based on the Search for Survivors plan. I'll hasten the next vote to 24 hours, so that you may add your plan.
Trust me, you'll want to update whatever you've got based on what's following.
Also, would you (@Phoenix, @Sickul and others) prefer that I add suggested actions plus a write-on option?
- Location
- 1 AU
[x] plan Sickul
My thoughts and conclusions based on what I know.
Primary Objective: Finding John. Secondary Objective: Save the Village.
So I think after probing Daniel a bit I think I have a plausible picture of the situation.
This attack on the village was an absolute surprise. That the front lines were so close and yet there was minimal preparation means that the Federation has advanced significantly in the last time a runner was received of news. (up to 2 weeks ago but possibly more if the Earl stopped paying for them) this could be due to propaganda or deliberate censorship. However there is another possibility that I think is more likely.
The Empire might be having money problems. The Empire is threatening severe consequences for fleeing or leaving the country. Citizens that aren't inside the country are citizens not paying taxes. If the Empire is hurting for money and the cause is that people are leaving, then this is a valid if short sighted solution to the money problem. But doesn't bode well for the state of the war.
anyway searching for survivors and regrouping with other villagers is probably the best thing to do right now.
My thoughts and conclusions based on what I know.
Primary Objective: Finding John. Secondary Objective: Save the Village.
So I think after probing Daniel a bit I think I have a plausible picture of the situation.
This attack on the village was an absolute surprise. That the front lines were so close and yet there was minimal preparation means that the Federation has advanced significantly in the last time a runner was received of news. (up to 2 weeks ago but possibly more if the Earl stopped paying for them) this could be due to propaganda or deliberate censorship. However there is another possibility that I think is more likely.
The Empire might be having money problems. The Empire is threatening severe consequences for fleeing or leaving the country. Citizens that aren't inside the country are citizens not paying taxes. If the Empire is hurting for money and the cause is that people are leaving, then this is a valid if short sighted solution to the money problem. But doesn't bode well for the state of the war.
anyway searching for survivors and regrouping with other villagers is probably the best thing to do right now.
- Location
- UK
Thank you for your suggestion.
I'd love to, but as QM, I cannot comment on these plans.
Two
- Location
- UK
Two:
Daniel understood that he was in hell.
He lay in a pool of blood. Smoke choked him and spreading fires lit what was in front of him. His relatives and friends had been ripped to pieces and the remains piled up like so many broken dolls. The realization that his parents had gone to the next world did not hurt him as much as the thought that his younger brother, John, was in the hands of Federation kidnappers.
Yes, his village had been visited by demons. Powerful, evil demons that moved faster than the eye could see and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
Daniel clawed the ground in despair.
Everything he knew had been taken from him.
Soon, it would be ashes and ruins.
He'd be ashes.
Burnt alive…
John…
He couldn't do it. Daniel couldn't will himself to get up. He'd die anyway, and he'd never see John's smiling face again. The thuds in the background were growing louder, closer. They were coming. He unclenched his fingers and closed his eyes. Maybe he'd get to go quickly after all…
The smoke parted with a gust of wind, and an angel stood over him.
Flowing black hair, brilliant green eyes. Her lips set in a firm line. Silver plating glowed red in the fire-light. Daniel drew breath, only to splutter and cough.
The angel watched him nonchalantly. Their eyes met and her expression changed to interest. She bent down and gripped him by the arm to pull him up, first to his feet, then over her shoulders.
Daniel gritted his teeth when she leapt off. The village square rushed away as fresh air filled his lungs. The second leap slammed his head on the metal chestplate, and again the third time. Before he could raise an arm to protect himself, she was skidding to a halt.
The unyielding arm under his shoulder let go and he dropped to his knees in front of her. Tilled, soft earth yielded to his fingers. A cool breeze ruffled his hair. The village looked small from here. A thick column of smoke rose from it.
"Are you injured?" the angel demanded.
Daniel snapped back and gaped.
"ARE YOU INJURED?" she shouted again. It wasn't an angel...
A deeper voice started behind him. Daniel twisted around to look and winced from the pain.
"Be gentle, Sarah."
It was an armoured soldier, wearing the full silver suit of the Empire's army. A dark-skinned man with grey hair and a wide nose knelt next to him.
"What's your name, boy?" the man asked. He spoke a soft baritone that rolled the r's.
"D-Daniel."
The man's gaze wandered to the village. "My name's Emile. Are you from there?"
Daniel followed his pointed finger and nodded.
"Are you hurt?" Daniel motioned a 'no'. "Good, that's great. You're lucky, Daniel."
Emile returned to look at Sarah, who was tapping her foot with her arms on her hips. She had saved him?
"Help him up."
Sarah scowled but reached for him to comply. Daniel managed to get a good look at her face. He turned away sharply when she noticed. She was Latin, and young. No older than he was. Embarrassment coloured his cheeks. He must have looked pathetic.
Emile gripped Daniel's shoulder firmly to stop him from wobbling.
"Can you stand, Daniel?"
Daniel felt under the weight of his armoured arm, but nodded. He spotted two men behind Emile, sitting quietly, then returned his gaze to the man in front of him.
He tried to speak, but his breath caught. Daniel cleared his throat from the soot. "Who are y-you?"
Emile smiled.
"Us?" he said. He pointed at the girl. "Sarah. She went in to save you."
Daniel tried not to stare at her again.
"That's Michael, that's Miguel." Emile pointed to the sitting men. "Gepard will arrive shortly. Old Alfred's back at the station."
"The station? You mean-" Daniel asked.
"Yes, we're private. South Combat Services Company, or Si-Si for short."
Daniel noticed a symbol on their armour: an eye crossed diagonally. Daniel opened his mouth to ask for more details, but was interrupted by a slap on his back.
"You're coming with us!" Sarah snapped.
Daniel blanched.
"Sarah!" Emile said loudly, then softer. "What did I say about using your manners?"
The dark-skinned man squeezed Daniels' shoulders. "I'm sorry, but she's right."
"What do you mean? W-what are you going to do?" Daniel asked nervously.
"No, no don't worry. We just need you to answer a few questions from the Army officer, then you're free to go. You understand?"
Daniel stared. Private military companies. They were paid by the Empire one gold coin per kill. The gears in his head started whirring. They needed proof. He was proof. He shifted his shoulders and Emile let go.
"I'll talk if you help me."
Daniel shivered as Emile fell silent. Four hired killers surrounded him, and he was standing in the way of their reward. An uncomfortable silence settled. Emile looked past Daniel at Sarah. Fear froze Daniel and he felt his legs go weak.
Emile's expression melted into a smile.
"Of course! Anything for the hardworking citizen!" He chuckled. "I'd ask you what you want, but we've got to go now. Do you understand why?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"W-wait!" Daniel shouted. He awkwardly fumbled for his words while Emile stared at him, impassive. Daniel cleared his throat.
"Can we search for any… s-survivors?"
Emile winced. He half-turned to Michael and Miguel and made a gesture towards the horizon. The two stood and launched themselves away as Emile returned to Daniel.
"We've conducted a search, boy."
Daniel heard a grunt behind him.
"You're it." Sarah commented.
No-one else? He didn't understand. He saw them run away, didn't he?
"W-what do you mean?!"
Sarah tutted and walked around in front of him. She muttered something like 'Witnesses' before grabbing him, lifting him up under the knees and shoulders and crouching down. He didn't resist. Mechanically, he held on and tensed as she leapt into the air.
The station was a forward military outpost, owned by the Army but handled and occupied by private military handlers. It was a tent city, spread over an area larger than Breuin Village had. Large fires heated cooking pots fit to feed hundreds. It reminded him of the burning bodies he'd left behind.
As Sarah carried him closer with each bound, Daniel started making out details. The tents had signals and colours: red, white, wolf heads, concentric circles and one had a crossed-out eye painted on its side. He had to close his eyes near the ground, when Sarah accelerated, so all that he saw was from above.
When the South Combat Services Company, or Si-Si landed, Daniel was numb from the cold and dull to the pain of his scratches and bruises. He stumbled to his feet and stared blankly ahead.
Sarah looked him up and down as she dusted off, then gripped him by the arm and pushed him ahead. Daniel made one step in front of the other, his thoughts elsewhere.
How could they? he kept thinking. All these people… going on with their lives as if nothing happened. Streamlined suits of armour, men and women in thick and warm clothes showing off their wealthy, Army officers in silver-embroidered dress uniform bustling about, launching, chatting…
What did you expect? a rational side to him asked. Breuin was a small village at the edge of the Empire. Everyone knew they were being sacrificed for the greater good. The Church of the Holy Goddess promised them redemption in the afterlife, but he knew it was just a ploy to keep the devoted villagers quiet.
Now they're all gone. His parents were frying on the stone floor of the village square: they'd never get a proper burial. His brother, John, was… was--
A tap on his shoulder snapped him out of it.
He looked up, confused.
The four members of Si-Si were standing in front of him, a look of concern on their faces. Behind them was a large tent in black fabric with silver highlights. The Army.
Daniel stared back at the four of them.
Sarah didn't look comfortable, Emile seemed concerned while Michael and Miguel were… twins?
"Are you ready, Daniel?" a soft baritone asked.
"What?" Daniel snapped back. He swivelled his head, trying to understand how he got here.
"An army officer will ask you questions inside." Emile paused before continuing, without a reaction from Daniel. "We need you to tell them that a Federation raiding party attacked your village, that a magician led them, and that he was supported by four warriors and a lancer."
Daniel frowned. "Four? What's a Lancer?"
Sarah shook her head and walked away.
"A mage, four warriors and a lancer, can you repeat that?"
Daniel gave him a blank stare. "I saw one man who cast lightning, and two men with swords" he stated.
"No, boy," Emile insisted. "Repeat what I said-"
Michael or Miguel, he couldn't tell, stepped between Emile and Daniel and bent down to his level.
"Hey kid, you don't have to do what the old geezer says." he said in a reassuring tone. Up close, Daniel noticed he had his black hair tied in a ponytail, handsome features and dazzling white teeth.
"You're…"
"I'm Miguel." The man grinned. "That's Michael," he said, pointing at his identical brother. "Michael's going to convince Emile to not pressure kids into getting him bigger rewards by risking execution, isn't that right?"
Emile stood tight-lipped.
"You're out of bounds, Santiago."
Miguel straightened up and turned to face Emile.
"We came into this business to go straight. This isn't very straight." He motioned between himself and his brother. "We've seen enough young lives ruined by old men with pockets to fill. But you're not one of them, Emile, are you?"
Emile's gaze wandered between the brothers before settling on Daniel. He held his tongue as two women in full armoured plating and tattooed foreheads clattered by and entered the Army tent.
"Of course not." he said, bowing his head. His eyes flashed back up to Daniel. "But remember, boy, if you're smart, you'll know there's something in it for you. If you help us, we'll help you."
He waited for Daniel to take in his words, then continued despite the Santiago brothers' looks of disgust.
"We can go in right now, or I'll take you to Alfred so you can prepare your… speech." Emile said, finishing quietly.
Michael started walking away from the tent's entrance. Miguel took a step, then turned back to face Daniel.
"Turn down the offer, kid, it isn't worth it. We'll help you our own way. Come to our tent and we'll talk; just ask for Si-Si."
The Santiago shook his head one last time when Daniel hesitated to answer, and left.
Notes:
Character sheet is now available. The Resolve Challenge table is now available in the Quest Rules spoiler.
Plans:
[]: Follow Emile's plan. Speak to Alfred and return later with +1 Resolve.
[]: Take up the Santiago's offer. Ask Emile for the location of the SCSC's tent.
[]: Write-in
Thank you for reading, and congratulations to @Sickul and @Phoenix for keeping the thread alive.
Daniel understood that he was in hell.
He lay in a pool of blood. Smoke choked him and spreading fires lit what was in front of him. His relatives and friends had been ripped to pieces and the remains piled up like so many broken dolls. The realization that his parents had gone to the next world did not hurt him as much as the thought that his younger brother, John, was in the hands of Federation kidnappers.
Yes, his village had been visited by demons. Powerful, evil demons that moved faster than the eye could see and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
Daniel clawed the ground in despair.
Everything he knew had been taken from him.
Soon, it would be ashes and ruins.
He'd be ashes.
Burnt alive…
John…
Challenge: Resolve 500
1d100: 51. Fail!
1d100: 51. Fail!
He couldn't do it. Daniel couldn't will himself to get up. He'd die anyway, and he'd never see John's smiling face again. The thuds in the background were growing louder, closer. They were coming. He unclenched his fingers and closed his eyes. Maybe he'd get to go quickly after all…
The smoke parted with a gust of wind, and an angel stood over him.
Flowing black hair, brilliant green eyes. Her lips set in a firm line. Silver plating glowed red in the fire-light. Daniel drew breath, only to splutter and cough.
The angel watched him nonchalantly. Their eyes met and her expression changed to interest. She bent down and gripped him by the arm to pull him up, first to his feet, then over her shoulders.
Daniel gritted his teeth when she leapt off. The village square rushed away as fresh air filled his lungs. The second leap slammed his head on the metal chestplate, and again the third time. Before he could raise an arm to protect himself, she was skidding to a halt.
The unyielding arm under his shoulder let go and he dropped to his knees in front of her. Tilled, soft earth yielded to his fingers. A cool breeze ruffled his hair. The village looked small from here. A thick column of smoke rose from it.
"Are you injured?" the angel demanded.
Daniel snapped back and gaped.
"ARE YOU INJURED?" she shouted again. It wasn't an angel...
A deeper voice started behind him. Daniel twisted around to look and winced from the pain.
"Be gentle, Sarah."
It was an armoured soldier, wearing the full silver suit of the Empire's army. A dark-skinned man with grey hair and a wide nose knelt next to him.
"What's your name, boy?" the man asked. He spoke a soft baritone that rolled the r's.
"D-Daniel."
The man's gaze wandered to the village. "My name's Emile. Are you from there?"
Daniel followed his pointed finger and nodded.
"Are you hurt?" Daniel motioned a 'no'. "Good, that's great. You're lucky, Daniel."
Emile returned to look at Sarah, who was tapping her foot with her arms on her hips. She had saved him?
"Help him up."
Sarah scowled but reached for him to comply. Daniel managed to get a good look at her face. He turned away sharply when she noticed. She was Latin, and young. No older than he was. Embarrassment coloured his cheeks. He must have looked pathetic.
Emile gripped Daniel's shoulder firmly to stop him from wobbling.
"Can you stand, Daniel?"
Daniel felt under the weight of his armoured arm, but nodded. He spotted two men behind Emile, sitting quietly, then returned his gaze to the man in front of him.
He tried to speak, but his breath caught. Daniel cleared his throat from the soot. "Who are y-you?"
Emile smiled.
"Us?" he said. He pointed at the girl. "Sarah. She went in to save you."
Daniel tried not to stare at her again.
"That's Michael, that's Miguel." Emile pointed to the sitting men. "Gepard will arrive shortly. Old Alfred's back at the station."
"The station? You mean-" Daniel asked.
"Yes, we're private. South Combat Services Company, or Si-Si for short."
Daniel noticed a symbol on their armour: an eye crossed diagonally. Daniel opened his mouth to ask for more details, but was interrupted by a slap on his back.
"You're coming with us!" Sarah snapped.
Daniel blanched.
"Sarah!" Emile said loudly, then softer. "What did I say about using your manners?"
The dark-skinned man squeezed Daniels' shoulders. "I'm sorry, but she's right."
"What do you mean? W-what are you going to do?" Daniel asked nervously.
"No, no don't worry. We just need you to answer a few questions from the Army officer, then you're free to go. You understand?"
Daniel stared. Private military companies. They were paid by the Empire one gold coin per kill. The gears in his head started whirring. They needed proof. He was proof. He shifted his shoulders and Emile let go.
"I'll talk if you help me."
Daniel shivered as Emile fell silent. Four hired killers surrounded him, and he was standing in the way of their reward. An uncomfortable silence settled. Emile looked past Daniel at Sarah. Fear froze Daniel and he felt his legs go weak.
Emile's expression melted into a smile.
"Of course! Anything for the hardworking citizen!" He chuckled. "I'd ask you what you want, but we've got to go now. Do you understand why?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
Challenge: Resolve 50, Social 50
1d100: 76. Success!
1d100: 36. Fail!
1d100: 76. Success!
1d100: 36. Fail!
"W-wait!" Daniel shouted. He awkwardly fumbled for his words while Emile stared at him, impassive. Daniel cleared his throat.
"Can we search for any… s-survivors?"
Emile winced. He half-turned to Michael and Miguel and made a gesture towards the horizon. The two stood and launched themselves away as Emile returned to Daniel.
"We've conducted a search, boy."
Daniel heard a grunt behind him.
"You're it." Sarah commented.
No-one else? He didn't understand. He saw them run away, didn't he?
"W-what do you mean?!"
Sarah tutted and walked around in front of him. She muttered something like 'Witnesses' before grabbing him, lifting him up under the knees and shoulders and crouching down. He didn't resist. Mechanically, he held on and tensed as she leapt into the air.
The station was a forward military outpost, owned by the Army but handled and occupied by private military handlers. It was a tent city, spread over an area larger than Breuin Village had. Large fires heated cooking pots fit to feed hundreds. It reminded him of the burning bodies he'd left behind.
As Sarah carried him closer with each bound, Daniel started making out details. The tents had signals and colours: red, white, wolf heads, concentric circles and one had a crossed-out eye painted on its side. He had to close his eyes near the ground, when Sarah accelerated, so all that he saw was from above.
When the South Combat Services Company, or Si-Si landed, Daniel was numb from the cold and dull to the pain of his scratches and bruises. He stumbled to his feet and stared blankly ahead.
Sarah looked him up and down as she dusted off, then gripped him by the arm and pushed him ahead. Daniel made one step in front of the other, his thoughts elsewhere.
How could they? he kept thinking. All these people… going on with their lives as if nothing happened. Streamlined suits of armour, men and women in thick and warm clothes showing off their wealthy, Army officers in silver-embroidered dress uniform bustling about, launching, chatting…
What did you expect? a rational side to him asked. Breuin was a small village at the edge of the Empire. Everyone knew they were being sacrificed for the greater good. The Church of the Holy Goddess promised them redemption in the afterlife, but he knew it was just a ploy to keep the devoted villagers quiet.
Now they're all gone. His parents were frying on the stone floor of the village square: they'd never get a proper burial. His brother, John, was… was--
A tap on his shoulder snapped him out of it.
He looked up, confused.
The four members of Si-Si were standing in front of him, a look of concern on their faces. Behind them was a large tent in black fabric with silver highlights. The Army.
Daniel stared back at the four of them.
Sarah didn't look comfortable, Emile seemed concerned while Michael and Miguel were… twins?
"Are you ready, Daniel?" a soft baritone asked.
"What?" Daniel snapped back. He swivelled his head, trying to understand how he got here.
"An army officer will ask you questions inside." Emile paused before continuing, without a reaction from Daniel. "We need you to tell them that a Federation raiding party attacked your village, that a magician led them, and that he was supported by four warriors and a lancer."
Daniel frowned. "Four? What's a Lancer?"
Sarah shook her head and walked away.
"A mage, four warriors and a lancer, can you repeat that?"
Daniel gave him a blank stare. "I saw one man who cast lightning, and two men with swords" he stated.
"No, boy," Emile insisted. "Repeat what I said-"
Michael or Miguel, he couldn't tell, stepped between Emile and Daniel and bent down to his level.
"Hey kid, you don't have to do what the old geezer says." he said in a reassuring tone. Up close, Daniel noticed he had his black hair tied in a ponytail, handsome features and dazzling white teeth.
"You're…"
"I'm Miguel." The man grinned. "That's Michael," he said, pointing at his identical brother. "Michael's going to convince Emile to not pressure kids into getting him bigger rewards by risking execution, isn't that right?"
Emile stood tight-lipped.
"You're out of bounds, Santiago."
Miguel straightened up and turned to face Emile.
"We came into this business to go straight. This isn't very straight." He motioned between himself and his brother. "We've seen enough young lives ruined by old men with pockets to fill. But you're not one of them, Emile, are you?"
Emile's gaze wandered between the brothers before settling on Daniel. He held his tongue as two women in full armoured plating and tattooed foreheads clattered by and entered the Army tent.
"Of course not." he said, bowing his head. His eyes flashed back up to Daniel. "But remember, boy, if you're smart, you'll know there's something in it for you. If you help us, we'll help you."
He waited for Daniel to take in his words, then continued despite the Santiago brothers' looks of disgust.
"We can go in right now, or I'll take you to Alfred so you can prepare your… speech." Emile said, finishing quietly.
Michael started walking away from the tent's entrance. Miguel took a step, then turned back to face Daniel.
"Turn down the offer, kid, it isn't worth it. We'll help you our own way. Come to our tent and we'll talk; just ask for Si-Si."
The Santiago shook his head one last time when Daniel hesitated to answer, and left.
Notes:
Character sheet is now available. The Resolve Challenge table is now available in the Quest Rules spoiler.
Plans:
[]: Follow Emile's plan. Speak to Alfred and return later with +1 Resolve.
[]: Take up the Santiago's offer. Ask Emile for the location of the SCSC's tent.
[]: Write-in
Thank you for reading, and congratulations to @Sickul and @Phoenix for keeping the thread alive.
Last edited:
- Location
- USA
No problem I like the story and the world so far. At first look I'm thinking we don't take Emile's offer, even with the +1 resolved based upon the previous challenge I think it's going to be difficult to pass this. His insistence upon us using the proper terms for the enemies, even if he wanted us to lie, seems like a pretty big mistake that could end us getting into trouble.
I'm tempted to write in to look for Sarah, she did save us, but at the same time the brothers are offering help. Doesn't make much sense to me based on what we know so far to search her out when they are ready and willing to help us.
So tentatively gonna vote for, obviously subject to change based upon other's arguments and answers Daniel gives.
[X]: Take up the Santiago's offer. Ask Emile for the location of the SCSC's tent.
To Daniel: You knew the Empire uses Private Military Companies and pays them 1 gold a kill. Do you happen to know why? Also would you consider yourself a good liar?
I'm tempted to write in to look for Sarah, she did save us, but at the same time the brothers are offering help. Doesn't make much sense to me based on what we know so far to search her out when they are ready and willing to help us.
So tentatively gonna vote for, obviously subject to change based upon other's arguments and answers Daniel gives.
[X]: Take up the Santiago's offer. Ask Emile for the location of the SCSC's tent.
To Daniel: You knew the Empire uses Private Military Companies and pays them 1 gold a kill. Do you happen to know why? Also would you consider yourself a good liar?
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
The war began two years ago, we are starting our third year.
There were troubles down south, but we weren't worried. A few months later, the Emperor circulated an announcement that the Federation had our worst interests at heart and had attacked us. They were even setting up an underground religion to subvert the people!
A massive Empire army crossed our lands soon after. They went through the Abyssal mountains. The numbers that passed through our village helped bolster our reputation. However, a handful of men came back for every regiment that went in. We knew they'd all been slaughtered, but the retreating army officers ordered us to keep our mouths shut.
They hanged the loony man at the end of our street to set an example.
Since then, the only soldiers who come through do not belong to the army, but to PMCs. We rarely interact, but the '1 kills: 1 gold coin' rumor spread quickly. People sold information in return for a share of the gold. Our villagers had nothing to sell, so we never saw the gold.
We are thankful that the PMCs still brave the borderlands, as they are the only men and women who stand up to the Federation's raiding parties. One day, the Army will come back and they'll all go home.
Lying? I don't know. I could always trick John to tire himself out doing something I asked, but my father always saw through me. I rarely need to lie to the other villagers: there are few of my age, the adults don't care what I have to say and the children are too busy playing around or scavenging for food. I can't say.
Note: Lying is considered a social skill, so you roll with a 1d100 dice.
If you want to retract your vote, use [-]Plan.
- Location
- USA
To Daniel: Do you know anything about the underground religion that's supposed to subvert the Empire's people? Do the Empire's army soldiers get an Opening? Are PMC members to the best of your knowledge Opened? You know the Empire army lost badly against the Federation, any rumours as to why they lost so badly?
- Location
- UK
From Daniel:
The underground religion? I'm not sure. We never heard of anyone trying to spread it, the adults didn't talk of it and I don't think it even exists. The Church of the Holy Goddess gets paranoid sometimes.
Everyone who fights or works get an Opening, and several layers of runes after that. Empire army soldiers have the best and most expensive runes. PMC members are usually ex-military, or paid for the runes with the funding of financiers. Our village didn't get Openings because we worked the fields for several months on end: we would never be able to recover enough mana to compensate for the workload if we relied on Dynamiks, so we use our own power.
The soldiers didn't tell us how they lost, and the adults discouraged us from even mentioning it, as it would mean the child or their parents could be punished when overheard. I suspect anyone who fights for living knows it, however.
- Location
- UK
Voting will end on 13/12/16 at 10pm UTC
You have about 34 hours.
You have about 34 hours.
- Location
- UK
Created a story-only thread in the Quest Archive.
- Location
- UK