File: Slayer Skill Web blank.png (63 KB, 1656x832)

63 KB PNG

Current Talent Tree

File: Witcher Talent Descriptions.pdf (222 KB, PDF)

222 KB PDF

>>32360508
Talent Descriptions + other info

>>32360465
When last I told you the tale of Garland the Witcher, we left off with him heading to the tavern for a much deserved rest after talking to the less than savoury prostitute – Merribelle, who hadn’t given the Witcher much information beyond what he already knew. Now, in my uh… dealings shall we say? With women of the night, I have always found a good strong drink to be a suitable follow-up. That would go doubly for when a meeting with such a woman ends with the release of coin, but with no other release afterwards.

With that in mind I can’t imagine the feelings that must have gone through Garland as he entered the noisy seafront tavern that night, throwing open the doors and moving from the cool Spring evening into the bustling, thick, ale-scented warmth that was The Chubby Troll inn and tavern. The noise of twenty drunken men yelling at each other over the noise of the local musician’s music was near deafening upon first entering, but seemed to die down somewhat as people began to notice him and stifle their conversations. Shouts became murmurs, as even the raucous Dwarves arm wrestling and playing dice poker in the far corner began to quiet down.

Then with all the suddenness of a bolt of lightning a drunk man staggered in from the other door which lead to the docks, promptly tripped over his own feet and flat on an empty table, seemingly unconscious. The laughter was immediate and thunderous, and thankfully took the drunkards attention off the mutant who had entered.

Smiling lightly to himself, Garland surveyed the room for a moment, wondering what it was he wanted to do here first. He needed to organize a room, and some food and drink wouldn’t hurt either. Then again this might be a good chance to get some information from those whose tongues were loosened by liquor.

>Talk to the barkeep
>Talk to the waitress
>Sit with the drunken sailors
>Sit with the non-humans in the corner.

>>32360556
>>Sit with the drunken sailors
See if we can figure out what that emblem we found on the drowner means.

>Sit with non-humans
Dwarves be bros

>>32360556
>>Sit with the drunken sailors
There has to be some sort of connection between the drowner and the body right next to it. Which means there has to be a connection between some sailors and the monster killing people (even if it's someone from the town using the monster to get revenge on them or something).

Garland chose to sit with a group of sailors first, he was curious about the golden anchor crest he had ripped from the Drowner earlier that evening. There was likely some sort of connection with that individual and the other missing persons, even if only a minor one. He surveyed the groups of men carefully, his cat-like eyes seeking the best targets for inquiry.

Eventually his eyes settled on a group of older sailors, who were just the right level of drunk for his needs. I’m sure you all know the lot, in fact I think some of you who listen to my tale are at that point already! That point where your tongue is loose, but not so loose that you can’t manage to use it correctly. Besides, the Witcher knew old men saw a lot, and often loved to talk a lot too, especially about the folly of the youth.

He sat down at the end of one of the benches, at a table with five other men. Wrapped up in some argument over a die result, most of the men didn’t notice his presence at first, and the only man who did was probably the drunkest – and was perhaps a little blind even when sober – and seemed not to truly notice the silver-haired monster slayer sitting across from him.

>???

>>32360922
Ask the drunkest guy if they've had any problems while staying at the town, like missing sailors. Ask which ship the golden emblem would belong to.

>>32360922
>argument over a die result
It's like he sat down with some fa/tg/uys during a quest!

>>32360922
Ask what's going on in the game

Ignoring the others for the time being, Garland turned his attention to the half-blind, half-blind-drunk older fellow who lolled his head sleepily before him. “Excuse me old man, do you mind answering some questions?”

The man hiccupped in surprise, looking up at the Witcher with a near toothless smile. “Well sherr y’can brooother, if ye got some silverr for oool’ Toots to get him a new drink.”

The Witcher nodded, taking a pair of silver coins from his coin purse and dropping them on the waitresses serving tray as she passed – one for the old man and one for himself. “Your friends seem awfully upset, what’s going on?”

“Aw ain’t nothin’ to be payin’ mind to feller, Carsten just be mad since he lost his boat t’some younglin’, one of those who disappeared. E’er since he’s been callin’ on all sortsa things, t’night he be thinkin’” the man paused to hiccup loudly “That Ebbe has cheater’s dice.”

“Cheater’s dice?” the Witcher asked, mildly curious

“Weighted so that ye can always get a certain number, but that ain’t why you can t’me now is it white one?”

Garland paused, obviously surprised the man was as shrewd as he was, perhaps the man was nt as blind as he had first suspected. “You’re right elder, I come seeking information on this emblem.” As he spoke, he withdrew the symbol he had taken from the drowner and passed it to the man. The wrinkled face of the man scrunched as he peered at it, then returned to normal as a look of recognition fell across his face.

“This here be the mark of the Gold Barge, a merchant vessel comes by these parts maybe twice erry month.” He then regarded Garland with a stern gaze “feller who runs that ship be a… a…” he hiccupped loudly again, just as the waitress placed their drinks before them “a fat, whoremongering miser if you ask me.”

>???

Fuck da CAPTCHA police

>>32361383
Ask if they've seen any strange things by the lighthouse or the island near it and if they know where to find the gold barges captain

>>32361383
When's the last time the Gold Barge came in?

“Where might I find this man?” Garland asked without a second’s hesitation. After he spoke, he took his first drink of the watered down swill he had paid a silver for. It wasn’t bad, in fact if it wasn’t thirty percent stale water it might have been tasty.

“Well…” the old man began counting on his fingers, as his mind certainly couldn’t manage the task at the moment “Yerr’d be… HIC… bessht to check round the harbour t’morro morn, should be he’s coming into port just then. But unless you gotsh plump titsh to show him, could be he would give ye the time of day.”

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” Garland replied, smirking into his cup as he tipped it back once more. “When did the barge last come in?” more counting, this time with two hands.

“Well, t’woulda been about two weeks gone now.

“What about the lighthouse, have you seen anything around there of interest? Anything strange.”

“Ah don’t get the old fart started!” came a gruff voice from the end of the table, causing the Witcher to turn to face the man. He was a burly man, likely the youngest of the old gents, with still some brown left in his greying hair. “the ol’ fart will tell tales.”

“I hearrd what I… HIC… heard ‘Ric!” protested the drunk old man “I’m tellin’ you there’s somethin’ strange out there.” Then he turned to Garland “I heard whishtlin’ like wind through a canyon.”

“Reminds me of Merribelle” one man said, elbowing another, before raucous laughter burst from each man at the table – save the ever stoic Witcher of course. When it died down, one of the men gave the Witcher a stern look.

“What are you asking all the questions for, Witcher?”

“I seek the missing young folk.” He replied simply

“Well you can stuff’em for all I care,” growled the burly young man – presumably this man was Carsten “and you can stuff it too, I don’t like your kind round ‘ere, gives me the creeps.”

>???

>>32361777
Just shake your head "And you'll be the first to scream for help from 'my kind' when something happens that your empty head can't understand."

Go talk with the dwarves, they're better company than these assholes.

>>32361777
Ignore him we ain't gonna put the beats on him unless he tries to put the beats on us
Tip the man for the info and say goodbye
I say we go check with the non-humans

Dandy could I get a quick list of gathered evidence and clues? I died halfway through last thread

>>32361777
"If you don't have anything to say regarding the disappearances, why don't you disappear, yourself?"

>>32361941
RIP in piece friend

>Twenty-four missing - ten female the rest male
>Three showed up drowned on the coast and were burned to prevent drowners
>One more Garland found, also drowned - female
>A Drowner with the Golden Barge's insignia was found and killed.
>A young man has been seen rowing out towards the lighthouse, or an island nearby
>Teens go to the lighthouse to bone.
>Whistling is said to be heard by the lighthouse some nights.
>Some bitch said she saw a dragon up north.

At these harsh words the Witcher merely grunted, standing from the table and going to leave this group of drunkard bigots behind. Before he did however he dropped a gold piece before the one man who had been of use. The man snatched up the coin greedily, and showed the Witcher his three toothed grin once more.

“We shall see how much you like my kind around when the older folk begin to disappear,” he spat gruffly, turning towards the corner where the non-humans sat – expecting the Dwarves to be far more hospitable drinking company. “I hope you’re the first to disappear.” He added, before striding over in that direction.

He had only made it three steps before he felt a hand suddenly upon his shoulder, gruffly pulling him backwards. “How about you disappear mutant!” growled Carsten, raising his other fist at the Witcher.

>Attempt to counter
>Punch him first!
>Dodge and attempt to talk him down
>???

>>32362013
Thanks

>>32362168
>Dodge and attempt to talk him down
"Careful. You might hurt yourself."

Rolled 34

>>32362168
>Attempt to counter
A broken hand should cool the idiot's blood.

>>32362210
>>32362206
>>32362168
Sorry, forgot to mention to roll d100 for results.

>>32362168
>Dodge and grab his arm

"Think very carefully about you want to happen. Either I let you go and you keep this arm. Or I take it with me. Pick, you have till the count of 3.

Rolled 34

>>32362266
Rollan at the speed of mediocrity

Rolled 58

>>32362256
Rollan

Rolled 72

>>32362256
Oh, okay. My post was >>32362206

Rolled 38

>>32362256

>>32362315
The patrons of The Chubby Troll would speak of that night for years to come, it was one of the more exciting nights that any of them had ever seen. After all it is not often you get to see a Witcher in action, especially not in such a sleepy fishing town as Loredge. They say the Witcher looked as though he were made of water – or perhaps silk – his movements were so fluid and swift. Carsten never had a chance against the Witcher, his fist came upon only thin air, his hand that grasped the Witcher’s shoulder came loose with a swift pirouette that left the man grasping at nothing.

Then he was on the ground, his punching arm held tightly in the Witcher’s grasp. He had flown over Garland as if he had meant to leap over the taller man, landing flat on his back with an audible “ooph!”

“Those who use weapons they don’t deserve should have them taken from them. Think carefully, either you leave now with your “weapon”, or I take it from you.”

“Oi! You mutant bastard!” came the cry of a younger man from across the tavern “Don’t you fucken touch my pop!” and suddenly there were two more men coming for him, younger men this time. One was presumably Carsten’s son, who held a smashed bottle in one hand. The other was holding a stool, backing up his comrade a little hesitantly.

D100 for result
>Intimidate them
>Disable Carsten and enter combat
>Leave Carsten and enter combat
>???

>>32362606
>>Disable Carsten and enter combat
He really shouldn't have tried to sucker punch us.

Rolled 61

>>32362606
Throw Carsten at them

Rolled 15

>>32362606
"Carsten I really doubt your son would want to see you as a bloody heap. Call them off, because if you don't after I'm done with you they're next."


rollan at the speed of drunken sailors
Captcha can lick my scrotum

Rolled 67

>>32362606
>Intimidate them
We're supposed to be good at it, let's do it.

>>32362732
The Witcher didn’t budge and inch as the two young men advanced on him with their improvised weapons, after all he hadn’t even drawn his own. Instead he tightened his grip on Carsten’s arm, twisting it in his hands as he spoke in a low, menacing tone.

“How do you think your son would feel to see me rip this arm right off, I can do it you know, we “mutants” are strong.” The look on Carsten’s face was satisfyingly terrified “Call them off.”

The result was instantaneous “DON’T YOU FUCKIN MOVE BERT!” Carsten growled in mingled anger, pain and terror. The two men reacted a bit more slowly, but staggered to an eventual stop, still holding up their weapons defiantly before them.

“Now you are going to leave, those two are going to go with you.” Garland hissed, his emotionless, no back-talk voice carrying well in the now silent tavern. The man on the floor, now with an unmistakable wet spot upon his dirty britches, simply nodded. With that settled Garland stepped back, allowed the man to get up and hurry towards the door, bewildered son and friend stumbling after him.

They hadn’t been gone three seconds when the table of Dwarves erupted in thick, ale-scented laughter. Two of the bearded fellows shifted themselves across the wooden bench and beckoned the Witcher over, still chuckling heartily as they did.

“Come boy, drink up – none of that watered down swill here, we’ll buy you a cup of the good stuff.” Growled one Dwarven man heartily. Another placed a handful of dice before him as he sat on the free space provided for him.

“And play a round would ya? These boys are shit for dice, and I could use a good game after that show.”

>???

Mine too

>>32363047
Rolling dice for the outcome of rolling dice?
sign me up

>>32363047

Play some dice. Drink some beer. Dwarves are bros.

if you're getting the black dot captch, make a new tab and log into a google account, then reload this thread. should fix it

>>32363122
Well we either roll 5d6 vs 5d6

Or I can just roll it behind the scenes.

>>32363047
Let's roll dem bones

>>32363156
Im fine with either Or I flip this coin on my table and you take my word for the results?

Rolled 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 = 14

>>32363156
DICE

>>32363156
I haven't played the Witcher games, can you explain the dice game?

>>32363237
I'll flip them behind the scenes

Taking up the dice in one gloved hand, Garland examined the finely carved stone dice. If there had been any cheater’s dice amongst them, he didn’t spot them, they were well made, each shaped from a different stone. There was limestone, quartz and even a jade die. Taking them now in both hands Garland shook his hands together, feeling the dice rattle together. “I haven’t played since I left the fort, I may be rusty.” He admitted, before letting the dice clatter across the board.

2, 3, 5, 3, 6… not the greatest hand he had ever rolled.

Meanwhile the Dwarf opposite him did the same, introducing himself as Yarven as he did so. His hand came out as bad as Garland’s – with 3, 6, 1, 3, 4.

“Shite,” he muttered, placing a few coins upon the table, as Garland did the same.

>What to reroll?

>>32363359
What are the rules?

>>32363359
reroll one of the 3's. Might as well go for a straight.

>>32363345
Poker, but with dice.

You want to get pairs, trips, quads, or a flush

>>32363359
>2,5, and 6

Objections?

>>32363345
Last I remembered you'd try to get the same number or symbol as many times as possible

>>32363469
I'm voting on this, try and get some more threes maybe

Both players had a pair of threes, Garland was closer to a flush but the chances of that were slim. He decided on rerolling the three other dice, just as the Dwarf across from him did. While this was going on another Dwarf had gone to retrieve a keg of ale from the back, apparently he knew the barkeeper well and had his own store back there.

Garland released the dice, eager to see the results… 3, 1, 3, leaving him with four threes and a one, this game was as good as his. He glanced across the table to see Yarven’s results, and smirked at the Dwarf who was swearing under his breath at the 2, 6 and 4 he had rolled.

Things continued on in this way for a time, with the group of six – one Witcher and five Dwarves – drinking fine ale, chatting and rolling dice. By the end of things Garland had even made a few gold from the dice games, it seemed lady luck favoured him tonight. Finally as the night was winding to a close and most patrons were wandering out to find their beds – or that of one of the whores – Yarven’s face turned serious.

“I’ll tell you what Garland, somethin’ certainly ain’t right here.” The two had spoken quite a bit over the dice games, and the Dwarf was up to speed on the hunter’s situation. “For starters, why’d they burn all the bodies they found? Even a bugger like me knows Drowners only come from true sinners, not pert young girls and stupid boys with hungry pricks.”

“Yes, I find it strange too, I also found a girl buried under driftwood, as if to hastily hide her. Something doesn’t add up.”

>Go to bed
>Go to the brothel
>Continue talking

>>32363759
>>Continue talking
Maybe chatting with Yarven will spark some intuition.

>>32363759
>Continue talking
Secure Social Link with dwarfbro

>>32363759
>Continue talking
Dwarf Bro Get

Shit man we're either looking at sacrifices or someone in power has a deal going with a monster

“I’ll tell you what else is strange.” Garland began, picking at a meal he had ordered a few moments ago as he did so. The meat wasn’t too tough, and the potatoes were so drenched in butter even his Witcher’s veins might give out that night, so it wasn’t the worst inn meal he had eaten. “Looking over the papers I noticed that the only bodies they found were female. I didn’t really think about it too much until now. But that girl I found… that means four of the ten missing girls have shown up drowned, but none of the men.”

“Now that ya mention it…” Yarven mused, rubbing a hand through his beard. “The girls go missing less frequently than the lads, the boys go missing fairly constantly, but the girls disappeared almost in groups of twos or threes, what does it mean?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I’m willing to bet I’ll find out tomorrow. Yarven do you own a boat?”

“I’d be a shitty businessman if I didn’t, any man worth his salt in Loredge has at least a rower.”

“May I borrow it?”

The Dwarf nodded enthusiastically “If it’ll help you get to the bottom of this, I’d be happy for you to take it. But just promise me this; don’t go gettin’ into too much trouble, you’re a nice fella Garland, I’d like to see more of you on my travels.”

“I wish you the same Yarven, thank you.” Garland said as he finished the last bite of his meal. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe I have an early meeting tomorrow with the Captain of the Golden Barge, I should secure a place to rest.”

>Tavern
>Brothel
>Camp outside of town

>>32364056
>>Tavern
We're already here, and funds aren't THAT tight.

>>32364090
No, but there's always the possibility of townsfolk trying to kill us in our sleep

>>32364056
>Tavern
seriously fuck whores, not literally though and I rather not get assaulted by drowner or necker packs thank you kindly

>>32364172
They're probably going to do that anyway since we're snooping around. At least this way we get a semi comfortable bed for a few hours.

Though we became good friends Garland and I, he never shared my affection for the ladies of the night. Nor did he care for the other creatures of the night, instead he would take the chance of angry drunkards bursting into his room over such things.

By this time the barkeep was beginning to clean up, and was startled when the Witcher approached him. The elder man held out his scrubbing cloth with an almost fearful look on his face, obviously he was worried that Garland would stir more trouble. But instead he only withdrew a number of coins from his winnings – far more than was needed for the drinks, food and room, but he didn’t have the change and was in a good mood after speaking with Yarven.

“I’ll not give you any change,” grumbled the barkeep as he took the two gold pieces. “You cause a fight, stir up my patrons, and the look of you will likely drive more away if you stay here too long.”

It mattered not, he had paid for services rendered and that was enough for Garland, he headed up to his quarters to find his rest, and meditate on what he had learned this day. It would be a good five hours before sunrise, and another hour or two before any ships from other cities would arrive, he was sure he had plenty of rest ahead.

and with that I’m going to take a short food break, I’ll be back with you gents in about 30 minutes. However, I’m awarding 1 Talent point for the first day of the adventure, give you guys something to discuss while I’m away.

>>32364172
We're a witcher everything wants to either kill us or fuck us and sometimes a little of both

>>32364366
I'm for either monster lore or basic potions

>>32364366
I think we either need to go for Stealth - burning the talent point into Positioning - or potions. A lot of the power of witchers comes from their alchemy.

>>32364366
Without knowing much about this setting, I'm just going to suggest Monster Lore or Parry

>>32364410
I'll vote for Positioning. We're probably going to face more drowners soon enough, and those packs can be nasty.

>>32364488
>>32364410
Works for me

So the standings are

Monster Lore: 2
Positioning: 2
Basic Potions: 2
Parry: 1

>>32364608
Think it's 3 for positioning
>>32364410
>>32364488
>>32364587

>>32364608
Changing my vote from Monster Lore/Parry to Positioning

>>32364628
Ah, that one wasn't up when I typed it out.

>>32364684
Looks like positioning wins then.

Rather than upload the new version I'll just say it.

With Positioning and Stalking you have unlocked: "Stealth Strike" for later purchase
The Witcher has learned to use stealth to the full advantage, whenever he takes an opponent by surprise or otherwise catches them off guard, he deals damage as though he had gotten a critical.

>>32364780
Come to think of it, that also reveals the name of the NEXT Stealth skill "Shadow"

Alright, food complete, onto the next post.

Garland’s sleep that night was deep and dreamless, without a single interruption. He had half expected some corrupt noble or guardsman to come knocking upon his door, or rather bursting through it to come attempt to claim his life. He had the feeling he was uncovering something that somebody was working to keep out of the sight of the people, and such people often had mercenaries or even assassins ready for occasions like this.

But when he awoke to the morning sun there was no blade in his throat, nor fire creeping under his door. What there was instead was a small envelope that had been slipped under the door. With no sleep nor hangover addling his brain – one of the many benefits to being a Witcher I’ll warrant – Garland too up the letter, opened it unceremoniously and read the concise message.

“Garland, I’ve left you the key to the lock which binds my boat to the docks. She’s not much more than an old rower, but the bitch is sturdy. Don’t get it eaten or anything of the sort, but if you must, you can pay me back with a few rounds when next we meet. Loredge is my home, but I don’t often return here. I’m glad I caught you when I did. Perhaps I will see you on the road. Leave the key with the innkeeper when you’re done. Sincerely – Yarven.”

Searching the envelope, Garland found the small iron key that Yarven had promised. Pocketing it, he headed to the window of his small room, which overlooked the seafront. There was a large ship in the harbour that was not there the previous day, and a large man with a feathered cap was barking orders at men carrying crates. Though they were far off, he could easily make out the golden anchor with his Witcher’s eyes, it was the Gold Barge.

>Meet with the Captain
>Row out to the Light House
>???

>>32365019
>>Meet with the Captain

I feel we need to shake the trees a bit before we head out for the lighthouse.

>>32365019
>>Meet with the Captain

>>32365019
>Meet with the Captain

>>32365019
>Meet with the Captain

>>32365019
>>Meet with the Captain
time to grow some tits

>>32365108
There's probably a potion for that.

The mystery of the lighthouse could wait, he was more curious about how this Captain and his crew tied into things. Dressing quickly, Garland gathered his things and headed out towards the docks. He made no effort to hide his purpose, and strode directly towards the captain. As one of the Witchers of the Panther he knew there were times for subtlety and this was not one such time.

“Greetings!” roared the round-bellied captain as the Witcher approached, catching him off-guard with his sudden and boisterous greeting “I have never seen a Witcher from the north like this, have you come to buy some silver from Hermenegildo of the Golden Barge? You Witchers, you love the silver yes?” he said, his strange and exotic accent thick upon his moustached lips.

Time to grow some tits – the Witcher thought remembering what the old man had said the night before. But perhaps that was not quite true, this man seemed amazingly friendly compared to what his informant had said, indeed he was friendly compared to the man he had seen through the window barking orders at his men. If he didn’t know better he might swear the two were different individuals.

>???

>>32365108
Ha! I hadn't even read that when I wrote the post. Nice.

>>32365209
Or a Mutagen maybe.

>>32365243
"The silver I seek today is a different kind, though no less valued; information."

ease him into it, ask about info on the comings and goings of the town, big news and not well liked news especially, then when we've got him talking and comfortable we ask about the badge we took from the Drowner

>>32365319
I'll back this.

>>32365319
Im feelimg it mr krabs

"The silver I seek today is a different kind, though no less valued; information." Garland said, forcing a smile to put the boisterous man at ease.

The big man’s face soured a little at that, but whether it was due to a lack of sales or something more sinister I cannot say, for I do not know. “Well then, at least you know the value to good words there Witcher, and perhaps by the end you might find yourself interested in my offer yet!” he said, some – but not all – of his initial energy returning to his voice. “Speak.”

Panthers were cunning creatures, as were the Witchers who shared the same name. For the next few minutes Garland questioned the man on things he did not truly care about; the situation in nearby towns, the condition of the seas, whether there were any unusual creatures out at sea. He wasn’t sure why but he didn’t quite trust the friendliness of the man, perhaps it was because he rarely received such treatment from men who did not know him well, few men trusted a Witcher so easily.

Eventually though the discussion came to what he was truly interested in; the disappearances. “Well it is good to hear that the seas are safe beyond the bay, I have heard troubling things about the waters here.” Garland said, easing the conversation his way.

“Ah yes, I have heard of those unfortunate souls who have gone missing, each time I come there are more gone!” the effeminate man touched a hand to his cheek to show his concern “Those poor boys, barely old enough to start their lives true and now they have disappeared.”

“Speaking of disappearances…” Garland said, withdrawing the golden anchor crest from his pocket. “I happened upon a Drowner the other day, he wore clothes with this emblem, your emblem if I see rightly?"

“Oh! That must have been Fausto! My first mate! He fell overboard during a storm not two weeks passed, I had hoped he washed up on shore, we were not too far from land… poor Fausto!”

>???

>>32365621
"Two weeks ago? Wasn't that about the time when last you were in port here?"

“Two weeks ago, was that not the time you were last here?”

A look of surprise crossed the merchant’s face, and Garland wondered if he had revealed too much about his own knowledge. “Why yes, master Witcher! We left trying to avoid the storm and get to our next port of call, but the weather caught us on our way out! We lost some precious cargo, and poor Fausto with it!”

>???

>>32365621
I'm not sure how to get anything more from this guy. Maybe Fausto was killed because he found out something he shouldn't have, possibly relating to the girl's body. Though if he was the first mate him being out of the loop doesn't make much sense.

I'm willing to bet the disappearances coincide with the barge docking up. Why did he focus on the boys being missing? There were girls gone as well, he should've heard about that.

Maybe we should see if we can get a short tour of the boat?

>>32365854
>Why did he focus on the boys being missing? There were girls gone as well, he should've heard about that.
yeah thats odd, I also think its connected to only the some of the girls washing up and no boys

>>32365621
Didn't the disappearance start two weeks ago or am I a fucking idiot?
Also I feel like we should give him the witcher stare

>>32365871
Perhaps he's a slaver or rapist, or maybe he captures the couples when they go to the lighthouse

>>32365871
>>32365854
I love the speculation, I wish my IRL group would get into it, but they're all quite new and just think about smashing things to bits.

>>32365935
According to your information the disappearances have been going on for two months.

>>32365935
>or maybe he captures the couples when they go to the lighthouse
its a possibility, its pretty clear he and his barge is involved somehow, lets ask him when he intends to leave and return, cover our probing by saying something like we hope to have solved and dealt with the mystery before he next returns or something

its pretty clear we won't be getting more out of him right now, but I want to know how long the barge and his crew will be staying in town so we can do some snooping around

>>32365839
Can we ask him when he next expects to be in this port?

If it's a set schedule, we should probably check the the guard captain and see if the disappearances coincide the with that schedule.

It seemed like this was all the information he would receive for now, and that was alright, it was better to be safe rather than sorry, he didn’t want to probe for information and get this man suspicious. Instead he conceived the best response, and went forward with it.

“You mentioned a deal yes Mr Hermenegildo? I might want to take you up on that, fine silver is hard to come by in the quantities needed to make a good Witcher sword, and I’m sure your prices are better than what I will receive at an inland market.” These words seemed to brighten the rosy cheeks of this greedy merchant “Unfortunately the coin required is something I lack at this time. I was wondering how long you hope to be in port, so that if I finish this job and receive payment in time, I might be able to meet with you and make a deal.”

“Hmmm…” Hermenegildo puzzled, stroking his moustache carefully as he regarded the Witcher “I will likely stay for the next two days, leaving on the morning of the third. We sail by every two weeks, as our schedule permits. I normally leave on the second day, but the cargo I normally take from Mercy Bay is not available this week, so I have extra time.”

This was good, that meant the Witcher had two days and two nights to snoop around and figure out why this merchant vessel which carried silks and metals, was far fishier than any of the fishery boats in the harbour. “Thank you for your time, and I look forward to bartering if the chance arises.” Garland said, preparing to depart. He thought briefly if there was anything still he needed from this man before he left to follow-up other leads.

>Back to the Garrison
>To the lighthouse
>Continue with Hermenegildo
>???

>>32366291
>>Back to the Garrison
See if we can get dates on the disappearances.

>>32366328
Copy chief seconded

>>32366291
>>To the lighthouse

>>32366328
Gather the information

If there was a key to be found that might link Hermenegildo to the disappearances, it would be the records that the garrison kept. Garland was loathe to meet with Barth again – that room’s stench had been a terrible thing – but he had no choice if he wanted to see those papers once more.

This time when he knocked upon the door of the Captain’s office however, there came no giggles, nor grunts. If he were not a Witcher he may have thought there to be no man behind that door, but he could ear with his exceptional ears the sound of snores from within. Hesitation was not a part of his vocabulary when it came to fools like Barth, and so instead of knocking he simply struck his boot against the door with a loud crash.

It was not enough to break the door – for it was reinforced with steel as any garrison door should be – but the sound of a man being startled awake was satisfying enough. After a few moments the door creaked open and there stood Captain Barth, bleary eyed and by the looks of him clearly hung over.

“Argh, what is it Witcher?” he mumbled, still not quite awake as he stood before Garland.

“I need to check the times of the disappearances again.” He said simply

“Bloody whoreson,” Barth sword under his breath, as he wandered back into his office to gather the papers. It seemed that being hung-over made him irritable, but also too lazy to argue as well. Perhaps it was good then that he had likely whored and drank till he collapsed in his own office last night? Who can tell. This time when he returned he practically threw the papers at Garland, then closed the door as if he felt it was okay to leave these important papers in the Witcher’s hands.

>Intelligence check d100.

Rolled 36

>>32366642

Rolled 28

>>32366642
Rollin at the speed of crit fails

Rolled 24

>>32366642

Rolled 44

>>32366642
dicedicedice

Taking up a seat on one of the benches the guardsmen would usually use during their training, Garland began rifling through the pages, looking for a theme that matched up with the information he received. Names and dates flowed by his eyes as he read, and by the second time he had noticed a pattern in the disappearances.

They had begun over two months ago, that he had known, but what he didn’t notice was that for the first month there had only been boys going missing. Then, a month and a half ago girls began to go missing as well, but there was something strange about it. The girls were going missing fairly close together, only a day or two apart. More puzzling was the fact that the girls disappeared at greater intervals than from when the men did, approximately two to three weeks apart from each other. Still there was more to it! The documents recorded all disappearances over the past three years, before the past two or three months there had been few, but there were still disappearances. One man in the past three years, but six different women, two each year.

Something strange was surely happening in this town, and the Golden Barge was involved, but perhaps not solely them. There was still much to learn.

>???

>>32366941
Unless any one else have any leads we can follow I say we wait until night and sneak on the boat with a disguise and a club instead of our swords

>>32366941
time to check the lighthouse, later tonight we can sneak aboard the barge

>>32366997
>club instead of our swords
Blashphemer

Also there's still the Lighthouse to check out.

>>32366941
I think we ought to case the lighthouse while it is still light

>>32366941
So...the barge is picking up girls when they arrive and killing them for some reason, and there is another monster at the lighthouse entrapping the boys. Maybe.

We should go check the lighthouse and the small island near it, then we probably should stake out the barge and see if anything suspicious gets delivered to it.

>>32367023
Eh a certain GM I had made me plan any espionage down to the goddam pants I was wearing one time. Our swords or pretty recognizable plus I doubt we'd want or need to kill anyone.

>>32367200
>I doubt we'd want or need to kill anyone.

I think the likelyhood of us not murdering half the crew because they're either mind controlled or horrible abominations...low.

Gathering the papers together again, Garland slipped them under the door without so much as a second glance back to see if the Captain had them. He had done his duty, that was all that was needed. Now there was only one lead left to follow, and that was the Lighthouse, just thinking of it he found his hand wandering to his silver sword in a suspicious nature.

From the garrison he went to the docks, found a harbour boy and had him find Yarven’s boat for him, the one detail Yarven’s letter had failed to inform him of. While he was no boatsman, the Witcher was familiar with a rowboat of the calibre that he was shown, and quickly boarded the “sturdy bitch”, taking hold of the oars and setting out upon the sea. As he did so there was a peculiar feeling of being watched, and Garland felt a cold shiver run down his spine, as the cool wind of early spring blew through the harbour.

First he headed for the lighthouse, the islands nearby would be where he would check next. It was a rocky island itself, but had a well established landing from the sailors who would often come to light the flames. His boat shored up on the rocks and gravel, and he disembarked not three feet from the great brick tower itself.

>Examine the island
>Examine the tower
>???

>>32367248
>>Examine the tower
Though I doubt we'll find much here.

>>32367248
>Examine the tower
I'm betting theres something up with the island, but the 'evidence' leads to the lighthouse, so lets check that and then sneakily check the island in case we're being watched

>>32367248
Island first.
Look for tracks, evidence of any struggle or other bollocks like that
then we search the tower

>>32367248
>Examine the island
Look around real quick something is watching and it ain't the Feds

Rolled 2

>>32367279
>>32367286
Seems we need a tiebreaker
>>32367287
>>32367333

>>32367381
Tower

Garland decided to check the island itself before heading up the tower. No sooner had he made this decision than a sudden noise rang out around him. No, it wasn’t around him, it was within him, within his mind all at once like a sudden headache. It was like the sound of a whistling wind through a valley, as the old man had said, but it rang out within his mind. It was everywhere, all encompassing, and there was something sick, something evil about that noise.

And then, just as it had come, it was gone.

Holding his head, slightly dazed Garland looked around to see if he could see the source, but there was nothing but the gulls around him. Grimacing at the thought of that noise returning, he decided he should get to work examining the area round the tower. He began his search, looking for tracks, droppings, anything of interest.

>Perception d100!

Rolled 69

>>32367507

Rolled 51

>>32367507
is this roll under or over?

Rolled 40

>>32367507
Rollin at the speed of- oh Jesus what the fuck was that?!

Rolled 42

>>32367552
Under

Rolled 47

>>32367507

File: 1363287440300.jpg (1.54 MB, 3000x1687)

1.54 MB JPG

>>32360508
>>32360537
>dat pdf

Rolled 9

>>32367507
Rollin nigga

The island was small, there wasn’t much to it but the tower itself. The island that truly interested him lay across the sea a little ways. But still he searched, hoping for anything of use. Never did he expect to find what he did on that small island, on the western bank half in the rocky water.

Before he found that however, he came across a sprouting of reddish purple grass, each strand about the length of his arm, punctuated by bluish veins. This plant was one he knew well, it was Sea Hag Grass, a herb that could be crushed and refined into Rebis. Taking his knife from his belt, he quickly and efficiently harvested some, stashing it in his pack for later use.

If he hadn’t stopped to harvest the grass, he may not have noticed the arm poking out from the rocks. Startled, Garland approached the arm, and found the body that attached to it. For the second time in two days he had found a woman on the shore, but this one was not like the other – drowned and naked. This woman was clothed, and the weak heaving of her breasts as she lay amongst the rocks indicated she was alive, if only barely.

>Wat do?


>>32367642
I aim to please, pastebins aren't as pretty.

>>32367749
Give her what medical attention we can. Ask her how she ended up here.

>>32367749
Look for injuries, if she's conscious, ask her what happened. Heal her, if we are capable of doing so

Rolled 12

>>32367749
Intelligence or Perception to figure out what happened

>>32367882
Oh shit

Unsure if it was safe to move her or not, Garland crawled between the rocks to determine what had happened to her. Upon moving closer it was easy to see what one of her injuries was; both of her legs had been broken at the shin. But that didn’t seem to be all, her face was pale and gaunt, she had a fever and was showing signs of dehydration and malnourishment.

How? How had she gotten here, who had broken her legs and why had the torch bearer not come across her? She was on the opposite side of the tower to the entrance yes, but surely she could have spoken up when she heard them approach.

Carefully he moved her from the rocks, and instead let her lay upon the somewhat soft bed of shore grass that lay close to the tower. “Can you hear me? Miss?” Garland asked, but got no response. Giving up on this for now he took his waterskin from his pack, and attempted to feed her a drizzle of water.

The effect was immediate and alarming, she began to cough and splutter violently, but from what he could tell she managed to drink some of it. As she lay there in his arms, he realized that she was quite beautiful, or would be were she not covered in dirt, and gaunt from starvation. As she opened her eyes he saw they were a vibrant emerald shade of green.

“Who… are you…?” she croaked

>???

>>32367920
We're roll under, this is good.

>>32367991
'Garland. And you?'

>>32367991
I'm a witcher sent here to investigate the disappearances occuring in this town. My name is Garland. Who are you?

>>32368014
I know

>>32367991
"A friend what happened here? Who did this to you?"

>>32367991
She's a redhead, isn't she?

>>32367991
>Waifu spotted off the port bow

seconding >>32368047 & >>32368060

>>32368116
Muties love redheads, don't they?

“Don’t worry I’m a friend,” he assured her “My name is Garland, I’m a Witcher here to investigate the disappearances occurring in town. Who are you, who did this to you?”

For a moment she only stared at him blankly, as if his words hadn’t reached her ears or at least not her mind. “Witcher?” she murmured, her eyes looking hazy, likely from the dehydration and starvation, not to mention the pain she must feel in her legs. “I… I’m Elissa Frey. I-I came here with Ahlf to… well…”

“I understand, please continue.” Garland urged, but his voice was gentle.

“When we got here, we heard a strange sound, like a whistling wind… and there was singing too… Ahlf stopped wh-“ her explanation was cut off by a bout of coughing, which Garland did his best to help with, handing her his waterskin. “He stopped and started looking strange, he suddenly pushed me away and got in the boat to leave. I thought he was just kidding so I didn’t stop him. Then he was gone, headed for the island to the north… he came back, but not for a whole day. I thought the torch bearer would come, and he did… but it was Ahlf with the torch. He… he didn’t even notice me.” Now there were tears in her eyes. “It was like he was in a dream, he just walked up the tower, lit it, and went back to town. When I tried to come with him he attacked me, and… he… he broke my legs with the oar like it was a club, all the while staring off at the island… eventually he stopped coming, but the new torch bearer still has the same weird look… I call for help but they don’t listen.”

She was panting heavily after her account was made, and looked as though she were about to pass out again. If he were to get anything more from her, he would have but one question to ask.

>One question

>>32368116
Nope, black hair... black as a panther.

>>32368137
Witchers don't have Waifus, they have sexes they collect like trading cards

>>32368225
forgot my trip after posting in Cutie G

>>32368225
>Nope, black hair... black as a panther
>{Wild Hunting Intensifies}

>>32368248
>implying we won't become a new breed of witcher

>>32368225
"Did Ahlf or any of the other torch bearers say anything?"
My siren senses is tingling again we should really get her back to town

>>32368225
So...maybe the Barge has a deal with whistler-chan where they pick up any girls discarded by her acquisitions. That also means whistler-chan takes guys long before they actually disappear.

Ask her how long ahlf kept coming to the tower after he broke her legs

>>32368225
I got no ideas so I'll let the other anons field the question, but we should get her back to the town nice and safe to heal up, we'll also want to keep an eye on her in case someone tries something

>>32368310
>whistler-chan
what?

>>32368225
Ask her how long after Ahlf became dazed he disappeared

>>32368339
Whoever is doing the mind whammy that sounds like a whistle.

>>32368339
The one who makes the whistle sounds obviously. Shouldn't be that hard to understand.

Things are coming together but i sstill don't get why women disappear a few at a time in longer intervals.

>>32368387
We still have the barge to check up on hopefully we get some answers from there.

On that note we have two days and nights before the ships leave. Should we wait for another day to sneak or Do we observe the boat throughout the entire time it's here?

>>32368387
The women don't get turned into meat puppets, so they need to be removed in order to not give the game away. That's where the barge comes in. Whistler-chan controls the guys so that they keep doing their day to day lives until she picks them up later.

Remember that the whore saw ahlf rowing away /alone/.

>>32368419
Though that still doesn't explain the dead first mate. Maybe he really was just washed overboard?

“Did they ever say anything, the torch bearers I mean?” Garland asked quickly, hoping for a final clue from the girl.

“Never anything, not a word… they were like… sleepwalkers…” she said, her voice dying down to a whisper as her eyes fluttered closed. As she lay there her eyes closed, her lips still slightly parted from the last words she had spoken, I’d imagine it took some measure of willpower not to kiss those full, pink lips. Or perhaps I’m simply a terrible person, who can tell!

In any case the search for clues on the other island would have to wait. Garland gathered up the broken girl, and carefully carried her to the boat. He cast a gaze around briefly, wondering if he was still being watched, but the feeling had passed for now. Getting in the boat as gently as he could, Garland pushed himself off the shore with the end of one oar, and rowed himself and his new ward back to the town.

The reaction upon him returning was immediate, a woman cried out as she saw him coming, calling that he had found one of the lost girls. A small crowd gathered to greet him, and though he didn’t like it, they helped him carry her to the local doctor, who was also the town herbalist as it turned out. Amongst the crowd was one of the other Dwarves he had drank with the night before, a blacksmith by the name of Grauvas.

He needed to have somebody look over her while he was gone, for if his hunch was right somebody didn’t want her to stay found. The dwarf was the closest thing to a friend he had, and so he asked him to be the one to do it. The bearded, stocky man agreed, but made it clear he wasn’t much of a warrior, he made swords, he didn’t swing them.

It would have to do…

Sorry guys, I need to make dinner for myself. I totally lost track of time because I’m enjoying this so much. I guess I could continue in an hour or so if everybody can wait that long. Or should I just end it for tonight?

>>32368451
maybe he stumbled onto the operation or took exception to what was going on

>>32368419
That doesn't really answer my question.
>Why do women disappear a few at a time in longer intervals

>>32368451
Or he objected to whatever it is that the captain was doing with the girls, if what >>32368419
Said

>>32368460
Well, i will be here at least.

>>32368460
I'll be around, but if you want to stop that's fine too.

>>32368460
I'll stay. I' reading Champions Quest in the meantime

>>32368460
I can wait for you to get back after dinner, I'll still be here

>>32368474
Because the whistler only takes a few guys at a time when the Barge is around to remove the girls with them. The guys continue doing their day to day lives for a while, but the girls are all in the ship's hold getting raped or whatever immediately afterwards.

You know while I feel like we're coming To a close with the investigation. I can't shake the feeling that there's something else going on here.

My hypothetical timeline of events

2.5 months ago - Whistler-chan starts ramping up her guy catching efforts for some reason
1.5 months ago - The Barge captain finds out about this and strikes a deal with Whistler-chan to get the girls while she gets the guys
2 weeks ago - First mate dies while hastily burying the girl's body. Maybe she was unrelated to the others?
X days ago - Ahlf breaks Elissa's legs, leaves her to die.
Y days ago - Ahlf rows to the small island

That means Ahlf wasn't part of the deal. X-Y may give a figure for the average time that guys stick around after being taken by Whistler-chan.

>>32368761
>2 weeks ago - First mate dies while hastily burying the girl's body. Maybe she was unrelated to the others
His conscious might have gotten the best of him. Then again he became a Drowner so that might be out of the equation.

File: 1393866613328.jpg (34 KB, 800x600)

34 KB JPG

its wired i got the witcher 2 a few day ago and now there's a witcher quest?

>>32368481
Drowners are born from sinners. That's not to say the First Mate didn't object (if they were indeed involved) but it does speak to his character or a very ill deed in the past.

>>32368761
It's a good theory, but one that can only be confirmed by confronting this Whistler-chan.

>>32368804
>>32369267
It may be that these girls are being treated as cargo and therefore 'off limits'. Our drowner friend may be the result of a lecher's behavior rather than a conscientious objector.

Great speculation guys

I'm back, what do we want to do from here? I wrote the last post in a way that it could have been the end, but I want to continue, so what do?

>>32369345
Let's look and ask around for young men who started acting weird recently. Maybe someone acting aloof and has been rowing out at night etc... Also, try to learn who is the one lighting the fire at the light house at the moment.

>>32369345
I think we should try and sneak onboard the barge and poke around. They may have some of the missing girls still alive.

Actually, before that we might want to visit the whorehouse and ask if there has been a change in behavior by the sailors on the Barge. If they really have been picking up the missing girls for their own use, they would probably stop frequenting whorehouses.

Given our new information on the possible monster, could we do another knowledge roll?

>>32369345
Bring the girl back to town, she needs medical attention and is the perfect bait if the Barge captain really is involved and suspects she might incriminate them.

We'll have to put of investigating the lighthouse itself for now, instead we hole up somewhere where we can keep an eye on her for a day or two. It's not like she's going anywhere.

>>32369403
I support looking for the current light house keeper. Maybe we can break him away from whatever is controlling him.

>>32369345
Sneak onto the barge.
investigate that shit

>>32369345
So the girl has no family in the town?

>>32369345
>>32369403
Yeah, let's find guy(s) currently under control of this monster we are looking for.

>>32369345
we didn't check out the lighthouse, so if the girl is safe for now, we should go back there and see what we can find before the culprits start trying to cover their tracks

>>32369499
I second this. At the very least the girl should be safe till nightfall, but anyone in the town who saw us come back will know that we're getting warmer.

>>32369459
You would have learned from the townspeople that she was orphaned at a young age, as was Ahlf, they're from an orphanage.

No, not all victims are from the orphanage, in case you were going to ask.

>>32369403
Yeah, lets find this guy. He's the most direct link we have to whistler-chan right now.

Rolled 2

Looks like we have strong support for two outcomes - searching for mindslaves or checking out the lighthouse and island no. 2.

So I'll roll for it

>>32369438
We already brought her back to town and weve got our dwarf mate Grauvas looking out fer her safety

>>32369531
Actually, with this I'd say this is the more favored option. I'll go this route.

>>32369551
He's a blacksmith. If some masked men come in the night to silence this girl he won't be much of a roadblock.

>>32369576
I don't think that she's in danger, actually. At least not from the Barge crew. One of the mindslaves might try to do her in, though.

Potential kidnappings, mind-slaves, strange telepathic whistling noises, Drowners and who knew what else. It felt like Garland was getting close to whatever secret this town had hidden. But there were still things he didn’t understand. If he could get a hold on one of these boys who were bewitched by whatever this creature might be, he may be able to learn more.

With the girl under somewhat safe care, he had time to search for some new information. He began by heading to the market district, asking around the shopkeepers and random townspeople who came by, surely somebody there would know who the current torch-bearer was. At first he got not a single answer, as it was with towns such as these, not many people knew the inner workings that kept everything running, they just lived ignorantly as long as things continued to function.

Finally he found somebody who was informed enough to tell him it was Barth’s duty to regulate the torch bearers. Klemens Barth once again, the Witcher didn’t know if it was a sign the Captain was involved or simple coincidence, but for the second time that day he found himself heading to the local garrison.

No nonsense this time, he simply tried the door of the Captain’s office. The door was open, but there was no man to be seen, the lanterns in the room weren’t lit, and it seemed that Captain Barth might actually be doing his job. Garland stood hesitantly in the doorway, the order he was about to bark to Barth still faintly waiting on his lips.

>Search the room
>Go look for Barth
>Give up on this lead for now – to the island!
>???

>>32369576
She was starving and dehydrated, that's at least three or four days on the island without contact with others. I would assume if she were going to be taken it would have happened by now. I don't know if the barge crew even knows about her.

>>32369643
Well crap, this entire enterprise has local authority backing it.

Search the room, quickly. I think we need to get back to the girl ASAP in case Barth is trying to do something unfortunate to her.

>>32369643
>Search the room
be quick and stealthy

>>32369643
>Go look for Barth

The plot thickens 5 gold says he's rooting Merribelle 'CanyonVaganyon' again

>>32369643
>>Go look for Barth
Getting caught snooping in his office would be bad for Garland.

>>32369662
I still don't see why we're so set on the barge being involved. The women victims seem to be happenstance, hence them being the only corpses to show up.

>>32369705
If the girls are disappearing over the course of a few days every couple of weeks, that maps extremely well to the Barge's schedule. There's also the fact that one of her crew ended up a drowner right next to a hastily buried girl. Then there's the fact that there was a distinct shift in the pattern of abductions a month after they started.

>>32369705
10 in two months as happenstance? Plus six over three years compared to 1 male... fuck I dunno.

>>32369741
1 male?

>>32369747
Over the past three years six females and one male have gone missing. Suddenly things ramped up, but I'm betting the girls are the ones that have had a regular abduction spree.

>>32369643
>Search the room
If caught, simply say that we left some reports on the dissapearances of the teenagers in Barths office and that we are looking for them

>>32369729
>>32369741
My point is the 'sex trade' theory doesn't hold up in the light of their corpses showing up while the males remain missing.

I doubt we'll find anything approaching a rape dungeon on the barge.

>>32369705
the disappearances coincide with the barge's docking schedule and one of its crew ended up as a drowner near the poorly hidden body of one of the taken girls

its pretty clear the barge is involved

Rolled 1

>>32369690
>>32369684
Two for two again, rollan
>>32369681
>>32369679

>>32369777
you missed my vote dude
>>32369759

>>32369795
Hell, I voted for 'Look for Barth' and I'm won over to the 'search the room' side. What's the use being a Panther if we can't go sneaky-sneaky when we need to?

>>32369820
exactly

I noticed at the last second and wrote the post accordingly, sorry about that.
Sudden panic flared in Garland’s mind; what if Barth was part of all this? He had at first simply thought him incompetent, if he was at the core of things this would really be troublesome. He decided that it would be best to search the room for the appropriate papers, Barth knowing he was looking around would be bad if the man was involved.

There was a reason the Panthers existed, and it was moments like these. Closing the door behind him so that he would hear any newcomer entering the room, the Witcher set about searching the room. For the plump, seemingly lazy man that Barth was, he was not untidy. Everything had a place in this office, and it was not long before he found what he was searching for. Amongst a list of other organized positions there was a list denoting the current torchbearer.

Dismay filled the Witcher’s face as he read the name upon the board; “Ahlf”. His term would be ending soon, that was clear, after two more days it was to be the duty of a boy name Ulbert. Whatever was controlling the boys had changed up the schedule, and Barth was either in on it and so didn’t notice, or was simply too incompetent to realize.

Swearing under his breath, Garland crept to the door, opened it and slipped outside. Like a true Panther school graduate, he left not a trace of his existence in that room.

>Search the island
>Ask at the brothel about the sailors
>Check on the girl

>>32369842
>>Check on the girl

Am i being paranoid in thinking that Barth found out there was a survivor and left his office to make sure she suffered an accident?

Otherwise I would probably vote for looking for Ulbert.

>>32369842
>Check on the girl
>Search and ask around for Ulbert

>>32369842

seconding >>32369863 no I don't think your paranoid, unless it doesn't happen

>>32369842
>check on the girl
>ask at the brothel about the sailors
>look for Ulbert

>>32369842
>Check on the girl

We haven't had much luck at brothels to date, should we track down Barth (who is either in on it, incompetent, or might actually be following a lead), track down the boy or head for the island?

>>32369908
I voted for checking on the girl because i'm worried barth is in on it. But aside from that, I think we need to find Ulbert and get what information we can from him. Whistler-chan is almost certainly on that island, and I'd like some more information on what it is before we go to confront it.

Perhaps it was due to her being the best lead he had, perhaps it was simple emotion, either way Garland was worried for the girl with raven hair. It had been only an hour or so since he last saw her, and he had left Grauvas to take care of her well-being, but he was nervous all the same.

Still, when he returned to the infirmary where she had been left, he found her resting comfortably, with Grauvas by her side, an axe resting in his hand in case of emergency. “What, do you not trust me Garland?” the Dwarf protested with a beardy smile. “The girl has barely woken, she drank a little, ate maybe a finger of bread and then went straight back to sleep. There have been visitors, some townsfolk came to give her flowers. You’ve become the talk of the town finding one of the missin’ girls you have. Even that Golden Barge feller came to see what you’d found, though he didn’t stay long after seeing her face.”

>???

>>32369842
>Check on wai- girl

Probably on the side of over-cautious but you never know with these things.

>>32369938
Tell Grauvas it's not that we don't trust him, it's that we've gotten new information that leads us to question the motives of the guard captain.

After, lets go looking for Ulbert.

>>32369938
>"Just a bad feeling. Good to see it was just that."
>>Ask at the brothel about the sailors, and Ulbert

>>32369958
I'll second this

>>32369938

Did he now? Tell me more of the captain's reaction.

>>32369965
second

>>32369965
>>32369958
>Even that Golden Barge feller came
Sheeeeet

>>32369938
>Even that Golden Barge feller came to see what you’d found, though he didn’t stay long after seeing her face

Fucking CONFRIMED. He only rocked up to confirm it wasn't someone that could identify him or his fellas.


>What do?
-Find the new lighthouse kid
-Follow Barth in the day (this will go pear shaped if we try to enlist his help and he's on their payroll)
-Wait for nightfall
-Operation Pumped Up Panther onto the barge, get to the bottom of this

>>32369987
Maybe Golden Barge Captain was expecting to see some other girl?

>>32370018
If he has a rape dungeon on his ship he could just check if anyone escaped.

Maybe another girl did manage to escape?

>>32370059
Maybe he suspected that one of the disposed dead girls hadn't been as dead as they'd thought.

Or maybe he was checking out potential merchandise.

>>32370059
Good point, though I doubt it was the corpse hidden under sea refuse.

Goddamn slavers working with, I don't know, mermaids? Mermaids sing, right?

>>32370087
Actually, what if she did escape? First mate went out to catch her, succeeded, and then killed and buried her. Then something killed him before he could get back to the ship, and the captain has been sweating bullets ever since fearing the girl could pop up again.

>>32370134
I assumed she wasn't part of the (assumed) slave trade because she was, well... not that pretty.

>>32370162
Being dead for two weeks in the water gives a pretty nasty CHA modifier. She might've been attractive beforehand.

“You know it wasn’t mistrust, I’ve simply learned something that troubles me. If you see a guardsman or even Barth himself, be wary.”

“Ha, I coulda told ya that Garland, there ain’t a single human guardsman I trust,” he said with a wink.

Garland nodded and was out the door in a flash, there was still only so much daylight left before the day came to an end, and he was beginning to realise just how little time he truly had. He had to hope and assume that Ulbert had attempted to start his schedule early and so was caught by the monster that seemed to possess minds. He would want to know as much about the creature as possible before continuing.

For this he went to the tavern, and found out from the locals where Ulbert lived. It wasn’t hard, most of the people at the tavern were willing to help in any way they could. He suspected now that he was starting to solve this mystery, people were hoping to get in on the glory, he had been told such would be the case in many of his adventures. I can tell you now as somebody who chronicled all his adventures, this was very true.

He found the young man down by the dock, his feet in the water his hands on his fishing rod. There would not be much – if anything – to catch this close to the shore, especially in the busy harbour, but he supposed there was little else for a young man of this age to do during the lazy spring days.

“You, are you Ulbert?” he called, still some feet away. And just as he spoke he felt that peculiar feeling that he was being watched again, it accompanied a strange tingle down his spine.

cont'd, damn limit

“Yeah I’m Ulbe-“ the boy’s voice was suddenly cut off as he turned to see who had called him, upon spotting the Witcher his eyes bulged to the size of dinner plates, his pupils dilated, and irises faded to a pale gray. Just as suddenly as this slackjawed expression had come, it was replaced by a look of absolute animalistic rage. “YOU’LL NOT HAVE HER!” he screamed, suddenly on his feet, rod falling into the water as he grabbed for a rusty knife he’d had at his belt. “SHE’S MINE YOU FILTHY WHORESON I’LL GUT YOU!” and gut Garland he intended to do, with the very knife he had undoubtedly gutted numerous fish, their blood still staining the iron.

>Fight him unarmed
>Draw your own knife
>Draw your sword
>???

Fights so far
Drowner
Drunk old guy
Teenager
I need to step it up.

File: escalatedquickly.gif (845 KB, 500x281)

845 KB GIF

>>32370193
>>Fight him unarmed
We need him alive and answering questions, so lets just try to disable him for now.

>>32370178
Yes but she was described to be less attractive - from what I can remember anyway. Aaanyway, doesn't matter. She is or isn't part of the slave ring. We'll know soon enough.

>>32370193
>>Fight him unarmed
Knock the knife out of his hand, pin him
Do yo' thang No.1

>>32370193
>Fight him unarmed
Restrain him.

We took positioning earlier right? It shouldn't be that hard with the help of it.

>>32370193
Next on the list: drunken teenage drowner

>Fight him unarmed
>Let's not try to break anything, eh?

>>32370254
>drunken teenage drowner
>became a drowner just to piss off his parents

For a man who was trained to fight the likes of wyverns, trolls and basilisks, a young boy with a knife should be absolutely no issue – hypnotized or not. Garland could have ended his life before he stepped within three foot of the Witcher, but instead allowed him to come for him, clumsy knife swings doing nothing but to leave him open.

With a quick step back the Witcher deftly avoided a cutting strike aimed for his belly, and in the opening created by the wide swing came in and took the boy’s hand, swiftly twisting it behind his back. Amazingly the boy didn’t stop squirming, the knife didn’t drop from his hand, and his free arm – which didn’t remain free for long – attempted to claw out the eyes of the man who now stood behind him. Onlookers gawked as the boy flailed like he was having a fit, attempting to kill the Witcher someway, somehow.

>Wait until he stops struggling
>Knock him out
>Tighten the hold, cause some pain!
>???

>>32370297
lost your trip op.

>>32370315
>>Wait until he stops struggling
Whistler-chan probably can't control him like this indefinitely.

>>32370297
dropped your trip OP

>Knock him out
he ain't fit for torch bearing duties

>>32370297
>Command someone to help you restrain the boy.
IF NOBODY DOES:
>Knock him out.

I don't think he'll ever stop struggling and that'll likely lead to a broken wrist.

>>32370297
>Wait
if it takes to long or he seems like hes about to get free, knock his shit out

The boy kicked and struggled, but he was only roughly fifteen summers old, and no trained fighter. This body was weak – perhaps even weaker than it should have been – and it wouldn’t take long to wear out. And yet he continued to struggle, twisting so violently it must have sprained his wrists. Indeed he could hold him only so long like this before the boy simply snapped himself trying to get free.

“Blasted whoreson.” The Witcher spat, adjusting his grip on the boy and pulling him down suddenly upon his knee, knocking the boy out cold with a single strike. There were gasps from the onlookers, but nobody seemed to look with true disdain. In this case it was obvious who was attacking whom. When finally the boy went limp, Garland lay him on the docks, took the knife from him and tossed it aside. It seemed this boy was certainly under some form of mind control, unfortunately removing such things was not his specialty, he knew of The Power, and knew that there were signs that might help him. However he knew no signs effectively enough to try them on the boy.

“Taking more and more steps back to square one,” he grumbled, dusting himself off.

>What now?

>>32370297
>>Wait until he stops struggling

>>32370388
>Shit, I dunno?

>>32370297
>Wait until he stops struggling

What >>32370332 said, this must be energy consuming for our quarry.

>>32370388
If the guard was trustworthy, I'd say have them lock the kid up until we deal with Whistler, but as it is...

Do we know any herbs or mixtures that would keep him sedated? If so we can feed him some and leave him with the doctor.

>>32370388
Take him to prison a bare prison. Make sure there is nothing in it for the kid to kill himself. Make it clear with Barth that nobody is to go into his cell, let him know you will personally deal with the responsibles if this guy disappears or dies.
Even if Barth is working with them, this should be fine. And if something does happen to the kid, then we will have reason to after the guards.

>>32370388
>YOU'LL NOT HAVE HER
>SHE'S MINE

Guys, I think Whistle-chan was referring to our raven-haired girl?


>What do?
Stakeout on the barge and infiltrate in the night. Any basic potions that could assist our stealth?

>>32370434
d100 for Herblore, you don't have any potions but some strong herbs might do it anyway.

>>32370388
Tie him up, leave him with someone and visit the island.

Rolled 40

>>32370466
>inb4 we give the kid arsenic

Rolled 16

>>32370466
DICE

>>32370388
>Maybe the resident doctor guy knows what to do?

Not like we have any sorceresses around.

Rolled 32

>>32370466
rollan

>>32370463
I think the kid was referring to whistler-chan, actually. She probably gave him the impression we were going to take her away from him.

Which is true.

Rolled 6

>>32370466

>>32370434
I say we take him to the same herbalist who treated the girl, he'd have the means to keep him sedated.

>>32370482
Not until Act 2

>>32370477
Best of 3 it is then.

>>32370477
YuhYEAH.

>>32370494
Nice, but just missed it.

>>32370488
That does make more sense, obviously I'm not too good at this detective stuff. If that's the case then this creature clearly won't need to be exerting will over the kid. Then again the kid is also less likely to commit suicide.

Rolled 34

>>32370540
So, after we deal with the boy, we have three 'interesting' people we want to 'talk' to.

Whistler-chan, Guard McLazy and Trader McGreedy.

Have I missed anyone?

>>32370529
Dohoh. Oh you.

Also if the herderrbalism roll fails, we can just use the local Herbalist, I hope.

>>32370579
I think those are the options.

I think we should sneak on the Barge and see if we can confirm McGreedy is doing something shady. If he is, we confront him and get what information we can about everything. This is probably easier than going after the guard first.

After that, whistler.

The boy was dangerous while conscious, this had now been proven. Maybe he wasn’t a danger to the Witcher in particular, but he was certainly a menace to the rest of the town. With this in mind Garland hoisted the unconscious lad over his shoulder and carried him to the doctor’s where the girl was being protected. The doctor, who was pleased to have the business but still confused as to why the Witcher kept bringing him strange youths helped restrain the lad in a bed while Garland fetched some Bloodflower milk from the apothecary’s stores. It was a powerful sedative, and would keep the boy down for some time… hopefully. If not the restraints were sturdy leather.

The next order of business would be the barge. Garland was now sure that the creature he sought lay on the island north of the lighthouse, but before he went to fight the true monster, he wanted to discern which men amongst those he had met were also monsters. Besides if he could get any information that would help him deal with the creature, it would be worth it.

But I now realize how long my tale has lasted this day, and my throat grows tired, my feet sore and my fingers restless for the sweet touch of a young girl’s plump arse. So for now I shall leave you, and when next I return you will hear the tale of how the White Panther – who was not at this time known as such – snuck aboard the merchant vessel of the Golden Barge, where he discovered quite the secret!

Until then, adieu

Sorry for the sudden finish guys, but it’s been about nine hours and I’m losing my edge here. Great session though, I’m really loving this. I'll stick around for feedback and any questions that aren't spoilerific though

>>32370620
Thanks for running, DL.

It's kind of weird that a witcher quest has turned into a detective novel, but fun at the same time.

Rolled 51

>>32370620
Thanks for the thread OP, any idea when the next one will be?

>>32370610
Aye, I'm with this anon. This theory will have to be put on hold if nothing suspicious turns up on our search.

>>32370620
Thanks for running. I'm really looking forward to the next one.

>>32370620
I like you Dandy Lion, I really do.
Looking forward to the next time you run

File: 1395279370685.gif (109 KB, 209x193)

109 KB GIF

>>32370620
Thanks for the thread Lion. And thanks for the beautiful pdf again.

>>32370642
Witcher games have a lot of detectiving going on in them.

>>32370620
Sweet, thanks mate.

Rolled 65

>>32370642
theres always some detective work before you can get to the killing and fucking, and hopefully not in that order

>>32370620
Good stuff. I was a bit skeptical of this 3rd person thing at first but man, you're pulling it off real well.

>>32370642
Is it weird? I figured that was half of what the Witcher did

>>32370646
You can check @DandyLionQM for updates, but let me see...probably in two days? I'll likely do a shorter one, only five hours.

>>32370676
As am I

>>32370693
I'm really glad, to be honest I was worried, I'd never run or even read a quest before this to be honest. I just liked the concept.

>>32370697
Thanks for enjoying the pdf, makes it work working on.

Archived my fellow monsterslayers:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Witcher%20Quest

>>32370748
>Is it weird? I figured that was half of what the Witcher did
Nope. This stuff was most of the games too. Go around looking for clues and talkişng to people and stuff. Also it is not weird, if anything it is better than solving the case by just walking in and stumbling on monsters.

>>32370748
I guess I expected Garland to just kick down doors, murder monsters and fuck bitches.

I'm not complaining, mind you.

>>32370807
Should've picked Bear

>>32370786
Well, saved me the trouble, thanks

>>32370728
I wasn't sure if it would work either, but if people like it I'll keep going.

>>32370820
Do you plan a regular schedule for questrunning?