Considering your options, it dawns on you that the cleric might be able to heal at least some of your wounds; while it hurts your pride to rely on the powers of another god, Pasifitor knows what sort of maladies might be caused by lingering demonic energy. This in mind, you turn around and enter into the “temple” once more.

“Excuse me, but there is one thing that I want to ask of you,” you question, standing in the doorway of the cleric's office as he furiously fills out the forms on some standardized parchment. Ahh, you miss the days of inventorying cleansed demon cults and purged abominations. He pauses for a moment, and then makes a gesture for you to continue, without looking up from his work.

“I was injured by some of their fowl sorcery in the battle, and while it is normally something I would inspect myself, circumstances make it so...”.

“Yes of course, my subordinate here,” he declares pointing the the direction of the priestess, “would be happy to look at your wounds.” Judging by her disdainful scowl, you question whether this is really the case.

“Right this way,” she finally mutters, leading you to a chair in the corner of the room. You have some difficulty taking off your breastplate, as this was a somewhat cramped space, but eventually you are able to directly see the damage.
>continued

>>36488022
All in all, it's not as bad as the pain made it out to be – or at very least you've suffered worse; sure, there were some nasty bruises on your arm where you were bitten and a couple others scattered about your torso, but your side was the only major injury. The flesh had been seared off roughly a twelve centimeter section of your ribs, and the exposed area had turned an unhealthy purple that seemed to suggest an infection. You barely stop yourself from chuckling in amusement as the priestess's face contorts into a look of disgust. She dutifully summons her divine power however, and a healing wave of energy runs through you, similar but just not the same as Pasifitor's embrace.
>continued

>>36488042
With your side mostly healed – the priestess's inexperience showing when she failed to completely close the wound – and the worries of a demonic pestilence behind you, you set off into the streets with no particular destination in mind. Once more you try to call upon your god, with the hopes of feeling just a faint spark of life, but where his presence once reigned there is still a distinct emptiness. Shrugging off your disappointment, you decide what to do with the rest of your day.
> Time to find some more mundane work, as you've had enough demonic shenanigans for one day. Perhaps the local guard has some openings, or maybe there's some mercenary work to be done.
> Heading to the inner city is an obvious choice now that you have a permit to enter; you won't have to worry about living expenses if you get in to the mage college or one of the noble houses.
> Other. (Perhaps trading your sword for another weapon?)

>>36488058
> Heading to the inner city is an obvious choice now that you have a permit to enter; you won't have to worry about living expenses if you get in to the mage college or one of the noble houses.

>>36488058
> Time to find some more mundane work, as you've had enough demonic shenanigans for one day. Perhaps the local guard has some openings, or maybe there's some mercenary work to be done.

>>36488083
>>36488098
Either of you willing to compromise? You don't have enough time left in the day to do both.

>>36488058
> Heading to the inner city is an obvious choice now that you have a permit to enter; you won't have to worry about living expenses if you get in to the mage college or one of the noble houses.

>>36488306
>>36488098
>>36488083

Alright, I suppose that's good enough. To the inner city!

>>36488042
Mundane work, joining the town guard fits Pastifor perfectly

>>36488348
>namefagging

Nice attention whoring.

>>36488022
>injured by some of their fowl sorcery
those accursed avians!

>>36488058
>> Heading to the inner city is an obvious choice now that you have a permit to enter; you won't have to worry about living expenses if you get in to the mage college or one of the noble houses.

>>36488390

Truly, they had some terrible powers at their peck and call.

>>36488390
Shit, what a way to start a thread.

>>36488058
After walking for at least an hour, the road finally makes its way to the wall between the foreign district and the inner city; the gate before you is even more elaborate than the entrance into the city, with meticulously carved depictions of Postumia along with various marine iconography – presumably referring to the goddess' domain over naval affairs. Traffic has died down considerably you notice as you see the only person attempting to gain entrance is a wealthy merchant with a cart laden with wares. One of the more elaborately armored guards motions for you to talk to him once the man is waved through, and the other four or so remain rigidly at their posts around the gate.

“Do you realize these papers are forged sir?”, he questions you with a piercing stare after inspecting the permit you handed him.
>continued

>>36488457
Just as you prepare yourself for a confrontation, he smiles widely and laughs, “Don't get all tensed up, I'm just fooling with you sir.” In response you give a meek chuckle and the closest thing to a nod you can manage with your helm still affixed. The process only takes a few moments longer and before you know it you've been transported to a completely new world – or at least that's what it seems like at first. The plaster and brick buildings are gone completely, giving way to a series of finely crafted houses of marble and the poorly maintained, winding road has been replaced with a defined, geometrical path. Inner city indeed. You should probably move with a destination in mind, however, as your plate armor does little to blend in with the upper class attire of these residents.
> The Mage College sounds like a good place to start, although you have some serious reservations about dealing in matters of sorcery.
> Try to see if one of the noble houses has a vacancy for a bodyguard role; you probably won't have much trouble finding employment if you explain that you're a paladin who “lost” his faith.
> Head for one of the many rumored merchant guilds to offer your services as a guard for some of their more lucrative shipments.
> Go to the Great Temple of Postumia along the river to perhaps enlist the help of the clergy there. Pasifitor may not have been their closest ally, but you always had cordial relations with them.

>>36488384
Left it on from an old thread, My apologies

>>36488474
> Try to see if one of the noble houses has a vacancy for a bodyguard role; you probably won't have much trouble finding employment if you explain that you're a paladin who “lost” his faith.
Impose law and order from the top.

>>36488474
> Go to the Great Temple of Postumia along the river to perhaps enlist the help of the clergy there. Pasifitor may not have been their closest ally, but you always had cordial relations with them.
Which god was our closest ally?

>>36488474
>Head for one of the many rumored merchant guilds to offer your services as a guard for some of their more lucrative shipments.

That would probably be the way to go if we're going to get in good with the mercantile nobility, or get a good amount of pay while getting the opportunity to travel around the world.

>>36488474
> Head for one of the many rumored merchant guilds to offer your services as a guard for some of their more lucrative shipments.

>>36488474

> Go to the Great Temple of Postumia along the river to perhaps enlist the help of the clergy there. Pasifitor may not have been their closest ally, but you always had cordial relations with them.

>>36488474
>> Head for one of the many rumored merchant guilds to offer your services as a guard for some of their more lucrative shipments.

>>36488474
To the noble houses

>>36488474
> Head for one of the many rumored merchant guilds to offer your services as a guard for some of their more lucrative shipments.
Odds are most lucrative job, as well as most potential to earn a name for ourselves.

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>>36488518
None of them. As you can see from this admittedly shitty map, Pasifitor was pretty inconsequential in terms of the greater political scene, not to mention his inflexible pursuance of domination and order irritating other gods.

>>36488511
>>36488518
>>36488524
>>36488552
>>36488573
>>36488594
>>36488596
>>36488622
Merchants it is.

>>36488643
I for one, think that we should find ourselves a nice hors to ride alongside the merchants.
Perhaps while traveling to a northeastern country.

>>36488643
May I ask why Pasifitor has any territory considering he's dead and the last city he had was recorded as taken?

>>36488643
12 sages now that seams like a good place to get some godhood/traning

>>36488718
I apologize for not being clear about it, but the map is just of the general areas of worship before Pasifitor was killed, not countries; Hjer now occupies that territory.

>>36488474
Immediately you set out to find the richest and most gullible merchant in the city; what you need right now is money to pay your expenses and connections to aid you in your retribution. You vaguely recall the layout of the inner city from your previous visits, although back then you were really just passing through, but you seem to remember there being a rather large bazaar not far from where you are.

Luckily the now logically arrayed streets are easy to navigate and it doesn't take you long to enter in to a square filled with stands selling the kind of things that you never expect to be able to afford in your life. Passing through the crowd of people, you inspect each merchant as you go along to see to what degree their dress conveys affluent pompousness. At the end of one line of stands you find one such individual; clad in silk and covered in exotic jewelry that almost certainly created for the sole purpose of its novelty, the man screamed wealth even before you took into account his numerous servants.

“Are you perhaps interested in some of my wares?”, he asks, leaning forward with a stoic look on his face, “I doubt someone in that attire would be able to scrounge up the gold, but I won't object if you can.”
>continued

>>36489056
“Not exactly my... lord. I am, or rather was, a paladin of some renown in the northern countries, but after some events I lost my faith and have taken to wandering. When I happened upon you, however, I thought, 'I couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to work with such an enterprising individual as him',” you explain, honeying your words with a determination that you usually reserve for more martial matters. In response, you just get a blank stare.

“You mean?”.

“Of course, what I mean by this is that I would like to work for you as a guard, perhaps protecting your caravans or your noble person.” He mulls over this for a few moments.

“Well yes, I did lose a shipment going towards Istrium a few weeks ago... I would gladly hire you under the condition that you pass a small test. Oh, and sign a contract as well. You know, just the usual things.” How do you respond?
>Absolutely, you have no fear of any test a decadent merchant throws at you.
> Forget it, you're getting a bad feeling about this.
> Ask him something first. (What?)

>>36489089
> Ask him something first. (What would the test be and may I please look at the contract? Only a fool goes in blindly, and I doubt you'd hire a fool.)

>>36489089
>> Ask him something first. (What?)
What do you think killed your men? What sort of pay would i get from work with you, what sort of of roles do would you have me do if you employed me.

>>36489089

>Absolutely, you have no fear of any test a decadent merchant throws at you.

>>36489089
>> Ask him something first. (What?)
Ask to read the contract.

>>36489089
>Absolutely, you have no fear of any test a decadent merchant throws at you.

>>36489089
>Ask him something first. (What?)

Can we see the contract?

Maybe our protagonist also had to handle a lot of day to day matters in his church. You get a lotta experience being in a small place that's shorthanded of clerical staff.

>>36489149
>>36489217
>>36489258
Guys we need to read the fine print, never sign a contract where you don't know the conditions. Given we're lawful neutral this is kinda damn important.

>>36489149
>>36489152
>>36489202
>>36489217
>>36489231
>>36489258
>>36489271
Ask some questions about the specifics of the job, but take the test in stride.

>>36489089
Beneath your helm you smile faintly; you have no reason to fear the petty tests of a pampered merchant, although you do know better than most the horrors of accepting a task without knowing what it will entail.

“The trial sounds fine, as I have no doubts in my abilities, but I would like to know what you think killed your men as well as having a good look at that contract. Only a fool goes into a deal blind after all,” you offer, speaking in plainer terms now that you've gotten the gist of this man's demenour.

“Absolutely, you would have to see the contract to sign it after all. As for the caravan, I truly don't know. It just never showed up at Istrium.”

“No evidence of a plausible cause? Could it be that your men just skipped out on you with all of the goods?”.

“No and no – and I'm not one just to stand around answering questions. What I'm hiring you for is to lead a caravan along the same route and see if it happens again; you got that?”.
>continued

>>36489809
“That... seems to be in order. When and where am I to undertake this test then?”, you ask, cautious not to further test the merchant's patience.

“Good, one of my servants,” he explains, motioning to a foreign looking attendant, “will take you to my manor in town. Tell the guards that Gnaeus wants you to be tested and they'll take care of the rest.” After he is done talking, he turns away from you and launches in to a conversation with a waiting customer. When you turn to the servant for further direction, he merely shrugs and opens his mouth to reveal that his tongue has been cut out.

You follow the man through the increasingly populated streets as the sunlight begins to dim, eventually arriving at a grandiose building with enough space around it to walk through – a rarity in the cramped architecture of the city. Repeating the merchant's words to the guards, you are waved inside and taken to a small courtyard in the middle of the structure.

“So here's how this works,” one of the older men starts as several other guards filter in, “you take whatever training weapon you want, and our boys will come at ye one at a time. Beat enough of them and you win a job.” Simple enough you suppose.
> What weapon do you choose? (Most mundane weapons are available.)
Also roll 1d20, will take best of three. DC 14

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>36489843
>Take a flail.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>36489843

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>36489843
Gauntlets

>>36489843
>maul or flail

>>36489843
A claymore

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>36489843
Mace

>>36489843
Mace.

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>>36489843

Poleaxe. Chopping end, pointy end for sticking, and hammer end for bashing. About the same length as most 2H axes.

Are magical creature real in this world?

>>36490044
Well, magic is. So one can only assumeZ

>>36490044
Depends on what you mean by magical creature, but I'll hazard to say yes.

>>36489924
>>36489934
>>36489948
>>36489963
>>36489973
>>36489984
>>36490005
>>36490012
Just barely passed, and since general blunt weapons seem to be the consensus, I'll go with mace.

>>36490113
Dragons, Chimeras, Cockatrice like all that good stuff

>>36490113
Hmm, I know I'm late, out of curiosity could we have picked a sword breaker or tetsubo for our weapon?

>>36490197
As a practice weapon? Probably not.

>>36490197

Given that we're working for a merchant, it's probably likely that he has some exotic weapons lying around for display but not for actual combat use. But otherwise this doesn't seem like a place that has that style of weaponry readily available for use as practice weapons.

>>36490113
dryads, nymphs, Elf, you know the slutty ones

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>>36490197
You have terrible taste in weapons

>>36490174
>>36490260
Basically these.

>>36490260
Remember we are chaste

>>36490278
Sword breakers are decent.
Tetsubo as compared to mace? Not so much.

>>36490311
says who?
our gods dead we need our dick sucked

>>36490311
*were.
Without a god there are no tenants but our own.

>>36490352
Oh please lets not get into this

>>36490383

I think you mean "tenet". Tenants are either people who own/rent homes or inhabitants of dwellings.

>>36488000
So, when are becoming an Oath Breaker Paladin/Blackguard?

>>36490411
I know what I said.
This is landlord paladin quest, right?

>>36490554
We could have been a blackguard, had we gone through with the cult stuff.

>>36489843
Quite confident in your capability to best whatever street scum Gnaeus happened to scrounge up, you pick up a mace and test its weight in your hand. Pasifitor had been adamant about all of his warriors being proficient with most weapons since doing so required dedication and discipline. This will work nicely indeed.

The man explains a few more rules tied to the test: you'll have to take off your plate armor as that would give you an advantage, and your opponents were allowed to use any method they thought necessary to take you down. You nod your head and comply with his rules, heading for the center of the yard once you were prepared to begin.

Without any time for pause, the first contender makes a run for you with a flail swinging above his head; he's pretty much the most average guard you've ever seen. Easily you duck beneath his wild swing and slam your mace into his side – wincing slightly in pain as you remember your side is still somewhat injured. He however, seems worse off as he cries about some broken ribs and the next man enters the yard.

This general pattern follows as you strike down a plethora of unimpressive opponents, taking only a few hits before you defeat the fifteenth man. The guard in charge puts his hand up in a motion to stop as you ready yourself for the next assault, much to the dismay of both yourself and the other onlookers.
>continued

>>36490564

Not unless we want it to be. Although I'm not quite sure how profitable being a landlord is in these times as opposed to being a sellsword or merchant guard. Maybe a little bit on the side, if it checks out.

>>36490612
“That's enough, although don't expect me to be sucking yer knob over this or anything,” he says with a somewhat strange choice of words, “ye're good enough to beat these miscreants at least.” In response you nod and move to retrieve your armor; you feel naked without it.

“Once yer done messing with that armor, Jharral here will give you your contract,” he explains, pointing to the servant you came in with, “if you really want to work for that cheap bastard.” With this, he walks off, clearly disinterested in the whole affair.

It's odd to you that a contract could be written so quickly, but once you see the contents the reason becomes clear. Either this Gnaeus goes through guards a lot or he just got these made in bulk, but no part of the contract mentions any particulars of the situation. Skimming through, it otherwise seems to closely resemble similar articles you had to go through when the Pasifitor's faithful had to outsource their work: you will be paid 100 gold upon completion, breaking the contract will result in a fee of 10 gold, you're not promised further employment, and all the usual clauses. What do you do?

> Gainful employment is hard to find as a paladin of a dead god, and 100 gold is probably more than you've every personally handled; the risk is worth the reward.
> While the contract seems fine, the details of the job are sketchy, and Istrium is too close to the border for it to be a safe job. Get out while you still can.

>>36490636

Exactly how valuable is 100 gold? Or 10 gold, for that matter? How much gold do we currently have?

>>36490636
>> Gainful employment is hard to find as a paladin of a dead god, and 100 gold is probably more than you've every personally handled; the risk is worth the reward.

>>36490636
>> Gainful employment is hard to find as a paladin of a dead god, and 100 gold is probably more than you've every personally handled; the risk is worth the reward.

danger is fun

>>36490636
>> Gainful employment is hard to find as a paladin of a dead god, and 100 gold is probably more than you've every personally handled; the risk is worth the reward.

>>36490664
Right now you have 21 coppers, which is enough to stay at the shittiest inn you've ever slept in for three days. 100 gold is quite a bit; I'd say enough to afford a horse and a new set of armor with some left over.

>>36490636
> Gainful employment is hard to find as a paladin of a dead god, and 100 gold is probably more than you've every personally handled; the risk is worth the reward.
ADVENTURE!

>>36490588
Well, we can always go Evil later, yeah?

I love the archetype of the fallen hero.

>>36490760
Well, we can. I was just pointing that out to the other anon.

>>36490668
>>36490680
>>36490704
>>36490747
Yes, nothing like adventure.

>>36490636
Despite some lingering reservations about what sort of job was worth 100 gold just for a round trip to Istrium, you sign your name on the bottom and hand the contract off to the mute servant; there might be a chance to bring order to the chaos of the borderlands after all. He gives you an indecipherable look and motions for you to follow him once more – leading you through the many halls of the manor house whose layout you're starting to think are purposely confusing.

After going around seemingly the fifth turn in a loop, you come to a corridor ending in a torchlit office with a robed woman seated in front of a desk. Your first reaction would be to at least wait until she took a pause in her work before entering, but Jharral boldly steps in without a single care for such considerations.
>continued

>>36491302
“Yes Jharral, what is it?”, she asks looking up with a mixture of resignation and annoyance on her face, “Don't tell me that he's hired yet another ruffian that'll track mud all over my carpe-”.

“Ahem, hello there sir, I imagine you have just put another fifteen men in the infirmary?”. Before you have a chance to respond, the servant places the contract in front of her and points to some indeterminate point in the text.

“Of course, of course Mr. – Kaeso is it? My name is Marcia and I'm what's known as an 'a-coun-tant'. Basically I will be in charge of giving you your payment if you survive whatever stupid ordeal you've been hired for,” she explains, carefully sounding out every word.

She begins again before you even open your mouth, “You get five gold up front and the rest when you come back. This is how every job works here, and there are no exceptions. Do you understand?”.

“I believe so,” you nod, accepting the coins she offers you, internally debating whether you should tell her that you are not mentally incompetent.

“Good. Jharral will now lead you to your room for the nigh, feel free to sleep elsewhere if you like but I swear to Postumia that if you ruin just one thing in that room I will chop your head off myself. You're free to leave now,” she declares, immediately returning to her work after finishing her statement.
>continued

>>36491324
Jharral nods and leads you once again through the maze of corridors that make up this building, stopping in front of a door you think is near the enterance. The room inside is certainly not luxurious, but it's far better than the inn you slept in last night. After thanking the servant and heading inside, you deliberate on your next step.
> Go explore the town a bit, the night is still young and it couldn't hurt to get some fresh air. (Look for something in particular?)
> It is time for sleep, today has been a long day and from the sounds of it you'll be setting off soon.

>>36491353
> It is time for sleep, today has been a long day and from the sounds of it you'll be setting off soon.

greet the sun

>>36491353
>> It is time for sleep, today has been a long day and from the sounds of it you'll be setting off soon.

>>36491353
Sleep

>>36491353
>> It is time for sleep, today has been a long day and from the sounds of it you'll be setting off soon.

>>36491353
>go sleep.
Our wounds need rest to heal all good and proper.

>>36491353
Let's go out and investigate the remains of those Cultists from earlier

>>36491353
> It is time for sleep, today has been a long day and from the sounds of it you'll be setting off soon.

>>36491379
I swear, if you try to go all sunbro, I'll go all JOLLY COOPERATION on your ass.

>>36491379
>>36491386
>>36491393
>>36491398
>>36491406
>>36491513
Even justice must rest at some point.

>>36491544
JUSTICE NEVER RESTS!

IT MERELY LEAVES TO PUSH ITSELF UPON THE CHAOTIC WORLD OF DREAMS!

>>36491353
Resisting the inclination to go out to do something inadvisable and get yourself even more exhausted, you take off your armor and begin the long process of cleaning off the accumulated blood and grime. It's a relaxing practice for you, and now may be the last chance to safely take the time to do so. As you settle in to the methodical motions of your routine, you set your thoughts on attempting to commune with Pasifitor once more. Even after focusing your entire will behind the attempt, the channels through which you once communicated with your god remain barren and empty – in fact the connection seems even less defined than when you tried earlier today. It's disheartening to say the least.

Once you have completely cleaned your armor, or at least smeared the blood in some places, you lie down and close your eyes. In your dreams you still see images of the slaughter at your fortress, but this time at least they seem less clear. When you finally wake up to faint rays of light peering into the window of the room, you've already experienced the battle in whole once again. Cleaning your face with the bucket of water next to your bed, you ready yourself for yet another day of conflict.

Jharral is already standing outside your doorway when you exit, completely clad in your plate armor, and motions you to follow him once more. He takes you to the courtyard where you see who you are guessing is the head guard drilling some of the men you fought yesterday.
>continued

>>36491865
“Aren't you the lucky one eh?”, he questions much to your bewilderment.

“That fat fuck apparently wants ye to set out today; says he can't wait to find out what took out his caravan. Meet yer group by the north entrance by noon, ye'll know who they are when you get there. Don't be late,” the man explains before setting his attention back on his men. His demeanor certainly doesn't invite questions.

“Understood, I'll make my way there,” you reply, thinking on what you should do with the time given you. Jharral leads you to the entrance before bowing to you and closing the large door on his way back inside. You've got quite a bit of time until noon, but you do enjoy being punctual. What do you do?
> Do something on your way to the north entrance. (What?)
> Just head strait to the meeting place; the quicker this journey is undertake the better.

>>36491886
> Just head strait to the meeting place; the quicker this journey is undertake the better.

>>36491886
Do we have any money on us?
If yes, then we should buy some potions or something.
If no head straight to the entrance.

>>36491886
>> Just head strait to the meeting place; the quicker this journey is undertake the better.
Justice does not wait

>>36488474
>inner city is a sanctum instead of a shithole
immersion lost

Did I read that right? That fucker Jhar stole our armor? Falcon punch him!

>>36491886
As long as our gear is in passable condition and we have the basics for a journey (Food water, rope, fire kit, sharpening kit, torches etc.) Let's get going.

>>36491918
Outer city is the shithole the rich people walled themselves away to avoid it.

>>36491886
> Just head strait to the meeting place; the quicker this journey is undertake the better.

we can explore the town when we have some money

>>36491886
>> Do something on your way to the north entrance. (What?)
Get some breakfast and trail rations.

>>36491931
"Jharral is already standing outside your doorway when you exit, completely clad in your plate armor"

>>36491912
Yes, now you have 5 gold and 21 coppers. Conversion is 100 copper to 1 silver and 10 silver to one gold.

>>36491931
As amusing as that would be, no, I just worded it awkwardly.

>>36491968
100 gold coins for a job that appears so simple? Sounds too good to be true.

>>36491908
>>36491912
>>36491916
>>36491938
>>36491940
Directly to the entrance, but grab a bite to eat first.

>>36491886
> Do something on your way to the north entrance. (What?)

With our money buy a standard adventuring kit.

Backpack, Bedroll, Belt Pouch, Flint & Steel, Hooded Lantern with three pints of Oil, Trail Rations for seven days, Sack, Waterskin, rope, and a Whetstone

>>36492046
Too late I tried the same thing but they ignored it, we're going to die of the elements dehydration or starvation before we get killed by a monster.

>>36492046
Also chalk

>>36492046
How much of this do we already have?

>>36492371
You have a bedroll and a waterskin, but not much else.

>>36491886
You contemplate buying rations on your way to the entrance, but decide against it since a caravan is sure to have a communal stock of food that you can sustain yourself on. Worst case scenario, you can just mooch off of the rest of your companions before you get to the next town. Breakfast sounds like a good idea though, as it'll be almost a week until you get to Istrium, and there's no telling what sort of meals might be served in smaller towns.

After you exit the other side of the inner city, whose gate seemed to be an exact replica of its southern counterpart, you search for a stand selling something both cheap and edible. Eventually you have to settle for one of the two requirements however, and buy something charred on a stick – probably a rat if you had to guess. Munching on your newly acquired meal you contemplate what it could be that ate up a trade caravan without leaving so much as a single trace.

Raiders from the Horde are the first possibility that strikes you, but the idea of removing evidence seems a tad too subtle for a people who are known only for their incoherent savagery.
>continued

>>36492548
Some sort of bandits are another likely candidate, especially considering what you've heard about the lawlessness of the borderlands; moreover, it's not unprecedented to have a group lead by a somewhat competent leader. At the peak of your power you could probably bring down a whole group with the aid of Pasifitor's might, but now you are basically just a regular man with some impressive martial training.

Before you can tread further along this line of considerations, a barrage of noise assaults you from the west. After the sounds of explosions finally stop, you look in the direction of the harbor and see several massive plumes of smoke rise over the the skyline. Continuing tentatively towards your destination, it is not long before you see squads of guards and soldiers in the direction of the noise, griping your attention even more. If there's some battle raging on the other side of town, it's hardly your problem to deal with, but the chance of cutting down some anarchistic revolutionaries is almost to tempting to pass up. You'll probably have enough time to go see what's happening and still get to the caravan by noon, but only barely. What do you do?
> Head straight for the gates; this has nothing to do with you and you have a job to do.
> It couldn't hurt just to look right? Besides, if you help deal with whatever has happened, you might get bonus points with the presiding nobility of Berenice.
> Other.

>>36492575
>> It couldn't hurt just to look right? Besides, if you help deal with whatever has happened, you might get bonus points with the presiding nobility of Berenice.

ADVENTURE!

>>36492575
Look just a little bit. No harm, right?

>>36492575
> It couldn't hurt just to look right? Besides, if you help deal with whatever has happened, you might get bonus points with the presiding nobility of Berenice.

>>36492575
> It couldn't hurt just to look right? Besides, if you help deal with whatever has happened, you might get bonus points with the presiding nobility of Berenice.

>>36492575

> Head straight for the gates; this has nothing to do with you and you have a job to do.

>>36492615
>>36492642
>>36492655
>>36492659
>>36492745
There are no rails which could contain this train.

>>36492575
Letting your adventurous, and admittedly somewhat bloodthirsty, side win out – you follow one of the passing squads as quickly as you can. The ones at the back seem somewhat off-put by your righteous appearance, but soon come to the conclusion that you're not who they're looking for and cease making worried glances back at you. The trek through the city streets takes some time but finally the group slows down, and prepares themselves to charge into an open square.

At first you are confused why they are so apprehensive about entering this particular place, but then you notice a line of men on the far side dressed in red and armed with weapons completely unfamiliar to you. With a heroic shout, the captain leads his men into the square, charging the men on the far side; momentarily another group of men follow suit through one of the other entrances to the space.

Oddly the men in red decline to spring in to action as you would expect they would, simply standing rigidly with their weapons pointed towards the oncoming warriors. Perhaps they are armed with some variety of crossbow you've never heard of? Dwarves are know to sell their odd machinations to parties that can pay their exorbitant prices.
>continued

>>36493250
Abruptly the devices shatter your expectations, and instead of firing projectiles emit a piercing crackling noise accompanied by an emission of fire and smoke. At first you suspect that they were some dysfunctional staves or the like, but returning your glance to the center of the square, you see that most of the guards have been mowed down. Only one of them makes it to the red mens' line, and he is shortly dispatched by another flash of light.

Analyzing the situation, you realize that one of the men is speaking in a language you've never heard and their complexion is unlike any you know of. With this in mind you can certainly say they aren't from any nearby kingdom, and judging by the explosions and the confrontation you just saw, they aren't welcome visitors. You need to decide how to approach this.
> Charge at them! If their weapons are charged by some foul sorcery, then they have to run out eventually.
> Make your way to the docks, going around this square of course. Best to see what's happening where the explosions occurred.
> You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.
> Other.

>>36493273

> You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.

>>36493273
>> Make your way to the docks, going around this square of course. Best to see what's happening where the explosions occurred.

>>36493273
>> Make your way to the docks, going around this square of course. Best to see what's happening where the explosions occurred.

A musket would make a fine weapon for our armory.

>>36493273
>> Charge at them! If their weapons are charged by some foul sorcery, then they have to run out eventually.

>>36493273
> Charge at them! If their weapons are charged by some foul sorcery, then they have to run out eventually.

muh law and order

>>36493273
>> You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.

Not looking to get killed

>>36493273
Well we'e finished looking now, lets get out of dodge
> You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.

>>36493273
> You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.

>>36493292
>>36493321
>>36493326
>>36493328
>>36493336
>>36493348
>>36493398
>>36493448
NOPE.

>>36493273
>You thought so before, but you're absolutely sure now – this is not your problem. Get to the gates before they take the whole city.
Time to get the hell outta dodge.

A chance to get guns and other advance tech and everyone decides to leave because?

If you didnt want to charge all you had to do was say other and out manuever them then get em from behind.
Perfect chance officialy passed up.

>>36493744
Why do we even have to attack in the first place? We're a third party. These guys may not have it out for us, and we certainly don't want to give them a reason to.

>>36493783
Doesnt matter if third party. A group of seafaring bandits is less dangerous when you are inland which we will be eventually. Plus if we saved the town we wont need some long dome caravan for 100g when the nobles would make it rain on us for saving their shipment.

>>36493845
>group of seafaring bandits
Is that what these guys are? I don't think a simple group of bandits would be so well-armed. We were just told that these are likely some outlandish dwarven contraption, and those go for exorbitant prices.

>>36493845
I doubt these guys are bandits.

Seems more like invaders.

>>36493273
You've sated your curiosity now, and have no desire to die in a fight against something that is obviously not chaos-related, so you head back the way you came. As you see waves of guards and soldiers pass you, there is the small urge to warn them what little hope they have of pushing these aggressors back, but right now making it to the gates on time is your top priority.

When you finally arrive at the northern entrance of the city, you find it almost completely unguarded and it seems the line of people you'd expect to see streaming in have either fled or hidden somewhere. This makes it easy to spot the caravan you are to guard waiting just outside of the gate – just three men and a cart pulled horses by the looks of it.

One of them calls out to you as you approach, “You got any idea what in Postumia's name is happening in the city?”.

“I only caught a glimpse of them, so I'm not sure, but it looks like Berenice has some invaders on their hands. It doesn't exactly look like they're something to scoff at either,” you explain, leaving out the fact that you declined to engage them yourself.

“You think they can take the city?”.

“I have no idea; like I said, the ones I saw looked pretty deadly, but I have no inclination as to how many of them there are. Judging by the smoke alone,” you say as you gesture to the pillars on the horizon, “I'd say there's a pretty good chance of it.” He nods at this, visibly torn about what he's about to suggest.
>continued

>>36493959
Looks more like middle easterners and their gunpowder.

>>36493999
“If... if you really think the city will be taken then perhaps-”, he begins before one of the others cut him off.

“You're not really thinking about what I think you're thinking about. Are you?”, asks a feminine voice from behind the cart.

“It's just... if the city falls, Gnaeus isn't going to be able to pay us for this job.”

“So you're saying we should just abandon thousands of gold worth of goods on the off chance our boss won't be able to pay up? That sounds like a terrible idea.” You consider this for a moment – if there's no payment then you definitely don't want to waste your time, but breaking the contract will cost you ten gold if they could hold you to it.
> Go on with the job; you're loath to break any promises you've made, and you doubt a change of hands will restrict the merchant's ability to pay.
> There's no way you're going to waste two weeks of time that could be spent on furthering your retribution on a task that probably won't be rewarded.

>>36493959
Of course they can be well armed. There was an ancient chinese bandit in real life with
>a fleet of 100 ships
>never lost a fight
>never got caught
>robbed almost every shipping lane
>was only stopped because given the right to keep the money and a official pardon
>was a girl

In a fantasy world were lucky they arent all really evocation mages for godsake

>>36494029

> Go on with the job; you're loath to break any promises you've made, and you doubt a change of hands will restrict the merchant's ability to pay.

>>36494029
> Go on with the job; you're loath to break any promises you've made, and you doubt a change of hands will restrict the merchant's ability to pay.

We had a deal. Mofo doesn't pay then we shank him. But we keep out end of the deal

>>36494029
Did the merchant appoint a caravan leader? Just go with what they tell you, you're basically hired muscle at this point.

>>36494029
>> Go on with the job; you're loath to break any promises you've made, and you doubt a change of hands will restrict the merchant's ability to pay.

Never hurts to help out.

>>36494029
>> There's no way you're going to waste two weeks of time that could be spent on furthering your retribution on a task that probably won't be rewarded.

>>36494029
> Go on with the job; you're loath to break any promises you've made, and you doubt a change of hands will restrict the merchant's ability to pay.

>>36494029
Go with the job.
I'd like to be able to warn Gnaeus if possible, but that doesn't look to be an option.

Were not getting paid because the merchants either gonna die or get robbed bozos
>go back and fight aka second option
>>>36493273

>>36494186
We used to be a paladin, remember? I don't think it's in character to only look to getting rewarded.

>>36494217
Then do it to SAVE A WHOLE CITY AND RESTORE ORDER LIKE OUR THEME IS

>>36494256
NIGGA THEY HAVE GUNS THAT SHOOT LIGHTNING
WE FUCKIN BOOK IT OK

>>36494293
BITCH WE A PALADIN WE DONT GIVE A FUCk

>>36494256
On the other hand, we did sign a contract that was presumably legally binding.

I voted for attacking those musket guys too, but I doubt that's going to happen at this point.

>>36494132
He's probably has a general idea of what's going on at this point anyway, what with the explosions and exponential increase in dead soldiers. If not, he'll find out soon enough anyway.

>>36494099
>>36494109
>>36494116
>>36494118
>>36494119
>>36494125
>>36494132
>>36494186
Duty comes first. Also, fuck being shot.

>>36494327
*Starts incoherently screaming about gold and fame*

>>36494029
Interrupting the argument before it can go on any further you use your imperious paladin voice to say, “We have an agreement with the merchant to carry through this task, and it is only right that we complete it regardless of the reward.” The man who had suggested forgetting about the job looks at you uncertainly, and his two companions follow suit.

“Now that's the right attitude there; you should take after this man's example,” exclaims the same voice as earlier, as she walks around from the front of the cart. She's around a head shorter than you – which is not particularly rare – and is clothed in a blouse and skirt that seem slightly too expensive to be traveling in. Definitely the leader of the caravan.

“I'm Octavia Pinaria, the designated trader and leader of our little troupe. It's nice to meet you... erm what was your name again?”, she offers as she approaches you, holding out her hand.

“Kaeso. I am to escort you to Istrium and back,” you explain, shaking her had briefly and taking a step back to put some space between you.

“Yes I've heard, and that in mind, we should get going before we get even further behind schedule. You ready to head out coward,” she questions in the direction of the others.

“I... guess it's the right thing to do. I definitely don't want in Gnaeus' poor favors,” the man from earlier responds.
>continued

>>36494823
With that settled, you start your journey away from the city, only slightly tempted by the increasing number of smoke columns to return. There's not much talk along the way, as the other escorts seem to be lost in their thoughts and Octavia quickly become lost in a one way conversation about how there is no greater sin than breaking a business deal; however, you do learn that the man's nickname is Fas for some reason.

When you finally decide to make camp, you're at the crossroads between the Cyrinthian highway and the road to Istrium. After lying out your bedroll and having dinner from the caravan's rations, you still have some time to kill before everyone heads to sleep – with your three new subordinates taking turns keeping watch of course.
> Talk to Fas and the other two guards. (What do you say/ask?)
> Talk to Octavia (What do you say/ask?)
> Just go to sleep.
> Other.

I'm also thinking about calling it a night after a few more updates, as my writing is getting sloppy. Everyone fine with that?

>>36494853
It's up too you.

>Just go to sleep.

>>36494853
> Talk to Fas and the other two guards. (What do you say/ask?)

soo... where you train?

>>36494853
>sleep

>>36494853
>> Talk to Octavia (What do you say/ask?)
Ask her about where we're traveling to.

>>36494853

> Just go to sleep

>>36494853
> Talk to Octavia (What do you say/ask?)

Where she from? What's her stake in all this? Does she not care about the town were leaving getting rekt?
And.......

Has she ever though about becoming a waifu? Does she trust in the beauty of the unconquered Sun?

>>36494853

Seconding these: >>36494916 >>36494930


Perhaps also ask if there's any cultural faux pas that we should know about. Never know if a harmless gesture/greeting to one person is a grave insult to another.

>>36494884
>>36494885
>>36494905
>>36494916
>>36494921
>>36494930
>>36494954
Talk to Octavia a bit, and promptly go to sleep.

>>36494823
Deciding that no harm could come out of knowing the leader of your caravan a bit more, you walk over to the small fire she's started in front of her tent.

“Ah, the most principled and mysterious one graces my presence,” she mocks, giggling at her own words.

“I do not think myself so mysterious at least, and even if you think so then you are still even more so an enigma to me,” you respond, sitting down across from her, just now realizing you're still walking in your armor.

“Hmm, and how might that be?”.

“I had little stake in Berenice, so I had no reason to stay behind, but from the way you talk it sounds as if it is your home. If this is the case, then why are you alright with leaving it behind as it is being overcome by some unknown threat?”.

“Cutting right in to the hard questions are we? I'll play along I suppose – not that there's much else to do. It's just a city, I can just move to another one, and like I explained earlier breaking a deal is a big no no to me. Gnaeus will be fine anyway, Fas underestimates how resourceful that man can be.”
>continued

>>36495493
“Have you ever though about be-”, you nearly ask as a surge of foreign and lewd ideas momentarily fills your head. Like you would break your vows of chastity.

“Yes?”, she questions, interested by the line of thought you accidentally allowed out.

“Nothing, I'm just wondering if there's anything I should know about Istrium before we get there. I've never been that far inland, and you hear some wild tales about places that close to the border.”

“Not anything different from any other place in the Federation. Walk in to a building with your right foot first, never insult someone's god, and always seal a deal with a handshake. Don't be too surprised if there are dwarves or Svealanders about either, as they start to show up the further east you go.”

“Thank you, that's all of the questions I have for now. I'm turning in, so I shall see you in the morning.”

“Sure,” she replies, rolling her eyes and returning her attention to the fire.
>continued

File: Quest.jpg (361 KB, 743x600)

361 KB JPG

You experience yet another night of horrific dreams, and wake early in the morning to find that all of your subordinates have dozen off without appointing a sentry. After scolding them, you all have breakfast and set out for yet another day of travel. After two more repetitions of this, with little difference save the occasional attempts at forcing Fas be helpful, you arrive at Vindenis.

You weren't expecting much, but what lies before you seems to be a massive collection of run down houses and winding streets that you'll have to in some way traverse to continue on your way. Octavia asks your opinion on what you should do.
> Try to go around the city; you're not risking the goods going through this town of slums.
> Just go through, you of all people can handle miscreants.
> Let her make the decision.

And with that I think I'll call the thread. I'll stay around for some time for some constructive criticism and some Q&A. Next thread should be sometime next week, will update on the twitter account in the OP.

>>36495564
>> Just go through, you of all people can handle miscreants.

>>36495517
What, you don't ask her about who those raiders could've been?
>>36495564
>Try to go around the city
Sounds really sketchy.
Do we have any magic/special skills at our disposal?

>>36495564
>Try to go around the city; you're not risking the goods going through this town of slums.

>>36495564
> Just go through, you of all people can handle miscreants.

>>36495564
> Just go through, you of all people can handle miscreants.

poor people are just rough terrain

>>36495564
>Just go through, you of all people can handle miscreants

>>36495625
No, Pasifitor was patently against magic, and all of your divine powers died with him. You're pretty good at using your sword though.

>>36495564

> Try to go around the city; you're not risking the goods going through this town of slums.

Thanks for running. See ya next time.

>>36495669
I thought you said we a spark left last thread

>>36495619
>>36495645
>>36495657
Goddamnit
we're paladins, not lawful retarded
why take unnecessary risks for no gain?

>>36495564
>Try to go around the city; you're not risking the goods going through this town of slums.

Doesn't matter how tough we are, that's their home ground.

>>36495691
You used most of it healing that guy before you killed him. What little is left could perhaps heal some minor wound, but that's it.

>>36495735
great, nice to know we pissed it away.

usually it takes longer for the player base to do something retarded, I'm impressed.

>>36495761
That's the general idea, but at least you got to ask him questions, even if he didn't really answer.

Any general complaints or advice? Other than the obvious points of being less unclear in the writing and making the time between updates shorter.

File: image.jpg (13 KB, 451x383)

13 KB JPG

>>36495517
“Have you ever though about be-”, you nearly ask as a surge of foreign and lewd ideas momentarily fills your head. Like you would break your vows of chastity.

Nice

>>36495815
Your doing pretty good so far.

>>36495852
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I suppose I'll just work on obvious improvements.