It's been a while, but I promised to bring it back today. Here goes round 3 of Slaver's Quest.
Previous threads can be found here:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Slaver%20Quest

Incoming tl;dr text dump.


You are Estavo Zahak, prominent Slave Trader of Narleen, arguably the greatest city in all of the Grand Country. You have a license to deal in only the cheapest of slaves, labour stock. You report to your elder brother Esteban, but your actions have given you more autonomy. Recently you have acquired a ship and a captain to man it, and are in the process of starting a cannon foundry with your sister, Theresa.

Just that night you had been called out to the swamps by a native girl, Dawnstar, and her brother. There you witnessed the murder of your first lover, a witch named Nualla, at the hands of a pair of possessed women. Dawnstar performed a successful exorcism with your assistance.


Rules: Direction is based on consensus rather than rolling, as per anon's suggestion. If there is a deadlock in terms of direction, a roll will be called for. First three rolls, highest of a d100 wins.

Any questions you might have about setting/fluff and the like I'm more than happy to answer.

I loved slaver quest, so here's a warning. You've chosen the possibly worst time to start a quest. I'm pretty sure these hours see the lowest population /tg/ can get.

Europe isn't awake yet and most of the US is asleep.

There was a previous attempt at a third thread, but I was banned half way through. Allow me to summarise the events.

Having disposed of Nualla's corpse you have taken on her apprentices into your service, the twins Dawnstar and Stag-Horn. With their help you've taken the traumatized slave girls back to your town residence and into the care of your younger sister Theresa.

As it stands now, you have a powerful enemy in Artur Stonesnake the King's Representative on the city council and precious few allies.

>>19204792
Unfortunately I have very little free time, so this is the best hour for me to run it. I know it isn't ideal on the global stage, but schedules are like that. If there is absolutely no one interested, I'll reschedule for next week.

Is this in autosage?

>>19204857
>>slaver
>>not the slave
boooring.

>>19204907
Lets see. Checking.

Okay OP, i need to get my bearings. It has been a while since the last thread, so I might need some hand-holding at the start of this thread.
I can't remember what goals we had.

I know we got a ship and wanted to start making, developing and selling firearms and cannons.

What time is it and where a re we?

>>19204987
Its pre-dawn and you are back in your town house. You've just filled your sister in on the night's adventure and informed her that you will be housing two damaged slave girls and a pair of teenage native witches. She is taking it surprisingly well.

Once the sun is up you are expecting to make an appearance at the Zahak offices and report to your brother. Then you'll need to organise something with your new ship captain, transporting cargo and the like. These things aren't mutually exclusive.

Once that is done you should have the day to yourself.

Or you can skip out on all of that and do as you please.

Larger goals unrelated to day-to-day affairs include locating the hidden slave city of Jericho, smashing Artur Stonesnake, and dealing with the mystery of the World-Killer and your status as a 'crusader'.

>>19204966
It is bumping. Don't worry.

>>19204987
I guess I'll have to read the previous threads again.

>Once the sun is up you are expecting to make an appearance at the Zahak offices and report to your brother.

Could you refresh my memory some more? I don't remember why we needed to do any of these.

>She is taking it surprisingly well.
That's pretty cool.
"You're taking this surprisingly well, sister. What gives?"
"Will you help with the recovery of the Slave girls?"

>>19205039
And of course, developing firearms with the use of the foundry, soon to be opened thanks to your partnership with the twisted Lord Jean Paravel. His son Rikard assisted you earlier in breaking the Just Brothers power base in the Grand Country, and might make a powerful ally if your new friendship is properly fostered.

>>19205063
Do we have any engineers, inventors in employ besides regular gunsmiths?
Necessary for development of new arms they are.

>>19205056
> Could you refresh my memory some more? I don't remember why we needed to do any of these

It's just because you are technically his employee and not showing up for work is a bad idea.

"Strange that you are taking this so well sister, why the change of heart?" you ask, leaning back against the counter-top.

She gives a thoughtful look, chin in hand. "Fostering your good intentions can only make you a better person," she replied, "And charity is the virtue of all well bred women after all. To turn my back on such damaged women would be tantamount to hurting them myself."

If there is one thing you can always count on, its for Theresa to take the more nurturing path. Altruistic to a fault, she has barely avoided bankruptcy in the past, due to large charitable donations to the hundreds of charities and aid missions in and around the city. Only her family connections has kept her from being sent to the debtor's market, to pay off her debts through a period of save labour.

>>19205109
As of this moment, none are known to you. So far Theresa has managed the foundry affair, and has only just secured the capital for starting the endeavour. Hiring engineers will be necessary, but you will need to include Jean Paravel in such future dealings.

>>19205126
Smile. "If you say so."
"The girls need to be looked after while they recover lest they hurt themselves. Dawnstar could tell more about that."

>>19205144
Damn shame we're not completely independent

>>19205157
"You'll need to keep a watchful eye on them, they may hurt themselves. Dawnstar can tell you more about that. She knows more about this business than I do." you explain. She takes your advice thoughtful, wipes down her hands and gets to the task.

"Leave it all to me brother, get some rest and stay safe. This all sounds very dangerous, I couldn't bear to see you get hurt or worse, turn out like on these poor girls." She fondly runs her hand along the side of your face with a tired smile before sauntering off.

You feel the work of the night weigh on your shoulders. Sleep would be welcome now, and dawn wasn't far off.

>>19205205
True. we need sleep.
Arrange for us to be woken up in time to visit the Zahak offices on time but otherwise go and pass out.

Next morning, go to the offices, report and do whatever it is needed to look like we're working. Leave in half an hour or something to arrange trade with our captain, discuss it with Theresa.

Who were our trusted guards/servants again? And what were their names?
I remember Orion, he was a gladiator if I'm not mistaken.

>>19205270
Sorry for the slow reply, my net is playing a game of silly buggers.

Your chief assistants are Ben Cohen (Battlefield surgeon) and Orion (ex-gladiator). You have recently hired on Captain Jocasta 'Red' Brighton, who will be commanding your ship, 'The Promise'. You also have the twins Dawnstar and Stag-Horn in your personal service.

You also have compliment of fifteen faceless goons acting as slave-hunters under Orion's command.

>>19205309
Thanks.
The captain will hire the crew herself, right? I remember her being pretty much the best there is.

>>19205229
Feeling the day to be over, you slump towards your room and waiting bed. Stag-Horn is sitting patiently by the doorway, sharpening his long knife. He gives a you a stern nod of recognition. Feeling the need to assert your new authority over him, you instruct him to wake you when the bell tolls seven in the morning.

You negotiate out of your clothes and into your bed, sleep swallowing you quickly.

Stag-Horn awakes you just as instructed, and you hate him for it. The night's rain has given over to a muggy day, a sweltering heat that clings on all sides like cotton.

You dress for the day, picking out your most stylish clothing in hopes they would detract from the bags under your eyes and head off to the office. Stag-Horn falls in a step beside you, dressed in his swamp leathers with long blade obvious at hip.

>>19205326
She's the best you could hope to find, and she has demanded the right to hire her own crew. In management of the ship you are merely the owner, its actual operation is up to her. You 'could' try to oversee the situation, but a captain wouldn't care much for 'the money' usurping their ship-board authority.

>>19205371
Damn, we should find some stall that quickly serves and sells strong, black coffee.

Look at Stag-hirn "I need to get you new clothing." matter-of-factly.

>>19205399
> You 'could' try to oversee the situation, but a captain wouldn't care much for 'the money' usurping their ship-board authority.

Sounds for the better actually. We know nothing of these affairs, it's better to leave it to her.
But the big decisions, like for what the ship is going to be used, trade-routes, etc.. fall under us, of course.

>>19205371
You arrive at the office to find your stout older brother out front, bellowing orders like a bull-frog. A large assortment of chattel slaves (mean workers meant for the countryside) had been delivered to the offices doorsteps instead of the slave pens at the city outskirts. Its not unusual for the better selection of slaves to be personally surveyed by Esteban, but this number of what looked to be captured serfs was out of the norm.

He's in a furious lather, belting the delivery man over the shoulders with his cane, fat cheeks puffed red. The scream of 'Incompetent!' is being oft repeated.

>>19205401
He shrugs at the suggestion and pats his knife. "This never go," he said. Running his hands over the leathers he adds. "These have no need."

You might also want to hire a tutor to improve their grasp of your language. An attendant speaking little more than pidgin is a bit embarrassing.

>>19205456
"Good. Keep the knife. Perhaps I should get you a proper weapon? What do you say?"

>>19205431
"Calm down, brother and stop shouting! It is unbecoming for the men like us to lose our cool over such menial events."
Report and do necessary/daily procedures

"So, anything new? Made any profit since Just brothers got removed?"

>>19205456
Who could we have tutor him?

>>19205482
Stag-Horn shrugs at the question. "You boss, but this knife my knife."

Shaking your head you turn back to your brother. It was typical of him to explode over the inconvenience, but unbecoming of a man in his station or his family. You stalk over to him and snatch the stick from his hands before he can beat the poor man even more.

"Brother, calm yourself," you say, taking him by the shoulder, "A trifle like this is no reason to ruin your reputation."

He seethes at you but manages to put a lid on his rage. "Of course brother," his words are choked, but he begins smoothing out his tunic and adjusting his half-cape. "Completely unbecoming. We do not engage in street brawls with dock workers now, do we?" its a dig directed straight at your recent adventures against the Brothers, and a reminder of your wild misspent youth. "We have been granted all the slaves previously held by the God bothers, and this fool thought to deliver them directly to our doorstep instead of our lots in the pens. I do not know how we could hope to shift so many slaves, the pens are growing crowded and the risk of disease is high. I'm tempted to ask father to unload them all at the arena. Let the bears have a feast of Old Europa peasantry."

Selling to the Arena was a restricted affair, only licensed traders could sell to the League, but this chattel was well within your jurisdiction. You counted a hundred and twelve head at least, a tidy sum if sold properly, even at a low price it was still a good amount.

>>19205525
Your sister, possibly, but she does not speak the native tongue. You know of a number of university students that do however. Estelle, your childhood sweet heart, is proficient in a number of languages and an old friend from your younger days, Xavier Muerta, had taken up work as a teacher of languages to the children of the wealthy.

>>19205589
Perhaps make the initial run of our ship a slave trading run?
That could net us a tidy profit but might make Theresa angry. We should speak with her and convince her to do this as a one time thing. A good argument would be that if we do not do this, they could be come infected and die horrible death.

"Hmm... I think I have an idea. Let me me see if it will work and I will be back in few hours, brother."
And then leave.

Grab Brighton along to introduce her to our sister.

>>19205633
You ask your brother to hold off on any sales as an idea has struck you. Taking your leave you make a line for the Mermaid's Cunny, the low dock-side tavern that had become a favourite of your men. It did not take you long to spot Brighton amongst them, her statuesque figure and mane of thick red hair acting as mast and flag in the dim lit room.

Spotting you immediately she beckons you over with an open hand.

A cup of beer stands empty beside a plate of beans. Wolfing it down hungrily she waits for you to talk.

"I've got some cargo for our first run," you inform her. She gives a grunt around her beans, very undignified for such a gorgeous woman. "It will be a slave run."

The spoon stops half way to her mouth, eyes narrowing. Slowly she settles it down and crosses her arms beneath her chest.

"You understand, my being also a slave, that this is not something that sits easy with me." she is being cool, but polite. A good sign.

>>19205732

> "You understand, my being also a slave, that this is not something that sits easy with me.

Wow that was poorly worded. "You understand that with my status as a slave, this does not sit comfortably with me."

That is somewhat better.

>>19205732
"It will be one-off thing. You undoubtedly heard about the destruction of Just Brothers. Their slaves have become our property but we have no place to keep them. The slave pens are overcrowded and if we do not move them soon, they'll become infected and spread diseases. We can't have that."
"I'll have to speak with my sister first to finalize the trade run. She'll be much, much harder to convince, so I'd like your support.
Speaking of which, I'm taking you to introduce to her. Come on."

did we get Brighton her hat and swords or did we say to her to order them herself?

>>19205732
It's a one time thing and I just got a large pile of slaves faster than I thought I would.

If we keep them they'll succumb to disease, hunger and the other ill effects of overcrowding. I think we'd both like to avoid that.

I'd like to have you on board before I try to get it completely set up and have to pass it through other people.

>>19205785
You told her to go to the office to organise it. Considering how early that is, and the lack of swords or hat on display, you doubt she has been there yet.

"The slave run will be a one off thing. You undoubtedly heard about the destruction of Just Brothers. Their slaves have become our property but we have no place to keep them. The slave pens are overcrowded and if we do not move them soon, they'll become infected and spread diseases. We can't have that. I'll have to speak with my sister first to finalize the trade run. She'll be much, much harder to convince, so I'd like your support. Speaking of which, I'm taking you to introduce to her. Come on."

She nods uncomfortably, leaves coin for the food and drink, and falls in behind you. She gives Stag-Horn a curious glance, which he returns with a suspicious one, but they do not speak as you make your way back to your apartment.

You find your sister in the main parlour on hand and knee, scrubbing the floor while cursing under her breath. She is barely dressed for the day, wearing only an under shift. The heat and hard work has left her drenched in sweat, her short cropped hair slicked close to the scalp.

On your entrance she gives a startled cry, quickly tying up the drawstrings of her blouse before climbing to her feet.

"What's going on?" she asks, blushing furiously.

>>19205877
"Good morning Theresa. This is Captain Brighton, she will be commandeering our new ship. Brighton, this is Theresa Zahak [does she go by that name? If not, use the one she uses], my sister and new business partner."

Talk to Theresa. "I want to start arranging trade on for our ship and I already have an idea for the initial trade run....
I know you wont like it. The first run will probably be a..... slave run. NOW, listen!" raise your hand to stop her protest.
"I know how you feel about it, so no need to tell me. There is a good reason to do this and I think you'll have to agree. I told you about the destruction of Just brothers yesterday. Now, they had a whole bunch of slaves and they got transferred to us. The problem is that we don't have any place to keep them all. I talked with Esteban and he says there us a great risk that diseases and illness will run amok and is considering selling them to the Arena."
"Since they were just menial workers, they will undoubtedly become food for the lions."
"Slow, painful death of an illness or being fed to the Arena are not great fates, wont you agree? If we send them off where their skills are needed, they will live."
"Besides, it will give us an initial income which we desperately need."

>>19205957
You run down the situation, being careful to use the correct phrases to ease your sister into the idea of selling slaves. She does not take it well, but does not explode at you either. Instead she offers her advice:

"Why don't you just free them?" the suggestion takes you back a step. "If the choice is death from illness, death from lions, or to die some where up the coast, why don't you just let them go?"

>>19205996
"Free them?
Hmm... They don't belong to me personally, I think. Esteban has the hold of them. You know he would prefer them fed to the lions and get some petty coin than outright freeing them."

>>19205996
I'd be lying if I said that money wasn't part of the reasoning. It also makes me seem weak in front of everyone else, weakness here makes you a target. They have no marketable skills for the city and will end up starving within a week.

Lastly they are not mine to free.

Of course we could pick the most talented ones out of the bunch and hire them personally to work in our workshops and train to be gunsmiths.

Maybe we should look them over and search for smart ones?

>>19206032
>>19206012
"i might free them, if they were mine to free. Esteban holds the leash, and you know he'd rather have a small amount of gold for lion fodder than to just give them away. And besides which, what would they do as freed people? Our names would be cursed for unleashing a plague of homeless foreigners on the city, and they'd likely be driven out, forced into slavery all over again, or starve. Should we commit every cent we have into caring for a group of unskilled peasants we can't even hold a conversation with?"

Each of your reasons is like a whip across her face, you've knocked her into a dead end. She slowly nods, powerless to match your argument.

"If that's what it has to be, fine. God let us open this foundry soon, so we can be rid of this wicked business."

"I'll see them safe lady," Brighton said, "no slave will be mistreated on my deck, not while I have breath left in me."

With her consent in hand you only now have to return to your brother and arrange the deal. You've offices and pens in the north, Nova Leon in fact. It would be no trouble for the northern branch of the Zahak Slave Ring to hold them for you and negotiate sails. Or if you wanted to you could journey north with them.

>>19206115
You make a note to run inspections of the slaves, to see if any hidden talents remain amongst them. It is decidedly unlikely, as the slave-hunters made a habit of separating skilled workers from the chattel at the earliest of points.

Roll a D100 to see if any hidden talents are amongst the slaves. Odds are against you, so you'll need a 90 or more to be successful.

rolled 19 = 19

>>19206149
We're not journeying anywhere.

Now, is the ship going to be full of slaves or is there a place for additional wares to trade? If so, we should seek out what goods sell in the north and acquire them.

Thank Theresa and Brighton.
"If there is anything to make slaves more comfortable on the ship, tell me and I'll see if I can arrange it."

>>19206186

rolled 55 = 55

>>19206199
>rolled 19 = 19
Dam shame.
Only one roll? Or average of rolls? Or maybe best of several rolls?

>>19206218
First three rolls, best of those three wins out.

rolled 91 = 91

I'll take the last, then.

>>19206243
Thank you.

>>19206243
Ah-ha! The surveyors come up with one bright mind, a middle aged fellow of impoverished look. Maybe once he had been a big man, but his time as a slave had left him withered. Bald but for a ring of hair around his crown and with an ugly squashed nose, he was said to have made cannons for a nobleman once upon a time. He had kept that fact hidden until rumours of being fed to lions had surfaced.

You buy him for a measly three silver stars off your dear brother, and place him in the care of your physician Ben Cohen. Malnourishment was a tricky business, but Ben was used to treating the ills of slaves as often as the wounds of soldiers.

>>19206309
Great.
Give the news to our sister! We will be willing to free him and have him work for us as a master gunsmith rather than a slave

>>19206199
You'd be lucky to get all hundred or so slaves comfortably on the ship, never mind extra cargo.

You ask Brighton if there is anything you can do to ease the voyage, but she shakes her head. "At the best of times voyaging by sea is a throw of the dice. I'll do what I can, trust that. You just worry about the business end of things."

She seems to know what she's talking about.

>>19206324
You are happy to report this news back to your sister, who claps her hands in delight, the dark cast on her face lifting slightly. "To save one poor soul from iron chains, and to get a master gunner in our workshop. It's a coup!" She gives you a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. "We will be in business soon brother, things are only going to get better!"

>>19206351
>You'd be lucky to get all hundred or so slaves comfortably on the ship, never mind extra cargo.
Alright. Makes sense.

>"At the best of times voyaging by sea is a throw of the dice. I'll do what I can, trust that. You just worry about the business end of things."
"I see. Then I'll defer to your judgement.
I seem to remember you saying something about a fancy hat. Lets go to a hat-maker and get you one."
"The swords too... we have an excellent smith at our employ, he'll forge you personal swords if you want."

With the day's business seemingly done, you are left with little important to do. Brighton has the slave business under hand and Esteban is so relieved to be rid of the 'human filth' he is happy for you to skip out on any further business.

>>19206404
We can always see how Dawnstar and the slaves are doing. Or seek a tutor for Stag-horn.... actually, we should get him proper clothing first.

>>19206399
You stop Brighton before she can get too far. "I recall a conversation about swords and hates Captain," you say, "Perhaps now is the time to get you outfitted, on the eve of the Promise's maiden voyage."

She nods. "A captain without a hat is like a whore without tits. They existed, but they aren't very popular." She submits to your escort, and you lead her to a fine hat maker that crafts items for the upper class.

The question is though, what style of hat?

>>19206450
>The question is though, what style of hat?

Let her choose? We took her with us precisely because we didn't want to choose for her.
"Alright, Brighton, here we are. Choose the most befitting hat for a captain that you can think of."

>>19206431
Stag-Horn is of course still in your company, and as you are in the fashion district of town you decide to kill two birds with one stone. Befitting his status as your attendant, you buy him clothing of a close fit but simple garb, inexpensive stuff easily replaced but good looking enough no one would take offence.

You send him to change while you attend on the Captain and he is quick to return. His alligator leathers had been swapped out for a pale green doublet and white under shirt, with tight black hose. He cuts a much more handsome figure in civilized clothes than you would have expected. His knife still sits comfortably at his hip, the crude hacking instrument a far cry from the slender blades of the city-folk.

>>19206491
"What is it about that knife that you treasure it so much?"
"I could get you a fine quality replacement easily."

>>19206474
She selects a simple black tricorne and shoves it firmly down on her head. Her hair flares out from under it in a wild tangle, her lightly freckled face shadowed by the sharp brim. Deeming it satisfactory she adds a white plume 'So I can be easily seen in a boarding action' she explains.

Its not as outrageous a hat as you had expected from a sea captain, the tap room takes spoke of large monstrosities overladen with plumes and sometimes decorative fruits or a tropical parrot. No doubt the tap-room stories are some what exaggerated.

She thanks you for the hat and promises to repay you. She gives off on collecting the swords, claiming haste was off importance in seeing to the voyage.

If she wanted to be gone before the morrow, she had to arrange everything immediately.

>>19206532
You turn to Stag-Horn and point to the knife. "Why is it so precious to you? I could outfit you in the best steel of the city."

He pats the hilt of the knife. "Father-given better than gold-bought," he said, "Father say, 'use this to keep sister safe', and I do. Father live now in this knife, help me protect sister."

>>19206547
"Tell her that is suits her."

The go see the slave girls and Dawnstar.
Actually, we might be still tired since we didn't get much sleep, I think a nap is in order.

>>19206572
"I see. So there is no replacing that.
If you ever want a back-up weapon, tell me."

>>19206574
>"Tell her that is suits her."
This was not supposed to be in quote marks.

>>19206584
He raises his fists and grins. "These are only other weapons I need." You can't help but grin back.

>>19206574

You compliment her on the choice of hat. "It suits you Captain, very professional, very 'you'."

She nods, not being one for smiles. "And I thank you for buying it. Now I shall be out on your business, a dutiful slave on her master's errand." She gives a proper bow and departs, long legs cutting through the crowd, turning the heads of several men as she passed.

You elect to return to your residence to check in on Dawnstar and the slave girls. On your arrival you find your sister sitting out in the parlour, massaging a bruise on her exposed shoulder. Looking closely you can make out teeth marks amongst the swollen flesh.

>>19206653
"Oi, what happen?
Did one of the girls lash out?"

One of the girl's name was Nubian but the other?

We might want Ben to care for the other one, I know he took liking to her for some reason.

>>19206672
"Hildi bit me," she says with a pained hiss, "I was just trying to comb out her hair when it happened. Silty laughed, and Dawnstar suggested I leave. That girl is extremely bossy for a servant, she should be taken in hand."

Not good news to hear, but it was early days yet.

"They are in your room and refuse to leave," she said, clumsily spreading an ointment over the bite, "You better not take advantage Estavo, they aren't in their right minds."

>>19206710
Silty is 'a' Nubian (I'm uncreative when it comes to names) while Hildi is a Norderner. Ben seemed fond of Hildi.

>>19206713
>"You better not take advantage Estavo, they aren't in their right minds."
"I know."
"Besides, if they are prone to biting, I wouldn't want-... urghh, just thinking about it makes me shiver."

>That girl is extremely bossy for a servant, she should be taken in hand.
"Dawnstar knows what she's doing. Probably."

Go see the what's happening yourself.

>>19206759
"I would never take advantage, and besides which I wouldn't want a biter down on...never mind, I'll have a word with Dawnstar."

You pass into your bed chamber to get a bead on the situation. It lies in near ruins. Your pillows have been ripped to shreds, the sheets and curtains piled high on the floor like a nest and the girls sitting in a circle in the far corner, eyes closed and rocking gently back and forth.

Dawnstar was singing to them in her native tongue, almost like a lullaby. Its some what entrancing, and you feel sleepy listening to it.

>>19206824
Sit down on an armchair and silently listen and observe.
Fail to keep awake.

>>19206844
You draw up a chair and listen in. You don't understand the language, but Dawnstar sings with a high sweet voice. It sends your mind adrift, out into the ether, bringing on more sensation than thought. As you sink into a gentle sleep you feel uplifted, elated even. It is a rare feeling, and it follows you into your sleep.

You awake to the sound of pouring rain, darkness and the hot press of bodies against you. Hot but comfortable, you take stock of the situation. Dawnstar lies curled about your waist and legs, while taller Silti lies over her and against her chest. Across from Silti was Hildi, her pale reflection. They lie in only the barest state of dress, but you are still fully clothed. none the less it is an interesting sight to wake too.

>>19206909
Are we on the bed?

What time is it? Night?

Gently get up and leave the room. Look for our sister, see how she is doing.
We might want to take a bath, I don't think we cleaned ourself after the trek to the jungles.

>>19206909
Aww, aint this just cute...

How rested do we feel? Anyway, we should get up, try not to wake them.

>>19206943
You are in the middle of the nest on the floor, and its clearly night outside. Extracting yourself carefully you manage to slip away with waking any of them, quite the feat. Dawnstar only gives a gentle murmur once you unlimber her from your waist.

Stalking out into the parlour you see no sign of your sister. Her bedroom door is shut, and you surmise she must already be asleep. Stag-Horn is likewise napping on the parlour lounge, still dressed in his newly purchased outfit.

Feeling the muck of the past days clinging to you, you decide you are in need of a thorough cleaning. Your apartment however has only crude wooden tub out in the backyard, currently being flooded with rain-water no doubt, but there is an all-hours bath house down the road.

>>19206997
Get a bath robe or something similar to switch out to, we don't want to put filthy clothing onto clean skin. Then head to the bath house and get clean.

>>19206997
> but there is an all-hours bath house down the road.

Take some fresh clothing, a rain over coat and go there.

>>19207011
>>19207012
Collecting the necessary things and slipping on a rain coat, you head out into the night. The rain is coming down hard, but you know the way and make it there in short order. It's a well established bath house, a meeting place for merchants that you have had call to use before. It was divided into four sections, the mixed room, the men's room, the women's room and of course the private quarters for more clandestine meetings.

Coming in out of the rain you are greeted by a pleasant Mumbasa girl, the brown skinned women of the near-east. Her bath robe is a light blue and sheen enough it clung to all her curves and her hair was tied up in a thick black knot.

"Welcome Master Zahak, I am Sanda," she bows, "Might I take you to a room?"

My internet has decided to imitate a roulette table, sorry about slow replies.

>>19207051
"Pleasure to meet you, Sanda."
"Yes, that would be wonderful"

>>19207058
It's okay. Even if you say that, you have pretty quick updates

>>19207063
"Which would you like Master Zahak. The men's room, or mixed company? We have a number of nighthawks about. I'm afraid the private quarters are currently being used."

>>19207076
Mixed company if you would.

>>19207079
Yeah, I see why not.
Though we came here to clean ourself, not to look for company.

>>19207087
Unless they have servants that can scrub our back or something.

>>19207079
"Of course," she bows with a large smile. You follow her through to the steamy chamber of the mixed bath, the water kept hot years around. Yuo noted two men in the far corner, waists wrapped in towels sitting on the benches that ringed the central pool. You see also a young woman swimming through the water like an otter. At the edge of the pool with a woman on his arm is the young Saimhann businessman Johan Wolfsburg, the little hawk of a man playfully fondling his companion.

Bath houses were known not just as a place to meet with business partners, but to indulge in various activities usually taboo in mixed company.

Sanda kneels in front of you and looks up with large brown eyes. "Would you like me to undress?" she asks, her voice showing only the barest hint of an accent.

>>19207107
If you would, I would enjoy some company and my arms aren't built in such a way that I can effectively scrub my own back.

>>19207107
"Up to you."

We'll have her scrub our back then

>>19207114
>>19207119
"I suppose you could scrub my back," you say.

She slips out of her tight blue robe revealing a tight brown body beneath. Without instruction she undresses you in a business like manner, peeling off the sweat stained and mud raked clothing until you were as naked as a new born. She puts a foot into the hot water and holds her hand out toward you.

You take her by the hand and she draws you into the hot water. It isn't so hot it would scorch, but it was hot enough to make you hiss as you 'settled in'. You sit upon one of the inner rungs that led to deeper water, and she took a position behind you, pressing her ample breasts against your back, crafty hands kneading your shoulders.

You sigh in pleasure as she works out the days tension with the ease of a master practitioner.

Johan spots you then, and raises a hand in greeting while his companion nibbled on his ear.

>>19207158
Wave and nod back at him. If he wants to start an actual conversation he can wander over, we're enjoying our massage and getting clean too much to bother moving.

>>19207158
Smile and greet him back

[who was Johan again?]

>>19207169
He's part of the Saimhann family, one of the other major slave trading families, I think we're on good terms with them. He lent us a giant of a man to help us take down the Just Brothers in the first thread.

>>19207196
Oh, I see.
Good man, he is.

>>19207169
Johan is a man of around your age. He is affiliated with the Saimhann Trading Ring and lent you the use of his bodyguard Ulrik for dealing with the Just Brothers (In fact you spot the heavy bruiser, he is one of the two men sitting on the bench). He is something of a friendly rival, and he is fond enough of you that you've been given unspoken permission to court his sister Ilsa.

You return his wave and nod, but wait for him to start any conversation. He seemed deeply involved with his woman however, and she had slipped fully into his lap.

Sanda's hands had slipped from your shoulders down to your chest, and she had begun kissing your neck.

The swimming girl explodes from the water not far from you, and gives you a crooked grin. She seems oddly familiar.

>>19207222
Good evening, what brings you to these parts?

Buy time with this to recognize who we're talking to. Don't let on that we don't recognize them yet.

>>19207222
>She seems oddly familiar.
Familiar?
Observe her more and try to remember if we know her.

>Sanda's hands had slipped from your shoulders down to your chest, and she had begun kissing your neck.
Is this normal? Are the girls here required to perform this way?
Even if they are, we never asked for this. Do we know Sanda? She seems fond of us for some reason.

>>19207240
You give her a friendly greeting, "It's a nice night for a swim, isn't it?" The rain could be heard even here.

"The rain just gives me this insatiable desire for it," she said, sidling up close.

"What brings you out here anyway?" you asked.

She gives a slight mischievous smile. "You don't recognise me, do you? I don't blame you, if you do."

>>19207265
We've been found out.

>>19207265
Lets try to recognize her.
It's not our childhood sweetheart, Estella, is she?

Perhaps we could use a dice roll as a last resort to try to recognize her?

>>19207246
When bath girls attend a patron, its understood that they are there to 'attend' them. Visitors at this hour are usually looking for discreet sex, and Sanda has assumed you are such a patron. In her defence, Esteban is a notorious guest of such establishments.

So it is normal, but if you asked her to stop she wouldn't be offended.

>>19207265
Give it 5-10 more seconds of trying to remember. Then answer, I'm dreadfully sorry could you give me the pleasure of re-introducing yourself.

>>19207275
No, you would recognise her

>>19207281

roll over seventy on a d100 and you will remember.

rolled 84 = 84

>>19207290
Lets try this

rolled 66 = 66

>>19207290
Rolling to remember, worst happens we don't.

>>19207285
I say let her continue for the time being while we figure out who this newcomer is.

>>19207285
I see. Okay.
No sex for now but a pleasurable company is great nonetheless.

>>19207294
(sorry for the delay, just grabbed dinner: kangaroo burgers are delicious, highly recommended)

It seems obvious in retrospect, but her nakedness and wet hair had you fooled. In your defence when you had last seen her she hadn't been quite the woman, only standing some where above your waist.

Ilsa Wolfburg, you had met at a ball some years ago, had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She shared her brother's hawkish face and slim build, but on her they were of a more comely proportion.

"How could I forget you Ilsa? you were a charmer." She had in fact spilled cider all over his boots and punched a young boy in the face for laughing at her.

"And yet you never came to call," she replies coyly, brushing a thick lock of wet hair from her eyes.

>>19207325
"Well, I've been busy." Smile at the obvious lie.

"How are you doing? You're here with your brother I see."

>mfw Ilsa was my second choice for a guess here >>19207275 before thinking that it is unlikely and dropping the idea.


>kangaroo burgers are delicious, highly recommended
Unfortunately there are no kangaroos where I'm from.

>>19207325
I've been busy, life, trade, adventure. You know how it goes.

So what brings a vision of loveliness such as yourself here? Might I say you are quite an impressive swimmer.

Ask her how she's been doing. How her life is, etc

>>19207345

(so good I had to have two)

"I've been very busy, hadn't you heard?" you say with a smile.

"On baited breath," she replies, leaning her back against you, displaying her very fine chest.

"How are you doing? You're here with Johan," you gesture around her to where Johann was very 'busy'.

"He thought I needed an escort for this midnight venture," she replied, trying not to notice what her brother was doing, but not particularly bothered by it either. "But I'm a big girl, I can look out for myself." She reached behind you to ruffle Sanda's hair. "And the girl's here would never let anything ad happen to me, I'm their favourite."

"We love to have you my lady," Sanda said smoothly. Ilsa wore her crooked grin like a proud proclamation.

>>19207385
>she replies, leaning her back against you, displaying her very fine chest.
A lovely lady caressing us from behind, another one leaning on us from the front.... I would be surprised if we do not get a stiffy.
This requires a fortitude/willpower roll! We must keep our cool!

"And how have you been doing, Ilsa?"

>>19207385
It's a lovely thing when the women in front of and behind you get along.

So, how has life been treating you these days Ilsa?

How high up in the Saimhann hierarchy is the Wolfsburg family?

>>19207349
"You are quite the impressive swimmer my lady," you opine as she rests against you.

"It runs in the family. It is said we are descended from the daughters of the rivers, mythic beings of the Old World. Beautiful, graceful, and the drowning death of men that disappoint them."

>>19207410
Gulp.

"I see.
I can believe that."

>>19207410
You've got the first two down and I pray I don't encounter the third.

>>19207398
Roll a 1d100, get over 95 and you avoid the erection.

>>19207402
The Wolfsburg family sits as the representative of the Ring in Narleen, and run most operations in the Grand Country, but they aren't the chiefs. Powerful on a local level, but only medium fish in the bigger pond.

"How have you been Ilsa?" you ask.

"Very fine indeed. But lonely. Brother keeps me under lock and key, and has that hulk in the corner follow me when he can't. Ulrik is a lovely brute, but not much for conversation or *other things*."

rolled 22 = 22

>>19207432
I like when I can roll to fail.

>>19207416
>>19207422
"I don't think you could ever disappoint a woman Estavo," she playful runs a finger along your chin, "Break her heart perhaps, but never disappoint."

rolled 86 = 86

>>19207432
Come on. We have the WILLPOWER

>>19207432
Hmm, marriage to her is a pretty solid option all things considered. Honestly we should probably be receptive to her cues and go for it, we already have her brother's implied blessing.

I can see why he would lock you up, men always want to keep their most beautiful things hidden away from prying eyes.

rolled 90 = 90

>>19207432
"Your brother is very protective I see."

>>19207441
"...it is as if you;re speaking from experience..."
Lets try one last time.

>>19207447
I don't want us to marry and settle for a woman just yet. Estavo is too young for that.

>>19207440
>>19207443
>>19207452
Oh no!
We failed.... but not for the lack of trying. Heh.

>>19207452
True, we shouldn't marry just yet, but sleeping with her is a good option, she doesn't seem to be expecting marriage right off the bat and it keeps a very good choice open. That and it'd be rude to refuse her at this point.

That and it leads to better relations with the Saimhann clan and Wolfsburg family. You want to remain on damn good terms with the northern barbarians who are your competitors, they buy and sell lots of gladiators.

>>19207452
Nothing wrong with seeing how it goes.

Settling down isn't so bad if you're doing it with a freaking lioness.

>>19207471
I'm not sure how if it is acceptable to sleep with the daughter of another clan.
Or is it? I mean, in come cultures that would be a death sentence but what about here? Can we have casual sex with her?

>>19207440
>>19207443
>>19207452
You try and fail.

She tries not to gasp in surprise as you brush against her thigh.

"I suppose that was inevitable, I was starting to think you weren't human," she's a shade redder than before, and she pokes her tongue out at you in a feint of immaturity. Sanda mutters something excitedly in her native tongue.

"No man has that amount of will power," you reply smoothly, not even bothering to hide it.

"Your brother, well, men always want to keep their precious things locked away. And your beauty is very precious indeed. And I say a man who could not please you deserves to drown, though I hope never by your hand."

"Perhaps my brother would allow a man who understood the value of precious things to safeguard me, from time to time," she replies, her voice growing huskier, her hands reaching for a place well bred women would not admit to exploring.

>>19207485
We've got "unspoken permission". So just fooling around, maybe not. But keeping it as a serious option? Don't think anyone would mind.

>>19207485
So long as it doesn't become a public scandal. Most well off or high born men keep a mistress or two. Narleen is known for being something of a city of sin, so no one would bat an eyelash at an affair.

>>19207504
>"Perhaps my brother would allow a man who understood the value of precious things to safeguard me, from time to time,"
"Perhaps."

>>19207512
>>19207509
Oh, I see.
I guess so. If no one would mind, especially her brother, then I see nothing wrong.

>>19207504
I know very well the value of precious things, it'd be my pleasure to safeguard you, though I can't guarantee that I wouldn't take advantage of such a gift.

Kiss her on the neck and move up towards her ear.

>>19207522
>Kiss her on the neck and move up towards her ear.
Oi
Her brother and her guardian are here. I don't think it is a good idea.
Even if he has given hi go-ahead, we shouldn't do anything in his plain view!

Just so you know, I never 'fade to black'. Not for sex, violence or anything. I understand some people are squeamish about this stuff, but I use it as a creative exercise, and not writing it (whatever it maybe) feels like a cop-out.

So if you don't want to read sex stuff, don't do sex stuff. That said, this is not a porno, and I'd like for it not to turn into one. Consider every situation carefully before you commit to an action as everything you do or don't do has consequences.

>>19207534
>Just so you know, I never 'fade to black'. Not for sex, violence or anything. I understand some people are squeamish about this stuff, but I use it as a creative exercise, and not writing it (whatever it maybe) feels like a cop-out.
Yeah, I remember from the end of the thread two.

Lets hope none no-fun-allowed-mods take offense to that.

>>19207527
>shouldn't do anything in his plain view
I see what you're saying. "Run silent, run deep", right?

Silent running time it is.

So what course of action will it be?

"I know the value of precious things," you say, running your hand down her neck.

Sanda whispers in your ear that they can 'arrange' something if you aren't comfortable out here.

>>19207558
>Sanda whispers in your ear that they can 'arrange' something if you aren't comfortable out here.
Yeah, we aren't comfortable here, with her brother watching and all.
But can we leave like that to a private chamber with Ilsa? I mean, it would be plain obvious where and with whom she went.
Ask her.

>>19207571
"Oh that can be done," Sanda says, biting your earlobe lightly, "Just follow me."

She climbs out of the pool, water gushing off her body. She stops and looks back to you over her shoulder, a smile of anticipation beckoning you to follow.

>>19207558
Perhaps we should adjourn to a more private venue?

While I have to admit the idea of a stealthy submarine offensive, it'd be no good if she "sounded the alarm" early. And by that I mean it'd be bad form if her brother somehow managed to overhear us.

>>19207571
I meant asking Ilsa if she's okay with it and if her brother would mind

>>19207558
I would like for something to be arranged for. She's game for it, we're not going for a foursome with someone on the night of their engagement, her brother has consented to us courting her and she's being all flirty up in here. I don't think she's aiming for scandal or blackmail, it'd hit both of our houses.

>>19207581
Take Ilsa's hand and ask if she'd like to adjourn to a more private room.

>>19207583
Wow, I tried too hard with that one.

It's 2:30 in the morning and I've been up for 48 hours. Don't judge me.

>>19207589
"Are you sure?" you ask Ilsa.

In answer she slides out of the pool, her skin a glossy sheen from the water, and moved beside Sanda. She wrapped an arm around the brown girl's waist and looked back at you, smile gone but replaced with an urgent, hungry, and excited expression.

>>19207603
Well... it would be a crime to not satisfy their demands.

>>19207592
>we're not going for a foursome with someone on the night of their engagement
Where'd THAT one come from? Seems a little too specific if you ask me.

>>19207603
Yep, go for it. It'd be hideously impolite to leave those two alone, without us to help them.

>>19207612
First thread, it was offered but declined due to it looking like a really bad idea.

>>19207612
First thread. We attended a ceremony and the bride wanted to have a foursome with us and other two girls.
We wisely decided that it was a horrible idea.

>>19207612
That was a test in the first thread. They passed the test. Still, even when you 'pass', there are still consequences for every action.

>>19207616
Ah, no wonder. It's been a while.

Also, look at you. Such a gentleman, going so far out of your way to see to these young ladies' comfort.

>>19207634
>Also, look at you. Such a gentleman, going so far out of your way to see to these young ladies' comfort.
Yep. That's us

>>19207634
We aim to please, sure they'd be able to handle it on their own, but after an invitation like that, you'd have to be a eunuch or a monster to refuse.

Okay, long post in coming. If you don't want to lose the data because of mods doing their jobs or whatever, save it or something. This is going to get explicit, but I'll try to keep it tasteful. Maturity warning is given blah-blah-blah.

Bear with me, writing this might take a while.

File: 1337766295990.png-(17 KB, 180x200, 1337572139240.png)

>>19207665
okay, I'm waiting

perhaps we should achieve the thread on suptg already?

I wasn't planning on staying up past three. Dammit, OP.

Sanda leads you both out of the bath house and through a back room. Up a flight of stairs and into a corridor, she opens the door to a room. It opens up into an unused steam bath, the fire unlit and the air clear. She slips onto one of the benches and Ilsa joins her. They kiss each other lightly at first, each successive kiss growing deeper, Ilsa says no words but makes soft, urgent sounds, reaching out for you.

You take a seat between them and wrap an arm around their welcoming hips. Ilsa on your left, Sanda on your right, their hands explore your broad chest, slipping down until they both grasp your thick member. The conflicting rhythm of their hands is intoxicating, you draw Ilsa in for a deep kiss. Her hunger is apparent and deep, she moans against your mouth. Your hand slips up and pulls her force-ably into your lap, your mouth darting from her mouth down to her erect nipple, a perfect pink atop a lusty golden mound.

Sanda takes the other breast in hand and joins you. Ilsa's hands run through both your heads as her back arcs. She forms a word through her breathless excitement, 'please', its said with aching sweetness.

You bring her down and slip inside. The reaction is immediate, she springs into action like a startled cat. Her waist gyrates in circular motion, her hips rise and fall, your broad hand on the small of her back keeping her in place. Nanda kisses the moans out of your mouth, while your free hand finds Nanda.

Ilsa gives out high, animalistic sounds, her voice a keen edge of pleasure. Through it all you can just make out her breathless words, almost a chant, of 'please, please, please.'

Just as she reaches climax you hoist her up. She yelps in surprise, but gives a giggle of delight as you sit her above your mouth. With tongue at work, Nanda lowers her head and takes advantage, her clever mouth working a delight.

>>19207712
Maybe? I'd planned to go on for a while yet.

Archived.

>>19207792
Seems like Sanda's name changed part way through.

At first I thought her twin sister had joined in at some point.

>>19207829
Shit. I can fix that. Got a bit caught up.

>>19207800
I;m still here and want to continue the thread.

>>19207783
>>19207792
Well that was great.
Ilsa seemed quite willing, perhaps she was waiting for this for a long time?
"Well, that's a load of my shoulders." smirk at her.

Alright, now it's time to head back home, I think. Sleep and start another day.

>>19207792
I like Ilsa, and I just hope this wasn't a big trap, I didn't see any warning bells and given that her brother didn't object in the least I think we're in the clear, at least for now.

Give Ilsa a kiss and tell her that if we had to choose someone to drown us, we'd pick her every time. But I'm glad I pleased her.

>>19207783
Just as she reaches climax you hoist her up. She yelps in surprise, but gives a giggle of delight as you sit her above your mouth. With tongue at work, Sanda lowers her head and takes advantage, her clever mouth working a delight.

You move Sanda forward with your right hand, surprising her as well. She slips onto your lap with a delighted laugh. As you pump into her she lets out a long stream of foreign words, gibberish to your ears but the undertone was obvious. It ran off into a wordless sharp bark of pleasure.

Pushing Ilsa off you direct her over Sanda's waiting tongue, which lashes out with a practised precision.

Ilsa looks down at you, her clear green eyes wide, her lips parted. She grasps your hair like it was the pommel of a saddle and rides the orgasm that takes her.

For hours you writhe in each others pleasure, exploring each other in detail. Sanda and Ilsa keeping each other's fires hot as you switched attention between one another. But you are human, and you end it in Ilsa's hand, disappearing into her mouth.

"You'll not drown today Master Zahak," she murmurs, licking her full lips as her hawkish face beamed up at you.

(typos are one thing, changing a character's name midstream is another.)

>>19207839
>>19207849
"If I ever deserved to drown, you should be the one to do it." You draw her up and kiss her deeply. Her face glows with delight as you release her. Her hair now dried it had given over to artful blonde curls, her green eyes large in a butter-gold face. She really was a breath taking creature, the sort a man might spend a fortune to own.

Sanda stands and departs, ruffling your hair as she goes. It isn't long however before she return with your change of clothes. The women dress you together, Sanda your trousers while Ilsa buttoned your doublet. She affixed your half cape and gave you a fond kiss on the cheek.

"I needed that," you say, kissing her hair.

"I waned that," she replied, "I've wanted that since I was twelve years old."

You chuckle at that, unaware she had harboured a crush for these last five years.

"I may call on you at some point," you say.

"I might find you first," she replies, pushing you out the door, "Get some sleep Master Zahak, and dream about me."

You saunter out as if you were the Emperor of Everything, strutting like a rooster through the hen yard.

>>19207857
One doesnt live in the port city of Narleen and not know how to 'swim'...

>>19207905
[perhaps it was fate that i was awoken so early in the morning]
Best keep an eye out for northerners though.
Her brother might've noticed and sent men alone to ensure our 'good intentions'
We need to arrange ourselves better escorts...
Guards you fools.

>>19207905
Life is good, she isn't expecting too much from this too fast, we're on better terms with her and by extension we might be closer to the Wolfsburgs/Saimhanns from this, not to mention the other obvious benefits.

Wander on home, keep our eye out for northerners, especially Ulrik.

>>19207905
>
>You saunter out as if you were the Emperor of Everything, strutting like a rooster through the hen yard.
Uh-oh
Why does it sound like something bad is about to happen?

>>19207930
Paranoia, perhaps of the justified variety.

>Go to have a bath because we're dirty as fuck
>Receive and awesome threesome instead

Welp

You have your rain coat on and rapier in hand as you depart the bath house. As you exit you note the rain has stopped. Its a cool, clear night, with stars out in a brilliant display, the moon a low silver orb in the sky.

Just as you begin down the street a shadow steps out in front of you, a long curved blade in hand.

"Crusader," the robed figure said, coming in with a violent swing you barely avoid.

>>19207970
dang
Skip backwards few steps try to discern who that is.

Draw our rapier. Now lets hope we don't roll like shit and die in a gutter.

>>19207970
"Coal Miner. What're we doing? Exclaiming occupations?"
Rapier wit with a rapier, the only way to go.
Debilitating blows to the hands, arms and shoulders.

>>19207970
Yup, definitely of the justified variety.
>>19207937
Get some distance, get our rapier out. Play it defensive try to get a handle on his capabilities before we make any rash moves. It might be best to run if things look too dicey.

Do we know if Ulrik and co. is still inside the bathhouse? Probably not.

>>19207985
You dance backwards and draw your sword. Trying to peer through the midnight gloom you make out a swarthy, fiercely bearded face. He's shorter than you are by a head, and he is wrapped in foreign clothes, robes of blue and yellow.

You do not recognise him, but can see he is a man of Mumbasa, the far off exotic land of a thousand gods and one.

Roll a d100.

rolled 1 = 1

>>19208008
Here goes nothing.
Can we try to move for more favorable position?

rolled 59 = 59

>>19208017
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffff
We're still doing best of 3, right?

rolled 50 = 50

>>19208008
Rolling.

>>19208017
Best of three, remember!

rolled 16 = 16

>>19208008
Play it defensively for now

>>19208020
>>19208021
(close shave/bad pun)

You whip your rapier around to catch and divert the next blow. His hits are shockingly powerful, it takes all your skill to parry and he has you on the back foot. One step too slow had a slashed ribbon through your rain coat and all you had was nervous energy keeping him from over powering you.

You try to strike back with debilitating blows, but his defence is as strong as his strikes, and you are finding no purchase.

It is luck then, that he does not see the shadow coming up behind him.

Roll another d100.

>>19208022
Well, that's a relief.
Would be shitty to die just like this.

We really do need a personal bodyguard who accompanies us everywhere, all the time.

rolled 33 = 33

>>19208038
>that he does not see the shadow coming up behind him.
Keep him distracted and attention on us.

>>19208038
Try to keep him distracted while the shadow does its business. Make some choice quips and aim for his sword hand.

rolled 92 = 92

>>19208038
Rolling

>>19208052
Fuck yes. Go for the throat

rolled 6 = 6

>>19208050
Forgot mah dice.

>>19208038
"Taxidermist! I swear, you are the worst at this game, you cant say only one job, at least try!"

>>19208052
You keep his attention enough that your shadowy ally manages to take him from behind. It's a combined attack, he surprises the man with an arm around his shoulder, you disarm him with a flick of your rapier, and its over.

Stag-Horn throws the man over his shoulder and smashes him down forcefully into the cobblestoned street. Your would murderer crumples into a pile, while Stag-horn dusts off his hands.

"You lucky I follow," he said with a stern look.

>>19208083
It was simply a ruse to lower his defenses, I was never in any real trouble.

>>19208083
"Indeed.
Now help me bind him and carry his body. We need to know who he was."

>>19208083
I am lucky you followed, thanks Stag. I appreciate it.

Remind me to not go out alone like that, he called me Crusader, I think he has a grudge against me.

>>19208083
Stag-Horn is judo master?
Sweet.

>>19208092
He has the good grace to pretend he believes you, though you see his eyes roll as he turns away. "You should be getting back, sister worried," he said, picking up the assailant's sword.

You see the attacker's neck is clearly broken, his head was almost cleanly driven into the rest of his body. Even with gravity behind such a throw, Stag-Horn clearly possesses freakish strength.

>>19208113
I like Stag-Horn, he wasn't kidding when he said his fists were the only other weapon he needed.

Check the body quickly for identification, anything strange or of value.

Then get home.

>>19208113
Well shit.
"There is no way to ply info out of him?" Hinting to some crazy voodoo magic here

Check his pockets to see if he has anything to identify him or other clues.

If nothing, then leave the body and quickly go back home.

>>19208113
Well?
Search his pockets (carefully) and look for any odd tattoos as well.
Could this be one lone man with a vision against us? Or an organization...

>>19208124
>>19208123
You flip through the body, finding a purse and a wooden comb housed within it. It tells you very little, but there is a nice sum of gold in the purse. You call Stag-Horn back to you and ask him if there is anything he or his sister could do to find out more about this man.

Stag-Horn grows ashen faced.

"Maybe, but not easy. Dangerous thing to try."

>>19208141
Wave it off.
"Then dont, high risk for little reward isnt a merchants way."

>>19208141
"Lets not do that then."

Then leave.

>>19208141
Is there any odd designs on the wooden comb.

I'd rather not risk something like that. We haven't even begun to explore any other options and I don't want to risk losing her or you.

Go home.

Should we leave the body in the street like this or at least be polite and drag it to a nice corner?

>>19208151
>>19208146

He nods, looking revealed. "Let's get you home," he said, twirling the dead man's sabre like a boy would twirl a stick.

You follow him home, your previous good mood soured by the exotic stranger trying to cut off your head. You climb the stairs into the apartment and Stag-Horn holds the door for you.

"Now on, where you go I go," he said, slinking over and crashing on the coach.

Dawnstar is waiting by your doorway and she rushes to grab you, all but leaping into your arms. "I had horrible vision," she cried, "But brother kept it from coming true." She kissed your cheek and nuzzled your neck, tears of relief running down her face.

>>19208155
As she settles back down you produce the comb and look it over. It seems a simple thing made of wood, but has a strange design etched into the handle. Some type of flower, or plant. You don't recognise it.

>>19208173
"You should know better than to believe the lies in your head." give her a hug, "it'll take more then one determined zealot to stop me."

"Now dry your tears, there will be none but ones of joy in my house."

>>19208173
That he did Dawn. Thank you for sending him to me, it would have been much more dicey without him. Give her tight hug and thank her again.

Ask if Dawnstar recognizes the flower on the comb, see if anyone else is up and about.

Depending on the time it might be best to go to bed, sure we had a nap earlier but we didn't sleep much last night and we've been exerting ourself quite a bit for the past couple hours.

OP, did our ship leave already?
I forgot to mention to have the Captain buy trade good from the north which sell for a good price here. If we can't send good there to sell, nothing stops us from buying from there and selling them here, right?

How old is Stag-Horn anyway? About 15, right? How big is he?

>>19208199
>>19208197
"Thank you for sending him to me," you give her a tight hug, "But there will only be tears of joy in this house."

She sniffs and grins. "These are tears of joy," she says, picking up on her tip-toes to kiss you lightly on the lips. You chuckle and blush, ruffling her hair.

You show her the comb and ask her what she can make of it. Taking it gingerly she looks it over.

"Not a swamp thing," she said with a shrug before handing it back.

Without talking you head back into your room, collapsing onto your unadorned bed. Before sleep takes you, Dawnstar pulls off your boots. She comes up to your head and kisses it gently, rubbing your back.

Its not long before you are lost again in sleep, and rising once more with the sun.

>>19208208
Stag-Horn is not very big, but he has broad shoulders and thick arms. Around five foot four, almost a clear foot shorter than you are, he has a mop of black hair and the beginnings of a beard on his chin.

>>19208229
Get up and dress. Check on Hildi and Silty, see how they are doing. don't let them bite you.
Go have some breakfast.

>>19208229
Make sure our sword is nice and clean and sharp if we didn't alreayd do that last night.

>>19208229
Get up, put on some pants and maybe even a shirt. See how Hildi and Sily are doing and get some grub.

>>19208208
To your knowledge the ship was meant to depart a little before sun set, so if it kept to its schedule the ship is already belting its way up the coast. You can however send a messenger bird to the Zahak offices up north, and leave instructions for Brighton. It 'might' beat her there.

She will be gone for a little over a week by the by, its four days there and four days back assuming no problems along the way, with about a day for trading.

>>19208265
Well, that's a shame. Even if we send a message bird, we must provide funds, don't we? Or can we transfer them somehow from here?

Maybe send a letter for the Zahak office, saying that they can use the ship to transport any goods (not slaves) they have back here?

>>19208265
Yes to sending the bird, it was an amateur mistake not to give instructions on that. I'm not sure what where she is going is known for or sells cheaply there and expensive here, but tell her to get that.

>>19208256
>>19208253
>>19208248
You rise and dress in pants and a simple white shirt. After last night's encounter you make sure your sword is at your hip. Dawnstar is with Hildi and Silti in the parlour, she is slowly getting them to eat a dish made by your sister. They clearly are damaged if they are willing to eat her cooking.

Theresa watches thoughtful, eyes more on Dawnstar than the girls.

Stag-Horn isn't concerned with women's business, and is sitting on the lounge sharpening his new found sword with a wet stone.

You skip over the plate Theresa had made for you and munch into a fresh apple. The apartment was getting crowded.

>>19208292
First priority, get someone else on cooking. I mean seriously this has gotten out of hand. See if anyone else here can cook, worst happens we'll do it ourself. Anything to avoid Theresa's cooking.

Ok, first thing we do is get that bird off, then we check on the factory, make sure the guy who has experience in cannons is recovering well and then we find something lucrative to do.

>>19208283
>>19208281
You can instruct the Zahak offices to give Brighton access to your account. You have very little money for trade, most of it is tied up in this foundry business, but speciality items might be possible to acquire. You hear there's a hunger for books in the Narleen archives, histories in particular, and silk is going cheap in Nova Leon but much sought after in Narleen. Maybe she can secure a bolt or two.

>>19208292
>The apartment was getting crowded.
Uh-oh.
Time to search for new place? Although sleeping with three girls in our bedroom is not my idea of a bad housing predicament.
Where does Stag-horn sleep actually?

Ask Dawnstar "How are they doing? Will they recover?"

Then talk to Theresa "You seem concerned."

>>19208283
>I'm not sure what where she is going is known for or sells cheaply there and expensive here, but tell her to get that.
Maybe Zahak offices will deal with that? They ought to be more knowledgeable about this.

>>19208313
How much money was there in that pouch? And can't we use the funds we will get from selling the slaves for the trade? At least our share, I mean.

>>19208319
Oh no, what a horrible predicament. We need to sleep surrounded by beautiful women, our life is full of woe.

Stag-horn crashes on the parlor lounge I think. He seems to like it and it means he can keep an eye on the front door at night.

>>19208312
You tell the others you'll be out on business and Stag-Horn rises to join you. His new sword sits opposite his long knife. Falling in step behind you, when you go outside you are greeted by the blunt, grizzled face of Orion.

The three of you make a first stop at the offices. Strangely, Esteban isn't in, but his secretary is. The old man is more than happy to send off a bird for you. What is your instruction to be?

>>19208333
You have access to my account for any specialty items you beleieve will fetch a profitable sum in Narleen. Also I believe silk will trade well, if you can, purchase a bolt or two. When you arrive back we will see about getting your swords; my family has a very good blacksmith on call.

>>19208333
Red, hopefully you receive this when you get to Nova Leon. Use my portion of the money from the sale and access to my account to purchase some items. Try to get some Silk, one or two bolts, some books with a preference for histories. Any other specialty items would also be appreciated.

I'll get you your shiny new swords when you get back.

>>19208333
If this letter arrives before the ship "The Promise" leaves the harbour do this:
Have the Zahak offices acquire silk and history books for the lowest price they can find using our funds and the funds we will get from selling the slaves (use only our share). Load them up to the ship and send them here.

>When you arrive back we will see about getting your swords; my family has a very good blacksmith on call.
Is this supposed to be for Brighton? We already told her this, no need to repeat that shit over and over again.
Also, I think the letter will arrive to Zahak offices.

>>19208319
(I'll just do a quick rewind and get back to the office after I answer these questions)

"Will they recover?" you ask Dawnstar as she helps the girls eat.

She can only shrug. "They are empty vessel, only pieces left inside. Pieces might come together, might not. Time will talk."

You move to your sister. "You seem concerned, what's wrong?"

"Hmm?" she raises her head, thoughtfulness broken, "Oh its nothing. She's an interesting girl is all. Not what you'd expect when people talk about witches."

You nod and move out to: >>19208333

>>19208371
>They are empty vessel, only pieces left inside. Pieces might come together, might not.

Damn shame. I wonder if we can do anything to ensure that they will get back.

>>19208363
>>19208359
>>19208350
You dictate the letter to the secretary who scribbles away dutifully. He rolls it up and slips it into a small tube before departing up the stairs for the floor housing the messenger birds.

With that business dealt with you head to Ben Cohen's apartment to check on the frail cannon expert.

Its in the poorer part of town, an area known as the 'Rookery'. You knock and the door is answered by a pig face man head and shoulders taller than you and twice as wide. He is in a state of only semi-dress, his shirt unbuttoned and his belt unbuckled, but he gave you a hale greeting.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" he asked.

>>19208386
Get them some proper cooking, no matter how broken you are eating what no man should have to eat can't be good for you.

>>19208399
"I'm here to see Ben."

When we meet Ben ask him about his patient and how he is doing. If he is healthy, it will do good to have the gunsmith oversee the workshop construction. He would know better, how to arrange it to be more efficient.

>>19208401
You make a mental note to hire a decent cook. Truth be told, its as much for you as anyone else.

>>19208417
Perhaps Dawnstar can cook?
There isn't really any place for a personal cook in our apartment.

>>19208428
Could hire someone close by to come around breakfast lunch and dinner time to cook some meals?

>>19208437
Yeah... I guess so.
But still, that is a waste of money. We don't have much money.

>>19208443
I was thinking the same to be honest.

>>19208410
"Oh you must be Benji's friends!" the big man exclaims. He flounced off, light on his feet for such a massive man, calling for "Benji!"

You and Orion exchange a glance.

Ben soon comes slumping out in only a shift and leather jack, his privates thankfully hidden beneath the knee length shirt. A tightly rolled cigarillo sat behind his ear and he looked as if he hadn't had any sleep, he certainly hadn't shaved.

"How's the patient Benji?" Orion asked.

"Sleeping, he was up all night with a severe cough. Had that dealt with though, so it won't kill him. His strength should be back in a week, but its bed rest and good food until then."

He jerked a thumb behind him. "That's why Adam is here, the fruit is a good cook."