>>27148114
>[ ] "I'd rather not get innocents involved, thank you."

>>27148114
>[ ] "I'd rather not get innocents involved, thank you."

>>27148114
Oh yes, based Tax Quest! I thought you had disappeared for good!

>>27148114
>[ ] "I'd rather not get innocents involved, thank you."

>>27148191
'Fraid not.

Timothy shall be conscientious. Writing.

>>27148608
I want you to know this shit is inspiring. Everything I ever hoped a quest could be. Thank you.

"I'd rather not get innocents involved, thank you," You take this opportunity to glance around, stalling for time.

The door is shut- very shut. You swear you think you see green in the thin gap of the door, working through the rotten wood.

Beside the door are two windows, with black iron bars covering them- though the bars on the window to the left look like they're taking a reddish tone. Rusted. Perhaps you could try to force your way through them.

"Innocent? Please," Jesse steps to the counter, places a hand on it, still keeping his eye to you, "This little bundle of hate in wrinkles ate from the chink hand that fed her, you can be sure of that. Licked every finger clean," Something about Jesse makes you queasy, and his choice of words does not help this case. Jesse is a singularly unpleasant creature. His grin broadens, probably sensing your disquiet, "She's as innocent as Max was, little broken beak."

"Why are you pursuing Mr. Low anyway?" You ask, still assessing things. Stairs behind Jesse, leading up further in to the flophouse. Fire escapes could lead to a way out. Not to mention, they couldn't have bars on EVERY window, could they?

You remember your .32 pistol in your pocket. This surely counts as self defense.

"We aim to collect," Jesse says, smile shriveling, "It's a sacred work. Let's play hangman."

You hear pounding on the door to your left, the hallway you had come from from Mr. Low's basement. The Irishman.

"Jesse? What in the hell are you doing? Jesse! Open this door!"

"Nine letters. Then four," The wood under Jesse's hand starts to curl and brown around his fingers like dirt, "Come on. You're smart, aren't you?"

Underneath the counter, the old woman Patricia whimpers.

>[ ] Go for the barred window.
>[ ] Go for the stairs.
>[ ] Shoot him. Roll required.
>[ ] Tackle him. Roll required.
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] "I don't have time for games."
>[ ] Other.

>>27148860
>[ ] Guess a letter.
If we think we're going to lose we can try the other options.

>>27148860
>[x] Guess a letter.
Is there an e?

>>27148860
>[X] Guess a letter.
Vowels first. I wanna keep this guy talking. The irishman seems to be against what he's doing too. Lets bide our time.

>>27148934
I second E.

>>27148947
Lel. The Irishman would torture us to death if he saw us in return for acid blasting his friend.

>>27148975
Spose that's true. We've still got our gun at least.

Guessing an E. Writing.

"E," You glance to the counter. Jesse is drawing dashes in it with his finger, and the rotted section of counter. The noise of the pounding on the door and the yelling of the Irishman fades in to the background.

It's amazing how unsurprising things can get over a few days.

"Typical," Jesse sounds a bit irritated, "I should have thought of something without any 'e's."

You glance over the counter- Patricia is shivering, looking all of her hard lived life. But she is very still now, staring at a corner.

"What are you doing with her?"
"It's a simple exchange. She agreed to it earlier-"
"I severely doubt that she agreed to play a puppet for your game," You can't help but let some of your irritation rise up. Something about this man sets a part of you on edge.

"Shush little incomplete, just play the game," He gestures to the board with a flourish, "You've made a good start."

_ _ _E_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Jesse grins. The smell of this place is starting to remind you of a bog.

"Patricia is an old, inveterate liar of a woman. Interesting, in the sense that a stain can form a fine pattern. But those lies, and her crutch of pretending she had blood, left her open. You're not open, taxman. Why not?" His green eyes seem wide and curious as he regards you, "You have no regrets? Or were those taken too?"

You're starting to feel more comfortable, somehow. For some reason, your anxiety is dying down. You're starting to see things more clearly now.

>[ ] Guess another letter.
>[ ] Make small talk, moving to get yourself in a better situation to escape. Dice 3 1d100, 65 and below succeed.
>[ ] Make small talk, move to get in to a better position to attack from. Dice 3 1d100, 60 and below succeed.
>[ ] Escape! Dice 3 1d100, 40 and below succeed.
>[ ] Shoot him. Dice 3 1d100, 35 and below succeed.
>[ ] Tackle him! Dice 3 1d100, 35 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

>>27149298
...Crap, thought I double space barred those dashes far enough away from each other.

I'll put them on separate lines next time.

>>27149298
X

>>27149298
>[ ] Guess another letter.
T.

>>27149344
X is one of the least common letters. Let's take a few common ones first.

>>27149401
Y?

>>27149298
>[ ] Other.

Make small talk to escape, guess A so he doesnt get too suspicious

>>27149428
>>27149426
>>27149401
>>27149350
>>27149344
>>27149318
Sorry, I should've specified. You can guess a letter and do another action if you feel so inclined.

>>27149426
No, no, guess i!

If there's an e you can bet there's an i

>>27149426
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:English_letter_frequency_(frequency).svg

>>27149458
Z?

File: 1378858139203.png-(9 KB, 600x480, English_letter_frequency_(...).png)

9 KB PNG

This might help some.

>>27149458
>>27149474
Frequency mind

>>27149298
gear small talk towards what Jesse is. He seems to be something supernatural.

>>27149521
I bet he's a faerie of some type.

>>27149543
Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind.

Okay then-

I'll throw in escape prep if you guys would like.

And should I roll 1d5 for letter?

>>27149543
he seems to be able to influence us? Patricia seems a little touched as well

>>27149606
I'll vote for t. 2 t's. Forget these x,y,z, people.

>>27149656
Thank you.

Writing.

>>27149656
Mr. Johnson has, of course, memorized the most efficient way to succeed in the game of hangman.

"T."

"T for taxman?" Jesse says with an eyebrow raised.

You're about to respond, but then think better of it. Jesse looks at you, and then frowns. Evidently he felt displeased about that.

"I see. Close to the vest," Jesse waves his hand, "But no luck."

Patricia makes a choking noise under the counter, and you look over in alarm- to see nothing. Nothing but an old woman grabbing at her throat.

"Twelve years left," Jesse says plain faced, "Have another guess?"

"Let her go," You don't want to be responsible for an old woman's death.
"I can't do that any more than you can fly, sir," Jesse's hand on the counter curls in to a fist, "And I don't recommend trying to make me break my word. I'm wise on that now."
"What are you?"
"Show me yours, I'll show you mine."

You stare blank faced at him, before he rolls his eyes.
"Tell me what YOU are, and I'll tell you what I am," Jesse glances to Patricia, breathing heavily.

"Guess another letter."

You hear something in the hall way to your left. "Get the gun," you think you hear.

_ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "I am an assessor for the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. You are?"
>[ ] "I'm just an ordinary man."
>[ ] "I'm sick of this."
>[ ] "Your friend seems intent on interrupting our game. You going to let that happen?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27149942
He's sucking away patricia's life. We can't escape and allow him to kill her.

>[x] Guess a letter.
A

>[x] "I'm just an ordinary man."

>[x] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.

>>27149942
>[x] Guess a letter.
i

[x] "I am an assessor for the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. You are?"

[x] Stay still.

>>27149942
>[ ] Guess a letter.
I i
>[ ] "I am an assessor for the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. You are?"
>[ ] Stay still.

>>27150065
>>27150117
Going with this.

"I am an assessor for the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. You are?"

Jesse nods, scratching at the counter.

_ I _ E _ I _ _ _
_ I _ _

"Hnh. I was worried for a moment there," Jesse relaxes at that, "I'm Department of Inland Revenue. Collector, suborned at the moment to HM Customs and Excise. You're very good about staying still, I might add. Thank you."

"That doesn't really answer what you are. You know what I meant."
"You didn't really answer very well either- though, I suppose you could just be that sort of human being," Jesse shivers, tapping the counter, "Don't like those lacking people."

"I don't like what you're implying."
"Neither do I," Jesse says with some irritation, "Keep guessing. Do I need to implement time limits here?"

Frustrating game. You roll your eyes, glancing back to the door. There's the sound of a muffled shot. You see the wood by the door knob splinter- then come back together.

Jesse scowls, "Honestly, I don't like working with these guys."

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "Why are you interested in Mr. Low?"
>[ ] "I find it hard to believe a tax collector would torture an old woman for a game."
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27150483
>[ ] Guess a letter.
R
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Stay still.

>>27150483
>[x] Guess a letter.
R
>[x] "Why are you interested in Mr. Low?"
>[x] Stay still.

>>27150483
Last Word:
Bill?

BILL. Try L. Voting for L.

>>27150483
N
>[ ] "Why are you interested in Mr. Low?"

>[ ] Other.
i do think someone else wants into the game right now....(looks a the breaking and repairing wood)

>>27150483
>[ ] Guess a letter.
L
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Stay still.

>>27150483
N
>>[ ] Other.
Namedrop DIA. Subtly infer your friends in high places.
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.

Rolled 1

Okay. Guessing R, and I guess I'll try to mash the questions all together.

Giving a quick roll to see which question loses.

Rolled 9

>>27150737
>>27150483
wrong field.

"R," Jesse is leaning against the counter, tapping at it as you look at the word, trying to guess what it could be.

The smirk tells you all you need to know.

There's a thud, and you look over the counter. Patricia is sprawled on the floor.

"Eight years."
"That's only four tries-"
"Good at math, but we'll be quick quick now," The door to the hallway cracks, "I don't want to keep my friends waiting forever. Be faster."

You swallow, thinking, staring.

_ I _ E _ I _ _ _
_ I _ _

"What do you want with Low anyway? He's in America, he's none of your business."
"Formerly of Hong Kong. He took a bird. Guess, taxman."
"Somebody else wants in on this game-" You wave to the door, "Maybe we should save it for later?"

Jesse narrows his eyes.

"No. Twenty seconds."
"Look, have you heard of a man named Tom? The Bureau of Indian Affairs?" You lean in, "They know me."

Jesse, bored, replies, "Indian Affairs? I'll make sure to keep some fire water on me, little chief. Guess."

The voices from the hall to the left are getting louder. "Push damn it, push!"

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "A bird? From Hong Kong? What do you mean?"
>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27150940
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.
>[ ] Guess a letter.
N
>[ ] "A bird? From Hong Kong? What do you mean?"

>>27150940
[ ] Guess a letter.
L
[ ] "A bird? From Hong Kong? What do you mean?"
[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.

Rolled 47

>>27150940
N
>>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 65 and below.
Not many tries left. Rather get ready to run incase it goes south.

>>27150940
>[x] Guess a letter.
L
>[x] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[x] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.

>>27150940
N
>[ ] "A bird? From Hong Kong? What do you mean?"
>[ ] Other.
i think he wants in on the game right now. i'll still play as per my word, but you didn't say he could not join in. (help bust the wall down)

The Ns have it. Asking about a bird.

And escape or attack, I'll settle with a 1d2.

Maneuvering, by the way, only means preparing. Don't know if that changes any opinions.

1=escape
2=attack

In either case, give me 3 1d100 rolls.

>>27151132
That door is enchanted. I'm assuming "bird" is some english 20's jargon for a plane? Who cares about that crap.

Rolled 2

>>27151170
gotdangit

Rolled 32

>>27151170

Rolled 59

>>27151170

Rolled 64

>>27151170

Rolled 67, 12, 96 = 175

>>27151189
Enkh. One success.

Rolled 24

>>27151170

>>27151189
>>27151197
>>27151199
Knew we wouldnt make attack roll. I know its in character... but I'm more the practical sort :I I mean our Timothy has been sporting enough wounds for being the heroic type, the unlucky bastard.

>>27151284
I only want to attack to save a life. For her to die would be an injustice

"N. A bird? From Hong Kong? What do you mean?"

You walk away from the counter here, trying to make your movement natural. Trying to get behind the couch, flank Jesse. You're not sure if you should feel bad or not using the sleeping man, at least partially for cover, but you try not to let it worry you.

"Jingwei. A noble woman. Famous enough to have a customer all the way in Detroit," Jesse smiles, but shifts with you, letting his elbows rest on the counter behind him, grinning. Well, at least he wasn't upset, and-

_ I _ E _ I _ N _
_ I _ _

Some more decay, and you see that you've gotten another letter at least.

Your back is to the door in the hallway.

"I'll kill him, swear to fucking God, I'll kill him."

That sounds like Stanley, from the basement. The guy whose face you didn't burn with acid. The door buckles, as something slams in to it, warping, bending- before it resumes its proper form again. Jesse looks like he's sweating a little.

"She's a stubborn gal, but that's just the sort they like here in Detroit, apparently," Jesse taps on the counter with his knuckles, "Case in point. Though, Patricia, no offense, isn't nearly as appealing or useful. Got another guess?"

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "So, Low is in to human trafficking?"
>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 60 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 45 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27151390
S
>[ ] "So, Low is in to human trafficking?"
and
"if that is the case, then you should know this falls under Bureau of Indian Affairs jurisdction after all..."
>[ ] Other.
keep trying to open the wood to let him in, i think the effort he is doing to repair the wood is draining him.

>>27151390
>Guess a letter
t
>[x]"You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
We know all about jurisdiction fights.

>[x] Stay Still

Kinda ominously lifesigns fits for the first word

>>27151542
...You do remember what happened in the basement, right? We smashed one of those guys in the face with a beaker of acid.

That door opens, they're not going to be friendly.

>>27151390
>[x] Guess a letter.
b
>[x] "So, Low is in to human trafficking?"
>[x] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 60 and below.

It's time to leave. The people on the other side of that door aren't going to be very happy to see us.

>>27151576
Already did T

>>27151390
N
>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
Can we stealthily draw our gun, or are we not in that sufficient of cover behind sleeping man.

>>27151622
So we did, sorry, momentary lapse.

Rolled 64

>>27151390
>>[x] Maneuver for escape. 3 1d100, 60 and below.
>>27151635

>>27151635
You can try.

At the moment, though, it would be a 45 and below roll.

>>27151643
I should mark the guessed letters. I'll do that now.

>Letters guessed.
>N, I, E, R, T,

>>27151599
yes, but the chaos could be used to GET AWAY!
>>27151685
thanks, we need that.

B is the only unguessed letter, so let's go with that.

Low question.

Maneuver to escape. Give me 3 1d100 rolls.

Rolled 31

>>27151765

Rolled 21

>>27151765

Rolled 41

>>27151765

Rolled 44

>>27151635
And damn. I mean L.

Rolled 25, 31, 67 = 123

>>27151794
>>27151802
>>27151805
Timothy is good at being evasive.

Writing.

>>27151818

Apparently we're playing a Rogue who wants to be a Paladin.

>>27151922
I think we should play to our strengths. Our character needs to grow a bit and be more careful. Be realistic and a bit more clever dealing with people with way more power than him... Like this jesse apparently. I mean hes holding all the cards it seems. Maybe we need to get some magic of our own :I apparently its teachable, the guy we blacked out and killed had a apprentice.. If we save the girl Mr. Low might owe us one.

"B."

Jesse shakes his hand, raps his knuckles on the counter. You don't hear anything from Patricia, but you swear it got colder in here.

"Four years."
"Look," You let your emotions get the better of you, storm across the room- nearing a window. You wring your hands, and you surprise yourself that Jesse doesn't stop you, just starts chuckling. Wretched man, "Leave her out of it, I don't want her blood on my hands."
"And the man in the basement's blood, that's just fine? Strange strings, half man, strange strings."
"He would have hurt me."
"You know that?"

From where you're standing, you could dive out of the window. You spare a glance for the bars- yes! Nearly rusted all the way through. It would hurt.

Just leaving the question of Patricia.

You linger at the far side of the room from Jesse. He doesn't bother to look at you.

"So, Low is in to human trafficking, hm?" He's not looking at you. Not the best angle for a shot, but... You reach for your pocket- shit. That's right, your pistol was gone in the basement when you woke up. Son of a bitch.

"Human trafficking? I wouldn't say that," Jesse looks up, frowns, "He was desperate to get out of Hong Kong. Took the wrong route out though. My sympathies for him- then again, I'm sympathetic for nearly everyone I have to swim in."

"You do know, the Bureau is-"
"Guess a letter-" Jesse brings up his hand, fingers set to snap, "She gets two more chances."

A piece of the hallway's doors falls to the ground.

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "You said he had a customer in Detroit. Who?"
>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Escape! 60 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27152077
>Guess a letter
F
>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] Stay still.

>>27152077

>[ ] "You said he had a customer in Detroit. Who?"
>[ ] Stay still.
Once again, thanks for running this, and also you forget to say you started on twitter.

>>27152077
L
>>[ ] "You really should do your research first. Bureau of Indian Affairs has jurisdiction here, not you."
>[ ] Escape! 60 and below.

>>27152170
>Forgot to say you started on twitter.

Whoops. Sorry, my memory is awful.

>>27152077
>[x] Don't guess a letter.
>[x] Other.
Half man? What d you mean? I think you know more about me than I do.

>>27152183
Not a problem, I'm glad I found it here though, I'd hate to miss out.

>>27152166
>>27152174
We already tried dropping the Bureau, he doesn't seem to care.

>>27152170
>>[ ] "You said he had a customer in Detroit. Who?"
>>[ ] Stay still.


Second that.

And guess L.

>>27152077
>[ ] "You said he had a customer in Detroit. Who?"
>[ ] Stay still.
Guess L

Okay. Customers, staying, and L. Writing

>>27152077
X
this is a chines name probably, use those words more.
>[ ] "You said he had a customer in Detroit. Who?"
>[ ] Stay still.
but stare him down.

"L."

Jesse scratches at the counter, focused on the door. He seems perturbed.

Another piece of the door clatters down, and the Irishman shouts, "Jesse! Jesse, open the damn door!"
"I thought, I could have sworn I had told Oliver..." Jesse shakes his head.

"He had a customer. Who?"
"Some big shot American. Someone willing to spring a man from the grips of both our hands, and the Three Harmonies'. Guess another, I can't hold them for long."

You look to the door. Can't hold much longer, "If I don't end this game before they break in?"
"Then you'll have to do your best to guess before they kill you."

You see a hand bearing a hatchet try to reach through a hole in the door- and immediately retract it, as a splinter you were pretty sure wasn't there before tears off in his sleeve. You hear a shriek of pain.

_ I L E _ I _ N _
_ I _ _

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] "Give me a name, Jesse."
>[ ] "Why are you doing this?"
>[ ] "What can I tell you to make you tell me what you are?"
>[ ] "Can't you give me a hint? This is going to be some kind of ridiculous foreign word, isn't it?"
>[ ] Other.

Third:
>[ ] Escape! 60 and below.
>[ ] Maneuver for attack. 3 1d100, 50 and below.
>[ ] Stay still.
>[ ] Other.

>>27152508
>[ ] "Why are you doing this?"
>[ ] Other.
Prepare to attack when they burst into the room.

>>27152508
>[x] Guess a letter.
H
>[x] "Give me a name, Jesse."
or
>[x] "Why are you doing this?"
>[x] Escape! 60 and below.
We're unarmed, 3 to 1 and that guy has a hatchet.

>>27152508
X
This is a CHINESE name people!
>[ ] "Give me a name, Jesse."
>[ ] Other.
if that ax comes though again, TAKE IT from him!

>>27152659
>>27152727
No, S, guess S!

Rolled 2

Dice 1d3 for letter.

Going to combine preparing to attack and ax taking.

And asking for a name.

Milesians?
Is he the Irish one?
M
>>27152508
>[ ] "Can't you give me a hint? This is going to be some kind of ridiculous foreign word, isn't it?"
>[ ] Stay still.

>>27152809
Ffff.

"X!" You stride off to the door, determined. Jesse laughs at that last part, and you halt halfway.

"And she's at death's door!"
"What is WRONG with you!" You shout, standing by the door, "Why are you-" You bite back the frustration, shake your head. You have an ominous feeling about this.

"Give me a name Jesse."
"If I knew, I would tell you. Why do you think we're having this game?"
"What?" You glance back for a moment- then reel from the door as more wood splits away, an ax head through the door.

"This game is related to who took the bird. I figure it's a fair trade-" You miss part of the words as an axe blade comes through the door, and you grab the handle just under the blade. You pull with all your might, "-We get to find Jingwei."

"Fascinating, little help here?"
"Guess another letter," Jesse glares at you with green eyes, looking offended, "I think I've been more than accommodating enough, half man. You're lucky I can see that in you."

You would argue more, but whoever's on the other side of the axe is stronger than you, forcing you to focus on it.

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] Haul on the axe. 3 1d100 rolls, 45 and below succeed.
>[ ] Let go of the axe, it's too dangerous.
>[ ] Other.

Rolled 54, 37, 33 = 124

>>27152945
guess S

>>27153013
Silly me, didn't mean to roll three times.

>>27152945
>X isn't there
Well, >>27152727
guess you were FUCKING WRONG!

>guess a letter
S
>let go of the axe, it's too dangerous

Rolled 87

>>27152945
S
>[ ] Haul on the axe. 3 1d100 rolls, 45 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.
if he's free to torment a woman who has nothing to do with this. then give me a hand here. it'll help stop him from busting in. (buy us some more time)

>>27152945

S
>Get the axe

>>27152945
>[ ] Haul on the axe. 3 1d100 rolls, 45 and below succeed.
I mean I guess were out of position to escape now? Damn. Wish we had our knife.

>>27153049
>>27153068
>>27153062
S and axe.

Give me 3 1d100 rolls.

Rolled 26

>>27153111

Rolled 97

>>27153111

>>27153125
Well shit.

>>27153125
Disadvantage of being a name fag. Get called out for shitty rolls.

Rolled 21

>>27153125
Is not a crit.

This one might be.

Rolled 11

>>27153111

Rolled 6

>>27153143
>>27153124
Two successes is enough. Writing.

>>27153156
>Rolled 6

Prepare for anal circumference.

Rolled 26

>>27153111
roll

You manage to get both hands on the handle, and turn, bracing your back against the wall, pulling it with all of your strength.

"S!"
"Oh, that's a good one."

Finally something breaks loose and you fall to the floor, jarring your teeth- just as you hear a bullet whiz overhead. You glance up to see if bury itself in the counter- hopefully nowhere near Patricia.

"Rule number one of swinging something around? Hold on to it!" You're hearing the Irishman shouting behind the door, as Jesse is contemplating the words on the counter.

"Well, part of it is pretty clear-"

You clamber up and put your back to the side of the door, panting. Just a hatchet, a dingy kind of thing. Blunt enough it probably should be better called a hammer. You experimentally shake it and look at it- no, no magic. Thankfully.

"You wouldn't happen to be able to give me more of a hint, would you?"

You look to the far door out- you could go back there pretty easy. No need to stress too much. The old woman would probably die though, you're guessing.

"No idea," Jesse drums his fingers on the counter, "Really adds to the mystery though, doesn't it?"

You fall to appreciate the moment. The door is not getting chopped down now, but there's still some remarkably angry people pounding on it on the other side.

_ I L E S I _ N S
_ I S _

First:
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Don't guess a letter.

Second:
>[ ] Stay here, prepare to ambush. 3 1d100 rolls, 40 and below.
>[ ] Go to your escape route, prepare to leap at the first sign of danger.
>[ ] Just go out the window, now.
>[ ] Other.

Rolled 31

>>27153438
A

And prepare an ambush.

>>27153438
have we tried G yet?
>[ ] Other.
you do realize that if you kill her... there isn't anything left for me to hold me back from leaving or knocking your lights out. for you will be guilty of murder.

>>27153558
This.

It's going to be Milesians plus something. With 'I S' in the middle.

>>27153670
>>27153558
Got it. Writing.

>>27153670
There aren't many words in the English language that the second word could be, that don't contain letters we've already covered. ScrabbleFinder gave me the following suggestions:

Dish
Disk
Wisp
Fish
Risk
Disc
Wish

"A."

"Yes that's-"

"And M," You wait by the door, swinging the hatchet in your wrist, getting a feel for the balance, "Milesians. That's Irish, isn't it?"

"Huh..." Jesse taps the counter, "You're right. Interesting. So, something linked to the Irish. But what's the next part?"

"Look, I don't really care- I can promise you this. If you do kill or do permanent damage to Patricia for this silly game of yours, I will not stand for it," You spare a glance from the clattering door to Jesse. Jesse looks back to you, annoyed.

"I doubt you'd be able to-"
"No. This is not a matter of debate," You return to your watch at the door, "You would be guilty of murder."
"Please, you're the one that can't guess, don't you see it's your fault?" Jesse sounds bemused, spiteful, sarcastic.

You look back to Jesse.

Anger is supposed to have a temperature. Fiery anger, revenges best served cold, those kinds of things. You don't really feel that at the moment. Just, just something like a void. A vast, empty space, that would swallow a man whole. Something large, that you'd never find your way out of it. In that moment of all encompassing anger, you felt very, very, hollow. You stare directly at Jesse, and feel a bit lost there for just a split second.

A rather distressing moment. But when you get yourself back under control, Jesse's posture has curled in, away from you. You didn't even say anything, but he looks concerned.

"I, I can't break this- you must know, you must know I can't. I haven't that kind of...I can't. Please, forgive me, I can't! You have to understand!"

The door rattles on its hinges beside you.

>[ ] "You will let her go."
>[ ] Guess a letter.
>[ ] Focus on the ambush.
>[ ] Other.

>>27154030
"Let her go; we have enough for a start. And we have an ambush to deal with."

>>27154030
>[ ] "You will let her go."
we can work on this later. you seem to be under a curse your self arn't you?

>>27154073
I think if he breaks it, he'll die. The game was started by him but it's not under his control. We need to guess, or someone dies.

>>27154131
Shit. If that's true, see
>>27153777

Best bet may be h. There's more h's in there than anything else.

>>27154073
>>27154130
Dictum given.

>>27154030
Try to focus on that hollow anger. Bring it back to you. And make your demand to let her go again, she's near dead anyways and the puzzle is nearly to a conclusion.

>>27154241
i see now. he might be complete scum, but he's also being controled as well.

a W then?

>>27154450
Too late now. People that couldn't be patient have killed both Jesse and Patricia.

"You will let her go."
"But I-"

Jesse was a bully. He was a man with power and chip on his shoulders. But a sign of resistance, apparently, was all that was needed to make him afraid. Greasy black hair, looked poorly. A no good sort, this one.

You stare him down, as he starts to shiver. He glances to the counter, "We're so close," he whispers.

"Close enough. I can find out from here. I'm not risking her life, over your guessing game," You reaffirm your grip on the hatchet, "Do I need to repeat myself?"

The door cracks again as it's slammed in to. Such bright green eyes. You're not sure why he was afraid of you- you're a taxman for God's sake, only armed with a hatchet. But you had his fear, and that was enough for now to save a person's life.

He looks away, defeated, and nods, "Fine."

He takes a smeared, dirty hand and wipes it across the counter.

You hear a gasp from Patricia from behind the counter, then a muffled thump as she runs in to the counter, wheezing for breath. Jesse suddenly looks a lot smaller, you think.

You glance back to the door. Sure enough, the door is also losing its resilience, seemingly.

Not much time left. Jessie is leaning heavily on the counter now, panting.

>[ ] "Jessie, hold the door. I'm leaving."
>[ ] Just wait, ambush them when they come through. You can take them on- Jessie's afraid of you, after all. What's three mortal men compared to whatever the heck Jessie was. 3 1d100, 63 and below succeed.
>[ ] Take Jessie as a hostage.
>[ ] Other.

>>27154544
>Jesse
why do I keep mispelling everything.

>>27154544
>[ ] Other.
Leave with Patricia
"I'm leaving, you can too, if you like, you made a wise choice today, not killing her"

>>27154544
>>[ ] "Jessie, hold the door. I'm leaving."
And grab Patricia. They'll probably kill her, will be silly to just leave her after all that, unless we can get Jesse to assure she will be unharmed. Also that way we can wring more info from her, like where the hell Low is and why you had to kill a man in his apartment and risk death. Again.

>>27154645
>you made a wise choice today
...if Jesse said, "Go fuck yourself", I'd probably have to agree.

>>27154669
Seconding.

Ookay, gimme twenty minutes. Dinner break, sorry folks.

>>27154697
Enjoy it OP. It will have been well deserved.

>>27154544
>>[ ] Other.
take them both and run for it to our car!

>>27154544
[x] other
Take Patricia and run for our car.

>>27154916
>>27155155
>>27154713
>>27154669
Back, sorry.

So, you want to grab Patricia and run? And possibly Jesse?

>>27155250
yes, both.

"Come on," You walk behind the counter, doing your best to lend a shoulder to the dazed old woman, "We're getting out of here, Jesse."

"You made me break my word."

Jesse still isn't looking at you, looking away, shaking his head. The hallway door makes a terrible squealing noise.

"We don't have time for this," Patricia makes some sort of mumbling, confused noise as you try to drag her over to Jesse, "All I did was make sure you didn't kill someone."

"Got to Hell," Jesse turns, blood running from his nose, eyes turning pale. He sneers, "Why would I want to go with you? You're the one that-"

"You're not coming?" You give him a meaningful look, then look to the door, then back to him, "I think your comrades in arms will be very angry with you, Mr. Jesse. I'm offering you a chance at escape, which really is more than you deserve seeing as you were about to perform a premeditated murder-"
"Sh-"
"It is ONLY the fact that you stopped your...Whatever you were doing, that I am considering aiding you. Now please, tell me, will you come with me?"

Jesse sees on the threshold. The door to the hallway cracks again. Finally, a gap large enough for a man's hand to fit through, and grab for the door knob. The old woman mumbles something and jerks on your shoulders.

Now or never.

>[ ] Leave him. Go out the front door. Get to the car.
>[ ] Convince him. He might prove of use. 3 1d100 rolls, 44 or below to succeed.
>[ ] Other

>>27155250
Fuck that dude. He has too much power to be so close as such an uncertain ally. Remember the teeth that rotted out of our head?

>>27155547
>[ ] Leave him. Go out the front door. Get to the car.
>[ ] Other
"Even if its not with me, I suggest you leave. NOW."

>>27155547
Convince him. He's weird and trustworthy, but so are the rest of our allies.

>>27155547
>[x] Leave him. Go out the front door. Get to the car.
We made him break his word, which means that he's pretty much dead and damned already. Maybe if we hadn't he'd be usable.

>>27155547
>[ ] Leave him. Go out the front door. Get to the car.
FUCK WIZARDS MAGIC GO HOME

>[ ] Other
Leave the door open behind us. He'll want to run anyway, no matter if he comes with us, might as well give him a chance to survive.

>>27155717
>>27155717
>>27155688
>>27155658
Writing.

>>27155547
>"Got to Hell"

Jesus CHRIST typos.

"Very well," You move to the door quickly, "If you want to die, be my guest. But I would recommend sir, that you leave while you still can."

You drag the woman away, as Jesse still stares there at the counter, as if hypnotized. Very distant eyes on that one. Let him be.

You're tempted to kick the door open, but fortunately logic prevails, and you use your free hand to undo the locks, and turn the door knob- God, what wonder having both hands again! Day light, weak and cloud filtered though it may be, still requires adjustment after so long inside. You stumble down the step, as Patricia starts complaining.

"Cor, what is this? What's happening? What do you think you're doing, you son of a-"

The noise of the shattering door behind her causes her to shut up and push away from you. You manage to support her so she doesn't roll down the short steps out of the flophouse, but then she's out of your hands, shouting, yelling for help- and then freezes.

You follow her eyes across the street to your car. And the man in the bowler hat leaning on it. He gives a tight lipped smile.

"Top of the morning," He says it in his strange accent, "This your car?"

You can hear pounding foot steps behind you. You're not really in the mood to talk. You walk forward briskly, giving a look to Patricia. She's putting up her fingers in some strange sign, quivering at the sight of the man.

You have a hatchet in your right hand.

And in your car, you know you have a very, very deadly straight razor. You can't stop. You keep walking forward.

>[ ] "Yes, that happens to be my car."
>[ ] "Please get away from my vehicle. I have had a poor day."
>[ ] Stop. Wait, you might be getting in to a trap. 3 1d100, 56 and below to succeed.
>[ ] No stopping. All running. He gets in your way, Lizzie Borden time. 3 1d100, 44 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

>>27156092
>[ ] Stop. Wait, you might be getting in to a trap. 3 1d100, 56 and below to succeed.

>>27156092
>[ ] Stop. Wait, you might be getting in to a trap. 3 1d100, 56 and below to succeed.
Uh oh.

>>27156092
>Top of the morning
>Strange accent
>THEY'RE AFTER ME LUCKY CHARMS

>[ ] Stop. Wait, you might be getting in to a trap. 3 1d100, 56 and below to succeed.

>>27156263
>>27156248
>>27156207
Gimme 3 1d100s.

Rolled 7

>>27156307

Rolled 69

>>27156307

Rolled 39

>>27156307

>>27156324
>>27156331
>>27156338
Two successes. Timothy has sharp eyes. Writing.

>>27156478
do you have anymore of the cool images similar to the quests before this? I rather liked them. Where did you find them?

Oh man, the opening image totally threw me and I didn't notice that this was tax quest.

Fuck me.

File: 1378879918721.jpg-(83 KB, 800x603, Skukerman.jpg)

83 KB JPG

You stop. It can't be this easy- couldn't be. You glance around the street quickly, looking for a threat, any kind of threat.

No. Nothing. More than nothing in fact- no one else is on the street here, aside from you, the man in the bowler, and Patricia.

And the men following you.

You remember them just in time, and bolt- you hear a crack, and a bullet flies past you, ricocheting off the street.

You run forward, making for your car, as the man in the bowler stands up shouting, "No guns, no guns! I told you, no bloody guns!"

It's bizarre that the streets are barren- still, you can't focus on that. You rush forward, crouched low- at least the gun shots stopped.

You can get to your car, that's the most important part. You take a look back- only one man after you, Stanley, red faced with the pistol still in his fist. Earnest and the Irishmen are pursuing Patricia, without weapons. They're scrambling to keep up with her. Jesse not among them. The man in the bowler hat is ahead of you, by your car, and he looks angry, probably at the men. But you do note the brass knuckles on his fists.

Patricia is running off, to the left. Away from you. She'll draw off two pursuers- she's very spry, you note.

>[ ] Stop. Don't rush headlong in to anything and give Stanley an excuse to shoot you.
>[ ] Push past bowler hat, get in to your car. Most important thing right now is to get driving.
>[ ] Get in to the car, dig out the straight razor. Now is the time and place.
>[ ] Hatchet the bowler hat man, before he can get you with those knuckles.
>[ ] Turn back, yelling, waving around your weapon. Get the attention of these guns before they make the old woman's day worse.
>[ ] Other.

>>27156578
You mean these?

Here's where I downloaded most of them, don't know where the original link is, sorry.

http://twistedsifter.com/2011/05/vintage-mugshots-from-1920s-black-white/

File: 1378880392308.jpg-(590 KB, 900x1197, 1376009902734.jpg)

590 KB JPG

>>27156782
like these

>>27156782
Throw the hatchet at bowler hat like we're an angry Indian taking our revenge on the pale faces. Then turn to face the rest of the men.

"YOUR ACTIONS ARE INJUST, AND IN VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES LAW. CEASE AND DESIST IMMEDIATELY, OR I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE ACTION!"

>>27156782
I want to say grab the razor, but I'm going to say
>[ ] Push past bowler hat, get in to your car. Most important thing right now is to get driving.

File: 1378880500094.jpg-(601 KB, 900x1195, tales-of-mystery-and-imag(...).jpg)

601 KB JPG

>>27156922
Ohhh.

http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/harry-clarke

>>27156782
>[ ] Push past bowler hat, get in to your car. Most important thing right now is to get driving.

And don't get punched while we do that.

Rolled 10, 39 = 49

>>27156942
>>27156983
Alright, gimme a bit, writing.

Thanks :) The style... It's very interesting. I like it.

Aaaand my power went out.

Speaking to you via phone.

Which ate like the three posts worth of stuff I had written.

bah

Sorry to leave everyone on this note. See you on Thursday, at 4:00PM. Hopefully the power will be back by then. Barring there being ANOTHER flood.

Honestly, spent like five minutes raging before I remembered me phone.

Sorry everyone.

Have a good night.

>>27157365
NOOOOOOOOO! It's ok it was getting late anyways. Sleep tight OP.

>>27157365
Too bad. Sleep well and may your power soon resume.

>>27157365
Tch, that sucks, see you Thursday. You want one of us to archive this thread?

>>27157404
Alright, thread archived on suptg.

why tax quest
why

>>27160739
Hm?

>>27160776
I think it's dying.

It's my favorite quest too.

>>27160810
I hope not.

>>27160810
Why do you think that?