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>>32849631
Your name is Jacob Henderson and leaning back in your seat, you pilot the captured pirate vessel lazily; after all it isn’t your boat and you plan to sell it as soon as you hit land in Glasport. That and the fact that it handles much the way you’d imagine a dead whale would; cumbersome and sluggishly. You look ahead at the ship you wish you were on, the one you’ve come to think of as home.

She was a sturdy old girl, nothing to brag about as far as looks, and long overdue for some fresh paint, but she handled like a dream and it was almost like she was built for you. At her helm you can see your old friend and expert first mate, Stephanie Grey, having moved the seat aside she stands before the wheel, bent slightly so she can reach it. You had to admit, for having to steer such a shitty boat, the view made up for it. She was dressed in a pair of volleyball shorts that clung to her well-rounded gluts and a loose-fitting jersey, both pre-flood and a bit worn, but they looked just fine to you. Her auburn hair is pulled back into a pony stub as per usual.

Righting fully, you can see her grab a pair of binoculars and check the horizon a moment before turning towards you, hands waving exaggeratedly. You can just hear her over the two boats: “Land, HO!”

At the sound a young blond woman appears from below-decks, Anise Fabry, the girl you saved the other day. She’s wearing a lavender sundress, one of Stephy’s that she never wears, and her long blond hair blows softly in the sea spray. You and Stephany had untied her yesterday after it became clear she had no ill-intentions. And that she could cook pretty well.

>[Cont.]

>>32849644
Arriving at Glasport, you take in the small island. It was one of the first to be recovered after the flood, it flies the banner of the Reclamation of United Seas, though it was devastated in a PSAW raid 14 years ago only to rise from the ashes. Hundreds of civilians lost their homes or their lives and it has since become an example of just how far the Peoples for Sovereign Atlantic Waters are willing to go to destroy the RUS.

A large settlement, it takes up the majority of the island it sits upon, tall pre-flood buildings sitting alongside shorter, new ones. An interesting, if a bit schizophrenic, mix of architecture, the city itself was home to far more people than could logically fit, many living in converted office buildings or on large houseboats on the harbor.

After docking, you meet back up with Stephy and Anise and the first thing the redhaired girl does is toss you the keys to your boat. “Figured you’d like those back Jake. So, what’s the game plan? I’m sure Anise here is pretty hungry personally, what do you say Anise? Care for a bite?” It was good to see that Stephanie had taken a liking to the girl, the less drama the better in your book.

The blond girl gives a polite shrug and a shy smile, “If you’d like. I owe you two so much for rescuing me and giving me a ride; you don’t have to go out of your way for me. Stephanie told me about that meeting you had at the Bar-barian, feel free to see to that first.” Her voice was soft compared to Steph’s, but she seemed to have strength behind those blue eyes of hers.

First course of action:
>Get the pirate’s ship sold.
>Get some food and plan
>Set up your stand in the market
>Look into the Business Card Sergeant Tucker gave you in Ostrander Sea-Hub
>[Write in]

Rolled 81

>>32849657
>>Get some food and plan

>>32849657
>>Get some food and plan

I'm reading up on e archives and is Stephy our sister or what? I'm slightly confused

>>32849826
Stephanie is a childhood friend, you and her occasionally refer to each other as siblings as a joke but are unrelated.

>>32849826

>Your partner and you were in fact, not related. At most you were very, very distant 13th or 14th cousins, maybe. In truth she was just a younger schoolmate who happened to live next door. Your parents had arranged a playdate when you were 7 and she was 5. You’ve been nearly inseparable ever since, and when you mentioned your desire to leave home you didn’t even question whether or not she’d tag along. After all, who else would look after her?

>>32849860
>>32849861
Okay back to diving

“Frankly, food sounds pretty good. It’ll give us time to plan as well.” You say, thinking about how little you had to eat today. The major downside to piloting a boat by yourself was the lack of snack breaks, you couldn’t very well tag someone else in to man the helm while you ate.

Finding a small restaurant by the harbor the three of you get a table, the place looks nice, if a bit cluttered with pre-flood memorabilia. Who this Elvis guy was you hadn’t a clue, but he must have been pretty important. You order some light fair and get down to brass tacks.

“So,” You begin, looking around the table, “Right now we have a ship in the harbor that frankly I hate, we have a cargo hold full of guns and artifacts and a strange business card telling us to go to a strange bar to meet a strange woman given to us by a strange cop.” You turn to Anise, “If you’d rather not be involved in this you don’t have to be, you could wait on the ship and we can get you when we have some spare change to lend, do you know anyone here?”

She shakes her head before she speaks, her tone slightly lifted as if she’s trying to sound brave, “No, but I can handle myself. If the two of you like I could…” She blushes, obviously she’s spent a lot of time preparing this speech, “I could stay on to repay you two for saving me. I can cook and I can clean, and I’m a decent shot with a rifle; I may not look it, but I’m pretty tough.”

>Take her on, you could use the help
>Ask Stephany, it’s her boat too.
>Postpone your answer until you wrap up business here
>[Write in]

>>32850065
>>Ask Stephany, it’s her boat too.

>>32850065
>Ask Stephany, it’s her boat too.

The right answer

>>32850065
>>Ask Stephany, it’s her boat too.

Nodding you consider her suggestion. It would be nice to have someone onboard who could cook worth a damn, plus a third rifle could mean a lot in a firefight. You also considered that you had only just met her a few days ago, and you didn’t know all that much about her, that and the fact that you only had the two beds. Turning to Stephany, you feel a second opinion is in order.

“What do you think Steph? Extra set of hands?” You tone is neutral, and you know she’ll give her honest opinion, she always did.

She took her time thinking it over, stuffing a bite of battered cod in her mouth. Swallowing, she turned first to Anise, “She seems the capable sort, and she can cook a hell of a lot better than this place. Seriously, they call this fish and chips?” She gestures at her food with a smile, “And she seems pretty nice, for a nomad.” She gives Anise a playful push with her elbow, and you watch as the blonde girl smiles for the first time you’ve seen, it seemed that Steph and her had gotten to know each other the past few days. Finally she turns back to face you, “Besides, the boat could use a bit more femininity.”

You flash a cheeky smile, “Well that way we’d have at least one girl on board.” To which your friend pouts playfully, lifting a fist in a threatening manner that. It’s all for show, you know that, and you find a strange comfort in the gesture. Stephy had made her opinion clear, but you can’t help but worry that the life of travel, exploration and gunfights might be a bit much for the small girl.

>Take her on, you could use the help
>Best part ways, for her safety
>Postpone your answer until you wrap up business here
>[Write in]

>>32850494
>Take her on, you could use the help

Acquire Party Members

>>32850494
>>Take her on, you could use the help

The more you considered it, the more you figured that the pros of having her outweighed the cons. Smiling, you extend a hand across the table. “Welcome aboard.”

The blond girl smiles brightly and takes your hands, shaking it firmly for someone of her build. “Thank you Mr. Henderson, you won’t regret this.”

“Please, call me Jake.” You say with a laugh, Steph offers her hand to shake as well which Ms. Fabry takes after yours. Settling in, you eat your lunch while they work out the logistics, deciding that for the time being they would set her up a bed in the cargo hold for her privacy. At the mention of the hold, you were reminded of one of reasons you came here to begin with:

You were getting low on gas and short on money. It was getting close to noon now and you realized you probably wouldn’t have time to get all the things that needed doing done, not unless you divided forces. “So, ladies… and Stephany,” you grin as Steph’s face turns red, “We need to get this cargo offloaded, and that boat sold. We also have a meeting, but that can wait, some recon beforehand could do us some good. Anise, since you’re new you should stick with one of us, we’ll show you the ropes.”

Who will Anise accompany:
>You, it’ll give you a chance to learn her strengths and weaknesses
>Stephany, they get along well
>Let her decide

>>32850834
>>You, it’ll give you a chance to learn her strengths and weaknesses

>>32850834
>Stephany, they get along well

>>32850834
>>Let her decide

>>32850834
>>Let her decide

“So, which of us would you like to accompany?” You ask, gesturing at both yourself and your partner.

Anise contemplated it for a moment before blushing and saying “You, I think.” She quickly began to explain, her eyes turning away slightly, “I spent the entire trip over with Stephany, so I think we could use some time to get to know each other. Since I’m going to be working for you and all.”

“Working with me.” You correct, you don’t like the idea of hierarchies, after all you and Steph were both staunch advocates for Independent Islands, “To each their own, by their hands” and all that.

Nodding, Stephanie speaks up, “Now that that’s settled, what the plan?” She seems eager to begin, and excited to explore this new city.

What will Stephanie do:
>Seek out a buyer for the boat
>Set up the stall and start welling cargo
>Do recon on Ayn Scheller, the contact on the card
>[Write in]

What will you and Anise do:
>Seek out a buyer for the boat
>Set up the stall and start welling cargo
>Do recon on Ayn Scheller, the contact on the card
>[Write in]

>>32851217
>Seek out a buyer for the boat
>Set up the stall and start welling cargo

Rolled 28

>>32851217
Steph can
>Seek out a buyer for the boat

We'll
>Set up the stall and start welling cargo

>>32851217
>>32851257
>>32851279

Supporting

“Okay, since you’re so eager to get going, why don’t you try and find some poor schmuck to sell the boat to?” Words cannot begin to describe how much you want that boat out of your life. Probably because you were the one who had to clean up all the blood from the deck and drive the damn thing, so perhaps you were biased. Steph wasn’t going to win any debates any time soon, but she knew how to wheel and deal.

“And what about you and Anise?” Stephanie asks, leaning towards you over her now empty plate, “Don’t go getting any ideas.” Her tone is playful, but you can catch a hint of an edge to it and you can tell she means it.

Holding your hands up defensively you can’t help but laugh as you speak, Anise meanwhile is positively red with blush, “Me and her are going to work the stall, see if we can get some gas money. Figure I’d show her the most boring part of working with us first so she has time to consider her options.”

Nodding, Steph leans back, finishing off her glass of water before standing. “No time like the present then, I’ll ask around town, I’m sure there’s someone who’d want that old thing.” Walking past, your redheaded partner smiles as she moves by you, a hand brushing over your shoulder for a moment before she goes. “Be safe out there.”

You turn a bit to watch her leave, her grim machete hanging from her hip as she bounces away in her tight shorts. “You stay safe too.” You call after before turning back towards Anise. “Ready to get going?”

>Focus on training Anise [Command Check: 10]
>Focus on making money [Barter Check: 13]
>Focus on getting to know Anise [Inquiry Check: 12]
>[Write in]

Rolled 6, 5 = 11

>>32851584
>>Focus on making money [Barter Check: 13]

Time to make some money!

Rolled 9, 9 = 18

>>32851584
>Focus on training Anise [Command Check: 10]

Investments!

Rolled 2, 7 = 9

>>32851584
>>Focus on making money [Barter Check: 13]

>Barter Check: 9 (4 Successes)

You opt to focus on making money to start out, Anise sitting attentively nearby. She did a good job of attracting customers, with her lovely blonde hair and her warm, shy smile. You and her talked shop in the meantime, but mostly you had your sights set on reeling in customers and getting the best price you could. You sold well for your first attempt in a new town, the people eager to see what new things had been brought in, and equally eager to meet the pretty young girl at your side.

You did manage to learn that Anise was the daughter of a Nomad family, she was unaffiliated and though she had spent much of her time on boats, she had never gotten too good at navigation. She was a good shot with a rifle though, and was pretty skilled at fishing and swimming. She knew some basic first aid but mostly she was a cook and helped clean and mend clothing.

The guns sold first, the people eager to protect themselves lest the PSAW attack again, and the artifacts sold well too, though mostly to the older folks who remember stories from their parents. All in all you managed to rake in an impressive $38 RUS, and when Steph returned around sunset with another $112 things were starting to look up indeed and you began to consider that maybe stopping here wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

There was still a bit of time before the shops would start to close down, and you considered celebrating, you also considered paying a visit to Mrs. Scheller, whoever that was.

>Get some sleep, early to bed early to rise.
>Visit the shops, you’ve earned it [Decide on what to look for]
>Go to the Bar-Barian, meet with Ayn.
>Go have a late dinner and some dessert.

>>32852028
>>Go to the Bar-Barian, meet with Ayn.

Business before Pleasure

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>>32852028

>>32852028
>>Go to the Bar-Barian, meet with Ayn.

“Okay, we made a killing out there today, sold most of our stock and got rid of the damned eyesore of a dead whale of a boat.”

Steph frowns, “I sense a ‘but’ coming.” She shifts slightly, crossing her arms and giving you a serious look, she knew what you were going to say and for all her advocating she couldn’t help but worry it might be a trap or something equally sinister.

You elect to break the tension, “Silly Stephy, butts don’t come, you should know that.” You do your best to give a playful smile, and while you succeed in causing her to snort and blush she quickly refocuses.

However, she isn’t the first to speak, “Do you want one of us to go with you Jacob?” Anise seems worried as well, and you wonder how much Stephanie told her. Breathing slowly, you consider her suggestion.

“We don’t want to scare her off though,” Steph had turned to face the blond girl, doing her best to sound relaxed, “it’s probably not half as bad as we’re making it in our heads. After all, by Jake’s words Sergeant Tucker seemed like a nice guy.”

On the one hand having the backup could come in handy if things weren’t on the up and up, on the other hand you worried you might scare her off otherwise. Both situations had their problems and it seemed that this time, the choice was very clearly yours to make. You trusted Stephanie on most things, and she was generally right with her instincts, but when she was wrong things could get really bad, and Anise seemed pretty competent, but nomads weren’t always the most apt at social occasions.

>Anise is right, take someone with you [Who?]
>Steph is right, go in alone, have the others wait outside.
>[Write in]

>>32852304
>Steph is right, go in alone, have the others wait outside.

There's absolutely nothing that can go wrong

>>32852304
>>Steph is right, go in alone, have the others wait outside.

If things go bad, they can come in

>>32852304
>Steph is right, go in alone, have the others wait outside.

A long moment passes between the group, and all eyes are on you. Finally, you nod to yourself, “I’ll go in alone, you two can wait outside in case anything happens okay? Seriously, it’s just a meeting, I doubt Chris Tucker had anything sinister planned.” You say that both for their sake and your own, worst come to worst you’d just hightail it out of there and never go back.

The two followed you to the bar, one in the inner city. It looked shady, half-working florescent lights and a drunk laying in the street painted a pretty good picture. The alleys and streets around it formed a twisting labyrinth and it had taken you a while to find it, night had fallen but inside you could hear old music playing mixed with modern instruments to form a uproarious cacophony that almost worked in a way. Stephanie set a hand on your shoulder, looking you dead in the eye, “If something goes wrong, get out.”

Nodding, you set a hand on her cheek, “Promise. Keep an eye on Anise.” And with that you step away, adjusting your brown leather jacket before heading inside.

You were instantly hit with about 30 different smells, ranging from cigarettes to beer to vomit to roast beef. The music wasn’t as loud as you were expecting and the bar was moderately full, you could imagine that on busy nights it would be shoulder to shoulder. Making your way to the bar, you take a seat on a wooden stool between two leather covered ones. The barman walks up, a heavy man with greasy black hair. “Whatcha want boy?”

>Order a drink, something light to keep your head
>Order a drink, something strong to blend in
>Ask about Ayn and show him the card
>[Write in]

>>32852568
>>Order a drink, something light to keep your head

and then

>Ask about Ayn and show him the card

Let's be polite

>>32852568
>>Order a drink, something light to keep your head

“Just a beer.” You give him a polite smile and a nod, no need to try and act like a badass. You take in the music a while, casually looking around the bar. A decent amount of people are dancing, though most have polarized to the bar or booths alongside. This place takes all sorts it seems, burly men with tattoos and beards, effeminate fops in neon clothing, women of the night in tight fitting gowns, even a few men and women around your age, dressed in scruffy outfits and cheap jewelry.

When the barman returns you pop the cap on your beer, it’s in a recycled soda bottle but the taste and smell is distinct. Before he leaves you ask him, “Do you know an Ayn Scheller?” Your voice is calm and confident, which surprises you a little. He seems to ponder a moment, sizing you up.
“What’s it to yuh? Whatcha want with Ayn?” He leans forward on the bar, eyes scrutinizing your every move.

Reaching slowly into your jacket you pull out the card Sgt. Tucker gave you, handing it to him. “A friend sent me.”

He takes the card and looks it over, nodding to himself. “She’s in the back.” He grunts, gesturing to a door across the way, guarding by a dark-skinned man with a pistol on his hip. “Don’t go starting nothing, y’hear?”

Standing, you head towards the door, but the man stops you with an arm. “Do you have an appointment?” He stares down at you expectantly

>Greet the man nicely and explain things [Charm Check: 12]
>All business [Intimidate Check: 10]
>Tell him you do [Deceive Check: 10]
>Ask why you need one [Inquiry Check: 12]
>[Write in]

Rolled 6, 10 = 16

>>32852900
>>Greet the man nicely and explain things [Charm Check: 12]

We are most charming

Rolled 1, 2 = 3

>>32852900
>Greet the man nicely and explain things [Charm Check: 12]

Rolled 10, 10 = 20

>Charm Check: 3(9 Successes)

You hold up your hands non-threateningly and give a smile, “No, but I have a card from a friend of hers, told me to find her.” You pass the card to him, and start explaining the story. How you met the Sergeant and the interview, the gossip and the ride over, the danger and the dive, saving Anise, all just to end up here. “I need to speak with her.”

Surprisingly he nods, stepping aside, “If you trying anything, you’ll be dead, n’ah mean?” He keeps that same, serious tone but seems a bit more relaxed by your presence, maybe honesty is the best policy.

Stepping inside the room, you notice how much dimmer it is, only two bars of neon in the entire room casting a soft purple and red glow. You see an older looking woman seating in the corner, relaxing on an oversized pillow, she looked in her 30’s, a few wrinkles around her eyes but over all she aged well. Her brown hair cut short but classy, and she was dressed in lovely red gown. Flanking her stood a man and a woman, both with pistols at their hips, dressed in matching black slacks with red dress shirts, hard to come by these days.

“Take a seat.” She gestures to a chair nearby with one hand, righting herself on her cushion. “Not many people make it in here, so I must ask why you’ve come.”

>Tell her about Sgt. Tucker and the card
>Tell her about the card but not the Sergeant
>Ask her why she thinks you came [Deceive Check: 10]
>[Write in]

Rolled 6, 12 = 18

>>32853296
>>Tell her about Sgt. Tucker and the card

>>32853109
>>32853379
>2d20
Oh thaaaaat explains why you've been rolling so high.
It's 2d10.

Rolled 3, 5 = 8

>>32853422

Oops!

Rerolling

>>32853445

Wait, there was nothing to reroll for. Sorry, I'm a bit out of it tonight.

>>32853296
>>Tell her about the card but not the Sergeant

Sitting down, you inspect the room once more before answering, careful of your words. “Look, I’ll be honest.” You say, giving a polite shrug, “I’m not sure myself. A police Sergeant named Chris Tucker in Ostrander Sea-Hub slipped me a card for this bar with your name on it, I figured it would be a good thing to look into.”

She nods, eyeing you in a slow, calculating manner than sends a shiver up your back. “Tell me, what is your name?” Her voice is velveteen but had a hint of danger to it.

“My name is Jacob Henderson, I came here with two friends, they’re waiting for me outside.” You added the last bit as reassurance, though you don’t know if it helped you or hurt you. To be honest, you mostly said it to bring yourself some comfort.

“Listen, Mr. Jacob Henderson,” You can spot her accent now, Germanic, it explains the way people have been pronouncing her name, “Tucker is an old friend of mine, when he spots potential, he lets it drift my way. You, it would seem, have potential.” She sits upright, and as she does you notice how tall she is, seated lower than you but reaching slightly above you regardless.

“Potential?” You ask, clearly confused. “For what exactly?”

A smile peels across her ruby lips and she stands, towering over you with thin curves. “Tell me boy, what do you know about Atlantis?”

>End of Chapter 4
>1 Skill point gained, decide where to allocate it
>Anise Fabry has joined the party.

>>32853622

Raise Command? Could be useful with more party members.

>>32852089
>>32853622
For character sheet and skill list.

>>32853622
Navigation

>>32853622
>Charm
Be the classy dude, fuck bootyful redhead tomboys

>>32853747
Second
Stephy best waifu

>>32853706
Seconding this. How else will we find Atlantis.

Rolled 1

Rolling for it
>Charm
1
>Navigation
2

>>32853921
Charm it is then, even if I disapprove of the reasoning

Feel free to leave any more comments or critiques.

Follow this quest at https://twitter.com/StragglerRoTQ

Chapter 5 will probably be some time Tuesday, around 7PM PST

Sorry for any mediocrity today, works been a bitch but I really wanted to run this today.

Thanks for coming out.

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>>32853998
Forgot this.