The sun hangs low on the horizon, and night markets are setting up their stalls. The squat buildings around you form into winding alleys and streets, filled with Madahi - the brown-skinned elves of the desert. You pull out a scroll from your pack, which has directions to your next destination. On the way, you dont see a single other human, but get plenty of stares.

The note leads you through a series of alleys down to a dusty bar. Elves, in pairs or larger groups, sit at every table, eating, drinking, and chattering. A particularly rowdy bunch is overtaken with laughter; two men have their arms around each other's shoulders and are singing a song. As they go into the chorus, a woman from another table looks over, face flushed. Robes stained with dust and sand drag across the floor, and all around you exposed faces glisten in the light that makes it through the tavern's small windows.

You dont, however, spot the elf youre here to meet. What should you do?
>Get a table
>Wait outside
>Other

>>1971873
>Get a table

>>1971873
>Get a Table

>>1971927
>>1971920
You look around the bar and find an empty table, in the corner by the window. Most of the elves are too focused on their merry making to pay attention to the human in their midst. The barmaid is too busy running around serving the other patients to take notice of you. Maybe thats for the best. You check your pocket watch its 15 minutes past 8, well past the time you were supposed to meet. Did you travel halfway across the world because of a prank?

Tapping your hands impatiently on the table, you decide to give it another fifteen minutes before getting on out of there. How should you busy yourself?
>Get a drink or some food from the barmaid
>Attempt to strike up a conversation with someone
>Take stock of your supplies
>Reminisce on your journey
>Change your mind and leave
>Will yourself to do nothing for fifteen straight minutes
>Something else?

>>1971961
>Attempt to strike up a conversation with someone
Always good to have new friends

>>1971961
>Reminisce on your journey
*brooding intensifies*

>>1971978
>>1971982
tiebreaker roll

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1971999
I fucked up

>>1971978

Slapping your hands on the table, you decide to fraternize with the locals. Youve come all the way here, so even if your contact ditched you, you might as well stay a while. Surely, just you being a human should be enough to get an elfs interest. You dont really speak their language, but alcohol is the universal translator.
You take another look around the bar to find any potential conversation mates. Who should you approach?


>The group of rowdy elves, still singing
>The bartender, preparing drinks
>Two male elves, sitting in the corner table, scrolls piled on their table
>A group of guardsmen, playing a game of some sort
>One of the barmaids, who has taken her break

>>1972033
>>One of the barmaids, who has taken her break

>>1972033
>>Two male elves, sitting in the corner table, scrolls piled on their table
or
>One of the barmaids, who has taken her break

>>1972033
Welp hopping on a band wagon>>1972033
>One of the barmaids, who has taken her break

Why aren't my apostrophes copypasting?
--
>>1972054
>>1972044
>>1972040
Chielo! She exclaims, a word which youve heard often enough to know means Human. She seems to be at a loss for words. Unfortunately, so are you, since you cant speak Elven and you are completely sober. You might be the first human shes ever seen, and right now, youre acting as an ambassador for your entire race! What should you do?

>Introduce yourself and try to break the language barrier
>Get some drinks
>Show her a cool human tavern trick
>Other

>>1972090
>>Introduce yourself and try to break the language barrier

>>1972090
>Introduce yourself and try to break the language barrier

Maybe she knows someone that speaks our language.

>>1972113
>>1972112
Hey, you say, pointing to yourself. My names Jay.

Jay. You repeat your name again, pointing at yourself.

Jay. One more time, just in case.

The barmaid gathers up all her coins and shoves them into a pocket of her robe. She brushes her hair back and tries to smile, but is obviously nervous. She glances at a pendulum clock in the corner of the bar.

D-Djey? Tak zovush? She asks, looking back at you and repeating your pointing motion.

Yeah, you say, then point at her. Your name is?

Ya? Ya Zaelya. Vinitz, Chielo perva videte.

Youre not exactly sure which part of that her name was, but before you get a chance to ask, you hear a word repeated from the table behind you. The tone is decidedly unfriendly.

Chielo? Da kto pro Chielo?

The barmaids gaze becomes trained on someone behind you, and you follow it, spinning around in your chair, to find an elf, with arms about as thick as your legs, standing up from his seat and staring at you. His black eyes narrow decidedly upon noticing your pale skin and rounded ears.

Oi! He shouts. Eto Chielo!

Luckily, nobody seems to notice they are all too absorbed in their drinks or conversations. Annoyed, the elf points an accusatory finger at you. The barmaid yelps again.

Nu yak kak! He shouts, then points at the bars exit. Idi pogov!

You dont understand a word of what he said, but its clear you need to defuse the situation. Luckily, you have a special skill you draw upon in situations like this. What is it?

>Your own strong muscles, your ability to hit hard and keep hitting.
>Your keen eyes, to spot the tiniest opening
>Your endless perseverance, physical and mental.
>Your silver tongue and social aptitude.
>Your knowledge and reason
>Your quick feet and hands
>Your luck

>>1972203
>>Your silver tongue and social aptitude.

>>1972203
>Your luck
Luck is always a cheat in any game

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>1972228
>>1972241
Are we a charisma man, or a luckster?

>>1972274
Though the major events in your life have found you to be a decidedly unlucky person, you find that with little things, such as a delicate situation in a tavern at the ends of the earth Maybe youre one of the lucky few blessed by the First Man himself.

>EFFECT: Certain events are more likely to play out in your favour. Get a minor (+10) boost to any roll. If a roll succeeds due to the luck bonus, it will be considered "lucky".
>Special Ability: First Man's Blessing and First Man's Curse: Once per session, can invoke "First Man's Blessing" to critically succeed at any action. However, sometime in the future, this will be balanced out by the First Man's Curse.
>Also, we now have a character sheet: https://pastebin.com/8ZpeP5Da

Angry at your non-response, the elf lunges at you, picking you up by your coats collar, uttering in a guttural growl what you can only assume to be expletives. The barmaid clambers away from the table toward the bar and starts urging the bartender to do something.

As you attempt to stammer something using your limited knowledge of the Madahi language, the doors to the tavern burst open violently, slamming jungle-wood against sandstone. Two elves, even more burly than your aggressor, with wide shoulders and thick foreheads muscle through the doorway and start scanning the bar. All eyes turn to the entryway, including those of the elf currently hoisting you up.

You never thought you'd be able to call a Madahi "pale", but that's the only way you could describe your new friends appearance when he saw the newcomers.

The contact was mutual. The two elves stomp over towards your attacker who drops you back in your chair.

"Ai, Dan'vel," One of the newcomers says, sticking a finger at your friend, "Zabyel? Lyre, Varish, Lyre. Gde Lyre!?"
"V-varishe, Danvel says, "Pyzohaera, Podaschdte..."
"Nye, Dan'vel. Pdarak, Schebe, van Brische."

Whatever the conversation's topic, it appears the elves decided to continue it outside. The enforcers grab Dan'vel under his shoulders. You thought he looked strong, but his kicking and blathering had no effect. You can't make out any words except "Please" as he is dragged out of the tavern.

The rest of the tavern's clientele, including the drunk's drinking companions, watch the exchange intently and silently before returning to their drinking and revelry. Nobody seems to pay much attention to you. These elves sure are taciturn!

[1/2]

>>1972342
You sigh, relieved, and turn back around in your chair. The barmaid comes back, smiling, with a drink from the bartender.

Nesplata, she says, smiling weakly and leaving the mug on the table. It seems as though her break has ended, as she returns to get more drinks from the bar for the other patrons.

You decide to return to your vigil. Your pocket watch shows its 25 past. You knock back the sweet-tasting brew, wondering just how much longer it'd be. If Avi didn't show, you'd need a room for the night which you had no idea where to find or how to ask for. Perhaps you should take a look at the phrasebook in your pack.

You worry turns to relief, however: the door to the bar creaks open once more, revealing a just-set sun and, closer to earth, a tall elf, wearing the typical white robes of these desert-dwellers. The only reason you recognize him as your contact is the three rings pierced through his left ear, and the embroidered sun set into his robe: the same he was wearing when you first met, months ago in Eovna.

It only takes him a second to pick you out amongst the patrons. He briskly walks over, his arms spread wide.

Jay, my friend! He says, How good it is to see you again!

How do you reply?

> Good to see you, Avi.
> Youre late.
> Im sorry, who are you?
> Other

>>1972374
> Good to see you, Avi.
>Other (Reminisce about our past with Avi)

>>1972374
>> Youre late.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Ok there's definitely a problem with my apostrophes and quotation marks not pasting properly
>>1972395
>>1972403
So are we friendly or curt?

File: Avi.jpg (69 KB, 600x690)

69 KB JPG

>>1972446
Youre late, Avi, you say, curtly. Do you think it was easy for me to get here? Shall I bring out the map and show you.

Avi looks hurt by your words, his arms and ears both drooping.

Ah, my deepest, deepest apologies, friend, but there was some business to take care of. It is finished now, maybe.

Maybe?

Yes, maybe, he repeats, waving at you to stand. Avi looks over at the bartender, who nods at him and raises a hand to a door at the back of the tavern.

Come, Avi says, We go to a quieter place.

You follow him into the back room a small booth with a table and benches, lit by a few lanterns and the moonlight. The two of you sit across from each other.

The journey was comfortable? Avi asks.

The journey was as comfortable as it could be, but what do you tell Avi?

> Nothing special
> Long and unpleasant
> Other

>>1972477
>It was comfy

>>1972477
>The journey was surprisingly pleasent

>>1972477
"As comfortable as it could be."

>>1972510
seconding

>>1972495
>>1972497
>>1972510

It was comfortable, You say, Your gold made sure of that.

I am glad to hear that. And how about the rest of the gifts?

I havent had to use the sword yet luckily, and the phrasebook, well-

Avi waves his hand as if to say he understands. The barmaid comes in with more drinks and a plate of Madahi bread and spreads. Avi takes a piece, and you do the same.

Now, let us to business in local style. I am Avi, humble servant of DavEd, king of all AiMadah. Forty eight days ago, you saved my life. Let us eat and drink to your health!

And Im Jay, a humble servant of no man or elf. Lets!

Avi gulps the bread down in one bite. You try to do the same, but the thick dip necessitates several rounds of swallowing.

On that topic, my friend, Avi continues. Do you have the tools which you used that time?

You pat your chest, where, just underneath your coat, your two pistols, your two pistols hang in their holsters. Your only inheritance from your father.


Ho-ho, Avi says, then gulps down some of his brew. Very good, very good indeed. When those brigands came upon me, I thought I was sure to breathe my last when suddenly, out of the night, an explosion of light and sound!

Avi waved his arms to emphasize his words.

Dead in the blink of an eye. Truly frightening tools, those Mishiman guns.

What do you say?

>It was a lucky shot.
>What can I say? Im the best gunman there is.
>"Why do you ask?"
>"They're not tools, they're weapons."
>Other

"Why do you ask?"

>>1972572
>What can I say? Im the best gunman there is
Just cause we are luck doesn't mean its all luck

>>1972572
>>It was a lucky shot.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>I don't know what's going on, my quotation marks appear in the post box but they don't show up in the post itself. MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTT

>>1972588
>>1972594
>>1972596
Inquisitive, bragging, or humble?

>>1972668
What can I say?" You put your hands on your hips. "Im the best gunman in all Eovna."

"Ha!" Avi laughs, "I am happy to see such confidence! Perhaps it is that attitude which saved me, alone against wicked men."

"Brigands are persistent pests," you say, taking a drink. "No one will miss three less of them."

"You know, there are some here who think all humans are wicked but you helped me, Jay. And I give you my sword and my book."

"That you did, and, a week later, your coin and your scroll, asking me to come here."

"And come you did."

"Well great, now were all caught up," You say, eating more bread. "So, where do we go from here? Will you show me how the elves of the desert celebrate their victories? A galloping tour of the edge of the world?"

Avi smirks, then chuckles, then sighs.

"Jay, my friend, I implore you to think," he says, tapping his temple. "I bid you, come to Ai'Madah, land of the Madahi, or, as you say, Desert Elves. And you come. You are given a welcome, and gold, from me, a humble servant of the king of all Ai'Madah. And you take. Do you know what this means?"

"What? What does it mean?"

"Varish, Varish!" Avi says, leaning over the table and clapping you on the back. "You are too, now, humble servant of King Dav'ed of all Ai'Madah."

It takes a while for you to process this information, so you stare at Avi, slack-jawed. It looks like he thinks youve accepted a contract with his King. Better not let news of this get out in Eovna, lest you be drawn and quartered as a traitor to humanity.

Avi leans across the table, and places his hand on yours.

"And King Dav'ed calls, humble servant, for he has work for a man such as you."

How do you react?

>What does an Elven King want from a Human?
>I never asked for this.
>Other

>>1972705
>What does an Elven King want from a Human?
I have a feeling refusing a king's offer might be a death sentence

>>1972705
>other
Let us drink to our new found job. Then maybe ask what our job is

You take a moment to consider Avis offer, before shaking off his hand and grabbing your mug.

"Lets drink to it, then!" You shout. Avis spirits brighten, and he grabs his mug as well. You both drink to the bottom.
"Now then, you say. "What would your King Dav'Ed have me do?"

Avi must have expected you to ask, but then again, why wouldnt he.

"Let us start a little further behind. I have bid you to come here, to a place which, from human eyes, is the end of the world. I do this because I see what you can do. You are no mercenary, who works for coin, or a soldier dog, who kills at the orders of his master. You are good of heart, to save someone like me, a stranger in human lands."

"And..." Avi leans over the table, poking your chest. Your pistols rattle in their holsters. "You have two things that are not easily found, even in the lands of humans."

Your pistols. The men from across the sea brough their Teppo nearly 60 years ago, changing the face of the continent - the weapons that turned the tides of war, and won humanity its independence for the first time in more than 400 years. The large matchlocks spread like the fire they spewed, and were now near ubiquitous throughout Eovna, but these small, handheld pistols remained a rarity, toys of dukes and noblemen.

"In your heart, and your assets, the King sees a powerful servant. You wander no more - you have duties to fulfill. And the king's servants are rewarded handsomely - the sabre and gold you carry is proof of His generosity. There is work for you already, my reason for meeting you here."

Avi hasn't let you get a word in edge-ways this entire time, but he's done talking, at least for the moment.

> "You havent answered my question."
> "Im going to need some more drinks."
> "Do I have a choice here?"
> Other

>>1972805
>> "Im going to need some more drinks."
Then while we are drinking question him again

>>1972805
https://youtu.be/1-fUAEal1IQ

>>1972934
>>1972869
"I'm going to need some more drinks. Lots of drinks."

"Not a single problem." Avi turns to the door. "Devka!"

At his shout, there is a knock at the door, and the barmaid enters. The tavern has gotten a little less noisy in the time you've been talking and eating - the loud group seems to have left. Avi gives her an order, and she disappears, returning with more mugs a few moments later. The two of you drink again.

"Avi," You say, apprehensively. "You've been talking for a while, but you haven't answered my question. What do you want me to do?"

Avi seems embarassed.

"Sincerest apologies, friend," He says, giving a half bow. "It is bad habit of mine. Allow me to explain."

Avi pulls out a scroll from underneath his cloak, showing a map of the surrounding area.

"There is cargo here, in Paessrin, that the King requires be sent in safety to him. Yet there are those who would wish this not to be so. You must make it so."

"I'm going to need something more than that."

"Velskche, you did not ask so much questions earlier. Very well."

He fingers a route over the parchment.

"The cargo leaves on Chervoz in tomorrow morning, half hour past the rising of the sun-"

"What's a Chair vase?" You ask.

"It is not chair vase, it is Chervoz. You did not see it?"

"No, I came straight here from the market."

"Well then, haha, you will see. It is like a cart with horse. Just come to this spot in town."
Avi puts a mark on the map, then continues.

"Chervoz goes from here, to Yazrek, then Paesstok, then finally, Ai'Madah. You and me, we take Chervoz. We watch cargo. No harm comes to cargo. No harm comes? You are paid. Our Desert Lyre, Your Imperial Faces, jewels, or our finest weapons and armour. Whatever you desire."

What do you desire?

>I'll take the Lyres.
>I'll take the Faces.
>I'll take the jewels
>I'll take the weapons.
>I'll decide later.

>>1972939
Decide later but for now he owes us

>>1972939
Ask about the lyre and faces

>>1972939
>Lyre.
I have a feeling we will be in the desert for a while

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>1972980
>>1972990
>>1973008
Are we indecisive, inquisitive, or practical?

>>1973020
"I'll decide later," you say. "But don't you forget, Avi - you owe me."

"I am offended you would even suggest such a thing!"

To his credit, Avi looks sincerely shocked.

"After we arrive safely in Ai'Madah, we shall talk of your prize." He says.

You grab, and drink, another mug.

"So all I have to do is watch the cargo?" You ask.

"And make for certain that it is kept safe."

"Ok," you say. Maybe all of this Madahi Mead has been getting to you. "Ok, so... all I have to do is..."

"Listen, Jay," Avi says, interrupting. His face is suddenly serious, more serious than you've ever seen it before - even as you pulled him out of the wreckage of his cart, from under the body of the bandit with a bullet in his brain. "Before, maybe you cut trees. Smash rocks. Live your life, with empty purpose. Wander through the land, doing petty work. Dav'ed is wise, and he sees potential in your service. You can do great things, not only for the Madahi, but for the humans as well."

"Really?" You raise your eyebrows. "How will delivering Dav'Ed his mail bring prosperity to humanity?"

Avi doesn't respond, but glances outside the window. The night chill has begun to slip in. He stands up, dropping a fistful of Lyres on the table.

"It is time to leave. Let us go."

"Wait!" you shout, but Avi's already out the door.

You curse, grab your pack, and run out of the tavern - now empty, the barmaids cleaning up the last of the spilled food and mead. Avi stands just outside, eyeing the thinning evening crowds.

"Look around," he says, "Is there anything to notice?"

(roll 1d100+10, I'll take the best of 3)

Rolled 45 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1973064

Rolled 81 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1973064

>>1973109
>>1973116
(81-10 = 71 > target = 60)

Eyeing the streets and alleys leading away from the tavern, you don't notice anything in particular - except for what appears to be the shape of an elf, disappearing into a dark alley.

"There was someone in the alley over there," you say, pointing.

"Ah, so you saw," Avi smiles, "Your eyes are sharper than they seem."

"Does he have to do with the 'business' you mentioned?"

Avi shrugs.

"Perhaps so. Perhaps he is an agent that seeks to damage the work of the King. Or perhaps, he is but a pickpocket, seeking to strike under the cover of night. Stay close, my friend."

Avi sets off. You pull your scarf up over your nose and follow him.

"Where are we going?" You ask.

"I will show you a safe house where you may spend the night. Tomorrow, when the clock is at ten minutes after seven, meet me at Chervoz. We shall go onwards together."

You follow Avi through the darkened streets of the city. The desert moon, high above, lights your path, but does little to keep the desert's chill from your bones. You don't understand how Avi can stand it, given he's wearing three less layers than you are. Or so you assume.

Eventually, Avi brings you to a squat, sandstone building surrounded by other, seemingly identical ones.

"We're here," he says, and thrusts a key into your palm. "Remember. Tomorrow."

"I'll be there." You say. Avi nods and gives a short bow. He turns as if to leave, but stops himself.

"And one more thing. You can pull down that scarf. It is plain as day that you are human anyway. It only makes the people more afraid."

Before you can respond, Avi spins on his heels and disappears into the city.
A retort stuck in your throat, you unlock the door and enter your home for the night.

[1/2]

>>1973177
Wait not that it matters since we passed anyway but isnt it +10 not -10 I thought that was our luck bonus

>>1973177
The house is quite nice for the circumstances: it's only one room, but there is a wooden bed with a mattress and a blanket, a table and a chair, and a mirror on the wall. A fireplace is built into one of the walls, which you light using some flint you find next to it. Then, you lock the door and pull the curtains tight over all the windows.

You sit back down on the bed in front of the crackling fireplace. Your thick black locks fall over your forehead, which you slick, helped by a fair amount of grease, back over your head.

First, you pull down your scarf - your unshaven scruff has begun to itch. Next, remove your overcoat - an import bought at a trader's fair from a merchant from across the sea. Then go your pistols, which you unstrap and leave under the bed. Your knife and sabre, a gift from the King, are unhooked last.

You lie down on the bed, kicking off boots covered in sand. Avi's words come back to you.

A lot of what he said was true. For the few years leading up to your meeting, your life has been somewhat hollow. You travelled from town to town, doing odd jobs: lumberjacking, herding cattle, loading goods for merchants - jobs that didn't fit someone of your birth, or deserved stature - though that birth and stature were made moot, by the fault of your mother.

But now what? Here you are, a bastard son at the ass-end of the known world, consorting with Elves and serving an Elven king. True, the Desert Elves - the Madahi - weren't the same Elves that had dominated humanity, but they were - at the least- cousins.

Lying there on the bed, you had a choice - or was it merely an illusion?

> Meet Avi at the Chervoz tomorrow morning.
> Go to the Chervoz to scope it out.
> Don't go to the Chervoz. Instead...
> Write in.

>>1973205
Scope the place out before hand

>>1973205
>> Meet Avi at the Chervoz tomorrow morning.

>>1973198
Even without the luck bonus you passed, which means you passed based on your skill. If you only passed because of the luck bonus, for example, if you rolled a 51 (+10 = 61) you'd pass based on the luck (which means the situation plays out differently)

>>1973241
>>1973243
Will we be cautious or trusting?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1973260
I fucked up again.

>>1973260
If its not to late I'll put my faith in Avi

File: Jay.jpg (480 KB, 1937x2362)

480 KB JPG

>>1973279
>>1973243
>>1973241
I was in the middle of writing out option 1 but I'll take a human tiebreaker over a computer one.

File: Jay's Path.jpg (95 KB, 706x279)

95 KB JPG

>>1973307
You're going to take up Avi on his offer.

Your life can't continue the way it's been going. Something has to change, and no better place to start than here. Avi said, the king was generous... and perhaps, in his service, your actions would have some purpose beyond just earning enough money to make it to the next job. Maybe, eventually, you'll make enough to strike a few black marks from your record. The Madahi aren't the Aelfa, humanity's former masters and the omnipresent "others". If you remember your history books, these Desert Elves should harbor as little love for the Imperial Elves as your countrymen do.

And sure, you are a Bastard, but you were still human, damn the First, and you're going to get what you deserve. If service to an Elven king is what you need to get what's yours, then that's what you'll do. But if that King is looking to betray you, you'll make sure he gets his.

You ball your hands into fists.

Across the desert, among the spiral towers of Ai'Madah, Dav'Ed awaits.

---

It's late over here so that's it for tonight folks. I'll stick around for a bit and answer any questions/hear your comments. The story will probably continue Tuesday.

>>1973326
Like it so far its been fun

File: d36ccdcf075290c78ae8478ae(...).jpg (396 KB, 1280x960)

396 KB JPG

And we're back.
>>1973326
You wake up to the first rays of light, peeking through the house's heavy curtains. You rouse yourself from sleep and repeat last night’s routine in reverse – putting on your clothes, strapping on your knife, sabre, and pistols, donning your overcoat and pulling up your scarf. Grabbing your pack, you exit the house and lock it. Then, you turn around and find yourself face to face with Avi, who is leaning against the wall of the house across the narrow street.
He’s wearing the same robes he was wearing yesterday – plain white with a golden sun. You recall he told you meet him at the "Chervoz", but here he is now.

What should you do?

>Approach Avi
>Ignore Him
>Other

>>1978651
>Approach Avi
>Strike up a conversation
Might as well be friendly with our new coworker

Updated Character Sheet: https://pastebin.com/Mxux9hAU
>>1978676
You walk over to Avi, who reaches into his robes and pulls out a flask. You take it and drink, then hand it back to him, but he motions for you to keep it. The drink is some kind of tea, though it has a twinge of ale in it as well.

"Good morning, Varish," he says. "It seems yesterday’s mead was not too difficult for you."

"Hah!" You laugh, taking some bread and jerky from your pack and biting into it. " This elven stuff doesn't hold a candle to our brews."

"So you say, so you say."

"Anyway, what's going on? Why are you here?"

"The situation has changed," Avi says, then pauses as another elf passes by. Once she turns the corner, he continues. "I come to bring you a warning - be mindful on your way."

You take a look up and down the street. Elves are leaving their homes, heading to their workplaces or businesses.

"Why's that?" You ask.

"The details aren't important. I noticed yesterday, you are a perceptive fellow, yes?"

"Not particularly. I tend to notice things mostly by chance."

"Oh," Avi says, seeming confused. "Well then, do your best. If you notice anything odd, Pyzoha, tell me."

What do you do?

>Acknowledge his request
>Press Avi for more details
>Suggest the two of you go to the "Chervoz" together
>Other

>>1978816
>press avi for more details

>>1978816
>Suggest the two of you go to the "Chervoz" together
Again maybe get along with our new friend

>>1978869
>>1978875
"Anything, or anyone, in particular I should be looking out for?" You ask.

Avi eyes the passerby again, then answers.

"Observers," he says. "Followers. Anything that is where it should not be. Strange motions or utterances. Commotions in times when there should be silence, and silence when it should be loud."

"Avi -" You start, but are interrupted.

"That is all I can say on that matter. Time runs short. You must be on your way."

The list Avi gave you is both vague enough and extensive enough that it could only really be useful to an experienced detective or spy; of which you are neither. Maybe two pairs of eyes would be better than one?

Roll 1d100+10 (target=70).

Rolled 89 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1978905
Lets procced to not notice a spy and get stabbed

Rolled 39 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1978905
rollllliiinnng

>>1978934
>>1978936
(89 > 70)

"Avi," you say, with sincere concern. "You clearly know what to look for, and I don't. If there are spies or thieves out there, maybe watching us right now, I don't want to miss one and get stabbed. We should go together."

Avi considers your words, tapping his foot impatiently. After a moment, he sighs and gives a brief nod.

"Fine, let it be so. But be warned, my friend - this may put you in danger more than it does me."

Noting Avi's new warning, you pull out your map. Avi steps in beside on and draws out three routes with his fingers.

"Chervoz is here. We are here, to get there, we can go three ways. First way is taking the main streets. It shall be crowded at this time, but it is most direct. Second way is to use alleys. We can avoid crowds, and arrive quicker, but crowds may provide safety that shall be missing on the small streets. Last, we may follow the city walls, taking the long road around this way. Like the alleys, it shall be less crowded, but it will delay us further."

Which path should you take?

>The standard route
>The alleys
>The long way around

>>1978989
>The alleys
If someone is gonna spy on us they'll have to face us in a fight nowhere to hide

>>1978989
>>1979031
Sure why not lets get shanked in an ally

>>1979031
>>1979038
"Let's take the alleys - and be ready if we are accosted."

"If that's what you believe is best, let us do so."

The two of you set off, following the path Avi laid out. With the sun just rising, the streets are filling up with workers, merchants setting up stalls, beggars, and patrolling guards - but you shy away from those areas, keeping to the narrow passageways between homes and buildings as you make your way to the Chervoz. Perhaps this was the right choice after all; the way you're dressed, not to mention the way you look, would be sure to attract a lot of attention in the morning crowds.

Despite the light of day, the alleys remain dim, and you only catch brief glimpses of the life of the streets - workers carrying wooden beams, morning markets with merchants hawking their wares, little elven children making their way through the crowds. The world you see is different: drunkards barely stirring on stairs, or sour looking housewives staring from second-floor balconies. Nothing seems out of place to you just yet, however.

"Avi," you decide to ask. "What do the Madahi think of Humans, anyway?"

He furrows his brow.

"It varies," he answers. "It is a wide spectrum."

"Well, I ask, because -"

"The crusade of a decade past? Yes, there is no doubt that has made some wounds. But we Madahi know humans live short lives. Maybe already, one man out of five who fought in those is dead. Soon, Eovna will be filled with new humans, and we do not punish sons for the sins of their fathers - or their countrymen."

"So, you think most of you wouldn't have a problem with Men?"

"Hah!" Avi laughs. "I think most of 'us' would see you as a curiousity. But our culture values respect for others and compassion. I can say for certain, many a Madahi would wish to question you about the realm of Man, but few would dare to approach you."

"But surely, some of them must remember the war, and few Men but warriors have ever come to this land. Could they really tell that I am, say, just a trader from Sevina and not another Crusader from Mostyn?"

"Jay," Avi says, stopping briefly. "Apologies for rudeness, but you do not have the look of a Crusader. And though Chielo may be foolish enough to apply such sweeping thoughts, you, Varish, may have surprise of the views of the Madahi."

He doesn't seem interested in pursuing the conversation further. You continue following him through the alleys. You cross one large street, pushing your way perpendicularly between the crowds. According to the map, there's only a little farther to go.

Do you notice anything odd on this final stretch?

>Roll 1d100 (target=75)

Rolled 19 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1979125
Lets hope we do

>>1979142
Guess not

Rolled 32 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>1979125

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>Does Avi notice anything?

>>1979218
we're getting stabbed in an alley, rip dreams.

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>>1979218
>>1979207
>>1979142
Nothing seems to be amiss, and Avi, though you can see him scanning the windows and rooftops with narrowed eyes, doesn't seem to notice anything either. You can see, through the opening of this last alley, a wide plaza up ahead.

"That is it," Avi says, pointing. "The entrance to Chervoz is there - ha ha, I wonder what you shall think when you see-"

Just as you reach the entrance to the plaza, the two of you nearly bump into a guard stepping into your path. Avi attempts to slide past him, but he changes his stance to stop him. Avi steps back, and pushes you back slightly as well.

"It appears some trouble has found us," Avi whispers to you, before putting his hands up. You decide to do the same.

The guard wears the usual armour of the Madahi; a purple cape and a thin, black metal chestplate. His helmet has a faceplate, so you can't see where he's looking and can't puzzle out any expression his face may be betraying. Though carrying a spear, you spot he also has a short sword hanging from his side.

"Nazad!" He shouts, stepping towards you. Avi takes a step back and so do you.

"Pidzhe, Varish," Avi says, raising his hands further, but narrowing his eyes. "Arma nyet. Tolko Pasazhiri."

"Nazad!" The guard repeats. You take another step back, looking behind you; just as you expected, another guard is coming up from behind.

He continues to command you back, and you and Avi keep moving, until you end up in a small side passageway. The two guards stand at the only exit, brandishing their spears.

"Me Znayi teba!" The one on the right barks. "Pasilka - gde!?"

He thrusts his spear at Avi, who leans away from it. Avi is sweating nervously, continuing to glance around the rooftops.

"Vas netot," Avi says. "Tolko Pasazhiri."

So far, all of the guard's attention has been focused on Avi. What should you do?

>Try to say something
>Draw your sword!
>Draw your pistol!
>Try to run!
>Write in

>>1979279
try repeating what avi is saying.

Ask Avi what is happening.

>>1979302
"Tall-koe Pahsajeery!" You shout, trying to repeat Avi's words.

"Malchi, gavna Chielo!" The guard on the left yells at you, waving his spear in your direction.

"Avi," you whisper, giving him the side-eye. "What's going on? What do they want?"

"These are no guards," Avi hisses back. "They want information. We must press for time."

"Malchi!" The two guards take a step forward, bringing their speartips that much closer to your throats.

"Pizhohaera, Varishe. Shoto nepaymu. Vas netot -"

"Malchi! Me znayi ti Dav'Ed en Madahi! Pasilka - gde Pasilka! Kuda idot!?"

What should you do?

>Shut up; Avi can speak the language; let him handle it
>Be useful; Try to waste the guards' time to help Avi stall.
>Resist; the guards are clearly agitated and it's only a matter of time before someone ends up a corpse

>>1979439
Be useful

Can we do any tricks?

>>1979609
You decide to help Avi in any way you can.

"Ah, uh, Varishee.." You begin, causing the left guard to turn toward you again while the right guard continues yelling at Avi. Your knowledge of the Madahi language quickly comes to a close, though, and you're reduced to randomly spouting out any word you can muster up from memory. You haven't really accomplished much.

The guards have had enough, though. The one on the right nods his head at the one on the left, the brings his spear to bear on Avi, pushing him up against the wall. The one on the left begins to approach you; perhaps to take a hostage.

What do you do?

>Resist
>Do not resist
>Write in

>>1979714
>Resist
they'll have my body over my dead body

>>1979714
Resist

Time to put our sabre to use.

>>1979714
Resist we have guns use them

>>1979741
>>1979755
>>1979734
Tiebreaker - will we resist with our guns or our sword?

>>1979781
I'll vote guns I mean we have used those mores I think

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>>1979793
>>1979755
>>1979741

There's nowhere this can go but downhill, fast. Avi's talking is getting him nowhere, and stalling clearly isn't working.

Moving as quickly as you can, you reach into your jacket to grab your pistol. Given the tight quarters of the passageway, there's little chance that you'll miss.

> Let's shoot first
> Just threaten them with it

>>1979819
>Threaten
The pistols seem to be a rare thing and people recognize how deadly they are

>>1979819
Lets kill these guys the messed with us they got themselves to blame

Whoops, left off my tripcode. That was me before, trust me!
>>1979855
>>1979831
Can we get a tiebreaker vote?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1979892
Rollin' for it
>1: shoot
>2: threaten

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34 KB JPG

>>1979951
As your pistol flies from your coat, you catch a look in Avi's eyes that can only be called despair.

You take aim at the guard approaching you, and before he even realizes what's going to happen, you pull the trigger. The pistol's mechanisms strike flint on steel, igniting the powder you loaded in the flashpan, creating a deafening blast of sound and a cloud of smoke - propelling a steel ball at an incredible speed.

At this distance, the ball strikes the guard square in the chest, punching through the his steel breastplate as though it were paper. The impact flings him backwards, knocking him flat on his back. The second guard is dazed by the cacaphony.

You swear you can hear Avi curse, but before you can even pull out your second pistol he dashes at the remaining guard, bringing out a stilleto dagger from somewhere in his cloak. He's on the guard in half a second, bringing the stilleto through the eyehole of the guard's faceplate. After three more precise strikes, that elf too, lies dead on the ground.

The two of you stand, sweating in rivulets, for a few moments before Avi collects himself.

"That was unwise," he says. "Efficient, perhaps. But unwise. Velkishe, how loud that thing is!"

You step over the bodies of the guards and peek out into the alley. The smoke may cause some heads to turn, but the hum of the morning rush means the sound must have gone unnoticed. A lot of that probably owed to the fact that almost none of these Elves had heard a gun fire before; and thus thought of its firing as just part of a city's soundscape.

You turn back into the alley and Avi is kneeling over the body of one of the guards, checking his pockets and underneath his armour. While peeking under the guard's sleeve, a grave look comes across his face.

"What's the matter?" You ask, stepping over to him. "Shouldn't we get moving?"

"It is as I expected, from the moment I heard them speak," Avi says. "Let me just to confirm my suspicion."

You don't understand what he's on about, but you crouch down next to him anyway. With a slow hand, Avi reaches for, and removes, the guard's faceplate.

"Velkishe..." He says. You don't have any words on the matter.

The guard's faceplate hides not the deep brown of a Desert Elf, but the pale, almost colourless skin, and the inhumanely large, black eyes of an Aelfa - the Imperial Elves, and the former masters of mankind.

---
Ending here for tonight. Will stick around for questions and continue on Thursday.