>>45789894
>See if you can work around the inn - pay's not great, but it's warm

Ha! Ha! Time for bunny waifu simulator!

>>45789894
>See if you can work around the inn - pay's not great, but it's warm

>>45789894
>Got to be some spook work that needs dealing with, look around town.

>>45789894
>Snow shovelling, hard work, but it’ll pay decent

>>45789894
>See if you can work around the inn, pay’s not great, but it’s warm

>>45789894
>>Snow shovelling, hard work, but it’ll pay decent

alrighty, need a d20 best of 5

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>45790358

>>45790395
Welp

keep rolling, in case we get a 1

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>45790358
Watch, we get a 1 and Mike suddenly appears in this world.

With all the robots.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>45790358

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>45790358

>>45790539
or Dicksperado.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>45790358

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>45790358
Leon's already a more entertaining ghostbuster than https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ugHP-yZXw

>>45790608
jesus anon be careful

>>45790643
I could say the same of you.

The pay won’t be fantastic, but I can always take a job around the inn to put a dent in how much money we’re paying.

Agreeing to try and earn some money, Alison heads out into the street,having already taken an offer for chopping firewood for some rich family, while Sarah and I manage to sweet talk the owner into letting us run kitchen hand work for… surprisingly less awful pay than I’d expected, covering one of our two rooms, along with a free dinner at the end of the day.

We spend the better part of the next two days scrubbing and peeling potatoes, cleaning and scrubbing, running plates and drinks, leaving Kara impotently unable to help, for fear of her hood being snagged off by a drunken patron, and the nightmare that would come of her being seen by a room full of drunks.

It also happens that running plates to a room of drinkers let’s me hear things. Rumours of foul things. “Heard ol’ Springheel’s killed another last night.” A dock worker mutters into his cup as I pass, “Slit a girls’ throat, drank her blood and jumped up to the roof to make his getaway. In a single bound, no less.”

“Yer talkin’ out yer arse!” His friends guffaw, shoving him roughly

“S’true! He had horns like a devil! And carried a knife as long as me arm!”

“I heard he dressed like a rich knob, carried a cane.” Another muses, before they notice me listening in, shoving me away, “Get back to work ya bloody retch!” One of them grunts.

Hours later I catch another conversation, “They say Lord Tarlin’s new squire’s gonna amiss again, ‘slipped’ and fell on the river, cracked his skull on the ice before he drowned.” A dirty miner mentions

“That’s the fourth one to eat it this year.” His own friend points out. “Start to think the roles cursed.”

“Or someone’s doing it on purpose.” The miner adds under his breath, “You know what they say about Tarlick’s wife.”

“That she…. enjoys the company of young boys?”

“No! Not that! Just- never mind!” The miner snaps at his friend, before the inn owner drags me away, the last of the dishes needing to be cleaned.

The night ends, my fingers scrubbed raw and red…. but it probably beats working in the cold. I head back for my room, laying down on my bed and letting out a long groan. The pay might be good, but the work’s intensive. “Leon?” Kara calls my name, moving to sit beside me. “Mr Johnson was awake awhile earlier. He wanted me to tell you that you did good, getting everyone out.”

I grunt, tired to the bone, “How’s he doing?”

“....Better?” She shrugs, “He’s in and out a lot, but he doesn’t have a fever.” She feels my forehead for a moment, “You’re feeling… fine too.” She adds, staring around the small room. “Isn’t there…. anything I can do to help? I feel cooped up, going between this room and Mr Johnson’s.”

“We need someone to watch Mr Johnson, I trust you more than anyone else. And it’s safer in the long run.”

She nods slowly, shifting her legs under the blankets, shivering to herself. Alison’s still not back yet, she works late into the night, making sure her rich clients huge house stays warm until they’re in bed.

>You could go check out the Oendan church for us tomorrow? See if they know what we did.
>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous
>Kiss the bun
>Write in

>>45791077
>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous
>Kiss the bun

>>45791077
>kiss the bun

>>45791077
>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous
>Kiss the bun

>>45791077
>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous
>Kiss the bun

>>45791077
>>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous
>>Kiss the bun

>>45791077
>Just stick put, it’s too dangerous

File: Snow bunny.png (316 KB, 294x748)

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I sit up, wrapping a soft arm around her shoulders, “Just… please stay put? It’s only a little while longer, until the spook is healed, and then we can leave. Okay?”

She lets out a quiet sigh, but nods, her ears flopping down a little, a sign of disappointment from what I’m picking up. “Alright.” She finally agrees.

I bring her a little closer, “Thanks, Kara. I’m… glad I brought you along.”

I kiss her softly, her lips easily melding to mine for a moment, a small noise from her throat running tremors through her mouth, for just a second, before exhaustion starts to sag at me.

I break the kiss, looking her in the eye and give a nod, place one more kiss on her forehead and lay back, pulling myself under the sheets with some grunting, sleep taking me in seconds.

A few more days of work, and the rumours are persisting, growing more common, people talking loudly about them, this ‘Springheel’ man’s feats growing more and more astounding, bounding over churches with a single jump, slicing women’s throat open with his three rows of fangs… flying out of the night to feast on human flesh.

“Me dad’ll be home by now.” Alison mentions as she steps into the shared room, dusting snow off her shoulders. “Doubt he’ll be happy to see me and his barge both gone.” She gives a weak smile, “Might as well take it and run, rather than try to talk to him when he’s in a foul mood.” She laughs.

“Sorry.” I mumble, bone tired again.

She shrugs it off, “Ah, not your fault, I was the one that took it in the first place… my fault for thinking we’d be back in a day or two, didn’t expect the snowstorms to start this early.”

The snow has at least eased off, the grey flakes now turning into a dirty slurry, running into the river canals slowly, leaving the streets a mess to walk on.

“You lot been hearing bout this ‘terror on the streets’?” the older girl asks, a small snicker in his voice. “Springheel, the man who leaps over the moon and drinks the blood of wee maidens in the night?” She scoffs, holding out a poster. “Reward’s not bad for finding the man behind it though.” She adds.

You take the poster, running your eyes over it, a sketch of a vaguely demonic creature, horns and wings, ribs sticking out of it’s chest and rows upon rows of sharp teeth. “Last seen by Lastin Street.” You read aloud. “Not that far from here. Maybe a half hours walk.”

The reward… it’s enough to eat for a whole winter though.

>Alison, maybe you should find a new job, don’t want to be out after dark
>This might need a spook’s hand, I’ll look into it
>It’s a silly rumour, meant to scare people. Ignore it
>See if you can wake Mr Johnson, ask his thoughts
>Write in

>>45791706
>This might need a spook’s hand, I’ll look into it

>>45791706
>Alison, maybe you should find a new job, don’t want to be out after dark
>This might need a spook’s hand, I’ll look into it

>>45791706
>See if you can wake Mr Johnson, ask his thoughts
He has far more knowledge and experience.
The doctor said he couldn't be moved, not that he shouldn't be woken up.

I just wish Springheel would target the Church and their Inquisition instead of the commoners.

>>45791706
>This might need a spook’s hand, I’ll look into it

>>45791706
>Bed Kara

Might be our last chance.

>Hunt Springheel

question before anyone gets mad over it

>Go hunting at night
>Ask around during the day

>>45792034
We can't hunt the old blood being a virgin, amirite?
Also
>Alison, maybe you should find a new job, don’t want to be out after dark

>>45792079
>Ask around during the day
Get information on Springheel during his dormant period.

>>45792079
>Go hunting at night

>>45792079
>Hunt at night

night time it is

>>45792202
>>45792254
Are you guys sure it's a good idea to do this without scoping the area out first in the daytime?

>>45792342
Well since we're not a maiden we won't be hunted by it. It's easier to find it when it's actually out and about than wasting time on rumors and hearsay.

File: Oendal.jpg (472 KB, 1600x1200)

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I roll off my bed, getting to my feet. “This sounds like something that need’s a spooks hand. I’ll look into it.” I sigh, pulling my cloak back on, along with some warmer clothes. “You lot stay put. It’s too dangerous out there for you.”

“But, Leon-” Kara starts to insist, tugging at my cloak.

I shake my head. “No, Kara, this thing is a threat, it’s my job to deal with it. It’s sounding more and more like some dark creature, something normal people shouldn’t be messing with.” I nod to both of them, “I’m going out. Lock the door.”

I step into the street, feeling like the city air itself is slowly pulling the life out of me, sucking it away with each exhale, trudging along the sleet slick streets, I head towards Lastin Street, the last foot traffic of the day cleared away, the… less than reputable night foot traffic trickling about. Women in bustiers under thick furs, drunken workers stumbling about, the occasional guard walking the streets, or Oendal priests, peering lamps into corners and alleys as they walk, chanting quietly to themselves.

It’s not hard to tell where the murder happened. One spot of the street has been scrubbed, where the blood was removed from the cobblestones, the rest of it imprinted in years of filth and grime and soot. Nearby lies a cluster of fallen bricks, an outcrop on the nearby wall that’s fallen loose, looking like it was driven out of the wall by force.

A peek down the alley finds me a ladder, which I quickly use to scale to the roof, finding the definite signs of someone running here. Cracked tiles, and hints of dirty bootprints, the last set, by the edge of the roof looking like they had a lot of force behind them. Whoever WAS up here, did jump… right at a blank wall with no handholds for a good twenty feet up or down.

I hum over that for a moment, the rooftops to the other buildings aren’t to far, given the narrow streets, even I could probably make those jumps with a running start, but this direction…

I glance around, trying to figure out what I’m dealing with, when I hear a scream, just a few streets away, high and shrill, a women’s scream…

I can see a pathway I could take across the rooftops, but...

>Head by the rooftops, you need to get there quick
>Get back on the street, not worth the risk, even if it's slower.

>>45792531
>Head by the rooftops, you need to get there quick

>>45792531
>>Head by the rooftops, you need to get there quick

Rolled 4 (1d20)

gimme a d20, best of three

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45792644

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>45792644
Things will not go smoothly, I suspect.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>45792644

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>45792644
Sorry I'm late, Chuckles. I hope you enjoyed that XioXio idea.

I sprint forwards across the rooftop, taking a running leap, I manage to land on the next roof, stumbling a little on the tiles a moment, I struggle to keep my feet under me, knowing a fall means death at this height, I grab at a chimney, forcing myself on.

I cross the rooftops by sheer force of will and pure luck on several chances, strong gusts of wind meaning the difference between falling and living, I run on, coming to a stop over the street, I peer down a dark tall humanoid shape fleeing down the street, guards on it’s heels.

I watch as it turns down a sidestreet I can see into from vantagepoint, as a woman lies bleeding in the street below, a flash of moonlight breaks through the dirty clouds a moment, lighting up the alley the killer is fleeing down, blocked off by a wall that stands nearly ten feet tall, the guards charge forwards, levelling their weapons at the fleeing shape, preparing to fire.

The shape darts towards one wall, jumping towards it, it kicks off the wall, gaining extra height, it clears the wall, the moonlight flashing off his knife, soaked red with the dead woman’s blood, before he drops out of sight behind the wall, two huge CRACKS coming from the guards weapons, their shots slamming into the wall with a violent kick, missing their mark by seconds, the shape runs off into the night, out of my sight.

“After him!” The guards call to each other, sprinting around to the end of the street. They’ve got no chance of catching him at this rate. “Springheel, it’s Springheel!”

I prepare to give chase across the rooftop, when a soft noise catches my attention. Soft sobbing, and not from the street below, not for anyone crying by the dead woman’s side. No, it’s coming from above, the next roof over from the one I’m on, a good ten feet above mine, I can hear low grunting cries drifting towards me.

If I clambered atop a nearby chimney and jumped, I could easily make my way onto that roof…

>No time, give chase to the killer
>Climb up, find out who’s crying
>Call out, see if they’re okay.
>Write in

>>45792895
>Climb up, find out who’s crying

>>45792895
>No time, give chase to the killer

Against my better judgment let's give chase

>>45792895
>Climb up, find out who’s crying

>>45792895
>No time, give chase to the killer

tie breaker, first vote in wins it

>>45793158
>Climb up, find out who’s crying

>>45793211
You know I voted for the other option but I'm kind of glad this was selected instead

File: spring heel smile.jpg (93 KB, 900x887)

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That killer is getting away… but this is a mystery in it’s own right.

I step forward quietly, managing to throw myself onto the next roof with a bit of a struggle, I haul myself up, looking around.

It’s a large roof, with gargoyles placed along the front and back of the house in sets at even intervals, leering out into the streets, evil demonic creatures, snarling at the world to scare away beasts. For all the good it did them.

The clay tiles clack against each other as I try to move quietly across the roof, looking for the source of the sobs.

There… doesn’t seem to be anyone here. There’s a gargoyle missing… wait, no. The one that it’s paired with…

There isn’t a missing gargoyle on one side. There’s an extra hunched shape on the front, facing out onto the street.

Someone is squatting on the edge of the roof, face in hands, racking sobs coming from him, his suit looking remarkably expensive, matched with some sort of mixture between a cape and a raincoat hanging from his shoulders.

“Excuse me?” I call quietly. “Sir, are you- is something wrong?”

The head whips up staring dead ahead for a moment, the cries cutting off.

He…. it- stands to it’s full height, near eight feet tall, a grey-green tint to his rubbery looking skin, a look of deep sorrow on his face, inches long claws dangling from his hands, looking as sharp as razors, glinting in the faint moonlight, thick powerful legs supporting it.

I instinctively grip my staff tighter, gulping as the… thing towers over me, conscious of the salt in my pocket.

That’s… that’s a demon if I’ve ever seen one. A beast ripped from nightmares to scare children in the night.

“You’re not running…” It comments in a deep reverberating voice, fangs glistening, glowing red eyes cracking open, peering at me. “How curious. Well, I’ll have you know human, that the man- the human man- those guards are chasing down there. That is not Springheel.” He places his clawed hand over his chest, dipping his head slightly. “I am. And his crimes are being placed on me.”

Wait, what?

>So you're the innocent here?
>What... are you?
>Salt it!
>Write in

gonna be wrapping up next post, sorry guys.

>>45793376
>What... are you?
>Write in
"Regardless of everything else, he is a murderer and besmirching your name. Want to help me catch him?"

>>45793376
>What... are you?

>>45793376
>So you're the innocent here?
>What... are you?

File: spring heel.jpg (132 KB, 700x358)

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“What.... are you?” I have to ask.

“I am Springheel.” He replies simply.

“No, but… WHAT are you. What are your people called?” I try to push him for more information.”

He shakes his head, “I-” He stressed the pronoun significantly, “Am Springheel.”

What does- not important right now. “Regardless of all that… that thing-”

“That HUman.” Springheel cuts in, stressing the name, his red eyes full of sorrow.

“Yes, him, he’s out there, killing people, and besmirching your name.” I tentatively offer an open palm towards him. “Would you… like to help me catch him?”

He rakes his face with his claws, “I… have a strict policy of pacifism, human child.” His voice comes out like a rushing sigh. “If we’re going to do this, I do not want this imposter to come to harm by our hands, despite his many misdeeds.”

I nod, we can probably manage that. What the guards will do once we hand him over is another question, “Deal.” I waver my hand towards him, and he looks at it, before sliding his… oddly wet palm against mine for a moment.

“Come here.” He waves me forwards and tucks me under his arm. “And hold still, human.” He warns.

Without warning, his legs bunch up, then burst downwards, a quiet CHOOM escaping from under his heels as we soar upwards, high into the sky, above the highest cathedral, above hunting nightowls and sea hawks, the ocean spread out before us for a moment, the wind tearing through my hair as my ears pop, my dinner rushing to my stomach, before we start to fall.

Oh dear. This is it. This is how I die, and get added to the list of names behind the mirror.

I cling tight onto Springheel, thinking of Kara, her gentle smile, the softness of her hair, sweetness of her words, as we rush down.

But at the last second, he alights as if he weighs no more than a feather, stepping forward, not a hair out of place or a crack in the tiles below.

“Did you see him?” Springheel asks.

“Wh- wha?” I groan, my heart beating a mile a minute and my stomach convulsing, trying to not leave through my mouth.

“Then we must try again human.” He nods, “Pay closer attention.”

Another CHOOM and we burst up into the night sky again… a trail of vomit falling as we rise.

>End of Spook Quest 13

>>45793584
Thanks for running, Chuckles. I hope school is going alright at least.

>>45793584
Damn, just too late to join in.

Ah well, thanks for the thread Chuckles.