>>831142
Kat.

>>831142
>"Wraith", Shadowy Assassin

Be the vaguely menacing (and hopefully, secretly cute) shadow — Their build does look slightly more feminine.

>>831142
>Arlon
Because pirate and guns

>>831142
>"Wraith", Shadowy Assassin

>>831142
>Kathryn "Kat" Reynard, Plucky Thief

>katwoman

File: Kat's Stats.jpg (96 KB, 500x750)

96 KB JPG

Posting from PC - OP was written while I was at work.

>>831143
>>831209
>>831211

"Thief!"

A shout you've all too commonly heard in your home city of Sorrel, though that's usually because you're the one drawing it. Today's no exception, of course, as the meal of the day rests securely in your "loot satchel", as you've come to call it. It's actually quite astonishing that these merchants still bother calling you out and giving chase - you're much, much faster than they are, and even if they do catch up you've always got an out. That's one of the first things you learned growing up on the streets of Sorrel, along with "don't steal from the butcher" and "when somebody tells you they're going to 'show you a good time', they don't mean a day at the park". You shiver a little after remembering that last one. Just barely escaped with your life, you did. ...As well as other important chastity-related bits. Life on the street's tough, but it's even more so for a young girl with no one to protect her. You've come to rely on your quick thinking and reflexes almost as much as you learned to rely on other people for your wealth.

Which brings you back to the situation at hand. You're currently being chased down the streets by a furious bread merchant. The guards haven't been mobilized just yet, but that's because they already know they're not going to be able to catch you. There's an odd sense of satisfaction in knowing that you're so fast that the city guards don't even try to stop you until they absolutely have to take action. Everything looks to be intent on mirroring every other day this week, but you're feeling a little bold today.

>Best play it safe and abscond to your hideout.
>[A] Loop back around and chase the shopkeep for a while, just to tease him.
>Other (write in)

-----------------------------------------------

Actions starting with a bracketed letter such as "[A]" are actions that require a roll of 1d20 to beat a hidden DC, modified by the number of dots you have in the specified stat (Agility in this example).
>0 dots = -2
>1 dot = -1
>2 dots = 0
>3 dots = +1
>4 dots = +2
>5 dots = +3
>etc.

>>831296
Also from here on out you can find an updated listing of Kat's stats and inventory, as well as a rundown of the basics, at this link: http://pastebin.com/bLy9w9J1

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>>831142
>>831296

I like this quest

>Other (write in)
Lets find a tall building to get up so we can enjoy our breakfast with a nice view from the roof.

The baker will never think to search the roofs for us and it will help us plan our day.

I usually pass out as soon as I get home from work, but I stayed up a little so I could crank-start the motor of this old automobile.

What I'm saying is I'm tired and need to not exist for about 8 hours. I'll update once I wake up again. Ta~

>>831329
I agree here, it'll also let us expand our map visiblity

>>831334

sleep well.

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>>831329
>>831335

Normally you'd beat feet straight back to your hidey hole under one of the abandoned buildings, but today doesn't feel like every other day. It feels... important, somehow, but if asked you probably couldn't pin your finger on what. Such vague importance dictates that an equally as vaguely important action be taken. You figure scaling the tallest building in your general vicinity and looking over your city while enjoying a hearty breakfast of bread would be just vague enough to not be considered "relatively important", so you make a quick scan and locate your target: the Old Town chapel.

"Stop, thief!"

Oh right, that. You should probably ditch this guy first. Ducking into the nearest alleyway, you hop on a trash bin and from there it's a quick matter of pulling yourself up onto the rooftop. You lay low, thankful that your cap matches the color of the roofing tiles, and wait for the baker to pass you by completely. His endurance is actually surprising, considering the man's weight. At least you can take solace in the fact that you're keeping him in shape. You bring yourself to a crouching position on the sunny red tiling, mentally drawing a path across the rooftops to your desired location, and then spring forward, leaping the alley and dashing across the next building's roof. After a few minutes of creative running and hiding - the guards are out now - you found yourself sitting up in the bell tower of the chapel with your back against the window corner and your leg hanging off the edge. You've been up here a few times before, of course - no thief worth her salt hasn't perched up on a high spot somewhere and looked down upon her city. Speaking of which...

Sorrel might be home to a few pickpockets and ruffians, but it really does have a sparkling beauty to it. The architecture is flecked with bits of metal and other reflective surfaces, so there's not much glare. Just a solid glittering that earns its spot on the Golden Plains. You tear off a chunk of the loaf and nibble on it for a while, just taking in the splendor of your hometown. You really can't picture a better way to spend your morning, honestly. You start taking slightly larger bites out of the loaf and sweep over the city once more. There's a few shops you could hit up, either as a thief or in one of your many disguises - you're a bit too well-known to just show up in your usual attire. There's always the Grand Chapel at the head of the city, as well. There's smaller chapels like the one you're currently sitting on all over, but the Grand Chapel is the major religious hub of the plains. In fact, you heard rumors that the King himself would be showing up today. There's a park on the other side of town you like to relax in, as well, and you're not as well-known on that side so you're less likely to be called out. Of course, you could always just check in on your hideout.

>Hit up a shop
>Visit the Grand Chapel
>Relax in the Park
>Return to Hideout
>Other (write in)

>>832724
>>Visit the Grand Chapel
He's a king, he's gotta have some sweet loot, right?

>>832724
>>Visit the Grand Chapel
Can we pay the Baker shop a quick visit on the way there? The one we got the "loot satchel" from, and in disguise of course.

>>833313
I may have been unclear on this, but the loot satchel is something you've had for a while. It holds the cumulative loot you've "legitimately obtained" for the past few years.

>>833368
Oh, I thought it's just the loot-of-the-day from the bread merchant.
Pay a quick visit to the bread merchant on the way then.

>>833401
Yeah, my bad. It seems empty mainly because I didn't write any of this beforehand, and I figure the only stuff worth keeping on you at all times is money and the catch of the day.

>>832724
Drop by the bread merchant before going to the chapel

>>832724
>Visit the Grand Chapel

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>>833401
>>833605

Part of what makes being a thief so fun for you is witnessing the aftermath of your shenanigans. Obviously, you wouldn't want to go traipsing around in your thieves' garb, so you have a variety of disguises kept in your hideout for many an occasion. You stow the half-eaten loaf into your loot satchel and climb back down the bell tower, landing softly on the tiles that roof the chapel. The trip to your hideout isn't too far away, but you would need to leave the mercantile district to reach it, and by that time the hubbub will surely have died down. It's precisely for this reason that you keep a few articles of clothing in your loot satchel. Remove the undershirt, change the pants, tie your hair back, stash the hat and weapons, put on the shawl and boom - instant civvies. It's rather simple, but you're amazed at just how many times you've managed to evade suspicion just by changing your colors and showing some cleavage. It's always a little uncomfortable when people stare at you, but on some level you take some pride in it. After all, a thief should leverage all advantages she can take, right?

After securing your regular getup in the satchel, you drop back down to street level behind the chapel and hide behind a trash bin, waiting for a good opportunity to blend back in with the crowd. You spot your entrance with one of the small carriages that some of the wealthier families like to take around town. Sneaking along beside it, you follow for a while before straightening up and backing off so you appear to come into the street from behind the carriage. Casually, you stroll up the road until you reach the bread merchant's shop, though it's a bit busier than it was when you stopped by earlier. The agitated merchant himself is speaking with two guards, one who looks like he would rather be doing anything else, and the other who is wearing a helmet with the visor up and trying his best to calm the merchant down.

"I'm telling you, she ran into Old Town! Aren't you listening?"
"And as I've said, we searched all over Old Town trying to find her."
"Unbelievable! To think our city guard could be bested so easily by a mere cat burglar!"
>"Pardon me, but are you still open?"
You ask, meekly approaching the trio. All three figures turn towards you, and the baker immediately starts shouting.
"That's HER! Arrest this thief, you lousy good-for-nothings!"
"Sir, she looks nothing like what you described to us."
"Are you saying I can't recognize a thief by more than her clothes?! I'm sure it was her!"

You tilt your head and put on your best look of confusion.
>"If... if this is a bad time..."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but if you are indeed the thief then we must arrest you."

He sounds apologetic, but he starts approaching nonetheless.

>[W] "I can't be the thief, because I paid for it." (Slightly Easy)
>[C] "I'm not the thief, I'm just passing through." (Easy)
>[A] Run for it. (Easy)
>Accept your arrest.
>Offer payment. (-20cp)
>Other (write in)

>>834254
>I can't be the thief, because I paid for this

>>834254
>[C] "I'm not the thief, I'm just passing through." (Easy)

>>834254
>[C] "I'm not the thief, I'm just passing through." (Easy)

>>834359
>>834434
Alright, roll me a 1d20+1 for success. Best of the first three rolls is the one I go with.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>834570

Rolled 8 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>834570

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>834570

This looks interesting, catching up

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>>834577
>>834597
>>834618

You hold up your hands in an appeasing gesture.
>"Please, sir. I'm not the thief, I'm merely passing through."
"LIES! Don't believe her treachery, ARREST HER!"
>"It's true! I heard the King was passing through today, so I wanted to place an order to be filled after I went to watch his entry at the Grand Chapel."
You look at the sky and feign a gasp of surprise as the sun hovers in its early afternoon stages.
>"Please, sirs, I simply must see the King in all His majesty pass through our humble city."
You beg, putting on your most convincing air of urgency. The guard with the helmet appears to be convinced, and nods.
"Very well, you may go."
"WHAT?! THIS IS AN OUTRA-"
"LOOK, buddy-"
The disinterested guard - whom you've noticed after the fact has been stealing glances in your direction - steps in finally, putting his foot down on the whiny baker.
"- We've told you time and again: The thief is gone."
"But she's right-"
"No."
A single word delivered with such force and power that it causes the rotund merchant to actually shut his trap. You bow towards the guards in gratitude.
>"Oh, Lord bless the both of you!"
You smile at each of them and hurry off in the direction of the Grand Chapel, intent on keeping your ruse grounded in truth. In fact, you were probably going to go there anyway. A king's got to have some sweet loot, right? You sport a wide grin on your face as the high road to the Grand Chapel rolls into view. There's a grand procession of cityfolk crowding the outskirts of the street, all anxious, excited, and waiting for the king to show.
"What could he be praying for?"
"You don't think we're going to war again, do you?"
"I doubt it; Toha's been cooperative so far."
"Yeah, but they're a nation of scoundrels! How long do you think 'til they betray our peace?"
"Quit that talk! You'll bring down the Lord's wrath, you will!"
Quite the rumors people seem to be chattering about today. Nothing you need concern yourself with, though. The only thing you need to worry about is the king.

After a few minutes of waiting around and making some teenage boys feel awkward for eyeing you up, you hear the blaring of bugles that can only signal the arrival of His Royal Opulence. You get really excited for a moment until... Rats. Your excitement deflates as you don't see the royal chariot full of wealth you had anticipated. It's only the king himself, riding on his royal steed and being flanked by two Crownsguard on either side. Leading in front of the Crownsguard are a pair of buglers, still tooting their horns away to announce the coming of His Grace to those further ahead in the procession. Pouting a little, you back out of the crowd to gather your thoughts.

>[A] Try to steal from him anyway. (Very Difficult)
>[L] Pick some citizens' pockets to make up for the loss of royal wealth.
>Enter the Grand Chapel to observe.
>Retire to your Hideout.
>Other (write in)

>>834670
>>[L] Pick some citizens' pockets to make up for the loss of royal wealth.

I did that thing where I stay up instead of going to sleep again, so I'm going to go try to catch some Z's. Feel free to keep making suggestions, though! Ta~

>>834670
>>[L] Pick some citizens' pockets to make up for the loss of royal wealth.
Yeah, buddy, pick those pockets while they're distracted with the King's presence.

Is the Grand Chapel open to public when the King is praying?
Maybe eavesdrop the King when he's praying to know what's the deal with his visit.

>>834693
I support this

>>834670
>[L] Pick some citizens' pockets to make up for the loss of royal wealth.

>>834670
> Enter the grand chapel

>>834675
>>834693
>>835380
>>835577
>>834814
Roll a 1d100 to determine the amount of silver pieces stolen. Best of the first three will be taken.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>835829

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>835829
Rollin'

Rolled 98 (1d100)

let's go

>>836459
YOOOOO

Rolled 1 (1d4)

>>835847
>>836290
>>836459

Hot diggedy. I'll even throw in a d4 for gold pieces.

>>836805
Noice

Well, just because the king didn't have anything to steal doesn't mean you can't steal from his people. It wouldn't even be that difficult, either - everyone's still distracted by the king riding through to the Grand Chapel. Grinning mischievously, you mix back in with the crowd to liberate the oppressed coin purses from their tyrannical overlords. Too long have they been tied up, slaves to their masters' sick desires, and molested over and over for all they hold dear. The time for a revolution is now! Free the Purses! You giggle a bit at your overactive imagination as you finish the task at hand. You don't know the actual amount, but the heft of your satchel is considerably larger than before, and you're pretty sure you caught a glimpse of some gold, too! Today's looking nowhere but up, you feel. Of course, every party needs a pooper, so that's why they invited the guard from before straight into your path as you back out of the crowd. Though, it's the one without his helmet on, who was glancing at you the whole time. He looks disappointed in you, and has his arms crossed in front of his chest.
>"Oh, hello Sir! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there!"
You chirp in your most obviously fake innocent voice you've ever put on. The guard rolls his eyes and sighs.
"You're making it real hard for me to keep covering your ass, Kat."
>"Sure doesn't seem to be stopping you from covering my ass with your eyes."
You counter with a smirk. The guard sighs in exasperation, shaking his head.
"Look, you're kicking up too much dirt around here. At some point I'm going to be put on the line for failing to catch you."
>"Alright alright, Jiminy. You win. I'll take it easy on the stealing for a while. I have enough money to live honestly for a few weeks anyway."
Especially after that last haul. You might even be able to live out of one of the nicer inns by the park.
"Kat, I don't think you fully understand what I mean. And stop calling me that - my name's Jim and you know it."
You pout a little, causing Jim to sigh again.
"You're making a name for yourself, Kat. How do you think that reflects on the city when the people living in it know there's a thief running unchecked in the alleyways? The people fear for their belongings, and Old Town was already our least popular district. And then you have people like that baker who think the city guard are incompetent meatheads."
>"You mean, you're not an incompetent meathead?"
You jest, but Jim glares at you.
"You need to either get out of town, at least long enough for the fear to die down, or let me arrest you for all the crimes you've committed."

>"I'll skip town for a while."
>"I'll let you arrest me."
>Other (write in)

>>837078
>"I'll skip town for a while."
Yeah, we're not spending anytime in the slammer if we can help it.

>>837078
>"I'll skip town for a while."
Jim seems like a good friend.
Not gonna trouble our friend.

>>837078
>>"I'll skip town for a while."

>>837078
>"I'll skip town for a while."

>>837091
>>837104
>>837125
>>837129
That was pretty unanimous. Writing the post now.

>"Alright, I understand, Jim. I'll pack my stuff and skip town for a while. Who knows, maybe I'll bump into a merchant caravan on the way."
You wink at Jim mischievously, and rather than sigh this time he chuckles lightly and shakes his head.
"I swear, Kat, you're gonna be the death of me."
You both look up at the clear blue sky. There's a few clouds but they look absolutely at home, lazily drifting past the sun as it begins its descent from its zenith.
"Stay safe, alright?"
You look down from the sky to see Jim's look of concern, and give him a genuine smile.
>"I will. Thank you, Jim."
You step in and give him a quick hug, but before he can react you've slipped past him and disappeared back into the crowd trailing down the street from the Grand Chapel's entrance. You still have to eavesdrop on His Majesty during his prayer, and then you'll head back home to pack what you can.

You make your way silently through the crowd, careful not to draw attention to yourself as you duck and weave on through. Eventually you make your way up to the Chapel, where the two Crownsguard stand, deterring any commoners attempting to force their way inside. A bit strict, but the king is kind of an important figure. It wouldn't do to let some kind of assassin inside. You thought about taking assassin contacts before, but you've never been big on killing people. You've only ever killed one person, but you prefer not to think about that time. At any rate, it seems that you're not getting in without some forethought.

>[W] Find a secondary entrance. (Easy)
>[C] Bluff your way past the guards. (Difficult)
>Forget about it and return to your Hideout to pack up.
>Other (write in)

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I also keep forgetting to add images. Here's the Crownsguard

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>>837210
And here's our good buddy and moral compass, Jim.

>>837202
>[W] Find a secondary entrance. (Easy)

>>837202
>[W] Find a secondary entrance. (Easy)

>>837202
>[W] Find a secondary entrance. (Easy)

>>837239
>>837267
>>837336
'Kay, roll me a 1d20+2 to determine success. Best of the first three wins, as usual.

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>837356

Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>837356

Rolled 14 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>837356

>>837365
>>837370
>>837373
Writing it. Sorry for the delay, I'm at work and people wouldn't shut up and leave.

>>837412
Damn coworkers, not knowing when to leave a man alone to his internets.

If you know anything about chapels, it's that they have many an entrance. Just because they're not at ground level doesn't mean they don't count. You dodge through the crowd, heading in the direction of the Chapel's side. Ducking behind the palusade, you slip the crowd without being seen, not that that is a particularly difficult feat. Now in the shadows, you move further down the building looking up for any windows you could climb through. After about a minute, you find a sort of hidden hole worn into the upper walls, no doubt a testament to the Grand Chapel's age and fortitude. Making that your target, you begin to climb up the side of the wall, utilizing the ornate designs and statues along the side to hide from view. Eventually, you climb up and over a narrow outcrop that allows you momentary respite. As you lean against the wall, you note that the sun is still near noon. You're somewhat surprised that you managed to scale the wall as quickly as you did, though perhaps your heavy breathing could have tipped you off. After a few moments of catching your breath, you carefully rise to your feet and sidle towards the hole in the masonry. There's just enough room for you to stand sideways comfortably, but you still need to be careful as you lower yourself down the outcrop to crawl through the hole. It's a snug fit, but not an uncomfortable one. A short couple of seconds later, and you're perched on a beam in the Chapel's ceiling lattices.

Conveniently, you also find yourself within earshot of the king as he prays.
"...us the courage to carry on in light of this troubling development, the strength to face this threat head-on, and your divine protection as we make our voyage westward. For this I beseech thy divine grace, Lord of Light Iteus."
After this, the king stands from his kneeling position at the altar, sighs, and turns to face the bishop.
"Thank you once again, Your Eminence, for allowing me to pray at your chapel."
"The honor is all mine, my king. May your journey shine in the light of Iteus."
The king nods at this, and starts walking down the aisle. Something feels off however, and before you can place it you hear the loosing of an arrow from somewhere above you. Snapping your head upwards, you don't see anything but the shadows.

The arrow just barely misses its intended target, sending the bishop into a panic as the king spins in place, attempting to locate his assailant. You hear a swear from above you, but again you can't see a thing. You try to stand up and turn at the same time to see where the assassin got off to, but you shift your weight onto a weak beam that splits and sends you tumbling to the ground.
"Guards! GUARDS!"
The bishop is shouting, striding swiftly toward the door. Your fall feels in slow motion, but when the ground rises up to meet you, all you feel is pain. Thankfully, the shattered beam lands around you rather than on top of you, but the king is standing above you, sword drawn.
"Stand."

>Continued in next post

Sorry for the delay, things got really busy really fast. I'll complete the update after I get home - I finished that post in the car after getting off work.

>>837464
Just take your time.
This is a slow board after all.

You're still reeling from the immense pain of slamming into the hardwood flooring, so it's all the effort you can muster to lean up on your elbows, fighting back tears. You stare up at the king, hoping your helpless expression conveys the message that this is all you can do for now. He tilts his head slightly, then closes his eyes and nods.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"
One of the Crownsguard calls to the king as the bishop closes the door behind him. You see his helmed head pivot from the king down his sword to you, and he rushes forward.
"Hold."
After the king's command, the Crownsguard stops in his tracks, hand drifting away from the sword at his hip. There's no doubt a look of confusion under that helmet of his, as you yourself are wearing the same sort of expression.
"Your Highness?"
"There has been an attempt on my life today. Just now, an arrow fired from the rafters."
The king looks at you as he speaks, as though searching your mortal soul for evidence.
"This girl then fell from said rafters after the arrow missed."
"I will alert the authorities at once-"
"No."
"My king?"
"You will do no such thing."
You can't fight it back any longer and your eyes start to water. The stress of this confusing situation as well as the lingering pain from the fall prove to be too much as you feel tears rolling down your face. The king sighs and sheathes his sword, kneeling down to address you.
"I apologize for my error, child. You couldn't have been the one to fire at me, as you do not appear to possess a bow."
You lower yourself back to the ground, only barely hearing what the king is saying to you. You shut your eyes, the slow tears still falling.
"Some king I am, causing such a young woman to cry. Darien, fetch my cleric from the caravan outside the city."
You hear the sounds of metal footsteps on the wood paneling, and the creaking of the large front door of the chapel as it opens, then finally the slam as it closes. Then, silence. You decide to just lie there for a few minutes until the pain subsides enough for you to dry your tears. After another minute or so you decide to open your eyes to see the king standing once more, holding his hand out. You take it, and he slowly helps you up.
"Easy, that was quite a fall. I'm actually impressed you're still conscious after that."
Your body aches and throbs as you come to a standing position, but it's nothing you can't deal with.
"What's your name, child?"
>"K..Kathryn, sire."
"Kathryn, I have a question for you, but you may choose to answer after you've been tended to by my cleric. However, I have a more pressing question that needs an immediate answer: Did you see who shot that arrow?"
>"N-no... I looked up, but all I saw was shadows. I fell when I tried to get a better look, but stepped on a weak crossbeam."
The king nods.
"Very well. If you're feeling up to it, I can escort you to the caravan and meet my cleric halfway, or you can stay here and wait for him to arrive."

>[S] Go.
>Stay.
>Other (write in)

>>837476
>[S] Go.
STRONK

>>837476
>>[S] Go.

>>837476
>[S] Go.
The king is surprisingly lenient.

>>837476
[S] Go.

>>837480
>>837483
>>837496
>>837503
Okie dokie, roll 1d20 for effectiveness.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>837527

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>837527

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>837527

>>837530
>>837536
>>837541
Nice roll! I'm currently gaming with friends but once I get some free time to myself I'll write for you~

>>837527
Dice+2d6

Here's hoping the rolling mechanic works

>>837552
Put it in the option field and it's 1d20.
The roll is already done anyway.

You nod, saving most of your energy for the trip, and follow alongside the king. You're actually quite lucky most of your possessions weren't tossed about by your fall. Even luckier, you feel, is that all of your injuries feel external - easily healed. You and the king reach the door, and upon your exit, the crowd looks on in shock. For a moment, you try to view it from their perspective: The king, whom they had believed was alone in the chapel, emerges supporting a battered young lady who looks like she had been crying. There's not really any sort of explanation one could come up with that wasn't scandalous or treason, so the crowd's shocked silence is understandable. Once the king raises his hand in a short wave, the remaining Crownsguard falls into step beside him.
"My lord, what happened?"
The knight asks in a whisper.
"This girl suffered a nasty fall, but I feel there is more to her than she knows."
"You mean..?"
"Indeed. However, I told her we would discuss it after she had a chance to rest up."
The knight nods and continues to walk alongside the both of you, and it begins to feel as though your injuries are fadiing away. You can still feel a bit of stinging now and then but you're already walking upright and on your own by the time you meet with the cleric.

"Goodness! I-I mean, are you alright, Your Majesty? I was summoned by one of the Crownsguard, so I thought-"
He stops mid-sentence as his gaze turns towards you and looks you up and down.
"Oh, p-pardon me. You must be the one His Highness sent for."
His anxiousness is kind of cute in its own way, but you don't much feel up to the "flirting to make men feel uncomfortable" game. In fact, you don't much feel up to doing anything more today. You just want to sleep, and the sun isn't even at the horizon yet.
"She is. I also believe she's one of the ones I mentioned to you on the trip here."
At this, the cleric's eyes widen, and he glances back at you again.
"How can you be certain?"
"Son, there's a certain intuition that comes with ruling a kingdom for a couple of decades. I couldn't tell you exactly how I know, just that I do. Now let's get this poor girl fixed up - she looks fit to collapse."

You follow the king and his men for what feels like hours, even though they were mere minutes, and eventually you reach a small caravan outside the city gates. There are three coaches, the most prominent of which looks as though it could house an entire bedroom. You're directed to the medium-sized one along with the cleric, while the king enters what is no doubt his personal carriage. The healer offers you a shoulder to lean on, which you gladly accept - the relief of pressure is immediate, and you nearly fall asleep right there, but you feel you'll reach your salvation in but a few moments. True enough, immediately after entering the coach you're helped into the nearest cot and it is the most luxurious bedding you've ever felt. You close your eyes and immediately black out.

>Continued in next post

>>837566
Appreciate it m8

>>837610
Your dreams are uneventful, and you get the best sleep of your entire life. After an indiscernible amount of time, however, you awaken in the dimly lit cleric's carriage. The first thing you sense is that the throbbing pain in your body is gone, and your bruises have faded away. It's always nice to have a cleric around. Next, you hear the scratching of what sounds like a quill on parchment. Turning your head, you confirm that it is just that - the royal healer is scribbling away at some sort of book or journal. You turn your head back and close your eyes a bit, thinking about everything that happened today. It started off so lucrative; you stole a loaf of bread, successfully evaded capture despite returning to the crime scene, and even made off with nearly two gold by picking random pockets. Then, you had to go and eavesdrop on the king, which led to a long fall that you were fortunate to have escaped from without any broken bones or organs.
"Oh! You're awake."
The cleric finished up his writing and had moved to check up on you.
>"Yes, and alive thanks to you."
He shifts uncomfortably at this statement.
"W-well, actually your injuries weren't that severe. If I'm being perfectly honest, they didn't even warrant a cure spell, but the king wants you to be in peak condition before he asks you about... well, um."
He awkwardly trails off, which only leaves you more confused. You prop yourself up on an elbow and look around some more, but the king is nowhere around. You think you might want to ask this cleric some questions while the important business is on hold.

>"What does the king want to talk about?"
>"What's your name?"
>"What were you writing?"
>Other (write in)

Thank you all for participating for this long! I'm rather new to this sort of thing, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of it. I'd love any sort of commentary or critique of my QMing, so I know where to improve. At any rate, I'm going to go catch some shut-eye. Next update when I wake up, if applicable. Ta~

>>837648
>>>"What does the king want to talk about?"

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517 KB JPG

>>837648
Oh, bother. Have the image I forgot to post with this before I go to sleep.

>>837648
>"What's your name?"

We gotta say our thanks properly to this lad.

>>837648
>"What does the king want to talk about?"

>>837676
Is the cleric also a monk?
Because he looks ready to cast fist.

>>837648
>"What does the king want to talk about?"

>>837648
> What's your name?
Let's see if we can get him more flustered.

>>837648
>"What's your name?"

>>837648
>"What's your name?"

>>837948
Yep, he's a battle cleric, despite not really having the personality for fighting. The real reason is that I have trouble google searching images and this was the best one I found.

>>837875
>>838318
>>838379
>>838635
>>838635
Writing~

>"Sorry, I didn't catch your name."
You look at the cleric directly, offering an innocent smile. He fiddles with the holy symbol on his wrist before answering.
"Erm... I'm Mattias."
>"I'm Kat. Thanks for healing me, Mattias."
You lean up into a sitting position to get a better look at him. He doesn't seem like any cleric you've seen in Sorrel, but then again if he's the Royal Cleric he would probably look different from your average healer.
"It's no problem. Like I said, your injuries didn't even really need a healing spell - just some ice and a few days' rest..."
>"But the king needs to talk to me, and he doesn't have a few days' time, right?"
Mattias nods and turns back to his desk to finish up whatever he was writing. You stretch your neck to try and see over his shoulder, but you're not in a very good position to be doing so. He closes the book after a second or so anyway and re-shelves it in the little inset of his desk. Afterwards, he moves to leave the coach, but you motion for him to stop. Mattias gives you a puzzled look.
"Oh, er, I was just going to get the king. W-was there something else?"

>"What were you writing?"
>"Why does the king want to talk to me?"
>[C] "I forgot to thank you properly." (Middling)
>Other (write in)

>>839132
>[C] "I forgot to thank you properly." (Middling)

A proper thanks to a young man of the faith (perhaps a bit of teasing as well).

>>839230
Seconding this.

>>839230
Support

>>839230
>>839270
>>839682
Cute~
Roll me a 1d20+1 for success.

File: 1477442092635.jpg (20 KB, 400x301)

20 KB JPG

Rolled 9 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>839889

Rolled 17 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>839889
Dice gods, I beseech you for your mighty aid.

Rolled 16 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>839889

>>839945
>>839975
>>839995
Nice. I'm at work now, so stuff might delay the post. Regardless, writing.

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143 KB PNG

>>839995
Can't tell if this is good or not.

>>840008
>>839975
Well, at least one thing is clear. Asking the dice gods for aid can net you at least a point! Join the Church of Chance today, and learn about our lord and saviour d20!

>"I haven't thanked you properly yet."
You smile innocently, but there's just the hint of a glint of mischief in your eyes.
"What... What do you mean?"
Mattias looks nervous, his imagination probably going into overdrive.
>"Well, come over here and I'll show you."
You giggle cutely for added effect, and while still uncertain, Mattias seems to calm down as he walks towards you. You shift up onto your knees, still smiling encouragingly at Mattias, and when he's in range you rise up a bit so that you're face to face. You can see the trepidation in his eyes, and your smile doesn't seem to be helping anymore. You lean in, teasingly slowly, but rather than his lips, you plant a soft kiss on his cheek.
>"See? Nothing to worry about. Just a chaste kiss. After all, that's how fair maidens thank their rescuers, right?"
You lower yourself back into a sitting position, giggling to yourself as Mattias struggles to keep his composure.
"I'll b-be right back."
He throws his hood over his head, most likely in an attempt to hide the pale blush creeping up his ears that you caught a momentary glimpse of. Not even a half hour had passed since you woke up and you're already back in action. After the amusement of the situation dies down, you stand up to stretch and take in your surroundings. The darkened window informs you that it is nighttime, and the soft rustling of leaves tells of an autumn breeze. Your satchel lies on the ground next to your bed, and appears to have been unopened during your rest. Mattias was kind to not rummage through your stuff, you'll have to "thank" him for that as well, later. Smirking, you reach down to pick up your satchel when you feel the familiar rumbling of hunger. Well, at least the other half of the loaf you stole is still there. Taking a bite out of the loaf after opening your loot satchel, you note that the bread is a bit more moist than it was before, probably as a result of keeping it in a dark, closed space. Either way, it fills you up enough to end the hunger pangs, and you sit back down with your satchel open on the bed in front of you. You seem to have a few moments to yourself while Mattias fetches the king.

>Change clothes. (Thief Garb)
>[A] Sneak out.
>Read Mattias' journal.
>Other (write in)

>>840451
>Change clothes. (Thief Garb)

>>840451
>Read Mattias' journal.
Just a quick peek.

>>840451
>Read Mattias' journal.

>>840451
>>Change clothes. (Thief Garb)

>>840451
>Change clothes. (Thief Garb)
Fuck it I'll break the tie

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>840573
>>840698
>>840678
Don't mind me, just writing the post.

>>840732
O no ominous dice rolls. Pls mercy.

Aww shit OPs back! Have been lurking your quest thoroughly enjoying it so far and ty for writing for us during work

While leaving your current outfit on might give more chances to tease Mattias, it's somewhat uncomfortable for the current situation. You also think it would be a good idea to look a bit more decent in an audience with the king. To this end, you pull out the clothes you wore earlier today from the satchel. For a brief moment as you strip down, you get a nasty feeling that someone's going to walk in on you. Perhaps it's the open nature of the carriage, but soon the feeling passes anyway and you're sitting comfy in your regular thieves' outfit. It takes about another minute before the door squeaks open and Mattias emerges, hood still up.
"His Majesty requests your presence, Miss... Kathryn?"
You pout a bit as Mattias gives you a puzzled look. The king must have used your full name when asking for you to join him. Shame you didn't introduce yourself as Kat to him too. Oh well, it's not that big a deal you figure, and hop off the bed. Mattias looks you over again as you sling the satchel's strap over your shoulder. He seems... relieved? You smirk and give him a subtle wink, which sets him back to fidgeting. You know why he's relieved, and you figure letting him know you know is the best way to keep him from getting too comfortable around you.

>"Well, let's be at it then."
"O-of course."
He opens the door and allows you to walk out into the cool night first, the soft glow from the king's grand carriage faintly illuminating the little clearing created by the caravan. You give a little sashay of your hips as you walk past Mattias, not intending to let up on him - his reactions are just too cute. It's not often you get to tease a cleric, anyway. All the holy men in Sorrel are either locked away in study or old enough to be your grandpa. You hang around outside for a moment to let Mattias take the lead, but he stands awkwardly in his coach.
"Erm, he didn't tell me to return with you, just to send you to him."
He explains. Now it's your turn to feel awkward as you try to think of something to say.

>"Oh, alright then."
>"Come along anyway."
>"..."
>Other (write in)

>>840925
Aww, thanks anon! I'm glad you're enjoying it, especially since sometimes I feel like my writing gets off course or choppy. I don't mind writing at work though, mainly because I pull graveyards at a gas station so there's not always something to do.

>>840764
:^)
It was to see if Mattias walked in in you while you were changing. Cheesy, I know, but I feel like it might have been fun anyway.

>>841015
>come along anyway
Also I can just imagine him getting all flustered if he did. I'm glad we decided to tease him so much.

>>840994
>"Oh, alright then."
Let's not annoy the king

>>840994
>>"Come along anyway."
>>Other (write in)
"Perhaps we can...get to know each other better after wards."

>>841033
>>841155
>>841168
Writing

>"Well, why don't you come along anyway? Just because he didn't tell you to return doesn't mean he told you to stay away, right?"
"I... suppose..."
He looks somewhat skeptical, maybe a bit anxious? Either way, you fix him with your best wide-eyed pout and he relents.
"Oh, why not?"
You shift into a smile, and Mattias returns with a weak grin of his own. You get a devious idea as he steps out onto the ground though, and after he's taken a few steps towards the king's carriage do you speak.
>"And besides, maybe we could... get to know each other better afterward."
The content expression on his face immediately breaks into a nervous blush as he tosses the hood up again, and you giggle silently. He's just too easy to tease, you think. Maybe you'll lay off on the poor kid for now - even the quiet ones have snapping points.

Mattias decides to distract himself from your playing by walking in front of you and opening the door to the king's coach.
"Your Highness, I've brought Kathryn to you."
"Let her in, then."
Mattias sidles inside to hold the door open for you, which you graciously accept.
>"Please, call me Kat."
You lean in to whisper to him with a wink, and he responds by tilting his head further down to hide inside his hood. You were only half-teasing, however, as the name Kathryn just reminds you of your parents.
"Kathryn, please have a seat."
You figure you'll have to get used to it, though. You don't even remember why you introduced yourself with your real name. It must have been the king's aura or something. At any rate, you move inside the carriage and Mattias closes the door behind you after you sit down across the king at what appears to have been a hastily cleared tabletop. You briefly consider breaking the silence, but instead figure that would be too rude. This is the king after all.
"I'm going to make the assumption that you do not know why I wish to speak with you. Is this correct?"
You nod, but then decide to add something.
>"I heard bits and pieces about me being someone you're looking for, but I can't possibly think of anything a king would want from a street rat like me."
The king smiles warmly - his reputation as a benevolent ruler would seem to fit him.
"Kathryn, may I... see your pendant?"
The hesitation in this question makes you understandably on guard, but you don't really see any reason not to let him see it...

>Let him.
>Refuse.
>Other (write in)

>>841396
>gJSu5RgW
>Let him.

Not much reason not to, honestly.

>>841396
>Let him.
I've got a feeling that you can get a few coin from this, but it'd be rude to the king.

>>841426
>>841429
Writing, then.

>>838771
Use danboru, sankaku channel or something like that.

>"Um, sure."
You reach down the neck of your shirt to pull up the odd pendant that you always wear. You don't know what significance it has, but you feel like the king is about to tell you. You hand it over, and the king takes it with a nod of thanks. He turns it over a few times in his hands, inspecting the craftwork, and even holds it up to his eye for a bit. Satisfied, he returns the pendant to you, but motions for you to keep it out.
"Tell me, Kathryn, how did you get this pendant? And please, be completely honest with me. It's more important than you think."
You furrow your brow a little, somewhat confused, but you resolve to tell him the true story.
>"Well... I, um, stole it."
Already starting off great. The king arches a brow and Mattias' eyes widen just a bit.
>"But it wasn't like that!"
You sigh.
>"It belonged to someone I was close to, once. He had a habit of experimenting with alchemy, though. One day, he... flew into a rage, and attacked me. I was forced to defend myself and ended up killing him. I stole the pendant and ran off, hiding in the streets for years until the shock had died. I kept it to sort of honor his memory."
Sometime while telling the story, tears started to roll down your cheeks for the second time today. You usually consider yourself a pretty tough girl, but some traumas just can't be buried. Mattias offers you his handkerchief, which you accept with a nod of thanks and a weak smile.
>"I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this, I swear."
You laugh softly, but bury your face in the handkerchief for a few seconds before lifting your head again.
"There is no need to apologize, Kathryn. This is an understandably sorrowful memory. I should be the one apologizing for making you relive it."
The king looks downcast, but returns his gaze back to you after a second.
"This alchemist... What was his name?"
>"Mason Juleani."
"The Scoundrel..."
>"Pardon?"
"I apologize, but his name is the same as one of the Rogues of legend. There were three, you see. Mason, the Scoundrel; Arlon, the Emperor; and Lillin, the Specter. They were three... heroes, for lack of a better word, whose fates were said to be intertwined from birth. Their exploits have been lost to time, but it is said that those who possess their pendants will similarly have their fates tied."
>"What does this have to do with me?"
"Well, you have Mason's pendant, and I have been looking for the 'descendants' of the three Rogues for some time. You see, I was visited in a dream by Iris, the Time goddess herself. She told me that the barbarians to the west were being rallied by a powerful cultist of Sonohr, the Chaos god. She tasked me with finding the 'three mirrors of the legends', and that they would be our lights in the darkness of chaos. I believe that you are one of these mirrors."
>"But I'm not the one who-"
"You're not the original owner of the pendant? That makes it stronger proof, as legend says that The Scoundrel stole his pendant as well."

>Continued in next post

>>841639
"At any rate, I already know the whereabouts of The Emperor's mirror, as he was the easiest to locate. The Specter's mirror will be the most difficult to find, since they are by nature very slippery and hidden. You, however, are with me now, and I must ask you to make a difficult decision."
The king pauses to close his eyes for a brief spell, then gives you a neutral gaze, one that tells you that no matter your answer be will accept it.
"Will you join me on my journey?"

>"This is all so much, I don't think I can."
>"If it be my destiny, then I will face it."
>"None of this makes any sense. How would I be able to help save the world from chaos?"
>Other (write in)

>>841651
>"None of this makes any sense. How would I be able to help save the world from chaos?"

>>841651
>"This is all so much, I don't think I can."

>>841651
>"This is all so much, I don't think I can."

>>841651
>>"None of this makes any sense. How would I be able to help save the world from chaos?"

>>841651
>>Other (write in)
"If the king is asking, who is a street rat to refuse."

Since it's at a stalemate, I'm just going to update after I wake up this time. Again, thank you for sticking with me. I'd like to know what you guys think about my writing style for this quest, but don't feel pressured. Anyhoo, I'll see you when I wake up! Ta~

>>841981
Whoops, forgot my name. New ID too since my phone updated.

>>841981
I don't see anything wrong with your writing style. It's all right as it is, I can easily follow along with it. Your description of the characters' reactions is good as well. You're doing a great jov overall man. Keep it up!

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Well since it's still a stalemate, I'm just going to flip a coin for it.

>1. This is all so much, I don't think I can.
>2. None of this makes any sense.

>>844725
Uwtar has spoken. Writing now~

>>841981
Yup your writing style's perfectly fine. Really invested in the characters so far!

>>844725
Yes!

All things considered, you feel you deserve a few answers.
>"This doesn't make any sense. How am I supposed to... save the world from chaos or whatever?"
The king nods, clearly expecting a response like this.
"I understand your confusion. All you've known is s simple life, away from the greater world. Some men I know would kill for even that. How could one such as you be some fated hero?"
The king chuckles a bit.
"The truth is, all I have to go on is legend and riddles. I know not exactly how you are supposed to help, just that you will, when the time comes. I'm sorry I can't make things any clearer than that."
He lowers his head, looking truly apologetic. You sigh, still not any closer to answers than you were before, but there's some comfort in sharing your ignorance with the king, at least.
>"So... what about this chaos cultist or what you were taking about before?"
"Ah, yes. To the west lies a primal, savage continent, full of barbarians and wild men. They were easily swayed by the dark magics the followers of Sonohr practice. The head cultist, Archibald, is now gathering an army to attack our fair land of Caravel, and as king of this land I must defend it with every resource I have available to me. Even if the mirrors don't exist, your pendant foretells of your place in history, and your importance in the events to come."
You nod, sort of understanding but still confused about the whole situation. You've never really felt heroic or special, you're just a street thief. But if what the king says is true, then maybe you have the chance to be much more.
"I can see you're thinking much about the situation, but you haven't answered my question yet. Will you join me on this journey? I won't expect you to fight with us, but when the time comes you'll know what you must do. I'm sure of it."
His assurances make you feel somewhat more confident, but it would still be quite a change in your life. You swear you can see Mattias smiling faintly out of the corner of your eye, but when you turn your head his face is as impassive as ever.

>"Who am I to refuse the king?"
>"I'm sorry, but I have my own path to take."
>Other (write in)

>>841999
>>844817
Aww, thanks guys. <3
In really enjoying writing this quest for you all, glad you're liking it!

>>845088
>"Who am I to refuse the king?"

>>845088
Naturally.
>"Who am I to refuse the king?"
Maybe ask a few questions regarding the threats that we are facing?

>>845088
>"Who am I to refuse the king?"

Our original goal was getting the heck out of town, and now we're offering our services to a king. Might as well tag along for the journey seeing as we can't return for the time being.

>>845121
>>845123
>>845124
All-write-y then~
I'm not sorry.

>"I am but a street rat - who am I to refuse a king?"
You nod, trying to wrap your head around today's events. You were planning on getting out of town anyway, but now maybe you'll have a goal to reach. You have to admit, the prospect of traveling with the king is rather exciting, but what faces you gives you some pause.
>"Though, what manner of enemy are we facing?"
The king's expression turns grim, and Mattias nods slowly. To your surprise, it's the cleric who speaks next.
"Sonohr is the God of Chaos. He rules all that is unknown and volatile, and despises law and order and she who controls it: Illa. When the High Lord Iralteus split into the four Prime Deities, Sonohr was denied his chance at redemption for the invitation of Chaos to this plane. He was banished to the Shadow Plane, and from there he whispered to dark mages and promised them power in exchange for service to Chaos. The Sonohrian Cult rose, and sought to bring chaos and destruction to all that is good and just. For the most part, the people of Caravel fought back, but few turned to Sonohr in desperation or desire. Archibald was one who joined for both, seeking vengeance upon his brother and then-King Reginald Gallardor."
Your eyes widen a bit as Mattias pauses, and the king nods.
"Aye, the very same Reginald Gallardor who raised my father's father. The chaos and dark magic that sustains Archibald has preserved him for longer than a century now, and I must face my Great Granduncle. I would be lying if I told you I was perfectly ready. But that's why I'm searching for the mirrors, those three who are foretold to be of great aid in our time of darkness. And it is for this reason that I am dearly grateful to you for joining me."

You nod, and the king returns it. He then looks at Mattias, who promptly moves to open the door.
"You may rest in Mattias' carriage, or if you have any unfinished business you may take care of that. Do note that we leave when the sun fully crests the horizon. Again, thank you, Kathryn."
You nod once more as you rise to exit the carriage. This is a lot to think about, but at least you have all night to come to terms with it. Speaking of which, Mattias seems to be heading back into town.
>"Where you headed off to?"
"Oh, um, nowhere in particular..."
You fix him with a skeptical stare, and he relents.
"Oh, fine, I'm going to the city park. I usually like some time to reflect on things before we leave in the mornings."
He moves again, then hesitates.
"Er, you're free to come along... If you want."
It feels like he added that last line just to be courteous, but you could take him up on it if you wanted.

>"Sure, I'll go." (Go to Park)
>"I have other things I need to take care of." (Go to Hideout)
>"I think I might just rest here." (Stay and advance to next day)
>Other (write in)

Also, I guess we're in autosage now? After the next update I'll make a new thread.

>>845341
>"Sure, I'll go." (Go to Park)
Not gonna miss out the chance to tease the poor Mattias.

>>845404
Okay.

>>845341
As much as I like to enjoy teasing the young cleric, we have to prepare for this journey ahead of us. Plenty of opportunities to harass will come later on.

>"I have other things I need to take care of."

>>845341
>"I have other things I need to take care of." (Go to Hideout)

>>845427 Yeah we should probably pack up our stuff.

>>845341
More time with Matthias!
>Go to park
And perhaps we could find time to say farewell to our friend Jim?

>>845426
>>845427
>>845438
>>845442

Since this is the last update for the thread, I'll merge the two because there's another stalemate. Standby for writing~

>>845341
>>"I have other things I need to take care of." (Go to Hideout)

>"Sure, I'll go. I did say we'd get to know each other better, after all."
You add a hint of a wink, but Mattias just sighs. It's a tired sigh, one that you recognize as a sign of being proven right, but not wanting to be.
"Please, if your intention is to mock me, then I would prefer to be alone."
At this, he turns away and starts back into the city. You tilt your head quizzically; he seemed different that time. Perhaps there's something on his mind that he truly needs to sort out first. You suppose it's a good thing he stopped you, since you may have forgotten to go pack up what little you own at the hideout. Still, you feel a little bad for toying with the lad. Maybe you'll stop by the park to apologize. First thing's first, though. You adjust your satchel and make your way into town, navigating the nearly empty streets. The lamps provide the same sort of glittering light, but it's softer. More cozy than grand, you think. You're going to miss this place, even if you were a bit of a menace. After a time, you make it to the abandoned building that covers your hideout, and despite the fact that you may not ever return to it, your thief's habits rear themselves when you check to make sure nobody was watching when you open the hidden hatch.

The first thing you see is darkness. Thankfully, you know where everything is, and only have to fumble around for a few seconds before finding the flint and steel to spark up the makeshift fireplace. The flicker of flames across your ragged bedroll and the chest beside it give you fond feelings of home. This is your home. You briefly consider just staying here and walking up tomorrow like nothing happened, but you made a promise. You may be a thief and a scoundrel, but you keep your word. Mostly.

Regardless, there's packing to do and people to see, so you waste no time in picking the lock on your trunk with the lockpick beside it. When it pops open, a mess of fabric and wigs greets you - your disguise collection. While the one you normally keep in your satchel is a quick change to fool the stupid, these are full blown wardrobe overhauls that could deceive even the most observant of marks. You're far from a seamstress, but they're a point of pride for your sewing skills anyway. You stuff as many disguises as you can into your satchel, and you're pleasantly surprised to find that there's still enough room for your sewing supplies and a bit more. Looking around, you try to decide on what else would be worth taking with you. You don't have anything in the way of actual clothing, since you mostly just wear the same thing every day - you make sure to wash your clothes at least once every other night. All of your money is in the satchel, since you never know when a decent bribe will get you out of trouble. There's actually not a whole lot left, you realize with maybe the faintest tinge of sadness. You stow the lockpick and fire striker as well, then stamp out the fireplace before leaving.

>Continued in next post

>>845651
As you climb out of the hatch, your satchel bulging somewhat from the load it's carrying, you jump in surprise as a voice addresses you.
"So this is where it is, huh? The fabled Hideout. I had my suspicions but didn't think you'd actually go for the 'abandoned house' schtick."
>"Gods above, Jim! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to sneak up on a lady?"
"Didn't realize you were a lady, all of a sudden."
He dodges the rubble you throw at him and smirks.
"Sorry, Kat, I was just in the neighborhood-"
>"You mean you've been drinking."
"-Just in the neighborhood, and figured I'd pay you a visit. You looked awfully banged up after the king hauled you out of the Grand Chapel. Problem is, I never did find out where your hidey hole is. Lucky for me that you were also in the neighborhood."
He grins somewhat stupidly, and you roll your eyes with a smirk.
>"Well, you know what they say, Jiminy. Uwtar favors three kinds: Chimney sweeps, fools, and-"
"Drunks. Yeah yeah, I've been drinking. Is that so bad though?"
>"You're being a bad role model, Jim."
You chastise playfully, and Jim laughs. It's good that he can cut loose once in a while, even if he has to lubricate the stick up his ass with alcohol first.
>"Though, I think Uwtar favors me too, since I was just about to go looking for you."
"Oh?"
Jim looks genuinely interested, even if you can see the places the alcohol is taking him by watching how his eyes flicker across your body.
>"Not like that, asshole. I'm..."
You hesitate a bit, unsure of how to word it.
>"There's been a bit of a change of plans. I'm still going to skip town, but it might be for a lot longer than you think. There's something I've got to do, but I don't know what it is."
Jim's brow furrows a bit as he processes this information through the booze.
"Well... I hope you don't leave forever, Kat. You might cause me more trouble than I think you're worth sometimes, but you're a genuinely good friend."
>"I'll... I'll try to come back, someday."
You step forward and plant your face firmly into his chest, embracing him as close as you possibly can. It takes him a second before he wraps his arms around your shoulders, and for a split second you don't want to ever let go. However, you've made your choice, and you need to take responsibility for yourself sometime. After about a minute, you slowly break out of the hug and turn to walk away.
"I hope you're successful at whatever you need to do, Kat."
>"Me too, Jiminy. Me too."

>Continued in next post

>>845722
There's still time to go to the park and apologize to Mattias but you could honestly use some time to yourself now too. You tread the familiar stones that lead the way to the little nature park in the city. Sure enough, you see Mattias sitting on the bench there, head tilted back as he looks up into the night sky.
>"Hey."
Mattias closes his eyes.
"I thought I said not to come if you were just going to mock me."
>"It's... It's not like that. I wanted to apologize for making you uncomfortable. Sometimes I get a little overzealous with my teasing and I don't realize it."
You bow your head in apology, and Mattias sighs.
"Sorry, I've just been under a lot of stress lately, what with the king's search and the threat of Chaos looming... It's hard to relax sometimes, you know?"
>"Not really, if I'm being honest, but I suppose being toyed with by a girl probably doesn't help your situation much."
You smile lightly, and Mattias chuckles just a bit.
"No, I can't say it does. You're pretty, Kathryn, but I'm a Cleric of Iteus. I can't be tempted by lust, even when..."
He trails off and clears his throat, the pink blush no doubt creeping up his ears again. You smile, and hop up on a low hanging branch of the tree at the center of the park clearing. It makes a convenient seat, and it's next to the bench as well. You smile at Mattias again, then look up to the sky like him.
>"I just think it's cute when boys get all flustered when I tease them. Maybe it's a point of pride, even though I don't really feel sexual attraction to any of the guys I flirt with."
You hear Mattias hum in assent.
>"I never really thought about it from a religious perspective. I suppose that would be an even bigger problem for a cleric, huh?"
You shift on the branch so you can rest your chin against the higher sloped end, letting your arms kind of hang off the branch. You tilt your head so you can see Mattias, and he nods.
"We're allowed to, but it has to be within the boundaries of an Iteus-blessed partnership. In short, I must be married before having sex."
The topic makes him flush just a bit harder, and you nod in understanding.
>"That's fair. I'm not religious, but I feel the same way. Maybe someday I'll find the man who'll be my husband."
Mattias doesn't reply, but just gazes back up at the moon. You do the same, and the two of you sit in silence for a time, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze the only sound between you.

"We should probably return so we'll be well rested for the trip. I see you've already taken care of your possessions."
Mattias breaks the silence, and nods towards your full satchel. You hum in agreement and slide sideways off the tree branch, landing in a very catlike manner on the ground. Mattias leads the way back, and you follow along in silence. Eventually the two of you reach the caravan, and you both enter the cleric's coach. You hit the bed and immediately fall asleep, feeling both anxious and excited for the days to come.

>END OF PROLOGUE.

Thank you all so much for taking part! I'm going to take a bit of a break from writing for the night, but I'll have the new thread up later in the day!

<3

>>845769
I'll still be around until the thread dies to answer questions or just chat a bit, though~

>>845769
Thanks for running! I have the distinct feeling that dis gon be gud.

>>845769
Thanks for the good time!
So far, we still don't use any item from our inventory, but I guess it's still the prologue.
Looking forward to the next session.

>>845812
<3

>>845835
Yeah, the inventory is really more of a status screen than a list of consumables, though your throwing knives will deplete if you use all of them and don't pick them back up. We haven't even gotten into real combat yet, but there'll be time for that too.
There's also the write in option. He's feeling kind of left out. ;^)

>>845769
Thanks for the run QM.

Anyone archiving this?

>>845769
Thanks for the great session! Will be looking forward to your next one Questfaggot-san~

>>841670
+1

>>848058
fug forgot to refresh

New thread!
>>851613