01-12-2018, 05:52 PM
Gaston awoke in a cushioned bed, the elven barmaid standing near him.
"So you're awake now? Lucky for you, that bag of coins you gave me was enough for this." She handed him a bowl full of a thick, deep green liquid. "Drink. It'll help with your hangover" He hesitantly pulled it up to his mouth, taking a sip, before immediately spitting it back into the bowl.
"You expect me to drink this? It's terrible!"
"Drink it or get out. You're not getting your money back." Gaston grumbled, but chugged it down, with some slight gagging.
"So, since the guy last night-"
"The guy you got in a fist fight with. The dead one."
"Yes, that is what I said. So, that guy last night was absolutely useless! He didn't.." Gaston clutched his head. "Agh. He didn't give me any information on this town! I need to know what's happening around here."
"Heh. Well, the only information you should need is to get out. We don't take kindly to strangers here. You'll be dead in a few days. I guarantee it. But if you insist on staying-"
"I do."
"Shut it. If you insist on staying, I'll tell you. So there's two big powers here, the Doomcleaver's and the Sylran's."
"Hold on-Doomcleaver's? That's a bit obviously dramatic. I love it!"
"I swear... Shut your mouth, or I'm kicking you out! So, Doomcleaver's are run by Taugh Doomcleaver, an orc. He came here about a year ago, just settled down and got himself some territory and a group of followers. They've got a hard process to get in, but once you're in, they'll treat you like family. The Sylran's are named after their leader too. Ilrune Sylran. He's a powerful wizard, and an elf. Pretty reclusive, and if he comes out, then that means trouble. He tends to recruit anyone willing. We normal folk don't try to get involved. Just tend to our shops, sell our wares, whatever. Oh and, word of advice: carry a weapon with you if you go anywhere."
Gaston grinned. The perfect town! All he'd need to do is work for both of them. Profit on the deception, steal as much as he could get from them, and leave. A simple task. He began formulating a plan in his mind. He'd go for Sylran first. He recruited more people and so he could join easier. Afterwards he could go to Doomcleaver, when he had realised how to impress them. So he got up and prepared to execute his plan, stumbling out of the bed.
"I'm leaving."
"Oh wow. I never would have expected given that you stood up." Gaston ignored her and stumbled out. He began a walk out onto the street, holding his hand above his eyes. But his eyes still hurt from the bright light of the sun. He approached a nearby goblin who was working on something wooden. Gaston tried to talk, but couldn't get the words out before the goblin spoke up.
"Come here for a minute! I need to measure you." His voice was croaky, like a frog.
"What do you want? I'm busy trying to find the Sylran's!"
"More reason for me to measure you. You want to fit in your coffin, right?"
"Coffin? I'm strong! I won't need a coffin!"
"Well, I'm not exactly asking. Get over here." Gaston grumbled but complied. The goblin pulled out a long tape measure. "Now, this will only take a moment!"
*
An Elf sat with runes on her gloves glowing. She charged a fireball in her hand, then dispersed it, repeating it several times. It was her first mission for the Doomcleavers. She had to perform recon, find out what the Sylran's were planning, and then get back. Simple. But she'd need to stay all day until she found something. And that scared the hell out of her. She charged a blast in her palm and shot up with both, landing on the roof of a tall wooden building. She felt along the roof until she found a weak plank, slamming it down. She hung from the created ledge and climbed onto the ceiling, secreting a sticky goop onto one hand and her feet. With the other hand she performed a small motion and put the plank back into place, before climbing to a storage ledge and beginning to watch the main room. Nothing. So, she'd wait. As long as it would take.
*
Gaston walked away from the goblin, shaking his head.
"Thank you for your business! Well, thanks in advance, anyway," the raspy goblin said with a small chuckled. Gaston walked away as fast as he could.
"Dammit..." He walked to a man nearby, not wanting to talk to the goblin anymore. "You! Do you know how I can join the Sylran's?"
"Picked a good person. I'm Iolrath Daerel. Sylran recruiter. You can handle yourself in a fight?"
"Better than anyone!"
"Optimism! I like that. Alright, so we're gonna take you to one of our bases, and we'll introduce you!" He began walking and Gaston followed. He then picked up a purple and golden gun out of a holster on his belt and tossed it to Gaston. "You'll need that. Standard issue for the Sylran's." Gaston grinned.
"More firepower! Amazing," he muttered under his breath. He pumped Omnilium into it to reinforce it and give it more power, and followed Iolrath to the Sylran base.
*
The Elf kept crouching on the storage area, watching below. There were some people there, but nothing interesting. They ate, made some crass jokes about the Doomcleavers, but otherwise there was nothing important. That is, until a tall Elf walked in with a burly man. And from the looks of it, a new recruit. Could this be important? She pulled out a spyglass and zoomed in, watching closely.
*
Gaston walked into the main base, making casual conversation with Iolrath. He seemed like a nice man. It was a shame that he'd probably die when Gaston betrayed him. He'd have to avoid him when attacking with the Doomcleavers.
"So, what'll we be doing as the Sylran's? Got any missions I can help with?" Gaston spoke intentionally as a subordinate, ready to please. Gain their loyalty! A great plan, as always.
"We've got something. So, the Doomcleavers recently got a large group of their men taken out... 'by wolves'. The funeral is tomorrow. We'll be ambushing."
"That sounds spectacular. Any specific plan?"
"Not much, but we know some of our members will be hiding in the coffins. When they begin hymns, or whatever those savages do, they jump out and attack. Actually, would you be up for that?"
"Of course!" Gaston grinned. This was his type of plan.
*
The Elf had heard enough. She began to creep away, but misplaced one step, and a loud creak echoed. She cringed, and began charging up an attack, just in case.
*
Gaston looked up at the storage area, and saw the Elf standing there.
"Iolrath!" He yelled while running up the stairs. He pulled out his new pistol and began to fire rapidly, attacking the Elf as lethally as possible. Her eyes widened, and she let loose an attack of pure energy before rolling to the right. Some attacks grazed her, but most of the bullets missed. Her blast slammed Gaston backwards, causing him to hit the wall. She leapt up and went for the ceiling, hoping to escape.
"Dammit! How'd they get in here?!" Iolrath pulled out a rifle from his back and began firing at her, hitting her arms and making her fall. She shot fireballs at Iolrath and Gaston, just as Gaston was picking himself up. He walked forward through it, the fireball weak. He let another shot loose as Iolrath fell from the pain, hitting her in the leg. Blood splattered onto the wooden floor, staining it as she fell over.
"Nononono! Don't! Whatever you're thinking, please don't!" Gaston kicked her in the side.
"Don't give me orders!" He spoke savagely, as he began picking her up. He walked to a nearby crate, picking up rope from inside and tying her up. She struggled, but remained in the binds. "Where will I take her?" Iolrath forced himself up, a look of awe on his face.
"Oh, uh... just put her in um, the room back there." He pointed to a small door in the corner. "And uh, good job. You're definitely..." He coughed and winced. "Sorry. You're a Sylran now. For sure."
Gaston smiled and placed her down. His plan was going perfectly.
"So you're awake now? Lucky for you, that bag of coins you gave me was enough for this." She handed him a bowl full of a thick, deep green liquid. "Drink. It'll help with your hangover" He hesitantly pulled it up to his mouth, taking a sip, before immediately spitting it back into the bowl.
"You expect me to drink this? It's terrible!"
"Drink it or get out. You're not getting your money back." Gaston grumbled, but chugged it down, with some slight gagging.
"So, since the guy last night-"
"The guy you got in a fist fight with. The dead one."
"Yes, that is what I said. So, that guy last night was absolutely useless! He didn't.." Gaston clutched his head. "Agh. He didn't give me any information on this town! I need to know what's happening around here."
"Heh. Well, the only information you should need is to get out. We don't take kindly to strangers here. You'll be dead in a few days. I guarantee it. But if you insist on staying-"
"I do."
"Shut it. If you insist on staying, I'll tell you. So there's two big powers here, the Doomcleaver's and the Sylran's."
"Hold on-Doomcleaver's? That's a bit obviously dramatic. I love it!"
"I swear... Shut your mouth, or I'm kicking you out! So, Doomcleaver's are run by Taugh Doomcleaver, an orc. He came here about a year ago, just settled down and got himself some territory and a group of followers. They've got a hard process to get in, but once you're in, they'll treat you like family. The Sylran's are named after their leader too. Ilrune Sylran. He's a powerful wizard, and an elf. Pretty reclusive, and if he comes out, then that means trouble. He tends to recruit anyone willing. We normal folk don't try to get involved. Just tend to our shops, sell our wares, whatever. Oh and, word of advice: carry a weapon with you if you go anywhere."
Gaston grinned. The perfect town! All he'd need to do is work for both of them. Profit on the deception, steal as much as he could get from them, and leave. A simple task. He began formulating a plan in his mind. He'd go for Sylran first. He recruited more people and so he could join easier. Afterwards he could go to Doomcleaver, when he had realised how to impress them. So he got up and prepared to execute his plan, stumbling out of the bed.
"I'm leaving."
"Oh wow. I never would have expected given that you stood up." Gaston ignored her and stumbled out. He began a walk out onto the street, holding his hand above his eyes. But his eyes still hurt from the bright light of the sun. He approached a nearby goblin who was working on something wooden. Gaston tried to talk, but couldn't get the words out before the goblin spoke up.
"Come here for a minute! I need to measure you." His voice was croaky, like a frog.
"What do you want? I'm busy trying to find the Sylran's!"
"More reason for me to measure you. You want to fit in your coffin, right?"
"Coffin? I'm strong! I won't need a coffin!"
"Well, I'm not exactly asking. Get over here." Gaston grumbled but complied. The goblin pulled out a long tape measure. "Now, this will only take a moment!"
*
An Elf sat with runes on her gloves glowing. She charged a fireball in her hand, then dispersed it, repeating it several times. It was her first mission for the Doomcleavers. She had to perform recon, find out what the Sylran's were planning, and then get back. Simple. But she'd need to stay all day until she found something. And that scared the hell out of her. She charged a blast in her palm and shot up with both, landing on the roof of a tall wooden building. She felt along the roof until she found a weak plank, slamming it down. She hung from the created ledge and climbed onto the ceiling, secreting a sticky goop onto one hand and her feet. With the other hand she performed a small motion and put the plank back into place, before climbing to a storage ledge and beginning to watch the main room. Nothing. So, she'd wait. As long as it would take.
*
Gaston walked away from the goblin, shaking his head.
"Thank you for your business! Well, thanks in advance, anyway," the raspy goblin said with a small chuckled. Gaston walked away as fast as he could.
"Dammit..." He walked to a man nearby, not wanting to talk to the goblin anymore. "You! Do you know how I can join the Sylran's?"
"Picked a good person. I'm Iolrath Daerel. Sylran recruiter. You can handle yourself in a fight?"
"Better than anyone!"
"Optimism! I like that. Alright, so we're gonna take you to one of our bases, and we'll introduce you!" He began walking and Gaston followed. He then picked up a purple and golden gun out of a holster on his belt and tossed it to Gaston. "You'll need that. Standard issue for the Sylran's." Gaston grinned.
"More firepower! Amazing," he muttered under his breath. He pumped Omnilium into it to reinforce it and give it more power, and followed Iolrath to the Sylran base.
*
The Elf kept crouching on the storage area, watching below. There were some people there, but nothing interesting. They ate, made some crass jokes about the Doomcleavers, but otherwise there was nothing important. That is, until a tall Elf walked in with a burly man. And from the looks of it, a new recruit. Could this be important? She pulled out a spyglass and zoomed in, watching closely.
*
Gaston walked into the main base, making casual conversation with Iolrath. He seemed like a nice man. It was a shame that he'd probably die when Gaston betrayed him. He'd have to avoid him when attacking with the Doomcleavers.
"So, what'll we be doing as the Sylran's? Got any missions I can help with?" Gaston spoke intentionally as a subordinate, ready to please. Gain their loyalty! A great plan, as always.
"We've got something. So, the Doomcleavers recently got a large group of their men taken out... 'by wolves'. The funeral is tomorrow. We'll be ambushing."
"That sounds spectacular. Any specific plan?"
"Not much, but we know some of our members will be hiding in the coffins. When they begin hymns, or whatever those savages do, they jump out and attack. Actually, would you be up for that?"
"Of course!" Gaston grinned. This was his type of plan.
*
The Elf had heard enough. She began to creep away, but misplaced one step, and a loud creak echoed. She cringed, and began charging up an attack, just in case.
*
Gaston looked up at the storage area, and saw the Elf standing there.
"Iolrath!" He yelled while running up the stairs. He pulled out his new pistol and began to fire rapidly, attacking the Elf as lethally as possible. Her eyes widened, and she let loose an attack of pure energy before rolling to the right. Some attacks grazed her, but most of the bullets missed. Her blast slammed Gaston backwards, causing him to hit the wall. She leapt up and went for the ceiling, hoping to escape.
"Dammit! How'd they get in here?!" Iolrath pulled out a rifle from his back and began firing at her, hitting her arms and making her fall. She shot fireballs at Iolrath and Gaston, just as Gaston was picking himself up. He walked forward through it, the fireball weak. He let another shot loose as Iolrath fell from the pain, hitting her in the leg. Blood splattered onto the wooden floor, staining it as she fell over.
"Nononono! Don't! Whatever you're thinking, please don't!" Gaston kicked her in the side.
"Don't give me orders!" He spoke savagely, as he began picking her up. He walked to a nearby crate, picking up rope from inside and tying her up. She struggled, but remained in the binds. "Where will I take her?" Iolrath forced himself up, a look of awe on his face.
"Oh, uh... just put her in um, the room back there." He pointed to a small door in the corner. "And uh, good job. You're definitely..." He coughed and winced. "Sorry. You're a Sylran now. For sure."
Gaston smiled and placed her down. His plan was going perfectly.