Turn 1: Offers and Holy MenHead to the crossroads through the plains and search for a solitary would-be mugger near an inn.
[3] You find someone shifty hanging around in the shadow of an inn. Probably a mugger.
[2] vs [2] You both end up tumbled in a pile as you try to eat him, though.
Barkhorn will explore...The cave! Look for shiny things, anything of possible worth. Barter whatever he has for better things, even the clothes on his back. (But not the hat!)
The shiniest and most valuable things appear to be next to a peculiar little humanoid. It's half the size of a man if that, with large, pointed, fair-skinned ears, whitish hair with the faintest touch of lavender in what looks like a beehive style, and a featureless white mask with black eyeholes in it. It wields a spear topped with crystal and a sturdy-looking wooden shield.
Around it are various implements, racks, and emplacements, the most noteworthy looking like a bed of glowing teal coals in some sort of forge.
As you approach, it bangs its spear against its shield twice, making a fairly loud tinging sound. "I am
Tingting!" it says, which you note sounds vaguely like the sounds it just made. "Sell mighty armaments for those worthy. Aid those worthier in crafting items of great power. Sometimes buy worthy items, but only rarely! No rusty steel!"
Quick confirmation reveals that he is not interested in your clothes, and you have no money to speak of. You do notice several other creatures nearby who seem to be providing work, however. Maybe they could pay you?
((You're aware of all the deals offered to Tiruin, below.))
Standing up and ignoring the babble around him, Leandrio heads towards the inner regions of the cave to ask about the goings of nearby - news and such, if there was any deals to broker, or anything a fledgeling vampire could do.
The first being you notice is a fuscia-robed humanoid holding a crystal-topped staff. Its eyes are visible beneath its cowl, but nothing else.
"Greetings to you, I am the Broker. I handle transactions- information, mostly, but sometimes other deals. What might I interest you in today?"
Unfortunately, it occurs to you that you have no money to pay him with. He does offer you the free tip that you can make money by robbing villagers, or nearby patrons may have tasks they're willing to pay you in coin for. He'll also tell you about some things, usually about things that remain static, for free.
The first such patron is a hulking red demon. It stands like a gorilla, massive muscular arms planted to the ground.
"Am Gorat," it says in a deep, resonant, gravely voice. "Pay for many parts. Mostly pay in gold, sometimes reagents or materials. Gold useful for buying things, not all merchants take gold. Now need ten child's eyes. Pay 2 gold. Children small and easy to hunt."
The second is some sort of very fat ogre or troll. It sits on the ground, more or less a ball with legs poking out and an upper torso.
"Am Villus," it says, in a fairly vacant-sounding tone. "Pay for strange things. Mostly pay in materials, but sometimes reagents or gold. Materials good for building things. Now need silver plate. Pay 3 horse hides. Silver plates grow in human houses, me think. Must be big plate, not tiny one."
The third is a faintly insubstantial-looking skeleton in wispy, tattered robes that seem to flow like they're underwater. It wields a staff, and seems to be floating, bobbing gently like it's also underwater.
"I am Hecellia," it says, in a ghostly, echoing voice that sounds faintly feminine. "I pay for specific reagents. I usually pay in different reagents, but sometimes provide materials or gold instead. Reagents are useful for providing magical power. I am currently in need of three pieces of nightsbane. It is a plant found growing in darkness and especially evil, which looks like a collection of ash-grey, bladelike leaves growing from the ground. I will offer a minor coldstone crystal in exchange."
Action: Travel through the plains to the Crossroads with Annette. Once there, looking for a nice shadowy bar of drunken, easily coerced louts...
"I works mo betta alone, but I aint de one's to stop ya ya wan tag along. Lez head down to de crossroads, girl."
[2] All the taverns you find are fairly well-lit, and inhabited by people who look both more intelligent than a rock and less drunk than a... well, less drunk than you'd like.
>Examine my surroundings, then, if no interesting opportunities present themselves, head north along the road to Lightshade forest, keeping alert for any signs of travellers ahead. If I detect anyone, hide off to one side.
>The basic plan is to find some well-meaning traveller or group of travellers and pretend to be a travelling priest who was cruelly set upon and robbed. I will beg them to let me travel with them.
[6] You find a gaggle of traveling nuns. Huh.
[5] Your plan works flawlessly, and they let you travel with them, chatting idly with you and talking about how horrible that must have been.
Polyphemus stumbles out of the his little cave his true eyes wide open. His throat was itchy, it was time for some lunch.
> Head to the market in search of some drunken fools to snack on, and if I see any merchants selling books ask if I can take a peek.
[2] The market city's gates are closed for the night.
[5] You do discover a rather grand book merchant, however. [6] He allows you to see some of his books. In fact, he insists on showing you some of his favorites and asking questions about where you came from, what you do, and so on.
With a final patronizing glance at the lovebirds, he headed off towards the lowlands of Lourraine, keeping watch for any churches or other religious symbols along the way.
[5] You find a rather elegant church, largely of marble. It's quite exquisite, if a bit small. To be expected, of course, being off in the countryside and all.
Iustitia Ombibus (Spinal_Taper)
Lower Farms
10/10 HP
Shapeshifting 1
Church
Valenor Imanahan (Caellath)
Crossroads
20/20 HP
Everlasting Body 1
Mugger
Leandrio Nexere (Tiruin)
Underworld
10/10 HP
Plague 1
Barkhorn (Caerwyn)
10/10 HP
Charm 1
Lady Genevieve Le Sombra (Dwarmin)
Crossroads
10/10 HP
Hypnotism 1
Polythemus (UltraValican)
Crossroads
10/10 HP
Perfect Sight 1
Merchant
Annette Le Roy (agentorangesoda)
Crossroads
10/10 HP
Wildkin 1
Vunkel Von Vonhome (Yoink)
Lightshade Forest
10/10 HP
Unnatural Mobility 1
Nuns
If I've missed anything or made any mistakes, let me know. Caellath changed his special to a copy of Toughness, incidentally.