'Steward, I seek your assistance. The King has requested me to approach the spirits of the land. I will need sufficient sacrifices to appease them - your largest boars, wisest birds, fastest hounds. His Highness would be most pleased.'
"It is as good as done. I need a break from this pondering on the kingdom's taxes."
Go hunting for a Boar, an Owl and a Wolf.
Catching live beasts is always a challenge, but there's a reason you're the best. You set out before dawn with the horses and hounds, ranging through the Royal Woods in search of your game. [6+1] You come across the boar early on, but the creature catches you by surprise - and a great beast he is, too! Easily the greatest boar you've ever seen, but he has the advantage and rushes the dogs before you can get a shot in with your bow.
[2+1 vs 5] Four of the hounds go down immediately, and the boar even gores one of the horses. You try to get a clear shot in with your bow but miss wildly. (5/6hp Hemel) [5+1 vs 6] The boar goes for another of the hunters, but you manage to shoot him in the flank. The arrow barely phases the creature, but it draws his attention away from the hunter and over to you. [2+1 vs 3] The boar squeals and charges you, but you expertly leap off your horse (it bolts) and roll away to safety. [4+1 vs 5] The boar turns and charges again, and you manage to get out of the way but drop your bow. [3+1 vs 6] You manage to get hold of the boar spear, but the beast charges and one of its tusks tears a nasty gash along your arm as you barrel out of the way. (4/6hp Hemel) [5+1 vs 4] You turn as the boar does, bracing yourself and planting the spear in the ground. The boar charges again, and you catch it him in the shoulder with the spear. The boar squeals and thrashes, trying to get to you. [6+1 vs 1] You hold position as the boar drives further into the spear, but one of your huntsmen gets there in time with the club and smacks the creature hard at the back of the head, stunning it. The peasants move in quickly, binding the boar by its legs and trussing it up for transport back. The creature continues to thrash, but it is helpless now. You locate your horse again and continue on.
[6] The hunt for a wolf seems to go fruitlessly for most of the day until late in the afternoon you stumble upon a huge she-wolf, larger than the boar, and a litter of pups. You have a terrible realisation; this is no ordinary grey wolf, but a dire. Once again, the wolf gets the drop on you and you fight desperately as she goes for your huntsmen. [1+1 vs 3] The dire she-wolf hamstrings one of the horses immediately, the huntsman falling to the ground. Instantly, the pups set upon him, worrying his flesh. (3/6hp) [3+1 vs 6] You helplessly fire an arrow at the beast, missing, as she takes your horse by the leg and brings it low, throwing you to the ground. You hit the turf hard, but manage to roll away. (2/6hp) [2+1 vs 6] The wolf goes for your throat, catching your armoured bracers instead and digging her fangs deep into the metal. (1/6hp) [3+1 vs 3] You draw your belt knife with your free hand and in a fit of desperation drive it into the she-wolf's throat. She half-growls, half-howls and you feel her jaws loosen on your arm. [2+1...] You try to stab again, but your fingers slip from the blood. The wolf begins to tighten her jaws again [vs 6] and you feel the bone crack. (0/6hp) As the world fades darkly you ball your fist [6 vs 2] and pummel her skull again and again in desperation until you are suddenly aware that she is no longer fighting. You somehow managed to beat her senseless, though she still lives. You collapse.
Later, when you awaken, you learn that they bound and brought back the she-wolf, subdued and alive, as per your instructions. The peasants were able to slay the wolf cubs, bringing back their pelts - a buyer has already been found and you collect a windfall of
£2 from the sale (to be used as you wish). Finally, one of the falconers was able to bring down a snowy owl, [5] wounded but alive and of particularly white feathers. All three beasts have been collected, and you are certain that this would constitute a truly magnificent sacrifice.
As it had better. Apart from the three men you lost in the hunt, you have your own injuries to consider. [4+1-2] Physician Kyle does his best, and fortunately his best is just good enough. Your arm is fractured in several places and he resets it, extremely painfully, and you suffered a broken rib from falling off your horse. He poultices the gash on your arm, and it festers for a time before finally healing with an ugly scar. [6+1-1] Worse still is the fever, but Kyle is able to get you through it with a tincture of poppy seeds to manage the sickness and the pain. Unfortunately, given the pain from your arm, you develop something of a habit of taking the poppy draught as a result.
You have earned £2!
Your arm is slowly mending, but for the rest of the year you will lack your archery bonus.
You have developed a mild addiction to poppywine.
You have acquired all three sacrificial beasts, all truly magnificent specimens. You have no doubt that a very impressive spell could be accomplished with all three of them.Grewie is silent for a moment.
"Thank you for this information. I am glad you have been so open."
Chat with him as long as is proper. Answer any questions I can that do not threaten royal security or somethignlike that. Once this is done, head out.
Return to the Alvings' land. Attempt to gain an audience with their leader.
[6] You return to the Alford, escort in tow, and are brought immediately to see their leader. Unfortunately, before you can really react you are grabbed by burly men upon entering the longhall and forced to your knees. Chief Sigrid, a wiry man with thick black hair and beard, stands from his wooden throne. He carries a long, bright steel sword, and behind him are spiked the heads of six young women - all with a distinct family resemblance to Alexis.
"Beg for your life, Meridian," he orders, "and please, do your best to persuade me not to kill you. I could use the entertainment."
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Topic: You are a Lord II (Read 34072 times)