Compromise. Turn today, but it's gonna be a really short one.
After a few hours, Herex and Alexander arrive at the village of Vinril. The peasants, including both the old inhabitants - the Colmyrians, as well as colonists from Gith walk from one end of the village to the other, working hard to build new housing. As odd as it may sound, after the village had been conquered by the forces of Gith, it has experienced a population boom. The empire has a lot of experience in colonization and cultural integration, gained through their expansion from their humble beginnings in the far west. Colonists typically flock to villages near the battle front due to the career opportunities offered by the authorities. Smiths forge swords for the army, farmers carry sacks of grain to feed the battalions stationed nearby, woodcutters haul the logs needed to build new fortifications. In their hurry, few workers notice the two Guardsmen walking through the crowded road.
As instructed, the two take a look at the notice board near the village elder's hut. Two contracts stick out:
"Help needed. Some creature from the woods comes to my farm every night and hunts my animals. So far, it's killed a bull, two pigs and my hound. Will pay 200 gold coins to anyone that finds and kills it."
As well as a slightly more curious one,
"Looking for someone to kill an odd creature. Hangs around the logging site, scares the workers. Hasn't killed anyone or stolen something yet, but won't let us do our job. 200 gold coins reward."
___
Emma and Kolo arrive at the village of Vorakend. The village looked very empty, perhaps due to the war between Colmyr and Gith. Throughout history, the kingdom of Colmyr has always depended heavily on conscripts to fight their wars, so one would assume that most of the former population of Vorakend is stationed closer to the front. The few remaining souls mostly stayed inside their houses, occasionally peeking through the windows to look at the two members of the Silver Guard passing by. It was rare to see two women with swords in any part of the kingdom and even more rare to see two young girls with swords. However, the locals knew why they were here. They knew about the Silver Guard and that the organization would train their recruits from a young age.
The girls walked towards the notice board, just as ordered by their tutor Radirr and took a moment to examine the notices. Two contracts appeared to be worth closer inspection:
"This very morning I found that someone dug up my father's grave. I will pay 200 gold to anyone who manages to bring the vandal to justice."
Despite the contractor being certain that the crime was performed by a human, the two monster slayers knew that such situations are usually caused by monsters, be it ghouls, hags or wargs. The other contract, however, pointed at a far more specific culprit:
"Be warned! There is some sort of beast in the nearby lake to the south. I saw it drag a cow into the water with my own two eyes! I'm willing to pay 200 gold coins to anyone that slays the creature."
___
Landau and Kostadin reach the village of Notandar and head towards the notice board. Life is peaceful in the village. Being near the very edge of the Wildman's Wastes, it manages to evade both the horrors of war and the eyes of the king. Hunters carry the pelts of foxes and various small game, farmers tell each other stories as they warm their hands with the dancing flames of a campfire. This is a village far away from civilization, where people are hardy and honest, strengthened in mind and body due to years spent in the surrounding wilderness. Locals eye the two travelers with curiosity and hail them with loud greetings and offers to exchange news. The inhabitants of isolated villages typically thirst for variety more than anything else and each opportunity to meet a stranger seems worth celebration to them. However, the two monster slayers know that this is not the time for that.
As the Guardsmen reach the notice board, two contracts stick out immediately:
"Offering 200 gold to a monster hunter. Was checking my snares this morning and heard an odd rustling sound and a loud roar. Went back to check up on my horse and found it dead. Please kill whatever ate my horse, I can't return to the forest until I'm sure that thing is gone."
The second contract is quite similar. Unsurprisingly, considering that this is a hunting village.
"Offering a contract to a monster slayer. The other day I managed to kill a bear. I went to tell my brother so we could bring the catch back home, but when I got back, all I saw was a few bones and a trail of the largest footprints I've seen. I may be able to kill bears, but I'm not sure about that thing! 200 gold reward to whoever is brave enough."
Basically just choose a contract for this turn. More details will emerge as you investigate. As I mentioned, this is heavily inspired by The Witcher 3, so those that have played the game will find the investigation part very familiar.
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Topic: Legacy Of Heroes: Prologue. Turn 3. (Read 6307 times)