I do not foresee myself making book entries,
While this is against my philosophy of keeping the player in as much control as is feasable to keep a story, Tome of Eternal Darkness entries are always very clinical and information-based. Maximilian Roivas was a gibbering lunatic in his studies, but his autopsies were crystal-clear, accurate, and added many interesting bits of trivia that even he would have trouble discovering. So, I'm going to make it canon that every entry in the tome is accurate and to-the-point, the notes in the margins are the personal additions of the writers.
Most of those really are gibbering madmen.
In short, your entry would be free of any storytime assumptions that you don't know yourself. omdadaFollowing the general routine almost everybody who means something in the hamlet follows, you head off to the blacksmith. The man is hard at work, as always. It's hard to tell how the man does it, but he's an exceptional smith. He needs time and money for his work, of course, but his massive, engraved forge shows that it's well-spent. The heir, Ambrosius, invested heavily in the man. Despite being so impressive, however, the smith never talked much. He can talk, mind you, but he just doesn't see the need. He's also the only man in this whole hamlet that knows what a damned smile even is. You get to talking about the local rumours. A call-back to your old little past-times as a noble.
If that actually happened.
As you prattle on about what Dismas is doing with the Plague Doctor (the noises...), you eye around for anything you migt be able to "borrow". Sadly, you're in the smithy. The man is very simple, the only thing he keeps around are materials that are only of use inside the forge. For his dinner, he just goes to his house to cook. And trust me, that man's house is impregnable. Turns out he's a locksmith, as well.
Many disciplines, that man. Makes you wonder just HOW old he is, but his bandana and thick beard makes it hard to tell. "Above 60" is what most people guess. Still, you spot one thing to potentially pilfer. A whetting stone, to sharpen your tools. It would be a good idea, no?
Slowly moving to pilfer it, not stopping your ramble about social manifestations in the hamlet, the smith continues hammering on a red-hot piece of metal, looks like a spearhead. You pocket the stone, and quickly make your leave shortly after. The smith chuckles to himself as you leave.
Weirdo.
As you head to the tavern to get to know your newest "friends" (that woman in chains is kind of disgusting...), you suddenly feel a hand on your shoulder.
You. I saw what you did. You hear a woman say, a strange unfamiliar accent tingeing her common speech. You are turned around, and see a woman with the gear of an eastern warrior on, and a veil. She is missing a hand, and her eyes seem to bore through you. There's something distinctly snake-like in them, whether it's your imagination, or the way she seems to slowly shift her footing, you're not sure.
What did you steal from the harrabak? The... The smith?She's unarmed, but it's not a good idea to start trouble in the hamlet. Not to mention, the woman looks dangerous even without her weapon.
DolosusDoleus.So, what's your deal. Here to get rich, or to die? says a man with a fur coat and some seriously dangerous looking weapons. A dagger and a flintlock pistol, but shined and sharpened to a masterful point. The word "Thunder" is engraved along the barrel.
To die. (
If you disagree with this response, feel free to ask me to change it. I'll do so.)
Don't feel like going it alone, huh? I get that. Still, I figure you want to be useful, so lemme give you a piece of advice. Stay out of the Weald for now, the hag is starting to get a little dangerous to our liking, and you're likely to come across the bitch... She nearly boiled me alive last time I saw her. If it weren't for Reynauld I'd have died there. But we gave her a thorough thrashing, did we not!? A man wearing full plate suddenly says, carrying three mugs of beer with him.
Aye. A shot to the eyes is enough to dissuade anybody. Would have preferred making that shot before she threw me in a pot, though.T'is the dangers of these dungeon, no? Now, friend. I see you are a sufferer of leprosy? My condolences to you, for what it counts. Now, I believe Dismas was giving you some information? Here's my suggestion: the warrens are a good first place to test your mettle. The place is tougher than the ruins, but not to the point of it being too tough to handle. Many beasts and diseases can be found there, true, but our very own plague doctor and nunnery can help you out.Before you ask, he means an actual building with nuns. If you want whores, go upstairs.Though I suppose it would be best if you did not ask for anything... salacious."Keep the tip". You hear a figure snort behind you, from a different table. Another man wearing his armor, mostly thick studded leather and belts to keep his materials in, and a peculiar helmet that covers the top of his head, and then moves over to a veil. Not a single part of his body is visible.
Classic. He turns to you. His voice is monotone, and gravelly.
Cove is pretty bad too. Hrm. Try ruins first, then go for cove. The boss doesn't do disease for free, better to deal with fish. Thank you, Bounty hunter. ...Thanks for saving me yesterday. It was-Doesn't matter. I do my job. He turns away again, and starts going over a plan of some sort. You see the drawings of some kind of monster on it, but your eyesight isn't exactly great.
Right. Well, I suppose if you merely wish to whet your appetite for combatting the unholy, there is no end to the skeletons in the ruins. Until I find that damned necromancer, that is. Still going on about this? Look, that phalactery means it's regenerating right now. We can only go-In two week's time, I know. Please understand, my friend, eradicating the unholy is my sworn duty. I know, I know. Just don't want you rushing off again. You fellas haven't talked about the darkest dungeon yet. A moustached man from behind the counter, clearly the bartender, suddenly says.
The revelry seems to quiet at the mention.
That place... Could use another scouting. DON'T. Send rookies. There. Dismas said, his temper suddenly up.
That place will crack them like a fucking EGG.Y-yes. You're right... Gods. Lydia never deserved that...Let it be a lesson. Don't trust anything in that place. With luck, we'll be able to mercy kill her next expedition. Hm. I think that'll give the rookie enough context, no? The bartender pauses a moment, looking at the grim faces of all his patrons.
Oh, what the hell. ONE FREE ROUND OF DRINKS, IN MEMORY OF LYDIA! The bartender suddenly yells, his talent for bass singing becoming suddenly apparent as his voice reverbs through the tavern. The tavern buzzes to life, leaving the silent moment drowned in a sea of joy.
The antiquarian and Abomination just talk to eachother, away from the rest. People are a little wary of the strange figures that didn't socialize.
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Topic: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure (Ended) (Read 190128 times)