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Smee
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 Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Lebrenth,
Great chapter.
I agree with the majority. Strike out on your own. You've got weapons now, and hopefully a better opportunity will appear.
Happy Writing. 
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The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd!
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Chapter Five of "Heroes Never Panic"
Savage Hal still has his back to you. No time to hesitate and it looks like Manning already knows what you have in mind. You don't stop to talk, you just keep on moving. The M.E.'s are coming through again, so you both nod and carefully move past them. They don't even look at you any more than a second. You jump off the train lightly onto the platform, nearly bumping into a very mean looking man, also in bloodied fur. He's younger and his face is drawn in a serious frown. Beside him stand four more rugged men, all of them carrying assorted weapons. The others are in hardened leather gear, with the usual unnecessary spikes and blades in odd places: the elbows, the shoulders, the helmets, the knees. The frowner already has a blade in his hand and he takes stance when you nearly blunder into him.
You notice a patch on his arm: A robed skeleton with a shovel in a grave. Gravediggers.
You turn away quickly and Manning follows closely. You caught there attention. Hal gets off soon after, and when you turn back, you see him pointing in your direction to the other gravediggers. Then you're lost in the crowd, thankfully. A lot of people have crowded this station, all of them looking very grim. They look at you desperately, each pair of eyes haunted with bad memories and bad sleep. They can't get on fast enough, and you're heading straight in.
 
Tiersley! Though it's been under constant siege since the undead hordes came back to the west, it still thrives. That's because of all these walls. The roads are narrow and deep, with the buildings reaching up like trees trying to soak up the sun. There isn't an inch of dirt anywhere. All the streets are stone, everything is stone, with occasional dark gnarled trees pressed between bricks and pushing them up with their roots. For now, it is enough to get away from Hal, but soon you'll have to make sense of this place and decide where to go. It is like a maze without dead ends, just very long passages leading nowhere. Then you find that there are a few dead ends after all, and they're crawling with all sorts of unsavory things. Dogs that look dead chewing on garbage, indigents in rag tents fighting over gin, rats, and maggots... and more than you want to describe. And in every dead-end, there seems to be another curious door leading to some dreary backroom. You keep moving, hoping for an opening away from all the buildings where you can breathe. But so far, no luck. You approach a passerby; an old woman carrying something closely in a wrapped bundle, and wielding a cane as a weapon, not an aid for walking. You ask her for directions to a bank and for some information to help you figure this city out, but she only points with her cane and looks at you very suspiciously.
You find grander buildings, with a lot more room around them, but it doesn't seem this city ever opens up. You find a bank with tall columns and wide stairs, with a tall sign before it:
"The Imperial Bank of Cassia,
Tiersley Branch
Will Be Closed
Until Further Notice"
And below it, written somewhat crudely with charcoal:
"Amaken Collier, Moneylender
No. 3457 Lander's Way"
You have barely enough money for a meal, if the prices are reasonable. If you found the most wretched inn in town, you might have a place to stay for a night, but that's it. You have most of you money in savings, but you can't get to it and you know very little about this city! You assume that the slayers are all on the east side of the city, where the undead probably came from.... But a small loan of will make things easier. You won't have to hurry into danger blindly and you'll be certain to eat well and have a safe place to sleep.
Asking for directions, a small boy offers to show you the way to the moneylender for a small price. He leads you through the crowds and down an alley or two (shortcuts, of course), and soon you're staring at one of those curious doors in a dead end with the number 3457, but no business sign. Before you can do anything, the door flies open and two bulky men carry a man out. His face is swollen and red with blood. The men throw him into the refuse, before turning back in they say,
"You've got a week, Malley. Then we have another talk."
Malley doesn't respond. He's having a very hard time standing. When you help him up and he pushes you away, and stumbles off like a drunk. You knock on the door and the men let you in.
It's very dark inside, practically night. They take you into a very warm room, lit only by a fireplace. A shrewd old man with a friendly and helpful voice offers you a seat. Manning stands as you sit beside the old man. He puts his hand on your arm and asks,
"What can I do for you, sir?"
"The bank is closed... I need money to keep me afloat till it opens."
"It's not going to open, my friend. Never. You must be new here."
"Yes I am."
"What are you? A slayer? Hunter?"
"Yes, a slayer."
"Ah. Well I can't help you. Slayers can't be trusted. But I'll send you to my brother in the Tackers District. He'll be able to keep an eye on you, make sure you don't sneak away with the money, huh?"
"I only need a small loan, I assure you--"
"Quiet. Go see my brother. Take this card, it will get you in."
"In where?"
"My brother associates with the Skulls. They won't let you in without this."
You take directions and the card and leave. Outside you can see it is a tarot card, major arcana XII, "The Hanged Man".
You follow the directions through the city to Tackers District. Now you're in the territory of slayers, and the streets reflect that. The air seems to be charged with danger, as though you could be struck by lightning at any moment. The walls are pitted and you find scraps of lead bullets lodged in cracks. There is blood on the streets and on the men you pass by, all of them armed. You find a fountain with murky water with a few groups of grimy men talking furtively. You're surprised to see a boy, perhaps 12, sitting with them, cleaning the red off their guns.
It must be the right place.
The day is still strong, about noon. Should you find the city gate and just stroll out? Learn to swim by jumping in and fight? How do slayers get paid? Do they collect scalps or something? Perhaps you should follow one of these groups into the fray... but they don't look very friendly.
How did you get here? You don't have enough money to buy a ticket back, you're half armed, and if your stomach wasn't knotted up you'd be hungry too. You need money and you need it soon. And Manning is looking to you for direction.
_________________
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Last edited by Lebrenth on Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:10 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Shady Stoat
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent. Knee-deep in the unclean stuff, and sinking fast! 
My initial thoughts are that we can't just leap in and fight. We don't know how to get paid or what we can claim or how to claim it. Neither are we particularly looking to get unnecessarily punished for trespassing on some gang's grounds. Even if we try to talk to them, there's the chance that we could end up badly beaten or in slavery or something.
How about finding somewhere like a tavern, where we could spent a small amount of money, nurse a drink or two for a while and keep an ear out for any information, or for anyone who doesn't look like they'll rip our heads off for asking an honest question or two?
If that fails, we can always go back and try to do a deal with one group or the other. We'll be little worse off (I hope) 
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Dang, missed a whole chapter and voting somehow. Anyway, caught up.
I would have voted to fall in with the Gravediggers, and I think you should return there now. It seems far to risky on your own with no cash.
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry about that. I really enjoy writing and can't wait to post chapters. Anyway, you would have been outnumbered. I believe it was 5 to 1... or maybe 4 to 1.... Do you think I'd have more readers if I slowed down?
It might not be too late to join the gravediggers. I'll put that in the next poll. It should be up tomorrow. I have to admit I was in hurry with SGOTM and all....
You city council members are awesome. You keep the City of IF alive.
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AreonK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Nice story Lebrenth.
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dragon_fire372
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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It would be a very bad idea to follow any of the gangs, or even to talk to them, right now. The two of you probably stick out like a sore thumb anyway. I agree with Stoat in that you need to find a cheap inn, get some food and a place to sleep (but stay away from the booze, you need a clear head.) Listen to any rumors you hear, gather information about the slayers.
If nothing comes, you might want to head back to the Gravediggers. I did have a question about that though; do you know where you can find them again? Even if you do, it might be just as dangerous to go back there as not, because of how you ditched Hal before, and he might not welcome you back with open arms.
Whatever you do, be very cautious, try to remain unobtrusive and anonymous, and keep up your writing! (Though not too fast, you'll lose track of us )
_________________
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke
Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing
Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two
Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter
Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete!
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | You city council members are awesome. You keep the City of IF alive. |
Well, it seems like only 3 months ago I was a newbie, looking through the gates of the Council members' grand houses whilst I lived in my little room above one of Muaddib's knocking shops.
Wait. It was only 3 months ago. How about that.
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| dragon_fire372 wrote: | | If nothing comes, you might want to head back to the Gravediggers. I did have a question about that though; do you know where you can find them again? Even if you do, it might be just as dangerous to go back there as not, because of how you ditched Hal before, and he might not welcome you back with open arms. |
No, the captain does not know where Savage Hal or any of the Gravediggers are. Maybe he could find them, but he wasn't given any directions. He'd have to ask around and hope to get lucky.
Money issues are so bad right now that it comes down to this: Food or lodging. For two of them, they can not do both. Just something to bare in mind if we're tavern bound.
Thanks for your responses everyone!
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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I voted for my suggestion, so I say close the poll now and go with it, whilst I am still winning!
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AreonK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't worry Chin, I backed you up with another vote!
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dragon_fire372
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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I voted to gather information, and to get food whilst there. I wouldn't go to the Gravediggers till absolutely necessary. Can you imagine how humiliating it would be? "Well, Hal, we started to strike it out on our own, but it was too tough and we didn't even last a day, so we thought we'd just come crawling back to you." Ugh.
_________________
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke
Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing
Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two
Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter
Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete!
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Smee
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:43 am Post subject: |
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Hey Lebrenth,
Great chapter, I'm beginning to like this one. It has a very atmospheric gritty-ness to it that really suits the story.
I missed the discussion, but hopefully I made the poll. I voted for the nursing a drink whilst listening for something that might help. It's not time to wander the streets looking for Gravediggers, and the money-lenders don't sound like a good option. Clearly our savings are unattainable here and we won't be able to pay them back easily.
I think our best bet is awaiting gossip of a group that's in decline, losing members etc that are more likely to be favourable to two skiled members. It'd be in the gang's best interest to show you the ropes quickly so their gang can maintain their image, whilst giving us the fastest possibly introduction into slaying.
Requires a lot of luck though.  Not a good situation really.
Happy Writing.
_________________
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| Very nice chapter.... I voted.
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:16 pm Post subject: Chapter Six of Heroes Never Panic |
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Chapter Six of "Heroes Never Panic"
It's no good standing around looking suspicious so you and Manning start looking for a tavern. A few disdainful looks are cast your way like sewage into the gutter, but nothing too threatening. Manning is nervous and follows you closely. You wear the face you keep for reprimands from superiors: sober and alert, eyes forward and completely without any skew of emotion.
You follow the traffic into the crook of buildings with many doors and staircases. Up on the verandas, bawdy women invite drunken and dirty men into their apartments. Fortunately, you find it is not a mere brothel. You enter through a sort of back door into a very crowded room. The ceiling is low and the air is stagnant, cramping you even further. You find a way to a relatively open corner. A barmaid notices you and approaches but says nothing in welcome or even acknowledgement. She looks young but hard, and she has many small scars on her face and arms. She merely stands there and waits for you to speak.
The thought of food is repulsive in these conditions, but you need to order something if you expect to stay.
"Two beers please," you say, "and a pinnel if you could please tell something about the slayers in here."
"Make it two and I'll even hold the spit," she says glumly.
"Fine, here."
"And no tip for the beer?"
"I'm in very trying circumstances, I can't really--"
"Enough of that."
She leaves abruptly, you wonder if she's even getting the beer, but she does, and further to your surprise sits down with you.
"You can see for yourself. Everyone wearing skulls is in with the Skulls."
Yes, you can see that very plainly, and that's bad news considering everyone wears a skull. You certainly didn't need her to tell you that. But she continues,
"Most of them are dregs, clinging to the boots of the real Skulls. Half of them haven't been out of the city in days. The Skulls have control of everything. They've squeezed out most of the other gangs and all but a handful of freelancers. I don't know where you came from, but you better know how to deal with them before you do anything. The first ones you need to watch out for are Kallus, the one in the horned skull helm, and his rat, the ugly scrawny one over there, they call Snatch. Snatch will try to buddy up to you, but unless you want to join the Skulls, don't mess with him. He's a wimp, but he belongs to Kallus, and so does everyone else. You do anything he doesn't like and he'll have the whole room holding you down while he cuts off your fingers and feeds them to you and that's no lie.
"And if that doesn't sound appetizing to you, you might try the others. The Executioners and the Red Sun Clan keep to themselves by taking the Sullen River Gate, but they're not doing so well as they used to, and there's been a few disappearances going on down the river.
"The Gravediggers have a lot of respect, but they're not much better than the Skulls, and they make newbloods pay high dues."
"I've met them," you say, eager to add anything to make yourself seem a little less of a fish out of water. "I'm not sure we want to join, but do you know where to find them?"
"Savage Hal sells weapons at the Ditch. It's by Father's Gate... anyone will tell you. I might have joined myself if they accepted women."
"Excuse me?"
"The only other good choices are the Crossbones and the Warders. They're jumping the wall to avoid the Skulls, but if you ask me, they won't last long."
"What kind of trouble are the Skulls giving them?"
"They've been killing each other whenever they get a chance. Inside the city its all in the alleys, but outside the wall it's war. The Crossbones keep pulling in more of their own from other cities, but the Skulls have the city's sanction and they're embedded."
"... This is getting hard to keep track of...."
"If you can't keep up, I can stop talking. I've already earned a lot more than two pinnels."
"Just a second, what about the Warders?"
"They'll take you. A lot of deserters join them," she says with a wink. You pull your booted foot farther under the table. She stands up. "They have higher standards, but they're getting desperate. There's not a lot of them left. They meet at the Tavern of the Broken Drum. They like to challenge newbloods with stupid riddles, but I'm sure you won't have any trouble."
"Please, I still have a lot of questions."
"And I have a lot of work to do. Come back when you have more money."
"What's your name?"
"What's yours?"
"I'm John Taggert and this is Gregory Manning."
"And I've already forgotten," she says and walks away. Last moment she turns back and says, "Ask for Cyril when you can afford to ask more questions."
You look at Manning. He looks ill and uncomfortable.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Captain."
"I told you I'm not a captain anymore."
"Whatever you say sir."
"Look, Gregory... we're not in the army anymore. You shouldn't even be here. I had no choice!" you say, but refusing to follow orders was a choice, wasn't it? Your argument, whatever it was going to be, dies suddenly and you take a deep breath.
"You'll always be the captain to me, sir."
"Please just call me John."
"John."
"Good. Finally. Now what are we going to do?"
"I don't know sir, but I'm starving. And this beer is awful."
"That's why I didn't drink any!"
"I wish I'd done the same," he says ruefully, then suddenly points into the room. You look up at an ugly scrawny man with long greasy hair. He's a lot taller than he looked across the room, and he wears an expensive black fur-lined suit, which is somewhat soiled and gives him the look of a corpse at a funeral viewing in his finest clothes. He sits down without hesitation.
"Sounds like you gentlemen ordered the wrong drinks," he says, and starts knocking on the table. Cyril answers the call with a nearly hidden smile. "Darling, you gave them the wrong stuff. Why don't you run along and get something proper."
"What we really need is food," you say hurriedly. Cyril shoots you a scornful glance.
"You heard him, darling. They're hungry. Now, let me introduce myself. My name's Levidicus Maryl, but they all call me Snatch. And who might you be?"
"Albert Winthrop and this is Kevin Marlow," you quickly lie with the names of two of your childhood friends. You don't know why you gave your real names to Cyril. It was a rather hasty thing to do.
"Masters Winthrop and Marlow.... Very good to meet you. I might as well be straightforward about this, I'm here to extend the welcome of the esteemed Skulls. Let me assure you that the rumors about us are largely exaggerated, at least here in Tiersley. We have sanctions with the city, you understand. We represent the city's outer defense and we wouldn't want to do anything to compromise our relationship with the council, would we?"
"Of course not."
"I'm glad you understand. I'm sure you realize the importance of order in situations such as this. We believe that unification is the only way we can truly hope to repel the undead, but we understand if you do not wish to join immediately. You'll want to see things for yourself first, of course. But you should know that we can offer you the most. We have the greatest numbers, the best equipment, and we have secured with the city a higher bounty per head which will help offset the dues that every organized guild expects of its members."
He continues to speak his well rehearsed propaganda, addressing every little argument one could make against the Skulls with his smarmy voice. And when the food arrives, the first thing he does is begin to pick things off of your plate and your appetite was poor enough before he touched your food. But he does tell you a few useful things. Such as the methods for slaying. You have to put it together yourself, but in his big argument for the Skulls you determine that the city gates open at sunrise and close at sunset, unless there's special trouble. Slaying at night is considered moronic, which is sensible, considering all things. The method is simple, you make 4 pennils a head, literally. Either the full head or just the scalp is brought to the redeemer just outside of the city gate. He pays you on the spot. If you reclaimed anything (looted anything of value from abandon buildings or such) an estimated value is determined and a 25% tax is applied, 20% if you're a Skull, and for that matter he repeats "five and five" several times to emphasize that you get an extra pennil and a half for every scalp or head of slain undead when you're a Skull.
He accuses the other gangs of many things, but you're very tired of listening to him talk. You hope you retain a good amount of what he says and even stand make a small courteous nod to him as he leaves. His last words being,
"Go see for yourself. Tell them Snatch sent you and they'll ensure you get a good look. Then come see me here and we'll talk."
You pass your plate to Manning, who hastily consumes every bite. Then without further ado, proceed to the nearest city gate simply called East Gate.
The buildings nearest to the gate are dark and lonely. The streets are empty, which is unusual in this swelled up city. Everywhere you looked you saw people, but now there are none; none until you reach the gate.
Standing on the wall above it, in formation in front of it, and generally around it, the soldiers in the dark burgundy uniforms of Cassia stand guard. For a moment, you feel like you're back in the service... just a moment. Then you exit the gate, feeling the cold wind slap your face and staring at the desolation before you, and everything is different. A chill soaks straight to your core and makes you tremble all over as you look into the forsaken section of the city. You've seen desolation... you've caused desolation! And you have faced the undead before, but it never felt like this. There's something deeper. It's like the feeling you get when you realize you're standing on a grave, but stronger, as though beneath the cold soil is a whole family, a whole community of souls. This is the dead limb of the city, with thousands who died terrible deaths and did not find rest or peace.
After a dreadful contemplation of all the horrible things that might have happened, mixed in with some of the horrible things you've done, you recover. You concentrate on the ground you walk on and the things you see. After a few steps, you grow accustomed enough to keep focused.
There is a bridge over the dry moat and nearby, effusing a thick stench and black smoke, is a tall bonfire burning with the skulls and scalps delivered by the slayers. A group of Skulls pass by, going back into the city, the leader laughing at your trepidation.
The redeemer, a captain of the Cassian Army, nods as you approach. You remind yourself to come back to talk to him, but now, you feel drawn forward. Something that you don't want to see, but you have to is calling you.
The first buildings look livable except for the broken windows and doors. Then you see collapsed buildings, with black scars everywhere from widespread fires... it consumed quite a lot of the forsaken city, blackening it and reducing much of it to ruins. There's millions of places to hide and you image things everywhere. Manning isn't trailing behind you anymore, however. His eyes are keen and watchful... a good soldier.
You go deeper into the city.... Gun shots crack through the wind... the sounds bouncing off the ruins and confusing direction, but you see the fighting in the distance. You begin to hear yells, war cries. You feel the battle in your blood and run to join. You hurtle the rocks and run down the remnants of street. Jumping over a low wall, you nearly fall into a large collapsed section of road where an old sewer passage caved in. And deep within, soft at first but growing, more screams.
You've gotten carried away. You're out of breath and still far from the real battle. Manning catches up to you and listens.
"Captain!"
"Wait!"
Then you see one. It might as well be one of the soldiers who caught shrapnel from a cannonball. There's too much life in him to be dead, he must be a slayer. By instinct, you kneel and offer your hand to help him escape the screams chasing him, but the same instinct immediately pulls you away. The way he lunged at your hand! He isn't trying to get up, he's trying to pull you down! Manning fires his pistol and there's no way he could have missed but the zombie does not flinch or slow down. He jumps up and begins climbing as more zombies enter the light from the dark passage. You pull a large rock off the wall and hurl it with all your strength. You hear cracking and the zombie slips off, but it continues moving, twitching and convulsing, trying to force its broken body to function. But you do not wait any longer to see if he recovers.
Back over the rocks you bound, not daring to look back. You continue hearing the fighting and screaming. Other slayers, seeing your hasty flight, assume the worst and begin running back to the city. The growing retreat gains attention at the gate where the soldiers are forming up, ready to send a volley to repel the undead....
But when you finally stop to look back, you realize the zombies are not chasing you. They smelt blood from somewhere else. As you regain your breath, the other slayers change direction and go back into the fray. Manning laughs exhaustedly and you join him. You survived your first encounter, even if it didn't gain you any money.
You can certainly see the advantages of being with a group, and there's still time to join today. Or you can fight alongside these Skulls and hope to claim a few scalps... if they don't cause trouble....
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Last edited by Lebrenth on Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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What the hey. Join the winning side I say. He is desperate and there doesn't seem to be any other real options.
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Shady Stoat
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:07 am Post subject: |
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Excellent chapter!
I'm for the underdog. See if you can join the Warders
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Ingrothechundyer
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| I agree with Stoat...
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jnmrcs
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice chapter.
Maybe join the "winning side" wouldn't help.
I said (as some before me) join the Warders. With them you will still alive...
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AreonK
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Join the warders! With them you'll stay alive...for now.
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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The poll's up, but I am more than willing to revise if anyone has any different ideas. Oh man! I forgot to put on the "Stay independent" option!
Just take the last option if you want to do that or if you want to try something else. We'll re-poll or something.
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Smee
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Lebrenth,
Excellent chapter, I'm really enjoying this one. The flow is very smooth and reads really easily.
Stupid riddles sounds like my sort of initiation.
I've voted for going for the Warders.
Happy Writing.
P.S If you don't have any votes then you can go back in to your first post and edit the poll - either deleting options, changing the text and then updating, or adding new options. The only thing you can't do without a mod is delete it and start again.
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| Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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I voted...
Let's go with the Warders
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dragon_fire372
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| Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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If it were me, I'd scout around for a few isolated undead that could be taken down with little trouble, and get the scalps from those. Try and earn a little money on your own, and then see about joining someone after getting your feet wet and a little more information.
Of course, that's just me... 
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Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject: Heroes Never Panic, Chap. 7 |
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Chapter Seven of "Heroes Never Panic"
The battle continues, but the Skulls can worry about that themselves. You need to join a crew and fast. Zombies that strong during the day should not be underestimated. Every one you meet eyes with as you return to the city seems to be thinking the same thing: cowards. Not that it matters. You’ll be back soon enough.
On the way to the Broken Drum, you notice a man following you. He is in black… but looks like a civilian. He seems to be watching you, but maybe you’re being paranoid. You go out of your way, down a side street, and he follows. Hiding places are abundant, and the streets are dark. You hide in an alcove, nothing special, with your pistol ready. You get a closer look at him as he passes. You see his face… the dark rings under his eyes, the hawk-like nose… and he doesn’t notice you.
You go back to your original course and continue to the Broken Drum, confident that no one is following you. You enter another quiet part of Tackers. It feels like you're wandering a ghost town, and the tavern you find, the one displaying the sign with a man filling his cup from a broken drum of wine, changes nothing. It is locked down, shutters and doors, and is entirely lifeless except a thin trail of smoke from one of the chimneys.
“I don’t like it, sir,” Manning says.
“Maybe it’s only open at night,” you say, trying the last door you can find. You knock loudly and a shuttered window above you opens with a rifle bearing down on you.
“Who are you and what do you want?” a man with reddish hair and mustache demands.
“We’re looking for the Warders.”
“Who sent you?”
“We sent ourselves. We just came from Brennig and we’re looking to join a crew of slayers.”
“What do you know about the Warders?”
“We’ve been told they have high standards, and they might be interested in members with military background.”
“Stay where you are. Don’t make any moves.”
Then the door opens, with another gun pointing at you. A man of fifty or so years with ruddy skin holds it open.
“Get in,” he says gruffly. The air inside is warm and clean. There are many tables, and a bar, but there are only two people, the man with the pistol and a tall neatly kept young man with another rifle. “Lay your weapons on the table,” the gruff man says. You do so without hesitation. “Have a sit,” he says pointing to another table. “Don’t try anything. I’ll be back.”
Manning leans toward your ear.
“Don’t talk,” the tall man says… he sounds like he’s from Palanine (west Cassia). You wait in silence for an unusual amount of time before the gruff man returns with a gentleman. He has the stern face of a naval captain, almost familiar. He has eyes the color of the stormy sea, and there is a large mole near the back of his jaw. His light brown hair is a little out of sorts, as if he’s been sleeping, but like the others, he keeps his appearance neat. He is not armed, unless he’s hiding something in his brown leather coat. His hand extends to you immediately.
“My name is James Haymen. The crew calls me ‘the Admiral,’ but you can call me whichever you like.”
You shake his hand and Manning does also in turn. He looks straight into your eyes as he speaks.
“Former Captain John Taggert, former Private Gregory Manning,” you say.
“Before we speak about joining, I need to know a few things…. Are either of you wanted men?”
“Manning is a deserter, I was discharged.”
“And I’m sure you had good reason; I don’t want to know about it. Do you have slayer licenses?”
“Yes.”
“Manning too?”
“Yes.”
“… Fair enough. Now tell me how you knew we were here.”
“A tip from a barmaid.”
“… Perfect… even barmaids know where to find us now.”
“She seemed to be a very well informed woman.”
“Good for her, but if you haven’t noticed, we don’t like the attention.”
“The attention might help fill your ranks.”
“Not with the Skulls around…. Let me be straightforward with you. We’re not having a very good time here in Tiersley. We have poor morale and our numbers are dropping in spite of the deserters that keep knocking on our doors. You’re better off joining the Skulls.”
“Master Haymen, we’re serious about joining your crew. We already know the situation and we don’t wish to associate with the others.”
“You were a captain? Then you are welcome here. And Master Manning as well. And if you were in the service, you wouldn’t have any trouble answering this question, would you?
"What kind of metal is Edward William's Bell made of?”
.
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Last edited by Lebrenth on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:53 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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I'm giving everyone extra time for this one. I am not going to construct the answer myself. The poll will only have answers that are given to me. Which means the poll might not have the correct answer on it at all once it's up.
Good Luck!
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Oooh - good chapter.
Tricky decision point
Happy Writing.
*wanders off to think...cogs whirl*
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Shady Stoat
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Okay - so whose bright idea was it to go get riddled by the Warders? Huh??
*suddenly looks around guiltily and tries to look unobtrusive*
Oh...
Well, in that case...
I have to say, I'm completely stumped by the riddle. I'll ponder it, but I'm useless at this sort of thing.
Still, excellent chapter Lebby. I'm loving this story! 
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jnmrcs
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Nice chapter and even better desicion point 
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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Just one question...
Is Edward William Kehn???
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Lebrenth
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| lordofthenight wrote: | | but we're not in the military of the country - how should we know the answer or did you put it in a previous post? |
It's true, I don't think any of you served in any Cassian campaigns, but this riddle can be answered. The answer can not be found in past posts, so don't bother looking there. I borrowed some history for this one. This one can't be answered without some looking around.
And as a bit of insight that the character deserves, it IS a military question. Although the history doesn't correspond with the date I've given you (it isn't our history), the history pertinent to this riddle is found in the 19th century (ruling out Edward Kehn, by the way).
I would like to join the Warders too, so I'm hoping someone finds the answer. If not... well, we'll figure something out.... Probably....
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| HA HA! Clever Lebrenth, have to think on this riddle of yours...
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dragon_fire372
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm, nice...
I'll get back to you on this one, eh? :biggrin:
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke
Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing
Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two
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Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete!
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, this may be a stretch to fit the riddle, but here goes. The Victoria Cross.
The reason behind it is this: Major General Edward William Derrington Bell was decorated with the Victoria Cross for his brave actions in the Battle of Alma in the Crimea war, which took place on September 20, 1854.
As I said, this seems a bit of a stretch, for several reasons. One is that the riddle asks "metal" not "medal". The other is that it is Edward William's Bell, the apostrophe implying possession. However, the name is right, the answer pertains to a military situation, its in the 19th century timeframe, and the previous reasons why it probably isn't the right answer are just the sort of grammmatical rearrangement that is present in many riddles. I hope that all that made sense. The main reason that the VC might be the answer is that I couldn't find anything else that fit it nearly as well.
So there's my answer, Lebrenth. Let me know if I'm completely off the mark, ok?
By the way, a very clever decision point there. Well done! :biggrin:
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing ~ Edmund Burke
Sans Dieu Rien Without God, Nothing
Visions of Shadow - 2nd part of Uncertain Quests! Chapter Two
Dreamwalker - Relocated to Linear Lane Sixth Chapter
Linear Story Nightrobber Now Complete!
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Chinaren
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:59 am Post subject: |
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I think we're halfway there with the Victoria Cross. Edward William Derrington Bell captured an enemy gun in the Crimean war and was awarded the VC.
However, the VCs were made out of the metal of enemy ammunition - so we still need to work out what metal the enemy ammo in the Crimean war was made from.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it out yet, but I haven't given up. I just thought I'd share what I had so far with everyone else, in case they could help
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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i don't know anything about the riddle, but I am enjoying this a lot Lebrenth!
There are some great scifi stories in here now! I read them all!
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| Up to the end of Part One, how do you feel the pacing of the story has gone? |
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| Just right |
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100% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 3 |
| Who Voted: Lebrenth, Solomon Birch |
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