Mark 2011/05/06(Fri)18:02 No. 301978 ID: a9ba96
File 130473014201.png - (81.34KB , 873x1089 , Dungeoncrawlers001.png )

Oh! And, uh... I found this... this nice looking... thing. Loot is always good for an adventurer, regardless of the outcome of his quest, right?

If I were to grade this particular escapade from a completely objective standpoint, I would probably give myself uh... a "C-."

Well, a "C."

Sell your story to a wandering bard who does weekly comic strips for a barely-read newspaper. You look like the type.

I give you an F for utter failure. You killed the people you were supposed to save, and now you're trying to justify your fuck-up. You're a couple of steps from being an utter heel, but your moral compass is obviously not completely broken so maybe a failing grade will be a wake up call.

Go see who you can save from that mess.

>>301978
Dude you failed more than would normally be possible. Well, if you were EVIL this would be a success. I recommend leaving the scene of the crime... unless... Well, are you sure everyone is dead already? You could look for survivors, or someone to rescue.

Make up for it.

Negligent homicide of an entire village is still something you are very likely to be sentenced to hang from the nuts until dead for, how far gone are you to assign this anything but a F- in heroics?
It is a C-, or maybe even as much as a C in being a raider and warlord though. The problem is that you did not loot before burning. But taking out a whole village by yourself is still a special mention as a raider, even if the profit is low. It'll help you be feared and hated by anybody who knew this village existed.

Suggestion 2011/05/06(Fri)18:52 No. 301995 ID: a9ba96
File 130473317654.png - (138.90KB , 1052x1569 , Dungeoncrawlers002.png )

Oh hey. You talk. That's interesting, haven't seen that before.

>>301983
Unfortunately, there isn't much of a story to tell that hasn't been told countless times over. Got tired of life as a common beggar in the Capitol of Egias, decided to make it big as an adventurer. Quester. Dungeon Crawler, if you will. Seemed like a better life than a street urchin.

First few ventures into the world of adventure have been... of varying success. This being the worst, of course.

>>301995
Maybe you should start a bit slower? Hunt down some exceedingly large rats?

Mark 2011/05/06(Fri)19:00 No. 302005 ID: a9ba96
File 130473360879.png - (140.39KB , 713x1267 , Dungeoncrawlers003.png )

>>301984
>>301987
>>301994

Oh. You're uh, you're harsh, too. I was kind of hoping for a talking orb that gave me compliments, would have been good for morale while out adventuring, but this works too.

If you really must know, the Goblin locked himself inside of his little Goblin shack, so I decided to set the thing ablaze to drive him out.

Results were... different than I expected.

I'm pretty sure that everyone who was going to make it out alive is out by now, town's been burning for quite some time now. I was contemplating going back in, but I saw Paladins coming over the hills and I think if there is anyone left in that town, they'll be able to handle it. That's what Paladins are for, when they aren't getting in the way of a good adventure. Best go, in case they want to ask questions.

I wouldn't worry much about gaining any infamy from this. Village was in the outlands between Egias and Farway, one of the settlements that broke off for one reason or another. Place isn't under the authority of either kingdom, so it's not like I'll have to worry about the royal guard or anything coming after me.

Don't worry about it too much. It was an outland village. Probably Drow sympathizers or something. We'll have plenty of time to correct this!

Look, we are an artifact of perspective, many voices can speak to you from it and give you much useful advice and knowledge. We're pretty close to useless if you're not honest with yourself and honest with us though, and if you lack strength of will and clarity of insight our aid can be a Faustian bargain.
What is your goal? We can handle more than one but with less than one we will consume your soul. If it's not a very good one we'll gnaw on it very slowly in a way that leaves you a tortured wreck long before we're done.

>>302005

F minus! No, wait, F Minus MINUS! A double minus!

How long have you been a hero anyway?

Okay I kind of think you should sell us to some good-looking adventurer/adventuress and go back to being a commoner.

>>302005
Alright, let's jet. Where can we go now?

Yeah are you sure you want to be an adventurer? How about you find a nice place with easy access to lots of stuff and you become like, I dunno, a merchant or something safe?

>>302005
Eh, atleast you tried. But consider the possibilities of arson in the future. Don't set fire to things unless you're sure it won't spread or you don't have a problem with it spreading. Sucks about your pay though, and with those paladins there you can't sneak in to take anything unburnt as payment.

But it's best to look at the future then and move on. To areas where an adventurer can make some cash, you know places with villages that are standing and maybe a kobold problem or two. Some place that will appreciate your talents. So lets not look back or play the blame game. Let's look forward and consider new possibilities!

>>302005
Interesting to note, gold silver and copper doesn't burn, they only melt. So if they 'had' monetary recompense still in there, it will be there after the fire is gone (albeit in a somewhat melted state.)

>>302237

The silver will be tarnished, and both sorts of metals will be sooty beyond recognition. Of course, they'll need those funds to live on while they rebuild their village. That you burned down.

>>302005
So, you took a job assassinating a minority, chased your fleeing victim into to their home, and burned them alive. Due to sheer negligence you then murdered every innocent man, woman, and child in the area, and are now fleeing before the authorities arrive.

Did you even consider other methods? Such as, perhaps, talking the goblin into leaving? Bribing them?
Obviously the goblin wasn't breaking any laws, as otherwise the paladins would have already dealt with it. You were hired to murder an innocent person, and ended up murdering many innocent people.

You don't even feel guilty about what you did. You don't even feel guilty that you don't feel guilty. You are a terrible, terrible person. You monster.

>>302297
I see no problems with any of that.

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)17:25 No. 302363 ID: a9ba96
File 130481431351.png - (102.38KB , 464x584 , dungeoncrawlers004.png )

>>302017
>>302297

Hey now, mister angry necklace orb thing, before we start playing “Mark is a terrible person,” let me explain a few things.

First of all, I wasn’t hired to assassinate an innocent person. It was a goblin, even if it hadn’t been stealing from the village butcher who hired me and threatening to kill his wife, it was probably up to no good anyway. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been outside of the forest.

Second, people tend to ask adventurers to do things they don’t want paladins to deal with, not necessarily because it’s an evil job, but because there’s too many risks asking Paladins to help your town considering that most paladins are fucking nuts. Sure, maybe the butcher could have asked paladins to smite the goblin for him, but maybe the paladins would have decided to smite half the village afterwards because they were judged to be unclean.

And third, the aforementioned paladin issue is exactly why I’m getting the hell out of here. They won’t want to hear my story; I’ll probably only get as far as “I set the town on fire” before they drive a holy blade of holiness through my chest.

I've been at this about two and a half years, to answer that question. Still a "fresh" adventurer, all things considered. Plenty of time for you guys to help get me on the right track.
>>302076
>>302030

You know, I’ve considered it. I really have. It’s why in recent months I’ve been keeping all of my adventuring a few days away from the border of Egias, in case I decide to give it all up and go back. Sure, maybe being a merchant or a blacksmith gives you safety, but do you know what it doesn’t give you?

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)17:28 No. 302364 ID: a9ba96
File 130481451904.png - (448.59KB , 781x639 , dungeoncrawlers005.png )

A legacy. A story to be told. Something the bards sing about in taverns.

A life of quiet mediocrity doesn't give you the tales that people remember for eons, like Samon the Barbarian, or Shyind the Rogue, or the other heroes who cast the Drow underground and broke up the Kobold tribes generations ago.

That's what I want. A story.

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)17:31 No. 302367 ID: a9ba96
File 130481470373.png - (154.65KB , 491x341 , dungeoncrawlers006.png )

You also don't get half as much loot doing those other things.

>>302364
Hey, what a coincidence! That's what we want too! So give us to one of those guys.

>>302367
Alright, cool. You've been in the business for a couple of years so I assume you're good in a fight. Otherwise you'd be dead. What kind of skills do you have? Stealth? Skill? Magic?

Again I ask, where can we go from here? You should leave, but to where?

>>302367
If you want bards to sing your story, better hair is a must.

>>302367
Well you know adventuring is hard work, takes dedication and research. There's also a very high rate of deaths, but hey, if you have survived in the game for over a year then you should be ok.

Now epic sagas and stories don't just happen. They need to be built up, you need to be built up to match those. And for that we need research and training. Have to find out information about some magical artifact or weapon that you can go find, as well as train yourself to be able to gain the necessary skills to use such an object effectively.

But small steps need to be taken to reach such a goal. And the first step is better equipment for yourself, since your payment went up in flames we're going to need another way. Like finding out where the goblins have their village in the nearby woods and loot the crap out of it.

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)18:56 No. 302387 ID: a9ba96
File 130481976742.png - (65.14KB , 340x498 , Dungeoncrawlers007.png )

>>302372
Listen, you caught me on a particularly poor quest. Most of them don't end in burning villages, I assure you. Just, just stick with me, please?

>>302375
Ah yes, one could say that I'm a "seasoned fighter" of sorts. I can handle myself rather well with a sword. I don't have any magic, but neither did Samon the Barbarian.

Unfortunately, I don't have a sword. Just, uh, just this rusted dagger. Broke my sword on the way into the village you just watched burn to the ground, but I figured I could pick up one once I reached town. I was a bit short on coin, so I figured I would exchange good deeds for weaponry from the townsfolk.

The town butcher said he would give me his old sword if I killed that goblin for him. I never got around to claiming my reward, for obvious reasons.

Nowhere to head really except to the next town. It's a straight walk through the woods. We're only a night's walk to the next settlement, so we can get a new swor-

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)18:57 No. 302388 ID: a9ba96
File 130481983965.png - (147.57KB , 524x494 , Dungeoncrawlers008.png )

An Elf crashed into a tree nearby with incredible force. The Elf's head juts upwards and a sickening crunch can be heard.

Oh gods what

Mark 2011/05/07(Sat)18:59 No. 302390 ID: a9ba96
File 130481996708.png - (138.75KB , 716x386 , Dungeoncrawlers009.png )

Shit.

Bearhound.

>>302390
Hmm, last dude doesn't look like he's likely to stand much of a chance. And you won't be much of a help with only that shit dagger. How are you with thrown rocks? A nicely aimed rock at the eye during a critical moment might save the day, and that guy looks decently well off, save him and he's going to own you. Should be able to get atleast a sword out of that, maybe even more. Don't engage in close combat with the monster using that dagger though, such a thing would be stupid.

>>302390

Look at those legs. Nothing develops like that (wide paws, thick cylindrical legs) unless it is massive. The bone ridges hint at that, and are probably partially composed of some sort of dense metal. The jaw is a predator's jaw, but with a build like that it surely can't run too fast. It's an ambush predator then. If you can talk the elf into leaving with you, you could probably both out-run it. The question is why he didn't run earlier. Not many good reasons to fight a thing like that...

Ask the elf if someone is hurt.

>>302399
I'm betting the elf is dead, or at the very least unconscious.

If the elf had a sword you can grab that and use it. If not... well, do you know anything about how easy these things are to fight? If you have any confidence at all with fighting it using that dagger it would be nice to know.

On the other hand you could request the sword of that person there. From a glance I can't tell if they know what they're doing. If the weapon would work better in your hands then it should be.

On the one hand, bearhound. Yea, probably a good idea to run. As long as you can outrun that guy, you're home free.

On the other hand, you want to be an adventurer. You've got to stand and fight, or at least make sure you both get away. Don't worry, you have plot armor. Nobody with plot armor can die... usually... except Bob... and John, Mike, Sam, Marcy, and Herbert.

But that won't be you, so don't worry about it!

Hello, new voice here.
A few things, we voices are not a single unified entity, not endowed with special wisdom. We have some experience and there are many of us, increasing the likelihood of a creative solution.
Don't rush to do something one of us says if it seems like a stupid idea. If we all agree on a path, well you don't have to take it, we might all be wrong its just less likely the more people agree it is the right path. Even still, you might chose to side with the minority on an issue due to your own desires, we are merely experienced advisers who speak lots and quickly in your head.

Now, you just came across a bear-monster who just killed one elf and is about to kill another. You have one rusty dagger and your skill-set is that of a swordsman... You are practically unarmed and you cannot harm this beast, you need to run for your life.

Alternatively, if you really feel like playing the hero, you could toss a rock or your dagger (not recommended unless you can peg it in the eye with the sharp end) to distract the beast and try to get the surviving elf to run away with you. Yell "run, your friend is already dead" and run yourself as soon as your distraction takes hold, hopefully he will be smart enough to follow. That is risky, heroic, and I doubt it will be all that effective but the choice is yours.

Mark 2011/05/08(Sun)08:30 No. 302483 ID: a9ba96
File 130486862624.png - (106.22KB , 579x499 , Dungeoncrawlers010.png )

Elf's dead. Or at the very least, not moving. Impact with the tree probably killed him. I would make a comment about elves and being one with nature, but it would probably be in poor taste.

Bearhounds aren't the brightest monsters. A loud noise or an odd smell in the distance is enough to break its concentration and distract it for a brief moment, even if it's in the middle of mauling you. They aren't very quick either. They aren't slow, but those gigantic back legs still restrict their movement quite a bit, to the point where it takes the thing a couple of seconds to fully turn around.

Still, they make up for it by being really strong. A swipe from one of these things can send you flying, and it can easily crush a man to death if he gets pinned under those front paws. Besides being worth quite a bit to cooks and magicians, the bone ridges that protrude from their backs provide a lot of protection from body blows.

They tend to stalk their prey and catch them off guard, since they have difficulty chasing after fast targets. That probably explains the elf, but this guy should have started running as soon as it got his elf friend, but he seems to be standing his ground. I've seen an orc kill a bearhound with its bare hands, but this guy is no orc. It usually takes three guys to take one of these things down, and the way that this guy is staying to fight this thing means one or two things;

He's either really confident that he can take it, or thinks the elf is still coming to back him up.

>>302483
He looks confident enough. If you can create an opening then he will likely exploit it. A sword isn't the best thing to go after a bear with, but if he can get it in the throat then he should be able to get it down. So lets get some rocks and throw at it for a distraction.

>>302483
Flank the bearhound, then throw a rock at it. Since it's easily distracted it will turn to see what hit it, and since it takes so long to turn around you can hide in a tree or something and be safe.
That will give the elf a window in which he can skewer something vital, and will show that you're friendly.

... assuming you're not so big a screwup that you can't hit something the size of a carriage with a rock. ... Shit, there goes THAT plan.
Here, throw us at the bearhound. That way we'll be able to help somebody at least marginally competent when you miss and hit the elf.

Or just start screaming, flailing your arms, and climbing the nearest tree.

You should distract it, then. Giving us(the artifact) to it might be an option except for the fact that it took a while before we were able to talk to you. So I assume there is a warmup period before we can talk to our holder.

Throwing rocks may work. So would yelling at it. Also tell the guy that the elf is dead, what the hell is he doing trying to fight this thing.

as suggested, flank the hound, throw a rock at it to give the elf guy an opening. Based on what you said, worse comes to worse you should be able to run away. Just run in a curved manner to exploit its difficulty turning. If he looks really confident there is a chance he might down it.

Mark 2011/05/08(Sun)17:34 No. 302595 ID: a9ba96
File 130490125739.png - (96.22KB , 486x791 , Dungeoncrawlers011.png )

Alright, got it. Move around to the back of the bearhound, throw something distracting at it. As long as I keep moving, we should be able to keep away from it long enough for the swordsman to make his move.

>>302491
Okay, come on now. It was funny at first, but now it's getting tiring. Cut it out, before I throw you at... the...

...hold on a second, that gives me an idea...

Mark 2011/05/08(Sun)17:35 No. 302596 ID: a9ba96
File 130490135912.png - (67.97KB , 229x605 , Dungeoncrawlers012.png )

Alright guys, I'm really sorry about this...

but you're gonna have to bear with me on this one.

... 2011/05/08(Sun)17:42 No. 302598 ID: a9ba96
File 130490176702.png - (96.37KB , 689x409 , dungeoncrawlers013.png )

The artifact hits the side of the Bearhound and snags on one of its bone ridges.

>>302598
Growl, rargh, rrrrrr. Morr morr, vov vov.

>>302599
Hey. Bear. Yeah, you heard me.
Cut that shit out.
Go eat the dead elf, leave that guy alone.
Seriously, chill.

>>302598
THESE ARE FRIENDS ROLL OVER BELLYRUBS BELLYRUBS BELLYRUBS

*make loud noises to distract the bear

>>302598
Hey, bro. Sup?
That thing is gonna put up a fight, so forget about it and find something easier. Like the thing behind you that just threw something at you, or the thing you smacked into a tree.

Of course, if you just want them to go away then just roll over once on the ground and go stand off to the side. That'll get the shiny thing stuck to you off, and once they take that they'll all run away.

This is awesome.

I have a question for you, bear.

Do you shit in the woods?

OH GOD ALL THESE VOICES ALL OF A SUDDEN

BLAGH A RAAAGH RABBLE GRAAH GRAAGH GRAAAH

>>302598
HEY BEAR HEY BEAR

HEY

WHAT'S THAT THING OVER THERE TO YOUR RIGHT?

hey bear, look at this
http://www.timecube.com/

bears don't speak english... focus on noise over content.

[focus on loud bang noise]

 

>>302598
>>302792
MINE'S BETTER

Friend bear, I have a feeling the elves need your gallbladder to cure the princesses fatal syphilis or something.

... 2011/05/09(Mon)15:42 No. 302833 ID: a9ba96
File 130498096726.png - (183.81KB , 623x470 , Dungeoncrawlers014.png )

Overcome by a sudden surge of loud noises, thoughts, and sounds, the bearhound becomes bewildered. It's focus on the man it was about to maul broken, the monster begins to turn, searching for a source of the noise.

>"Ar? Was that you? Well, whatever you did, good job! I'll take it from here!"

... 2011/05/09(Mon)15:43 No. 302835 ID: a9ba96
File 130498103708.png - (121.29KB , 503x505 , Dungeoncrawlers015.png )

The bearhound is too distracted to notice as the man climbs up on its back. It struggles to find a thought to focus on...

... 2011/05/09(Mon)15:45 No. 302836 ID: a9ba96
File 130498111192.png - (87.51KB , 340x374 , Dungeoncrawlers016.png )

It decides to focus its attention on the man on top of it...

... 2011/05/09(Mon)15:45 No. 302837 ID: a9ba96
File 130498115268.png - (118.82KB , 328x637 , Dungeoncrawlers017.png )

...a decision made a bit too late.

... 2011/05/09(Mon)15:47 No. 302838 ID: a9ba96
File 130498123862.png - (139.66KB , 547x407 , Dungeoncrawlers018.png )

The man sees mark as he runs out from behind the bushes.
>"Good show, Ar! I told you there was nothing to... Wait, you're not Aradel."

>>302838
Awesome... would anyone mind picking us up from the ground? It's boring here.

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)15:49 No. 302840 ID: a9ba96
File 130498137762.png - (51.25KB , 273x433 , Dungeoncrawlers019.png )

Wow! That was awesome, guys! Did, uh, did you guys catch that thing I did when I said to "bear with me?"

Because, uh, because I thought that was rather clever. Not as clever as throwing you guys though, I bet that thing could hardly bear all that noise!

>"Uh, sir? Have you seen a well-dressed elven fellow around here?"

psshhh, that's nothing. one time we drove a giant worm beast insane.
anyway show him to his elf-friend. maybe he is just horrible wounded and not dead?

>>302840
We have made things crazier. Think we drove that worm thing to suicide. It was fun.

Anyway, time to show him the elf and maybe commend him for his bravery and sword work. This guy that is, the elf seem to have died like a bitch.

>>302840
Mark, stop with the puns. We can do that same thing to you.

Show the elf his friend. Apologize for his loss.

>>302840
Yes,that was rather clever. Our idea, I mean; your pun was awful.
We're often carried by filthy, stupid beasts that are as self-absorbed as they are incompetent, so this made for a nice change of pace. To bad the elf went and ruined it.

You know what you need? A sword.
See if you can barter with the elf for one. Since you have little of value, feel free to offer us in trade. I would much rather help somebody explain their friend passing to his next of kin; it would be so much less awkward and tear-inducing than whatever tragedy you'll release on the world next.
Then you can take the sword and the bearhound corpse and use them to impress some bar wench, settle down, and raise a family which you will subsequently kill in a hilariously tragic attempt to dress yourself in the dark.

>>302840
Offer the man your condolences, and point out the elf.

>>302846
I'm for staying with Mark.

>>302846
Aw man. You just got TOLD.

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)18:00 No. 302864 ID: a9ba96
File 130498921817.png - (53.33KB , 359x394 , Dungeoncrawlers020.png )

Mark points towards the bushes
"I... Uh, I have some bad news about your elf friend."

Without saying a word, the man rushes over to where the elf landed and flips his body on its back with his sword.
>"Aridel? Aridel! Damn it all, Aridel!"

>>302851
>>302844
Condolences, right. This man just lost a good friend, it seems.

"He looks so... peaceful."
>"It was a noble sacrifice Aridel made for me. When all is said and done, a statue shall be erected in his honor, alongside the others."
"Don't worry, I'm sure this is how he would have wanted to go."
>"What do you mean, sir?"
"Well, you know what they say about elves and being one with nature and all."
>"..."

I think that went well.

Haha I'm not so sure about that Mark.

Ask him what he means about statues. What's he doing in the woods?

>>302864
You really suck at condolences. Tell him that, it will make him less likely to stab you violently.

Also tell him that you feel like you should escort him to his goal, since it's dangerous to go alone and he doesn't have anyone to help him anymore. Don't mention anything about debts for saving lives or stuff like that. If he doesn't know about that himself then reminding him won't do any good.

>>302864
I'm sure I could say something here about racism, tact, and the striking lack of overlap between them, but even if you were capable of learning from your mistakes the disconnection between your mind and mouth would render the results of any aid I provided nothing more than another point for Zen monks and philosophers to ponder.

Suggestion 2011/05/09(Mon)18:24 No. 302870 ID: 28e94e
File 130499065222.jpg - (1.40MB , 2893x1875 , facepalm.jpg )

>>302864
Dude.

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)18:48 No. 302880 ID: a9ba96
File 130499211581.png - (82.29KB , 556x417 , Dungeoncrawlers021.png )

"Uh... sorry. I didn't mean it like..."
>"Worry not. Aridel was a man of many jokes, I'm sure he would have appreciated it."
"You said something about building a statue for him? What do you mean by that?"
>"My good friend, once this journey is complete, I will have the coin to build Aridel and his fallen brethren a statue in their memory ten times over?"
"...What do you mean?"
>"Surely you jest, sir? It's shocking how many people in these Outlands don't recognize royalty when they see it."
"...Huh?"

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)18:50 No. 302882 ID: a9ba96
File 130499221139.png - (79.62KB , 402x571 , Dungeoncrawlers022.png )

>I am Prince Erick Samwell, son of Gerald and Heir to the throne of Farway!

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)18:51 No. 302883 ID: a9ba96
File 130499226440.png - (47.78KB , 280x389 , Dungeoncrawlers023.png )

>“Well, technically.

>As the eldest son of the great king Gerald of Farway, I’m rightfully the successor to the throne. Sadly, in my own father’s words, while my two younger brothers are respectively “a great archer and horseback rider,” I am “only great at starting fights and freeloading.” I feel that to be a bit unfair, but long story short? I’ve been disinherited.

>To gain the quest that will regain my title, I was told I must journey east to Egias and meet with their king. And so, my father cast me out on my great journey, with but my sword, the clothes on my back, and four men to accompany me. To travel from Farway to Egias is only supposed to be a few months journey, but due to several… unfortunate circumstances, it has taken a year and the lives of all four of my escorts to make it this far. You see, it was a highly publicized event in Farway; we found ourselves often targeted by ruffians and bandits and the sort looking to capture or kill the king’s son all the way to the nation’s border. After that, once we reached the barbaric outlands, we were target just because that is the way in these lawless parts. It has done a good deal to… derail this whole event. A lot.

>I only survived this fight because Aridel threw himself between me and that creature. The capitol of Egias is only a few days away on foot… but with no protection, another encounter with a beast like that will surely end poorly for me.

>Oh well, after a year’s journey, what more are a few days? Perhaps it’s for the best that I lodge at the next settlement until a few roaming paladins or mercenaries pass by who I can…”

Mark 2011/05/09(Mon)18:52 No. 302884 ID: a9ba96
File 130499232864.png - (87.26KB , 497x365 , Dungeoncrawlers024.png )

>"…Then again, mercenaries and paladins are quite expensive…"

…Wait, why is he-

>"Tell me, good sir. For saving my life, how would you like for me to bestow upon you a great honor?"

Oh. Oh dear.

>>302884
"Sadly, I'm just a beggar with no skills to speak of, but I did manage to get something off a goblin I murdered..."
Then offer us to him.
"It's dangerous to go alone; take this!"

Go with him, this is a chance to earn your name! That is, if anything he just said is true.

guys, he made one mistake early on with fire (which was really educational, make sure to use fire whenever sneaking into enemy camps in the future)...

aside from that he is a good enough adventurer to last a year already and he has the drive and willingness to face death for a shot at everlasting glory. I say we stick with him and help him avoid such mistakes in the future and climb to the top. So stop telling him to pass us off to a "more worthy" adventurer, I think he is plenty worthy and a great candidate; a freeloading princeling doing one quest to regain his inheritance and then going back to freeloading isn't a step up... heck, the guy managed to get his four escorts killed... although to be fair it might not be his fault if things were as bad as he said.

As for his question... might as well travel with him for now. Practice swordsmanship with him daily. Bury his last bodyguard and ask if its ok if you were to take up his sword for this noble cause.

If you actually pull off this quest with the prince it would be a huge boost in your adventurer career... recognition and funding would be yours.

yeah, you two would make a great team.

This SEEMS to be exactly what you want, is it not?

oh yea, and do NOT jump in front of him to save him at the cost of your own life.

>>302892
This. Hate to say it, but you're a bit of a liability, and we could do a better job helping him directly than we could through you.

>>302884
Well what are you waiting for, accept. This is your chance to make it into a history book, granted, unless you do something awesome afterwards it's likely to only be a footnote. But having a prince indebted to you for helping him on his quest to reclaim the throne is a very good thing. Could help immensly in further adventuring.

So accept and help him. Also, don't give him us. Keep us for yourself. Oh, and his tendency to start fights, that's probably one of the things that has reduced his number of comrades. So you should probably try to keep him out of that.

Mark 2011/05/10(Tue)17:46 No. 303164 ID: a9ba96
File 130507478559.png - (94.45KB , 429x368 , Dungeoncrawlers025.png )

"Samwell? As in, "The Lost Prince" Samwell? I heard that Farway exiled their heir, but that was a year ago! Everyone just kind of assumed that you were dead."
>"Indeed, I've heard rumors of my demise many times during my travels."
"They say you and your men were eaten by cursed trees, or thrown off a cliff by an ogre!"
>"Both true accounts, but neither always fatal."
"Either way, it's an honor to serve you, your highness!"
>"No, the honor is all mine, sir..."
"Mark."
>"Well, sir Mark, it's a pleasure to know you are by my side. Rest assured, should you perish, a statue of you shall be built right next to Aridel's!"

Bodyguard to the Lost Prince? If this isn't the start of a grand adventure, I don't know what is!

>>303164
Yeah yeah, just remember what happened to his last four bodyguards. Lets try to stay on the path, and don't let him get into fights. Also, loot elf-boy, he has no more needs of his wordly possessions.

After that we can probably head out.

Mark 2011/05/10(Tue)17:51 No. 303169 ID: a9ba96
File 130507510832.png - (108.44KB , 588x522 , Dungeoncrawlers026.png )

"Speaking of Aridel..."
>"Ah yes. Truly a shame. He was a great man, it is only fair that we give him a proper burial before we go. His sword flew off... somewhere... when that bear creature struck him. If you help me bury my friend, I'll let you keep it."
"Of course. I'll get right to helping you dig-"
>"Wait a moment."
"Hm?"
>"Well, this is kind of awkward... but uh... Aridel was a great man, true, but I believe he also had about thirty gold coins on him. It would feel, well, wrong to loot the corpse of a good friend like Aridel, but... no reason to let good coin go to waste. If you don't mind, could you..."
"..."
>"Please?"
"...Wh...Whatever you say, your highness..."

Mark 2011/05/10(Tue)18:13 No. 303188 ID: a9ba96
File 130507639438.png - (2.40KB , 502x350 , blank.png )

>"Yes, like that. Check the coat pocket too. Once we finish here, we-"

Lin 2011/05/10(Tue)18:13 No. 303189 ID: a9ba96
File 130507641435.png - (134.40KB , 502x350 , Dungeoncrawlers027.png )

“So, you’re POSITIVE that this is what the “bad man looked” like?
>“Sogux draw good picture of badman! Badman come into town, and badman keel everyone! Cut down the mens, cut down the womens, cut down the childs, everyone! Sogux hide in hut, but badman set hut on fire to keel Sogux! Badman set fire to keel everyone! Sogux get face burned, but Sogux get away in secret door!
“And you’re saying that he killed everyone?”
>“Ony Sogux live, because Sogux is cleverest! Please, nicelady! Hunt down and keel the badman before he does this to other town!”

Lin 2011/05/10(Tue)18:13 No. 303190 ID: a9ba96
File 130507643338.png - (136.16KB , 482x416 , Dungeoncrawlers028.png )

>“Looket this!”
“And what’s this thing?”
>“Is one of Sogux treasures! Sogux always carry treasures in bag everywhere, can’t trust them in house! Treasure is matching set, one is missing. Sogux think that one was dropped while being chased to hut! Sogux think badman has it! Please, Please, Please, nicelady! Keel the badman and bring back Sogux’s treasure!”

haha
ahahahha
HAHAHAHAHAHA
ahem. hello.

Hello there, Paladin.

The goblin is a liar, I'll have you know. The owner of the other half of us isn't competent enough to murder the entire town.

oooh, a potential love interest?

>>303190
Come now, you don't believe that creature do you? It's clearly stupid and incompetent. What are you willing to bet that it was actually this snivelling goblin who accidentaly set fire to the town and then blamed it all on some imaginary boogeyman?

>>303190
The man in that picture was hired to kill the goblin. He tried to burn down the goblin's hut, but the goblin escaped out of his secret exit and burned down the rest of the village in revenge.

Watch this, she won't believe any of us.

FRESH MEAT

Lets be completely honest here other voices...

Ms. Paladin, what is you name by the way? We are voices from other worlds, the twin spheres let us speak. We are many individuals who peer through those spheres and provide advice, some of it good, some of it stupid. The advantage is that time flows differently for us so you get a lot of people coming up with creative solutions over a long period of time during what is seconds on your world.

Anyways miss, the man in the picture is a very crude and inaccurate drawing of an adventurer who is trying to become a famous hero. According to said adventurer the goblin was stealing from the butcher and threatened to murder the butcher's wife. So the butcher hired him to get rid of the goblin, he set fire to the goblin's hut and the fire spread out of control and burned the village, which prompted the villagers to evacuate. He skipped town to avoid being lynched for what was essentially an accident. He didn't murder anyone with his sword... but depending on how fast the fire spread he might have accidentally killed someone, he didn't know. Do you? were there any corpses in the flames?

As for the goblin, it is possible that the butcher lied and the goblin is innocent, or maybe he really did threaten to kill his wife, we do not know.

>>303190

Hello ma'am. Lin, is it? Yes, Lin.

We're half of a paired sentient artifact, formerly in possession of the diminutive fellow before you, Sogux. We've had no complaints about our short and fairly entertaining career with Sogux, but you should be much more fun to travel with.

We're split, but still feel our other half. The fool, Mark, is leaving town and headed for Egias in the company of a jackass called Samwell. As in "The Lost Prince" Samwell, who chanced to meet Mark shortly after Mark fled the scene of this arson and manslaughter. Samwell is not aware of Mark's crimes, and is enough of a fool himself to make attempting to arrest Mark before they arrive in Egias somewhat complicated.

Mark presented his side of the story to us as the fire growing well out of his control when he attempted to murder Sogux. The murder was commissioned by the butcher, an ex-adventurer who used to own us before Sogux took us as part of a mostly harmless prank. For our part, being with Sogux was far more fun than being with the butcher and his wife.

>>303236
This voice's account is accurate.

The drawing is decent, but unnecessary, as we can identify the man in question.

The goblin's account is likely quite embellished, but we cannot say for sure.

We have no memories prior to being seized by the 'badman' (his name is Mark), so we have no idea whether we were initially owned by Sogux, the butcher, or someone else entirely.

Also note that we are compelled to give advice to anyone who bears us. And that we usually intend to give good advice. Therefore, fighting Mark may be somewhat difficult.

Also there's the fact he's part of a prince's bodyguard now, that might complicate things.

>>303284

Speak for yourself, how can you possibly know what I remember?

>>303270
since when is threatening to murder someone a "harmless prank". The claim is that the butcher was afraid for the life of his family. This is in no way shape or form a "harmless prank". There are only two options, either the butcher lied about the misdeeds of Sogux. Or he was justified in taking action. I oppose the wonton persecution of innocent minorities such as goblins; but that doesn't mean that every goblin is always automatically innocent.

And we don't even know if there WAS any manslaughter, it is possible that all the villagers evacuated safely.

>>303298
ok now you are just being a liar...

Ms paladin, some of the voices have a sick sense of humor and entertain themselves by misguiding the bearer into disaster.

>>303300

Ms. Lim take note, he didn't actually answer my question. He just called me a liar.

Though I do agree, some of us have a sick sense of humor.

>>303190
Mark believes he was hired to kill a goblin that had been stealing from the butcher and threatened to murder the butcher's wife.
He chased the goblin into it's home, then lit the place on fire like an idiot. Things spiraled out of control in a way that any marginally intelligent person would have completely expected.
Also, being an idiot, when he ran into an elf claiming to be Samwell the lost prince he believed everything he was told without question.

I don't know why the others have such trouble explaining even the simplest events accurately.

Anyway, don't you have some kind of Smite Evil magic that can't harm people who aren't evil? Could you use that on the goblin so we can properly berate Mark if the goblin's innocent?

>>303303

I don't know if you've ever noticed it, but most of us are sort of silly around girls.

>>303303
As I recall everyone here suggested he should partner with the prince, except for the few who actually suggested he pass us on to the prince. Not one of us actually doubted his claim of being who he is. And one mistake with the fire doesn't make him an idiot... he has been fairly capable aside from that one bit.

>>303319

Yes, he was quite capable at trying to justify burning the whole town down instead of attempting to help anyone his foolishness hurt. He is also very capable at running away.

The price seems very capable at getting his bodyguards killed, so having a horrible heel like Mark team up with him seemed like a win-win situation for the entire world. Either the prince gets Mark killed or Mark gets the prince killed and either way the world is a better place.

Lin 2011/05/11(Wed)14:42 No. 303388 ID: a9ba96
File 130515015268.png - (80.80KB , 384x474 , DungeonCrawlers029.png )

>>303193
It... talks?
>>303270
>>303284
>>303298
>>303300
>>303301
...

"...Goblin, your "treasure" is talking to me."
>"What?" Treasure talks? Treasure never talks to Sogux!"
"It's an artifact of many voices, it would seem. Their re-tellings of the events leading to this town's demise differ slightly, but they all seem to agree you are leaving out a few important details here. Something about you and a butcher?"

>>303388
Well it's clearly too stupid too hear us.

Lin 2011/05/11(Wed)14:44 No. 303391 ID: a9ba96
File 130515025979.png - (61.01KB , 306x356 , DungeonCrawlers030.png )

>"Butcher? How... Oh... That is because treasure is lie crystal. Is crystal made of lying."

Lin 2011/05/11(Wed)14:58 No. 303403 ID: a9ba96
File 130515110781.png - (206.64KB , 594x832 , Dungeoncrawlers031.png )

I grab the goblin's shoulder. Veteran Paladin can detect lies and cast spells to smite evil, but I haven't been in this business long enough. If I want to know what he hell is going on, I'm going to have to get this goblin to fess up.

"Maybe I could have believed that if you hadn't drawn me this picture. Between these crude scribblings and your "lie crystal" here, it's becoming very hard to trust you."
>"W...What does nicelady mean?"
"If the man in this picture is who I think it is, there's only one way he could have done this, and that's if he wasn't trying to.
>"Man in picture is badman! Butcher was badman! Everyone try to steal Sogux's bag, everyone want Sogux's treasure! Please, get picture away! Just looking at badman make Sogux scared!"

...Damn Goblins. Why can't they ever make this easy?

>>303391
I love how he was surprised we were able to speak, and then immediately claimed we're a 'lie crystal'.

To disprove his claim that we are "made of lying":
Your name is Lin.
You appear to be a paladin, although we could be mistaken.
Sogux, if that IS his name, appears to be a goblin.
Sogux has burns on the left side of his face.

Of course, you could probably get him to confess by stating that you're going to hold him until you've finished your investigation, and you'll know if he's lying or not soon enough. Then mentioning that people who confess to crimes are punished far less than those who deny them.

So, how did the townsfolk fare? What percentage of them managed to get away safely?
We know a bit about emergency care, and might be able to help you save some of the worst-injured people.

>>303403
Oh god. You know Mark? How has he survived for a year?

Wait wait, the goblin, right. Umm... threaten to beat him senseless if he doesn't confess.

... only one way ... and that's if he wasn't trying to.

Ha ha ha. And ouch, that bad eh?

>>303403
Because you're not talking its language. Now let your fists do the asking for a while and then see if he's ready to change his story.

Now now, I'm sure there's no need to resort to violence, besides, he is probably cowardly enough that the treat of violence will suffice.

Information obtained under duress is unreliable though.

Lin 2011/05/11(Wed)17:00 No. 303483 ID: a9ba96
File 130515844829.png - (303.48KB , 816x906 , Dungeoncrawlers032.png )

We can't afford wasting time here. I drop the paper and hoist the Goblin in the air.

This story still doesn't add up. The Goblin's accusation of people being "cut down" by some bad man coincides with what we've found - there's only three bodies that look like they actually died in the fire itself.

The rest have been cut open.

There's at least eighteen bodies, and no sign hat anyone but the Goblin made it through this alive. Mark doesn't kill civilians for fun, but Sogux doesn't look like he would be capable of doing something like this.

"If you think you're scared now, try jerking me around a bit more."
>"Wait! Wait! Sogux does not entirely lie. Butcher was badman! Butcher always looking to steal Sogux's bag! Always eying Sogux's bag of treasure! One day, Butcher touch Sogux's bag, so Sogux tell him "Hands off Sogux's bad, or will kill your pretty wife!"
"How does an argument over a bag of trinkets lead to a town burning to the ground?"
>"Butcher want bag, so he hires Badman from picture to kill Sogux and steal it! Sogux run to hut, but Badman set it on fire! Was when fire spread! Was when Sogux get burned! But was when Sogux get out through secret door!"
"That still doesn't explain how everyone in the village ended up gutted."
>"Was Ath!"
"Who's Ath?"
>"Ath was extra bad badman who village put in stocks for the Paladins to judge! When town catch fire, Ath tell badman from picture that if he set free, he will change badman ways. Badman from picture agree, but as soon as he leaves, Ath takes sword from house and kill everyone trying to flee for revenge!"
"And you saw this happen?"
>"Yes! Sogux see it happen when..."
"When what?"
>"When he go to board up butcher's door, make sure he cannot escape fire!"
"..."
>"Butcher try to kill Sogux once! Sogux just make sure he cannot do it again! Was self defending, Sogux swears!"

So within the span of a few minutes, Mark's managed to burn a village to the ground and set a murderous lunatic free. Wonderful.

he is still dangerous. are the stocks still there? if so then stock him so someone else can take care of him, we need to get Ath before he kills more people. and we will try to keep mark from doing stupid shit, but he is pretty stupid.

>>303483
Now how do you know it was the murderous lunatic? This goblin has already admited to being paranoid, murderous and quite clearly insane. Could have been it that went around, killing everyone as the village burned, just to make sure that his bad stays safe.

>>303483
Yeah like I told him, it would've been an excellent job if he was trying to be a villain.

Mark seems to think all paladins are crazy. Is this because paladins have attempted to prevent him from doing these kinds of things before?

Up to you what to do with the goblin.

ok, now that is a believable story.

So Sogux killed the butcher by nailing shut his door during the fire. Mark set the fire to get the goblin. The goblin threatened the butcher's wife when the butcher tried to steal... well, us I guess... assuming that part is completely true.
And mark felt pity for some guy in the stocking and released him so he doesn't burn to death who then turned around and killed as many innocents as he could.

Could the butcher's claim that the goblin has been stealing meat from him also be true?
I postulate the following chain of events: Sogux stole meat from the butcher, the butcher then tried to steal the goblins "treasures" to pawn as compensation. The goblin then made his threat to protect his property, the butcher then hires an adventurer to kill Sogux to protect his family, Sogux then kills the butcher and his family to protect himself... What a sad tale of escalation.

Were the three killed in the fire all in the same house? if so that must be the butcher and his family, killed by Sogux. And that mark was only directly responsible for property damage. Although you could argue he is indirectly responsible for the deaths by creating a situation where two others (Sogux and the man from the stockings) had a chance to kill.

Well... we could keep mark from making more catastrophic mistakes while you hunt down the man from the stocking who cut down all those people in town, he must be put to the sword as soon as possible.

And as for mark releasing the man from the stocking... well, he could hardly be faulted for that. What if the man was a petty thief? hardly a crime worthy of burning to death. Would you have let a shoplifter burn to death?
Although if mark knew that the man was a murderer and still let him loose, well if that is the case I am done defending him.

>>303483

If there's any justice in the world, Ath will end up travelling with Mark and Samwell and you'll be able to arrest the three of them before they kill anyone else.

Lin 2011/05/11(Wed)18:36 No. 303532 ID: a9ba96
File 130516421457.png - (284.48KB , 680x672 , Dungeoncrawlers033.png )

I drop the goblin to the ground.

Goblins lack the size or physique for one to kill this many without someone taking it down. It's why they generally operate in groups. His story fits what we've seen around here, and setting a man in the stocks free based on his word sounds too much like Mark for Sogux to be making up.

Villages in the outlands put their criminals in the stocks for Paladins to judge when they pass by. You get Paladins all over, but in the Outlands where they have no formal government we're especially important. Paladins keep the peace around here, checking up on villages and keeping the people safe. Certain squads have a reputation for being a bit... smite happy at times, but we're the closest thing there is to law in the outlands.

Before you ask, yes, I know Mark. We met in a tavern about a year ago when I was just starting my training as a paladin. We were part of a small adventuring group, but we went our separate ways for a lot of different reasons. He really is a nice guy, but he's just always been a bit too impulsive for his own good. Tends to do things without really thinking about them, but he really does want to help people.

I figured that the guy had gotten himself killed. Nice to know he's still alive, but the fact that he's protecting the Prince has me a bit worried. That's actually supposed to be my job right now.

Samwell’s been paying the Paladins to help him keep a low profile and get to Egias ever since he hit the outlands. We still hit a lot of trouble along the way, but nothing too bad until my band was ambushed about a month back while escorting him. We lost four men, I lost half of my face, and Samwell and his last surviving bodyguard from Farway, Aridel, ran off into the woods thinking we were all dead. There's plenty of people who pop up from time to time claiming to be Samwell, but we've been following his trail the best we could ever since we got split up, so if Mark found him it's likely that it's the real Samwell. There’s a poem he’s supposed to recite to prove it’s the real him, but as long as the guy Mark found has a ponytail and is full of himself, it’s safe to say that it’s probably him.

We need to go after this Ath guy, but we need to catch up with the Prince too. We’re only a few days from Egias now, so if you guys think Mark can handle this, we can focus on tracking down the murderer. Otherwise, I can leave one of my two men behind to alert the next squad of Paladins that pass by here about Ath.

>“What of the goblin, miss? One of the stocks have survived the blaze.”
>“Wait! Sogux only act to protect himself. Let Sogux go free, will show you where rest of treasure is buried! Will even let you keep one!”

And then there’s this guy.

>>303532
Well he threatened people and commited murder. Off with his head!

And Mark should be ok. He's got some extra guidance now.

yeah, WE'LL watch after mark. i mean, with our help him and the prince managed to slay a wild bearhound. the prince was about to be mauled by it, we did not start the fight. so yeah go after ath.

think the goblin needs SOME kind of punishment, but he seems more insane then malicious. he may honestly think he was in the right.

>>303532
Have somebody investigate the butcher's home.
If they burned to death inside then Sogux is guilty of murder. If not then he's only guilty of attempted murder.

He's not going to keep his treasure. He put his valuables before peoples lives and resorted to violence instead of trying to resolve things properly. If he murdered the butcher's family then I would expect he'll be executed, but if not, then he deserves a bit of lenience for being a bit helpful.

Take whatever magical items he has that could help your mission, then put the rest aside to help fund recovery efforts.

Well the butcher DID hire someone to kill the goblin because of a threat. He didn't kill the butcher for no reason.

We're not letting him go free of course. It's still murder, even if he had a fairly good reason to do it.

Ponytail, full of himself, elven bodyguard named Aridel (who was killed by the bearhound just as we got there, unfortunately) - I'd say that's the guy.

Anyway... I wouldn't say Mark can handle anything, really - but in my opinion, catching a mass murderer seems a bit more important. And once we're done with that, it'll probably be fairly easy for us to guide you in the direction of Mark and Samwell.

As for Sogux... I dunno, follow your judgement.

Lin 2011/05/12(Thu)17:02 No. 303730 ID: a9ba96
File 130524496007.png - (284.98KB , 818x876 , Dungeoncrawlers034.png )

There's three burned corpses. Same Building. No way to tell for sure, but likely the Butcher and his family.

I approach the Goblin.

"Listen Sogux, this can end one of two ways. You killed three people today-"
>"Sogux no murderer! Was self-defending!"
"Call it what you want, but three people are dead because of you. You can face judgement at our hands, or you can tell us where Ath ran off to."
>"Ath went south, over hills and through woods! Please nicelady! Let Sogux go! Will give you treasure from bag!"
"It's a kind offer, but I think I already know which of your "treasures" I want to hold on to."
>"W-What?"

>>303730
You're not going to let him get away just because he told you that are you? He still shut in 3 people to burn alive because he thought they wanted his treasure. He's a paranoid killer and will most likely attack anyone trying to resettle this area.

Lin 2011/05/12(Thu)17:08 No. 303734 ID: a9ba96
File 130524533422.png - (360.09KB , 873x920 , Dungeoncrawlers035.png )

True to my word, I don't pass judgement on the goblin. Instead, we stick him in the stocks for the next paladin that passes through to judge. Let's hope he can come up with a good enough story by then.

If you trust Mark with the prince, we have a murderer to catch. Sogux's bag is hidden in this town somewhere, but it can wait. When I have a bit of free time, maybe I'll come back here for some treasure hunting.

Even if we can't find that bag later on, it's no big deal. Mark always said that doing good deeds is a reward in and of itself.

>"Wait! You can't just leave Sogux here! Was do no bad! Was just self defending! Please!"

By the gods, I love this job.

>>303734
You don't have to leave him there. You said you wouldn't pass judgement over him, well let one of your mates there do it instead. Then you have still keept your word and there's no chance that the goblin gets away.

So, hunting for this Ath guy. Do you know anything more about him aside from the fact that he's a cold blooded killer with a sword?

perfect, let's go hunting.

If there was intel about him it probably died in the fire and during his escape. Towns like this probably don't have much in the way of written records and what there was probably got destroyed or buried in the collapse of this village. Accordingly I suggest getting one of your companions to judge the goblin and that you proceed to track him with the presumption that he will be part of a gang, and prone to setting traps and ambushes for people who try to follow him.

Lin 2011/05/12(Thu)18:55 No. 303759 ID: a9ba96
File 130525174425.png - (2.42KB , 502x350 , blank2.png )

A lot of Paladins like to off the guilty and be done with it, but that's never been my thing. I tend to put a bit more thought into punishments, but in this case I don't have the time to think up something fitting. It's better to just leave it up to the next guy. Chances of any random traveler who walks by here taking pity on Sogux are slim until then. I doubt the next Paladin that stops here will be as kind, but that's not my problem now.

Don't know much about Ath, but I have a feeling that he isn't the kind of guy who covers his tracks very well.

>>303742
My thoughts exact-

Mark 2011/05/12(Thu)18:58 No. 303760 ID: a9ba96
File 130525189928.png - (192.32KB , 638x778 , Dungeoncrawlers036.png )

"Whoa."
>"Hmm? Something troubling you?"
"Oh, it's uh, it's nothing. Just a bit of a headache."
>"Well, stay sharp my friend! We're almost to the next town, and I need you at your best!"

Hey, are you guys back? I lost you for a bit back there.

>>303760
Yeah sure we're back. Turns out one of those paladins back there knew you, take it easy though. They're not directly after you right now and they found and interviewed the goblin. You're not very high on their shitlist.

A more immediate worry is the upcoming town. Don't let the Prince blab about being a prince or get into any fights. Oh, and keep an eye out for anyone trying to nab him. Seems like some people are trying to grab him in attempts to ransom him.

specifically, lin.

Hey Mark, that dude you let out of the stocks?

He stole the butcher's sword and killed almost everyone in the village. Anyone the fire didn't get (good job there, by the way), he cut down in an orgy of blood. He gutted them, intestines tumbling forth like rotten sausages, limbs hacked clean off, blood everywhere. Quite the sight. Anyway he did that to like 18 people, so anyone who didn't burn to death got to die absolutely terrified of the madman with the blade (great job with that, excellent use of human resources to get the job done).

>>303769
I have to ask, did you know he was a murderer when you took pity on him and saved it from the fire?

Of course he did, he must have heard about it from the other people in the village if he was there long enough to find work to do. Good job making sure the survivors were dead, your plot to become infamous as a ruthless murderer, psychotic jackass and ally to scoundrels everywhere is proceeding amazingly well. You'll have Paladin bands searching for you personally in no time if you keep up the good work.

>>303796
Not necessarily. He could have easily not heard about it and believed the guy when he said "I am just a thief, I don't deserve to burn"

>>303802
Wait, wait, wait... this man, who masterminded the destruction of a village and did it in such a way that the Paladins decided they'd better not go after him? This genius of schemes within schemes and a true visionary of torture and cruelty believed the guy in stocks left for homicidal paladins that nobody in the village would release even though it was burning down?

Pull my other finger, this one's got bells on it.

He needs to capitalize on Lin's crush on him and make her fall into bad behavior alongside him. And with him.

Mark 2011/05/13(Fri)18:18 No. 304038 ID: a9ba96
File 130533588569.png - (158.43KB , 467x471 , Dungeoncrawlers037.png )

>>303761
Wait, the goblin's still alive? Of all the people to survive the fire, the goblin was the one to-
>>303764
Oh, nevermind. If Lin talked to him, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that he's considerably less alive now. Also explains why they're not after me right now.

It's been a while since I've seen Lin, but it's not that surprising that she's still out here patrolling the Outlands. A big, lawless, crime infested forest always seemed like somewhere where she'd feel at home.

>>303769
Wait what

>>303771
No! He, well, he said he was just a thief, so most the Paladins would have done was cut his hands off anyway! He didn't seem like, uh, he didn't look like the kind of guy who deserved to be roasted alive!

>>303796
>>303802
>>303806
What? No! I didn't think, I, I didn't... I mean, Outlands villages leave people in stocks for the Paladins all the time! It isn't an irregular sight, so I didn't think to ask! Who, who would have...

oh gods not again!

>>303847
And what in the world are you even going on about?

>>304038
Stop standing there looking confused. The prince has a look on his face that indicates that he intends to find trouble and kick it in the balls to make it extra troublesome. Prevent him from doing so.

Mark 2011/05/13(Fri)18:24 No. 304046 ID: a9ba96
File 130533625520.png - (107.58KB , 521x331 , Dungeoncrawlers038.png )

>"Next town is just over this hill. Stay close by my side, my friend. You never know what uncivilized scum dwell in these towns."
"Y..yeah. Sure thing. Just, uh, just try to keep a low profile here, okay?"

Well, I'm, uh, I'm sure whatever murderous lunatic I just set free, Lin and the other Paladins have handled, right? I mean, it is their job to this kind of stuff, and now I have my job making sure the Prince doesn't get killed.

Let's uh, let's just head into this town, and see if we can't take my mind off the fact that I just let another murderous psycho loose, and focus on the task at hand. Focus on important things, like... like...

Mark 2011/05/13(Fri)18:25 No. 304048 ID: a9ba96
File 130533635399.png - (140.09KB , 468x485 , Dungeoncrawlers039.png )

Huh. Like the fact that this village is pretty abandoned.

I think this is a good time to play "positives and negatives" again.

The bad news is that something terrible probably happened here.

The good news is that, well, whatever happened here, I didn't do it this time.

>>304048
Look for food that's sitting around.
If it's been there for days then get the hell out of town since animals should have gotten to it within hours.
If it's still warm then then get the hell out of town since whatever did this is still here.
In no case should you eat anything here.

Look inside a building but DO NOT ENTER. Entering a building poses a serious risk of ambush and will have you trapped if anything goes wrong.
You are looking for bodies, signs of a struggle, signs of recent presences, and other anomalies.

If you can't figure out what's wrong then get away from the town and start a fire a SAFE distance away. Throw thick oils and rubber onto it so it'll churn up thick black smoke. Hopefully, that would attract the paladins so they'll come in and break shit until it's all fixed.

Oh, and yea, Lin likes you. She got PISSED when the Goblin said you killed everybody. She didn't kill him; she stuck him in the stocks so that he would spend who knows how long waiting for somebody to show up and kill him.
Although, with the town dead he'll probably die of thirst or exposure long before other paladins show up to kill him.
She left him with just enough hope to keep him from losing hope and accepting his fate. Masterful sadism, really.

So, yea, she likes you.

Yeah, but can you take credit for driving off or killing everybody in this village? Always look out for your opportunities, infamy doesn't build itself.

>>304048
Ummm yeah, don't think so actually. Move past this place right away. Don't stop here or take any supplies with you from this place. Don't trust it, there is something very wrong here that leaves a village pretty much intact but without people in it, atleast during the day. So get the fuck out of there right away.

Then I guess we'd better drag this Prince lieutenant we've recruited to the next village on our raiding tour.

>>304046
They're working on it.

Anyway, for the moment - Don't get seperated from the prince, and try and figure out what happened here. The first one being more important. Look for people, alive or otherwise; failing that, what that guy said about the food.

>>304046

What do you mean another psycho? Is this a pet project of yours? Most excellent, you are far more clever and ambitious than I thought. By releasing mass murderers and pretending to have had good intentions in doing so, you have completely occupied the paladins and contributed to the deaths of many innocent people without getting blood on your hands. You are very good at this!

>>304046
...Another? This has happened before? Are you not capable of LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES?

>>304147
Do you really think that yelling at him will help bring out his hidden thug side which has been doing all this destruction and mayhem? He's repressed the fact that he's deliberately causing these tragedies and this is a good thing because it has convinced the paladins to go after the guy who only killed eighteen people in that village instead of the guy who killed most of them.
This means we have to tease his bad self out without yelling or anything confrontational like that. We accomplish this by giving him lots of good advice on how to be a more effective and prosperous thug. Things like reputation management, tactics, looting doctrine, stashing, traps and ambushes, field fortification, recruiting, personnel management--all the good stuff every thug needs to move on to bandit leader and eventually warlord.

>>304059
This. Just make sure you don't start another uncontrollable fire or anything like that.

>>304172
Waaaaaait, why not? If things in this village are screwed up because of some infestation of flesh-eating beetles or something fire may be the best thing possible for controlling the problem. Even if we can't figure out what's up we can do a better job of claiming responsibility for the destruction if we do at least burn the village.

DungeonCrawler 2011/05/14(Sat)18:48 No. 304277 ID: a9ba96
File 130542410474.png - (63.05KB , 324x397 , Dungeoncrawlers040.png )

Alright, listen, that only happened once before. And he was caught by paladins before he actually managed to do much besides stab me in the stomach and run off into the woods with half my equipment, so it's not like this is a hobby of mine.

Can you guys stop trying to make it seem like I'm doing this on purpose? I get that some of my attempts at heroism have been less than adequate, but I'm not going to go around burning down villages because I accidentally set fire to one, okay? You guys are here to help me help people. I get that you might not have much faith in me now, but just give me a chance and I swear that...

>"Mark, take a look at this! I think I see someone moving around inside the tavern. It's kind of dark, but-"

>>304277
PULL HIM BACK

DungeonCrawler 2011/05/14(Sat)18:50 No. 304279 ID: a9ba96
File 130542425074.png - (61.34KB , 268x343 , Dungeoncrawlers041.png )

Samwell jumps back as an arrow smashes through the window, barely missing his chest
>"What the-!?"

>>304279
Told you so.

Circle around, loudly open the back door or smash a window. He'll turn and fire on you. This is the signal for the elf to rush in and take him down before he can reload. Make sure the elf is aware of your plan!

DungeonCrawler 2011/05/14(Sat)18:54 No. 304281 ID: a9ba96
File 130542449699.png - (162.77KB , 652x629 , Dungeoncrawlers042.png )

The door of the tavern swings open and a frantic man holding a bow steps out. His hands are trembling.

>"By the gods, I thought you were... you're lucky my aim's not as good as it used to be! Quick, get in the tavern, you're going to get us all killed walking through town like that!"

>>304281
Get inside, then cover the hole in the window with something.
We need answers, and that's something they can provide.

>>304281
Ok, shits suspicious. Demand explenations before you go in there. There is some weird shit going on here and you're not here to solve their weird shit. Primary concern is to get the Prince to where he's going, not get stuck here cowering in a house.

Enter cautiously.

shut up and listen this man.

>>304280
he isn't an elf, he was just traveling with an elf, jesus, how hard is that to understand?

Ah, excellent. It is much easier to kill the defenders if they actually invite you into their fortifications.
Proceed and investigate their force disposition once you get in. Make sure to ask him what he's hiding from and how many other survivors there might be once you're inside. Then slaughter them all of course.

Mark 2011/05/24(Tue)15:19 No. 306520 ID: a9ba96
File 130627558595.png - (267.34KB , 783x709 , Dungeoncrawlers043.png )

Before we can ask for answers, the man darts back inside. The Prince nods, and the two of us enter the tavern cautiously.

The man with the bow motions us over to the back of the tavern. Three people peek their heads over the bar, and there's likely others hiding around.

One speaks up.
>"Who are they?"
"Just, uh, just travelers."
>"A..Are the Kobolds here yet?"
"No, I... What?"

Kobolds? These guys all cowering in fear over Kobolds? I'm pretty sure the things surrender if you ask them to in a mean enough voice, there's really no reason for an entire town to clear the streets and start firing arrows through windows.

>>306520
Not to mention the distractive powers of noserubs. Obviously these are some sort of super-bolds. Inquire.

Mark 2011/05/24(Tue)15:51 No. 306531 ID: a9ba96
File 130627751775.png - (107.78KB , 361x746 , Dungeoncrawlers045.png )

Samwell proceeds to flip his shit.

>"Kobolds? Are you serious? I was almost arrowed in the chest over fucking Kobolds? Is this a joke?"

The man with the bow nervously responds.
>"There's a Kobold tribe in the forests next to the town. They come through town each morning to use our well, but they want us to stay inside while they're here. They took a girl from the village a few weeks back, and they say they're going to kill her if we try to-"

>"Tell me, how long, exactly, does it take for the things take to get a drink?"

>"If we stay in here for three, maybe four hours, we should be okay. They usually leave around-"

>"Four hours!? You expect me to cower in a corner for four hours while a bunch of three-foot tall cretins use your well? Mark, we're leaving. Now."

>"Wait, if they see you walking around the town, they-"

>"Now. This is the fastest I've left a tavern since that gods-damned elven fetish brothel."

>>306520
Oh man, I hope they aren't...

Well. You know.

Those kinds of kobolds.

tell him to cool his jets. this is chance for heroics. we wait until the bolds leave and then follow them to their camp, bust in and save the girl and BAM town loves you forever.

>>306532
Well I do, kobolds with flamethrowers, assault rifles and tanks would make an awesome group of footsoldiers once you've recruited yourself into their army and gone up the ranks. I'm sure that a brutal young thug like Mark could go far in such an organization and maybe even come to lead it.

Kobolds aren't smart enough for this.

The girl masterminded it. You should recruit her, she'll be useful.

Mark 2011/05/26(Thu)16:06 No. 306952 ID: a9ba96
File 130645118016.png - (37.13KB , 229x410 , Dungeoncrawlers046.png )

Yeah, you guys are right! Except the guy talking about joining a Kobold gang, but I don't really think I needed to point that out. Either way, this is a good way to prove to Samwell, these citizens, and uh, well, you guys, that I can be a hero!

...When fire isn't involved.

"Samwell, hold on. I think that we might be able to help these people. If uh, if it's alright with you."
>"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if it isn't too much trouble, since I did, uh, I did say I would escort you and all. I just thought that if we stuck around until the Kobolds left, we could follow them up to their camp and... uh, save the day. Maybe?"
>"...hmm..."

Mark 2011/05/26(Thu)16:12 No. 306959 ID: a9ba96
File 130645154014.png - (66.74KB , 376x375 , Dungeoncrawlers047.png )

>"A noble idea indeed, my good friend! These peasants will always remember the glorious act of heroism we performed upon this day!"
"Uh, yeah!"
>"I have a plan of my own. Why should we wait for the Kobolds to leave at all? There's no need to lie and wait for them to finish their business at the well! The little cretins will never expect resistance in this town - I propose that we lay our blades upon the rats as soon as they arrive! As outnumbered as we may be, they are certainly outclassed by..."

>>306959
Slap his shit.

Also, suggest something. Something like, oh, I dunno, BUILDING ANOTHER FUCKING WELL.

we kill them and then what? we don't know the way to the camp.

>>306959
Ah, but if you kill them all here, then you can't find their camp and rescue the girl.

Also, really do inquire if there's something special about these 'bolds or if they just have the leverage of a hostage.

"Because if we beat them here we don't know where their base is unless we get lucky and manage to get a captive, and manage to interrogate them, and they tell us the truth. Gold versus coppers not every kobold comes at once."
Yeah, I have to agree with the one person who thought this girl they captured might be running the kobolds as her private gang. You're still a raw thug and a leader like that could help you along nicely to developing into a bandit leader and warlord.

Mark 2011/05/26(Thu)16:54 No. 306976 ID: a9ba96
File 130645406846.png - (27.22KB , 139x348 , Dungeoncrawlers048.png )

>>306960
No need for shit slapping just yet, but I should calm him down a bit.

"Samwell, remember what I said about keeping a low profile?"

Mark 2011/05/26(Thu)16:55 No. 306977 ID: a9ba96
File 130645412983.png - (29.60KB , 216x348 , Dungeoncrawlers049.png )

>“Oh. Alright then.”

He almost seems a bit… disappointed.

“Besides, if we beat them here we don't know where their base is unless we get lucky and manage to get a captive, and manage to interrogate them, and they tell us the truth. Gold versus coppers not every kobold comes at once.”
>“Well, we don’t need to kill all the Kobolds. Maybe we can like, make one take us back to their camp. It wouldn’t be to hard to overpower one and make him do what we ask. They are Kobolds, after all.”

Mark 2011/05/26(Thu)16:56 No. 306979 ID: a9ba96
File 130645421266.png - (106.71KB , 620x814 , Dungeoncrawlers050.png )

Now that he mentions it, tough… these are just Kobolds. Still makes no sense for these guys to be so worked up over them. I turn to the man with the bow.

“So uh… I still don’t understand. Why are you guys so worked up over Kobolds? And why can’t you guys just like, build another well for the Kobolds?”
>“The Kobolds will still keep coming through here. They say they only want to use this town’s well. They say it’s an important well. I think it’s just backwards Kobold logic or something.”
“But why do they have you hiding? They’re just Kobolds.”
>“We would do something, but we’re afraid one of them will slip away and kill the girl they kidnapped. Kobolds can be slippery little bastards when they’re panicked, you know? Besides, I think there’s more to this than Kobolds and water. There’s been all sorts of weird characters that have been passing through town since the Kobolds starting showing up. There was this goblin with a sack of treasure who kept threatening to kill us if we touched it, there were a couple of elven thieves who we ran out when we caught them stealing from the tavern, and there was this tall, gaunt looking fellow carrying a bloodied blade who passed through without saying a word. There’s some weird shit going on around here, and as soon as I’m sure leaving the town isn’t going to get Tinata killed, I’m packing my bags and heading for the next town.”

uh huh. maybe we should check out the well. could have a shiny thing in they want or something.

>>306979
Fuck the kobolds, take a nap and investigate the well. Ask him about the well.

>>306979
So the goblin came through here recently, Ath is fleeing in this direction, and there's a pair of elven thieves running amok.

It just gets better and better man

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)13:43 No. 307195 ID: a9ba96
File 130652902342.png - (81.74KB , 435x392 , Dungeoncrawlers051.png )

Wait, if this guy with the bloodied sword is the guy who I accidentally let loose back in that town, there's no way he could have beaten us through here.

"A guy with a bloody sword? When did he come through?"
>"A couple days ago."
"And uh, and do you have any idea where he was going?"
>"Like I said, the man never spoke a word. As far as I could tell, he was just heading to the next town west. Gods know what f-"

"RING! RING! RING!"

>"Damn it."
The man grabs Mark by the arm and pulls him to the back of the bar.

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)13:45 No. 307198 ID: a9ba96
File 130652912453.png - (97.81KB , 451x489 , Dungeoncrawlers052.png )

A woman peeks her head out from behind a barrel.
>"Quick, you two get behind the bar. They don't like it when you peek through the windows.

ask for a hand mirror. if you hold it out right you can see out and as long as you don't look at their faces they can't see you.

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)13:48 No. 307200 ID: a9ba96
File 130652929553.png - (239.07KB , 574x644 , Dungeoncrawlers053.png )

"RING! RING! RING!

>"All rights, everyones! We are the big scary Kobolds, and we haves come for the using your well! Please don't do anythings, or else we will have to... to do... uh... bad things! Yes! We will dos the bad things! Watch out!"

"RING! RING! RING!"

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)13:50 No. 307201 ID: a9ba96
File 130652940331.png - (73.13KB , 350x237 , Dungeoncrawlers054.png )

Samwell exchanges a glance with Mark from behind the bar.
>"All right then, good friend. Sounds like they're here. I'm still up for taking on the things here and now, but I'm open for suggestions. I'm humble like that."

>>307201
They may be pathetic, but they have a HOSTAGE. Sit and wait and DON'T MAKE THINGS WORSE. Investigate the well when they're gone.

they are SCARED. they don't want to be here. the idea that the girl is actually commanding them has suddenly gotten more merit. also i see only males in this group.

>>307201
Tell him "Yea, I'll handle this. Just stay here and let me work."

Wait until they're over by the well, then go out and walk over to them with a big smile.

"Hello, friends! You seem to be having some trouble. Any way I can help you?"

They're going to make threats. When they do, shake your head and say "Your heart's not into this. You don't want to be doing this, but you don't feel like you have a choice.
So here's my question to you, do you want me to help you fix this mess, or would you rather I not help you at all?"

These guys arn't a threat. They must be doing this because their source of water has been taken somehow. And I highly doubt the girl is a hostage; it looks like a determined frog could take these guys.

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)18:15 No. 307238 ID: a9ba96
File 130654535088.png - (73.79KB , 353x385 , Dungeoncrawlers055.png )

>>307199
Hm... That's a good idea, but where will I get a... wait a second.

"Excuse me, Samwell? You wouldn't happen to have a mirror on you, would you?"
>"Yes. I always make sure to have a mirror with me."
"That doesn't surprise me, sir."

Alright, let's see... A little bit to the left, and...

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)18:16 No. 307239 ID: a9ba96
File 130654539408.png - (62.56KB , 283x317 , Dungeoncrawlers056.png )

"Well, what do we have here?"

Mark 2011/05/27(Fri)18:33 No. 307246 ID: a9ba96
File 130654640757.png - (36.71KB , 221x259 , Dungeoncrawlers057.png )

The kobold drops the bag into the well's bucket and backs away.

"RING! RING! RING!"

"Hey, uh, old bow guy."
>"Yes?"
"What's with the bell?"
>"The Kobolds ring it four times. Once when they arrive, two more times to remind us that they're here, and the fourth to tell us that they're leaving and it's safe to come out."
"Have you ever found anything, uh, anything strange in your well after the Kobolds come?"
>"We check every time after they leave. Just water, as far as we can tell. Why?"
"Hmmm..."

Well, this is interesting. Just what are these little guys up to?

>>307246
Keep watching. Keep the mirror in shadow so it doesn't flash to alert them.

They're passing something to a villager. Someone's working with them. You know, I think that the kobolds are actually the ones being threatened here.

Keep watching with the mirror so you can see who takes the bag. Then we'll confront him after the kobolds are gone.

>>307250
Or... wait, that was the fourth time they rung the bell. It should be safe to come out. So keep an eye on the well, and try to reach the bag before anyone else. If you can get the bag, then you will need to ask who usually checks the well.

>>307252
Well shit, I probably could have phrased that better. The two "Ring Ring Rings" when the Kobolds entere were close enough together to be consiered one instance of them ringing their bell, just broken up with them announcing their presence.

>>307254
Okay then nevermind. First suggestion by itself.

hmmm... keep waiting. it seems to be a drop off point. in which case the true mastermind is about to appear and take the bag.

Mark, you MUST recruit the girl when she comes to pick up the money. You simply must, she'll be a valuable addition to your team. She's shown she can think tactically and is clever.

DungeonCrawler 2011/05/28(Sat)17:11 No. 307430 ID: a9ba96
File 130662789289.png - (72.91KB , 285x386 , Dungeoncrawlers058.png )

Alright, now all we have to do is wait for whoever it is that bag's meant for to pick up their bag.

"Old Bow Guy?"
>"Yes?"
"How long did you say the Kobolds usually stay?"
>"Four hours."

...So uh, are you guys sure you want to just sit here until someone shows up. I mean, you guys seem pretty positive that these Kobolds don't have any real hostage, so it would probably be safe to go outside and see if we can't convince the Kobolds to explain what's going on.

Or we could squat behind a counter for four hours. Whichever you guys think is the better course of action. I'm leaving this up to you guys, since uh, since last time I made one of these decisions I uh, well, I burned a town to the ground.

>>307430
Just be patient. And remember, DON'T FLASH THE MIRROR. Kobolds have good eyesight.

no see. if we investigate before the other person shows up they will see you investigating and not show up meaning we can't catch them in the act.

Mark 2011/05/28(Sat)17:59 No. 307445 ID: a9ba96
File 130663076961.png - (2.29KB , 450x369 , blank3.png )

Alright then, waiting it is.

I hope the Prince doesn't get too-

Lin 2011/05/28(Sat)18:00 No. 307447 ID: a9ba96
File 130663082644.png - (151.30KB , 410x457 , Dungeoncrawlers059.png )

Huh.

Well, at least we know he's nearby.

>>307447

Mark's cowering behind a counter presently. It's hilarious.

>>307447
If you're looking at what I think you're looking at, you can be proud of him. He didn't make anything worse!

>>307447
He's cowering behind a counter from a bunch of Kobolds, to be specific.

So, what sort of horrible thing are you looking at? Your friend on the right looks like he's about to do a visual review of lunch, so you might want to give him some space.

murder man make a sign out of guts?

>>307447
Your quarry passed through the town Mark is currently in.

Lin 2011/05/28(Sat)18:15 No. 307467 ID: a9ba96
File 130663174822.png - (120.53KB , 298x430 , Dungeoncrawlers060.png )

Whatever trouble Mark's gotten himself into, I'm sure it could be worse.

I mean, he could be whoever this guy was.

Hmm, someone wants help but I have the strangest feeling it might be too late to help this guy, and probably also too late to help whoever was forced to use a dead body for paper. I don't really know for sure but it stands up to a reasonable interpretation of the facts right?
Really, I'd file a report and give up, corpses and silence means the trouble's already done and unless you think you're up to defeating whatever got this guy and whoever else is using his remains as a noteboard there's probably better places to be.
If you're feeling gutsy try tracking whoever wrote the note, but it's probably a monster ambush set up to eat paladins.

>>307467
It looks like HELP was written in the blood leaking from the neck, and if you'll notice it's dripping down instead of to a side.
That means the message was written after he was decapitated.

Obviously, this is not a good sign.

Don't touch anything. The body could be trapped or the sword could be cursed. We lack information to tell, and you won't gain any information by touching it.
Instead look for the head. If you don't see it then look for a blood trail leading away.

Lin 2011/05/28(Sat)18:54 No. 307486 ID: a9ba96
File 130663406768.png - (79.81KB , 256x347 , Dungeoncrawlers061.png )

>>307453
Good call. Faer tends to do that from time to time.

Anyway, we've been following a blood trail through the woods. Presumably, this guy's blood trail. The corpse appears to be of an adult human male. There's nothing to suggest that this wasn't Ath's doing, but the message is interesting. Help who? Is Ath asking for help?

The cause of death is clearly decapitation. The message appears to have been written after the head was removed. The head itself is nowhere to be seen, tough.

Not much we can do to help this guy, though. Best to focus on the matter at hand, which in this case would be the man audibly sobbing in the distance.

Since the blood trail stops here, there's really nothing left to do besides press in the general direction of the crying.

I think we may be about to come face-to face with the killer. You're an advice necklace thing, have any words of wisdom before we press on to meet our psycho friend?

>>307486
Get your shield out, but not your sword. If he's sobbing he's a victim or the killer, and if he's the killer you have the chance to talk him down. Having your sword out makes the situation MUCH more serious... Shield protects you if things get bad anyways.

>>307486
Yes. Have your subordinates flank him, but not approach. Walk in alone as if you were alone, and react as though you don't have any backup.

If that's not the killer playing possum, then it's an innocent that the killer has harmed (either directly or by killing a loved one) in order to bait pursuers into a trap. If it's an ambush then flanking will keep the killer from using hit and run tactics, while if it's a trap he left behind flanking will make it so that only one person will be be hit by it.

Yes, that does in fact mean he knows you're following him.

>>307490
Clarification: It's a reasonable assumption to make that paladins would eventually follow him since he's not doing a very good job of hiding apparently. Maybe he doesn't know and is just leaving a message on a corpse as bait?
I dunno but I don't like this. Forests around here seem to usually have things even worse than some murderous psychopath, I'd tell you to make sure the corpse isn't the murderer but we don't have a good description do we?
The plan to flank with shield out is probably as good a plan as any if you're still interested in gambling with suicide. If it's not human we don't know that a sword would be worth anything anyhow.

Suggestion 2011/05/28(Sat)20:58 No. 307531 ID: c7dffe
File 130664150728.jpg - (29.64KB , 420x319 , CLEAVE AND SMITE.jpg )

Your a Paladin; you know what to do.

Approach as if it's an ambush. I'm sure you know the proper tactics for that situation.

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)12:02 No. 307638 ID: a9ba96
File 130669577432.png - (300.51KB , 778x537 , Dungeoncrawlers062.png )

I draw my shield and give my men a signal to flank the area the sobbing is coming from. They nod and head off.

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)12:06 No. 307640 ID: a9ba96
File 130669596649.png - (146.37KB , 504x540 , dungeoncrawlers063.png )

I move in on the position.

The sobbing appears to be coming from a tall man, hunched over in front of a campfire an covered in blood. The severed head rests on the other side of the fire.

There's another man sitting on a rock a few feet away from the crying man. He seems to be saying something, but I can't make it out. Whatever he's saying is drowned out by the man's sobs.

But that doesn't matter.

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)12:06 No. 307642 ID: a9ba96
File 130669600883.png - (56.50KB , 295x392 , dungeoncrawlers064.png )

What does matter is that neither man appears to be armed.

Unless you have any better ideas, this seems like as good a time as any to move in.

>>307642
The man is engulfed in shadow.
It is the middle of the day.
Wait for your companions to move into position. If that's a wizard or psion or something then you don't want him to know you're there until he's already in the middle of your pincers.

Something tells me paladins in full plate aren't the best to set up a sneaky ambush in the middle of the forest. If they haven't heard you yet then they're either idiots or the guy's sobbing is drowning everything out. Or they have heard you.

Advance with caution.

I get the feeling were missing something here...

Try not to fall into any spike-pits, and dont rely on your friends coming to your aid; they may run into some trouble of their own.

* Mysterious figure cloaked in shadow in daylight
* Head of the corpse that someone wrote "help" on after decapitation
* Man covered in blood near the head crying
* Kobolds from earlier seem scared, possibly coerced
It looks to me like shadow-guy forced crying-guy to stab his friend, quite possibly with some kind of (partial, since cryer was able to write help) mind-control magic. Watch out for your allies suddenly striking your back, as it is likely shadow-guy will try to mind control them.

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)18:54 No. 307716 ID: a9ba96
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You guys are right, there's something that feels.. off about all of this.

But we can't just leave a guy like Ath sitting here. He's too dangerous for that.

Faer gives the signal from behind a tree that he's in position. I move in.

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)18:55 No. 307718 ID: a9ba96
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The crying man chokes out a few words between sobs as I close in behind him.

>"They... they didn't deserve it. None of them did! This... This wasn't part of our deal!"

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)18:58 No. 307719 ID: a9ba96
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The shadows around the man sitting across from him appear to.. dissipate as I approach. He chuckles slightly before speaking.

>"Actually, Ath, I can garuntee this was part of our deal. Just because you are incapable of reading the fine print of a contract, doesn't mean that I can be held accountable for your actions. Tell me, Ath. How are you going to live knowing that the deaths of all of those poor, innocent people is on your..."

He sniffs the air.

>"Smells like... light."

What?

Lin 2011/05/29(Sun)19:00 No. 307720 ID: a9ba96
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He turns his head and... Oh shit.

>"Ahh, good day to you, Miss Paladin. Sir Zebble Creed, at your service."

A devil.

Maybe Mark deserves an apology. If crying dude is the mass murderer, that reduces freeing him from ridiculously stupid to simply very stupid. Also, might be time to draw that sword.

Unless I'm incorrect, Paladins such as yourself shall destroy all such devils on sight. So there be no need to allow yourself to hear whatever words he has. Destroy him in the name of all things good!

>>307720
Smite evil on this bastard.
Say nothing, just kill him.
Er... not the crying man. The other one.
I mean, you can kill the crying man later if you want, after you've interrogated him to find out everything that happened here. I'm just saying he doesn't matter.

>>307720
Uh, aren't demons and devils supposed to be a paladin's specialty?

Refer to >>307531 if you're still unsure what to do

>>307720
Can devils be killed? If so, you might want to get ready to fight. If not... well, what can you tell us about them? Are they bound to their contracts?

...wait didn't Ath have hair before? Did he change shape?

Consult PALADIN KNOWLEDGE (you paladins ARE instructed in how to deal with these types, right?)

Ath is unarmed, and obviously much less of a threat than the demon, but keep an eye on him as he may be compelled to tackle you at an inopportune moment when the fight starts.

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:49 No. 307869 ID: a9ba96
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Like I said earlier, I don’t have the ability to just smite evil like a veteran paladin would, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been trained for taking down these bastards.

I extend my blade and charge.

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:49 No. 307870 ID: a9ba96
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The ritual I performed when I first became a paladin blessed me with a natural aura of good that places me on even grounds with Devils like this-

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:50 No. 307871 ID: a9ba96
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Hrrk.

>“Headstrong, are we? Perhaps a blind rush with that aura of yours is enough to slay a lower evil, but I, Miss Paladin, am Sir Zebble Creed of Circle Eight. You’re out of your leaughe, I’m afraid. Hmm.. What do we have here? Let’s take a gander into that head of yours, miss. Alright then, what do we have…

>Lin Shylton, age twenty-two. Novice Paladin. Hailing from the western Human empire of Farway your Father died in battle when you were thirteen, and your mother died in battle when you were fifteen. It was hardly the crushing, traumatic experience it would be for most children, though- you had been raised your whole life knowing very well it would happen some day, like it does to most Paladins. You spent three years in the care of your uncle, who didn’t exactly care for your aspirations of becoming a Paladin like his late brother, but then again you didn’t exactly care for his bumbling drunkard nature, did you?

>After three years working as an apprentice at your uncle’s forge, you set off on your own at eighteen, worked as a guard for a caravan that traveled thought the Outlands for a few years, and took the oath of the paladin at the age of twenty one to follow in your parents’ footsteps. Oh, how noble of you.

>Or IS that the whole story? If you were really so eager to die in glorious combat like mum and daddy, why did you wait so long? Did the Outlands open your eyes to the cruelty of the world? Or are you trying to… reconcile for something?”

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:50 No. 307872 ID: a9ba96
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>“If you don’t mind, Miss Shylton, allow me to dig deeper. Let me find your vice…

>Wait a moment. Smells like-”

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:52 No. 307875 ID: a9ba96
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>"Hnng... I'm getting sloppy..."

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)11:52 No. 307876 ID: a9ba96
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My head’s pounding. Fucking Devils.

>“Lin, are you okay?
“Yes, Faer.”
>“He… he was about to-”
“I know, Faer.”
>“If I hadn’t attacked when I did, you would be dead!”
“Okay, Faer.”
>“A moment later and I dread to think of what that vile-”
“That’s enough, Faer!”

It’s not over yet. Devils burn up when they die. Zebble…. vanished. Like a shadow. He’s still here. Probably just backed off for a second to recover.

Faer should have gone for the neck. Rookie mistake. We probably only have a minute or so before he comes back, and he’s going to be pissed off. We probably just ruined a very expensive suit.

tell them to form up and get ready for anything. join hands to combine your auras or something. ask ath what his contract was, if we break it while he is visible it may stun the bugger long enough to get a hit.

>>307876
Ath wants out. Ask what the devil's obligation was.

Also... do you want to talk about your 'vice'?

And this is why flanking is always a good idea. Now let's go hunt him down before he can recover.

>>307876
Ask idiotboy what deal he made. Then grab him and use him as a human shield while fighting the demon.

>>307890
Flanking isn't always a good idea; for example if your enemy is more maneuverable than you and can see the flank coming they can attack one of the side teams while the team separated from the rest of your forces.

Keep in mind Ath may still be contract-compelled and seems to be getting up.

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)17:37 No. 307948 ID: a9ba96
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I give another signal for Faer and Hyugore to keep close. The Paladin's aura of good provides protection from injury, and increased in proximity to other Paladins. We may not have surprise on our side, and it still won't be enough to fully protect us from a circle eight Devil, but it should at least give me a chance to withstand... whatever that was.

>>307879
...We can discuss that later. Preferably when there isn't a hellspawn one rank away from archfiend lurking about.

For now, let's worry about the mass murderer getting up off the ground.

"Stop where you are, you murdering fiend, I'll take pleasure in-"
>"Wait! Wait, Paladin, please! Whatever you do, please don't finish what you were about to say! I can't take any more, please!"
"By the gods, what are you talking about?"

Hold on, he looks...

>"Allow me to explain the situation at hand, my dear Miss Shylton. It's the proper thing to do."

Damn it. He recovered faster than I had hoped...

DON'T try to kill ath. is probably programmed to kill anyone that is aggressive towards him. probably tried to word it so he could use the devil's power for good.

Lin 2011/05/30(Mon)18:03 No. 307961 ID: a9ba96
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I look up to see Zebble standing on a tree branch.

>"I'm afraid mister Ath isn't in the proper mental state to properly explain the terms of our contract right now, so allow me to clarify his... predicament.

>If you haven't noticed, Ath is a changeling. Blessed, or cursed, depending on your view, with the ability to alter his appearance at will. Not with a spell or incantation, but simply by observing another being. It's a special, unique gift that, by your own code, Miss Shylton, marks him as a mutant fit for execution. Ath tries to hide it, but when emotions swell up he sometimes can't control it, and experiences an unexpected change in appearance. When the innkeeper at his town discovered his true identity, he blackmailed him, threatening to reveal him to the town and condemn him to the same fate he had faced his whole life. He would be Persecuted. Prejudiced. Threatened. You see, Ath was... tired of the threats. He wanted to stand up for himself, but no matter who he became he simply lacked the backbone to retaliate. And that's where I came in.

>Ath asked of a simple favor for me. He wanted me to give him the strength to strike back. He wanted me to give him the ability to make sure no one ever threatened him again. And so I did- whenever Ath is threatened... Well, he is compelled to fight whomever issued that threat to the death. Even if they run, he gets their scent. He has no choice but to chase them until they, or he, is dead. I made Ath unable to be pushed around, stripped him of that fear that caused him to flee conflict. No longer constricted to his morals, Ath finally killed the innkeeper that had been threatening to out him and hid his body in the woods. Yes, Ath was a man at last... until he realized he had never set the terms of what threats he lashed out at. He managed to keep his changes under control just long enough to find a bride, but when she too discovered that he was a changeling, she naturally threatened to leave him and… well…

>It’s all been downhill from there. He fled his village, bloodied sword, until a town caught him and, when he refused to explain why his sword was bloodied, stuck him in the stocks for the paladins. Only after he was released did he realize that the town has threatened to allow the Paladins to kill him, and my terms forced him to slaughter them all. As he fled the town once more, he came face to face with a would-be bandit who he promptly decapitated and dragged through the woods, hoping someone would find the trail and… help him.

>And now, with that clarified, let us get to the real issue here… which one of you will be paying to replace my suit?”

"or else what?"

>>307961
"Or else what?"

>>307961
Hmm. We can get him to break the contract if he threatens Ath.

>>307965
When he threatens you in response to that, tell Ath that it sounds like he's threatening everyone here.

That devil's probably too smart to be tricked just after telling us that, but it would still be useful have an idea of what the devil is doing.

Now that I think about it, say to Ath:
"You wouldn't have killed that village without that devil's contract. Does your contract keep you from taking your revenge on him for tricking you right now? Consider know that if you attack him, any move he could make to stop you would be a rather... threatening gesture."

>>307973
too complicated and the devil could just flee instead of making any gestures at all.

>>307967
Brilliant.

Lin 2011/05/31(Tue)14:19 No. 308083 ID: a9ba96
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Devils are some of the most smug, cocky creatures you can come across. Paladins always say that there's a certain satisfaction in seeing that look on their face when a contract they thought they had oh-so-cleverly constructed falls apart, but I've never gotten a chance at that until now.

"Or else what?"