Posts from United Kingdoms

Couldn't find a good synonym in half a minute, and didn't want to overthink it. Old-timers will understand anyway.

Ronard Mengsk

.Biography:
In Menas, there are many schools whose purpose is to raise loyal craftsmen for the state, each specializing in a particular profession. Depending on the talents they demonstrate, children are sent to a highly specialized school where they are taught only the knowledge and skills that will be necessary for the profession chosen for them by their mentors. For approximately 5% of the population, this specialization becomes the military craft.
These are all well-known facts. 5% seems like a very small number, unless you know that an even smaller percentage is sent to even more specialized schools…
***
Ronard carefully monitored his breathing – inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale. Finally, sensing the moment during an exhale, he pressed the trigger of the crossbow. The bolt hit the guard right in the heart, and he fell to the ground with a loud thud. Fortunately, the security in this area was not very thorough. There were some sectarians, and they were celebrating something – in fact, it was for this reason that Ronard chose this moment to eliminate the target. After making sure that no one would notice him now, he sprinted towards the mansion.
In the mansion, he met almost no one, except for one drunk guest. The guest was initially frightened, but Ronard quickly convinced him that he was one of the sectarians. And then he slit his throat.
Having eliminated the last line of defense in the form of another guard, the assassin finally entered the room of the cult leader. He was sitting in his chair, drinking wine. He was a strong man, about 50 years old. Seeing Ronard, he unexpectedly and skillfully grabbed his sword, jumped towards the assassin, and almost knocked his head off with a single blow. However, Ronard parried his blow with a rapier.
-You're not bad – the sect leader smiled bloodthirstily – probably my replacement?
Ronard said nothing and silently began to carefully test the opponent's defense – a quick strike, a step back, a test of reaction. The cult leader was good – he couldn't find any weakness in his defense.
-Don't you want to know how I got here? – the sect leader continued to smile bloodthirstily – why I rejected the ideas of Ikigai and Menas and created this cult?
-No, I don't want to – Ronard replied almost indifferently, continuing to carefully explore the enemy's defense.
-Too bad! Once, I did dirty work for Menas, just like you. I sincerely believed that I was doing it for the greater good. But then I wondered – why did the higher powers create me like this?
Ronard suddenly attacked with a quick slashing blow, but despite his chatter, the old man reacted perfectly and instantly parried the blow. Ronard did not withdraw his blade and tried to break through the sect leader's block, but he did not give in.
-It's much more interesting – the assassin said quietly and emotionlessly – why aren't you using your other hand?
While the sect leader was thinking about these words, Ronard grabbed his hand with his left hand, moved the enemy's weapon aside, and struck him in the throat. After that, he drew his rapier and began to impassively watch the streams of blood.
When the cultist finally died, Ronard noticed that his appearance strongly resembled his own. He remembered that during the briefing, he was told not to talk to this person and not to believe what he said. He thought again that the cultist had talked a lot with his future assassin. "Maybe he was my father," Ronard thought indifferently – "and the guys upstairs were afraid that I might side with him. What nonsense. The fact that he was the one who sweated over the woman from whose vagina I crawled out doesn't change anything."
However, the job was not yet finished. Drawing a dagger, Ronard began to disfigure the cultist's face – first, he destroyed his eyes, inflicted many cuts, knocked out his teeth with the nearest goblet from which he was drinking wine. He didn't have to cut his hair, fortunately – the deceased was bald. Having finished this part of the mission, Ronard tried to set fire to several rooms of the mansion and tents outside before leaving.
***
-You know – Richard Mengsk said cautiously – he was your father.
-So what? – Ronard spoke, as always, without a trace of emotion.
-Hmm. Well, okay. I have bad news for you.
The assassin didn't even bother with the obvious question and simply continued to look at the general.
-You see, our activities… they are, well, not entirely legal.
Ronard couldn't help but smile.
-No, no, not in that sense. I mean that even our king doesn't know about our existence. Well, he didn't know. Until now.
Ronard's face darkened, but he remained silent.
-Yes, and now he knows. And we have been ordered to shut down the operation. The program is being completely closed.
-What will happen to the staff? – it was clear from Ronard's face that he already knew what would happen to them. The same thing that he did in the line of duty.
-No, no, don't worry! Our king is for humanism and all that. No one will be killed. I will be demoted and sent to guard some fur storage, someone else will be removed from their position. But no killings. This applies to you too. Here, take this – Mengsk handed Ronard the documents – from now on, you are a reserve soldier of the Menas army, having served 10 years in the 7th crossbow company. Your name will be Ronard Mengsk.
Ronard took the documents:
-Thank you – he said with some warmth.
-Of course – said the general (in fact, already a colonel, but none of them knew that yet) – we've been through so much together – he smiled awkwardly.
-Yes, that's true – Ronard was not a very social type when it came to sincere conversations. During the mission, he could sometimes pretend to be talkative, but outside of work, he spoke little.
-And this, Ronard. I think it would be a good idea if you left Menas for a few years. Until all this is forgotten. Of course, our king is merciful, but still…
-I will leave Menas today.
-Ah, I see your efficiency – another awkward smile – here is some money. We won't be able to give you your weapons – they have been confiscated – but there is some discarded equipment that no one needs anyway. You can take whatever you want.
-Thank you – Ronard smiled weakly but warmly – it was an honor to serve with you, General – his voice sounded sincere, and he even stood up and shook the general's hand.
-Yes, it was an honor for me too – Mengsk, who had known Ronard for many years, knew that such a reaction from him was practically a fountain of emotions, so he was so touched that he shed a meager tear – I hope we meet again.
-Who knows? – Ronard replied.

Origin:
Menas
The cost of learning professions is reduced by half;
The ability to unlock an additional level for combat specializations

Characteristics:
Strength 5
Dexterity 10+4
Perception 10
Intelligence 4
Willpower 3
Charisma 4

Perk:
Dexterity
+4 to accuracy

Skills:
Rogue III
Crossbow II

Religion:
Atheist

Inventory: money, crossbow, dagger, clothes with hidden pockets, lockpicks in hidden pockets, documents of a demobilized soldier of Menas

You have one skill point left.

Thank you!

- Sir! - Helmut stood at attention and looked straight ahead, as befits such situations. - Sergeant Dahau. I have been appointed commander of this unit. I inspected the city with my men, and then, in my free time, I insisted on inviting them to a tavern, where I treated them to drinks to celebrate my arrival and appointment, and also got to know my unit better and held a team-building session. A little training, and my soldiers will be ready to perform the most difficult tasks! Sir!

— At ease, — the captain seemed satisfied with this answer, — you might actually be good for something, but I certainly won't expect too much.
— You are dismissed, — Weymot ordered, walking away with his colleague somewhere deeper into the fort, — but remember your duties!
When the officers left and the soldiers were able to relax, Wigg angrily gnashed his teeth and muttered, — I'll get that son of a bitch somehow...

— Nevertheless, I am not interested in your offer.

The aristocrat disappointedly got up from the table, angrily spat in Abigail's plate, and went to bother the waitress again, this time more aggressively than before.

These will be my advice, Carmen, and I hope that by following them, you will not only be able to deal with your personal anxieties, but also help your own loved ones and acquaintances.

Carmen sincerely thanked the clergyman and promised to use his advice wisely. As Achelsius noticed, after their conversation, her mood changed for the better, and now she could focus on their common task without being distracted by extraneous thoughts.
Today, Achelsius and his assistants were to resolve a conflict between a married couple in a residential area of Silvergard. Carmen took writing materials with her to record the process and write a document for subsequent submission to the city administration, and Delos was ready to lead both of them to the right house — he knew the city well.

Without wasting any more time, Achelsius hurried to begin fulfilling his duties and head to the specified address, because who knows how many more people might be waiting for their help and advice.

I'm going to the mercenaries' guild.

The inability to accept rejection in a manner befitting an adult was not a surprise. Abigail did not follow Cedric's example, and the plate and spoiled meal did not end up like the infantile aristocrat. Nothing good would have come of it. Instead, the warrior quietly drank the water brought to her and, leaving the plate where the waitress had placed it, ordered a piece of bread, after which she decided to get some fresh air. She no longer had any desire to stay at the "Dragon's Tear."
Since her plans to read a book had to be postponed, the girl headed back to the mercenary guild to discuss available quests with her new companions. Perhaps she would suggest a sparring match to one of them. Or maybe even immediately embark on one of the quests that did not involve helping Cedric.

Cedric just wanted a non-awkward kiss...

Greta and Dailik turned out to be a married couple – she is a vegetable vendor at the market, and he is a veteran of the Silvergard army.
They have been together for twenty years; they met in Riversdale when Dailik was stationed there as part of his military service. After their wedding, they moved to his house in Silvergard, and since then, Greta has been selling vegetables grown by her family in Riversdale. Six months ago, they had a child, and their current problem is this: Dailik is trying to kick his wife and child out of the house, claiming that she cheated on him with someone else. She, in turn, says that her husband simply wants a younger woman because he is no longer satisfied with her appearance. Greta demands that Dailik take responsibility for their child, but she also doesn't want to live with him anymore. The classic solutions to such a problem were as follows: a) Force them to live together. b) Agree with Dailik’s wishes and forbid Greta from appearing at his doorstep. c) Agree with Greta’s wishes, transfer their house to her, and oblige Dailik to pay her funds for the child’s maintenance. Of course, any other solution could be reached.

Quite a task.

The mercenary guild operates as before; you decide whether you arrived at the same time or not.

“Peace be with you, good people,” Ahelsiy greeted the couple at the doorstep. After carefully listening to their story, he opened a book containing the precepts, flipped through it, and then read aloud: “And the two shall become one flesh, so they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what the Mentor joins together in sacred bonds of love, let no one separate.” “But even the strongest families sometimes face severe trials, break apart, and are forever lost in the darkness of discord and disappointment. For this occasion, the Enlightened have their own decree: ‘Only adultery, that is, marital infidelity, may serve as a reason for dissolving sacred family ties.’ Therefore, Greta, do you swear before the Enlightened and the Mentor herself that Delik’s accusations are false, and that your child is the blessed seed of your shared love?”

“I swear,” the woman replied without hesitation, “the Enlightened see, and I would never defile the sanctity of marital duty.”

Well, I suppose we'll work together.

Once they arrived, Abigail asked her new companions if they planned to tackle any tasks today.