Posts from Ad aspera

-- Easy. One silver coin a day. Or five coppers total.

Knud placed a silver coin on the counter.
-- And I could use something to eat after the journey...

— Three years, huh? — the lieutenant suppressed a smile. — If he acquired housing here, the town hall should have information. If he knows a trade, you can ask the head of the guild... All this, of course, is assuming he stayed in the city. Alright. In that case, you need to know the following about our rules: most laws are the same for locals and newcomers and should be obvious, considering that every citizen, except for a slave, is considered a free person, and any harm caused to them is punished accordingly. No taxes are levied on individuals by default. As for restrictions, you are prohibited from entering the noble quarter and the Stronghold, except with a personal guarantee. You cannot independently appear in court, own real estate, or organize your own enterprise of any kind. That seems to be all the main principles... Do you have any questions?

The clerk tossed a silver coin into the box and scribbled something in his papers.
-- Tell me your name. Your room is on the second floor, the third door on the right down the hallway. Food is over there; it's free for guests, but don't expect anything fancy, -- he pointed to a door in the adjacent room.

Frag, are you going to start in Tirren? Or like everyone else? It would be better to go with the second option, otherwise you'll have to check the bestiary too often.

- So, that's where the bandits are hanging out. Everyone knows how to wield a weapon, but not everyone is fit to guard a ditch if they haven't been trained to march in formation, - Krait spat into the dust of the road. - It's all just a game. A man should live every day as if it were his last, not spend his time feeding the bellies of drunkards.
The warrior sighed.
- We'll have to tighten our belts until something comes along... But nothing is wasted - even roots and greens are edible if you cook them.

-- Don't do anything foolish.

Leaving the city walls behind and crossing the bridge over the Mortlah, Unus finds himself on the right bank. The suburb on the right bank resembles more of a village: huts are built without any planning, small livestock graze right on the streets, everything is uneven and chaotic, but not too dirty. Most of the men have gone to work, either in the city or in the fields; only the women idly bicker, and the boys run around on errands that only they understand.
The church, the only noteworthy place, stands some distance from the village – either the people avoid it, or the priest himself demanded it. The abode of the All-Mighty looks very unimpressive compared to the Ardor temples, especially against the backdrop of the majestic Tirren – a small stone building from which the plaster has long since crumbled, and the wind blows through the frame of the crooked door. The priest stands outside, gazing thoughtfully at the high walls of Tirren. Seeing Unus, he first smiles reservedly at his fellow believer, but a second later his face takes on a stern and almost distrustful expression.
-- May the All-Mighty bless you. An inspection?

— No, now I understand everything more or less. I sincerely thank you for your help, Lieutenant Allegro.

If the guards have no more business with Kotori, she heads to the town hall.

-- Knud.
Delicacy? Food for people, at best tolerable, like pigs. What kind of delicacy can there be? However, Dunkaniel had long ceased to care; those whose lives were approaching three hundred years found little pleasure in indulging their taste buds.
The elf hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should ask the servant about his wife and daughter. If he wanted to tease him, it might make sense... But no, that was too silly.
The man sighed and asked a completely different question:
-- Can you tell me where I can find some work in the city?

As it was then.
Tirren was the place to go.
A large city, and not far away. There, he would definitely be able to find a suitable occupation. And he hadn't chopped any wood there yet.
Ruven left his old, dusty house with a strange sense of relief. It seemed like only yesterday he was planning to live a normal life, doing a meaningless routine day after day. And now he was walking proudly in plate armor, looking nothing like the idiot who had just been kicked out of the guard for incompetence. He didn't want to analyze this event; he just wanted to stretch his legs and take a walk along familiar roads, not as a patrolman, but on his own.
So Ruven confidently set off down the road to the southwest.

The view of the right bank that opened before Unus seemed quite pleasant to him. He himself grew up in a similar area, and such places evoked warm memories in him. Noticing the priest's reaction, the paladin decided to play along a little.

- The Almighty bless you, brother. Worldly inspections are meaningless. The only inspection that should concern us is – Unus looked up at the sky, pausing his gaze on it for a moment, – it is up there.
Having finished speaking, the paladin smiled kindly and introduced himself.
- Unus Antinish, of the Order of Paladins, a traveling preacher.

- Alright, guys, - Krait nodded, looking around the building.
It's an inn, I guess.
- Well, you know where to find me. If anything comes up that needs some muscle. Well, goodbye!
Confirming his words with action – cracking his stiff joints and rubbing his sore buttocks – he headed inside to assess the situation.

-- It depends. I could use a stablehand.

The priest's furrowed brow relaxes only with Unus's last words.
-- A wanderer, you say. A noble pursuit. I myself, in my youth... Ah, but what's the point. Felix Schäfer. I am pleased to welcome an adept of the true faith to this haven of sin. Have you come to pray?

-- I can also work as a stablehand, -- agreed the elf, deciding that this was a normal cover for the time being. The main thing is that he has the night and late evening free.
Are there any obstacles in the form of skills?

- I want to spend the night, - he clarifies after being told the prices. - And what about the shared room - who will I be sharing with? Workers, or the very lowest class?

- That's right, I should pray. At the same time, I can find out how things are going and if any help is needed.