Posts from Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

The beer was bought when Voldemar didn't yet have the potion in his inventory, but since it was the GM's mistake, let's consider that he added it...

A nod of the head, meaning "yes".

Voldemar hands the drunkard a mug of potion, a second one to Arno, and "drains" the third himself.

- Ugh... I rarely drink at all, but today there was a lot of paperwork at the academy, so I just dropped by to unwind a bit too...

- Hey, what do you mean "I don't have long left"? Sick or something, or thinking of offing yourself over a woman? Cut that out, man... I had a little "problem" of my own once, long ago. No big deal, I got through it... I'd even say I gained some "useful experience" and became "more discerning"... Things'll work out for you too...

Mm. A fight between the monster and Master Gus would have been quite entertaining...



– Fighting that creature alone is a risky endeavor. All due respect to your fist-fighting skill, – Ottar remarked. – The most likely candidate is the herbalist. The only healthy peasant woman, knows all the victims and met me... The second candidate is the village elder. I ran into him right away. Just as I entered the village. He's the one who recommended me lodging and listed everyone I ended up visiting. The third is an unfamiliar peasant woman with a bucket of water. Who she is – unclear. Where she lives – also unclear. But she saw me. The carpenter, the hunter, and the apprentice looked far worse than that trio... they're bedridden and very sincere in the pitifulness of their condition. Nevertheless, the creature is an excellent actor. It could have been one of them too. But the chance is small. And, of course, the creature might not have been among that six at all. I'm putting 30% on the herbalist, 20% each on the elder and the peasant woman with the bucket, 5% on each of the other three, and the remaining 15% on all of them being clean. 

In reality, Ottar believed that fighting the creature at night was the only chance to defeat it for good. But he didn't want to risk the master. This village wasn't worth the life of the capital's best healer.

-- Go to the bathhouse near the doctor. Or you can go to the alchemist and buy potions from him, but that's more expensive.

Added 6 minutes later
Having left the room, she finds herself among the empty corridors of the Stronghold. Judging by the silence around, she woke up one of the first – the only living creature within sight – a sleepy servant at the end of the corridor. Noticing Zurich, he straightens his posture and pretends he wasn't sleeping a minute ago.
-- Lady Silkweb, I hope you slept well. Would you like more wine? Lunch will be in half an hour. Perhaps I can help you with something else?

A couple sees another couple persistently demanding dark beer, even though light beer is already poured on the counter – it seems like they can just take it.

-- Hey, you're still young and quite healthy. But I'm already over thirty. Well, cheers, -- the drunkard really doesn't look healthy. -- I don't know anymore, guys. I just... wander around the city, drink, see people, and do things. Sometimes I come across people who actually care, you know?

-- Oh, -- the valet says, slightly flustered, but still holding his own. -- I only hope I don't offend you with my ignorance.

-- Ask for something dark, otherwise that sly face will keep pouring light-colored drinks, -- another life lesson from Sigeber.
The fighters push their way to the counter.
-- Hey, buddy! Two dark ones.
-- I hope they finally smashed that picky mug of yours, huh, Sig? -- the bartender replies good-naturedly. The only reason for his displeasure seems to be that he'll have to reach for the good beer, but certainly not because of the fighter's request.
-- Nope, no such luck.

So what, here over 30 means you're already old men and old women?

- A person who tries to learn something new will be a fool for a moment, but one who seeks nothing new at all will be a fool for life.

Cassius heads to the bathhouse to recover and relax after the battles.

Arran is a land of high morals, so the bathhouses here have separate sections. Except for the elite rooms, of course.
In the men's hall, besides washing for free, you can:
Get a haircut and shave from a barber
5 coppers
Get bloodletting
1 copper
Visit a doctor
5 coppers
Drink beer
1 copper
Ask for help from a master bath attendant
5 coppers

- Look, - the blonde gently nudged his companion, - there must be something wrong with this beer, - he said quietly, so that the bartender and others wouldn't hear.
- Or they just prefer dark beer.
- That's also possible, - Sandar agreed. - But either way, I'll take a dark one. What about you?
- I'll stick with the light one, - the artist replied indifferently and reached for his mug.
He waits for the strangers to receive their beer and then asks the bartender for the same.

Unfortunately, Ottar somehow didn't know anyone even from his own cult. But he knew how to do something himself...

- Hmm, there's no one suitable. But... I can brew invisibility potions. My condition isn't great right now, but if I give such a vial to someone clever and agile, it won't be difficult for them to keep an eye on the witch's house. I doubt this creature has heightened hearing or vision, - Ottar smoothed his beard, which had been in need of a trim for a long time.

And invisibility could also be used to set up an ambush... Of course, invisibility is a rather grand name for the effect of Ottar's potion.

So, is 30 already considered old age?

- What's it matter? - Voldemar asked, confused.

-- To me, my friend, and in general to people. Well, to those who don't give a damn.

What is your name? Are you satisfied with your current social and economic status? What attracts you to women? Do you have anything that fills your life with meaning and joy? Is there anything you would like to improve about your appearance? If a person is divided into five characteristics – strength, resilience, reflexes, intelligence, and will – which of them would you call your main virtue? Can you comment on your attitude towards the Void? Do you have a favorite dish and drink? What do you think about arthropods – spiders, centipedes, and so on? If you find a thousand gold coins under your pillow one day, what will you do with them?

She won't leave the house...

– But she did say that she was too old to leave the house, – Ottar recalled. – In response to one of my questions. While we're thinking, may I ask one unrelated question, master... Have you ever seen a woman with perfectly crimson hair? And red eyes... and lips...

What to do... we can't find the creature. We can either go to the boy or abandon this hopeless endeavor.

"Luxury is not affordable these days," Cassius thought and went to wash and visit the doctor.