Posts from Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

-- Three for each... My name is Gen.

- So, what do we have...
- Three guys are sitting by a campfire, and some man with a woman approaches them. Just like that, completely strangers... And they say, "Hey, guys, want to make some money?" And, for good measure, they immediately start causing trouble... - Voldemar smirked.
- 9 silver coins for each victim... But why? The witch could have driven anyone mad on her own. Why the need for potions, expenses, and so on?
- This is all strange. I don't believe this "fellow." He was probably in on it from the start and knows the woman and her partner well. And now he's pretending to be a "victim of torture"...
- What do you think? - The question is addressed to all the "non-prisoners."
- The lair, of course, needs to be "explored," but we still don't know who or what we're dealing with...

- I came for a dress, - she says to the cold-loving man. Her vacant gaze methodically, without interest, surveys the colorful variations until she stops at a black one. - This is what I want. She takes it and holds it up against herself, showing it to the merchant. - So? What do you think? - earrings also come into view. - What if with these?

Decent food, decent guys! Not a dinner, but a dream!

Good food, good guys! This isn't dinner, it's a dream!

 

So, it seems things are really bad with the healers in the capital. After running errands for Master Gas for a couple of days, I'm already in demand for the Marshal's affairs. 

– What an honor! – exclaimed Ottar. – If there's such an opportunity, I am entirely at your service, sir Marshal! And where is the expedition headed, if it's not a secret?

As if he has the right to refuse... they'll send him to the far north to fight naked berserkers riding giant bears – and he'll go! Where else can he go? It seems the Marshal has something epic in mind.

-- That's the spirit! That's why I'm recruiting those who don't have much to lose. We'll set sail west.

Added 3 minutes ago

- I came for a dress, - she says to the cold-loving man. Her vacant gaze methodically, without interest, examines the colorful variations until she stops at a black one. - I want this one.
She takes it and holds it up against herself, showing it to the merchant.
- Well? What do you think? - earrings also come into view. - And what if with these?

-- Oh, you're back... Excellent, of course! I don't sell cheap trinkets here, -- the merchant sips wine, sitting in a chair. -- I told you, the stingy pay twice.

Added 47 minutes ago

- So, what do we have...
- Three guys are sitting by the fire, and some man with a woman approaches them. Just like that, completely strangers... And they say, "Hey, guys, want to make some money?" And for good measure, they immediately start causing hallucinations... - Voldemar smirks.
- 9 silver coins for each victim... But why? The witch could have driven anyone mad herself. Why use potions, expenses, etc.?
- It's all strange. I don't believe this "guy." He was probably in on it from the start and knows the woman and her partner well. And now he's pretending to be a "victim of torture"...
- What do you think? - the question is addressed to all the "non-prisoners."
- Of course, we need to "break into" the lair, but we still don't know who or what we're dealing with...

-- He's lying, of course, -- Regine Uni says without a doubt. -- The question is, how much. Guards! Bring the boot. I'll show him some "torture" now.
-- No! I'm telling the truth, I am! -- the scoundrel isn't really scared yet, but the prospect of the boot clearly doesn't inspire him.
-- You haven't said anything useful yet. Hold the boot. There's an easier way, -- Raul takes out a vial of "woman's potion." -- Drink this.
And the scoundrel drinks -- the unfamiliar liquid inspires him more than the boot.

Meanwhile, in the arena, the crowd is shouting at the top of their lungs, "Tuurik! Tuurik!"

Ottar was about to object, but after a moment, he realized that the marshal was right. He really had nothing to lose. “Sounds intriguing,” Blooddrinker admitted. “But what are we looking for across the sea? The secrets of the world? New lands? Or something else entirely?” There must be some goal for such a large-scale expedition.

-- He's definitely lying, -- Regin Uni says without a doubt. -- The question is, how much. Guards! Bring the boot here. I'll show him what "torture" is.
-- No, please! I'm telling the truth! -- The scoundrel isn't truly scared yet, but the prospect of the boot clearly doesn't inspire him.
-- You haven't said anything useful so far. Hold off on the boot. There's an easier way, -- Raoul takes out a vial of "woman's potion." -- Drink this.
And the scoundrel drinks it -- the unfamiliar liquid inspires him more than the boot.

So, now we have to ask everything all over again?:D

- So, tell me in detail how your "acquaintance" with the witch and her "partner" actually happened.

- Stinginess is a matter of unwillingness to spend money, not inability. So, I'll take these items – the earrings and the black dress. - How are you enjoying the festival? Will you come to the arena tomorrow, or will you just languish at work? I could perform something for you if my colleagues agree, - two fingers tapped on the lute's fretboard. - Surely, a person with good taste in appearance also has a good ear for music.

A rare sight in Dismal Square – the arena is clean and covered with sand so that the blood is more visible for everyone's enjoyment, a closed lodge has been erected for noble persons, a tent for resting fighters, and even a canopy under which an orchestra of bards with Amadeo at the head is located. Many commoners have gathered, arguing among themselves for a place in the front rows. Finally, lovers of gambling and profit have not been left out – enterprising people have organized a betting office in the open air. A dry, frosty morning favors the fighters – no one will stain their clothes with mud, and armor will not rust from snow and rain; nobles and merchants wrap themselves in furs, while the common people impatiently shift, trying not to freeze their fingers, and the least cold-resistant ones run to warm up in the tavern from time to time.

The Aranian tournament is only a pale imitation of the luxury and sophisticated etiquette of Legran courts, but some elements of southern culture have still found their place in these gloomy lands. The regent opens the tournament – despite his advanced age, he will not miss the opportunity to show people that his body, weakened by age, still retains many years of experience and a mighty spirit.
Soldiers struggle to bring a cage with a hideous creature into the arena – it rages inside, trying to bite them. About two meters long, weighing over a centner – such creatures are abundant on the southeastern coast of the country, and today everyone must remember the days when the land was teeming with them. And remember the days when creatures like it abundantly populated the land, and remember those who saved humanity from most of them.

There is no herald in Aranne, so today the seneschal, Sir Camille, takes on this role, and he opens the tournament with a welcoming speech, standing on the podium.
“People of Dismal, noble ladies and gentlemen, as well as all those who have arrived to us from distant lands today – I greet you on this day of valor. Today is the one hundred and fifty-sixth year, when we all survived another winter, and today we will pay tribute to the valor of our ancestors, thanks to whom each of us can meet this day. Let the warriors show their courage and skill, the ladies – their charm and favor to the best of them, and let the common people be inspired, watching how helmets and shields are broken in this day. Sir Adalhard du Charol!
The regent jumps onto a chestnut horse to the applause of the crowd, and a page hands him a spear. The soldiers open the cage – and as soon as the monster gains freedom, the ruler of Aranne spurs his horse. A second later, he pierces the creature with a spear, spilling the first blood of the day, and those who paid attention to the lodge of noble persons at that moment could notice how many of them sighed with relief. The orchestra begins to play.

The next stage is jousting with light spears, "for fun." Anyone who wishes can participate, and the duels are opened by Geoffroy du Charol and Gautier Lalain de Charny. They clash three times, each time breaking their spears, and clear the arena for the next.
Zurich, who was offered a place among the noble persons, is explained the custom: before the start of the competitive battles, she can show favor to one of the knights by giving him a scarf or any other ribbon, which he will tie to his spear, and after each round of jousting, everyone will vote for the one who showed the most not skill, but valor. Thanks to her considerable intelligence, she understands that this means "who is more likable in one way or another"... At the end of the tournament, those who win the merciless ladies' court will receive additional prizes.
Cassius notices "Laura" among the noble persons, and her father among his potential rivals.
Sandar and Hargon can participate in the betting or simply watch the battles.

Cassius notices Laura among the noble guests and her father among his potential rivals.

Cassius seems to be really agitated...?

If only Nebos would drop by and respond to this post with total seriousness before Alex has a chance to fix the typo. It's clearly that lady they mean, not Laura

Sandar and Hargon can participate in the betting for now.

the ribbon he will tie to his spear.

it's a pity that it only applies to riders, otherwise he could tie it to mine...

Kassia is clearly having a really bad time...🤣

The GM ran away from the drones five times, each time for two hours, and he's even more stressed now...

Added 3 minutes ago

- Stinginess is not a matter of unwillingness to spend money, but of inability. So, I'll take these items – earrings and a black dress. How do you like the festival? Will you come to the arena tomorrow, or will you just languish at work? I could perform something for you if my colleagues agree, - two fingers tapped on the neck of the lute. - Surely, a person who has taste in appearance also has an ear for music.

-- Of course! -- the merchant began to swell with pride. -- Okay, I'll give you a discount for this occasion... But let's have something more upbeat, because it's cold in this country, and everyone has a gloomy face – we don't need any more local mournful rhythms.

Added 1 minute ago

Ottar was about to object, but after a moment, he realized that the marshal was right. He really has nothing to lose.

– It sounds intriguing, – admitted the Bloodsucker. – But what are we looking for beyond the sea? The secrets of the world? New lands? Or something else entirely?

There must be some goal for such a large-scale expedition.

-- Death from tentacles in the depths of the sea! -- the marshal laughed. -- Lands, first of all. Secrets will come by themselves, whether we like it or not.

Added 24 minutes ago

And now, do I have to ask everything all over again?

- So, tell me in detail how exactly your "acquaintance" with the witch and her "partner" happened.

-- Well, who doesn't know her? The guy is just a brute, and she's an authority, you see?

You mean he ran away? I thought he personally shot down the drones with whatever he could find, then tracked down where they were being controlled, infiltrated the enemy's rear, and caused a massacre among the drone operators.

Tentacles? Sounds tempting... but he's unlikely to find her across the sea. Unless it's another monster doppelganger.

– Are we running away from the Void to places that haven't yet been bound by universal despair? – Ottar laughed. – I'm in. This is interesting. When do we leave?

It would be better if not tomorrow... Master Gas still has many valuable skills that would be worth learning...

-- Come on, who doesn't know her? The guy is just a brute, and she's got authority, you know?

"Who, who... I, for example, don't know..." thought Voldemar.

- So, how do you usually address her?
- But you didn't know her "from birth," right? You met her sometime. Tell me how it happened.