Posts from Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

- Raul, is she really that scared of me? Is she telling the truth? - Voldemar asks, stepping aside.

-- Maybe not "that" scared, but she definitely respects me. Overall, she's not really lying: well, not exactly lying, not every word is the truth, she's just chattering like a magpie, maybe some things happened slightly differently, but she's not trying to deliberately lie.

- What do you think, will she be useful? I don't know why I was summoned to the Stronghold, but my gut tells me it's not just "to have a beer with the regent." Maybe her sorceress "tricks" will turn out to be useful. Or, at worst, she'll be cleaning the church. What do you think?

-- He's the regent of our faith, after all. Maybe he really wants to get to know her personally and officially express his gratitude. We're all already a little familiar with him. As for the witch, it's up to you, but making her clean floors is definitely not an option – she has too much ambition and cunning, so you need to keep an eye on her so she doesn't run away. She might actually be useful, especially since she's not an insignificant person in the slums – the outcasts will bow at her feet when they find out she's your slave.

- What time is her execution scheduled for? - Voldemort asks the guards, returning to the witch, and at the same time calculating the current time and remembering what time he is supposed to arrive at the Stronghold...

-- Yes, we'll execute her before sunset, right after all today's competitions are over. There are about five hours left until the witch's execution, and Voldemar will be back at the castle after that.

-- Yes, we'll execute her before sunset, just as all today's competitions end.
There are five hours left until the witch's execution, and after that, we'll return to Voldemar's castle.

- Whose house is this where you held your "rituals"? Is it yours? Compared to the others, it's not a house, but more like a palace. How was it built? Were you something like a local "princess" in the slums? - Voldemar asks the witch with a laugh.

It's not surprising that the witch is afraid of him; he laughs maniacally after every sentence. It's best not to get involved with people like that.

- Whose house is this, where you held your "rituals"? Isn't it yours? Compared to the others, it's more like a palace. What did you build it with? Were you some kind of local "princess" in the slums? - Voldemar asks the witch with a laugh.

-- It's mine now, what's so bad about that... Laugh all you want, but who do you think is more influential around here? Only Tomas and a couple of his main lackeys. So, if the boss wants, I can be a princess, why not. I'm starting to get annoyed by the number of coincidences.
-- Perfect matches don't exi... -- the guys behind them chuckle quietly.

It's no wonder the witch is afraid of him; he laughs maniacally after every sentence. It's best not to get involved with guys like that.

Voldemar is just a very cheerful guy, that's why he laughs. It's a sign of a good mood, you know.

Added after 21 minutes
"Having had his fill" of laughter, Voldemar finally put on a very serious face.

- Alright, so... according to the law, you are now my property. A "trophy," so to speak... For me, it's a reward for yesterday. For you, it's a punishment for what you did to people. Not the harshest punishment, by the way... You seemed to agree that it's better than being sent to the void.
- I will try to treat you humanely. I'm not some monster or "butcher." Unlike Nebk. But know your place! I hope I won't have to cut off your ear, nose, and... other things...
- If you serve well, you will live well. Compared to many other slaves, of course. Depending on my desire and my capabilities.
- Tell me in detail everything you know and can do; I think you'll be useful for more than just "sucking up" and cleaning toilets...
- And remember: if you try to escape or do something nasty, you won't get a second chance! I'm not planning on increasing the "staff" with more "slave girls," if you understand what I mean. If you do, I'll burn you to ashes. You'll quickly find out what happens to your souls THERE... Keep that in mind...
- Before you do or say anything without my knowledge, think carefully! Or better yet, ask for permission first.
- I'm taking her. What is needed for the "paperwork"? What documents need to be signed, or should I brand her on the forehead? And yes, what does the law say about her property? - asks the novice slave owner to the guards.

- Is it in some modest neighborhood? I'll come.

Not sure where else to go, so let's skip until the evening and meet up there.

Why expand your consciousness when you can expand your score?

The first one can quite possibly lead to the second.

-- Hooray! -- the witch triumphantly raises her mangled hand. -- So, everything will be fine, I assure you.

-- Well, nothing special needs to be done, we'll just write it down, that it was transferred into ownership, uh, remind me of the name and origin, by the way. You can put a seal on it, or you can skip it, it's up to you. And all the property should belong to the state, I guess.
-- Not at all, -- the witch quickly corrects him. -- Movable property, yes, but immovable property is inherited. Since I didn't make a will, and I don't have any living relatives, the only possible heir is... Mr. Voldemort.
-- Uh, -- the guard is confused, tired, and wants to get rid of the witch as soon as possible, not to mention that legal matters are clearly not his specialty. -- Well, that's a question for the sheriff or mayor, in general.

-- Hooray! -- the witch triumphantly raises her mangled arm. -- So, everything will be alright, I assure you.

-- Well, nothing special needs to be done, we'll just write it down that it's been transferred to ownership, uh, remind me of the name and origin, by the way. You can put a mark on it, or you can skip it, as you wish. And all the property should go to the state, I guess.
-- Not at all, -- the witch quickly corrects him. -- Movable property, yes, but immovable property is inherited. Since I didn't make a will, and I have no living relatives, the only possible heir is... Mr. Voldemar.
-- Uh, -- the guard is confused, tired, and wants to get rid of the witch, not to mention that legal matters are clearly not his specialty. -- Well, this is a matter for the sheriff or mayor, in general.

- Okay. So, first we go to the mayor to resolve the issue with the house and other property. Then to the bathhouse. We'll wash ourselves thoroughly. And I will too. Well, and we need to change clothes. Before visiting the Stronghold.
- And if there's time left, I'll come to the church. By the way, where is it located? - Voldemar takes out writing materials to write down the location of their new place of preaching.
- And we'll have to put a mark. But not on the forehead, but say... on the left shoulder. On the one hand, you can pass me off as a... someone else, depending on the situation. And on the other hand, if I run away, it will be easier to find me...
- Voldemar from Aldor, - Voldemar reminds the guards.

You will have to brand him.

By the way, Cassius didn't brand Amalia. No wonder Voldemar was nicknamed the butcher...

By the way, Cassius didn't brand Amalia. No wonder Voldemar was nicknamed the butcher...

She might have had it for a long time. Cassius isn't her first. Owner, I mean...:D And this "fresh one"... Slave, I mean...:D

Having downed his own portion of alcohol, Hargon surveys the fighting club with a silent gaze. — Well, why not? If the void wants to guide literary gentlemen like our author, why should we refuse, guided by non-existent modesty, talent, or anything else? Everyone should have the right to express themselves to the world. In short, I agree, Sig. Let's do it.

-- Alright, guys, let's get started. If anyone is good at drawing, join in. 

After liters of beer, an hour and a half, and many arguments about whose techniques are better, Hargon finally receives the revised edition of "clever techniques."

Dail adds to the first chapter:
"If someone refuses to use these means from birth, it's like cutting off his own hand, saying that one is enough for him to work with."

Sigeber adds to the second:
"In any case, the essence of any fight is to strike the opponent and not receive a blow in return, and it doesn't matter if you defend first and then attack, or vice versa – first you strike, and then dodge, the fact is that the simplest, but not the most interesting way to win is when you can hit, and no one can hit you.
But in reality, this does not happen, and everyone can both hit and miss. Hitting harder than the opponent, not being afraid to take a hit, exchanging blows bravely and without fear – this is both more fun and easier."
Byson adds:
"Damage to sanity is good. Most people are afraid of pain."
Raban adds:
"And you, whoever is reading this, don't be afraid, you'll die anyway. Do your thing, do it calmly, and do it as well as you can."

Hans concludes the book with the thought:
"Fighting is fun. Therefore, you need to fight more, worry less, and then everything will work out. Now close the book, go outside, touch the grass, and fight someone."

In addition to what Sigeber has already explained to Hargon, the book includes the following techniques:
Front kick: strength*2 base damage, slowdown (-30% speed and evasion), paralysis (strength against resistance) x3
Spinning strike: strength*3 base damage, slowdown, pushback (3 cells) x3
Spin: strength*6 base damage, automatic critical hit, -50% accuracy, paralysis (strength*1.5 against resistance) x8
Knee strike: strength*5 base damage, ignores all resistances, paralysis (strength against resistance), accuracy -50% x4

Unarmed boy 4: +5 to strength and resistance checks, +5 to evasion and accuracy in unarmed combat, +5% to the chance of weakening and paralysis x3
Unarmed boy 5: when using unarmed combat techniques, the character has the right to make one normal attack x3

Also, in the atmosphere of a pleasant evening over beer, the fighters learned something new about themselves in a long discussion, and it was collectively decided that a person's nature determines how he fights. And whoever fights well cannot be a bad person. Clinking of mugs.
Byson's style: the character doubles the number of attacks, evasion is reduced to 1, damage to sanity received and dealt is doubled x3
Dail's style: the character can use as many unarmed combat techniques per turn as he has attacks x5
Sigeber's style: the character counterattacks after a successful dodge x3
Raban's style: the character receives (resistance + will)% less damage (final modifier) x3

Hargon and Sandar can also invent their own style (but they still have to spend skill points on it)

Added 29 minutes ago
While Tifa has not yet had time to leave the Dismal center, a stranger, previously unknown to her, of a lackey-like appearance, hands her
A mysterious message
🤑                   😶|
👴         >       \ =|=|   ???!!!
1/2:6               /\ !

Added 1 hour 41 minutes ago

- OK. So first we go to the burgomaster to resolve the issue of the house and other property. Then to the bathhouse. You wash yourself thoroughly. And I will too. Well, and we need to dress up. Before visiting the Stronghold.
- And if there is time left, I will go to the church. By the way, where is it located? - Voldemar takes out writing supplies to write down the location of their new place of preaching.
- And we will have to put on a brand. But not on the forehead, but, say, on the left shoulder. On the one hand, you can be mistaken for a slave... for someone else, depending on the situation. And on the other hand, if you run away, it will be easier to find...
- Voldemar from Aldor-nera, - Voldemar reminds the guards.

-- It's right next to the arena, we'll hang up the signs, you won't miss it.
-- Don't rush too much, or it will be rude.
The fact that Voldemar is going to the bathhouse with the slave first is so obvious, demonstrative, and funny in itself that it's pointless to make jokes about it.

Voldemar and the witch arrive at Regin.
-- Aha, he took everything for himself. Well, okay, let's execute someone else. Do you want this little house in the slums? Are there any witnesses that it belongs to her?
-- Yes, anyone will confirm, Master Burgomaster, I assure you. Do you need all this trouble?
-- No, - the burgomaster admits. - Point to the location on the map, I'll mark it, and you're free.

The fact that Voldemar immediately drags a slave to the bathhouse is so obviously revealing and comical in itself that making jokes about it would only spoil it.

Well, what makes Voldemar worse than Cassius?😏

Voldemar and the witch arrive at Regin's place. -- Aha, he took everything for himself. Well, okay, let's execute someone else. What's there, do you want that little house in the slums? Are there any witnesses that it belongs to her? -- Anyone will confirm it, Master Burgomaster, I assure you. Do you really need all this hassle? -- No, -- the burgomaster immediately admits. -- Point to the location on the map, and I'll mark it, and you're free.

- Yes. I hope it will be useful. But if not, I will personally execute him. Voldemar doesn't give second chances!

Voldemar has to "point on the map"? If so, he "points":

- Right here.

-- Well, alright. If there are no more questions, you may leave.