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You were all chartered individually (though with the knowledge you will meet 4 others) to explore the area prior known as the stolen lands
You have traveled for many days before finally reaching Oleg's trading Post. Oleg’s trading post is surrounded by a wooden palisade that stands 10 feet high. At each corner of the palisade are 20-foot-square watchtowers, each armed with a run-down catapult. These catapults are in no condition to be fired, and you ballpark the time it would take to repair it at about a week. As you approach you see four other figures in the distance approaching
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Marcus frowns briefly at the sight of the ruined catapults, wondering what the point of broken weapons just laying around, but his visage isn’t marred by the frown for long as the excitement of his first day on his quest fills him with vigor. The disguised Kitsune marches jubilantly up to the outpost, hoping to check in and get his bearings, maybe see if he could find out what’s already mapped and go from there.
Sophia, approaches Oleg's trading post from the North, with the sun roughly over her head. It's been a long walk, but glancing around she sees four others nearing from various directions and a quick mental count puts that at the number she expects. At least it looks like we won't take long to assemble, so there's that.
Whistling to herself off-tune, and leading her pack donkey behind her, she continues on her way, spirits fairly high. She notes the disrepair of the catapults, but isn't too perturbed. One of the increasingly less distant figures arrives before the others, and as she draws nearer she waves in greeting, shouting "Hello, friend! Are you here as an explorer?" As she draws his attention and he turns, she sees his face and something tugs at her memory, but she can't quite place it at this distance.
There was the faint sound of whistling coming along the trail, the merry tune carried over the wind until a man finally crested the hilltop. Dario's eyes study the swaying trees as the wind blows through gently, a smile coming to his face as the memories of home all come rushing back. "I'm back." He thinks to himself before his thoughts darken. He never knew the fate of what happened that awful day but maybe after this task is done, he could learn what had happened.
The young man who approaches is quite lithe in stature, standing at five feet and seven inches and weighing somewhere between one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eight pounds. He does not seem particularly muscular but there is a graceful air to him in how he walks and the overall athletic build that he has. His hair is a clean and neat blonde that is tied back in a ponytail and as he comes into view, his eyes as a blue as Lake Reykal. He is dressed in a shoulder cloak made from simple cotton and lined at the top with grey wolf fur, underneath which is a brown tunic with a white blouse under that. The slight metallic jingling can be heard from his chain shirt underneath as he draws close. A rapier rests on his left hip and a buckler hands on the small of his back, bouncing with every jovial step. By his worn leather boots is a dagger sheath with a blade in it, strapped carefully to the cotton pants that are tucked within those dark boots. The only other visible weapon is a sling on his right hip, right beside a pouch that one could assume carries the bullets for it.
There is a playful, almost distracted look on the man's place as he approaches Oleg's Trading Post, marveling at what the place could have been previously. The palisade reminds him of the many other minor posts that he used to stalk during his more unscrupulous beginnings and he'd idly consider if he had ever robbed Oleg's? No, not possible, the Cold Ridge Bandits were further west of here if he remembered correctly. Did he remember correctly?
"I probably should've paid more attention when we were hunting, I suppose..." Dario murmurs, his voice having a tenor's quality to it. Walking into the outpost properly, he spun in a small circle and whistled to himself before giving a nod. "This place would've been something back in the day, I suppose." It was only then that turns towards the other two who seem come in and were beginning to talk to each other.
"Hello there! I presume that you're here with the charter as well?" He'd approach with a devil-may-care smile upon his face, extending a hand out to whoever was closest. "The name is Dario Zuz, adventurer and entrepreneur!" Dario says, looking between them. "I think that there is another one or two of us coming...I think." Dario was sure he may have seen someone. Maybe it was one of them. Oh well, he was just excited to be here on a brand new venture of a more legal variety.
Looking at Dario, Sophia smile appreciatively and reaches out a hand. Master Zuz, ... or do you you prefer Dario? In any case it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You can call me Sophia. I'm an explorer and dabble in some alchemy when given the chance. Turning to Marcus the face finally clicks into her memory, "And unless I'm mistaken our friend here is Marcus, who I know from what seems like a lifetime ago."
A faint blush comes to her face as she realizes that it's not really her place to make this introduction. "But of course, he should speak for himself." And because she can't help herself when she's figured something out she finishes almost under her breath, "If memory serves it's something he does well."
Eagerly taking the lady's hand, he dips his head down and kisses the top of her hand in the most gentlemanly of fashions. He lets out a gasp as she calls him "Master Zuz", laughing softly with a grin. "Master Zuz!? Oh no, heaven's no, though I like the sound of that for certain. Please, my soon-to-be friends should call me Dario." He says with a smile, listening in with curiosity as she explained what she was capable of. Alchemy was a time-honored profession and a useful one at that, bringing a grin to Dario's face.
"Alchemy? That is an amazing. Are you more of traditional alchemist or more of those...experimental brands?" Alchemy had quite the resurgence throughout Golarion with this interesting change of alchemy combined with magic. "I am glad to have you here with us then, I'm sure your skills will be incredibly useful!"
He turns towards Marcus, giving the man a little bow and a grin. "Marcus, it is a pleasure to meet you. I do hope you have some skill with exploration, yes? I'm skilled at maneuvering through the wilderness but...that is about it."
Heavy footfalls and the rattle of armor precede a broad shouldered man as he rounds the corner on the pathway to Olegs.
This is it. With any luck I'll be the last to arrive and we can get started right away.
Clad in traditional Gorumite red and grey, with a greatsword across his back he strides with chest held high toward the trading post.
There was the sounds of heavy footfalls and the rattling of heavier armor and a grin came to Dario's face. "Ah! I think our next person is arriving!" He said with a wide smile as Zelos turned the corner and began to make his way into the outpost properly. He looked...oddly familiar with those grey and red colors. It was as if he had faced a horde of them before, all shouting and glorious as they protected some little locale from their depredations...
Nah, that couldn't be so. He would definitely remember if such a thing happened before. Waving gallantly, Dario would grin before he shouted. "Hail, traveler! Are you also part of the charter?"
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Looking at Dario, Sophia smile appreciatively and reaches out a hand. Master Zuz, ... or do you you prefer Dario? In any case it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You can call me Sophia. I'm an explorer and dabble in some alchemy when given the chance. Turning to Marcus the face finally clicks into her memory, "And unless I'm mistaken our friend here is Marcus, who I know from what seems like a lifetime ago."
A faint blush comes to her face as she realizes that it's not really her place to make this introduction. "But of course, he should speak for himself." And because she can't help herself when she's figured something out she finishes almost under her breath, "If memory serves it's something he does well."
Marcus seems delighted that he has been recognized, though he chortles at her blush and quieter statement ”Sophia, Darling, I hardly recognized you, it’s been far too long, so glad to see you coming along on this expedition” he also bows to the other man with a bit of a flourish ”As the lady says, my name is Marcus Tamarin of House Medyved, the most magical musician in town”
"A nobleman! How peculiar!" Dario thinks to himself, unconsciously looking the man over for valuables before mentally scolding himself. Old habits were hard to break. Dario would return the bow to the man in kind before looking over the meager trading outpost. It was only the four of them at the moment, making a jesting grin spready across Dario's face.
"I do not contest that claim at all." Dario murmured, gesturing to the trading post's very humble appearance. "Are we sure this place isn't abandoned. There doesn't seem to be any guards or anyone outside."
"It's good to see you Marcus. Your voice and cheer are just as I remember, and your company will be most welcome on our journey." Sophia smiles at her friend. Though they didn't know each other well, his was still a friendly face. "This mission seems to be starting off without any hitch at all!"
Turning to Zelos who is quite near now, she tries to place his regalia. Raising her voice to be heard she calls, "Hail, friend! Come, join us in our introductions!"
Turning back to Dario, and then looking at the palisades, she shrugs. "We could always try announcing ourselves and see who it summons. We should be expected, so the welcome should be warm enough one would hope."
"Hail, traveler! Are you also part of the charter?"
"Indeed, I am!" shouts Zelos triumphantly holding the slip of paper aloft.
"Hail, friend! Come, join us in our introductions
"Indeed I shall!He booms and tromps over to your group. Then in a voice slightly too loud for how close you are now standing "I am Zelos and I have been called by Our Lord in Iron to fight alongside you in the battles ahead."
The tall armored man then takes a moment to size each of you up individually.
Quite a scrawny bunch. Must be why I'm here.
Something about the blonde one seems familiar.
But he can't quite place it.
The man in the heavier armor makes his way closer to them, his voice booming and a faint grin spreads across his face. "Every group needs a thug." He thinks softly, chuckling internally. It was no slight against Zelos at all, in fact it was quite the compliment. Every successful group of bandits, brigands, and thieves required to have at least one fellow who could wield a big blade or club with uncomfortable speed and knew exactly what he was good at.
"Pleasure to have you, Brother Zelos. I am Dario Zuz, Dario to my friends. It is good to have one with such armaments among us." He gestures to the other two others. "They are, I assume, the rest of the expedition chartered to investigate the Greenbelt. I will let them introduce themselves."
He was about to walk away when he frowned for a moment, tapping his lip and turning back around after the others had introduced themselves to the warrior-priest of Gorum.
"I swear, I have met you somewhere before. Were you ever in the Southwestern parts of Brevoy or further west of here? My family and I did business there and you look absolutely familiar. I swore I met you before..."
Sophia speaks up when Dario asks she and Marcus to introduce themselves, "Zelos, it's simply wonderful to meet you! My name is Sophia and I ..."
She isn't quite sure what recognition is taking place between Zelos and Darios, but even with her average grasp of the social graces she can tell that the two of them are making a breakthrough that might prove explosive.
"Er, excuse me, I ... er, continue on..."
"HA! I thought i recognized you as well! Weren't you..."
...the lad that would polish the armor at old Borroweathers Armory?"
I always thought that was a young girl!
"Borroweather's Armory? Oh heaven's no, I don't have the strength for that kind of work. But...now that you remind me." He was thinking it over and he remembered his father marveling over a blade they had stolen from a small village. The weaponsmith there was quite skilled, capable as well. He always wanted a blade, it was almost worth getting into a fight with the followers of Gorum.
It was at that last thought that made Dario's mind click into place, his mind finally connecting the distant and errant pieces of memory. "I do remember you! A small hamlet called Gavenwood, right?"
Dario came up, laughing as he clutched his side. "I remember you exactly! You wanted to negotiate with us and your brothers and sisters shouted you down. It led to an awful scuffle; no one died thankfully and we got away with only the slightest bit of loot."
"I fought your...Brother Larken? Lirkin? It was something like that. He had a huge sword much like your own, I poked his hand with my rapier and out it fell to the ground." Dario laughed, as if remembering a fond memory that just so happened to involve banditry in it.
Sophia turns and takes a couple steps towards Marcus. With a bit of stage whisper she asks, "That doesn't seem to be a polite way to bring up those memories, or does it? What's he thinking?" She watches Zelos with fascination to see if maybe he's going to take it better than she expects.
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Marcus’s most valuable item on his person is probably the rapier strapped to his belt, though he has a number of other fairly valuable objects from his high quality clothes to the masterwork instrument on his back.
Marcus frowns as he sees the man is a follower of gorum, having some degree of second thoughts, and he also seems confused by the interactions between the two men ”I don’t believe etiquette quite covers this interaction, but it’s certainly strange, one way or another
Eyes widen as a wave memory crashes over Zelos.
"You..."
The greatsword on Zelos' back is unsheathed in an instant.
"...FIEND!"
It points two handedly at Dario.
Gavenwood. Larken. The reminder of that day, the day he had brought shame to his allies and his God by seeking to avoid an honest battle reawakwened the rage built up inside Zelos. Fuming, with eyes full of an anger (and a little regret)
He can only shout.
"I know you now. You were the scrawny pup of the orcish brigands stealing from the temple. This insolent whelp initiated battle, bested his opponent and left him disarmed and humiliated in the heat of combat. Only a fool or villain would seek out battle with no intent on victory."
"Years, I have spent seeking redemption for my folly of that day. I have corrected my ways and learned my lesson. Have you? For Brother Larkins honor I challenge you to a duel! Draw your pathetic sword so I may finish the battle you had started."
perhaps this is my chance at redemption in their eyes
Zelos pants almost tired from getting all of that out in his boistrous outside voice. Growing impatient...
"What are you? Fool or Villain?"
Recognition shined in Zelos's eyes and for a moment, Dario thought they were going to have a great old laugh about it before that mighty blade pointed at him. For a moment, Dario's eyes flashed with a most wicked intent and his hand trembled for a second upon that rapier. Yet he did not draw as the man's anger was vented into the air. Only when he panted and made that final demand, if Dario was a fool or a villain, did Dario let out the breath that resided in his chest.
"Ah, you do remember. Lovely." He says with a little chuckle, delicately placing his hand on the blade and pushing it down so it wasn't quite so evenly leveled at him. "I will first have you know that I take offense to the term "brigands". I like to think of us as...entrepreneurs. Victory was food so the new pups didn't starve and with that food, which you had more than enough of, we left when we could. I didn't think you were so hell-bent on vengeance for a man who would fight outnumbered and outsmarted. You seemed the reasonable and intelligent one of the bunch."
"Some would say I am a fool, for how can a brigand be peaceful? We didn't want to hurt anyone, just take some valuables here and there and survive in the woods. Sparing as many as we could seemed the right way to do that and...was quite natural honestly. They took me in, raised me as one of their own. Those orcs and half-breeds were kinder than many that I have ever seen in any damn city and it was only a bastard's determination that made them into the wicked foes they are today."
With a steely gaze and a confident smile, Dario steps closer to the blade and presses his throat against it. Already, a small drop of red runs down the steel. "I would say, dear Zelos, that I am both. I am a fool because I put my life into the hands of a man that hates me. I have turned away from my more nefarious roots after being ousted and exiled by the more vicious of my family. If you would have me still..." That grin would grow wide, Dario's eyes full of equal parts excitement, wonder, and danger. It was almost the look of a madman if there wasn't that glint of intelligence there too. "...I will be a villain to all that threaten this expedition. My skill at blade would not be against you but beside you. Your redemption would be found in victory through camaraderie, cooperation. If I could defeat Brother Larkin as a whelp, imagine what I can do beside you now."
Dario would offer a hand out, reaching towards the priest in a sign of friendship. "Let us turn a new leaf and embark on an adventure together. There will be foes that are mighty that will need to be felled." His voice would drop just a little bit low, waggling his eyebrow at the others as he whispers. "After all, the nobles are going to need a little bit of protection, am I right or what?"
Sophia hides a smile and shakes her head at Marus's reaction and turns her attention to the other two. Directing her words to both of them, nominally, it should be clear to most observers that it's mostly Zelos she's addressing. Are you quite done with this yet? We have work to do and whatever history the two of you have I'm sure can be worked out once we get to the field. If you want to prove who's the more deadly, why not keep a body count of people who oppose us rather than those we're supposed to be working with? There's a Kingdom to found and it's not going to found itself!
She turns her back on the two of them and starts to decide the best way to get the attention of someone inside the Trading Post.
He didn't draw his sword! I could strike him down now but that wouldn't be a contest of strength just a pathetic butchering, not what a hero would do. Clever boy.
Zelos' muscles relax slightly when the thought of impending battle dissipates.
His voice still low and serious, eyes locked with Dario:
"Know this, cretin, you are not forgiven. I will have that duel. and I will end you..."
Zelos lowers his sword and slings it again over his shoulders.
Then with all seriousness gone he returns in an instant to his outside voice and with a squinting smile:
"...but if we must travel together I will not let you spoil the joy of our battles ahead! After all, if what you say is true perhaps I can trust you, pup!"
"Onward!" following Sophia.
Dario lets out a sigh of relief, though it is impossible to say whether or not it was real or a facade. With glimmering eyes, he nods softly at the Gorumite's threatening words. "Your mercy is legendary, fair Zelos. In time, we shall have that duel and I will give you the honor you so rightly deserve..." Dario's smile grows as well with Zelos's, nodding enthusiastically. "...till then though, let us carry on. We've kept the others waiting too long."
Walking by Marcus, he gives the man a wink as he catches up alongside Sophia. "Thank you dear Sophia. It seems that the man's poor elders had their way with his mind. Oh well." Dario murmured, shrugging softly. "I will find that sharp, clever man underneath that faith in time. We could've been such good friends!"
Dario will join the alchemist up to the front door, letting her knock upon it as he kept a careful watch. At least it seemed that way. He was more thinking about what kind of adventures he would've had when they were both younger if they hadn't met the way they did.
Almost immediately after you knock the door is opened by a middle aged woman and she looks around out side and says "Come on in, please hurry up. I presume you were the reinforcements we sent for that've taken so long?" she then appears to reconsider her choice of words "my apologies if I sound blunt, the bandits have been robbing us dry, and recently they took something that meant a lot to me" and she gestures to her ring finger
You notice an older man patching a hole on the roof, and he waves and begins to climb down.
The door opens up quickly and Dario's eyes widen at the mature looking woman who peeks outside so cautiously. She hurries them in and Dario gives no contest to those words, eagerly stepping inside of the trading post and giving the place a look over.
"It looks like this place has already been hit." Dario thinks to himself, turning back to the woman who continues to explain what it was that was going on. The older man begins to come down from up above, waving gently as he descends the ladder.
"I am truly sorry to hear such hard times are upon you both." Dario says quite sincerely, smiling at them both. It was one thing to steal and rob, another thing to steal and rob from the more simple folk. "I don't know if we're the reinforcements you sent for, we've been given a charter to explore the Greenbelt. Regardless though, I'm sure that we'd be willing to help however we can. Right?" Dario asks, looking back at the others with a warm if questioning smile. He had just met them all and they seemed at least of good intentions, if not good hearts.
"Friends of yours?" says Zelos to Dario under his breath (which is just about regular speaking volume)
On her way to stand beside Dario, Sophia pats Zelo's shoulder in what she hopes is a calming, reassuring way. "As my friend says, we're here to explore the Greenbelt, but clearly dealing with the bandits here is an excellent way to start that. If this is to be our base of operations for now, we need to make sure it's secure, right!
"Tell us about these bandits. Anything you know would help. Numbers, direction they come from, how often they hit and what they're taking. If you happen to know where they hole up between their raids that would be even better!
"My name's Sophia, by the way. To whom do we have the pleasure of offering our assistance?" Sophia bows her head in greeting, trying to show her respect as she would any host.
The older man had climbed down and says "Oleg Leveton, and this is be darling wife Svetlana. The numbers they send varies, they're not sure and they generally come from over ther- and as he points towards the open gate and the wilderness by it, he pauses "son of a b!#~~! Here they come. Now you either need to leave, or get ready for a fight. Choose quick, because I've option required Svetlana to be out of the way and safe.
If you look where he was going, roll perception
Zelos's barbed words are largely ignored by Dario, though he can see the man's eyes catch him sidelong for just a moment. Sophia takes charge and he happily listens to the well-educated woman speak, enjoying the sound of so fluent a tongue. There was a charm to the more simple people who lived in the hamlets and villages on the outskirts of the world but there was something to be said about the enjoyment of another well-educated individual. Of course, she likely had a more proper education while he liked to read from the books they stole from others. Minor differences, really.
"Pleasure to meet you both, Oleg and Svetlana." Dario says, waiting for a moment as the man pauses. He lifts his eyebrows, as if encouraging the severe-looking man to finish his thought but an finish would never come. Instead, he calls out and Dario's attention turns towards the open gate and the vast wilderness beyond it. "Already eh?" Dario says with an almost vicious smirk, drawing his rapier before he looks back at the man. "No one else will be taking your goods today. We'll put a proper end to this." With a casual gait, he'd look back at the others. "We're going right?" Dario says with a chipper tone in his voice, strapping his buckler to his arm before emerging out into the open interior of the outpost.
Oh my, that is rather abrupt!" Sophia turns and peers out in the direction Oleg was gesturing.
"Hmm, maybe I just don't know what to look for yet, but in any case, if they're approaching then we should certainly prepare to meet them."
She pulls her longbow off her back and looks around for a place with some cover to set up. "Oleg, unless you fancy yourself a warrior, you should go with Svetlana; keep yourselves safe and we'll let know know when we're done."
Once she's found her spot she pulls out some vials and begins mixing them together, her hands a blur of precise motion. "You asked about my alchemy earlier Dario. I might get a chance to show you some shortly. Unless any of us is an expert tracker there's a good chance we might want to keep one of our pending foes alive for questioning. I might have a trick that will help with that if I can find the right timing."
"I assume that we'll want to try to parley with them if we can as an opening?"
"Parley!? They've come here to wager their lives for the chance to rob this place. I say we take that bet and send them packing!"
Zelos draws his greatsword and assumes a battle-ready stance, glint in his eye and a smirk on his face.
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Marcus seemed initially disappointed when the two members of their own group calmed down, but his excitement returns with a twinge of nervousness at the arrival of bandits as he draws the heirloom weapon ”I sincerely doubt they will have any sort of diplomatic thoughts. I say we hold the gates open, they come in expecting to walk all over these fine people and then we jump out and stab them in the backs
Two of his fellows seemed quite interested in solving things violently, the woman beside him was interested in acquiring as much information as they could about them. Dario's blade tested the air quickly before he looked at the Zelos and Marcus.
"I am inclined to speak with them first, set them at ease before we ambush them. I will happily be a distraction if the three of you can find good positions to strike from." A previous brigand himself, Dario knew how to have the swagger necessary to mingle with the roughest of sorts. He would wait in the open for them, looking disinterested and somewhat bored when the bandits arrived.
Sophia looks back and forth between her three new allies, and then nods. "We can do it this way, either setting them at ease with words or jumping them out right. Just remember that we'll want whatever intelligence on the area these bandits have. No matter what their actions are and how we feel about them, their knowledge exceeds our own and likely that of Oleg and Svetlana. It could be most valuable for planning our next steps."
She moves off to the side and waits for the others to settle on a plan for the opening attack.
Hand to chin, eyes closed in thought
"Hmm. Information could become tactically useful in the future. Why win only this battle when we can win every battle ahead right here!"
Eyes open excitedly. "Very well, we strive for capture!"
Sophia smiles at Zelos, nodding."Something like that yes! Now how do you feel about attacking from the side after Darius has distracted them. He'll do the sneaky, dastardly talking bit and we'll be saving you for the noble, heroic fighting when it's time! It should be more tactically sound than rushing them right away. Speaking of, I wouldn't mind if someone else were to take a peak and see if they can judge the approaching forces so we've got a better idea of what we're up against here."
"Dario, my lady, my name is Dario. A common mistake, I assure you." The swashbuckler adds, nodding in appreciation with how well she placated the cleric's need for glory. She was as bright as he was hoping she would be.
"Like she said, I will keep them preoccupied and you three will pounce upon them. It will be a skilled battle and you will certainly have the chance to show off your prowess. A tactical decision is the most glorious one."
Dario would move to wherever was the most open, leaning against something comfortable with his blade lazily held in his hand. He would position himself in such a way that the bandits would fixate on him and let his allies be able to approach from behind. Hopefully, Sophia and Marcus would keep Zelos in line.
Sophia blushes in embarrassment. "I'm terribly sorry, Dario. Perhaps I should have stuck with Master Zuz. Names, as you've just started to learn, aren't my strength. I'd blame the excitement now, but then what would I do when it happens in the boring times?"
Sophia smiles at her old acquaintance. "I suppose I needen't worry about boring times in this company. I'll take that as a blessing."
She looks around from her cover and see that most are in place. Having finished her extract she Zelos over towards her and holds her longbow in one hand, ready to fire it or throw some bombs, whichever the situation calls for.
Everyone roll initiative
I'll post in the description the sharing Link to a map, where you can move yourselves around the map, ideally towards the end of this month I'll have coordinates and you post what square you move in
These four bandits ride up, and a man who looks like the leader looks at Dario "I see we're not the only ones who came for a meal here
You are first
Dario would lift his head up, a wicked smirk coming to his face as he gave a nod to the four men that were coming in. "Ah, you must be the cavalry I heard about. Jesus, they just sent me here?" Dario would give a sigh, shaking his head for a moment before he looked back over his shoulder. He would whisper in a low voice afterwards, shrugging over his shoulders. "The old man in there is paying a pittance to have me and some strangers protect the place. Thing is, no one else showed up. Who the hell gives a flying shit about what happens in the Greenbelt, right?"
His demeanor is friendly and though his weapons are drawn, he keeps them casually at his side. "Look, I'm originally from way west of here. Ran with an outfit much like yourself and I'm not dying for some piss poor soup and a few measly coin. You looking for help? I think I saw where he hid his pretty wife at, might get some handouts from her, eh?" The swashbuckler could easily play the part of the bastard, playing on the baser instincts his kind of criminals tended to be.
