"Well... friends, I suggest we head to town and brace for culture shock." Yet another nervous smile. "Shall we?" The priest follows Lanx in the direction of the town he spoke of.
"Let's rock n' roll, gang," the rogue spoke walking along side. "What do you think the town will be like? I wonder if they'll have any complicated customs or anything like that."
A moment if you please, comrades, Dimitri says from the wagon, working to get on a set of metal armor made from interlocking scales, I need another couple minutes to get into this.
After the few minutes have passed, he picks up a long, gently curved, single edge blade that appears similar enough to a katana for his tastes and ties the scabbard to his hip, finishing he preparations by taking an already filled backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. As he turns, a dagger that looks like a miniature of his sword catches his eye, and he takes it and ties it to the small of his back before turning to his new companions. I probably look pretty silly at the moment, don't I?
Obadiah smiles. "On the contrary, you look... as soon as you put it on, it suits you. Like you were meant for it."
"My fellow travelers, we are off to our next destination. Let us be on our way swiftly. We will be there in no time."
Entering the small town of Iant Ostar, you can see a general dishevelment of the town. Buildings falling apart, beggars in the street, orphans, vagrants, crime, etc. You are left at the gates to view the state and wonder what you must do here to continue your quest.
"This place really does look like it needs some heroes.." Justin thought aloud as he took in the scenery of the town's given state.
"It doesn't look like there's any organization here - maybe we should see if there are any public officials or a sheriff or something here, and help them regain control of the situation?"
"I expect the decreptitude to be as much a fault of an economic downturn as any governmental listlessness..." Downtrodden as it may be, the sight of an actual ancient peasant village drives Obadiah to peer at everything in sight.
Moving along to the nearest sheriff or governance, he steps forward, working through a quickly prepared speech. "Erm, hail, sir! We are stout and good fellows of currently no gainful employment and apparently significant talents. How might we best aid the peoples of this town?" he smiles desparately brightly, before remembering "We are currently lead by our kind friend mister Lanx Kotan here, whom you may know."
Dmitri blinks at Obadiah's back, really hoping he didn't just hear him say all of that in English and glances worriedly at our sponsor.
As you make your way into the town you can easily see that though the place is run down and falling apart, that many are quite content with life as it is. You see many urchins playing games nearby, in fact they seem to be paying what looks like tag. One of them, running away swiftly from another, knocks into Justin, falling down than getting up only to run off.
Lanx, giving a forced calm look at Dmitri but obviously a little worried as well, he says, "If he feels it will help, I won't stop him. By divine providence you ask were sent here...I have to trust that you will make the best decisions."
"Oh, are you okay?" Justin asks, but is given no response as the child runs off.
I guess he's alright to be able to get up as he did.
Seeing the children's seemingly endless energy made him chuckle a bit as he was reminded of the days of his youth. As he watches on though, he has a feeling that there is something more to be realized with this situation.
As you reminisce, you notice your bag is a little lighter...checking you find your gold pouch missing. You might be able to recall the child's face more clearly if you took the time, but you do know which direction he ran toward. If you run you might easily catch up.
Hearing Lanx's words, Dmitri sighs and steps up next to Obadiah and also speaks, yes, we have come to help in any way we can. Could you provide us guidance as to how we can best serve you and your people? His words are hesitant, seemingly worried that he may misstep in some fashion and get the group run out of town, or worse. He also looks around to see exactly how out of place the group looks with their armor and weapons.
Quickly realizing that he was pickpocketed by the child Justin's attitude quickly turns from nostalgia to fury. Are you serious?? I guess this is what Lanx met by the world becoming corrupted.
Quickly removing his backpack, he tossed it to his comrade and shouted, "Dmitri, watch my stuff, will you? I gotta catch the brat that stole my gold!"
Running off in the direction he saw the kid run, he scans the area to see if he can spot the kid or any clues to where he went.
Encumbered by his new armored coat, Obadiah hesitates then shrugs. "Good luck!" he calls after Justin.
Dmitri turns to TD as he tosses his backpack, catching it in the face and stumbling as he does. When he finally rights himself, he looks confusedly at Lanx and Obadiah, and back to the backpack. Um... What... Should we chase after him?
"I'm not quick enough on my feet, particularly with this bit of armor... maybe we keep going to find someone to talk to?" Barring dissent, Obadiah continues forward to speak with a governing official.
Watching as the group is picked apart by circumstances, Lanx is torn as to what he should do to aid the group, settling on an idea, he says, "Dmitri, if you wish to aid your comrade, now is the time. Hurry if that is what you wish. Spotting him in the crowd should be simple enough, but leave the gear here so you can run fast, I'll watch it. In fact, I can get a small wagon to carry all the gear in when you all do not want to wear it." Turning toward Obediah, he says, "It is up to you what you do. I'll gladly aid you in what you choose."
There you are, you little punk..
Quickly approaching the kid, Justin slows his approach as he notices the crowd.
..Probably best if I don't cause a scene. The villagers would likely believe him over me..
Trying to blend in with crowd, he stealthily approaches the child hoping to find the opportunity to pick his pocket if he can get close enough.
If I can't, at least I can see where he takes it.. I just hope I can get it back before he tries to spend it..
Dmitri, feeling that Obadiah can handle the quest finding, hands his equipment to Lanx and takes off after Justin, hoping to make sure he doesn't do anything rash as he frantically looks for him.
Taking some of the load from Lanx, Obadiah moves along up to the group of well-dressed individuals. He waits for a break in the conversation, then coughs politely for attention. "Erm, hail, gentlemen! I am a member of a small group of stout and good fellows, currently of no gainful employment and... erm... significant talents? Under the kind direction of our friend Mister Lanx here?" He tries for a bright byt nervous smile. "Er- with you so obviously being pillars of the community here, we were hoping you could advise us on how to aid this fair town? Any, erm, heroic tasks that need accomplishing?"
Justin
As you race after the oblivious urchin, he weaves in and out of the crowd racing toward a towering, run down, dilapidated, building with a few parts of the west wall missing. As you attempt to quietly sneak behind him your distance begins to increase. Being about 10 feet behind him to begin with you see him enter the building's doorway at about 20 feet ahead of you. He turns and quickly looks around to see he isn't followed, but doesn't seem to notice you. Slowly walking inside with a little bit of cocky grin. Making it to the doorway, you notice easily the darkness inside, no fires of any kind lighting up the pathway, it should be easy to be stealthy inside, but your vision won't be at its best.
Obadiah
One of the gentleman glares at your note of "no gainful employment" as he retorts, after you finish your recounting, "You can always work for me as general labourer in my coal mine, that way you won't be." Another perks up at your suggestion for helping the town, saying in a haughty tone, "I have many that I already employ. Trying to keep the streets clear of jobless oafs is a full time job in and of itself...but some of my workers have designed to slow this endeavor by refusing to come in to work. I know where they are at but the law seems to care little for my concern. I would gladly compensate you for your success in this..." under his breath, "...maybe buy yourself something better than these...rags...honestly." As looks at your newly purchased, never worn garb.
Dmitri
Obadiah smiles, ignoring their rudeness, quite happy to have successfully communicated with people in this land. "Your offer of employment is very kind gentlemen. However, I fear that my friend Lanx Kotan=" he points at the tall spear-wielding warrior "had employment a little more... heroic in mind. A little more dangerous." He hesitates for a second, then asks "Would throwing around the description 'apparently trained warriors' and a small demonstration help in our little search?" Raising a finger, he once again summons golden healing light.
Looking at the building, a feeling of suspicion comes over Justin as he thinks for a moment about the risks that could be waiting inside.
Could just bust in and give the lad a spanking.. He might have a cousin that's bigger than me though... I could probably take him.. But what about pets? I could handle a dog.. But what kind of pets do they have here?.. What if he's got a spider.. Or a dog-spider... Do they have dog-spiders here?...
Taking a step back, he gives a nod before thinking aloud, "..I'm gonna need some back up here.."
Taking care to make sure he'll be able to find this place again, he memorizes the area before running off to regroup with his comrades.
Dmitri continues along the last path he saw Justin head off in, stopping after a distance to try and get eyes on him again before he's lost for good, cursing the rashness of his companion.
Pushing through the crowd in a hurry, Justin approaches his fellow adventurer and smiles triumphantly as he closes the distance between the two.
With a sense of urgency, he exclaims to the samurai his best understanding of the situation. "Ah HA! Yes! Dimitri! Trained in swordplay! Perfect! No time for explanation - no wait, you already know about my missing gold. Good! Come quick - dog-spiders!"
Motioning with his arms in the direction of the worn-out building, TD waits for his friend's response before ushering him to retrieve the gold.
D... Dog-spiders? I'm sorry, wha- is all Dmitri get out before being pulled along by Justin, completely flabbergasted how a chasing down a pickpocket can turn into a fight for one's life against dog-spiders.
Dmitri has a memory of playing the game Destiny, and how Justin at the moment reminds him of a character that didn't, "... have time to explain why I don't have time to explain." He didn't realize until just now that people actually did that.
Quickly and quietly arriving at the doorway of the building once more, Justin crouches down on one side of it as he tries to stealthily peek inside. Without any immediate sign of danger, he turns and looks at his comrade and whispers in a super-serious tone, "Alright, Dmitri - I know you're afraid that there might be disgusting dog-spider hybrids waiting for us, but you have to keep it together. One scream could reveal our position. I got your back, amigo. You don't have to worry." The more he talks, the more it sounds like he's trying to convince himself than he is Dimitri. With a heavy sigh, he slowly creeps into the building and tries his best to remain undetected.
Bewildered, Dmitri looks between Justin and the door, watching as his comrade crouches and sneaks through it.
Dog-spiders? he asks again, shaking his head, but nonetheless trying his best to follow Justin's lead, crouching low and trying to shush his armor as he waddles along.
He silently prays that this won't lead to bloodshed or being run out of town, before realizing he doesn't know who exactly he was praying to.
Obadiah
They pull back automatically at your display of golden light, recoiling from the magic. With a shaking hand he points at you, yelling, "Y...You are of the 'Church of the Gold Fisted'!" face in utter shock and haughty dislike. His demeanor changes to one of disgust, he turns his nose up at you and walks away, flipping his hand dismissively at you, saying, "You are NOT welcome here, 'Vault Hunters', we pay our taxes to the Findeladlara Church of the east...You have no power here." Walking away, his companions following...a murmur washes over the nearby crowd, you see many begin leaving the courtyard, doors and windows shutting, soon the entire open area off the city is virtually empty of any that had homes to vacate to.
Lanx, seeing the look on your face at having vacated the entire market area of the town with a simple gesture of good intentions. He says, [b]"I know you might not have likely had much of any other outcome from it but being careful an area you aren't familiar with, is a good idea. They assumed you were of a religious faction that is at war with theirs and dismissed you, socially burning you. Sorry, but that's how they are. Pompous idiots, if you ask me."
Obadiah gives a shrug and a smile. "Some of the greatest men from my religion's history were shunned, accidentally or otherwise, at their beginning. I consider it no ill omen." He pauses for a secnd and strokes his chin. "It could be bothersome if they begin telling everyone that we are members of this Church, and then that Church pushes back against us roughly. I... I think I can sort that out." He looks over at Lanx, then the rest of the party. "Erm... Mister Lanx, other friends, can you suggest a way to proceed? We are... well, we are in fantasy. What would be the fantastical thing to do?"
Justin
Dmitri
Walking inside, you notice there are no dog spiders in your immediate area. With a zero stealth, you do not notice anyone our anything coming at you, noticing you or any threat. None are startled by your entrance. The entrance seems empty. Waking further in, since you notice no threat of life, you can hear raspy breathing and some coughing. It is coming from the room ahead. A child's voice is heard saying, "I got money guys...We found some money." You than hear an older child in raspy voice saying, "You stupid idiot! You stole this didn't you! They are going to come here looking for it and kill us all! It's better that you go return it...I'd rather die than have you all killed..." The first child can be heard dejectedly sighing. He than weakly says, "I think he's already here...I heard at least one person almost stumble through the entrance." Perking up a bit, "they haven't killed us yet, maybe they got lost or killed by a Dog-Spider..." The other kid says, "You idiot...there is moo such thing."
Obadiah
Looking at you incredulously, Lanx says, "You didn't see them run off? You and I are on our own, my good fellow. Where to next? We can search out others to talk with, chase after the rich snobs or see if there is a pub we can drink our sorrows away...anything really, for I wish to see how you outsiders approach our world problems to succeed against the coming evil. If you aren't sure what to do, we can always seek out your new friend."
Dmitri sighs as he hears the voices coming from the door, pushing himself back up to his full height and stretching his knees. Without waiting for Justin to object, he strides to the door where the voices came from and leans against the frame, saying before anything happens, I want you to know that we're not here to kill you, while taking in the sight of the room.
"Oh; I could have sworn at least one remained... nevermind." He looks Lanx up and down for a moment and replies "Well... it is more trying to find problems then solving them; but I suppose that itself is a problem." He thinks, then continues "Well... I cannot disabuse the town of the notion that we are of this other church until I have a free day or two. So; I suggest we move around the town in search of any papers or boards of notification or announcement, and failing that, head to a tavern to see what we may overhear."
Obadiah
Lanx simply looks at you and says, "I will follow your lead, chosen of the gods. I trust your insight. My efforts have thus far been for naught, your efforts may be more helpful. For a future note, my name holds little weight in most places, I was a hired blade for quite a while, for I needed to raise gold for my cause...so the few that know me, do not hold me in high regard...but you can make a good name for yourself by rising this world of the evil that is beginning to plague the hearts of the humans that have some kind of influence or power. Regardless, let's move on. Lead the way..."
Dmitri
You need not roll a perception. The room has maybe 20 kids ranging from toddlers to about 10 years old. All of them are covered head to foot in soot or coal, one of the oldest is lying in a bed next to a few others, the loud you notice was from before is facing him from having been talking. The air full of anticipation and unease hangs heavy. You hear one of them all in disbelief, "You're not?!"
Obadiah nods thoughtfully and mentally files a few tidbits away for later.
He heads around the town, looking curiously for any sign of public writing or proclamations, before searching for an inn.
Justin laughs to himself as he realizes how harmless the situation is and rises to stand upright as well. Poking his head passed Dimitri so he can see in room too, he adds, "No, but I did want to wring your neck. Not going to now though.. Judging from your living conditions - and the fact you stole from me - it looks like you lot could use help some, eh? We could let you keep the gold, but that's rewarding bad behaviour and is only a temporary solution. Why don't you tell us more about your situation and we'll help you find a more permanent fix? "
Pointing a finger at the boys he adds in a matter-of-fact tone, "And dog-spiders are real.."
Justin
The kid walks up and gives you back your bag of gold saying, "Sorry, it's just he's sick from working in the mine and I wanted to get money so he didn't have to go back. He gets paid one gold a day to work in the mine...I thought he could take some time off to get better and maybe get some medicine or see a healer...but even than...he'll just get sick again." Looking up at you he says, "What do we do now? I'm going to be ten soon, that means I'll be REQUIRED to go work in that mine...I know it's comics and all, but they say that the mine has...Dog-Spiders...I don't want to find any...but I also don't want get sick in the mine." The older one puts a hand weakly on the younger boys shoulder to comfort him, than he gives you a serious look and says, "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was a better place to work...The black stuff you breath in, the smelly gas that puts you to sleep, the big spiders not Dog-Spiders not to mention the cave in we had last week...it's not worth it some days...but we need food."
Obadiah
Finding flyers everywhere for the "riches that await you in the mine, work for the possibility of gold beyond your imagination" and similar all over town, you soon arrive near an obvious tavern. The bar keep simply says, "You must not be from this town, you're not covered in soot from the mine or dressed like you own a mine...So what can I do for you?" As he washes the counter.
[h]"Yep, my friends and I are from... well, somewhat far away. A glass- err, a goblet of whatever you'd recommend."[/b] He pulls a few coins and experimentally pushes different combinations of them across the counter, watching for the barkeep's reaction. "I take it the only work in town is in the mines? That a recent thing?"
If the bartender doesn't feel up to talking more, Obadiah finds a seat and gets to eavesdropping.