Cyouni's not particularly disturbed - this is along the lines of what he expected was going to happen. A trail of black mana traces itself around him as he slowly straightens, drawing his sword from its sheath on his back. He settles into a stance with the blade pointing backwards; it has its disadvantages, but the advantage is that it's difficult to tell his range. As one of the barbarians gets close enough, a spell flashes from Cyouni's hand, twisting the barbarian in pain. Taking this chance, Cyouni steps forward, his blade flashing out from the side to dispatch the barbarian.
He's unable to stop the other as a result, and takes a slash on his flank. The mage takes a few steps back, shifting the blade to a guard stance. He glances down at the wound, making sure it's not restricting his movement.
Swamp, cast Wring Flesh on one of the two attacking me, block that one as well with 1/0 weapon.
The farmer simply shrugs a bit. Not really his area of interest - he just wants to go back to farming peacefully.
There are multiple farms in the same area, and it's beginning to grow dark as they reach the first and largest. The farmer turns back to the group. "Ask around, find out what you need to. If you need 't, we'll give you food and a place t'sleep."
Muttering a short curse under his breath, Cyouni decides it's not a good idea to blatantly walk around trying to look for the boy, especially given how he'd stand out in the empty alleyway. Producing a silvery cloak from his satchel, he drapes it around himself before hunting for any traces of the boy.
The swordsman/mage's eyes flick around the alleyway, checking for watchers, before he bends down to scan the ground for any tracks the boy might have left.
On an amusing note, I've discovered I can write a really heavy farmer's accent. I've also discovered it's nigh-on unreadable.
The farmer shrugs slightly. "It varies. Generally, the bigger ones are th' ones found dead. We've lost all kinds - cows, sheep, goats, the lot.
The smaller ones - rabbits, chickens, and sometimes a pig - are the ones that've gone missin'. It's happened almost ever'day, though it sometimes takes longer if a pig was grabbed."
The group passes through the gates, heading towards the farmland nearby.
Cyouni, for his part, slips into the crowd, hoping their tongues are looser than the merchants'. For now, he just listens to the offhand comments made as they pass by, trying to gather as much information as possible.
Cyouni crosses his arms as he considers the question. "Better to split up. They're suspicious right now - it'll be easier to get information if we don't look as much of a threat." He nods towards Ultima. "For now, watch him, see how the shopkeeper responds, and act accordingly."
Almost as if it's an afterthought, Cyouni comments, "Oh, and stay on your guard. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to make another run at it today."
Cyouni frowns as he considers the possibilities. "There's no reason they shouldn't want to talk to the guards, especially if they're losing goods. Something's up with that."
"This obviously isn't a simple snatch-and-grab. What's their method of operation?"
As usual, punishments will apply if you're not a WPL/player on this quest and post in this thread.
Players:
Qfx/Gully
Fenris/Gear
smallcreation/Kai
The farmer doesn't pause as he walks down the road towards the gates of Estark, though he does check to make sure the three follow him. "Like ah said, mah problem's been pretty recent. The beasties only come out at night. They grab our animals, and back inta the dark they go. In the morning, all we find is our animals dead or missin'."
Cyouni's not particularly disturbed - this is along the lines of what he expected was going to happen. A trail of black mana traces itself around him as he slowly straightens, drawing his sword from its sheath on his back. He settles into a stance with the blade pointing backwards; it has its disadvantages, but the advantage is that it's difficult to tell his range. As one of the barbarians gets close enough, a spell flashes from Cyouni's hand, twisting the barbarian in pain. Taking this chance, Cyouni steps forward, his blade flashing out from the side to dispatch the barbarian.
He's unable to stop the other as a result, and takes a slash on his flank. The mage takes a few steps back, shifting the blade to a guard stance. He glances down at the wound, making sure it's not restricting his movement.
Swamp, cast Wring Flesh on one of the two attacking me, block that one as well with 1/0 weapon.
Life: 17
1x Swamp T
1x Whispersilk Cloak
Graveyard:
1x Wring Flesh
And my impressively bad dice luck continues.
There are multiple farms in the same area, and it's beginning to grow dark as they reach the first and largest. The farmer turns back to the group. "Ask around, find out what you need to. If you need 't, we'll give you food and a place t'sleep."
The swordsman/mage's eyes flick around the alleyway, checking for watchers, before he bends down to scan the ground for any tracks the boy might have left.
@Jenesis: Yes to both.
Cyouni's steps quickened as he tried to both keep pace with the boy and not be spotted.
[dice=1]20[/dice]
The farmer shrugs slightly. "It varies. Generally, the bigger ones are th' ones found dead. We've lost all kinds - cows, sheep, goats, the lot.
The smaller ones - rabbits, chickens, and sometimes a pig - are the ones that've gone missin'. It's happened almost ever'day, though it sometimes takes longer if a pig was grabbed."
The group passes through the gates, heading towards the farmland nearby.
After all, that wasn't exactly the most innocuous of conversations; it almost sounded as though the boy was spying on the guards.
They've begun to near the gates, and it shouldn't be too far to their destination.
Almost as if it's an afterthought, Cyouni comments, "Oh, and stay on your guard. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to make another run at it today."
Put it this way. I had to fight it, and T4 I had a 6/6 that I couldn't easily deal with as a black mage.
"This obviously isn't a simple snatch-and-grab. What's their method of operation?"
Players:
Qfx/Gully
Fenris/Gear
smallcreation/Kai
The farmer doesn't pause as he walks down the road towards the gates of Estark, though he does check to make sure the three follow him. "Like ah said, mah problem's been pretty recent. The beasties only come out at night. They grab our animals, and back inta the dark they go. In the morning, all we find is our animals dead or missin'."