>>733794
ADDED: And then Vackles came in looking for the dragoncloth, and that's when things got crazy.

>>733763
>He's not a master manipulator or calculator so he couldn't predict what may happen when he makes machinations.

See, that's the thing. Moss is smart, and also a pretty humble guy. Apanya wouldn't have told him everything she was going to do, he would only have gotten his instructions and Cheese's, to relay. He wouldn't be dumb or arrogant enough to think that he could add or subtract whatever he wanted from either of those without screwing things up; he would know that he has no idea what Apanya's full plan is, or what key step it's depending on to go off properly.

You're supposed to say Bardo is telling the truth, which would screw over Cati. Bardo is likely in on the plan, and was promised that he would be let off easy for the crime.

Cati was going to betray you, and your family, and you'd have been stuck with Bardo. So fuck her. Say she's lying, and you were going to sell the dragoncloth to Bardo to clear your debts with him.
You can still pay Bardo off, of course, because your family has the money and Cati isn't getting it back after this. Another reason to say Bardo is lying is that if you diverge from Apanya's plan you will anger her. Don't anger a mithril noble.

Oh and >>733687 did you enjoy talking to Croc? How do you like the big lug?

1/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:35 No. 733869 ID: dd338c
File 146776892307.png - (29.18KB , 800x800 , 593.png )

>What's so funny about bath wizards?
Even if wizards aren't so great in a fight a lot of the time and they do mundane things, they're still a huge generator to the empire! Without wizards, we couldn't support nearly the population we do, a lot of diseases would run rampant, construction would be tougher, so for a wizard to just be... bath wizard.

>Who's that scary guy?!
That's Krix. I won't laugh at him getting stuck in that tiny booth made for regular sized kobolds, because if he did get stuck, he could break it.

>Did you enjoy talking to Croc? How do you like the big lug?
I might actually like him if I could understand a word he said! Considering he said he didn't like my personality, he sure talked to me an awful lot. At least he's quiet, now. He's way too casual around nobles, but even he'd have to have a deathwish to start shouting something dumb over Lady Apanya.

>Would... they have actually summoned his shade or called his voice from the earth to charge him with his crime?
In a mithril court... yeah, that could happen.

>Whats the penalty for lying under oath?
If the person to deal with the sentence is generous, death. But normally the oath is so serious that they torture you until your spirit and soul are broken so hard that when you do die, your soul supposedly won't contaminate the land with those rebellious thoughts.

So, okay.

This situation.

What a mess. She's leading me to say both of them.

I was told by Moss that Apanya actually wanted me to say Bardo.

Moss, who I'm pretty sure thinks I'm nothing but trouble, with good reason, and I think might've been holding back when we met.

But Apanya is leading me so hard.

And at the same time, I think I've gotten a read on her. This is all the telltale signs of cleaning house, and even if it's slight, I can tell detect a little bit of dismissal in Apanya's voice when she speaks to, and about, Cati and Bardo.

I hope I don't screw this up. I hope so much. If Moss is trustworthy, then Apanya wants me to say Bardo, but she didn't say anything about....

"Neither?"

Give me a sign, Apanya! Don't give me that face! Did I mess up? Did I do something right?

2/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:35 No. 733870 ID: dd338c
File 146776895407.png - (35.43KB , 800x800 , 594.png )

Maybe?

>"Neither? What a claim. Let's make sure we didn't mishear up here on our high chairs. Are you sure you did not make plans to sell Bardo or Cati dragoncloth? That you are accusing both of lying under oath?"

No!

"Yes! I'm sure!" I say, because changing my mind means I've lied, and that's no good. "I'm sure! I've sworn to say the truth, and I'll swear again for that!"
>"Welllllllll." She trails off for a moment. "What a bind. To lie under oath... dear immortal, it's best if you explain what that means."

3/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:43 No. 733874 ID: dd338c
File 146776938096.png - (86.02KB , 1200x800 , 595.png )

There's a Dragon Knight on the balcony to the side.

>"It means to say they are above the oath. That they are above the emperor's legacy. That legacy is strength, and so breaking the oath is a declaration that they are stronger than the emperor himself. The golden title bearers Cati and Bardo shall have their title and services up to this point recognized, and shall be given the chance to prove their strength through combat against myself, as the emperor's brother. Should they be victorious, their crimes shall be absolved."
>"Sir, no!" Cati yells. Bardo gawks backwards, though he doesn't look right at Apanya. "Even if we are under suspicion, the gold nobles are still a high ranking position of the empire! To place a mutant's word over our own... is that what you are doing?!"
>"No, but it is what Lady Apanya is doing." His voice is weirdly hollow but echoing, like he's talking into two tubes facing each other. "But it is a fair point. Lady Apanya, would you mind explaining your reasoning to me?"
>"I stated to Cheese that I would not charge her with crimes should she claim she was selling to both or 'such nonsense', the latter of which meant nothing. Against my temptation, she claimed the very opposite. I then gave her the chance to back out of her first claim, further leading her towards a path. Once again, she chose the opposite. The only possible reason she would ever go against my direction, that of a mithril noble, would be because she is following the oath to an even higher power, the emperor himself."
>"So be it. We will battle, and because I must be places, we will do it now. Bardo, Cati, prove your strength to me, or die."

4/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:43 No. 733875 ID: dd338c
File 146776939381.png - (90.43KB , 800x800 , 596.png )

They die. Cati tried to jump back, and dodged the throat slice just to get cut down her torso.

I don't even see what hit them. The Dragon Knight's cloak flipped out, and I see what looks like it might have been a wire going outward, but the wound is like they were slashed with a blade. It came out so fast, it was like the last word to the sentence he said prior.

5/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:43 No. 733876 ID: dd338c
File 146776941674.png - (21.65KB , 800x800 , 597.png )

The daggers were on strings, and they get snapped back to the immortal. People down here shuffle reflexively, but no one dares call attention to themselves by moving too far. We just keep staring down and forward. Some of us are better at looking at the edges of our peripherals than others. Apanya waits silently for Cati to stop screaming.

>"Well, Krix. Cati and Bardo's belongings will be liquidated to pay for the legal debts they owe. The debts in their favor, and their remaining wealth, will be transferred to their replacements. Illegal debts, for example, Bardo's hidden merchant ring bribes, mutants, and general riff raff, are null and void. As they lost their titles in bad standing, their families will receive nothing. As for the mithril and gold coinage that Lady Cati had stolen or misplaced, it will be returned. It will be placed into the fence coffers for purposes of rebuilding and improving the town's reputation on the whole. The next time that it gets ransacked, I would like to feel mild disappointment. I suggest you gain control of the spy ring, and to do so, I suggest you place an illicit ally at the top and give them adequate funding. We will cover this in more detail, later."
>"I will, Lady Apanya." says Gauche.

6/6 Cheese 2016/07/05(Tue)18:44 No. 733877 ID: dd338c
File 146776947065.png - (15.58KB , 800x800 , 598.png )

>"Now, about you, barbarian. You killed Rasyan, correct?"
>"I did." says Fen.
>"Why?"
>"He attacked me."
>"And you killed him by means of ripping his throat out with your mouth, yes?"
>"Yes."
>"Since you did not strike him down like an opportunistic assassin, I will say that he had it coming if he was that weak. Nonetheless, Rasyan did have political power, and you have created a vacuum in the empire. We can't simply let barbarians come running in and slaying our nobility. That is banditry, which I'm sure you're aware of our opinion on that. Your sentence is to make up the power vacuum you've created, by means of mandatory military service. Do you have any preferences to where you would serve?"
>"I would like to join the Dragon Army and participate in the campaign I heard about in Erja Nokol."
>"How agreeable. I will send you an escort to see that you make it to the warp in a few hours to the dragon army's headquarters, where you will be given standard training before being sent to the mausoleum of the dead forest. You will be known in the army as the barbarian who slew Rasyan by means of ripping his throat out like a wild animal, the brother of the kingslayer who managed to defeat a Dragon Knight, and the once-owner of dragoncloth. Should you survive your campaign with such high expectations, I will recognize you as a legitimate potential owner of dragoncloth."
>"Does this mean I will get my dragoncloth back?"
>"No, but it does mean that if you manage to take another dragoncloth either as a gift or to take it by force - not thievery - then you will be the legitimately recognized owner. Even if you commit other crimes, even if that crime is to get another dragoncloth, your right to own dragoncloth will not be revoked even if other punishments are enacted. I will stop this hearing now, before Warlord Krix somehow gets killed too. I will work with those those who require personal attention, starting with Sir Gauche and followed by Woodlord Jolli. Krix, do you have anything you would like publically heard?" says Apanya.
>"Yeah, I do. I want to hear what Croc there was doing in all this mess." Krix says.
>"Then ask him in a public place. Dismissed."

>>733875
Holy @#$%^&*(s!

This isn't disturbing because of the lack of bureaucracy. This is disturbing because that execution was bloody and intrusive, yet it came from an emperor's praetorian guard, in the middle of the seats that everyone here craves. It implies that those in emperor-class power simply DON'T CARE; they don't care about the commoners, they don't care about the nobles, but most importantly they don't even care about THEMSELVES.

And that's a scary thought.

>>733876
At least he's using a top-tier weapon. Seriously, I hope that any champion worth his salt isn't forced to downgrade to something less artistic.

... That one game trailer was a serious @#$%ing disappointment.

>>733877
Property IS nine-tenths of the law. Hm.

Okay, it looks like you're going to leave Fen's squad for a while. Officially. Map a campaign route and try to meet up with Fen at your discretion over the course of his tour. For now, take the cash prize and use the opportunity of your current location to buy yourself a nice house, preferably in the middle of nowhere but within two days to at least three major hotspots.

Well guessing from Apanya's speech there you might work for Gauche now. Or at least she is leading him to hire you as his spymaster.

Moss looks a bit miffed at you. Might want to ask him whats up later.

Well this turned out better than expected. You are (mostly) debt free and Fen is on his way to where he wanted. And Cati can not touch your siblings. That last bit about the money is probably directed at you personally so you might want to get the crows to drop off the money (or at least most of it) and cloth so Apanya does not get irritated at you.

Give Fen a hug and tell him that you will send word to him as soon as you can and to make sure to let you know if he needs anything you can provide.

God-damn that was some nasty politicking, I think we did choose the right answer, as she put emphasis on Bardo's hold over us being void, and letting Fen choose his punishment. On the flip side, it sounds like Gauche is our boss and we have to give up Cati's gold, which isn't too bad but still, right choice I think

I bet you that bath wizard is a older kobold who got the position after years of sanitation work. Probably has spent there lives working on water quality magic and disease prevention and dousing. A water mage would be vital for any big city or public health would plummet. Plus being able to find places quickly to set up new wells and keep them clean would be important.

Could be wrong but is probably a cushy position for veterans to reward them for service. Who knows.

Well good job at doing what the scary mythril noble wanted you to do. Looks like she might be rewarding you with a position working for Gauche. Which looks horrible to Moss as you get a nice job and Fen gets forced conscription (and Moss gets a new job with way less nap time). You had better explain to him that this was the best option and we had planned to get Fen in that campaign regardless. You don't want Moss on your bad side if you can help it.

It would be nice to be able to keep our illicit gold but Apanya wants it in the fence treasury and its probably not a good idea to cross her. It might be best if you help "find" the misplaced funds with the help of the crows and turn it in. Do not let anyone be able to prove you had it.

I feel bad for whoever has to clean those bloodstains off those hundred foot pillars they're running down.

>>733876
So... it sounds like your next project is getting those mithril coins from the crows and handing them to Gauche before Apanya kills you. And then helping him seize control of Bardo's spy network / cutting away pieces of it for yourself / secretly taking control of it for yourself under Gauche. Sounds like your kind of thing! And no more debt! And working with a noble you can sort of stand who owes you his life. Could be a lot worse.

I suggest a "no hard feelings, but please don't try that again" to Moss, when you're out of the noble's earshot. He tried to get you killed, or misslead you, or cut a deal with one of the other nobles. But if he's Fen's friend it's better if he just gets over it and moves on.

You already have. People lying to you, or trying to get you killed isn't anything new.

...and/or the other way to play it is blackmail. Moss owes you one now, especially if he doesn't want Fen to find out what he just tried to do.

>>733877
And Fen got what he wanted. He's going into the dragon army hotter than we would have prefered, but it still works out, I suppose. You'll have to say your goodbyes, for now.

Well, looks like you're going to be busy for a while, Cheese. Gauche may want to employ you (though possibly not), you have to help retrieve the dragoncloth and coins (or at least make a very, very convincing attempt to retrieve them), you have to send some influence back home to Erja to make things as much easier for Fen as you can, aaaaaand you need to get yourself out of the sight and reach of Bardo and Cati's remaining resentful family, friends and loyal underlings.

Important to remember: you have to set up some way of keeping track of Fen's dragoncloth. Keep in mind, he doesn't want any dragoncloth, he wants that specific piece. You'll need to know if Krix tries to pass it on or, like, make himself a pretty dress out of it or whatnot. You still owe Fen a ton!

But aside from all that... well hey, you're free, Cheese! You can work for fair pay! You can visit home! You've basically gotten everything you wanted, and all it took was a little treachery and murder. And basically a whole town being decimated but that was on Vackles not you.

See if you can find some privacy with him to talk things over. Offer him some sympathy for the terrible mess an honest guy like him's had to involve himself with, but let him know (gently) that what happened up there was a vision of what he might expect to have to be prepared for, when he becomes a noble. If he doesn't find some other, better way to hold on to power, at least. You might take the opportunity to talk to Moss, as well, and to Croc. Wrap things up with everyone together.

Oh and if you're going to be Fence a while longer, that means you can look out for those kids who helped you! (And one who didn't help you but you now own).

>>733870
>No!
Was that to mean you did not do something right? Did you earn her ire? Better get that shit back from the Crows and deliver it to where it should be! Unless the Crows will be handing it over anyway? I'm unsure exactly how screwed those poor birds are now that you've outed them as complicit. And yourself as one of their contacts. Didn't they say if anyone found out you were a Crow-friend you'd die?
You solved a lot of problems just now but you have a bunch more to worry about before you're in the clear!

Maybe Gauche can help. Work closely with him now that he's a big man again in the Fence. He might agree to be your umbrella to shield you from the remaining shit that hit the fan.

Since you're free now (I think), does this mean you're going to be in Erja Nokol when Fen arrives for his mission? If so, that means you and your family can help him out!

It sound like it might be a while before you'll be able to see Fen again. Make sure you give him a hug and tell him goodbye and you'll miss him or something like that.

And absolutely DO NOT forget to return those fancy clothes you're wearing! I know it sucks that you have to return them, but you've gotta. There's no telling what they'll do to you if you don't return them.

1/3 Cheese 2016/07/06(Wed)19:17 No. 734095 ID: dd338c
File 146785782914.png - (22.47KB , 800x800 , 599.png )

I don't need to run out the nearest window or anything, but I do need to get the dragoncloth and money from the crows. If I don't, Apanya or Krix or both will do it themselves. It won't be pretty or go well.

>Was that [No!] to mean you did not do something right?
No, it meant I really wasn't sure what I was doing was right! I think it was the right thing. Certainly not the worst.

>Implication that Dragon Knights don't care
I don't know for certain, but this is a big suspicion. They just kind of wander around and do empire things as they want. There's a big disconnect between them and everyone else, differently so from the gap between a noble and the peasants.

We start shuffling out. Gauche gets my attention and approaches me.

>"Worm, meet me in the fence tomorrow. You will work for me."
"Wow, I'm actually your choice?"
>"You're the best choice I have of all the people who are still alive, right now."
"Gosh, thanks."
>"Don't thank me. That implies you think that I proudly chose you."
"Well, will I get to travel around much at all?"
>"Once things are in order. I will expect you to devote all of your time in the Fence for at least the first three weeks."
"Okay. Uh... well, I'll show up tomorrow as soon as I can, then."

I should've given long goodbyes to my sister. I shouldn't mess around, I really want that startup boost, because most of my contacts are just associates and whatever. I can't really make people go out and do tasks without blackmail or whatever.

From Rasyan's documents that Fen stole, I found that mess of shady deals between the hometown of Krix, Rasyan, Cati, and the capital here. Some of that may be moot with this shakeup, but at the same time, that shook out a lot of dirty leaves that I can see.

Then there's that potion wizard in Erja Nokol. Also I should keep track of the dragoncloth, but I doubt Krix is going to do much with it fast.

Later. Or at least tomorrow.

2/3 Cheese 2016/07/06(Wed)19:17 No. 734096 ID: dd338c
File 146785784814.png - (23.88KB , 800x800 , 600.png )

Fen is talking to Moss, and I don't want to interrupt the friendly tone there. Moss leaves, and I step in to give Fen a hug before he gets taken away.

"I'll send you a letter!"
>"I'll be able to receive letters?"
"Yeah! I mean, they're not one hundred percent reliable, but you know."
>"I have to go. I will see you sometime again."
"Okay!"

3/3 Cheese 2016/07/06(Wed)19:17 No. 734097 ID: dd338c
File 146785786061.png - (94.69KB , 800x800 , 601.png )

Wait that was it? He just left? That was so fast. Maybe he's not into long goodbyes.

I look for Moss. He's wandered off pretty far to an untravelled hallway, and gone between a pillar and a wall, which is not part of the main walkways. He's noticed me, but is making a point to stare forward and away. After trying to read the nobles that play hard to read for a living, and Fen a weird foreigner, Moss is an open book. He's distressed, angry, and I interrupted a keep-his-shit-together session. I have stuff to say to him, but maybe it's stuff that doesn't need to be said.

"Fen got what he wanted anyway. I suspect you were trying to cause problems for me, but I do still hope I didn't cause problems for you."

>>734097
"So I think I'm in a fairly good position now, how about you?"

So hey there.

I wanted to check and see if you were ok.

I know we got off on the wrong foot but I really am trying my best to help Fen. I hope I did not ruin anything for you.

>>734097
Maybe you should give him a few moment or minutes to finish his keep together session before interrupting him? I mean, there are obvious advantages to keeping him off balance, but this might be easier if he were more rational and less panicking.

"So... you okay?"

I also liked "no hard feelings, but please don't try that again".

The other important thing to cover: "You know Fen will be coming back for that cloth first chance he gets. We've both seen how he gets, and Apanya as good as gave him permission. And you'll be working for Krix when that happens."

He needs to decide what side he's own. If possible, we need to turn him to be our inside man. Use his friendship to Fen, and what you have over him now. Find weaknesses. Information that Fen will be able to use.

Gauche hiring you was probably his way of saying "Thanks for saving my life" without actually having to say that out loud. Or maybe it was just a logical choice to hire you, which means he acknowledges your skills. But it's more likely that he's doing a "keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer" thing.

Fen probably would've had a longer goodbye if he was more familiar with you as an ally. You haven't know him long enough for him to think of you like that.

One reason Moss is stressed out might be because he actually has to do work now, instead of just lying around and taking naps whenever he wants like he usually does in the breaktown. Another reason could be because he has to work under a scary guy like Krix. Or maybe it's both of those reasons.

I'm sorry you lost your job at that town and have to work for Krix now. I have contacts in the crow zone if it isn't obvious, which is where I imagine you're heading to. I'll have some people try and make your job easier there.

Keep sending me letters once I'm at the fence and keep me updated on what needs to be done. I'll take care of it.

Cheese 2016/07/07(Thu)15:38 No. 734346 ID: dd338c
File 146793109031.png - (78.79KB , 800x800 , 602.png )

I wait in silence for as long as it takes, before the awkwardness turns into silent hostility.

"Hey."

....

"I wanted to make sure you'll be okay. Fen got he wanted, and I can't complain, but I hope I didn't cause any problems for you."
>"There's no point to feeling guilty in my name."
"Still, uh, there's no hard feelings from me."
>"What?"
"For, you know... I suspect you told me to say one thing, but it looks like I should've said the other."
>"I had nothing to do with that."
"R-really? You looked kinda miffed in my direction after I said that."
>"Yeah? I saw every remaining gold noble in the province get theirselves demoted or gutted aside from the warlord, who I could only ever speak good of. Everyone gawked at that, and I wasn't looking at you. Besides, going off script worked out, didn't it?"
"Well, yeah... but, you know Fen's gonna come for the cloth the first chance he gets. When he gets out of the army, well... you'll be working for Krix.
>"Thanks for reminding me."
"Uh... back when we first spoke by the Fence, well, maybe I was wrong, but it kinda felt like you had something to say to me, and I'm getting the feeling you're holding back some information from me."
>"I was and still am keeping myself from telling you how much I despise you."

Yeah I can understand that. What I did to Fen was a horrible thing. Even if things worked out in the end.

I know you probably don't care but I was basically a slave to Bardo. He had me piled up under so much debt I would never see the light of day or have any chance of seeing my family again.

And then Fen showed up and even though I knew it was wrong I saw a way out. I knew it was wrong but years of desperation drove me to make a horrible mistake. I am just glad Fen could forgive me.

And now I have a chance to be more than the creepy mutant spymaster. If I can help Fen with his goals maybe I can find redemption and improve my own life.

>>734346
That's fair, long as it isn't because I'm a mutant. Then its not fair, cause I didn't have a choice in that matter. In all frankness, I'm not my biggest fan either. Imagine having to deal with me 24/7, day and night. The worst.

That's a pretty strong reaction based on your limited interactions. He must see a lot of crime in his position, what you did can't be all that special. Surely you must have done something else to piss him off.

>>734346
I'm... kinda used to people hating me, to be honest. For the mutant thing, or what I do.

That's sort of what makes the way Fen treats me so different.

Look, I'm not going to apologize for Bardo or Cati. Neither of us thinks they were good people, and one tried to enlave me with debt, and the other tried to control me by threatening my family.

I'm sorry you got stuck with Krix. I know how shitty it is to be stuck under a bad noble.

But I'm not here to rub it in. Fen's your friend, and you're going to be working for his future opponent. You have an opportunity here, if you're willing to act like someone you despise. We can stack the deck in his favor.

>>734346
Why, for what you did to Fen? You made a big mistake out of desperation, and you're making up for it.

"Is that all? Most people don't bother hiding what they think of me. If telling me would make you feel better, go ahead. Or do you want me to try justify myself to you? I'm a mutant. I can't be a big strong honorable warrior like the empire imagines its ideal kobold is, like Fen or Croc or you, to get showered in praise and loyalty, and mithril noble ladies commenting on my... "healthy shape"."

*wink*

"... So I became an information trader. I deal in bribes and blackmail and secrets and lies. I deal with terrible people who do terrible things, sometimes to me. I figure I've turned out pretty good, considering. I had a moment of weakness with Fen, but I've done everything I could to do right by him since. It's up to you whether to believe anything I say, though."

Let's not push Moss to be our spy or sleeper agent or anything, by the way. He seems a pretty straightforward, upstanding guy, he doesn't seem the type to carry out straight-up treacherous acts himself, he's already done a lot for Fen and he doesn't like Cheese. We'll see how things stand with him when the time comes.

>"I was and still am keeping myself from telling you how much I despise you."
Why? If you've got something to say, then go ahead and say it. I mean, look at me. Do I look like I can stop you? Just go ahead and tell me exactly how much you despise me. I probably deserve most of it anyways.

1/2 Cheese 2016/07/07(Thu)18:24 No. 734394 ID: dd338c
File 146794109335.png - (21.11KB , 800x800 , 603.png )

"I'm used to people hating me. I mean, can I stop you? I'm not some big empirical warrior ideal and it's tough enough to get people to look at me without grimacing, let alone having mithril ladies talk about my 'healthy shape.' I hope it's because of the dragoncloth and not me being a mutant. Fen helped me out and didn't kill me and I owe him so much, so I'm gonna help him to pay him back! You've got to have seen worse crime as a guard. I mean, dragoncloth or no, thievery can't be the thing that turned your stomach."
>".... about 6 years ago, they say you told a noble's war band that some town was hiding funds. They set it on fire and searched it top to bottom. You did that so another town, less than a quarter of the population, wouldn't get attacked instead. Is that true?"
"I... was more despicable back then, but I did. I'm trying to redeem myself, though, because lately I've been seeing how shitty I've been."
>"It was three nights ago you just stole a pricless artifact! How hard have you been trying when you just failed?!"
"I told Fen how sorry I was! Ask him about - "
>"You have yet to make it up for him, and you still want him to save you!"
"I was stupidly desperate and got caught in a moment of weakness! One noble has me hopelessly in debt, the other threatens my family, I just see a dragoncloth and my mind - "

2/2 Cheese 2016/07/07(Thu)18:30 No. 734396 ID: dd338c
File 146794145982.png - (22.12KB , 800x800 , 604.png )

He grabs me by the shoulders and slams me back into the pillar.

>"You saw it?! I had my family and friends and every place I loved killed and razed while Warlord Krix did his rebellion. I had to hide for months in a dead land, and when it finally ends, I see him rewarded with wooden nobility. Today I saw my wife. I could only visit for about 30 minutes after not seeing her for weeks, after she made it clear to me that she's been wanting a husband, not bundles of coins. Today she finally did it and left me. And I don't blame her. Guarding is the only thing that I can do that even lets me save anything and support us, but it keeps me from her, and she... and I left to come here to see Krix, in person, for the first time, and get told by Apanya that because of my 'healthy shape,' I'm working for Warlord Krix now. She even knew my history with him and still... and then kills or demotes every single remaining gold noble except him. Now I've got just a friend or two in the world, and work for..."

He chokes before his voice steadies.

>"Fen wasn't followed. He was ignorant. His back was turned. I could have stabbed him, taken his dragoncloth, and be treated to dinner by some bigots for ridding the world of someone south. I can't fence dragoncloth myself, but I could've taken it, and if I found a way to sell it for a 10th of the price, I could have retired for ten lifetimes. But I didn't. Because I'm decent.. I learned to be happy with what I've got, and it's not easy, but I'm determined to keep it that way when I keep seeing people like you go running off and making huge messes, siccing warbands on towns and coaxing nobles to set other towns on fire intentionally or not. That's why I don't like you."

"@#$% this country, it's built on monsters that pretend to be kobolds, to the point that everyone in power is SUPPOSED to be twisted in some way, shape, or form, and then asked to fulfill some personified ideal that's far from anything they're worthy of! The only reason I'm not up there on that golden tower getting my head chopped off is because I can't fit!

... Metaphorically and physically."

>>734396
Tell him that within a year, things will change. If there's anything he needs in the meantime you will try to help, because he's a friend of a friend, and you're trying to keep the one friend you have.

Make sure you're both being quiet while you have this little... discussion.

"Fine. That's fair. I could try tell you that everything shitty I've ever done was me being pushed into a corner by some noble being terrible first, but I'd bet that's the excuse they'd offer themselves. And I bet you know it already, don't you? But you can't touch the nobles, so you want to vent on me. I deserve it too, so go ahead. I could be worse, but you are a better person than I am, I won't argue it. Look, if you hate the idea of working for Krix, I can try spin things with Gauche to get him to ask Krix to... lend you out, I don't know. The Fence needs to rebuild its town guard, and he'll need someone who knows the job and has integrity, to train and organize it. Gauche mostly just wants to provide for his family and keep quiet, so he'd suit you. Or, if you want to get payback you can stay with Krix and wait for a chance. If Apanya knows your relationship to him, then I'd bet she's aiming for a full sweep, four out of four, and installing you as someone who'd be willing to help it happen."

>Because I'm decent.
....Yeah, you know what, you are.

And you know what? You're a rarity. I don't think most people are that decent. I think there are a lot of kobolds who would have stabbed him in the back, and very few who would have helped him like you did. If Fen's really gonna be a noble, he's gonna need people like you.

Me? I'm scum, but at least I know it.

I'm sorry you got burned by this. There's not a whole lot I can do to make this better, except help make it an even set. There's one gold noble who's past due for a fall.

...as long as the empire's a tinderbox of greedy bastards though, it doesn't matter if there are people like me to light the fires. Something always will, until we change. Fen's the first person who's ever made me hope that might happen.

Yeah life is a miserable unfair mess isn't it? Assholes get ahead and the common man gets fucked. But for all the harm I might have caused I was doing my best to improve my life. You say you don't like me? Well I don't like cowards who hide from the world after it beat them down.

I am not going to pretend I am some saint working for the greater good. Most of my life has been a mad scramble to keep myself alive. You can at least get honest work. I am pathetic mutant and not even a abomination that can get hired on as a death machine like my siblings. I spent years just trying to get by. And honestly for a lot of it I did not care about the people that got hurt along the way. When everyone spits on you and the only way you can go outside without getting beaten is if you have bodyguards you get a twisted view of things.

But you know what I never hid and hoped that the world would fix itself. I was out there every day trying to improve things for myself the only way I knew how. And I regret so much of it now. But if I stop trying now just because I helped hurt people before then all if it goes to waste.

I had no idea she would stick you with Krix or that you had a history with him. But you know what? You only have to live with him for a few more months at most. Cause a friend of ours will be back soon and he is going to get his property back. Hell I think Apanya knew that and she did get rid of all of her nobles back in that court room. Just one of them does not know it yet.

So you might hate me but can you work with me? I have hitched my horse to Fen's wagon and will do anything I can to help him. And if he knew about your sad tale he would be doing the same for you right now. If you can stomach your hatred of Krix long enough your revenge will be soon coming.

>>734396
Not everyone is strong like you, Moss. You can't expect them too. Krix will get his one day, just keep your head down and you'll see it. Most nobles meet the same fate as Bardo and Cati, their too hungry for their own good.

4 nobles have died in the last week, all for the same reason. Too hungry, too ambitious. It won't be long before Apamya does the same thing to Krix. Hell, it's probably why she put you there. She's probably been filling his armies with people who have all the reason to hate him, and now she's sending him after that accursed dragon cloth. She's cleaning house, Moss.

The main difference between Krixs demise is that Fen or me won't have anything to do with it. You want him dead, Moss, find whatever plot Apanya's doing, and help it along yourself.

Just know it's probably going to get a lot of people killed in the process, and you won't be decent by the end of it. You'll look into that abyss and become a part of it. Funny thing is, you don't even really have a choice in the matter. What's going to happen is going to happen, and you'll do you, regardless.

Fen Quest Thread 3 End Cheese 2016/07/07(Thu)23:05 No. 734472 ID: dd338c
File 146795791425.png - (14.66KB , 800x800 , 605.png )

"I'm not a saint, either! I'm not my biggest fan either, you know, and I've gotta deal with me every day of the week. Maybe you're decent, and that means you're a huge rarity. You want the warlord dead, right?" I ask, making sure no one else is around and whispering during all of this.
>"More than anything now, but I don't want to burn down the people Tunna just to indulge myself."
"And how many towns are gonna burn down because you didn't want to burn down that place? Yeah, what happened to the Fence is awful, but Sir Gauche is... not the worst. I think he can turn it into a good place, especially with Lady Apanya ordering him too. If he's supported, then maybe it's for the greater good that the Fence got sacked today."
>"I'm sick of hearing about all the shit that happens for the 'greater good' that never comes."
"And I'm sick of the empire being built on monsters that pretend to be kobolds. And watching strong, decent people like you just sit around and let things be. Sir Gauche is going to need a town guard. If you just want to have a cozy job, then maybe I can have him buy you off of your new employer, because you're a friend to my friend and that counts as something. But, you know, if you want to make some change, you can be the best guard under Krix and, over the next few months, find out how some barbarian could sneak in and mess things up."

He looks away.

>"Spare me. I'm going to have to kick innocent people out of homes, 'interrogate' random citizens who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and topple merchant wagons because they didn't load Lord Krix's coffers. I'm not so optimistic to assume Fen is going to make it out of the army, but if he does, I'd never forgive myself if he got killed by Lord Krix when I might've been able to prevent it. That's what will convince me, not Lady Apanya's plans, not your lectures, not telling myself the 'greater good' while kicking kids' teeth in for feeding themselves."
"That's a good reason. I don't know why or if Lady Apanya would bank on Fen making it out, but she isn't the sort to just throw random assassination plans out and hope they stick. Who knows how many other people she's put under Krix's payroll. Lady Apanya completely cleaned her house of gold. One of them just doesn't know it yet."

That was fun. See you later, Cheese.

... Ask Moss if he wants to hit the bath salts. Your treat.

oh no someone turned off the chroma key compositing too early!

Anyway, good luck Cheese. See if you can find enough spare money to afford some good clothes and grooming more often. It'll make a good/intimidating impression on the kinds of people you're going to be dealing with. Also you actually look kinda pretty now, not just weird-cute. It'll do wonders for your confidence.

"For the record, it was actually the kids kicking in my teeth."

It occurs to me that Apanya's agent might be Croc. That's why he was in town- he was doing spy work. Which means he might not actually be interested in Cheese, heartbreaking though the possibility might be.

Cheese should try to eliminate that possibility before bothering to learn his dialect so she can understand him. On the other hand, learning the dialect might be handy for the purpose of speaking in code.