To the Sich with a Prisoner

To the Sich with a Prisoner Given by Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko Reward 100 thaler200 experience+10 relations with Zolotarenko+7 relations with Cossack Hetmanate Penalty -7 relations with Cossack Hetmanate To the Sich with a Prisoner is a quest unique to With Fire & Sword, given by Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko immediately on the player's first encounter with him. Without presenting himself/herself to Zolotarenko, the player will immediately ask about the quest. As the quest's title suggests, upon acceptance, the player will have a character referred to simply as "Tatar" added to his party, and will be expected to transport him to Sich and hand him over to Army Chief Pavlo Gomon. The player will also receive two Zaporozhian Infantrymen in his party and a Cossack Saber added to his inventory. In addition, the player's party will gain morale. If the quest is denied, the player's relations with Zolotarenko will deteriorate by -15. On success, the player will get 100 thaler, 200 experience, +10 relations with Gomon and +7 relations with the Cossack Hetmanate. Alternatively, the player can let the Tatar go for 80 thaler, but at a cost of -7 relations with the Cossack Hetmanate and failing the quest. A third option would be to send the Tatar to Perekop, with the same -7 relations with the Cossack Hetmanate and failing the quest, but with a new quest "To Perekop". Once that quest is done, the player will receive 1500 thaler. Contents 1 Transcript 1.1 Initiation 1.2 Talk with the Tatar 1.3 Arrival at Sich 1.4 To Perekop Transcript[] Initiation[] Player: Greetings, brother Cossack. Where is it you're heading? Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: Greetings to you, stranger. I am Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko, and I am leading the Cossacks to aid the Tsar of Moscow, under the orders of the Hetman. Player: So it is true that Cossacks and Muscovites are now united against the Polish king? Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: Yes, 'tis true... You know the saying: even old men are strong in numbers. Thus our glorious hetman Bogdan Hmelnitski has made a bargain with the Muscovite Tsar -- together we shall beat the Poles! The orders of the Hetman are such that my regiment, together with marksman warlords, will take on the Polotsk. But meanwhile, in addition to the Poles -- may the devil take them! -- a new foe has appeared: the Crimean Khan. Player: What has the Khan of Crimea to do with this war? Crimea is a distant land, far away from Smolensk... Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: I see you know little of our local affairs... The Khan would not sit idly by as one of his neighbors gains overwhelming strength. Thus he sends spies to Lithuania, to see who would win this war -- and whom he should support. Player: And you have seen hide or hair of these Tatar spies? Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: Why, of course we have. We even caught one. Told us quite a lot, the infidel. Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: Now we are looking for a loyal (man/lady), one who might deliver to the Sich this infidel captive, along with the deed in which all that he told us is written. Perhaps you could aid us in this, friend? (Agree) Player: Would that I could, but I dare not take the journey alone, I fear. Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: Truly spoken. The task is perilous, and the path is long. But if you should make up your mind to go, I shall give you money for your travel, and a pair of good, reliable Cossacks. Player: Very well, Colonel. I shall set out at once to the Sich. Where is this infidel of yours? Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: We're bringing him out now. Do not fail me, Player. The Sich of the Cossacks shall reward you in our traditional way. One more thing -- speak not to the infidel along the way. He speaks with the devil's tongue, and may bewilder and beguile anyone. (Refuse) Player: Nay, colonel, escorting prisoners is not for me. Colonel Vasil Zolotarenko: As you wish. But know this: we Cossacks treat our friends with open arms, but those who are no friends of ours will find no quarter amongst us. Do not make a choice you will regret later. Talk with the Tatar[] Before you can walk away from the Cossacks, the prisoner tries to speak to you. Talk to the Tatar. Tatar: Dear (sir/madam), listen to me, for the love of Allah! Player: What is it now? Tatar: Please -- untie my hands and give me water. I promise I shall not run away. (Untie him and give him a drink...) Player: All right, quit whimpering, I'll untie you. Here is the water flask. Tatar: Thank you, dear (sir/madam). I thought I would die of thirst. To show you my thanks, I shall tell you something important. (Leave the prisoner bound...) Player: Be quiet. One more word and I'll chop off your head, Zolotarenko's orders be damned. Tatar: Don't be angry, (sir/madam). Allow me to speak a few words to you in private. It's very important. Player: Well, what is it? Speak, and be quick about it! Tatar: I notice you have little knowledge of local affairs. In the name of Allah the most merciful, I assure you that we, the servants of the Khan of Crimea, have betrayed no one and do not wish to attack anyone. Player: Right, and the next thing you'll say is that the Cossacks betrayed you. Tatar: Verily so, mister! The Cossacks have made a brotherly bond with our sworn enemy, the Tsar of Moscow. After they wipe out the Polish Commonwealth, they shall turn their pistols towards Bakhchisaray, and bring war to our people. Player: And how would you know that? Tatar: I posed as a merchant, and brought some carts to Bryansk. There I bribed a courier who was carrying a message from Hmelnitski to the Tsar. That letter explained all the treacherous plans of the Cossacks and the Muscovites. Player: And you have this letter, I assume? Tatar: Yes, I made a precise copy of it. Here, read it. Player: Hmm. Interesting things it says: "...and afterwards, Your Highness, Tsar of Moscow, we shall gather our forces and march upon Crimea. You may take Bakhchisaray, Kafa and Azov, while I lay claim to Akkerman and Sugdeya. And once the Tatars have fallen, we shall visit our good friend, the Sultan of Istanbul..." 'Tis well written, but I do not trust you. Had this deed the Hetman's seal, it would be quite another matter. But this you could easily have forged yourself. Tatar: Believe me, Player-bey!!! I swear by Allah this is all true. Free me, my good {man/lady}, and together let us deliver this terrible news to Perekop. The Mirza shall reward you greatly. Believe not the Cossacks, for they will deceive you. (Player: Do not trust the infidel...) Player: Hey Cossacks! Give this godless heathen a taste of the whip. Tie him fast and put a piece of lard in his mouth, to still his dark speeches and dirty tongue. With a piece of lard in his mouth, the Tatar can hardly speak. (Player: I had best let him go, but steer myself out of harm's way.) Player: Very well, Tatar. Your words have the ring of truth, but I do not wish to bring the anger of the Cossack Sich down upon my head. If you have any money hidden away, give it to me -- and then I will help you escape. Tatar: There is some silver is inside my hat. Take it and leave me there by the tree. Then in a while, send pursuers after me. I will be far away by then. Player: That is what I will do. Give me the hat. The Cossacks have discovered your betrayal... Zaporozhian Infantryman: So this is how you keep your word to the Colonel! We shall ride to the Sich at once, and tell everyone of your betrayal! You shall pay for this! Now you can continue your journey. (Player: I will bring the Tatar to Perekop. I badly need money right now, and this reward sounds most promising.) Player: Very well, Tatar. You have convinced me. We head for Perekop. But forget not, the Mirza had better draw a hefty reward from his pouch... Tatar: Not just the Mirza, but his serenity the Khan himself shall repay you for this noble deed. Give me a saber and a horse, and take me into your company. The Cossacks have discovered that you betrayed them. Zaporozhian Infantryman: So this is how you keep your word to the Colonel! We shall ride to the Sich at once, and tell everyone of your betrayal! You shall pay for this! Now you can continue your journey. Arrival at Sich[] On the entrance screen of Sich there will be an option to "Hand over the Tatar". Player: Please, tell me -- to whom should I give the captive Tatar? Zaporozhian Cossack: Ah, him -- you should go to the Kosh Ataman, Pavlo Gomon. He is in charge of military matters. The player is then expected to talk to Army Chief Pavlo Gomon. Player: I have brought the Tatar spy whom Zolotarenko took captive near Smolensk. Army Chief Pavlo Gomon: You have arrived just in time. That infidel is of great importance. Player: He is in the cart. Your Cossacks can find him there. But tell me, why is he so important? Army Chief Pavlo Gomon: Zolotarenko sent him as a sign. That infidel is our proof that the Crimean Khan is preparing to stab us in the back. This cannot be allowed to stand! We shall set forth at once! Here, take this gold for your faithful service. The Cossacks shall always remember this deed. To Perekop[] You have arrived in Perekop. Tatar: Halt, Mirza! Quiet your dogs. Don't you recognize me? Speak not my name -- that is an order. Prepare a bath at once, and bring forth our finest female captives. Lay out a decorous dress -- a robe, wide trousers, a sash of Greek silk, and boots of the finest leather. And as for this valiant warrior, see that he is rewarded generously. Player: Remember, I expect a hefty reward. Tatar: Here it is. We value your faithful service. Player: So perhaps you have not deceived me. But why conceal your name, for the devil's sake? Tatar: Quiet. Speak not the shaitans' name in vain. And the time has not yet come for you to speak out my name either. If you wish to know it, come into the service of our Khan. A war is brewing, and we shall need good men like you. But for now, farewell. This article is a stub. You can help out by expanding it.