Save Town from Bandits/Transcript

Contents 1 Quest Briefing 2 Combat 2.1 Bandits Defeated 2.2 Player Defeated 3 Quest Complete 3.1 Bandits Defeated 3.2 Player Defeated 4 Aftermath 4.1 Talk to the Merchant Again Quest Briefing[] Quest Merchant: "Well... My brother is home safe. I'm not sure what to do with him... maybe pack him off to a university outside Calradia. That way, if he gets knocked on the head in a street brawl, no one can say it's my fault. But that's not your problem. Here's the rest of your reward. It was well-earned." Player: "The money is most welcome, and I am glad to have been of service." Quest Merchant: "Good Now... Are you interested in making some more?" Player: "Possibly. What do you need?" Quest Merchant: "Remember how I told you that bandits had an ally inside the walls? I think I know who it is -- the captain of the watch, no less. Some months ago this captain, seeing the amount of profit we merchants were making from trade across the frontiers, decided to borrow some money to sponsor a caravan. Unfortunately, like many who are new to commerce, he failed to realize that great profit only comes with great risk. So he sank all his money into the most expensive commodities, and of course his caravan was captured and looted, and he lost everything. As a consequence, it seems, our captain turned to villainy to recoup his fortune. I supposed I'd do the same if, the Heavens forbid, I ever faced indebtedness and ruination. Now, any watch captain worth his salary will have a few thieves and robbers on his payroll, to inform on the rest, but our captain decides to employ these bastards wholesale. He brings them into the town, lets them do as they will, and takes a share of their take. You've heard of poachers turning gamekeepers? Well, in the unfortunate land of Calradia, sometimes gamekeepers will turn poacher. Luckily, there's are still a few brave, honest souls in the watch who've told me how he works. Now -- here's my plan. I could bring this to the attention of (faction leader), lord of the city, but that would mean an inquiry, my word against the captain's and witnesses can be bought and evidence destroyed, or maybe the whole thing will be forgotten if the enemy comes across the border again, and all I'll get for my trouble is a knife in the ribs. In time of war, you see, a king's eye wanders far from his domain, and his subjects suffer. So I've got another idea. I've got a small group of townsfolk together, some men in my employ and some others who've lost relatives to these bandits, and we'll storm the captain's home and bring him in chains before (faction leader), hopefully with a few captured bandits to explain how things stack up. All I need now is someone to lead my little army into battle -- and I can't think of anyone better than you. So what do you say?" Player: "How do I know that you're telling me the truth?" Oh, well, I suppose it's possible that I found a dozen bandits who were willing to give their lives to give a passing stranger a false impression of life in old (capital)… Well, I guess you can't really know if my word is good, but I reckon you've learned by now that my money is good, and there's another 100 denars, or maybe a little bit more, that's waiting for you if you'll do me this last little favour. So what do you say? All right. I'll lead your men. Splendid. It's been a long time since I staked so much on a single throw of the dice, and frankly I find it exhilarating. My men are ready to move on your word. Are you ready? Yes. Give them the sign. Good! Now -- strike hard, strike fast, and the captain and his henchmen won't know what hit them. May the heavens be with you. Not now. I will need to rest before I can fight again. I'm sorry. This is too much, too fast. I need time to think. Right. I can keep my men standing by. If you let this go too long, then I suppose that I shall have to finish this affair without you, but I would be most pleased if you could be part of it as well. For now, take what time you need. Combat[] You leave the tavern and go out the streets. Nervous looking young men are waiting in every street corner. You can see they have daggers and clubs concealed under their clothes, and catch a mixture of fear, anticipation and pride in the quick looks they throw at you as you pass by. Praying that your enemies have not been alarmed by this all too obvious bunch of plotters, you check you weapons for one last time and prepare yourself for the action ahead. Bandits Defeated[] The remaining few bandits scatter off to the town's narrow alleys, only to be hunted down one by one by the angry townsfolk. Making sure that your victory is complete and all the wounded have been taken care of, and the merchant head to his house to review the day's events. Player Defeated[] You fall down with that last blow, unable to move and trying hard not to pass out. Soon the sounds of fighting filling the street gives way to the cheers of the townsmen and you realize with relief that your side won the day. Soon, friendly arms pick you up from the ground and you let yourself drift off to a blissful sleep. Hours later, you wake up in the merchants house. Quest Complete[] Bandits Defeated[] Hah! Well done -- I saw at least (amount) of the enemy go down before you. Keep fighting like that, and you'll make quite a name for yourself in this land. Unfortunately, about (amount) of my lads got themselves wounded. I should go look on on them Player Defeated[] Ah! You're alive. That's a relief. You took quite a blow, there. I'm not sure that you got any of them yourself, but thankfully, the rest of us were able to beat them. We'll need to see about getting you some treatment... Unfortunately, about (amount) of my lads got themselves wounded. I should go look on on them. Let every villain learn to fear the name (player)! (Bandits Defeated, Same Result) Right. I suppose I should be more careful.(Player Defeated, Same Result) The Heavens alone grant us victory. (Same Result) I'm glad to see that you're alive, too. (Same Result) Yes, yes... Now, a couple of my boys have the watch captain pinned down in a back room, with a knife at his throat. I'll need to go drag him before (faction leader) and explain the breach of peace is all about. You don't need to be part of that, though. I'll tell you what -- if all goes well, I'll meet you in the tavern again shortly, and let you know how it all came our. If you don't see me in the tavern, but instead see my head on a spike over the city gate, I'll assume you know enough to stay out of town for a while and forget the whole episode ever happened. So -- hopefully we'll meet again! Aftermath[] Quest Merchant: "Ah... (player). Things didn't go quite so well as I had hoped. (faction leader) couldn't quite find it in him to overlook my little breach of the peace. Oh, he's grateful enough that I got rid of his crooked captain -- a guard who'll let in bandits will let in an enemy army if the price is right -- but he can't exactly have me running around here as a lasting reminder of his failure to take care of things himself." Player: "That hardly seems fair..." Quest Merchant: "Fair? This is Calradia, my boy! Kings do what they will, and the rest of us do as they must. He didn't string me up, and instead gave me time to sell my properties -- even put in a word with the other merchants that they best pay me a fair price, too. That's gracious enough, as kings go -- but he's a weak king, as they all are here, and weak kings must always look to their authority first, and justice second. I suppose I'd do the same, in his shoes. Anyway, I wouldn't go rubbing your part in this affair in (faction leader)'s face -- but he's taken note of you. and decided that you're not worth hanging, and that something to which I'll raise a glass any day of the week. He might even have work with you, further down the road. Or, you can sell your sword to one of his competitors. Anyway, I hope you've learned a bit about what it will take to stay alive in this troubled land, and I suspect that they money you've earned won't go to waste. Good luck." Talk to the Merchant Again[] I am preparing to leave town in a short while. It's been an honor to know you. Good luck.