"WHERE IS THAT MASKED FIEND ?!"
Who's that guy ? Why is he looking for me ? And why does he sound so mad ?
"Mister Goldsteel, you have no right to accuse mister Mortimer of anything. Firstly, you may be a knight of Mossheart but Merryplace isn't under your juridiction. Secondly, you have no proof."
Thank you Jack. So, this guy is from Mossheart ? I just need to get out to get a better view and... Ah, I see now. He's litteraly wearing a steel armor with golden markings and parts here and there. Yep, definitely looks like some kind of holy knight.
"Listen kid, I don't care how fancy your amor is, you can't just show up and claim that people are monsters."
Thank you Buck and- Wait, what did you say ?
"Proof ? There are reports of a lifethief and, at the same time, a mysterious masked man appears in the forest, walking carelessly near the wolves' territory. Ah ! There you are, fiend. Just look at him ! Have you ever seen a mere traveller wearing clothes like these ?"
"Hey, they may look weird but they are also rather impressive. Besides, he made them himself."
"Also, you're forgetting a little something : the lifethief sings whereas our masked friend over here is mute."
(YES|MUTE)
"Anyone can pretend to be mute. Anyone can buy a few signs."
(MADE|SELF)
"So you're a leatherworker and a woodworker ? Impressive."
"Listen, just take off your mask and show that shiny idiot over here that you're not made of mud."
Yeeeah no. That's an incredibly bad idea. The only reason why they haven't killed the lifethief is because they lack the fighting force and because I already took care of it. A skeleton ? Might as well call myself bone powder already. Sure, I'm stronger than Udan, but unlike him I'm not a part of the forest's natural order.
"Well ? I'm waiting. Could it be that I am right, fiend ?"
Wait, I have an idea. Just let me get that thing out of my inventory and... Here ! Take that, Buck, and get rid of that guy.
"What is that ? It looks like a... Wooden skull ? Is that a threat ?"
"Quite the opposite in fact. That, you shiny idiot, is a lifethief's skull. In other words, that kind fellow took care of our problem without asking for any reward and yet, you insulted him. Congratulations."
"To think I was worried that the wolves would eat him..."
"Well... Congratulations. You may ask your local representative of-"
"We know how this goes, sunshine. Just go back to Mossheart and tell them that Merryplace solved the problem. Maybe this will convince you to give us the money you've been owning us for the past two years."
"HE solved the problem, not Merryplace. He's just a traveller according to what you both said. Why should Merryplace take credit for HIS actions ?"
"Now you're just being petty. Can't get over the fact that you were wrong ? Or looking for another excuse NOT to pay your debt ?"
"Oh shut up you old fool !"
(MOVING|IN)
"Eh ?"
"Really ? You accept my offer ? Oh, thank you mister Mortimer. A craftsman like you will truly help the village."
"Uhmpf. My work here is done."
And away he goes, walking toward the sunset. It's... Quite ridiculous actually. Seeing a knight walking on a dirt road without any horse or carriage ? Seems like a defeated knight leaving in shame. But hey, Jack and Buck look happy. And this guy was getting on my nerves.
"It's nice seeing Mossheart's idiots getting ridiculed. Anyway, here's your reward for killing the lifethief. You can also sell me the materials if you wish but allow me to ask, are you interested in becoming an adventurer ? You already dealt with a Bronze level threat so you have quite the nice resume."
Ha ha, thank you Buck but no. Becoming an adventurer is the best way to get myself killed or for my undead nature to be discovered. Nah, I'm fine staying at the village. Doing the odd job every now and then ? Sure, but nothing more. As for materials...
(ME|BUY|MATERIALS)
"Uh ? Now that's unusual. Most people buy them from merchants and even then, they either live in a big city or are part of the guild. So, someone asking for materials in a small village ? I'll see what I can do but don't expect too much."
Thanks Buck ! As for the reward... A pouch full of bronze, silver and gold coins. I have absolutely no idea on how the economy works here. Well, I'll find out after reading some more books.
"By the way, whenever you have some free time, I'd like to spar with you. You may not want to be an adventurer but knowing how to fight is always useful."
I think I'll train with Geva and Udan a bit more before having a human opponent but sure !
"Here, mister Mortimer, let me show you around before you can decide which house you'll take."
Oh, thanks Jack !
"So, as you probably guessed, this is Buck's house and the local Adventurers Guild Outpost. If you want something done or to do something for some money, just tell Buck. Here we have the library where Livra lives. We are extremely proud of it, not many villages this size have one. Near the forest's entrance you'll also find my own house which also serves as my sawmill. Further up the road there's the village's shop, Marx is the one managing it. What you can't buy from other inhabitants or sell them you buy from him or sell to him. He weekly travels to other villages between here and Mossheart. His family is actually pretty powerful in the area. Ah, this is the town hall. It's also the mayor's house. Since Harvey's the only one who knows about politics he always get elected, to the point where we all agreed he might as well live here. Every now and then all the villagers come here to discuss or to celebrate on special days. You see that weird house with a tower on top ? That's Brian's church. If you want to pray to the gods, you can come here. Further up the road there's Jim and his family. They take care of the crops you can see on the horizon. They are so numerous that they occupy three houses. Oh, you see that house overran by plants ? That's the doctors' place. They are quite the couple. Serpent is an expert on potions and no one is better than Sonnette when it comes to meddling with tools. They appeared one day and decided to settle in. They never told us about their past but hey, it's their life. And we have Stuart, our baker. Jim and his family may grow the wheat but it's Stuart who makes it edible. And... I fear that's everyone. But hey, you're here now ! So, among the inhabited houses, which one do you prefer ? I would recommend picking one near the well but that's only my own opinion."
The houses are more or less all the same... I think I'll pick one close to the forest, this way I'll be able to go back whenever I want without getting too much attention.
"This one ? Meh, your pick. There is no furniture inside yet however, so perhaps you..."
(WILL|MAKE|SELF)
"You're sure ? It won't take too long ?"
(TRUST|ME)
"Okay, it should be unlocked, I'm going to ask Harvey for the keys so feel free to settle in !"
Aaaah... Jack is nice, but so is silence. So, this is my house now... One floor divided in two parts, a shop at the front and the living space as well as the storage area in the back. There's even a backdoor in the living space's corridor. This way I'll be able to come and go at night without any issue. Well, let's start making furniture. Or maybe let's repair the roof and floor first. Crafting, do your work !
Hey, it definitely looks better now ! I even found a basement, the entrance was hidden behind the shop's counter. It's empty but it'll make a fine storage space or a place to make more unholy experiments like I did with Udan. Or at least a place to hide things I do not want anyone to see. Only time will tell ! So, now, the furniture...
"Jack, this place is falling apart ! How could you let our new resident live here ! I'm sorry mister Mortimer but... Oh my, everything looks brand new..."
"Told you that he was full of surprises."
So, I guess this is Harvey ? He looks as old as Buck but in better state - by that I mean he has more body parts still attached, Buck seemed healthier. He looks nice and frankly, I appreciate that he was worried over the state this house was in. Truly, without my intervention, I'm sure sooner rather than later the whole place would have fallen apart.
"I must say, this is really impressive work mister Mortimer. Would you mind repairing a few more houses ? Not now of course, but once you have everything settled ? You would be paid of course."
(OK)
"Oh thank you. I'm sorry that we currently lack the time to truly present you to everyone but I'm sure that sooner or later you'll get a chance to discuss with each of our residents. I will not keep occupied any longer, here are the keys to the house. Whenever you wish to eat, just knock at my door and I'll serve you something. You deserved it after getting rid of that lifethief."
(THANK|YOU)
"No, no. I'm the one thanking you."
"If you need wood, just ask me. Since it's for moving in, it'll be free of course."
Ah, thank you Jack. And away they go. Well, onto the furniture ! First let's repair the counter... Then place some shelves... Let's make some things to sell. A few basic tools, like wooden spoons and bowls... A few toys... A sign or two... A bone figure, because why not... A table and a few chairs for the living area... A bed... And that's all an undead needs ! I can't wait to see what awaits me tomorrow.
...
Nothing ? Aaahh...
"Mister Mortimer !"
I knew it !