Hero: Ray (Formerly Roys)
Vi - Vania (Sister)
Papa K - Kelsier (Father)
Mom Z - Eliza (Mother)
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New characters:
Merci - The leader of highwaymen going to Mirebelle.
Dr. Heinz - One of Francia's doctors.
Jane - One of the nurses.
Jake - Adventurer. Fighter. Weapon: Sword and Shield. (secretly Alpha member)
David - Healer. Knowledgeable on plant life. (secretly Alpha member)
Royce - Flip practitioner. Basically a rogue. (secretly Alpha member)
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New Terms:
Folm - paralyzing mushroom.
Jinji - paralyzing frog.
Foyer - detoxifying plant.
Mellows - Sweet smelling yellow roses with paralyzing thorns.
Leirga - basically komodo dragons but thinner and faster.
Warg - Basically a wolf, but bigger.
Goblins - Well, goblins!
Ogres - Relatives of Shrek.
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Bad dudes:
Hooks - Leader of the simp, part of a Beta faction
Chiz - Hooks subordinate, with parents issues
Carl Cestis - member of a Beta faction (not a jedi)
Felix - subordinate of Carl
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Adventurer Guild boss: Ford
Judas: town guard
Albert - One of the alpha team leaders leading Caravan A, great horseman
Cicero - Alberts subordinate in Caravan A, an ex Claude soldier
Patrice - Cicero's friend in Caravan B, skills, unknown
James - Alpha member caravan B (good brother of john)
John - Alpha member caravan B (tried to sacrifice himself, failed and was saved)
Peter - Alpha member caravan C (always with Simon)
Simon -Alpha member caravan C (always with Peter)
New info:
Town name where MC lives: Francia
Mirebella - town near Francia
Julien - a town near Mirabella
Alma - a town near Mirabella
Frendo - the closest city to Mirabell
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When the night time came, Merci explained the situation to the bandits and asked them if they would still honor their oaths. The bandits said they would. They bounds have been removed and they were released from the carriages and healed of their injuries. It was getting dark, and they decide to camp in a clearing in the forest, tending everyones wound.
Jake seriously asked them if they have killed anyone in their attacks, Merci said no, they haven't killed anyone because the arrows they used are knocking arrows, arrows with paralyzing pouches attached the blunt tip. Upon inspection of the arrows, Jake verified that they are telling the truth. They bandits then scattered foul smelling liquid around the caravan, apparently it's Leirga urine that drives out monsters and creatures away. I cast a holy spell secretly, which alerted Merci and his group. Kelsier explained that this is standard procedure in his team. To check if there any of them who has evil intentions or who are influenced by evil.
Merci and his team grows uneasy but said nothing.
I see that Merci and his team has gray auras, probably due to their constant banditry. I informed Jake telepathically about this and asks him if there are any ways for their status to improve. Jake thought of something and spoke with Merci.
Jake told Merci that he would give them honorable and heroic missions. The only condition is, to not go back into banditry or do evil works in the future like kidnapping or trading contrabands in the black market. Merci and his team agreed.
After casting holy again, their status is now normal. The have promised a holy vow and have been acknowledged to be truthful by the holy hosts Darkness came and people took turns in watching over the camp during the night. They continued their travel early in the morning afterwards.
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The small town of Mirabelle came into view as the team crested the final hill. It had been a long journey since they left town, and the sight of civilization brought a much-needed sense of relief. They had spent days in the wilderness, tending to wounds and keeping a close watch on their captured bandits. However, thanks to Merci's smooth words and Jake's professionalism, they had reached an uneasy truce. Merci explained to the bandits who were all ex Flip members that he defeated in duels, that they have now a chance to do something heroic or noteworthy, now that they have worthy patrons and hopefully, return to the good graces of the Flip organization. The bandits, eager to resume their work looks happy and motivated.
Now, with the town in sight, Merci gave the ex bandits a final word of advice. "Stick to honest work this time.," he said, his deep voice carrying an air of authority. "We have been given a chance to redeem our honor, I suggest you take it but with caution." The bandits nodded enthusiastically, eager to shed their criminal pasts. Some of them were already discussing potential works they could take on, grateful for the second chance. While they cannot work as fighters, adventurers or guards, they can do other jobs and there are loopholes regarding this, such as being servants of their patron or employers. They quickly blended into the travelers and merchants on the road, their faces brighter than when they were first captured.
Merci, ever cautious, suggested that only he and his team enter the town at first. They could gather supplies under the guise of farmers and merchants, staying low to avoid attention. If what they heard is true, some people are trying to capture or kill Jakes team. Why though? Maybe a jealous adventurer or a rival group, Merci said to himself.
After a short conversation with the team, everyone agreed. Merci and his team disguised themselves are weary merchants and travelers, walked toward the town's gate. They claimed to be poor merchants running low on money and food, offering this excuse to the town guards for why they needed to camp just outside the town rather than finding lodging inside.
Merci, ever the negotiator, slipped the town guard a small pouch of coins. The guard, grinning widely, accepted the bribe without hesitation. "You lot can stay by the eastern road, outside the gate," the guard said, pocketing the coins. "Just don't cause any trouble, and we'll pretend you're not there."
With that settled, they rented an extra carriage using Jake's name. Apparently, Jake was well-known in Mirabelle—his name carried weight here. The locals quickly spread word that the adventurer Jake had returned after years away. This reputation seemed to work in their favor at first, smoothing over the usual formalities and easing their passage through the town. Merci bought medines, food and other supplies easily but as the carriages passed by town more and more people appeared. At the other town gate exiting town appeared before them, trouble appeared.
As the carriages neared the exit, a group of women stood in the road, blocking their path. Their faces were a mixture of anger and frustration, and they demanded to see Jake. The carriage came to a halt, and Kelsier leaned out of the driver's seat, trying to assess the situation. "What's the problem here?" he asked.
The leader of the group, a stern woman with her arms crossed, scowled. "We're here for Jake," she snapped. "That no-good scoundrel owes us money for his children!"
Kelsier raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder toward the covered carriage where Jake was hiding. "Jake," he called out, "I think this is for you."
Inside the carriage, Jake shrank back in his seat, groaning in embarrassment. Vi, who had taken up a motherly role within the group, was less forgiving. She glared at Jake, her arms crossed. "You owe these women money for your children?" she scolded.
Jake rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's complicated," he muttered. "I was supposed to send money every month, but things got... delayed."
Vi huffed and grabbed Jake's ear, pulling him toward the door. "You're going to get out there and face them, right now."
Reluctantly, Jake limped out of the carriage, his face red with shame. He smiled weakly at the group of women. "I'm sorry," he began, "I've been on the road for a while, and I've run into some... trouble. My leg's injured, and that's why the payments have been late."
The women's expressions softened, and before Jake could say anything more, they began to cry. "Oh, Jake," one of them sobbed, rushing forward. "We didn't know you were hurt! We were so worried about you!"
Jake blinked in surprise as another woman pressed a pouch of coins into his hands. "Here," she said tearfully. "Take this. Please, stay in town and rest. Let the healers fix you up."
Jake stood there, bewildered by the sudden change in tone. He had expected anger, not sympathy. Before he could protest, the women began to insist that he rest and recover in town, offering him more money and pleading with him to stay.
The commotion caught the attention of the town guards, who approached to investigate. One of them, a burly man named Judas, recognized Jake immediately. "Jake!" Judas called out. "I heard you were back in town. What brings you here?"
Jake, still reeling from the emotional outpouring, managed a weak smile. "Just passing through," he said. "But it looks like I'm staying a bit longer."
Judas turned to Merci, who stood nearby, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk. "And who are you, friend?" Judas asked.
Merci's expression grew serious as he answered, "I'm a former member of the Flip mercenaries. I can't be hired as an adventurer due to my... circumstances."
Judas frowned but nodded in understanding. "I see. Still, if your team is available, there's work to be done." He glanced at the carriages. "Any adventurers among you who could help us with a... pest problem?"
Kelsier and Royce stepped forward, joining the conversation. "What kind of pest problem?" Royce asked, his tone sharp and professional.
Judas sighed. "We've got an unknown creature attacking people outside town. It's like nothing we've seen before—giant lizards, the size of dogs, that spit acid. They attack at night and vanish before anyone can catch them. They leave behind a foul sulfur stench, but even the dogs won't follow the scent."
Merci furrowed his brow. "Sounds like Leirgas," he said, "but Leirgas don't spit acid. And they're not usually yellow. This is something different."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. "We'll head to the Adventurers' Guild and take on the job," Kelsier said, his voice firm. "Let's see if we can figure out what these creatures really are."
With that, the group set off toward the Adventurer's Guild, the weight of this new threat looming over them.
(To be continued)