San Brujera Confidential - Old Hex Blues #2

The second session is where I really started to use the Masterbook system but also implementing other materials, like the rules on clues from Noirlandia, which let you figure out a location using a suit of card blindly taken from deck of poker cards and a type of clue, sepending on the card value.

- 2 - 

[Ms. Denu Intimidation roll: Confidence 10 + 2d10 (4+2 = 6 (-5 modifier) + intimidation with Magic Performance (+2) + higher social status +2 = 9 vs. Nash Willpower roll (active defense): Confidence 9 + 2d10 (5+6 = 11) (+1 modifier) = 10. Nash wins]

I took the cigarette from the pack and lit it with the globe of fire the dame was holding.

[Indulge Complication C2: Quirk (Dependency) - Cigaretes. It won't be a Noir without a chainsmoking character]

‘Anybody ever tell you that you’re a cute little trick when trying to be intimidating?’ I puffed the question in her face.

‘Anybody ever tell you that you’re a funny guy?’

‘Twice a month’

‘But did they ever tell you that you may laugh yourself all the way into the grave?’

‘No. I never stay for breakfast’

‘Good. That make me first. Now, if you don’t want me to make good on that promise you better start talking.’

[Nash Trick roll: Intelligence 10 + 2d10 (10+6 = 16) (+5 modifier) = 15 vs Ms. Denu Willpower roll (active defense) 12 + 2d10 (6+3 = 9) (+0 modifier) = 12. Nash wins. 3 successes – Ms. Denu is stymied]

‘I didn’t hear the question’

‘Where is it?’

‘Where’s what?’

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is the item that Ms. Denu after had something to do with Nash past as a ‘Watch’? Somewhat likely chance on d100 = 36 - Yes]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is this ‘memento’ is in Nash’s possession? 50/50 chance on d100 = 57 - No]

‘You know what’

I gave one and good long look at my boiling kettle for a visitor. Both heels and legs I’ve already seen, so I went further. All the way up to the wide brim sunhat under which a mane of silver hair was hiding. I tried not to gaze too much at the virtues that were covered by the dress. Lord knows it was hard.

Still couldn’t recognize her. But I had an idea what she represents.

There was something odd about this stick-up. The broad acted like she was in the right and had a blessing of all the gods to mug a poor gumshoe.

‘Maybe you could jog my memory a bit?’

[Resolving a Random Event – What is an object that Ms. Denu desperately wants that is from Nash’s past? d100 / d100: 95 / 30 = ‘Punished Possessions’ = Not enough information]

[Using Noirlandia rulebook – taking a card from the deck of Locations and Leads: 8 of Clubs – Skid Row Location and Cop or Deputy lead]

‘Sure. Prinston Bay. Ring any bells? Oh, by that look on your face it does?’

“Prinston Bay” A name I didn’t hear for a long time. And I wished it stayed that way.

[Nash’s Deduction roll 12 + 2d10 (6+3 = 9 / +0 modifier) = 12 vs DN d100: 56% = DN 8. Success]

Slowly it was starting to make sense.

I took one long whiff Long enough to make a dame to blow her fuse of.

‘Well?!’

‘It ain’t here’

‘What?’

‘I don’t have it.’

‘And you think I’ll believe that?’

‘We are in a free country Ms. Denu, you may believe whatever you want. Doesn’t mean you find it here.’

‘Where then?’

‘Not here, like I said.’

‘But you know where to look.’

[Nash’s Con roll 10 + 2d10 (7+1) = 8 (-1 modifier) = 9 vs. Ms. Denu Willpower 12 [active defense] + 2d10 (4+1) = 5 (-6 modifier) Nash wins. 3 Successes. Beatrix is stymied]

‘I may’

‘Then, talk!’

‘So that you could burn me to the crisp when I have nothing else to spill? I don’t think so.’

‘I can always visit your friends’

‘But you decided to visit my friends first. Do you even know where to look them?’

She just stared at me. The dancing flame colored her eyes silver.

‘Uh-huh, thought so. You come to me, thinking you can push your weight around, throw a few cheap parlor tricks and I’ll spill the beans? Sorry. That doesn’t work this way. Otherwise I wouldn’t stay long in this line of work.’

‘Or rich, to think of it…’

She gave my office another glance.

‘How much do you charge?’

‘I thought you’re not interested in hiring a detective’

‘Humor me’

‘Twenty bucks a day plus expanses’

‘I can give you much more than that if you… why are you laughing?’

‘First threats and now you try to buy me. Honestly darling, you need to work on your bargaining spiel. But sure! I’ll listen. If nothing else, I’m gonna’ have a laugh at your expanse. And turn off the heater will you? You’re just embarrassing yourself at this point.’

The flame disappeared as fast as it appeared in her hand.

‘There’s a hundred in it for you if you tell me where you hid it.’

‘Well at least you know how to pique my interest’

‘Two hundred if you bring it to me’

I set behind the table, if nothing else to give myself an image of business-like.

‘Well, alright. Maybe you know how to conduct business. Let me check something real quick…’

I bent over the table to open a drawer and take out a gun

[Nash’s Intimidation roll 10 + 2d10 (5+5 = 10) (+0 modifier) / re-roll: 1 life point spent (9+5 = 14) (+3 modifier) vs Denu’s (active defense) Willpower roll 12 + 2d10 (4+1 = 5 (-6 modifier) = 6. Nash wins. 3 Successes. Ms Denu untrained.]

‘It’s true that I don’t use magic and I’d lie if I said that I know anything about it.’

I point the thirty-eight at my guest.

‘But this fella’ here is loaded with silver bullets. I wouldn’t how a witch of your caliber would react to silver, but I bet it wouldn’t matter when 9 grams of hot soft metal will find its way into your stomach’

‘You make a big mistake’

She snarls but her eyes are locked on the “snubby”

‘Mistake was made when you tried to treat my office as your personal Sabbath. You wish to know where it is? Try hell. And if you don’t start moving in the next three seconds I send you there myself. Courtesy of snub thirty-eight caliber express.’

‘You are an ugly piece of work, Nash’

‘One’

‘Don’t think you got rid of me just yet’

‘Two’

‘Fine! You made your point. Live with the consequences of your choices. If you manage to live that long anyway’

‘Leave the broom. You didn’t have your work-out today. Take the stairs it will work miracles for your cardio. Three!’

I was half the way cocking the revolver when she slammed the door behind her. Almost shattering the windows too.

I took another look at the drawer to snatch a few things. A glass, a bottle of hooch and a box of slugs. I poured myself a glass and loaded the gun.

I may not be a Lancelot but it’s still too early today for me to put a fear of God into a dame with a loaded gun. Not too early to drink though… And I needed one.

I was hoping to have a slow and uneventful day today. Guess I could throw those hopes out the window now.

So now I also had to make a few calls… 

San Brujera Confidential - Old Hex Blues #1

 - 1 -

I knew the lady was trouble the moment she knocked at the window of my office. Mainly because my office was on the fifth floor.

‘Your elevator is out of order’ She answered the question that I was about to ask, sitting gracefully on a levitating broom like a horse. But the rules of courtesy conducted me to conjure some snappy comeback.

‘And I bet the stairs were too much for your legs.’ And what legs those were. Starting somewhere around where fibers ended and continued all the way down her dress.

‘So, are you going to let me in or we’ll continue to trade pleasantries and gazes?’

My guts and hair standing on the back of my neck told me to say ‘no’, close the window shut and board it. My empty wallet though had more valid arguments.

‘Come on in, Veronica Lake. Make yourself at home.’

I step aside to let the broomcade to gracefully float inside.

‘Cute. But you’re way off the target, detective. [roll 2d10 on Witch’s names and Surnames: 6 / 3] My name is Beatrix. Beatrix Denu.’

[Roll Mind 8 + 2d10 (5+10 = 15 (+4 mod) // 12 vs d100 DN: 001% - Extremely Hard = 18. Fail]

‘A pleasure.’ I said courteously. And that was a genuine courtesy, that you usually treat strangers with. And it may have been wise to treat a woman who can teach me how to croak with a snap of her fingers, with respect. “I am…

‘No need to introduce yourself, Mr. Nash. I know what you are’ With the same grace she jumped of her sorghum steed.

I shrugged.

‘Anyone would if they opened a newspaper once or twice… Or stopped by my office door.’ “Elliot Nash. Private Investigation. Confidential Agent.” Was written on the glass of my door. Coughed out some dough on it too, I gotta’ tell ya’. Who would know that in the city where every granny can conjure a salamander to heat up her teapot it would be such an ordeal to find a guy who would paint a few letters. You’d also think that hiring a guy in a Mandrake’s suit who could fireball the letters in my door would cost more than a guy in overalls with a tin can of paint.

But laws of market proved me otherwise.

‘Gotta’ say though, I was surprised when I heard the stories about you. And I didn’t believe them first. But now, when I had a look at your place, I can see it’s true. You really don’t use magic’ She turned on her heels looking me right in the eyes. She had this glint in the corner of her pupil, the one that reminded me of a little girl in the zoo seeing a penguin for the first time and a selfish wish to possess a funny bird.

[Played on Character’s Complication C1 – Bigotry: Don’t use magic]    

 ‘Just like the newspapers said’ Another shrug, not without pride and with nothing to hide.

‘You don’t believe in it?’

‘Oh, I certainly do’ The lady being one of a reasons I do. ‘I just don’t use it.’

‘And why is that Mr. Nash?’

‘Personal reasons’

‘Which are?’

‘Personal’ I tried to be polite and genuine. Lord knows I tried, but I couldn’t hide the steel completely under all those gentleman manners. And Ms. Denu caught on quick. That’s why she didn’t continue that line of questing, but the way she slightly pouts it was obvious she was not satisfied with the answer.

I didn’t care.

Besides, like any woman I knew she was fast to change the subject.

‘You are something else, Mr. Nash’

‘That’s what the people keep telling me. But there is still no discount’

[Roll on Event focus 53 / 26: Adversity the Physical]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is Ms. Denu targeted by adversity? 50/50 chance on d100 = 68 - No]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Does Ms. Denu want to hire Nash to target the ‘Adversity’? 50/50 chance on d100 = 99 – Extreme No]

[The answer – Nash is the target of Adversity!]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Does Ms. Denu want a “memento” from Nash’s past? Somewhat likely chance on d100 = 03 – Extreme yes!]

‘I am not here to hire you, Mr. Nash. I’ve come here to collect.’ Something about the way she said that made me take a step back. Behind the sanctuary of my desk.

‘Should have brought scythe instead of broom, if that’s the case’

‘Oh no, Mr. Nash. Don’t get me wrong, you are cute, in your own way, but I’ve come for what is rightfully mine, but if you keep standing in my way...

A quick motion of a wrist and a fire appeared in her open palm ‘I might “take” you as well...’

San Brujera Confidentails #1 - On orcs and guys in fedoras

 Now it may look like, I only play my games that include 20-sided die. 

It's... partially true.

It's just so that d&d covers most of what I'm looking in my solo games, but it doesn't mean that I don't try to experiment...

The other day I was rolling a character that could be usable with 3.5 and to give myself a breather from 5e detective set (yeah, yeah, this again... bear with me, will ya'?). Decided to use the standard roll-for-stats method and I got a whooping stats array of two 17, two 15 and one 12.

That made me thinking… that with stats like this I should probably play as something unique, hence I decided to play as an full-blood orc, who is both charismatic, intelligent and wise and still enough to hit like a truck…

I imagined him to be a bodyguard or a bouncer who mostly uses unarmed methods of fighting, while being of a fighter class.

The character creation was a breeze, but I hit a roadblock since I had no idea where to put such a character. A sophisticated orc is not something would fit in generic fantasy. I was thinking about Arcanum like setting where cleaned-up nicely orc wouldn’t be that of a big surprise. But I already have an Arcanum-like game using 5e, don’t need another one, but with different system.

During this stage I realised that I don't actually want anything generic, it didn't help that I imagined my orc wearing a shirt, and pants with suspenders. A classic get-up that usually synonymous to 20’s and 30’s.That's when I remembered that I have just a setting for this...

Lon ago I did want to play a game of classic noir, the moment I got my hands on Bloodshadows d6, a supplement for WEG d6 system that is inspired by the small cult classic gem ‘Cast a Deadly Spell’. As for me, back when I got the book I didn’t know about the movie but I was a fan of Glen Cook’s books about Garrett P.I. Sure thoses are not exactly noir books, since the setting is pure fantasy with hard-boiled narrative, but it had the atmosphere of noir. Even with no guns and trenchcoats.

And I did try to GM an adventure for a group that was noir fantasy setting for 5e. A city of San Brujera.

I was trying to launch a solo game in this setting using d6 or dnd, but here’s a problem… those systems are not the systems I would use for a proper noir detective. A high stake action adventure that would involve gang wars or heist? Definitely. But not a procedural, even the one with fisticuffs and possible gunfights.

Sure, I did a detective gameplay using 5e and Scarlet Heroes, but I had quite a zany setting for that to work... 

Okay, okay, not zanny, I'll admit, just plain anime. But I digress...

Luckily I had quite a deal a few years back, when I bought the original Bloodshadows book for Masterbook and the Masterbook itself. And I don’t know why, but the system, being that of a thing from 90’s really clicked with me.

And since I try to use one solo system per game I’ll use Mythic since it also uses d10 for rolls. And besides, writing down threads fill like writing down notes in detective notebook.

TL:DR; Okay, starting my noir solo investigation game using Masterbook and Bloodshadows. Wish me luck.

BESM 5e Solo, Part 7 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 6 - And the game is on...

Now, before rolling on this scene, I found out a small rule that I didn’t figure was existing, when I was quite far in the story. The antagonist, as it turns out, also have a chance to move his plot forward, which means, he has to roll d10 after each scene and if he rolls equals or less than the overall amount of scenes that happened during adventure, he gets one extra Victory point.

Scene 1 vs d10 = 2

Scene 2 vs d10 = 10

Scene 3 vs d10 = 3 (+1 Point)

Scene 4 was a Conflict scene, which denies the Antagonist his right to roll

Scene 5 (which is technically Scene 4 now) vs d10 = 5

+ extra roll for the following Scene, because otherwise, I would forget.
Scene 6 (which is now Scene 5) vs d10 = 5 (+1 Point)

This is also an episode where I start to use techniques for solo gaming that are more in line with 5e game structure

[Roll for Urban Adventure Investigation Scenes: 1 - Hunt up an actor whom you have reason to suspect can give you a clue]

[Clue: 2 Heat: 0

Victory Points: 5

Antagonist Points: 1 + 2 points for pushing the plot forward]

Shan opened the door leading to the backyard, mercilessly. The kitchen staff yelled at him something about kicking the doors, but the gang boss didn’t care. He showed what he thought about the rules of the staff by slamming the door behind, again without remorse.

All his body language, his mood could tell anyone that he wanted to be alone. That’s the reason why he was now on the backyard. Well… that and he wanted to have a smoke.

The brand he was smoking was a crappy one, but there was some enjoyment in inhaling something that disgusting. In a way, it balanced the crap inside, granting some balance, the tranquility of soul and peace of a mind.

That’s exactly what Shan needed at the moment, witch a stick of dried leaves wrapped in thin paper he started to pat his jacket. If only he could find those damn’ matches.

[Harold’s Stealth roll d20+2 vs Shan’s Perception = 17 vs 12]

That’s when fire appeared. A small flickering bonfire, smelling of gasoline, popped close enough to give the gang leader a scare

The flame came from the lighter. The lighter that was not Shan’s and held by the stranger.

Or was he a stranger?

‘You?!’ Shan knew this guy, even though he saw that grey hair and the scar across the face only once. But those were exactly the features that made him remember the person standing right now. And besides, they’ve met not so long ago.

[Roll on General Oracle - Did the gang told Shan about Harold? Likely: roll with Advantage d20/d20 = 9/19 – Oh, heck yeh they told, alright…]

‘Thought you might want some light’ As amusing as Harold tried to sound, his eyes betrayed him. His gaze was that of a cold blue steel…

‘What are you doing here?’

[Harold’s Intimidation roll d20+0 vs Shan’s Insight = 15 + 0 vs 12]

‘I did promise to find responsible for your sister’s condition, didn’t I? Well, that I just did’ Harold spoke calmly, but the tension in his voice… Shan didn’t feel like uttering even a single syllable.         

‘A tall thin guy in black. Yeah, I know, nothing even remotely close to what you were hunting whole day. But you knew that well enough, didn’t you?’

‘The hell you’re talking about?’ Shan spit the cigarette out without lighting it up. ‘It was a red haired bastard!’

‘That bastard’s name is Ardet Kleid. I bet that guy in black promised you that Thana will get better once you find this pulhe who is responsible.

‘He told me that once I find the red haired, Thana would get better’

‘Really? Did he sic’ you like a bloodhound on this wild goose chase before or after you let him in the club?’

This little remark from Harold made Shan lose all his cool.

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan know the ‘Gaunt” man in black? = Yes, but… He is not a friend, he introduced himself as a client who wanted to see Thana as a ‘fixer’

Under which recommendations did Shan let the ‘Gaunt’ inside?

Roll on General Oracle - Does Shan owns ‘Gaunt’ his life? – No, but…

Roll on General Oracle - Did ‘Gaunt’ introduced himself as a friend of Shan’s savior? = 16 – Yes

Roll on General Oracle – Was it a ‘blooddebt’? Likely: roll with advantage d20/d20 – 18/19 – Yes and oh, so much, Yes!]

‘I had no choice! I’m… I’m indebted to them.’

‘Them? Who are “them”?‘

‘Those who saved my life. It’s a long story. The point is I owed them a big one and they’ve come to collect through the agent.’

‘Uh-huh… And he…’

‘All he wanted is to speak with my sister, I thought no harm could be done. That’s what she does for the living. She… fixes the problems’

‘So the club is a decoy.’

‘No, the club does function to entertain the public. But she has to cover her spends somehow. Look! That guy sounded legit. He knew about my sister, her job he had the passwords and…’

‘He knew her true name as well’

‘What?!’ That came as a real shock to him. He genially didn’t know. All this time and he didn't have even a speck of suspicion.  

‘But you didn’t have to know it. All you had to do is to let him in and then believe that your sister losing her name was a fault of a certain red haired bastard who slept with her last night. And you believed him, because no harm could have been done by someone who saved your life before. I want his name, Shan. He should have told you THAT MUCH at least!’

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan knows Gaunt’s name? – Likely, roll with Advantage: d20/d20 = 7/7 - No, but… ]

‘He… he didn’t tell me. All he told me, that he was from… our mutual friend’

‘Your “savior”, I presume’

‘Yes’

"Great!" Thought Harold to himself "You people expect me to find this one guy on a goddamn’ asteroid and yet you can’t give me anything worth of the lead."

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan know where to find the guy? 16 - Yes]

‘But I think, I know where to look for him’

Finally! Something that Harold wanted to hear...

BESM 5e Solo, Part 6 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 5 - A fistful of fillers

 After all the excitement in the previous scenes, my character need a break and a moment to catch his breath, thus I called for a short rest. But that doesn't mean that I woudn't describe that short rest.

Interlude – Short rest.

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: 0]

“Her schedule?” He was surprised. Surprised enough to forget about lighting the cigarette.

“Yeah, from what I heard from the staff back in the teashop, your crush wasn’t keen on staying for breakfast with my brother. So the question is, where the heck she could be at that time of day?” That kind of question honestly made me go deep into thinking. Not Bai Lei though who finally lit his smoke…

Roll to identify ‘Xia’; d8 = 7, d6 = 6, d10 = 2 – Social Club Leader.

‘Club!’

‘Sorry?’ Now it was my turn to forget about lightning up the cigarette.

‘She has a club on this rock. She might have gone there after… dealing with your brother.’

‘”Has”? You mean she actually owns the club?’

‘Yes. You didn’t know?’

‘Look, I haven’t known about her existence until today.’

‘But… I thought… Tell me, what do you know of her exactly?’

Less than anyone on this rock it seems.

‘I know she’s a sorcerers and she sometimes go by the name Xia’

‘Xia?! Is that what she called herself?’

‘That’s what she called herself in front of my brother.’

Roll on the Etnicity: d20 = 10 – Human Etnicity;

Roll on the tribe: d20 = 14 – Ik’hadi

Roll on Ik’hadi’s name: 2d20 = 2; 10

‘Her name is Thana. Thana Aswari’

‘Aswari? That’s Ik’hadi’s name’

‘Yes, why?’

‘But her brother is En’ma’

‘Step-brother. Aswari clan welcomed Shan as their own kin. All thanks to the blood oath their fathers once sealed’

Just like me

‘That sounds all too familiar’

‘What?’

‘Nothing. Nevermind.’

But that did explain something though. Ardet said that he met Xia or Thana in the club. No doubts now about which club that was…

Still…

‘And where is this club exactly?’

[Short rest: 1d10 + Con= 3+1 = 4;
Harold’s Health/Stamina: 1/6 ]

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: +1 for taking a short rest]

Scene 5 

[Roll or Choose on Urban Adventure Investigation Scene d10: 2 – Infiltrate a location where the activity related to Clue on a check failure, face a Fight]

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: 1]

‘So is that the one?’ I asked looking at the door painted red.

‘Yeah, that’s the one. See that crescent moon under the sun? Her own crest.’

‘Where? Oh, yeah, I see it.’ Like he said a crescent of the moon under the sun. Almost like the molten star was happy to see me. Moon and sun, huh? I wonder…

‘So, we just knock, or…’

‘I’d rather not. You do the honors’

It may have seemed strange that he would let me a complete stranger to make a first move, but knowing that he was the reason for the club’s owner condition, no wonder he’sd be uncomfortable with doing all the talking. Heck! I bet he does not want to be anywhere near the club, being ashamed, guilty and all that…

Shrugging I grabbed the door hammer and knocked a few times, Loud enough for people on the other side to hear and get annoyed with me.

The door opened soon enough by a cute creature that had to duck in order to go outside. And when he rose up I had no other choice but to loo up. “Tall as a mountain” was not just a figure of speech with this guy.

‘Can I help you?’

I didn’t manage to think of appropriate answer, but I didn’t have to anyway, since his gaze was upon my companion

‘Oh, hey there, Mansur’

I tried not to act all surprised too much. Name, or should I say, birthname is one of the most guarded secrets and sacred mystery of any Mrakor. Of course, he would use a stage name on public!

‘Hey there, big guy. How are things here?’

‘Grimm. Everyone is on edge after hearing what happened to the boss. We are still debating whether we should close the club for tonight.’

‘Yeh, about that… We are actually looking for someone. Who might shed light on your boss’ condition’

This peaked little man’s interest. He turned his had to me

[Roll Harold’s Persuasion w/advantage (Bai Lei’s help) 1d20/1d20 = 7/ 14 versus 10]  

‘A tall guy, but not as pretty as you. Snow for hair and wearing black. I heard he is also charming as death’

My description made him go deep into thought.  

[Roll om General Oracle - “Did the guy see the ‘visitor’?” Likely d20 = No, but…

But d6 = 1 – a twist to relation between people in situation]

I had to determine who is the twist related to, thus I made a list of main Actors involved in the Investigation and rolled a die.

[ Who is a twist related to? 1d6-1

1.       Bai/Mansur

2.       Thana/Xia

3.       Gaunt

4.       Shan

5.       Ardet ]

‘No, no one I can think of. But, maybe… Shan knows’

Wait, what?

‘Shan?’

‘Yeah, Shan. The boss’ brother. Well, step-brother, anyway… He was the one guarding the door this morning’

That would explain why Shan was up to beat about his sister condition. But why he was all in favor of hunting Ardet and not pinning his morning visitor to the wall?

Unless…

‘I kind of have a difficult time imagining someone like Shan guarding the door like a dog. Even if it’s his sister’s place’

‘Then, obviously, you don’t know him well enough. Shan loves his step-sister. To the point of obsession, really. You wouldn’t believe the thing he’s done for her in the past’

Yet another man in love with that mysterious sorceress. Honestly, the more I hear about her the more she terrifies me. What kind of woman can inspire this kind of zeal and worship in other people?!

‘You wouldn’t happen to know where I can find Shan at this hour, by chance?’ 

[Roll on General Oracle – “Does the big guy know where to find Shan?” d20 = 16 = Yes]

‘You mean if he wasn’t hunting the one responsible for the boss’ condition? I guess he would be hanging with his gang in the bar…’

‘And where THAT would be?’

[Clue: 2 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 5
Antagonist Points: 1]

BESM 5e Solo, Part 5 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 4 - Resolve of a few

 Scene 4

[Choose Urban Adventure Conflict Scenes: 2 - Intimidate or Put a social pressure on the Actor]

Ever heard this saying “no room for an apple to fall”?

Da’liysh is not among such places, exactly, even if it’s just a rock floating in the void. But for some reason, which I don’t know exactly, most of the smithies… well, all of them actually, are situated in one place. The “smoke district” as the locals call it. That would make my job both easy and harder, at the same time, since I don’t have to run around the rock looking for this one particular Mrakor but still, there are more than enough workshops in the area. I would have a hard time finding him. And even harder still after losing too much time spending in the company of the bikers. He may have been long gone since Scarlet told me about him. I mean how long it was since she told me to look for him? Three? Four hours according to the riders? Can I be sure that he is still out there among smiths and tinkerers.

This trail of thought was scared away by the noises of hammers. I found myself on the outskirts of the district. And the sounds of hammering and tinkering were my welcoming committee… of sort.

[Harold’s Investigation roll d20 + 1, with advantage for Bai Lei being a human = favored enemy = 12 / 11]

Any workshop was as good as any I thought, so I decided to visit the nearest… and the loudest one, the two-storied workshop with a wooden sign above the door, depicting a hammer and a quill. Quite an odd combination but there was a meaning behind it. A master craftsman was working under the sign.

Nobody reacted to me entering the shop. I could hear hammering sounds somewhere deep in the building, didn’t skip even a beat when the door screeched under my lousy touch. Kind of ironic to see and hear not properly oiled door in the shop like this. Another weird thing was that shop’s counter was empty so anyone could just take the merchandize from it shelves. Of course, I’d like to see someone stupid or desperate enough to steal from master craftsman.

Well, there was always me, but I wasn’t that desperate… yet.

My first and only instinct was to go and look for a source of all that clanking. Which wasn’t that difficult…

[Roll on General Oracle - Does Harold finds a Mrakor? – No, but… Mrakor’s boss is in the shop]

Turned out that there was a yard deep inside the building with its own smithy, and it was occupied at the moment. The weaponsmith was busy as ever, his hammer was hitting on the chunk of metal loudly, rhythmically… and ruthlessly.

It may had been not very wise to interrupt him, but…

“May the strikes of your hammer always bring you profit, meister”

The hammering stopped, upon hearing my words. The hammer itself didn’t fly in my face, though.

I thought it was a good sign.

“And may you always find which is to your liking. Can I help you with something?”

“Yeh, I’m looking for someone”

“Don’t we all… At some point in our lives?” But that’s not that sort of establishment, kid. The petal district is on the other side of the rock”

“I may visit it later. No, I’m looking for someone working around these parts”

“You should be more specific”

“His name is…” And that’s when I realized something. Does the smith know any guy by the name Bai Lei? I mean, sure, Scarlet did give me a name, but the name is something precious to any Mrakor as well as the face. And who am I to spit out other’s secrets?

“He is a Mrakor”

A heavy sigh escaped smith’s chest, a tell that he knew who I was talking about.

“What did he do this time?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary I assure you. Is he here?”

[Roll Harold’s Persuasion d20 = 10 + 0 vs Weaponsmith’s Passive Insight = 10.  Again a draw and again equal to the standard difficulty of 10 in Scarlet Heroes for level 1 character]

[Stranger NPC reaction 1 + 1 = 2; Roll on Unfriendly NPC table 3 + 1 = Reasonable refusal]

“I don’t think I need to remind you that this is a smithy. Not a teashop” Why he had to use this word exactly? Now my limbs are aching. “We sell in metal not in conversations. So, unless you are here to buy anything…”

I saw where this was going, and it’s not like I had much of a choice here…

“Got any tools to go up close and personal in your collection?”

Now that was the language that he understood

“How “close” are we talking about?”

* * *

“There you go…” The smith put a few items from his collection on the counter in front of me. “Stainless steel. Three and a half inch blades, perfect for throwing. Sting worse than the words of former wife. Six of those would definitely end anyone’s day. If you know how to throw those. But I would prefer not to see any blood on my beauties” I give him a dirty look. One that just screamed: “Are you kidding me?! Why would you craft weapons if you wince about the blood that much?”

A small canvas sack appeared next to the half of dozen of throwing daggers. “And then there this. It’s not often that I get an order for one of those. You’re one cruel person to buy something like this”

“Life can be cruel to some of us. Need to be prepared for anything.”

“I can see that…” He was definitely referring biker’s artwork on my face. “That will be thirty three silver”

“Thirty three?! For a sack of nails?”

“No, for melting the nails together.”

I decided against haggling with this guy, not because he still had the hammer in his hand, but because I still needed his help.

I laid the payment on the counter. Four rings. One that of gold and three of silver.

“Isn’t it a bit troublesome? Working both behind the counter and the forge, at the same time, I mean?”

[Roll Harold’s Persuasion: d20 + 0 vs Craftsman Insight = 11 vs 10. Reaction roll on Stranger chart 2d6: 5+4 (+1 for a small bribe) = 10 (Full Agreement)]

“That doesn’t happen often. In fact, that maybe the first time ever, when this happened”

“How so?”

“I was hoping you could tell me, since that’s you who was looking for him. He was… kind of edgy this morning”

Bingo! As the say on Shakor.

“He may have seen something he shouldn’t have. I’ve come here to ask about it. Now, is he here?”

The smith silently looked at the staircase that led to upper floor. That was his answer.

“Second door to the right. I’ll… look after those…” He gave the sack a gentle pat, not strong enough to pinch himself, but enough to make it sing. “You won’t need it… if you are here just to talk.”

“Fair enough.” I walked up the ladder, towards my answers and destiny. One might have been dumbfounded how easily the smith let me pass. That’s only because he was certain that Mrakor could handle someone like me…

* * *

The smith wasn’t lying. After climbing the staircase I found myself in the corridor and a set of doors to the right. Three at least.

The craftsman said that I needed the second door. He also said something about the guy being on edge. Guess that leaves me with trying a polite approach first. The key word here is “trying”, courtesy was never my strong suit.

I knocked three times, slowly so that the guy on the other side would register the sound and realize that it wasn’t his just him hearing things.

“What is it?” The voice on the other side was not the voice one would use to talk to one’s boss, but definitely a voice of someone being cornered.

“Bai Lei? We need to talk.” Maybe starting the conversation using his real name was not the best move but at least I had his attention.

I heard a sound of lock being fiddled with and a few moment later the door opened. Just a little, enough for Mrakor to see the intruder that throws around names that he shouldn’t know about.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Someone who get involved in the mess he didn’t want to be in. Just like you.”

“I have no idea what you are blabbing about.” And yet he didn’t shut the door in front of me. That’s a good sign.

“I think you do. And I also think that you regret your decision” It may have been far-fetched, but judging by his reaction…

“Why would she utter her name to me, at first place” … I truly touched the nerve. Shaking his head he then entered the door wide enough for me to slip into.

Mrakor had short red hair and the body that one would have by working day and night at the forge.

His pair of auburn eyes sized me suspiciously.

“Who are you to her?” No need to be a scholar or an investigator to figure out who he was speaking about.

“Nobody, really. I haven’t known about her existence until today. The man she was with, however… he’s my brother.”

“Is he still alive?” There was oh so little empathy in his voice, as you could imagine. He truly wanted to see Ardet dead in all that chaos that he brought upon us… and my head especially. Can’t blame him though, I have the same wish from time to time as well.

“He’s fine for now. Unlike the girl. But you know that, don’t you?”

He didn’t answer to that, instead the Mrakor just stepped back, further into the room.

“How bad is it?”

“Exactly how you would expect when someone literally steals your soul. I’m sure she told you all about it right before entrusting you with her name”

“If she trusted me that much why would she…”

Why would she bed with some bastard like your brother? That’s what he wanted to say. He wouldn’t be the first one to have similar thoughts nor would he be the first to do something that stupid and regret later.

“But is it worth the suffering of the one you truly care for?”

“Ugh, you won’t understand” A typical answer of someone who lived less than twenty, or never wised up. And this is where he was wrong.

[Roll Harold’s History d20 + 1 = 14; Since 5^th edition of D&D rules doesn’t have a skill that govern culture etiquette and anthropology, I’ll use History skill as a substitute]

“Won’t understand what exactly? That she gifted you that one thing that is sacred to her while not knowing your customs? And you not realizing her mistake you happily obliged her by giving your name. An exchange of truth , a tradition of exchanging names among Mrakors and not those of your kin to build a future together. But she didn’t know that, did she? And when you saw her with the other, you felt betrayed, your trust shattered and your love ripped out of your chest.  You found yourself holding a burden of the whole damn world on your shoulders and it was a torment to keep her secret, her name any further. And when the chance to ease the pain appeared, you took it. Maybe out of bitterness, maybe out of revenge, maybe you hesitated for a bit. But not long enough to stop and think about the consequences”

I had no intention in preaching. Really, that was not my intention. But when I finished, he looked at me with eyes wide open.

There was something else in his gaze. Some sort of understanding. Of a mutual sort.

“Sounds like you are talking from experience” It was not sarcasm, not a taunt, nor anything in between. But those were the words of a person who was slowly realizing that his troubles were not so unique. Mine had vibrant green eyes.

“Trust me, that happens to a lot of people who ends up being entangled in conduits’ crap.” I tried to give him a smile. Of a knowing kind. I think he might have interpreted it wrongly.

“Is that why you are here? To torment my conscience or to punish me for what I did?”

“The only reason I’m here is to deal with all that mess you got us all into”

“And why would I care?”

“Because while the girl keeps being nameless, she won’t hear you explaining yourself. And you have no hope to earn her forgiveness “

Again, I didn’t expect much from my little speech, but it sure did shatter his act of defiance. I could see that judging by how he grabbed the table firmly and putting down the hammer.

Now it was time to ask some uncomfortable questions.

“‘How did you manage to pull it off?” I asked referring to the whole ‘stealing the name’ shtick.

“There was this man” Of course, there’s always one. “He promised to deal with the red-haired… ba… I mean, pal of yours”

“And in return all he wanted is to give up her name”

Bai nod slowly.

“And this guy delivered. But not the way you’ve expected. Rendering her to vegetative state and letting her brother loose”

Another nod from him. And more solemn than previous one.

“Who was he?”

“Someone I’ve never met before. Tall and gaunt, silver hair and wearing all black. He knew a lot about me.”

A real charmer. That leads me to question: ‘why would he agree to the deal with someone like this at first place? ’ But I knew answer to that question.

Love truly makes an idiot of a man.

“What was his name?”

[Roll on General Oracle d20 - Did 'Gaunt' gave Bai his name? (Unlikely) = 5, No)

“He didn’t give me one”

“And you didn’t think about asking him for one?”

“I wasn’t in the right mood to ask”

Or rather not in the sound mind, for that matter.

“What was that?”

Did I say that out loud? Damnit!

“I ask if you can recognize him when you see him?”

“Yeh… Yeh, I think I can.”

[Roll on General Oracle d20 - Is Bai willing to follow Harold? – 13 Yes, but… ]

“Then I guess you will be my tour guide around the rock for the next few hours”

“I guess… But make no mistake. Should we face him, I won’t help you. I have no intention to fight him.”

“So I’ll have to do all the work here, huh?” That may have sounded cowardly on his side, but… “Fair enough.”

For all we know, that gaunt guy was Bai’s only hope to return the girl to her former self. And if things go sour Bai could use me as a bargaining chip, somehow, and plead to return the girl’s name. Sounds like a horrible plan, I know. But Bai was desperate enough to try something like that.

And as for me… it’s not the first time when I play the role of a leverage.

Anyhow, what should I do now?

“Say, how long is it till your smoke break?”

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: 0]

BESM 5e Solo, Part 4 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 3 - A handfull of revelations

Next part was tricky to decide. I didn't want the adventure to stop on its tracks. 4 hours rest is a lot when you got an investigation and a race against time, so I decided the next segment to chose rather than to roll.

[Choose on Scarlet Hero Table of Urban Adventure Scenes of Investigation d10: 8 – An allied Actor can get you a Clue at a personal risk. Roll a die; on even number make a skill check to help to succeed. On even number, Fight to protect the Actor]

Roll d6 on Odd or Even= 5 – Odd number

It also gave me an idea to work on as well as introduce someone from the character's backstory.

Scene 2

[Clues: 0 Heat: 0

Victory Points Harold: 0

Victory Points Antagonist: 1]

“You know, I honestly expected that you would visit me later” The voice belonged to a young and pretty creature. I should have said lady, but I knew her too well. Her pair of azure eyes was watching me amusingly, while she, herself, was sitting on a floating piece of rock. That was the only visible piece of the scenery from the way I saw it. The rest was covered in fog, the one that comes during the night. Something like this was not part of a usual Da’liysh scenery.

“Expected, you say, huh? Guess that means that you do have little faith in me, after all.”

“Not true. If I actually doubted you I would have brought my scythe. Long time ago”

“Fair point”

Her name was Scarlet Rieper and she was… well… a Reaper, an agent of Celestial Bureaucracy. She herself prefers the term Harbinger. Like many other of her colleagues. She was appointed to me to… you guessed it! To collect my soul when the right time would come. Thing is though, she had a lot of opportunities to do it in the past years. And yet, here I am. Breathing and cussing.

A little side-note though. The Bureaucracy does not approve their agents mingling with the mortals and being all buddy-buddy with the… potential clients. While Scarlet herself is quite vocal about her existence.

“So, is there a reason for you to visit me in my dream?”

“Who said anything about this being your dream? But yeh, I’ve got a reason to be here.”

“Which is?”

“Looks like your brother is in some serious trouble.”

“Tell me something I don’t know”

“But they never were as serious as they are now. He slept with an actual conduit this time.”

“I gathered that much. And it won’t be the first time, really.”

“Sleeping with the girl?”

“No, sleeping with the conduit, I mean. Her name is Xia, or something.”

“‘Or something?’ You don’t sound that certain.”

“Nor does Ardet. And before you say anything, he claims not to steal her name.”

“And you believe him?”

“He’s many things, but ruining other’s lives is not his style”

“Oh?” She raised her brow with an expression which I could describe only as “knowing disbelief”.

“Well, alright… I mean ruining other’s lives by ripping their souls out that’s not his style.”

“Now that sounds about right.”

“But tell me, why all those questions? You know him as good as I do.”

And that was an absolute truth. After all, Kleid was her first client fron the very first day of his life. That until I showed up.

“I guess I just wanted to see how strong your resolve is”

“Oh?” Now it was my turn to raise a brow I was starting to think that she was here just to have a laugh at my expense. “And here I thought that you may have  something useful to share.”

“I may have. What exactly do you want to know?”

A ridiculous question if I ever heard one. Of course I wanted an answer to this damn mystery! To know the name of the one responsible and not running around getting punched in the face. But that’s not how it works with her. Oh, no. She’s an epitome of cat on the prowl. She would like nothing more than toy around and mess with her clients. Especially when the clients can see her. That’s one of the reason why I’ve never seen her wearing anything non-provocative.

“That girl, Xia… Who is she, anyway?”

“Now what’s the fun if I tell you that?”

See?! See what I mean?! This is all a damn game to her! Alright, Harold, stay calm. Just stay calm, damn it!

“Hey, I’m not asking you to give me everything you have on her. Her true name won’t be of any help to me anyway. I’m only asking to tell me what she actually is.” My plea may have sounded weird, but the way the girl back in the tea shop referred to “Xia” as Lady... There should be something to it.

“Well… you were right, both of you. Xia, is not her real name.”

“Great. Happy that mystery is finally resolved. Fantastic.” I tried to sound not sarcastic at all. “Anything else?”

[Roll Scarlet’s Investigation: d20 + 0  = 12] 

She passed the default difficulty of 10, but I decided to play on her playful nature. So I rolled on the reaction chart.

[Roll on Friendly NPC reaction 2d6: 7 Hesitant Agreement ]

“Hmm… not sure if I should give that sort of information for free.”

Seriously?!

“Oh, come on! Aren’t we all friends here?”

[Roll Harold’s persuasion: d20 + 0 = 10 vs Scarlet’s Passive Insight = 14]

“Yeh, but your friendship is steap.” Oh, that’s funny. I keep telling Ardet the same thing all the time. I couldn’t help but sigh.

“All right, out of it then. What do you want?”

[Roll on General Oracle d20 – Should she give him a task to perform as a price for information? = 18 - Yes]

To see what Scarlet would wish from Harold I rolled on the chart of Immediate Desires

[Roll on Immediate Desires d100 = 47]

“Well there’s a particular book I’m interested in…”

“The one you’re not allowed to have, I take it?”

“You’re quick as ever, but yeh, literary I’m not allowed to look for it. Not a word about touching it. But it doesn’t really matter since I can’t get my hands on it. You however…”

“Uh-huh… I’ll see what I can do. Now about our problem…”

“Our problem?”

Suddenly I had this chilly feeling of.. what’s the word in Shakor for that again?

Dreja..?

Deva..?

‘Déjà vu’, that’s it!

Not the most pleasant feeling in the universe

“Well, alright… My problem”

And here I thought that it was a perfect opportunity to roll the Motivation of the "antagonist" using the same chart.

[Roll on Desire Table d20 / d20 = 1 / 14 - Love]

“Right-right. So, you might find it interesting. It appears that there was someone who saw your brother’s girlfriend… Right after she left him, snoring alone.”

“Who exactly?”

“Someone who was not pleased to see her with another.”

It’s always the same with Kleid. He either pisses off the father, the brother, the lover or the girl herself by calling her the wrong name.

“And this guy has something to do with all this?”

[Roll on General Oracle d20 – Is this the love of the Antagonist? = 6, No, but…  ]

[Roll on "But... chart"  d6 = 6 – Sublimely good or bad timing]

“He might know something about all this”

That was better than nothing, but still not enough.

“Where can I find him?”

She hesitated to give me the answer. For a moment she looked at the horizon all the way through the fog, searching nothing in particular and yet, looking at something that only she could see. She had a look of a person that was listening to someone whisper in her ear.

[Roll on Location d6 / d20 – 2 / 2 Location Common; Blacksmithy]

[Roll on the People Chart d20: 8 – Human Ethnicity]

[Roll on the name d10 / d10: 1 / 4]

“You’ll find him among Blacksmiths. Ask for Bai Lei”

[Roll on the Tribe 2d6: 6 - Mrakor]

“Bai Lei? That’s a Mrakor’s name”

“Worry about that later. You’ve got more pressing matters”

“Such as?”

“You might want to wake up for what comes next.”

And in that very moment, the fog devoured her, leaving only slightly visible silhouette. Which started to slide away, further and further. As if some unseen force pushed her away... Or rather, pulled me back, faster and harder. The fog disappeared, so did a cozy floating rock which Scarlet invited me to visit. Only the darkness left. And that one was of a natural kind. The one that you could expect after closing your eyes shut.

I was back in my body.

Every nerve in my body was sore but, at least, I could breath and think without pain. Guess Scarlett actually did something to me while I was at her place.

Can't say I was greeted warmly, though...

[Scarlet cast “Healing Word” on Harold: 1d4 + 2 Wisdom = 6 Health restored]

I'll admit that I may have cheated a bit using the NPC as sourse of information and a healer. But since I run an adventure that is a bit more difficult than the default Scarlet Heroes advise. I though that the character need a fighting chance. In the next scene. 

And here's another thing, Loomes Grity rules suggest to use Magical Healing as a mean to restore Health, but not Stamina. However, all this scene was basically in Harold's head, and all they did was talking. The description of Healing Word reads like the words of encouragment, rather than an actual Healing spell, so in this adventure it recivers Stamina  

[Harold’s Health: 1/5

Harold's Stamina: 6/6]

Scene 3

[Clues: 1 Heat: 0

Victory Points Harold: 1

Victory Points Antagonist: 1]

“He’s been like that four hours already.”

I remember that gruff voice from not so long ago. The one that will definitely laugh in a nasty way after piercing your leg from the back.

“Then wake him up!” That voice I remember too.

The bikers idea of waking up though was to kick me bellow the ribs.

[Attack Roll d20+3 = Unarmed Strike: 16+3 = 19)

Oof, just got the Stamina back and now losing it again?! Time to spend another Hero Point. Drats!

1d4 + 1 = 4 HP (1 Hero Point Spent); 4HP – roll d6 = 4 - 6 = -2; No damage]

That hurt like heck. That’s what you get for not waking up in time, I guess. When I opened my eyes and blinked enough for tears to dry out I saw the sunless dark sky adorned with the crumbs of cold lights. I tried to get up. But the key word here was tried for I was tied up. Both legs and arms.

And it was a solid knot, from what I could see. Luckily they’ve decided against blindfolding me or anything. What’s more, the rope was quite long, going all the way to the cloud bike which was slumbering for a moment.

That was not good. I bet the same thing they did with my arms. In fact, I could hear a low hum of the metal beast behind me, awaken and hovering above the ground ready to dash forward with a ferocious roar.

I was quite familiar with the torture that I was about to experience. Though I was familiar with that one kind that used real horses, but I guess the bikes could do as well.

“Not a very good sight to wake up to”

I had an idea of what I want in the next scene, so I decided against rolling and instead chose one.

[Choose on Scarlet Heroes Urban Adventures Action Scene: 7 – Rally an Actor and their comrades to oppose the foe – 1 Clue Spent]

Action scenes unlike Investigation or Conflict scene need Clues. One of the resourses that character gathers if the Investigation is succesful.

“Should have told us what we want to know from the start. But you chose pain in a little game of ours.” The biker fondly patted his loyal steed. “So try to enjoy what will come next. I know I will…”

With that said he lifted the bike and activated it. I expected to hear the beast like roar on ignition but instead it purred like a kitten.  A kitten that was ready to tear of my legs out of sockets.

“Where’s that redhead pal of yours? ”

“You should be more specific. I know lots of reds. Take your sister for example.”

[Roll Harold’s Persuasion vs. Biker’s Passive Insight = 11 vs 11]

This part was a bit tricky to handle. Technically it’s a hit and miss, not a full success, because Persuasion is equal opponent's Passive Insight. But the rating of challenge in Scarlet Heroes equals 9 + Character Level, so it's 10. Thus I treated that roll as a draw, but not a fail though. That is, until the next check roll

[Roll on Unfriendly Reaction 2d6 = 6 – flat rejection]

I could see that he appreciated the joke he went so far as to nod to his pal and turn the handle on the bike ever so slightly. But the pull was real.

[Roll 2d4 Force damage = 4. Harold’s Health: 1/2 ]

I could feel both my legs and arms almost popped out. Almost…

“You’re a brave man, grey. Not anyone would dare to sleep with that ugly hag. Now anything else to tell us, smartass?”

Well since I have a tough crowd today, guess I had no choice but to try another approach.

“Look guys, it’s true. I am looking for someone who might look like someone you are after. But are we sure that it’s the same guy?”

[Roll Harold’s Bluff d20+0 vs Biker’s Insight  = 18 vs 11]

“Last night the redhead  had fun with the boss’ little sister. And now she’s in some sort of comma.”

“Yep, that’s something he would do… except for the comma part.” Bit of truth, bit of lie and I got myself something genuinely believable. “What did he do to her anyway?”

“Don’t know. She breaths, but doesn’t react to anything. Just sit there staring at the wall in front of her. ”

Yeh, that’s definitely sounds like something a conduit with his name stolen would act like. But it looks like that they have no idea what’s happened to her, so they did not have a talk with their boss. Even after dealing with me. Which is weird since they had all the time in the world to do so.

“Look guys, I’m sorry about what have happened to your boss sister but tearing me to pieces won’t cure her or anything. Unless I help you find him and what he did with the girl.”

No reason to defend Ardet now since they all believe him to be guilty, so I may as well play along… There was silence for a moment. I could have heard the gears turning in their heads if it wasn’t for the low-key humphs of their bikes. And that was one of those rare moments of eternal silence which I waited anxiously, fearing to hear another roar of the bikes.

This didn’t happen, quite the contrary, actually. The purr of engines died out. Right after that I heard some commotion behind and some clinging of the metal.

I registered that ‘bear’ stood next to me holding a knife in his hand. Though a sheer size of it reminded me more of a machete. And the blade of this machete was dangerously close to my face.

“And what makes you think that you have any chance at this at all?” Obviously he was referring to my poor performance way back in the alley.

“Well, I did land a few good ones on your face, didn’t I?”

“You did. But you still ended up here. About to be torn to pieces.”

“The thing is, that back in the alley I was not motivated enough”

“And now?”

“And now, I think I am”

He knelled taking the knife even closer. Closer than I’d like to…

“I’m taking a big risk here and lots of faith releasing you. Don’t screw this up for me”

His pal was not so keen about all that exchange.

“And just like that? You are letting him go?”

The blade in bear’s hand made quick work of the ropes.

“Only if he knows where to look!”

“Trust me, I do…”  I assured him rubbing my wrists.