Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 24, 2020 19:53:58 GMT -8
Name: Pat Your Pockets [South Blue | Underworld] Type: Episode Requestee: Eadric Baxter -> (Through Zebediah Winch) Difficulty: 1 Significance: 1 Objective: Find 3 Coins and give them to Eadric Sub-Objective: Locate the coins, follow coins clues to other coins. Plot: Eadric has been sent to the South Blue to find worthy team members for a job from his boss Zebediah Winch of the Underworld. He couldn't just give the job or even share information about it with anyone however, so he needed to test the candidates.
He went all over most of the South Blue leaving various notices in taverns and inns and even giving slips of papers to information brokers to give to people inquiring about work. To those with the faith to believe, there's chance for great reward in finding three gold coins that bear the mark of the eagle. If good conscience be with you, you'd return them to their owner who waits on the island that carries the church's light. There I'll be waiting and only answer to the one who shows me three golden eagles. Players must find 3 Golden Coins by making use of the Search Dice. 400 word post minimum. 1-20 = Successful Search | 21-100 = Failed Search. Each coin has a few words engraved on the back to lead the reader to another coin. Consequently, after finding a coin the success rate increases by 25 (1-45), then another 25 (1-70). After finding 3 coins the player must determine what island it is Eadric says he's on by posting on that island with [Event] tagged in the title.
There, the player will briefly encounter Eadric and if you're lucky he'll brief and offer you the job of a lifetime.
There are only 4 slots for the South Blue. 1 NPC will be competing with the PCs for a Slot. Once a day the NPC will post a Search Roll in its own topic. Should the NPC get 3 Coins, the next day they will initiate their travel to the island Eadric is on and that slot will be occupied. Wishlist:Offered a D or C-Rank Salary according to NPC's impression and Player's choice of 1 reward from requesting party upon Event completion
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 24, 2020 20:11:39 GMT -8
[Coin Search = Unsuccessful]
Concetta's lookouts had warned of an approaching figure, but Rigel hadn't expected to recognize them. His suit was familiar, but his face was marked with a deep, gruesome scar that hadn't been there the last time Rigel had met the guard. Rigel faced the man down with a serious expression. He'd no doubt the guy's injury came from his encounter with the Cipher Pol agent Rigel had let them fight without his help. He expected his betrayal to earn a fearsome response from the man. As long as his revenge didn't extend beyond Rigel, he wouldn't have any problems with it.
"That's far enough," Rigel held up a hand, and the man stopped in his tracks. "What do you want? Or... should I ask what Jukebox wants?"
"Lord La wants your head." The guard made no move for a weapon, but Rigel quickly adopted a defensive stance all the same. He wouldn't be taken unaware. "Wait, let me finish!" The guard exclaimed, clearly trying to avoid a fight. "He wants your head, but you can change his mind."
Rigel straightened his back, intent on hearing him out. The guard seemed to give a deep sigh of relief. His will to fight had clearly been gravely crippled by his fight with the agent known as Rain. "If you can give to him something valuable enough, Jukebox is willing to forget your betrayal, he'll even call off the Under Bounty on your head."
"Under Bounty?"
The guy sighed again, seemingly inconvenienced by his having to explain things. "Your normal bounty is twelve and a half million beli. But, some people, like pesky marines, cipher pol agents, and even traitor pirates have Under Bounties. You've got a special price on your head for double that amount, enforced by Jukebox. Bounty hunters way outside your league will be interested in collecting on that price."
It was Rigel's turn to be scared. "What am I supposed to find worth twenty five million?!"
"You're a pirate... go find some treasure!" The guard threw a small parcel towards Rigel, a paper wrapped box that he hastily opened. Inside was a small bit of crummy poetry. "Follow those instructions. They'll take you to a treasure island under the guise of working for a private collector. You'll be representing Jukebox, so don't get caught doing anything stupid, but if you can bring back something or some things worth more than twenty-five million, he'll call off your Under Bounty. Your friends will be safe."
"I'm supposed to believe him? That this isn't a trap?" Rigel asked suspiciously.
"We've already found you, Mr. Larrat," the guard reminded him. "You'd already be dead if Jukebox didn't think you could provide more to him alive. Prove him wrong, and I won't be the one to come and see you." With that, the guard left, raising a hand in a farewell motion. "Ah, for the record..." he turned back and Rigel faced him. The man punched his fist through the bark of an aspen, shattering wood into the grasslands. "I really hope you prove him wrong. I'd like to see your head roll."
Rigel didn't hesitate to return quickly to the town. He needed to consult with his friends about the poem, and about Jukebox's new strange task for him. Even after Rigel escaped from the Underworld boss, it seemed he still was under the man's thumb.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 25, 2020 13:13:25 GMT -8
[Coin Search Unsuccessful]
Around an old wooden table, Rigel and his companions examined the slip of paper. Rigel had already explained to him his encounter with Jukebox's guard, now they'd had a chance to digest and examine the slim puzzle. The pirate waited patiently for any input from them.
"Church's light," Sakeith pondered. "That's pretty vague, there's as many religions as there are oceans in the world."
"What's it matter where the church is if we don't know where these coins are?" Meyye asked in frustration. "There's no clues at all about it."
Murray had given up on trying to decipher the clues. "Does this mean we get to take a trip on a big boat?"
"I think if I take you all with me it'll look like an escape," Rigel replied. "Just stay safe here. I'll bring you back a souvenir too." The safety of his group was paramount. Rigel needed to solve these little puzzles and join in on the expedition swiftly. "Sakeith, ask Concetta's people, they might know what this means better than we do," the man nodded, still scratching at his small beard in thought. "Meyye, try talking to any old clients about what they've heard about this contest. Don't approach anybody still working with Jukebox on the island. "Murray... you up for a job too?"
The little kid was excited he got remembered, expecting to be passed over. He nodded his head eagerly and Rigel laughed. "Good, cause we're going to do a little treasure hunting. I'm going to need a ride. If there's gold coins being collected then we should be checking for the places on the island where it might be hidden. Think you guys could draw up a map?" Sakeith and Meyye embraced the challenge. They hastily got together a quill and some paper to draw up a map, designating all the hidden alcoves and hideouts in which someone might store some treasure.
Murray paid close attention, making sure he understood all the directions the two were explaining. Being given a job of his own, he was eager not to fail. Rigel paid attention to their words too. It felt good to collaborate as four people. They were a band of runaways and criminals going on a treasure hunt. Even if they weren't a real crew, it felt good to get so close. When the map was finished, they passed it off to Murray, greedily snatching it up. He sped off to the docks. Meyye quickly followed and Sakeith parted with some simple well wishing. Their hunt was on.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 26, 2020 2:07:48 GMT -8
Murray and Rigel's first destination was a well known hiding place among the less desirable members of Dulan Island. Civilians with bad reputations and lowlifes were regular customers to the Rummage. Balanced between the border between swamp and grassland, debris and refuse fused into a makeshift series of huts and shacks, strung together by the roots of trees like bridges between the small settlements. Rigel eyed it with caution. Nobody too threatening hung about the place, but they were all seedy types looking for an easy buck as Sakeith described them. That also meant that rumors of some scattered gold coins across the South Blue would attract their attention.
It was before the afternoon. Most of the men there looked as though they were waking up from a drunken stupor of a night. They groggily scooped up water and mumbled conversation to one another. Murray pulled their skimmer into the docks, attracting a few pairs of eyes, scanning the approach. A large man with a stomach like jelly reached his arm into the boat, beckoning to help Rigel up onto the grasslands. The pirate politely refused his offer, putting Murray on his back and jumping to the grassland with a bit of effort.
"Fancy ride you got there... where's your steed?" The man kept his focus on the boat, trying to understand his means of travel. Rigel was uninterested in teaching some stranger of Autumn and Murray's secrets, and tried to move on from that subject.
"We're looking for some information," Rigel remarked, then, raising his voice, "Anybody know anything about some gold coins, with little lion heads on them?" His open question was met with complaints about his noise and curse words that made Rigel regret bringing such a young kid into their presence. "I was hoping for a more cordial welcome."
"Well now," the jelly-bellied man replied, "don't you think your entrance could use a little work yourself?" He stretched his arm over the crowd of groggy, hungover scoundrels. "These are working men, son. You're looking for gold, well aren't we all?" He asked his own question to the crowd, met with some exhausted cheering and hooting, earning a laugh in reply. "I'm John Banum," he introduced himself, again extending his arm out to Rigel.
The pirate met his handshake with a firm grip, "Rigel. This is Murray," he introduced them both, but the kid was intimidated by the group, and was doing all he could not to seek shelter behind the pirate's pant leg. "My urgency is no excuse for my rudeness. Would you know anything about what I'm seeking, John?"
"There's a proper boy!" John replied, clapping Rigel on his back. "Oy! Anybody know anything about these coins?"
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 26, 2020 16:38:49 GMT -8
[Coin search = Successful]
A blonde-haired, peppy man with fair skin approached their small group, a few lackeys in tow. They all wore red scarves and carried themselves with a bit more dignity than the rest of the group in the Rummage. He bored a toothy, cocky smile that made Rigel want to knock a few out of his mouth. "Asking about those coins, kid? You're pretty far behind. Give up your search for the Golden Lions, now." One of his lackeys moved behind Murray and Rigel, eyeing their skimmer. Murray wanted to speak up, but couldn't bring himself to move towards him.
"McLee! They've got a nice boat! It'd be useful..." he ventured his hand towards the boat, and Murray finally moved. "Hey what are you doing?"
"Don't touch Autumn! She doesn't like you guys! She's shy?"
The blonde man laughed. "Keep a leash on your kid there, green eyes," he warned. "We're not pirates or anything like that, but if your kid gets out of hand we'll defend ourselves." Rigel didn't move against the man. He examined the boat as well, his other lackeys keeping watch on Rigel for any sudden moves. "Well it'll be more convenient than paying some crappy guide to boat us around while we search. Alright!" McLee clapped his hands together. "As a symbol of your resignation from the search, we'll have you turn over your boat. Thank you for your contribution."
The burly lackey tried to grab at the boat again, and Murray yelled at him once more. "She doesn't like you guys!" Murray shouted, rushing the man and pushing him into the swamp water. He and McLee were stunned, but Rigel only laughed. "Don't touch Autumn without her permission!" The leader of their little gang, McLee was outraged. Rigel appreciated seeing the kid stand up for his friend in the boat.
"Don't touch us, you squirt!"
"I think your search ends today," Rigel announced, squatting to the grassland. "Don't threaten Murray." Rigel dashed across the shallow grass, sweeping his arm across one of the lackeys and sending him flying away from his group. One reached for a knife, but found his wrist crushed under Rigel's heel. McLee took charge then, trying to attack, but his talk was only talk. The pirate easily reversed the momentum of his charge and sent the blonde to his back. The burly lackey climbed out of the water, but quickly realized his group had been overtaken. He raised his hands in limp surrender.
"What do you know about the coins?" Rigel asked the group, hoping one of them still had the sense to answer. The burly man quickly ratted,
"McLee, he's got one!" It was Rigel's turn to grin as he rifled through the guy's stuff. In a small purse of valuables, Rigel snatched up some trinkets, tossing jewels and gold paraphernalia aside. Among it was the coin with the lion's head. Rigel quickly pocketed the coin and thanked McLee.
Murray and Rigel hopped into the skimmer. "Thanks, man!" the pirate hollered towards the full-bellied guy that had welcomed the pair of them. "Hope you like your tip!" The man hardly responded, greedily gathering up the valuables that Rigel had tossed aside.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 26, 2020 17:57:30 GMT -8
[Coin search = Unsuccessful]
Murray toyed with one of the red scarves he'd picked up from the little band they'd robbed, happily tying it around his wrist, and then his ankle, searching for where he thought it looked best. Rigel took his turn directing the skimmer, intermittently pausing to check the inscription on the back of the coin. At first Rigel had thought they were characters of some language he didn't recognize, but he wasn't at all sure. The pirate flipped the coin, snatching it from its spinning in the middle of the air.
"Why didn't you take anything else?" Murray asked, still searching for where he thought the little piece of fabric looked best. "That guy had a lot of treasure, and you're a pirate."
Rigel scratched his chin at the question, pocketing the coin for himself while he thought up an answer. "I'm more of a pirate by circumstance. But, you're right I could've taken that stuff." Rigel thought about his answer. He wasn't exactly against stealing from people like that. If they were so quick to take away Murray's prized boat, then it was reasonable to assume their valuables weren't earned all that honestly. Stealing it back for some food or something nice didn't sound all that bad at all. "Would you have taken it?" Rigel asked, still trying to formulate his answer.
Murray thought about it. He'd taken the scarf easily enough. But, Murray hadn't looked at the treasures. "I guess I didn't really want to take it," Murray answered, leaning back. "I think I was distracted. I was just glad Autumn is okay," he gently rapped his knuckled against the interior of the boat. He giggled at a joke unheard to Rigel. "Sorry about that," he apologized to the boat. "We'll go for some joyriding tomorrow to make up for it!"
The answer pleased Rigel immensely. "And I was just glad to find this coin." The pirate flipped his coin once more, snatching it out of the middle of the air. "I don't get distracted by treasures I don't want, I suppose." He examined the coin more closely, the treasure he wanted so badly. Upon closer inspection, the face of the coin not marked by the lion seemed to resemble something closer to a map or a chart. The lines vaguely made out geographical features rather than a form of actual language.
Rigel quickly reached for the map drawn by Sakeith and Meyye, comparing the coin to it. "Murray," he said again, "take the rudder for a second. I want to find this second coin as quickly as possible."
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 26, 2020 20:20:42 GMT -8
[Coin search = Successful]
Rigel laid the coin over Meyye and Sakeith's chart, finding the similarities. He was relieved it wasn't another poem or literary game. They reminded him too much of his home on Ophidian Island. All the reading he'd had to do there was exhausting, and deciphering it for important clues was just as tiring. Scanning the chart carefully, Rigel finally found the narrow point upon which point the coin mirrored the rivers of the swamp. "Murray! Hard to starboard!" Autumn swung to the ship's right and it dove into a slim waterway. Murray guided the boat according to Rigel's directions, until they found themselves in a field of dense trees, tightly packed together.
"Stay with the boat," Rigel said, following the map to what would hopefully be another Golden Lion. Through the muggy water and dense trees, Rigel finally happened upon a knot inside on of the trees. He tried to feel around inside of the natural hiding place until coming upon something warm and alive, recoiling from his touch. The pirate yelped and leapt backwards, only for a large snake to exit the knot in the tree. It was patterned with copper colored clubs from head to tail, baring its fangs and tongue at Rigel. "Sorry," he meekly said, "You didn't happen to see any gold in there, did you?"
The question was mostly rhetorical, and the snake pounced from its hiding place, darting towards Rigel. He dove to the side, avoiding its attack. Wrapping the length of its body around another tree trunk, it darted towards Rigel again, forcing him to dodge. The end of its body still hadn't left the knot of the tree. It was far longer than any serpent Rigel had ever seen. More and more of its body kept flying out from the tree, eager to sink its fangs into Rigel. Forced to dodge another strike, Rigel found himself facing a stretched out part of the creature's body. Rigel raised his leg, muttering a quick apology to the snake which didn't know any better. His shoe struck and the snake and it yelped in pain, halting its approach.
Pacified but still hissing, the snake didn't try to press against Rigel anymore, who safely made his way to the knot in the tree. He reached inside its darkness, fishing around with his fingers, eventually finding the small metallic coin and pulling it free from the snake's body. Rigel fled the creature's domain, and returned to the boat, excitedly waving the coin. "Two down! Murray!"
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jun 26, 2020 20:36:47 GMT -8
[Coin Search = Successful]
Another clue, like a map appeared on the back of the second coin, but Rigel thought it better to return to the town of Concetta's to reconvene with Meyye and Sakeith. Murray played with the coins on their return, trying some harmless magic trick that somebody in the village had tried to teach him. Rigel prodded him on, only a little nervous his antics would throw one of the coins into the water. Their return was mostly uneventful and Sakeith met them at the docks to the little town. A few of the villagers helped pull the ship in, pulling Murray up from out of the boat.
"That was fast," Sakeith said. "I hope you two didn't just get bored out there."
"We got lucky," Rigel replied, "twice." He threw both coins at Sakeith, who panicked and dropped them, hastily looking about to pick them up from the grass with a sigh of relief. "How about you?" Rigel asked. "The church's light mean anything?"
"Ever heard of Java Island?" Sakeith replied. "A few of the villagers here left it after the Holy Army set up shop. It's one of the only islands with a real presence from them. It's also an island where some Underworld shenanigans can go on unseen. That intersection is pretty rare." Rigel hadn't really heard of the island before. "The only problem is that it's kinda far... it's not in the Ranger Sea at all, but over in the Kolla."
"In other words?"
Sakeith returned the coins to Rigel. "It'll be a long trip."
"Hey!" Meyye shouted from the docks, having returned from her own trip. She proudly hopped to the grassy village and smirked wide. "Bet nobody did as well as me!" She happily flashed a Golden Lion coin between her fingers."
"I found two of those," Murray plainly stated, "and Sakeith figured out the riddle."
"Jerk! I had to convince a treasure hunter to trade me this! I worked so hard!"
Rigel tried to keep the peace. "It's okay! Now I don't have to try to figure out another map puzzle. I don't know how you guys do that so easily..."
Meyye only got more flustered, "And I don't get to do a map puzzle! This is the worst day. I'm sure of it."
Rigel accepted the coin from Meyye, feeling the weight of all three tokens in his hand. Three coins for the three people he was going to be trying to protect. "Thank you all," Rigel said. I'll be back soon! With some really good stories! I promise."
Last Edit: Jun 26, 2020 20:38:25 GMT -8 by Rigel Larrat
