Name: Todd Longfellow, Race: Human
Height: 5’6”, Weight: 130, Sex: Male
Archetype: Fighter
HP: 18 / 18, Mana: 0 / 0
Stats:
Physical: 4, Moxie: 2, Spiritual: 2, Luck: 2
Agility: 2, Magic: 2, Mental: 2, Energy: 3.
Relevant Skills: Physical – Awareness, Physical - Jump
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The image of a biblical story came to Todd's mind as he looked down the road. The trees parted as if some magical hand just pushed them to the side. Packed dirt mixed with rocks covered the ground between the forest. Wide enough for two wagons to pass by without hitting each other, Todd stood to one side as he waited for the rest of the villagers and people to start moving. Taking a deep breath in, he soaked in the silence he'd gained by moving fifty feet from the clamor of people.
Todd jumped when a twig snapped behind him.
Success! Physical Roll 7d10;4, 4, 9, 5, 2, 3, 10; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Jump gained 2 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 1,996.
Leaping forward, spinning in midair, pulling out his sword. He was ready to kill whoever snuck upon him. Once he saw it was his friend, he still mulled lethal force over.
"How's my favorite branch manager?" Charisse said as she put her hands out in front. "Whoa, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Sorry, nerves still haven't calmed down." Todd sheathed his sword before forcing himself to smile. "Aren't you supposed to be scouting?"
"Yeah, with two of my trainees," Charisse looked around. "They are good but can always use bait. Er, another person."
"I've had almost enough dying to last me a few weeks."
"What does not kill you only makes you stronger."
"Fuck you," Todd smiled as he cursed. He looked up the road, "Stay safe though, and we don't know if Lord Douche also sent an army this way." Glancing back, he couldn't see Charisse. "Show off," he said, hopefully, loud enough for her to hear him still.
A minute later, the three villagers who hung around Jax walked up to Todd.
"You guys mind if I walk with you?" Todd said as they got closer. For a brief moment, they looked at each other, mouths moving as they spoke softly, then together, they nodded.
"Yes, is it possible to keep your sword out of sight?" one of the villagers said.
Todd unbuckled his sword from its strap across his waist. While only a longsword, it would still show if he strapped it across his back; he settled on trying his backpack as it seemed not to follow normal physics. Opening the container, he carefully slid the sword and sheath into it. The pommel rested against the top of the back, but the blade did fit into it. Marveling at the silliness that everything fits into a backpack as he put it back on, he threw a smile at the villagers.
"I apologize I did not catch your names," Todd said.
"Afton," one of the villagers pointed at himself, then pointed at the other two. "Walter and Philip," each gave a little nod of their head.
"Glad to meet you guys; I'm Todd." Todd pointed at himself and did a little bow.
"We know, and my colleagues and I appreciate the courtesy," Afton said.
Todd fell into step behind the three once they started walking. None of them spoke for several minutes; only the sounds of nature and footsteps on the road filled the air.
"Did you guys hear the calling earlier, or was it recent?" Todd said after several minutes of travel. When no reply came back, Todd took the hint and followed in silence for several more minutes. "I'm going to meet up with Reggie. Do you guys want me to come back in case there is the trouble?"
Several more minutes of silence, Todd slowed his pace and allowed the distance between them to grow. Once they were fifty feet away, he stopped and waited for Reggie to catch up.
"Todd, you alright?" Reggie said as he approached Todd. "You look like you were not invited to the party with all the other kids."
"Actually, yeah, that is what happened," Todd looked toward the front of the line; he couldn't see Afton's group. "What is up with Afton, Walter, and Philip?"
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"They don't trust us," Reggie replied immediately.
"Why not, didn't we save them?"
"Yes," Reggie stopped walking for a moment and met Todd's gaze. "Just remember they have more to lose than we do."
"Alright, I guess I'm just used to NPC's being pushovers or easily disposed of." Todd shook his head a few times. "Things use to be simpler; seems the one thing I can be sure of is," Todd unslung his backpack, reached a hand in, and lifted only the top of the hilt out of the pack. "Pointy end goes into the bad guy."
"While that is true, maybe you should consider if you are the bad guy," Reggie said and started walking at a faster pace, quickly leaving Todd alone.
"Dammit," Todd said with a sigh. He pushed his sword back into the pack and slung it on his shoulders.
Allowing his mind to drift as he walked, Todd mulled over what his friends and the villagers had said. Struggling with a knot of moral issues at times, he was thankful the villagers walking along didn't try to strike up a conversation or get close. Space allowed his ego room to expand and contract as he came to the conclusion Reggie was correct.
The road eventually sloped downward, then around a large rock stuck into the ground. The massive mound resembled a stone thrown into the sand; ripples of dirt circled the impact point. Todd paused as he looked at it, then remembering the last time he ventured off by himself, resumed walking. Mentally noting he should find out what it was. Pulling his gaze away from the rock, he scanned his surroundings.
Success! Physical roll 7d10; 10, 10, 4, 6, 8, 6, 8; Four Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 4 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,955.
Plains on the right side of the road slowly descended, a gentle angle until it reached a thin line of sand and a large body of water. A little white rectangle sat in the middle of the water, inching across the blue expanse. A few tiny dots clustered together moved along the sandy area. Ahead the road curved away from the water and up the terrain to a plateau. Across the top, a wall of dark stone lined the edge. Tiny dots also moved along the wall.
Stopping for a moment, Todd turned toward some of the villagers coming up behind him. Putting on a smile, he pointed in the direction of the wall and asked, "Is that where we are going?" Several of the villagers shook their heads or shrugged. Todd thanked them and waited for someone he recognized to get close. A few minutes later, Mark strolled up.
"What's up?" Mark said.
"Is that where we are heading?" Todd pointed again to the walled plateau.
"I think so," Mark pursed his lips and stared off into the distance for a moment. "Yes, the town behind the wall, while part of the kingdom is somewhat independent if I can remember correctly."
"Why," Todd looked around, while on a plateau, the wall didn't stretch very far, maybe half a mile, foothills, and mountains framed the background.
"Not sure; I'm guessing my knowledge recall didn't have enough successes for that. Just remember the city of Junder has some autonomy from the kingdom of Midevia."
"Remember anything about the mountains behind it?" Todd waved a hand toward the snow-capped peaks in the distance.
"Nothing, I'm guessing it's probably some impossible mountain range no one can pass, and there's a tunnel underneath owned by dwarves."
"Whoever came up with this world wasn't very imaginative; seriously, what kind of generic name is Midevia?" Todd said.
Mark gave a small laugh; then, a serious look took over his face.
"What if this reality is the basis for all the generic fantasy people write or dream about? Like their consciousness gets a glimpse into this world?"
"We fucked if we see a massive ice wall." Todd laughed.
The high cliff of the plateau loomed high up as Todd got closer. The cliff rose a hundred feet up before the black stone walls blocked out the next twenty feet. Tiny dots moved across the top of the stone.
"How do we get in?" Todd said, looking for a ramp-up to the top of the plateau.
"I'm not sure, maybe elevators?" Mark said.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. The cliff and stone were looming ever higher. Ahead the line of villagers and other travelers snaked along a slight incline. As they crested the hill, a dark hole in the side of the cliff came into view. Multiple torches and lanterns lined the edge of the black abyss. A line of people, wagons, and animals would stop, then enter the tunnel.
Todd and Mark increased their speed to catch up to the closest group of villagers. Todd elbowed Mark and pointed further ahead of where Jax was.
"I'll keep an eye on the rear; get with Jax in case something happens," Todd said.
Mark gave the nod and jogged up the line. Todd looked at the four villagers near him, clearing his throat to get their attention.
"I'll yell run if something happens; if so, get as close to Jax as possible. You'll be safer there." Todd said. Several of the villagers nodded.
Minutes passed as the line compressed due to the guards at the tunnel entrance only allowing groups of 6 in at a time and staggering it by a few seconds. Todd stared at the abyss, trying to make out details.
Success! Physical roll 7d10; 3, 5, 5, 9, 10, 4, 1; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 2 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,953.
Light from the torches lining the hole prevented his eyes from focusing on anything in the darkness. Everyone in the line appeared to be entering willingly; even Jax and Mark didn't resist. No sounds or cries for help, Todd shrugged and worked on assessing the guards.
Four guards in full plate stood on each side of the tunnel: half holding crossbows, the remainder with large hammers resting on a shoulder. As Todd got closer, he noted the armor looked old but didn't have many dents or signs of repair. As one of the crossbowmen looked toward him, Todd quickly averted his eyes to the ground.
One of the villagers in front of Todd stopped at the entrance. Several guards looked toward Todd and the group ahead of him. The other villagers near the stumbler gently grabbed his arms and helped him into the dark.
Todd followed into the darkness.