Name: Charisse Race: Human

Ht: 5’6, Wt: 130, Sex: Female,

Archetype: Rogue

HP: 7 / 7 Mana: 0 / 0

Stats:

Physical : 2, Moxie : 3, Spiritual : 2, Luck : 3,

Agility : 3, Magic : 2, Mental : 2, Energy : 2.

Relevant Skills: Agility – Shortsword, Archetype - Awareness, Mental - Astronomical Clock, Stealth - Move Silent

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Charisse waited in her spot; nothing moved toward or into the cave. Her concentration waxed and waned as she sat. The sound of a bush rustling brought a dagger immediately to her hand. Biting her lip to stop herself from screaming an accusatory, "Ah-Ha!" she waited for Henderson to come into view.

The bush went still. Charisse glared at the plant, wishing she had night vision so she could place her dagger into the skull of the man mocking her. Her hand tensed as she pondered, throwing blindly; after all, if she didn't see him there, she couldn't be held responsible if he got hit.

Forcing her hand to relax, she kept watch on the bush and scanned the area around it.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 1, 10, 4, 6, 9; Two Successes; Skill Archetype - Awareness gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 8,445.

Time dragged on, the stars danced across the sky in its celestial battle in a river of black. Even without a moon, the stars shone and lit up much of the land. Only the brief cloud would drop the forest into pitch-black darkness. Instead, the light shifted, brightening, then darkening the area, revealing more of the shrubbery and area around it.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 5, 3, 4, 3, 8; One Success; Skill Archetype - Awareness gained 1 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 8,444.

Charisse did not see anyone standing there. She quickly scanned the area and didn't see Henderson anywhere near the door. The grass and dirt near the entrance didn't show evidence of someone going in after her friends went to sleep. Fear bubbled in her; she inched her head outside of her nook and looked around. No one was sneaking up on her position, and she could see Henderson leaning against a tree near where he'd initially taken up his position.

Charisse glanced toward the sky, noting the major stars of the Archer constellation.

Success! Mental Roll 4d10; 5, 4, 8, 1; One Success; Skill Mental - Astronomical Clock gained 1 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 45.

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The arrow's point was a few degrees past its apex, meaning the time was about midnight. Glancing around, Charisse watched and waited to see if anything moved around her before she moved from her alcove.

Success! Physical Roll 5d10; 3, 8, 3, 7, 3; Two Successes; Skill Archetype - Awareness gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 8,442.

Henderson's body was in the same position it was in when he took up his watch. The thought that he'd fallen asleep drove her to action. Stepping onto the soft dirt, she crept toward the sleeping man. The form leaned against a tree, looking slightly away from the camp.

Success! Agility Roll 6d10; 5, 9, 10, 9, 9, 1; Four Successes; Skill Stealth - Move Silent gained 4 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,145.

Seething at the idea this NPC had been sleeping the whole watch shift, Charissa pulled out her dagger and quickly placed it at the throat of the sleeping man. Initially taking care not to touch the skin, she slowly pressed it into the skin to wake him up… until the blade hit the bark of the tree. Then, the man disappeared, leaving Charisse alone at the bottom of the tree.

"Wake… the fuck?" Charisse sputtered. She stared at her knife.

"Sshh," Henderson's voice said from above. The voice paused, and the leaves above shifted. "Sorry, I thought you knew about my magic."

Charisse pulled out her sword with her other hand and pointed it up toward Henderson.

"Down, and if I sense any tricks," Charisse waived her sword at the man. She clenched her jaw to stop herself from yelling curses at the man.

"I'm sorry," Henderson said as he dropped to the ground.

Charisse poked him with her sword to make sure he was honest;

Success! Agility Roll 5d10; 1, 8, 7, 10, 6; Three Successes; Skill Agility - Shortsword gained 3 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 9,977.

Attack! Melee - Shortsword, Damage 1.

The man didn't move or flinch at the jab even though it drew blood. Instead, his lips pursed, and his jaw tightened.

"I guess I deserve that in a way," Henderson gave a light chuckle between his clenched jaw.

"Our watch is over; I won't kill you in your sleep," Charisse gave a long pause before adding, "tonight. Don't give me cause to do so in the morning." She turned away and started walking to the cave. The path ahead darkened from a cloud passing overhead; she visualized the way as she tried not to trip.

"Diplomacy on the world you all are from must be quite the bloodsport," Henderson said.

"What?" Charisse hissed as she stopped. She turned in the direction of Henderson's voice.

"Jax said you all are from another world; it must be a hard place for violence to be the first resort."

"Na, it isn't, just this world has not been kind to us, and we've had to grow up quickly." Then, the cloud moved, giving away some illumination.

"Aye, the world can be cruel, but it doesn't mean you need to be cruel also. Who knows, you may end up stabbing someone who could become a good friend."

Charisse looked at Henderson. He was standing in an area lit by moonlight. He still had both hands in the air and a smile upon his face.

"And you could be that friend?"

"Yes, and if you promise not constantly to stab me, maybe more." Henderson lowered his hands to be outstretched in front of him, palms up. "I am but a simple trader and trapper, but I've always had a roof over my head and a few coins in my pocket. I admit openly that I fancy you."

Charisse closed her eyes for a moment, the image of Henderson almost imprinted on the back of her eyelids. She took a deep sigh as she remembered trying to seduce this man when she thought he was a spy.

"No," Charisse saw the man start to open his mouth; she threw up a hand to stop him. "Just no," Charisse turned and resumed walking toward the cave.

"Sorry if I'm too forward; I just never know what moment will be my last."

Charisse paused and, still facing away from Henderson, smiled. "I won't kill you in your sleep." She paused before resuming her walk. "I'll wake you first."

Stepping into the cave, Charisse gingerly stepped over someone's leg under a blanket. Locating a face, she nudged Todd with her foot. Then, pulling her foot back quickly, she hopped away, a few feet out of his reach.

"Is it time?" Todd mumbled as he shifted a little.

"Yeah," Charisse stepped closer to Todd so she could whisper. "Henderson still alive, but he can make illusions of himself."

"Oh shit, that's cool," Todd said. He turned and looked at Charisse's face. "I'm taking it the discovery was a surprise. Does he need healing?"

"Not yet," Charisse stretched as she turned around, looking for a spot for her bedroll.

"Take mine, it's warm, and there isn't much space in here." Todd unwrapped himself from the blanket and stood. He put on a chain shirt, then held a steel breastplate against his chest. He turned around and wiggled his shoulders.

Charisse buckled up the strap across his back. She bent down and grabbed a chainmail coif and handed it to him. "Expecting trouble?"

"Na, but it seems every time we grow lax…." Todd trailed off and stared in the distance. "I'm just glad Mark isn't running the game. Remember the pebble people."

"The dwarves with the" Charisse was interrupted by a finger to her lips.

"Don't say it, just in case he is listening."

"Bah, I'm sure Furcas doesn't make metagame; besides, I don't think bubbles of silence exist in Skills and Demons."

"I hope not, but I think I may tie a rope to your foot just in case."

Charisse avoided commenting on the unsaid joke and lay down in the warm padding. Then, wrapping the blanket around her, she closed her eyes and shut out the world.