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: Deduct Rationale, Moxie - Deceive, Physical - Awareness

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"Let me go with you as well," Todd spoke, and everyone looked at him. "I can carry stuff, I don't need to be armed, but I have a better chance at soaking up damage." He internally winced at the idea of being a target dummy, but if it allowed them to find Charise and hopefully get home… He realized he had been staring at the window and missed everyone's reply. He looked at Jax and Reggie for the answer.

"While we are gone, Henderson, watch Mark. Mark, review the rulebook to see what spells you can do for breaking into a prison." Jax said before he looked at Todd. "Are you sure? This could mean a lot of pain for possibly no reward."

"If fighting starts, me being there will help." Todd nodded his head as he carefully set down his weapons and pack. He removed his armor. "Besides, gotta let the armor breathe a little."

Mark pinched his nose and waved a hand before shooing people out so he could start digging in the game manual. Henderson carefully set Todd's gear in a neat pile where it wouldn't get kicked or bumped. He followed everyone to the door.

"I'll lock the door and move something in front of it; no one will interrupt Mark until you guys get back," Henderson said.

With a nod to his friends, Todd, Jax, and Reggie left the hotel and started heading toward the castle. With the map still fresh in memory, they only had to pull it out once when they encountered a dead end; some buildings had collapsed and blocked the way. After a double back and a few minutes more, they stood before the castle.

A gate large enough for two wagons to pass by each other opened up before them. The walls were fifty feet high, with death holes dotting them around the twenty-five-foot mark. The polished stone that reflected bits of sunlight made looking at some angles impossible with the late afternoon sun. The ground from where the walls rose was jagged and lined with rusted weapons of those foolish enough to try and attack the place.

A massive guard tower stood at each corner, joined by an equally colossal tower over the main gate. From the map, Todd knew the castle was built in a hexagon shape and had two main entrances. A line of wagons slowly wormed their way into the place, each stopping at the gate where a dozen guards swarmed over and inspected the cargo and riders.

Beyond the stone walls, the tops of the main keep pierced the sky like blades, cutting through the air and ending in a point. From his current angle, the massive walls blocked the view of the interior. With a glance around, Todd saw the buildings around the castle were only, at most, two stories tall.

"Do we wait in line?" Todd said. He glanced at the wagons; they stretched back into the city but were moving.

"There's a separate line for supplicants/applicants," Jax pointed over to the right.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 4, 1, 3, 9, 8, 10, 6; Three Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 3 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,412.

Hidden by the line of merchants, a small line of people lined along the wall. Not as long as the wagon train, Todd stopped counting at fifty. With a sigh, they started walking over to the line. The line moved slowly; occasionally, the guards would separate a person or two and thoroughly search or reject them.

When ten people were ahead of them, Todd noticed they only allowed a maximum of two people per group—forcing a group of 4 to choose two to stay outside. He wasn't sure if Jax or Reggie had noticed it as well, but before he could say anything, they were too close to avoid attention.

"Fathers, these guards will help you administer to the souls of the imprisoned. I'll take my leave and see you at the next gathering." Todd quickly said before stepping away from his friends and giving a little bow.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As he walked away, Todd could hear Mark screaming at him for splitting the party yet again. Mentally he defended himself against that voice but stopped when he saw one of the guards near the gate start walking away from the castle and toward the city. Todd changed his path to intercept the guard.

"Hey, I see you're a guard here. Can I buy you lunch and ask you some questions about getting hired here?" Todd gave a big smile as they held up a pair of gold coins.

Success! Moxie roll 4d10; 3, 6, 8, 8; Two Successes, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 2 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 92.

The guard slowed and looked at Todd. A smile spread across his face as he registered the two coins. He nodded and said, "I'm actually going for a drink, but sure I'll answer a few questions." He sped up, saying, "A drink, a question."

Todd knew he had a hundred gold; he just hoped the guard didn't go someplace expensive as he followed. His heart sank as well, as his wallet felt lighter as the guard headed to a tavern named 'The King's Ransom.'

As evidenced by the price of the drinks or maybe the clientele, the tavern was mostly empty. The guard sat at the first table and waved over a waitress. As the lady was walking over, the guard learned toward Todd.

"It takes about six drinks before I'll answer the tough questions," the man gave a little wink and sat straight up before the waitress arrived. "Three whiskeys, two for me, one for my new friend." The guard said.

The waitress nodded and looked at Todd expectantly. He looked around to see if anyone else was eating or drinking anything;

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 10, 8, 10, 2, 9, 4, 2, Four Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 4 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,408.

In a back corner, he caught someone eating what looked like potatoes cut into little cubes. He pointed in that direction, "Some food and water as well." Todd said. He reached into a pouch, pulled out five gold coins, and slid them toward the waitress. The lady waited a few seconds before coughing.

Todd looked at the waitress, and when his eyes met her, she blinked at him eight times. Suppressing his sigh, he quickly pulled out twelve more gold coins and placed them before the lady. She smiled and chopped them up.

"Hope it is worth it," Todd sighed once the waitress was far enough away not to hear him.

"Huh?" The guard looked at the waitress and then Todd. "Yeah, this place isn't cheap; normally, I drink near the docks. But if someone else is paying." The guard threw a smile toward Todd.

"This may have been a mistake," Todd said.

"Costs of doing business, my new friend," the guard said.

At that moment, the waitress returned with three drinks. She set them down on the table in the center. "Food'll be here in a few. Do you need anything else?"

"No, thank you," Todd quickly said as the guard was reaching for one of the whiskeys. "If we do, we know where to find ya."

The waitress left, and Todd took a sip of his whiskey. It burned, making him happy he only took a small sip. The guard downed the whole shot and then hissed through his teeth.

"That'll keep ya warm at night," The guard said. He reached over to his second cup and took a sip from it.

"Caravan merchant screwed me; I'm hoping to get on with the guard. Where can I go apply?" Todd said after he took another sip of the whiskey.

Success! Moxie roll 4d10; 8, 3, 4, 4; One Success, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 1 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 91.

"Na, you want something else," The guard smiled and looked around. "I could see it when I laid my eyes first upon ya."

"No, I just need a job, be it scrubbing armor or guarding a pile of shit outside the city; I just need something to make sure I don't sleep in the forest this winter."

Success! Moxie roll 4d10; 4, 9, 4, 7; One Success, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 1 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 90.

"Ya sure, maybe I could show you around so you know what the job is," The guard leaned in towards Todd. "Maybe show ya where the treasury is." With a swift motion, the guard drained the remaining whiskey.

Todd sensed something odd as the conversation with the guard did not go how he expected it.

Success! Mental Roll3d10; 5, 9, 9; Two Successes; Skill Mental - Deduct Rationale has gained 2 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 97.

Standing up, Todd gave the guard a slight bow.

"I don't know what I've done for this mockery, but I'll take my leave. Good day." Todd set another gold coin on the table and pushed his chair back in.

The guard's smile disappeared as he reached for the coin. He brought it closer and examined it.

"I meant no mockery; I figured you were trying to bribe me to look away during my shift." The guard said as he placed the gold coin back on the table.

"What gave you that idea? I just need employment." Todd stood there with both hands clenched on the back of the chair.

"A guard's wage for the king, even if you're a vet, is a silver a week. What you spent on food and drink here is more than I make in a year." The guard looked at Todd and shook his head. "If you are truly seeking employ, you should look elsewhere."

"Thank you for your time; I apologize for wasting it." Todd gave a nod before turning and walking to the exit. He moved slightly slower than normal, hoping the guard would say something. Each step took him further away from the only plan he had come up with. At the door, he paused momentarily to give the guard a last chance to call for him. When no such call came, he stepped out into the street and headed back to the inn.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 9, 6, 5, 8, 4, 10, 5; Three Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 3 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,409.

Todd hadn't gone a hundred feet before he caught someone tailing him. Guessing it was the guard following him to report him, Todd went down a nearby street with several merchant stalls lining the road. The road was packed with people and the occasional wagon that parted the pedestrians like Moses parting the sea.

Carefully he pushed his way through the crowd, occasionally getting some harsh words, but he ignored those. He turned down another street, and once free from the public, he walked until he got near an alley. Carefully he tried to look around without drawing attention to himself.

Success! Moxie roll 4d10; 7, 7, 10, 5; One Success, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 1 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 89.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 9, 3, 9, 5, 5, 9, 2; Three Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 3 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,406.

As he glanced around, he caught a pair of people dressed in baggy clothing, hiding obvious weapons underneath, looking in his direction. As if he didn't see them, Todd stepped into the alley.

Once out of sight from the street, he found a spot where the door of a building allowed him some cover. He carefully pulled out his sword and rested it against the wall so it wouldn't be seen nor reflect light. Standing there, he waited for someone to come around the corner.