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: Melee - Fork, Melee - Sword, Moxie - Deceive, Physical - Armored Defense, Physical - Awareness, Physical - Jump, Overpower, Riposte

_________________

"Reggie swap with Mark," Todd said as he leaned against a wall in a shadow.

Reggie emerged from another corner, walking over to the wagons they were guarding, he stepped up into the one full of barrels of alcohol and water. He ducked under a tarp covering a cart. Mark emerged a minute later, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He looked left and right, passing over Todd's hiding place a few times.

"I'm here," Todd said.

"Sorry, Reggie didn't say where you were hiding," Mark squinted down the alley then up toward the walkway built on the wall. "Figured the safest place would be next to the guards,"

"Yeah, they protecting from outside stuff though, not inside. I was going to sit on top of one of the wagons, can you place some fields to protect against arrows."

"Is using you as bait the best plan we have?" Mark tensed then pointed toward a nearby wall.

"You volunteering?" Todd gave what he hoped was a wicked smile. Mark shook his head and quickly threw up his hands. Todd laughed, "I'm kidding, I have armor and the HP, but not going to be dumb about it. Just try to cover as much as you can. They ring a bell every hour or so; I'll have you renew them then."

Todd stepped from the shadows and climbed to the top of the dry goods wagon. The wooden crates were providing a sturdier platform to sit on. Feeling exposed and muscles tensed, he forced himself to get in a relaxed position. Leaning forward a little, he slowly lowered his head then jerked it upward. After a minute, he added, closing his eyes to the motions and opening them as he pulled his head upward. The time he spent with his head down, and eyes closed slowly grew longer.

Eyes closed, head resting downward, Todd let out a soft yawn. Troubled sleep would sneak upon him; he started naming states alphabetically; 'Alaska, wait no Alabama, Alaska.'

Failure! Mental roll 2d10; 3, 6. Zero Successes; Mental - Object Recollection and Recall failed.

Forcing himself to restart every time he made an error consumed time. Getting to Nevada, he realized he forgot Delaware and restarted the list.

Success! Physical roll 7d10; 10, 10, 4, 2, 4, 8, 8. Four Successes; Skill Physical - Awareness has gained 4 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,994.

Creak, the wagon groaned a little. Todd stopped thinking about the states, and while forcing himself to stay in the asleep position, he opened his left eye a crack.

A gloved hand was slowly moving along the edge of a crate. Shadows cloaked the rest of the body from Mark's light. Another gloved hand appeared holding a tiny metal square, and a reflective side flashed as it caught some light. Todd quickly closed his eye.

Todd's heart thudded in his ears, and he worried it would be heard by whoever was trying to sneak up on him. He felt the wagon shift a little, so he opened his eye a crack again. The mirrored piece of metal was gone, replaced with a crossbow, slowly being pulled back. Squeezing his sword in one hand, Todd shifted a little to try to get a foot under him.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Success! Moxie roll 3d10; 3, 6, 10; One Success, Skill Moxie - Deceive gained 1 experience.

Skill points to the next level, 7.

Ignoring the pain as his ankle threatening to give out, he pushed against the crate under him. Lunging forward, he swung with his sword, hoping the swing would remove the sheath.

Success! Physical Roll 8d10; 4, 10, 7, 8, 4, 2, 8, 7; Five Successes; Skill Physical Melee - Sword gained 5 Experience.

Skill points to the next level 8,194.

Attack! Melee – Sword, Damage 4, Hit!

Penalty -1 Success for Object interference.

The scabbard didn't clear the sword, sticking about halfway, as the blade swung down, the sheath hit first. Thunk! Momentum carried the sword forward, breaking it free of the scabbard, sinking the sword into the crossbow. A bolt flew to Todd's side, missing by a couple of inches. Wood splintered and cracking as Todd pulled the sword back.

Light flashed above, illuminating everything in the hallway. Bright blue eyes stared at Todd between layers of cloth covering up its face. One gloved hand hung onto a crate, the other swung inward than out toward Todd.

Success! Physical Roll, 9d10; 9, 9, 3, 4, 6, 1, 2, 2, 5; Two Successes; Skill Physical - Armored Defense gained 2 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,504.

Attack! 1 Damage from Ranged - Dagger, Armor Soak!

A knife flew toward Todd, slicing across his left cheek, the pauldron preventing it from sinking into his shoulder.

Swinging his sword up high as he stood up, the blade hit something hard above him. Above Todd couldn't see anything stopping his blade.

"Dammit!" Todd swung down. The momentum was gone as he swung down toward the thief.

Success! Physical Roll 8d10; 8, 10, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 1; Two Successes; Skill Physical Melee - Sword gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level 8,194.

Attack! Melee – Sword, Damage 8, Miss!

The figure in black released it's grip on the crate and fell backward to the ground. Todd's sword bit deeply into the wooden box. Leaving his sword stuck in the wood, Todd pulled out his other trusty weapon and leaped down.

Success! Physical Roll 7d10; 9, 3, 8, 2, 3, 5, 5. Two Successes; Skill Physical - Jump gained 2 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 2,068.

He landed smoothly on the stone road, with his fork in hand. The thief stabbed at Todd.

Success! Physical Roll, 9d10; 10, 7, 3, 2, 8, 6, 9, 9, 4; Five Successes; Skill Physical - Armored Defense gained 5 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,499.

Attack! 0 Damage from Melee - Dagger, Miss!

Riposte, Defense 3 success over the attack.

Success! Physical Roll, 2d10; 8, 8; Two Successes; Skill Riposte gained 2 Experience, Skill points to the next level, 96.

Attack! Melee - Fork, Damage 1, Hit!

Todd deflected the dagger with his fork. Thrusting his utensil forward, he stabbed the arm of the thief. A male voice yelled in pain as the blue-eyed figure jumped back. Todd stepped forward and stabbed with his fork.

Success! Physical Roll, 7d10; 3, 6, 4, 10, 6, 5, 6; One Success; Skill Physical - Melee Fork gained 1 Experience, Skill points to the next level, 9,975.

Overpower activated, rerolling 2d10; 7, 3; One additional Success.

Attack! Melee - Fork, Damage 1, Hit!

Stabbing the thief in the shoulder with his fork, Todd pushed to knock them down. The thief fell backward, tucking in his feet and rolling with it, jumping back to his feet.

Success! Physical Roll, 9d10; 10, 6, 5, 4, 9, 4, 8, 7, 9; Five Successes; Skill Physical - Armored Defense gained 5 Experience. Skill points to the next level, 9,494.

Attack! 0 Damage from Ranged - Dagger, Armor Soak!

A dagger flew out of the thief's hand before he turned and ran away. The darkness of the alley swallowing him.

Todd reached down and grabbed the dagger, then wiggled his sword loose from the crate. Running after the thief, Todd was a dozen feet from the wagon when he heard Mark.

"It's a trap!" Mark said.

"I know," Todd said.

"Bah, let me light your way then," Mark said.

A ball of fire flew from Mark's hand, and it flashed down the alley. Light exposing the corners and piles of the trash before it hit the street forty feet from Todd. Fire exploded, filling the street and entrance to the alley. Several screams rose, but the roar of the inferno drowning them out.

"The f…" Todd ran forward to the end of the alley. Small piles of trash burned next to the buildings. Two charred bodies lay smoldering to the left of the entrance. One looked to be twitching. "Reggie!" Todd yelled.

Reggie ran up next to Todd, knelt next to the now unmoving form. Reaching a hand out and touching it, Reggie closed his eyes, then shook his head. As he pulled his hand back, bits of melted skin stuck to his hand. He quickly wiped his hand against his pants.

Todd stood up and threw a glare at Mark. Footsteps echoed down the street, and soon it was joined with the sound of metal armor jingling. Todd carefully set his sword against a building and raised his hands.

"Guards are coming," Todd said.

Two guards appeared from around a corner fifty feet away. One was carrying a crossbow, the other a longsword, and shield. Behind them, another two guards followed, and another two after that. A single guard covered completely in plate armor and holding a massive sword, brought up the rear.

"Do not move!" The first guard with a crossbow yelled as he stopped twenty feet from Todd. The guard with a sword moved to stand ten feet from Todd. A line of sword-wielding guards formed, with the crossbowmen fanning out. The armored figure walked toward Todd.

"We are guards with Samson's caravan and were tasked to guard the wagons. These bandits attempted to rob us and found themselves outmatched." Todd said as he kept both hands in the air.

The armored figure stepped forward and looked down the alleyway. Mark and Reggie stood there, also with hands in the air. Carefully the armored guard knelt and ran a hand across the blackened stone on a building. He threw a glance toward the charred piles of flesh before standing up.

"Damage to the surrounding property…" The guard was interrupted by a loud bell tolling. He turned his head and looked toward the south end of town.

"Attack, south wall!" a faint voice yelled from the city walls.

"Have Samson report to the constable in the morning, to pay for damages. Resume guarding your cargo." The guard said before running to the south. The other guards quickly followed, leaving Todd alone with his friends.

"The refugee camp is on the south side", Todd said.

"Fuckity, fuck fuck."