You have assassinated Sergeant Tine
You have gained a level
You have gained a level
You have gained a level
Holy cow, this game is awesome. Pulling on the last of my clothing I tried to look as calm as possible. I wasn't sure exactly what the situation was in the army camp, but I figured that most people probably shouldn't know each other in something this large. These men must have been dragged from the fields and slums because they looked scared to be here and I saw fear in their eyes.
I walked up to the only group of men that didn't look fearful of what was happening. These NPCs were incredibly lifelike as they each had specific mannerisms and reactions to the way in which I had dispatched that idiot Tine.
One man in particular stood a foot taller than many of the other men visible to me at the moment. He looked like he wanted to say something about what had just happened.
I walked directly up to him and just stood there. His dark gray pants were common to most of the army men, but it looked like he had literally had some woman sow together from several hides and drape them across himself. It didn't offer much in the way of protection from steel, but I imagined that poor knives and stone arrows would not break the material.
He looked back at me and his grin seemed to grow with my brazenness. He may have been tall, but I could tell that he probably was only a teenager despite his apparent girth and size. "What is your name boy". I didn't flinch as much as I imagined as the idiot hesitated.
My right hand reached up I palmed him directly in his nose. It was a precise hit that took him off his balance and he started breathing profusely.
You have delivered 20 damage and stunned Little Lenny. Little Lenny is stunned for 3 seconds. Any attack will have a 33% chance of causing critical damage.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Palm StrikeBeginnerLevel 10%Palm Strike is used to cause the enemy to become stunned. This attack is rarely a critical hit, but is deftly used to created a combination attack to place your opponent at your mercy.
+2 Agility for learning a new skill
I stepped back away from the bleeding manchild and put my hand on my sword. "Listen here idiots" I let this sink in because it I was not getting the respect I wanted. "I needed a few things to happen right now. "
This body in the field needs to be dealt with ASAP. This man right here was a deserter. He was caught trying to steal horseflesh. On his deathbed he has granted me and a select few the opportunities to visit some of the camp followers." I bowed my head out of respect for our departed friend.
There was a Guffaw from somewhere in the camp, but I didn't actually bother to look up and see.
Thinking about my class and its responsibilities I decided it was time to throw caution to the wind. "Dear heavily father, we stand here to beseech you to take care of your misguided son here who lays before us. We pray to you and ask that you do not judge him to harshly for he is a man who faced war and death."
I let the silence fill up the moment. Peeking slightly, I looked around to see that a majority of the men there present were bowing their heads respectfully as well.
You have converted 2 followers to the faith
What! Looking around now in shock, I noticed that there were two men openly weeping at my words and their faith. I doubt they knew anything about god or christ, but they seem to have embraced my words.
Both men started making a strange glow about them. It was almost as if they were connected to me somehow and I could understand their prayers.
"Come forth brothers" I let my voice remain flat and calm as they moved forward.
We silently circled the dead man and I prayed as I had been taught:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
You have converted 9 followers to the faith
I couldn't help but smile. I took the time to lay eye contact on each of my new brothers. "Brothers, I need you nine deal with the bodies. We shall return for each of you. Carry forward for christ."
I dismissed the nine and looked to my first two followers and noticed the Lenny had regained himself. He stood away from the crowd and looked angry. Ignoring him I grabbed my two followers and went in search of the camp followers.
Avoid The Gallows CrewType:ChainTime Limit:CompletedConditions:MetYou have successfully talked your way out of ending up a slave in the "gallows crew" for deserters and undesirables. You are awarded a new quest
Take Control of the Camp followersType:ChainTime Limit:N/AConditions:VariesRewards: ???
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
My first follower was actually a fairly older man and looked to be closing in on sixty. "Where are you from honored elder." Why not be respectful?
He smiled at my statement replied in kind, "My name is Jonathan Black and this is my nephew Jeb. We hail from a small city to the South called Shellport. Our city was recently ceded to the Duke.
I nodded, not understanding exactly who or where he was referring to at the moment. I would have to check the forums at logout. I decided to check in on my stats and see what I had attained with my strange class.
Name: Mason
Class: Apostle
Title: Founder of Christianity
Race: Human
Level: 4
Points Available
HP: 160/160 ((level*10)+(Constitution*10)+ 100)
MP: 160/160 ((level*10)+(Intelligence*10)+100)
Strength 15
Agility 17
Stamina 15
Endurance 15
Constitution: 15+(8)
Intelligence 15+(8)
Luck 15
???: ???
???: ???
???: ???
???: ???
"I have never had the pleasure of going to that fair city, but its renown for its trade." I had seen as much in the information I reviewed prior to joining. "Friend, are most of the men who were with you from that same city?"
Jonathan nodded his head and continued,"you will fine that most of the men hear are from either Shellport or one of the surrounding villages and small communities. The Duke as you know hails from Marquine and is the son of the King. We currently march to bring low our brothers and sisters in Versaille." He paused in thought at that point and turned back towards me with an inquisitive look.
"I hail from up north and I am on a pilgrimage for my faith. I seek to bring forth the work of christ to these lands. Would you like to hear more about him?" I don't think that I adaquately answered his question, but he still seemed genuinely excited about what I had to say so he dismissed my deft change of subject.
Jeb actually saved my bacon. He reached around to go to my other side and whispered, "These Ducal scum deserve to die. These bastards killed my paw and most of the soldiers of Southport during the Siege." He rubbed at his eye and seemed to hiss. "Paw was working the fisher boats during the Siege to bring in extra food since the grain was being rationed. We were starving. Him and his fellows were slaughtered by the Naval blockade."
We had stopped walking forward at this point. I Can't believe how real these people feel. I think that my own heartstrings were feeling strained at this outpouring of emotion.
I found myself bowing my head yet again. Its a funny thing about faith. With my down luck, I had pushed away the lord because of my anger and frustration. There really was no excuse. The words were out of my mouth and they held a conviction I faintly remembered from my father who had truly been my rock until he passed.
"Lord we ask they you bless us and guide us on your path. We live in a world full of sin, anger and hatred, but we respect that you are the one who deserves are respect and deference to you holy will. It is through the fruits of your labor that I can enjoy this blessing of life and reach towards you."
My hand had been beside both my new brothers and suddenly they were each granted new classes.
Jonathan Black and Jeb Black have been ordained with a new class "Missionary"
Missionary ClassType:PaladinLevel Bonus:+1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 IntelligenceRequirements:Faith in ChristThese men and women have given up thier worldly possessions to focus on bringing the glory of the lord to the world. They will be strong of mind and body. They have access to "prayer" and "faith" skills. They work to defend and expand the faith at all costs.
You have used Ordain and Christ supports your choices you receive +1 to all stats.
I never intended that to happen, but it just felt right to bring them into the flock. I finished the prayer somberly "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." This world seems incredibly real to me even more so than much of my life. I never imagined getting closer to god.
"I have some coin from Sergeant Tine, Lets spend some of it" I really didn't care for the idea of dirty camp followers, but realized that men would flock to the whores in this time of war. They were just waiting for an entrepreneur like me to step forth. This would help convert followers as well. I imagine that we could start sermons and the like. This was going to get interesting.
Jeb was particularly excited and I caught him adjusting himself. Ahh the vigor of youth.
Jonathan was leading us forward, but I was concerned that he didn't know exactly where he was going. "You know Mason, with that chainmail you could probably take your pick of the camp followers. Are you planning on becoming a guard for the Duke or is that a convenient way to move without question?"
They were good questions and I had to think before I answered.
"I was thinking along the same lines with the respect and authority of my new colors providing us standing, but I am not married to the thoughts of keep myself gelled to being a guard." He nodded and I continued " I expect us to establish ourselves in this camp and I don't want the death of Tine hurting us or marking us for death."
This time he nodded again and Jeb seemed to have lost a bit of his swagger.
I slapped him on the shoulder and smiled forcibly, "don'y worry young buck, this is war and there are probably thousands of men in the camp. The nobles don't care about guards so long as they point there swords in the right direction and bow and scrape. The lord doesn't suffer such fools and they shall not love long when he comes forth."
These words seemed to ignite a strange reaction from my missionaries. Faith is a funny thing and it takes time to fully enter ones stoney heart. These men had lived under the noble class for so long that they couldn't yet get past the idea that these hanging words rang with truth and conviction.
We made it into the trade district after about fifteen minutes of walking and the solemn expressions were being exchanged for the wide smiles of merchants, traders and whores.
_______
Please provide feedback. I know the chapters are not long, but I like the shorter snapshots. If this is horrible, then I could consolidate them and post less often. My goal is at least 1 post per week at the tune of about 1500 to 2000 words. These first chapters were a tad on the short side. Thanks everyone for enjoying my writing.