| Paper Fallout, the story; so our ideas and the story can be in two different topics so it's not confusing | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 2 2013, 03:43 PM (1,848 Views) | |
| Khan | Dec 16 2013, 01:45 AM Post #41 |
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Wister Location: Mushroom Express (Exterior; Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ_Lzh_S-2c (Radio Rogueport Vegas) Night had finally arrived. What eagerness you had to set out for Glitz's End was contrasted with the fear you had of whatever was lurking out there in the darkness. The winds chilled your bones and seemed to pick up quite an eerie whistle out there in the dark. Dust clouds and plumes moved across the desolate wastes...along with any predators that might lurk there as well. You barely see anything that wasn't only a little bit in front of you, the rest was only pitch black. In the distance you could see lights and torches from what you assumed was Glitz's End, as well as a camp fire that looked to be from Ghouls' Rest, but other than that it was mostly darkness. You looked around to see if there was anything to scavenge out here, but you didn't find anything of value that was in plain sight of the exterior of Mushroom Express, except a rusted tin can and an empty beer bottle, which you took anyway. This is only your first night in the wasteland. You kind of hoped that you would get to see another one. That's why you walked up to Rast who had taken a break from playing his godawful lute music and was now eating something before preparing to go inside for the night. You decided at the very least, you would question Rast about what the wildlife around here was like and what exactly you should look out for. Rast: You're still hanging around here? Why don't you just crawl back into your hoity toity Vault? Almost between every word was the sound of him sloppily chewing his meal. The brief stench you picked up from it was enough to make you far from hungry. Wister: I might have considered that, if I hadn't been thrown out... It seems like I can't win. Bandits weren't liked down there, and they're certainly not liked up here either. Rast: You're just going to have to deal with it man. Wister: Easy enough for you to say, being a Toad. He paused, swallowed the last bite of his slop, and put the wooden bowl and spoon down on the ground next to him. Rast: You really think we get special treatment? I get treated fair in most places. But as an NMR civilian, I had to deal with their bureaucracy and taxes and all their other bullshit; not to mention the soldiers were asshat bullies when it came to anything valuable the government wanted. On the other hand, in the east, the Sons of Bowser wanted to crucify me, and I still am not sure why. Probably because they were just big fans of my music. When I made it up here in the north, I decided I'd hang up my traveling shoes in the frontier of greed. But hey, at least it's honest. Wister: Crucify? Rast: Look kid, the only thing I can suggest to you is to stay away from the East. Far, from the East. Bandit's aren't looked down upon as much as others are out there, especially Yoshis and Shy Guys, but the Sons are... well, they're assholes. The wastes are full of them sure, but not all of them want to nail you onto shoddy craftsmanship and watch you slowly die. Also, blending is definitely a good idea. Try to be too heroic or villainous and well, somebody'll get you before too long. Get cut down by the wastes. I've seen it happen. Wister: Well, what about the north? Rast: What about it? Wister: Is there anything to worry about? Rast: Well, it being night, I'd seriously suggest you just wait for morning to set out. The more toothy and clawy critters are out at this time, along with some of the more daring raiders and scavengers. You could probably handle a few Bloatjabbies, Packfuzzies, or maybe even hold off a Tunneler; but watch out for Waste Piranhas, Fire-Yeckos, and any Marauders or Horde Raiding Parties. You may have those papers, but in the dark that hardly matters, and unless they know you, you're fair game if they decide you're worth looting. Still, it's a short enough walk up to Glitz's End. Might get attacked by some stray animal or something. Up here, one of the largest dangers is the raiders. But because we're so close to Glitz's End and because those guys are basically the alpha dogs of raiding up here, I doubt you'll get attacked by one of the wandering groups. Still, this wasteland's full of surprises. I'd simply proceed with caution, if I were you. The conversation appearing to be over, Rast went back to eating from his bowl. However, curiosity remained circling within your mind. Wister: What are you eating? Rast: Squeek. Not the one from earlier, mind you, but I'll probably get that one too. You can't be picky about what you eat, especially out here. You just hoped that what could be lurking out there felt the direct opposite. Hopefully, you tasted terrible enough that they wouldn't bother with you. Still, Rast's words put some of your other worries to rest. But in turn, they had also created new ones. You weren't sure if you were going to head East any time soon, but the West didn't sound all that great either. You just couldn't catch a break. With your revolver in hand, you started heading towards Glitz's End and it's relatively close, but yer so far lights. You debated activating your Pep-Boy light, but decided against it for now. Your radio was still playing oldies, but you figured you'd keep it on for moral support. It was better company than the swirling dust and screeching winds. You heard the sound of the door of Mushroom Express slam shut after a few seconds, signaling Rast going inside. It was just you and the dark. For now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMnLoOnrwbg (play whenever the other song ends) As you walked, you looked up at the night sky, this being your real first time looking at it. You had expected to see more stars, but all you saw were dark foreboding clouds. All this wasteland seemed to be was violence this, omens that, it really was beginning to get you down. At least the few you did see shimmered quite beautifully, like diamonds in the rough. You continued along a ways. That distant glow of the fledging neon sign of the entrance still far away. The sounds of your footfalls and radio were carried by the wind. It was only then when you heard the gurgling, growling sounds coming from somewhere in the darkness. You tried to ignore it and held your pistol up, walking faster. The wind made the sound come from everywhere at once, you weren't sure how far away it was, and you could barely see very far out. Then came a rush of rapid footsteps. Immediately, you sprung around to face three Feral Ghouls rushing towards you from three prongs, all three of them being Koopas. If it wasn't for their shells, they wouldn't have appeared to be Koopas at all. What flesh they still had was hanging off, and their hands were more claws than anything. Their eyes were blackened wells, and their charred flesh glistened in the limited starlight. Rast's words repeated in your mind. Some stray animal or something. That fucking rat eating bard. When the first Feral Ghoul launched at you with it's claws, you immediately fired your revolver, the blare being conscientiously loud. It wasn't exactly the best shot, but considering it had been lunging towards you, it landed alright nonetheless. With a bullet to the brain, he found himself down and out. The second you shot through his neck mere inches from reaching you, but it still proved to be enough to kill it. Gore from the Ghoul's neck wound sprayed across yourself in a lukewarm spurt. Then the third one growled and launched himself at you while in his shell. Knocking you off of your feet and onto the ground, it had gotten the advantage. And was lumbering toward you as you lay sprawled on the ground, ready to feast. You crawled away and fired a shot, missing. You fired again, hitting the ghoul in the leg, and causing it to fall over on top of you. It prepared to bite down, but you hit it with your revolver's butt, knocking it away enough for you to fire again, hitting it in its stomach and finally killing it. That could've gone really bad. You got up quickly and decided to check really quick if they had anything valuable. After finding nothing on the first two, you were sure that this fight would be rewardless. That was when you found the two coins still stashed in the third's tattered pant pockets. But before you had a chance to catch your breath, you heard a more footsteps and animalistic screeching noises. Then there was the sound of something coming up from the ground, followed by an inhuman groan. You had no idea where that came from, or what it was, but you weren't that curious right now. You began to run the rest of the way to the city. Your presence was already broadcast pretty well anyway, and luckily you hadn't encountered anything else. There were two torches lit beneath a flickering neon sign around an entrance made of scrap piled together to make a crude walls and gate, with one torch next to each guard. One was a Koopa, and the other was a Bandit. The Bandit was wearing faded red rags and his mask was dusty, with a few metal plates strapped carelessly onto his front and back along with a 10mm Pistol slung low on his hip, but the weirdest thing you noticed was that his shoes were sharpened like knives at the end. The Koopa had a yellow shell and had a few nasty scars on his face, he was wearing brown shoes that were falling apart at the soles and had metal spikes extending from the shoulders of his armor; he was wielding a rather nasty looking pair of machetes in back sheaths. Both had the symbol of a skull with the jaw missing and eyes enflamed painted on their front on a piece of metal. Koopa: Halt, or we'll kill you. We have to be even more thorough at night. Especially with you masked thieves. The Koopa looked at the Bandit guard, who just blankly looked back. This was already beginning to get old, really quickly. Still, you decided for the moment, you'd follow their orders. It's not exactly like you want to go back out there and fight more monstrous things, especially not without more supplies. Bandit: What'cha doin' here at Glitz's End? You lookin' to join The Horde? We got places for Bandits, ya'know? Wister: Well, I'm here on courier business. I have papers stating such. Don't want any trouble, guys. Koopa: Holster your weapon and show me your papers, or I'll have my friend here take those papers for you without you even knowing it. He can even pick a Shy Brotherhood punk's pocket easier than Lady Promiscu T. Bandit: Heh heh... You put away your revolver and pulled the papers you had received from Paul out of your bag. The Koopa quickly looked them over near the torch while the Bandit guy was looking you up and down silently, before the Koopa handed them back to you. Koopa: Ah, damn it. You're lucky, those welps on day duty said the last guy that came here wanting in got sent off to go fight a band of cannibals that have been fucking with our turf. They probably got him too. Even luckier for you, I know how to read. Most of the other Horde guys don't, but they have to have at least literate one guy on guard duty for the traders and such. My name is Joshua, and he's Pollack. You cause a problem inside, you cause a problem for us because we are the ones who let you in. That means it'll be us who solves the problem, get me? Wister: I don't think you could have made it any more obvious... Joshua: Well, unlike Goombler on day duty, we don't dick around with the vagrants. Anyways, in you go, Wister, if the name on them papers is correct. Just remember that your papers are only good until the job is done. You're probably more welcome here more than other places though... Pollack: Yes, yes. You could learn much from us here, you'd make a good recruit. Go talk to Rifle in the War Room, he'll set you up to talk with The Boss. Pollack then cheerfully handed you back your revolver and patted you on the back, which he had apparently stolen without your knowledge while you talked with Joshua. You felt slightly kindred with Pollack, but also weirded out and violated. You would have to be careful in a den of thieves and degenerates, but it felt oddly natural and welcoming, a much warmer welcome than you had received thus far at least. Joshua walked up to the gate and knocked three times. A moment later, the gate was suddenly lifted up by chains. You weren't exactly sure what was pulling the chains, but it was probably best not to question it. Quickly, you made it into the city before the gate slipped and either locked you out or fatally and brutally killed you; your first real foray into wasteland civilization. Location: Glitz's End (Vestibule; Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHqjMhD04uA (Radio Rogueport Vegas) The city was about what you thought it would be. The inside was all charred and twisted metal hollowed out and shaped to form buildings and walls. The air smelled of fire and ash coming from somewhere along with dirt, desperation, and maybe vomit; the smell was so strong, you could taste it, and cringed for a few second after taking a few steps. The area you were in looked to be a receiving area for caravans, judging by the small stable area with a few huge looking rough-haired pigs of various colors with yellowed tusks eating slops, the row of filthy benches with people that looked to not be residents here sleeping on them to your left, and the small desk staffed by a drowsy-looking Koopa a short ways away. There looked to be a set of double-doors leading to the side over by the desk, but the main path led straight ahead and seemed to fork left and right. There seemed to be a few guards of various races and armaments here and there stationed around in no real organized way, except for near the desk and double doors. Shifty and seedy characters walked around conducting their business, quietly talking to each other, going off into various alleys or into a random home, or down the main curvature of the city. Torches and sparking neon signs lit up the area, with a few proper electric lights being seen at rate intervals. There wasn't all that much activity at this hour of night, but there certainly wasn't a ghost town. This was definitely a frontier, more wild city. But you felt almost at home here immediately, and there did seem to be quite a few Bandits here, and even Koopas too. Even though most people, at least in the Vault, hated Koopas even more than Bandits. They all looked rough and ragged from hard wastes living from improvisation and crude pragmatism, but you noticed that some of them either had a red pair of G's on their clothes or helmets and others had a black K in similar places. Howard, the guy who didn't pay his debt, was likely either at a bar somewhere or at his house. You'd have to do some scouting and maybe a little asking. Maybe you could learn more about your fellow exiled Vault Dwellers as well. A sign of sloppy blood-red spray paint over by the fork in the town's fork ahead of you, marked the left leading to The Bazaar and Living Quarters, and the right leading to The Forge and the War Room. The town seemed to be organized in a ring, you guessed the arena was in the center. Looks like you'd have to look around more and walk around a bit to get your bearings on your mark. And anything else you wanted to do while you still had access here. Well, what will you do? LOST: -5 Ammo GAINED: Rusted Tin Can, Empty Beer Bottle. HEALTH CHANGE: -1 HP COMBAT XP GAINED: 3 XP NOTES/RUMORS ADDED NUMBER OF MOVES LEFT IN CYCLE: -- Edited by Khan, Apr 1 2014, 05:01 PM.
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| Atticus | Dec 20 2013, 07:39 PM Post #42 |
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Caleb T. Location: Toadtown Vault (Toadtown's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=Ay3PmxZJthk You looked down at your silver locket in your hand, of the original family that arrived in the Vault from what most likely is nothing more than a hellish wasteland now. Still, things were rapidly deteriorating here on the inside as well. The Overseer was doing his best to keep the breaches hidden, or the very least, out of the daily conversations of the residents, but it was hard considering there was still the occasional Radpuni throughout the halls. How many have left already? At least four, by your count. But the word was spreading among those discontent with how the Vault was being run nowadays. You yourself were beginning to become restless within this place, which was unusual for you, since you were often contented easy. In the days before the war, these Vaults had been called and advertised as underground paradises, but now they were beginning to appear as nothing more than underground metal cages. You weren't sure how to feel about that. Nonetheless, you knew how those who stood against the Overseer were inevitably treated by those that stuck to their blind faith of him. You had always been an orderly and kind resident, and a rather efficient guard when compared to some of the others. Yet, you always preferred to stay away from the spotlight, whether it was shining a positive or negative light. You didn't try hard to stand out, but still, there was something about you that got people to calm down and listen when they actually did take notice. It was this that actually led you to helping keep some semblance of order throughout the original breach earlier today. You would have normally kept your head down, but there were lives at risk. As you patrolled the halls with your partner, discussing what your friend and fellow guardsman Wilkins had informed you aboot, you tried to get that strangely-dressed pirate Toad to stop before he reached the Vault door, but to no avail. You even offered not to shoot him... But maybe you should've. Always ever the nice guy, it's what you had been your entire life, what people had known you by. Blending into the background at parties, having girlfriends leave you for more interesting suitors, not ever really being fully appreciated. And sometimes it drove you to drink more than you should, alone in your apartment. You were fine with that to an extent... it's just, you sometimes wanted more. To show people that you were important and valuable as more than a doormat; and even though you thought for yourself, often you only arrived at the conclusions your superiors had given you anyway. But oh well, it wasn't a completely bad existence. Now, you were simply sitting in a sterile waiting room and waiting for the Overseer to see you in his office. You had been told not long after things had calmed down a bit that he wanted to meet with you. What would this meeting result in? Would you be promoted not flinching from your duty as a guard, or would you be punished for your hushed concerns about the Overseer's uncontested rule over the people of the Vault? A promotion was something you dreamed about, but knowing your luck, it was going to be something bad or worse. You didn't know for sure, but you weren't cowardly enough to run from this encounter. Running only prolonged things. After all, those fearful of the war had ran too. Now, their descendants were sitting around in a Vault a few wrong words away from tearing each other apart. Order could only go so far before chaos came to rebalance things. If there's a bit too much chaos, then it can quickly erase what order there was entirely. Balance is key, that's one thing you always understood. The Overseer's office door slid open, and while a bit reluctant, you stood up and entered to speak with him. He was sitting behind his desk, with numerous papers in front of him, and there was a very serious expression drawn on his face. The Overseer: Please, sit down Caleb. I have a very serious matter to talk with you about. But I know you, of all people, will understand my concerns. For the good of the vault. You sat down, and waited for the Overseer to get on with it. The hard chair you were sitting in was uncomfortable, especially compared to The Overseer's huge ornate cushy chair, but you didn't mind all that much. In the end, what he asked of you was far from what you expected he would. Completely. Time had passed since your meeting with the Overseer. With your orders set forth, you would obey. You had returned to your quarters to collect what little you owned from your small apartment, and now walked towards the great Vault door, which you would have considered immovable before the events of today and tonight. In front of the door was still blood left from the conflict the last resident that left had caused while departing, Manning his name was. It was terrible what happened to his family, but you would do what you had to. Officer Langston had been to the infirmary for his leg, and was standing back at the door to the antechamber with Officer Wilkins, but there was something else about him that seemed wrong. It was understandable, considering the extremely long day he had to deal with. The population of the Vault was thinning itself out, whether it was via the dead, or through dwellers abandoning it. Even as you approached him, a look of serious concern, almost slight craze, dawned on his face. Langston: No, absolutely not. No, no. You're actually one of the sane ones, you CANNOT leave. We need you here! Caleb: Sorry Langston, but I'm on the Overseer's orders. In your hands were one of the various papers straight from the Overseer's desk. With a look of incredulity, he snatched the paper from your hands and quickly scanned through it. Langston: So now, now he's sending people out... that's just fantastic. Next thing you know, the whole vault will be out there, killed by beasts and mutants and who knows what else is out there. I don't suppose you'll tell me why he wants you to go out there? Caleb: I wish I could, but it'd be better if I didn't. Langston: Fine. Just go ahead and walk right towards death. I'm tired of trying to convince people to stay. Maybe one day, I'll even wander out there myself. Wilkins: Are you sure this is what you want, Caleb? We could use you here still in case any more civvies try to leave again. You shook your head and put your hand out to shake Wilkins'. Caleb: I'm sure. You take care Wilkins. You may be a bit green still, but I trust you the most. And who knows, I may be back soon. Just you wait. You didn't even want to go out there, but the words of the Overseer resonated within your mind. For the good of the vault. Deciding you had your own reasons, to prove yourself more than you ever could stick in here, in addition to those supplied by the Overseer, you stepped towards the Vault Door as it began to open after Wilkins went to the control panel stolidly, giving you a solemn nod as you passed into the antechamber and towards the gear-shaped door. Into the cave you walked, with your assigned mission clear in your mind. Location: Toadtown Vault Tunnel (Toadtown's Region) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_SgsNUZahI Here you were. You had never been outside before. The cave unnerved you slightly, but also was strangely peaceful. It was almost pitch black, and seemed to slope slightly upward. The only noise was the faint sound of what seemed to be the wind somewhere up ahead and your footfalls, the occasional pebble knocked around by your feet. It was not a happy moment, but one of duty, devotion. Some of the residents that left in the last twenty four hours most likely left with a sense of glee, or excitement to experience the outside world. But you, you had a stone trapping what excitement you did feel. For the Overseer had sent you on a truly grim task into the unforgiving wastes beyond. You didn't immediately rush for the wooden door to the world outside, you simply dawdled and lingered within the dark cave between it and the Vault. As if standing on a road between two equally terrible destinations. You hadn't truly made up whether you would follow through with the Overseer's mission, but you understood the reasons why you should. Getting your courage up, and slapping yourself a few times, you walked on, into the cold night of the wasteland. Location: The Wasteland (Toadtown's region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=eMpTaxWFmUA Outside, you couldn't see much of anything. It was almost pitch black, and cold. That was fine. You didn't exactly know where to start anyhow. What you did know, was that you had four choices to choose from: The pirate, the samurai, the madman, and the renegade. The Overseer had ordered you to find each of these targets, and kill them for their crimes against the Vault. For the good of the vault. You knew without a doubt that the Overseer told you only as much as he wanted you to hear, which is why you were still considering whether to go through with it or not. But him asking you to go out and kill four past Vault residents had been enough to make you want to leave the Vault yourself. That's why you agreed, while making sure your true beliefs remained hidden. But... The uncertainty lingered on in your mind. Out of the four, the Overseer had been the most vehement about the madman and the renegade. The madman you were on the fence about, for the sight of that blood stain on the Vault floor was still very fresh in your memory; Langston was a good, if not cautious man. As for the renegade Atticus, he had stolen something very important to not only the Vault, but the wasteland as well. He had stolen the GECK. Dust swirls and the wind's whips and jowls echoed across the air. There was minimal star and moonlight, and the only things you could see were what seemed to be a campfire far in the distance to the West and a light that was even more distant to the North-West. But you could theoretically go anywhere you pleased, at your own risk in the shrouded night. In the distance far away you heard a growl, a thump, and a hurt groan. Animals fighting, probably. Who knows what's out there. Well, what will you do? GAINED STARTING INVENTORY
Edited by Khan, Dec 21 2013, 03:34 AM.
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| Khan | Dec 21 2013, 07:11 PM Post #43 |
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Trubba Location: The Wasteland (Bowser's Region) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOd6quxaphA (Voice of Bowser) Despite the clear night sky for the region you were in, it was still absurdly dark. The ground's black sediment blended in with the air and it made the night seem like it devoured most of the landscape. Though the unbroken wind swept gales across the barrens, it was fairly warm. You hoped that you wouldn't run into anything too vicious though, you just wanted to get back to the city and see what you could finally learn on the inside. But Stompadompolus taught you that you needed to be cautious out here. The worst things could happen at any moment, especially when you had all your attention focused on entering into the safety of the city. Your Pep-Boy light was helpful for short distances, but it also made it so that you harshly stuck out for quite a ways. Your radio kept you company, but you were concerned that the sound might attract animals. Oh well, you figured you'd just kill anything that came up to you with a fine soundtrack. Or you hoped at least. You left the exterior of Bullet Bill's and fully submerged yourself in the night. The visibility was bad, but not complete due to the celestial bodies above and your Pep-Boy light. As you tread along the path toward the collection of lights coming from Koopolis in the distance, you reflected on your first day in the wasteland so far. Escaped the vault, talked to some cheeky guards, raided a factory swarming with ghouls. And you were still alive, and even better, had salvage and had completed some work. You looked up at the night sky, and uttered silent prayer to your Goomba friend, for all the lessons he taught you, wherever he may be right now. You walked on, keeping your rebar club handy just in case. In the distance you heard movement and the occasional groan or snort, but couldn't see or hear exactly where it was coming from. Nothing seemed to immediately rush you, and you were relieved. Until the bouncing, hairy creatures came a few minutes later, jumping from the darkness from both your left and right sides. You got ready to pulverize some predators. Well, what will you do? BATTLE! MOVES LEFT IN CYCLE: -- Edited by Khan, Dec 21 2013, 07:48 PM.
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| Atticus | Jan 31 2014, 06:45 AM Post #44 |
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Shen Ji: Location: The Wasteland (Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=cxCXk9M7wuQ Night fell, and it fell hard. Thankfully you liked it when it was dark, made you less visible, and felt somewhat... natural to you. It barely impacted your sight at all, and you could see the gales and tides of dust ebb and flow clearly in the night. The clouds covered a good portion of the moon and stars, but you barely needed any light. Barely wanted any light. You quickly shuffled through the dark on your nimble Ninji feet, heading back towards the far lights of Glitz's End. The mountain gave you a clear view of the surrounding areas, and you could see the silhouettes of many predators out there lurking and wandering. Right now you wanted to avoid anything too dangerous if you could help it and just get inside the city finally. You hid behind a rock as a three huge black fly creatures buzzed almost imperceptibly by in the night, and continued to run as quietly as you could along the way. Your footsteps were silenced by the wind, and you moved like a specter. Your thoughts strayed to your fellow Ninjis back in the Vault, and what might become of them after your outburst. The Piantas surely wouldn't be happy, and what if they got exiled too? Or worse? Maybe you could go check on them sometime in the future just to see.... In your first day up on the surface you had already encountered a civilization, Cannibals, and whatever those strange creatures you saw in the darkness were and weren't sure you wanted to see closer right now. You wondered if it might get worse than now, but remembered the words and wisdom of your great-grandfather, who passed down his knowledge to his son and then to your father: a wise Ninji picks his battles with great prudence and respect, and always makes the enemy come on his terms. Stepping back and standing still as a lizard-like creature passed by, you hoped you were honoring your heritage. Who knows what some of these monsters were capable of? You were swiftly approaching the city entrance when a ravenous blue tunneling creature emerged from the sediment and right in front of where you were going to step, screeching and drooling everywhere. You could see almost cute whiskers sprouting from beneath its nose, but the exceedingly huge sharp teeth and talons, and crazy eyes, demolished any vestige it may have once had. You ran around it and hoped that it wouldn't catch you. After a few seconds you heard a squeal behind you, and the movement in your direction stopped. Perhaps whatever that was found slower prey. The route went on. You hide near some bushes and a turned over wooden cart as you saw three growling figures prowling nearby, pitter-pattering around the corner from your hiding place. When you heard the footsteps no more, you peaked your head over the cart and saw you were alone and continued on, making it safely to the torchlit entrance of Glitz's End. It was a gateway made of crude scrap piled and arranged together to make a gate and walls, with one torch on either side. The two guards were a Bandit and a Koopa. The Bandit was wearing faded red rags with pieces of metal haphazardly stick onto them to make armor, along with a dusty mask, weird sharpened knive shoes, and a 10mm pistol slung on his hip; the Koopa had a yellow shell with metal spikes sticking off his shoulders, his face was scarred and his shoes were falling apart, on his back were dual machetes. Both had the symbol of a skull with the jaw missing and eyes enflamed painted on their front on a piece of metal. Koopa: Ah, it's you, it's you. Jubba told me that "Nin-man kill cans". I assume since you're back you either finished the job or are lacking in good judgment. Shen-Ji: Here are the heads of those curs, they tried to trick me into a trap, but I saw through their lies. You produced the four Cannibal Toad Heads and the Leader Head and dropped them on the ground. The Bandit giggled a bit, and elbowed his compatriot. It seemed like everybody up here was a bit off. Bandit: This is them, Joshua. Them caravan people told me about 'hat fat 'un right there. The Bandit pointed to the Leader Skull, prompting Joshua to pick it up and examine it for a few seconds. Joshua: Yeah, these look pretty good, if I do say- Catch Pollack! Joshua suddenly threw the severed head at the Bandit Pollack, prompting him to recoil and kick it back with the others. Pollack sighed, Joshua laughed a bit too much. Joshua: Hahaha, anyway nin-man, you can go in. The Boss will be waitin' for you, just show him the heads and all will be fine. Shen Ji: It's Shen Ji, and thanks. Joshua: No problemo, nin-man. Ha! You picked up the heads and were about to walk through the gate when Pollack stopped you. Pollack: Ya'll want this back, I reckon? The Bandit produced your Shuriken and crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall near the torch. Pollack: Best be careful in there, nin-meat. Watch your surroundings, they're not used to your kind. You stored your Shuriken, annoyed. If you didn't understand the purpose behind his action, you had half a mind to end the Bandit's life right there. But didn't, remembering your discipline over your temper. Shen Ji: I appreciate the warning. Don't do that again. The two guards chuckled to each other as you entered the gate, not finding your threat all that imposing. It looked like an uphill climb, but you had no choice. Location: Glitz's End (Vestibule; Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=A0M7FAoK3fM The city was far different than anything that you had experienced so far, but you weren't surprised. It reminded you of the areas in the vault that were the most heavily extorted by the Piantas. All the buildings, walls, and structures were made of decrepit metal, rock, and refuse all arranged to make makeshift structures. You immediately noticed the foul smell in the air and recoiled, falling to the ground for a few seconds before standing up again. You could feel the atmosphere seep down inside you and it made you feel slightly nauseous. Fire, ash, despair, and a mix between urine and sweat was what it was, but you weren't sure where the fire and ash was coming from. The area you were in looked to be a receiving area for caravans, judging by the small stable area with a few huge looking rough-haired pigs of various colors with yellowed tusks eating slops, the row of filthy benches with people that looked to not be residents here sleeping on them to your left, and the small desk staffed by a drowsy-looking Koopa a short ways away. There looked to be a set of double-doors leading to the side over by the desk, but the main path led straight ahead and seemed to fork left and right. There seemed to be a few guards of various races and armaments here and there stationed around in no real organized way, except for near the desk and double doors. Shifty and seedy characters walked around conducting their business, quietly talking to each other, going off into various alleys or into a random home, or down the main curvature of the city. Torches and sparking neon signs lit up the area, with a few proper electric lights being seen at rate intervals. There wasn't all that much activity at this hour of night, but there certainly wasn't a ghost town. They all looked rough and ragged from hard wastes living from improvisation and crude pragmatism, but you noticed that some of them either had a red pair of G's on their clothes or helmets and others had a black K in similar places. You felt slightly uneasy and mistrustful of the entire place, but forced yourself to continue on. You preferred more orderly and... trustworthy places, places where the guy you're buying from at a shop wouldn't hold you up as well. It was necessary to hang around here, at least for now. You didn't see any other Ninjis, and only a few Yoshis. But at least it didn't seem like Piantas were in control, which you smiled at. There was a Bandit with a revolver on his hip examining a nearby sign post that seemed to detail the city's layout, and you walked over nearby him to read it as well, not interacting with him much and trying your best to touch as little as possible in this foul place. The sign of sloppy blood-red spray paint over by the fork in the town's fork marked the left leading to The Bazaar and Living Quarters, and the right leading to The Forge and the War Room. The town seemed to be organized in a ring, you guessed the arena was in the center. The Boss, whoever that was, would most likely be in the War Room, you figured. This was a big place full of strange, shifty people. You weren't sure what exactly would happen here, but you silently reflected back on what your family would advise as you stared at the sign. Well, what will you do? QUEST UPDATE NOTES/RUMORS ADDED XP GAINED: +2 XP (Successful Evasion) NUMBER OF MOVES LEFT IN CYCLE: -- Edited by Khan, Apr 5 2014, 11:00 AM.
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| Atticus | Mar 24 2014, 01:05 PM Post #45 |
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Wister Location: Glitz's End (Vestibule; Rogueport's Region) Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcA24RTmnF8 (Radio Rogueport Vegas) While it had only been mere moments since you first walked into Glitz's End, it felt as if time itself had slowed done. You at first intended to just walk around and get a feel of the town, but you unintentionally gravitated towards the center, where there seemed to be a crowd forming around where you figured the arena would be. Due to the immense crowd, you couldn't exactly get the greatest view, but using your abilities as a Bandit, you began to slip and sneak through the ranks of the crowd to get a better view closer to the ring. A toad wearing a filthy, patched suit was standing in the center of the ring with a static-slinging megaphone, smiling. Next to him, was a steel cage in which nobody could see. Getting into the ring, were three heavily armed Toads, one wielding what appeared to be a flaming sword, one with a sledgehammer, and one with a baseball bat adorned with rusty nails sticking out of it. Announcer: Good evening, Horde brothers and sisters! You've all gathered here on this fateful night to see one hell of a match, and I assure you, you shall not be disappointed. For three foolhardy contestants fighting under the banner of the legendary Great Gonzales have dared to test their mettle against the Koopinator's finest fighter. You know him, and you love to hate him! The butcher, the Dark Koopatrol, Mynos! The sharply dressed announcer quickly made his way out of the ring, as suddenly the steel cage's door swung open automatically, as if controlled remotely. Out came the beast that was known as Mynos. His ashy armor was visibly crimson with the blood of his past enemies, and attached to his arms were two sharpened wristblades. Each limb of Mynos had a shackle on it, with a chain linked back to his cage. The last thing most contestants that dared to face Mynos in the ring saw was his purely red eyes, and he last thing they heard was his uneven, erratic breathing. You watched in horror as the toad with the flaming sword felt froggy enough to take the first leap at Mynos. The result was not pleasant. Mynos dodged his every attack, and put one of his wristblades directly through his throat. The one with the nail bat made a grievous error and tried to attack Mynos while he was preoccupied with the first. The crowd cheered as Mynos ripped the flaming sword from the dead one's still warm hands and planted it into the chest of the second one. The crowd cheered, jubilantly and happily. Mynos had always been a fan favorite in Glitz's End. Many of those that faced him, such as the third toad, had a change of heart and tried to flee the ring before Mynos could kill them. But as it turns out, Mynos is always faster. Ripping his wristblade free from the first toad, he dashed after the third one, and you quickly averted your view as the cheers of the crowd grew louder and louder. The match was over. Mynos won, again. You quickly departed the area before the celebrations began. You were still getting used to the ways of the wasteland, and lucky you, had landed in one of the more openly violent towns up here. Yet, a civilization was a civilization, and despite the gory show you had just got done watching, you still had a goal to accomplish on your first night out on the town. First, you wanted to make some headway on finding this in debt chump, secondly... you hoped to have a chance to put your bandit abilities to use and maybe make a quick coin or two. Now that the crowd from the arena was beginning to disperse and people were beginning to go their own ways, you figured this would be a good enough opportunity to see about trying to do so. It was then you noticed a seemingly drunken Goomba that appeared to be even barely standing up and conflicted between trying to go home or spending quality time with the ground. In only a few seconds, you quickly but discreetly walked past him. As you neared him in that small instant, your quick hand pilfered a few items from his pocket, as well as a few coins from his pouch. Not wishing to be caught standing behind your mark, you quickly continued along as that familiar adrenaline rush washed over you; your first successful theft on the surface completed, and a little bit more well off than you had been. Two coins, an empty beer bottle, and a note. You figured you would read the note later when you had a moment. You actually hadn't meant to take the note, your instincts as a thief just sort of kicked in. If all else failed, maybe you could sell it as ass wipe. It was a good start though, you had expected you were going to have to threaten someone with your trusty revolver. But that goomba looked pretty wasted, so you figured he wouldn't miss what you took that much. At least not until he woke up. Next up, you wanted to see if you could make good on that contract you had taken at Mushroom Express. Not many that were still out and about seemed that eager to talk with a stranger, so you headed towards the seedier underbelly of Glitz's End. You were on your way to the Bazaar. On one hand, this was where most of the businesses and shops were in Glitz's End. But on the other, this was where all the bars, prostitutes, and scumbag thieves were. Well, more scumbaggy than you were, at least. And in the back of your mind slowly came rising a thought you never expected: excluding the horrifically gory display earlier, you were really beginning to enjoy Glitz's End. It felt like home. All of the shops were closed, but the bars certainly weren't. You decided to enter the first you saw, thinking that the bum you were looking for was probably in here drinking whatever coins he got from selling off the package he was supposed to deliver. The bar you entered was called, The Stuck Lil' Oink. You were about to start asking the patrons questions about the Koopa you were searching for, but almost immediately after your entry... ???: Hey, you! Green hood! Masky! I'm talking to you! You turned around to see a grizzled old Toad sitting at a table by himself in the corner. His face was littered with scars, but that was not what you were looking at. You were looking at where his left arm used to be. His ragged outfit covered the telltale outline of a stump, but you stopped staring as soon as he narrowed his eyes at you beneath his faded yellow-spotted mushroom cap. Cautiously, you approached the toad's table and he gestured for you to sit down. You did, thinking that perhaps this one-armed toad would know about Howard. At the very least, you figured he could tell you a bit more about this town, and that hellish monster they called Mynos. Old Toad: I noticed you watched the match tonight. From the way you were acting when Mynos killed those idiots, I figure you're new around here. A bandit that becomes nauseous at the sight of someone getting ripped apart? Then, I saw that you were wearing a Vault Jumpsuit. It's a dead giveaway that you're soft, kiddo. More than a few in this rotten hole of a town would eagerly swindle and take everything you have on you. Then again, you're a Bandit, so maybe your instincts will protect you. Before long unfortunately, you'll probably join them in the end. Most Bandits that come here do. This place is a pit of quicksand. One step inside, and you're here forever. Wister: You don't seem like you belong here, old man. Old Man: I don't. I came from Rogueport, to the north. That place... it's actually worse than here. I wanted to get away, to find some place better. But after... an unfortunate turn of events, I landed myself in a battle with Mynos. That demon was even worse years ago. His matches today are actually tame comparing to his old ones. Wister: You actually challenged him? The old man simply laughed, but it was clear that he didn't find the question truly amusing. Old Man: Challenged? No, far from it. In fact, most of the people Mynos kills don't challenge him. The Horde's law system is... well, different, to say the least. I don't know what you've heard about them since you stepped foot into town, but they're really nothing more than slightly civilized raiders. Thefts, as you may have imagined, isn't really regulated. The way they see it, if you can't get back what was stolen from you, then it's rightfully the thief's. A lot of the thieves in this town are veterans at it, but there are of course still rookies like yourself. Most that have been living here long have learned to train their eyes to spot a thief. But larger crimes, such as those against the Horde... they land you in that arena, to face Mynos. There's of course normal matches waged throughout the day, but the night matches with that beast are practically watched by all in Glitz's End. There's a rumor circling the wastes that he's the last Dark Koopatrol left, and frankly, I wouldn't mind if they went extinct. Those that manage to actually survive the wrath of Mynos, they're set free. I was one of those few, but personally, I don't consider myself so lucky to have been spared. One less arm, and I get to waste away the rest of my life in this shithole. Wister: Who runs the Horde? Old Man: Ah, that's an interesting question, with no easy answer. The Horde is currently divided into two sides. The raiders, bless their bloodthirsty hearts, have found religion. Only problem is, they can't decide to worship a single deity. No, one worships a figure that was once called "The Koopinator" and the other a being called "The Great Gonzalez." The Koopinator was a Dark Koopatrol like Mynos, only far more sane and disciplined, and the Great Gonzalez... well, not much is known about him. They believe them to be true gods, and found their feats and what little they know from old records, for the few that can read, and audio recordings from before the war. That's why you see those G's and K's on the people here, it signifies which following they believe. In addition to those two, there's also a third that staggers around preaching a different deity, but usually most people ignore him as a kook. Then again, who would rather worship a hawk in comparison to two combatants well versed in the art of battle? Wister: What do you believe in then, old man? Old Man: Nothing. Beliefs and hopes amount to the same thing in this world, kid. They're bullshit. I wouldn't tell the others in the town this, though. You might end up in the arena too. The old man's words was a bit depressing, but they did have a bit of truth in them. Still, you needed to get back to business. Wister: One thing before I go, do you know a koopa by the name of Howard? Has a purple shell? Old Man: Oh, everybody knows that buffoon. If you really want to find him, you ought to talk to the fellow that just walked in. He's his brother. You looked towards the door, and sure enough, a Koopa with a light purple shell had just walked in, and approached the bar counter. Old Man: You ought to be subtle, Masky. The patrons of this bar, they're not stranger to a bar brawl. And I never told you what they call me. It's Ampu. Ampu T. Though my original name was different, but it fits at least. If you need any more dirt on this place or residents, I'm your guy. I'm here everyday, trying to drink away the pain I still feel in my left arm. Wister: I'm Wister Feltch, and I may just take you up on that offer, old man. You stood up and walked away from the table, with Howard's brother in your sights and Ampu T.'s (you just now got that) advice about being subtle still fresh in your mind. Well, what will you do? GAINED: 2 Coins, Empty Beer Bottle, Gum Drops, and a Horde Note. KARMA CHANGE: -25 Karma XP GAINED: +1 XP (Successful Pickpocket) Quest Update NOTES/RUMORS ADDED NUMBER OF MOVES LEFT IN CYCLE: -- Edited by Khan, Apr 5 2014, 10:32 PM.
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| Atticus | Mar 31 2014, 12:28 PM Post #46 |
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Caleb T. Location: The Wasteland (Toadtown's region) Music: http://youtu.be/SefxmOv-88M The darkness and the silence was unnerving. For a few moments, you had tuned your Pep-Boy into one of the radio signals it was picking up. But the old songs that began to play only deepened your fears. To hear the crackling songs of a world long dead and to be wandering on its remains did no good. Thus, it was only you and the harsh wind of the wasteland. How long had it been since you were waiting to meet with the Overseer? The metal walls that had been surrounding you then seemed extremely preferable to the openness of this cold and dark place. If only your Pep-Boy light was a thousand times brighter. Lifeless soil, dead plant life, there was nothing here to give you comfort. Only more and more reminders that you walk in a world that withered away long ago. With your 9mm pistol in your hands, you continued on. How could any of the four that you were supposed to track down and kill feel eager to leave the Vault? It just didn't make sense to you. Life wasn't perfect there, that you understood, but it was far better than the outside. You cursed under your breath, damning yourself to ever feel the slightest ounce of curiosity about what was waiting out there. Civilization hadn't grown after being struck down. Death and darkness, that was all the world was. The Overseer and his supporters had been right all along. It was then you realized something was stirring in the darkness ahead of you. Just beyond the perimeter of the illumination provided by your Pep-Boy was something not dead, but alive. Fully grasped by the claws of fear, your instincts failed you. You didn't know what was lurking ahead of you, but you were desperate to find someone else alive. This is why you yelled out, trying to grab the attention of the person lurking in the shadows. Your desperation aside, you were absolutely sure it was a person. Unfortunately, you were wrong as what you had called to get the attention of stepped into the Pep-Boy's light. It did still somewhat have the shape of a Toad, but its flesh was rotten and peeling off. Its eyes were empty, and possessed a mouthful of razor sharp teeth and sharpened claws. The desperation to find someone else immediately thrown aside, you rose your 9mm pistol at the abomination. Blood was still dripping from its mouth. Was the blood its own, or from a past victim? It simply stood there, staring at you with its empty eyes. Would this be what you'd become? A hollow monster, preying on wanderers? As it leaped towards you, the sound of a gunshot rung through your ears. It was not of your gun. While you had been paralyzed by fear, someone had come to your rescue, as the ravenous toad was on the ground, missing its head. ???: Lower yer gun, or we'll shoot you too. With no other choice, you complied. Almost immediately following your departure from the Vault, the Overseer's assignment fell to the bottom of the list of your concerns. Edited by Khan, Apr 2 2014, 04:40 AM.
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| Atticus | Apr 1 2014, 02:02 AM Post #47 |
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Orin Location: Rogueport Vault (Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=Ay3PmxZJthk You opened your eyes, and stared up at the same metal ceiling, locked in the same old dingy jail cell. Things had been happening the Vault recently, or at least, that was what you heard from the various shifts of guards that stood and passed by your cell. Your ear was attuned to hear such things, even if they were worthless to you in your current situation. After all, while things were happening in the Vault, where were you? Still stuck in this damned jail cell. What had landed you in here? Pretty much everything the other Bandits did, except you acted on your own, rather than as a lackey of that damned Pianta Overseer. Still, the rumors you had heard about the events of today were interesting. The Piantas were trying to throw a cover over it, but the news was getting out anyways. The Vault door wasn't sealed, in fact, it was opened regularly. A Bandit was beaten up and exiled for stealing from the Overseer, a Ninji guard went wacko and murdered a couple of guards that were harassing a few Bandits and left on his own. Another Ninji told the Overseer after the fact, and out of rage, the Overseer had his guards beat him up pretty bad apparently. But to be honest, you didn't really care. You never really cared about Vault politics, and you weren't going to start today. What you truly cared about was that there was a way out of this hole. That bandit had been lucky. You were aware of the rumor about the Overseer dumping some of the criminals that were against him outside, but his staff had actually did a good job on covering it up. That wasn't surprising, considering they were Piantas. Coupled with the rogue Ninji's killings though and because Gra whatever his name was waited until after the fact to tell the Overseer, you had the best chance you were ever going to get. They framed you to put you here, and for revenge, you're willing to kill any that try to stop you from finally leaving. After years of wasting away in this cell, you were going to breathe in the air of the outside. Or die trying. You had in your possession a Bobby Pin you had kept for years, but you had chosen to bide your time. After all, even if you had escaped, it would only be a matter of time until they caught you again. But armed with the knowledge that you indeed could escape to the outside, you had all you needed. You waited until the guard standing outside of your position stepped away to take his regular nightly piss break (like clockwork), you quickly set to lockpicking your cell's door. After years of biding your time and resisting the temptation of lockpicking the door early and wasting your life by getting into a vengeful firefight with Vault Security, you were instead going to free yourself from this prison of a Vault, and snatch away all the riches of the outside, like a true Bandit of old would. Only a moment after you got the door open, the guard with a clear bladder problem returned. Security Guard: You better step back into that cell, Gottfried, or I'm going to bash your brains in like the last Bandit who pissed me off. Orin: I think not. The guard was fast, but fortunately, you were faster. You landed a doozy of a punch, bringing the guard down before he could grab his baton or pistol. Down he went, and to the evidence locker you went. Next to it was a desk, with a bottle of Whiskey you had been eyeing all night. While it was tempting, you had business to get to. From the evidence locker, you grabbed a throwing knife and some crook bandit's flaying knife. You would have taken more, but you heard the telltale sound of guards patrolling the outside halls. There was no time, besides, you had a feeling that there would be much more than what's in the locker on the outside. But before you left the small rathole of a prison that had been your home for many years, you stopped not out of sentiment, but to grab the bottle of Whiskey before you left. Then, getting to the Vault Door was a relatively simple matter. After all, you were a Bandit. Although, you did believe you were going to get in a spot of trouble when you realized your memory of the Vault was fuzzy, considering you were put away when you were nothing but a child. Following the pickpocket of a irresponsible, off duty, drunken Officer Flowers, you had the password to your freedom. To the Vault Door you went, stopping for nobody. There was nothing and nobody here that you cared about anymore, and the revenge you felt a need for following your incarceration had cooled, or at the very least became overshadowed by your all but consuming desire to escape. You craved freedom, away from these treacherous, confining walls. As the gigantic door built by Vault-Tec once more began to open, the sound of stomping guards returned. But the moment it had even opened a little, you were already gone. Location: Rogueport Vault Tunnel (Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_SgsNUZahI Not only had you left, but you were running through the very cave in which two other past residents calmly walked through, thinking on the fact that they were going to leave the only place they had known as a home. But all you had known it as was a prison. Besides, the other two didn't have guards shooting at them from the still exposed interior of the Vault. Laughing insanely and eagerly, panting as you focused every fiber of your being and every thought in your mind on escape, you raced towards freedom and a new world that you were determined to steal everything worth taking from. In the process of your mad race to the door at the end of the tunnel, you stepped on and broke the skull of one of the ancient skeletons that a Ninji only hours ago had given a rite to. Out into the world you were unleashed through the wooden door separating the wasteland night from the perpetual darkness of the underground, while hearing the faint grumblings of the Vault Security guards, as the Vault Door once more began to close. Location: The Wasteland (Rogueport's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=eMpTaxWFmUA Your feverish escape parade was halted when you actually stood there and observed what had become of the outside. Your disappointment was only matched by the dark and cold of the wasteland's night. What if there was nothing out here? Nothing good to steal? Nobody to swindle or to extort? How would you help yourself if you couldn't take from others? For someone like you, you depended on others, so you could shanghai the fruits of their labor with minimal effort on your own part. You quickly snapped out of it. People were nasty buggers, they almost assuredly found some way to survive out here. The only question was where. Where to go? It was a big world, but first things first was to find some leads on some good heists. You could become a treasure hunter, and amass enough wealth so that you never had to deal with the threats others presented ever again. Your thoughts were interrupted by the sound of snarling in the distance followed by some injured whines, and more unpleasant beastly gurgling noises coming from somewhere in the dark. You couldn't see a damn thing out here, and the clouds were blocking most of the moon. In the distance far out ahead of you were some dim lights around what looked to be a large collection of buildings, and a campfire of some sort that was closer but more East. One thing was for certain: you couldn't stay here for long, or whatever was making those noises in the dark would see this your first, and last night of freedom. You shivered in the cold as the wind solemnly wailed in apathy. Well, what will you do? GAINED STARTING INVENTORY
Edited by Khan, Apr 19 2014, 09:06 AM.
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| Khan | Apr 5 2014, 11:56 AM Post #48 |
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Trubba Location: The Wasteland (Bowser's Region) Music: http://youtu.be/uV7gmIDrwf8 (Voice of Bowser) You raised your Rebar Club and flailed it wildly in the dark around you as the Packfuzzies bounced and lunged forward, hoping to get a warm meal out of you. You splattered one of them mid-leap, and knocked another one away into the dark. As you began swinging some more, you felt a sickening warmth and scratchy feeling coming from your leg. Sure enough, one of the Packfuzzies had attached and was sucking the life from you. So you reacted the natural way, and pile drived it off your leg. But while this did succeed in seriously hurting the Packfuzzy, it also drove its teeth further into your skin. You felt another one of the Fuzzies attach to your back as you knocked the almost dead one off your leg with your Rebar Club, splattering gore across your lower body (some of which was your own blood). You then did the same thing with the one on your back, falling backwards to crush it. And while you did feel a slight pain as its teeth dug into your back, the satisfying squishing noise told you it was dead. You got up and were preparing to loot the bodies when you saw the last Packfuzzy emerge from the dark you knocked it into. It screeched with hunger and leaped at you drooling, but you punted it with your club and sent it splattering everywhere. You couldn't help but think about what a huge mess the creatures made, though the other predators would assuredly come and clean it up. They didn't seem to injure you all that much, and so you quickly searched them for valuables, taking a few of their knocked out teeth and some of their meat. You didn't think that you would eat any though unless you had to, since some of it might be you, or some other unfortunate wastelander. Damn parasites... You quickly made haste closer to the Koopolis entrance, which was affixed with torches and other lights from deeper in the fortress-like city. There seemed to be at least some electricity in the settlement, which gave you some comfort. Not as much of the old world had been lost as you thought. There were more noises and growls. The sounds of things burrowing up from the dirt. You just kept moving as fast as you could towards the entrance. All the unseen beasts lurking about was seriously creeping you out. At long last you made it close to the entrance, only to hear a sniper rifle shot ring out. Followed by another, and another. You didn't feel any pain, but the sudden noise stopped you in your tracks. You looked around and didn't see anything, until you turned around, and saw two horrifying blue creatures with talons and claws, their faces frozen into snarls beneath crazed eyes by death. Koopa Guard: Well, well, well, what have we here? Those Tunnelers almost had you for dinner, Clubba. I know your race isn't all that smart or anything, but you can surely understand a need to be careful, eh? You being covered in bloody mess can attest to that. In front of the gate stood a Koopatrol dressed in red-and-green armor with a spear and a few throwing knives on his belt; he had a yellow star on each shoulder. On the other side was a bluish Gloomba with a bandana, some clothing rags, and an axe; and at the top where Stockholm was earlier was a Toad with a sniper rifle, he had a black mushroom cap with green and red dots, but had a leather duster on and was smoking a cigarette. Koopa Guard: Well? Don't you know how to speak? Or should I talk slower so you can understand? This guy's attitude was pissing you off, but you held your temper, remembering Stompadompolus' aphorisms against losing your temper. Trubba: I finished a job that the other guards gave me from earlier. Clearing out the factory? The Koopatrol tapped his spear to his head and snapped his fingers. Koopa Guard: Oh yeah, that's right! Jeff and Mark told me about you. You're even wearing the Vault Jumpsuit, how aboot that? Okay, well let's see those heads then. You pulled out the Feral Ghoul heads and dropped them into a heap on the floor in front of the Koopatrol. Koopa Guard: Ahh, so I see you're a lot more resilient than you look. You'd make a fine recruit into our ranks. Isn't that right, boys? Gloomba Guard: Yeah, sure. Whatever. Koopa Guard: Now, now, now, Gloomry, where's your enthusiasm? We don't want to have to lock you in The Hole again, now do we? Gloomry: No sir Sholl... The Clubba looks okay. Better than most of the other savages, at least. Sholl: Was that so hard? What about you, Riff? The Toad at the top of the gate flicked cigarette butts off the balcony and called down. Riff: He doesn't know how to watch his ass properly, he's still green from being cooped up in that vault. I almost shot him out of pity. Sholl: Bah, I barely trust you not to shoot me too. Why do I even ask your opinion, welp? You being from the East is the only reason we let you in. Damn Toads... Trubba: You guys have a few issues to sort out, but either way, the factory is clear. Can you let me inside the city now? Sholl: Sure. You can go inside, as promised. Those factory munitions will help us greatly. Go report to Morton Koopa in the Keep, he'll formally make you a Son; Clubbas make good bullet sponges, since it's so hard for them to think. You can also go to the various stalls and caravans that are strewn throughout the town if you want to sell some of the shit you found in the factory. We're harsh and swift on crime or vices here, so if we see you in the act of either, you'll get a due punishment. Remember that, Clubba. Trubba: I'll be careful. Sholl grunted and tapped his spear on the ground, causing the large metal gate to slowly open. You nodded to him and started to walk inside. Gloomry stopped you for a second though. Gloomry: They're really strict around here. I don't know how it is in the Vault, but you best watch your P's and Q's. If you need any information, go find my brother Glummer. He should be near the Slave Pens. Trubba: Well thanks, Gloomry. You seem pretty nice to newcomers. Gloomry: Just don't do anything stupid, okay? I try to give newbies a hand, since I know how hard it is here, especially on the lower totem pole rungs with us Goombas. Just do as you're told, and everything will be okay. You nodded, but felt bad for the Gloomba. Was just following orders for an army full if hard asses really worth it? Perhaps he knew nothing else. You weren't sure, but you either way, you walked forward through the gate and into the city of Koopolis. Location: Koopolis (Commons; Bowser's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=_mu3_WkcJz8 Koopolis opened up before you, and what you immediately noticed is that you hated the music blaring from the megaphones perched in various places and speaker towers that were lining the streets attached to electric lights. Did it ever stop? What else were they used for? Announcements maybe? It was drowning out your Pep-Boy radio, so you just turned that off for the time being. The area before you looked pretty good compared to the harsh wastes you came from. There were gray cobblestone streets, and even a few standing scrap-stone building hybrids, all in simple square or rectangular shapes, and few more than one story. Many market stalls with tons of variety in wares and caravaneers with hulking two-headed Warthogs randomly lined the streets around tents, scrap huts, and barracks carved out from the stone buildings. Deeper in the city you could see a large scrap wall that enclosed a small area of the city, and at the far end there was an ornate obsidian columned building with several statues out front. There was probably even more here too, but you couldn't see it behind everything else. The streets were pretty empty, but most of the market stalls were being operated. There were a few Goombas, Gloombas, Clubbas, and Koopas walking through the streets, with the Clubbas and Koopas having the red-and-green armor and the Goombas having ragged metal armor or leather. You didn't see too many women aside from presumably the slaves that were following their masters as they bought provisions at the market. Rarely, a Toad with a black mushroom cap, a Bandit or two, or a red Yoshi could be seen walking aboot, usually dressed in leather or the scrap metal. The denizens stared at you for a few seconds before going about their business. A few pointed at the Bowser emblem on your Vault jumpsuit. Whoever Morton was might be at that columned building, or near the enclosed place. It was hard to tell from here, but maybe it would be good to go find the Slave Pens to get some information from Gloomry's brother. Well, what will you do? GAINED: 5 Packfuzzy Teeth, 3 Packfuzzy Meats. HEALTH CHANGE: -3 HP COMBAT XP GAINED: +4 XP QUEST UPDATE NOTES/RUMORS ADDED
Edited by Khan, Apr 25 2014, 03:36 PM.
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| Khan | Apr 5 2014, 07:56 PM Post #49 |
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Seras Location: Koopolis (Slave Pens; Bowser's Region) Music: http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=_mu3_WkcJz8 That damn megaphone music was grating your skull, especially after just emerging from the drugs' influence. Your mind was partly cloudy and you felt a bit light-headed apart from that fucking music battering itself against your sanity. You put your hands on your head and closed your eyes, but that only made it worse. You sat down and looked up at the sky, wondering why the universe seemed dead set on conspiring to make you a slave again. It was cloudy, but you couldn't really see too far up to the sky due to the many lights of the city polluting the night sky. You decided you might as well investigate the pen again, maybe you missed something the first time. Nope, just stacked tall scrap walls. Great. Besides some bedrolls and a corner full of excrement, the Pens were empty. And you still had the collar on your neck. You sat back down on your bedroll and sighed to yourself as a grizzled Toad with a gray spotted cap and a wrinkled face walked up to you and began to speak. Old Toad: Ah shit, they got a little gal Yoshi. That's not good, not good at all. What happened to ya? You can tell ol' Carson, I'm a friend. This Carson guy was kind of creepy at first, but he seemed gentle and without ill intent, so you replied. Seras: I was taking a nap outside by the wall, waiting for something interesting to happen, next thing I know, I'm in here. Carson's eyes went wide in disbelief and he shook his head. Carson: What?! You just... fell asleep? Right outside a town of slavers? And expected to be safe? I mean, I know ya are just a teenage girl and everything, but are all Vault Dwellers this lackin' in common sense? You got annoyed and balled up a fist, lightly punching the bedroll. Seras: Are you just going to stand there and make fun of me, or are you going to be a friend like you said? Damn it. Carson: Alright. I was just sooprised by your choices. But you can trust me, I'm a member of the Broken Chain, a group of escaped slaves that help free other slaves. Unfortunateetly, I got captured by the Sons tryin' to save some people from one of their caravans, holding them off while tah others got away. Surprised they didn't kill me.... Broken Chain? That was the thing that that Toad mentioned as you left the Vault? So they're escaped slaves? Perhaps that might be a good cause to join, considering you were and are a slave yourself. Or at least, they would give you stuff maybe. You weren't quite sure what to do, you were too young to think aboot as this bigger picture stuff. Right now, you just wanted out from this pen and away from this putrid, smelly pit, and these asshole slavers. Perhaps Carson could help. Seras: Broken Chain? I heard about you guys as I left the Vault where I was also a slave. Do you know a way out of here? Carson looked at you solemnly, and then looked away sad. Carson: Sorry kiddo, but no. If I had a way out, then I'd have already rescued the others here and been out myself. Unfortunately it looks like we're in here for the long haul, what with them having the collars on us and such. Seras: Oh... Carson looked back at you and sighed. Carson: But... There is one thing I cun think of, but it's a long shot. And ya might not like it. It might be your only chance to escape though. Seras: Fuck, man.... I'll take it. What is it? Carson awkwardly coughed, and wringed his hands. You had a feeling you didn't like where this was going. Carson: Well, the Legionnaires like ta... Er... "Have some fun" with the female slaves from time-to-time, especially a young 'un like yourself. You felt bit disgusted and even more angry. Seras: Oh great, now I'm doomed to be a community fuck toy. How wonderful! What a great idea leaving the Vault was! Carson looked embarrassed, but sympathetic. Carson: You didn't let me finis- Okay, um... Maybe I should use different phrasing. Here's what you could do: a Legionnaire will likely come tonig- okay, I mean... A Legionnaire will visit here tonight, to drag you back to his tent to "break you in". That'll be your chance. Right before he can violate you, knock him out somehow and take his armor as a disguise, using it to escape. He should also have a deactivation switch for your slave collar as well. Now there was an idea. You'd have to be careful though, and fast. If you screwed up, you would likely be killed. Or worse. Seras: If it'll get me out... Then I'll do it. It brings back awful memories of this creep who wanted to buy me back in the Vault. I shiver in disgust just thinking about him. Carson patted your back and looked sad again. Carson: Yeah... The world's a harsh place. It always has been, and even after tah bombs it still is. I wish there was some other way, but I'd hate to see you stuck in here and have all sorts of horrible things happen to you. You should tell me about what happened in the Vault as we wait for the... Legionnaire's "visit". You laughed a little but at the way he said it, but quickly felt fear and uncertainty welling up inside you. It was either this escape attempt, or be stuck here for maybe a long time until somebody bought you or played Hero to rescue you. That might not even happen at all, and you would die in here. A life of forced servitude, never knowing freedom. Seras: Well, it's more like a booty call, really. But sure, might as well. You began to tell Carson about your time as a slave in the Vault. And after about fifteen minutes or so, one of the other slaves just started screaming as loudly as he could. Crazed Shy Guy Slave: AHHHHHHH! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! The Crazed Shy Guy Slave started bashing his head into the scrap walls and dirt floors, with the other slaves, yourself, and Carson watching in horror and confusion. A guard came to one of the "windows". Koopolis Guard: Hey! Somebody shut that worm up! The Crazed Shy Guy continued, undeterred. Still trying to bash his own brains out while screaming. It scared you, but you couldn't look away. Crazed Shy Guy Slave: I DON'T BELONG IN HERE! I WANT OUT! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! Koopolis Guard: You think we give a damn about you? Shut up, or we'll detonate your collar with no remorse! The Shy Guy kept on, and the Guard laughed as he pulled out a remote control and pushed a button, causing the Shy Guy's collar to beep rapidly before exploding, evaporating his head into chunks around them. Not even Eld was as horrifying as that, but you had a feeling it would only get worse from here. Carson rushed over to the corpse and then walked dejectedly back. Carson: There goes Arnie. I told him ta calm down, but he just wouldn't listen... Damn it! Seras: Thinking about how they can do that to me at any time just makes me want to stay here even less. Carson: Shouldn't be long. But good luck when ya actually goe. I wish you success, and once you get free, I implore you to come back and free myself and the others. Or at least the others. I don't want them to end to like Arnie, most of thum have their whole lives ahead of them, and I'm an old Toad now... You weren't sure whether you would risk coming back, or even could, so for now you just stayed silent. All interest in talking about the Vault was gone after Arnie's head exploded. And before long, there was a harsh rap at the door, with a Koopatrol coming inside and pointing a long armored finger at Seras. He was wearing green-and-red armor, but had two chevrons on his shoulders. Carson: Good luck, kiddo.... You silently nodded back, feeling dread and anxiety dredging up in your stomach. As you walked towards the Koopatrol and ye shoved you outside, he put his hand out and slapped your rear. Rapey Koopatrol: Oh, we're gonna have some fun tonight. That's for sure... Thankfully, he looked unarmed outside his armor, so that was a plus. As he shoved you and pushed you out towards the tents, crude stone-scrap barracks, and other small residential structures, you frantically tried to think up a plan to get away. You didn't have long, and might not get another chance. That obnoxious perpetual megaphone music definitely wasn't helping, nor were all the blinding street lights in your still slightly disoriented state. Well, what will you do? QUEST UPDATES NOTES/RUMORS ADDED
Edited by Khan, Apr 5 2014, 10:39 PM.
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| Atticus | Apr 5 2014, 10:07 PM Post #50 |
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Administrator
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Wister Location: Glitz's End (The Stuck Li'l Oink; Rogueport's Region) Music: https://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=GfRbYpjWOLc (Radio Rogueport Vegas) You now had the link you needed to Howard. His own brother was right there in the bar with you. How luckier could you have gotten? Still, you didn't want to scare him away, and you had already been reminded time and time again that Bandits weren't trusted. Let alone one approaching you from behind while you're drinking. Besides, you respected the desire for a drink, and still wanted to read the note you had taken from that drunken Goomba from outside. You leaned back in the chair as you pulled the crumpled and brown-smudged scrap of paper from your pocket and began to read the horrible scratch. Still, you had to give it to the Goomba. At least he could write badly, rather than not at all. "How dore thoose fuckin' Bandets. Try to fuckin' steil from me? Fuckers tuk most of the shit I had werth steilin'. Bandets can have it for all I care, they'll nevur get my secrit stosh. I'll get a bit to drank tonight, and go git it in the mornin'. Not only is the futloker a ways west from the city, but its well hiden and has a hard to crack lok. No one will evur get my real treasur." Folding the note back up and shoving it in your pocket, you figured that maybe you would look into this "stash" after you dealt with your current business in Glitz's End. You approached the bar counter, first wishing to see if maybe you could talk the bartender into buying some of the junk you had collected. Wister: Uh.... Would you happen to buy stuff here? The Beanish bartender was polishing a glass with a yellowed rag he spat on, and peered up from his task only to give you a dirty look. He was middle aged and was wearing a filthy black vest and white shirt along with glasses. Bartender: What the fuck do I look like? A general store? This is a bar, I sell drinks, I don't buy every schmuck who comes in here's junk, okay? If you want some booze, then ask, otherwise, we have no transactions. That was a bit uncalled for, but you decided to follow up. Wister: Well, when are the other shops going to be open? The bartender sighed and leaned a bit against the counter. Bartender: I can tell from that jumpsuit that you haven't been out here long, so let me give you some wasteland common sense, okay? Most shops here aren't open at night because, in case ya hadn't noticed, there are tons of Bandits like you and other shifty types around here. You think the vendors are going to leave themselves open like that at night? When it's a whole lot easier for people to relieve them of their hard-earned merchandise for a five finger discount? You've got another thing coming, buddy. They get enough trouble during the day. Anyway, if you want some booze or some town talk or something, I'll be here. With your task of annoying the bartender completed, you sat next to the Koopa Ampu T. had identified as Howard's brother. Almost immediately, the Koopa sighed. Howard's Brother: Before you even start, I am not Howard. I'm his brother Kaz, and he owes me probably more than he owes you. Intriguing. Before you had even said a word, he had given you his name, and the piece of information that Howard owes his own brother as well. You could most likely use this to your advantage. If Howard owed him, you strongly doubted that he would be all that protective towards his deadbeat of a brother. Wister: What does he owe you? Kaz: More than a few coins, and my reputation, which is now forever ruined in this town, thanks to my association with him. When we first arrived in this place, he was different. But I guess the vices of this place got to him. Half of what he had, he spent gambling on the arena matches and back alley cards. The other half, he just drank away. Before I knew it, he was running up to me asking to borrow just a few coins... it was always just a few coins, here and there. But he was my brother, and our parents always taught us to look after each other. Especially in a world as rotten as this one. He sighed again. Kaz: I should have known that this rotten town would have been the death of us. As when I finally had enough of Howard's borrowing, he began to borrow from others in this town, people you wouldn't want to owe a single coin to, let alone the amounts Howard was losing on a day to day basis. Then, one night, he came to me beaten and bloodied, crying. They were going to cut off one of his hands the next time, if he didn't come up with enough coins to appease them. So, I advised him to go to Mushroom Express to the south of the city, and maybe take a contract from the Trouble Center. I'm no courier, but I've done more than a few jobs for them. I should have known better, but I wanted to give my brother one more chance to make something out of himself. A simple delivery job, and what does he do? He mucks it up by selling off the item he was supposed to deliver. Wister: He told you that he sold it? Kaz: Oh, of course not. But Howard's not exactly... well, the best liar. I approached him and asked about it, and he kept on telling me nothing more than that things had worked out. His wounds had healed a bit, and the people that were about to off him because of his debt, seemed to just back off. Then, when I went down to Mushroom Express, they told me that because my brother hadn't completed the contract he took, no longer would they offer me any; said that being a deadbeat likely ran in our family... Now, you're here, interested about him. Put two and two together, and the result is obvious. You're from the Mushroom Express, here to track down my brother. It was only a matter of time. Whatever the package was that he sold, it was obviously worth a lot, because otherwise, they would have simply never offered Howard a contract or sold anything to him again. If they bothered trying to track down every package that was never delivered or sold off by either inefficient or untrustworthy couriers, they'd never actually make any deliveries. Wister: So what, are you going to offer me something to leave your brother alone? Kaz laughed, but from the mere sound of it, you knew that he didn't find this situation funny at all. Kaz: Not exactly.... I want you to kill him. The Mushroom Express frowns upon killing, I know, but my brother is a lost cause. The best case scenario is that when he once again rebuilds his debt, the people that he owes will kill him anyways. But I know how things in this town work. I do not want to see my brother disemboweled in the arena by this place's mascot, nor do I wish to see him with a slave collar around his neck. The harm he has done to my reputation and all my money he's pissed or gambled away is secondary here to me giving Howard a decent end. I've even tried to get him to leave this town with me before, but he's refused. He is confident that he can make his coins back, that the next match, the next card game, he'll quadruple his money. I wish there were some way to get him to change his ways, but he won't. He's too much of a lost cause now. This had taken you off guard. Kaz: I'll pay you with what little I have left. Fifteen coins, and a badge I found on a job I did long ago. He carries with him a book at all times. A journal, I believe. But because he is extremely protective of it, I believe it contains information about his gambling patterns. Bring me that, and I will know you've done it, and will give you all what I have left. You can still complete Mushroom Express' contract, as while it'll appear to be more than a coincidence, with him showing up dead after you were sent to find him, this place... the likelihood of just going to sleep and not waking up is higher than you would think. He lives in a secluded and dark alleyway in the Living Quarters. If you're quiet about it, and don't use a gun... odds are, you'll get away with it. But if you do get caught and end up getting thrown into the arena, I'm sure it'll only be against some of the typical grunts, rather than Mynos. After all, most of The Horde's members will probably consider the deed as a favor to them. He took a sip of his beer, and then continued. You felt a wave of uncertainty and cognitive dissonance seep into your mind. Kaz: If you want to pretend I never told you any of this, then you won't hurt my feelings. In fact, you might even inspire a new bit of hope to this desperate and desolate Koopa. A Bandit that wouldn't accept a sum of blood money would be a welcome change of pace, to regularly being surrounded by the thieves and murderers that make up this place's population. So if you do wish to decline my additional offer, I won't blame you. But I would advise you to leave this town and never come near it again, for you would be too good for this place, and it will certainly taint you as it has me and my brother. You would have to think about this. Kaz downed the rest of his beer and stared idly at the back of the bar, his head propped up by his hands. Wister: Where does Howard live? Kaz: In an alley over by the living quarters end near the Reject Bloc. Nobody else wants to live there besides the few that have almost nothing left. Should be easy to find, though I warn you to stay out of the Bloc itself: it's full of wild, twitchy crazies, cripples, and other people The Horde doesn't like. Some of the more superstitious folks say that there's a gateway to The Underwhere in there that sends vengeful spirits through to the city, but I don't know if I buy that. Wister: I'll be careful. Just give me a second to think. Kaz: Sure, sure... As Kaz continued to nurse off his beer, many thoughts were plowing through your mind. Would you take Kaz's offer and kill Howard, or just beat him and leave like you were asked to? What would The Horde think? What if you got caught? What would happen to Howard if you let him go? Was he really a lost cause? You leaned on the bar, deep in thought yourself. Well, what will you do? QUEST UPDATE NOTES/RUMORS ADDED
Edited by Khan, Apr 12 2014, 07:34 PM.
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7:58 AM Jul 11