testrun_box | For imperial

1. [Lying in the middle of the road is a young man who appears oblivious to the fact that he has fallen asleep on a major pathway. ...The smell of alcohol may be detected on his breath. Apart from this, he appears to be relatively neat and proper. Just.... asleep. And snoring rather loud.

2. [The tavern you entered appears to have hired a single entertainer for the night. The music is, in so many words, beautiful, with a lilting, subtle melody that brings to mind green pastures and peaceful plains. When he's concluded his piece, he takes a bow. Stands up. Smiles broadly. ...And turns to you directly with his hands outstretched, grinning cheekily.]

Seven coin for the pleasure of the best seat in the house. And one more to quench my thirst, I think.

3. [The denizens of the Rift have invaded! Whatever shall we do?! The wandering bard you met on the road yesterday is certainly going to be of absolutely no help... Right? To your surprise, the young man thrusts himself forward and throws out a hand to bar your way.]

You just leave this to me. Get the townsfolk and hightail it on outta here. Wouldn't want any of you good folks getting hurt.

[The tip of his finger is glowing brightly...]

4. ["Prince Levin!" For the last half hour, some girl has been hounding this man, following him around everywhere, beseeching him tearfully to do something or other in the name of his late father. When at last she finally departs with a sorrowful expression, the young man turns to you with a weary smile.]

These crazy dames and their flights o' fancies... Probably read a book the other day and thought I sounded like one of the characters, huh? What'll these girls be thinking of next?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I...

[He frowns, looking at the rune on his hand]

Are you certain?

Now how're the people gonna rely on you if you're lying dead in a ditch, Thomas? Don't you go worrying your valuable little head.

[Reluctantly he nods]

All... all right, I'll leave it up to you, before I go.

[he starts chanting - the shield shaped mark on his hand starts glowing through his glove and a light surrounds Levin]

There... that should increase your power for a time.

Ha. Looks like we're all learning a little more about each other today.

[Levin doffs his cap.... headwrap... scarf-thing to Thomas briefly before turning back towards the oncoming ghouls in the distance.]

Be careful, Thomas.

You as well! I'll get the people out.

[He reluctantly withdraws, heading back to the village]

Those who provoke the wrath of the wind... All of heaven and earth shall stand against you!

[The galestorm bursts forth from his palm like a gunshot. Levin shall stand his ground as long as he can.]

[Oh, hello there, random man sleeping on the ground. I suppose your name is Sucker. Why, it might as well be. A masked man wearing a black cloak takes the opportunity to kneel down and pilfer everything of value that might be in your pockets or pouch.]

[His name is Penniless actually and so are the contents of his pockets. The masked man will find...

One (1) half-eaten cheese sandwich
Two (2) copper coins of dubious authenticity
One (1) flute
One (1) flask of a liquid, presumably water
And a lot of lint and dust.

Also... One (1) book. The title seems to be written in some archaic runic language.]

[You can find the rest of that cheese sandwich eaten now. The coins are thrown away to the side, the flute is taken, and he drinks the liquid to wash down the sandwich.

The book, however, intrigues him most of all. While he takes the flute and stashes it underneath his cloak, he actually takes the time to open the book and read it a little on the spot.]

... the hell kinda gobbledy-gook is this? Doesn't have any pictures...

[Abyss will find himself positively sparkling after drinking from that flask! The colorless liquid has turned out to be a Vulnerary. Way to waste a good potion.

Perhaps that's a good thing, though. For when he picks up the book... as is usually the case with these things, the runes begin to glow the moment he begins to glance through its pages. The winds pick up. The pages of the book turn of their own accord.]

[Abyss shouts a little. Even in his occupation, magical books are still oddities. Yelping a little, he tries to close the book, but he never lets go of it. He could sell this book to a seedy, old magician for a fair price. Abyss keeps his hands firm on the book and uses whatever strength he can muster to close it and run off.]

[The book stubbornly refuses to close. Its pages continue to flip wildly in the increasing wind until it comes to a stop. The runes on the chosen page glow a bright, fierce red...

Abyss may find his path halted by a wall of wind, fiercely billowing from the ground up with such force that it is painful to even approach. From behind, a tap on the shoulder.]

Oi, stickyfingers. You'd better drop that book if you want to keep that nickname. Severed-fingers just doesn't have the same ring.

[If there's one thing Abyss knows how to do, it would be how to cut his own losses. His strategy against wizards is simple: slice their throats before they could cast a spell. They often find that incantations are difficult to recite with a gaping hole through their necks. Or the lack of a life.

Abyss clicks his tongue and throws the book over to Levin.]

Keh! Damn book didn't even have pictures in it. And I hardly think it's worth dying for whatever few silver pieces those wizards can barely scrounge up.

Sure. Silly to get yourself killed over a little book. Hardly worth the trouble at all.

[A little book that happens to be one of the most powerful tomes of magic on the continent. Levin retrieves Holsety and stashes it away in his pocket. ...The wall of wind doesn't let up as Levin crosses his arms and levels a patient smile at the thief.

Hint hint.]

For imperial_saga

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