Story Arc 1

Chapter 1

I'm sure about it. Nobody saw me on the way out.

It's a sunny today. Clear skies and the city's awake. You pull up your brown scarf and start running down the streets.
Once more you've managed to slip out of the castle for some fun. Meister Greenwich your tutor had planned to teach you about Heroicas history today, but really you don't care about that. You rather look forward and make something better than look back and regret old mistakes. You look at the townspeople as you run down the crowded streets.

Good. No one seems to take notice of me. These clothes sure are handy.

Heh, you remember when you got these clothes. About three years ago you asked to meet with the royal tailor privately to place some special orders. That look on his face when you asked for commoners clothes is unforgettable. He so wanted to question your choice and his hesitation was amusing to say the least.
You are now leaving the rich parts of town and you start to see more and more beggars on the streets. A miserable sight really. But you know you can't start to give away money. They would be over you like hounds.

After half an hour of running you reach your destination. A wooden building like many in this part of town. Outside leaned against the wall is a boy. But not just any boy, It's Marco.
You've known Marco ever since you began to sneak out. Your first real friend.
You don't know how or why but Marco is so happy all the time. His drunk father beats him at nights when he is not busy beating his mother. His family can hardly afford to pay the rent and he is on the bullies wanted list. Why? Because he is so damn happy all the time. But he just keeps smiling like he has the best time in the world.

-"Ey Marco! What's up?" You run up next to him.

-"Nothing really. Just wondering when you would come along Jane." He answered back with excitement in his voice.
Jane. You always liked that name. The day you get a daughter of your own she is definitely going to be named Jane. Jane Heroica.

-"Aww have you been missing me?" You tease him back.

-"Yeah... It's been a week since I last saw you. Thought the bullies got their hands on you or something."

-"Really? You know me I won't get caught that easily."

-"Sorry! I didn't mean it that way. Well now that you are here you wouldn't have anything special planned for today?"

***

Welcome new player! Now is the time to make yourself a choice. Simply pick one of the options below and see what happens next. Some heads up though:
Options marked with an X is a option rendered unavailable for some reason.
Options are available because of skills or personality. Every options affects the story somehow and you might not be able to go back so choose carefully.

***

A). -"Actually I didn't have anything special planned for today, lets just hang out."

B). -"Do you remember back in the days. It was so much easier back then..."

C). -"Oh I sure had something great in my mind. How about some joys of boys?"

"Actually I didn't have anything special planned for today, lets just hang out."

-"Actually I didn't have anything special planned for today, lets just hang out."

You saw a bit of disappointment behind Marcos eyes but he still kept that genuine smile.

You start walking down the streets deeper into town. The streets are packed with people. You almost trip over some children who runs by, probably playing tag.

-"So how is life hanging Marco? How is your mother?"

-"She'll make it. We pull through as usual. Father haven't been that violent this week. Probably because he don't have enough money for the strong alcohol."

-"How will you be able to pay the rent if your father can't afford to get his fix."

-"We hide money as we normally do. I think deep somewhere father now what is going on, know about his problems and everything and are just happy we are dealing with him and keeps the rent paid. Even though he seems like a monster he is a human deep down."

-"I don't know how you do it Marco. How can you be so darn positive all the time?"

-"I just think about everything that is good and everything that is worth fighting for you know. Makes it much easier to pull through.

There it is. That grin only he can make. It could make anyone happy knowing there is always hope as long as you are happy*

-"Well if it isn't Marco and his mysterical girlfriend! Why do you keep the scarf for? Afraid Marco will try to kiss you?"

It's impossible to miss that dark voice.

It's Grouse and his imps. Curses.

Grouse, a tall beast of a boy, built as a bear and with a bad habit on picking on everyone that isn't grown up enough to bring him to the guards. He always keeps his little "imps" around. Younger boys nothing more than pipsqueaks. They probably don't like him more than you do but better to side with the enemy than be against him right?

-"Get lost Grouse, pest someone else." Marco said with a sigh.

-"Manners Marco. You shouldn't be talking down on your superiors no? Grouse countered, malice shining through his voice.

-"What do you want Grouse?" You say, teeth gritted beneath your scarf."

-"Would you hear boys? It talks!" You feel two big hands being placed on your waist. The second later you are lifted up in into the air, staring the beast in its very dark brown eyes. You try to squirm but the grip is like steel. Cold and hard.

-"Put her down Grouse. If you want to pest me sure go ahead but leave Jane out of this."

Marco...

-"Well this is the cutest love story I've ever seen. Marco and Jane is it right? Now I'm sorry Marco but that simply would not be possible. I need your girlfriend for awhile. Been some time since I've let some steam off."**

Welp! I'm screwed hard time. Would be hard to explain to my father what I got all the bruises from. If I get back to the castle at all.

***

*Happiness +2

**Mood changed: frightened

***

A). Maybe it's time to take the beast down once and for all.

B). I think it's time to put some hit and run tactics to play here.

C). Maybe I should submit. He is far more superior than me...

D). Maybe some flatter and persuasion can get me out of this mess.

"I think it's time to put some hit and run tactics to play here."

I think it's time to put some hit and run tactics to play here.

You turn your head towards Marco giving him a glance that could only mean run! You clench your fist and with all the power you can muster, you strike him over his left eye.

This is for you! You goddamn street bully!*

For a moment you are weightless, Floating in the air. It's like time slowed down.
You hit the ground to the sweet music of Grouse being screaming pain.
When you get up you see Grouse holding his hands over his eye, blood seeping between his fingers.

-"You sick bastard! I get you for this you damn whelp!" Grouse shouts as he tries to get up from his knees.

You quickly remember what the plan was as you see the big beast standing up.
If it were possible there would be steam coming out of his ears.

-"Run!" You scream as you pull Marco with you.

-"I will tear your limbs off Jane! One by one and then feed it to Marco!"

You can't help but to look back as you rush through the streets. Grouse looks damn well scary! His left eye is completely red, blood still streaming from it. He looks like a charging mad bull. He is fast for being so big, he is almost catching up!
Fear gets you and you pick up the pace. People around almost has to throw themselves out of your way or risk to get crushed beneath Grouse.

Ahead of you is a junction. You can go left or right. Right is leading straight to the castle. It would make no sense for a Jane to turn right but for Nymeria it would make total sense to seek the safety inside the castle walls. Left however is the most dangerous parts of town. Meister Greenwich told me that thugs lurk around every corner and that organized crime has it roots there. It would be a risk going left but you could shake him off in the many alleyways that exsist.
Going right would maybe be safer but you would have to reveal your true identity if you even make it to the castle.

What do I do?

***

*Temper +3

***

A). Go right. It's safer. Who cares if I have to reveal myself as long as I can live another day.

B). Go left. No one can know I'm the crown prince! We can get rid of him there as well if we play it smart.

C). I go right Marco go left. That way only no one will find out about me being the crown prince and Marco will make it too.

D). I go left Marco go right. He will probably go after me. I can't let Marco get hurt!

E). Why am I running? I'll take him down here! (Availble because Temper 5+)

What do?

"Go left. No one can know I'm the crown prince! We can get rid of him there as well if we play it smart"

You grab Marco by the sleeve and run left with him. This part of town is much more narrow and almost empty. You see a guy leaning against a wall wearing a hood to cover his eyes. You run down the streets with a raging Grouse on your tails.

-"RIGHT!" You scream and once more pull Marco. You rush straight into an alleyway. It's pretty dark in these quarters even though it's in the middle of the day. It's very narrow and you have to run sideways to move without problems. For you and Marco it's pretty easy but Grouse have to squeeze through which slow him down a lot. After a few meters the alleyway gets wider and you can hear behind you a groan when your pursuer managed to squeeze out.

What you did not expect was that the alleyway wasn't a alleyway. It was a dead end!

That is it. we are done for.*

-"I got you now Jane. First I will break your every bone. Then I go off with your ugly face you are hiding. And lastly I think I'll widen a few holes of your in front of your boyfriend. And don't you dare to run Marco or I'll fucking bash your head in. You are next!"

You can feel tears welling up and you fall to your knees, exhausted from your earlier rush.

If I only had listen to father and Meister Greenwich. They told me it was dangerous outside. Now I truly know what they meant...**

"Whack!"

Suddenly Grouse is on the ground. Laying perfectly still.

-"What is all this ruckus about? Why are you fighting in our alleyway huh?"

The voice belonged to a male who stood behind Grouse. He is holding a baton in his right hand and a pistol in his left. He is dressed like you, a scarf covering most of his face as well as a hood. He is quite slender and would without the gun in his hand appear quite harmless.

-"What is going on Hans?" a head pops out through a door where the man who apparently is named Hans came from. It's a white bald man with many scars on his face.

-"We got some fresh meat out here, bring 'em in!"

The scarred man grins and starts walking towards you. His body resembles Grouse's pretty well.

Before you even can react he hits you over the face and everything went numb. You think you feel him dragging you by the collar.

-"What do we do about this one Scar?" Hans asks.

-"He looks like a troublemaker to me. You know what do." Scar answers with a chuckle.

A loud bang brings a ringing noise in your ears.

Farwell Grouse, can't say I'll miss you... Question is, what they'll do to us?

You and Marco get dragged inside the house. It's a pretty simple room you get in. A round table with some chairs is placed in the middle of the room. Above is simple chandelier and against the walls are some smaller tables with random items on. The man named Scar ties you and Marco to a couple of chairs and gags you with cloth. It tastes awful and are soaked in some substance.

-"Now you two stay put when we take away that ruffian outside. If you so try to move I will cut off your feet, got it?"

You nod quickly while feeling the sweat dripping down your forehead.
Scar turns around and you can hear him lock the door behind him when walking out.

When you turn your head against Marco you can see him crying, his head looking down at the floor dripping tears.***

What do I do?

***

*Mood changed: Terrified

**Happiness -3

***Happiness -3

***

A). I'm tied to a chair and gagged. There is nothing I can do. I'll just wait and see what happens.

B). Maybe I can try to scream for help. I'm gagged but maybe somebody can hear me?

C). I'll try to get out of my ties. I refuse to stay here!

D). Maybe I can run to the streets like this. I don't know what else to do.

"I'm tied to a chair and gagged. There is nothing I can do. I'll just wait and see what happens."

This can't be happening. This can't be happening!*

You feel how you start to cry which makes Marco cry even more.**

This was going to be a good fucking day! What did I do to deserve this!?

You two weep for what felt like ages. Time slowly seeping away through the walls.
You cry yourself to sleep in your chair, not knowing what else to do.

...

*Slap!*

-"Wake up sleepyhead!"

You open your eyes somewhat reluctant to the voice of your captor.

-"There we go raise and shine sleeping beauty."

Twas Hans who slapped you in the face. He got a dominant smirk on his uncovered face.

-"Now aren't you a good girl? You haven't moved an inch since we left, that's pretty darn impressive don't you think Scar?"

-"Yepp" He answered back from the table he sat by."

-"Enough with the pleasantries though. We have business to do. I would compare you two with a blessing. Ever since we got raided by those Harrison thugs it's gotten harder and harder to work with the lack of manpower. You two will keep us going for about a month more. I'm a nice guy. No really I am!"

-"He doesn't joke kids, gave me a job and everything!"

-"Ye listen to Scar kids, he know what he is talking about. So I'm going to give you two options. I can send you to the slave traders in Túrass or the whore house in western Frijarl. Both gave me a pretty good prize for you two."

They are going to trade us? Túrass is not far from here. A neighbouring country in fact. Frijarl though is way up north. Can I really allow myself to get sold like some kind of item?

-"I'm going to ease up on that gag now scarf girl? So just calm down allright?"

Hans took a dagger from his belt and quickly cut off the gag. The feel of fresh air never felt better.

-"Well what will it be pipsqueak?"

***

*Happiness -3

**Mood changed: Despair

***

A). I'll go to Túrass, no way I'm selling my body to some pervs.

B). I'll go to Frijarl, Maybe they have mercy on me...

C). Plead to get Marco released. I can't let Marco get in trouble for my faults.

D). I'll intimidate them. They will tuck their tails between their legs when they find out I'm the crown princess!

E). Didn't they say they were short on manpower? Maybe I can persuade them?

"Didn't they say they were short on manpower? Maybe I can persuade them?"

Reason for Decision: I want to go back home, I don't want to be shipped off somewhere, maybe I can somehow convince them to allow to find new workers for them and use my royal connections to accomplish that. If not, maybe I can work myself along with Marco until we're able to escape.

A/N:Great to see you adding Reason for Decision! It gives me an insight in how you as a reader feels and I can tailor your desicions more!

***

Didn't they say they were short on manpower? Maybe I can persuade them?

-"Let me work for you." You look firlmy into Hans eyes meaning nothing but buisness.

-"What?" Hans looks closer at you really confused.

-"I said: Let me work for you."

-"I don't think you quite get the question girl. Here I am actually giving you a choice how you want to be sold and you want to work for us instead? I need income not more expenses.

-"Then what will you do when the Harrison thugs come back? I can even work for you for free until you get your slave trading up and runnig again."

-"And what do I get out of the deal? I'm just giving up on free money for letting you work for us."

-"I got good contacts. If you let me work for you I will take care of these Harrison thugs for you. Do we have a deal here?"

Hans turn around and takes a seat next to Scar. It's obvious that your words managed to sunk in, But will they really trust me?

About five minutes later both you and marco sits on the edge of your chairs, trying to hear what they are whispering about. Finnaly Hans stands up and walks over to you.

-"You get one chance scarf girl. Blow it and we send you on the first boat to Frijarl. If you take care of those Harrison boys for us I even consider letting you join us. But for now you are working for us and you do exactly what you are told. If you try to run there is nowhere you can hide, I knnow this town like the back of my pocket. Scar, take that boy to the harbour, we send him to Túrass."

Shit! What do I do?

***

A). I'll intimidate them. If they send away Marco the deal is off!

B). Marco can't go away like this. At least I can plead for them to send him to Frijarl.

C). I'm so sorry Marco. But I have to guarantee my own survival as the crown princess...

"I'll intimidate them. If they send away Marco the deal is off!"

Reason: Marco is the only real friend I ever had. And it's only due to me that we ended up like this, I can't leave him behind. I'd rather suffer alongside with him than letting him being shipped off alone while I get the better part of the deal. After all, I really like him...

-"If you send away Marco the deal is off! I need him to put an end to the Harrison thugs."

"unf"

You feel the pain from Hans punching you right in the gut.

-"I gave you one chance scarf girl and you just couldn't wait to blow it didn't you? Change of plans Scar we take both of these to Frijarl, let them have some fun growing up together".

-"Damn straight." Scar answers back with a chuckle.

Once more you get gagged and you both get re-tied and put in large sacks. You feel yourself boucing lighlty off Hans back when he walks with you. You try to squirm and get out of your ties but only to get rewarded with a kick from Hans or Scar. After a while you gets placed on a wooden floor. You realize soon that it's the bottom of a wagon and that you are on your way do the harbour.

I guess this is it then? Farwell Heroica, I only wish I could have said good bye to my family at least.*

After a long bumpy ride you get carried once more. The sky have been growing darker since the beginning of your trip and judging from the chilly air it's probably late.

-"Grrretingz Hanz. Do yu gott ourrr shipment rrreadi?"

A manly voice with a strong accent greets Hans who hands you over to the man.

-"I do, am I picking up the payment at the usual spot?"

-"That would be corrrrect."

-"Good, nice being buisness with you."

-"The pleasurrre iz mine."

And with that you are placed in the ships storage, Surely awaiting a new adventure.

End of chapter one

***

*Happiness -2 Mood changed: Submitting

***

This marks the end of a chapter, please leave your thoughts in the ooc thread and give me some constructed criticism!
The next chapter will begin soon.

Story arc 1

Chapter 2

"psst"

You wake up, somewhat tender from all the kicking and punching and tossing around yesterday. You fumble around the dark storage deck on the ship trying to locate where the sound comes from.

-"Over here!" You hear a girls whispering voice, couldn't be much older than you. You realize that your ties and your gag are not there. Someone must have untied you while you were sleeping.

-"Who's there?" You ask straight out in the darkness.

Suddenly you feel yourself being pulled to the floor by a firm hand.

-"Shh! Don't make a sound Jane." It's Marco who is whispering to you.

-"Marco! What is happening?" You feel glad knowing you have someone to trust around you.*

-"Someone is coming down. Make sure to hide." It's that girls voice again.

A loud thud followed by some foreign language, probably curses, could be heard from the other side of the room. When you twirl around to look you see a unwashed older man with a crooked back and a lantern in his hand. He walks slowly looking around for something.

-"Now girls, don't be shy. It just gets so lonely up there on deck so I wondered if anyone of you sweet ladies wanted to keep me company?" The crooked mans rasping voice sends chills down your spine.**

-"Quickly Jane! Get somewhere to hide." Marco urges you and he sneaks away somewhere.

***

*Happiness +1

**Mood changed: Uneasy

***

A). Sneak to the left.

B). Sneak to the right.

C). Sneak back.

D). Confront the man and offer him some company.

"Sneak to the left."

Reason: Sneaking left is the only way to put more distance between the man and myself, and I certainly don't want to be noticed by him.

You move on all fours to the left, searching for something to take cover behind. With some help from the lantern light you find a small wooden crate to hide behind. When charging for the small cover you found you find yourself face to face with another girl.

-"Find your own hiding spot!" She whispers through gritted teeth.

If you try to find new cover you might get spotted, but the wooden crate only offers cover for one. Would it really be fair to steal her spot?

***

A). Push her out of the cover, every girl for herself!

B). Try to find a new spot.

"Push her out of the cover, every girl for herself!"

Reason: I have already acted so selfless up until now and it has gotten me into trouble time and time again, maybe it's time to start being a little more egoistic so I can stop running into more and more trouble.

You force yourself into cover, shoving the girl out of cover. She let out a yelp and fell dumbly on her bottom.

-"Well what do we have here? Aren't you a lovely little thing. Why don't you come with me and I show you around the sleeping quarters."

The crooked man took a firm grip around her waist and walked her up the stairs. You could hear her sobbing clearly all the way up. You know it was for your own good but in the end what you did was bad. And you should probably feel bad.*

You hear the sound of someone lighting a match. You look to your right and see Marco and a red haired girl sitting a bit further away behind a shelf.

-"What was that all about? Who are you and where are we?" You realize that it was many questions at once, but you just couldn't help yourself.

-"One of the crew members who had night shift. It isn't that unusual for them to come down at night, seeking some 'company'."

-"Even though I'm sorry for that girl, I'm glad you didn't get caught." Marco hugs you, a warm hug of pure affection.

-"No big loss really. She has been a bitch since we left port in Nekános, guess there is justice afterall."

-"So what happens now?" You ask, hoping this mysterious girl know something about the situation.

-"Well I guess we are arriving at port any minute now. I've tried to keep track of time by carving days in the floor."

This isn't a normal girl. A commoner would not have such broad knowledge in geography and math.

-"You better make yourself look presentable or they might send you back, wouldn't want to get shipped back now would you?"

I need to know more about what's going on here!

***

*Alignment changed: -1

***

A). Ask her about who she is.

B). Ask her about how she got here.

C). Ask about what's going to happen.

D). Talk to Marco.

E). Go and Prepare yourself for what is about to happen.

A/N: Once agin my computer wouldn't cooperate with me. This would have been posted 6 hours ago really D: Anyway I always try to respond ASAP.

"Ask her about who she is."

Reason: She seems knowledgeable. I'm sure I don't know her but there could always be a chance she is in a similar situation as me. Of course I'd rather talk to Marco, but maybe this girl knows a way to escape or has some kind of useful information.

OOC: Don't worry. ^.^ The site is down for everyone every now and then.

-"Who are you? You don't strike me as a commoner, how come you know so much about all this?"

She sighs, and walks up to you.

-"Let's get to talk somewhere private, I guess we have some to talk about. Will you be alright Marco?"

-"I guess, you girls go talk about eh... Whatever girls talk about."

You walk to the other end of the storage deck where you sit down on a pair of barrels.

-"You don't know who I am but I certainly recognize you. Nymeria Amora Heroica, crown princess of Heroica, seventeenth generation of pure royal blood, daughter of Aldwin Heroica, current ruler of the most feared land of the Sangular Kingdom. Lets say I'm probably more curious about how you ended up here."

You are stunned. Not even your brothers would have gotten your complete title right! You suddenly realize your scarf has slipped off your face and it's no wonder someone educated in royals would have recognized you.

-"Fine you got me, I'm the crown princess of Heroica. But you still haven't answered who you are.

-"I'm Jennifer Grahl, daughter of Gregory Grahl, the duke of Aldar Estate."

She is from one of the bigger houses in Daunwind. That explains her knowledge in royals and education level.

Jennifer continues to speak.

-"You can call me Jenny for short. I suggest though that we keep it down on our titles. Wouldn't want the King of Frijarl to have any bargain chips now would we?"

-"Right, But how will we get out of this mess?"

-"We?" If you could see she is probably raising a questioning eyebrow. "I'm not escaping from here, I'm sick and tired of royal life. I want to explore the world and live like everyday was my last."

-"You do know we are being delivered to a brothel right?"

-"Well, yes. But it can't be much worse than ass licking royals back home? I rather see this a new opportunity, to see life through a commoners angle."

-"You can't be seri...!"

Suddenly you hear screaming and running on deck.

-"Looks like we are soon there, let's get ourselves ready Jane shall we?"

-"Wait!"

***

A). -"Please take a moment to consider everything nice you had at home. Don't let go of the easy life given to us without thinking it through."

B). -"I wish I could view life like you... Think you can teach me more about a commoners life?"

C). -"I'm taking us home! I doesn't matter what you think you belong to the royal house and abandoning it is not to be taken lightly!"

D). -"We should stick together. I think we both can appreciate some support from time to time."

E). -"Stay away from me and Marco, you are nothing but trouble."

F). -"Nevermind..."