Assallya

Red Skies it's all a Game

Sorry about the delay. Work was busy. I found an entire pallet of Christmas merchandise hiding in a dark corner at the back of the store. Someone must have hidden it away so they wouldn't have to work it.

Red Skies it's all a Game

The ruffians were shocked by the resistance encountered. They were used to much easier prey. It was clear several of them, the real players, were reconsidering their strategies. One took a step back and began to shift to a crossbow.

"What are you all waiting for!" Toryn hollored loudly, shoving Pyre to the ground roughly and casually stepping over her like she was trash, "Kill the bloody wench!"

The warrior brigand hefted his large axe and waded forwards. He wasn't particularly eager to match weapons with Jono. They were likely too evenly matched but he needed to appear eager. After all, he needed some of the others to take a few hits and use up Jono's stamina bar.

Meanwhile, several of the rogues around Maisy began poking downwards at her prone form with their weapons. There was a good chance they might accidentally skewer their own companion but concern for the well being of their "friends" didn't seem to be their strong suit.

Red Skies it's all a Game

A number of brigands rushed, the first wave mainly generic NPC robbers. Two of them even appeared to be the same character model! That made sense. NPCs were generally fearless. One of the player characters shoved a spear at Jono from between two of these NPCs.

Red Skies it's all a Game

"Got a mouth there don't you?" Toryn answered the challenge, "We'll knock you down a peg or two! Hah! Get'er boys!"

Toryn, of course, didn't immediately join the fracas. He liked to watch and then step in to finish his victims. It was one of the reasons he was higher level than the "boys" he deployed.

Meanwhile Pyre placed a hand against Toryn's abdomen and snuggled closer. Her one worry was that Toryn might like Jono better. Then Jono could become the lure and Toryn would snap Pyre's neck.

Red Skies it's all a Game

"Oh. You'll be seeing red all right," Toryn chided Jono, "if you don't turn over all your items. That's all we want."

It was a lie of course. If Jono returned and told people about this little scam people willing to follow Pyre out into the wilderness alone would be hard to find. Worse, someone might get the idea to party up and chase them out.

Meanwhile, Pyre was decidedly useless at this point. If she helped in the attack she'd become marked and ineffective at scouting out bait. She stepped closer to the bandit lord and Toryn placed his off-arm around Pyre in a way that was quite familiar.

Red Skies it's all a Game

Sorry. I was in the shower and getting ready for bed.

Red Skies it's all a Game

Slipping through the gate Pyre led her new companion out along the road for a time before turning off the track at an area denoted by a broken tree. Upwards they followed what was little more than a goat track until they reached a clearing containing little more than harmless bunny rabbits.

In the center of the clearing was a chest and once deep within the clearing one could tell it was already opened, the shackle lock clearly forced clean off.

"Sorry about this," Pyre apologized as she tried backing away towards the flank of the clearing, "I really am sorry."

Beyond the clearing on every side was a bandit. Some NPC, some players, all with the glimmering red names that denoted repeat player killers

"Well, well, well," trumpeted the one calling himself Toryn the Rotten, "What do we have here. Has my little flower brought us something to play with?"

Red Skies it's all a Game

"Uh. Okay," Pyre answered and began to move off in the direction of the town gate.

She wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Was the girl on to the ploy? Was she simply bored? The important thing was that she was coming. Toryn could deal with her.

Red Skies it's all a Game

"Wow. You must be really tough." Pyre praised Jono, "I thought we'd need a whole party! I'm super impressed."

Pyre hated pretending to be the energetic moron newbie but that seemed to get the best results out of prospective victims.

"It's not far. I'm Pyre by the way. I can't see your name but I'm pleased to meet you. Is that a rogue thing? I'm a sorceress by the way. I do fire."

Red Skies it's all a Game

"Well, there is the treasure chest," Pyre reminded her, "I'm sure there will be something great in there for you. You can keep whatever is in there. I just need the XP!

"Heck!" She added, bouncing on her bare toes in a way that made her bracelets and anklets jingle, "I'd be happy with whatever you throw away when you find something better!"