Member
What a beautiful day, with the sun's rays peeking through the slits of leaves. This village was concealed nice and well within the density of the forest, and sure enough the forest ended up saving my arse. Did I ever tell you about the time I spent two days in the forest to get away from two of my kidnappers? Good times. I wonder what they're doing now, those wankers.
This village was called Birchvale, surrounded by forest and hills. Cabins and shacks littered the place, though for some reason it was pretty easy to remember the path you went on, and signs littered the walls which divided parts of the village. They didn't take too kindly to strangers or orphans, so I didn't any welcoming parties or anything. Some nobles lived here simply because the village was virtually isolated, unknown at times to a majority of most Kobold. I looked like them, but I certainly didn't talk or act the same way they did. For one, I was a compulsive gambler; or, since I have no addiction and know how to play my cards, I was a conman in this village. Guards often patrolled the alleys looking for scum like me, but more often than not there's always a few people willing to bet their lives away for a jackpot or so, hence why I stick around. Even the times where I bet legitimately simply because I liked the other person, they will still lose. Either way, I got money; enough to buy food and maybe some better clothes. I need a house to live in, but an alleyway is cheaper and close to my workplace.
I've run into a few bad people. I've seen things, whether that be my own father beating me and betting me away, to the scum of this village who didn't tell me they were going to mug me. Sometimes, I'd be lucky and able to run. Other times... well, I'd end up with a few bruises. If I was so lucky, I wouldn't be in Birchvale scamming everyone I met. More importantly, I wouldn't even be in Birchvale. I never really for any of this, and I know from watching my own dad betting me away that this'll kill me one day. Argh, life isn't without its ups and downs. I can't keep sweating everything I know, and I just want to make sure I can get some cash together to move to another village. Lately, they've been cracking down on people like me, stepping up on patrols and instantly jailing the poor. Yes, the poor. Nobles don't do too well against a class struggle. Why else would they do that? The only criminals here would be me and a few people in my old gang. It's very unlikely you get jumped, but it does happen; regardless, it's pretty bullshit for them to suddenly start arresting anyone they think acting shifty.
So, here I was, hanging out in the alley, waiting for anyone to come along. If you get into a business, you'll find out quickly there's three types of people: those who look at you funny and walk away, those who're interested but still walk away, and lastly those who genuinely want a transaction. I'm still trying to decide whether I want to continue down this deadly path or just call it quits and become a merchant. At least I could fight back against robbers, and for some reason they always tended to trip or smack their heads against furniture.
Anyway, the same applied here as a conman. Even though I had a good location (near the shady part of an inn), I wouldn't have too many customers. I never had regulars, 'cause they'd constantly get cheated of money. Some of them did in fact get a guard or even tried to attack me, but I just sneered at them while running away. Counting my pack of cards, I was like a magician; they'd fly a bit, they'd get mixed up, and at the end of the day I still amaze myself. My father did teach me a few tricks in gambling, but he was certainly down on his luck when he bet me away. Oh, how unlucky I was... the universe must be compensating now.
I bought a few clothes to make myself stand out more, but I never went over the top. Not only could I barely afford them, but 'a 'noble' walking through an alley? Let's get him!' is actually a common thought that runs through the scum around here. I got a few clothes but nothing fancy, and looked as if I was trying to fit into a party. If I did went to a noble's party, I would definitely look out of place. Either way, the regular tosser didn't seem to notice.
Suddenly, a guard. "Hey, you!" I could notice the gleam of their breastplate in this dark alley. A lantern on the walls of the inn often revealed the danger lurking towards me; if it was shining, it was probably a guard or a bandit and that running was imperative. If it was murky, it was just a homeless dude or even a customer. Either way, he didn't seem too impressed with me, what with my clothing in this alley and the pack of cards in my hand. Almost every guard in this place knew me.
"Relax, it's no one." I said, not even smirking at the guard. "I'm just waitin' for someone, to get drunk with and have a few bets." He was certainly able to through that illusion, and he was walking slowly towards me with his hands on the hilt of his dangling sword. Aye... that didn't work. I wonder what else I can do.
This village was called Birchvale, surrounded by forest and hills. Cabins and shacks littered the place, though for some reason it was pretty easy to remember the path you went on, and signs littered the walls which divided parts of the village. They didn't take too kindly to strangers or orphans, so I didn't any welcoming parties or anything. Some nobles lived here simply because the village was virtually isolated, unknown at times to a majority of most Kobold. I looked like them, but I certainly didn't talk or act the same way they did. For one, I was a compulsive gambler; or, since I have no addiction and know how to play my cards, I was a conman in this village. Guards often patrolled the alleys looking for scum like me, but more often than not there's always a few people willing to bet their lives away for a jackpot or so, hence why I stick around. Even the times where I bet legitimately simply because I liked the other person, they will still lose. Either way, I got money; enough to buy food and maybe some better clothes. I need a house to live in, but an alleyway is cheaper and close to my workplace.
I've run into a few bad people. I've seen things, whether that be my own father beating me and betting me away, to the scum of this village who didn't tell me they were going to mug me. Sometimes, I'd be lucky and able to run. Other times... well, I'd end up with a few bruises. If I was so lucky, I wouldn't be in Birchvale scamming everyone I met. More importantly, I wouldn't even be in Birchvale. I never really for any of this, and I know from watching my own dad betting me away that this'll kill me one day. Argh, life isn't without its ups and downs. I can't keep sweating everything I know, and I just want to make sure I can get some cash together to move to another village. Lately, they've been cracking down on people like me, stepping up on patrols and instantly jailing the poor. Yes, the poor. Nobles don't do too well against a class struggle. Why else would they do that? The only criminals here would be me and a few people in my old gang. It's very unlikely you get jumped, but it does happen; regardless, it's pretty bullshit for them to suddenly start arresting anyone they think acting shifty.
So, here I was, hanging out in the alley, waiting for anyone to come along. If you get into a business, you'll find out quickly there's three types of people: those who look at you funny and walk away, those who're interested but still walk away, and lastly those who genuinely want a transaction. I'm still trying to decide whether I want to continue down this deadly path or just call it quits and become a merchant. At least I could fight back against robbers, and for some reason they always tended to trip or smack their heads against furniture.
Anyway, the same applied here as a conman. Even though I had a good location (near the shady part of an inn), I wouldn't have too many customers. I never had regulars, 'cause they'd constantly get cheated of money. Some of them did in fact get a guard or even tried to attack me, but I just sneered at them while running away. Counting my pack of cards, I was like a magician; they'd fly a bit, they'd get mixed up, and at the end of the day I still amaze myself. My father did teach me a few tricks in gambling, but he was certainly down on his luck when he bet me away. Oh, how unlucky I was... the universe must be compensating now.
I bought a few clothes to make myself stand out more, but I never went over the top. Not only could I barely afford them, but 'a 'noble' walking through an alley? Let's get him!' is actually a common thought that runs through the scum around here. I got a few clothes but nothing fancy, and looked as if I was trying to fit into a party. If I did went to a noble's party, I would definitely look out of place. Either way, the regular tosser didn't seem to notice.
Suddenly, a guard. "Hey, you!" I could notice the gleam of their breastplate in this dark alley. A lantern on the walls of the inn often revealed the danger lurking towards me; if it was shining, it was probably a guard or a bandit and that running was imperative. If it was murky, it was just a homeless dude or even a customer. Either way, he didn't seem too impressed with me, what with my clothing in this alley and the pack of cards in my hand. Almost every guard in this place knew me.
"Relax, it's no one." I said, not even smirking at the guard. "I'm just waitin' for someone, to get drunk with and have a few bets." He was certainly able to through that illusion, and he was walking slowly towards me with his hands on the hilt of his dangling sword. Aye... that didn't work. I wonder what else I can do.