Rain hisses outside the apothecary windows while the room settles into a warm hush. BonerFart and the others crowd around Merrin's map, its ink lines weighted by the packet of black powder. Shelves of jars and dried herbs press close on every side.
Merrin
Garrick keeps to the ash inn by the canal. He is careful, but not hidden. If he is still there, you will find a tired man with sharp eyes.
The Hedge-Magus leans his staff against one knee and wipes old moisture from the wood with a corner of cloth. The Stranger sits angled toward the counter, blade across a palm, drawing the whetstone slow and steady.
Joe
Barack bends people like wire. If this group stays together, there may yet be enough strength to break his lies.
Steven
A canal inn, then. Better than chasing ghosts through alleys. We have a real lead at last.
Jeff
I prefer a lead with less blood in it. This feels almost civil.
Merrin folds her hands on the counter, her expression easing now that the trade is done. The room feels smaller, but safer for it, as if the rain itself has agreed to keep watch outside.
For a moment, no one moves. Just ink, whetstone, staff, and breath, all gathered around the same small map.
“First, I give the group members names. Magus is Joe. Stranger is Steven. Rival is Jeff. I tell merrin to prepare her strongest potions and poisons. I ask her to give some attention to Steven as he look to be quite weary. Once healed and preped.. we make our way to the inn. Only merrin and I approach the warrior. Allowing me to try to persuade him before leveraging the debt he holds with merrin. And before we enter the inn.. we take note of all of our surroundings taking advantage of all that could aid us against Barack”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
BonerFart
Merrin, get your strongest potions and poisons ready. Steven looks worn, give him whatever helps most.
Merrin
Gladly. If you are walking into Garrick's den, I will not send you soft.
Merrin turns at once to a shelf of stoppered vials, while the Hedge-Magus snaps his cloth away from the staff and sets it upright. The Stranger eases one shoulder, already watching for the next move.
Joe
Joe, then. If names help us move as one, I will take it.
Steven
Steven is fine. And Jeff, you keep those eyes open. Barack likes careless ground.
BonerFart leads them to the alley mouth and pauses there, reading the lane, the rooflines, the puddles, the narrow places where trouble could hide. Merrin waits beside him, a small packet of vials gathered in one hand.
Merrin
I owe Garrick, and he knows it. Let me speak first, then you press him if he wavers.
With a final glance at the canal route, BonerFart and Merrin step out together, the inn ahead and the street around them full of useful shadows.
Quest Complete
Find Barack’s trail
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Superb→Legendary
“Are there threats on our way to the inn?”
NO (Likely, rolled 90)
The path to the canal remains quiet and undisturbed by any hidden watchers. BonerFart finds only the steady rhythm of falling rain and the distant, hollow echo of water against stone.
“Merrin and I make our way to the inn in search of the warrior.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
BonerFart and Merrin cut through the rain at a quick, silent pace, the canal wall looming nearer with every step.
A low inn sign swings ahead through the gray, its painted boards damp and darkened by weather.
BonerFart
The map mark matches this doorway.
BonerFart reaches the ash-colored inn first, stopping under the eaves as water drums off his bow.
Merrin
That is the place. Garrick should be inside, if he has not moved since I last heard of him.
Through the rain-streaked window, a broad-shouldered figure sits alone near the back, half hidden by shadow and steam.
Merrin
There. Do you go in openly, or do we keep to the side and watch him first?
“I say to Merrin, he owes you a debt? Dont be afraid to leverage it against him. But we both enter casually together. He will see me with you if hes paying attention. I will go get two drinks from the barkeep at the inn you approch him in a gentle manner, strike up a conversation, I walk up with the drinks and offer him one and we lay it all out plainly.. and if he says no, we use your debt to bind his blade to the group for the mission. This is how we will move forward Merrin. Let's go... then we go in the inn”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -1)
BonerFart lowers the bow and steps under the inn roof beside Merrin, rainwater sliding from his sleeves. The door creaks inward, warm air and tavern noise spilling out around them.
BonerFart
We go in together. You speak to Garrick gently, I bring the drinks and keep it plain. If he refuses, we bind him with what he owes you.
Merrin
She gives a small, grim smile and adjusts her satchel. 'Plain words, then. He may not like them, but he will hear them from me.'
Inside, the inn is dim and hazed with steam. Garrick sits near the back, broad shoulders hunched over his cup, and his eyes track Merrin first, then BonerFart's glowing stare.
Garrick
'Merrin,' he says carefully. 'You came yourself. That means this is about more than weather.'
Merrin
'It is about a debt,' she answers, calm but firm. 'And about whether you mean to spend your blade on something worthy.'
BonerFart sets two drinks on the table between them. Garrick's hand pauses above one cup, his jaw tightening as he studies the offer and the two of them.
Garrick
'Talk, then,' he says. 'Tell me what you want from me, and what this debt buys.'
“I say to garrick, as I said.. I need a blade, one strong enough for me to trust with the lives of the crew. A lot of weight will be on your shoulders. But you see everyone including yourself to safety and a complete mission, I give you my word you will gain more treasure then ANY king and never have to be "hired" again.. who knows, might even become a leader yourself? But non the less join and act, and your debt is settled”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +4)
BonerFart
I need a blade I can trust with the crew's lives. If you see everyone, even yourself, through a complete run, I swear you walk away richer than any king, and no one ever hires you again unless you choose it. Join us, settle the debt.
The words hang in the steam between them. Merrin watches Garrick without blinking, her fingers still on the satchel strap, while the room's rain-muted murmur keeps its distance.
Garrick
He is not selling me a leash. He is offering a seat at the table, and making it sound earned.
Garrick
You speak like a man who has counted the cost already.
Merrin
He has. That is why I brought him to you.
Garrick
Then listen closely. I do not like borrowed glory, and I do not kneel to empty boasts.
Garrick
But if your word holds, and the road pays what it owes, I will take it. I will stand with you.
Garrick closes his hand around the mug at last, then pushes back from the table with a slow, deliberate nod. The debt shifts from threat to agreement, and Merrin's shoulders ease by a fraction. He reaches for his belt and lays a small iron token beside the cups, a maker's mark worn smooth with use.
Quest Complete
Recruit a warrior
New Gift: Tactical Commander