Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/21(Wed)16:55 No. 678607 ID: f02a77
File 144547173545.gif - (8.72KB , 480x384 , gentleman1.gif )

...I will need more to my name than the clothes I am wearing and a handful of pocket change.

Thus is why I speak to the heavens and call upon the wisdom of the gods! Lead me to my path of greatness!

...Wait, a gentleman would never be so boisterous. Hmm, I ask the gods that watch over me to show me mercy on my quest, and to offer their guidance however they shall.

Yes, that'll work.

You'll definitely need more then a handful of pocket change. Silk and canes and shiny golden monocles are expensive.

Find a rich older lady and take your pants off. Honor and respect can wait until you've got your start-up capital. Alternately explain where you are and what your situation is exactly, so that we may point out a rich older lady for you.

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/21(Wed)17:45 No. 678622 ID: f02a77
File 144547475497.gif - (6.45KB , 608x504 , gentleman3.gif )

Despite how uncouth that plan sounds, I am sorry to inform you that there will not be many wealthy older woman near me for quite some time. I am currently walking the long road that connects the village I once called home and the larger port-side city: Maltide.

Now, a gentleman must always practice honesty, so I shall inform you that these clothes are not entirely authentic. I had very little savings, and this was all I could afford at my ex-local costume shoppe. however, I am hoping that it will disguise my past poverty in Maltide so that the citizens there may trust me.

It is my only hope.

Very well then! Walk, in a gentlemanly fashion, towards the city.

Technically a gentleman is any man who doesn't work for a living, so all you need to do is get yourself some land and capital. Seeing as you have none of either to your name you'll have to either woo a rich lady (or lord) or rob someone with more wealth than yourself.

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/21(Wed)18:26 No. 678632 ID: f02a77
File 144547717567.gif - (13.27KB , 608x504 , gentleman4.gif )

>>678624
Yes. The day is thus half over. It will take most of what remains for me to arrive on foot. Shan't dally for long.

>>678625
True as that may be, I believe in the more old-fashioned view of a gentleman. While it is my goal to live a life of luxury and not have to lift a finger, I refuse to do so through ill-gotten gains. The first order of business once I reach my destination would be to acquire a steady source of income. Just enough to pay for the expenses of living, for now. That is something I will have to ponder on when I am not focused on travelling.

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/21(Wed)18:27 No. 678633 ID: f02a77
File 144547724668.gif - (7.98KB , 608x504 , gentleman5.gif )

I soon reach what appears to be a hastily constructed booth of some sort. There's a guardsman sitting inside of it.

>"Halt, traveler! You must pay toll if you wish to continue!"

Well. That is new.

Might I see you identification, sir guard?

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/21(Wed)18:57 No. 678640 ID: f02a77
File 144547905174.gif - (17.81KB , 576x480 , gentleman6.gif )

I approach the booth.

No identification is needed; That is the uniform of a true Royal Guardsman, in near pristine condition, if I am not mistaken. The guard in question appears to be a goblin - beady eyes and a hunched back - but his demeanor seems sullen.

>"All persons who take this road are required to pay a toll. Due to the late Queen Aine's sudden death, many damages and current taxes must be paid for."

Oh dear. I haven't caught wind of the queen's death. It must not have been very long ago, as this all seems very informal and rushed. I feel for the guard's dilemma , but I doubt I can afford to help.

"What is the current toll for this road, sir?"
>"Minimum's two Silver. I am afraid I must turn you back should you be unable to pay."

That is certainly out of my price range. Yet my journey has just began. It cannot be ended before I have gotten my bearings. But I cannot ignore this taxation with good heart...

>>678640
Simple. Swim across the river.

Ask if you can pay with goods or services.

>>678662
Wink when you say "goods" and "services".

Then take off your pants.

Step off the road to the side.
Walk a little past the booth.
Get back on the road.

Wait hold on i thought this was a DiveQuest parody

was inspired by DiveQuest, but this is meant to be its own thing. Will update properly later, away from a computer but figured I would address this now cuz why not

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/22(Thu)12:55 No. 678770 ID: f02a77
File 144554373891.gif - (14.89KB , 576x480 , gentleman7.gif )

Yes. Unfortunately for the both of us, I cannot pay this toll. The guardsmen seems unarmed, however, and I doubt he would stoop to physical violence towards a civilian. I'll merely pass him by and hopefully return with the proper sum at a later date.

>"H-Hey! You can't just leave!"

"Apologizes, my good man. I have important business to attend to and I cannot waste much time with arguing. If it eases your mind I will be quite able to pay you some other day."

>"No, y'can't, they'll kill-
I-I mean, erhm, I'll be forced to use force..!"

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/22(Thu)16:08 No. 678792 ID: f02a77
File 144555530633.gif - (15.48KB , 576x480 , gentleman8.gif )

The talk of killing is enough to take anyone's interest, so I stop and turn back towards the guard, asking him what he meant by such a thing.

>"What? N-Nothin', I'm just...I have been here for some time, and the death of the Queen has shaken me. I know not what I say."
"Please, sir, if there is something troubling you, I wish to be able to help."

Whatever the reason may be, he seems to relax a small amount at my affirmation. He begins to talk to me;

He says that he is part of the Guardsmen, and that his name is Grosim. He was stationed near Maltide when the queen was killed. It was murder of some degree, he tells me, and that most of the capital city (Centrasé, if I am not mistaken) was destroyed in the process. Those left alive or in neighboring towns were panicking, and that the Royal Collective were afraid of a mass riot if word spread. The area surrounding the castle was put into unofficial quarantine while the Collective sought out for rapid repairs of Centrasé.

He hurries along by saying that he was meant to collect taxes the other day, when some bandits had jumped him. Instead of stealing from him, however, they figured a better plan: set him up in this booth here to collect a decent sum from anyone moving along the roads. If he denied being a part of it, they said they will kill him. He then apologizes for dragging me into his problems, and that if I wish to continue on, he will simply collect double the "toll" from the next person to pass.

It is a terrible situation for him to be in, but I am unsure how much help I could possibly give to him. If I do decide to offer him any, of course.

...I've got to ask. Is there any reason for him to NOT come along with us? Granted...We won't be any use in a fight BUT if we get to a city, won't he be safe? These bandits surely could not enter a town easily, and how will they know if he simply runs away?

>>678822
On the other hand, taking him along with you may piss off the bandits, and violence is something you want to avoid. Gentlemen don't look good bathed in other people's blood and they certainly don't look good bathed in their own.

Anyway, what are your skills? Is there even anything you can do in this situation? I mean, if for instance you can sing, maybe you could serenade the bandits with a life changing song of mercy and good will and then take off your pants.

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/23(Fri)16:22 No. 678937 ID: f02a77
File 144564257215.gif - (6.40KB , 576x432 , gentleman9.gif )

"Why have you not simply evaded these bandits if they are such a threat to you?"

>"Look, these guys ain't just some lowlifes. They're pretty smart. Put me smack in the middle of two places, take 'bout half-a-day to get to either one. Not that big a deal if y'think about it, but they got a couple'a them come 'round a few times to check up on me. If I leave now, they'll see I've scrammed and already be waitin' for me no matter where I go."

"Ah. Well, that surely is a problem, but I am afraid that I am not one who can be of much help to you."

>"Yer offerin'? Cuz I got a plan, and all I need's an extra pair of hands. If it goes like I think it will, you won't even need to kill anyone."

I'm listening.

I'm listening.

Nersbe Goodman 2015/10/23(Fri)17:54 No. 678954 ID: f02a77
File 144564804912.gif - (5.47KB , 576x432 , gentleman10.gif )

>>678939
>>678940
"Yes..?"

>"Right, so their camp? Not very far north. S'barely into th'forest, see, just a bit underground. So they got this door, but it can't be opened by just one guy. Closes too fast. So, all I need you t'do is to hold th'door open for a bit so I can crawl in an' kill their leader, this big brute kinda guy. He sleeps the whole day, nothin'll wake 'im."

Well, if that IS all I will have to do...

>>678954
Sounds fine. What about the other bandits though?

Why don't you just prop it open with a big stick?