>>369314
How about a crossbow?

>>369327
Bowstrings don't work so well underwater either.
Still, if he has a knife, he is still close enough to stab you.

hand him your small supply of coin and when he is distracted with that you can strike. Maybe he will even give away what he is hiding when you hand it over.

>>369284
They don't. Take a step back. Draw your sword. You can take these guys.

Mark 2011/12/02(Fri)22:07 No. 369477 ID: a9ba96
File 132289247155.jpg - (163.30KB , 747x676 , 858a86b1.jpg )

>Shoot him in the face.
You know what? Yeah! There's no reason to let this guy push me around when I have superior firepower!
>Aren't the firearms wet? Those don't fire when wet.
Shit.

Maybe its best that I just give these guys what they want. When they write the story of my adventures, I hope the part where I got mugged by Orcs on the way back to Egias gets left out. Gods, this is pathetic. Sorry, guys.

>"You're a smart kid, kid. Hurk and me really appreciate the donation."

Wait a minute... the Orc doesn't have anything in either hand. I... even if he has something under the water, I bet I could get to my weapon before him...

I just...

The Orc takes the small bag of coins and turns towards Tinata. Mark takes a deep breath...

Mark 2011/12/02(Fri)22:08 No. 369478 ID: a9ba96
File 132289251280.jpg - (190.79KB , 767x684 , 65aa2795.jpg )

...And in a single motion, draws his sword and swings it down at the Orc, cleaving into his shoulder.

Mark 2011/12/02(Fri)22:09 No. 369479 ID: a9ba96
File 132289255103.jpg - (135.58KB , 706x698 , 164bbacc.jpg )

Tinata smiles for the first time since she boarded the train.

Mark 2011/12/02(Fri)22:16 No. 369483 ID: a9ba96
File 132289297271.jpg - (113.13KB , 738x660 , f0691c20.jpg )

Haha! Guys! Did you-- Guys! Did you see that!?
Whoa, I didn't think--- for a second there -- I almost thought he would --!!
Hahahah! I actually got him! 

The Orc looks back at Mark. He grunts in pain, and his mouth twists into a smile.
>"Heh! Look at that! 'Yeh probably mucked up my arm right good... Got one helluva' swing there. Shouldn't be turning my back like that, but I figured you didn't have the guts to try anything... Damn, Lemme tell 'yeh what, eh? I'm not dumb enough to try fighting all of you with my arm split open, so how about this - I took my buddy Hurkader over there out to toughen him up a bit. He keeps bragging that he can take three guys at once and knock em all out, so how about he picks three of you guys and if you can prove him wrong I'll give you back the cash and we can go our separate ways."
"I... Uh..."
>"Oh, come on! It'll be good for the kid, and I know you humans love a good competition! You're heading to the capital, right? I might even know a way to get you there a bit faster."

Well then.
When I split this guys's shoulder in half, I wasn't expecting him to take it so well. Are uh, are you guys up for a game, I guess? He's not really in a position where he can uh, do much if I decide to just take my money back now, but it could be worth it if this guy knows a quicker way to the capital than trudging through this lake for the rest of the day

he doesn't care much because look how shallow that wound is, you double handed overhead chopped into him and you only managed to weaken his arm. he's tough. but he knows with a weak arm fighting all of you is risky. hmmm, have the money be on that big rock over there so no one can just run off with it.

Also have him agree to pick people who are actually fighters, because fighting some untrained elf doesn't really count.

How about you kill them both? They've admitted as much to being bandits so why spare them, again?

say yes. then chop his head off.

>>369529
THIS

Mark 2011/12/03(Sat)18:20 No. 369597 ID: a9ba96
File 132296525213.jpg - (109.32KB , 638x767 , b8088abe.jpg )

The Orc flinches slightly as Mark yanks the sword free from his shoulder.
>"Kid, I gotta warn 'yeh. Hurk's one damn good fighter. Once broke a boar's neck with his bare-"

Mark 2011/12/03(Sat)18:22 No. 369599 ID: a9ba96
File 132296532401.jpg - (123.55KB , 638x767 , 595c267e.jpg )

>"Hnngrh!"

Mark 2011/12/03(Sat)18:27 No. 369602 ID: a9ba96
File 132296564389.jpg - (112.25KB , 466x671 , ec5affd9.jpg )

Though the wound isn't very deep, it proves to be just deep enough to make the Orc cough up blood and collapse into to water.

Well, that didn't really feel that heroic, but I've got a job to do. I guess there's really no need to slow the prince's arrival down any more than we already have playing games with highwaymen.

The Dwarf in goggles sighs.
>"Sir, was that really necessary?"

>"Yeh.. Yeh killed him, yeh dirty bastard! Only Elves and pansies stab a guy when he's down! You think yeh' tough! I'll splatter yer fucking brains on the rocks!"

Maybe, uh, maybe I should have thought this out a bit more. You know, for when I had to fight the Orc I didn't have the element of surprise over.

Because he seems a tad angry about his friend.

"he ain't dead yet, if you work fast you can save him, hold him up out the water upside down" move out the way.

>>369603
I don't think cut necks work that way.

Just turn around. "Tinata, back me up."

No horsing around.

>>369615
But does the OTHER guy know that?

Anyway, this is just ridiculous, it's not like you want their respect or anything like that. On the bright side, it's almost impossible for him to charge at you through this deep water. If you can get out onto the shore before him, however, you'll have the advantage in both mobility and height. Or if any of your companions can. Perhaps provide some fire support or just flanking positions

Get a good look at the orc. Size him up and look him in the eye. Show him that warrior within you think you are but kind of have trouble expressing.

heroes are people who get shit done. did you get some shit done right there? I believe you did. go on, stab the other dude. you've got a prince to protect after all.

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)21:22 No. 369893 ID: a9ba96
File 132306255730.jpg - (106.00KB , 682x594 , e26ca815.jpg )

Mark moves towards the shore as quickly as he can, sword clenched in hand. The Orc wades after him, but the water slows his movement. As Mark backpedals onto land, the Orc narrowly misses with several powerful swings.

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)21:23 No. 369895 ID: a9ba96
File 132306260852.jpg - (107.09KB , 682x594 , 1f07e0c7.jpg )

Mark swings downwards at the Orc's head, but the Orc blocks the blow with his arm. Red blood trickled from the wound as Mark's blade sinks into the Orc's arm and becomes imbedded in its thick skin. 

Grinning and seemingly unphased by the injury, the Orc yanks his arm back in an attempt to pull Mark back into the water. Mark struggles to maintain his footing and his grip on his blade.

>"'Yer gonna get it! I'm gonna break 'yah right in two!"

"Tinata, now!"

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)21:24 No. 369896 ID: a9ba96
File 132306264805.jpg - (142.31KB , 732x603 , 1c71b864.jpg )

As strong a fighter as he is, the Orc finds himself outnumbered and outsmarted. He lets out a painful gasp as Tinata's knife sinks into his neck.

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)21:25 No. 369897 ID: a9ba96
File 132306275129.jpg - (168.90KB , 800x735 , 38affad5.jpg )

Whew. Almost thought the big grey brute was gonna get the upper hand on me there for a second.

So do you think that we could maybe uh, maybe like, retroactively add the fight with the Orcs to my grade for the train? That would bring it up to a solid B, I think. Right?

Hey wait a second what's that guy doing with my money?

"Uh, excuse me! You can't just loot the Orc I killed, that's my money!"
>"You'll get your money. I need you to answer a quick question for me first though."
"A question?"
>"Peasants don't drop Orcs like that. I'm guessing that you two are adventuring types, yeah?"
"Oh! Uh, yeah... Why?"
>"Now before it ended up in a lake, that train was heading for Capital City. I can't think of many reasons for a dungeon crawler to be this far out of the Outlands unless there was a lot of money to be earned, an important job to be done, or someone important needed a bit of protection."
"...Uh, well..."
>"And if I recall correctly, the guy in the suit mentioned something just before these Orcs showed up that made it sound an awful lot like he thought the Elves back on that train were gunning for him. Now, not to be blunt, but last time I hiked into Capital City with strangers, I ended up getting arrested and nearly lost my head over suspicions of aiding the Gryphon's Skull conspirators."

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)21:26 No. 369898 ID: a9ba96
File 132306278850.jpg - (104.15KB , 721x603 , 99c9b402.jpg )

>"So before we carry on, I'm gonna have to ask one of you two just who mister fancy-pants here is, and why I almost got blown up over him."

Oh dear... This could be bad. I'm not really sure how well telling these guys that we're escorting the lost prince would go over.

"depends, are you some kind of bounty hunter?"

>>369898
He's worried about falling in with the wrong crowd. All you have to do here is assure him that you are not up to no good.

The truth would work wonderfully. But you should make sure the prince agrees, first.

Look, if it makes you feel any better, if orks are as tough as they say, the green one MIGHT not be dead yet. You could just flip him face up and let the gods sort it out, or you could jam sharp things into him until you are sure he's dead. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Anyway, I'm not sure I understand why telling them this is the prince would be upsetting. It might be a SECURITY RISK, sure, but the common traveler wouldn't have any more animosity toward him than you do, right? He got sent on a suicide mission to prove he was good for something besides starting bar-fights, and now he is on his way back.

But if you do want to deflect attention, you could point out that assassins are generally the territory of shadowy conspiracies, right? If the guy in the poofy shirt were on the wrong side of the law they would be sending paladins after him. Paladins who don't kill random passengers who look at them the wrong way. Remember that part?

it's none of his damned business, really.

You could just say he is the son of one of the (many) nobles in Egias who are rather unpopular recently.

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)23:41 No. 369941 ID: a9ba96
File 132307091568.jpg - (67.36KB , 583x689 , b52b2c98.jpg )

"Are you a bounty hunter?"
>"No. Is this guy the kind of guy who attracts a lot of bounty hunters?"
"No. Well, uh, sort of..."
>"Sort of? Who is he?"

>The truth would work wonderfully. But you should make sure the prince agrees, first.

"Erick? Is it okay if they, you know, uh, know?"
>"Of course, my good friend. They will speak of my return soon enough."
"Well, uh, alright. Well, the truth is... Tinata and I are escorting Erick Samwell of Farway to Egias so he may finally begin his trails and reclaim his crown."

>"..."

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)23:43 No. 369942 ID: a9ba96
File 132307103887.jpg - (146.14KB , 872x768 , 9374e6fc.jpg )

>"...Hah... Hahahaha! Damn, that's a good one! Escorting the Lost Prince? You expect me to buy that? Lost prince Erick?"
"Wh... Well, yeah! it's uh, he's really-"
>"Hold on, hold on, lemme see if I still remember this one...
>Oh, Gerald the Wise did sire a son, a pampered spoiled fool;
>He bragged and he lied and the king couldn't hide that he was unfit to rule!
>And all of the peasants throughout all the land all clearly thought the same -
>Erick is no heir! Crown him? Wouldn't dare! Behold the royal pain!
>Oh, Gerald the Wise, he had to think fast, so he devised a plan;
>”You must past a test, but first get your quest, and traverse the Outlands!"
>With his Elven slaves in tow, to Egias marched the prince!
>And that good friends is where the tale ends, for he's not been seen since!
>Perhaps he was killed, or eaten alive, but now he's out of their way!
>Perhaps he wanders to this daaaaaay!
>The lost prince of Farway!"

Mark 2011/12/04(Sun)23:45 No. 369944 ID: a9ba96
File 132307112263.jpg - (148.55KB , 872x766 , cfd03144.jpg )

>"Ha... Ha... Wait, you aren't serious, right?"

"yes, and now you've gone and made him mad."

"You don't think too far ahead do you? Now let's move along, we don't have THAT far to go but it'll feel like it is if we do too much arguing and singing before we even start."

attach palm to face.

Hey wait a minute, what's this about Elven slaves? I thought he just had paladin bodyguards for the trip initially.

Aaaaask about that.

>>369998
what? the elves were his bodyguards, the paladins just found us.

>>369998
>>370045

The Elves AND the Paladins were his bodyguards. He left Farway with some Elves assigned to help him, but the Sons of De Justus were helping him move quietly through the Outlands. Lin got her cool face scars when some bandits ambushed her squad while escorting Samwell, remember?

Mark 2011/12/06(Tue)19:50 No. 370354 ID: a9ba96
File 132322982430.jpg - (102.47KB , 751x626 , cfbe144a.jpg )

"Yes, uh, I am. And now you made him angry."

The bard turns to face Samwell.

>"There's no way, kid. I've heard people say that the prince was caught in the middle of a cave-in a few months into his trip."
>"Indeed I was! But men don't always die from that."
>"..."
>"What? Are you really so dense that you can't recognize royalty when you see it?"
>"...Flames of life ever burn. Wheels of time ever turn."
The Prince's eyes widen.
>"Who... how do you..."
>"Flames of life ever burn. Wheels of time ever turn."
>"..."

The Prince pauses and moves closer to the bard, whispering in his ear.

...

The bard begins to laugh.
>"Haha! By the gods, and I thought we were the reason those Elves attacked the train!"

Mark 2011/12/06(Tue)19:51 No. 370355 ID: a9ba96
File 132322987967.jpg - (82.77KB , 500x683 , 7363af57.jpg )

Wait what just

>"Holds on! Whats just happened?! What's going on heres?

Yeah, that.

Samwell looks over at Mark and Tinata. His tone lowers to a near whisper.
>"It's part of one of the poems that's commonly used by messengers between Egias and Farway to confirm that they're carrying genuine information. It's certainly not public knowledge..."

Mark 2011/12/06(Tue)19:59 No. 370358 ID: a9ba96
File 132323034737.jpg - (103.76KB , 739x571 , cd40f40a.jpg )

>"Heh, now I've got you guys all confused. Sorry about that."
The Bard reaches into his jacket and removes a letter bearing the seal of Egias.
>"Usually I travel the Oulands with my buddy Dov here, performing at taverns and inns for gold. At the last show, a member of the Egian Royal Guard showed up and handed me a letter basically summoning me to perform at the King's Palace in Capital City. There was a poem attached that I had to recite in order to get in. It said any officials who gave me trouble on the way into the city wouldn't ask questions as long as I had the poem, since it's some top-secret level political passphrase or something like hat. Figured the Prince of Farway would recognize it."
The Prince appears shocked
>"Well, yes, but - Why in the name of the Gods is Egias handing out official codes to traveling performers?"
>"Hell if I know. I'm not even that well known, so it's got me confused too. One hell of an opportunity to pass up, playing at the palace an all. When those Elves started opening fire on the train, I figured that I'd gotten myself caught up in a bunch of conspiracy shit or something. Good to know it was just a good old political assassination attempt on part of Farway's beloved aristocracy."
>"And just what is that supposed to mean!?"
>"Nothing, your highness. I'm Cadence, by the way. Like I said before, this is Dov. I guess we'll be tagging along with you to the Palace once we hit the capital."
The dwarf in goggles appears concerned.
>"...Are you sure it's a good idea to "tag along" with these fellows? We've just established that the prince has a tendency to attract men who blow up trains."

They seem like nice enough guys, but something about the Bard's story strikes me as really weird... You don't think the assassins back on the train were gunning for these guys, do you? Do you think there's anything I should ask them, or is it best for now to just shake hands and keep wading to Capital City?

"one of them could of sent a message, if their daggers were magical they may of had a magical way of sending information. you are already associated with us now. so safety in numbers.

>>370358
Well, are we 'sure' it wasn't some kind of conspiracy bullshit now? I mean, our all meeting seems just a bit co-incidental...

Regardless, perhaps if we decided to have further conversations 'outside' of waist-high water, and perhaps a bit further away from any looters and would-be muggers?

Mark 2011/12/07(Wed)15:53 No. 370461 ID: a9ba96
File 132330203872.jpg - (131.56KB , 609x753 , 8a51b114.jpg )

>Regardless, perhaps if we decided to have further conversations 'outside' of waist-high water, and perhaps a bit further away from any looters and would-be muggers?

I have no objections to that.

"Pleased to meet you, Cadence."

As I shake the Bard's hand, I notice that from here you van just barely make out the clock tower of Capital City poking out from behind the mountains in the distance, and breathe a sigh of relief.

It's been a long couple of days. Since I picked up you guys and helped Samwell fight off that bearhound back in the Outlands we've dealt with kobolds, mercenaries, goblins, assassins, knife wounds, train wrecks, and Orcs.

And now we're almost there. Another night of walking, and we're finally there. In the grand scheme of things, it's hardly the first steps. Warpath is still plotting, the Prince still needs to receive his quest from the King, Tinata's found herself in the dark about her father, and the men who her father worked with either want the Prince or this bard dead really badly.

We've done so much just to get here, and yet there's still so much to do.

THE DUNGEON CRAWLERS: CHAPTER THREE END Mark 2011/12/07(Wed)15:55 No. 370462 ID: a9ba96
File 132330213738.jpg - (17.41KB , 904x681 , 57987e65.jpg )

But hey, after all of that, what's the worst that could happen?

THE DUNGEON CRAWLERS CHAPTER THREE: EPILOUGE Dungeon Crawler 2011/12/07(Wed)17:44 No. 370493 ID: a9ba96
File 132330869704.jpg - (158.63KB , 1024x768 , 6439cce6.jpg )

The trial of the Pack stirred up a good deal of buzz around the Outlands; not necessarily because the pack was a well-known group, but because of the decision made by the High Knight to take part in their judgement. While the "festivities" that the High Knight had planned for later in the night would prove to be a much greater source of gossip, rumors the judgement that preceded them still managed to circulate quickly.

It's said that a scar-faced paladin challenged the High Knight's decision to let all three criminals walk, refusing to back down until he had thoroughly explained his plan to sentence the murderous Dwarf and Elf in The Pack to a life of dungeon crawling as a substitution for hanging - some were quick to claim that it was part of a publicity stunt to appease the Guild of Mages, the Sons of De Justús' biggest political connection.

As for the paladin who went head-to-head with the Sons' leader during the judgement herself, whose actions were praised in private by the Sons of De Justús' bigger detractors, many speculated that the inquisition would likely be keeping a close eye on her - though she had broken no rules of vows, suspicion that one doubts the judgement of the High Knight is all it takes to draw suspicion of heresy.

Little attention was given to the paladin who attempted to interrupt the ritual with some sort of announcement, but was quickly shut down. It was generally agreed by those who did hear of the incident that he likely didn't have anything too important to add.

While anything the High Knight does is bound to bet attention in the Outlands, especially a judgement, the attention the trial was given would ultimately pale in comparison to what happened after the trial, when the High Knight called for a private meeting...

Meanwhile, in Egias, news quickly circulated about a train violently derailed by a series of explosions onboard only a few miles south of Capital City.

Originally, the derailment of the train was regarded as accidental, attributed to the improper handling of the kegs of Dwarven Black Powder onboard. Though the initial group of guards sent to investigate the crash found no survivors, the survivors of the crash would show up in Capital City a day later, and a new story began to spread...

I really like the chapter epilogues in this quest. They give both the setting and the protagonists' actions a feeling of substance and realness.