Run for it. There's a back door, right?

You have a lot of good will in this town. It'd be a shame to throw it away by opening fire in a crowded room.

What you should do is try to play it cool. Calmly ask what you're being arrested for (keeping your distance as much as possible), and argue that there's clearly been some kind of mistake. Odds are, it's not going to get you anywhere with her and you're still going to have to run, but if you're acting like a reasonable, civilized person, and she's trying to run across the room and stab you, the other people here are going to take your side, and hopefully slow her down enough for you to escape.

try to be peaceful.

>>422569
This.

that's a fuckton of cash. grab it. ask her to take it outside with you, western style.

>>422569
Yes, René has too much to lose here.

>>422569
Yep.

I think you'd be better off inflicting as much damage as possible before she gets in close with that sword. You don't really have anything in this town worth preserving, in terms of public opinion. You're about to leave, after all, so what does it matter to you?

Don't even say anything, just start shooting and flinging fire. Also, is there a back door? Might want to run for that. We should make a habit of checking for exits in the future.

René 2012/06/15(Fri)18:21 No. 422732 ID: 09e5bf
File 133980968795.jpg - (135.62KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 55.jpg )

René does have his winnings, though it looks like he's going to be down the $500 he just bet.

René looks around, as if trying to figure out who she is talking to, and gets ready to take out his gun.

She makes a beeline for him.

He asks why he's under arrest.

She says for using magic.

René 2012/06/15(Fri)18:21 No. 422733 ID: 09e5bf
File 133980970615.jpg - (133.87KB , 700x420 , Magic West - 56.jpg )

René tries to keep at least a table between the two of them.

"Why is that enough to go after me?"

"Because it attracts demons. I wouldn't let a live bomb stay in my house, and the Coal Nation-States won't accept a mage just wandering around its cities."

"That's crazy, I've used magic for years and never even heard of a demon coming close."

"Then you should probably be thanking the Scarlet Knights for that."

"If they do such a great job, why do I need to be arrested?"

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

>>422733
"Your sword attracts demons. You should destroy it."

"well why don't you go and... HOLT SHIT YOU'RE RIGHT, A DEMON!" then point behind her and run away.

that's like being subjected to mandatory bloodletting just in case you get iron poisoning. i.e. stupid.

>>422736
This is actually p. logical.

Then why don't you destroy your sword, to prevent it from killing someone?

>>422740
Tell the Scarlet Knights to do a survey. How often is there something made of Pure Silver nearby whenever a Knight finds a demon?

"Well, 100%, but..."

"AHA! See?!?"

>>422741
hahaha

>>422733
Ask what would happen to you if they arrested you.

Besides, can't you just stop using magic if it's really that bad? I mean, we don't do that much with it, and the last fight we got in was won mostly due to your gun.

How about you just agree not to use magic and she doesn't arrest you.

>>422742
Okay, I can think of 2 plausible-sounding ideas:

Demons are attracted to its purity because they secretly crave redemption/they want to defile it.

Demons are attracted to pure silver because it's useful shit and they plan to cut through the magical boundaries between worlds to summon more demons or some shit.

You do realize that without magic I would be naked right now? Do you want me to be naked?

>>422768
If she does, then we have a better chance of getting out of this than I thought.

Offer to just leave and never come back? The dress for your sister done yet?

>>422769
That would be an odd thing to realize, since René is wearing real clothing.

>>422772
Lie. It's not hard.

Well, what happens to you if you are arrested? If she isn't going to try killing you on the spot or anything, it might be safest to go along with her for now and escape later.

I have this crazy plan where if she tries putting silver cuffs on you or something, you can dreamcraft some fake hands that you hold onto with your real hands in your sleeves. Then when your "hands" get destroyed by the cuffs you run away in the moment that she is confused/not holding her sword. But that's totally crazy.

>>422772
Oh well. I thought when you said 'normal clothes' you meant the clothing he normally wears, the magic ones.

"Hypothetically Lets say instead of worrying about buying clothes I just use magic.
I'm guessing I shouldn't be doing magic while getting arrested for magic.
So if I was to go with you I should be getting naked?
Considering hypothetically I'm already naked sans magic?"

René 2012/06/15(Fri)19:54 No. 422787 ID: 09e5bf
File 133981528064.jpg - (141.46KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 57.jpg )

"Your sword could kill people, why don't you destroy that?!"

"...."

"Aha! Got you there. Can't beat my logic, can you?"

"No, I. It's a wea-. It's a sword. It doesn't kill people by existing, and sometimes people need to be subdued. I use it to do so."

"If it wasn't for magic, I would be naked right not. Do you want me to be naked?"

"It's like you don't understand basic concepts. If you didn't have magic clothing, you would have gotten normal clothing."

"Maybe Pure Silver is the problem? How many times has Pure Silver been present when a knight has found a demon?"

"No. I refuse to belive you are this stupid. Stop acting stupid."

"What would happen if you arrested me?"

"You'd get a trial, and depending on the judge, You'd either get exiled or jailed. It mostly depends on what you've done. If your only crime is low level magic, most judges would just have you marked to prevent re-entry, and exiled into the frontier past the territory of the Coal Nation-States. Only the most conservative would kill you for doing nothing. Then there's Ulysses Archer. He's the harshest of them all; he'd probably see how good you are and hire you if he approves of you."

[i]"What if I just left and never came back, or stopped using magic?"[i]

[b]"Then we'd have no way to make sure of that."

"well what if i- HOLY SHIT A DEMON!" point behind her. when she looks, run. head to the front gate and see if florence is there.

>>422787
Why specifically is being hired by him so harsh? Or is his selection process heavily flawed?

>>422792
This will be a last resort only.

>"Then we'd have no way to make sure of that."
"Why not come with me? It would be fun! We could have adventures together. You could do your scarlet thing in the west and I'd do my awesome thing."

You're already resorting to despair? I'm disappointed, René. You're better than that.

> Only the most conservative would kill you for doing nothing.
Reassuring. She wants to protect everyone, except you. Some sacrifices must be made, you guess. However, these sacrifices don't come from her or from the Coal Nation-States. How many they sacrificed in the name of a "greater good"? How many more until it's enough? Wouldn't you also be a victim? Why they don't search for the true cause of these problems and protect the lives of everyone, including those with magical abilities? Hey... You have a family, a person who loves you. What about them? If she isn't going to help you, you will escape. If she gets in your way, even against your will you will fight. If no one is going to defend your life and your freedom, you will.

>>422787
"You say stupid, I say logical. There's been silver present every time you've encountered a demon, but how often have there been mages?
In fact, haven't you been tracking me down for awhile? Tell me, how many demons have you found while tracking me? was it any more than normal?
As near as I can tell, the only relationship between mages and demons is that they both have to hide from you.

Now, do you want to hear the funny thing? The thing that'll really mess with your head? This is the first time I've been in a town since I started learning magic, and lo and behold I already had a bounty on my head. How do you figure they knew I was a mage and made a wanted poster with my picture when I've never been seen before?"
Grimace or grin
"You're working for mages, my friend. Ones that want to be the only mages.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go wait for a lovely girl before I head home. You can escort me on my way out of your lands if you like; I have places to be, so if it's all the same to you lets just skip the arrest and call it an exile summary judgement. Seem reasonable?

Or I could just escape. That'd also work."

>>422811
Bar unexpected logical issues, this sounds good.

>>422793
this, also point out that while you would be willing to leave and accept a mark, you do not want to risk being executed because you happened to be judged by an asshole.

>>422811
Yes.

>>422811
Or forget that.
"Do you have any idea how many mages there are that you haven't discovered? We're everywhere, but we hide because we're hunted. You say we attract demons, but don't have any real data to back that up. My town's never been attacked. You don't even care how many mages fight demons. You're the popular ones that fight demons openly, sure, but don't think for a second your job would be easier without us in the shadows."

Augh.

Can we not make corny, long-winded speeches using false logic against what is essentially a police officer, not an independent hunter?

Ask her how many demons showed up in the frontier since they started exiling mages there.

>>422836
What, no! The corny remarks, the long-winded speeches, the circular reasoning and other fallacies! That's why we live, that's why we're here!

I bet we can make her give up if we give her enough of a headache.

"So, how about the weather?"

And if all else fails, shrug your shoulders, say "I tried," throw the fastest fireball at her face that you can (it doesn't even matter if it actually does damage) and then shoot her in the stomach through the table.

>>422872
No, no being an asshole.

Still, might be worth it to ask how they got the bounty notice and information on you, considering you've never even been in the Coal Nation-States before. Do they declare people outside of their borders criminals?

fuck this, you've got a birthday present to deliver. bail out on her.

René 2012/06/15(Fri)22:49 No. 422922 ID: 09e5bf
File 133982579015.jpg - (135.60KB , 700x420 , Magic West - 58.jpg )

>Still, might be worth it to ask how they got the bounty notice and information on you, considering you've never even been in the Coal Nation-States before. Do they declare people outside of their borders criminals?

René is from a Coal Nation-States territory. His town is actually one of the inner-more towns in the frontier, though not along any of the Coal Nation rail lines.

But yes, there are wanted people who have never personally been in the Coal Nation-States.

-

"What makes being hired by Ulysses so harsh?"

"Well, he decides if you're worth it by fighting you. Then if you pass, he sends you on missions he thinks you will be able to survive. Not ones that you can survive as you are, ones that require you to improve in order to accomplish. He does not let up. If you succeed the first near-suicide mission, he makes the next one harder."

"Could I just be marked and go? I don't want to risk being judged by one of the kill-y judges"

"I could try to get you to a more lenient judge, but it still comes down to what you've done. Even if I wanted to do it myself, I don't have the tools to brand you."

"How many demons have showed up in the frontier since they started exiling mages there?"

"There were always demons in the wild, We send mages out there so that demons don't have more reasons to come here. It's like boogeymen, they were always there; we just do what we can to keep them out, and people safe."

"I think you discredit the usefulness of mages. How many mages do you think there are that you haven't found? Mages that fight demons in secret? I've never seen a demon, and I've been using magic for years. We're everywhere, but we hide because we're hunted."

"Look, I'm not here to supplement your lack of education, or debate the morality of capturing mages. I'm here to arrest you. Are you coming with me, or are you going to resist?"

"well why don't you go and..." René acts surprised and points outside behind Athena, "HOLY SHIT YOU'RE RIGHT, A DEMON!"

René 2012/06/15(Fri)22:50 No. 422923 ID: 09e5bf
File 133982581279.jpg - (130.69KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 59.jpg )

Then he runs off. The first floor has become mysteriously empty, though a good sized crowd that would be very inconvenient to draw has formed on the second floor balcony.

René 2012/06/15(Fri)22:50 No. 422924 ID: 09e5bf
File 133982582589.jpg - (242.38KB , 900x460 , Magic West - 60.jpg )

The back door has been locked. He's sure it was open before. It must have heppened while he was talking to Athena. He could probably get through it if he broke down the door. Otherwise he needs to get past Athena and out the front.

What should he do?

pull out gun and point "you probably already know what i do, but i can assure you this gun is real, your sword and armor wont help stop a real metal bullet." back to the side a little and quickly tap the gun to the metal doorknob to show it's realness. "now, move to the side and let me leave"

Oh, boy! You can't outrun her, can you? Ask for help? Her help?

>>422920
Hey, yeah! Can you at least deliver it? She may escort you and all that stuff. None of you really want to fight, after all. You will need something to demonstrate your goodwill. I don't think you will choose this option, however.

Heat up her sword so it burns her hand and she drops it.

Heat Metal is the best spell.

>>422924
Sigh
"I really don't want to hurt you"
Spend a gossamer to put a burlap sack over her head, then run past while she's distracted.
"But I'm not about to be a victim of your hate and blood-lust."

See, this is why you should've listened to my "evil" plan in the first place.

>>422937

Also heating the sword won't work, it's silver.

Pull out the gun. "Right. Not only do we have some distance between us, now, but this building is also /made of wood/. Are you sure you want to continue?"

>>422937
her sword is magic-proof
>>422938
out of range. all his creation spells are a range of personal.

>>422939
...You do know that Silver conducts heat better than almost every other metal, right?

Also a PURE SILVER RAPIER that cuts through magic is not necessarily magic immune. It is also not necessarily heat immune either, especially considering a magic fire produces very real heat.

>>422939
Woah! René wouldn't do that... would he?

>>422945

It's fantasy silver. It's more like steel.

>>422948

Actually set the building aflame? ehhhhh... not on purpose, but threatening to do it to get outside might do the trick, and then we have more options that won't hurt civilians.

Break it down boyo

Break the door. Seriously, not that hard a decision to make. Make a sledgehammer or something and smash it open.

>>422924
Can't you gossamer the key? Or form something via gossamer in the lock to unlock it without really having the key?

Basically, pick the lock with magic, real fast. Try to hold her off with the gun.

Take the door handle off with an axe kick, then you should be able to open it with a good shove. Assuming it's a normal door handle that should be easy, although the fact that it has a lock in the first place is a bit surprising. In light of circumstances, perhaps drawing on the girl would be merited. She's drawn on you, after all, even if it's a sword. If you do that, hold the gun steady at her face and tell her to drop the sword. Don't shoot unless you've got no choice.

Don't burn down the building or otherwise cause undue property damage. The folks who live here didn't do you no wrong, at least not as far as we know now.

>>422994
I reckon he'd have to understand the lock well enough to know what the key should look like to open it. I doubt that he does.

Can't you just melt the locking mechanism on the door?

Also, I don't know why we didn't just shoot her when we had her tied up in conversation.

>>423002

boobies.

OK. On the one hand, little miss knight here seems to be doubting a couple convictions, and inclined to bring you in alive. Both good things, which definitely suggest that this is not the time to pull the gun.

On the other hand, we're pretty committed to making a run for it at this point. That sword (and for that matter, most of her armor) will poof anything you throw at her for a distraction, if it's a single solid object.

Remind me though, can you conjure up something like a big handful of dust? Something that can't really be blocked, and can be thrown in all those eyes she's got? Bonus points if it's irritating, or too bright to really look at.

>>423002
Mainly because she didn't even try to harm him until now. What other reason do you need? Anyway, René don't go around shooting everything just to solve his problems.

Break the door down. Use bullets and magic if necessary. If you absolutely have to shoot her, avoid killshots. We REALLY don't want to be branded a murderer.

You know, surrendering isn't a bad idea. See, you're not a criminal. Okay, you broke some stupid laws, but you're not a bad guy. If you fight her don't wait for another chance to talk in the near future. If you "surrender willingly", however... I wasn't kidding when I said to ask for her help. It's possible, but not certain, that she will be more open to a discussion in other circumstances. You can ask her to tell Florence and your family that you'll be fine? They will be worried if you vanish without a word. Of course, she may ignore your requests saying that your family will receive a notice about you later, but hey! What about the birthday present? Come on, just deliver it! It's your sole condition for surrender! You must earn her trust and compassion before trying to bring her to your side.

> avoid killshots
Thankfully, this is a maneuver possible in their world. Right? Right!?

René 2012/06/17(Sun)19:27 No. 423663 ID: 09e5bf
File 133998643622.jpg - (134.86KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 61.jpg )

"Sorry 'bout the door!"

René 2012/06/17(Sun)19:27 No. 423664 ID: 09e5bf
File 133998646790.jpg - (137.69KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 62.jpg )

And as René makes his escape, Athena follows after him.

René 2012/06/17(Sun)19:28 No. 423665 ID: 09e5bf
File 133998649413.jpg - (164.60KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 63.jpg )

Once outside, René decides he has overstayed his welcome here, and heads west, out of town.

René 2012/06/17(Sun)19:28 No. 423666 ID: 09e5bf
File 133998652081.jpg - (157.44KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 64.jpg )

Thanks to his speed and endurance, René has outrun Athena, and made it out of town.

René 2012/06/17(Sun)19:29 No. 423667 ID: 09e5bf
File 133998655870.jpg - (137.62KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 65.jpg )

René is happy to see that Florence is there waiting for him!

Is there anything he should say to her?

"gotta go fast, scarlet knights got wind of me and sent someone."

>>423667
"Full disclosure, there's a Scarlet Knight trying to arrest me right now. She seems nice enough for someone who stubbornly believes I'm a criminal who should be exiled or killed for using magic, but unless you're up for doing a lot of running you might want to nix the plan to come with me. I wouldn't ask that of anyone."

>>423667
"A Scarlet Knight seems to be interested in me, and refused to talk things out. Why are hate groups so unreasonable?
I'll understand if this changes your mind about coming with me, but I need to get moving now."

Make sure you make it clear that the knight is trying to arrest you just because you're a mage, not because you did anything bad.

You're on the run, indefinitely. She's welcome to be dragged into this, apparently.

... I think she'd slow us down and we don't really need to take her with us. She was sweet, though. Give her a kiss as you tell the truth about being on the run and get out of dodge. Is there anything you've forgotten? Better grab that now. Where's your sister's new dress?

>>423673
This.

scarletknightgottarun

René 2012/06/18(Mon)18:29 No. 423928 ID: 09e5bf
File 134006935869.jpg - (142.48KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 65 (fix).jpg )

*Quick fix: Florence should have been wearing the necklace René gave her. Sorry for the mistake.

René 2012/06/18(Mon)18:35 No. 423929 ID: 09e5bf
File 134006974175.jpg - (202.58KB , 500x500 , Magic West - 66.jpg )

"Sorry, but there's a Scarlet Knight trying to arrest me right now. She seems nice enough for someone who wants me dead or gone for using magic, but unless you're up for doing a lot of running you might want to nix the plan to come with me. I wouldn't ask that of anyone."

"That's alright, I don't think I'm suited to the adventuring life anyway. I just came to give you a proper goodbye."

René 2012/06/18(Mon)18:37 No. 423930 ID: 09e5bf
File 134006983616.jpg - (191.13KB , 600x600 , Magic West - 67.jpg )

"Well, I better get going."

"... yeah." Floence pushes René back. and says in a quiet voice, "You better make me regret this."

"You say something?"

"Get going! You've got a birthday party to get to!"

And with that, the two part ways. Rene headed back across the Purple Peaks to his hometown, Pineshadow.

MAGIC WEST PROLOGUE END

Girls Romanced: 1/2
Profit Made: $18905
René has obtained 2 PERSONAL GROWTH
He can use this to raise any 2 beginner skills which he has used, such as cooking, brawling, or magic. or 1 that he hasn't.

Picking Magic will automatically give René better spells, and greatly improve his dreamcrafting

Picking brawling can be combined with a fighting style, like Savate, Capoeira, or Boxing for René to focus on.

Other basic skills just make René better at that skill, raising his skill to that of a starting professional.

Bringing up mage is a no brainer. I'd suggest putting the other point into survivalist, in case you end up with more Scarlet Knight troubles and need to live off the land a while.

>>423930
Magic and Capoeira.

>>423931
we haven't done anything survivalist related so it would take both points.

magic and

yeah sure Capoeira

magic and gun kata. gun kata gun kata gun kata

>>423939
Gun Kata is not an option. That would be a gunslinger specialization, not a brawling specialization.

Magic and cooking

>>423943

but we shot someone :<

oh well. muay thai, I guess.

Magic and Swordsmanship.

We could have gotten beat bad when the bounty grabbed our arm because of how sloppy it was.

>>423961
Gunslinger is an average skill, not a beginner one.

Also, eastern fighting styles are not an option.

magic and savate. make sure to save an old boot for the occasion.

...krav maga?

>>423930
Magic, Brawling-Savate. Kicks work well with guns.

Magic and Gambling as that is what we seemed to do.

>>424020
Capoeira is a style designed for use by somebody who is less well equipped than their opponent, bound, or otherwise at a disadvantage.
Out of all the available styles, it gives the greatest advantage to attempts to escape after capture. We have plenty of options for countering an open threat, but we have no defense against a sneak attack or getting jumped in our sleep. Our best option in that sort of situation is to go quietly and then escape.

I'm still voting for Magic and Capoeira.

Magic and Capoeira. The idea of René specializing in a martial art that leads to him flipping all over the place all the time appeals to me.

Right. Since I apparently misread something, guess I'll back the Magic-dance-fighting plan.

Magic and Capoeira. Capoeira can lead to us impressing the ladies with our smooth smooth dance moves.

I know it's effective but it looks so fucking silly

Magic and cooking, the two noblest arts on the list. Capoeira is cool but it doesn't seem like something that really meshes with the character well.

Magic and Cooking. Mmmmagically delicious.