Part 105: Professional Advice

Chapter 12: Professional Advice


Good to see you, lad. Do you have any more stories you’d like to share? I’m writing a new book. Calling it “The Quest for Glory Story.” It’s about this correspondence school graduate who wants to become king. Purely fictional, of course.
Of course. I think I pretty much ran out of things to say yesterday, though.
No problem, I’ve got plenty to work with.
So what is your real name? You kinda just gave me a poem last time.
Didn’t like the last name I gave you? Well, how about this one…
Gypsy Davy I am called when a lady follows me,
Black Jack Davy, Wraggle Taggle, as together we both flee.
Though she leaves me for a husband when she tires of the game,
Still, she blushes and looks wistful when she hears folks call my name.
Wait. So it’s just David?
Well, yeah, but that’s just boring. I like my way much better.
Whatever you say, FA. I’ll be on my way.
Keep on adventuring.


Most of day 6 was spent punching the air. As you can see, I’m parked outside the apothecary, which provides me with free Health/Stamina refills as soon as I run out. During work hours, at least. Also, make sure you don’t accidentally end up hitting one of the wandering citizens or guards, because they can take damage and you will get in trouble. Just how much trouble is something I will get into in a later update.


After a full day of exercise, I’ve maxed out Strength, Agility, Offense, and Acrobatics, with Vitality coming within 12 points. It’s easy to max doing just about anything, though, so there’s no hurry.


Tavern (part 4). Plays during dance scenes.

Poorly pictured: Nawar is dancing and can’t be talked to. Budar can, however.

Hey there, handsome. You’ll need something to wet your whistle after you’ve watched Nawar, won’t you?
It is…rather exciting.
Nawar knows the right moves to move a man, doesn’t she? Don’t worry about her listening in; she’s somewhere else when she’s dancing.
Actually, I was a little curious about you. Is it really true that you and Ferrari are together?
Ferrari and I have a thing for one another. He’s very broad-minded, and I’m very broad.
Um…yeah. I also wanted to know a little more about Nawar. Is it true that she might, you know, well, like me? I mean, more than just, that is, flirting?
Oh, honey. Every time some men plant a kiss, they expect to reap a harvest. Nawar may or may not be interested in you, but you’ve got to work for her attention. Bring her some gifts, tell her about yourself, maybe get some alone time just between the two of you. You know, she sometimes spends evenings after the inn closes out on the balcony facing the sea. I bet you could get into all sorts of…compromises then.
Thanks, Budar. I’ll try back later.
You should tell Nawar you liked watching her dance. She’ll be pleased you liked what you saw.


Betting board, week 2, featuring Magnum.

Oh, I am definitely challenging that asshole. I can’t wait to paste him in front of the whole city. Especially since I can apparently get 1:6 odds by betting on myself. I think I’ll go watch tonight’s fight.


Greetings. You are fortunate to bask in the brilliance of my presence. I, Magnum Opus, the valiant, peerless spearman of the Roman Empire, shall prove the superiority of my skills in battling the fighter known as Abduel.
You think you’ll win?
Of course. I am Magnum Opus, wondrous warrior of the Roman Empire and artist extraordinaire. My body is my canvas, and it is a true masterpiece. This will not be a fight, but a spectacle of my brilliance and an ignoble defeat for all who dare challenge my wondrous skills.
Yeah. Uh, good luck and all that.
I, Mangum Opus, am beyond any need of fortune. Now, you may leave my presence, if you so desire.

Hey, Abdum. Five drachmas to watch fight?
Magnum fight. Good fight.
Amazing. Anything else you wanted to share?
Magnum fight. Good fight.
I see. Here’s your five drachmas.


My greetings to all of you. Welcome to the arena and tonight’s spectacle of deadly combat. Tonight’s champion has more than proven himself in battle. He has the reputation as a leader of warriors, and as a tireless student of the martial arts. From the city-state of Nova Roma, I summon to battle Magnum Opus.


I, Magnum Opus, brilliant tactician and strategist, shall demonstrate to all in Silmaria that I am unsurpassed in my combat skills. I shall defeat all who challenge me. Ave, Ferrari. I, who shall make my opponent die, salute you.

Our champion is challenged by the finest of fighting guards from the city of Raseir. I summon to battle Abduel.


You make bad mistake. You no belong here. Now, I get you. I break you in bits!
May the contest…begin!


When in active combat, Magnum isn’t all that spectacular. He’s much better than Abduel, but only marginally more so than Kokeeno. He does have this neat spinning kick attack, though.


Tonight’s victory belongs to Magnum Opus.


I don’t think I’m ready for the day to be over yet. Let’s see what I can find in this abandoned house.

*You hear the satisfying click as the door is unlocked. Stealthily you make your way into the dark interior of the house.*


I see a bunch of darkness, apparently. Good thing I brought this torch.


Don’t forget to light it first by combining it with the tinderbox.


*You find the cupboard difficult to open because someone pulled off the handles trying to open it before you. Looks like that someone had to pry it open.*

Nothing left in here, then. I’ll try the chest next.


Well, that’s a bad sign. Guess I’m not the first one to try here.


Nothing in the chairs. I wonder why the last guy left this perfectly valuable alabaster amphora behind? Looks portable enough to me.


Damn.


Score! Now, if I remember anything about hanging pictures, there’s bound to be a wall safe hidden behind one of these portraits.


I am awesome. Looks like the trap is still active, so whoever was in here must have missed it.

The trap is another easy one that displays all the figures at once.


300 drachmas. No bank, but not a bad score to make.


I wonder what they put up here?


Nuts, just a door outside. Although…hmm.






_{Damn, figures Ferrari would think of window bars. Maybe I could come back later, though.}


Evening, Arestes.
I hears tell a guy robbed the bank. Got away with a pretty hefty sum. And here you come swaggerin’ in like a pirate what’s taken a galleon. A grin like that is a little suspicious when I’m talkin’ robbery.
And what if that job was me?
You’d be too trustin’. I could turn ya in, get a reward, maybe get me arm fixed. Lucky fer ye, I be an honest man. Ta tell the truth, I been watchin’ that bank fer quite a while now. Planned ta do it meself sometime. Figured there’d be enough fer me ta retire. Guess I waited too long.
Lucky me. So, what have you heard?
That it were done real professional-like. It’ll be a time before the bank’s worth takin’ again, unless they catch the robber with the cash. More’n likely, it means they’ll add some more guards, and make that bank even tougher ta get stuff from.
That’s alright, it’ll take me a while to burn through all the cash I…“earned” lately. Oh, that reminds me, I’ve got a couple items to fence.
Lemmie have a look.

Compared to previous hauls, the items from the house are rather disappointingly cheap. The amphora is only worth a mere 60, and the ring 25.

See you later.
Aye, and ye too. Don’t act too cocky and get yerself arrested.