City of Thieves: 280, 213, 248, 85: The Silver Challenge

Talking to the Borryman is likely to put one to sleep.     

     "Guess I'm not going to go back and kill the pirates," I say with some surprise.

Choice: Enter: 213 

I'm sure white aprons are a great choice when handling... well, anything, really.

     "Hail, good sir. I take you to be Ben Borryman, am I correct?"

Choice: Talk: 248

Could someone please tell me which objects count as magic? 

     "10 Gold it is," I say, deciding it best not to try and barter with claims of the iron spike's mystic properties, or lose any black pearls. Nicodemus never did tell me the compounds exact requirements.

     

GP: 31-10=21

 Choice: Pay: 85

     "So... what brings you to live in Blacksand?" I ask, trying to pass the time. The man merely grunts and keeps focused on his work. "Know anything about Lotus Flowers?" He makes no response, so I wait outside under the Sun and just enjoy myself.

     When he's done, I take the arrow, examine it, and nod. "Thanks, I commend your craftsmanship, and bid you the best of luck in your future endeavors."

      He nods and informs me that I shall surely need the luck for myself. "Silver arrows are a popular item with a certain sort," he says ominously, "Which is why they're forbidden to be crafted in Blacksand... and why the name of Leonard Barton is signed on that arrow. Make sure any who find it recognize that."

      I smile broad at the sly old man. "And what has Barton done to deserve this?"

      The man considers me a moment, then says, "Let's just say I take poorly to those who treat my work poorly. Especially when the work in question is my son."

      I nod solemnly, and ope for more juicy nuggets, but the old man appears dried up of all talk. I say my goodbyes and head on to my destiny.

     Just need Hag's Hair and Lotus Flowers now.

Choice: Leave: 100

Skill: 11

Stamina: 14/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 21

Provisions: 10/10

Green Phial

Pirate Hat

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Iron Spike

Lantern

6 Black Pearls

Garlic Clove

Silver Arrow

City of Thieves: 78, 216, 72, 208, 317, 241, 63: New Avenues in Muggery

The seal of the grumpy dragon is just great.

     Following the advice of a terrified naked man, as I so often do in life, I go down Clog Street.

Choice: Clog Street: 216

I've been rewarded for helping quite a bit. Due for being nice stabbing me in the face.

      I amble over to the young boy and ask, "Are you alright there?"

Choice: Help: 72

     

     There's no picture, but I can imagine the moment.

Round 1

Hilda: 19

Goblin: 8

Goblin: 4-2=2

      The goblin strikes up with a knife, I grab the hoop from the ground, and pull it hard on the goblins arm, knocking it aside and sending the knife clattering.

      "You poor thing," I tell the goblin, "You have no idea what you just did."

Round 2

Hilda: 16

Goblin: 14

Goblin: 2-2=0

     I take the stick from the ground and batter the goblin with it every which way until it breaks apart, and leave the goblin whimpering in a heap.

Choice: Victory: 208

     I take the lot and head onwards, whistling a jaunty air.

     The same air the bard sang... that really is stuck in my head.

GP: 34+2=36

Choice: Onwards: 317

Gotta find a Butcher and Baker...

     The smell of wax is heavy, and the shop inviting, so I head on in. Perhaps the owner has heard something.

     

Choice: Enter: 241

And we have our first elf! Dun-dun-dun-da!

          "No, don't need candles... but, magic is always handy."

Choice: Back of the Store: 63

Those are some very pretty lights.

     5 gold and 2 items? Dang!

     Okay, phial and hat don't count, so I have...

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern

6 Black Pearls

Garlic Clove

Knucklebones

     Hrm... I guess I could lose 2 of the 6 pearls, maybe? Nah, definitely want to play safe with that.

     I think... meat hook and knucklebones are the least useful, so let's lose them.

     I think this item juggling is a pretty good add to gameplay, honestly. I now wish I'd bought some candles just to have something trivial to get stolen.

GP: 36-5-31

     I leave the store whistling away and heading on down

Choice: None: 280

Skill: 11

Stamina: 14/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 31

Provisions: 10/10

Green Phial

Pirate Hat

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Iron Spike

Lantern

6 Black Pearls

Garlic Clove

City of Thieves: 171, 399, 87, 120, 84, 50, 271, 162, 7, 232, 12, 176: Pirate Round

I see my moronic shingle joke has been beaten by McCaig just including one.

     That guy in the lower right is illustration-bombing. Somehow. I bet he Ian McCaig didn't even realize he was drawing him till he stepped back to look at the iamge, and there he was!

     Ah... piracy! Messy celebration, big ole ship with the skull and crossbones flying proud, despite being in harbor, and sailors soliciting ladies in front of the evil twin of Red Lobster. What more could you want?

      I have to say, City of Thieves is proving better than I feared.

'Probably a pirate ship'? What else could it be? A bone merchant? A poisonmonger? Toxic waste disposal?

     A wae of nostalgia washes over me, thinking back to adventures of old. Of fights on along decks and up on the rigging, of krakens roaring out of the ocean, of... ah, but another time.

     Half for old times sake, and half for curiosity of what the pirates might have on them, I approach the ship.

Choice: Approach the Ship: 399

Dancing houses are back! And so is the blur scan! Woo...

     Hmm.... as memory serves, the quarterdeck is normally at the stern, and the captain's cabin should be under the quarterdeck. I'll take the ladder.

Choice: Ladder: 87

Add caption

     I take a deep breath of wretched harbor air. I have to confess, just standing on a ship makes the sea smell saltier and more free, and less full of feces.

      It's good to be on a ship.

      Curious as to the cargo, I shuffle up to the pirate, sword at the ready.

Choice: Go for the Pirate: 120

You know what knocks out better than a hunk of wood? A sharp piece of metal.

      Can't I just fight him? Luck is not my forte here.

Test of Luck: 3
Luck: 8-1=7

     Ah, the good old knockout wood ploy. I've honestly never been great at this, but maybe I won't have to kill this particular guard.

Choice: Lucky: 84

Charming.

     "Slavers..." I mutter to myself, "Well, that's going to make me feel great about scuppering this whole thing when it comes to it."

     I head for the stairs, ready to ruin some bastards' day.

Choice: Going Down: 50

I am not sure Mr. Livingstone has ever seen how complex a ship's interior is.

     The snores are either slaves to free, or pirates to ruin. Let's start there.

Choice: Left: 271

Ah... aren't they just the cutest slavers?

      Again, McCaig comes in with the subtle touches. The pirate squished at the bottom, the little adorable stuffed bunny. The eyepatch hanging from a nail next to the bed like a pair of spectacles on a nightstand! I do wonder why only the top pirate appears to have pajamas, but the effect of their cramped room is just so perfect.

Are these three the whole crew, or did they just choose to sleep crammed together like that?

     I'm hardly going to balk at robbing slavers. Time to grab that pouch...

Choice: Burglary: 162

Just my luck, more Luck...

ToL: 6

Luck: 7-1=6

     With a deft motion and a quick cut, I loose the pouch from its place. This would have been easier with a knife, but the broadsword works.

Choice: Lucky: 7

Ah, yes, the dancing street inside the pirate ship.

     Black Pearls... nice. Now I just need Hag's hair and lotus flowers. Time to pop into the other room.

Luck:6+2=8

Choice: Right: 232

And now to recreate a scene from Ranma 1/2.

      A nicer person would just leave well enough alone. But, Hilda...

Choice: Watch: 12

You bet she watches.

       I mean... who could possibly turn down the opportunity? Not Hilda!

Choice: "Ahem!": 176

    Neat little scene, if a bit... creepy.

    "Ben Borryman...." I repeat, "Clog Street..." I nod, "I'm sure you'll hear from me if there's any trouble there." I lean down, and grab up his big, fancy hat. I try to put it on my helmet... it doesn't fit, so I chuck my helmet into the bath and keep the hat. "Have a nice bath."

     I lock him away and then head ashore.

Choice: North: 78

Skill: 11

Stamina: 14/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 34

Provisions: 10/10

Phial of Green Liquid

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern

6 Black Pearls

Pirate Hat

City of Thieves: 91, 332, 124, 180, 344, 58: Prince Azzur!

How many of these decisions are basically, "interact with thing" or "ignore the setting entirely"?

     I flick a coin from across the street, landing it perfectly in the tin cup. More for the flash than the generosity.

GP: 35-1=34

Choice: Pay Up: 332

Damnit! I was trying to give you fortune, not the other way around!

     I tip my evil black guard helm right back.

+1 Luck, but I'm already at max.

Choice: None: 124

     On the one hand, the big 'interact with' button is up. On the other hand... there is no reason for Hilda to even notice this particular alleyway.

     I keep on walking.

Choice: Harbour Street: 180

     I am not about to hide like some unheroic ass. I'll just stand here and watch.

Choice: Stand: 344

     Aw, yeah! Action shot of chariot pulling!

     Hey... upper right... is that a dragon leaning out of a window? It looks like it's in the throws of a deep malaise. As though it is just coming to realize that the life its living didn't have to be the case. There was a time when it could have spread its wings and gone anywhere in the world. But, it was just so easy to loot the village and run off with the princess. And then housing prices in Blacksand were so cheap, and the insurance so manageable and... maybe it should have gotten to know the princess before forcing her to live with it. Maybe it should have...

     Should have nothing, Dragon! You still have wings! You can still fly away from this miserable port and start again! You're not a prisoner of circumstance, just your own mind. Be free!

     Ah... yeah.... rest of the picture's cool, too.

Middle of the street? When did I pick middle?

     Y'know, I'm pretty sure I'd already decided Hilda had the survival instincts of a Lemming under suicide watch, but this cinches it.

     But, more importantly...

Make Way, for Prince Azzur!

Scream Hey! It's Prince Azzur!

Hey! Clear the way in the old Harbor

Hey you!

Let us through!

Or you'll get a scar!

Oh go!

Be the first on your block to run and flea!

Make way!

Here he storms!

Ring bells, sound alarms!

Are you gonna fear this sir!

Prince Azzur! Terrible he!

Varek Azzur

Genuflect, show some respect

Down on both knees!

Now try your best not to panic

As he drives by all manic

And tramples out your arteries!

Prince Azzur!

Fast as a blur

Varek Azzur

Quick are all broken under his spur!

He rules his cannibal hordes

A hundred bad guys with swords

Who do those goons call lord?

Why, Prince Azzur!

     And so on.

     Oh, yes, I can definitely just stand here and get run over. No! Of course I leap to the side!

Choice: Aside: 58

Again, I think this happened in Aladdin...

     I hope desperately that the curse that old travelling woman sold me works. If so, it'll turn the driver's kidneys to solid stone within the day. Probably won't, but it's a nice thought.

     I wrap a mostly clean rag around my arm to staunch the bleeding spot on my neck and head on down.

Choice: None: 171

Skill: 11

Stamina: 14/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 34

Provisions: 10/10

Phial of Green Liquid

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern

City of Thieves: 329: NicodemusI

     Ah, nothing like a city to ruin a river. Just dump all your trash and feces and let it flow on away. Makes a smell like death. Literally. Like it stinks of dead bodies. Speaking of, a corpse appears to be slowly making its way downstream. Charming.

The sound of footstep, surely. Guy only has one leg.

     For certain effect, I bang on the door with the hilt of the broadsword. It makes a wonderfully loud noise.

      "Nicodemus!" I holler, "I know you're in there!"

What, no exclamation mark?

Why am I looking at the side of a van?

     I wave the blast of smoke out of my face as the wizard roars is name at me like I'm a dog to be frightened away.

     "Third person? Really?" I say through the smoke, "Is that a thing they teach when apprenticing as a wizard?"

"I owe Owen for pushing the Zoning Committee around when I wanted to build my old tower in Silverton."

     "To escape the please of people on hard times, you fled to a city of beggars and thieves? Who has harder times than these?"

     Nicodemus snorts and waves the comment off, "These people have the hardest times I've come across, which is why they never ask for help, because they never expect it."

     "Couldn't you have just settled in the country?"

      He snorts again, "And be stuck with other retired wizards? Never."

I'm guessing an 747

     I get out my quill and paper and write down his revelations as he speaks them. "Another plane? What does that even-"

     "It means you can't kill him during the day!" the wizard snaps, "Take it from context, fool! Now, where was I...

I'll have to see who does tattoos for kids' parties.

     "Yellow sun, white unicorn..." I mutter as I scribble it down. "Why does that work?"

     "You don't even know what a plane is, and you expect me to properly explain the arcano-thaumaturgical principles behind divine marcation by blood? Just do as I say, don't bother with why."

      I add the words, 'Wizard is a jackass' to my notes.

"the" ground compound, as though he's mentioned it before.

     I guess at least now I know what hag's hair, black pearl and lotus flower were for on the previous player's record.

      "Right," i say, "But you're a wizard living here close to Zanbar-" I can't help the smile, "Bone. I'm sure you don't just know how to kill him, but have everything you need just in case he starts anything."

      "Of course I do!" the wizard shouts, with a burst of smoke in my face. "Just as I know how to deal with uppity adventurers who want to take my defense precautions and get killed halfway through your quest. No, if Zanbar Bone comes to be a problem, I will do what I must to slay him. Until then, my resources are in reserve, as part of my retirement. Just for this impudence, I won't tell you where in town you can find them!"

      I shrug, "Just saying. Could make this all so much easier."

      Nicodemus harrumphs, and then continues.

    I consider thes treets briefly, but Harbour Street, if it is well named, will obviously have more of a market given the naval connections. Perhaps I can just buy the ingredients I need.

Choice: Harbour Street: 91

City of Thieves: 117, 188, 253, 75, 31, 364: Trying to Stay Dry

It appears the rain has triggered a Fleischer cartoon...

     I'm sick of seeing Zanbar Bone's face in the little art bits. I wish this jazzy collection of dancing cartoon houses was used more! It really does feel like a ramshackle and poorly zoned city, which is nice to emphasize. Plus, I think that street vendor is a minotaur or something. Neat.

     Honestly, I like the rain here. It's the kind of thing that makes it feel like time is actually passing in the story. There's a big old world out there full of phenomenon like weather, which have nothing to do with my little adventure. Banging shutters make a good spooky moodsetter, too.

     I may be almost there, but that's no reason to get wet.

Choice: Shelter: 188

Who was farming Green Anacondas, and let the babies out?

     "I'm not going to get wet just to keep you away," I say, raising my sword.

Choice: Fight: 253

6 snakes have 5 Stamina? What, is one of them secretly an old sock?

     I do like that the snakes are weak but do extra damage. It's a nice way to change up a very repetitive system.

Round 1

Hilda: 23

Snakes: 9

Snakes: 5-2=3

     A single sharp swing of the sword, and two snakes lose their heads. "I know you're just scared animals," I say, "So maybe run now."

Round 2

Hilda: 18

Snakes: 14

Sankes: 3-2=1

     "Who even keeps dangerous snakes in a house like this?" I continue musing, as another pair of snake heads roll away.

Round 3

Hilda: 18

Snake: 13

Snakes: 1-2=-1

     I skewer the fifth snake. The sixth lunges, and I crush it under my boot. I scrape off what blood I can and wait for the rain to die down.

Choice: Victory: 75

     Riveting.

     I begin whistling an old tune and trying not to step on the worms. After a time, I realize it's the same tune the bard was playing.

Choice: North: 31 

MUSICAL STING!

     I'm sorry, but every image is just going to be followed by me lavishing dear McCaig with praise. It's amazing! The grim skulls, the choice of the weird demon and the cow, the little snail up front, the tiny shields, the overburdened but determined one legged man! It's all spot on and conveyed with a great sense of the ominous.

     I stop whistling when I see the bridge. They keep warning me how dangerous Nicodemus is, and how unwelcome to strangers. I begin to consider the approach.

Tsk, tski, image clearly shows skulls impaled, not tied.

     I approach the one legged man. He may use this bridge quite often. Perhaps he has some advice about approaching the wizard. I come forward and offer to help him with the sack. He gratefully hands it over to me for to get across the bridge.

Choice: Talk to the Man: 364

      "I have no intention of hurting you," I tell the man at his first shrink away. This declaration loses no small quantity of truth when he takes 2 Gold Pieces from me, and has the gall to give me such paltry information. I heave the sack back onto his back. He staggers, but does not fall.

     "You are lucky your word was more true than others today, even at a steeper cost," I tell him, and then send him on his way. Thankfully, that makes him somewhat less pleased.

GP: 37-2=35

Choice: To Nicodemus: 329

Skill: 11

Stamina: 15/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 35

Provisions: 10/10

Phial of Green Liquid

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern