City of Thieves: 105, 304, 148, 287, 3, 37, 398, 52, 200, 394, 368: Stalling

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      I really don't want to end up killing a guard dog. Or whatever other beastie is in that kennel. Besides, I have an address now. Got to get to that bridge.

Choice: North: 304

     This is another one of those situations where I'm baffled by the separation of this into two sections. No choice is made, and since all three streets join here presumably all routes converge on this reference, so it's not even like multiple references would lead to 148. Just... why?

Choice: Follow: 148

Going to feed Snow White some poisoned egs, I see.

    Good graces, this image! Yes, yes, and more yes Mr. McCaig. Okay, honestly, I'm not that thrilled by most of it. Bunch of people throwing rotten food at a man in the worst made stocks (seriously, you're supposed to capture wrists, neck and ankles, not knees). What grabs me is the delightful crone front and center. A clawed and gnarled hand holding up the eggs, and that absolutely devilish smile. When do I get to play her game?

     

Somehow less barbaric than our present judicial system.

     What an odd page for no choices... it seems every route leads here, and there's nothing you can do about it, so you are just guaranteed a loss. Oh well. I'd lose the green phial, but technically the game never gave me permission to take it, so I assume that isn't kosher. She'll get a coin, bringing me back down to 55.

     Also, the image is of a stock, but the description says pillory. A pillory only locks the neck and wrists, thus forcing the subject to stand for the length of the punishment.

     Given a choice, I might well have bought the eggs for a coin anyways, just to fit in.

     I thank the lady, and proceed to hit the man with an egg in each eye from across the courtyard. I turn to give her my winning smile, but she's already gone. Just as well, I slip on my helmet and examine the stalls. All this gold is getting heavy.

Choice: Stalls: 287

Presumably playing the Ballad of Henrietta.

     I chuck a Gold Piece over with a smile and begin eating a nice cup full of chestnuts as I listen to the music of the lyre. I may well die to Zanbar *snigger* Bone tonight, so I might as well enjoy the moment.

GP: 55-1=54

Choice: Listen: 3

I'm sure the results are quite measurable.

     I nod and fish out the coins for him. "I can always use more luck," I say cheerily. "Though, if that's your business, you might as well open with it."

     "Why do you think my song was called, 'Come Buy Some Luck'?" he asked.

     "I thought you meant 'come by' as in 'stumble across'."

     "Well, you stumbled across me!"

Choice: Buy Luck: 37

     And Luck goes back to full. This is a good market, so far.

GP: 54-3=51

Choice: Next Stall: 398

Zanbar Bone curses you with terrible scans!

     I consider it, but my burse is heavy enough. "No," I say, "I doubt the best view is had while participating."

Nor is this the best view, though it'll do for a start.

     Never play at feats of strength with a man who tosses a cannonball around in one hand. Again, I have no real complaints for McCaig's art. The smug smile, the power pose, the poor sap with his legs crossed and the weird squiggle of pain coming out of him. It's all solid, evocative art. A part of me wants to play the game for no other reason that hucking a cannonball at that smile! But, Hilda's got nothing to prove.

Choice: Watch a Bit and then Head On: 52

What, no sales pitch, no haggling? How can you not want to haggle?

     It's a curious collection, but I've just been made lucky, so I buy the lot. They wouldn't be here for nothing.

GP: 51-4-2-2-1-3=39

     I smile, having sold the man out, and invite him to enjoy the day. "I recommend the musician in particular," I say pointing at the lucky bard, "He's the real deal."

     The young man smiles and thanks me, and rushes off before I even notice the flecks of dried blood on the knife. I can't help but feel I've just bought some vital evidence of something...

Choice: North: 200

'Madame'... is there a France on Titan? Or is it a translational convention thing?

     "Still lucky," I tell myself, "So it might even be real." Enjoying my day at the market one way or another, I enter.

Choice: Go In: 394

Visions of the future sell cheaper than throwing knives. Tells you something about the economy.

     I fish out two coins and get ready to hear it.

GP: 39-2=37

     Still haven't even dipped into the original 30 payment.

Choice: Fortunes: 368

Yeah, I knew all that. Is the crystal ball just a bug in the Spotted Dog?     

     I resist the urge to pay her again to tell me what she saw last. That's exactly what she wants. She probably pulls that face with everyone, just to get an extra two pieces out of it. That kills her tip right there.

Choice: North: 117

Skill: 11

Stamina: 15/15

Luck: 8/8

Gold Pieces: 37

Provisions: 10/10

Phial of Green Liquid

Throwing Knife

Climbing Rope

Butcher's Meat Hook

Iron Spike

Lantern