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