World Witout Wizards: Guard

It was very difficult to hide behind Polozoob. We were attacked by seven green-skinned creatures. Judging by their height and posture, they weren't the elves; they might be orcs or half-orcs. Their weapons weren't very diverse: clubs, spears with pointed tips and a couple of cheap well-sharpened swords.

Two of them immediately jumped before me; the others considered Tren'ya to be the more dangerous warrior and rushed at him. I was quite happy with the distribution of forces; two opponents were more than enough for me. I took out my sword and waved it in the air, tracing the line of strike directly in front of my enemies' faces.

It came out so naturally like I was training for a year: the grip of the sword was comfortable; the length of the weapon was suitable. Although until this morning I hadn't even taken it in my hands. It's magic... My opponents weren't stupid and decided to attack me from both sides.

Repelling an Attack Check

Base +2

Bonus -1

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 2

Great Success!

The enemy's blade slipped from my sword, he intuitively stepped back and fell on my weapon; I pushed my blade into the bandit's eye and it came out the back of his head.

I pulled the sword from his skull and turned to the other brigand. Confused by the death of his comrade, he jumped back and intended to call for help. His companions were fighting Tren'ya. I needed to do something.

Dexterity Check

Base +2 (weapon)

Bonus -1

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 1

Success

The bandit turned to call his friends. I managed to touch his neck with the tip of my blade. One more hit and I'll kill him.

Dexterity Check

Base +2

Bonus -1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 4

Miss

Suddenly I remembered Lysandra. I completely forgot about the chained girl, lying in the grass. I stumbled, failed to damage the enemy and fell on the pommel of the sword, which was sticking out of the ground. My eyebrow was cut, blood started pouring into my left eye.

Injury. Bruise. Perception stat points reduced until bandaging: - 1

Repelling an Attack Check

Base +2

Bonus Perception; total) -2

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 1

Success

Pulling the sword out of the ground, I managed to repel the enemy's assault and, without slowing down, went into a counterattack. My two-handed sword left a wide arc in the air and struck the enemy. It was enough to make him fall to the ground. Not giving him a chance to rise, I threw the sword like a spear and it was the right move. The bandit didn't have time to roll around and was left lying in the bloodstained grass.

Now I had to take care of the others. Turning to Polozoob, I was surprised and delighted to see him fighting the three remaining bandits. Two were already dead. One of them was trying to put his guts back into his stomach, but his fate was sealed. A big man with a wooden club came behind the guard intending to kill him or to knock him to the ground. I couldn't let that happen.

Dexterity Check

Base +2

Bonus -2

Dice Roll 2

Requirement 1

Success

Strength Check

Base 1+2

Bonus -1

Dice Roll 1

Requirement 3

Success

I was rapid. The two-handed sword plunged into my foe's shoulder blade and pierced his leather armor, punching him through. The frightened bandits tried to run away, but Tren'ya, guessing their intentions, cut off the leg of one brigand.

Perception Check

Base -1

Bonus - 1

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 4

Miss

I threw a stone at the fleeing enemy but hit Tren'ya's head instead. Fortunately, he had time to duck, and the stone hit his helmet with a loud sound.

"Damn it!" Polozoob yelled. "Who are you aiming at? What if my 'Repelling an Attack' didn't work?"

"Sorry, my hand slipped. I'm not very experienced in throwing stones."

"So, what the hell were you doing? Shit, the bastard has escaped! Well, he won't be back soon. Let's search for their pockets and move on."

Luck Check

Base 1

Bonus - 1

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 2

Success

Quickly searching the pockets of the defeated enemies, I realized that they had nothing. They were beggars. I wanted to stop, it was pointless, but suddenly I noticed that one of the bandits had a strange bulge under his shirt. I cut the cloth with the blade and saw an old, blackened silver coin.

"Wow," Tren'ya whistled with surprise, "You're lucky. A week's pay for three jerks. Take their weapons and move on. Give these swords to your father, maybe he'll forge something valuable from them. They're not worth more than twenty copper coins. Come on."

Fortunately, the rest of our journey was quiet. According to the magic MESSAGE, the bleeding stopped and the Perception returned to normal. There were no more robber attacks or strange rustling in the bushes. Although the birds weren't singing, and there were rain clouds in the sky.

By the time we crossed the rye field, the first lightning had struck in the distance. Without wasting a second, we held Lysandra, who was unable to walk. I think she didn't like it. Anyway, she was lucky, the girl could have been accidentally killed in the last skirmish, but she survived.

"We're here," Polozoob said, dropping Lysandra to the floor. The girl g.r.o.a.n.e.d. Fortunately, he was carrying her legs rather than the head. She could have died if she hit her head on the stone floor.

"My dear guests have arrived," the old man said in a raspy voice. For sure, he was a warlock. Perhaps, all warlocks had the same uniform. This man was dressed in the same cloak as Oulsast. But his staff was different. Some kind of bat was sitting on its top. Looking closely, I realized that this creature had four legs. It was a real demon! So, this warlock was more powerful than our chief.

Vagol Dark 194 years old

Warlock

The chief of the area

Charges: hidden, not enough reputation

"Who is this jerk? Why is he looking at me like that? Do you want to lose your head?"

"Forgive him, your Highness. He's stupid and doesn't know the rules. He was called to the service and became a man only two days ago."

"Really? It's impossible. Two days ago? Are you pulling my leg, you bastard?"

"Not at all, your Highness!"

"Do you remember how long you recovered after receiving the rank of the guard?"

"Ten days."

"Well, why are you lying then?"

"He's not lying, your Highness. I received bonuses to Regeneration, Strength, Stamina and Repelling an Attack during the ordeal."

"You're lucky. Oulsast has got a good servant."

"You are wrong," Tren'ya smiled, "the baron is waiting for the boy."

"Really? Great!" the old man rubbed his hands in excitement.

"You bring me the good news. What's your fee for the assignment? Thirty copper coins? Moorgla, girl, come here. Give each of them fifty copper coins. Well, let's go on, which of you will be the defender?"

As soon as I took the wallet out of the hands of the attractive girl, a MESSAGE appeared:

The quest is completed. Fifty copper coins are obtained. Stat points of the Black guard Reputation increased +1

"I'm too lazy to defend her," Polozoob scratched his chin. "Do you want to try being a defender?"

"What does that mean? I've never heard of that."

"This is not surprising. In our village defenders act secretly. We are responsible not only for catching criminals but also for their prosecution and protection. In my opinion, it's pointless because magical MESSAGES decide everything themselves. If you refuse, you won't be punished for it. You can just go home or stay here. Maybe you'll report some new details and it'll change her fate."

Quest: Defender. Protect Lysandra's interests or refuse.

Options:

—to protect, proving her innocence in every way. It is possible to get a half-corpse in possession;

—to take up protection and discredit Lysandra, it'll cause the girl's death and prosecutors' respect;

—to give up protection and go home. Get the enchanted sword faster.