Difference between revisions of "User:Arrow Quivershaft/Bones the Satyr"

Revision as of 14:54, 4 April 2013

3P story universe

Bones the Satyr

By now it was April of 2020. I was working with another group, and again manning the camp. This was an easier trip, actually, so I’d been given the chance to run this show on my own. It wasn’t anything serious, a few people wanted to just do some sightseeing. They were all marked and had hired a local to do the sightseeing tour, so I was left manning the camp, again. I was using the time practically, having set up a makeshift dirt target that was getting shot at repeatedly with my crossbow.

Watching me was a satyr who was tagging along with us. He’d decided to skip today’s activities. Earlier he had headed off to get a few supplies from a local town, but he got back early and was just lounging under a tree. Honestly, I think he was just looking for an excuse to wander off to the local glade that was known to have nymphs. It’s called satyriasis for a reason.

Regardless, I finished another volley, and after announcing “Clear!” went to collect my bolts. I was becoming a pretty impressive shot. My spreads were down and more and more bolts were on the mark. My body had rather significantly buffed up, too...realmwalking was definitely good physical activity. I felt the best I ever had, physically. That said, some of my original equipment was getting pretty worn, especially the armor, in more ways than one. I figured I might need some better armor soon. Maybe leather or Heltan(TM) with inserts. I checked over my bolts and cleared my crossbow. I was done for now.

Bones cleared his throat as I finished. I turned over to look at him. Since my early issues with Dawn, I’d turned to letting the realmies come to me, rather than forcing myself on them. "So now, Mister Tell... How does a fellow like you choose this life?"

Looking over, I responded, “Because I wanted it. Since I was a kid.” I headed over towards his tree, starting to feed the loose bolts back into the magazine. I checked his mark with my marksense as I approached. Dionysus. Figures.

Bones seemed amused. “Oh? And why is that?”

"Well...because I like the adventure, the unpredictability. In my opinion, it's better than sitting at a desk all day, every day."

Bones smirked at me through his beard."Even though you stay behind and cook and clean all day while the men go off to beat their chests?" It was a factual statement, it wasn’t derogatory. Still, it hit a bit close to home.

I shrugged. "It's a job. I gotta start slower."

"A job worth sharing your soul and risking your very humanity for, hmm?"

I got defensive. "I enjoy it."

"Nathan...” Bones chided. “We know there's more to it than that. Come on now, I'm your friend, why not share with me?"

I sighed. Was I STILL this transparent? "What do you mean, Bones?"

He grinned again. "There's always a certain... Special something in each of the boys that comes here... What is it for you?"

I reflected for a moment. "...probably a bit of greed," I said sheepishly.

"Oh really, now?”

"Yeah. That, and the desire for adventure...I wasn't too far from being in an adventuring group myself, truth be told."

"So then you're just testing the water now.” At least he wasn’t calling me a greenback.

I nodded. "To an extent."

"Or perhaps further? You seem to have already committed yourself." He gestures markward.

I’d found out since that the owlfeathers was something that only Athenian devouts get. Otherwise it’s just the palm-helmet for a mark. I shook my head at being read so easily, even with his marksense making the difference. See, once you have a mark, you can sort of...’sense’ other people’s marks, and a rough approximation of their god’s relationship with yours. It’s just a helpful hint, nothing too big in most cases.

"That's true. I don't like the idea of a regular job."

Bones switched tack. "How much /fun/ have you had here, Nathan?"

"Quite a bit, truth be told. Interspersed with some terror, but that makes it worthwhile."

Bones grinned again. "Ever been to a centaur party?"

"No..."

"Lay with a dryad?"

"No."

"Satyr revel?"

I shook my head embarrased. "Not yet."

Bones threw up his hands in exasperation. "Tuh! Adventure my furry teeth. How can you be adventuring if you aren't trying things and connecting with the locals?"

I shrugs weakly, then looked at my checklist. "I'm having fun, and I can choose to work in a party anytime I want to. And truth be told, I'm still pretty new.

Bones chuckled knowingly. "Maybe I can introduce ya to some of the finer pleasures of the journey. It'll help ya to fit in later on, that's fer sure."

I browquirked. "Oh? Later on?"

"When yer a /real/ adventurer hauling in the loot, yeah?" Bones stood up and smirked again.

"Ah...” I wanted out of this convo, but nothing really presented itself. “Well, what'd you want to introduce me too? My work's done for now."

Bones grinned widely. "Tomorrow, let's sneak off to the glade near here. I'll bring the wine, you bring the charm."

I coughed. "Charm? Man, I can't get drunk, on duty, but..."

He chuckled mischeveously. "Oh yeah. The nymphs just eat up the whole adventurer slash devout thing."

"Ahhh...” I nodded. “Well, ok, that sounds like an idea once the work is done." Idiot, why did I agree?

Bones grinned. "Now you're talking."

I tried to change the subject. “Anything else?"

Bones looked thoughtful. "Mmmmmmm... If you're off next month, we'll drag you along with a party to a revel. Not all adventuring parties are after loot. Some actually want to PARTY. Like an inter-realm pub crawl."

THAT I could get out of. "I'm booked, actually. There were some really good jobs coming up."

Bones looked a bit disappointed. "Shame."

"Athene's big into discipline anyways, and I’ve never been much of one for drinking.”

Bones waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, tomorrow you can have a day off from Athene. Nothing out of discipline about a little go in the glade."

I shook my head. "No, I don't think so. What do you mean by a go?"

"A few hours with the nymphs. You'll have fun."

I shook my head in disbelief that I’d gotten into this, but didn’t see an easy way out. "Ok, if you say so."