Completed Booze Run

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A lawless town of anarchists, built on the ruins of an ancient mining city. [Lore]

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Booze Run

Postby Erik Murphy on January 11th, 2016, 1:10 pm

22nd Bell - 51st of Winter, AV 515 - Whiteflame's Cider Mill

Night had fallen. With Sunberth cloaked in a shroud of darkness, the worst this city had to offer felt like it was safe to step out under a blanket of bleak, distant stars and indulge the lie that they weren't freaks or monsters but that it was the rest of the city that were they were the weirdoes. Along with them came the desperate, the ones that were truly desperate by Sunberth's deplorable standards who would risk the outcasts of this city just to bring home a loaf of bread and a bundle of firewood to keep a harsh, unforgiving winter at bay. Three of those men hung outside of a quaint old watermill that still creaked and groaned as the river nudged the wooden wheel along while a tough looking mule that was attached to a rickety cart stamped its hooves as if trying to keep warm. All three were armed, though only two of them kept their weapons in full view as a message. One of had two heavy knives tucked into a harness that glistened with each movement he made in torch light, another swung around a heavy single headed battleaxe as if bored with the lack of bloodshed while the driver of the cart was packing daggers in every conceivable place.

"Can't believe I pulled another night of delivery duty!" The mercenary with the battleaxe moaned as he brushed off the falling snow that had gathered on his shoulder. "I could be a nice warm casino right now, just dealin' with drunks and eyein' up those tarts Johnny parades around" He added with a with a longing groan as he pictured those women whores right at that moment.

"Those skanks don't do much for me nowadays. Besides, my missus would have me dangling by balls in the Gallows if she caught be touching one of those young tarts up" Erik quipped as he glanced at the young man he had been randomly assigned with. Tall man, he reached over six foot with shoulders as broad as bull and he while he was well past twenty winters he had yet to see his thirtieth. The sight reassured Erik somewhat though he felt as if the man had a bit of a fiery temper on him and Erik had seen enough hot headed mercenaries in his time to see how that eventually worked out. "That said, I'd 'preciate if Johnny sent though big, blue thugs he has on guard all the time."
"Y'know, one of Ruby's whore told me they both have cocks like field mice"
"That's whore talk, how would she even know if both of 'em- Y'know what, I don't even want to know. By the gods, what made the women of your generation such slatterns."


"As if your lot were any better" Toryn quipped. The old brewer stepped out of the watermill, rolling a wooden barrel along the cobbled streets towards the cart. The reason they were here in the dead of night was contained by the thick sides of the barrel, a delicious drink know as Two Berry cider that kept the Casino's patrons drunk, the girls warm and most importantly; it kept Tall Johnny rich.

"Aye" Erik agreed with a chuckle as they all helped heave the final sloshing barrel onto the back of the cart "I had my wife for a mug of your drink and she had me with the first words she said" He joked as the driver of cart chucked a thick, leather pouch full of gold his way. "Right, here's your pay, Johnny will be happy that his drunks can keep drinking" He said, placing the pouch firmly into the old brewer's open hand "I've asked before and I'll ask again, any chance you'd consider takin' on my boy as an apprentice?"
Toryn shook his head "My granddaughter's shaping up nicely, I don't need another hand. Sorry."
"Hey, no worries. No skin off my nose for askin'" He replied, shrugging it off though he was gutted inside before turning around to the driver "Right, get that mule movin'. Lets head round the butchery and stay on the safe side of Stumble Alley".
Last edited by Erik Murphy on February 15th, 2018, 9:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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“And you have your part to play, Erik. You will be fooled, like most, but you will survive. You might even benefit it all. Hold history close to your chest, young man. That’s my advice.”
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Booze Run

Postby Erik Murphy on January 12th, 2016, 5:22 pm

He pounded on the side of the weathered old cart with his fist as it jolted into a slow start. "You 'ave a good one now Toryn" He added, giving the old brewer a short wave before following after the creaking cart. "Right, get the ol' mule movin' as fast it can" He said as he hopped in the cart besides the driver as the other mercenary walked on behind "I don't wanna spend a tick more than we 'ave to out 'ere."
"You expectin' trouble then?" The driver said, nodding to the blade Erik had drawn and rested on his lap.
"Always am, only reason I'm still alive" He said with a chuckle "Let's 'ope I'm wrong."
"Aye, let's hope"
The driver added as the conversation trailed into silence.

Erik's eyes scanned the street as the rolled through the city, the clap of the horse's hooves and the grinding of the cart's wheels were thankfully muffled by the thick snow that coated the ground but it still didn't stop his sight from latching onto any perceived motion, real or otherwise. While Erik couldn't predict the will of Zulrav and his fickle temper for now only a cold breeze rolled through Sunberth's streets, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on edge.

These alleyways hold every foul thought a man could have in this city and they have free reign on this city while we have to stick to the wide roads Erik thought to himself as he rubbed the back of his neck, flattening the hairs as they warn him of danger.
"This must be the worst winter for years" The mercenary behind him said suddenly, clearly bored with the silence Erik often cherished. Erik looked over his shoulder at the man as the young mercenary surveyed the stars in the sky and not the far more interesting alleyways that criss-crossed this city.
"I've seen worse" Erik replied curtly as he turned his head back, clearly unimpressed by his comrade so far "There 'ave been winter so cold in this city that ya piss has frozen in ya bladder"
"Really?"
The young mercenary replied, clearly taken with disbelieve
"Aye, and in those times the ones who 'ave manged to survive and the one that can keep their bleedin' eyes on the fuckin' alleyways" Erik said sarcastically as the driver's weathered face cracked into a smile.
"These young'uns have no respect for their elders anymore" The driver added.
"Did we ever 'ave any?" Erik asked rhetorically as the old men shared a chuckle that only a person would share when they reached a certain, miserable age.

"Now" A voice in the darkness ordered suddenly as Erik's hand instinctively reached for his weapon as large crates tumbled down into the street, blocking the cart's path. Erik leapt from the cart, keeping low as he tumbled into a clunky forward roll that his old back would bemoan him for doing as he soon found himself crouching down behind the corner of a alleyway as his eyes squinted, struggling to see the figures that caused the obstruction.
"Give us what's ever in the cart and we'll let you walk away" The voice called out again.
"Piss off" Erik's comrade called out in return as Erik saw him peer around the cart, likewise trying to spy the would-be robber while the driver of the cart hid in an alleyway across the street from them both.

A new voice joined in the negations, similar to the first one but higher in tone "We'll gut you if we 'ave to, just give us the stuff and we can all walk away from this"
"Keep dreamin' morons"
The young mercenary continued as Erik silently willed him to stop antagonising them.
"You really want to cross Tall Johnny?" Erik asked, hoping such a name would deter the criminals. A moment of silence followed by some hushed whispering, confirming Erik's suspicion that they were not target and had simply trapped the first cart that had come by.

"If we 'ave too" The first voice answered finally as Erik noted the slight uncertainty in his voice.
"Is this cargo really worth dyin' for?" Erik asked.
"The question is..." New voiced said, this time coming right behind Erik's ear as a gleaming blade wrapped itself around Erik's neck and pressed right agaist his neck as he winced from the cold metal digging into his flesh "Is it worth yours?"

Shit.
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“And you have your part to play, Erik. You will be fooled, like most, but you will survive. You might even benefit it all. Hold history close to your chest, young man. That’s my advice.”
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Booze Run

Postby Erik Murphy on January 14th, 2016, 4:08 pm

"Get up, nice an' slow, you 'ear?"
"Yeah, yeah. This ain't the first time"

Erik climbed to his feet slowly us as the knife never wavered from his throat until he stood up fully. "How old are you lad?" Erik asked as he looked down at the knife that was struggling to remain at his neck.
"Eighteen" The figure behind him said, trying to his keep his voice stern and even in an attempt to garner some unearned danger. Liar Erik thought simply as he felt the hand push him into the wide road.
"For fuck sake" The young mercenary complained as he saw the blade around Erik's neck glint in the moonlight that slipped through a crack in the cloud. If the night had been clearer he would have also seen Erik roll his eyes as he pictured all the things he'd like to do to hot headed mercenary to remind him of his place.

"I've got one" The voice announced proudly as pushed Erik forward to the moonlit silhouettes. The tallest, the one Erik assumed was in charge, looked like a once proud man who had been pushed too far before he snapped. He had thick brown hair that had grown long and greasy, a bushy beard had been had become ragged and unkempt while a pair of emerald green eyes had the life and soul sucked from them and been replaced with empty, hollow voids. Even now he struggled to look Erik right in the eye.

The figure that stood next to him bore a uncanny resembalnce, his hair was lighter in tone and he had little in way of facial bar some fluff that need an instant but he was clearly this man's son.
"Good job lad" The father said to the boy who still struggled to keep his blade at Erik's throat "Get 'is weapons away from 'im" He ordered as he felt his spare blade slip from his weapon harness before being chucked away in the snow along with the one that had been clutched tightly in his hand until now.

"Done" The boy said as Erik heard an exasperated mercenary behind who had abandoned hiding behind the cart once it was clear none of them possesed ranged weapons so he could get a better look at his enemy.
"Right, now the big fella is gonna unload the cart an' roll it over 'ere"
"Fat chance of that" The mercenary replied, making it clear he was neither afraid of them nor about to do anything they ordered.
"Ya will unless you want your friend's throat slit" The father replied though the conviction in his voice wavered as he saw the man swing around his vicious looking battleaxe, as if he was already readying for a fight.
"He ain't my friend and I ain't doin' shit" He spat as he took step forward towards Erik. He felt the dagger edge dig down on his flesh, the first bead of blood forming as he winced in pain.

"Look, every one of you calm the fuck down" He ordered before adding "What's ya name mate? None of are lookin' to turn this into a bloodbath"
"Shut up!" The boy with the dagger to his neck shouted, the dagger pressing down harder on Erik in anger as the flesh threatened to be severed.
"I just want to know his name" Erik said through clenched teeth as he stared down at his fellow mercenary, ordering him to remain silent.

"My name's Nathan" The man said warily, wondering if this was some trick.
"Right, an' I'm guessin' these are your boys right? The one next to ya looks the spit'in' image of ya'self" Erik noted as the man just nodded in response. "He can't be than, what, fourteen? My youngest is 'is age, I've worked my entire life makin' sure 'e never 'ad to 'old weapon to keep 'imself feed himself"
"Screw this, they don't even deserve to be called weapons" The mercenary said, not caring that Erik's neck was literally on line as he accurately noted the rusty weapons they wielded that were more likely to cause Tetanus than anything else.
"Shut up" Erik ordered "This ain't worth it. Once we tell Johnny what 'appened to his booze, 'e's not the sort to let shit like this slide. Your boys are bet'er of alive and 'ungry than takin' a dip in the Mudway".
"Then I s'pose we'll just 'ave to kill you all" The boy behind him thought aloud.

What a stupid thing to say Erik said silently to himself as his comrade, who had been stepping slowly closer to Erik all this time, leapt forward with his axe swinging wildly overhead.
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“And you have your part to play, Erik. You will be fooled, like most, but you will survive. You might even benefit it all. Hold history close to your chest, young man. That’s my advice.”
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Erik Murphy
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Booze Run

Postby Erik Murphy on January 16th, 2016, 4:18 pm

Erik closed his eyes as he saw the axe head swing down at them both, he prayed for a quick as heard the air whistled as it was ripped apart by the vicious edge of the axe. He something warm spray against his neck and face as sharp pain torn across the back of neck. He tasted the unmistakably metallic tang of blood in his mouth as an unworldly cry of pain and anger swept through the streets of Sunberth. He opened one as curiously as if he was trying work out if he was alive or dead. All he saw was the satisfied bloodstained face of his fellow mercenary and before looking down to see the dagger slip from the boy's grasp and fall to the ground.

He look over his shoulder as see saw the horrifying accuracy of the man's axe that was now lodged in the boy's throat as blood gushed out from the brutal wound that went nearly half way through his neck. A pathetic gurgle was all that the boy could manage to his confused face before Erik's comrade stepped forward and kick his limp body hard to dislodged his axe from the damage it caused. As the body slumped to the ground, his family charged forward with pain so clearly spread across their faces.

Erik's eyes searched frantically for his weapon's, both steel blades irritatingly blending with the snow as the boy's father and brother charged towards his comrade with their hearts set on revenge. Together they stood a chance against killing him even if only one of them was likely to walk away alive. Erik saw the brutal axe swing down for a second time that night in the corner of his eyes, lodging itself in the other son's shoulder, crippling him instantly. But the battleaxe was too cumbersome and heavy for the mercenary to heave it back up in him so he was forced to abandon the weapon and go against Nathan unarmed.

Finally Erik found one of his blades, the familar hilt providing comfort as his hand clasped around it. The two men while still fighting, the large mercenary was bleeding in place while the father, fuelled by the loss of his children shrugged off any pain that came him way. An experience fighter could handle themselves against two foes on lesser skill provided he dealt with one quickly, a man fuelled by rage and little skill in combat didn't have a chance.

With his back turned to Erik, the father surrendered all chances of seeing the next sunrise. While Erik felt bad for him, he doubted the man would live a good life without his children or that's simply what Erik told himself as he sliced down the man's back. The blade slipped through the flesh easily, the man's entire body tensed up as a gaping wound appeared and blood poured forth. The snow melted from the heat of so much blood flooding the surface as the hot head mercenary stepped over to the still gasping son as ripped the axe head from his shoulder, realising another tributary of blood that would stream through Sunberth's streets.

"You fuckin' moron, you could 'ave taken my 'ead off!" Erik shouted now that imminent danger was over as he ran his over the back his neck before staring at his bloodstained hand to realize that his neck had been cut by the axe and how one slip from the mecenary could have meant his own death.
"I saved you bloody arse so I wouldn't go about complain', they would 'aved killed us both if I 'adn't swung for lad" The man shouted back at him.
"I could 'ave talked them down, they didn't want to kill us, they were desperate!" Erik reasoned as the mercenary just shook his head and snorted derisively "If you ever do anythin' like that again, I slice your back up instead" He threatened.
"If you two are quite done alertin' every bit filth in this city" The driver said, only now coming into veiw once he knew the danger was over "We've still got to finish the job".

They cleared the crates and shifted the bodies into one of the alleyways, the snow would cover them over and none of them felt like they had the time for a proper burial, or even cared for that matter. They rode back in silence, each one angry with the other and they spoke not a word when they had finished the job. There was still work to be done and Erik longed for his home that he wouldn't see till sunrise.

I hope those whores give him warts.
ImageImageImage
“And you have your part to play, Erik. You will be fooled, like most, but you will survive. You might even benefit it all. Hold history close to your chest, young man. That’s my advice.”
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Erik Murphy
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Posts: 73
Words: 130410
Joined roleplay: December 12th, 2015, 12:38 am
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Booze Run

Postby Royal on January 30th, 2016, 9:48 pm

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Erik Murphy
Skills
Rhetoric +3
Leadership +3
Observation +3
Logic +3
Intimidation +2
Persuasion +1
Negotiation +2
Intelligence +2
Weapon: Kopis +1


Lores
Location: Whiteflame's Cider Mill
Toryn: Owner of Whiteflame's Cider Mill
Location: Stumble Alley
Location: Baker’s Butchery & Bakeshop
Sunberth: A place full of surprises, nasty and otherwise

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Questions? Comments? Please don't hesitate to PM me!
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