Thirty Days of Classes, part 7 (after battle)
From the rumors you've gathered, it seems that the kezhankeep might have heard of the whereabouts of that sword. What will you do?
I... I walk up to the kezhankeep, chat him up and try to gain his trust.
Uhm... Are you sure? Remember, your WIS is extremely low right now, which means that you'll find it hard to form even the simplest sentences.
…….
Whaaaat if... I found a different way to gain the kezhankeep's trust that doesn't involve sweet-talking him? I do have a pretty high STR stat, which should give me access to certain... alternative methods of persuasion that doesn't require Skill in Speechcraft.
Hold on...
I'll try to convince the kezhankeep.
I think I've got a decent chance at this. My WIS is pretty high.
And you... pass the check. The kezhankeep looks at you, having lowered his guard.
Oh, not you, Sinclair. He's still pretty wary of you.
... Ookay, then. I guess I'll just stand in the corner over there, unsheathe my weapon, and play around with it for a bit. That's what he expects me to do anyway, isn't it?
<You're just roleplaying Heathcliff now, aren't you...?>
Ahem... the kezhankeep shares some information about the sword he heard. He explains that the party should seek northeast, toward <ruby=Cloudrise>Yinzhi</ruby> Mountain.
But... ah, what's this? Tears begin to well in the kezhankeep's eyes as he continues to explain.
Apparently a patrolling guard beat his son pretty badly, just for loitering around the guard. The wound is pretty severe so he needs medicine, but he can't seem to find any.
Oh no...
That's too bad, but we've got a job to do.
Since we have what we came here for, we leave the kezhan.
Well, they say that JMs aren't supposed to interfere with the players' choices, but... let's be honest. I would've made the same choice. You can't stop and help out for every little side quest when there's a whole lot of adventure to go through.
No, we're not leaving. I'm going to get him that medicine.
What...?
After a few turns of various trials and tribulations for Sinclair...
... The kezhankeep's son, who fortunately was able to recover, hears your story and hesitantly shares what he knows.
You realize that he's talking about the fairy yaoguai, guardian of the Tianya Sword.
He explains that the fairy yaoguai's power grows under bright moonlight...
Hold on, isn't it full moon right now? Then... then we should wait until the sky's overcast!
Hearing that, the innkeep's son takes a quick look at the clouds, then tells you that it might be raining in about a week.
Glad we helped him out...
Phew, okay. Let's make sure we're prepared before we go.
You're gonna have to roll 15 or higher to hit...
… I know. I'm focused.
Hey, I rolled a 16!
... With a final, singular strike from Jia Xichun, the fairy yaoguai finally falls to the ground, defeated.
Yes! The Tianya Sword is ours!
Excited, the party runs up to the sword embedded deep into the earth, and grabs enthusiastically upon the hilt.
Ah... with this, we can...!
However...
The defeated fairy yaoguai, whom the party assumed was dead, suddenly jumps to its feet and lunges at Jia Xichun, who just pulled the sword from the ground!
N-no!
I... I quickly get between Xichun and the monster!
But... if that crits, it's going to be pretty deadly, even for you...
Let's see if you can make the evasion save... 1... and another 1. Nope, that's a critical fail...
... It's okay.
…….
Sinclair falls to the ground, bleeding profusely from the gaping wound. The yaoguai lies still as well, the final vestiges of its strength completely spent.
Sinclair!
Go... Go on without me... Take that sword... and go down to the village... Become the leader they need... that sword as your proof...
…….
... No, no. This sword wouldn't mean anything without my adventuring buddy.
I'm... I'm going to bandage Sinclair up and carry him back. I won't leave him behind and descend the mountain all on my own...
Wait, if that's your choice, then, uh...
Uhh, yeah, the bleeding stops as soon as you wrap him up! He's uh... he's just that sturdy, you know? That strike would've killed pretty much anyone, but... you know how healthy he is...
…!
On your feet, Sinclair...! We're getting out of here together. Grab onto my shoulder, that's it, step by step...
... Hey, Xichun... Look over there...! Everyone we'd helped and saved on our journey's come out to welcome us home...!
You're right... If it weren't for you, Sinclair, I never would've stopped and talked to every single villager there to hear their troubles.
The sword... was only a symbol all along.
All of our efforts, and the experiences we gained in our journey for the sword... were what taught me how to be a good Hierar - I mean, leader, not the sword itself.
You're right. The real success of this adventure was everyone's efforts along the way.
<... I feel like the game overtook the class at some point along the way.>