Armello: fate of Kings and Heroes [NSFW,violence]

@Jinx  
“the rat clan is short on candidates, Mercurio recently ran afoul of a deer druid and now stands as a tree… yes really. griotte is… well, compared to her you’re an adorable little cuddlepet. i myself am a bit overfocused on killing, if it isn’t rat cypher i can’t even read. and volodar… is busy speaking to the ghosts of the dead. the nightmother herself remains in the shadows and the crown has too much light on it for her.”
 
she twirled her knives.
 
“besides, a King that is not of a clan species would be significantly less suspicious than one that is.”

@Cerebrate  
she seemed slightly stunned by this
 
Youre serious then?

@Jinx  
“look we need someone we can trust with the intel from our networks, the king systematically dismantled them and we both know our information brokers are vital to the kingdom, the rat clan may see opulence and violence, but we know when to stop.”

@Cerebrate  
she sighed
 
So how do you expect me to do this?

@Jinx  
“generally there are four ways”
 
she brings up a bottle with a purple liquid that seemed to try getting out.
 
“embrace the old lizard way, become a host for the worm and beat out the king’s own rot, then rul with banes and kingsguard in terror.”
 
she then brought up a pictogramm of a tree.
 
“help the druids in the purification efforts, if you are the one to cleanse the king, they will bow.”
 
a coin.
 
“become a hero to the people, be the most renowned and they will want you to rule once the king croaks.”
 
and a knife.
 
“or get in there and kill him, we’ll forge a declaration declaring you the heir in the meantime.”

@Cerebrate  
I will not be one to carry rot. The druids are of lesser concern to me. Though the last two seem…interesting.

@Jinx  
Zosha: “I had a guess they may be to your liking. There’s a few ways to gain renown, the easiest would be to find banes. The raven demons are powerful and terrifying, beating one is suitably glorious. Of course if they connect a hit there’s the risk of rot. You could also become a bounty hunter, hunting down those declared enemies of the crown is a good way to build a reputation for desiring order and peace. You’ll need to build yourself up at least a little to appear as a legitimate candidate.

@Cerebrate  
And so we get to the meat of the matter. Then it will be contracts for now.

@Jinx  
“I have a few you may find interesting, how funny though, minister matt will be tasked with giving you the accolades and rewards for it.”
 
she produces a parcel.
 
“the bounty notes and a few bits of intel, with regards from the clan.”

@Cerebrate  
she took them, stashing them away
 
How fun.
 
she leaned in once more, giving zosha a soft hug
 
Time is money zosha, its been nice.

@Jinx  
“and smiles are free, always nice to get to meet, be save your majesty.”
 
with that she disappeared, as was her finest gift.

@Cerebrate  
with that she set out, and once a decent ways out she read the parchment given to her

@Jinx  
There was what looked to be a bull skull, the so called bandit clan, outlaws bearing that mark were not easy to bring in, especially alive, but the crown was very eager for them and would pay quite well. The notes mentioned that anyone even grand dukes that sniff around too much were also liable to get bounties.

@Cerebrate  
looked like it was time for some drinking and maybe some…lewd…tactics, though they would likely produce results
 
of course it would be drinks first, then coaxing with lewd, then tying and incapacitating

@Jinx  
she was in luck it seems. An otter named sylas was a big player in the false clan, and he was in town.

@Cerebrate  
she made to find out where he was, or would be

@Jinx  
currently he and a retinue of forgettable bandit footmen were at the square.
 
“the royal guard has left, but where they fail to hold up their duty, we step in, the tithes will be a few paltry coins in return for safety, the merchants among you can vouch that that’s a good deal.”
 
the bloodied fishing spear in his hand gave a hint as to why the guards were gone, and what not paying might mean.

@Cerebrate  
she made to quickly weasle her way close to him

@Jinx  
he was not a rank and file armellian, as such he noticed her.
 
“and what has you so interested, beautiful?

@Cerebrate  
Well, you want fees for protection, but i think a beer would be much better payment. What says you?

he raised an eyebrow.
 
“would suit me just fine indeed but we got to pay our bills too.”

@Cerebrate  
Well, id think with all the money you get like this youd be rich. Unless im mistaken.
 
she feigned disinterest

@Jinx  
“mouths to feed, constables to distract… It snowballs right quick.”
 
he looked her over, clearly liking what he saw but there was a bitterness in it.

@Cerebrate  
Well, if you feel like you can afford it, ill be at the tavern. Id like to see you there.
 
she sounded genuine, and the smile she gave accompanied the assumption

@Jinx  
he seemed interested alright, so the bait was taken.