Dismas

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Horus caught the coin in mid air and took in a deep breath before opening his fist. The coin was revealed to show tails, focusing Horus towards 'The Desperado'.

He remembered passing the casino during his first visit to New Reno, it was hard to miss. Located on Virgin street right beside the ancient 'Reno' sign the casino was a glowing beacon of bright gold lights attempting to steer any travelers through its doors. As Horus made his way there he tightened the bandana around his face and made every attempt to conceal his misshapen flesh. He hadn't attempted to enter 'The Desperado' during his first visit but wasn't willing to take a chance on his first lead and be refused at the door.

As he approached the casino Horus could feel the heat emanating from the hundreds of lights that lined The Desperado sign. Had he not been wearing tinted riding goggles Horus would probably be squinting in his admiration for the sign. Walking closer to the front door Horus' heart began to speed up. He'd never been one for subterfuge and just kept trying to remind himself not to speak. There were 2 bouncers at the door, both seemed like towering giants to Horus. They seemed disinterested in him from a distance and as Horus nervously stared at them through his goggles he hardly noticed them even crane their neck towards him as he walked through the massive double doors.

Horus had to restrain himself from letting out a sigh of relief as he passed the guards for fear that his exhaling decay into a gargle. From the moment he stepped inside the casino Horus was overwhelmed by the heat and noise of all the patrons within. Shouts of anger and cheers of joy rang out from the roulette tables as the *pinking* of the roulette ball ended in a fast vibration signaling the spin had concluded. Various electronic noises rang out from the slot machines accompanied by the satisfying sound of coins paying out into a metal tray to a lucky patron. All the sights and sounds were strangely calming for Horus. It felt like another glimpse into the memory he had of the world before the bombs fell. Almost every square inch of the casino felt and looked just like the casinos did back before the war.

Gathering himself Horus recalled Bianchi's description of his cousin Mancini. Horus scanned the casino floor and noticed a man who fit the description sitting over at the bar chatting to a few other men. As Horus approached he overheard bits and pieces of their conversation and heard one of the other men call Mancini by name. He knew he had the right man.

Horus approached Mancini and waited for him to take notice. After a few moments the group ceased their conversation and acknowledged Horus.

"You need something?"

"Had a chat with your cousin Bianchi. I'm looking for work."

Horus' heart raced again as he spoke. He knew he wouldn't get through this whole job miming everything he did and secretly prayed Mancini wouldn't just turn him away for being a ghoul, or better even notice he was a ghoul through voice alone.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Think I'll take up the lead at the Desperado. I'll try to get a post up tomorrow.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

So should we be forthcoming with what leads everyone intends on pursuing?

I was thinking I would join @Sol Grim at the Shark Club but I would hate for @Kingfisher's other options to go to waste if everyone plans on going there as well.

As an aside I apologize in advance if I overwrite in posts. I tend to get a little more passionate in instances like this where I'm more versed in Fallout lore and as a result like to focus a bit too much on the details.

And another aside are we assuming @SimplyDebonair is still in the running? I noticed he hasn't been online in a while.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Horus had to restrain himself with every fiber of his being to keep his eyes from widening at the mention that he'd receive 1000 caps up front for the job. He'd never seen that kind of money all in one place let alone expect to get it as an advanced payment on his first job. For a moment he arrogantly thought his makeshift desperado costume might have given the impression he knew what he was doing but knew deep down that probably wasn't the case.

He followed his captor out of the holding area remaining silent. Collecting his things Horus eagerly reached for his hat and snugged it down atop his bald head with gusto. After fashioning his weapons back in their place and quickly checking his medical supplies to ensure nothing had been stolen he followed the ghoul outside to the Highwayman.

Horus stood away from the vehicle and admired it for a while whilst the others took their seats. It felt like an eternity since he'd seen one in working order, not since the bombs fell. He closed his eyes and listened to the familiar hum of the engine. His father had owned one when he was young and Horus felt he had caught a familiar glimpse of his old life before his skin withered and his voice decayed. The driver called out to him as the others stared from the back seats and Horus quickly snapped himself out of the trance and took a seat in the Highwayman.

Horus listened intently to the leads the driver offered as they drove to New Reno. Horus wasn't sure where he would begin and instead took the time to close his eyes and daydream, feeling the familiar if ruined upholstery and vibration from the engine block he thought back to his days riding in the back seat as a boy with his father driving.

------------

Upon arriving in New Reno Horus stuck with the group for a while. A few of them broke away at moments and did what they could to cause a fuss but Horus quickly learned it mattered little in a town like New Reno, it took a lot to draw attention in a town like this. After walking a bit farther the group stopped and began to weigh their options.

The action movie hero spoke up and offered that they should meet him at the Shark Club to pursue a lead.

"Maybe I'll see you there." Horus said in a crackly voice.

"Need to pick up a few things first."

He broke away from the group without another word. He knew that if he was tasked with snooping around for the Pagans he'd need to do something about his appearance. If his first trip to New Reno taught him anything it was that like many places in the wasteland ghouls were not welcomed with open arms. Still, it was better than the 'shoot on sight' policy of other places.

During his first visit he spotted an equipment shop and began making his way there. He figured his only hope was to disguise himself as best he could in the hopes of getting into some of the casinos and bars to pursue the leads he had been given. The lead on Vault City was out of the question, he'd heard stories from other ghouls that they shoot on sight and didn't want any part of that, even if this was mercenary work. With that option out he was left to join the other Merc at the Shark Club or try his luck at the Desperado.

Once he found the equipment shop Horus picked out a bandana for his face and an old pair a riding goggles. He figured he would look enough like and adventurer that the casino guards would give him a pass without prompting him to speak and blow his cover.

Exiting the shop he still couldn't make up his mind on which lead to pursue. At his wits end he fell back on an old tradition of his to coax him to make up his mind. He'd flip a coin. Heads, he'd join the other Merc at the Shark Club, Tails, he'd head to the Desperado.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

I left things intentionally vague about where Horus was heading, wasn't sure what was considered Pagan territory.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Horus continued on his way towards New Reno. The trip gave him much time to think about what he was doing, and if he should continue on this path of a mercenary or go back to scavenging.

He considered the dangers, death at the forefront. He knew mercenary work was going to be bloody, and being a ghoul meant he'd likely be considered for more dangerous tasks where expendable employees are preferred. That coupled with the fact that he would now be actively seeking danger rather than avoiding it as he was accustomed to gave him pause for thought along the way.

On the other hand the life he had chosen up to this point had brought him no end of strife. Living in constant worry and fear for how he would make the following days meal and just trying to stay out of the line of fire had begun to wear him down. When he tried to gain support and a sense of security by trusting in others he found himself betrayed. His old life had seen no improvement to his sense of safety and he knew something needed to change.

He finally resolved the conflict and told himself the only way he'd get his security is if he earned it. Through the bloody work of a mercenary he'd raise the caps to make something of himself. He hadn't quite worked out what he'd do with a fortune's worth of caps yet, but he knew well enough that money meant power, just like it did in the old world.

---------------

Arriving in New Reno was a dazzling sight for Horus. Every turn felt like it welcomed him with new lights and fancy signs for casino with criers calling out to passers by in an attempt to usher them into the casinos. He quickly noticed however that none had called out to him.

It didn't take long for Horus to be turned away from the first bar he sought entry to. He scoped out a few more but saw them adorned with "No Ghouls" or "No Zombies" signs at the entrance. He had begun to lose hope when finally he found a small bar without a doorman to refuse him, "The Fast Fix". As he entered he felt a few glares but not every patron payed him mind or made him feel unwelcome. He took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. As the bartender approached him he noticed the man take a visual scan, though he felt it was directed more at his attire rather than his decaying flesh.

"What blew your corpse into town ghoul?" The man barked.

"Looking for work." Horus croaked.

"Yeah? You planning on being an exhibit of the human body for school kids?"

"Looking to make an exhibit for whoever pays the most."

The bartender cut his laugh short after Horus sharply replied to his insult. The man scanned him a second time, leaning over to get a better look at Hours' weapons.

"Head out to these coordinates and ask for a guy named Mercutio, tell him Earl sent ya. They might have something for you."

The man passed Horus a slip of paper.

Horus quickly slammed back the last of his drink and snatched up the paper with a quick "Thanks." before briskly walking out of the bar.

Horus felt pure excitement as he set foot from the bar's entrance but quickly brought himself back to reality. The man could have gave him phony coordinates just to send him on a wild goosechase or could be trying to set him up for pure hatred of ghouls. However, this was the best shot he had been given. It had been the only bar not to refuse him entry and the only man who didn't refuse to speak to him.

He plotted his route and began the journey to meet Mercutio.

The trip was a reasonably long one and would take 2 days. On the first night Horus made camp sheltered by some rocks out in the wasteland. He dreamt of the old world and his life before the bombs fell before his dream was interrupted by a sharp pain followed by black nothingness.

--------------------

Horus groaned and croaked as he awoke, still looking into a void of darkness. He quickly realized his head had been covered and his hand bound with wire. He attempted to struggle for a moment but only felt the wire dig into his rotting flesh. He could hear the thrashing and shouting of a woman nearby and the heavy breathing of others in the room.

His mind began to flood with questions. Where was he? Who had knocked him out? Was he set up? Who else was prisoner with him? Where had they put his hat? He began to doubt himself and cursed his ridiculous idea of becoming a mercenary.

He suddenly felt the material over his face pulled away and met eyes with another ghoul, clearly his captor.

Horus scanned the room and took note of the other captives.

His eyes were first drawn to the woman thrashing in place and wondered if the other ghoul planned to shoot her on the spot. Glancing at her face he saw she looked a bit ragged and unkempt. He was about to assume she was perhaps a slave or a captured drifter until he saw her build. He quickly realized an individual doesn't gain muscle mass on a slave's diet and and his mind only filled with more questions as to how she had found herself here.

He noticed a man in a heavy black trench coat. Judging by the man's attire alone he certainly had the look of a mercenary but for a 2nd time Horus retracted the assumption upon seeing the man's face. He had an almost dashing appearance to him and reminded Horus of the old adventure serials he watched before the war. The man's look gave him a sense of too good to be true and following suit with the woman, only raised further question.

Horus met eyes with another captive and saw the look he gave at the site of a ghoul. He had grown to pick up on the face people made when they saw a ghoul and were unhappy with the encounter. Horus ignored the unspoken comment, over the years he'd grown accustomed to it and began to expect it as a first reaction from smoothskins. The man looked offset to the rest of the captives, not boasting any obvious astounding physical fitness but appeared to dress the part given their situation. Horus associated the leather jacket as a sort of 'tough guy' trope given all the films he viewed pre war.

Horus ironically noticed the most obvious captive last. A man who looked as if he had been a bear in a previous life. He looked tough, both due to his obvious physical fitness and intimidating scars across his face. The man certainly looked on the older side but still gave the impression that he could fight like a 27 year old. The sight of him gave Horus a sinking feeling that if this man was captive alongside him, his captors meant business.

Horus' attention turned back to the ghoul. The ghoul went on to explain that he had a job for the group, involving tracking down people who had murdered members of his own group. Horus' ears pricked up at the mention of 2000 caps. 'This was it' he thought. The beginning to his fortune.

"I'm in."

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

I'll have something up tomorrow.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

So many smoothskins..... :p

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Patrick "Horus" Teach

Name/Nicknames: Patrick "Horus" Teach

Age: Ghoulification began in mid 30's, though Horus has lost track of his age over time.


Gender: Male


Appearance: Horus stands tall at 6'3" though thin and malnourished due to his goulification. As expected, his skin is rotting and peeling with no hair to speak of atop his head. Skin that does remain on his body is a dark red with hints of green throughout. His eyes have lost all color in the iris and look soulless and grey. He wears a mud stained, green button up shirt underneath a heavy leather duster coat accompanied by torn blue jeans. He dons a black, wide-brimmed capotain hat and worn out leather cowboy boots. He always did enjoy the look of a cowboy despite never actually living any resemblance of the cowboy lifestyle over the course of his life.

Slung over his shoulder he carries an old side-by-side shotgun with external hammers. He also keeps a standard revolver in a side holster on his belt with a tacky spade suit embossed into the grip of the gun. A large leather satchel is slung over his other shoulder filled to the gills with medical supplies. Everything from stimpacks to fixer.


Race: Ghoul

Personality: The wasteland has been a series of high's a low's for Horus and has warped his personality and outlook on life over time. He began his life in the wastes caring only for himself. Selfish is a fitting term as everything he did was to ensure his own survival above all else.

He went through a time of camaraderie and learned to trust and care for others.

He went through a time of betrayal and felt abandoned.

As he stands today Horus seeks a fortune to secure his own safety. His motivation for going forward is that of selfishness and greed. He thinks logically and clearly and makes attempts to solve his problems through analyzing all the factors at work rather than charging head first into an unknown situation. He could be described as 'cut and dry'. Speaking to the point and limiting his banter with others.

However, glimmers of his selfless past still managed to manifest themselves in Horus. On rare occasions he will go out of his way to use his medical knowledge to help sick children or infants though anything more than that he charges a premium for his time.

Skills/Attributes: Horus is skilled in both medicine due to role with the Followers of the Apocalypse and repair given his profession as a repair man. He is also fairly knowledgeable, having received a proper education before the war and receiving even further education with the Followers.

Backstory

Back-story:

Patrick Teach grew up in Los Angeles before the Great War. He worked in a small equipment repair shop for much of his life, working his way up at a young age from shop helper to full time mechanic.

He lived alone without any wife or family, though he enjoyed his solitude for the most part.

As tension before the outbreak of the Great War grew Patrick became increasingly worried. He was never selected for admittance into a vault and feared for his life daily. On the day the bombs finally did fall he was working in the equipment shop. Once he heard the air raid sirens he threw his tools down and ran for the shop's back lot. His fellow co-workers stood in silence as the sirens sounded, each staring at him as he frantically weaved through the messy shop to get out the back door. Once outside he located a sewer access cover he scoped out at ahead of time in preparation for if this day ever came.

He snatched up a metal bar that had been laying in the shop's lot and pried away the cover. As he scurried down the sewer's ladder and pulled the cover over his poor man's vault he could hear cries of panic and shouting. The access point went deep, each step adding to his reassurance that he might survive the nuclear apocalypse.

----------

After the bombing finally stopped Patrick continued to stick to L.A.'s ruined sewer system as a means of safety from the outside world. He fed on rats and made occasional trips above ground to scavenge what food he could from the ruins of L.A. . After some time being exposed to nuclear fallout and taking nourishment from irradiated sources goulification began. Patrick attempted to care for his rotting flesh through practical means. He attempted bandaging and sterilizing his growing wounds but the process continued. His hair continued to fall out, his skin peeled, and his voice deteriorated. He eventually accepted his new state of being and just continued to do what he could to survive.

As time went on settlements began to crop up throughout the wasteland. People began to re-settle the area around the ruins of L.A. and thus The Boneyard was born. In the Boneyard Patrick continued to do what he could to survive. However, as time went on and more people began to settle, the ruins of L.A. were all but picked clean and Patrick had no way to sustain himself. Eventually he came across a group known as The Followers of the Apocalypse and found a new means of continuing his survival.

The followers of the Apocalypse at Angel's Boneyard Medical University were attempting to conduct research on goulification and offered food and living space to him in exchange for his cooperation in their research. He introduced himself to them as "Horus". In this new wasteland he learned quickly that the world was very cruel and used the name Horus to sound tougher than he actually was. He took the name from an Egyptian god which he recalled from a previous girlfriend who was very interested in the subject. In hindsight he figured this had been a fruitless effort as the people of the wasteland would never know any of the old Egyptian gods but he kept the name all the same.

Horus spent some time with the Followers of the Apocalypse and though the research eventually stagnated without any major findings, he began to enjoy the Follower's company. Working closely with their doctors he eventually joined their ranks and took to learning the intricacies of medicine and medical treatment.

Eventually he was selected to be a part of an expedition heading to Shady Sands. Horus accepted and found himself excited at the opportunity to do some traveling and see how the rest of the world had managed after the Great War.

The expedition went smoothly for the majority of the journey. However, around the vicinity of One Pine the expedition was ambushed by raiders.

Members of the expedition pleaded with the raiders. They offered medicine and other supplies if the raiders would just let them continue. The raiders ignored them, shooting 4 members of the expedition in quick succession. The other members of the expedition cowered and cried for their fellow Followers though Horus just stood still glaring at one of the raiders. One of them approached Horus and taunted him. He stepped closer and closer shouting insults and mocking the dead Followers. Horus couldn't contain his anger any longer and lunged at the raider. He quickly snatched a pistol from the raider's holster and took him hostage. He ordered the other raiders to drop their weapons. They laughed and continued to taunt him.

Horus called again to them to drop their weapons and pressed the barrel of the pistol against his hostage's head. The raiders continued to laugh and taunt him but begrudgingly complied with his demands. They muttered to each other their disbelief that Horus would shoot them, assuming the expedition were pacifists.

Once their weapons were on the ground Horus took aim and began firing wildly at the raiders. He missed many of his shots but landed enough of them fatally injure the raiders before they could recover their weapons. He pushed down his hostage and emptied the remainder of the pistol's magazine into him. As he fired his companions called out for him to stop but he ignored them.

With the raiders dead he turned back to the expedition and saw the horrified faces of his fellow Followers. They scolded him for his actions and denounced his monstrous behavior in the face of disarmed opponents. He retorted back to the expedition, justifying his actions as revenge for killing his friends but his words fell on deaf ears.

The Followers cast him out and refused his company for the remainder of the expedition. They left him with the death rattling raiders and continued on.

Abandoned and alone, Horus continued on his own. Scavenging what he could from the dead raiders he continued north.

He passed through Shady Sands only to resupply. He feared a run-in with the Followers of the Apocalypse and heard word in a local bar that mercenary work was plentiful further north in a place called New Reno.

Horus took the strangers advice and made his way there, ready to open a new chapter of his life as a mercenary.

Fallout: Under Silver Skies [Closed]

Patrick "Horus" Teach

Name/Nicknames: Patrick "Horus" Teach

Age: Ghoulification began in mid 30's, though Horus has lost track of his age over time.


Gender: Male


Appearance: Horus stands tall at 6'3" though thin and malnourished due to his goulification. As expected, his skin is rotting and peeling with no hair to speak of atop his head. Skin that does remain on his body is a dark red with hints of green throughout. His eyes have lost all color in the iris and look soulless and grey. He wears a mud stained, green button up shirt underneath a heavy leather duster coat accompanied by torn blue jeans. He dons a black, wide-brimmed capotain hat and worn out leather cowboy boots. He always did enjoy the look of a cowboy despite never actually living any resemblance of the cowboy lifestyle over the course of his life.

Slung over his shoulder he carries an old side-by-side shotgun with external hammers. He also keeps a standard revolver in a side holster on his belt with a tacky spade suit embossed into the grip of the gun. A large leather satchel is slung over his other shoulder filled to the gills with medical supplies. Everything from stimpacks to fixer.


Race: Ghoul

Personality: The wasteland has been a series of high's a low's for Horus and has warped his personality and outlook on life over time. He began his life in the wastes caring only for himself. Selfish is a fitting term as everything he did was to ensure his own survival above all else.

He went through a time of camaraderie and learned to trust and care for others.

He went through a time of betrayal and felt abandoned.

As he stands today Horus seeks a fortune to secure his own safety. His motivation for going forward is that of selfishness and greed. He thinks logically and clearly and makes attempts to solve his problems through analyzing all the factors at work rather than charging head first into an unknown situation. He could be described as 'cut and dry'. Speaking to the point and limiting his banter with others.

However, glimmers of his selfless past still managed to manifest themselves in Horus. On rare occasions he will go out of his way to use his medical knowledge to help sick children or infants though anything more than that he charges a premium for his time.

Skills/Attributes: Horus is skilled in both medicine due to role with the Followers of the Apocalypse and repair given his profession as a repair man. He is also fairly knowledgeable, having received a proper education before the war and receiving even further education with the Followers.

Backstory

Back-story:

Patrick Teach grew up in Los Angeles before the Great War. He worked in a small equipment repair shop for much of his life, working his way up at a young age from shop helper to full time mechanic.

He lived alone without any wife or family, though he enjoyed his solitude for the most part.

As tension before the outbreak of the Great War grew Patrick became increasingly worried. He was never selected for admittance into a vault and feared for his life daily. On the day the bombs finally did fall he was working in the equipment shop. Once he heard the air raid sirens he threw his tools down and ran for the shop's back lot. His fellow co-workers stood in silence as the sirens sounded, each staring at him as he frantically weaved through the messy shop to get out the back door. Once outside he located a sewer access cover he scoped out at ahead of time in preparation for if this day ever came.

He snatched up a metal bar that had been laying in the shop's lot and pried away the cover. As he scurried down the sewer's ladder and pulled the cover over his poor man's vault he could hear cries of panic and shouting. The access point went deep, each step adding to his reassurance that he might survive the nuclear apocalypse.

----------

After the bombing finally stopped Patrick continued to stick to L.A.'s ruined sewer system as a means of safety from the outside world. He fed on rats and made occasional trips above ground to scavenge what food he could from the ruins of L.A. . After some time being exposed to nuclear fallout and taking nourishment from irradiated sources goulification began. Patrick attempted to care for his rotting flesh through practical means. He attempted bandaging and sterilizing his growing wounds but the process continued. His hair continued to fall out, his skin peeled, and his voice deteriorated. He eventually accepted his new state of being and just continued to do what he could to survive.

As time went on settlements began to crop up throughout the wasteland. People began to re-settle the area around the ruins of L.A. and thus The Boneyard was born. In the Boneyard Patrick continued to do what he could to survive. However, as time went on and more people began to settle, the ruins of L.A. were all but picked clean and Patrick had no way to sustain himself. Eventually he came across a group known as The Followers of the Apocalypse and found a new means of continuing his survival.

The followers of the Apocalypse at Angel's Boneyard Medical University were attempting to conduct research on goulification and offered food and living space to him in exchange for his cooperation in their research. He introduced himself to them as "Horus". In this new wasteland he learned quickly that the world was very cruel and used the name Horus to sound tougher than he actually was. He took the name from an Egyptian god which he recalled from a previous girlfriend who was very interested in the subject. In hindsight he figured this had been a fruitless effort as the people of the wasteland would never know any of the old Egyptian gods but he kept the name all the same.

Horus spent some time with the Followers of the Apocalypse and though the research eventually stagnated without any major findings, he began to enjoy the Follower's company. Working closely with their doctors he eventually joined their ranks and took to learning the intricacies of medicine and medical treatment.

Eventually he was selected to be a part of an expedition heading to Shady Sands. Horus accepted and found himself excited at the opportunity to do some traveling and see how the rest of the world had managed after the Great War.

The expedition went smoothly for the majority of the journey. However, around the vicinity of One Pine the expedition was ambushed by raiders.

Members of the expedition pleaded with the raiders. They offered medicine and other supplies if the raiders would just let them continue. The raiders ignored them, shooting 4 members of the expedition in quick succession. The other members of the expedition cowered and cried for their fellow Followers though Horus just stood still glaring at one of the raiders. One of them approached Horus and taunted him. He stepped closer and closer shouting insults and mocking the dead Followers. Horus couldn't contain his anger any longer and lunged at the raider. He quickly snatched a pistol from the raider's holster and took him hostage. He ordered the other raiders to drop their weapons. They laughed and continued to taunt him.

Horus called again to them to drop their weapons and pressed the barrel of the pistol against his hostage's head. The raiders continued to laugh and taunt him but begrudgingly complied with his demands. They muttered to each other their disbelief that Horus would shoot them, assuming the expedition were pacifists.

Once their weapons were on the ground Horus took aim and began firing wildly at the raiders. He missed many of his shots but landed enough of them fatally injure the raiders before they could recover their weapons. He pushed down his hostage and emptied the remainder of the pistol's magazine into him. As he fired his companions called out for him to stop but he ignored them.

With the raiders dead he turned back to the expedition and saw the horrified faces of his fellow Followers. They scolded him for his actions and denounced his monstrous behavior in the face of disarmed opponents. He retorted back to the expedition, justifying his actions as revenge for killing his friends but his words fell on deaf ears.

The Followers cast him out and refused his company for the remainder of the expedition. They left him with the death rattling raiders and continued on.

Abandoned and alone, Horus continued on his own. Scavenging what he could from the dead raiders he continued north.

He passed through Shady Sands only to resupply. He feared a run-in with the Followers of the Apocalypse and heard word in a local bar that mercenary work was plentiful further north in a place called New Reno.

Horus took the strangers advice and made his way there, ready to open a new chapter of his life as a mercenary.