POOHEAD189

Something Old, Something New...

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Gif the User

There's Always a Price: Sci Fi Bounty Hunters

The two bounty hunters weren't met with any resistance, probably thanks to the exclusive codes Dirk had provided. Even allowed on a palace such as this, it was rare not to be questioned or scammed by anyone with a lack of money or authority. Likely both. Dirk grabbed a grav-carrier, and before long the two shoved the body atop it. Dirk grabbed its homing disk and placed it on his wrist so it would follow him wherever he walked. The two only had to walk a short distance past the servi-bots, mechanics, and guests before they made it to the grav lift gate. Tendrils of power embedded into the moon-iron glowed blue as the two approached, the gate swiftly sliding open quietly and politely for them. Dirk didn't wait, stepping onto the grav-lift and waiting for Jocasta to step on board with him.

"Central Primoris" He stated. The gates swiftly closed, slowing down just inches from slamming to silently slide shut. The lights dimmed and relit in a different fashion, accommodating for the lack of city light one would see on the hanger bay. Once they began to glide upwards, it was hard to tell how fast they were going until a keen eye would see the numbers of the floors moving rapidly by, flying past at least a dozen a second. It was all impressive, state of the art technology. Even the most high end lifts had a bit of jank to them, but this was likely built by re-engineered tech from the Golden Age of Star Exploration.

Whatever the reason, it was clearly for show. Likely the cheapest 'most expensive' equipment one could get for a decadent stronghold like this one. Once the doors opened again, it looked far more mundane, though clearly the building still cost more than anything Dirk and Jocasta to pay for in a million lifetimes.

When the door opened, it looked like they were stepping off into a city street it was so wide. Biologically engineered plants set to bloom year-round were set in pots every few meters, the greenly light 'corridor' filled with mingling crowds of party goers and Volkavax gangers. The walls had indentions along where one could place a table, and many had. A green alien woman with indigo hair and three breasts sat in a business suit, drinking what Dirk expected to be an expensive vintage as she spoke to three men who seemed in dire straits. One particularly bulbous one was sweating more than either of the bounty hunters had in the wastes.

The two of them walked under a lit causeway that overlooked the 'street', the people passing above them seemed on business. Some were well armed and others were resplendent in the uniforms of bureaucratic and administrative officials, though whether for the cartel or for new mecca itself, it was hard to say. Dirk didn't seem to notice or care about anyone around him. Some in the crowd saw his signature armor and backed away, and while others didn't appear to recognize him, they all gave both bounty hunters a wide berth. Anyone working directly for Volkavax was not to be hindered.

Dirk turned to the left, striding toward a lounge that served cappuccinos to esteemed guests. Next to it was a steel door with seemingly no knob or handle. There was only a small rectangular impression upon the left. Dirk reached behind his facehelm and pulled out a small chip with the push of a button, sliding it into the impression. Pressurized air escaped the hinges as it opened before them. Inside was a small room that looked meant for security, with huge monitors that on second look showed gladiatorial bouts. Various sentries watched, eating popcorn and howling when a xenos combatant caved in the head of a human opponent.

"Good way to make money," The crimson armored bounty hunter said to Jo as an afterthought. He did not specify if he meant betting or competing.

Opening the opposite door led to another hallway, and then another. Soon it was becoming tedious, even when the corridors changed styles, useages, and even material. One even looked like it was used only by maintenance crews, but inevitably the last door opened, and they were within the sanctum of Volkavax.

It was a great, lit dome with pillars of Sarlaskian Behemoth Bone framing a walkway that looked fit for royalty, carpeted in red and gold. The bones were made of the great beast's forearms, but they still stood in a handsome, sinuous fashion eight meters tall. Hanging in upsidedown pillars connected to the ceiling were dancing girls lit by strobe lights just beside each bone pillar. Jocasta had likely never seen so many gangers and enforcers in one place without gutting one another for their pocket change. Many of them laughed and played cards while some arm wrestled, and a few even fucked both men and women in the corners under the shadows. As the music blared, hulking humans intermingling with Xenos and Hunter Androids stopped to watch Dirk and Jocasta make their way towards the throne or Volkavax.

"So Crimson, you're back." A blonde man grumbled, turning from the card table to reveal half of his face was made of steel, his artificial eye as wide and unblinking as a golfball.

"H-e b-r-o-u-g-h-t t-h-e b-o-u-n-t-y," A stammering, autonomous voice remarked. It began whispering binary code just as another man whistled appreciatively from the crowd. "You brought a little something extra for ol' Vax I see!"

They walked until they halted just where the carpet stopped, and a circle of bare ground surrounded a platform where they found their paymaster. Upon the platform itself was a flock of courtesans, lounging and reaching for the scaled limbs of the boss himself. To the left was a robed xenos in a turban, with an appendage that reached out from its chin like a beard of flesh that wiggled. To the right, a servitor android sat waiting patiently. At its center was Volkavax, Suzerain of the Spire.

Fully ten meters long and armored in blue scales, the head of the thing looked crocidilian and skeletal all at once, with a great, thick horn that protruded from the crown of its head. It gave a growl that batted at the ears like a tank engine as it lifted its head, a slim woman sliding off of its massive snout, giving a squeal of surprise. Volkovax opened its eyes, its pupil's those of a cat's, and it spoke the common tongue in a great voice that shook everyone within earshot in fear.

"You have arrived, Dirk." It reasoned, raising a massive claw in an almost professional poise. "Have you brought the mark I so desire?"

What's your favorite meal for any occasion?

Scrambled eggs with bacon, hash browns

@Venus

Yes!

Blades of the Blood Coast

@Lucius Cypher Should have specified, my b. You can add 2 to any 1 skill, but you have 3 to spend. So you can add 2 to spears and 1 to something else.

What's your favorite meal for any occasion?

The worst atrocity covid-19 ever committed was destroying my favorite chinese place, Man Chu Wok. From 2008-2019, it was my favorite food and it disappeared. I'm still not over it. I would always get the two meat & rice, which was always General Tso's Chicken, along with either Bourbon Grilled or Sweet & Sour, and some tasty rice.

A good honorable mention are loaded baked potatoes. I love potatoes filled with meat, cheese, butter, bacon, and some sour cream.

Blades of the Blood Coast

Awesome post!

Two quick questions:
- Is it possible to try a rejuvenation roll on the sore feet?
- The feat is an assigned and not a chosen thing as well, am I correct?

@Fetzen

Thank you, my friend!

To answer, you can pretty much roll for anything. And yes, I assign it. Though if you have a request, fire away.

Blades of the Blood Coast

Wait, did you just drop a massive dragon fighting a titanic demon on us and then go 'alright guys time to move on'? You can't just brush past that!

Seriously though, that was an awesome post.

@DrRtron

Ssssssssshhhhhh spoilers But thanks! Believe it or not, most of it was ad-libbed :P

And considering your previous Boon, you do get a crossbow! Fully functional and undamaged by the blast. You also get 20 iron bolts.

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Oooh, a boon. Could I have a magic item that lets me summon a horse? Never know when you’ll need a quick escape mount. Alternatively perhaps a magic bow would be useful.

@Lucius Cypher

Unfortunately, I choose your item and it's not going to be something super fancy like that unless you've done something huge. Generally you'll find it via an IC post too, but since this is a time skip just let me know if an item is your Boon.

Also if you'd like, you can keep your previous spear or say you've made another, but no real spear yet. You can purchase one in town if you'd like.

Questions and Answers

Well a lot of the time they're one in the same, but I'd go with science.

Greymane or Battleborn?

Blades of the Blood Coast

Listen up people! Here is a list of things for you to know...

• Everyone in the Character Tab may now post.
• Each of you now has a tattered cloak, a long knife, a day of food and water, and the original cast gets a set of brigand's clothes.
• Everyone from the original cast has now gotten a Boon, and Faeril gets another.
• The newcomers do not get a Boon, but they do get to add 1+ to any skill they wish!
• You each have 5 silver lordlings.
• You have walked thirty miles over two days, so your feet are killing you.

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You can choose from 5 different options!
* +3 skill points (you can add a max of 2 to any one skill)
* An uncommon or magic item
* A favor to call on later. Essentially getting a heroe's kind of luck for a desperate moment!
* A feat. Basically an assigned special attack or move that you can use that has a bonus modifier or damage!
* A rumor or thread. You have heard from a refugee or a guard about something interesting.

Choose wisely.