Fiction | Game |Medium Adventurers League ⚔️

A Mysterious Motivation

A chapter of a quest — speak to Bert Bones

This is part of a story that works as an interactive game. You’ll need to have some paper and dice at the ready! Click here for the beginning of the Medium Adventurers League, and find a reminder of the rules here. You can also return to Part I of the quest: By the Wailing Lake.

Slay the crocodile? As you think about the matter, you decide that the local fisherfolk are right. The crocodile is just a part of nature, minding its own business.

And you are no butcher or handbag tailor!

With a nod to the smoking fisherman, you stalk back down the pier, and head to the village centre. It’s a small place. A lethargic teenager is washing laundry in a barrel. You ask about Bert Bones, and the kid points you towards the single tavern.

Inside, it smells like smoke and sweat.

There are not many people around, and the barkeep points you to one of the few occupied tables. An old man smokes and nurses a pint of ale.

“Bert Bones?” you say.

He looks around, then eyes you up and down for a moment. “Here to kill the lizard monster?”

You sit. “Actually, no. It’s just wildlife, Bert. I can’t rid the whole of the Wailing Lake of predators. The locals are just gonna have to be careful.”

He frowns. “It deserves death.”

“I’m sorry,” you say. “I know that they’re dangerous creatures, but I’m a questing adventurer — a member of an Adventurers League. I can’t go slaying common animals.”

As you speaks, you notice that one of his legs is missing at the knee. Did he have a run-in with the croc, or one like it?

Now he sniffs, staring into space, and puffs at his pipe for a few moments. At last, he turns and speaks. “I’m not paying, then.”

Encounter: Bert Bones.

Challenge rating: Easy (roll 10+).
Roll using charm to persuade Bert. You can try up to twice.

If you succeed on your first try, you persuade Bert that you made the right choice, and he pays you 20 silver pieces.
If you succeed on your second try, you persuade Bert that you made the right choice, and he pays you 10 silver pieces.
If you fail, you leave with nothing.

(If you don’t persuade Bert, you can change your mind and fight the croc after all. Click here).

You smile, then stand. “Well then, old man. Enjoy your drink.”

As you leave, the sun is shining. You feel good about your choices. And as you make your way outside, a villager comes over to you. She thanks you for your kindness and integrity, and offers you some rations to see you home.

It seems that the villagers respect your choices!

You gain: trail rations (2).

Add 1 to your reputation score.

You thank her warmly. Then you head back to the Adventurers’ League Headquarters, or go back to the inn to rest.

Thanks for reading — and playing! ⚔️

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