Fiction | Game |Medium Adventurers League ⚔️

As Cunning as a Crocodile

A chapter of a quest — trick the villagers

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 this quest: By the Wailing Lake.

You look to the fisherman again. “Can I borrow a boat?”

He nods silently for a moment, puffing smoke as he looks from you to the nearest rowboat, then to the crocodile, and then back to you.

“I can help you out, kid,” he says at last. “Two silver pieces, and you can have that there rowboat for an hour.”

You nod eagerly. If you play your cards right, the trip should still be profitable.

Subtract 2 silver pieces.

Soon you are making your way across the water towards the crocodile. As you get closer, it slides into the water and disappears.

“Perfect,” you murmur. You fire off some showy-looking fire magic at its departing form, then slash downwards into the water with your axe for good measure.

Soon you are stalking back down the pier. Ignoring the fisherfolk, you 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. “Job done, Bert. Now it’s time to pay up.”

He frowns, eying you up and down. It’s clear that he doesn’t like or trust you. “Got a bit of its skin? A tooth?”

“I put a sword through its head, and sank under the weight. Gee — that’s the biggest and most dangerous lizard I’ve seen by the lake in many a year.”

Bert looks skeptical, and it’s clear that you are going to have to do some fast talking…

Encounter: deceiving Bert Bones.

Challenge rating: Medium (roll 13+).
Roll using wits to persuade Bert that your story is true. You can try up to twice.
If you have an animal tooth of some kind, you can hand it over, and add 2 to your roll.

If you succeed on the first try, you convince Bert of your lie, and he pays you 20 silver pieces.
If you succeed on your second try, you convince Bert of your lie, and he pays you 10 silver pieces.
If you fail, you leave with nothing.

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

As you leave, the sun is going behind a cloud. Two villagers come over to you, and thank you for your bravery. They both press a few coins into your hand.

You gain 8 silver pieces.

However, as you leave the tavern, you notice some villagers looking at you and whispering. You suspect it won’t be long before your deception is uncovered...

Subtract 1 from your reputation score.

Go back to the Adventurers League Headquarters here, or return to the inn to rest.

Thanks for reading — and playing! ⚔️

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