Quick and dirty

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

I had a small, admittedly cliched idea for a quest... It'd be nice to have Maddy do something other than fights in the Citadel and Pagoda, and I don't feel like working on my solo for right now.

So I was thinking, Madison and maybe one or two other PC's hitch a ride with a caravan going from wherever to wherever. A small guard accompanies them, since the caravan is carrying something quite valuable--who friggin' knows what.

And, of course, they get waylaid. The bandits would easily dispatch the guards, leaving Madison and whoever else to save the day against their wills. I think it'd be interesting if we could get a PC to be one of the bandits who made the attack...

Obviously not a quest that's gonna shake the foundations of Althanas. It's meant to be something quick and fun. Anyone want in?

...as long as you promise to see this one through to the end. If you take too long, I'll bunny you in such a manner that makes your character look like a total coward! >.<

[Camella]

Count me in. (Finallly a thread I doubt anyone will drop out of)

If nobody else is willing to, I may choose to be the PC bandit.

[Vasiner]

I'd be willing. I could be a bandit too, but it's whoever wants it. Roleplay ftw.

[Abomination]

I can't seem to find anything to do, so I'm in.

Although I can't help but ask: Why would a caravan with valuable goods pick up random hitchhikers?

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

The only thing I can think of at the moment is that the caravan people are using the logic "if you want to hide something, hide it in plain sight".

Retail stores do it all the time when you're looking for a certain movie, cd, or game.

But, if you'd like in, I'm open for any other alternatives.

[Abomination]

Ah, I follow if it's something like valuables hidden under piles of wheat or corn or somesuch. I assume you have some idea of how the bandits know what's really being transported. I'm still in.

[Camella]

One alternate explanation is as follows: The people in the caravan were hired to help protect the valuable item.

Why hire people off the street? Simple: if you used normal guards, it would almost be like saying "hey, there's something valuable in here."

[Abomination]

What kind of wacky world do you live in where random guys off the street are more reliable than contracted guards?

To me, it would make more sense if not even the transporter (person running the caravan) knew of the real contents. That way, the sender and receiver maintain that they are the only ones that know of the secret valuables, or in this case that's at least what they think. It's even possible that receiver is trying to rip off the sender by hiring bandits to rob him, so he doesn't have to pay for the goods. Expecting it a typical unguarded farm good hauling caravan, he doesn't expect the hitchhikers who are the unknown factors that create the story.

edit: That is not to say I doubt whatever you come up with, just get on with it when you're ready. ;P

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Ahh, paying less than wholesale in the most asinine way possible... I like that idea.

So this could be the lineup... Madison and Luke could be travelers, while Vasiner and Camella play the leaders of the group of bandits hired to ambush the caravan. Unless any of the three of you would like to switch?

As for the opening post, I should have it up by Sunday at the very latest.

[Camella]

Could I just be a bandit underling instead of a leader? Leaders would need people under them, and I'm not sure I can explain how Camella got so many people to work for her.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

That's fine.

[Vasiner]

I don't mind playing a leader. I like having lackeys :cool:.

That said, how many bandits exactly?

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

I'll describe the size of the caravan in my post--which should be up either later today or sometime tomorrow--and you can choose a fair number from there. How's that sound?

[Vasiner]

Sounds good as long as no one drops out.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

I'll make sure they'll stay. Camella I know is good about keeping up with posts.

[Camella]

Too true, if anything, I'm too good at it. I'm on over 12 hours every day except sunday and tuesday, so I ain't gonna be somebody you have to wait on very often.

[Vasiner]

Maybe I won't participate. I'm in college taking a load of credits, and I want a job, thus I can only post once a day, maybe twice on weekends. If this is going to a be a problem, let me know right away.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

At least one post per week and I'll be happy, two if you can spare it.

[Camella]

I don't mind delayed posting either. It's when people drop off the map completely that I start panicking.

[Into Dust]

Hey if this is still open, I would really appreciate it if you guys would let me participate. Kiete would probably be on the side of those that are trying to protect the caravan

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Sure. One more soul won't hurt, as long as you can promise not to drop out.

[Camella]

You'll post the link here once you get it up, right?

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Yeah, I've been trying to hack away at the post all weekend. I should have it up soon, and I'll link it then.

[Into Dust]

Yeah I think I can keep focused. Just don't leave me behind.;)

[Camella]

Yeah, I've been trying to hack away at the post all weekend. I should have it up soon, and I'll link it then.

Long intro, I take it?

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Aight pplz, here it is. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=12173)

Vasiner, Camella... I figure that you two should get together and collaborate your openings, since Vasiner is the leader of the group of bandits and whatnot.

As for posting order, I really don't give a damn, but once we all post we'll stick with that.

We'll keep this thread open if anyone has further suggestions and whatnot.

[Camella]

Before I even begin thinking about what to post, can I assume that the valuables were stored away in some sort of lockbox or something?

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

It'll be stashed in a crate filled with crops or hay or something. I'll let you and Vasiner decide what it is they're trying to steal.

[Abomination]

As you can see, I've decided to be a hitchhiker in a very different sense of the word.

[Camella]

As you can see, I've decided to be a hitchhiker in a very different sense of the word.

so much blood. You sure you aren't a bandit? LOL.

As for me, I'll post soon. I think my first post will be even before I join the bandits.

You know, sort of an explanation as to why I'm not working alone as usual.

[Camella]

Sorry for the double post here, but I was writing the thing up and I realized I need to PM Everyone participating for different reasons before I post. Expect those soon. Correction... I don't need to PM into dust yet.

[Abomination]

Not to nitpick, but I found 3 odd things in your post:

1) We're in Radasanth, heading towards Concordia. Your post seems to imply the opposite.

2) Considering that the jewels are allegedly the "secret" cargo, I don't think the containment would be so loose as to drop priceless diamonds on the ground so carelessly.

3) Bandit den? Three minutes away from the caravan? Are you in Concordia or Radasanth? I thought the idea of bandit dens was that they were secret, not only that but if you're invisible and you know there's valuables, why not just search and steal right then and there? Why trek from the caravan all the way to some non-descript bandit den just to join up with a group of bandits who may or may not even be after this caravan?

To me, it would make more sense if Camella stumbled into the bandits while invisible in the first place and overheard their plans. Then, she would not have enough information to steal the valuables on her own, or even know of their existence, just that there are bandits attacking a nearby caravan. Then, you could a) join up with them, using your ability to turn invisible as an incentive for them to hire you, or b) tag along invisible, waiting for the right opportunity to steal the valuables while the bandits and caravan people are fighting.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Homunculus brings up some great points. Shame on me for not noticing them last night.

The story would probably make more sense if you did accidentally overhear their plans to rob the caravan, then either convinced them to let you join or work on your own, stalking the caravan until they get ambushed then using that moment to start tearing about freight to look for the valuables.

[Camella]

I'll do my best, but I figure the poster would at least have some idea on where to look. How's this, then? Camella overhears the conversation when heading out of town, and she does get on the caravan as she planned, but when bandits attack, she decides to join them.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Hmm... I think it would be better if Camella either acted on her own or joined up with the bandits from the get go. Having a "ah ha! Tricked you, fuckers!" moment like that can be really hard to do effectively without making it seem cliche.

BTW.

Into Dust won't be able to post until later this week, like, Thursday or Friday. If at all possible, I'd like to keep the posting order as it is, so I hope nobody minds waiting.

[Abomination]

Well, the bandits are planning to attack the Caravan mid-route or closer to the destination of Concordia. If you're 'overhearing the conversation' you're on the Concordia side of things and thus won't be boarding the caravan. Thus, you'd either be ambushing the caravan WITH the bandits, or you're following them and using the fight, as I mentioned earlier, to buy time to find the goods for yourself.

If you're overhearing Madison's conversation then everything's fine, you just set yourself up as another hitchhiker and when the bandits attack, you play mischievious.

[Camella]

Wow... Major editting, here I come. I do think I'll need to talk with V again, but I think I can figure something out. Oh, and Camella will likely turn on whichever side she seems to be on, assuming they don't turn on her first, she is wanted and only in it for the money, after all. (Sorry, no avoiding that one)

Overall, though, she is taking this on alone. She'll just take the side of whoever appears to be winning.

[Camella]

Ok. All fixed. Camella knows nothing about the diamonds at the moment.

[Into Dust]

Thanks for waiting. I'll have a post up within the next 24 hours.

[Into Dust]

What happened to our lovely thread? :(

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

I sent a pm to Vasiner a few days ago asking about his plans for his bandits. I'll wait five more days, then after that, we'll plow on without him.