Steem Adventure Vol. 1 Ep. 1: Fool's Gold

Hello everyone! DM here - from our last post, the winner was 1A; High Fantasy Adventure. Once again, you get a week to vote between chapters/decisions. I'll post the previous chapter at the beginning of each new one, so you can just follow along. So, let's get started, shall we?

Behold, the vast land of Legendra.

This bountiful land was molded from ashen waste, and given the breath of life by the Seven Goddesses.

Astea, the foremost Goddess, nurtured a special affection for her creation, and so blessed her peoples greatly. Under her wings, the people grew in knowledge, culture, and might. Life was good.

But for all such things bordering on morality plays, one lied in wait to cast a dark shadow upon the land. That one from time uncounted was called Madruk. He and his villainous legions scorched the once fertile lands with a hatred unequaled in all creation. 

His singular goal was nothing short of complete annihilation of the Goddesses' work. Before his cruel hand the people of Legendra fought in vain, and fell. Dying on Astea's altars, they prayed fervently for a miracle...

With a shout in the heavens, their voices were heard! With a cry, the sacred dragon Harsgalt lunged forth! In rage, Madruk turned his firey ardor towards the avatar. The battle between the Holy Dragon and the Wicked God seemed to be without end. In it's wake, the winds howled, the oceans crashed, and the vast land trembled with fury.

A thousand days passed, and Harsgalt had only enough power to seal Madruk away into a deep sleep.... that would last just long enough for 8 chosen heroes to be b-

The priest runs his hand over his balding head, looking up at his guest questioningly. "Really? Another chosen one prophecy? You do realize we get about one of these a month... more during fall, for some reason." As if to make a point he tosses the scroll onto a pile of papers on his desk - in the tasteful, soul-trapped mahogany 'in' box. 

The stranger fidgets in their char. "N-now, don't be hasty. I'm not saying that it's me, per se, just that-"

"Just that you'd like to inherit the story for your travelling band of misfits. And to what end, stranger?" Straightening up in his chair, High Priest Gravellax crossed his arms. "Look, I'm fine with burning lost, heathen temples. Heavens know we don't need another snake-demon god running around with a bunch of cultists, knifing the tourists and enslaving the college students. Drives our real estate prices right through the floor. But, stealing prophecies? That seems a little..."

"Unique? Exciting? Engaging an audience with a culture they're not experienced wi-"

"-like appropriation." Gravellax says flatly.

"....and this is a problem for the church how, exactly? Why, just last decade you led that crusade against the northmen-"

"Yes, but I might add at least that added to the kingdom's coffers. Expanded our reach, trade negotiations, all that jazz. And it's not like anyone was using that land... much." The priest added, shrugging. "Really, I don't see how this benefits anyone but you."

The stranger sits up, holding their hands tight on their lap, eyes filled with determination. "W-well, if it goes well, the amount of people who will count this as a favorite, or even like this tale, will increase! That's got to be good for karma, right?"

"Yes... I suppose. Though, I don't think the Great God Imgur really needs your help. I'm going to have to revoke your submission-"

"AWW COME ON - THIS IS MONK ABUSE!"

"Don't you raise your tone at me! Although I do this for free, I'll have you ejected from every cat shrine for a month if you keep it up!"

* * *

The stranger sighs, their shoulders drooping. "Barkeep?" They point to their empty glass, and smile.

"You've yet to pay for your last three."

"Now, what about brotherly lov-"

The barkeep cuts them off. "If you don't, I'll have you and your little group tossed out of here and into the Emperor's dungeons before the quarter hour. In fact, that's an excellent idea - pay in 15 or you're out."

"Well.. that's no good." A lithe elfling quips, thumbing her mug. 

"Aye...An' my crowns are no good here aboveworld. Not that I'd pay a full crown for this weak piss you surfacers call 'mead'-"

"Don't you dwarves drink fermented mushrooms, though?" The elf ponders aloud, "...aren't they also hallucinogenic-"

"THAT'S A FILTHY LIE-"

"Woah woah woah, settle down you two." The stranger says, backing their two friends from getting into yet another barfight. "I don't... have the money to pay for any more damages, and this is one of the last bars that will let us in, in this town-"

"TEN MINUTES TO PAY-" the barkeep calls out

"I know!" the stranger yells back. "Look, we've got to figure something out-"

"I can outrun the both of you-"

"Aye. And I just go for the knees - you tall bastards never see it comin' for some reason-"

"No, no, not for the drinks, though, we do need to pay for those. I mean, for what in the six hells we're going to do with ourselves! What are we going to be?!"

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CHARACTER CREATION DECISION TIMES! 

Each decision is independent of each other - I am just going off of highest vote per choice

For example, if [Human] has 3 votes, but [Half-breed] has 8, Half-breed wins, independent of all other votes. So, choose what you want to be!

You are a: [Male] or [Female] or [Just plain confusing]

You are a: [Human] or [Half-Breed] or [Non-Human] or [WILDCARD]

You are a(n): [Adventurer] or [Bard] or [Merchant] or [Murderhobo]

You are: [Upstanding] or [Unknown] or [Wanted]

You are usually: [In the wrong place at the wrong time]

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Your friends are: [Dependable] or [Snarky]

Your friends are: [Competent] or [Over their heads]

Votes tallied up next weekend. See you then!