THE STICK AGE (or Adventures in Simplicity)

[ferd1991]

Thanks for coming in! Right now I'm working on making a video thing for the adventure, and I'm not at all for music ideas, so if you guys have any music you'd think would be appropriated into this game-like adventure, send me a PM!

ferd1991 Presents-

A ferd1991 reader led adventure -

THE STICK AGE
OR Adventures in Simplicity



BEHOLD! Out brave and bold breakthrough hero is about to conquer his thirst with Ale!

Well, cheap ale.

Okay, water. Let's face it, you're a failure as a theif, acting high and mighty when you've been conned out of most of your earnings is unbecoming of you. If not for your triangular cape and your wits, you may as well be a nameless nobody in this town.




This sucks. Hardly anyone cares for adventuring anymore, it's always 'The King's Army will handle it' or 'We'll make diplomacy with the monsters'. You stare intently at your glass of water and it does the same with you. Much like yourself it's slightly dirty, but you really can't complain about free things.



You look over your shoulder and see a few people in the back raising glasses, one in particular with the largest smile you've seen on a person.

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Start Tutorial

You actually start hearing a voice seemingly coming from nowhere in particular

HELLO ADVENTURER, WELCOME TO THE STICK AGE, FOR NOW YOU ARE PLAYING AS THE THIEF CLASS, THIS IS THE ONLY CLASS YOU CAN ACCESS UNTIL YOU GAIN MORE FOLLOWERS IN YOUR CREW. FOR NOW, LET'S START WITH YOUR INTRODUCTION.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? AND DOES THE CHARACTER HAVE A NICKNAME (EX. JOHN 'THE READER' DOE) _

[greenMachine]

>Yeb Lirth, the Unchivalrous Thief

[Whimbrel]

>Urist McPickpocket

[Airedar]

Jami "Triangles" Spades

We shall name all of the characters after shapes.

all of them

[ferd1991]

>Yeb Lirth,The Unchivalrous Thief

You admit to yourself that you may not be a courteous or gallant being in the world. But you at least WANT to be good to others, that's why you thought getting an Adventurer's License that it would open up possibilities for battle, loot, women, mainly the loot.

>Urist McPickpocket

Pickpocketing is for the young thieves, besides the real money is in opening locks, locks on doors, locks on chests, if it's got a lock on it, it's got high value behind it. Besides, to have a name like that you would most assuredly change it the soonest chance you had, or choose a different profession than your current one.

Jami "Triangles" Spades

We shall name all of the characters after shapes.

all of them

YOU'VE ENTERED JAIME SPADES, BETTER KNOWN IN THE THEIVES CIRCLE AS "TRIANGLES"

You rack your brain and down your glass of water, giving a shiver as you just felt particles of dirt/sand(?) slide down your throat as well. You prepare to get going when the voice comes on again.

IT'S NOW TIME TO CREATE YOUR OFFICIAL STAT SHEET, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR COMPLETION IS

1) - 60 POINTS TO BALANCE IN YOUR HEALTH (DETERMINES LIFE OR DEATH), STAMINA (DETERMINES HOW MANY ACTIONS CAN BE DONE), AND MAGIC (DETERMINES ABILITY TO CAST SPELLS)

2) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN WEAPONS (SINGLE HAND, DOUBLE HAND, BLOCK, DODGE, THROW)

3) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN SOCIAL (PERSUADE, MERCHANTILE, CHARISMA, INTIMIDATION, INTELLIGENCE)

4) - 2 FEATS (SPECIAL ABILITIES ONLY THE CHARACTER CAN USE)

5) - 5 SKILLS THAT ANY CHARACTER CAN USE



LIST OF THIEF FEATS -

AMBIDEXTROUS - CAN WIELD WEAPONS IN BOTH HANDS

NATURAL SNEAK - AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN SHADOWS, YOU WILL NOT BE SEEN IN CROUCH

PACK RAT - ABLE TO STORE OVER FOUR ITEMS MORE THAN THE NORMAL STORAGE CAPACITY OF PACKS

SECOND WIND - WHENEVER YOUR STAMINA IS DANGEROUSLY LOW, THE SECOND WIND KICKS IN AND FILLS THE BAR AGAIN, CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE PER DAY

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NOTE: IF YOU GUYS MAKE A BETTER FEAT THAN ON THE LIST, THEN I'LL PUT IT IN. JUST BE SURE TO MAKE A NAME AND DESCRIPTION FOR IT. THE SAME THING WITH THE SKILLS LIST, WHATEVER YOU HAVE ON YOUR MIND IS FREE-REIGN.

[ferd1991]

You decide to not say a word to the mystery voice, after some time you start getting irritable. Suddenly the voice turns on again.

DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS TO THIS TUTORIAL, THE CHARACTER HAS BEEN GIVEN A STANDARD SET-UP FOR THE THIEF CLASS. PLEASE REVIEW THE STAT PAGE BY REQUESTING IT WHENEVER YOU FEEL READY TO, EVEN DURING BATTLE.



During this time, you're glass was refilled without you seeing, that bartender must be pretty fast and uninteresting for him to escape your keen sense of sight.



TAKE NOTICE THAT FOR THIS TUTORIAL WE WILL PROVIDE ARROWS TO SHOW YOUR POSSIBLE ACTIONS, THESE ARROWS WILL SHOW UNLESS REQUESTED TO BE REMOVED

Thank god, you can finally do something other than sit in your chair, the arrows are pointing to the bartender, the group in the back, up the stairs or out of the bar. What to choose?

[Whimbrel]

Group in the back

[ferd1991]

Group in the back

You approach the group of people and strike your best adventurers pose. The red one gives a wave.



"Dude, bro! Great hero pose!"

You immediately regret approaching this table as the others turn their sights to you too.



"Hey yo! You're right, he's got this air of coolness about him. Grab a chair and sit with us!



"Yeah man, we'd like some more company."

You have the unending desire to begin a three men walk into a bar joke, and then promptly stop as you bet they wouldn't get the irony of it.

What now?

[ferd1991]

After much waiting for a response from the readers, you figure you'll take the next step since they aren't going to.





"Hey! Didn't you guys have glasses before I got here?



"SHH! You'll get us in trouble man! We had to bring those glasses with us."



"Forgive me if this sounds stupid. But why did you need to bring your own glasses?"



"It's 'cause the 'tender has only one clean glass, he hasn't washed the rest of them. It's just been that one!





In the strangest way, you believe them. Now you regret drinking from that possibly disease riddled glass of water.

But then again, you still can't complain about free things.

What do you do?

[Whimbrel]

Grab a chair, man!

Ask them the going-ons~

[swampmist1142]

Can you change the stat sheet? If so, put atleast 50 points into thrown.

[ferd1991]

Can you change the stat sheet? If so, put atleast 50 points into thrown.

That's not a bad idea, you pull up your stats sheet aaaannnddd....


can't change it?

IT'S NOW TIME TO CREATE YOUR OFFICIAL STAT SHEET, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR COMPLETION IS

1) - 60 POINTS TO BALANCE IN YOUR HEALTH (DETERMINES LIFE OR DEATH), STAMINA (DETERMINES HOW MANY ACTIONS CAN BE DONE), AND MAGIC (DETERMINES ABILITY TO CAST SPELLS)

2) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN WEAPONS (SINGLE HAND, DOUBLE HAND, BLOCK, DODGE, THROW)

3) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN SOCIAL (PERSUADE, MERCHANTILE, CHARISMA, INTIMIDATION, INTELLIGENCE)

4) - 2 FEATS (SPECIAL ABILITIES ONLY THE CHARACTER CAN USE)

5) - 5 SKILLS THAT ANY CHARACTER CAN USE

Oh... So if that's the case, you probably can't put 50 points into throw since the system could only allow for 25 in WEAPONS. Suddenly the voice comes back.

AT THIS TIME, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR OFFICIAL STAT SHEET. HOWEVER, AT THE END OF THIS TUTORIAL, YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO CHANGE THE SHEET BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR QUEST.

Grab a chair, man!

Ask them the going-ons~

Well, guess it's going to take awhile for this tutorial to end.



You pull your chair from the other table to the group and the air has become less antsy since the bartender has turned his direction away from them.



"So tell me gentlemen, what is happening in this town? Anything that may need fleet feet and a quick hand?



Bro? You're an adventurer too?



"Um, no. Totally not an adventurer."

PERSUADE CHECK! [95%]



"Okay bro. Guess you must be some really bored traveler or something."

Thank god that you had a high percentage on that or else you may have to adventure with that guy. Oh sure, in other stories there is always the dumb idiot in adventuring crews, but you aren't going to fall for THAT trope.



"Sorry. Not much has really happened in this town for a long time. The last thing that involved any real action was a guy screaming curses at the center of town, and he was put down pretty quickly by us.



"Man, we're awesome at killing things. We were gonna start training the red guy with how we got so ripped.

Are these guys serious? They look about as thick as you are.



"Dude bro! Come join us! We're going to a mine to get some ore stuff! What's up?"



This is it. A quest! Even if it's something really basic, you have a chance to enter a mine! A mine with potential treasure, with monsters!

Do you accept their invitation or do you want to wander around the bar for a few more moments?

[98714123340]

Ask when they will depart. You don't want to be caught unprepared after all

[ferd1991]

Ask when they will depart. You don't want to be caught unprepared after all

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE ACCEPTED YOUR FIRST QUEST! TO ACCESS YOUR HELP FUNCTION IF YOU GET STUCK, JUST TYPE HELP IN THE FUNCTION BAR

Great! You have received a sense of purpose! Except, you're going to need some more information.





"Alright, I'll come with you. When where you going to go?"



"Hey, cool! We're always are looking for helping hands, we'll get going after a quick interview process. Do you have any experience in fighting giant rats?



"Excuse me?"



"I'm guessing no, and that means..."

The guys go silent and start motioning towards the bartender. You can tell this won't end very well.



"You're going to need to talk to the bartender. He's been having some giant rat problem upstairs. Once you at least get an idea of what you'll face in the mines while you work, we can get going."



"No, no, no, no. I'm not going anywhere near the guy after that look he gave me!"



"What's the matter traveler bro? Afraid to talk to a simple bartender?"



"Afraid?! Do you know who I am? I am Jaime Spades! I fear no bartender!"

You get up from the table and approach the bartender, showing no fear. You are powerful, confident-



You are just about the scream in fear.

What shall be your next choice?

[Razorshade]

Realize he's pink, the least frightening color in the rainbow.

Except maybe turquoise.

[OldManRupee]

Bartender: be named Sniff Bacon.

[ferd1991]

Realize he's pink, the least frightening color in the rainbow.

Except maybe turquoise.

You know what? You're right! Who cares if he has unearthly eyes. Who cares if he potentially insane?



You are going to become a hero. A name that will echo throughout the annals of history. And it starts with this moment. You're going to do it!

Bartender: be named Sniff Bacon.

"CALL ME SNIFF BACON."

Fake bravery... fading...



"HELLOMYNAMEISJAIMESPADESIHEARYOUHAVEAGIANTRATPROB LEMNEEDANYHELPNOOKAYI'MGOINGNOW!



"I am. I am. So you're interested in the free stay reward."



Upon hearing the words 'free stay' you swallow your fear and your stupid flailing around.



"He's been getting out of control up there, thought I could tame it to become a guard rat. 'Cept I forgot I don't have any taming skill. He's going to be up those stairs, hope you can take him..."

THIS IS KNOWN AS A SUB-QUEST, A QUEST WITHIN A QUEST. THERE ARE GOING TO BE MULTIPLE WAYS TO END THIS QUEST, BUT MAINLY YOU CAN END THIS QUEST IN TWO WAYS. BY KILLING THE RAT IN A FIGHT, OR FIGHTING THE RAT TO A POINT YOU CAN ATTEMPT TAMING.

What is your next move?

[HEROLogan]

>Go up to the attic; try to hook something on the way up without him noticing.

[98714123340]

No way in hell are we killing it. Tame that sucka!

[ferd1991]

>Go up to the attic; try to hook something on the way up without him noticing.

You think what you mean is to get something tied down while the bartender doesn't pay attention. At least you think so, otherwise you don't have a clue what you mean.



Turning your back to the bartender you reach into your pocket and check your inventory.



EACH ADVENTURER HAS AT LEAST ONE POCKET TO STORE OBJECTS. IN THE THIEF'S POCKET IS A RUSTED KNIFE, 2 SPOOLS OF THREAD AND NEEDLE, THE OFFICIAL ADVENTURERS CARD, AND A FULL LOCKPICK KIT.

Hmm. So you can at least try to tie the spools of thread somewhere and start walking up the stairs, but you also don't want to waste it as well. You've had experience having to sew your glorious cape from scratches and tears.

No way in hell are we killing it. Tame that sucka!

Oh my god. You already have daydreams of riding your giant rat through the fields, feeling the wind against your body as he rushes across the fields. You need to get up those stairs and get that sucka!

...

Wait. How are you going to capture it?

What is the next plan of action?

[Krasudreal]

You may use food to tame him, maybe. However, I have no idea on how to get any food...

[ferd1991]

You may use food to tame him, maybe. However, I have no idea on how to get any food...

Hey Bro! You're now me. Yeah. Freakin' awesome, what's up?

BECAUSE OF YOUR CHOICE TO TAME THE RAT INSTEAD OF FIGHT IT, WE'LL NEED TO SET YOU UP WITH THE OTHER CHARACTER. THIS IS THE FIGHTER, MASTER OF SINGLE HAND COMBAT AND AN OVERALL GOOD-LOOKING GUY. TO CONTINUE YOU WILL NEED TO SET THE FIGHTER'S STAT PAGE, AGAIN, BECAUSE THIS IS THE TUTORIAL, YOU CAN STILL CHANGE IT ONCE THE TUTORIAL ENDS.



Dude! Voice bro, my smile is way too small. And why's this page blank? Oh, I guess I need to put it in. I want like five thousand in Single Hand, not just because I got tight biceps.

1) - 60 POINTS TO BALANCE IN YOUR HEALTH (DETERMINES LIFE OR DEATH), STAMINA (DETERMINES HOW MANY ACTIONS CAN BE DONE), AND MAGIC (DETERMINES ABILITY TO CAST SPELLS)

2) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN WEAPONS (SINGLE HAND, DOUBLE HAND, BLOCK, DODGE, THROW)

3) - 25 POINTS TO BALANCE IN SOCIAL (PERSUADE, MERCHANTILE, CHARISMA, INTIMIDATION, INTELLIGENCE)

4) - 2 FEATS (SPECIAL ABILITIES ONLY THE CHARACTER CAN USE)

5) - 5 SKILLS THAT ANY CHARACTER CAN USE


UNLIKE THE THIEF IT HAS BEEN DECIDED YOU CAN HAVE FREE REIGN ON YOUR FEATS AND SKILLS.

Bro! I want the Feat of Opposite Sex Attraction! Make all the ladies flock to my sweet pecs!

STOP SAYING WORDS.



Meanwhile, bro, I kinda see the traveler bro pacing in front of the staircase. Guess he's trying to find the bathroom or something.



Oh yeah, Check it! I've got my Rusty sword, 5 slices of cheese, 3 lengths of rope, my glass and Official Adventurers Card, bro!
Wait, where'd my name go on the card? Hey, yeah! I gotta write my name on this card! And that's...
I've completely forgotten.

WHAT IS THE FIGHTER'S NAME?

[HEROLogan]

>Johnny Beefcakes

[98714123340]

Harvey Wrestle

Skill Health:40
Skill Stamina: 20
Skill Magic: 0

Feat: Improvised Weaponry
"Anything can be a weapon if you put your mind to it! All you have to do is believe!"
+No penalty for using random stuff as a weapon

Feat: That didn't hurt! Much.
"I honestly didn't notice that there was a dagger in my back, I swear! It did itch though."
+Pain takes a while to kick in

Weapons Single Hand: 10
Weapons Double Hand: 0
Weapons Block: 10
Weapons Dodge: 0
Weapons Throw: 5

Social Persuade:0
Social Mercantile:
Social Charisma: 23
Social Intimidation: 0
Social Intelligence: 1

Almost everyone loves him! It pisses the 3% off

Skill: Taming
Skill: Dance
Skill: Animal Riding
Skill: Smithing
Skill: Mining

[Alien]

Name : Balthazar Baratheon, the legendary warrior
1) 35 Health and 25 Stamina, 0 magic : you are a warrior, not a magician. Magicians are liars, fearful and low.
2) Single Hand : 10, block : 10, dodge : 5
3) 15 Intimidation, 10 Intelligence
4) Legendary dodge : can dodge one attack in every battle.
5) SKills :
interrogatory (violence, torture)
hunting
swimming
climbing
running on walls.