>>5902454It's time to get closer to the townsfolk, finding out more info that's not in the streets. The first place you check out is the brothel - usually, the girls (or sometimes, boys) here know a thing or two other folks don't.
But, instead, you're beset by a succubus floozy with a rack bigger than yours.
"Well hello sister! What brings you to this fine establishment today? Surely not looking to get employed, hmm?"
You know she's on the prowl by the way she's leaning closer to you.
"I'm looking for some info on rumors, like, what's up with the strange lights?"
She smiles, baring her fang.
"Oh sister, how about you and I take a tumble on the sheets together, and I'll tell you about those lights. What do you say, hmm?"
"Nope! Don't swing that way. Good day to you, 'sister'."
You beat a hasty exit - whatever info she got isn't worth the pleasure. Besides, you can kinda get a sly vibe from her - like a fellow con artist vibe. So nope!
Next place on your list is the bar, sometimes the rumors here hold some grain of truth. That's how you became the audience of an old clown lumberjack when you asked him about the ghost in the woods.
"I've done seen her, I did! The Lady of the Pines! Deep northwest of here. I was out prospectin' for some good lumber, when I got lost. Then I suddenly heard some strange thumping in the distance. It got closer, and louder, it shook my campfire out! I thought the Dammerlicht's gonna get me then, but then this giant glowing woman shoved the pines aside into my clearing! She said something in a language I didn't know to me - I just said 'I don't know who you are, lady, but if'n you not gonna smite me, then please let me go home.' I remember her eyes glowing so hard I hadta close mine! Next thing I knew, I was back near the border of the lumberyards. It was a miracle, I tells you!"
His story, despite him swearing that it's true, sounds like an exaggerated local folklore than an actual encounter. Still, there's a grain of truth there - there's indeed something in those pines.
"Thanks for the shot, and the story, old man."
"No problem! If you ever got lost in a Dammerlicht, know that the Lady of the Pines got your back!"
You down the rest of your shot and head towards the guild hall. Basically something between a business owner's lounge, a mayoral office (despite Pinewatch not having any mayors - just a council), a worker's union meeting place, and a place to find job vacancies and other matters of business.
You'd think you'll only find boring bureaucracy here - turns out, they have a kind of gig board. Hmm, they must've had adventurers in the past! What do they got here... missing kid notices, lumberyard seasonal jobs, requests for Autowagon parts and supplies, and oho! Even a wanted poster of Grins! Nice to see him still fine and dandy, at least.
"Excuse me, madam! Are you an adventurer, by any chance? If so, I may have a job for you, if you don't mind."
Huh, this guy looks rich. Would you listen?
(Cont.)
