Serenade Me

Part 15

Sean took his character sheet back from Nate with a nervous look. Nate patted his shoulder, telling him with a small smile. "It'll be fine. I'll go easy on you for your first time." Nate collected his books up, moving over to his dining table. Sean got the feeling that he should follow and Nate gestured for him to sit across from him. Nate set his books out and retrieved two sets of dice from a drawer by the table, that held random desk supplies in it. Sean took the set of white dice from Nate, stating still rather nervous. "I don't really know how to play..." Nate huffed softly, getting comfortable in his seat, while telling him casually. "I know. I'll walk you through it. I just got to get out the solo mission. Normally, solo missions are ill advised... Most creatures in D&D need at least a party of four to defeat. But, Since I'm walking you through it. It should be fine. I can make it work." 

Sean laid out his character sheet, then began turning one of the dice over in his hand as he waited. Nate finished setting up a small cardboard screen that blocked his view of the papers Nate had. After which, Nate straightened up and began to tell him very clearly. "Alright. D&D can be a bit overwhelming with its rules. However, I'll save you the heartache and tell you as we go through this small mission. It should cover the basics well enough. Ok?" Sean gave him an anxious shrug. He didn't know what to expect. Nate cleared his throat, looking something over in front of him. Then told him in a broad storytelling voice. "We start our adventure just outside a small village. Out amid a lush forest at midday. The air is brisk from the slight cloudy overcast, but there is a pleasant warmth to this day in the few sunny breaks in the clouds. Before you, stands your mentor. He takes you to the edge of the wood line, staying partly hidden amongst the trees. From here you can see the small village across the meadow clearing. Your mentor eyes the village with a distant look, before turning to look at you. Would your character like to ask him anything? Or say anything at this time?"

Sean gave Nate a wide eyed look in stunned shock. Nate smirked, calmly stating out. "You can ask him anything you want. Or you can stay silent. Whatever you think your character would do in this moment." Sean looked over his character sheet, mumbling out a little shyly. "Ok... I ask him... Why are we here?" Nate nodded with a warm smile, continuing on in a slightly gruff voice of an older man. "You have completed your training. However, there is one more test that I need you to preform. A test to prove you are ready to strike out on your own. A test of the skills you have learned. Are you ready?" Nate waited for him to answer. So, Sean took a deep breath, muttering out. "Oh, I hope so..." Nate chuckled for a few seconds, composing himself to add in the mentors gruff voice. "Very good. Always expect the unexpected. You see that village there? Your mentor points toward the village. Then he says; 'Go to the inn and find yourself a mission with a beast. When you have finished. Return to me with proof of your victory."

Sean nodded to Nate, allowing Nate to tell him normally. "So, you control your character and his actions. You can head for the village inn. You can stay and talk some more with your mentor. You can choose to venture off and do something else. It's all up to you at this point." Sean glanced down at his character sheet, answering Nate hopefully. "Ok... I guess, I'm going to flip my green hood up and pull my black face mask up over my nose to hide my identity and... Go to the inn?" Nate brushed his bangs from his eyes, telling him in his storytelling voice. "Alright. You stroll out across the meadow, heading for the little inn called the Ram's Head. How would you like to enter? You want to be friendly or cautious?" Sean rubbed his collarbone unsure. So, Nate told him openly. "You're character has never been here before. You do not know this village, nor anyone in it. You can remain cautious, or you can throw caution to the wind. Your choice."

Sean tapped the dice on the table quietly, replying softly. "I'll... I'll enter and kind of keep my distance from everyone. Keeping to the shadows as much as I can." Nate suddenly smirked wickedly, causing Sean's arms to break out in goosebumps. Nate licked his lips, telling him devilishly. "Ok. I want you to make a Perception Roll. That means that you roll your dice with the twenty on it. If your roll is higher than the number I have, you might notice something important or neat." Sean picked up the white D20 and rolled it on the table. Sean bit his lower lip, asking him curiously. "Eleven?" Nate gave him a thumbs up, chuckling out. "Not quite enough. So, as your character enters the dark smoky inn. All you notice is that everyone is watching you with strange looks. It appears that they mistrust strangers. What will you do? Will you go to the barkeep? Or will you try talking to someone?" Sean shrugged, asking curiously. "What do I see exactly?"