[SD:RtR] What They Actually Get - Chapter 11

Everyone gathered in the Guild training yard goes into a panic as they watch their hard-earned loot slip through their fingers, literally in some instances. Above it all, the Guild leader watches what is happening. They allow the panic to spread for a little, the various guild members need to relieve some of their stress, but soon enough they announce, “Be SILENT!”

Which worked, though unlike most times the Guild leader would give orders, this time people still took a few minutes to actually settle. Though the Guild leader was understanding. They had just watched the rewards for their hard work vanish before their eyes! Who wouldn’t react to that?

Still, they demanded obedience, and soon the training field was silent. Satisfied, the Guild leader sighed, “It seems that despite the complete lack of Mummies, their culture was not ignorant of such things. Rather, an outsider took over their cult and brought down their guardians. However, said outsider was also able to protect themselves from the backlash.

“It was only now that said outsider was vanquished and we had truly removed the treasure from their influence, that the lingering curse could take effect. Be thankful! All that was lost? Things which you didn’t have to begin with. That curse could have easily transferred to us and caused any number of nasty things to happen. The least of which could have been the complete loss of what you have on you right now.

“And while without the loot we will not be able to fully reimburse you for your points. The Guild will pay you all a base amount of ap, as well as some additional ap based on your points. This will all be ready by tomorrow as I need to report this incident to the Guild and authorize the release of said money. Please calmly leave so that my officials can clean up all this sand.”

And most people do. Though there are a few that hang around to see what happens to the sand. Half suspicious that it might turn back into their loot. This doesn’t happen, with the Guild officials simply dumping it out into the desert. Not willing to let potentially cursed sand linger in the city.

Gem, Inky, and their two groups all leave, grumbling to themselves. Not only did they lose out on cool equipment, but there’s a chance that the money they are given doesn’t fully pay for some of the repairs needed.

Though Gem ends up laughing, “Oh goodness! Should have seen this coming. The pots! How could clay fall apart into dust like that?”

Samuel frowns, “But the gold coin you found did?”

Gem reaches into their pocket and pulls out a small pinch of sand, “Well it did now! Though given that, I suspect everything there was worth about as much as Fae gold. We were just left with sand instead of leaves and pebbles.”

Inky frowns, “You think it wasn’t there to begin with?”

Gem shrugs, “Like the leader said, the stuff was already under a curse. Whether it was simply already sand and being held together by the undead or it was all actual stuff that fell into sand is academic at this point. The end result for us plebs is the same.”

Emrys nods, “Basically that. Though my personal opinion is that it was real and we would have actually gained it all if someone had noticed the curse and gotten it removed. Admittedly, that theory is simply me guessing at the system not wanting to screw us too hard if we put in the work.”

Gem laughs, “I bet the Guild leader saw it! They’re likely disappointed in their people for not finding it and this is the punishment.”

June frowns, “Why would the Guild leader know?”

Emrys, “Yeah, they aren’t Evil or anything, which tends to be the realm of curses. Sure, Good has a few geas and vows, but that isn’t the same.”

Gem shakes their head, “You're thinking about it wrong. Curses aren’t inherently good or evil. They’re Order. Think about it, a curse is all about enforcing a certain set of actions or punishing those who break some condition.

“You generally don’t have Chaotics setting curses. You have witches following the old ways or mummies created around religious ceremonies, and it all uses various magical rules. To curse someone, you can’t just be like, ‘And that person I have no connection to is cursed’.”

Emrys, “Fair enough, though curses tend to be an evil thing.”

Gem shrugs, “I would say that has more to do with the tradition being seen through the lense of movies and such. Or maybe in a similar way to how some things have two sides, there are uses for the principles behind curses that are good, but called something else.

“Actually, that’s a good point. I bet you can make Good use of the stuff, but it doesn’t happen because they tend to be about forcing an outcome. Good tends to be for appropriate levels of punishment and judging people for the situation.

“Curses, especially like what we just experienced, are more like booby traps. You set one of those up and it doesn’t judge anything. There is a reason you’re not allowed to booby trap your home, irl. It might catch intruders, but it can just as easily catch a first responder or similar.”

Emrys grins, “Yeah, that kind of thing is a bit indiscriminate. Which is why those locked to Evil have a hard time renting more permanent places. You buy or live out of inns. Though by the time someone locks evil, they’re going to be able to make enough cash to buy a place.”

June sighs, “Of course. Why else would stories about various evil types include a lair with death traps that can even catch their own henchmen? Anyway, where did Inky and friends go?”

The others look around and yep, Inky’s team has left.

Gem shrugs, “I guess they went to their inn. Or something. We’ll see them tomorrow when we go to pick up the money.”

And they do. Early the next morning, Gem and friends make their way to the Guild and on the way, meet up with Inky once again.

Gem waves, “Hey Inky! Can’t wait to find out if you break even or not!”

Inky snorts, “Yeah, yeah. Reaping what we sow and all that.”

Gem laughs, “Nah! I’m just laughing because I didn’t hide the fact I was retreating. It didn’t tell you to do so, but that should have been enough of a warning. You stayed despite that. Which is what I find funny.”

Inky squints at Gem, “Fair.”

Gem, “Now let’s go get some money!”

The two groups make their way over to the Guild and file into the building with the rest of the returning people. Well, most of them do when they see the sign directing them inside. There are, of course a number of Guild employees directing those who didn’t bother reading the obvious signs. Because the only reason it had been held outside yesterday was so everyone could easily see all of the loot. As today was just going to be coins, that could be handled by the guild receptionists.

Gem looked around the Guild hall and didn’t spot the leader. “How long do you think we’ll have to wait?”

Inky shrugs, “Give it another ten minutes. Since the leader is Lawbound, I assume they’ll start exactly on the hour. That is kind of their thing, after all. Precision and rules.”

June nods, “Right on the dot.”

So they wait and then at exactly noon, the Guild leader is on their balcony overlooking the Guild hall below. “I have received authorization and guidance on your rewards. Seeing as this raid was properly recorded by the system, the rewards will be better than they could have been.”

There is a small cheer.

The Guild leader allows this to continue for exactly a minute. “Now, I’m sure you want to know how much that actually comes out to.

“Firstly, everyone gets five attuned coins irrespective of their points. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but remember, this is what you get before actually using your points.

“Which leaves the disappointing part. While you are getting more than you would have because it was a recorded raid. That does not mean you are getting a lot. Rather, you are getting what could kindly be described as above the bare minimum. And that is the best I could argue for.”

There are boos and hisses from the crowd.

The Guild leader gestures for them to calm down. “Yes, I understand. Do not forget, I was supposed to receive loot myself. While I was not on the leaderboard as my rank was too disparate from yours, I was going to be paid quite decently for this little adventure.

“Those of you who’ve been here for a while know my style of leadership. You know I’m not just blowing hot air. Now, onto your pay. Which is simple enough. Each point will be worth ten gold pieces.”

The crowd really gets riled up at that.

The Guild leader nods, “Yes, it sucks, but it is better than five a point and not being able to turn most of it into ap. Though you will still have to take some of the regular gold. The Guild does not like giving out ap if possible. It is too useful. Now, the receptionists will be open for everyone to convert their points.

“WAIT! There is one catch. The leftmost receptionist will serve the top ten. When they have all been handled, they will be open for everyone, but given the amount their rewards equal to, don’t expect them to open up early. Line up, and you Will line up, for one of the other receptionists. We have the pieces to pay, I have made sure of that!”

People jostle each other a bit and even with Gem’s skill at getting through a crowd, there isn’t much you can do when most of the way towards the back of the room. So they ended up waiting in line for a couple hours and change.

It didn’t have to take that long, but despite the Guild having the exact points total for everyone from the system, people still argued. Despite watching those before them try and fail, others kept trying. And even those who were fine with the total, would argue over how many of the points would be received in gold instead of attuned.

Though Gem could understand the second set of arguments. While the Guild leader had made sure they could turn most of their points into ap, the Guild itself still wanted to give them a quarter of the coins in regular gold pieces. Which meant that, where Gem would have been getting the base five, plus 161 for their points, the Guild was offering a total of 124 ap and 4,200 gp.

And those quick with math will notice that doesn’t quite add up, being an ap less than would be expected. Well, if you just assume that they’re going to round down to begin with. But the reason for that single ap difference is because they counted the five ap they just got as part of the total. Which meant 100 more gold pieces.

Gem and the rest of the team didn’t bother arguing. So on top of what Gem got; Emrys received 117 ap and 3,810 gp, June acquired 112 ap and 3,700 gp, and Samuel got 81 ap and 2,670 gp. Which was a lot and Samuel could certainly repair his gear, though was leaning more towards replacing it.

Inky and her party? Well, they had put a lot more money into their equipment. The pieces they did receive might repair their gear, but it would be close. Which means at best they broke even for this raid.

The two groups stood outside the Guild and Inky sighed, “Well, I assume you aren’t hanging around?”

Gem raises an eyebrow, “Why would you say that?”

June rolls her eyes and Emrys laughs as Samuel answers, “We never stay in one place all that long.”

Inky nods, “You don’t go on the forum all that much, but it’s always about going somewhere else.”

Gem shrugs, “Fair enough. Though it wouldn’t really matter here, now would it?”

Inky smiles, “You could always join my group. We’re Evil, not stupid. We are good to those with us.”

Gem shakes their head, “You know that wouldn’t fix things.”

Samuel frowns, “Well, they didn’t stab us in the back. It was just our groups both being there without a set plan.”

Inky raises an eyebrow, “I like you. Though you’re a little too rules focused so I won’t extend an invitation to you.”

Emrys laughs, “More like you want the option to just break the law whenever it is convenient for you.”

Inky shrugs, “Well, I can’t deny that. So, where do you guys plan to head?”

Gem, “Well, I’ve had enough sand. Maybe somewhere more fields and forests?”

Inky nods, “A good fantasy game needs scenic pastoral scenes every once in a while.”

More Sand Than You Can Shake A Stick At - Chapter 10

A Bit Of News - Chapter 12