El wakes up early in the morning hearing the cough of another man. The sky is overcast and some water drips down through the barn’s roof. El rolls out of bed and looks down at the barn floor. Three men are waiting by the entrance. One looks up at El and the teen quickly recognizes him as the Fodgemeister.

“You know, people are saying you are throwing around quite a few coin, which judging by your tax history you shouldn’t have.” The Fodgemeister calls up. He’s a slightly rotund human with balding black hair.

“I don’t own land, I don’t pay taxes.” El calls down.

“That's a very simplified view of the tax code, boy!” The Fodgemeister yells with as much intimidation he can muster. “The lord has personally sent me to collect a tax from you.”

“The lord has?” El smirks as he shoulders his sword and slides down the ladder.

“Yes, it was by royal decree of the Platinum Establishary.” The man straightens himself and pulls his vest down.

“Well if it came from them.” El shrugs. “Then you’ll really be in trouble if you go back empty handed.” The teen pulls his sword around, the sheath is still firmly in place on the blade, but El holds the spade head out towards them.

“Teach the kid a listen.” The Fodgemeisters lips curl into a scowl.

The two men step forward. One throws a punch, El brings his weapon up to block, but his leg comes up and hits El in the side of his ribs for four nonlethal damage. The second takes the opening to lunge forward and clock El across his jaw dealing five nonlethal damage.

El stumbles back, quickly recovers, and jabs the sheath of the shovel into the throat of the second thug dealing four nonlethal damage. The first thug lunges forward trying to grapple El, but the farm boy grabs his arm. With a firm grip he shoulders into his chest and pulls his arm over him. The thug tumbles over El and slams down on the dirt and straw of the barn floor.

The second thug, with a hand still on his throat, grabs El, and head butts him dealing three nonlethal damage. El’s grip shifts on his weapon and swings the shovel into the calf of the second thug. Dealing five nonlethal damage.

The man falls to one knee as El quickly spins around to face the other attacker. The shaft of his weapon smasks across the dome of the kneeling thug knocking him to the ground.

The second thug jumps up and throws three punches at El, the first being blocked by the teens weapon, the second hitting El in the cheek for three nonlethal damage, and the third El catches between his arm and his weapon.

El swings the thug around by his arm, letting go as he spins, tossing the thug over his ally and towards the entrance of the barn.

“What is going on here!” Arkin roars from the front of the barn.

A few human and halfling fieldhands are fanned around the front of the barn. El smiles at Arkin and gives him a thumbs up.

“No, it's cool, I got this.” El says as he grips his weapon ready to swing the shovel at the Fodgemeister.

“Do not lay a hand on one of the noble’s attendants, boy!” Arkin yells.

El drops his shovel immediately.

“Why thank you Arkin, I was just here to collect…”

“I don’t give a fuck. Get off my property you fat, slimy loan shark.” Arkin spits at the Fodgemeister.

“Very well.” The rotund man retreats with his other thug.

“You kill him?” Arkin points at the second thug who is laying face first in the straw.

“Ugh,” El watches closely and spots the slight movement in the body of him breathing, “no he’s just napping.”

“Don’t be cute with me right now.” Arkin orders.

“No you see, bad guys get really tired fighting me. They need a nap afterwards.” El nudges the thug with his foot.

“I want you to get to work and forget this ever happened. That rat ever comes around here again, just shout for me.” Arkin orders.

The old man's eye twitches for a second. El knows he won; the man almost laughed. The teen nods to Arkin and gets to work.

Continued Downtime Event

Rival Farm

DC 20

Profession

15(D20)+11(Skill)=26

Passed by 6

Earn Capital

Result = Silver Earned

35% chance random event

Profession: Farming

16(D20)+11(Skill) = 27

87%= No event

Before El heads to Kibs mine to check on his work he takes a detour to the local leather worker and spends fifteen gold getting measured for hide armor. The leatherworker says he will have the piece done by the next day.

Earn Capital

Result = Silver Earned

20% chance random event

Profession: Mining

7(D20)+8(Skill)=15

90%= No event

Passive Income

Laborers

12 Silver

“Where’s Top?” El asks.

“Well he got the cart and an ox.” Kib replies.

“So, he’s getting it situated for our trip at the end of the month?” El asks.

“No, he’s taking a shipment to Crestfall’s smith. Says you gave him the okay.” Kib polishes a silver nugget in his hands.

“I didn’t.” El squeezes his fist on the pommel of his sword.

“Are you planning on using that?” Kib looks down at the blade.

“What?” El looks down at his hand. “Oh!” He lets go of the blade. “No, I’m just frustrated.”

“That’s fair. Let’s go hunting. Tomorrow we can fight some goblins. For now, we just have to trust Top and do our own thing.” Kib looks at El waiting for a reply.

“Alright. Fine. Let’s go.”

Gained EXP

El

11700/14000

800 and 600

Kib

7500/14000

Level 2 -> Level 3

Level Up

One Level of Commoner

Health 10/10

Health 15/15

No Abilities

Hero Points 1/3

+1

2/3

And after a successful hunt the two once again go back to their domiciles. El finds himself wandering over to the tavern. He appreciated Drigs and Erin for helping him two weeks ago. He owed them.

El stops and peers in through the front window. The two thugs and the Fodgemeister are sitting at a table. One of the thugs has a compression bandage around his head. El cringed, feeling a pang of sympathy for giving the man a concussion.

The teen shoulders his pack having grabbed something from it. He walks to the door and opens it silently. He walks straight to the table in question and sits down across from the Fodgemeister. The man’s eyes go wide, the first thug jumps to his feet, the second just moans in misery before putting his head down on the table.

“You know people say you've been eating a lot. Really filling your gullet with more than what the rest of the village could afford to eat per person. See food is a resource we all share in this village. But judging by your belt size, you’ve had more than your fair share.” El keeps one arm under the table as he puts his other on top of it.

“You are really going to talk like that to me? I am practically royalty.” The Fodgemeister grows red in the face.

“That’s a very simplified way to view your own self importance.” El smiles. “You are a fucking worm compared to the God who Trained me.”

“A God?” The Fodgemeister scoffs.

“Get out.” El raises a crossbow from under the table.

“You’re threatening me?” The Fodgemeisters grits his teeth.

“Leave your coin purse on the table, and leave. If your man here moves towards me I’ll just pull the trigger.” El puts his finger on the trigger.

“Fine.” The man stands and waves for his thug to leave.

“The coin purse.” El reminds him politely.

“Yes, yes, I am aware.” The Fodgemeister drops a large coin purse on the table.

El smiles and tucks his crossbow back into his pack with the bolt unloaded after the two men leave. Erin walks over to the table with three drinks and looks at El quizzically.

“Did you see the Fodgemeister?” She asks.

“Yeah, he had something come up, but he left that coin purse here for the tavern. Said something about the taxes from the last few years didn’t add up. It’s a reimbursement plus interest.” El explains as Erin purses her lips not quite believing him.

“What about this guy?” Erin nods to the thug mopping with his face down on the table.

“Leave the drinks for him. He’s had a rough day.” El smiles.

The thug looks up at El with narrowed eyes and waits until Erin sets the drinks down and leaves with the coin purse.

“Why?” The thug whispers.

“You got beaten by a kid. Can’t be a good day for you.” El takes a sip of one of the drinks and recoils from the taste.

“You should get out of here just in case they try to come after you again.” The thug warns him.

“Thanks.” El leans forward and pats him on the shoulder. “I hope things pick up for you.”

El leaves the tavern, heading back to his barn, where he retires for the night.

Long Rest

Heal 1 x Level

23/25 Health