Elliot wakes up in the morning. He can hear snoring and the sound of people shifting. Someone is sleeping on the bunk above him. Elliot’s impressed he didn’t wake up when they came to bed. He checks his stuff and it is all still there. Verifying this he then gets dressed in his armor once more.

He heads out of the tavern into the spore ridden air. There are roosters calling out against the early morning sun. Spores gently drift through the air like dust. His home village of Taft is to the South West and his dad might worry about him if he doesn't return within the week. But there were closer villages to the North East he could recruit militia members from.

Elliot takes note of the guards around the gate out of the walled city. Two stand to either side of the gate eyeing Elliot as he leaves. He looks up as he passes through the city gates. Atop the wall is a guard holding a pipe rifle. A primitive firearm that's as reliable as a drunkard.

As he heads North-East towards Maltha, Elliot couldn’t help but wonder if Alex Praven was right about one or more of the guards helping the bandits. The thought disturbed the young smith. He holds onto his necklace for strength.

The walk to the nearest village takes only two hours before he has made it to Maltha. It is a small village but has a small factory that can turn recycled plastics into pipes. The pipes are made in Maltha, shipped to Bakers, and then the trade caravans ship across the coast.

The trip is a boring one. He travels through fields of grain, scraps of metal from the old world dot the landscape, and a few critters scurry about. A pair of axe beaks, large terrestrial birds with a pseudo axe head on their beak, watch Elliot as he walks. They usually only attack humans when they outnumber them greatly or when desperate. But these birds have plenty of prey to go after.

Elliot arrives in Maltha. A couple of rundown buildings, a few newer buildings with thatch roofs, and the large central factory. A few villagers mill about the area, with obvious business to attend to, but one old man sits in a shaded area next to the factory. The old man stands as Elliot approaches.

'This must be the village elder.' Elliot thinks as he examines the man. He’s older, with wrinkled skin, a few liver spots, and a few missing fingers.

“What can I do for you?” The village elder says as he folds his hands.

“I’m building a militia to take on the local bandits. I need some good men if you can spare it.” Elliot feels a little weird saying the words, but he figures being forward and truthful is the best tactic.

“I know two young men itching for adventure. To tell you the truth, one of them is my grandson. I fear leaving the village in his hands. If you can toughen him up. That would be appreciated.” The elder nods as if he feels a certain responsibility to force his grandson to be the man his village needs.

“Well, tell me where I can find them.” Elliot gets straight to the point.

“They should be in the factory around this time. I’ll take you to them.” The elder gets up from his seat.

The two walk into the factory together. The air is boiling inside. The smell of melting plastic quickly reaches Elliot. And the young smith can’t help but wonder how healthy it is to smell these fumes.

The elder grabs two men off the assembly line who are grinding down the ends of plastic piping.

“Jayce! Mo! This man wants to offer you a job.” The elder yells at them.

“A job?” Jayce, a tawny and lean young man who looks like the elder, asks.

“We have jobs.” Mo, a tall and amber-skinned young man, argues.

“I’ll give you both ten bronze coins.” Elliot interjects smoothly.

“I’m in.” Jayce pumps a fist. "Anything to get out of here."

“Wait, what’s the job?” Mo inquires, as he puts a hand in front of Jayce.

“Militia. We are going after a group of bandits.” Elliot explains and raises his chin.

“That sounds dangerous.” Mo rubs the back of his head.

“It is. I won’t lie to you. But I don’t plan on dying. I plan on getting a sizable force and then going straight to them. And hitting them quicker than they can spit.” Elliot says with an almost stern attitude.

“Come on Mo.” Jayce pleads.

“Alright, let’s do this.” Mo says exasperated.

The two grab metal pipes and sheet metal from inside the factory. Rudimentary clubs and shields are fashioned out of them. The two young men follow Elliot out of the village and towards the next village, Algoso. They head South-East.

These villages dotting the landscape rely on Bakers for protection and thus settle very close to the city. Only the Lord of Bakers took most of the fighting men on some crusade. The King of the Solar State is fighting a holy war against The New Saints Kingdom to the east.

They head across brown muddy hills. There is the occasional scrap of metal or foundation of a long destroyed building. Nothing very usable or useful. They march on, with no trouble, reaching Algoso in two hours. There are low walls around the village made of adobe.

An older man hails the three as they approach the town. He is behind the wall, it’s only five foot tall, so his shoulders and head peak over. There are two men standing near him.

“We want no trouble!” The man calls out to them.

“We aren’t looking for it!” Elliot calls back. “I have coin and a need for strong warriors.”

“My men would need some convincing to leave the safety of our village.” The elder says.

“Then let me convince them!” Elliot says loudly with a smile.

“We will spread word of your arrival, you can walk around to the front, what coin are you offering? And for what job?” The elder says.

“Ten bronze coins for every person that wants to help me weed out the local bandits.” Elliot says. “I’ll meet you around the front.”

The elder turns and waves the two men off. They run through town spreading word of Elliot’s proposition. Elliot and his company move to the front of the village and wait at the gate as a few people shuffle towards the front.

Eventually, one man comes forward. He has a shaved head but he has a black beard. He holds a makeshift axe in one hand.

“You. You’re so young.” The man says.

“Age doesn’t stop me from wanting to do the right thing. If you want to help me crack some skulls then you’ll be paid right now and when we finish our goal. Ten bronze coins per person.” Elliot explains.

“I’m with you. I want to do the right thing.” A woman in a half dress and breeches steps forward.

“Alice, don’t.” A man steps forward. “Money isn’t everything.”

“But it could help us start our lives.” Alice says. “Come on Bradford. You don’t want to be stuck here forever.”

“Alright. I’m coming with you.” Bradford says.

“I’m in.” An older man grumbles.

“Me too.” The man with the axe says.

“Then it’s settled. Grab anything you can use as a weapon or as protection. And let’s go.” Elliot says.

He waits for them for a couple of minutes. They return with an assortment of scrap armor, the one guy still has his axe, and the other three have makeshift clubs of various materials.

The group of seven heads back towards Bakers. It’s only three hours away from their current location. They head through the overgrown wasteland, black rock under foot, and plenty of critters scuttling about. (15 Perception vs 9 Stealth)

Elliot spots the glint of metal poking out of a nearby window.

“Get down!” Elliot yells as he drops to the ground.

Three crossbow bolts whizz overhead as the group drops. None of them are hit.

Elliot stands again and spots three large dogs charging at him. They have huge jowls dripping with slobber, their fur is missing in patches, and their tails have been chopped off. Elliot matches their charge and swings his hammer. (18 to hit vs AC 12) He knocks one clear off the ground and it rolls off to one side unconscious. (8 damage)

The other two mastiffs attack Elliot, leaping at his left leg (16 vs AC 15), and at his right arm (22 vs AC 15). They rip into his clothes and try to drag him down. (12 Str save vs DC 11) Elliot manages to get away from them, though blood runs from the fresh bite marks. (8 damage)

The group of commoners with Elliot get up to help, but three more crossbow bolts fly through the air towards them. One of the randoms from the last town is shot in the throat. He grabs at the bolt before falling backward.

The commoners move around to attack the two dogs. Jayce easily knocks out one of the dogs. Alice and Bradford take out the second. The man with the axe charges into the ruins the crossbow bolts were shot from.

Elliot chases after and finds that there are three bandits taking on the axeman. Two of the bandits have dropped their crossbows and drawn shortswords. The third bandit is holding his crossbow up like a shield as the axeman hacks at it.

Elliot steadies himself, taking a breath, and charges in. (Second Wind 9 Health) He swings his smithing hammer at one of the bandits who is drawing a sword. (12 to hit vs AC 12) The hammer connects with the side of the bandit's head. (9 damage) The blow sends him sprawling.

The first bandit attacks Elliot as he recovers from the blow against him. (21 to hit vs AC 15) The sword slashes his arm. (3 damage)

The second bandit attacks the axeman with his sword. (8 to hit vs AC 11) He misses leaving the third bandit still stuck in melee while holding a ranged weapon. He attempts to push the axeman away. (11 Strength vs 18 Strength) The axeman holds resolute.

The other commoners swarm in and attack the swordsmen going after the axeman. (17, 19, 10, 20 to hit vs AC 12) Jayce, Mo, and Bradford beat the man down until he lies unconscious on the ground. (11 Damage)

Elliot attacks the bandit he had hit before. (16 to hit vs AC 12) The blow knocks the man out cold. (9 damage)

The final bandit struggles against the five commoners but is overwhelmed and beaten until unconscious.

Elliot runs out of the ruins to the older man who was shot. Alice and Bradford follow. Elliot and Alice attempt to remove the arrow from his throat and help him. (1 Medicine vs DC 10) But the man is already dead.

Bradford and Alice help Elliot bandage his wounds. He sniffles, holding back tears, as he grips his necklace.

“Does it hurt that bad?” Alice asks Elliot.

“The wounds are superficial. I’m fine.” Elliot replies as he stares off at the body of the older man.

“He lived a full life in the village. Just wanted one last adventure. It’s not your fault.” Bradford says.

“I just didn’t expect to fail any of you. Especially right out of the gate.” Elliot says.

“You charged those dogs and beat the shit out of the bandits. You did good.” Bradford says.

“And we all know this was the job. Fighting bandits.” Alice nods.

“Alright. Let's scavenge what we can from the fight. You two can split the pay I gave the old man.” Elliot says as he strengthens his resolve.

They take the man’s boots and club. They take the leather armor from the three bandits, the two still usable crossbows, and the three shortswords. The weapons are dealt out to the commoners. One crossbow to Alice and one to Mo. Elliot takes a shortsword, Jayce and Bradford take the others.

Elliot collects the three unconscious bandits, hogties them, and they all carry the bandits two to a person.

They head the rest of the way to Bakers and enter the city. Elliot travels to the market where he sells the three sets of leather armor and the club. They give him fifteen bronze coins and five copper rings for it.

After that, they head to the merchant, Alex Praven. Elliot finds him and approaches him. His party drops the three bandits at his feet.

“We captured these three outside of town on our way back in.” Elliot says.

“They must all be from the same band. We need to make them disclose the location of their lair!” Alex seems hopeful.

“I could find some help at the tavern, maybe. A Judge and an Antibaptist were staying there.” Elliot says.

“Go see if they are still there.” Alex says. “If you don’t come back by nightfall, I’ll throw them into the septic tank.”

“Fair enough.” Elliot turns away and leaves.

The group heads to the tavern. Elliot puts two bronze coins on his tab. It should pay for food for the group, drinks, and bunks in the common room. Elliot finds the Antibaptist is still here and drinking at a table. He heads over to him.

“I need to employ your aid. Any chance you could be of aid to a militia taking on bandits?” Elliot asks him.

“Screw off. If you aren’t a trained fighter then you are just throwing your life away.” The Antibaptist says.

“They had what looked like spore hounds with them and they’ve been attacking all manner of folks. We were ambushed by three on our way into town, killed one of our own, so we took them as prisoners.” Elliot says.

“Then take them to the guards. Why are you bothering me?” The Antibaptist scowls.

“Because I believe the guards, or at least a guard, is working with them.” Elliot attempts to persuade him. (Critical 20 Diplomacy)

“Fine. I help you take down the bandits, and then we root out this traitor amongst the guards.” The Antibaptist sits up from the table. “You can call me Jeremiah. And if you really want me in your party. I would swear loyalty if you’d pay my debts off.”

“How much are we talking about?” Elliot inquires.

“Fifty bronze coins.” The man states flatly. “It’s a little much I know.”

“Here.” Elliot takes five bronze coins from his fifty-five and hands over the fifty.

“Seriously?” Jeremiah looks dumbfounded..

“I need good fighters.” Elliot shrugs. “And I don’t have any other options.”

Jeremiah and Elliot head back to the merchants. Jeremiah tortures them for information, killing one of them. Alex dumps the corpse in the septic tank. Giant insects begin to eat the body.

The other two answer soon enough and describe the location being out in Elk Hills between here and Taft. They explain the hideout in detail along with nearby locations. After doing so Jeremiah drags both of them to the septic and pushes them in. The giant insects tear through them as they are still hogtied.

Elliot stares down into the hole, shocked at their sudden death, and ashamed he didn’t try to stop it. Jeremiah offers a quick prayer to them before leaving Alex’s house. Alex spits into the septic tank before dragging the lid back over it.

Jeremiah and Elliot go back to the tavern. Joining the others for a round of drinks before going to the bunks in the common room. Elliot strips out of his armor, lays down for the night, and falls asleep with an arm over his pack.