The XP: Chapter 14

Spirit flats is one of the starting areas for new character. Based on the idea of an old west mining town that was deserted by most of its residents the zone is filled with low level thugs, wolves, and introductory quests to help new players get a handle on the way the game works. Most of the buildings have fallen apart due to neglect but the General Store Bank and Bar is nearly immaculate. The front of the building is a large covered porch where an older man sits in a rocking chair smoking his pipe. He lowers the pipe and squint into the heat of the late afternoon to see the outline of a new player walking into town. The old man waves a hand. “Over here sonny!” He shouts. The figure in the distance notices the old man and changes directions to head for him.

It has been years since Torcano started a new character and everything about the gunslinger class feels weird and slightly off. As he makes his way toward the old man on the porch a desperado steps out from the ruins of the old bank. Torcano pulls his pistol and guns the desperado down. He takes another step toward the General Store Bank and Bar and two more desperado’s appear from behind the half burned out apothecary shop. Torcano’s pistol nearly jumps from its holster, and he effortlessly spins the gun between his shots, dropping the desperado’s easily. He turns back to face the General Store to see Three new desperado’s standing between him and the old man. Each with rifles leveled at him. His hand hovers over his holster. The riflemen squint and adjust their grips. By the time the third riflemen would have re-seated the stock into his shoulder he and the other two are filled with bullet holes and dying on their knees.

The smoke cleared from Torcano’s pistol and he Holster’s it a third time. The old man is nothing but a smile behind his pipe. “Howdy pardner, can I trouble you for a favor?”

Torcano puts his right foot up on the porch. “S’why I’m here.” He replied.

“This little town has had more than it’s fair share of problems.” The old man gestured to the abandoned and burnt out buildings with his pipe. “A local gang of desperado’s has descended on the town and their burning everything not worth stealing. I’d be much obliged if you did whatever you could to get them to leave town.” The old man put his pipe back in his mouth.

Torcano nodded. “My pleasure.” He replied and turned around to face the ghost town. The six desperado’s had yet to despawn and didn’t count toward his quest completion. Exasperated Torcano took a seat on the steps of the porch. Sighing heavily as the Old man continued to rock in his chair. In the distance a tumble weed blew across the main road. “Beautiful day.” Torcano observed, accepting that he could do nothing but wait for more desperadoes.

The old man nodded from behind his pipe. “Yeeeeeap.”

Another outline of a player entering town appeared and Tocano stood up a it came toward the General Store with the speed of serious purpose. Torcano knew who it was long before the player was within targeting range. “Ooooof course.” Torcano grumbled to himself. Before he could reach for his pistol bullets tore through his legs just below the knees dropping him to the ground causing him to lose his grip on his gun as he fell. The new player kicked Torcano’s pistol well out of his reach and moved over to where he was laying on the ground. His shadow covered Torcano’s face as he looked up to see his attacker. “Vrage, took you less time to settle old scores than I expected.” Torcano admitted.

Vrage lifted his boot out of the dirt and dug his spurs into Torcano’s cheek. “Yeah? You gonna try and talk me into leaving you alone? Try to make me feel petty maybe? Convince me that we can settle this after you’ve dealt with your brother?” Vrage shoved his foot causing his spur to draw blood on Torcano’s face.

Torcano recoiled from the cut but then shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He wiped blood from his face. “Do what you came here to do.”

Vrage pulled a machete out from the back of his belt and inspected the blade. “You in a hurry Torcano? Got somewhere to be perhaps?” Vrage asked in a mocking tone.

Torcano squinted into the sun. “You always were a dick Vrage.”

Vrage looked down at Torcano and shook his head. “Now, now, that wasn’t very nice.” He clicked his tongue and went to work. 

The old man never moved from his rocking chair.