Charius Rilou Hunter of Monsters (Star Saga Campaign #2)
1st draft
(The air is thick with morning fog, as a slightly under-rested charius tucks himself within the folds of his makeshift cloak, and yawns. He waits patiently, sitting in the shade of the trees overlooking small clearing, a bear sized gray wolf slowly approaches him from behind with menacing green eyes.)
*Charius smirks expectantly*
C- “ Ravok my friend, I heard your steps five meters ago, perhaps you’re slipping in your old age.”
Ravok grumbles and ceases his attempts at stalking play. He lays behind charius, placing his head upon charius' lap, curling his massive body around him.
An hour or so goes by, daylight pierces through the mist, shining upon the clearing.
*Ravok lifts his nose and inhales deeply, then growls, baring his teeth*
Any inkling of grogginess flees away as Charius watches the clearing intently.
After a short while a figure emerges, shortly followed by three others, each taking a defensive position around the first. The first, A Duleran stands case in hand, patiently scanning his surroundings.
Charius mounts Ravok and they cautiously advance down into the clearing. Almost immediately upon breaking the cover of the forest the three scouts train their weapons upon him. Charius smiles unphased towards the Duleran.
C “my friend is that really necessary? Had I meant you harm I could’ve picked you cleanly off from the treeline and drew your guards into the forest. From there the two humans would be at a severe disadvantage with their long range weapons and lack of position, my companion would easily overpower and silence one, and bearing the high ground advantage I’d incapacitate the other. That leaves the Roshomo, the only one strong enough to get you and the case out of here while the other two keep me occupied. Now it’s obvious to me he’s a sentinel and not too bright, *Charius smiles at the Roshomo* no offense.*The Roshomo grunts* Long story short, he’d take the most direct route back to your transport zone 5 km from here, that’d be up through the Diagon Passag-“
*the Duleran interrupts Assertively, and with a hint of irritation*
“Fair enough, forgive me, but one can never be too careful, holster your weapons gentlemen.”
Silence overtakes the space around them for a moment as Charius approaches , dismounting Ravok and standing an arms distance from the Duleran.
*Charius offers the customary Duleran nod*
C- “ Charius Rilou II”
S- “Savari”
C- “No last na—"
S”Just… Savari”
*Charius smiles, he can feel an uneasiness developing inside of him, a feeling he can’t seem to shake, but from the outside he is calm and in control.*
C “I assume the shiny metal case is what I’m here for?”
S “yes it is, and I assume you know where it’s going?”
C “ if I didn’t I wouldn’t be here, I know you probably won’t tell me, but what’s inside?”
*a prideful grin appears for a moment on Savaris otherwise stoic face.*
S “some of my best work Mr. Rilou”
C- “ that means something coming from the likes of you Mr. Garam”
*Savari's grin fades and a look of pure dread overtakes him*
No sooner does Charius speak these words, than the two humans once again train their weapons on him.
C “ that’s right, Mr. Isax Garam, wanted for war crimes in violation of the Coracum Accords, as well as a number Planetary Alliance code of species rights violations. A genius by all rights, and monster by just as many. But don’t worry, I’m not here to bring you in, I just want the case.”
*Isax grins, snapping his fingers*
In a matter of moments 10-15- camouflaged Dylosians appear surrounding the clearing. Ravok rises to Charius side growling ferociously, hair standing on end. Charius smiles and laughs wholeheartedly much to Isax's surprise. Ravok hushes and lays down eyes trained on Isax.
I “ you won’t be taking anything, except 18-35 plasma burns to your body before what’s left of it touches the ground.”
C “ not so fast my friend”
Charius drops his cloak revealing his right hand, in it a black trigger with a beeping red button pressed in.
One of the humans yells “ it’s an explosive!”
*Charius frowns*
C” why does every red button HAVE to be an explosive?!? No. No. No. Not an explosive , a broad spectrum interspace frequency transmitter, if I release this button it sends out an emergency coded beacon leading directly to those two PA patrol cruisers im sure you noticed and actively avoided in orbit. Now, I know they’re here on shore leave but I’m sure they’d rush to the location of a top 100 criminal without even stopping to put proper clothes on. Now, your shuttle was painstakingly hidden 5 km away as I mentioned to sheild it from detection and transporter signals. Your best pace, could put you at your ship in roughly 35 minutes, the PA. Would beam to this location in 3 minutes, pick up your direction in 2, scan the planet for cloaked ships in 5, and cut off your escape route in another 10. OR, you hand me the case, and have an 20 minute headstart. Roughly the time it’d take for me to return to my vessel, break orbit and disappear from your ships sensors and any thought of pursuit…”
*Charius shrugs non-chalantly*
Isax’s face turns blue with rage, the purple veins on his exposed brain pulsing with both fear and anger.
I “ what guarantee do I have you won’t just release the button as soon as your out of danger, or you haven’t already notified them of my shuttles location?”
C “ no guarantee, but I can guarantee if you don’t hand the case over you’ll ABSOLUTELY, be caught.”
I “I could have you shot and use my telepathy to hold the button down” Isax sounds desperate, especially for a Duleran.
The Roshomo speaks
“uh uh uh, I wouldn’t if I were you.”
Isax looks left and can see the unmistakable sight of a x-19 ion pistol barrel in his peripheral.
C “ Mr. Garam, meet Borus, a good friend of mine and perhaps the best infiltrator and undercover smuggler to bless the Galaxy”
*Borus chuckles mockingly*
B- “ how do you do”
*Borus chuckles mockingly*
C- “ Probably not to well I'd imagine”
Isax is visibly trembling, possibly from rage, or fear, or a mixture of both.
*A seemly endless silence fills the air*
*Charius breaks the silence abruptly*
C” tick tock Mr. Garam… I have all day but you don’t , and my thumb is getting tired, also Borus is probably hungry by now isn’t that right Borus?”
B- “absolutely famished”
I “….. fine. Take it.”
*Borus snatches the case away and casually strolls over to Charius*
C” you now have 19 minutes and 54 seconds Isax, I’d get moving if I were you”
*Isax stands paralyzed for a moment*
Human2 “sir we need to leave now, don’t worry we’ll find them again”
Isax snaps back to reality and gives the order to pack up and head out. Charius and company closely watch as they exit the clearing, he waits another 10minutes and taps his tac pad. A sleek black stealth fighter decloaks just above the clearing, Charius , Ravok, and Borus beam inside. Charius releases the button and both he and Borus burst into joyous laughter.
Five kilometers away a thorium explosive(planted by Borus earlier that morning) vaporizes Isax’s shuttle. Simultaneously, a broad spectrum transmitter, hidden on the back of Isax’s attire activates and in a matter of seconds he is beamed onto a waiting PA military transport vessel, and detained. Charius flies up to his orbiting vessel, and docks. Soon after the PA vessel hails him.
“this is Commander Felix Ganon of the PA vessel Renegade, Mr. Rilou are you there?”
C “ where else would I be Commander?”
F “ *sighs* alright alright let’s cut to the chase, as promised a chest 500,000 credits worth of 99%pure unprocessed Electrum has been beamed into your cargo bay, along with an immediate erasure of your former personnel file and Borus' less than savory smuggling record. Now, where’s the case?”
C “ I have it, I’ll jettison it with a marking beacon once I’m safely out if your tractor range”
F” fair enough, but tell me Captain. What is it you both plan to do now, why hunt down the last remnant of the war you fought so bravely in, only to leave just when the PA could use you most in keeping the peace?”
C” The PA isn’t for peace, Commander they’re for control. True peace only lies in freedom, and I think you of all people know just how deserving we are of our freedom. As for what we plan to do , well… Borus mentioned something about quietly farming Cilocanthes for all his remaining years, farmer hat and all.As for me, I think I’ll keep doing what I do best… hunting”
Charius Rilou Hunter of Monsters (Star Saga Campaign #2)
1st draft
(The air is thick with morning fog, as a slightly under-rested charius tucks himself within the folds of his makeshift cloak, and yawns. He waits patiently, sitting in the shade of the trees overlooking small clearing, a bear sized gray wolf slowly approaches him from behind with menacing green eyes.)
*Charius smirks expectantly*
C- “ Ravok my friend, I heard your steps five meters ago, perhaps you’re slipping in your old age.”
Ravok grumbles and ceases his attempts at stalking play. He lays behind charius, placing his head upon charius' lap, curling his massive body around him.
An hour or so goes by, daylight pierces through the mist, shining upon the clearing.
*Ravok lifts his nose and inhales deeply, then growls, baring his teeth*
Any inkling of grogginess flees away as Charius watches the clearing intently.
After a short while a figure emerges, shortly followed by three others, each taking a defensive position around the first. The first, A Duleran stands case in hand, patiently scanning his surroundings.
Charius mounts Ravok and they cautiously advance down into the clearing. Almost immediately upon breaking the cover of the forest the three scouts train their weapons upon him. Charius smiles unphased towards the Duleran.
C “my friend is that really necessary? Had I meant you harm I could’ve picked you cleanly off from the treeline and drew your guards into the forest. From there the two humans would be at a severe disadvantage with their long range weapons and lack of position, my companion would easily overpower and silence one, and bearing the high ground advantage I’d incapacitate the other. That leaves the Roshomo, the only one strong enough to get you and the case out of here while the other two keep me occupied. Now it’s obvious to me he’s a sentinel and not too bright, *Charius smiles at the Roshomo* no offense.*The Roshomo grunts* Long story short, he’d take the most direct route back to your transport zone 5 km from here, that’d be up through the Diagon Passag-“
*the Duleran interrupts Assertively, and with a hint of irritation*
“Fair enough, forgive me, but one can never be too careful, holster your weapons gentlemen.”
Silence overtakes the space around them for a moment as Charius approaches , dismounting Ravok and standing an arms distance from the Duleran.
*Charius offers the customary Duleran nod*
C- “ Charius Rilou II”
S- “Savari”
C- “No last na—"
S”Just… Savari”
*Charius smiles, he can feel an uneasiness developing inside of him, a feeling he can’t seem to shake, but from the outside he is calm and in control.*
C “I assume the shiny metal case is what I’m here for?”
S “yes it is, and I assume you know where it’s going?”
C “ if I didn’t I wouldn’t be here, I know you probably won’t tell me, but what’s inside?”
*a prideful grin appears for a moment on Savaris otherwise stoic face.*
S “some of my best work Mr. Rilou”
C- “ that means something coming from the likes of you Mr. Garam”
*Savari's grin fades and a look of pure dread overtakes him*
No sooner does Charius speak these words, than the two humans once again train their weapons on him.
C “ that’s right, Mr. Isax Garam, wanted for war crimes in violation of the Coracum Accords, as well as a number Planetary Alliance code of species rights violations. A genius by all rights, and monster by just as many. But don’t worry, I’m not here to bring you in, I just want the case.”
*Isax grins, snapping his fingers*
In a matter of moments 10-15- camouflaged Dylosians appear surrounding the clearing. Ravok rises to Charius side growling ferociously, hair standing on end. Charius smiles and laughs wholeheartedly much to Isax's surprise. Ravok hushes and lays down eyes trained on Isax.
I “ you won’t be taking anything, except 18-35 plasma burns to your body before what’s left of it touches the ground.”
C “ not so fast my friend”
Charius drops his cloak revealing his right hand, in it a black trigger with a beeping red button pressed in.
One of the humans yells “ it’s an explosive!”
*Charius frowns*
C” why does every red button HAVE to be an explosive?!? No. No. No. Not an explosive , a broad spectrum interspace frequency transmitter, if I release this button it sends out an emergency coded beacon leading directly to those two PA patrol cruisers im sure you noticed and actively avoided in orbit. Now, I know they’re here on shore leave but I’m sure they’d rush to the location of a top 100 criminal without even stopping to put proper clothes on. Now, your shuttle was painstakingly hidden 5 km away as I mentioned to sheild it from detection and transporter signals. Your best pace, could put you at your ship in roughly 35 minutes, the PA. Would beam to this location in 3 minutes, pick up your direction in 2, scan the planet for cloaked ships in 5, and cut off your escape route in another 10. OR, you hand me the case, and have an 20 minute headstart. Roughly the time it’d take for me to return to my vessel, break orbit and disappear from your ships sensors and any thought of pursuit…”
*Charius shrugs non-chalantly*
Isax’s face turns blue with rage, the purple veins on his exposed brain pulsing with both fear and anger.
I “ what guarantee do I have you won’t just release the button as soon as your out of danger, or you haven’t already notified them of my shuttles location?”
C “ no guarantee, but I can guarantee if you don’t hand the case over you’ll ABSOLUTELY, be caught.”
I “I could have you shot and use my telepathy to hold the button down” Isax sounds desperate, especially for a Duleran.
The Roshomo speaks
“uh uh uh, I wouldn’t if I were you.”
Isax looks left and can see the unmistakable sight of a x-19 ion pistol barrel in his peripheral.
C “ Mr. Garam, meet Borus, a good friend of mine and perhaps the best infiltrator and undercover smuggler to bless the Galaxy”
*Borus chuckles mockingly*
B- “ how do you do”
*Borus chuckles mockingly*
C- “ Probably not to well I'd imagine”
Isax is visibly trembling, possibly from rage, or fear, or a mixture of both.
*A seemly endless silence fills the air*
*Charius breaks the silence abruptly*
C” tick tock Mr. Garam… I have all day but you don’t , and my thumb is getting tired, also Borus is probably hungry by now isn’t that right Borus?”
B- “absolutely famished”
I “….. fine. Take it.”
*Borus snatches the case away and casually strolls over to Charius*
C” you now have 19 minutes and 54 seconds Isax, I’d get moving if I were you”
*Isax stands paralyzed for a moment*
Human2 “sir we need to leave now, don’t worry we’ll find them again”
Isax snaps back to reality and gives the order to pack up and head out. Charius and company closely watch as they exit the clearing, he waits another 10minutes and taps his tac pad. A sleek black stealth fighter decloaks just above the clearing, Charius , Ravok, and Borus beam inside. Charius releases the button and both he and Borus burst into joyous laughter.
Five kilometers away a thorium explosive(planted by Borus earlier that morning) vaporizes Isax’s shuttle. Simultaneously, a broad spectrum transmitter, hidden on the back of Isax’s attire activates and in a matter of seconds he is beamed onto a waiting PA military transport vessel, and detained. Charius flies up to his orbiting vessel, and docks. Soon after the PA vessel hails him.
“this is Commander Felix Ganon of the PA vessel Renegade, Mr. Rilou are you there?”
C “ where else would I be Commander?”
F “ *sighs* alright alright let’s cut to the chase, as promised a chest 500,000 credits worth of 99%pure unprocessed Electrum has been beamed into your cargo bay, along with an immediate erasure of your former personnel file and Borus' less than savory smuggling record. Now, where’s the case?”
C “ I have it, I’ll jettison it with a marking beacon once I’m safely out if your tractor range”
F” fair enough, but tell me Captain. What is it you both plan to do now, why hunt down the last remnant of the war you fought so bravely in, only to leave just when the PA could use you most in keeping the peace?”
C” The PA isn’t for peace, Commander they’re for control. True peace only lies in freedom, and I think you of all people know just how deserving we are of our freedom. As for what we plan to do , well… Borus mentioned something about quietly farming Cilocanthes for all his remaining years, farmer hat and all.As for me, I think I’ll keep doing what I do best… hunting”
Well, you're missing a lot of commas... Looks good, though.
There is no dawn after eternal night.
Homebrew: Magic items, Subclasses
Ah yes, punctuation ... lol thank you for taking the time to read!