Bounty: Armand ven Astor

[Toriel]

Dead or Alive

Armand ven Astor

50,000 Coins

From the city of Novus a stream of letters arrived to all regions of Esshar. Even Osrona itself was flooded with them. The crimes were not listed. Nothing to soothe an up and coming bounty hunter's mind. An accurate depiction of the target for those, who live under a rock, was neatly printed onto the paper. Further examination would reveal a skilled but unconventional use of water magic.

Under the amount, further instructions were found.

The Astor - or his corpse - is to be delivered to Raja Avaria.

[ratqueen]

A small collection of the distributed notices have been defiled and pasted around Esshar to serve as a counterpoint. They've been pointedly placed in high traffic areas, though the number of altered posters in circulation are scant given the resource used to paint them with: the blood of Dreadwoods denizens.

[radio]

 
Who is foolish enough to strike against my house?
 

Whoever is capable of bringing me Raja Avaria, alive, will be invited to my manor where they will be taken as honored guest. And I assure you, the trove of relics I have taken from the dragons that rest in my vaults are far greater than any coin you can come by.

 

I do put an emphasis on alive. I have many plans for someone who spits upon my name.

 

Now then, do not make me visit Novus myself.

- Acacio ven Astor

[Koriv]

A few letters followed, being primarily sent to Osrona.

Ehehe, hello friends! It's been a while! Acacio, come and play! You're so worried about spit on your name, that you've failed to realize you've done that all yourself!

Your racism, your arrogance, it's bled into not one, but both of your darling children. Unfortunately, neither of them will ever be as strong as you.

Oh right this is a bounty right? You're worth probably 1000 coins right? Per body part? That's how these work right?

Bring the parts to Nilly 'Rumplestiltskin' Nolan, depending on the size, more may be rewarded.

[Cloutio2x]

 

"Ohhh no... The children that were spared are upset.

How tragic, you kids, jeez. You know mercy in Osrona is rare what you two girls did was worse than what got my cousin killed. What you girls did had a death penalty attached, and you got off so easy. Somehow you all are still upset with the result. I can't take it, it makes me sad honestly. Given opportunity after opportunity and it's wasted at silly attempts for revenge.

No more revenge.

I am offering many of my riches in exchange for Nilly Nolan alive or well... As long as I can recognize them…”

[Ittoukun]

"Really, my guy? You just had to say that, didn't you?"
 

I was contemplating whether or not should I let the bounty on Raja slide, as she'd be safe as long as she's within Novus walls. But of course, you just had to run your mouth didn't you?

 

Listen, Acacio was it? You're more than welcome to come to Novus. After all, it's a city that's open for all.

 

Your visit would be a great honor for us, you see?

 

Though, I won't be able to guarantee that you'd be coming out of here alive, or even come out of here at all.

 

So, don't keep us waiting for too long, alright? We'll get lonely without your shimmering presence.

 

-Sol Vanrouge, Commander and Forgemaster of Novus

[veniceking]

While Esshar is littered with posters of many varieties, all calling for the young Astor's bounty, Armand's busy... Resting.

However news soon enough gets out about the desire for the heir's head - either alive or dead, and soon enough letters are dispatched via servants and those willing to take a small dose of coin, in order to cover up the bounty posters.

"Is this the best you have? I'm surely worth at least one hundred thousand coins, given I managed to cut your hand off with my bare fist don't you think? Over all, Raja, this is just a touch silly but I suppose genteel discussions will be ignored by demonic sympathizers all the same. If you really desire me that badly, then fight me mano a mano, instead of getting other people to do your work for you. Otherwise, it's simply lazy!"

It becomes clear the young Astor heir is more than willing to fight the Drakanite on fair and even grounds.

The question remains however if she will accept.

[Toriel]

An Osronan woman made her way to the Astor Estate. From the looks of it, a civilian. Bite marks - perhaps from a spider - could be seen on her neck, if somebody bothered to look.

Her voice was clearly trying to mimic the intonation of Raja's voice, as she opened op a letter and recited this little piece, to the first person that opened the door. Probably a servant.

"I don't owe you anything, Astor. Besides, we know already how your 'honorable duels' work. You lose, and daddy swoops in to save the day. Just think of your fight with the Alder. How is your face, by the way?"

The voice of the woman - sweet as honey - continued with a smug expression. It was clear, that no reply was needed or wanted for that matter.

"Close yourself in, in that silly, racist, 'shimmering' city of yours. Be afraid of the blade in the dark. Wonder, if somebody truly wants to be your friend, or just wants to claim the bounty at the next best opportunity. I curse you with fear, doubts and second guessing. Once I have had my fill of your turmoil - maybe then - I will come and claim your life myself."

A laugh, crystal clear like spring water escaped the woman.

"If your corpse isn't brought before me until that time comes, of course. Good luck~"

After that, the woman collapsed to the ground, letter still in hand. It contained the same message for Astor to read. The messenger - if not executed on the spot - would be fine after a day of rest. It was clear that everything had been said. No new messenger would arrive at the city, regardless of the provocations.

[Moloch]

OVER THE OUTER WALL OF THE SHIMMERING CITY, A CRYPTIC MESSAGE LIES EMBEDED IN FROST. A SILVER QUILL DUG AT THE EDGE OF THE PERIOD.

IT IS BRIEF, UNAPOLOGETICALLY SO, AS WELL AS AIMED OUTWARDS. IT SIMPLY READS: 

"BE QUIET."

[Koriv]

A few letters went to the various lands most of them written directly in blood.

Nilly is no longer paying for pieces of Acacio ven Astor, you can leave him alone now.

Though what had brought about this cancellation?