Bandit Town Crow's Roost: Black Market

Bandit Towns are unofficial settlements. Lacking any legal standing in the government of Pendragon, they are little more than shanty towns or bazaars set up by thugs, black market merchants, and other illegals and outcasts. There are no laws in Bandit Towns. Just survival of the fittest and whatever vigilante or gang justice is set up.

It's here that you find yourself. A proud kitsune, an extremely isolationist and reclusive species that hide their grand cities deep in forests using their own natural illusion magic. Curious, you ventured outside the safety of your city. One thing led to another and you were captured by hunters and sold into slavery. You have one solace, however.

Your species is extremely secretive and there is no way to tell a kitsune from another race until their magic is shown... They think you're a Foxfolk. You intend to keep it that way.

You stand next to Sleezenose, the man who currently has you on a leash. Rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet, you stand naked save for your collar, smiling up at the ne'er-do-wells walking by. You have to admit, for all the horror stories the city elders told you about why the kitsune isolate and hide their cities... Well, things are scary, but they're also exciting and new! Plus, it's nice to be out of those icky robes. After all those times sneaking out to the grass fields to romp and sun naked, you finally don't have any friends and relatives telling you to put some clothes on! Yay!

A tug on your leash causes you to let out a yelp.

"Stop smiling, fox! If you look miserable, maybe someone'll buy you!" Sleezenose barks.

You pout. "Okay..."

You try to look sad, but... Your tail wagging back and forth is a dead giveaway. You're more eager than scared... But you're still a bit scared. Maybe if you focus on that fear, try and think about all the stories the elders told you about monsters and wicked humans...

A woman in leather armor walks by, stopping and staring at you. She turns to Sleezenose. "You selling a ****?"

The man with his large, crooked nose grins. "You bet! Foxfolk! Small, but look at those curves and tits! She's eighteen years old and eager to please!"

The woman bends a knee, crossing her arms. "What can she do?"

"Uhh..." He yanks on the leash, causing you to yelp. "Fox! What can you do?"

"Uh... I can be naked?" you chance.

"No, I mean skills!"

"Oh! Hee hee!" You giggle and knock on your head, sticking your tongue out. "I can hunt, I can gather and forage... Oh, I can fish! Ummm... I'm good at finding my way around, reading maps, navigating. I'm really good at setting up and covering up campsites!"

"So all the things I can already do. I'll pass." The woman turns to walk away.

"Wait! I'm sure she can do a good job eating you out!" Sleezenose begs.

"Pass!" the woman calls over her shoulder.

The bandit with your leash sighs. He gives your lead another sharp yank. "What good are you, fox?!" He backhands you across your cheek, causing you to fall to your knees and onto your side.

"Ow..." you whine, ears folded as you rub your cheek.

"Shut up! Until you make me some money, I'll use you however I want!" He raises his hand again and you wince in anticipation... But the smack doesn't come.

You open your eyes, looking up at the truly massive, armored man holding Sleezenose's wrist. His gauntlet-clad hand is huge compared to Sleezenose's wrist and looks like he could easily grind it into dust. The crooked, hunched man looks up at the seven-foot tall warrior, helmet concealing his face. But with full-body armor, a bag and longsword at his waist, and massive height and size, it's probable that...

"Oh! Are you an adventurer, sir?" Sleezenose instantly humbles himself.

Adventurers have no true allegiance. If the adventure, discovery, or loot is good, what job they take is ultimately up to them. As some of the strongest fighters and spellcasters in the world, the last time a kingdom tried to forcefully conscript adventurers into a war... Well, no other kingdom wants to try and repeat that mistake. By nature, adventurers value their freedom. They may not be criminals, but if one enters a Bandit Town, they tend to be great customers yet poor marks.

So you can imagine why Sleezenose is so eager to prostrate himself before this seasoned warrior who could easily cripple him in a single blow. The crooked man claps his hand and rubs them together. "Welcome, good sir! They call me Sleezenose, merchant extraordinaire! May I interest you in a foxfolk ****?"

You try to gauge this man's intentions. But with his helmet hiding his face and his thick armor... His poker face is the stuff of legends. His body carries with it the trained, controlled movements of a skilled fighter. Not even his body language betrays any tells.

"Where did she come from?" he finally speaks. His voice is serious yet sounds surprisingly smooth for his size. His accent sounds classy, too... Like the elders of your city. He's scary, but... He makes the surroundings around you less scary as a result.

"Uh... Some hunters found her in a forest. They sold her to me," Sleezenose explains.

"Are you authorized to sell slaves?"

"Uh, no... But she's under **** seal, so-"

"You are aware that, **** seal or not, a **** cannot be legally sold unless the seller is authorized to sell slaves, yes? What reason do I have to pay you for this ****? You do not have the backing of the Merchants' Guild. I could simply kill you and ownership would automatically transfer to me upon your ****. What reason do I have to pay you? You have only one ****. It's not as if I would give you any repeat business."

Sleezenose is sweating now. You don't know what will happen if Sleezenose feels threatened or is killed... And that uncertainty worries you. This adventurer is a wild card and you don't know what he might do... Maybe you can save this deal somehow?