text: [Themes: fantasy, humor, historical]
  
  The trip down from the highlands was surprisingly nice. Spring is in the air for sure. The birds are churping and the ice is melting from the mountains feeding streams of gloriously clear water. Braak sips a hand full out of one of these streams. The frigid water reminds him of winter, but the sun peeking through the clouds warms his memories of summer. He quickly prays to the druid gods that he will see the coming summer and not be killed be the Romans on sight. He walks further up the road, through the forest to an opening: green fields as far as the eye can see. Up ahead is the gate into the city. The guards don't stop everyone going in and out, but it's best to have a story in case they do. Braak's appearance is one of a basic Pictish peasant. What's the best cover story to go with that?
  
  [Author's Note: Between the times when Claudian Invasion occured and the departure of the last legion, the Roman Empire ruled Britain with an ironfist. Out of the natives' struggle for freedom comes great Briton, Celtic, Gallic, and Pictish heroes---great leaders that show the defiance and resolve of their people. Braak, your character in this adventure, is not yet a great leader of the British peoples. In fact, he's not a great warrior either. But because of his fearlessness (and a great debt that he owes his king), he has been "volunteered" to rescue the Pictish princess Aallura from enprisonment in the Romano-Briton town of Vespasium. Your quest begins at the front gate of Vespasium. To suceed on his quest, you must outwit the Romans. Direct force will only get your character killed or worse. Yes, there are worse things than death...well anyway, good luck!]
  
  > visit Brother
  As Braak approaches the gate, his hands begin to sweat depite the cool breeze blowing through the meadows. Standing sentry are two Roman guards. Both of them are adorned with beautiful metallic legionary gear. Neither of them seem really concerned with another unwashed barbarian. You say "Hail Caesar" as you pass, and they repeat the same. And then you walk smoothly into the city.
  
  > On to the Square
  You stand at the main square of Vespasium. The town is quite impressive for a barbarian like yourself, but it could never match the glory and splendor of Rome. To the east is the Market District. Merchants of all sorts peddle their meager products to an unrefined population. Directly in front of you is Big Boar's Tavern, a local drink and eatery. In some ways it's sanctuary from the Romans since they never go in there. In the very center of the town is the Roman stronghold, the citadel where they might be holding the princess. To the West is the Slum district. The Slum district: you'll never find a greater collection of all the scum in the city!
  
  Where to?
  
  > Market District
  Ahh, the Market District! The smells of fresh roasted lamb, the music coming from the alleyways played by street side musicians: Braak loves it. The random sounds of the market are a soothing sound to city folks and curious to country people like Braak. From an eyeshot distance, Braak can see a gentleman selling what appears to be chairs. Around the corner is a merchant with shelves of weeds around her; that must be the herbalist. At the end of the street is Redwar's weapons. Closer to you is a display for Roman trinkets. The streetside musicians are near the tricket stand. Somewhere away from the displays toward the back is the open fire where the lamb is cooked. So where to first?
  
  > Redwar's Weapons
  You walk up to the stand to examine the various weapons. But before you get close, a burly red-haired man approaches you. "Ho there! My name is Redwar; I am the proprietor of this house of weapons. How may I serve you?"
  
  "I am just looking at your fine weapons, Sir."
  
  "Yes, they are fine. Well, tell me if you see anything that pokes your eyes." He lets out a gusty laugh, and you let one out too to keep from offending the man with a hundred swords.
  
  Very little is in your price range, and even less of the stuff would you like to carry around. Remember, you are on a mission of stealth not strength. Even armed with this stuff, you could not take on 5 Romans much less the whole garrison!
  
  > continue to Look at Weapons
  Braak continues looking through the weapons: swords, maces, spears, bronze helmets, armors, and hmmm daggers. That's one weapon you could use, a dagger. Braak picks out a fine one and asks the Redwar the price. Redwar's price is beyond your means.
  
  > negotiate an affordable price
  "Redwar, I can't afford the price on the dagger, but I really could use it," you implore.
  
  "Well, lad, that's a fine one you got there. I dunnot' think I can go down on the price. And what do you mean by you can really use it? Are you gonna off someone?"
  
  What do you tell him?
  
  Ahh, the Market District! The smells of fresh roasted lamb, the music coming from the alleyways played by street side musicians: Braak loves it. The random sounds of the market are a soothing sound to city folks and curious to country people like Braak. From an eyeshot distance, Braak can see a gentleman selling what appears to be chairs. Around the corner is a merchant with shelves of weeds around her; that must be the herbalist. At the end of the street is Redwar's weapons. Closer to you is a display for Roman trinkets. The streetside musicians are near the tricket stand. Somewhere away from the displays toward the back is the open fire where the lamb is cooked. So where to first?
  
  > Roman Trinkets
  Braak approaches the display and the man says, "Hail Caesar! May he live forever. Can I interest you in fine Roman wares brought all the way from over the seas?"
  
  Braak is taken by the friendly, up front demeanor of the merchant. Merchants from Briton usually aren't like that. Oh, well, he must be super anxious to sell something. "Oh, well, err, I am just looking."
  
  The man cuts in, "If your humble servant Cicero can be of any service to one so great as you, let me know." You nod approving his statements. What do you do next?
  
  > look at Trinkets
  Looking through the trinkets, there are wonderous things among the piles. To Romans this stuff would probably be considered junk, but to uncivilized savages this stuff is a door to another world. One that they will never know. There is a ebony statue of a strange creature that has the word "elephant" written in Latin. There is a bronze lamp with the words "rub me" on them. Numerous vases and urns inhabit the area, bunching everything together. There is a medallion with a sun figure on it too, along with jewerly of stones all sorts. Nice but not too nice. The Caesar's wife would scoff at that the wares are not sexy enough for her taste. What do you look at?
  
  > look at the Bronze Lamp
  You pick up the old bronze oil lamp. It looks like a antiquity from the eastern empire. Numerous designs swirling into infinity litter the sides of the lamp. In Latin are written the words: "rub me". Or at least that's what Braak thinks it says based on his limited knowledge of written Latin. Do you rub it? Or just set it down and look at something else?
  
  > rub the Lamp
  Braak carefully rubs the lamp with the edge of his sleave and smoke begins to pour out of it. The smoke cloud consumes the area and comes together to form a being of great power; IT'S A DJINN!
  
  You stand at the main square of Vespasium. The town is quite impressive for a barbarian like yourself, but it could never match the glory and splendor of Rome. To the east is the Market District. Merchants of all sorts peddle their meager products to an unrefined population. Directly in front of you is Big Boar's Tavern, a local drink and eatery. In some ways it's sanctuary from the Romans since they never go in there. In the very center of the town is the Roman stronghold, the citadel where they might be holding the princess. To the West is the Slum district. The Slum district: you'll never find a greater collection of all the scum in the city!
  
  Where to?
  
  > Tavern
  You enter the Big Boar Tavern, the swinging little drink and eatery. All kinds of creatures have infiltrated this fine establishment. There are a group of farmers sitting at a table talking about the upcoming growing season. Numerous women of loose virtue walk around soliciting their fleshy propositions. To the right are some stairs that lead up to the second floor. Toward middle is the bar with many shady characters sitting there being served tall glasses of dark ale.
  
  > solicit a prostitute
  You look around swiveling your head to find the best looking whore in the place. Unfortunately, the best looking one is taken so you take the third best looking one in the place saying, "Wench, I am exhasted after long, hard trip. I could use some company upstairs while I rest." The one you had chosen was quite striking with blue eyes, a pale white face, long red hair. She's short with a big rear end, exactly what Braak likes.
  
  Always gracious while speaking, she says, "Oh, handsome warrior, I am so excited that I get the pleasure of your company." She leans in close as if to kiss Braak, but instead she whispers a price into his ear. You agree to that price and go upstairs.
  
  > Upstairs with her
  She lays you down on the bed and gives you a little wine to relax. Braak sips the wine and begins to get sleepy. She kisses you lightly on the lips then raises up slightly. She lets out a whistle, and Romans come out of the closet! You think to resist, but the wine has already taken you. The last thing you can think of is cursing the damn prostitute!
  
  > Continue...
  Braak awakes slightly dazzled with a pounding headache. Those Romans definitely don't fool around. It's dark as Hell in this prison cell but not quite as warm. The thick stone walls are covered with moss and dripping of water. The constant dripping could kill a man if the Romans weren't so thorough in hastening a man's trip to the next world. Across from you is an elderly man, chained to the wall just like you. Do you talk to the old man? Or wait to see what happens?
  (By the way, it's strange, but you didn't lose an items in your inventory. If you had items in your inventory....)
  
  > talk to Old Man
  Braak motions to the old man to see if he is in fact alive. His eyes blink, but he does not respond verbally to your motion. So you begin to speak, "Old man, what are you in for?" He doesn't answer. You continue, "I pray that the Romans don't find out the true nature of my being here." He still doesn't respond. Do you keep talking and hope that he responds or just shut your mouth and wait?
  
  > continue to talk to the old man
  You start to tell the old man some more details, hoping that he will break his silence, but it's all in vain. The guard has come to take you. The guard says, "That old bugger won't respond! He's been in here forever. Completely broken to Roman will, he is. And so will you be soon. Get up!" You get up and follow the guard out of the cell and up the stairs.
  
  > Interrogation
  you and the soldier enter the room. The General sits at the desk and stares on expectantly. Flavius is an impressive man: broad shoulders, a bronzed tan with dark hair on his head and face. He wears his XIIth Legion breastplate along with a bearskin pull over. This is definitely not a man you want to cross. The lead soldier begins to speak, "Hail Caesar, glory to him and the General. This peasant is here for your interrogation, General."
  
  The General calmly speaks, "Why have you come here to Vespasium?" You stand there silently.
  
  The soldier turns to Braak and slaps him, saying, "Speak you dog!"
  
  "Hail Caesar, General. My name is Braak; I am a Briton in the service of the Pictish King to the north whose daughter you hold captive." You say it forthcomingly, knowing that torture could get the truth out of you but with more pain.
  
  The general seems unsurprised and maybe unconcerned by your revelation. "Well, young Briton, you have gotten yourself in trouble in this town. We don't care much for those that disturb the peace, particularly ones that work for foreign kingdoms. I'm still debating whether to throw you into the dungeon or just execute you. It just depends on whether you are of use to me or not. So, do you wish to say something?"
  
  > Nothing to Say
  You inform the General that you have nothing to say. He nods and tells the guard to send you back to the dungeon. Across from the crazy old man, you sit. Eventually Flavius will decide your fate. Until that day, you will sit in this dungeon and rot. Execution or life in prison, it doesn't matter. You quest is over.