(no subject)
The storm raged over the continent of Etnia for a solid week. On the seventh night, the storm had reached its peak. Torrential rain, winds whipping through the country at speeds of over eighty miles an hour, and lightning crashes that lit up the ground as if midday was upon the countryside. A lone messenger braved the elements, and, at quarter to midnight, entered into my home.
"What can I do for you, brave soul? Here, come sit by the fire. Let me grab you a warm cloak and a hot cup of tea." I sat my guest in my finest chair, next to the raging fire I had built, so that this night I might stay warm. I began to pour the young man, a bard by trade, as was myself, a cup of tea to help rid him of the chill he had acquired while traveling through the countryside.
"Thank you sir, the hospitality is much appreciated. I come on business of a most... interesting manner. I have been asked to come to your home, and inquire as to what you were doing with your days, now that you have retired from actively adventuring. Sir, the full request boggles my mind, as what I am here to ask could be performed by anyone. It makes me wonder who wanted this task performed, to request someone such as yourself undertake this mission."
I chuckle to myself, for while I may not actively pursue glory, I still make sure to keep myself abreast of what rumors circulate throughout the kingdom. As of late, the rumors seem to be picking up, in particular the ones that are why this young unknown bard appeared upon my doorstep.
"Yes, I have heard rumors of a very wealthy individual wanting a task performed, yet wanting their identity kept secret. Strange, don't you think? Someone going to such lengths in todays society? It makes one wonder what their desire is, to require this much secrecy. So tell me, what is the task that you bring to my doorstep, young man? What quest is being asked of me?"
The boy looks up, his bright blue eyes show signs of fear. "My lord, I do not know. I have been tasked with bringing this document to you, and no other eyes were to look at it's contents. Though, one not need to waste a casting of Detect Magic to tell that this parchment is filled to the brim with magic, hence my wishing to reach your door before any of the king's guard caught me."
I think back, to twenty years ago, when the current King of Etnia banned all unlicensed magic. Fortunately, being friends with King Lars gained me automatic licensure in the casting of magic. I open the scroll, and cast the simplest of spells, and read the words that appear on the page. Below is a set of instructions.
"My lord," the boy chimes in, "I have been given 1000 gold pieces to give you as payment for accepting this quest."
I laugh heartily, and look around my humble cottage. All of the trinkets that I have stumbled upon grace the shelves and walls of my cottage, such as the crystal skull I discovered in my youth, and the last elven rapier to be produced by the hand of Llaioden Skyfoot, the greatest weaponsmith to grace the elven race. "My boy, what need have I with simple gold? Any one of these treasures would be worth more than the gold you could make in ten years! No, no payment will be taken. I wish it that you take the money, child, for you shall need it. Consider this my payment, for I shall be having you find the people named in this parchment here. You are to have them meet me at the Landbridge Tavern a month from today. You may stay the night, then set off in the morning. I will have a horse prepared to make your travels slightly quickened. Now, I am off to my chambers. Touch nothing, as I value my treasures, and have adequately protected each and every one. Now, my boy, I am off to dream of things I have seen, and those of which I have not yet experienced. I bid thee goodnight."
I turn and walk up the stairs to my bedchambers, confident that I have scared the boy enough to not touch my treasures, and hopeful of what this strange quest will bring to such a troubled world.
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"What can I do for you, brave soul? Here, come sit by the fire. Let me grab you a warm cloak and a hot cup of tea." I sat my guest in my finest chair, next to the raging fire I had built, so that this night I might stay warm. I began to pour the young man, a bard by trade, as was myself, a cup of tea to help rid him of the chill he had acquired while traveling through the countryside.
"Thank you sir, the hospitality is much appreciated. I come on business of a most... interesting manner. I have been asked to come to your home, and inquire as to what you were doing with your days, now that you have retired from actively adventuring. Sir, the full request boggles my mind, as what I am here to ask could be performed by anyone. It makes me wonder who wanted this task performed, to request someone such as yourself undertake this mission."
I chuckle to myself, for while I may not actively pursue glory, I still make sure to keep myself abreast of what rumors circulate throughout the kingdom. As of late, the rumors seem to be picking up, in particular the ones that are why this young unknown bard appeared upon my doorstep.
"Yes, I have heard rumors of a very wealthy individual wanting a task performed, yet wanting their identity kept secret. Strange, don't you think? Someone going to such lengths in todays society? It makes one wonder what their desire is, to require this much secrecy. So tell me, what is the task that you bring to my doorstep, young man? What quest is being asked of me?"
The boy looks up, his bright blue eyes show signs of fear. "My lord, I do not know. I have been tasked with bringing this document to you, and no other eyes were to look at it's contents. Though, one not need to waste a casting of Detect Magic to tell that this parchment is filled to the brim with magic, hence my wishing to reach your door before any of the king's guard caught me."
I think back, to twenty years ago, when the current King of Etnia banned all unlicensed magic. Fortunately, being friends with King Lars gained me automatic licensure in the casting of magic. I open the scroll, and cast the simplest of spells, and read the words that appear on the page. Below is a set of instructions.
"My lord," the boy chimes in, "I have been given 1000 gold pieces to give you as payment for accepting this quest."
I laugh heartily, and look around my humble cottage. All of the trinkets that I have stumbled upon grace the shelves and walls of my cottage, such as the crystal skull I discovered in my youth, and the last elven rapier to be produced by the hand of Llaioden Skyfoot, the greatest weaponsmith to grace the elven race. "My boy, what need have I with simple gold? Any one of these treasures would be worth more than the gold you could make in ten years! No, no payment will be taken. I wish it that you take the money, child, for you shall need it. Consider this my payment, for I shall be having you find the people named in this parchment here. You are to have them meet me at the Landbridge Tavern a month from today. You may stay the night, then set off in the morning. I will have a horse prepared to make your travels slightly quickened. Now, I am off to my chambers. Touch nothing, as I value my treasures, and have adequately protected each and every one. Now, my boy, I am off to dream of things I have seen, and those of which I have not yet experienced. I bid thee goodnight."
I turn and walk up the stairs to my bedchambers, confident that I have scared the boy enough to not touch my treasures, and hopeful of what this strange quest will bring to such a troubled world.
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