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Evil Need is Nil.

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Dallarath stares at the plaque hanging on the wall of the Green Room, thinking there was something more to it —something he just couldn’t figure out.

His party came close to dying two days ago. It was a miracle they even survived.

There were lapses and mistakes that could have been avoided. If only they weren’t too eager for loot or too confident of their strengths. It was never safe to confront goblin den — especially without firsthand information.

The ordeal changed them, leaving unseen scars that might never heal. But they were coping — in their own different ways.

Remila took to teaching. She spent her days at the orphanage teaching kids to read, write, and survive the outside world. He assumed she wanted to leave a mark on the world — leave a legacy even when she’s gone.

He earned a sharp rebuke from Rem, who told him he was overthinking. She was merely doing her duties as a cleric, and not considering her own demise.

Aven’R baked bread. He was worried she would stop from adventuring altogether — but she seemed enthusiastic to get back into the action last time he checked up on her. The bread was tasty, though a bit salty for his taste.

Gwindin practiced. She spent hours slinging attack spells — followed by staff work once she ran out of mana. She went on about him jinxing their party, and how he should never do it again.

Siege took to drinking — as was expected of dwarves.

Perhaps the dwarf had the right idea, he ponders while draining his mug of sweet wine.

After all, they were meeting the Scourge tomorrow.

***

Speed. It was a concept alien to the creature. Never in its existence had she moved this fast — she never needed to. As far as she remembers, she was content with biding most of her days just eating and trudging along the ground — but that all changed 3 days ago.

She remembered pain, suffering, and fear before relief and something akin to awakening. It was as if her mind was cleared of fog, and now she could remember and understand more things. Her connection to her soft-shelled master even gave her a grasp of the sounds his kind makes — even if they didn’t understand her own. Maybe she was smarter?

There was another softshell in her new home, perhaps a companion or a pet of her master. Indeed, it called him such — even displaying subservient motions and bringing gifts.

She got along well with the brown softie. She heard her master call it Belseb or just Seb. She just calls it ╧c«┘c╧.

It took two days for it to understand, so she doubts whether they could ever communicate properly. Her master was different. He understands her perfectly, as if their minds were connected.

Today she was moving faster than she ever did. The ground undulates in her wake as if it was water. She was using the earth as a medium — not traveling over it. It was akin to how earth elementals passed through rock without leaving a trace.

Her master’s touch gave her another surge of mana. Unlike the mana around her, his master’s was pure raw power. It had both ice and fire at the edges, but it wasn’t tainted like the world’s.

“You okay, Shelby?”

She waves her flail-like feelers in response. She knew her master could read her thoughts, but he seemed to like visible displays of communication.

***

“I wonder how long we’ll have to stay out?” Jeremy ponders as he rides his monstrous mount.

The two of them were shuffled out of their home — something about changes to the shop. Belseb showed him a few panels of glass, telling him workers were coming by to install them.

A glass storefront, allowing passersby to see their wares, could certainly bring in more business.

His butler told him to take Shelby out for a ride and not to come back before midday. There would be workers fixing up the shop and Shelby’s presence — or his, for that matter — might prove too distracting.

The changes in Shelby also took him by surprise. The snail stopped leaking mucus all over the place — instead, she seemingly glided on the ground.

That fiasco with the Guild cost him money, and probably a bit of reputation — not that he had any in the first place.

Shelby was certainly faster. On his previous ride, Shelby barely moved faster than a walking pedestrian. Now she was about as fast as a trotting donkey.

He imagined riding his mount through town and being the envy of everyone. Anyone could ride a horse. As far as he knew, he was the only person who had a snail.

***

Well that’s new, Aven’r thought. She didn’t expect to see the Corner Store change so much in just the few days they were away.

It now had glass windows up front, along with an extended porch to block the sun. She could see Sebas tidying up inside — probably already waiting for them.

It was four days ago that she last saw the butler — or shopkeeper, for that matter. His healing lozenges all but saved their lives — certainly Siege’s.

The dwarf went on and on talking about the Lifesavers™ in his drunken ramblings. Sometimes, even going into detail on how he administered the miraculous lozenges.

She takes a breath to compose herself before entering the shop.

“Good day! Oh, you finally arrive,” greets Sebas.

Aven’R notes the sharp glance from the butler. It lasted a brief moment, but it felt like the butler was assessing her.

“Good day to you too Sebas,” she replies. Her party decided she would take point in today’s meeting. Rem was too attached to Sebas and Siege was too giddy about the Lifesavers™. “The shop looks good — definitely brighter.”

“It’s thanks to Shelby and a few laborers,” Sebas starts. “If you need work done, you can reach them at….”

“We’ve finished evaluating the healing lozenges, as well as the lifesavers,” she stops the eager shopkeeper.

“So soon?” Sebas asks, a hint of worry in his eyes.

“They were quite effective and the Lifesavers™ deserved the name.”

“It would be better if you made the report to Master Jeremy himself,” Seb insists. “He would love to hear your assessment of our products.”

He leads their group into the cottage beside the shop. He opens the door and immediately starts making preparations.

Aven’r pauses. Should we just go in?

She looks at her party for confirmation, befuddled by the butler’s action.

“Just go in,” prompts Gwindin. “We won’t be getting an invitation — not to a wizard’s home.”

Aven’R remembers their mother talking about thresholds and how an invitation can disrupt a home’s protective wards.

They entered the cottage.

It was spacious and simple — not one you’d expect from a wizard with the Scourge’s reputation. She did catch glimpses of a massive snail plowing through a field of dandelions through the window, but she decides to keep it to herself.

Sebas brings out tea, but none of them were in the mood for a drink at the moment — or so she thought.

“What?!?” Rem complains, noting the glares of her companions. “It’s sweet!” She takes another sip of tea before happily placing the cup on the table.

The Scourge Jeremy arrives a few moments later — clad in black and sporting a pair of shorn horns on his head. Obviously ornamental to the trained eye, but the elf could feel magical pulses deep within the makeshift circlet.

Aven’R feels the Scourge’s infamous aura as he nears — noting that it was truly akin to facing death.

However, after what her party went through — it felt more like looking down the edge of a precipice than facing a charging lion. Death was there — but it wasn’t imminent or inevitable.

“Thank you for gracing my humble home,” the wizard starts. “I hope our products served your needs well.”

“They did indeed, wizard,” Siege eagerly answers.

“I’m just surprised it was done so quickly,” Jeremy explains. “I didn’t expect your party would dive into a dungeon just to try out our products.”

“It was the caves,” Aven’R clarifies. “Sebas said you cleared it of goblins, so we decided to check it out.”

“The caves you say?” the wizard seems to be taken aback — even visibly squirming.

“There’s the possibility of spores getting into your body. I could get rid of them,” he offers.

Aven’R nods in consent. She notes most of her party did the same — with Gwindin seemingly hesitating before finally accepting.

“Good,” the wizard smiles.

The lions charged.

Aven’R felt death.

It was as if her very soul was being sucked from her being. The feeling lasted mere moments — but she would remember the feeling for the rest of her life.

“Hahaha, wizard!” Siege bellows, patting the wizard in the arm. “That was great!”

Aven’R stares at the dwarf, confused by his reaction.

“I’ve felt dragonfear before,” the dwarf continues. “That was one hell of a jolt.”

“It’s good that someone finally appreciates my craft!” cries the wizard. “Sebas, bring some wine and cheese for the guests. They’ll need some stomach jerms after the cleansing.”

Stomach what? Aven’R looks on in confusion.

***

The party takes turns recounting their deeds. The wizard insisted on a more roundabout way of storytelling — saying it would provide an insight on how to better serve the needs of adventurers.

Dallarath points out that this wasn’t part of the contract, but he relents after Sebas suggests giving them a few more healing lozenges.

The wizard takes notes on his journal, jutting down relevant details that pique his interest. He was intrigued by the teamster’s tale of selling glass — and horrified that it took the party two days to clear the road.

Gwindin tells about their discovery of earth crystals within the cave. It was probably the reason for the accelerated development of the goblin den, as well as the rift that brought Shelby from the elemental plane of earth.

Jeremy apologizes. It was carelessness on his part. He got his prize with Shelby and he didn’t bother exploring the depths of the cave.

Dallarath accepts the apology on behalf of the party. In a way, their party benefited from the experience, and they managed to sell the crystals for 800 gold.

He continues the story, noting how Aven’R spotted orcs — making their exploration more dangerous.

Even Sebas was momentarily taken by the presence of orcs. He expresses his concern for the party — glad that they came out of the ordeal in good condition.

Aven’R rambles about baking bread to cope with the horror. The scent of baked bread banished the orcs and goblins from her mind. She offers bringing a loaf or two to Sebas and the butler readily agrees.

Dallarath and Remila tell their tale of holding off an orc. Dal exaggerates the beating he took, while Rem praises his resiliency.

Gwindin sings praises of Aven’R, recounting how her sister shielded her while she cast her spells.

Jeremy notes her switch from spells to raw magic, providing a few pointers on how to handle mana.

The stories reach a climax in the dwarf’s battle near the crevice.

Aven’R recounts her horror in seeing the Siege fall to his doom, prompting her to dig deep inside of her for power

Siege recounts his ordeal, explaining how he managed to survive after being bound and having his feet severed.

“Wait what?”

“So I took the Lifesaver and plunged it into…”

Character Profile:

Gwindin

Initiate 5, Sorcerer 12

Elven Female

Good Tendencies

Strength

10

Intellect

44+17

Vitality

22

Willpower

33

Agility

34

Perception

15

Health: 22

Defense

15

Hit Points: +44 (evasion and magical protection)

Magical Defense

33+8

Spheres Known

Rotes

Earth 5

Earthen Grasp, Earth Spike, Grease,

Wall of Stone, Rock to Mud, Summon Minor Earth Elemental

Fire 3

Fire Pillar, Fire Lance, Cold Flame, Ignite, Douse

Time 2

Daze, Slow, Time of Day

Notable Equipment:

Runic Bracers — increases absorption and manipulation of mana for faster spellcasting.