Once again, he woke as the sun shone through his window. He was still a little groggy, the late night of conversation and drinking was already slowing him down. Dressing went quickly, he’d bathed the night before and all his gear was cleaned from its stay in his inventory.

Before making his way downstairs he sent a message to his guild.

To: David, Miguel, Tae-Won, Leah, Daniel, Sam

Hey guys. Hope you’re all caught up on levels, we’re meeting today in the guild hall at 1800 game time. I haven’t heard from anyone as to what you’re thinking for your subclasses, so we need to have that discussion today.

If you’re going to be late let me know.

It was weird, and slightly annoying he hadn’t heard from anyone yet. He already knew what archetypes nearly everyone had gotten, but individual classes were what made group composition so important. Druids could do any role, and Leah usually stuck to Wildkin so she’d be versatile in any situation, usually at range. Miguel could heal either in melee as a Monk or at range as a Holy Cleric. Being a Fighter meant he’d be melee and so would Tae-Won, no matter what class he picked as a Rogue. He knew David would tank as a Sanctuary Paladin, but Sam hadn’t gotten back to him at all with what class he ended up with after taking the Dive to not have to heal.

And with Daniel out of the party, that just added another layer of complexity to deciding on composition. Ideally, he’d be replaced with a Ranged class. Ethan felt like their group was already leaning melee heavy.

Maybe Sam or David know someone looking for a guild and the recruiting process will be easier…

He made his way back down to the common room for his last meal in Grassmere. Once again Jerry was behind the bar serving breakfast to the few people already up.

Ethan took his now usual seat at the bar and waved to the innkeeper who acknowledged his presence and disappeared into the kitchen. Jerry returned a minute later with a large plate of food.

“‘’Morning sunshine!” His greeting was just a little too loud for Ethan’s hangover.

“Morning Jerry.” He rubbed his temple, trying to get the slight headache he had to disappear.

Hungover patrons were not uncommon in his line of work and he immediately recognized Ethan’s plight. But instead of being polite about it, slammed his hand down hard on the bar top. Ethan winced at the sudden noise.

“Hahahaha! You look like shit.” Jerry crossed his arms and stood back appeasing him.

“Yeah, your employee kept me up real late.” Ethan’s ears immediately burned hot with embarrassment as he realized what he had said.

Jerry roared in laughter again.

“I mean…” He stuttered, trying to clarify what he had intended. “We just…”

The innkeeper continued laughing at the hungover adventurer and Ethan quit speaking. He stared intently at his breakfast, half a dozen strips of greasy bacon and another two hard boiled duck eggs with toast. He began eating as Jerry laughed at him.

“No, no, I don’t expect you to kiss and tell.” The large man grinned at him and he nearly choked on the crispy bacon. “You leaving today?”

Ethan was more than grateful for the abrupt change in topic.

“Yeah, as soon as I finish eating. I don’t know if I can take the abuse of this place anymore. I’d rather take my chances with a hundred more bullywugs.” He said with a mouthful of duck egg. “Do I owe you anything?”

“Nah, you covered it already. And you’ve provided plenty of entertainment just being here.”

“Great.” Ethan rolled his eyes at the continued joking st his expense. “Oh, before I forget I have some meat for you.”

He swiped into his inventory and took out the venison and pork he’d collected the day before. Thankfully, meat didn’t spoil when held for long periods of time in the inventory void and when withdrawn was magically wrapped so it didn’t bleed everywhere.

Handing it over to Jerry prompted a quest notification.

Quest: Stocking the Larders - Complete!

You have returned with plenty of meat for Jerry at Ye Olde Dog and Pony Inn! He will take as much or as little as you’re willing to give him, and pay you accordingly.

Quest progress:

10 lbs venison

15 lbs boar

Reward:

1 silver per pound of meat returned to Jerry at Ye Olde Dog and Pony Inn.

25 experience

Ethan didn’t hesitate and handed over all that he had. Both animals were easily hunted on his way to Startesgarde if he wanted, but the meat was common enough he didn’t actually need it. He didn’t really need the silver either, but felt like Jerry would put the entire haul to good use. Players and NPCs were always hungry.

His monetary reward wasn’t immediately deposited into his inventory, and Jerry reached down behind the bar to retrieve a pouch of coins.

“Let’s see, looks like I owe you 25 silver then.” When he set the coins in front of him, Ethan realized it had actually cost Jerry for him to stay by bringing him so much meat.

“You know what, keep the silver. Your constant digs at my appearance aside, this has been a great stay.” He pushed the coins back across the bar.

“You sure about that?” Jerry looked astonished but also grateful, he was businessman after all and parting with any amount of his profits wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed doing.

Ethan nodded and a message appeared in his view.

You have declined the monetary portion of your quest reward. The quest giver is now even friendlier to you and will react more positively in the future. You have also gained triple experience from the quest instead of silver.

Reputation rewards were often more valuable than gold, he only lamented that this wasn’t an NPC he’d interact with more in the future. But he always tried to treat everyone fairly.

“Tell you what, I know you probably won’t be back here too often in the future, you Adventurers rarely are, but when you get to Startesgarde you go see Tara over at Greenbriar’s and tell her I sent you. She’ll at least get you a drink and a hot meal.” Jerry reached out to shake his hand.

“Thanks, I’ll be sure to do that.” Ethan returned the handshake. He was familiar with Greenbriar Inn, it was where his guild usually hung out when they were in town. Jerry walked away to serve another customer and Ethan returned to his cold bacon.

Breakfast finished, he turned to leave, waving at Jerry on his way out the door. Right as he left the inn a private message alert hit him.

Unlike the kind of messages he’d been sending, which were essentially letters delivered instantly, private messaging worked similar to phone calls and could only be done in cities or among party members.

Whisper from David: Hey man, sorry I haven’t responded yet. I was busting my ass to get to Startesgarde ASAP. Just got into town.

Whisper to David: No worries. Everything good?

Whisper from David: Yeah, about to meet with your sister. She messaged me already telling me she’s expecting me. You talk to her?

Whisper to David: Yeah, she actually came to see me in Grassmere. Said one of her guildies saw me there. Heads up, I told her there were dragons but you’d fill her in on the rest.

Whisper from David: Word.

Whisper to David: You heard from anyone else yet?

Whisper from David: Not a peep. Which I’m taking as a sign they’re all going as hard as possible to meet today’s deadline.

Whisper to David: Yeah, I’m expecting everyone should be there on time. Except for maybe Leah and Daniel, she’s helping him level.

Whisper from David: Tae-Won with them?

Whisper to David: No clue. But I’d figure so.

Whisper from David: Cool cool. I’m about to walk into the Clan Hall, I’ll let you know how it goes. Laters.

Whisper to David: See you this afternoon. Bring back that gold.

Ethan dismissed the chat window and made his way to the Northern gate which would lead him to the road to Startesgarde, stopping briefly to buy some travel rations and stock up on arrows before leaving.

The road leading north went through a residential section of the little town. Less shops and more houses lined the street leading to the gate. A few children played in the avenue, throwing a ball and swinging sticks at each other in some game that didn’t seem to have any rules. He smiled as he passed.

“Booking passage to Startesgarde! Passage to Startesgarde, travel in comfort and safety! Make it there in half time!” A caravan barker shouted his advertisement to anyone passing, a stack of tickets in his hand. The trading caravan was here, in part, from Ethan having cleared out the bullywugs. If he hadn’t done the entire quest then he wouldn’t even have access to the caravan as the frog people would still be attacking any traders between Grassmere and Startesgarde Usually Ethan ignored the trip and hiked, using the half day to finish his leveling to 10.

Today, he paused though, he was well into level 10 and had more gold than he needed from his sister and killing Ggoorgolax. The idea of riding instead of walking was more appealing than usual.

“How much?” He called from across the lane at the barker.

The barker was dressed in garish colors, a bright green shirt with a red vest and khakis with mid calf leather boots. He clearly wanted to draw attention to himself, which in his line of business was probably smart.

“Startesgarde? How many you want? Two? Three? Five?” The man eagerly began thumbing through his tickets. Ethan looked to either side of himself, unsure if he had some invisible friends as he was clearly alone at the moment.

“No, just one. How much?” Ethan asked again.

“Just one? You sure?” He looked crestfallen and Ethan assumed the caravan paid the barker on commission. “You got some cows or sheep you taking wicchu?”

“What? No. Why would you...no. Just one ticket to Startesgarde. How much?” He was starting to get impatient.

“10 silver.” He immediately ripped off a ticket and handed it out to Ethan, leaving him in the position of being unable to refuse.

Obliging, he handed over the silver and took the slip of paper. The barker had essentially forced his hand and made him take the caravan.

“When does the caravan leave?”

“We go now.” The barker jogged back to the waiting wagons, forcing Ethan to follow him.

Four covered wagons were lined up with massive bovine like animals attached to them. Several crew members hurried between the carts, securing cargo and preparing to embark.

“This way! You talk to Halder!” The excited man lead him to one of the few people not scurrying around.

Halder stood several feet away facing the lead wagon dressed in light tan leather breeches and wore a vest over his linen shirt. Ethan noticed people constantly coming up to him as he made marks on a clipboard he carried.

“Boss! Boss! Got you a passenger to Startesgarde!” His companion was eager in his introduction of Ethan as he handed over the silver Ethan had paid.

“Good,” the caravan leader didn’t look up from his paperwork as he slipped the coins into a pouch on his belt. Ethan waited patiently for any sort of instructions on where he was to sit for the trip.

Finally, Halder glanced towards him and tucked his clipboard under his arm.

“We’ll be leaving shortly. Do you have anything you need loaded onto a wagon?” His voice gave Ethan a very “no nonsense” feeling. This entire trip was business to him, he wasn’t there to make friends with his passengers.

“Just me.” Ethan returned his direct attitude. Some NPCs were just programmed to get their tasks done.

“Good, that’ll make the trip easier. You’re in the second wagon. There’s no other passengers so we have added extra goods to it. It shouldn’t be too cramped though. We’re leaving as soon as you’re aboard.” Halder turned to the lead wagon but paused mid step. “I will warn you, this route has been attacked by bullywugs recently in the marsh. We will do what we can to protect you, but I can’t promise anything.”

Ethan nodded at him. Yeah, I killed enough of them that this should be a smooth trip. His retort was to himself only. The caravan master definitely had the appearance of not someone to joke with.

Making his way to the wagon he was assigned, Ethan took a last look at Grassmere. More than likely, he wouldn’t see this version of the town again.