El works the next day, feeling his savings of four years suddenly depleted. So much had happened this month. Would he ever financially recover?

He climbs out of bed and looks over at the backpack that sits on the side of his table. A small white flower sits on the backpack. El sighs and picks it up. He tucks it behind his ear and climbs down the ladder.

El opens up a cabinet, takes out a box of nails, and shrugs. He can buy more later. Or tell Arkin we’re out. The farmer boy heads out to the perimeter fence and sets the box of nails down.

El heads to the mill to keep working. It's simple labor that he just needs to stay on top of for a while.

Earn Capital

Result = Silver Earned

20% chance random event

Profession: Farming

20(D20)+10(Skill) + 5(Prosperity)=35=70

42%= No event

El goes to the general store to pawn off the gem. The storekeeper looks at the gem and offers a hundred and twenty gold on the spot. Not knowing enough to haggle El takes the deal. He takes ninety-five for himself and saves twenty-five for Kib.

The field hand walks out of the town, passing through the fields, noting the missing box of nails, before correcting his course. He visits Kib at his mine and checks on his progress.

Earn Capital

Result = Silver Earned

25% chance random event

Profession: Mining

12(D20)+8(Skill)=20

28%= No event

The two share some food and laugh about Top’s horrible hairdo. The halfling has been growing out his blonde hair for far too long. Kib snickers as he comes to the realization Top is a man.

They then go out following the goblin trail further. The goblins have an ambush ready for them, but the two are ready. They easily dispatch their enemies. Several goblins try to come out of the woods to target them. Yet El easily dispatches them while Kib flanks around taking pot shots with his sling.

Gained EXP

El

7000/7500

600

Kib

3600/7500

Kib retires to his mine and El goes back to his barn. Arkin is waiting for him as he arrives back home.

“You and that kobold aren’t having any problems with other monsters, right?” Arkin looks worriedly at El.

“No trouble at all. Just cleaning up the hills around Belrond.” El sets his pack down and unstraps his sword.

“You look like you were in a scuffle. Something big?” Arkin presses for more info.

“Just goblins.” El answers.

“And what are you going to do if more adventurers come to town?” Arkin crosses his arms.

“I’ll handle it. Kib and I are capable.” El turns away from his equipment and looks up at Arkin.

“You’re getting in over your head.” Arkin huffs.

“And you think I’m just going to stop? I have been working for years towards this.” El shakes a finger at Arkin.

“Boy, don’t disrespect me,” Arkin says with a low tone.

“Sorry,” El drops his hand, “I’m doing alright so far. So don’t worry about me.”

“You know I’m going to worry about you,” Arkin replies.

“I know.” El shrugs.

“Come here.” Arkin pulls El in for a hug.

“I’m too old for this.” El manages to say as the old man crushes him in a bear hug.

“There’s no such thing as too old.” Arkin pulls away from El keeping his arms on the field hand’s shoulders.

“Alright, fine. Are you done?” El rolls his eyes.

“No! I have to feed you.” Arkin smiles as he turns to head towards the farmhouse.

El enjoys a meal with Arkin and his wife before heading back down to the barn. He finally manages to crawl into bed and get some sleep.