(G89 30/07/10 KT - AP, ON(GM), GF, SS)
Here I am again committing part of my life to paper.
I have started to think about ways of turning my life around and it seemed to me that starting out the same
way my father had might not be a bad idea.
Being part of a band of freewheeling adventurers is dangerous but very rewarding. When my father started
delving into the forests of Kryptgarden with his old pals the gold really started to roll in, or so he
tells me.
You would think I would be spoiled for choice considering I know many people on the watch, but you would have to
think again. The guys on the watch are all too comfortable in their salaried jobs to realise that they could
make the same money in a single day if they choose their target right.
Wander around in the Kryptgarden forests for a week or so and you'll be attacked by a band of brigands or goblins.
If you can defeat them, then all their gear can be sold off for good money. Of course you could also end up dead.
Maybe I'm just not putting it right, but noone's interested. They like to hear these stories in the tavern or
eye up the magical equipment of those bolder than themselves but when it comes to doing it - well, they have
kids to feed, and a roof that needs fixing.
Well, having asked around all my friends and acquaintances the best two I could find, and by best, here I mean
'willing' were Raya the Ratcatcher and Fenrir the Carouser.
Raya drinks in the same pub as me, the Thirsty Throat, and Fenrir drinks in the place I used to drink
before I had to pull in the purse strings, the Jade Dancer.
Which leads us on to...
DAY 1
I'd just finished the last of my three shifts. Counting my work at Whistling Blades I'd not had a break
in eight days so I was about ready for a drink and went to Throat to have a bucket or two of what the
land lord passes off as beer.
I saw Raya who like me is a bit of a barfly and talked to her. She seemed happy enough to have a wander
over to the Trade ward to see of Fenrir was about.
We got there in the late afternoon and found him easily enough. He was a with a couple of women but
my lack of wit soon chased them off. He seemed very willing to embark on a life of adventurer but it
seemed to be he wanted it to be on his terms and we spent a bit of time drinking and discussing it.
Like most of the conversations I have in the pub though, it never really went anywhere and we decided
to go a wander around the neighbourhood in search of inspiration.
It wasn't long before we were embroiled in one of the sort of scrapes my old man would tell stories about.
As we walked along the Street of Tusks we saw a man running along the middle of the street, his features
changing constantly into strange animalistic visages. Initially dumfounded we chased him down another street
but it was if he had vanished.
Turning back and following the direction of his flight we met a squad of watchmen sealing off the area
and taking statements. I didn't know them, they are a different ward after all, but the Civilar told
me to report what I had seen at my guard post.
Seeing that we would not be able to get down to where whatever had happened, happened we decided to
take a snoopy long way around to see if we could catch a peek.
Just then though, I think it was Raya, noticed smoke and flames coming from a candlemakers down
another road and we ran to help.
The shop owner was flapping at the flames in his store front without much success. I asked him if there
was anyone else inside and he said, 'Yes, his daughter Erin.'.
Raya ran inside and I followed, while Fenrir stayed to organise putting out the fire, bellowing orders
at passers by.
Inside we found some stairs which we went up and Raya tried the first door and myself the second but
it was not until the third that we found the girl.
She was about three of four and huddling in the corner of the smoke filled room. Raya initially
approached her but the girl bolted and I made to leap over the bed to get her, but did not make a very
good job of it.
Terrified, Erin hid under the bed, but I over turned the thing and managed to grab her and with Raya's
help got her covered in a blanket.
I think as we went down the stairs we were both pretty well burnt up. I was over come with the smoke
and burnt up a bit but not exactly on fire. Raya helped me down the stairs and as we got to the
bottom, Fenrir dove in, grabbed the girl and leapt back out again.
As Raya and myself stumbled out of the building, our clothes ruined and our skin all burnt up, coughing
our lungs up we were treated to a little speech Fenrir gave to the crowd about how he had rescued the girl.
He was so good I almost believed it myself.
By that time another squad of watchmen had arrived and took the matter in hand. I knew one of
them, Rurik Van Richter, a paladin, and he healed me up and we chatted for a while.
I went off by myself after that, to change out of my burnt clothes and was not long cleaned up when
Fenrir turned up. He doesn't often come to my flat, but he had beer so I let him in. He wanted to
find Raya on some pretext or other so we went along to the Throat and like the bar fly she is that's
where she had rolled up.
I have a feeling they are up to something because whenever I come back from the privy they stop
whatever conversation they are in and smile innocently.
It had been a long day so I decided to prop up the bar for the night. I think Mr Fancypants made
quite an impression on the barman, 'Fist'.
