Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
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26: names in the graveyard
As we walk into the Guard Barracks, Captain Lucian looks up. "Any progress in the forest?"
I give the captain a smile. "The bandit campsites are all cleared."
Lucian's eyes widen, before he gains a huge smile. "By the Divine, you actually did it! There are still a few bandits at large in the woods, but you've given us hope of reclaiming the road. This city owes you a debt of gratitude. Here - a fitting reward for your service."
I smile at Lucian. "I was glad to be of service."
As Lucian shakes my hand words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Laying Down the Law, complete. The Great North Road is a much safer place, thanks to our efforts."
As I step back I notice I leveled up to 26. I end up placing my attribute point into my Intelligence, bringing it up to 26. Glancing at my skills I notice a new 1. Heat wave looks like an attack that hits all enemies. So I use my single skill point to raise it to rank 2.
However, I wasn't the only 1 to level up. Luna reaches level 25. She uses her attribute point to raise her Constitution to 18. Looking over her skills Luna spots a new 1. Healing rain will keep healing the party by a small amount so long as it is active. Luna uses her skill point to raise Healing Rain to rank 2.
After Luna and I are finished with our level-up screens I remember Wilhelm. He was able to fight his way out of the mines, and I know the city guard is still short. So I decide to see if Wilhelm wants some work.
After leaving the Guard Barracks we turn north. After reaching a road that runs east to west we turn west. After a walk, we spot Wilhelm and Freada's house on our right. Turning north we enter the house.
Walking over to Wilhelm he greets me with a handshake. After some small talk, I decide to ask him, "What are you going to do now that you're back?"
Wilhelm looks thoughtful. "Well, I'm done mining. No more dark caves and weeks away from home for me. Maybe I'll join the city guard - give those goblins a proper thank you for their hospitality."
As Wilhelm finishes speaking words appear over my head. "A new quest, Changing of the Guard, has been added. Wilhelm wants to join the city guard. I should put in a good word for him with Captain Lucian."
As the words disappear I turn to Wilhelm. "I'm on good terms with Captain Lucian. Maybe I could recommend you for a guard post."
Wilhelm looks surprised. "You'd do that for me? Thank you."
Nodding I wave to Wilhelm and Freeda before leaving the house. With eager steps, we make our way back to the Guard Barracks. Entering the barracks I walk over to Lucian.
As I approach Lucian he smiles. "It's good to see you again, my friend. What do you need?"
I fight not to grin at the captain. "I have a recommendation for a new guard recruit."
Lucian raises 1 eyebrow in surprise. "Really? A recommendation from you certainly carries some weight. Who has you so impressed?"
"His name is Wilhelm - he was a miner before the goblins attacked."
Lucian looks thoughtful. "I heard he gave the goblins a good showdown in the mines. A man with that kind of determination would be welcome on the force. Have him report to the barracks, and we'll draw up some papers of commission."
With a smile, I thank Lucian and head back to speak with Wilhelm.
Entering Wilhelm and Freeda's house, I walk over to talk with Wilhelm. "I spoke to the captain; there's a position with the city guard available, if you want it."
At my words, Wilhelm smiles. "It looks like I owe you again, friend. I'd best be off—shouldn't keep the captain waiting."
As Wilhelm leaves the house, words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Changing of the Guard, complete. Wilhelm has joined the city watch. If I see him on patrol, I should see how he's adjusting to his new role."
As the words fade away I decide to go see Romilda at the tavern. Upon reaching the South large bedroom I ask Luna and Romilda to join me for a talk.
While gazing at my map I notice a Professor Lindarro's house at 54, 19. Making our way there we enter the house. While exploring the house we find a bedroom, a lab, and a study. In the study, we find a professor reading at his desk. Walking up to the professor I clear my throat.
Professor Lindarro barely raises his eyes from the desk. "Hmm? So sorry, no time to talk... Terribly busy, in the middle of... where did I put that parchment...?"
This professor reminds me of Hermione. I shudder at the comparison. "Um... is there something I can do to help?"
The professor ignores me. "No, no, no. The Annals of Adellicus are in ancient Eruditic ... this is in Gandolese. Where was that concordance...?"
I try again. "Excuse me, I asked if you wanted any help."
The professor finally looks up. "What, now? Oh - how long have you been standing there? Do I know you?"
One of my eyes twitch. "A few minutes. Is there something I can do to help?"
The professor looks confused, before seeming to settle. "Really? How strange. I thought ... ah, well, no matter. Say, while you're here, perhaps you could help me with a project I'm working on."
I blink. "That's what I just offered."
The professor looks contrite. "I'm sorry, this project has utterly consumed me. I'm afraid my focus isn't what it used to be. I really do need help."
I fight the urge to sigh. "I'm happy to assist in any way I can. What do you need?"
The professor leans forward. "I'm trying to compile a comprehensive list of Farhaven's founders. Such a list would be a great step in the historical study of our fair city. But I've hit a bit of a snag. The information I need is in the graveyard, and it's far too dangerous for me to go looking for it myself. You look like the adventuring type - maybe you could retrieve what I need?"
I nod in agreement. "I'm happy to help. Just tell me what you need."
The professor looks thankful. "Just look for graves bearing this symbol. No, wait, that's not it... where did I put... ah! Here it is. There should be eight of them. Record the names, and bring them back to me."
I take the piece of parchment Lindarro holds out to me, and study the symbol. "Sounds easy enough. I should have those names in no time."
The professor gets a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. "Splendid! Now, did you need anything else? If not, I have several annals to translate..."
Shaking my head we exit the professor's study and then his house altogether. Without pause, we head for the graveyard.
Glancing at my map we spot 8 pairs of coordinates. The first pair marked was 8, 26. First, we follow the path east. Once able we turn north and follow the fence. Upon spotting a gate on our left we turn west and pass through it. Continuing west we come upon the first of the tombstones with Lindarro's symbol. The tombstone has "Christopher the Defrocked Priest" written on it. After marking the name of this founder we proceed to coordinates 22, 11. On our way, we are attacked by a Boneman Champion and a Boneman Champion Archer.
After defeating the enemies Ginny reaches level 24. She places her attribute point into her Intelligence, bringing it up to 19. She has 2 skill points, so she uses them to raise her Icy Aura skill to rank 2.
Once we reach the coordinates we find a second tombstone. This time it reads, "Lord Andrew Kaar the Valiant". After marking down this founder's name we proceed to coordinates 23, 30.
Just before we reach the coordinates we are attacked by 3 Vampires. After dispatching them we turn to the tombstone. Unfortunately examining the tombstone I find the name is unreadable. After marking the tombstone's location in the list of Farhaven's founders we proceed to coordinates 25, 9.
Once we reach the coordinates we find another tombstone. This 1 has "Ed Worrell" written on it. After marking this name in the list of founders we proceed to coordinates 27, 44.
Before we got too far we were attacked by another pair of Boneman Champion, and Boneman Champion Archer. After the fight, we head south. When we spot a gate on our left we turn east and continue walking. After passing through another gate we turn south. As we walk we are attacked by a single Boneman Champion. After the easy fight, we continue south. Upon reaching a fence we turn east. A few feet later we spot a small gate on our right, so we turn south and pass through it. After a short walk, we turn west. Just a few feet later we turn south again. Finally, we spot another tombstone with the founder's symbol on it. The name on this tombstone is "Sir Matthew of the Wolf". After marking this name in the list we head to coordinates 38, 40.
It is a short walk to our next set of coordinates. When we reach it we find our sixth tombstone. The name on this stone is "Caotica, Master of Mayhem". After marking this name in the founder's list we head for coordinates 46, 10.
As we make our way to the coordinates we are attacked by a Poltergeist. After dealing with it we continue to the coordinates. There we find our 7th tombstone. This 1 has "Austen Perry, Esq" written on it. After marking the name in the list of the founders I gaze over my map. With a start, I realize I missed a marker at coordinates 5, 44. So we head for it.
We start by heading south to the fence before turning west. When we see a small gate on our left, we turn south and pass through it. After passing through the gate we turn west and walk forward to the next gate. As we continue forward we are attacked by 2 Boneman Archers. After the battle, we turn south. Upon reaching the fence we turn west. Just a few steps later we turn south. As we reach a hedge we turn west again. After crossing a path and entering through a gate we are attacked by a Boneman Archer and a Necromancer. After the fight, we continue heading west. After a short walk, we turn north. Finally, we spot our last tombstone for the professor. The last name to find is "Robin Kip, Earl of the Western March". After marking this last name in the list we return to the professor's house.
Entering the professor's house we proceed to his study. Finding the professor sitting at his desk again I clear my throat.
The professor is startled by the clearing of my throat. "What's that? Oh, it's you again. Wait - I do know you, don't I?"
Not wanting to stick around this professor for long, I get right to business. "I've recorded the names of Farhaven's founders."
The professor takes the list from my hands. "Marvelous! Simply marvelous! This is everything I need. You've just made history, mark my words!"
I shrug. "I was glad to be of service."
The professor waves a dismissive gesture at my words. "Yes, very nice. Why are you still here? I need to work! Work, work, work!"
I frown. "I don't mean to be rude, but I understood there would be some payment for my services?"
The professor beams at me. "Of course, how silly of me! Here - a copy of my work. Take it, go on! Now do leave me be - academia never sleeps, much to do."
I frown in surprise as the professor presses a large volume into my hand. What am I going to do with this?
As I turn away from the professor I spot golden words over my head. "The quest, Finding the Founders, complete. I've delivered the names of Farhaven's founders to the professor. They will go down in history as the reason that Farhaven exists to this day."
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An: and that is all for this chapter. We finished 3 quests this time around and got even stronger for whatever lies ahead.
We're nearing the end of this story. Only 4 chapters left.
As always if you have a comment or questions leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying the story, and I'll see you all next time.
